BUSBAR CONNECTORS

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a busbar connector with a housing, wherein the housing is configured for the mechanical coupling of two busbar profiles, wherein the busbar profiles each have adjacent grooves for receiving electrical conductors and wherein the grooves extend in a longitudinal direction of the respective busbar profile, and with at least one electrical connector received in the housing, wherein the electrical connector has at least two plug-in contact sections with conductor contacts, wherein the plug-in contact sections are each configured in an operating position for electrical contacting associated electrical conductors of one of the busbar profiles.

[0002] DE 10 2011 114 160 B4 discloses a mounting rail profile for a lighting arrangement with a modularly constructed current-carrying profile, wherein the current-carrying profile has two current-carrying profile elements. The current-carrying profile elements are either individually connected to the mounting rail profile or positively connected to each other.

[0003] DE 10 2010 032 383 A3 discloses a busbar connector for connecting two conductor rail profiles. The busbar connector has two plug-in contact sections for contacting each conductor rail profile, and the busbar connector can be plugged onto the conductor rail profiles to electrically connect the electrical conductors received in the grooves to the plug-in contact sections.

[0004] US 2003 / 0021111 A1 discloses a lighting track system comprising an elongated metal track, essentially in the shape of an inverted U. An elongated insulator extends through the track and contains polarized pairs of neutral and live conductors in one or more slots. A flexible cable and a polarized connector provide an electrical and mechanical connection to a pair of conductors in the track and prevent the polarized connector from being connected with reversed polarity of the live and neutral conductors. The polarized connector and cable can be an end feed, connecting a track circuit to a main electrical circuit, or a track circuit to a track-mounted light fixture. A polarized connector can connect adjacent track segments at each end of the flexible cable.

[0005] DE 20 2018 102 740 U1 describes a connector housing with a connector that is arranged inside the housing and clamped to the housing by means of locking elements. The connector has an axial plug and a radial plug on opposite sides. The radial connector is inserted directly into grooves of a busbar and makes contact with the busbar's electrical conductors. The axial plug has contact pins and can be inserted axially into a socket cap of the busbar. The socket cap is inserted into grooves of the busbar, is held in place by retaining dowels, and makes contact with the busbar's electrical conductors. Through the plug connection with the socket cap, the axial plug indirectly makes contact with the busbar's electrical conductors via its contact pins.Compensation for unequal thermal expansion is achieved by compensating chambers in the socket cap, which secure the electrical wiring of the busbar in a longitudinally displaceable manner within the socket cap. Based on this, the object of the present invention is to create an improved busbar connector and an improved busbar system.

[0006] The problem is solved by a busbar connector having the features of claim 1 and by a busbar system having the features of claim 14. Advantageous embodiments are described in the dependent claims.

[0007] In the case of the busbar connector of this type, it is proposed that the plug contact sections of the electrical connector are slidably mounted in the housing in the longitudinal direction of the current-carrying profile in the operating position.

[0008] The operating position is, in particular, the position in which the plug contact sections electrically contact the assigned electrical conductors of the respective current-carrying profiles when the busbar connector is already mechanically connected to two current-carrying profiles.

[0009] In the operating position, the electrical contacts of the electrical connector are firmly connected to the electrical conductors. This connection is achieved by the cutting edges of the electrical contacts biting into the electrical conductors held in the grooves. Thus, any longitudinal expansion of the busbar profile, such as that caused by temperature changes, is directly transferred to the electrical connectors in the operating position. The sliding mounting of the plug contact sections in the operating position, in the longitudinal direction of the busbar profile or busbar connector, compensates for such changes in length and reduces or completely prevents damage to the busbar connector and / or the busbar profile.

[0010] The plug contact sections of the electrical connector are mounted in the housing in the operating position so as to be slidable in the longitudinal direction of the current-carrying profile.

[0011] For improved compensation of length differences, it has been shown that the movable mounting of both plug contact sections of the electrical connector in the longitudinal direction of the current-carrying profile is advantageous.

[0012] The plug-in contact sections can be mounted at either of the diametrically opposite ends or end sections of the housing, with the plug-in contact sections being arranged at least spaced apart from each other in the housing along the longitudinal direction of the busbar connector and being connected to each other via additional electrical conductors. These additional electrical conductors can be, in particular, flexible. In this way, a flexible busbar connector can be provided that can easily accommodate or compensate for length variations along the longitudinal direction of the current-carrying profile, thereby further improving the functionality of the busbar connector.

[0013] A multitude of electrical connectors can be accommodated in parallel within the housing, with each electrical connector being configured for the electrical contact of two current-carrying profiles. It has been shown that it is particularly advantageous if two electrical connectors are accommodated in parallel within the housing.

[0014] It is conceivable that the multitude of electrical connectors are set up for the electrical contacting of exactly two current-carrying profiles, or that each electrical connector electrically connects two different current-carrying profiles to each other.

[0015] This has the advantage that not all electrical conductors inserted in the grooves need to be electrically connected by the busbar connector. Therefore, it is conceivable that only some of the electrical conductors need to be connected by one electrical connector, while others do not necessarily need to be connected by a second connector.

[0016] At least one of the conductor contacts can be designed as a crimp contact.

[0017] In particular, a PE contact of the plug connector sections can be designed as a crimp contact. This creates a connection between the conductor and the connecting element that is difficult to disconnect and ensures a high level of electrical and mechanical safety.

[0018] On one outer side of the plug contact sections, a guide element for the sliding guidance of the plug contact sections in the housing of the busbar connector can be arranged perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the current-carrying profile.

[0019] "Perpendicular" specifically means that an exact vertical displacement of the plug contact sections is not absolutely necessary. A deviation of 10 degrees from exact vertical displacement is also conceivable.

[0020] The vertical guide allows the plug contact sections to be moved to the current-carrying profiles at a predefined point on the housing.

[0021] Furthermore, the guide element can be designed as at least one guide rail, wherein the guide rail can be guided in a corresponding guide groove of the housing. Advantageously, the guide rail can also have an L-shaped or T-shaped cross-section.

[0022] The rail / groove guide ensures reliable guidance of the plug contact sections through simple and constructive measures.

[0023] The guide rail can, in particular, have a web projecting from the respective plug contact section, wherein a wing-like guide plate or a wing-like guide section is arranged on the web parallel to the plug contact section and is spaced apart from the plug contact section by the web. The guide plate or guide section can engage behind the guide groove of the housing, with the web being guided through the guide groove. Since the wing-like guide plate or the wing-like guide section is larger than the guide groove, the respective plug contact section can be easily guided in or along the guide groove.

[0024] It is also conceivable that the casing itself is made of sheet steel.

[0025] The corresponding guide groove can be designed in such a way that at least the plug contact sections are slidably mounted in the housing in the longitudinal direction of the current-carrying profile in the operating position.

[0026] This can be achieved, for example, by making the guide groove wider in the longitudinal direction than the guide rail or the web of the guide rail received in the guide groove, so that the plug contact section within the wider guide groove is slidably mounted in the operating position in the longitudinal direction of the current-carrying profiles in the housing, since there is enough play for the guide rail.

[0027] The plug contact sections can be slidably mounted within the guide groove from a pre-locked position to the operating position.

[0028] The pre-lock position is, in particular, the position in which the plug contact sections cannot yet be electrically connected to the electrical conductors of the current-carrying profiles when the busbar connector is already mechanically connected to two current-carrying profiles.

[0029] By creating a pre-locking position, the mechanical connection of the busbar connector to the conductor profiles can be decoupled from the electrical connection of the electrical conductors held in the grooves of the conductor profiles. The mechanical connection is thus independent of the electrical connection.

[0030] Furthermore, the busbar connector can be manufactured and delivered with the plug contact sections pre-locked, so that the user only needs to move the plug contact sections into the current guide profiles after mounting the busbar connector.

[0031] In the area of ​​the pre-lock position, the guide groove can be designed as a guide groove adapted to the guide rail, so that in the pre-lock position longitudinal displacement of the plug contact sections in the longitudinal direction of the current-guiding profiles is blocked.

[0032] This can be achieved, for example, through a suitable fit, ensuring little or no play between the guide groove and the guide rail or the guide rail's web. The guide groove in the pre-lock position can advantageously be positioned centrally to the wider guide groove in the operating position. This ensures uniform longitudinal movement of the plug contact section in the operating position.

[0033] Each plug connector section can be equipped with a locking element to secure it in the operating position and / or the pre-locking position. Furthermore, the locking element can advantageously be designed, for example, as a latching pawl.

[0034] In this way, the electrical connector can be ensured to be seated in the operating position and / or in the pre-locked position.

[0035] A locking pawl can be designed to be spring-loaded, in particular, whereby when the plug contact section is moved into the operating position, the locking pawl is bent against its spring force and returns to its initial position after reaching the operating position, wherein a locking projection of the locking pawl prevents the plug contact section from unintentionally releasing from the operating position.

[0036] Furthermore, the locking element can be received in a corresponding recess in the housing in the operating position and / or in the pre-locking position, wherein the recess is designed to be so wide that the locking element is slidably mounted in the longitudinal direction of the current-guiding profiles in the operating position.

[0037] For example, the recess is designed to be so large that the locking element in the recess has enough play to ensure longitudinal movement.

[0038] The corresponding recess in the housing for the locking element can be arranged, in particular, between two guide grooves, each designed to receive a guide rail. Correspondingly, the locking element itself can also be arranged between two guide elements, in particular two guide rails.

[0039] Furthermore, the housing wall can be flared outwards with the corresponding recesses. This means that this wall protrudes from the plane of the housing. In this way, sufficient space can be provided for the locking element.

[0040] Furthermore, the invention relates to a busbar system with at least two adjacent current-guiding profiles, each having grooves open on one side and extending in the longitudinal direction of the busbars, wherein electrical conductors are arranged in the grooves, and with at least one busbar connector as described above.

[0041] The indefinite term "a" should be understood as such and not as a numeral. It is therefore conceivable that several electrical connectors are arranged in the housing.

[0042] The invention is explained in more detail below using exemplary embodiments and the accompanying drawings. These show: Figure 1a - a busbar system according to the invention in a perspective view; Figure 1b - the busbar system according to the invention. Figure 1a in a side view; Figure 2a - the busbar system according to the invention. Figure 1a and 1b in a perspective view with only one current-carrying profile; Figure 2b - the busbar system according to the invention Figure 2a Figure 3a shows a side view with one plug contact section in an operating position and one plug contact section in a pre-locking position; Figure 3b shows two parallel electrical connectors for a busbar connector; Figure 3b shows an enlarged section of the plug contact sections of the electrical connectors after the Figure 3aFigure 4a shows the connection interface between an electrical connector and the housing; Figure 4b shows the connection interface after Figure 4a between the electrical connector and the housing, wherein the electrical connector is displaced in the longitudinal direction of the busbar connector; Figure 5 shows a crimp contact for contacting a protective earth conductor.

[0043] Figure 1a shows a busbar system 13 according to the invention in a perspective view, wherein Figure 1b the busbar system according to the invention Figure 1a shown in a side view.

[0044] The busbar system 13 has a busbar connector 1 with a housing 2, the housing 2 being designed for the mechanical coupling of two current-carrying profiles 3. The current-carrying profiles 3 each have adjacent grooves 4, in which electrical conductors 5 are received. The grooves 4 extend in a longitudinal direction L of the respective current-carrying profile 3. An electrical connector 6 is arranged in the housing 2, the electrical connector 6 having a plug-in contact section 7 at each diametrically opposite end. Conductor contacts 8 are arranged on the plug-in contact sections 7, and the plug-in contact sections 7 are configured via the conductor contacts 8 for the electrical contacting of assigned electrical conductors 5 to each of the current-carrying profiles 3.

[0045] The position in which the plug contact sections 7 electrically contact the associated electrical conductors 5 of the respective current-carrying profiles 3 is also referred to below as operating position B.

[0046] From the Figure 1a and 1b It is further evident that two electrical connectors 6 are arranged side by side in the housing 2 of the busbar connector 1. The current-carrying profiles 3 can therefore only be electrically contacted section by section through one or the other electrical connector 6. In the Figure 1a and 1b However, both electrical connectors, or their plug contact sections 7, are in operating position B and contact the electrical conductors 5 received in the grooves 4 over the entire width of the current-carrying profiles 3.

[0047] Figure 2a The busbar system 13 according to the invention is shown according to the Figure 1a and 1bin a perspective view with only one current-guiding profile 3, which allows the functionality of the busbar connector 1 to be explained in more detail. Figure 2b The busbar system shows 13 after the Figure 2a in a side view with a plug contact section 7 in an operating position B and a plug contact section 7 in a pre-locking position V.

[0048] It is evident that guide grooves 2a are arranged in the housing 2 of the busbar connector 1, with associated guide elements 10 of the busbar connector 1 engaging in these guide grooves 2a. The guide elements 10 allow the respective plug contact sections 7 of the electrical connectors 6 to be guided perpendicular to the longitudinal direction L of the busbar connector. Exactly perpendicular guidance is not required. Deviations of 10 degrees from a 90-degree alignment of the guide elements 10 with the longitudinal direction of the busbar connector 1 are also conceivable.

[0049] The respective plug contact sections 6 can be easily moved, in particular shifted, from the pre-locking position V to the operating position B by means of the guide elements 10. A reverse movement from the operating position B to the pre-locking position is also conceivable. The pre-locking position V is, in particular, the position of the respective plug contact sections 6 in which the plug contact sections 6 cannot yet be electrically connected to the electrical conductors 5 of the current-carrying profiles 3. The busbar connector 3 is, however, already mechanically connected to the current-carrying profiles 3. At least one locking element 11 is arranged on each plug contact section 6, the locking element 11 being designed to lock onto the housing 2. This locking can occur both in the operating position B and in the pre-locking position V.The locking element can lock into the housing 2 in a corresponding recess 12 both in the operating position B and in the pre-locking position V.

[0050] Figure 3a shows two parallel electrical connectors 6 for a busbar connector 1, which is used, for example, in the Figures 1 to 2b can be seen.

[0051] It becomes clear that at the diametrically opposite ends of each electrical connector 6, a plug-in contact section 7 is arranged, wherein the plug-in contact sections 7 have conductor contacts 8 which are designed for electrically conductive contacting of the electrical conductors of the current-carrying profiles received in the grooves. The diametrically opposite plug-in contact sections 7 are connected to each other via further flexible electrical conductors 14.

[0052] Furthermore, it becomes clear that the guide elements 10 are designed as guide rails. The guide elements 10 are T-shaped. The guide elements 10, or the guide rails, can in particular have a web extending from the respective plug contact section 7, wherein a wing-like guide plate or a wing-like guide section is arranged on the web parallel to the plug contact section 7 and is spaced apart from the plug contact section 7 by the web. The guide plate or the guide section can engage behind the guide groove 2a of the housing 2, with the web being guided through the guide groove 2a. Since the wing-like guide plate or the wing-like guide section is larger than the guide groove 2a, the respective plug contact section 7 can be easily guided in or along the guide groove.

[0053] Each plug contact section 7 can have two guide elements 10, or guide rails, which can engage in or behind a corresponding guide groove 2a of the housing 2. The locking element 11 can be arranged between the guide elements 10 to lock the respective plug contact section 7 to the housing 2 in the pre-locked position or the operating position of the connector. The guide elements 10 and the locking element 11 are arranged on an outer surface 7a of each plug contact section 7.

[0054] Figure 3b shows an enlarged section of the plug contact sections 7 of the electrical connectors 6 after the Figure 3a . From the Figure 3bThe design of the respective plug contact sections 7 is shown in more detail. It becomes clear that the guide elements 10 are specifically T-shaped to ensure reliable guidance of the respective plug contact section 7 within the housing 2. The plug contact sections 7 can then be locked to the housing 2 of the busbar connector 1 in the pre-locking position V or in the operating position via the respective locking element 11.

[0055] Figure 4a shows the connection interface between the electrical connector 6 and housing 2. Figure 4b The connection interface shows after Figure 4a between the electrical connector 6 and the housing 2, wherein the electrical connector 6 is in comparison to the Figure 4a in the longitudinal direction L of the busbar connector 1, or of the current guide profiles, is displaced.

[0056] The plug contact sections 7 are located in the Figure 4aand 4b in operating position B. This means that the conductor contacts 8 of the respective plug contact section 7 electrically contact the electrical conductors 5 received in the grooves 4.

[0057] From the Figure 4a and 4bIt becomes clear that the plug contact sections 7 are slidably mounted in the housing 2 in operating position B in the longitudinal direction L of the current-carrying profile 3 or the busbar connector 1. Longitudinal expansion of the current-carrying profile 3, such as that caused by a temperature change, is transferred to the electrical connectors 6 in operating position B. Due to the slidable mounting of the plug contact sections 7 in operating position B in the longitudinal direction L of the current-carrying profile 3 or the busbar connector 1, such changes in length can be compensated for, and damage to the busbar connector 1 and / or the current-carrying profile 3 can be reduced or completely avoided.

[0058] In this embodiment, the displacement of the plug contact sections 7 is achieved by the fact that the guide elements 10 are slidably mounted in the guide grooves 2a of the housing 2 in the operating position, so that movement of the plug contact sections 7 in the longitudinal direction L can be achieved.

[0059] The guide grooves 2a are wider in the longitudinal direction L than the guide elements 10 received in the guide grooves 2a, or the web of the guide rail, so that the plug contact sections 7 are slidably mounted within the wider guide groove 2a in the operating position B in the longitudinal direction L of the current-carrying profiles 3 in the housing 2, since there is enough play for the guide rail, or the guide element 10.

[0060] The locking element 11, arranged between the two guide elements 10, is engaged in one of the corresponding recesses 12 with the housing 2, thus preventing the plug contact sections 7 from moving out of the operating position B. The recess 12 is dimensioned sufficiently large to allow the locking element 11 to move within the recess along the longitudinal direction 3 of the busbar connector 1, or the current guide profiles 3, ensuring that the longitudinal movement of the respective plug contact sections 7 is maintained without releasing the locking mechanism.

[0061] Furthermore, it becomes clear that in the area of ​​the pre-lock position V, the width of the guide grooves 2a is smaller than the width of the guide grooves 2a in the area of ​​the operating position B. The guide grooves 2a are thus designed in the area of ​​the pre-lock position V as a guide groove 2a adapted to the guide rail or the guide element 10, so that longitudinal displacement L of the plug contact sections 7 in the longitudinal direction L of the current-carrying profiles 3 or of the busbar connector 1 is blocked.

[0062] In this way, there is little or no play between the respective guide grooves 2a and the guide rail, or the web of the guide rail. In the pre-locking position V, it is not absolutely necessary for length compensation to take place via the electrical connector 6 and the associated plug contact sections 7.

[0063] Figure 5Figure 1 shows a crimp contact 9, which is specifically designed as a PE contact for the plug-in contact sections 7. In this way, a protective earth conductor can be reliably electrically connected via the crimp contact 9. This results in a homogeneous, virtually indestructible connection between the conductor and the connecting element, ensuring high electrical and mechanical safety. The crimp contact 9 has a crimp area 15, in which an electrical conductor can be positively connected using a crimping tool. Reference symbol list

[0064] 1 Busbar connector 2 Housing 2a Guide groove 3 Current guide profile 4 Grooves 5 Electrical conductor 6 Electrical connector 7 Plug-in contact sections 7a Outer side 8 Conductor contact 9 Crimp contact 10 Guide element 11 Locking element 12 Recess 13 Busbar system 14 Other electrical conductors 15 Crimp area S Interface L Longitudinal direction V Pre-lock position B Operating position

Claims

1. Busbar connector (1) with a housing (2), wherein the housing (2) is designed for the mechanical coupling of two current-carrying profiles (3), wherein the current-carrying profiles (3) each have grooves (4) arranged next to each other for receiving electrical conductors (5), and wherein the grooves (4) extend in a longitudinal direction (L) of the respective current-carrying profile (3), and with at least one electrical connector (6) accommodated in the housing (2), wherein the electrical connector has at least two plug-in contact sections (7) with conductor contacts (8), wherein the plug-in contact sections (7) are each arranged for electrical contacting of associated electrical conductors (5) of one of the current-carrying profiles (3) in an operating position (B), characterized in that the plug-in contact sections (7) of the electrical connector (6) are mounted in the housing (2) in the operating position (B) so as to be displaceable in the longitudinal direction of the current-carrying profile (3).

2. Busbar connector (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the plug-in contact sections (7) are mounted at one of the diametrically opposite ends of the housing (2) in each case, wherein the plug-in contact sections (7) are connected to one another via further electrical conductors (14).

3. Busbar connector (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a plurality of electrical connectors (6) are accommodated in parallel in the housing (2), wherein each electrical connector (6) is designed for electrical contacting of two current-carrying profiles (3).

4. Busbar connector (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one of the conductor contacts (8) is designed as a crimp contact (9).

5. Busbar connector (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a guide element (10) for the slidable guidance of the plug-in contact sections (7) is arranged on an outer side (7a) of each of the plug-in contact sections (7) in the housing (2) of the busbar connector (1) perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (L) of the current-carrying profile (3).

6. Busbar connector (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that the guide element (10) is designed as at least one guide rail, wherein the guide rail can be guided in a corresponding guide groove (2a) of the housing (2).

7. Busbar connector (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that the guide rail is designed with an L-shaped or T-shaped cross-section.

8. Busbar connector (1) according to one of claims 6 or 7, characterized in that the corresponding guide groove (2a) is designed such that at least the plug-in contact sections (7) are mounted in the housing (2) so as to be displaceable in the longitudinal direction (L) of the current-carrying profile (3) in the operating position (B).

9. Busbar connector (1) according to one of claims 6 to 8, characterized in that the plug-in contact sections (7) are mounted so as to be displaceable from a pre-latching position (V) into the operating position (B) within the guide groove (2a).

10. Busbar connector (1) according to claim 9, characterized in that the guide groove (2a) in the area of the preliminary locking position (V) is designed as a guide groove (2a) adapted to the guide rail, so that a longitudinal displacement of the plug-in contact sections in the longitudinal direction of the current-carrying profiles (3) is blocked.

11. Busbar connector (1) according to one of claims 9 or 10, characterized in that a latching element (11) is arranged on each of the plug-in contact sections (7) to secure the plug-in contact sections (7) in the operating position (B) and / or the pre-latching position (V).

12. Busbar connector (1) according to claim 11, characterized in that the latching element (11) is designed as a latching pawl.

13. Busbar connector (1) according to one of claims 11 or 12, characterized in that the locking element (11) is received in a corresponding recess (12) of the housing (2) in the operating position (B) and / or in the pre-locking position (V), wherein the recess (12) is designed to be so wide that the locking element (11) is mounted in the operating position so that it can be displaced in the longitudinal direction (L) of the current-carrying profiles (3).

14. Busbar system (13) with at least two adjacent current-carrying profiles (3), each of which has grooves open on one side and extends in the longitudinal direction of the busbars, with electrical conductors arranged in the grooves, and with at least one busbar connector according to one of the preceding claims.