Support Rail Electrical Module With Sealed Rotary Contacting Element
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrical module designs for mounting rails suffer from increased complexity in assembly and inadequate sealing against moisture and dust ingress, particularly due to lateral openings required for actuating elements.
Innovation Solution
An electrical module with a rotatable contacting element that includes a contact holder body and an actuating element, where the actuating element is coupled from the underside to press a sealing element against the support element, simplifying assembly and ensuring a reliable seal by using a locking mechanism and a sealing element like an O-ring.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a lateral slot is provided in the profiled support element to allow the actuating element to operate the contacting element, then the contacting element can be actuated, but the sealing against moisture and dust ingress is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The actuating element is moved from a lateral approach (through the side wall) to an underside approach (through the bottom surface). This dimensional change allows the actuating element to pass through a non-critical area for sealing, while the sealing element remains effective at the critical side wall opening.
Solution Approach 2:
The support element is segmented into functional zones: a sealed side wall area for environmental protection and an unsealed bottom area for actuator access. This segmentation allows different sealing requirements for different parts of the same component.
2Ease of operation
If a lateral slot is provided in the profiled support element for the actuating element, then the contacting element can be actuated, but the assembly complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The actuation mechanism is relocated to the underside of the support element, allowing the actuating element to approach from below rather than through the side wall. This simplifies the integration with the profiled support element and eliminates the need for complex lateral slot arrangements.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the actuating element is coupled from the underside to the contact holder body, then sealing is improved, but the actuating element must extend through the support element
Solution Approach 1:
The opening in the support element serves multiple functions: it allows the actuating element to pass through for operation of the contacting element, and it provides a mounting location for the sealing element. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to an electrical module (10) for connection to a support rail, having a contacting element (30), which can be inserted into the support rail profile and has connecting contacts which, when the contacting element (30) is inserted into the support rail profile, come into abutment against lines of the busbar, the contacting element (30) being mounted rotatably relative to a support element (20) of the electrical module (10) between an open position and a contacting position, and the contacting element (30) having a contact retaining body (35) which retains the connecting contacts and is located on one side of the support element (20) of the electrical module (10). The contacting element (30) also has an actuating element (50), which is located on a side of the support element (20) opposite the contact retaining body (35) and, passing through an opening (25) in the support element, is coupled to the contact retaining body (35), the actuating element (50), when coupled to the contact retaining body (35), pressing a sealing element (28) against the support element (20) in order to seal the opening (25) of the carrier element (20).