Identification stripes, labeling system and procedure

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to an identification strip for an electrical installation, comprising a marking area configured for printing with a printing device and a clamping area configured for engaging in a mounting groove, wherein the marking area and the clamping area comprise a first plastic material. The invention further relates to a marking system with an identification strip and a method for manufacturing an identification strip.

[0002] Identification strips for electrical installations are used, for example, to identify the terminal assignments or to label components.

[0003] The marking strips can be clamped into a groove provided for attaching them to the object to be marked and locked into place. It is important that the marking strip remains in its position after installation to ensure permanent identification of the marked terminals, connections, or objects.

[0004] Known marking strips have the disadvantage that they tend to slip within the mounting or fastening groove. Environmental influences, vibrations, or improper maintenance of the electrical installation labeled with the marking strip can cause the strip to slip within the groove or even fall out or be forced out completely. Document DE 10 2015 109020 A is considered the closest prior art.

[0005] Against this background, the invention addresses the technical problem of providing a marking strip for an electrical installation that does not exhibit the aforementioned disadvantages, or at least to a lesser extent, and in particular enables reliable attachment to an associated mounting groove. Furthermore, a marking system with such a marking strip and a method for manufacturing a marking strip are to be provided.

[0006] The technical problem described above is solved by a marking strip according to claim 1, a marking system according to claim 11, and a method according to claim 12. Further embodiments of the invention will become apparent from the dependent claims and the description below.

[0007] According to a first aspect, the invention relates to an identification strip for an electrical installation, comprising a marking area configured for printing with a printing device and a clamping area configured for engaging in a mounting groove, wherein the marking area and the clamping area comprise a first plastic. The marking area and / or the clamping area have at least one adhesive area comprising a second plastic, wherein the second plastic is softer than the first plastic to increase static friction.

[0008] The adhesive area thus acts as a slip-resistant or anti-slip device, provided the marking strip is received in a corresponding mounting groove of a fastening object or fastener. This ensures that the marking strip reliably remains in its originally intended mounting position and is not dislodged or forced out of the groove by vibrations or similar factors.

[0009] When it is stated that the second plastic is softer than the first plastic, this means in particular that the second plastic has a lower Shore hardness than the first plastic.

[0010] The first plastic can be, for example, a thermoplastic such as polyamide PA66, PA6, PA66 / 6, PA6 / 66, PA 4.6, PA10, PA12, PA6.10, polycarbonate, polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), polycarbonate / polybutylene terephthalate (PBT / PC), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene copolymer (ABS), polycarbonate / acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (PC / ABS), polycarbonate / acrylonitrile styrene acrylate copolymer (PC / ASA), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE) or the like. The first plastic can be, for example, a thermoset, such as epoxy resin (EP resin), polyester resin (UP resin), phenolic resin (PF resin), melamine resin (MF resin), melamine / phenolic resin (MP resin), urea resin (UF resin) or the like.

[0011] The second plastic can be, for example, a thermoplastic elastomer such as thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), thermoplastic copolyester (TPEE), styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene (SEBS), styrene-butadiene-styrene (SBS), polyether block amide (PEBA) or the like, or a cross-linked elastomer such as polypropylene / ethylene propylene diene monomer (PP / EPDM), chloroprene rubber (CR), butadiene rubber (BR) or the like.

[0012] The first plastic can be, for example, a polyamide (PA) with a hardness greater than Shore D 35, while the second plastic is a styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene (SEBS) with a hardness less than Shore D 35.

[0013] The first plastic can be, for example, a polyamide (PA) with a hardness greater than Shore D 54, while the second plastic is a thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) with a hardness less than Shore D 54.

[0014] The first plastic can be, for example, a polycarbonate (PC) with a hardness greater than Shore D 35, while the second plastic is a styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene (SEBS) with a hardness less than Shore D 35.

[0015] The first plastic can be, for example, a polycarbonate (PC) with a hardness greater than Shore D 54, while the second plastic is a thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) with a hardness less than Shore D 54.

[0016] The first plastic can be, for example, a polycarbonate / acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (PC / ABS) with a hardness greater than Shore D 35, while the second plastic is a styrene-ethylene-butylene styrene (SEBS) with a hardness less than Shore D 35.

[0017] The first plastic can be, for example, a polycarbonate / acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (PC / ABS) with a hardness greater than Shore D 54, while the second plastic is a thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) with a hardness less than Shore D 54. The marking strip can be produced as a continuous material by co-extruding the first and second plastics. Accordingly, the marking strip can be supplied, for example, wound onto a roll and fed to a suitable printer. The marking strip can be specifically designed for printing using a thermal transfer printer, an inkjet printer, a laser printer, or similar equipment.

[0018] In a further embodiment of the marking strip, the marking area has a first side with a printable cover surface, with an adhesive area of ​​the marking area formed on a second side facing away from the first side and / or on an end face of the marking area. This allows for reliable attachment of the marking strip without restricting the available area for printing symbols or characters.

[0019] In particular, it may be provided that the adhesive area of ​​the marking area is designed to rest against or be locked to a fastening object or fastening body in which a fastening groove is formed when fully assembled, so that the adhesive area rests against a surface of the fastening object or fastening body.

[0020] In a further embodiment of the marking strip, the marking area is provided with at least two, or exactly two, adhesive areas. To ensure reliable positioning of the marking strip, the marking area can be provided with an adhesive area on both sides to increase the static friction in the fully assembled state against a mounting object or fastener to which the marking strip is attached.

[0021] It may be provided that the labeling area has a labeling surface to be printed, wherein the labeling surface has the first plastic and no area of ​​second plastic.

[0022] It may be intended that the labeling area consists of the first plastic.

[0023] The clamping area can have at least two or exactly two projecting webs, with at least one of the webs having an adhesive area. The webs serve, in particular, to engage in undercuts of the mounting groove in order to create a positive-locking connection and, in particular, to additionally enable the marking area and the clamping area to be clamped against the groove. The adhesive area, as described above, serves to increase the static friction of the marking strip in the fully assembled state against a contact surface to which the adhesive area rests. It may be provided that a corresponding adhesive area is formed on each of the webs.

[0024] It can be provided that the adhesive area of ​​the bridge faces the marking area. This facilitates the installation of the marking strip when inserting it into the groove, since the described arrangement of the adhesive area prevents contact between the adhesive area and lateral boundary surfaces during insertion into the groove, so that the adhesive area is only clamped against a contact surface within the groove once fully installed.

[0025] The webs of the clamping area can be formed integrally with the marking area, particularly within the framework of a described co-extrusion, and, viewed in cross-section, extend outwards from the marking area in a substantially V-shaped manner. "Substantially V-shaped" in this context does not mean that the webs converge at a common point within the marking area, but rather that the webs widen away from each other in a funnel-like manner, extending from the marking area. The webs are, in particular, spaced apart from each other within the marking area.

[0026] Alternatively or additionally, the webs each have an end section that is formed at least partially parallel to a width extension of the marking area. In cross-section, the width extension of the marking area is oriented perpendicular to the length extension of the marking strip. The webs formed partially parallel to a width extension of the marking area allow them to engage in an undercut of a groove, forming a positive-locking connection to the groove.

[0027] To enable simple and cost-effective production of the marking strip, the marking strip can alternatively or additionally be designed to be mirror-symmetrical when viewed in cross-section. This also facilitates feeding it to a printing device.

[0028] In a further embodiment of the marking strip, the adhesive area is arranged on a freely projecting end section of the web. Specifically, the adhesive area can be formed in a region that, in the fully assembled state, is resiliently clamped against a surface of the mounting groove to ensure that the adhesive area rests against a contact surface of the mounting object to which the marking strip is attached.

[0029] In a further design of the marking strip, the marking area is provided with two adhesive areas and the clamping area with two adhesive areas, the adhesive areas of the marking area being spaced further apart than the adhesive areas of the clamping area. This ensures reliable positioning of the marking strip under various load conditions.

[0030] Alternatively or additionally, it can be provided that an adhesive area of ​​the marking area faces an adhesive area of ​​the clamping area. For example, if the marking area and the clamping area are clamped against a corresponding contact or bearing surface of a mounting groove or the marking body with the groove in the fully assembled state, it can be ensured that each adhesive area reliably rests against a contact surface in order to increase the static friction in the fully assembled state.

[0031] To enable simple and cost-effective production of the marking strip, it may be provided that the adhesive area consists of the second plastic and / or that all areas of the marking strip other than the adhesive area consist of the first plastic.

[0032] According to another variant of the marking strip, the adhesive area is provided to have a step or a ledge in order to achieve a defined connection to a fastening body in a fully assembled state.

[0033] According to a second aspect, the invention relates to a marking system for an electrical installation, comprising a marking strip according to the invention and a fastening body having a fastening groove, wherein the clamping area of ​​the marking strip engages in the fastening groove.

[0034] In particular, it may be provided that the clamping area of ​​the marking strip has ribs that engage in an undercut of the fastening groove.

[0035] It may be provided that the labeling area rests on a wall of the fastening body that borders the groove.

[0036] In particular, it can be provided that the marking strip is tensioned or locked onto the fastening body, wherein the clamping area, in particular with projecting webs, rests against an undercut of the fastening groove and the marking area rests with a side facing away from the cover surface of the marking area on a side wall of the fastening body that limits the fastening groove, so that the marking strip is resiliently tensioned or locked onto the fastening body.

[0037] In particular, each area, i.e., both the clamping area and the marking area, has one or more adhesive areas that rest against an associated contact surface of the fastening body in order to increase static friction and to prevent or counteract displacement of the marking strip within the fastening groove.

[0038] In order to provide the largest possible marking area, it may be provided that the marking area has a width that exceeds the total width of the mounting body and, in particular, extends beyond the mounting body on two sides.

[0039] According to a third aspect, the invention relates to a method for producing an identification strip for an electrical installation, wherein the identification strip is designed in a manner according to the invention, comprising the process steps: plasticizing the first and the second plastic, co-extruding the first and the second plastic such that the adhesive area is a strand connected materially and / or form-fittingly with the further areas of the marking area and / or the clamping area.

[0040] The marking strip can thus be produced simply and cost-effectively as a continuous material using a co-extrusion process. In particular, the marking strip has four adhesive areas, each formed as a strand bonded to the clamping area and the marking area.

[0041] In particular, due to its production using the co-extrusion process, the marking strip has a constant cross-section when viewed along its longitudinal extent, which corresponds to the extrusion direction.

[0042] As an alternative to co-extrusion, continuous injection molding, two-component injection molding, or extrusion can be used to produce the marking strip. Alternatively or additionally, the first and second components can first be produced separately, particularly by extrusion, and then joined together.

[0043] The invention is described below with reference to several exemplary embodiments illustrated in the drawings. These schematically depict: Fig. 1 shows a first marking strip according to the invention in a perspective view from above; Fig. 2 shows the marking strip made of Fig. 1 in a cross-section; Fig. 3 a further marking strip according to the invention in a cross-section; Fig. 4 the marking strip made of the Figure 1 and 2 in a fully assembled state; Fig. 5 the marking strip made of Fig. 3 in a fully assembled state; Fig. 6 the marking strip from the Figure 1 and 2 In a fully assembled state, in a perspective view from above, Fig. 7 shows a further marking strip according to the invention in a perspective view from above; Fig. 8 shows the marking strip made of Fig. 7 in a front view.

[0044] Fig. 1shows a marking strip 2 for an electrical installation, which is provided as continuous material, as indicated by the freehand cutting line.

[0045] The marking strip 2 has a labeling area 4, which is designed for printing with a printing device. The marking strip 4 has a clamping area 6, which is designed for engagement in a mounting groove.

[0046] To better understand the following explanations, a Cartesian coordinate system is introduced, wherein the longitudinal extent of the marking strip 2 is oriented or measured along the x-axis, the width of the marking strip 2 is oriented or measured along the y-axis, and the height of the marking strip 2 is oriented or measured along a Z direction.

[0047] Accordingly, the labeling area 4 extends over a height H1, while the clamping area 6 has a height H2 ( Fig. 2 The total height of the marking strip is therefore the sum of the heights H1 and H2.

[0048] The labeling area 4 and the clamping area 6 have a first plastic 8, which is defined by the cross-hatching of the in Fig. 2 The cross-section shown illustrates this.

[0049] The marking area 4 and the clamping area 6 each have adhesive areas 10, 12, 14, 16, each formed from a second plastic 18, as shown in Fig. 2 shown by the hatching of the respective detention areas 10, 12, 14, 16.

[0050] The second plastic 18 is softer than the first plastic 8 to increase static friction and therefore forms a slip protection or slip inhibition for the fully assembled state.

[0051] The labeling area 4 has a first side 20 with a printable cover surface 22. The adhesive areas 10, 12 of the labeling area 4 are formed on a second side 24 facing away from the first side 20 and on the end surfaces 26, 28 connecting the first side 20 and the second side 24.

[0052] The labeling area 4 has exactly two adhesion areas 10, 12, which are connected to the adjacent material 8 as co-extruded strands 10, 12.

[0053] The clamping area 6 has two webs 30, 32 projecting from the marking area 4. A respective adhesive area 14, 16 is arranged on each of the webs 30, 32. The webs 30, 32 are formed integrally with the marking area 4 by co-extrusion and are located in the Fig. 2 The cross-section shown, viewed from the labeling area 4, extends in a V-shape, essentially diverging.

[0054] The webs 30, 32 each have an end section 34, 36, which is formed at least partially parallel to a width extension along the y-axis of the labeling area 4. The adhesion areas 14, 16 are located on the end sections 34, 36. The adhesion areas 14 and 16 are therefore formed on the freely projecting end sections 34, 36 of the webs 30, 32.

[0055] The holding areas 10, 12 of the labeling area 4 are spaced further apart in the Y direction than the holding areas 14, 16 of the clamping area 6. The holding areas 10, 12 are arranged facing the holding areas 14, 16.

[0056] The adhesive areas 10, 12, 14, 16 consist of the second plastic 18, while all areas of the marking strip other than the adhesive areas 10, 12, 14, 16 consist of the first plastic 8.

[0057] Fig. 3Figure 1 shows a further variant of a marking strip 38 according to the invention in a cross-section, wherein, to avoid repetition, only the differences from the previously described embodiment are discussed and the same reference numerals are assigned to the same features. The marking strip 38 differs from the embodiment of the Fig. 2 , that the bonding areas 10, 12 are set off or stepped in relation to the adjacent material 8 of the labeling area 4, so that a step or a staggered step is formed.

[0058] Fig. 4 shows the identification strip 2 in a fully assembled state. Fig. 4This describes a marking system 40 according to the invention for an electrical installation, wherein the marking strip 2 is attached to a fastening body 42 and wherein the clamping area 6 of the marking strip 2 engages in a fastening groove 44 of the fastening body 42.

[0059] In this case, the adhesive areas 10, 12, 14, 16 of the marking strip 2 are each clamped against the contact surfaces 46, 48, 50, 52 of the fastening body 42. In this way, reliable attachment of the marking strip 2 to the fastening body 42 can be achieved by increasing the static friction in contact with the fastening body 42 through the adhesive areas 10, 12, 14, 16. This applies equally to the [missing information] in Fig. 5 The illustration shown, in which... Fig. 3known identification strips 38 are received in the corresponding mounting groove, resulting in a further marking system 54 according to the invention for an electrical installation.

[0060] To determine the structural design of the inventive labeling system 40 from Fig. 4 To further clarify, it is in Fig. 6 A perspective view from above is shown, showing the marking strip 2 in its fully mounted state on the fastening body 42.

[0061] In the Figures 4-6 Hatching of the respective marking strip has been omitted in order to improve clarity and to clarify the relative arrangement on the associated fastening body.

[0062] Fig. 7 and Fig. 8 show another marking strip 56 for an electrical installation, which can be supplied as continuous material.

[0063] The marking strip 56 has a marking area 4, which is designed for printing with a printing device. The marking strip 4 has a clamping area 6, which is designed for engagement in a mounting groove.

[0064] To better understand the following explanations, a Cartesian coordinate system is introduced, wherein the longitudinal extent of the marking strip 56 is oriented or measured along the x-axis, the width of the marking strip 2 is oriented or measured along the y-axis, and the height of the marking strip 2 is oriented or measured along a Z direction.

[0065] Accordingly, the labeling area 4 extends over a height H1, while the clamping area 6 has a height H2 ( Fig. 8 The total height of the marking strip is therefore the sum of the heights H1 and H2.

[0066] The marking area 4 and the clamping area 6 each have a first plastic 8. The clamping area 6 has adhesive areas 14 and 16, each formed from a second plastic 18. The second plastic 18 is softer than the first plastic 8 to increase static friction and thus provides slip protection or anti-slip protection in the fully assembled state.

[0067] The labeling area 4 has a first side 20 with a printable cover area 22.

[0068] The clamping area 6 has two webs 30, 32 projecting from the marking area 4. A corresponding adhesive area 14, 16 is arranged on each of the webs 30, 32. The webs 30, 32 are integrally formed with the marking area by co-extrusion. 4.

[0069] The adhesive areas 14, 16 consist of the second plastic 18, while all areas of the marking strip 56 that differ from the adhesive areas 14, 16 consist of the first plastic 8. Reference sign

[0070] 2 Identification strip 4 Labeling area 6 Clamping area 8 First plastic 10 Adhesive area 12 Adhesive area 14 Adhesive area 16 Adhesive area 18 Second plastic 20 First side 22 Cover surface 24 Second side 26 End surface 28 End surface 30 Web 32 Web 34 End section 36 End section 38 Identification strip 40 Labeling system 42 Fastener 44 Fastening groove 46 Contact surface 48 Contact surface 50 Contact surface 52 Contact surface 54 Labeling system 56 Identification strip H1 Height H2 Height

Claims

1. Identification strip for an electrical installation, - having a marking area (4) that is designed to be printed by way of a printing device, - having a clamping area (6) that is designed to engage in a fastening groove (44), - the marking area (4) and the clamping area (6) comprising a first plastic (8), characterized in that - the marking area (4) and / or the clamping area (6) has / have at least one adhesion area (10, 12, 14, 16) that comprises a second plastic (18), - the second plastic (18) being more flexible than the first plastic (8) so as to increase static friction.

2. Identification strip according to claim 1, characterized in that - the marking area (4) has a first side (20) having a cover surface (22) to be printed, - an adhesion area (10, 12) of the marking area (4) being formed on a second side (24) facing away from the first side (20) and / or on an end face (26, 28) of the marking area (4).

3. Identification strip according to either claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that - the marking area (4) has at least two or exactly two adhesion areas (10, 12) and / or - the marking area has a marking surface to be printed, which consists of the first plastic.

4. Identification strip according to either of the preceding claims, characterized in that - the clamping area (4) has at least two or exactly two protruding projections (30, 32), - at least one of the projections (30, 32) having an adhesion area (14, 16).

5. Identification strip according to claim 4, characterized in that - the adhesion area (14, 16) of the projection (30, 32) is arranged facing the marking area (4).

6. Identification strip according to either claim 4 or claim 5, characterized in that - the projections (30, 32) are formed integrally with the marking area (4) and, when viewed in a cross section, extend, starting from the marking area, substantially diverging in a V-shape and / or - the projections (30, 32) each have an end section (34, 36), at least sections of which are formed parallel to a width extension of the marking area (4) and / or - the identification strip (2, 38) is formed with mirror symmetry when viewed in a cross section.

7. Identification strip according to any of claims 4 to 6, characterized in that - the adhesion area (14, 16) is arranged on a freely protruding end section (34, 36) of the projection (30, 32).

8. Identification strip according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that - the marking area (4) has two adhesion areas (10, 12) and the clamping area (6) has two adhesion areas (14, 16), the adhesion areas (10, 12) of the marking area (4) being at a greater distance from one another than the adhesion areas (14, 16) of the clamping area (6) and / or - an adhesion area (10, 12) of the marking area (4) is arranged facing an adhesion area (14, 16) of the clamping area (4).

9. Identification strip according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that - the adhesion area (10, 12, 14, 16) consists of the second plastic (18) and / or - all areas of the identification strip (2, 38) different from the adhesion area (10, 12, 14, 16) consist of the first plastic (8).

10. Identification strip according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that - the adhesion area (10, 12) has a shoulder or step.

11. Marking system for an electrical installation, - having an identification strip according to any of the preceding claims 1 to 10 and - having a fastening body (42) that has a fastening groove (44), - the clamping area (6) of the identification strip (2, 38) engaging in the fastening groove (44).

12. Method for producing an identification strip for an electrical installation, wherein the identification strip is designed according to any of the preceding claims 1 to 10, comprising the method steps of: - plasticizing the first and second plastic, - co-extruding the first and the second plastic in such a way that the adhesion area (10, 12, 14, 16) is a strand (10, 12, 14, 16) that is integrally bonded and / or connected in a form-fitting manner to the other areas of the marking area and / or the clamping area.