Distribution block with phase indicator

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 (4) which is arranged in the housing (2), wherein the distribution block (1) has at least one display arrangement (5) which indicates a type of input connection cable characterized by the fact that the display arrangement (5) has at least one first display (6) which can display one phase of the input connection cable for a three-phase current and that the first indicator (6) has a pin (64) with an access opening (65) for rotating the pin (64), wherein the housing (2) has an opening (23) through which the access opening (65) can be actuated.

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 originating from an electrical input connection cable are known, comprising an electrically insulating housing and an electrically conductive terminal block arranged in the housing. The input connection cable can be either a phase conductor (L1, L2, L3), a protective conductor (PE), or a neutral conductor (N) for a three-phase current, or a direct current (DC) conductor for a single-phase current. In the prior art, the type of input connection cable is identified either by printing or by labels on the housing.

[0003] DE 10 2011 007 954 A1, DE 10 2013 112 084 A1 and the company publication "WAGO Kontakttechnik GmbH & Co.KG: Catalog of Terminal Block Systems Main Catalog 2009 / 2010. Minden, 2010: Pages 394 and 395" are cited as state of the art.

[0004] The disadvantage of the known distribution blocks is that a suitably labelled housing must be used for each type of input connection cable and that relabelling the housing is complex.

[0005] The object of the invention is therefore to provide a distribution block which does not have these disadvantages.

[0006] This object is achieved by a distribution block having the features of claim 1.

[0007] Further developments of the invention are the subject of the subclaims.

[0008] The distribution block according to the invention for connecting multiple electrical connection cables from an electrical input connection cable has an electrically insulating housing and an electrically conductive terminal block arranged in the housing. Furthermore, the distribution block has at least one display arrangement that indicates the type of input connection cable. The type of input connection cable is understood to be the phase conductor (L1, L2, L3), protective conductor (PE), or neutral conductor (N) in the case of a three-phase current, and the direct current conductor (DC) in the case of a single-phase current. Depending on the phase, the phase conductors comprise three types of input connection cables: L1, L2, and L3. With the display arrangement according to the invention, the user or the electrician can decide for which assignment the distribution block is used. If the user wishes to use the distribution block for a different assignment, they simply need to adjust the display arrangement.

[0009] Preferably, the indicator arrangement indicates the type of input connection cable in a way that is visible to the human eye. This can be achieved, for example, by using colors or symbols arranged on the housing. This allows the user to easily identify the type of input connection cable, providing increased safety.

[0010] According to the invention, the indicator assembly comprises at least a first indicator capable of indicating a phase of the input connection cable for a three-phase current, allowing the user to identify phase L1, L2, or L3 of a phase cable with a single indicator assembly. This allows the user to change the phase identification directly on the housing without using or replacing additional components.

[0011] The first indicator can be labeled in a display field for each of the possible phases L1, L2, and L3 of the connecting cable. This provides a very simple identification option.

[0012] According to a particularly advantageous embodiment, the housing, in particular a cover of the housing, has a viewing window, in particular an opening, through which the number of the set phase is visible. By adjusting the display, the respective phase can be displayed in the viewing window, thus enabling clear identification of the distribution block in a simple manner.

[0013] Preferably, the first indicator is adjustable and interacts with the housing's viewing window in such a way that the labeling of the phase of the input connection cable is visible through the viewing window. By adjusting the first indicator, the user can mark and re-mark the phase of the input connection cable on the housing itself. The distribution block is therefore flexible in its use, as the phase conductor for which it is used only needs to be determined at the installation site. This reduces the number of components required by the user, and manufacturers only need to produce one product for all phase conductors.

[0014] The first indicator can be designed to be sliding, rotating, or pivoting. This allows for a very simple mechanism for adjusting the indicator element, requiring only a simple movement to relabel the cable.

[0015] It is particularly advantageous if the first display can be held relative to the housing by a locking arrangement in a plurality of positions corresponding to the number of phases to be set, in particular three. This reduces the risk of unwanted movement of the display and prevents the display from changing its position automatically, for example due to vibrations. The arrangement thus provides increased safety for the user.

[0016] Because the locking arrangement has at least one recess per position, which interacts with at least one locking lug, the locking arrangement can be manufactured mechanically simply and thus cost-effectively.

[0017] In particular, the first display can have three recesses and the housing, in particular the cover, can have a locking lug, so that three defined positions can be reached by moving the first display.

[0018] According to the invention, the first display comprises a pin with an engagement opening for rotating the pin, and the housing has an opening through which the engagement opening can be actuated. This allows the user to easily rotate the first display from the outside, for example, using an Allen key, and thus change the display.

[0019] Preferably, the first display comprises an element configured as a circular sector, which is connected to the pin and displays the labels for the possible phases. The circular sector is rotated with the pin, allowing the label visible through the viewing window to be changed.

[0020] According to a particularly advantageous embodiment, the display arrangement comprises at least one colored display that indicates the type of connecting cable using colors. It can be arranged on the housing so that the user can easily identify and identify the type of cable. To ensure particularly easy identification by the electrician, the color of the colored display can correspond to the standardized color coding of conductors: green-yellow for the protective conductor and blue for the neutral conductor.

[0021] Preferably, the colored display is removable so that the user can quickly and easily replace the colored display depending on the layout of the distribution block.

[0022] The color display and the housing can be connected by a plug-in connection or, if necessary, a snap-in connection. This creates a simple and stable connection between the color display and the housing, allowing the user to remove or replace the color display without the need for additional tools.

[0023] It is particularly advantageous if the colored indicator, when plugged in, covers at least the display field of the first indicator. This creates a very space-saving and secure display arrangement. If the colored indicator is not located on the housing, the phase of a phase conductor can be identified using the first indicator. An electrician would use this option if the input connection cable is a phase conductor. If a conductor other than a phase conductor is used as the input connection cable, the user can plug a corresponding colored indicator onto the first indicator, ensuring that the user always knows exactly and reliably the type of input connection cable. This allows all types of input connection cables to be identified.

[0024] Preferably, the colored display has a first molded portion that can be inserted into the opening in the housing for the pin of the first display. This creates a simple plug-in connection between the housing and the colored display, eliminating the need for additional openings in the housing. Furthermore, the molded portion can prevent rotation of the pin.

[0025] It is also particularly advantageous if the color display has a second molded portion that can be inserted into the opening in the housing through which the lettering of the first display is visible. The two molded portions of the color display create a rotationally fixed connection between the color display and the housing.

[0026] The color indicator can be a substantially curved sign. This shape is very simple to manufacture and easy for the user to handle when inserting and removing the indicator.

[0027] Because the color display can be located on the lid, especially on one of its edges, it's easy to align. Manual removal of the color display from the edge is very easy and can be assisted, for example, by a handle opening. This allows for tool-free replacement.

[0028] According to a particularly advantageous embodiment, an area of ​​the colored display is at least 20%, preferably 30%, more preferably more than 50% of an area of ​​the lid, so that the colored display is particularly easy to recognize.

[0029] 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. 1a a first embodiment of a distribution block in a view from above, Fig. 1b a second embodiment of a distribution block in a view from above, Fig. 2a the colored display Fig. 1b in perspective view from above, Fig. 2b the colored display Fig. 1b in perspective view from behind, Fig. 3 a perspective view of the distribution block from Fig. 1a without lid, and Fig. 4 the cover and the first indicator of the distribution block Fig. 1a in a view from below.

[0030] In the following figures, unless otherwise stated, the same reference symbols designate the same parts with the same meaning.

[0031] Fig. Fig. 1a shows a first embodiment of a distribution block 1 in a top view. The distribution block 1 comprises a housing 2 with a housing body 20 and a cover 3, a Fig. 1a, a terminal block 4 not shown in detail, arranged in the housing 2, as well as a display arrangement 5, which is designed here as a first display 6.

[0032] The housing body 20 is essentially designed as a cuboid and has on a first wall 24 a Fig. 1a has an input opening 26 (not shown in detail), through which an input connection cable can be inserted, as well as a plurality of output openings on a second wall 25 opposite the first wall 24, through which the output cables can be inserted. For this purpose, the housing body 20 has an opening 28 on an upper wall adjacent to the first wall 24 and the second wall 25, through which opening the terminal block 4 can be inserted. The housing body 20 can be fastened to a further fixed part by fixing means, in particular screws. The fixing means can be inserted into holes 27 arranged on a lower side of the housing body 20. Additionally or alternatively, fixing means are also provided for arranging the distribution block 1 on a top-hat rail.

[0033] The cover 3 is essentially L-shaped and has a first wall 33 and a second wall 34. When the housing 2 is closed, the first wall 33 of the cover 3 covers the first wall 24 of the housing body 2 and has an opening (not shown in detail), which, together with the inlet opening 26 of the housing body 2, forms an opening for the input connection cable. The second wall 34 of the cover 3 closes the opening 28 in the upper wall of the housing body 2 and has a plurality of openings 32, twelve in this case, through which the connection cables can be fixed by clamping means, in this case clamping screws 10.

[0034] The first display 6 has a pin 64 and an element 66 with a display field 62. Labels, in particular numbers for the possible phases L1, L2, and L3 of a phase conductor, are applied to the display field 62. Exactly one of these labels is visible from the outside through a viewing window 21 arranged on the second wall 34 of the cover 3. The viewing window 21 is designed as a circular opening, and the diameter of the viewing window 21 is adjusted such that only a label for one of the three possible phases from the display field 62 is visible through the viewing window 21. This allows the user to identify the type of input connection cable and to recognize if the input connection cable is a phase conductor.

[0035] Next to the viewing window 21, another opening 23 is arranged on the second wall 34 of the cover 3, through which the pin 64 of the first display 6 can be rotated at an engagement opening 65, preferably with an Allen key.

[0036] Fig. Figure 1b shows a second embodiment of a distribution block 1 in a top view. The only difference to the embodiment of Fig. 1 is that the display arrangement 5, alternatively or in addition to the first display 6 of the first embodiment, has a colored display 7.

[0037] The colored display 7 is essentially designed as an arcuate plaque with an upper side 74 and a lower side 75, as well as a linearly extending side 73 adjacent to the upper side 74 and the lower side 75. The colored display 7 is arranged on the second wall 34 of the cover 3, so that the upper side 74 is visible from the outside, specifically at an edge 31 of the second wall 34, which is aligned with the linear edge 73 of the colored display 7. However, the colored display 7 is not permanently connected to the cover 3, but is removable.

[0038] An area of ​​the colored display 7 is selected to comply with the IEC 60757 standard and is therefore easily recognizable for the user. A surface ratio of 30% between the surface of the colored display and the surface of the second wall 34 of the cover 3 is advantageous. A surface ratio of at least 20%, preferably more than 50%, is also conceivable.

[0039] In the present case, the colored display 7 covers the viewing window 21 and the opening 23 of the second wall 34 of the cover 3, and thus the first display 6 of the distribution block 1 from Fig. 1a. However, it is also conceivable that the display arrangement 5 has only the first display 6 or only the colored display 7.

[0040] Fig. 2a and Fig. 2b show the colored display from Fig. 1b in perspective view from above ( Fig. 2a) and from below ( Fig. 2b).

[0041] The upper side 74 of the colored indicator 7 has one or more colors that indicate the type of input connection cable. In particular, the colored indicator 7 can indicate either a protective conductor, for example, with the color green-yellow, or a neutral conductor, for example, with the color blue, of a three-phase alternating current, or a direct current conductor, for example, with the color red.

[0042] The lower side 73 of the color display 7 has two projections 71 and 72. The first projection 71 is cylindrical and suitable for being inserted into the opening 21 of the cover 3 for the element 66 of the first display 6. The second projection 72 has a first cylinder section on which a second cylinder with a diameter smaller than the diameter of the first cylinder is arranged. The projection 72 is suitable for being inserted into the opening 23 of the cover 3 for the pin 64 of the first display 6. In particular, the second cylinder of the projection 72 is suitable for being inserted into the engagement opening 65 of the first display 6 in order to prevent movement of the pin 64. The projections 71, 72 of the color display 7 thus form a plug-in connection, possibly a locking connection, with the openings 21, 23 of the cover 3. The locking can, for example,This can be achieved by appropriately designing the diameters of the projections and the corresponding diameters of the openings. This prevents the second display from being easily detached from the housing and ensures that the display is not accidentally removed.

[0043] Since the colored indicator 7 is removable, either the phase of a phase conductor can be identified by the first indicator 6 if the colored indicator 7 is not arranged on the cover 3, or a protective conductor, a neutral conductor, or a DC conductor can be identified by the colored indicator 7 if the colored indicator 7 is arranged on the cover 3. The electrician can therefore select the desired type of identification depending on the type of input connection cable.

[0044] Fig. 3 shows a perspective view of the distribution block 1 from Fig. 1a without lid 3. Fig. 4 shows the cover 3 and the first display 6 of the distribution block 1 from Fig. 1a in a bottom view. Both figures show the first display 6 in more detail, as well as its arrangement in the housing body 20 and in the cover 3.

[0045] In Fig. 3, the terminal block 4 is particularly clearly visible. The terminal block 4 is arranged in the housing body 20. The terminal block 4 has an inlet opening (not shown in detail) for the input connection cable, which overlaps with the inlet opening 26 of the housing body 20, outlet openings (not shown in detail) for the connection cables, each of which overlaps with one of the outlet openings of the housing body 20, and openings (not shown in detail) for the clamping screws 10, each of which overlaps with one of the openings 32 of the cover 3.

[0046] As already explained, the first display 6 has a pin 64 with an engagement opening 65, through which the first display 6 can be rotated about an axis A, as well as an element 66 with a display field 62. The element 66 is designed as a circular sector arranged in a plane perpendicular to the axis A. The circular sector is divided into three uniform partial circular sectors, to each of which a marking or inscription 61 for one of the phases L1, L2, L3 is applied, forming the display field 62. Each partial circular sector has a recess 63 on an edge line. These recesses 63 interact with a locking lug 22 arranged on an inner side of the second wall 34 of the cover 3, which in Fig.4 is particularly clearly visible. Thus, the locking lug 22 of the cover 3 forms a locking arrangement with the recesses 63 of the first display 6 with three different positions. The position of the first display 6, and thus the lettering of the display panel 62 visible through the viewing window 21 of the cover 3, can be changed by turning the pin 64, preferably with an Allen key, in the engagement opening 65.

[0047] Other movements of the first display 6 are also conceivable. The first display 6 can, for example, be pivotable or sliding.

[0048] This allows the electrician to select the phase marking of the input connection cable as needed. If the input connection cable is not a phase conductor, but a neutral conductor, a protective conductor, or a DC conductor, the electrician can cover the first indicator 6 with the appropriate colored indicator, making it easy to identify the type of input connection cable. List of reference symbols 1 distribution block 2 housings 3 lids 4 terminal block 5 Display arrangement 6 First ad 7 Color Display 10 clamping screw 20 housing bodies 21 viewing windows 22 locking lug 23 Opening 24 First Wall 25 Second Wall 26 Entrance opening 27 holes 28 Opening 31 edge 32 Opening 33 First Wall 34 Second Wall 61 Labeling 62 Display field 63 recess 64 pin 65 access opening 66 elements 71 Molding 72 Molding 73 Linear edge 74 Upper page 75 Bottom page A axis

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 (4) arranged in the housing (2), wherein the distribution block (1) has at least one display arrangement (5) which displays a type of input connection cable characterized by , that the display arrangement (5) has at least a first display (6) which can display a phase of the input connection cable for a three-phase current and that the first indicator (6) has a pin (64) with an engagement opening (65) for rotating the pin (64), wherein the housing (2) has an opening (23) through which the engagement opening (65) can be actuated. [2] Distribution block (1) according to claim 1, characterized bythat the display arrangement (5) shows the type of input connection cable visibly to the human eye. [3] Distribution block (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by that the first display (6) in a display field (62) is provided with a corresponding label (61) for each of the possible phases L1, L2, L3 of the connecting cable. [4] Distribution block (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by that the housing (2), in particular a cover (3) of the housing (2) has a viewing window (21), in particular an opening, through which the inscription (61) of the set phase is visible. [5] Distribution block (1) according to claim 4, characterized by that the first display (6) is adjustable and interacts with the viewing window (21) of the housing (2) in such a way that the inscription (61) of the phase of the input connection cable is visible through the viewing window (21). [6] Distribution block (1) according to claim 5, characterized bythat the first display (6) is designed to be sliding, rotating or pivoting. [7] Distribution block (1) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized by that the first display (6) can be held relative to the housing (2) by a locking arrangement in a plurality of positions corresponding to the number of phases to be set, in particular three. [8] Distribution block (1) according to claim 7, characterized by that the locking arrangement has at least one recess (63) per position, which cooperates with at least one locking lug (22). [9] Distribution block (1) according to claim 8, characterized by that the first display (6) has three recesses (63) and the housing (2), in particular the cover (3) has a locking lug (22). [10] Distribution block (1) according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized bythat the first display (6) has an element (66) designed as a circular sector, which is connected to the pin (64) and has the labeling (61) of the possible phases. [11] Distribution block (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the display arrangement (5) has at least one colored display (7) which indicates the type of connection cable with colors and can be arranged on the housing (2). [12] Distribution block (1) according to claim 11, characterized by that the colour display (7) is removable. [13] Distribution block (1) according to one of claims 11 or 12, characterized by that the colored display (7) and the housing (2) are connected by a plug connection, if necessary a locking mechanism. [14] Distribution block (1) according to one of claims 11 to 13, characterized by that the colored display (7) in the plugged-on state covers at least the display field (62) of the first display (6). [15] Distribution block (1) according to one of claims 11 to 14, characterized by that the colored display (7) has a first molding (72) which can be inserted into the opening (23) of the housing (2) for the pin (64) of the first display (6). [16] Distribution block (1) according to one of claims 11 to 15, characterized by that the colored display (7) has a second molding (71) which can be inserted into the opening (21) of the housing (2) through which the inscription (61) of the first display (6) is visible. [17] Distribution block (1) according to one of claims 11 to 16, characterized by that the colored display (7) is a substantially arched sign. [18] Distribution block (1) according to one of claims 11 to 17, characterized by that the colored display (7) can be arranged on the lid (3), in particular on an edge (31) of the lid (3). [19] Distribution block (1) according to one of claims 11 to 20, characterized bythat an area of ​​the colored display (7) is at least 20%, preferably 30%, more preferably more than 50% of an area of ​​the cover (3).

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