DEVICE FOR PROTECTING ELECTRICAL NETWORKS FROM OVERVOLTAGES OR OVERCURRENTS

Abstract

The invention relates to a device combination for protecting electrical networks against overvoltages or overcurrents, comprising an essentially U-shaped base and at least one plug-in module, which can be plugged or pushed onto the base, wherein the base has connection terminals for connecting to the respective network and also has plug-in contacts, which are connected to the connection terminals and are complementary to mating plug-in contacts or contact tongues of the plug-in module, and the plug-in module has a housing which accommodates one or more lightning and/or overvoltage arresters, and the mating plug-in contacts or contact tongues pass through a floor side of the housing. According to the invention, means are provided for changing the position and the distance between the plug-in contacts and the mating plug-in contacts or contact tongues, wherein, starting from a working position, with a closed, surge-current-resistant electrical connection, it is possible to select an idle position, in which the plug-in contacts and mating plug-in contacts or contact tongues are located in an isolation/disengagement position.

Claims

1. A device combination for protecting electrical networks against overvoltages or overcurrents, comprising an essentially U-shaped base and at least one plug-in module, which can be plugged or pushed onto the base, wherein the base has connection terminals for connecting to the respective network and also has plug-in contacts, which are connected to the connection terminals and are complementary to mating plug-in contacts or contact tongues of the plug-in module, and the plug-in module has a housing which accommodates one or more lightning and/or overvoltage arresters, and the mating plug-in contacts or contact tongues pass through a floor side of the housing, comprising: means for changing the position and the distance between the plug-in contacts and mating plug-in contacts or contact tongues from a working position, with a closed, surge-current-resistant electrical connection between the plug-in module and base, to an idle position, in which the plug-in contacts and mating plug-in contacts or contact tongues are located in an isolation/disengagement position, with a distance between them corresponding to a necessary electrical separation distance and necessary creepage distances and clearances, the plug-in module nevertheless still being retained or fixed on the base.

2. The device combination as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plug-in module is of rotatable or pivotable, wherein a selection can be made between the working position and the idle position by pivoting or rotating the plug-in module.

3. The device combination as claimed in claim 1, wherein a pneumatically or hydraulically activatable ram or pad or lever is arranged between the plug-in module, or the housing thereof, and the base which is configured and operable to bring about a change in the distance between contacts and to effect a change in position from the working position to the idle position.

4. The device combination as claimed in claim 1, wherein a spindle configured for converting a rotary movement into a longitudinal movement is arranged between the base and the plug-in module such that the plug-in module can be moved in the direction of the base, and away from the base, and is retained in the respective position in order both to establish a reliable electrical plug-in connection between the plug-in contacts and the mating plug-in contacts and to effect defined isolation by way of contact separation.

5. The device combination as claimed in claim 4, wherein; the spindle is mounted in a rotatable manner in the plug-in module and is accessible from the upper side of the plug-in module, and a threaded bore which complements the spindle is arranged in the base.

6. The device combination as claimed in claim 4, wherein said base includes at least one side wall and said plug-in module includes side surfaces oriented toward the U-shaped base, at least one of the side surfaces has a guide groove, which is complementary to a guide protrusion or a guide rail on at least one side wall of the U-shaped base, wherein the guide protrusion or the guide rail is mounted resiliently or inserted resiliently in the side wall, and therefore, such that when the plug-in module moves in the direction of the base floor or upward away from the base floor, the guide protrusion or the guide rail is displaced in the direction of the side wall and, when it reaches a congruent position in relation to the guide groove in the plug-in module, the guide protrusion or the guide rail enters into said groove, wherein the change in position of the guide protrusion or of the guide rail can be seen in a viewing window in the base.

7. The device combination as claimed in claim 6, wherein when the plug-in module reaches a position within the base which is defined by the guide protrusion or the guide rail entering into the guide groove, contact separation has been achieved.

8. The device combination as claimed in claim 6 or 7, wherein the plug-in module can be pushed laterally into the U-shaped base by means of the guide groove and the guide protrusion or the guide rail and then, by means of the spindle, the plug-in module can move in the direction of the base floor for contact-making purposes.

9. The device combination as claimed in claim 8, wherein the lateral pushing-in action is delimited by a fixed or releasable stop, which is located in the base.

10. The device combination as claimed in claim 9, wherein the stop or stops is or are defined in the form of lateral delimiting walls which can be inserted in the base.

11. The device combination as claimed in claim 10, wherein on their upper side, the delimiting walls have a centering slope (11) for easier introduction of the plug-in module from above in the direction of the base.

12. The device combination as claimed in claim 6, wherein characterized in that a first viewing window is formed in the base in the plug-in direction of the plug-in module and a second viewing window is formed in the base in the pushing-in direction of the plug-in module.

13. The device combination as claimed in claim 5, wherein said base includes at least one side wall and said plug-in module includes side surfaces oriented toward the U-shaped base, at least one of the side surfaces has a guide groove-which is complementary to a guide protrusion or a guide rail on at least one side wall of the U-shaped base, wherein the guide protrusion or the guide rail is mounted resiliently or inserted resiliently in the side wall-such that when the plug-in module moves in the direction of the base floor or upward away from the base floor, the guide protrusion or the guide rail is displaced in the direction of the side wall and, when it reaches a congruent position in relation to the guide groove in the plug-in module, the guide protrusion or the guide rail enters into said groove, wherein the change in position of the guide protrusion or of the guide rail can be seen in a viewing window in the base.

14. The device combination as claimed in claim 7, wherein the plug-in module can be pushed laterally into the U-shaped base by means of the guide groove and the guide protrusion or the guide rail and then, by means of the spindle, the plug-in module can move in the direction of the base floor for contact-making purposes.

15. The device combination as claimed in claim 11, wherein a first viewing window is formed in the base in the plug-in direction of the plug-in module and a second viewing window is formed in the base in the pushing-in direction of the plug-in module.

Description

[0051] The invention will be explained in more detail hereinbelow with reference to an exemplary embodiment and with the aid of the figures, in which:

[0052] FIGS. 1-3 show the sequence of the plug-in module being pushed laterally onto a base from the right;

[0053] FIG. 4 shows a perspective illustration of the plug-in module with a view of the underside and spindle, which is evident there;

[0054] FIGS. 5-7 show illustrations of the plug-in module being pushed in the direction of the base from the left;

[0055] FIGS. 8-10 show illustrations relating to the plug-in module being plugged in the direction of the base from above, with isolation position (FIG. 9) and connecting position (FIG. 10);

[0056] FIG. 11 shows a perspective plan view of the base with threaded bore 60;

[0057] FIG. 12 shows a cross-sectional illustration through a device combination comprising a base and a plug-in module, which can be fixed in the base and can be rotated or pivoted about its axis, the device combination being illustrated in the working position with closed contact connections, wherein the arrows symbolize the direction of the rotary or pivoting movement which is necessary in order to reach the idle position, that is to say the isolation/disengagement position; and

[0058] FIG. 13 shows illustrations of a further embodiment of the teaching according to the invention with hydraulically activatable means in order to bring about a change in the contact distance between the relevant element in the base and in the plug-in module, that is to say in order to effect a change from the working position in the direction of the idle position.

[0059] The device combination which is illustrated in the figures for protecting electrical networks against overvoltages or overcurrents is based on a base 1 and at least one plug-in module 2, which can be plugged or pushed onto the base.

[0060] The base 1 has connection terminals 3 for connecting to the respective network not illustrated in the figures.

[0061] Also present in the base are plug-in contacts, which are connected to the connection terminals and are located behind and/or beneath slot-like openings 4 in the floor region of the base 1.

[0062] The plug-in contacts in the base 1 are complementary to mating plug-in contacts of the plug-in module 2, said mating plug-in contacts being designed in the form of contact tongues 5.

[0063] The plug-in module 2 comprises a housing, which in its interior accommodates one or more lightning and/or overvoltage arresters.

[0064] As can be seen from the figures, the contact tongues 5 pass through a side portion or a side/floor portion of the plug-in module 2.

[0065] A spindle 6 (see FIG. 4) acts between the base 1 and the plug-in module 2 and serves to convert a rotary movement into a longitudinal movement such that, depending on the direction of rotation of the spindle, the plug-in module 2 can be moved in the direction of the base 1, and away from the same, and is retained in the respective position.

[0066] This can both establish a reliable electrical plug-in connection between the plug-in contacts and the mating plug-in contacts and effect defined isolation by way of these contacts being separated.

[0067] In this respect, the spindle 6 is mounted in a rotatable manner in the plug-in module 2 and is accessible from the upper side 20 of the plug-in module 2. It is also possible for the spindle to have, on its upper side, a screw head, a polygonal head or a similar head formation 21 for accommodating a tool.

[0068] According to FIG. 11, a threaded bore 60 which complements the spindle 6 is arranged in the base, in the region between the limbs of the U shape, that is to say in the base floor 101.

[0069] It is noted that the variant presented according to the exemplary embodiment is based on the spindle 6 with head 21 being formed in the plug-in part 2 and the associated threaded bore being arranged in the base 1. A kinematic reversal of this is also possible, in principle, without departing from the basic concepts of the invention.

[0070] At least one of the side surfaces 22 of the plug-in module 2 has a guide groove 7.

[0071] In the examples shown, there are two guide grooves 7 located opposite one another the side walls.

[0072] These guide grooves 7 are complementary to guide rails 8, which are mounted resiliently in the base in the region of the side walls 100 of the base 1.

[0073] As a result of guide protrusions or the guide rails 8, which are mounted resiliently or inserted resiliently in the side wall 100, it is the case that, when the plug-in module 2 moves in the direction of the base floor 101 or upward away from the base floor 101, the guide rails 8 can be displaced in the direction of the side wall 100 and penetrate at least partially into the same.

[0074] When a congruent position is reached between the guide grooves 7 in the plug-in module 2, the respective guide rails 8 enter into the corresponding groove 7. As a result, the plug-in module 2 is retained in relation to the base 1, wherein the change in position of the guide rails 8 can be seen in a viewing position 9 in the base 1.

[0075] When the plug-in module 2 reaches a position within the base 1 which is defined by the guide rails 8 entering into the respective guide groove 7, the contacts 5 are located in an isolation position in relation to the contacts located in the base, that is to say contact separation has been achieved. This is shown in FIGS. 2, 6 and 9.

[0076] Starting from this contact-separation position, the spindle 6 with head 21 can be used to convert a rotary movement into a longitudinal movement. In this respect, the plug-in module 2 is pulled into the base 1 and more or less screwed to the same. In the end position of the plug-in module 2 in relation to the U-shaped base 1, the desired electrical contact safety and reliable mechanical fixing has been achieved.

[0077] During movement counter to the direction of rotation shown by the arrows according to FIG. 3, the plug-in module 2 can be moved out of the U-shaped base 1 again without any force being applied.

[0078] When full contact connection has been established according to FIGS. 3, 7 and 10, the display in the viewing window 9 changes, for example from originally green (isolated) to red (plug-in module has made contact).

[0079] FIGS. 1 to 3 show a sequence illustrating the possibility of pushing the plug-in module 2 in onto the base 1 from the right, to be precise using the guide grooves 7 in conjunction with the resilient guide rails 8.

[0080] The lateral pushing-in action of the plug-in module 2 can be delimited by a fixed or releasable stop 10, which is located in the base 1 or is inserted into the same. For the purpose of easy insertion of the plug-in module 2 from above (see FIGS. 8 to 10), it is possible for the stops 10 inserted on either side of the base to have a sloping surface 11, so that the plug-in module 2 can be plugged in more easily from above.

[0081] The respective stops 10 can be designed in the form of lateral delimiting walls which can be inserted in the base.

[0082] The lateral pushing-in action of the plug-in module 2 indicated in FIG. 1 takes place in the direction of the arrow according to FIG. 1, as far as the stop 10.

[0083] Thereafter, rotation of the spindle 6 (see FIG. 3) makes it possible for the plug-in module 2 to be fully fixed in electrical and mechanical terms in the base.

[0084] The possible pushing-in movement of the plug-in module 2 is formed adequately from the left, as illustrated in FIGS. 5 to 7.

[0085] In an alternative manner, the respective plug-in module 2 can also be inserted into a plug-in part 1 classically from above.

[0086] In this case, first of all plug-in operation takes place from above until the resilient guide rails 8 in the base 1 engage in the associated guide grooves 7 in the plug-in module 2, as is illustrated in FIG. 9. The isolation position can be seen here in the viewing window 9.

[0087] Subsequent rotation of the spindle gives rise to the plug-in module 2 moving further in the direction of the base 1. The resilient guide rails 9 here are pushed into associated set-back portions in the corresponding side wall 100, and therefore the screwing-in movement of the plug-in module 2 is carried out until the full end position, with reliable electrical connection established, is reached. In this respect, the display in the viewing window 9 then changes.

[0088] The viewing window 9 is supplemented by at least one further, end-side viewing window 90 in the base 1, in which case it is possible to see, in all circumstances, whether the plug-in module is electrically isolated or whether the desired contact connection in relation to the base has been achieved.

[0089] FIG. 12 shows a cross-sectional illustration through a device combination comprising a base 1 and a plug-in module 2, which can be fixed in the base 1 and can be rotated or pivoted about its axis, the device combination being illustrated in the first instance in the working position with closed contact actions between plug-in contacts 500, designed in the form of spring contacts, and contact tongues 5, wherein the arrows symbolize the direction of rotary or pivoting movement which is necessary in order to reach the idle position, that it to say the isolation/disengagement position.

[0090] When the isolation/disengagement position has been reached, latching-action fixing takes place. This is achieved with recourse to latching recesses 100, which are provided on the plug-in part 2, in particular on the housing thereof, in conjunction resiliently mounting latching noses 101, which are realized so as to be guided on the base. The fact that the plug-in contacts and mating plug-in contacts have reached the isolation/disengagement position, or departed from the same, can be detected by switching devices 102 and possibly fed to a telecommunication means. A further position switch 102 is located in the lower region of the base and indicates the working position.

[0091] The illustration according to FIG. 13 is based on a further embodiment of the teaching according to the invention, with a cylinder 200 which can be activated for example hydraulically.

[0092] In the retracted state of the cylinder 200, the plug-in part 2 is located in the base, to be precise in the working position.

[0093] With the cylinder 200 extended (illustrated by arrows and dashes according to FIG. 13), the plug-in part 1 is raised, and therefore the plug-in contacts 500 and the contact tongues 5 disengage from one another.

[0094] In this isolation/disengagement position, once again, the plug-in part 2 is fixed with recourse to recesses 100, which are provided or made on the plug-in part, in conjunction with latching noses 101. Position switches 102 can also be provided in this exemplary embodiment, in order to make it possible to draw a distinction between the working position having been reached or the isolation/disengagement position having been achieved.