POWER LINE FOR LIGHTS OR ELECTRICAL UNITS

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a busbar for luminaires or other electrical units and to a linear lighting system which includes such a busbar.

[0002] Busbars are characterized by the fact that the wires or conductors used for power supply are accessible or connectable over a relatively long, elongated section. This allows for the more or less flexible positioning of connected devices along this section. Thus, the devices—for example, the luminaires in a linear lighting system—can be positioned not only in fixed locations but also freely at the desired point.

[0003] A well-known linear lighting system that utilizes such busbars is marketed by the applicant under the name "TECTON". A special feature of this system is that the power supply lines provide a standard mains voltage of, for example, 250 volts, yet remain continuously accessible for contact along the entire length of the system. This is achieved, among other things, by arranging the lines in a conductor mounting structure made of an insulating material, which forms open grooves on one side for contact. From this side, the lines can then be contacted by luminaires or other devices connected to the system. However, the grooves and the individual components of the conductor mounting structure are designed in such a way as to prevent accidental contact with the live wires.The relevant safety regulations, designed to prevent accidental contact with the conductors, must be met. Such a busbar is known from document EP 1 284 033 B1.

[0004] In principle, the busbar used in the aforementioned continuous lighting system could be implemented in any length. However, for manufacturing reasons, the cable support structure made of insulating material, or the mounting rail containing the cable support structure, which forms the supporting element of the continuous lighting system, is only manufactured and transported up to a certain length. Accordingly, in the system known from the prior art, corresponding mounting rails fitted with sections of a busbar are provided in standard lengths, whereby the mounting rails and the busbar sections must then be connected to each other on site during installation of the continuous lighting system.

[0005] Another special feature of the aforementioned "TECTON" continuous-row lighting system is that it is possible to position and connect luminaires or other devices even in the connection area between two consecutive mounting rails or conductor rail sections. This is made possible by the use of special electrical connection contacts, such as those found in Figure 28 are shown.

[0006] Figure 28Figure 1 shows a single electrical connection contact, as currently used in the "TECTON" system and known, for example, from EP 1 284 033 B1. This connection contact 100 consists of an elongated contact plate 101, curved along its longitudinal sides, whose function is to receive and conduct the electrical current of the conductors running along the busbar. Spring contacts 102 are arranged at each end of the contact plate 101, enabling the clamping contact of the wire ends of two current sections to be connected.

[0007] How Figure 29As shown, connecting elements 110 are provided in the transition area of ​​two mounting rails 120 to be connected (shown here is the end face of a mounting rail to be connected to another identical mounting rail) of the continuous-row lighting system. These connecting elements serve to accommodate the electrical connection contacts 100. These connecting elements 110 have groove-like recesses 111 corresponding to the grooves of the conductor mounting structure. The electrical connection contacts 100 are inserted into the connecting element 110 in such a way that the contact plates 101 of the connecting contacts 100 are accessible via the groove-shaped recesses 111. The recesses 111 of the connecting element 110 thus continue the grooves of the conductor mounting structure, and the contact plate 101 bridges the conductors of the busbar sections to be connected.Ultimately, this means that a contact point for connecting lights or devices is always available in the connection area, so that the known linear lighting system offers uninterrupted contact possibilities along its entire length. This results in superior flexibility compared to other known systems regarding the arrangement of lights or other electrical units.

[0008] The established concept for connecting busbar sections offers significant advantages in terms of flexibility when positioning luminaires or other system components. However, the components used result in a larger space requirement at the connection point due to the larger cross-section of the connecting contacts compared to the actual conductor cross-section. Therefore, with multi-core busbars, it is necessary to divide the conductors and, for example, arrange them on both sides of a mounting rail profile. A more compact arrangement of the conductors is not possible.

[0009] The present invention is therefore based on the objective of offering a way to connect busbar sections together and, despite everything, to allow a more compact arrangement of the conductors.

[0010] The problem is solved by a busbar with the features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

[0011] The concept according to the invention also provides for the use of connecting contacts in the connection area of ​​two successive busbar sections, to which the end faces of the conductors to be connected are connected, and which in turn form a contact surface accessible from the contacting side. However, a modified arrangement of the connecting contacts now enables a more compact arrangement of the conductors.

[0012] According to the invention, the connecting contacts in the connection area of ​​two successive busbar sections are arranged alternately offset at two longitudinal positions.

[0013] According to the present invention, a busbar for luminaires or electrical units is proposed, comprising several interconnectable busbar sections, each having several longitudinally extending conductors for power supply and / or signal transmission, arranged in grooves open towards a contacting side of a conductor receiving structure made of an insulating material. According to the invention, connecting contacts are provided in a connection area of ​​two successive busbar sections, to which the end faces of two conductors to be connected are connected, forming a contact surface accessible from the contacting side. The connecting contacts in the connection area of ​​two successive busbar sections are arranged alternately offset at two longitudinal positions.

[0014] Because, according to this first aspect of the invention, the connecting contacts are arranged in an offset manner, the increased cross-section claimed by the connecting contacts is not concentrated on a short section of the busbar, but instead distributed over two offset areas. Ultimately, this makes it possible to route the busbar conductors parallel to each other with a smaller distance between them, and consequently, the number of conductors can be increased within the same available space.

[0015] Preferably, the conductors of a busbar section extend beyond the insulating conductor mounting structure with alternating lengths. This configuration allows, as described above, the connection contacts to be arranged offset at two longitudinal positions, enabling the conductors to be connected there.

[0016] According to the invention, the connecting contacts are arranged in connecting elements, which in turn consist of an insulating material and have groove-like recesses corresponding to the grooves of the conductor receiving structure. Furthermore, according to the invention, two connecting elements are provided in the connection area of ​​two successive busbar sections, each assigned to one of the busbar sections, and in whose groove-like recesses a connecting contact and a conductor of the busbar section extending beyond the connecting element are arranged alternately such that the contact surface of the contact or the conductor is accessible via the groove-shaped recess. Thus, in the solution according to the invention, it is also ensured that all conductors of the busbar are continuously accessible across the connection area.the contact surfaces of the used connection contacts can be contacted.

[0017] It may be provided that the connecting contacts each have an elongated contact plate which forms the contact surface and at the end of which clamping or spring contacts are arranged for clamping the lines to be connected to the connecting contact.

[0018] Furthermore, it can advantageously be provided that the conductor receiving structure of the busbar sections, consisting of insulating material, comprises several longitudinally joined plastic parts, preferably formed by injection molding, with the conductors being inserted into the grooves of the joined plastic parts. This corresponds to the solution already known from the prior art, which makes it possible to create continuous receiving grooves of virtually any length, in which the conductors are received in such a way that they can be contacted by luminaires or other consumers of the system. Alternatively to this variant, however, it could also be provided that the conductor receiving structure of the busbar sections, consisting of insulating material, comprises plastic parts manufactured by extrusion, with the conductors optionally...are partially embedded in the plastic material.

[0019] According to the present invention, a mounting rail for luminaires or electrical units is further proposed, comprising a mounting rail profile and at least one busbar held by the mounting rail profile as described above. Preferably, the mounting rail profile is designed to enclose an elongated receiving space in which the busbar is arranged, and in particular, the receiving space may be open on one longitudinal side, with the busbar being arranged on a wall of the mounting rail profile opposite the opening. Compared to previously known solutions, this design employs a somewhat different, direct contacting of the conductors, which offers significant advantages with regard to the design of the contacting elements of the units to be connected.In this case, the wall of the mounting rail profile opposite the opening is primarily available for arranging the busbar, but due to the more compact arrangement of the conductors according to the invention, this wall can now provide a comparable number of contact options. Furthermore, it would also be possible to arrange additional busbars on the side walls of the mounting rail profile.

[0020] The invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawing. The drawing shows: Figure 1: Connecting two conductors using a connection contact known from the prior art; Figures 2-5: Views of the arrangement of the connection contacts according to the first aspect of the invention; Figure 6: The design of a connecting element for receiving the connection contacts; Figures 7 to 10: Views of two sections of a mounting rail to be connected to each other, each having busbar sections designed according to the invention; Figure 11: A mounting rail with a busbar designed according to the invention in an end-face view; Figure 12: A consumer inserted into the mounting rail and contacting the conductors; Figure 13: An advantageous mounting of the conductors of a busbar; Figures 14-17: The arrangement and positioning of the conductors and connection contacts according to a second aspect, which is not part of the invention, in a first variant;Figures 18-21 show the arrangement and positioning of the conductors and connection contacts according to the second aspect in a second variant; Figures 22 to 24 show views of the arrangement and positioning of the conductors and connection contacts according to a particularly preferred embodiment which combines both aspects; Figure 25 shows the design of a device for realizing the [context missing]. Figures 22 to 24 The variant shown shows a suitable connecting element for receiving the connecting contacts; Figures 26 and 27 show the end regions of two busbar sections to be connected according to the variant of the Figures 22 to 24 Figure 28 shows an electrical connection contact known from the prior art and Figure 29 shows a method known from the prior art for connecting two successive busbar sections.

[0021] The following section will first describe the design of a single electrical connection contact and the resulting problem regarding the arrangement of conductors on a busbar. Subsequently, it will be explained in detail how, despite the use of this connection contact, a more compact arrangement of the conductors is made possible due to a special design.

[0022] In terms of its structure, it corresponds to the one in Figure 1 The electrical connection contact shown, designated with reference numeral 1, corresponds to the already known connection contact as described in Figure 29 shown.

[0023] In this case, the contact plate 2 also consists of an elongated contact plate 2, slightly bent downwards along its long sides. Its purpose is to receive and conduct the electrical current from the wires or conductors of the busbar sections. At each end of the contact plate 2, a spring contact element 3, preferably made of a chromium-nickel alloy, is arranged. This spring element has an inwardly bent spring tongue 4, which clamps a wire 10 inserted into the connecting contact 1 and presses it firmly against the contact plate 2, taking into account the electrical contact resistance. The surfaces of the spring contact elements 3 that come into contact with the conductors are preferably gold-plated to counteract fretting corrosion, even during the inevitable relative displacements of both parts due to thermal expansion.The side of the contact plate 2, which is preferably made of tinned copper and faces away from the wires 10, then forms the primary contact surface 5 for connecting consumers.

[0024] It is usually planned that several of the in Figure 1The electrical connection contacts 1 shown are arranged in a connecting element made of an insulating material. This connecting element is located at one end face of a busbar section and is already coupled to the conductors of this section on one side. A further busbar section to be connected to this busbar section has protruding conductor ends. When the two busbar sections are joined, these protruding conductor ends are inserted into the corresponding electrical connection contacts 1 from the other side, thus creating the desired connection. The connection contacts 1 then bridge the gap between two adjacent conductor ends and, as described above, enable continuous contact by luminaires or other electrical components.

[0025] To prevent short circuits or other problems with power or signal transmission, it must be ensured that the conductors running lengthwise along the busbar are sufficiently separated from each other. In particular, certain minimum distances between the electrically conductive surfaces must be maintained to meet the requirements regarding so-called creepage distances.

[0026] These requirements must also be met in the connection area of ​​two busbar sections to be joined. However, the problem arises that the electrical connection contacts, due to their design, have larger dimensions than the conductors to be joined. In particular, the connection contacts limit the possibility of routing the conductors as closely as possible alongside each other along the busbar, thus limiting the number of conductors provided by a busbar and consequently the contacting possibilities of the system.

[0027] The present invention now opens up the possibility of reducing the distances between the conductors of a busbar by means of a particularly advantageous arrangement or positioning of the connecting contacts, while still fulfilling the aforementioned conditions. A first embodiment of the invention will be described below with reference to the Figures 2 - 5 This will be explained, although the illustration of the insulating conductor mounting structure and the connecting elements has initially been omitted in order to better clarify the arrangement of the connecting contacts.

[0028] As shown by the Figures 2 - 5 As can be seen, the solution according to the invention, as described in the first aspect, consists in the fact that the connecting contacts 1 are no longer all arranged next to each other in the system at the same location, but instead are positioned alternately offset from each other at two positions A and B in the longitudinal direction, i.e., in the direction of the conductors 1. The conductors 10 of the busbar system are thus divided into two groups, with each conductor 10 being alternately assigned to one of the two groups.

[0029] The arrangement of the connecting contacts 1 is such that the conductors of the first group 10 1 are connected to each other by connecting contacts 1 located at a first position A in the longitudinal direction of the system, while the conductors of the second group 10 2 are connected to each other by electrical connecting contacts 1 arranged at the second position B. Ultimately, this leads to the configuration described in the Figures 2 - 5 recognizable offset arrangement of the connection contacts 1 or the points where two line sections are connected.

[0030] As the representation in a plane E perpendicular to the longitudinal direction according to Figure 3As shown, all connecting contacts 1 are arranged next to each other in projection, with the distances d in this projection being so small that they may not meet the aforementioned requirements regarding creepage distances. However, these distances d are no longer decisive, since, due to the offset arrangement of the connecting contacts 1, what is actually to be considered is the distance of an electrical connecting contact 1 to the adjacent conductor 10. This larger distance D (see Figure 2In contrast, the above-mentioned requirements are met, thus creating the possibility of choosing a smaller distance between the conductors 10. Ultimately, this allows for better use of the space available for a given busbar width and – compared to an arrangement of the connection contacts side by side – a more compact arrangement of the conductors 10 can be chosen, thereby increasing the number of conductors 10. At the same time, the advantage is retained that the conductors 10 of the busbar can be continuously contacted even in the connection area of ​​two consecutive busbar sections, or rather, that a continuous contact option is created by the connection contacts 1.

[0031] As previously known, it is preferably provided that the electrical connection contacts 1 are held in a connecting element made of an insulating material. One of these is in Figure 6Identifiable and designated with reference numeral 20, it consists of two components 21 and 22 to be joined together, which initially serve to receive and support the connection contacts 1. The first component 21 forms openings or elongated recesses for receiving the electrical connection contacts 1. As in the prior art, these recesses extend the receiving channels of the conductor receiving structure, i.e., they are open towards one contacting side – downwards in the illustration – thus enabling the contact plates 2 of the connection contacts 1 to be contacted from the same direction from which the conductors 10 are contacted in the rest of the busbar section.After the connecting contacts 1 have been inserted into the corresponding recesses of the first part 21 on the back side, this is closed from the back by a cover 22 which can be snapped into the first part 21, thereby securing the electrical connecting contacts 1 in the position described above.

[0032] In principle, it would be conceivable to use a single connecting element 20 that accommodates all the electrical connecting contacts 1. Due to the staggered arrangement of the connecting contacts 1 according to the invention, as shown in the Figures 2 - 5 As shown, it is preferably provided that the connecting contacts 1 of a group are each contained in their own connecting element 20. That is, in the representation in Figure 6It is provided that the electrical connection contacts 1 inserted into the connecting element 20 are intended only for connecting the conductors of the first group 10 1, while the conductors of the second group 10 2 are connected by connection contacts 1 which are located in a further, in Figure 9 The connecting elements are arranged in a manner not shown. The connecting elements are preferably arranged on both sides of a single mounting rail / busbar, but can also be arranged consecutively in only one end region of a mounting rail.

[0033] The staggered arrangement of the connection contacts 1 also results in the lines being connected – as in Figure 6The conductors 10 can be identified as having alternating lengths that protrude beyond the conductor receiving structure 30 of the busbar section, which is made of an insulating material. This conductor receiving structure 30 has longitudinally extending grooves or channels, except for the conductors 10. These grooves or channels are open towards one contacting side, thus enabling contact with the conductors 10. The protrusion of the conductors of the second group 10 2, which are connected only by the further connecting element (not shown), is greater than that of the conductors of the first group 10 1, which are connected by the connecting element 20 shown.

[0034] Despite everything, the conductors of the second group 10 2 must also be protected in the area where the connecting element 20 is located, or they must be routed through it and still be able to be contacted. Accordingly, this connecting element 20 not only has elongated grooves for receiving the connection contacts 1, but also, in between, grooves through which the protruding conductor ends of the conductors of the second group 10 2 are guided. Thus, only every second elongated recess of the connecting element 20 is filled with a connection contact 1; the intervening recesses or channels, however, serve to route the conductors of the second group 10 2 in such a way that they remain contactable and their ends can engage with the connection contacts of the second connecting element.

[0035] Overall, this results in the Figures 7 to 10The illustrated configuration shows two mounting rail sections 401 and 402 to be connected, the mechanical connection being effected by means of a U-shaped connecting part 46, which is inserted into the end faces of the mounting rail sections. Each mounting rail 401, 402 is provided with a corresponding busbar section 451, 452, wherein a connecting element 201 or 202 is arranged in the end region of each busbar section 451, 452, which on the one hand has electrical connection contacts for one of the two conductor groups and through which, on the other hand, the conductors 101, 102 of the other group are guided such that they protrude slightly.

[0036] When the two mounting rail sections 401 and 402 are joined, the protruding conductor sections are inserted into the free end areas of the connection contacts of the corresponding other connecting element 201 and 202, respectively. This results in the Figures 8 and 10 The configuration shown reveals that the conductors are connected at two different points along their length, alternating between them. However, a continuous contact point is also provided for all conductors 10 across the entire connection area.

[0037] In this regard, it should be noted that the individual busbar sections do not necessarily have to be designed and arranged as known from the prior art. In the prior art of the "TECTON" system, the cable support structures are formed from several interconnected individual cable support elements, which are manufactured by injection molding and are designed to allow relative displacement to one another, while still providing continuous protection for the cables. Although this represents the ideal implementation of a busbar for the present invention, the corresponding cable support structures could also be designed less complexly and, for example, manufactured by extrusion, provided they still have corresponding grooves in which the cables are received.

[0038] Figure 11Figure 1 shows a cross-sectional view of a possible mounting rail 40, which consists of a U-shaped mounting rail profile 41 with a busbar 45 arranged therein according to the invention. An end view is shown, showing, on the one hand, that the conductor ends of the conductors of the first group 10 1 protrude in the end region and are intended to be connected to the connecting element of the further busbar section to be coupled to the mounting rail 40. On the other hand, alternating with these protruding conductors of the first group 10 1, the end regions of the electrical connection contacts 1 are visible, which are mounted in the associated connecting element 20 and are intended for connecting the conductors of the second group.

[0039] The in Figure 11 The configuration of the mounting rail 40 shown now opens up the possibility of creating an exemplary configuration in Figure 12to connect the illustrated consumer to the mounting rail 40. The consumer designated with reference numeral 90 is, in this case, a so-called bar luminaire, which has an elongated support element 91. This support element serves to hold light sources (not shown) and an optical element 92, which influences the light output as desired. Furthermore, a contacting element 95 is provided on the upper side of the support element 91. This contacting element has vertically projecting contacts 96, which contact the corresponding conductors 10 and / or electrical connection contacts 1 of the busbar 45. In particular, a contacting option is also available in the transition area between two interconnected busbar sections.

[0040] In the illustrated case, the busbar 45 is arranged on the horizontal wall 42 opposite the opening of the mounting rail profile 41. The contacting element 95, which is to be inserted into the receiving space of the mounting rail, can therefore directly contact the conductors 10 or electrical connection contacts 1 with its contacts 96 during insertion. In particular, it is not necessary for the contacting element 95 to be additionally actuated, e.g., rotated, after insertion in order to contact vertically oriented busbars located on the side walls. This significantly simplifies the overall design of the contacting element 95. At the same time, a sufficient number of different contacting options are still provided, since, as already mentioned, the solution according to the invention allows for a more compact arrangement of the conductors 10.

[0041] However, it is important to ensure that, when the luminaire 90 or the consumer is mounted on the mounting rail 40, the contacts 96 press against the conductors 10 or electrical connection contacts 1 with sufficient contact force. In the illustrated embodiment, this is achieved by a corresponding locking mechanism with a so-called toggle lever mechanism 97. When locked using the laterally projecting clamping arm 98, the toggle lever mechanism 97 ensures that the luminaire 90 is additionally pressed towards the busbar 45, thus guaranteeing reliable contact. However, a spring-loaded latch is preferable, as it exerts the required contact pressure at the contact point.

[0042] Figure 13Furthermore, it shows a possibility of designing the conductors 10 of a busbar 45 in a special way to ensure even better contact. The sectional view shown here does not refer to the connection area of ​​two busbar sections, but to the wider area of ​​the busbar 45, where the conductors 10 are now designed as vertically oriented strip conductors, which are partially embedded in the conductor receiving structure 30. Here, the contact elements 96 of the load have laterally convex spring areas 99 at their end regions, which press against the surface of the conductors 10. Thus, there is a more lateral contact of the conductors 10 of the busbar 45, which is advantageous for the [missing information] Figures 11 and 12The system shown is preferable because the contact pressure necessary for secure electrical contact is exerted on the conductors 10 by the spring element 99 of the contact element 96. The force is therefore not opposed to the fastening of the luminaire 90 or the consumer to the mounting rail 40, but rather perpendicular to it. This effectively clamps the components responsible for the contact together, further reinforcing the secure fastening of the luminaire 90 to the mounting rail 40. If necessary, the following could then also be considered: Figure 12 The explained toggle lever mechanism 97 can be dispensed with, although reliable contact of the lines is still possible.

[0043] The following section will explain two further variants of a second aspect, which is not part of the invention, and which again makes it possible to achieve a more compact arrangement of the conductors of a busbar. For the sake of clarity, the illustration of the conductor mounting structure and the connecting elements that accommodate the connection contacts has again been omitted.

[0044] During the Figures 14-17 In the depicted variant, the electrical connection contacts 1 are arranged side by side in the longitudinal direction, so that they can also be accommodated in a common connecting element. However, it is now provided that the connection contacts 1 are arranged alternately in two different planes, as shown in the Figures 15, 16 and 17 show.

[0045] This arrangement of the connecting contacts 1 also means that, with regard to the required clearances for creepage distances, the distance between two adjacent connecting contacts 1 in projection is not the only factor to consider; the vertical offset also plays a role. Since this increases the actual distance between the connecting contacts 1, the conductors 10 can be arranged closer together overall.

[0046] During the Figures 14-17 In the depicted, further-reaching variant, it is provided that the conductors 10 are only routed out of a common plane in the connection area in order to allow the offset arrangement of the connection contacts 1. Over the remaining area of ​​the busbars, however, the conductors 1 all run parallel to each other in a common plane.

[0047] The in the Figures 18 - 21The variant shown is the variant according to the Figures 14-17 very similar, especially with regard to the arrangement of the electrical connection contacts 1. Here too, it is provided that the connection contacts 1 are arranged alternately in two different planes, which again results in the advantages already explained above. In contrast to the variant of Figures 14-17 However, it is now planned that the conductors of the 10 busbar sections will also run along the entire length in both different levels.

[0048] In both variants, it is necessary to consider that – at least in certain sections – there is a greater distance between the contacting element and the surface of the wire, conductor, or electrical connection contact to be contacted. This means that, depending on which conductors are to be contacted, the contacts must either have a corresponding length or be designed to be flexible enough to reach the recessed surfaces to be contacted. Telescopically designed contacts that extend sufficiently far into the recesses of the conductor receiving structure or the connecting element could also be used.

[0049] A particularly preferred embodiment consists of combining both of the previously described basic concepts. That is, in a particularly preferred embodiment, the connecting contacts are arranged offset from each other both longitudinally along the busbar and perpendicular to it. Ultimately, this variant, which is described in the Figures 22 to 27 The best possible compact arrangement of the cables is shown and will be described in detail below.

[0050] The Figures 22 and 23 The figures show the conductor sections with the associated electrical connection contacts 1 in a state in which the busbar sections have not yet been connected to each other. Figure 22 is a perspective view from the contacting side, whereas Figure 23 The figure shows, in perspective, the back of the lines 10 1 , 10 2 with the associated connecting contacts 1. Figure 24 It then shows lines 101 and 102 in the connected state.

[0051] It can be seen that, analogous to the first embodiment, the conductors 10 1 , 10 2 are divided into two groups, the length of the corresponding conductor sections being chosen alternately such that this first group of conductors 10 1 is connected to each other by electrical connection contacts 1, which are arranged longitudinally offset compared to the electrical connection contacts 1 which connect the second group of conductors 10 2.

[0052] Again, the conductors of the first group 10 1 are connected to each other by connecting contacts 1, which are located at a first position A in the longitudinal direction of the system, while the conductors of the second group 10 2 are connected to each other by electrical connecting contacts 1 arranged at the second position B, analogous to the first embodiment according to the invention.

[0053] However, in this particularly preferred variant, the Figures 22 to 27 It is intended that, analogous to the idea of Figures 14 to 21 The conductors 101, 102 with their associated electrical connection contacts 1 are also positioned alternately in two parallel planes in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. For example, this shows Figure 22This means that, viewed from the contact direction, the conductors of the second group 10 2 are positioned above the conductors of the first group 10 1 with their corresponding connecting contacts 1. Within the busbar, the conductors of the first group 10 1 will therefore be positioned further back compared to those of the second group 10 2.

[0054] In this case, too, it is therefore necessary that the corresponding contacting means of a consumer to be connected to the busbar, depending on which conductors are to be contacted, either have a corresponding length or are designed to be flexible or telescopic in such a way that they can contact the contact surfaces of the conductors 10 1 , 10 2 of both groups in any case.

[0055] By alternately offsetting the conductors 10 1 , 10 2 and the associated connecting contacts 1 in two mutually perpendicular directions according to this further embodiment, a particularly compact arrangement of the conductors 10 with the connecting contacts 1 can be achieved, so that the variant shown here enables the greatest possible use of conductors for a busbar within a given space.

[0056] As in the embodiment of the Figures 1 to 12 It is provided that in the now discussed preferred variant two connecting elements 20 are used to receive the electrical connecting contacts 1 for the respective groups of lines 10 1 , 10 2. Figure 25 This first shows that the corresponding connecting element 20 is analogous to the one according to Figure 6is formed, whereby the longitudinally extending channels of the connecting element 20, which alternately serve to receive the electrical connection contacts 1 or to guide the respective conductors not to be connected (here the conductors 10 2 ), are now arranged at different heights from one another. In the assembled state of the connecting elements, which is in the Figures 26 and 27 As shown, the conductors of the second group 10 2 are thus guided through the connecting element 20 1 so that they protrude at the end face and can be coupled to the connecting contacts of the connecting element 20 2 of the further busbar section 45 2. The conductors of the second group 10 2 protrude from end-face openings of the connecting element 20 1, which are arranged in a second plane offset from the entry openings for the conductors of the first group 10 1.

[0057] Analogous to the previously described embodiments, the two mounting rail sections 401, 402 can then be coupled to the associated busbar sections 451, 452 by simply plugging them together. The protruding conductor ends of the conductors 101, 102 automatically engage in the corresponding openings of the connecting elements 201 and 202, respectively, and are thereby coupled to the corresponding electrical connection contacts.

[0058] The embodiment of the Figures 24 to 27This arrangement of the conductors with the connecting contacts is therefore particularly preferred, as the double offset arrangement of the connecting contacts allows for extremely tight conductor routing within the busbar. There are no disadvantages regarding the effort required to connect the busbar sections compared to the other described embodiments. It is only necessary to ensure that – as already explained above – the electrical units to be connected are capable of contacting the conductors or connecting contacts running in two different planes. This can be achieved, as already illustrated by the Figures 14 to 21It is explained that the conductors are generally intended to run alternately in two different planes, or that an arrangement is provided in which the conductors run at least partially along the busbar in one plane, but in the transition area a part of the conductors is led out of this plane into a second plane in order to allow the additional offset arrangement of the connecting contacts.

[0059] In summary, the solutions according to the invention make it possible to arrange conductors of a busbar closer together, thereby increasing the number of available conductors, while still reliably complying with the relevant safety regulations. This allows for an increase in the number of contact options for a mounting rail and thus greater flexibility in connecting loads or other components. At the same time, as shown in the Figures 11 and 12 The design of any contact elements can be simplified, resulting in significant advantages.

Claims

1. A busbar (45) for luminaires (90) or electrical consumer loads, with multiple connectable busbar sections (451, 452) that each have a plurality of conductors (10) extending in a longitudinal direction for power supply and / or signal transmission, which are arranged in grooves open toward a contact side of a conductor receiving structure (30) made of an insulating material, wherein connection contacts (1) are provided in a connection area of two successive busbar sections (451, 452), to which the respective front ends of two conductors (10) to be connected are attached and which form a contact surface (5) accessible from the contact side, wherein the connection contacts (1) are arranged in connecting elements (20) which are made of an insulating material and have groove-like recesses corresponding to the grooves of the conductor receiving structure (30), characterized in that the connection contacts (1) in the connecting region of two successive busbar sections (451, 452) are arranged alternately offset at two longitudinal positions (A, B), and that two connecting elements (201, 202) are provided in the connection area of two successive busbar sections, which are each assigned to one of the busbar sections and in whose groove-like recesses a connecting contact (1) and a conductor (10) of the busbar section extending beyond the connecting element (20) are alternately arranged in such a way that the contact surface (5) or the conductor (10) is accessible via the groove-like recess.

2. The busbar according to claim 1, characterized in that the conductors (10) of a busbar section (451, 452) protrude beyond the insulating conductor receiving structure (30) with alternately different lengths.

3. The busbar according to one of the previous claims, characterized in that the conductors (10) are arranged alternately in two substantially parallel planes in the connection area of two successive busbar sections and are connected to each other here by the connection contacts (1).

4. The busbar according to claim 3, characterized in that the conductors (10) of the busbar sections run in a common plane outside a connection area.

5. The busbar according to claim 3, characterized in that the conductors (10) of the busbar sections are arranged in two parallel planes over substantially the entire length of the busbar.

6. The busbar for luminaires according to any one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that the connection contacts (1) are arranged in connecting elements which have groove-like recesses corresponding to the grooves of the conductor receiving structure (30), wherein connection contacts (1) are mounted in such a way that the contacting surfaces (5) are accessible via the groove-like recesses.

7. The busbar for luminaires according to one of the previous claims, characterized in that the connection contacts (1) each have an elongated contact plate (2) which forms the contact surface (5) and at the ends of which clamp or spring contacts (3) are arranged for clamping the cables (10) to be connected to the connection contact (1).

8. The busbar according to one of the previous claims, characterized in that the conductor receiving structure (30) of the busbar sections, which consists of insulating material, comprises several plastic parts joined together in the longitudinal direction, which are preferably formed by injection-molded parts, wherein the conductors are inserted into the grooves of the joined plastic parts.

9. The busbar according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the conductor receiving structure (30) of the busbar sections, consisting of an insulating material, comprises a plastic part manufactured by extrusion, wherein the conductors (10) are preferably partially embedded in the plastic material.

10. The busbar according to claim 9, characterized in that the conductors (10) are designed as strip conductors.

11. A support rail (40) for luminaires (90) or electrical units, which comprises a support rail profile (41) and at least one busbar (45) according to one of the previous claims, held by the support rail profile (41).

12. The support rail according to claim 11, characterized in that the support rail profile encloses an elongated receiving space in which the busbar (45) is arranged, wherein the receiving space is preferably open on one long side, and wherein the busbar (45) is particularly preferably arranged on a wall (42) of the support rail profile (41) opposite the opening.