ADAPTER FOR MOUNTING A DEVICE ON A SUPPORT RAIL

Abstract

Shown is an adapter for attaching a device to a support rail, wherein the adapter has a plurality of recesses designed to receive connecting elements extending downwards from an underside of the device.

Description

AREA

[0001] The present invention relates to adapters for mounting devices on a support rail. In particular, the present invention relates to adapters for mounting devices on a support rail, wherein devices arranged side by side on the support rail are electrically connected to each other via the adapters. BACKGROUND

[0002] Devices that can be attached to a support rail are known from the prior art. DE 20 2021 104 219 U1 also discloses a device that can be attached to a support rail and to which an electronics housing can be detachably fastened. PRESENTATION OF THE INVENTION

[0003] An adapter according to the invention for attaching a device to a support rail has a plurality of recesses which are designed to receive connecting elements extending downwards from an underside of the device.

[0004] The term "adapter," as used in the description and claims, refers in particular to a component whose underside is designed for detachable attachment to the mounting rail and whose upper side is designed for positive and / or frictional attachment of the device to the adapter. For example, the device may be designed to be positively attached to the adapter in the horizontal direction and frictionally attached in the vertical direction by inserting the connecting elements into the adapter's recesses. Furthermore, the term "device," as used in the description and claims, refers in particular to an electrical or electronic device, such as a terminal block (comprising an electrical component) or an input / output module (I / O module) (comprising an electronic component).

[0005] Furthermore, the term "recesses," as used in the description and claims, refers in particular to material omissions that break through an otherwise flat surface. Furthermore, the term "underside," as used in the description and claims, refers in particular to a side facing the support rail. Furthermore, the term "connecting elements," as used in the description and claims, refers in particular to material additions that project from an otherwise flat surface and form a positive and / or frictional connection with the walls of the recesses when inserted into them.

[0006] The adapter can be designed to snap onto the mounting rail. For example, the adapter can have one or more hook-shaped sections at each of its two ends on the underside (facing the mounting rail), which grip the edges of the mounting rail when the adapter is snapped onto the rail. At least one end, the hook-shaped section(s) can be slidably mounted or connected to the rest of the adapter via a flexible section, allowing the adapter to be detached from the mounting rail by sliding or bending the hook-shaped section(s).

[0007] The adapter can include an electrical conductor, the first end of which extends into one of the recesses. The adapter can be made, for example, of an insulating material in which the electrical conductor (e.g., in the form of a copper or aluminum busbar or a copper or aluminum wire) is embedded. An electrical conductor can also be embedded in one of the connecting elements, which can likewise be made of an insulating material. One end of the electrical conductor embedded in the connecting element can be exposed, allowing the electrical conductors to come into direct contact, thus creating an electrical connection between them when the connecting elements are inserted into the recesses.

[0008] A second end of the electrical conductor can make an electrical connection with an adjacent adapter or the mounting rail if the adapters are mounted side by side on the mounting rail, or if the adapter is mounted on the mounting rail. For example, the second end of the electrical conductor can extend from one end face of the adapter, parallel to the direction of the mounting rail, into a recess in the opposite end face of the adjacent adapter, or from the underside of the adapter towards the mounting rail.

[0009] The recesses can have a cylindrical, cuboid, pyramidal, conical, prism, polyhedral, or stepped shape, particularly a mushroom shape. Furthermore, the cross-section of the recesses can be angular, star-shaped, round, or elliptical. The connecting elements can have a shape adapted to the corresponding recess. For example, the connecting elements can have the shape of a cylinder, cuboid, pyramid, truncated pyramid, cone or truncated cone, prism, polyhedron, or a stepped shape, particularly a mushroom shape. Furthermore, the cross-section of the connecting elements can be angular, star-shaped, round, or elliptical.The recesses / connecting elements can be arranged asymmetrically (in particular not symmetrically to a rotation of 180° around a vertical axis through a center point of the adapter), so that the device can only be attached to the adapter in a relative position to it.

[0010] The cutouts can extend from a top surface of the adapter towards a bottom surface. For example, the cutouts can be blind holes. Alternatively, the cutouts can extend from a top surface to a bottom surface and be open on both sides. For example, the cutouts can be through holes.

[0011] An adapter according to the invention and the device can be comprised in one system, wherein at least one of the connecting elements is designed as a locking hook. The locking hook can be configured to engage in a recess in a wall of the (otherwise, for example, cylindrical or cuboid) recesses.

[0012] An adapter according to the invention, a mounting rail designed as a DIN rail, and the device can further be comprised in one system, wherein the connecting elements extend through the recesses into a space delimited on three sides by the DIN rail. One or more of the connecting elements can be designed as snap hooks.

[0013] A system can further comprise two adapters according to the invention and two devices, wherein the recesses of the adapters are arranged and / or shaped such that a first device can only be attached to the first adapter and a second device can only be attached to the second adapter.

[0014] Furthermore, it is understood that the features described in connection with the device may also be features of a process in which the device is used, and vice versa. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] The invention is explained below in detail with reference to embodiments and examples, with reference to drawings in which: Fig. Figure 1 shows a sectional view of a device, a support rail and an adapter for attaching the device to the support rail according to a first embodiment; Fig. Figure 1a shows a sectional view of the adapter according to a first embodiment; Fig. Figure 1b shows a sectional view of the adapter according to a second embodiment; Fig. Figure 1c shows a sectional view of the adapter according to a third embodiment; Fig. Figure 1d shows a sectional view of the adapter according to a fourth embodiment; Fig. Figure 1e shows a sectional view of the adapter according to a fifth embodiment; Fig. Figure 1f shows a sectional view of the adapter according to a sixth embodiment; Fig. Figure 1g shows a sectional view of the adapter according to a seventh embodiment; Fig. Figure 2 shows a sectional view of a device, a support rail and an adapter for attaching the device to the support rail according to a second embodiment; Fig. Figure 2a shows a sectional view of the adapter according to the sixth embodiment; Fig. Figure 2b shows a sectional view of the adapter according to the seventh embodiment; Fig. Figure 3 shows a sectional view of a device, a support rail and an adapter for attaching the device to the support rail according to a third embodiment; Fig. Figure 3a shows a sectional view of the adapter according to the sixth embodiment; Fig. Figure 3b shows a sectional view of the adapter according to the seventh embodiment; Fig. Figure 4 shows a sectional view of a device, a support rail and an adapter for attaching the device to the support rail according to a fourth embodiment; Fig. Figure 4a shows a sectional view of the adapter according to the sixth embodiment; Fig. Figure 4b shows a sectional view of the adapter according to the seventh embodiment; Fig. Figure 5 shows a sectional view of a device, a support rail and an adapter for attaching the device to the support rail according to a fifth embodiment; Fig. Figure 5a shows a sectional view of the adapter according to the sixth embodiment; Fig. Figure 5b shows a sectional view of the adapter according to the seventh embodiment;

[0016] In the drawings, identical or functionally similar elements are identified by the same reference symbols. WAYS TO IMPLEMENT THE INVENTION

[0017] Fig. Figure 1 shows a mounting rail 10, which is designed as a DIN rail, and an adapter 12 attached (in this case snapped onto) the mounting rail 10. The adapter 12 encompasses the edges of the mounting rail 10, with one side of the adapter 12 having a flexible section 14. The flexible section 14 allows the adapter 12 to be detached from the mounting rail 10 by bending away the hook-shaped section that encompasses the edge of the mounting rail 10. The adapter 12 also has recesses 16a that extend from the top of the adapter 12 towards the underside of the adapter 12, but only towards the top (and not towards the underside). The adapter 12 also has recesses 16b that extend from the top of the adapter 12 to the underside of the adapter 12 and are open towards both the top and the underside.

[0018] Fig. Figure 1 further shows a device 18 with connecting elements 20, which extend vertically downwards from the underside of the device 18. The connecting elements 20 can have a constant cross-section in the vertical direction. The device 18 can be attached to the adapter 12 by inserting the connecting elements 20 into the recesses 16a and 16b. In particular, by inserting the connecting elements 20 into the recesses 16a and 16b, a positive-locking connection in the horizontal direction and a friction-locking connection in the vertical direction can be achieved between the device 18 and the adapter 12.

[0019] In the inserted state (not shown), the underside of the device 18, which is flat except for the connecting elements 20, rests on the top side of the adapter 12, which is flat except for the recesses 16a and 16b, with the device 18 projecting beyond the adapter 12 on both sides. The connecting elements 20 have different lengths (in the direction of extension). While (in the inserted state) the outer connecting elements 20 extend only into the recesses 16b, the inner connecting elements 20 (in the inserted state) extend through the recesses 16b into the space enclosed on three sides by the support rail 10.

[0020] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 1a, the recesses 16a and 16b can have a round (in particular, a circular) cross-section and be arranged symmetrically with respect to a 180° rotation about a (vertical) axis through the center of the adapter. This allows the device 18 to be attached to the adapter 12 in two orientations relative to it. The shape of the connecting elements 20 can be adapted to the shape of the recesses 16a and 16b and, in the case of circular recesses 16a and 16b, can be cylindrical, frustoconical, or conical.

[0021] In the longitudinal direction of the adapter 12, recesses 16a and 16b arranged side by side can have a constant distance between them (in the longitudinal direction). In the transverse direction of the adapter 12, recesses 16a and 16b arranged side by side can also have a constant distance between them (in the transverse direction). In addition, recesses 16a and 16b arranged side by side can deviate from the one shown in Fig. In the embodiment shown in 1a, they have the same (constant) distance from each other in both directions.

[0022] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 1b, the recesses 16a and 16b can have an angular (in particular a rectangular or square) cross-section instead of a round one. In this case as well, the shape of the connecting elements 20 can be adapted to the shape of the recesses 16a and 16b and, in the case of angular recesses 16a and 16b, can have the shape of a prism (in particular a cuboid), a pyramid, or a truncated pyramid.

[0023] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 1c, the recesses 16a and 16b, instead of having cross-sections symmetrical to a 180° rotation about a (vertical) axis through the center of the adapter 12, can also have cross-sections that require the device 18 to be attached to the adapter 12 in only one orientation relative to it, such as triangular cross-sections. In this case as well, the shape of the connecting elements 20 can be adapted to the shape of the recesses 16a and 16b and, for example, have the shape of a prism, a pyramid, or a truncated pyramid.

[0024] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 1d, the recesses 16a and 16b can also have different cross-sections, thus ensuring that the device 18 can only be attached to the adapter 12 in a single orientation relative to it. The same effect can also be achieved, as shown in Fig. 1e shown, this can be achieved by ensuring that the recesses 16a and 16b arranged next to each other in the longitudinal direction of the adapter 12 do not have a constant distance to each other.

[0025] The fact that the device 18 can be attached to the adapter 12 in only one orientation relative to it can be explained, as in Fig. 1f and Fig. As shown in Figure 1g, this can also be achieved by providing a different number of recesses 16a and 16b on each of the two sides (of the underside) of the adapter 12 (separated by a center line). In this case, a 180° rotation of the device 18 would result in not having a suitable recess 16a and 16b on the respective side for all connecting elements 20.

[0026] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 2, connecting elements 20 can be designed as locking hooks. When the locking hooks are inserted into the recesses 16b, they engage behind the edge of the recesses 16b (on the underside of the adapter 12), thus preventing the connecting elements 20 from being pulled out of the recesses 16b. The locking hooks can be designed such that the connecting elements 20 can be released (e.g., by bending the locking hooks away from the edge) and pulled out of the recesses 16b. As shown in Fig. 2a and Fig. 2b exemplified by the in Fig. 1f and Fig. The embodiments shown in 1g can be described in Fig. 2 embodiment shown with the in Fig. 1a to Fig. 1g can be combined with the exemplary embodiments shown.

[0027] Fig. Figure 3 shows a possible modification of the in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 embodiments shown (using the example of the one in Fig. 2 (the embodiment shown), wherein the adapter 12 comprises an electrical conductor 22, the first end of which extends into one of the recesses 16b and the second end of which (in the snap-in state) is connected to the support rail 10. Furthermore, the device 18 comprises an electrical or electronic device 24, which is connected to an electrical conductor 26 extending into one of the connecting elements 20.

[0028] The connecting element 20 is designed such that the first end of the electrical conductor 22 is brought into electrical contact with the electrical conductor 26 when the connecting element 20 is inserted into the recess 16b. Once the connecting element 20 is inserted into the recess 16b, the device 24 and the mounting rail 10 are electrically connected to each other via the electrical conductors 26 and 22. For example, the mounting rail 10 can be used as a protective conductor rail, and the device 24 can be connected to the protective conductor via the electrical conductors 26 and 22.

[0029] As in Fig. 3a and Fig. 3b exemplified by the in Fig. 1f and Fig. The embodiments shown in 1g can also be illustrated in Fig. 3 embodiment shown with the in Fig. 1a to Fig. 1g can be combined with the exemplary embodiments shown.

[0030] Fig. 4 shows a possible modification of the in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 embodiments shown (using the example of the one in Fig. 2 in the embodiment shown), wherein the adapter 12 comprises an electrical conductor 22, the first end of which extends into one of the recesses 16b and the second end of which (in the snap-in state) makes an electrical connection with the adjacent adapter 12 (not shown) when two adapters 12 are mounted side by side on the mounting rail 10. Furthermore, the device 18 comprises an electrical or electronic device 24 which is connected to an electrical conductor 26 which extends into one of the connecting elements 20.

[0031] The connecting element 20 is designed such that the first end of the electrical conductor 22 is brought into electrical contact with the electrical conductor 26 when the connecting element 20 is inserted into the recess 16b. Once the connecting element 20 is inserted into the recess 16b, the device 24 and the adjacent adapter 12 are electrically connected to each other via the electrical conductors 26 and 22. If another device 18 with an electrical or electronic device 24 is attached to the adjacent adapter 12, the devices 24 can be electrically connected to each other via the electrical conductors 26 and 22.

[0032] As in Fig. 4a and Fig. 4b exemplified by the in Fig. 1f and Fig. The embodiments shown in 1g can also be illustrated in Fig. 4 embodiment shown with the in Fig. 1a to Fig. 1g can be combined with the exemplary embodiments shown.

[0033] Fig. 5 shows a possible modification of the in Fig. 4 embodiments shown, in which three or more devices 24, which are attached to adapters 12 arranged side by side, can be electrically connected to one another via the electrical conductors 26 and 22. As in Fig. 5a and Fig. 5b exemplified by the in Fig. 1f and Fig. The embodiments shown in 1g can also be illustrated in Fig. 5 embodiment shown with the in Fig. 1a to Fig. 1g can be combined with the exemplary embodiments shown. REFERENCE MARK LIST 10 support rail 12 adapters Section 14 16a Recess 16b recess 18 Device 20 connecting element 22 leaders 24 facility QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents cited by the applicant was automatically generated and is included solely for the reader's convenience. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] DE 20 2021 104 219 U1

[0002]

Claims

[1] Adapter (12) for attaching a device (18) to a support rail (10), wherein the adapter (12) has a plurality of recesses (16a, 16b) which are designed to receive connecting elements (20) extending downwards from a bottom of the device (18). [2] Adapter (12) for attaching a device (18) to a support rail (10) according to claim 1, wherein the adapter (12) is designed to be snapped onto the support rail (10). [3] Adapter (12) for attaching a device (18) to a support rail (10) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the adapter (12) comprises an electrical conductor (22) the first end of which extends into one of the recesses (16b). [4] Adapter (12) for attaching a device (18) to a support rail (10) according to claim 3, wherein a second end of the electrical conductor (22) makes an electrical connection with an adjacent adapter (12) or the support rail (10) when the adapters (12) are attached side by side on the support rail (10) or the adapter (12) is attached to the support rail (10). [5] Adapter (12) for attaching a device (18) to a support rail (10) according to claim 4, wherein the recesses (16a, 16b) have a cylindrical shape, a cuboid shape, a pyramidal shape, a conical shape, a prism shape, a polyhedral shape or a step shape, in particular a mushroom shape, or wherein a cross-section of the recesses (16a, 16b) is star-shaped or elliptical. [6] Adapter (12) for attaching a device (18) to a support rail (10) according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the recesses (16a, 16b) extend from a top side of the adapter (12) towards a bottom side of the adapter (12). [7] Adapter (12) for attaching a device (18) to a support rail (10) according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the recesses (16a, 16b) extend from a top of the adapter (12) to a bottom of the adapter (12) and are open on both sides. [8] System, comprehensive: an adapter (12) according to claim 6; and the device (18); wherein at least one of the connecting elements (20) is designed as a locking hook which is configured to engage in a recess in one of the recesses (16a, 16b). [9] System, comprehensive: an adapter (12) according to claim 7; the support rail (10), wherein the support rail (10) is designed as a top-hat rail; and the device (18); wherein the connecting elements (20) extend through the recesses (16a, 16b) into a space delimited on three sides by the top-hat rail. [10] System according to claim 9, wherein at least one of the connecting elements (20) is designed as a locking hook. [11] System, encompassing: a first adapter (12) according to claim 6 or 7; a second adapter (12) according to claim 6 or 7; a first device (18); a second device (18); wherein the recesses (16a, 16b) of the adapters (12) are arranged and / or shaped such that the first device (18) can only be attached to the first adapter (12) and the second device (18) can only be attached to the second adapter (16a, 16b).

Images