AT17566U1 - Elongated adapter for an elongate support profile of an elongate support rail - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to an adapter (10) for an elongate support profile (20) of an elongate support rail (2), having an elongate adapter body (11) with (a) an elongate coupling area (12) for coupling to a holding leg (25) of the support profile (20) for mechanical attachment of the support rail (2), and (b) an elongate holding area (13) which is shaped in such a way that it can be coupled to a coupling area (12) of an identical adapter (10). An electrical conductor element (14) with at least one electrical conductor (15) for connecting electrical or electronic components extends along the adapter body (11). The invention also relates to a mounting rail unit (1) for connecting electrical or electronic components, having an elongate mounting rail (2) with an elongate support profile (20) and an adapter (10) according to the invention, the adapter (10) with its coupling area (12) is coupled to a corresponding holding leg (25) of the support profile (20) for mechanical attachment of the support rail (2) via the adapter (10). The invention also relates to a mounting rail system for connecting electrical or electronic components, having a number of mounting rail units (1) according to the invention with a number of mounting rails (2).

Description

description

LONG ADAPTER FOR AN LONG CARRIER PROFILE OF AN LONG CARRIER RAIL

The present invention relates basically to the field of elongate support rails, such as in particular elongate light support rails, with an elongate support profile for receiving electrical or electronic components and a support rail system formed with a corresponding number of such support rails.

Support rails of the type mentioned are known in principle from the prior art and are shown as an example in FIG. The support rail 100 has an elongate support profile 101 . Viewed in the longitudinal direction, the elongate support profile 101 has a substantially U-shaped cross section here. Via an elongated, open side 103, which can be seen here below in FIG Busbar or the like connection option to be electrically coupled. Opposite the open side 103 in FIG. 1, the support profile also has a holding leg 104, which is essentially T-shaped here in cross section viewed in the longitudinal direction. The mounting rail 100 can be mechanically fastened via this holding leg 104; for example on a ceiling. It is also conceivable that, for example, a fastening element, such as a retaining spring, is fastened to a ceiling or similar mounting surface, into which the retaining leg 104 can be inserted, for example in a latching manner, in order to mechanically fasten the mounting rail 100 .

It is now an object of the present invention, preferably to expand the possible uses of a corresponding mounting rail without structural modification of the same.

According to a first aspect, the present invention therefore relates to an elongate adapter for an elongate support profile of an elongate support rail; therefore an elongated adapter. The adapter has an elongated adapter body. The adapter body in turn has an elongate coupling area for coupling to a holding leg of a corresponding support profile for mechanical attachment of a support rail having this. Furthermore, the elongate adapter body has an elongate holding area which is shaped in such a way that it can be coupled with a coupling area of an identical adapter. Furthermore, an electrical conductor element with at least one electrical conductor for connecting electrical or electronic components extends along the adapter body.

By means of this adapter, a known mounting rail can thus be expanded by coupling the adapter to a support profile of the mounting rail in a simple manner and preferably without modifying the mounting rail by a corresponding electrical conductor element. Since the shape of the coupling area and the holding area are designed so that they can be coupled in a corresponding manner, the coupling area simulates a holding leg of a support profile to be coupled via the holding area, so that the adapter can be connected to the latter in a simple manner and without modifying a support rail to be provided with it. Consequently, the adapter can be easily inserted between the mounting rail and a mounting side. Since the coupling area simulates the holding structure, a mounting rail equipped with it can be mounted directly in the same way, while it is expanded to include the function of the additional electrical conductor element.

The elongate adapter body may have a connecting portion connecting the coupling portion and the holding portion to each other. A desired configuration of the adapter can be achieved by spacing the coupling area and holding area over the connection area. The space between the coupling area and the holding area can then be used, for example, to position consumers or in some other way. The adapter can thus also be given a shape between the holding area and the coupling area, which can be designed as desired in terms of aesthetics and functionality according to the customer's wishes.

The connection area is preferably an elongate connection area and consequently also extends along the elongate adapter. It is also conceivable that the connection area is a single connection area or a segment-like connection area, the latter preferably having connection segments arranged distributed over the length of the adapter. In the configuration as a single connection area, high stability of the adapter can be achieved, for example. A segment-like configuration enables the saving of material and the use of the areas that have just been cut out, for example to accommodate loads or as a fastening section or also to feed through cables and the like.

The electrical conductor element preferably extends at least partially and preferably completely in and along the adapter body. The electrical conductor element particularly preferably extends at least partially and preferably completely in and along the coupling area, the holding area and/or the connecting area. The electrical conductor element can therefore be positioned in any way where it is usefully needed. In addition, the design of the elongate adapter body can preferably be used as effectively as possible.

The electrical conductor element extending in the adapter body can preferably be electrically contacted from outside of the adapter. For this purpose, the adapter preferably has a contacting opening in the adapter body, via which electrical contacting of the electrical conductor element is made possible. Thus, at defined positions or if the contact opening extends longitudinally over a longer section or the entire adapter (body), it can also be made possible over a large or the entire area of the adapter.

The electrical conductor element can preferably at least partially extend outside and along the adapter body and more preferably be connected directly to an outside of the adapter body. The electrical conductor element can preferably be connected (directly) to the coupling area, the holding area and/or the connecting area. In this way, the electrical conductor element can also easily be used to connect loads from the outside. The flexibility of the adapter according to the invention can thus be further increased.

The electrical conductor element can have one or more electrical conductors. The electrical conductors preferably extend along the adapter body and particularly preferably over the entire length of the adapter or its adapter body. The electrical conductor element can preferably also have a carrier which has the electrical conductor or conductors to form an elongate busbar. The elongate carrier can have, for example, elongate receiving grooves in which the electrical conductors extend (longitudinally). These can be formed, for example, by forming the carrier in the form of waves or lamellae. In this way, the electrical conductors can be provided in a simple and also reliable manner.

The electrical conductor element or the busbar can extend over the entire length of the adapter, so that an electrical tap is made possible over a large area. Thus, any tapping point along the length of the adapter can preferably be selected, so that the adapter has a particularly wide range of uses.

The coupling area and the holding area and preferably also the connection area, if present, can be formed integrally with one another and preferably in one piece.

[0014] Thus, overall simple handling and simple production of such an adapter body can be achieved.

According to a further aspect, the present invention also relates to a mounting rail unit for connecting electrical or electronic components. The support rail unit has an elongate support rail with an elongate support profile (for example according to the type described above). Furthermore, the support rail unit has an adapter according to the invention, as also described above. The adapter is with its coupling area on a corresponding holding leg of the support profile for mechanical attachment of the

Mounting rail coupled via the adapter. Since the holding area is shaped in such a way that it can be coupled with a coupling area of an identical adapter, it consequently simulates the holding leg of the support profile functionally, so that a support rail unit can be attached in the same way as the support rail without the adapter. In this respect, the adapter can be used, for example, to retrofit an existing support profile in a simple manner with the adapter and thus the associated electrical conductor element, without modifying the support profile itself.

The support profile can have an interior space for at least partially accommodating electrical or electronic components, preferably via an open longitudinal side of the support profile. Viewed in the longitudinal direction, the support profile can preferably have a U-shaped cross section, with the open side of the U-shaped cross section then forming the open longitudinal side of the support profile. Sufficient space for accommodating corresponding components can thus be provided with a compact design at the same time. In this case, the support profile can preferably have a connecting limb and side limbs which preferably extend parallel away from the connecting limb. The side legs delimit the open longitudinal side at an end that is distal in relation to the connecting leg. The retaining leg is preferably provided on the rear side of the connecting leg, ie facing away from the interior.

The support profile and preferably its holding leg can have a through-opening through which the electrical conductor element for electrical contacting, for example from the interior, is accessible. In this way, even when the adapter is connected to the mounting rail, electrical contacting can be provided in a simple manner, for example from an interior space of the mounting profile. The through-opening can be provided locally or also extending longitudinally, for example over the entire length of the support profile.

The through-opening and the contact opening can be aligned with one another, so that electrical contact can be made directly through the through-opening and the contact opening, which improves the overall design and the functionality of the mounting rail unit as a whole.

[0019] The support rail unit can also have a further conductor rail, which is guided along the support profile, with at least one further electrical conductor for the electrical connection of electrical or electronic components. The additional busbar is preferably arranged in the interior. The mounting rail unit can thus be configured in a variety of ways. In particular, known electrical or electronic components can be electrically connected via the interior space, while the conductor element provided via the adapter can be provided independently of this.

The support rail unit can also have at least one electrical or electronic component which is electrically coupled to the electrical conductor element and/or the additional busbar. In principle, all conceivable components can be used as electrical or electronic components. Particularly preferred here is a light, in particular a continuous-row light or a spotlight, an operating device or a sensor, in particular a movement sensor or a brightness sensor, and the like. Thus, for example, a light support rail unit can be provided in a simple manner by means of a corresponding light support rail and the adapter described.

The electrical or electronic component can preferably be mechanically coupled to the support profile and/or the adapter (in particular the adapter body). The components can therefore be provided at defined positions in order to be arranged optimally and, at best, not in a mutually blocking manner.

According to a further aspect, the present invention also relates to a mounting rail system for connecting electrical or electronic components. This support rail system has several support rail units according to the present invention with corresponding

according to several mounting rails. The support rails or support rail units are preferably arranged in a row lengthwise to one another. Furthermore, the mounting rail system has one or more adapters, which is or are coupled with its or their coupling area(s) on the corresponding holding leg of one or more of the support profiles of the mounting rails for mechanical attachment of the mounting rail system via the adapter. Such a mounting rail system can be used to form a (light) system of any length. Depending on the size of the respective components, any number of adapters can be coupled with any number of mounting rails to form the overall system. For example, an adapter can extend over a number of mounting rails or, conversely, a mounting rail can have a number of adapters. Exactly one adapter can also be provided for each mounting rail. The invention is not limited here.

The electrical conductor elements, in particular their electrical conductors, can preferably be electrically and more preferably mechanically coupled to one another. Furthermore, the further busbars, in particular their further electrical conductors, can preferably be coupled to one another electrically and preferably also mechanically. In this way, a functionally coupled overall system can be formed in a simple manner.

The mounting rail system can also have a first connector for electrically and preferably also mechanically coupling the electrical conductor elements. Furthermore, the mounting rail system can have a second connector for electrically and preferably also mechanically coupling the other busbars. The support rail system can also have a third connector for mechanically coupling the support profiles, preferably by means of corresponding coupling structures. The mounting rail system can preferably have a connecting part, such as a connecting rail, which has at least part of the first connector and/or the second connector and/or the third connector. In this way, an electrical or mechanical coupling can be produced in a particularly simple manner. In principle, it is of course also conceivable that corresponding electrical or mechanical coupling areas or connectors are formed integrally with the corresponding areas in order to produce a coupling, for example by means of a simple plug-socket connection, by simply plugging the mounting rail units together.

Further features and advantages of the present invention are described below with reference to the figures of the accompanying drawings. Show it:

[0026] FIG. 1 shows a perspective partial view of a mounting rail according to the prior art,

[0027] FIG. 2 shows a perspective partial view of a support rail unit according to a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention, and

[0028] FIG. 3 shows a perspective partial view of a support rail unit according to a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Figures 2 and 3 show two embodiments of a mounting rail unit 1 according to the invention for connecting electrical and electronic components. The support rail unit 1 has an elongate support rail 2, as is also shown in FIG. 1 by way of example. The elongate support rail 2 has an elongate support profile 20 . The support profile 20 preferably has an interior 21 for at least partially accommodating electrical or electronic components, preferably via an open longitudinal side 22 of the support profile 20. As shown, the support profile 20 can preferably have a U-shaped cross section when viewed in the longitudinal direction L. The support profile 20 has a connecting leg 23 and two side legs 24 which extend away from the connecting leg 23 here preferably in parallel and which delimit the interior space 21 here. The end sections of the side limbs 24 that are distal in relation to the connecting limb 23 delimit the open longitudinal side 22 here. Of course, other configurations of a supporting profile 20 are also conceivable.

The support profile 20 here has a holding leg 25 by means of which the support rail 2 can be mechanically attached. In this case, the holding leg 25, for example, directly

be attached to a mounting surface; be screwed on, for example. It is also conceivable that a fastening element is provided, which is mounted on a mounting surface in advance, for example, and with which the mounting rail 2 can then be coupled in a simple manner; for example by a snap or latch connection. A suspension spring or the like, for example, can serve as a fastening element. The holding leg 25 is formed here, for example, in a T-shape or U-shape, seen in cross section in the longitudinal direction L of the support rail 2 . The holding leg 25 is here, for example, hollow and thus delimits part of the interior space 21 of the support profile 2.

The support rail unit 1 can also have a (additional) busbar 3 guided along the support profile 20 with at least one (additional) electrical conductor 30 for the electrical connection of electrical or electronic components. In the exemplary embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, two such busbars 3 are provided here. The busbars 3 are preferably arranged in the elongated interior 21 of the support profile 20 and extend along the same. As illustrated, the conductor rail 3 can also have a carrier 31 which has the electrical conductor or conductors 30 . The elongate carrier 31 can have, for example, elongate receiving grooves 32 in which the electrical conductors 30 extend (longitudinally). These receiving grooves 32 can be formed, for example, by forming the carrier 31 in the form of a wave or lamella. In this way, the electrical conductors 30 can be provided in a simple and also reliable manner.

The mounting rail unit 1 also has an adapter 10, which also in itself forms an independent part of the present invention and is described below.

The adapter 10 is designed for an elongate support profile 20 of an elongate support rail 2, as previously described by way of example.

The adapter 10 has an elongated adapter body 11 . The elongate adapter body 11 in turn has an elongate coupling area 12 for coupling to a holding leg 25 of the support profile 20 (as already described above by way of example) for mechanical attachment of the support rail 2.

The elongate adapter body 11 also has an elongate holding portion 13 which is shaped in such a way that it can be coupled to a coupling portion 12 of an identical adapter 10 . Consequently, the holding area 13 simulates a holding leg 25 of a support profile 20 of a support rail 2 to be coupled with it, so that by placing a corresponding adapter 10 on a support rail 2 its mechanical attachment possibility is not impaired, but rather reproduced identically and thus retained.

To form the support rail unit 1, the adapter 10 is coupled with its coupling area 12 to the corresponding holding leg 25 of the support profile 20 for mechanical attachment of the support rail 2 via the adapter 10. In principle, several adapters 10 can also be provided stacked one on top of the other, which are then always mechanically coupled with their coupling areas 12 to the holding areas 13 of the respectively adjacent adapter 10 .

An (elongated) electrical conductor element 14 with at least one electrical conductor 15 for connecting electrical or electronic components extends along the length of the adapter body 11 .

As can be seen from FIGS. 2 and 3, the adapter body 11 can also have a connection area 16 which connects the coupling area 12 and the holding area 13 to one another. As illustrated, the connection area 16 can be an elongate connection area 16 which here extends over the entire length of the adapter 10 or adapter body 11 . The connection area 16 can be a single connection area or a segment-like connection area 16 , preferably with connection segments arranged distributed over the length of the adapter 10 . In Figures 2 and 3 there is a single elongated one

Connection area 16 shown. However, as described, this could also be formed in segments, in which case the free spaces between the connecting segments can then be used in any way, for example to arrange or fasten components therein or also, for example, to feed cables or conductors there.

The electrical conductor element 14 can extend at least partially, or as illustrated, completely in and along the adapter body 11 . Particularly preferably, the electrical conductor element 14 can extend at least partially and preferably completely in and along the coupling area 12, the holding area 13 and/or, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the connecting area 16.

In a preferred embodiment, it is conceivable that the electrical conductor element 14 extending in the adapter body 11 can be electrically contacted from outside of the adapter 10; this preferably via a contact opening (not shown) in the adapter body 11.

The electrical conductor element 14 can extend at least partially and preferably completely outside and along the adapter body 11 and is particularly preferably connected directly to an outer side A of the adapter body 11 . In this case, the electrical conductor element 14 can preferably (directly) be connected to the coupling area 12, the holding area 13 and/or the connecting area 16, if present.

The electrical conductor element 14 can have one or more electrical conductors 15 . The conductor or conductors 15 can preferably extend along L of the adapter 10 or its adapter body 11 . The electrical conductor element 14 can also have a carrier 17, as shown for example in FIG. This can then be handled separately and, for example, accommodated in a cavity of the adapter body 11 or in this. In principle, it is also conceivable that the electrical conductor element 14 only has the electrical conductor or conductors 15 which are embedded directly in the adapter body 11, as is shown in FIG. 3, for example. In this case, the electrical conductors 15 can be accommodated, for example, in a corresponding support structure 18 in the adapter body 11 and here in the connection area 16 .

The electrical conductor element 14 and the busbar 3, 19 can extend over the entire length of the adapter 10, as shown. In principle it is also conceivable that these components only extend over part of the length of the adapter 10 .

As can be seen from the figures, the coupling area 12 and the holding area 13 and preferably also the connecting area 16, if present, can be formed integrally with one another and preferably in one piece. In principle, the adapter 10 can of course also be designed in several parts. It is conceivable, for example, to provide a connection area 16 to which corresponding coupling areas 12 and holding areas 13 can be connected as required, so that a suitably configured adapter 10 can be provided depending on the need and design of the holding leg 25 of the support profile 20. The support profile 20 and preferably its holding leg 25 can have a through opening (not shown) through which the electrical conductor element 14 is accessible for electrical contacting. In this case, accessibility can be made possible, for example, from the interior space 21 . Thus, the versatility of the mounting rail unit 1 can be further increased. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the through-opening can be aligned with the previously described contacting opening of the adapter body 11 so that, for example, the electrical conductor element 14 is easily accessible for electrical contacting from the interior 21 . Both the through-opening and the contacting opening can extend locally or preferably oblong and particularly preferably lengthwise, for example over the entire length of the adapter 10 or its adapter body 11 or the support rail 2 or its support profile 20 .

The mounting rail unit 1 can also be at least one electrical or electronic

Have component which is electrically coupled to the electrical conductor element 14 and / or the other busbar 3 or can be. For this purpose, the electrical or electronic component can, for example, be partially inserted via the open long side 22 into the interior 21 (at least with a connection area) and then with corresponding electrical contacting elements (of the connection area) in electrical contact with the electrical conductor element 14 or the further busbar 3 to be brought. The electrical or electronic component can be a lamp, for example, in order to form a lamp mounting rail unit. The lamp can have, for example, a continuous-row lamp or also a spot lamp or any other type of lamp. The electrical or electronic component can also be an operating device or a sensor, such as a movement sensor or a brightness sensor. In principle, any electrical or electronic component can be connected to the mounting rail unit 1 .

The electrical or electronic component is more preferably mechanically coupled to the support profile 20 and/or the adapter 10 . A mechanical coupling can be made possible, for example, via corresponding coupling structures 26 of the support profile 20 . In the accompanying Figures 2 and 3, these are provided, for example, as elongate structural areas on an end of the side limb 24 that is distal in relation to the connecting limb 23 and are formed here, for example, as projections projecting toward one another in the interior space 21, which engage behind corresponding structures of the electrical or electronic component and be brought into operative connection, for example, in the form of a latching connection.

Several support rail units 1 according to the present invention can be assembled into a support rail system. For this purpose, these or their support rails 2 are preferably arranged lengthwise in a row relative to one another. Such a mounting rail system also has one or more adapters 10, which, with its or their coupling area(s) on the corresponding retaining leg 25, of one or more of the support profiles 20 of the mounting rails 2 for mechanical attachment of the mounting rail system via the or the Adapter 10 is coupled or are.

The electrical conductor elements 14 and in particular their electrical conductors 15 can be coupled to one another electrically and preferably also mechanically. Furthermore, the further busbars 3 and in particular their further electrical conductors 30 can preferably also be coupled to one another electrically and preferably also mechanically.

The mounting rail system can also have a first connector for electrically and preferably also mechanically coupling the electrical conductor elements 14 . The mounting rail system can also have a second connector for electrically and preferably also mechanically coupling the other busbars 3 . The support rail system can also have a third connector for mechanically coupling the support profiles 20, preferably by means of corresponding coupling structures.

The mounting rail system can further preferably have a connecting part, such as a connecting rail, which has at least part of the first connector and/or the second connector and/or the third connector.

The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, provided that it is covered by the subject matter of the following claims. The features of the exemplary embodiments described above can be combined with one another in any way and are interchangeable with one another.

Claims (10)

Expectations First adapter (10) for an elongate support profile (20) of an elongate support rail (2), having an elongate adapter body (11). * an elongate coupling area (12) for coupling to a holding leg (25) of the support profile (20) for mechanical attachment of the support rail (2), * an elongate holding area (13) which is shaped in such a way that it can be coupled to a coupling area (12) of an identical adapter (10), characterized, that along the adapter body (11) an electrical conductor element (14) with at least an electrical conductor (15) for connecting electrical or electronic components extended. 2. Adapter (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the adapter body (11) further comprises a connection area (16) which connects the coupling area (12) and the holding area (13) to one another. 3. Adapter (10) according to claim 2, characterized in that the connection area (16) is an elongate connection area (16) or a single or segment-like connection area (16), preferably with connection segments arranged distributed over the length of the adapter (10). 4. Adapter (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the electrical conductor element (14) is at least partially in and along the adapter body (11), preferably at least partially in and along the coupling region (12), of the holding region (13) and/or the connecting area (16); and/or that the electrical conductor element (14) extends at least partially outside and along the adapter body (11) and is preferably connected directly to an outside (A) of the adapter body (11), preferably (directly) to the coupling area (12), is connected to the holding area (13) and/or the connecting area (16); and/or that the electrical conductor element (14) has one or more electrical conductors (15), the conductor or conductors (15) preferably extending along the adapter body (11), the electrical conductor element (14) preferably also having a carrier ( 17) having the or each electrical conductor (15) to form an elongate busbar (19); and/or that the electrical conductor element (14) or the busbar (19) extends over the entire length of the adapter (10). 5. Adapter (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the coupling area (12) and the holding area (13) and preferably also the connection area (16), if present, are formed integrally with one another and preferably in one piece. 6. Mounting rail unit (1) for connecting electrical or electronic components, having an elongate mounting rail (2) with an elongate support profile (20) and an adapter (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the adapter (10) with its Coupling area (12) is coupled to a corresponding holding leg (25) of the support profile (20) for mechanical attachment of the support rail (2) via the adapter (10). 7. Support rail unit (1) according to Claim 6, characterized in that the support profile (20) has an interior space (21) for at least partially accommodating electrical or electronic components, preferably via an open longitudinal side (22) of the support profile (20), the support profile (20) preferably has a U-shaped cross-section as seen in the longitudinal direction (L); and/or that the support profile (20), preferably its holding leg (25), has a through-opening through which the electrical conductor element element (14) for electrical contacting, for example from the interior (21), is accessible. 8. support rail unit (1) according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that that the support rail unit (1) also has a busbar (3) which is guided along the support profile (20) and has at least one electrical conductor (30) for the electrical connection of electrical or electronic components, the busbar (3) preferably being arranged in the interior (21). is; and or that the mounting rail unit (1) also has at least one electrical or electronic component, such as a lamp, in particular a continuous-row lamp or a spotlight, an operating device or a sensor, in particular a motion sensor or a brightness sensor, the electrical or electronic component having the electrical conductor element ( 14) and/or the busbar (3) is electrically coupled. 9. Mounting rail system for connecting electrical or electronic components, characterized in that the mounting rail system has a plurality of mounting rail units (1) according to one of claims 6 to 8, with a plurality of mounting rails (2) which are preferably arranged in a row lengthwise to one another, and one or more Adapters (10) which, with its/their coupling area(s) (12) on the corresponding holding leg (25), one or more of the support profiles (20) of the support rails (2) for mechanical attachment of the support rail system via the adapter(s). (10) is/are coupled. 10. Support rail system according to claim 9, characterized in that that the electrical conductor elements (14), in particular their electrical conductors (15), are electrically and preferably also mechanically coupled to one another, the busbars (3), in particular their electrical conductors (30), preferably also being electrically and preferably also mechanically coupled to one another ; and or that the mounting rail system also has a first connector for electrically and preferably also mechanically coupling the electrical conductor elements (14), and/or a second connector for electrically and preferably also mechanically coupling the conductor rails (3), and/or a third connector for mechanically coupling of the support profiles (20), preferably by corresponding coupling structures, wherein the support rail system preferably has a connecting part, such as a connecting rail, which has at least part of the first connector and/or the second connector and/or the third connector. 2 sheets of drawings