Carrier Rail Adapter Interface for Flexible Busbar Connections
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Solution Overview
Problem
Carrier rails used in carrier rail systems face challenges with the increasing integration of electrical and electronic components, such as IoT devices, which complicate connection options and require individual configuration, leading to high installation effort and costs, especially when these components overlap in function or utilize different interfaces.
Innovation Solution
A carrier rail system with an elongate carrier profile and a busbar that includes an adapter element with standardized connections and a connecting element, allowing for easy retrofitting and connection of various electrical and electronic components, including lamps, sensors, and other devices, using a busbar for power and data transmission, and a printed circuit board for voltage and current transformation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple electrical and electronic components are integrated on carrier rails, then functionality and application scope are improved, but device complexity and installation effort increase due to different interfaces and individual configuration requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal connection system where a single carrier rail design supports multiple component types (lamps, IoT devices, sensors, speakers) through standardized interfaces. The busbar system provides universal electrical connection, while adapter elements enable different communication protocols (CAN, LIN, Ethernet) through a common physical interface, eliminating the need for individual configuration for each component type.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces adapter elements as intermediary components that bridge between the standardized carrier rail interface and various component-specific interfaces. These adapters handle protocol conversion and interface adaptation, allowing components with different communication requirements to connect to the unified busbar system without requiring complex individual configuration.
2Ease of operation
If standardized connections are implemented on carrier rails, then ease of connection and installation are improved, but adaptability to different component interfaces may be limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the connection system into two independent layers: a standardized physical connection layer (busbar with uniform connectors) and a protocol/adaptation layer (handled by adapter elements). This segmentation allows the physical connection to remain simple and standardized while the adapter layer provides flexibility for different interfaces and protocols, resolving the contradiction between ease of connection and interface compatibility.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a carrier rail (1) for a carrier rail system, comprising: an elongate carrier profile (2); a busbar (4) having at least one electrical conductor (40) for electrically connecting electrical or electronic components (3), wherein the busbar (4) extends along the carrier profile (2); and an adapter element (5) having a first connection (6) and a connecting element (8) and also an adapter housing (9) for carrying the first connection (6) and/or the connecting element (8), wherein the first connection (6) can be coupled electrically and/or by means of signals to the busbar (4) via the connecting element (8), and wherein the first connection (6) is configured for connecting a corresponding second connection (70) of an electrical or electronic component (7) such that the electrical or electronic component (7) can be coupled electrically and/or by means of signals to the busbar (4) via the connecting element (8). The invention also relates to a carrier rail system that comprises the carrier rail according to the invention.