Measuring device with coil bodies, for mounting on a mounting rail

Abstract

Measuring device (1, 100) with coil bodies (9, 90), an electrical circuit (3) and a housing (4, 40) for mounting on a mounting rail (14), wherein the housing (4, 40) is formed from an upper part (5, 50) and a lower part (6, 60), wherein the electrical circuit (3) is arranged within the housing (4, 40) formed by the upper part (5, 50) and the lower part (6, 60) and is electrically connected to the coil bodies (9, 90), wherein the upper part (5, 50) has recesses (8, 80) for the coil bodies (9, 90) and wherein the lower part (6, 60) has attachment points (11) for attaching a support rail adapter (10), characterized by the fact that the lower part (6, 60) has a reinforcing structure (2) which is arranged in a central area, preferably on the outside of the lower part (6, 60) and wherein the reinforcement structure (2) has intersecting struts (12) and wherein at least two of the attachment points (11) are arranged in intersection areas (13) of the struts (12).

Description

TECHNICAL AREA

[0001] The present invention relates to a measuring device comprising coil bodies, an electrical circuit and a housing for mounting on a mounting rail. BACKGROUND

[0002] Measuring devices with coil formers, electrical circuits, and housings consisting of upper and lower parts are known from the prior art. These housings are often mounted on flat surfaces, such as walls. For mounting these housings, fastening devices with holes are provided at the corners of the lower housing parts, through which screws fix the housings to the walls.

[0003] GB 2501377 A discloses a monitoring device for installation in a building to measure the consumption of electricity, heat, water, and gas. The device comprises a wall-mounting unit with holes in the back panel for attaching the unit to a building wall. The housing is divided into three sections, each containing a circuit board with electrical components.

[0004] Furthermore, an adapter for an energy meter is known from DE 10 2019 105 017 A1, wherein the adapter has a voltage converter device, at least two first electrical connections for connecting to a conductor of a power grid, and at least two second electrical connections to which an energy meter can be electrically connected. The adapter also has a receiving area designed to mechanically detach an energy meter.

[0005] For example, German patent DE 202012 010 818 U1 discloses smart meters with electronics for recording electricity consumption and for outputting, for example, electricity consumption data via a data communication interface, comprising a housing for the electronics, which is suitable for installation in a distribution box for a low-voltage network. The housing has means for mounting it on a DIN rail. SUMMARY

[0006] The object of the present invention is to mechanically improve a measuring device.

[0007] This problem is solved by the features of the independent claim. Advantageous embodiments are the subject of the dependent claims.

[0008] According to the invention, a measuring device comprises coil formers, an electrical circuit, and a housing for mounting on a mounting rail. The housing consists of an upper part and a lower part. The electrical circuit is arranged within the housing formed by the upper and lower parts and is electrically connected to the coil formers. The upper part of the housing has recesses for the coil formers, and the lower part of the housing has mounting points for attaching a mounting rail adapter.

[0009] The lower part further comprises a reinforcing structure located in a central area, preferably on the outer surface of the lower part. The reinforcing structure has intersecting struts, and at least two of the attachment points are located at the intersections of the struts.

[0010] The reinforcement structure can be formed from annular or predominantly annular struts and radially extending or predominantly radially extending struts. At least two of the attachment points can be located in the intersection areas of the annular or predominantly annular struts and the radially extending or predominantly radially extending struts.

[0011] The coil former can contain at least one coil with windings of copper wires, the coil being encased in a special electronics resin for protection against environmental influences. Furthermore, the coil can be provided with electrical contacts that may be directly or indirectly connected to the electrical circuit. The electrical circuit can consist of electrical components, preferably arranged on at least one printed circuit board, configured to supply the coils with a voltage source or to measure a voltage induced in the coil.

[0012] Furthermore, the electrical circuit may include components for digitizing and transmitting the measured values ​​via a communication interface. This communication interface could, for example, be an RJ45 connector for communication with an Ethernet network. In addition, the electrical circuit may include a processor for calculating further parameters, such as power, reactive power, apparent power, phase angle, etc.

[0013] Furthermore, the electrical circuit can be enclosed by the housing formed by the upper and lower parts and screwed to it using fasteners, such as domes, or mechanically fixed by means of snap-fit ​​connections on the lower and / or upper part of the housing. The upper part of the housing can have recesses that are partially or completely penetrated by the coil formers. The lower part of the housing has mounting points for attaching the mounting rail adapter. These mounting points can include means for screwing or snapping the mounting rail adapter to the lower part of the housing.

[0014] The mounting rail adapter can have a mechanism on its side facing away from the lower part of the housing for attaching it to a specially shaped mounting rail, allowing the mounting rail adapter to be detachably attached to the mounting rail. The lower part of the housing can preferably have a reinforcing structure in its central region, which can be arranged both on the inner side facing the center of the housing and on the outer side of the lower part in the direction of the mounting rail adapter.

[0015] The reinforcement structure can be made of the same material as the lower part of the housing. The reinforcement structure can be an integral part of the lower part. Alternatively, it is also possible for the reinforcement structure to be a separate component made of a different material, such as metal, plastic, fiberglass-reinforced plastic, or other composite materials, and to be permanently bonded to the lower part by gluing, welding, or other techniques.

[0016] The struts of the reinforcement structure can extend approximately radially or star-shaped, or in a combination of both, across the base and intersect, with the struts having various cross-sections, for example round, rectangular, or square, and different shapes and / or diameters. Means for attaching the support rail adapter may be present at or in the immediate vicinity of the intersections.

[0017] According to an advantageous embodiment, the lower part has a wall, wherein the reinforcement structure is formed on the wall and wherein a height of the reinforcement structure defines a distance between the support rail adapter and the wall.

[0018] The wall can be designed as an integral part of the lower part or as a separate part on the lower part of the housing and, depending on the application, may have various reinforcement structures with different heights or further fastening options, such as means for locking or screw points for mounting on flat surfaces.

[0019] According to a further advantageous embodiment, the predominantly radially extending struts of the reinforcement structure taper towards the edge of the housing.

[0020] Particularly in the area of ​​the mounting options for the support rail adapter, the struts of the reinforcement structure may have additional means of reinforcement. These may include different forms of material accumulation, such as different cross-sectional shapes of the struts or additional intersection points of the struts.

[0021] According to a further advantageous embodiment, the lower part of the housing has two different hole patterns for attaching the mounting rail adapter.

[0022] In this context, a hole pattern can be understood as a kind of template with fixed distances and geometries between the individual holes, which represent a specific pattern and correspond in two or more different positions with the corresponding devices of the mounting rail adapter for its fixation.

[0023] According to a further advantageous embodiment, the hole patterns provide a detachable fastening at least in the main extension direction of the support rail and at an angle of 90° relative to the main extension direction of the support rail.

[0024] According to a further advantageous embodiment, the measuring device is detachably fastened to the support rail in at least two positions at an angle of 90° with respect to the main extension direction of the support rail.

[0025] According to a further advantageous embodiment, the lower part of the housing and the reinforcement structure are formed in one piece from the same material, in particular manufactured as an injection molded part.

[0026] The base and the reinforcement structure can be made of different materials or combinations of materials, for example plastics or metals.

[0027] According to a further advantageous embodiment, metal sleeves are fixed in the intersection areas of the struts, in particular pressed in, wherein an inside of the metal sleeves has a mechanical fastening, in particular an internal thread, or wherein the intersection areas have means for locking.

[0028] The locking mechanisms can be molded as hooks or recesses in one piece onto the lower part or cut out of the lower part.

[0029] According to a further advantageous embodiment, the electrical circuit is arranged on a printed circuit board and screwed or snapped to the lower part of the housing.

[0030] Multiple circuit boards can be fixed to each other in different planes to accommodate the electrical circuitry, or individually screwed or snapped onto the base.

[0031] According to a further advantageous embodiment, the coil bodies protrude at least partially beyond the surface of the upper part of the housing.

[0032] The coil formers can be attached to the circuit board using screw and / or solder connections.

[0033] According to a further advantageous embodiment, the coil bodies have ring coils and are designed to enclose current-carrying conductors.

[0034] The ring coils can be arranged next to each other and / or offset from one another, so that current-carrying conductors can be passed through the opening of the ring coils.

[0035] According to a further advantageous embodiment, induced currents in the ring coils can be measured as quantities for measuring electrical currents through the current-carrying conductors.

[0036] According to a further advantageous embodiment, the coil bodies are designed as transformers with primary and secondary coils, wherein the primary coils have connections for measuring leads.

[0037] According to a further advantageous embodiment, in order to measure the electrical voltages at the terminals of the primary coils, measured quantities caused by induction can be detected at the secondary coils. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0038] The invention is explained below in the description of the figures with reference to exemplary embodiments. The figures show: Fig. 1a a measuring device 1 with coil formers 9 consisting of a housing 4 for mounting on a mounting rail with a mounting rail adapter 10, wherein the coil formers 9 are designed as transformers 92, Fig. 1b a measuring device 100 with coil bodies 90 consisting of a housing for mounting on a mounting rail with a mounting rail adapter 10, wherein the coil bodies 90 are designed as ring coils 91, Fig. 1c a measuring device 1 with coil formers 9 consisting of a housing 4 with a mounting rail adapter 10, snapped onto a mounting rail 14, wherein the coil formers 9 are designed as transformers 92, Fig. 2a a lower part 6 or 60 of the housing 4 or 40 of a measuring device with a reinforcing structure 2 formed on the wall 7 consisting of predominantly ring-shaped and predominantly radially extending struts 12 and fastening points 11, Fig. 2b a lower part 6 or 60 of the housing 4 or 40 of a measuring device with a reinforcement structure 2 formed on the wall 7 consisting of predominantly ring-shaped and predominantly radially extending struts 12 and fastening points 11 with a fixed support rail adapter 10, Fig. 3a a side view of the measuring device with a mounting rail adapter 10 engaged on a mounting rail 14, Fig. 3b a side view of the measuring device with a mounting rail adapter 10 engaged on a mounting rail 14 in locking position, Fig. 4a a lower part 6 or 60 of the housing 4 or 40 of a measuring device with screwed-on support rail adapter 10 and a reinforcement structure 2 made of predominantly ring-shaped and predominantly radially extending struts 12, Fig. 4b an enlarged section of the Fig. 4a, wherein the ends of the radially extending struts taper towards the outer edge of the lower part 6 or 60 of the housing 4 or 40, Fig. 5a and Fig. 5b each a view of the hole patterns of the reinforcement structure 2 in relation to the main extension direction x of the support rail 14, Fig. 6a and Fig. 6b each a view of the fastening options of the mounting rail adapter 10 in relation to the main extension direction x of the mounting rail 14 and Fig. 7 an interior view of the measuring device without the upper part 5 or 50 of the housing 4 or 40 with an electrical circuit 3 on at least one printed circuit board 15. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0039] Fig. 1a and Fig. Figure 1b shows embodiments of measuring devices 1 and 100, each with a housing 4 or 40 consisting of an upper part 5 or 50 and a lower part 6 or 60 with a mounting rail adapter 10. The embodiments of measuring devices 1 and 100 differ essentially in the recesses 8 or 80 of the upper parts 5 or 50 of the housings 4 or 40, the coil bodies, and a terminal strip 16. Fig. 1a.

[0040] The mounting options for measuring devices 1 and 100, using the commonly provided mounting devices, for example in the corners of the lower housing sections, are not suitable for installation in control cabinets. To achieve maximum flexibility, control cabinets often incorporate mounting rails onto which electrical components such as fuses, circuit breakers, terminal blocks, transformers, switching devices, electricity meters, measuring instruments, etc., can be easily and flexibly snapped. This requires the housings to be equipped with appropriate retaining devices that are both integral parts of the housings and, at the same time, can be detachably screwed or snapped onto them as additional retaining elements. Examples of such retaining devices are those described in the... Fig. 1a and Fig. 1b shown mounting rail adapter 10.

[0041] In the first embodiment ( Fig. 1a) The upper part 5 of the housing 4 of the measuring device 1 has recesses 8 through which coil formers 9 in the form of transformers 92 extend. Furthermore, the housing has a recess for a terminal block 16 for connecting electrical leads, in particular measuring leads (not shown).

[0042] In the second embodiment ( Fig. 1b) The upper part 50 of the housing 40 of the measuring device 100 has recesses 80 through which coil bodies 90 extend in the form of ring coils 91. The ring coils 91 are designed to enclose current-carrying conductors (not shown).

[0043] The in Fig. 1a and Fig. The embodiments shown in 1b differ mechanically in the different shapes of the recesses in the upper part 6 or 60 of the housing 4 or 40, depending on the existing coil formers 9 or 90.

[0044] Fig. Figure 1c shows the measuring device 1 in the first embodiment with the housing 4 and a mounting rail adapter 10 in conjunction with mounting on a mounting rail 14. Particularly with larger, preferably asymmetrically shaped housings, it is often desirable to have several mounting positions available in order to make optimal use of the available space in the control cabinet. That is, the mounting rail adapter 10 should be as small as possible and have several mounting options on the housing 4 to ensure a flexible mounting position.

[0045] The measuring device 1, the mounting rail adapter 10 and the mounting rail 14, for example mounted in a control cabinet (not shown), as in Fig. As shown in Figure 1c, the housing 4 forms a system capable of vibration, which, due to its central fixation on the mounting rail 14, can be prone to vibrations in all spatial directions. The resulting forces / loads can act on the housing 4 three-dimensionally from all directions. This can lead to damage, such as cracking or breakage, in the case of heavy and larger housings. This also applies to the measuring device 100.

[0046] To make matters worse, the coils 91 and 92 of the measuring devices 1 and 100 are also arranged outside the upper parts 5 and 50 of the housings 4 and 40 and shift the center of mass of the respective housing 4 or 40 away from the support rail 14, which further increases the tendency to vibrate and the forces occurring therein.

[0047] Surprisingly, vibration and shock tests conducted by the applicant have shown that a reinforcement structure 2 of the wall 7 on the lower part 6 or 60 of the housing 4 or 40 is sufficient to prevent destruction of the housing 4 or 40. Fig. 2a and Fig. Figure 2b shows a preferred embodiment of a reinforcement structure 2 suitable for sufficiently reinforcing the lower part 6 or 60 of the housing 4 or 40 in all possible vibration planes. In the preferred embodiment, the reinforcement structure 2 is formed as an integral part of the wall 7. The reinforcement structure 2 consists of predominantly annular and radially extending struts 12, which are preferably integrally molded onto the wall 7 of the lower part 6 or 60. Preferably, the lower part 6 or 60 is manufactured as an injection-molded part.

[0048] In Fig. 2a In the preferred embodiment, at least a number of the fastening points 11 are arranged in at least two intersection regions of the struts 12. This has the advantage that sufficient material is available at the fastening points 11 to insert, for example, metal sleeves with internal threads or self-tapping thermoplastic screws without penetrating the interior of the housing. This ensures that a thin insulating layer remains between the typically metallic mounting rail adapter and the circuit board. The height of the struts of the reinforcement structure is thus essentially defined by the length of the metal sleeves or the length of the thermoplastic screws. In another embodiment not shown, it is also possible to provide locking mechanisms at these points.

[0049] Fig. Figure 2b shows the lower part 6 or 60 of the measuring device 1 or 100 in a preferred embodiment with a mounting rail adapter 10 in a first of two mounting positions. In a control cabinet system, the available space is expensive and severely limited. Therefore, it is advantageous to provide a way to mount the housing 4 or 40 in different mounting positions on a mounting rail 14.

[0050] Fig. Figure 3a shows a side view of the housing 4 of the measuring device 1 in a pre-locking position shortly before the locking position on the mounting rail 14. The height of the reinforcement structure 2 defines the distance a between the mounting rail adapter 10 and the wall 7. This distance defines the angle phi by which the housing must be tilted so that the housing 4 can be hooked into the pre-locking position without colliding with the wall or rear wall 20 of the control cabinet. In a further step, the housing 4 is then pivoted through the angle phi by means of movable locking lugs 17 of the mounting rail adapter 10, engaging the mounting rail 14 in the final position. Preferably, the mounting rail adapter 10 is equipped with a spring mechanism 18 that engages the locking lugs 17 against the mounting rail 14 in the final position.To detach the mounting rail adapter 10 from the mounting rail 14, a tool is required which acts against the spring force and releases the locking lugs 17 from the mounting rail 14, so that the measuring device 1 can be removed from the mounting rail 14 in a pivoting movement.

[0051] Fig. Figure 3b shows a side view of the housing 4 of the measuring device 1 in the locked position on the mounting rail 14. In this position, the housing 4 of the measuring device 1 is firmly but detachably connected to the mounting rail 10 and, together with the mounting rail 10 of the control cabinet (not shown), forms a vibration-capable system.

[0052] Fig. Figure 4a shows a 3D view of the underside of the housing 4 of the measuring device 1 with the mounting rail adapter 10 attached. Electrical connections 19 for power supply and communication are also shown. Screw points 21 for attaching the upper part 5 are shown in the corners of the housing of the lower part 6.

[0053] In Fig. 4b is a close-up of the Fig. Figure 4a shows that the predominantly radially extending struts 12 of the reinforcement structure 2 taper towards the housing edge and thus, as described in the description to Fig. 3 already explained, ensure a pre-locking position of the housing 4.

[0054] Fig. 5a and Fig. Figure 5b shows two orientations of the lower part 6 of the housing 4, rotated 90° relative to each other, in relation to the main extension direction x of a mounting rail (not shown). Therefore, there are two mounting options for installing the measuring device in a control cabinet to optimally utilize the available space.

[0055] Fig. 6a and Fig. Figure 6b shows two orientations of the underside 6 of the housing 4 rotated by 90° relative to each other in relation to the main extension direction x of a support rail (not shown) with screwed-on support rail adapters 10.

[0056] Fig. Figure 7 shows an embodiment of the measuring device 1 or 100 without the upper part 5 or 50 of the housing 4 or 40. The coil formers 9 are designed as transformers 92. Furthermore, Figure 7 shows... Fig. 7 a terminal strip 16 for connecting measuring leads (not shown here). Both the terminal strip 16 and the transformers 92 are mechanically and electrically connected to the circuit board, the circuit board being fixed to the base by spacers, preferably screwed in place. REFERENCE MARK LIST 1, 100 measuring device 2 Reinforcement structure 3 Electrical Circuit 4.40 Housing 5.50 Top 6.60 Lower part 7 wall 8.80 exceptions 9.90 Coil body 91 ring coils 92 transformers 10 mounting rail adapters 11 attachment points 12 struts 13 Intersection area 14 Mounting rail 15 circuit boards 16 connection strip 17 locking tabs 18 spring mechanism 19 connections for power supply and communication 20 Back panel 21 screw points a distance between mounting rail adapters x Main extension direction of the support rail QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents cited by the applicant was automatically generated and is included solely for the reader's convenience. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] GB 2501377 A

[0003] DE 10 2019 105 017 A1

[0004] DE 202012 010 818 U1

[0005]

Claims

[1] Measuring device (1, 100) with coil bodies (9, 90), an electrical circuit (3) and a housing (4, 40) for mounting on a mounting rail (14), wherein the housing (4, 40) is formed from an upper part (5, 50) and a lower part (6, 60), wherein the electrical circuit (3) is arranged within the housing (4, 40) formed by the upper part (5, 50) and the lower part (6, 60) and is electrically connected to the coil bodies (9, 90), wherein the upper part (5, 50) has recesses (8, 80) for the coil bodies (9, 90) and wherein the lower part (6, 60) has attachment points (11) for attaching a support rail adapter (10), characterized by , that the lower part (6, 60) has a reinforcing structure (2) which is arranged in a central area, preferably on the outside of the lower part (6, 60) and wherein the reinforcement structure (2) has intersecting struts (12) and wherein at least two of the attachment points (11) are arranged in intersection areas (13) of the struts (12). [2] Measuring device according to claim 1, wherein the reinforcement structure (2) is formed from annular or predominantly annular struts (12) and radially extending or predominantly radially extending struts (12) and wherein at least two of the attachment points (11) are arranged in intersection areas (13) of the annular or predominantly annular struts (12) and the radially extending or predominantly radially extending struts (12). [3] Measuring device according to claim 2, wherein the lower part (6, 60) has a wall (7), wherein the reinforcement structure (2) is formed on the wall (7) and wherein a height of the reinforcement structure (2) defines a distance (a) between support rail adapter (10) and wall (7). [4] Measuring device according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the radially extending or predominantly radially extending struts (12) of the reinforcement structure (2) taper towards the housing edge. [5] Measuring device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the lower part (6, 60) has at least two different hole patterns for fastening the support rail adapter (10). [6] Measuring device according to claim 5, wherein the hole patterns provide a detachable fastening at least in the main extension direction (x) of the support rail (10) and at an angle of 90° with respect to the main extension direction (x) of the support rail (14). [7] Measuring device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the measuring device can be detachably attached to the support rail (14) in at least two positions at an angle of 90° with respect to the main extension direction (x) of the support rail (14). [8] Measuring device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the lower part (6, 60) of the housing (4, 40) and the reinforcement structure (2) are formed in one piece from the same material, in particular as an injection molded part. [9] Measuring device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein metal sleeves are fixed, in particular pressed in, in the intersection areas (13) of the struts (12), wherein an inside of the metal sleeves has a mechanical fastening, in particular an internal thread, or wherein the intersection areas (13) have means for locking. [10] Measuring device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the electrical circuit (3) is arranged on at least one printed circuit board (15) and is screwed or snapped to the lower part (6, 60) of the housing (4, 40). [11] Measuring device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the coil bodies (9, 90) extend at least partially beyond the surface of the upper part (5, 50) of the housing (4, 40). [12] Measuring device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the coil bodies (90) have ring coils (91) and are configured to enclose current-carrying conductors. [13] Measuring device according to claim 12, wherein, for measuring electrical currents through the current-carrying conductors, induced currents in the ring coils (91) can be detected as measured quantities. [14] Measuring device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the coil bodies (9) are designed as transformers (92) with primary and secondary coils, wherein the primary coils have connections for measuring leads. [15] Measuring device according to claim 14, wherein, for measuring electrical voltages at the terminals of the primary coils, measured quantities caused by induction at the secondary coils can be detected.

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