Energy storage device for supplying an installation mounted on a carrier track, supply device and

Abstract

The invention relates to an energy storage device for supplying power to a power supply device, which is positioned at least partially on a rear side of a carrier track, which power supply device is provided for supplying power to at least one electronic device that can be arranged on a front side of the carrier track, the first coupling device is designed to directly, i.e., electrically and mechanically couple the energy storage device to the power supply device without cables.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to an energy storage device for supplying power to a device that can be mounted on a carrier rail. Background Art

[0002] Currently, electronic price displays (also known as Electronic Shelf Labels, or ESLs) are mostly operated using batteries, which are usually housed in the ESL. However, batteries located in the ESL significantly complicate maintenance, as various work steps, such as charging or replacing the battery, must be performed individually for each ESL. Consequently, the operational effort increases with the number of ESLs in a commercial facility.

[0003] WO 2022 / 188956 A1 discloses a bus system integrated into a rack rail. This bus system enables powering multiple ESLs on the rack rail using an energy storage device configured as a battery module with a rechargeable battery arrangement. This battery arrangement is secured to a lateral carrier of the rack below the rack floor using magnets. It is connected to a power supply device attached to the rack rail via a cable via a plug. From there, the ESLs attached to the rack rail are supplied with power via the bus system. While these measures can reduce the maintenance effort associated with energy storage for each ESL, installing the battery arrangement itself can prove problematic. Specifically, the cable must be positioned on the carrier in a manner appropriate to the cable length. Consequently, the cable must be connected to the power supply device in the area of the rack below the rack floor, behind the power supply device. This area below the shelf floor is not easily or even completely visible to maintenance personnel without contorting themselves. Without visual inspection, finding the correct position requires time-consuming groping. There is also a potential risk that the cable, the plug or the socket receiving the plug may be damaged during inexperienced removal of the battery module because the battery module is grasped before being removed from the power supply device and excessive tensile forces are inadvertently transferred to the cable.

[0004] The present invention therefore addresses the object of providing an energy storage device for a carrier rail, an associated power supply device for the carrier rail, and a carrier rail system comprising a carrier rail and at least the energy storage device, such that simple and trouble-free maintenance of the energy storage device is possible. Summary of the Invention

[0005] This object is achieved by an energy storage device according to claim 1. The subject matter of the invention is therefore an energy storage device for supplying power to a power supply device positioned at least partially at the rear side of a carrier rail, the power supply device being provided for supplying power to at least one electronic device that can be placed at the front side of the carrier rail, wherein the energy storage device has a first coupling device that is designed to electrically and mechanically couple the energy storage device directly, i.e., cable-free, to the power supply device.

[0006] This object is further achieved by a power supply device according to claim 16. The present invention therefore relates to a power supply device for supplying power to at least one electronic device, which can be placed at the front side of a carrier rail, wherein the power supply device is designed to engage laterally or rearwardly with the carrier rail along the rear side of the carrier rail and is therefore positioned at least partially at the rear side of the carrier rail when installed in the carrier rail, wherein the power supply device has a second coupling device which is designed to electrically and mechanically couple the power supply device directly, i.e., cable-free, to an energy storage device for supplying power to the power supply device.

[0007] This object is further achieved by a carrier rail system according to claim 27. The invention therefore relates to a carrier rail system comprising: a carrier rail for carrying at least one electronic device; a power supply device which is arranged and configured to supply power to the electronic device and, in a state inserted into the carrier rail, is positioned at least partially at the rear side of the carrier rail, the electronic device being attachable at the front side of the carrier rail; and an energy storage device which is arranged and configured to supply power to the power supply device and is positioned at least partially at the rear side of the carrier rail, wherein the power supply device and the energy storage device are configured such that they are coupled to one another both electrically and mechanically at the rear side of the carrier rail directly, i.e., without cables.

[0008] The measures according to the invention result in the advantage that an easily operable energy supply directly on the carrier rail and problem-free maintenance thereof are enabled.

[0009] This advantage is achieved, on the one hand, by the fact that the energy storage device and the power supply device are not designed as a single piece, but are separate from one another.

[0010] On the other hand, this advantage is also achieved by intentionally eliminating a cable between the energy storage device and the power supply device and achieving a direct coupling between the energy storage device and the power supply device. This direct coupling provides both an electrical connection (conductive connection) between the two devices for supplying electrical energy and a mechanical connection between the two devices for mutual force transmission, for the purpose of relative positioning and / or guidance.

[0011] Since both the energy storage device and the parts of the power supply device relevant for coupling therewith are located on the rear side of the carrier rail (and are directly coupled to each other), it is very easy for maintenance personnel to find the energy supply device by feeling along the rear side of the carrier rail adjacent to the power supply device, even without visual contact, and to perform the necessary operations there to remove, install, or replace the energy storage device. This ensures the most intuitive operation possible, since the position of the energy storage device relative to the power supply device is always known, which is not necessarily the case with the cable connecting the two devices.

[0012] Furthermore, it is ensured that when the carrier rail is completely removed from the structure on which it is mounted (e.g., from an adapter rail for adapting to a shelf or other mounting structure for fastening or placing the carrier rail on or on a table or basket, or also for hanging mounting), the energy storage device does not need to be handled separately from it, since the energy storage device is directly electrically and mechanically coupled to the power supply device and is therefore removed along with it. This allows the removed carrier rail to be easily flipped over later so that its rear side is oriented toward the maintenance personnel handling it, and only then can the energy storage device be removed from the carrier rail. This enables access to the energy storage device even if the rear side of the carrier rail, which is mounted on another structure, is not unobstructed for maintenance personnel to access.

[0013] In addition to the previously envisaged placement possibilities of the carrier rail, it should also be mentioned at this point that a particularly preferred embodiment of the carrier rail involves a shelf rail, which is placed either directly on the front edge of the shelf bottom or on this front edge with the aid of an adapter or adapter rail.

[0014] Further particularly advantageous embodiments and developments of the invention are apparent from the dependent claims and the following description.

[0015] For example, the energy storage device can include a simple battery as an energy storage device, or as a battery configuration that has not only a single battery or battery cell but also multiple batteries. A battery or rechargeable battery configuration can also be provided. In addition to its main function as an energy storage device for providing electrical power to operate electronic equipment installed at the carrier track, the energy storage device can also have electronic "intelligence". This intelligence can be implemented with the help of a correspondingly programmed microcontroller. In addition, the microcontroller can be equipped with analog and / or digital peripheral electronic components. With the help of the microcontroller, for example, the time course of the power or energy supply and use (discharge, charge, service life, etc.) of the energy storage device can be automatically detected and digitally recorded, and provided for later evaluation by means of contactless technology or in the form of a line or bus connection. The detected parameters of the energy storage device can be called from outside the energy storage device with the help of the microcontroller or an interface provided for this purpose, or energy management can also be actively controlled from the outside.

[0016] The carrier rail is designed to carry electronic devices and, for this purpose, has fastening structures (eg rails or wells) along its front side and optionally also along its rear side, which enable the electronic devices to be inserted and removed.

[0017] The carrier rail preferably has a bus line system accessible from the front, by means of which the electronic devices accommodated thereon are supplied with power and / or communication technology.

[0018] The bus line system is fed by a power supply device, which is attached laterally to the carrier rail or engages there with structures on the front side and on the rear side of the carrier rail. The power supply device is positioned partially on the front side to contact the bus line system and partially on the rear side to couple there with the energy storage device. The power supply device laterally surrounds the carrier rail both mechanically and electrically and forms a connection there between the electronic device on the front side of the carrier rail or attached there and the energy storage device on the rear side of the carrier rail or located there.

[0019] In a minimal configuration, the power supply device can be constructed only to supply power to the electronic devices. Preferably, the power supply device supplies these devices or selected devices among the devices installed on the front side of the carrier track in terms of communication technology. In this preferred embodiment, the power supply device forms a gateway for the devices installed at the carrier track so that the devices can communicate with the superior communication infrastructure. This communication infrastructure can be implemented, for example, by radio and / or wired networks, which connect the power supply device to a computer or server. Software for managing and / or operating or using electronic devices can be executed on a computer or server. This can also be achieved with the help of cloud-based software solutions, which are available via the Internet. For example, this software for management is used in modern supermarkets, where product and / or price information is displayed directly on shelves or merchandise display stands, etc. with the help of electronic display devices that implement electronic devices.

[0020] As mentioned, the electronic device may be an electronic display device, such as an extremely energy-efficient electrophoretic display device for displaying still images, such as an electrophoretic display device, or a video reproduction device for reproducing video. The electronic device may also be a sensor for detecting physical environmental parameters, or a camera for graphically detecting the environment of the carrier track, or an input device for user interaction, etc. The electronic device may also form a radio device, or a radio device may be provided as an integral part of the aforementioned device categories, for example, to receive or transmit radio signals unidirectionally, or to communicate bidirectionally via radio signals.

[0021] The carrier rail can be made of metal or a metal alloy. This gives the carrier rail a high degree of stability and robustness in extremely harsh application environments, such as exist, for example, in commercial premises in the event of careless and urgent or hasty handling. A line carrier can also be provided for carrying a bus line system, which line carrier is constructed, for example, from plastic, so as to carry the uninsulated lines (i.e. bare lines or wires) of the bus line system in a manner insulated from one another by the line carrier itself and to make the lines available for contact along the entire length of the carrier rail. Depending on the design, the line carrier can be pushed in along the carrier rail or inserted transversely relative to it. Furthermore, provision can also be made for the entire carrier rail to be made of plastic. This brings with it important advantages over a metal design. Since the entire carrier rail can be constructed so as to be elastically deformable within defined limits, installation can also be facilitated.

[0022] As mentioned, the power supply device forms a bridge between the front side and the rear side of the carrier rail, wherein the bridge is in conductive contact with the bus line system on the front side or at the edge. On the rear side, the bridge is conductively coupled to an energy storage device coupled thereto and contains the electronic components required to provide a regulated supply voltage for powering electronic devices located or attachable on the front side of the carrier rail. Furthermore, the electronics of the power supply device are designed to communicate with the electronic devices via the bus line system according to a first communication protocol and to communicate with a higher-level communication infrastructure, either by wire or by radio, according to another communication protocol, for the purpose of controlling and / or querying the electronic devices, thus acting as a gateway, as mentioned.

[0023] In principle, the first coupling device can be constructed so that it allows coupling from any direction behind the carrier device. For example, the coupling direction can be set transversely relative to the rear side of the carrier rail so that the energy storage device can be coupled to the power supply device from this direction, i.e. guided by the hand of a maintenance person. Thus, for example, the energy storage device can be plugged directly from behind the carrier rail onto the portion of the power supply device extending along the rear side of the carrier rail, so that there is a portion of the power supply device positioned there directly along the rear side of the carrier rail, and the energy storage device is positioned behind it. According to a preferred construction of the energy storage device, the first coupling device is constructed for coupling the energy storage device to the power supply device in a manner guided along the rear side of the carrier rail. This enables a person to first place the energy storage device at the rear side of the carrier rail and then move the energy storage device along the rear side of the carrier rail towards the power supply device, wherein the energy storage device is guided through the rear side of the carrier rail. With this guided movement, the maintenance personnel only have to control or carry out the movement towards the power supply and no longer have to worry about other degrees of freedom of movement that would otherwise be available without guidance along the rear side and would thus make coupling more difficult. The same naturally applies to decoupling.

[0024] The design of the power supply device is similar to the design of the energy storage device, wherein according to a preferred embodiment the second coupling device is designed to couple the energy storage device to the power supply device in a manner guided along the rear side of the carrier rail, with the aforementioned effects occurring.

[0025] The coupling configurations can be varied. For example, the coupling element can be lance-shaped or rod-shaped, or it can be punch-shaped or tubular, etc. Preferably, the first coupling device of the energy storage device has a well with an open, in particular substantially rectangular well edge, which is designed to accommodate a substantially rigid connection element of the power supply device. This well provides directionally stable guidance, in particular during the entire coupling process. The rectangular configuration also prevents misaligned coupling, which would be possible with a well having a square cross-section (or even a square well) when viewed along its well opening, if no other measures are provided.

[0026] The following structure of the power supply device is similar to the structure of the energy storage device, wherein the second coupling device of the power supply device has a substantially rigid, especially square-shaped, limited connector, which is sized so that the connector can be accommodated in the well provided for this purpose of the energy storage device. Particularly preferably, the two structures of the well and the connector are coordinated with each other so that the connector can be easily introduced into the well, and the well wall plays a role of longitudinal guidance at the same time. Therefore, during the introduction process, the alignment of the connector in the well (or on the contrary, the alignment of the well relative to the connector) can be ensured, which causes as intuitive and simple operation as possible and subsequently leads to optimized electrical and mechanical coupling. The length of the connector and the well can also be coordinated with each other so that the connector is fully accommodated in the well under the coupled state. Therefore, the connector is adapted to the shape of the well opening on the circumferential side so as to obtain a guiding effect when moving in and when moving out. With regard to its length, the connector can be constructed to be roughly equal in length or shorter than the depth of the well.

[0027] Particularly preferably, in the case of an energy storage device, the open well edge is defined by a well opening which, when the energy storage device is inserted into the carrier rail, extends transversely relative to the rear side of the carrier rail. This ensures that the connector is already surrounded circumferentially at the start of the coupling process and that the orientation effect occurs immediately. In the state inserted into the carrier rail, the well opening face is thus oriented normal to the rear side of the carrier rail. If the surface normal of the well opening face is observed, it is parallel to the rear side of the carrier rail and oriented toward the connector along the longitudinal extension of the carrier rail (i.e. in its direction).

[0028] According to another aspect of the energy storage device, the well is shaped along its depth so that when the energy supply device is inserted into the carrier rail, the well extends parallel to the rear side of the carrier rail. Thus, the depth of the well extends from the well opening along the rear side of the carrier rail into the energy storage device.

[0029] Analogous to the construction of the energy storage device is the following construction of the power supply device, in which, when the power supply device is inserted into the carrier rail, the rigid connector extends parallel to the rear side of the carrier rail, spaced apart from the rear side of the carrier rail, along the rear side of the carrier rail, as viewed in its longitudinal extension. This allows at least one side wall of the shaft to penetrate between the rear side of the carrier rail and the rigid connector when the coupling is established, i.e., to be able to slide there between. Since the power supply device is basically already arranged in its rated position on the carrier rail before the energy storage device is coupled to the carrier rail, the narrow slot or gap-like spacing between the rear side of the carrier rail and the rigid connector forms a guide structure (more precisely, a guide gap), wherein when the rigid connector penetrates into the shaft, this guide structure stabilizes the shaft in its rated orientation.

[0030] In order to establish an electrical connection between the power supply device and the energy storage device, the well of the energy storage device has a plurality of electrically conductive first contact elements for electrical contacting on one of its well side walls (more precisely, the well inner wall).

[0031] Analogous to the design of the energy storage device is the design of the power supply device in which the rigid connecting part of the power supply device has a plurality of electrically conductive second contact elements for electrical contacting on one of its connecting part outer walls.

[0032] Regarding the number of electrically conductive contact elements, it should be noted that, in principle, there are at least two for each device in order to provide a supply voltage relative to a reference potential. If signal and / or data transmission is additionally provided between the energy storage device and the power supply device, preferably between one and three additional contact elements are added for each device. In this case, a minimum number of contact elements can be provided on the energy storage device side, while a plurality of contact elements can be provided on the power supply device side to also provide for signal and / or data transmission with a correspondingly designed energy storage device.

[0033] In this case, the positioning of the contact elements is selected not only on the energy storage device but also on the power supply device so that the functionally corresponding contact elements of the energy storage device and the power supply device (voltage supply / signal and / or data transmission) are in contact with each other in the coupled state, i.e., in conductive contact with each other.

[0034] The position of the contact elements on the energy storage device (more precisely, the well) can be selected as desired. Thus, the contact elements can be grouped at any desired well inner wall, or individually distributed across different well inner walls. However, it has proven particularly advantageous if the well sidewall with the plurality of first contact elements is the one that extends directly adjacent to the rear side of the carrier rail. Thus, this sidewall can, for example, be supported against the rear side of the carrier rail, while the corresponding contact elements of the power supply device are pressed against the rear side from within the well. This allows for pressure-loaded electrical contact, which is advantageous for achieving the lowest possible resistance.

[0035] To achieve this contact configuration, it has proven advantageous in the case of power supplies if the outer wall of the connector having the second contact element is the one that is oriented toward the rear side of the carrier rail when the power supply is inserted into the rack rail. This orientation also protects the second contact element from accidental or intentional contact by objects other than the first contact element designed for this purpose, which could, in the worst case, lead to damage to the power supply or even to electronic components of electronic equipment connected thereto via the bus line system.

[0036] Furthermore, it can be provided that in the case of an energy storage device the first contact elements extend along the depth of the shaft and are positioned spaced apart from one another transversely to the longitudinal extension of the shaft, wherein the longitudinal extension extends along the rear side of the carrier rail when the energy supply device is inserted into the carrier rail.

[0037] Analogous to the design of the energy storage device is the following design of the power supply device, in which the second contact elements extend along the longitudinal extension of the connecting piece and are positioned spaced apart from each other transversely to the longitudinal extension of the connecting element, wherein the longitudinal extension extends along the rear side of the carrier rail when the power supply device is inserted into the carrier rail.

[0038] With this configuration of the first and second contact elements, the contact elements can be pushed one above the other along a straight path during coupling guided along the rear side of the carrier rail until an electrical connection is established between the contact elements. This configuration reliably prevents unintentional conductive contact between non-corresponding contact elements of the two devices during the coupling movement guided along the rear side. The same applies when decoupling.

[0039] The contact element providing the reference potential is preferably arranged and constructed offset from the other contact elements of the respective device along the longitudinal extension of the shaft or rigid connection so that it is contacted first during the coupling process, thereby ensuring reliable functioning of both the energy storage device and the power supply device.

[0040] It has proven particularly advantageous if, in the case of an energy storage device, the first contact element terminates at a distance from the open shaft edge. This measure provides the advantage of providing a safety distance from the open shaft edge in the shaft, which prevents unintentional contact with the first contact elements, in particular the two contact elements provided for power supply. Due to the difficult-to-reach position of the first contact elements from outside the shaft, damage to the energy storage device or unintentional, uncontrolled, sudden discharge of the energy storage device due to a short circuit between the two contact elements provided for power supply can be avoided.

[0041] Analogous to the design of the energy storage device is the design of the power supply device in which the second contact element terminates at a distance from the outer or free connector end. This particular design primarily protects the device from mechanical damage to the often rather fragile second contact element, since it is not positioned at the leading edge of the rigid connector.

[0042] However, in the coupled state it has proven advantageous if a positioning within the shaft results for the first and second contact elements, which reliably prevents environmental influences that could adversely affect the electrical contact.

[0043] The first and second contact elements can be implemented as pins (contact pins) and / or springs or the like. However, it has proven particularly advantageous to implement the first contact element as a metal strip or contact surface that extends from the well to the components of the energy storage device that provide electrical power and / or data or signal processing components and makes conductive contact with these components directly or via other conductive elements. This design has proven to be extremely robust and resistant and can also be implemented (at least partially) as a conductive path on an electronic printed circuit board ("printed circuit board").

[0044] Similar to the design of the energy storage device is the design of the power supply device in which the second contact element is implemented as a metal strip, which is designed to be raised in its outer first end region and protrudes from the connecting piece there, and is electrically conductively connected to the electronic components of the power supply device at its second end region. The metal strip of the power supply device can have elastic properties that cause pressure-loaded contact with the metal strip or contact surface of the energy storage device.

[0045] In order to permanently ensure the coupling established by means of the shaft and the rigid connection introduced therein, it has proven advantageous if the first coupling device of the energy storage device has a first fastening element, at least in the environment of that region of the energy storage device provided for coupling, which is provided and constructed for fastening the energy storage device to the power supply device.

[0046] Analogous to the design of the energy storage device is the design of the power supply device, wherein the second coupling device of the power supply device has a second fastening element at least in the vicinity of that region of the power supply device provided for coupling, which is provided and designed for fastening the power supply device to the energy storage device.

[0047] The two complementary or matching fastening elements are designed and provided for redetachably connecting the energy storage device to the power supply device.

[0048] In this case, it has proven particularly advantageous that the first fastening element forms a substantially rigid first locking element of a hook system, wherein a movable or deformable second locking element of the hook system, which is configured on the power supply device, snaps into the coupling position of the energy storage device and the power supply device in such a way as to prevent the energy storage device from being released from the power supply device.

[0049] It is therefore advantageous if the second fastening element of the power supply device forms a substantially elastically deformable or resiliently mounted second locking element of the hook system, which, in the case of a substantially rigid first locking element constructed on the energy storage device, snaps into the coupling position of the energy storage device and the power supply device in such a way as to prevent the energy storage device and the power supply device from being released.

[0050] To ensure optimal mutual engagement or a retentive rearward engagement, it has proven particularly advantageous if, in the coupled state, the first locking element projects over the periphery of the shaft in the manner of a tab and over the second locking element. Adjacent to the overlapping region, the housing of the power supply device can have an externally accessible operating area or a button operable therein, which causes the first locking element to be released by the second locking element.

[0051] In addition, it can be provided that guide strips are arranged on the edge side at the housing of the energy storage device, the guide strips being arranged to engage with the guide well of the carrier track and being determined to guide the energy storage device along the rear side of the carrier track. These guide strips contribute to the coupling guided along the rear side of the carrier track or make the coupling guided along the rear side of the carrier track easier. It behaves similarly when decoupling. The guide well of the carrier track can be arranged at the rear side in a receiving well that is arranged to accommodate the energy storage device and extends along the rear side. Transversely to the longitudinal extension, the guide well is preferably located at the upper and lower ends or edge areas of the receiving well. The size of the guide strip is measured in comparison to the receiving groove so that the guide strip can be easily inserted, swung into or pressed into the guide well, and at least one minimum support is guaranteed there, which is sufficient to prevent the energy storage device from falling off from the carrier track due to its own weight.

[0052] It has proven particularly advantageous if, in the case of an energy storage device, its first end region, viewed in its longitudinal extension, is provided for direct coupling, and the guide strip is formed only in its second end region, viewed in its longitudinal extension. This has the effect that, when the energy storage device is moved along the rack rail, it is supported in the carrier rail even at its end facing away from the first coupling device (in particular the shaft), and is already longitudinally guided there before the actual coupling process is completed at its other end region, which is provided for direct coupling.

[0053] To facilitate coupling and decoupling of the energy storage device, and in particular to simplify the application of force when moving along the rear side of the carrier rail, it has proven particularly advantageous if the energy storage device has a handle at its second end region, facing away from the first end region provided for coupling. Preferably, the handle extends in a plane parallel to the rear side of the carrier rail and is substantially flush with the remaining housing rear side of the energy storage device. Thus, the handle does not project beyond the housing rear side of the energy storage device in a direction transverse to the extension of the rear side of the carrier rail.

[0054] Furthermore, it has proven advantageous if the thickness of the energy storage device, i.e., the distance between its housing front (which faces the rear side of the carrier rail when inserted into the carrier rail) and its housing rear side, is reduced to such a degree that the energy storage device can be completely accommodated in the carrier rail's receiving well. This dimensioning of the energy storage device is not problematic, as the energy storage device can be designed to be appropriately long to accommodate all of its electronic components or components designed to store electrical energy in its housing, since, apart from the laterally mounted power supply, there are no structural limitations on the rear side of the carrier rail that would limit the length of the energy storage device. This dimensioning allows the energy storage device to be held against the rear of the carrier rail by a very thin (substantially flat) adapter rail, wherein the adapter rail, due to its adapted design, easily allows for fastening to structures provided for this purpose, such as a shelf bottom.

[0055] The adapter rail has an optimized design on its front side for fastening the carrier rail to itself and on its rear side for fastening to another object.

[0056] As long as the adapter rail is attached to the rear side of the carrier rail, it also conceals direct visual contact and / or direct access to the energy storage device.

[0057] Finally, it should generally be mentioned that the electronic devices discussed (e.g., energy storage devices, power supply devices, shelf labels, etc.) naturally have electronic components. These electronic components can be constructed discretely or using integrated electronic components, or a combination of both. Microcomputers, microcontrollers, and application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs) can also be used, if necessary, in combination with analog or digital electronic peripheral components. Many of the aforementioned functionalities of the device are implemented—if necessary in interaction with hardware components—by means of software executed on the processor of the electronic device. Devices designed for radio communication typically have an antenna configuration for transmitting and receiving radio signals as a component of the transceiver module. Electronic devices may also have an internal power supply, which can be implemented, for example, using a replaceable or rechargeable battery. These devices can also be powered by wire, such as via an external power supply unit, or by radio, such as by means of "Power over WLAN / WiFi."

[0058] These and other aspects of the invention are apparent from the figures discussed below. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0059] The invention will be described in more detail below based on exemplary embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, but the invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments. In the various figures, identical components are provided with identical reference numerals. In schematic form:

[0060] Figure 1 A shelf rail is shown having two electronic shelf labels fastened to its front side and a power supply fastened laterally to the shelf rail.

[0061] Figure 2 According to Figure 1 The cross section drawn in shows a cross section of the rack rail,

[0062] Figure 3 A cross-sectional view showing the rack rail, focusing on the power supply,

[0063] Figure 4 A rear cross-sectional view showing a carrier rail focusing on an energy storage device coupled to a power supply device,

[0064] Figure 5 The power supply device is shown in an oblique front view,

[0065] Figure 6 The energy storage device is shown in an oblique rear view,

[0066] Figure 7-10 The coupling process of the energy storage device and the power supply device guided along the shelf track is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0067] Figure 1 The shelf rail 1 is shown, viewed from the side and slightly tilted forward, i.e., from the upper and lower sides. The front side V of the shelf rail 1 is visualized. The rear side H of the shelf rail 1 is not visible in this view, but is indicated by reference numerals. Furthermore, the positions or directions top O, bottom U, left L, and right R are indicated with respect to the shelf rail 1. These positions or directions O, U, L, and R also follow from the natural language usage when viewing the front side V of the shelf rail 1 from the front. In the other figures, these positions or directions O, U, L, and R are also drawn in a consistent manner in order to clearly define the orientation of the shelf rail 1 and / or the equipment visible thereon from the respective viewing angles. The same applies to the designations of the front side V and the rear side H.

[0068] Two electronic shelf labels 2 are fastened to the front side V of the shelf rail 1. Seen from the front side V, the shelf rail 1 is terminated on the right by a power supply 3, which is inserted into the structure of the shelf rail 1 from the right. The left side of the shelf rail 1 is terminated by a cover plate 4. Looking in the direction of the front side V, a central web 5 can be seen, which extends from the left edge to the right edge of the shelf rail. The shelf rail 1 is delimited on the top side by a cover plate 6 oriented obliquely forward and downward and extending along its entire longitudinal extension. Below this, the lower part of the line carrier 7 can be seen, which extends below the cover plate 6 and parallel to the web 5 likewise from the left to the right side of the shelf rail 1. The line carrier 7 carries the line bus (not visible here - see however Figure 2 ), which is used to supply power to the shelf label 2. A line carrier 7 is accommodated by the shelf label 2 at the top or surrounds it from below, where the shelf label 2 also makes contact with the line bus. The shelf label 2 is used to display price and / or product information and is supplied with communication technology and electrical power for operating the shelf label by means of a power supply 3, which is in conductive contact with the line bus at the right edge of the shelf rail 1.

[0069] Figure 1 A schematic section F is also shown, which is oriented essentially transversely to the extent of the web 5 and extends from top O to bottom U, wherein for the purposes of the present invention, the part of the rack rail 1 situated to the right of this section F will be primarily discussed below.

[0070] Figure 2The shelf rail 1 is shown cut through according to section F, viewed from the left edge of the shelf rail toward the right edge, i.e., toward the power supply 3. The integration of the line carrier 7 into the shelf rail 1 and the line bus present on the line carrier 7 are visible. This line bus consists of three conductors 8, 9, and 10, which are continuously contactable along their entire length at the rear side of the line carrier 7. Conductors 8, 9, and 10 are designed as bare, uninsulated conductors. The free space in front of the web 5 accommodates the shelf label 2, which is inserted from below into the shelf rail 1. The free space behind the web 5 accommodates the energy storage device 11 (visible in this view). This energy storage device is electrically and mechanically coupled to the power supply 3 and stores or provides the energy required for the electrical operation of the power supply 3 and the shelf label 2.

[0071] also, Figure 2 Also shown is a cross section of an adapter rail 12, which extends along the shelf rail and is provided for fastening the shelf rail 1 to a shelf bottom (neither of which is shown) or to another mechanical load-bearing structure of a shelf. Figure 1 As it happens in FIG. 1 , the adapter rail is omitted from being displayed because it obscures the view to the rear side R.

[0072] In detail Figure 2 As can be seen from the view of FIG, the rack rail 1 has, directly adjacent to the web 5, on the top side and the foot side, respectively, guide shafts 13 and 14 extending along the entire longitudinal extent. Guide strips 15 and 16 formed on the housing of the energy storage device 11 are provided on the edge sides (both longitudinally and transversely - see also FIG. Figure 4 or 6) is accommodated in a corresponding guide shaft 13 or 14, which facilitates the longitudinal guidance of the energy storage device.

[0073] It can also be seen that the thickness of the energy storage device 11 is measured so that it can be completely accommodated in the free space behind the web 5, that is, when viewed in the cross-sectional illustration, the adapter rail 12 delimits the free space outwardly behind the energy storage device 11 in a manner flush with the contour and over a large area parallel to the web 5.

[0074] The energy storage device 11 also has a bow-shaped handle 17 at its left-hand free end, by which a maintenance worker can grip the energy storage device 11. The handle 17 facilitates both coupling and uncoupling with the power supply device 3. The handle 17 extends substantially along the entire free end of the energy storage device 11 and extends there at a sufficient distance from the web 5 (i.e., from the front side of the energy storage device 11) so that a service worker can grip the handle 17 with at least one finger of one hand. Viewed transversely to the extent of the web 5, the handle 17 has a thickness that is slightly less than half the thickness of the energy storage device 11.

[0075] The power supply device 3 is fastened to the shelf rail 1 by means of screws 20 , of which only the bolts are visible in this visualization, which are screwed into longitudinal slotted tubes 21 of the shelf rail 1 .

[0076] The web 5 structurally separates the front side V from the rear side R of the rack rail 1, as can be clearly seen in this illustration. The rack rail 1 thus has a rear receiving area or receiving shaft, which extends to the left of the web 5 in this illustration and is provided for receiving a portion of the power supply and an energy storage device, and a front receiving area or receiving shaft, which extends to the right of the web 5 in this illustration and is provided for receiving a portion of the power supply and the shelf label 2.

[0077] Figure 3 The rack rail 1 is shown from the right front. Figure 2 The fragment shown in FIG. 1 makes it clear how the power supply device 3 wraps around the shelf rail 1 at its right edge from the front side V to the rear side R.

[0078] Figure 4 The rack rail 1 is shown from the left rear. Figure 2 , in which the coupling of the power supply device 3 and the energy storage device 11 can be seen adjacent to the right edge of the shelf rail 1 on its rear side R. The two devices 3 and 11 are in a coupled position, in which the first fastening element 18 of the energy storage device 11 overlaps the second fastening element 19 of the power supply device, and in the overlapping area, the two fastening elements 18 and 19 lock or snap into each other. The second fastening element 19 has an actuation area 22. Pressing this actuation area with a finger releases the connection between the two fastening elements 18 and 19, allowing the two devices 3 and 11 to be separated, i.e., decoupled, by pulling on the energy storage device 11 or its handle 17.

[0079] In this view, rectangular recesses 23 can also be seen in the web 5 , of which only a single recess is provided with a reference numeral, which are arranged in a grid along the longitudinal extension of the shelf rail 1 and serve to fasten the shelf labels 2 in a predefined grid.

[0080] It should also be mentioned here that the guide strips 16 are not visible in the present perspective, but their edge position in the rear receiving area of the shelf rail 1 is indicated by a reference numeral.

[0081] A detailed view of the power supply device 3 and the energy storage device 11 will be discussed below.

[0082] exist Figure 5 Similar to Figure 1 Each of the diagrams shows the power supply device 3 detached from the shelf rail 1 and the energy storage device 11, as seen from the front left. This view shows the upwardly open conductor contact shaft 24. When the power supply device 11 is inserted into the shelf rail 1, the conductor contact shaft 24 extends only along the front side V, at the right edge region of the shelf rail 1. The circuit carrier 7 is fitted into it. The conductor contact shaft has three contact elements 25, 26, and 27 for contacting the three conductors 8, 9, and 10. Thus, the conductor contact shaft 24 is accessible from the front side of the shelf rail 1 (in front of the web 5). A first housing section 28 extends along the edge, forming the right-hand lateral termination for the shelf rail 1. It houses electronics (not shown), particularly those for radio communication in a radio network provided for controlling the shelf tags 2. This first housing section 28 transitions into a second housing section 29, extending along the rear side R. This second housing section also contains electronics (not shown), particularly those provided for powering the shelf tags and communicating with them or in the radio network.

[0083] exist Figure 6 , energy storage device 11 is shown detached from the rack rail 1 and power supply 3, as seen from the oblique right rear. Energy storage device 11 comprises a housing 30, which, viewed in the longitudinal direction, has a handle 17 at one end and, at its other end, a first coupling device in the form of a substantially square well 31 for electrically and mechanically coupling to power supply 3. Housing 30 houses an electrical energy storage unit (not shown) and further electronics (also not shown) for controlling the charging and discharging of the energy storage unit. Within well 31, electrical contact surfaces 33 for establishing an electrically conductive connection with power supply 3 are visible on the well wall 32 that faces the web 5 when inserted into carrier rail 1. These contact surfaces 33 are arranged on a printed circuit board and positioned at a safe distance from the open well edge.

[0084] It should also be mentioned here that the upper guide strip 15 is not visible in this view, but its edge position is indicated by a reference numeral.

[0085] In order to establish the coupling purpose, Figure 5 The power supply device 3 shown in FIG has a substantially cuboid connecting element 34 connected to the second housing section 29. A resilient metal contact 35 for contacting the contact surface 33 projects through the housing opening at the side wall oriented toward the web 5 when inserted into the carrier rail 1. The shape and dimensions of the connecting element 34 are coordinated with those of the well 31 to ensure simple insertion into the well 31, guidance along the internal structure of the well 31, and precise positioning of the metal contact 35 at the location of the contact surface 33. Depending on the functional capabilities of the energy storage device 11, the number of metal contacts 35 can be greater or less than the number of contact surfaces to ensure downward functional compatibility.

[0086] refer to Figure 5 It should also be mentioned that the power supply device 3 also has its own edge guide strips 36 and 37, which in this case, however, extend along the entire length of the second housing section 29 and, when accommodated in the rack rail 1, are housed in the guide shafts 13 and 14. These guide strips 36 and 37 stabilize and secure the power supply device 3 in the rear structure of the rack rail 1. Unlike the edge guide strips 15 and 16 of the energy supply device 11, these guide strips are dimensioned so that the power supply device 3 can only be fully pushed out of the rack rail 1 to the right along the rack rail 1. In contrast, the relatively short and slender design of the edge guide strips 13 and 14 allows the energy storage device 11 to be completely separated from the power supply device, allowing it to be swiveled out of the rear accommodation area of the rack rail 1 at any point on the rack rail 1 for removal, or to be inserted into the rear accommodation area at any point on the rack rail 1 outside the area occupied by the power supply device 3.

[0087] Next, with the help of Figures 7 to 10 The manipulation process during insertion into the rack rail 1 is visualized. The focus here is on the fact that due to the special design of the first and second coupling devices, the energy storage device 11 can be coupled to the power supply device 2 only while being guided along the rack rail 1 .

[0088] Figure 7 The energy storage device 11 is shown in its starting position before it is inserted into the rack rail 1. In order, the energy storage device 11 is first inserted into the rack rail 1 at the rear side R with its right end provided for coupling, i.e. into its rear receiving area, and then moved into the rack rail 1 at its end with the handle 17 until the guide strips 15 and 16 engage with the guide shafts 13 and 14, which corresponds to Figure 8 Then, the energy storage device 11 is guided along the rack rail toward the power supply device 3 until the connecting piece 34 penetrates into the well 31, which corresponds to Figure 9 In the further development of the movement, the connecting piece 34 is completely accommodated in the well 31 and the two fastening elements 18 and 19 engage with each other, so that the coupling between the power supply device 3 and the energy storage device 11 is fixed, which corresponds to Figure 10 The status shown in .

[0089] In order to remove the energy storage device 11 from the rack rail 1 again, the connection between the two fastening elements 18 and 19 must first be released by applying pressure to the actuating area 22. Figure 7 、 8 The energy storage device 11 is removed in the reverse order of 9. At the beginning of the removal process, i.e., first for decoupling, the energy storage device 11 must be moved away from the power supply device 3 and guided along the carrier rail 1 in order to decouple it. Only then, i.e., when the shaft 31 is released from the connector 34, can the energy storage device 11 be removed from the carrier rail 1.

[0090] Finally, it is pointed out again that the figures described in detail herein are only embodiments that can be modified in various ways by a person skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention. For the sake of completeness, it is also pointed out that the use of the indefinite article "a" or "an" does not exclude the presence of a plurality of the relevant features.

Claims

1. An energy storage device (11) for supplying power to a power supply device (3), the power supply device being at least partially positioned at the rear side (H) of a carrier rail (1), the power supply device being configured to supply power to at least one electronic device (2) which can be placed at the front side of the carrier rail, wherein the energy storage device (11) has a first coupling device which is configured to electrically and mechanically couple the energy storage device (11) directly, i.e., cable-free, to the power supply device (3).

2. The energy storage device (11) according to claim 1, wherein the first coupling device is designed to couple the energy storage device (11) to the power supply device (3) in a manner guided along the rear side of the carrier rail (1).

3. An energy storage device (11) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first coupling device has a well (31), which has an open, in particular substantially rectangularly defined well edge, which is constructed to accommodate a substantially rigid connecting piece (34) of the power supply device (3).

4. The energy storage device (11) according to claim 3, wherein the open well edge defines a well opening, which extends transversely relative to the rear side (H) of the carrier rail (1) when the energy storage device (11) is inserted into the carrier rail (1).

5. Energy storage device (11) according to claims 3 to 4, wherein the well (31) is shaped along its depth so that when the energy supply device (11) is inserted into the carrier rail (1), the well extends along the rear side (H) of the carrier rail (1) parallel to the rear side (H) of the carrier rail (1).

6. The energy storage device (11) according to claims 3 to 5, wherein the well (31) has a plurality of electrically conductive first contact elements (33) at one of its well side walls (32) for electrical contacting.

7. The energy storage device (11) according to claim 6, wherein the shaft side wall (32) having the plurality of first contact elements (33) is the shaft side wall which extends directly adjacent to the rear side (H) of the carrier rail (1).

8. An energy storage device (11) according to any one of claims 6 to 7, wherein the first contact elements (33) extend along the depth of the well (31) and are positioned spaced apart from each other transversely to the longitudinal extension of the well (31), and when the energy supply device (11) is inserted into the carrier rail (1), the longitudinal extension of the well (31) extends along the rear side (H) of the carrier rail (1).

9. The energy storage device (11) according to claim 6, wherein the first contact element (33) ends at a distance from the open well edge.

10. An energy storage device (11) according to any one of claims 6 to 9, wherein the first contact element (33) is realized as a metal strip or contact surface, which extends from the well (31) to the components of the energy storage device (11) that provide electrical power and / or data or signal processing components and is in conductive contact with the components directly or via other conductive elements.

11. The energy storage device (11) according to claim 1 , wherein the first coupling device comprises a first fastening element (18) at least in the vicinity of the region of the energy storage device (11) provided for coupling, the first fastening element being provided and constructed for fastening the energy storage device (11) to the power supply device.

12. An energy storage device (11) according to claim 11, wherein the first fastening element (18) forms a substantially rigid first locking element of a hook system, wherein a movable or deformable second locking element constructed at the power supply device (3) is engaged in the coupling position between the energy storage device (11) and the power supply device (3) in a manner that prevents the energy storage device (11) from being released from the power supply device (3).

13. An energy storage device (11) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the energy storage device has guide strips (15, 16) constructed on the edge side at the housing (30) of the energy storage device (11), the guide strips being constructed and arranged to engage with the guide wells (13, 14) of the carrier rail (1) and being determined to guide the energy storage device (11) along the rear side (H) of the carrier rail (1).

14. The energy storage device (11) according to claim 13, wherein, viewed in its longitudinal extension, a first end region of the energy storage device is provided for direct coupling, and, viewed in its longitudinal extension, the guide strips (15, 16) are formed only in their second end region. 15 . The energy storage device ( 11 ) as claimed in claim 1 , comprising a handle ( 17 ) at its second end region, facing away from the first end region provided for coupling.

16. A power supply device (3) for supplying power to at least one electronic device (2), which can be placed at the front side (V) of a carrier rail (1), wherein the power supply device (3) is constructed to engage with the carrier rail (1) laterally or rearwardly along the rear side (H) of the carrier rail (1) and is therefore at least partially positioned at the rear side (H) of the carrier rail (1) when installed in the carrier rail (1), wherein the power supply device (3) has a second coupling device, which is constructed to electrically and mechanically couple the power supply device (3) directly, i.e. cable-free, to an energy storage device (11) for supplying power to the power supply device (3).

17. The power supply device (3) according to claim 16, wherein the second coupling device is designed to couple the energy storage device (11) to the power supply device (3) in a manner guided along the rear side (H) of the carrier rail (1).

18. A power supply device (3) according to claim 16 or 17, wherein the second coupling device has a substantially rigid, in particular square-defined connecting piece (34), which is dimensioned so that it can be accommodated in a well (31) of the energy storage device (11) provided for this purpose, in particular substantially square-defined.

19. The power supply device (3) according to claim 18, wherein when the power supply device (11) is inserted into the carrier rail (1), the rigid connector (34) extends parallel to the rear side (H) of the carrier rail (1) along its longitudinal extension, spaced apart from the rear side (H) of the carrier rail (1).

20. The power supply device (3) according to claim 18 or 19, wherein the rigid connecting member (34) has a plurality of conductive second contact elements (35) for electrical contact at one of its connecting member outer walls.

21. The power supply device (3) according to claim 20, wherein the outer wall of the connection piece carrying the second contact element (35) is the outer wall which is oriented toward the rear side (H) of the carrier rail (1) when the power supply device (3) is inserted into the carrier rail (1).

22. A power supply device (3) according to claim 20 or 21, wherein the second contact element (35) extends along the longitudinal extension of the connecting piece (34) and is positioned spaced apart from each other transversely to the longitudinal extension of the connecting piece (34), and when the power supply device (3) is inserted into the carrier rail (1), the longitudinal extension of the connecting piece (34) extends along the rear side (H) of the carrier rail (1).

23. The power supply device (3) according to any one of claims 20 to 22, wherein the second contact element (34) ends at a distance from the outer or free connector end.

24. A power supply device (3) according to any one of claims 20 to 23, wherein the second contact element (35) is implemented as a metal strip, which is constructed to protrude at its outer first end region and extends from the connecting piece (34) there, and is electrically conductively connected to the electronic components of the power supply device (3) at its second end region.

25. A power supply device (3) according to any one of claims 15 to 24, wherein the second coupling device has a second fastening element (19) at least in the environment of that area of the power supply device (3) which is provided for coupling, and the second fastening element is provided and constructed to fasten the power supply device (3) to the energy storage device (11).

26. A power supply device (3) according to claim 25, wherein the second fastening element (19) forms a second locking element of a hook system that is essentially elastically deformable or elastically placed, and when a first essentially rigid locking element is constructed at the energy storage device (11), the second locking element is engaged in the coupling position between the energy storage device (11) and the power supply device (3) in a manner that prevents the energy storage device (11) from being loosened from the power supply device (3).

27. A carrier track system, comprising: - a carrier rail (1) for carrying at least one electronic device (2); - a power supply device (3) which is arranged and constructed to supply power to an electronic device (2) and which, in a state inserted into the carrier rail (1), is at least partially positioned at the rear side (H) of the carrier rail (1), the electronic device being positionable at the front side (V) of the carrier rail (1); and - an energy storage device (11) which is arranged and constructed to supply power to the power supply device (3), which is at least partially positioned at the rear side (H) of the carrier rail (1), wherein the power supply device (3) and the energy storage device (11) are constructed so that the power supply device (3) and the energy storage device (11) are directly coupled to each other at the rear side (H) of the carrier rail (1), i.e., without cables, both electrically and mechanically.

Images