IL190855A

IL190855A - Switchgear

Info

Publication number: IL190855A
Application number: IL190855A
Authority: IL
Original assignee: Moeller Gebaudeautomation Gmbh
Priority date: 2005-11-10
Filing date: 2008-04-14
Publication date: 2013-12-31
Also published as: CN101305498A; WO2007053871A1; HK1123635A1; SI1949500T1; AT504454A1; DE502006008198D1; BRPI0618514A2; CN101305498B; EP1949500B1; ES2355293T3; IL190855A0; PL1949500T3; ATE486391T1; EP1949500A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a switchgear (1), preferably a circuit breaker, especially a fault-current circuit breaker and/or a line safety switch. Said switchgear comprises at least one connecting terminal (2) with one connecting area (3) for receiving at least one terminal lead (4), preferably having a rectangular cross-section, especially of a contact (5) of a busbar (6). The aim of the invention is to facilitate a simple, straightforward and rapid installation or wiring of the switchgear, especially without tools such as, e.g., a screwdriver. For this purpose, the connecting terminal (2) comprises at least one spring (7) for applying a contact pressure which is effective in the direction of a closed position of the connecting area (3).

Description

SWITCHGEAR Moellcr Gebaudcautomation GmbH The invention relates to a switchgear, preferably a circuit breaker, especially a residual-current circuit breaker and/or a miniature circuit breaker, comprising at least one connecting terminal with a clamping region for receiving at least one terminal lead, preferably having a rectangular cross-section, especially a contact of a busbar, with the connecting terminal comprising at least one spring for applying a contact pressure acting in the direction of the closed position of the clamping region, and a housing with clamping openings and clamping screw openings, with a locking element, preferably comprising insulating material, being arranged in the clamping screw opening.

DE 199 62 289 Al describes a connecting terminal arrangement for electric switchgears, with two terminal regions.

EP 1 282 209 A describes a busbar for switchgears and a switchgear with a spring-actuated connecting terminal.

US 3,304,392 A describes a switchgear with a connecting terminal which comprises both a clamping screw as well as a spring coil.

EP 1 213 792 A describes a bistable connecting terminal.

DE 31 41 362 CI describes a spring-actuated connecting terminal with a busbar fixed to the housing and a movable frame.

WO 91/14298 A describes a spring-actuated connecting terminal with a plate fixed to the housing and a frame that wraps around the same.

US 5,739,467 A describes a lifting terminal with a clamping screw.

US 4,928,080 A describes locking elements for sealing the clamping screw opening.

EP 1 026 782 A describes a spring-actuated connecting terminal for electric leads.

DE 34 06 081 Al describes a spring-loaded terminal for electric leads.

US 2, 159,076 A describes an electric arrangement in which an electric terminal is also provided.

DE 198 17 924 Al describes a spring-actuated high-current terminals.

Switchgears have connecting terminals for connecting electric leads. Such terminals comprise clamping screws for adjusting the clamping region and for securing the connection in the clamping region.

The disadvantageous aspect in such switchgears is that the installation and wiring of such switchgears is very time-consuming, complex and susceptible to errors. Especially when wiring such switchgears by means of so-called busbars, the closing of the clamping screws is the only serious amount of work and the most relevant source of errors. In the case of a busbar, it can be checked only with difficulty whether the clamping screw of the connecting terminal has not been tightened properly because the pulling of an otherwise tightly screwed busbar is unsuitable for checking the contact pressure on each switchgear. This can lead to impairments in the power supply or damage to a switchgear, e.g. by excessive heating of a contact as a result of lack of contact pressure.

It is therefore the object of the invention to provide a switchgear of the kind mentioned above with which the mentioned disadvantages can be avoided and which enables a simple, straightforward and rapid installation or wiring, especially without tools such as a screwdriver for example.

This is achieved in accordance with the invention in such a way that the locking element comprises a clamping opening projection which fills the clamping opening at least in sections.

In this way, terminal leads and especially busbars and their contacts can be arranged and fixed reliably and with secure contact without using tools in the connecting terminals of the switchgear. This enables rapid and uncomplicated installation especially of switchgears which are arranged on a busbar. This allows the use of housings which are provided for the use with screw terminals, with unauthorized access to the connecting terminals being prevented. This allows the use of housings which are provided for the use with screw terminals, with the region of the clamping opening that is no longer required being covered and thus being protected against unauthorized access.

In a further development of the invention it can be provided that the spring is arranged as a spring coil. This enables an especially simple and cost-effective production because spring coils can be produced as s mass product and no special treatment or special production is necessary, In this context it may be provided in a further development of the invention that a clamping region free of any terminal lead is open at least in sections. This simplifies the insertion of terminal leads, especially contacts of a busbar.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, it can be provided in a switchgear in which the connecting terminal is a clamping element which is fixed in the switchgear and which comprises a substantially rectangular box, with the clamping element being arranged between a first box section and a second box section of the box, and with the clamping region being delimited by the first box section and a first clamping element side, that the spring is arranged between a second box section and a second clamping element side which is arranged opposite of the first clamping element side. As a result, a conventional screw terminal which is also known as a lifting terminal can be inserted without any reconfiguration work or changed construction, thus keeping both the production work for the switchgear at a low level because the same housing and the same injection molds can be used as in switchgears with screw terminals and also the terminals can be identical with the screw terminals apart from the used springs. This saves parts and production costs and allows building up flexible production which can respond rapidly and easily to changed customer requirements.

" According to yet another embodiment it can be provided that in the area of the first box section a lug averted from the clamping region is arranged on the box, especially integrally formed on the same. This prevents the insertion of a lead into the space behind the connecting terminal.

One variant of the invention can be that the clamping element is arranged as a substantially rectangular frame and the second box region is arranged between a first frame section comprising the first and second clamping element side and a second frame section which is substantially parallel to the same. The spring can thus be protected and damage to the connecting terminal can be prevented, especially in the area of production. In this way, a connecting terminal which is also already used as a screw terminal can be used with the advantages as already described above, such as the use of identical housings and injection molds and identical connecting terminals, apart from the springs. This increases flexibility and reduces production and storage costs.

Another embodiment can be that the second frame section comprises at least one recess. Such a recess can also be present in a connecting terminal which can also be used as a screw terminal and be used for interaction with the locking element.

In this context it can be provided in a further development of the invention that the locking element has a terminal projection which presses through the recess on the second box section which is free from a recess at least in the area of the terminal projection, with the clamping region being pressed open. It can thus be ensured that the clamping region is open to a certain amount, which thus considerably simplifies the insertion of a connecting terminal and reduces the pressures necessary for this purpose.

The invention is now explained in closer detail by reference to the enclosed drawings which show especially preferred embodiments of the invention in an exemplary manner, wherein: Fig. 1 shows a first embodiment of a connecting terminal for a switchgear in accordance with the invention; Fig. 2 shows a second embodiment of a connecting terminal for a switchgear in accordance with the invention; Fig. 3 shows the embodiments according to Figs. 1 and 2 with two busbars; Fig. 4 shows the embodiments according to Figs. 1 and 2 with the terminal leads in the clamping regions; Fig. 5 shows a part of a switchgear in accordance with the invention with a second embodiment of a connecting terminal in a partly sectional view; Fig. 6 shows a part of a switchgear in accordance with the invention with a first embodiment of a connecting terminal in a partly sectional view; Fig. 7 shows a part of a switchgear in accordance with the invention in a plan view; Fig. 8 shows a part of a switchgear according to Fig. 7 in a profile with a partly sectional view; Fig. 9 shows a switchgear according to Fig. 7 in a front view; Fig. 10 shows a switchgear according to Fig. 7 in an axonometric view with a partly lifted upper housing half; Fig. 1 1 shows the upper housing half of a switchgear according to Fig. 10, and Fig. 12 shows two axonometric views of a locking element.

Figs. 1 to 12 show different embodiments, details and parts of a switchgear 1 , preferably a circuit breaker, especially a residual-current circuit breaker and/or miniature circuit breaker, comprising at least one connecting terminal 2 with a clamping region 3 for receiving at least one terminal lead 4, preferably with a rectangular cross section, especially a contact 5 of a busbar 6, with the connecting terminal 2 comprising at least one spring 7 for applying a contact pressure acting in the direction of a closing position of the clamping region 3.

As a result, terminal leads 4, especially busbars 6 or their contacts 5, can be arranged or fixed in a reliable and with secure contact in the connecting terminals 2 of the switchgear 1 without the use of tools. This ensures a rapid and easy installation especially of switchgears 1 which are arranged on a carrier rail.

The switchgears 1 can concern any kind of switchgear 1 . Preferred are circuit breakers, especially residual-current circuit breakers and/or miniature circuit breakers.

Springs 7 for applying the contact pressure can concern any kind of spring 7 such as leaf springs, disk springs and/or spring coils 8, in any arrangement or combination with each other, both as tension springs as well as pressure springs. Especiall preferable is the use of so-called pressure spring coils.

Switchgears 1 in accordance with the invention can be provided for use with any kind of terminal leads 4, e.g. round wires, flat wires and/or plugs. The use is provided especially in combination with so-called busbars 6. Said busbars 6, as shown exemplary in Fig. 3, have terminal leads 4 at a predetermined distance, with the distances being chosen in such a way that they correspond with the distances of the clamping openings 20 or clamping region 3 of adjacently arranged switchgears 1 , so that a predeterminab!e number of adjacently arranged switchgears 1 can be connected rapidly and easily. The terminal leads 4 of the busbars 6 usually have a rectangular cross section and can be beveled or chamfered in the region which is provided for insertion into the connecting terminal 2.

Switchgears 1 in accordance with the invention comprise at least one connecting terminal 2 which has at least one clamping region 3. Two connecting terminals 2 are provided especially for each breaker gap to be switched by the switchgear 1 , which terminals need not necessarily be arranged identically. It can be provided especially that different connecting terminals 2 can be provided, e.g. such with clamping screws and such with springs 7 for applying the holding forces required for clamping. It can especially be provided that the adjacently arranged connecting terminals 2 of a switchgear of the breaker gaps arranged adjacently in the switchgear 1 can be arranged in a substantially identical manner.

The clamping section 3 of the connecting terminal 2 can comprise at least one section of the spring 7 or be formed by at least one section of the spring 7. It can be provided that the connecting terminal 2 has a substantially Q-shaped bent leaf spring, with the clamping region 3 being formed by the narrow opening of the Ω-shaped bent leaf spring.

In order to simplify the insertion of the terminal lead 4 it can be provided that a clamping section 3 which is free from any terminal leads is open at least in sections. The insertion of the terminal lead 4 is thus simplified and the forces required for the insertion are reduced. It can especially be provided that the clamping region 3 is open by 0.1 mm to 0.5 mm. It can preferably be provided that the cross section of the opening formed by leaving open the clamping region 3 is approximately 10% to 60% of the cross section of the terminal lead 4 which is provided for use with the respective switchgear 1. As a result of the information available for each switchgear 1 concerning. the currents to be switched, a relationship to the cross section of the lead can be made which is necessary for the respective currents. Any means can be provided to keep open the clamping region 3. A flexible band can be provided especially which encompasses the spring 7 and thus only allows a maximum elongation of the spring 7. A separate apparatus for keeping open the clamping section can be provided in an especially preferred way. This will be explained below.

It is preferably provided that the spring 7 merely exerts the contact pressure acting in the direction of a closed position of the clamping region 3. In the first and second especially preferred embodiment of a connecting terminal 2, 26, 27 as shown in'Figs. 1 to 4, a clamping element 9 and a movable box 10 are provided which form the clamping region 3. Both the first preferred embodiment of a connecting terminal 2, 26 according to Fig. 1 as well as the second preferred embodiment of a connecting terminal 2, 27 according to Fig. 2 have conventional screw connecting terminals as a base, which are also known as terminal clips or lifting terminals. In the preferred first and second preferred embodiment of connecting terminal 2, 26, 27, spring 7 merely assumes the task of providing the necessary contact pressure, which is a task which is normally fulfilled by a clamping screw.

The preferred first and second embodiment of a connecting terminal 2, 26, 27 has a clamping element 9 which is fixed in the switchgear 1 and a substantially rectangular box 10, with the clamping element 9 being arranged between a first box section 1 1 and a second box section 12 of the box 10, and with the clamping region 3 being delimited by a first box section 1 1 and a first clamping element side 13, . with the spring 7 being arranged between a second box section 12 and a second clamping element side 14 which is arranged opposite of the first clamping element side 13.

The clamping element 9 is arranged in the first preferred embodiment of a connecting terminal 2, 26 as a substantially straight strip of sheet metal, especially comprising steel, copper and/or copper alloys, and especially brass, which element is arranged in the switchgear 1 in an immobile manner, especially in the area of a terminal tunnel, e.g. by clamping between formed sections against the inside wall of the terminal tunnel: Box 10 is preferably a substantially rectangular component, as shown, which preferably consists of a metal strip bent four times by approximately 90°, especially a strip comprising steel, copper and/or copper alloys such as brass. Preferably, box 10 has an overlapping region. It can be provided that the box 10 is connected and especially welded or riveted for forming a unit that is torsionally stiff, especially in the overlapping region.

It can be provided, as in the second preferred embodiment of a connecting terminal 2, 27, that the clamping element 9 is arranged as a substantially rectangular frame 16 and the second box region 12 is arranged between a first frame section 17 comprising the first and second clamping element side 13, 14 and a second frame section 18 which is substantially parallel to the same. As can be seen in Figs. 2 to 4, and especially in Figs. 5 and 8, frame 16 concerns a strip which is preferably bent by substantially 90°. The clamping element 9 is extended and wraps around the movable box 10, with a preferably closed frame 16 being formed with a substantially rectangular cross section. Frame 16 is turned relative to box 10 by 90° and is hooked into the same. As in the first embodiment of a connecting terminal 2, 26, the clamping section 3 is delimited or edged by a first box section 1 1 and first clamping terminal side 13 in this embodiment too, with the first clamping element side 13 being part of the first frame section 17.

In order to prevent any insertion of terminal leads 4 and/or tools into a space behind the connecting terminal 2, it can be provided that in the region of the first box section 1 1 a lug 15 averted from the clamping region 3 is arranged on the box 10, and is especially formed on the same in an integral manner.

In order to enable the continued use of housings 19 which are provided for screw terminals especially in switchgears I in accordance with the invention, it can be provided in such switchgears 1 with housings 19 which comprise clamping screw openings 21 and clamping openings 20, especially additional- clamping openings 20 for clamping so-called cable lugs, that a locking element 22, preferably comprising insulating material, ,is arranged in the clamping screw opening 21. As a result, the same housing 19 can continue to be used as before without giving rise to any likelihood of any unauthorized access by a clamping screw opening 21 which is no longer required. Substantial costs can thus be saved because no new injection mold is required for a new housing 19.

Figs. 5 to 8 show switchgears 1 with a preferred embodiment of a locking element 22. Figs. 10 and 1 1 show axonometric views of a switchgear 1 or a housing part 19 of a switchgear 1 with the preferred embodiment of the locking element 22. Fig. 12 shows two axonometric views of the preferred embodiment of the locking element 22. It can preferably be provided that the locking element 22 is formed in such a way that it is capable of filling up the free space or cavity vacated by the clamping screw.

It can especially be provided that the locking element 22 has a clamping opening projection 23 which fills the clamping opening 20 at least in certain sections. As a result, unnecessary clamping openings '20 which were provided for cable lugs to be clamped between the head of a clamping screw and the clamping element 9 can be closed completely, thus preventing any access or the penetration of foreign bodies and dirt. This helps improve the security against contacting live components, prevent or make difficult the penetration of dirt, fluids or small animals into the switchgear, and increase the air or leakage current gaps between adjacent switchgears 1. A switchgear 1 thus arranged therefore offers an especially high operational reliability and high service life. Especially in the area of the USA it is not common practice to provide special fuse boxes for arranging circuit breakers. A respective circuit breaker is therefore subjected in such an arrangement to a large number of environmental stresses. It is not unusual in the USA to paint over the circuit breaker when the surrounding wall is painted, which as a result of the penetrating paint may lead to a complete inoperativeness of the circuit breaker. This can be prevented effectively at low cost by providing a respective locking element 22 with a clamping opening projection 23, thus ensuring the security of a respective electrical installation over a long period of time even under adverse environmental conditions. By providing a locking element 22 which comprises a clamping opening projection 23 in combination with a connecting terminal with at least one spring 7 as described above, it is possible to use already existing housing constructions in a simple and advantageous manner, thus keeping the production and storage costs low and further ensuring high security and long service li e of the respective switchgears 1.

As already explained, it can be advantageous when the clamping region 3 of the connecting terminal 2 is not completely closed, thus simplifying the insertion of a terminal lead 4. In the case of switchgears 1 which have a connecting terminal 2 in which the second frame area 18 has at least one recess 24 it may be provided that the locking element 22 has a clamping projection 25 which presses through the recess 24 on the second box section 12 which is free from recesses at least in the area of the clamping projection 25, with the clamping region 3 being pressed open. Fig. 8 shows such an arrangement, in which the clamping projection 25 presses through the recess 24 against the box 10 and thus opens the clamping region 3, thus simplifying the insertion of a terminal lead 4. Further embodiments in accordance with the invention merely have a part of the described features. Any kind of combination of features can be provided, especially also of different embodiments as described above.

Claims

10 190855/2 CLAIMS:

1. A switchgear, comprising al least one connecting terminal with a clamping region for receiving at least one terminal lead with the connecting terminal comprising at least one spring for applying a contact pressure acting in the direction of the closed position of the clamping region, and a housing with clamping openings and clamping screw openings, with a locking element, being arranged in the clamping screw opening, characterized in that the locking element comprises a clamping opening projection which fills the clamping opening at least in part.

2. A switchgear according to claim 1, characterized in that the spring is arranged as a spring coil.

3. A switchgear according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that a clamping region free of any terminal lead is open at least in part.

4. A switchgear according to one of the claims 1 to 3, with the connecting terminal being a clamping element which is fixed in the switchgear and comprising a substantially rectangular box, with the clamping element being arranged between a first box section and a second box section of the box, and with the clamping region being delimited by the first box section and a first clamping element side, characterized in that the spring is arranged between a second box section and a second clamping element side which is arranged opposite of the first clamping element side.

5. A switchgear according to claim 4, characterized in that in the area of the first box section a lug averted from the clamping region is arranged on the box.

6. A switchgear according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the clamping element is arranged as a substantially rectangular frame and the second box region is arranged between a first frame section comprising the first and second clamping element side and a second frame section which is substantially parallel to the same. 1 1 190855/2

7. A switchgear according to claim 6, characterized in that the second frame section comprises at least one recess.

8. A switchgear according to claim 7, characterized in that the locking element has a terminal projection which presses through the recess on the second box section which is free from a recess at least in the area of the terminal projection, with the clamping region being pressed open.

9. A switchgear according to one of the claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the switchgear is a circuit breaker.

10. A switchgear according to one of the claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the switchgear is a residual-current circuit breaker and/or a miniature circuit breaker.

11. 1 1 . A switchgear according to one of the claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the clamping region is embodied for receiving at least one terminal lead with a rectangular cross section.

12. A switchgear according to one of the claims 1 to 1 1 , characterized in that the clamping region is embodied for receiving at least one contact of a busbar.

13. A switchgear according to one of the claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the locking element comprises insulating material.

14. A switchgear according to one of the claims 5 to 13, characterized in that the lug is integrally formed on the box.