GB1561875A

GB1561875A - Electrical terminal board

Info

Publication number: GB1561875A
Application number: GB1707/78A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Ellenberger and Poensgen GmbH
Current assignee: Ellenberger and Poensgen GmbH
Priority date: 1977-01-20
Filing date: 1978-01-16
Publication date: 1980-03-05
Also published as: CH633916A5; IT7820505V0; SE7800165L; DE7701486U1; ATA7178A; SE419387B; AT364401B; FR2378433A7

Abstract

The terminal board consists of a carrier board (2) which is in the form of a strip and consists of insulating material, on which all the connecting parts (3) for the on-board power supply protection circuit breaker are arranged. All the connecting parts (3) consist of a basic module (10) which is in the form of a strip, has ends which are bent and is arranged with its perforated centre piece (14) on the carrier board. One of the ends of the basic modules (10) is in each case plugged through openings in the carrier board (2) and is locked there by bending over tongues which are in the form of lugs. The other ends (17) in each case engage around the edge of the carrier board (2) and are likewise locked there. In addition, the connecting parts (3) also have a further module (11) which is positioned between the centre piece (14) of the basic module (10) and the carrier board (2) and has a threaded hole, which corresponds with the hole (15) in the centre piece, for accommodating mounting screws (9). In this way, a terminal board is implemented which is simple to manufacture, can be installed in a space-saving manner and is particularly suitable for mass production. <IMAGE>

Description

(54) ELECTRICAL TERMINAL BOARD (71) We, ELLENBERGER & POENSGEN, GmbH, a German Body Corporate of, Industriestr. 2-8, 8503 Altdorf, West Germany, do hereby declare the invention, for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: The invention relates to a terminal board for mounting protective electric powersupply switch-gear and wherein a plurality of metallic connecting parts are arranged in rows on a carrier plate of insulating material.

Terminal boards of this kind for mounting electric components such as fuses, switches, resistors, condensers and the like are known that consist of a carrier plate of insulating material, for example hard paper, laminated plastics material, epoxy resin and ceramic materials, which has usually along its narrow sides, openings for suitable mounting screws. It is also known for the carrier plates to be provided with further openings in which are inserted metallic connecting parts, for example soldering lugs, spring clips, screw connectors or the like.

These metallic connecting parts are generally made of brass which is coated with nickel or silver.

It is however also known to make such connecting parts of aluminium or aluminium alloys depending upon the envisaged use.

In the manufacture of terminal boards of this kind there arises the problem of the need for producing them in large numbers and in the most economical manner possible. Since these terminal boards are accessories, their production must be as simple as possible, and in many cases an additional requirement is that the terminal board should occupy as little space as possible when fitted in the equipment for which it is intended, for example in a motor vehicle, a rail vehicle, an aircraft or the like.

An object of the invention is to provide a terminal board of this kind which is simple to produce and occupies little space when fitted.

According to the invention there is provided a terminal board for mounting protective electric power-supply switchgear and comprising a plurality of metallic connecting parts arranged in rows in a carrier plate of insulating material, each of the connecting parts consisting of a strip-like main element having a median portion and angled end portions extending therefrom, the median portion having a hole therethrough and resting on the carrier plate with one of the end portions extending through an opening in the carrier plate, and of a further element which is placed between the median portion and the carrier plate and which has a tapped hole which is so located relative to the hole in the median portion as to be able, in use of the board, threadedly to receive a mounting screw passing through the hole in the median portion. By having all the connecting parts with similar main elements contributes considerably to rationalizing the terminal board and to reducing its cost.

However, this also is assisted by assigning the clamping function to the main element and arranging further necessary elements between the median portion of the main element and the carrier plate. The elements thus act as a functional unit by securing and locking on to each other. In order not to limit the choice of mounting screws, further openings or recesses can be provided in the carrier plate in those zones in which the screws will be later positioned, which openings or recesses serve the purpose of providing space for passage of the screws as well as of securing the further elements by accommodating a screwthreaded rail, when no protective switchgear component is mounted on the board.

To enable the proposed terminal board to be constructed in a compact and substantially gapfree manner, it is also proposed to crank the median portion of the main element upwardly in the zone between the opening and a bend to an extent approximately equal to the thickness of the metal strip material. This enables the further element to be accommodated below the cranked portion so that the main element lies flush against the further element and can be fitted without clearance on the car rierplate.

One of the end portion limbs of the main element is preferably reduced in width to form a clamping lug. The reduction in width is expedient so as to ensure that, during mechanical assembly of the clamping elements on the terminal board, only this lug and not the median portion as well is deformed during the bending operation.

Immediately following its right-angled bend, the other end portion limb of the main element has an orifice with a further clamping lug extending thereinto, as well as an extension which serves as an electrical connecting lug. The orifice can be punched out in the same operation during production of the main element and it offers the advantage that here again the clamping lug is of smaller width than the other parts of the main element.

To achieve the greatest possible compactness in the construction of the terminal board, it is proposed to arrange the connecting parts on the carrier plate in such a way that the longitudinal axis of each of them extends transversely to the longitudinal axis of the carrier plate, and the holes are disposed near the outer edge of the carrier plate, and the electrical connecting lugs are disposed in the inner zone of the carrier plate. In this way it becomes possible to accommodate even relatively wide components on the carrier plate, and the latter has only to be slightly wider than the components.

The further elements necessary for constructing the terminal board may be elongate metal strips which are angled at one end and the angled limbs of each of which, forming a further connecting lug, are passed through the carrier plate. It is not necessary to provide these elements with clamping lugs since they can be securely clamped as a result of the proposed construction of the main element. Finally, the further elements may be flat shim discs, the dimensions of which correspond to the dimensions of the main element depending upon switching requirements, or which bridge two or more elements disposed alongside each other in a row. In each case these further elements have tapped holes, the position of which corresponds to that of the openings in the main element.

When assembling the terminal board, the connecting parts are generally arranged in two parallel rows. It is however feasible to provide more than two rows when required bv the spatial and electrical conditions. In principle it is immaterial how the further elements, i.e. the angled metal strips on the one hand and the flat shim discs on the other, are distributed over the individual rows. It is certainly advantageous to arrange the shim discs all in one row if the electrical switching system permits this.

However, the flat shim discs and the angled metal strips can be fitted at choice in one or other of the rows, and they can also be interspersed with each other.

The subject-matter of the innovation will now be described by way of example in greater detail by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a terminal board embodying the invention and having two parallel rows of connecting parts, a single protective switch being shown in position on the terminal board; FIGURE 2 is a perspective view of a main connecting part element; FIGURE 3 is a plan view of the FIGURE 1 terminal board; FIGURE 4 is a side view of the FIGURE I terminal board but showing two protective switches mounted thereon; and FIGURE 5 is a front view of the FIGURE 1 terminal board with a single switch thereon.

Referring to the drawings, the terminal board 1 consists basically of a carrier plate 2 of insulating material on which are arranged a plurality of metallic connecting parts 3. In the embodiment illustrated the carrier plate 2 is of narrow elongate shape which tapers at the two ends 4 and 5 and is there provided with openings 6 which serve to accommodate fixing means, fixing screws for example.

When the terminal board is in use, electrical components, for example protective switches 7, are mounted on the connecting parts 3, only one of these switches being shown in Figure 1. To enable it to be mounted each of the protective switches has at its lower corners fixing lugs 8 whereby it can be firmly screwed to the connecting parts 3 with the aid of screws 9.

All of the connecting parts 3 each consist of a similar strip-like main element 10 and of a further element 11. The main element 10 is illustrated separately in Figure 2 and will be described by reference to this Figure.

The main element 10 consists of a metal strip comprising a median portion 14 from which depend end limb portions 12 and 13.

The median portion 14 has a hole 15 which serves to enable the fixing screw 9 (see Figure 1) to be passed through the element.

In a preferred arrangement, which is illustrated in the drawing, the median portion 14 of the main element l0 is upwardly cranked in the zone between the opening 15 and the bend 16. The extent of the upward crank ing should be approximately equal to the thickness of the metal strip material.

Figure 2 also shows that the limb portion 12 is reduced in width as compared with the median portion 14 to form a clamping lug 17. When the main element 10 is secured to the carrier plate 2, this clamping lug 17 extends around the edge of the carrier plate 2 firmly to secure the main element 10 to the carrier plate.

The other limb portion 13 of the main element preferably has an orifice 18 into which extends a further clamping lug 19.

Adajacent to the orifice, the limb 13 has an extension 20 which serves as an electrical connecting lug.

The connecting parts 3 are arranged on the carrier plate 2 in such manner that their longitudinal axes extend transversely to the longitudinal axis of the carrier plate. This is illustrated in Figure 1. The holes 15 are disposed near the outer edge of the carrier plate, and the connecting lugs 20 in an inner zone of the carrier plate.

The other elements 11 may be of various different shapes. Some of these elements consist of elongate metal strips which have been angled to provide limbs 21 which pass through the carrier plate 2 to form further electrical connecting lugs. Figure 1 in particular shows that these elements 11 do not require their own clamping lugs since they are secured in position by the main elements.

In an alternative embodiment the elements 11 are simple flat shim discs, the dimensions of which correspond to the dimensions of the main element 10 depending ing upon switching requirements, or which bridge two or more main elements 10 arranged alongside each other in a row. The case where a flat shim element of this kind is only as wide as a main element is illus trated in Figure 1 at 22. At 23 is shown the case where such an element bridges two main elements arranged alongside each other and therefore interconnects them electrically. The elements 11 have tapped holes in which the mounting screws 9 engage.

To give as clear a picture as possible of the terminal board, it is illustrated again in Figure 3, this time in plan view. In this Figure as well as in Figures 4 and 5, like parts have like reference numerals. In Figure 5 it can be seen that tapped holes are provided in downwardly extended portions of the element 11, which portions are re ceived and engage in a recess or opening in the carrier plate 2.

WHAT WE CLAIM IS:- 1. A terminal board for mounting pro tecting electric power-supply switchgear and comprising a plurality of metallic connect ing parts arranged in rows in a carrier plate of insulating material, each of the connecting parts consisting of a strip-like main element having a median portion and angled end portions extending therefrom, the median portion having a hole therethrough and resting on the carrier plate with one of the end portions extending through an opening in the carrier plate, and of a further element which is placed between the median portion and the carrier plate and which has a tapped hole which is so located relative to the hole in the median portion as to be able, in use of the board, threadedly to receive a mounting screw passing through the hole in the median portion.

2. A terminal board according to Claim 1, wherein the median portion of the main element is cranked upwardly to an extent approximately equal to the thickness of the material in the zone between the hole and a bend connecting the median portion with said one end portion.

3. A terminal board according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein the other end portion of each connecting part comprises a limb which is narrower than the median portion of the main element to form a clamping lug.

4. A terminal board according to Claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the one end portion of the main element has an orifice therein with a clamping lug extending into the orifice, the one end portion serving as an electrical connecting lug.

5. A terminal board according to Claim 4, wherein the connecting parts are arranged on the carrier plate in such a way that their longitudinal axes extend transversely to the longitudinal axis of the carrier plate, and that the holes are disposed near the outer edge of the carrier plate and the connecting lugs are disposed in the inner zone of the carrier plate.

6. A terminal board according to any preceding claim, wherein said further element of at least one of the connecting parts is an elongate metal strip which is angled to have an end portion extending through the carrier plate to form a further electrical connecting lug.

7. A terminal board according to any preceding claim, wherein said further element of at least one of the connecting parts is a flat shim disc.

8. A terminal board according to Claim 7, wherein the dimensions of the disc correspond to the dimensions of the main element.

9. A terminal board according to any preceding claim, wherein the shim disc bridges two or more main elements arranged alongside each other in a row.

10. A terminal board according to any preceding claim, wherein the tapped hole is provided in a downwardly extended portion of said further element, said extended por

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. ing should be approximately equal to the thickness of the metal strip material. Figure 2 also shows that the limb portion 12 is reduced in width as compared with the median portion 14 to form a clamping lug 17. When the main element 10 is secured to the carrier plate 2, this clamping lug 17 extends around the edge of the carrier plate 2 firmly to secure the main element 10 to the carrier plate. The other limb portion 13 of the main element preferably has an orifice 18 into which extends a further clamping lug 19. Adajacent to the orifice, the limb 13 has an extension 20 which serves as an electrical connecting lug. The connecting parts 3 are arranged on the carrier plate 2 in such manner that their longitudinal axes extend transversely to the longitudinal axis of the carrier plate. This is illustrated in Figure 1. The holes 15 are disposed near the outer edge of the carrier plate, and the connecting lugs 20 in an inner zone of the carrier plate. The other elements 11 may be of various different shapes. Some of these elements consist of elongate metal strips which have been angled to provide limbs 21 which pass through the carrier plate 2 to form further electrical connecting lugs. Figure 1 in particular shows that these elements 11 do not require their own clamping lugs since they are secured in position by the main elements. In an alternative embodiment the elements 11 are simple flat shim discs, the dimensions of which correspond to the dimensions of the main element 10 depending ing upon switching requirements, or which bridge two or more main elements 10 arranged alongside each other in a row. The case where a flat shim element of this kind is only as wide as a main element is illus trated in Figure 1 at 22. At 23 is shown the case where such an element bridges two main elements arranged alongside each other and therefore interconnects them electrically. The elements 11 have tapped holes in which the mounting screws 9 engage. To give as clear a picture as possible of the terminal board, it is illustrated again in Figure 3, this time in plan view. In this Figure as well as in Figures 4 and 5, like parts have like reference numerals. In Figure 5 it can be seen that tapped holes are provided in downwardly extended portions of the element 11, which portions are re ceived and engage in a recess or opening in the carrier plate 2. WHAT WE CLAIM IS:-

1. A terminal board for mounting pro tecting electric power-supply switchgear and comprising a plurality of metallic connect ing parts arranged in rows in a carrier plate of insulating material, each of the connecting parts consisting of a strip-like main element having a median portion and angled end portions extending therefrom, the median portion having a hole therethrough and resting on the carrier plate with one of the end portions extending through an opening in the carrier plate, and of a further element which is placed between the median portion and the carrier plate and which has a tapped hole which is so located relative to the hole in the median portion as to be able, in use of the board, threadedly to receive a mounting screw passing through the hole in the median portion.

tion engaging in a recess or opening in the carrier plate.

11. A terminal board constructed and arranged substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.