Modular rail-mounted device system

Abstract

The invention relates to a module or rail-mounted device system for an electric distributor, comprising a rail-mounted device module (1) and a connection module (2). The rail-mounted device module (1) comprises a rail-mounted device functional unit, an electrically insulating rail-mounted device housing (11), one or more first contacts (13a) which are arranged on a first face of the rail-mounted device module (1), and one or more second contacts (13b) which are arranged on a second face of the rail-mounted device module (1), said second face lying opposite the first face. The connection module (2) comprises an electrically insulating connection housing (21), one or more connection plug elements (22) for plugging the connection module (2) onto an installation panel of the electric distributor and for releasing the connection module (2) from the installation panel, and one or more conductor elements (23), each of which has a first conductor end (231a ) and a second conductor end (231b), wherein the first conductor end (231a) and the second conductor end (231b) can be contacted via a respective corresponding opening of the connection housing (21). When the connection module (2) is plugged onto the installation panel, the rail-mounted device module (1) is movably arranged along an insert direction relative to the connection module (2) and can be inserted into an operating position by moving the module onto the installation panel along the insert direction and can be removed from the operating position by moving the module away from the installation panel along the insert direction. The rail-mounted device module (1) can be locked to the connection module (2) in the operating position. When the rail-mounted device module (1) is in the operating position, the one or more first contacts (13a) of the rail-mounted device module (1) contact the first conductor ends (231a) of the one or more conductor elements (23) of the connection module (2).

Description

[0001] MODULAR SERIES-MOUNTED DEVICE SYSTEM

[0002] DESCRIPTION

[0003] The present invention relates to a modular DIN rail device system for an electrical distribution board.

[0004] Modular devices or installation devices, such as miniature circuit breakers, residual current devices, time switches, D and DO fuses, DO switch-fuse units, built-in switches, and built-in sockets, are designed for installation in electrical distribution boards or service distribution boards. These distribution boards can be found in virtually every electrified building today.

[0005] Conventional DIN rail-mounted devices are specifically described by the German standard DIN 43 880. These devices, with standardized sizes, are mounted on DIN rails in a distribution cabinet. Power is tapped from the devices conventionally via screw or spring-loaded terminals.

[0006] It is an object of the present invention to provide a DIN rail mounted device system for an electrical distribution board to improve user-friendliness taking into account the desired applications.

[0007] This object is achieved by a modular DIN rail device system according to claim 1, a DIN rail device module according to claim 21, and a connection module according to claim 22. Claims 2 to 20 relate to particularly advantageous implementations of the DIN rail device system according to claim 1.

[0008] According to the present invention, a modular DIN rail device system for an electrical distribution board comprises a DIN rail device module and a connection module. The DIN rail device module and the connection module can, in particular, be separate modules that can be connected to one another.

[0009] The DIN rail device module comprises a DIN rail device functional unit, an electrically insulating DIN rail device housing, one or more first contacts (preferably one first contact for a single-pole DIN rail device module or three first contacts for a three-pole DIN rail device module) arranged on a first side of the DIN rail device module, and one or more second contacts (preferably one second contact for a single-pole DIN rail device module or three second contacts for a three-pole DIN rail device module) arranged on a second side of the DIN rail device module opposite the first side. The DIN rail device housing can be made at least partially or completely from an electrically insulating material (e.g., from a plastic). The first and second contacts can each be electrical contacts that are electrically conductive.The first contacts can be, in particular, input contacts or output contacts of the DIN rail device module, and the second contacts can be, in particular, output contacts or input contacts of the DIN rail device module. The DIN rail device module can be, in particular, an RCD or FI protection device, a miniature circuit breaker or miniature circuit breaker, a fuse switch disconnector or fuse switch device, a load breaker, a combined RCD / MCB, an arc fault protection device, an energy meter, a communication gateway, or a motor starter.

[0010] The connection module comprises an electrically insulating connection housing, one or more connection plug-in elements for plugging or detachably fastening the connection module onto a mounting panel or onto one or more device carrier modules of a modular mounting panel system of the electrical distributor and for detaching the connection module from the mounting panel or from the one or more device carrier modules, as well as one or more conductor elements, each having a first conductor end and a second conductor end, wherein the first conductor end and the second conductor end can each be contacted via a corresponding opening in the connection housing. It should be noted that the first and second conductor ends of a conductor element can be, but do not have to be, end sections of the conductor element; i.e., the first and second conductor ends can also be intermediate sections of the conductor element, such that the conductor element extends beyond the first and second conductor ends.The connector housing can be made at least partially or completely of an electrically insulating material (e.g., a plastic). The one or more conductor elements can, in particular, be electrically conductive. The first and second conductor ends can each be exposed through the corresponding opening in the connector housing or protrude from the connector housing through the corresponding opening.

[0011] When the connection module is plugged onto the mounting panel or detachably fastened, the DIN rail device module is arranged to be movable relative to the connection module along an insertion direction and can be inserted into an operating position by moving it along the insertion direction towards the mounting panel and removed from the operating position by moving it along the insertion direction away from the mounting panel. Furthermore, the DIN rail device module can be latched or automatically latched to the connection module in the operating position, e.g. by means of a latching connection or a snap-in connection. When the DIN rail device module is in the operating position, the one or more first contacts of the DIN rail device module contact the first conductor ends of the one or more conductor elements of the connection module.In particular, in this case, each of the one or more first contacts of the DIN rail device module can contact the first conductor end of a corresponding conductor element of the connection module.

[0012] The DIN rail-mounted device module can have a plurality of first contacts, preferably four first contacts, and / or a plurality of second contacts, preferably four second contacts, in particular for contacting a neutral conductor N and one of the three phase conductors Li, L2, L3 of a three-phase connection. Preferably, every second contact corresponds to a first contact. Particularly preferably, every second contact is arranged opposite the corresponding first contact.

[0013] The connecting plug elements can, in particular, be designed as plug projections, which are each inserted into corresponding slots or device carrier plug elements of the mounting panel or device carrier module, which are designed as plug recesses or plug holes. The one or more connecting plug elements can be made of an electrically insulating material and can be attached to the connection housing or formed integrally with the connection housing. Conversely, however, the connecting plug elements of the connection module can also be designed as plug recesses or plug holes, and the slots or device carrier plug elements of the mounting panel or device carrier module can be designed as plug projections.

[0014] The modular DIN rail device system according to the invention enables, in particular, flexible, simple, secure, and lightning-fast installation of an electrical distribution board. For this purpose, the connection module can first be plugged or releasably attached to the mounting panel or the device carrier module of a modular mounting panel system. The DIN rail device module can then be inserted into the operating position by moving relative to the connection module along the insertion direction toward the mounting panel. In the operating position, the DIN rail device module can lock onto the connection module and thus be securely attached to the mounting panel.In the operating position, the one or more first contacts of the DIN rail device module also contact the first conductor ends of the one or more conductor elements of the connection module, so that the DIN rail device module can be electrically connected to other DIN rail device modules or to conductor rails arranged in the mounting panel, as described in more detail below. This ensures both stable and secure fastening of the DIN rail device module in the operating position and stable and secure contacting of the DIN rail device module in the operating position by the connection module. This allows the electrical distribution board to be installed flexibly, easily, safely, and quickly without the need for special installation tools or skills. This improves user-friendliness while taking the desired applications into account.

[0015] Furthermore, depending on the desired dimensioning and switching arrangement or the desired application of the electrical distribution board, one or more connection modules according to the invention can be plugged into different positions or slots on the mounting panel or the device carrier module, and one or more DIN rail device modules according to the invention can be inserted into the corresponding operating positions. Thus, the modular DIN rail device module according to the invention enables flexible and individually adaptable installation of the electrical distribution board.

[0016] The modular device system according to the invention eliminates the need for power taps via screw or spring-loaded terminals, as is the case with conventional modular devices, which are complex to install and require numerous connecting parts such as terminal screws. With the modular device system according to the invention, for example, only four terminal screws are required for the power supply lines to install a system with five fuse switchgears, five floating breakers, and 30 miniature circuit breakers, as described in more detail below, thus eliminating the need for 130 conventional terminal screws.

[0017] The modular DIN rail device system according to the invention further has the advantage that a DIN rail device module can be easily removed from the operating position by moving the DIN rail device module relative to the connecting module along the insertion direction away from the mounting panel. Furthermore, a connecting module can be easily removed from the mounting panel by disconnecting the corresponding plug connection between the connecting module and the mounting panel. Thus, no laborious loosening of the conventional screw connections is necessary. This facilitates maintenance, repair, and replacement of the DIN rail device modules and the connecting modules.

[0018] The assembly of the modular DIN rail mounted device system, in particular the plugging of the connection module onto the mounting panel and the detaching of the connection module from the mounting panel as well as the insertion of the DIN rail mounted device module into the operating position and the removal of the DIN rail mounted device module from the operating position, can therefore be carried out without any problems even by a layperson or user of the electrical distribution board, since the complex screwing of the conventional DIN rail mounted devices is not required.

[0019] Furthermore, the DIN rail device module and the connection module can each be manufactured industrially, ie the pre-assembly can be industrialized, so that the electrical distribution board, which only has to be assembled by the user from the individual modules, becomes more cost-effective.

[0020] Preferably, the insertion direction is perpendicular or essentially perpendicular to the mounting panel. This enables particularly user-friendly installation of the electrical distribution board and particularly stable fastening and contacting of the DIN rail device module in the operating position.

[0021] Preferably, the modular DIN rail device system comprises an additional connection module. When the DIN rail device module is in the operating position, the one or more second contacts of the DIN rail device module contact the first conductor ends of the one or more conductor elements of the additional connection module.

[0022] This allows the input and output contacts of the DIN rail device module to be contacted by the connection module or the additional connection module, respectively, to achieve a current flow through the DIN rail device module. The DIN rail device module can be inserted between the connection module and the additional connection module and, in the operating position, can be locked into place with the two connection modules to achieve a mechanically and electrically stable connection.

[0023] In a preferred embodiment, the modular DIN rail device system comprises a further DIN rail device module. When the further DIN rail device module is in the operating position of the further DIN rail device module, the one or more first contacts of the further DIN rail device module contact the second conductor ends of the one or more conductor elements of the connecting module.

[0024] In this case, the connection module can electrically connect the DIN rail device module to the other DIN rail device module. Such a connection module is also referred to below as a cross-displacement module. The cross-displacement module preferably comprises three or four conductor elements (corresponding to the three outer conductors Li, L2, L3 and optionally the neutral conductor N).

[0025] Furthermore, the one or more conductor elements of the connection module can each have a third conductor end, and the DIN rail device system can comprise a yet further DIN rail device module. When the yet further DIN rail device module is in the operating position of the yet further DIN rail device module, the one or more first contacts of the yet further DIN rail device module contact the third conductor ends of the one or more conductor elements of the connection module. In this case, the connection module can thus electrically connect the DIN rail device module to the further DIN rail device module and to the yet further DIN rail device module. By providing additional conductor ends of the connection module, a single connection module or transverse displacement module can thus connect any number of DIN rail device modules to one another.

[0026] Particularly preferably, the connecting module comprises a plurality of conductor elements, each having a connecting portion that connects the respective first conductor end to the respective second conductor end. The connecting portions of the plurality of conductor elements extend in a transverse direction and are arranged offset from one another in the transverse direction. Furthermore, the connecting portions of the plurality of conductor elements can be spaced apart from one another in the insertion direction.

[0027] This results in a particularly compact and space-saving arrangement of the multiple conductor elements in the connection module.

[0028] In particular, two adjacent connecting elements can be offset from one another in the transverse direction by a distance of 18 mm, corresponding to the pitch unit according to the DIN 43 880 standard. In this respect, the DIN rail-mounted device system according to the invention can be compatible with conventional distribution boards and, for example, can be installed in existing control cabinets. Alternatively, two adjacent connecting elements can be offset from one another in the transverse direction by a distance other than 18 mm, for example, 27 mm.

[0029] In a further preferred embodiment, the second conductor ends of the one or more conductor elements are configured to contact one or more conductor rails arranged in the mounting panel or in a device carrier module of a modular mounting rack system.

[0030] In this case, the connection module can connect the DIN rail device module to the power inputs of the electrical distribution board. Such a connection module is also referred to below as a feed-in module. The feed-in module preferably comprises four conductor elements (corresponding to the three outer conductors Li, L2, L3, and the neutral conductor N).

[0031] Please note that the one or more conductor elements of the connection module do not necessarily have to be attached to the connection housing. For example, in the case of the cross-shift module (and the output module, described below), the one or more conductor elements can be attached to or in the respective connection housing; in the case of the feed-in module, however, the one or more conductor elements can be attached to the conductor rails and inserted into the connection housing of the feed-in module when the feed-in module is plugged onto the mounting panel.

[0032] In a further preferred embodiment, the second conductor ends of the one or more conductor elements are configured for connecting one or more consumer devices.

[0033] In this case, the connection module can electrically connect the DIN rail device module to the power outputs of the electrical distribution board. Such a connection module is also referred to below as an output module. The number of conductor elements of the output module is preferably three or a multiple of three (corresponding to the three outer conductors Li, L2, L3).

[0034] Furthermore, the output module can comprise one or more output conductor elements, each having a first output conductor end and a second output conductor end, wherein the first output conductor ends are configured to contact a neutral conductor rail arranged in or on the mounting panel or in or on a device carrier module of a modular assembly system, wherein the second output conductor ends are configured to connect the one or more consumer devices. Thus, a consumer device can be connected both to the second conductor end of a conductor element (outer conductor Li, L2, L3) and to the second output conductor end of an output conductor element (neutral conductor N), thus closing the circuit between the distributor and the consumer device.

[0035] Preferably, the connection module comprises one or more snap projections or snap hooks and one or more corresponding snap spring elements, and the DIN rail device module or the DIN rail device housing has one or more snap recesses or undercuts. When the DIN rail device module is in the operating position, the one or more snap projections engage, preferably in a form-fitting manner, in the one or more snap recesses and are preloaded in the direction of the DIN rail device module by means of spring forces of the one or more snap spring elements. The snap projections can be formed integrally with the respective snap spring elements (and made of plastic, for example) in order to save manufacturing costs. The spring forces are preferably perpendicular to the insertion direction.Conversely, however, the DIN rail device module can also include the snap projections and the connection module can include the snap recesses.

[0036] This makes the DIN rail device module particularly stable in the operating position and can be securely locked to the connection module.

[0037] Preferably, the DIN rail device module or the connection module comprises one or more first contact spring elements which are configured such that, when the DIN rail device module is in the operating position, the one or more first contacts of the DIN rail device module and the first conductor ends of the one or more conductor elements of the connection module are prestressed against one another by means of spring forces of the one or more first contact spring elements.

[0038] This achieves a particularly stable and secure electrical connection between the one or more first contacts of the DIN rail device module and the first conductor ends of the one or more conductor elements of the connection module.

[0039] In particular, the DIN rail device module can comprise the one or more first contact spring elements, wherein the one or more first contact spring elements are fastened on the one hand to the DIN rail device housing or to a part of the DIN rail device module that is immovable relative to the DIN rail device housing and on the other hand to the one or more first contacts or to one or more parts of the DIN rail device module that are immovable relative to the one or more first contacts.Alternatively, the connection module can comprise the one or more first contact spring elements, wherein the one or more first contact spring elements are fastened on the one hand to the connection housing or to a part of the connection module that is immovable relative to the connection housing and on the other hand to the first conductor ends of the one or more conductor elements or to one or more parts of the connection module that are immovable relative to the first conductor ends of the one or more conductor elements. It is also possible for the DIN rail device module to comprise some of the one or more first contact spring elements and for the connection module to comprise some other of the one or more first contact spring elements. Thus, the user-friendliness of the DIN rail device system according to the invention can be further improved depending on the desired application.

[0040] In particular, the spring forces of the one or more first contact spring elements can be perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the insertion direction. Alternatively, the spring forces of the one or more first contact spring elements can be parallel or substantially parallel to the insertion direction. Alternatively, the spring forces of the one or more first contact spring elements can form an angle with the insertion direction that is greater than 0° and less than 90°, wherein the angle is preferably less than 45 0 or equal to 45 0 or larger than 45 0 Thus, the user-friendliness of the inventive DIN rail device system can be further improved depending on the desired application.

[0041] Furthermore, the first conductor ends of the one or more conductor elements can have one or more locking projections or locking hooks for locking into one or more locking recesses or locking openings of the connection housing. Alternatively, the connection housing can have one or more locking projections or locking hooks for locking into one or more locking recesses or locking openings of the first conductor ends of the one or more conductor elements. Thus, the spring force of the contact spring elements can prevent the conductor elements or the first conductor ends from slipping out of the connection housing when the DIN rail device module is removed from the operating position.

[0042] Furthermore, the one or more first contacts of the DIN rail device module may comprise one or more first contact blades and the first conductor ends of the one or more conductor elements of the connection module may comprise one or more receiving slots, wherein, when the DIN rail device module is in the operating position, the one or more first contact blades engage in the one or more receiving slots.

[0043] This achieves a particularly stable and secure electrical connection between the one or more first contacts of the DIN rail device module and the first conductor ends of the one or more conductor elements of the connection module.

[0044] In a preferred embodiment, the DIN rail device module or the DIN rail device housing has a first side surface and one or more first hook elements, each arranged on the first side of the DIN rail device module, wherein the one or more first hook elements each have a first end portion spaced from the first side surface. In particular, the first hook elements can be attached to the DIN rail device housing or formed integrally with the DIN rail device housing. In this embodiment, the connection module has one or more projection elements. In particular, the projection elements can be attached to the connection housing or formed integrally with the connection housing.In this embodiment, when the DIN rail device module is in the operating position, the one or more projection elements are arranged between the first side surface and the first end portions of the one or more first hook elements and are preloaded against the first end portions of the one or more first hook elements by the spring forces of the one or more snap spring elements and / or by the spring forces of the one or more first contact spring elements. Preferably, a first hook element corresponds to a first contact of the DIN rail device module.

[0045] This hooking between the DIN rail device module and the connection module prevents, in particular, the conductor elements of the connection module from bending, e.g., due to heat or pressure or due to the spring forces of the one or more first contact spring elements. This ensures secure positioning and stabilization of the DIN rail device module relative to the connection module, and thus a particularly stable and secure electrical connection between the first contacts of the DIN rail device module and the first conductor ends of the conductor elements of the connection module is achieved. Furthermore, the hook elements can also serve as a support for a contact protection cover (or cover hood or panel) of a control cabinet into which the DIN rail device system is installed, as described in more detail below (see Fig. 6A and corresponding description).This ensures a stable support for the contact protection cover and thus increases user-friendliness and safety.

[0046] It should be noted that the above features regarding the first contacts of the DIN rail device module can apply analogously to the second contacts of the DIN rail device module. In particular, the DIN rail device module or the further connection module can comprise one or more second contact spring elements configured such that, when the DIN rail device module is in the operating position, the one or more second contacts of the DIN rail device module and the first conductor ends of the one or more conductor elements of the further connection module are biased against one another by means of spring forces of the one or more second contact spring elements.Furthermore, the one or more second contacts of the DIN rail device module may comprise one or more second contact blades, wherein, when the DIN rail device module is in the operating position, the one or more second contact blades engage in the one or more receiving slots of the further connection module.Furthermore, the DIN rail device module can have a second side surface and one or more second hook elements, each arranged on the second side of the DIN rail device module, wherein the one or more second hook elements each have a second end portion that is spaced from the second side surface, wherein, when the DIN rail device module is in the operating position, the one or more projection elements of the further connection module are arranged between the second side surface and the second end portions of the one or more second hook elements and are prestressed against the second end portions of the one or more second hook elements by means of the spring forces of the one or more snap spring elements of the further connection module and / or by means of the spring forces of the one or more second contact spring elements.This achieves the same advantageous effects as described above for the first contacts of the DIN rail device module.

[0047] In particular, the one or more first contacts and / or the one or more second contacts of the DIN rail device module can be plate-shaped. Alternatively or additionally, the one or more conductor elements of the connection module can be plate-shaped. This allows a contact area or contact line between the contacts of the DIN rail device module and the conductor ends of the conductor elements of the connection module to be enlarged, thus establishing a particularly stable and secure electrical contact between the DIN rail device module and the connection module when the DIN rail device module is in the operating position.Preferably, the openings in the connection housing, through which the first conductor ends and / or the second conductor ends of the one or more conductor elements can be contacted, are designed and dimensioned such that the first conductor ends and / or the second conductor ends cannot be contacted by a test finger in accordance with the standard DIN EN 60529. This increases safety during use and, in particular, during installation of the DIN rail-mounted device system, so that installation can be carried out without difficulty even by a layperson or user of the electrical distribution board.

[0048] Preferably, the connection module comprises one or more grooves and the DIN rail device module one or more guide elements, in particular grooves, for engaging in the one or more grooves and for moving the DIN rail device module relative to the connection module along the insertion direction. When the connection module is plugged onto the mounting panel, the one or more grooves can extend along the insertion direction. When the DIN rail device module is in the operating position, the one or more guide elements can extend along the insertion direction. Alternatively or additionally, the DIN rail device module can comprise one or more grooves and the connection module one or more guide elements, in particular grooves, for engaging in the one or more grooves and for moving the DIN rail device module relative to the connection module along the insertion direction.This facilitates the movement of the DIN rail device module relative to the connection module along the insertion direction and the insertion of the DIN rail device module into the operating position or the removal of the DIN rail device module from the operating position, thus increasing user-friendliness.

[0049] In a preferred embodiment, the DIN rail device module comprises one or more first coding slots, which are arranged on the first side of the DIN rail device module or are formed in the first side wall of the DIN rail device module, and the connection module comprises one or more coding pins for engaging, in particular for positive engagement, in the one or more first coding slots. Preferably, the DIN rail device module further comprises one or more second coding slots, which are arranged on the second side of the DIN rail device module or are formed in the second side wall of the DIN rail device module, and the further connection module comprises one or more coding pins for engaging, in particular for positive engagement, in the one or more second coding slots.When the connection module and / or the additional connection module are plugged onto the mounting panel, the respective one or more coding pins can extend along the insertion direction. When the DIN rail device module is in the operating position, the one or more coding slots can extend along the insertion direction.When the connection module and the further connection module are plugged onto the mounting panel, the one or more second coding pins can be arranged relative to the one or more first coding pins in the longitudinal direction, in a diagonal direction that forms a first angle with the longitudinal direction greater than 0° and less than 90°, or in an opposite diagonal direction that forms a second angle with the longitudinal direction less than 0° and greater than -90°, wherein the second angle is particularly preferably equal to minus the first angle in order to code the DIN rail device module and / or its orientation. Accordingly, when the DIN rail device module is inserted into the operating position, the one or more second coding slots can be arranged relative to the one or more first coding slots in the longitudinal direction, in the diagonal direction, or in the opposite diagonal direction.Please note that the roles of coding slots and coding pins can be reversed, ie the DIN rail device module can include coding pins instead of coding slots and the connection module or the further connection module can include corresponding coding slots instead of coding pins.

[0050] In a particularly preferred embodiment, the one or more first coding slots and the one or more coding pins of the connection module, and / or the one or more second coding slots and the one or more coding pins of the further connection module are arranged and / or dimensioned such that: when the DIN rail mounted device module has a first orientation relative to the connection module and / or the further connection module, the DIN rail mounted device module is arranged to be movable relative to the connection module and / or the further connection module along the insertion direction and can be inserted into the operating position by movement along the insertion direction and can be locked to the connection module and / or the further connection module in the operating position;and if the DIN rail device module has a second orientation relative to the connection module and / or the further connection module, which is different from the first orientation, the DIN rail device module is not arranged to be movable along the insertion direction relative to the connection module and / or the further connection module and / or cannot be inserted into the operating position and / or cannot be locked to the connection module and / or the further connection module. The second orientation of the DIN rail device module can, in particular, be rotated by 180° about the insertion direction relative to the first orientation. This means that the DIN rail device module having the second orientation can be rotated by 180° about the insertion direction relative to the DIN rail device module having the first orientation, in particular such that the input and output contacts of the DIN rail device module are arranged in an interchangeable manner.

[0051] This ensures that the DIN rail device module can only be inserted into the operating position if it has the correct orientation relative to the connection module and / or the additional connection module, so that in particular the desired connection of the input or output contacts of the DIN rail device module with conductor elements of the respective connection modules can be established. This provides protection against incorrect insertion of the DIN rail device modules, in particular an anti-twist device. This prevents damage to the DIN rail device system due to inadvertent insertion of the DIN rail device module with an incorrect orientation. This is particularly advantageous if the DIN rail device system is installed by a layperson or user of the DIN rail device system. This further increases the user-friendliness of the DIN rail device system.

[0052] In a particularly preferred embodiment, the one or more first coding slots and the one or more coding pins of the connection module, and / or the one or more second coding slots and the one or more coding pins of the further connection module are arranged and / or dimensioned such that the DIN rail device module can be inserted into the operating position and a further DIN rail device module can be inserted into a further operating position, and that the DIN rail device module cannot be inserted into the further operating position and / or the further DIN rail device module cannot be inserted into the operating position.

[0053] This ensures that each DIN rail device module can only be inserted into its corresponding operating position (or into one of several corresponding operating positions) and cannot be accidentally inserted into the operating position of another DIN rail device module. This provides protection against incorrect insertion of the DIN rail device modules, and in particular prevents them from being mixed up. This prevents damage to the DIN rail device system due to incorrect arrangement of the DIN rail device modules during installation. This is particularly advantageous if the DIN rail device system is installed by a layperson or user of the DIN rail device system. This further increases the user-friendliness of the DIN rail device system.In a further particularly preferred embodiment, the one or more first coding slots and the one or more coding pins of the connection module, and / or the one or more second coding slots and the one or more coding pins of the further connection module are configured such that the DIN rail device module can be inserted into the operating position and i) a further DIN rail device module can be inserted into the operating position if the further DIN rail device has the same or substantially the same current or voltage as the DIN rail device module, and / or ii) a further DIN rail device module cannot be inserted into the operating position if the further DIN rail device does not have the same or substantially the same current or voltage as the DIN rail device module.This ensures that only suitable DIN rail-mounted device modules, especially DIN rail-mounted device modules with the appropriate current and voltage, can be mounted at each position on the mounting panel system. Incorrect installation of incompatible switchgear or DIN rail-mounted device modules can thus be completely eliminated, further increasing user-friendliness and safety.

[0054] According to the present invention, a DIN rail device module for a DIN rail device system comprises: a DIN rail device functional unit, an electrically insulating DIN rail device housing, one or more first contacts arranged on a first side of the DIN rail device module, and one or more second contacts arranged on a second side of the DIN rail device module opposite the first side. As described above, the DIN rail device module according to the invention enables, in particular, flexible, simple, secure, and lightning-fast installation of an electrical distribution board, thus increasing user-friendliness depending on the desired application.

[0055] According to the present invention, a connection module for a DIN rail device system comprises: an electrically insulating connection housing, one or more connection plug-in elements for plugging the connection module onto a mounting panel of the electrical distribution board and for detaching the connection module from the mounting panel, and one or more conductor elements, each having a first conductor end and a second conductor end, wherein the first conductor end and the second conductor end can each be contacted via a corresponding opening in the connection housing. As described above, the connection module according to the invention enables, in particular, flexible, simple, secure, and lightning-fast installation of an electrical distribution board, thus increasing user-friendliness depending on the desired application. The width of a DIN rail device module or a connection module can, in particular, be a multiple of 18 mm, i.e.the modular spacing a according to DIN 43 880. Accordingly, the distance between two adjacent (first or second) contacts of the DIN rail device module or two adjacent (first or second) conductor ends of the conductor elements of the connection module can be 18 mm. The remaining dimensions of the DIN rail device module and the connection module can also correspond to the dimensions of conventional DIN rail device modules according to DIN 43 880, so that the DIN rail device system is compatible with conventional distributors and can, for example, be installed in existing switch cabinets. In particular, the depth dimensions of the DIN rail device module and the connection module can correspond to the respective depth dimensions (in particular t4 or t2) according to DIN 43 880, so that the DIN rail device system according to the invention can be installed in existing switch cabinets.However, the dimensions of the DIN rail device module and the connection module can also differ from the dimensions of conventional DIN rail device modules. In particular, the division unit can be larger than 18 mm, e.g. 27 mm, to provide more space for different functional units, or smaller than 18 mm to enable a more compact and space-saving distributor. Furthermore, the height of the front of the DIN rail device modules can be, for example, 60 mm, 70 mm, 75 mm, or 80 mm, instead of 45 mm according to DIN 43 880. Accordingly, cover hoods with an enlarged slot width of, for example, 60 mm or 70 mm instead of 45 mm can be provided. This means that the DIN rail device modules offer more space for different functional units, thus increasing user-friendliness depending on the desired application.

[0056] These and other features and advantages of the invention will become clear from the accompanying drawings, which show particularly advantageous embodiments. They show:

[0057] Fig. 1A, 1B each show a perspective view of a modular mounting panel system and an embodiment of a modular DIN rail device system according to the invention;

[0058] Fig. 2 is a plan view of the modular DIN rail device system and the modular mounting panel system;

[0059] Fig. 3A is a right-side view of the modular DIN-rail device system and the modular mounting panel system in Fig. 2; Fig. 3B is a left-side view of the modular DIN-rail device system and the modular mounting panel system in Fig. 2;

[0060] Fig. 4A is a view from the lower direction in Fig. 2 of the modular

[0061] DIN rail mounted device system and the modular mounting panel system;

[0062] Fig. 4B is a view from the upper direction in Fig. 2 of the modular

[0063] DIN rail mounted device system and the modular mounting panel system;

[0064] Fig. 5A, 5B each show a perspective view of the modular DIN rail device system and the modular mounting panel system with the DIN rail device modules removed;

[0065] Fig. 5C is a plan view of the modular DIN rail device system and the modular mounting panel system with the DIN rail device modules removed;

[0066] Fig. 6A is a cross-sectional view along AA in Fig. 2;

[0067] Fig. 6B shows the enlarged section X from Fig. 6A;

[0068] Fig. 6C shows the enlarged section Y from Fig. 6B;

[0069] Fig. 7A is a cross-sectional view along BB in Fig. 2;

[0070] Fig. 7B shows the enlarged section I from Fig. 7A;

[0071] Fig. 8A is a cross-sectional view along CC in Fig. 2;

[0072] Fig. 8B shows the enlarged section Z from Fig. 8A;

[0073] Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view along DD in Fig. 2;

[0074] Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional view along EE in Fig. 2; Figs. 11A, 11B are each a perspective view of a device carrier module with plugged-in feed-in modules and with a power feed-in block;

[0075] Fig. 12A is a side view of the right side of the equipment carrier module from Fig. 11A, 11B;

[0076] Fig. 12B is a plan view of the device carrier module of Fig. 11A, 11B;

[0077] Fig. 12C is a side view from the left side of the equipment carrier module of Fig. 11A, 11B;

[0078] Fig. 13A, 13B each show a perspective view of a device carrier module without plugged-on connection modules and without power feed block;

[0079] Fig. 14A is a side view of the right side of the equipment carrier module from Fig. 13A, 13B;

[0080] Fig. 14B is a plan view of the device carrier module of Fig. 13A, 13B;

[0081] Fig. 14C is a side view of the left side of the equipment carrier module of Fig. 13A, 13B;

[0082] Fig. 15A, 15B each show a perspective view of a device carrier module with plugged-on output modules;

[0083] Fig. 16A is a side view of the right side of the equipment carrier module from Fig. 15A, 15B;

[0084] Fig. 16B is a plan view of the output device carrier module of Fig. 15A, 15B;

[0085] Fig. 16C is a left side view of the equipment carrier module of Figs. 15A, 15B; Fig. 17A is a bottom view of an embodiment of a connecting module according to the invention, more specifically a transverse displacement module, mounted on the left and center equipment carrier modules in Figs. 1A, 1B.

[0086] Fig. 17B is a cross-sectional view taken along II in Fig. 17A;

[0087] Fig. 17C is a cross-sectional view taken along I1-I1 in Fig. 17A;

[0088] Fig. 17D is a perspective view of the connection module of Fig. 17A;

[0089] Fig. 17E is a perspective view of the conductor elements of the connection module of Fig. 17A;

[0090] Fig. 18A is a view from the top direction of an embodiment of a connecting module according to the invention, more particularly a transverse displacement module, which is mounted on the central and right equipment carrier modules in Figs. 1A, 1B;

[0091] Fig. 18B is a plan view of the connection module of Fig. 18A;

[0092] Fig. 18C is a cross-sectional view taken along JJ in Fig. 18A;

[0093] Fig. 18D is a cross-sectional view along KK in Fig. 18A;

[0094] Fig. 18E is a perspective view of the connection module of Fig. 18A;

[0095] Fig. 18F is a perspective view of the conductor elements of the connection module of Fig. 18A;

[0096] Fig. 19A is a bottom view of an embodiment of a connection module, more specifically an output module, mounted on the right device carrier module in Figs. 1A, 1B; Fig. 19B is a cross-sectional view along LL in Fig. 19A;

[0097] Fig. 19C is a plan view of the connection module of Fig. 19A;

[0098] Fig. 19D is a perspective view of the connection module of Fig. 19A;

[0099] Fig. 20A is a cross-sectional view taken along FF in Fig. 2;

[0100] Fig. 20B shows the enlarged section K from Fig. 20A;

[0101] Fig. 20C shows the enlarged section J from Fig. 20A;

[0102] Fig. 21A is a cross-sectional view along GG in Fig. 2;

[0103] Fig. 21B shows the enlarged section M from Fig. 21A;

[0104] Fig. 22A is a perspective view of a modular mounting panel system with conductor rails and neutral rails inserted, with the covers of the device carrier modules removed;

[0105] Fig. 22B is a plan view of the modular mounting panel system of Fig. 22A;

[0106] Fig. 23A is a perspective view of a modular mounting panel system and a modular DIN rail device system embodiment of the present invention, with some modules and covers removed to show the neutral conductor rail routing;

[0107] Fig. 23B is a plan view of the DIN rail device system and the mounting panel system of Fig. 23A;

[0108] Fig. 23C is a cross-sectional view along RR in Fig. 23B;

[0109] Fig. 23D a perspective view of a device carrier module with attached transverse displacement modules and output modules and with a neutral conductor rail (corresponding to the right device carrier module in Fig. 2);

[0110] Fig. 24A a conductor rail;

[0111] Fig. 24B shows the enlarged section W from Fig. 24A;

[0112] Fig. 25A a conductor rail;

[0113] Fig. 25B shows the enlarged section V from Fig. 25A;

[0114] Fig. 26A-C three different conductor rails;

[0115] Fig. 27A is a perspective view of an embodiment of a DIN rail mounted device module, more specifically a fuse switching device module, according to the invention;

[0116] Fig. 27B is a plan view of the DIN rail device module of Fig. 27A;

[0117] Fig. 27C is a cross-sectional view along RR in Fig. 27B;

[0118] Fig. 27D is a perspective view of an embodiment of a DIN rail mounted device module according to the invention, more specifically an RCD module;

[0119] Fig. 27E is a perspective view of an embodiment of a DIN rail mounted device module, more specifically a circuit breaker protection device module, according to the invention;

[0120] Fig. 27F is a perspective view of an embodiment of a DIN rail device module according to the invention;

[0121] Fig. 28 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a modular DIN rail device system and a modular mounting panel system according to the invention; Fig. 29A is a plan view of the modular DIN rail device system and the modular mounting panel system of Fig. 28;

[0122] Fig. 29B is a cross-sectional view taken along 0-0 in Fig. 29A;

[0123] Fig. 29C shows the enlarged section P from Fig. 29B;

[0124] Fig. 30 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a modular DIN rail device system and a modular mounting panel system according to the invention;

[0125] Fig. 31A is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a modular DIN rail device system and a modular mounting panel system according to the invention;

[0126] Fig. 31B shows the enlarged section Q from Fig. 31A;

[0127] Fig. 32 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a modular DIN rail device system according to the invention;

[0128] Fig. 33 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a modular DIN rail device system according to the invention; and

[0129] Fig. 34 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a modular DIN rail device system according to the invention.

[0130] 1A and 1B each show a perspective view of an embodiment of a modular DIN rail device system and an embodiment of a modular mounting panel system. Fig. 2 shows a top view of the modular DIN rail device system and the modular mounting panel system. Fig. 3A shows a right side view in Fig. 2 of the modular DIN rail device system and the modular mounting panel system. Fig. 3B shows a left side view in Fig. 2 of the modular DIN rail device system and the modular mounting panel system. Fig. 4A shows a bottom view in Fig. 2 of the modular DIN rail device system and the modular mounting panel system. Fig. 4B shows a top view in Fig. 2 of the modular DIN rail device system and the modular mounting panel system. Fig.5A and 5B each show a perspective view of the modular rail-mounted device system and the modular mounting panel system with the rail-mounted device modules 1 removed. Fig. 5C shows a plan view of the modular rail-mounted device system and the modular mounting panel system with the rail-mounted device modules 1 removed.

[0131] In this embodiment, the modular mounting panel system comprises three device carrier modules 3: a device carrier module 3 arranged on the left in Fig. 2 (hereinafter referred to as the "left device carrier module 3"), a device carrier module 3 arranged in the middle in Fig. 2 (hereinafter referred to as the "center device carrier module 3"), and a device carrier module 3 arranged on the right in Fig. 3 (hereinafter referred to as the "right device carrier module 3"). The left and center device carrier modules 3, as well as the center and right device carrier modules 3, are each fastened to one another in the transverse direction (horizontal direction in Fig. 2) to form a mounting panel or a mounting panel system for an electrical distribution board. The device carrier modules 3 each contain three locking units for fastening the mounting panel to three parallel DIN rails 7.

[0132] In this embodiment, the modular DIN rail mounted device system further comprises three installation rows, wherein, by way of example, an upper and a middle (in Fig. 2) installation row, each with a fuse switchgear module 1a, an earth leakage protection device module ib and six single-pole miniature circuit breaker protection modules ic, as well as a lower (in Fig. 2) installation row with a fuse switchgear module 1a, an earth leakage protection device module ib and a three-pole DIN rail mounted device module id are shown. The DIN rail mounted device modules 1 are each inserted in their respective operating positions between two connection modules 2 which are plugged onto the device carrier modules 3. In this embodiment, each of the three installation rows contains four connection modules 2: a feed-in module 2a, which is mounted oris plugged on, a first transverse displacement module 2b which is mounted on the left and the central device carrier module 3, a second transverse displacement module 2b which is mounted on the central and the right device carrier module 3, and an output module 2c which is mounted on the right device carrier module 3.

[0133] In this embodiment, for example, the left device carrier module 3 and the central device carrier module 3 each comprise four conductor insertion tracks 31, while the right device carrier module 3 comprises six conductor insertion tracks 31. The conductor insertion tracks 31 each extend in the longitudinal direction (vertical direction in Fig. 2). The distance between the center lines of two adjacent conductor insertion tracks 31 is, for example, 27 mm for the left device carrier module 3 and the central device carrier module 3 and 18 mm for the right device carrier module 3. In this case, each of the three device carrier modules 3 has the same dimension in the transverse direction, namely 4 x 27 mm = 6 x 18 mm = 108 mm.

[0134] Four conductor rails 5 are arranged in the four conductor insertion paths 31 of the left device carrier module 3, corresponding to the neutral conductor N and the three phase conductors Li, L2, and L3 of a three-phase connection. The conductor rails 5 are concealed by electrically insulating covers 36 and are therefore not visible in Figs. 1A to 5B (see, however, Figs. 22A and 22B, where the electrically insulating covers 36 are removed). The current is transmitted to the conductor rails 5 via a power feed-in block with four input terminals (clamping screws) 8, which in this embodiment is arranged on an upper section of the left device carrier module 3 (top left in Fig. 2). For each installation row, the current is conducted from the conductor rails 5 via conductor elements 23, which are attached to the conductor rails 5 and arranged in the feed-in module 2a, through the fuse switchgear module 1a to the first transverse displacement module 2b.The first transverse displacement module 2b conducts the current further along the transverse direction (perpendicular to the longitudinal direction) from the left device carrier module 3 to the central device carrier module 3. From there, the current is conducted through the residual current device module ib to the second transverse displacement module 2b. The second transverse displacement module 2b conducts the current further along the transverse direction from the central device carrier module 3 to the right device carrier module 3. From there, the current is conducted through the DIN rail installation device modules 1 installed on the right device carrier module 3 (i.e. the six circuit breaker protection device modules ic of the upper or middle installation row or the three-pole DIN rail installation device module id of the lower installation row) to the respective output module 2c and from there via output terminals 9 to the consumer devices.The right-hand device carrier module 3 further comprises output conductor elements, each of which connects the consumer devices to a neutral conductor rail 6 to close the circuit between the distribution board and the consumer devices. The neutral conductor rail 6 can be arranged at least partially within the output module 2c, as described in more detail below (see Figs. 22A to 23D). Alternatively, the neutral conductor rail 6 can also be inserted into a corresponding neutral conductor insertion track of a device carrier module 3, which runs in the transverse direction.

[0135] In Fig. 5A to 5C it can also be seen that the connection modules 2 contain coding pins 27 for engaging in corresponding coding slots 15a, 15b of the DIN rail device modules ta to id (see Fig. 27A and 27D to 27F). As shown in Fig. 5C by dashed arrows, the coding pins 27 of two opposing connection modules 2 (each plugged into a first slot 35a and a corresponding second slot 35b) for the central device carrier module 3 are arranged relative to each other in the longitudinal direction (from top to bottom in Fig. 5C: vertical pins) in order to code the residual current device module ib; for the left device carrier module 3, arranged relative to each other in a diagonal direction (from top left to bottom right in Fig. 5C: diagonal pins) to code the fuse switch module 1a; and for the right device carrier module 3, arranged in an opposite diagonal direction (from top right to bottom left in Fig.5C: counter-diagonal pins) are arranged to code the circuit breaker protection module ic or the three-pole DIN rail-mounted device module id. When the respective DIN rail-mounted device module 1a to id is in the operating position, the coding slots 15a, 15b are arranged in the longitudinal direction, the diagonal direction, or the opposite diagonal direction, as can be seen in Figs. 27A and 27D to 27F. Furthermore, it can be seen in Figs. 5A to 5C that the electrically insulating covers 36 can contain coding elements 361. Specifically, the electrically insulating cover 36, which is arranged bottom right in Figs. 5A to 5C, contains two coding elements 361 to code the further DIN rail-mounted device id. These are designed as two rectangular projections in the plan view of Fig. 5C for engaging in corresponding recesses of the further DIN rail device module id.However, the coding elements can have shapes other than rectangles in plan view, e.g. squares, triangles, circles and ellipses, in order to code corresponding DIN rail device modules or their orientations in the operating position.

[0136] Fig. 6A shows a cross-sectional view along AA in Fig. 2. Fig. 6B shows the enlarged section X from Fig. 6A. Fig. 6C shows the enlarged section Y from Fig. 6B. The DIN rail device module 1 comprises a DIN rail device functional unit (arranged inside the DIN rail device module 1, not shown), an electrically insulating DIN rail device housing 11, one or more first contacts 13a arranged on a first side (right side in Fig. 6A, 6B) of the DIN rail device module 1, and one or more second contacts 13b arranged on a second side (left side in Fig. 6A, 6B) of the DIN rail device module 1, which is opposite the first side (see also Fig. 27A, 27B and 27C).The connection module 2 comprises an electrically insulating connection housing 21, one or more connection plug-in elements 22 for plugging or detachably fastening the connection module 2 onto the mounting panel or onto one or more device carrier modules 3 and for detaching the connection module 2 from the mounting panel or from the one or more device carrier modules 3, as well as one or more conductor elements 23, each having a first conductor end 231a and a second conductor end 231b, wherein the first conductor end 231a and the second conductor end 231b can each be contacted via a corresponding opening in the connection housing 21 (see Fig. 17A to Fig. 19D).

[0137] Fig. 6A further shows a touch protection cover 182 (or cover hood 182 or panel 182) of a switch cabinet in which the DIN rail device system is installed. In this case, the touch protection cover 182 rests on the hook elements 18 or on corresponding support surfaces of the hook elements 18 of the DIN rail device modules 1. The touch protection cover 182 has openings from which the DIN rail device modules 1 protrude in their respective operating positions, as can be seen in Fig. 6A. The openings of the touch protection cover 182 have the same or substantially the same size and shape as the cross-sections (in plan view) of the corresponding DIN rail device modules 1. The DIN rail device modules 1 can be dimensioned such that they can be installed in conventional switch cabinets with conventionally dimensioned touch protection covers 182.If, however, the DIN rail device modules 1 have different dimensions, the dimensions of the openings of the touch protection cover 182 can be adapted to the dimensions of the DIN rail device modules 1, so that the DIN rail device modules 1 can be installed in the control cabinet with the adapted touch protection cover 182. Note that in the other figures, except for Fig. 6A, the touch protection cover 182 has been omitted.

[0138] 6A and 6B show, in particular, a feed-in module 2a and a transverse displacement module 2b, each of which is plugged onto the mounting plate as described above, as well as a DIN rail-mounted device module 1, which is arranged to be movable relative to the two connection modules 2 along an insertion direction and can be inserted into an operating position by moving along the insertion direction towards the mounting panel and can be removed from the operating position by moving along the insertion direction away from the mounting panel. In this embodiment, the insertion direction (vertical direction in Figs. 6A, 6B) runs perpendicular to the mounting panel. In this embodiment, the DIN rail-mounted device module 1 is inserted between the feed-in module 2a and the transverse displacement module 2b and is locked into the operating position with the two connection modules 2, so that the first contacts 13a (e.g.The first contacts 13b (e.g., input contacts) of the DIN rail device module 1 contact the first conductor ends 231a of a conductor element 23 arranged in the feed-in module 2a, and the second contacts 13b (e.g., output contacts) of the DIN rail device module 1 contact the first conductor ends 231a of a conductor element 23 arranged in the cross-displacement module 2b. The feed-in module 2a is an example of the connection module 2, and the cross-displacement module 2b is an example of the further connection module 2.

[0139] In this embodiment, the feed-in module 2a comprises first contact spring elements 26a, which are configured such that, when the DIN rail device module 1 is in the operating position (as shown in Figs. 6A, 6B), the first contacts 13a of the DIN rail device module 1 and the first conductor ends 231a of the conductor elements 23 of the feed-in module 2a are biased against each other by means of spring forces of the first contact spring elements 26a. In this embodiment, the first contact spring elements 26a are fastened on the one hand to the connection housing 21 and on the other hand to the first conductor ends 231a of the conductor elements 23 of the feed-in module 2a. The spring forces of the first contact spring elements 26a in this embodiment are perpendicular to the insertion direction (i.e., the spring forces act in the horizontal direction in Figs. 6A, 6B).Furthermore, the transverse displacement module 2b comprises second contact spring elements 26b, which are configured such that, when the DIN rail device module 1 is in the operating position, the second contacts 13b of the DIN rail device module 1 and the first conductor ends 231a of the conductor elements 23 of the transverse displacement module 2b are biased against each other by means of spring forces of the second contact spring elements 26b. In this embodiment, the second contact spring elements 26b are attached on the one hand to the connection housing 21 and on the other hand to the first conductor ends 231a of the conductor elements 23 of the transverse displacement module 2b. The spring forces of the second contact spring elements 26b are also perpendicular to the insertion direction. In Fig. 6B and 6C, the locking projection 233 formed on the first conductor end 231a of the conductor element 23 and the locking recess 212 formed on the connection housing 21 can also be seen.The locking projection 233 is designed as a locking hook in this case. The locking recess 212 is designed as an opening (locking opening) in the connection housing 21. The locking projection 233 is designed to lock into the locking recess 212, so that the spring force of the contact spring element 26b prevents the conductor element 23 or the first conductor end 231a from slipping out of the connection housing 21 when the DIN rail device module 1 is removed from the operating position.

[0140] The DIN rail device module 1 further comprises a first side surface 17a and first hook elements 18a, each arranged on the first side (right side in Figs. 6A, 6B) of the DIN rail device module 1, wherein the first hook elements 18a each have a first end portion 181a spaced from the first side surface 17a. The feed-in module 2a comprises projection elements 28 in this embodiment. When the DIN rail device module 1 is in the operating position (as shown in Fig. 6A, 6B), the projection elements 28 of the feed-in module 2a are arranged between the first side surface 17a and the first end sections 181a of the first hook elements 18a and are prestressed against the first end sections 181a of the first hook elements 18a by means of the spring forces of the snap spring elements 25 (see Fig. 10 and corresponding description) and / or by means of the spring forces of the first contact spring elements 26a.Furthermore, the DIN rail device module 1 has a second side surface 17b and second hook elements 18b, each of which is arranged on the second side (left side in Fig. 6A, 6B) of the DIN rail device module 1, wherein the second hook elements 18b each have a second end portion 181b that is spaced from the second side surface 17b. In this embodiment, the transverse displacement module 2b has projection elements 28. When the DIN rail device module 1 is in the operating position, the projection elements 28 of the transverse displacement module 2b are arranged between the second side surface 17b and the second end portions 181b of the second hook elements 18b and are pretensioned against the second end portions 181b of the second hook elements 18b by means of the spring forces of the second contact spring elements 26b.

[0141] Fig. 7A shows a cross-sectional view along BB in Fig. 2. Fig. 7B shows the enlarged section I of Fig. 7A. In particular, Figs. 7A and 7B show a first transverse displacement module 2b (left in Figs. 7A and 7B) and a second transverse displacement module 2b (right in Figs. 7A and 7B), each plugged onto the mounting plate, as well as a DIN rail device module 1 inserted into the operating position between the first transverse displacement module 2b and the second transverse displacement module 2b. The first transverse displacement module 2b is an example of the connection module 2, and the second transverse displacement module 2b is an example of the further connection module 2.

[0142] Fig. 8A shows a cross-sectional view along CC in Fig. 2. Fig. 8B shows the enlarged section Z of Fig. 8A. In particular, Figs. 8A and 8B show a transverse displacement module 2b and an output module 2c, each plugged onto the mounting plate, as well as a DIN rail device module 1 inserted into the operating position between the transverse displacement module 2b and the output module 2c. The transverse displacement module 2b is an example of the connection module 2, and the output module 2c is an example of the further connection module 2.

[0143] Fig. 9 shows a cross-sectional view along DD in Fig. 2. In this embodiment, the device carrier module 3 comprises three locking units for locking onto three parallel top-hat rails 7. The locking units each comprise a first locking element 38a; a second locking element 38b, which is arranged to be movable back and forth relative to the first locking element 38a along the longitudinal direction between an arrangement position for arranging the device carrier module 3 relative to a top-hat rail 7, so that the top-hat rail 7 can be positioned between the first locking element 38a and the second locking element 38b, and a clamping position for clamping or clamping the top-hat rail 7 between the first locking element 38a and the second locking element 38b; and a locking spring element 39, which is configured to preload the second locking element 38b in the direction of the first locking element 38a in each position.9 shows, in particular, three locking units: in the central and right-hand locking units, the second locking element 38b is in the arrangement position, while in the left-hand locking unit, the second locking element 38b is in the clamping position. The second locking element 38b further comprises an engagement element 381 into which a user can engage with a tool, e.g., a screwdriver, to move the second locking element 38b from the clamping position to the arrangement position against the spring force of the locking spring element 39 in order to release the device carrier module 3 or the mounting panel from the top-hat rail 7.

[0144] Fig. 10 shows a cross-sectional view along EE in Fig. 2. In this embodiment, the respective right-hand connection module 2a comprises one or more snap projections 24, which are designed as snap hooks 24, and one or more snap spring elements 25, and the DIN rail device module 1 has one or more snap recesses 14 or undercuts 14. When the DIN rail device module 1 is in the operating position, as shown in Fig. 10, the one or more snap projections 24 engage positively in the one or more snap recesses 14 and are preloaded in the direction of the DIN rail device module 1 by means of spring forces of the one or more snap spring elements 25. In this embodiment, the spring forces are perpendicular to the insertion direction, ie parallel to the mounting panel (horizontal in Fig. 10).

[0145] Fig. 11A and 11B each show a perspective view of a device carrier module 3 with plugged-on connection modules or, more precisely, feed-in modules 2a and with a power feed-in block arranged on an upper section of the device carrier module 3; this device carrier module 3 corresponds to the left device carrier module 3 in Fig. 2; Fig. 12A shows a side view from the right side of this device carrier module 3; Fig. 12B shows a top view of this device carrier module 3; and Fig. 12C shows a side view from the left side of this device carrier module 3. Fig. 13A and 13B each show a perspective view of a device carrier module 3 without plugged-on connection modules 2 and without a power feed-in block; this device carrier module 3 corresponds to the central device carrier module 3 in Fig. 2; Fig. 14A shows a right side view of this equipment carrier module 3; Fig. 14B shows a top view of this equipment carrier module 3; and Fig.14C shows a side view of the left side of this device carrier module 3. In the following, the left device carrier module 3 (from Fig. 11A to 12C) and the central device carrier module 3 (from Fig. 13A to 14C) are described together, since they essentially only differ in the power feed block of the left device carrier module 3.

[0146] The device carrier module 3 comprises a first side wall 33a and a second side wall 33b, which are arranged on opposite sides (left side and right side in Fig. 12B and 14B, respectively) of the device carrier module 3 and each extend in the longitudinal direction of the device carrier module 3 (vertical direction in Fig. 12B and 14B, respectively). In this embodiment, the device carrier module 3 comprises three first slots 35a and three second slots 35b, each of which comprises a plurality of device carrier plug-in elements 351, wherein the second slots 35b are each arranged at a predetermined distance in the longitudinal direction of the device carrier module 3 from the first slots 35a. The predetermined distance between a first slot 35a and a second slot 35b corresponds to a height of a DIN rail device module 1 which can be inserted into an operating position between a first connection module 2 and a second connection module 2 which are respectively aligned with the first slot 35a and the second slot 35b.second slot 35b can be inserted.

[0147] In this embodiment, the device carrier plug-in elements 351 are designed as plug-in recesses into which corresponding connecting plug-in elements 22 of a connecting module 2, which are designed as plug-in projections, can be inserted. In particular, the device carrier plug-in elements 351 are designed as L-shaped plug-in recesses. Thus, the connecting plug-in elements 22 of a connecting module 2, which are designed as plug-in projections, can be inserted into the respective L-shaped plug-in recesses 351 by an L-shaped movement. This L-shaped movement is indicated by dashed arrows in Figs. 13A, 13B, 14B and 23A. The connecting module 2 is first moved along the insertion direction (direction perpendicular to the plane of the paper in Fig. 14B) towards the device carrier module 3, so that the connecting plug-in elements 22 are inserted into the device carrier plug-in elements 351.The connection module 2 is then moved along the longitudinal direction of the device carrier module 3. In this way, the connection module 2 is fastened to the device carrier module 3. Two opposing connection modules 2, which are plugged into a first slot 35a or a second slot 35b, are moved away from each other in opposite directions along the longitudinal direction of the device carrier module 3. To detach the two connection modules 2 from the device carrier module 3, the connection modules 2 must first be moved towards each other along the longitudinal direction and then moved away from the mounting panel along the insertion direction.However, if a DIN rail device module i is inserted in the operating position between the two connection modules 2 and is locked to the two connection modules 2, the connection modules 2 cannot be moved toward each other without first removing the DIN rail device module 1 from the operating position. This ensures particularly simple, stable, and secure attachment of the connection modules 2 and the DIN rail device modules 1 to the device carrier modules 3.

[0148] In this embodiment, the device carrier module 3 comprises four conductor insertion tracks 31 that extend in the longitudinal direction of the device carrier module 3 and are designed for inserting and / or releasably fastening four conductor rails 5, wherein two adjacent conductor insertion tracks 31 are separated from one another by an electrically insulating separating track 32. In this embodiment, in the left device carrier module 3 (shown in Figs. 11A to 12C), a conductor rail 5 is inserted into each of the four conductor insertion tracks 31. However, the conductor insertion tracks 31 and conductor rails 5 are concealed by the electrically insulating covers 36 and are therefore not visible; see, however, Figs. 22A and 22B.

[0149] In this embodiment, the device carrier module 3 further comprises six first transverse connecting elements 34a, which are arranged on the first side wall 33a (left side wall in Fig. 12B or 14B) of the device carrier module 3, and six second transverse connecting elements 34b, which are arranged on the second side wall 33b (right side wall in Fig. 12B or 14B) of the device carrier module 3. The device carrier module 3 (e.g. the left device carrier module 3 in Fig. 2) and a first further device carrier module 3 (e.g. the central device carrier module 3 in Fig. 2) can be releasably fastened to one another via the second transverse connecting elements 34b of the device carrier module 3 and the first transverse connecting elements 34a of the first further device carrier module 3, so that the first further device carrier module 3 is arranged offset in the transverse direction relative to the device carrier module 3.In this embodiment, the first transverse connecting elements 34a are designed as projections and the second lateral connecting elements 34b are designed as recesses, wherein the projections 34a are T-shaped (see in particular Figs. 12B and 14B, in which the T-shape can be seen in the plan view).

[0150] Furthermore, the device carrier module 3 in this embodiment comprises two first longitudinal connecting elements 37a, which are arranged on the lower edge section in Fig. 12B and 14B of the device carrier module 3, and two second longitudinal connecting elements 37b, which are arranged on the upper edge section in Fig. 12B of the device carrier module 3, wherein the device carrier module 3 and a second further device carrier module 3 can be releasably fastened to one another via the second longitudinal connecting elements 37b of the device carrier module 3 and the first longitudinal connecting elements 37a of the second further device carrier module 3, so that the second further device carrier module 3 is arranged offset relative to the device carrier module 3 in the longitudinal direction of the device carrier module 3. The first longitudinal connecting elements 37a are concealed by covers in Figs. 11A to 14C and are therefore not visible; see, however, Figs. 22A and 22B.In this embodiment, the first longitudinal connecting elements 37a are designed as fastening pins, and the second longitudinal connecting elements 37b are designed as fastening slots. The fastening pins and the fastening slots are arranged parallel to or along the separating tracks 32 of the device carrier module 3. When the device carrier module 3 and the second additional device carrier module are fastened to one another, the fastening pins of the device carrier module 3 engage in the fastening slots of the second additional device carrier module, as described further below in connection with Fig. 28 and Figs. 29A to 29C.

[0151] Fig. 15A and 15B each show a perspective view of a device carrier module 3 with plugged-on output modules 2c; Fig. 16A shows a side view from the right side of the device carrier module; Fig. 16B shows a top view of the device carrier module; Fig. 16C shows a side view from the left side of the device carrier module; this device carrier module 3 corresponds to the right device carrier module 3 in Fig. 2. The right device carrier module 3 from Figs. 15A to 16C differs from the central device carrier module 3 essentially only by the additional coding elements 361 on the lower cover 36, which have already been described in connection with Figs. 5A to 5C. However, the coding elements 361 can be arranged at any position on the covers 36 of the one or more device carrier modules 3. Fig. 15A, Fig. 16B and Fig. 16C also show the neutral conductor rail 6, which is described in more detail below.

[0152] Thus, identical or essentially identical device carrier modules 3 can be used to attach the power feed block with the input terminals 8, the conductor rails 5, and the feed module 1a for the power input (as in the case of the left device carrier module 3 in Fig. 2), or to attach the neutral conductor rail 6 and the output module ic for the power output (as in the case of the right device carrier module 3 in Fig. 2), or to attach only connection modules 2b for the transverse shift of the power on the mounting panel (as in the case of the central device carrier module 3 in Fig. 2). One and the same device carrier module 3 can thus be used (depending on the arrangement of this device carrier module 3 within the modular mounting panel system or depending on the combination of this device carrier module 3 with other modules) for the power feed, the transverse shift of the power on the mounting panel, or the power output.This enables particularly efficient and cost-effective production of the device carrier modules and the electrical distribution board.

[0153] Fig. 17A shows a view from the bottom direction in Fig. 2 of a connection module 2, more specifically a transverse displacement module 2b, which is mounted on the left and the center equipment carrier module in Fig. 1A, 1B. Fig. 17B shows a cross-sectional view along II in Fig. 17A. Fig. 17C shows a cross-sectional view along I1-I1 in Fig. 17A. Fig. 17D shows a perspective view of the connection module 2, 2b from Fig. 17A. Fig. 17E shows a perspective view of the conductor elements 23 of the connection module 2, 2b from Fig. 17A.

[0154] The transverse displacement module 2, 2b from Fig. 17A to 17E comprises four conductor elements 23, each having a first conductor end 231a and a second conductor end 231b, wherein the first conductor ends 231a and the second conductor ends 231b can each be contacted via a corresponding opening in the connection housing 21. The four conductor elements 23 correspond to the three outer conductors Li, L2, L3 and the neutral conductor N. Each conductor element 23 can thus electrically connect a first contact 13a (or second contact 13b) of a DIN rail device module 1 to a first contact 13a (or second contact 13b) of another DIN rail device module 1, wherein the two DIN rail device modules 1 are arranged in their respective operating positions in the same installation row. The connection module 2, 2b from Fig. 17 therefore conducts the current transversely along the installation row (in the transverse direction) and is therefore also referred to as the transverse displacement module 2, 2b.

[0155] The openings of the connection housing 21, via which the first conductor ends 231a and the second conductor ends 231b of the conductor elements 23 can be contacted, are designed and dimensioned such that the first conductor ends 231a and the second conductor ends 231b cannot be contacted by a test finger according to the standard DIN EN 60529. The connection housing 21 thus has an electrically insulating contact protection 211, by which the first conductor ends 231a and the second conductor ends 231b are partially concealed, as can be seen in Fig. 17A and Fig. 17D. In this embodiment, the contact protection 211 contains, in particular, an electrically insulating wall with sufficiently narrow openings for contacting the conductor ends 231a, 231b, so that a user cannot touch the contacts through the openings. The conductor elements 23 of the connection module 2, 2b are also plate-shaped, as can be seen in Fig. 17E.The conductor elements 23 each have a connecting portion 232 that connects the respective first conductor end 231a to the respective second conductor end 231b. The connecting portions 232 of the plurality of conductor elements 23 extend in the transverse direction (horizontal direction in Fig. 17A) and are arranged offset from one another in the transverse direction. Furthermore, the connecting portions 232 of the plurality of conductor elements 23 are spaced apart from one another in the insertion direction (vertical direction in Figs. 17A and 17E).

[0156] Fig. 17B also shows the contact spring elements 26 of the connection module 2, 2b, as described above. Furthermore, the connection module 2, 2b comprises grooves 29 into which the guide elements 19 of the DIN rail device module 1 (see Fig. 27A and Fig. 27D to 27F) can engage (or edges 29 against which the guide elements 19 can rest) in order to move the DIN rail device module 1 relative to the connection module 2 along the insertion direction. Furthermore, the connection module 2, 2b comprises connection plug elements 22, which in this embodiment are designed as plug projections, as described above. Furthermore, the coding pins 27 can be seen in Fig. 17A and Fig. 17D.

[0157] Fig. 18A shows a view from the upper direction in Fig. 2 of a connection module 2, more specifically a transverse displacement module 2b, which is mounted on the central and right equipment carrier module in Fig. 1A, 1B. Fig. 18B shows a plan view of the connection module 2, 2b from Fig. 18A. Fig. 18C shows a cross-sectional view along JJ in Fig. 18A. Fig. 18D shows a cross-sectional view along KK in Fig. 18A. Fig. 18E shows a perspective view of the connection module 2, 2b from Fig. 18A. Fig. 18F shows a perspective view of the conductor elements 23 of the connection module 2, 2b from Fig. 18A.

[0158] The transverse displacement module 2, 2b of Figs. 18A to 18F has similar features to the transverse displacement module 2, 2b of Figs. 18A to 18E. However, the transverse displacement module 2, 2b of Figs. 18A to 18F comprises three conductor elements 23, each with a first conductor end 231a, a second conductor end 231b, and a third conductor end 231c, wherein the first conductor ends 231a, the second conductor ends 231b, and the third conductor ends 231c can each be contacted via a corresponding opening in the connection housing 21. These three conductor elements 23 correspond to the three outer conductors L1, L2, L3.Each of these three conductor elements 23 can electrically connect a first contact 13a (or second contact 13b) of a DIN rail device module 1 to a first contact 13a (or second contact 13b) of another DIN rail device module 1 and to a first contact 13a (or second contact 13b) of yet another DIN rail device module 1, wherein the three DIN rail device modules are located in their respective operating positions in the same installation row. The connecting module 2, 2b from Fig. 17 therefore also conducts the current transversely along the installation row. In addition, the transverse displacement module 2, 2b of Fig. 18A to 18F contains a further conductor element 23 (fourth conductor element 23 from the right in Fig. 18A, 18B, 18E and 18F), the second conductor end 231b of which can be connected to the neutral conductor rail 6 via a fastening element 52, as will be described further below in connection with Fig. 22A to 23D.

[0159] Fig. 18C also shows the contact spring element 26 of the connection module 2, 2b, as described above. Fig. 18D also shows the snap projection 24 and the snap spring element 25. When a DIN rail device module 1 is in the operating position, a snap projection 24 engages in a corresponding snap recess 14 of the DIN rail device module 1 and is preloaded towards the DIN rail device module 1 by a spring force of the snap spring element 25. The snap projection 24 further comprises an engagement element 241 into which a user can engage with a tool, e.g., a screwdriver, in order to move the snap projection 24 in the opposite direction (away from the DIN rail device module 1) against the spring force of the snap spring element 25.In this way, the locking mechanism between the DIN rail device module 1 and the connection module 2 can be released, and the DIN rail device module 1 can then be removed from the operating position and moved away from the mounting panel along the insertion direction. In this embodiment, the connection modules 2, which are plugged into first slots 35a, have snap projections 24 and snap spring elements 25 (see Fig. 10).

[0160] Fig. 19A shows a bottom view of a connection module 2, more specifically an output module 2c, mounted on the right device carrier module 3 in Fig. 1A, 1B. Fig. 19B shows a cross-sectional view along LL in Fig. 19A. Fig. 19C shows a top view of the connection module of Fig. 19A. Fig. 19E shows a perspective view of the connection module of Fig. 19A.

[0161] In this embodiment, the output module 2, 2c comprises six conductor elements 23, each having a first conductor end 231a and a second conductor end 231b. The first conductor ends 231a can each contact a contact 13 of a DIN rail device module 1 (see in particular Fig. 19B). The second conductor ends 231b are each configured for connecting a consumer device, e.g., via a respective output terminal 9 (see Fig. 19C). Furthermore, the output module 2, 2c comprises six output conductor elements 23' (not fully shown), each having a first output conductor end 231a' and a second output conductor end 231b'. The first output conductor ends 231a' can each contact the neutral conductor rail 6, which is arranged at least partially within the output module 2c, as can be seen in Figs. 19A to 19D. The second output conductor ends 231b' are each configured to connect a consumer device, e.g.via a respective output terminal 9 (see Fig. 19C). Thus, each consumer device can be connected both to the second conductor end 231b of a conductor element 23 (corresponding to an outer conductor Li, L2, L3) and to the second output conductor end 231b' of an output conductor element 23' (corresponding to the neutral conductor N), thus closing the circuit between the distributor and the consumer device. In this embodiment, for example, six single-pole or two three-pole consumer devices can be connected to the output module 2c. The remaining properties of the output module 2, 2c are similar to those of the transverse displacement module 2, 2b as described above.

[0162] Fig. 20A shows a cross-sectional view along FF in Fig. 2. Fig. 20B shows the enlarged section K of Fig. 20A. Fig. 20C shows the enlarged section J of Fig. 20A. In Figs. 20A and 20B, in particular, a connection module 2 can be seen which is plugged into a second slot 35b of a device carrier module 3. The connecting plug elements 22 of the connecting module 2, which are designed as plug-in projections, are plugged into the device carrier plug elements 351 of the device carrier module 3, which are designed as plug-in recesses. In Figs. 20A and 20C it can also be seen how two adjacent device carrier modules 3 are fastened to one another via the corresponding transverse connecting elements 34a, 34b.

[0163] Fig. 21A shows a cross-sectional view along GG in Fig. 2. Fig. 21B shows the enlarged section M from Fig. 21A. In these figures, in particular, a connection module 2 can be seen, which is plugged into a first slot 35a of a device carrier module 3. The connecting plug elements 22 of the connection module 2, which are designed as plug projections, are plugged into the device carrier plug elements 351 of the device carrier module 3, which are designed as plug recesses.

[0164] Fig. 22A shows a perspective view of the modular mounting panel system with inserted conductor rails 5 and with neutral conductor rails 6, wherein the covers 36 of the device carrier modules 3 have been removed. Fig. 22B shows a plan view of the modular mounting panel system from Fig. 22A. These figures show in particular: the four parallel conductor insertion tracks 31 of the left and the middle device carrier module 3 and the separating tracks 32 arranged in between; the six parallel conductor insertion tracks 31 of the right device carrier module 3 and the separating tracks 32 arranged in between; the four conductor rails 5 inserted into the four conductor insertion tracks 31 of the left device carrier module 3; the associated four clamping screws 8 for supplying power to the conductor rails 5.the associated four conductor elements 23 per installation row, whose second conductor ends 231b each contact the conductor rails 5 and which, when plugging the feed-in module 2, 2a onto the left device carrier module 3, can be inserted into the connection housing 21 of the feed-in module 2, 2a, so that the respective first conductor ends 231a can contact corresponding contacts 13 of the DIN rail devices 1 through corresponding openings in the feed-in module 2, 2a; the device carrier plug-in elements 351, which are arranged in or on the isolating strips 32; the neutral conductor rails 6, which are contacted by corresponding conductor elements 23 of the connection modules 2, 2b (see Fig. 18A to 18F, as well as the following Fig. 23A to 23D);the first side walls 33a and the second side walls 33b of the device carrier modules 3, wherein two adjacent side walls 33a, 33b of two mutually attached device carrier modules 3 form an electrically insulating separating strip 32; the first longitudinal connecting elements 37a (designed as fastening pins or pin elements) and the second longitudinal connecting elements 37b (designed as fastening slots or openings) of the device carrier modules 3;and marked with dashed arrows are the L-shaped and mutually opposite plugging movements of two connection modules 2, each of which is plugged into a first slot 35a and a second slot 35b. Fig. 22B also shows that the center lines of two adjacent conductor insertion tracks of the left device carrier module are spaced apart by dl, the center lines of two adjacent conductor insertion tracks of the central device carrier module are also spaced apart by di, and the center lines of two adjacent conductor insertion tracks of the right device carrier module are spaced apart by d2. For example, di can be 27 mm and d2 can be 18 mm, as described above.

[0165] In Fig. 23A to 23D, the neutral conductor rail 6 can be seen in particular for the upper installation row. The neutral conductor rail 6 is arranged at least partially within the corresponding output module 2, 2c, which is plugged into a second slot 35b of the right-hand device carrier module 3. The neutral conductor rail 6 is further connected via a fastening element 52 to a second conductor end 231b of a conductor element 23 of a connection module 2, 2b, which is plugged into the opposite first slot 35a. Fig. 24A shows an embodiment of a conductor rail 5 and conductor elements 23 fastened thereto. Fig. 24B shows the enlarged section W from Fig. 24A. The conductor rail 5 is plate-shaped or strip-shaped.The conductor elements 23 each have a first conductor end 231a and a second conductor end 231b and are each fastened to the conductor rail 5, in particular to the notch 51 of the conductor rail 5, by means of a fastening element 52 such that the second conductor end 231b contacts the conductor rail 5 and the conductor element 23 is arranged so as to be rotatable about the second conductor end 231b relative to the conductor rail 5. When no external force acts on the conductor element 23, the conductor element 23 is perpendicular to the corresponding conductor rail 5, as shown in Fig. 24A, B. When plugging a feed-in module 2, 2a onto the device carrier module 3, the conductor elements 23 can be inserted into the connection housing 21 of the feed-in module 2, 2a, so that the first conductor ends 231a of the conductor elements 23 can be contacted through corresponding openings in the connection housing 21.Since the conductor elements 23 are arranged so as to be rotatable about the second conductor ends 231b relative to the corresponding conductor rails 5, in this case the first conductor ends 231a can be prestressed against the contacts 13 of a DIN rail device module 1 by means of the spring forces of the contact spring elements 16, 26. The conductor elements 23 can be alternatively configured in terms of their position and orientation direction of the conductor ends 231b on the conductor rail 5 so that the DIN rail device module 1 (shown in Fig. 24A) can be fed in from below as well as from above. In particular, identically designed conductor rails 5 can be used both for the embodiment in Fig. 1A, 1B (power feed from above) and for the embodiment in Fig. 30 (power feed from below); For the embodiment in Fig. 30, the conductor rails 5 only have to be inserted into the conductor insertion tracks 31 the other way around (compared to the embodiment in Fig. 1A, 1B).Please note that in alternative embodiments, the output terminals 9 can also be arranged in the opposite direction (i.e., on the first side of the DIN rail device modules 1 instead of on the second side of the DIN rail device modules 1, or on the lower side of the device carrier modules 3 instead of on the upper side of the device carrier modules 3). The arrangement (top or bottom) of the input terminals 8 can be adapted to the arrangement (top or bottom) of the output terminals 9 and / or to the number of device carrier modules 3 in the transverse direction in order to achieve the desired switching arrangement of the distributor. Since the conductor rails 5 do not need to be replaced, but only inserted into the conductor insertion tracks 31 in the appropriate orientation, flexibility and user-friendliness are further increased.

[0166] Fig. 25A shows an embodiment of a conductor rail 5 and conductor elements 23 attached thereto. Fig. 25B shows the enlarged section V from Fig. 25A. The conductor rail 5 from Fig. 25A and Fig. 25B has a greater thickness than the conductor rail 5 from Fig. 24A and Fig. 24B. However, the conductor elements 23 in Fig. 25A and Fig. 25B are identical to the conductor elements 23 in Fig. 24A and Fig. 24B.

[0167] Fig. 26A-C show three different embodiments of the conductor rail 5. The conductor rails 5 each have a fastening section 53 for fastening the conductor rail 5 to a corresponding conductor insertion track 31 of the device carrier module 3 and a contact section 54 for contacting the second conductor end 231b of a corresponding conductor element 23. The contact section 54 has, in particular, the notches 51 to which the second conductor ends 231b of the conductor elements 23 can be fastened. The three conductor rails 5 in Fig. 26A-C each have different thicknesses, with the conductor rail 5 in Fig. 26A having the smallest thickness and the conductor rail 5 in Fig. 26C having the greatest thickness.Nevertheless, the three conductor rails 5 can be used with identical device carrier modules 3 and identical conductor elements 23 because, for each conductor rail 5, a bottom side of the fastening section 53, with which the respective conductor rail 5 is fastened to the conductor insertion track 31, and a top side of the contact section 54, to which the corresponding conductor element 23 is fastened, have the same predetermined distance from one another. For the conductor rail 5 in Fig. 26C, this predetermined distance is equal to the thickness of the conductor rail 5.

[0168] Fig. 27A shows a perspective view of a DIN rail device module 1, more specifically of a fuse switch module 1a. Fig. 27B shows a plan view of the DIN rail device module 1 from Fig. 27A. Fig. 27C shows a cross-sectional view along RR in Fig. 27B. In this embodiment, the DIN rail device module 1, 1a has four first contacts 13a and four second contacts 13b, each designed to contact the neutral conductor N and the three outer conductors Li, L2, L3. In particular, the first contacts 13a and the second contacts 13b are plate-shaped. Furthermore, the DIN rail device module 1 comprises guide elements 19 for engaging in grooves 29 or for bearing against edges 29 of a connection module 2 and for moving the DIN rail device module 1 relative to the connection module 2 along the insertion direction. In Fig.27A also shows the first coding slots 15a, which are arranged on the first side of the DIN rail device module 1, and the second coding slots 15b, which are arranged on the second side of the DIN rail device module 1. When the DIN rail device module 1 is in the operating position, the coding slots 15a, 15b extend along the insertion direction. The first coding slots 15a and the second coding slots 15b of the fuse switch module 1, 1a are arranged diagonally relative to one another, so that the fuse switch module 1, 1a can only be plugged onto the left device carrier module 3 in Fig. 5C, but not onto the central device carrier module 3 or the right device carrier module 3.

[0169] Fig. 27D shows a perspective view of a DIN rail-mounted device module 1, more specifically of an RCD module 1b. Fig. 27E shows a perspective view of a DIN rail-mounted device module 1, more specifically of an MCB module ic. Fig. 27F shows a perspective view of another DIN rail-mounted device module id. The DIN rail-mounted device modules ib, ic, id from Figs. 27D to 27E each have similar features to the fuse switching device module 1a from Figs. 27A to 27C. However, in this embodiment, the circuit breaker protection device module ic has only a first contact 13a and a second contact 13b, each for contacting one of the three outer conductors Li, L2, L3 (i.e., it is a single-pole DIN rail mounted device module ic), and the further DIN rail mounted device module id has three first contacts 13a and three second contacts 13b for contacting the three outer conductors Li, L2, L3 (i.e., it is a three-pole DIN rail mounted device module id).The first coding slots 15a and the second coding slots 15b of the residual current device module ib are arranged relative to one another in the longitudinal direction, so that the residual current device module ib can only be plugged onto the central device carrier module 3 in Fig. 5C, but not onto the left device carrier module 3 or the right device carrier module 3. The first coding slots 15a and the second coding slots 15b of the circuit breaker protection module ic and the further DIN rail mounted device module id are arranged relative to one another in an opposite diagonal direction, so that the circuit breaker protection module ic and the further DIN rail mounted device module id can only be plugged onto the right device carrier module 3 in Fig. 5C, but not onto the left device carrier module 3 or the central device carrier module 3. In Fig.27F also shows rectangular recesses of the DIN rail device module id, into which the coding elements 361 positively engage when the DIN rail device module id is in the operating position in order to prevent incorrect plugging of the DIN rail device modules 1, as described above.

[0170] Fig. 28 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a modular DIN rail device system and an embodiment of a modular mounting panel system. Fig. 29A shows a plan view of the modular DIN rail device system and the modular mounting panel system from Fig. 28. Fig. 29B shows a cross-sectional view along 0-0 in Fig. 29A. Fig. 29C shows the enlarged section P from Fig. 29B. In this embodiment, two device carrier modules 3 are fastened to one another in the longitudinal direction via the corresponding longitudinal connecting elements 37a, 37b. In particular, the device carrier module 3 arranged at the top left in Fig. 29A and the further device carrier module 3 arranged at the bottom left in Fig. 29A are fastened to one another in the longitudinal direction in such a way that the conductor insertion tracks 31 of the device carrier module 3 are extended or continued in the longitudinal direction by the conductor insertion tracks 31 of the further device carrier module 3.Thus, the conductor rails 5 arranged in the conductor insertion tracks 31 of the device carrier module 3 and the conductor rails 5 arranged in the conductor insertion tracks 31 of the further device carrier module 3 can be fastened to one another and brought into contact in order to obtain conductor rails 5 extended in the longitudinal direction. Thus, only one power supply via the clamping screws 8 of the device carrier module 3 arranged at the top left in Fig. 29A is required, while the clamping screws 8 of the device carrier module 3 arranged at the bottom left in Fig. 29A serve to fasten and / or connect the conductor rails 5 in the device carrier module 3 to the conductor rails 5 in the further device carrier module 3. This embodiment of the mounting panel system can also be fastened to six parallel DIN rails 7. It should be noted that one and the same connection of a device carrier module 3 orOne and the same clamping screws 8 can thus be used for the power supply (as in the device carrier module 3 located at the top left in Fig. 29A) or for connecting another device carrier module 3 (as in the device carrier module 3 located at the bottom left in Fig. 29A). This enables individually and flexibly adaptable installation, thereby increasing user-friendliness depending on the desired application.

[0171] Fig. 30 shows a perspective view of one embodiment of a modular DIN-rail device system and one embodiment of a modular mounting panel system. In this embodiment, the power is supplied to the conductor rails 5 via a power feed block located at a lower portion of the left device carrier module 3 (bottom left in Fig. 30), i.e., at an opposite portion compared to the embodiment described above (see Figs. 1A, 1B).

[0172] Fig. 31A shows a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a modular DIN rail device system and an embodiment of a modular mounting panel system. Fig. 31B shows the enlarged section Q from Fig. 31A. In this embodiment, the DIN rail device module 1 (instead of the connection module 2 in the embodiment shown in Figs. 6A and 6B) comprises first contact spring elements 16a which are configured such that, when the DIN rail device module 1 is in the operating position (as shown in Figs. 31A, 31B), the first contacts 13a of the DIN rail device module 1 and the first conductor ends 231a of the conductor elements 23 of the connection module 2, 2a on the right in Fig. 31B are prestressed against one another by means of spring forces of the first contact spring elements 16a. In this embodiment, the first contact spring elements 16a are fastened on the one hand to the DIN rail device housing 11 and on the other hand to the first contacts 13a of the DIN rail device module 1.The spring forces of the first contact spring elements 16a are perpendicular to the insertion direction (i.e., they run horizontally in Fig. 31A, B). The same applies to the second contact spring elements 16b and the second contacts 13b of the DIN rail device module 1 as well as the connection module 2, 2b on the left in Fig. 31B.

[0173] Fig. 32 shows a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of a modular DIN rail device system. In this embodiment, the DIN rail device module 1 comprises the contact spring elements 16, and the spring forces of the contact spring elements 16 are perpendicular to the insertion direction (ie, they run horizontally in Fig. 32).

[0174] Fig. 33 shows a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a modular DIN rail device system. In this embodiment, the connection module 2 or the device carrier module 3 comprises the contact spring elements 26, and the spring forces of the contact spring elements 26 run parallel to the insertion direction (i.e., they run vertically in Fig. 33). The contact spring elements 26 are fastened, on the one hand, to the connection housing 21 or to the device carrier module 3 and, on the other hand, to the conductor ends 231 of the conductor elements 23 of the connection module 2. Alternatively, the DIN rail device module 1 can also comprise the contact spring elements 16, and the spring forces of the contact spring elements 16 can run parallel to the insertion direction; in this case, the contact spring elements 16 can be fastened, on the one hand, to the DIN rail device housing 11 and, on the other hand, to the contacts 13 of the DIN rail device module 1.This means that the suspension can be provided in the device carrier module 3 as shown in Fig. 33 or vice versa from the DIN rail device module 1. It should be noted that in this embodiment the DIN rail device module 1 is fixed relative to the connection module 2 by a snap connection so that there is a balance of forces when the DIN rail device module 1 is in the operating position.

[0175] Fig. 34 shows a perspective view of one embodiment of a modular DIN rail device system. In this embodiment, the one or more first contacts 13a of the DIN rail device module 1 comprise one or more first contact blades 131, and the first conductor ends 231a of the one or more conductor elements 23 of the connection module 2 comprise one or more receiving slots 2311. When the DIN rail device module 1 is in the operating position, as shown in Fig. 34, the one or more first contact blades 131 engage in the one or more receiving slots 2311.

[0176] List of reference symbols

[0177] 1, la-d DIN rail mounted device module la fuse switch module ib residual current device module ic circuit breaker module

[0178] 11 DIN rail device housings

[0179] 13 Contact

[0180] 13a First contact

[0181] 13b Second contact

[0182] 131 Contact Sword

[0183] 14 Snap recess

[0184] 15 coding slot

[0185] 15a First coding slot

[0186] 15b Second coding slot

[0187] 16 Contact spring element

[0188] 16a First contact spring element

[0189] 16b Second contact spring element

[0190] 17 Side surface

[0191] 17a First side surface

[0192] 17b Second side surface

[0193] 18 Hook element

[0194] 18a First hook element

[0195] 18b Second hook element

[0196] 181 final section

[0197] 181a First end section

[0198] 181b Second end section

[0199] 182 Contact protection cover

[0200] 19 Guide element

[0201] 2 connection module

[0202] 2a feed-in module

[0203] 2b Transverse displacement module 2C Output module

[0204] 21 Connection housing 211 Contact protection 212 Locking recess 22 Connection plug-in element 23 Conductor element 231 Conductor end 23ia First conductor end 231b Second conductor end 2311 Receiving slot 231C Third conductor end 23' Output conductor element 231' Output conductor end 23ia' First output conductor end 231b' Second output conductor end 232 Connection section 233 Locking projection 24 Snap projection 241 Engagement element 25 Snap spring element 26 Contact spring element 26a First contact spring element 26b Second contact spring element 27 Coding pin 28 Projection element

[0205] 29 Slot 3 device carrier module

[0206] 31 Conductor insertion track 311 Center line 32 Separating track 33a First side wall 33b Second side wall 34a First transverse connecting element 34b Second transverse connecting element 35a First slot 35b Second slot 351 Device carrier plug-in element Cover 1 Coding element a First longitudinal connecting element b Second longitudinal connecting element a First locking element b Second locking element 1 Engagement element

[0207] Detent spring element

[0208] Ladder rail

[0209] notch

[0210] Fastening element

[0211] Fastening section

[0212] Contact section

[0213] Neutral conductor rail

[0214] DIN rail

[0215] Feed terminal

[0216] Output terminal

[0217] The present invention can alternatively be described by the following aspects:

[0218] 1. A modular DIN rail device system for an electrical distribution board, the DIN rail device system comprising a DIN rail device module (i) and a connection module (2); the DIN rail device module (1) comprising: a DIN rail device functional unit, an electrically insulating DIN rail device housing (11), one or more first contacts (13a) arranged on a first side of the DIN rail device module (1), and one or more second contacts (13b) arranged on a second side of the DIN rail device module (1) opposite the first side;wherein the connection module (2) comprises: an electrically insulating connection housing (21), one or more connection plug elements (22) for plugging the connection module (2) onto a mounting panel of the electrical distributor and for detaching the connection module (2) from the mounting panel, and one or more conductor elements (23), each having a first conductor end (231a) and a second conductor end (231b), wherein the first conductor end (231a) and the second conductor end (231b) can each be contacted via a corresponding opening in the connection housing (21);wherein, when the connection module (2) is plugged onto the mounting panel, the DIN rail device module (1) is arranged to be movable relative to the connection module (2) along an insertion direction and can be inserted into an operating position by moving it along the insertion direction towards the mounting panel and can be removed from the operating position by moving it along the insertion direction away from the mounting panel; wherein the DIN rail device module (1) can be locked to the connection module (2) in the operating position; wherein, when the DIN rail device module (1) is in the operating position, the one or more first contacts (13a) of the DIN rail device module (1) contact the first conductor ends (231a) of the one or more conductor elements (23) of the connection module (2).

[0219] 2. The DIN rail device system according to aspect 1, wherein the insertion direction is perpendicular to the mounting panel. 3. The DIN rail device system according to aspect i or 2, comprising a further connection module (2), wherein, when the DIN rail device module (1) is in the operating position, the one or more second contacts (13b) of the DIN rail device module (1) contact the first conductor ends (231a) of the one or more conductor elements (23) of the further connection module (2).

[0220] 4. A DIN rail device system according to any one of aspects 1 to 3, comprising a further DIN rail device module (1), wherein, when the further DIN rail device module (1) is in the operating position of the further DIN rail device module (1), the one or more first contacts (13a) of the further DIN rail device module (1) contact the second conductor ends (231b) of the one or more conductor elements (23) of the connection module (2).

[0221] 5. A DIN rail device system according to aspect 4, wherein the connection module (2) comprises a plurality of conductor elements (23), each having a connecting portion (232) connecting the first conductor end (231a) to the second conductor end (231b), wherein the connecting portions (232) of the plurality of conductor elements (23) extend in a transverse direction and are arranged offset from one another in the transverse direction.

[0222] 6. A DIN rail device system according to any one of aspects 1 to 3, wherein the second conductor ends (231b) of the one or more conductor elements (23) are configured to contact one or more conductor rails (5) arranged in the mounting panel.

[0223] 7. A DIN rail device system according to any one of aspects 1 to 3, wherein the second conductor ends (231b) of the one or more conductor elements (23) are configured to connect one or more consumer devices.

[0224] 8. A DIN rail device system according to one of the preceding aspects, wherein the connection module (2) comprises one or more snap projections (24) and one or more snap spring elements (25) and the DIN rail device module (1) has one or more snap recesses (14), wherein, when the DIN rail device module (1) is in the operating position, the one or more snap projections (24) engage in the one or more snap recesses (14) and are prestressed in the direction of the DIN rail device module (1) by means of spring forces of the one or more snap spring elements (25), wherein the spring forces are preferably perpendicular to the insertion direction.

[0225] 9. A DIN rail device system according to any one of the preceding aspects, wherein the DIN rail device module (1) or the connection module (2) comprises one or more first contact spring elements (16a, 26a) configured such that, when the DIN rail device module (1) is in the operating position, the one or more first contacts (13a) of the DIN rail device module (1) and the first conductor ends (231a) of the one or more conductor elements (23) of the connection module (2) are biased against one another by means of spring forces of the one or more first contact spring elements (16a, 26a).

[0226] 10. A DIN rail device system according to aspect 9, i) wherein the DIN rail device module (1) comprises the one or more first contact spring elements (16a), wherein the one or more first contact spring elements (16a) are fastened on the one hand to the DIN rail device housing (11) or to a part of the DIN rail device module (1) that is immovable relative to the DIN rail device housing (11) and on the other hand to the one or more first contacts (13a) or to one or more parts of the DIN rail device module (1) that are immovable relative to the one or more first contacts (13a), or ii) wherein the connection module (2) comprises the one or more first contact spring elements (26a),wherein the one or more first contact spring elements (26a) are fastened on the one hand to the connection housing (21) or to a part of the connection module (2) that is immovable relative to the connection housing (21) and on the other hand to the first conductor ends (231a) of the one or more conductor elements (23) or to one or more parts of the connection module (2) that are immovable relative to the first conductor ends (231a) of the one or more conductor elements (23).

[0227] 11. A DIN rail mounted device system according to aspect 9 or 10, i) wherein the spring forces of the one or more first contact spring elements (16a, 26a) are perpendicular to the insertion direction, or ii) wherein the spring forces of the one or more first contact spring elements (16a, 26a) are parallel to the insertion direction, or iii) wherein the spring forces of the one or more first contact spring elements (16a, 26a) enclose an angle with the insertion direction which is greater than 0° and less than 90°, wherein preferably the angle is less than 45 0 or equal to 45 0 or larger than 45 0 is.

[0228] 12. A DIN rail device system according to any one of the preceding aspects, wherein the one or more first contacts (13a) of the DIN rail device module (1) comprise one or more first contact blades (131) and the first conductor ends (231a) of the one or more conductor elements (23) of the connection module (2) comprise one or more receiving slots (2311), wherein, when the DIN rail device module (1) is in the operating position, the one or more first contact blades (131) engage in the one or more receiving slots (2311).

[0229] 13. A DIN rail device system according to one of the preceding aspects, wherein the DIN rail device module (1) has a first side surface (17a) and one or more first hook elements (18a), each arranged on the first side of the DIN rail device module (1), wherein the one or more first hook elements (18a) each have a first end portion (181a) spaced from the first side surface (17a), wherein the connection module (2) has one or more projection elements (28), wherein, when the DIN rail device module (1) is in the operating position, the one or more projection elements (28) are arranged between the first side surface (17a) and the first end portions (181a) of the one or more first hook elements (18a) and are connected by means of the spring forces of the one or more snap spring elements (25) and / or by means of the spring forces of the one or more first contact spring elements (16a,26a) are prestressed against the first end portions (181a) of the one or more first hook elements (18a).

[0230] 14. A DIN rail device system according to one of the preceding aspects, wherein the one or more first contacts (13a) and / or the one or more second contacts (13b) of the DIN rail device module (1) are plate-shaped.

[0231] 15. A modular device system according to one of the preceding aspects, wherein the one or more conductor elements (23) of the connection module (2) are plate-shaped. 16. A modular device system according to one of the preceding aspects, wherein the openings in the connection housing (21), via which the first conductor ends (231a) and / or the second conductor ends (231b) of the one or more conductor elements (23) can be contacted, are designed and dimensioned such that the first conductor ends (231a) and / or the second conductor ends (231b) cannot be contacted by a test finger according to the DIN EN 60529 standard.

[0232] 17. A DIN rail device system according to any one of the preceding aspects, wherein the connection module (2) comprises one or more grooves (29) and the DIN rail device module (1) comprises one or more guide elements (19) for engaging in the one or more grooves (29) and for moving the DIN rail device module (1) relative to the connection module (2) along the insertion direction.

[0233] 18. A DIN rail device system according to any one of the preceding aspects, wherein the DIN rail device module (1) comprises one or more first coding slots (15a) arranged on the first side of the DIN rail device module (1), and the connection module (2) comprises one or more coding pins (27) for engaging in the one or more first coding slots (15a), wherein preferably the DIN rail device module (1) comprises one or more second coding slots (15b) arranged on the second side of the DIN rail device module (1), and the further connection module (2) comprises one or more coding pins (27) for engaging in the one or more second coding slots (15b).

[0234] 19. A DIN rail device system according to aspect 18, wherein the one or more first coding slots (15a) and the one or more coding pins (27) of the connection module (2), and / or the one or more second coding slots (15b) and the one or more coding pins (27) of the further connection module (2) are arranged and / or dimensioned such that: when the DIN rail device module (1) has a first orientation relative to the connection module (2) and / or the further connection module (2), the DIN rail device module (1) is arranged to be movable relative to the connection module (2) and / or the further connection module (2) along the insertion direction and can be inserted into the operating position by movement along the insertion direction and can be locked to the connection module (2) and / or the further connection module (2) in the operating position;and if the DIN rail mounted device module (i) has a second orientation relative to the connection module (2) and / or the further connection module (2), which is different from the first orientation, the DIN rail mounted device module (i) is not arranged to be movable along the insertion direction relative to the connection module (2) and / or the further connection module (2) and / or is not insertable into the operating position and / or is not lockable with the connection module (2) and / or the further connection module (2), wherein the second orientation is preferably rotated by 180° about the insertion direction relative to the first orientation;

[0235] 20. A DIN rail device system according to aspect 18 or 19, wherein the one or more first coding slots (15a) and the one or more coding pins (27) of the connection module (2), and / or the one or more second coding slots (15b) and the one or more coding pins (27) of the further connection module (2) are arranged and / or dimensioned such that the DIN rail device module (1) can be inserted into the operating position and a further DIN rail device module (1) can be inserted into a further operating position, and that the DIN rail device module (1) cannot be inserted into the further operating position and / or the further DIN rail device module (1) cannot be inserted into the operating position.

[0236] 21. A DIN rail device module (1) for a DIN rail device system according to one of the preceding aspects, wherein the DIN rail device module (1) comprises: a DIN rail device functional unit, an electrically insulating DIN rail device housing (11), one or more first contacts (13a) arranged on a first side of the DIN rail device module (1), and one or more second contacts (13b) arranged on a second side of the DIN rail device module (1) opposite the first side.

[0237] 22. Connection module (2) for a DIN rail device system according to one of aspects 1 to 20, wherein the connection module (2) comprises: an electrically insulating connection housing (21), one or more connection plug-in elements (22) for plugging the connection module (2) onto a mounting panel of the electrical distributor and for detaching the connection module (2) from the mounting panel, and one or more conductor elements (23), each having a first conductor end (231a) and a second conductor end (231b), wherein the first conductor end (231a) and the second conductor end (231b) can each be contacted via a corresponding opening in the connection housing (21).

[0238] 23. A device carrier module (3) for a mounting panel system for an electrical distribution board, the device carrier module (3) comprising: a first side wall (33a) and a second side wall (33b) arranged on opposite sides of the device carrier module (3) and each extending in a longitudinal direction of the device carrier module (3); one or more conductor insertion tracks (31) extending in the longitudinal direction and designed for inserting one or more conductor rails (5), wherein each two adjacent conductor insertion tracks (31) are separated from one another by an electrically insulating separating track (32); one or more electrically insulating covers (36) for covering the one or more conductor rails (5) inserted into the one or more conductor insertion tracks (31); one or more first plug-in locations (35a); one or more second plug-in locations (35b),which are arranged at a predetermined distance in the longitudinal direction from the one or more first slots (35a); and one or more first transverse connecting elements (34a) and one or more second transverse connecting elements (34b), which are designed such that the device carrier module (3) and a first further device carrier module (3) can be releasably fastened to one another via the one or more second transverse connecting elements (34b) of the device carrier module (3) and the one or more first transverse connecting elements (34a) of the first further device carrier module (3), so that: the first further device carrier module (3) is arranged offset relative to the device carrier module (3) in a transverse direction, wherein the transverse direction runs perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, and a conductor insertion track (31) of the device carrier module (3) and an adjacent conductor insertion track (31) of the first further device carrier module (3) are separated by an electrically insulating separating track (32),which is formed by the second side wall (33b) of the device carrier module (3) and the first side wall (33a) of the first further device carrier module, are separated from each other. 24- Device carrier module (3) according to aspect 23, wherein the one or more first slots (35a) and the one or more second slots (35b) each comprise one or more device carrier plug-in elements (351), each arranged in or on a separating track (32).

[0239] 25. Device carrier module (3) according to aspect 24, wherein the one or more device carrier plug-in elements (351) are each designed as one or more L-shaped plug-in recesses.

[0240] 26. Device carrier module (3) according to one of aspects 23 to 25, i) wherein the one or more first transverse connecting elements (34a) comprise one or more projections and the one or more second transverse connecting elements (34b) comprise one or more recesses, and / or ii) wherein the one or more first transverse connecting elements (34a) comprise one or more recesses and the one or more second transverse connecting elements (34b) comprise one or more projections; wherein preferably the one or more projections are T-shaped.

[0241] 27. Device carrier module (3) according to one of aspects 23 to 26, which further comprises: one or more first longitudinal connecting elements (37a) and one or more second longitudinal connecting elements (37b), which are designed such that the device carrier module (3) and a second further device carrier module (3) can be detachably fastened to one another via the one or more second longitudinal connecting elements (37b) of the device carrier module (3) and the one or more first longitudinal connecting elements (37a) of the second further device carrier module, so that the second further device carrier module (3) is arranged offset in the longitudinal direction relative to the device carrier module (3).

[0242] 28. Device carrier module (3) according to aspect 27, i) wherein the one or more first longitudinal connecting elements (37a) comprise one or more fastening pins and the one or more second longitudinal connecting elements (37b) comprise one or more fastening slots, and / or ii) wherein the one or more first longitudinal connecting elements (37a) comprise one or more fastening slots and the one or more second longitudinal connecting elements (37b) comprise one or more fastening pins; wherein preferably, when the device carrier module (3) and the second further device carrier module (3) are fastened to one another, the one or more fastening pins engage positively in the one or more fastening slots.

[0243] 29. Device carrier module (3) according to one of aspects 23 to 28, wherein the one or more electrically insulating covers (36) comprise one or more coding elements (361) which are arranged and / or shaped and / or dimensioned and / or configured such that they each encode a corresponding DIN rail device module (1) from one or more different DIN rail device modules (1) and / or an orientation of a corresponding DIN rail device module (1) and / or a current strength of a corresponding DIN rail device module (1), wherein preferably the one or more coding elements (361) are designed as one or more projections for positive engagement in one or more recesses of the corresponding DIN rail device module (1).

[0244] 30. Device carrier module (3) according to one of aspects 23 to 29, which comprises the one or more conductor rails (5).

[0245] 31. Device carrier module (3) according to aspect 30, wherein the one or more conductor rails (5) are plate-shaped and / or strip-shaped.

[0246] 32. Device carrier module (3) according to aspect 30 or 31, which further comprises one or more conductor elements (23), each having a first conductor end (231a) and a second conductor end (231b), wherein the one or more conductor elements (23) are fastened to the one or more conductor rails (5) such that the second conductor ends (231b) contact the one or more conductor rails (5) and the first conductor ends (231a) protrude from openings in the one or more covers (36).

[0247] 33. Device carrier module (3) according to aspect 32, wherein the one or more conductor elements (23) are arranged to be elastically deformable relative to the one or more conductor rails (5) and can assume respective rest positions, so that when the one or more conductor elements (23) are moved out of their respective rest positions, a restoring force acts on the one or more conductor elements (23), moving the one or more conductor elements (23) back to their respective rest positions, wherein preferably the one or more conductor elements (23) are perpendicular to the one or more conductor rails (5) in their respective rest positions. 34- Device carrier module (3) according to any one of aspects 23 to 33, further comprising: one or more locking units for locking the device carrier module (3) to one or more parallel top-hat rails (7), so that the one or more top-hat rails (7) run parallel to the transverse direction.

[0248] 35. Device carrier module (3) according to aspect 34, wherein the one or more locking units each comprise: a first locking element (38a); a second locking element (38b) which is arranged to be movable back and forth relative to the first locking element (38a) along the longitudinal direction between an arrangement position for arranging the device carrier module (3) relative to a top-hat rail (7) so that the top-hat rail (7) can be positioned between the first locking element (38a) and the second locking element (38b), and a clamping position for clamping the top-hat rail (7) between the first locking element (38a) and the second locking element (38b); and a locking spring element (39) which is configured to bias the second locking element (38b) in the direction of the first locking element (38a).

[0249] 36. Mounting panel system for an electrical distributor, which comprises the device carrier module (3) according to one of aspects 23 to 35 and the first further device carrier module (3), wherein the device carrier module (3) and the first further device carrier module (3) are detachably fastened to one another via the one or more second cross-connecting elements (34b) of the device carrier module (3) and the one or more first cross-connecting elements (34a) of the first further device carrier module (3).

[0250] 37. Mounting panel system according to aspect 36, wherein a distance between center lines (311) of two adjacent conductor insertion tracks (31) of the device carrier module (3) is different from a distance between center lines (311) of two adjacent conductor insertion tracks (31) of the first further device carrier module (3).

[0251] 38. Mounting panel system according to aspect 36 or 37, wherein the number of conductor insertion tracks (31) of the device carrier module (3) is not equal to the number of conductor insertion tracks (31) of the first further device carrier module (3), wherein preferably the number of conductor insertion tracks (31) of the device carrier module (3) multiplied by the distance between center lines (311) of two adjacent conductor insertion tracks (31) of the device carrier module (3) is equal to the number of conductor insertion tracks (31) of the first further device carrier module (3) multiplied by the distance between center lines (311) of two adjacent conductor insertion tracks (31) of the first further device carrier module (3).

[0252] 39. Mounting panel system, preferably according to one of aspects 36 to 38, for an electrical distributor, wherein the mounting panel system comprises the device carrier module (3) according to one of aspects 23 to 35 and the second further device carrier module, wherein the device carrier module (3) and the second further device carrier module (3) are detachably fastened to one another via the one or more second longitudinal connecting elements (37b) of the device carrier module (3) and the one or more first longitudinal connecting elements (37a) of the second further device carrier module.

[0253] 40. Modular distribution system for an electrical distributor, the distribution system comprising: one or more device carrier modules (3) according to one of aspects 23 to 35 and one or more connection modules (2) according to aspect 22 for plugging onto one or more first slots (35a) and / or one or more second slots (35b) of the one or more device carrier modules (3).

[0254] 41. Modular distribution system for an electrical distributor, the distribution system comprising: the mounting panel system according to one of aspects 36 to 39 and one or more connection modules (2) according to aspect 22 for plugging onto one or more first slots (35a) and / or one or more second slots (35b) of the mounting panel system.

[0255] 42. Modular distribution system for an electrical distribution board, the distribution system comprising: the DIN rail mounted device system according to any one of aspects 1 to 20 and the mounting panel system according to any one of aspects 36 to 39, wherein the connection module (2) is configured to be plugged onto one or more first slots (35a) and / or one or more second slots (35b) of the mounting panel system and the DIN rail mounted device module (1) is configured to be inserted into the operating position on the mounting panel system.

Claims

MODULAR SERIES-MOUNTED DEVICE SYSTEM CLAIMS 1. Modular DIN rail mounted device system for an electrical distribution board, the DIN rail mounted device system comprising a DIN rail mounted device module (i) and a Connection module (2); wherein the DIN rail device module (1) comprises: a DIN rail device functional unit, an electrically insulating DIN rail device housing (11), one or more first contacts (13a) arranged on a first side of the DIN rail device module (1), and one or more second contacts (13b) arranged on a second side of the DIN rail device module (1) opposite the first side;wherein the connection module (2) comprises: an electrically insulating connection housing (21), one or more connection plug-in elements (22) for plugging the connection module (2) onto a mounting panel of the electrical distributor and for detaching the connection module (2) from the mounting panel, and one or more conductor elements (23), each having a first conductor end (231a) and a second conductor end (231b), wherein the first conductor end (231a) and the second conductor end (231b) can each be contacted via a corresponding opening in the connection housing (21);wherein, when the connection module (2) is plugged onto the mounting panel, the DIN rail device module (1) is arranged to be movable relative to the connection module (2) along an insertion direction and can be inserted into an operating position by moving it along the insertion direction towards the mounting panel and can be removed from the operating position by moving it along the insertion direction away from the mounting panel; wherein the DIN rail device module (1) can be locked to the connection module (2) in the operating position; wherein, when the DIN rail device module (1) is in the operating position, the one or more first contacts (13a) of the DIN rail device module (1) contact the first conductor ends (231a) of the one or more conductor elements (23) of the connection module (2).

2. A DIN rail device system according to claim 1, wherein the insertion direction is perpendicular to the mounting panel. 3- A DIN rail device system according to claim 1 or 2, which comprises a further connection module (2), wherein, when the DIN rail device module (1) is in the operating position, the one or more second contacts (13b) of the DIN rail device module (1) contact the first conductor ends (231a) of the one or more conductor elements (23) of the further connection module (2).

4. A DIN rail device system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, which comprises a further DIN rail device module (1), wherein, when the further DIN rail device module (1) is in the operating position of the further DIN rail device module (1), the one or more first contacts (13a) of the further DIN rail device module (1) contact the second conductor ends (231b) of the one or more conductor elements (23) of the connection module (2).

5. A DIN rail device system according to claim 4, wherein the connection module (2) comprises a plurality of conductor elements (23), each having a connecting portion (232) connecting the first conductor end (231a) to the second conductor end (231b), wherein the connecting portions (232) of the plurality of conductor elements (23) extend in a transverse direction and are arranged offset from one another in the transverse direction.

6. A DIN rail device system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the second conductor ends (231b) of the one or more conductor elements (23) are configured to contact one or more conductor rails (5) arranged in the mounting panel.

7. A DIN rail device system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the second conductor ends (231b) of the one or more conductor elements (23) are configured to connect one or more consumer devices.

8. A DIN rail device system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the connecting module (2) comprises one or more snap projections (24) and one or more snap spring elements (25) and the DIN rail device module (1) has one or more snap recesses (14), wherein, when the DIN rail device module (1) is in the operating position, the one or more snap projections (24) engage in the one or more snap recesses (14) and by means of spring forces of the one or more Snap spring elements (25) are pre-tensioned in the direction of the DIN rail-mounted device module (1), wherein the spring forces are preferably perpendicular to the insertion direction.

9. A DIN rail device system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the DIN rail device module (1) or the connection module (2) comprises one or more first contact spring elements (16a, 26a) configured such that, when the DIN rail device module (1) is in the operating position, the one or more first contacts (13a) of the DIN rail device module (1) and the first conductor ends (231a) of the one or more conductor elements (23) of the connection module (2) are biased against one another by means of spring forces of the one or more first contact spring elements (16a, 26a).

10. A DIN rail device system according to claim 9, i) wherein the DIN rail device module (1) comprises the one or more first contact spring elements (16a), wherein the one or more first contact spring elements (16a) are fastened on the one hand to the DIN rail device housing (11) or to a part of the DIN rail device module (1) that is immovable relative to the DIN rail device housing (11) and on the other hand to the one or more first contacts (13a) or to one or more parts of the DIN rail device module (1) that are immovable relative to the one or more first contacts (13a), or ii) wherein the connection module (2) comprises the one or more first contact spring elements (26a),wherein the one or more first contact spring elements (26a) are fastened on the one hand to the connection housing (21) or to a part of the connection module (2) that is immovable relative to the connection housing (21) and on the other hand to the first conductor ends (231a) of the one or more conductor elements (23) or to one or more parts of the connection module (2) that are immovable relative to the first conductor ends (231a) of the one or more conductor elements (23).

11. Modular device system according to claim 9 or 10, i) wherein the spring forces of the one or more first contact spring elements (16a, 26a) are perpendicular to the insertion direction, or ii) wherein the spring forces of the one or more first contact spring elements (16a, 26a) are parallel to the insertion direction, or iii) wherein the spring forces of the one or more first contact spring elements (16a, 26a) enclose an angle with the insertion direction which is greater than 0° and less than than 90°, preferably the angle is less than 45 0 or equal to 45 0 or larger than 45 0 is.

12. A DIN rail device system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the one or more first contacts (13a) of the DIN rail device module (1) comprise one or more first contact blades (131) and the first conductor ends (231a) of the one or more conductor elements (23) of the connection module (2) comprise one or more receiving slots (2311), wherein, when the DIN rail device module (1) is in the operating position, the one or more first contact blades (131) engage in the one or more receiving slots (2311).

13. A DIN rail device system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the DIN rail device module (1) has a first side surface (17a) and one or more first hook elements (18a), each arranged on the first side of the DIN rail device module (1), wherein the one or more first hook elements (18a) each have a first end portion (181a) spaced from the first side surface (17a), wherein the connecting module (2) has one or more projection elements (28), wherein, when the DIN rail device module (1) is in the operating position, the one or more projection elements (28) are arranged between the first side surface (17a) and the first end portions (181a) of the one or more first hook elements (18a) and are connected by means of the spring forces of the one or more snap spring elements (25) and / or by means of the spring forces of the one or more first contact spring elements (16a,26a) are prestressed against the first end portions (181a) of the one or more first hook elements (18a).

14. A DIN rail device system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the one or more first contacts (13a) and / or the one or more second contacts (13b) of the DIN rail device module (1) are plate-shaped.

15. A modular device system according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the one or more conductor elements (23) of the connection module (2) are plate-shaped.

16. Modular device system according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the openings of the connection housing (21), via which the first conductor ends (231a) and / or the second conductor ends (231b) of the one or more conductor elements (23) can be contacted, are designed and dimensioned such that the first conductor ends (231a) and / or the second conductor ends (231b) cannot be contacted by a test finger according to the standard DIN EN 60529.

17. A modular device system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the connection module (2) comprises one or more grooves (29) and the The modular device module (1) comprises one or more guide elements (19) for engaging in the one or more grooves (29) and for moving the modular device module (1) relative to the connecting module (2) along the insertion direction.

18. A modular device system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the modular device module (1) has one or more first coding slots (15a) arranged on the first side of the DIN rail device module (1), and the connection module (2) comprises one or more coding pins (27) for engaging in the one or more first coding slots (15a), wherein preferably the DIN rail device module (1) comprises one or more second coding slots (15b) arranged on the second side of the DIN rail device module (1), and the further connection module (2) comprises one or more coding pins (27) for engaging in the one or more second coding slots (15b).

19. A DIN rail device system according to claim 18, wherein the one or more first coding slots (15a) and the one or more coding pins (27) of the connection module (2), and / or the one or more second coding slots (15b) and the one or more coding pins (27) of the further connection module (2) are arranged and / or dimensioned such that: when the DIN rail device module (1) has a first orientation relative to the connection module (2) and / or the further connection module (2), the DIN rail device module (1) is arranged to be movable relative to the connection module (2) and / or the further connection module (2) along the insertion direction and can be inserted into the operating position by movement along the insertion direction and can be locked to the connection module (2) and / or the further connection module (2) in the operating position;and if the DIN rail mounted device module (1) has a second orientation relative to the connection module (2) and / or the further connection module (2) which is different from the first orientation, the DIN rail mounted device; Module (i) is not arranged to be movable along the insertion direction relative to the connection module (2) and / or the further connection module (2) and / or cannot be inserted into the operating position and / or cannot be locked to the connection module (2) and / or the further connection module (2), wherein the second orientation is preferably rotated by 180° about the insertion direction relative to the first orientation.

20. A DIN rail device system according to claim 18 or 19, wherein the one or more first coding slots (15a) and the one or more coding pins (27) of the connection module (2), and / or the one or more second coding slots (15b) and the one or more coding pins (27) of the further connection module (2) are arranged and / or dimensioned such that the DIN rail device module (1) can be inserted into the operating position and a further DIN rail device module (1) can be inserted into a further operating position, and that the DIN rail device module (1) cannot be inserted into the further operating position and / or the further DIN rail device module (1) cannot be inserted into the operating position.

21. A DIN rail device module (1) for a DIN rail device system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the DIN rail device module (1) comprises: a DIN rail device functional unit, an electrically insulating DIN rail device housing (11), one or more first contacts (13a) arranged on a first side of the DIN rail device module (1), and one or more second contacts (13b) arranged on a second side of the DIN rail device module (1) opposite the first side.

22. Connection module (2) for a DIN rail device system according to one of claims 1 to 20, wherein the connection module (2) comprises: an electrically insulating connection housing (21), one or more connection plug elements (22) for plugging the connection module (2) onto a mounting panel of the electrical distributor and for detaching the connection module (2) from the mounting panel, and one or more conductor elements (23), each having a first conductor end (231a) and a second conductor end (231b), wherein the first conductor end (231a) and the second conductor end (231b) can each be contacted via a corresponding opening in the connection housing (21).

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