Covering device

Abstract

The device comprises at least a head-side cover (10) and a foot-side base (14), the cover for accommodating an electrical component, such as a terminal block, for mounting at least one electrical conductor, and the base having a bottom-side opening (16) for accommodating another electrical component, such as an insulating candle, which is electrically connected to the first electrical component. The device is characterized in that the cover (10) and the base (14) are two separable components assembled together as a whole to form a cover, and the two components occupy different positions relative to each other by means of a height adjustment device (20) with a locking mechanism, such that electrical components of different designs can be covered by only one cover within a predetermined assembly frame.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a device comprising at least a head-side cover and a foot-side base, the cover for accommodating an electrical component, such as a terminal block, for mounting at least one electrical conductor, and the base having an opening on the bottom side for accommodating another electrical component, such as an insulating candle, which is electrically connected to the first electrical component. Background Technology

[0002] EP 1 638 180 A1 discloses a cover for covering the head of an insulating candle, disposed between a low-voltage connector of a power supply unit and a connecting cable extending selectively, substantially laterally or parallel to the longitudinal axis of the insulating candle from the low-voltage connector. The cover is integrally made of an elastomer and has a separation slot extending along the axial direction of the insulating candle. The separation slot is lockable and extends continuously along one of the sidewalls of the cover on the side for connecting the laterally arranged connecting cable until it reaches the head of the cover. It is opened at two locations for connecting the laterally or parallel-to-the-longitudinal-axis connecting cables, respectively, for inserting corresponding mating inserts. The openings extend laterally and longitudinally to the separation slots on both sides, and in each of the two openings is a mating insert with a pre-fabricated, disconnectable cable passing through the opening. The connecting cable extends laterally from the inside of the cover, which is integrally made of elastomeric plastic and has a separation slot on the side where the connecting cable extends laterally. This separation slot separates the outer shell of the cover to such an extent that the cover can be overlaid onto the entire head unit of the insulating candle. Appropriately fitted inserts ensure that any unnecessary openings for the exiting cable connectors are contact-proof and sealed, thus preventing contamination of the electrical connectors located inside the cover.

[0003] DE 103 32 704 A1 discloses a weather protection device for electrical components, which can be connected to electrical installations via cables laid in the floor, including a column constructed of at least one base module in the longitudinal direction, the column being freely accessible on the upper, lower and at least one longitudinal side, and capable of mounting at least one weather cover and / or mounting tray and / or base plate and / or top cover and / or mounting plate for arranging components in the column and / or cover for the open longitudinal side.

[0004] By providing a perforated grid to the column, the weather protection device can be further made more flexible, allowing each component to be fixed to the column at a height optimally suited to the application. These holes are preferably threaded; however, nuts can also be pressed into the holes. In both cases, the corresponding threaded connection between the component and the column can be easily manufactured, although this still results in some time consumption during installation. Summary of the Invention

[0005] Based on the prior art, the object of the present invention is to further improve known solutions while retaining their advantages. The device having the features of claim 1 achieves this object overall.

[0006] By using the characteristic portion of claim 1, "the cover and the base are two separable components, which are assembled together as a whole to form a cover, and the two components occupy different positions relative to each other by means of a height adjustment device with a locking mechanism, so that electrical components of different designs in a predetermined assembly frame can be covered by only one cover," the device or cover can be matched to predetermined installation conditions in a simple and cost-effective manner, without having to fix threaded connections for length matching of the cover components in a time-consuming manner.

[0007] When ordering transformers, buyers of such equipment typically do not know the height of the transformer candle or insulating candle to be used. Therefore, a height-adjustable, i.e., length-matching cover is a significant advantage. This cover, by means of a locking device, can be quickly and locally matched to the structural height of the transformer candle or insulating candle without the need for additional components such as screws. Using multiple individual covers with different cover lengths for each type of transformer candle or insulating candle has at least the disadvantage that these covers must be stored in warehouses for a correspondingly long period, which in turn increases supply costs. As shown in the prior art, if so-called soft PVC covers that can be deformed in a sealable manner are used, these covers have at least the disadvantage that they increasingly vent during their service life and form a greasy film on the transformer cover. For assemblers who regularly perform maintenance on such transformers, it is often unclear whether only the transformer cover is "sweating" or if there is a leak between the transformer cover and the through-guide, which usually results in a significant amount of maintenance work. Furthermore, due to the limited space, there is not always enough space between cable run-through guides for flexible PVC covers. These flexible PVC covers are often widened in the case of smaller transformer run-through guides, and thus, in the worst case, this can impair the function of adjacent covers, namely, the ability to provide reliable weather protection and contact protection in a durable manner.

[0008] Because of the height adjustability of the latching mechanism in the cover according to the invention, the user of the cover can reliably place the cover onto the transformer cover according to the set latching grid size, regardless of the length of the transformer through guide, so as to reliably cover all possible sizes of transformer candles and / or insulating candles. Here, the geometry of the cover includes a height adjustment device with a latching mechanism, designed such that, within a predetermined frame, not only the smallest but also the largest candle size, including candle sizes in between, can be covered.

[0009] In a preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention, the locking device has at least one locking element, preferably arranged on the cover, and capable of locking with a series of locking ribs arranged front to back, preferably arranged on the base. Preferably, the locking ribs on the base are part of a tab formed by a wall portion of the base, extending beyond its edge by a predetermined length toward the cover to which it can be placed, in particular partially cut therefrom. Due to the tongue-like feature of the tab with locking ribs, a secure locking with the corresponding locking element of the cover can be achieved, and the distance between the individual locking ribs can be predetermined such that the desired height adjustment can be performed in fine steps. Only a small operating force is required not only for fixing the locking connection but also for loosening it. Furthermore, accidental height adjustments can be easily corrected by hand.

[0010] In a particularly space-saving manner, the height adjustment device is arranged in the rear region of the cover, which, in contrast to the front region, has an entry area that remains free on both the end and head sides within the cover, the entry area being at least partially closed by a door or a cover. Alternatively, the height adjustment device may also be arranged in the lateral region of the cover. In this way, the device, or cover, is divided into different functional areas, one for height adjustment and the other for mounting a wire guide in the case of using at least one electrical conductor or cable. This separation in the front and rear regions at least prevents these functions from interfering with each other.

[0011] In a preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention, when the door is closed, the cover is released from the cover onto the end side or head side, depending on the assembly direction, to the access area of ​​the electrical component, particularly an electrical element in the form of a terminal block, for connecting the corresponding electrical conductor to the electrical component from the front or above. Reliable contact protection and weather protection, corresponding to protection levels IP2X or IPX4, are achieved not only through the door but also through the cover, within a framework that establishes contact continuity between the corresponding transformer candle or insulating candle and the electrical conductor.

[0012] In another particularly preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention, the cover is configured at right angles, having closed and open wall sides, such that, depending on the position of the cover on the cover, the open wall side points forward or upward and the closed wall side points upward or forward. The cover guide, along with the placement possibilities on the upper cover, allows for the supply of corresponding electrical conductors to the cover from the free end side or from the head side within the assembled frame. Furthermore, it is possible to leave an area on the upper side of the cover to accommodate a so-called ball anchor point, so that grounding and short-circuiting devices can be installed if needed. To ensure protection for the assembler, the ball anchor point must not be freely accessible. However, the cover for the ball anchor point must be able to be opened with a grounding rod approximately 2 meters long.

[0013] Further preferably, in the sense of the modularity sought, the door and the cover form a releasable clamping connection with the wall portion of the cover, preferably U-shaped, which allows for the replacement of the individual components of the cover with other components if needed or in case of damage.

[0014] Furthermore, within the framework of simplified assembly, the cover is specified to have a clip-like, tongue-shaped contact surface inside for securing an electrical component, particularly an electrical component in the form of a block-shaped terminal block, which is connected from below to a transformer candle or insulating candle and from the other side or from above to a corresponding connecting cable that is an electrical conductor. Moreover, the tongue-shaped contact surface enhances modularity; that is, many different terminal blocks can be secured using only one type of cover.

[0015] In another preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention, the base is positioned on the bottom side by means of a plurality of individual legs on a third component, such as a transformer, with at least partial clearance between the legs for passages of fluid, such as transformer fluid. Furthermore, the legs are used to allow ventilation at the rear of the cover. This reliably ensures that, in the event of damage, oil leakage should occur in the area of ​​the transformer cover, because the leaked transformer fluid is subsequently clearly visible outside the cover, and assuming the cover is made of a hard plastic material, the identified greasy film coating is no longer attributed to a cover made of soft PVC. Accordingly, all components of the cover are preferably made of a solid, interlocking or otherwise locking plastic material, such as rigid plastic or PP. In addition to injection molding or other common plastic manufacturing methods, the cover can also be obtained by 3D printing. Attached Figure Description

[0016] The device according to the invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings. Here, schematic diagrams not to scale are used: Figure 1 The cover is shown as an exploded view, consisting of a base, a cover, a door, and a lid. Figures 2 to 4 Showing according to Figure 1 Different views and sectional views of the cover in the assembled state; and Figures 5 to 7 Again, partially illustrated in exploded diagrams based on Figure 1 The rear area of ​​the cover, but without a door or cover. Detailed Implementation

[0017] exist Figure 1 The device shown in the exploded view has a head-side cover 10 for housing an electrical component 12. Figure 2 For example, terminal 12 is used to install at least one electrical conductor 13. Figure 4 Furthermore, the device has a base 14 on the support side, the base having an opening 16 on the bottom side for accommodating another electrical component 17, such as a transformer candle or an insulating candle 17. Figure 4 It can be directly and electrically connected to the electrical component in the form of a terminal block 12 or a connector 19. Such a connection solution is exemplarily shown in the German utility model G 83 13 944.3 of the patent holder, and therefore will not be discussed in detail here.

[0018] For example, further from Figure 1 As can be seen, the cover 10 and the base 14 are two separable components that are assembled together as a whole to produce a cover 18, as it is further... Figures 2 to 4 As shown in the diagram. The cover 10 and base 14 can occupy different positions relative to each other by means of a height adjustment device 20 having a matching locking device 22, so that electrical components of different designs of the type described can be covered by only one cover 18 within a predetermined length or assembly frame. Although for the sake of simplicity, in the diagram... Figure 1 Terminal 12 is not shown, but it is at least in accordance with... Figure 3 The illustration has four circular openings 24 on its front free end side for accommodating conductor circuits of multiple individual cables (not shown) that are not shown in detail.

[0019] In addition, terminal 12 is in accordance with Figure 4 The side view, viewed from at least one side, such as the lower side, has connection possibility 26 for connecting the upper free end side of the transformer candle or insulating candle 17, which is already explained as prior art and therefore will not be discussed in detail here.

[0020] So detailed from Figure 5The resulting locking device 22 has a locking element 28 formed by a U-shaped cut in the rear wall 30 of the cover 10. Due to the cut, the locking element 28 extends along the inner wall 34 of the cover 10 with a predetermined protrusion 32, which is arranged adjacent to and opposite the rear wall 30. The locking element 28 is arranged in the lower third of the cover 10 and engages with a series of locking ribs 36 arranged front to back, which are arranged as another part of the locking device 22 on the base 14.

[0021] The locking rib 36, extending transversely to the longitudinal direction of the cover 18, is oriented parallel to the protrusion 32 or projection of the locking member 28 and is part of the tongue-shaped tab 38, which is rectangularly formed by the wall portion 40 of the base 10, wherein the wall portion 40, in the assembled state of the cover 18, is adjacent to and opposite the inner wall 34 of the cover 10. The tongue-shaped tab 38 may be partially cut out or pressed out from the base 14 and extend beyond its free edge 42 toward the placeable cover 10 to a predetermined length. In this respect, the locking rib 36 and the locking member 28 are components of a resiliently flexible tongue, wherein the grade or fineness of the locking rib 36 is selected such that the length or height adjustment from the cover 10 to the base 14 within a predetermined frame can be achieved without coercion. As described above, the height adjustment device 20 is arranged in the rear region of the cover 18, which has an entry area 44 in the front region of the cover 10 that remains free at the end, and this entry area can be at least partially covered or closed by the door 46 and the cover 48. The maximum possible height or length can be achieved when the locking member 28 engages with the uppermost transverse rib or locking rib 36, and the lowest position, or minimum height or length, is obtained when the locking member 28 engages with the rib assembly arranged according to the views in the figures at the lowermost transverse rib or locking rib 36.

[0022] As can be seen from the various figures, the plate-shaped door 46 can lock with the receiving portion 50 on the front free end side of the cover 10, thus closing the access area 44 on the rear end side. The cover 48 shown in the figures is closed on the head side and has a window opening 52 on the front side, which is defined downward by the door 46 and upward by the arcuate edge frame 54 of the cover 48. However, in any case, the remaining end-side access area 44 is selected in such a way that individual cables or conductors (not shown) can be inserted from the front, i.e. from the free end side of the cover 18, into the annular receiving opening 24 of the terminal block 12 for contact and conduction.

[0023] The cover 48 is configured with right angles and correspondingly closed wall sides 56 and open wall sides 58, such that, depending on the position of the cover 48 on the cover 10, the open wall side 58, as shown, points forward, while the closed wall side 56 points upward. However, the cover 48 can also be placed on the cover 10 via multiple individual clamping connections 60, such that the window opening 52, i.e., the open wall side 58, points upward, while the closed wall side 56 points forward, allowing the terminal block 12 to also make contact with the conductor from above in the usual manner (not shown). Thus, with the included lockable height adjustment device 20, multiple possible mounting positions on the transformer (not shown) are achieved using the various components 10, 14, 46, and 48, which are not shown in the prior art. The removable, clampable cover 48 can be positioned in the direction of… Figure 1 Viewed upwards, it also has a recess (not shown) on its upper side, through which a so-called grounding point (usually spherical in shape) passes, for connecting equipment components for grounding as needed. Such a grounding or connection point is preferably sealed with another cover (not shown). Furthermore, with the cover 10 in place, the cover 48 partially overlaps the longitudinal side of the door 46 with its edge frame 54. Figure 2 ).

[0024] Such external influence Figure 1 As derived, the cover 10 has tongue-shaped extended contact surfaces 62 inside, all of which extend horizontally to form a common contact portion for the electrical component 12, specifically in the form of a block-shaped terminal block 12. Thus, the cover 10 can be easily pushed onto the electrical component 12 from above and positioned for conductor connection. Furthermore, the base 14 has a plurality of individual legs 64 on its bottom side, which surround the respective longitudinal sides of the base 14 and leave channels 66 between them for the possibility of fluid, such as transformer fluid, passing through. This allows for the identification of potential leaks in the area between the transformer 67 and the guide section.

[0025] All components of the cover 18 are made of solid, interlocking or otherwise locking plastic material, such as PP. Both the cover 10 and the base 14, when viewed in cross-section, define rectangular engagement spaces in the form of cavities, and along guides 68 designed at least partially as longitudinal ribs, the base 14 is positioned from below in a smaller profile into the larger profile of the cover 10, until the height or length adjustment device 20 reaches the locking engagement, which is directly related to the installation length of the transformer candle or insulating candle 17 to be accommodated and covered, thus completing the cover 18.

[0026] If additional sealing relative to the surrounding environment is required, foam and silicone resin can be used. This makes it appear possible to perform transformer maintenance work without additional protective equipment. The overlap between the cover 10, base 14, door 46, and cover 48 at least contributes to broad protection against moisture inside the cover 18.

[0027] The aforementioned implementation standard only specifies the maximum height of the transformer candle or insulating candle 17, which allows manufacturers of these products to produce them in principle at a lower and therefore more cost-effective level. Consequently, customers, such as municipal utility service agencies, transformer manufacturers, station builders, etc., often do not know the precise height of the transformer candle or insulating candle 17 when ordering transformers, which is disadvantageous because a large number of different covers must be stocked to meet their respective delivery requirements in a short time. This drawback is effectively overcome by using the proposed height-adjustable cover 18, and in a wide range of assembly frameworks, the problem of large-scale equipment on transformers can be essentially solved with only one type of cover 18.

Claims

1. A device comprising at least a head-side cover (10) and a foot-side base (14), the cover for accommodating an electrical component (12), such as a terminal block (12), for mounting at least one electrical conductor (13), the base having a bottom-side opening (16) for accommodating another electrical component (17), such as an insulating candle (17), the other electrical component being electrically connected to the first electrical component (12), characterized in that, The cover (10) and the base (14) are two separable components that are assembled together as a whole to produce a cover (18). The two components occupy different positions relative to each other by means of a height adjustment device (20) with a locking device (22), so that electrical components of different designs in a predetermined assembly frame can be covered by only one cover (18).

2. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The locking device (22) has at least one locking element (28), which is preferably arranged on the cover (10) and can lock with a series of locking ribs (36) arranged front to back of each other, which are preferably arranged on the base (14).

3. The device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The locking rib (36) on the base (14) is part of at least one tab (38), which is formed from the wall portion (40) of the base (10), and in particular, is partially cut out from there and extends toward the housing (10) to a predetermined length beyond its edge (42).

4. The device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The height adjustment device (20) is arranged in the rear region of the cover (18), which has an access area (44) in the front region that remains free in the cover (10) on the end side and head side, the access area being at least partially closed by a door (46) or by a cover (48).

5. The device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, When the door (46) is closed, the cover (48) is released on the cover (18) at the end or head side according to the assembly direction to the access area (44) of the electrical component (12), in particular the form of a terminal block (12), which is used to lead out the corresponding electrical conductor from the front or from the top of the electrical component (42).

6. The device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The cover (48) is configured at right angles, forming a closed (56) and an open wall side (58) such that, depending on the position of the cover (48) on the cover (10), the open wall side (58) points forward or upward and the closed wall side (56) points upward or forward.

7. The device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The door (46) and the cover (48) form a clamping connection (60) with the wall portion of the preferably U-shaped cover (10) that can be re-released.

8. The device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The cover (10) has a clip-shaped abutment (62) inside for fixing to the electrical component (12), in particular the electrical component in the form of a block-shaped terminal block (12).

9. The device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The base (14) can be erected on the bottom side on a third component (67), such as a transformer (67), by means of a plurality of individual legs (64), and at least partially left between the legs (64) for a channel (66) for fluid, such as transformer fluid.

10. The device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, All components of the cover (18) are made of solid plastic material that can clamp together or otherwise lock.

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