KIT FOR AUTOMATED ASSEMBLING OR DISASSEMBLING OF LAMINATED ELECTRIC CIRCUITS

Abstract

A kit or system, which can be used for automated assembling and/or disassembling of laminated electric circuits can be comprised of insulating sheets, line conductors between insulating layers, which may have insulated spacers for structural straightening. Dedicated electric elements can be connected to the structure via the kit elements. The kit or system can comprise: jumpers, insert nuts, step bushings, bushings, threaded head screws or cylinder head screws, screw plugs, connecting screws, and sockets for integration 3.sup.rd party elements to the laminated electric circuit.

Claims

1. A kit for automated assembling and/or disassembling of laminated electric circuits and corresponding electric elements connected thereto; where the laminated electric circuit is based on two or more insulating sheets and a plurality of line conductors sandwiched between each of two adjacent insulating sheets with a set of insulating spacers having thickness comparable to line conductors situated on the same layer to fortify the structure, and where the whole laminated electric circuit is to be mechanically tightly fastened once being formed; where each line conductor has at least one line equipped with a line connector having a central bore to form electric contact with a first plurality of other kit elements; where one or more electric elements and/or 3.sup.rd party electric elements that are previously inserted into sockets, are to be electrically and mechanically connected to the laminated electric circuit in a way that their electric contacts are connected via the kit elements to the desired line conductors within the laminated electric circuit; where the kit is comprised of the following elements: jumpers, where each jumper has a jumper line, equipped with two or more jumper connectors, each with a central bore to form electric contact with a second plurality of other kit elements distributed over the same layer; insert nuts to receive compatible screws of the kit, where each insert nut has a contact surface dimensioned to receive a corresponding one of the line connectors or a corresponding one of the jumper connectors; step bushings, where each step bushing is dimensioned to receive a corresponding one of the line connectors or a corresponding one of the jumper connectors with its contact surface, and with a bore for free screw passage; bushings, where each bushing has a bore for free screw passage; where the insert nuts, the step bushings, and the bushings are of a same height when are used at a same insulating layer, having respective one or more rotation stoppers formed on their outer surfaces that is able to nest in the corresponding insulating layer and prevent the kit elements from rotating; threaded head screws, where each threaded head screw has a thread formed in a head to receive a connecting screw by which a corresponding one of the electric elements or a socket is to be fastened thereto; cylinder head screws, where each cylinder head screw has a cylindrical head with a fastening groove to receive a snap fastener of the corresponding one of the electric elements; where each threaded head screw shank or cylinder head screw shank has the thread to fasten the screw into the insert nut and with a length of the shank dimensioned to receive one or more bushings or step bushings between the nut and a head stoper; screw plugs, where each screw plug has at least a partially threaded shank to fasten the screw plug into the insert nut and the shank dimensioned to receive one or more bushings or step bushings between the nut and a flat head; connecting screws where each connecting screw has at least a partially threaded shank to screw the connecting screw into the threaded head screws; and one or more of the sockets with the electro-mechanical mechanism designed for insertion and/or ejection of a 3.sup.rd party electric element as the electric element from the socket, where each socket enables that the electric element has a locked mechanical position and electric contact with the laminated electric circuit via the threaded head screws that hold the socket and the electric element.

2. The kit according to claim 1, wherein the insert nut forms electric contact with the line or jumper connector in a way that a contact bore has a geometry that matches an outer geometry of the threaded cylinder formed within the insert nut and where a distance from the contact surface to a top of the nut is dimensioned according to a thickness of the line or jumper connector.

3. The kit according to claim 1, wherein the step bushing forms electric contact with the line or jumper connector in a way that a contact bore has a geometry that matches an outer geometry of a cylinder formed within the step bushing and where a distance from a contact surface to a top of the step bushing is dimensioned according to s thickness of the line or jumper connector.

4. The kit according to claim 2, wherein all of the step bushings and all of the bushings have a same height, and where each of the contact bores has a circular geometry.

5. The kit according to claim 1, where each of the threaded head screws is equipped with a drive formed on a top of the head that has machined a thread in the head, where the drive enables screwing and unscrewing of the threaded head screw into the insert nut.

6. The kit according to claim 1, where each of the cylinder head screws is equipped with a drive formed on a top of a head, where the drive enables screwing and unscrewing of the cylinder head screw into the insert nut.

7. The kit according to claim 1, where each of the screw plugs is equipped with a drive formed in a flat head, where the drive enables screwing and unscrewing of the screw plug into the insert nut.

8. The kit according to claim 1, where each of the socket casing is dimensioned to receive a dedicated 3.sup.rd party electric element as the electric element, where the casing has a set of holes distributed in pairs over it, where: screw holes enable the socket to be fastened, via the pair of connecting screws inserted through the screw holes, to the corresponding threaded head screws emerging from the laminated electric circuit; assembly holes that enable on-top tool manipulation with the element inserting levers during the mounting/dismounting of the electric element within the socket; contact ejecting holes through which the element inserting levers are ejected or retracted; and activating pin holes through which the activating pins are protruding in the mechanical contact with the electric element; wherein the electro-mechanical mechanism is composed of activating pins, element inserting levers, pins, contact parts, and springs; where inserting the electric element within the socket engages the activating pins which push springs towards the bottom of the socket and rotate the pair of element inserting levers, fixed via respective pin receiving portions over the corresponding pins, causing the element inserting levers to protrude through ejecting holes and enter the electric element contact holes to be fixed into with the electric element screws, where each element inserting lever is in permanent electric contact, via an elastic contact, with a corresponding contact part which is electrically connected to the threaded head screw using the connecting screw, and therefore with the laminated electric circuit.

9. Use of the kit according to claim 1, for automated or semi-automated assembling and/or disassembling of the laminated electric circuits.

10. Use of the kit according to claim 9, where the automated assembling and/or disassembling of the laminated electric circuits is performed via industrial robots.

11. A method comprising: providing a kit for automated assembling and/or disassembling of laminated electric circuits and corresponding electric elements connected thereto; where the laminated electric circuit is based on two or more insulating sheets and a plurality of line conductors sandwiched between each of two adjacent insulating sheets, and where the whole laminated electric circuit is to be mechanically tightly fastened once being formed; where each line conductor has at least one line equipped with a line connector having a central bore to form electric contact with a first plurality of other kit elements; where one or more electric elements and/or 3.sup.rd party electric elements that are previously inserted into sockets, are to be electrically and mechanically connected to the laminated electric circuit in a way that their electric contacts are connected via the kit elements to the desired line conductors within the laminated electric circuit; where the kit is comprised of the following elements: jumpers, where each jumper has a jumper line, equipped with two or more jumper connectors, each with a central bore to form electric contact with a second plurality of other kit elements distributed over the same layer; insert nuts to receive compatible screws of the kit, where each insert nut has a contact surface dimensioned to receive a corresponding one of the line connectors or a corresponding one of the jumper connectors; step bushings, where each step bushing is dimensioned to receive a corresponding one of the line connectors or a corresponding one of the jumper connectors with its contact surface, and with a bore for free screw passage; bushings, where each bushing has a bore for free screw passage; where the insert nuts, the step bushings, and the bushings are of a same height when are used at a same insulating layer, having respective one or more rotation stoppers formed on their outer surfaces that is able to nest in the corresponding insulating layer and prevent the kit elements from rotating; threaded head screws, where each threaded head screw has a thread formed in a head to receive a connecting screw by which a corresponding one of the electric elements or a socket is to be fastened thereto; cylinder head screws, where each cylinder head screw has a cylindrical head with a fastening groove to receive a snap fastener of the corresponding one of the electric elements; where each threaded head screw shank or cylinder head screw shank has the thread to fasten the screw into the insert nut and with a length of the shank dimensioned to receive one or more bushings or step bushings between the nut and a head stoper; screw plugs, where each screw plug has at least a partially threaded shank to fasten the screw plug into the insert nut and the shank dimensioned to receive one or more bushings or step bushings between the nut and a flat head; and connecting screws where each connecting screw has at least a partially threaded shank to screw the connecting screw into the threaded head screws.

12. The method according to claim 11, further comprising using the kit for automated assembling and/or disassembling of the laminated electric circuits and corresponding electric elements connected thereto using one or more industrial robots.

13. The method according to claim 11, wherein one or more of the sockets with the electro-mechanical mechanism designed for insertion and/or ejection of a 3.sup.rd party electric element as the electric element from the socket, where each socket enables that the electric element has a locked mechanical position and electric contact with the laminated electric circuit via the threaded head screws that hold the socket and the electric element.

14. The method according to claim 11, wherein the insert nut forms electric contact with the line or jumper connector in a way that a contact bore has a geometry that matches an outer geometry of the threaded cylinder formed within the insert nut and where a distance from the contact surface to a top of the nut is dimensioned according to a thickness of the line or jumper connector.

15. The method according to claim 11, wherein the step bushing forms electric contact with the line or jumper connector in a way that a contact bore has a geometry that matches an outer geometry of a cylinder formed within the step bushing and where a distance from a contact surface to a top of the step bushing is dimensioned according to s thickness of the line or jumper connector.

16. The method according to claim 14, wherein all of the step bushings and all of the bushings have a same height, and where each of the contact bores has a circular geometry.

17. The method according to claim 11, where each of the threaded head screws is equipped with a drive formed on a top of the head that has machined a thread in the head, where the drive enables screwing and unscrewing of the threaded head screw into the insert nut.

18. The method according to claim 11, where each of the cylinder head screws is equipped with a drive formed on a top of a head, where the drive enables screwing and unscrewing of the cylinder head screw into the insert nut.

19. The method according to claim 1, where each of the screw plugs is equipped with a drive formed in a flat head, where the drive enables screwing and unscrewing of the screw plug into the insert nut.

20. The method according to claim 11, where each of the socket casing is dimensioned to receive a dedicated 3.sup.rd party electric element as the electric element, where the casing has a set of holes distributed in pairs over it, where: screw holes enable the socket to be fastened, via the pair of connecting screws inserted through the screw holes, to the corresponding threaded head screws emerging from the laminated electric circuit; assembly holes that enable on-top tool manipulation with the element inserting levers during the mounting/dismounting of the electric element within the socket; contact ejecting holes through which the element inserting levers are ejected or retracted; and activating pin holes through which the activating pins are protruding in the mechanical contact with the electric element; wherein the electro-mechanical mechanism is composed of activating pins, element inserting levers, pins, contact parts, and springs; where inserting the electric element within the socket engages the activating pins which push springs towards the bottom of the socket and rotate the pair of element inserting levers, fixed via respective pin receiving portions over the corresponding pins, causing the element inserting levers to protrude through ejecting holes and enter the electric element contact holes to be fixed into with the electric element screws, where each element inserting lever is in permanent electric contact, via an elastic contact, with a corresponding contact part which is electrically connected to the threaded head screw using the connecting screw, and therefore with the laminated electric circuit.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

[0033] FIG. 1 depicts an electric element, a circuit breaker, connected to a laminated electric circuit, according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0034] FIG. 2 depicts a side view of the situation shown via FIG. 1.

[0035] FIG. 3 shows an inner structure of the laminated electric circuit and the corresponding circuit breaker connected thereto, according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0036] FIG. 4 shows the situation depicted via FIG. 3, but without the circuit breaker.

[0037] FIG. 5 reveals layer-by-layer striping of the laminated electric circuit to reveal the kit's or system's parts used and intralayer contact formation, according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0038] FIG. 6 shows two conducting line connections, where each line can emerge from different laminated electric circuit layer, connected via the step bushing, the screw plug, and the insert nut. FIG. 6A shows elements that may be used for the identical connection in the exploded view.

[0039] FIG. 7 shows two conducting line connections, where both lines can emerge from the same laminated electric circuit layer, connected via the corresponding jumper. FIG. 7A shows all elements that may be used for the identical connection in the exploded view.

[0040] FIG. 8 shows how outer electric elements can be connected to the desired conducting line connection, situated at some laminated electric circuit layer, where the connection can be performed by the threaded head screw and several bushings used, according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. FIG. 8A shows elements that may be used for the identical connection in the exploded view.

[0041] FIG. 9 shows how outer electric element can be connected to two conducting line conductors, where each conducting line can be situated at the different laminated electric circuit layer, where the connection can be performed by the threaded head screw and several bushings used, according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. FIG. 9A shows elements that may be used for the identical connection in the exploded view.

[0042] FIG. 10 shows how outer electric element can be connected to some desired conducting line connection situated at the bottom of the laminated electric circuit, i.e., close to the insert nut, according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. The connection can be performed by the threaded head screw and a plurality of bushings at each laminated layer. FIG. 10A shows elements that may be used for the identical connection in the exploded view.

[0043] FIGS. 11A, 11B, and 11C depict an insert nut, a step bushing, and a standard bushing, respectively, according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0044] FIGS. 12A, 12B, 12C, and 12D depict a threaded head screw, a cylindrical head screw, a screw plug, and a connecting screw, respectively, according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. Optionally, all of the screws can be formed of various heights (h) and widths (including some or all with the same height and/or width).

[0045] FIGS. 13A and 13B depict line conductors of various widths (w) together with the corresponding line connector compatible with the above cited kit or system elements, according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0046] FIG. 14 shows a jumper which can be of various lengths (D) and widths (w), and which can be compatible with the above described kit or system elements, according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0047] FIG. 15 shows installation terminal block, i.e., the electric element, suitable to be fastened to cylindrical head screws.

[0048] FIG. 16 depicts a perspective view of a installation terminal block, according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, when fastened.

[0049] FIG. 17 shows a side view of the same situation of the installation terminal block of FIG. 16.

[0050] FIG. 18 depicts a 3.sup.rd party electric element, i.e., circuit breaker and a corresponding socket, according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, in a position to receive the 3.sup.rd party electric element.

[0051] FIG. 19 shows a perspective view of a situation when the 3.sup.rd party electric element is inserted into the socket according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0052] FIG. 20 shows a socket according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure with its mechanism in a position once the 3.sup.rd party electric element is inserted.

[0053] FIG. 21 shows a side view of the 3.sup.rd party electric element inserted in the socket according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0054] FIG. 22 shows a perspective view of the socket, according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, with the 3.sup.rd party electric element ejected.

[0055] FIG. 23 depicts a socket mechanism side view when the 3.sup.rd party electric element is inserted in it, as depicted in FIG. 21.

[0056] FIG. 24 depicts a socket mechanism side view when the 3.sup.rd party electric element is not present within the socket, as depicted in FIG. 22.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0057] The present disclosure relates to a kit or system and methods thereof that can be implemented for automated assembling and/or disassembling of laminated electric circuits.

[0058] As an example, embodiments of the present disclosure can be oriented toward the installation of busbars and electric elements thereto. More particularly, embodiments of the present disclosure can relate to laminated busbars, in which a conductive material, i.e., the kit parts according to embodiments of the present disclosure, can be applied to the layered insulating supports in such a manner to form the desired conductive patterns within the layers of line conductors sandwiched within insulating supports.

[0059] Embodiments of the present disclosure can solve the above cited technical problem of standardisation, for instance, among one or more technical problems, by using a kit or system of elements together with prefabricated insulating sheets and plate-shaped (e.g., plate-like) line conductors which can form laminated electric circuits to which the electric elements can be fixed. The kit or system of elements can enable different layers to be electrically connected in a desired manner as well as the electric elements to be connected thereto. The kit or system parts can be designed in a way that a minimal set of elements can be used, and that the elements can be suitable for automated assembling and/or disassembling. In that way, a mesh of conductors, which may be relatively complex, can be replaced with the wiring that is analogue to predetermined multilayer printed circuits, with the provision that all mechanical contacts can be made by the kit or system elements connected one to another and/or further connected to the used line connectors and electric elements. Such solution can offer a wiring mesh that can be almost without connecting lugs, where used electric elements can be specifically designed to cooperate with the kit or system. In addition, the mentioned wiring types can offer a low contact resistance and suitable (e.g., excellent) temperature endurance of their contact points.

[0060] According to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, third (3.sup.rd) party electric elements can be connected to the above-described (closed) system of elements. This technical problem can be solved with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure by specific sockets designed to receive the 3.sup.rd party electric elements, and to provide connecting interfaces with the laminated electric circuits. The sockets can be designed to allow automated assembling and/or disassembling to/from the laminated electric circuit. In addition, the sockets can allow corresponding 3.sup.rd party electric elements to be inserted/ejected within the sockets in an automated way.

[0061] The automated assembling and/or disassembling process, as used hereby, can be regarded as a process where industrial robots are used without manpower. Semi-automated process can be regarded as a process where manpower is needed only for some limited number of operations.

[0062] Kit Elements

[0063] FIG. 11A depicts a insert nut (10). The insert nut (10) can be formed as a rotational body, with a rotation stopper (11) formed at a part of an outer cylindrical surface (15) which can be formed near the bottom of the nut (10). According to one or more embodiments, the rotation stopper (11), for instance, as shown in FIG. 11A, can be formed as a rectangle surface perpendicular to the base of the insert nut (10). In other variants, two, or even more surfaces can be machined on the cylindrical surfaces, for instance, in the form of hexagonal nut.

[0064] The nut (10) can further have a contact surface (13) and a stopping step (14). The stopping step (14) can allow the nut (10) to be nested in a desired insulating sheet (100.i) once being covered, for instance, in a way depicted in FIG. 3. Namely, the diameter of the bore formed in the corresponding covering insulating sheet (100.i) can be smaller than the stopping step (14) and the bore can have a diameter of the contact surface (13). So, the stopping step (14) can prevent the nut (10) from propagating through the covering insulating sheet (100.i) once the corresponding screws (40, 50, 60) are screwed into the nut (10).

[0065] In one variant, the nut (10) can be machined without the stopping step (14), and the contact surface (13) can be spread up to the outer surface (15). In this variant, the diameter of the bore formed in the corresponding covering insulating sheet (100.i) can be equal to the diameter of the outer surface (15), for instance, machined in the way to match with one or more rotation stoppers (11). In this variant, the nut (10) may not be able to fasten different layers as in the variant above, but may allow easier machining of the insulating sheets (100.i) without steps within the bores made on insulating sheets (100.i).

[0066] Once the insert nut (10) is in a assembly process covered within the insulating sheet (100.i), the insert nut (10) can be locked in place via the stopping step (14), or via the other elements connected to the nut (10), as in variant where the stopping step (14) is absent.

[0067] One or more stoppers (11) can prevent any rotation of the nut (10) during the screwing of the screws (40, 50, 60). The contact surface (13) can be designed to establish a contact with the connectors (82, 92), which can be formed at the end of the lines (81, 91), i.e., at the end of line conductors (80) or jumpers (90). The contact surface (13) can be regarded as the step where connectors (82, 92), depicted on FIGS. 13A, 13B and 14, for instance, simply seat. Contact bores (86, 96) can be designed to receive threaded cylinder (12), equipped with the inner thread (17) and into which compatible screws (40, 50, 60) can be screwed by inserting its threads into the hole (16). Screws according to embodiments of the present disclosure can be different from the screws (40, 50, 60), for instance, with different heights and/or with different diameters that can match the corresponding nut (10) inner diameter.

[0068] According to one or more embodiments, all outer nut's surfaces can be machined also as a polygonal shape. In that sense, even the connectors (82, 92) and the corresponding contact surface (13) can be machined as the polygons that match each other. According to one or more embodiments, the surfaces can have a circular geometry.

[0069] FIG. 11B depicts a step bushing (20) according to one or more embodiments. The step bushing (20) can be formed as the rotational body, with one or more rotation stoppers (21), formed at a part of outer cylindrical surface (25). As an example, a role of one or more stoppers (21) can be the same as in previously described inset nut (10) and can be equally machined. The step bushing (20) can have a contact surface (23). A role of the contact surface (23) may be identical to the role of the contact surface (13) formed on the nut (10). Contact bores (86, 96) can be designed to receive the hollow cylinder (22), which can be equipped with the bore (26) through which various screws (40, 50, 60) can pass without obstruction. According to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, the outer step bushing's surfaces can be machined also in a polygonal shape, for instance, as well as corresponding the connectors (82, 92).

[0070] FIG. 11C depicts a bushing (30) according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. The bushing (30) can be formed as the rotational body (32), for instance, with one or more the rotation stoppers (31), formed at the cylindrical surface (35), with the previously described technical role. The bore (36), formed across the bushing (30), can be designed so that various screws (40, 50, 60) can pass through it without obstruction.

[0071] FIG. 12A depicts a threaded head screw (40) according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, for instance, with a shank (41) that can have a thread (47) compatible with the nuts (10), where the shank (41) may be of a height (h). In one variant, the screw (40) can have a stepped neck (43) that can connect the shank (41) and the head stoper (42). The head (44) can be formed as a cylindrical body over the head stoper (42), as an example configuration. The head (44) can have an inner thread (48), capable to receive a corresponding connecting screw (70), and a drive (45) for screwing the screw (40) into the nut (10).

[0072] FIG. 12B depicts a cylindrical head screw (50) with a shank (51) that can have a thread (57) compatible with the nuts (10), according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, where the shank (51) can be of a height (h). In one variant, the screw (50) can have a stepped neck (53) that can connect the shank (51) and the head stoper (52). The head (54) can be formed as a cylindrical body over the head stoper (52), as an example configuration. The head (54) can have a fastening grove (59), for instance, capable of interacting with a snap fastener (209) of a desired electric element (200), for instance, and with a drive (55) for screwing the screw (50) into the nut (10).

[0073] FIG. 12C depicts A plug screw (60) according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure that can have a threaded shank (61) of a height (h), for instance, with a thread (67) for screwing into the insert nut (10), and where the shank (61) may have a height (h). In one variant, the screw (60) can have a stepped neck (63) that can connect the shank (61) and a flat head (64) equipped with a drive (65).

[0074] When the screws (40, 50, 60) are machined with stepped necks (43, 53, 63), the stepped necks can have the same technical role as the stopping step (14), machined on the nut (10), has. Namely, the stepped necks (43, 53, 63) can allow the screws (40, 50, 60) to fasten corresponding insulating sheet (100.i) with this stepped portion once the screws are screwed into the corresponding nuts (10), as depicted on FIGS. 3 and 4, for instance. If the screws (40, 50, 60) are machined without stepped necks (43, 53, 63), then the diameter of the bore formed in the corresponding covering insulating sheet (100.i) can be equal to the diameter of the used head stoppers (42, 52) or flat heads (64). In this variant, the screws (40, 50, 60) may not be able to fasten different layers as in the variant above—but can allow easier machining of the used insulating sheets (100.i).

[0075] FIG. 12D depicts a connecting screw (70) according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure which can have a thread (77), made on a shank (71), which can fits the head thread (48) formed in the threaded head screw (40). The connecting screw (70) can have a head (74) and a corresponding drive (74) formed thereto.

[0076] FIG. 14 depicts a jumper (90) according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, for example, formed with two bores (96) at its connectors (92), where the connectors (92) can be connected with a jumper line (91) of having a length (D). The jumper (90) can be equipped with three or more connectors (92), according to one or more embodiments, for instance, distributed in the same line, or in any other geometry, such as zigzag. Jumper (90) thickness can depend on used kit elements and other technical needs, as examples.

[0077] FIGS. 13A and 13B depict various line conductors (80), i.e., of various width (w), and its end connectors (82) formed at the end of the corresponding lines (81), according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. Such endings, i.e., connectors (82) can form inputs/outputs for a mesh made from conductors (80) of various topologies and schemes within each laminated layer. Each connector (82) can be equipped with the contact bore (86) that can fit over the hollow cylinders (12, 22) that can be formed on the nuts (10) and step bushing (20) respectively. The line conductors (80) and the corresponding elements (81, 82), according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, may not constitute the kit's or system's elements (10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 50, 70), with which they can be compatible.

[0078] One, some, or all of above kit's elements (e.g., 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 90) and the corresponding line conductors (80) can be formed from metals having good electric and thermal properties, such as aluminium, copper, and their alloys. In one further variant, the nut (10) can be formed from an insulating material, for instance, having in mind that such choice can improve the insulating properties of whole insulating sheets where the nuts (10) are used.

[0079] Laminated Electric Circuits Formation

[0080] An example of the laminated electric circuits according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure is depicted via FIGS. 1-5. Laminated electric circuits (100), used in electric cabinets, for instance, can be comprised of or consist of two or more insulating sheets (101.i), i=1, 2, . . . n. In general, the insulating sheets (101.i) can be of the same or different thickness. The number of insulating sheets (101.i) may depend on circuit complexity, number of phases used, etc. In general, insulating sheets (101.i) can be made of materials that may be used in manufacturing PCBs (Printed Circuit Boards) having good insulating properties. In contrast to standard low current and low voltage PCBs, which may be manufactured with already deposited line conductors on in, for the electric cabinets according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure a special line conductor (80) mesh can be designed and sandwiched between the insulating sheets (101.i, 101.i+1) (e.g., between adjacent insulating sheets). When line conductors (80) are not distributed uniformly over the insulating sheet (100.i), it may be desirable or necessary to distribute a set of insulating spacers, with thickness close to (including the same as) the line conductors (80), for instance, around the line conductors (80), to form laminated electric circuit layer more solid and compact. The thickness of the used line conductors (80) may depend on maximum current projected to flow across them, kind of used conductors, e.g., Cu or Al, and the heat dissipation requirements that may need to be satisfied.

[0081] In practice, the automated assembly can begin from an initial layer, i.e., insulating sheet (100.1) that can be dimensioned to surpass the dimensioning of all line conductors (80) mesh used. On that insulating sheet the bottom kit elements, such as insert nuts (10), can be placed. Then, a tailored insulating sheet (100.2), see, for example, FIGS. 4 and 5, with spaces designed for nesting the nuts (10) can be placed directly over the first insulating sheet (100.1). All insert nuts (10) can be equipped with the rotation stopers (11) which can prevent the nuts to rotate once being embedded in the insulating sheet (100.2). Then the first layer of line conductors (80) can be deployed on the insulating sheet (100.2), optionally with the insulating spacers distributed around, if desired. Some of the line conductors (80) can be connected to the insert nuts (10). Then, the next tailored insulating sheet (100.3) can be deposited. The insulating sheet (100.3) can have, in one variant, bores and nests. Bores can be for receiving step bushings (20) or bushings (30), while the nests can be for receiving insert nuts (10). In this variant, where nuts (10) have stopping steps (14), the bores and nests may not be the same. The nests can prevent the insert nuts (10) to pass the insulating sheet (100.i) which can cover the nuts (10) once being nested into during the screwing the screws (40, 50, 60). In another variant, where the insert nuts (10) are formed without stopping steps (14), the bores and nests formed in the insulating sheet (100.i) can be equal. Each bore/nest can have a part for receiving rotation stoppers (11, 21, 31) to prevent in situ rotation of the corresponding elements (10, 20, 30).

[0082] Insulating films, formed from insulating paper or other materials, for instance, can be used in order to insulate various lines (81) one from another within the laminated structure (100) connection points, i.e, close to the corresponding bores (82), if desired. This insulation can be furnished advance to automatic, or semi-automatic assembly of the cited laminated structure.

[0083] Then again, the second layer of line conductors (80) can be deployed on the insulating sheet (100.3) where some of the line conductors (80) are connected to the insert nuts (10) or step bushings (20).

[0084] In the same way explained above, the structure can grow, new tailored insulating sheets (100.i, 100.i+1, can be added as well as the corresponding line conductors (80) sandwiched among each two layers with optional use of the insulating spacers. When the desired laminated electric circuit is formed, it can be mechanically tightly fastened by a set of fasteners, for instance, by outer screws or elastic ribbons, capable to lock some or all layers together.

[0085] Kit's elements, which can be used for automated assembling or disassembling of laminated electric circuits, can be the focus of one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. The kit elements can be those which can solve further a technical problem that may be encountered in forming the laminated electric circuit via automated, or semi-automated, assembling or disassembling, including one or more of the following: [0086] A. the way the corresponding line conductors (80), belonging to the same layer, are mutually connected, [0087] B. the way the corresponding line conductors (80) are connected mutually if belongs to different layers, [0088] C. the way the corresponding line conductors (80) are connected with the standard electric elements (200) directly mounted over the laminated electric circuit, and [0089] D. the way the corresponding line conductors (80) are connected with the sockets (400) mounted over the laminated electric circuit, capable to receive the 3.sup.rd party electric elements.

[0090] In that sense it is instructive to look closer at examples in order to understand exemplary roles of the kit's elements.

[0091] A. The Same Layer Connection

[0092] FIGS. 7 and 7A depict the situation where two line conductors (80) from the same layer are to be connected, where the layer is not a bottom layer, i.e., the insulating layer (100.2). This situation can be possible to observe in the central part of the FIG. 3. Two insert nuts (10), one close to another, can be nested within the insulating layer (100.3), which may have been previously tailored to receive/cover the set two nuts (10), together with other elements. Then the mesh of line conductors (80) can be deposed on the layer (100.3), where two line conductors (80) can have their connectors (82) equipped with the contact bores (86) that can fit the contact surfaces (13) formed on the insert nuts (10), FIG. 7. Then, other connections can be formed on the same layer where desired. Subsequently, a new insulating layer (100.4) can be deployed. This layer (100.4) can be formed, inter alia, with bores for receiving step bushings (20) and the corresponding stoppers (21) in positions over (e.g., exactly over) the previously deposited insert nuts (10). Over the step bushings (20), the jumper (90) can be deposited in a way to sit with its contact bores (96) on the contact surfaces (23). Finally, the insulating layer (100.5) can be deployed, two plug screws (60), which can be protruding across the said insulating layer (100.5), the jumpers (90), the bushings (20), the line connectors (82) formed at the end of the line conductors (80), can be finally screwed into the nuts (10). In that way the same layer connection, among the line conductors (80), can be established. The screw stepped necks (63) can lock the screw plugs (60) into the nests previously prepared on the insulating layer (100.5), as visible in the FIG. 4, for instance.

[0093] Similarly, the other screws (40, 50, 60), i.e., their screw necks (43, 53, 63), can be capable to nest in the corresponding insulating layer. The screw (40, 50, 60), once screwed with the desired insert nut (10), can reinforces the laminated structure (100) by pressing the stopping step (14) of the corresponding nut (10) towards the screw neck (43, 53, 63), such as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4.

[0094] The above can be performed also by using nuts (10) in the variant without stopping step (14) and the screws (40, 50, 60) without the corresponding stepped necks (43, 53, 63). In this variant the outer fastening of the laminated structure (100) can be applied having in mind that inner reinforcements between stopping steps (14), layers/elements in between, and stepped necks (43, 53, 63) are absent.

[0095] B. A Different Layers Connection

[0096] FIGS. 6 and 6A depict the situation where two line conductors (80) from different layers are to be connected. The same situation is depicted on FIG. 4, outmost left position within the laminated structure (100). Layer formation can be the same as explained in the case A. above; again the insert nut (10) can be nested in the insulating layer (100.2) and the corresponding line conductor (80) mesh can be deployed thereto. A wider line conductor (80) with its line connector (82) can be put on the contact surface (13) formed on the insert nut (10). Then, other connections can be formed on the same layer where desired. Then, a new tailored insulating layer (101.3) can be deployed, and the bushing (20) can be positioned over the line connector (82) in the bore already formed in the insulating layer (101.3). Subsequently, a new corresponding line conductor (80) mesh can be deployed thereto, where one of its line connectors (82) can be put on the contact surface (23) formed on the step bushing (20). Then, the new layer (101.4) can be deployed with tailored nest for receiving the screw (60). Then, the screw (60) can be protruding from the layer (101.4), the upper line connector (82), the bushings (20) situated within the layer (101.3), the bottom placed line connectors (82), and can be screwed into the nut (10) nested within the layer (101.2).

[0097] The above can be performed also by using nuts (10) in the variant without stopping step (14) and the screws (40, 50, 60) without the corresponding stepped necks (43, 53, 63).

[0098] The systems described in A. and B. can be used universally. The set of the jumpers (90) can be identical, however, jumpers of different lengths (D) and widths (w), for instance, as shown in FIG. 14, can be used. Furthermore, stacking more bushings (20) can allow that three or even four different layers connections can be established, i.e., connections between line conductors (80) deployed on three or more layers.

[0099] C. Dedicated Electric Elements Connections

[0100] FIGS. 1 and 3 depict an example of one variant where the dedicated electric element (200) can be connected to the laminated structure (100), once formed. Firstly, the electric element (200), such as a circuit breaker, can be designed to cooperate with the disclosed kit or system. So, each electric element (200) can have two or more electric contacts (207), for instance, situated in a way that these contacts can be accessible via the screw holes (202) formed above the electric contacts (207). The mentioned screw holes (202) can enable the specifically designed connecting screws (70) to be inserted through the holes (202) and to fasten the electric contacts (207) to the threaded head screws (40) designed for this purpose. The thread (77), machined on the connecting screw shank (71) can cooperate with the thread (47) machined in the head (44) of the threaded head screw (e.g., 40). Basically, screw connection of the connecting screw (70) and the threaded head screw (40) can assure good electrical and mechanical connection that can be relatively simply assembled and disassembled, just by screwing, for instance, as depicted on the FIG. 10 or FIG. 10A.

[0101] Another aspect can be the way a threaded head screw (40) can interact with one or more line conductors (80) disposed on one on more insulating layers (101.i). The example depicted in FIG. 8 shows the threaded head screw (40) connected to only one line conductor (80) situated three layers below the top surface of the laminated electric circuit (100), to which some electric element (200) can be attached. The exploded view of the same structure is depicted via FIG. 8A. The layers formation is already explained in A. and B. sections above, as well as the fastening of the screws to nuts in one or more variants with or without stopping surfaces (14) and stepping necks (43, 53, 63). Here, the line conductor (80) can be attached to the insert nut (10) situated at the insulating layer (101.3), outmost right position, as depicted in FIG. 3, as an example. Two bushings (30), positioned over the nut (10), can be used one over another, one at the insulating layer (101.4) and another at the insulating layer (101.5). Similarly, the case with two line conductors (80) is depicted in FIGS. 9 and 9A. In that example, information regarding the step bushing (20) and the line conductor (80), as learned form A. and B. above, for instance, can be exploited herby to add an extra line conductor (80) connection with the structure which is tighten via threaded head screws (40) to the bottom insert nut (10).

[0102] Each threaded head screw shank (41) can have the thread for fastening into the insert nut (10) and the thread head screw shank (41) can have a length, for instance, dimensioned to receive one or more bushings (20, 30) between the nut (10) and the head stoper (42). So, one or more different threaded head screws (40), which may differ only in its height (h), can be used. It that sense, it may be instructive to compare threaded head screws (40) depicted in FIG. 8A where two bushings (30) are used, to one depicted in FIG. 10A where three bushings (30) are used between the corresponding head stoper (42) and the used nut (10).

[0103] For connecting dedicated electric elements (200) to the laminated structure (100), other fastening variants can be equally used. In yet another variant, instead of using the threaded head screws (40) shown on the FIG. 12A, a cylindrical head screw (50), for instance, as depicted on the FIG. 12B, can used. According to one or more embodiments, a difference between the screws (40, 50) may be in their head formation. The cylindrical head screw (50), according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, can have the same features regarding the connection abilities within the laminated structure (100), as the threaded head screw (40) has. However, the way the cylindrical head screw (50) interacts with the elements (200) may be entirely different. The cylindrical head screw (50) can have a cylindrical head (54) equipped with the fastening grove (59). The fastening groove (59) can be designed to interact with the snap fastener (209) formed within the electric element (200), as for instance, depicted via set of FIGS. 15-17. The installation terminal block (200) can have a mechanism that is comprised of or consists of the snap fastener (209) powered with the spring mechanism (210), such as shown in FIG. 17. In one variant, the snap fastener (209) can be partially pulled out from the element (200) which can enable the cylindrical heads (54) of the corresponding cylindrical head screws (50) to protrude in the element (200). When the snap fastener is released, the spring can retract it back and the snap fastener (209) can lock cylindrical heads (54) to their fastening groves (59). In that manner the element (200), i.e., the installation terminal block (200) designed to cooperate with the kit or system, can be mechanically secured and electrically connected with the laminated electric circuit (100).

[0104] D. Non-Standard Electric Elements Connections

[0105] Regarding non-standard electric elements, fastening of specifically designed electric elements (200) via the threaded head screws (40) or via the cylindrical head screws (50), as explained in section C., can be regarded as a closed and only dedicated system, and for this system specifically designed, electric elements (200) can be compatible with the system. In practice, this can mean that the source of spare parts may be limited, and the system may not be versatile as should be. To overcome that difficulty, according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, a kind of universal socket (400) can be implemented, where the socket can interact with the laminated electric circuit (100) on one side, and can connect, as an interface, the standardised 3.sup.rd party electric elements (300) to the electric circuit (100), such as shown in FIGS. 18-24.

[0106] The way the socket (400) is connected to the laminated electric circuit (100) is depicted in FIGS. 21-24. A pair of threaded head screws (40) can be firstly mounted on the laminated electric circuit (100) as explained in the previous sections. Then, the pair of connecting screws (70) inserted through the holes (407) formed in the lower part of the socket (400) body—can fasten the socket (400) with the laminated electric circuit (100), both electrically and mechanically.

[0107] The socket (400) can have an electro-mechanical mechanism developed for receiving 3.sup.rd party electric element (300). For simplicity, in this description the variant with the U-shaped socket will be described. However, other socket (400) variants are possible, while are capable of carrying dedicated 3.sup.rd party electric elements (300).

[0108] The electro-mechanical mechanism can be composed from the pair of activating pins (410), element inserting levers (420), pins (430), contact parts (440), and springs (450). The situation before inserting the element (300) is depicted on FIGS. 22 and 24. The activating pins (410) can protrude out from the U-shaped socket (400) casing, through the pair of activating pin holes (401) in the interior of the said socket (400). Each activating pin (410) can be spring (450) driven, where the spring (450) can also press the corresponding element inserting lever (420) to be hidden within the U-shaped casing, such as shown in FIGS. 22 and 24. The element inserting lever (420) can be pivotally mounted to the pin (430), which can enable the rotation of the lever (420) from the position depicted on FIG. 24 to the position depicted on FIG. 23. Element inserting lever (420) can also be capable of protruding through the contact ejecting hole (404) in the socket (400) interior, such as shown in FIG. 22.

[0109] Inserting of the electric element (300) within the socket (400) can engage the activating pins (410) which can push springs (450) toward the bottom of the socket (400). This action rotates a pair of element inserting levers (420), fixed via pin receiving portions (423) over the corresponding pins (430), causing the element inserting levers (420) to protrude through ejecting holes (404). If the electric element (300) is inserted correctly into the socket (400), the element inserting levers (420) can enter the corresponding contact holes (320) of the electric element (300). Once the element inserting levers (420) are in the desired holes, the electrical contacts can be established via the standard electric element screws that can be accessed via the screw holes (302), for instance, positioned on the element (300) top, and which can fasten the levers (420) within the element (300). In that way, the element inserting levers (420) can be in the excellent electric contact with the 3.sup.rd party electric element (300). On the opposite side, i.e., within the socket (400), the element inserting levers (420) can be in the permanent elastic and electric contact with the corresponding contact parts (440). Namely, each elastic contact (444), as visible on FIG. 24, for instance, can be connected with its one side to the corresponding element inserting lever (420), and with its another side to the previously mentioned contact part (440). Each contact part (440) can be further fixed with the corresponding threaded head screw (40), using the connecting screw (70), for instance, and therefore with the laminated electric circuit (100), as well.

[0110] A pair of holes (402) can be formed over the top of the U-casing and can have double purpose. First can be to assist the pushing of the element inserting levers (420) toward the contact holes (320), if desired, during the insertion of the element (300). The second one can be that holes (402) can serve as the servicing holes in case of disassembly failures. Namely, over the years the springs (450) may weaken and discharging of the element (300) out of the socket (400) can cause non return of the element inserting levers (420) into the U-shaping casing. For that reason, the pair of holes (402) can help in such hypothetical malfunction of the electro-mechanical mechanism.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

[0111] Embodiments of the present disclosure involve a kit or system, and method thereof, that can be used for automated assembling and/or disassembling of laminated electric circuits and the corresponding electric elements connected thereto, for instance, using industrial robots specifically designed for similar purposes. For that use, a high level of unification of the uses elements can be needed and embodiments of the present disclosure can implement such closed system, which can be still capable to integrate 3.sup.rd party elements into, with a relatively high level of flexibility and reliability.