DE102011085130A1 - Data- and energy transmission rail for use as bus line in e.g. rail bus system, has contact spring whose end section lies on opposite side of bar and electrically contacts strip conductors when contact block is attached on carrier rail - Google Patents

Abstract

The rail (10) has a carrier rail (30) for accommodating two series-connected printed circuit boards (PCBs) (20-22) with strip conductors (23). A connection unit electrically connects the conductors. A contact block (40) with a contact spring is provided as the connection unit. A latching hook (48) releasably attaches the contact block on the carrier rail. The block has a bar (83) connecting the PCBs in a form-fit manner, and a contact end section of the spring lies on an opposite side of the bar and electrically contacts the conductors, when the block is attached on the carrier rail. The strip conductors are designed as wedging, pins socket strips. An independent claim is also included for a system comprising a data- and energy transmission rail.

Description

The invention relates to a data and energy transmission rail according to the preamble of claim 1.

Such a data and energy transmission rail is of the generic type DE 10 2006 031 129 A1 known, which describes a device system consisting of several electrical devices, which are detachably mounted on a DIN rail as a carrier rail. Within the DIN rail, a bus line for data and energy transmission is arranged, which connects the devices electrically. The bus line consists of one-piece or several elongated printed circuit boards connected to the DIN rail. The electrical devices have contact springs, which rest on the printed conductor surface contact.

Furthermore, it is provided in this known data and energy transfer rail, for connecting a plurality of circuit boards together at the end of the circuit board, a connection element electrically connected to the conductor tracks, e.g. to provide in the form of a terminal, pin or socket strip, in which an electrical connector is used.

Several aligned sections of printed circuit boards and carrier profiles occur in practice, if after an already successful installation and commissioning of congested device systems, one or more BUS modules are to be included in the composite in addition to.

In order to connect the new, extended device system with each other electrically, the from the DE 10 2006 031 129 A1 known at the ends of the bus PCB plug-in socket and pin headers can be used as a connection means. Although these pluggable connection means are functionally reliable and commercially available components, this connection is therefore cumbersome and costly at the same time, because on the one hand the PCB ends are to be provided specifically with mounting holes and pads and on the other soldering work must be done. In addition, when juxtaposing individual circuit boards on the right pairing of the connecting means, namely jacks against pin headers, be respected. Another disadvantage arises from the fact that lost valuable mounting space for the two-piece plug-in system and thus large gaps between the aufgerastte on the juxtaposed circuit modules device modules.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a data and energy transfer rail with juxtaposed printed circuit boards of the type mentioned, in which an electrical connection of the juxtaposed printed circuit boards can be realized, which is easier to manufacture compared to the prior art and less expensive to implement and only a small assembly complexity has, so can be easily and quickly produced.

This object is achieved by a data and energy transmission rail having the features of patent claim 1.

• – zum elektrischen Verbinden der wenigstens jeweils einen Leiterbahn der aneinandergereihten Leiterplatten als Verbindungsmittel ein Kontaktblock mit wenigstens einem Kontaktelement vorgesehen ist,
• – zum lösbaren Befestigen des Kontaktblockes auf der Trägerschiene Befestigungsmittel vorgesehen sind,
• – der Kontaktblock einen Steg aufweist, welcher die aneinandergereihten Leiterplatten formschlüssig trennbar verbindet, wenn der Kontaktblock auf der Trägerschiene befestigt ist, und
• – das Kontaktelement mit Kontaktendabschnitten ausgebildet ist, welche jeweils die auf gegenüberliegenden Seiten des Steges liegende, wenigstens eine Leiterbahn der Leiterplatten elektrisch kontaktiert, wenn der Kontaktblock auf der Trägerschiene befestigt ist.

Such a data and energy transmission rail, which comprises a carrier rail for receiving at least two printed circuit boards arranged parallel to the carrier rail and a connecting means for electrically connecting at least one conductor track of the printed circuit boards, is characterized according to the invention in that

• A contact block with at least one contact element is provided for electrically connecting the at least one conductor track of the aligned printed circuit boards as connecting means,
• - are provided for releasably securing the contact block on the support rail fastening means,
• - The contact block has a web which connects the juxtaposed circuit boards form-fitting separable when the contact block is mounted on the support rail, and
• - The contact element is formed with Kontaktendabschnitten which each electrically contacting the lying on opposite sides of the web, at least one conductor track of the printed circuit boards, when the contact block is mounted on the support rail.

This makes it possible to electrically connect several individual circuit boards of a carrier rail quickly and inexpensively, since only the contact block in the region of the abutting edges of the juxtaposed circuit board must be connected to the Trägerschien. In addition, simply executed printed circuit boards can be used, since with this solution according to the invention no mounting holes and pads for female and male headers are required.

Furthermore, already mounted data and energy transfer rails can be retrofitted or extended with corresponding latched onto the carrier rail devices with other bus modules or without these devices would have to be removed from the carrier rail before.

In one embodiment of the invention, the contact element is formed as a contact spring substantially U-shaped with a two spring leg connecting base portion, wherein the free Ends of the spring legs of the contact element are formed as Kontaktendabschnitte. With such a U-shaped contact element a simple construction of the same is made possible, at the same time also the assembly of such a contact block is simplified. Preferably, the contact spring is received by a contact block housing of the contact block.

It is particularly advantageous according to an embodiment of the invention, when the Kontaktendabschnitte are each formed to form an angling with the spring legs toward each other and while the Kontaktendabschnitte each supported by means of their angling against the contact block housing and on the other hand with its end portion against the web of the contact block housing , This ensures a sufficient fixation of the contact spring in the desired position, before the contact block is connected to the support rail.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the contact spring is designed such that support the contact spring by means of Kontaktendabschnitte on the one hand against the conductor tracks to be contacted of the juxtaposed printed circuit boards and on the other hand by means of the base portion against the contact block housing when the contact block is mounted on the support rail. Thus, a sufficient contacting of the conductor tracks is achieved via the Kontaktendabschnitte due to their elastic property.

The contact pressure of the Kontaktendabschnitte on the conductor tracks is further improved according to an embodiment of the invention characterized in that the spring legs are formed at least with an angling.

It is particularly advantageous if, according to an embodiment of the invention, these angled portions of the spring legs and these angled portions of the Kontaktendabschnitte are V-shaped. This leads to a further improvement of the spring-elastic property of the spring contact.

Furthermore, in an embodiment of the invention, the contact block housing on a printed circuit board side bearing surface, wherein the Kontaktendabschnitte arcuately formed to form a contact tip, so that the contact tip forms a projection with respect to the support surface. As a result, in the position of the contact block fastened on the support rail, the projection is reduced due to the resilient property of the spring contact, and thus a sufficient contact pressure is generated, thereby ensuring a permanent electrical contact.

It is particularly advantageous according to an embodiment of the invention, when the bearing surface of the contact block housing is formed by a cover frame which is detachably connectable to the contact block housing and the end frame holding means, which fixes the contact spring in the connected to the contact block housing state in the same. This results in a simple and quick installation of the contact block, since only after the insertion of the contact spring in the contact block housing this must be fixed to the end frame.

It makes sense in an advantageous manner, according to an embodiment of the invention, the web with the end frame in one piece, wherein the end frame of the web is divided transversely to the support rail center.

In order to connect all traces of juxtaposed printed circuit boards electrically, it is provided in one embodiment of the invention, according to the number of tracks of the circuit boards to form the contact block with contact elements.

In this case, it is particularly advantageous, according to further development, to form the end frame on both sides of the web according to the number of contact elements with windows aligned to define their position in the contact block housing, so that the contact end sections extend partially through these windows. Thus, all contact elements are fixed in the predetermined position by the window to contact the respectively associated conductor tracks.

A simple and quick realization of the connection of the end frame with the contact block housing results in a development of the invention by means of a latching connection.

Finally, the attachment of the contact block on the support rail is realized in one embodiment of the invention by latching means with which the contact block housing is snapped onto the support rail.

The invention will be described below in detail by means of an embodiment with reference to the attached figures. Show it:

1 3 is a perspective view of a data and energy transfer rail with two contact blocks provided for electrically connecting printed circuit boards according to the invention,

2 an exploded perspective view of a contact block after 1 .

3 a perspective view with a section in the plane of a contact spring of a contact block after 1 .

4 a perspective view of a contact spring of the contact block after 3 .

5 a perspective view of a contact block housing of a contact block after 1 in a bottom view,

6 a perspective view of a final frame of a contact block after 1 , and

7 a partial perspective view of the data and energy transfer rail after 1 with a cut II.

In the 1 illustrated data and energy transmission rail 10 serves as a BUS line, which together with snap-on bus modules (not shown) as electrical devices forms a device system or a rail bus system.

This data and energy transmission track 10 consists of a carrier rail 30 hat-shaped cross-section, such as. From the DE 20 2008 005 362 U1 It is known which three juxtaposed printed circuit boards 20 . 21 and 22 accommodates, each a plurality of tracks 23 wear.

Furthermore, the shows 1 an end cap 60 , which snapped on the support rail 30 at the front side serves as protection against contact and also from the DE 20 2008 005 362 U1 is known.

To connect these juxtaposed circuit boards 20 . 21 and 22 each serves a contact block 40 , where in 1 a contact block 40 in one on the carrier rail 30 ratcheted and the two circuit boards 20 and 21 contacting position is shown, while the other illustrated contact block 40 is in a position from which it by means of a pivoting movement in the direction 41 the circuit boards 21 and 22 is pivoted to one of these two circuit boards 21 and 22 get electrically connected position.

The structure of such a contact block 40 shows in an exploded view 2 , after which the contact block 40 a contact block housing 42 , several contact springs as contact elements 70 and a final frame 80 includes.

The contact block housing 42 is hood-shaped and has four partitions 43 for the formation of contact spring chambers 44 for receiving one contact spring each 70 on. These partitions run 44 at one on the carrier rail 30 latched state of the contact block 40 in the longitudinal direction, ie in the direction of the conductor tracks 23 ,

Related to the on the support rail 30 latched position of the contact block 40 is at the parallel to the direction of the carrier rail 30 extending end faces of the contact block housing 42 one flange each 45 and 46 formed. The flange 45 has a hook 47 and the opposite flange 46 a latching hook 48 on. With this hook 47 becomes the contact block 40 first brought into a Einschwenkposition, as in 1 is shown by this suspension hook 47 in a rear grip with a flange 31 the hat profile-like carrier rail 30 is brought. With the pivoting movement in the direction 41 of the contact block 40 on the circuit boards 20 . 21 and 22 engages the latch hook 48 on the opposite flange 31 the carrier rail 30 one.

One for inclusion in one of the contact spring chambers 44 provided contact spring 70 shows in perspective 4 , This contact spring 70 is substantially U-shaped with a base section 71 and adjoining spring legs 72 educated. The two spring legs 72 each end in a contact end section 73 that with two contact spring tongues 74 is trained. These two contact end sections 73 go by means of a V-shaped bend 75 in the spring legs 72 over, with this remaining part of the spring legs 72 also with a V-shaped bend 76 is trained. Overall, this results in a zigzag-shaped course of the two spring legs 72 ,

Such contact springs 70 are made of resilient metal, to improve the electrical contact ability of these contact springs 70 can be refined.

In the contact spring chambers 44 of the contact block housing 42 in each case such a contact spring 70 introduced, with their fixation in their base section 71 a recording hole 79 is provided, in which a spigot 49 of the contact block housing 42 engages, as happens from the 3 and 5 can be seen.

The final frame 80 comes in addition to the function falling out of the contact springs 70 also to prevent the function, the contact block 40 with regard to the circuit boards to be connected 20 and 21 respectively. 21 and 22 to position exactly.

To connect the final frame 80 with the contact block housing 42 is provided a latching connection, which off on the end frame 80 molded locking lugs 81 and associated latching openings 50 of the contact block housing 42 consists.

This final frame 80 is essentially ladder-shaped, by two opposing frame parts 85 through bars 86 and one parallel to the frame parts 85 extending central pier as a bridge 83 creating opposing rows of windows 82 be formed, with these rows of windows and the center bar 83 in terms of the on the support rail 30 mounted contact block 40 perpendicular to the direction of the carrier rail 30 , so also perpendicular to the tracks 23 run.

After the contact springs 70 in the contact spring chambers 44 will be the final framework 80 by means of its locking lugs 81 into the detent openings 50 of the contact block housing 42 clipped. To the contact springs 70 Keep the frame parts secure in their position 85 spring contact side one retaining lug 87 on, at which a contact spring 70 each with its tip of the V-shaped bend 75 can support, like this from the 3 and 7 is apparent.

Im in the contact block housing 42 clipped state of the final frame 80 the contact end sections extend 73 the contact springs 70 through these windows 82 , For this purpose, these Kontaktendabschnitte 73 arched to form a contact tip 77 Shaped in the on the support rail 30 latched state of the contact block 40 the contact with the tracks 23 form. This archness of Kontaktendabschnitte 73 is achieved by a corresponding return bend of the same, so that the free end faces 78 the contact end sections 73 in the direction of the base section 71 the contact spring 70 demonstrate.

The ones through the windows 82 extending therethrough contact points 77 form a supernatant over a bearing surface, that of a frame surface 84 the frame parts 85 is formed. Im on the carrier rail 30 latched state of the contact block 40 lies this bearing surface 84 on the circuit board 20 . 21 or 22 on, like this in 7 is shown.

Furthermore, due to the deflection of the Kontaktendabschnittes 73 the end section 73a at the central pier 83 at. As in 3 is shown, thus this contact end 73 once by means of its V-tip of the bend 75 on the frame part 84 in the area of the retaining nose 87 and the other through the end section 73a at the central pier 83 supported in order not in the support rail 30 latched state of the contact block 40 a secure support of the contact spring 70 sure.

In the area of the contact point 88 of the end section 73a the contact end section 73 with the central pier 83 runs the edge of the middle bridge 83 cone-shaped, so that in on the support rail 30 latched state of the contact block 40 this contact end section 73 from this middlebridge 83 can lift off to eliminate the supernatant, like this 7 can be seen.

The positioning of the contact block 40 on the carrier rail 30 takes place through the middle bridge 83 , Im on the carrier rail 30 latched state of the contact block 40 extends the middle bridge 83 between the juxtaposed circuit boards 20 and 21 respectively. 21 and 22 according to 1 , For this purpose, in the on the support rail 30 latched state of the contact block 40 the circuit boards 20 and 21 each in the direction 24 respectively. 25 shifted, so that these due to such a sliding movement over the evasive Kontaktkuppen 77 the contact end sections 73 positive fit with the center bar 83 be brought into contact. To support this sliding movement, the frame parts 85 of the final framework 80 a slope 89 in the area of the bearing surface 84 on.

Through this middlebridge 83 results in a mounting distance 26 (see. 1 and 7 ) between the means of the contact block 40 electrically connected circuit boards 20 and 21 respectively. 21 and 22 ,

With such a contact block 40 can be quickly and easily snapped onto a carrier rail 30 electrically connect individual circuit boards. This saves on assembly costs and on the other material costs, since this simple circuit boards without receiving holes and pads for female and male headers are used. Thus, printed circuit boards can be used with uniformly continuous tracks unchanged.

Furthermore, the production costs for such a contact block are also 40 low, since the contact block housing 42 and the final frame 80 inexpensive as a plastic injection molded part can be produced and the contact springs 70 can be realized from a resilient metal just as inexpensively with standard methods.

It is also possible at any time, according to such data and energy transfer rails 1 without having to remove the already unlocked bus modules.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

10

Data and energy transmission track

20

circuit board

21

circuit board

22

circuit board

23

conductor path

24

displacement direction

25

displacement direction

26

mounting distance

30

support rail

31

Flange of the carrier rail 30

40

Contact block, lanyard

41

pan direction

42

Contact block housing

43

partitions

44

Contact spring chamber

45

Flange of the contact block housing 42

46

Flange of the contact block housing 42

47

hooks

48

latch hook

49

Spigot of the contact block housing 42

50

Detent openings of the contact block housing 42

60

endcap

70

Contact element, contact spring

71

base section

72

spring leg

73

contact end

73a

End portion of the contact end portion 73

74

Contact spring tongues

75

Angling the Kontaktendabschnittes 73

76

Angling the spring leg 72

77

contact cusp

78

End face of the contact end section 73

79

receiving hole

80

end frame

81

locking lugs

82

window

83

Footbridge, Mittelsteg

84

Bearing surface, frame surface

85

Frame part of the end frame 80

86

Bridge of the end frame 80

87

Retaining nose of the end frame 80

88

contact point

89

slope

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• DE 102006031129 A1 [0002, 0005]
• DE 202008005362 U1 [0032, 0033]

Claims (14)

Data and energy transfer rail ( 10 ) comprising a carrier rail ( 30 ) for receiving at least two juxtaposed printed circuit boards ( 20 . 21 . 22 ) parallel to the carrier rail ( 30 ) running tracks ( 23 ) and a connecting means ( 40 ) for electrically connecting at least one conductor track in each case ( 23 ) of the lined-up printed circuit boards ( 20 . 21 . 22 ), characterized in that - for electrically connecting the at least one conductor track ( 23 ) of the lined-up printed circuit boards ( 20 . 21 . 22 ) as a connecting means a contact block ( 40 ) with at least one contact element ( 70 ) is provided, - for releasably securing the contact block ( 40 ) on the carrier rail ( 30 ) Fastening means ( 47 . 48 ), - the contact block ( 40 ) a footbridge ( 83 ), which the juxtaposed printed circuit boards ( 20 . 21 . 22 ) form-fittingly separable connects when the contact block ( 40 ) on the carrier rail ( 30 ), and - the contact element ( 70 ) with contact end sections ( 73 ), which in each case on opposite sides of the web ( 83 ), at least one track ( 23 ) of the printed circuit boards ( 20 . 21 . 22 ) contacted electrically when the contact block ( 40 ) on the carrier rail ( 30 ) is attached. Data and energy transfer rail ( 10 ) according to claim 1, characterized in that the contact element as a contact spring ( 70 ) substantially U-shaped with a two spring legs ( 72 ) basic section ( 71 ) is formed, wherein the free ends of the spring legs ( 72 ) of the contact element ( 70 ) as contact end sections ( 73 ) are formed. Data and energy transfer rail ( 10 ) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the contact spring ( 70 ) of a contact block housing ( 42 ) of the contact block ( 40 ) is recorded. Data and energy transfer rail ( 10 ) according to claim 3, characterized in that the contact end sections ( 73 ) in each case with the formation of an angling ( 75 ) with the spring leg ( 72 ) are formed to run towards each other, and - the contact end sections ( 73 ) on the one hand each by means of their angling ( 75 ) against the contact block housing ( 42 ) and on the other hand with its end section ( 73a ) against the bridge ( 83 ) of the contact block housing ( 42 ). Data and energy transfer rail ( 10 ) according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the contact spring ( 70 ) is formed, by means of Kontaktendabschnitte ( 73 ) on the one hand against the conductor tracks to be contacted ( 23 ) of the lined-up printed circuit boards ( 20 . 21 . 22 ) and on the other hand by means of the base section ( 71 ) against the contact block housing ( 42 ) when the contact block ( 40 ) on the carrier rail ( 30 ) is attached. Data and energy transfer rail ( 10 ) according to one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that the spring legs ( 72 ) of the contact spring ( 70 ) at least with an angling ( 76 ) are formed. Data and energy transfer rail ( 10 ) according to one of claims 4 to 6, characterized in that the bends ( 76 ) of the spring leg ( 72 ) and the bends ( 75 ) the contact end sections ( 73 ) Are V-shaped. Data and energy transfer rail ( 10 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the contact block housing ( 42 ) a printed circuit board side bearing surface ( 84 ), and the contact end sections ( 73 ) arcuately to form a contact tip ( 77 ) are formed, wherein the contact tip ( 77 ) a supernatant with respect to the bearing surface ( 84 ). Data and energy transfer rail ( 10 ) according to claim 8, characterized in that - the bearing surface ( 84 ) of the contact block housing ( 42 ) from a final framework ( 80 ) which is detachable with the contact block housing ( 42 ), and - the final framework ( 80 ) Holding means ( 87 ), which the contact spring ( 70 ) in the contact block housing ( 42 ) connected state in the same fixed. Data and energy transfer rail ( 10 ) according to claim 9, characterized in that the web ( 83 ) with the final framework ( 80 ) is integrally connected and the final frame ( 80 ) transversely to the carrier rail ( 30 ) divides in the middle. Data and energy transfer rail ( 10 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that corresponding to the number of printed conductors ( 23 ) of the printed circuit boards ( 20 . 21 . 22 ) the contact block ( 40 ) with contact elements ( 70 ) is trained. Data and energy transfer rail ( 10 ) according to claim 10 and 11, characterized in that the final frame ( 80 ) on both sides of the bridge ( 83 ) each corresponding to the number of contact elements ( 70 ) with lined up windows ( 82 ) for defining the position of the contact elements ( 70 ) in the contact block housing ( 42 ), wherein the contact end sections ( 73 ) partially through these windows ( 82 ) extend therethrough. System according to one of claims 9 to 12, characterized in that for connecting the end frame ( 80 ) with the contact block housing ( 42 ) a locking connection ( 50 . 81 ) is provided. Data and energy transfer rail ( 10 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that for fastening the contact block ( 40 ) on the carrier rail ( 30 ) Locking means ( 31 . 47 . 48 ) are provided, with which the contact block housing ( 42 ) on the carrier rail ( 30 ) is locked.

Images