Electrical contact device and concrete element having an electrical contact device

Abstract

The present invention provides an electrical contact device (1) for an earthing contact (EK) which can be embedded in a concrete element (BE), the electrical contact device (1) comprising a contact element (2) which includes a contact surface (2a) or a contact area (2a') on which / to which an earthing element (5) can be placed and electrically contacted within the concrete element (BE), and wherein the contact element (2) comprises a first material;a connection element (3) comprising a first end (3a) and a second end (3b), wherein the first end (3a) is welded to the contact element (2) and is thereby electrically connected to the contact element (2), and the second end (3b) comprises a connection area (AB) at which or through which the connection element (3) can be electrically connected to the earthing contact (EK) located outside the concrete element (BE), and wherein the connection element (3) comprises a second material which differs from the first material.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to an electrical contact device and a concrete element with an electrical contact device.

[0002] Electrical contact devices can be used to ground concrete elements in such a way that the electrical contact device can be embedded in a concrete element and connect an external grounding contact to an element to be grounded within the concrete element itself. Examples of concrete elements that can be grounded include noise barriers, which usually form the boundary between a railway line or railway property and the publicly accessible area.

[0003] Noise barriers made of metal or reinforced concrete can be grounded to the railway, taking the track circuits into account. Concrete elements, for example, can be arranged one after the other as segments of a noise barrier, perhaps with fixing posts between the segments, and can be grounded to these posts, to a grounding contact on the post, or to a separate grounding contact.

[0004] In DE 20 2017 104 881 U1 a connection element for an earthing connector for embedding in a concrete element is described.

[0005] Against this background, the present invention aims to provide an electrical contact device and a concrete element in which electrical earthing protection can be improved.

[0006] According to the invention, this problem is solved by an electrical contact device according to the features of claim 1 and by a concrete element according to the features of claim 7.

[0007] According to the invention, the electrical contact device for an earthing contact, which can be embedded in a concrete element, comprises a contact element which includes a contact surface or contact area on which an earthing element can be placed and electrically contacted within the concrete element, and wherein the contact element comprises a first material; a connection element which comprises a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is welded to the contact element and is thereby electrically connected to the contact element, and the second end comprises a connection area on which or through which the connection element can be electrically connected to the earthing contact which is located outside the concrete element, and wherein the connection element comprises a second material which differs from the first material.

[0008] The contact surface or area can advantageously be that part of the contact element onto which the grounding element can be placed, leaned against, or laid for electrical contact with the contact element and then encased in concrete. The grounding element can, for example, be a steel rod for internal grounding of the concrete element.

[0009] The first and / or second end can be round and flat, or have other shapes. The grounding contact can be an external electrical conductor, such as a cable intended for external grounding of the concrete element.

[0010] The connection area can be an area at the second end where or through which the grounding contact can be electrically and / or mechanically connected and fastened.

[0011] The electrical contact device allows for a compact design of this contact element and the connection to the grounding contact, which also reduces the space required in the concrete element.

[0012] The design of the electrical contact device with the contact element and the connection element advantageously enables improved cost savings through a relatively low material requirement.

[0013] According to a preferred embodiment of the electrical contact device, the first material is steel and the second material is stainless steel.

[0014] The second material may advantageously have a lower susceptibility to corrosion than the first, which can be beneficial for the longevity of the electrical contact device. This is because the second material may be in contact with an external environment, such as ambient air, at the connection point, whereas the first material may be completely embedded in the concrete without any contact with the environment outside the concrete element. Both the first and second materials are electrically conductive, allowing the grounding element to be electrically connected to the grounding contact.

[0015] The electrical contact device enables permanent corrosion resistance in the contact area with the grounding contact, as the second material can offer high resistance to corrosion.

[0016] According to the invention, the connecting element has a cylindrical shape, and the second end and the first end are positioned opposite each other as end faces of the cylinder, and the second end comprises a central recess forming the connection area, in which a connection of the grounding contact can be inserted and / or connected.

[0017] The aforementioned connection of the grounding contact enables improved contact at the connection point, whereby the central recess can extend away from the end face and, for example, have an opening with an internal thread of M16. Advantageously, such a connection surface design in the cylinder of the connection element can reduce or eliminate contamination of the connection surface when pouring liquid concrete.

[0018] According to a preferred embodiment of the electrical contact device, the central recess extends along a cylinder axis of the connecting element through the connecting element and the connecting element has a flat inner wall with a predetermined radius and / or at least partially an internal thread in the inner wall in the recess, and wherein the central recess extends to a predetermined depth towards the first end.

[0019] In the case of a flat inner wall, the grounding contact can be attached to the entrance of the recess and / or to the bottom of the recess in the connection element.

[0020] According to a preferred embodiment of the electrical contact device, the first end is connected to the contact element by a circumferential weld.

[0021] The circumferential weld can advantageously meet a predetermined weld length, for example, at least 90 mm, and have a predetermined contact resistance. The length can be, for example, 2 x 45 mm and can be welded at an angle to the left and right of an earthing rod as a 4 mm (or 3 mm) fillet weld, and can, for example, meet a MAG / E standard. Thus, a welded connection between the product and the internal earthing system can be present (created) on site, which can be designed according to a railway guideline; here, the weld length can be 2 x 45 mm.

[0022] The weld seam advantageously creates a firm connection between the contact element and the connecting element, which can also electrically connect both elements.

[0023] The electrical contact device can meet a specified short-circuit carrying capacity, for example 40 kA / 100 ms.

[0024] According to a preferred embodiment of the electrical contact device, the contact element has a flat shape or an angled shape with a bottom part resting on the first end and a side part extending away from the first end at a certain angle, wherein the grounding element can be placed on / at the bottom part or side part, and the bottom part or side part forms the contact surface or contact area in this area.

[0025] The shape(s) of the contact element can advantageously facilitate good processing on a steel formwork table, for example, by fixing it with double-sided adhesive pads. In the case of a flat shape, the contact element can extend asymmetrically beyond the cylinder of the connection element. Both the flat and angled shapes can improve the grip of the electrical contact device during processing, when attaching it to the grounding contact, and when encasing it in concrete.

[0026] The specific angle can be right-angled or deviating from it.

[0027] The base can be flat and rest on the first end. The base and side panels can form a single contact element or be separate components that can be connected to each other.

[0028] According to a preferred embodiment of the electrical contact device, the connecting element on an outer wall of the cylindrical shape and adjacent to the second end, or on the outer wall of the cylindrical shape and spaced a certain distance from the second end, comprises a roughened surface and / or a cut area.

[0029] The incision area can represent a radial indentation with respect to the cylindrical shape and can advantageously reduce or prevent the penetration of moisture to the internal grounding of the concrete element.

[0030] The roughened surface can have a predetermined roughness and advantageously improve the holding effect of the connecting element in the concrete. Furthermore, the roughened surface can create a capillary effect that reduces water absorption in the concrete element at the interface between the connecting element and the concrete element.

[0031] On the cylinder diameter (surface / outer wall), at a distance of approximately 40 mm from the second end, a circumferential groove approximately 3 mm wide and 1 mm deep can be formed on the threaded connection side. This creates an undercut that prevents moisture from penetrating to the contact element via capillary action.

[0032] The recessed area improves the holding effect of the connecting element in the surrounding concrete. The recessed area can have a predefined depth and a predetermined shape, such as a rectangular, V-shaped, or other cross-section.

[0033] According to the invention, the concrete element, which can be connected to an earthing contact, comprises an electrical contact device according to the invention, and wherein the electrical contact device is at least partially embedded in the concrete element.

[0034] The concrete element can advantageously serve as a concrete base for a noise barrier, for example, produced in a precast concrete plant. Furthermore, the concrete element can be a component of a platform within a railway infrastructure system, form a track bed or level crossing, be a tunnel element or segment, or be part of a slab track. The concrete element can also be a cast-in-place concrete element for a bridge section.

[0035] The electrical contact device can be advantageously attached to formwork during the production of the concrete element, for example, to vertical formwork such as that used for a bridge, and secured with an M16 screw, for instance. During the fabrication of the concrete element, a special angle prism can be used as an optimal assembly aid in the precast plant for the precise insertion of a grounding element, such as a 16 mm diameter round steel / reinforcing steel bar, and is easily implemented and handled on a construction site.

[0036] According to a preferred embodiment of the concrete element, the second end of the connecting element is flush with an edge area of ​​the concrete element or is recessed into the edge area by a predetermined depth, and the grounding contact can be connected to the electrical contact device at the edge area.

[0037] According to a preferred embodiment of the concrete element, it is designed as a protective wall element for a road or railway line, or as a noise barrier element, or as a tunnel element.

[0038] According to a preferred embodiment of the concrete element, it comprises a grounding element which is at least partially embedded in the concrete element and electrically contacts the contact element of the electrical contact device within the concrete element.

[0039] According to a preferred embodiment of the concrete element, the grounding element is electrically connected to the contact element by a welded connection.

[0040] The present invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to the exemplary embodiments shown in the schematic figures. These figures show: Fig. 1 a - d schematic views of the electrical contact device according to an embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 2 a schematic view of the concrete element with an electrical contact device embedded therein according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0041] Further features and advantages of embodiments of the invention will become apparent from the following description with reference to the accompanying drawings. Other embodiments and many of the aforementioned advantages will become apparent with reference to the drawings. The elements of the drawings are not necessarily shown to scale.

[0042] In the figures of the drawing, identical, functionally equivalent and similarly acting elements, features and components - unless otherwise stated - are each provided with the same reference symbols.

[0043] The Fig. 1 Figures a - d show various schematic views of the electrical contact device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0044] In the Fig. 1a Figure 1 shows a view of the electrical contact device 1, where the entire width of the contact element 2 is visible at its side part SD, and viewed from the direction of the bottom part BD. According to the Fig. 1a The angle of contact element 2 is therefore positioned centrally on connection element 3. This is shown in the... Fig. 1c the cut along line AA.

[0045] In the Fig. 1b Figure 1 shows a side view from the outside of the angled contact element 2. In this case, after an inner rounding at the angle and between the base part BD and the side part SD, the side part SD can extend perpendicularly at 90° from the base part BD. The contact element 2, as an angle, can have rounded ends and, for example, a continuous thickness of d3 equal to 5 mm (6 mm or other thicknesses are also possible). The side part SD can, for example, have a height D above the weld seam to the connecting element 3 of, for example, or at least (or a predetermined minimum) 50 mm. A specific distance d1, which the weld seam (executed as a3 and, for example, welded all the way around) can represent, can be present between the first end 3a and the underside of the base part BD.The weld seam or rounded edge between the connecting element 3 and the base part BD can, for example, have an angled outer edge (facing away from the cylinder axis) inclined at, for example, w = 30° to a cylinder axis of the connecting element 3. The cylindrical shape of the connecting element 3 can have an outer wall AW and a diameter of this cylindrical outer wall of, for example, B = 40 mm. All edges of the electrical contact device 1 can advantageously be burr-free.

[0046] In the Fig. 1c is a similar view to Fig. 1b shown, with the interior of the connection element 3 depicted in more detail. Here, the connection element 3 can have a cylindrical shape, with the second end 3b and the first end 3a facing away from each other as the end faces of the cylinder, and the second end 3b forming a connection area AB ( Fig. 1d ) forming a central recess MA, in which or through which a connection of the earthing contact ( Fig. 2 The connection element 3 can be enclosed and / or connected. The central recess MA can extend along a cylindrical axis of the connection element 3 through the connection element 3 and have a flat inner wall with a predetermined radius and / or at least a partial internal thread IG, and the central recess MA can extend to a predetermined depth h2, for example 37 mm, from the first end 3a. The thread IG can be formed approximately in an inner region adjacent to the bottom of the recess. Up to this point, a flat (smooth) inner wall can be present on the outside, for example up to a depth h1 of 25 mm. The entire connection element 3 can have a length h3 of, for example, 55 mm along the cylindrical axis. The width of the recess d2 can correspond to M16.Furthermore, the connecting element 3 can have a roughened surface AO and / or a cutout area on an outer wall (AW) of the cylindrical shape and adjacent to the second end 3b. The height (along the axial extent along the cylinder axis) of the roughened surface AO can be, for example, 10 mm and / or the cutout area can be 1 mm deep (not shown).

[0047] The Fig. 1d Figure 1 shows a side view from below, obliquely looking at the second end 3b with the central recess MA and the resulting connection area AB. An embossing or engraving can be applied to the cylindrical rim (not shown).

[0048] The connecting element 3 can be made of stainless steel (Mat.A2), with a welding angle (Mat.S235) to the contact element 2, for example welded all around using MAG process black / white with 3 mm fillet weld.

[0049] The Fig. 2 Figure 1 shows a schematic view of the concrete element with an electrical contact device embedded therein according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0050] The concrete element BE can be connected to an earthing contact EK, wherein the concrete element BE comprises an electrical contact device 1 according to the invention such that the electrical contact device 1 can be embedded in the concrete element BE. The second end 3b of the connection element 3 can be flush with an edge region RB of the concrete element BE, and the earthing contact EK can be connected to the central recess MA of the connection element 3 via a connection EK-A and extend through the connection area into the recess MA in the connection element and be connected to it. The earthing contact EK can be fixed in the recess in the connection element 3 via the connection EK-A, for example, attached to an internal thread of the recess, and be electrically connected to the contact element 2.

[0051] The concrete element BE from the Fig. 2 It could be, for example, a protective wall element for a road or railway line, a noise barrier element, or a tunnel element.

[0052] In the Fig. 2 A cross-section of an earthing element 5, for example a steel rod, is also shown, wherein the earthing element 5 is at least partially embedded in the concrete element BE and is in electrical contact with the contact element 2. For example, the earthing element 5 can rest on the base part BD of the contact element 2. According to the Figur 1 In addition, the side panel SD can extend vertically away from the bottom panel BD.

[0053] Although the present invention has been fully described above with reference to the preferred embodiment, it is not limited thereto; the scope of protection is defined exclusively by the patent claims.

Claims

1. Electrical contact device (1) for a ground contact (EK), which is configured to be encased in concrete within a concrete element (BE), the electrical contact device (1) comprising: - a contact element (2), which comprises a docking surface (2a) or a docking region (2a'), on which a ground element (5) within the concrete element (BE) is configured to be placed and electrically contacted, and wherein the contact element (2) comprises a first material; - a connection element (3), which comprises a first end (3a) and a second end (3b), wherein the first end (3a) is welded to the contact element (2) and is thereby electrically conductively connected to the contact element (2), and the second end (3b) comprises a connection area (AB), on which or through which the connection element (3) is electrically conductively connectable to the ground contact (EK), which is located outside the concrete element (BE), and wherein the connection element (3) comprises a second material, which differs from the first material, characterized in that the connection element (3) comprises a cylindrical shape, wherein the second end (3b) and the first end (3a) are opposite to each other as end faces of the cylinder facing away from each other and the second end (3b) comprises a central recess (MA) forming the connection area (AB), in which a connection of the ground contact (EK) is configured to be enclosed and / or connectable.

2. Electrical contact device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the first material is steel, and the second material is stainless steel.

3. Electrical contact device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the central recess (MA) extends along a cylinder axis of the connection element (3) through the connection element (3) and comprises a flat inner wall with a predetermined radius and / or an internal thread (IG) at least in areas, and wherein the central recess (MA) extends up to a predetermined depth to the first end (3a).

4. Electrical contact device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the first end (3a) is connected to the contact element (2) by a circumferential weld seam.

5. Electrical contact device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the contact element (2) comprises a flat shape or an angular shape with a base part (BD) resting on the first end (3a) and a side part (SD) extending away from the first end (3a) at a certain angle, wherein the ground element (5) is configured to be placed onto / on the base part (BD) or side part (SD), and the base part (BD) or side part (SD) forms the docking surface (2a) or the docking region (2a') in this area.

6. Electrical contact device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the connection element (3) comprises a roughened surface (AO) and / or a cut-out region on an outer wall (AW) of the cylindrical shape and adjacent to the second end (3b) or to the outer wall (AW) of the cylindrical shape and spaced apart from the second end (3b) by a predetermined distance.

7. Concrete element (BE), which is connectable to a ground contact (EK), wherein the concrete element (BE) comprises an electrical contact device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 6, and wherein the electrical contact device (1) is at least partially embedded in the concrete element (BE).

8. Concrete element (BE) according to claim 7, wherein the second end (3b) of the connection element (3) ends in a flush manner with an edge area (RB) of the concrete element (BE) or is recessed by a predetermined depth in the edge area (RB) and the ground contact (EK) is connectable to the electrical contact device (1) at the edge area (RB).

9. Concrete element (BE) according to claim 7 or 8, which is configured as a protective wall element for a road or railway line or as a noise protection element or as a tunnel element.

10. Concrete element (BE) according to one of claims 7 to 9, which comprises a ground element (5), which is at least partially embedded in the concrete element (BE) and electrically contacts the contact element (2) of the electrical contact device (1) within the concrete element (BE).

11. Concrete element (BE) according to claim 10, wherein the ground element (5) is electrically conductively connected to the contact element (2) by a welded connection.

Images