Connecting element for the connection of switching devices

• US 7,942,692 B2
• Filed: 09/03/2007
• Issued: 05/17/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 03/20/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Siemens AG
• Original Assignee: Siemens AG
• Inventors: Bodenmeier, Martin
• Primary Examiner(s): Patel; T C
• Assistant Examiner(s): Patel; Harshad C
• Application Number:
  US12/450,282
• Publication Number:
  US 20100081343A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,352 Days
• Field of Search: 439/511, 439507-510, 439/512, 439/513
• US Class Current: 439/511
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 1/5844 making use of wire-gripping clips or springs
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 71/082 Connections between juxtaposed circuit breakers
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 89/06 Combination of a manual reset circuit with a contactor, i.e. the same circuit controlled by both a protective and a remote control device
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 9/26 for interlocking two or more switches H01H13/568 takes precedence; by a detachable member H01H9/28 ; for electromagnetic relays H01H50/323
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/62 Means for facilitating engagement or disengagement of coupling parts or for holding them in engagement
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/631 for engagement only
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 31/06 Intermediate parts for linking two coupling parts, e.g. adapter with a holder adapted for supporting apparatus to which its counterpart is attached H01R33/94
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 4/48275 with an opening in the housing for insertion of a release tool
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 9/2458 Electrical interconnections between terminal blocks
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 9/2675 Electrical interconnections between two blocks, e.g. by means of busbars

Abstract

A connecting element is disclosed for the connection of at least two switching devices and a switching device and an electric distribution system. In order to allow for the rapid and wireless connection of a plurality of electromechanical devices, at least one embodiment of the invention proposes a connecting device for the connection of at least two switching devices, wherein the connecting element includes first element(s) for mechanically connecting the switching devices to one and another and second element(s) for electrically connecting switching poles of the switching devices. The second element(s) include flexible connecting elements for connecting the switching devices to the switching poles that are electrically connected to the connecting device.

Claims

1. A connecting element for the connection of at least two switching devices, the connecting element comprising:

a plurality of first elements that mechanically connect the switching devices to one another; and

a plurality of second elements that electrically connect switching poles of the switching devices, the second elements including flexible finger-shaped coupling elements, having a first portion extending from a surface of the connecting element and a second portion orthogonal to the first portion, for coupling to coupling elements of the switching devices connected electrically to the switching poles, wherein the flexible finger-shaped coupling elements include conductive pins extending from the second portion that are flexible in all spatial directions and have a plastic sheathing and wherein the second elements are configured to connect switching poles of switching devices electrically to one another by insertion and, wherein the flexible finger-shaped coupling elements on a first side of the connecting element are shorter than those on a second side of the connecting element.

2. The connecting element as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plastic sheathing is configured in at least one of a flexible and finger-shaped manner.

3. The connecting element as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second elements are configured to implement at least one of a reversing wiring and a series connection wiring with two switching devices disposed adjacent to one another.

4. The connecting element as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first elements include an intermediate element configured to protect at least one of the switching devices from blowout plasma.

5. The connecting element as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first elements include a guide portion that guides the connecting element on corresponding guides on a housing of at least one of the switching devices to be connected.

6. The connecting element as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second elements are bent in such a manner that they point in the same direction.

7. An electrical distribution system including at least two switching devices, each switching device including switching poles and coupling elements connected electrically to another of the at least two switching devices, embodied as plug-in terminals, a housing of the at least two switching devices including guides, by which the switching devices are guidable on guides of a connecting element provided for the connection of the at least two switching devices and with at least one connecting element as claimed in claim 1.

8. The electrical distribution system as claimed in claim 7, wherein the connecting element and the at least two switching devices are configured to bring about the electrical and mechanical connection by insertion in the direction of a top hat rail connection of the switching devices.

9. An electrical distribution system including at least two switching devices and including at least one connecting element as claimed in claim 1.

10. A switching device comprising:

switching poles and coupling elements, embodied as plug-in terminals; and

a housing of the switching device including guides, by which the switching device is guidable on guides of a connecting element including flexible finger-shaped coupling elements having a first portion extending from a surface of the connecting element and a second portion orthogonal to the first portion, the connecting element being provided for the connection of at least two switching devices, and wherein the conductive pins on a first side of the connecting element are shorter than those on a second side of the connecting element.

11. A connecting element for the connection of at least two switching devices, the connecting element comprising:

first elements to mechanically connect the switching devices to one another; and

, a connecting element including flexible finger-shaped coupling elements having a first portion extending from a surface of the connecting element and a second portion orthogonal to the first portion, and wherein the flexible finger-shaped coupling elements includes

conductive pins to electrically connect switching poles of the switching devices to one another by insertion, the conductive pins being flexible in all spatial directions and including a plastic sheathing, and wherein the conductive pins on a first side of the connecting element are shorter than those on a second side of the connecting element.

12. The connecting element as claimed in claim 11, wherein the plastic sheathing is configured in at least one of a flexible and finger-shaped manner.

13. The connecting element as claimed in claim 11, wherein the conductive pins are configured to implement at least one of a reversing wiring and a series connection wiring with two switching devices disposed adjacent to one another.

14. The connecting element as claimed in claim 11, wherein the first elements include an intermediate element.

15. The connecting element as claimed in claim 11, wherein the first elements include guides to guide the connecting element on guides on a housing of at least one of the switching devices to be connected.

16. The connecting element as claimed in claim 11, wherein the conductive pins are bent in such a manner that they point in the same direction.