Flat ribbon cable as current-carrying profile

Abstract

Linear power distribution arrangement (1) with at least one housing body (2) extending in a longitudinal direction, which has a bottom section (4) and two spaced-apart side wall sections (6) which each extend away from the bottom section (4) at the opposite edge regions and wherein the housing body (2) has at least one receptacle for receiving a ribbon cable (10), and a ribbon cable (10) for signal and / or current transmission with a plurality of round conductors (18) which is inserted into the receptacle of the housing body (2), characterized in that at least one round conductor (18) is exposed on one side for contacting.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a method for operating a linear power distribution arrangement for transmitting signals and / or current from a power input to a tap. The invention further relates to a linear power distribution arrangement with at least one housing body extending in a longitudinal direction.

[0002] Linear power distribution units are used particularly in building lighting systems to provide a cost-effective and aesthetically pleasing way to route power and / or signal cables to devices. Signals in this context include both general signals, such as control signals, and data, such as measurement or information data. The installation location of the devices can be flexibly selected and easily varied along the housing of the power distribution unit. This allows the devices to be easily connected to the conductors at a variably defined installation location using a connecting element. Such power distribution units offer the advantage that the devices are both electrically connected and mechanically supported by the housing.

[0003] Up to now, linear power distribution systems of this kind have typically used conductor profiles housed in a casing. These conductor profiles consist of a longitudinally extending base body with a number of chambers in which individual conductors are arranged. These conductor profiles are generally rigid and, due to manufacturing constraints, have a limited length. Therefore, for longer power distribution systems, such as those used in larger factories or warehouses, several conductor profiles are usually required, which are then connected to each other both mechanically and electrically via a connecting element.

[0004] A disadvantage of such systems is that the buildings in which linear power distribution systems are used do not have a standardized length. To achieve a building-specific configuration, several power supply profiles must be connected on-site and sometimes even laboriously shortened to obtain the desired length. This leads to undesirable waste, increased material consumption, and thus higher costs, especially with prefabricated standard-length power supply profiles. Furthermore, it is desirable to have the option of eliminating the use of connectors altogether, as each transition between a power supply profile and a connector creates an additional contact zone for the conductors. This zone is susceptible to contact interruption due to external factors or material defects, potentially leading to the failure of connected devices.

[0005] The object of the present invention is therefore to provide a method for operating a power distribution arrangement and a power distribution arrangement that can be adapted to a desired length as flexibly and cost-effectively as possible, even if the length of the power distribution device exceeds or falls short of usual standard lengths.

[0006] The problem is solved according to the invention by the characterizing features of independent claims 1 and 5.

[0007] The invention is based on the consideration that the use of rigid busbars, particularly those limited to predetermined lengths by the manufacturing process, presents difficulties in production, transport, and adaptation to individual length requirements at the installation site. To overcome this, particular emphasis was placed on flexible materials during development. It was recognized that the use of flat ribbon cables offers the desired advantages, as these can be supplied and transported in larger rolls and can be cut to the required length quickly and easily on site.

[0008] For connecting the devices to the ribbon cable and thus to the linear power distribution arrangement, the devices include a tap. This tap can be an integral part of the device or a separate, independent component, which is then coupled to the device in a modular design. For particularly easy connection, the tap, in an advantageous embodiment, includes a number of contact elements designed to allow contact with the conductors of the ribbon cable when engaged with the power distribution arrangement. In a particularly advantageous embodiment, the contact elements, or at least some of them, are designed as IDCs, especially piercing contacts, and connect the conductors of the ribbon cable using the penetration method.

[0009] The conductors themselves can be designed as fine-core, multi-core, or single-core conductors. In addition to the commonly used electrical conductors made of copper or aluminum, fiber optic cables or optical waveguides are also possible.

[0010] In an alternative or additional configuration, the conductors or individual conductors of the ribbon cable are exposed in a preliminary step, i.e., before the tap is connected, so that the tap's contact elements can be pressed onto the exposed conductors. This exposure of the conductors can be carried out along the entire length of the ribbon cable, allowing the cable to be delivered in this state from the factory. However, it is also possible to expose the conductors only in the sections where a tap will later be made. This can then be done, for example, on-site before the ribbon cable is mounted in a housing. It is also conceivable to expose the conductors while the ribbon cable is already mounted in the housing.Alternatively, it is also possible that the exposure of the conductors is already carried out in the manufacturing process of the flat ribbon cable, so that no further work steps are necessary in this regard in the final assembly, but these have been shifted to the manufacturing process.

[0011] The advantages achieved with the invention lie particularly in the fact that a flat ribbon cable can be cut to the desired length with exceptional flexibility. This can even be done partially on-site, making the installation of the linear power distribution arrangement particularly easy. Furthermore, transition zones between the previously used busbars and connecting elements can be eliminated if necessary by laying the flat ribbon cable along its entire length. This avoids additional assembly steps for the busbars, eliminates the need for connecting elements (resulting in significant cost savings), and prevents contact failures in these transition zones caused by incomplete contact between the connecting elements and the busbars.

[0012] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to a drawing. The drawing shows: Fig. 1 a cross-sectional drawing through a linear power distribution arrangement, Fig. 2 a detailed representation of the recording element, Fig. 3 a coupling of connectors to a ribbon cable.

[0013] Identical features are marked with the same reference symbols in all figures.

[0014] In Fig. 1 is a linear power distribution arrangement 1 shown in a sectional drawing. The linear power distribution arrangement. 2 It includes a housing body 2 , which is a section of ground 4 and two side wall sections 6 exhibits features that extend from the opposite edge areas of the soil section 4 extend the path and are essentially parallel to each other and perpendicular to the ground section 4 are trained. In the exemplary embodiment according to Fig. 1 is on the floor section 4 a mounting area 5arranged in an S-shape from the bottom section 4 It is formed outwards. This S-shaped design, on the one hand, increases the stability of the housing body. 2 increased and, on the other hand, a recording element 8 formed to attach the power distribution assembly to the ceiling of the building.

[0015] This usually involves first drilling holes in the building's ceiling, into which chains with hooks or claws are then inserted. These hooks can then be attached to the mounting element. 8 intervene to attach the power distribution assembly to the chain and thus to the ceiling of the building. Generally, this mounting element can 8 but they can also be shaped differently or even designed as an independent building element, which is attached to the bottom section 4 or on the or on one or both side wall sections 6 is attached in a suitable manner.

[0016] The housing body 2 is designed to be a flat ribbon cable 10 inside the housing body 2 to record and fix. The flat ribbon cable is designed for this purpose. 10 In the present embodiment, an elastic fixing area is provided at both edges. 12 in the form of a fixing tongue through which the ribbon cable 10 into a corresponding recess in the housing body 2 It can be pressed in and fixed there. One way of mounting it in the housing body is in Fig. 2 shown.

[0017] In the exemplary embodiment of the Fig. 2 is the slot for the ribbon cable 10 in the housing body 2 The recording element is shown. 8 designed in a dual-function form, both to accommodate the mounting hooks or claws and inside the housing body to hold the ribbon cable 10 The flat ribbon cable10 This is done during assembly into the housing body 2 clipped in, thereby securing the fixing tongues of the fixing area 12 behind a projection of the S-shaped receiving element 8 snap into place. The ribbon cable 10 It also includes a number of spacing elements. 13 , which are located on the section of ground 4 of the mounting area 5 support and by the opposite support of the fixation area 12 at the recording element 8 the ribbon cable 10 Hold securely in position.

[0018] For contacting the ribbon cable 10 The exemplary embodiment according to the Fig. 1 a tap 14 , which is between the side wall sections 6 into the housing body 2 is inserted. The tap 14 This includes a number of contact elements. 16 , which the individual ladders18 of the ribbon cable 10 can be contacted. The conductors are designed for particularly easy contact. 18 in the present embodiment exposed, so that the contact elements 16 directly onto the ladder 18 They can intervene. For sufficient contact, the individual contact elements must be adequate. 16 They are spring-mounted and are held in place by the spring force on the ladder. 18 pressed. In an alternative or additional training, the contact elements can be used. 16 be trained as an IDC, especially as a piercing contact. Then prior exposure of the individual conductors is necessary. 18 of the ribbon cable 10 not necessary.

[0019] On the underside of the tap 14 is a cover plate 22 arranged, which are installed during the installation of the tap 14 into the power distribution arrangement 1 , which closes it at the bottom. On this cover plate22 are a series of light sources 24 arranged to illuminate the building and draw power via the tap 16 and the leader 18 of the ribbon cable 10 pull. Depending on the intended use, in addition to the light sources shown, other options are available. 24 additional connections for power or signal transmission or end devices on the cover plate 22 be attached or already present.

[0020] The in Fig. 1 flat ribbon cable used 10 indicates a coding element 20 on, through which a coding of the ribbon cable 10 and thus enables clear orientation. The coding element 20 In the case of the exemplary embodiment, according to Fig. 1 is designed as a gap and separates the ladder 18 in two in the number of ladders 18 Different areas. In this case, six ladders. 18on the right side as seen in the depicted form and seven ladders 18 on the left side as seen in the depicted form. Due to this asymmetrical arrangement of the ladder. 18 and accordingly also through the resulting change in the distances between the conductors 18 It is ensured that the light sources are in relation to each other. 24 or the terminal devices can only be properly connected to the ribbon cable if 10 will be contacted if this and the associated access points 14 are installed correctly oriented. An alternative version of the coding element. 20 In the exemplary embodiment, according to the Fig. 2 is shown. The coding element is located there. 20 designed in the form of a widened and raised bridge, which also achieves a separation of the two conductor groups.

[0021] Even if a flat ribbon cable is used 10It is possible to use a flat ribbon cable along the entire desired length. 10 To pull, it may be necessary or desirable in individual cases to use multiple ribbon cables. 10 to be connected to each other. For this purpose, as in the Fig. 3 Two differently designed connectors 26a, 26b are provided, which are attached to the end areas 28 of the ribbon cable 10 to be attached. For this, the ladders 18 in the end areas 28 preferably fully or partially exposed, so that the ladder 18 They can be inserted particularly easily into the corresponding contacts of connectors 26a and 26b. During assembly, each ribbon cable is 10 at its end points 28The connectors are fitted into the corresponding end face of a connector 26a, 26b, so that exactly one connector 26a, 26b is provided between two ribbon cables. The connectors 26a, 26b differ in that connector 26a has a vertically extending retaining and contact element. 34 features a vertical feeder, as explained below. 32 can be attached.

[0022] In the exemplary embodiment according to the Fig. Three are also examples of two different feed-in systems. 30 , 32 Two different types of contact are shown. One option is a linear feed, which requires a linear feeder. 30 is used, which is comparable to the connectors. 26 , to the end area 28 of the ribbon cable 10 is inserted. The linear feeder 30 It thus also serves as a linear termination of the power distribution arrangement.1 .

[0023] An alternative, or for some applications an additional, way of feeding in the feed is via a vertical feeder. 32 , which is the ribbon cable 10 from above, i.e., from the taps 14 far side of the ribbon cable 10 and is contacted during final assembly between the building ceiling and the linear power distribution arrangement. For this purpose, the connector 26a, already described above, is connected with a vertically projecting retaining and contact element. 34 inserted between two flat ribbon cables. The vertical feeder can then be connected to this connector 26a. 32 inserted or in the holding and contact element 34 be locked in place. Reference symbol list 1 Power distribution arrangement 2 Housing bodies 4. Ground section 5 Mounting area 6 Side wall section 8 Recording element 10 flat ribbon cables 12 Fixation area 13 spacer element 14 Tap 16 Contact element 18 leaders 20 coding element 22 Cover plate 24 light sources 26 connectors 28 End range 30 linear feeders 32 vertical feeders 34 retaining element

Claims

[1] Method for operating a linear power distribution arrangement (1) for transmitting signals and / or current from a power source (30, 32) to a tap (14) with at least one housing body (2) extending in a longitudinal direction, which has a bottom section (4) and two spaced-apart side wall sections (6) which each extend away from the bottom section (4) at the opposite edge regions, wherein the power source (30, 32) feeds the signals and / or the current into conductors (18) of a ribbon cable (10) and the tap taps the signals and / or the current from the conductors (18) or a part of the conductors (18) of the ribbon cable (10). [2] Method according to claim 1, characterized by , that at least one conductor (18) of the ribbon cable (10) is exposed on one side in a preliminary work step. [3] Method according to claim 2, characterized by, that the tap (14) has contact elements (16) which are at least partially designed to be pressed against the exposed conductors (18) or against a part of the exposed conductors (18) of the ribbon cable (10) when engaging with the power distribution arrangement (1). [4] Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by , that the tap (14) has contact elements (18) which are at least partially designed to penetrate an insulating layer surrounding the conductors (18) of the ribbon cable (10) when engaging with the power distribution arrangement (1) and to contact the conductors (18) or a part of the conductors (18) by piercing. [5] Method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by , that the ribbon cable (10) is cut to size only after or during its insertion into the housing body (2). [6] Linear power distribution arrangement (1) with at least one housing body (2) extending in a longitudinal direction, which has a bottom section (4) and two spaced-apart side wall sections (6) which each extend away from the bottom section (4) at the opposite edge regions and wherein the housing body (2) has at least one receptacle for receiving a ribbon cable (10) and a ribbon cable (10) for signal and / or current transmission with a number of conductors (18) which is inserted into the receptacle of the housing body (2). [7] Linear power distribution arrangement (1) according to claim 5, characterized by , that a tap (14) is provided which includes a number of contact elements (18) which are designed in such a way that, in engagement with the power distribution device (1), they enable contacting of the conductors (18) or part of the conductors (18) of the ribbon cable (10). [8] Linear power distribution arrangement according to claim 6, characterized by , that the contact elements (18) are at least partially designed as piercing contacts. [9] Use of a flat ribbon cable (10) for signal and / or current transmission in a linear power distribution arrangement (1) for a lighting system. [10] Use of a flat ribbon cable according to claim 9, characterized by , that at least one conductor (18) of the ribbon cable (10) is exposed on one side.

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