Expansion connector device and conductor line system

Abstract

The invention relates to an expansion connector device (1) for connecting busbar ends (2, 3), having a guide rail (4) and busbar holding elements, wherein the guide rail is fixedly connected to one busbar end (2) and is used for longitudinally slidably supporting the other busbar holding elements, wherein at least one busbar holding element is fastened to the other busbar end (2, 3), and at least two intermediate busbar sections (9, 10) are arranged between the busbar ends (2, 3), at least one of which intermediate busbar sections is made of an electrically insulating material, and the two intermediate busbar sections (9, 10) are longitudinally slidably guided on the guide rail (4) via busbar holding elements (7, 8), wherein spacing elements are provided which each limit the distance between a busbar end (2, 3) and an intermediate busbar section and / or the distance between the intermediate busbar sections to a minimum and / or maximum distance.

Description

[0001] Paul Vahle GmbH & Co. KG Westicker Straße 52 59174 Kamen

[0002] Expansion joint device and conductor rail system

[0003] The present invention relates to an expansion joint device for connecting two opposing busbar ends.

[0004] Busbars come in many forms and are used in various industrial applications. For example, busbars can be part of a conductor rail system, which supplies power to moving loads along the conductor rail. The conductor rail system can, for instance, run along a factory road, a high-bay racking system, or another type of route.

[0005] During operation, or due to external influences such as weather and sunlight, the length of the conductor rails changes due to temperature. Consequently, the conductor rails expand during operation and contract again when they cool. For this reason, the conductor rails or the conductor rail are often mounted on sliding supports, allowing them to expand and contract without causing damage along the track.

[0006] Depending on the total length of the track, several aligned conductor rails are used to form a conductor rail. The fundamental problem here is that an expansion gap forms between the two conductor rail ends due to the expansion of the two rails, and this gap increases or decreases depending on the temperature of the conductor rails.

[0007] VA0293WO-Registration text / GE / 19.09.2025 A further problem can arise if only one of the two adjacent conductor rails is mounted on a sliding bearing, for example, if one conductor rail end has a so-called entry funnel, the sliding bearing of which is technically more complex and therefore more expensive. An entry funnel serves to guide the current collectors of a current collector car when entering a conductor rail and to thread the current collector contacts into the correct conductor rails.

[0008] In this case, the situation is further complicated by the fact that, for safety reasons, the consumer may only be supplied with current or voltage once all current collector contacts are securely and fully engaged in the respective busbar. Therefore, the section of busbar in contact with the entry funnel must be electrically insulated from the adjacent part of the conductor rail or the adjacent busbar.

[0009] The object of the present invention is therefore to provide an expansion joint device that solves the problems mentioned above.

[0010] This problem is solved by an expansion joint device with the features of claim 1 in that the expansion joint device according to the invention has a guide rail and busbar retaining elements, wherein the guide rail is fixedly connected to the first busbar end via at least one busbar retaining element and serves for the longitudinally displaceable mounting of the other busbar retaining elements, wherein at least one busbar retaining element is attached to the second busbar end, and wherein at least two intermediate busbar sections spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction are arranged between the first and second busbar ends, of which at least one intermediate busbar section is made entirely or at least partially of an electrically insulating material.and wherein the at least two intermediate busbar sections are guided and held longitudinally displaceable on the guide rail by means of busbar retaining elements, wherein spacer elements are provided which each determine the distance between,

[0011] VA0293WO-Registration text / GE / 19.09.2025 a busbar end and an intermediate busbar section and / or limit the distance between the intermediate busbar sections to a minimum and / or maximum distance.

[0012] Because intermediate busbar sections are slidably arranged between the two busbar ends, with at least one of these sections being made of or incorporating an insulating material, the two busbars are electrically isolated from each other. Because the intermediate busbar sections are mounted and held longitudinally on a guide rail by means of busbar retaining elements, temperature-related length variations between the two busbars can be compensated for.

[0013] In some preferred embodiments, a spacer element is arranged at each busbar end, and one or two spacer elements are arranged at each intermediate busbar section. Each spacer element corresponds to a spacer element of the adjacent intermediate busbar section or the adjacent busbar end. The spacer elements can, for example, be permanently connected to a busbar end or an intermediate busbar section, for instance by a screw connection, clamp connection, or adhesive bond.

[0014] In some embodiments, the spacers have an arm or hook that projects longitudinally beyond the end face of the corresponding busbar end or intermediate busbar section, with a portion or section of the hook or arm projecting transversely to the longitudinal direction and forming a stop surface. The two projecting parts of the interconnected spacers thus form a stop for the corresponding opposite spacer in both directions along the longitudinal axis of the busbar. In this way, a minimum and a maximum distance between the aforementioned components (busbar ends, intermediate busbar sections) are defined.

[0015] VA0293WO-Application text / GE / 19.09.2025 In some embodiments, the busbar ends and / or the intermediate busbar sections are each connected to the corresponding busbar retaining elements via retaining means and / or via the spacers. Both busbar ends can be permanently connected to a retaining means, for example, by screwing, gluing, or clipping. The retaining means, in turn, can be permanently connected to one or two busbar retaining elements. For example, the retaining element can have a thread or a through-hole through which the retaining means can be screwed to the busbar retaining elements. The intermediate busbar sections can also be permanently connected to retaining means, which are either the same or different in design from the retaining means to which the busbar ends are connected.The retaining elements of the intermediate busbar sections can be connected to one or more busbar retaining elements. In both cases, the busbar retaining element can be firmly connected to the busbar ends or the intermediate busbar sections via the retaining element. However, it is also possible for the spacers to be connected to the busbar retaining elements, for example via a screw connection, and for the spacer to be attached to the busbar end or the intermediate busbar section together with the busbar retaining element, for example by clamping. In this case, no additional retaining element is necessary.

[0016] In some preferred embodiments, the retaining elements have several through-holes on a flat side, which, in the assembled state, align with corresponding through-holes and / or threads in the busbar retaining elements and the retaining elements. Of course, only the spacers and the busbar retaining elements can have corresponding through-holes, particularly in embodiments without retaining elements. Fasteners, for example in the form of screws, can connect the three or more components through the aligned holes or threads. The screwed-together components can then be attached to the busbar ends or the intermediate busbar sections.

[0017] VA0293WO-Registration text / GE / 19.09.2025 It is also conceivable and possible that the screws extend through the busbar retaining elements, fasteners, and spacers and are screwed into corresponding threaded holes in the busbar ends or intermediate busbar sections. In this way, the corresponding components are securely screwed to the busbar ends or intermediate busbar sections.

[0018] In some embodiments, the spacers can be arranged in a recess of the corresponding retaining element. For example, the retaining element can be shaped so that the spacer lies within it and can be screwed to it. The retaining element can be, for example, an elongated profile piece that at least partially encloses the spacer. In this way, the spacer and the retaining element can be arranged in an extremely compact and space-saving manner between the busbar retaining element and the busbar end or the intermediate busbar section.

[0019] Another aspect of the invention is that the guide rail, the busbars, the intermediate busbar sections, and the busbar retaining elements are at least partially enclosed or covered by a cover profile. The components essential for the function of the expansion joint device, as well as the expansion gap that develops or decreases during operation, are thus not visible from the outside. The moving and stationary parts are thereby protected from both mechanical damage and contamination. Of course, the cover profile can be designed so that some components or the expansion gap(s) are at least partially visible. In this case, the condition of the expansion gap can be inspected without disassembling the cover profile.

[0020] The cover profile can, for example, be a profile body enclosing the relevant components, open at the bottom so that the current collectors can move along the conductor rails while the other components are not visible from the outside. The ends of the cover profile can be at least partially closed with cover caps.

[0021] VA0293WO-Registration text / GE / 19.09.2025. This ensures a closed and homogeneous appearance and also protects the expansion joint device from contamination.

[0022] The cover profile can be attached to the guide rail using a fastener, such as an expansion rivet or a screw. Of course, it can also be clamped, inserted, glued, welded, or attached to the guide rail in any other suitable way.

[0023] Another aspect of the invention is that the busbar ends and the intermediate busbar sections are arranged, at least partially, in insulating profiles. These insulating profiles each have recesses for the busbar retaining elements. The insulating profiles can essentially correspond to conventional insulating profiles, but must have corresponding recesses for the movable components or those attached to the busbar ends and intermediate busbar sections.

[0024] In some embodiments, at least one of the retaining elements incorporates at least one stop element for locking at least one spacer element in the longitudinal direction of the expansion joint device. For example, some of the spacers may be attached to the other components with more than one screw, while other spacers are smaller and attached to the respective components with only one screw. In particular, the spacers corresponding to one or more intermediate busbar sections may be smaller than the other spacers due to space constraints. Here, a stop element can stabilize or lock the spacer element and provide additional stability during operation.

[0025] The present invention also relates to a conductor rail system with a section formed by at least two conductor rails, wherein the at least two conductor rails are connected at their conductor rail ends via an expansion joint device of the type described above.

[0026] VA0293WO-Application text / GE / 19.09.2025 In a particularly preferred embodiment of the conductor rail system according to the invention, the first conductor rail is, in particular, fixedly attached to a mounting element, such as a support, a wall, a ceiling, etc., and has an entry funnel at one end of the conductor rail, wherein the other conductor rail is slidably mounted on a mounting element. This can be the same or a different mounting element than that of the first conductor rail.

[0027] The first busbar can be de-energized so that all current collector contacts are only energized (at the second busbar) once they are all correctly connected to the correct busbar. This is particularly advantageous in conductor rail systems where several parallel busbars are arranged side by side.

[0028] The present invention is explained in more detail below with reference to two exemplary embodiments for better understanding. Of course, the invention is not limited to these exemplary embodiments.

[0029] Figure 1 shows an embodiment of an expansion joint device 1 according to the invention for connecting two opposing busbar ends 2, 3. Two intermediate busbar sections 9, 10 are arranged between the busbar ends 2, 3. The intermediate busbar sections 9, 10 are formed by profile sections which correspond in cross-section to the busbar ends 2, 3. In contrast to the busbar ends 2, 3, however, they are made of an insulating material, so that the two busbar ends 2, 3 are electrically insulated from each other.

[0030] On the side of the first busbar end 2, the expansion joint 1 has a busbar retaining element 5, a retaining element 21, and a spacer element 11, each with aligned bores. The bores of the spacer element 11 are threaded. The three screws 19 are inserted from above into the busbar retaining element 5 and also pass through the bores of the retaining element 21 and are screwed into the threads of the spacer element 11. In this way, the busbar retaining element 5 is connected to the retaining element 21 and the spacer element 11. Together, these components 5, 21, and 11 are connected via the

[0031] VA0293WO-Registration text / GE / 19.09.2025 A retaining element 21 is connected to the busbar end 2, wherein the spacer element 11 is arranged from below in a recess of the retaining element 21. Similarly, the second busbar end 3 is also connected to a spacer element 12, a retaining element 21, and a busbar retaining element 6. To ensure electrical insulation of the busbar ends 2 and 3, at least one, several, or all of the busbar retaining elements 5, 6, 7, and 8 can be made of an insulating material, for example, a plastic.

[0032] The intermediate busbar section 9 is connected in a similar manner to a spacer element 15, a retaining element 21, and two busbar retaining elements 7. The intermediate busbar section 10 is also connected in a similar manner to two spacers 13 and 14, a retaining element 21, and two busbar retaining elements 8. In contrast to the other intermediate busbar section 9, the spacers 13 and 14 of the intermediate busbar section 10 are shorter and each fastened with only one screw 19. To lock the spacers 13 and 14 and to provide a counter-stop in the longitudinal direction R, stop elements 20 are provided, which can be inserted into the retaining element 21 from above.

[0033] All busbar retaining elements 5, 6, 7, 8 are formed from profile sections which have a groove or a taper in the center of their cross-section and lie with their upper section or head section above this groove in a corresponding section of the guide rail 4. The busbar retaining elements 6, 7, 8 are slidably or longitudinally displaceably mounted in the guide rail 4. The busbar end 3 and the intermediate busbar sections 9, 10 can thus slide in the longitudinal direction R, particularly when the busbar length changes. A variable expansion gap therefore exists between the busbar end 2 and the intermediate busbar section 10, between the intermediate busbar section 10 and the intermediate busbar section 9, and between the intermediate busbar section 9 and the busbar end 3.

[0034] VA0293WO-Registration text / GE / 19.09.2025 The spacing elements 11, 12, 13, 14 have a section at their end pointing towards the respective adjacent spacing element 11, 12, 13, 14, which has an end section running transversely to the longitudinal direction R. This end section forms a stop for the corresponding end section of the respective adjacent spacer element 11, 12, 13, 14. This end section also abuts against the respective adjacent spacer element 11, 12, 13, 14 in the opposite direction. In this way, the spacer elements 11, 12, 13, 14 jointly define a minimum distance and a maximum expansion gap between the busbar end 2 and the intermediate busbar section 10, the intermediate busbar section 10 and the intermediate busbar section 9, and the intermediate busbar section 9 and the busbar end 3.

[0035] The busbar retaining element 5 has a slightly different cross-section than the busbar retaining elements 6, 7, and 8. The head section of the busbar retaining element 5 is somewhat longer and also sits within the guide rail 4. Unlike the busbar retaining elements 6, 7, and 8, however, the busbar retaining element 5 is not mounted in the guide rail 4 in a longitudinally displaceable manner, but is fixedly connected to the guide rail 4 via the screws 23 and the boreholes 23a. The busbar retaining element 5 and the busbar end 2 are therefore rigid relative to the guide rail 4.

[0036] The expansion joint device 1 also has a cover profile 18, which covers a large part of the aforementioned components, thus protecting the device from contamination and other external influences. The end faces of the cover profile 18 are partially closed with cover caps 18a, 18b. The cover profile 18 is firmly connected to the guide rail 4 by means of an expansion rivet 22, thus preventing slippage in the longitudinal direction R.

[0037] Figure 2 shows another embodiment of an expansion joint device 1, which is fundamentally very similar to the embodiment shown in Figure 1. For the sake of clarity, the same reference numerals are used as far as possible, and a further reference to them is omitted.

[0038] VA0293WO-Registration text / GE / 19.09.2025 Description of fundamentally identical or highly similar components is omitted.

[0039] In contrast to the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the expansion joint device 1 does not have any retaining means 21. The spacer elements 11, 12, 13, 14 are connected to the busbar retaining elements 5 via the screws 19.

[0040] 6, 7, 8 connected, wherein the screws 19 are inserted from below into recesses 11', 12', 13', 14' provided for this purpose in the spacer elements 11, 12, 13, 14 and through the corresponding through holes of the spacer elements 11, 12, 13, 14 and busbar retaining elements 5, 6,

[0041] 7, 8 protrude through.

[0042] The spacers 11, 12, 13, 14 are located in a recess 2', 3', 9', 10' of the respective busbar end 2, 3 or intermediate busbar section 9, 10. The nuts 19' secure the screws 19, so that the busbar retaining elements 5, 6, 7, 8 are firmly connected to the spacers 11, 12, 13, 14, with the busbar ends 2, 3 or the intermediate busbar sections 9, 10 or corresponding edges in the respective cross-sections between the spacers 11, 12, 13, 14 and the busbar retaining elements 5, 6, 7, 8 being clamped. In this way, the busbar retaining elements 5, 6, 7, 8 are firmly connected to the corresponding busbar ends 2, 3 or intermediate busbar sections 9, 10 via the spacer elements 11, 12, 13, 14. The screws 19 can either be completely countersunk in the busbar retaining elements or, depending on the dimensions of the cavity in the guide rail 4, protrude slightly.

[0043] Another difference between the embodiments shown in Figures 1 and 2 is that the busbar retaining elements 6, 7, 8 are identical in design, while their function is essentially the same. All busbar retaining elements 5, 6, 7, 8 are engaged in the guide rail 4 with their section above the groove 5', 6', 7', 8'. In busbar retaining element 5, the groove 5' is slightly narrower, or rather, the cross-section of the profile body is slightly larger at this point than the corresponding sections / grooves 6', 7', 8' of the other busbar retaining elements 6, 7, 8.

[0044] VA0293WO-Registration text / GE / 19.09.2025 This prevents the busbar retaining element 5 from sliding in addition to the screw connection 23, 23a. The remaining grooves 6', 7', 8' and the corresponding cross-sections, however, are designed such that sliding in the longitudinal direction R of the busbar retaining elements 6, 7, 8 along the guide rail 4 is possible.

[0045] Another difference between the embodiments shown in Figures 1 and 2 is that both intermediate busbar sections 9, 10 each have two spacer elements 13, 14 (cf. only one spacer element 15 in Fig. 1), which further ensures the electrical insulation between the busbar ends 2, 3.

[0046] The embodiments shown can compensate for length changes of up to 20 cm in the busbar 3. Of course, other length changes can also be achieved depending on the dimensions of the components and the length of the busbar, for example by varying the length of the guide rail 4 and the intermediate busbar sections 9, 10, or their number.

[0047] VA0293WO-Registration text / GE / 19.09.2025

Claims

Patent claims 1. Expansion joint device (1) for connecting two opposing busbar ends (2, 3) with a guide rail (4) and busbar retaining elements (5, 6, 7, 8), wherein the guide rail (4) is fixedly connected to the first busbar end (2) via at least one busbar retaining element (5) and serves for the longitudinally displaceable mounting of the remaining busbar retaining elements (6, 7, 8), wherein at least one busbar retaining element (5, 6) is attached to the second busbar end (2, 3), and wherein at least two are located between the first and second busbar ends (2, 3) in the longitudinal direction (R.) spaced intermediate busbar sections (9, 10) are arranged, at least one of which is made entirely or at least partially of an electrically insulating material, and wherein the at least two intermediate busbar sections (9, 10) are guided and held longitudinally displaceably on the guide rail (4) by means of busbar retaining elements (7, 8), wherein spacer elements (11, 12, 13, 14, 15) are provided which each limit the distance between a busbar end (2, 3) and an intermediate busbar section and / or the distance between the intermediate busbar sections to a minimum and / or maximum distance.

2. Expansion joint device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the busbar ends (2, 3) and / or the intermediate busbar sections (9, 10) are each connected to the corresponding busbar retaining element (5, 6, 7, 8) via retaining means (21) and / or via the spacer elements (11, 12, 13, 14, 15).

3. Expansion joint device (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that the busbar retaining elements (5, 6, 7, 8) are each connected to the corresponding retaining means (21) and / or the VA0293WO-Registration text / GE / 19.09.2025 corresponding spacer elements (11, 12, 13, 14, 15) are connected to each other via fasteners (19), in particular in the form of screws.

4. Expansion joint device (1) according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the spacer elements (11, 12, 13, 14, 15) are arranged in a recess of the respective corresponding retaining means (21).

5. Expansion joint device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the guide rail (4), the busbar ends (2, 3), the intermediate busbar sections (9, 10) and the busbar retaining elements (5, 6, 7, 8) are at least partially enclosed or covered by a cover profile (18).

6. Expansion joint device (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that the end faces of the cover profile (18) are at least partially closed by means of cover caps (18a, 18b).

7. Expansion joint device (1) according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the cover profile (18) is connected to the guide rail (4) by means of a fastening means, in particular in the form of an expansion rivet (22).

8. Expansion joint device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the busbar ends (2, 3) and the intermediate busbar sections (9, 10) are arranged at least sectionally in insulating profiles (16, 17), wherein the insulating profiles (16, 17) each have recesses for the busbar retaining elements (5, 6, 7, 8).

9. Expansion joint device (1) according to one of claims 2 to 8, characterized in that at least one stop element (20) for locking at least one spacer element (13, 14) in the longitudinal direction (R.) of the expansion joint device (1) is arranged in at least one of the holding means (21). VA0293WO-Registration text / GE / 19.09.2025 10. Conductor system with a section formed by at least two conductor rails, characterized in that the at least two conductor rails are connected at two opposite conductor rail ends (2, 3) via an expansion joint device (1) according to one of the preceding claims.

11. Conductor system according to claim 10, characterized in that the first conductor rail, in particular immovably, is attached to a mounting element and has an entry funnel at one conductor rail end, and that the other conductor rail is slidably mounted on a mounting element. VA0293WO-Registration text / GE / 19.09.2025

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