WO2012100508A1

WO2012100508A1 - A mounting plate support and a mounting method thereof

Info

Publication number: WO2012100508A1
Application number: PCT/CN2011/076935
Authority: WO
Inventors: Hongwei WU; Frederic Waterlot; Jing Peng; Zhixiong Cai
Original assignee: Schneider Electric Industries Sas
Priority date: 2011-01-28
Filing date: 2011-07-07
Publication date: 2012-08-02
Also published as: CN102623901A

Abstract

This invention discloses a mounting plate support and a method to mount the mounting plate support into a switch gear having first and second anchors. The mounting plate support having first and second slim bodies, each slim body having a first end and a second end opposite to the first end and at least one component mounting slot between the first and second ends; first slim body having a first open clasp disposed near the first end thereof and a first fixture disposed near the second end thereof; second slim body having a second open clasp disposed near the first end thereof and a second fixture disposed near the second end thereof. First and second slim bodies are rotatable with said first and second open clasps as respective pivots in response to said first and second open clasps being mated with corresponding first and second anchors on the switch gear.

Description

A MOUNTING PLATE SUPPORT AND A MOUNTING METHOD THEREOF

Technical Field

This application relates to a mounting plate support and a method to mount the mounting plate support into a switch gear.

Technical Background

Switch gears are widely used in various areas for transmitting and distributing power and ensuring electrical safety. Inside a switch gear, there are many electrical devices, such as electrical switches, circuit breakers and so on. These electrical devices are usually mounted on mounting plates, and the mounting plates are mounted into the switch gear via a mounting plate support.

In a conventional switch gear, usually the mounting plate support includes four holes formed at the ends. The tightening bolts screw tightly in the thread holes on the switch gear through the holes on the mounting plate support, thereby fixing the mounting plate. The mounting plates are mounted on the mounting plate support via bolts and the electrical devices are mounted on the mounting plates.

When assembling switch gear, the mounting plate support is usually mounted into the switch gear first. Then mounting plates are mounted on the mounting plate support. The electrical devices, such as breaker are mounted on the mounting plates at last.

However, defect of such method lies in that, the mounting plates and the electrical devices shall be mounted inside the switch gear. Since the space inside the switch gear is small, it is inconvenient for mounting.

In order to overcome the problem brought by the small space, some builders remove the mounting plate support from the switch gear. Then they assemble the mounting plates, electrical devices to the mounting plate support outside the switch gear, then mount the formed component assembly into the switch gear.

Though the above method can overcome the problem brought by small space, but it brings new problem. That is, when mounting the mounting plate support into the switch gear, the builder must align the holes in the mounting plate support with the thread holes in the switch gear to screw the bolts into the thread holes smoothly and fix the mounting plate support.

However, after the mounting plates and electrical devices are mounted on the mounting plate support, the weight of the unit obtained is relatively large, it is difficult to hold the whole unit by manpower. So it is almost impossible to hold the whole unit by one hand to align the holes in the mounting plate support with the thread holes in the switch gear and insert and screw the bolts by the other hand. That is to say, it is impossible to manipulate by one person. It is especially troublesome when the switch gear is a large-scale one higher than the height of the builder or the switch gear is hung in a high position on the wall.

Therefore, there exists the requirement to improve the mounting plate support and the method to mount the mounting plate support into a switch gear.

Summary of the Invention

This invention aims to solve the above-mentioned problems. The object of this invention is to provide a mounting plate support and the method to mount the mounting plate support into a switch gear, thereby eliminate or at least partially alleviate the problems lie in the prior arts.

According to one aspect of this invention, a mounting plate support for mounting components into a switch gear having first and second anchors. The mounting plate support comprising: a first slim body having a first end, a second end opposite to the first end, and at least one component mounting slot between the first and second ends; a first open clasp disposed near the first end of said first slim body and adapted to mating with the first anchor on the switch gear; a first fixture disposed near the second end of said first slim body; a second slim body having a first end, a second end opposite to the first end, and at least one component mounting slot between the first and second ends; a second open clasp disposed near the first end of said second slim body and adapted to mating with the second anchor on the switch gear; and a second fixture disposed near the second end of said second slim body. Wherein, said first and second slim bodies are rotatable with said first and second open clasps as respective pivots in response to said first and second open clasps being mated with corresponding first and second anchors on the switch gear.

Each of said first and second open clasps includes an opening adapted to mating with corresponding anchors on the switch gear.

The openings of said first and second open clasps are downward bell-mouthed openings. And at least one component mounting slot on the first slim body and the at least one component mounting slot on the second slim body are adapted to receiving the components to form a component assembly.

According to another aspect of this invention, a method to mount the mounting plate support into a switch gear is provided, the method comprises the following steps:

providing a mounting plate support, said mounting plate support having first and second slim bodies, each slim body having a first end and a second end opposite to the first end and at least one component mounting slot between the first and second ends; said first slim body having a first open clasp disposed near the first end thereof and a first fixture disposed near the second end thereof; said second slim body having a second open clasp disposed near the first end thereof and a second fixture disposed near the second end thereof;

mounting the components onto the mounting slots on the mounting plate support to form a component assembly;

preparing the switch gear with first and second anchors and first and second fixers, said first and second anchors are adapted to mating with the first and second open clasps on the first and second slim bodies, said first and second fixers are adapted to mating with the first and second fixtures on the first and second slim bodies,

moving the component assembly into the switch gear and mating the first and second open clasps with the first and second anchor respectively; and

rotating the component assembly to a predetermined position with said first and second open clasps as respective pivots.

By use of this invention, since in the process of mounting the mounting plate support into the switch gear, the weight of the mounting plate support is assumed partly by the supporting and positioning portion of the switch gear, the burden on the builder will be lessened. Even in the situation that the mounting plates, wiring frames and electrical devices, such as breaker, are mounted onto the mounting plate support, so it has relatively large weight, mounting can also be carried out quickly.

Additionally, since the supporting and positioning portion of the switch gear have both the function of supporting and positioning, the process of aligning the holes in the mounting plate support and the thread holes in the cabinet in the prior art. Even in the situation that the mounting plates, wiring frames and electrical devices, such as breaker, are mounted onto the mounting plate support, so it has relatively large weight, mounting can also be carried out easily.

Description of the Figures

Other aspects, features and merits of this invention will be more easily understood and determined with the reference to the figures and detailed description below.

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a mounting plate support according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is an amplified view of the connecting portion of the mounting plate support as shown in fig 1.

Fig. 3 is the amplified view of the engaging portion of switch gear and mounting plate support.

Figs. 4A-4D show the mounting process of mounting plate support.

The figures mean to describe the illustrative embodiments of this invention, they shall not be understood as define the scope. Except pointed explicitly, the figures shall not be deemed to be drawn in scale.

Description of the preferred embodiments

For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended. The invention includes any alterations and further modifications in the illustrated devices and described methods and further applications of the principles of the invention that would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates.

Now, a preferred embodiment is described with reference to the figures.

Referring to figs. 1&2, mounting plate support 10 includes a pair of pole-shaped elements 11, 1 1, which are substantially symmetric to each other. For convenience, we now only describe one pole-shaped element. The pole-shaped element 11 includes a slim body 12, same as in the prior art, the slim body 12 is usually composed of metal bar with L-shaped section or unclosed frame-shaped section. A plurality of equidistant mounting slots or non- equidistant mounting slots are provided on one surface (referred to as mounting surface thereafter) of the body to mount the mounting plate, arc-shaped mounting frame and wiring frame thereon. There is an open clasp 13 near the lower end of the slim body. As shown in fig. 2, the open clasp 13 is flake shaped, extending from the lower end of the slim body 12 along a plane parallel with the mounting surface. Preferably, the plane along which the open clasp 13 extends is backward displaced from the mounting surface. The open clasp 13 includes a downward bell-mouthed opening 14 to connect with a receiving portion of the switch gear 20. As shown in fig. 2, the open clasp 13 is an element separate from the slim body 12, and is connected to the body 12 via riveting, thread screwing or soldering after it is manufactured. And the open clasp 13 can also be formed integrally with slim body 12, such as formed by bending a part of section bar to form the slim body.

There is fixture 15 near the other end, that is, the upper end of the slim body. The fixture 15 extends from the upper portion of the slim body along a plane parallel with the mounting surface. Preferably, it is on the same plane as the open clasp 13. Additionally, there are fastening holes 16 on the fixture 15, so that fasteners can fasten to the corresponding portion of the switch gear via the fastening holes 16. Similar to the open clasp 13, the fixture 15 can be an element separate from the slim body 12, and is connected to the slim body 12 after it is manufactured, and can also be formed integrally with slim body 12.

Now the related structure of the switch gear 20 will be described with reference to fig. 3 As shown in fig. 3, the switch gear 20 has substantially the same structure as that in prior art, it is approximately casing shaped. There is a door 25 at the opening side of the casing shaped switch gear to close the switch gear 20 during normal use.

There are self-clinching studs 21 in two corners of the lower part of the back-panel of the switch gear 20, corresponding to the open clasps 13 of the mounting plate support 10. The self-clinching studs 21 act as anchors, to support and position the mounting plate support 10. And there are also self- clinching studs (not shown) in two corners of the upper part of the back-panel of the switch gear 20, corresponding to the fastening holes 16 of the mounting plate support 10. These self-clinching studs act as fixers, referred as self-clinching studs for fixing.

Now the method of mounting the mounting plate support 10 into the switch gear 20 will be described with reference to figs. 4A-4D.

First, outside the switch gear 20, mounting the mounting plate, arc-shaped mounting frame, wiring frame and the electrical devices, such as circuit breaker, onto the mounting plate support via bolts to obtain a component assembly, as shown in fig. 4B.

Here, the item of "component assembly" mentioned in claims means the mounting plate support, on which the mounting plate, arc-shaped mounting frame, wiring frame and the electrical devices, such as breaker, switch are already mounted. The herein described mounting plate, arc-shaped mounting frame, wiring frame and the electrical devices, circuit breaker and switch are only for the purpose of taking example, the component assembly mentioned in claims can also includes other devices not mentioned above. All the devices which a person skilled in this field can think of and can be mounted onto the mounting plate support are included in this invention. And for convenience, in claims, the above devices are called in general as components.

Next, moving the above component assembly into the switch gear 20. The downward bell-mouthed openings 14 of the open clasps 13 of the mounting plate support 10 mate the self-clinching studs 21 on the back-panel of the switch gear 20. As shown in fig. 2, thereby, the self-clinching studs 21 of the switch gear 20 sustain the weight of the mounting plate support, on which the mounting plates, the electrical devices, such as circuit breaker, are mounted, as shown in fig 4C.

Then, rotating the component assembly with the self-clinching studs 21 as pivots.

Thereby the fixtures 15 of the mounting plate support 10 leans against the limiting position portion (not shown) on the back-panel of the switch gear 20. And the fastening holes 16 of fixtures 15 align with the self-clinching studs for fixing on the back-panel of the switch gear 20 to make the self-clinching studs pass through the fastening holes 16.

At last, as shown in fig. 4D, screwing the nuts onto the self-clinching studs 21 and the self-clinching studs for fixing. Then, tightening the nuts, to fix the component assembly onto the switch gear 20.

As can be seen from above description, in the process of mounting the mounting plate support already having mounting plates and electrical devices mounted onto into the switch gear 20, since the self-clinching studs 21 have the function of supporting, and the whole mounting plate support rotates about the self-clinching studs 21 to make the mounting plate support to be fixed on the final position. Therefore, in the process of mounting, it is not necessary for the builder to assume the weight of the component assembly, which makes the process of mounting convenient and efficient. And at the same time, the self-clinching studs 21 have the function of determining the mounting position of the mounting plate support 10. As long as the open clasps of the mounting plate support mate the self-clinching studs 21, the fastening holes of the mounting plate support can align and fix with the self-clinching studs for fixing of the switch gear by rotating the mounting plate support 10. Therefore, the process of holding the component assembly with large weight and move it at the same time to make it align with the corresponding element of the switch gear in prior art is avoided.

Additionally, by this method, the cross bar on the traditional mounting plate support can be eliminated, the mounting plate can be used as the substitute. Therefore, the number of components of the mounting plate support can be reduced, thereby reducing the cost.

Additionally, by riveting the high strength self-clinching studs directly on the back-panel of the switch gear, the self-clinching studs have both the function of positioning and connecting, therefore, it is easy to align and fasten the fastening holes of the component assembly with the corresponding self-clinching studs.

The structure of the mounting plate support of this invention can reduce cost and make the process of mounting quick and convenient. No matter what type switch gear is, it is always easy to mount the mounting plate support into it.

While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, the same is to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character. And not all the components or elements in the illustrative embodiments are necessary for this invention. For example, though section of the slim body of the mounting plate support is L-shaped, it can also be slot-shaped or other shaped slim body. Additionally, though in the above mentioned embodiments, the open clasp is bell-mouthed, but any other form of open clasp can be used, as long as it can realize the function of connecting the component assembly into the switch gear and rotating the mounting plate support about the open clasp. For example, the extending direction of the open clasp is perpendicular to the mounting surface, and the opening of the open clasp is curved in L shape. Firstly, inserting the self-clinching studs of the switch gear into the horizontal section of the L-shaped mouth, sliding along the horizontal section of the L-shaped mouth, then making the self-clinching studs into the vertical section of the L-shaped mouth and making it finally positioned by the weight of the mounting plate support. Though in the above illustrative embodiment, the self-clinching studs are used as supporting and fastening element, but we can also use short shafts on the corresponding position in the lower part of the back-panel of the switch gear to fit the open clasp of the mounting plate support. And thread holes can be provided on the upper end of the back-panel to fix the mounting plate support to the back-panel of the switch gear via bolts. Additionally, though this embodiment is described with the mounting plate support as the example, it is obvious that such structure can be applied to any occasion, in which a part with large weight needs to be mounted into a casing or cabinet with limited space.

While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, the same is to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character. It should be understood that only the preferred embodiments have been shown and described and that all changes and modifications that come within the spirit of the invention are desired to be protected.

Claims

CLAIMS What is claimed is:

1. A mounting plate support for mounting components into a switch gear having first and second anchors, comprising:

a first slim body having a first end, a second end opposite to the first end, and at least one component mounting slot between the first and second ends;

a first open clasp disposed near the first end of said first slim body and adapted to mating with the first anchor on the switch gear;

a first fixture disposed near the second end of said first slim body;

a second slim body having a first end, a second end opposite to the first end, and at least one component mounting slot between the first and second ends;

a second open clasp disposed near the first end of said second slim body and adapted to mating with the second anchor on the switch gear; and

a second fixture disposed near the second end of said second slim body, wherein said first and second slim bodies are rotatable with said first and second open clasps as respective pivots in response to said first and second open clasps being mated with corresponding first and second anchors on the switch gear.

2. The mounting plate support of claim 1, wherein,

3. The mounting plate support of claim 2 , wherein the openings of said first and second open clasps are downward bell-mouthed openings.

4. The mounting plate support of any one of claim 1 to claim 3 , wherein, the at least one component mounting slot on the first slim body and the at least one component mounting slot on the second slim body are adapted to receiving the components to form a component assembly.

5. A mounting system for mounting components into a switch gear, comprising a mounting plate support and a first and a second anchors provided in the switch gear,

wherein, said mounting plate support comprising:

a first fixture disposed near the second end of said first slim body;

6. The mounting system of claim 5, wherein,

each of said first and second open clasps includes an opening; and

the first and second anchors on the switch gear are inserted into the corresponding openings of said first and second open clasps, to support said first and second slim bodies.

7. The mounting system of claim 5 , wherein the openings of said first and second open clasps are downward bell-mouthed openings.

8. The mounting system of claim 5 , wherein said first and second anchors are self-clinching studs fixed onto a back-panel of the switch gear.

9. The mounting system of claim 5, further comprising a first and second fixer in the switch gear, said first fixer is adapted to mating with said first fixture on the first slim body, said second fixer is adapted to mating with said second fixture on the second slim body.

10. The mounting system of claim 8 , wherein,

said first and second fixers are self-clinching studs for fixing fixed onto a back-panel of the switch gear, and said first and second fixtures are fastening holes for said self-clinching studs for fixing to insert therein.

11. A method for mounting components into a switch gear, comprising the following steps of: providing a mounting plate support, said mounting plate support having first and second slim bodies, each slim body having a first end and a second end opposite to the first end and at least one component mounting slot between the first and second ends; said first slim body having a first open clasp disposed near the first end thereof and a first fixture disposed near the second end thereof; said second slim body having a second open clasp disposed near the first end thereof and a second fixture disposed near the second end thereof;

12. The method of claim 11, further including:

fastening the first and second open clasps with the first and second anchors and fastening the first and second fixtures with the first and second fixer together by fasteners.

13. The method of claim 11, further including:

inserting the first and second anchors into openings on said first and second open clasps to support and position said first and second slim bodies.

14. The method of claim 12, further including: using bolts screwed onto the self-clinching studs as the fasteners to fasten the component assembly with said first and second anchors and said first and second fixers of the switch gear together.