Locking device for a component of a busbar system

Abstract

Component (10) for a busbar system (1), comprising: • a base body (200) and, • a locking device (100) for reversibly locking the component (10) to a second component (1000) of the busbar system (1) when the component (10) moves in a coupling direction (K), the locking device (100) comprising: • two locking arms (110), each with a proximal connecting section (112) with which the locking arm (110) is connected to the base body (200), and a distal locking section spaced from the base body (200) with a locking contour (113) for locking the component (10) to the second component (1000) of the busbar system (1), wherein the respective locking arm (110) is designed to be elastically deformable such that the locking contour (113) can be deflected via the connecting section (112) from a locking position (P1) into a release position (P3); • a connecting web (111) directly connecting the two locking arms (110) to one another, wherein the connecting web (111) is coupled to the respective locking arm (110) in a region between the connecting section (112) and the locking contour (113) in such a way that when the connecting web (111) is moved in a displacement direction (R1) from a rest position (P0) to a release position (P2), the locking contours (113) can each be transferred from the locking position (P1) to the release position (P3) by the elastic deformation of the associated locking arm (110).

Description

The invention relates to a latching device for coupling components of a busbar system, and to such a component having a latching device. The latching device allows reversible latching of the component to a second component of the busbar system.Previously known latching devices for such components of a busbar system are usually designed in such a way that a latching connection, once present, can no longer be separated in a non-destructive manner, that is to say the latching connection is not reversible. In this case, the latching connection is usually created by a snap element of a first component, which interacts with the latching receptacle when it is introduced into a latching receptacle of a second component and snaps in here. Subsequent releasability and re-useability have not been provided up to now, sometimes also because of the limited space within the busbar system.Such a known latching connection for components 10010, 11000 of a busbar system 10001 is shown by way of example in FIG. 6. It can be seen here that the first component 10010 has a latching device 10100 which projects from the first component 10010 in a coupling direction K. At a connecting region 10112, the latching device 10100 is coupled to the first component 10010. The end of the latching device 10100 facing away from the first component 10010 in the coupling direction K has a latching contour 10113, which is designed for non-reversible latching with a complementary latching receptacle 11013 of the second component 10000.Consequently, such known latching devices, and thus also their respective component, have the disadvantage that a latching connection which has been discussed once cannot be released in a non-destructive manner. Flexible arrangement and coupling and also separation of components within a busbar system is therefore not possible. In this respect, the known latching device is only extremely complicated, inflexible and expensive to adapt a composition of a busbar system.The object of the invention is therefore to specify an improved latching device, or a component with such an improved latching device, by means of which a respective latching connection can be produced and re-released in a particularly flexible and simple manner.This object is achieved according to the invention with the subject matter mentioned in the independent claim. In combination with a second component, a busbar system is also specified, the components of which can be coupled to one another and disconnected again in a particularly simple and flexible manner. Particular embodiments of the invention are set forth in the dependent claims.According to the present invention, a component for a busbar system is provided, wherein the component has a base body and a latching device for reversibly latching the component to a second component of the busbar system when the component is moved in a coupling direction. Furthermore, it is provided that the latching device:• two latching arms each having a proximal connecting portion, by means of which the latching arm is connected to the base body, and a distal latching portion, spaced apart from the base body, having a latching contour for latching the component to the second component of the busbar system, wherein the respective latching arm is designed to be elastically deformable in such a way that the latching contour can be deflected from a latching position into a release position via the connecting portion; and• a connecting web directly connecting the two latching arms to one another, wherein the connecting web is coupled to the respective latching arm in each case in a region between the connecting section and the latching contour in such a way that, when the connecting web is moved in a displacement direction from a rest position into a release position, the latching contours can be transferred from the latching position into the release position in each case by the elastic deformation of the associated latching arm;has.By means of this component configured in this way and in particular by means of the latching device configured in this way, the component can be connected to another component in a particularly simple, flexible and yet stable manner. In this case, in particular a reversible coupling is achieved, which can be operated particularly easily for a user, since only a single component-namely the connecting web-can be actuated in order to release the latching arms of the first component from the second component, and thus to disconnect the connection of the two components.Furthermore, a busbar system is also proposed, which has a first component according to an embodiment described herein, and a second component. The second component has at least two latching elements which are designed for interaction with the latching contours of the latching device of the first component, wherein the latching device of the first component is reversibly coupled to the latching element. This creates a busbar system which can be adapted to various installation scenarios in a particularly simple and flexible manner. Preferably, the second component is a busbar, wherein other configurations are naturally also conceivable.Optionally, it can be provided that the latching arms each project from the base body in the coupling direction. Optionally, it can be provided that the latching sections and preferably the latching arms extend in a plane having the coupling direction K. Optionally, it can be provided that the connecting sections are each arranged on an outer edge of the base body pointing in the coupling direction K. As a result, a particularly narrow dimensioning of the component can be realized in each case in a particularly simple and advantageous manner, wherein the coupling to the second component is furthermore also simplified.Optionally, it can be provided that the deflection of the respective latching contour resulting from the movement of the connecting web in the displacement direction from the latching position into the release position takes place in a defined movement direction. As a result, the decoupling movement of the latching contour is in particular advantageously configured, wherein the defined direction of movement enables a correspondingly further optimized configuration of the complementary latching elements of the second component.Optionally, it can be provided that the movement directions of the respective latching contours are oriented substantially perpendicular to the displacement direction of the connecting web. This creates a particularly simple and secure latching connection, since the components are moved in different directions in order to release the latching connection. Unintentional detachment is thus made more difficult. Alternatively or additionally, it can be provided that the movement directions of the respective rat contours are directed towards or away from each other. This determines various alternatives for releasing the latching arm from the latching position into the release position.Optionally, it can be provided that the connecting web has a contact portion in a region between the two latching arms, via which contact portion the connecting web can be moved from the rest position into the release position by pressing in the displacement direction. This further simplifies the operation of the connecting web for a user. Preferably, the contact portion increases a contact surface of the connecting web facing the base body of the component and / or a contact surface of the connecting web facing away from the base body of the component. This greatly simplifies the operation of the connecting web for a user, since the engagement surface for an operation, for example by means of a tool, is enlarged and thus a failure of the connecting web is made more difficult. With the connecting web configured in this way, it is consequently easier for a user to realize the actuation of the connecting web in the displacement direction from a rest position into a release position.Optionally, it can be provided that the coupling between the connecting web and the respective latching arm is substantially rigid. This ensures that the latching arm is formed in an extremely stable manner in the region of the coupling to the connecting web, as a result of which deformation of this region is substantially prevented. This in turn promotes a change in the region of the latching arm between the connecting section and the coupling point with the connecting web. As a result, the latching arm can be designed to be stable and nevertheless stretchable, wherein at the same time a change of the latching contour is avoided, so that the reliability of the reversible latching connection is further increased. Alternatively or additionally, it can be provided that the connecting web is formed integrally in one piece with the latching arms. As a result, the latching device can be produced particularly easily, in a material-saving and cost-effective manner. In particular, additional elements such as hinges, connecting elements or the like can be dispensed with.Optionally, it can be provided that the latching device is formed substantially mirror-symmetrically to a mirror axis which runs parallel to the coupling direction. This has the substantial advantage that the various symmetrical sections of the latching device are evenly loaded, whereby the stability and thus also the service life of the latching device are increased. Furthermore, this simplifies the operation of the latching device.Optionally, it can be provided that each latching contour is formed by a protruding latching nose, wherein the latching noses preferably each protrude opposite their direction of movement. This further improves the stability of the latching connection produced by the latching device.Optionally, it can be provided that the latching contour of each latching arm is arranged on a side facing the respective other latching arm; or wherein the latching contour of each latching arm is arranged on a side facing away from the respective other latching arm. In this way, different coupling scenarios can be realized depending on the respective configuration of the latching elements of the second component, which in turn increases the usability of the component thus created with the latching device.Optionally, it can be provided that at least one latching arm has a support section which, preferably in the region of the associated latching contour, protrudes laterally transversely to the coupling direction and preferably also transversely to the movement direction. By means of such a support section, it can be achieved in a particularly advantageous manner that, in the state in which it is coupled to a second component and inserted in a carrier of the busbar system, the support section interacts with a side wall of the carrier, or of the busbar system, and thus presses the latching arm in the direction of the second component. This allows the stability of the latching connection to be further increased since a lateral escape of the latching device of the first component from the latching element of the second component is additionally prevented. This is relevant in particular in scenarios in which there is play between the components and a wall of the busbar system.Optionally, it can be provided that the component, preferably the base body, further comprises a guide portion for guiding a tool towards the connecting web, preferably parallel to the displacement direction R, in order to move the connecting web from the rest position into the release position. This further simplifies the operation by a user, wherein it is additionally ensured that the latching connection is accidentally released. The guide section preferably extends along a width of the base body, in particular along the entire width of the base body. This simplifies operation further, since the user can now use a tool for actuation over the (entire) width.In this case, it can further optionally be provided that the guide portion is formed as an indentation of the base body, which extends away from an end of the base body facing the connecting web, preferably the outer edge, at least partially or completely along the base body, preferably substantially parallel to the displacement direction. With the channel thus created, the actuation of the latching device by the user is further simplified, since the user can now insert a tool into the indentation from a rear side of the first component, and can thus operate the connecting section in a particularly simple manner. In this case, the indentation further preferably has a width a, and wherein the guide section further has a taper which tapers the width a of the indentation towards the connecting web, wherein the taper is preferably designed for the centered feeding of a tool onto the connecting web, and in particular onto the contact section of the latching device. Alternatively or additionally, the guide device is furthermore preferably provided with an elevation protruding into the elevation in an end region of the indentation facing the connecting web, wherein the elevation is preferably designed for feeding a tool onto the connecting web, and in particular onto the contact section of the latching device. This further facilitates and improves the operation of the latching device, and in particular of the connecting web.Optionally, it can also be provided here that the guide portion has a through opening from an inner side of the base body to an outer side of the base body, which extends in the displacement direction toward the connecting web, and which preferably extends as far as the edge of the base body facing the connecting web. With this special embodiment, it is now possible to operate a latching device in a simple and uncomplicated manner, especially if accessibility from a rear side of the first component is not easily easily unproblematic. The provision of such a through-opening thus facilitates the actuation of the connecting web and thus also the release of an existing latching connection.Optionally, it can be provided that the latching arms and / or the connecting web have stiffening sections. As a result, the respective sections can be further stabilized and undesired deformation can be prevented upon actuation of the latching device.Optionally, it can be provided that the component is an injection molded part. As a result, the component can be produced particularly simply, cost-effectively, in a material-saving manner and nevertheless in a stable manner. Alternatively or additionally, the component is integrally formed in one piece, whereby the connection between the latching arm, connecting web and component is particularly simple but nevertheless stable.Optionally, it can be provided that the component is a contact protection for one end of a busbar of the busbar system; or wherein the component is a component carrier of the busbar system; or wherein the component is a part for a BUS bar extension, for example a busbar, of the busbar system; or wherein the component is an electrical connector of the busbar system. With each of these embodiments, the latching device can be used particularly advantageously, wherein the advantage of reversion is particularly pronounced.Optionally, it can be provided that the component has cable ducts which run parallel to the coupling direction; wherein preferably the component is formed substantially U-shaped in cross section along the coupling direction; wherein preferably the cable ducts are arranged on an inwardly facing side of the base body. In this configuration, a busbar component which is particularly easy to couple and remove is provided, wherein the latching process of the component to a second component takes place with the connection of the cable ducts of the two components without further intermediate steps.The invention is explained in more detail below on the basis of the various embodiments and their designs, and with reference to the drawings. The following are shown: FIG. 1 shows a schematic illustration in an oblique view from above of an exemplary embodiment of a component according to the invention for a busbar system having a latching device; FIG. 2 shows a schematic illustration in a side view of an exemplary embodiment of a component according to the invention for a busbar system having a latching device; FIG. 3 shows a schematic illustration in a view of an exemplary embodiment of a component according to the invention for a busbar system having a latching device; FIG. 4 shows a schematic illustration in a side view of an exemplary busbar system with an exemplary embodiment of a first component according to the invention and of a second component in the coupling process; FIG. 5 shows a schematic illustration in a side view of an exemplary embodiment of a component according to the invention for a busbar system having a latching device when the connecting web is actuated and the latching contours are deflected as a result; FIG. 6 shows a schematic illustration of a latching device known from the prior art for components of a busbar system.FIGS. 1 to 3 show an exemplary embodiment of a component 10 according to the invention for a busbar system 1 with an exemplary embodiment of a latching device 100 according to the invention in various perspectives. FIG. 4 again shows the coupling process of such an exemplary embodiment of a (first) component 10 according to the invention to a second component 1000 of a busbar system 1. FIG. 5 again acts on the exemplary embodiment of a component 10 according to the invention known from FIGS. 1 to 3 and in this case shows a specific exemplary embodiment of the deflection of the latching arms 110 when the connecting web 111 is operated. FIG. 5 thus shows the movements of the components of the first component 10 and in particular of the latching device 100 upon actuation of the latching device 100, that is to say upon movement of the connecting web 111 in a displacement direction R 1 from a rest position P 0 into a release position P 2, wherein the latching arms 110 are thereby each elastically deformed and the latching contours 113 are thus each transferred from their latching position P 1 into their release position P 3. With this movement of the latching contours 113-in the example shown in the direction R 2-a first component 10 (see FIG. 4 ) coupled to a second component 1000 can be separated from one another again, i.e. the two components 10, 1000 can be reversibly coupled to one another, so that the respective busbar system 1 can be flexibly adapted to respective requirements without individual components 10, 1000 having to be destroyed or discarded, but rather can be reused in a simple and flexible manner.In the exemplary representations shown of the exemplary embodiments of the components 10, 1000 of the busbar system 1, the second component 1000 is embodied as a busbar, for example, and the first component 10 is embodied as a touch-protection end cap of the busbar. Of course, the latching device 100 described herein can, however, also be implemented on other embodiments of the first component 10, such as, for example, a component carrier of the busbar system 1, or a part for a BUS bar extension, for example a busbar, of the busbar system 1, or an electrical connector of the busbar system 1. In this respect, other implementations of the second component 1000 are also conceivable, in particular equivalent to the above-mentioned exemplary embodiments of the first component 10.The exemplary embodiment of the component 10 for a busbar system 1 shown in the figures has a base body 200 and a latching device 100 for reversibly latching the component 10 to a second component 1000 of the busbar system 1 when the component 10 is moved in a coupling direction K. The latching device 100 in turn has:• two latching arms 110, each of which has a proximal connecting portion 112, by which the latching arm 110 is connected to the base body 200, and a distal latching portion, spaced apart from the base body 200, having a latching contour 113 for latching the component 10 to the second component 1000 of the busbar system 1, wherein the respective latching arm 110 is designed to be elastically deformable in such a way that the latching contour 113 can be deflected from a latching position P 1 into a release position P 3 via the connecting portion 112;• a connecting web 111 directly connecting the two latching arms 110 to one another, wherein the connecting web 111 is coupled to the respective latching arm 110 in each case in a region between the connecting portion 112 and the latching contour 113 in such a way that, when the connecting web 111 is moved in a displacement direction R 1 from a rest position P 0 into a release position P 2, the latching contours 113 can be transferred in each case from the latching position P 1 into the release position P 3 by the elastic deformation of the associated latching arm 110, as has already been discussed above.This elastic deflection of the latching arms 110, and thus of the distal latching section with the latching contour 113, on the one hand enables the latching device 100 of the first component 10 to be able to latch onto respective latching elements 1013 of the second component 1000, upon movement of the first component 10 onto the second component 1000 in the coupling direction K. Furthermore, the flexible releasability already described above is achieved on the basis thereof with the special arrangement of the latching arms 110 and of the connecting web 111.As can be seen in particular from FIGS. 1, 2, 4 and 5, in the embodiments shown the latching arms 110 each project from the base body 200 in the coupling direction K. In the embodiment shown, the component 10, or the base body 200 of the component 10, is formed substantially U-shaped in cross section along the coupling direction K, with two side legs 202, which are connected to one another by means of a connecting leg 201. In this case, a latching device 100 is provided on each of the side legs 202, such that the component 10 can be coupled to a corresponding second component 1000 in a particularly stable manner. Alternatively or additionally, it can likewise be provided that a latching device 100 is present on the connecting limb 201. In other embodiments and configurations of the first component 10, however, correspondingly adapted arrangements of the latching devices 100 are naturally also conceivable.Generally speaking, a locking device 100 refers to one, more or all of the locking devices 100 provided on a respective component 10. In the embodiments shown, this relates to one of the two or both shown latching devices 100 of the component 10 and can likewise equally apply to the other provided further latching devices 100 that are present.It can further be seen from the figures that a longitudinal direction L of the busbar system 1 here preferably corresponds to the coupling direction K of the first component 10 to the second component 1000. The coupling direction K thus corresponds to the longitudinal direction L of the busbar system 1, and thus also to the longitudinal direction L of the first and second component 1, 1000. In the coupling direction K or in the longitudinal direction L, the base body 200 has a width b. In the embodiment shown, cable ducts 300 extend parallel to the coupling direction over the entire width b of the base body 200. The cable ducts 300 are in this case each arranged on an inwardly facing side of the base body 200. As outlined in FIG. 3, a wire line 400 for power supply and / or signal transmission can also be provided within the cable channels 300.In this case, the latching sections and in particular also the latching arms 110 extend in a plane which contains the coupling direction K or a direction parallel thereto, as can be seen in particular from FIGS. 2 and 3. Furthermore, in the embodiment shown, the connecting portions 112 of the respective latching arms 110 of the individual latching devices 100 are each arranged on an outer edge of the base body 200 pointing in the coupling direction K.In the embodiment shown, it is furthermore provided that the connecting web 111 has, in a region between the two latching arms 110, a contact portion 114, by means of which the connecting web 111 can be moved from the rest position P 0 into the release position P 2 by pressing in the displacement direction R 1. This contact section 114 increases the contact surface for actuating the latching device 100 or the connecting web 111, as a result of which operation is further simplified. In addition, the abutment portion 114 additionally stabilizes the structure of the connecting web 111. Based on the respective implementation of the latching device 100, it can be provided here that both the bearing section 114 increases a bearing surface of the connecting web 111 facing the base body 200, and that the bearing section 114 increases a bearing surface of the connecting web 111 facing away from the base body 200. In the embodiment shown, the latching device 100 is actuated via the side of the connecting web 111 facing the base body 200, since the displacement direction R 1 of the connecting web 111 is parallel to the coupling direction K. Thus, the side of the connecting web 111 facing the base body 200 forms the contact surface enlarged by the contact portion 114. In other alternative configurations-for example in embodiments in which the displacement direction R 1 is inversely related to the coupling direction K-the side facing away from the base body 200 is possibly the surface to be actuated, so that the contact section 114 then increases this contact surface.The component 10, or the base body 200, further comprises a guide portion 220 for guiding a tool towards the connecting web 111, as shown in more detail in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, in particular. This guiding within the guide portion 220, and thus also the guide portion 220 itself, is preferably configured parallel to the displacement direction R 1, wherein in the exemplary embodiment shown the displacement direction R 1 is substantially parallel to the coupling direction K. The guide section 220 extends here along the (entire) width b of the base body 200, so that access to the connecting web 111 for actuating the latching device 100 from a rear side of the component 10, i.e. a side opposite the side of the component 10 provided with the connecting sections 112 in the coupling direction K, is made possible particularly easily.With the actuation of the connecting web 111 by means of the tool guided along the guide portion 220, the connecting web 111 is then moved from the rest position P 0 into the release position P 2, as shown in particular in FIGS. 2 and 5, or their viewing together. As a result, the latching contour 113 is then deflected again by the connection of the connecting web 111 to the latching arms 110. In the embodiment shown, it is provided here that the coupling between connecting web 111 and respective latching arm 110 is substantially rigid, and that connecting web 111 is formed integrally in one piece with latching arms 110. As a result, a particularly advantageous elasticity with an intrinsically generated restoring force for automatically transferring the latching contour 113 back from the release position P 3 into the latching position P 1-that is to say sometimes the latching process when the first component 10 is coupled to the second component 1000-is generated in a particularly simple and cost-effective manner.Various implementations are conceivable with respect to the guide portion 220. In the exemplary embodiments shown, the guide portion 220 is in each case formed as an indentation 221 of the base body 200, which extends away from an end of the base body 200 facing the connecting web 111 (and in this case the outer edge of the base body 200) along the base body 200 substantially parallel to the displacement direction R 1.The indentation 221 has a width a, which is preferably adapted to tools customary in the art, such as a slot screwdriver or an angle wrench (for example an Allen wrench), so that the user / assembler of the component 10 or of the busbar system 1 can operate the latching device 100 in a particularly simple and uncomplicated manner. Furthermore, the guide section 220 has a taper 222, which tapers the width a of the indentation 221 toward the connecting web 111, wherein the taper 222 is designed for the centered feeding of the respective tool onto the connecting web 111, and in particular onto the contact section 114 of the latching device 100.Furthermore, it is shown in the figures that the guide device 220 has, in an end region of the indentation 221 which faces the connecting web 111, an elevation 223 which projects into the indentation 221 and is designed for feeding or guiding the respective tool onto the connecting web 111, and in particular onto the contact section 114 of the latching device 100. The elevation 223 is arranged in the last section of the taper 222, so that these structures cooperate synergistically and lead any introduced tool particularly specifically and securely to the connecting web 111.Alternatively or additionally, however, it can likewise be provided that the guide portion 220 has a through-opening from an inner side of the base body 200 to an outer side of the base body 200. This embodiment is not shown in the figures, however. In this case, the through-opening then extends in the displacement direction R 1 toward the connecting web 111, and in this case extends particularly preferably as far as the edge of the base body 200 facing the connecting web 111. The starting point of the through-opening along the width b of the base body 200 can be flexibly selected in this case. By configuring the through-opening over at least a small distance along the displacement direction R 1 toward the connecting web 111 of the latching device 100, a considerable simplification of the operation is already provided at any rate. The guide section 220 thus created with a respective through-opening allows a particularly great flexibility with regard to the operation of the latching device 100, since the connecting web 111 is now (also) movable along the displacement direction R 1 from an inner side of the first component 10. As a result, it is therefore also possible in a simple manner to operate the latching device 100 of a particularly long component 10 without having to use a substantially similarly long tool in order to release again a coupling which has occurred between the components 10, 1000 in the state in which it is installed in a busbar system 1, since operation can now be effected conveniently from an inner side of the component 10. In this case, it can preferably also be provided that the second component 1000 has, on its end side facing the first component 10, on corresponding walls of its base body 1200, a correspondingly equivalent through-opening or an equivalent through-slot for the respective latching device 100, so that-depending on the position of the latching device 100 on the first component 10, and thus depending on the position of the connecting web 111 relative to the second component 1000, in the coupled state of the two components 10, 1000, a particularly simple handling or operability of the latching device is achieved. Such a configuration would be useful, for example, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, in particular if the actuation direction R 1 should be designed inversely with respect to the coupling direction K. In this case, it can furthermore be provided that the contact section 114 (also) increases the contact surface in the direction of the through-opening.The through-opening is preferably arranged on the base body 200 in each case in such a way that it is positioned substantially at the same height as the connecting web 111. This further simplifies the operation of the latching device 100.If such a through-opening is provided, and the base body 200 further has cable ducts 300, it is particularly preferred to ensure that the through-opening is arranged between two cable ducts 300, in such a way that a wire line 400 potentially contained in the cable duct 300 is not exposed through the through-opening, such that the user is not exposed to any risk of touching the wire lines 400 when the latching device 100 is operated.It can also be seen with reference to FIGS. 2 and 5 that this deflection of the respective latching contour 113 from the latching position P 1 into the release position P 3 resulting from the movement of the connecting web 111 in the displacement direction R 1 takes place in a defined movement direction R 2.As can be seen in particular from FIG. 2, each latching contour 113 is formed by a protruding latching nose which in each case project in the opposite direction to the direction of movement R 2 of the latching contour 113. In the embodiment shown, it is provided here that the latching contour 113 of each latching arm 110 is arranged on a side facing the respective other latching arm 110. Alternatively, however, it can likewise be provided that the latching contour 113 of each latching arm 110 is arranged on a side facing away from the respective other latching arm 110-this is not shown in the figures, however. Depending on the configuration of the movement R 2 of the latching arm 110, it may be expedient here to provide an arrangement of the latching contour 113 which is correspondingly adapted thereto.As shown in particular in FIGS. 2 and 5, it can be provided that the movement directions R 2 of the respective latching contours 113 are oriented substantially perpendicular to the displacement direction R 1 of the connecting web 111. As shown, the direction of movement R 2 of the respective latching contours 113 can be directed away from one another or alternatively also directed towards one another.Furthermore, each of the latching arms 110 shown has a support section 119 which, in the region of a respectively assigned latching contour 113, protrudes laterally transversely with respect to the coupling direction K and also transversely with respect to the movement direction R 2. The support section projects-as shown in particular in FIG. 3-laterally outwards from the latching arms 110. This support section 119 supports the latching device 100, or at least the respective latching arm 110, in the state coupled to the second component 1000 and in the state inserted in the busbar system 1 (i.e. state arranged within a respective mounting rail of the busbar system 1), against a respective side wall of the mounting rail. As a result, the latching arm 110 and thus the latching contour 113 are pressed in the direction of a respective side wall of the second component 1000 (or of the base body 1013 of the second component 1000), with the result that any lateral play of the latching arm 110 which may exist is prevented or at least minimized. This particularly advantageously achieves the effect that the coupling of the two components 10, 1000 is extremely stable and the latching contours 113 of the first component 10 do not laterally come off or slide off from the respective latching elements 1013 of the second component 1000.It can likewise be provided that the latching arms 110 and / or the connecting web 111 have stiffening sections-as indicated in particular in FIGS. 1 and 2 and can be seen in particular with regard to the deflections of the components of the first component 10 when the latching device 100 is actuated from FIG. 5.It is likewise shown that the latching device 100 is formed substantially mirror-symmetrically with respect to a mirror axis which runs parallel to the coupling direction K.The exemplary embodiment of the component 10 shown in the figures is in this case formed integrally in one piece and is furthermore produced by an injection molding process, such that the component 10 is an injection molded part.As shown in FIG. 4, the latching device 100 of the component 10 couples to the latching elements 1013 present in the second component 1000. In the embodiment shown, the second component 1000 has four such latching elements 1013, wherein in principle only two latching elements 1013 would be sufficient. The latching elements 1013 can be, in particular, for example latching elements 11013 of already known busbars 11000, as is known from FIG. 6. In the coupled state shown, the latching contours 113 are in their latching position P 1 and thus hold the first component 10 fixed to the second component 1000. The connecting web 111 is also in its rest position P 0. If a user now wishes to separate the first component 10 from the second component 1000 of the power system 1, he actuates the connecting web 111 with a tool-by means of one of the variants described above-by acting on the contact region 114 with the tool and bringing the latter together with the connecting web 111 from the rest position P 0 into the release position P 2. Since the connecting web 111 is arranged correspondingly connected to the two latching arms 110 between the same, this results in a movement or deflection of the latching arms 110 around the connecting section 112. In the present case, as also shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, the latching arm 110 is in each case bent outwards, the latching contours 113 arranged at the distal end of the latching arm 110 are therefore moved away from one another in the direction of movement R 2. As a result, the latching contours 113 (or the latching noses shown) no longer interact with the latching elements 1013 of the second component 1000 and the coupling between the first component 10 and the second component 1000 is released and can furthermore be removed from the second component 1000, for example, by movement of the first component 10 in the inverse coupling direction K. This thus creates a reversible coupling which increases the flexibility within the busbar system 1.With regard to the movements R 1, R 2 of the individual components of the exemplary embodiment of the component 10, and in particular of the latching device 100, shown in FIG. 5, when the connecting web 111 is operated, it can be seen that the distal end of each latching arm 110 experiences virtually no expansion at all. The flexion of the latching arms 110 in the direction of movement R 2 facing away from one another from the latching position P 1 to the release position P 3 caused by displacement of the connecting web 111 from the rest position P 0 to the release position P 2 is substantially produced by extension of the respective latching arms 110 in the region in front of the connecting portion 112 and the coupling portion with the connecting web 111. The connecting web 111 itself also experiences an extremely strong expansion, and is substantially curved in shape in order to improve the expansion resistance and stability. Both in the latching arms 110 and in the connecting web 111, reinforcing portions are used which prevent or at least very greatly minimize material weakening during use. Furthermore, FIG. 5 also shows the stability-promoting influence of the contact portion 114 on the connecting web 111.Furthermore, it can be seen from the exemplary embodiment of the first component 10 from FIG. 5 that when the connecting web 111 is actuated, i.e. when force is applied to the central portion of the connecting web, in which the contact portion 114 can also be arranged, this central region moves in the actuation direction R 1 and is tensioned in the manner of a bow. The surface opposite the effective surface or contact surface of the connecting web 111 in the actuation direction R 1 is stretched in this case, just like the lateral regions located by the contact surface.As can be seen in particular from FIGS. 2, 4 and 5, the connecting web 111 can in this case in particular substantially have the shape of an inverse compound arc. In this embodiment, the force acting on the central part of the connecting web 111 can be transmitted particularly well, and thus initially leads to the deflection of the latching arms 110 coupled to the connecting web 111. Preferably, the respective coupling sections between connecting web 111 and latching arm 110 are each rigid, so that here essentially no expansion takes place. The latching arm 110 itself, on the other hand, experiences an expansion in the region between its coupling section and the connecting section 112, namely in particular in the region following the coupling section and the region on the connecting section 112. Between these regions undergoing expansion, a stiffening section is preferably positioned, which essentially minimizes or even prevents expansion in this region. The region between the coupling section and the distal end of the respective latching arm 110 does not undergo any expansion or compression, so that this region and in particular the latching contour 113 arranged therein does not undergo any force action here, and the material is therefore particularly protected here. By deflecting the latching contours 113, it is then possible, for example, to separate corresponding latching elements 1013 of a second component 1000. In the absence of a force acting on the connecting web 111, the stress present in the latching device as a result of the expansion of the latching arms 110 and of the connecting web 111 acts counter to the direction of movement R 2 and therefore also finally counter to the displacement direction R 1, with the result that the latching device 100 returns again into its rest or latching position P 0, P 1.As an alternative to the exemplary embodiment shown, it is in particular conceivable here for the latching contours 113 to be arranged on the respectively opposite sides of the latching arm 110 in a direction substantially perpendicular to the coupling direction K. Depending on the scenario, it may be further advantageous if, upon actuation of the connecting web 111, the latching arms 110 are not moved away from one another but towards one another, whereby in turn a coupling to the second component 1000 can be released.Furthermore, the actuation of the connecting web 111 can also take place in the inverse coupling direction K, wherein the above explanations can be used analogously to this depending on the present scenario. Latching devices 100 are also conceivable in which the latching contours 113 are moved in the same or parallel direction of movement R 2, wherein a symmetrical construction of the latching device is not possible here, since the coupling between connecting web 111 and latching arms 110 per latching arm 110 is different in order to achieve a substantially unidirectional and identically oriented movement R 2 of the latching contours 113 when the connecting web 111 is operated. The scenario to be taken into account in each case here includes, in particular, a respectively present configuration of the latching elements 1013 on the second component 1000; and further structural restrictions by the busbar system 1.In this respect, a wide variety of embodiments for a latching device 100 according to the invention are provided for an exemplary implementation of a component 10 according to the invention, wherein a reversible coupling with a second additional component 1000 of a busbar system 1 is always made possible.

Claims

Component (10) for a busbar system (1), having: • a base body (200), and • a latching device (100) for reversibly latching the component (10) to a second component (1000) of the busbar system (1) when the component (10) moves in a coupling direction (K), wherein the latching device (100) has: • two latching arms (110) each having a proximal connecting portion (112), by means of which the latching arm (110) is connected to the base body (200), and a distal latching portion, spaced apart from the base body (200), having a latching contour (113) for latching the component (10) to the second component (1000) of the busbar system (1), wherein the respective latching arm (110) is designed to be elastically deformable in this way, such that the latching contour (113) can be deflected via the connecting portion (112) from a latching position (P1) into a release position (P3); • a connecting web (111) directly connecting the two latching arms (110) to one another, wherein the connecting web (111) is coupled in each case in a region between the connecting portion (112) and the latching contour (113) to the respective latching arm (110) such that, when the connecting web (111) is moved in a displacement direction (R1) from a rest position (P0) into a release position (P2), the latching contours (113) can be transferred in each case from the latching position (P1) into the release position (P3) by the elastic deformation of the associated latching arm (110).Component according to Claim 1, wherein the latching arms (110) each project from the base body (200) in the coupling direction (K), and / or wherein the latching portions and preferably the latching arms (110) extend in a plane having the coupling direction (K), and / or wherein the connecting portions (112) are each arranged on an outer edge of the base body (200) which points in the coupling direction (K).Component according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein the deflection of the respective latching contour (113) resulting from the movement of the connecting web (111) in the displacement direction (R1) from the latching position (P1) into the release position (P3) takes place in a defined movement direction (R2).Component according to Claim 3, wherein the movement directions (R2) of the respective latching contours (113) are oriented substantially perpendicularly to the displacement direction (R1) of the connecting web (111), and / or wherein the movement directions (R2) of the respective rat contours (113) are directed towards one another or away from one another.Component according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the connecting web (111) has, in a region between the two latching arms (110), an abutment portion (114), via which the connecting web (111) can be moved from the rest position (P0) into the release position (P2) by pressing in the displacement direction (R1), wherein the abutment portion (114) preferably increases a bearing surface of the connecting web (111) facing the base body (200) and / or facing away from the base body (200).Component according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the coupling between the connecting web (111) and the respective latching arm (110) is substantially rigid, and / or wherein the connecting web (111) is formed integrally in one piece with the latching arms (110).Component according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the latching device (100) is formed substantially mirror-symmetrically with respect to a mirror axis which runs parallel to the coupling direction (K).Component according to one of the preceding claims, wherein each latching contour (113) is formed by a protruding latching nose, wherein the latching noses preferably each protrude opposite the direction of movement (R2).Component according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the latching contour (113) of each latching arm (110) is arranged on a side facing the respective other latching arm (110); or wherein the latching contour (113) of each latching arm (110) is arranged on a side facing away from the respective other latching arm (110).Component according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one latching arm (110) has a support section (119), which, preferably in the region of the associated latching contour (113), protrudes laterally transversely to the coupling direction (K) and preferably also transversely to the movement direction (R2).Component according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the component (10), preferably the base body (200), further comprises a guide portion (220) for guiding a tool towards the connecting web (111), preferably parallel to the displacement direction (R1), in order to move the connecting web (111) from the rest position (P0) into the release position (P2); wherein preferably the guide portion (220) extends along a width (b) of the base body (200), in particular along the entire width (b) of the base body (200).Component according to Claim 11, wherein the guide portion (220) is formed as an indentation (221) of the base body (200), which extends away from an end of the base body (200) facing the connecting web (111), preferably the outer edge, at least partially or completely along the base body (200), preferably substantially parallel to the displacement direction (R1); wherein preferably: • the indentation (221) has a width (a), and wherein the guide portion (220) further has a taper (222), which tapers the width (a) of the indentation (221) towards the connecting web (111), wherein preferably the taper (222) is formed for the centered feeding of a tool onto the connecting web (111) and in particular onto the contact portion (114) of the latching device (110); and / or • the guide device (220) has an elevation (223) protruding into the elevation (221) in an end region of the indentation (221) facing the connecting web (111), wherein the elevation (223) is preferably designed for feeding a tool onto the connecting web (111) and in particular onto the contact section (114) of the latching device (110).Component according to Claim 11 or 12, wherein the guide portion (220) has a through opening from an inner side of the base body (200) to an outer side of the base body (200), which extends in the displacement direction (R1) towards the connecting web (111), and which preferably extends as far as the edge of the base body (200) facing the connecting web (111).Component according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the latching arms (110) and / or the connecting web (111) have stiffening sections; and / or wherein the component (10) is an injection-molded part; and / or wherein the component (10) is integrally formed in one piece.Component according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the component (10) is a contact protection for one end of a busbar of the busbar system (1); or wherein the component (10) is a component carrier of the busbar system (1); or wherein the component (10) is a part for a BUS bar extension, for example a busbar, of the busbar system (1); or wherein the component (10) is an electrical connector of the busbar system (1).Component according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the component (10) has cable ducts (300) which run parallel to the coupling direction (K); wherein preferably the component (10) is formed substantially U-shaped in cross section along the coupling direction (K); wherein preferably the cable ducts (300) are arranged on an inwardly facing side of the base body (200).Busbar system (1) having a first component (10) according to one of the preceding claims 1 to 15, and a second component (1000), wherein the second component (1000) has at least two latching elements (1013), which are designed for interaction with the latching contours (113) of the latching device (100) of the first component (10), wherein the latching device (100) of the first component (10) is reversibly coupled to the latching element (1013), wherein the second component (1000) is preferably a busbar.

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