WO2009140987A1

WO2009140987A1 - Housing module and automation device having a modular design

Info

Publication number: WO2009140987A1
Application number: PCT/EP2008/004371
Authority: WO
Inventors: Eric Lude; Thomas Menke
Original assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
Priority date: 2008-05-21
Filing date: 2008-05-21
Publication date: 2009-11-26

Abstract

The invention relates to a housing module (10) of an electric automation device, comprising a first housing side (17a) having a first electrical connecting unit and a second housing side (17b) having a second electrical connecting unit, wherein the two housing sides (17a, 17b) constitute mutually opposing lateral surfaces of the housing module (10). In order to provide such a housing module (10), which by way of means having mechanically and electrically simple designs can be coupled to other housing modules having corresponding designs to produce a stable combination, according to the invention the electrical connecting units are disposed in a front region of the respective housing side (17a, 17b), at least one pivot hook (18a) is provided in a rear region of one of the housing sides (17a), and at least one engagement unit (18b) is provided in the rear region of the other housing side (17b). The invention further relates to an automation device composed of the corresponding housing modules.

Description

description

Gehausemodul and modular automation device

The invention relates to a Gehausemodul an electrical automation device having a first housing side with a first electrical connection means and a second housing side with a second electrical connection means, wherein the two housing sides represent opposite side surfaces of the Gehausemoduls. The invention also relates to an automation device constructed modularly from a composite according to trained Gehausemodule.

Automation devices are commonly used to control and / or monitor automated processes. An example of an automation device is an electrical protection device for controlling and monitoring primary components of an electrical energy supply network. Such a protection device monitors, for example based on recorded current and voltage measurements, the operating state of primary components of the electrical energy supply network, such as electrical lines or transformers, and if an impermissible operating state is detected, appropriate protective measures are taken for the respective primary component. Such a protective measure can be, for example, a tripping of a circuit breaker which disconnects the primary component from the rest of the power supply network.

Due to different purposes different hardware devices are directed to different requirements in terms of their equipment. Such known automation devices differ, for example, from clearly the nature and number of their electrical inputs and outputs, by means of which electrical connections to other electrical devices and / or transducers or sensors can be made. Furthermore, differences of such automation devices can affect communication modules or the capacity of the respective devices. In order to meet these different requirements, a variety of different automation devices, each with different equipment has often been kept in the past, the ordering, production, delivery, maintenance and spare parts were associated with great effort.

As a result, manufacturers of automation devices have now, in appropriate cases, begun to offer modular automation devices, which often consist of a basic device and extension devices that can be connected to the basic device. The basic device provides the necessary basic functionality of the automation device, such as a computing unit, basic communication units and operating and display options available. Different expansion modules allow such a basic unit to be adapted to the respective requirements, so that by combining fewer device modules, automation devices can be produced for a wide variety of requirements. The expansion modules used for the specific adaptation of the basic devices here must usually be able to be connected both mechanically and electrically to the basic device.

A Gehausemodul of the above type is known for example from German Patent Application DE 10 2004 056 243 Al. The well-known Gehausemodul consists of a base plate on which various devices units are placed. To extend such a Gehausemoduls another base plate with appropriate device units can be put together on the sides of the Gehausemodule electrical and mechanical connectors, with a mechanical stability of the connection is achieved for example by placing the Gehausemodule on a so-called top hat rail.

The invention has for its object to provide a Gehausemodul that can be coupled by mechanically and electrically simple design means with other Gehausemodulen to produce a stable out of housing housing association. The invention is also based on the object of providing a modularly designed automation device using corresponding housing modules, which, despite its modular design, has high stability.

With regard to the Gehausemoduls this object is achieved by a Gehausemodul of the type mentioned, in which the electrical connection means are arranged in a front region of the respective housing side, in a rear region of the Gehäusereiten at least one pivot hook is provided and in the rear region of the other housing side at least a hooking device is provided.

The advantage of the housing module according to the invention is that it allows, by simple means, a stable mechanical and electrical connection with further correspondingly designed housing modules. Namely, the housing module according to the invention can be easily connected with correspondingly designed further housing modules by exporting a pivoting movement. For this purpose, first the pivoting hook of a first housing module is inserted into the hooking device. tion of another Gehausemoduls introduced, creating a hinge-like pivotal connection arises. By Aufeinanderzuschwenken the two Gehausemodule finally arranged in the front Gehausebereich electrical connecting means are brought together, whereby the mechanical and electrical coupling of the Gehausemodule is completed.

The hooking device in the rear region of the housing modules hereby represents a very stable connection of the housing modules which are separated again only via the opposite path - ie a disconnection of the electrical connection devices and a swiveling of the two housing modules and a removal of the swiveling hook from the hooking device can be.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the housing module according to the invention, it is provided that the electrical connection devices are formed by a plug device and a socket device. Such devices provide a reliable electrical contact. The plug device represents as it were a mechanical guide for the preparation of the electrical connection, so that a correct electrical contact is guaranteed. In addition, corresponding plug or socket devices are known which have sufficient stability, so that they tolerate the necessary for coupling two Gehausemodule pivotal movement.

A further advantageous embodiment of the inventive

Gehausemoduls provides that the Gehausemodul has a Gehause- body and a front cap mounted thereon and the electrical connection means are accommodated in an edge region of the front cap. That way is a positioning of the electrical connection of the two Gehausemodule in a far forward region of the Gehausemoduls possible, whereby the electrical connection means during the pivoting movement through a wide circular path. As a result, the smallest possible angular deviation and consequently only a small mechanical load is achieved when joining the connecting devices.

Advantageously, the front panel operating and / or display elements, such as buttons, buttons, lamps, LEDs or screen displays have.

A further advantageous embodiment of the housing module according to the invention also provides that the pivoting hook is arranged on one side of the housing by means of a detachable connection. In this way, it can be achieved that the pivoting hook is used only in the case of a necessary connection of two Gehausemodule, but otherwise is not connected to the Gehausemodul, and thus does not survive on the Gehausemodul.

In order to design the mechanical connection of two Gehausemodule even more stable, is provided according to a further advantageous Ausfuhrungs form of the inventive Gehausemoduls that are provided in the front region of the housing sides fastening means. Such fastening devices may be, for example, connections for screwing or hooking. However, it is considered to be particularly advantageous if one of the housing sides has at least one resilient latching element as a fastening device and the other housing side has at least one recess configured to receive such a latching element as a fastening device. That way is one particularly easy to produce and detachable attachment of the two Gehausemodule possible with each other.

In this context, it is further considered to be advantageous if at least one of the fastening devices is designed to be removable. In this way, a fastening device can only be present on the respective Gehausemodul if it is necessary for establishing a connection between two Gehausemodule. Otherwise, it can be removed from the housing so as not to stand out over its housing side.

A further advantageous embodiment of the housing module according to the invention also provides that the housing module has a rear wall with electrical contact devices which are designed to produce electrical contacting of electrical assemblies that can be accommodated within the housing module. In this way, between the present in the respective Gehausemodul electrical assemblies and external devices, such as current and voltage transformers or remote electrical devices, an electrical connection can be made.

In order to be able to remove the heat possibly generated inside the Gehausemoduls as easily as possible, it is further provided that at least one housing side has Kuhlrippen. When two corresponding housing modules are joined together, cooling passages are formed by the cooling fins, through which an air flow for cooling the respective housing modules can flow.

With regard to the automation device, the abovementioned object is achieved by an automation device consisting of at least two on their side surfaces connected Gehausemodulen, wherein the Gehausemodule are formed according to one of the embodiments described above and a first Gehausemodul engages by means of its pivot hook in the hooking of another Gehaus- semoduls and the first electrical connection means of the first Gehausemoduls with the second electrical connection means of the other Gehausemoduls an electrical contact making.

In the following the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to an exemplary embodiment. Show this

1 shows the top view of a Gehausemodul,

FIG. 2 shows a view of a housing side of the housing module,

FIG. 3 shows a view of a further housing side of the housing module,

FIG. 4 shows a detailed view of a housing module with a fastening device,

FIG. 5 shows a further view of the fastening device of FIG. 4,

Figure 6 is a three-dimensional view of two Gehausemodule during assembly to a housing composite and

FIG. 7 shows an automation device formed by a housing composite of two housing modules. FIG. 1 shows a top view of a housing module 10. The housing module 10 consists of a housing body 11 with a front cap 12. Housing body 11 and front cap 12 can be formed both one-piece and separately. In the Gehausemodul 10 electrical assemblies 13 may be included, which are indicated only schematically in Figure 1. Such subassemblies 13 can be subassemblies customary for an automation device, such as, for example, computer subassemblies with at least one processor, converter modules with current and / or voltage transformers, communication subassemblies or input / output subassemblies. For electrical contacting of the assemblies 13, the Gehausekorper 11 of the Gehausemoduls 10 has a rear wall 14 with contact means 15, which may be, for example, electrical terminal strips.

For improved dissipation within the housing module 10 (for example, during the operation of the assemblies 13) heat emitted, the Gehausemodul 10 may also have an outer surface with Kuhlrippen 16.

In order to be able to mechanically and electrically connect two or more housing modules of corresponding construction, such a housing module 10 has at least one pivoting hook 18a on a first housing side 17a. This swivel hook 18a is arranged in its rear region, that is to say in the region facing the rear wall 14 of the housing module 10, of the housing module and may, for example, have the shape of an exploded "Z." The swivel hook 18a can advantageously be released, for example via a screw connection, be connected to the housing side 17a, so that it can be separated from the housing side 17a, if there is no need for coupling of Gehausemodulen.In such a case without connection to another Gehausemodul was the Namely, protrude disturbing hooks on the housing side 17a. The first housing side 17a further has in its front, so the front cap facing region on an electrical connection means in the form of a plug device 19a.

The second housing side 17b opposite the first housing side 17a has correspondingly in its rear region a hooking device 18b, which may be formed, for example, as a pocket-like recess in the housing side 17b. In this case, the hooking device 18b is positioned and shaped in such a way that, for the mechanical coupling of two appropriately designed housing modules, the pivoting hook of the first housing module can engage in the hooking device of the second building module.

In addition, the second housing side 17b has an electrical connection device in the form of a socket device 19b in its front region. For electrical and mechanical coupling of two appropriately trained, so equipped with swivel hook and Einhakausnehmung and electrical connection devices, Gehausemodule the swivel hook of the first Gehausemoduls is inserted into the hooking of the second Gehausemoduls. When the front housing module areas pivot against one another, the electrical plug device of the first housing module is inserted into the electrical socket device of the second housing module, whereby an electrical connection is established in addition to the mechanical connection.

FIG. 2 shows a first side view of the housing module 10, the housing side 17b being shown in FIG. Identical elements in the figures are denoted by the same reference numerals. One recognizes the front cap 12, the Gehausekorper 11 front ends. The front cap 12 has the electrical socket device 19b on the side. In the rear region of the housing wall 17b pocket-shaped hooking devices 18b can be seen. In addition, a recess 20 is formed in the front cap 12, in the one

Locking element (see Figure 3) can engage in order to achieve a more stable coupling of two Gehausemodule.

FIG. 3 shows the view of the housing side 17a of the housing module 10. In the front cap 12, the plug device 19a is arranged laterally. FIG. 3 further shows two pivoting hooks 18a, which are arranged at the top and bottom in the rear area of the housing wall 17a. In addition, the front cap 12 has a latching element 30 which can engage in the recess 20 (cf., FIG. 2) in order to achieve a more stable connection of two housing modules.

Figure 4 shows a detailed view of a front cap 12 from below, which faces the housing side 17a a latching element 30 and the housing side 17b facing a recess 20 on ^¬ has. The latching element 30 is designed in such a way that it can engage in a recess 20 corresponding to a recess of a second Gehausemoduls adjacent to the Gehausemodul 10. The latching element 30 is also releasably connected to the front cap 12 by means of a screw connection 40, so that the latching element 30 is connected to the front cap 12 only when required, that is, only when a further connection with another housing module is to be made must become .

FIG. 5 shows in detail a coupling of two housings produced by means of a latching element 30 engaging in a recess 20. Here, a first (merely indicated) Gehausemodul 10 with a second (only indicated) Gehausemodul 50 coupled. The latching element 30 of the first housing module 10 is constructed, for example, like a leaf spring with a latching function and correspondingly flexibly resiliently deformable and also designed such that it can engage in the recess 20 of the housing module 50. As a result, a mechanical connection of the two connected housing modules 10 and 50 in the region of the front cap 12 is achieved, so that the mechanical connection need not be held solely by the primarily electrical plug-socket connection. In addition, the additional mechanical connection created thereby prevents unwanted unfolding of the respective Gehausemodule and thus reinforces a stable Gehauseverbund.

FIG. 6 shows a three-dimensional view of two housing modules 60 and 61 which are to be coupled to one another to form a modularly constructed automation device. The Gehausemodul 60 is, for example, a basic module of an automation device, which has a display device 69 and an operating device in the form of a keypad 70. The device module 61 is, for example, an expansion module that provides further device functionalities, for example a communication connection or further electrical inputs or outputs for connection to external converter devices or other devices.

For coupling the two Gehausemodule 60 and 61 of the swivel hook 62 of Gehausemoduls 61 is inserted into the pocket-like hooking device 63 of Gehausemoduls 60 so that pivot hook and hooking device 62, 63 act as a kind of hinge, by means of which the two Gehausemodule 60, 61 can be swung towards each other. The pivoting movement is indicated by an arrow 64. Electrical connection devices in the form of an electrical plug device 67 of the housing module 61 and an electrical socket device 68 of the housing module 60 are provided on the housing sides of the respective housing modules 65 and 66 on their front caps. Although in the concrete case in FIG. 6 the housing module 61 has a plug device 67 and the housing module 60 has a socket device 68, it is irrelevant to the inventive concept which connection device is provided on which housing module. It is essential, however, that they are each complementary connecting devices. When Aufeinanderzuschwenken the two Gehausemodule 60 and 61, as already described above due to the position of the most far as the front of each housing side positioned electrical Verbxndungseinrich- device only a slight angular displacement when connecting the plug means 67 to the socket means 68 is achieved. In order to support the Zusammenfuhrung the electrical connection means, the plug means 67 may have a centering device, for example in the form of a protruding frame, which allows an accurate positioning of the plug means in the socket means 68.

FIG. 6 also shows a latching element 71 that can engage in a recess 72 of the housing module 60 in order to achieve a more stable mechanical connection of the two housing modules 60 and 61.

FIG. 7 shows an automation device 80, which was produced by a combination of the housing modules 60 and 61. In FIG. 7 it can be seen that the substantial mechanical coupling of the two housing modules 60 and 61 is achieved by the pivoting hook 62 of the housing module 61 inserted into the pocket-like hooking device 63 of the housing module 60. Support for this mechanical connection is achieved in the recess 72 of the housing module 60 by the latching of the latching element 71 (see FIG. An electrical coupling of both housing modules takes place through the plug device 67, which is now completely inserted into the socket device 68 of the housing module 60 (see FIG.

Claims

claims

A housing module (10) of an electrical automation device comprising a first housing side (17a) with a first electrical connection device and a second housing side (17b) with a second electrical connection device, wherein the two housing sides (17a, 17b) are opposite side surfaces of the housing module (10), characterized in that

- The electrical connection means are arranged in a front region of the respective housing side (17a, 17b);

in a rear area of one of the housing sides (17a) at least one pivoting hook (18a) is provided and in the rear one

Region of the other housing side (17 b) at least one hooking device (18 b) is provided.

2. Gehausemodul (10) according to claim 1, d a d u r c h e c e n e c e s in that e

- The electrical connection means by a plug means (19 a) and a socket means (19 b) are formed.

3. Gehausemodul (10) according to claim 1 or 2, d a d u r c h e c e n e c e s in that e

- The Gehausemodul (10) has a Gehausekorper (11) and a front cap mounted thereon (12) and the electrical connection means are received in an edge region of the front cap (12).

4. Gehausemodul according to claim 3, characterized in that - The front cover (12) has operating and / or display elements.

5. Gehausemodul (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, d a d u r c h e c e n e c e in that e

- The pivot hook (18 a) by means of a detachable connection to the one housing side (17 a) is arranged.

6. Gehausemodul (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, d a d u r c h e c e n e c e s in that e

- In the front region of the housing sides (17 a, 17 b) fastening means are provided.

7. Gehausemodul (10) according to claim 6, d a d u r c h e c e n e c i n e that t

- One of the housing sides (17a) has at least one resilient latching element (30) as fastening means and the other housing side as a fastening means at least one recess provided for receiving such a latching element recess (20).

8. Gehausemodul (10) according to claim 6 or 7, d a d u r c h e c e n e c e s in that e

- At least one of the fastening means is formed removably.

9. Gehausemodul (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, d a d u r c h e c e n e c e s in that e

- The Gehausemodul (10) has a rear wall (14) with electrical contact means (15), which are formed for producing an electrical contact of within the Gehausemoduls (10) accommodatable electrical assemblies (13).

10. Gehausemodul (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, d a d u r c h e c e n e c e s in that e

- At least one housing side (17a, 17b) Kuhlrippen (16).

11. Automation device (80), comprising at least two housing modules (60, 61) connected to one another at their side surfaces, wherein the housing modules (60, 61) are designed according to one of claims 1 to 10 and a first housing module (61) by means of its pivoting hook (62) engages in the hooking device (63) of a further housing module (60) and the first electrical connection device of the first housing module (61) makes electrical contact with the second electrical connection device of the further housing module (60).