JP7638673B2 - Bus duct - Google Patents

Description

An embodiment of the present invention relates to a bus duct having a connection part at one end that is connected to the connection part of a mating bus duct.

For example, a bus duct for supplying power in a building or various facilities is configured with a connection part at the end of one unit, and is connected to other units by fitting the connection parts together (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In this case, the connection part has, for example, three phases of plate-shaped metal conductors lined up inside a metal case with an open tip. In addition, plate-shaped insulating spacers are provided where necessary, such as between the metal conductors and between the case and the metal conductors. By fitting the connection parts together, the metal conductors of the same phase are connected so that they overlap, and insulating spacers are arranged to separate each phase.

JP 2000-78729 A

When the above-mentioned connection parts are fitted together, they are aligned so that the metal conductor of one connection part is inserted into the gap of the other connection part. However, if the insertion is not properly aligned and there is a misalignment, as shown in the reference diagram in Figure 4, there is a risk that the metal case of one connection part will enter the gap of the other connection part and come into contact with the metal conductor, causing a ground fault. To address this, in the past, instructions were given to warn users not to let the case of the connection part enter between the metal conductors, or a warning plate was attached to the outside of the case.

However, there is a possibility that the operator may not read the instruction manual or pay close attention to the warning label, and may come into contact with the case and metal conductor without realizing it. Therefore, better safety measures are required.
In view of this, it is an object of the present invention to provide a bus duct that can prevent the occurrence of ground fault accidents when connecting the connectors of bus ducts, thereby enhancing safety.

The bus duct of the embodiment has a connection portion at its end that connects to the connection portion of a mating bus duct, and the connection portion comprises a metal case with an open tip, and a plurality of plate-shaped metal conductors supported by an insulating member, arranged side by side with connection gaps between them, and is configured so that the metal conductors are inserted into the connection gaps and connected to the mating metal conductor by fitting the tips of the conductors into each other and inserting them into the connection gaps.The case is provided with a hook portion, and when connected to the connection portion of the mating bus duct, the hook portion hooks onto the hook portion provided on the mating bus duct, thereby preventing the tip of the case from being inserted into the connection gap of the mating connection portion.An erroneous insertion prevention means is provided.

FIG. 1 is a top view showing an embodiment before a bus duct is connected. Top view showing the bus duct in the middle of being connected after it was almost inserted incorrectly Top view showing bus duct connections This is a reference diagram, showing a top view of the case touching a metal conductor due to incorrect insertion.

One embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. Figures 1 to 3 show the configuration of the bus duct connection in this embodiment. Although not shown in detail, here, an example is shown in which a newly installed second bus duct 2 is connected to an existing first bus duct 1 connected to a switchboard in an electrical room of a facility such as a building. The first bus duct 1 is located on the left side of the figure, and the second bus duct 2 is located on the right side of the figure. In this embodiment, the connection portion 3 of the first bus duct 1 and the connection portion 4 of the second bus duct 2, which is the counterpart, are connected by fitting. Hereinafter, the connection portion 4 of the second bus duct 2 will be referred to as the counterpart connection portion 4 in some cases.

Although not shown in detail, the main body of the first bus duct 1, as is well known, is provided with a plurality of three-phase conductors 6 for power supply, for example R phase, S phase, and T phase, within a rectangular cylindrical metal duct 5. The conductors 6 are made of cables or bus bars and are insulated. The connection part 3 is provided at the right end of the main body of the first bus duct 1 in the figure. Similarly, the main body of the second bus duct 2 is provided with an insulated three-phase conductor 8 within a rectangular cylindrical metal duct 7. The mating connection part 4 is provided at the left end of the second bus duct 2 in the figure.

The configuration of the connection part 3 and the mating connection part 4 will now be described. The connection part 3 of the first bus duct 1 has multiple, in this case three, plate-shaped metal conductors 10 lined up inside a metal, for example steel, case 9 that is open at the tip, i.e., the right end in the figure. The case 9 is connected to the duct 5 and is, for example, a rectangular tube open on both the top and bottom sides, with the tip half, i.e., the right half in the figure, narrowed in a stepped shape. The narrow part of the case 9 is the part that fits together with the case of the mating connection part 4, which will be described later.

The metal conductors 10 are made of metal plates, such as aluminum or copper, in this case, and are configured in a rectangular plate shape. They are supported by insulating members (not shown) and are arranged side by side with a gap between them, with the plate surfaces facing the front-to-rear direction in the figure. Each of these metal conductors 10 is connected to each of the conductors 6 at the base end side, i.e., the left end side in the figure. The tip end of each metal conductor 10 is located facing the tip opening of the case 9. The three metal conductors 10 are, from the front in the figure, for R phase, S phase, and T phase, and hereinafter, when it is necessary to distinguish between them, (R), (S), and (T) will be added after the reference numeral 10.

The connection portion 3 is provided with insulating spacers 11 and 12 so as to overlap the metal conductor 10. These insulating spacers 11 and 12 are formed, for example, in the form of thin plates made of ceramic. The insulating spacer 11 at the front side in the figure is provided in a position sandwiched between the metal conductor 10 (R) for the R phase and the front plate portion of the case 9. The spacer 12 at the back side in the figure is provided in a position sandwiched between the metal conductor 10 (S) for the S phase and the metal conductor 10 (T) for the T phase. These insulating spacers 11 and 12 are provided with their tips protruding a predetermined distance forward from the tip opening of the case 9.

In this way, the insulating spacer 11 provides insulation between the metal conductor 10(R) and the case 9. At the same time, the insulating spacer 12 provides insulation between the metal conductor 10(S) and the metal conductor 10(T). At this time, a first connection gap 13 is provided in the case 9, located between the metal conductor 10(R) and the metal conductor 10(S), into which the metal conductor of the mating connection part 4 is inserted. In addition, a second connection gap 14 is provided between the metal conductor 10(T) and the rear plate of the case 9, into which the metal conductor of the mating connection part 4 is inserted.

In contrast, the mating connection part 4 of the second bus duct 2 has a configuration symmetrical to the connection part 3. That is, the mating connection part 4 has three-phase plate-shaped metal conductors 16(R), 16(S), and 16(T) lined up in order from the front side inside a metal case 15 that is connected to the duct 7 and has an open tip, i.e., the left end side in the figure. The left half side of the case 15 in the figure is narrow, and this narrow part is designed to fit together with the narrow part of the case 9 of the connection part 3. Each metal conductor 16 is connected to each of the conductors 8 at the base end side, i.e., the right end side in the figure.

The connection portion 4 is provided with ceramic insulating spacers 17 and 18, which are overlapped with the metal conductor 16 and have their tips protruding from the case 15. The insulating spacer 17 is provided in a position sandwiched between the R-phase metal conductor 16 (R) and the S-phase metal conductor 16 (S). The insulating spacer 18 is provided in a position sandwiched between the T-phase metal conductor 10 (T) and the rear plate portion of the case 15.

The insulating spacer 17 provides insulation between the metal conductor 16(R) and the metal conductor 16(S), and the insulating spacer 18 provides insulation between the metal conductor 16(T) and the case 15. At this time, a third connection gap 19 is provided in the case 15 between the front plate of the case 15 and the metal conductor 16(R) and into which the front plate of the case 9 of the connection part 3, the insulating spacer 11, and the metal conductor 10(R) are inserted. In addition, a fourth connection gap 20 is provided between the metal conductor 16(S) and the metal conductor 16(T) and into which the metal conductor 10(S), the insulating spacer 12, and the metal conductor 10(T) of the connection part 3 are inserted.

Furthermore, at this time, when the connection part 3 and the mating connection part 4 are fitted together, the metal conductor 16 (R), insulating spacer 17, and metal conductor 16 (S) of the connection part 4 are inserted into the first connection gap 13 of the connection part 3. At the same time, the metal conductor 16 (T), insulating spacer 18, and rear plate part of the case 15 of the connection part 4 are inserted into the second connection gap 14 of the connection part 3.

As a result, when the connection part 3 and the mating connection part 4 are fitted and connected, as shown in FIG. 3, the metal conductor 10 (R) and the metal conductor 16 (R) are in surface contact so as to overlap and are electrically connected. Also, the metal conductor 10 (S) and the metal conductor 16 (S) are in surface contact so as to overlap and are electrically connected, and the metal conductor 10 (T) and the metal conductor 16 (T) are in surface contact so as to overlap and are electrically connected. Insulating spacers 11, 12, 17, and 18 are arranged between each of the three phase metal conductors 10 and 16, and between the metal conductors 10 and 16 and the cases 9 and 15. Although not shown in the figure, when the connection part 3 and the mating connection part 4 are connected, the two are connected by bolts, for example, and the upper and lower surfaces of the cases 9 and 15 are closed by attaching covers, respectively.

Now, in this embodiment, as shown in Figures 1 to 3, an erroneous insertion prevention means is provided to prevent the tip of the rear plate of the case 9 of the connection part 3 from being inserted into the fourth connection gap 19 of the counterpart connection part 4 when the connection part 3 and the counterpart connection part 4 are connected. At the same time, an erroneous insertion prevention means is provided to prevent the tip of the front plate of the case 15 of the connection part 4 from being inserted into the first connection gap 13 of the connection part 3. Specifically, in this embodiment, the erroneous insertion prevention means is composed of a folded part 21 integrally provided at the tip of the case 9, and a folded part 22 integrally provided at the tip of the case 15.

The folded portion 21 is formed, for example, by forming two cuts extending left and right in the vertical middle of the rear plate of the case 9, parallel to each other at a specified distance, and folding the rectangular cuts back outward, i.e., backward, for example, at an angle of 90 degrees. With this, even if the rear plate of the case 9 tries to enter the fourth connection gap 20 when connecting the connection portions 3 and 4, the folded portion 21 abuts against the tip of the insulating spacer 18, preventing further insertion.

Similarly, the folded portion 22 is formed, for example, by forming two parallel cuts extending left and right at a predetermined distance in the vertical middle of the front plate portion of the case 15, and folding the rectangular cut portions outward, i.e., forward, at an angle of 90 degrees. With this, even if the front plate portion of the case 15 tries to enter the first connection gap 13 when connecting the connection portions 3 and 4, the folded portion 22 abuts against the tip of the insulating spacer 11, preventing further insertion.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the width dimension b1 in the front-rear direction of the folded portion 21 is slightly larger than the width dimension a1 of the insertion space formed in the fourth connection gap 20, i.e., the gap dimension in the front-rear direction between the insulating spacer 12 and the insulating spacer 18. Similarly, the width dimension b2 in the front-rear direction of the folded portion 22 is slightly larger than the width dimension a2 of the insertion space formed in the first connection gap 13, i.e., the gap dimension in the front-rear direction between the insulating spacer 11 and the insulating spacer 17.

Next, the operation of the above configuration will be described with reference to the reference diagram of FIG. 4. In the first bus duct 1 of this embodiment, it is connected to the mating second bus duct 2 as follows. That is, first, as shown in FIG. 1, the worker aligns the connection part 3 of the first bus duct 1 and the mating connection part 4 of the second bus duct 2 so that they face each other, and inserts them into each other as shown by arrow A. As shown in FIG. 3, the case 9 and the case 15 are inserted until they overlap, and the connection part 3 and the mating connection part 4 are fitted together.

As a result, the metal conductor 16 (R), insulating spacer 17, and metal conductor 16 (S) of the connection part 4 are inserted into the first connection gap 13 in the case 9 of the connection part 3. The metal conductor 16 (T), insulating spacer 18, and rear plate part of the case 15 of the connection part 4 are inserted into the second connection gap 14 in the case 9 of the connection part 3. At the same time, the front plate part of the case 9 of the connection part 3, insulating spacer 11, and metal conductor 10 (R) are inserted into the third connection gap 19 in the case 15 of the mating connection part 4. The metal conductor 10 (S), insulating spacer 12, and metal conductor 10 (T) of the connection part 3 are inserted into the fourth connection gap 20 in the case 15 of the connection part 4. This allows the first bus duct 1 and the second bus duct 2 to be connected as shown in FIG. 3.

As shown in the reference diagram of Figure 4, let us assume that the case 9 of the connection part 3 does not have the folded part 21 as a means for preventing erroneous insertion, and call this case 9'. Similarly, let us assume that the case 15 of the connection part 4 does not have the folded part 22 as a means for preventing erroneous insertion, and call this case 15'. If the connection parts 3 and 4 are not aligned properly when they are connected, causing a misalignment, for example, as shown in Figure 4, there is a risk that the rear plate part of the case 9' of the connection part 3 will get into the fourth connection gap 20 in the case 15 of the connection part 4, i.e., between the metal conductor 16(S) and the metal conductor 16(T).

In this case, the operator can forcefully push the rear plate of the case 9' into the depths of the fourth connection gap 20 without realizing it. If such an erroneous insertion occurs, as shown in FIG. 4, the rear plate of the case 9' of the connection part 3 will be sandwiched between the metal conductor 16(T) and the metal conductor 10(T) and will come into contact with the metal conductor 16(T) and also with the metal conductor 10(T), which may lead to a ground fault. Such an erroneous insertion may also occur on the connection part 4 side, where the front plate of the case 15' will enter the first connection gap 13 of the connection part 3 and come into contact with the metal conductor 10(R).

However, in this embodiment, the rear plate portion of the case 9 of the connection part 3 is provided with a fold-back portion 21 as a hook portion as a means for preventing erroneous insertion. At the same time, the case 15 of the connection part 4 is provided with a fold-back portion 22 as a hook portion as a means for preventing erroneous insertion. As a result, as shown in Fig. 2, for example, even if the rear plate portion of the case 9 of the connection part 3 tries to enter the fourth connection gap 20 of the mating connection part 4, the fold-back portion 21 abuts against the tip of the insulating spacer 18 and gets caught there, preventing further insertion of the case 9.

This allows the worker to easily notice when improper insertion is imminent and allows the operator to redo the fitting operation with the correct positioning, preventing the rear plate portion of the case 9 from contacting the metal conductor 16 (T). Although not shown, the case 15 of the connection part 4 also has a folded portion 22, so that even if the front plate portion of the case 15 is about to be inserted into the first connection gap 13, the folded portion 22 will abut against the tip of the insulating spacer 11. This prevents the front plate portion of the case 15 of the connection part 4 from entering the first connection gap 13 of the connection part 3 and coming into contact with the metal conductor 10 (R).

In this way, the bus duct 1 of this embodiment can provide the following effects. That is, in this embodiment, the connection portion 3 of the bus duct 1 is provided with a folded portion 21 as an erroneous insertion prevention means for preventing the tip of the case 9 from being inserted into the fourth connection gap 20 of the counterpart connection portion 4 when connecting to the connection portion 4 of the counterpart bus duct 2. As a result, even if there is a positional shift or the like and the rear plate portion of the case 9 of the connection portion 3 tries to enter the fourth connection gap 20 of the counterpart connection portion 4, the folded portion 21 is provided so that the folded portion 21 catches on the tip of the insulating spacer 18, preventing further insertion of the tip of the case 9.

As a result, this embodiment has the excellent effect of preventing ground faults from occurring when connecting the connection parts 3, 4 of the bus ducts 1, 2, and improving safety. The connection part 4 of the second bus duct 2 is also provided with a folded part 22 as an erroneous insertion prevention means for preventing the tip of the case 15 from being inserted into the first connection gap 13 of the connection part 3. This makes it possible to prevent ground faults in the case 15 of the connection part 4, and improve safety.

Particularly in this embodiment, the erroneous insertion prevention means is configured by integrally providing a folded portion 21 at the tip of case 9 and further integrally providing a folded portion 22 at the tip of case 15, so that the folded portions 21, 22 of cases 9, 15 hook onto the mating insulating spacers 18, 11 that serve as hooking portions , preventing further insertion. As a result, it is only necessary to provide the folded portions 21, 22 integrally at the tips of cases 9, 15, which does not increase the number of parts and is easy to form, and the erroneous insertion prevention means can be configured simply.

In addition, the widthwise dimensions b1, b2 of the folded portions 21, 22 are larger than the widthwise dimensions a1, a2 of the insertion spaces formed in the fourth connection gap 20 and the first connection gap 13 of the mating connection portions 4, 3, respectively. This reliably prevents the folded portions 21, 22 from being inserted into the connection gaps 20, 13, so that the effect of preventing erroneous insertion can be reliably obtained, making it even more effective.

In the above embodiment, the folded parts 21, 22 are integrally provided on the cases 9, 15 as a means for preventing erroneous insertion, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a protrusion serving as a hook may be integrally or separately provided on the case , and the protrusion may hook on the mating case, insulating material, or metal conductor that serves as the hook, preventing further insertion. In this case, the mating connection part may also be provided with an abutment part for preventing further insertion by abutting the protrusion or folded part.

The case configuration and internal configuration of the connection part can also be modified in various ways. For example, although the above embodiment shows an example with three metal conductors, it may have two or four or more metal conductors. A rubber plate-shaped elastic member may be provided inside the case of the connection part in addition to or instead of the insulating spacer, to add a configuration that prevents damage to the metal conductors and case. A leaf spring may also be provided to ensure contact, i.e., connection, between the conductors.

The above-described embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the invention. These embodiments and their variations are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are included in the scope of the invention and its equivalents as set forth in the claims.

In the drawings, 1 is a first bus duct (bus duct), 2 is a second bus duct (bus duct), 3 is a connection part, 4 is a connection part (mating connection part), 9 is a case, 10 is a metal conductor, 11 and 12 are insulating spacers, 13 and 14 are connection gaps, 15 is a case, 16 is a metal conductor, 17 and 18 are insulating spacers, 19 and 20 are connection gaps, and 21 and 22 are folded parts (means for preventing incorrect insertion).

Claims (3)

A bus duct having a connection part at an end thereof to be connected to a connection part of a mating bus duct,
The connection portion includes a metal case having an open tip, and a plurality of plate-shaped metal conductors supported by an insulating member arranged side by side with connection gaps between them,
The metal conductor is inserted into the connection gap and connected to the mating metal conductor by fitting the tip portions of the metal conductor and the mating connection portion together,
A bus duct provided with a hook portion on the case, and an erroneous insertion prevention means for preventing the tip of the case from being inserted into the connection gap of the mating connection portion by hooking the hook portion onto the hook portion provided on the mating bus duct when connecting to the connection portion of the mating bus duct. 2. The bus duct according to claim 1, wherein the hook portion of the erroneous insertion prevention means is formed of a folded portion that is integrally formed at the tip of the case. The bus duct according to claim 2, wherein the width dimension of the folded portion is larger than the width dimension of the insertion space formed in the connection gap of the mating connection portion.

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