Adapter for a circuit breaker

Abstract

Adapter (10) for a circuit breaker (12) - with a fastening element (20) that can be positioned over at least two busbars (14) and attached to the at least two busbars (14), - with a DIN rail (72) arranged on the top (70) of the fastening element (20) for fastening the circuit breaker (12), - characterized by the fact that - on the underside (22) of the fastening element (20) at least a U-shaped positioning element (34) is formed which can be positioned over a busbar (14) so ​​that the two legs (36, 38) of the positioning element (34) contact the busbar (14) in the mounted state of the fastening element (20), - a retaining bar (24) is mounted on the underside (22) of the fastening element (20), which is slidable in the longitudinal direction (26) of the fastening element (20), - on the retaining bar (24) at least one locking hook (44, 46) is provided, the locking lug (48, 50) of which can be locked onto the underside of the busbars (14), so that at least one busbar (14) can be clamped between the locking hook (44, 46) and one of the two legs (36) of the positioning element (34).

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] A miniature circuit breaker (MCB), also known colloquially as a fuse, is an overcurrent protection device in electrical installations. Circuit breakers are used in low-voltage systems to protect cables from damage caused by overheating due to excessive current. They can automatically switch off a circuit in the event of an overload or short circuit. STATE OF THE ART

[0002] Circuit breakers usually have a rectangular plastic housing and can be mounted close together on a mounting rail, especially a top-hat rail.

[0003] If a circuit breaker is required as backup protection, the installer usually has to purchase a kit and wire the circuit breaker themselves. This is time-consuming and therefore costly. PRESENTATION OF THE INVENTION

[0004] Based on this prior art, the invention is based on the object of specifying an adapter for a circuit breaker by means of which a circuit breaker can be installed in an economically favorable manner.

[0005] The adapter according to the invention for a circuit breaker is defined by the features of main claim 1. Useful developments of the invention are the subject of further claims following this claim.

[0006] The adapter according to the invention for a circuit breaker has a fastening element that can be positioned over at least two busbars and fastened to the at least two busbars. A top-hat rail for fastening the circuit breaker is arranged on the upper side of the fastening element. According to the invention, at least one U-shaped positioning element is molded onto the underside of the fastening element, which can be positioned over a busbar such that the two legs of the positioning element contact the busbar when the fastening element is installed. A retaining bar is mounted on the underside of the fastening element and is movable in the longitudinal direction of the fastening element.At least one locking hook is provided on the retaining bar, the locking lug of which can be locked onto the underside of the busbar so that at least one busbar can be clamped between the locking hook and one of the two legs of the positioning element.

[0007] Typically, the busbars run horizontally within a connection point. The fastening element can be attached vertically to these horizontal busbars, so that the fastening element extends over at least two busbars. Attaching the adapter using snap-in hooks is both simple and secure, and in particular, allows for tool-free attachment of the adapter to the busbars.

[0008] The positioning element also simplifies installation, as it slides along the corresponding busbar as the adapter is inserted. This prevents the adapter from slipping, eliminating the need for laborious adjustment of the adapter's fastening element.

[0009] Preferably, at least two U-shaped positioning elements can be formed on the underside of the fastening element. In this way, two busbars can be contacted by the positioning elements.

[0010] The at least one U-shaped positioning element preferably has two legs to which a U-shaped metallic contact is attached. This metallic contact can extend slightly beyond the corresponding leg of the positioning element, so that the mutual spacing of the legs of the metallic contact is slightly smaller than the mutual spacing of the legs of the positioning element. This prevents the legs of the plastic U-shaped positioning element from being subjected to mechanical stress when contacting the busbar, while simultaneously enabling rapid and stable contacting of the busbar.

[0011] In a particularly preferred embodiment, at least one locking element can be provided on the retaining bar, which can prevent movement of the adjacent locking hook. This prevents the fastening element and thus the entire adapter from accidentally slipping off the busbar, even under higher forces. The locking element can in particular have a locking spring, so that the locking element is pressed against the back of the corresponding locking hook by the locking spring. This effectively prevents movement of the locking hook and thus release of the locking lug. In order to be able to release the locking element again if necessary, so that the fastening element and thus the adapter can be removed from the busbars as planned, the locking element can preferably protrude slightly beyond the fastening element.This makes it possible to operate the locking element, for example using a screwdriver.

[0012] To enable secure mounting of the retaining bar on the fastening element, several cantilever pins can be formed on the underside of the fastening element. In this case, the retaining bar can have several slots through which the cantilever pins extend. When the retaining bar is moved in the longitudinal direction of the fastening element, the cantilever pins can slide back and forth in the slots, thus ensuring secure guidance of the retaining bar. Preferably, the cantilever pins of the fastening element can be mushroom-shaped, while the slots of the retaining bar are keyhole-shaped. The mushroom-shaped cantilever pins can thus only be guided through the slots in a defined position of the retaining bar; when the retaining bar is moved, however, the cantilever pins ensure that the retaining bar cannot be removed from the fastening element.

[0013] In principle, the fastening element can be mounted over any number of busbars, although mounting on four or five busbars is generally particularly practical. Accordingly, the fastening element can be attached to all busbars over which the fastening element runs. Therefore, four or five locking hooks are preferably provided on the underside of the fastening element.

[0014] In an advantageous embodiment, at least one retaining rib can be arranged on the underside of the top-hat rail, at least on one side. This retaining rib can prevent the circuit breaker mounted on the top-hat rail from shifting. The formation of such a retaining rib on the underside of the top-hat rail is thus of independent inventive significance.

[0015] Preferably, a central retaining rib can be arranged on one lateral underside of the top-hat rail, while two off-center retaining ribs can be arranged on the other lateral underside of the top-hat rail.

[0016] The DIN rail can preferably be formed as a single piece with the fastening element. This increases the stability of the adapter, especially when a circuit breaker is mounted on the DIN rail.

[0017] If a miniature circuit breaker is mounted on the top-hat rail, the two connecting cables of the miniature circuit breaker can be fed into the interior of the fastening element. The connecting wiring can then also be carried out in the interior of the fastening element. This connecting wiring is usually already carried out on delivery. To do this, the connecting cables can be inserted into the connection recesses provided with a certain amount of force. In this case, at least one strain relief rib can be formed in the interior of the fastening element in the area of ​​the cable entry. This prevents the respective connecting cable from being pulled out of the interior of the fastening element. In this case, several strain relief ribs can preferably be provided so that the connecting cable rests against at least one strain relief rib on both sides.

[0018] Further advantages and features of the invention can be found in the features further specified in the claims and in the following exemplary embodiments. SHORT DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

[0019] The invention is described and explained in more detail below with reference to the exemplary embodiments shown in the drawings. They show: Fig. 1 a perspective view of the adapter according to the invention with a circuit breaker attached thereto, Fig. 2 an exploded view of the individual components of the adapter according to Fig. 1, Fig. 3 a perspective view of the adapter attached to busbars, looking at the underside of the adapter, Fig. 4 a detailed view of the locking element of the adapter according to Fig. 3, Fig. 5 a perspective view of the fastening element of the adapter according to Fig. 1, Fig. 6 a further perspective view of the fastening element according to Fig. 5, Fig. 7 a detailed view of the side area of ​​the top-hat rail of the fastening element, Fig. 8 a detailed view of the mounting area of ​​the circuit breaker, Fig. 9 an exploded view of the fastening element according to Fig. 5, Fig. 10 a detailed view of the interior of the fastening element in the area of ​​the cable entry, Fig. 11 a further detailed view of the interior of the fastening element in the area of ​​the cable entry, Fig. 12 a detailed view of a positioning element with metallic contact on the underside of the fastening element WAYS TO CARRY OUT THE INVENTION

[0020] The adapter 10 according to the invention for a circuit breaker 12 is shown in the Fig. 1 to 12. The adapter 10 has a fastening element 20, by means of which the adapter 10 can be attached to several busbars 14 (see Fig. 3 and Fig. 4) can be attached.

[0021] On the underside 22 of the fastening element 20 there is a retaining bar 24 (see Fig. 2) is present, which is mounted so as to be movable back and forth in the longitudinal direction 26 of the fastening element 20. In the present example, two elongated hole recesses 30, 32 are present in the retaining bar 24. Two U-shaped positioning elements 34 with integrated busbar contact, formed on the underside 22 of the fastening element 20, extend through these elongated hole recesses 30, 32 (see Fig. 3). The U-shaped positioning elements 34 each have two legs 36, 38, which are positioned next to a busbar 14 when the fastening element 20 is fastened. The positioning elements 34 facilitate the alignment of the fastening element 20 to the busbars 14. The positioning elements 34 can slide along the side of the busbar 14 when aligning the fastening element 20, so that the fastening element 20 is automatically in the correct position for fastening.

[0022] In addition, there are several cantilever pins 40 on the underside 22 of the fastening element 20. The cantilever pins 40 protrude through keyhole-shaped slots 42 provided in the retaining bar 24 and serve as additional guidance when moving the retaining bar 24.

[0023] In the present example, a total of five locking hooks 44, 46 are provided on the underside of the retaining bar 24, by means of which the adapter 10 can be attached to a total of five adjacent busbars 14. For this purpose, the locking hooks 44, 46 engage with their locking lugs 48, 50 on the underside of the respective busbar 14. In the present example, four of the locking hooks 44 are interrupted in the middle (see Fig. 3). In this way, the positioning elements 34 can be collared between the locking hooks 44, so that one of the two legs 36 can simultaneously serve as a counter bearing for the locking hooks 44. In this way, the Fig. 3, the busbar 14 shown on the right is clamped between the locking hook 44 and the leg 36 of the positioning element 34, preventing the fastening element 20 from slipping. The outer locking hook 46, on the other hand, is continuous.

[0024] In order to prevent the adapter 10 from accidentally detaching from the busbars 14 when subjected to greater forces, a locking element 52 is provided on the retaining bar 24 in the present example (see Fig. 4). The locking element 52 has a locking spring 54, through which a blocking element 56 presses the locking hook 46 located next to the locking element 32 against the outer busbar 14. For stability reasons, the locking hook 46 is therefore continuous in the present example. The locking element 52 projects slightly beyond the end of the retaining bar 24. This enables the locking element 52 to be actuated, for example, using a screwdriver. If the free end 58 of the locking element 52 is moved outward and thus away from the locking hook 46, the locking lug 50 of the locking hook 46 can be released from the busbar 14, and the adapter 10 can be removed from the busbars 14 as planned.

[0025] The contacting of the busbars 14 is carried out via the positioning elements 34. For this purpose, a U-shaped metallic contact 60 is attached to each of the positioning elements 34 (see Fig. 12). The metallic contact has two legs 62, 64, the mutual spacing 66 of which is slightly smaller than the mutual spacing 68 of the legs 36, 38 of the positioning element 34. In this way, the two legs 62, 64 of the contact 60 can rest sufficiently firmly against the busbar 14, while no mechanical force is exerted on the legs 36, 38 of the positioning element 34.

[0026] In the present example, a top-hat rail 72 is formed in one piece on the top side 70 of the fastening element 20. A circuit breaker 12 can be fastened to the top-hat rail 72. To prevent the circuit breaker 12 from moving, retaining ribs 76, 78 are formed in one piece on both sides of the underside 74 of the top-hat rail 72. Fig. 6 and Fig. In the present example, two eccentric retaining ribs 76 are formed on the side 82 of the top-hat rail 72 shown in Figure 7, each of which is arranged at the edge of the top-hat rail 72. On the other side 80 of the top-hat rail 72, however, only one central retaining rib 78 is formed (see Fig. 8).

[0027] In this example, the fastening element 20 is made up of several parts (see Fig. 9), so that an interior space 90 is formed. In the present example, the positioning elements 34 and the top-hat rail 72 are formed on the housing part 92 of the fastening element 20. The housing part 92 can be closed laterally by two side parts 94, 96. The side parts 94, 96 are each arranged laterally of the top-hat rail 72. In the present example, the housing part 92 and the two side parts 94, 96 each form a cable entry 98 on both sides of the top-hat rail 72. The connecting cables 100 of the circuit breaker 12 can be inserted into these cable entries 98 in the interior space 90 of the fastening element 20 and contacted there (see Fig. 12).

[0028] In order to prevent the connecting cables 100 from slipping out of the interior 90 of the fastening element 20, strain relief ribs 106, 108 are formed on the respective inner walls 102, 104 (see Fig. 10, Fig.11).

Claims

[1] Adapter (10) for a circuit breaker (12) - with a fastening element (20) which can be positioned over at least two busbars (14) and fastened to the at least two busbars (14), - with a top-hat rail (72) arranged on the top side (70) of the fastening element (20) for fastening the circuit breaker (12), - characterized by , that - at least one U-shaped positioning element (34) is formed on the underside (22) of the fastening element (20), which can be positioned over a busbar (14) so ​​that the two legs (36, 38) of the positioning element (34) contact the busbar (14) in the mounted state of the fastening element (20), - a retaining bar (24) is mounted on the underside (22) of the fastening element (20) and is displaceable in the longitudinal direction (26) of the fastening element (20), - at least one latching hook (44, 46) is provided on the retaining bar (24), the latching lug (48, 50) of which can be latched to the underside of the busbars (14) so ​​that at least one busbar (14) can be clamped between the latching hook (44, 46) and one of the two legs (36) of the positioning element (34). [2] Adapter according to claim 1, - characterized by , that - at least two U-shaped positioning elements (34) are formed on the underside (22) of the fastening element (20). [3] Adapter according to claim 1 or 2, - characterized by , that - the at least one U-shaped positioning element (34) has two legs (36, 38), - a U-shaped metallic contact (60) is attached to the two legs (36, 38), which each projects slightly beyond the corresponding leg (36, 38) of the positioning element (34), so that - the mutual distance (66) of the legs (62, 64) of the metallic contact (60) is slightly smaller than the mutual distance (68) of the legs (36, 38) of the positioning element (34). [4] Adapter according to one of the preceding claims, - characterized by , that - a locking element (52) is provided on the retaining bolt (24), by means of which a movement of the adjacent locking hook (46) can be prevented. [5] Adapter according to claim 4, - characterized by , that - the locking element (52) has a locking spring (54). [6] Adapter according to claim 4 or 5, - characterized by , that - the locking element (52) projects slightly beyond the fastening element (20) so that actuation of the locking element (52) is possible. [7] Adapter according to one of the preceding claims, - characterized by , that - several cantilever pins (40) are formed on the underside (22) of the fastening element (20), - the retaining bar (24) has a plurality of slots (42) through which the cantilever pins (40) extend. [8] Adapter according to claim 7, - characterized by , that - the cantilever pins (40) of the fastening element (20) are mushroom-shaped, - the slots (42) of the retaining bolt (24) are keyhole-shaped. [9] Adapter according to one of the preceding claims, - characterized by , that - the fastening element (20) runs over five busbars (14). [10] Adapter according to claim 9, - characterized by , that - the fastening element (20) can be fastened to five busbars (14). [11] Adapter according to the preamble of claim 1 or according to one of the preceding claims, - characterized by , that - at least one holding rib (76, 78) is arranged on at least one side of the underside (74) of the top-hat rail (72). [12] Adapter according to claim 11, - characterized by , that - a central retaining rib (78) is arranged on one side (80) of the top-hat rail (72), - two off-center holding ribs (76) are arranged on the other side (82) of the top-hat rail (72). [13] Adapter according to claim 11 or 12, - characterized by , that - the top-hat rail (72) is formed in one piece with the fastening element (20). [14] Adapter according to the preamble of claim 1 or according to one of the preceding claims, - characterized by , that - a circuit breaker (12) is mounted on the top-hat rail (72), - the connecting cables (100) of the circuit breaker (12) are inserted into the interior (90) of the fastening element (20), - in the region of the cable entry (98) at least one strain relief rib (106, 108) is formed in the interior (90) of the fastening element (20).

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