WO2006049502A1

WO2006049502A1 - Indicator mechanism for electrical installation cabinet

Info

Publication number: WO2006049502A1
Application number: PCT/NL2005/050030
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jacobus Michael Everink
Original assignee: Eaton Electric B.V.
Priority date: 2004-11-02
Filing date: 2005-11-02
Publication date: 2006-05-11
Also published as: EP1825582A1; NL1027406C2

Abstract

Indicator mechanism for an electrical installation cabinet (1). The electrical installation cabinet (1) is provided with a drawer compartment that provides space for one or more pull-out sub-installations and with a connector compartment (3) with wiring points for connecting the one or more sub-installations. The indicator mechanism can be coupled to one of the pull-out sub-installations. The indicator mechanism comprises an indicator (10; 21) that is installed in the connector compartment (3) to indicate whether the associated pull-out sub-installations in the drawer compartment are in the pushed-in or pulled-out position.

Description

Indicator mechanism for electrical installation cabinet

Field of the invention

The present invention relates to an indicator mechanism for an electrical installation cabinet, wherein the electrical installation cabinet is provided with a drawer compartment that provides space for one or more pull-out sub-installations and with a connector compartment with wiring points for connecting the one or more sub-installations and wherein the indicator mechanism can be coupled to one of the pull-out sub-installations.

State of the art

US patent US-A 5278722 discloses a drawer mechanism for installing sub- installations as drawers in an electrical installation cabinet The drawer mechanism is provided with a position indicator that indicates the position of a specific drawer. The possible positions to be indicated are pushed-in, switched-off and test The position indicator is at the front of the installation cabinet where the sub-installations are pushed in. A second position indicator can be installed on the inside of the drawer mechanism. Both position indicators can be seen only from the (opened) front of the installation cabinet.

In some installation cabinets for sub-installations, where a sub-installation contains functional components in a specific layout, the installation cabinet is provided with a separate compartment for connecting the sub-installations, for example alongside a drawer compartment or at the rear of the installation cabinet. Because the sub-installation and the wiring points thereof are positioned in different areas in the installation cabinet, it is not always clear whether the relevant sub-installation has been disconnected so that it is possible to work safely on the wiring points. In the case of large installations that consist of several installation cabinets, each of which, in turn, comprises several sub-installations, the problem is often even greater. First of all, the drawer compartment must be visually checked to determine whether a sub-installation has been pulled out and it must then be determined, for example by counting, which section of the wiring points in the connector compartment belongs to said sub-installation. This is, of course, highly susceptible to error, as a result of which it is necessary to check time and again whether specific wiring points are indeed completely dead. Summary of the invention

The aim of the present invention is to provide an indicator mechanism by means of which it is possible to indicate unambiguously and reliably, but in a simple manner, whether a specific sub-installation in an installation cabinet is pushed in or pulled out This is achieved by an indicator mechanism of the type defined in the preamble, wherein the indicator mechanism comprises an indicator that is installed in the connector compartment in order to indicate whether the associated pull-out sub-installations in the drawer compartment are in the pushed-in or pulled-out position. The connector , compartment is a separate compartment of the installation cabinet, for example located alongside or behind the drawer compartment viewed from the direction for pushing in the sub-installations. Such an indicator mechanism makes it possible, at the location where this is needed, specifically at the wiring points in a connector compartment, to check whether the associated sub-installation is or is not in the pushed-in state in the drawer compartment of the installation cabinet As a result it is possible to work safely on the wiring points, for example for connecting the sub-installation to an external circuit.

The link between indicator and sub-installation can be implemented in various ways, e.g. by a wireless link to transmitters and receivers or with the aid of a flexible cable connection, consisting of an inner and an outer cable.

In a further embodiment of the invention, however, use is made of a fixed link in a simple manner and the indicator mechanism comprises a rod body that can be coupled to the pull-out sub-installation, which rod body is provided at the front end with an indicator label, and wherein the rod body can move between a first position, where the pull-out sub- installation is in the pushed-in position and the front end of the rod body is visible in the connector section, and a second position, -where the pull-out sub-installation is in the pulled-out position and the front end of the rod body is not visible in the connector section. The rod body can also be coupled either mechanically or electrically to the pull-out drawer. As a result of the indicator label, an unambiguous and clear indication of the position of the sub-installation is possible.

In a further embodiment the indicator mechanism furthermore comprises a fixing bracket for fixing the indicator mechanism to the installation cabinet, wherein the fixing bracket is provided with an opening for guiding the rod body and the rod body is fastened to a locking clasp such that it can turn, in such a way that in the first position the locking clasp leaves the front end visible and in the second position the locking clasp hides the front end. In this mechanical embodiment of the present invention, an indicator in the first position indicates that the sub-installation concerned has been pushed into the installation cabinet and that it is thus not safe to work on the associated wiring points in the connector compartment In order to achieve accurate operation, the rod body is constructed in two sections that can be joined to one another with different settings. As a result differences in size can be accommodated and the mechanism can be adjusted accurately. The adjustable connection can be achieved, for example, by providing one end with an external screw thread and the section to be coupled thereto with a matching internal screw thread. Use can also be made of a screw cap joint. The connector compartments are usually provided with cover plates by means of which contact with live components is prevented, so that the installation meets specific safety standards. Ih a further embodiment use is made of these cover plates in order further to increase safety and the cover plate is provided with an opening for the indicator mechanism and the locking clasp has a protruding portion that locks the cover plate when the rod body is in the first position.

Ia a further embodiment the cover plate is provided with at least one lip that can be placed in at least one associated opening in the installation cabinet in a hinged manner. By making the cover plate such that it can be detachably fixed in a hinged manner to the installation cabinet with the aid of two lips made integral with the cover plate on the side opposite the opening for the indicator mechanism, a further advantage is achieved hi that the cover plate can be fixed to the installation cabinet in a locked manner without separate fasteners such as screws or the like.

This offers the possibility of both indication of the position of a sub-installation and locking of the access to the connector compartment at the location of the associated sub- installation, using a single mechanism. hi yet a further embodiment the cover plate is provided with a second indicator label that can be covered by the protruding portion of the locking clasp in the first position. In this case the indicator mechanism thus provides both an indication of the pushed-in and the pulled-out position of the sub-installation, which is more robust and safer. In an alternative embodiment the indicator mechanism comprises a sensor for the detection of the position of a sub-installation and an indicator system that is linked to the sensor and is installed in the connector compartment for indicating a pushed-in or pulled- out position of the associated sub-installation. This electrical or electronic variant uses, for example, an actuator that is connected to the sensor in order to move the rod body. In yet a further embodiment the indicator mechanism can be completely electronic, by using an electronic indicator that is connected to the sensor for indicating the position of the associated sub-installation. For the locking function use is then made, for example, of electromechanical locking.

Brief description of the drawings

The present invention will now be discussed in more detail on the basis of a number of illustrative embodiments, with reference to the appended drawings, in which.: Fig. 1 shows a front view of an electrical installation cabinet with connection chambers accessible at the front of said installation cabinet, in which one embodiment of the indicator mechanism according to the present invention is used;

Fig.2 shows a perspective view of an indicator mechanism according to one embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 3 shows a plan view of the indicator mechanism in Fig.2 in the out position;

Fig.4 shows a plan view of the indicator mechanism in Fig.2 in the in position;

Fig. 5 shows a partial view of the electrical installation cabinet in Fig. 1; and

Fig. 6 shows a block diagram of an electronic variant of the indicator mechanism.

Detailed description of illustrative embodiments

Fig. 1 shows a front view of part of an electrical installation cabinet 1, such as, for example, is used in low-voltage distribution installations. The electrical installation cabinet 1 has a drawer compartment, with several drawers into which sub-installations can be slid. A sub-installation can be in the form of a drawer that can be pushed in and pulled out, on which electrical components are arranged in a specific circuit, for example a motor controller. The drawer compartment is closed off for each sub-installation by a door 2, in which, for example, operating and control elements for the sub-installation concerned can be fitted. As shown, the electrical installation cabinet 1 has a connector compartment 3 positioned alongside the drawer compartment When a sub-installation has been pushed into the drawer compartment, this is connected to the connectors accessible in the connector compartment so as to be connected to external circuits or to connect wiring. The sub-installation comprises a functional unit that, via the connector compartment, can be incorporated in an external circuit. Because there are two separate compartments it is not always immediately clear whether a specific sub-installation is pushed in or pulled out, as a result of which it is not certain that work can be carried out in the associated connector compartment without danger. This problem will be greater if the connector compartment is not at the front, as is indicated in the drawing, but at the rear of the switching installation. As indicated in Fig. I₅ the connector compartment for each sub-installation is provided with a cover plate 20. Facilities such as cable glands 4, by means of which external cables can be connected to a sub-installation, can be fitted in the cover plate 20. Each cover plate 20 can be locked by a locking clasp 5, the functioning of which will be explained below. Fig. 2 shows a perspective view of an indicator mechanism according to a first embodiment of the present invention, wherein the connection chamber is at the front alongside the sub-installation. The indicator mechanism comprises the locking clasp 5, which is fastened with the aid of pivot point 16 to a fixing bracket 6 such that it can turn. The fixing bracket 6 is permanently fixed to the electric installation cabinet 1, for example to the partition between the drawer compartment and the connector compartment 3. An opening 8 in which a rod or rod body 7 can slide back and forth has been made in the fixing bracket 6. The rod 7 is provided with a pin 12, which can slide back and forth in a slot 11 in the locking clasp 5, so that when the rod 7 moves back and forth the locking clasp 5 pivots in the fixing bracket 6. To provide the mechanism with a defined rest position, e.g. when the sub-installation has been pulled out, the rod can be provided with a further pin 14 with which a spring interacts. The compression spring (not shown) can be fixed around the rod 7 between the surface of the fixing body 6 and the pin 14, so that the rod 7 is forced into a fixed position when the sub-installation is pulled out. Of course, an extension spring can be used with the same result At the other end the rod 7 is connected to a connecting body 18 that is fixed in the electrical installation cabinet 1 via point 19 such that it can rotate. The connecting body 18 extends into the drawer compartment of the electrical installation cabinet 1 and is moved when a sub-installation is pushed in. At a front end 10 the rod 7 is provided with an indicator or indicator label 10, which in this embodiment is provided with the label 'IN'. Fig. 3 shows a plan view of the indicator mechanism in Fig.2 when the associated sub-installation has been pulled out, that is to say the wiring points in the connector compartment 3 are not live. The cover plate 20, which is provided with an opening through which the locking clasp 5 of the indicator mechanism extends, is also shown in this figure. The rod 7 is now in the position oriented furthest backwards, as a result of which the locking clasp 5 is at an angle. As a result the front end 10 of the rod is no longer visible to a person standing in front of the cover plate 20. When the sub-installation is pushed in again the rod 7 will slide forwards and take the clasp 5 with it into the straight position. As a result the front end 10 of the rod 7 bearing the label 'BSP is visible. In this way it can be seen whether the drawer is in the 'BST position or has been pulled out.

According to the invention the cover plate 20 can be constructed with flanged-on lips 35 that interact with openings 34 in the installation cabinet (see Fig. 5) and thus form a detachable hinged connection for the cover plate 20. By providing the clasp 5 with a lip 5', the clasp 5 can also acquire the function of a lock when the opening through which the indicator mechanism is visible has a size such that the lip 5^f is able to engage over the cover plate (see Fig.4 below). In this way not only is locking of the cover plate 20 obtained, but the cover plate 20 is also firmly fastened in the installation cabinet without separate connecting means. It is then also possible to apply a second indicator 21 (for example bearing label OUT) to the front surface of the cover plate 20, which in the switched-on, and thus locked, state of the sub-installation is covered by the lip 5' of the clasp 5, but is visible in the switched-off, and thus unlocked state. Ih this latter unlocked state the cover plate 20 is also released (not locked), as a result of which this can be removed, and an engineer is able to perform work in the connector section of the associated sub-installation. A plan view of the indicator mechanism in Fig.2 when the sub-installation has been pushed in is shown in Fig.4. The wiring points in the connector compartment 3 are now connected to the associated sub-installation, as a result of which there is no guarantee that the wiring points are completely dead. As a result it is not possible to work safely on the connections in the associated connector section. In this state the rod 7 is in the position in which it is furthest forward, as a result of which the locking clasp 5 is forced into the position shown. As a result the locking clasp 5 covers the second indicator 21 on the cover plate 20 and the first indicator on the front end 10 of the rod 7 becomes visible. At the same time the shape of the locking clasp 5 with an opening in the cover plate 20 matched thereto ensures that the cover plate 20 is locked and cannot be removed. Even if the fastening for the cover plate 20 (for example by means of screws) has been undone, the locking clasp 5 in this state ensures that the cover plate 20 cannot be removed.

In the partial view of the electrical installation cabinet 1 in Fig. 5, in which part of the connector compartment 3 is shown with three cover plates 20 therein, it can clearly be seen that the sub-installations that belong to the bottom two coyer plates 20 have been pushed into the relevant drawer in the drawer compartment Ia the case of the top cover plate 20 shown it can be seen that in this embodiment a second indicator 21 '-' (as an alternative to the abovementioned second indicator OUT) is visible, which indicates that the sub- installation has been pulled out of the associated drawer of the drawer compartment This cover plate 20 can now be removed and it is possible to work safely on the wiring points concerned. In this embodiment a first indicator 10 '+', as an alternative to the abovementioned first indicator 'IN", is visible on the bottom cover plates 20.

By means of the indicator mechanism according to the embodiment described, a reliable indication is given with regard to whether the sub-installation concerned is in the pushed-in or pulled-out position. At the same time a locking mechanism can also be implemented, as described. This makes working on the connector compartment 3 of the installation cabinet even safer and more reliable.

In the example explained above an installation cabinet 1 is shown where the connector compartment 3 is located alongside the drawer compartment However, in many electrical installation cabinets 1 the connector compartment 3 is located at the rear of the installation cabinet 1. Certainly if several installation cabinets 1 are positioned alongside one another it is problematical to establish which sub-installation, in an installation, cabinet 1 has been pulled out, in order to be able to work safely on the associated wiring points at the rear of the installation cabinet 1. The only possibility is a visual check at the front of the installation cabinet to determine whether a sub-installation has been pulled out, and then to find the associated wiring points at the rear by counting. Such a method is liable to error and consequently not safe. It is therefore necessary at all times to check whether all wiring points on which it is desired to work are completely dead. This problem is reliably solved wilh the aid of an indicator mechanism according to the present invention. If the connector compartment 3 is located at the rear of the installation cabinet 1 and the drawer compartment is located at the front, the connecting body 18 with pivot point 19 can be omitted and a direct mechanical coupling can be made between sub-installation and rod 7. To make assembly of the indicator mechanism easier, the rod 7 can consist of two sections that are joined to one another with different settings. This can be effected in a known and simple manner with the aid of a screw cap joint or using a screwed joint, where one end has an external screw thread and the other end a matching internal screw thread. As an alternative to the (in)direct mechanical coupling between sub-installation and indicator mechanism as described above, use can be made of a different type of coupling, for example with the aid of cables. It is also possible, for example, to make use of a sensor 31 that is linked to an electrical actuator 32 that operates rod 7. For the indicators 10, 21, use can then even be made of electrically enabled indicators 33 that are installed in the connector compartment 3 (see the embodiment shown in Fig. 6). Locking of the cover plate 20 must then be (electro)mechanically enabled.

Claims

1. Indicator mechanism for an electrical installation cabinet (1), wherein the electrical installation cabinet (1) is provided with a drawer compartment that provides space for one or more pull-out sub-installations and with a connector compartment (3) with wiring points for connecting the one or more sub-installations, wherein the indicator mechanism can be coupled to one of the pull-out sub-installations, characterised in that the indicator mechanism comprises an indicator (10, 21) that is installed in the connector compartment (3) in order to indicate whether the associated pull-out sub-installations in the drawer compartment are in the pushed-in or pulled-out position.

2. Indicator mechanism according to Claim 1 , wherein the indicator mechanism comprises a rod body (7) mat can be coupled to the pull-out sub-installation, which rod body is provided at the front end with an indicator label (10), and wherein the rod body (7) can move between a first position, where the pull-out sub-installation is in the pushed-in position and the front end of the rod body (7) is visible in the connector compartment (3), and a second position, where the pull-out sub-installation is in the pulled-out position and the front end of the rod body (7) is not visible in the connector compartment (3).

3. Indicator mechanism according to Claim 2, wherein the indicator mechanism furthermore comprises a fixing bracket (6) for fixing the indicator mechanism to the installation cabinet (1), wherein the fixing bracket (6) is provided with an opening (8) for guiding the rod body (7) and the rod body (7) is fastened to a locking clasp (5) such that it can turn, in such a way that in the first position the locking clasp (5) leaves the front end visible and in the second position the locking clasp (5) hides the front end.

4. Indicator mechanism according to Claim 3, wherein a cover plate (20) can be fitted in order to cover the connector compartment (3) of the installation cabinet (1) and the cover plate (20) is provided with an opening for the indicator mechanism, and wherein the locking clasp (5) has a protruding portion (5') that locks the cover plate (20) when the rod body (7) is in the first position.

5. Indicator mechanism according to Claim 4, wherein the cover plate (20) is provided with at least one lip (35) that can be placed in at least one associated opening (34) in the installation cabinet (1) in a hinged manner.

6. Indicator mechanism according to Claim 4 or 5, wherein the cover plate (20) is provided with a second indicator label (21) that can be covered by the protruding portion (5¹) of the locking clasp (5) in the first position.

7. Indicator mechanism according to Claim 1 , wherein the indicator mechanism comprises a sensor (31) for the detection of the position of a sub-installation, and an indicator system (33) that is linked to the sensor (31) and is installed in the connector compartment (3) for indicating a pushed-in or pulled-out position of the associated sub- installation.

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