Installation device cover

Abstract

Cover (1) for an installation device (2), which installation device (2) has a device front (3) with a number of terminals (6) for connecting electrical conductors and with a number of operating elements (5), wherein a part of the device front (3) is formed by an external device projection (4), which installation device (2) has a mounting side (7) opposite the front of the device (3), with which mounting side (7) the installation device (2) can be attached to a mounting surface, such as on a wall, on a mounting rail or in an installation distribution box, wherein the device front (3) and the mounting side (7) are connected by two wide sides (8, 9) and two narrow sides (10, 11), wherein the cover (1) is essentially U-shaped in cross-section and can be detachably coupled to the installation device (2) by placing it over the installation device (2), leaving the fastening side (7) free, and in which assembled state it can be secured by a seal, wherein the cover (1) does not increase the installation height of the outer device projection (4) when installed.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a cover for an installation device. The invention also relates to an installation device covered by a cover.

[0002] In residential electrical installations, for example, certain areas of installation devices, such as the terminals of installation relays, must be made inaccessible after wiring due to regulations from energy suppliers, in order to prevent any unnoticed subsequent modification of the wiring. This is done by means of sealing (tampering) by the energy supplier.

[0003] One object of the present invention is to provide an access-optimized, sealable installation device cover, in particular a cover which, despite its covering function, complies with the dimensional specifications in connection with the mounting of installation devices inside control cabinets, in particular does not violate the height specifications applicable there in connection with partition covers.

[0004] This problem is solved by a cover according to claim 1 or by an installation device covered with a cover according to claim 2.

[0005] A cover according to the invention for an installation device, the installation device having a front panel with a number of terminals for connecting electrical conductors and with a number of actuating elements, wherein a part of the front panel is formed by an outer projection, the installation device having a mounting side opposite the front panel, with which mounting side the installation device can be attached to a mounting surface, such asOn a wall, on a mounting rail or in an installation distribution box, wherein the device front and the mounting side are connected by two broad sides and two narrow sides, is characterized in that the cover is essentially U-shaped in cross-section and can be detachably coupled to the installation device while leaving the mounting side free, by placing it over the installation device, in which mounted state it can be secured by a seal, wherein the cover does not increase the installation height of the outer device projection in the mounted state.

[0006] An installation device according to the invention, covered with a cover, has a device front with a number of connection terminals for connecting electrical conductors and with a number of actuating elements, wherein a part of the device front is formed by an outer device projection, furthermore a mounting side opposite the device front, with which mounting side the installation device can be attached to a mounting surface, such as on a wall, on a mounting rail or in an installation distribution box, wherein the device front and the mounting side are connected by two broad sides and two narrow sides.The cover covering the installation device is essentially U-shaped in cross-section and is detachably coupled to the installation device by being placed over it, leaving the fastening side free. In this mounted state, it can be secured by a seal, whereby the cover does not increase the installation height of the outer device projection in the mounted state.

[0007] Advantageous embodiments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims or can be seen from the following description and / or the accompanying figures.

[0008] The advantages and features explained below in connection with the cover also apply analogously to the installation device covered by the cover and vice versa.

[0009] A key idea of ​​the invention is to ensure reliable, sealable coverage of only selected areas of the installation device, particularly selected areas of the front of the installation device, by means of a suitable cover shape, in particular with staggered front wall sections as cover elements on the one hand, and access openings resulting between these cover elements on the other hand, without having to forgo free operating zones and thus access to the installation device. In other words, a partial-covering cover is provided which, with the aid of a functionally segmented cover, selectively protects certain parts of the device, i.e., only covers defined areas of the installation device, while other functionally relevant areas, such as operating or connection zones, remain open and thus freely accessible.In this way, a defined, partial and therefore access-optimized, yet sealable covering of the installation device is achieved.

[0010] Partial covering of an installation device with a protective cover, thus creating a device with targeted area protection, is particularly useful and necessary when certain functions, safety requirements, or operating options of the device should not be restricted by a full cover, even if it could be sealed. Partial covering is especially advantageous when certain terminals and / or operating elements must remain freely accessible to allow for future wiring of the installation device. In such cases, the energy supplier does not need to break the seal or reseal it.

[0011] The proposed selective, area-specific cover enables a particularly functional, sealable protective cover. For example, live areas can be protected from contact and certain device components, such as actuators, from tampering, while other components, such as terminals, remain accessible. This user-friendly cover can contribute to making the covered installation device particularly easy to operate, maintain, or test. At the same time, the partially open design allows for improved air circulation to ensure heat dissipation.

[0012] It is essential that the cover, when installed, does not increase the installation height of any external protrusion of the installation device. The external protrusion is defined as the most prominent part of the device, extending beyond the main body. This means that, despite its function as a cover, the cover complies with the dimensional specifications for the installation of installation devices inside control cabinets, in particular the applicable standard dimensions for partition covers, especially height specifications. In other words, the cover, attached to the installation device, does not exceed the height of the device's external protrusion.If the device is installed in a standard control cabinet with predetermined dimensions and openings, such that the outer device protrusion extends through a standardized opening in the partition cover, it can also be mounted with the cover according to the invention without having to change the height of the opening in the partition cover. The control cabinet or partition cover therefore does not need to have a greater installation height for a covered device. The installation height for devices covered with the cover is the same as for uncovered devices. According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, this is achieved by the cover having an outer protrusion that is not larger than the outer device protrusion in terms of height.To achieve this, the cover has no structural elements, in particular no cover side walls, in these areas, especially on the narrow side on both sides of the front side wall section covering the outer device projection.

[0013] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the cover is dimensioned such that, in the assembled state, i.e., when it is placed over the device, it accommodates essential parts of the installation device, but at least the outer device projection of the installation device. Advantageously, the cover additionally accommodates at least two secondary device projections that are recessed on their narrow sides relative to the outer device projection, namely at least one further device projection above and one below the outer device projection. The cover can also accommodate a further, third device projection that is recessed on its narrow sides, above and / or below the outer device projection.The cover can also be designed such that it accommodates a first number of narrowly recessed device projections above the outer device projection and a second number of narrowly recessed device projections below the outer device projection, different from the first number. In other words, even when the cover is installed, there may be parts of the installation device both above and below the outer device projection that are not located inside the cover. According to an alternative advantageous embodiment of the invention, the cover is dimensioned such that it can completely or substantially completely accommodate the installation device. This ensures that, in the installed state, all areas of the device to be covered are located within the cover.In other words, the cover can be adapted to various types of installation devices and applications. In particular, the cover can be designed to partially, completely, or substantially completely enclose the installation device without losing its basic functionality according to the invention. Put another way, regardless of the specific design of the installation device, the cover fulfills its function of partially covering the device front, or more precisely, the portion of the device front located within the cover, while simultaneously enabling sealing and thus providing access protection to the device, without requiring any measures that would hinder installation or access.

[0014] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the front side wall sections form a continuous front side wall in a top view. In this way, in particular, protection against contact from the front is ensured.

[0015] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the access openings resulting from the omission of the hood side walls are interrupted exclusively by the edges of the front side wall sections. In this way, the device areas accessible despite the cover are particularly easy to reach, especially without special tools.

[0016] The invention is particularly advantageous for use with installation devices in low-voltage installation technology, especially for devices installed in control cabinets according to the standardized dimensions of the control cabinet. The specified height for the outer projection of an installation device is typically 45 mm. The width of DIN rail-mounted devices is divided into modular units (MUs). The width of a modular unit is 18 mm. Break-off points are generally provided in the module cover every 9 mm (1 / 2 MU), allowing half a module to be removed.

[0017] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the height of the outer hood projection corresponds to the height of the outer device projection and / or the height of the outer hood projection does not exceed the height of the outer device projection.

[0018] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the width of the cover corresponds to a multiple of half a division unit (1 / 2 TE).

[0019] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the width of the cover is half a division unit (1 / 2 TE) larger than the width of the installation device.

[0020] If the cover is designed in this way, the installation device, which is covered by the cover and can be sealed in this manner, fits into standard control cabinets with predetermined dimensions and openings. Utilizing the predetermined breaking points in the partition cover, a clean installation of the device-cover combination is possible without having to manually trim the partition cover to fit. In other words, the device-cover combination is no larger than a standardized recess in the partition cover.

[0021] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the cover is transparent. Due to the transparent design, the original markings on the installation device remain legible.

[0022] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the position of the sealing opening in the cover is aligned with the installation device and the corresponding sealing element. If the sealing opening is located in one of the front side wall sections, and thus on the front of the cover, the sealing wire can be attached particularly easily.

[0023] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the cover comprises two side walls of the cover forming the broad sides and thus the U-shaped legs of the cover, which in the assembled state run essentially parallel to the broad sides of the device.

[0024] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the cover comprises a front side wall forming the front of the cover and thus the U-base of the cover, which in the assembled state runs essentially parallel to the front of the device, wherein the front side wall is formed from several front side wall sections, each connecting the two cover side walls to each other in the manner of a crossbar.

[0025] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, adjacent front wall sections are stepped off from each other in a stair-like manner, and at least one of these front wall sections covers a number of actuating elements on the front of the installation device when mounted.

[0026] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the hood side walls forming the hood's narrow sides, which in the assembled state run essentially parallel to the device's narrow sides, are at least partially, preferably completely, eliminated, leaving a number of access openings to the installation device, in particular to at least one of the device's narrow sides, preferably to both device's narrow sides, especially to connection terminals and / or to actuating elements of the installation device.

[0027] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the cover also comprises at least one sealing opening for receiving a sealing element connected to the installation device in the assembled state, which sealing opening is preferably located in a front side wall section.

[0028] The invention is applicable to various installation devices. According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the installation device is one of the following: switching devices, control devices, protective devices, load switches, relays, contactors.

[0029] Another advantage is that, due to the form factors used for the cover, both devices to be installed and already installed devices can be equipped with the cover according to the invention without having to fundamentally change the way the device is installed.

[0030] Furthermore, the chosen design of the cover with offset front side wall sections makes it particularly easy to select universal cover shapes, so that one cover shape can be used for several different devices.

[0031] An embodiment of the invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the drawings. These show: Fig. 1. A perspective view of an installation device, Fig. 2 a perspective view of a cover, Fig. 3 a first side view of the cover (view of the left broad side), Fig. 4 a second side view of the cover (view of the upper narrow side), Fig. 5 a third side view of the cover (view of the front), Fig. 6 a sectional view of the cover along line AA in Fig. 4 and Fig. 5.

[0032] All figures do not show the invention to scale, only schematically and with its essential components. Identical reference numerals correspond to elements with the same or comparable function.

[0033] An installation device 2 to be covered with a cover 1 ( Fig. 1), here an installation relay, has a stepped front panel 3 with a number of terminals for connecting electrical conductors. Part of the front panel 3 is formed by an outer projection 4, i.e., the furthest projecting part of the installation device 2, which is set away from the main body of the device. Fig. Figure 1 only schematically indicates the terminal blocks 6 located in a lower area of ​​the device front panel 3. Also only schematically indicated are the actuating elements 5 associated with these terminal blocks 6, which are located directly adjacent to the terminal blocks 6 in a neighboring area of ​​the device front panel 3.

[0034] The device 2 has a mounting side 7 opposite the device front 3, which allows it to be mounted on a DIN rail (not shown) in a distribution box (not shown) that uses a partition cover (TE cover) for installing such DIN rail-mounted devices. The device front 3 and the mounting side 7 are connected by two wide sides 8, 9 and two narrow sides 10, 11.

[0035] When the installation device 2 is mounted on the DIN rail, the device front 3 faces forward and the mounting side 7 faces backward. The terms "front" and "back" as well as "top" and "bottom" refer to this intended operating state of the installation device 2, in which the installation device 2 is attached to its mounting surface 7. Specifications for height (H), depth (T), and width (B) refer to the dimensions shown in the diagram. Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 axes are shown.

[0036] The transparent cover 1, made of a plastic material ( Fig. 2) has a cross-section that is essentially U-shaped and can be detachably coupled to the device 2 by placing it over the installation device 2, leaving the mounting side 7 exposed. For this purpose, the cover 1 is dimensioned such that it can completely accommodate the installation device 2. The possible presence of additional connecting elements for establishing or securing the connection between the device 2 and the cover 1, such as locking, snap-fit, or clamping elements, or the like, is not discussed here.

[0037] The cover 1 has two side walls 13, 14 forming the broad sides of the cover 1 and thus the U-shaped legs of the cover 1, which, in the assembled state, run essentially parallel to the broad sides 8, 9 of the device. It also has a front side wall 15 forming the front of the cover 1 and thus the base of the U, which, in the assembled state, runs essentially parallel to the front of the device 3. Preferably, the dimensions of the cover 1 are matched to the dimensions of the installation device 2 such that, when the cover 1 is placed over the device 2, its side walls 13, 14 abut the broad sides 8, 9 of the device. In particular, an outer projection 42 of the cover is provided, which abuts the outer projection 4 of the device.

[0038] The depth 16 of the hood side walls 13, 14 corresponds essentially to the depth 17 of the broad sides 8, 9 of the device 2, thus extending to the mounting side 7 of the device 2, so that the device 2 is completely covered on its broad sides.

[0039] In the example illustrated here, the height 18 of the cover 1 corresponds to the height 19 of the installation device 2 and does not exceed the height 19 of the installation device 2, so that the cover 1 essentially completely encloses the entire device 2. However, the cover 1 can also be used with other installation devices (not shown) whose height is greater than the height 18 of the cover 1 and which therefore protrude from the access opening 39 and / or the access opening 40 on their narrow sides.

[0040] The width 20 of the cover 1 is half a division unit (1 / 2 TE) larger than the width 21 of the installation device 2 and corresponds to a multiple of half a division unit (1 / 2 TE).

[0041] The front side wall 15 is formed from several front side wall sections 31, 32, 33, 34, each connecting the two hood side walls 13, 14 in the manner of a crossbar. Adjacent front side wall sections are stepped off from each other in a staggered, step-like fashion. In a top view, the front side wall sections 31, 32, 33, 34 form a continuous front side wall 15 ( Fig. 5).

[0042] In the illustrated example, a central first front side wall section 31 of considerable height 35 is provided, forming the front of the outer hood projection 42. The front side wall section 31 is flanked above by two front side wall sections of lesser height 36, 37, each offset by one step 22, 23 lower, namely a second front side wall section 32 and a third front side wall section 33, and below by a fourth front side wall section 34 of lesser height 38, also offset by one step 24 lower, see Fig. 3.

[0043] At least one of these front side wall sections, in the example shown the fourth front side wall section 34, covers, in the assembled state, i.e. with the cover 2 in place, an area 26 to be covered on the front of the device 3 of the installation device 2, in which the number of operating elements 5 are arranged (see Fig. 1).

[0044] The second and third front side wall sections 32, 33 simultaneously cover the actuating elements arranged in an upper area of ​​the device front 3 (not shown).

[0045] The offset 22, 23, 24 of the front side wall sections (crossbars) 31, 32, 33, 34 to each other in the depth direction, as well as the heights 35, 36, 37, 38 of the front side wall sections 31, 32, 33, 34 are chosen according to the shape, in particular the cross-sectional contour, of the device 2 to be covered or the heights of the respective areas of the device 2 to be covered, here in particular according to the height 27 of the area 26 to be covered.

[0046] The hood side walls, which form the narrow sides of the hood and run essentially parallel to the narrow sides 10, 11 of the device when mounted, are not present. This leaves several access openings 39, 40 to the installation device 2, namely to both narrow sides 11, 10 of the installation device 2. At least one of the access openings 40 provides access, when mounted, to a number of terminals 6 of the installation device 2 in a permanently accessible lower front area 12 of the device 2. Not explicitly shown in the drawings is that the access openings 39 on the opposite narrow side 11 of the device 2 also provide access, when mounted, to a number of terminals in a permanently accessible upper front area 12 of the device 2. The access openings 39, 40 are interrupted exclusively by the edges 25 of the front side wall sections 31, 32, 33, 34 ( Fig.4).

[0047] Due to this design, the cover 1 has no structural elements, in particular no side walls, on its narrow sides on either side of the front wall section 31 that covers the device projection 4. The height 43 of the outer device projection 4 corresponds to the height 44 of the outer cover projection 42, which also essentially corresponds to the height 35 of the first front wall section. Because of the absence of side walls, the cover 1, when installed, does not increase the required installation height for the outer device projection 4. Despite the cover projection 42 of the cover 1 being installed, the outer device projection 4 fits into a recess in the partition cover (not shown), which has a standard height of 45 mm.

[0048] The cover 1 has a sealing opening 28 in the central front side wall section 31, the position of which is aligned with the installation device 2, which is equipped with a corresponding sealing element 29. The sealing opening 28 serves to receive this sealing element 29 when the cover 1 is mounted on the device 2. In the illustrated example, the sealing element 29 is a sealing tab with a hole. When mounted, the sealing element 29 protrudes forward through the sealing opening 28 from the front side wall 15 in such a way that a sealing wire (not shown) can be inserted from the outside through the wire opening 30 provided by the sealing element 29 and a seal (not shown) can be attached to it to secure the cover 1 to the installation device 2.

[0049] All features shown in the description, the following claims and the drawings can be essential to the invention, either individually or in any combination.

[0050] These features or combinations of features can each constitute an independent invention, the right to claim which is expressly reserved.

[0051] When specifying a combination of features defining an invention, individual features from the description of an embodiment do not necessarily have to be combined with one or more or all other features specified in the description of that embodiment; in this respect, any sub-combination of features of one or more embodiments is expressly disclosed.

[0052] Furthermore, tangible features of the device can be reformulated and used as process features, and vice versa. Features reformulated in this way are implicitly disclosed. Reference symbol list 1 cover 2 installation devices 3 Device front 4 outer device protrusion 5 Actuating element (covered when mounted) 6 Connection terminal (accessible when mounted) 7 Mounting side 8 device wideside 9 device wideside 10 Device narrow side 11 Device narrow side 12 freely accessible front panel areas of the device 13 Hood sidewall 14 Hood side wall 15 Front side panel of the hood 16 Depth of the hood side wall 17 Depth of the device's broad side 18 Height of the cover 19 Height of the device 20 Width of the cover 21 Width of the device 22 step offset 23 step offset 24 step offset 25 Edge of a front side wall section 26 Front area of ​​the device to be covered 27 Height of the area to be covered 28 Sealing opening 29 Sealing element 30 wire opening 31 first front side wall section 32 second front side wall section 33 third front side wall section 34 fourth front side wall section 35 Height of the first front side wall section 36 Height of the second front side wall section 37 Height of the third front side wall section 38 Height of the fourth front side wall section 39 Access opening to the upper narrow side of the device 40 Access opening to the lower narrow side of the device 41 (free) 42 outer hood projection 43 Height of the outer device projection 44 Height of the outer hood projection

Claims

[1] Cover (1) for an installation device (2), which installation device (2) has a device front (3) with a number of terminals (6) for connecting electrical conductors and with a number of operating elements (5), wherein a part of the device front (3) is formed by an external device projection (4), which installation device (2) has a mounting side (7) opposite the front of the device (3), with which mounting side (7) the installation device (2) can be attached to a mounting surface, such as on a wall, on a mounting rail or in an installation distribution box, wherein the device front (3) and the mounting side (7) are connected by two wide sides (8, 9) and two narrow sides (10, 11), wherein the cover (1) is essentially U-shaped in cross-section and can be detachably coupled to the installation device (2) by placing it over the installation device (2), leaving the fastening side (7) free, and in which assembled state it can be secured by a seal, wherein the cover (1) does not increase the installation height of the outer device projection (4) when installed. [2] Installation device (2) covered with a cover (1), wherein the installation device (2) has a device front (3) with a number of terminals (6) for connecting electrical conductors and with a number of operating elements (5), wherein part of the device front (3) is formed by an external device projection (4), wherein the installation device (2) has a mounting side (7) opposite the front of the device (3), with which mounting side (7) the installation device (2) can be attached to a mounting surface, such as on a wall, on a mounting rail or in an installation distribution box, wherein the device front (3) and the mounting side (7) are connected by two wide sides (8, 9) and two narrow sides (10, 11), wherein the cover (1) is essentially U-shaped in cross-section and is detachably coupled to the installation device (2) by being placed over the installation device (2), leaving the fastening side (7) free, and in which mounted state it can be secured by a seal, wherein the cover (1) does not increase the installation height of the outer device projection (4) in the mounted state. [3] Device (1, 2) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the front side wall sections (31, 32, 33, 34) form a continuous front side wall (15) in a top view. [4] Device (1, 2) according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the access openings (39, 40) resulting from the omission of hood side walls are interrupted exclusively by edges (25) of the front side wall sections (31, 32, 33, 34). [5] Device (1, 2) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the height (44) of the outer hood projection (42) corresponds to the height (43) of the outer device projection (4) and / or wherein the height (44) of the outer hood projection (42) does not exceed the height (43) of the outer device projection (4). [6] Device (1, 2) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the width (20) of the cover (1) corresponds to a multiple of half a division unit (1 / 2 TE) and / or wherein the width (20) of the cover (1) is half a division unit (1 / 2 TE) greater than the width (21) of the installation device (2). [7] Device (1, 2) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the installation device (2) is a device from the following list: switching devices, control devices, protective devices, load switches, relays, contactors. [8] Device (1, 2) according to one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the cover (1) has two cover side walls (13, 14) forming the wide sides of the cover and thus the U-shaped legs of the cover (1), which in the assembled state run substantially parallel to the wide sides (8, 9) of the device. [9] Device (1, 2) according to claim 8, wherein the cover (1) has a front side wall (15) forming the front of the cover and thus the U-base of the cover (1), which in the assembled state runs substantially parallel to the front of the device (3), wherein the front side wall (15) is formed from several front side wall sections (31, 32, 33, 34) which connect the two cover side walls (13, 14) in the manner of a crossbar. [10] Device (1, 2) according to claim 9, wherein adjacent front side wall sections (31, 32, 33, 34) are stepped off to each other in a step-like manner and wherein at least one of these front side wall sections (31, 32, 33, 34) covers a number of actuating elements (5) on the device front (3) of the installation device (2) in the assembled state. [11] Device (1, 2) according to one of claims 8 to 10, wherein hood side walls (13, 14) forming hood narrow sides and running substantially parallel to the device narrow sides (10, 11) in the assembled state are at least partially, preferably completely, omitted, leaving a number of access openings (39, 40) to the installation device (2), in particular to at least one of the device narrow sides (10, 11) of the installation device (2), in particular to connection terminals (6) and / or to actuating elements (5) of the installation device (2). [12] Device (1, 2) according to one of claims 8 to 11, wherein the cover (1) has at least one sealing opening (28) for receiving a sealing element (29) connected to the installation device (2) in the assembled state, which sealing opening (28) is preferably provided in a front side wall section (31).

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