Circuit breaker module

The circuit breaker module integrates a miniature circuit breaker and a glass tube fuse in a single housing, addressing the challenges of complex installation and lack of flexibility in existing systems, while enhancing safety and simplifying diagnostics and replacement.

DE102023212427A1Pending Publication Date: 2025-06-12ELLENBERGER & POENSGEN GMBH
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Patent Information

Application Number
DE102023212427
Authority / Receiving Office
DE · DE
Patent Type
Applications
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2023-12-08
Publication Date
2025-06-12

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Existing circuit breaker systems in industrial settings require complex installation and increased space in distribution cabinets, while also lacking flexibility in adapting to different installation situations and failing to provide easy diagnostics or replacement of fuses.

Method used

A circuit breaker module with a housing containing a miniature circuit breaker and a glass tube fuse, where the fuse is electrically connected in series with the circuit breaker, providing additional safety and allowing for remote checking and resetting, while simplifying installation by integrating both components in a single housing.

Benefits of technology

The solution enhances safety and simplifies installation by integrating a circuit breaker and a fuse in a single module, allowing for flexible adaptation to different applications and meeting UL 508A requirements, while reducing the need for complex wiring and reconfiguration.

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Abstract

The invention relates to a circuit breaker module (8) comprising a housing (10) in which a circuit breaker (50) is arranged, and comprising a fuse (38) electrically connected in series therewith, which is arranged in an opening (36) of the housing (10). Furthermore, the invention relates to an assembly (2).
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Description

The invention relates to a circuit breaker module having a housing in which a circuit breaker is arranged. The invention further relates to an assembly comprising a circuit breaker module.Installations, such as industrial installations, usually have one or more actuators by means of which an activity is carried out. In an industrial installation, for example, a workpiece is created and / or machined by means of the actuator. An electrical line is used for energizing. The system usually comprises a plurality of such actuators, and for simplified assembly all electrical lines are led into a distribution cabinet in which electrical contacting of all electrical lines with a main line takes place. In the event of a fault, such as an overcurrent or a short circuit, it is necessary to prevent the energization of the actuator in order to prevent damage to the actuator or to the electrical line used for the energization. In this way, the actuator is also stopped reliably, so that the actuator likewise does not pose any risk to the environment.For interrupting the current supply, a fuse is used, for example, such as a glass tube fuse, which is electrically connected in series with the respective electrical line. When a specific level of the electric current is exceeded for a specific period of time, which is predefined on the basis of a characteristic curve of the fuse, a part of the fuse melts, with the result that the current flow is interrupted. An advantage of this is that susceptibility to errors is comparatively low. A disadvantage of this is that a subsequent change of the characteristic curve predefined during production is not possible. Also, after the fuse is triggered, it is damaged, so that replacement of the fuse is necessary for the actuator to be put into operation again. In addition, a diagnosis, for example when or why the electrical current flow has been interrupted, and a check of the current state of the fuse is not possible.For this reason, a circuit breaker is preferably used for interrupting, which circuit breaker has a switching element which is designed, for example, mechanically or electrically and therefore comprises a relay or a semiconductor switch. The actuation of the switching element takes place, for example, by means of a latching mechanism or a controller, by means of which an electric current currently carried by the circuit breaker is measured and / or an applied electric voltage is checked. Due to such a configuration, a dynamic adaptation to different installation situations is possible, even during operation. In addition, after the electric current flow has been interrupted, there is no damage to the circuit breaker, so that the circuit breaker can be put into operation again. In a suitable configuration of the circuit breaker, it is also possible to put it into the electrically conductive state by means of the controller, such that manual actuation is not required. Usually, the circuit breakers are arranged in the distribution cabinet and each (electrical) line is assigned to one of the circuit breakers.In order for the distribution cabinet to be usable on the American and Canadian market, it is necessary for it to meet the requirements prevailing there, such as UL 508A. For this purpose, it is necessary that either a so-called "branch circuit breaker" which is permitted according to UL 489 or a class CC fuse according to UL 248-4 is assigned to each line. In order that a flexible adaptation is also possible here, at least a part of the line is additionally assigned a protective switch in each case, so that an additional protection is present. The triggering characteristic of each circuit breaker is selected depending on the particular fuse assigned, so that the fuse merely serves as a fall-back if the circuit breaker has a malfunction. The advantage of such a configuration is that the specification UL 508A is fulfilled if the circuit breaker fulfills the UL certification. In this case, a comparatively high flexibility is present in the protection of the actuator, wherein a checking of the switching state of the circuit breaker and, if appropriate, a resetting of the circuit breaker from the distance is also made possible. However, the disadvantage of this is the increased space requirement in the distribution cabinet and a comparatively high outlay in the assembly, in particular in the cabling, of the circuit breaker and in the event of any reconfiguration.The object of the invention is to specify a particularly suitable circuit breaker module and a particularly suitable assembly, wherein assembly is advantageously simplified, and wherein safety is increased in particular.With regard to the circuit breaker module, this object is achieved according to the invention by the features of claim 1 and with regard to the assembly by the features of claim 8. Advantageous refinements and refinements are the subject matter of the dependent claims.In the assembled state, the circuit breaker module is, for example, a component of a system by means of which a specific function is carried out. For this purpose, the circuit breaker module is preferably suitable, expediently provided and configured. In particular, the installation is an industrial installation and serves, for example, for the production and / or machining of a specific workpiece. The system has an actuator for this purpose, in particular. The actuator is, for example, an electric motor, which is, for example, a rotating electric motor or a linear motor. The electric motor is expediently a stepper motor. Alternatively, the actuator is, for example, a valve that is electrically actuated. In a further alternative, the installation is, for example, a communication installation or a data center.The circuit breaker module is suitable, in particular designed to interrupt or generate an electrical current flow. In this case, the electric current which is normally conducted and corresponds in particular to the rated current is preferably between 0.5 A and 200 A, between 1 A and 100 A or between 10 A and 50 A. Preferably, a rated voltage of the circuit breaker module which is present in particular at the latter when the circuit breaker module is not electrically non-conductive is between 12 V and 60 V and, for example, equal to 12 V, 24 V, 36 V or 48 V. In particular, the electric voltage is a DC voltage.The circuit breaker module comprises a circuit breaker. The circuit breaker serves to protect against a fault event, in particular an overcurrent, a fault current or a short-circuit current. For this purpose, the circuit breaker is suitable, in particular provided and configured. In summary, the circuit breaker serves to protect against a fault case. The circuit breaker is preferably a line circuit breaker, which is also referred to as a safety machine. Alternatively, the circuit breaker is a device circuit breaker.The circuit breaker has a switching element, via which an electric current is expediently conducted in the normal case, said electric current being suitably used for energizing an actuator which is electrically connected to the circuit breaker module. For example, the circuit breaker is configured mechanically or electrically. Alternatively, the circuit breaker is formed by a combination thereof. For example, the switching element is a relay or a semiconductor switch. In particular, the circuit breaker has a plurality of such switching elements, which are connected, for example, electrically in series and / or in parallel.Expediently, the circuit breaker has a control unit by means of which the switching element or elements are actuated, in particular as a function of an event, such as the fault case. Expediently, the circuit breaker comprises one or more sensors, by means of which the electric current carried by means of the circuit breaker and / or the applied electric voltage is detected. Expediently, the sensor is connected to the possible control unit by signal technology.For example, the control unit has a data input or the like, by means of which actuation of the switching element is likewise made possible. In the assembled state, the data input is connected in particular to a superordinate control system by signal technology. Alternatively or in combination therewith, a interrogation of a switching state of the switching element and / or a resetting / closing of the switching element is made possible via the data input.In particular, the circuit breaker module has one or more connections to which an electrical line or the like is connected in the assembled state. For example, at least one of the connections is designed in the manner of a terminal. The circuit breaker is in this case electrically connected between the two connections, and an electrical current is conducted between the connections if the circuit breaker is electrically conductive.In particular, the circuit breaker and thus also the circuit breaker module serve to protect a device and / or an electrical line which is connected in particular to one of the possible connections. In this case, a triggering characteristic / characteristic curve of the circuit breaker, i.e. when it is actuated / opened, is preferably adapted to the application.The circuit breaker is arranged in a housing of the circuit breaker module. The housing is preferably made of a plastic, so that an electrical insulation of the components arranged within the housing, such as in particular of the circuit breaker, is realized. Touch protection is also provided in this way. Expediently, the housing has one or more contact openings, through which electrical contacting of the components arranged within the housing is made possible. Preferably, one of the contact openings is assigned to the possible connection. In particular, one of the contact openings is assigned to the possible data input of the control unit.The circuit breaker module further includes a fuse electrically connected in series with the circuit breaker. Thus, during operation of the circuit breaker module, the electrical current is also conducted via the fuse. The fuse serves as a further fuse element, in particular as a fall-back, if the circuit breaker has a malfunction. In particular, a triggering characteristic / characteristic curve of the fuse is such that the circuit breaker is first actuated. In other words, in the event of a fault, the circuit breaker would initially always be actuated before destruction of the fuse would take place. In particular, the fuse is therefore only triggered when the circuit breaker is damaged / has a fault. Expediently, the securing means is designed as a glass tube securing means. The fuse is disposed in an opening of the housing. In particular, the fuse is located in the interior of the housing and is accessible via the opening. Preferably, the opening has a greater extent than the securing means, so that it is arranged in the opening. In other words, the opening covers the fuse arranged in the housing, so that the fuse is arranged in the opening.Safety is increased due to the electrically series-connected fuse and the circuit breaker, and in the event of a failure of the circuit breaker, the current flow is interrupted by means of the fuse, so that safety is increased. In this case, the fuse and the circuit breaker are arranged in the same housing, so that these, namely the circuit breaker module, are mounted in one working step, in particular in a distribution cabinet. Assembly is thus facilitated. Faulty mounting, for example faulty wiring, is also ruled out in this way, which further simplifies mounting. In addition, this ensures that the fuse is matched to the circuit breaker, which further simplifies a design of an interconnection with further components and / or reconfiguration. Since the fuse is arranged in the opening, replacement of the fuse is possible and, in addition, comparatively simple, so that the operation of the circuit breaker is also simplified.Expediently, the fuse meets the specifications of the UL 248- 4, so that the circuit breaker module can also be used at least partially on the American and / or Canadian market.For example, the opening is introduced into a front side of the housing, so that it is substantially always accessible, which simplifies maintenance. The housing is preferably suitable, in particular provided and configured, for mounting on a mounting rail and / or top-hat rail. For example, only one circuit breaker is present. Particularly preferably, however, the circuit breaker module comprises two or more such circuit breakers which are identical in construction to one another, for example. Each circuit breaker is electrically connected in series with the fuse, so that both circuit breakers are protected by means of the fuse. The circuit breakers are preferably connected electrically in parallel with one another. Thus, one actuator each can be secured by means of each of the circuit breakers. Expediently, the housing has a number of connections corresponding to the number of circuit breakers.For example, the fuse is connected to a cable by means of an attachment. Particularly preferably, however, the fuse is inserted into a fuse holder, so that the fuse is stabilized by means of the fuse holder. For example, the fuse holder is fixed to the housing. Particularly preferably, however, the circuit breaker has a printed circuit board to which the fuse holder is fastened. In particular, the fuse holder is electrically contacted here with a conductor track of the printed circuit board. Due to the printed circuit board and the fuse holder, robustness of the circuit breaker module is increased and production is facilitated. Preferably, electrical and / or electronic components are fastened to the circuit board, and expediently suitably interconnected with one another. Expediently, components of the circuit breaker are connected to the printed circuit board and suitably connected to one another and / or to the fuse holder by means of said printed circuit board. Thus, a construction is further simplified.In particular, the fuse holder has a plurality of spring elements, by means of which the fuse is at least partially surrounded in the assembled state, with the result that the position of the fuse is stabilized. Suitably, the fuse is also electrically contacted by means of the fuse holder, preferably the spring elements. Preferably, the fuse holder meets the specification of UL 4248. In this case, the fuse suitably satisfies the specification UL 248- 4, which is why the specification UL 508A is satisfied by means of the circuit breaker module. As a result, there are only slight specifications on the design of the circuit breaker, and this can be adapted to the respective application, which increases safety and comfort. In this case, the circuit breaker module also continues to meet the specification UL 508A and can therefore be used on the U.S. and Canadian market.The fuse preferably has a longitudinal direction, i.e. in particular a direction along which the greatest extent of the fuse exists. For example, the securing means is symmetrical with respect to a longitudinal axis which is parallel to the longitudinal direction. If the fuse is substantially cylindrical, the longitudinal axis corresponds to the axis of the cylinder. In other words, the fuse has the longitudinal axis which is parallel to the longitudinal direction, and the fuse is thus assigned the longitudinal direction.For example, a mechanism is inserted into the opening, by means of which mechanism the securing means can be removed from the opening. In this case, the insertion direction of the fuse is in particular parallel to the longitudinal direction of the fuse. Due to such an arrangement, the opening is comparatively small, so that penetration of foreign particles into the housing is reduced. Preferably, however, the direction of insertion into the opening is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. In other words, for inserting the fuse into the opening, the latter is moved perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction thereof. Expediently, the fuse holder is present and / or, after the fuse has been inserted into the opening, its orientation is no longer changed. Expediently, the (extent of the) opening is greater than the extent of the fuse in the longitudinal direction, and the opening covers the fuse. This allows the fuse to be inserted into the housing, in particular into the fuse holder, and removed therefrom without a tool, which is why operation of the circuit breaker module is simplified. Also, no additional mechanism is required, and therefore manufacturing manufacturing cost is reduced and a structure is simplified. Susceptibility to errors is also reduced.For example, the opening is closed by means of a cover in the assembled state. Particularly preferably, however, the housing is lidless, so that the opening is not closed with further components of the circuit breaker module. Thus, manufacturing is simplified and manufacturing cost is reduced.Preferably, the housing is laterally seriesable, and the circuit breaker module is thus a seriesable device. In other words, in the mounted state, a further apparatus that can be mounted on the side next to the circuit breaker module is arranged, and these are in particular at least partially flush with one another. Preferably, the circuit breaker module and any further equipment that can be arranged in series are suitable, in particular provided and configured, for mounting a top hat rail.Particularly preferably, the opening is made in one of the side surfaces of the housing. In the assembled state, a further equipment that can be placed in line preferably abuts on the side surface, provided this is present. The opening is thus closed by means of the other device in the assembled state, so that an ingress of foreign particles is prevented there. By removing the circuit breaker module from the assembly with the further arrangeable device, which together preferably at least partially form an assembly, the opening is accessible again, so that replacement of the fuse is made possible.For example, no further function is assigned to the side surface. Suitably, however, the side surface having the opening is associated with a contact element for connection to an adjacent arrangeable device, preferably to the further arrangeable device. In the assembled state, i.e. when the circuit breaker module is used, the contacting with the other equipment that can be mounted is thus effected via these side surfaces. If the circuit breaker module is therefore intended to be used, the trackable device is thus always located on this side face, via which device the electrical contacting of the circuit breaker module takes place. Therefore, when the circuit breaker module is used, the opening is always closed with the stringable device, so that ingress of foreign particles is prevented. No additional cover is required, which reduces weight and manufacturing costs. In this case, the opening can also be designed to be comparatively large, which facilitates insertion of the fuse.By means of the contact element, in particular, an electrical potential is transmitted between the circuit breaker module and the adjacent, seriesable device. In particular, during operation, an electric current is conducted via the contact element, which is secured, for example, by means of the circuit breaker module. Alternatively or in combination therewith, the contact element serves for the signal-technology connection to the adjacent, trackable device, and in particular a bus system or the like is realized in this way.For example, the contact element is a plug which is arranged adjacent to the opening. Particularly preferably, however, the contact element is a pivot lever which is mounted on the housing. In this case, the pivot lever expediently protrudes at least partially over the side surface, with the result that, when pivoted, said pivot lever engages in corresponding elements of the adjacent, seriesable device, with the result that spacing of the seriesable device from the circuit breaker module is prevented. The pivot lever preferably has a plurality of contact pins which are manufactured in particular from a metal. Preferably, the contact pins are fastened to a body of the pivot lever, which is manufactured in particular from a plastic. Thus, by means of the body, the contact pins are electrically contacted to one another, for which reason a short circuit is avoided. In particular, the adjacent arrangeable device, when it is mounted, is assigned at least some of the contact pins and these are electrically contacted therewith. For this purpose, the contact pins are suitable, in particular provided and configured.For example, the contact pins are electrically connected to the circuit breaker by means of a cable in each case or at least the cables are guided into the interior of the housing. Particularly preferably, however, the housing has a plurality of contact openings, and the lever is designed in such a way that, when pivoted, one of the contact pins dips into each of the contact openings. In particular, the circuit breaker module has a plurality of contact points which are arranged within the housing and on each of which one of the contact pins bears and is electrically contacted therewith. In other words, each of the contact openings is assigned a corresponding contact point. In particular, these are arranged and / or fastened on the possible printed circuit board, which simplifies a construction.Preferably, there are more contact pins than contact openings, preferably twice as many contact pins as contact openings. In this case, each contact pin which dips into one of the contact openings of the circuit breaker module is electrically connected to another of the contact pins, which is preferably located outside the housing. Expediently, the pairs of contact pins formed in this way are each formed by means of a common electrical conductor which is shaped in the form of a clamp, for example.In the assembled state, the contact pins arranged outside the housing of the circuit breaker module are preferably each located in a further contact opening of an adjacently arranged arrangeable device. Thus, the circuit breaker module and the seriesable device are stabilized with respect to one another by means of the contact pins, which increases robustness.The assembly includes a circuit breaker module that includes a housing in which a circuit breaker is disposed. Further, the circuit breaker module includes a fuse electrically connected in series with the circuit breaker and disposed in an opening of the housing. The housing is laterally seriesable. Further, the assembly includes an operable device disposed adjacent to the circuit breaker module. The circuit breaker module and / or the seriesable device are preferably suitable, in particular provided and configured, for mounting on a mounting rail and / or top hat rail. Preferably, the assembly comprises the mounting rail / hat rail to which the circuit breaker module and the stringable device are attached.The opening is made in one of the side surfaces of the housing, to which a contact element of the circuit breaker module is also assigned for connection to the adjacent, lineable device. In this case, the adjacent, lineable device abuts this side surface, and by means of which the opening is covered, so that the fuse is not visible and is protected from foreign particles. In this way, an electrical insulation of the fuse is also realized.The contact element is a pivot lever mounted on the housing, which has a plurality of contact pins. The housing has a plurality of contact openings, wherein the pivot lever is designed such that, when pivoted, one of the contact pins dips into each of the contact openings. In the mounted state, the pivot lever is arranged in such a way that one of the contact pins is in each case located in the respectively assigned contact opening.The arrangeable device has a plurality of further contact openings, wherein the number of further contact openings is expediently equal to the number of contact openings. In the assembled state, one of the contact pins is in each case located in each of the further contact openings, and each contact pin which is located in one of the contact openings is electrically connected to in each case one of the contact pins which is located in one of the further contact openings. In particular, these contact pins are each formed by means of a common conductor, in particular a metallic clamp. Thus, by means of the contact element, electrical contacting of the circuit breaker module with the adjacently arranged, seriesable device takes place, wherein no cables or the like are required for this purpose. Expediently, the pivot lever also serves to control a mechanical locking system, by means of which the circuit breaker module is locked to the top-hat rail / mounting rail, if any.The adjacently arranged arrangeable device, which is in particular also referred to merely as arrangeable device, adjacent device or device, is for example likewise a circuit breaker module which is expediently of identical design. Alternatively, the device is, for example, a communication unit or a distributor unit.The developments and advantages explained in connection with the circuit breaker module are to be transferred analogously also to the assembly and vice versa.An exemplary embodiment of the invention is explained in more detail below with reference to a drawing. Shown therein are: FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an assembly with a circuit breaker module, FIG. 2 is a schematic sectional view of the circuit breaker module, FIGS. 3, 4 are perspective and side views of the circuit breaker module having a housing, FIG. 5 shows a side view of the circuit breaker module, a part of the housing not being shown, and FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of a fuse inserted into a fuse holder.Corresponding parts are provided with the same reference numerals in all figures.FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an assembly 2 which has a mounting rail 4 which is designed in the manner of a top-hat rail. The assembly 2 is arranged in a distributor cabinet, not shown in detail, and serves to supply an actuator of an industrial plant. The actuator comprises an electric motor which is operated with a direct voltage of 12 V, which is provided by means of the assembly 2.Two seriesable devices 5 are fastened to the mounting rail 4, which are arranged next to one another. One of the two seriesable devices 5 is a distributor unit which is connected to a main line which reaches into the distributor cabinet and by means of which 12 V is guided. The other dialable device 5 is a communication unit. Furthermore, an adjacent, lineable device 6 is fastened to the mounting rail 4, which device is likewise designed as a communication unit and is arranged next to the other communication unit. The two communication units are identical in construction to one another.Next to the adjacent lineable device 6, a circuit breaker module 8 is arranged, which is likewise fastened to the mounting rail 4. The circuit breaker module 8 has a housing 10, the contour of which, perpendicular to the course of the mounting rail 4, is equal to the contour of the lineable devices 5 and of the adjacent lineable device 6. In this case, the circuit breaker module 8, the adjacent seriesable device 6 and the seriesable devices 5 are arranged flush with one another.A pivot lever 12 is mounted on the housing 10 such that it can rotate about a pivot axis 14 which runs parallel to the mounting rail 4. The pivot lever 12 has a body 16 which is made of a plastic and to which a plurality of contact pins 18 are connected, as is shown in FIG. 2 in a sectional illustration of the circuit breaker module 10 parallel to the pivot axis 14. The respective two of the contact pins 18 are formed by means of a common conductor 20 which is provided by means of a metallic clamp.In the assembled state, when the pivot lever 12 rests flat against the housing 10, one of the contact pins 18 of the same conductor 20 each dips into a contact opening 22 of the housing 10. In summary, the pivot lever 12 mounted on the housing 10 has the contact pins 18, wherein the pivot lever 12 is configured such that, upon pivoting, one of the contact pins 18 dips into each of the contact openings 22 of the housing 10.The respectively remaining contact pins 18 of the respectively same conductor 20 then lie in respectively one further contact openings 24 of the adjacent arrangeable device 6, which are introduced into a corresponding housing of the arrangeable device 6. By means of the different conductors 20 of the pivot lever 12, different electrical potentials are thereby carried, and the pivot lever 12 forms a contact element 26 for electrical and also signal-technology connection to the adjacent trackable device 6.A corresponding contact element 26 is also assigned to the adjacent, seriesable device 6 and one of the seriesable devices 5, namely the communication unit, so that the two communication units are connected to one another and the two seriesable devices 5 are connected to one another by signal technology and electrically. For this purpose, the seriesable devices 5 and the adjacent seriesable device 6 also have corresponding contact openings 22 and further contact openings 24. In summary, all the stringable devices 5, the adjacent stringable device 6 and the circuit breaker module 8 are electrically and signal-wise connected to one another, wherein a bus system is formed by means of the signal-wise connection.Each of the contact pins 18 guided within the contact openings 22 of the housing 10 abuts a respective contact point 28 which is provided by means of a socket connected to a printed circuit board 30 arranged in the housing. Each contact opening 22 is assigned one of the contact points 28 in each case, and the printed circuit board 30 is arranged perpendicular to the course of the mounting rail 4.Adjacent to each contact opening 22, a further contact opening 24 is likewise respectively introduced into the housing 10, so that the circuit breaker module 8 can also be electrically contacted with a further, not shown, seriesable device by means of its associated contact element 26. A contact point 28 is also assigned to each of the further contact openings 24, but these contact points are arranged on the opposite side of the printed circuit board 30.The printed circuit board 30 is electrically contacted with a terminal 32 which is introduced into the housing 10, so that the printed circuit board 30 can be contacted from outside the housing 10 via the terminal 32. In the assembled state, the electrical line leading to the associated actuator is connected to the termination 32.As is also shown in FIG. 3 in a perspective view of the circuit breaker module 8 and in FIG. 4 in a side view, in which the contact element 26, i.e. the pivot lever 12, is shown in different positions, an opening 36 is made in the side face 34 of the housing 10, which bears against a corresponding side wall of the adjacent arrangeable device 6. Consequently, the side surface 34 to which the contact element 26 is assigned for connection to the adjacent arrangeable device 6 is provided with openings 36 which are rectangular.Disposed within the opening 36 is a fuse 38 which is a glass tube fuse and which meets the certification UL248-4. Here, the area of the opening 36 is larger than the area (projection) of the fuse 38, and the opening 36 completely covers the fuse 38. The fuse 38 is cylindrical and has a longitudinal direction parallel to the axis of the cylinder. The longitudinal direction 40 is parallel to the side surface 34 here. for the insertion, the fuse 38 is moved to its longitudinal direction 40 into the opening 38 so that the insertion direction is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction 40.The fuse 38 is inserted into a fuse holder 42 and is detachably connected thereto and electrically contacted therewith. The fuse holder 42 meets the certification UL 4248. As shown in FIG. 5, in which the circuit breaker module 8 is shown in a side view, but with the side surface 34 omitted, the fuse holder 42 is fastened to the circuit board 30 and electrically contacted therewith.The fuse holder 42, which is shown in perspective in FIG. 6, has a plurality of spring elements 44, by means of which the fuse 38 is surrounded. Half of each of the spring elements 44 is fastened to a respective associated base plate 46. The two base plates 36 and the respectively associated spring elements 44 are electrically insulated from one another and are electrically connected only by means of the fuse 38. These are also each designed as a stamped bent part, and the base plates 46 are soldered to the printed circuit board 30.Furthermore, a plurality of electrical and / or electronic components 48 are fastened to the printed circuit boards 30, by means of which components and the interconnection by means of the printed circuit board 30 a circuit breaker 50 is formed. This circuit includes a switching element provided by means of one of the components 48, which is, for example, a relay or semiconductor switch. A control unit and a sensor of the circuit breaker 50 are also provided by means of at least one of the components 48.The circuit breaker 50 is electrically connected in series with the fuse 38, with the series connection connected between the terminal 32 and one of the contact pads 28. If an excessive electric current is conducted between this contact point 28 and the terminal 32, for example an overcurrent or a short-circuit current, the circuit breaker 50 first triggers, so that the electric current flow is interrupted. Only if the circuit breaker 50 has a malfunction does the fuse 38 release, the characteristic curve of which is selected accordingly. Because of the fuse 38 and the fuse holder 42, the certification UL 508A is realized, wherein the design of the circuit breaker 50 can be comparatively arbitrary. Thus, an adjustability of the circuit breaker module 8 is increased, wherein the mounting on the mounting rail 4 takes place in one working step. In this case, faulty wiring is substantially ruled out, which increases safety.The invention is not limited to the embodiment described above. Rather, other variants of the invention can also be derived from this by the person skilled in the art without departing from the subject matter of the invention. In particular, all the individual features described in connection with the exemplary embodiment can also be combined with one another in another manner without departing from the subject matter of the invention.List of reference characters2 Assembly 4 Mounting rail 5 Further device 5 Seriesable device 6 Adjacent seriesable device 8 Circuit breaker module 10 Housing 12 Pivot lever 14 Pivot axis 16 Body 18 Contact pin 20 Conductor 22 Contact opening 24 Further contact opening 26 Contact element 28 Contact point 30 Printed circuit board 32 Terminal 34 Side face 36 Opening 38 Fuse 40 Longitudinal direction 42 Fuse holder 44 Spring element 46 Base plate 48 Component 50 Circuit breaker

Claims

Circuit breaker module (8) having a housing (10) in which a circuit breaker (50) is arranged, and having a fuse (38) which is electrically connected in series therewith and is arranged in an opening (36) of the housing (10).Circuit breaker module (8) according to claim 1, characterized in that the circuit breaker (50) comprises a printed circuit board (30) to which a fuse holder (42) is fastened, into which the fuse (38) is inserted.Circuit breaker module (8) according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the fuse (38) has a longitudinal direction (40), wherein the insertion direction into the opening (36) is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (40).Circuit breaker module (8) according to one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the housing (10) can be laterally lined up, the opening (36) being introduced into one of the side faces (34) of the housing (10).Circuit breaker module (8) according to Claim 4, characterized in that the side face (34) is assigned a contact element (26) for connection to an adjacent equipment (6) which can be arranged in rows.Circuit breaker module (8) according to Claim 5, characterized in that the contact element (26) is a pivot lever (12) which is mounted on the housing (10) and has a plurality of contact pins (18).Circuit breaker module (8) according to Claim 6, characterized in that the housing (10) has a plurality of contact openings (22), wherein the pivot lever (12) is designed in such a way that, when pivoted, one of the contact pins (18) dips into each of the contact openings (22).Assembly (2) comprising a circuit breaker module (8) according to claim 7 and comprising an adjacently arranged arrangeable device (6) comprising a plurality of further contact openings (24) in each of which one of the contact pins (18) is inserted, wherein each contact pin (18) inserted in one of the contact openings (22) is electrically connected to each of the contact pins (18) inserted in one of the further contact openings (24).