Distribution block with touch protection arrangement

Abstract

Distribution block (1) for connecting several electrical connection cables starting from an electrical input connection cable with an electrically insulating housing (2) and an electrically conductive terminal block (6) arranged in the housing (2), wherein at least one input opening (20) for the input connection cable is arranged in the housing (2), wherein the distribution block (1) has an electrically insulating, movable touch protection arrangement (5) which can at least partially cover the inlet opening (20), characterized in that the touch protection arrangement (5) can be fixed in a plurality of positions relative to the housing (2) by a locking arrangement (8), that the locking arrangement (8) has at least one elongated hole (54) with inwardly pointing lugs (55), wherein the at least one elongated hole interacts with at least one locking lug (43) and that the touch protection arrangement (5) has two lateral elongated holes (54) with inwardly pointing lugs (55) and the housing (2) has an associated locking lug (43) for each elongated hole (54).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a distribution block according to the features of the preamble of claim 1.

[0002] Distribution blocks for connecting multiple electrical connection cables from a single electrical input connection cable are known. Distribution blocks typically comprise an electrically insulating housing and an electrically conductive terminal block arranged within the housing. For this purpose, at least one inlet opening for the input connection cable is arranged within the housing.

[0003] Typically, the input opening has a diameter selected to accommodate cables of various diameters. This means the distribution block is not restricted to a specific input cable diameter, offering considerable flexibility in cable selection.

[0004] DE 100 18 353 C1, DE 10 2010 040 322 A1, DE 10 2008 064 124 A1 and DE 20 2011 000 244 U1 are cited as state of the art.

[0005] A disadvantage of the known distribution blocks is that, if the input connection cable has a significantly smaller diameter than the input opening, an opening remains at the input opening through which the live terminal block inside the distribution block is accessible. Objects, especially fingers, can penetrate this opening, which is extremely dangerous for the user.

[0006] The object of the invention is therefore to provide a safe distribution block.

[0007] This object is achieved by a distribution block having the features of claim 1.

[0008] Further developments of the invention are the subject of the subclaims.

[0009] The distribution block according to the invention for connecting multiple electrical connecting cables starting from an electrical input connecting cable comprises an electrically insulating housing and an electrically conductive terminal block arranged in the housing. For this purpose, at least one input opening for the input connecting cable is arranged in the housing. Furthermore, the distribution block comprises an electrically insulating, movable contact protection arrangement that can at least partially cover the input opening. This makes the distribution block safe. In particular, the diameter of the input opening can be reduced or adapted to the diameter of the connecting cable, so that no objects, in particular no fingers, can penetrate through the input opening.

[0010] Preferably, the contact protection assembly is adjustable or movable along an axis. Alternatively, the contact protection assembly can be pivoted or rotated. This allows the diameter of the inlet opening to be adjusted by simply moving the contact protection assembly.

[0011] It is particularly advantageous if the contact protection assembly has an outward-facing molding suitable for manual movement of the contact protection assembly. This allows the user to easily operate the contact protection assembly from the outside by hand, thus reducing the diameter of the remaining opening.

[0012] The contact protection device can be fixed in a variety of positions relative to the housing by means of a locking arrangement. This makes the contact protection device particularly secure. In particular, the contact protection device can be locked in the desired position, so that movement only occurs when the device is activated and not automatically, for example, due to vibrations.

[0013] According to the invention, the locking arrangement has at least one elongated hole with inward-facing lugs, wherein each of the at least one elongated hole interacts with at least one locking lug. This allows the contact protection arrangement to be set to several positions along the longitudinal extent of the elongated hole, allowing easy adaptation to different cable diameters.

[0014] According to the invention, the contact protection arrangement has two lateral slots with inward-facing lugs, and the housing has an associated locking lug for each slot. The two locking arrangements, preferably arranged in parallel, allow for particularly secure and stable selection of the positions, ensuring reliable guidance of the contact protection arrangement.

[0015] The touch guard assembly and the housing can be adapted to each other in such a way that, when the touch guard assembly is fully open, a remaining opening at the inlet opening is circular. In the open position of the touch guard assembly, a maximum diameter is thus available for an inlet connection cable.

[0016] Preferably, the contact protection arrangement has an arcuate recess, which allows the cross-section of the remaining opening at the input opening to be adapted to different diameters of the input cable. In particular, the remaining opening at the input opening can be kept as small as possible to ensure optimal protection.

[0017] It is particularly advantageous if the housing's inlet opening is substantially circular, with the inlet opening having an additional recess in which the molded-on contact protection arrangement is arranged in the open position. This creates a very space-saving position for the contact protection arrangement in the fully open position, especially when the inlet cable has a large diameter.

[0018] The contact protection assembly can have stiffening ribs that can be used to maintain a certain distance from the housing. This creates a stable assembly and allows the contact protection assembly to be securely guided between the housing and the cover.

[0019] In a particularly advantageous embodiment, the housing comprises a housing body and a cover, wherein the cover at least partially covers at least a first wall of the housing body. The cover can ensure easy access to the terminal block. Furthermore, the cover can overlap the housing body, particularly if the cover is L-shaped, and the contact protection arrangement can be arranged and mounted, for example, between the cover and the housing body.

[0020] Preferably, the housing body has a first opening on the first wall and the cover has a second opening, wherein the opening of the cover overlaps with the opening of the housing body such that both openings form the entry opening for the input connection cable. The cover thus forms a double barrier in the feed area.

[0021] It's particularly advantageous if the housing body and the cover can be connected with a dovetail guide. This provides a simple and stable connection.

[0022] The contact protection arrangement can then, as already indicated, be arranged between the housing body and the cover. This creates a space-saving and stable arrangement for the contact protection arrangement.

[0023] Preferably, the locking lugs are arranged on the cover, and the stiffening ribs of the contact protection arrangement are arranged against the first wall of the housing body. The contact protection arrangement can thus first be arranged on the cover by means of the locking lugs, and then the cover can be arranged on the housing body by means of the dovetail guide.

[0024] The distribution block according to the present application is explained in more detail below using an exemplary embodiment with reference to the attached figures. They show: Fig. 1 an embodiment of a distribution block in perspective view from the front, Fig. 2 the distribution block Fig. 1 in perspective view from behind without lid, Fig. 3a the contact protection arrangement of the distribution block from Fig. 1 in perspective view from behind, Fig. 3b the contact protection arrangement of the distribution block Fig. 1 in perspective view from the front, Fig. 3c a front view of the contact protection arrangement of the distribution block from Fig. 1, Fig. 4 a cross-section from above through the distribution block Fig. 1, Fig. 5 a rear view of the cover and the contact arrangement of the distribution block from Fig. 1, Fig. 6a a front view of the distribution block from Fig. 1 in a first, fully open position of the contact protection arrangement, and Fig. 6b a front view of the distribution block from Fig. 1 in a second position of the contact protection arrangement.

[0025] In the following figures, unless otherwise stated, the same reference symbols designate the same parts with the same meaning.

[0026] The Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 show a perspective view of an embodiment of a distribution block 1 from the front ( Fig. 1) and from behind without lid ( Fig. 2).

[0027] The distribution block 1 has a housing 2, which has a housing body 3 and a cover 4, a terminal block 6 arranged in the housing 2, and a contact protection arrangement 5.

[0028] The housing 2 is essentially cuboid and has an inlet opening 20 on its front side for inserting an input connection cable (not shown in detail). The housing 2 can be attached to another fixed part by means of fixing means, in particular screws. The fixing means can be inserted into holes 36 provided in tabs arranged on an underside of the housing. Additionally or alternatively, fastening means are also provided for arranging the distribution block 1 on a top-hat rail.

[0029] The housing body 3 is essentially formed as a cuboid, with the housing body having a circular opening 30 on a first wall 32 and an opening 35 on an upper wall adjacent to the first wall 32, through which the terminal block 6 can be inserted. On a second wall 33 opposite the first wall 32, the housing body 3 has a plurality of output openings 31, in this case eleven, for the output connection cables.

[0030] The cover 4 is substantially L-shaped and has a first wall 44 and a second wall 45. When the housing 2 is closed, the first wall 44 of the cover 4 covers the first wall 32 of the housing body 3 and has an opening 41 which, together with the opening 30 of the housing body 3, forms the inlet opening 20 of the housing 2. The second wall 45 of the cover 4 closes the opening 35 of the upper wall of the housing body 3 and has a plurality of openings 42, twelve in this case, through which the connecting cables can be secured by clamping means, in this case clamping screws 7.

[0031] The terminal block 6 is arranged in the housing body 3, which is covered by the cover 4. The terminal block 6 has an inlet opening (not shown in detail) for the input connection cable, which overlaps with the inlet opening 20 of the housing 2, outlet openings (not shown in detail) for the connection cables, each of which overlaps with one of the outlet openings 31 of the housing body 3, and openings (not shown in detail) for the clamping screws 7, each of which overlaps with one of the openings 42 of the cover 4.

[0032] Between the first wall 32 of the housing body 3 and the first wall 44 of the cover 4, a contact protection arrangement 5 is arranged, which is Fig. 3a-3c is explained in more detail.

[0033] Fig. 3a-3c show a perspective view from the rear, a perspective view from the front, and a front view of the contact protection arrangement 5 of the distribution block 1, respectively.

[0034] The contact protection arrangement 5 is essentially designed as a square plate with a front side 57 and a rear side 58 opposite the front side 57, wherein the contact protection arrangement 5 has an arcuate recess 52 on an edge 56 of the front side 57. The recess 52 extends over the entire length of the edge 56. Along part of the recess 52, an arcuate projection 51 is formed, which is adapted to the recess 52 and extends perpendicular to the front side 57 of the contact protection arrangement 5. The contact protection arrangement 5 further has two elongated holes 54 with inward-facing lugs 55, which run perpendicular to the edge 56 and are arranged laterally of the recess 52. On the rear side 58, four stiffening ribs 53 are arranged between the elongated holes 55 and run parallel to the elongated holes 55.The stiffening ribs 53 have a rectangular cross-section and run over the entire length of the rear side 58. The contact protection arrangement 5 also has a plane of symmetry which lies perpendicular to the edge 56 in a plane of the plate.

[0035] Other shapes of holes and noses are also conceivable.

[0036] The arrangement of the contact protection arrangement 5 in the housing 2 is determined by the Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 explained. Fig. 4 shows a cross section from above through the distribution block 1 and Fig. 5 shows a rear view of the cover and the contact protection arrangement 5 of the distribution block 1.

[0037] The contact protection arrangement 5 is arranged between the housing body 3 and the cover 4, with the stiffening ribs 53 of the contact protection arrangement 5 pointing in the direction of the first wall 32 of the housing body 3 and the formed portion 51 of the contact protection arrangement pointing in the opposite direction of the first wall 32. The cover 4 has a trapezoidal groove 46 on an inward-facing side of the first wall 44, which can be inserted into a trapezoidal formed portion 37, likewise adapted thereto, of the first wall 32 of the housing body 3. This forms a dovetail guide 9 between the housing body 3 and the cover 4.

[0038] The housing body 3 has stiffening ribs 34 on its first wall 32, which interact with the stiffening ribs 53 of the contact protection arrangement 5 and ensure a centered alignment of the contact protection arrangement 5. In order to enable a movable arrangement of the contact protection arrangement 5, the cover 4 has two locking lugs 43 on its inward-facing side of the first wall 44. These locking lugs are designed as inward-facing projections, engage in the elongated holes 54 and interact with the lugs 55 of one of the two elongated holes 54 of the contact protection arrangement 5 such that the contact protection arrangement 5 is held in different open positions. In particular, the locking lugs 43 are arranged symmetrically with respect to the plane of symmetry of the contact protection arrangement 5 and to the side of the opening 41. A locking arrangement 8 is thus formed between the cover 4 and the contact protection arrangement 5.By means of this locking arrangement 8, the contact protection arrangement 5 can be moved step by step between different locking positions.

[0039] This movement is determined by the Fig. 6a and Fig. 6b. It is also conceivable that the locking lugs 43 are arranged on the housing body 3 or on the terminal block 6.

[0040] Fig. 6a and Fig. 6b show a front view of the distribution block 1, respectively in a first, fully open position and in a second, partially open position of the contact protection arrangement 5. It can be seen particularly clearly in the figures that the opening 41 of the cover 4 is essentially circular, wherein the opening 41 has an additional arcuate recess 21 pointing in the direction of the second wall 45 of the cover. In the fully open position of the contact protection arrangement 5, the formed portion 51 is thus positively received in the recess 21. When the contact protection arrangement 5 is opened, the formed portion 51 also abuts a boundary of the recess 21, so that the fully open position of the contact protection arrangement 5 is predetermined.

[0041] The recess 21 and the molded portion 51 are adapted to one another such that, in the open position of the contact protection arrangement 5, a remaining opening at the input opening 20 is circular with a diameter D. This allows an input connection cable (not shown in detail) with a maximum diameter D to be inserted into the input opening 20.

[0042] The locking arrangement 8 secures a manually adjusted position of the contact protection arrangement 5 against automatic closing. If the diameter of the input connection cable is smaller than the maximum diameter D, the user or the electrician can manually move the contact protection arrangement 5 through the molding 51 and thereby adjust the remaining opening of the input opening 20 to the smaller diameter. In this case, this movement is carried out by the locking arrangement 8 along an axis A, which runs parallel to the elongated holes 54 of the contact protection arrangement 5. The locking arrangement 8 allows the contact protection arrangement 5 to be held in various positions, for example in the Fig.6b. By sliding the contact protection arrangement 5 downward along the axis A, the maximum diameter D of the input opening 20 is reduced and can thus be adapted to the diameter of the input connection cable. In particular, the input connection cable can be held between an edge of the input opening 20 and the recess 52 or the formed portion 51. In the present embodiment, the contact protection arrangement 5 is linearly movable or slidable along the axis A. Other movements of the contact protection arrangement 5 are also conceivable. For example, the contact protection arrangement 5 could be pivotable or rotatable. List of reference symbols 1 distribution block 2 housings 3 housing body 4 lids 5 Contact arrangement 6 terminal block 7 clamping screw 8 locking arrangement 9 Dovetail guide 20 Entrance opening 21 Recess 30 Opening 31 Exit opening 32 First Wall 33 Second Wall 34 Stiffening rib 35 Opening 36 holes 37 Forming 41 Opening 42 Opening 43 locking lug 44 First Wall 45 Second Wall 46 grooves 51 Molding 52 recess 53 Stiffening rib 54 slot 55 Nose 56 edge 57 Front 58 back A axis D Diameter

Claims

[1] Distribution block (1) for connecting a plurality of electrical connection cables starting from an electrical input connection cable, comprising an electrically insulating housing (2) and an electrically conductive terminal block (6) arranged in the housing (2), wherein at least one input opening (20) for the input connection cable is arranged in the housing (2), wherein the distribution block (1) has an electrically insulating, movable contact protection arrangement (5) which can at least partially cover the inlet opening (20) characterized by that the contact protection arrangement (5) can be fixed in a plurality of positions relative to the housing (2) by a locking arrangement (8), that the locking arrangement (8) has at least one elongated hole (54) with inwardly pointing lugs (55), wherein the at least one elongated hole cooperates with at least one locking lug (43) and that the contact protection arrangement (5) has two lateral elongated holes (54) with inwardly pointing lugs (55) and the housing (2) has an associated locking lug (43) for each elongated hole (54). [2] Distribution block (1) according to claim 1, characterized by that the contact protection arrangement (5) is adjustable or slidable along an axis (A). [3] Distribution block (1) according to claim 1, characterized by that the contact protection arrangement (5) is pivotable or rotatable. [4] Distribution block (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the contact protection arrangement (5) has an outwardly facing molding (51) which is suitable for manual movement of the contact protection arrangement (5). [5] Distribution block (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the contact protection arrangement (5) and the housing (2) are adapted to one another in such a way that in a fully open position of the contact protection arrangement (5) a remaining opening at the inlet opening (20) is circular. [6] Distribution block (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the contact protection arrangement (5) has an arcuate recess (52). [7] Distribution block (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the inlet opening (20) of the housing (2) is substantially circular, wherein the inlet opening (20) has an additional recess (21) in which the molded-on portion (51) of the contact protection arrangement (5) can be arranged in the open position. [8] Distribution block (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the contact protection arrangement (5) has stiffening ribs (53). [9] Distribution block (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the housing (2) has a housing body (3) and a cover (4), wherein the cover (4) at least partially covers at least a first wall (32) of the housing body (3). [10] Distribution block (1) according to claim 9, characterized by that the housing body (2) has a first opening (30) on the first wall (32) and the cover (4) has a second opening (41), wherein the opening (41) of the cover (4) overlaps with the opening (30) of the housing body (3) such that both openings (31, 41) form the inlet opening (20) of the housing (2) for the input connection cable. [11] Distribution block (1) according to claim 9 or 10, characterized by that the housing body (3) and the cover (4) can be connected with a dovetail guide (9). [12] Distribution block (1) according to one of claims 9 to 11, characterized bythat the contact protection arrangement (5) is arranged between the housing body (3) and the cover (4). [13] Distribution block (1) according to one of claims 9 to 12, characterized by that the locking lugs (43) on the cover (4) and the stiffening ribs (53) of the contact protection arrangement (5) are arranged against the first wall (32) of the housing body (3).

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