Holding device for contacting devices

Abstract

A method for fastening a contacting device 1 in a support profile 14 and a contacting device 1 for use in a support profile 14, wherein the contacting device 1 has a holding device 12 with a number of retaining clips 16 that engage behind an undercut 24 of the support profile 14, are intended to provide a particularly secure mounting for contacting devices 1, which can be easily mounted and, if necessary, also dismounted. For this purpose, the holding device 12 includes a locking element 32, which is slidably arranged between an open and a locked position and wherein, in the locked position, the locking element 32 engages behind the retaining clips 16.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a method for fastening a contacting device in a support profile and a contacting device for use in a support profile, wherein the contacting device has a holding device with a number of retaining clips that engage behind an undercut of the support profile.

[0002] Such systems typically involve linear power distribution units, which are used particularly for lighting systems in buildings to route cables for supplying power and / or signals to devices in a cost-effective and aesthetically pleasing manner. Signals in this context encompass both the transmission of general signals, such as control signals, and the transmission of data, such as measurement or information data. The installation location of the devices can be flexibly selected and easily varied along the housing of the power distribution unit. The devices can thus be easily electrically connected to the conductors of a linear power supply unit at a variably definable installation location using a contact element. Such power distribution units have the advantage that the devices are both electrically connected and mechanically supported by the housing.

[0003] The contacting devices within the meaning of these applications include both feeders, i.e., assemblies that feed corresponding signals and / or energy into the conductors to be contacted, and taps that tap the corresponding signals and / or energy from the contacting conductors and supply them to external terminal devices.

[0004] Linear power distribution systems typically use linear power supply units housed in a casing to distribute or transmit energy or signals. These power supply units can be designed, for example, as current-carrying profiles or ribbon cables. The current-carrying profiles consist of a longitudinally extending base body with a number of chambers containing individual conductors. These profiles are generally rigid and have a limited length due to manufacturing constraints. Therefore, for longer power distribution systems, such as those used in larger factories or warehouses, several current-carrying profiles are usually required, which are then mechanically and electrically connected to each other via a connecting element.Even when using flat ribbon cables, connecting elements can be used, depending on the length of the flat ribbon cable.

[0005] Rigid round conductors are typically used as conductors, which are inserted or placed into the chambers. A contacting device with a number of contact elements, acting as taps, then engages these chambers and contacts the contact elements with the corresponding conductors, allowing the signals or power to be routed from the conductors to the end devices via the taps. Conversely, this also applies to corresponding power feeders.

[0006] For reliable, durable, and sufficient contact between the conductors and the contact elements, a secure mounting of the contacting device within the support profiles is essential. It must be taken into account that the contacting devices are sometimes only installed directly on-site, i.e., at the end customer's premises, and may need to be repositioned or replaced subsequently.

[0007] Fastening devices for contacting devices in linear power distribution arrangements are known in particular from German patent applications DE 10 2013 216 275 A1, DE 10 2019 109 676 A1, DE 20 2008 001 961 U1, and DE 20 2018 100 522 U1. A type of locking element for such power distribution arrangements is known from German patent application EP 2 105 658 A1.

[0008] The object of the invention is therefore to provide a particularly secure mounting for contact devices so that they can be easily mounted and, if necessary, also dismounted.

[0009] The problem is solved according to the invention by the characterizing features of the independent claims.

[0010] The problem stems from the consideration that conventional holding devices, which merely engage in an undercut of a support profile, do not provide sufficient hold, since tensile forces on the connected conductors or the weight of the components themselves can cause the holding clips to detach from the undercuts, potentially interrupting the electrical contact. To prevent this, the invention proposes locking the holding elements in position so that they can no longer be pushed or slid out of the undercuts. For this purpose, a locking element is provided that engages behind the holding clips, thus preventing any movement of the holding clips in the transverse direction, i.e., out of the undercuts.In order to enable easy assembly and disassembly, the locking element is also designed to be able to be moved between an open and a locked position in the contact direction, whereby only in the locked position is the movement of the retaining clips in the transverse direction in the area of ​​the undercut blocked.

[0011] In order to additionally prevent an unwanted or independent movement of the locking element from the locked position to the open position, the locking element advantageously latches behind a projection of the support profile after being moved into the locked position.

[0012] For a symmetrical arrangement and distribution of the holding forces, the holding device comprises two holding elements on each of two opposite sides of the contacting device, with a locking element arranged between the two holding elements on each side. To make it particularly easy to engage the holding elements while still allowing for displacement, the locking element is advantageously designed with a number of locking wings that project laterally from the locking element and engage behind the holding clips. When the locking element is moved, these locking wings are guided behind the holding clips and, in the locked position, lie in the area of ​​the undercut behind the holding clips.

[0013] For disassembly, it is necessary to return the locking element to the open position. To do this, the locking mechanism behind the second projection of the support profile must be released. To make this particularly easy, the locking element has a release mechanism that releases this locking element and then moves the locking element into the open position.

[0014] The advantages achieved with the invention consist in particular of the fact that the locking element provides double securing of the contacting device in a support profile. On the one hand, the support profile, in its locked position, prevents the retaining clips from falling out of the undercuts, and on the other hand, the locking element itself is fixed in the support profile in the locked position, thus preventing unwanted movement of the locking element into the open position.

[0015] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to a drawing. The drawing shows: Fig. 1 a contacting device in the disassembled state in isometric view, Fig. 2 a contacting device in the disassembled state in front view, Fig. 3 a retaining element, Fig. 4 a locking element, Fig. 5 a contacting device in a first step during insertion into a support profile, Fig. 6 a contacting device in a second step during insertion into a support profile, Fig. 7 a contacting device in a third step during insertion into a support profile, Fig. 8 a contacting device in the locked position in isometric view, Fig. 9 a fixed contacting device in a support profile.

[0016] Identical features are marked with the same reference symbols in all figures.

[0017] An embodiment of a contacting device 1 is shown in Figure 1 and in front view in Figure 2The contacting device 1 comprises a contacting housing 2 in which a number of contact assemblies 4 are arranged. The contact assemblies 4 are arranged one behind the other in the transverse direction Q and can be mounted individually or in combination within the contacting housing 2. The contact assemblies 4 comprise contact elements 6 that project from the contacting housing 2 of the contacting device 1 in the contacting direction K and can be contacted with conductors 8, for example, of a linear power supply unit. Furthermore, the contact assemblies 4 include connection devices on both sides for external conductors, which can be electrically connected to the conductors 8 of the linear power supply unit via the contact assemblies 4. For this purpose, the connection devices include longitudinally designed insertion openings 10 for receiving the external conductors.

[0018] The contacting device 1 comprises, in addition to the contacting housing 2, a holding device 12, which in the embodiment shown here is arranged laterally, in the transverse direction Q, i.e., in front of and behind the contact assemblies 4, and enables the contacting device 1 to be fixed in a corresponding receptacle, for example, in a support profile 14. The holding device 12 according to the embodiment of the Figure 1Each retaining clip 16 comprises two spaced-apart retaining clips 16 on each side. Each retaining clip 16 comprises a bottom section 18 that engages under the contacting device 1 and thus supports the contacting device 1, a middle section 20 that extends along the side surface of the contacting housing 1 from the underside to the top surface of the contacting housing 2 and, together with the opposite retaining clip 16 on the other opposite side surface, fixes the contacting device 1 in the transverse direction Q, and a fixing section 22 that extends from the middle section and extends above the contacting housing substantially in the contacting direction K.

[0019] This fixing section 22 is designed to engage in and lock into an undercut 24 of the receiving device, in particular a support profile 14. For this purpose, it has a retaining platform 26 that extends in the transverse direction Q and thus bends approximately perpendicularly from the extension of the central section 20. For improved and easier assembly of the contacting device 1, the fixing section 22 also has an insertion ramp 28 that projects from the retaining platform 26 at an angle of less than 90°, preferably at approximately 45°. This insertion ramp 28 allows the retaining platform 26 to be guided past a corresponding projection 30 of the support profile 1 when the contacting device 1 is inserted, and then to engage in the undercut 24 of the support profile 14 behind the projection 30. The retaining clip 16 is individually Figure 3 Shown again in a larger format.

[0020] The holding device 12 according to the embodiment shown in the Figure 1 and Figure 2 Furthermore, it also has a locking element 32 on each side, which, in the embodiment shown there, is arranged longitudinally L between the two retaining clips 16. The locking element 32 is designed such that it can be moved in the contact direction K between a first open position and a second locked position. In the embodiment according to Figure 1 and Figure 2The locking element 32 is shown in the open position. The locking element 32 comprises a base body 34, which extends essentially in the contact direction K, but tapers slightly in the transverse direction Q in the contact direction K. The thickness of the base body 34 in the transverse direction Q is therefore thinner at the upper end, i.e., the end which, in the installed state, faces the conductors 12 to be contacted, than at the lower end. This results in a support edge 36 being formed at the lower end of the base body. Also at the lower end of the base body 34, a release device 38 extends in the transverse direction Q, which is oriented such that it runs under the contact housing 2. In the upper region of the base body 34, the base body 34 comprises two locking wings 40, which project laterally from the base body 34 on both sides in the longitudinal direction L.Depending on their position, these locking wings 40 engage behind the fixing section 22 of the retaining clips 16.

[0021] The locking element 32 is shown in a single representation in Figure 4 This is shown again. A bulge in the base body 34 is clearly visible in the lower area, which produces the change in the thickness of the base body 34 described above. The base body 34 is hollow in this area, which causes it to act like a leaf spring in the lower area, which is compressed when moved from the open to the closed position, as described in more detail below. Also in Figure 4 The guide slot 42 of the locking element 32 is clearly visible, which enables a guided displacement of the locking element 32 within the limits set by the guide slot 42, i.e. from the open to the locked position.

[0022] An exemplary photograph of a contacting device in a support profile 14 is shown in Figure 5 The front view shows the following. The support profile 14 includes a linear current guide consisting of a comb-like current guide profile 44, with a conductor 8 inserted in each chamber. The contact assemblies 4 in the contacting device 1 are arranged side by side at a distance such that each contact assembly 4 is assigned a conductor 8 and thus each contact assembly 4 can contact a conductor 8. The contacting device 1 according to Figure 5 The component is not yet fixed in the support profile 14, but is in the process of being inserted into the support profile 14. Due to the insertion ramp 28, the holding platform 26 of the fixing section 22 of the retaining clips 16 has been guided past the projections 30 and is thereby deflected in the transverse direction Q towards the center of the contacting device 1.

[0023] In the presentation of the Figure 6 The fixing section 22 has now been completely guided past the projection 30, and the holding platform 26 snaps into the undercut 24 of the support profile 14. The contacting device 1 is already fully held by the holding device 12 at this point, as the holding platform 26 rests on the projection 30. The locking element 32 remains in the open position.

[0024] To prevent unintentional release of the contacting device 1, in particular to prevent the holding platform 26 from being pulled out of the undercut 24 of the support profile 14 by force, the locking element is pushed from the open position to the locked position, as shown in Figure 7This is illustrated. This occurs by pushing the locking element 32 upwards in the contact direction K towards the conductor 8. The locking effect is achieved in two ways. First, the locking wings 40 in the fixing section 22 are pushed into the area of ​​the holding platform 26, so that the holding platform 26 can no longer move laterally Q, even under force, because the locking wings 40 block this movement. Furthermore, the slightly curved locking element 32 snaps behind a second projection 48 of the support profile 14, so that the support edge 36 of the locking element 32 lies behind this projection 48 and is supported on it. The area of ​​the lower base body 34 has the form and function of a leaf spring, which is compressed when the locking element 32 passes the second projection 48 of the support profile 14 and then returns to its curved shape to form a support edge 36 for the locking element 32.The flexibility required for the snap-fit ​​mechanism is provided in part by the support profile 14 and the locking element 32 themselves. The contacting element 1 is thus now doubly fixed, namely at the top and bottom of the support profile 14.

[0025] In the exemplary embodiment, a contacting element 1 with a locking element 32 in the locked position is shown. Figure 8 shown again without the support profile 14. The locking wings 40 are clearly visible; these engage behind the retaining clips 16 in the area of ​​the holding platform 26 and prevent lateral movement towards the center of the contacting device 1.

[0026] In the exemplary embodiment according to the Figure 9The contacting element 1 with a locking element 32 in the locked position is shown from below to illustrate the release device 38. The release device 38 includes a release eyelet 50 and, with the aid of an external tool engaging the release eyelet 50, allows the release device 38 to be pushed in the transverse direction Q towards the center of the contacting element 1. The release device 38 is positioned centrally in the longitudinal direction L so that it engages directly on the lower area of ​​the base body 34, which is designed as a leaf spring, and can guide the leaf spring, and thus the entire base body 34, past the second projection 48 of the support profile. This pulls the locking element 32 out of the projection 48 of the support profile 14 in the area of ​​the support edge 36 and releases it, so that in the next step the locking element 32 can be moved from the locked position to the open position.This also releases the holding platforms 26. This allows the contacting device 1 to be detached from the support profile 14. Reference symbol list

[0027] 1 Contacting device 2 Contacting housing 4 Contact assemblies 6 Contact element 8 Conductor 10 Insertion opening 12 Holding device 14 Support profile 16 Holding clip 18 Bottom section 20 Middle section 22 Fixing section 24 Undercut 26 Holding platform 28 Insertion chamfer 30 First projection 32 Locking element 34 Base body 36 Support edge 38 Release device 40 Locking wing 42 Guide slot 44 Current conduction profile 48 Second projection 50 Release eyelet Q transverse direction L longitudinal direction K contact direction

Claims

1. A method for fastening a contacting device (1) in a support profile (14), wherein the contacting device (1) comprises a holding device (12) which has a number of retaining clips (16), wherein during the insertion of the contacting device (1) the retaining clips (16) are guided past dedicated undercuts (24) of the support profile (14) and subsequently engage behind said undercuts, characterized in that the holding device (12) is arranged on two opposing sides of the contacting device (1) and has on each side two respective retaining clips (16) and the holding device (12) has on each side at least one blocking element (32) which is arranged between the respective retaining clips (16) and which can be displaced between an open position and a blocked position, and wherein during the insertion of the contacting device (1) the blocking element (32) is in the open position and after the insertion is pushed into the blocked position in order to prevent a release of the retaining clips (16) from the undercut (24).

2. The method according to Claim 1, characterized in that when displaced into the blocked position the blocking element (32) is latched behind a projection of the support profile (14) so that it is fixed in the blocked position.

3. A contacting device (1) for use in a support profile (14), wherein the contacting device (1) has a holding device (12) with a number of retaining clips (16) which engage behind an undercut (24) of the support profile (14), characterized in that the holding device (12) comprises a blocking element (32) which is arranged so as to be displaceable between an open position and a blocked position and wherein the blocking element (32) in the blocked position engages behind the retaining clips (16) in the region of the undercut (24), wherein the holding device (12) is arranged on two opposing sides of the contacting device (1) and has on each side two respective retaining clips (16) with a blocking element (32) arranged therebetween.

4. The contacting device (1) according to Claim 3, characterized in that the blocking element (32) comprises a number of blocking wings (40) which protrude laterally from the blocking element (32) and engage behind the retaining clips (32) in the blocked position.

5. The contacting device (1) according to one of Claims 3 or 4, characterized in that the blocking element (32) has a release device (38), the blocking element (32) being able to be displaced thereby out of the blocked position into the open position in cooperation with an external tool.

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