Touch protection cap for a busbar in a mounting rail system

Abstract

Contact protection cap (10) for a busbar (20) arranged in a support rail (40) of a support rail system (1), the busbar (20) having a base body (200) with busbar guide channels (210) aligned parallel to one another and wire lines (30) extending therein, each of which protrudes from the busbar (20) with a wire end (310) at the end of the base body (200); wherein the contact protection cap (10) is designed to be plugged onto the base body (200) at one end of the busbar (20) in a plugging direction (R); wherein the contact protection cap (10) has a base part (100) with guide channels (110, 110a, 110b) aligned parallel to the plug-on direction (R), wherein the guide channels (110, 110a, 110b) are each designed to completely receive one of the wire ends (310); wherein the guide channels (110, 110a, 110b) are all open to the same side of an inner side or an outer side of the base part (100) for electrical contact; and wherein the contact protection cap (10) has a coupling element (120) protruding from the base part (100) in the plug-on direction (R) for mechanical coupling to the busbar (20).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a contact protection cap for the final covering of a busbar with wires arranged therein. The contact protection cap can be plugged onto the busbar and is mechanically connected to the busbar by means of interacting coupling elements of the busbar and the contact protection cap.

[0002] Mounting rail systems, or the busbar systems they contain, are generally characterized by the fact that individual mounting rail modules or busbar modules can be coupled together as required, so that the length of the mounting rail system or busbar system can be adjusted to suit current requirements. The user can individually combine different lengths of modules with one another. Different lengths per module are conceivable, with lengths of up to 4.5 meters being used. At a starting point of the busbar (start of the busbar system), a connection terminal is usually provided, which transmits the corresponding signals to the individual wires, thus enabling communication signal transmission and / or power supply to and from devices connected to the busbar. In order for these signals orTo transmit the power supply from the first busbar module to the last busbar module in the system, it is necessary for the individual busbar modules to be coupled not only mechanically but also electrically. For this purpose, one end of each busbar module typically has protruding wires, which are then inserted into a subsequent busbar module, thereby establishing an electrical connection with its wires.

[0003] Furthermore, it is intended that the user installs one or more contact protection caps at the end of the busbar (busbar system end), depending on the design of the busbar, which cover the respective protruding wire lines at the end of the last busbar module and thus protect the wire lines against contact.

[0004] Touch protection caps in general are designed in such a way that they prevent a user from touching the wire lines they contain and also close off the busbar so that the busbar cannot be continued through the touch protection cap.

[0005] In Fig. 7 shows such a previously known contact protection cap 1010, which is coupled to one end of a busbar 20. The busbar 20 is arranged within a support rail 40 of a known support rail system 1, wherein the busbar 20 further has busbar guide channels 210 in which the wire lines 30 of the busbar 20 are arranged. In the exemplary embodiment of the busbar 20 shown, it has such busbar guide channels 210 only on the inside of its side walls 202. The connecting wall 201 connecting the two side walls 202, however, is bare and does not have any busbar guide channels 210 or wire lines 30. The side walls 202 and the connecting wall 201 of the busbar 20 are accommodated within the support rail 40 and are clamped between corresponding side walls 402 of the support rail 40 and the base wall 401 of the support rail 40.

[0006] As also from the Fig. As can be seen in Figure 7, the contact protection cap 1010 is plugged onto the visible side wall 202 of the busbar 20, with the protruding wire leads 30 (and in particular their wire ends 310) being arranged in a contact-safe manner in a closed interior of the contact protection cap 1010. The contact protection cap 1010 has a base part 1100, which is plugged onto the busbar 20 and thereby conceals the busbar guide channels 210 of the busbar 20 in an end region of the busbar 20.

[0007] An electrical device to be coupled to the mounting rail system 1 or the busbar 20 usually has a tap for the electrical coupling to the busbar 20, which is arranged centrally on the device and via which the device is supplied with power and communication signals from the busbar 20. The tap usually has a rotating element which, through a rotating movement, establishes the electrical (and usually also mechanical) coupling of the electrical device to the busbar 20 (and usually also to the mounting rail 40). Corresponding contact elements engage in the busbar guide channels 210 and establish electrical contact with the wire lines 30. The tap is usually integrated in a bar element which is inserted into the mounting rail 40 or the busbar 20. The electrical devices and in particular their taps (orThe beam elements (their beam element) can have different lengths, with the tap usually located centrally on the beam element. The shortest beam elements are usually 250 millimeters long.

[0008] The respective electrical device(s) provided can be flexibly arranged along the busbar 20 (or the busbar system), with the exception of the beginning and end of the busbar system. This is because, at both the beginning and the end, the connectivity between the busbar 20 and the electrical device is limited by the necessarily present touch protection cap 1010, or by the connection terminal. Since the present invention deals with the touch protection cap, the end of the busbar system will now be considered in particular.

[0009] When considering the Fig. 7 of such a known mounting rail system 1001, whose busbar 20 is covered by a previously known contact protection cap 1010, it is noticeable that a minimum distance d 1004 between the support rail end 410 and the last possible position for coupling the busbar 20 and a respective electrical device, or its tap, must be maintained. This last possible position is at a distance d x from the nearest edge of the contact protection cap 1010, since the electrical coupling of the tap with the busbar 20, or its wire lines 30 arranged in the busbar guide channels 210, is achieved by means of rotation of the tap's contacts running on a circular path. To avoid collisions between all contacts and the contact protection cap 1010, it is therefore necessary to adjust the distance d xmust be observed, since otherwise the contacts will hit the contact protection cap 1010 and electrical coupling will not be possible. In a concrete example, this means in practice that a tap at a distance of approximately 125 millimeters from the end of the mounting rail 410 is usually not possible, since the contact protection cap 1010 directly covers this area of the busbar 20 and furthermore the further area of the distance d xthe busbar 20 cannot be used. Therefore, with the known contact protection cap 1010, there is also the problem that electrical devices do not sit flush with the support rail end 410. Especially with devices having short beam elements, it is therefore not possible to mount them in the end area of the support rail system 1001 or the busbar 20. The problem discussed above occurs particularly with the short beam elements mentioned (250 millimeters long and the position of the tap is therefore 125 millimeters), since these cannot be coupled to the busbar 20 in such a way that the tap on the busbar 20 is at a distance of 125 millimeters from the support rail end 410.

[0010] The known contact protection cap 1010 thus not only covers the protruding wire ends 310, but also covers the busbar guide channels 210 of the busbar 20 over a certain length. In this respect, the known contact protection cap 1010 severely restricts a flexible arrangement of devices along the busbar 20.

[0011] Furthermore, it should be noted that in the version shown Fig. 7 on the opposite side of the busbar 20 such a contact protection cap 1010 is also provided, provided that on this non-visible side of the busbar 20 busbar guide channels 210 with wire lines 30 arranged therein are also provided so that the required contact protection of the busbar system or the support rail system 1001 is established.

[0012] The invention is therefore based on the object of providing an improved contact protection cap by means of which the protruding wire lines of a busbar are protected from contact, but which also enables flexible contact with the accommodated wire lines and with wire lines of the busbar.

[0013] This object is achieved according to the invention with the subject matter stated in independent claim 1. In combination with the busbar per se, a busbar system according to the further independent claim 12 is also specified. Furthermore, by combining the busbar system with a support rail, a support rail system according to the further independent claim 16 is also created. Particular embodiments of the invention are specified in the respective dependent claims.

[0014] According to the invention, a contact protection cap is provided for a busbar arranged in a support rail of a support rail system. The busbar has a base body with parallel busbar guide channels and wire lines extending therein, wherein the wire lines each protrude from the busbar with a wire end at the end of the base body. Furthermore, the contact protection cap is designed to be plugged onto the base body at one end of the busbar in a plug-in direction, wherein the contact protection cap has a base part with guide channels aligned parallel to the plug-in direction, wherein the guide channels are each designed to fully accommodate one of the wire ends.Furthermore, the guide channels are all open to the same side of an inside or an outside of the base part for electrical contact, wherein the contact protection cap has a coupling element protruding from the base part in the plug-on direction for mechanical coupling to the busbar.

[0015] The contact protection cap created in this way is particularly flexible and can be easily plugged and coupled onto a respective busbar. The coupling element ensures that the contact protection cap is securely held on the busbar, and this coupling to the busbar also closes off the busbar - thus preventing the addition of further busbars. However, this always ensures that the busbar wires are accommodated in the contact protection cap and that the wires are also available for electrical contact in the area of the contact protection cap, since the busbar guide channels are continued by the guide channels of the contact protection cap that are open on one side. The contour of the busbar or its busbar guide channels is therefore continued by the contact protection cap.This ensures that essentially the entire length of the wire of the (last) busbar can be used, enabling electrical tapping along the entire length of the wire, particularly in the area of the contact protection cap. This prevents collision with the contact protection cap when inserting the tapping, and especially when coupling the tapping (through rotational movement of the contacts along the respective circular path). This enables, for example, positioning the tapping at the particularly advantageous distance of 125 millimeters from the end of the mounting rail, so that electrical devices can be arranged along the entire length of the busbar or busbar system.

[0016] The touch protection cap now only sensibly prevents a user from touching the protruding wire lines or their wire ends, and also prevents a continuation of the busbar or busbar system closed off by the touch protection cap, and at the same time enables the flexible and safe arrangement of electrical devices along the busbar.

[0017] The busbar system according to the invention comprises: • a busbar with a base body with parallel busbar guide channels and wire lines extending therein, each of which protrudes from the busbar with a wire end at the end of the base body, and • a contact protection cap according to one of the embodiments described herein, wherein the busbar has a coupling element complementary to the coupling element of the contact protection cap, such that when the contact protection cap is plugged onto the busbar in the plugging direction, each of the wire ends is received in a different one of the guide channels. Furthermore, it is provided that when the contact protection cap is plugged onto the busbar in the plugging direction, the coupling element and the complementary coupling element interact with one another and the busbar and the contact protection cap are coupled to one another, wherein the guide channels of the contact protection cap continue the busbar guide channels of the busbar and are open on the same side for electrical contacting of the wire lines.

[0018] With regard to the support rail system according to the invention, it is provided that this: • a support rail extending along a longitudinal axis, and • a busbar system according to one of the embodiments described herein, wherein the busbar is held mounted within the support rail such that its busbar guide channels are aligned parallel to the longitudinal axis, and / or wherein the direction in which the contact protection cap is plugged onto the busbar is aligned parallel to the longitudinal axis.

[0019] The busbar system designed in this way – or rather the mounting rail system designed in this way – therefore has a coordinated busbar and contact protection cap, whereby the busbar and in particular its protruding wires are protected from contact by a user when the contact protection cap is attached. Furthermore, the busbar system created in this way is characterized by the fact that its wires arranged in the busbar guide channels of the busbar or the guide channels of the contact protection cap are available for electrical contact along their entire length, allowing electrical devices to be arranged thereon in a particularly simple, safe, and flexible manner. This also creates a particularly advantageous mounting rail system, which is characterized by a particularly flexible, simple, and safe coupling of electrical devices to the mounting rail.

[0020] Optionally, the guide channels extend along the entire length of the base part, with the length of the base part preferably being less than 4.0 cm, preferably less than 3.75 cm, more preferably less than 3.0 cm, and particularly preferably less than 2.75 cm. This ensures that the contact protection cap compensates for manufacturing tolerances of the wire lines and thus allows for particularly flexible use.

[0021] Optionally, the base part can have two lateral legs and a connecting leg connecting the lateral legs. This allows for various shapes of the touch protection cap, which can be adapted to the shape of the busbar, making attaching the touch protection cap particularly easy.

[0022] Optionally, at least one of the side legs and / or the connecting leg can be provided with guide channels. This allows the contact protection cap to be designed particularly individually according to the structural specifications of the busbar.

[0023] Optionally, the touch protection cap is provided in an operational configuration with a substantially U-shape, with the lateral limbs preferably aligned substantially perpendicular to the connecting limb. The touch protection cap created in this way covers the most classic shape of busbars or mounting rail systems. Of course, other shapes are also conceivable. It should also be noted that designs are also possible in which the touch protection cap has only one limb (i.e., plate-shaped or I-shaped) or two limbs (e.g., L-shaped, T-shaped, V-shaped).

[0024] In particular, it can optionally be provided with regard to the busbar system that the busbar also has a substantially U-shaped profile in cross-section, or that the busbar has two base bodies that are substantially opposite one another and preferably face one another with an open side of their busbar guide channels. The busbar system or support rail created in this way is particularly versatile.

[0025] Furthermore, with regard to the support rail system, it can also be provided that the support rail has a U-shaped profile in a cross-section, and the support rail has a support rail center part and two lateral support rail side walls.

[0026] Optionally, the touch protection cap is designed to be essentially flat in a storage configuration, with the lateral limbs preferably arranged essentially parallel to the connecting limb. This allows the touch protection cap to be stored and transported in a particularly space-saving manner, thus further minimizing costs. Such a configuration can also be accompanied by components of the base part being subjected to tension relative to one another during transfer to the operational configuration, and thus, when coupled to the busbar, the touch protection cap is held within the mounting rail or on the busbar with additional support from this tension.

[0027] Optionally, the contact protection cap further comprises a hinge section configured to move the contact protection cap between the storage configuration and the operational configuration. This enables a particularly simple transformation of the contact protection cap from the storage configuration to the operational configuration, and vice versa. In particular, this configuration enables a reversible transformation, which can also be carried out without tools and particularly easily by a user. Furthermore, this preferably prevents individual components of the contact protection cap from becoming lost, since the hinge section creates a coherent, integral structure.

[0028] Optionally, the contact protection cap has at least one support element which, when plugged onto the busbar, is designed to interact with the mounting rail and / or the busbar. This creates a particularly stable coupling to the mounting rail or the busbar, and one or more of these support elements also ensure that a tap of an electrical device coupled to the wires in the area of the contact protection cap is held particularly securely. This increases the operational reliability of the contact protection cap. Preferably, the support element protrudes from the base part. This enables particularly advantageous support on the mounting rail or the busbar.

[0029] Optionally, the support element is provided as a lateral support element on the outer side of a side leg for support against a mounting rail side wall. This further improves the lateral stability of the touch protection cap, so that in the coupled state—and especially when electrically coupled with a tap—the force acting on the touch protection cap is transferred to the mounting rail side wall, ensuring dimensional stability of the lateral legs of the touch protection cap.

[0030] Alternatively or additionally, the support element is provided as a lateral engagement element on an outer side of the connecting leg for engaging a complementary recess in a mounting rail center section. This allows the contact protection cap to be particularly advantageously inserted into the complementary structure of the mounting rail, further improving the stability of the contact protection cap and ensuring secure mounting within the mounting rail and thus also on the busbar.

[0031] Alternatively or additionally, the support element is provided as an engagement element at the front end of a side leg for engaging a complementary recess in a mounting rail side wall. This particularly advantageously supports the contact protection cap on the mounting rail, further improving the coupling between the contact protection cap and the busbar.

[0032] Alternatively or additionally, the support element is a lateral rail element on the inside of a side leg of the contact protection cap for engaging with a complementary bulge of a busbar side leg. This further strengthens the coupling between the busbar and the contact protection cap and further simplifies the attachment of the contact protection cap. Furthermore, with regard to the busbar system, it can optionally be provided that the support element is designed in the form of a rail element of the contact protection cap, when attached to the busbar, for interaction with the corresponding complementary bulge of the busbar.

[0033] Alternatively or additionally, the support element is provided as a lateral support element on an outer side of a coupling element for support against a mounting rail side wall. This further improves the lateral stability of the contact protection cap, so that in the coupled state—and particularly when electrically coupled with a tap—the force acting on the contact protection cap is transferred to the coupling element and thus to the mounting rail side wall. Furthermore, the mounting rail side wall is in contact with the coupling element, so that the coupling between the busbar and the contact protection cap is further stabilized and thus improved.

[0034] Optionally, the contact protection cap may have multiple coupling elements, preferably two coupling elements per side leg. In this regard, the busbar system may optionally have multiple complementary coupling elements, and the contact protection cap may have a corresponding number of coupling elements, with each coupling element interacting with a complementary coupling element when the contact protection cap is plugged onto the busbar. This further improves the stability of the coupling between the contact protection cap and the busbar.

[0035] Furthermore, it is preferably provided that the coupling elements are locking elements. This further improves the plug-in process, since the contact protection cap can be coupled to the busbar without the need for tools and without significant effort.

[0036] Particularly preferably, the coupling elements are designed for reversible mechanical coupling. This further increases the flexibility of the busbar system or mounting rail, and the contact protection cap itself is also reusable.

[0037] Optionally, the contact protection cap can be a one-piece injection-molded part. This creates a particularly cost-effective contact protection cap. It is also conceivable for the contact protection cap to be formed from several individual sections that are mechanically coupled together.

[0038] Optionally, the mounting rail system can be provided with an end cover at one end of the mounting rail. This seals the end of the mounting rail from external influences and protects the interior of the mounting rail from these external influences. In particular, the end cover can be provided to protect the interior of the mounting rail from water, moisture, and / or dust.

[0039] As an option, the mounting rail system allows one wire end of each wire to be positioned within the respective guide channel of the touch protection cap when plugged onto the busbar. This ensures particularly effective touch protection of the mounting rail system through the touch protection cap. Furthermore, it is particularly easy to fully utilize the existing wire in the mounting rail system.

[0040] In this case, there is preferably a safety distance between each wire end and the end of the guide channel on the side of the touch protection cap opposite the busbar. This ensures that the wire ends positioned inside the touch protection cap are at a certain distance from the end of the guide channel of the touch protection cap, thus providing particularly advantageous touch protection.

[0041] Therefore, the contact protection cap presented here represents a particularly flexible and versatile end cover for a busbar, which enables flexible and simple coupling of electrical devices to a busbar even in the last end area of the busbar.

[0042] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to various embodiments and their configurations, and with reference to the drawings. They show: Fig. 1A is a schematic cross-sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of a contact protection cap according to the invention in a storage configuration; Fig. 1B is a schematic oblique view of an exemplary embodiment of a contact protection cap according to the invention in a storage configuration; Fig. 2 a schematic cross-sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of a contact protection cap according to the invention in an operational configuration; Fig. 3A is a schematic representation of an exemplary embodiment of a contact protection cap according to the invention in an operational configuration in an oblique view of the coupling side; Fig. 3B is a schematic representation of an exemplary embodiment of a contact protection cap according to the invention in an operational configuration in an oblique view of the end side; Fig. 4 a schematic cross-sectional view along the longitudinal axis of an exemplary embodiment of a support rail system according to the invention when plugging an exemplary embodiment of a contact protection cap according to the invention onto a busbar; Fig. 5A is a schematic cross-sectional view along the longitudinal axis in an oblique view of an exemplary embodiment of a support rail system according to the invention with an exemplary embodiment of a contact protection cap according to the invention in the state plugged onto a busbar; Fig. 5B is a schematic cross-sectional view along the longitudinal axis in a side view of an exemplary embodiment of a support rail system according to the invention with an exemplary embodiment of a contact protection cap according to the invention in the state plugged onto a busbar; Fig. 6A is a schematic representation of another exemplary embodiment of a contact protection cap according to the invention in an operational configuration in an oblique view of the coupling side; Fig. 6B is a schematic side view of the further exemplary embodiment of a contact protection cap according to the invention from Fig. 6A; Fig. 7 a schematic representation in an oblique view of a mounting rail system known from the prior art with a contact protection cap plugged onto a busbar.

[0043] The Fig. 1A, Fig. 1B, Fig. 2, Fig. 3A and Fig. 3B each show different views of an exemplary embodiment of a contact protection cap 10 according to the invention. In the following Fig. 4, Fig. 5A and Fig. 5B again shows by way of example how this embodiment of the contact protection cap 10 is plugged onto a busbar 20 and thus covers the last busbar 20 of a mounting rail system 1 and thus limits the length of the busbars provided in the mounting rail system 1. In the Fig. 6A and Fig. 6B again discusses a special design of the coupling elements 120, which is designed for reversible coupling with a busbar 20.

[0044] The embodiment of the support rail system 1 shown in the figures comprises one or more support rails 40, wherein a busbar system - comprising one or more lined-up busbars 20, as well as wire lines 30 - is furthermore held within the support rails 40. In this case, at least one busbar 20 is arranged inside the one or more support rails 40, wherein the busbar 20 in turn has a base body 200 with parallel aligned busbar guide channels 210 and wire lines 30 extending therein. As can be seen in particular from Fig. 4, these wire lines 30 protrude from the busbar 20 at the end of the base body 200, each with a wire end 310. Generally speaking, the wire lines 30 protrude with a length d1 beyond the base body 200 of the busbar 20 in the interior of the support rail 40. To increase the safety of the support rail system 1, or the busbar system, it is also essential that a contact protection cap 10 is arranged on the busbar 20 in such a way as to cover the protruding wire lines 30, or the wire ends 310, and thus protect a user from touching the wire lines 30.

[0045] The mounting rail 40 shown is again similarly constructed, with a mounting rail center section 401 and two mounting rail side walls 402 arranged laterally thereon. The mounting rail 40 is typically U-shaped, so that the mounting rail side walls 402 on two side regions of the mounting rail center section 401 are essentially perpendicular to this center section 401. To insert electrical devices or their tapping, the mounting rails 40 are typically open on one side. The busbar 20 is arranged in the interior of the mounting rail 40 such that the wire lines 30 arranged thereon can be contacted for such a tapping inserted into the mounting rail 40. The mounting rail 40, or the mounting rail system 1, is covered at its end faces by an end cover 50 arranged at the mounting rail end 410.This end cover 50 protects against the lateral entry of external influences such as moisture, water, and / or dust, and also prevents a user from reaching in from the side. This also makes the visual design of the support rail 40, and thus the support rail system 1, particularly aesthetic.

[0046] The busbar 20 typically also has a substantially U-shaped cross-section. A design of the busbar 20 is also conceivable in which the busbar 20 has two substantially opposite base bodies 200, preferably with an open side of their busbar guide channels 210 facing toward one another. It is also conceivable for the busbar 20 to have only one substantially plate-shaped base body 200. The design of the busbar 20 is not necessarily coupled to the structure of the support rail 40; however, the contact protection cap 10 is at least adapted to the design of the busbar 20.

[0047] From the overview of the Fig. 1 to 5B show that the contact protection cap 10 is designed to be plugged onto the base body 200 at one end of the busbar 20 in a plug-in direction R, wherein the contact protection cap 10 further comprises a base part 100 with guide channels 110, 110a, 110b aligned parallel to the plug-in direction R. The guide channels 110, 110a, 110b are each designed to completely receive one of the wire ends 310 and are furthermore all open to the same side of an inner side or an outer side of the base part 100 for electrical contact.This ensures that the contact protection cap 10 protects both the wire ends 310, or the wire lines 30 projecting beyond the distance d1, from contact, and that the contact protection cap 10 enables electrical coupling of an electrical device via its tap, since the guide channels 110, 110a, 110b of the contact protection cap 10 make the wire line 30 accessible to electrical contacts of the tap. The electrical contacts of a typical tap, which usually rotate in a circular motion during the coupling process, can thus engage smoothly in the respective guide channels 110, 110a, 110b, as is also the case with the busbar 20. This accessibility is particularly evident in the . Fig. 5A and Fig. 5B.

[0048] Furthermore, the contact protection cap 10 has a coupling element 120 protruding from the base part 100 in the plug-on direction R for mechanically coupling to the busbar 20, whereby the mechanical coupling of the contact protection cap 10 is fixed to the busbar 20, and sufficient mechanical stability is also provided in the case of a coupling to an electrical device in the area of the contact protection cap 10. As can be seen in particular from the Fig. 1B, Fig. 3A and Fig. As can be seen in Figure 3B, in the exemplary embodiment shown, several coupling elements 120 are provided, which further improves stability. The busbar 20 has complementary coupling elements (not shown in the figures), so that when the contact protection cap 10 is placed on the busbar 20, the coupling elements 120 interact with the contact protection cap 10, thus establishing the coupling. Furthermore, the coupling elements 120 are designed as locking elements in the embodiment shown.

[0049] Furthermore, other designs of the coupling elements 120 are also conceivable - such as, for example, in the design of the Fig. 6A and Fig. 6B. The coupling created by the coupling elements 120 is reversible, so that the contact protection cap 10 can also be removed from the busbar 20 as needed.

[0050] Furthermore, embodiments are also conceivable in which at least one coupling element 120 is arranged on the connecting leg 101.

[0051] In the Fig. 1A to 5B, as well as in the Fig. 6A and Fig. 6B shows the special embodiment of a contact protection cap 10, in which the base part 100 has two lateral side legs 102 and a connecting leg 101 connecting the side legs 102, wherein the contact protection cap 10 is in an operational configuration (see Fig. 2, Fig. 3A and Fig. 3B) has a substantially U-shape in which the lateral side legs 102 are aligned substantially perpendicular to the connecting leg 101.

[0052] Of course, other embodiments are also conceivable, in which, for example, the contact protection cap 10 or the base part 100 consists only of a plate-shaped element (for example, only the connecting leg 101 or only one of the side legs 102 of the embodiment shown). It is also conceivable for the contact protection cap 10 to have an L-shape, a T-shape, or a V-shape (for example, formed from two legs of the connecting leg 101 and side leg 102 shown), wherein the shape of the contact protection cap 10 is ideally adapted to the respective shape of the busbar 20.

[0053] Preferably, the contact protection cap 10 is designed as a single piece, and in this case, in particular, by an injection molding process. However, it is also conceivable for the contact protection cap 10 to be designed not as a single piece, but as a multi-part unit, wherein the multiple components can be coupled to the busbar 20 individually or as a whole. All features presented herein can also be implemented with a multi-part contact protection cap 10, unless explicitly described otherwise.

[0054] The Fig. 1A and Fig. 1B each show the contact protection cap 10 in a storage configuration in which the contact protection cap 10 is essentially flat. This allows the contact protection cap 10 to be stored and transported in a particularly space-saving manner. As shown in the exemplary embodiment, the contact protection cap 10 further comprises a hinge section by means of which the configuration of the contact protection cap 10 can be changed between the storage configuration and the operational configuration. Starting from the storage configuration of the Fig. 1A and Fig. In the embodiment of the contact protection cap 10 shown in Figure 1B—in which the lateral side legs 102 are arranged substantially parallel to the connecting leg 101—the side legs 102 are folded over such that the guide channels 110, 110a, 110b of the two side legs 102 are arranged opposite one another inside the thus formed contact protection cap 10. This configuration provides particularly easy accessibility to the wire lines 30 arranged inside the guide channels 110, 110a, 110b when the contact protection cap 10 is placed on the busbar 20.

[0055] With the hinge section, and thus preferably also the integral construction of the touch protection cap 10, an intrinsic prestress of the components of the touch protection cap 10 can also be realized by transforming the touch protection cap 10 from a storage configuration into an operational configuration. With reference to the embodiment shown, this could result in the side legs 102, when coupled to the busbar 20, pressing against the respective support rail side wall 402, thus further fixing the arrangement of the touch protection cap 10 within the support rail system 1 and thus providing additional stability to the busbar system or the coupling between the busbar 20 and the touch protection cap 10. A special symbiosis also results from the implementation of the support elements 129, 130, 140, 160, 170, which are specified in more detail below.

[0056] As also from the Fig. As can be seen in Figures 1A to 5B, in the embodiment shown, the guide channels 110, 110a, 110b are all realized on the side legs 102, and in particular on an inner side of the side legs 102, whereby embodiments are also conceivable in which at least some (in this specific case, all) of the guide channels 110, 110a, 110b are arranged on the connecting leg 101. This is also conceivable with regard to a different shape of the contact protection cap 10. Furthermore, at least some guide channels 110, 110a, 110b can also be arranged on an outer side of the contact protection cap 10.

[0057] The guide channels 110, 110a, 110b extend along the entire length b of the base part 100, so that different projecting wire lengths d1 of the wire leads can be accommodated inside the contact protection cap 10, thereby compensating for manufacturing tolerances of both the wire leads 30 and the contact protection cap 10. Preferably, the length b of the base part 100 is less than 4.0 cm, particularly preferably less than 3.75 cm, further preferably less than 3.0 cm, and in particular less than 2.75 cm.

[0058] The Fig. 3A primarily shows the coupling side of the contact protection cap 10 in an oblique view - that is, the side of the contact protection cap 10 which faces the busbar 20 when the contact protection cap 10 is plugged on in the plugging direction R. In contrast, the Fig. 3B the rear or end side of the contact protection cap 10 in an oblique view - i.e. the side of the contact protection cap 10 facing away from the busbar 20 in the coupled state, which thus also marks the end of the busbar system.

[0059] Furthermore, as can be seen from the Fig. 1A to 5B, the contact protection cap 10 can also have at least one support element 129, 130, 140, 160, 170, which, when plugged onto the busbar 20, is designed to interact with the support rail 40 and / or with the busbar 20. Various configurations of such support elements are shown in the figures, wherein in particular in the Fig. 4, Fig. 5A and Fig. 5B shows the interaction with the busbar 20 within the mounting rail system 1. The support elements 129, 130, 140, 160, 170 serve both to increase the stability of the contact protection cap 10 itself and to couple it to the busbar 20 or arrange it within the mounting rail 40.

[0060] In the example shown, a lateral support element 130 is provided, which is arranged on an outer side of a side leg 102 for support on a support rail side wall 402. This increases the lateral stability of the contact protection cap 10 and improves the retention of the contact protection cap 10 within the support rail 40.

[0061] Furthermore, the embodiment shown has a lateral engagement element 140 as a support element, which is formed on an outer side of the connecting leg 101 for engagement in a complementary bulge 420 of the support rail middle part 401, as shown in particular in Fig. 4. As a result, the contact protection cap 10 is adapted to structural designs of the support rail 40, and in particular to the upper region of the support rail 40 in the region of the transition of the support rail center section 410 to the respective support rail side walls 402, so that a particularly secure and stable hold is achieved.

[0062] An engagement element 170 is also provided as a support element in the exemplary design of the contact protection cap 10 shown. This engagement element 170 is formed on a front end of a side leg 102 for engaging in a complementary bulge of a support rail side wall 402. In this respect, the contact protection cap 10 is also adapted to specific structural designs of the support rail 40. However, the specific design of a lower region of the support rail 40 in the foot region of the support rail side walls 402 is now taken into account. By means of the engagement element(s) 170, the contact protection cap is supported on the support rail 40 in the coupled state, thereby further improving stability.

[0063] It is also conceivable that the support element is a lateral rail element 160, which is arranged on an inner side of a side leg 102 of the contact protection cap 10 and is designed to engage in a complementary bulge 220 of a busbar side leg 202. This configuration is particularly Fig. 4, wherein the lateral rail element 160 interacts with the busbar side leg 202 when the contact protection cap 10 is placed in the insertion direction R and engages in a complementary bulge 220. This rail-like, complementary design further simplifies the assembly of the support rail system 1 or the busbar system with regard to the coupling of the busbar 20 and the contact protection cap 10. Furthermore, the stability of the connection between the contact protection cap 10 and the busbar 20 is improved.

[0064] The guide channels 110, 110a, 110b thus extend the busbar guide channels 210 and enable the full utilization of the busbar 20 in its end region. In the embodiment shown, it is further provided that the guide channels 110, 110a, 110b as well as the busbar guide channels 210 extend parallel to the longitudinal axis of the busbar 20 or the support rail 40.

[0065] The guide channels 110, 110a, 110b can be divided into different groups, whereby—at least in the embodiment shown—a division into lateral guide channels 110a and upper guide channels 110b is particularly conceivable. The upper guide channels 110b can also be arranged on the side legs 102, whereby alternatively or additionally, an arrangement on the connecting leg 101 can also be realized.

[0066] Depending on the design of the busbar 20, and also depending on the design of the support rail 40, it may be expedient to provide certain structures for the contact protection cap 10, which further simplify insertion into the support rail system 1 and coupling to the busbar 20. In addition to the already mentioned support elements 129, 130, 140, 160, 170, as well as the at least one coupling element 120, such a structure can also be realized by a bulge or indentation 150. This indentation 150 allows optimal use of the available space within the support rail 40. Furthermore, in the example shown, the upper guide channels 110b are arranged at the end of the indentation 150 facing the connecting leg 101, so that the upper guide channels 110b are arranged further inside the contact protection cap 10 relative to the lateral guide channels 110a.

[0067] As is particularly evident from Fig. 2, it can also be provided that the guide channels 110, 110a, 110b are dimensioned differently, so that different cross-sections of the wire lines 30 are possible. It is also conceivable that the individual guide channels 110, 110a, 110b are arranged offset from one another, as already indicated with regard to the upper guide channels 110b.

[0068] The Fig. 4, Fig. 5A and Fig. 5B consider the coupling process between an embodiment of a touch protection cap 10 and a busbar 20. First, in Fig. 4 shows an incomplete mounting rail system 1, or an incomplete busbar system, since the contact protection cap 10 is not yet attached to the busbar 10. The contact protection cap 10 is moved in the attachment direction R—which is parallel to the longitudinal direction of the busbar 20, as well as parallel to the longitudinal direction of the mounting rail 40—in the interior of the mounting rail 40 toward the busbar 20. During this approach, the wire leads 30 (or their wire ends 310) projecting beyond the busbar end enter the guide channels 110, 110a, 110b of the contact protection cap 10 provided for this purpose. Furthermore, the at least one coupling element 120 of the contact protection cap 10 interacts with the corresponding complementary coupling element of the busbar 20, thus securing the contact protection cap 10 to the busbar 20.Wire leads 30 can be inserted into the upper guide channels 110b, which run in busbar guide channels 210 of the busbar connecting leg 201. The lateral guide channels 110a correspondingly accommodate wire leads 30, which run in busbar guide channels 210 of the busbar side leg 202. The support elements 129, 130, 140, 160, 170 already interact with the respective elements of the support rail 40 or the busbar 20, thereby simplifying and stabilizing the coupling process.

[0069] The Fig. 5A and Fig. 5B show the same state of the mounting rail system 1 from two different perspectives. Here, the contact protection cap 10 is already coupled to the busbar 20, thus completing it. Therefore, attaching or plugging another busbar onto this last busbar 20 (and especially onto the contact protection cap) is not possible.

[0070] When the contact protection cap 10 is plugged in, (as shown in the Fig. 5A and Fig. 5B), the wire leads 30 are arranged entirely within the respective guide channels 110, 110a, 110b - the respective wire ends 310 are thus positioned within the contact protection cap 10. The guide channels 110, 110a, 110b, which are open towards the inside of the contact protection cap 10, also enable electrical contacting of the wire leads 30 in the end region of the busbar 20 as well as in the region of the contact protection cap. Electrical devices, and in particular bar elements with the electrical tap of the electrical devices, can thus be flexibly positioned along the busbar 20 as well as in the end region of the busbar 20 and coupled to the wire leads 30. The contact protection cap 10 enables contacting up to the wire ends 310, so that the maximum length of the wire leads 30 can be utilized.

[0071] The tap usually has a rotating element, which establishes the electrical (and usually also mechanical) coupling of the electrical device with the busbar 20 (and usually also with the support rail 40) through a rotary movement. Corresponding contact elements engage in the busbar guide channels 210 and establish electrical contact with the wires 30. The tap is usually integrated in a beam element, which is inserted into the support rail 40 or the busbar 20. The electrical devices and in particular their taps (or their beam element) can have different lengths, with the tap usually being located centrally on the

[0072] The stable design of the contact protection cap 10, as well as the coupling between the contact protection cap 10 and the busbar 20, ensures a particularly secure connection to each tap. This allows even particularly short electrical devices, or devices with a particularly short bar element for the electrical tap, to be arranged in the end area of a mounting rail system 1, whereby a distance d4 between the mounting rail end 410 and the electrical tap position of only 125 millimeters is possible (see Fig. 5B). In an extreme arrangement of the electrical device—for example, if a tap is desired directly at the wire end 310—an even smaller distance d3 between the mounting rail end 410 and the electrical tap position could be realized.

[0073] The wire leads 30 are inserted into the contact protection cap over the length d1, so that the entire area of the wire leads 30 projecting beyond the busbar 20 is accommodated in the contact protection cap. As shown in the Fig. 5A and Fig. 5B further shows that ideally, a certain safety distance d2 is provided between the wire end 310 and the rear end of the contact protection cap 10 - that is, between the respective wire end 310 and the guide channel end on the side of the contact protection cap 10 opposite the busbar 20. This safety distance d2 protects against unintentional contact, since it is thereby realized that no protruding wire line 30 is present in the system. Preferably, it can be provided that the safety distance d2 is only a few millimeters, for example 1 millimeter, 2 millimeters, or 1 to 2 millimeters, wherein furthermore - depending on the manufacturing tolerance of the contact protection cap 10, or the busbar 20, or the wire lines 30 - it is also conceivable that the safety distance d2 differs depending on the guide channel 110, 110a, 110b under consideration.

[0074] The complementary coupling elements can generally be formed by locking pins or the like, which are each positioned on a connecting wall 201 or a busbar side leg 202 of the busbar 20, protruding substantially perpendicularly therefrom.

[0075] The Fig. 6A shows an alternative embodiment of the contact protection cap 10. This particularly features a special design of the coupling elements 120, as these are configured for reversible coupling. This allows the contact protection cap 10 to be placed particularly easily and simply onto a busbar 20, thus terminating the busbar system 1. Furthermore, non-destructive removal of the contact protection cap 10 is also possible. Thus, the busbar system 1 can be expanded particularly flexibly, with an already used contact protection cap 10 being reused.For each side leg 102, the contact protection cap 10 has at least one coupling element 120, which in turn has two locking arms 121, each of which has a proximal connecting section 123, with which the locking arm 121 is connected to the base part 100 of the contact protection cap 10, and a distal locking section spaced from the base part 100 with a locking contour 124 for locking the contact protection cap 10 to the busbar 200 of the busbar system 1, wherein the respective locking arm 121 is designed to be elastically deformable such that the locking contour 124 can be deflected from a locking position into a release position via the connecting section 123.Furthermore, it is provided that the coupling elements 120 each have a connecting web 122 which directly connects the two locking arms 121 to one another, wherein the connecting web 122 is coupled to the respective locking arm 121 in a region between the connecting section 123 and the locking contour 124 in such a way that when the connecting web 122 moves in a displacement direction R1 from a rest position to a release position, the locking contours 124 can each be transferred from the locking position to the release position by the elastic deformation of the associated locking arm 121.

[0076] In this case, the contact protection cap 10 is thus plugged onto the busbar 20 in the plug-on direction R, wherein the coupling elements 120, or the respective locking contours 124 of the locking arms 121 of the coupling elements 120, interact with the corresponding complementary coupling elements of the busbar 20, and in particular engage or snap into place. To separate this coupling or locking connection, it is now provided that the respective connecting web 122 for each coupling element 120 is actuated, which, due to its coupling with the respective locking arms 121, bends them open, so that the respective locking contour 124 at the distal end of each locking arm 121 is repositioned in a direction of movement R2. As a result, the coupling with the respective complementary coupling element of the busbar 20 is released, and the contact protection cap 10 is separated from the busbar 20 and can therefore be easily removed, for example by pulling it off in the reversible plug-on direction R.

[0077] Furthermore, it should be noted that the direction of movement R2 of the two locking arms 121 can also be directed toward each other in another embodiment. Likewise, the locking contours 124, or their locking lugs, can also be arranged on the opposite side of a locking arm 121. This configuration primarily depends on the scenario.

[0078] In this case, in order to simplify the operation or actuation of the connecting web 122, it can be provided that the connecting web 122 has a contact section 125 in an area between the two locking arms 121, which increases the support surface for a respective tool, so that the connecting web 122 is more stable and can be moved particularly easily from its rest position into the release position.

[0079] To simplify the operation of a coupling element 120 for reversible coupling, it can be provided that the base part 100 has a guide section 180 for guiding a tool towards the connecting web 122, as shown in particular in the Fig. 6A and Fig. 6B by way of example. This guidance within the guide section 180, and thus also the guide section 180 itself, is preferably designed parallel to the displacement direction R1, wherein in the exemplary embodiment shown, the displacement direction R1 is essentially parallel to the insertion direction R. The guide section 180 extends along the (entire) width b of the base part 100, so that accessibility of the connecting web 122 for actuating the coupling element 120 from a rear side of the contact protection cap 10 is particularly easily enabled. By actuating the connecting web 122 by means of the tool guided along the guide section 180, the connecting web 122 is then moved from the rest position into the release position, as shown in particular in Fig. 6B. This in turn deflects the locking contour 124 through the connection of the connecting web 122 with the locking arms 121.

[0080] In the embodiment shown, the coupling between connecting web 122 and the respective locking arm 121 is essentially rigid, and the connecting web 122 is integrally formed with the locking arms 121. This creates a particularly advantageous elasticity with an intrinsically generated restoring force for automatically returning the locking contour 124 from its release position to the locking position—that is, the snap-in process when coupling the contact protection cap 10 to the busbar 20—in a particularly simple and cost-effective manner.

[0081] Various implementations are conceivable with regard to the guide section 180. In the exemplary embodiments shown, Fig. 6A and Fig. 6B, the guide section 180 is formed as an indentation 181 of the base part 100, which extends from an end of the base part 100 facing the connecting web 122 (and in this case the outer edge of the base part 100) away along the base part 100 substantially parallel to the displacement direction R1.

[0082] The indentation 181 has a width a, which is preferably adapted to standard tools, such as a slotted screwdriver or an Allen key (for example, an Allen key), so that the user / installer of the contact protection cap 10 or the busbar system 1 can operate the respective coupling elements 120 in a particularly simple and uncomplicated manner. Furthermore, in an advantageous embodiment, the guide section 180 has a taper 222, which tapers the width a of the indentation 181 toward the connecting web 122, wherein the taper 182 is designed for the centered feeding of the respective tool onto the connecting web 122, and in particular onto the contact section 125 of the respective coupling element 120.

[0083] Furthermore, the figures show that the guide device 180 has, in an end region of the indentation 181 facing the connecting web 122, a raised portion 183 projecting into the indentation 181, which is designed to guide or guide the respective tool to the connecting web 122, and in particular to the contact portion 125 of the coupling element 120. The raised portion 183 is preferably arranged in the last portion of the taper 182, so that these structures interact synergistically and guide any inserted tool particularly precisely and reliably to the connecting web 122 or its support surface.

[0084] Alternatively or additionally, however, it can also be provided that the guide section 180 has a through-opening from an inner side of the base part 100 to an outer side of the base part 100. This embodiment, however, is not shown in the figures. In this case, the through-opening then extends in the displacement direction R1 toward the connecting web 122. The through-opening is preferably arranged on the base part 100 in such a way that it is positioned substantially at the same height as the connecting web 122. This further simplifies the operation of the respective coupling element 100.If such a through-opening is provided and the base part 100 further comprises guide channels 110, 110a, 110b, it is particularly preferable to ensure that the respective through-opening is arranged between two guide channels 110, 110a, 110b, such that a wire line 30 potentially contained in the guide channels 110, 110a, 110b is not exposed by the through-opening, so that a user is not exposed to any risk of contact with the respective wire lines 30 when operating the coupling element 120.

[0085] As in the Fig. 6A and Fig. 6B by way of example, a coupling element 120 can also have a support element 129 of the contact protection cap 10. This can protrude laterally, particularly in the region of a respective associated locking contour 124, transversely to the insertion direction R and also transversely to the direction of movement R2. The support element 129 protrudes laterally outward from the respective locking arm 121. When installed in the support rail 40 and coupled to the busbar 20, the support element 129 rests against a respective side wall 401, 402 of the support rail 40 and thus presses the respective coupling element 120 in the direction of the busbar 20, thus stabilizing the coupling.

[0086] With such a coupling element 120 for reversible coupling, a particularly simple and uncomplicated use of a contact protection cap 10 is therefore provided, which can be used particularly flexibly in busbar systems 1.

[0087] All features shown only in individual views or designs are also transferable to other designs. For example, the design of the coupling elements 120 for reversible coupling can be derived from the Fig. 6A and Fig. 6B, or individual components thereof, such as the support element 129, can also be transferred to all other versions of the contact protection cap 10.

[0088] In comparison to the problem described at the beginning with previous contact protection caps 1010, that not only the area in which such a contact protection cap 1010 itself is arranged, but also a further distance d xis unusable for arranging an electrical tap, a particularly flexible, safe, and robust busbar end cover is now described with the contact protection cap 10 according to the invention, or one of the exemplary embodiments presented herein. This ensures that the wire line 30 can now be used in the entire end region of the busbar 20, as well as the area of the contact protection cap 10 itself. Furthermore, fitting the contact protection cap 10 is particularly simple, since it is ideally adapted to the shape of the busbar 20 and, depending on the design, can be easily plugged onto individual or all sections of the busbar 20 simultaneously. In general, the contact protection cap 10 is characterized by its ease of use, advantageous usability, and the safety it provides against contact with a wire line 30.The busbar system as well as the support rail system 1 per se also benefit from this property of the contact protection cap 10.

Claims

[1] Contact protection cap (10) for a busbar (20) arranged in a support rail (40) of a support rail system (1), the busbar (20) having a base body (200) with busbar guide channels (210) aligned parallel to one another and wire lines (30) extending therein, which protrude from the busbar (20) at the end of the base body (200) each with a wire end (310); wherein the contact protection cap (10) is designed to be plugged onto the base body (200) at one end of the busbar (20) in a plugging direction (R); wherein the contact protection cap (10) has a base part (100) with guide channels (110, 110a, 110b) aligned parallel to the plug-on direction (R), wherein the guide channels (110, 110a, 110b) are each designed to completely receive one of the wire ends (310); wherein the guide channels (110, 110a, 110b) are all open to the same side of an inner side or an outer side of the base part (100) for electrical contacting; and wherein the contact protection cap (10) has a coupling element (120) protruding from the base part (100) in the plug-on direction (R) for mechanical coupling to the busbar (20). [2] Contact protection cap according to claim 1, wherein the guide channels (110, 110a, 110b) extend along the entire length (b) of the base part (100); wherein the length (b) of the base part (100) is preferably less than 4.0 cm, preferably less than 3.75 cm, more preferably less than 3.0 cm, particularly preferably less than 2.75 cm. [3] Contact protection cap according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the base part (100) has two lateral side legs (102) and a connecting leg (101) connecting the side legs (102). [4] Contact protection cap according to claim 3, wherein at least one of the side legs (102) and / or the connecting leg (101) has the guide channels (110, 110a, 110b). [5] Contact protection cap according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the contact protection cap (10) in an operative configuration has a substantially U-shape, wherein preferably the lateral side legs (102) are aligned substantially perpendicular to the connecting leg (101). [6] Contact protection cap according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the contact protection cap (10) is formed substantially flat in a storage configuration, wherein preferably the lateral side legs (102) are arranged substantially parallel to the connecting leg (101). [7] Contact protection cap according to claim 5 and 6, wherein the contact protection cap (10) further comprises a hinge portion configured to move the contact protection cap (10) between the storage configuration and the operational configuration. [8] Contact protection cap according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the contact protection cap (10) has at least one support element (129, 130, 140, 160, 170) which, when plugged onto the busbar (20), is designed to interact with the support rail (40) and / or with the busbar (20); wherein the support element (129, 130, 140, 160, 170) preferably protrudes from the base part (100). [9] Contact protection cap according to claim 3 and 8, wherein the support element (129, 130, 140, 160, 170) is a lateral support element (130) on an outer side of a side leg (102) for supporting on a support rail side wall (402); and / or wherein the support element (129, 130, 140, 160, 170) is a lateral engagement element (140) on an outer side of the connecting leg (101) for engaging in a complementary bulge (420) of a support rail middle part (401); and / or wherein the support element (129, 130, 140, 160, 170) is an engagement element (170) on a front end of a side leg (102) for engaging in a complementary bulge of a support rail side wall (402); and / or wherein the support element (129, 130, 140, 160, 170) is a lateral rail element (160) on an inner side of a side leg (102) of the contact protection cap (10) for engaging in complementary bulges (220) of a busbar side leg (202); and / or wherein the support element (129, 130, 140, 160, 170) is a lateral support element (129) on an outer side of a coupling element (120) of the contact protection cap (10) for supporting on a support rail side wall (402). [10] Contact protection cap according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the contact protection cap (10) has a plurality of coupling elements (120), wherein preferably two coupling elements (120) are present per side leg (102); wherein the coupling elements (120) are preferably locking elements; wherein the coupling elements (120) are particularly preferably designed for reversible mechanical coupling. [11] Contact protection cap according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the contact protection cap (10) is a one-piece injection-molded part. [12] Busbar system comprising: • a busbar (20) with a base body (200) with parallel busbar guide channels (210) and wire lines (30) extending therein, each of which protrudes from the busbar (20) with a wire end (310) at the end of the base body (200); and • a contact protection cap (10) according to one of the preceding claims; wherein the busbar (20) has a coupling element complementary to the coupling element (120) of the contact protection cap (10), such that when the contact protection cap (10) is plugged onto the busbar (20) in the plugging direction (R), each of the wire ends (310) is received in a different one of the guide channels (110, 110a, 110b); wherein, upon plugging on the contact protection cap (10) in the plugging direction (R), the coupling element (120) and the complementary coupling element interact with each other, and the busbar (20) and the contact protection cap (10) are coupled to each other; and wherein the guide channels (110, 110a, 110b) of the contact protection cap (10) continue the busbar guide channels (210) of the busbar (20), and are open on the same side for electrical contacting of the wire lines (30). [13] Busbar system according to claim 12, wherein the busbar (20) has a substantially U-shaped profile in a cross-section or wherein the busbar (20) has two substantially opposite base bodies (200) which preferably have an open side of their busbar guide channels (210) directed towards one another. [14] Busbar system according to claim 12 or 13, wherein the contact protection cap (10) has a support element in the form of a rail element (160) which, when the contact protection cap (10) is plugged onto the busbar (20), is designed to interact with a complementary bulge (220) of the busbar (20). [15] Busbar system according to one of the preceding claims 12 to 14, wherein the busbar (20) has a plurality of complementary coupling elements and the contact protection cap (10) has a corresponding number of coupling elements (120); wherein each coupling element (120) interacts with a complementary coupling element when the contact protection cap (10) is plugged onto the busbar (20). [16] Support rail system (1) comprising: • a support rail (40) extending along a longitudinal axis; and • a busbar system according to one of the preceding claims 13 to 15; wherein the busbar (20) is held mounted within the support rail (40) such that its busbar guide channels (210) are aligned parallel to the longitudinal axis, and / or wherein the plug-on direction (R) of the contact protection cap (10) onto the busbar (20) is aligned parallel to the longitudinal axis. [17] Support rail system according to claim 16, wherein the support rail (40) has an end cover (50) at one support rail end (410); and / or wherein the support rail (40) has a U-shaped profile in a cross-section, and the support rail has a support rail middle part (401) and two lateral support rail side walls (402). [18] Support rail system according to claim 16 or 17, wherein, in the state plugged onto the busbar (20), a wire end (310) of each wire line (30) is positioned within the respective guide channel (110, 110a, 110b) of the contact protection cap (10); wherein preferably there is a safety distance (d2) between the respective wire end (310) and the guide channel end on the side of the contact protection cap (10) opposite the busbar (20).

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