ELECTRICAL MODULE FOR CONNECTION TO A SUPPORT RAIL

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to an electrical module designed for connection to a mounting rail and which can be configured, for example, as a light and / or as a camera and / or as a sensor unit. The mounting rail comprises a profile with two side walls and at least one busbar with contactable conductors arranged within the profile.

[0002] Mounting rails with a mounting rail profile and a conductor rail held in the mounting rail profile are known from the prior art and are used, for example, to implement elongated continuous lighting systems. A known continuous lighting system is marketed by the applicant under the name "TECTON" and is characterized by the fact that luminaires or other electrical loads can be flexibly positioned along the entire length of the system on the mounting rail. This is made possible by a special mounting of the conductor rail's cables, which are accessible to the loads along essentially the entire length of the continuous lighting system, allowing the cables to be connected not only at fixed positions but at any point. For example, DE 100 25 646 A1 and WO 2001 / 091250 A1 disclose such a continuous lighting system.

[0003] In the aforementioned "TECTON" system, two busbars are arranged opposite each other on the two side walls of a downward-facing, U-shaped mounting rail profile. The busbar conductors are connected by a rotating contact element on the luminaire or light fixture. This contact element is inserted into the mounting rail from below and then rotated approximately 45°. The contacts on this contact element are designed so that they pivot laterally when rotated, ultimately making contact with the busbar conductors in the rotated position. A support element, to which the light sources are attached, is coupled to the contact element.

[0004] One solution described, for example, in DE 20 2014 104 800 U1 or EP 3 006 819 B1, involves using a lever to rotate the contact element. This lever protrudes laterally through a slot in the luminaire's mounting element. This solution requires the luminaire's mounting element, typically a profiled sheet metal part, to have an opening or slot on its side to allow the lever to actuate the contact element. Aside from the increased complexity of installation, this design often leads to unwanted ingress of moisture and / or dust through the opening in the side of the profile.

[0005] The present invention is therefore based on the objective of providing a new possibility for realizing a corresponding contacting element, which enables simpler assembly and at the same time allows a reliable seal of the unit to be connected against the environment.

[0006] The problem is solved by an electrical module for connection to a mounting rail, which has the features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

[0007] In the solution according to the present invention, the contacting element also initially comprises a contact holder body that is rotatably mounted between an open position, in which the contacting element can be inserted into and removed from the mounting rail profile, and a contacting position, in which the connection contacts make contact with conductors of the busbar. In contrast to solutions known from the prior art, it is now provided that the contact holder body is rotated by means of an actuating element. This actuating element is coupled to the contact holder body from the underside of the support element of the electrical module to be connected, extending through the latter, and in the coupled state presses a sealing element against the support element to seal the corresponding opening of the support element.Advantages of this solution include the fact that the opening through which the actuating element is coupled to the contact holder body can be more easily integrated into the carrier element than a slot provided laterally in the profiled area. Furthermore, the concept according to the invention allows for better sealing of the opening provided on the carrier element, so that the requirements of a desired protection class with regard to the ingress of moisture and / or dust can be easily met. The actuating element also has a locking section designed to secure the contacting element in the contacting position relative to the carrier element.

[0008] According to the present invention, an electrical module for connection to a mounting rail, which has a mounting rail profile with two side walls and at least one busbar which is arranged on one of the two inner sides of the side walls of the mounting rail profile and has electrically contactable conductors, is proposed. wherein the electrical module has a contacting element which can be inserted into the mounting rail profile and has connection contacts which are designed to come into contact with conductors of the busbar when the contacting element is inserted into the mounting rail profile, wherein the contacting element is rotatably mounted about an axis of rotation relative to a support element of the electrical module between an open position in which insertion and removal of the contacting element from the mounting rail profile is possible and a contacting position in which the connection contacts contact conductors of the busbar, wherein the contacting element has a contact retaining body for holding the connection contacts which is arranged on one side of the support element of the electrical module, wherein the contacting element has an actuating element,which is arranged on a side of the carrier element opposite the contact holder body and is coupled to the contact holder body via an opening of the carrier element, wherein the actuating element, in the state coupled to the contact holder body, presses a sealing element against the carrier element to seal the opening of the carrier element, and wherein the actuating element has a locking section configured to lock the contacting element in the contacting position relative to the carrier element.

[0009] To mount the contact element designed according to the invention onto the electrical module, only the contact holder body needs to be positioned on the corresponding side of the support element. The actuating element is then attached from the opposite side, and the opening of the support element is coupled to the contact holder body by extending through it, thereby simultaneously holding the seal in the desired position. This also represents a simplification compared to mounting a contact element where a corresponding laterally projecting actuating arm has to be guided through a slot in the profiled support element of the electrical module.

[0010] Preferably, the actuating element is designed such that it itself carries the sealing element and, at least in the contact position of the contact holder body, presses the sealing element against the carrier element with increased pressure. The sealing element can be, in particular, ring-shaped, and especially preferably formed by an O-ring. It thus completely surrounds the opening to be sealed in the carrier element, resulting in a particularly efficient seal.

[0011] The locking section can preferably be formed by an elastically designed arm which, in the contact position of the contact holder body, laterally overlaps the support element and thereby causes a corresponding locking of the contact position. This contact position can then only be released by deliberately manually deflecting the corresponding locking arm, thus ensuring that the contact element remains permanently in the desired contact position and does not accidentally rotate towards the open position.

[0012] Another advantage of the locking section, designed as an elastic arm, is that in the unlocked state, i.e., before the final contact position is reached, it presses against the carrier element. This causes the actuating element holding the seal to be slightly pushed away from the carrier element, thus lifting the seal slightly from the carrier element or at least reducing the contact pressure. In this case, the contact element can be rotated more easily between the two end positions, while still achieving a sufficiently reliable seal in the contact position.

[0013] The actuating element preferably further comprises a handle that projects laterally beyond the support element, thus enabling easy actuation of the contacting element. The handle can be located either in the immediate vicinity of or next to the elastic arm, or it can be arranged opposite the elastic arm with respect to an axis of rotation of the contacting element.

[0014] The actuating element itself is preferably designed as a plastic part, in particular as a one-piece plastic part, and fulfills numerous different functions thanks to the advantageous further developments of the invention mentioned above.

[0015] The electrical module could be, for example, a light, a sensor, or a communication unit.

[0016] In summary, the solution according to the invention makes it possible to provide an electrical module for connection to a mounting rail, which enables contacting the conductors of a busbar arranged in the mounting rail profile in a known convenient manner, while ensuring simple assembly of the components required for contacting and simultaneously achieving reliable sealing of the system against the environment.

[0017] The invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawing. The drawing shows: Figures 1 and 2 Views of a contact element arranged on a support element of an electrical module, designed according to the invention; Figures 3 and 4 two exploded views of the contacting element according to the invention to be coupled to the carrier element; Figures 5 and 6the top and bottom of the actuating element of the in the Figures 1 - 4 illustrated embodiment and Figures 7 and 8 the top and bottom surfaces of a second conceivable embodiment of an actuating element.

[0018] The following detailed explanation of the embodiment according to the invention is based on a continuous-row lighting system which, in terms of its design, essentially corresponds to the "TECTON" continuous-row lighting system already mentioned above and marketed by the applicant. A special feature of this system is that the cables running along the mounting rail for supplying power to the luminaires or other devices are arranged in such a way that they are continuously contactable along the entire length of the continuous-row lighting system, allowing luminaires or other devices to be flexibly positioned along the entire length of the system.However, it should be noted that the present invention is not limited to this specific linear lighting system, but that the contacting elements according to the invention can in principle always be used when, in order to contact the conductors of a mounting rail of a linear lighting system, corresponding contacts of the contacting element must be moved laterally in order to contact the conductors of a busbar.

[0019] Furthermore, it should be noted that connecting to the conductors of a busbar does not necessarily have to be for the purpose of supplying power to the unit being connected. Connection to data lines used for communication would also be conceivable, in particular the connection of sensors, cameras, or similar components that transmit data via the lines of the linear lighting system, which could then be used, for example, for the automated control of the system. In this sense, the present invention encompasses all conceivable electrical units that can be meaningfully connected to a busbar.

[0020] A support rail of such a system – not shown in the figures, but known in itself – has as its supporting element a downwardly open, U-shaped support rail profile, which, together with two side walls and a horizontal wall connecting the side walls, encloses an elongated receiving space into which the contacting element, described in more detail below, is to be inserted. On both inner sides of the side walls, busbars with contactable conductors are arranged, which can be contacted by the luminaires or other electrical units to be connected to the system. As already known from the prior art, the conductors can be supported by specially designed conductor support elements made of an insulating material, which form elongated grooves or channels open on the inside, in which the conductors, which consist of uninsulated wires, are supported.In principle, the design of the busbars could vary. However, it is essential that the conductors are mounted in such a way that they are accessible from inside the mounting rail and can be contacted from that direction. The conductors do not necessarily have to be accessible along the entire length of the system; it would also be conceivable that contact is only possible or provided for in sections.

[0021] As an electrical module to be connected to the system, it is in the Figures 1-4A section of a so-called bar luminaire 10 is shown, which is used, for example, to create a longer continuous strip of light. In this case, primarily the components of the luminaire 10 intended for contacting and mounting on the mounting rail system are shown, but not the other components responsible for light generation and emission. As already mentioned, another suitable module can be connected to the mounting rail in the same way, which would then include, for example, a sensor or a similar component.

[0022] The central supporting element of the luminaire 10 to be connected is an elongated profile body 20, designed in the form of a sheet metal part, which serves in particular to support the light source, any components for supplying power to the light source, and any optical components that may be present and influence the light output of the luminaire 10 in the desired manner. As already mentioned, the design of these components is independent of the present invention, which is why they are not shown in the figures and will not be explained in more detail below. Crucially, however, the luminaire 10 is designed to be mechanically attached to a mounting rail and to make contact with at least some of the conductors of the busbars arranged in the mounting rail, which is made possible by the contacting element according to the invention, described in more detail below.

[0023] In principle, the contact element, generally designated with reference numeral 30, is designed, as are previously known contact elements, in such a way that it can be transferred from a first configuration or position to a second configuration. In the first configuration, the contact element is designed or positioned so that it can be inserted into the interior of the mounting rail and, in particular, does not collide with the lower edges of the side walls of the mounting rail profile. In this state, no contact is yet made with the conductors of the busbar(s).

[0024] In a second configuration, however, the contacting element 30 is in a state where at least some of the conductors of the busbar(s) are contacted. Ideally, mechanical locking or latching elements also engage corresponding projections on the mounting rail, so that in addition to electrical contact, mechanical fastening to the mounting rail also occurs. The contacting element 30 is thus also responsible for fastening the unit to be connected to the mounting rail.

[0025] According to the present invention, the contacting element 30 is moved from the open position to the contacting position by rotating the contacting element 30 by a radius in the Figures 1 and 2The contacting element 30, as depicted, comprises a contact holder body 35, which is arranged on a flat upper surface 21 of the elongated support element 20 of the electrical module 10. The support element 20 has profiled side walls 22 and 23 on both sides of the contact surface 21, which thus define the space in which the contact holder body 35 is arranged. This body has a centrally located column- or cylinder-like body 36, which extends upwards along the axis of rotation I and serves to hold the connection contacts (not shown in detail). These contacts are arranged, in particular, on two opposite sides of the contact holder body 35 and can assume different height positions in order to selectively contact specific conductors of the busbar(s). This enables, for example, phase selection for the power supply, and the module to be connected can, if necessary,It can also be connected to specific lines used for communication or additional circuits for emergency power supply. In particular, numerous contacts can be arranged on the contact holder body 35 to utilize the various functionalities of the system.

[0026] The contact holder body 35 is now designed such that it can be inserted into the mounting rail from below in the open position mentioned above. Compared to the two illustrations of the Figures 1 and 2The contact holder body 35, shown in the contacting position, is then rotated by approximately 45° so that it is inserted into the mounting rail without collision and the contacts do not collide with any components of the mounting rail. In the inserted state, the contact holder body 35, and thus the contacting element 30, is rotated by approximately 45°. This causes the connection contacts to pivot laterally so that they can contact the conductors of the busbars. Furthermore, locking projections 37 provided in the lower area of ​​the contact holder body 35 engage corresponding undercuts in the mounting rail profile, thereby achieving mechanical locking and thus securing the electrical module.

[0027] With regard to the features mentioned above, the contacting element 30 is thus similar to solutions already known from the prior art. What is new is the method of mounting and actuating the contacting element 30, i.e., the rotation between the two end positions, which, according to the present invention, is accomplished by means of a novel actuating element 50. This is individually available in the Figures 5 and 6 depicted, its design also being shown in the two exploded views of the Figures 3 and 4 can be extracted.

[0028] The actuating element 50 is designed such that it can be coupled to the contact holder body 35, so that by rotating the actuating element 50, the contact holder body 30 is also rotated. For this purpose, a locking mechanism is provided for both elements 35 and 50, with the contact holder body having an opening in its central area facing downwards (see figure). Figure 4 ) 40, which is approximately cylindrical in shape, but is provided with inwardly pointing rib-like structures.

[0029] Complementarily, the actuating element 50 has a central coupling pin 55, the outer contour of which is also provided with rib-like structures that are designed to be complementary to the opening 40 of the contact holder body 35, thus enabling a positive-locking insertion of the coupling pin 55 into the opening 40. Locking of both elements 35 and 50 is achieved by providing locking arms 56 projecting from the top of the coupling pin 55, which have outwardly facing locking projections 57. In the inserted state, these locking projections 67 engage corresponding contours of the contact holder body 35, thus ensuring a reliable axial connection as well as a rotationally secure connection between the contact holder body 35 and the actuating element 50.

[0030] To ensure that the actuating element 50 is accessible from the outside of the luminaire 10, it is located on the side opposite the contact holder body 35, in this case on the underside of the support element 20. The contact surface 21 for the contact holder body 35 accordingly has a Figure 4 A recognizable opening 25 is created through which the coupling pin 55 of the actuating element 50 extends to be coupled with the contact holder body 35. The contacting element 30 according to the invention is thus mounted by arranging both components 35 and 50 on opposite sides of the carrier element 20 and interlocking them through the opening 25. This process is obviously very simple and quick to carry out.

[0031] A first special feature is that the actuating element 50 has an approximately circular contact disc 58, from which the coupling pin 55 extends and which, in the assembled state, rests against the underside of the carrier element 20. This disc 58 serves to support an annular sealing element 28, which in this case is designed as an O-ring. For the defined support of the sealing element 28, the disc 58 can have an approximately ring-shaped recess 59 on its side facing the carrier element 20, which serves to partially receive the O-ring 28. The design of the two interlocking components 35 and 50 is such that, in the assembled state, the O-ring 28 rests against the underside of the carrier element 20, surrounding the through-opening 25 of the carrier element 20, so that at least a slight seal is achieved regardless of the rotational position.

[0032] Ideally, the contact pressure exerted by the actuating element 50 on the O-ring 28 is such that, in the contact position of the contact holder body 35, the resulting seal corresponds to a desired protection class, e.g., IP54. This prevents the ingress of dust and / or moisture into the interior of the system through the through-hole 25.

[0033] However, for the pivoting or rotating process of the contacting element 30 from or into the open position, a correspondingly strong seal is not absolutely necessary and would also make it more difficult to rotate the contacting element 30.

[0034] According to an advantageous embodiment, the actuating element 50 is therefore designed such that in the contacting position the contact pressure for the sealing element 28 is highest, but in other rotational positions the actuating element 50 is pressed or pulled slightly downwards, i.e. away from the carrier element 20, thereby reducing the friction caused by the sealing element 28 during the rotation process.

[0035] This effect is achieved with the aid of an elastic arm 60, which is formed next to the contact disc 58 and is slightly curved upwards. In the contact state of the contacting element 30, this arm 60 is located laterally next to the corresponding side wall 22 of the support element 20, as shown in the Figures 1 and 2This is evident. Furthermore, this also achieves a corresponding locking mechanism and prevents the contacting element 30 from being unintentionally or accidentally rotated out of the contacting position. If, however, the open position is to be deliberately reached, the flexible arm 60 can be gently pressed downwards until it is located below the surface 21 of the support element 20. In this position, the actuating element 50 can be rotated using a corresponding handle 65, which is arranged laterally to the support element 20. The arm 60 then engages under the support surface 21 of the support element 20 and, due to the corresponding clamping force, gently pushes or pulls the actuating element 50 downwards. This achieves the desired reduction in the sealing effect and friction during the rotation process, thereby facilitating the handling of the contacting element 30.The elastically designed arm 60, which thus fulfills several functions (on the one hand securing the contacting position and on the other hand reducing the contact pressure during pivoting or twisting), can have a slight ribbing 61 on its upper side, which on the one hand facilitates its deflection and on the other hand reduces the friction against the support element 20 during the twisting of the contacting element 30.

[0036] In the Figures 1-4 As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the actuating element 50 is designed so that the handle part 65 is located on the same side of the disc 58 as the elastic arm 60. However, it could also be designed so that – as in the Figures 7 and 8 shown - the elastic arm 60 and the handle part 65 are located in opposite positions.

[0037] Preferably, the actuating element designed according to the invention is formed as a plastic part, which can be manufactured, for example, by injection molding. In particular, it is a one-piece element which, as described above, fulfills numerous functions with which the contacting of busbars within a mounting rail can be optimized. The design according to the invention allows the contacting element to be mounted easily and quickly on the carrier element of a corresponding unit, while also achieving good sealing against external influences.

Claims

1. Electrical module (10) for connection to a mounting rail, which comprises a mounting rail profile with two side walls and at least one conductor rail, which is arranged on one of the inner sides of the side walls of the mounting rail profile and has electrically contactable conductors, wherein the electrical module (10) comprises a contacting element (30) which can be inserted into the mounting rail profile and has connection contacts which are designed to make contact with conductors of the conductor rail when the contacting element (30) is inserted into the mounting rail profile, wherein the contacting element (30) is rotatably mounted relative to a carrier element (20) of the electrical module (10) between an open position, in which insertion and removal of the contacting element (30) from the support rail profile is enabled, and a contacting position, in which the connection contacts contact conductors of the conductor rail, about an axis of rotation (I), wherein the contacting element (30) comprises a contact holder body (35) holding the connection contacts, which is arranged on one side of the carrier element (20) of the electrical module (10), characterized in that that the contacting element (30) comprises an actuating element (50) which is arranged on a side of the carrier element (20) opposite the contact retaining body (35) and is coupled to the contact holder body(35) by passing through an opening (25) in the carrier element, wherein the actuating element (50), when coupled to the contact holder body (35), presses a sealing element (28) against the carrier element (20) to seal the opening (25) of the carrier element (20), and wherein the actuating element (50) has a locking section which is designed to lock the contacting element (30) in the contacting position opposite the carrier element (20).

2. Electrical module according to claim 1, characterized in that the sealing element (28) is ring-shaped, in particular formed by an O-ring.

3. Electrical module according to claim 2, characterized in that the actuating element (50) has a disc-like area (58) which has a recess (59) for the defined mounting of the sealing element (28).

4. Electrical module according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the locking section is formed by an elastically designed arm (60) which, in the contacting position of the contacting element (30), extends laterally over the carrier element (20).

5. Electrical module according to claim 4, characterized in that the elastic arm (60) is designed to press against the carrier element (20) before reaching the contacting position of the contacting element (30) in order to remove or reduce the sealing effect of the sealing element (28).

6. Electrical module according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the actuating element (50) has a handle portion (65) which protrudes laterally beyond the carrier element (20).

7. Electrical module according to claim 6 with the features of claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the handle part (65) is located adjacent to the elastic arm (60).

8. Electrical module according to claim 6 with the features of claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the grip part (65) is located at a position opposite the elastic arm (60).

9. Electrical module according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the actuating element (50) is formed as a plastic part, in particular as a one-piece plastic part.

10. Electrical module according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the carrier element (20) is formed by a profiled sheet metal part.

11. Electrical module according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the carrier element forms a support surface (21) on which the contact holder body (35) is arranged and in which the opening (25) is formed.

12. Electrical module according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is a luminaire, a sensor, or a communication unit.