AU715916B2

AU715916B2 - Switching device with movable connecting leads

Info

Publication number: AU715916B2
Application number: AU20095/97A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Gerhard Schuh
Original assignee: Felten and Guilleaume Austria AG
Current assignee: Felten and Guilleaume Austria AG
Priority date: 1996-05-07
Filing date: 1997-05-07
Publication date: 2000-02-10
Anticipated expiration: 2017-05-07
Also published as: ATA81396A; PL319846A1; AU2009597A; HU221670B1; HUP9700820A2; ES2109913T3; EP0806784A2; CZ137397A3; CZ293608B6; AT411115B; ES2109913T1; EP0806784A3; ATE254335T1; SK283786B6; GR970300052T1; DE59710978D1; PL182547B1; HU9700820D0; HUP9700820A3; EP0806784B1

Abstract

The switching device (1) has movable lines (2) for providing electrical connections with the terminal clamps of an immediately adjacent switching device within the switch cabinet. The lines are movable along a defined linear path relative to the switching device, with all lines mechanically coupled together so that they are moved in common. The lines may be mounted on a common carrier (6) which is displaced parallel to the side faces (10,11) of the switching device.

Description

Our Ref: 638691 P/00/011 Regulation 3:2

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990

ORIGINAL

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT Applicant(s): Felten Guilleaume Austria AG Eugenia 1 A-3943 Schrems

AUSTRIA

DAVIES COLLISON CAVE Patent Trade Mark Attorneys Level 10, 10 Barrack Street SYDNEY NSW 2000 Address for Service: Invention Title: Switching device with movable connecting leads The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me:- 5020 Switching device with movable connecting leads Description The invention is directed to a switching device for installation in a control cabinet.

This switching device has leads to make electrical connections to the connecting terminals of a further switching device, which is arranged immediately adjacent to the first switching device.

A control cabinet, as a rule, has several assembly strips which are arranged at a distance from one another, and on which the various switching devices are fixed, whose electrical connections are subsequently made.

There are switching devices which are present in every control cabinet, and which must always be connected in series. The best examples of such devices are °eo° automatic cut-outs and fault-current protective switches. For the purpose of clear 15 and methodical organisation, these elements are customarily arranged on one and the same strip immediately adjacent to one another. Since, as already mentioned, S"they must always be connected in series, it is the obvious solution to mount both switches as one unit, in order to reduce the extent of wiring.

From EP-A1-649 158, a fault-current module is known which has a rigid bow running in a horizontal direction in relation to the mounting position in a control cabinet, from which bow the leads, which are required for the electrical connection with an adjacent automatic cut-out, are run.. The line terminals are arranged to project from the bow in such a way that they in the event that an automatic cutout and a fault-current module are mounted adjacent to each other on an assembly Strip engage the connecting terminals of the automatic cut-out.

In such an interconnection of a fault-current module and an automatic cut-out, it is required, pursuant to regulations, to connect the two devices permanently, in order to prevent an unauthorised or unqualified separate replacement of an individual element. In the event however, that different devices are wired adjacent to one another in the described manner for instance an automatic cut-out to a surge protector it is permissible to exchange the two devices individually. The P:\WPDOCS\DYS\SPECIE\638691.FEL 2/12/99 -2disadvantage which results in this design, in accordance with EP-A1-649 158, in such an event, is that in case of a failure even if only one part of the circuit breaker block is defective the entire block must be exchanged, or dismounted as a whole, in order to be repaired. However, when exchanging one of the two modules, the difficulty arises that these are firmly connected to each other by the assembly strip on the one hand and by the rigid bow on the other. In order to break this connection, both modules have to be jointly dismounted, so that both can be disconnected from the respective conduction wiring and can be taken off the assembly strip.

According to the present invention, there is provided switching device for installation in a control cabinet, which switching device has leads to make electrical connections to the connecting terminals of a further switching device arranged immediately adjacent, characterised in that the leads are movably fixed to the switching device by being arranged Sin a common support unit within the switching device, said support unit being slidable in a 15 direction parallel to the side surfaces of the switching device between a moved-in and a •ooo moved-out position.

oo A further development of the invention proposes that all leads are jointly movable. In this way, the expenditure of time for mounting and dismounting can be reduced. In this context, it can be further proposed that all leads are connected mechanically with one another, because in this way the joint mobility can be achieved in a particularly advantageous manner.

A preferred embodiment of the invention proposes to fix the leads to the switching device in a manner which provides translatory sliding.

This manner of fixing can be performed more easily by comparison with the alternative possibility of a swivel-type mounting.

In this context, it can be further proposed that the leads are arranged on a common support unit and that this support unit is mounted in the switching device parallel to the side surfaces of the switching device and is slideable between a moved-in and a moved-out position.

.Since customary connecting terminals are constructed in such a way that the leads to be connected to these must be inserted in the direction parallel to the side surfaces, it is possible to perform the wiring of any standard adjacent switching device in case this particular embodiment is used.

It is further proposed that the support unit has a first, straight section, which runs .parallel to the side surfaces of the switching device, and which extends on the inside of the switching device, and one end of which projects through one cross- 'wall of the switching device.

Thus a compact construction is achieved, and due to the arrangement of the support unit inside the switching device, the casing walls of the latter serve at the same time as an insulation of the leads.

A further embodiment of the invention proposes that the support unit has a second section which carries the line terminals, which are connectable with the connecting terminals of the adjacent switching device. This second section is fixed to the end of the first section which projects through the cross-wall of the switching device and extends, essentially normal to the first section, in its entire length outside the switching device.

Thus the leads are mechanically particularly well connected, and this simplifies their insertion into the connecting terminals of the adjacent switching device.

A further embodiment of the invention proposes that the support section running parallel to the side surfaces of the switching device features a spring-loaded lug at its end projecting through the cross-wall of the switching device. This lug attaches to one edge of the cross-wall of the switching device when the support unit is in S 10 the moved-out position. This permits a disconnectable attachment of the support unit in the moved-out position, whereby the adjacent switching device can be brought into its position in a particularly easy manner.

An advantage may be offered by the support unit being in the form of a flat plate at whose surfaces the leads are arranged, as this design type can be achieved in a particularly easy manner.

i: In this context it can be proposed that the plate at each surface equipped with leads has walls which run essentially normal to these surfaces.

These walls serve the mutual electrical insulation of the individual leads. It can be particularly advantageous that all leads are fitted to one and the same surface of the plate, as it follows that all the leads can be designed in a similar manner, and can therefore be mounted particularly easily, i.e. to be fitted on the plate.

A further development of this invention proposes that the second support unit section which extends outside the switching device has tracks which preferably extend essentially across the entire length of the second support section, on which a conjugate cover, covering the leads, can be fastened. In this way, the leads can be enclosed on all sides and electrically insulated against their environment.

In this context, it can be proposed that appendices can be arranged on the inside of the cover extending in direction of the support plate.

By means of such appendices, the leads can be jammed between the support plate and the cover, and be fixed to the support unit, whereby further fastening measures such as gluing, screwing or similar are rendered superfluous.

An improvement can be achieved in this context by the cover having a lug in the region of the side edge, adjacent to the switching device, such that this lug engages 10 a corresponding recess in the cross-wall of the switching device when the support •unit is in the moved-in position.

cover is thereby also secured against horizontal dislocations when the support .unit is in the moved-in position, so that it can no longer be separated from the support plate. Measures for a permanent closing of the cover, such as gluing, are thus rendered superfluous.

A further advantage is offered by pin-shaped lugs to be provided at each side wall o#0 where the further switching device is to be arranged; these lugs will engage when the devices are juxtaposed corresponding bores in the side wall of the adjacent further switching device, and thereby the adjacent switching device can be placed in exact alignment with the side wall.

A further object of the invention is to propose an automatic circuit breaker which comprises a switching device of the type described above, and has a fault-current protection, an automatic cut-out function, a compact design and simple wiring.

In accordance with the invention, this is achieved in that the switching device is in the form of a fault-current module comprising a latch, a summation transformer and a wiring of the summation transformer operating the latch, and that the adjacent switching device is in the form of an automatic cut-out, and that the latch of the fault-current module is equipped with a release finger reaching through the side walls of the fault-current module and the automatic cut-out and with which the latch of the adjacent automalic cut-out can be actuated.

Such a design also proposes for the contacts of the automatic cut-out to be used for switching off in the event of a response of the fault-current module. There is then 10 no need for separate contacts for the fault-current module which is connected in series, thus resulting in a reduction in size of the total assembly.

The invention is described in more detail by reference to the drawings which illustrate a preferred embodiment.

They show Fig. 1 front view of a switching device in accordance with the invention and, .o adjacent thereto, a further switching device; Fig. 2 front view of a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention with opened casing; Fig. 3 oblique section of a line support plate in accordance with the invention; Fig. 4 oblique view of the switching device in accordance with the invention as per Fig. 2 with closed casing; Figs. 5 a, b oblique view and section of a cover for the support unit as per Fig.

4.

Fig. 6 side view of the switchling device in accordance with the invention as per Fig. 2; Fig. 7 bottom view of the switching device in accordance with the invention as per Fig. 2.

Fig. 8 front view of the switching device in accordance with the irnvention as per Fig. 2 with an adjacent automatic cut-out; Fig. 9 the configuration as pei Fig. 8 whereby a fault-current module and an automatic cut-out have been juxtaposed, and the line support plate is in its movedout position; and 10 Fig. 10 the configuration as per Fig. 9, whereby the line support plate is in its moved-in position.

As already mentioned at the outset, it is customary for switching device 1 for control cabinets, which is to be electrically connected with a further immediately adjacent switching device 4, to be provided with corresponding leads 2, in order to avoid their manual installation.

$oot This measure is also proposed for a switching device 1 in accordance with the V, invention, which is best seen in Fig. 1. The problem, which arises with such a configuration is, as already mentioned, that simultaneous with the electrical connection by leads 2 a mechanical connection of the two switching devices 1, 4 is also made.

In order to be able to break or make the connection installed by the leads 2 without moving the two switching devices 1, 4 a situation which is an inevitable result of the mounting of the two switching devices 1,4 in a control cabinet it is proposed by the invention to fix the leads 2 in a movable manner at switching device 1 along a predetermined path relative to switching device 1.

This mobility can, for instance, be achieved by configuring the leads 2 in a swivelling manner around axes 5. However, in a preferred manner the leads 2 are slideable in a translatory manner, in particular mounted in a slideable manner parallel to the side walls 10, 11 of the switching device 1.

In principle, the leads 2 can be fixed to the switching device 1, each moveably on its own, that is in a swivelling or sliding manner. However, for reasons of easier handling, it is advantageous to fix them at switching device 1 in a jointly moveable S 10 manner. It is preferred to join the leads 2 mechanically, whereby the joint mobility is automatically achieved. In the case of the leads 2 shown in their swivel mounting option in Fig. 1, the axes 5 would in the event be combined in one common axis, or at least all axes 5 would have to be arranged in alignment.

The description now continues with reference to a very special embodiment of the invention, which is illustrated in Figs. 2 to The switching device 1 is, in this case, in the form of a fault-current module, which itself has no switching contacts but has merely the fault-current-detection device with accompanying latch. The fault-current detection device is formed by a latch, a summation transformer 17 and a wiring of the summation transformer 17 operating the latch. For the sake of clarity, Fig. 2 merely shows the summation transformer 17. The adjacent switching device 4 is an automatic cut-out.

The latch of the fault-current module shows a release finger 15 which projects through the side wall 11 of the fault-current module as well as through the side wall 40 of the automatic cut-out, and can actuate the latch of the automatic cut-out.

(compare Fig. Thereby, contacts of the automatic cut-out are used to switch off in the case of line overload and also in cases of fault current.

However, the invention is not restricted to this particular embodiment, but can be used for any type of device which can be installed in control cabinets. Examples are: automatic cut-out with adjacent fault-current switch; automatic cut-out with adjacent surge protector, automatic staircase lighting switch etc.

As is clearly shown in Fig. 2, a support unit 6 is proposed, on which the leads 2 are arranged. The support unit 6 is mounted inside the switching device 1, movable between a moved-in and a moved-out position parallel to the side 10 surfaces 10, 11 of the switching device.

The most essential component of the support unit 6 is its section 60, extending parallel to the side surfaces 10, 11. This section 60 is arranged within the switching device in a slideable manner, similar to a drawer, and passes with one end 61 through one of the cross-walls 12,13 of the switching device. In the embodiment shown in the drawings, the lower cross-wall 12 was selected; ~however, it would be equally advantageous to pass the support section 60 through the upper cross-wall 13.

At the end 61 of the first section 60, projecting through the cross-wall 12 of the switching device, there is a second section 62 which runs essentially normal in relation to this section 60. This section 62 lies entirely outside the switching device 1 and carries the line terminals 20. These are distributed on the support section 62 in such a way that, when support unit 6 is moved in the direction of arrow 8, they extend into the connecting terminals 3 of a further, immediately adjacent that is aligned along side wall 11 switching device 4.

By reference to Fig. 3, the assembly of support unit 6 is explained in more detail.

The first support section 60 has further at its end 6, projected through cross wall 12, a spring-held lug 63. This lug 63 is located in the interior of the switching device 1, when the support unit 6 is in its moved-in position, and in the moved-out position of the support unit projects straight beyond the cross wall 12, and can therefore attach at the edge 64 of the cross wall 12 (compare also Fig. The support unit 6 can thereby be locked in place in its moved-out position.

The support unit 6 is formed by a level plate 65, at the surfaces of which the leads are fixed. (For the sake of clarity, Fig. 3 shows merely one of the leads 2) Corresponding to the embodiment shown in the drawings, all leads 2 are fixed on one and the same surface of plate 65, namely on the surface of plate 65 which is S"facing away from the further switching device 4. However, within the context of the invention, it is absolutely possible to distribute the leads 2 on both surfaces of plate 65, in order, for instance, to accommodate leads 2 of a wider cross section, whilst retaining the same dimensions of the plate, or to arrange the leads 2 on the surface of plate 65 facing away from the further switching device 4.

It is important in all cases that the leads 2 are sufficiently insulated against one another. This could, for instance, be achieved by enclosing the leads 2 with a moulded jacket of an insulating material, for instance plastic.

A further possibility is to equip the plate 65 at each surface fitted with leads 2 with walls 66, which run essentially normal to these surfaces. This results in individual chambers, which accommodate the leads 2, insulated from one another.

In view of this kind of insulation, it is not necessary to insulate each individual line, but it is possible to use naked metal strips, for instance copper wires.

In order that these naked copper wires do not also lie bare in the control cabinet, a cover 7 is proposed which covers the leads 2 in the region of the second support section 62. For its conjugate attachment, tracks 67 are arranged at the support section 62 and also tracks 75 in the cover 7 itself. (compare Figs. 5 a,b).

At the front end 72 facing the switching device, the cover 7 is open, at the front end facing away from the switching device 1, it is closed by a front wall 71.

Therefore the cover 7 can be opened up by sliding in the direction of the arrow 9 in Fig. 2 on the support unit section 62.

At the inside of cover 7, appendices 73 are configured which extend in the direction of the support plate 65. As can be seen in Fig. 6, these appendices 73 are designed in such a height, that they are propped on the leads 2 and thereby jam the S"latter between the support plate 65 and cover 7.

In the region of its side edge 72, adjacent to the switching device 1, the cover 7 has a lug 74, which lug 74 when the support unit 6 is in the moved-in position, engages in a corresponding recess of the cross wall 12 of the switching device (compare Fig. 7).

i' Thereby, any dislocation of the cover 7 in the moved-in position of support unit 6, that is after mounting has been completed, is avoidable and a reliable insulation of the leads 2 is safeguarded.

In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in the drawings, the movement as already explained above of the latch of switching device 1 is transferred by a release finger 15 projecting through the side wall 11 to the latch of the adjacent automatic cut-out. In order to be able to insert this release finger 15 when the two switching devices 1, 4 are joined exactly into the corresponding bush of the automatic cut-out latch, it is advantageous to provide the side wall 11, against which the further switching device 4 is to be placed, with pin-shaped projections.

When the two switching devices 1, 4 have been juxtaposed, the projections 16 engage the corresponding bores placed in the side wall of the adjacent switching device 4 and thereby ensure an exact alignment of the two switching devices 1,4.

Figs. 8-10 finally describe the method of mounting a fault-current/automatic cut- 00:" out module. The fault-current module 1 is fixed to (snapped onto) the control 0'0 10 cabinet assembly strip, and the support unit 6 is brought into its moved-out °position. The automatic cut-out 4 is also arranged there at a minor horizontal distance from the fault-current module (Fig. The two switching devices 1,4 are now slid towards each other, until the projections 16 engage into the corresponding bores and the release-finger 15 into the corresponding bush and the switching devices 1,4 are next to each other with their side walls 11,40 touching (Fig. 9).

Finally, the support unit 6 is brought into its moved-in position, the line terminals 20 thereby pushed into the connecting terminals 3 of the automatic cut-out 4, and the electrical connections are made by tightening of the connecting terminals 3 (Fig.

Claims

13- The claims defining the present invention are as follows: 1. Switching device for installation in a control cabinet, which switching device has leads to make electrical connections to the connecting terminals of a further switching device arranged immediately adjacent, characterised in that the leads are movably fixed to the switching device by being arranged in a common support unit within the switching device, said support unit being slidable in a direction parallel to the side surfaces of the switching device between a moved-in and a moved-out position. 2. Switching device in accordance with claim 1, characterised in that the support unit has a first straight section running parallel to the side surfaces of switching device, which section extends within the switching device and with one end projects through a cross wall of the switching device. e* 3. Switching device in accordance with claim 2, characterised in that the support unit has 15 at the end of the first section extending through the cross wall of the switching device, a fixed second section extending essentially normal to the first section and being in its entirety situated outside the switching device, and which carries the line tennrminals to be connected with the connecting terminals of the adjacent switching device. Oo 4. Switching device in accordance with claim 2 or 3, characterised in that the support 0. unit section running parallel to the side surfaces of the switching device has, at its end 0 09 projecting through the cross wall of the switching device, a spring-loaded lug which, in the moved-out position of the support unit, attaches at an edge of the cross wall of the switching device. Switching device in accordance with one of the claims 1 to 4 characterised in that the support is in the form of a level plate at whose surfaces the leads are fixed. 6. Switching device in accordance with claim 5 characterised in that the plate at each of its surfaces equipped with leads have walls running essentially normal to the surface. P:\WPDOCS\DYS\SPECIE\638691.FEL 6/9/99 -14- 7. Switching device in accordance with claim 5 or 6, characterised in that all leads are fixed to one and the same surface of plate. 8. Switching device in accordance with one of the claims 5, 6 or 7, characterised in that the second support unit section running outside the switching device has tracks preferably extending essentially along the entire length of the second support section to which a cover covering the leads can be conjugately fixed. S. 9. Switching device in accordance with claim 8 characterised in that appendices are 10 arranged on the inside of the cover which extend in the direction of the support unit plate. Switching device in accordance with claim 8 or 9 characterised in that the cover in the region of its side edge adjacent to the switching device has a lug which lug in the moved-in .position of the support unit engages a corresponding recess of the cross wall of the switching 15 device. SS 11. Switching device in accordance with any one of the claims 1 to 10, characterised in that at each side wall where the further switching device is to be closely aligned, pin-shaped lugs are formed which, at close alignment of the devices, engage correspondingly positioned 20 bores in the side wall of the adjacent further switching device. 12. Fault-current switch/automatic cut-out comprising a switching device in accordance with any one of the claims 1 to 11, characterised in that the switching device is in the form of a fault-current module comprising a latch, a summation transformer and a wiring of the summation transformer operating the latch, and that the adjacent switching device is in the form of an automatic cut-out, and that the latch of the fault current module is equipped with a release finger projecting through the side walls of the fault-current module and the automatic cut out, and by which release finger the latch of the adjacent automatic cut-out can be actuated. P:\WPDOCS\DYS\SPEC1EN638691.FEL 6/9/99 15 13. A switching device substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the drawings. 4* 4 S *4w 5 S S. 449 C SC.. CC4C S 'P.C SC S S. DATED this 6th day of September, 1999 FELTEN GUILLEAUME AUSTRIA AG By Their Patent Attorneys DAVIES COLLISON CAVE V.9 a C C 0*t