Front panel portion, installation apparatus and arrangement for contact-proof assembly on a current busbar system

Abstract

The invention relates to a front panel portion for an arrangement for contact-proof assembly, by means of installation apparatuses, on a current busbar system having at least one current busbar extending in a first direction, wherein the front plate portion protects the current busbar system from front-side contact, wherein, on its assembly plane, the front plate portion has through-slots through which the installation apparatuses engage with feet in order to be arranged on the assembly plane and to be placed on the current busbar system, and wherein projections are arranged on the assembly plane, which projections block the assembled installation apparatuses from moving in a second direction, wherein the second direction is orthogonal to the first direction.

Description

[0001] Front panel section, installation device and arrangement for touch-safe mounting on a busbar system

[0002] The present invention relates to a front panel section, an installation device and an arrangement for the touch-safe mounting of installation devices on a busbar system

[0003] Such a front panel section is located at the front of the assembly and generally protects people from electric shock when handling electrical installation devices such as busbar adapters on live busbar systems. This assembly is also referred to as a contact protection system.

[0004] To allow electrical installation devices to be plugged onto or removed from the busbars, the front panel section has slots on its mounting plane through which the installation devices can be inserted with their feet. The feet can then be used to position the busbar adapters on the mounting site and place them onto the busbars. The feet can be hook-shaped, which engage behind a busbar. Such hooks allow the devices to be slid onto, suspended from, or anchored to the busbars. The feet can also be designed as supports, which are pressed against the busbar when the busbar adapter is screwed on.

[0005] There are front panel elements that form a flat mounting plane for the installation devices that extends across the entire base of the contact protection system. Such a front panel section is known, for example, from EP 3 446 381 A1.

[0006] The disadvantage of such front panel sections is that, once installed, the electrical devices can be released from their anchorage by accidental contact or vibration, for example if a device is moved in the opposite direction to the direction in which it was attached or hung.

[0007] The object is to provide a front panel section, an installation device and an arrangement for the touch-safe mounting of installation devices on a busbar system, which at least partially eliminate the disadvantages mentioned.

[0008] This object is achieved by the front panel section according to claim 1. Advantageous further developments are defined in the dependent claims.

[0009] Accordingly, a front plate section is provided for an arrangement for the touch-safe mounting of installation devices on a busbar system having at least one busbar running in a first direction, wherein the front plate section protects the busbar system from frontal contact, wherein the front plate section has through-slots on its mounting plane through which the installation devices reach with feet in order to be arranged on the mounting plane and placed on the busbar system, and wherein projections are arranged on the mounting plane which block the mounted installation devices against movement in a second direction, wherein the second direction is orthogonal to the first direction.

[0010] Releasing the installation devices therefore requires a targeted action to remove the blockage against movement in the second direction.

[0011] Advantageous further training includes the following features:

[0012] The first direction may be a horizontal direction, and the second direction may be the positive (upward) vertical direction.

[0013] The projections may taper in a positive vertical direction.

[0014] The projections may each have a wedge-shaped surface running in the vertical direction.

[0015] The projections may each have a stop surface projecting from the mounting plane and oriented in a negative vertical direction. The projections may be evenly distributed across the mounting plane.

[0016] The projections can be integrated into the mounting plane.

[0017] The projections can be arranged on a horizontal straight line between two passage slots.

[0018] The front panel element may have a plurality of horizontal rows of through-slots arranged one below the other, and the projections may be arranged only between two through-slots of the top row.

[0019] The projections may be designed to prevent the movement of the installation devices in interaction with structures on the installation devices.

[0020] The projections can form parts of releasable locking devices.

[0021] The projections can be designed to allow the installation devices to be pushed over the wedge-shaped surface in a negative vertical direction.

[0022] The invention also includes an installation device for mounting on the mounting plane of a front panel section as described above, comprising on its rear side facing the mounting plane during mounting:

[0023] Feet designed to reach through the through slots of the front panel section, and

[0024] Structures that strike the projections of the front panel section during assembly.

[0025] Advantageous further developments of the installation device include the following features: The structures can have shapes complementary to the projections.

[0026] The structures may each comprise a bolt held in a predetermined position relative to the surface by the force of a spring.

[0027] The bolt can have an engagement structure by means of which the bolt can be moved back from the predetermined position against the spring force, advantageously using only a tool. Releasing the installation device therefore requires targeted action, advantageously using only a tool. Furthermore, the invention also encompasses an arrangement for the touch-safe mounting of installation devices, in particular those as described above, on a busbar system with at least one busbar extending horizontally, comprising at least one front panel section as described above.

[0028] The installation devices may include at least one of the following devices: motor control device, power supply device, adapter for electrical devices, measuring device, display device, power supply, fuse holder, load break switch, load break switch with fuses, fuse switch disconnector, surge protection device, lightning protection device, communication device, residual current device, interference suppression device.

[0029] The invention thus enables a more reliable fastening of electrical installation devices such as busbar adapters, which avoids malfunctions, especially when the entire arrangement is exposed to vibrations or other movements.

[0030] The front panel section according to the invention can be made of plastic.

[0031] The invention and embodiments thereof are described in more detail with reference to the figures.

[0032] Fig. 1 shows a front panel section according to the invention;

[0033] Fig. 2 shows the front panel section according to Fig. 1 with the installation device of a first variant attached;

[0034] Fig. 3 shows the front panel section according to Fig. 1 with the installation device of a second variant attached;

[0035] Fig. 4 shows a front panel section according to a further embodiment; and

[0036] Fig. 5 shows a front panel section according to yet another embodiment.

[0037] In the following, it is assumed that the busbars 40 are arranged parallel to one another on a vertical plane (e.g., on a wall in a switch cabinet arrangement, which are not shown) and each extend in a direction y. The y-direction can—but does not have to—be horizontal. In the following examples, this is chosen only for the sake of simplicity of illustration.

[0038] Orientations of installation devices (e.g. busbar adapters) 100 refer to their intended arrangement on the busbars 40. Installation devices are usually mounted on the busbars in a direction x that is orthogonal to the direction y, so that they cover all busbars.

[0039] The direction x, also referred to here as the longitudinal direction x, is therefore the vertical direction when the busbar is horizontal. The positive vertical direction x then points upwards, and the negative vertical direction points downwards.

[0040] The terms “horizontal,” “vertical,” “in front,” “front side,” or “front side” of elements (busbars 40, installation devices 100, or parts thereof) are understood to mean the respective orientation or top view when the elements are arranged as intended, i.e. as perceived by a person standing opposite the said arranged elements.

[0041] Fig. 1 shows an embodiment of the present invention as well as enlarged details, including, for example, three busbars 40, which are arranged one above the other, i.e., in the vertical direction x, and run parallel to each other in the horizontal direction y. The front panel section 1 is part of a contact protection system arranged in front of the busbar system and intended to protect people from electric shocks when handling installation devices 100. The contact protection system is box-shaped and comprises, in addition to one or more front panel sections 1, side sections 50.

[0042] The front panel section 1 comprises on its mounting level 5, i.e. on its front side, through-slots 10 through which installation devices 100 extend with their feet 110 (Fig. 3) in order to be placed on the mounting level 5 and placed on the busbars 40.

[0043] Arranged on the mounting plane 5 of the front panel section 1 are projections 20 that block the mounted installation devices 100 from moving upward in the vertical direction x (positive x-direction). The projections 20 taper in the positive vertical direction x. The projections 20 each have a wedge-shaped surface extending vertically and each have a stop surface projecting horizontally from the mounting plane 5 and directed downward.

[0044] The projections 20 are evenly distributed across the mounting plane 5 and integrated into the mounting plane 5. The projections 20 are arranged on a horizontal straight line between two through-slots 10. Although the front panel element 1 comprises several horizontal rows of through-slots 10 arranged one below the other, the projections 20 are arranged only between two through-slots of the topmost row of through-slots 10.

[0045] The projections 20 are intended to prevent the movement of the mounted installation devices 100 in interaction with structures on the installation devices 100. The projections thereby implement parts of releasable locking devices.

[0046] Fig. 2 shows this using an installation device 100 attached to the front panel section 1, along with enlarged details. Only a part of the installation device 100 is illustrated. The installation device 100 is suspended from the busbar system, e.g., by means of hook-shaped feet 110 (see Fig. 3) that extend through the through-slots 10, and is thus secured against falling. Alternatively, the installation device can also be fastened by means of screws, which are held at a distance by feet 110, which also extend through the through-slots 10.

[0047] Each installation device 100 comprises, on its rear side 105, i.e., the side facing the mounting plane 5 of the front panel section 1, structures 120 which, during assembly, abut against the projections 2 of the front panel section 1 of the assembly. These structures can be designed to complement the projections 20, e.g., as recesses 120 in the surface of the rear side 105.

[0048] Thus, when the installation device 100 is in contact with the front panel section 1 with its rear side 105 during assembly, the recesses 120 engage the projections 20. Because the projections 20 each have a horizontal surface and taper upwards, the installation device 100 cannot move in the positive vertical direction x, i.e., upwards. This provides vibration protection.

[0049] Fig. 3 illustrates a further embodiment of the invention as well as enlarged details. Here, the structures on the rear side 105 of the installation device 100 comprise a bolt 130, which forms the complementary stop surface. The bolt 130 is held in its position forming the stop surface by the force of a spring 135, but can be moved back from this position against the spring force, so that the installation device 100 can be moved upwards, even when its rear side 105 is in contact with the mounting plane 5. Only then can the installation device 100, if it is suspended, for example, by hook-shaped feet 110, be released again by sliding the installation device 100 vertically upwards after the bolt 130 has been withdrawn using a tool 300. The installation device is thus particularly well protected against loosening due to accidental contact or movement.Removing the installation device therefore requires targeted action with a tool.

[0050] On the other hand, the bolt 130 can also slide over the wedge-shaped projection 20 when the installation device 100 is brought into contact with the mounting plane 5 of the front panel section 1 with its rear side 105 when the hook-shaped feet 110 are hooked in, and is thereby moved vertically downward. In this embodiment, the projection 20 and the bolt 130 are part of a snap-in connection.

[0051] In order for the tool 300 to engage the bolt 130, the bolt 130 comprises a groove 131 on its outer surface as an engagement structure.

[0052] In detail A of Fig. 3, the rear side 105 of the installation device is not shown.

[0053] The front panel section according to the invention of all embodiments can be made of electrically insulating plastic.

[0054] The busbars 40 in the embodiments of Figs. 1 to 3 have slots 41 in a region of smaller cross-section. However, the specific cross-section of the busbars 40 and their slots 41, as well as the remaining design of the contact protection system, are irrelevant to the present invention. Figs. 4 and 5 show a front panel section 1 for busbars 40 with a rectangular cross-section and without slots, as well as differently designed contact protection systems and enlarged details.

[0055] The invention is not limited to busbar systems with exactly three horizontal busbars, as shown in the examples. Thus, the invention also works with busbar systems that have fewer than three busbars, such as DC busbar systems (DC systems with 2 busbars) or 4- and 5-pole AC systems with N or N and PE conductors.

[0056] List of reference symbols

[0057] 1 F rontpl attenab section

[0058] 5 Mounting level

[0059] 10 passage slot

[0060] 20 leap forward

[0061] 40 current collecting rails

[0062] 41 Current busbar slot

[0063] 50 pages

[0064] 100 installation devices

[0065] 105 Back

[0066] 110 feet, hook-shaped foot

[0067] 120 recess, structure

[0068] 130 bolts

[0069] 131 Attack structure, groove

[0070] 135 spring

[0071] 300 Tool x longitudinal direction, vertical direction y horizontal direction

Claims

Claims 1. Front plate section (1) for an arrangement for the touch-safe mounting of installation devices (100) on a busbar system with at least one busbar (40) running in a first direction (y), wherein the front plate section (1) can protect the busbar system from front-side contact, wherein the front plate section (1) has through-slots (10) on its mounting plane (5) through which mounted installation devices (100) can reach with feet (110) in order to be arranged on the mounting plane (5) and placed on the busbar system, and wherein projections (20) are arranged on the mounting plane (5) which can block the mounted installation devices (100) against movement in a second direction (x), wherein the second direction (x) is orthogonal to the first direction (y).

2. Front panel section (1) according to claim 1, wherein the first direction (y) is a horizontal direction and the second direction is the positive vertical direction.

3. Front panel section (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the projections taper in the positive vertical direction (x).

4. Front panel section (1) according to claim 3, wherein the projections (20) each have a wedge-shaped surface extending in the vertical direction (x).

5. Front panel section (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the projections (20) each have a stop surface projecting from the mounting plane (5) and directed in the negative vertical direction (x).

6. Front panel section (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the projections (20) are regularly distributed over the mounting plane (5).

7. Front panel section (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the projections (20) are integrated into the mounting plane (5).

8. Front panel section (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the projections (20) are arranged on a horizontal straight line between two passage slots (10).

9. Front panel section (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the front panel element (1) has a plurality of horizontal rows of through-slots (10) arranged one below the other and the projections (20) are arranged only between two through-slots (10) of the uppermost row.

10. Front panel section (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the projections (20) prevent the movement of the installation devices (100) in cooperation with structures on the installation devices (100).

11. Front panel section (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the projections (20) form parts of releasable locking devices.

12. Front panel section (1) according to one of claims 4 to 12, wherein the projections (20) allow the installation devices (20) to be pushed over the wedge-shaped surface in the negative vertical direction (x).

13. Installation device (100) for mounting on the mounting plane (5) of a front panel section (1) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising on its rear side (105) facing the mounting plane (5) during mounting: Feet (110) which are designed to reach through the through slots (10) of the front panel section (1), and Structures (120) which, during assembly, strike against the projections (20) of the front panel section (1).

14. Installation device (100) according to the preceding claim, wherein the structures (120) have shapes complementary to the projections.

15. Installation device (100) according to claim 13 or 14, wherein the structures (120) each have a bolt (130) which is held in a predetermined position with respect to the mounting plane (5) by the force of a spring (135).

16. Installation device (100) according to claim 15, wherein the bolt (130) has an engagement structure (131) by means of which the bolt (130) can be moved back from the predetermined position against the force of the spring (135), optionally only by means of a predetermined tool (300).

17. Arrangement for the touch-safe mounting of installation devices (100), in particular those according to one of claims 13 to 16, on a busbar system with at least one busbar (40) extending in the horizontal direction (y), comprising at least one front panel section (1) according to one of claims 1 to 12.

18. Arrangement according to claim 17, wherein the installation devices (100) comprise at least one of the following devices: engine control unit, Power supply unit, adapter for electrical devices, measuring device, display device, power pack, Fuse holder, load break switch, Load break switch with fuses, fuse switch disconnector, surge protection device, Lightning protection device, communication device, residual current device, interference suppression device.

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