Title of Invention	HOUSING
Abstract	The invention relates to a housing (20) for a magnet assembly (1), e.g. for housing a preferably annular magnetic core (2) of a differential current converter in a residual-current circuit breaker. According to the invention, the housing (20) consists of several parts and is configured from an insulation material. At least two conductive contacts (5) for connecting the ends (6) of at least one conductor loop (3), such as e.g. a secondary winding and/or a tertiary winding (4) of the differential current converter are configured on the housing. To improve the automated production of residual-current circuit breakers, the conductive contacts are configured as connecting conductors (8) of at least one electronic component.

Title of Invention

HOUSING

Abstract

The invention relates to a housing (20) for a magnet assembly (1), e.g. for housing a preferably annular magnetic core (2) of a differential current converter in a residual-current circuit breaker. According to the invention, the housing (20) consists of several parts and is configured from an insulation material. At least two conductive contacts (5) for connecting the ends (6) of at least one conductor loop (3), such as e.g. a secondary winding and/or a tertiary winding (4) of the differential current converter are configured on the housing. To improve the automated production of residual-current circuit breakers, the conductive contacts are configured as connecting conductors (8) of at least one electronic component.

Full Text	1 A housing The invention relates to a differential current converter for a residual-current circuit breaker, comprising a preferably annular magnet core, at least one conductor loop such as a secondary winding and/or tertiary winding and a housing made of several parts and of insulating material. Magnet assemblies are a part of differential current converters as are used in residual-current circuit breakers. The magnetic core or its housing is looped by primary windings which are connected with terminals and the contacts of a drum controller when applied in a residual-current circuit breaker. The secondary winding and/or tertiary winding arranged on the magnetic core or its housing are connected with electronic components or modules within the circuit breaker. In accordance with conventional designs of such residual-current circuit breakers, the connection to the modules of the residual-current circuit breaker occurs by means of wires which are used for the windings themselves and which are usually relatively thin and flexible because a large number of windings can thus be applied to the magnetic core without encumbering the same in a mechanical way. Furthermore, by using thin wires it is possible to keep the mass, the dimensions and the costs of a residual-current circuit breaker at a low level. The disadvantageous aspect in such an embodiment of the connection of the secondary winding and/or the tertiary winding with the modules of a residual-current circuit breaker is that as a result of the small diameter and the high flexibility of the used wires they will cause problems in automated production. The ends of such thin wires do not represent a defined position for automated production machines as a result of the insufficient dimensional stability of the wires. Even slight deviations from the actual position of a wire end from the pre-programmed position will lead to the consequence that the automated production machine will no longer find the wire end, as a result of which a connection of the secondary winding and/or the tertiary winding with the modules of a residual-current circuit breaker is no longer possible. The connection of the secondary winding and/or tertiary winding with the modules therefore occurs in a mostly manual manner. This leads to high costs and high failure rates in production. A magnet core housing assembly with a two-part housing is known from EP 650 172 A, wherein lead-through openings for the primary conductors are provided in the two-part housing. The AMENDED SHEET 2 individual housing shells comprise plug-in connections which are arranged as hollow lead- through openings in which primary conductors are guided. As a result of this and as a result of screening elements provided on the face side of the housing, the insulation between the primary conductors can be ensured without the same having to be insulated themselves. US Pat. No. 2 290 680 A describes toroidal core coil for phone applications, in which a housing is provided for an annular magnet core, which housing is composed of shell halves and made of insulating material. Said housing carries webs with connecting contacts for the ends of the coil wires wound about said housing. AT 395 492 B further describes an electric coil for filter applications and for mounting printed boards which consist of a coil body with winding, with the connecting wires of an electronic component being clamped to the base of the coil body, which wires are each connected on their part to the connecting wires of the winding. It is therefore the object of the present invention to provide a housing for magnet assemblies for differential current converters for residual-current circuit breakers of the kind mentioned above with which the mentioned disadvantages can be avoided and which allow an improvement in automated production of residual-current circuit breakers. This is achieved in accordance with the invention in such a way that at least two conductive contacts are formed on the housing to which the ends of the conductor loop are connected, and that the conductive contacts are arranged as connecting conductors of at least one electronic component. The automated production machines are thus provided with defined end points which can be accessed by the same with the required precision. A higher degree of automation can thus be achieved in the production of residual-current circuit breakers, thus lowering the production costs and rejection rate. By using a component that is contacted by the secondary winding and/or tertiary winding anyway, special contacts can be omitted, which allows reducing the production costs and production time even further. It can be provided in a further development of the invention that at least one support is provided for the at least one electronic component, preferably on at least one of the outer housing surfaces. AMENDED SHEET This allows arranging the at least one component directly on the housing of the magnetic core and thus as close as possible to the wires of the secondary winding and/or tertiary winding to be contacted, as a result of which the wires protruding from the winding have a minimum length. In this connection it can be provided for in a further development of the invention that the at least one support is formed integrally on the housing. This leads to a simple and cost-effective production of the housing and the support. According to a further embodiment of the invention it can be provided that the support comprises at least two partial supports arranged on different housing shells. The position of the at least one component can be defined in a more precise manner by the two partial supports. According to a further embodiment of the invention it can be provided that the supports comprise at least one guide aid, preferably a sloped portion. The at least one component can thus be introduced in a more simple way into the support. This is also advantageous when using automated production machines. One variant of the invention is that the support is provided for electronic components preferably wired in an axial or radial manner such as resistors, capacitors or diodes. Especially capacitors and diodes are components which are commonly used in residual-current circuit breakers for rectifier and energy-storage circuits and which are arranged closest to the secondary winding and/or tertiary winding. In a further embodiment it can be provided that the support is provided for a plurality of components, preferably two thereof, which are connected to an assembly of components. As a result, components that are used anyway in a circuit assembly with the same connection points can also be arranged together, which ensures that functional modules are not separated. This has an advantageous effect on the length of the signal paths and thus on the noise immunity of the components. In a further development of the invention it can be provided that the connecting conductors of the component assembly are connected at their ends. A mechanical as well as electrically conductive component assembly is thus formed in a simple way. AMENDED SHEET 4 Another possible embodiment can be that at least one preferably plate-shaped screening element is provided which is especially formed in an integral manner. This allows the screening of the secondary winding and/or tertiary winding and the electronic components of conductors of the primary winding. Furthermore, the at least one screening element can be used as a stop or defined end for the secondary winding and/or tertiary winding or for an electronic component. According to a further embodiment of the invention it can be provided that the support is arrested on connecting conductors of the at least one electronic component and/or the component assembly. Components with different outside dimensions might thus be introduced into identical supports. This further simplifies the configuration of the support in the case of two partial supports which are each arranged on identical housing shells. Since the position of the connecting conductors takes precedence for making contact between the components, their position can be defined in a very precise manner in this way. In this connection it can be provided in a further development of the invention that the support is a tooth-shaped projection with a receptacle. Such supports offer a high amount of stability. It can be provided for in a further development of the invention that the support comprises at least one arresting device, especially a latch hook. The at least one component can thus be arrested in a simple and custom-fit manner. According to a further embodiment of the invention it can be provided that the electronic component wired axially or radially is arranged substantially parallel to the outer housing surface which is arranged substantially as a cylinder jacket surface. As a result, the ends of the connecting conductors are situated close to the ends of the secondary winding and/or tertiary winding and can thus make contact over a short distance. One variant of the invention is that the connecting conductors form a clamping region cooperating with the support. In this way the components can be arranged on a simple and secure manner on the housing of the magnet assembly. In a further embodiment of the invention it can be provided that at least one of the partial supports comprises a U-shaped basic body with a leg and web connecting the same. A support which is provided with a simple and stable configuration is thus formed. AMENDED SHEET According to a further embodiment of the invention it can be provided that the legs of the U- shaped basic body are formed by plate-shaped screening elements. Components and modules already provided are thus used in multiple ways, which thus reduces the overall production work in connection with the housing and/or the support. According to a further embodiment of the invention it can be provided that a preferably plate- shaped clamping and/or guide element which is especially formed integrally with the housing is arranged parallel to at least one leg on the outside of the U-shaped basic body, with the leg and the clamping and/or guide element forming a clamping and/or guide region for clamping and/or guiding the connecting conductors of at least one electronic component. The position of the connecting conductors of the at least one electronic component can thus be determined precisely. Furthermore, the at least one electronic component can thus be optionally clamped to its connecting conductors. According to another embodiment of the invention it can be provided that the web of the U- shaped basic body is arranged as a plane plate which is preferably formed in an integral manner on the housing. The plate-shaped web forms a secure stop for the at least one electronic component. One variant of the invention can be that the web is arranged parallel to the cover surface and/or the outer cylinder jacket surface edge. This ensures that at least one electronic component is arranged parallel to the cover surface and/or the outer cylinder jacket surface edge. This simplifies setting the automated component insertion machines. In a further embodiment of the invention it can be provided that the webs of two partial supports which jointly form one support are parallel with respect to each other and/or form a receiving region. As a result, the housings which are parallel in most electronic components can thus be received in a secure manner. In a further development of the invention it can be provided that the receiving area for receiving at least one electronic component, preferably a component assembly, is provided. An electronic component or a component assembly can thus be arranged on the housing. AMENDED SHEET A further possible embodiment can be that the connecting conductors of the at least one electronic component wired axially or radially are arranged substantially parallel to the outer housing surface which is arranged substantially as a cylinder jacket surface. The ends of the connecting conductors are thus situated close to the ends of the secondary winding and/or tertiary winding and contact can thus be made over a short distance. One variant of the invention can be that at least one component, preferably a component assembly, is arranged in the support, with a secondary winding and/or tertiary winding of the differential current converter being arranged via the support. The at least one electronic component can thus be simply be secured in its position by means of a device, namely the secondary winding and/or tertiary winding, which is provided anyway on the magnet assembly. The invention is now explained in closer detail by reference to the enclosed drawings showing especially preferred embodiments, wherein: Fig. 1 shows a first embodiment of a housing in accordance with the invention in an exploded view; Fig. 2 shows a housing according to Fig. 1 in a plan view; Fig. 3 shows a housing according to Fig. 1 in a side view; Fig. 4 shows a housing according to Fig. 1 in an axonometric view; Fig. 5 shows a further axonometric view of a housing according to Fig. 1; Fig. 6 shows a second embodiment of a housing in accordance with the invention in an exploded view; Continues on page 6 of the originally filed documents. AMENDED SHEET Fig. 7 shows a housing according to Fig. 6 in an axonometric view; Fig. 8 shows a farther axonometric view of a housing according to Fig. 6, and Fig. 9 shows a further axonometric view of a housing according to Fig. 6. Figs. 1 to 9 show different views of especially preferred embodiments of a housing 20 for a magnet assembly 1, e.g. for receiving a preferably annular magnet core 2 of a differential current converter of a residual-current circuit breaker, with the housing 20 consisting of several parts and being configured from an insulation material and at least two conductive contacts 5 being formed on the housing 20 for connecting the ends 6 of at least one conductor loop 3 such as a secondary winding and/or a tertiary winding 4 of the differential current converter, and with the conductive contacts 5 being arranged as connecting conductors 8 of at least one electronic component 9. Magnet assemblies 1 are used in current converters of electric switchgears, especially residual- current circuit breakers. They comprise a magnet core 2 which is formed in preferred embodiments by an annular magnet core 2 with rectangular cross section. The magnet core 2 is looped by primary windings when the current converter is installed in a residual-current circuit breaker, which primary windings are connected with the input and output terminals and with contacts of a drum controller. The primary windings loop the cross section of magnet core 2 typically once or one and a half times. The number of primary windings corresponds to the number of conductors of the network to be protected, which is usually two or four. If the outgoing current does not correspond to the incoming current, a voltage is induced in the secondary winding 4 by the difference and the residual-current circuit breaker will trip. Any provided tertiary winding 4 is used for recognizing short transient excess voltages, which may be caused by lightning stroke, and prevents false tripping of the residual-current circuit breaker on the occurrence of such short transient excess voltages. The secondary winding and/or tertiary winding 4 can thus be applied directly to the magnet core 2. At least one opening for leading through the wires 7 should be provided in this case in the 7 housing, or, as is shown in Figs. 2 to 5 and Figs. 7 to 9, on the housing 20. It can also be provided that one of the conductor loops 3 or windings is provided on the magnet core 2 and one on the housing 20. The magnet core 2 is provided with a housing 20 especially for protection against mechanical loads, which housing consists of an insulator, preferably made of plastic. The magnet core 2 or the cross section of the magnet core 2 is looped or wound about by a conductor loop 3, preferably a secondary winding and/or tertiary winding 4. It can be applied directly to the magnet core 2 or the housing 20. Since the secondary winding and/or tertiary winding 4 usually consist of a very thin and respectively flexible wire 7, the ends 6 of the windings or the conductor loop 3 represent a problem for automatic manufacturing machines because such thin wires 7 which show very little stiffness and which project from the winding can hardly be grasped or contacted by automatic manufacturing machines. That is why it is provided to connect the ends 6 of the secondary winding and/or tertiary winding 4 directly with the conductive contacts 5 in the region of the housing 20, which contacts are provided with a stiff and massive configuration and have a definite length, so that the same represent defined end points which can be accessed by an automatic manufacturing machine in a purposeful manner and which do not deform excessively under access of this automatic production machine. It is provided that the conductive contacts 5 are arranged as connecting conductors 8 of at least one electronic component 9, as a result of which the connecting conductors 8 which are present anyway in components 9 of the residual-current circuit breaker fulfill the further purpose in addition to their functional tasks to act as a contact for the ends 6 of the secondary winding and/or tertiary winding 4. The housing 20 of the preferred embodiments of a magnet assembly 1 in accordance with the invention is divided into two parts, with both housing shells 21 having the same configuration. It is possible however to use all other embodiments of a housing 20 for a magnet assembly 1. By providing the same arrangement of the two housing shells 21 they can be produced with merely one tool, as a result of which the production costs for the housing 20 can be lowered. Each housing shell 21 of the preferred embodiments has an outer cylinder jacket surface 22 and an inner cylinder jacket surface 23, as well as a cover surface 24, with the outer cylinder jacket surface 22 and the inner cylinder jacket surface 23 being delimited on one side by the cover 8 surface 24 and forming on the other side on outer cylinder jacket surface edge 25 and an inner cylinder jacket surface edge 26. The three surfaces form a cavity 27 which is provided for receiving the magnet core 2. On the outer side 28 of the outer cylinder jacket surface 22 which is opposite of the cavity 27, at least one support 29 or partial support 30, at least one screening element 31 and at least one connecting element 32 are arranged which are preferably all attached in an integral manner. The connecting elements 32 are preferably arranged as diametrically opposed connecting elements 32. Any desired number of connecting elements 32 can be provided. In the preferred embodiment, two first connecting elements 33 and two second connecting elements 34 are provided which are diametrically opposed to said first connecting elements 33 and which are arranged on the outer side 28 of the outer cylinder jacket surface 22 in such a way that when two similar housing shells 21 are pressed together in the position as shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 6, i.e. in a position facing each other where the cavities 27 of the two housing shells 21 are combined into a common cavity, the first connecting elements 33 will interact with the second connecting elements 34 and will hold the same tightly. It is therefore provided in the preferred embodiments that the first connecting elements 33 comprise pin-like elevations 35 and the second connecting elements 34 will comprise diametrically opposite receiving openings 36 which are slightly narrower, and that the first connecting means 33 and the second connecting means 34 are arranged close to the outer cylinder jacket surface edge 25. It is possible to provide any other kind of connecting elements 32, e.g. a bayonet catch. It is provided in the preferred embodiments of the housing 20 that the same comprises preferably two screening elements 31 which are preferably provided with a plate-like configuration. The screening elements 31 are arranged on the two housing shells 21 in such a way that they will form a continuous screening element 31 when the housing 20 is assembled. The preferably two screening elements 31 are subsequently also used as a stop for a conductor loop arranged on the housing 20, such as a secondary winding and/or tertiary winding 4. At least one support 29 for the at least one electronic component 9 is arranged on the housing 20, preferably on at least one outer housing surface 45. In the preferred embodiments, the support 29 is formed by two partial supports 30, with one partial support 30 each being arranged on a housing shell 21. 9 In the preferred embodiments, the support 29 is provided for axially or radially wired electronic components 10 such as resistors, capacitors or diodes 16. Especially capacitors and diodes 16 are components 9, 10 which are commonly used in residual-current circuit breakers for rectifier and energy-storage circuits and which are arranged closest to the secondary winding and/or tertiary winding 4. Diodes 16 further preferably contact the tertiary winding 4 in a parallel counter-polar arrangement as shown in Figs. 2 to 5 and 7 to 9, which is used for recognizing short transient processes. A preferred embodiment of a housing 20 in accordance with the invention and Figs. 1 to 5 will be described in closer detail below. The support 29 or the partial supports 30 are arranged in a first preferred embodiment in accordance with the invention in that at least one axially or radially wired electronic component 10 is arranged substantially parallel to the outer housing surface 45 which is arranged substantially as a cylinder jacket surface 22. The partial supports 30 are preferably arranged as a tooth-shaped projection 37 with a receptacle 38. The tooth-shaped projection 37 has a substantially rectangular cross section and protrudes from the outer cylinder jacket surface 22 or is normal to the same, with the concrete position depending on the outside diameters of the electronic components 9, 10 to be received. In the first preferred embodiment as shown in Fig. 1 to 5, the partial supports 30 are arranged in such a way that they have a distance from the outer cylinder jacket surface edge 25 which is at least larger than half the housing length of the electronic component 9,10 to be received. The partial supports 30 comprise sloping portions 39 which facilitate the receiving of electronic components 9, 10 in the supports 29. In the first preferred embodiment, the tooth-shaped partial supports 30 comprise two sloping portions 39 which have a common edge 40. One of the two sloping portions 39 converges into an arresting device 41, especially a latch hook 24. In addition to or instead of the latch hook 42 it is possible to provide any other arresting device 41. The arresting device 41 can be used both for arresting the housing of an electronic component 9, 10 as well as for arresting the connecting conductor 8 of an electronic component 9,10, as in the first preferred embodiment. 10 In the first preferred embodiment, the support 29 is provided for receiving several, preferably two, electronic components 9, 10 which are joined into a component assembly 11. Preferably, two electronic components 9, 10 are conductively connected with each other at the ends 12 of their connecting conductors 8, preferably welded or soldered, with the connecting conductor 8 forming a clamping region 15 cooperating with the support 29. As in the first preferred embodiment as shown in Figs. 1 to 5, it can be formed by two substantially parallel connecting conductors 8, with the connecting conductors 8 having a double bend 13. The clamping region 15 can also be arranged as a tapering clamping region 15, in the case when the connecting conductors 8 do not have a double bend 13. The support 29 or the partial supports 30 are arranged within the clamping region 15 and the arresting device 41 secures the component assembly 11 against changes in position. The holding force is supplied by the spring effect of the connecting conductors 8 of the electronic components 9, 10 joined into a component assembly 11. The support 29 or partial supports 30 have the smallest width 44 in the region of the receptacle 38, which width is larger than the distance 14 of two connecting conductors 8 which jointly form a clamping region 15. A secure fastening of the component assembly 11 is thus ensured. Insofar as no components 9, 10 are provided which are connected directly to a secondary winding and/or tertiary winding 4, it also possible to introduce into the support 29 respectively bent wires or zero ohm bridges or, when feedthrough is undesirable, respectively plastic parts with conductive end contacts. A second preferred embodiment of a housing 20 in accordance with the invention will be described below in closer detail. The basic structure of the housing 20 is identical to the first preferred embodiment of a housing 20 in accordance with the invention as described above. The first and second preferred embodiment of the housing 20 merely differs with respect to the embodiment of the support 29 or partial supports 30, and with respect to the preferred arrangement of the connecting conductor 8 of the at least one electronic component 9 or the component assembly 11. In the second described preferred embodiment, the at least one partial support 30 comprises a U- shaped basic body 50, comprising a leg 51 and a web 52 connecting the same. It is preferably 11 provided that the partial support 30 is made from an insulating material and is attached integrally to the housing 20. The legs 51 of the U-shaped basic body 50 of the partial support are preferably formed by plate- like screening elements 31 which do not extend up to the outer cylinder jacket surface 22, but merely up to the web 52 of the U-shaped basic body 50. The plate-like screening elements 31 extend preferably substantially parallel to the outer housing surface 45 which is substantially arranged as a cylinder jacket surface 22. The legs 51 preferably extend outwardly from the outer housing surface 45 at least to such an extent that they protrude beyond the at least one electronic component 9. The two legs 51 of the U-shaped basic body 50 are preferably joined by a web 52 which is arranged as a plane plate. It can also be provided to provide a number of pin-like elevations instead of the web 52. The web 52 is preferably arranged parallel to the cover surface 24 and/or the outer cylinder jacket surface edge 25, with the cover surface 24 and the outer cylinder jacket surface edge 25 being parallel with respect to each other in the preferred embodiment of housing 20. Web 52 preferably protrudes to such an extent from the outer housing surface 45 that the same projects beyond the at least one electronic component 9, with the legs 51 rising above the web 52 in a preferable way and as shown in Figs. 6 to 9. It can be provided that the web 52 and the legs 51 are not joined into a modular unit and are each arranged separately. It can be provided that parallel to at least one leg 51 a clamping and/or guide element 53 is arranged on the outside of the U-shaped basic body 50, which element is preferably plate-shaped and is especially attached integrally to the housing 20, with the leg 51 and the clamping and/or guide element 53 forming a clamping and/or guide region 54 for clamping and/or guiding the connecting conductors 8 of the at least one electronic component 9. In the especially preferred variant, the second preferred embodiment of a housing 20 in accordance with the invention comprises such as a clamping and/or guide element 53 parallel to each leg 51. Such an embodiment, as is shown in Figs. 6 to 9, comprises a clamping and/or guide region 54 on either side of the legs 51 of the U-shaped basic body 50. 12 A support 30 of the second preferred embodiment of the housing 20 is preferably formed by two partial supports 30 arranged on different housing shells 21. The webs 52 of the two partial supports 30 are preferably arranged parallel with respect to each other and form a receiving region 55 which is provided for receiving at least one electronic component 9 or a component assembly 11. As already explained above, the electronic components 9 provided preferably for arrangement in a support 29 of a housing 20 in accordance with the invention concern diodes and capacitors, with all known electronic components 9 being capable of being provided however. It is known that electronic components 9 can be available with identical electric properties in different designs. Figs. 6 to 9 illustrate the arrangement of a component assembly 11 of axially wired components 10 in a second preferred embodiment of a housing 20 in accordance with the invention. It can be provided however to arrange other wired components 9 such as radially wired components or components with lens-like housing in the support. It can be provided according to the shape of the housing of the electronic components 9 to be received that the configuration of the receiving region 55 is adjusted accordingly. As a result, the web 52 can be omitted in the case of an intended arrangement of components 9 with lens-like housings, with the components 9 being arrested on the end points of the legs 51. It can be provided that the connecting conductors 8 of the at least one electronic component 10 which is wired axially or radially is arranged substantially parallel to the outer housing surface 45 which is arranged substantially as a cylinder jacket surface 22. The connecting conductors 8 are preferably arranged in such a way that they are also substantially parallel with respect to each other. In the especially preferred embodiment it is provided that the ends 12 of the connecting conductors 8 are all arranged directly adjacent to a cover surface 24. It can be provided that the electronic components 9 which are arranged in the support 29 are held by clamping the connecting conductors 8 in the clamping and/or guide region 54. It can also be provided that the clamping and/or guide region 54 is merely used for guiding the connecting conductors 8. Apart from this it is preferably provided to arrange a secondary winding and/or tertiary winding 4 of the differential current converter via the components 8 arranged in the support 29 or via the component assembly 11. The secondary winding and/or tertiary winding 4 secures in this manner the components 9 or the component assembly 11 from falling out of the support 29. Furthermore, the shortest possible connection of the secondary winding and/or tertiary winding 4 to the ends 12 of the connecting conductors 8 is thus ensured. 13 A combination of some or all features of the described first and second preferred embodiment of a housing 20 in accordance with the invention can be provided. A random combination of all disclosed features can be provided. It can also be provided to omit any one of the disclosed features. 14 NEW CLAMS: 1. A differential current converter for a residual-current circuit breaker, comprising a preferably annular magnet core (2), at least one conductor loop (3) such as a secondary winding and/or tertiary winding (4) and a housing (20) made of several parts and of insulating material, characterized in that at least two conductive contacts (5) are formed on the housing (20) to which the ends (6) of the conductor loop (3) are connected, and that the conductive contacts (5) are arranged as connecting conductors (8) of at least one electronic component (9). 2. A differential current converter according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one support (29) is provided for the at least one electronic component (9), preferably on at least one of the outer housing surfaces (45). 3. A differential current converter according to claim 2, characterized in that the at least one support (29) is formed integrally on the housing (20). 4. A differential current converter according to one of the claims 1 to 3, with the housing (20) comprising two preferably identical housing shells (21), characterized in that the support (29) comprises at least two partial supports (30) arranged on different housing shells (21). 5. A differential current converter according to one of the claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the supports (29) comprise at least one guide aid (46), preferably a sloped portion (39). 6. A differential current converter according to one of the claims 2 to 5, characterized in that the support (29) is provided for electronic components (10) preferably wired in an axial or radial manner such as resistors, capacitors or diodes (16). AMENDED SHEET 15 7. A differential current converter according to one of the claims 2 to 6, characterized in that the support (29) is provided for a plurality of electronic components (9), preferably two thereof, which are connected to a component assembly (11). 8. A differential current converter according to claim 7, characterized in that the connecting conductors (8) of the component assembly (11) are connected at their ends (12). 9. A differential current converter according to one of the claims 1 to 8, characterized in that at least one preferably plate-shaped screening element (31) is provided which is especially formed in an integral manner. 10. A differential current converter according to one of the claims 2 to 9, characterized in that the support (29) is arrested on connecting conductors (8) of the at least one electronic component (9) and/or the component assembly (11). 11. A differential current converter according to one of the claims 2 to 10, characterized in that the support (29) is a tooth-shaped projection (37) with a receptacle (38). 12. A differential current converter according to one of the claims 2 to 11, characterized in that the support (29) comprises at least one arresting device (41), especially a latch hook (42). 13. A differential current converter according to one of the claims 6 to 12, characterized in that the at least one electronic component (10) wired axially or radially is arranged substantially parallel to the outer housing surface (45) which is arranged substantially as a cylinder jacket surface (22). 14. A differential current converter according to one of the claims 8 to 13, characterized in that the connecting conductors (8) form a clamping region (15) cooperating with the support (29). AMENDED SHEET 16 15. A differential current converter according to one of the claims 2 to 9, characterized in that at least one of the partial supports (30) comprises a U-shaped basic body (50), comprising a leg (51) and web (52) connecting the same. 16. A differential current converter according to claim 15, characterized in that the legs (51) of the U-shaped basic body (50) are formed by the plate-shaped screening elements (31). 17. A differential current converter according to claim 16, characterized in that a preferably plate-shaped clamping and/or guide element (53) which is especially formed integrally with the housing is arranged parallel to at least one leg (51) on the outside of the U- shaped basic body (50), with the leg (51) and the clamping and/or guide element (53) forming a clamping and/or guide region (54) for clamping and/or guiding the connecting conductors (8) of at least one electronic component (9). 18. A differential current converter according to one of the claims 15 to 17, characterized in that the web (52) of the U-shaped basic body (50) is arranged as a plane plate which is preferably formed in an integral manner on the housing (20). 19. A differential current converter according to one of the claims 15 to 18, with the housing shells comprising cover surfaces (24) and outer cylinder jacket surface edges (25), characterized in that the web (52) is arranged parallel to the cover surface (24) and/or the outer cylinder jacket surface edge (25). 20. A differential current converter according to one of the claims 15 to 19, characterized in that the webs (52) of two partial supports (30) which jointly form one support (29) are parallel with respect to each other and/or form a receiving region (55). 21. A differential current converter according to claim 20, characterized in that the receiving area (55) for receiving at least one electronic component (9), preferably a component assembly (11), is provided. AMENDED SHEET 17 AMENDED SHEET 22. A differential current converter according to one of the claims 15 to 21, characterized in that the connecting conductors (8) of the at least one electronic component (10) wired axially or radially are arranged substantially parallel to the outer housing surface (45) which is arranged substantially as a cylinder jacket surface (22). 23. A differential current converter according to one of the claims 15 to 22, characterized in that at least one electronic component (9), preferably a component assembly (11), is arranged in the support (29), with a secondary winding and/or tertiary winding (4) of the differential current converter being arranged via the support (29). 14 CLAIMS: 1. A housing (20) for a magnet assembly (1), e.g. for a housing a preferably annular magnetic core (2) of a differential current converter in a residual-current circuit breaker, with the housing (20) consisting of several parts and being configured from an insulation material and at least two conductive contacts (5) being formed on the housing (20) for connecting the ends (6) of at least one conductor loop (3) such as a secondary winding and/or a tertiary winding (4) of the differential current converter, characterized in that the conductive contacts (5) are configured as connecting conductor (8) of at least one electronic component (9). 2. A housing (20) according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one support (29) is provided for the at least one electronic component (9), preferably on at least one of the outer housing surfaces (45). 3. A housing (20) according to claim 2, characterized in that the at least one support (29) is formed integrally on the housing (20). 4. A housing according to one of the claims 1 to 3, with the housing (20) comprising two preferably identical housing shells (21), characterized in that the support (29) comprises at least two partial supports (30) arranged on different housing shells (21). 5. A housing according to one of the claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the supports (29) comprise at least one guide aid (46), preferably a sloped portion (39). 6. A housing according to one of the claims 2 to 5, characterized in that the support (29) is provided for electronic components (10) preferably wired in an axial or radial manner such as resistors, capacitors or diodes (16). 15 7. A housing according to one of the claims 2 to 6, characterized in that the support (29) is provided for a plurality of electronic components (9), preferably two thereof, which are connected to a component assembly (11). 8. A housing according to claim 7, characterized in that the connecting conductors (8) of the component assembly (11) are connected at their ends. 9. A housing according to one of the claims 1 to 8, characterized in that at least one preferably plate-shaped screening element (31) is provided which is especially formed in an integral manner. 10. A housing according to one of the claims 2 to 9, characterized in that the support (29) is arrested on connecting conductors (8) of the at least one electronic component (9) and/or the component assembly (11). 11. A housing according to one of the claims 2 to 10, characterized in that the support (29) is a tooth-shaped projection (37) with a receptacle (38). 12. A housing according to one of the claims 2 to 11, characterized in that the support (29) comprises at least one arresting device (41), especially a latch hook (42). 13. A housing according to one of the claims 2 to 12, characterized in that the electronic component (10) wired axially or radially is arranged substantially parallel to the outer housing surface (45) which is arranged substantially as a cylinder jacket surface (22). 14. A housing according to one of the claims 8 to 13, characterized in that the connecting conductors (8) form a clamping region (15) cooperating with the support (29). 16 15. A housing according to one of the claims 2 to 9, characterized in that at least one of the partial supports (30) comprises a U-shaped basic body (50), comprising a leg (51) and web (52) connecting the same. 16. A housing (20) according to claim 15, characterized in that the legs (51) of the U-shaped basic body (50) are formed by the plate-shaped screening elements (31). 17. A housing (20) according to claim 16, characterized in that a preferably plate-shaped clamping and/or guide element (53) which is especially formed integrally with the housing is arranged parallel to at least one leg (51) on the outside of the U-shaped basic body (50), with the leg (51) and the clamping and/or guide element (53) forming a clamping and/or guide region (54) for clamping and/or guiding the connecting conductors (8) of at least one electronic component (9). 18. A housing according to one of the claims 15 to 17, characterized in that the web (52) of the U-shaped basic body (50) is arranged as a plane plate which is preferably formed in an integral manner on the housing (20). 19. A housing according to one of the claims 15 to 18, with the housing shells comprising cover surfaces (24) and outer cylinder jacket surface edges (25), characterized in that the web (52) is arranged parallel to the cover surface (24) and/or the outer cylinder jacket surface edge (25). 20. A housing according to one of the claims 15 to 19, characterized in that the webs (52) of two partial supports (30) which jointly form one support (29) are parallel with respect to each other and/or form a receiving region (55). 21. A housing (20) according to claim 20, characterized in that the receiving area (55) for receiving at least one electronic component (9), preferably a component assembly (11), is provided. 17 22. A housing according to one of the claims 15 to 21, characterized in that the connecting conductors (8) of the at least one electronic component (10) wired axially or radially are arranged substantially parallel to the outer housing surface (45) which is arranged substantially as a cylinder jacket surface (22). 23. A magnet assembly (1) with a housing (20) according to one of the claims 15 to 22, characterized in that at least one electronic component (9), preferably a component assembly (11), is arranged in the support (29), with a secondary winding and/or tertiary winding (4) of the differential current converter being arranged via the support (29). The invention relates to a housing (20) for a magnet assembly (1), e.g. for housing a preferably annular magnetic core (2) of a differential current converter in a residual-current circuit breaker. According to the invention, the housing (20) consists of several parts and is configured from an insulation material. At least two conductive contacts (5) for connecting the ends (6) of at least one conductor loop (3), such as e.g. a secondary winding and/or a tertiary winding (4) of the differential current converter are configured on the housing. To improve the automated production of residual-current circuit breakers, the conductive contacts are configured as connecting conductors (8) of at least one electronic component.

Full Text

1
A housing
The invention relates to a differential current converter for a residual-current circuit breaker,
comprising a preferably annular magnet core, at least one conductor loop such as a secondary
winding and/or tertiary winding and a housing made of several parts and of insulating material.
Magnet assemblies are a part of differential current converters as are used in residual-current
circuit breakers. The magnetic core or its housing is looped by primary windings which are
connected with terminals and the contacts of a drum controller when applied in a residual-current
circuit breaker. The secondary winding and/or tertiary winding arranged on the magnetic core or
its housing are connected with electronic components or modules within the circuit breaker. In
accordance with conventional designs of such residual-current circuit breakers, the connection to
the modules of the residual-current circuit breaker occurs by means of wires which are used for
the windings themselves and which are usually relatively thin and flexible because a large
number of windings can thus be applied to the magnetic core without encumbering the same in a
mechanical way. Furthermore, by using thin wires it is possible to keep the mass, the dimensions
and the costs of a residual-current circuit breaker at a low level.
The disadvantageous aspect in such an embodiment of the connection of the secondary winding
and/or the tertiary winding with the modules of a residual-current circuit breaker is that as a
result of the small diameter and the high flexibility of the used wires they will cause problems in
automated production. The ends of such thin wires do not represent a defined position for
automated production machines as a result of the insufficient dimensional stability of the wires.
Even slight deviations from the actual position of a wire end from the pre-programmed position
will lead to the consequence that the automated production machine will no longer find the wire
end, as a result of which a connection of the secondary winding and/or the tertiary winding with
the modules of a residual-current circuit breaker is no longer possible. The connection of the
secondary winding and/or tertiary winding with the modules therefore occurs in a mostly manual
manner. This leads to high costs and high failure rates in production.
A magnet core housing assembly with a two-part housing is known from EP 650 172 A, wherein
lead-through openings for the primary conductors are provided in the two-part housing. The
AMENDED SHEET

2
individual housing shells comprise plug-in connections which are arranged as hollow lead-
through openings in which primary conductors are guided. As a result of this and as a result of
screening elements provided on the face side of the housing, the insulation between the primary
conductors can be ensured without the same having to be insulated themselves.
US Pat. No. 2 290 680 A describes toroidal core coil for phone applications, in which a housing
is provided for an annular magnet core, which housing is composed of shell halves and made of
insulating material. Said housing carries webs with connecting contacts for the ends of the coil
wires wound about said housing.
AT 395 492 B further describes an electric coil for filter applications and for mounting printed
boards which consist of a coil body with winding, with the connecting wires of an electronic
component being clamped to the base of the coil body, which wires are each connected on their
part to the connecting wires of the winding.
It is therefore the object of the present invention to provide a housing for magnet assemblies for
differential current converters for residual-current circuit breakers of the kind mentioned above
with which the mentioned disadvantages can be avoided and which allow an improvement in
automated production of residual-current circuit breakers.
This is achieved in accordance with the invention in such a way that at least two conductive
contacts are formed on the housing to which the ends of the conductor loop are connected, and
that the conductive contacts are arranged as connecting conductors of at least one electronic
component.
The automated production machines are thus provided with defined end points which can be
accessed by the same with the required precision. A higher degree of automation can thus be
achieved in the production of residual-current circuit breakers, thus lowering the production
costs and rejection rate. By using a component that is contacted by the secondary winding and/or
tertiary winding anyway, special contacts can be omitted, which allows reducing the production
costs and production time even further.
It can be provided in a further development of the invention that at least one support is provided
for the at least one electronic component, preferably on at least one of the outer housing surfaces.
AMENDED SHEET

This allows arranging the at least one component directly on the housing of the magnetic core
and thus as close as possible to the wires of the secondary winding and/or tertiary winding to be
contacted, as a result of which the wires protruding from the winding have a minimum length.
In this connection it can be provided for in a further development of the invention that the at least
one support is formed integrally on the housing. This leads to a simple and cost-effective
production of the housing and the support.
According to a further embodiment of the invention it can be provided that the support comprises
at least two partial supports arranged on different housing shells. The position of the at least one
component can be defined in a more precise manner by the two partial supports.
According to a further embodiment of the invention it can be provided that the supports comprise
at least one guide aid, preferably a sloped portion. The at least one component can thus be
introduced in a more simple way into the support. This is also advantageous when using
automated production machines.
One variant of the invention is that the support is provided for electronic components preferably
wired in an axial or radial manner such as resistors, capacitors or diodes. Especially capacitors
and diodes are components which are commonly used in residual-current circuit breakers for
rectifier and energy-storage circuits and which are arranged closest to the secondary winding
and/or tertiary winding.
In a further embodiment it can be provided that the support is provided for a plurality of
components, preferably two thereof, which are connected to an assembly of components. As a
result, components that are used anyway in a circuit assembly with the same connection points
can also be arranged together, which ensures that functional modules are not separated. This has
an advantageous effect on the length of the signal paths and thus on the noise immunity of the
components.
In a further development of the invention it can be provided that the connecting conductors of the
component assembly are connected at their ends. A mechanical as well as electrically conductive
component assembly is thus formed in a simple way.
AMENDED SHEET

4
Another possible embodiment can be that at least one preferably plate-shaped screening element
is provided which is especially formed in an integral manner. This allows the screening of the
secondary winding and/or tertiary winding and the electronic components of conductors of the
primary winding. Furthermore, the at least one screening element can be used as a stop or
defined end for the secondary winding and/or tertiary winding or for an electronic component.
According to a further embodiment of the invention it can be provided that the support is arrested
on connecting conductors of the at least one electronic component and/or the component
assembly. Components with different outside dimensions might thus be introduced into identical
supports. This further simplifies the configuration of the support in the case of two partial
supports which are each arranged on identical housing shells. Since the position of the
connecting conductors takes precedence for making contact between the components, their
position can be defined in a very precise manner in this way.
In this connection it can be provided in a further development of the invention that the support is
a tooth-shaped projection with a receptacle. Such supports offer a high amount of stability.
It can be provided for in a further development of the invention that the support comprises at
least one arresting device, especially a latch hook. The at least one component can thus be
arrested in a simple and custom-fit manner.
According to a further embodiment of the invention it can be provided that the electronic
component wired axially or radially is arranged substantially parallel to the outer housing surface
which is arranged substantially as a cylinder jacket surface. As a result, the ends of the
connecting conductors are situated close to the ends of the secondary winding and/or tertiary
winding and can thus make contact over a short distance.
One variant of the invention is that the connecting conductors form a clamping region
cooperating with the support. In this way the components can be arranged on a simple and secure
manner on the housing of the magnet assembly.
In a further embodiment of the invention it can be provided that at least one of the partial
supports comprises a U-shaped basic body with a leg and web connecting the same. A support
which is provided with a simple and stable configuration is thus formed.
AMENDED SHEET

According to a further embodiment of the invention it can be provided that the legs of the U-
shaped basic body are formed by plate-shaped screening elements. Components and modules
already provided are thus used in multiple ways, which thus reduces the overall production work
in connection with the housing and/or the support.
According to a further embodiment of the invention it can be provided that a preferably plate-
shaped clamping and/or guide element which is especially formed integrally with the housing is
arranged parallel to at least one leg on the outside of the U-shaped basic body, with the leg and
the clamping and/or guide element forming a clamping and/or guide region for clamping and/or
guiding the connecting conductors of at least one electronic component. The position of the
connecting conductors of the at least one electronic component can thus be determined precisely.
Furthermore, the at least one electronic component can thus be optionally clamped to its
connecting conductors.
According to another embodiment of the invention it can be provided that the web of the U-
shaped basic body is arranged as a plane plate which is preferably formed in an integral manner
on the housing. The plate-shaped web forms a secure stop for the at least one electronic
component.
One variant of the invention can be that the web is arranged parallel to the cover surface and/or
the outer cylinder jacket surface edge. This ensures that at least one electronic component is
arranged parallel to the cover surface and/or the outer cylinder jacket surface edge. This
simplifies setting the automated component insertion machines.
In a further embodiment of the invention it can be provided that the webs of two partial supports
which jointly form one support are parallel with respect to each other and/or form a receiving
region. As a result, the housings which are parallel in most electronic components can thus be
received in a secure manner.
In a further development of the invention it can be provided that the receiving area for receiving
at least one electronic component, preferably a component assembly, is provided. An electronic
component or a component assembly can thus be arranged on the housing.
AMENDED SHEET

A further possible embodiment can be that the connecting conductors of the at least one
electronic component wired axially or radially are arranged substantially parallel to the outer
housing surface which is arranged substantially as a cylinder jacket surface. The ends of the
connecting conductors are thus situated close to the ends of the secondary winding and/or tertiary
winding and contact can thus be made over a short distance.
One variant of the invention can be that at least one component, preferably a component
assembly, is arranged in the support, with a secondary winding and/or tertiary winding of the
differential current converter being arranged via the support. The at least one electronic
component can thus be simply be secured in its position by means of a device, namely the
secondary winding and/or tertiary winding, which is provided anyway on the magnet assembly.
The invention is now explained in closer detail by reference to the enclosed drawings showing
especially preferred embodiments, wherein:
Fig. 1 shows a first embodiment of a housing in accordance with the invention in an exploded
view;
Fig. 2 shows a housing according to Fig. 1 in a plan view;
Fig. 3 shows a housing according to Fig. 1 in a side view;
Fig. 4 shows a housing according to Fig. 1 in an axonometric view;
Fig. 5 shows a further axonometric view of a housing according to Fig. 1;
Fig. 6 shows a second embodiment of a housing in accordance with the invention in an exploded
view;
Continues on page 6 of the originally filed documents.
AMENDED SHEET

Fig. 7 shows a housing according to Fig. 6 in an axonometric view;
Fig. 8 shows a farther axonometric view of a housing according to Fig. 6, and
Fig. 9 shows a further axonometric view of a housing according to Fig. 6.
Figs. 1 to 9 show different views of especially preferred embodiments of a housing 20 for a
magnet assembly 1, e.g. for receiving a preferably annular magnet core 2 of a differential current
converter of a residual-current circuit breaker, with the housing 20 consisting of several parts and
being configured from an insulation material and at least two conductive contacts 5 being formed
on the housing 20 for connecting the ends 6 of at least one conductor loop 3 such as a secondary
winding and/or a tertiary winding 4 of the differential current converter, and with the conductive
contacts 5 being arranged as connecting conductors 8 of at least one electronic component 9.
Magnet assemblies 1 are used in current converters of electric switchgears, especially residual-
current circuit breakers. They comprise a magnet core 2 which is formed in preferred
embodiments by an annular magnet core 2 with rectangular cross section. The magnet core 2 is
looped by primary windings when the current converter is installed in a residual-current circuit
breaker, which primary windings are connected with the input and output terminals and with
contacts of a drum controller. The primary windings loop the cross section of magnet core 2
typically once or one and a half times. The number of primary windings corresponds to the
number of conductors of the network to be protected, which is usually two or four.
If the outgoing current does not correspond to the incoming current, a voltage is induced in the
secondary winding 4 by the difference and the residual-current circuit breaker will trip. Any
provided tertiary winding 4 is used for recognizing short transient excess voltages, which may be
caused by lightning stroke, and prevents false tripping of the residual-current circuit breaker on
the occurrence of such short transient excess voltages.
The secondary winding and/or tertiary winding 4 can thus be applied directly to the magnet core
2. At least one opening for leading through the wires 7 should be provided in this case in the

7
housing, or, as is shown in Figs. 2 to 5 and Figs. 7 to 9, on the housing 20. It can also be
provided that one of the conductor loops 3 or windings is provided on the magnet core 2 and one
on the housing 20.
The magnet core 2 is provided with a housing 20 especially for protection against mechanical
loads, which housing consists of an insulator, preferably made of plastic.
The magnet core 2 or the cross section of the magnet core 2 is looped or wound about by a
conductor loop 3, preferably a secondary winding and/or tertiary winding 4. It can be applied
directly to the magnet core 2 or the housing 20. Since the secondary winding and/or tertiary
winding 4 usually consist of a very thin and respectively flexible wire 7, the ends 6 of the
windings or the conductor loop 3 represent a problem for automatic manufacturing machines
because such thin wires 7 which show very little stiffness and which project from the winding
can hardly be grasped or contacted by automatic manufacturing machines. That is why it is
provided to connect the ends 6 of the secondary winding and/or tertiary winding 4 directly with
the conductive contacts 5 in the region of the housing 20, which contacts are provided with a stiff
and massive configuration and have a definite length, so that the same represent defined end
points which can be accessed by an automatic manufacturing machine in a purposeful manner
and which do not deform excessively under access of this automatic production machine.
It is provided that the conductive contacts 5 are arranged as connecting conductors 8 of at least
one electronic component 9, as a result of which the connecting conductors 8 which are present
anyway in components 9 of the residual-current circuit breaker fulfill the further purpose in
addition to their functional tasks to act as a contact for the ends 6 of the secondary winding
and/or tertiary winding 4.
The housing 20 of the preferred embodiments of a magnet assembly 1 in accordance with the
invention is divided into two parts, with both housing shells 21 having the same configuration. It
is possible however to use all other embodiments of a housing 20 for a magnet assembly 1. By
providing the same arrangement of the two housing shells 21 they can be produced with merely
one tool, as a result of which the production costs for the housing 20 can be lowered.
Each housing shell 21 of the preferred embodiments has an outer cylinder jacket surface 22 and
an inner cylinder jacket surface 23, as well as a cover surface 24, with the outer cylinder jacket
surface 22 and the inner cylinder jacket surface 23 being delimited on one side by the cover

8
surface 24 and forming on the other side on outer cylinder jacket surface edge 25 and an inner
cylinder jacket surface edge 26. The three surfaces form a cavity 27 which is provided for
receiving the magnet core 2. On the outer side 28 of the outer cylinder jacket surface 22 which is
opposite of the cavity 27, at least one support 29 or partial support 30, at least one screening
element 31 and at least one connecting element 32 are arranged which are preferably all attached
in an integral manner.
The connecting elements 32 are preferably arranged as diametrically opposed connecting
elements 32. Any desired number of connecting elements 32 can be provided. In the preferred
embodiment, two first connecting elements 33 and two second connecting elements 34 are
provided which are diametrically opposed to said first connecting elements 33 and which are
arranged on the outer side 28 of the outer cylinder jacket surface 22 in such a way that when two
similar housing shells 21 are pressed together in the position as shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 6, i.e. in
a position facing each other where the cavities 27 of the two housing shells 21 are combined into
a common cavity, the first connecting elements 33 will interact with the second connecting
elements 34 and will hold the same tightly. It is therefore provided in the preferred embodiments
that the first connecting elements 33 comprise pin-like elevations 35 and the second connecting
elements 34 will comprise diametrically opposite receiving openings 36 which are slightly
narrower, and that the first connecting means 33 and the second connecting means 34 are
arranged close to the outer cylinder jacket surface edge 25. It is possible to provide any other
kind of connecting elements 32, e.g. a bayonet catch.
It is provided in the preferred embodiments of the housing 20 that the same comprises preferably
two screening elements 31 which are preferably provided with a plate-like configuration. The
screening elements 31 are arranged on the two housing shells 21 in such a way that they will
form a continuous screening element 31 when the housing 20 is assembled. The preferably two
screening elements 31 are subsequently also used as a stop for a conductor loop arranged on the
housing 20, such as a secondary winding and/or tertiary winding 4.
At least one support 29 for the at least one electronic component 9 is arranged on the housing 20,
preferably on at least one outer housing surface 45. In the preferred embodiments, the support 29
is formed by two partial supports 30, with one partial support 30 each being arranged on a
housing shell 21.

9
In the preferred embodiments, the support 29 is provided for axially or radially wired electronic
components 10 such as resistors, capacitors or diodes 16. Especially capacitors and diodes 16 are
components 9, 10 which are commonly used in residual-current circuit breakers for rectifier and
energy-storage circuits and which are arranged closest to the secondary winding and/or tertiary
winding 4.
Diodes 16 further preferably contact the tertiary winding 4 in a parallel counter-polar
arrangement as shown in Figs. 2 to 5 and 7 to 9, which is used for recognizing short transient
processes.
A preferred embodiment of a housing 20 in accordance with the invention and Figs. 1 to 5 will
be described in closer detail below.
The support 29 or the partial supports 30 are arranged in a first preferred embodiment in
accordance with the invention in that at least one axially or radially wired electronic component
10 is arranged substantially parallel to the outer housing surface 45 which is arranged
substantially as a cylinder jacket surface 22.
The partial supports 30 are preferably arranged as a tooth-shaped projection 37 with a receptacle
38. The tooth-shaped projection 37 has a substantially rectangular cross section and protrudes
from the outer cylinder jacket surface 22 or is normal to the same, with the concrete position
depending on the outside diameters of the electronic components 9, 10 to be received. In the first
preferred embodiment as shown in Fig. 1 to 5, the partial supports 30 are arranged in such a way
that they have a distance from the outer cylinder jacket surface edge 25 which is at least larger
than half the housing length of the electronic component 9,10 to be received.
The partial supports 30 comprise sloping portions 39 which facilitate the receiving of electronic
components 9, 10 in the supports 29. In the first preferred embodiment, the tooth-shaped partial
supports 30 comprise two sloping portions 39 which have a common edge 40. One of the two
sloping portions 39 converges into an arresting device 41, especially a latch hook 24. In addition
to or instead of the latch hook 42 it is possible to provide any other arresting device 41.
The arresting device 41 can be used both for arresting the housing of an electronic component 9,
10 as well as for arresting the connecting conductor 8 of an electronic component 9,10, as in the
first preferred embodiment.

10
In the first preferred embodiment, the support 29 is provided for receiving several, preferably
two, electronic components 9, 10 which are joined into a component assembly 11. Preferably,
two electronic components 9, 10 are conductively connected with each other at the ends 12 of
their connecting conductors 8, preferably welded or soldered, with the connecting conductor 8
forming a clamping region 15 cooperating with the support 29. As in the first preferred
embodiment as shown in Figs. 1 to 5, it can be formed by two substantially parallel connecting
conductors 8, with the connecting conductors 8 having a double bend 13. The clamping region
15 can also be arranged as a tapering clamping region 15, in the case when the connecting
conductors 8 do not have a double bend 13.
The support 29 or the partial supports 30 are arranged within the clamping region 15 and the
arresting device 41 secures the component assembly 11 against changes in position. The holding
force is supplied by the spring effect of the connecting conductors 8 of the electronic
components 9, 10 joined into a component assembly 11. The support 29 or partial supports 30
have the smallest width 44 in the region of the receptacle 38, which width is larger than the
distance 14 of two connecting conductors 8 which jointly form a clamping region 15. A secure
fastening of the component assembly 11 is thus ensured.
Insofar as no components 9, 10 are provided which are connected directly to a secondary
winding and/or tertiary winding 4, it also possible to introduce into the support 29 respectively
bent wires or zero ohm bridges or, when feedthrough is undesirable, respectively plastic parts
with conductive end contacts.
A second preferred embodiment of a housing 20 in accordance with the invention will be
described below in closer detail.
The basic structure of the housing 20 is identical to the first preferred embodiment of a housing
20 in accordance with the invention as described above. The first and second preferred
embodiment of the housing 20 merely differs with respect to the embodiment of the support 29
or partial supports 30, and with respect to the preferred arrangement of the connecting conductor
8 of the at least one electronic component 9 or the component assembly 11.
In the second described preferred embodiment, the at least one partial support 30 comprises a U-
shaped basic body 50, comprising a leg 51 and a web 52 connecting the same. It is preferably

11
provided that the partial support 30 is made from an insulating material and is attached integrally
to the housing 20.
The legs 51 of the U-shaped basic body 50 of the partial support are preferably formed by plate-
like screening elements 31 which do not extend up to the outer cylinder jacket surface 22, but
merely up to the web 52 of the U-shaped basic body 50. The plate-like screening elements 31
extend preferably substantially parallel to the outer housing surface 45 which is substantially
arranged as a cylinder jacket surface 22. The legs 51 preferably extend outwardly from the outer
housing surface 45 at least to such an extent that they protrude beyond the at least one electronic
component 9.
The two legs 51 of the U-shaped basic body 50 are preferably joined by a web 52 which is
arranged as a plane plate. It can also be provided to provide a number of pin-like elevations
instead of the web 52. The web 52 is preferably arranged parallel to the cover surface 24 and/or
the outer cylinder jacket surface edge 25, with the cover surface 24 and the outer cylinder jacket
surface edge 25 being parallel with respect to each other in the preferred embodiment of housing
20.
Web 52 preferably protrudes to such an extent from the outer housing surface 45 that the same
projects beyond the at least one electronic component 9, with the legs 51 rising above the web 52
in a preferable way and as shown in Figs. 6 to 9. It can be provided that the web 52 and the legs
51 are not joined into a modular unit and are each arranged separately.
It can be provided that parallel to at least one leg 51 a clamping and/or guide element 53 is
arranged on the outside of the U-shaped basic body 50, which element is preferably plate-shaped
and is especially attached integrally to the housing 20, with the leg 51 and the clamping and/or
guide element 53 forming a clamping and/or guide region 54 for clamping and/or guiding the
connecting conductors 8 of the at least one electronic component 9.
In the especially preferred variant, the second preferred embodiment of a housing 20 in
accordance with the invention comprises such as a clamping and/or guide element 53 parallel to
each leg 51. Such an embodiment, as is shown in Figs. 6 to 9, comprises a clamping and/or guide
region 54 on either side of the legs 51 of the U-shaped basic body 50.

12
A support 30 of the second preferred embodiment of the housing 20 is preferably formed by two
partial supports 30 arranged on different housing shells 21. The webs 52 of the two partial
supports 30 are preferably arranged parallel with respect to each other and form a receiving
region 55 which is provided for receiving at least one electronic component 9 or a component
assembly 11. As already explained above, the electronic components 9 provided preferably for
arrangement in a support 29 of a housing 20 in accordance with the invention concern diodes and
capacitors, with all known electronic components 9 being capable of being provided however. It
is known that electronic components 9 can be available with identical electric properties in
different designs. Figs. 6 to 9 illustrate the arrangement of a component assembly 11 of axially
wired components 10 in a second preferred embodiment of a housing 20 in accordance with the
invention. It can be provided however to arrange other wired components 9 such as radially
wired components or components with lens-like housing in the support. It can be provided
according to the shape of the housing of the electronic components 9 to be received that the
configuration of the receiving region 55 is adjusted accordingly. As a result, the web 52 can be
omitted in the case of an intended arrangement of components 9 with lens-like housings, with the
components 9 being arrested on the end points of the legs 51.
It can be provided that the connecting conductors 8 of the at least one electronic component 10
which is wired axially or radially is arranged substantially parallel to the outer housing surface
45 which is arranged substantially as a cylinder jacket surface 22. The connecting conductors 8
are preferably arranged in such a way that they are also substantially parallel with respect to each
other. In the especially preferred embodiment it is provided that the ends 12 of the connecting
conductors 8 are all arranged directly adjacent to a cover surface 24.
It can be provided that the electronic components 9 which are arranged in the support 29 are held
by clamping the connecting conductors 8 in the clamping and/or guide region 54. It can also be
provided that the clamping and/or guide region 54 is merely used for guiding the connecting
conductors 8. Apart from this it is preferably provided to arrange a secondary winding and/or
tertiary winding 4 of the differential current converter via the components 8 arranged in the
support 29 or via the component assembly 11. The secondary winding and/or tertiary winding 4
secures in this manner the components 9 or the component assembly 11 from falling out of the
support 29. Furthermore, the shortest possible connection of the secondary winding and/or
tertiary winding 4 to the ends 12 of the connecting conductors 8 is thus ensured.

13
A combination of some or all features of the described first and second preferred embodiment of
a housing 20 in accordance with the invention can be provided.
A random combination of all disclosed features can be provided. It can also be provided to omit
any one of the disclosed features.

14
NEW CLAMS:
1. A differential current converter for a residual-current circuit breaker, comprising a
preferably annular magnet core (2), at least one conductor loop (3) such as a secondary
winding and/or tertiary winding (4) and a housing (20) made of several parts and of
insulating material, characterized in that at least two conductive contacts (5) are formed
on the housing (20) to which the ends (6) of the conductor loop (3) are connected, and
that the conductive contacts (5) are arranged as connecting conductors (8) of at least one
electronic component (9).
2. A differential current converter according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one
support (29) is provided for the at least one electronic component (9), preferably on at
least one of the outer housing surfaces (45).
3. A differential current converter according to claim 2, characterized in that the at least one
support (29) is formed integrally on the housing (20).
4. A differential current converter according to one of the claims 1 to 3, with the housing
(20) comprising two preferably identical housing shells (21), characterized in that the
support (29) comprises at least two partial supports (30) arranged on different housing
shells (21).
5. A differential current converter according to one of the claims 2 to 4, characterized in that
the supports (29) comprise at least one guide aid (46), preferably a sloped portion (39).
6. A differential current converter according to one of the claims 2 to 5, characterized in that
the support (29) is provided for electronic components (10) preferably wired in an axial
or radial manner such as resistors, capacitors or diodes (16).
AMENDED SHEET

15
7. A differential current converter according to one of the claims 2 to 6, characterized in that
the support (29) is provided for a plurality of electronic components (9), preferably two
thereof, which are connected to a component assembly (11).
8. A differential current converter according to claim 7, characterized in that the connecting
conductors (8) of the component assembly (11) are connected at their ends (12).
9. A differential current converter according to one of the claims 1 to 8, characterized in that
at least one preferably plate-shaped screening element (31) is provided which is
especially formed in an integral manner.
10. A differential current converter according to one of the claims 2 to 9, characterized in that
the support (29) is arrested on connecting conductors (8) of the at least one electronic
component (9) and/or the component assembly (11).

11. A differential current converter according to one of the claims 2 to 10, characterized in
that the support (29) is a tooth-shaped projection (37) with a receptacle (38).
12. A differential current converter according to one of the claims 2 to 11, characterized in
that the support (29) comprises at least one arresting device (41), especially a latch hook
(42).
13. A differential current converter according to one of the claims 6 to 12, characterized in
that the at least one electronic component (10) wired axially or radially is arranged
substantially parallel to the outer housing surface (45) which is arranged substantially as
a cylinder jacket surface (22).
14. A differential current converter according to one of the claims 8 to 13, characterized in
that the connecting conductors (8) form a clamping region (15) cooperating with the
support (29).
AMENDED SHEET

16
15. A differential current converter according to one of the claims 2 to 9, characterized in that
at least one of the partial supports (30) comprises a U-shaped basic body (50), comprising
a leg (51) and web (52) connecting the same.
16. A differential current converter according to claim 15, characterized in that the legs (51)
of the U-shaped basic body (50) are formed by the plate-shaped screening elements (31).
17. A differential current converter according to claim 16, characterized in that a preferably
plate-shaped clamping and/or guide element (53) which is especially formed integrally
with the housing is arranged parallel to at least one leg (51) on the outside of the U-
shaped basic body (50), with the leg (51) and the clamping and/or guide element (53)
forming a clamping and/or guide region (54) for clamping and/or guiding the connecting
conductors (8) of at least one electronic component (9).
18. A differential current converter according to one of the claims 15 to 17, characterized in
that the web (52) of the U-shaped basic body (50) is arranged as a plane plate which is
preferably formed in an integral manner on the housing (20).

19. A differential current converter according to one of the claims 15 to 18, with the housing
shells comprising cover surfaces (24) and outer cylinder jacket surface edges (25),
characterized in that the web (52) is arranged parallel to the cover surface (24) and/or the
outer cylinder jacket surface edge (25).
20. A differential current converter according to one of the claims 15 to 19, characterized in
that the webs (52) of two partial supports (30) which jointly form one support (29) are
parallel with respect to each other and/or form a receiving region (55).
21. A differential current converter according to claim 20, characterized in that the receiving
area (55) for receiving at least one electronic component (9), preferably a component
assembly (11), is provided.
AMENDED SHEET

17
AMENDED SHEET
22. A differential current converter according to one of the claims 15 to 21, characterized in
that the connecting conductors (8) of the at least one electronic component (10) wired
axially or radially are arranged substantially parallel to the outer housing surface (45)
which is arranged substantially as a cylinder jacket surface (22).
23. A differential current converter according to one of the claims 15 to 22, characterized in
that at least one electronic component (9), preferably a component assembly (11), is
arranged in the support (29), with a secondary winding and/or tertiary winding (4) of the
differential current converter being arranged via the support (29).

14
CLAIMS:
1. A housing (20) for a magnet assembly (1), e.g. for a housing a preferably annular
magnetic core (2) of a differential current converter in a residual-current circuit breaker,
with the housing (20) consisting of several parts and being configured from an insulation
material and at least two conductive contacts (5) being formed on the housing (20) for
connecting the ends (6) of at least one conductor loop (3) such as a secondary winding
and/or a tertiary winding (4) of the differential current converter, characterized in that the
conductive contacts (5) are configured as connecting conductor (8) of at least one
electronic component (9).
2. A housing (20) according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one support (29) is
provided for the at least one electronic component (9), preferably on at least one of the
outer housing surfaces (45).
3. A housing (20) according to claim 2, characterized in that the at least one support (29) is
formed integrally on the housing (20).
4. A housing according to one of the claims 1 to 3, with the housing (20) comprising two
preferably identical housing shells (21), characterized in that the support (29) comprises
at least two partial supports (30) arranged on different housing shells (21).

5. A housing according to one of the claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the supports (29)
comprise at least one guide aid (46), preferably a sloped portion (39).
6. A housing according to one of the claims 2 to 5, characterized in that the support (29) is
provided for electronic components (10) preferably wired in an axial or radial manner
such as resistors, capacitors or diodes (16).

15
7. A housing according to one of the claims 2 to 6, characterized in that the support (29) is
provided for a plurality of electronic components (9), preferably two thereof, which are
connected to a component assembly (11).
8. A housing according to claim 7, characterized in that the connecting conductors (8) of the
component assembly (11) are connected at their ends.
9. A housing according to one of the claims 1 to 8, characterized in that at least one
preferably plate-shaped screening element (31) is provided which is especially formed in
an integral manner.
10. A housing according to one of the claims 2 to 9, characterized in that the support (29) is
arrested on connecting conductors (8) of the at least one electronic component (9) and/or
the component assembly (11).

11. A housing according to one of the claims 2 to 10, characterized in that the support (29) is
a tooth-shaped projection (37) with a receptacle (38).
12. A housing according to one of the claims 2 to 11, characterized in that the support (29)
comprises at least one arresting device (41), especially a latch hook (42).
13. A housing according to one of the claims 2 to 12, characterized in that the electronic
component (10) wired axially or radially is arranged substantially parallel to the outer
housing surface (45) which is arranged substantially as a cylinder jacket surface (22).
14. A housing according to one of the claims 8 to 13, characterized in that the connecting
conductors (8) form a clamping region (15) cooperating with the support (29).

16
15. A housing according to one of the claims 2 to 9, characterized in that at least one of the
partial supports (30) comprises a U-shaped basic body (50), comprising a leg (51) and
web (52) connecting the same.
16. A housing (20) according to claim 15, characterized in that the legs (51) of the U-shaped
basic body (50) are formed by the plate-shaped screening elements (31).
17. A housing (20) according to claim 16, characterized in that a preferably plate-shaped
clamping and/or guide element (53) which is especially formed integrally with the
housing is arranged parallel to at least one leg (51) on the outside of the U-shaped basic
body (50), with the leg (51) and the clamping and/or guide element (53) forming a
clamping and/or guide region (54) for clamping and/or guiding the connecting conductors
(8) of at least one electronic component (9).
18. A housing according to one of the claims 15 to 17, characterized in that the web (52) of
the U-shaped basic body (50) is arranged as a plane plate which is preferably formed in
an integral manner on the housing (20).

19. A housing according to one of the claims 15 to 18, with the housing shells comprising
cover surfaces (24) and outer cylinder jacket surface edges (25), characterized in that the
web (52) is arranged parallel to the cover surface (24) and/or the outer cylinder jacket
surface edge (25).
20. A housing according to one of the claims 15 to 19, characterized in that the webs (52) of
two partial supports (30) which jointly form one support (29) are parallel with respect to
each other and/or form a receiving region (55).
21. A housing (20) according to claim 20, characterized in that the receiving area (55) for
receiving at least one electronic component (9), preferably a component assembly (11), is
provided.

17
22. A housing according to one of the claims 15 to 21, characterized in that the connecting
conductors (8) of the at least one electronic component (10) wired axially or radially are
arranged substantially parallel to the outer housing surface (45) which is arranged
substantially as a cylinder jacket surface (22).
23. A magnet assembly (1) with a housing (20) according to one of the claims 15 to 22,
characterized in that at least one electronic component (9), preferably a component
assembly (11), is arranged in the support (29), with a secondary winding and/or tertiary
winding (4) of the differential current converter being arranged via the support (29).

The invention
relates to a housing (20)
for a magnet assembly (1),
e.g. for housing a preferably
annular magnetic core (2) of a
differential current converter in
a residual-current circuit breaker.
According to the invention, the
housing (20) consists of several
parts and is configured from
an insulation material. At least
two conductive contacts (5) for
connecting the ends (6) of at
least one conductor loop (3),
such as e.g. a secondary winding
and/or a tertiary winding (4) of
the differential current converter
are configured on the housing.
To improve the automated
production of residual-current
circuit breakers, the conductive
contacts are configured as
connecting conductors (8) of at
least one electronic component.

Documents:

01256-kolnp-2007-abstract.pdf

01256-kolnp-2007-assignment.pdf

01256-kolnp-2007-claims.pdf

01256-kolnp-2007-correspondence others 1.1.pdf

01256-kolnp-2007-correspondence others.pdf

01256-kolnp-2007-description complete.pdf

01256-kolnp-2007-drawings.pdf

01256-kolnp-2007-form 1.pdf

01256-kolnp-2007-form 3 1.1.pdf

01256-kolnp-2007-form 3.pdf

01256-kolnp-2007-form 5.pdf

01256-kolnp-2007-gpa.pdf

01256-kolnp-2007-international publication.pdf

01256-kolnp-2007-international search report.pdf

01256-kolnp-2007-pct priority document notification.pdf

01256-kolnp-2007-pct request.pdf

01256-kolnp-2007-priority document.pdf

01256-kolnp-2007-translated copy of priority document.pdf

1256-KOL-2007-ABSTRACT 1.1.pdf

1256-KOL-2007-CLAIMS 1.1.pdf

1256-KOL-2007-CORRESPONDENCE 1.2.pdf

1256-KOL-2007-CORRESPONDENCE 1.3.pdf

1256-KOL-2007-DRAWINGS 1.1.pdf

1256-KOL-2007-FORM 2.1.pdf

1256-KOL-2007-FORM 5.1.pdf

1256-KOLNP-2007-(08-05-2014)-ABSTRACT.pdf

1256-KOLNP-2007-(08-05-2014)-ANNEXURE TO FORM 3.pdf

1256-KOLNP-2007-(08-05-2014)-CLAIMS.pdf

1256-KOLNP-2007-(08-05-2014)-CORRESPONDENCE.pdf

1256-KOLNP-2007-(08-05-2014)-DESCRIPTION (COMPLETE).pdf

1256-KOLNP-2007-(08-05-2014)-FORM-13.pdf

1256-KOLNP-2007-(08-05-2014)-FORM-18.pdf

1256-KOLNP-2007-(08-05-2014)-FORM-2.pdf

1256-KOLNP-2007-(08-05-2014)-FORM-3.pdf

1256-KOLNP-2007-(08-05-2014)-FORM-5.pdf

1256-KOLNP-2007-(08-05-2014)-OTHERS.pdf

1256-KOLNP-2007-(08-05-2014)-PETITION UNDER RULE 137.pdf

1256-KOLNP-2007-(13-05-2014)-CORRESPONDENCE.pdf

1256-KOLNP-2007-(13-05-2014)-OTHERS.pdf

1256-KOLNP-2007-(26-06-2013)-CORRESPONDENCE.pdf

1256-kolnp-2007-form 18.pdf

abstract-01256-kolnp-2007.jpg

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Patent Number

263995

Indian Patent Application Number

1256/KOLNP/2007

PG Journal Number

49/2014

Publication Date

05-Dec-2014

Grant Date

28-Nov-2014

Date of Filing

10-Apr-2007

Name of Patentee

MOELLER GEBAUDEAUTOMATION GMBH

Applicant Address

EDUGENIA 1, A-3943, SCHREMS

Inventors:

#	Inventor's Name	Inventor's Address
1	TETIK, ADOLF	COTTAGEGASSE 3/3/12, A-1180, WIEN

PCT International Classification Number

H01F 27/40

PCT International Application Number

PCT/AT2005/000387

PCT International Filing date

2005-09-27

PCT Conventions:

#	PCT Application Number	Date of Convention	Priority Country
1	A 1795/2004	2004-10-25	Austria