Connection adapter for a touch protection system with touch-protected conductor terminal

Abstract

The invention relates to a connection adapter (1) for a touch-protection housing for touch-safe contacting of a busbar system, wherein the connection adapter (1) has a single-pole or multi-pole terminal (2) for at least one electrical conductor of a power supply, wherein the single-pole or multi-pole terminal (2) has at least one conductor insertion opening (3), characterized in that the conductor insertion opening (3) has an adjustable opening cross-section.

Description

[0001] Connection adapter for a contact protection system with contact-protected conductor connection

[0002] The invention relates to a connection adapter for a contact protection system for contact-safe contacting of a busbar system, wherein the connection adapter has a single- or multi-pole connection for at least one electrical conductor of a power supply, wherein the single- or multi-pole connection has at least one conductor insertion opening. Such a connection adapter is known from EP1859517B1. Further connection adapters are known from DE102009023802B4, EP3829010A1, DE102020118117A1, and EP3142196B1.

[0003] Connection adapters are used to feed electrical energy into busbars that are safely housed in a touch-safe protection system. The touch-safe housings for contacting electrical components on the busbars have covers with through-openings for the passage of contact elements of the electrical components. Such touch-safe systems are described in EP344638B1, WO2019 / 174886A1, and EP2863496A1.

[0004] The at least one conductor entry opening is designed to allow the connection of electrical conductors with a large cross-section, depending on the design of the contact protection system. In applications where electrical conductors with a small cross-section are sufficient for the power supply and are intended to be used, this results in the connected conductor not filling the conductor entry opening sufficiently to ensure adequate contact protection of the conductor connection.

[0005] It is therefore the object of the invention to further develop a connection adapter of the type described at the outset in such a way that it has a touch-protected conductor connection for variable cross-sections of connected conductors.

[0006] This object is achieved by a connection adapter according to claim 1. Advantageous embodiments are specified in the dependent claims. Accordingly, the conductor insertion opening has an adjustable opening cross-section. In particular, the surface area of ​​the opening cross-section can be adjustable. The opening cross-section can be the largest contiguous area of ​​the conductor insertion opening that is suitable for the passage of a conductor.

[0007] Because the connection adapter according to the invention has an adjustable opening cross-section, the opening cross-section can be adapted, for example, to the cross-section of an electrical conductor connected to the connection of the connection adapter or can be approximated to the cross-section of the electrical conductor at least to such an extent that the connection of the connection adapter is protected against contact, for example at least to the extent that the test with a test finger is passed in accordance with the applicable standard.

[0008] The adjustability of the opening cross-section can be achieved in various ways. For example, the adjustability can be provided by a movable element. The movable element can, for example, engage with the opening cross-section to an adjustable extent and / or cover and / or close the opening cross-section.

[0009] The movable element can have at least two holding positions and preferably a plurality of holding positions. The movable element can be fixed in the holding positions. Preferably, the movable element has a detent position in the holding positions. Preferably, the movable element is at least one slide. The movable element can have at least two independently adjustable slides. The at least two slides can also be coupled to one another and move in the same direction. The at least two slides can be arranged next to one another or one behind the other in their adjustment direction. In particular, when the at least two slides are arranged one behind the other in their adjustment direction, the rear slide in the adjustment direction can be designed to drive the front slide in the adjustment direction.For this purpose, the slider at the rear in the adjustment direction can rest with a protruding edge against a rear side or edge of the slider at the front in the adjustment direction. Alternatively or in addition to the slider, the movable element can be or have an adjustable iris diaphragm.

[0010] The movable element can have a straight or a contoured edge with which the movable element, in particular a slide, limits the opening cross-section. The movable element can have various holding positions in which it limits the opening cross-section of the conductor insertion opening to a different extent. The movable element can have a straight edge or a curved edge, for example an edge with a contour that corresponds to a section of a circle. The contour of the edge can be selected according to the geometry of the electrical conductor connected to the terminal. The contour of the edge can correspond to the geometry of the conductor or be approximate to it. A positive fit is not required. The edge can be at least partially elastic in order to promote the positive fit when the edge rests against an electrical conductor.

[0011] The conductor insertion opening can have at least one movable element, in particular a slide, that limits the opening cross-section. The movable element can preferably have at least two holding positions, particularly preferably at least two locking positions. Particularly preferably, the movable element has a plurality of locking positions, thereby achieving a variable adjustment of the opening cross-section.

[0012] The movable element can preferably be adjustable in a plane parallel to the opening cross-section. The movable element can be a slide, which is preferably displaceable in a plane parallel to the opening cross-section.

[0013] The slide can protrude into the opening cross-section with a protruding edge, wherein the edge is preferably curved or straight at least in sections.

[0014] The connection adapter may comprise a slide holder relative to which the slide is displaceable and relative to which the slide preferably has at least one holding position and particularly preferably a plurality of holding positions.

[0015] The slide holder can protrude into the opening cross-section with a protruding edge, wherein the edge is preferably curved or straight at least in sections.

[0016] In an extended position, the edge of the slider can protrude a greater dimension relative to the edge of the slider holder than in a retracted position. The protruding edges of the slider and the slider holder can each be arcuate, with the two edges preferably having a radius that differs from one another, at least in certain sections. Preferably, the edge of the slider has a smaller radius than the edge of the slider holder.

[0017] The slide holder may comprise a housing in which the slide is received and is movable between a position extended from the housing and a position retracted into the housing.

[0018] The connection adapter can have a housing surrounding the conductor insertion opening and exposing the opening cross-section with an insertion opening for the slide holder.

[0019] The slide holder can be inserted into the insertion opening in an insertion direction that extends parallel to the opening cross-section. The slide holder is preferably guided in the insertion opening in the insertion direction. Particularly preferably, the slide holder is guided in the insertion direction via a tongue-and-groove connection formed between the housing and the slide holder.

[0020] The slide holder can have at least two holding positions in the insertion opening spaced apart from one another in the insertion direction, for example at least two locking positions, particularly preferably a plurality of holding positions or locking positions.

[0021] The conductor insertion opening can have at least two movable elements, preferably sliders, which limit the opening cross-section and which are adjustable independently of one another in the same direction.

[0022] The two movable elements, preferably slides, can be arranged one behind the other in their common adjustment direction. A conductor passage can be formed between the two slides. Its opening cross-section can be determined by the holding position of the two slides relative to each other.

[0023] A first of the two movable elements, preferably a slide, can be configured to drive a second of the two movable elements, preferably a slide. For this purpose, the first slide can, for example, rest with its protruding edge on the second slide. Thus, when the first slide is driven, for example, by manually moving the first slide, the first slide drives the second slide.

[0024] The first movable element, preferably the first slide, can have at least two holding positions, preferably at least two locking positions, and particularly preferably a plurality of holding positions or locking positions in the adjustment direction. The second movable element, preferably the second slide, can be freely movable in the adjustment direction. In particular, the second slide can have no holding position and no locking positions.

[0025] If the two movable elements are sliders, the sliders can each have a slider holder. The first slider can have a plurality of locking positions in the adjustment direction relative to its associated slider holder, and preferably a plurality of locking positions. The second slider can be freely movable relative to its associated slider holder in the adjustment direction.

[0026] The slide holders can be inserted into the insertion opening one behind the other in an insertion direction that extends parallel to the opening cross-section. The two slide holders can be guided in the insertion opening in the insertion direction, for example, via a tongue-and-groove connection formed between the housing and the slide holders.

[0027] The two slide holders can each have at least two holding positions spaced apart from one another in the insertion direction in the insertion opening, particularly preferably a plurality of locking positions in each case.

[0028] Further details of the invention are explained with reference to the following figures.

[0029] Figure 1 shows an exemplary embodiment of a connection adapter according to the invention;

[0030] Figures 2-4 show various embodiments of movable elements according to the invention.

[0031] Figure 1 shows a connection adapter 1 for a touch-protection housing for the touch-safe contacting of a busbar system. The connection adapter is single-pole and accordingly has a single-pole connection 2 for at least one electrical conductor of a power supply. The single-pole connection 2 in this case has two conductor insertion openings 3 and is accordingly designed for the connection of two electrical conductors of a power supply. The conductor insertion opening 3 has an adjustable opening cross-section.

[0032] A connection housing 9 of the connection adapter is prepared for series connection by means of connecting elements 1.1 on opposite outer sides, so that several of the single-pole connection adapters 1 shown in Figure 1 can be combined to form a multi-pole connection adapter.

[0033] To achieve the adjustability of the opening cross-section, a movable element 4 is adjustable in a plane parallel to the opening cross-section. The movable element 4 is designed in two parts, with a first and a second slider 4, which are inserted one behind the other in their insertion direction into an opening in the connection housing 9. The connection adapter 1 has a connection housing 9 surrounding the conductor insertion opening 3 and exposing the opening cross-section, with an insertion opening 10 for the slider holders 8 of the sliders 4. The slider holders 8 can be inserted into the insertion opening 10 in an insertion direction that extends parallel to the opening cross-section, partially inserted in this case for clarity. The slider holders are guided in the insertion opening 10 in the insertion direction, in this case via a tongue and groove connection 11 formed between the connection housing 9 and the slider holder 8.The slide holders 8 each have a plurality of holding positions 5 in the insertion opening 10 which are spaced apart from one another in the insertion direction and which in the present case are locking positions.

[0034] The first of the two slides 4, shown at the top in the illustration, is designed to drive the second of the two slides 4, shown at the bottom in the illustration, in this case by the first slide 4 being able to be brought into contact with the second slide 4 with its protruding edge 4.1. In the illustration in Figure 1, the first and second slides are still spaced apart. As the insertion process continues, the first slide 4, or its slide holder 8, can be lowered further until the first slide 4, with its free edge 4.1, meets the slide holder 8 of the second slide 4. A further lowering of the first slide simultaneously causes the second slide 4 to lower.

[0035] Figure 2 shows the connection adapter 1 in an assembly position in which the connection adapter 1 is prepared for the attachment of two electrical conductor ends and the subsequent contact protection of the terminals 2. The assembly process for the conductor connection can thus be as follows:

[0036] First, a first conductor is inserted into the lower connection point of terminal 2 in the illustration and a second conductor is inserted into the upper connection point of terminal 2 in the illustration. The conductors are then fixed, for example by tightening a screw each, and electrically contacted to terminal 2. The slider 4, which is upper in the illustration, can then be pushed further into the insertion opening 10 via its slider holder 8 via the tongue and groove connection 11.

[0037] The tongue and groove connection 11 formed between the slide holder 8 of the lower, second slide 4 and the connection housing 9 can be freely movable, in particular without any holding positions or locking positions. The tongue and groove connection 11 formed between the housing 8.1 of the upper, first slide and the connection housing 9 can have a plurality of holding positions, in particular locking positions.

[0038] The second slide 4 is freely movable in its slide holder 8. In a next step, a second electrical conductor can be inserted into the upper connection point 2 and connected to the connection 2. Further lowering of the upper slide holder 8 results in the slide holder 8 running with its protruding edges 4.1 onto the lower slide holder 8 and pressing it downwards. Additionally or alternatively, the slide housing 8 of the upper slide 4 can directly impact the lower slide 4 with its protruding edges 4.1 and come into contact with it to press it down. Depending on the cross-section of the lower conductor, the lower slide 4 rests on the lower conductor in a position resulting from the conductor cross-section. In particular, the lower slide 4 can be freely movable with respect to its holder 8 and thus come into contact with the lower conductor due to gravity alone.Further pressing down of the slide holder 8 of the lower slide 4 results in the lower slide 4 being raised relative to its slide holder 8 and thus being able to touch the conductor contacted at the upper terminal 2 on the underside or to come into contact with its insulation.

[0039] In a final assembly step, the upper slide 4 in the illustration can be displaced relative to its slide holder 8, in particular brought into contact with the upper electrical conductor. For this purpose, the slide 4 preferably protrudes from the housing 8.1 before the slide 4 is displaced relative to its housing 8 (deviating from the illustration according to Figure 1) and is moved further towards the setting position shown in Figure 1 as the slide 4 is pushed into its housing 8.1, e.g. until it touches the upper electrical conductor or is so close to it that sufficient protection against contact is ensured.

[0040] Figures 2 to 4 show various embodiments of sliders 4, which are held by their respective slider holder 8. The sliders 4 are each received in a slider housing 8.1 of the holder 8, with respect to which the sliders 4 can be adjusted between a retracted position and an extended position, as shown in Figures 2 to 4. The sliders 4 each have a plurality of locking positions 5. It can be seen that in the embodiment according to Figure 2, the contour of the slider 6 at its free end has a larger radius than the contour 7 of the slider housing 8.1. In Figure 3, in contrast to the other figures, an embodiment is shown in which the edges 6, 7 are straight. The slider 4 is therefore intended for the more contact-safe covering of electrical conductors with a rectangular cross-section.For example, a screwdriver can be inserted through an actuating opening 12 and the slide 4 can be operated manually, for example to release it from a locking position 5.

[0041] The features given in the above description may be relevant in any combination for the realization of embodiments of the invention, the scope of protection being determined solely by the claims.

[0042] List of reference symbols:

[0043] 1 connection adapter

[0044] 1.1 Connecting element

[0045] 2 connection

[0046] 3 conductor insertion opening

[0047] 4 sliders

[0048] 4.1 protruding edge

[0049] 5 Holding position

[0050] 6 Contour

[0051] 7 Contour

[0052] 8 slide holders

[0053] 8.1 Valve body

[0054] 9 Connection housing

[0055] 10 Insertion opening

[0056] 11 Tongue and groove connection

[0057] 12 Actuating element

Claims

Claims 1. Connection adapter (1 ) for a contact protection housing for the contact-safe contacting of a busbar system, wherein the connection adapter (1 ) has a single-pole or multi-pole connection (2) for at least one electrical conductor of a power supply, wherein the single-pole or multi-pole connection (2) has at least one conductor insertion opening (3), characterized in that the conductor insertion opening (3) has an adjustable opening cross-section.

2. Connection adapter (1) according to claim 1, wherein the conductor insertion opening (3) has at least one movable element (4) limiting the opening cross-section.

3. Connection adapter (1) according to claim 2, wherein the movable element (4) is designed to engage in the opening cross-section in an adjustable manner and / or to cover the opening cross-section with an adjustable portion and / or to close it with an adjustable portion.

4. Connection adapter (1) according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the movable element (4) has at least two holding positions (5), preferably a plurality of holding positions (5), wherein the holding positions (5) are particularly preferably locking positions.

5. Connection adapter (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the movable element (4) is preferably adjustable in a plane parallel to the opening cross-section.

6. Connection adapter (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the movable element (4) is a slider which is preferably displaceable in a plane parallel to the opening cross-section.

7. Connection adapter (1) according to claim 6, wherein the slide (4) projects into the opening cross-section with a projecting edge (6), wherein the edge (6) is preferably curved or straight at least in sections.

8. Connection adapter (1) according to claim 6 or 7, which has a slide holder (8) with respect to which the slide (4) is displaceable and with respect to which the slider (4) preferably has at least one stop position and particularly preferably a plurality of stop positions (5).

9. Connection adapter (1) according to claim 8, wherein the slide holder (8) projects into the opening cross-section with a projecting edge (7), wherein the edge (7) is preferably curved or straight at least in sections.

10. Connection adapter (1) according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the slider (4) in an extended position protrudes with its edge (6) by a greater dimension relative to the edge (7) of the slider holder (8) than in a retracted position.

11. Connection adapter (1) according to one of claims 9 or 10, in which the projecting edges (6, 7) of the slider and of the slider holder (8) are each arcuate, wherein the two edges (6, 7) preferably have a radius which is different from one another at least in sections, wherein the edge (6) of the slider particularly preferably has a smaller radius than the edge (7) of the slider holder (8).

12. Connection adapter (1) according to one of claims 9 to 11, wherein the slide holder (8) has a housing (8.1) in which the slide (4) is received and is displaceable between a position extended from the housing (8.1) and a position retracted into the housing (8.1).

13. Connection adapter (1) according to one of claims 8 to 12, which has a connection housing (9) surrounding the conductor insertion opening (3) and exposing the opening cross-section with an insertion opening (10) for the slide holder (8).

14. Connection adapter (1) according to claim 13, wherein the slide holder (8) can be inserted into the insertion opening (10) in an insertion direction which extends parallel to the opening cross-section, wherein the slide holder (8) is preferably guided in the insertion opening (10) in the insertion direction, particularly preferably via a tongue and groove connection (11) formed between the housing and the slide holder (8).

15. Connection adapter (1) according to claim 14, wherein the slide holder (8) in the insertion opening (10) has at least two holding positions (5) spaced apart from one another in the insertion direction, particularly preferably at least two locking positions.

16. Connection adapter (1) according to one of claims 2 to 15, wherein the conductor insertion opening (3) has at least two movable elements (4), preferably sliders, which delimit the opening cross-section and which are adjustable independently of one another in the same direction.

17. Connection adapter (1) according to claim 16, in which the two movable elements (4), preferably sliders, are arranged one behind the other in their common adjustment direction, wherein a conductor passage is formed between the two movable elements (4), the opening cross-section of which is determined by the holding position of the two sliders (4) relative to one another.

18. Connection adapter (1) according to claim 16 or 17, wherein a first of the two movable elements (4), preferably sliders, is designed to drive a second of the two movable elements (4), preferably sliders, preferably in that the first slider (4) rests with its projecting edge on the second slider (4).

19. Connection adapter (1) according to claim 17 or 18, wherein the first movable element (4), preferably the first slider, has at least two holding positions (5) in the adjustment direction, preferably at least two locking positions, and particularly preferably a plurality of holding positions (5) or locking positions, and wherein the second movable element (4), preferably the second slider, is freely movable in the adjustment direction.

20. Connection adapter (1) according to one of claims 16 to 19, in which the two movable elements (4) are sliders and each have a slider holder (8), wherein the first slider (4) has a plurality of locking positions and preferably a multiplicity of locking positions in the adjustment direction with respect to the slider holder (8) assigned to it, and wherein the second slider (4) is freely movable in the adjustment direction with respect to the slider holder (8) assigned to it.

21. Connection adapter (1) according to claim 20, which has a housing surrounding the conductor insertion opening (3) and exposing the opening cross-section with an insertion opening for the two slide holders (8).

22. Connection adapter (1) according to claim 21, wherein the slide holders (8) can be inserted one behind the other into the insertion opening in an insertion direction which extends parallel to the opening cross-section, wherein the two slide holders (8) are preferably guided in the insertion opening in the insertion direction, particularly preferably via a tongue and groove connection (11) formed between the housing and the slide holders (8).

23. Connection adapter (1) according to claim 21 or 22, wherein the two slide holders (8) each have in the insertion opening at least two holding positions (5) spaced apart from one another in the insertion direction, particularly preferably a plurality of locking positions each.

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