Bus duct

Abstract

To improve safety by preventing the occurrence of a ground fault accident in connecting connection parts of a bus duct with each other.SOLUTION: A bus duct comprises ends having connection parts which are connected with connection parts of a mating bus duct. In the connection parts, a plurality of plate-like metal conductors supported by insulation members are arranged side by side while being spaced apart from each other for connection clearances within a metallic case of which the front end is opened. With front ends fitted so as to be mutually inserted with the mating connection parts, the metal conductors are mutually inserted into the connection clearances and connected with the mating metal conductors. Erroneous insertion preventive means is provided for preventing the front end of the case from being inserted into a connection clearance of the mating-side connection part at the time of connection with the connection part of the mating bus duct.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] An embodiment of the present invention relates to a bus duct having a connection portion at an end portion thereof which is to be connected to a connection portion of a mating bus duct. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, a bus duct for supplying power in a building or various facilities is configured with a connection part at the end of one unit, and is connected to another unit by fitting the connection parts together (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In this case, the connection part has, for example, three phases of plate-shaped metal conductors lined up inside a metal case with an open tip. Also, plate-shaped insulating spacers are provided at necessary locations, such as between the metal conductors and between the case and the metal conductors. By fitting the connection parts together, the metal conductors of the same phase are connected so as to overlap each other, and insulating spacers are arranged to separate each phase. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2000-78729 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] When the above-mentioned connection parts are fitted together, they are fitted while being aligned so that the metal conductor of one connection part is inserted into the gap of the other connection part. However, if the insertion is not properly aligned and misalignment occurs, as shown in the reference diagram of Figure 4, the metal case of one connection part may enter the gap of the other connection part and come into contact with the metal conductor, causing a ground fault. To deal with this, in the past, instructions were given to warn users not to let the case of the connection part enter between the metal conductors, or a warning plate was attached to the outside of the case.

[0005] However, there is a possibility that the operator may not read the instruction manual or pay close attention to the warning label, and may come into contact with the case and the metal conductor without realizing it. Therefore, better safety measures are required. In view of this, it is an object of the present invention to provide a bus duct that can prevent the occurrence of ground fault accidents when connecting the connectors of bus ducts, thereby enhancing safety. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A bus duct according to an embodiment has a connection portion at an end thereof that is connected to a connection portion of a mating bus duct, and the connection portion includes a metal case having an open tip, and a plurality of plate-shaped metal conductors supported by an insulating member are arranged side by side with connection gaps between them, and the metal conductors are inserted into the connection gaps and connected to the mating metal conductor by fitting the ends of the metal conductors into the connection gaps and inserting them into each other with the mating connection portion, and A hook is provided on the case, When connecting to the connection part of the other bus duct, The hook portion is hooked onto a hook portion provided on the mating bus duct, The connector further includes an erroneous insertion prevention means for preventing the tip of the case from being inserted into the connection gap of the mating connection portion. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a top view showing an embodiment of the present invention, illustrating a state before a bus duct is connected. [Diagram 2] Top view showing the bus duct in the middle of being connected after it was almost inserted incorrectly [Diagram 3] Top view showing bus duct connection status [Figure 4] This is a reference diagram, showing a top view of the case touching a metal conductor due to incorrect insertion. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0008] An embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. Figures 1 to 3 show the configuration of a bus duct connection in this embodiment. Although not shown in detail, here, for example, in an electrical room of a facility such as a building, a newly installed second bus duct 2 is connected to an existing first bus duct 1 connected to a switchboard. The first bus duct 1 is located on the left side of the figure, and the second bus duct 2 is located on the right side of the figure. In this embodiment, the connection portion 3 of the first bus duct 1 and the connection portion 4 of the second bus duct 2 are connected by fitting. Hereinafter, the connection portion 4 of the second bus duct 2 is sometimes referred to as the counterpart connection portion 4.

[0009] Although not shown in detail, the main body of the first bus duct 1 includes, as is well known, a rectangular cylindrical metal duct 5 and a plurality of three-phase conductors 6 for power supply, for example, R-phase, S-phase, and T-phase. The conductors 6 are made of cables or bus bars and are insulated. The connection part 3 is provided at the right end of the main body of the first bus duct 1 in the figure. Similarly, the main body of the second bus duct 2 includes a rectangular cylindrical metal duct 7 and a three-phase conductor 8 that is insulated. The mating connection part 4 is provided at the left end of the second bus duct 2 in the figure.

[0010] Here, the configuration of the connection part 3 and the mating connection part 4 will be described. The connection part 3 of the first bus duct 1 has a plurality of plate-shaped metal conductors 10 (three in this case) lined up inside a case 9 made of metal, for example, a steel plate, with an opening at the tip, i.e., the right end side in the figure. The case 9 is connected to the duct 5 and has, for example, a rectangular tube shape with both the top and bottom sides open, with the tip half, i.e., the right half side in the figure, narrowed in a stepped shape. The narrow part of this case 9 is the part that fits together with the case of the mating connection part 4, which will be described later.

[0011] In this case, the metal conductors 10 are made of metal plates such as aluminum or copper, and are configured in a rectangular plate shape. They are supported by an insulating member (not shown) and are arranged side by side with a gap between them, with the plate surfaces facing the front-to-rear direction in the figure. Each of these metal conductors 10 is connected to each of the conductors 6 at the base end side, i.e., the left end side in the figure. Furthermore, the tip end of each metal conductor 10 is located facing the tip opening of the case 9. The three metal conductors 10 are, from the front in the figure, for R phase, S phase, and T phase, and hereinafter, when it is necessary to distinguish between them, (R), (S), and (T) will be added after the reference numeral 10.

[0012] Insulating spacers 11 and 12 are provided in the connection portion 3 so as to overlap the metal conductor 10. These insulating spacers 11 and 12 are formed in the shape of thin plates, for example, from ceramic. Among them, the insulating spacer 11 on the front side in the figure is provided at a position sandwiched between the R-phase metal conductor 10 (R) and the front plate portion of the case 9. Also, the spacer 12 on the back side in the figure is provided at a position sandwiched between the S-phase metal conductor 10 (S) and the T-phase metal conductor 10 (T). Also, these insulating spacers 11 and 12 are provided in a form in which their tips protrude a predetermined distance forward from the tip opening of the case 9.

[0013] In this way, the insulating spacer 11 provides insulation between the metal conductor 10(R) and the case 9. At the same time, the insulating spacer 12 provides insulation between the metal conductor 10(S) and the metal conductor 10(T). At this time, a first connection gap 13 is provided in the case 9, located between the metal conductor 10(R) and the metal conductor 10(S), into which the metal conductor of the mating connection part 4 or the like is inserted. In addition, a second connection gap 14 is provided between the metal conductor 10(T) and the rear plate part of the case 9, into which the metal conductor of the mating connection part 4 or the like is inserted.

[0014] In contrast, the mating connection part 4 of the second bus duct 2 has a configuration symmetrical to that of the connection part 3. That is, the mating connection part 4 has three-phase plate-shaped metal conductors 16(R), 16(S), and 16(T) arranged in order from the front side in a metal case 15 that is connected to the duct 7 and has an open tip, i.e., the left end side in the figure. The left half side of the case 15 in the figure is narrow, and this narrow part is adapted to fit together with the narrow part of the case 9 of the connection part 3. Each metal conductor 16 is connected to each of the conductors 8 at its base end side, i.e., the right end side in the figure.

[0015] Ceramic insulating spacers 17 and 18 are provided at this connection portion 4 so as to overlap the metal conductor 16 and have their tips protruding from the case 15. Of these, the insulating spacer 17 is provided at a position where it is sandwiched between the R-phase metal conductor 16 (R) and the S-phase metal conductor 16 (S). The insulating spacer 18 is provided at a position where it is sandwiched between the T-phase metal conductor 10 (T) and the plate portion on the rear side of the case 15.

[0016] Thus, the insulating spacer 17 provides insulation between the metal conductor 16(R) and the metal conductor 16(S), and the insulating spacer 18 provides insulation between the metal conductor 16(T) and the case 15. At this time, a third connection gap 19 is provided in the case 15, located between the front plate of the case 15 and the metal conductor 16(R), into which the front plate of the case 9 of the connection part 3, the insulating spacer 11, and the metal conductor 10(R) are inserted. In addition, a fourth connection gap 20 is provided between the metal conductor 16(S) and the metal conductor 16(T), into which the metal conductor 10(S), the insulating spacer 12, and the metal conductor 10(T) of the connection part 3 are inserted.

[0017] Furthermore, at this time, when the connection part 3 and the mating connection part 4 are fitted together, the metal conductor 16(R), insulating spacer 17, and metal conductor 16(S) of the connection part 4 are inserted into the first connection gap 13 of the connection part 3. At the same time, the metal conductor 16(T), insulating spacer 18, and the rear plate part of the case 15 of the connection part 4 are inserted into the second connection gap 14 of the connection part 3.

[0018] As a result, in the fitted and connected state of the connection part 3 and the mating connection part 4, as shown in Fig. 3, the metal conductor 10(R) and the metal conductor 16(R) are in surface contact so as to overlap and are electrically connected. Also, the metal conductor 10(S) and the metal conductor 16(S) are in surface contact so as to overlap and are electrically connected, and the metal conductor 10(T) and the metal conductor 16(T) are in surface contact so as to overlap and are electrically connected. Between each of the three phase metal conductors 10 and 16, and between the metal conductors 10 and 16 and the cases 9 and 15, insulating spacers 11, 12, 17, and 18 are disposed. In addition, although not shown in the figure, in the connected state of the connection part 3 and the mating connection part 4, the two are connected by, for example, bolts, and covers are attached to the upper and lower surfaces of the cases 9 and 15 to close them, respectively.

[0019] 1 to 3, in this embodiment, an erroneous insertion prevention means is provided to prevent the tip of the rear plate of case 9 of connection part 3 from being inserted into the fourth connection gap 19 of the counterpart connection part 4 when the connection part 3 and the counterpart connection part 4 are connected. At the same time, an erroneous insertion prevention means is provided to prevent the tip of the front plate of case 15 of connection part 4 from being inserted into the first connection gap 13 of connection part 3. Specifically, in this embodiment, the erroneous insertion prevention means is composed of a folded part 21 provided integrally with the tip of case 9, and a folded part 22 provided integrally with the tip of case 15.

[0020] The folded portion 21 is provided, for example, by forming two cuts extending left and right in parallel at a predetermined interval in the vertical middle part of the rear plate portion of the case 9, and folding back the rectangular cut portions outward, i.e., backward, for example, by an angle of 90 degrees. With this, even if the rear plate portion of the case 9 tries to enter the fourth connection gap 20 when the connection portion 3 and the connection portion 4 are connected, the folded portion 21 abuts against the tip of the insulating spacer 18, preventing further insertion.

[0021] Similarly, the folded portion 22 is provided, for example, by forming two cuts extending left and right in parallel at a predetermined interval in the vertical middle part of the front plate part of the case 15, and folding back the rectangular cut parts outward, i.e., forward, at an angle of 90 degrees. With this, even if the front plate part of the case 15 tries to enter the first connection gap 13 when the connection parts 3 and 4 are connected, the folded portion 22 abuts against the tip of the insulating spacer 11, preventing further insertion.

[0022] 1, the width dimension b1 in the front-rear direction of the folded portion 21 is configured to be slightly larger than the width dimension a1 of the insertion space formed in the fourth connection gap 20, i.e., the gap dimension in the front-rear direction between the insulating spacer 12 and the insulating spacer 18. Similarly, the width dimension b2 in the front-rear direction of the folded portion 22 is configured to be slightly larger than the width dimension a2 of the insertion space formed in the first connection gap 13, i.e., the gap dimension in the front-rear direction between the insulating spacer 11 and the insulating spacer 17.

[0023] Next, the operation of the above configuration will be described with reference to the reference diagram of Fig. 4. The first bus duct 1 of this embodiment is connected to the mating second bus duct 2 as follows. That is, first, as shown in Fig. 1, the worker aligns the connection part 3 of the first bus duct 1 and the mating connection part 4 of the second bus duct 2 so that they face each other, and inserts them into each other as shown by the arrow A. As shown in Fig. 3, the case 9 and the case 15 are inserted until they overlap, and the connection part 3 and the mating connection part 4 are fitted together.

[0024] As a result, the metal conductor 16(R), insulating spacer 17, and metal conductor 16(S) of the connection part 4 are inserted into the first connection gap 13 in the case 9 of the connection part 3. The metal conductor 16(T), insulating spacer 18, and rear plate part of the case 15 of the connection part 4 are inserted into the second connection gap 14 in the case 9 of the connection part 3. At the same time, the front plate part of the case 9 of the connection part 3, insulating spacer 11, and metal conductor 10(R) are inserted into the third connection gap 19 in the case 15 of the counterpart connection part 4. The metal conductor 10(S), insulating spacer 12, and metal conductor 10(T) of the connection part 3 are inserted into the fourth connection gap 20 in the case 15 of the connection part 4. As a result, the first bus duct 1 and the second bus duct 2 are connected as shown in FIG. 3.

[0025] Here, as shown in the reference diagram of Fig. 4, it is assumed that the case 9 of the connection part 3 does not have the folded portion 21 as a means for preventing erroneous insertion, and this is called case 9'. Similarly, it is assumed that the case 15 of the connection part 4 does not have the folded portion 22 as a means for preventing erroneous insertion, and this is called case 15'. Now, if the connection parts 3 and 4 are not properly aligned and misaligned when they are connected, for example, as shown in Fig. 4, there is a risk that the rear plate part of the case 9' of the connection part 3 will get into the fourth connection gap 20 in the case 15 of the connection part 4, i.e., between the metal conductor 16(S) and the metal conductor 16(T).

[0026] In this case, the operator can forcefully push the rear plate of the case 9' into the fourth connection gap 20 without realizing it. When such an erroneous insertion occurs, as shown in Fig. 4, the rear plate of the case 9' of the connection part 3 is sandwiched between the metal conductor 16(T) and the metal conductor 10(T) and comes into contact with the metal conductor 16(T) and also with the metal conductor 10(T), which may lead to a ground fault. In the case of such an erroneous insertion, the front plate of the case 15' of the connection part 4 may enter the first connection gap 13 of the connection part 3 and come into contact with the metal conductor 10(R).

[0027] However, in this embodiment, the rear plate of the case 9 of the connection part 3 is provided with a folded part 21 as a means for preventing erroneous insertion. As a hook In addition, the case 15 of the connection part 4 is provided with a folded part 22 as a means for preventing erroneous insertion. As a hook 2, even if the rear plate of case 9 of connection part 3 tries to enter into fourth connection gap 20 of mating connection part 4, folded-back part 21 abuts against the tip of insulating spacer 18 and gets caught there, preventing further insertion of case 9.

[0028] This allows the worker to easily notice that erroneous insertion is about to occur, and allows the worker to redo the fitting operation by positioning correctly, thereby preventing the rear plate portion of the case 9 from contacting the metal conductor 16 (T). Although not shown, the case 15 of the connection part 4 also has a folded part 22, so that even if the front plate portion of the case 15 is about to be inserted into the first connection gap 13, the folded part 22 will abut against the tip of the insulating spacer 11. This prevents the front plate portion of the case 15 of the connection part 4 from entering the first connection gap 13 of the connection part 3 and contacting the metal conductor 10 (R).

[0029] As described above, the bus duct 1 of this embodiment can provide the following effects. That is, in this embodiment, the connection portion 3 of the bus duct 1 is provided with a folded portion 21 as an erroneous insertion prevention means for preventing the tip portion of the case 9 from being inserted into the fourth connection gap 20 of the counterpart connection portion 4 when the bus duct 1 is connected to the connection portion 4 of the counterpart bus duct 2. As a result, even if there is a positional shift or the like and the rear plate portion of the case 9 of the connection portion 3 attempts to enter the fourth connection gap 20 of the counterpart connection portion 4, the provision of the folded portion 21 causes the folded portion 21 to catch on the tip of the insulating spacer 18, preventing the tip portion of the case 9 from being inserted further.

[0030] As a result, according to this embodiment, it is possible to prevent ground faults from occurring when connecting the connection portions 3, 4 of the bus ducts 1, 2, and it is possible to obtain the excellent effect of improving safety. The connection portion 4 of the second bus duct 2 is also provided with a folded portion 22 as an erroneous insertion prevention means for preventing the tip portion of the case 15 from being inserted into the first connection gap 13 of the connection portion 3. This makes it possible to prevent ground faults in the case 15 of the connection portion 4, and to improve safety.

[0031] In particular, in this embodiment, the erroneous insertion prevention means is provided by integrally providing a folded portion 21 at the tip of the case 9 and further integrally providing a folded portion 22 at the tip of the case 15. , which becomes the hook part It is configured so that it cannot be inserted any further by getting caught on the insulating spacers 18, 11 on the other side. This makes it possible to simply provide folded parts 21, 22 integrally with the ends of the cases 9, 15, without increasing the number of parts, and also simplifies the formation, allowing the means for preventing erroneous insertion to be a simple structure.

[0032] In addition, the widthwise dimensions b1, b2 of the folded portions 21, 22 are larger than the widthwise dimensions a1, a2 of the insertion spaces formed in the fourth connection gap 20 and the first connection gap 13 of the mating connection portions 4, 3. This reliably prevents the folded portions 21, 22 from being inserted into the connection gaps 20, 13, so that the effect of preventing erroneous insertion can be reliably obtained, making it even more effective.

[0033] In the above embodiment, the folded-back portions 21, 22 are integrally provided on the cases 9, 15 as means for preventing erroneous insertion. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, As a hook The protrusion is provided integrally or separately, and the protrusion is , which becomes the hook partIt is also possible to configure the connector so that it becomes unable to be inserted further by getting caught on the case, insulating material, or metal conductor of the other side. In this case, the connecting part of the other side may also be provided with an abutment part for preventing further insertion by abutting the protrusion or folded part.

[0034] The configuration of the case of the connection part and the internal configuration can also be modified in various ways. For example, although the above embodiment shows an example having three metal conductors, two or four or more metal conductors may be provided. In addition to or instead of the insulating spacer, a rubber plate-shaped elastic member may be provided inside the case of the connection part to add a configuration for preventing damage to the metal conductors and the case. A plate spring may be provided to ensure contact, i.e., connection, between the conductors.

[0035] The above-described embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included in the scope and spirit of the invention, and are included in the scope of the invention and its equivalents described in the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0036] In the drawings, 1 indicates a first bus duct (bus duct), 2 indicates a second bus duct (bus duct), 3 indicates a connection portion, 4 indicates a connection portion (mating connection portion), 9 indicates a case, 10 indicates a metal conductor, 11 and 12 indicate insulating spacers, 13 and 14 indicate connection gaps, 15 indicates a case, 16 indicates a metal conductor, 17 and 18 indicate insulating spacers, 19 and 20 indicate connection gaps, and 21 and 22 indicate folded portions (means for preventing incorrect insertion).

Claims

1. A bus duct having a connection part at an end thereof to be connected to a connection part of a mating bus duct, The connection portion includes a metal case having an open tip, and a plurality of plate-shaped metal conductors supported by an insulating member arranged side by side with connection gaps between them, The metal conductor is inserted into the connection gap and connected to the mating metal conductor by fitting the tip portions of the metal conductor and the mating connection portion together, A bus duct having a hook portion provided on the case, and an erroneous insertion prevention means for preventing the tip of the case from being inserted into the connection gap of the mating connection portion by hooking the hook portion onto the hook portion provided on the mating bus duct when connecting to the connection portion of the mating bus duct.

2. 2. The bus duct according to claim 1, wherein the hook portion of the erroneous insertion prevention means is formed of a folded portion that is integrally formed at the tip of the case.

3. 3. The bus duct according to claim 2, wherein the folded portion has a width dimension larger than a width dimension of an insertion space formed in the connection gap of the mating connection portion.

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