Communication arrangement for a switchgear assembly with a cable duct

Abstract

The invention relates to a communication arrangement for a switching device assembly. The communication arrangement comprises a wired communication bus (19, 20) divided into at least a first and a second bus section (19, 20), a branch board (1) connected between the first and the second bus sections (19, 20), and a component connected to the branch board (1) via a branch line (18). According to the invention, the communication arrangement also comprises a cable duct (10) which has a body (13) extending along a main direction (11) with a base surface (15) and two opposing elastic side walls (14) adjoining the base surface (15), and a cover (12). The body (13) is configured to hold the cover (12) positively (and optionally also frictionally) with the side walls (14). The side walls (14) have a plurality of openings (16).The first and second bus sections (19, 20) run along the main direction of extension (11) in the cable duct (10). The branch board (1) is located in the cable duct (10). The branch line (18) is routed from the branch board (1) through one of the openings (16) in one of the side walls (14) of the housing (13) out of the cable duct (10) to the component.

Description

Technical field

[0001] The invention relates to a communication arrangement for a switchgear assembly, in particular a switchgear assembly according to EN61439 of October 2021, a switchgear assembly with such a communication arrangement and the use of a cable duct in a switchgear assembly. Technical background

[0002] Electrical or electronic components in switchgear assemblies, such as sensors, are to be connected to a central control unit via communication technology. Communication buses represent a more economical solution than, for example, a point-to-point connection, especially when a large number of components need to be connected, because the communication bus can be accessed near the component.

[0003] This tap is typically implemented using a distribution block, usually designed as a plug connection, and therefore uses a plug or socket. A distribution block can be a simple T-piece, but for more demanding technical requirements, it can also be a printed circuit board (branch board). Such a circuit board must be mounted in the switchgear and protected from damage. Various housing designs are available for this purpose.

[0004] Such enclosures represent a significant cost factor and are only available in unsuitable shapes and sizes. While application-specific enclosures can be optimally designed in terms of dimensions, they are only economical with high-volume production. However, distribution boards for switchgear assemblies are not currently mass-produced.

[0005] The invention therefore aims to introduce an improved communication arrangement for a switching device combination.

[0006] The invention solves the problem by means of a communication arrangement according to claim 1, a switching device combination according to claim 9 and a use according to claim 10. Advantageous embodiments of the communication arrangement according to the invention are the subject of dependent claims 2 to 8. Summary of the invention

[0007] A first aspect of the invention introduces a communication arrangement for a switching device assembly. The communication arrangement comprises a wired communication bus divided into at least a first and a second bus section, a branch board connected between the first and second bus sections, and a component connected to the branch board via a branch line. According to the invention, the communication arrangement also comprises a cable duct with a body extending along a main direction, a base, two opposing elastic side walls adjoining the base, and a cover. The body is designed to hold the cover positively (and optionally also frictionally) against the side walls. The side walls have multiple openings.The first and second bus sections run along the main direction of travel within the cable duct. The junction board is located within the cable duct. The branch cable is routed from the junction board through one of the openings in the side walls of the housing, out of the cable duct, and onto the component.

[0008] Within the scope of this invention, the component can be, in particular, a sensor, for example, a temperature or light sensor, whereby both so-called smart sensors and simple sensors can be used. A "smart" sensor is understood here to be a sensor that can independently transmit measured values ​​via the communication bus. In such a case, the branch line comprises at least one line designed for such communication.

[0009] Smart sensors often require a power supply – just like active sensors – so that in this case the communication bus and the branch line may contain supply lines in addition to the lines intended for the actual communication.

[0010] Switchgear assemblies are understood here to mean, in particular, low-voltage switchgear and motor control centers. Particularly preferably, within the scope of the invention, a switchgear assembly is a switchgear assembly as defined in the European standard EN 61439 in the version of October 2021.

[0011] The invention provides a simple and cost-effective communication arrangement for use in switchgear assemblies. The communication arrangement can be easily dimensioned and installed, for example, to provide or retrofit sensors, particularly temperature sensors, in otherwise conventionally designed switchgear assemblies. The branch boards used when employing a communication bus, which several components share for data communication with a central control unit to reduce costs, are housed directly in the cable duct used to guide the communication bus. This protects the branch boards from their environment and from unwanted slippage or similar issues. A commercially available cable duct, readily available at low cost from mass production, can be used as the cable duct. For the shape and, if necessary,In addition to the positive-locking connection, the branch board is dimensioned to match the cable duct used, meaning that the branch board has a width between two opposite sides running parallel to the side walls of the cable duct in the finished arrangement, which corresponds at least approximately to the distance between the side walls of the cable duct.

[0012] The junction board preferably has a first connection on one side that is detachably connected to the first bus section, and a second connection on a second side opposite the first, which is detachably connected to the second bus section. The use of detachable connections makes the installation of the communication arrangement particularly quick, and pre-assembled cable lengths can be used for the individual bus sections. Excess cable length, which occurs when a bus section is shorter than the pre-assembled cable length, can simply be stowed in a loop in the cable duct.

[0013] The junction board and the body of the cable duct are preferably dimensioned to match each other such that the body is designed to hold the junction board between its side walls. The junction board is preferably held by the side walls of the cable duct by a positive fit and, even more preferably, additionally by a friction fit. This makes the installation of the junction board particularly easy, as it only needs to be inserted into the cable duct at the desired junction point and (with the additional friction fit) pressed into place with minimal force.

[0014] The junction board can have at least one tooth on a third side and on a fourth side opposite the third side, wherein the openings of the cable duct and the teeth are dimensioned to fit each other such that the openings are designed to hold the teeth. The teeth thus engage in the openings and prevent the junction board from slipping in the cable duct along its main direction of extension – for example, due to accidentally exerted tensile forces on the bus sections. For instance, the junction board can have a plurality of teeth on each side adjacent to the side walls of the cable duct, spaced according to the grid of the openings in the side walls of the cable duct.

[0015] Preferably, the base of the cable duct body has a number of holes. These holes allow for easy attachment of the cable duct, for example, by means of a screw connection inserted through one of the holes at a suitable location.

[0016] The openings in the side walls of the housing can be open on the side facing away from the base of the housing, so that the side walls of the housing have a comb shape. This allows the branch cable to be easily fed through the side wall of the cable duct (essentially between two adjacent prongs of the comb-shaped side wall) when the cover of the cable duct is removed, and is then held securely in place after the cover is attached to the housing of the cable duct.

[0017] Preferably, the cable duct is made of an elastic plastic, for example polyvinyl chloride (PVC).

[0018] The branch board may have a third connection for the branch line. In this case, the branch line is detachably connected to the branch board. Alternatively, the branch line may also be permanently connected to the branch board, for example, by soldering.

[0019] A second aspect of the invention relates to a switchgear assembly, in particular a switchgear assembly according to EN 61439 of October 2021, comprising a plurality of device slots, a control unit, and a communication arrangement according to the first aspect of the invention, wherein the communication arrangement component is located on one of the device slots and wherein the control unit is connected to the communication bus. For example, when used with one or more temperature sensors, the control unit can serve to detect an undesirably high temperature and locate it within the switchgear assembly in order to prevent damage to the switchgear assembly or to initiate maintenance by issuing a warning signal.

[0020] Another aspect of the invention relates to the use of a cable duct in a switchgear assembly, in particular a switchgear assembly according to EN 61439 of October 2021, as a housing for a wired communication bus divided into at least a first and a second bus section and a branch board connected between the first bus section and the second bus section. The branch board is connected to a component via a branch line routed through a passage of several openings in one of two opposing side walls of the cable duct. Brief description of the characters

[0021] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to illustrations of exemplary embodiments, where identical reference numerals denote identical or similar features. The illustrations show: Fig. 1 an embodiment of a branch board 1 for use in a communication arrangement according to the invention; Fig. 2 an embodiment of a cable duct 10 for use in a communication arrangement according to the invention; Fig. 3 the branch board 1 of Fig. 1 inserted into a partially shown cable duct 10; Fig. 4 an embodiment of a communication arrangement according to the invention in a partial representation; Fig. 5 a further embodiment of a communication arrangement according to the invention in a further partial representation; and Fig. 6 Another embodiment of a communication arrangement according to the invention in a sectional view. Detailed description of the characters

[0022] Fig. Figure 1 shows an embodiment of a branch board 1 for use in a communication arrangement according to the invention. The branch board of the embodiment has a PCB (Printed Circuit Board) 2 with a substantially rectangular base shape. On two opposite sides, the branch board 1 of the embodiment has several projections or teeth 6, which are arranged in pairs opposite each other. The teeth 6 serve to anchor the branch board 1, as will be explained in more detail below.

[0023] The branch board 1 of the exemplary embodiment has first and second connections 3, 4 for respective bus sections of a wired communication bus. Furthermore, several third connections 5 are provided on the branch board 1, which are intended for connecting branch lines (not shown).

[0024] Fig. Figure 2 shows an embodiment of a cable duct 10 for use in a communication arrangement according to the invention. The cable duct 10, shown only in a small section in the figure, has a typical elongated shape and extends along a main direction 11. The cable duct 10 has a cover 12, which is detachably connected to and closes a body 13. The body 13 of the cable duct 10 has a base 15 and opposing side walls 14. In the illustrated embodiment, the base 15 has several holes 17, which serve to fasten the cable duct to a wall or similar surface, for example, by means of a screw connection, a bolt, or a rivet. The two side walls 14 have a plurality of openings 16, whereby, when the cover 12 is removed, the side walls 14 have a comb shape with "prongs" located between the openings 16.The cable duct 10 is preferably made of an elastic material such as PVC. Due to the elasticity of the material, the cover 12 can be detachably connected to the side walls 14.

[0025] Cable duct 10 and junction board 1 are dimensioned to match each other in such a way that the junction board 1 can be arranged in the cable duct 10 and is held in place by the side walls 14. If the junction board 1 has – as in Fig. 1 shown - teeth 6, these are dimensioned with regard to their size and spacing so that the teeth 6 can engage in the openings 16 in the side walls 14 of the cable duct 10, thereby giving the branch board 1 a better hold in the cable duct 10 and in particular preventing it from slipping in the cable duct 10 along its main extension direction 11. Fig. Figure 3 shows the branch board 1 of Fig. 1 inserted in such a way into a cable duct 10 (only partially shown here), as in Fig. 2 shown.

[0026] Fig. Figure 4 shows a partial illustration of an embodiment of a communication arrangement according to the invention, in which several branch boards 1 are distributed along the main direction of extension of the cable duct. The cable duct is shown without its cover to allow a view into its interior. When installing a communication arrangement according to the invention, the branch boards 1 can be inserted into the body of the cable duct, which is already mounted in the switchgear assembly (not shown) through holes 17 in the base surface 15 of the cable duct, at the points on the wired communication bus intended for connecting a respective component. The side walls of the cable duct hold the branch boards 1 in their respective designated positions, as explained above.The individual bus sections, which extend between each pair of adjacent branch boards 1, can then be inserted into the cable duct and connected to the branch boards 1 via plug connectors. The branch lines intended for connecting the components are then connected to the branch boards 1 and routed through openings 16 located next to the respective branch board 1 in the side wall of the cable duct. Once the wiring is complete, the cover is attached to the body of the cable duct, thereby holding the bus sections, branch boards, and branch lines in their designated positions. Installation of the communication arrangement according to the invention is thus quick and easy; the individual components of the communication arrangement are also shielded from their environment and held securely in place by the cable duct.

[0027] Fig. Figure 5 shows a further embodiment of a communication arrangement according to the invention in a further partial view, wherein the wiring of the branch boards 1 is at least partially completed. By way of example, one of the branch lines 18 is placed in a freely wound loop 21, which is arranged within the cable duct. This illustrates a further advantage of the arrangement according to the invention, which allows pre-assembled cables to be used for the bus sections and / or branch lines and excess cable length to be stowed in the cable duct.

[0028] Fig.Figure 6 shows a further embodiment of a communication arrangement according to the invention in a sectional view. In the illustrated embodiment, the cable duct is fastened with a screw 22 lying in the plane of the sectional view. In addition to the parts of the communication arrangement identified by reference numerals and described in connection with the preceding figures, further cables in the cable duct, which are not further specified here and are indicated by circular cross-sections, are shown. Naturally, the cable duct of the communication arrangement according to the invention can be used for laying further cables that are not directly connected to the communication arrangement.

[0029] The invention has been described in more detail with reference to exemplary embodiments. The illustrated embodiments serve for better understanding and are not intended to limit the invention, which is defined exclusively by the following claims. Reference symbol list 1 branch board 2 PCB 3 first connection 4 second connection 5 third connection 6 teeth 10 cable duct 11 Main direction of extension 12 lids 13 Corpus 14 side wall 15 floor area 16. Access 17 holes 18 branch line 19 first bus section 20 second bus section 21 loop 22 screw

Claims

[1] A communication arrangement for a switchgear combination with a wired communication bus (19, 20) divided into at least a first and a second bus section (19, 20), a branch board (1) connected between the first and the second bus section (19, 20) and a component connected to the branch board (1) via a branch line, characterized bya cable duct (10) having a body (13) running along a main direction of extension (11) with a bottom surface (15) and two opposing elastic side walls (14) adjoining the bottom surface (15), and a cover (12), wherein the body (13) is designed to hold the cover (12) in a form-fitting manner with the side walls (14), wherein the side walls (14) have a plurality of through-passages (16), and wherein the first and the second bus section (19, 20) run along the main direction of extension (11) in the cable duct (10), the branch board (1) is arranged in the cable duct (10), and the branch line (18) is guided from the branch board (1) through one of the through-passages (16) of one of the side walls (14) of the body (13) out of the cable duct (10) to the component. [2] The communication arrangement of the preceding claim, wherein the branch board (1) has on a first side a first terminal (3) detachably connected to the first bus section (19) and on a second side opposite the first side a second terminal (4) detachably connected to the second bus section (20). [3] The communication arrangement of one of the preceding claims, in which the branch board (1) and the body (13) of the cable duct (10) are dimensioned to match one another in such a way that the body (13) is designed to hold the branch board (1) between its side walls (14). [4] The communication arrangement of the preceding claim, in which the branch board (1) has at least one tooth (6) on a third side and on a fourth side opposite the third side, wherein the passages (16) of the cable duct (10) and the teeth (6) are dimensioned to match one another in such a way that the passages (16) are designed to hold the teeth (6). [5] The communication arrangement of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the bottom surface (15) of the body (13) of the cable duct (10) has a plurality of holes (17). [6] The communication arrangement of one of the preceding claims, in which the passages (16) of the side walls (14) of the body (13) are open on a side facing away from the bottom surface (15) of the body (13), so that the side walls (14) of the body (13) have a comb shape. [7] The communication arrangement of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cable duct (10) is made of an elastic plastic. [8] The communication arrangement of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the branch board (1) has a third terminal (5) for the branch line (18) and the branch line (18) is detachably connected to the branch board (1). [9] A switchgear combination comprising a plurality of device plug-ins, a control unit and a communication arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the component of the communication arrangement is arranged on one of the device plug-ins and wherein the control unit is connected to the communication bus (19, 20). [10] Use of a cable duct (10) in a switchgear combination as a housing for a wired communication bus (19, 20) divided into at least a first and a second bus section (19, 20) and a branch board (1) connected between the first bus section (19) and the second bus section (20), wherein the branch board (1) is connected to a component via a branch line (18) guided through a passage (16) of a plurality of passages (16) in one of two opposite side walls (14) of the cable duct (10).

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