Overvoltage protection element

Abstract

An overvoltage protection element (1) is shown, having a housing (2), an overvoltage structural element (3), an overcurrent protection element (4) and a display device (5, 6), wherein the display device (5, 6) has a force absorption section (51) and a display section (61), and wherein when the overcurrent protection element triggers, a handling element (7) moves into a second position in which it loads the force absorption section with a force, thereby triggering a movement of the display section. In the housing of the overvoltage protection element, a receptacle (8) for the overcurrent protection element is configured, wherein the receptacle has an opening (81) through which the movable handling element protrudes, and wherein in the receptacle a stop (82) is configured and at the overcurrent protection element an edge (91) is provided with which the overcurrent protection element rests at the stop, wherein the stop has a spacing a relative to the force absorption section and the edge has a spacing b relative to an end side of the handling element, so that the end side of the handling element has a predetermined spacing x from the force absorption section of the display device in the first position.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to an overvoltage protection element according to the preamble of claim 1, comprising a housing, an overvoltage structural element, an overcurrent protection element, and a display device. Furthermore, this invention also relates to an overcurrent protection element for operating an overvoltage protection element in a display device according to the preamble of claim 10. Background Technology

[0002] The overcurrent protection element has a movable actuating element that moves from a first position to a second position when the overcurrent protection element is triggered. The movable actuating element of the overcurrent protection element is configured to apply a force to a force-absorbing section of the display device in its second position, so as to manipulate the display device by inducing movement of the display section of the display device from the first position to the second position.

[0003] Overvoltage protection elements and devices have been known for decades in various implementations. They are used to protect facilities, power consumers, and terminal equipment from overvoltage or high voltage spikes, for example, that can be caused by lightning strikes or switching operations. Depending on the installation location and requirements, overvoltage protection elements have different overvoltage structural components. These components can include overvoltage limiting elements such as varistors, overvoltage switching elements such as spark gaps, gas dischargers, or diodes, as well as combinations of these components.

[0004] Overvoltage protection elements are often constructed as "protective plugs," which, together with the lower part of the equipment, constitute an overvoltage protection device. For installation of such an overvoltage protection device, terminals are provided at the lower part of the equipment for each conductor, such as phase conductors L1, L2, L3, and the neutral conductor N, and, if possible, the grounding conductor PE. To facilitate simple mechanical and electrical contact between the lower part of the equipment and the corresponding overvoltage protection element, the overvoltage protection element has a connecting contact portion constructed as a pin. For this connecting contact portion, a socket is arranged in the lower part of the equipment as a mating contact portion, connecting to the terminals, allowing the overvoltage protection element to be easily plugged into the lower part of the equipment.

[0005] In such overvoltage protection devices, installation and assembly are very easy to perform due to the pluggable nature of the overvoltage protection elements. Additionally, these overvoltage protection devices typically also have optical status indicators for displaying the status of the overvoltage structural elements. The status indicators show whether the overvoltage structural elements arranged in the overvoltage protection device are still functioning properly. In practice, monitoring the status of overvoltage protection elements is often performed using thermal disconnection devices, which electrically disconnect the overvoltage protection element when excessive heat is generated (which may be due to leakage current, for example).

[0006] An overvoltage protection element with a thermal disconnect device is known from DE 10 2009 036 125 A1, in which the state of a varistor is monitored. For this purpose, solder joints and conductive connecting elements are provided as triggering elements, wherein the conductive connecting element is connected to an insulating separating element such that when the solder joint is disconnected, the insulating separating element moves between the connecting portion of the varistor and its corresponding connecting contact portion by means of a spring force. Here, the connecting element is preferably constructed as a metal piece and arranged within the separating element, which is composed of a rigid insulating plate.

[0007] The movement of the separating element is achieved by means of a trigger slider, where a spring system acts, causing the trigger slider to move from a first position to a second position by the force of the spring system when the solder joint breaks. Here, a conductive connecting element is arranged between the connecting contact and the corresponding pole of the varistor in the first position of the trigger slider, and an insulating separating element is arranged in the second position. Additionally, an optical status indicator is provided in the overvoltage protection element known from DE 10 2009 036 125 A1, which is formed by a colored display surface at the contact point of the trigger slider.

[0008] Because thermal disconnect devices have a relatively long response time, they are unsuitable for protecting structural components from prolonged mains frequency overvoltages that could cause varistor breakdown. For this reason, in practice, in addition to thermal disconnect devices, fuses are also used as overcurrent protection components, connected in series with the overvoltage structural component to be protected.

[0009] Overcurrent protection elements in various embodiments known in practice additionally include a kennel. When such an overcurrent protection element is triggered, not only is the current path interrupted by the fuse conductor, but also an actuating element connected to the fuse conductor is moved. This actuating element can be, for example, a spring-loaded pin extending from the housing of the overcurrent protection element on one side, or a spring-loaded cap of the overcurrent protection element. The advantage of using such a fuse device with a kennel is that, upon the occurrence of an overcurrent, the fuse device not only interrupts the current path but also indicates its triggering through the movement of the actuating element.

[0010] A spring-loaded impact pin is known as a safety device for use as an indicator in an overvoltage protection device for protecting overvoltage structural elements, as described in DE 10 2006 034 404 A1. The device is arranged in series with respect to the overvoltage structural elements. Melting of the fuse conductor (Schmelzleiter) interrupts the current path through the device and, in addition, causes the impact pin to move from a first position to a second position. The impact pin can be used here as an optical indicator to display the status of the overvoltage protection device in the field.

[0011] In an overvoltage protection element known in practice, comprising an overvoltage structural element, an overcurrent protection element, and a display device, movement of the actuating element of the overcurrent protection element causes movement of an optical status indicator from its first position to its second position. For this purpose, the actuating element applies a force to a locking element, thereby pivoting the locking element to a position in which the spring-loaded optical status indicator's movement from its first position to its second position is no longer obstructed. The overcurrent protection element, configured as a fuse, is thus housed and bonded or welded into a fuse holder, thereby fixing it in the position required to load the locking element.

[0012] The necessity of assembling the fuse in the fuse holder and aligning it with the locking element, followed by securing it by welding or bonding, leads to increased costs when assembling overvoltage protection components. Furthermore, if the fuse holder is misaligned, the optical status indicator may fail to properly shift from its first position to its second position, thus incorrectly displaying the status of the overvoltage protection component. Summary of the Invention

[0013] Therefore, the present invention aims to provide an overvoltage protection element that avoids the aforementioned disadvantages. In particular, it simplifies the assembly of the overcurrent protection element, enabling reliable operation of the display device.

[0014] This task is solved in the overvoltage protection element described at the beginning of claim 1. In the overvoltage protection element according to the invention, a receiving portion is constructed in the housing, in which an overcurrent protection element is at least partially arranged. The receiving portion has an opening on the side facing the force-absorbing section of the display device, through which a movable actuating element of at least the overcurrent protection element extends, such that the actuating element, in its second position, can apply a force to the force-absorbing section of the display device.

[0015] Furthermore, a stop portion is constructed within the receiving portion, and an edge is arranged or constructed thereon at the overcurrent protection element as a mating stop portion. Using this edge, the overcurrent protection element abuts against the stop portion in the receiving portion. By constructing the stop portion and the edge, the overcurrent protection element can be easily positioned in a predetermined position within the receiving portion. The stop portion in the receiving portion has a distance 'a' relative to the force-absorbing section of the display device, and the edge of the overcurrent protection element has a distance 'b' relative to the end side of the operating element. Distances 'a' and 'b' are coordinated such that the end side of the operating element has a predetermined distance 'x' between it and the force-absorbing section of the display device in the first position.

[0016] Therefore, by appropriately arranging or positioning the stops and edges, the distance between the end of the operating element and the force-absorbing section of the display device can be determined when the display device or its force-absorbing section is located in a preset position within the housing. Since the distance x between the operating element and the force-absorbing section affects the force-absorbing section being loaded with force F after the overcurrent protection element is triggered... A The speed and intensity of the movement are affected, therefore the spacing x also affects the speed at which the display segment moves from the first position to the second position. Therefore, by appropriately positioning the stops and edges, the desired operation of the display device can be ensured.

[0017] Preferably, the spacings a and b are chosen such that the spacing x is as small as possible. Ideally, this spacing x is zero, so that the end of the actuating element rests against the force-absorbing section of the display device in the first position without air gap. Since continuous force should be avoided on the force-absorbing section of the display device as much as possible, the spacings a and b are preferably chosen such that the spacing x is not negative even when considering manufacturing tolerances, thus preventing the force-absorbing section from deflecting in the first position of the actuating element. This may result in a small spacing x between the actuating element and the force-absorbing section, even when it is actually desired that the end of the actuating element rests directly against the force-absorbing section of the display device.

[0018] The edge provided at the overcurrent protection element can either protrude outward from the circumference of the overcurrent protection element or point inward from the circumference, i.e., it can be formed by a groove, for example. Correspondingly, a stop is then constructed in the receiving part, such that when the overcurrent protection element is arranged in the receiving part, the edge abuts against the stop.

[0019] According to a preferred design of the overvoltage protection element according to the invention, the stop portion in the housing is formed by the edge of an opening located on the force-absorbing section of the housing facing the display device. This has the advantage that a separate stop portion does not need to be constructed in the housing, which simplifies the manufacturing of the housing.

[0020] The edge located at the overcurrent protection element is preferably formed by the end of a ring-shaped element pointing towards the operating element, which is arranged or constructed at the overcurrent protection element. The ring-shaped element can be constructed as a single piece with the cap or housing of the overcurrent protection element, or it can be inserted as a separate element and fixed to the cap or circumference of the overcurrent protection element. The ring-shaped element can particularly be a surrounding, closed ring. Such a closed ring can also be easily subsequently fixed to the existing overcurrent protection element.

[0021] By constructing the stop portion in the receiving section and the edge of the overcurrent protection element, precise positioning of the overcurrent protection element relative to the force absorption section can be achieved very simply. To ensure that the overcurrent protection element's edge permanently abuts against the stop portion of the receiving section after insertion, it is preferable to apply a force to the overcurrent protection element, which presses the edge against the stop portion. This eliminates the need for bonding or welding of the overcurrent protection element, which is associated with additional manufacturing steps.

[0022] Preferably, the force by which the overcurrent protection element or its edge presses against the stop is applied by a spring element, such as a coil spring or a disc spring. Advantageously, for this purpose, a spring element is arranged in a receiving portion on the side of the overcurrent protection element opposite to the operating element. Here, a force F is applied to the overcurrent protection element by the spring element. F This force presses the edge against the stop in the receiving part. Here, the spring element does not necessarily rest directly against the end of the overcurrent protection element away from the operating element; instead, one or more other components can be arranged between the spring element and the overcurrent protection element, through which the force of the spring element is transmitted to the overcurrent protection element. These other components can be, in particular, components of the ignition switch circuit, such as gas-filled overvoltage dischargers (sometimes called surge protectors), which are also electrically connected to the overcurrent protection element.

[0023] The display device preferably consists of a spring element as a mechanical actuation element and an optical status indicator, which are mechanically interconnected. Here, the force-absorbing section is located at the spring element, and the display section is located at the optical status indicator. Here, the restoring force F of the spring element... R It is used to move the spring element from a first position, which deflects it from a rest position, to a second position. Here, through the mechanical connection between the spring element and the optical status indicator, the movement of the optical status indicator, and especially the display section, from its first position to its second position is also performed.

[0024] The spring element is preferably constructed and arranged in the housing such that it can move from a first position to a second position, wherein the spring element deflects from its rest position in the first position. In the first position, the spring element is held in its first position by a retaining element resisting the restoring force of the spring element. When the movable actuating element applies a force F to the force-absorbing section at the spring element in its second position... A At this time, the spring element disengages from the retaining element, and the spring element moves to the second position due to its restoring force.

[0025] According to a preferred design, the spring element is constructed as a wire spring with a relatively small thickness or width. Preferably, the wire spring has a circular or near-circular cross-section, wherein the diameter or circumference of the wire spring is significantly smaller than its length. This is advantageous for space-saving mounting of the wire spring within the housing of the overvoltage protection element.

[0026] The retaining element, which holds the spring element in its first position against the restoring force of the spring segment, is preferably constructed as a protrusion or edge whose end at least partially overlaps the spring element. If the spring element is constructed as a wire spring and has only a small width, the protrusion or edge also only needs to have a relatively small extension in order to hold the spring element in its first position against the restoring force of the spring segment. Therefore, only a small pivoting of the spring element is required to release the spring element from the first position, thus requiring only a small structural space for the spring element.

[0027] The aforementioned problem is solved in an overcurrent protection element for a display device having the features of claim 10, which is used to operate an overvoltage protection element. An edge is arranged or constructed at the overcurrent protection element, the edge being positioned to abut against a stop portion in a receiving portion of the housing of the overcurrent protection element. The edge has a distance b relative to the end side of the operating element of the overcurrent protection element, the distance being selected such that the end side of the operating element has a predetermined, as small as possible, distance x with the force-absorbing section of the display device in a first position. For advantages of such an overcurrent protection element, refer to the corresponding description of the overvoltage protection element according to the invention.

[0028] The overcurrent protection element is preferably constructed in a columnar shape, wherein an annular element is arranged or constructed on the cap or circumference of the overcurrent protection element, and the end of the annular element pointing towards the operating element forms the aforementioned edge. The annular element may be constructed to completely or only partially surround the overcurrent protection element. Alternatively, the annular element may also consist of multiple segments, which are then preferably arranged symmetrically around the circumference of the overcurrent protection element. Instead of the outwardly projecting edge formed by the annular element, a groove may be constructed at the overcurrent protection element such that the edge points inward from the circumference of the overcurrent protection element. Attached Figure Description

[0029] In detail, there are various possibilities for improvements and designs to the overvoltage protection element and overcurrent protection element according to the present invention. Therefore, reference is made not only to the dependent patent claims but also to the description of the embodiments taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. In the drawings: Figure 1 The overvoltage protection element according to the invention is shown from the side, wherein the optical status indicator is in the first position; Figure 2 It shows according to Figure 1 The overvoltage protection element, wherein the optical status indicator is in the second position; Figure 3 It shows according to Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of an overvoltage protection component; Figure 4 shows a perspective view of the overcurrent protection element, with the operating element in the first and second positions; Figure 5 shows a cross-sectional view of the overcurrent protection element, with the operating element in the first and second positions; Figure 6 shows the side view and longitudinal sectional view according to Figure 1 A portion of the overvoltage protection element, where the overcurrent protection element has not yet been assembled; Figure 7 The second side shows the... Figure 1 An overvoltage protection element, wherein the optical status indicator is in a first position; and Figure 8 The second side shows the... Figure 1 The overvoltage protection element, wherein the optical status indicator is in the second position. Detailed Implementation

[0030] The accompanying drawings illustrate a preferred embodiment of the overvoltage protection element 1, which has a housing 2 in which a plurality of overvoltage structural elements 3 in the form of spark gaps are arranged. In the illustrated embodiment, the individual spark gaps 3 collectively constitute a stacked spark gap, in which the individual spark gaps 3 are connected in series. Instead of the spark gaps 3 shown in the embodiment, varistors, gas dischargers, or other overvoltage switching structural elements or overvoltage limiting structural elements, as well as combinations thereof, may be arranged as overvoltage structural elements in the housing 2. Within the scope of the invention, the type or number of overvoltage structural elements that the overvoltage protection element 1 has is not important.

[0031] The overvoltage protection element 1 also includes an overcurrent protection element 4 and a display device, which consists of a spring element 5 as a mechanical actuating element and an optical status indicator 6. The overcurrent protection element 4, shown separately in Figures 4 and 5, is a fuse with a spring-loaded actuating element 7. A fusible conductor 44 is arranged inside the housing of the fuse, which burns when the fuse is triggered. In the untriggered state, one end of the fusible conductor 44 is connected to the actuating element 7, thereby causing the actuating element 7 to resist the force of the spring 45 and remain in its first position, as if from... Figure 5a As can be seen from this. When the safety device is triggered, that is, when the fusible conductor 44 burns out, the operating element 7 is activated by the force of the spring 44 according to... Figure 4a , 5a The first position moves to according to Figure 4b , 5b The second position.

[0032] In order to move the optical status indicator 6 from its first position ( Figure 1 and Figure 7 ) shift to its second position ( Figure 2 and Figure 8 A spring element 5, configured as a wire spring, is arranged in the housing 2 of the overvoltage protection element 1. The spring element 5 has a force-absorbing section 51 at one end. When the overcurrent protection element 4 is triggered, this force-absorbing section is loaded with a force F by the actuating element 7. A .

[0033] The overvoltage protection element 1 shown in the accompanying drawings is constructed as a protective plug, having two connecting contacts 10, 11 configured as blade contacts, which can be inserted into corresponding sockets in the lower part of the device (not shown). However, the overvoltage protection element according to the invention is not necessarily constructed as a protective plug; rather, it can also be a one-piece overvoltage protection device, which therefore does not have a separate lower part of the device. The overvoltage protection element 1 shown, in its assembled state, is also arranged in an outer housing (not shown), wherein the connecting contacts 10, 11 extend from the bottom side of the preferably cover-shaped outer housing. An observation window is arranged on the opposite top side of the outer housing, through which the display section 61 of the status indicator 6 or the mark 21 on the top side of the housing 2 can be seen, depending on the status of the overvoltage protection element 1.

[0034] From the basis Figure 1 As shown in the diagram of the overvoltage protection element 1, the end 71 of the movable operating element 7 is positioned opposite or directly abutting the force-absorbing section 51 of the spring element 5 in its first position. When the overcurrent protection element 4 is triggered, the operating element 7 moves from its first position ( Figure 1) moves to its second position ( Figure 2 This causes the force-absorbing section 51 of the spring element 5 to be loaded with a force F. A This causes spring element 5 to be deflected first, and then, due to its restoring force, to move from its first position ( Figure 7 ) moves to its second position ( Figure 8 ).

[0035] For example, especially from according to Figure 3 As can be seen in the cross-sectional view and from the two illustrations in Figure 6, a receiving portion 8 is constructed in the housing 2, in which an overcurrent protection element 4 is arranged or can be arranged. The receiving portion 8 has an opening 81 on the side facing the force-absorbing section 51 of the spring element 5, through which the end of the overcurrent protection element 4 with the operating element 7 protrudes. Therefore, the overcurrent protection element 4 is not completely, but only partially, arranged in the receiving portion 8.

[0036] Furthermore, a stop portion 82 is constructed in the receiving portion 8, which, in the illustrated embodiment, is formed by the edge of the opening 81. Corresponding to the stop portion 82, an edge 91 is provided at the overcurrent protection element 4, which allows the overcurrent protection element 4 to rest against the stop portion 82 in the receiving portion 8 in the assembled state. As can be seen particularly from the separate illustrations of the overcurrent protection element 4 in Figures 4 and 5, the edge 91 is formed by the end of the annular element 9 provided at the overcurrent protection element 4, pointing towards the operating element 7. Here, the annular element 9 can be constructed as a single piece with the cap 42 or the housing of the overcurrent protection element 4. Alternatively, the annular element 9 can also be pushed onto the overcurrent protection element 4 as a separate element and then fixed to the cap 42 or the peripheral surface 43 of the overcurrent protection element 4.

[0037] from Figure 3 As can be seen, the stop portion 82 in the receiving portion 8 has a distance a relative to the force-absorbing section 51 of the spring element 5. From Figure 4a and Figure 5a As can be seen, when the operating element 7 is in its first position, the edge 91 of the overcurrent protection element 4 has a distance b relative to the end side 71 of the operating element 7. In the overvoltage protection element 1 according to the invention, the distances a and b are selected such that the end side 71 of the operating element 7 directly abuts against the force-absorbing section 51 of the spring element 5 in the first position of the operating element 7. Figure 1 Therefore, the distance x between the end 71 of the control element 7 and the force absorption section 51 is ideally zero. Figure 7 ).

[0038] The fuse device serving as the overcurrent protection element 4 is constructed as a column, and the receiving portion 8 is correspondingly constructed as a tube. An opening 81 is formed on one side of the receiving portion 8, through which the end of the overcurrent protection element 4 with the operating element 7 protrudes. On the side opposite to the opening 81, the receiving portion 8 has an insertion opening 83 through which the overcurrent protection element 4 can be inserted into the receiving portion 8, as particularly from... Figure 6a and Figure 6b This was derived from the two diagrams.

[0039] To ensure that the overcurrent protection element 4 remains permanently abutting the stop portion 82 with its edge 91 after insertion into the receiving portion 8, a spring element 12 is arranged in the receiving portion 8 on the side of the overcurrent protection element 4 facing away from the operating element 7. A force F is applied to the overcurrent protection element 4 by the spring element 12. F The force presses the edge 91 against the stop portion 82. Here, the spring element 12 does not necessarily have to be directly attached to the end side 41 of the overcurrent protection element 4 away from the operating element 7, but other components may also be arranged between the spring element 12 and the overcurrent protection element 4.

[0040] In the embodiment of the overvoltage protection element 1 shown, for example, a gas-filled overvoltage discharger 13 is arranged between the end side 41 of the overcurrent protection element 4 and the spring element 12. On the side opposite to the overcurrent protection element 4, the gas-filled overvoltage discharger 13 is electrically connected to a varistor 14, which is connected to one of the electrodes 3 of the overvoltage protection element 1 via an ignition element. Here, the ignition element, the varistor 14, the gas-filled overvoltage discharger 13, and the overcurrent protection element 4 together constitute an ignition circuit for the spark gap of the stacked spark gap shown in the figures.

[0041] In the overvoltage protection element 1 shown in the attached figure, the optical status indicator 6 moves from its first position to its second position via a spring element 5. If the spring element 5 is in... Figure 7 In the first position shown, the spring segment 52 deflects from its rest position. During the assembly of the spring element 5, this is done by moving the spring segment 52 from... Figure 8 The position shown is deflected downwards. In order to keep the spring element 5 in the first position even though the spring section 52 is deflected from the rest position, a retaining element 15 configured as a protrusion is provided in the housing 2, the end of which overlaps the spring element 5.

[0042] When the overcurrent protection element 4 is triggered, the force absorption section 51 of the spring element 5 is loaded with force F by the operating element 7. AThe force points perpendicular to the longitudinal extension of the force-absorbing section 51. This causes the spring element 5 to pivot about a first rotation axis, which is perpendicular to the force F. A The direction is perpendicular to the longitudinal extension of the force-absorbing section 51. By pivoting the spring element 5, the spring section 52 of the spring element 5 pivots away from the end of the retaining element 15, so that the spring element 5 is no longer held in its first position by the retaining element 15 against its own restoring force.

[0043] Once the spring element 5 is no longer held in its first position by the retaining element 15, the spring element 5 pivots upward about its second rotation axis around its second position due to the restoring force of the spring section 52. Here, the second rotation axis is perpendicular to the first rotation axis and extends parallel to the longitudinal extension of the force-absorbing section 51. The first position of the spring element 5 is... Figure 7 As shown in the figure, while Figure 8 The spring element 5 is shown in its second position.

[0044] from Figure 7 and Figure 8 As can be seen, a pin-shaped section 62 is constructed at the optical status indicator 6, which engages in the U-shaped drive section 53 of the spring element 5, so that the pivoting of the spring element 5 from its first position to its second position causes a corresponding movement of the optical status indicator 6. If the overvoltage protection element 1 is located in the outer housing (not shown in the figures), then the marked display section 61 of the optical status indicator 6 is not only pushed upward by the movement of the spring element 5, but also slightly downward and to the right by the top side of the outer housing (according to...). Figure 8 (As shown in the diagram) Press. This position is on the display section 61 of the optical status indicator 6. Figure 8 It is shown in dashed lines.

[0045] List of reference numerals 1. Overvoltage protection components 2. Shell 21 Mark 3. Overvoltage structural components 4. Overcurrent protection components 41 End side 42 Cap 43 Weeks 44. Fuse conductor 45 springs 5. Spring elements 51 Force Absorption Section 52 Spring Section 53 Driving Section 6 Optical status indicator 61 Display Section 62 Pin-shaped section 7. Control elements 71 end side 8. Reception area 81 Opening 82 Stop section 83 Insertion opening 9. Ring element 91 Edges 10 Connecting Contact Part 11 Connecting Contact Part 12 Spring Elements 13 Overvoltage discharger 14 Varistors 15 Holding elements F A Force of the control element F F Force of spring element a Spacing b Spacing x Spacing

Claims

1. An overvoltage protection element (1) comprising a housing (2), an overvoltage structural element (3), an overcurrent protection element (4), and a display device (5,6), in, The display devices (5,6) have a force-absorbing section (51) and a display section (61). The overcurrent protection element (4) has a movable operating element (7). When the overcurrent protection element (4) is triggered, the operating element moves from a first position to a second position. The end (71) of the movable operating element (7) is positioned opposite the force-absorbing section (51) of the display device (5,6). Furthermore, in its second position, the movable operating element (7) applies a force (F) to the force-absorbing section (51). A This causes the display segment (61) of the display device (5,6) to move from the first position to the second position. Its features are, A receiving portion (8) is constructed in the housing (2), in which the overcurrent protection element (4) is arranged at least partially. The receiving portion (8) has an opening (81) on the side facing the force-absorbing section (51) of the display device (5,6), through which at least a movable operating element (7) of the overcurrent protection element (4) extends. A stop portion (82) is also constructed in the receiving portion (8). An edge (91) is provided at the overcurrent protection element (4), and the overcurrent protection element (4) is attached to the stop portion (82) in the receiving portion (8) by means of the edge. The stop portion (82) in the receiving portion (8) has a distance a relative to the force absorption section (51) of the display device (5,6), and the edge (91) of the overcurrent protection element (4) has a distance b relative to the end side (71) of the operating element (7), and the distance a and the distance b are coordinated with each other such that the end side (71) of the operating element (7) has a predetermined distance x with the force absorption section (51) of the display device (5,6) in the first position.

2. The overvoltage protection element (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The spacings a and b are chosen such that the spacing x is as small as possible.

3. The overvoltage protection element (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, An annular element (9) is arranged or constructed at the overcurrent protection element (4), and the edge (91) is formed on the end side of the annular element pointing towards the operating element (7).

4. The overvoltage protection element (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The stop (82) in the receiving part (8) is formed by the edge of the opening (81).

5. The overvoltage protection element (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, A force (F) is applied to the overcurrent protection element (4). F The force is used to press the edge (91) against the stop (82).

6. The overvoltage protection element (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that, On the side of the overcurrent protection element (4) opposite to the operating element (7), a spring element (12) is arranged in the receiving portion (8), wherein the spring element (12) applies the force (F) to the overcurrent protection element (4). F ).

7. The overvoltage protection element (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, The overcurrent protection element (4) is constructed in a columnar shape, and the receiving portion (8) is constructed in a tubular shape, wherein the receiving portion (8) has an insertion opening (83) on the side opposite to the opening (81) for inserting the overcurrent protection element (4).

8. The overvoltage protection element (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that, The display device (5,6) has a spring element (5) and an optical status indicator (6) that are mechanically connected to each other, wherein the force-absorbing section (51) is constructed at the spring element (5) and the display section (61) is constructed at the optical status indicator (6).

9. The overvoltage protection element (1) according to claim 8, characterized in that, The spring element (5) is movable from a first position to a second position. In the first position, the spring element (5) is deflected from its rest position and held in its first position by a retaining element (15) against the restoring force of the spring element (5). When the movable actuating element (7) applies a force (F) to the force-absorbing section (51) in its second position... A When the spring element (5) disengages from the retaining element (15), the spring element (5) disengages from the retaining element (15).

10. An overcurrent protection element (4) for a display device (5,6) for operating an overvoltage protection element (1), wherein, The overcurrent protection element (4) has a movable operating element (7) that moves from a first position to a second position when the overcurrent protection element (4) is triggered. The movable operating element (7) is configured to apply a force (F) to the force-absorbing section (51) of the display device (5,6) in its second position. A ), and wherein the overvoltage protection element (1) has a housing (2), the housing having a receiving portion (8) for the overcurrent protection element (4), Its features are, An edge (91) is arranged or constructed at the overcurrent protection element (4), the edge being configured to abut against the stop (82) in the receiving portion (8) of the housing (2) of the overvoltage protection element (1), and The edge (91) of the overcurrent protection element (4) has a distance b relative to the end side (71) of the operating element (7), the distance b being selected such that the end side (71) of the operating element (7) has a preset distance x with the force absorption section (51) of the display device (5,6) in the first position.

11. The overcurrent protection element (4) according to claim 10, characterized in that, The overcurrent protection element (4) is constructed in a columnar shape, and an annular element (9) is arranged or constructed on the cap (42) or peripheral surface (43) of the overcurrent protection element (4), and the end side of the annular element pointing towards the operating element (7) forms the aforementioned edge (91).

Images