Device for holding heavy components on a rail, assembly comprising such a device and associated method of use
The device addresses the issue of securing modular components on a rail by using a mounting base and clamping element with adjustable force application, ensuring secure fixation against shocks and environmental disturbances.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- WO · WO
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- THALES SA
- Filing Date
- 2025-12-18
- Publication Date
- 2026-06-25
AI Technical Summary
Existing devices for securing modular components on a rail provide only static support, leading to potential disengagement and damage due to shocks, especially in harsh environments, and lack precise force adjustment.
A device with a mounting base and clamping element that allows controlled lateral compression and adjustable force application, using a linkage mechanism to move the clamping element relative to the mounting base along an inclined plane, ensuring secure fixation of modular components.
The device provides secure and adjustable fixation of modular components on a rail, preventing lateral movement and disengagement, even under significant environmental constraints.
Smart Images
Figure EP2025087889_25062026_PF_FP_ABST
Abstract
Description
[0001] DESCRIPTION
[0002] Device for securing heavy components on a rail, an assembly comprising such a device and a method of associated use
[0003] The present invention relates to a device for retaining modular components placed on a rail, as well as an assembly comprising a rail, modular components, a fixed stop and such a retaining device.
[0004] Modular components, particularly electrical ones such as circuit breakers or switches, can be mounted on a rail. They must then be locked in position along the rail.
[0005] Documents KR 200494973U Y1, KR 102333636 B1 and KR200492461 U Y1 describe a fixed stop for blocking modular components placed on a rail in translation.
[0006] However, this solution has certain limitations. The fixed stop only provides static support for the components and relies on imprecise manual force adjustment by moving the component along the rail towards the fixed stop. Consequently, any shocks can cause lateral movement of the components on the rail, potentially leading to disengagement and damage to the equipment.
[0007] There is therefore a need for a device to hold modular components placed on a rail, allowing significant and controlled lateral compression to be applied to these components, especially when they have a substantial mass and need to be securely fixed in a harsh environmental context.
[0008] To this end, the invention relates to a device for retaining at least one modular component placed on a rail, the retaining device comprising: a mounting base that can be inserted onto the rail; a reversible fixing of the mounting base on the rail; a clamping element configured to bear against a modular component parallel to the rail; a linkage configured to move the clamping element relative to the mounting base; characterized in that the linkage is configured to move the clamping element relative to the mounting base along a longitudinal axis A-A' parallel to the rail.
[0009] Such a modular component retention device can be freely positioned on the rail and allows the modular components to be fixed by compression adapted to the constraints of the environment, preventing any lateral movements that could lead to the disengagement of the components.
[0010] According to other advantageous aspects of the invention, the holding device comprises one or more of the following features, taken individually or in any technically possible combination:
[0011] - the link is configured to exert an adjustable force on at least one modular component via the clamping element;
[0012] - the connection includes a face of the mounting base and a face of the clamping element adjacent to each other extending along an inclined plane at an angle strictly less than 90° with respect to the longitudinal axis A-A';
[0013] - the linkage includes a retaining device whose adjustment by a user adjusts the displacement of the clamping element by translation along the mounting base according to the inclined plane;
[0014] - the fixing consists of at least one fixing element, exerting a reversible force on the rail, and at least one portion of the hook-shaped mounting base configured to be placed under the rail;
[0015] - at least one rail fixing device exerts an adjustable compressive force on the rail at one end, the second end having a head that can be manipulated by a user;
[0016] - at least one rail fixing element is housed within at least one opening through the retaining device along an axis transverse to the longitudinal axis A-A', at least one through opening comprising:
[0017] - an oblong portion defined within the clamping element and having a diameter sufficient to allow the movement of the clamping element relative to the rail fixing device;
[0018] - a threaded portion defined within the mounting base in the extension of the oblong portion, at least one rail fixing element having a thread complementary to the tapping of the threaded portion;
[0019] - the holding mechanism has a head that can be manipulated by a user;
[0020] - the retaining element is housed within at least one orifice passing through the retaining device along an axis transverse to the longitudinal axis A-A', the at least one through orifice comprising:
[0021] - an oblong portion defined within the clamping element, having a width less than that of the head of the retaining member, and a length allowing the movement of the clamping element relative to the retaining member; - a threaded portion defined within the mounting base in the extension of the oblong portion, the retaining member having a thread complementary to the tapping of the threaded portion.
[0022] The invention according to a second aspect relates to an assembly characterized in that it comprises a retaining device having the above characteristics, at least one modular component inserted on the rail and a fixed stop, the retaining device as well as the fixed stop being inserted on the rail on either side of the at least one modular component.
[0023] The invention also relates to a method of using the holding device having the above characteristics, comprising the following steps:
[0024] - insertion of the mounting base onto the rail, so that the clamping element is turned towards at least one modular component;
[0025] - lateral movement of the retaining device by translation of the mounting base along the rail along the longitudinal axis A-A', in order to place it against the modular component to be fixed;
[0026] - fixing the mounting base onto the rail by adjusting the fixing;
[0027] - clamping of the clamping element against the modular component by adjusting the link.
[0028] The invention will become clearer upon reading the following description, given solely by way of non-limiting example, and made with reference to the drawings in which: Figure 1 is a front view of the modular component mounting assembly on a rail oriented parallel to a longitudinal axis A-A'; Figure 2 is a three-quarter view of the retaining device as shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the retaining device as shown in Figure 2, along a plane parallel to the longitudinal axis A-A' and passing through the retaining member; Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the retaining device as shown in Figure 2, along a plane parallel to the longitudinal axis A-A' and passing through a fastening member.In Figure 1, an assembly 5 comprises a retaining device 10, at least one modular component 12 inserted on the rail 14, and a fixed stop 16, the retaining device 10 and the fixed stop 16 being inserted on the rail 14 on either side of at least one modular component 12.
[0029] The set 5, for example, is intended to be installed in a tactical box station, namely a container allowing the transport and protection of standard electronic equipment in a severe climatic and mechanical environment and is therefore intended to receive various modular components 12 such as servers, switches, electrical circuit breakers, or electronic tools in order to form an installation such as an electrical panel.
[0030] In order to keep the modular components 12 in place on the rail 14, a fixed stop 16 and a retaining device 10 are also installed on either side of the modular components 12. It may be envisaged, for example, that the fixed stop 16 be replaced by a second retaining device 10.
[0031] As seen in Figure 2, the retaining device 10 comprises a mounting base 20 that can be inserted onto the rail 14, a reversible fixing 22 of the mounting base 20 to the rail 14, and a clamping element 24 movably mounted on the mounting base 20 by a link 26.
[0032] The mounting base 20 is preferably a solid body having a face arranged along an inclined plane 27 at an angle strictly less than 90° with respect to an axis A-A' longitudinal with respect to the length of the rail 14. It is designed to be installable and movable in translation on the rail, along the longitudinal axis A-A'.
[0033] At least a portion of the mounting base 20 is preferably in the shape of a hook 28 and configured to be placed under the rail 14. It allows translational movement of the mounting base 20 on the rail 14 while keeping the device 10 in place on the rail 14.
[0034] The clamping element 24 is preferably a solid body having a face adjacent to the face of the mounting base arranged along the inclined plane 27. The clamping element 24 is movable in translation along this inclined plane 27. It is designed to bear against at least one modular component 12.
[0035] As seen in Figure 4, the fastener 22 includes at least one fastener 31 housed within the retaining device 10, exerting a reversible compressive force on the rail 14 by pinching the rail 14 with at least one portion of the hook-shaped mounting base 20 28.
[0036] At least one fastener 31 has a head-shaped portion 33 whose width exceeds that of the main section of the fastener 31. The head 33 is intended to be manipulated by a user in order to adjust the compression force of the fastener 31 on the rail 14 by means of an adjustable tightening torque applied to the fastener 31.
[0037] Advantageously, the head 33 is located at the end of the fastening member 31 furthest from the rail 14 when the device 10 is in place on the rail 14. In this way, it is easy for the user to reach the head 33 in order to adjust the fastening 22.
[0038] The retaining device 10 provides at least one through orifice 34 in which is housed at least one fixing member 31. Preferably, the through orifice 34 is oriented along an axis transverse to the longitudinal axis A-A'.
[0039] The at least one through-hole 34 provides an oblong portion 36 defined within the clamping element 24, in which a part of the at least one fastener 31 is housed. The oblong portion 36 is elongated along the longitudinal axis A-A' to allow the clamping element 24 to move by translation along the inclined plane 27 relative to the mounting base 20, such that the presence of the fastener 31 does not impede this movement along the longitudinal axis A-A'.
[0040] The at least one through hole 34 also provides a portion 38 defined within the mounting base 20, in which a part of the at least one fastener 31 is housed. Preferably, the portion 38 has a threaded hole 39A, the part of the at least one fastener 31 housed in this portion 38 having a thread 39B complementary to the threaded hole 39A.
[0041] At least one rail fixing device 14 exerts at the end opposite to that constituting the head 33 a compressive force which can be modulated by the user at a point of application 40 on the rail 14.
[0042] An example of an embodiment of the fastener 22 is described below with reference to Figure 4. The fastener 22 comprises two fasteners 31 housed in two through holes 34. The fasteners 31 are typically screws, the heads of which 33 can be manipulated by a user with a suitable tool such as a screwdriver. Manipulating the head 33 causes the fastener 31 to be screwed or unscrewed within the portion 38, and thus to move along an axis transverse to the longitudinal axis A-A'. The user can then adjust the compressive force exerted by the fastener 22 on the rail 14. The fasteners then exert a compressive force at two points of application 40 on the sides of the rail 14.
[0043] This example is described in a non-limiting manner, as various embodiments can be envisaged to achieve a fastening 22 as provided for in the present invention. The connection 26 includes a retaining member 42 housed within the retaining device 10, designed to allow translational movement of the clamping element 24 relative to the mounting base 20 along the inclined plane 27.
[0044] An example of the embodiment of the connection 26 is described below with reference to Figure 3. The retaining member 42 has a head-shaped portion 44 whose width exceeds that of the main section of the retaining member 42. The head 44 is intended to be manipulated by a user by applying an adjustable tightening torque to the retaining member 42, in order to adjust the displacement of the clamping element 24 relative to the mounting base 20 by sliding along the inclined plane 27.
[0045] Advantageously, the head 44 is located at the end of the retaining member 42 furthest from the rail 14 when the device 10 is in place on the rail 14. In this way, it is easy for the user to reach the head 44 in order to adjust the link 26.
[0046] The retaining device 10 provides at least one through orifice 45 in which the retaining member 42 is housed. Preferably, the through orifice 45 is oriented along an axis transverse to the longitudinal axis A-A'.
[0047] The through-hole 45 provides an oblong portion 46 defined within the clamping element 24, in which part of the retaining member 42 is housed. The oblong portion 46 has a length along the longitudinal axis A-A' sufficient to allow the clamping element 24 to move by translation along the inclined plane 27 relative to the mounting base 20, such that the presence of the retaining member 42 does not impede this movement along the longitudinal axis A-A'.
[0048] On the other hand, the width of the oblong portion 46 along an axis transverse to the longitudinal axis A-A' is less than the width of the head 44 of the retaining member 42. In this way, the head 44 comes into contact with the clamping element 24.
[0049] The through-hole 45 also provides a portion 50 defined within the mounting base 20, in which a part of the retaining member 42 is housed. Preferably, the portion 50 has a threaded hole 52A, the part of the retaining member 42 housed in this portion 50 having a thread 52B complementary to the threaded hole 52A.
[0050] Manipulating the head 44 allows the user to apply a variable clamping force to the retaining member 42. This clamping force causes the head of the retaining member 42 to press against the clamping element 24 and consequently causes the clamping element 24 to move relative to the mounting base 20 along the inclined plane 27, towards the adjacent modular component 12.
[0051] The clamping force is then applied by the clamping element 24 to the adjacent modular component 12 along the longitudinal axis A-A'. In this way, at least one modular component 12 is held in place on the rail 14 between a stop 16 and the retaining device 10. As the clamping force is adjustable, the user can adapt it according to needs, and in particular provide the modular components 12 with a secure hold on the rail 14 when the environment in which the assembly 5 is located imposes significant constraints, such as sudden movements.
[0052] The retaining element is typically a screw, the head of which 44 can be manipulated by a user with a suitable tool such as a screwdriver. Manipulating the head 44 causes the retaining element 42 to be screwed or unscrewed within the portion 50, and therefore to move along an axis transverse to the longitudinal axis A-A'. The user can then adjust the displacement of the clamping element 24 relative to the mounting base 20 along the inclined plane 27. The clamping force exerted by the clamping element on the adjacent modular component 12 is then modulated accordingly.
[0053] This example is described in a non-limiting manner, different embodiments being possible in order to achieve a link 26 as provided for by the present invention.
[0054] The method of using the retaining device 10 as described above includes firstly a step of inserting the mounting base 20 onto the rail, so that the clamping element 14 is turned towards at least one modular component to be retained.
[0055] Next, a step of moving the retaining device 10 on the rail 14 along the longitudinal axis A-A' takes place, so as to place the clamping element against the adjacent modular component 12.
[0056] A step of fixing the mounting base 12 onto the rail 14 by adjusting the fixing follows, during which the user manipulates the head 33 of at least one fixing member 31 in order to adjust the compression force applied on the rail 14. The retaining device 10 is then fixed reversibly and modulably onto the rail 14.
[0057] Finally, a clamping step of the clamping element 24 against the neighboring modular component 12 is carried out, during which the user exerts a variable clamping force of the clamping element 24 on the neighboring modular component 12 by manipulating the head 44 of the retaining member 42.
Claims
8 DEMANDS 1. A retaining device (10) for at least one modular component (12) placed on a rail (14), the retaining device (10) comprising: a mounting base (20) that can be inserted onto the rail (14); a reversible fixing (22) of the mounting base (20) onto the rail (14); a clamping element (24) configured to bear against a modular component (12) parallel to the rail (14); a linkage (26) configured to move the clamping element (24) relative to the mounting base (20); characterized in that the linkage (26) is configured to move the clamping element (24) relative to the mounting base (20) along a longitudinal axis A-A' parallel to the rail (14), the linkage (26) comprising an adjacent face of the mounting base (20) and a face of the clamping element (24) extending along an inclined plane (27) at an angle strictly less than 90° with respect to the longitudinal axis A-A'.
2. Holding device (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the linkage (26) is configured to exert an adjustable force on at least one modular component (12) via the clamping element (24).
3. Retaining device (10) according to claim 2, characterized in that the link (26) comprises a retaining member (42) whose adjustment by a user adjusts the displacement of the clamping element (24) by translation along the mounting base (20) according to the inclined plane (27).
4. Retaining device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fixing (22) consists of at least one fixing member (31), exerting a reversible force on the rail (14), and at least one portion of the mounting base (20) in the form of a hook (28) configured to be placed under the rail (14).
5. Retaining device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one rail fixing member (31) exerts at a first end an adjustable compressive force on the rail (14), the second end having a head (33) that can be manipulated by a user. 9 6. Retaining device (10) according to claim 4, characterized in that at least one rail fixing member (31) is housed within at least one orifice (34) passing through the retaining device (10) along an axis transverse to the longitudinal axis A-A', the at least one through orifice (34) comprising: an oblong portion (36) defined within the clamping element (24) and having a diameter sufficient to allow the movement of the clamping element (24) relative to the rail fixing member (31); a threaded portion (38) defined within the mounting base (20) in the extension of the oblong portion (36), the at least one rail fixing member (31) having a thread (39B) complementary to the tapping (39A) of the threaded portion (38).
7. Retaining device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the retaining member (42) has a head (44) that can be manipulated by a user.
8. Retaining device (10) according to claim 6, characterized in that the retaining member (42) is housed within at least one orifice (45) passing through the retaining device (10) along an axis transverse to the longitudinal axis A-A', the at least one through orifice (45) comprising: an oblong portion (46) defined within the clamping element (24), having a width less than that of the head (44) of the retaining member (42), and a length allowing the movement of the clamping element (24) relative to the retaining member (42); a threaded portion (50) defined within the mounting base (20) in the extension of the oblong portion (46), the retaining member (42) having a thread (52B) complementary to the tapping (52A) of the threaded portion (50).
9. Assembly (5) characterized in that it comprises a retaining device (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, at least one modular component (12) inserted on the rail (14) and a fixed stop (16), the retaining device (10) and the fixed stop (16) being inserted on the rail (14) on either side of the at least one modular component (12).
10. A method of using the retaining device (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, comprising the following steps: inserting the mounting base (20) onto the rail (14) so that the clamping element (24) is oriented towards at least one modular component 10 Lateral movement of the retaining device (10) by translation of the mounting base (20) along the rail (14) along the longitudinal axis A-A', in order to place it against the modular component (12) to be fixed; fixing of the mounting base (20) on the rail (14) by adjustment of the fixing (22); tightening of the clamping element (24) against the modular component by adjustment of the link (26).