EP2680373A1 - Module for system cabling - Google Patents

Abstract

The module (1) has first and second housing portions (2, 3) electrically interconnected over a mechanical linkage by a clamping spring and/or a pressure spring element (17) e.g. spiral spring and cup spring, where the mechanical linkage applies mechanical connection force i.e. spring force, between the housing portions. The spring element is integrated in one of the housing portions. The clamping spring or the spring element is arranged at a side of the module or centrally in the module. The housing portions are formed as assembly boards.

Description

The invention relates to a module, in particular for system cabling with a first and a second housing part, wherein between the housing parts via a mechanical connection in addition an electrical connection is included. is.

In the field of low-voltage switchgear or automation technology, there are various systems and types of system cabling. The aim of this system cabling is to reduce the conventional wiring and to simplify the replacement of defective components. The user saves several times here by less time spent on setting up and commissioning a system or a system, by the reduced wiring effort, by avoiding wiring errors and by shorter downtime sites when replacing defective components.

The system cabling can be mounted both in the control cabinet and in the field. Systems for use in the field must then meet the requirements for the corresponding degree of protection. Often these system cabling consists of a first and a second housing part, which are usually formed of plastic and can consist of several parts. These can be mounted on a DIN rail or otherwise secured, wherein the second housing part is mounted on the first housing part, which may be formed as a mounting plate. The mounting plate or the first housing part contains the system cabling and can also have the contact points or connections for technology functions of the module, such as sensor inputs or switching outputs.

By applying the second housing part on the mounting plate or on the first housing part, the corresponding contact between the system wiring and the module. For contacting, the so-called piercing or penetration technique is often used here, whereby the contacting with the system cabling by pointed needles, which penetrate into the cables of the system cabling. But there are also other types of contacting, such as the insulation displacement technology, conventional connectors or the like possible.

For systems in the field, these connections must comply with the corresponding degree of protection so that, due to environmental influences, no short circuits can occur. Here, the mechanical connection between the mounting plate or the first housing part and the second housing part contributes to the degree of protection can be maintained. The mechanical connection between the mounting plate or the first housing part and the second housing part is usually done by screw or mechanical interlocks.

There is the disadvantage that through the "flow" or by aging processes of the material, the strength of the connection subsides, which has the consequence that the connection between the two housing parts can solve and thus no longer guaranteed in systems in the field the degree of protection is. When screwing a retightening of the screws is therefore required after some time, so as to be able to ensure the contact safety and protection. However, this represents a time and cost, because the systems are at this time often already in productive operation at the customer of the machine or equipment manufacturer. Thus, the manufacturer must arrange this by a service use or leave this task to the customer. In order to be able to pull through the connection without danger, the system or machine must be switched off. A shutdown The system is often not easily possible and associated with high costs and a considerable amount of time.

Further disadvantages with the use of screw connections is that there is a need for a tool for making and loosening the connections and a considerable amount of time. In addition, to maintain contact safety and protection, a specified tightening torque must be maintained, which requires a torque wrench during assembly.

So far modules or modules with high protection, such as ASI slaves are fastened by means of screws on the mounting plates. These often contact the conductor inserted in the mounting plate by means of needles. By screwing the mounting plate and assembly, the sealing of the contact point up to degree of protection IP69x also takes place.

From the EP 0 821 434 B1 is a module for connecting actuators and / or sensors, which has a lower part with a recess for receiving a form-coded flat cable and an upper housing part with a printed circuit board and a contacting device with contact pins for contacting the flat cable, wherein the lower part is designed as a mounting plate. In this case, the upper housing part is composed of at least two housing parts to a removable unit, in the interior of the circuit board is held removable and the mounting plate and the upper housing part matched to each other have pivot means over which the upper housing part on the mounting plate, while Durchdringungskontaktierung the pins with the flat cable, can be swung open.

The DE 10 2005 031 708 B4 describes a housing for connection to an electrical line, in particular a bus line, with at least one first housing part and a second housing part, with at least one latch to Locking the first housing part with the second housing part in a common locking position, wherein the first housing part is associated with a contact device for electrically contacting the line, and wherein in the second housing part at least one line bed is designed to guide the line. In this case, the conduit bed is at least partially formed in a conduit bed carrier and the contact device and the conduit bed carrier are rotatable, so that the orientation of the conduit profile with respect to the housing is adjustable.

The disadvantage of this known from the prior art electronics housing is that for mounting often a tool, such as a screwdriver or torque wrench is needed and a certain amount of time for the attachment must be taken into account. Another disadvantage is that by "flowing" of the material and material aging after a few weeks, the mounting screws must be tightened to ensure the appropriate tightness continues. This is particularly problematic for delivered systems. With connection techniques based on locking without permanent action of a spring force between the two components, it is thus difficult to achieve high degrees of protection.

Accordingly, the object of the present invention is to provide a module, in particular for system cabling, which allows for easy installation while ensuring a high degree of protection in terms of tightness permanently.

This object is achieved by a module having the features of patent claim 1. Advantageous embodiments and developments, which can be used individually or in combination with each other, are the subject of the dependent claims.

According to the invention, this object is achieved by a module, in particular for system cabling having a first and a second housing part, wherein an electrical connection is included between the housing parts via a mechanical connection. The invention is characterized in that the mechanical connection force between the first and the second housing part is designed as a spring force.

The solution according to the invention consists in permanently maintaining the mechanical connection force between the two components, that is, between the first and second housing part, which have an electrical connection with one another, by spring force. The spring force automatically compensates for the consequences of the flow and aging effect, so that retightening or readjustment of the mechanical connection is no longer necessary. The spring force can be generated by various types of spring elements such as coil springs, disc springs, spring clips or the like. The number of spring elements can vary per connection. Basically, the spring force can be generated by tensile or compressive principle. This applies to both the axial and the radial use. The principle of the invention remains unchanged.

A further advantage of the solution according to the invention is that no tool is required for producing the mechanical connection. Thus, the generation of the spring force can be done for example by snapping a spring. Also conceivable is the insertion of a wedge or a rotary movement by means of a gag. Likewise, the dismantling can be done without tools. However, this is not necessarily so, with the advantage of tool-disassembled disassembly lies in a certain security against manipulation.

Advantageously, the mechanical components that are needed to generate the spring force on one of attached to both housing parts or arranged captive integrated. This has the advantage over separate components that firstly the assembly is facilitated and secondly no parts can be lost.

The module according to the invention preferably has two housing parts, which are fastened to one another with one or more clamping springs on one side and on several sides for mechanical connection. The housing parts are preferably formed cuboid, wherein one of the two housing parts may be formed as a mounting plate. The two housing parts together form a cuboid, which is held together via a preferably laterally disposed spring force in the form of a clamping spring or other spring element. To fix the clamping spring or the spring element to the housing parts, recesses are located on the housing parts, in which engages the clamping spring and the spring element. Preferably, a plurality of clamping springs and / or a plurality of spring elements can be arranged on the side or centrally in the module.

The module according to the invention, which is constructed from two housing parts, is characterized in that the mechanical connection force between the housing parts is designed as a spring force. This results in the advantage that after the first assembly no further steps to maintain the tightness or the contact reliability are necessary. Due to the spring property of the connection retightening of the connecting means is no longer necessary. It is also advantageous that no further tools are needed for the assembly. Furthermore, there is the advantage that the elements which are necessary for generating the spring force, preferably in one of the two housing parts are integrated in order to facilitate the assembly. Thus, it is also excluded that these parts can be lost. Further advantages and embodiments of the invention will be explained below with reference to embodiments and with reference to the drawing.

• Fig. 1 in einer Schnittdarstellung ein erfindungsgemäßes Modul mit einem ersten und einem zweiten Gehäuseteil mit einer einseitig angebrachten Klemmfeder zur mechanischen Verbindung der beiden Gehäuseteile;
• Fig. 2 in einer perspektivischen Darstellung die Klemmfeder nach Fig. 1;
• Fig. 3 in einer Schnittdarstellung ein erfindungsgemäßes Modul mit zweiseitiger Klemmfederbefestigung;
• Fig. 4 in einer Schnittdarstellung ein weiteres Ausführungsbeispiel für ein erfindungsgemäßes Modul im unverriegelten Zustand mit zwei Gehäuseteilen, die durch einen Verriegelungsstift mit Druckfeder mechanisch aneinander befestigt sind;
• Fig. 5 in einer Schnittdarstellung das Modul nach Fig. 4 im verriegelten Zustand;
• Fig. 6 in einer perspektivischen Darstellung der Verriegelungsstift und die Druckfeder nach Fig. 4 und 5;
• Fig. 7 in einer Schnittdarstellung ein weiteres Ausführungsbeispiel für ein erfindungsgemäßes Modul mit zwei Gehäuseteilen, die über einen Bajonettverschluss mit Feder mechanisch aneinander befestigt sind;
• Fig. 8 in einer Schnittdarstellung ein weiteres Ausführungsbeispiel für ein erfindungsgemäßes Modul mit zwei Gehäuseteilen, die über einen Schieber mit Feder mechanisch aneinander verrasten;
• Fig. 9 in einer perspektivischen Darstellung der Schieber mit Feder nach Fig. 8;
• Fig. 10 in einer Schnittdarstellung ein weiteres Ausführungsbeispiel für ein erfindungsgemäßes Modul mit zwei Gehäuseteilen, die über ein Drehgelenk mit Feder mechanisch aneinander verrastet sind;
• Fig. 11 in einer perspektivischen Darstellung das Drehgelenk mit Feder nach Fig. 10;
• Fig. 12 in einer Schnittdarstellung ein weiteres Ausführungsbeispiel für ein erfindungsgemäßes Modul mit zwei Gehäuseteilen, die über einen Schwenkantrieb mit Feder mechanisch aneinander befestigt sind;
• Fig. 13 in einer perspektivischen Darstellung der Schwenkantrieb mit Feder nach Fig. 12;
• Fig. 14 in einer Schnittdarstellung ein weiteres Ausführungsbeispiel für ein erfindungsgemäßes Modul mit zwei Gehäuseteilen, die über einen Schwenkantrieb mit Feder und Einrastung mechanisch aneinander befestigt sind;
• Fig. 15 in einer perspektivischen Darstellung den Schwenkantrieb mit Feder und Verrastnase nach Fig. 14.

Here are shown schematically:

• Fig. 1 in a sectional view of an inventive module with a first and a second housing part with a cantilevered clamping spring for the mechanical connection of the two housing parts;
• Fig. 2 in a perspective view of the clamping spring after Fig. 1 ;
• Fig. 3 in a sectional view of an inventive module with two-sided clamping spring attachment;
• Fig. 4 in a sectional view of another embodiment of an inventive module in the unlocked state with two housing parts which are mechanically fastened together by a locking pin with compression spring;
• Fig. 5 in a sectional view of the module after Fig. 4 in the locked state;
• Fig. 6 in a perspective view of the locking pin and the compression spring after 4 and 5 ;
• Fig. 7 in a sectional view of a further embodiment of an inventive module with two housing parts, which are mechanically fastened to each other via a bayonet with spring;
• Fig. 8 in a sectional view of a further embodiment of an inventive module with two housing parts, mechanically latched to each other via a spring-loaded slide;
• Fig. 9 in a perspective view of the slider with spring after Fig. 8 ;
• Fig. 10 in a sectional view of a further embodiment of an inventive module with two housing parts which are mechanically locked to each other via a rotary joint with spring;
• Fig. 11 in a perspective view of the rotary joint with spring after Fig. 10 ;
• Fig. 12 in a sectional view of a further embodiment of an inventive module with two housing parts, which are mechanically fastened to each other via a pivot drive with spring;
• Fig. 13 in a perspective view of the pivot drive with spring after Fig. 12 ;
• Fig. 14 in a sectional view of a further embodiment of an inventive module with two housing parts, which are mechanically attached to each other via a pivot drive with spring and latching;
• Fig. 15 in a perspective view of the rotary actuator with spring and latching nose after Fig. 14 ,

Fig. 1 shows a module 1 according to the invention with a first housing part 2 and a second housing part 3, which are fastened together with a preferably one-sided attached clamping spring 4 for mechanical connection. The housing parts 2, 3 are preferably formed cuboid, wherein one of the two housing parts 2, 3 may be formed as a mounting plate. The two housing parts 2, 3 result in a composite a cuboid, which is held together via the preferably laterally arranged clamping spring 4. To fix the clamping spring 4 to the housing parts 2, 3, located on the housing parts 2, 3 recesses 5, 6, in which the clamping spring 4 engages. Preferably, the clamping spring 4 can also be arranged centrally on the housing parts 2, 3.

In Fig. 2 is the clamping spring 4 after Fig. 1 shown. The clamping spring 4 has a preferably flat surface 7, which attaches in the fixed state to a side surface of the housing parts 2, 3 joined together to form the cuboid. The flat surface 7 passes at their ends in each case in a preferably S-shaped end piece 8, 9, which are preferably at 90 ° to the flat surface 7. It is inventively provided that the adjoining directly to the flat surface 7 lower portions 10, 11 of the S-shaped end pieces 8, 9 enclose the housing parts 2, 3, while the upper portions 12, 13 of the S-shaped end pieces 8, 9th in the recesses 5, 6 on the housing parts 2, 3 engage.

In Fig. 3 the module 1 according to the invention is shown with two-sided clamping spring attachment. For this purpose, two further, in the assembled state of the housing parts 2, 3 opposite recesses 14, 15 are arranged on the housing parts 2, 3, in which the upper portions 12, 13 of the S-shaped end pieces 8, 9 of the clamping spring 4 engage.

Fig. 4 shows a further embodiment of an inventive module 1 in the unlocked state with two housing parts 2, 3, which are mechanically fastened together by a locking pin 16 with compression spring 17. To accommodate the locking pin 16 with compression spring 17 recesses 18, 19 are provided in the housing parts 2, 3, wherein in the recess 18, a projection 20 and in the recess 19 two opposing projections 21, 22 are arranged. The locking pin 16 has a preferably cylindrically shaped center piece 23, on which the Compression spring 17 is guided. The cylindrical center piece 23 of the locking pin 16 also has at one end an actuating head 24 and at the other end a locking lug 25. The locking pin 16 with compression spring 17 is mounted in the recess 19 of the housing part 3, wherein the compression spring 17 at the projections 21, 22nd abuts. Only the cylindrical center piece 23 with the locking lug 25 of the locking pin 16 projects into the recess 18 of the housing part 2. In the unactuated state, the locking lug 25 of the locking pin 16 is the projection 20 of the housing part 2 opposite.
Fig. 5 shows the module 1 according to the invention Fig. 4 in the locked state. In order to transfer the locking pin 16 in the locked state, the actuating head 24 of the locking pin 16 must be pressed into the recess 18, 19, so that the compression spring 17 between actuator head 24 and the projections 21, 22 jams. Subsequently, the locking pin 16 must be rotated so that the locking lug 25 is disposed below the projection 20.

In Fig. 6 the locking pin 16 and the compression spring 17 is shown. The locking pin 16 has the preferably cylindrically shaped center piece 23, on which the compression spring 17 is guided. At the ends of the cylindrical center piece 23 of the locking pin 16, the actuating head 24 and the locking lug 25 are arranged.

In Fig. 7 is a further embodiment of an inventive module 1 with two housing parts 2, 3 shown, which are fastened together via a bayonet lock with spring element 26. The bayonet lock is formed in this embodiment as a plug-in element 27 with an actuating head 28 on which a preferably cylindrical body 29 is arranged. On the cylindrical body 29, the spring element 26 is attached, wherein one end of the spring element 26 is attached to the plug element 27 and the free spring extension 30 of the spring element 26, in which the spirals have a larger diameter than the spirals on the cylindrical body 29, is arranged in a recess 31 of the housing part 2. By turning the actuating head 28, the plug-in element 27 including the spring element 26 can be removed from the housing parts 2, 3.

Out Fig. 8 shows a further embodiment of an inventive module 1 with two housing parts 2, 3, which are mechanically secured to each other via a slider 32 with spring element 33. Preferably, the spring element 33 is arranged in the housing part 2, protrudes into the housing part 3 and is fixed there to a mounting body 34 which is disposed within the housing part 3. On the mounting body 34, the slider 32 is also attached, through which the locking device of the fastening body 34 and the spring element 33 is accessible from the outside.

In Fig. 9 is the locking device off Fig. 8 shown with spring element 33, mounting body 34 and slide 32.

Fig. 10 shows a further embodiment of an inventive module 1 with two housing parts 2, 3, which are fastened via a rotary joint 37a with spring element 35 to each other. Similar to the embodiment Fig. 8 the spring element 35 is preferably arranged in the housing part 2 and protrudes into the housing part 3, where it is fixed to the fastening body 36, which can be set in the tensioned or relaxed state via a preferably three-part rotary joint.

In Fig. 11 is the locking device off Fig. 10 with spring element 35, mounting body 36 and three-part pivot 37a, 37b, 37c shown.

In Fig. 12 a further embodiment of a module 1 according to the invention with two housing parts 2, 3 is shown, which are fixed by a pivot drive 38 with spring element 39 to each other. The spring element 39 is fixed on the pivot drive 38. The combination of these two components is transferred via a pivoting movement, which begins outside the housing parts 2, 3, in the tensioned state, wherein the pivot drive 38 is arranged in a recess 40 of the housing part 3 in the tensioned state.

Fig. 13 shows the pivot drive 38 from Fig. 12 with spring element 39.
In Fig. 14 a further embodiment of a module 1 according to the invention with two housing parts 2, 3 is shown, which are mechanically attached to each other via a pivot drive 41 with spring element 42 and a final latching. In this case, the spring element 42 is attached to the pivot drive 41. The combination of these two components is transferred via a pivoting process, which begins outside the housing parts 2, 3, in the tensioned state, wherein the pivot drive 41 has a Verrastungsnase 43 which engages in a recess 44 of the housing part 3.

Fig. 15 shows the pivot drive 41 from Fig. 13 with spring element 42.

The module according to the invention, which is constructed from two housing parts, is characterized in that the mechanical connection force between the housing parts is designed as a spring force. This results in the advantage that after the first assembly no further steps to maintain the tightness or the contact reliability are necessary. Due to the spring characteristic of the connection tightening is no longer necessary. It is also advantageous that no further tools are needed for the assembly. Furthermore, there is the advantage that the elements that are necessary for generating the spring force, preferably are integrated in one of the two housing parts to facilitate assembly. Thus, it is also excluded that these parts can be lost.

Claims (7)

Module (1), in particular for system cabling with a first housing part (2) and a second housing part (3), wherein an electrical connection is included between the housing parts (2, 3) beyond a mechanical connection, characterized
that the mechanical coupling force is formed between the first and the second housing part (2.3) as spring force. Module (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the spring force as a clamping spring (4) and / or spring element (17, 26, 33, 35, 39, 42), preferably in the form of a spiral spring or a plate spring is formed. Module (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the spring force is formed by the tension or pressure principle. Module (1) according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the spring element (17, 26, 33, 35, 39, 42) at least in one of the two housing parts (2, 3) is arranged captive integrated. Module (1) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the clamping spring (4) or the spring element (17, 26, 33, 35, 39, 42) on one side of the module (1) is arranged. Module (1) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the clamping spring (4) or the spring element (17, 26, 33, 35, 39, 42) is arranged centrally in the module (1). Module (1) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that a plurality of clamping springs (4) and / or a plurality of spring elements (17, 26, 33, 35, 39, 42) one side of the module (1) and / or centrally located in the module (1) are / is.

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