SWITCHING DEVICE WITH LOCKABLE FRONT COVER

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a switching device. The invention relates in particular to a multi-pole switching device for use on busbar systems. Busbar systems are widely used and allow switching devices to be mounted directly onto the busbar during installation. The dimensioning of the busbars in the busbar system depends primarily on the current load. In switchgear, several busbars can be installed in parallel. The busbars are generally made of aluminum or copper and are usually uninsulated, which simplifies the installation of connection and switching elements.

[0002] Switching devices, in particular electrical load switches, especially those with fuses, are used, for example, in industrial and power plant applications both as busbar feed-in switches and as outgoing switches for switching highly inductive loads (e.g. motors) including overload protection.

[0003] The switching device according to the invention is, in particular, a switching device for use on a busbar system, wherein the switching device covers a current range in which cylindrical fuses are used, for example D0 fuses. The switching device according to the invention can be used, for example, as a pre-fuse for DIN rail devices, as a protective device for drives in production facilities and / or in photovoltaic installations.

[0004] A switching device designed for use on busbar systems is known, for example, from EP 1 246 212 A2. Furthermore, EP 1 271 583 A2 and EP 2 747 104 B1 disclose switching devices designed for use on busbar systems.

[0005] GB 1 439 681 A discloses a switching device that has the features of the preamble of claim 1. EP 3 211 650 A1 and DE 10 2012 025 602 A1 disclose further prior art.

[0006] The object of the invention is to further develop a switching device having the features of the preamble of claim 1 in such a way as to ensure a high level of operational safety.

[0007] The problem is solved by a switching device that has the features of claim 1.

[0008] The switching device according to the invention comprises a housing and at least one switching contact, wherein the switching device has a fuse holder associated with the respective switching contact. The fuse holder is designed in particular to accommodate a cylindrical fuse, especially a D0 fuse. The switching device is designed in particular as a load break switch for a busbar system.

[0009] The switching device according to the invention has a front cover mounted in the housing, for covering the at least one fuse holder when the front cover is closed. In the closed position of the front cover, the fuse holders of the switching device, or the fuses stored therein, are thus inaccessible to the operator, so that access to the area of ​​the fuse holder or a fuse stored therein is not possible when the front cover is closed. The at least one switching contact can be moved from a contact position to an open position and vice versa by means of a slide slidably mounted in the housing. Preferably, the slide is mounted so as to be linearly displaceable in the housing. Such a slide is also referred to as an actuating slide.The sliding mechanism is designed to have a locking element, or for a locking element to interact with the sliding mechanism, in particular for the locking element to be movable together with the sliding mechanism. In the contact position of the switching contact, the locking element locks the front cover when the front cover is in the closed position.

[0010] When the front cover is in the closed position and the switching contact is in the contact position, meaning the switching device is in a switched-on state, the locking mechanism prevents the front cover from being opened. Therefore, the front cover cannot be opened when the switching device is switched on. This prevents the operator from opening the switching device while it is switched on, for example, to replace a fuse, and thus avoids the risk of contacting a live component. Accordingly, the design according to the invention ensures that the front cover can only be opened when the switching contact is in an open position, meaning the switching device is in a switched-off state.

[0011] Because the locking mechanism is part of the slide or can be moved together with it, the locking of the front cover is directly related to the slide, thus to the component of the switching device that directly influences the switching position of the contact. For example, the switching device may have a manually operated lever that acts on the slide. Such levers are typically designed with a certain amount of free play to ensure an instantaneous switching of the contact, for example, using an intermediate snap-action mechanism. The disadvantage of this design is that the lever can move over a certain range without the slide itself moving.Therefore, locking devices that interact directly with the actuating lever are to be considered disadvantageous, since a movement of the actuating lever that does not yet lead to the switching contact being activated could nevertheless cause a locking device interacting with the actuating lever to no longer lock the cover, so that even with a switching contact in the contact position, this locking mechanism does not reliably prevent the front cover from being opened when the actuating lever is in the appropriate position.

[0012] Furthermore, the design of the locking means in the slide or the connection of the locking means with the slide has the advantage that the locking means can be arranged inside the housing of the switching device, so that unintentional damage to the locking means can be avoided.

[0013] It is considered particularly advantageous if the front cover is pivotally mounted in the housing.

[0014] Preferably, one contact element of the switching contact is mounted in the slide and another contact element of the switching contact is mounted, preferably stationary, in the housing.

[0015] It is considered advantageous if the locking means has a locking structure, wherein the locking structure, in the contact position when the front cover is in the closed position, engages behind a counter-structure of the front cover, in particular the counter-structure on a side facing the front.

[0016] It is considered particularly advantageous if this counter-structure penetrates the housing in the closed position of the front cover, insofar as it protrudes into the interior of the housing.

[0017] It is considered particularly advantageous if the locking means, especially the locking structure, has a display surface for indicating the switching state of the at least one switching contact, wherein the housing or front cover has a viewing window, and at least a portion of the display surface is visible through the viewing window when the front cover is closed. In particular, the viewing window is designed such that only a portion of the display surface is visible. The display surface is designed, in particular, such that it has a symbol indicating the contact position, i.e., the "on" position of the switching device, and a symbol indicating the open position, i.e., the "off" position of the switching device.

[0018] The slider is preferably mounted entirely within the housing and, in particular, in an area of ​​the switching device adjacent to a rear wall of the housing. This places the slider particularly close to the busbars of the busbar system.

[0019] It is considered particularly advantageous if the locking means is essentially rod-shaped and extends from the slider towards the front cover.

[0020] It is considered particularly advantageous if the locking means protrudes from the front of the housing, especially if it is arranged inside the front cover when the front cover is closed.

[0021] Preferably, the locking structure is designed in the form of a plate.

[0022] Preferably, the locking structure forms a free end of the locking means.

[0023] Preferably, the front cover has a counter-structure with a recess or a through-opening, wherein the locking structure is arranged within the recess or through-opening in the contact position when the front cover is closed.

[0024] The front cover is preferably designed as a protective hood, allowing the fuse holders or the fuses arranged in the fuse holders to protrude partially from the housing of the switching device while still being covered from the front and sides by the hood. This makes the fuses or fuse holders particularly accessible when the front cover is open, simplifying the replacement, removal, and / or insertion of fuses.

[0025] To prevent the switching device from being switched on when the front cover is open, specifically when the switching contact moves from the open to the closed position, the switching device is provided with a locking mechanism. This locking mechanism can be moved against the restoring force of a return element from a locked position, in which it prevents movement of the slide, to an open position, in which it allows movement of the slide. In the locked position, the slide cannot be moved from the open to the closed position, thus preventing the switching device from being switched on. The front cover is provided with a retaining structure, which, when the front cover is closed, holds the locking mechanism in the open position.Thus, in the closed position, the front cover, with its retaining structure, acts on the locking mechanism in such a way that the locking mechanism is in the open position, allowing the switching device to be switched on. When the front cover is open, the retaining structure no longer acts on the locking mechanism, so that the locking mechanism is moved from the open position to the locked position by the return mechanism, thereby preventing the switching device from being switched on by blocking the movement of the slider.

[0026] Preferably, the locking means is mounted so as to be linearly displaceable in the housing, in particular so as to be displaceable in the housing perpendicular to the direction of movement of the slide.

[0027] It is considered particularly advantageous if the retaining structure of the front cover, which interacts with the locking means, penetrates the housing in the closed position of the front cover, insofar as it projects into the housing of the switching device.

[0028] Preferably, the locking device is stored inside the housing, which prevents or at least makes it more difficult for the locking device to shift unintentionally when the lid is open.

[0029] Preferably, the retaining structure cooperating with the locking means in the closed position of the front cover penetrates a, preferably slot-shaped, through-opening in the housing, wherein this through-opening is designed to be finger-safe.

[0030] It is considered particularly advantageous if the switching device has a stop on the housing side, whereby the locking means rests against this stop in the locked position.

[0031] Preferably, the restoring means is an integral part of the locking means and the locking means is preferably formed in one piece.

[0032] The restoring element is preferably rod-shaped and is supported at a free end facing away from the rest of the locking element on a housing-side structure of the switching device.

[0033] The locking device preferably has a locking structure and the slide has a counter-structure that interacts with the locking structure, wherein in the locking position of the locking device the locking structure is located in the displacement path of the counter-structure of the slide and in the open position the locking structure is located outside the displacement path of the counter-structure of the slide.

[0034] Preferably, the locking structure is formed at the end of the locking device.

[0035] It is considered particularly advantageous if the locking means is an integral part of the slide, insofar as the locking means forms a component of the slide.

[0036] In another preferred embodiment, the locking element is a separate component, connected to the slide, in particular by a snap-fit ​​connection. This allows the locking element to be manufactured independently of the slide, and in particular, the indicator surface can be applied to the locking element. Furthermore, in such an embodiment, the locking element can be made of a different material than the slide. This allows the respective materials of the locking element and the slide to be adapted separately to the specific requirements.

[0037] Particularly with regard to operator-independent switching and thus enabling laypersons to operate the switching device, it is considered advantageous if the switching device has an actuated switching mechanism for moving the at least one switching contact from the contact position to the open position and vice versa, wherein the switching mechanism has a joint arrangement interacting with the slide, preferably a toggle joint arrangement. The actuated switching mechanism is preferably designed as a snap-action switching mechanism.

[0038] To achieve the most compact design possible for the switching device, it is considered advantageous if the locking and blocking elements are each arranged in the area between two fuse holders, preferably the blocking element being arranged between the locking element and a pivot axis of the front cover. This design allows for particularly optimal utilization of the available installation space in the longitudinal, transverse, and vertical directions of the switching device.

[0039] It is considered advantageous if the switching device is designed as a switching device for a busbar system, in particular as a load break switch for a busbar system, wherein the switching device has a number of fuse holders corresponding to the number of busbars and a switching contact assigned to the respective fuse holder, wherein the fuse holders are arranged along a longitudinal direction of the switching device, preferably transverse to the busbars.

[0040] Preferably, the switching device has three fuse holders.

[0041] The locking mechanism and / or the locking device are made primarily of plastic.

[0042] The following figures explain the invention in more detail using two exemplary embodiments, without being limited to these. They show: Fig. 1 shows a first embodiment of the switching device according to the invention in a switched-off state in a perspective view, Fig. 2 shows the switching device according to Fig. 1 in the switched-off state in a front view, Fig. 3 the switching device according to Fig. 1 in a switched-on state in a front view, Fig. 4 an internal view of the switching device according to Fig. 1 in the switched-on state in an internal view, Fig. 5 the switching device according to Fig. 4 in a perspective view, Fig. 6 the switching device according to Fig. 1 in the switched-off state in an internal view, Fig. 7 the switching device according to Fig. 6 in a perspective view, Fig. 8 the switching device according to Fig. 1 in a switched-off state with the front cover open in an interior view, Fig. 9 the switching device according to Fig. 8 in a perspective view, Fig. 10 the switching device according to Fig. 8 In another perspective view, Fig. 11, a slider of the switching device according to Fig. 1 with a locking device arranged thereon in a perspective view, Fig. 12 the arrangement according to Fig. 11 in a process of connecting the locking means to the slide in a perspective view, Fig. 13 a view of the arrangement according to Fig. 11 During the process of connecting the locking means to the slide in a perspective view, Fig. 14, a locking means of the slide according to Fig. 1 in a perspective view, Fig. 15 a second embodiment of the switching device in an interior view.

[0043] The Fig. 1 bis 14 Figure 1 shows a first embodiment of the switching device 1 according to the invention, or partial components of the first embodiment of the switching device 1 according to the invention. The switching device 1 is designed here as a multi-pole switching device 1 for use on a busbar system with three busbars. The switching device 1 has a rear side 24 facing the busbars and a front side 23 facing away from the busbars. The switching device 1 according to the invention has three fuse holders 14 arranged in a row transversely to the busbar system, each fuse holder 14 being designed to hold a cylindrical fuse, in this case a D02 fuse. A switching contact 2 is associated with each fuse holder 14 of the switching device 1, the switching contacts 2 being arranged in a row along a longitudinal direction X of the switching device 1.The switching device 1 has a front cover 4 pivotably connected to a housing 3 of the switching device 1, the front cover 4 being designed as a cover hood. In a closed position, i.e., when the front cover 4 is closed, it covers the fuse holders 14 from the front.

[0044] The three switching contacts 2 can be moved from a contact position to an open position and vice versa by means of a slide 10, which is linearly displaceable in the longitudinal direction X of the switching device 1 and is mounted in the housing 3. For this purpose, one contact element 21 of each switching contact 2 is mounted in the slide 10, and another contact element 22 of each switching contact 2 is fixedly mounted in the housing 3. The other contact elements 22 of each switching contact 2 are designed to contact one of the three busbars when the switching device 1 is connected to the busbar system, thus forming busbar contacts. One of the contact elements 21 is designed as a bridge contact, with each bridge contact, in the contact position, contacting both the busbar contact and one of the input conductors 25 assigned to the respective fuse holder 14.

[0045] To actuate the slide 10, the switching device 1 has a manually operable actuating lever 6, wherein this actuating lever 6 interacts with a snap-action mechanism 20, and this snap-action mechanism 20 in turn interacts with the slide 10. The slide 10 forms a toggle joint arrangement with further joints, wherein this toggle joint arrangement is in an over-center position when the switching device 1 is switched on, i.e., when the switching contacts 2 are in the contact position.

[0046] The Fig. 1, 2 , 6 bis 10 Figure 1 shows the switching device 1 according to the invention in a switched-off state, thus with the switching contacts 2 in the open position. In this open position, the electrical fuses or the fuse holders 14 are de-energized, in particular the respective input conductor 25 of the fuse holder 14 is de-energized. However, the Fig. 3 , 4 und 5 The switching device 1 is in a switched-on state, thus in a state with the switching contacts 2 in the contact position. In this state, the fuses or the input current conductors 25 are energized.

[0047] The switching device 1 is designed such that the front cover 4 can only be opened when the switching device 1 is switched off. For this purpose, the switching device 1 has a locking element 7 which is connected to the slide 10 and can therefore be moved together with the slide 10, whereby the locking element 7, in the contact position of the switching contacts 2, locks the front cover 4 when the front cover 4 is in the closed position. This is particularly important for the Fig. 4 und 5 to be seen in which the front cover 4 is shown partially cut away and the area in which locking means 7 interacts with the front cover 4 is shown.

[0048] The locking means 7 has a plate-shaped locking structure 8, wherein, in the contact position when the front cover 4 is in the closed position, the locking structure 8 engages a counter-structure 9 of the front cover 4 on one side of the counter-structure 9 facing the front face 23. The counter-structure 9 is formed in this case in a connecting web of the front cover 4 extending in the transverse direction Y, as can be seen in particular by the Fig. 10 The counter-structure 9 has a through-opening, whereby the locking structure 8 is retracted into this through-opening in the contact position and thus prevents the front cover 4 from pivoting out of the closed position.

[0049] In the interrupted position, the locking structure 8 is no longer engaged with the counter-structure 9 when the front cover 4 is closed. This state occurs, for example, in the Fig. 6 As shown. In this state, i.e., in the off position of the switching device 1, the front cover 4 can be pivoted and thus opened, for example to replace a fuse. To facilitate opening the front cover 4, the front cover 4 has a handle 15.

[0050] As in particular the Fig. 8 As can be seen, the locking means 7 is designed such that it protrudes from the front 23 of the switching device 1 opposite the housing 3 of the switching device 1.

[0051] As in particular a comparison of the Fig. 2 und 3 As can be seen from the front 23 of the switching device 1, i.e., on the side of the switching device 1 facing the operator, the switching position of the switching device 1 is recognizable. This switching position indicator is implemented in this case by the locking structure 8 having a display surface 18 for indicating the switching state of the switching contacts 2, wherein the front cover 4 has a viewing window 5, whereby when the front cover 4 is closed, only a portion, in this case approximately half of the entire display surface 18, is visible through the window 5. The display surface 18 has a first symbol "I" to indicate the switched-on state and a second symbol "0" to indicate the switched-off state, wherein the dimensions and arrangement of the viewing window 5 are such that in the respective switching state only the corresponding symbol is visible through the viewing window 5.

[0052] To prevent the switching device 1 from being moved from the open position to the contact position when the front cover 4 is open, the switching device 1 has a locking element 11 that is slidably mounted perpendicular to the direction of movement of the slide 10 and is linearly displaceable in the vertical direction Z of the switching device. The locking element 11 can be moved from a locked position to an open position against a restoring force of a restoring element 17, which is an integral part of the locking element 11. In the locked position, which is, for example, in the Fig. 8 As shown, the locking element 11 rests with its end facing away from the slide 10 against a housing-side stop of the switching device 1. In this position, the locking element 11 is displaced maximally towards the front 23. The locking element 11 has a locking structure 12, and the slide 10 has a corresponding structure 13. In the locked position of the locking element 11, the locking structure 12 is located within the displacement path of the corresponding structure 13. Thus, in the locked position, the locking structure 12 forms a stop for the corresponding structure 13, thereby preventing the slide 10 from moving from the open position to the closed position and thus preventing the actuation of the switching contacts 2. With the front cover 4 closed, as is the case, for example, in the Fig. 6 As shown, the locking element 11 is displaced in the direction of the slide 10, so that the locking structure 12 is located below the counter-structure 13 and thus outside the displacement path of the counter-structure 13. Therefore, in this position of the locking element 11, it is possible to displace the slide 10 and thus to switch the switching device 1.

[0053] The front cover 4 has a locking device that interacts with the locking device 11.

[0054] Retaining structure 16, which, in the closed position of the front cover 4, holds the locking element 11 in the open position. The retaining structure 16 is fin-shaped and, in the closed position of the front cover 4, passes through a through-slot 28 in a front wall 27 of the housing 3 and rests against the locking element 11 at its end. After the front cover 4 is opened, which, as already explained, is only possible when the switching device 1 is in the off position, the retaining structure 16 no longer acts on the locking element 11. Therefore, the locking element 11 is moved from the open position to the locked position by the restoring force of the restoring element 17, so that switching of the switching device 1 is not possible when the front cover 4 is open.

[0055] The design of the locking device 11 is in the Fig. 14 The figure is shown in more detail below. As can be seen in this figure, the locking structure 12 is designed as a pin projecting in the transverse direction Y of the switching device 1. The return element 17 of the locking element 11 is rod-shaped. A free end of the return element 17 is supported against a structure on the housing side.

[0056] In the present case, the locking means 7 and the locking means 11 are each arranged in the area between two of the locking receptacles 14, with the locking means 11 being arranged in the present case between the locking means 7 and the pivot axis of the front cover 4.

[0057] In the present case, the locking device 7 is designed as a separate component, as can be seen in particular from the Fig. 12 The locking element 7 is connected to the slide 10 in a snap-fit ​​manner, with the locking element 7 and the slide 10 each having mutually cooperating locking elements 19 for this purpose. The locking elements 19 of the locking element 7 are formed in this case by two elastically deformable, parallel webs. During the process of connecting the locking element 7 to the slide 10, the two webs are bent apart under the influence of the locking element 19 on the slide side and, upon further movement, in this case by further pivoting of the locking element 7, come into contact behind the locking element 19 on the slide side. This creates the snap-fit ​​connection or a clip connection between the slide 10 and the locking element 7.

[0058] On the side facing away from the locking means 19, the locking means 7 is arranged in a receiving structure of the slide 10, wherein the receiving structure of the slide 10 is designed such that the locking means 7 is first inserted into this receiving structure and can be pivoted in this receiving structure in order to enable the locking means 7 to pivot for the purpose of locking the locking means 19.

[0059] The Fig. 15 Figure 1 shows a further embodiment of the switching device 1 according to the invention, wherein this embodiment differs from the first embodiment essentially in the design of the locking means 7, in particular the locking structure 8, and the counter-structure 9. In the embodiment shown in the Fig. 15 In the embodiment shown, the counter-structure 9 associated with the front cover 4 projects into the interior of the housing of the switching device 1 and the locking structure 8 is formed inside the housing 3 of the switching device 1. Reference symbol list

[0060] 1 Switching device 2 Switching contact 3 Housing 4 Front cover 5 Viewing window 6 Switching lever 7 Locking device 8 Locking structure 9 Counter-structure 10 Slider 11 Locking device 12 Locking structure 13 Counter-structure 14 Fuse holder 15 Handle 16 Retaining structure 17 Reset device 18 Display area 19 Rake 20 Switching mechanism 21 Contact element 22 Contact element 23 Front 24 Rear 25 Input conductor 26 Rear panel 27 Front panel 28 Through slot

Claims

1. Switching device (1) comprising a housing (3) and at least one switching contact (2), wherein the switching device (1) has a fuse receptacle (14) assigned to the respective switching contact (2), wherein the switching device (1) has a front cover (4), which is mounted in the housing (3), for the front-side covering of the at least one fuse receptacle (14) in a closed position of the front cover (4), wherein the at least one switching contact (2) is transferable via a slide (10), which is mounted movably in the housing (3), from a contact position to an interruption position and vice versa, wherein the slide (10) has a locking means (7) or a locking means (7) interacts with the slide (10), wherein the locking means (7) in the contact position locks the front cover (4) when the front cover (4) is in the closed position, characterized in that the switching device (1) has a blocking means (11), the blocking means (11) being transferable counter to a restoring force of a restoring means (17) from a blocking position, in which the blocking means (11) prevents displacement of the slide (10), to an open position, in which the blocking means (11) allows displacement of the slide (10), wherein the front cover (4) has a holding structure (16), said holding structure (16) holding the blocking means (11) in the open position in the closed position of the front cover (4).

2. Switching device according to Claim 1, wherein the locking means (7) has a locking structure (8), the locking structure (8) in the contact position, with the front cover (4) in the closed position, engaging behind a mating structure (9) of the front cover (4).

3. Switching device according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein the front cover (4) is pivotably mounted in the housing (3).

4. Switching device according to any one of Claims 1 to 3, wherein the locking means (7) has a display surface (18) for displaying the switching state of the at least one switching contact (2), wherein the front cover (4) has a viewing window (5), wherein, when the front cover (4) is closed, at least a partial region of the display surface (18) is visible through the viewing window (5).

5. Switching device according to any one of Claims 1 to 4, wherein the slide (10) is mounted in the housing (3) in a region of the switching device (1) adjacent to a rear wall (26) of the housing (3).

6. Switching device according to any one of Claims 1 to 5, wherein the locking means (7) protrudes on the front side in relation to the housing (3).

7. Switching device according to any one of Claims 1 to 6, wherein said holding structure (16) in the closed position of the front cover (4) penetrates the housing (3).

8. Switching device according to any one of Claims 1 to 7, wherein the restoring means (17) is an integral component of the blocking means (11).

9. Switching device according to Claim 8, wherein the blocking means (11) is formed integrally.

10. Switching device according to any one of Claims 1 to 9, wherein the blocking means (11) has a blocking structure (12) and the slide (10) has a mating structure (13), wherein, in the blocking position of the blocking means (11), the blocking structure (12) is located in the displacement path of the mating structure (13) and, in the open position, is located outside the displacement path of the mating structure (13).

11. Switching device according to any one of Claims 1 to 10, wherein the locking means (7) and the blocking means (11) are each arranged in the region between two fuse receptacles (14).

12. Switching device according to any one of Claims 1 to 11, wherein the locking means (7) is an integral component of the slide (10).

13. Switching device according to any one of Claims 1 to 11, wherein the locking means (7) is a separate component, wherein the locking means (7) is connected to the slide (10).

14. Switching device according to any one of Claims 1 to 13, wherein the switching device (1) has an actuable switching mechanism (20), for transferring the at least one switching contact (2) from the contact position to the interruption position and vice versa, wherein the switching mechanism (20) has a joint arrangement which interacts with the slide (10).

15. Switching device (1) according to any one of Claims 1 to 14, wherein the switching device (1) is designed as a switching device (1) for a busbar system, wherein the switching device (1) has a number of fuse receptacles (14) corresponding to the number of busbars and a switching contact (2) assigned to the respective fuse receptacle (14), the fuse receptacles (14) being arranged along a longitudinal direction (X) of the switching device (1).