Modular control apparatus

US9298664B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Pilz GmbH & Co. KG · DE

Inventors

• Winfried Gruber · Scharnhauser Park, DE
• Hermann Stadler · Donaueschingen, DE
• Patrick Hewer · Blumberg, DE
• Markus Winkler · Munich, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Feb 7, 2014
• Grant date: Mar 29, 2016
• Expiry date: Oct 11, 2034

Classification

• Technology area (CPC H): Electricity
• CPC primary: H05K7/1478
• WIPO field: Control
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A control apparatus has a number of modules arranged next to one another in a longitudinal direction. The modules each comprise at least one module part having a housing. Furthermore, the module part comprises a first electrical bus connector on a first side of the housing for electrical connection to a first neighboring module part adjacent in the longitudinal direction, and a second electrical bus connector on a second side, opposite the first side, of the housing for electrical connection to a second neighboring module part adjacent in the longitudinal direction. The module part further comprises at least one movable element, movable between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the movable element provides an electrical connection between the first bus connector and the second bus connector and, in the second position, provides an insulation point between the first bus connector and the second bus connector.