Marker strips and an array of electrical devices with a marker strip

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a marker strip according to the preamble of claim 1 and a series of electrical devices with a marker strip.

[0002] Such a marker strip is known from WO 2016 / 037874 A1 or the generic DE 10 2015 109 020 A1.

[0003] If a number or a large number of electrical devices, such as terminal blocks, are arranged in a row on a mounting base, each having a locking contour, in particular a marker locking recess, so that a locking channel is formed in the alignment of the devices in the area of ​​the marker locking recesses, the marking process is simplified if, instead of a number of completely separate marker elements, strip-like marker elements connected to each other are used. For example, to mark a terminal block arrangement on a mounting rail, it is then only necessary to place the marker strip over the area of ​​the aligned locking contours of the terminal blocks and then press down on the individual marker elements from above so that the marker elements are securely locked onto the devices, in particular the terminal blocks. The marker strip should then...Its marker elements should be particularly suitable for printing in thermal transfer technology and its boundary conditions.

[0004] To manufacture such marker strips, injection molding processes are used, for example, whereby strips of a defined length, containing, for example, eight marker elements, are produced. These are then joined together to form a long marker strip on a roll, from which further marker strips with the desired number of marker elements can then be cut. It proves particularly difficult to reliably produce a continuous, uninterrupted strip from the individual injection-molded strips for winding onto a roll, without any misalignment in the grid.

[0005] According to WO 2016 / 037874 A1 and DE 10 2015 109 020 A1, the marker strip has areas made of at least two different plastic materials of varying hardness. The locking contour of each marker element consists of a harder plastic material, and the marking plate, at least in the area of ​​the marking field, consists of a softer plastic material.

[0006] Preferably, the marker strip is first produced by extrusion. It is preferably manufactured using a multi-component, in particular a two-component, co-extrusion process.

[0007] This makes it possible to use plastics of different hardnesses for the marking plate's inscription area on the one hand and the marking contour on the other. The two-component co-extrusion process is a reliable and cost-effective process, especially compared to injection molding. Extrusion allows for the easy production of a continuous strip for winding onto a reel. By using extrusion, particularly co-extrusion, the marking strips and their marking elements can be used for thermal transfer printing.

[0008] According to the preferred variant, it is particularly advantageous if the locking contour of each marker element is made of the harder plastic material to ensure a secure and reliable locking mechanism on the respective electrical device. It is also advantageous if the marker plate, at least in the area of ​​the marking field, is made of the softer plastic material. This allows for more precise printing. The softer material facilitates automatic adjustment to the printhead and is also gentler on the printhead than a harder material. Furthermore, it prevents indentations and allows for longer printable areas, as they are less likely to tilt in the printhead area and / or lift off the heating element. It is also possible to select a material with excellent printability without having to consider whether the material is hard enough for the locking function, which defines the locking tabs.Form raster contours.

[0009] Alternatively or additionally, it is also particularly advantageous if the connecting area between the marking elements consists of the softer plastic section. This allows for the compensation of minor tolerances arising from the assembly of the electrical devices by appropriately pulling or compressing this section at the installation site. Furthermore, it facilitates winding onto a roll.

[0010] However, it is the case that with different grid dimensions, the softer area has to be lengthened or compressed relatively strongly in order to lock the marker strip into the marker channel.

[0011] The object of the present invention is to reduce this problem.

[0012] The invention solves this problem by the subject matter of claim 1, namely by a marker strip comprising a strip-shaped labeling strip made of plastic material, which is printable on a first side – a labeling side – and which has a plurality of marker locking contours made of plastic material on a second side opposite the first side, which are designed to lock into marker locking receptacles of electrical devices arranged in a row, wherein the marker strip has a main extension direction and wherein the locking contours are arranged in the main extension direction X in a grid dimension XR on the second side of the labeling strip, wherein the grid dimension XR is less than or equal to 2 mm.

[0013] The very small grid dimension XR of the grid contours on the second side of the marking strip means that a marking strip of one type is particularly advantageous for marking electrical devices of various widths.

[0014] Preferably, the grid dimension XR, in which the marker grid recesses are distributed on the second side of the marking strip, may be less than or equal to 1.8 mm and greater than 1.2 mm, for example = 1.5 mm.

[0015] The marking strip can consist entirely of a single plastic material. It can be manufactured using an extrusion process or an injection molding process. It can be made entirely of a single plastic material, for example, when non-contact marking technologies, such as lasers, are used for labeling – which can be understood in the broadest sense as marking of various kinds. However, other printing processes of various types can also be used for labeling.

[0016] Regarding the technological background, DE 20 2012 103 309 A1 is also mentioned, which reveals cross-connector combs for terminal blocks.

[0017] The marker strip can also be manufactured from two plastic materials using a co-extrusion process or an injection molding process, wherein preferably the marking strip can be made from a first softer plastic material and the marker locking contours can be made from a second harder plastic material, so that good marking on the one hand and good attachment of the marker strip to the electrical device on the other hand is possible.

[0018] In a preferred embodiment, each locking contour may have one, two, or more locking tabs. The one, two, or more locking tabs may be arranged in a common plane. Alternatively, only one locking tab per locking contour may be provided, with the locking tabs then being distributed, for example, alternately on the "right" and "left" of the marker strip.

[0019] In a further embodiment, it may be provided that one or more perforations can be provided in a grid dimension of the same size as the grid contours, in particular for better adaptation to the marking length of the strip material.

[0020] The invention also provides a series of electrical devices with a marker strip according to one of the claims relating thereto, wherein the electrical devices each have a marker locking receptacle, wherein several locking receptacles across several connected electrical devices form a locking channel into which the locking contours engage, wherein more than one of the locking contours engages in each of the marker locking receptacles of the connected devices. For example, two or more of the locking contours can engage in only one of the respective locking receptacles.

[0021] Here too, the relatively small grid dimension XR of the grid contours on the second side of the marking strip means that a marking strip of one type is particularly advantageous for marking electrical devices of various widths.

[0022] It can be particularly advantageous to provide that the grid dimension XR, in which the individual grid contours on the second side of the marking strip are distributed in the main extension direction of the marking strip, is less than half the size of the smallest dimension, in particular grid dimension, of the electrical devices that can be connected in series in this direction.

[0023] It can also be provided that, in the area of ​​individual walls of the marker's grid receptacles, some of the grid contours are aligned slightly obliquely to the XY plane in which the grid contours essentially extend. This is made possible in particular by the small grid spacing, which allows for such oblique alignment in the area of ​​the walls.

[0024] Advantageous embodiments of the invention can be found in the dependent claims.

[0025] The invention is described in more detail below with reference to the drawing and exemplary embodiments. It shows: Fig. 1 in 1a) and 1b) shows various perspective views of a marker strip according to the invention, as well as in 1c), 1d), 1e) and 1f) various side views and top views of the marker strip from 1a) and 1b); Fig. 2 shows a side view of a marker strip according to the invention inserted into a housing shown only partially; Fig. 3 in 3a) shows a sectional view through the area of ​​a marker channel formed from a series of housings of electrical devices according to the invention, in which a marker strip is inserted, as well as in 3b) to 3e) sectional views analogous to 3a) with other series of electrical devices; Fig.4 in 4a) a perspective view of the area of ​​the marker channel formed from marker mounts of interconnected housings of electrical devices, into which a marker strip is to be inserted, and in 4b) to 4e) sectional views analogous to 4a) with other arrays of electrical devices; Fig. 5 in 5a) and 5b) various perspective views of a second embodiment of a marker strip according to the invention; Fig. 6 in 6a) a perspective view of a third embodiment of a marker strip according to the invention and in 6b) and 6c) a side view and a sectional view of this third embodiment of the marker strip; and Fig. 7 in 7a) - 7e) arrangements analogous to . Fig. 4a) - 4e ), which do not fall under claim 1.

[0026] The Fig. 1a) to Fig. 1eFigures 1 and 2 show a marker strip 1, which has a strip-shaped labeling strip 2 made of a first plastic material, which can be printed on a first side 2a – a labeling side 2a – and which has on the second side 2b opposite the first side a plurality of snap contours 3 or 3-1, 3-2, 3-3, ... made of a second plastic material, which are designed to snap into a corresponding marker receptacle 4 or 4a, 4b, 4c, ... of an electrical device 5 or 5a, 5b, 5c (see also Fig. 2 The electrical device 5 is a modular electrical device such as a disc-shaped terminal block or a disc-shaped electronics enclosure. In Fig. 2 A part of the device's housing is shown, wherein the housing may preferably include electrical components such as a connection device for a conductor and / or a busbar and / or an electrical component, etc.

[0027] The marker strip 1 can be manufactured and supplied as roll material and cut to length for mounting on a housing array. However, the marker strip 1 can also be offered as meter lengths / strips, preferably when using non-contact marking technologies. Shorter strips of varying lengths can also be produced.

[0028] The main extension direction of the marker strip 1 in the alignment direction is designated by X. To snap onto each of the devices 5, the cut marker strip 1 must be moved essentially perpendicular to this in a snap-on direction -Z (See also Fig. 4a - 4e ). The labeling strip 2 extends here essentially in an X / Y plane perpendicular to the snap-on direction -Z.

[0029] The respective locking contour 3-1, 3-2, 3-3, ... is formed here from one or more locking tabs – here each from two (here hook-shaped) locking tabs 31, 32, which are provided in a plate-like base area 33 that can adjoin the second side 2b of the marking strip. The hook-shaped locking tab(s) 31, 32 of the respective locking contour 3-1, 3-2, 3-3, are designed to engage in a correspondingly shaped marker locking receptacle 4a, 4b, 4c, ... of the electrical devices 5, so that they are held in a locking position after being snapped onto the electrical device 5 (see in particular the Fig. 2 and 3a-e ).

[0030] These grid contours 3-1, 3-2, 3-3, ... are in a relatively small grid dimension XR (see Fig. 3aThe marking strips 2 are arranged or distributed along the second side 2b in the main extension direction X of the marking strip 2, with a spacing of less than 2 mm. They are preferably arranged directly adjacent to one another and are separated from each other, preferably only by a (narrow) slot 34, at least close to the marking strip 2. Thus, the grid dimension XR here corresponds almost exactly to the width of the base or the plate-like base area 33 in the X direction.

[0031] The marker strip 1 may have been manufactured in an extrusion process, in particular or also in a co-extrusion process, in which the marking strip 2a made of the first plastic material and a continuous "ratchet strip" made of the second plastic material were continuously extruded together.

[0032] The "latching strip," from which the individual latching contours 3-1, 3-2, 3-3, ... are to be formed, is then separated into the individual latching contours 3-1, 3-2, 3-3, ... by cuts or punches, which preferably penetrate the second plastic material or the latching strip perpendicular to the longitudinal extent of the latching strip. The individual latching contours 3-1, 3-2, 3-3, ... are thus formed.

[0033] Other manufacturing processes are also conceivable.

[0034] Preferably, the first plastic material of the labeling strip 2 is a softer plastic material and the second plastic material is a harder plastic material. This is a preferred, but not mandatory, embodiment.

[0035] Such a marker strip 1 is well suited to the Fig. 1a) to 1e ) to recognize.

[0036] It is particularly well suited for locking onto or in a series (and for marking the series) of electrical devices 5a, 5b, 5c, ... each having at least one locking receptacle 4a, 4b, 4c, ... These locking receptacles 4a, 4b, 4c, ... can in turn each have a lateral boundary wall or wall 6a, 6b, 6c, ...a in the main extension direction of the devices 5a, 5b, 5c, ... installed in the series, so that any installed marking element in the series cannot slip in the direction of assembly, thus ensuring a clear assignment between the marking / labeling and the respective electrical device 5a, 5b, 5c, ... The marker mounts 4a, 4b, 4c, ... align in the direction of the row over several of the devices 5a, 5b, ... so that a kind of marker channel is formed, which is, however, always at least partially interrupted by the boundary walls 6a, 6b, 6c, ...a.

[0037] The very small grid dimension XR, in which the grid contours 3-1, 3-2, 3-3, ... are distributed on the second side of the marking strip 2, is particularly advantageous because it allows electrical devices 5a, 5b, 5c, with varying widths in their alignment direction, to be marked effectively (Figs. 5a-5e) without the need to manufacture different marking strips 1. The grid dimension XR is smaller than the smallest width (in alignment direction) of the devices 5a, 5b, 5c, ... to be marked, preferably less than or equal to half the width of the devices 5a, 5b, 5c, ... to be marked. The grid dimension XVR, in which the grid contours 3-1, 3-2, 3-3, ... are distributed on the second side of the marking strip 2, is also advantageous. The grid dimension XR is preferably less than or equal to (mathematically: ≤) 2 mm. The pitch XR can preferably be between 1.3 mm and 1.7 mm. In one example, the pitch XR is 1.5 mm. This embodiment is illustrated in [reference to specific example]. Fig. 1c depicted.

[0038] The locking contours 3a, 3b, 3c, .... of the devices 5a, 5b, 5c, ... can taper in a V-shape perpendicular to the alignment direction (See Fig. 1d ). The locking contours 3a, 3b, 3c, .... can also initially have the plate-like base 33 starting from the lettering strip 2 and the two locking hooks 31, 32 extending angularly away from the base for locking into corresponding undercuts of the locking receptacles 4a, 4b, 4c, ....

[0039] As in Fig. 3aAs can be seen in ) to e) and 4a) to e), the relatively small grid dimension XR of the grid contours 3-1, 3-2, 3-3, ... on the second side of the labeling strip 2 means that a marker strip 1 of a design for marking electrical devices 5a, 5b, 5c, ... of various widths can be used. For example, the grid width of the electrical devices 5a, 5b, 5c, ... is 3.5 mm. As can be seen, the marker strip 1 with the grid contours 3-1, 3-2, 3-3, ... in a grid width of 1.5 mm can still be very well attached to the array of electrical devices 5a, 5b, 5c, ... . It is only that in the area of ​​individual walls 6a, 6b, 6c, ... some of the grid contours 3-1, 3-2, 3-3, ... (in Fig. 3aFor example, the detent contour 3-5) can be aligned slightly at an angle by the respective wall 6a, 6b, 6c, ... . They are tilted or bent slightly, but they still fit securely and possibly with some clamping force in the marker channel, which is formed by the series of detent mounts 4a, 4b, 4c, ... across the series of devices 5a, 5b, 5c, ... .

[0040] The analogous shows Fig. 3b ) and Fig. 3d , in which the grid width of devices 5a, 5b, 5c, .... is 5.1 mm or 8.1 mm.

[0041] In the series of Fig. 3d The grid width of the grid contours 3-1, 3-2, 3-3, ... is 6.1mm, so that it is possible to mark several of the devices 5a, 5b, 5c, ... one after the other without a grid contour 3-1, 3-2, 3-3, ... hitting one of the walls 6a, 6b, 6c, ... and becoming slanted.

[0042] The Fig. 3eFigure 1 shows a series of electrical devices 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, ... of varying grid widths (purely as examples, twice 3.5 mm, then twice 5.1 mm, then 8.1 mm, then twice 6.1 mm). Even such series of electrical devices 5a, 5b, 5c, ... of varying widths, at least partially, can be excellently marked with the marker strip 1 with the grid contours 3-1, 3-2, 3-3, ... of very small grid width.

[0043] Analogous illustrations Fig. 4a) to 4e ), where the cut-to-length marker strips are shown here spatially spaced above the devices 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, ... arranged in a row before being locked in place.

[0044] The Fig. 7a) to 7eFigure 1 illustrates that, unlike according to the invention, prior art required the production of marker strips 1' with grid contours of various grid widths, such as marker strips 1' whose grid dimension in the area of ​​the grid contours had to correspond to that of the terminal blocks to be marked (3.5 mm, 5.1 mm, 6.1 mm, 8.1 mm). According to the invention, this effort is significantly reduced, so that virtually only a single type of marker strip 1 with a single grid dimension XR of grid contours 3-1, 3-2, 3-3, ... needs to be produced.

[0045] It is further advantageous if the marking strip 2 consists entirely or partially of the softer material. This is because this material can be guided more easily and precisely through the area of ​​a printhead.

[0046] To mark a terminal block arrangement on a mounting rail, it is then only necessary to use the marker strip 1 - see Fig. 3a) - to place over the area of ​​the adjacent marker locking receptacles 4a, 4b, 4c, ... of the terminal blocks and then press into them from above so that the locking contours 3-1, 3-2, 3-3, ... are securely locked onto the devices, in particular onto the device housings. The marker strip 1 may then or previously have been cut to the appropriate length from a type of "continuous strip", for example on a roll or the aforementioned longer strip.

[0047] After the Fig. 1a) to 4e It is exemplified that the respective locking contour 3-1, 3-2, 3-3, ... has at least the two locking ribs 31, 32, wherein it is provided that the respective two locking ribs 31, 32 are arranged in a common plane that is oriented perpendicular to the alignment direction X. According to Figs. 1a to 4e and 6 Each pair of the resting bridges 31, 32 are connected in the plate-like base area 33.

[0048] Alternatively, it can also be provided that the resting bridges 31, 32 are arranged in offset planes. After Fig. 5a, b It is provided that only one of the locking bars 31, 32 is provided for each plate-like base area 33. It is also provided that the respective two locking bars 31, 32 are arranged alternately in planes offset from each other. Fig. 5a, 5b They can then be arranged alternately on two longitudinal sides of the marker strip 1, each in the respective grid dimension, on the base areas 33 that follow one another in the main extension direction X. After Fig. 5a - b In turn, areas made of two different hardness plastic materials are provided.

[0049] After Fig. 6a - c In contrast, the entire marker strip 1 is made from a single material. Otherwise, the construction here corresponds to the Fig. 1 The labeling strip 2 is therefore manufactured with a uniform material and the grid contours 3-1, 3-2, etc.

[0050] This can also be after the Figures 1a to 5b be provided. The marking strip of the Fig. 6 Alternatively, it could also consist of the two materials. More than two materials could also be used. Reference sign

[0051] Marker strips 1 Labeling strips 2 Labeling page 2a second page 2b Raster contours 3-1, 3-2, 3-3, ... Rest areas 31, 32 Basic area 33 slot 34 Marker locking mechanism 4a, b, c, ... Device 5a, b, c, ... boundary wall 6a, 6b, 6c, ... Snap-on direction -Z Main direction of extension X Direction Y

Claims

1. Marker strip (1), which has a strip-shaped labelling strip (2) composed of plastic material, which can be labelled on a first side (2a) - a labelling side (2a) - using a printer and which has on a second side (2b) opposite the first side a multiplicity of marker latching profiles (3-1, 3-2, 3-3, ...) composed of plastic material, which are configured for latching in marker latching receptacles (4a, 4b, 4c, ...) of serially arranged electrical appliances (5), wherein the marker strip (1) has a main direction of extent (X) and wherein the latching profiles (3-1, 3-2, 3-3, ...) are arranged in the main direction of extent X in a grid dimension XR on the second side (2b) of the labelling strip (2), characterised in that the grid dimension XR in which the latching profiles (3-1, 3-2, 3-3, ...) are distributed on the second side (2b) of the labelling strip (2) is smaller than or equal to 2 mm.

2. Marker strip (1) according to claim 1, characterised in that the grid dimension XR in which the latching profiles (3-1, 3-2, 3-3, ...) are distributed in the main direction of extent X on the second side (2b) of the labelling strip (2) is smaller than or equal to 1.8 mm and larger than 1.2 mm.

3. Marker strip (1) according to claim 2, characterised in that the grid dimension XR in which the latching profiles (3-1, 3-2, 3-3, ...) are distributed in the main direction of extent X on the second side (2b) of the labelling strip (2) is 1.5 mm.

4. Marker strip (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the respective latching profile (3-1, 3-2, 3-3, ...) has one, two or more latching webs (31, 32).

5. Marker strip (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that in each case two of the latching webs (31, 32) are arranged in a joint plane which is oriented perpendicular to the series direction X.

6. Marker strip (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the latching webs (31, 32) are distributed offset individually with respect to one another to the left and right on the marker strip in the grid dimension.

7. Marker strip (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that in each case one or more of the latching webs (31, 32) attach in each case to a plate-like base region (33).

8. Marker strip (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the plate-like base regions (33) of adjacent marker latching profiles (3-1, 3-2, 3-3, ...) are separated from one another in each case by a slot (34).

9. Marker strip (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the latching webs (31, 32) of the marker latching receptacles (4a, 4b, 4c, ...) taper away from the respective plate-like base region (33).

10. Marker strip (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that it is manufactured and can be provided as a web in particular in such a manner that one or more shorter marker strips of various lengths can be cut to length from the web.

11. Marker strip (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that it is manufactured and can be provided as a roll material so that one or more shorter marker strips of various lengths can be cut to length from the roll material.

12. Marker strip (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that it has at least one or more perforations, in particular in the grid dimension.

13. Marker strip (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that it is manufactured from a single plastic material.

14. Marker strip (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that it is manufactured from two plastic materials, wherein the labelling strip (2) is manufactured from a first softer plastic material and the marker latching profiles are manufactured from the second harder plastic material.

15. Marker strip (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that it is manufactured in a coextrusion process or an injection moulding process.

16. Series of electrical devices with a marker strip (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the electrical appliances have in each case a marker latching receptacle (4a, 4b, 4c, ...) into which the latching profiles (3-1, 3-2, 3-3, ...) engage, wherein, in a series direction X of the electrical appliances (5a, 5b, 5c, ...), more than a single latching profile (3-1, 3-2, 3-3, ...) engages in each case in one of the marker latching receptacles (4a, 4b, 4c) of the appliances (5a, 5b, 5c, ...) arranged in series.

17. Series according to claim 16, characterised in that the grid dimension in which the individual latching profiles (3-1, 3-2, 3-3, ...) are distributed on the second side (2b) of the labelling strip (2) is less than half the size of the smallest dimension, in particular grid dimension, of the electrical appliances which can be arranged in series in the main direction of extent (X) or in the series direction of the electrical appliances (5a, 5b, 5c, ...).

18. Series according to claim 16 or 17, characterised in that in the region of individual walls (6a, 6b, 6c, ...) of the marker latching receptacles (4a, 4b, 4c, ...) individual latching profiles (3-1, 3-2, 3-3, ...) are oriented by in each case one of the walls slightly obliquely with respect to the X-Y-plane in which the latching profiles (3-1, 3-2, 3-3, ...) substantially extend.