# US 9,040,852 B2 · Switching device for a switchgear cabinet > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,040,852 B2 - Document ID: US9040852B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 13/705,203 - Filed: 2012-12-05 - Published: 2013-08-01 - Granted: 2015-05-26 - Earliest claimed: 2012-01-30 - Assignees: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft - Applicants: Rainer Engesser; Alexander Hager; Martin Kasseckert; Jürgen Kummer; Ralf Leumansik; Roland Theil - Inventors: Rainer Engesser; Alexander Hager; Martin Kasseckert; Jürgen Kummer; Ralf Leumansik; Roland Theil - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9040852B2 ## CPC - H01H 9/20: Interlocking, locking, or latching mechanisms - H01H 9/22: for interlocking between casing, cover, or protective shutter and mechanism for operating contacts {(explosion-proof cases H01H9/045; built-in fuses and interlocking mechanisms H01H9/104; by automatic release of circuit breakers H01H71/126)} - H01H: ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES (contact cables H01B7/10; electrolytic self-interrupters H01G9/18; emergency protective circuit arrangements H02H; switching by electronic means without contact-making H03K17/00) ## Abstract A switching device is disclosed for a switchgear cabinet including a switchgear cabinet door. The switching device includes a housing, a switching unit disposed in the housing, a handle is movable between a first and a second position for actuating the switching unit, and a locking bar that is movable between a locking position and a release position. The locking bar is linked to the handle via a coupling device such that the latter moves the locking bar to the locking position when the handle is moved to the first position and moves the locking bar to the release position when the handle is moved to the second position. A clamping device is provided for clamping the locking bar in the release position, the coupling device including at least one spring element in the force path between the handle and the locking bar. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A switching device for a switchgear cabinet including a switchgear cabinet door, comprising: a housing; a switching unit disposed in the housing; a handle, movable between a first and a second position, for actuating the switching unit; a locking bar, movable between a locking position and a release position, the locking bar being linked to the handle via a coupling device such that the coupling device is able to move the locking bar to the locking position when the handle is moved to the first position and is able to move the locking bar to the release position when the handle is moved to the second position; and a clamping device, configured to clamp the locking bar in the release position, wherein the coupling device includes at least one spring element in the force path between the handle and the locking bar, wherein the handle is designed to rotate between the first and the second position, and wherein the locking bar is designed for a translators movement between the locking position and the release position, wherein the coupling device is designed to convert the rotary movement of the handle into a translatory movement of the locking bar. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The switching device of claim 1, wherein the spring element is designed to allow the handle to be moved to the first position against the spring force of the spring element when the locking bar is clamped in the release position. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The switching device of claim 1, wherein the spring element is configured to exert a force on the locking bar in the direction of the locking position when the handle is in the second position. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The switching device of claim 1, wherein the locking bar is at least one of reversibly and temporarily clamped in the release position via the clamping device by way of a tool. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The switching device of claim 1, wherein the locking bar includes at least one locking bevel via which the switchgear cabinet door is movable against the force of the spring element to the release position when the locking bar is closed, irrespective of the position of the handle. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The switching device of claim 1, wherein at least one interrogation device is provided which is designed to prevent the handle from moving to the first position when the cabinet door is open. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) A switchgear cabinet, comprising: a switchgear cabinet door for sealing the switchgear cabinet; and a switching device of claim 1. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) A method for deactivating at least one safety function of the switching device of claim 1 for the switchgear cabinet including the switchgear cabinet door, the method comprising: clamping at least one of a locking bar and an interrogation locking bar in at least one of a release position and a door-closed position using the clamping device. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The switching device of claim 1, wherein the clamping device is accessible from outside the housing. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The switching device of claim 1, wherein the clamping device is only accessible after opening or dismantling the housing. ### Claim 11 A switching device for a switchgear cabinet including a switchgear cabinet door, comprising: a housing; a switching unit disposed in the housing; a handle, movable between a first and a second position, for actuating the switching unit; a locking bar, movable between a locking position and a release position, the locking bar being linked to the handle via a coupling device such that the coupling device is able to move the locking bar to the locking position when the handle is moved to the first position and is able to move the locking bar to the release position when the handle is moved to the second position; and a clamping device, configured to clamp the locking bar in the release position, wherein the coupling device includes at least one spring element in the force path between the handle and the locking bar, wherein at least one interrogation device is provided which is designed to prevent the handle from moving to the first position when the cabinet door is open and wherein the interrogation device includes an interrogation locking bar which is movable between a door-closed position and a door-open position and to which force is applied by a spring device in the direction of the door-open position and which is designed to prevent movement of the handle in the door-open position and to allow movement of the handle in the door-closed position. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The switching device of claim 11, wherein at least one other clamping device is provided for clamping the interrogation locking bar in the door-closed position. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The switching device of claim 12, wherein the at least one other clamping device and the clamping device are of identical or essentially identical design. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The switching device of claim 13, wherein the at least one clamping device and another clamping device are clampable using the same tool. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) The switching device of claim 13, wherein at least one of the clamping device and the other clamping device includes at least one clamping screw. ### Claim 16 (depends on 13) The switching device of claim 13, wherein at least one of the clamping device and the other clamping device is accessible from outside the housing. ### Claim 17 (depends on 13) The switching device of claim 13, wherein at least one of the clamping device and the other clamping device is only accessible after opening or dismantling the housing. ### Claim 18 (depends on 12) The switching device of claim 12, wherein at least one of the clamping device and the other clamping device includes at least one clamping screw. ### Claim 19 (depends on 12) The switching device of claim 12, wherein at least one of the clamping device and the other clamping device is accessible from outside the housing. ### Claim 20 (depends on 12) The switching device of claim 12, wherein at least one of the clamping device and the other clamping device is only accessible after opening or dismantling the housing. ### Claim 21 A switching device for a switchgear cabinet including a switchgear cabinet door, comprising: a housing; a switching unit disposed in the housing; a handle, movable between a first and a second position, for actuating the switching unit; a locking bar, movable between a locking position and a release position, the locking bar being linked to the handle via a coupling device such that the coupling device is able to move the locking bar to the locking position when the handle is moved to the first position and is able to move the locking bar to the release position when the handle is moved to the second position; and a clamping device, configured to clamp the locking bar in the release position, wherein the coupling device includes at least one spring element in the force path between the handle and the locking bar, wherein the clamping device includes at least one clamping screw.