Abstract:
The invention relates to a device for removably fixing a conductor ( 10 ) to a current transformer housing ( 12 ), comprising a fixing element ( 16 ) which runs through a retaining element ( 14 ) lying on the current transformer housing ( 12 ) and which at least partly sits against the surface of the conductor ( 10 ) when the conductor ( 10 ) is fixed on the current transformer housing ( 12 ). According to the invention, the fixing element ( 16 ) is designed such that when the conductor ( 10 ) is brought from an unfixed state and fixed on the current transformer housing ( 12 ), the fixing element ( 16 ) carries out a translational movement within the retaining element ( 14 ) along the longitudinal axis ( 54 ) of said fixing element in the direction of the conductor ( 10 ) and subsequently a rotational movement about the longitudinal axis ( 54 ) of said fixing element.

Description:
FIELD 
       [0001]    The innovation applies to a device for the detachable attachment of a conductor on a transformer housing with a fastening element, which is routed through a retaining element that is arranged on the transformer housing and that at least partially touches the surface of the conductor, when the conductor is fastened. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    A conductor is generally routed through an opening provided on the transformer housing. The conductor is generally secured on the transformer housing with two screws or threaded pins, which are inserted into two retaining elements arranged on the transformer housing. For fastening, the screws and/or threaded pins are turned inside of the retaining element with a purely rotating movement in the direction of the conductor until they touch the surface of the conductor with their sectional area. Further turning of the screws and/or threaded pins will secure the conductor on the transformer housing. 
         [0003]    It is thereby disadvantageous that the screws and/or threaded pins must travel a relatively long path to secure it on the conductor, whereby this occurs with a purely rotating movement, which requires a great amount of force and time, especially with a larger number of transformer housings to be secured on a conductor. 
         [0004]    The task of this innovation is therefore to provide a device for the detachable attachment of a conductor on a transformer housing, which is marked by a more simplified and faster installation. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0005]    The device for the detachable attachment of a conductor on a transformer housing according to the innovation has a fastening element, which is routed through a retaining element that is arranged on the transformer housing and that touches the surface of the conductor at least partially when the conductor is secured on the transformer housing. The innovation is marked in that the fastening element is designed so that the fastening element performs a translational movement in the direction of the conductor and then a rotating movement around its longitudinal axis along its longitudinal axis inside of the retaining element when transferring from an unfastened state to the fastened state of the conductor on the transformer housing. 
         [0006]    The fastening element is preferably designed in form of an elongated pin-type element, which can be moved in the direction along its longitudinal axis for fastening of the conductor. To fasten the conductor, the fastening element can be moved in the direction of the conductor and to loosen the conductor, the fastening element can be moved away from the conductor, whereby the fastening element is preferably arranged for the conductor and/or routed to the conductor that the longitudinal axis of the fastening element is mainly arranged perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the conductor. In the secured state, in which the conductor is secured on the transformer housing, the fastening element preferably touches the surface of the conductor with its cross section. 
         [0007]    To fasten the conductor on the transformer housing, the fastening element is moved in the direction of the conductor, whereby the movement is first performed with a purely translational movement and the translational movement is followed by a rotating movement around the longitudinal axis of the fastening element, whereby a minor translational movement may occur in addition to the rotary movement. The greatest path of the fastening element is thereby preferably passed with the purely translational movement. The translator movement thereby preferably occurs within the retaining element, which means that the fastening element is routed through the retaining element during the translational movement. The rotating movement of the fastening element may occur not only inside of the retaining element but also outside of the retaining element. The retaining element is preferably designed in form of a flange, which is arranged on a side area of the transformer housing. The fastening element is thereby preferably routed through a through-hole inside of the retaining element. 
         [0008]    As a result, the solution according to the innovation is marked in that no purely rotational movement of the fastening element is required anymore to fasten a conductor on a transformer housing, but the fastening element can first be moved with a purely translational movement in the direction of the conductor during which a rotation of the fastening element no longer occurs. This makes it possible to significantly reduce the effort when mounting the fastening element on the conductor and also the thereby required time so that the device according to the innovation provides a quick fastening of a conductor on the transformer housing. This quick fastening can thereby preferably occur without the necessity of an additional tool for fastening. To yield an even fastening, a retaining element and one moveable fastening element that is arranged in each one of them on two side areas of the transformer housing across from each other. 
         [0009]    According to an advantageous design of the innovation the fastening element is designed so that the fastening element performs a rotational movement with an angle &lt;360° around its longitudinal axis. Because a rotational movement around an angle of &lt;360° occurs, the effort for the rotational movement of the fastening element is extremely minor. This makes it possible to further reduce the effort and time for the installation of such fastening element. The fastening element is thereby turned around its longitudinal axis once. This is preferably preferred without the necessity of an additional tool, such as a screwdriver. 
         [0010]    It is further preferably provided that an internal thread is provided in some areas inside of the retaining element, within which an outside thread provided of the fastening element can engage at least in some areas. The fastening element is thereby preferably designed in form of a screw or threaded pin, whereby hereby preferably the outer thread provided on the fastening element is only provided in separate areas of the fastening element and does not extend across the entire outer surrounding surface of the fastening element. An inner thread is preferably provided in a through-hole provided within the retaining element and/or on the retaining element, through which the fastening element is routed, which is also only designed in certain areas in this through-hole, so that the entire through hole through which the fastening element is routed through the retaining element does not have an inside thread. Due to the fact that only a certain area of the retaining element and/or fastening element is designed with an inner thread and/or outer thread, the required rotary movement of the fastening element can be significantly reduced, which results in that the installation effort and installation time can be significantly reduced. 
         [0011]    The inner thread is thereby preferably designed on a component that can additionally be inserted in the retaining element. The inner thread can therefore be replaced at any time so that the inner thread can be adjusted to the applicable fastening element that is used, for example, depending on the outer thread provided on the fastening element. The flexibility of the device according to the innovation can therefore be significantly increased because one retaining element can be used for different fastening elements, for example, and the complete retaining therefore does not have to be replaced when switching the type of fastening element. 
         [0012]    The additional component must be arranged in the retaining element so that it can slide according to a preferred design of the innovation. For example, the additional component can thereby be provided in the retaining element so that the additional component and/or the inner thread of the additional component in the first position is not provided in the area of the through-hole in the retaining element so that the fastening element that is routed through the through-hole in the retaining element can perform a purely translational movement in the through-hole of the retaining element without obstruction and the additional component cannot be moved until the fastening element has traveled a certain distance inside of the retaining element so that the inner thread on the additional component can engage in the outer thread of the fastening element. As a result, the separation between the translational movement and rotating movement of the fastening element can be realized with significant efficiency. 
         [0013]    It is preferably further provided that the retaining element has a first through-hole and a second through-hole to route the fastening element, whereby the first through-hole and second through-hole area arranged crosswise, whereby an inner thread is at least provided for some areas of the first through-hole. This may preferably include the provision that the fastening element is first fed through the second through-hole to fasten the conductor on the transformer housing, which does not have an inner thread and as soon as the fastening element touches the surface of the conductor, the fastening element can be moved from the second through-hole to the first through-hole, no that the outer thread of the fastening element can engage in the inner thread of the first through-hole and then be secured on the surface of the conductor with a subsequent translational movement of the fastening element. As a result, it is possible to specify exactly how far the fastening element will perform a purely translational movement, whereby the fastening is hereby routed purely translational until it touches the conductor and does not apply a rotational movement until it is finally secured on the surface of the conductor. This makes a further reduction of the installation time and installation effort possible. 
         [0014]    According to another preferred design of the innovation, the retaining element can have a clamp-on latch element on the fastening element that is fed through the retaining element. For example, two or more spring arms may be attached on the retaining element, for which each end has a latch element. This latch element and/or latch elements may engage in the outer thread on the fastening element, for example, and thereby secure the fastening element inside of the spring arms and/or retaining element as soon as the fastening element is placed onto the conductor. Because the retaining element thereby preferably has spring arms that can be moved with elasticity up to a certain degree, the fastening element that is routed through the retaining element can be routed through the retaining element until it meets the surface of the conductor with its cross section and the latch elements do not engage until this time into the outer thread of the fastening element to secure it. 
         [0015]    It is preferably thereby provided that a sleeve can be attached onto the retaining element. As soon as the fastening element is placed onto the surface of the conductor, the sleeve can be slid onto the retaining element, which consists of spring arms, so that the spring arms can be pressed against the outer surrounding area of the fastening element and especially because of that the latch elements on the spring arms can latch into the outer thread of the fastening element and secured on it by a force that is applies with the sleeve so that the fastening element can no longer be moved but is secured in this position. 
         [0016]    According to another preferred design of the innovation, the retaining element has latch mechanisms on one of its outer side surfaces that can be used to adjust the distance between the retaining element and the conductor. This makes it possible to change the distance between the retaining element and the conductor so that a translational movement of the retaining element in the direction of the conductor is thereby be made possible. This provides the ability to further reduce the necessary rotational movement of the fastening element. The latch mechanisms that are provided on the outside surface of the retaining element can thereby preferably engage in a latch element on the transformer housing so that the retaining element is secured on the latch element as soon as the retaining element moves in the direction of the conductor far enough so that it is preferably placed onto the surface of the conductor. The conductor is thereby no only secured with the retaining element but also the fastening element that is fed through the retaining element. 
         [0017]    Furthermore, another advantageous design of the innovation provides that the fastening element has a bayonet catch for a connection with the retaining element. Because of this, an especially short twist movement and/or rotational movement of the fastening element is required to secure a conductor on a transformer housing. 
         [0018]    The innovation is explained in more detail with reference to the figures below. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0019]    The following is shown: 
           [0020]      FIG. 1  a device according to the innovation to fasten a conductor on a transformer housing according to an initial design; 
           [0021]      FIG. 2  a second schematic illustration of the device according to the innovation shown in  FIG. 1  in unsecured state; 
           [0022]      FIG. 3  a third schematic illustration of the device according to the innovation shown in  FIG. 1 , where a fastening element is inserted into a retaining element; 
           [0023]      FIG. 4  a fourth schematic illustration of the device according to the innovation shown in  FIG. 1 , where the fastening element shown in  FIG. 3  is arranged in the retaining element; 
           [0024]      FIG. 5  a fifth schematic illustration of the device according to the innovation shown in  FIG. 1 , where a sleeve is slid onto the retaining element; 
           [0025]      FIG. 6  a schematic cross section illustration of the device according to the innovation shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0026]      FIG. 7  a first schematic illustration of a device according to the innovation according to a second design; 
           [0027]      FIG. 8  a second schematic illustration of the device according to the innovation shown in  FIG. 7  with a cross section illustration of the retaining element without a fastening element arranged therein; 
           [0028]      FIG. 9  a schematic cross section illustration of the device according to the innovation shown in  FIG. 7  where a fastening element is inserted into the retaining element; 
           [0029]      FIG. 10  a schematic cross section illustration of the device according to the innovation shown in  FIG. 7  in a secured state of the conductor on the transformer housing; 
           [0030]      FIG. 11   a  a first schematic illustration of a device according to the innovation according to a third design; 
           [0031]      FIG. 11   b  a second schematic illustration of a device according to the innovation according to a third design; 
           [0032]      FIG. 12  a schematic illustration of a device according to the innovation according to a fourth design; 
           [0033]      FIG. 13  a schematic top view of a device according to the innovation shown in  FIG. 12  without any arranged fastening elements therein; 
           [0034]      FIG. 14  a schematic illustration of a device according to the innovation according to a fifth design; 
           [0035]      FIG. 15  a schematic cross section illustration of the retaining element of the device according to the innovation shown in  FIG. 14  without a fastening element arranged therein; 
           [0036]      FIG. 16  another schematic cross section illustration of the retaining element shown in  FIG. 15  with an arranged fastening element therein; 
           [0037]      FIG. 17  a schematic illustration of a device according to the innovation according to a sixth design, whereby the device is partially shown in cross sections; 
           [0038]      FIG. 18  an exploded illustration of the device according to the innovation shown in  FIG. 17 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0039]      FIG. 1  shows a first device according to the innovation according to its first design, where a conductor  10  is attached on a transformer housing  12 , whereby the conductor  10  is routed through a through-hole  72  provided on the transformer housing  12 . For this purpose, a retaining element  14  and a second retaining element that is not shown here is designed on the transformer housing  12 , which protrude from the transformer housing and are designed in form of a flange, whereby one fastening element  16  each, which secures the conductor  10  on the transformer housing  12 , is routed through the retaining element  14 . The retaining element  14  can be designed as a single part and also with multiple parts. The retaining element  14  has a through-hole  18  for this purpose, through which the fastening element  16  is routed. The fastening element  16  is hereby designed in form of a threaded pin, whereby the fastening element  16  is designed with its longitudinal axis  54  perpendicular to the longitudinal axis  56  of the conductor  10 . When it is secured as it is shown here in  FIG. 1 , the open end  28  of the fastening element  16  is placed onto the surface of the conductor  10  with its cross-sectional surface. 
         [0040]      FIG. 2-6  show more detailed illustrations of the device according to the innovation according to the first design as shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         [0041]      FIG. 2  shows the retaining element  14  with four integrated circular arranged spring arms  20 , for which one latch element  22  is designed on the open end of the spring arms  20 , whereby the latch elements are shaped thread-like to be able to secure the fastening element  16  on the surface of the conductor  10  with a rotational movement of the fastening element  16  preferably with an angle of &lt;360°. The fastening element  16  can thereby be routed through the retaining element  14  first with a purely translational movement in the direction of the conductor  10  before it finishes the attachment by performing a rotational movement with an angle of &lt;360°. 
         [0042]      FIG. 3  shows an illustration where the fastening element  16  is shown while being moved in the direction of the retaining element  14 , which is illustrated with arrow  26 . When the fastening element  16  is inserted into the retaining element  14 , the spring arms  20  of the retaining element  14  are pressed apart so that the fastening element  16  can be routed through the retaining element  14  far enough with a purely translational movement until its open end  28  is placed onto the surface of the conductor  10  as shown in  FIG. 4 . 
         [0043]      FIG. 4  also shows that the latch elements  22  provided on the spring arms  20  engage in the outer thread  30  of the fastening element  16  in this state. In order for the spring arms  20  to be able to secure the fastening element  16 , a sleeve  58  is slid onto the retaining element  14  and/or the spring arms  20  of the retaining element  14  as shown in  FIG. 5 , which can engage in snap tabs  32  arranged on the outside  60  of the spring arms  20  of the retaining element. The sleeve  58  is used to press the spring arms  20  and latch elements  22  of the spring arms  20  toward the outer thread  30  of the fastening element  16  so that the latch elements  22  can engage in the outer thread  30  and thereby secure the fastening element  16  in this position. 
         [0044]      FIG. 6  shows a cross section where the sleeve  58  is slid onto the spring arms  20  of the retaining element  14 . To reach a final attachment of the fastening element  16  on the conductor  10 , the fastening element  16  is moved with a rotational movement in the latch elements  22  of the retaining element  14 , whereby a rotational movement of the fastening element  16  occurs preferably with an angle of &lt;360°. The rotational movement of the fastening element  16  hereby only serves to finish the attachment of the conductor  10 . Prior to that, an almost purely translational movement of the fastening element  16  will occur. 
         [0045]      FIG. 7-10  show a device according to the innovation according to a second design, where a fastening element  16  is routed through a fastening element  14  in form of threaded pin to fasten the conductor  10  on the transformer housing  12 . 
         [0046]    As shown in the cross section illustration of the retaining element  14  as shown in  FIG. 8 , the retaining element  14  has a first through-hole  34  and a second through-hole  36 , whereby the first through-hole  34  and the second through-hole  36  are arranged crossing each other, preferably with an angle between 15° and 20° offset to each other. The first through-hole  34  thereby has an inner thread  24 , which is preferably designed only on one side surface  74  of the first through-hole, whereby this side surface  74  switches through the second through-hole  36  after transferring the first through-hole. 
         [0047]    To attach or secure the conductor  10  the fastening element  16  is first routed through the second through-hole  36  with a purely translational movement as shown in  FIG. 9  until its open end  28  is placed onto the surface of the conductor  10 . As soon as the fastening element  16  touches the surface of the conductor  10 , the fastening element  16  is swiveled from the second through-hole  36  to the first through-hole  34  in the retaining element  14 , so that the outer thread  30  of the fastening element  16  can engage in the inner thread  24  of the first through-hole  34 . A rotational movement of the fastening element  16  now allows the fastening element  16  to secure the conductor  10  on the transformer housing  12 , whereby only a short twist of the fastening element  16  is hereby required, preferably with an angle of &lt;360°. 
         [0048]    This final position is shown in  FIG. 10 . The swivel movement of the fastening element  16  thereby preferably occurs with an angle of approximately 15° from the first through-hole  34  to the second through-hole  36 . 
         [0049]      FIG. 11   a  and  11   b  show a device according to the innovation according to a third design, whereby the fastening element  16  is hereby connected to the retaining element  14  in form of a bayonet catch. For this purpose, the fastening element  16  is hereby routed through a through-hole  18  of the retaining element  14  with a purely translational movement. A pin  76  is provided in the through-hole  18 , which is guided along a thread-type guide  40  on the fastening element  16  before it can latch with a rotational movement of the fastening element  16  in a groove  38  within the thread-type guide  40  to affect a final securing of the fastening element  16  on the surface of the bus bar  10 . Preferably, more than one bayonet catch are hereby provided for each fastening element  16 . 
         [0050]      FIGS. 12 and 13  show another device according to the innovation according to a fourth design, whereby the fastening element  16  is hereby designed in form of a screw, whereby the fastening element  16  has an outer thread  30 , which is only provided in a certain area on the fastening element  16 . The outer thread  30  is hereby interrupted by one or more areas  62 , whereby these areas  62  extend across the entire length of the fastening element  16 . The outer thread or threads  30  are therefore preferably only designed around the longitudinal axis  54  of the fastening element  16  with an angle from 20° to 180°, preferably 45°-90°. 
         [0051]      FIG. 13  shows a top view onto the device shown in  FIG. 12  without an internally arranged fastening element  16 , whereby the retaining element  14  can hereby be recognized, which has a through-hole  18  to insert the fastening element  16 , whereby the through-hole  18  has an inner thread  24 , which is only provided in areas within the through-hole  18 . Three sections of an inner thread  24  are hereby provided, whereby these three sections extend by preferably only an angle of 20°-180° each, preferably 45°-90° around the inner circumference  64  of the through-hole  18 . When the fastening element  16  is routed through the retaining element  14 , a fastening element  16  is thereby inserted into the retaining element  14  that the area  62  shown in  FIG. 12 , which does not have an outer thread  30 , is routed along the inner circumference  64  of the through-hole  18  of the retaining element  14 , where the inner thread  24  is provided. The outer thread  30  of the fastening element  16  is not screwed into the inner thread  24  of the retaining element until the open end  28  of the fastening element  16  is placed onto the conductor  10 , so that the fastening element  16  only has to travel a rotational movement or twist movement with an angle of preferably 360° to achieve a final securing of the conductor  10  on the transformer housing  12 . 
         [0052]      FIG. 14-17  show a device according to the innovation according to a fifth design, where a fastening element  16  designed in form of a threaded pin is routed through a retaining element  14 . 
         [0053]    As can be recognized in  FIG. 15 , the retaining element  14  has a through-hole  18 , whereby an additional component  42  is inserted in the area of the through-hole  18  on the retaining element  14 , which also has a through-opening  66  and an inner thread  24  that is at least partially arranged inside of it. The additional component  42  is thereby arranged so that it can be moved by sliding inside of the retaining element  14  along the arrow  68 . The additional component  42  can thereby be operated and/or moved with an operating surface  44  that is provided outside of the retaining element  14 .  FIG. 15  shows the retaining element  14  so that no fastening element  16  has been routed through. 
         [0054]      FIG. 16  shows the retaining element  14 , whereby a fastening element  16  is routed through the through-hole  18  of the retaining element  14 . To insert the fastening element  16 , the additional component  42  is thereby moved to the left as shown here so that the fastening element  16  can freely be routed through the through-hole  18  of retaining element  4  and through-hole  66  of the additional component  42  without the fastening element  16  engaging in the inner thread  24  of the additional component  42 , until the open end  28  of the fastening element is placed on the surface of the conductor  10 . As soon as the fastening element  16  is placed onto the conductor  10 , the additional component  42  will be moved to the right until the inner thread  24  of the additional component  42  can secure the fastening element  16  in its position. The additional component  42  is preferably designed with a spring, not shown here, so that the additional component  42  can be moved back and forth with the operating surface  44  under a pre-tension load. To release the fastening element  16 , the additional component  42  can be moved back to the left from the secured state shown in  FIG. 16  and the inner thread  14  can therefore be disengaged from the outer thread  30  and the fastening element  16  can therefore be routed out of the through-hole  18  of the retaining element  14  again. 
         [0055]      FIGS. 17 and 18  show a device according to the innovation according to a sixth design, whereby the fastening element  16  is hereby routed through a through-hole  18  provided on the retaining element  14  in form of a threaded pin, whereby the retaining element  14  has a latch mechanism  48  on its outer side surface  70 . The fastening element  16  is hereby preferably already pre-installed in the retaining element  14 . The retaining element  14  is thereby designed, so that it can perform a translational movement in the direction of the conductor  10  and from the conductor  10  away so that the distance between the retaining element  14  and conductor  10  can be adjusted. For this purpose, the latch mechanisms  48  engage in a latch element  50  of a mounting element  52 , whereby the mounting element  52  is arranged directly on the transformer housing  12 . To fasten the conductor  10  with this design, the retaining element  14  is first moved with its latch mechanism  48  in the direction of the conductor  10  until the retaining element  14  preferably rests on the surface of the conductor  10 . As soon as the retaining element  14  rests on the conductor  10 , the fastening element  16  will first be routed in the direction of the conductor  10  with a translational movement in the retaining element  14  until the fastening element  16  engages in an additional component  42  with an inner thread  24  provided in the retaining element  14 . The additional component  42  can be designed separately or as a fixed component of the retaining element  14 , preferably in a single piece with the retaining element  14 . A rotational movement of the fastening element  16  in the direction of the conductor  10  by engaging of the outer thread  30  of the fastening element  16  in the inner thread  24  of the additional component  42 , the conductor  10  will also be secured in addition to retaining element  14  with fastening element  16 , which rests with its open end  28  on the surface of the conductor  10 . 
         [0056]      FIG. 18  shows the design shown in  FIG. 17  in its exploded view, whereby the individual elements are hereby shown individually and it can be recognized that the inner thread  24  is preferably designed in an additional component  42 , which is additionally inserted in retaining element  14 . 
       REFERENCE CODE LIST 
       [0000]    
       
         
           
             Conductor  10   
             Transformer housing  12   
             Retaining element  14   
             Fastening element  16   
             Through-hole  18   
             Spring arm  20   
             Latch element  22   
             Inner thread  24   
             Arrow  26   
             Open end  28   
             Outer thread  30   
             Latch tab  32   
             First through-hole  34   
             Second through-hole  36   
             Grooving  38   
             Thread-type guide  40   
             Additional component  42   
             Operating surface  44   
             Operating element  46   
             Latch device  48   
             Latch element  50   
             Mounting element  52   
             Longitudinal axis  54   
             Longitudinal axis  56   
             Sleeve  58   
             Outer side  60   
             Area  62   
             Inner circumference  64   
             Through-area  66   
             Arrow  68   
             Outside area  70   
             Through-hole  72   
             Side area  74   
             Pin  76