Electric module for connecting to a support rail with a support rail profile

Abstract

The invention relates to an electric module (10) for connecting to a support rail (50) with a support rail profile (51), wherein the electric module (10) has a mounting element (15) which can be inserted into a receiving region of the support rail profile (51) and which is designed to hold the electric module (10) on the support rail profile (51). The mounting element (15) can be adjusted relative to a support element (20) of the electric module (10) between an open position, in which the mounting element (15) is allowed to be inserted into and removed from the support rail profile (51), and a locking position, in which the electric module is secured to the support rail profile (51). The mounting element (15) is coupled to an actuation element (30), by means of which the mounting element (15) can be adjusted between the open position and the locking position. The invention is characterized by a locking element (40) which can be releasably secured to the electric module (10) and, in the secured state, locks the actuation element (30) in a position which corresponds to the locking position of the mounting element (15).

Description

[0001] Electrical module for connection to a mounting rail with a mounting rail profile

[0002] Description:

[0003] The present invention relates to an electrical module, which can be designed, for example, as a luminaire and is intended to be coupled to a support rail. The support rail has an elongated support rail profile that defines a receiving space. The support rail profile preferably has two side walls and at least one busbar arranged in the support rail profile with contactable lines. The electrical module according to the invention can also be a camera or sensor unit or, in general, a unit suitable for use in a strip lighting system.

[0004] Support rails with a support rail profile and a busbar held in the support rail profile are known from the prior art and are used, for example, to create elongated so-called continuous lighting systems. One known continuous lighting system is marketed by the applicant under the name "TECTON" and is characterized by the fact that luminaires or other electrical loads can be flexibly positioned on the support rail along the entire length of the system. This is made possible by the fact that, thanks to a special mounting of the busbar cables, they are accessible to the loads along essentially the entire length of the continuous lighting system, so that contact with the cables can be made not only at fixed positions, but at any location. WO 2001 / 091250 Ai, for example, shows such a continuous lighting system.

[0005] In the "TECTON" system mentioned above, two busbars are arranged opposite each other on the two side walls of a downwardly open, U-shaped support rail profile. The contact between the busbar cables is achieved by the luminaire or load having a rotatable contact element, which is inserted into the support rail from below and then rotated by approximately 45°. 0is twisted. Contacts arranged on the contacting element are designed in such a way that they are pivoted out sideways when the contacting element is rotated and ultimately contact the lines of the busbars in the twisted state. Furthermore, additional projections are provided on the contacting element which, when the contacts are pivoted out, engage in the profile of the support rail and thereby ensure mechanical fastening of the contacting element or the unit as a whole to the support rail. Also coupled to the contacting element is a carrier element to which, for example in the case of a light, the lamps and possibly other electronic components are attached.

[0006] Such contacting elements in the form of so-called rotary taps have proven themselves in practice many times over and enable the simple and quick mounting of an electrical module on a mounting rail. Various developments have been proposed to further optimize the functionality of these contacting elements. For example, locking mechanisms are known from the prior art that prevent accidental rotation of the contacting element, which, on the one hand, facilitates the transport of the electrical module and, on the other hand, ensures that it cannot independently detach from its mechanical anchorage on the mounting rail profile.

[0007] A prior art option for locking the contacting element in the position in which the luminaire is connected to the mounting rail profile is shown, for example, in Figure 7. This figure shows a portion of an elongated, so-called bar luminaire 100, which is intended for connection to a mounting rail (not shown in detail). On an elongated support element 110, which carries all essential components of the luminaire 100, there is arranged, in particular, the aforementioned rotary tap 120, which, as explained, can be rotated about a vertical axis in order to pivot out contacts and mechanical locking elements, to fasten the luminaire 100 to the mounting rail, and to contact cables arranged in the mounting rail.The pivoting of the rotary tap 120 is achieved by means of an arm 125, which is connected to the rotary tap 120 or coupled in another suitable manner and whose end region protrudes through an elongated, slot-like opening 115 in a side wall 111 of the support element 110. This arm 125 can thus be grasped from the outside and can be moved back and forth along the slot-like opening 115 in order to selectively pivot the rotary tap 120.

[0008] In Figure 7, the arm 125 is shown in a position in which the rotary tap 120 is in the locking position and thus the luminaire 100 is fastened to the support rail. The slot-like opening 115 in the side wall 111 of the support element 110 is designed such that it forms a ramp 116 rising from the left side, which is delimited at its right-hand end region by a vertically sloping flank 117. This forms a locking projection that prevents the arm 125 from being easily transferred from the illustrated position into the left region of the slot-like opening 115 in order to release the locking of the rotary tap 120 with the support rail profile. Instead, it is necessary for the arm 125 to first be deflected slightly upwards, i.e., perpendicular to the longitudinal extent of the opening 115, before it can subsequently be displaced to the left.Since this can only occur through deliberate manipulation of the arm 125, it is ensured that the locking of the luminaire 100 to the support rail profile is not accidentally released. The known solution shown in Figure 7 is known, for example, from the applicant's EP 2 631532 Ai.

[0009] The solution described above, which is known from the state of the art, prevents the fastening of a luminaire or, in general, an electrical device to a mounting rail from being accidentally released. However, this arm can still be deliberately grasped and actuated at any time to move the rotary switch to the open position. Therefore, there is no protection against unauthorized persons breaking the connection between the luminaire or the electrical module and the mounting rail.

[0010] The present invention is therefore based on the object of providing a novel solution which ensures that electrical modules cannot be easily removed from support rails by unauthorized persons.

[0011] The above object is achieved by the invention defined in claim 1. Advantageous developments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

[0012] Analogous to the prior art solutions, the fastening of a luminaire or, in general, an electrical module to a mounting rail profile is provided using a mounting element that can be adjusted between an open position and a locked position. In the open position, the mounting element can be inserted and removed from the mounting rail profile, while in the locked position, the electrical module is secured to the mounting rail profile. Adjusting the mounting element between the open position and the locked position is performed using a suitable actuating element that is coupled to the mounting element in a corresponding manner.According to the invention, it is now provided that an additional locking element is used which can be detachably fastened to the electrical module as a separate component and, in the fastened state, locks the actuating element in a position which corresponds to a locking position of the holding element.

[0013] According to the present invention, an electrical module for connection to a mounting rail with a mounting rail profile is proposed,

[0014] • wherein the electrical module has a holding element which can be inserted into a receiving area of ​​the support rail profile and is designed to hold the electrical module on the support rail profile, • wherein the holding element is adjustable relative to a carrier element of the electrical module between an open position in which insertion and removal of the holding element from the support rail profile is possible and a locking position in which the electrical module is secured to the support rail profile,

[0015] • wherein the holding element is coupled to an actuating element, with the aid of which the holding element can be adjusted between the open position and the locking position, and

[0016] • wherein, according to the invention, a locking element is further provided which can be detachably fastened to the electrical module and, in the fastened state, locks the actuating element in a position which corresponds to a locking position of the holding element.

[0017] The use of the locking element according to the invention thus creates an additional security measure that prevents the electrical module from being easily uncoupled from the mounting rail, thus preventing the module from being removed or repositioned on the mounting rail. As explained in more detail below, this locking element is also fundamentally removable to enable uncoupling of the electrical module from the mounting rail. However, the locking element can preferably be designed in such a way that this is only possible with increased effort, in particular only with the aid of a suitable tool.

[0018] It is preferably provided that the locking element can only be attached to the electrical module when the actuating element is in the position corresponding to the locking position of the mounting element. In particular, it can be provided that the locking element can be locked to the support element or to the assembly consisting of the support element and the mounting rail profile.

[0019] Analogous to the solution known from the prior art, it can be provided that the actuating element comprises an arm which can be pivoted or displaced in order to adjust the holding element between the open position and the locking position, wherein the arm particularly preferably passes through a substantially slot-like opening in a wall of the support element such that the arm moves along the opening when adjusting the holding element between the open position and the locking position. In addition, it can further be provided that a wall region of the opening forms a projection which initially requires a deflection of the arm substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal extent of the opening in order to be able to transfer the holding element from the locking position to the open position.The locking element according to the invention is then designed such that, when fastened to the electrical module, it engages at least partially in this opening, wherein the locking element blocks a lateral movement of the arm along the opening and / or a deflection of the arm perpendicular to the longitudinal extent of the opening.

[0020] It is crucial that when the locking element is in place, the arm cannot be adjusted and is blocked by the locking element in such a way that the support element remains in the position locked to the support rail profile.

[0021] The locking element itself preferably has an elongated, web-like base region on which two projections are arranged, which, when attached to the electrical module, are arranged on both sides of the arm. Furthermore, it can be provided that a tongue or tab is arranged on the base region of the locking element, which engages into the opening of the support element of the electrical module substantially above the arm.

[0022] As already mentioned, the locking element is designed in such a way that it can in principle be detached from the arrangement formed by the electrical module and the mounting rail profile, although this should preferably only be possible with increased effort and only with the aid of a suitable tool. For this purpose, the locking element can be provided with pins at the two ends of the aforementioned base region, which engage in a space delimited by the electrical module and / or the mounting rail profile. The end regions with the pins can then be designed to be deflectable in order to be able to remove the locking element again. However, this can ideally only be done with the aid of the aforementioned tool, for example a slotted screwdriver. The locking element is preferably a plastic part, in particular a one-piece plastic part.

[0023] The holding element of the electrical module is preferably designed according to the already known rotary toggles explained above. It can thus be rotatably mounted between the open position and the locking position, wherein the holding element particularly preferably also forms a contacting element and thus has connection contacts which are designed to contact electrical lines running in the mounting rail profile when the holding element is in the locking position. The design of the electrical module therefore largely corresponds to the solution already known in the prior art, wherein the locking element according to the invention is now used as a supplementary measure. The solution according to the invention also offers the possibility of making the locking element available as a retrofit component, which can be used directly or optionally as an add-on to already known luminaires.can be used after only minor modification.

[0024] Preferably, the electrical module according to the invention is a luminaire, although, as already mentioned, the solution according to the invention can in principle be used for all units which are to be detachably fastened to the support rail profile of a support rail which, for example, is part of a lighting strip system.

[0025] The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. They show:

[0026] Figure 1 shows the view of an electrical module according to the invention in the form of a

[0027] Emergency light on which the locking element according to the invention is arranged;

[0028] Figure 2 is a perspective view of the locking element according to the invention;

[0029] Figure 3 is a side view of the locking element according to the invention;

[0030] Figure 4 is an enlarged view of a portion of Figure 1;

[0031] Figure 5 shows the sectional view of the arrangement of an elongated lamp on a

[0032] Support rail system, wherein the rotary knob is secured in the locking position by means of the locking element according to the invention;

[0033] Figure 6 is an enlarged view of a portion of Figure 5; and

[0034] Figure 7 shows a solution known from the prior art for the design of a

[0035] Contacting element of an elongated bar light.

[0036] The invention is explained below using the example of an emergency light luminaire to be connected to a mounting rail system. In principle, however, the inventive concept applies to all types of electrical modules that can be connected to a mounting rail. Modern continuous-row lighting systems not only utilize various types of luminaires, but generally also include additional components such as sensors, cameras, or loudspeakers. These are integrated into the system and then connected to the mounting rail in a similar way to the luminaires, and supplied with power and, if necessary, other signals via the rail. Such components can also be easily secured against unauthorized removal from the mounting rail using the inventive solution.

[0037] Furthermore, it is assumed below that busbars with cables to be contacted run along the inner sides of the two side walls of the mounting rail, as is the case, for example, with the known "TECTON" system. However, the present invention primarily concerns the problem of securely mechanically attaching an electrical module to a mounting rail, for which the question of how cables running within the mounting rail are contacted is less relevant. Accordingly, corresponding cables can also be arranged elsewhere within the mounting rail profile and contacted by differently designed contacting elements.

[0038] In the present case, however, it is assumed that both the electrical contacting of the cables and the mechanical fastening of an electrical module to a mounting rail are carried out using the same structural unit, which is the already known rotary tap. As can be seen in the exemplary embodiment according to Figure 1, the luminaire 10 shown here has a contacting element 15, which is rotatably arranged on the upper side of an elongated support element 20. This support element 20 is designed in the form of an elongated profile part, which can be formed, for example, by a correspondingly formed elongated sheet metal part and then supports all other components of the luminaire 10.

[0039] The support element 20, which thus represents the central component of the luminaire 10, has a horizontal crosspiece 21 which is delimited on both sides by corresponding side walls 22 and 23. These side walls 22 and 23, together with the crosspiece 21, form a receiving area which extends in the longitudinal direction of the support element 20 and which serves in particular to receive at least the lower part of the rotary tap 15. However, as can be seen in Figure 1, further components of the luminaire 10 can also be arranged on the upper side of the support element 20, for example emergency power supplies in the form of accumulators or batteries, as well as components with the aid of which an electrical connection is established between the contacts of the rotary tap 15 and the other electrical components of the luminaire 10. These can, if necessary,can also be arranged on the underside of the support element 20 together with corresponding lighting devices, whereby the underside is then additionally used to hold a translucent cover 19, through which the light is emitted by the luminaire 10. Ultimately, however, the question of which components are arranged in which manner on the support element 20 depends on the type of luminaire or electrical unit involved.

[0040] The rotary tap 15 has, in a known manner, a central, approximately cylindrical body 16 made of an insulating material, which serves to hold laterally projecting electrical contacts 17. Furthermore, the body 16 forms outwardly projecting locking projections 18 in its lower region, which serve to mechanically secure the luminaire 10 to a support rail.

[0041] The arrangement and design of the rotary tap 18 is further such that it can be rotated about the vertical axis I indicated in Figure 1 by approximately 45 0is rotatably mounted on the carrier element 20 and can be transferred from an open position into a locking position. The open position represents a rotational position in which both the contacts 17 and the locking projections 18 are not aligned transversely to the longitudinal direction of the carrier element 20. In this rotational position, the rotary tap 15 can be inserted from the underside into the receiving space of an elongated, approximately U-shaped support rail 50, as shown in Figure 5. If, in this situation, the rotary tap 15 is then pivoted from the open position into the locking position, both the contacts 17 and the locking projections 18 are pivoted laterally until they assume the orientation shown in Figure 1, perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the carrier element 20.In this position, the laterally protruding contacts 17 contact electrical conductors of one or more busbars (not shown in Figure 5) running within the support rail 50. At the same time, the locking projections 18 overlap corresponding areas of the support rail profile 51, so that the rotary tap 15 is secured in its position within the support rail 50 and thus the luminaire 10 is attached to the support rail 50 as a whole.

[0042] The rotary tap 15 is rotated between the open position and the locked position with the aid of an actuating element designed as a lever 30, which is connected or coupled to the rotary tap 15 in a corresponding manner. The actuating element or the end region 31 of the lever 30 is guided through a slot-like opening 25 in a side wall 22 of the support element 20 of the lamp 10, so that this end region 31 can be actuated from the outside. This means that the lever 30, which extends through the opening 25 of the support element 20, can be pivoted or guided linearly along the slot-like opening 25 running in the longitudinal direction, with this movement of the lever 30 then being converted into a corresponding rotational movement of the rotary tap 15. The slot-like opening 25 can preferably be designed in the same way as was explained initially with reference to the prior art shown in Figure 7.This means that in the present case, in particular, the lower edge of the opening 25 can be provided with a ramp having, at one end, a flank running perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the opening 25, which flank forms a locking projection. This flank is assigned to the position of the lever 30 that corresponds to a locking position of the rotary tap 15. This means that, when the luminaire 10 is mounted on the support rail 50, the end region 31 of the lever 30 must first be slightly raised perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the opening 25 or the support element 20 before it can be pivoted or displaced further to the left in order to move the rotary tap 15 into the open position.

[0043] Thus, the luminaire 10 according to the invention is preferably protected against accidental or unintentional pivoting of the lever 30 and thus a transfer of the rotary switch 15 into the open position. However, this does not constitute an obstacle for unauthorized persons who deliberately want to remove the luminaire 10 from the support rail 50.

[0044] This additional protection according to the invention is achieved with the aid of a further locking element, which is shown in Figures 3 and 4 and provided with the reference numeral 40. This is a preferably one-piece plastic component which can be produced, for example, in a simple manner by injection molding and is designed such that it can be attached to the luminaire 10 when it is fastened to the support rail 50 and then, in the manner described in more detail below, prevents the lever 30 from being actuated as explained above in order to release the locking of the rotary tap 15 with the support rail 50 without prior additional measures.

[0045] The locking element 40 initially has an elongated, web-like base region 41, which has approximately the length of the slot-like opening 25 in the side wall 22 of the support element 20 of the light 10. However, this does not necessarily have to be the case, and the two lengths could also differ slightly from one another. What is essential, however, is that two projections 42 are formed on the underside of the base part 41, the distance d between which projections approximately corresponds to the width of the lever 30. Perpendicular to these projections 42, a horizontally oriented tab or tongue 43 is also provided on the base region 41, which extends approximately between the two projections 42. Finally, the base region 41 has two upwardly pointing pins 45 at its two ends, which then serve to hold the locking element 40 in the manner described in more detail below.Figures 1 and 4 show, in an enlarged view, the locking element 40 arranged on the support element 20 of the luminaire 10; it should be noted that the support rail 50 is not shown in these figures. The fastening of the locking element 40 in the position shown in the two figures only occurs—and preferably only—when the luminaire 10, or generally the electrical module, has already been fastened to the support rail 50, i.e., when the lever 30 is in a position corresponding to a locking position of the rotary tap 15. In this state, the locking element 40 according to the invention is then placed on the support element 20 of the luminaire 10 in such a way that the tab 43 engages in the slot-like opening 25 in the side wall 22 of the support element 20, as indicated in Figure 4.

[0046] In this position, the rear side wall 41a of the base region 41 of the locking element 40 rests against the outside of the side wall 22, and the two projections 42 are located on either side of the lever 30. As can be seen from Figure 4, this arrangement of the locking element 40 has the consequence that, on the one hand, due to the tab 43 located above the lever 30, the lever cannot be deflected upwards in order to be guided over the locking projection of the elongated opening 25. On the other hand, lateral movement of the lever 30 is additionally prevented by the two projections 42. The illustrated positioning of the locking element 40 therefore means that the lever 30 must permanently remain in the position corresponding to the locking position of the rotary tap 15.Moving the lever 30 to release the locking of the luminaire 10 with the support rail 50 is only possible after the locking element 40 has been removed in a separate step - described below.

[0047] However, this removal of the locking element 40 is not easily possible, since it is additionally secured to the arrangement formed by the support rail 50 and the luminaire 10 by the aforementioned pins 45. This is particularly evident in Figure 5 and the enlarged view of Figure 6. It can be seen here that, in the assembled state of the locking element 40, the two pins 45 engage in a narrow intermediate region which is enclosed on the one hand by the side wall 22 of the support element 20 of the luminaire 10 and on the other hand by a profiled end region 52 of the support rail profile 51.Simply pulling off the locking element 40 sideways is therefore not possible, and this is made even more difficult by the fact that, due to the design of the locking element 40, it is ideally inserted so far into the area between the support rail profile 51 and the support element 20 of the luminaire 10 that it does not protrude laterally. It is therefore not possible to simply grasp the locking element 40 by hand and remove it from the position shown. This is only possible with the aid of a suitable tool, for example a flat-head screwdriver, by inserting it into the intermediate area between the support rail profile 51 and the support element 20 in order to lever at least one end of the base area 41 with the associated pin 45 out of the position shown.In this case, the further end portion of the locking element 40 can then be relatively easily pulled out of the illustrated position, thus removing the locking element 40 entirely. For this purpose, the material of the locking element 40 preferably has at least a certain degree of flexibility to allow the slight deformation of the web-like base portion 41 required for inserting or removing the locking element.

[0048] Thus, the locking element 40 according to the invention represents a very simple but effective measure that prevents the locking mechanism between the luminaire 10 and the support rail 50 from becoming loose. At least an additional step is now required to remove the luminaire 10, for which the use of a tool is preferably essential, so that the probability of the luminaire 10 being dismantled by unauthorized persons is further significantly reduced.

[0049] It should be noted here that the previously explained original locking mechanism of the lever 30 in the position corresponding to the locking position of the rotary tap 15, using the ramp in the edge region of the slot-like opening 25, would not be absolutely necessary. Since the locking element 40 already ensures reliable locking of the lever 30 in this position, the opening 25 could also be designed as a simple slot with parallel edges. However, since the locking element 40 according to the invention can also be readily used with existing mounting rail components, the situation often arises where both security measures are used for the module to be connected.

Claims

Claims:

1. An electrical module (10) for connection to a support rail (50) having a support rail profile (51), wherein the electrical module (10) has a holding element (15) which can be inserted into a receiving area of the support rail profile (51) and is designed to hold the electrical module (10) on the support rail profile (51), wherein the holding element (15) is adjustable relative to a carrier element (20) of the electrical module (10) between an open position, in which insertion and removal of the holding element (15) from the support rail profile (51) is possible, and a locking position, in which the electrical module is secured to the support rail profile (51), and wherein the holding element (15) is coupled to an actuating element (30), with the aid of which the holding element (15) can be adjusted between the open position and the locking position, characterized by a locking element (40),which is detachably attachable to the electrical module (10) and, in the attached state, locks the actuating element (30) in a position corresponding to a locking position of the holding element (15).

2. Electrical module according to claim 1, characterized in that the locking element (40) can only be fastened to the electrical module (20) when the actuating element (30) is in the position corresponding to the locking position of the holding element (15).

3. Electrical module according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the locking element (40) can be locked to the carrier element (20) of the electrical module (10) or to the arrangement formed by the carrier element (20) and the support rail profile (51).

4. Electrical module according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the actuating element (30) comprises an arm which is pivotable or displaceable for adjusting the holding element (15) between the open position and the locking position. 5- Electrical module according to claim 4, characterized in that the arm passes through a substantially slot-like opening (25) in a wall (22) of the carrier element (20), the arm moving along the opening (25) when the holding element (15) is adjusted between the open position and the locking position.

6. Electrical module according to claim 5, characterized in that an edge region of the opening (25) forms a projection which initially requires a deflection of the arm perpendicular to the longitudinal extent of the opening (25) in order to transfer the holding element (15) from the locking position to the open position.

7. Electrical module according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the locking element (40) engages at least partially in the opening (25) when fastened to the electrical module (20), wherein the locking element (40) blocks a lateral movement of the arm along the opening (25) and / or a deflection of the arm perpendicular to the longitudinal extent of the opening (25).

8. Electrical module according to claim 7, characterized in that the locking element (40) has an elongated base region (41) on which two projections (42) are arranged, which are arranged on both sides of the arm when fastened to the electrical module (20).

9. Electrical module according to claim 8, characterized in that a tab (45) is further arranged on the base region (41), which tab engages into the opening (25) of the carrier element (20) substantially above the arm.

10. Electrical module according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the locking element (40) has pins (45) at the ends of the base region (41) which engage in a space delimited by the electrical module (20) and / or the support rail profile (51).

11. Electrical module according to claim 10, characterized in that the end regions with the pins (45) are deflectable in order to be able to remove the locking element (40).

12. Electrical module according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the locking element (40) is formed by a preferably one-piece plastic part.

13. Electrical module according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the holding element (15) is rotatably mounted between the open position and the locking position.

14. Electrical module according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the holding element (15) also forms a contacting element and has connection contacts (17) which are designed to contact electrical lines running in the support rail profile (51) in the locking position of the holding element (15).

15. Electrical module according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is a luminaire.

16. A light strip system comprising: a) a support rail (50) with a support rail profile (51) and b) at least one electrical module (20) according to one of the preceding claims that can be connected to the support rail profile (51).

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