Surge protection device and corresponding module

Abstract

The invention provides a surge protection device and a corresponding module. According to an aspect of the invention, a surge protection device comprises a base portion arranged to be fixed on a mounting rail. The base portion includes at least an elongated first insertion section including at least first to fourth mating contacts. An elongated first module is arranged in the first insertion section and includes first and second protective circuit components arranged adjacent in the longitudinal direction and fixedly mechanically connected to each other. The first module includes at least first to fourth contact pins inserted into the first to fourth mating contacts, where the first and second contact pins are electrically connected to the first protective circuit component and the third and fourth contact pins are electrically connected to the second protective circuit component. The base portion includes a first wiring device for electrically connecting the at least two mating contacts of the first insertion section.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a surge protection device (SPD) and a corresponding module. Background Art

[0002] According to the process requirements of the voltage-limiting element of the surge arrester, namely the zinc oxide varistor (MOV), in order to meet the lightning and overvoltage protection objectives of high-voltage electrical systems under the same discharge capacity, it is necessary to increase the thickness of the MOV, which is the core discharge element in the SPD. In order to meet the lightning and overvoltage protection objectives of high-voltage electrical systems, the core discharge element in the SPD, that is, the voltage-limiting element, needs to increase the thickness of the MOV to achieve the adaptability of the high-voltage equivalent requirements. In order to accommodate a larger thickness of the MOV, product designers need to correspondingly increase the size of the SPD to achieve an appropriate protection function.

[0003] However, in practice, the installation space of the SPD is not infinitely expandable and is often limited by the miniaturization of the device size, without additional expansion space. Especially in the horizontal direction, due to the installation of other products to be used, the space is greatly limited. Therefore, it is very important to improve the operating voltage index of the SPD under the existing installation space conditions.

[0004] In addition, in order to avoid abnormal operating conditions of the voltage-limiting surge arrester (SPD) caused by risks such as low impedance or further short-circuit faults, such as overvoltage generated by system faults or the release of high surge energy. Space often needs to be added to the SPD branch for backup overcurrent protection, which increases the pressure of space installation, the problem of proper selection, and the complexity of wiring and installation problems.

[0005] Product designers need to consider how to integrate the backup overcurrent protection function into the SPD, reduce the selection requirements for lightning protection products and the installation tasks of SPD products, and while achieving better protection performance, improve user-friendliness, but also bring lower implementation costs for customers in building lightning protection systems.

[0006] CN101485056A discloses a base portion for electrically and mechanically receiving at least one surge arrester insertable into the base portion, wherein the base portion comprises a U-shaped housing having a bottom or base unit, in which a switching device for displaying or remotely indicating an error condition is arranged, wherein the housing has at least one cutout section which receives at least one spring-preloaded push pin operatively connected to the switching device, wherein when the surge arrester is inserted, the push pin makes mechanical contact with the surge arrester or a triggering element provided in the arrester.

[0007] The spring-preloaded push pin is movably guided within the door of the bottom or base unit, wherein the lower extension oriented perpendicular to the movement direction of the push pin has an inclined surface corresponding to the inclined surface of a slider, which is arranged in the bottom or base unit so as to be displaceable perpendicular to the movement direction of the push pin for converting the movement of the push pin into a displacement movement extending substantially perpendicular to the movement of the push pin, such that the slider can be transferred from a first position to a second position for actuating a switching device. The slider is preloaded by a spring element such that the inclined surfaces engage with each other in a non-form-locking manner.

[0008] DE102012024352B4 discloses a surge protection device having a base part which can be fastened to an installation rail and two plug parts which are plugged onto the base part. The base part has a housing whose longitudinal extension is perpendicular to the longitudinal extension of the installation rail. The opposite end faces of the housing each have at least one connection terminal for at least one conductor. In the base part, two slots are arranged one after the other in the longitudinal extension of the housing. Each of the two slots has at least two plug contacts, wherein each slot has at least two plug contacts arranged one after the other in the longitudinal direction of the housing, and these plug contacts are not electrically connected to each other when no plug part is inserted such that the two plugged-in plug parts are electrically connected in series with each other. The plug parts each have at least two mating contacts corresponding to the plug contacts, and at least one discharge device is arranged in at least one of the plug parts. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] The present invention provides a surge protection device as defined in independent claims 1 and 32, respectively. In addition, the present invention provides a modular surge protection device as defined in independent claim 25.

[0010] The surge protection device according to the first aspect of the present invention includes a base part which is arranged to be fixed to an installation rail, wherein the base part at least includes an elongated first insertion section which at least includes first to fourth mating contacts. An elongated first module is arranged in the first insertion section and includes first and second protection circuit components which are arranged adjacent to each other in the longitudinal direction and are fixedly mechanically connected to each other. The first module at least includes first to fourth pins inserted into the first to fourth mating contacts, wherein the first and second pins are electrically connected to the first protection circuit component, and the third and fourth pins are electrically connected to the second protection circuit component. The base part includes first wiring means for electrically connecting at least two mating contacts of the first insertion section.

[0011] According to the first aspect of the present invention, the utilization of space in the longitudinal dimension is more flexible because wiring is provided inside the base portion, which allows at least two mating contacts to be electrically connected to each other. Based on this, the present invention proposes an SPD that integrates at least one additional protection circuit component into an insertion section, such that for example, the SPD can be realized by series and / or parallel connection of the protection circuit components. In addition, multiple protection circuit components can be used for different combinations of the SPD to improve the ability to achieve a larger current and / or a higher operating voltage. The base portion of the present invention can easily realize remote monitoring of the product state through an integrated remote signal structure while enabling the combination of more modules.

[0012] According to a preferred embodiment, the first wiring device is arranged to electrically connect the second and third mating contacts such that a series connection of the first and second protection circuit components is formed in the inserted state.

[0013] According to another preferred embodiment, the first wiring device includes a first wiring portion for electrically connecting the first and third mating contacts and a second wiring portion for electrically connecting the second and fourth mating contacts, the first and second wiring portions being electrically insulated from each other such that a parallel connection of the first and second protection circuit components is formed in the inserted state.

[0014] According to another preferred embodiment, the base portion includes an elongated second insertion section, wherein the first and second insertion sections are positioned parallel to each other and have the same longitudinal extension, and wherein the second insertion section includes fifth to eighth mating contacts.

[0015] According to another preferred embodiment, an elongated second module is arranged in the second insertion section, the second module including at least a third protection circuit component, wherein the second module includes at least fifth and sixth pins that are inserted into corresponding mating contacts in the base portion, and wherein the base portion includes a second wiring device for electrically connecting at least one mating contact of the first insertion section and at least one mating contact of the second insertion section. Thus, adjacent arranged insertion sections can be wired according to the requirements for the electrical functions of the protection circuit components.

[0016] According to another preferred embodiment, the first and second protection circuit components include a first overvoltage discharge component or a first fuse and a second overvoltage discharge component or a second fuse. Additional or different protection circuit components can be included.

[0017] According to another preferred embodiment, the third protection circuit component includes an overcurrent protection component, and wherein the fifth and sixth pins are inserted into corresponding mating contacts in the base portion.

[0018] According to another preferred embodiment, the overcurrent protection component includes a fuse, and the second wiring device electrically connects the fourth and eighth mating contacts.

[0019] According to another preferred embodiment, the elongate second module is arranged in the second insertion section, wherein the second module includes third and fourth protection circuit components in the form of third and fourth overvoltage discharge components, which are arranged adjacent to each other in the longitudinal direction and are mechanically connected to each other. The second module includes fifth to eighth contact pins among the fifth to eighth mating contacts inserted into the base portion, wherein the fifth and sixth contact pins are electrically connected to the third overvoltage discharge component, and the seventh and eighth contact pins are electrically connected to the fourth overvoltage discharge component; and wherein the first wiring device is arranged for electrically connecting the sixth and seventh mating contacts such that a series connection of the third and fourth overvoltage discharge components is formed in the inserted state.

[0020] According to another preferred embodiment, the base portion includes a second wiring device for electrically connecting at least one mating contact of the first insertion section and at least one mating contact of the second insertion section.

[0021] According to another preferred embodiment, the first and second protection circuit components are fixedly arranged on a first carrier portion in a first common housing of the first module.

[0022] According to another preferred embodiment, the third and fourth overvoltage discharge components are fixedly arranged on a second carrier portion in a second common housing of the second module.

[0023] According to another preferred embodiment, the first module includes a first sub-module having a first sub-module housing and a second sub-module having a second sub-module housing, wherein the first protection circuit component is arranged in the first sub-module housing, the second protection circuit component is arranged in the second sub-module housing, and wherein the first and second sub-module housings are fixedly mechanically connected to each other.

[0024] According to another preferred embodiment, the first module includes a mechanical coupling member arranged between the first and second sub-module housings, and the mechanical coupling member fixedly mechanically couples the first and second sub-module housings.

[0025] According to another preferred embodiment, the mechanical coupling member includes a first side surface and a second side surface, wherein the first sub-module housing is glued to the first side surface by a first gluing device, and the second sub-module housing is glued to the second side surface by a second gluing device.

[0026] According to another preferred embodiment, the first and second gluing devices include adhesive tapes. Thus, a stable connection between the two sub-modules can be achieved.

[0027] According to another preferred embodiment, the second module includes a third sub-module having a third sub-module housing and a fourth sub-module having a second sub-module housing, wherein a third overvoltage discharge component is arranged in the third sub-module housing, a fourth overvoltage discharge component is arranged in the fourth sub-module housing, and wherein the third and fourth sub-module housings are fixedly mechanically connected to each other.

[0028] According to another preferred embodiment, the first to fourth mating contacts and the fifth to eighth mating contacts of the base portion are arranged in parallel pairs in the longitudinal direction of the first and second insertion sections.

[0029] According to another preferred embodiment, the base portion includes monitoring contacts, wherein the first insertion section includes first and second buttons, the second insertion section includes third and fourth buttons, and wherein the first to fourth buttons are connected to the monitoring contacts for monitoring the fault conditions of the first module and the second module.

[0030] According to another preferred embodiment, in the inserted state, the first button is in mechanical contact with the first thermal release device of the first protection circuit component, and the second button is in mechanical contact with the second thermal release device of the second protection circuit component.

[0031] According to another preferred embodiment, the third button or the fourth button is in mechanical contact with the third and / or fourth thermal release devices of the third and / or fourth protection circuit components.

[0032] According to another preferred embodiment, the first module includes a first status indicator of the first protection circuit component and a second status indicator of the second protection circuit component.

[0033] According to another preferred embodiment, the second module includes a third status indicator of the third protection circuit component.

[0034] According to another preferred embodiment, the first wiring device and / or the second wiring device is arranged to be removable from the outside of the base portion.

[0035] A surge protection device according to a second aspect of the present invention comprises a base portion arranged to be fixed to an installation rail, wherein the base portion comprises at least an elongate first insertion section and an elongate second insertion section, the first insertion section comprising at least first and second mating contacts, the second insertion section comprising at least third and fourth mating contacts, wherein the first and second insertion sections are positioned parallel and have the same longitudinal extent. An elongate first module is arranged in the first insertion section and comprises first protection circuit components, and an elongate second module is arranged in the second insertion section and comprises at least second protection circuit components, wherein the first module comprises first and second contact pins inserted into the first and second mating contacts, and wherein the first and second contact pins are electrically connected to the first protection circuit components. The second module comprises third and fourth contact pins inserted into the third and fourth mating contacts, and wherein the third and fourth contact pins are electrically connected to the second protection circuit components, wherein the base portion comprises wiring means for electrically connecting at least one mating contact of the first insertion section and at least one mating contact of the second insertion section.

[0036] According to a second aspect of the present invention, the utilization of space in the lateral dimension is more flexible because the wiring is provided inside the base portion, which allows at least two mating contacts of two different adjacent insertion sections to be electrically connected to each other.

[0037] According to another preferred embodiment, the wiring means is arranged to electrically connect the second mating contact of the first insertion section and the fourth mating contact of the second insertion section such that the first and second protection circuit components are electrically connected in series.

[0038] According to another preferred embodiment, the wiring means is arranged to be removable from the outside of the base portion.

[0039] A module for a surge protection device according to a third aspect of the present invention comprises: first and second protection circuit components arranged adjacent to each other in the longitudinal direction and fixedly mechanically connected to each other; and first to fourth contact pins, wherein the first and second contact pins are electrically connected to the first protection circuit components, and the third and fourth contact pins are electrically connected to the second protection circuit components.

[0040] According to a third aspect of the present invention, two protection circuit components can be provided which are arranged adjacent to each other longitudinally.

[0041] According to another preferred embodiment, the first and second protection components are fixedly arranged on a first carrier part in a first common housing of the module.

[0042] According to another preferred embodiment, the module includes a first sub-module having a first sub-module housing and a second sub-module having a second sub-module housing, wherein a first protection circuit component is arranged in the first sub-module housing, a second protection circuit component is arranged in the second sub-module housing, and wherein the first and second sub-module housings are mechanically connected to each other fixedly.

[0043] According to another preferred embodiment, the module includes a mechanical coupling member arranged between the first and second sub-module housings, and the mechanical coupling member mechanically couples the first and second sub-module housings fixedly.

[0044] According to another preferred embodiment, the mechanical coupling member includes a first side and a second side, wherein the first sub-module housing is glued to the first side by a first gluing means, and the second sub-module housing is glued to the second side by a second gluing means.

[0045] According to another preferred embodiment, the first and second gluing means include adhesive tapes.

[0046] According to another preferred embodiment, the first and second protection circuit components include a first overvoltage discharge component or a first fuse and a second overvoltage discharge component or a second fuse. Description of the Drawings

[0047] The present invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the exemplary embodiments described in the drawings.

[0048] The drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the present invention and are incorporated into and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate embodiments of the present invention and, together with the description, are used to explain the principles of the present invention. By referring to the following detailed description, other embodiments of the present invention and many of the intended advantages of the present invention will become more readily understood. The elements of the drawings are not necessarily to scale relative to each other.

[0049] In the drawings:

[0050] Figure 1 A perspective view of a surge protection device according to a first embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0051] Figure 2a ) A perspective view of a base portion of a surge protection device according to a first embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0052] Figure 2b ) A perspective view of a base portion of a surge protection device according to a first embodiment of the present invention, wherein the top plate is removed, is shown;

[0053] Figure 3a ) A perspective view of a first module of a surge protection device according to a first embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0054] Figure 3b ) shows a perspective view of a first module of a surge protection device according to a first embodiment of the present invention, with the cover removed;

[0055] Figure 3c ) shows another perspective view of a first module of a surge protection device according to a first embodiment of the present invention, with the cover removed;

[0056] Figure 4a ) shows a perspective view of a second module of a surge protection device according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

[0057] Figure 4b ) shows a perspective view of a second module of a surge protection device according to a first embodiment of the present invention, with the cover removed;

[0058] Figure 5 shows a circuit diagram of a surge protection device according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

[0059] Figure 6a ) shows an exploded perspective view of a first module of a surge protection device according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

[0060] Figure 6b ) shows a perspective view of a first module of a surge protection device according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

[0061] Figure 7 shows a perspective view of a surge protection device according to a third embodiment of the present invention;

[0062] Figure 8 shows a circuit diagram of a surge protection device according to a third embodiment of the present invention;

[0063] Figure 9 shows a circuit diagram of a surge protection device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention;

[0064] Figure 10 shows an exploded perspective view of a base portion of a surge protection device according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention; and

[0065] Figure 11 a) and 11b) show views of a base portion of a surge protection device according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention, namely Figure 11 a) a perspective side view and Figure 11 b) a perspective top view.

[0066] In the drawings, unless otherwise specified, the same reference numerals denote the same or functionally identical components. Detailed Description

[0067] Figure 1Shows a perspective view of a surge protection device 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention, Figure 2a ) shows a perspective view of the base portion of the surge protection device according to the first embodiment of the present invention, Figure 2b ) shows a perspective view of the base portion of the surge protection device according to the first embodiment of the present invention with the top plate removed.

[0068] As Figure 1 shown, the surge protection device 1 includes a base portion 2 which is arranged to be fixed to an installation rail by means of a fixing groove F1 on the back surface of the base portion 2.

[0069] The base portion 2 includes a U-shaped first insertion section P1 and a second insertion section P2 which are positioned parallel to each other and have the same longitudinal, vertical and horizontal extensions. The first insertion section P1 includes first to fourth mating contacts M1 - M4, and the second insertion section P2 includes fifth to eighth mating contacts M5 - M8 (see Figure 2a) , 2b) ).

[0070] A first module PM1 is arranged in the first insertion section P1 and includes a first overvoltage discharge component OV1 and a second overvoltage discharge component OV2 which are arranged adjacent to each other in the longitudinal direction of the first insertion section P1 and are mechanically connected to each other (see Figure 3c ). The first overvoltage discharge component OV1 and the second overvoltage discharge component OV2 are fixed in a first common housing H1 which includes a first indicator window F1 and a second indicator window F2, which will be explained in detail below.

[0071] The first module PM1 includes first to fourth contact pins C1 - C4 inserted into the first to fourth mating contacts M1 - M4, wherein the first contact pin C1 and the second contact pin C2 are electrically connected to the first overvoltage discharge component OV1, and the third contact pin C3 and the fourth contact pin C4 are electrically connected to the second overvoltage discharge component OV2 (see Figure 3c ).

[0072] As Figure 2b ) shown, the base portion 2 includes inside thereof a first wiring device W1, such as a conductor plate, for at least electrically connecting the second mating contact M2 and the third mating contact M3 such that a series connection of the first overvoltage discharge component OV1 and the second overvoltage discharge component OV2 is formed in the inserted state. Here, the first wiring device W1 is a rectangular conductor plate.

[0073] The second module PM2 is arranged in the second insertion section P2 and includes at least one protection circuit component OC, which is an overcurrent protection component OC in the form of a fuse in this embodiment. The second module PM2 includes a fifth pin C5a and a sixth pin C5b, which are inserted into corresponding mating contacts M5, M8 in the base part 2 (see Figure 4a ). The overcurrent protection component OC in the form of a fuse is fixed in the second housing H2, which includes a third indicator window F3, which will be explained in detail below.

[0074] As Figure 2b ) shows, the base part 2 includes a second wiring device W2 inside it, such as a conductor plate, for electrically connecting the fourth mating contact M4 of the first insertion section P1 and the eighth mating contact M8 of the second insertion section P2, so as to electrically connect the first module PM1 and the second module PM2. Here, the second wiring device W2 is also a rectangular conductor plate.

[0075] The base part 2 further includes an external wiring contact LK and a monitoring contact AK. Among them, the first insertion section P1 includes a first button 11 and a second button 12, and the second insertion section P2 includes a third button 21 and a fourth button 22.

[0076] The first to fourth buttons 11, 12, 21, 22 are connected to the monitoring contact AK for monitoring the fault conditions of the first module PM1 and the second module PM2 under normal circumstances, for example, as known from CN101485056A.

[0077] Figure 3a ) shows a perspective view of the first module of the surge protection device according to the first embodiment of the present invention, Figure 3b ) shows a perspective view of the first module of the surge protection device according to the first embodiment of the present invention with the cover removed, and Figure 3c ) shows another perspective view of the first module of the surge protection device according to the first embodiment of the present invention with the cover removed.

[0078] Referring to Figure 3a) to Figure 3c) , the first overvoltage discharge component OV1 and the second overvoltage discharge component OV2 are fixedly arranged on the first carrier part TR1 in the first common housing H1 of the first module PM1.

[0079] In the inserted state, the first button 11 is in mechanical contact with the first contact surface AM1 of the first thermal release device SM1 of the first overvoltage discharge component OV1, and the second button 12 is in mechanical contact with the second contact surface AM2 of the second thermal release device SM2 of the second overvoltage discharge component OV2.

[0080] The first thermal release device SM1 is pre-biased by the first helical spring device AF1, and the second thermal release device SM2 is pre-biased by the second helical spring device AF2.

[0081] In the case of a thermal fault event of the first overvoltage discharge component OV1, the first thermal release device SM1 is released and rotated by the spring force of the first helical spring device AF1, such that the first status indicator I1 on the upper side of the first thermal release device SM1 is displaced, and the first status indicator is visible from the outside through the first window F1.

[0082] In the case of a thermal fault event of the second overvoltage discharge component OV2, the second thermal release device SM2 is released and rotated by the spring force of the second helical spring device AF2, such that the second status indicator I1 on the upper side of the second thermal release device SM2 is displaced, and the second status indicator is visible from the outside through the first window F1.

[0083] Figure 4a ) shows a perspective view of the second module of the surge protection device according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 4b ) shows a perspective view of the second module of the surge protection device according to the first embodiment of the present invention with the cover removed.

[0084] Reference Figure 4a )、 Figure 4b ) The overcurrent protection component OC in the form of a fuse is fixedly arranged on the second carrier part TR2 in the second housing H2 of the second module PM2.

[0085] In the inserted state, the fourth button 22 is in mechanical contact with the third contact surface AM3 of the third thermal release device SM3 of the overcurrent protection component OC.

[0086] The third thermal release device SM3 is pre-biased by the third helical spring device AF3. In the case of a thermal fault event of the overcurrent protection component OC, the third thermal release device SM3 is released and rotated by the spring force of the third helical spring device AF3, such that the third status indicator I3 on the upper side of the third thermal release device SM3 is displaced, and the third status indicator is visible from the outside through the third window 3.

[0087] Figure 5 Shows a circuit diagram of the surge protection device according to the first embodiment of the present invention, wherein the above-mentioned first wiring device W1 and second wiring device W2 are schematically drawn as lines, and wherein the first overvoltage discharge component OV1, the second overvoltage discharge component OV2, and the overcurrent protection component OC are schematically drawn as circuit symbols. The contacts C1 - C4 and C5a, C5b, and the mating contacts M1 - M8 are also schematically drawn as circles.

[0088] Figure 6a ) shows an exploded perspective view of a first module of a surge protection device according to a second embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 6b ) shows a perspective view of a first module of a surge protection device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0089] The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in the constitution of the first module PM1'.

[0090] In particular, the first module PM1' of the second embodiment includes a first sub-module PM1'a having a first sub-module housing H1a and a second sub-module PM1'b having a second sub-module housing H1b, wherein a first overvoltage discharge component OV1 is arranged in the first sub-module housing H1a, and a second overvoltage discharge component OV2 is arranged in the second sub-module housing H1b.

[0091] The first sub-module housing H1a and the second sub-module housing H1b are fixedly mechanically connected to each other such that the first module PM1' includes a mechanical coupling member CC arranged between the first sub-module housing H1a and the second sub-module housing H1b, which fixedly mechanically couples the first sub-module housing H1a and the second sub-module housing H1b.

[0092] The mechanical coupling member CC has a columnar shape and includes a first side surface SF1 and a second side surface SF2, wherein the first sub-module housing H1a is glued to the first side surface SF1 by a first gluing device TV, and the second sub-module housing H1b is glued to the second side surface SF2 by a second gluing device TV. For example, the first and second gluing devices TV include adhesive tapes TV, and there are two tape strips TV on each of the first and second side surfaces SF1, SF2 here.

[0093] The first sub-module housing H1a includes a first indicator window F1a, and the second sub-module housing H1b includes a second indicator window F1b for a first status indicator I1 and a second status indicator I2 of the first thermal trip device SM1 and the second thermal trip device SM2 explained above, which are separately arranged in the first sub-module housing H1a and the second sub-module housing H1b here.

[0094] Figure 6b ) The size of the assembled first module PM1' shown in is the same as that of the first module PM1 of the first embodiment.

[0095] The arrangement of other components of the second embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment.

[0096] Figure 7 shows a perspective view of a surge protection device according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

[0097] The third embodiment is different from the first embodiment in the constitution of the second module PM1b, while the first module PM1a is the same as the first module PM1.

[0098] In particular, here the second module PM1b is also the same as the first module PM1. That is, the second module PM1b includes a third overvoltage discharge component OV3 and a fourth overvoltage discharge component OV4 that are arranged adjacent to each other in the longitudinal direction of the second insertion section P2 and are mechanically connected to each other.

[0099] Therefore, the second module PM2 includes the first to fourth contact pins C5 - C8 of the fifth to eighth mating contacts M5 - M8 inserted into the base portion 2, wherein the fifth contact pin C5 and the sixth contact pin C6 are electrically connected to the third overvoltage discharge component OV3, and the seventh contact pin C7 and the eighth contact pin C8 are electrically connected to the fourth overvoltage discharge component OV4.

[0100] The first wiring device W1 explained above is arranged to electrically connect the sixth mating contact M6 and the seventh mating contact M7 such that a series connection of the third overvoltage discharge component OV3 and the fourth overvoltage discharge component OV4 is formed in the inserted state. Moreover, the first wiring device W1 explained above is arranged to electrically connect the second mating contact M2 and the third mating contact M3 on one side and the sixth mating contact M6 and the seventh mating contact M7 on the other side. The second wiring device W2 connects the fourth mating contact M4 and the eighth mating contact M8.

[0101] Figure 8 A circuit diagram of a surge protection device according to the third embodiment of the present invention is shown, wherein the first wiring device W1 and the second wiring device W2 described above are schematically drawn as lines, and wherein the first to fourth overvoltage discharge components OV1, OV2, OV3, OV4 are schematically drawn as circuit symbols. The contact pins C1 - C8 and the mating contacts M1 - M8 are also schematically drawn as circles.

[0102] Figure 9 A circuit diagram of a surge protection device according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0103] According to the fourth embodiment, the base portion 2 of the surge protection device 1” includes an elongated first insertion section P1 and an elongated second insertion section P2. The first insertion section includes a first mating contact M1a and a second mating contact M2a, and the second insertion section includes a third mating contact M3a and a fourth mating contact M4a, wherein the first insertion section P1 and the second insertion section P2 are positioned parallel to each other and have the same longitudinal extension.

[0104] The elongated first module PM1’ is arranged in the first insertion section P1 and includes a first protection circuit component OC1 in the form of a first fuse, and the elongated second module PM2’ is arranged in the second insertion section P2 and includes at least a second protection circuit component OC2 in the form of a second fuse.

[0105] The first module PM1’ includes a first contact pin C1a and a second contact pin C2a inserted into a first mating contact M1a and a second mating contact M2a, wherein the first contact pin C1a and the second contact pin C2a are electrically connected to the first protection circuit component OC1 in the form of a first fuse.

[0106] The second module PM2’ includes a third contact pin C3a and a fourth contact pin C4a inserted into a third mating contact M3a and a fourth mating contact M4a, wherein the third contact pin C3a and the fourth contact pin C4a are electrically connected to the second protection circuit component OC2 in the form of a second fuse.

[0107] The base portion 2 includes inside thereof a wiring device W2, such as a conductor plate, for electrically connecting the second mating contact M2a of the first insertion section P1 and the fourth mating contact M4a of the second insertion section P2, such that the first protection circuit component OC1 and the second protection circuit component OC2 are electrically connected in series.

[0108] The additional components of the fourth embodiment are the same as the corresponding components of the first to third embodiments.

[0109] Figure 10 A perspective exploded view of the base portion of a surge protection device according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0110] In the fifth embodiment, the base portion 2 includes inside thereof first wiring devices W1a, W1b, which are composed of a first wiring portion W1a for electrically connecting the first mating contact M1 and the third mating contact M3 and a second wiring portion W1b for electrically connecting the second mating contact M2 and the fourth mating contact M4. The first wiring portion W1a and the second wiring portion W1b are elongated press-formed conductor plates arranged to be inserted into corresponding cavities inside the base portion 2.

[0111] By means of an interposed insulator portion IS, the inserted first wiring portion W1a and second wiring portion W1b are electrically isolated from each other, such that a parallel connection of the first protection circuit component OV1 and the second protection circuit component OV2 is formed in the inserted state.

[0112] The additional components of the fifth embodiment are the same as the corresponding components of the first to fourth embodiments.

[0113] Figure 11 a) Figure 11b) shows a view of the base portion of a surge protection device according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention, namely Figure 11 the perspective side view of a) and Figure 11 the perspective top view of b).

[0114] The sixth embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the first wiring device W2 is arranged to be removable from the outside of the base portion 2. In particular, the base portion 2 includes a laterally accessible slot SL which is arranged such that a first wiring device W1 in the form of a rectangular conductor plate can be inserted to establish an electrical connection between the second, third, sixth and seventh mating contacts M2, M3, M6, M7.

[0115] The first wiring device W1 in the form of a rectangular conductor plate has four cutouts H1 to H4 corresponding to the second, third, sixth and seventh mating contacts M2, M3, M6, M7, which allows the first to fourth contact pins C1 - C4 to be inserted into the first to fourth mating contacts M1 - M4. This makes the electrical arrangement variable and more flexible.

[0116] The additional components of the sixth embodiment are the same as the corresponding components of the first embodiment.

[0117] Although specific embodiments have been shown and described herein, those of ordinary skill in the art will understand that various alternative and / or equivalent implementations may be substituted for the specific embodiments shown and described without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined by the claims.

[0118] In particular, the present invention has been described with reference to specific protection circuit components and specific internal and / or intermediate insertion section wirings, but the present invention is not limited thereto and can be used for any specific protection circuit components and specific internal and / or intermediate insertion section wirings.

Claims

1. A surge protection device (1; 1'), comprising: A base part (2) which is arranged to be fixed to an installation rail; Wherein the base part (2) at least comprises an elongated first insertion section (P1), and the first insertion section at least comprises first to fourth mating contacts (M1 - M4); An elongated first module (PM1; PM1'; PM1a), the first module being arranged in the first insertion section (P1) and comprising first and second protection circuit components (OV1, OV2) which are arranged adjacent to each other in the longitudinal direction and are fixedly mechanically connected to each other; Wherein the first module (PM1; PM1', PM1a) at least comprises first to fourth contact pins (C1 - C4) inserted into the first to fourth mating contacts (M1 - M4), wherein the first and second contact pins (C1, C2) are electrically connected to the first protection circuit component (OV1) and the third and fourth contact pins (C3, C4) are electrically connected to the second protection circuit component (OV2); and Wherein the base part (2) comprises a first wiring device (W1; W1a, W1b) for electrically connecting at least two mating contacts (M2, M3; M1, M3 and M2, M4) of the first insertion section (P1).

2. The surge protection device (1; 1') according to claim 1, wherein, The first wiring device (W1) is arranged to electrically connect the second and third mating contacts (M2, M3) such that a series connection of the first and second protection circuit components (OV1, OV2) is formed in the inserted state.

3. The surge protection device (1; 1') according to claim 1, wherein, The first wiring device (W1a, W1b) comprises a first wiring part (W1a) for electrically connecting the first and third mating contacts (M1, M3) and a second wiring part (W1b) for electrically connecting the second and fourth mating contacts (M2, M4), and the first and second wiring parts (W1a, W1b) are electrically isolated from each other such that a parallel connection of the first and second protection circuit components (OV1, OV2) is formed in the inserted state.

4. The surge protection device (1; 1') according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein The base part (2) comprises an elongated second insertion section (P2), wherein the first and second insertion sections (P1, P2) are positioned in parallel and have the same longitudinal extension, and wherein the second insertion section (P2) comprises fifth to eighth mating contacts (M5 - M8).

5. The surge protection device (1; 1') according to claim 4, wherein, An elongated second module (PM2; PM1b) is arranged in the second insertion section (P2), and the second module at least comprises a third protection circuit component (OC; OV3, OV4); Wherein the second module (PM2; PM1b) at least comprises fifth and sixth contact pins (C5a, C5b; C5 - C8), and the fifth and sixth contact pins are inserted into corresponding mating contacts (M5, M8; M5 - M8) in the base part (2); and Wherein the base part (2) comprises a second wiring device (W2) for electrically connecting at least one mating contact (M1, M2, M3, M4) of the first insertion section (P1) and at least one mating contact (M5, M6, M7, M8) of the second insertion section (P2).

6. The surge protection device (1; 1') according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein, The first and second protection circuit components (OV1, OV2) include a first overvoltage discharge component (OV1) or a first fuse and a second overvoltage discharge component (OV2) or a second fuse.

7. The surge protection device (1; 1') according to claim 5, wherein, The third protection circuit component (OC) includes an overcurrent protection component (OC), and wherein, the fifth and sixth pins (C5a, C5b) are inserted into corresponding mating contacts (M5, M8) in the base portion (2).

8. The surge protection device (1; 1') according to claim 7, wherein, The overcurrent protection component (OC) includes a fuse, and the second wiring means (W2) electrically connects the fourth and eighth mating contacts (M4, M8).

9. The surge protection device (1; 1') according to claim 4, wherein, The elongate second module (PM1b) is arranged in the second insertion section (P2), wherein the second module (PM1b) includes third and fourth protection circuit components (OV3, OV4) in the form of third and fourth overvoltage discharge components (OV3, OV4) which are arranged adjacent to each other in the longitudinal direction and are mechanically connected to each other, the second module (PM1b) includes fifth to eighth pins (C5 - C8) which are inserted into fifth to eighth mating contacts (M5 - M8) in the base portion (2), wherein the fifth and sixth pins (C5, C6) are electrically connected to the third overvoltage discharge component (OV3) and the seventh and eighth pins (C7, C8) are electrically connected to the fourth overvoltage discharge component (OV4); and wherein, the first wiring means (W1) is arranged to electrically connect the sixth and seventh mating contacts (M6, M7) such that a series connection of the third and fourth overvoltage discharge components (OV3, OV4) is formed in the inserted state.

10. The surge protection device (1; 1') according to claim 9, wherein, The base portion (2) includes a second wiring means (W2) for electrically connecting at least one mating contact (M1, M2, M3, M4) of the first insertion section (P1) and at least one mating contact (M5, M6, M7, M8) of the second insertion section (P2).

11. The surge protection device (1; 1') according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein, The first and second protection circuit components (OV1, OV2) are fixedly arranged on a first carrier portion (TR1) in a first common housing (H1) of the first module (PM1).

12. The surge protection device (1; 1') according to claim 10, wherein, The third and fourth overvoltage discharge components (OV3, OV4) are fixedly arranged on a second carrier portion (TR2) in a second common housing (H2) of the second module (PM1b).

13. The surge protection device (1; 1') according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein, The first module (PM1’) includes a first sub - module (PM1’a) having a first sub - module housing (H1a) and a second sub - module (PM1’b) having a second sub - module housing (H1b), wherein the first protection circuit component (OV1) is arranged in the first sub - module housing (H1a) and the second protection circuit component (OV2) is arranged in the second sub - module housing (H1b), and wherein, the first and second sub - module housings (H1a, H1b) are fixedly mechanically connected to each other.

14. The surge protector (1; 1') according to claim 13, wherein, The first module (PM1’) includes a mechanical coupling member (CC) arranged between the first and second sub - module housings (H1a, H1b), the mechanical coupling member fixedly mechanically coupling the first and second sub - module housings (H1a, H1b).

15. The surge protection device (1; 1') according to claim 14, wherein, The mechanical coupling component (CC) includes a first side face (SF1) and a second side face (SF2), wherein a first sub-module housing (H1a) is glued to the first side face (SF1) by a first gluing device (TV), and a second sub-module housing (H1b) is glued to the second side face (SF2) by a second gluing device (TV).

16. The surge protection device (1; 1') according to claim 15, wherein, The first and second gluing devices (TV) include adhesive tapes (TV).

17. The surge protection device (1; 1') according to claim 9 or 10, wherein, The second module (PM1b) includes a third sub-module having a third sub-module housing and a fourth sub-module having a second sub-module housing, wherein a third overvoltage discharge component (OV3) is arranged in the third sub-module housing, and a fourth overvoltage discharge component (OV4) is arranged in the fourth sub-module housing, and wherein the third and fourth sub-module housings are fixedly mechanically connected to each other.

18. The surge protection device (1; 1') according to any one of claims 1 to 17, wherein, The first to fourth mating contacts (M1 - M4) and the fifth to eighth mating contacts (M5 - M8) of the base part (2) are arranged in parallel pairs (M1, M5; M2, M6; M3, M7; M4, M8) in the longitudinal direction of the first and second insertion sections (P1; P2).

19. The surge protection device (1; 1') according to any one of claims 1 to 18, wherein, The base part (2) includes a monitoring contact (AK), wherein the first insertion section (P1) includes a first and a second button (11, 12), and the second insertion section (P2) includes a third and a fourth button (21, 22), and wherein the first to fourth buttons (11, 12, 21, 22) are connected to the monitoring contact (AK) for monitoring the fault conditions of the first module (PM1; PM1'; PM1a) and the second module (PM2; PM1b).

20. The surge protection device (1; 1') according to claim 19, wherein, In the inserted state, the first button (11) is in mechanical contact with the first thermal release device (SM1) of the first protection circuit component (OV1), and the second button (12) is in mechanical contact with the second thermal release device (SM2) of the second protection circuit component (OV2).

21. The surge protection device (1; 1') according to claim 19 or 20, wherein, The third button (21) or the fourth button (22) is in mechanical contact with the third and / or fourth thermal release devices (SM3) of the third and / or fourth protection circuit components (OC; OV3, OV4).

22. The surge protection device (1; 1') according to any one of claims 1 to 21, wherein, The first module (PM1; PM1'; PM1a) includes a first status indicator (I1) of the first protection circuit component (OV1) and a second status indicator (I2) of the second protection circuit component (OV2).

23. The surge protection device (1; 1') according to claim 5, wherein, The second module (PM2; PM1b) includes a third status indicator (I3) of the third protection circuit component (OC; OV3, OV4).

24. The surge protection device (1; 1') according to any one of claims 1 to 23, wherein, The first wiring device (W1; W1a, W1b) and / or the second wiring device (W2) is arranged to be removable from the outside of the base part (2).

25. An elongated module (PM1; PM1'; PM1a) for a surge protection device (1; 1'), comprising: a first and a second protection circuit component (OV1, OV2), the first and second protection circuit components being arranged adjacent to each other in the longitudinal direction and fixedly mechanically connected to each other; and First to fourth contact pins (C1-C4), wherein the first and second contact pins (C1, C2) are electrically connected to a first protection circuit component (OV1), and the third and fourth contact pins (C3, C4) are electrically connected to a second protection circuit component (OV2).

26. The module (PM1; PM1'; PM1a) according to claim 25, wherein, The first and second protection circuit components (OV1, OV2) are fixedly arranged on a first carrier part (TR1) in a first common housing (H1) of the module (PM1).

27. The module (PM1; PM1'; PM1a) according to claim 25, wherein, The module (PM1’) includes a first sub-module (PM1’a) having a first sub-module housing (H1a) and a second sub-module (PM1’b) having a second sub-module housing (H1b), wherein the first protection circuit component (OV1) is arranged in the first sub-module housing (H1a), and the second protection circuit component (OV2) is arranged in the second sub-module housing (H1b), and wherein the first and second sub-module housings (H1a, H1b) are fixedly mechanically connected to each other.

28. The module (PM1; PM1'; PM1a) according to claim 27, wherein, The module (PM1’) includes a mechanical coupling member (CC) arranged between the first and second sub-module housings (H1a, H1b), and the mechanical coupling member fixedly mechanically couples the first and second sub-module housings (H1a, H1b).

29. The module (PM1; PM1'; PM1a) according to claim 28, wherein, The mechanical coupling member (CC) includes a first side surface (SF1) and a second side surface (SF2), wherein the first sub-module housing (H1a) is glued to the first side surface (SF1) by a first gluing device (TV), and the second sub-module housing (H1b) is glued to the second side surface (SF2) by a second gluing device (TV).

30. The module (PM1; PM1'; PM1a) according to claim 29, wherein, The first and second gluing devices (TV) include adhesive tapes (TV).

31. The module (PM1; PM1'; PM1a) according to any one of claims 25 to 29, wherein, The first and second protection circuit components (OV1, OV2) include a first overvoltage discharge component (OV1) or a first fuse and a second overvoltage discharge component (OV2) or a second fuse.

32. A surge protection device (1”), comprising: A base part (2) arranged to be fixed on an installation rail; Wherein the base part (2) at least includes an elongated first insertion section (P1) and an elongated second insertion section (P2), the first insertion section at least includes first and second mating contacts (M1a, M2a), the second insertion section at least includes third and fourth mating contacts (M3a, M4a), wherein the first and second insertion sections (P1, P2) are positioned in parallel and have the same longitudinal extension; An elongated first module (PM1’) arranged in the first insertion section (P1) and including a first protection circuit component (OC1) and an elongated second module (PM2’) arranged in the second insertion section (P2) and at least including a second protection circuit component (OC2); Wherein the first module (PM1’) includes first and second contact pins (C1a, C2a) inserted into the first and second mating contacts (M1a, M2a), and wherein the first and second contact pins (C1a, C2a) are electrically connected to the first protection circuit component (OC1); Wherein, the second module (PM2’) includes third and fourth contact pins (C3a, C4a) inserted into third and fourth mating contacts (M3a, M4a), and wherein the third and fourth contact pins (C3a, C4a) are electrically connected to the second protection circuit component (OC2); and Wherein, the base portion (2) includes a wiring device (W2) for electrically connecting at least one mating contact (M2a) of the first insertion section (P1) and at least one mating contact (M4a) of the second insertion section (P2).

33. The surge protection device (1”) according to claim 32, wherein, The wiring device (W2) is arranged to electrically connect the second mating contact (M2a) of the first insertion section (P1) and the fourth mating contact (M4a) of the second insertion section (P2) such that the first and second protection circuit components (OC1; OC2) are electrically connected in series.

34. The surge protection device (1”) according to claim 32 or 33, wherein, The wiring device (W2) is arranged to be removable from the outside of the base portion (2).

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