EP4049347B1 - Electrical connector having fuse holder - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to an industrial connector with an electrical fuse holder according to the preamble of independent claim 1.

An electrical fuse holder is a holder device for electrical fuses. The electrical fuses can in particular be overcurrent protection devices, such as fuses.

Such connectors are required, particularly in industrial environments, to transmit energy, especially electrical energy, signals and/or data to devices such as work machines, control cabinets or similar devices.

State of the art

The state of the art shows industrial connectors in various designs. These connectors are usually characterized by a particularly robust design and are also referred to as "heavy-duty connectors".

Furthermore, there are appliance connector plugs in the state of the art, for example from households, which are equipped with electrical fuses integrated into the appliance connector plug to protect against overload. US 2,676,223 A from 1954 already described an electrical household connector with a body made of insulating material and plug contacts located therein, wherein a cavity in front of a plug contact is designed to accommodate an electrical fuse and wherein this cavity is connected by a corresponding plug contact and a Bayonet closure in which the body is made of insulating material.

However, the current state of the art does not allow for an industrial connector with a device for accommodating fuses. This is because industrial connectors are usually used in environments in which a control cabinet is used, whereby the control cabinet is already equipped with corresponding overcurrent protection devices and/or overvoltage protection devices.

However, if a corresponding device fails, a specialist is often required to locate the source of the error, for example in a control cabinet. In industrial environments in particular, fault localization can take a lot of time due to the increasingly complex design of control cabinets. In addition, some systems may be subject to planned higher loads. For example, systems in the information technology sector could be deliberately overloaded for a short time in order to absorb or enable power peaks. It can therefore be sensible to have an affected power line replaced by less qualified personnel first in order to save time and/or bridge the gap. The replaced, defective power line can then be checked centrally by a specialist, for example, in order to rule out the power line as the source of the error or to eliminate any defect that has occurred.

The US 1,743,821 A discloses an insulating base having electrical conductors therethrough, one end of the conductors terminating in electrical contacts, removable fuses in the base forming part of the conductors, a forwardly extending grommet disposed around the contacts and secured to the base, a flexible and resilient rubber-like housing disposed around the base and extending over the grommet, and means for removably securing the housing to the grommet.

The German Patent and Trademark Office has searched the following prior art in the priority application for the present application: EN 10 2010 002 176 A1 ; EN 10 2016 116 926 A1 ; DE 202 14 132 U1 ; EN 20 2017 100 408 U1 ; GB 2 355 601 A ; US6,746,279 B1 ; US 2005/0014412 A1 ; US 2007/0008061 A1 ; US 1,743,821 A ;

US 3,116,386 A ; CN 2 488 197 Y ; CN 110 718 818 A ; CN 207 896 359 U and JP H09-50868 A .

Task

The object of the invention is to offer an industrial connector which makes the maintenance of a system, in particular an industrial system, simpler and more maintenance-friendly and thus in particular reduces the risk potential for less experienced maintenance personnel.

The problem is solved by the subject matter of the independent claims.

Advantageous embodiments of the invention are specified in the subclaims and the following description.

Disclosure of the invention

The industrial connector according to the invention is composed of an upper housing section for receiving a conductor and a lower housing section that can be detachably connected to it for receiving at least one contact carrier. The contact carrier receives at least one contact. The contact is intended for establishing a connection with a corresponding counter-contact for transmitting at least electrical energy and/or electrical signals/data. At least one fuse holder for receiving at least one electrical fuse is arranged within the industrial connector. The fuse holder is detachably connected to a carrier element, wherein the carrier element and the fuse holder are each designed with at least one corresponding connecting element. The connecting element is designed in such a way that a positive connection is established between the fuse holder and the carrier element. This allows the Industrial connectors ensure excellent accessibility to the contacts used in the contact carrier. Furthermore, a connection from the contacts to the fuse holder can be easily established. This design means that a contact connected to a conductor can first be inserted into the contact carrier, the contact carrier can be inserted into the lower housing section and then the conductor can be connected to the fuse holder before it is detachably connected to the carrier element. In addition, a standardized rail, a so-called "top hat rail", can be arranged on a carrier element. By using a top hat rail, it is possible to use fuse holders that are usually used in control cabinets. This type of design enables a particularly high variety of variants. This type of modularity can be particularly advantageous when there are different requirements for the lines to be protected.

The upper housing section here refers to the section of the industrial connector that is able to accommodate conductors and cables. Conductors are particularly cables for transmitting electrical energy. Alternatively and/or additionally, other conductors, for example for fluids, can be used. The term "fuse holder" in this context refers to a device for The term "fuse" refers to the inclusion of an electrical fuse for electrically conductive connection with at least one electrical conductor. In other words, the fuse holder uses an inserted fuse to establish an electrical connection between the contact inserted in the contact carrier and a conductor inserted into the upper housing section. The current and/or the voltage of the electrical conductor attached to the fuse holder is then protected by an inserted fuse. So-called fuses are preferably used as fuses, which burn out if the current is too high for a certain period of time, thereby protecting subsequent components from damage. Depending on the system to be connected, it is advisable to use a plurality of fuses instead of one fuse. The fuse holder advantageously accommodates two fuses. The fuse holder preferably accommodates three fuses. Alternatively, several fuse holders can be used, with the fuse holders accommodating any number of fuses. Three fuse holders are preferably used, each of which accommodates one fuse.

In particular, the industrial connector can have means for fixing the inserted cable, for example a cable screw connection. On the plug-in side, the industrial connector is provided with a corresponding plug-in opening and in particular with a corresponding so-called "plug-in face" for plugging into a corresponding mating connector, e.g. for signal and/or energy transmission. The industrial connector can also have a separate so-called "holder frame" and/or a similarly acting holding mechanism that is firmly integrated into the industrial connector, as well as several insulating bodies arranged therein in the form of so-called "plug-in modules". Furthermore, the industrial connector can consist at least partially of metal and can be used for high currents and/or voltages, e.g.

Currents over 50 amps, in particular over 100 amps, preferably currents over 250 amps, in particular currents over 500 amps. Alternatively or additionally, voltages over 60 V, in particular over 220 V, for example over 600 V and therefore also voltages over 1000 V can be transmitted via such an industrial connector. For protective earthing, the industrial connector can have at least one PE ("Protection Earth") contact, for example in the form of a PE screw or a plug contact.

In a useful embodiment, the carrier element is connected to one of the two housing sections.

In a preferred embodiment, the carrier element is connected to the lower housing section. Depending on the shape of the housing, it may also be useful to make the carrier element connectable to the upper housing section. By using a carrier element, the positioning of the fuse holder within the industrial connector can be securely determined. This means that the connecting conductors from the contacts positioned in the contact carrier can be pre-assembled to form a fuse holder, which significantly simplifies the manufacturing process, assembly process and maintenance.

A further embodiment provides for the carrier element to be detachably connected to the upper housing section or the lower housing section. This both increases the ease of assembly and further simplifies maintenance. For example, a fuse holder according to the invention can be firmly connected to a carrier element. Nevertheless, assembly is simplified in a similar way to the previous description, since contacts can first be inserted into the contact carriers in order to then connect conductors connected to the contacts to the fuse holder and then fasten the fuse holder to a housing section. In addition, a corresponding industrial connector can be used in a wider variety of ways in this way, since it can be used as a regular industrial connector. For this purpose, the detachably connectable carrier element is omitted if there is no longer a need for electrical protection of the current-carrying conductors.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the state of at least one inserted electrical fuse can be read through a viewing opening in the upper housing section and/or the lower housing section. In one embodiment, a viewing window is designed to enable a visual inspection of the electrical fuse. Cleverly, the state of at least one inserted electrical fuse is indicated by at least one signal. Preferably, the state of an inserted electrical fuse is indicated by a light source. Particularly preferably, a light-emitting diode (LED) is used as the light source. A light-emitting diode can advantageously be arranged on the fuse holder through a viewing window. Nevertheless, the state of the electrical fuse held by the fuse holder can be recognized from outside the industrial connector. In the event of a defect, the maintenance personnel deployed can recognize at first glance a cable with an industrial connector according to the invention that needs to be replaced.

The industrial connector can also have a locking mechanism, e.g. in the form of a locking bracket or two push buttons or similar, for locking the industrial connector with the mating connector plugged into it. The push buttons may have the advantage of being easier to use, since the two push buttons only have to be moved towards each other to lock them, i.e. they can be pressed together by the user with one hand. The locking bracket may have the advantage that it automatically presses the industrial connector and the mating connector against each other to form a seal when locking, without the need for a special mechanism. In particularly preferred In some designs, a locking mechanism can also be automated, for example by means of an appropriate electromechanical device. In this way, for example, "pulling under load" can also be prevented.

Example

Fig. 1

eine Darstellung eines erfindungsgemäßen Industriesteckverbinder;

Fig. 2

eine perspektivische Ansicht einer teilweise demontierten, erfindungsgemäßen Industriesteckverbinder;

Fig. 3

Eine perspektivische Ansicht eines Sicherungshalters mit einem unteren Gehäuseabschnitt und daran angeordnetem Trägerelement;

Fig. 4

Eine perspektivische Ansicht eines Sicherungshalters und daran angeordnetem Trägerelement mit einem unteren Gehäuseabschnitt.

An embodiment of the invention is shown in the drawings and is explained in more detail below. They show:

Fig.1

a representation of an industrial connector according to the invention;

Fig.2

a perspective view of a partially disassembled industrial connector according to the invention;

Fig.3

A perspective view of a fuse holder with a lower housing section and a carrier element arranged thereon;

Fig.4

A perspective view of a fuse holder and carrier element arranged thereon with a lower housing section.

The figures contain partly simplified, schematic representations. In some cases, identical reference symbols are used for the same, but possibly not identical, elements. Different views of the same elements may be scaled differently.

Directional indications such as "left", "right", "up" and "down" are to be understood with reference to the respective figure and can vary in the individual representations compared to the object depicted.

The Figure 1 shows an industrial connector 1 according to the invention. The upper housing section 2 is provided with a cable fastening 12. The cable fastening 12 shown is a cable screw connection which secures a cable through screwing the cap and thus securing it against being pulled out. A sight glass 13 can also be seen, which protects a viewing opening 10 against the ingress of foreign bodies. Depending on the area of application of the industrial connector 1, it may be useful to arrange the sight glass 13 in a watertight and/or dust-tight manner on the upper housing section 2. The upper housing section 2 is detachably connected to the lower housing section 3. In the embodiment shown, a flat tool is required, for example a slotted screwdriver, to release a catch between the upper housing section 2 and the lower housing section 3. This design is intended to prevent the industrial connector 1 from being opened easily without tools.

In the Figure 2 an industrial plug connector 1 is shown in a partially disassembled view. More precisely, in the embodiment shown, the upper housing section 2 has been separated from the lower housing section 3. This reveals the fuse holder 6 arranged on a carrier element 8. Furthermore, electrical fuses 7 inserted in the fuse holder 6 can be seen. It goes without saying for those skilled in the art that instead of the fuse holder 6 shown with Further, contact carriers 4 and 4' inserted in the lower housing section 3 and contacts 5 located therein can be seen. The contacts 5' inserted in the contact carrier 4' are arranged within the insulating, cylindrical extensions.

A clever feature of the industrial connector 1 according to the invention is shown in the Figure 3 clearly. A connecting element 9 is formed on the carrier element 8. A connecting element 9 is shown as a top hat rail, whereby a fuse holder 6 can be used as a known component from a control cabinet. In another embodiment, a standardized top hat rail can be attached to the carrier element 8, for example by means of a screw or rivet connection as a connecting element. In order to be able to lay electrical conductors cleanly past the fuse holder 6, a stop 14 is provided. This stop 14 simplifies the positioning of the fuse holder 6 on the carrier element 8, so that further cables can be easily laid past the fuse holder. This design can be particularly advantageous when using a PE conductor. In this example, the lower housing section 3 is detachably connected to the carrier element 8. However, a one-piece design is also conceivable. Finally, a light source 11 arranged on the fuse holder 6 is also shown. The light source 11 is positioned such that when the industrial connector 1 is assembled, the light sources 11 can be seen through the viewing opening 10 and the inspection glass 13 of the upper housing section 2.

The two-part design of the lower housing section 3 and the carrier element 8 is shown in Figure 4 clearer. Also visible in this illustration are locking elements 15. These locking elements 15 are brought into engagement with the lower housing section 3, so that the carrier element 8 and the fuse holder 6 attached to it are easily connected to the lower housing section 3.

Even if different aspects or features of the invention are shown in combination in the figures, it is clear to the person skilled in the art - unless otherwise stated - that the combinations shown and discussed are not the only possible ones. In particular, corresponding units or feature complexes from different embodiments can be exchanged with one another.

List of reference symbols

1

Industrial connectors

2

upper housing section

3

lower housing section

4, 4'

Contact carrier

5, 5'

Contact

6

Fuse holder

7

electrical fuse

8th

Support element

9, 9'

Connecting element

10

Viewing opening

11

Lamps

12

Cable fastening

13

Sight glass

14

attack

15

Locking element

Claims (7)

1. Industrial electrical connector (1), composed of an upper housing portion (2) for holding a cable and a lower housing portion (3) for holding at least one contact carrier (4), which lower housing portion can be releasably connected to the upper housing portion, wherein the contact carrier (4) holds at least one contact (5), wherein the at least one contact (5) is intended for establishing a connection to a corresponding mating contact for the transfer of at least electrical power and/or electrical signals/data, wherein at least one fuse holder (6) for holding at least one electrical fuse (7) is arranged within the industrial electrical connector (1), characterized in that the industrial electrical connector (1) further comprises a carrier element (8) and the fuse holder (6) is releasably connected to the carrier element (8), wherein the carrier element (8) and the fuse holder (6) are connected to at least one corresponding connecting element (9), wherein the connecting element (9) establishes a form-fit connection between the fuse holder (6) and the carrier element (8).
2. Industrial electrical connector (1) according to Claim 1, characterized in that the fuse holder (6) is connected to the lower housing portion (3) or to the upper housing portion (2) by the carrier element (8).
3. Industrial electrical connector (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the carrier element (8) is releasably connected to the upper housing portion (2) or to the lower housing portion (3).
4. Industrial electrical connector (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the state of the at least one inserted electrical fuse (7) is reproduced by at least one signal.
5. Industrial electrical connector (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the state of the at least one inserted electrical fuse (7) can be read through a viewing opening (10) in the upper housing portion (2) and/or the lower housing portion (3).
6. Industrial electrical connector (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the state of the at least one inserted electrical fuse (7) is indicated by an illuminant (11).
7. Industrial electrical connector (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the illuminant (11) is embodied as a light-emitting diode.

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