FASTENING SYSTEM AND METHOD, MOUNTING RACK AND POWER ELECTRONICS INSTALLATION

Abstract

A fastening system for a mounting rack includes a terminal strip having bores through which screws may pass. The bores are arranged relative to one another in such a way that the screws can be screwed into the mounting rack. Also disclosed is a corresponding method for fastening assemblies to a mounting rack, a corresponding mounting rack and a corresponding power-electronics installation.

Claims

1. A fastening system for a mounting rack, the fastening system comprising: a terminal strip having bores sized to receive screws, wherein the bores are arranged relative to one another in such a way that the screws can be screwed into the mounting rack.

2. The fastening system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the terminal strip has a cross section configured in such a way that a contact pressure which is required for fastening assemblies to the mounting rack can be exerted by the screws.

3. The fastening system as claimed in claim 2, wherein the bores are arranged on longitudinally opposite sides of the terminal strip.

4. The fastening system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fastening system further comprises the screws and the screws have lens-like heads.

5. The fastening system as claimed in claim 4, wherein the screws have a metric ISO standard thread with a nominal size of M5 or M6.

6. The fastening system as claimed in claim 4, wherein the heads each have a cross slot.

7. The fastening system as claimed in claim 2, wherein the terminal strip has a supporting surface which is offset in relation to the bores for placing the terminal strip onto the fastening assemblies.

8. A mounting rack comprising the fastening system as claimed in claim 1.

9. A power-electronics installation comprising the mounting rack as claimed in claim 8.

10. A method for fastening assemblies to a mounting rack using a fastening system, said method comprising the steps of: pushing the fastening assemblies into the mounting rack using a rear-side stop, placing at least one terminal strip onto the assemblies, and fastening the terminal strip to a front side of the mounting rack.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] An exemplary embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the drawings and will be described in more detail below.

[0013] FIG. 1 shows the front view of a fastening system according to aspects of the invention.

[0014] FIG. 2 shows the side view of the fastening system of FIG. 1.

[0015] FIG. 3 shows the cross section through a terminal strip of the fastening system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0016] FIGS. 1 and 2, when considered together, illustrate the fundamental structure of a fastening system (10, 11) according to one embodiment of the invention. The essential element of this refinement is a terminal strip (10) having longitudinally opposite bores for M5 or M6 screws (11) to pass through, said screws engaging into corresponding snap-action or cage nutsnot illustrated in the drawingin the square or round punched holes of the rectangular punched metal sheet which forms the frame of the mounting rack (12).

[0017] It goes without saying that a punched metal sheet with threaded boresfor example in accordance with ANSI/ASME B1.1-2003may also be used instead. Similarly, a large number of different profiles can be used instead of the cross slots according to the figures for driving the screws (11), without departing from the scope of the invention. Finally, the screw heads, which are lens-like in the present case and can be seen in FIG. 2 in particular, may assume a conical or disk shape for example.

[0018] FIG. 3 examines the cross section of the terminal strip (10). Said cross section is selected such that the contact pressure required for fastening the assemblies (13 , 14, 15) to the mounting rack (12) can be effortlessly exerted by the screws (11). A support surface which is offset in relation to the bores and by means of which the terminal strip (10) is placed onto the assemblies (13, 14, 15) primarily serves for this purpose after said assemblies have been inserted into the mounting racks (12) as far as the rear-side stop. For this purpose, the support surface is dimensioned to be just large enough to fix the terminal strip (10) on the front plate of the assemblies (13, 14, 15). An excess length of the front platesand therefore a corresponding excess width of the assemblies (13, 14, 15)is unnecessary here. In addition, the terminal strip (10) can be fixed and released by a small number of screws (11), this saving time and material in comparison to fixing of the front plate of each individual assembly. Owing to the rear-side stop of the assemblies (13, 14, 15) which is generally formed by a suitable rear plate of the mounting rack (12), said assemblies are nevertheless prevented from slipping.