Magazine for keeping electrical add-on components

Abstract

A magazine for keeping electrical add-on components (9A – 9N) which can be mounted on a carrying rail, the magazine having a holding rail (3), wherein the holding rail (3) has a fin (31), which runs in a running direction, V, of the holding rail (3) and comprises collar elements (33A, 33B) lying opposite one another, as seen in the running direction, V, on the sides of the fin (31), for connecting to a holding geometry (51) of the electrical add-on components (9A – 9N); and having a mount (5), which can be arranged on a holding means (7), wherein the holding rail (3) and the mount (5) have respectively corresponding coupling elements (11A, 11B), for releasably connecting the holding rail (3) to the mount (5). The invention also proposes an arrangement for keeping electrical add-on components (9A- 9N) that can be mounted on a carrying rail.

Description

[0001] Magazine for storing electrical attachments

[0002] The invention relates to a magazine for storing electrical attachments mountable on a support rail according to the preamble of claim 1. Furthermore, the invention relates to an arrangement comprising a support rail and a magazine.

[0003] Means for storing electrical components in control cabinets, machine tools, and plant engineering are well known. When equipping a mounting rail, which can also be referred to as a top-hat rail or profile rail, and is designed for mounting electrical components in distribution boxes, the required electrical components are often removed from packaging, such as a box, bag, or bulk container, and arranged on the mounting rail. The electrical components, such as terminal blocks, are manually pushed onto the side of the mounting rail by a worker, or plugged in and locked into place.

[0004] The electrical components are in a disorganized state at the time of removal, requiring the worker or installer to perform sorting in addition to the assembly work. The resulting time expenditure leads to significant delays in the assembly process.

[0005] Magazines for storing electrical attachments for automated assembly are already known from the prior art, as described, for example, in DE 10 2010 047 369 A1 and WO 2010 / 057768 A1. However, no solution exists for storing electrical attachments with different geometries to enable a worker to remove the electrical attachments in the correct position for subsequent manual assembly.

[0006] The object of the present invention is to provide a magazine for storing electrical attachments which can be arranged in a manual workstation, ergonomically within the worker's working area, is easy to change, holds electrical attachments with different geometries in the correct position and enables easy individual removal of the electrical attachments.

[0007] This object is achieved by an object having the features of claim 1. Accordingly, the magazine for storing electrical attachments mountable on a support rail comprises: a holding rail, wherein the holding rail has a web extending in a direction of extension of the holding rail with collar elements opposite in the direction of extension on the sides of the web, for connection to a holding geometry of the electrical attachments; and a holder, which can be arranged on a holding means, wherein the holding rail and the holder each have corresponding coupling elements, for releasably connecting the holding rail to the holder.

[0008] The term "support rail" refers to a support made of a sheet metal or plastic profile used in electrical engineering for mounting electrical components in distribution boxes, control cabinets, junction boxes, etc. The support rail can, for example, be a rail type according to the standard DIN EN 60715:2018-07. The term "electrical components" refers to electrical equipment such as terminal blocks, relays, fuse holders, end clamps, etc.

[0009] The retaining rail can be designed similarly to the mounting rail and have a geometry that is at least substantially complementary to the mounting geometry of the electrical attachments, allowing the electrical attachments to be placed on the retaining rail. For example, the geometry of the retaining rail can differ from a standardized mounting rail in that the collar elements of the retaining rail are slightly smaller, for example, 1% to 5% smaller than similar collar elements of the mounting rail.

[0010] Furthermore, the magazine has a holder which can be arranged on a holding means, wherein the holding rail and the holder each have corresponding coupling elements for releasably connecting the holding rail to the holder.

[0011] The holder can also be referred to as a holding block or holding element and can be designed as a separate component. Accordingly, the magazine can be designed in two parts in some examples. The corresponding coupling elements can be engaged with each other to enable a releasable mechanical connection between the holder and the holding rail. For example, the coupling elements can be engaged with each other by means of a sliding and / or rotating movement and can lock together directly or indirectly in a locked position.

[0012] On one side of the holder that is opposite the side with the coupling element or is arranged at an angle to the side with the coupling element, the holder can have a holding geometry for arrangement on the holding means.

[0013] The described magazine advantageously offers a cost-effective and flexible solution for storing electrical attachments. Furthermore, a plurality of the magazines described herein can be arranged at a worker's workstation, each of which can hold different electrical attachments in the correct position for easy removal and quick assembly.

[0014] In one example, the holding means comprises the support rail, a further support rail or a rail-shaped element for arranging the holder on the holding means.

[0015] For example, the holding device can have a holding geometry for arranging the bracket on the mounting rail. For example, the holding geometry can be identical or similar to the holding geometry of the electrical components. This advantageously allows the holding device to be arranged flexibly and directly on the mounting rail to be assembled, thus allowing the operator to move quickly.

[0016] Alternatively, the holding means can also be designed to be arranged on differently designed rail-shaped elements. For example, a rail-shaped element can be curved and extend around the worker within the work area for improved ergonomics.

[0017] In one example, at least one of the collar elements has a chamfer extending in the direction of travel.

[0018] The term "chamfer" can be understood as a beveled surface. The beveled surface of the collar element can be beveled in the direction of a holding geometry of the electrical attachments, which surrounds the collar element at least in part or engages behind it when the electrical attachment is arranged on the holding rail. Advantageously, by applying a chamfer to the collar elements, the

[0019] Removing the electrical attachments from the support rail can be made easier.

[0020] In one example, the retaining rail is adapted to allow at least some of the electrical attachments to slide on the retaining rail.

[0021] For this purpose, the width of one or both collar elements of the support rail can be smaller, for example, 1% - 5% smaller than the width of the collar elements of a standardized support rail on which the electrical attachments are intended to be mounted. At the same time, however, the width can still be sufficient to prevent the electrical attachments from accidentally falling off the support rail. Alternatively or additionally, the width of the web can also be smaller than the width of the web of a standardized support rail to allow the electrical attachments to slide on the support rail.

[0022] Advantageously, by means of such an adapted collar element / adapted collar elements, the electrical attachments can be easily pulled upwards and slide along the retaining rail and at least partially transversely to the direction of travel, for example, automatically slide when an electrical attachment has been removed from the retaining rail.

[0023] In one example, the support rail has at least one stop element arranged at an end region of the support rail.

[0024] The stop element can be firmly connected to the web of the support rail at the end region of the support rail and can have a contour that advantageously prevents the electrical attachments arranged on the support rail from sliding past.

[0025] In one example, the corresponding coupling element of the retaining rail is arranged on a region of the stop element.

[0026] For example, the stop element can have a T-shaped contour on the underside to allow the retaining rail to be pushed into a correspondingly designed coupling element of the holder. Alternatively, the coupling elements can also be designed differently, for example, as corresponding coupling elements of another plug-in or bayonet connection. This advantageously allows the retaining rail to be easily and quickly inserted into the holder and removed from the holder again. This allows empty retaining rails to be quickly replaced with retaining rails equipped with electrical components.

[0027] In one example, the magazine has a further stop element which is arranged at an end region of the holding rail opposite the end region.

[0028] The further stop element can be designed in a similar way to the stop element and, in one example, can also have a coupling element that corresponds to the same type as the stop element.

[0029] The electrical attachments can be arranged on the support rail between the stop elements at the end sections and can move between the stop elements on the support rail. The stop elements advantageously prevent one or more electrical attachments from slipping off the support rail during transport.

[0030] In one example, the holder is adapted to hold the retaining rail with a gradient, in particular with a gradient of greater than 5°, relative to the holding means.

[0031] Advantageously, the retaining rail can be held with a slight gradient or with a slight inclination in order to allow the electrical attachments to slide down after an electrical attachment has been removed from the retaining rail.

[0032] In one example, the corresponding coupling elements comprise coupling elements of a plug connection or a bayonet connection.

[0033] Advantageously, such a connection allows the retaining rail to be quickly and securely connected to the bracket and then disconnected again. Such coupling elements ensure the simple and quick exchange of the retaining rail, empty for full.

[0034] In one example, the holder is adapted to hold the retaining rail at an angle, in particular at a 90° angle, relative to the holding means. This advantageously allows multiple magazines to be held side by side on a holding means designed, for example, as a support rail.

[0035] In one example, the magazine has a sliding element, in particular a sliding element designed at least in regions as a roller, wherein the sliding element is adapted to be displaceable on the web of the holding rail and having a holding structure for engaging behind the collar elements.

[0036] The term "sliding element" can be understood as a movable weight that is arranged on the retaining rail so that it can be moved along the running direction. For example, the sliding element can be arranged with a spring load at one end of the retaining rail and press the electrical attachments towards the opposite end with a spring force, in order to advantageously ensure that the remaining electrical attachments arranged on the retaining rail slide down when an electrical attachment is removed. Alternatively, the sliding element can also be arranged on the retaining rail without a spring and, for example, ensure that the electrical attachments slide down solely through its own weight, for example when the retaining rail is arranged with a gradient.

[0037] Furthermore, the invention relates to an arrangement for storing electrical attachments mountable on a support rail, comprising: a holding means; and a magazine according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a holder of the magazine is arranged on the holding means.

[0038] For example, the holding means may comprise the support rail, another support rail or a rail-shaped element for arranging the holder on the holding means.

[0039] In one example, the arrangement may also comprise a further holding means and a further magazine for arranging the further holding means and the further magazine on the same holding means on which the support rail and the magazine are already arranged.

[0040] In one example, the assembly comprises a plurality of electrical attachments, with at least one of the electrical attachments being configured as a terminal block, relay, fuse holder, and / or end clamp. The concept underlying the invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to the embodiments illustrated in the figures. They show:

[0041] Figures 1A, 1B are schematic views of a magazine with a holding rail shown separately from a holder and a holding rail connected to the holder;

[0042] Figure 2 is a schematic side view of an end region of a

[0043] Magazine with a stop element arranged on a holding rail; and

[0044] Figure 3 is a schematic representation of a magazine with

[0045] Stop elements arranged at opposite end areas.

[0046] Figure 1A shows a schematic view of a magazine 1 with a holding rail 3 shown separately from a holder 5.

[0047] The holding rail 3 shown has a web 31 running in a direction V of the holding rail 3 with collar elements (shown in Figure 2) on the sides of the web 31, which are opposite in the direction of travel, for connecting to a holding geometry of the electrical attachments 9A - 9N, which in the illustrated embodiment are shown as terminal blocks.

[0048] Furthermore, Figure 1A shows a holder 5 which is arranged on a holding means 7 shown as a support rail. The holding rail 3 shown and the holder 5 each have corresponding coupling elements 11A, 11B for releasably connecting the holding rail 3 to the holder 5. As shown in Figure 1A, the coupling elements 11A, 11B can be engaged with one another by means of a sliding movement in the direction of travel V. On one side of the holder 5, which is opposite the side with the coupling element 11B, the holder has a holding geometry 51 for arrangement on the holding means 7. In the plugged-on state, which is shown in Figure 1B, the holding rail 3 is held at a 90° angle relative to the holding means 7.Furthermore, the holder 5 shown is adapted to hold the holding rail 3 with a gradient of greater than 5° relative to the holding means 7 in order to thereby enable the electrical attachments 9A - 9N to slide after an electrical attachment 9A has been removed from the holding rail 3.

[0049] The coupling element 11A of the illustrated support rail 3, depicted as a T-junction, is arranged in the illustrated embodiment on a stop element 35A at the end region of the support rail 3. The stop element 35A is firmly connected to the web 31 of the support rail 3 at the end region of the support rail 3 and has an outer contour that advantageously prevents the electrical attachments 9A-9N arranged on the support rail 3 from sliding past.

[0050] Furthermore, the magazine 1 shown has a sliding element 13 which is arranged displaceably on the web 31 along the direction of travel V in order to press the electrical attachments 9A - 9N towards the end region.

[0051] Figure 2 shows a schematic side view of the end region of the magazine 1 already shown in Figures 1A and 1B with the stop element 35A arranged on the holding rail 3.

[0052] As shown, the holding rail 3 has a geometry that is at least substantially complementary to the holding geometry 51 shown of the electrical attachment 9A shown, for placing and holding the electrical attachment 9A on the holding rail 3.

[0053] Furthermore, in the view shown in Figure 2, the web 31 is shown with collar elements 33A, 33B located opposite one another in the direction of travel on the sides of the web 31. The geometry of the illustrated support rail 3 differs from a standardized support rail in that the width of the collar elements 33A, 33B of the support rail 3 is slightly smaller than the width of similar collar elements of the standardized support rail in order to allow the electrical attachment 9A to slide on the support rail 3.

[0054] In the embodiment shown, the collar elements 33A, 33B have a chamfer 331A, 331B extending in the direction of travel. The resulting beveled surface on the collar elements 33A, 33B is beveled in the direction of the holding geometry 51 of the electrical attachment 9A, which partially surrounds the collar elements 33A, 33B or engages behind them when the electrical attachment 9A is arranged on the holding rail 3, as shown in Figure 2. Figure 3 shows a schematic representation of a magazine 1 with stop elements 35A, 35B arranged at opposite end regions of the holding rail 3.

[0055] The additional stop element 35B shown is designed similarly to the stop element 35A. As shown, the electrical attachments 9A-9N are movably arranged on the support rail 3 between the stop elements 35A, 35B. The sliding element 7 pushes the electrical attachments 9A-9N toward the stop element 35A.

[0056] List of reference symbols

[0057] magazine

[0058] 3 Holding rail 31 Web

[0059] 33A, 33B collar element

[0060] 331 A, 331 B Chamfer 35A, 35B Stop element 5 Bracket 51 Holding geometry

[0061] 7 Holding devices

[0062] 9A - 9N electrical attachment

[0063] 11A, 11 B Coupling element V Direction of travel

Claims

Patent claims 1. Magazine for storing electrical attachments (9A - 9N) mountable on a support rail, characterized by a holding rail (3), wherein the holding rail (3) has a web (31) running in a direction of extension, V, of the holding rail (3) with collar elements (33A, 33B) on the sides of the web (31) opposite in the direction of extension, V, for connecting to a holding geometry (51) of the electrical attachments (9A - 9N); and a holder (5) arrangeable on a holding means (7), wherein the holding rail (3) and the holder (5) each have corresponding coupling elements (11A, 11B) for detachably connecting the holding rail (3) to the holder (5).

2. Magazine according to claim 1, characterized in that the holding means (7) comprises the support rail, a further support rail or a rail-shaped element for arranging the holder (5) on the holding means (7).

3. Magazine according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that at least one of the collar elements (33A, 33B) has a chamfer (331 A, 331 B) extending in the direction of extension, V.

4. Magazine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the holding rail (3) is adapted to allow at least partial sliding of the electrical attachments (9A - 9N) on the holding rail (3).

5. Magazine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the holding rail (3) has at least one stop element (35A) arranged at an end region of the holding rail.

6. Magazine according to claim 5, characterized in that the corresponding coupling element (11A) of the holding rail (3) is arranged on a region of the stop element (35A).

7. Magazine according to one of claims 5 or 6, characterized by a further stop element (35B) arranged on an end region of the holding rail (3) opposite the end region. Magazine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the holder (5) is adapted to hold the holding rail (3) at an incline, in particular with an incline of greater than 5°, relative to the holding means (7). Magazine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the corresponding coupling elements (11 A, 11 B) have coupling elements of a plug-in connection or a bayonet connection. Magazine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the holder (5) is adapted to hold the holding rail (3) at an angle, in particular at a 90° angle, relative to the holding means (7).Magazine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by a sliding element (13), in particular a sliding element (13) designed at least partially as a roller, adapted to be displaceable on the web (31) of the holding rail (3) and having a holding structure for engaging behind the collar elements (33A, 33B). Arrangement for storing electrical attachments (9A - 9N) mountable on a support rail, comprising: a holding means (7); and a magazine (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a holder (5) of the magazine is arranged on the holding means (7). Arrangement according to claim 12, characterized by a plurality of electrical attachments (9A - 9N), wherein at least one of the electrical attachments (9A - 9N) is designed as a terminal block, relay, fuse holder, and / or end holder.

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