LIGHT OR ELECTRICAL UNIT FOR CONNECTION TO A SUPPORT RAIL

Description

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a luminaire or an electrical unit which is intended for connection to a support rail, wherein the support rail has a support rail profile with two side walls and at least one busbar arranged in the support rail profile with contactable lines.

[0002] Support rails with a support rail profile and a conductor rail held in the support rail profile are known from the prior art and are used, for example, to create elongated so-called continuous lighting systems. One known continuous lighting system is marketed by the applicant under the name "TECTON" and is characterized by the fact that luminaires or other electrical loads can be flexibly positioned on the support rail along the entire length of the system. This is made possible by the fact that, thanks to a special mounting of the conductor rail cables, they are accessible to the loads along essentially the entire length of the continuous lighting system, so that contact between the cables can be made not only at fixed positions, but at any location. WO 2001 / 091250 A1, for example, shows such a continuous lighting system.

[0003] In the "TECTON" system mentioned above, two busbars are arranged opposite each other on the two side walls of a downwardly open, U-shaped support rail profile. The contacting of the busbar cables is achieved by the luminaire or load having a rotating contact element, which is inserted into the support rail from below and then rotated by approximately 45°. The contacts arranged on the contact element are designed in such a way that they pivot sideways upon rotation and ultimately contact the busbar cables when rotated.

[0004] Originally, the rotatable contact elements described above were designed and mounted on the luminaire or electrical consumer in such a way that they could be operated, i.e. rotated, by a user from underneath the luminaire. The luminaire or a support element of the luminaire or consumer was then attached to the support rail from underneath, and the contact element(s) were then rotated while resting against the support rail. In this case, the contact elements had to be accessible for operation from underneath the luminaire or consumer. This was usually not a problem, as elongated fluorescent lamps were generally used as light sources, which could only be easily inserted into the luminaire sockets by the consumer after the luminaire had been attached to the support rail.

[0005] In the meantime, however, LEDs or LED boards are predominantly used as light sources in lighting technology instead of fluorescent lamps, even in luminaires designed for use with such mounting rails. Since the subsequent installation of LED light sources on a luminaire is not practical or even possible, and furthermore, uniform light output can only be achieved if the LEDs are arranged more or less continuously and evenly distributed across the entire length of the strip lighting system, it is generally no longer possible to design the rotatable contact elements described above in such a way that they are accessible from the bottom.

[0006] A solution described, for example, in DE 10 2010 003 805 A1 therefore provides that the rotatable contacting element is designed with a lever that protrudes outwards laterally through a slot in the support element of the luminaire.

[0007] Such a solution, known from the prior art, is described in Figure 4shown, wherein firstly the elongated support element 110 of a so-called bar light 100 can be seen, on which a contacting element 120 is rotatably mounted. In order to mount the light 100, the support element 110, which is in the form of a profile element, must be attached from the underside to the support rail (not shown) of the strip lighting system, and then the contacting element 120 must be rotated. For this purpose, the support element 110 is provided with side walls 111 on both long sides, with an elongated slot 112 being formed on one side wall 111, through which the end region of a lever 125 connected to the contacting element 120 projects. The lever 125 can be pivoted along the slot 112 between the two positions shown, wherein in this case a corresponding rotation of the contacting element 120 also takes place.In this case, contacts 122 of the contacting element 120, which are arranged on the outer circumference of the base body 121, are then pivoted out laterally so that they come into contact with the conductors of the busbars. At the same time, mechanical locking elements are also pivoted out, which engage behind corresponding projections of the mounting rail profile, so that in addition to the electrical contact, a mechanical fastening of the luminaire 100 to the mounting rail is also achieved.

[0008] The Figure 4The laterally projecting lever 125 shown allows the contacting element 120 to be rotated, while still leaving the underside of the support element 110 of the lamp 100 freely accessible and thus, for example, allowing it to be fitted with lamps along its entire length. This solution therefore already represents an improvement over the original variant, in which the locking element had to be operated from the underside.

[0009] However, in the Figure 4 In the prior art solution shown, the lever 125 protrudes laterally to a certain extent to enable convenient actuation of the contacting element 120. Furthermore, the lateral slot 112 represents a permanent opening and thus a problem if the luminaire 100 is to be protected from the ingress of dust and / or moisture in order to meet the requirements of a so-called IP protection class.

[0010] Contacting elements are also known from the prior art in which the contacts are laterally displaced linearly to contact laterally arranged conductors. This concept is described, for example, in DE 2 132 133 or DE 20 2013 102 943 U1.

[0011] The present invention is based on the object of offering an alternative possibility to reliably contact the cables of a busbar positioned in a mounting rail profile, whereby the disadvantages mentioned above are to be avoided.

[0012] The object is achieved by a contacting element having the features of claim 1. Advantageous developments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

[0013] The solution according to the invention is based on the idea of ​​replacing the rotational movement previously used in known contacting elements with linear lateral movements of the contacts. The individual connection contacts are therefore no longer arranged on a rotatable body, but are part of a linearly laterally adjustable contact block which can be adjusted between an open position, in which the contacting element can be inserted and removed from the mounting rail profile, and a contacting position, in which the contact block with the connection contacts is extended laterally to contact the cables. As will be explained in detail below, in this case reliable and efficient contacting of the cables of the busbar and also mechanical fastening to the mounting rail can be achieved, although the lever orActuators that protrude laterally through openings or perforations in the luminaire can generally be dispensed with. This avoids the disadvantages of the prior art described above.

[0014] According to the present invention, a contacting element is proposed for electrically and mechanically connecting a luminaire or an electrical unit to a support rail, which has a support rail profile with two side walls and at least one busbar, which is arranged on one of the two inner sides of the side walls of the support rail profile and has electrically contactable lines, wherein the contacting element can be inserted into the support rail profile and has connection contacts which are adjustably mounted in order to come into contact with lines of the busbar when the contacting element is inserted into the support rail profile.The contacting element has at least one linearly laterally adjustable contact block with connection contacts, which can be adjusted between an open position, in which insertion and removal of the contacting element from the mounting rail profile is possible, and a contacting position in which the contact block with the connection contact is extended laterally to contact the lines. According to the invention, the contacting element has two contact blocks with connection contacts pointing in opposite directions, wherein both contact blocks are coupled in such a way that, starting from the open position, they can be moved away from one another into the contacting position, wherein the two contact blocks are preloaded in the contacting position, and wherein pressing or actuating elements are arranged on the contacting element, which enable the contact blocks to be manually pressed together into the open position.

[0015] The configuration according to the invention is particularly suitable when corresponding busbars are arranged on both side walls of the mounting rail, as is the case, for example, with the aforementioned "TECTON" system. Both contact blocks can then move in opposite directions or toward each other to transfer the contacting element from a state in which insertion into or removal from the mounting rail is possible to a state in which the lines of the busbars are contacted. Both contact blocks advantageously cooperate with each other to utilize the linear movement according to the invention to contact the lines.

[0016] According to an advantageous development of the invention, both contact blocks are connected to one another via articulated arms that form a parallel guide. As described, the two contact blocks are then mounted pre-tensioned in the contacting position, with suitable pressing or actuating elements being arranged on the contacting element or a support element of the luminaire or the electrical unit, which enable the contact blocks to be manually pressed together into the open position. Therefore, both contact blocks only need to be temporarily pressed together to insert or remove the contacting element from the support rail. If, however, the pressing or actuating elements are relieved, the contact blocks automatically move laterally to contact the lines of the busbars.

[0017] The contact blocks of the contacting element according to the invention can furthermore comprise, in addition to the contacts for contacting the conductors of the busbars, outwardly facing locking elements for mechanical fastening to the mounting rail profile. In the same way as in the prior art, the effect can be achieved in this case that, in addition to contacting the conductors of the busbars, the luminaire or the electrical unit is simultaneously mechanically fastened to the mounting rail profile.

[0018] At least one of the contacts of the contacting element according to the invention can be mounted on its contact block in a height-adjustable manner. This opens up the possibility of flexibly connecting the various conductors of the busbars, for example, to assign a specific function to the load or light.

[0019] The luminaire is preferably an LED bar luminaire. The inventive design of the contact element opens up the possibility of arranging LEDs as light sources continuously along the entire length of the luminaire.

[0020] Furthermore, a light-emitting arrangement with a support rail is proposed, which comprises a support rail profile with two side walls and at least one busbar arranged on one of the two inner sides of the side walls of the support rail profile and having electrically contactable lines. Furthermore, a light or an electrical unit as described above is provided. Busbars are preferably arranged on both sides of the support rail.

[0021] The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. They show: Figures 1a and 1b show a first example of a contacting element for a bar light to be connected to a support rail, which is not the subject of the claims; Figures 2a and 2b show a second example of a contacting element, which is not the subject of the claims; Figures 3a and 3b show an embodiment of a contacting element according to the invention; and Figure 4 shows a solution known from the prior art for a contacting element for a bar light to be connected to a support rail.

[0022] The following detailed explanation of the exemplary embodiments assumes a continuous lighting system whose design essentially corresponds to the aforementioned "TECTON" continuous lighting system marketed by the applicant. A special feature of this system is that the cables running along the support rail for powering the luminaires or loads are mounted in such a way that they can be continuously contacted along the entire length of the continuous lighting system, allowing luminaires or other loads to be flexibly arranged along the entire length of the continuous lighting system.However, it should be noted that the present invention is not limited to this specific lighting system; rather, the contacting elements according to the invention can generally be used whenever, in order to contact the cables of a support rail of a lighting system, corresponding contacts of the contacting element must be moved laterally in order to contact the cables of a busbar. Therefore, in the figures explained in more detail below, the support rail with the busbars arranged therein is shown only schematically.

[0023] Furthermore, it should be noted that contacting the lines of a busbar does not necessarily have to serve to supply the connected unit with power. Connection to data lines used for communication would also be conceivable, in particular the connection of sensors, cameras, or similar components that transmit data via the lines of the lighting strip system, which are then used, for example, for automated control of the system. In this sense, the present invention encompasses all conceivable electrical units that can be meaningfully connected to a busbar.

[0024] According to the illustrations, the support rail 10 of the continuous lighting system 1 has, as a supporting element, a downwardly open, U-shaped support rail profile 15 which, with two side walls 16 and a horizontal wall 17 connecting the side walls 16, encloses an elongated receiving space 18 into which the contacting element described in more detail below is to be inserted. Busbars 20 with contactable cables 25 are arranged on both inner sides of the side walls 16. These cables can be contacted by the luminaires or other electrical units to be connected to the system 1. As already known from the prior art, the cables 25 can be supported by specially designed cable support elements made of an insulating material, which form elongated grooves or channels open towards the inside, in which the cables 25, which are formed by uninsulated wires, are supported.In principle, the design of the busbars 20 could also vary. However, it is essential that the cables 25 are mounted in such a way that they are accessible from the interior 18 of the support rail 10 and can be contacted accordingly from this direction. However, the cables 25 do not necessarily have to be accessible over the entire length of the system 1; it would also be conceivable for contact to be possible or intended only in certain sections.

[0025] The luminaire to be connected to the system 1 is shown in the present figures as a so-called bar luminaire 30, which, as shown in the illustration according to the Figures 1a and 1bWhen mounted, it rests against the underside of the support rail profile 15 and has an elongated profile body 31 as a supporting element. The profile body 31 serves, in particular, to support the lamps, any components for supplying power to the lamps, and any optical components that may be present that influence the light output of the luminaire 30 in the desired manner. However, the design of these components is independent of the present invention, which is why these components are not shown in detail in the figures and will not be explained in more detail below.

[0026] What is crucial is that the luminaire 30 is designed to be mechanically fastened to the support rail 10 and to contact at least some of the lines 25 of the two busbars 20, which is made possible by means of the contacting elements according to the invention described in more detail below.

[0027] Basically, the contacting elements are designed in such a way that they can be converted from a first configuration to a second configuration.

[0028] In the first configuration, the contacting element is designed such that it can be inserted into the interior space 18 of the mounting rail 10 and, in particular, does not collide with the lower edges of the side walls 16 of the mounting rail profile 15. In this state, no contact is yet made with the lines 25 of the busbars 20.

[0029] In the second configuration, however, the contacting element is in a state in which at least some of the lines 25 of the busbars 20 are contacted. Ideally, mechanical locking or latching elements also engage behind corresponding projections on the mounting rail 10, so that in addition to the electrical contact, a mechanical attachment to the mounting rail 10 is also achieved. The contacting element is thus also responsible for attaching the unit to be connected to the mounting rail 10.

[0030] At the Figure 4In the solution shown, known from the prior art, the contacting element was converted from the first configuration to the second configuration by rotation. According to the present invention, instead of rotation, linear displacements or movements are now used to fulfill the above-mentioned functions. Three variants of this concept will be explained in more detail below.

[0031] In the Figures 1a and 1bA first example of a contacting element not according to the invention is provided with the reference numeral 40. In the case shown, it has two so-called contact blocks 41 and 42, which are arranged on either side of a longitudinal center plane E and carry contacts 43 pointing in opposite directions or outwards. The number and height positioning of the contacts 43 is shown in the figures only as an example and can of course also vary. In particular, it can also be provided if necessary that one or some of the contacts 43 are mounted on the corresponding blocks 41, 42 in a height-adjustable manner, so that by appropriate positioning of the contacts 43 it can be determined which of the lines 25 of the busbars 20 positioned one above the other are to be contacted. For example,If the different lines 25 are used for different phases of a power supply circuit or serve to provide a specific supply voltage or specific control information, a specific function can be assigned to the luminaires or, in general, to the connected unit.

[0032] In order for the contacts 43, which are designed as contact tongues, for example, to make contact with the lines 25, it must be possible to extend these contacts 43 laterally. This is made possible in the first exemplary embodiment according to the invention in that the contact blocks 41, 42 are coupled to one another via a so-called toggle lever joint 45. This toggle lever joint 45 is formed by a vertically upwardly projecting first arm 46, which is rigidly connected to the support 31 of the light 30. At its upper end, the arm 46 is connected via a joint 47 to two pivotably mounted arms 48, the end regions of which are each in turn coupled in an articulated manner to one of the contact blocks 41 or 42. Furthermore, a tension spring 49 is provided, which connects the end regions of the two arms 48 to one another.

[0033] The toggle joint 45 formed in this way now allows the two contact blocks 41 and 42 to be Figure 1ashown position, which corresponds to an open position of the contacting element 40, into the Figure 1b As can be seen, in comparison to Figure 1a Both contact blocks 41 and 42 are extended slightly laterally, such that the outer ends of the contact tongues 43 now come into contact with the lines 25 of the busbars 20. Furthermore, locking lugs 44 of the contact blocks 41, 42 engage behind locking projections provided at the lower end of the side walls 16 of the support rail 10. In this position, the luminaire 30 is therefore not only electrically connected to the lines 25 of the busbars 20, but is also mechanically fixed to the support rail 10. The position of the arms 48 in the illustrated contacting position of the contact blocks 41 and 42 is also such that the contact blocks 41 and 43 are locked in the illustrated position by the tension spring 49.

[0034] During the axial insertion of the contacting element 40 shown, the initially in the Figure 1a shown position, come into contact with the horizontal wall 17 of the support rail 10 or with a stop 19 provided on the wall 17. If the support element 31 of the luminaire 30 is now pushed further upwards, the pressure exerted by the wall 17 or the stop on the contact blocks 41, 42, counter to the insertion movement, causes the toggle joint 45 to convert this axial movement into a lateral deflection of the contact blocks 41 and 42 by pivoting the arms 48 around the pivot point 47 until they reach the Figure 1b As already mentioned, a dead point of the joint 45 is exceeded and the tension spring 49, which is in the position in Figure 1a pulls the contact blocks 41 and 42 into the open position, now ensures that the contact blocks 41 and 42 permanently Figure 1b Only by exerting a strong pull on the luminaire 30 from below can the dead center of the joint 45 be overcome and the 30 luminaire removed from the support rail 10.

[0035] The Figures 1a and 1b The solution presented here therefore represents a very convenient way of connecting the luminaire 30 to the support rail 10. It is only necessary to insert the luminaire 30 from the bottom into the support rail 10 and to press it upwards with the appropriate force in order to Figure 1bThis locking or contacting configuration can then be released by pulling on the lamp 30 accordingly. If necessary, the webs 35 shown schematically in the figures can also be used, which form a guide for the lateral movement of the two contact blocks 41, 42.

[0036] The Figures 2a and 2b show a second example of a contacting element not according to the invention, now designated by reference numeral 50. This also offers the advantage that the two contact blocks 51, 52, which are equipped with corresponding contacts 53, come into contact with a stop 19 or the wall 17 when inserted into the receiving space 18 of the support rail 10 and then automatically move out laterally. Thus, once again, the axial insertion movement is converted into a lateral movement of the contact blocks 51, 52.

[0037] In the second example, this is made possible by a wedge guide for the two contact blocks 51 and 52. A guide element 55 used for this purpose, which is approximately truncated cone-shaped in cross-section, is in turn firmly connected to the support 31 of the lamp 30 and forms two inclined, upwardly projecting guide surfaces 56, along which the contact blocks 51, 52, which in turn are connected to one another via a tension spring 59, can slide. The contact blocks 51, 52 have side walls facing the guide surfaces 56, which have a corresponding inclination, so that a change in the height of the contact blocks 51, 52 compared to the guide element 55 is converted into a lateral movement.

[0038] Analogous to the embodiment of the Figures 1a and 1bThus, the contact blocks 51 and 52 will initially come into contact with their upper sides against the wall 17 or the stop 19 when inserted into the interior of the support rail 10. Further pressing of the luminaire 30 and thus of the contact element 50 upwards will then cause the contact blocks 51, 52 to move out laterally until the Figure 2a shown configuration is achieved.

[0039] In this case, the contact blocks 51, 52 again assume a position in which, on the one hand, the contacts 53 contact the lines 25 of the busbars and, on the other hand, locking projections 54 engage behind the support rail 10. In this case, it can be provided that by means of special - not shown - locking projections or locking elements, which are provided, for example, on the locking lugs 54 of the contact blocks 51, 52 and interact in a corresponding manner with the support rail profile 15, the Figure 2aThe end position shown is secured. This locking or latching can then be overcome by appropriately tightening the luminaire 30, so that in this way the luminaire 30 can again be very easily detached from the support rail 10.

[0040] An embodiment of a contacting element 60 according to the invention is shown in the Figures 3a and 3b Here, in contrast to the Figures 1 and 2 an axial movement is not automatically converted into a lateral movement of the two contact blocks 61, 62. Instead, both contact blocks 61, 62 are connected to each other via a parallel guide 65. In both Figures 3a, 3b Different variants of a corresponding parallel guide 65 are shown, whereby the guide 65 in Fig. 3a by a web 67 of the other contact block 61 engaging in a slot-like recess 66 of a contact block 62, whereas in the variant according to Fig. 3bthe parallel guide 65 is formed by means of two articulated arms 68.

[0041] Furthermore, both contact blocks 61, 62 are biased to an outwardly directed position. Figures 3a and 3b There are again two different possibilities for this, on the one hand leaf springs 69 located in the space between the contact blocks 61, 62 ( Figure 3a ) and on the other hand a spiral spring 70 positioned in the lower area ( Figure 3b ). Both variants cause the contact blocks 61, 62 to be biased into the outward contacting position.

[0042] To insert the contacting element 60 into the interior 18 of the mounting rail 10, it is therefore necessary for both contact blocks 61, 62 to be temporarily moved toward each other against the spring force, which can be done manually using two laterally provided push buttons 71, 72. If these push buttons 71, 72 are released while the contacting element 70 is inserted into the interior 18 of the mounting rail 10, the contact blocks 61, 62 automatically move outward again due to the spring force, and the lines 25 of the busbars 20 are again contacted, as well as a mechanical locking with the mounting rail 10 via the locking elements 64.

[0043] All three described variants are characterized by the fact that they enable contacting of busbars on the one hand and mechanically fastening loads to mounting rails on the other in a simple but efficient manner. However, since twisting or pivoting of a contacting element is no longer required, the disadvantages of the prior art described above can be avoided.

Claims

1. Contacting element (40, 50, 60) for electrical and mechanical connection to a luminaire or to an electrical unit on a support rail (10) which has a support rail profile (15) comprising two side walls (16) and at least one conductor rail (20) which is arranged on one of the two inner sides of the side walls (16) of the support rail profile (15) and has electrically contactable lines (25), the contacting element (40, 50, 60) being insertable into the support rail profile (15) and having connection contacts (42, 52, 62) which are adjustably mounted so as to abut against lines (25) of the conductor rail (20) in a state in which the contacting element (40, 50, 60) is inserted into the support rail profile (15), the contacting element (40, 50, 60) having at least one linearly laterally adjustable contact block (41, 42, 51, 52, 61,62) comprising connection contacts (43, 53, 63), which contact block is adjustable between an open position, in which it is possible to insert and remove the contacting element (40, 50, 60) from the support rail profile (15), and a contacting position, in which the contact block (41, 42, 51, 52, 61, 62) comprising the connection contacts (43, 53, 63) is laterally extended to contact the lines (25), the contacting element (40, 50, 60) having two contact blocks (41, 42, 51, 52, 61, 62) comprising connection contacts (43, 53, 63) which point in opposite directions, the two contact blocks (41, 42, 51, 52, 61, 62) being coupled in such a way that they can be transferred, starting from the open position, away from one another into the contacting position, characterized in that the two contact blocks (61, 62) are mounted in a pre-tensioned manner in the contacting position, pressing or actuating elements (71, 72) being arranged on the contacting element (60), which pressing or actuating elements enable the contact blocks (61, 62) to be manually pressed together into the open position.

2. Contacting element according to claim 1, characterized in that the two contact blocks (61, 62) are connected to one another via a parallel guide (65).

3. Contacting element according to claim 2, characterized in that the parallel guide (65) is formed by two articulated arms (68).

4. Contacting element according to claim 2, characterized in that the parallel guide (65) has a lug (67) arranged on one contact block (61, 62), which lug engages in a slot-like recess (66) of the other contact block (61, 62).

5. Contacting element according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the two contact blocks (61, 62) are mounted in a pre-tensioned manner in the contacting position via leaf springs (69).

6. Contacting element according to any of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the two contact blocks (61, 62) are mounted in a pre-tensioned manner in the contacting position via a coil spring (70).

7. Contacting element according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the contact blocks (41, 42, 51, 52, 61, 62) comprise outwardly-pointing latching elements (44, 54, 64) for mechanical fastening to the support rail profile (15).

8. Contacting element according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one of the contacts (43, 53, 63) is height-adjustably mounted on the contact block (41,42, 51, 52, 61,62).