METHOD FOR AT LEAST PARTIALLY OR SECTIONALLY ELECTRICALLY INSULATING AN EARTHING AND / OR SHORT-CIRCUIT DEVICE

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for at least partially or partially electrically insulating an earthing and / or short-circuiting device for low-voltage applications or components of the earthing and / or short-circuiting device, wherein the method comprises at least the following process step: (a) using an additive manufacturing process, a three-dimensional, electrically insulating shell is manufactured by 3D printing, which is designed at least partially or partially complementary to at least one component of the earthing and / or short-circuiting device such that the corresponding component of the earthing and / or short-circuiting device can be received at least partially or partially in the three-dimensional shell in a form-fitting manner.wherein the method further comprises at least the following process steps: (b) after the three-dimensional shell has been manufactured in process step (a), at least the component of the earthing and / or short-circuiting device is inserted into the three-dimensional shell; and (c) after the component of the earthing and / or short-circuiting device has been inserted into the three-dimensional shell manufactured in process step (a), an electrical insulating layer (1) covering the three-dimensional shell manufactured in process step (a) and the component of the earthing and / or short-circuiting device inserted at least partially or partially into the three-dimensional shell is formed by means of an additive manufacturing process by 3D printing.

Description

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an earthing and / or short-circuiting device for low-voltage applications and, in particular, a terminal for connection to an earthing point, such as a ball stud, cylinder stud, or flat conductor. The terminal has clamping jaws and an insulating layer that at least partially and preferably completely encloses the clamping jaws.

[0002] Such a terminal for connection to an earthing point is generally known from the prior art and, for example, from German patent application DE 80 23 201 U1. This is a fully insulated earthing and short-circuiting device for low-voltage applications. The earthing and short-circuiting device is a device for earthing and short-circuiting isolated, de-energized parts of electrical installations. The fully insulated earthing and short-circuiting device (EuK device) is approved for use in low-voltage applications.

[0003] The publication DE 8 023 201 U1 relates to a terminal for connecting to an earthing fixed point, such as ball studs, cylinder studs or flat conductors, with two jaws clamping the fixed point, with insulation surrounding the clamping jaws and with an insulated handle that can be rotated screw-type relative to the clamping jaws to close and open the terminal.

[0004] Document US 2022 / 0399692 A1 relates to an electrical connector and a method for manufacturing such a connector using an additive manufacturing process.

[0005] The insulating layer is typically formed using a thermally cured system applied to the clamping jaws via an immersion process. The necessary layer thickness for electrical insulation is achieved through multiple immersion coating processes.

[0006] The disadvantage of such dipping-based insulation layers is that complex post-processing steps are necessary after the dipping process to expose any window areas that may have been provided in the insulation layer, particularly by milling. Furthermore, the dipping process only allows for the formation of an insulation layer with uniform insulating properties.

[0007] However, especially with grounding and / or short-circuiting devices, it is necessary that certain components of the grounding and / or short-circuiting device, particularly the outer surface of the clamping jaws, have better electrical insulation compared to, for example, parts of a handle of the grounding and / or short-circuiting device. It is also generally undesirable to have an insulating layer in the inner clamping area of ​​the clamping jaws.

[0008] Since only uniform layer thicknesses can be achieved with the immersion method, all components of a grounding and / or short-circuiting device are typically surrounded by an electrical insulation layer of uniform thickness. This leads to increased material consumption for the insulation layer.

[0009] Therefore, the invention is based on the objective of providing a method for at least partially or partially electrically insulating an earthing and / or short-circuiting device for low-voltage applications, wherein the method is characterized by the fact that the earthing and / or short-circuiting device can be manufactured with less effort, thereby saving material.

[0010] The problem underlying the invention is solved by a method according to independent claim 1, wherein advantageous further developments of the method according to the invention are specified in dependent claims 2 to 4.

[0011] Accordingly, the invention relates to a method for at least partially or regionally electrically insulating a grounding and / or short-circuiting device for low-voltage applications or components of the grounding and / or short-circuiting device, wherein a three-dimensional, electrically insulating shell is first manufactured using an additive manufacturing process by 3D printing. Subsequently, at least the component of the grounding and / or short-circuiting device is inserted into the three-dimensional shell. After the component of the grounding and / or short-circuiting device is inserted into the three-dimensional shell, a corresponding electrical insulation layer is formed.

[0012] The earthing and / or short-circuiting device produced by this method is an earthing and / or short-circuiting device for low-voltage applications, wherein the earthing and / or short-circuiting device has a terminal for connection to an earthing fixed point.

[0013] The following section specifies in more detail the features, in particular those of the grounding and / or short-circuiting device.

[0014] The grounding point can be, for example, a ball stud, a cylinder stud, or a flat conductor.

[0015] The terminal of the grounding and / or short-circuiting device according to the invention comprises two clamping jaws designed to engage and, in particular, clamp the grounding point, at least partially or in certain areas. The grounding and / or short-circuiting device, and especially the terminal of the grounding and / or short-circuiting device, is at least partially or in certain areas surrounded by an electrical insulating layer. In this context, it is provided that at least the terminal of the grounding and / or short-circuiting device is at least partially or in certain areas surrounded by an electrical insulating layer produced by 3D printing using an additive manufacturing process.

[0016] Using 3D printing, the material for the electrical insulation layer is applied layer by layer to create the three-dimensional insulation layer. In 3D printing, the layer-by-layer construction of the insulation layer is computer-controlled, preferably based on CAD / CAM data.

[0017] Materials used for 3D printing include plastics, synthetic resins or ceramics.

[0018] In contrast to an insulating layer formed by a dipping process, the proposed 3D printing increases economic efficiency, especially if the components to be coated / insulated of the grounding and / or short-circuiting device or the terminal of the grounding and / or short-circuiting device have a complex component geometry.

[0019] Because the thickness of the electrical insulation layer can be adjusted in certain areas, particularly locally, using 3D printing, the invention enables a particularly sustainable production of grounding and / or short-circuiting devices.

[0020] Compared to injection molding, for example, 3D printing also has the advantage that the complex production of molds and mold changes are eliminated.

[0021] In particular, the proposed additive manufacturing process using 3D printing eliminates the need for complex post-treatment of the grounding and / or short-circuiting device or of the components of the grounding and / or short-circuiting device that are at least partially or partially coated with the electrical insulating layer.

[0022] According to the implementations of the grounding and / or short-circuiting device, the thickness of the electrical insulation layer is thus designed to vary in certain areas, particularly locally. In other words, the electrical insulation layer can be shaped according to application-specific requirements using additive manufacturing processes such as 3D printing.

[0023] In particular, it is conceivable that at least one window area is provided in the electrical insulation layer through which a clamping device can be inserted into one of the two clamping jaws from the outside, i.e., from an area opposite the area at least partially or completely enclosed by the clamping jaws of the clamp. Alternatively or additionally, the at least one window area in the electrical insulation layer can also serve to manipulate a clamping device inserted into one of the two clamping jaws from the outside.

[0024] In various versions of the grounding and / or short-circuiting device, it is provided that the grounding and / or short-circuiting device has a handle area connected to the terminal and, in particular, monolithic to the terminal, which is also at least partially or partially surrounded by the electrical insulation layer produced by 3D printing in the course of an additive manufacturing process.

[0025] Different options are available for the terminal of the grounding and / or short-circuiting device.

[0026] Firstly, it is conceivable that one of the two clamping jaws is movable or designed to be movable relative to the other clamping jaw.

[0027] Alternatively, it is also conceivable that the two clamping jaws are not designed to be movable relative to each other. In this context, it is advantageous to use a clamping device integrated into one of the two clamping jaws to contact the grounding point that is at least partially or partially held by the clamping jaws.

[0028] In particular, the earthing and / or short-circuiting device is characterized by the fact that at least the terminal of the earthing and / or short-circuiting device does not have an electrical insulation layer formed by an immersion process.

[0029] The method according to the invention is a method for at least partially or partially electrically insulating an earthing and / or short-circuiting device for low-voltage applications or components of the earthing and / or short-circuiting device.

[0030] In the method according to the invention, a three-dimensional, electrically insulating shell is manufactured using an additive manufacturing process by means of 3D printing, which is designed at least partially or in certain areas to be complementary to at least one component of the grounding and / or short-circuiting device in such a way that the corresponding component of the grounding and / or short-circuiting device can be received at least partially or in certain areas in the three-dimensional shell in a form-fitting manner.

[0031] According to further developments of the inventive method, it is provided that, in particular after the three-dimensional shell has been manufactured, at least the component of the grounding and / or short-circuiting device is inserted into the three-dimensional shell. After inserting at least the component of the grounding and / or short-circuiting device into the previously manufactured three-dimensional shell, the previously manufactured three-dimensional shell and the electrical insulation layer that at least partially or partially covers the component of the grounding and / or short-circuiting device inserted in the three-dimensional shell are formed using an additive manufacturing process by 3D printing.

[0032] When manufacturing the three-dimensional shell by 3D printing, it is provided that the electrical insulation layer formed by 3D printing has a section or area which is designed to at least partially or partially accommodate a handle area connected to a terminal of the grounding and / or short-circuiting device.

[0033] In the method according to the invention, it is particularly provided that the electrically insulating shell and / or the covering electrical insulating layer formed using the additive manufacturing process have a layer thickness that is adapted to the specific application, in particular varying in certain areas or locally.

[0034] The invention is described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0035] They show: Fig. 1 each schematically and in an isometric view the electrical insulation of a first exemplary embodiment of the grounding and / or short-circuiting device according to the invention, produced by 3D printing in the course of an additive manufacturing process; Fig. 2A schematically and in a top view the electrical insulation of the exemplary embodiment of the earthing and / or short-circuiting device according to Fig. 1; Fig. 2B schematically and in a sectional view the electrical insulation according to Fig. 2A; Fig. 3 each schematically and in an isometric view an electrical insulation of a second exemplary embodiment of the grounding and / or short-circuiting device according to the invention, produced by 3D printing in the course of an additive manufacturing process; Fig. 4A schematically and in a top view the electrical insulation of the exemplary embodiment of the earthing and / or short-circuiting device according to Fig. 3; and Fig. 4B schematically and in a sectional view the electrical insulation according to Fig. 4A.

[0036] The drawings show different embodiments of an electrical insulation 1 (shell) for earthing and / or short-circuiting devices for low-voltage applications. The earthing and / or short-circuiting devices comprise a terminal 3 for connection to an earthing fixed point, wherein the terminal 3 has two clamping jaws 4 which are designed to at least partially or partially receive and, in particular, clamp the earthing fixed point.

[0037] In the embodiments shown in the drawings, the clamping jaws 4 of the clamps 3 are not movable relative to each other. Instead, a clamping device in the form of a screw is provided in one of the two clamping jaws 4, which serves to fix the grounding fixed point that is at least partially or partially located between the two clamping jaws 4.

[0038] The insulations 1 (shells) shown in the drawings, produced by 3D printing, are particularly suitable for earthing and / or short-circuiting devices where the terminal 3 is provided with a handle.

[0039] Thus, each electrical insulation 1 produced by 3D printing includes a handle area 5, which serves to electrically insulate the handle part of the grounding and / or short-circuiting device. Preferably, the area that serves to electrically insulate the clamping jaws 4, at least partially or partially, is formed integrally with the handle area 5.

[0040] As can be seen, for example, in the sectional views in Fig. 2B and Fig. 4B can be removed, at least one window area 2 can be deliberately provided in the electrical insulation layer 1 by 3D printing, through which the corresponding clamping device is guided or over which the corresponding clamping device can be manipulated.

[0041] The invention is not limited to the embodiments shown in the drawings, but results from a combination of all the features disclosed herein. Reference symbol list 1 insulation layer / insulation shell 2 window area 3 clamps 4 clamping jaws 5 Handle area

Claims

[1] Method for at least partially or partially electrically insulating an earthing and / or short-circuiting device for low-voltage applications or components of the earthing and / or short-circuiting device, wherein the method comprises at least the following process step: (a) using an additive manufacturing process, a three-dimensional, electrically insulating shell is produced by 3D printing, which is designed at least partially or in certain areas to be complementary to at least one component of the earthing and / or short-circuiting device in such a way that the corresponding component of the earthing and / or short-circuiting device can be received at least partially or in certain areas in the three-dimensional shell in a form-fitting manner, furthermore, the procedure comprises at least the following procedural steps: (b) after the three-dimensional shell has been manufactured in process step (a), at least the component of the earthing and / or short-circuiting device is inserted into the three-dimensional shell; and (c) After inserting at least the component of the earthing and / or short-circuiting device into the three-dimensional shell produced in process step (a), an electrical insulating layer (1) is formed by means of an additive manufacturing process by 3D printing, covering the three-dimensional shell produced in process step (a) and the component of the earthing and / or short-circuiting device inserted at least partially or partially in the three-dimensional shell. [2] Method according to claim 1, wherein the three-dimensional shell produced by 3D printing in process step (a) using the additive manufacturing process and / or the covering electrical insulation layer (1) formed by 3D printing in process step (c) has a section or area which is configured to accommodate at least partially or partially a handle area (5) connected to a terminal (3) of the grounding and / or short-circuiting device. [3] Method for at least partially or partially electrically insulating an earthing and / or short-circuiting device for low-voltage applications or components of the earthing and / or short-circuiting device, wherein the method comprises at least the following process step: (a) A three-dimensional, electrically insulating shell is manufactured by 3D printing using an additive manufacturing process, which is designed to be at least partially or partially complementary to at least one component of the earthing and / or short-circuiting device such that the corresponding component of the earthing and / or short-circuiting device can be received at least partially or partially in the three-dimensional shell in a form-fitting manner, wherein the three-dimensional shell manufactured by 3D printing using the additive manufacturing process in process step (a) and / or the covering electrical insulating layer (1) formed by 3D printing in process step (c) have a section or area which is designed to receive at least partially or partially a handle area (5) connected to a terminal (3) of the earthing and / or short-circuiting device. [4] Method according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the electrically insulating shell and / or the covering electrical insulating layer (1) formed by the additive manufacturing process has a layer thickness that is adapted in particular to the application, in particular varying in areas or locally.

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