Component carrier for an installation component

Abstract

Component carrier for an installation component, such as a terminal block (4) used for electrical applications, wherein the component carrier (1, 1.1) has first connection structures for mechanically connecting an installation component (4) to a component connection surface (6, 6.1) provided for connecting the same, and second connection structures for connecting the component carrier (1, 1.1) to or in a carrier substrate, such as a rail (19) or in a junction box, characterized in that the component carrier (1, 1.1) comprises a base body (2) with the first connection structures and a connection adapter (3, 3.1-3.3) with the second connection structures, wherein the base body (2) and the connection adapter (3, 3.1-3.3) are manufactured as separate parts and are connected to each other to form the component carrier, and wherein the base body (2) has first connecting means and the connection adapter (3, 3.1-3.3) has second connection structures.3) second connecting means complementary to the first connecting means, by means of which connecting means engaged with each other the connecting adapter (3, 3.1-3.3) is mechanically connected to the base body.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a component carrier for an installation component, such as a terminal block used for electrical applications, wherein the component carrier has first connection structures for mechanically connecting an installation component to a component connection surface provided for its connection, and second connection structures for connecting the component carrier to or in a carrier substrate, such as a rail or in a junction box. The invention further claims the use of such a component carrier.

[0002] These types of component carriers are used as terminal blocks or terminal holders in electrical installations. A terminal block is designed to allow the mechanical connection of multiple terminals, typically connection terminals. The terminals themselves can be individual terminals or group terminals. These terminal blocks are installed, for example, in junction boxes. They therefore feature connection structures that allow a connection terminal to be mechanically attached to the terminal block, typically without the need for additional fasteners. A snap-fit ​​connection is usually provided between the terminal block and the connection terminal to be mounted on it. For installation, or...When mounting such a terminal block to a substrate, for example in a junction box, the terminal block has secondary connection structures that allow it to be secured within the box. The junction box, acting as the substrate for the terminal block, has pre-prepared connection structures for this purpose. These can be, for example, screw bosses. Support structures, such as sleeve-like prongs that extend into the junction box, also serve for securing the terminal block. Due to the wide variety of junction boxes used as substrates, in terms of their size and the number of mounting points they provide, it is necessary to have a wide variety of terminal blocks available.A terminal block is regularly adapted to the design and arrangement of the internal mounting points of a very specific installation box and therefore cannot be used arbitrarily.

[0003] Based on this state of the art, the invention aims to propose a component carrier that can be used, for example, as a terminal carrier and that can be connected to different carrier substrates.

[0004] This problem is solved according to the invention by a generic component carrier mentioned at the outset, in which the component carrier comprises a base body with the first connection structures and a connection adapter with the second connection structures, wherein the base body and the connection adapter are manufactured as separate parts and are connected to each other to form the component carrier, and in which the base body carries first connecting means and the connection adapter carries second connecting means complementary to the first connecting means, by means of which connecting means, which engage with each other, the connection adapter is mechanically connected to the base body.

[0005] This component carrier features a modular design that allows the same base body, intended for supporting installation components, to be used for different mounting options on various substrates. In addition to its base body, this component carrier includes a connection adapter that provides the necessary connections for attaching the component carrier to a specific substrate. The base body and connection adapter have complementary connecting elements that mechanically engage these initially separately manufactured parts to form the component carrier. Different connection adapters, each adapted to the specific mounting structure of the existing substrate, can be attached to the same base body of this component carrier.The base body therefore forms a common component for connecting the component carrier to support substrates with different connection structures. The completion by the connection adapter(s) then depends on the specific connection structure geometry of the support substrate and, most importantly, can only be carried out on site. The variability in the use of this component carrier with regard to different connection structures of the support substrate is thus achieved solely by providing connection adapters equipped with different connection structures.

[0006] This interface in the component carrier between its base body and its at least one connection adapter also has the advantage that, with appropriate design of the connecting means to engage between the base body and the connection adapter, these two parts can be configured relative to each other with respect to the positioning of the connection structures for attaching the component carrier to a support substrate. In this context, a design of the connecting means of the base body and the connection adapter is preferred such that the connection adapter attached to the base body is positively locked in a first direction of the base body and frictionally locked in the second direction, which runs transversely to this.According to one embodiment, the direction in which the positive fit between the connection adapter and the base body acts is the direction perpendicular to, or at least perpendicular to, the orientation of the component connection surface. In this embodiment, the second direction is the transverse extent of the component connection surface, which typically points in the direction of a possible arrangement of the base bodies. Adjustment of the base body and connection adapter relative to each other, and thus positioning of the connection structures of the connection adapter relative to those of the support substrate, can then be achieved in the direction of the frictional fit. For this purpose, the frictional fit is set with a holding force sufficient to allow for easy manual displacement of a connection adapter relative to the base body.

[0007] The aforementioned design of the component carrier also allows for a configuration where the number of connection structures used to link the component carrier to a support substrate can be freely selected by the number of connection adapters employed. Thus, a base body can be attached to the support substrate using multiple connection adapters. Furthermore, this design of the component carrier allows connection adapters with different connection structures to be attached to a single base body for connection to a support substrate. Additionally, the provision of an interface between the base body and a connection adapter within the component carrier also allows the base body to be designed in such a way that it, too, can be assembled from individual, and in particular identical, base body modules.This allows the base body to be assembled to the desired length by arranging several such base body modules in a row, without having to consider connection structures during the design phase. Subsequently, one or more connection adapters are attached to the assembly of base bodies (which now comprises several base bodies) to complete the component carrier and, if necessary, adjusted in terms of their positioning relative to the assembly of base bodies.

[0008] The advantages of this component carrier lie primarily in the ease of handling by the installing trade, as well as in the manufacturing of the two components – the base body and the connection adapters. This also simplifies warehousing, since only different connection adapters, and not complete component carriers, need to be stocked for customization.

[0009] The complementary connecting means of the base body and connection adapter are typically designed so that these two components of the component carrier can be engaged and fixed to each other not only without tools, but also without the use of additional fasteners.

[0010] In one embodiment of such a component carrier, the base connection surface of the main body is the outer surface of a wall structure. This wall structure, with a transverse structure extending perpendicular to it, encloses a component seat. The transverse structure typically runs at a right angle to the base connection surface with its surface facing the component seat. Such a transverse structure is typically a transverse wall. An advantage of forming the component connection surface on a wall structure is that the wall structure can be designed to allow for the installation of components on both sides. In this configuration, the side of the transverse structure facing the respective component connection surface encloses each component seat together with its corresponding component connection surface.Such a base body, if the transverse structure is designed as a transverse wall, has a T-shaped cross-section. In a configuration where the wall structure can only be equipped on one side, the base body is typically designed with an L-shaped cross-section.

[0011] Providing such a transverse structure has the advantage that the structure does not need to be excessively thick in order to arrange the connecting elements on the base body with sufficient spacing between them. For this reason, in a preferred embodiment, the transverse structure, which may be designed as a transverse wall, for example, supports the connecting elements on the base body.

[0012] To allow for easy adjustment of the base body and connection adapter according to the engagement points of the respective complementary connecting elements, one embodiment provides that the complementary connecting elements are such that they engage with each other in a tongue-and-groove manner. The grooves are open at the ends, so that the springs of the complementary connecting element can be inserted into the grooves at the ends. The connection adapter can then be slid into its desired position relative to the base body along the second direction.Such connecting elements allow for a configuration in which the complementary connecting elements engage two grooves or tongues pointing away from each other from opposite sides, thus creating a positive fit between the connecting elements and, consequently, between the base body and the connecting adapter, acting transversely to the possible direction of displacement and therefore in the first direction. In a preferred embodiment, such connecting elements feature a groove open at its end, enclosed by two tongues. This allows for a degree of flexibility in connecting a connecting adapter to the base body. According to one exemplary embodiment, the base body carries such connecting elements on the longitudinal sides of the transverse structure that point away from each other.

[0013] To connect an installation component to the base body of such a component carrier, the base body can have a hook strip projecting from its component connection surface. This hook strip defines the component connection surface on one side, typically at its end pointing away from the transverse structure. The hook strip is undercut and open towards the component seat and thus towards the transverse structure. An installation component to be connected to such a base body has a corresponding locking projection. According to one embodiment, a locking bead, typically arranged on the transverse structure and spaced apart from the base connection surface, serves as a further connection structure for an installation component. This bead is therefore in a different spatial orientation than the hook strip. Accordingly, an installation component to be mounted on the base body also has a locking bead receptacle on its complementary side.

[0014] The invention is explained below with reference to the accompanying figures and an exemplary embodiment. The figures show: Fig. 1: A perspective view of a component carrier according to the invention with an installation component attached to it, Fig. 2: the base body of the component carrier of the Fig. 1 in a single perspective view, Fig. 3a, Fig. 3b: Perspective views from different directions of a terminal block as an installation component, detached from the base body supporting this component, Fig. 4a - 4d: different connection adapters with which the base body of the Fig. 2 can be connected to a carrier substrate, Fig. 5: a perspective view into an installation box with component carriers installed inside and Fig. 6: another installation box with a component carrier inserted in it.

[0015] In the illustrated embodiment, a component carrier 1 designed as a terminal holder consists of a series of base bodies (base body assembly) composed of two base bodies 2 and a connection adapter 3. The component carrier 1 serves to hold connection terminals. One such connection terminal 4 is shown connected to the base body 2. The connection adapter 3 serves to connect the component carrier 1 to a support substrate, for example, a mounting rail located in a junction box. Both the base bodies 2 and the connection adapter 3 are plastic parts that are manufactured separately and mechanically connected to each other to form the component carrier 1.

[0016] Such a basic body 2 has a wall structure 5. The two flat sides of the wall structure 5 each provide a component connection surface 6, 6.1. A hook strip 7, 7.1 delimits each component connection surface 6, 6.1 at its upward-facing end in the figures. The hook strips 7, 7.1 project from the component connection surface 6, 6.1 and form an undercut 8, 8.1 as a connection structure for attaching a terminal block 4 as a possible installation component, which can be supported by the component carrier 1. A transverse wall structure 9 is integrally formed with the wall structure 5, and the component connection surfaces 6, 6.1 opposite the respective hook strip 7, 7.1 are delimited by the upward-facing end of this transverse wall structure in the figures. The upper side of the transverse wall structure, in its section projecting from the respective component connection surface 6, 6.1, forms a component seat with the respective adjacent component connection surface 6, 6.1.These sections 10, 10.1 of the transverse wall structure 9, projecting from the component connection surface 6, 6.1, each have a locking bead 11, 11.1 on their upper side, following the longitudinal extent of the base body 2. The locking bead 11, 11.1 additionally serve as a connection structure for the mechanical connection of the terminal block 4. As shown in the illustration of the . Fig. As can be seen from Figure 1, the connecting clamp 4 has a locking recess 12 on its side facing the section 10 with the locking bead 11, the geometry of which is complementary to the locking bead 11 (see also Figure 1). Fig. 3b). Furthermore, the connecting clamp 4 in the figures has upwardly projecting locking extensions 13, which are shown in the Fig. In the mounted position of the connecting clamp 4, the hook strip 7 engages behind it. The distance of the hook strip 7, 7.1 from the surface of the respective section 10, 10.1 of the transverse structure 9 is adapted to the extent of the installation component to be mounted - here the connecting clamp 4 - so that in the Fig. In position 1, the connecting clamp 4 is captive and attached to the base body 2. The material property of the plastic used to manufacture the base body 2 is utilized for assembly, specifically the elasticity of the hook strip 7.

[0017] The basic body 2 has complementary connection structures at its longitudinal ends – the narrow ends – with which several basic bodies 2 can be positively connected to each other in the direction of the sequence, similar to a series. In the case of the Fig. In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, two base bodies 2 are connected to each other in this way. For this purpose, each base body 2 has undercut groove recesses 14 on one of its longitudinal sides and webs 15 on its opposite narrow side, shaped complementarily to the groove recesses 14. Two base bodies 2 can thus be connected to each other in a manner known per se by an assembly movement following the longitudinal extent of the groove recesses 14 or the webs 15.

[0018] The base body 2 also has connecting means for attaching the connecting adapter 3 to the base body 2. In the illustrated embodiment, these connecting means are located on the narrow sides of sections 10, 10.1 of the transverse wall structure 9, which point away from each other and extend in the direction of the longitudinal extent of the base body 2. In the illustrated embodiment, each section 10, 10.1 carries two springs 17, 17.1 spaced apart by a groove 16, so that the connecting adapter 3 can engage with these connecting structures in the manner of a tongue-and-groove connection. The grooves 16 are open at their ends, so that in the Fig. In the arrangement of two base bodies 2 shown in Figure 1, a continuous groove 16 is provided. The fact that the grooves 16 are open at the ends is also used for connecting the connection adapter 3.

[0019] The fact that the component carrier 1 has a mechanical interface between the base body 2 and its connection adapter 3 allows one or more connection adapters to be attached to the base body 2, which carries the connection structures adapted to the support substrate to which the component carrier 1 is to be mounted. Fig. Figures 4a to 4d show some example connection adapters. The one shown in the diagram for component carrier 1 is... Fig. The first connection adapter used is the one in Fig. 4a shown. Complementary to the connecting means of the base body 2, the connecting adapter 3 has two hook projections 18, 18.1, the free ends of which form a connecting spring for engaging in the grooves 16, 16.1 of the base body 2, which point away from each other with their opening faces. The engagement position of the hook projection 18 in the groove 16 of the base body 2 is shown in the illustration of the Fig. 1 removable. The connection adapter 3 has connection structures on its underside with which the component carrier 1 can be attached to the carrier substrate. The connection structures of the connection adapter 3 are designed so that it can be mounted on a mounting rail 19 (see Fig. 5) can be attached. The connecting means of the connecting adapter 3 are retaining arms 20, 20.1, each encompassing a longitudinal edge of such a mounting rail 19. The retaining arms 20, 20.1 are at least partially designed in the manner of hollow chambers to give them a certain elasticity so that they can be clipped onto a mounting rail 19.

[0020] Through the connection described above, the connection adapter 3 is positively connected to the base body 2 in the transverse direction to the plane of the component connection surfaces 6, 6.1. Fig. In the first direction, the y-direction is defined. The hook projections 18, 18.1 of the connecting adapter 3 engage in the grooves 16, 16.1. These interconnected connecting elements are designed so that, in the second direction, which corresponds to the longitudinal extent of the grooves 16, 16.1, the connecting adapter 3 is frictionally connected to the base body 2. In this direction (x-direction), the connecting adapter can be adjusted by manually overcoming the frictional connection with the base body.

[0021] All further in the Fig. The connection adapters 3.1 to 3.3 shown in Figures 4b to 4d also feature the connection structures described for connection adapter 3 for attaching the respective connection adapter 3.1 to 3.3 to the base body 2. Therefore, these will not be discussed in detail again below. Some of the connection adapters, specifically connection adapter 3.3, are designed to be positioned between two base bodies. Thus, these connection adapters 3.3 allow base bodies 2 arranged parallel to each other to be attached to the support substrate. The other connection adapters 3.1 to 3.3 differ in their connection structures for attaching the base body(s) they support to a support substrate.

[0022] The connection adapter 3.1 features a spigot-type connection structure for attaching to a mounting substrate. Therefore, the component carrier equipped with the connection adapter 3.1 can be installed in a mounting spigot 21 of an installation box 22 (see Fig. 6) be installed.

[0023] In the connection adapters 3, 3.1, the respective hook projections 18, 18.1 are connected to each other by a base plate 23. As shown in the diagram, a [missing information] rests on this base plate. Fig. 1 recognizable, the underside of the transverse wall structure 9.

[0024] For connection adapters 3.2 - 3.4, such a base plate for supporting a base body 2 is not provided. For connection adapter 3.2, support structures 24, 24.1 are provided adjacent to the hook projections 18.2, 18.3, with a material thickness corresponding to that of a spring 17, 17.1, on which the Fig. 1. The recognizable underside of the transverse wall structure 9 of the base body 2 rests on the connecting adapter. The connecting adapter 3.2 has a bridge member 25 connecting the spaced-apart connecting structures, into which a connecting structure 27 engages for connecting the connecting adapter 3.2, and thus the component carrier supporting the connecting adapter 3.2, to a support substrate with a pin. The keyhole-shaped contour of this connecting structure 27 allows the connecting adapter 3.2 to be clipped onto a support substrate, for example a wire, a bolt, or the like, or to be fastened in or on the support substrate by means of a screw fastener.

[0025] The 3.3 connection adapter is a double-sided connection adapter whose connection structures correspond to those of the 3.2 connection adapter.

[0026] The mounting rail 19 mentioned above is, as shown in the illustration... Fig.5 is recognizable, for example, installed in an installation box 26. A component carrier 1.1, consisting of several base bodies 2 and connection adapters 3, is attached to this.

[0027] The invention has been described using exemplary embodiments. Without departing from the scope of protection described by the applicable claims, numerous further embodiments of the inventive concept would be apparent to a person skilled in the art, without these needing to be explained in more detail within the scope of these explanations. Reference symbol list 1, 1.1 Component carrier 2 basic shapes 3, 3.1 - 3.4 Connection adapter 4 Connection terminal 5 Wall structure 6, 6.1 Component connection surface 7, 7.1 Hook strip 8, 8.1 Undercut 9 Cross wall structure 10, 10.1 Section 11, 11.1 Rastwulst 12 rest recess 13 Riegelfortsetz 14 groove recess 15 Bridge 16, 16.1 Nut 17, 17.1 Spring 18, 18.1 Hook lead 19 Mounting rail 20, 20.1 Holding arm 21 mounting brackets 22 Installation box 23 Base plate 24, 24.1 Support structure 25 Bridge element 26 Installation box 27 Connection structure

Claims

[1] Component carrier for an installation component, such as a terminal block (4) used for electrical applications, wherein the component carrier (1, 1.1) has first connection structures for mechanically connecting an installation component (4) to a component connection surface (6, 6.1) provided for connecting the same, and second connection structures for connecting the component carrier (1, 1.1) to or in a carrier substrate, such as a rail (19) or in an installation box, characterized by, that the component carrier (1, 1.1) comprises a base body (2) with the first connection structures and a connection adapter (3, 3.1-3.3) with the second connection structures, wherein the base body (2) and the connection adapter (3, 3.1-3.3) are manufactured as separate parts and are connected to each other to form the component carrier, and that the base body (2) carries first connecting means and the connection adapter (3, 3.1-3.3) carries second connecting means complementary to the first connecting means, by means of which connecting means engaged with each other the connection adapter (3, 3.1-3.3) is mechanically connected to the base body. [2] Component carrier according to claim 1, characterized by , that the connecting means of the connecting adapter (3, 3.1-3.3) are positively connected in one direction (y-direction) of the base body (2) and frictionally connected in a direction perpendicular to it (x-direction). [3] Component carrier according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by , that the component connection surface (6, 6.1) of the base body (2) is a, in particular, a flat outer surface of a wall structure (5), that the component connection surface (6, 6.1) forms a component seat with the side of a transverse structure (9) extending transversely to the wall structure (5) that points towards the component connection surface (6, 6.1), and that the connecting means on the base body side are assigned to the transverse structure (9). [4] Component carrier according to claim 3, characterized by , that the connecting means on the base body are provided by two end-open grooves (16, 16.1) or springs opposite each other with respect to the wall structure (5) and following the longitudinal extension of the transverse structure (9), and the complementary connecting means of the connecting adapter (3, 3.1-3.3) are provided by a structure serving at least in the manner of a spring, such as a hook projection (18, 18.1) or an end-open groove. [5] Component carrier according to one of claims 3 to 4, characterized by , that the transverse structure (9) is designed as a transverse wall. [6] Component carrier according to any one of claims 3 to 5, characterized by , that the wall structure (5) is designed as a component connection surface (6, 6.1) on its two opposite flat sides and can therefore be fitted on both sides, and that the transverse structure (9) encloses a component seat with both component connection surfaces (6, 6.1) of the wall structure (5). [7] Component carrier according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized by , that the base body (2) has complementary connection structures (14, 15) on its narrow sides running transversely to the component connection surface, so that such a base body (2) can be positively connected to at least one further base body (2) in the direction of the series. [8] Component carrier according to claim 7, characterized by, that the component carrier (1) is part of a component carrier assembly consisting of several base bodies (2) arranged in series and at least one connection adapter (3, 3.1-3.3). [9] Component carrier according to claim 8, characterized by , that the number of base bodies (2) involved in the component carrier assembly is at least twice as large as the number of connection adapters (3, 3.1-3.3) involved. [10] Component carrier according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized by, that as a connection structure for connecting an installation component (4) to the base body (2), the base body (2) has on its component connection surface a projecting undercut hook strip (7, 7.1) to limit the latter, in the undercut (8, 8.1) of which the installation component (4) to be connected engages with a locking extension (13), and that at a distance from the hook strip (7, 7.1) and the component connection surface (6, 6.1) a locking bead (11, 11.1) is arranged, provided for engagement in a locking groove (12) complementary to the locking bead (11, 11.1), which is located in a surface of the installation component (4) in a different spatial orientation than the surface supporting the locking extension (13). [11] Component carrier according to claim 10 in direct or indirect reference to claim 3, characterized by , that the side of the transverse structure (9) facing the component seat carries the locking bead (11, 11.1). [12] Component carrier according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized by , that the component carrier (1) is designed as a terminal carrier for holding connection terminals (4), in particular electrical connection terminals. [13] Component carrier according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized by , that several different connection adapters (3, 3.1-3.3) are available for selection to assemble a component carrier (1). [14] Use of a component carrier according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterized by , that the component carrier (1) is used as a terminal carrier for holding connection terminals (4), in particular electrical connection terminals.

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