GB2280786A

GB2280786A - A switch and fuse assembly

Info

Publication number: GB2280786A
Application number: GB9415866A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Joerg Ullrich Peterreins; Guenter Trautmann
Original assignee: Peterreins Schalttechnik GmbH
Current assignee: Peterreins Schalttechnik GmbH
Priority date: 1993-08-06
Filing date: 1994-08-05
Publication date: 1995-02-08
Anticipated expiration: 2014-08-05
Also published as: GB9415866D0; GB2280786B; DE4326401C2; DE4326401A1

Description

& -4 2280786 ARRANGEMENT COMPRISING A SWITCH COMPONENT AND A FUSE

COMPONENT The invention relates to an arrangement comprising a switch component and a fuse component, whose phases are connected to one another.

From prior art, so-called low-voltage high-breaking capacity (l.v.h.b.c.) disconnectors and l.v.h.b.c. switch-disconnectors are known. In said devices, the fuses are situated in a swingdown, housing-like part. When said part is swung down, the fuses are disconnected from the terminals. Thus, at the same time, the load current path is opened. A complete loadinterrupter switch is not provided, only the above-mentioned disconnection of the phases as a result of the withdrawal of the fuses from their detachable connections to the phases. Such an arrangement admittedly is of a very simple and hence low-cost construction. However, it has the drawback that the cutting off of the connection of the fuses to the phases may cause electric arcs which may lead both to the damage or destruction of the structural parts of said arrangement and, in particular, also to operator injury. At best, therefore, lower currents may be switched under load but not higher currents.

It is further known to manufacture a load- interrupter switch component as an independent load- interrupter switch and the fuse component as a housing provided with the fuses, and to install them, spatially separated to a greater or lesser extent from one another, into the relevant system. As a rule, this is effected by the system installer or user himself, as he sees fit. The fuse side of the load- interrupter switch is then connected by cables to the appropriate side of the fuses. In system engineering terms, this is complicated. Also, assembly errors may lead to incorrect fuse components being connected to a specific switch component.

Finally, from a prospectus 11L.V. Switches" of the company HOLEC, Hengelo/Holland, an arrangement comprising a switch component and a fuse component whose phases are connected to one another is 1 known, wherein in one constructional unit interrupter chambers are provided in a bottom region and fuse boxes are provided above them. Such an arrangement is of a complex construction and is therefore expensive to manufacture. Furthermore, its overall height is very great, i.e. it takes up a corresponding amount of space, heightwise. Finally, there is the drawback that said arrangement may be designed only for a specific fuse type. The interrupter chamber provided cannot be combined by the user with fuses of a different type to that provided by the factory. The same applies to QSA/N fuse switch-disconnectors DIN BS manufactured by the company LAURENTS KNUDSEN, Ballerup/Denmark.

In contrast, the aim of the invention is to design an arrangement comprising a switch component and a fuse component, whose phases are connected to one another, in such a way that the switch component and the fuse component may together form one constructional unit; with however there being the possibility, without substantial extra cost, of using fuses of a different design or type.

The present invention provides an arrangement comprising a switch component and a fuse component, whose phases are connected to one another. wherein the phases of the switch component are brought out at the f use side in each case by means of one terminal contact, and intermediate contact parts are provided, which on the switch component side are suitably designed for fitting onto the terminal contacts and on the fuse side are in each case either suitably designed for fitting onto one fuse of a specific design or type, or are the fuse contacts permanently fitted on a fuse of a specific design.

The aim is achieved by the present invention firstly in that the phases of the load-interrupter switch component are brought out at the fuse side by means of, in each case, one terminal contact, and that intermediate contact parts are provided, which on the switch component side are suitably designed for fitting, in 3 particular for screwing onto the terminal contacts, the intermediate contact parts on the fuse side either being suitably designed for fitting onto, in each case, one fuse of a specific design or type or being the contact permanently fitted on a fuse of a specific design or type. This has the advantage that the switch component and the fuse component may be manufactured independently, and the fuse component may comprise fuses of a different design or type. The intermediate contact parts, together with their switch-side contact ends, are designed in such a way that they may be connected to the terminal contacts of the phases of the switch component. At their fuse side end, on the other hand, the intermediate contact parts are either designed in such a way that may be connected to the contacts of the associated fuse type, or in the other variant of the invention described above, the intermediate contact parts are formed by the contacts, which are permanently fitted to fuses of a specific design or type and which, on the switch side, have to be designed for fitting to the terminal contacts of the switch component. In each of the previously described variants of the present invention, one and the same switch component may easily be connected to fuse components each comprising fuses of a different design or type. This is particularly true of fuses which, in accordance with the regulations of the country of use, differ in their construction and connection means from the standard or specified fuses of other countries. In order to enable one Jand the same switch component to be connected to differing fuse components, all that is required in the firstmentioned variant of the present invention is to provide the coordinating intermediate contact parts. Said variant has to be selected for fuses, whose contact means do not match the terminal contacts of the switch component. In the second-mentioned variant of the invention, a prerequisite is that the relevant contact Permanently fitted to the fuse on the switch side matches the terminal contacts of the switch component.

The switch component is therefore provided and brought out, not with special terminal contacts which match a specific fuse, but merely with base terminal contacts, to which the additionally supplied intermediate contact parts or - if possible - the matching contacts of the fuse may then be fitted. In return for a relatively low manufacturing outlay, the advantage of providing the user with a modular system, which includes a switch component suitable for all fuse types is achieved; the intermediate contact parts and finally the fuse components being connectable thereto.

Preferably, a common housing is provided for the switch component and the fuse component.

Preferably, separate housings are provided for the fuse component and the switch component, with both housings being connected to one another. This provides greater scope for varying the selected dimensions of the housings. This is particularly important when fuses of other dimensions are to be used.

Preferably, the terminal contacts are brought laterally out of the switch component, and the fuse component is disposed laterally alongside the switch component. With this arrangement, the unit comprising the switch component and the fuse component is very fl at, i.e. has a low overall height. This makes it much easier for the user to accommodate an arrangement comprising a switch component and a fuse component in a system, e.g. a switchgear pabinet. However, should the above standpoint be unimportant, the present invention may alternatively be realized by an arrangement in which the switch component and the fuse component are situated one above the other.

The present invention also provides an arrangement comprising a switch component and a fuse component, whose phases are connected to one another, wherein the switch component is disposed below the fuse component, terminal contacts of the fuse component projecting downwards can be introduced into contact pairs of the switch component, and the portions of the terminal contacts situated in the fuse component can be connected to intermediate contact parts. Here, the fuse component is disposed above the switch component. Terminal contacts and intermediate contact parts are provided so that there is no departure from the principle of the present invention. In this arrangement the terminal contacts are made from flat sheet metal, and the arrangement may be complemented by the features of the associated embodiment illustrated in Figures 7 and 8.

For further features, reference is made to the other dependent claims.

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described hereinbelow by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 illustrates a first embodiment of the present invention in longitudinal section; Figure 2 illustrates in enlarged scale the contact region shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 illustrates a further embodiment of the present invention in longitudinal section; Figure 4 illustrates in enlarged scale the contact region of the embodiment shown in Figure 3; Figure 5 illustrates a third embodiment of the present invention in longitudinal section; Figure 6 illustrates in enlarged scale the contact region of the embodiment shown in Figure 5; Figure 7 illustrates a fourth embodiment of the present invention in longitudinal section; 6 - Figure 8 illustrates a plan view of the arrangement shown in Figure 7 with cover 32 removed; Figure 8a illustrates an end elevational view of one of the fuses and intermediate contact parts shown in Figure 8; and Fibure 8b illustrates an end elevational view of another of the fuses and intermediate contact parts shown in Figure 8.

Figures I and 2 show an arrangement in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention. This arrangement has a common bottom housing part 3 for the switch component 1 and the fuse component 2. The switch component 1 has a top housing part 4, a clip-on barrier 5, switching rails 6, contact pairs 7 and a contact bridge 71. Terminal contacts 8 are provided facing away from the fuse component 2 and terminal contacts 9 constructed in accordance with the present invention are provided facing towards the fuse component 2. One terminal contact 8 and one terminal contact 9 are provided for each phase. The switch component 1 is identical in the embodiments illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, Figures 3 and 4, and Figures 5 and 6. This particularly applies to its terminal contact 9 which according to the invention faces towards the respective fuse component 2. The terminal contacts 9 are shown in Figures 2, 4 and 6 in greater detail and in black to make them stand out. The terminal contact 9 comprises a contact plate which is L-shaped in crosssection. The shorter limb 9' of the "Ll' is situated in a switching contact pair 7 and the longer limb 911 of the "Ll' is brought out of the switch component I.

The above-mentioned embodiments differ in their respective fuse component 2 and in the manner of the connection of the switch side ends of the fuses to the terminal contacts 9.

In the embodiment illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, the fuse component 2 is used to accommodate so-called 1.v.h.b.c. fuses 10.

7 Given the standard, 3-phase design of such load- interrupter switches, three identical fuses 10 are provided alongside one another and connected each to one of the three terminal contacts 9. The same also applies to the embodiments illustrated in Figures 3, 4, 5 and 6, except that the fuses, the fuse components 2 and the intermediate contact parts are of a different design. In Figures 1 and 2, the intermediate contact parts 11 are provided on both sides of the fuses 10, and are shown in greater detail in Figure 2. They are L-shaped in cross-section, with their longer limb ill being fork-like and serving to accommodate the contact means 12 of the l.v.h.b.c. fuse 10. The shorter limb ill, is designed in such a way that it may be screwed (numeral 13) to the longer limb 911 of the terminal contact 9.

In the embodiment illustrated in Figures 3 and 4, while the design of the terminal contact 9 of the switch component 1 is the same, a fuse 14 of a different design is provided. In this embodiment, a fuse contact 15 permanently fitted to the fuse 14 serves as the intermediate contact part. The fuse contact is provided with an angled portion 151 which is fastened by means of a screw 16 to the limb 911 of the terminal contact 9. The fuse component 2 has a housing 17, shown in black in Figure 3. Inserted and fixed into the top region of said housing is a cover 18. The switch component 1 likewise has a separate housing 17, comprising the housing parts 20,201, and a clip-on barrier S. Thus, the fuse component 2 and the switch component 1 are separate structural parts, each with its own housing. The housings 17,20' may be connected to one another by means of a screw connection 19. In this embodiment, said screw connection is situated in the top region of the housings 17 and 201 of the fuse component 2 and the switch component 1.

The embodiment illustrated in Figures 5 and 6 shows an intermediate contact part 21 with an angled contact end 22 which may be fastened by means of the screw connection 23 to the limb 911 of the terminal contact 9. The other, fuse side end 24 of the 8 intermediate contact part 21 is both bent at an angle and also bent inwards in such a way as to enable it to be screwed (numeral 27) to a fuse housing 25 for British Standards-type fuses 26.

The separate intermediate contact parts 11 and 21 described above, as well as the fuse contact 15 forming part of the fuse 14, are preferably made of sheet metal, e.g. sheet copper.

The embodiments described above demonstrate that the switch component 1 does not require any alteration but is available, with its terminal contact part 911, for different fuse components 2 to be f itted. Assembly or conversion to different fuse components requires only a few adjustments. Where, as in the embodiments shown in Figures 3 and 4, and 5 and 6, the housings are split into two, the housings of the switch component 1 and of the relevant fuse component 2 may also be easily and quickly fastened together and detached from one another. The abovementioned advantages moreover also apply to the embodiment illustrated in Figures 7 and 8 described hereinbelow.

The embodiments illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, 3 and 4, and 5 and 6 are distinguished by a very flat style of construction since the switch component 1 and the fuse component 2 are provided alongside one another.

A further advantage of the present invention is that the switch component 1 may also be used as an independent load-interrupter switch on its own in some other connection.

In the case of the embodiment illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, it is possible by selecting the contact dimensions to ef f ect, within certain limits, an adaptation to the dimensions of other fuses. In the case of the embodiments according to Figures 3 and 4 and 5 and 6, the above- mentioned measures are not necessary because by selecting a suitably large housing for the fuse component 2, it is possible to take the differing spatial requirement of different fuses into account.

It goes without saying that the present invention is not restricted to the illustrated embodiments but may also be used generally for the connection of other fuses.

Figure 7 shows a switch component 1 which, in terms of the construction of the switching means, substantially corresponds to the previous embodiments. In this embodiment, however, the contact bridge 8 is omitted. Instead, the limbs 291 of similarly L-shaped terminal contacts 29 are led through openings 28 in the top housing part. The limbs 29, are insertable through the openings 28 into the contact pairs 7, while the limbs 2911 are screwed (numeral 36) to the bottom housing 31 of the fuse component 2. Thus, the terminal contacts 29 are structural elements of the fuse component 2 and may be brought, as a result of the mounting of housing 31 to said fuse component 2, into conductive contact connection with the contact pairs 7 of the switch component 1. The top housing cover 32 of the fuse component 2 is removable from the actual housing 31 of the fuse component 2. Thus, it is possible (see Figure 8) detachably to connect the respective fuses 33b and 33c via intermediate contact parts 34,341, which in terms of their basic function correspond to the intermediate contact parts of the previous embodiments, to a bore 35 of the region 2911 of the relevant terminal contact.

Figure 8 illustrates a plan view of the arrangement illustrated in Figure 7 with the parts 2911 and 291 of, in all, six terminal contacts 29 and intermediate contact parts 34,341 and three different fuses. In order to show that fuses of differing design may be used also in this embodiment (as in the previous embodiments), three examples of fuses of differing design are labelled a, b and c in Figures 7 and 8 and are correspondingly numbered. In the case of the fuses 33b and 33c, the appropriate intermediate contact parts 34,341 are shown in the drawing. At the appropriate end, the intermediate contact parts 34 are of a - fork-like, resilient construction (see numeral 37) and thereby establish the electrical connection to the contacts 38 of the fuse 33b. The intermediate contact parts 341 likewise have resilient ends 39 which engage around the upper surfaces 40 of the fuse 33c, which are used for contacting and are circular in cross-section. The fuse 33a is screw- connected by its permanently fitted contacts 41, which serve as intermediate contact parts, to the limb 2911 of the relevant terminal contact 29. It goes without saying that, in the practical implementation of the embodiment illustrated in Figures 7 and 8, three fuses of identical design are usually provided in the fuse component 2 and connected to the terminal contacts 29.

The switch component 1 may be equipped either for the connection of cable lugs or with box terminals, depending on the desired manner of connection. Also, the switch component 1 may have means for fastening to a DIN rail.

All of the illustrated features and combinations thereof are central to the invention. Furthermore, the design of one structural part described with reference to one of the embodiments may also be used in another embodiment, provided this is technically feasible.

Claims

Claims:

1. An arrangement comprising a switch component and a fuse component, whose phases are connected to one another, wherein the phases of the switch component are brought out at the fuse side in each case by means of one terminal contact, and intermediate contact parts are provided, which on the switch component side are suitably designed for fitting onto the terminal contacts and on the fuse side are in each case either suitably designed for fitting onto one fuse of a specific design or type, or are the fuse contacts permanently fitted on a fuse of a specific design.

An arrangement according to claim 1, wherein an intermediate contact part is formed in an "Ll' shape, one limb of the L-shaped intermediate contact part being designed for fitting onto the terminal contact and the other limb having a central slot for receiving the contact means of a lowvoltage high-breaking capacity fuse.

3. An arrangement according to claim 1, wherein a terminal contact of a fuse is formed in an IILII shape, one limb of the L-shaped terminal contact being fitted on the fuse and the other limb having a means for fitting onto the terminal contact.

An arrangement according to claim 1, wherein one of the intermediate contact parts is approximately U-shaped in cross-section, one of its limbs being designed for fitting onto the terminal contact and the other limb being designed for fitting onto the housing of a fuse.

5. An arrangement according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a common housing, at least a common bottom housing part of which, is provided for the switch component and the fuse component.

4

6.

An arrangement according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the switch component and the fuse component have separate housings which are connected to one another.

An arrangement according to claim 6, wherein connection of the housings of the switch component and the fuse component is effected by means of a screw connection.

8. An arrangement according to claim 6, wherein the housings of switch component and fuse component are connected directly to one another by insertion.

9. An arrangement according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the terminal contacts are brougbt laterally out of the switch component, and the fuse component is disposed laterally alongside the switch component.

10. An arrangement according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the fuse component is situated above the switch component and the terminal contacts of the switch component are brought out in an upward direction.

11. An arrangement according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the intermediate contact pairs are fitted to the terminal contacts by screwing.

12.

An arrangement comprising a switch component and a fuse component, whose phases are connected to one another, wherein the switch component is disposed below the fuse component, terminal contacts of the fuse component projecting downwards can be introduced into contact pairs of the switch component, and the portions of the terminal contacts situated in the fuse component can be connected to intermediate contact parts.

13. An arrangement according to any one of claims 1 to 12, 13 - wherein the terminal contacts are made from f lat sheet metal.

14. An arrangement according to claim 13, wherein the terminal contacts are made from copper sheet.

15. An arrangement comprising a switch component and a fuse component substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1 and 2, Figures 3 and 4, Figures 5 and 6 or Figures 7, 8, 8a and 8b of the accompanying drawings.