Mounting Rail Tap Access for Flexible Electrical Unit Placement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mounting rail systems for luminaires and electrical units lack flexibility in connection options, limiting the ability to arrange units continuously along the rail while maintaining access to conductors for power and signal transmission.
Innovation Solution
A support rail system with an additional contact option through a separate opening allows units to be connected to conductors within the rail from the top, using a rotary tap element that pivots outwards to make contact, while maintaining access via the standard coupling opening.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If luminaires are connected via the elongated coupling opening of the mounting rail, then continuous lighting systems can be implemented with flexible positioning, but additional units cannot be arranged outside the mounting rail without blocking the coupling opening
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the conductor access function into two separate access points: the original elongated coupling opening and a new additional opening. This segmentation allows different units to access conductors through different openings, enabling simultaneous connection of units both inside and outside the mounting rail without interference.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a new spatial dimension for conductor access by creating an additional opening on the side wall of the mounting rail, perpendicular to the elongated coupling opening. This allows tap elements to be inserted from a different direction (side vs. end), enabling units positioned outside the rail to access conductors without blocking the original coupling opening.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the mounting rail is designed with a single elongated coupling opening for conductor access, then simple structure is maintained, but connection flexibility for units at different positions is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting rail structure is segmented to include multiple openings (elongated coupling opening and additional opening) at different locations and orientations. This allows the rail to serve multiple functions: maintaining original continuous lighting capabilities while simultaneously supporting additional units at various positions without increasing overall structural complexity significantly.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting rail is designed with multi-functionality by incorporating both the original elongated coupling opening for standard luminaire connections and an additional opening for tap elements. This allows the same rail structure to support diverse electrical units (luminaires, sensors, power supplies) at different positions and orientations, enhancing system versatility.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
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Figure 5
AI summary
A support rail system has a support rail (1) with an elongated support profile rail (2) which has an elongated coupling opening (6), and with at least one electrical conductor (11, 21) extending in the interior (I) of the support profile rail (2) for connecting components (130) via the coupling opening (6) of the support profile rail (2).Furthermore, a tap element (55) is provided which can be detachably inserted into the support profile rail (2) via an opening (8) independent of the coupling opening (6) and can be electrically coupled via a contact section (56) with at least one electrical conductor (31) extending longitudinally in the interior (I) of the support profile rail (2), wherein the tap element (55) further comprises a provision element which is provided externally with respect to the support rail (1) and is electrically connected to the contact section (56) via an electrical connecting element (58) in order to provide the electrical tap of the contact section (56) externally via the provision element.