CONTACTING ELEMENT FOR CONNECTING TO A SUPPORT RAIL

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a contacting element used to connect a luminaire or an electrical unit to a mounting rail. In particular, the contacting element is intended for connecting luminaires or electrical units to mounting rails having a mounting rail profile with at least one busbar arranged therein with electrically contactable conductors. The contacting element has a plurality of adjustable connection contacts to enable selection of the conductors of the busbar(s) to be contacted.

[0002] Support rail systems with an elongated support profile rail and a conductor rail held in the support profile rail are known from the prior art and are used, for example, to implement 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 units can be flexibly positioned on the support rail along the entire length of the system. This is made possible by the fact that, due to a special mounting of the conductors of the conductor rail(s), these are accessible to the consumers along essentially the entire length of the continuous lighting system, so that contact with the conductors can be made not only at fixed positions, but at any location. Such a continuous lighting system is shown, for example, in WO 2001 / 091250 A1.

[0003] DE 695 394 C shows a busbar system with two different conductor pairs that can be contacted as needed. Two types of connectors are provided, each suitable for contacting one of the two circuits. The connectors are designed differently to prevent confusion between the connectors and the circuits.

[0004] EP 2 113 971 A1 describes an electrical connector for a power distribution rail. The connector comprises a base plate that engages the rail and a contact head. The contact head is rotatably mounted on the base plate and is formed by a central body with two identical wings that have axial symmetry with respect to the rotation axis of the contact head and each of which forms an identical plurality of receptacles that allow the removable insertion of an electrical connection device into each receptacle, so that the connector can be connected to the rail in two different orientations, rotated 180° with respect to each other.

[0005] EP 2 287 978 A1 presents a busbar system for luminaires, comprising a support rail and a current-conducting profile arranged inside the support rail, which has wires or lines extending in the longitudinal direction of the support rail and contactable by the loads for supplying power and / or transmitting control signals. The support rail is configured on a first side in such a way that the loads can be arranged and the wires or lines of the current-conducting profile can be contacted by the loads.

[0006] In the "TECTON" system mentioned above, two busbars are arranged opposite each other on the two side walls of a U-shaped support rail that is open at the bottom. The conductors of these two busbars are connected by the luminaire or, in general, the load to be connected having a rotatable contact element, which is inserted from the bottom through the elongated coupling opening of the support rail and then rotated by approximately 45°. The contacts arranged on the contact element are designed in such a way that they are pivoted sideways by rotating the contact element and ultimately contact the conductors of the busbars when rotated. Furthermore, a mechanical locking mechanism is also provided at the same time, so that the luminaire or load is reliably secured to the support rail.

[0007] At least some of the contacts of the known contacting element are adjustable. This is achieved in that the contacting element has a contact holder body that serves to hold the various contacts, with at least some of the contacts being mounted on the contact holder body in a height-adjustable manner or being able to be arranged at different heights on the contact holder body. The possibility of positioning individual contacts at different heights means that they can be selected to specifically contact certain conductors of the busbar(s). For example, this makes it possible to specifically select individual phases of a power supply network for contact by the luminaire or the electrical unit.

[0008] Modern trunking systems have an ever-increasing number of internal electrical conductors, which can expand the functionality of the system they can implement. In addition to the option of providing special emergency power supply circuits in addition to the general power supply, via which at least some of the luminaires can continue to be supplied with power in the event of an emergency, additional conductors are also used to transmit data or signals. This data transmission can then be used, for example, to control the individual connected luminaires from a central control unit using digital commands. In addition, there are now also plans to use individual conductors of the busbar independently of a lighting control system for the transmission of signals used for other purposes.Conductors could be used to transmit digital acoustic signals using a 100V voltage, allowing loudspeakers or other suitable devices to reproduce the acoustic information to be connected to the corresponding pair of conductors. The use of conductors for signal transmission within a powerline carrier system would also be conceivable, allowing at least some of the conductors of the busbar to be used as a communications network for general information transmission.

[0009] However, the expansion of the functionality of such systems means that when lighting or other electrical devices contact the busbar(s), a multitude of contact options are available, and the connection contacts must be positioned appropriately accordingly. It is important to ensure that incorrect arrangements of the connection contacts are avoided to reduce the risk of faulty contact. In extreme cases, this could result in unwanted short circuits, leading to damage to one or more system components.

[0010] At the same time, however, the effort required to make the necessary contact between the conductors should be kept as low as possible. The present invention is based on the objective of providing an improved solution in this regard.

[0011] 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.

[0012] The solution according to the invention is based on a corresponding pairing of at least two connection contacts of the contacting element. This is based on a corresponding arrangement of the conductors of electrical circuits and the fact that, as a rule, two specific conductors of the busbar(s) must be contacted to utilize a specific functionality. The fact that the paired connection contacts are designed in such a way that they can only be adjusted in a fixed relationship to one another relative to a contact holder body of the contacting element ensures that this connection contact pair always contacts two corresponding conductors of the busbar(s). At the same time, in addition to increased reliability when adjusting the contacting options, this ensures that the effort required to arrange the connection contacts in the correct position is reduced.

[0013] According to the present invention, a contacting element for connecting a luminaire or another electrical unit to a support rail, which has a support rail profile with at least one busbar arranged therein with electrically contactable conductors, is proposed, wherein the contacting element has a contact holder body with a plurality of connection contacts, which is adjustable between an open position, in which insertion and removal of the contacting element from the support rail profile is possible, and a contacting position in which the connection contacts contact conductors of the busbar, and wherein at least two connection contacts are adjustably arranged on the contact holder body.According to the invention, it is provided that at least two of the connecting contacts adjustably arranged on the contact holder body are combined into a group and are mounted on the contact holder body in such a way that they can only be adjusted in a fixed relation to one another relative to the contact holder body.

[0014] The pairing of two connection contacts according to the invention is particularly suitable for using the contacts to contact conductors that are always present in pairs in order to provide a specific functionality. In particular, conductors that are used, for example, in accordance with the so-called DALI standard for transmitting information for lighting control could be considered here. Conductors for transmitting digital signals for loudspeakers, cameras or the like, or for data communication in general, could also be contacted in this way in a simple and elegant manner. However, the solution is less suitable for classic phase selection when contacting power supply lines, since here one of the connection contacts must usually contact a fixed conductor, namely the neutral conductor, while the second connection contact is intended to tap into one of the three phase conductors in a variable manner.Nevertheless, especially in more complex systems that provide a variety of different functionalities, the way in which contact is made can be made easier and safer.

[0015] Of course, according to an advantageous development of the invention, the contacting element could also comprise several groups of combined connection contacts. In particular, it can be provided that each group comprises two connection contacts.

[0016] The contact holder body of the contacting element according to the invention can in particular be rotatable about a pivot axis, in which case the connection contacts are arranged on the contact holder body in such a way that the connection contacts are pivoted out by rotating the contact holder body and brought into contact with the conductors to be contacted. In this case, the adjustable connection contacts are mounted on the contact holder body so that they can be moved parallel to the pivot axis, and in particular it can be provided that the two connection contacts of a group are arranged opposite one another with respect to the pivot axis, preferably essentially in a common plane oriented perpendicular to the pivot axis. In this case, the paired connection contacts are therefore always arranged at the same height on the contact holder body, so that with a corresponding assignment of the conductors of the busbar orBusbars make it easy to correctly contact the corresponding conductors.

[0017] The connecting contacts of a group are preferably arranged adjustably on the outer circumference of the contact holder body. In particular, the connecting contacts of a group can be arranged on a shared contact holder part, which is then moved accordingly to correctly position the connecting contacts.

[0018] Another advantageous option is to arrange the adjustable paired connection contacts on an adapter that can be placed on the contact holder body. In this case, the connection contacts can be fixedly mounted on the adapter, and the adapter itself can be adjustably mounted on the contact holder body. To correctly position the connection contacts, the corresponding adapter simply needs to be moved appropriately relative to the contact holder body.

[0019] As already mentioned, it will generally be provided that a consumer to be connected to the system or, in general, a light or an electrical unit contacts not only the conductors used for signal transmission, but also conductors intended for a power supply. Since at least one of the conductors generally has a fixed position, according to an advantageous development it can additionally be provided that the contacting element according to the invention has at least one individually adjustable and / or one non-adjustable additional connection contact. These two contacts can then be used in particular for contacting power supply lines including an associated phase selection. In this case, it is again preferably provided that the individually adjustable or the non-adjustable additional connection contact is arranged on the contact holder body.

[0020] According to the invention, a luminaire or an electrical unit for connection to a support rail, which has a support rail profile with at least one busbar arranged therein with electrically contactable conductors, is also proposed, wherein according to the present invention the luminaire or the electrical unit has at least one contacting element as described above.

[0021] The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. They show: Figure 1 shows a first schematic representation to illustrate the contacting according to the invention with the aid of two paired connection contacts; Figures 2a and 2b show schematic representations to compare the previous procedure for contacting conductors with the procedure according to the invention; Figure 3 shows a possibility for implementing the holder according to the invention for two paired connection contacts; Figures 4a - 4d show views of a possible embodiment of a contacting element according to the invention with two paired connection contacts; Figures 5a - 5c show views of the contacting element connected to a mounting rail according to Figure 4 when contacting different conductor pairs; and Figures 6 - 9 show views of a mounting rail system with a contacting element according to the state of the art.

[0022] As already mentioned, the present invention represents, for example, a further development of the known system "TECTON". Before the inventive solution is described in more detail, the following will therefore be explained with reference to the Figures 6 - 9 First, the basic design of such a mounting rail system will be explained. Figures 6 and 7 show views of the mounting rail in which the busbars are arranged. Figures 8 and 9 again show the design of a luminaire connected or to be connected to this mounting rail system with a contacting element provided for this purpose.

[0023] It can be seen that the known support rail system 100 uses an elongated, U-shaped, downwardly opening support profile rail 101, which, with its two side walls 102 and the upper connecting wall 103, defines an elongated receiving space that is accessible from the underside via an elongated coupling opening. In the illustrated case, a so-called busbar 110 or 120 is arranged on the inner sides of both side walls 102 (in Figure 7, which only shows the support profile rail 101, these cannot be seen), each of which has a plurality of longitudinally extending wires or conductors 111, 121, which are arranged in elongated channels or grooves 113, 123 of a cable receiving structure 112, 122 made of an insulating material. The channels 113, 123 ensure secure storage of the conductors 111, 121 such that they cannot be accidentally touched. At the same time, however, the channels 113, 123 are each designed to be open towards the interior of the support profile rail 101, so that contacting of the conductors 111, 121 is possible.

[0024] A luminaire 130 to be connected to this support rail system 100 then has at least one rotatably mounted contacting or tapping element 135, as is particularly shown in the Figures 8 and 9can be seen. To connect the light 130, it is attached from the bottom to the elongated support rail 101, whereby the contacting element 135 is inserted into the support rail 101 via the elongated coupling opening and is then rotated by approximately 45°. Contacts 136 arranged on the contacting element 135 are designed in such a way that they are pivoted out laterally by the rotation and then - as particularly in Figure 8 can be seen - engage in the receiving channels 113, 123 of the two busbars 110, 120 in order to contact the corresponding conductors 111, 121.

[0025] In the illustrated case, contacts 136 are arranged on both sides of the contacting element 135 in order to contact the busbars 110, 120 positioned on both side walls 102 of the support profile rail 101. Because the contacts 136, with their associated contact holder part 137 and the connected cable (not visible), can be moved vertically with respect to a contact holder body 138 of the tapping element 135, they can be arranged according to the position of a desired conductor 111, 121 in order to then contact this corresponding conductor as desired. This provides the option of selecting the phase and the neutral conductor for the power supply. Depending on the number of conductors provided by the busbars 110, 120, these can also be used for other purposes, such as communication.This makes it possible to combine the luminaire units connected to the support profile rail 101 into a larger light strip system and to control the luminaires centrally from a central control unit.

[0026] In addition to the luminaire units shown in the figures, other electrical units can also be connected to the trunking system. Sensors such as presence or brightness sensors that support automated operation of the lighting system are particularly suitable. Units that enable communication or data transmission for other purposes independent of the lighting control system could also be considered useful units to be connected to the trunking system. Finally, it is of course also possible to connect a wide variety of luminaire types to the trunking rail together, fulfilling different lighting technology tasks.

[0027] In the illustrated system known from the prior art, some of the connection contacts are positioned at a predetermined height, as they are generally intended to contact a specific conductor of the busbars 110, 120, for example, the conductor intended for grounding. However, at least one contact can be positioned at an adjustable height on the contacting element 135, as this contact is intended to be used to select the phase for the power supply. Depending on the height at which the corresponding connection contact is located, a different conductor and thus a corresponding phase of the power supply network is contacted, which thus opens up the possibility of assigning luminaires, for example, to different groups, each of which is connected to a specific phase of the supply voltage.

[0028] Further developments of the illustrated trunking system increasingly feature more conductors, as these systems are intended to fulfill additional tasks in addition to pure lighting and / or to make the control of the connected luminaires more flexible and convenient. For example, it would be conceivable to use two conductors of the busbars for general data transmission – e.g., via a PLC – to create a communications network that extends across the entire trunking system. Electrical consumers in the form of routers or so-called access points could therefore be connected at certain positions. These then communicate with a central communications device via the busbar conductors, on the one hand, and provide an interface for wireless communication with end devices, on the other.Another possibility is to use two conductors of the busbars for the digital transmission of audio and / or video information. In particular, so-called PA loudspeakers or other playback devices could then be connected to the corresponding conductors at desired positions, providing the corresponding acoustic or visual information. Finally, it would also be conceivable to use conductors to create emergency power supply circuits. Individual luminaires in the system could then be connected to these conductors to ensure a certain minimum level of lighting in the event of an emergency based on the emergency power supply.

[0029] To utilize these diverse system functionalities, the corresponding contact elements of the connected luminaires or electrical units must be designed or configured in such a way that they can contact the system's designated conductors in the desired manner. However, since the conductors of a busbar can be assigned differently depending on the end user's requirements and thus provide different functionalities, the contact elements should enable the most flexible possible contacting of the busbar conductors.

[0030] In principle, it would be possible to adjust all connection contacts as described above, as well as the connection contact for the phase connection, or to design them so that they can be arranged at different heights on the contacting element. However, this entails the risk of errors in the arrangement of the connection contacts and of conductors being contacted in an undesirable manner. Aside from the fact that desired system functions may then not be used, there is also the risk of damage to individual components of the connected units or even to the system as a whole, for example, due to unwanted short circuits.

[0031] The present invention provides a solution that at least reduces the problems just described. This provides greater certainty regarding proper contact between the conductors. At the same time, the effort required to arrange the contacts accordingly is reduced. This inventive concept will be explained below with reference to the additional figures.

[0032] Figure 1 clarifies the basic idea of ​​the inventive concept. On the left side of Figure 1In cross-section, a support rail profile 50 is shown with several conductors 58 running in the longitudinal direction, which, as in the prior art, are arranged in longitudinal grooves or channels 57 of suitably designed, insulating line receiving structures 56 of two busbars 55. The contacting of these conductors 58 should therefore be carried out in the same way as with the aid of the Figures 6 - 9 explained with the help of contacting elements which are inserted, for example, from the underside - at least partially - into the mounting rail 50 and then rotated in such a way that the associated connection contacts swing out and contact the corresponding conductors 58.

[0033] In the Figure 1In the illustrated embodiment, it is provided that the conductors 58 of the two busbars 55 can be assigned to two basic categories. The conductors 58 below the schematically illustrated level E primarily serve to supply power to connected loads, in particular connected lights, while the conductors 58 above level E provide additional functions.

[0034] In this case, it is specifically intended that the three lower left conductors L1, L2, and L3 form the three phases of a power supply network, while the two lower right conductors, Earth and N, enable grounding of connected units and also represent the neutral conductor of the power supply network. Above these five conductors, in pairs opposite each other, are conductors EL1 and EN1 of a first emergency power supply circuit, "EMERCENCY 1," and conductors EL2 and EN2 of a second emergency power supply circuit, "EMERCENCY 2."

[0035] The system's additional functions are provided by two opposing conductors 58 above level E, with a first conductor pair S1+, S1- forming a DALI bus, via which communication can take place, in particular for lighting control, using digital signals in accordance with the DALI standard. The conductor pair S2+, S2- above this, in contrast, forms a 100V ELA circuit, which can be used in particular for transmitting acoustic information and for connecting corresponding loudspeakers. Finally, a further conductor pair S3+, S3- is available, which also carries 230V, but which can now be used for communication via Powerline Carrier that is independent of the lighting control. Of course, this assignment of conductors 58 of the two power rails 55 is merely an example, and it would of course also be conceivable to use conductors 58 for other purposes.The conductors of the two emergency power supply circuits could also be considered conductors that already represent an additional function beyond mere lighting. In other words, the subdivision of the conductors and the two groups mentioned above should be understood merely as an example to explain the inventive concept.

[0036] In the Figure 1 In the example shown, it is sensible and advantageous if the connection contacts used for the power connection can be arranged individually in terms of their height on a corresponding contacting element, whereby this contacting element can basically be designed in the same way as is shown in the Figures 8 and 9 This is shown in the middle of Figure 1, which schematically shows a corresponding contacting element 10 and the associated contacts 20 1 , 20 2 . These can be arranged analogously to the solution known from the prior art, i.e. on corresponding contact holding elements 21 1 and 21 2 , which are arranged in a height-adjustable manner on a contact holding body 15 which can be rotated about a rotation or pivot axis in order to pivot the contacts 20 1 , 20 2 .

[0037] If a unit to be connected, for example a light, is to be connected to the normal power supply lines, the right-hand connection contact 20 2 must be positioned at the level of the neutral conductor N, while the left-hand connection contact 20 1 can then be arranged optionally at the level of one of the three lower conductors L1, L2 or L3 in order to assign the light to a specific phase of the power supply. However, if the light is to contact one of the two emergency power supply circuits, both contacts 20 1 , 20 2 must be arranged at the same height as the conductors EL1, EN1 or EL2, EN2 belonging to the corresponding emergency power supply circuit. In addition, the contacting element 10 must of course also have a fixed connection contact 12 or a comparable contacting part via which earthing is ensured.

[0038] The connection contacts 20 1 , 20 2 responsible for the power supply should therefore both be height-adjustable, but in particular, they should be height-adjustable independently of each other to allow optional connection to one of the three phases of the general power supply network or to one of the two emergency power supply circuits. Therefore, it is essential to ensure that the two contacts 20 1 , 20 2 are correctly positioned before connecting the luminaire or another load to the system.

[0039] The situation is different with the connections for the additional functions of the system. As shown in the illustration on the left side of Figure 1As can be seen from the drawing, the two associated conductors of an additional function are arranged on the two busbars 55 in such a way that they are opposite one another in pairs, in particular that all three conductor pairs have a fixed relationship to one another. In this case, this also applies to the associated connection contacts, which opens up the possibility of combining two contacts into a group according to the present invention, which is generally arranged jointly and adjustably on the contacting element 10.

[0040] This is shown on the right side of Figure 1, in which the contacting element 10 shown has, in addition to the two individually adjustable connecting contacts 20 1 , 20 2 for the power connection, a further connecting contact pair 30 1 , 30 2 , which in the illustrated embodiment are arranged opposite one another and can basically only be adjusted in height together. Depending on which additional function is desired for the luminaire or generally for the unit to be connected, the height of the connecting contact pair 30 1 , 30 2 can then be adjusted accordingly, although in principle the two conductors of the busbars 55 that have been jointly assigned to a specific additional function are always contacted. In the illustrated embodiment, the connecting contact pair 30 1 , 30 2 is in the lowest position, so that the conductors S1+ and S1- of the DALI bus are contacted.If, however, the conductors S3+ and S3- are to be contacted for general data communication, the connection contact pair 30 1 , 30 2 can be moved to the uppermost position in a single step, thereby preventing the possibility of accidentally correctly contacting the corresponding line for data communication and the second connection mistakenly remaining at the height of the DALI conductor. Adapting the contacting element 10 of a unit to be connected to the system can therefore be carried out in a significantly simpler and more reliable manner than would be the case with individually adjustable individual contacts.

[0041] The Figures 2a and 2b illustrate once again the difference between the previous procedure and the procedure according to the invention. Figure 2aContacting of the busbar conductors 55 in the conventional manner, in which, in addition to the two lower connection contacts 20 1 , 20 2 , which are responsible for the power supply of a consumer to be connected, two further contacts 25 1 , 25 2 are used to contact conductors via which an additional function of the system is used. However, both additional contacts 25 1 , 25 2 must again be positioned individually at the appropriate height, although in this case, incorrect positioning relative to one another or relative to the conductors 58 of the busbars 55 cannot be ruled out.

[0042] In contrast, in a single setting process, Figure 2In the solution according to the invention shown, the connection contacts 30 1 , 30 2 combined to form a pair can be easily adjusted in height, wherein the corresponding arrangement of the associated conductors 58 ensures that a corresponding conductor pair of the busbars is always correctly contacted. In particular, it is ruled out that one of the two connection contacts 30 1 , 30 2 contacts a conductor of a first function while, on the other hand, the second connection contact 30 1 , 30 2 touches a conductor of a different function that is offset in height opposite.

[0043] A simple way to implement the solution according to the invention is Figure 3 shown. Here, a corresponding contact holding part 32 is shown, which carries the connecting contacts 30 1 , 30 2 arranged opposite one another in a pair. Analogous to a holding part 13 7 for a single contact, as shown in Figure 9As shown, this ring-shaped contact holding part 32 can also be arranged on the outer circumference of the contact holding body 15 and can be moved into different positions parallel to its pivot axis. The positions available for the connection contact pair are preferably defined by suitable measures which enable haptic feedback, for example by the contact holding part 32 slightly snapping into place relative to the contact holding body 15 in the appropriate height positions. In a manner analogous to the individual contacts 20 1 , 20 2 , in this case too the contacts 30 1 , 30 2 of the pair are arranged opposite one another on the outer circumference of the contact holding body 15 - now in a common plane oriented perpendicular to the pivot axis of the contact holding body 15 - such that when the contact holding body 15 is rotated by, for example,45° in such a way that they engage in the grooves 57 of the corresponding busbars 55 and then contact the associated conductor.

[0044] It should be noted, however, that the Figure 3The variant shown merely represents one conceivable possibility for easily forming a contact group according to the invention, the contacts of which are fundamentally arranged in the same relation to one another. In particular, it is not absolutely necessary for both connecting contacts of a group to be arranged at the same height in relation to the contacting element, but it would also be conceivable in principle for them to be arranged at a different height from one another and possibly even both on one side of the contacting element and thus to contact corresponding conductors of a busbar in the same direction. However, it is important that the arrangement and assignment of the conductors of the busbar(s) is then carried out in a manner analogous to the fixed, predetermined relative arrangement of the connecting contact pair, whereby, of course, the Figures 1 - 3 The variant explained is the easiest solution to implement.

[0045] Furthermore, it should be noted that, as an alternative to rotating the contacting element, other mechanisms are also conceivable, by which the connecting contacts can be transferred from an open position to a contacting position in order to contact conductors of one or more busbars. Linear displacements of a corresponding contact holder body are particularly conceivable here. In this case, too, several contacts can be combined into a group within the meaning of the present invention in order to simplify contacting the conductors.

[0046] In the exemplary embodiment described so far, the contacting element 10 had a group of two paired connection contacts 30 1 , 30 2 designed according to the invention, as well as two further individually adjustable connection contacts 20 1 , 20 2 , via which a connection to the power supply conductors of the system was made. Here, too, there are of course possible variations, whereby, for example, individual contacts can also be provided in a fixed, predetermined position on the contacting element, i.e., cannot be adjusted. Furthermore, a contacting element designed according to the invention can of course also have a plurality of connection contact pairs or connection contact groups, which are adjustable in the manner according to the invention such that the connection contacts of a group can only ever be arranged in a fixed relationship to one another relative to the contact holder body 15.

[0047] Finally, it would also be conceivable to design a contacting element according to the invention in such a way that it has only grouped adjustable connecting contacts, in particular only a single connecting contact pair combined into a group according to the invention. A corresponding embodiment of this is shown in the Figures 4 and 5 and will be explained below.

[0048] The special feature of the Figures 4 and 5The advantage of the contacting element 40 shown is that it is not - as previously discussed - inserted into a mounting rail profile from the underside and then twisted to contact the conductors of the busbar(s), but instead engages in the mounting rail via an opening provided on the top side of the mounting rail profile. With the help of the contacting element 40 discussed below, for example, consumers can be connected to the conductors of the busbar(s). These consumers are not arranged on the underside of the mounting rail profile like classic strip lights, but are instead positioned on the outside or top side of the mounting rail profile, where they fulfill additional functions.

[0049] The Figures 4a - 4dThe contacting element shown has a base element 41, which in turn initially forms a contact holder body 15 that can be rotated relative to the mounting rail profile. This base element 41 is essentially formed by an oval plate 42, which then, in the mounted state, rests at least with its edge region on the upper side of the mounting rail profile 50 on the peripheral region of the opening not shown in the figures. Extending centrally towards the upper side is a cylindrical projection 43, from which the connecting cable connected to the connection contacts 30 1 , 30 2 protrudes. On both sides of this cylindrical projection 43, web-like wings 43a, 43b are provided, which, in the form of handles, facilitate the rotation of the base element. 41 facilitate.

[0050] The cylindrical projection 43 continues in the form of a hollow cylinder on the underside of the oval plate 42, forming a hollow cylindrical receptacle into which a height-adjustable contact holding part 45 engages. This contact holding part 45, made of an insulating material, initially forms a vertically aligned, cylindrical projection 46 that engages the receptacle of the base body 41. Outwardly projecting ring-like projections may be provided on the outside of this projection 46, which correspond to corresponding ring-like recesses on the inside of the cylindrical receptacle of the base body 41 and thereby define locking positions by which different, preferred height positions for the contact holding part 45 are determined.On the underside of the contact holder part 45, two laterally projecting holders 47 1 and 47 2 are formed, pointing in opposite directions, which then carry the actual pin-like connection contacts 30 1 and 30 2, respectively. These are coupled to the end region of the connection cable via internally running conductors.

[0051] If a load is to be connected to the conductors of a mounting rail profile using the contacting element 40 shown, the first step is to move the contact holder part 45 into the desired position in the receptacle of the base part 41, which corresponds to one of the predefined locking positions. The connection contacts 30 1 and 30 2 are thus located at a fixed, predefined height relative to the underside of the oval plate 42 of the base part 41. The contacting element 40 is then placed onto the mounting rail profile from the top side, with the connection contacts 30 1 , 30 2 , initially aligned in the longitudinal direction, with the lower region of the contact holder part 45 reaching through the opening (not shown in the figures) on the top side of the mounting rail profile 50.When the oval plate 42 rests with its underside on the top side of the mounting rail profile 50, it rotates by 90°, whereby the contacts 30 1 , 30 2 are then pivoted out to the side to contact the corresponding conductors. This is shown in the . Figures 5a to 5c (where in Figure 5a (only the contact holding part 45, but not the base part 41, is shown) for three different locking positions of the contact holding part 45, each corresponding to different conductor pairs to be contacted. At the same time, laterally extending webs 42a provided below the oval plate 42 can be used to mechanically lock the contacting element 40 to the mounting rail profile 50.

[0052] In this case, too, by simply adjusting the contact holder part 45 relative to the base part 41 or contact holder body 15, the position of the paired contacts 30 1 , 30 2 can be selected such that they always correctly contact two corresponding conductors of the system's busbar(s). Faulty contacting is thus largely eliminated. The illustrated embodiment thus represents a particularly simple and elegant variant for connecting additional loads to the system while simultaneously ensuring that the correct conductors are contacted.

[0053] It should also be noted that the Figures 4 and 5The procedure explained for the realization of jointly adjustable connecting contacts can of course also be used for contacting elements that are attached to the mounting rail profile from the underside. This means that the previously explained contact holder part 45 could be used in an identical manner, in which case the contact holder body 15, which is similar to the Figure 9illustrated contact holder body of the prior art could be designed, in turn has a cylindrical receptacle on its upper region, which enables the contact holder part 45 to be arranged - preferably in a latchable manner - at different heights. In particular, it could even be provided that the contacting element 10 is designed such that it initially only has the basic connection contacts required for connection to the power supply conductors on the contact holder body 15, which base connection contacts are fixedly positioned and / or can be individually positioned. However, if an additional function of the system is to be used, the contact holder part 45 just described could be arranged in the form of an additional adapter on the upper side of the contacting element 10 in order to enable contacting of additional conductors.

[0054] Overall, the solution according to the invention thus contributes to further optimizing the versatile contacting of conductors of busbars of a mounting rail profile.

Claims

1. Contacting element (10, 40) for connecting a luminaire or an electrical unit to a mounting rail comprising a mounting rail profile (50) having at least one busbar (55) which is arranged therein and has electrically contactable conductors (58), the contacting element (10, 40) comprising a contact holding body (15, 41) having a plurality of connecting contacts (201, 202, 301, 302) which can be moved between an open position, in which an at least partial insertion and removal of the contacting element (10, 40) from the mounting rail profile (50) is possible, and a contacting position, in which the connecting contacts (201, 202, 301, 302) contact conductors (58) of the at least one busbar (55), and at least two connecting contacts (201, 202, 301, 302) being movably arranged on the contact holding body (15, 41), characterized in that at least two of the connecting contacts (201, 202, 301, 302), which are movably arranged on the contact holding body (15, 41), are combined to form a group and are mounted on the contact holding body (15, 41) such that they can only be moved in a fixed relation to one another with respect to the contact holding body (15, 41), so that two associated conductors of the at least one busbar are always contacted by this pair of connecting contacts.

2. Contacting element according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a plurality of groups of combined connecting contacts (201, 202, 301, 302).

3. Contacting element according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that each group comprises two connecting contacts (201, 202, 301, 302).

4. Contacting element according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the contact holding body (15, 41) is rotatable about a pivot axis and the connecting contacts (201, 202, 301, 302) are arranged on the contact holding body (15, 41) such that the connecting contacts (201, 202, 301, 302) are pivoted out and brought into contact with the conductors (58) to be contacted by rotating the contact holding body (15, 41).

5. Contacting element according to claim 4, characterized in that the movable connecting contacts (201, 202, 301, 302) are mounted on the contact holding body (15, 41) so as to be movable in parallel with the pivot axis thereof.

6. Contacting element according to claim 3 and claim 5, characterized in that the two connecting contacts (201, 202, 301, 302) of a group are arranged opposite one another with respect to the pivot axis, preferably substantially in a common plane oriented perpendicularly to the pivot axis.

7. Contacting element according to claim 5 or claim 6, characterized in that the connecting contacts (201, 202, 301, 302) of a group are movably arranged on the outer circumference of the contact holding body (15, 41).

8. Contacting element according to claim 5 or claim 6, characterized in that the connecting contacts (201, 202, 301, 302) of a group are arranged on an annular contact holding part (32) which is movably arranged on the outer circumference of the contact holding body (15).

9. Contacting element according to claim 5 or claim 6, characterized in that the connecting contacts (201, 202, 301, 302) of a group are arranged on an adapter (45) which can be placed on the contact holding body (15, 41).

10. Contacting element according to claim 9, characterized in that the connecting contacts (201, 202, 301, 302) are fixedly arranged on the adapter (45) and the adapter (45) is movably arranged on the contact holding body (15, 41).

11. Contacting element according to claim 8 or claim 10, characterized in that preferred positions for the contact holding part (32) or the adapter (45) are defined on the contact holding body (15, 41), in particular in the form of latching positions.

12. Contacting element according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises at least one individually movable and / or non-movable further connecting contact (201, 202, 301, 302).

13. Contacting element according to claim 12, characterized in that the individually movable and / or non-movable additional connecting contact (201, 202, 301, 302) is arranged on the contact holding body.

14. Luminaire or electrical unit for connection to a mounting rail comprising a mounting rail profile (50) having at least one busbar (55) which is arranged therein and has electrically contactable conductors (58), characterized in that the luminaire or electrical unit comprises a contacting element (10, 40) according to any of the preceding claims.