GB2335587A

GB2335587A - Attaching walls to a switchgear cabinet frame

Info

Publication number: GB2335587A
Application number: GB9905985A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Rolf Benner; Juergen Bernhardt
Original assignee: Rittal Werk Rudolf Loh GmbH and Co KG
Current assignee: Rittal Werk Rudolf Loh GmbH and Co KG
Priority date: 1998-03-18
Filing date: 1999-03-17
Publication date: 1999-09-29
Anticipated expiration: 2019-03-17
Also published as: FR2776466A1; DE19811713C2; GB2335587B; DE19811713A1; FR2776466B1; GB9905985D0

Abstract

Walls 30,40 (three alternative designs shown) are attached to the frame members 20 of a switchgear cabinet by pins 21 (eg headed screws which connect parts of the frame) which engage with open ended slots 33 in the walls whereby the wall can be located on the lower pins and then pivoted about them to be locked in place using catch 35. The lower slots 33 are angled upwards.

Description

2335587 SWITCHGEAR CABINET The invention relates to a switchgear cabinet

with a framework whose open sides may be closed at least partially by means of wall members and by at least one door, the wall members being attached to the framework via fastening devices.

A switchgear cabinet of this type is known from DE 44 39 622 Cl. The framework of the switchgear cabinet is here composed of twelve identical frame sections and four corner connectors. To attach the side wall members, threaded receiving means are inserted into the corner connectors and the vertical frame sections. These receiving means can be disposed in alignment with screw receiving means of the wall members. Fastening screws can be led into the screw receiving means and screwed into the threaded receiving means. Six fastening screws are here provided per side member. For assembly, the wall member is held onto the framework by a fitter. A second fitter then screws it on.

The purpose of the invention is to create a switchgear cabinet of the type mentioned initially which allows simple assembly of the wall members.

This purpose is fulfilled in that the fastening device has a pivot mounting (such as, for example, hinge pins and receiving means for hinge pins), by means of which the wall member is suspended on the framework and may be pivotted around a pivotting axis, and in that the wall member is secured to the framework in the pivotted-in assembly position by means of a fastening member.

1 1 2 On a switchgear cabinet of this type, first of all the wall member is suspended in the pivot mounting and thus pre-secured/located. Then the wall member can be swung in the pivot mounting and brought into the assembly position. Then, in a concluding assembly step, the attachment of the wall member to the framework can be effected by means of at least one fastening member. This assembly sequence can be carried out by a single fitter.

By preference, the pivot mounting is disposed in the lower base region facing the ground contact surface of the framework, the pivotal axis being aligned horizontally. The wall member can thus be set on the ground before assembly. Then it only has to be raised a little and suspended in the pivot mounting.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the pivot mounting has hinge pins which are attached to the framework, and the wall member has receiving means for the hinge pins, said means being configured as open slots, the hinge pins being able to be introduced into the receiving means via the open slot ends. On this design, the wall member can be easily suspended in the swivel mounting. To simplify assembly, the open slot ends can in addition be provided with lead-in slopes or similar, such that the hinge pins can be guided purposefully into the receiving means for the hinge pins.

According to a conceivable alternative of the invention, provision can be made for the hinge pins to be formed from the screw heads of fastening screws, which are led into sections of the framework, which run vertically, and screwed into plug-in lugs, and for the fastening screw to connect the vertical frame section to a base unit via the plug-in lug. Thus the fastening screw has two functions. On the one hand it serves to secure the vertical frame section.

On the other hand it is a part of the pivot mounting.

3 The wall member can have a flat vertical wall which is provided with angled portions on its vertically running sides. These angle portions point in the direction towards the inner space of the framework. They are here provided with the slot-shaped, opened receiving means for the hinge pins.

If provision is made for the fastening device to have as the fastening member a lock which, in the assembled position of the wall member, engages in a lock receiving means of the framework, simple and quick assembly or dismantling of the wall member is possible. A key is then needed for this purpose which can be made accessible only to authorised personnel.

By preference, provision can be here made for the lock to have a closing tongue which may be turned into a slot-shaped lock receiving means which is inserted into a base unit, configured as a cover frame, in the upper region of the framework.

The invention will be described further, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:- Fig. 1 is a perspective exploded view of a framework of a switchgear cabinet to which different wall members may be alternatively attached; Fig. 2 is a view of the framework according to Fig. 1 shown assembled with two wall members; and Fig. 3 is a view of the framework according to Figs. 1 and 2 in partial perspective view, with a wall member mounted on it.

in Fig. 1 a framework for a switchgear cabinet is shown which has a lower and an upper basic or base unit 10. The base unit 10 is manufactured 4 from a flat steel plate blank. It has a horizontal ly-al igned base 11 which is provided at its sides with angled edges 12'. The edges 12' pass into bent over portions 12" which are aligned parallel to the base 11. In the corner regions of the base 11 are disposed plug-in lugs 15. These can be either screwed or welded to the base unit 10. The plug-in lugs 15 have a threaded receiving means 16 which faces the inner space of the switchgear cabinet.

Vertical frame sections 20 can be pushed onto the plug-in lugs 15. The vertical frame sections 20 are here configured as square hollow sections, whose inner diameter corresponds approximately to the outer diameter of the plug-in lug 15. If the vertical frame sections 20 are pushed onto the plug-in lugs 15, screw receiving means 23 of the vertical frame sections 20 are aligned with the threaded receiving means 17 of the plug-in lugs 15.

Fastening screws 21' can be inserted into these screw receiving means 23 and screwed into the threaded receiving means 16. Thus the vertical frame sections 20 are securely connected with the base units 10 to the framework.

In Fig. 1 the use of base units 10, 10' of differing width is represented in broken lines. With the use of the different base units 10, 10', the vertical frame sections 20 remain unaltered.

The open sides of the framework can be clad by means of wall members 30, 40 and a door, which is not shown in the drawing. There is an indication in Fig. 1 that different wall members 30, 40 can be attached alternatively to the framework. For example, wall member 30 can be used.

Wail member 30 has a flat vertical ly-a 1 ig ned wall 31 which is provided at its edges with angled portions 32, 34. The angled portions 32, 34 point in the direction of the interior space of the framework. The two vertical angled portions 32 are provided with slot-shaped receiving means 33 for hinge pins.

Here the receiving means 33 for the hinge pins are inserted into the folded portions 32 aligned obliquely upwards. They have an open slot end by means of which they can be pushed onto the screw head of the fastening screw 2V. The screw head of the fastening screw 21' serves as a hinge pin 21. The wall member 30 can be pushed with its hinge pin receiving means 33 onto the hinge pins 21, such that a pivot mounting with a horizontallyaligned pivotal axis is produced. The wall member 30 can here be held at an angle to the associated side of the framework without it slipping away from the hinge pins 21. This is made possible by the obliquely cut receiving means 33 for the hinge pins. To secure the wall member 30, a fastening member 35 configured as a lock is provided. In the flapped-in pivot position, the wall member 30 strikes against the two upper fastening screws 21. For this purpose, the angled portions 32 are provided with notches 33', which form the stops. In this assembled position, the lock 35 can be turned such that a tongue-shaped closing element of the lock can engage in a slot-shaped lock receiving means 13 of the upper base unit 10.

Instead of wall member 30, a wall member 40 can also be attached to the framework, which has a bulge or enlargement or extension facing or extending away from the interior space of the framework. This enlargement serves as a cable duct. The enlargement is here formed from a lateral wall 41 and the angled portions 42 connected to same. In contrast to the angled portions 32, 34 of wall member 30, the angled portions 42 of wall member 40 are of greater structural depth. In the upper region, facing the base unit, the wall member 40 is open and can be closed with a cover 44. The cover 44 has an upper cover plate 46 to which side portions 45 directed upwards are connected. The side portions 45 overlap the angled portions 42, such that the cover plate 46 strikes with its underside against the angled portions 42.

The angled portions 42 are bevelled in this region such that the cover plate 46 is also disposed at an angle to the horizontal. This makes possible better draining away of water. In Fig. 1 are shown two wall members 40 which can be attached alternatively to the framework. These two wall elements 4 are of different structural depth. Thus, according to the requirement of the user, 6 manoeuvring space of different size can be made available for cables. The attachment of walls 40 comes about in the same manner as the attachment of wall member 30. First of all they are placed with hinge pin receiving means 33 on the hinge pins 21. Then the wall members 40 can be moved into an upright position and fastened by means of fastening members on the framework. The angled portions 42 are again provided with notches 33' which serve as stops. If the switchgear cabinet is set up in a humidity- proof interior space, the cover 44 can be taken away. Via the cover 44, cables can be introduced into the cable shaft of wall 40. From the cable shaft, the cables introduced can then branch out into the inner space of the switchgear cabinet.

The introduction of cables is also possible through a gap 14, surrounded by the base units 10, 10'. The gap 14 can be closed by means of cover plates which are attached to attachment receiving means 12 which are disposed around the gap 14. Alternatively, cable ducts or passages or bushings can also be screwed onto the fastening receiving means 12.

In Fig. 2 is shown the use of two walls 40 which surround a cable duct.

As can be seen from this view, cable clamps 50 can be fastened to the vertical frame sections 20. The cable clamps 50 have two arms 52 parallel to one another which can be screwed on the inner side to the vertical frame sections 20. The two arms 52 protrude into the cable space surrounded by the wall member 40 and carry a holding section 55. A large number of tongues 51 are cut away from the holding section 55. Cables 54 can be attached by means of cable binders 53 to these tongues 51. As can also be seen from Fig. 2, the angled portions 42 of the wall member 40 are provided in their upper regions with notches 49. With these notches 49, the respective angled portion 42 encompasses the upper base unit 10, such that the cover plate 46 of the cover 44 can pass flush into the upper side of the base unit 10.

Adjoining the notches 49, supporting sections 48, on which the cover 44 lies, are folded away from the angled portions 42. When the cover 44 is in place, 7 the side portions 45 overlap the angled portions 42. The wail 41 is overlapped by an edge 47 which is bent away from the cover plate 46.

In order to be able to introduce cables also from the ground into the cable duct surrounded by wall member 40, inserts 40.2 are used on the wall members 40. Such an insert 40.2 has a horizontal sealing plate 40.4 from which a grip 40.5 is formed at an angle as one piece. The sealing plate 40.4 can be pushed through a recess in the wall 41. Guides 40.3 are folded away from the angled portions 42. The sealing plate 40.4 can slide on these guides 40.3. The movement of inserting the insert 40.2 into the wall member 40 is limited by means of the grip 40.5. Said grip strikes against wall 41. When the insert 40.2 is withdrawn, a cable duct 40.1 is freed, through which cables 54 can be led into the cable duct of wall member 40.

In Fig. 3, the procedure for attaching a wall member 40 to the framework is clarified in more detail.

1 1 8

Claims

1. A switchgear cabinet including a framework whose open sides may be at least partially closed by means of wall members and at least one door, the wall members being fastened to the framework via fastening devices, characterised in that, the fastening device has a pivot mounting (such as hinge pins (21) and receiving means for hinge pins (33, 43)), by means of which the wall member (30, 40) is suspended on the framework and may be pivotted around a pivotal axis and in that the wall member (30, 40) is secured to the framework in the pivotted-in assembly position by means of a fastening or securing member (35).

2. A switchgear cabinet according to claim 1, characterised in that the pivot mounting is disposed in the lower base region facing the ground contact surface of the framework.

3. A switchgear cabinet according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the pivot mounting has hinge pins (21) which are attached to the framework, in that the wall member (30, 40) has hinge pin receiving means (33) which are configured as open slots, it being possible to introduce the hinge pins (21) via the open slot ends into the hinge pin receiving means (33).

4. A switchgear cabinet according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that 1 1 9 the hinge pins (21) are formed from the screw heads of fastening screws which are led into sections (20) of the framework, which run vertically, and screwed into plug-in lugs (15), and in that the fastening screw connects the vertical frame section (20) to a base unit (10, 10') via the plug-in lug (15).

5. - A switchgear cabinet according to claim 3 or 4, characterised in that the wall member (30, 40) has a flat vertical wall (31, 41) which is provided with angled portions (32, 42) on its vertically running sides and in that the slot-shaped hinge pin receiving means (33) are incorporated in the angled portions (32, 42).

6. A switchgear cabinet according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterised in that the fastening device has as the fastening member (35) a lock which, in the assembled position of the wall member (30, 40), engages in a lock receiving means (13) of the framework.

7. A switchgear cabinet according to claim 6, characterised in that the lock (35) has a locking tongue which may be turned into a slot shaped lock receiving means (13) which is introduced into a base unit (10, 10'), configured as a covering frame, in the upper region of the framework.

8. A switchgear cabinet substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.