Connector and supply component and lighting assembly with such a connector and / or supply component

Abstract

The invention relates to a connector (1; 101; 201; 301) which, with a respective connector section (2, 3; 102-105; 202, 203; 302-304), can be inserted into rail sections (901-903) of a lighting system. The rail sections are each provided with a conductor arrangement (950) for supplying lighting devices (990) with at least electrical operating current. The connector is designed to electrically couple the conductor arrangements of at least two of the rail sections to one another. The connector has a printed circuit board (19; 119, 120; 219; 319) with conductor tracks (22; 122, 123; 222; 322), and the connector has contact elements (61-64, 71-74; 161-164, 171-174, 165-168, 175-178; 261-264, 271-274; 361-366, 371-376), each of which is firmly connected to the printed circuit board and is designed to contact a conductor (951-954) of one of the conductor arrangements.The connector enables electrical coupling of corresponding conductors of the conductor arrangements by means of electrical coupling of associated contact elements using at least one of the conductor tracks. The invention further relates to a feed component (401) and lighting arrangements (1000, 2000).

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The invention relates to the field of lighting systems formed with rail sections. The invention relates to a connector and a feed component for use in a lighting system. Furthermore, the invention relates to a lighting arrangement comprising at least one such connector and / or at least one such feed component. TECHNICAL BACKGROUND

[0002] Lighting systems with channels or tracks and with lighting units that can be coupled to the channels or tracks are already known. The channels or tracks are often equipped with power rails with electrical conductors that supply the lighting units. Such lighting systems have a wide range of applications and enable flexible, attractive lighting.

[0003] It has also already been described how to electrically couple busbar sections of successive sections of the channel or rail by means of a connector.

[0004] A lighting system with a channel for accommodating at least one lighting unit and with at least one connector that can be inserted into the channel and by means of which busbar sections can be electrically coupled to one another is described in DE 10 2016 225 199 A1. The connector has movable snap-in elements for engaging behind longitudinal ribs in the interior of the channel. DE 10 2016 225 199 A1 further describes a power feed unit for feeding electrical current into the busbar of the channel.

[0005] In conventional lighting systems, connector components for electrically connecting two track sections often use internal cabling using individual cables or wires. This type of design therefore involves a large number of individual conductive connections, the implementation of which requires a relatively high level of effort to ensure the desired reliability. Furthermore, a relatively large amount of installation space is required within the housing of conventional connector components with internal cabling. On the one hand, sufficient space must be provided within the housing to accommodate the cabling; on the other hand, conventional connectors also require a relatively large minimum height, for example, to ensure that the tolerance range of the wires or cables can be maintained when bending.

[0006] Although known lighting systems are already very attractive, flexible, and reliable, it would nevertheless be desirable to have an alternative design that enables high reliability in connecting track sections and / or feeding electrical power and / or signals into them, relatively simply and preferably at the same or lower cost. Furthermore, it would be desirable to have a more compact design that enables the connection of track sections and / or such feeding. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] Against this background, it is an object of the invention to provide an improved way of connecting two rail sections of a lighting system and / or of feeding electrical energy and / or signals into such a rail section.

[0008] According to the invention, this object is achieved by a connector having the features of claim 1 and / or by a feed component having the features of claim 15 and / or by a lighting arrangement having the features of claim 16 and / or by a lighting arrangement having the features of claim 17.

[0009] Accordingly, a connector is proposed, each of which can be inserted into rail sections of a lighting system by means of a connector section thereof. The rail sections are each provided with a conductor arrangement for supplying lighting devices that can be coupled to the rail sections with at least electrical operating current. The connector is designed to electrically couple the conductor arrangements of at least two of the rail sections to one another. The connector comprises a printed circuit board with conductor tracks, and the connector comprises contact elements, each of which is firmly connected to the printed circuit board and designed to contact a conductor of one of the conductor arrangements of the at least two rail sections.According to the invention, the connector enables electrical coupling of mutually corresponding conductors of the conductor arrangements of the at least two rail sections by means of electrical coupling of mutually associated contact elements using at least one of the conductor tracks.

[0010] Furthermore, the invention proposes a feed component that can be inserted into at least one rail section of a lighting system. The rail section is provided with a conductor arrangement for supplying lighting devices that can be coupled to the rail section with at least electrical operating current. The feed component is designed to supply the conductor arrangement of the rail section with at least the electrical operating current. The feed component has a printed circuit board with conductor tracks. Furthermore, the feed component has contact elements, each of which is firmly connected to the printed circuit board and is designed to contact a respective conductor of the conductor arrangement of the rail section.According to the invention, the feed component enables electrical coupling of conductors of the conductor arrangement of the rail section with these corresponding conductors of a supply line using at least one of the conductor tracks.

[0011] According to the invention, a lighting arrangement is further provided with at least two rail sections, at least one connector according to the invention, and at least one lighting device. The rail sections are each provided with a conductor arrangement. The lighting device is coupled to one of the rail sections and can be supplied with at least electrical operating current through its conductor arrangement. The connector is inserted into the rail sections with a respective connector section thereof and electrically couples the conductor arrangements of the rail sections to one another.

[0012] Furthermore, the invention provides a lighting arrangement comprising at least one rail section, at least one feed component according to the invention, and at least one lighting device. The rail section is provided with a conductor arrangement, and the lighting device is coupled to the rail section and can be supplied with at least electrical operating current through its conductor arrangement. The feed component is inserted into the rail section and supplies the conductor arrangement of the rail section with at least the electrical operating current.

[0013] One idea underlying the invention is to make the connector internally wireless, in that electrical current, or, for example, electrical current and a control signal, can be transmitted via the conductor track(s) of a circuit board or printed circuit board from one rail section to the next at the connection point. In this way, it is possible to avoid arranging, attaching, and contacting cables or wires, for example in a flexible design, within the connector. The circuit board or printed circuit board itself can be of a type selected from a plurality of types of printed circuit boards known as such to those skilled in the art.

[0014] Another idea underlying the invention is to provide a feed-in option in an analogous manner which largely avoids internal cabling in a feed-in component.

[0015] The use of the circuit board and its conductor track(s) for electrically connecting the track sections or for the power supply enables further increased reliability of the lighting system. Loose cables or wires are prevented. The circuit board, with its secure connection of the contact elements, can be manufactured cost-effectively, with high precision, and in an automated manner. Furthermore, the connector and the power supply component can be easily assembled.

[0016] The printed circuit board (PCB), for example, can also be installed in a space-saving manner. This eliminates the need for space to accommodate cables or individually insulated wires, taking into account their tolerance ranges, such as their minimum bending radii. This allows the connector to be advantageously designed to be compact and space-saving. This also enables a compact and space-saving power supply component.

[0017] Advantageous embodiments and further developments of the invention emerge from the further subclaims and from the description with reference to the figures.

[0018] In one embodiment, the contact elements are designed to be elastically springy. This enables reliable contact. This ensures, in particular, that the contact elements contact the associated conductor with a defined and sufficient force, while the connector is easy to handle and can be inserted into the rail sections without excessive force.

[0019] According to one embodiment, the connector has a housing part. In this case, the contact elements each rest, in the absence of an external force acting on the contact element, against a region of the housing part in a resiliently preloaded manner. In this way, the contact elements can each assume a clearly defined position without a sufficient externally applied force, for example, when not inserted into the rail sections. This can, in particular, prevent the contact elements from protruding excessively from the connector. This advantageously facilitates insertion and prevents damage to areas of the rail sections visible to the observer, such as scratching.

[0020] In particular, in one refinement, the printed circuit board is housed in an interior area of ​​the housing part. This allows the printed circuit board to be well protected and secured, and furthermore, unwanted access to the printed circuit board and its conductor tracks can be prevented. In particular, by utilizing the printed circuit board and its conductor tracks instead of a bulky design with cables or wires for internal electrical connection, a housing of the connector formed with the housing part can be constructed in a compact and space-saving manner.

[0021] According to a further development, the contact elements are each formed with a contact section which, in the absence of an external force acting on the contact element, rests against the inside of the housing part in a resiliently preloaded manner. This reliably ensures the defined position of the contact elements, in which no or insufficient external, particularly mechanical, force acts on them, while being protected by the housing part.

[0022] In one embodiment, the housing part has side walls each provided with recesses. The contact elements and the recesses are arranged and configured such that a contacting section of one of the contact elements, intended for contacting a conductor, protrudes outward through the recesses. This provides good protection for current- and / or signal-carrying electrically conductive components inside the housing part and, at the same time, enables contacting of the conductors of the conductor arrangements of the rail sections.

[0023] According to a further development, in the absence of an external force acting on the contact element, the contact elements rest in a resiliently preloaded manner against the inside of the side wall in an edge region of the recess assigned to the contact element. This makes it easy to maintain the defined position of the contact elements in the absence of a sufficient external force.

[0024] According to one embodiment, the side walls adjoin a base of the housing part, with the circuit board being arranged substantially parallel to the base. In particular, the side walls, together with the base and other walls of the housing part, form a box-like shape. In this way, a connector can be created that can be inserted into the rail sections in a space-saving manner, for example into channel-like rail sections. Furthermore, with such an arrangement of the circuit board, for example, contact can be achieved in a simple, space-saving manner with conductors arranged on the rail sections to the side of the inserted connector. For example, a circuit board populated on one side, in particular with the contact elements, can be used for such contacting with the circuit board aligned substantially parallel to the base.

[0025] In one embodiment, the side walls are further configured with locking devices for locking the connector into the rail sections. The connector can thus be easily installed in the rail sections and removed again as needed. The locking devices act to mechanically hold the connector in place in a manner that is independent of any force applied by the contact elements. The contact elements can thus be specifically adapted to the contacting requirements, whereas the locking devices are designed for mechanical retention.

[0026] For example, the locking devices can each be formed with an elastically retracting section of the side wall. This allows for the formation of locking devices in a simple, cost-effective manner.

[0027] According to one embodiment, the connector is designed with an I-shaped basic shape, with the connector sections being formed as free, mutually aligned end regions of the connector. Such a connector enables the coupling of two parallel, mutually aligned rail sections, for example, to construct a long, straight rail.

[0028] In another embodiment, the connector is configured with an X-shaped basic shape, an L-shaped basic shape, or a T-shaped basic shape, with the connector sections being formed as arm-like extending regions of the connector. Such connectors enable arrangements of rail sections that include intersections, corners, and / or branches. Thus, rail systems for lighting purposes can be realized with a wide variety of different arrangements of the rail sections.

[0029] In yet another embodiment, the connector can be configured with a Y-like basic shape or a star-like basic shape, wherein the connector sections are formed as arm-like extending regions of the connector. When the connector is configured with a star-like basic shape, the number of connector sections is in particular greater than four, and can be, for example, five or six. Even further appealing and useful arrangements of the rail sections can be implemented in this way.

[0030] In one embodiment, the connector is designed with an X-shaped basic shape, wherein the connector sections are designed as arm-like extending regions of the connector. According to this embodiment, the connector has two printed circuit boards, each with a substantially L-shaped basic shape, a number of the contact elements are arranged on one of the two printed circuit boards, two of the connector sections are assigned to one of the two printed circuit boards, and the two printed circuit boards are arranged such that apex regions of the substantially L-shaped basic shape thereof are adjacent to one another. This makes it easy to equip the connector with an arrangement of two printed circuit boards adapted to the X-shaped basic shape.In particular, an electrical connection across a separation point between the two circuit boards formed with a substantially L-shaped basic shape, which is located in the area where the apex regions of the basic shapes are adjacent to one another, is not provided. This considerably simplifies the construction of the connector with an X-shaped basic shape and avoids the use of flexible cables or wires. At the same time, by utilizing the conductor tracks of the two circuit boards, the electrical coupling of the conductors of the conductor arrangements of two rail sections arranged in pairs at an angle to one another, in particular substantially at right angles to one another, is enabled. This allows a variety of lighting systems with a wide variety of shapes to be designed.

[0031] In another embodiment, it can be provided that the connector is designed with an X-like basic shape, the connector sections are designed as arm-like extending regions of the connector, and the circuit board of the connector has a substantially X-like basic shape. With such a configuration, an electrical coupling of the conductors of the conductor arrangements of all the rail sections into which the connector with the connector sections is inserted can be enabled by means of the conductor tracks, or instead the electrical coupling of the conductors of the conductor arrangements of two rail sections arranged in pairs at an angle to one another, in particular substantially at right angles to one another, can be enabled.In yet another embodiment, the connector may be configured with a star-like basic shape, the connector sections are configured as arm-like extending regions of the connector, and the circuit board of the connector has a substantially star-like basic shape. In such a configuration, the conductor arrangements of all or some of the rail sections, for example, in pairs of two rail sections arranged at an angle of, in particular, less than 90 degrees to one another, can be electrically coupled by means of the conductor tracks.

[0032] In one embodiment, the connector sections are each elongated. This allows for space-saving, slim connector sections, which can be used to contact a plurality of conductors of the conductor arrangement of each of the rail sections.

[0033] In a further embodiment, the connector sections are formed with a substantially quadrangular cross-sectional shape, in particular an elongated cuboid. Such a cross-sectional shape is well suited, for example, for use in channel-like rail sections.

[0034] The connector sections can, for example, each extend substantially rectilinearly along a longitudinal direction of the rail. The connector sections can be inserted into rail sections that are rectilinear overall or at least in their end regions.

[0035] In alternative embodiments, the connector sections can instead each have a curved or bent shape along their longitudinal extent, for example, each following a circular arc section. In embodiments with one or more curved or bent connector sections, the region of the circuit board associated with the connector section and the rail section into which the connector section can be inserted are also curved or bent.

[0036] Combinations of straight and curved or bent connector sections of the connector are also possible in further designs.

[0037] In one embodiment, the contact elements of the connector comprise contact elements which are each designed to contact conductors for providing an operating DC voltage for the lighting devices, in particular an operating DC voltage of substantially 48 volts.

[0038] In a further embodiment, the conductor arrangement with which the rail sections are each provided is further configured to provide a control signal for controlling one or more of the lighting devices that can be coupled to the rail sections. This enables flexible and versatile operation of the lighting devices.

[0039] In a further development, the contact elements of the connector comprise contact elements each designed to contact conductors for providing the control signal, in particular a DALI signal. In this way, a control signal available in one rail section can also be provided in one or more additional rail sections.

[0040] According to a further development, at least four of the contact elements are arranged in each of the connector sections, wherein of the at least four contact elements, at least two contact elements are provided for contacting the conductors to provide the operating DC voltage and at least two contact elements are provided for contacting the conductors to provide the control signal.

[0041] According to one embodiment, the contact elements are each soldered to the circuit board. The attachment and contacting of the contact elements on the circuit board using a soldering process can be carried out in a simple and automated manner. Such a soldered connection is also reliable.

[0042] In one embodiment, the contact elements are each formed with a fastening section for the fixed connection to the circuit board and a cranked, resilient intermediate section following the fastening section. This makes it possible to design the contact elements resiliently and, at the same time, to use the cranked shape of the intermediate section to contact conductors of the conductor arrangements arranged at different heights relative to the circuit board using contact elements arranged on the same circuit board.

[0043] In a further development, the circuit board is formed with elongated circuit board sections, each of which is assigned to one of the connector sections and extends into the respective associated connector section. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the circuit board section has a cutout at one edge thereof for accommodating an associated contact element in a particular region. This allows for efficient utilization of the space within the connector section, and the cutout also contributes to a space-saving design of the connector in a transverse direction.

[0044] In one embodiment, a direction along which the contact elements can each resiliently retract upon insertion of the connector into the rail sections runs substantially transversely to a longitudinal direction of the connector section in which the contact element is arranged and substantially parallel to a main extension surface of the circuit board. Such a connector may, for example, be well suited for contacting conductors arranged laterally in the rail sections using the contact elements.

[0045] The lighting arrangement according to the invention, which comprises the connector according to the invention, can furthermore additionally contain, in one embodiment, the feed component according to the invention for feeding the conductor arrangement of one of the rail sections.

[0046] The embodiments and further developments of the invention outlined above are applicable analogously to the connector and the feed component as well as to the lighting arrangements comprising the connector and / or the feed component. The feed component is preferably designed for insertion into only one of the rail sections, in particular with an I-shaped basic form, and more preferably, particularly with regard to the housing parts, the circuit board, and the arrangement of the contact elements, is designed like one of the connector sections described above. In a preferred embodiment, the feed component has four contact elements, two of which are provided for contacting the conductors to provide the operating DC voltage, and two of which are provided for contacting the conductors to provide the control signal.

[0047] However, it is also conceivable to design the connector proposed according to the invention, which can be used in two or more rail sections, in further exemplary variants with an additional feed function which corresponds to the feed function of the feed component.

[0048] The above embodiments and developments can be combined with one another as desired, where appropriate. Further possible embodiments, developments, and implementations of the invention also include combinations of features of the invention described above or below with reference to the exemplary embodiments that were not explicitly mentioned. In particular, those skilled in the art will also add individual aspects as improvements or additions to the respective basic form of the present invention. TABLE OF CONTENTS OF THE DRAWING

[0049] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the exemplary embodiments shown in the figures of the drawings. In the drawings: Fig. 1 shows a connector with an I-shaped basic shape according to a first embodiment, in a perspective exploded view, with a box-like housing part, a printed circuit board with contact elements arranged thereon and a cover-like housing part; Fig. 2 shows the connector of the Fig. 1 , assembled, perspective; Fig. 3 the connector of the Fig. 1 in a plan view, with the cover-like housing part omitted and the circuit board visible; Fig. 4 the connector of the Fig. 1 in a longitudinal section; Fig. 5 a connector with an X-like basic shape according to a second embodiment, in a perspective exploded view, with a box-like housing part, two printed circuit boards with contact elements arranged thereon and a cover-like housing part; Fig. 6 the connector of the Fig. 5 , assembled, in a plan view; Fig. 7 the connector of the Fig. 5 , assembled, perspective; Fig. 8 the connector of the Fig. 5 in the top view of the Fig. 6 , wherein the cover-like housing part is omitted and the circuit board is visible; Fig. 9 the box-like housing part of the connector of the Fig. 5 in a plan view showing an interior of the box-like housing part; Fig. 10 a connector with an L-like basic shape according to a third embodiment, in a perspective exploded view, with a box-like housing part, a printed circuit board with contact elements arranged thereon and a cover-like housing part; Fig. 11 the connector of the Fig. 10 , assembled, perspective; Fig. 12 the connector of the Fig. 10 in a plan view, with the cover-like housing part omitted and the circuit board visible; Fig. 13 a connector with a T-like basic shape according to a fourth embodiment, in a perspective exploded view, with a box-like housing part, a circuit board with contact elements arranged thereon and a cover-like housing part; Fig. 14 the connector of the Fig. 13 in a plan view, with the cover-like housing part omitted and the circuit board visible; Fig. 15 the connector of the Fig. 13 , assembled, in perspective; Fig. 16 a section of a lighting arrangement according to a further embodiment, in a perspective bottom view, comprising a connector according to the third embodiment; Fig. 17 a section of a lighting arrangement according to a still further embodiment, in a perspective bottom view, comprising a connector according to the fourth embodiment; Fig. 18 a sectional view A' - A' of the lighting arrangement of the Fig. 17 ; Fig. 19 a sectional view B' - B' of the lighting arrangement of the Fig. 16 ; Fig. 20 a sectional view C' - C' of the lighting arrangement of the Fig. 16 ; Fig. 21 a sectional view D' - D' of the lighting arrangement of the Fig. 17 ; and Fig. 22 a feed component according to an embodiment.

[0050] The accompanying drawings are intended to provide a further understanding of embodiments of the invention. They illustrate embodiments and, in conjunction with the description, serve to explain principles and concepts of the invention. Other embodiments and many of the noted advantages will be apparent upon reference to the drawings. Elements of the drawings are not necessarily shown to scale relative to one another.

[0051] In the figures, identical, functionally identical and acting elements, features and components are provided with the same reference symbols unless otherwise stated. DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0052] Fig. 1-15 show connectors 1, 101, 201, 301 according to embodiments of the invention. Fig. 22 illustrates a feed component 401 according to an embodiment of the invention. The connectors 1, 101, 201, 301 and the feed component 401 can be used in a wide variety of selections and combinations together with profile-like rail sections, lighting devices, and other components of a rail lighting system in a modular manner to construct lighting arrangements. Fig. 16-21 show partial illumination arrangements 1000 and 2000 according to exemplary embodiments for illustration purposes, wherein many further designs of illumination arrangements using the connectors 1, 101, 201 and / or 301 and / or the feed component 401 are conceivable.

[0053] Fig. 1-4 show the connector 1 according to a first exemplary embodiment. The connector 1 has an I-shaped basic shape in the manner of an elongated cuboid. Free, aligned end regions of the connector 1 form two elongated, cuboid-shaped connector sections 2 and 3. The connector 1 can be inserted into two coaxially arranged and, in particular, rectilinear rail sections of a lighting system in the region of a butt joint, wherein the connector section 2 is inserted into one of the rail sections and the connector section 3 is inserted into the other of the rail sections.

[0054] The connector 1 has a compact, space-saving housing formed by a box-like housing part 6 and a cover-like housing part 10. The housing parts 6, 10 can be made of a plastic material, for example by injection molding. After assembly of the connector 1, the cover-like housing part 10 closes a Fig. 1 und 2 upper long side of the housing part 6.

[0055] The housing part 6 has substantially flat side walls 16 along its longitudinal sides and is further provided with substantially flat end walls 16a. The side walls 16 and the walls 16a are connected to a substantially flat bottom 18 of the housing part 6 and, in particular, are formed integrally with the bottom 18. The side walls 16 and the walls 16a adjoin the bottom 18 along a peripheral edge region thereof, form a box-like shape with the bottom 18, and enclose an interior region of the housing part 6.

[0056] The side walls 16 each have a plurality of rectangular recesses 46, 47 extending from an edge of the side wall 16 facing away from the base 18 into the side wall 16, through which the interior of the housing part 6 is accessible. Each side wall 16 has two recesses 46 and two recesses 47, with the recesses 47 being arranged between the recesses 46. The recesses 46 are deeper than the recesses 47.

[0057] The side walls 16 are further provided with locking recesses 43, which serve to connect the housing parts 6 and 10. Furthermore, the side walls 16 each have several, in Fig. 1-4 For example, four locking devices 55 are provided, which are designed to hold the connector 1 in the rail sections in a locking manner. The locking devices 55 are each formed with an elastically movable section of the side wall 16 and a locking lug arranged on the outside.

[0058] The lid-like housing part 10 has locking elements 13 on both longitudinal sides in a central region, which are designed to engage with one of the locking recesses 43 to connect the housing parts 6 and 10. Furthermore, the lid-like housing part 10 has a through-opening 14 in each of its opposite end regions, through which a screw 15 can be inserted to connect the housing parts 6, 10. The screw 15 can be screwed into an associated screw boss 49 formed on the housing part 6.

[0059] The housing part 10 further has a plurality of extensions 11 and 12 on its longitudinal sides, the positions of which correspond to those of the recesses 46 and 47, respectively. After assembly of the connector 1, the extensions 11 extend like a wall into a part of the recess 46, whereas the extensions 12 are smaller than the extensions 11 and terminate the shallower recesses 47 at their open sides facing away from the base 18.

[0060] In the interior of the housing part 6, parallel to the base 18, an elongated printed circuit board 19, which is designed, for example, as a PCB (abbreviated to printed circuit board), is accommodated. The printed circuit board 19 is designed as a continuous piece and has two elongated printed circuit board sections 25 and 26. The printed circuit board section 25 is assigned to the connector section 2 and extends therein, while the printed circuit board section 26 is assigned to the connector section 3 and extends therein. The printed circuit board sections 25, 26 are integrally connected in a central region of the printed circuit board 19, in which the printed circuit board 19 is provided symmetrically with cutouts 32 on both sides of the longitudinal edges thereof. The printed circuit board 19 has conductor tracks 22, only some of which are shown schematically and sectionally in Fig. 1 are sketched for illustration.

[0061] In the first embodiment, eight elastically springy contact elements 61-64, 71-74 are each soldered onto the circuit board 19 and in this way contacted on the circuit board 19 and firmly connected to the circuit board 19.

[0062] The contact elements 61-64, 71-74 are each formed in one piece, in particular from a metal material, and each have a fastening section 82, a resilient intermediate section 84 following the fastening section 82, a contacting section 86 following the intermediate section 84 and a contacting section 88 following the contacting section 86.

[0063] Here, the fastening section 82 is designed for the firm connection of the contact element 61-64, 71-74 to the circuit board 19. The intermediate section 84 is provided with a crank, which enables positioning of the contacting section 86 in a direction transverse to the main extension plane of the circuit board 19. The contact section 88 serves for a defined positioning of the contacting section 86 in a direction Q, in which the contact element 61-64, 71-74 has its resilient mobility, in the absence of an external force F acting on the contacting section 86. The contacting section 86 is designed to protrude in sections in order to contact conductors of one of the rail sections in a manner described in more detail below.

[0064] The four contact elements 61, 62, 71, and 72 are arranged in the circuit board section 25. The four contact elements 63, 64, 73, and 74 are arranged in the circuit board section 26. Viewed perpendicular to the main extension plane of the circuit board 19, the contacting sections 86 of the contact elements 61, 62, 63, and 64 are arranged in a first plane spaced from the main extension plane, and the contacting sections 86 of the contact elements 71, 72, 73, and 74 are arranged in a second plane spaced from this main extension plane, wherein the first and second planes are different. While the contact elements 71-74 with their contacting sections 86 are arranged entirely on one side of the circuit board 19 facing the floor 18, the contact elements 61-64 with their contacting sections 86 have a greater distance from the floor 18 than the contact elements 71-74.

[0065] Each of the two circuit board sections 25, 26 has two symmetrically arranged cutouts 31 on the opposite longitudinal edges of the circuit board 19. Each of the cutouts 31 is assigned to one of the contact elements 61-64. In this way, a portion of each of the contact elements 61-64, in particular parts of the intermediate section 84, the contacting section 86, and the contact section 88, can project into the associated recess 31 and be received therein with clearance for elastic deflection.

[0066] To assemble the connector 1, the contact elements 61-64 and 71-74 are each pressed inward toward a longitudinal center plane of the circuit board 19 and thus in pairs toward each other. Then, the circuit board 19 with the contact elements 61-64, 71-74 is inserted into the interior of the housing part 6, the housing part 10 is placed on top, the locking elements 13 and locking recesses 43 are locked, and the screws 15 are screwed in. After assembly, the contacting sections 86 of the contact elements 71-74 each protrude outward from the connector 1 through an associated one of the recesses 47, and the contacting sections 86 of the contact elements 61-64 each protrude outward from the connector 1 through an associated one of the recesses 46.

[0067] Each of the contact elements 61-64, 71-74 can thus elastically retract in a direction Q towards the interior of the housing part 6 and towards a longitudinal center plane of the connector section 2 or 3. The direction Q is in Fig. 3 shown only for the contact elements 63 and 72 as an example and runs analogously for the other contact elements 61, 62, 64, 71, 73, 74. The direction Q runs essentially transversely to a longitudinal extension direction X of the connector section 2 or 3, in which the contact element 61-64, 71-74 is arranged, and essentially parallel to the main extension surface of the circuit board 19.

[0068] In the absence of a sufficient external force F acting on the contact element 61-64, 71-74, see example Fig. 3 for the contact element 71, the contact section 88 rests in a resiliently prestressed manner in an edge region of the recesses 46 and 47 assigned to the contact element 61-64, 71-74 on the inside of the side wall 16 of the housing part 6. For this purpose, the contact section 88 is set back in the direction Q relative to the contacting section 86. In this way, in a state in which the connector 1 is not inserted into rail sections and insufficient forces F are applied to the contact elements 61-64, 71-74 from the outside, each of the contact elements 61-64, 71-74 is in a defined position, in particular in the transverse direction of the connector 1. As a result, the contacting sections 86 protrude outwards in a defined manner, neither too little nor excessively.

[0069] The recesses 31 are dimensioned such that the contact elements 61-64 can each spring into the housing part 6 in the desired manner.

[0070] A rib structure 48 is provided in the interior of the housing part 6. In the area of ​​pairs of oppositely arranged contact elements 61, 62 and 63, 64, the rib structure 48 includes a longitudinal rib 48a. The printed circuit board 19 rests on the screw bosses 49 and the longitudinal ribs 48a in the assembled connector 1. Transverse ribs 48b, 48c of the rib structure 48, which are arranged in the area of ​​the recesses 46 and 47, respectively, additionally stabilize the box-like housing part 6 and, as stops for the contact elements 61-64, 71-74, prevent them from being excessively pressed into the housing part 6.

[0071] Fig. 4 shows in a sectional view of the connector 1, in a central sectional plane along the longitudinal direction X and perpendicular to the base 18, the compact and space-saving receptacle of the printed circuit board or PCB 19, within the housing of the connector 1 formed with the housing parts 6 and 10. In addition, Fig. 4 this compact housing of the connector 1, which is formed with small dimensions, for example also in a direction perpendicular to the base 18.

[0072] A connector 101 with an X-like basic shape according to a second embodiment Fig. 5-9 Elongated, cuboid-like connector sections 102-105 are formed as arm-like regions of the connector 101 extending away from an intersection region. The two connector sections 102 and 104 extend along a longitudinal extension direction X of the sections 102, 104, and the two connector sections 103 and 105 extend along a longitudinal extension direction Y of the sections 103, 105. The directions X and Y are essentially perpendicular to one another, although other intersection angles are conceivable as alternatives.

[0073] The connector 101 has a box-like housing part 106 and a cover-like housing part 110, each of which has an X-like basic shape in a plan view. Analogous to the first exemplary embodiment, the housing part 106 is formed with a base 118 and flat side walls 116 parallel to the X direction and flat side walls 117 parallel to the Y direction. The side walls 116, 117 adjoin the base 118 in one piece and are connected to one another in the corner regions at the intersection. In the region of the free ends of the connecting sections 102, 104, the side walls 116 are each connected by a flat end wall 116a. In the region of the free ends of the connecting sections 103, 105, the side walls 117 are each connected by a flat end wall 117a. The walls 116, 117, 116a, 117a and the floor 118 together form a box-like shape with an X-like base surface.

[0074] The side walls 116, 117 each have recesses 146, 147 and locking recesses 143, analogous to the first exemplary embodiment. Furthermore, the side walls 116, 117 are each formed with locking devices 155, 155a for lockingly holding the connector 101 in rail sections into which the connector 101 can be inserted with the connector sections 102-105. The locking devices 155 are designed as in the first exemplary embodiment. The locking devices 155a are also formed as elastically movable regions of the side walls 116 and 117, respectively, but differ from the locking devices 155 in that the locking devices 155a have a narrower section than the locking devices 155 that bends elastically upon locking, which connects the outer locking lug to the rest of the side walls 116 and 117, respectively. The devices 155a therefore require less force to engage than the devices 155.With respect to the intersection area, the locking devices 155 are arranged distally and the locking devices 155a are arranged proximally. The different configuration of the locking devices 155, 155a takes into account the closely adjacent arrangement of the locking devices 155a with their directions of action that are simultaneously transverse to one another.

[0075] The housing part 106 is further formed in its interior with a rib structure 148, which, analogous to the first embodiment, has longitudinal ribs 148a and transverse ribs 148b, 148c. Furthermore, the housing part 106 has screw bosses 149 arranged in the interior.

[0076] The housing part 110 is provided, analogously to the first embodiment, with through openings 114 for screws 15 as well as with extensions 111, 112 and locking elements 113.

[0077] In the interior of the housing part 106, two printed circuit boards 119 and 120, each with a substantially L-shaped basic shape, are accommodated and arranged substantially parallel to the base 118. The printed circuit boards 119, 120 rest on the longitudinal ribs 148 and the screw bosses 149.

[0078] The circuit boards 119, 120 are arranged such that apex regions 129 of the L-shaped basic shape of each circuit board 119, 120 are adjacent to one another in the intersection region. In the apex region 129, an outer edge of the circuit boards 119, 120 each runs obliquely, essentially at an angle of 45 degrees, to the extension directions of elongated circuit board sections 125, 126 and 127, 128, respectively, which form the legs of the L-shaped basic shape. In this way, overlapping of the circuit boards 119, 120 in the intersection region is avoided. The obliquely running regions of the outer edge are each provided approximately in their center with a semicircular recess 129a, wherein the recesses 129a together form a round opening for a central screw 15.

[0079] Each of the printed circuit boards 119, 120 is provided with conductor tracks 122 and 123, respectively, which Fig. 5 are only indicated schematically. No electrical connection is provided across a separation point T, where the two circuit boards 119, 120 adjoin each other in the apex regions 129.

[0080] The connector 101 has a total of sixteen elastically springy contact elements 161-168, 171-178. Eight contact elements 161-164, 171-174 are arranged on the circuit board 119 and eight contact elements 165-168, 175-178 on the circuit board 120. The contact elements 161-164, 171-174 and 165-168, 175-178 are designed as in the first embodiment. Furthermore, the arrangement of the contact elements 161-164, 171-174 and 165-168, 175-178 on the circuit board 119 or 120 and their fixed connection to the circuit board 119 or 120 differs from the first embodiment only in that in the embodiment of the Fig. 5-9 The contact elements 171-178 with their contact section 88 do not point toward a center of the connector, but rather toward the free end of the associated connector section 102-105. The contact elements 161-168, 171-178 rest on the inside of the housing part 106 in a resiliently preloaded manner, as described above for the first embodiment. For accommodating the contact elements 161-168 in certain areas, the printed circuit boards 119, 120 have cutouts 131, similar to the first embodiment. The printed circuit boards 119, 120 can be designed in the same way and equipped with contact elements 161-164, 171-174 or 165-168, 175-178.

[0081] The printed circuit board section 125 of the printed circuit board 119 is associated with and extends within the connector section 102. The printed circuit board section 126 of the printed circuit board 119 is associated with and extends within the connector section 103. The printed circuit board section 127 of the printed circuit board 120 is associated with and extends within the connector section 104. The printed circuit board section 128 of the printed circuit board 120 is associated with and extends within the connector section 105.

[0082] The cover-like housing part 110 can preferably be provided with a marking 198, 199, which informs an installer which of the connector sections 102-105 are respectively assigned to the same printed circuit board 119 or 120.

[0083] In a variant of the second embodiment, not shown in the figures, a continuous circuit board having an X-like basic shape can be provided instead of the two separate circuit boards 119, 120. In such a variant, conductor tracks can be provided on the circuit board that enable electrical coupling as described above for the embodiment with two separate circuit boards 119, 120, or, for example, conductor tracks can be provided that enable electrically coupling corresponding contact elements 161-168, 171-178 of all connector sections 102-105.

[0084] A connector 201 with an L-like basic shape according to a third embodiment is shown in Fig. 10-12 illustrated. The connector 201 has elongated, cuboid-like, arm-like connector sections 202 and 203, wherein a longitudinal extension direction X of the connector section 202 runs approximately perpendicular to a longitudinal extension direction Y of the connector section 203. However, other angles between the directions X and Y are alternatively conceivable.

[0085] The connector 201 has a box-like housing part 206, a cover-like housing part 210 and a printed circuit board 219 equipped with elastically spring-loaded contact elements 261-264, 271-274 and schematically shown conductor tracks 222.

[0086] The housing part 206 with an L-shaped basic shape has flat side walls 216 parallel to the longitudinal direction X and flat side walls 217 parallel to the longitudinal direction Y, which each adjoin a base 218 and together with flat end walls 216a, 217a form a box-like shape.

[0087] The side walls 216, 217 each have recesses 246, 247 and locking recesses 243, analogous to the preceding embodiments. Furthermore, the side walls 216, 217 are each formed with locking devices 255, 255a for lockingly holding the connector 201 in rail sections into which the connector 201 can be inserted with the connector sections 202, 203. The locking devices 255a, which can be locked with less force and correspond to the devices 155a, are arranged on the inside of the L-shaped basic shape near a joining area of ​​the connector sections 202, 203. The devices 255 are each formed like the devices 55, 155.

[0088] Analogous to the first and second embodiments, the housing part 206 is formed in its interior with screw bosses 249 and a rib structure 248 with longitudinal ribs 248a and transverse ribs 248b, 248c. The printed circuit board 219 rests on the longitudinal ribs 248 and the screw bosses 249.

[0089] The circuit board 219 has a substantially L-shaped basic shape, with circuit board sections 225 and 226 forming legs of this basic shape. The circuit board 219 is formed and provided with the contact elements 261-264, 271-274 like each of the two circuit boards 119 or 120 according to the second exemplary embodiment. The contact elements 261-264, 271-274 are formed and rest on the inside of the housing part 206 as in the second exemplary embodiment. In this case, the circuit board 219 is equipped in each of the two circuit board sections 225 and 226 with cutouts 231 arranged symmetrically to the X and Y directions, respectively, for the elastically movable reception of the contact elements 261-264 in certain areas.

[0090] Like the circuit board 119, 120, the circuit board 219 is provided in a vertex region 229 of the L-shaped basic shape with a slanted outer edge region, which runs at an angle of essentially 45 degrees to the directions X and Y. A semicircular recess 229a is provided centrally in the slanted outer edge region, which creates space for a screw 15.

[0091] Analogous to the first and second embodiments, the cover-like housing part 210 has extensions 211 and 212, locking elements 213 for interaction with the locking recesses 243, and through openings 214 for screws 15. The housing part 10 also has an L-shaped basic shape.

[0092] Fig. 13-15 show a connector 301 with a T-like basic shape according to a fourth exemplary embodiment with elongated, cuboid-like connector sections 302, 303 and 304 extending like arms away from a branching region. The connector sections 302 and 304 extend along a longitudinal extension direction X, while the connector section 303 extends along a longitudinal extension direction Y, which is substantially perpendicular to the direction X.

[0093] The connector 301 comprises a box-like housing part 306, a cover-like housing part 310, and a printed circuit board 319 equipped with elastically resilient contact elements 361-366, 371-376 and schematically shown conductor tracks 322. The housing parts 306 and 310 as well as the printed circuit board 319 have a substantially T-like basic shape.

[0094] The housing part 306 has flat side walls 316 parallel to the X direction and flat side walls 317 parallel to the Y direction, each of which adjoins a flat base 318 and, together with flat end walls 316a, 317a, forms a box-like shape with a T-shaped base surface. In the joining area of ​​the connector sections 302-304, one of the side walls 316 extends through, while two further side walls 316 are each connected to a side wall 317 in a corner area.

[0095] Analogous to the preceding embodiments, recesses 346, 347, locking recesses 343, locking devices 355, 355a, screw bosses 349, and a rib structure 348 with longitudinal ribs 348a and transverse ribs 348b, 348c are provided, with the circuit board 319 resting on the screw bosses 349 along with their lateral connecting ribs and on the longitudinal ribs 348. The locking devices 355a, which can be locked with less force and correspond to the devices 155a and 255a, are arranged on both sides of the T-shaped basic shape near a joining area of ​​the connector sections 302-304, on that side of the connector 301 on which the connector section 303 protrudes at right angles from the aligned connector sections 302, 304.

[0096] The circuit board 319 has a substantially T-shaped basic shape. Circuit board sections 325, 326, and 327 form arms of this basic shape, are each associated with one of the connector sections 302, 303, and 304, respectively, and extend into the associated connector section 302, 303, and 304, respectively.

[0097] The circuit board 319 is provided with twelve contact elements 361-366 and 371-376, each of which is firmly connected to the circuit board 319 by soldering and contacted on the circuit board 319. The contact elements 361-366 are formed in pairs and arranged on the respectively associated connector section 302, 303, or 304, like the contact elements 161-164, 165-168, or 261-264, and the contact elements 371-376 are formed in pairs and arranged on the respectively associated connector section 302, 303, or 304, like the contact elements 171-174, 175-178, or 271-274. As in the above embodiments, the contact elements 361-366, 371-376 each rest with the contact section 88 on the inside of the housing part 306 in the absence of the external force F.

[0098] In each of the three circuit board sections 325, 326 and 327, the circuit board 319 is formed with cutouts 331 arranged symmetrically to its longitudinal direction X or Y for accommodating the contact elements 361-366 in certain areas.

[0099] Analogous to the first to third embodiments, the cover-like housing part 310 has extensions 311 and 312, locking elements 313 for interaction with the locking recesses 343, and through openings 314 for screws 15.

[0100] In further variants of the embodiments described above, the number of connector sections and / or the angles between them can be further varied.

[0101] For example, in a variant of the fourth embodiment, it can be provided that the connector sections 302 and 304 are not aligned and parallel to one another, but rather enclose an angle of less than 180 degrees with one another. In this way, for example, a connector with a Y-like basic shape can be formed.

[0102] Furthermore, in a variant of the second embodiment, it is possible, for example, to provide more than four connector sections, which, for example, are arranged evenly around a center, extend from it like arms, and form angles of less than 90 degrees with each other in pairs. In this way, a star-like basic shape of the connector can be formed, wherein the connector then, for example, has a printed circuit board with a corresponding star-like basic shape. In a further variant, it would be conceivable to arrange the more than four connector sections unevenly around the center, with different angles between adjacent connector sections.

[0103] A lighting arrangement 1000 according to an embodiment is shown in perspective and in sections in Fig. 16 shown from a side which, in the assembled state, corresponds to a bottom side thereof. The lighting arrangement 1000 comprises rail sections 901 and 902, which are profile-like and of the same design. The rail sections 901 and 902 each have a conductor arrangement 950, see in particular the cross-sectional illustration in Fig. 20 , for supplying lighting devices 990 that can be coupled to the rail sections 901, 902 with electrical operating current and a control signal, in particular a DALI signal. A lighting device 990 that is mechanically and electrically coupled to the rail section 902 is shown by way of example in Fig. 16 as a spotlight, although it is understood that other types of lighting devices can be supplied using the rail sections 901, 902. The rail sections 901, 902 are intended, for example, for mounting on the ceiling of a room and thus together form a ceiling-mounted rail. Alternatively, rail sections 901, 902 that can be built into such a ceiling or suspended from such a ceiling are also conceivable.

[0104] The rail sections 901, 902 are connected to each other by means of an L-shaped intermediate piece 910, such that the rail sections 901, 902 and the L-shaped intermediate piece 910 form a substantially right-angled corner. The L-shaped intermediate piece 910 is designed as a purely mechanical connecting piece without any electrical function.

[0105] The lighting arrangement 1000 further comprises a connector 201 according to the third embodiment, which is inserted with its connector section 203 into the rail section 901 and with its connector section 202 into the rail section 901. An apex region of the connector 201, in which the connector sections 202, 203 are connected, is received in the L-shaped intermediate piece 910, the inner contour of which can geometrically correspond substantially to that of the rail sections 901, 902.

[0106] The rail sections 901, 902 are, for example, channel-shaped. The conductor arrangement 950 of each rail section 901, 902 has, on both sides of an interior of the rail section 901, 902, a holding body made of an insulating material, as well as conductors 951-954 held in said holding body, which can be contacted from the interior and extend along a longitudinal direction of the rail section 901, 902.

[0107] Conductors 951 and 953 serve to provide an operating DC voltage for the lighting devices 990, in particular an operating DC voltage of essentially 48 volts. Conductors 952 and 954 serve to provide a control signal, in particular a DALI signal, for controlling the lighting devices 990.

[0108] The connector 201 electrically couples the conductor arrangements 950 of the rail sections 901 and 902. For this purpose, the contact elements 263, 264 contact the conductors 951 and 953, respectively, and the contact elements 273, 274 contact the conductors 952 and 954, respectively, of the rail section 901. Furthermore, the contact elements 261, 262 contact the corresponding conductors 951 and 953, respectively, and the contact elements 271, 272 contact the corresponding conductors 952 and 954, respectively, of the rail section 902.

[0109] Using the conductor tracks 222 of the connector 201, the contact elements 261 and 263, 262 and 264, 271 and 273, and 272 and 274 are each electrically coupled to one another in such a way that the operating voltage can be passed on from one of the rail sections 901, 902 to the other with the aid of the contact elements 261-264 and the control signal can be passed on with the aid of the contact elements 271-274.

[0110] Preferably, in the connector 201, and also in the other connectors 1, 101, 301, the operating current and control signal are forwarded via conductor tracks 22, 122, 123, 222, 322 of the continuous printed circuit boards 19, 119 or 120, 219, 319, without, for example, further processing of the control signal or switching of operating current on the printed circuit board 19, 119, 120, 219, 319. Electronic components extending beyond the conductor tracks 22, 122, 123, 222, 322 are therefore not required on the printed circuit board 19, 119, 120, 219, 319 and are preferably not provided. In variants, however, it would be conceivable to provide one or more electronic components, for example for processing or interpreting the control signal and for selectively forwarding or not forwarding the operating current on the circuit board 119, 119, 120, 219, 319.

[0111] When inserting the connector 201 into the rail sections 901, 902, the locking devices 255, 255a engage behind inner edges in the area of ​​an open side of the rail sections 901, 902, see Fig. 20 . When the connector 201 is inserted in the direction Q, the contact elements 261-264, 271-274 each spring into the housing part 206 and apply a sufficient and suitable spring force for contacting. The connector 201 can be easily removed by grasping behind gripping strips 250, which are formed at the free ends of the connector sections 202, 203 on the housing part 206, and applying a force to release the locking devices 255, 255a. Corresponding gripping strips 50, 150, 350 are also provided on the housing parts 6, 106, 306 of the connectors 1, 101, 301.

[0112] A lighting arrangement 2000 according to a further embodiment shows Fig. 17 perspective from a bottom side, analogous to the representation in Fig. 16 .

[0113] The lighting arrangement 2000 has three similar rail sections 901, 902, 903, which are mechanically coupled to one another in the manner of a T with the interposition of a T-shaped intermediate piece 920. Like the L-shaped intermediate piece 910, the T-shaped intermediate piece 920 is also a purely mechanical connecting piece without an electrical function. The electrical coupling of the conductor arrangements 950 of all the rail sections 901-903 to one another, by coupling the corresponding conductors 951-954, is achieved by means of the connector 301, which is inserted into the rail sections 903, 902, and 901, respectively, with the connector sections 302-304. The contact elements 361, 363 and 366, the contact elements 362, 364, 365, the contact elements 371, 373, 376, and the contact elements 372, 374, 375 are each electrically coupled to one another via the conductor tracks 322.

[0114] Further lighting arrangements can be formed in which two coaxially arranged rail sections 901, 902 are coupled to one another by means of the connector 1. In this case, a straight intermediate piece can be provided between the rail sections 901, 902 for mechanical coupling. In the connector 1, the contact elements 61 and 63, the contact elements 62 and 64, the contact elements 71 and 73, and the contact elements 72 and 74 are each electrically coupled to one another via the conductor tracks 22.

[0115] The X-shaped connector 101 corresponds, in terms of its electrical function, to two L-shaped connectors 201 joined together at the apex, with neither control signals nor operating current being transmitted across the diagonal separation point T. The markings 198, 199 serve to indicate to a technician which connected rail sections are electrically coupled.

[0116] In the above-described embodiments in Fig. 1-21 The connector sections 2, 3, 102-105, 202, 203, and 302-304 are each formed rectilinearly along their longitudinal extension directions X and Y, respectively. For interaction with rail sections that are not formed rectilinearly like the rail sections 901-903, but are curved, in variants one or more of the connector sections 2, 3, 102-105, 202, 203, and 302-304 can be formed bent or curved along the longitudinal extension of the connector section 2, 3, 102-105, 202, 203, or 302-304, respectively. With a bent or curved connector section 2, 3, 102-105, 202, 203, or 302-304, the shape of the associated printed circuit board section 25, 26, 125-128, 225, 226, or 325-327 follows the bend or curvature of the connector section 2, 3, 102-105, 202, 203, or 302-304. In the bent or curved design, the side walls 16, 116, 117, 216, 217, 316, or 317 deviate from a flat shape.

[0117] Fig. 22 shows a feed component 401 according to yet another embodiment of the invention. The feed component 401 has a box-like housing part 406 and a cover-like housing part 410, which are designed analogously to the first embodiment, but shorter than the housing parts 6, 10. The housing part 410 also has, for example, extensions 411, 412 that close off recesses in side walls 416 of the housing part 406.

[0118] Inside the housing part 406 is a printed circuit board, in Fig. 22 not shown in detail. Contact elements 461, 462, 471, 472 are arranged on the circuit board and are firmly connected to the circuit board by soldering and contacted on the circuit board. The contact elements 461, 462, 471, 472 are designed and arranged like the contact elements 61, 62, 71, 72 of the first embodiment and, in the manner described above for the connector 1, in the absence of the external force F, lie in regions on the inside of the housing part 406, in each case in an edge region of the recess. The circuit board of the feed component 401 can thus be arranged in approximately the left half of the circuit board 19 in Fig. 1 In addition, the side walls 416 have locking devices 455 for holding the feed component 401 in a rail section, for example, one of the rail sections 901-903.

[0119] The feed component 401 has a supply line 495 which enters the housing part 406, for example, at a front wall 416a.

[0120] The feed component 401 can, for example, be inserted into the rail section 901 or 902 of the lighting arrangement 1000, or into the rail section 901 or 902 or 903 of the lighting arrangement 2000, in order to supply the conductor arrangement 950 of the rail section into which the feed component 401 is inserted with the electrical operating current, for example at 48V DC, and the control signal, for example the DALI signal.

[0121] Using conductor tracks of the circuit board of the feed component 401, the contact elements 461, 462 are electrically coupled to corresponding conductors of the supply line 495 for the operating current, and the contact elements 471, 472 are electrically coupled to corresponding conductors of the supply line 495 for the control signal.

[0122] The feed component 401 can be freely positioned along a longitudinal direction of the rail section, for example, along a longitudinal direction of the rail section 901, 902, or 903, and thus inserted into the rail section at any free location. Furthermore, the feed component 401 inserted into the rail section, for example, 901, 902, or 903, can be displaced along the rail section.

[0123] While in Fig. 22 the feed component 401 is designed to extend substantially in a straight line or in a linear manner, in variants the feed component 401 can be designed to be curved, analogous to the above-mentioned variant, for example of the connector section 2.

[0124] Although the invention has been fully described above using preferred embodiments, it is not limited thereto but can be modified in many ways. LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS

[0125] 1Connector 2, 3Connector section 6Box-like housing part 10Cover-like housing part 11, 12Extension 13Locking element 14Through opening 15Screw 16Side wall 16aWall 18Bottom 19Printed circuit board 22Printed circuit track 25, 26Printed circuit board section 31, 32Cutout 43Locking recess 46, 47Recess 48Ribbed structure 48aLongitudinal ribs 48b, 48cTransverse ribs 49Screw dome 50Handle bar 55Locking device 61, 62, 63, 64Contact element 71, 72, 73, 74Contact element 82Fastening section 84Resilient intermediate section 86Contacting section 88Contact section 101Connector 102, 103, 104, 105 Connector section 106 Box-like housing part 110 Cover-like housing part 111, 112 Extension 113 Locking element 114 Through opening 116, 117 Side wall 116a, 117a Wall 118 Base 119 Circuit board 120 Circuit board 122, 123 Conductor track 125, 126, 127, 128 Circuit board section 129 Apex area 129a Recess 131 Cutout 143 Locking recess 146, 147 Cutout 148 Rib structure 148a Longitudinal ribs 148b, 148c Transverse ribs 149 Screw dome 150 Handle bar 155,155a Latching device 161, 162, 163, 164 Contact element 165, 166, 167, 168 Contact element 171, 172, 173, 174 Contact element 175, 176, 177, 178 Contact element 198, 199 Marking 201 Connector 202, 203 Connector section 206 Box-like housing part 210 Cover-like housing part 211, 212 Extension 213 Latching element 214 Through opening 216, 217 Side wall 216a, 217a Wall 218 Base 219 Printed circuit board 222 Conductor track 225, 226 Printed circuit board section 229 Apex area 229a Recess 231 Cutout 243Recess 246, 247Recess 248Ribbed structure 248aLongitudinal ribs 248b, 248cTransverse ribs 249Screw dome 250Handle bar 255, 255aLocking device 261, 262, 263, 264Contact element 271, 272, 273, 274Contact element 301Connector 302, 303, 304Connector section 306Box-like housing part 310Cover-like housing part 316, 317Side wall 316a, 317aWall 318Bottom 319Printed circuit board 322Printed circuit track 325, 326, 327Printed circuit board section 329Apex area 331Cutout 343Recess 346,347Recess 348aLongitudinal ribs 348b,348cCross ribs 349Screw dome 350Handle bar 355, 355aLocking device 361, 362, 363Contact element 364, 365, 366Contact element 371, 372, 373Contact element 374, 375, 376Contact element 401Feed component 406Box-like housing part 410Cover-like housing part 411, 412Extension 416Side wall 416aWall 455Locking device 461, 462, 471, 472Contact element 495Supply line 901, 902, 903Rail section 910L-intermediate piece 920T-intermediate piece 950Conductor arrangement 951, 952, 953, 954Conductor 990Lighting device 1000, 2000Lighting arrangement FExternal force QTransverse direction TSeparation point X, YDirection,

Claims

1. A connector (1; 101; 201; 301) which, with a respective connector section (2, 3; 102-105; 202, 203; 302-304) thereof, can be inserted into rail sections (901-903) of a lighting system; wherein the rail sections (901-903) are each provided with a conductor arrangement (950) for supplying lighting devices (990) which can be coupled to the rail sections (901-903) with at least electrical operating current; wherein the connector (1; 101; 201; 301) is designed to electrically couple the conductor arrangements (950) of at least two of the rail sections (901-903) to one another; wherein the connector (1; 101; 201; 301) has a printed circuit board (19; 119, 120; 219; 319) with conductor tracks (22; 122, 123; 222; 322) and the connector (1; 101; 201; 301) has contact elements (61-64, 71-74; 161-164, 171-174, 165-168, 175-178; 261-264, 271-274; 361-366, 371-376) which are each connected to the printed circuit board (19; 119, 120; 219;319) are firmly connected and are designed to contact a respective conductor (951-954) of one of the conductor arrangements (950) of the at least two rail sections (901-903); and wherein the connector (1; 101; 201; 301) enables electrical coupling of mutually corresponding conductors (951-954) of the conductor arrangements (950) of the at least two rail sections (901-903) by means of electrical coupling of mutually associated contact elements (61-64, 71-74; 161-164, 171-174, 165-168, 175-178; 261-264, 271-274; 361-366, 371-376) using at least one of the conductor tracks (22; 122, 123; 222; 322).

2. Connector according to claim 1, characterized in that the contact elements (61-64, 71-74; 161-164, 171-174, 165-168, 175-178; 261-264, 271-274; 361-366, 371-376) are elastically springy.

3. Connector according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in thatthe connector (1; 101; 201; 301) has a housing part (6; 106; 206; 306), wherein the contact elements (61-64, 71-74; 161-164, 171-174, 165-168, 175-178; 261-264, 271-274; 361-366, 371-376) are each, in the absence of an external force (F) acting on the contact element (61-64, 71-74; 161-164, 171-174, 165-168, 175-178; 261-264, 271-274; 361-366, 371-376), at a region of the Housing part (6; 106; 206; 306) in a resiliently prestressed manner, and in particular that the printed circuit board (19; 119, 120; 219; 319) is accommodated in an inner region of the housing part (6; 106; 206; 306).

4. Connector according to claim 3, characterized in thatthe contact elements (61-64, 71-74; 161-164, 171-174, 165-168, 175-178; 261-264, 271-274; 361-366, 371-376) are each formed with a contact section (88) which, in the absence of the external force (F) acting on the contact element (61-64, 71-74; 161-164, 171-174, 165-168, 175-178; 261-264, 271-274; 361-366, 371-376), rests on the inside of the housing part (6; 106; 206; 306) in a resiliently prestressed manner.

5. Connector according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in thatthe housing part (6; 106; 206; 306) has side walls (16; 116, 117; 216, 217; 316, 317) which are each provided with recesses (47, 46; 147, 146; 247, 246; 347, 346), wherein the contact elements (61-64, 71-74; 161-164, 171-174, 165-168, 175-178; 261-264, 271-274; 361-366, 371-376) and the recesses (47, 46; 147, 146; 247, 246; 347, 346) are arranged and are designed such that a contacting section (86) of one of the contact elements (61-64, 71-74; 161-164, 171-174, 165-168, 175-178; 261-264, 271-274; 361-366, 371-376) projects outwards through the recesses (47, 46; 147, 146; 247, 246; 347, 346).

6. Connector according to claim 5, characterized in thatthe contact elements (61-64, 71-74; 161-164, 171-174, 165-168, 175-178; 261-264, 271-274; 361-366, 371-376) in the absence of the external force (F) acting on the contact element (61-64, 71-74; 161-164, 171-174, 165-168, 175-178; 261-264, 271-274; 361-366, 371-376) are resiliently preloaded in an edge region of the contact element (61-64, 71-74; 161-164, 171-174, 165-168, 175-178; 261-264, 271-274; 361-366, 371-376) respectively associated recess (47, 46; 147, 146; 247, 246; 347, 346) on the inside of the side wall (16; 116, 117; 216, 217; 316, 317).

7. Connector according to one of claims 5 or 6, characterized in thatthe side walls (16; 116, 117; 216, 217; 316, 317) adjoin a base (18; 118; 218; 318) of the housing part (6; 106; 206; 306), wherein the circuit board (19; 119, 120; 219; 319) is arranged substantially parallel to the base (18; 118; 218; 318) and in particular wherein the side walls (16) together with the base (18; 118; 218; 318) and with further walls (16a; 116a, 117a; 216a, 217a; 316a, 317a) of the housing part (6; 106; 206; 306) have a box-like shape form; and / or that the side walls (16; 116, 117; 216, 217; 316, 317) are further formed with locking devices (55; 155, 155a; 255, 255a; 355, 355a) for lockingly holding the connector (1; 101; 201; 301) in the rail sections (901-903).

8. Connector according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in thatthe connector (1) is designed with an I-like basic shape, wherein the connector sections (2, 3) are designed as free, mutually aligned end regions of the connector (1); or that the connector (101; 201; 301) is designed with an X-like basic shape or with an L-like basic shape or with a T-like basic shape, wherein the connector sections (102-105; 202-203; 302-304) are designed as arm-like extending regions of the connector (101; 201; 301).

9. Connector according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in thatthe connector (101) is designed with an X-like basic shape, wherein the connector sections (102-105) are designed as arm-like extending regions of the connector (101), and wherein the connector has two circuit boards (119, 120), each with a substantially L-like basic shape, a number of the contact elements (61-64, 71-74; 161-164, 171-174, 165-168, 175-178; 261-264, 271-274; 361-366, 371-376) are arranged on one of the two circuit boards (119, 120), two of the connector sections (102-105) are assigned to one of the two circuit boards (119, 120), and the two circuit boards (119, 120) are arranged such that apex regions (129) of the essentially L-like basic shape thereof are adjacent to one another.

10. Connector according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in thatthe contact elements (61-64, 71-74; 161-164, 171-174, 165-168, 175-178; 261-264, 271-274; 361-366, 371-376) of the connector (1; 101; 201; 301) comprise contact elements (61-64; 161-168; 261-264; 361-366) which are each designed to contact conductors (951, 953) for providing an operating DC voltage for the lighting devices (990), in particular an operating DC voltage of substantially 48 volts.

11. Connector according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in thatthe conductor arrangement (950) with which the rail sections (901-903) are each provided is further configured to provide a control signal for controlling one or more of the lighting devices (990) that can be coupled to the rail sections (901-903), and in particular that the contact elements (61-64, 71-74; 161-164, 171-174, 165-168, 175-178; 261-264, 271-274; 361-366, 371-376) of the connector (1; 101; 201; 301) comprise contact elements (71-74; 171-178; 271-274; 371-376) that are each configured to contact conductors (952, 954) for providing the control signal, in particular a DALI signal.

12. Connector according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in thatthe contact elements (61-64, 71-74; 161-164, 171-174, 165-168, 175-178; 261-264, 271-274; 361-366, 371-376) are each soldered onto the printed circuit board (19; 119, 120; 219; 319) and / or that the contact elements (61-64, 71-74; 161-164, 171-174, 165-168, 175-178; 261-264, 271-274; 361-366, 371-376) are each provided with a fastening section (82) for the fixed connection to the printed circuit board (19; 119, 120; 219, 319) and a cranked, resilient intermediate section (84) following the fastening section (82).

13. Connector according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in thatthe printed circuit board (19; 119, 120; 219; 319) is formed with elongated printed circuit board sections (25, 26; 125-128; 225, 226; 325-327), each of which is assigned to one of the connector sections (2, 3; 102-105; 202, 203; 302-304) and extends in the respectively assigned connector section (2, 3; 102-105; 202, 203; 302-304), and further that the printed circuit board section (25, 26; 125-128; 225, 226; 325-327) has a cutout (31; 131; 231; 331) at one edge thereof for the partial reception of a associated with the contact elements (61-64, 71-74; 161-164, 171-174, 165-168, 175-178; 261-264, 271-274; 361-366, 371-376).

14. Connector according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in thata direction (Q) along which the contact elements (61-64, 71-74; 161-164, 171-174, 165-168, 175-178; 261-264, 271-274; 361-366, 371-376) can each resiliently retreat when the connector (1; 101; 201; 301) is inserted into the rail sections (901-903), essentially transversely to a longitudinal extension direction (X; X, Y) of the connector section (2, 3; 102-105; 202, 203; 302-304) in which the contact element (61-64, 71-74; 161-164, 171-174, 165-168, 175-178; 261-264, 271-274; 361-366, 371-376) and runs substantially parallel to a main extension surface of the printed circuit board (19; 119, 120; 219; 319).

15. A feed component (401) insertable into at least one rail section (901-903) of a lighting system; wherein the rail section (901-903) is provided with a conductor arrangement (950) for supplying lighting devices (990) that can be coupled to the rail section (901-903) with at least electrical operating current; wherein the feed component (401) is designed to supply the conductor arrangement (950) of the rail section (901-903) with at least the electrical operating current; wherein the feed component (401) has a printed circuit board with conductor tracks and the feed component (401) has contact elements (461, 462, 471, 472) which are each firmly connected to the printed circuit board and are designed to contact a respective conductor (951-954) of the conductor arrangement (950) of the rail section (901-903);and wherein the feed component (401) enables electrical coupling of conductors (951-954) of the conductor arrangement (950) of the rail section (901-903) with these corresponding conductors of a supply line (495) using at least one of the conductor tracks; 16. Lighting arrangement (1000; 2000) with at least two rail sections (901-903), at least one connector (1; 101; 201; 301) according to one of claims 1 to 14, and at least one lighting device (990), wherein the rail sections (901-903) are each provided with a conductor arrangement (950) and the lighting device (990) is coupled to one of the rail sections (901-903) and can be supplied with at least electrical operating current through its conductor arrangement (950); and wherein the connector (1; 101; 201; 301) is inserted into the rail sections (901-903) with a respective connector section (2, 3; 102-105; 202, 203; 302-304) thereof and electrically couples the conductor arrangements (950) of the rail sections (901-903) to one another.

17. A lighting arrangement comprising at least one rail section (901-903), at least one feed component (401) according to claim 15, and at least one lighting device (990), wherein the rail section (901-903) is provided with a conductor arrangement (950), and the lighting device (990) is coupled to the rail section (901-903) and can be supplied with at least electrical operating current through its conductor arrangement (950); and wherein the feed component (401) is inserted into the rail section (901-903) and supplies the conductor arrangement (950) of the rail section (901-903) with at least the electrical operating current.

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