IT201900001154U1 - Electronic device for low and medium voltage electrical panels. - Google Patents

Description

ELECTRONIC DEVICE FOR LOW ELECTRICAL PANELS

AND MEDIUM VOLTAGE

DESCRIPTION

This utility model refers to an electronic device for low and medium voltage electrical panels.

In the context of this utility model, the term "low voltage" refers to operating voltages lower than 1 kV AC and 2 kV DC while the term "medium voltage" refers to operating voltages higher than the values indicated above up to a few tens of kV, for example up to 72 kV AC and 100 kV DC.

As is known, low and medium voltage electrical panels often require the use of electronic devices intended to provide supervision, control, protection, communication and / or measurement functions in order to improve the operational management of primary electrical devices (e.g. circuit breakers or other switching devices) or portions of the electrical network.

These electronic devices, commonly defined as "intelligent electronic devices" (IEDs - Intelligent Electronic Devices), can be, for example, protection relays, control devices, power measuring devices or other electrical quantities, and so on.

In many electrical panels, it is envisaged to install an electronic device of the type indicated above in correspondence with a support panel, for example the front panel of a cabinet for electrical panels. In this way, an operator can easily access the aforementioned electronic device while maintaining segregation conditions with respect to the other electrical and electronic components of the electrical panel.

The assembly of an electronic device on the support panel generally involves the insertion of part of the electronic device through a special mounting opening, the wiring of the electronic device with other electrical and / or electronic components of the electrical panel and its final fixing to the support panel itself. Generally, wiring operations are relatively complex and require the installer to have hands free to be carried out efficiently and safely.

Therefore, in this assembly phase, it is very advisable to temporarily secure the electronic device to the support panel so as to avoid its detachment or other unwanted movements. For this purpose, at present, installers usually use adhesive tape.

However, this solution is generally impractical and not entirely safe to avoid detachment of the electronic device.

In addition, the use of adhesive tape can cause dirtying of some surfaces (for example external transparent surfaces) of the electronic device, which require cleaning after installation.

The need is still felt in the market to have simple and economical solutions that make it possible to considerably facilitate the installation of an electronic device on a support panel of an electrical panel.

The present utility model aims to meet this need by providing an electronic device, according to claim 1 and the related dependent claims proposed below.

The electronic device, according to this model, is intended to be mounted on a support panel of an electrical panel, in correspondence with a mounting opening of said support panel.

Preferably, this support panel is the front panel of a cabinet for electrical panels.

The electronic device, according to the present model, comprises first mechanical coupling means adapted to couple said electronic device to said support panel in a provisional coupling position at said mounting opening.

Advantageously, the electronic device can move slightly (i.e. with limited relative displacements with respect to the dimensions involved) with respect to said support panel, when it is in said provisional coupling position.

The electronic device, according to the present model, further comprises second mechanical coupling means adapted to couple said electronic device to said support panel in a fixing position at said mounting opening. Advantageously, the electronic device is integrally connected to said support panel (i.e. it forms a single body with the latter), when it is in said fixing position.

Preferably, the electronic device, according to the present model, comprises:

- a main section which protrudes from an internal surface of said support panel, when said electronic device is mounted on said support panel. Said main section comprises said first mechanical coupling means and can be coupled with said second mechanical coupling means;

- a user interface section that protrudes from an external surface of said support panel, when said electronic device is mounted on said support panel.

Preferably, said first mechanical coupling means comprise at least one snap coupling element arranged in correspondence with at least one wall of said main section.

Preferably, said second mechanical coupling means comprise at least one pressure element which can be removably coupled with at least one wall of said main section and with said support panel.

In a further aspect, the present utility model refers to a cabinet for electrical panels, according to claim 20 proposed below.

Further characteristics and advantages of the protection device, according to the present utility model, can be better perceived by referring to the description given below and to the attached figures, provided for purely illustrative and non-limiting purposes, in which:

Figures 1-6 schematically show some views of the electronic device according to the present model; And

Figures 7-8 schematically show some views of the second mechanical coupling means of the electronic device, according to the present model; And

- Figures 9-15 schematically illustrate some views relating to the installation of the electronic device, according to this model, on a support panel of a cabinet for electrical panels.

With reference to the aforementioned figures, the present utility model refers to an electronic device 1 for low and medium voltage electrical panels.

The electronic device 1 is intended to be mounted on a support panel 51 of an electrical panel.

In principle, the support panel 51 can be any support panel for low and medium voltage electrical panels.

Preferably, the support panel 51 is the front panel or the access door of a cabinet 50 for electrical panels.

In the following, the electronic device 1, according to the present model, will be described with particular reference to this type of use (Figures 9-15), without wanting to limit in any way the scope of application.

Preferably, the support panel 51 comprises an internal surface 51A and an external surface 51B, which are opposite to each other. For example, with reference to Figures 9-15, the internal surface 51A of the support panel 51 faces the inside of the cabinet 50 while the surface 51B faces the environment surrounding the cabinet 50.

Advantageously, the support panel 51 comprises a mounting opening 52 at which the electronic device 1 is mounted.

The mounting opening 52 (for example rectangular in shape) is defined by one or more shaped edges 52A, preferably straight.

The support panel 51 can be made of plastic or metal material, according to requirements.

According to the present model, the electronic device 1 comprises a shaped body 2, preferably made of electrically insulating material, for example plastic material. Preferably, the electronic device 1 comprises a main section 3 intended to protrude from the internal surface 51A of the support panel 51, when the electronic device 1 is mounted on the support panel 51 at the mounting opening 52.

Advantageously, the main section 3 is designed so as to have smaller transverse dimensions than the mounting opening 52 so that it can be inserted through the latter, during the assembly of the electronic device 1.

Preferably, the main shaped section 3 has a box-like shape and comprises an upper wall 31 and lower 32, opposite to each other, a pair of side walls 33 and 34, opposite to each other and perpendicular to the aforementioned walls 31 and 32, and a bottom wall 35 perpendicular to the aforementioned walls 31, 32, 33 and 34 and in a distal position with respect to the support panel 51, when the electronic device 1 is mounted on the support panel 51.

In correspondence with one or more walls, the main section 3 comprises connection means of a known type (for example electrical connectors, communication ports, etc.) for the operative connection with other electrical and / or electronic components of the electrical panel.

Preferably, the electronic device 1 comprises a user interface section 4 intended to protrude from the external surface 51B of the support panel 51, when the electronic device 1 is mounted on the support panel 51.

In correspondence with the user interface section 4, known type user interface means (for example a display, selection keys, etc.) can be provided to allow a user to interact with the electronic device 1.

Advantageously, the user interface section 4 is designed in such a way as to have transversal dimensions greater than the mounting opening 52. In this way, it abuts against the external surface 51B of the support panel 51, when the main section 3 is inserted through the mounting opening 52, when mounting the electronic device 1.

Preferably, the user interface section 4 comprises a base portion 41 intended to be located proximal to the support panel 51, when the electronic device 1 is mounted on the latter.

Preferably, the base portion 41 is integrally connected to the main section 3 of the electronic device 1 so as to form a single body with the latter.

Advantageously, the base portion 41 comprises a coupling edge 411 with the support panel 51 at which the user interface section 4 rests abutment on the external surface 51B of the support panel 51.

Preferably, the user interface section 4 comprises a first sealing element 46 arranged in correspondence with the first coupling edge 411 of the base portion 41. Advantageously, the sealing element 46 is co-molded with the base portion 41 of the section d user interface 4.

Preferably, the user interface section 4 comprises a portion of the lid 42 intended to be in a distal position with respect to the support panel 51, when the electronic device 1 is mounted on the latter.

Preferably, the lid portion 42 is removably coupled to the base portion 41, advantageously by means of removable connection means of known type or by means of shape coupling.

Preferably, the lid portion 42 comprises a third coupling edge 420 intended to couple with an opposite second coupling edge 412 of the base portion 41.

Preferably, the user interface section 4 comprises a second sealing element 47 arranged in correspondence with the second coupling edge 412 of the base portion 41 and the third coupling edge 420 of the second lid portion 42. Advantageously, the sealing element gasket 47 is co-molded with the base portion 41 or the lid portion 42.

According to an important aspect of the present model, the electronic device 1 is provided with first mechanical coupling means 11, 12 adapted to couple it to the support panel 51, in a temporary coupling position PP at the mounting opening 52.

When it is in said temporary coupling position PP, the electronic device 1 can move slightly with respect to the support panel 51, ie with limited relative displacements with respect to the dimensions of the electronic device itself, for example less than 1 cm.

For example, the electronic device 1 can slightly tilt around one of the edges 52A of the mounting opening 52

According to a further important aspect of the present model, the electronic device 1 comprises second mechanical coupling means 21, 22 suitable for coupling it to the support panel 51, in a fixing position PF at the mounting opening 52.

When it is in said fixing position PF, the electronic device 1 is integrally connected to the support panel 51 so as to form a single body with the latter. Preferably, the main section 3 of the electronic device 1 comprises the aforementioned first mechanical coupling means 11, 12 of the electronic device.

Preferably, the first mechanical coupling means 11, 12 comprise one or more snap-fit coupling elements arranged in correspondence with one or more walls 31, 32 of the main section 3.

Preferably, the first mechanical coupling means 11, 12 comprise a first snap coupling element 11 arranged at a first wall 31 of the main section 3 and a second snap coupling element 12 arranged at a second wall 32 of the main section 3.

Preferably, the walls 31, 32 provided with the snap coupling elements 11, 12 are walls of the main section 3 opposite each other.

In the embodiment illustrated in the aforementioned figures, the first snap coupling element 11 and the second snap coupling element 12 are arranged in correspondence with the opposite upper 31 and lower 32 walls of the main section 3, respectively.

According to possible embodiment variants (not shown), the snap coupling elements 11, 12 could be arranged in correspondence with the opposite side walls 33, 34 of the main section 3.

According to further possible embodiments (not shown), the snap coupling elements 11, 12 could be arranged in correspondence with contiguous walls of the main section 3, for example of the upper wall 31 or lower 32 and of a side wall 33 or 34.

Preferably, each snap coupling element 11, 12 consists of a flexible fin 101 having a base 103 constrained to a corresponding wall 31, 32 of the main section 3 and a free end 102 which protrudes with respect to the corresponding wall 31, 32 of the main section 3.

Preferably, the flexible flap 101 is arranged so that, when the electronic device 1 is mounted on the support panel 51:

- the base 103 and the free end 102 of the flexible flap 101 are respectively in distal and proximal positions with respect to the support panel 51; And

- the free end 102 of the flexible flap 101 is in a spaced position with respect to the support panel 51.

In this way, during the insertion of the main section 3 through the mounting opening 52, each flexible fin 101 can engage in sliding contrast with a corresponding edge 52A of the aforesaid mounting opening and move from a corresponding rest position to a corresponding one. compression position.

On the other hand, each flexible flap 101 can return to the corresponding rest position, once the insertion of the main section 3 has been completed through the mounting opening 52.

Preferably, the main section 3 of the electronic device 1 can be operatively coupled with the second mechanical coupling means 21, 22 of the electronic device.

Preferably, the aforesaid second mechanical coupling means comprise one or more pressure elements 21, 22 which can be removably coupled with one or more corresponding walls 31, 32 of the main section 3 and with said support panel 51.

Preferably, the second mechanical coupling means 21, 22 comprise a first pressure element 21 and a second pressure element 22 which can be removably coupled to a first wall 31 and to a second wall 32 of the main section 3, respectively, and to the support panel 51 .

Preferably, the walls 31, 32 which can be coupled with the pressure elements 21, 22 are walls of the main section 3 opposite each other.

In the embodiment illustrated in the aforementioned figures, the first pressing element 21 and the second pressing element 22 can be coupled with the opposite upper 31 and lower 32 walls of the main section 3, respectively.

According to possible embodiment variants (not illustrated), the pressure elements 21, 22 could be coupled with the opposite side walls 33, 34 of the main section 3. According to further possible embodiment variants (not illustrated), the pressure elements 21, 22 could be coupled with contiguous walls of the main section 3, for example of the upper wall 31 or lower 32 and of a side wall 33 or 34.

Preferably, each pressing element 21, 22 comprises a support base 201 removably coupled to a corresponding wall 31, 32 of the main section 3, a piston element 202 removably coupled to the support base 201 and provided with a free end 202A and means elastic bands 203 (for example a spring) coupled to the support base 201 and to the piston element 202.

Preferably, the support base 201 is constituted by a box-like body provided with a cavity 201A adapted to house the elastic means 203 and a portion of the piston element 202. Preferably, the piston element 202 is substantially shaped like a " mushroom "and has the free end 202A enlarged with respect to its remaining section.

Preferably, the elastic means 203 consist of a spring with ends coupled to the support base 203 and to the piston element 202.

Preferably, each pressing element 21, 22 comprises one or more shaped protrusions 204 which can be removably coupled to corresponding one or more coupling seats 310, 320 of a corresponding wall 31, 32 of the main section 3.

In the embodiment illustrated in the aforementioned figures, the coupling seats 310, 320 are arranged in correspondence with the opposite upper 31 and lower 32 walls of the main section 3, respectively.

According to possible embodiment variants (not shown), the coupling seats 310, 320 could be arranged in correspondence with the opposite side walls 33, 34 of the main section 3.

According to further possible embodiments (not shown), the coupling seats 310, 320 could be arranged in correspondence with contiguous walls of the main section 3, for example of the upper wall 31 or lower 32 and of a side wall 33 or 34.

Preferably, each pressing element 21, 22 comprises, in correspondence with the relative support base 201, a pair of protrusions 204 which can be removably coupled to a corresponding pair of coupling seats 310, 320 of a corresponding wall 31, 32 of the main section 3.

Preferably, the coupling seats 310, 320 are arranged so that, when the electronic device 1 is mounted on the support panel 51, their distance from the support panel 51 is less than the overall length of the piston element 202.

In this way, the piston element 202 moves from a corresponding rest position to a corresponding compression position, when its support base 201 is coupled to a corresponding wall 31, 32 of the main section 3 and its free end 202A mates with support panel 51.

In this condition, the pressure element 21, 22 is therefore able to exert a direct holding force in order to fix the electronic device 1 to the support panel 51.

Obviously, the piston element 202 automatically returns to the corresponding rest position, when its free end 202A is decoupled from the support panel 51, for example because the pressure element 21, 22 is removed.

Preferably, as shown in the aforementioned figures, each corresponding wall 31, 32 of the main section 3 comprises several pairs of seats for coupling with a corresponding pressure element 21, 22.

In this way, the position of each pressing element 21, 22 with respect to the support panel 51 can be varied. This allows you to vary the intensity of the holding force exerted by the pressure element 21, 22.

The assembly steps of the electronic device 1 according to the present invention are now briefly illustrated on a support panel 51 (front panel or access door) of a cabinet 50 for electrical panels (Figures 9-15).

With reference to figures 9-10, the main section 3 of the electronic device 1 is initially inserted through the mounting opening 52 (insertion movement I in figure 10).

In this phase, the flexible fins 101 of the snap-on coupling elements 11, 12 are slidingly coupled with corresponding edges 52A of the aforesaid mounting opening and move into a compression position.

Once the insertion of the main section 3 has been completed through the mounting opening 52, the flexible fins 101 return with a snap movement to the rest position (Figure 11). The free ends 102 of the flexible fins 101 protrude with respect to the corresponding walls 31, 32 of the main section 3 in a spaced position with respect to the support panel 51.

The electronic device 1 is thus coupled to the support panel 51 in a temporary coupling position PP.

In this condition, the electronic device 1 can move slightly with respect to the support panel 51, for example by pivoting around an edge 52A of the mounting opening 52 (Figure 11).

On the other hand, the free ends 102 of the flexible tabs 101 and the user interface section 4 (having larger dimensions than the mounting opening 52) prevent any accidental fall of the electronic device 1 at each side 51A, 51B of the support panel 51.

It should be noted that in order to separate the electronic device 1 from the support panel 51 again, if necessary, the operator is obliged to manually press the flexible tabs 101 into the compression position and, at the same time, extract the main section 3 through the opening 51 with an inverse movement to the insertion movement I indicated in figure 10.

With the electronic device 1 in the PP provisional coupling position, the operator can easily proceed with the wiring operations.

To fix the electronic device 1 stably to the support panel 51 (fixing position PF), the operator appropriately prepares the pressure elements 21, 22 (figures 12-13) by inserting the relative protrusions 204 in the respective coupling seats 310, 320 of the walls 31, 32 of the main section 3 and bringing the free end 202A of the relative piston element 202 in contrast with the surface 51A of the support panel 51 (rotational movement R of figure 13).

In this way, each pressing element 21, 22 is capable of exerting a direct holding force so as to fix the electronic device 1 to the support panel 51 in the aforementioned fixing position PF (Figures 14-15).

In this condition, the electronic device 1 is thus in its definitive operating position and is ready to operate according to requirements.

It has been seen in practice that the electronic 1, according to this utility model, has significant advantages in terms of effectiveness of use.

The electronic device 1 is provided with coupling means 11, 12, 21, 22 with a support panel 51 which greatly facilitate its operational assembly, overcoming the drawbacks of the assembly methods currently used in the state of the art.

The first coupling means 11, 12 allow to easily position the electronic device 1 in a stabilized temporary coupling position PP which considerably facilitates the wiring operations and prevents any accidental fall of the electronic device.

The second coupling means 21, 22 allow a quick and efficient final fixing of the electronic device 1 to the support panel 1.

The protection device 1, according to the present utility model, is of easy industrial realization, at competitive costs with respect to the devices of a similar type currently available.

Claims (14)

CLAIMS 1. Electronic device (1) for low and medium voltage electrical panels, said electronic device being intended to be mounted on a support panel (51) in correspondence with a mounting opening (52) of said support panel, characterized from understanding: - first mechanical coupling means (11, 12) adapted to couple said electronic device to said support panel (51) in a temporary coupling position (PP) in correspondence with said mounting opening (52), wherein said electronic device can move with limited relative displacements with respect to said support panel (51), when said electronic device is in said provisional coupling position (PP); - second mechanical coupling means (21, 22) adapted to couple said electronic device to said support panel (51) in a fixing position (PF) in correspondence with said mounting opening (52), wherein said electronic device is integrally connected to said support panel (51), when said electronic device is in said fixing position (PF). 2. Electronic device, according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises: - a main section (3) which protrudes from an internal surface (51A) of said support panel, when said electronic device is mounted on said support panel (51), said main section including said first mechanical coupling means (11, 12) and being coupled to said second mechanical coupling means (21, 22); - a user interface section (4) which protrudes from an external surface (51B) of said support panel, when said electronic device is mounted on said support panel (51). 3. Electronic device, according to claim 2, characterized in that said first mechanical coupling means (11, 12) comprise at least one snap coupling element (11, 12) arranged in correspondence with at least one wall (31, 32) of said main section (3). 4. Electronic device, according to claim 3, characterized in that said first mechanical coupling means (11, 12) comprise a first snap coupling element (11) arranged in correspondence with a first wall (31) of said main section (3) and a second snap coupling element (12) arranged in correspondence with a second wall (32) of said main section (3). 5. Electronic device, according to one of claims 3 to 4, characterized in that each snap coupling element (11, 12) consists of a flexible fin (101) having a base (103) fixed to a corresponding wall (31, 32) of said main section (3) and a free end (102) which protrudes with respect to said corresponding wall (31, 32) of said main section (3). 6. Electronic device, according to claim 5, characterized in that said flexible flap (101) is arranged so that: - the base (103) and the free end 102) of said flexible flap are respectively in distal and proximal positions with respect to said support panel (51); - the free end 102) of said flexible flap is in a spaced position with respect to said support panel (51); when said electronic device is mounted on said support panel. 7. Electronic device, according to one of claims 2 to 6, characterized in that said second mechanical coupling means (21, 22) comprise at least one pressure element (21, 22) which can be removably coupled with at least one wall (31, 32) of said main section (3) and with said support panel (51). 8. Electronic device, according to claim 8, characterized in that said second mechanical coupling means (21, 22) comprise a first pressing element (21) and a second pressing element (22) removably coupled with a first wall (31) and to a second wall (32) of said main section (3), respectively, and with said support panel (51). 9. Electronic device, according to one of claims 8 to 9, characterized in that each pressure element (21, 22) comprises a support base (201) removably coupled to a corresponding wall (31, 32) of said main section ( 3), a piston element (202) removably coupled to said support base and provided with a free end (202A) which can be coupled to said support panel and elastic means (203) coupled to said support base and said piston element . 10. Electronic device, according to claim 9, characterized in that each pressing element (21, 22) comprises at least one protrusion (204) which can be removably coupled to at least one coupling seat (310, 320) of a corresponding wall (31, 32 ) of said main section (3). 11. Electronic device, according to one of claims 2 to 10, characterized in that said user interface section (4) comprises a base portion (41) integrally connected to said internal portion (3) and a lid portion ( 42) removably coupled with said base portion. 12. Electronic device, according to claim 11, characterized in that said base portion (41) comprises a first coupling edge (411) with said support panel (51), said user interface section comprising a first element of gasket (46) arranged at said first coupling edge, said first gasket element being co-molded with said base portion. 13. Electronic device, according to one of claims 11 to 12, characterized in that said base portion (41) comprises a second coupling edge (412) with a third coupling edge (420) of said lid portion (42 ), said user interface section comprising a second gasket element (47) arranged at said second and third coupling edges, said second gasket element being co-molded with said base portion or said lid portion. 14. Cabinet (50) for electrical panels comprising a support panel (51) provided with a mounting opening (52) characterized in that an electronic device (1), according to one or more of the preceding claims, is mounted on said support panel (51), in correspondence with said mounting opening.