WO2015128412A1

WO2015128412A1 - Plug-in device combination

Info

Publication number: WO2015128412A1
Application number: PCT/EP2015/054009
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ralf Lange; Michael Tegt; Christian RAMSEL; Peter Bäckeralf; Andreas KÖLLERMEIER; Elena TSCHUMAK
Original assignee: Phoenix Contact Gmbh & Co. Kg
Priority date: 2014-02-28
Filing date: 2015-02-26
Publication date: 2015-09-03
Also published as: EP3111517B1; DE102014102733A1; CN106030915B; SI3111517T1; DE102014102733B4; EP3111517A1; CN106030915A

Abstract

The invention relates to a plug-in device combination for protecting an electrical network against overvoltages or overcurrents, comprising a device socket (1), which has an approximately U-shaped main housing (3) having a recess (4) for accommodating a plug-in module (2), wherein the plug-in module (2) has an inner housing (7) having a protective element arranged therein and has a hood-shaped outer housing (8) that can be displaced to a limited extent between a first, lower position and a second, upper position in relation to the inner housing (7). A locking connection that acts between the device socket (1) and the inner housing (7) of the plug-in module (2) is provided, which locking connection comprises a resilient locking arm (10) having a locking nose (11) and comprises a locking opening (12) or a locking projection (13). Furthermore, a window (15) is formed in an end face (14) of the outer housing (8) of the plug-in module (2), which window interacts with the locking arm (10) in such a way that the locking arm (10) is not deflected in the first, lower position of the outer housing (8), such that the plug-in module (3) is secured in the recess (4) by the locking connection in the completely inserted state, while the locking arm (10) is defected against the spring force of the locking arm in the second, upper position of the outer housing (8), whereby the locking connection is eliminated.

Description

Pluggable device combination

The invention relates to a pluggable device combination for protecting an electrical network against overvoltages or overcurrents, with a device base and with at least one attachable to the device base plug-in module. In this case, the device base has an approximately U-shaped base housing with a recess for receiving the plug-in module, terminals for the conductors of the network to be protected and plug contacts connected to the terminals. The plug-in module has an inner housing, a hood-like outer housing, a protective element arranged in the inner housing and plug contacts corresponding to the plug contacts, wherein the hood-shaped outer housing is arranged displaceably displaceable relative to the inner housing between a first, lower position and a second upper position.

For the operational safety of electrical systems, machines and devices, the permanent proper power supply is of particular importance. In order to prevent, for example, a standstill of a plant or a part of the plant or to minimize the risk of damaging an electrical network or a consumer connected to the electrical network, damage to the network and the consumer by overvoltages or permanently pending overcurrents, namely overload currents or Short-circuit currents can be prevented. For this purpose, overvoltage protection devices and circuit breakers are used, which derive the transient overvoltage in the case of overvoltages or overload or short circuit or selectively switch off the faulty circuit so that damage to the connected devices is prevented and other parts of the system continue to function as far as possible.

Both overvoltage protection devices and device circuit breakers are often designed in practice as pluggable device combinations with a device base as the lower part and a plug-in module as the upper part. In the context of the present invention, the plug-in device combination can be both an overvoltage protection device and a device protection device. Switch act, regardless of the fact that below a surge protection device is described as a pluggable device combination in the first place.

In known overvoltage protection devices of the device base, which can be mounted for example on a mounting rail, for connection to the electrical lines. To install such a surge protection device, which is intended to protect, for example, the phase-leading conductor LI, L2, L3 and the neutral conductor N and possibly also the ground conductor PE, corresponding terminals for the individual conductors are provided on the device base. In the known overvoltage protection devices, the device base is approximately U-shaped, with the terminals for the phase conductors and the neutral conductor being arranged on one limb and the connection terminal for the ground conductor being arranged on the other connection limb. The base housing of the device base has a recess whose dimensions are adapted to the outer dimensions of the plug-in module, so that the plug-in module can be inserted into the recess.

For simple mechanical and electrical contacting of the device base with the plug-in module, in which the actual protective element is arranged, the device base with the terminals connected sockets and the plug module corresponding connector pins, so that the plug-in module can be plugged onto the device base. Due to the plug-in capability of the overvoltage protection element arranged in the plug-in module, it is possible to replace the plug-in module in the event of a fault or during evision or maintenance work, without having to disconnect the conductors connected to the connection terminals of the device socket.

In the event of a fault or overload, a short-circuit or short-circuit current can flow in the short term that exceeds the rated current of the grid by a multiple. Due to the high short-circuit current, strong magnetic forces then occur, so that the overvoltage protection element can be pushed out of the lower device part. The same applies during a working test in which the overvoltage protection device is subjected to pulse currents whose amplitude can exceed the amplitude of a short-circuit current. In the known overvoltage protection devices, therefore, there is the danger that the plug-in modules will jump or be lifted out of the device base after a working test and in the event of a fault or overload. In addition, it can also come in strong vibrations to a release of the connector between the device base and the plug-in module, so that the proper electrical connection of the plug-in module can not be guaranteed safe. Although this can be prevented by the fact that the sockets and the connector pins are formed so that between them in the inserted state, a force or positive engagement, which can be further enhanced by the formation of a thickening of the connector pins, but this is a plug-in module only be inserted with relatively great effort in the device base and pulled out at a deliberate exchange only with greater force from the device base.

From DE 10 2008 021 210 B4 an initially described pluggable device combination in the form of an overvoltage protection device is known, in which the pluggable overvoltage protection element has one or two spring elements as a locking element. With the help of a dome-shaped outer housing arranged wedge as an actuating element, the free ends of the spring elements can be pressed apart when the outer housing is in its lower position, so that the free ends of the spring elements frictionally keyed in the device base guide ribs. If the pluggable surge protection element to be replaced, the outer housing must be raised from its lower position to its upper position, which also moves the end of the actuating member upwards, so that the spring element or the two spring elements can spring back to their original position, whereby the non-positive connection between the free ends of the spring elements and the guide ribs of the device base is released.

A trained as a pluggable device combination surge protection device is also known from DE 10 2008 017 423 AI. Also in this overvoltage protection device, the overvoltage protection elements having plug-in module in a device base can be inserted and locked in the inserted state therein. The locking of the plug-in module in the device base follows with the help of a mounted in one of the legs of the device base rotary latch having a projecting tongue portion. After inserting the plug-in module in the receptacle of the device socket, the plug-in module can be locked in its position that the rotary latch is rotated by means of a tool, wherein the tongue portion of the rotary latch engages in a corresponding groove in the plug-in module. If the plug-in module to be replaced, the rotary latch must turn again, so that its tongue part moves out of the groove in the plug-in module and pivots into a corresponding groove or opening in the leg of the device base. This type of locking of the plug-in module in the device base has the disadvantage that for locking and unlocking of the plug-in module in the device base of the rotary latch must be rotated, which means an additional assembly step.

The present invention is therefore an object of the invention to provide a plug-in device combination described above, in which the device base and the plug-in module are designed to be as simple as possible, but both the locking and unlocking and replacing the plug-in module for the user as simple and easy is conveniently feasible.

This object is achieved in the above-described pluggable device combination with the features of claim 1, characterized in that at least one acting between the device base and the inner housing of the plug-in locking connection is provided, wherein the latching connection at least one resilient latching arm with a latching lug and a latching recess or a latching projection having. In addition, at least one window is formed in at least one end face of the outer housing of the plug-in module, which interacts with the latching arm such that the latching arm is not deflected in the first, lower position of the outer housing, so that in the completely inserted state of the plug-in module in the recess Plug-in module is secured by the latching connection, while in the second, upper position of the outer housing, the latching arm against its spring force is deflected, whereby the latching connection is canceled, so that the plug-in module can be easily pulled out of the device base. The fact that the latching connection between the device base and the plug-in module consists of a latching arm with a latching lug on the one hand and a latching recess or a latching projection on the other hand, the locking connection is very simple, in particular, can be dispensed with additional components, since both the resilient latching arm as well as the latching recess or the latching projection can be realized directly on the base housing of the device base or on the inner housing of the plug-in module. By forming at least one window in at least one end face of the outer housing of the plug-in module, the latching connection can be simply canceled or released by moving or lifting the outer housing from its first, lower position to its second, upper position, resulting in a deflection the latching arm leads, so that the latching lug is no longer in engagement with the latching recess or the latching projection. By raising or pulling the outer housing of the plug-in module, the latching connection is thus released in a first step, so that - immediately following - by further raising or pulling the outer housing, the plug-in module can be lifted from the device base and pulled out of the recess.

Basically, there are two possibilities, at which of the two components - device base or plug-in module - the elements of the latching connection, i. the latching arm on the one hand and the latching recess or the latching projection on the other hand, are arranged or formed. The latching arm with its locking lug is arranged and designed in both cases so that the latching lug attaching the plug-in module to the device base, i. a plugging of the plug-in module in the recess, not hindered due to the resilient property of the latching arm. When attaching the plug-in module of the locking arm is thus deflected something, so that the plug-in module can be inserted without much effort into the recess. For this purpose, a corresponding free space is formed on the side facing away from the plug-in module of the latching arm, in which the latching arm can be deflected.

According to the basic first embodiment of the invention, the at least one latching recess is formed in at least one wall of the device base bounding the recess, while the at least one resilient latching arm is provided with the latching latch corresponding to the latching recess. nose is formed on the inner housing of the plug-in module. The locking lug is arranged relative to the window in the end face of the outer housing such that the latching lug in the first, lower position of the outer housing can protrude through the window. In the fully inserted state of the plug-in module in the recess of the device base then engages the locking lug in the recess in the wall of the device base, so that the plug-in module is locked in the device base. In the second, upper position of the outer housing, however, the locking arm is deflected by the lower edge of the window or the adjacent wall below the wall of the outer housing, so that the locking lug no longer protrudes into the recess in the wall of the device base, the latching connection is thus canceled ,

In the embodiment of the device combination according to the invention described above, the latched by the locking connection in the device socket plug-in module can thus be easily pulled out of the recess by a user touches the plug-in module on the outer housing and pulls out of the recess in the device base. In this case, initially a limited increase in the outer housing relative to the inner housing, which results in that the first protruding through the window in the outer housing locking lug is moved inwards from the lower edge of the window or the adjacent wall of the outer wall of the housing, resulting in a deflection of the locking arm leads. The deflection of the latching arm or the locking lug leads to the fact that the latching lug no longer protrudes into the latching recess in the wall of the device base, so that the latching connection between the latching lug and the latching recess is released. Since the outer housing is arranged displaceable relative to the inner housing only by a limited distance, further pulling on the outer housing causes now the terminal plug contacts of the plug-in module pulled out of the plug contacts of the device base and thus the plug-in module is removed from the device base. The release of the locking connection and the extraction of the plug-in module from the recess of the device base is thus effected by a single handle, namely by a simple pulling or lifting the plug-in module on the outer housing.

It has previously been stated that the latching connection has at least one resilient latching arm and at least one latching recess. preferential example, in each case at least one recess formed in the two limiting the recess, opposing walls of the device base. Corresponding to this, the inner housing of the plug-in module then has at least one latching arm on each of the two opposite end faces, and in each case at least one window is also formed in the two end faces of the outer housing. In this way, a secure latching of the plug-in module in the recess of the device base is ensured since a latching connection is formed on two opposite sides.

Thus, the insertion of the plug-in module in the recess in the device base is not hindered by the formation of the latching arm, the latching lug of the latching arm preferably has a slope which rises opposite to the insertion of the plug-in module in the device base. As a result, tilting or snagging of the latching nose during insertion of the plug-in module is prevented in the recess and facilitates the spring-back of the latching arm when plugging.

According to a further advantageous embodiment, the latching lug of the latching arm has a latching surface and the latching recess in the wall of the device base has a latching surface corresponding to the latching surface, the latching surface extending substantially parallel to the base surface of the recess. As a result, an unintentional pivoting out of the latching lug of the latching arm is prevented from the recess, so that a secure locking of the plug-in module is ensured in the device base, even if in fault or overload case strong electromagnetic forces occur by the plug-in module directed with a direction opposite to the plug-in direction Force is applied.

In order to facilitate the desired release of the latching connection, according to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the latching surface of the latching lug extends at an angle to the latching surface of the latching recess, the latching surface rising from the latching arm to the free end of the latching lug. Due to the slightly oblique Rastiläche the pivoting out of the locking lug from the latching recess when lifting the outer housing from the first, lower position is facilitated in the second, upper position. According to a fundamentally second embodiment of the device combination according to the invention, the at least one resilient latching arm is formed in at least one wall of the device base delimiting the recess, the latching arm also having an unlocking projection in addition to at least one latching lug. Since in this variant of the latching arm is formed on the device base, the latching projection corresponding to the latching projection is now formed on the inner housing of the plug-in module. In addition, at least one opening for the at least one locking lug is formed in at least one end face of the outer housing of the plug-in module in addition to the window corresponding to the unlocking projection.

In the fully inserted state of the plug-in module in the recess in the base housing of the device base while the locking between the plug-in module and the device base is realized in that the Entriegelungsvorsprung in the window and the locking lug in the opening in the outer housing inside, in which case the locking lug and the locking projection on Inner housing of the plug-in module interact as a latching connection. Unintentional pushing out of the plug-in module from the recess in the device base is thus prevented by the latching projection on the inner housing - and thus the inner housing as a whole - is secured by the latching lug of the latching arm in position. In the second, upper position of the outer housing, however, the Entriegelungsvorsprung is no longer in the window in the outer housing, so that the locking arm is deflected by the lower edge of the window or adjacent the wall of the outer wall of the housing, resulting in that the latch does not protrudes into the opening in the outer housing and thus no longer cooperates with the latching projection on the inner housing as a latching connection.

Also in the second embodiment, a lifting or pulling the outer housing from its first, lower position into its second, upper position thus causes the locking arm is deflected, resulting in a cancellation of the locking connection between the locking lug and the locking projection, so that then the plug-in module can be pulled out of the recess in the base housing of the device base. As has also been stated above in connection with the first embodiment variant of the device combination according to the invention, a latching is preferably also formed in the second embodiment variant on both sides of the plug-in module or on both sides of the recess. Preferably, in each case at least one latching arm is formed in both the recess defining, opposing walls of the device base. In addition, then the inner housing on the two opposite sides each have at least one latching projection and are formed in each case at least one window and at least one opening in both end faces of the outer housing.

Thus, the insertion of the plug-in module in the recess in the base housing of the device base is not hindered by the formation of the latching arm as possible in the second embodiment of the plug-in device combination according to the invention, it is preferably provided that the latch has a bevel, but now in the direction of the base of Recess increases. Here too, the bevel formed on the detent facilitates the deflection of the detent arm when the plug-in module is plugged in, and thus the insertion of the plug-in module into the recess.

According to a further preferred embodiment, the at least one opening for the latching lug is formed at the lower edge of the outer housing and open at the bottom. In this embodiment, the device combination formed on the inner housing latching projection can be easily formed from the bottom of the inner housing, on which the outer housing is seated in its first, lower position. Characterized in that the opening for the locking lug is open at the bottom, the outer housing can be easily moved from its first, lower position to its second, upper position without it being hindered by the locking lug.

In particular, there are a variety of ways to design and develop the pluggable device combination according to the invention. Reference is made to both the claims subordinate to claim 1 and to the following description of two preferred embodiments in conjunction with the drawings. In the drawing show a first embodiment of a device combination with a fully inserted and latched plug-in module, the device combination of FIG. 1, with a raised, no longer latched plug-in module, the device combination with a plugged-out module, a perspective view of the device base of the device combination of FIG. 1, a perspective Representation of the plug-in module of the device combination according to FIG. 1,

6 is a perspective view of the plug-in module according to FIG. 5, without outer housing, FIG.

7 shows a second embodiment of a device combination with a completely inserted and latched plug-in module, a perspective view of the device socket of the device combination according to FIG. 7, a perspective view of the plug-in module of the device combination according to FIG. 7, FIG.

10 shows two enlarged sections of the second embodiment of the device combination, in the latched and unlocked state, and

Fig. 1 1 two other enlarged sections of the second embodiment of the device combination, in the locked and unlocked state.

FIGS. 1 to 6 show a first exemplary embodiment of a pluggable device combination for protecting an electrical network against overvoltages or overcurrent, consisting of a device base 1 and a plug-in on the device base 1 plug-in module 2. A second embodiment of a plug-in device combination according to the invention is shown in Figs. 7 to 1 1.

Both exemplary embodiments have in common that the device base 1 shown separately in FIGS. 4 and 8 has a base housing 3, which can be latched onto a mounting rail and is approximately U-shaped, with a recess 4 for receiving the plug-in module 2. In addition, 1 terminals 5 are arranged for the conductors of the network to be protected in the legs of the device base, which is in the embodiments shown here at the terminals 5 are screw terminals. Of course, other types of terminals, such as tension spring terminals, direct or leg spring terminals or insulation displacement terminals can be used. Finally, in the device base 1 below the recess 4 even more, connected to the terminals 5 plug contacts 6 are arranged, which are formed in the present case as sockets.

The plug-in module 2 shown separately in FIGS. 5 and 5 has an inner housing 7 and a hood-shaped outer housing 8, the outer housing 8 being opposite the inner housing 7 between a first, lower position (FIG. 1) and a second, upper position (FIG. 2) is displaceable. A protective element, in particular a surge arrester, for example a spark gap or a varistor, is arranged in the inner housing 7 and is electrically connected to terminal plug contacts 9 in the form of plug pins which can be plugged into the corresponding plug contacts 6 in the device socket 1. Due to the pluggability of the plug-in module 2, a simple replacement of a defective plug-in module 2 is possible in addition to the simple installation. For this purpose, the plug-in module 2 can be easily removed from the device base 1 or pulled out of the recess 4, without any intervention in the installation is required.

In order to ensure a secure attachment of the plug-in module 2 in the device base 1, between the device base 1, in particular its base housing 3, and the inner housing 7 of the plug-in module 2 at least one latching Connection formed, which consists of a resilient latching arm 10, 10 'with a latching lug 1 1, 1 Γ and a latching recess 12 and a latching projection 13. Thus, the locking connection by the user can be solved easily and without additional tools or additional assembly steps, when the plug-in module 2 is intended to be subtracted from the device base 1, in each of the two end faces 14 of the outer housing 8 windows 15, 15 'are formed. With the help of the windows 15, 15 'and thanks to the limited displaceability of the outer housing 8 relative to the inner housing 7, the locking connection can be achieved simply by moving the outer housing 8 from a first, lower position to a second, upper position. The latching arms 10, 10 'are deflected so that the latching lugs 1 1, 1 1' no longer with the respective latching recess 12 and the respective latching projection 13 are engaged.

In the first embodiment of the plug-in device combination according to the invention shown in FIGS. 1 to 6 are in the two the recess 4 in the device base 1 delimiting walls 16 each two locking recesses 12 are formed, as for example in Fig. 4 can be seen. Corresponding to this, the inner housing 7 has two latching arms 10 on each of its two end faces, the latching lug 1 1 of which forms a latching connection with the corresponding latching recess 12. In addition, two windows 15 are respectively formed in the two end faces 14 of the outer housing 8, through which the latching lugs 1 1 of the latching arms 10 can protrude, as can be seen in particular in Fig. 5.

Fig. 1 shows the plug-in module 2 in the fully inserted and latched state in the device base 1, wherein in the overall view of FIG. La on the left leg of the device base 1, a part of the base housing 3 and adjacent thereto and a part of the outer housing 8 is omitted, so that the Locking between the device base 1 and the plug-in module 2 can be seen. In particular, from the enlarged view of FIG. Lb it can be seen that the locking lug 1 1 protrudes through the window 15 in the end face 14 of the outer housing 8 and protrudes into the recess 12 in the opposite wall 16 of the recess 4 of the Grundgehäusew 3. The outer housing 8 is in its first, lower position. If the outer housing 8 from its first, lower position into its second, spent upper position, this leads to the latch 1 1 is deflected by the lower edge 17 of the window 15 and slides out of the window 15 in the end face 14 of the outer housing 8, whereby the locking arm 10 is deflected inwards, so finally the locking lug 1 1 no longer protrudes into the recess 12 in the wall 16, as shown in Fig. 2.

The latching connection between the device base 1 and the plug-in module 2 is thus achieved in a simple manner in that a user, the outer housing 8 slightly - opposite to the mounting direction - lifts. Since this already the locking connection is automatically released, the plug-in module 2 can now be easily pulled out of the recess 4 in the device base 1 without much effort, as shown in Fig. 3. The release of the latching between the device base 1 and the plug-in module 2 and the removal of the plug-in module 2 from the device base 1 thus takes place by a simple pulling on the outer casing 8 in the stripping, i. opposite to the slip-on direction. Thus, no additional unlocking step is required for unlocking or releasing the latch, so that the release of the latching and the lifting or removal of the plug-in module 2 can be performed with a peel-off.

Thus, the plugging of the plug-in module 2 on the device base 1 is not hindered by the latching lug 1 1 on the locking arm 10, the locking lug 1 1 has a slope 18 which opposite to the insertion of the plug-in module 2 in the device base 1 increases. When inserting the plug-in module 2 in the recess 4 in the base housing 3 of the resilient latching arm 10 is deflected by the recess 4 limiting wall 16 until the plug-in module 2 is completely inserted into the recess 4. In this position, the window 15 is arranged in the end face 14 of the outer housing 8 opposite of the latching recess 12, so that the latching lug 1 1 can engage in the recess 12 through the window 15.

Unintentional pushing out or loosening of the plug-in module 2 from the device base 1 is prevented by the latching lug 1 1 of the latching arm 10 having a latching surface 19 which cooperates with the corresponding latching surface 20 of the latching recess 12. The latching surface 20 extends while substantially parallel to the base 21 of the recess 4, so that an unwanted swinging out of the locking lug 1 1 from the recess 12 is prevented. It can also be seen from FIG. 1b that the latching surface 19 of the latching lug 1 1 extends at an angle to the latching surface 20, the latching surface 19 rising from the latching arm 10 to the free end of the latching lug 1 1. This alignment of the latching surface 19 of the latching lug 1 1 prevents it comes to the tilting of the free end of the latching lug 1 1 at the latching surface 20 of the recess 12 in the intended release of the latching.

In the second embodiment of the plug-in device combination according to the invention, which is shown in FIGS. 7 to 1 1, in each case a resilient latching arm 10 'on one of the two walls 4 limiting the recess 16 of the device base 1 is formed. In this case, the latching arm 10 'according to FIG. 8 has two latching lugs 1 Γ and an unlocking projection 22 arranged between the two latching lugs 1 Γ. While in this embodiment, the latching arms 10 'are formed on the device base 1, the latching projections 1 1' corresponding latching projections 13 are now formed on the two opposite end faces of the inner housing 7.

As can be seen in particular from FIGS. 9a and 9b, in the two end faces 14 of the outer housing 8 adjacent to a window 15 'which corresponds to the unlocking projection 22, two openings 23 corresponding to the two latching noses 11' are formed. The openings 23 are arranged at the lower edge of the outer housing 8 and open at the bottom, so that the openings 23 are limited by the latching projections 13 formed on the inner housing 7, as can be seen in particular the enlarged section of FIG. 9b. The latching projections 13 are formed directly from the bottom of the inner housing 7, on which the outer housing 8 is seated in its first, lower position. The two locking projections 13, the functionally each with one of the two locking lugs 1 1 'cooperate - since they are formed by the bottom of the inner housing 7 - integrally connected to each other.

The two representations according to FIGS. 10a and 10b each show a section of the device combination once in the latched state, in which the outer housing 8 is in its first, lower position, and once in Unlocked state in which the outer housing 8 is in its second, upper position. 10a and 10b show the respective position of the latching arm 10 'and the latching lug 1 Γ relative to the opening 23 and the latching projection 13. The Fig. 1 la and 1 lb, however, show the respective position of the latching arm 10' and. the Entriegelungsvorsprungs 23 relative to the window 15 'in the outer housing. 8

In the latched, in Fig. 10a position shown, the locking lug 1 1 'projects into the opening 23 in the outer housing 8, so that the latching lug 1 1' and the locking projection 13 on the inner housing 7 cooperate as a latching connection. If, on the other hand, the outer housing 8, as shown in FIG. 10b, is in its second, upper position, the latching arm 10 'is deflected in such a way that the latching lug 1 1' no longer protrudes into the opening 23 in the outer housing 8 and no longer with it the locking projection 13 cooperates.

The deflection of the latching arm 10 'takes place in that in the second, upper position of the outer housing 8 of the locking arm 10' formed Entriegelungsvorsprung 22 is no longer in the window 15 'of the outer housing 8, but from the lower edge 17 of the window 15' and is deflected from the wall of the outer housing 8 arranged below the window 15 'to the outside. This position is shown in the enlarged view of FIG. 1 lb. If, on the other hand, the outer housing 8 is in its first, lower position, then the unlocking projection 22 protrudes into the window 15 'in the outer housing 8 (FIG. 1a), so that the latching arm 10' is not deflected. The locking lug 1 Γ then projects into the opening 23, as can be seen from Fig. 10a.

From the illustration according to FIG. 10 a, it can also be seen that the latching lug 10 'has a bevel 18' which rises in the direction of the base surface 21 of the recess 4. Also, this slope 18 'thus facilitates the intentional insertion of the plug-in module 2 in the recess 4 in the base housing 3. In addition, the locking lug 1 1' still one of the slope 18 'substantially opposite locking surface 19', which also at an angle to the base 21 of the recess 4 extends, wherein the latching surface 19 'of the latching arm 10' is inclined to the free end of the latching lug 1 1 'to the base 21. This prevents the plug-in module 2 in the latched Position unintentionally can be pushed out of the recess 4, since the inclination of the locking surface 19 'prevents sliding of the locking projection 13 on the locking lug 1 1'.

As can be seen in particular from FIGS. 1 a, 2 a, 3, 5 and 6, the inner housing 7 has a plurality of latching lugs 24, to which a corresponding number of corresponding latching recesses 25 are formed in the outer housing 8, into which the individual latching lugs 24 engage. The designed as a window-like openings locking recesses 25 serve to allow the intentionally limited displacement of the outer housing 8 relative to the inner housing 7. It can be seen from a comparison of FIGS. 1 and 2 that in the first, lower position of the outer housing 8, the latching lugs 24 rest against the upper edge of the latching recesses 25, while in the second, upper position of the outer housing 8, the latching lugs 24 at the lower edge abut the recesses 25. The interaction of the detents 24 and the recesses 25 on the one hand, the desired displacement between the outer housing 8 and the inner housing 7 allows, on the other hand prevents complete lifting of the outer housing 8 from the inner housing 7. If the outer housing 8 is raised so far that the latching lugs 24 rest against the lower edge of the latching recesses 25, then further lifting or pulling on the outer housing 8 results in the plug-in module 2 being pulled out of the recess 4 in the main housing 3 of the device base 1.

The lifting or pulling out of the plug-in module 2 from the device base 1 is thereby further facilitated for a user that the outer housing 8 has a gripping surface 26 at its opposite end faces 14. Both for plugging and for removing a user can simply grasp the plug-in module 2 with two fingers of one hand on the opposite gripping surfaces 26 and either plug into the recess 4 or by pulling the outer housing 8 first release the lock and then by further pulling the Pull plug-in module 2 completely out of the recess 4.

Finally, from a synopsis of FIGS. 4 and 5 it can still be seen that in the two opposite walls 16 of the device base 1 each because two guide grooves 27 and on the two end faces 14 of the outer housing 8, a guide rib 28 are formed. In this way, a guide of the plug-in module 2 is ensured both when plugging on the device base 1 and when removing from the device base 1, thereby preventing edge Ver. In the second embodiment, the arrangement of the guide grooves and the guide ribs is reversed, ie, two guide grooves 27 are formed on the two end faces 14 of the outer housing 8 and two corresponding guide ribs 28 on the two opposite walls 16 of the device base 1.

Claims

claims:

1. Pluggable device combination for protecting an electrical network from overvoltages or overcurrents, with a device base (1) and at least one on the device base (1) attachable plug-in module (2),

the device base (1) having a base housing (3) with a recess (4) for receiving the plug-in module (2), connection terminals (5) for the conductors of the network to be protected and plug contacts (6) connected to the connection terminals (5), and

wherein the plug-in module (2) an inner housing (7), a relative to the inner housing (7) between a first, lower position and a second upper position limited displaceable hood-shaped outer housing (8), in the inner housing (7) arranged protective element, in particular one Lightning current and / or surge arrester, and to the plug contacts (6) corresponding terminal plug contacts (9) which are electrically connected to the protective element comprises,

characterized,

in that at least one latching connection acting between the device base (1) and the inner housing (7) of the plug-in module (2) is provided, wherein the latching connection comprises at least one resilient latching arm (10) with a latching lug (11) and a latching recess (12) or one Has locking projection (13), and

in that at least one window (15) is formed in at least one end face (14) of the outer housing (8) of the plug-in module,

wherein the window (15) so cooperates with the latching arm (10), that the latching arm (10) in the first, lower position of the outer housing (8) is not deflected, so that in the fully inserted state of the plug-in module (3) in the recess (4) the plug-in module (2) is secured by the latching connection, while the latching arm (10) in the second, upper position of the outer housing (8) is deflected against its spring force, whereby the latching connection is canceled.

2. Device combination according to claim 1, characterized in that the at least one latching recess (12) in at least one recess (4) defining wall (16) of the device base (1) is formed,

in that the at least one resilient latching arm (10) is formed with the latching lug (11) corresponding to the latching recess (12) on the inner housing (7) of the plug-in module (2),

wherein in the fully inserted state of the plug-in module (2) in the recess (4) the latching lug (1 1) in the first, lower position of the outer housing (8) through the window (15) in the outer housing (8) protrudes and into the latching recess ( 12) of the wall (16) engages, while the latching arm (10) in the second, upper position of the outer housing (8) by the lower edge (17) of the window (15) or below the window (15) adjacent wall of the outer housing (8) is deflected, so that the latching lug (1 1) does not protrude into the latching recess (12) of the wall (16).

3. Device combination according to claim 2, characterized in that in both the recess (4) delimiting opposing walls (16) of the device base (1) at least one latching recess (12) is formed, that the inner housing (7) on two opposite Each side has at least one latching arm (10), and that in each case at least one window (15) is formed in both end faces (14) of the outer housing (8).

4. Equipment combination according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the latching lug (1 1) of the latching arm (10) has a slope (18), wherein the slope (18) opposite to the insertion direction of the plug-in module (2) in the device base (1 ) increases.

5. Device combination according to claim 4, characterized in that the latching lug (1 1) of the latching arm (10) has a latching surface (19) and the latching recess (12) in the wall (15) of the device base (1) to the latching surface (19). the latching lug (1 1) corresponding latching surface (20), wherein the latching surface (20) parallel to the base surface (21) of the recess (4).

6. Device combination according to claim 4 and 5, characterized in that the latching surface (19) of the latching lug (1 1) at an angle to Verrastungsflä- surface (20), wherein the latching surface (19) from the latching arm (10) to the free end the latch (1 1) increases.

7. Device combination according to claim 1, characterized in that the at least one resilient latching arm (10 ') in at least one recess (4) defining wall (16) of the device base (1) is formed, wherein the latching arm (10') at least one Has latching nose (1 1 ') and an unlocking projection (22),

in that the latching projection (13) corresponding to the latching lug (11 ') is formed on the inner housing (7) of the plug-in module (2), and

in that at least one opening (23) for the at least one latching lug (11 ') is formed in at least one end face (14) of the outer housing (8) of the plug-in module (2) in addition to the window (15') corresponding to the unlocking projection (22) .

in the fully inserted state of the plug-in module (2) in the recess (4) in the first, lower position of the outer housing (8) of the Entriegelungsvorsprung (22) in the window (15) and the latching lug (1 1 ') in the opening ( 23) in the outer housing (8) protrudes, so that the latching lug (1 1 ') and the latching projection (13) cooperate as latching connection, while the latching arm (10') in the second, upper position of the outer housing (8) through the lower edge (17) of the window (15) or below the window (15) adjoining wall of the outer housing (8) is deflected, so that the latching lug (1 1 ') does not protrude into the opening (23) in the outer housing (8) and not cooperates with the latching projection (13).

8. Device combination according to claim 7, characterized in that in both the recess (4) delimiting opposing walls (16) of the device base (1) each at least one latching arm (1 1 ') is formed, that the inner housing (7) on two at least one latching projection (13) has opposite sides, and in each case at least one window (15) and at least one opening (23) are formed in both end faces (14) of the outer housing (8).

9. Device combination according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the at least one opening (23) for the latching lug (1 1 ') at the lower edge of the outer housing (8) is formed and is open at the bottom.

10. Device combination according to one of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that the at least one latching arm (10 ') has two latching lugs (1 1') and a Entriegelungsvorsprung (22), wherein the Entriegelungsvorsprung (22) between the two latching lugs (1 1 ') is arranged.

1 1. Device combination according to one of claims 7 to 10, characterized in that the latching lug (10 ') has a slope (18'), wherein the slope (18 ') in the direction of the base surface (21) of the recess (4) increases ,

12. Device combination according to claim 1 1, characterized in that the latching lug (1 1 ') has a latching surface (19') which extends at an angle to the base surface (21) of the recess (4), wherein the latching surface (19 ' ) from the latching arm (10 ') to the free end of the latching lug (1 1') to the base (21) is inclined.

13. Device combination according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the inner housing (7) has at least one latching lug (24) and in the outer housing (8) at least one latching recess (25) is formed, wherein the height of the latching recess (25 ) determines the maximum possible displacement of the outer housing (8) to the inner housing (7).

14. Device combination according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the outer housing (8) at its two opposite end faces (14) each have a gripping surface (26).

15. Device combination according to one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that on the end face (14) of the outer housing (8) at least a first guide element and on the wall (16) of the device base (1) at least one corresponding second guide element is formed.