Contact protection cap for a busbar in a mounting rail system

Abstract

The present invention relates to a contact protection cap (10) for a busbar (20) arranged in a mounting rail (40) of a mounting rail system (1), the busbar (20) having a main body (200) with busbar guide channels (210), which are oriented parallel to one another, and wire lines (30) which extend therein and each of which protrudes from the busbar (20) by way of a wire end (310) at the end of the main body (200); wherein the contact protection cap (10) is designed to be plugged onto the main body (200) at one end of the busbar (20) in a plug-on direction (R); wherein the contact protection cap (10) has a main part (100) with guide channels (110, 110a, 110b) which are oriented parallel to the plug-on direction (R), wherein the guide channels (110, 110a, 110b) are each designed to fully receive one of the wire ends (310); wherein the guide channels (110, 110a, 110b) are all open towards the same side of an inner side or an outer side of the main part (100) in order to make electric contact; and wherein the contact protection cap (10) has a coupling element (120), which protrudes from the main part (100) in the plug-on direction (R), for mechanical coupling to the busbar (20).

Description

[0001] Touch protection cap for a busbar in a mounting rail system Description:

[0002] The invention relates to a contact protection cap for the final covering of a busbar with wires arranged therein. The contact protection cap can be plugged onto the busbar and is mechanically connected to the busbar by means of interacting coupling elements of the busbar and the contact protection cap.

[0003] Mounting rail systems, or the busbar systems they contain, are generally characterized by the fact that individual mounting rail modules or busbar modules can be coupled together as required, so that the length of the mounting rail system or busbar system can be adapted to current requirements. The user can individually combine different lengths of modules with one another. Different lengths per module are conceivable, with lengths of up to 4.5 meters being used. At a starting point of the busbar (start of the busbar system), a connection terminal is usually provided, which transmits the corresponding signals to the individual wires, thus enabling communication signal transmission and / or power supply to devices connected to the busbar. In order for these signals orTo transmit the power supply from the first busbar module to the last busbar module in the system, it is necessary for the individual busbar modules to be coupled not only mechanically but also electrically. For this purpose, one end of each busbar module typically has protruding wires, which are then inserted into a subsequent busbar module, thereby establishing an electrical connection with its wires.

[0004] Furthermore, it is intended that the user installs one or more contact protection caps at the end of the busbar (busbar system end), depending on the design of the busbar, which cover the respective protruding wire lines at the end of the last busbar module and thus protect the wire lines against contact.

[0005] Touch protection caps in general are designed in such a way that they prevent a user from touching the accommodated wire lines and also close off the busbar so that the touch protection cap prevents the busbar from being continued.

[0006] Figure 7 shows such a previously known contact protection cap 1010, which is coupled to one end of a busbar 20. The busbar 20 is arranged within a support rail 40 of a known support rail system 1, wherein the busbar 20 further comprises busbar guide channels 210 in which the wire lines 30 of the busbar 20 are arranged. In the exemplary embodiment of the busbar 20 shown, it has such busbar guide channels 210 only on the inside of its side walls 202. The connecting wall 201 connecting the two side walls 202, however, is bare and does not have any busbar guide channels 210 or wire lines 30.The side walls 202 and the connecting wall 201 of the busbar 20 are accommodated within the support rail 40 and are clamped between corresponding side walls 402 of the support rail 40 and the base wall 401 of the support rail 40.

[0007] As also evident from Figure 7, the contact protection cap 1010 is plugged onto the visible side wall 202 of the busbar 20, with the protruding wire leads 30 (and in particular their wire ends 310) being arranged in a contact-safe manner in a closed interior of the contact protection cap 1010. The contact protection cap 1010 has a base part 1100, which is plugged onto the busbar 20 and thereby conceals the busbar guide channels 210 of the busbar 20 in an end region of the busbar 20.

[0008] An electrical device to be coupled to the mounting rail system 1 or the busbar 20 usually has a tap for the electrical coupling to the busbar 20, which is arranged centrally on the device and via which the device is supplied with power and communication signals from the busbar 20. The tap usually has a rotating element which, through a rotating movement, establishes the electrical (and usually also mechanical) coupling of the electrical device to the busbar 20 (and usually also to the mounting rail 40). Corresponding contact elements engage in the busbar guide channels 210 and establish electrical contact with the wire lines 30. The tap is usually integrated in a bar element which is inserted into the mounting rail 40 or the busbar 20. The electrical devices and in particular their taps (orThe beam elements (their beam element) can have different lengths, with the tap usually located centrally on the beam element. The shortest beam elements are typically 250 millimeters long.

[0009] The respective electrical device(s) provided can be flexibly arranged along the busbar 20 (or the busbar system), with the exception of the beginning and end of the busbar system. This is because, at both the beginning and the end, the connectivity between the busbar 20 and the electrical device is limited by the necessarily present contact protection cap 1010, or by the connection terminal. Since the present invention deals with the contact protection cap, the end of the busbar system will now be considered in particular.

[0010] When considering the end region of such a known mounting rail system 1001 shown in Figure 7, whose busbar 20 is covered by a previously known contact protection cap 1010, it is noticeable that a minimum distance dioo4between the mounting rail end 410 and the last possible position for coupling the busbar 20 and a respective electrical device, or its tap, must be maintained. This last possible position is at a distance d x from the nearest edge of the contact protection cap 1010, since the electrical coupling of the tap with the busbar 20, or its wire lines 30 arranged in the busbar guide channels 210, is achieved by means of rotation of the tap's contacts running on a circular path. To avoid collisions between all contacts and the contact protection cap 1010, it is therefore necessary to adjust the distance d xmust be observed, otherwise the contacts will hit the contact protection cap 1010 and electrical coupling will not be possible. In a concrete example, this means in practice that a tap at a distance of approximately 125 millimeters from the end of the mounting rail 410 is usually not possible, since the contact protection cap 1010 directly covers this area of ​​the busbar 20 and furthermore the further area of ​​the distance d xthe busbar 20 cannot be used. This also results in the problem with the known contact protection cap 1010 that electrical devices are not flush with the support rail end 410. In particular, in the case of devices with short bar elements, it is therefore not possible to mount these in the end area of ​​the support rail system 1001 or the busbar 20. The problem discussed above occurs in particular with the short bar elements mentioned (250 millimeters long and the position of the tap is therefore 125 millimeters), since these cannot be coupled to the busbar 20 in such a way that the tap on the busbar 20 is at a distance of 125 millimeters from the support rail end 410.

[0011] The known contact protection cap 1010 thus not only covers the protruding wire ends 310, but also covers the busbar guide channels 210 of the busbar 20 over a certain length. In this respect, the known contact protection cap 1010 severely restricts a flexible arrangement of devices along the busbar 20.

[0012] It should also be noted that in the embodiment shown in Figure 7, such a contact protection cap 1010 is also provided on the opposite side of the busbar 20, provided that busbar guide channels 210 with wire lines 30 arranged therein are also provided on this non-visible side of the busbar 20, so that the required contact protection of the busbar system or the support rail system 1001 is established. The invention is therefore based on the object of specifying an improved contact protection cap by means of which the protruding wire lines of a busbar are protected from contact, but furthermore enables flexible contact with the accommodated wire lines and with wire lines of the busbar.

[0013] This object is achieved according to the invention with the subject matter stated in independent claim 1. In combination with the busbar per se, a busbar system according to further independent claim 12 is also specified. Furthermore, by combining the busbar system with a support rail, a support rail system according to further independent claim 16 is also created. Particular embodiments of the invention are specified in the respective dependent claims.

[0014] According to the invention, a contact protection cap is provided for a busbar arranged in a support rail of a support rail system. The busbar has a base body with parallel busbar guide channels and wire lines extending therein, wherein the wire lines protrude from the busbar at the end of the base body with a wire end each. Furthermore, the contact protection cap is designed to be plugged onto the base body at one end of the busbar in a plug-in direction, wherein the contact protection cap has a base part with guide channels aligned parallel to the plug-in direction, wherein the guide channels are each designed to fully accommodate one of the wire ends.Furthermore, the guide channels are all open to the same side of an inside or an outside of the base part for electrical contact, wherein the contact protection cap has a coupling element protruding from the base part in the plug-on direction for mechanical coupling to the busbar.

[0015] The contact protection cap created in this way is particularly flexible and can be easily plugged and coupled onto a respective busbar. The coupling element ensures that the contact protection cap is securely held on the busbar, and this coupling to the busbar also closes off the busbar - thus preventing the addition of further busbars. However, this always ensures that the busbar wires are accommodated in the contact protection cap and that the wires are also available for electrical contact in the area of ​​the contact protection cap, since the busbar guide channels are continued by the guide channels of the contact protection cap that are open on one side. The contour of the busbar or its busbar guide channels is therefore continued by the contact protection cap.This ensures that essentially the entire length of the wire of the (last) busbar can be used, enabling electrical tapping along the entire length of the wire, particularly in the area of ​​the contact protection cap. This prevents collision with the contact protection cap when inserting the tapping, and especially when coupling the tapping (due to the rotational movement of the contacts along the respective circular path). This enables, for example, positioning the tapping at the particularly advantageous distance of 125 millimeters from the end of the mounting rail, so that electrical devices can be arranged along the entire length of the busbar or busbar system.

[0016] The touch protection cap now only sensibly prevents a user from touching the protruding wire lines or their wire ends, and also prevents a continuation of the busbar or busbar system closed off by the touch protection cap, while at the same time enabling the flexible and safe arrangement of electrical devices along the busbar.

[0017] The busbar system according to the invention comprises:

[0018] • a busbar with a base body with parallel busbar guide channels and wire lines extending therein, each of which protrudes from the busbar with a wire end at the end of the base body, and

[0019] • a contact protection cap according to one of the embodiments described herein, wherein the busbar has a coupling element complementary to the coupling element of the contact protection cap, such that when the contact protection cap is plugged onto the busbar in the plugging direction, each of the wire ends is received in a different one of the guide channels. Furthermore, it is provided that when the contact protection cap is plugged onto the busbar in the plugging direction, the coupling element and the complementary coupling element interact with one another and the busbar and the contact protection cap are coupled to one another, wherein the guide channels of the contact protection cap continue the busbar guide channels of the busbar and are open on the same side for electrical contacting of the wire lines.

[0020] With regard to the support rail system according to the invention, it is provided that this:

[0021] • a support rail extending along a longitudinal axis, and

[0022] • a busbar system according to one of the embodiments described herein, wherein the busbar is mounted within the support rail in such a way that its busbar guide channels are aligned parallel to the longitudinal axis, and / or wherein the direction in which the contact protection cap is plugged onto the busbar is aligned parallel to the longitudinal axis. The busbar system designed in this way - or the support rail system designed in this way - therefore has a coordinated busbar and contact protection cap, wherein the busbar and in particular its protruding wires are protected from contact by a user when the contact protection cap is plugged on. Furthermore, the busbar system created in this way is characterized in that the contact protection cap in the busbar guide channels of the busbar orThe wires arranged in the guide channels of the touch protection cap are available for electrical contact along their entire length, allowing electrical devices to be mounted particularly easily, safely, and flexibly. This also creates a particularly advantageous mounting rail system, which is characterized by a particularly flexible, simple, and secure connection of electrical devices to the mounting rail.

[0023] Optionally, the guide channels extend along the entire length of the base part, with the length of the base part preferably being less than 4.0 cm, preferably less than 3.75 cm, more preferably less than 3.0 cm, and particularly preferably less than 2.75 cm. This ensures that the contact protection cap compensates for manufacturing tolerances of the wire lines and thus allows for particularly flexible use.

[0024] Optionally, the base part can be provided with two lateral legs and a connecting leg connecting the lateral legs. This allows for various shapes of the touch protection cap, which can be adapted to the shape of the busbar, making attaching the touch protection cap particularly easy.

[0025] Optionally, at least one of the side legs and / or the connecting leg can be provided with guide channels. This allows the contact protection cap to be designed particularly individually according to the structural specifications of the busbar.

[0026] Optionally, the touch protection cap is designed to be essentially U-shaped in its operational configuration, with the lateral limbs preferably aligned substantially perpendicular to the connecting limb. The touch protection cap created in this way covers the most classic shape of busbars or mounting rail systems. Of course, other shapes are also conceivable. It should also be noted that designs are also possible in which the touch protection cap has only one limb (i.e., plate-shaped or I-shaped) or two limbs (e.g., L-shaped, T-shaped, V-shaped).In particular, optionally, with regard to the busbar system, it can be provided that the busbar also has a substantially U-shaped profile in cross-section, or that the busbar has two substantially opposite base bodies, preferably with an open side of their busbar guide channels facing each other. The busbar system or support rail thus created is particularly versatile.

[0027] Furthermore, with regard to the support rail system, it can also be provided that the support rail has a U-shaped profile in a cross-section, and the support rail has a support rail center part and two lateral support rail side walls.

[0028] Optionally, the touch protection cap is designed to be essentially flat in a storage configuration, with the lateral limbs preferably arranged essentially parallel to the connecting limb. This allows the touch protection cap to be stored and transported in a particularly space-saving manner, thus further minimizing costs. Such a configuration can also be accompanied by components of the base part being subjected to tension relative to one another during transfer to the operational configuration, and thus, when coupled to the busbar, the touch protection cap is additionally held within the mounting rail or on the busbar by this tension.

[0029] Optionally, the contact protection cap further comprises a hinge section designed to move the contact protection cap between the storage configuration and the operational configuration. This enables a particularly simple transformation of the contact protection cap from the storage configuration to the operational configuration, and vice versa. In particular, this feature enables a reversible transformation, which can also be carried out without tools and particularly easily by a user. Furthermore, this preferably prevents individual components of the contact protection cap from becoming lost, since the hinge section creates a coherent, integral structure.

[0030] Optionally, it is provided that the contact protection cap has at least one support element which, when plugged onto the busbar, is designed to interact with the mounting rail and / or the busbar. This creates a particularly stable coupling to the mounting rail or the busbar, wherein one or more of these support elements also ensure that a tap of an electrical device coupled to the wires in the area of ​​the contact protection cap is held particularly stable. In this respect, the operational reliability of the contact protection cap is increased. Preferably, it is further provided that the support element protrudes from the base part. This enables particularly advantageous support on the mounting rail or the busbar.

[0031] Optionally, the support element is provided as a lateral support element on the outer side of a side leg for support against a mounting rail side wall. This further improves the lateral stability of the touch protection cap, so that in the coupled state—and especially when electrically coupled with a tap—the force acting on the touch protection cap is transferred to the mounting rail side wall, ensuring dimensional stability of the lateral legs of the touch protection cap.

[0032] Alternatively or additionally, the support element is provided as a lateral engagement element on an outer side of the connecting leg for engaging a complementary recess in a mounting rail center section. This allows the contact protection cap to be particularly advantageously inserted into the complementary structure of the mounting rail, further improving the stability of the contact protection cap and ensuring secure mounting within the mounting rail and thus also on the busbar.

[0033] Alternatively or additionally, the support element is provided as an engagement element on the front end of a side leg for engaging a complementary recess in a mounting rail side wall. This allows the contact protection cap to be held in a particularly advantageous manner on the mounting rail, further improving the coupling between the contact protection cap and the busbar.

[0034] Alternatively or additionally, the support element is a lateral rail element on the inside of a side leg of the contact protection cap for engaging with a complementary bulge of a busbar side leg. This further strengthens the coupling between the busbar and the contact protection cap and further simplifies the attachment of the contact protection cap. Furthermore, with regard to the busbar system, it can optionally be provided that the support element is designed in the form of a rail element of the contact protection cap, when attached to the busbar, for interaction with the corresponding complementary bulge of the busbar.

[0035] Alternatively or additionally, the support element is provided as a lateral support element on an outer side of a coupling element for support against a mounting rail side wall. This further improves the lateral stability of the contact protection cap, so that in the coupled state - and in particular when electrically coupled with a tap - the force acting on the contact protection cap is transferred to the coupling element and thus the mounting rail side wall. Furthermore, the mounting rail side wall is in contact with the coupling element, so that the coupling between the busbar and the contact protection cap is further stabilized and thus improved. Optionally, the contact protection cap can have multiple coupling elements, with two coupling elements preferably being present per side leg.In this regard, it can also be optionally provided with regard to the busbar system that the busbar has several complementary coupling elements and the contact protection cap has a corresponding number of coupling elements, wherein each coupling element interacts with a complementary coupling element when the contact protection cap is plugged onto the busbar. This further improves the stability of the coupling between the contact protection cap and the busbar. Furthermore, it is preferably provided that the coupling elements are locking elements. This further improves plugging in, since the contact protection cap can be coupled to the busbar, in particular without tools and without considerable effort.

[0036] Particularly preferably, the coupling elements are designed for reversible mechanical coupling. This further increases the flexibility of the busbar system or mounting rail, and the contact protection cap itself is also reusable.

[0037] Optionally, the contact protection cap can be a one-piece injection-molded part. This creates a particularly cost-effective contact protection cap. It is also conceivable for the contact protection cap to be formed from several individual sections that are mechanically coupled together.

[0038] Optionally, the mounting rail system can be provided with an end cover at one end of the mounting rail. This seals the end of the mounting rail from external influences and protects the interior of the mounting rail from these external influences. In particular, the end cover can be provided to protect the interior of the mounting rail from water, moisture, and / or dust.

[0039] As an option, the mounting rail system allows one wire end of each wire to be positioned within the respective guide channel of the contact protection cap when plugged onto the busbar. This provides particularly effective contact protection for the mounting rail system. Furthermore, it is particularly easy to fully utilize the existing wire in the mounting rail system.

[0040] In this case, there is preferably a safety distance between each wire end and the guide channel end on the side of the contact protection cap opposite the busbar. This ensures that the wire ends positioned inside the contact protection cap are at a certain distance from the end of the guide channel of the contact protection cap, thus providing particularly advantageous contact protection. Thus, the contact protection cap presented here represents a particularly flexible and versatile end cover for a busbar, which enables flexible and simple coupling of electrical devices to a busbar, even in the very last end area of ​​the busbar.

[0041] The invention is explained in more detail below based on various embodiments and their configurations, and with reference to the drawings. They show:

[0042] Figure 1A is a schematic cross-sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of a contact protection cap according to the invention in a storage configuration;

[0043] Figure 1B is a schematic oblique view of an exemplary embodiment of a contact protection cap according to the invention in a storage configuration;

[0044] Figure 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of a contact protection cap according to the invention in an operational configuration;

[0045] Figure 3A is a schematic representation of an exemplary embodiment of a contact protection cap according to the invention in an operational configuration in an oblique view of the coupling side;

[0046] Figure 3B is a schematic representation of an exemplary embodiment of a contact protection cap according to the invention in an operational configuration in an oblique view of the end side;

[0047] Figure 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view along the longitudinal axis of an exemplary embodiment of a support rail system according to the invention when plugging an exemplary embodiment of a contact protection cap according to the invention onto a busbar;

[0048] Figure 5A is a schematic cross-sectional view along the longitudinal axis in an oblique view of an exemplary embodiment of a support rail system according to the invention with an exemplary embodiment of a contact protection cap according to the invention in the state plugged onto a busbar; Figure 5B is a schematic cross-sectional view along the longitudinal axis in a side view of an exemplary embodiment of a support rail system according to the invention with an exemplary embodiment of a contact protection cap according to the invention in the state plugged onto a busbar;

[0049] Figure 6A is a schematic representation of another exemplary embodiment of a contact protection cap according to the invention in an operational configuration in an oblique view of the coupling side;

[0050] Figure 6B is a schematic side view of the further exemplary embodiment of a contact protection cap according to the invention from Figure 6A;

[0051] Figure 7 is a schematic representation in an oblique view of a mounting rail system known from the prior art with a contact protection cap attached to a busbar.

[0052] Figures 1A, 1B, 2, 3A, and 3B each show different views of an exemplary embodiment of a contact protection cap 10 according to the invention. The following Figures 4, 5A, and 5B again show, by way of example, how this embodiment of the contact protection cap 10 is plugged onto a busbar 20, thus covering the last busbar 20 of a support rail system 1 and thus limiting the length of the busbars provided in the support rail system 1. Figures 6A and 6B again discuss a special embodiment of the coupling elements 120, which is designed for reversible coupling to a busbar 20.

[0053] The embodiment of the support rail system 1 shown in the figures has one or more support rails 40, wherein a busbar system - comprising one or more busbars 20 arranged in a row, as well as wire lines 30 - is held mounted within the support rails 40. In this case, at least one busbar 20 is arranged inside the one or more support rails 40, wherein the busbar 20 in turn has a base body 200 with busbar guide channels 210 aligned parallel to one another and wire lines 30 extending therein. As can be seen in particular from Figure 4, these wire lines 30 protrude from the busbar 20 at the end of the base body 200, each with a wire end 310. Generally speaking, the wire lines 30 protrude with a length d i beyond the base body 200 of the busbar 20 in the interior of the support rail 40. To increase the safety of the support rail system 1, orof the busbar system, it is further essential that a contact protection cap 10 is arranged on the busbar 20 in such a way as to cover the protruding wire lines 30, or the wire ends 310, and thus protect a user from touching the wire lines 30.

[0054] The mounting rail 40 shown is again similarly constructed, with a mounting rail center section 401 and two mounting rail side walls 402 arranged laterally thereon. The mounting rail 40 is typically U-shaped, so that the mounting rail side walls 402 on two side regions of the mounting rail center section 401 are essentially perpendicular to this center section 401. To insert electrical devices or their tapping, the mounting rails 40 are typically open on one side. The busbar 20 is arranged in the interior of the mounting rail 40 such that the wire lines 30 arranged thereon can be contacted for such a tapping inserted into the mounting rail 40. The mounting rail 40, or the mounting rail system 1, is covered at its end faces by an end cover 50 arranged at the mounting rail end 410.This end cover 50 protects against the lateral ingress of external factors such as moisture, water, and / or dust, and also prevents a user from reaching in from the side. This also makes the visual design of the support rail 40, and thus the support rail system 1, particularly aesthetic.

[0055] The busbar 20 typically also has a substantially U-shaped cross-section. A design of the busbar 20 is also conceivable in which the busbar 20 has two substantially opposite base bodies 200, preferably with an open side of their busbar guide channels 210 facing toward one another. It is also conceivable for the busbar 20 to have only one substantially plate-shaped base body 200. The design of the busbar 20 is not necessarily linked to the structure of the support rail 40; however, the contact protection cap 10 is at least adapted to the design of the busbar 20.

[0056] A summary of Figures 1 to 5B shows that the contact protection cap 10 is designed to be plugged onto the base body 200 at one end of the busbar 20 in a plug-in direction R, wherein the contact protection cap 10 further comprises a base part 100 with guide channels 110, 110a, 110b aligned parallel to the plug-in direction R. The guide channels 110, 110a, 110b are each designed to completely accommodate one of the wire ends 310 and are furthermore all open to the same side of an inner side or an outer side of the base part 100 for electrical contact.This ensures that the contact protection cap 10 protects both the wire ends 310, or the wire lines 30 projecting over the distance di, from contact, and that the contact protection cap 10 enables electrical coupling of an electrical device via its tap, since the guide channels 110, noa, nob of the contact protection cap 10 make the wire line 30 accessible to the electrical contacts of the tap. The electrical contacts of a typical tap, which usually rotate in a circular motion during the coupling process, can thus engage the respective guide channels 110, 110a, 110b without interference, as is also the case with the busbar 20. This accessibility is shown in particular in Figures 5A and 5B.

[0057] Furthermore, the contact protection cap 10 has a coupling element 120 protruding from the base part 100 in the plug-on direction R for mechanically coupling to the busbar 20, whereby the mechanical coupling of the contact protection cap 10 is fixed to the busbar 20 and sufficient mechanical stability is provided even in the case of coupling to an electrical device in the region of the contact protection cap 10. As can be seen in particular from Figures 1B, 3A and 3B, several coupling elements 120 are provided in the exemplary embodiment shown, which further improves stability. The busbar 20 here has complementary coupling elements (not shown in the figures), so that the coupling elements 120 of the contact protection cap 10 interact with the busbar 20 when the contact protection cap 10 is placed on the busbar 20, thus establishing the coupling. Furthermore, the coupling elements 120 in the embodiment shown are designed as locking elements.

[0058] Furthermore, other designs of the coupling elements 120 are also conceivable—as shown, for example, in the design of Figures 6A and 6B. In this case, the coupling created by the coupling elements 120 is reversible, so that the contact protection cap 10 can also be removed from the busbar 20 as needed.

[0059] Furthermore, embodiments are also conceivable in which at least one coupling element 120 is arranged on the connecting leg 101.

[0060] Figures 1A to 5B, as well as figures 6A and 6B, show the specific embodiment of a contact protection cap 10 in which the base part 100 has two lateral side legs 102 and a connecting leg 101 connecting the side legs 102, wherein the contact protection cap 10 in an operational configuration (see figures 2, 3A and 3B) has a substantially U-shape in which the lateral side legs 102 are aligned substantially perpendicular to the connecting leg 101.

[0061] Of course, other embodiments are also conceivable, in which, for example, the contact protection cap 10 or the base part 100 consists only of a plate-shaped element (for example, only the connecting leg 101 or only one of the side legs 102 of the embodiment shown). It is also conceivable for the contact protection cap 10 to have an L-shape, a T-shape, or a V-shape (for example, formed from two legs of the connecting leg 101 and side leg 102 shown), with the shape of the contact protection cap 10 ideally being adapted to the respective shape of the busbar 20.

[0062] Preferably, the contact protection cap 10 is designed as a single piece, and in this case, it is manufactured in particular by an injection molding process. However, it is also conceivable for the contact protection cap 10 to be designed not as a single piece, but as a multi-part unit, whereby the multiple components can be coupled to the busbar 20 individually or as a whole. All features presented herein can also be implemented with a multi-part contact protection cap 10, unless explicitly described otherwise.

[0063] Figures 1A and 1B each show the contact protection cap 10 in a storage configuration in which the contact protection cap 10 is essentially flat. This allows the contact protection cap 10 to be stored and transported in a particularly space-saving manner. As shown in the exemplary embodiment, the contact protection cap 10 further comprises a hinge section by means of which the configuration of the contact protection cap 10 can be changed between the storage configuration and the operational configuration. Starting from the storage configuration of the embodiment of the contact protection cap 10 shown in Figures 1A and 1B – in which the lateral side legs 102 are arranged essentially parallel to the connecting leg 101 – the side legs 102 are folded over such that the guide channels 110, 110a, 110b of the two side legs 102 are arranged opposite one another inside the contact protection cap 10 thus formed.This configuration provides particularly easy access to the wire lines 30 arranged inside the guide channels 110, 110a, 110b when the contact protection cap 10 is placed on the busbar 20.

[0064] With the hinge section, and thus preferably also the integral construction of the contact protection cap 10, an intrinsic prestress of the components of the contact protection cap 10 can also be realized by transforming the contact protection cap 10 from a storage configuration into an operational configuration. This could—with reference to the embodiment shown—make it possible for the side legs 102, when coupled to the busbar 20, to press against the respective support rail side wall 402, thus further fixing the arrangement of the contact protection cap 10 within the support rail system 1 and thus providing additional stability to the busbar system or the coupling between the busbar 20 and the contact protection cap 10. A special symbiosis also results from the implementation of the support elements 129, 130, 140, 160, 170, which are specified in more detail below.

[0065] As can also be seen from Figures 1A to 5B, in the embodiment shown, the guide channels 110, 110a, 110b are all realized on the side legs 102, and in particular each on an inner side of the side legs 102. Embodiments are also conceivable in which at least some (in this specific case, all) of the guide channels 110, 110a, 110b are arranged on the connecting leg 101. This is also conceivable with regard to a different shape of the contact protection cap 10. Furthermore, at least some guide channels 110, 110a, 110b can also be arranged on an outer side of the contact protection cap 10.

[0066] Here, the guide channels 110, 110a, 110b extend along the entire length b of the base part 100, so that different projecting wire lengths di of the wire lines can be accommodated inside the contact protection cap 10, thereby compensating for manufacturing tolerances of both the wire lines 30 and the contact protection cap 10. Preferably, the length b of the base part 100 is less than 4.0 cm, particularly preferably less than 3.75 cm, further preferably less than 3.0 cm, and in particular less than 2.75 cm.

[0067] Figure 3A primarily shows the coupling side of the contact protection cap 10 in an oblique view – i.e., the side of the contact protection cap 10 that faces the busbar 20 when the contact protection cap 10 is plugged on in the plugging direction R. In contrast, Figure 3B shows the rear or end side of the contact protection cap 10 in an oblique view – i.e., the side of the contact protection cap 10 facing away from the busbar 20 in the coupled state, which thus also marks the end of the busbar system.

[0068] As can also be seen from the exemplary embodiments shown in Figures 1A to 5B, the contact protection cap 10 can also have at least one support element 129, 130, 140, 160, 170, which, when plugged onto the busbar 20, is designed to interact with the support rail 40 and / or with the busbar 20. Various configurations of such support elements are shown in the figures, with the interaction with the busbar 20 within the support rail system 1 being illustrated in particular in Figures 4, 5A, and 5B. The support elements 129, 130, 140, 160, 170 serve both to increase the stability of the contact protection cap 10 itself and to couple it to the busbar 20 or to arrange it within the support rail 40. In the example shown, a lateral support element 130 is provided, which is arranged on an outer side of a side leg 102 for support on a support rail side wall 402.This increases the lateral stability of the contact protection cap 10 and improves the holding of the contact protection cap 10 within the support rail 40.

[0069] Furthermore, the embodiment shown has a lateral engagement element 140 as a support element, which is formed on an outer side of the connecting leg 101 for engaging in a complementary bulge 420 of the support rail center part 401, as illustrated in particular in Figure 4. As a result, the contact protection cap 10 is adapted to structural designs of the support rail 40, and in particular to the upper region of the support rail 40 in the region of the transition of the support rail center part 410 to the respective support rail side walls 402, so that a particularly secure and stable hold is achieved.

[0070] An engagement element 170 is also provided as a support element in the exemplary design of the contact protection cap 10 shown. This engagement element 170 is formed on a front end of a side leg 102 for engaging in a complementary bulge of a support rail side wall 402. In this respect, the contact protection cap 10 is also adapted to specific structural designs of the support rail 40. However, the specific design of a lower region of the support rail 40 in the foot region of the support rail side walls 402 is now taken into account. By means of the engagement element(s) 170, the contact protection cap is supported on the support rail 40 in the coupled state, thereby further improving stability.

[0071] It is also conceivable for the support element to be a lateral rail element 160, which is arranged on an inner side of a side leg 102 of the contact protection cap 10 and is designed to engage in a complementary bulge 220 of a busbar side leg 202. This configuration is particularly evident in Figure 4, wherein the lateral rail element 160 interacts with the busbar side leg 202 when the contact protection cap 10 is placed in the insertion direction R and engages in a complementary bulge 220. By means of this rail-like complementary design, the assembly of the support rail system 1 or the busbar system is further simplified with regard to the coupling of the busbar 20 and the contact protection cap 10. In addition, the stability of the connection between the contact protection cap 10 and the busbar 20 is improved.

[0072] The guide channels 110, 110a, 110b thus extend the busbar guide channels 210 and enable the full utilization of the busbar 20 in its end region. In the illustrated embodiment, it is further provided that the guide channels 110, 110a, 110b as well as the busbar guide channels 210 extend parallel to the longitudinal axis of the busbar 20 or the support rail 40.

[0073] The guide channels 110, 110a, 110b can be divided into different groups, whereby—at least in the embodiment shown—a division into lateral guide channels 110a and upper guide channels 110b is particularly conceivable. The upper guide channels 110b can also be arranged on the side legs 102, whereby alternatively or additionally, an arrangement on the connecting leg 101 can also be realized.

[0074] Depending on the design of the busbar 20, and also depending on the design of the support rail 40, it may be expedient to provide certain structures for the contact protection cap 10, which further simplify insertion into the support rail system 1 and coupling to the busbar 20. In addition to the already mentioned support elements 129, 130, 140, 160, 170, as well as the at least one coupling element 120, such a structure can also be realized by a bulge or indentation 150. This indentation 150 allows optimal use of the available space within the support rail 40. Furthermore, in the example shown, the upper guide channels 110b are arranged at the end of the indentation 150 facing the connecting leg 101, so that the upper guide channels 110b are arranged further inside the contact protection cap 10 relative to the lateral guide channels 110a.

[0075] As can be seen particularly from Figure 2, it can also be provided that the guide channels 110, 110a, 110b are dimensioned differently, so that different cross-sections of the wire lines 30 are possible. It is also conceivable that the individual guide channels 110, 110a, 110b are arranged offset from one another, as already indicated with regard to the upper guide channels 110b.

[0076] Figures 4, 5A, and 5B illustrate the coupling process between one embodiment of a contact protection cap 10 and a busbar 20. Figure 4 initially shows an incomplete mounting rail system 1, or rather, an incomplete busbar system, since the contact protection cap 10 has not yet been attached to the busbar 10. The contact protection cap 10 is moved toward the busbar 20 inside the mounting rail 40 in the attachment direction R—which is parallel to the longitudinal direction of the busbar 20 and also parallel to the longitudinal direction of the mounting rail 40. During this approach, the wire conductors 30 (or their wire ends 310) projecting beyond the busbar end enter the guide channels 110, 110a, 110b provided for this purpose in the contact protection cap 10.Furthermore, the at least one coupling element 120 of the contact protection cap 10 interacts with the corresponding complementary coupling element of the busbar 20, thus securing the contact protection cap 10 to the busbar 20. Wire lines 30 can be inserted into the upper guide channels 110b, which run in busbar guide channels 210 of the busbar connecting leg 201. The lateral guide channels 110a accommodate corresponding wire lines 30, which run in busbar guide channels 210 of the busbar side leg 202. The support elements 129, 130, 140, 160, 170 already interact with the respective elements of the support rail 40 or the busbar 20, respectively, and simplify and stabilize the coupling process.

[0077] Figures 5A and 5B show the same state of the mounting rail system 1 from two different perspectives. In this case, the contact protection cap 10 is already coupled to the busbar 20, thus completing it. Therefore, attaching or plugging another busbar onto this last busbar 20 (and especially onto the contact protection cap) is not possible.

[0078] When the contact protection cap 10 is plugged in (as can be seen in Figures 5A and 5B), the wire leads 30 are arranged entirely within the respective guide channels 110, 110a, 110b - the respective wire ends 310 are thus positioned within the contact protection cap 10. The guide channels 110, 110a, 110b, which are open towards the inside of the contact protection cap 10, also enable electrical contacting of the wire leads 30 in the end region of the busbar 20 as well as in the region of the contact protection cap. Electrical devices, and in particular bar elements with the electrical tap of the electrical devices, can thus be flexibly positioned along the busbar 20 as well as in the end region of the busbar 20 and coupled to the wire leads 30. The contact protection cap 10 enables contacting all the way to the wire ends 310, so that the maximum length of the wire leads 30 can be utilized.

[0079] The tap usually has a rotating element, which establishes the electrical (and usually also mechanical) coupling of the electrical device with the busbar 20 (and usually also with the support rail 40) through a rotary movement. Corresponding contact elements engage in the busbar guide channels 210 and establish electrical contact with the wire lines 30. The tap is usually integrated in a beam element, which is inserted into the support rail 40 or the busbar 20. The electrical devices and in particular their taps (or their beam element) can have different lengths, with the tap usually being located centrally on the

[0080] The stable design of the touch protection cap 10, as well as the coupling between the touch protection cap 10 and the busbar 20, ensures a particularly secure connection to each tap. This allows even particularly short electrical devices, or devices with a particularly short bar element for the electrical tap, to be arranged in the end area of ​​a mounting rail system i, whereby, in particular, a distance d4 between the mounting rail end 410 and the electrical tap position of only 125 millimeters is possible (see Figure 5B). In an extreme arrangement of the electrical device—for example, with a desired tap directly at the wire end 310—an even smaller distance d3 between the mounting rail end 410 and the electrical tap position could be realized.

[0081] The wire leads 30 dip into the contact protection cap over the length di, so that the entire area of ​​the wire leads 30 projecting beyond the busbar 20 is accommodated in the contact protection cap. As further shown in Figures 5A and 5B, ideally there is a certain safety distance d2 between the wire end 310 and the rear end of the contact protection cap 10 - that is to say between the respective wire end 310 and the guide channel end on the side of the contact protection cap 10 opposite the busbar 20. This safety distance d2 protects against unintentional contact, as this ensures that there is no protruding wire lead 30 in the system. Preferably there can be provision for the safety distance d2 to be only a few millimeters, for example 1 millimeter, 2 millimeters or 1 to 2 millimeters, wherein furthermore - depending on the manufacturing tolerance of the contact protection cap 10, orthe busbar 20, or the wire lines 30 - it is also conceivable that the safety distance d2 differs depending on the guide channel 110, 110a, 110b under consideration.

[0082] The complementary coupling elements can generally be formed by locking pins or the like, which are each positioned on a connecting wall 201 or a busbar side leg 202 of the busbar 20, protruding substantially perpendicularly therefrom.

[0083] Figure 6A shows an alternative embodiment of the contact protection cap 10. This particularly features a special design of the coupling elements 120, as these are designed for reversible coupling. This allows the contact protection cap 10 to be placed particularly easily and simply onto a busbar 20, thus terminating the busbar system 1. Furthermore, non-destructive removal of the contact protection cap 10 is also possible. Thus, the busbar system 1 can be expanded particularly flexibly, allowing a previously used contact protection cap 10 to be reused.For each side leg 102, the contact protection cap 10 has at least one coupling element 120, which in turn has two locking arms 121, each of which has a proximal connecting section 123, with which the locking arm 121 is connected to the base part 100 of the contact protection cap 10, and a distal locking section spaced from the base part with a locking contour 124 for locking the contact protection cap 10 to the busbar 200 of the busbar system 1, wherein the respective locking arm 121 is designed to be elastically deformable such that the locking contour 124 can be deflected from a locking position into a release position via the connecting section 123.Furthermore, it is provided that the coupling elements 120 each have a connecting web 122 which directly connects the two locking arms 121 to one another, wherein the connecting web 122 is coupled to the respective locking arm 121 in a region between the connecting section 123 and the locking contour 124 in such a way that when the connecting web 122 moves in a displacement direction Ri from a rest position to a release position, the locking contours 124 can each be transferred from the locking position to the release position by the elastic deformation of the associated locking arm 121.

[0084] In this case, the contact protection cap 10 is thus plugged onto the busbar 20 in the plug-on direction R, wherein the coupling elements 120, or the respective locking contours 124 of the locking arms 121 of the coupling elements 120, interact with the corresponding complementary coupling elements of the busbar 20, and in particular engage or snap into place. To separate this coupling or locking connection, it is now provided that the respective connecting web 122 is actuated for each coupling element 120, which, due to its coupling with the respective locking arms 121, bends them open, so that the respective locking contour 124 at the distal end of each locking arm 121 is repositioned in a direction of movement R2. As a result, the coupling with the respective complementary coupling element of the busbar 20 is released, and the contact protection cap 10 is separated from the busbar 20 and can therefore be easily removed, for example by pulling it off in the reversible plug-on direction R.

[0085] Furthermore, it should be noted that the direction of movement R2 of the two locking arms 121 can also be directed toward each other in another embodiment. Likewise, the locking contours 124, or their locking lugs, can also be arranged on the opposite side of a locking arm 121. This configuration primarily depends on the scenario.

[0086] In this case, in order to simplify the operation or actuation of the connecting web 122, it can be provided that the connecting web 122 has a contact section 125 in an area between the two locking arms 121, which increases the support surface for a respective tool, so that the connecting web 122 is shaped more stably and can be moved particularly easily from its rest position into the release position.

[0087] To simplify the operation of a coupling element 120 for reversible coupling, it can be provided that the base part 100 has a guide section 180 for guiding a tool towards the connecting web 122, as sketched in particular by way of example in Figures 6A and 6B. This guidance within the guide section 180, and thus also the guide section 180 itself, is preferably designed parallel to the displacement direction Ri, wherein in the exemplary embodiment shown, the displacement direction Ri is essentially parallel to the attachment direction R. The guide section 180 extends along the (entire) width b of the base part 100, so that accessibility of the connecting web 122 for actuating the coupling element 120 from a rear side of the contact protection cap 10 is particularly easy.By actuating the connecting bar 122 by means of the tool guided along the guide section 180, the connecting bar 122 is then moved from the rest position to the release position, as particularly indicated in Figure 6B. As a result, the locking contour 124 is then deflected by the connection of the connecting bar 122 to the locking arms 121.

[0088] In the illustrated embodiment, the coupling between connecting web 122 and the respective locking arm 121 is substantially rigid, and the connecting web 122 is formed integrally with the locking arms 121. This provides a particularly simple and cost-effective way to achieve particularly advantageous elasticity with an intrinsically generated restoring force for automatically returning the locking contour 124 from its release position to the locking position—that is, the snap-in process when coupling the contact protection cap 10 to the busbar 20.

[0089] Various implementations are conceivable with regard to the guide section 180. In the exemplary embodiments shown in Figures 6A and 6B, the guide section 180 is formed as an indentation 181 of the base part 100, which extends from an end of the base part 100 facing the connecting web 122 (and in this case the outer edge of the base part 100) along the base part 100 essentially parallel to the displacement direction Ri.

[0090] The indentation 181 has a width a which is preferably adapted to standard tools, such as a slotted screwdriver or an Allen key (e.g., an Allen key), so that the user / installer of the contact protection cap 10 or the busbar system 1 can operate the respective coupling elements 120 in a particularly simple and uncomplicated manner. Furthermore, in an advantageous embodiment, the guide section 180 has a taper 222 which tapers the width a of the indentation 181 toward the connecting web 122, wherein the taper 182 is designed for the centered feeding of the respective tool onto the connecting web 122, and in particular onto the contact section 125 of the respective coupling element 120.Furthermore, the figures show that the guide device 180 has, in an end region of the indentation 181 facing the connecting web 122, a raised portion 183 projecting into the indentation 181, which is designed to guide or guide the respective tool to the connecting web 122, and in particular to the contact portion 125 of the coupling element 120. The raised portion 183 is preferably arranged in the last portion of the taper 182, so that these structures interact synergistically and guide any inserted tool in a particularly targeted and secure manner to the connecting web 122 or its support surface.

[0091] Alternatively or additionally, however, it can also be provided that the guide section 180 has a through-opening from an inner side of the base part 100 to an outer side of the base part 100. This embodiment, however, is not shown in the figures. In this case, the through-opening then extends in the displacement direction Ri toward the connecting web 122. The through-opening is preferably arranged on the base part 100 such that it is positioned essentially at the same height as the connecting web 122. This further simplifies the operation of the respective coupling element 100.If such a through-opening is provided and the base part 100 further comprises guide channels 110, 110a, 110b, it is particularly preferable to ensure that the respective through-opening is arranged between two guide channels 110, 110a, 110b, such that a wire line 30 potentially contained in the guide channels 110, 110a, 110b is not exposed through the through-opening, so that a user is not exposed to any risk of contact with the respective wire lines 30 when operating the coupling element 120.

[0092] As shown by way of example in Figures 6A and 6B, a coupling element 120 can also have a support element 129 of the contact protection cap 10. This can protrude laterally, particularly in the region of a respective associated locking contour 124, transversely to the insertion direction R and also transversely to the direction of movement R2. The support element 129 protrudes laterally outward from the respective locking arm 121. When installed in the support rail 40 and coupled to the busbar 20, the support element 129 rests against a respective side wall 401, 402 of the support rail 40 and thus presses the respective coupling element 120 toward the busbar 20, thus stabilizing the coupling.

[0093] Such a coupling element 120 for reversible coupling therefore provides a particularly simple and uncomplicated use of a contact protection cap 10, which can be used particularly flexibly in busbar systems 1. All features shown only in individual views or embodiments can also be transferred to other embodiments. For example, the design of the coupling elements 120 for reversible coupling shown in Figures 6A and 6B, or individual components thereof, such as the support element 129, can also be transferred to all other embodiments of the contact protection cap 10.

[0094] In comparison to the problem described at the beginning with previous contact protection caps 1010, that not only the area in which such a contact protection cap 1010 itself is arranged, but also a further distance d xis unusable for arranging an electrical tap, a particularly flexibly deployable, safe, and robust busbar end cover is now described with the contact protection cap 10 according to the invention, or one of the exemplary embodiments presented herein. This ensures that the wire line 30 can now be used in the entire end region of the busbar 20, as well as the area of ​​the contact protection cap 10 itself. Furthermore, fitting the contact protection cap 10 is particularly simple, as it is ideally adapted to the shape of the busbar 20 and, depending on the design, can be easily plugged onto individual or all sections of the busbar 20 simultaneously. In general, the contact protection cap 10 is characterized by its ease of operation, advantageous usability, and the given safety against contact with a wire line 30.The busbar system as well as the support rail system 1 per se also benefit from this property of the contact protection cap 10.

Claims

Claims:

1. A contact protection cap (10) for a busbar (20) arranged in a support rail (40) of a support rail system (1), the busbar (20) comprising a base body (200) with busbar guide channels (210) aligned parallel to one another and wire lines (30) extending therein, each of which protrudes from the busbar (20) with a wire end (310) at the end of the base body (200); wherein the contact protection cap (10) is designed to be plugged onto the base body (200) at one end of the busbar (20) in a plugging direction (R); wherein the contact protection cap (10) has a base part (100) with guide channels (110, 110a, 110b) aligned parallel to the plug-on direction (R), wherein the guide channels (110, 110a, 110b) are each designed to completely receive one of the wire ends (310);wherein the guide channels (110, 110a, 110b) are all open to the same side of an inner side or an outer side of the base part (100) for electrical contact; and wherein the contact protection cap (10) has a coupling element (120) protruding from the base part (100) in the plug-on direction (R) for mechanical coupling to the busbar (20).

2. The contact protection cap according to claim 1, wherein the guide channels (110, 110a, 110b) extend along the entire length (b) of the base part (100); wherein the length (b) of the base part (100) is preferably less than 4.0 cm, preferably less than 3.75 cm, more preferably less than 3.0 cm, particularly preferably less than 2.75 cm.

3. Contact protection cap according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the base part (100) has two lateral side legs (102) and a connecting leg (101) connecting the side legs (102).

4. Contact protection cap according to claim 3, wherein at least one of the side legs (102) and / or the connecting leg (101) has the guide channels (110, 110a, 110b).

5. Contact protection cap according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the contact protection cap (10) in an operative configuration has a substantially U-shape, wherein preferably the lateral side legs (102) are aligned substantially perpendicular to the connecting leg (101).

6. Contact protection cap according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the contact protection cap (10) is formed substantially flat in a storage configuration, wherein preferably the lateral side legs (102) are arranged substantially parallel to the connecting leg (101).

7. Contact protection cap according to claim 5 and 6, wherein the contact protection cap (10) further comprises a hinge portion which is designed to move the contact protection cap (10) between the storage configuration and the operational configuration.

8. Contact protection cap according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the contact protection cap (10) has at least one support element (129, 130, 140, 160, 170) which, when plugged onto the busbar (20), is designed to interact with the support rail (40) and / or with the busbar (20); wherein the support element (129, 130, 140, 160, 170) preferably protrudes from the base part (100).

9. Contact protection cap according to claims 3 and 8, wherein the support element (129, 130, 140, 160, 170) is a lateral support element (130) on an outer side of a side leg (102) for supporting on a support rail side wall (402); and / or wherein the support element (129, 130, 140, 160, 170) is a lateral engagement element (140) on an outer side of the connecting leg (101) for engaging in a complementary bulge (420) of a support rail center part (401); and / or wherein the support element (129, 130, 140, 160, 170) is an engagement element (170) on a front end of a side leg (102) for engaging in a complementary bulge of a support rail side wall (402); and / or wherein the support element (129, 130, 140, 160, 170) is a lateral rail element (160) on an inner side of a side leg (102) of the contact protection cap (10) for engaging in complementary bulges (220) of a busbar side leg (202);and / or wherein the support element (129, 130, 140, 160, 170) is a lateral support element (129) on an outer side of a coupling element (120) of the contact protection cap (10) for supporting on a support rail side wall (402); 10. Contact protection cap according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the contact protection cap (10) has a plurality of coupling elements (120), preferably two coupling elements (120) being present per side leg (102); preferably the coupling elements (120) are locking elements. wherein the coupling elements (120) are particularly preferably designed for reversible mechanical coupling.

11. Contact protection cap according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the contact protection cap (10) is a one-piece injection-molded part.

12. Busbar system comprising: • a busbar (20) with a base body (200) with parallel busbar guide channels (210) and wire lines (30) extending therein, each of which protrudes from the busbar (20) with a wire end (310) at the end of the base body (200); and • a contact protection cap (10) according to one of the preceding claims; wherein the busbar (20) has a coupling element complementary to the coupling element (120) of the contact protection cap (10), such that when the contact protection cap (10) is plugged onto the busbar (20) in the plugging direction (R), each of the wire ends (310) is received in a different one of the guide channels (110, 110a, 110b); wherein when the contact protection cap (10) is plugged onto the busbar (20) in the plugging direction (R), the coupling element (120) and the complementary coupling element interact with one another and the busbar (20) and the contact protection cap (10) are coupled to one another; and wherein the guide channels (110, 110a, 110b) of the contact protection cap (10) continue the busbar guide channels (210) of the busbar (20) and are open to the same side for electrical contacting of the wire lines (30).

13. Busbar system according to claim 12, wherein the busbar (20) has a substantially U-shaped profile in a cross-section or wherein the busbar (20) has two substantially opposite base bodies (200) which preferably have an open side of their busbar guide channels (210) directed towards one another.

14. Busbar system according to claim 12 or 13, wherein the contact protection cap (10) has a support element in the form of a rail element (160) which, when the contact protection cap (10) is plugged onto the busbar (20), is designed to interact with a complementary bulge (220) of the busbar (20).

15. Busbar system according to one of the preceding claims 12 to 14, wherein the busbar (20) has a plurality of complementary coupling elements and the contact protection cap (10) has a corresponding number of coupling elements (120); wherein each coupling element (120) interacts with a complementary coupling element when the contact protection cap (10) is plugged onto the busbar (20).

16. Support rail system (1) comprising: • a support rail (40) extending along a longitudinal axis; and • a busbar system according to one of the preceding claims 13 to 15; wherein the busbar (20) is held mounted within the support rail (40) such that its busbar guide channels (210) are aligned parallel to the longitudinal axis, and / or wherein the plug-on direction (R) of the contact protection cap (10) onto the busbar (20) is aligned parallel to the longitudinal axis.

17. Support rail system according to claim 16, wherein the support rail (40) has an end cover (50) at a support rail end (410); and / or wherein the support rail (40) has a U-shaped profile in a cross-section, and the support rail has a support rail center part (401) and two lateral support rail side walls (402).

18. Support rail system according to claim 16 or 17, wherein, when plugged onto the busbar (20), a wire end (310) of each wire line (30) is positioned within the respective guide channel (110, 110a, 110b) of the contact protection cap (10); wherein preferably a safety distance (d2) exists between the respective wire end (310) and the guide channel end on the side of the contact protection cap (10) opposite the busbar (20).

Images