EP2957002A1

EP2957002A1 - Device for contacting a bus bar

Info

Publication number: EP2957002A1
Application number: EP14704588.4A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Anton BÜRGE
Original assignee: Multi Holding AG
Current assignee: Staeubli Electrical Connectors AG
Priority date: 2013-02-15
Filing date: 2014-02-14
Publication date: 2015-12-23
Anticipated expiration: 2034-02-14
Also published as: US20160020530A1; CN105009381B; EP2957002B1; CN106936044A; CN106936044B; RU2015133169A; WO2014125073A1; CN105009381A; HK1213694A1; JP2016510491A

Abstract

The invention relates to a contact device (1) for contacting a bus bar (2) having at least two contact surfaces (3, 4) extending parallel to each other and at a distance from each other, comprising a clamping unit (5) for applying a clamping force to the first of said contact surfaces (4) and a contact unit (6) for electrically contacting a second of said contact surfaces (3), wherein the clamping unit (5) lies at a distance from the contact unit (6), such that there is an intermediate space (7) between the clamping unit (5) and the contact unit (6), which intermediate space is used to accommodate said bus bar (2). The clamping unit (5) comprises a clamping element (8) that acts on said contact surface (4), in particular a lever (8), which can be moved onto the contact surface (4) in relation to the intermediate space (7). The contact unit (6) comprises a contact jaw (9) having a surface (10) facing the intermediate space (7), at least one contact element (11) that can be moved in relation to the surface (10) and that protrudes into the intermediate space (7), and a connection element (12) connected to the contact element (11) in an electrically conductive manner.

Description

TITLE

Device for contacting a busbar

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a contact device for contacting a bus bar according to the preamble of claim 1.

PRIOR ART Devices for contacting conductor rails are known from the prior art.

For example, US Pat. No. 7,806,711 shows such a device. The device comprises lever elements, which are acted upon by a spring with a spring force. The lever elements are attached to a busbar and serve to make contact with this one busbar with another busbar. This other busbar is thereby inserted into the intermediate space between two lever elements.

A disadvantage of the contacting according to US Pat. No. 7,806,711 is that it is not possible for a defined contact to occur when the two busbars are tilted relative to one another.

PRESENTATION OF THE INVENTION

Based on this prior art, the invention has for its object to provide a contact device for contacting a busbar, which overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art. In particular, the contacting of busbars of different widths and / or the compensation of an angular tolerance should be improved. This object is achieved by the subject matter of claim 1. Accordingly, a contact device for contacting a busbar with at least two parallel and spaced from each other extending contact surfaces. The contact device comprises a clamping unit for providing a clamping force on the first of the said contact surfaces and a contact unit for electrically contacting a second of the said contact surfaces. The clamping unit is spaced from the contact unit, so that between the clamping unit and the contact unit, a gap is present, which serves to receive said busbar. The clamping unit comprises a clamping element acting on the said contact surface, in particular a lever. The clamping element is movable with respect to the gap on the contact surface. The contact unit comprises a contact jaw with a surface facing the intermediate space, at least one contact element projecting from the surface into the intermediate space and a connection element which is in an electrically conductive manner with the contact element. Preferably, the contact element with respect to the surface is designed to be displaceable or movable.

With the clamping element so the gap between the contact unit and clamping unit can be reduced, wherein the contact device is pulled against the busbar. By at least one displaceable contact element angle errors and / or bumps in the busbar can be compensated, so that always a good electrical contact is made possible.

The contact element is electrically connected to a contact surface with the contact surface of the busbar. The contact surface can be designed in various ways. By way of example, the contact surface may be in the form of a plane or flat surface extending parallel to said surface. Furthermore, the contact surface may comprise at least one cutting element. Preferably, the cutting element is a cutting edge or a cone-shaped tip. The at least one cutting element preferably extends from the plane surface. Also, the contact surface can be provided exclusively by the at least one cutting element. The cutting element has the advantage that, for example, busbars, which are coated with an electrically insulating shrink tube, a lacquer layer, an oxide layer or otherwise with an electrically insulating material, are also contacted with the contact device.

Particularly preferably, a plurality of contact elements are arranged at regular intervals from one another.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the connection element is connected to a cable. In particular via a connection unit.

Preferably, the contact element has the shape of a pin. The pin is movably mounted in a bore in the contact jaw and comprises a contact surface for electrical contacting of the busbar. The contact surface may be the end face of the pin and at least one arranged on the front side cutting element. Alternatively, the contact surface can also be provided exclusively by the at least one cutting element, which then closes the pin towards the intermediate space.

Preferably, the pin is acted upon in said bore with a spring, wherein the spring presses the pin seen from the bore towards the surface. The spring force acts in the direction of the gap. When contacting the busbar, the pin can be moved into the bore against the spring force.

Preferably, the clamping unit and the contact unit are displaceable relative to each other along a movement axis, so that the distance or the width of the gap between the clamping unit and the contact unit is substantially adjustable to the width of the busbar.

Due to the relative displaceability between the clamping unit and contact unit, the gap can be roughly adjusted to the width of the busbar. The fine adjustment, which ultimately leads to the contact, is achieved by the clamping element and the contact element as described above. Due to this adjustability, busbars of different widths can be contacted particularly easily and quickly. The contact unit and the clamping unit are preferably in contact with one another via guide elements. These guide elements allow a relative movement between the contact unit and the clamping unit along a movement axis and prevent a relative movement about the movement axis. Contact unit and clamping unit can thus be moved toward or away from each other along a linear movement. In other words, the guide elements allow an axial displacement of the contact unit with respect to the clamping unit while preventing a radial movement between the two components.

Preferably, the guide elements have the shape of at least one guide pin, which projects into an opening of the contact unit and an opening of the clamping unit. Preferably, the guide pin is pressed into one of the openings and is held there firmly.

Preferably, the contact device has an elongated connecting element extending along the axis of movement, via which the contact unit and the clamping unit are connected to one another. Preferably, the connecting element has the shape of a rod, in particular with a circular cross section. Alternatively, the connecting element preferably has the shape of a tube.

Preferably, the clamping unit, particularly preferably in the end region of the connecting element, with respect to a movement along the movement axis fixed to the connecting element in connection and the contact unit is movably mounted on the lateral surface of the connecting element. Due to the displaceability of the contact unit, the said setting of the intermediate space can be achieved. Preferably, the connecting element is mounted rotatably about the movement axis to the fixed clamping unit and to the fixed contact unit. Consequently, the connecting element to the two units can be rotated about the axis of movement. In a preferred embodiment, the connecting element is connected via a bearing point with the clamping unit, wherein the connecting element to the clamping unit with respect to a movement along said movement axis is fixedly mounted and wherein the connecting element to the clamping unit with respect to a movement about the movement axis is rotatably mounted.

Particularly preferably, said bearing point on the clamping unit at an angle to the connecting element lying locking element and arranged on the connecting element and encircling the axis of movement groove, wherein the locking element engages in the groove. The locking element is preferably fork-shaped, so that it can engage on two sides in the groove.

In the said preferred embodiment, the contact unit, in particular the contact jaw, a through opening, wherein the connecting element is passed through this opening. The connecting element can be pivoted to the contact unit about the movement axis and can be moved along the movement axis.

Particularly preferably, the opening in the contact unit has an internal thread and the connecting element has an external thread cooperating with the internal thread, wherein during the rotation of the connecting element to the fixed contact unit, the contact unit is moved along the movement axis. The path of the movement per revolution is dependent on the pitch of the thread.

The arrangement of the thread has the advantage that the setting of the clear width of the intermediate space can be done by rotating the connecting element. Thus, the user can adjust the distance of the contact unit with respect to the clamping unit by turning the connecting element.

In one embodiment of the invention, the connecting element is a part of the connecting element, wherein the connecting element is in electrical contact with the contact elements of the contact unit via an electrically conductive connection.

Consequently, therefore, the contact elements engage the busbar and the Connecting element is electrically connected via the contact elements with the busbar.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the at least one contact element is electrically conductively connected to the contact jaw and the contact jaw is electrically conductively connected to the connecting element in connection. Consequently, therefore, an electrically conductive connection between the contact element and connecting element is produced via the contact jaw. Preferably, a switching element, preferably a contact blade, is provided between the at least one contact element and the contact jaw and / or between the contact jaw and the connecting element.

Preferably, the connection element has a connection receptacle, which is electrically conductively connected to the connection element or the connection element and which has a connection section for receiving a cable. The connection receptacle is preferably arranged opposite the clamping unit. Connection element and connection receptacle form a connection unit. Preferably, the connecting element extends at least partially into an opening in the terminal receptacle, wherein in the opening a switching element, in particular a contact blade, is arranged, which mediates an electrical contact between terminal receptacle and connecting element, and wherein the connecting element is rotatably mounted in the opening.

Consequently, the connection receptacle rests upon rotation of the connecting element relative to the clamping unit and the contact unit.

Preferably, the clamping element is operable with an actuator element, wherein the actuator element is preferably a rod mounted by the connecting element, which acts with a front end on the lever. Particularly preferably, the actuator element is mounted within the tubular connecting element. Particularly preferably, the connecting element has an internal thread for receiving an adjusting screw, wherein the adjusting screw acts on the Aktuatoerlement, in particular on the rear end of the rod and upon rotation of the adjusting screw, the actuator element is moved in the connecting element.

Particularly preferably, the lever has a restoring element in the form of a spring, which holds the lever in a rest position.

Preferably, the contact device further comprises a housing which is designed to be electrically insulating.

The housing preferably comprises a first housing part which extends around the contact jaw and a second housing part which extends around the connection element and is non-rotatably connected thereto, wherein the housing parts overlap in sections. During the adjusting movement between the clamping unit and the contact unit, the user can apply the movement to the connecting element via the second housing part.

In an alternative embodiment, the connecting element has the shape of a tube in which an actuator along the central axis of the tube is mounted longitudinally displaceable and rotationally fixed to the tube, which actuator element acts with its front end on the clamping element, in particular on the jaw, whereby this relative to Contact unit is displaceable. In this embodiment, the contact device comprises the clamping unit, the contact unit and the connection element, with which at least the contact unit, preferably also the clamping unit, is electrically conductively connected.

Particularly preferred in the said alternative embodiment, a connection unit is arranged at the end of the tube opposite the clamping element and contact element. The connection unit is designed so that it is electrically conductively connected to an external element. With the connection unit, the connection element, which is electrically conductively connected to the contact unit, can be connected to the external element. The connection unit has a connection receptacle with an opening. The connection element, in particular the tube, extends at least partially into an opening in the connection receptacle, wherein a switching element, in particular a contact lamella, is arranged in the opening, which mediates electrical contact between connection receptacle and the connection element, in particular the tube, and wherein the connecting element, in particular the tube, is rotatably or fixedly mounted in the opening. Further embodiments are given in the dependent claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Preferred embodiments of the invention will be described below with reference to the drawings, which are given by way of illustration only and are not to be construed as limiting. In the drawings show:

1 is a perspective view of a contact device with a

Clamping unit and a contact unit according to a first

Embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 shows a sectional view through the contact device according to FIG. 1; FIG.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view through the contact device of Figure 1, wherein the

Contact unit is shown at a different position;

Fig. 4 is a detail view of Figure 2;

Fig. 5 is a detail view of Figure 2;

6 shows a sectional view through the contact unit according to FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 shows a detailed view of the clamping unit and contact unit according to FIG. 1; FIG.

Fig. 8a / b is a perspective and partially sectioned view of a

Contact device with a clamping unit and a contact unit according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

9 shows a sectional view through the contact device according to FIG. 8;

10 is a sectional view through the contact device of Figure 8, wherein the

Contact unit is shown at a different position; Fig. 11 is a detail view of Figure 9;

Fig. 12 is a detail view of Figure 9;

Fig. 13a / b is a perspective view of a contact device with a

Clamping unit and a contact unit according to a third embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 13c is a sectional view of FIG. 13a; FIG.

FIG. 14 shows a sectional view through the contact device according to FIG. 13; FIG.

Fig. 15 is a sectional view through the contact device of Figure 13, wherein the

Contact unit is shown at a different position;

Fig. 16 is a detail view of Figure 15;

Fig. 17 is a detail view of Figure 15; and

18 is a perspective detail view of Figure 13 with a contact element according to a second variant.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In Figs. 1 to 7, a first embodiment of the present invention is shown. In Figs. 8a to 12 a second embodiment of the present invention is shown. Finally, Figures 13a to 18 show a third embodiment of the present invention. The same parts bear the same reference numerals.

FIG. 1 shows a contact device 1 according to a first embodiment for contacting a busbar 2. The busbar 2 is shown schematically in Figures 2 and 3. The contact device 1 is used to connect a standing in contact with the contact device 1 cable, which is not shown in the figure 1, to the busbar. It should be provided an electrical contact between the busbar and the cable.

The contact device 1 comprises a clamping unit 5 for providing a clamping force on the busbar and a contact unit 6 for electrically contacting the busbar. Furthermore, the contact device 1 according to FIG. 1 comprises a connection unit 21. The connection unit 21 serves to connect a cable to the contact device 1. The clamping unit 5 is arranged at a distance from the contact unit 6. Between clamping unit 5 and the contact unit 6, a gap 7 is present, which serves to receive said busbar. The clamping unit 5 and the contact unit 6 are designed to be movable relative to one another. Figures 2 and 3 show the contact device 1 in a sectional view. The intermediate space 7 between the clamping unit 5 and the contact unit 6 is smaller in the position shown in FIG. 2 than in the position shown in FIG. In Figure 2, therefore, a thinner busbar 2 can be clamped. With reference to Figures 2 and 3, the structure of the contact device 1 will now be explained in more detail.

The clamping unit 5 essentially provides a clamping force on the contact surface 4 of the busbar 2, while the contact unit 6 serves for electrically contacting the busbar 2 via the second contact surface 3.

The clamping unit 5 comprises a clamping element 8 acting on the said contact surface 4. The clamping element 8 here has the shape of a lever 8. The lever 8 is designed to be movable relative to the intermediate space 7 on the contact surface 4 of the busbar 2. In the present embodiment, the lever 8 can pivot about a rotation axis 39. The lever 8 and its operation will be explained in more detail below.

The contact unit 6 comprises a contact jaw 9 with a surface 10 facing the gap 7. The contact unit 6 further comprises at least one contact element 11 displaceable relative to the surface 10 and projecting into the gap 7, and a connection element 12 electrically connected to the contact element In the present embodiment, a plurality of contact elements 11 are arranged. The connection element 12 provides an electrical connection between the connection unit 21 and the contact elements 11. Thus, via the contact elements 11 and the connection element 12 and possibly the connection unit 21, the voltage on the busbar 2 can be tapped. However, the connection element 12 can also be directly electrically connected to an external element, in which case the connection unit could be dispensed with. In the contacted state, the lever 8 causes a constant force on the contact surface 4 of the busbar 2. About this force, the contact jaw 9 is pulled with the contact elements 11 against the contact surface 3, so that a constant electrical contact between the contact surface 3 and the at least one contact element 11 is provided. In this context, it should be mentioned that the busbar preferably has a rectangular cross-section, wherein the two contact surfaces 3, 4 are two mutually parallel surfaces. The contact element 11 has, as shown in Figures 6 and 7, the shape of a pin 33. The pin 33 is preferably a cylindrical pin. Next, the contact jaw 9 per contact element 11 and pin 33 has a bore 35 in which the pin 33 is movably mounted. The bores 35 extend from the surface 10 into the contact jaw 9. The pin 33 has a contact surface 34, which serves the electrical contacting of the busbar 2. The contact surface can be designed in various ways. Here, the contact surface 34 has the shape of a cutting edge 40, which may also be referred to as a cutting element. The cutting edge 40 extends from the end face of the pin 33. The end face may be 40 depending on the design of the cutting edge also part of the contact surface. The pin 33 is acted upon by a spring 36 which presses the pin 33 seen from the bore 35 in the direction of the surface 10. Now, if the pin 33 is pressed into the bore 35, the spring provides a corresponding spring force against the movement of the pushing. The spring 36 may be, for example, a plate spring or a compression spring. In the figure 6, the arrangement of the spring and the pin is shown in a particularly preferred embodiment.

Furthermore, the contact element 11 or the pin 33 comprises at least one cutting element 40. In the figures, a cutting edge 40 is shown. The cutting element extends substantially from the end face of the pin 33 in the direction of the intermediate space 7. The cutting element forms the contact surface 34 or part of the contact surface 34. With the cutting element, for example, provided with a shrink tube busbar can be contacted, wherein the cutting element Shrink tubing penetrates and comes in electrical contact with the power rail. The cutting element but can also be designed differently, for example as a conical tip.

FIG. 6 further shows that a switching element 41 for improving the electrical contact between pin 33 and the surface of bore 35 is present between pin 33 and bore 35. Here, the switching element 41 is a contact blade, which provides the electrical contact between the pin 33 and the contact jaw 9.

With reference to Figures 2, 3 and 4, the mobility between the clamping unit 5 and the contact unit 6 will now be explained in more detail. The clamping unit 5 and the contact unit 6 are displaceable relative to each other along a movement axis B, so that the width of the intermediate space 7 between the clamping unit 5 and the contact unit 6 is adjustable. In the present embodiment, the contact unit 6 can be moved against the fixed clamping unit 5 accordingly.

The clamping unit 5 is connected to the contact unit 6 via a guide member 13 in connection. The guide element 13 is shown in FIG. 7 as a guide pin 13. Here, only one guide pin 13 is shown, but there may be two or more guide pins 13. The guide pins 13 thereby guide the relative movement between the contact unit 6 and the clamping unit 5. The guide elements 13 extend parallel to the movement axis B and prevent a relative movement about the axis of movement of the two units 5, 6 to each other. Consequently, a pivoting of the clamping unit 5 to the contact unit 6 is not possible. The guide member 13 protrudes here in openings 42 in the clamping unit 5 and in the contact unit 6. Preferably, the guide member 13 is pressed into one of the two openings 42 and moves during the adjustment process of the gap 7 in the other opening 42 into it. The contact device 1 further comprises a connecting element 15 extending along the movement axis B. The connecting element 15 connects the contact unit 5 to the clamping unit 6, wherein the contact unit 5 and the terminal unit 6 communicate with one another via the connecting element 15. The Connecting element 15 preferably has the shape of a rod or tube 15, as shown in the figures.

The clamping unit 5 is arranged here in the end region 37 of the connecting element 15. The clamping unit 5 is connected to the connecting element 15 in such a way that the clamping unit 5 with respect to a movement along the movement axis B is fixed to the connecting element 15 in connection. The contact unit 6 is mounted movably on the lateral surface 38 of the connecting element 15. This means that the contact unit 6 can be moved with respect to the clamping unit 5 fixedly connected to the connecting element 15.

However, the connecting element 15 is rotatable about the movement axis B to the clamping unit 5 and the contact unit 6. Consequently, therefore, the connecting element 15 can rotate both to the clamping unit 5 and also to the contact unit 6. This functionality will now be explained in more detail with reference to FIG.

The connecting element 15 is connected via a bearing 16 with the clamping unit 5 in connection. The bearing 16 is designed such that a movement between the clamping unit 5 and connecting element 15 along the movement axis B is not possible. But it is true that the connecting element 15 can be rotated about the movement axis B. The bearing 16 essentially comprises a locking element 17 mounted in the clamping unit 5, which engages in a groove 18. The groove 18 extends from the lateral surface 38 of the connecting element 15 into the connecting element 15. The contact unit 6, here the contact jaw 9, has a through opening 19, through which the connecting element 15 is passed. In other words, it can be said that the contact unit 6 is mounted on the connecting element via the opening 19. The connecting element 15 can be pivoted to the contact unit B about the movement axis B. Furthermore, the contact unit 6 or the contact jaw 9 can be moved along the movement axis B on the lateral surface 38. The connecting element 15 can be moved relative to the contact unit 6 in the axial as well as in the radial direction. The opening 19 has an internal thread 52 and the connecting element 15 has an internal thread 52 matching external thread 51 at the corresponding location. The external thread 51 is engaged with the internal thread 52. If now the connecting element 15 is rotated about the movement axis B, this results in an adjustment of the gap 7, because by the engagement of the two threads 51, 52, the rotational movement of the connecting element 15 in a longitudinal movement of the contact unit 6 results. Thus, therefore, by turning the connecting element 15, the gap 7 can be adjusted. By the guide member 13, there is no pivoting between the clamping unit 5 and contact unit. 6

The connecting element 15 further represents a part of the connection element 12 which connects the contact unit 6 to the connection unit 21. The connection element 15 is in electrical contact with the contact elements 11 of the contact unit 6 via an electrically conductive connection. As already explained above, here the at least one contact element 11 is electrically conductively connected to the contact jaw 9. The contact jaw 9 in turn is then electrically connected to the connecting element 15 in connection, wherein preferably between the connecting element 15 and the opening 19 in the contact jaw, a switching element 20, such as a contact blade is provided. In FIG. 4, the path of the electrical connection from the upper contact element 11 to the connecting element 15 is shown in dashed lines. The dashed line is to be understood purely schematically.

The contacting of the connection unit 21 will now be explained in more detail with reference to FIG. The connection unit 21 has a connection receptacle 43. This terminal receptacle 43 has an opening 23 which communicates with the connecting element 15 via a switching element 24, in particular a contact blade electrically connected. The connecting element 15 is in turn rotatably arranged for connection receptacle 21. Furthermore, the connection receptacle 43 comprises a contact opening 44, via which a cable can be connected. The cable can be clamped, for example via screws 50 in the contact opening 44. In another construction, the cable can be connected via a press connection or cone-shaped, formed in the form of an inner and / or outer cone, formed clamping point. With reference to FIG. 2, the entire electrical contact of the contact device 1 can now be combined from the contact elements 11 to the connection receptacle. The contact elements 11 are electrically connected via the contact jaw 9 and the connecting element 15 to the terminal receptacle 43, wherein a switching element for improving the electrical contact is provided between the said parts in each case.

Referring to Figures 2 and 3, the operation of the clamping element 8 will now be explained. The clamping element 8 can be actuated with an actuator element 25. In the present embodiment, the actuator element 25 has the shape of a rod 25, which is mounted within the connecting element 15 in the shape of the tube 15. The actuator element 25 can be moved along the movement axis B. The actuator element 25 acts with a front end 26 on the lever. The lever has here an upper lever portion 14 and a lower lever portion 45. The front end 26 acts on the upper lever portion 14 and presses the lower lever portion 44 against the busbar 2. In this case, the lever is pivoted about the pivot point 39 accordingly. In the lower lever portion 45, the lever also has a contact element 46. The connecting element 15 has an internal thread 27 for receiving a set screw 28 in the region of the connection unit 21. The adjusting screw 28 acts on the actuator element 25, in particular on the rear end 29 of the rod 25. Upon rotation of the adjusting screw 28, the actuator element 25 is moved in the connecting element 15 along the actuating axis B. With reference to FIG. 2, it can be said that when the actuator element 25 is pushed against the lever section 44, the clamping operation takes place. As soon as the adjusting screw is moved again in the other direction, the Akuatorelement 25 moves in the same direction. For this purpose, the lever 8 is pre-loaded with a spring element accordingly. The return spring 30 is shown correspondingly in FIG.

From the sectional view in FIG. 2, it can furthermore be recognized that the contact device 1 comprises a housing 32. The housing 32 extends substantially completely around the contact device 1 around. It's just the Surface 10 and the contact pins 11 and 33 accessible from the outside. All other elements are electrically isolated by the housing 32. In the rear region, namely in the region of the connection unit 21, the housing 32 has a grip section 53. About this handle portion 53, a rotation can be given to the connecting element 15 by hand. Consequently, the housing 32 is fixedly connected to the connecting element 15 in connection. For this purpose, the connecting element 15 corresponding connection points 47. In other words, it can also be said that the housing 32 essentially comprises a first housing part 48 and a second housing part 49. The first housing part 48 extends around the contact jaw 9 around and the second housing part 49 extends around the connecting element 15 around. The first housing part 48 in this case has a slightly larger diameter than the housing part 49, so that the housing part 49 can protrude into the housing part 48. The housing part 49 is, as already explained, with the connecting element 15 in accordance with. In the area of the handle, the housing also has a protective shield 54, which provides a stop for the user's hand so that it does not come into contact with the busbar. The clamping unit 5 is here also formed with a third housing part 55, which electrically isolates the clamping unit 5. The three housing parts 48, 49 and 55 are formed separately from each other. FIGS. 8a to 12 show a contact device 1 for contacting a busbar according to a second embodiment. Like parts bear like reference numerals with respect to the preceding figures. The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment substantially by the formation of the clamping unit 5, in particular of the clamping element 8, and by the formation of the contact unit 6, in particular of the contact element 11, as well as the formation of the movement between the clamping unit 5 and the contact unit 6 responsible parts.

However, the contact element 11 could also be used in the other embodiments.

The contact device 1 according to the second embodiment comprises a clamping unit 5 for providing a clamping force on the first of said contact surfaces 4 and a Contact unit 6 for electrically contacting a second of said contact surfaces. 3

The sectional illustration according to FIGS. 9, 10 and 11 shows that the contact element 11 has the shape of at least one rocker 56 which is mounted in a rocker receptacle 57 in the contact jaw 9. The rocker 56 includes said contact surface 34 for electrical contacting of the busbar 2. The rocker 56 has opposite the contact surface 34 on a storage portion 66, which is concave rounded and is located in the convexly rounded rocker receptacle 57. Rounded design makes it possible for the rocker 56 in the rocker receptacle to tilt slightly so that an optimum adjustment of the rocker to the contact surface 3, 4 of the busbar is achieved. Particularly preferably, the rocker 56 comprises on the contact surface 34 at least one of said cutting elements 40. The rocker 56 is electrically conductive with the rocker receptacle 57 and thus also with the contact jaw 9 in combination.

The contact jaw 9 itself is electrically conductive in the second embodiment with a connection element 12 in connection. The connecting element 12 is, as will be explained below, a tube 62. The tube 62 protrudes into a receiving opening 67 on the contact jaw 9 and is preferably connected to the contact jaw 9 with a material fit. Via the connecting element 12, the voltage can be transmitted from the busbar to another element. Here, the voltage is transmitted to a terminal unit 21, which in turn may be in communication with a cable. The connection unit 21 is electrically connected to the tube 62 in connection.

In the figure 11, the path of the electrical connection from the rocker 56 to the connection element 12 is shown in dashed lines. The dashed line is to be understood purely schematically.

The clamping member 8 is a jaw 63 in the second embodiment. The jaw 63 is well shown in FIG. The jaw 63 has a Contact surface 68 for contacting the busbar 2 on. In a variant, the contact surface may be an integral part of the clamping jaw 63 and is provided in particular by a surface thereof. In a further variant, the contact surface 68 may be parts of a rocker 56, which is mounted in a rocker receptacle 57 in the clamping jaw 63. The rocker 56 and the rocker receptacle 57 may be stored analogously to the storage in the contact jaw 9 in the jaw 7.

From the partially sectioned illustration in FIG. 8b and the detailed view of FIG. 11, it can be well recognized that in the second embodiment not only is an electrical contact between the contact jaw 9 and the tube 62 present, but also an electrical contact between the tube 62 and the jaw 63 is provided. The clamping jaw 63 is electrically connected to a connecting part 69. The connecting part 69 in turn projects into the tube 62 or is in electrical contact with it. In a gap between the connecting part 69 and the contact jaw 9, a switching element 70 for providing the electrical contact between the connecting part 69 and tube 62 is arranged. The connecting part 69 can be displaced in the tube 62 and optionally also in the contact jaw 9 along the central axis M. In general terms, the clamping element 8 is electrically conductively connected to the contact jaw 9 and said connection element 12, here in the shape of the tube 62 in connection.

In the second embodiment, the connecting element 12 is a tube 62, in which an actuator element 25 along the central axis M of the tube 62 is mounted longitudinally displaceable and rotationally fixed to the tube 62. The actuator element 25 acts with its front end 26 on the clamping element 8, in particular acts on the clamping jaw 63, whereby this relative to the contact unit 6 is displaceable. Here, the actuator element 25 is connected via a threaded connection with the connecting part 69 in connection, wherein the connecting part 69 projects into the tube 62, so that the above-described electrical contact between tube 62 and Connecting part 69 can be provided. The connecting part 69 is fixed, for example via a screw 89, with the jaw 63 in connection. In other words, the actuator element 25 is fixedly connected via the connecting part 69 to the clamping element 8, in particular to the clamping jaw 63.

In the embodiment shown, the tube 62 is extended by a bore 71 in the contact jaw 9. In this bore 71, the tube 62 is electrically connected to the contact jaw 9. In another variant, however, the connecting part 69 can also protrude into the tube 62.

The tube 62 is surrounded on the outside with an electrically insulating housing 72.

The clamping element 8 is displaceable relative to the tube 62 along the central axis M of the tube 62. The clamping element 8 is preferably mounted movably in a housing 64. The housing 64 is preferably fixed to the contact jaw 9 and the housing 72, which surrounds the tube 62 on the outside, in conjunction.

Between the clamping element 8 and the tube 62 or other elements at least one guide element is present, which prevents rotation between the clamping element 8 and the tube 62. However, the guide element can also be provided by groove-comb connection or by flat guide areas.

Opposite the clamping unit 5 and the contact unit 6, a drive element 73 is arranged. The contact device thus further comprises a drive element 73, which is arranged at the opposite end of the tube 62. The drive element 73 has a handle portion 53 on the outside. The drive element 73 is connected via a thread 74 with the actuator element 25 in connection. Upon rotation of the Antriebselmentes 73, the actuator element 25 is moved due to the interaction on the thread and the rotationally fixed mounting in the tube 62 along the central axis of said tube 62. The drive element 73 here comprises a grip part 74 and a sleeve element 75, which is non-rotatably mounted in the grip part 74 and has an internal thread 76 which is in contact with the external thread 77 of the actuator element 25. Next, the sleeve member 75 is electrically conductive with the tube 62 in contact. For this purpose, a switching element 78 lies between the tube and the sleeve part. On the outside, the sleeve part is in electrical contact via a switching element 24 with the connection unit 21, more precisely with an opening 23 provided in the connection receptacle 43. Between the sleeve part 75 and the opening 23, a switching element 24 producing the electrical contact is preferably arranged.

The connection unit 21 can be designed in various ways. Particularly preferably, this is formed according to the first embodiment and comprises a connection portion 44. The connection portion 44 can be electrically connected to a cable or an adapter part 79, as shown in FIG.

FIGS. 13a to 18 show a contact device 1 for contacting a busbar according to a third embodiment. Like parts bear like reference numerals with respect to the preceding figures. The third embodiment differs from the first embodiment essentially by the formation of the clamping unit 5, in particular of the clamping element 11, and by the formation of the contact unit 6, in particular of the contact element 11, as well as the formation of the movement between the clamping unit 5 and the contact unit 6 responsible parts.

However, the contact element 11 could also be used in the other embodiments. The contact element 11, which is clearly visible in FIG. 18, here has the shape of at least one claw 58 with claw sections 59 protruding into the intermediate space, which claw 58 is mounted in a claw receiver 60 in the contact jaw 9. The claw portions 59 comprise said contact surface 34 for making electrical contact with the busbar 2.

13b and in the sectional representation according to FIG. 13c, it can be well recognized that in the third embodiment not only is an electrical contact between the contact jaw 9 and the tube 62 present, but that an electrical contact between the tube 62 and the jaw 63 is provided. The clamping jaw 63 is electrically connected to a connecting part 69. The connecting part 69 is here in electrically conductive connection with the tube 62. Next, the connecting part 69 via the switching element 65 is in electrical contact with the contact jaw 9 and / or the jaw 63. Here, in particular the connection with the jaw 63 is shown, while the contact jaw 9 is integrally formed with the connecting part 69. The switching element 65 is installed here flat in a plane. The flat installation also ensures that the contact jaw 9 and the jaw 63 rotatably to each other. The clamping jaw 63 can be displaced with the connecting part 69 relative to the switching element 65. In general terms, the clamping element 8 is electrically conductively connected to the contact jaw 9 and said connection element 12, here in the shape of the tube 62 in connection. In FIGS. 13b and 16, the contact paths between the individual elements are shown by dashed lines.

The jaw 63 can be moved relative to the connecting part 69. For this purpose, the clamping jaw 63 is fixedly connected to the front end 26 of the actuator element 25 with the actuator element 25. If the fine adjustment described herein is also used, then the contact jaw 9 and the switching element can be moved relative to the jaw.

Due to the flat installation of the switching element 65 also planar guide portions 61 are provided. In the figure 13b such guide portions 61 connecting part 69 are shown.

In the variant according to FIG. 18, the claw cuts 59 extend on the one hand from a base section 80 and on the other hand a fastening section 81 which protrudes into a slot 82 in the contact jaw 9. The slot 82 represents the claw receptacle 60. Here, two such contact elements 11 are arranged, the attachment portions 81 protrude into the same slot.

The clamping element 8 also includes at least one claw seat 60 with a The claw 58 mounted in the region of the clamping element 8 can be identical to that in the contact jaw 9.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 16, the tube 62 is extended through a bore 71 in the contact jaw 8. In this bore 71, the tube 62 is electrically connected to the contact jaw 8. In another variant, however, the connecting part 69 can also protrude into the tube 62.

The clamping element 8 is displaceable relative to the tube 62 along the central axis M of the tube 62. The clamping element 8 is preferably mounted movably in a housing 64. The housing 64 is preferably fixed to the housing 72, which surrounds the tube 62 on the outside, in conjunction.

Opposite the clamping unit 5 and the contact unit 6, a drive element 73 is arranged. The contact device thus further comprises a drive element 73. The drive element 73 of the third embodiment is designed slightly differently than the drive element of the second embodiment. The drive element 73 according to the third embodiment essentially comprises a coarse adjustment element 83, with which a coarse adjustment is made possible between the clamping unit and the contact unit, and a fine adjustment element 84 with which between the clamping unit and contact unit is possible. The coarse adjustment element 83 has a handle section 53 on the outside. The drive element 73 is connected via a thread 76, 77 with the actuator element 25 in connection. Upon rotation of the Antriebselmentes 73, the actuator element 25 is moved due to the interaction on the thread and the rotationally fixed mounting in the tube 62 along the central axis of said tube 62.

The drive element 73 here comprises a grip part 74 and a sleeve element 75, which is non-rotatably mounted in the grip part 74 and has an internal thread 76 which is in contact with the external thread 77 of the actuator element 25. The external thread 77 is here not completely formed circumferentially.

Next, a sleeve 87 is electrically conductive with the tube 62 in contact. For this purpose, a switching element 78 lies between the tube and the sleeve part. On the outside, the sleeve part is in electrical contact via a switching element 24 with the connection unit 21, more precisely with an opening 23 provided in the connection receptacle 43. Between the sleeve part 75 and the opening 23, a switching element 24 producing the electrical contact is preferably arranged. The fine adjustment element is well shown in Figures 13b and 17. The fine adjustment element

84 includes in the present embodiment an eccentric 85, in particular with a spring-trained eccentric 86. The eccentric 85 acts on the rear end of a sleeve 87, which communicates with the tube 62 in connection. As a result, the tube 62 is displaced relative to the actuator element 25, so that the contact unit 6 is moved against the clamping unit 5. As a result, a fine adjustment can be achieved.

The eccentric 85 can be actuated via a drive piece 88. The drive piece 88 is accessible from the outside. In the particularly preferred embodiment, the eccentric 85 is formed so that it can be operated in the fine adjustment to stop. The eccentric disc

85 rotates about a rotation axis D which is perpendicular to the movement axis B.

The terminal unit 21 for the third embodiment may be formed variously. Particularly preferably, this is formed according to the first embodiment and comprises a connection portion 44. The connection portion 44 can be electrically connected to a cable or an adapter part 79, as shown in FIG. LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

Contact device 33 pin

Busbar 34 contact surface

Contact surface 35 bore

Contact surface 36 spring

Clamping unit 37 end area

Contact unit 38 lateral surface

Interspace 39 rotary shaft

Clamping element, lever 40 cutting element

Contact jaw 41 switch element

Surface 42 openings

Contact element 43 Connection receptacle

Connection element 44 connection section,

Guide element, guide pin contact opening upper lever section 45 lower lever section

Connecting element, pipe 46 contact element

Storage location 47 connection points

Locking element 48 first housing part

Groove 49 second housing part

Opening 50 screws

Switching element 51 external thread

Connection unit 52 internal thread

Opening 53 handle section

Switching element 54 protective shield

Actuator element 55 housing

front end 56 seesaw

Internal thread 57 Rocker socket

Set screw 58 claw

rear end 59 claw sections

Return element 60 claw receiver

Rounding 61 guide areas

Housing 62 pipe Clamping jaw 78 switching element

Housing 79 adapter part

Switching element 80 base section

Storage Section 81 Fastening section

Receiving opening 82 slot

Contact surface 83 coarse adjustment element

Connection part 84 fine adjustment element

Switching element 85 eccentric disc

Bore 86 eccentric arm

Housing 87 sleeve

Drive element 88 drive piece

Handle 89 threaded connection

Sleeve element B movement axis

Internal thread D rotation axis

external thread

Claims

1. contact device (1) for contacting a busbar (2) with at least two parallel and spaced mutually extending contact surfaces (3, 4),

wherein the contact device (1) comprises a clamping unit (5) for providing a clamping force on the first of said contact surfaces (4) and a contact unit (6) for electrically contacting a second of said contact surfaces (3),

wherein the clamping unit (5) to the contact unit (6) is spaced, so that between the clamping unit (5) and the contact unit (6) has a gap (7), which serves to receive said bus bar (2), characterized

in that the clamping unit (5) has a clamping element (8) which acts on the said contact surface (4) and which is movable relative to the intermediate space (7) on the contact surface (4), and

in that the contact unit (6) has a contact jaw (9) with a surface (10) facing the gap (7), at least one contact element (1 l) projecting into the intermediate space (7) and an electrically conductive connection with the contact element (11) standing connection element (12).

2. Contact device according to claim 1, characterized in that the contact element (11) comprises a contact surface (34), wherein the contact surface (34) with respect to the surface (10) extends parallel and / or wherein the contact surface comprises at least one cutting element (40) or by the cutting element (40) is provided.

3. Contact device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the contact element (11) has the shape of a pin (33) which is movably mounted in a bore (35) in the contact jaw (9), wherein the pin (33) said contact surface (34) for electrically contacting the bus bar (2), wherein the pin (33) is preferably acted upon by a spring (36), which the pin (33) of the Drilled as seen in the direction of surface (10) presses and / or that the contact surface (34) at least one cutting element (40), in particular at least one cutting edge (40) or at least one cone-shaped tip comprises.

4. Contact device according to spoke 1 or 2, characterized in that the contact element (11) has the shape of at least one rocker (56) which is mounted in a rocker receptacle (57) in the contact jaw (9), wherein the rocker (56) the said contact surface (34) for electrical contacting of the busbar (2), which rocker (56) optionally has at least one of said cutting elements (40).

5. Contact device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the contact element (11) has the shape of at least one claw (58) projecting into the space Krallabschnitten (59), which claw (58) in a claw seat (60) in the contact jaw (9) is mounted, wherein the claw portions (59) the said contact surface (34) for electrically contacting the bus bar (2).

6. Contact device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that

that the clamping element (8) is a lever, or

that the clamping element (8) is a clamping jaw (63) with a contact surface (68), or

that the clamping element (8) is a clamping jaw (63) with at least one rocker receptacle (57) and a rocker (56) mounted therein, or

in that the clamping element (8) has a clamping jaw (63) with at least one claw receptacle (60) and a claw (58) mounted therein.

7. Contact device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the clamping element (8) is electrically conductively connected to the contact jaw (9) and said connection element (12) in connection.

8. Contact device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the clamping unit (5) and the contact unit (6) along a Movement axis (B) are displaceable relative to each other, so that the width of the intermediate space (7) between the clamping unit (5) and contact unit (6) is adjustable.

9. Contact device according to claim 7, characterized in that the contact unit (6) and the clamping unit (5) via guide elements (13) are in contact, which a relative movement between the contact unit (6) and clamping unit (5) along a movement axis (B) allow and prevent a relative movement about the movement axis (B).

10. Contact device according to claim 9, characterized in that the guide elements (13) have the shape of at least one guide pin (13) which projects into an opening (42) of the contact unit (6) and an opening of the clamping unit (5), or the guide elements (13) are provided by housing parts surrounding the contact unit (6) and the clamping unit (5), or the guide elements (13) are provided by flat guide areas (61).

11. Contact device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the contact device has an elongated along the movement axis (B) extending connecting element (15), via which the contact unit (6) and the clamping unit (5) communicate with each other, said Connecting element (15) preferably has the shape of a rod or a tube (15).

12. Contact device according to claim 11, characterized in that the clamping unit (5), preferably in the end region (37) of the connecting element (15), with respect to a movement along the movement axis (B) fixed to the connecting element (15) is in communication and that the contact unit (6) is movably mounted on the lateral surface (38) of the connecting element (15).

13. Contact device according to claim 12, characterized in that the connecting element (15) about the movement axis (B) is rotatably mounted to the fixed clamping unit (5) and the stationary contact unit (6).

14. Contact device according to one of claims 11 to 12, characterized in that the connecting element (15) via a bearing point (16) with the clamping unit (5) is in communication, wherein the connecting element (15) to the clamping unit (5) with respect to a movement along said movement axis (B) is fixedly mounted and wherein the connecting element (15) to the clamping unit (5) with respect to a movement about the movement axis (B) is rotatably mounted.

15. Contact device according to one of claims 11 to 14, characterized in that the contact unit (6), in particular the contact jaw (9), a through opening (19), wherein the connecting element (15) through this opening (19) is passed , wherein the connecting element (15) to the contact unit (6) about the movement axis (B) is pivotable and along the movement axis (B) is movable.

16. Contact device according to one of the preceding claims 11 to 15, characterized in that the radially fixed contact unit (6) via a thread (20, 51) by rotating the connecting element (15) along the movement axis (B) is moved, wherein preferably the Opening (19) in the contact unit (6) has an internal thread (52) and the connecting element (15) cooperating with the internal thread (52) external thread (51), wherein upon rotation of the connecting element (15) to the fixed contact unit (6) the contact unit (6) is moved along the movement axis (B).

17. Contact device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the connecting element (15) is a part of the connecting element (12), wherein the connecting element (15) with the contact elements (11) of the contact unit (6) via an electrically conductive connection in electrical contact stands.

18. Contact device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one contact element (11) is electrically conductively connected to the contact jaw (9) and that the contact jaw (9) is electrically conductively connected to the connecting element (15), wherein preferably between the at least one contact element (11) and the contact jaw (9) and / or between the contact jaw (9) and the connecting element (15) a switching element (20), preferably a contact blade (20) is provided.

19. Contact device according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the connection element (12) is a tube (62), in which an actuator element (25) along the central axis (M) of the tube (62) longitudinally displaceable and rotationally fixed to the pipe (62) is mounted, which actuator element (25) with its front end (26) on the clamping element (8), in particular on the jaw (63) acts and particularly preferably with this firmly in communication, whereby the clamping element (8) relative to the contact unit (6) is displaceable.

20. Contact device according to claim 19, characterized in that the clamping element (8) relative to the tube (62) along its central axis (M) is displaceable, wherein the clamping element (8) preferably in a housing (64) is movably mounted, which housing (64) is firmly connected to the pipe (62).

21. Contact device according to one of claims 19 or 20, characterized in that the actuator element (25) with its front end (26) fixed to the clamping element (8), in particular with the clamping jaw (63), is in communication.

22. Contact device according to one of claims 19 to 21, characterized in that the clamping element (8), in particular the clamping jaw (63), is electrically conductively connected to the tube (62), wherein between the clamping element (7) and the tube ( 62) a switching element (65, 70) which mediates the electrical contact, preferably a contact blade (65, 70), is arranged,

wherein the switching element (65) preferably in the interior of the tube (62) or in a bore (71) extending the tube (71) in the contact jaw (8), which is electrically conductively connected to the tube (62), and wherein a connecting part (69), which is in an electrically conductive connection with the clamping jaw (63), projects into the tube (62) or the bore (71),

or wherein the switching element (65) preferably extends in a plane.

23. Contact device according to one of claims 19 to 21, characterized in that the contact unit (5), in particular the contact jaw (9), is electrically conductively connected to the tube (62), preferably via a cohesive connection.

24. Contact device according to one of claims 19 to 23, characterized in that the contact device further comprises a drive element (73) which via a thread (76, 77) with the Aktutorelement (25) is in communication, wherein upon rotation of the drive element (73) the actuator element (25) is displaced along the central axis of said tube (62).

25. Contact device according to claim 24, characterized in that the drive element (73) has a grip part (74) and a rotationally fixed in the grip part (74) lying sleeve member (75) with said thread.

26. Contact device according to claim 24 or 25, characterized in that the drive element is a coarse adjustment element (83) which allows a coarse adjustment between the clamping unit (5) and the contact unit (6) and that via a fine adjustment (84) a fine adjustment between clamping unit (5) and contact unit (6) is possible.

27. Contact device according to claim 26, characterized in that the fine adjustment (84) is an eccentric disc (85), in particular with a spring-trained Exzenterarm (86), wherein the eccentric disc on the rear end of a sleeve (87) acts, which with the Tube (62) is in contact, whereby the tube (62) is displaced relative to the actuator element (25), so that the contact unit (6) against the clamping unit (5) is moved.

28. Contact device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the connection element (12), in particular the tube, protrudes into a connection unit (21) and there is directly or indirectly in electrical contact with a connection receptacle (43) and which has a connection section (44) for receiving a cable.

29. Contact device according to one of claims 28, characterized in that the connecting element (15) or the connection element (12), in particular the tube (62), extends at least partially into an opening (23) in the connection receptacle (43), wherein in the opening (23) a switching element (24), in particular a contact lamella, which mediates an electrical contact between terminal receptacle (21) and connecting element (15) or the connection element (12), in particular the tube (62), and wherein the connecting element (15) or the connecting element (12 ), in particular the tube (62), is rotatably or fixedly mounted in the opening (23).

30. Contact device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the clamping element (8) with an actuator element (25) is actuated, wherein the actuator element (25) is preferably a by the connecting element (15) mounted rod (25) which with a front end (26) acts on the clamping element (8), in particular the lever, wherein.

31. Contact device according to claim 30, characterized in that the connecting element (15) has an internal thread (27) for receiving an adjusting screw (28), wherein the adjusting screw (28) on the Aktuatoerlement (25), in particular on the rear end (29 ) of the rod, acts and upon rotation of the adjusting screw (28), the actuator element (25) in the connecting element (15) is moved.

32. Contact device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the lever (8) has a restoring element (30) in the form of a spring which holds the lever (8) in a rest position and / or that the lever (8) is cranked is formed and in the region of the contact point with the bus bar has a rounding (31) and / or that the contact device further comprises a housing (32) which is electrically insulating, wherein the housing (32) preferably a first housing part and a second housing part comprising, which first housing part (48) extends around the contact jaw (9) around and which second housing part (49) extends around the connecting element (15) and rotatably connected thereto, wherein the housing parts overlap in sections.