Busbar for luminaires and other electric units
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- WO · WO
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2026-01-13
- Publication Date
- 2026-08-13
Smart Images
Figure EP2026050631_13082026_PF_FP_ABST
Abstract
Description
[0001] Power rail for lights and other electrical units
[0002] Description:
[0003] The present invention relates to a busbar, which is particularly intended for connecting luminaires or other electrical units. The busbar according to the invention can be part of a mounting rail system with which a continuous lighting system is formed.
[0004] Mounting rail systems with an elongated support profile rail and at least one conductor rail held in the support profile rail are known from the prior art and are used, for example, to implement elongated continuous lighting systems. Such systems allow the flexible connection of luminaires or other electrical units, so that a lighting system adapted to the spatial conditions can be easily implemented.
[0005] A well-known continuous-row lighting system, marketed by the applicant under the name "TECTON," is characterized by the fact that luminaires or other electrical units can be flexibly positioned along the entire length of the system on the support profile rail, thereby connecting the electrical conductors for power supply and / or signal transmission. This is made possible by a special mounting system that allows the conductors of the two busbars to be accessible to the consumers along essentially the entire length of the continuous-row lighting system, so that contact can be made at any point, not just at fixed positions. Such a continuous-row lighting system is shown, for example, in WO 2001 / 091250 Ai.
[0006] In the "TECTON" system, the continuous contactability of the busbar conductors is achieved primarily by mounting the uninsulated conductors in special plastic components. These components form grooves or recesses extending longitudinally along the system, in which the conductors are received. The plastic components are specially designed at their ends so that they interlock. When assembled, the plastic components can move relatively easily relative to one another, but the overlapping interlocking ensures that the recesses or grooves continue continuously, particularly across the joint between two successive plastic components.Only this specific interlocking design enables continuous contact between the conductors of the busbar, as it prevents any conductor from being exposed and potentially touched unintentionally, even if the plastic components shift relative to each other. A relevant standard requires that a thick test wire running straight ahead must never touch any of the uninsulated wires. While previous busbars used special series connectors at the interfaces of the plastic components holding the conductors, which themselves offered no contact option, the "TECTON" system allows the plastic components to be joined together in any number and thus any length, enabling, for the first time, the completely free positioning of luminaires or other devices on the mounting rail profile.
[0007] The plastic components used in the "TECTON" system for mounting the conductors are characterized, as already mentioned, by a special shape, particularly at their ends, which allows them to interlock. This special shape necessitates that the plastic components be manufactured using injection molding. While this is technically feasible because essentially only one specific shape is required for the plastic components, it is nonetheless a complex process. Alternative solutions for implementing a busbar system therefore involve manufacturing the plastic components for holding the conductors using plastic extrusion. This process generally offers certain cost advantages and also allows for flexible manufacturing of the plastic components in varying lengths.
[0008] Since the extrusion process requires that the resulting plastic part has an unchanged cross-section along its entire length, it is not possible to design the plastic parts at their ends in a way similar to the "TECTON" system, allowing them to overlap and interlock. This would ensure continuous contact across the interfaces while simultaneously meeting the aforementioned safety requirements designed to prevent accidental contact with live wires. Therefore, existing busbar systems where the plastic parts for holding the conductors are manufactured using extrusion employ special connectors. However, these connectors interrupt the possibility of contact, at least over a short section in the longitudinal direction of the system.
[0009] The present invention is based on the objective of creating an improvement so that, even with a simplified manufacturing process for the conductor support bodies, they can be connected to each other in such a way that the continuous possibility of contacting is maintained.
[0010] The problem is solved by a busbar for lights and electrical units, which has the features of claim i. Advantageous further developments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.
[0011] Analogous to known busbar systems, the system according to the present invention also initially provides that the conductors of the busbar run in corresponding elongated recesses that are open towards a contacting side, thus enabling the conductors to be connected. For this purpose, conductor support bodies made of an insulating material are provided, which form recesses extending longitudinally along the busbar. These recesses receive the conductors and are separated from each other by rib-like partition sections. Each conductor of the busbar thus runs in its own corresponding channel, which is designed and separated from the other channels in such a way that each conductor can be individually connected and the requirements regarding the necessary creepage distances between the conductors are met.The cable support bodies are then arranged longitudinally one behind the other and coupled to each other via a specially designed connecting element. This connecting element has a housing made of an insulating material, which has recesses corresponding to the recesses in the cable support bodies. Each recess contains an electrical connecting contact. The connecting contact thus carries the corresponding conductors of the two cable support bodies to be connected, so that contact is also possible across this interface.However, in order to prevent gaps from forming at the transition between the end of a conductor support body and the connecting element, which could lead to accidental contact with exposed conductors, the housing of the connecting element is designed to have longitudinally projecting, pin-like protrusions that overlap the web-like areas of the conductor support bodies.
[0012] According to the present invention, a busbar for lights and other electrical units is proposed,
[0013] • wherein the busbar has conductor support bodies made of an insulating material, which have recesses extending in a longitudinal direction of the busbar and accessible from a contacting side, which are separated from each other by intermediate wall areas and in which conductors of the busbar run,
[0014] • wherein at least two cable support bodies are arranged longitudinally one behind the other and coupled to each other via a connecting element which has a housing made of an insulating material which has recesses corresponding to the recesses of the cable support bodies, • and wherein the housing of the connecting element has pin-like projections extending longitudinally which overlap the intermediate wall areas of the cable support bodies.
[0015] In the solution according to the invention, the safety-relevant function of continuously extending the channels or recesses for the electrical conductors is performed by the connecting element, which is specially designed at its end regions facing the conductor support bodies in order to prevent the formation of gaps or spaces even in the event of relative displacement between the conductor support body and the connecting element. The conductor support bodies can therefore be very simple at their end faces and, in particular, do not require any specially designed projections or webs to interlock. According to the invention, this function is now performed solely by the special connecting element, with the projections that extend across the intermediate wall regions of the conductor support bodies being crucial for this purpose.This results in a continuous separation of the recesses in which the conductors are held, as viewed from the contact side. As will be explained in more detail below, gaps or spaces may occur on the rear side if the two components are shifted relative to each other. However, these are not relevant, since there is no risk of accidental contact with a conductor from this side when the system is assembled. Ultimately, the solution according to the invention allows the use of very simple conductor holder bodies – especially those manufactured by injection molding – to form the busbar system, while still fulfilling all requirements regarding protection against accidental contact with the conductors.
[0016] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the intermediate wall areas separating two adjacent recesses of a cable support body may have openings or recesses, wherein the housing of the connecting element additionally has longitudinally projecting webs that engage in these openings or recesses. In particular, the intermediate wall areas of the cable support bodies may be U- or V-shaped and open towards the rear side opposite the contacting side, with the projecting webs of the connecting element then engaging in these openings or recesses.
[0017] The space between the U- or V-shaped cross-sections engages. Apart from achieving a more defined interlock between the conductor support body and the connector housing, the projecting webs form additional side walls that provide further protection against contact with the conductors in the area of the interface between the conductor support body and the connector housing. Preferably, the pin-like projections and webs projecting beyond the connector housing are arranged opposite each other, with the webs in particular projecting slightly further than the pin-like projections.
[0018] The pin-like projections that extend across the web-like partition areas of the conductor support body are preferably designed such that their width essentially corresponds to the width of the end of the partition areas facing the contact side. In particular, it can be provided that the pin-like projections have a slightly trapezoidal or generally tapered cross-section towards the contact side, which facilitates the insertion of the contacts into the recesses for contacting the conductors.
[0019] As already mentioned, the cable support bodies themselves can be very simple due to the special design of the connecting element and preferably have a flat end face, with the cable support bodies being particularly preferably manufactured by extrusion.
[0020] The connection contacts arranged in the recesses of the connecting element can be designed analogously to those already known from the "TECTON" system. In particular, these contacts can have an elongated contact plate with spring contacts at each end for clamping the conductors to be connected to the contact contacts. The contact plate thus guides the conductors running within the conductor holder bodies in the area of the connecting element, thereby providing, as desired, a contact option extending over the entire length of the system.
[0021] According to a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the busbar according to the invention is part of a support rail system which has a longitudinally extending support profile rail in which at least one busbar according to the present invention is arranged. Preferably, the support profile rail has an approximately U-shaped cross-section with two side walls and a connecting wall connecting the side walls, wherein a busbar is provided opposite each other on each of the two side walls.
[0022] The invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawing. The drawing shows:
[0023] Figure i shows a perspective view of a support rail system which has two conductor rails designed according to the invention;
[0024] Figure 2 shows a cross-section through the support rail system shown in Figure 1, extending in the area of the cable support bodies;
[0025] Figure 3 shows the cross-sectional profile of the conductor support bodies used in the busbar system according to the invention;
[0026] Figure 4 shows the end area of a conductor support body with the conductors running therein and the connecting element designed according to the invention to be coupled to it;
[0027] Figure 5 shows one of the electrical connection contacts provided in the connecting element;
[0028] Figures 6 and 7 show views of the housing of the connecting element according to the invention;
[0029] Figure 8 shows the connecting element coupled to the cable support body;
[0030] Figures 9 and 10 show sectional views of the transition area between the connecting element and the cable support body;
[0031] Figures 11 and 12 show further views of the transition area between the cable support body and the connecting element;
[0032] Figure 13 shows a partial section of the support rail system of Figure 1 in the transition area between the connecting element and the cable support body; Figure 14 shows a section view analogous to Figure 13 in the area of the connecting element and
[0033] Figures 15 to 17 show views of a further embodiment of a support rail system according to the invention.
[0034] Figure 1 shows a first embodiment of a mounting rail system, generally designated by reference numeral 1, in which the busbars designed according to the invention are used. The mounting rail system 1 can, for example, be used to form an elongated linear lighting system to which luminaires, but also other electrical units such as sensors, loudspeakers, or the like, can be connected in a variable manner.
[0035] Analogous to known mounting rail systems, the system 1 shown in the figures also initially comprises an elongated support profile rail 100, which is formed by several support profile elements 110 arranged longitudinally one behind the other and mechanically connected to each other. According to the sectional view in Figure 2, the support profile elements 110, which are, for example, made of extruded aluminum, are essentially U-shaped with two opposing side walls 111 and a connecting wall 112 linking the side walls 111. This forms a longitudinally extending receiving space 115, which serves in particular to receive the busbars 10 described in more detail below and into which suitable contact elements for connected loads are inserted.
[0036] In the illustrated embodiment, further structures 113 are provided on the upper side of the connecting wall 112, which can be used for suspending or mounting the support profile rail 100. However, other structures would also be conceivable, and in particular it would also be possible to form the support profile elements 110 using appropriately shaped sheet metal parts instead of the extruded profile shown.
[0037] An opening 114 extending over the entire length of the system 1 is formed on the underside of the support profile elements 110. This opening provides access to the interior 115 of the support profile rail 100 and is designed for the insertion of suitable contact elements through which the conductors of the two busbars 10 can be contacted. Corresponding structures 116 are located on both sides of the elongated opening 114, which can be used for the mechanical anchoring of connected luminaires or other electrical units. It should be noted that in the illustrated embodiment, the busbars io designed according to the invention are arranged on the inner sides of the two side walls of the support profile elements no.The conductors of these busbars io are then contacted by inserting a suitably designed contacting element (not shown in detail in the figures) through the opening 114 into the interior 115 and then actuating it so that contacts on the contacting element make contact with the conductors as desired. One possibility for this would be, as is also provided in the "TECTON" system, to make the contacting element rotatable so that the contacts intended for contacting are pivoted laterally. However, other solutions would also be conceivable, in which, for example, corresponding contacts are moved or extended linearly laterally.
[0038] Furthermore, it should be noted that it would also be possible to arrange a corresponding busbar formed according to the invention on the underside of the connecting wall 112 (additionally or supplementarily). For this, a corresponding modification of the contact elements of the units to be connected would then be necessary. This is of minor importance for the present invention, since it primarily concerns the embodiment of the busbars 10 described in more detail below, which enables flexible contact options along the entire length of the system 1.
[0039] Regarding the busbars 10, it should first be noted that each of these has several conductors 11 running longitudinally along the system 1. These conductors primarily serve to supply power to connected units, but can also be used for other purposes. As is also the case with known linear lighting systems, for example, a portion of the conductors 11 can be used to transmit digital signals within a bus system, thus enabling centralized control of the units connected to the system 1. The transmission of sensor signals would also be possible in this way. Crucially, regardless of their use, the conductors 11 are mounted in such a way that they can be contacted at any point along the system 1, while simultaneously ensuring that there is no risk of the conductors 11 – which can also carry the normal supply voltage of, for example, 250 volts – being accidentally touched.A relevant standard stipulates in this context that a test wire, schematically indicated in Figure 2, cannot be inserted into the interior 115 of the support profile rail 100 in such a straight direction and thereby touch at least one of the conductors 11. The measures provided for this purpose according to the invention will be explained in detail below. A first essential aspect of the solution according to the invention consists in the arrangement of the conductors 11 over a large part of the system 1. For this purpose, so-called
[0040] Cable support bodies 20 are provided, as can be seen in cross-section in Figure 2 and, in isolation, also in Figure 3. In perspective, the cable support bodies 20 can be seen, for example, in Figures 4 and 8.
[0041] These are elements made of plastic, specifically an insulating material, which are ideally manufactured using plastic extrusion and thus have an unchanged cross-section along their entire length. This cross-section, particularly visible in Figure 3, is characterized by longitudinally parallel grooves or recesses 21, which, as shown in Figure 2, each serve to receive a conductor 11. The bottom area 22 of these recesses 21 has an approximately circular cross-section, allowing the conductors 11, which also have a circular cross-section, to be positively engaged within it. Towards the contact side, i.e., towards the top in Figure 3, or...In Figure 2, towards the center of the receiving space 115, these recesses 21 widen, but with the addition of recesses 23 that prevent the conductors 11 from migrating out of the circular base areas 22. This cross-sectional configuration allows the conductors 11 to be inserted into the corresponding recesses 21 from the contact side, for example, by pressing them in, and then remain permanently in the position shown in Figure 2. The slightly widening configuration of the recesses 21 also makes it easier to insert contacts that are intended to come into contact with the conductors 11. However, as explained, the shape of the recesses 21 is always chosen to prevent accidental contact with the conductors 11.
[0042] On the rear side of the recesses 21, facing away from the contact side, the conductor support bodies 20 also have corresponding support struts 25, which, as shown in Figure 2, bear against the side walls 111 of the support profile element 110. This prevents the busbar 10 from bending when the conductors 11 are connected by a load.
[0043] Furthermore, structures 26 extending transversely to the longitudinal direction are provided on both sides, which, according to the representation of Figure 2, interact with suitable retaining structures of the support profile element 110 to enable a defined reception of the cable support body 10 within the support profile element 110.
[0044] Correspondingly designed cable support bodies 20 equipped with the conductors 11 are then inserted into a corresponding support profile element 110 as can be seen in Figure 2, whereby the conductors 11 can be flexibly contacted over the length of the cable support body 20 as explained above.
[0045] Because the conductor support body 20 has an unchanged cross-section, it can be manufactured very easily, especially by extrusion, so that its length can be chosen as desired, in particular adapted to the length of the support profile element 110. Ideally, a support profile element 110 – depending on the number of busbars to be implemented – is equipped with conductor support bodies 20, which carry the conductors 11 and extend over the entire length of the profile element 110. This represents the simplest and most cost-effective way to provide a support profile element 110 with contactable conductors, which then forms a section of the busbar(s) 10.
[0046] Appropriately designed support profile elements 110 with corresponding busbar sections can then be arranged longitudinally one behind the other and coupled together, as shown in Figure 1, to form a support rail system 1 of any desired length. This requires enabling the mechanical coupling of successive support profile elements 110, and in particular, ensuring that the contactable conductors 11 of two successive busbar sections are extended in such a way that the possibility of contact is not interrupted. However, no gaps or spaces may occur that could create a risk of the conductors 11 being accidentally touched in the interface area.
[0047] It must be taken into account that, due to the different materials, the conductors 11 and the conductor support bodies 20 that hold the conductors 11 can expand and contract to different degrees with temperature changes, so that relative displacements can occur which increase the risk of accidental contact with the conductors 11. The present invention now provides a solution with which successive busbar sections can be coupled efficiently, while on the one hand maintaining the possibility of continuous contact and on the other hand preventing the undesirable occurrence of gaps or spaces, even in the case of temperature-related expansion effects.
[0048] A crucial element for this is a specially designed connecting element, the form and function of which will be explained in more detail below. The connecting element, designated with reference numeral 30, is shown in various views in Figures 4 and 6-12. It is provided at the transition between two successive support profile elements 110 (see Figure 1), although it should be noted that Figure 1 does not show the length ratios to scale. The support profile elements 110 shown here will usually have a significantly greater length, as only in this case does the advantage of manufacturing the cable support bodies 20 by extrusion come into play.
[0049] The connecting elements 30 are components consisting of a plastic housing 31, which form channels 32 corresponding to the recesses 21 of the conductor support bodies 20. These channels are open towards the contact side formed by the conductor support bodies 20 in a manner analogous to the contact side. Electrical connection contacts 60 are arranged within these channels 32, one of which is visible in Figure 5. Each connection contact 60 has an elongated contact plate 61, at each of whose end faces a clamping contact 63 is provided. When the connecting element 30 is coupled to the end face of a busbar section, the ends of the conductors 11 (see Figure 4), which protrude approximately 20 mm, engage in the contacts 63 and are replaced by the contact plate 61 along the length of the connecting element 30.This is located essentially at the same height as the conductors 11 arranged in the conductor support bodies, so that from the perspective of a connected consumer it makes no difference whether the conductors 11 are contacted in the middle area of a support profile element 110 or at the transition between two successive support profile elements 110. The connecting element 30 with the electrical connecting contacts 60 contained therein thus extends the recesses 21 and the conductors 11 contained therein of the busbar sections in a longitudinal direction, essentially unchanged, thereby ultimately creating the desired continuous contact option.
[0050] Similar connecting elements are also used at the transition between two support profile elements in the "TECTON" system, although, as mentioned at the beginning, the end faces of the plastic parts are designed differently, in particular the interlocking projections. In the present case, however, it must be taken into account that although a connection between the conductors 11 and the electrical connection contacts 60 is always ensured due to the relatively large overhang of the conductors 11 beyond the end faces of the conductor support bodies 20, it cannot be ruled out that temperature fluctuations could cause the conductor support bodies 20 to contract in such a way that their end face or their end face moves away from the connecting element 30.With the aid of the inventive design of the end faces of the connecting element 30 described in more detail below, it can be ensured that accidental contact with the conductor is prevented despite everything.
[0051] A key feature of the design of the housing 31 of the connecting element 30 is that the longitudinal walls 35, which separate the recesses 32 for receiving the connecting contacts 60, have projecting, pin-like projections 38 on their end faces. These projections 38, which are formed on the longitudinal side of the walls 35 facing the contact side, project in such a way and are designed such that, in the coupled state between the busbar section and the connecting element 30, they overlap the intermediate wall sections 28 running between the recesses 21 of the conductor support bodies 20. The arrangement of the projections in relation to the intermediate wall sections 28 is shown in Figures 9 and 10.In perspective view, the positioning of the projections 38 in relation to the partition wall areas 28 can be seen in Figures 8, 11 and 12.
[0052] From the perspective of a consumer wishing to contact the conductors 11 or the electrical connection contacts 60, the projections 38 extend the intermediate wall areas 28 of the conductor support body 20 that separate the recesses 21. The projection of the projections 38 is dimensioned such that an overlap with a certain minimum distance is always present, even if the end face of the conductor support body 20, as shown in Figure 12, has a certain distance from the recessed end of the housing 31 of the connecting element 30. Here, the conductors 11 can indeed be exposed over a short distance on both sides. However, the projections 38, which extend beyond the conductor support body 20, prevent the conductors 11 from being accidentally touched, particularly from the contacting side.The aforementioned provisions of the relevant standard are therefore also complied with in the event of a temperature-induced relative displacement between connecting element 30 and cable support body 20.
[0053] As can be seen in particular from the sectional views in Figures 9 and 10, the cross-sectional shape of the projections 38 is preferably chosen such that it continues the shape of the partition wall areas 28 of the conductor holder body 20 more or less continuously towards the contacting side. The width of the pin-like projections thus corresponds essentially to the width of the end of the partition wall areas 28 of the conductor holder body 20 facing the contacting side. In the section shown perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, the projections 38 also have a slightly trapezoidal shape that tapers towards the contacting side, so that the inventive configuration of the recesses 21, which widens towards the contacting side, is maintained even in the overlapping area and contacting the conductors 11 in the overlap area is not made more difficult.
[0054] A further measure that helps to prevent accidental contact of the conductors 11 in the interface area between the connecting element 30 and the conductor support body 20 consists of projecting wall sections or webs 40 of the connecting element 30 that engage in corresponding recesses 29 or openings of the conductor support body 20. These openings or recesses 29 are provided by the fact that the conductor support body 20 has a loop-like cross-section overall, and accordingly, between two recesses 21 for receiving the conductors 11, the web-like intermediate wall sections 28 are U- or V-shaped and open towards the rear side opposite the contact side.This creates slot-like recesses 29 into which webs 40 provided on the end faces of the housing 31 of the connecting element 30 engage, as can be seen in particular in the illustrations of Figures 9 and 10.
[0055] The design of the webs 40 is chosen such that they engage in the recesses 29 with only minimal play, so that in a first step a defined positioning between the cable support body 20 and the connecting element 30 is ensured.
[0056] At the same time, the webs 40 in the transition area essentially continue the partition wall sections 28 between the recesses 21 of the conductor support body 20. Although the webs 40 have a slight distance to the conductors 11 here, they ensure that even test wires inserted at oblique angles cannot come into contact with the conductors 11.
[0057] As can be seen in Figure 7, projections 38 and webs 40 are arranged opposite each other, with the webs 40 preferably projecting slightly further towards the end face than the projections 38. Together, the webs 40 engaging in the recesses 29 and the projections 38 extending over the intermediate wall areas 28 reliably prevent the conductors 11 from being accidentally touched. Ultimately, this achieves optimal coupling between the connecting element 30 and the conductor support body 20, which allows a certain degree of relative displacement between the two components, but nevertheless ensures that the conductors 11 are continuously protected across the entire connection area, even though the conductor support body 20 now only has a flat end face.
[0058] It should be noted that, in the illustrated embodiment, the aforementioned webs 40 are provided only for the three central partition wall sections 28 of the cable support body 20. On the outer sides of the two outer recesses 32 shown in Figures 9 and 13, wall sections 45 are provided that are reduced in height compared to the webs 40. These sections extend only to the two laterally extending webs of the cable support body 20, so as not to impede coupling or joining of the cable support body 20 and the connecting element 30. Since, in the illustrated embodiment, the resulting busbar 10 is arranged within the mounting rail profile in such a way that contact with or touching the conductors 11 from the sides is not possible anyway, correspondingly high walls to protect the conductors 11 are unnecessary.Of course, in this case too, side walls analogous to the webs 40 could be provided, extending to the apex of the intermediate wall areas 28 of the cable support body 20 facing the contact side. The longitudinal configuration of the housing 31 of the connecting element 30 could also, of course, be designed differently, although in the illustrated embodiment it is chosen such that the connecting element 30 can be inserted into the corresponding side wall area of the support profile element 110 with the greatest possible positive fit.
[0059] The housing 31 of the connecting element 30 further comprises an upwardly pointing pin 48 which, as shown in Figure 13 and in Figures 15 and 17, engages in the recess 131 of a connecting plate 130, preferably made of metal. This connecting plate 130 ensures the mechanical coupling of two consecutive support profile elements 110 and is designed such that it abuts the connecting wall 112 and engages in the longitudinally extending slot-like recesses 118. This positive engagement ensures that two consecutive support profile elements 110 are aligned with each other, thus ensuring a continuous continuation of the entire support structure. The resulting frictional force is preferably dimensioned such that the connection is sufficiently stable and the support profile elements 110 cannot shift relative to each other.
[0060] At the same time, the defined coupling between connecting plate 130 and connecting element 30, using the pin 48, ensures that the connecting element 30 is positioned precisely in the transition area between two consecutive support profile elements 110. Ultimately, support profile elements 110 with busbar sections arranged therein and an associated connecting element 30 can thus be easily aligned and connected longitudinally to form the elongated support profile rail 100 as shown in Figure 1, which enables continuous contact between the conductors 11 of the two busbars 10.
[0061] Figures 15 to 17 show a further embodiment of a support rail system 1, which differs primarily with regard to the cross-sectional shape of the support profile elements 110. These are now wider in cross-section, so that the insertion of contact elements, and in particular also the accommodation of other elements with a larger volume, is made possible within the support profile rail 100. However, there are no differences with regard to the design of the busbars 10 compared to the first embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 14.
[0062] Ultimately, the solution according to the invention makes it possible to couple extrusion-manufactured conductor support bodies to form a busbar, thereby creating a continuous contact option and reliably and safely preventing accidental contact with live conductors.
Claims
Claims:
1. Busbar (io) for lights and other electrical units, • wherein the busbar (io) has conductor support bodies (20) made of an insulating material, which have recesses (21) extending in a longitudinal direction of the busbar (10) and accessible from a contacting side, which are separated from each other by intermediate wall areas (28) and in which conductors (11) of the busbar (10) run, • wherein at least two cable support bodies (20) are arranged longitudinally one behind the other and are coupled to each other via a connecting element (30) which has a housing (31) made of an insulating material which has recesses (32) corresponding to the recesses (21) of the cable support bodies (20), and • wherein the housing (31) of the connecting element (30) has longitudinally projecting pin-like projections (38) which overlap the intermediate wall areas (28) of the conductor support bodies (20).
2. Busbar (10) according to claim 1, characterized by that the two adjacent recesses (21) separating the partition areas (28) of the cable support body (20) have openings or recesses (29), wherein the housing (31) of the connecting element (30) additionally has longitudinally projecting webs (409) which engage in the openings or recesses (29).
3. Busbar (10) according to claim 2, characterized by that the intermediate wall areas (28) of the conductor support bodies (20) are U- or V-shaped and open towards the rear side opposite the contacting side.
4. Busbar (10) according to claim 2 or 3, characterized by that the pin-like projections (38) and webs (40) projecting beyond the housing (31) of the connecting element (30) are arranged opposite each other.
5. Busbar (10) according to one of claims 2 to 4, characterized by that the bridges (40) extend further than the pin-like projections (38).
6. Busbar (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the width of the pin-like projections (38) corresponds essentially to the width of the end of the intermediate wall areas (28) of the conductor support body (20) facing the contacting side.
7. Busbar (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the pin-like projections (38) are tapered towards the contacting side, preferably having a trapezoidal cross-section.
8. Busbar (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the cable support bodies (20) have flat end faces, wherein the cable support bodies (20) are preferably manufactured by extrusion.
9. Busbar (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that an electrical connecting contact (60) is arranged in each of the recesses (32) of the housing (31) of the connecting element (30).
10. Busbar (10) according to claim 9, characterized by that each connecting contact (60) has an elongated contact plate (61) at the ends of which contact elements (63), in particular clamping contacts, are arranged, to which conductors (11) projecting beyond the end face of a conductor support body (20) are connected.
11. Support rail system (1) comprising an elongated support profile rail (100) and at least one conductor rail (10) arranged therein according to one of the preceding claims.
12. Support rail system (1) according to claim 11, characterized in that the support profile rail (100) is formed by several support profile elements (110) arranged one behind the other in the longitudinal direction, wherein connecting elements (30) are arranged in the area of the transition between two successive support profile elements (110).
13. Support rail system (1) according to claim 12, characterized by that this mechanical connecting part (130) has for connecting two support profile elements (110), wherein preferably the connecting parts (130) determine the position of the connecting elements (30), and particularly preferably the housing (31) of the connecting elements (30) has a pin or projection (48) that engages in a corresponding opening (131) of the connecting part (130).
14. Support rail system according to one of claims 11 to 13, characterized by that the support profile rail (100) has an essentially U-shaped cross-section.