Support rail for lighting devices or electrical units

Abstract

The invention relates to a support rail for a lighting device or an electrical unit (60), having a support rail profile (50) which encloses an elongate accommodation space, and at least one busbar (55) arranged in the accommodation space, the busbar having a contactable conductor (58), wherein the support rail (50) additionally has a display device (10) at its outer side for visually displaying the function of the conductor (58).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a support rail for use in a support rail system, wherein the support rail has a support rail profile which encloses an elongate accommodation space, and at least one busbar which is arranged in the accommodation space, the busbar having electrically contactable conductors. A lighting device or other electrical unit can be connected to the support rail thereafter.

[0002] Support rail systems having an elongate support profile rail and a busbar held in the support profile rail are known from the prior art and are used, for example, to implement elongate so-called light strip systems. A known light strip system is marketed by the applicant under the name "TECTON" and is characterized in that a lighting device or other electrical unit can be positioned flexibly at the support rail along the entire length of the system. This is made possible by the special mounting of the conductors of the busbar, which are accessible to the consumer along substantially the entire length of the light strip system, so that the contact of the conductors can be made not only at fixed, predetermined positions, but also at any point. Such a light strip system is shown, for example, in WO 2001 / 091250 A1.

[0003] In the above-mentioned "TECTON" system, two busbars are arranged opposite one another at the two side walls of a support profile rail of U-shaped design which opens downwards. The contact of the conductors of these two busbars is made in that the lighting device or, in general, the consumer to be connected has a rotatable contact element which is introduced into the support profile rail from the underside via the elongate coupling opening of the support profile rail and is then rotated by approximately 45°. The contacts arranged at the contact element are embodied here in such a way that they are turned sideways by the rotation of the contact element and finally contact the conductors of the busbar in the rotated state. In addition, a mechanical locking is also carried out at the same time, so that the lighting device or the consumer is reliably fixed at the support rail.

[0004] At least some of the contacts of the known contact element are embodied here to be adjustable. This is achieved in that the contact element has a contact support for supporting various contacts, wherein at least some of the contacts are mounted in a height-adjustable manner at the contact support or can be arranged at different heights on the contact support. The possibility of different height positioning of the individual contacts makes it possible here for the contacts to be selected for the targeted contact of specific conductors of the busbar. For example, by this means there is the possibility of selecting individual phases of the power supply network for the contact by the lighting device or electrical unit in a targeted manner.

[0005] In such known support rail systems, the use of the copper conductor of the busbar is usually strictly limited and is correspondingly marked at the connection terminals of the units to be connected, i.e. of the lighting devices or of the electrical units. If there are alternative connection possibilities, for example at the phase selection set out above, these alternative connection possibilities are usually correspondingly described in the assembly instructions, and the electrician installing the system has the responsibility to avoid errors when connecting the units.

[0006] However, the requirements for support rail systems are becoming increasingly diverse. On the one hand, requirements in respect of possible lighting-specific applications are added here. That is to say, for example, one expects a separate power supply circuit for emergency light illumination, or several communication circuits for the convenient control of the lighting. On the other hand, one increasingly expects to incorporate additional infrastructure elements into the system.

[0007] Modern support rail systems therefore have an increasing number of internally running electrical conductors, via which the functionality of the system thus realizable can be expanded. In addition to the possibility of providing, in addition to the general power supply, a special emergency power supply circuit via which at least a part of the lighting devices can be supplied as usual in the event of an emergency, additional conductors are also used to transmit data or signals. This data transmission can then be used, for example, to control individual connected lighting devices from a control center by means of digital commands. Furthermore, it is provided here, for example, that individual conductors of the busbar, independent of the lighting control, are used to transmit signals for other purposes. For example, within the framework of the use of 100 V voltage, a conductor can be used to transmit a digital acoustic signal, so that a loudspeaker or other suitable device for reproducing acoustic information can then be connected to the corresponding conductor pair. It is also conceivable to use the conductors for transmitting signals within the framework of the Powerline Carrier method, in order to use at least a part of the conductors of the busbar as a communication network for general information transmission.

[0008] However, it makes no sense to provide specifically defined circuits for all these conceivable applications or functions. The implementation of the system and of the connected consumers can thereby become significantly more complex and lead to a significant increase in production costs.

[0009] The present application is therefore based first and foremost on the idea of making the conductors provided for the support rail system at least partially available in a customer-specific manner. Depending on how the consumer uses the system and which functions the consumer wants to use, the conductors of the busbar are then used differently for various signal types. In this case, however, the problem then arises that the risk of incorrect contact of the conductors increases significantly.

[0010] The application is therefore based on the object of avoiding, as far as possible, incorrect application or incorrect contact of conductors in a system of the type mentioned above and, in particular, of excluding errors in connection with the valid stipulations regarding the contact of conductors.

[0011] This object is achieved by a support rail having the features of claim 1. Advantageous refinements of the application are the subject matter of the dependent claims.

[0012] The core idea of the application is to visualize the flexible use of at least parts of the conductors, in particular to make it visible at all times on the outside of the support rail system, so that it is directly visible when connecting corresponding lighting devices or other electrical units which function is assigned to which conductors of the system. It is true that in this case the electrician or the end consumer also has the responsibility to configure or design the units to be connected in such a way that the respective correct conductors are contacted. However, since it is directly visible which conductors have which function, the probability of incorrect contact can now be significantly reduced.

[0013] According to the application it is thus proposed a support rail for lighting devices or electrical units, which support rail has

[0014] • a support rail profile which encloses an elongate accommodation space, and

[0015] • at least one busbar arranged in the accommodation space, which busbar has contactable conductors,

[0016] wherein the support rail has a display device at its outside for visually displaying the function of the conductors.

[0017] It is preferably provided here that the display device is variable for at least some of the conductors. Thus, within the framework of the flexible use of the various conductors according to this preferred refinement of the application, the display of the function of the conductors can be adjusted at any time to the desired configuration of the system. Conversely, other conductors, whose function and arrangement are predetermined, such as conductors for power supply and / or grounding, are indeed ideally also visually displayed in terms of their function, wherein the display device is however then preferably not variable in this case. The adjustment of the display device is thus preferably primarily limited to those conductors whose function can actually be flexibly selected by the consumer.

[0018] The implementation of the display device according to the application can take place here in different ways. A first conceivable variant, among others, consists in that the display device comprises segment areas for the mounting of labels, which then each interpret the function of the associated conductor. These segment areas can be designed here for the accommodation of self-adhesive, self-sticking or magnetically attachable labels. It is also conceivable to use segment areas which are designed for the accommodation of replaceable display elements, for example small foils or cards with corresponding lettering. The display device here preferably comprises a schematic display of the arrangement of the conductors, wherein at least a portion of the conductors are each assigned a segment area.

[0019] A further possibility of the implementation of the display device according to the application consists in the electronic display of the function of the conductors. In this case, the display device can comprise, for example, a display which opens up the possibility, in a particularly convenient manner, of adapting the display of the function of the conductors to the intended use thereof. In this case, it is also preferred to combine the display of the function of the conductors with a graphical schematic display of the arrangement of the conductors in the support rail, since here the position of the conductors and the associated function can be seen in a particularly intuitive manner.

[0020] In the case of an electronic display of the function of the conductors, it can also be additionally provided that the system, in particular the support rail, has a device which automatically recognizes the function of the conductors and then controls the display device in a corresponding manner.

[0021] As already set out, the function of the conductors should be visible at all times. It is therefore preferably provided that the corresponding display device is mounted at the outer side of the system. According to a first preferred variant, it is provided here to arrange the display device at the front part at which the support rail profile ends. Among others, it is also possible here to provide several front parts, for example front parts printed with different patterns, wherein then the one front part is selected by the consumer which corresponds to the selected use of the conductors. It is also conceivable to arrange the display device at the outer side of the side wall of the support rail profile, wherein here it is also preferably arranged in the end region of the support rail, in particular at the end at which the feeding of the system takes place.

[0022] Finally, it is thus ensured by means of the solution according to the application that, when connecting a lighting device or an electrical unit to the support rail system, it can be directly seen which functions of the various conductors of the system are fulfilled and, therefore, in which manner the unit to be connected has to be implemented or configured in order to contact the conductors necessary for the use of certain functions.

[0023] The application will be explained further below with reference to the drawings. Among others:

[0024] Figure 1A schematic view of a support rail is shown, which has a busbar arranged therein, the conductors of which can be at least partially assigned different functions;

[0025] Figure 2 An embodiment of a support rail according to the application is shown, the front part of which has a display device according to the application for displaying the functions of the conductors of the support rail;

[0026] Figure 3 A set of interchangeable labels is shown, by means of which the display of the display device can be flexibly adapted;

[0027] Figure 4 A schematic view of an electronicized display device according to the application is shown, and

[0028] Figures 5 to 8 A view of a support rail system known from the prior art is shown.

[0029] As already set out, the application represents, for example, an improvement of the known "TECTON" system. Thus, before describing the solution according to the application in more detail, reference will first be made below to Figures 5 to 8 to explain the basic embodiment of such a support rail system. Figure 5 and Figure 6 Here a view of a support rail is shown, in which a busbar is arranged. Figure 7 and Figure 8 Further embodiments of lighting devices that have been connected or are to be connected to this support rail system using contact elements provided for this purpose are shown.

[0030] What can first be seen here is that in the known support rail system 100 an elongated, U-shaped cross-section designed and downwardly open support profile rail 101 is used, which limits an elongated accommodation space with its two side walls 102 and an upper connecting wall 103, which is accessible from the bottom side via an elongated coupling opening. At the inner side of the two side walls 102, in the depicted case, then each a so-called busbar 110 or 120 (not visible in Figure 6 , in which only the support profile rail 101 is shown) is arranged, which in each case has several electric lines or conductors 111, 121 extending in the longitudinal direction, which are arranged in an elongated channel or groove 113, 123 of a conductor accommodation structure 112, 122 composed of insulating material. The channel 113, 123 here safeguards the safe installation of the conductors 111, 121 in such a way that they cannot be accidentally touched. At the same time, however, the channel 113, 123 is designed to be respectively open to the interior space of the support profile rail 101, so that contact to the conductors 111, 121 is made possible.

[0031] Thus, the lighting device 130 to be connected to this support rail system 100 has at least one rotatably mounted contact element or tapping element 135, as can be seen in particular in Figure 7 and Figure 8 . For connecting the lighting device 130, this is attached from the underside to the elongate support profile rail 101, wherein here the contact element 135 is introduced into the support profile rail 101 via the elongate coupling opening and then rotated through approximately 45°. The contacts 136 arranged at the contact element 135 are embodied here such that by the rotation these are turned sideways out of the way and here then, as can be seen in particular in Figure 8 , engage into the receiving channels 113, 123 of the two busbars 110, 120 in order to contact the corresponding conductors 111, 121.

[0032] In the depicted case, the contacts 136 are arranged on both sides of the contact element 135 in order to be able to contact the busbars 110, 120 located at the two side walls 102 of the support profile rail 101. Since the contacts 136 and their associated contact supports 137 and the (not visible) cables connected thereto can be moved vertically relative to the contact support body 138 of the tapping element 135, these can be arranged in correspondence with the position of the desired conductors 111, 121 in order to contact these corresponding conductors as desired thereafter. On the one hand, there is thus the possibility to select the phase and also the neutral conductor for the power supply. Depending on the number of conductors provided by the busbars 110, 120, however, these can also be used for other purposes, for example communication. There is thus the possibility to combine lighting device units connected to the support profile rail 101 into a larger light strip system and to control these from a central control unit centrally.

[0033] In addition to the lighting device units depicted in the figures, other electrical units can also be connected to the support rail system. Here, in particular sensors are to be imagined which support the automated operation of the lighting system, for example presence sensors or brightness sensors. As is meaningful, units are also conceivable which are connected to the support rail system such that independent of the lighting control a communication or data transmission for other purposes is possible. Finally, different lighting device types are of course also conceivable which can be connected together to the support profile rail and here fulfill different lighting technical tasks.

[0034] In the depicted, prior art known system, some of the connection contacts are positioned at a predetermined height, since they are supposed to contact, in principle, a specific conductor of the busbar 110, 120, for example a conductor provided for grounding. At least one contact, however, can be positioned height-adjustably at the contact element 135, since the selection of the phase for the power supply is to be made via this contact. Depending on at which height the corresponding connection contact is, different conductors are contacted and thus the corresponding phase of the power supply network is contacted, which thus opens up the possibility to allocate lighting devices, for example, to different groups, which are each connected to a specific phase of the supply voltage.

[0035] The depicted improvement of the support rail system has an increasing number of conductors, since these systems are supposed to fulfill additional tasks in addition to pure lighting and / or the control of the connected lighting devices is supposed to be designed more flexible and convenient. For example, it is conceivable to use two conductors of the busbar for a general data transmission, for example by means of a PLC, to realize a communication network extending along the entire support rail system area. At certain locations, routers or electrical consumers in the form of so-called Access Points can thus be connected, which on the one hand communicate with a central communication device via the conductors of the busbar and on the other hand provide an interface for a wireless communication with end devices. A further possibility consists in using two conductors of the busbar for a digitalized transmission of audio and / or video information. In particular, so-called ELA loudspeakers or other playback devices playing corresponding sound information or visual information can thus be connected to the corresponding conductors at desired locations. Finally, it is also conceivable to use the conductors to realize an emergency power supply circuit. Individual lighting devices of the system can thus be connected with these conductors, so that in the case of an emergency situation a certain minimum lighting can be ensured on the basis of the emergency power supply.

[0036] Figure 1 One possibility of realizing a system with extended functionality in the above-described manner is shown. Therein, a cross section of a support rail profile 50 is depicted, which has several conductors 58 extending in the longitudinal direction therein, which are likewise arranged in longitudinal direction extending grooves or channels 57 of suitably embodied insulated wire accommodation structures 56 of two busbars 55, as it is also the case in the prior art. The contact of these conductors 58 is thus supposed to take place, in principle, in the same way as explained with reference to Figures 5 to 8 the contact elements, for example introduced (at least partially) into the support rail 50 from the bottom side and then rotated so that the associated connection contact is turned out and contacts the corresponding conductor 58.

[0037] In Figure 1In the example depicted in Fig. 1, the conductors 58 of the two busbars 55 are assigned to two basic categories. The conductors 58 depicted schematically below the E layer are used here primarily for supplying power to the connected consumers, in particular to the connected lighting devices, while the conductors 58 above the E layer provide additional functions.

[0038] In this case, the three conductors L1, L2, L3 in the lower left constitute the three phases of the power supply network, while the two conductors "ground" and "N" in the lower right make possible, on the one hand, the grounding of the connected units and, on the other hand, represent the neutral conductor of the power supply network. The conductors EL1, EN1 of the first emergency power supply circuit "EMERGENCY 1" and the conductors EL2, EN2 of the second emergency power supply circuit "EMERGENCY 2" are each arranged above these five conductors in pairs opposite one another.

[0039] The additional functions of the system (apart from lighting and emergency lighting) are provided by the respective two conductors 58 above the E layer, which are arranged opposite one another, wherein the first pair of conductors S1+, S1- constitutes, in the example depicted, a DALI bus via which communication can thus be carried out, in particular lighting control by means of digital signals corresponding to the DALI standard. The pair of conductors S2+, S2- above constitutes, in contrast, an ELA-100V circuit, which can be used in particular to transmit acoustic signals and to connect corresponding loudspeakers. Finally, the pair of conductors S3+, S3- is provided, via which a 230V voltage is applied, however, which can now be used for communication independent of lighting control by means of a power line carrier.

[0040] Of course, Figure 1 The assignment depicted in Fig. 1 represents only one example of the use of the various conductors 58. It is thus entirely conceivable that the consumers want to use other functions, for example an additional DALI circuit or a second circuit for connecting ELA loudspeakers or other playback devices. Since it is obviously not meaningful to provide a separate pair of conductors for each conceivable additional function in the busbar 55, it is provided that at least some of the conductors 58 are used in different ways depending on the desires of the consumers. Since the conductors 58 are generally all implemented identically in themselves, they can in principle be used for any function, i.e. both for supplying power and for transmitting signals. Depending on which functions the consumers desire for the system, it is thus possible to couple specific pairs of conductors with corresponding units (power supply units, central control units for transmitting DALI signals, units for transmitting acoustic signals for ELA loudspeakers, etc.) in a frame which is connected outside the support rail at a later point in time.

[0041] In other words, the conductors 58 of the system can be assigned different functions depending on how they are coupled with external supply units or other units.

[0042] In this case, however, the problem arises that the units to be connected must be configured in terms of their connection contacts in such a way that these connection contacts actually contact the conductors 58 associated with a particular function in the correct manner thereafter. This is not a serious problem in the case of fixed functions for all conductors 58, since the units to be connected (lighting devices or other units) can already be designed accordingly ex works. However, due to the flexibility now existing in the use of the conductors 58 of the system, it is necessary in principle to implement the units to be connected in an appropriate manner in terms of the arrangement of their connection contacts in order to avoid incorrect contacts and the damage to the system or consumer that can result therefrom. Here, however, the problem arises that the functions of the various conductors 58 of the system are not readily visible until now.

[0043] Thus, Figure 2 and Figure 3 It is shown that the solution according to the application, by means of which the above-mentioned problems are avoided, however at least significantly reduced. Here, the end region of the support rail 50 is depicted schematically, which is terminated by the front part 40. As a rule, the so-called feed-in is carried out in this end region of the system, i.e. the conductors 58 of the busbar 50 extending within the support rail 50 are connected with external cables via the corresponding connection elements 45 and contact terminals 46, which then lead to a supply unit or other unit for communication or data transmission. Thus, depending on how the internally extending conductors 58 are connected with the external connection wires, the functions of the conductors 58 of the busbar 50 are then determined, and the connection elements of the units to be connected must be configured in terms of their connection contacts in such a way that in each case the desired conductors 58 can be contacted. This requires, in particular, that in the case of the connection elements 65 of the unit to be connected 60 shown in Figure 2 correspond to the known rotatable connection elements of Figure 7 and Figure 8 the connection contacts 66 are arranged correctly at the corresponding height.

[0044] In order to simplify the configuration process of the units to be connected 60, it is provided that the system provides a display device 10 via which it can be directly seen which functions the various conductors 58 of the system have.

[0045] In Figure 2In the embodiment depicted, the display devices 10 are located at the front part 40, in the area of the feed of the support rails 50, and are thus readily visible to an electrician or consumer who wants to connect a unit to the system.

[0046] In this case, in the embodiment depicted, the display devices 10 first comprise a schematic display of the conductors 58 provided, wherein the positioning of the display devices 10 at the front part 40 is advantageous in this case in that the display selected corresponds to a cross-sectional display of the support rails 50, and thus the arrangement and position of the various conductors 58 are visually apparent to the user. Thus, in analogy to the arrangement of the conductors 58 within the support rails 50, by means of the display devices 10, eight conductors of the left busbar 50 are displayed on the left, and the conductors of the right busbar 50 are displayed on the right, wherein the display of the ground conductors can also be omitted as shown, if appropriate.

[0047] The conductors for the supply (including phase selection and neutral conductor) and the ground are fixed predetermined in the embodiment depicted, and their position should generally be unchangeable. In this case, the function of the corresponding conductors is directly displayed by means of the display devices 10, and is also unchangeable.

[0048] In contrast, corresponding to the idea implemented above, the function of the conductors of a conductor pair located above can be flexibly assigned to them by the user, wherein according to a particularly preferred embodiment of the application, the display devices 10 are now implemented such that the display devices are variable or adjustable to display the actually selected function of the conductors. In the embodiment depicted, for this purpose, each of the segment areas 151 to 155 is provided between two conductor pairs located opposite one another, which segment areas can be used to flexibly display the function used by the corresponding conductor pair.

[0049] Among other things, one conceivable embodiment consists in that, corresponding to the display in Figure 3 a set of card-shaped or small sheet-shaped display elements or labels 171 to 17 N can be arranged at the segment areas 151 to 155. Among other things, the cards 171 to 17 N mainly have predetermined text markings, and can then be selectively arranged at the respective segment areas 151 to 155. For special functions, cards without text markings can also be used, which can be correspondingly written or printed on later within the framework of the system installation, and arranged in a similar manner at the relevant segment areas 151 to 155.

[0050] In the solution depicted, the segment areas 151 to 155 and the attachable labels 171 to 17 N can be implemented such that the labels 171 to 17N The segments 151 to 155 can be attached to themselves, to each other or magnetically at the segment regions 151 to 155. As an alternative to this, it is also conceivable that the segment regions 151 to 155 are embodied in the form of receiving pockets or receptacles into which corresponding card-shaped or small sheet-shaped labels 171 to 175 can be inserted. N are inserted therein. It is important that there is the possibility for the consumer that the actual use of the conductors 58 of the system is visually displayed in order to avoid errors as far as possible when subsequently connecting the consumer.

[0051] It is additionally not necessarily mandatory that the display device 10 is embodied to be variable. As a simple alternative, it is also conceivable that several differently designed, for example printed, front parts are provided, which each display a different allocation of the conductors. Then, when assembling the system, the consumer can select the front part whose display corresponds to the actual allocation of the conductors and arrange it at the support rail.

[0052] In the depicted embodiment, it is provided that one segment region 151 to 155 is each allocated to a conductor pair of two oppositely arranged conductors. This is generally meaningful since the use of various functions mostly requires conductor pairs. However, it is of course also conceivable in principle that in the context of the present application the functions of the conductors are each displayed individually by means of the display device 10. Furthermore, it is of course not necessary that the conductors for the supply of power are fixed predetermined in their arrangement and the display of the display device 10 is here unchangeable as described before. However, it is entirely advantageous that these conductors, which are essential for the basic function of the entire system, are unchangeable in their arrangement, which in turn preferably also applies to the corresponding display by means of the display device according to the application.

[0053] Furthermore, it should be noted that the arrangement of the busbar 50 and its conductors 58 can also be realized in another way within the support rail 50. In this case, it is of course then also possible to display the functions of the conductors 58 as intuitively as possible by means of the display device 10 in the manner according to the application.

[0054] Figure 4 A further possibility of realizing the idea according to the application is depicted. Here, in order to visually display the functions of the conductors, an electronic variant is chosen, which comprises a display 20, which is arranged at the outside of the side wall 51 of the support rail 50. In analogy to the display of the embodiment according to Figure 2 In analogy to the display of the embodiment according to

[0055] The display 20 can be embodied in different ways and is preferably designed in such a way that there is a minimum current consumption. In particular, it is conceivable to use a display as is known from electronic readers or similar devices, the display of which is based on so-called electronic ink. Of course, a corresponding display 20 can also be arranged on the front part 40 of the system and in an analogous manner, there can also be provided at the side wall 51 of the support rail 50 a reference Figure 2 to the display device 10 explained. However, it is advantageous in principle for the display device 10 to be arranged in the end region of the support rail 50, in particular in the vicinity of the region in which the feeding of the system also takes place, since here, within the frame connecting the support rail 50 to the external conductor, a corresponding adjustment of the display device 10 according to the application can also be carried out directly afterwards.

[0056] In general, the corresponding adjustment of the display device 10 is carried out manually by the user, to which this also applies to the digitalized variant according to Figure 4 . However, it is also conceivable in principle for the display device 10 to be embodied in such a way that it independently recognizes in which way the conductor is used by correspondingly drawing off the voltage signal applied at the conductor 58 and then automatically adjusts the display of the display device 10 correspondingly. Of course, this applies primarily to the variant explained with reference to Figure 4 in which the display of the function takes place in an electronicized manner.

[0057] The solution according to the application thus contributes to further increasing the flexibility of the support rail system, here however avoiding the risk of incorrect contact of the provided conductor of the system.

Claims

1. A support rail for a lighting device or an electrical unit (60), the support rail having: a support rail profile (50) which encloses an elongated accommodation space; a plurality of conductors which extend in a longitudinal direction within the support rail profile; two busbars (55) arranged in the accommodation space, each busbar having an insulation structure with a longitudinal groove which respectively supports each of the conductors; a feed element mounted to the support rail profile and having contact terminals and connection elements to form an electrical connection between the conductors supported in the busbars and an external cable leading to a power supply unit or a communication or data transmission unit, wherein the busbars and contact terminals exclusively defined for a power supply including a phase selection and a ground or neutral are fixedly assigned, while the other contact terminals and busbars are functionally flexibly assignable; and a display device (10) at the outside of the support rail profile (50) for visually displaying the function of the conductors (58), wherein the display device for the power supply terminals is unchangeable, while the display device for the flexibly assignable contact terminals and busbars is changeable. The display device (10) for the flexibly assignable busbars comprises a segment area for accommodating a label which explains the function of the associated conductor (58). The segment area is designed for accommodating a self-adhesive, self-sticking or magnetically attachable label. The segment area has an accommodation for exchangeably accommodating a card. The display device (10) is a schematic display of the arrangement of the conductors (58), wherein for at least a part of the conductors (58) each conductor (58) or each pair of conductors is assigned one segment area. The display device (10) comprises an electronic ink display.

2. The support rail of claim 1, wherein, 7. The support rail according to claim 6, further comprising a device for automatically identifying the function of the conductors (58), which device controls the display device (10).

3. The support rail of claim 2, wherein, The display device (10) is arranged at a front part (40) which terminates the support rail profile (50).

4. The support rail of claim 2, wherein, The display device (10) is arranged at the outside of a side wall (51) of the support rail profile (50).

5. The support rail of claim 2, wherein, The front part is located on the end of the support rail profile where the feed element is mounted.

6. The support rail of claim 1, wherein, The flexibly assignable conductors in the busbars are located above the fixedly assigned conductors in the busbars. The flexibly assignable conductors in the busbars comprise pairs of conductors, wherein one conductor of a pair of conductors is located in one busbar and the other conductor of the pair of conductors is located in the other busbar.

8. The support rail of claim 1, wherein, The additionally contact terminals and conductors in the busbars are fixedly assigned and the display device for these additionally contact terminals and conductors is unchangeable.

9. The support rail of claim 1, wherein, ​ 10. The support rail of claim 8, wherein, ​ 11. The support rail of claim 1, wherein, ​ 12. The support rail of claim 1, wherein, ​ 13. The support rail of claim 1, wherein, ​

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