DE102016100722B4 - Method for equipping a mounting rail with electrical devices - Google Patents

Abstract

Method for equipping a mounting rail (6) with electrical devices (2), each having a marking field (20) to which a marking label (40) that can be written on can be attached, comprising:- arranging the electrical devices (2) in a longitudinal direction ( X) to each other to provide an assembly (1) such that the marking fields (20) of the electrical devices (2) adjoin one another along the longitudinal direction (X) and form a continuous row extending along the longitudinal direction (X), - fastening a marking strip (4), which has a plurality of marking plates (40) which are assigned to the marking fields (20) of the electrical devices (2) and can be inscribed with a laser inscription device (5), along the row on the electrical devices (2), - separating the marking plates ( 40) in such a way that at least one marking plate (40) is arranged on the marking field (20) of each electrical device (2), - removing an electrical chen device (2) from the assembly of electrical devices (2) lined up, - attaching the electrical device (2) to the mounting rail (6) and - inscribing the at least one marking plate (40) of the removed and on the mounting rail (6) recognized electrical device (2) with a laser inscription device (5).

Description

The invention relates to a method for equipping a mounting rail with electrical devices.

In such a method, marking plates are attached to a plurality of electrical devices that can be arranged on a mounting rail and each have a marking field on which a marking plate that can be written on can be attached. In the method, the electrical devices are lined up along a longitudinal direction to provide an assembly such that the marking fields of the electrical devices adjoin one another along the longitudinal direction and form a continuous row extending along the longitudinal direction.

Such an assembly is, for example, from DE 10 2013 112 789 A1 known and includes in particular a plurality of electrical devices in the form of so-called terminal blocks. The electrical devices are arranged on a transport aid device in the form of a carrier tape and can be transported in such a pre-assembled state and used in an automatic device for equipping a mounting rail.

Electrical devices that can be attached to a mounting rail, for example terminal blocks or electronic devices that are used to carry out control or automation functions, for example as part of an industrial plant, can be combined with one another in a control cabinet, for example, and for this purpose can be attached to a mounting rail mounted in the control cabinet in order to create an electrical system to be provided within the control cabinet.

In order to mark the individual electrical devices and to enable a user to connect electrical lines, for example, in a clear manner, it is conventionally provided to attach marking plates to the electrical devices. While for the assembly of DIN rails, for example, with terminal blocks nowadays machines are used, such as those from the DE 10 2010 047 369 A1 are known, the identification of the attached to a mounting rail electrical devices is often done manually by already labeled markers are attached to the electrical devices. This is cumbersome and can also be error-prone.

From the DE 10 2013 012 389 B4 a device for mounting an identification plate in a groove-shaped recess of a terminal block is known. With this device, an inscribed identification plate can be pressed into an associated latching recess of a terminal block by means of an assembly stamp.

From the EP 2 391 999 B1 a label is known that can be used in a form-fitting manner in a recess of a terminal block by means of a profile.

Another device for marking switchgear terminals is from DE 18 57 546 U famous.

the DE 10 2015 109 020 A1 discloses a marker strip having a plurality of marker elements connected together to form a continuous strip. The marker elements are to be printed using thermal transfer technology and, after printing, are to be arranged coherently on terminal blocks that have already been finally assembled on a mounting rail and are lined up next to one another.

the DE 10 2009 017 999 A1 relates to a method for the automated assembly of stackable devices and describes in particular an assembly robot which has a movable gripper for gripping at least one of the stackable devices.

the DE 203 03 475 U1 describes that terminal blocks that form a labeling level on a level with no lateral offset can be marked together with a coherent labeling strip.

The object of the present invention is to provide a method for equipping a mounting rail with electrical devices that enables electrical devices, for example terminal blocks, to be labeled in a simple manner that can be automated.

This object is solved by an object with the features of claim 1.

• - Anreihen der elektrischen Geräte entlang einer Längsrichtung aneinander zur Bereitstellung einer Baugruppe derart, dass die Markierungsfelder der elektrischen Geräte entlang der Längsrichtung aneinander anschließen und eine durchgehende, entlang der Längsrichtung erstreckte Reihe bilden,
• - Befestigen eines Markierungsstreifens, der eine Mehrzahl von den Markierungsfeldern der elektrischen Geräte zugeordneten, mit einer Laserbeschriftungseinrichtung beschriftbaren Markierungsschildern aufweist, entlang der Reihe an den elektrischen Geräten,
• - Vereinzeln der Markierungsschilder derart, dass an dem Markierungsfeld eines jeden elektrischen Gerätes zumindest ein Markierungsschild angeordnet ist,
• - Entnehmen eines elektrischen Geräts aus der Baugruppe der aneinander gereihten elektrischen Geräte,
• - Ansetzen des elektrischen Geräts an die Tragschiene und
• - Beschriften des zumindest einen Markierungsschildes des entnommenen und an die Tragschiene angesetzten elektrischen Geräts mit einer Laserbeschriftungseinrichtung.

Accordingly, the procedure includes the following steps:

• - lining up the electrical devices along a longitudinal direction to provide an assembly in such a way that the marking fields of the electrical devices are connected to one another along the longitudinal direction and form a continuous row extending along the longitudinal direction,
• - Fastening a marking strip, which can be inscribed with a laser marking device for a plurality of marking fields associated with the electrical devices has marking labels, along the row on the electrical equipment,
• - Separating the marking plates in such a way that at least one marking plate is arranged on the marking field of each electrical device,
• - removal of an electrical device from the assembly of electrical devices lined up in a row,
• - Attaching the electrical device to the mounting rail and
• - Inscribing the at least one marking plate of the removed and attached to the mounting rail electrical device with a laser inscription device.

The method presented represents a departure from conventionally known methods for labeling electrical devices that are to be arranged on a mounting rail. In the context of the method, electrical devices on which marking labels that can be written on are to be attached are first grouped into an assembly and then such lined up in such a way that marking fields of the electrical devices are connected to one another along a longitudinal direction and form a continuous row extending along the longitudinal direction. A (coherent) marking strip can then be attached to this row, which has a plurality of marking labels that can be written on. The marking plates are attached to the row of electrical devices in such a way that each marking field of an electrical device is assigned one (or more) marking plates. After the marking strip has been attached, the marking plates are separated, so that one or more marking plates remain on the marking field of each electrical device.

The marking labels arranged on the marking fields of the electrical devices can be inscribed using a laser inscription device. This can be done before or after the electrical devices are attached to a mounting rail.

Using the method, marking plates are first attached to a plurality of electrical devices in a manner that is easy to automate, and only then are the marking plates inscribed by a laser inscription device. The inscription can be done, for example, when the electrical devices are already attached to a mounting rail and combined with other electrical devices, for which purpose a laser beam from the laser inscription device is controlled in such a way that a suitable, individual inscription is applied in a targeted manner to the individual marking labels of the electrical devices .

The electrical devices are thus initially provided with unmarked labels and can be delivered and attached to a mounting rail. Labeling only takes place after attachment to the DIN rail, which can reduce the susceptibility to error when labeling.

The marking strip can preferably be stuck onto the electrical devices along the row of marking fields. For this purpose, the marking strip can have an adhesive layer on the marking plates, which enters into an adhesive connection with the electrical devices and via which the marking plates are attached individually to the respectively associated marking fields of the electrical devices.

In a specific embodiment, the marking fields of the electrical devices can be provided on depressions in the electrical devices. When the electrical devices are lined up next to one another, the indentations of the electrical devices form a groove that extends longitudinally along the longitudinal direction, into which the marking stripe can be inserted in order to attach the marking stripe to the electrical devices. The marking fields to which the marking labels of the marking strip are to be attached can be formed, for example, on the bottoms of the depressions in the electrical devices, it being conceivable and possible for the depressions to have undercuts on the lateral edges, which when the marking strip is inserted in the groove create a form-fitting connection and thus hold the marking strip in the groove in a form-fitting manner. For this purpose, the cross section of the marking strip can have a trapezoidal shape that tapers conically in the attachment direction, which makes it easier to insert the marking strip into the groove.

In order to provide a compact assembly that is easy to handle, the electrical devices, for example in the form of terminal blocks, can be lined up next to one another, for example on a carrier strip that extends in the longitudinal direction. The carrier tape provides a transport support device available, as in the DE 10 2013 112 789 A1 is described. By means of the carrier strip, to which the individual electrical devices are positively fastened via associated fastening devices, a combination of electrical devices is created which can be gripped by a user and used, for example, in a machine to load a mounting rail. The electrical devices, such as terminal blocks can have the same design, but can also be of different design, as long as the marking fields of the individual electrical devices connect to one another when electrical devices are lined up and form a continuous row to which the marking strip can be attached.

In an initial state, the marking strip is present as a continuous strip, in which the marking plates can be connected to one another in different ways.

In a first variant, the marking plates can be connected to one another in the initial state via a fixing strip, the fastening strip being detachable from the marking plates in order to separate the marking plates. The marking strip can thus be attached to the row of marking fields of the electrical devices, in order to glue the marking plates to the electrical devices, for example, in the case of marking signs that are connected to one another via the fixing strips. If the marking strip is arranged on the electrical devices, the fixing strip can be pulled off, with the marking labels remaining on the electrical devices and the electrical devices thus being equipped with marking labels that can be written on.

In another, second variant, the marking plates can also be connected to one another in one piece in the initial state. In this case, the marking labels can be separated from one another, for example by separating the marking labels from one another along dividing lines formed on the marking strips. The dividing lines can be formed on the marking strip, for example, by deliberately weakening the material, for example by perforation or by thinning the material. Adjacent marking labels can be detached from one another along the dividing lines, which can be done automatically using a suitable tool or even when the electrical devices are separated from one another.

If the electrical devices of the module have been equipped with marking labels using the method described, then some or all of the electrical devices can be attached to a mounting rail in order to equip the mounting rail and in this way provide an electrical system, for example inside a control cabinet. For this purpose, an electrical device can be removed from the assembly group of electrical devices lined up next to one another and attached to the mounting rail. The label of the electrical device that has been removed and attached to the mounting rail can then be inscribed with a laser inscription device, in order in this way to identify the electrical device, e.g. in terms of its function and/or its connections.

Very different electrical devices of very different designs can be combined with one another on the mounting rail. Labels for the different electrical devices can be inscribed using the laser inscription device, which can be done with electrical devices that are already arranged on the mounting rail.

A marking strip for fastening to a row of marking fields of a plurality of electrical devices which are arranged in a row and can be arranged on a mounting rail has a plurality of marking plates which are connected to one another in an initial state and which are to be separated and which can be inscribed with a laser inscription device. Since the marking strip can be attached as a whole to the row of marking fields of the electrical devices that are lined up next to one another, the electrical devices can be provided with marking plates in one work step, which can subsequently be inscribed by laser inscription. Each marking plate of the marking strip can, for example, have an adhesive layer for attachment to a marking field of an electrical device. Each marking plate can be attached to an assigned marking field of an electrical device via the adhesive layer and thus glued to the marking field.

The marking labels of the marking strip can be inscribed using a laser inscription device. A laser beam can be directed onto a marking plate by means of the laser inscription device in order in this way to apply a predetermined, individual identification to the marking plate.

The marking plates can have a single-layer basic structure of a material that can be inscribed with a laser. In this case, with laser marking, the material itself is changed so that a color change is triggered in the material. Alternatively, a multi-layer basic structure can be used, in which a cover layer is arranged on a base material, which can be removed by means of a laser beam in order to produce an inscription in this way.

In an initial state, the marking stripe is present as a continuous stripe. In the initial state, in a first variant, the marking plates of the marking strip are connected to one another via a fixing strip bound, wherein the fixing strip can be detached from the marking tags to separate the marking tags.

In the initial state, the fixing strip is preferably arranged on a first side of the marking plates, which faces away from a second side, via which the marking plates can be attached to the electrical devices. After the marking strip has been applied to the electrical devices, the fixing strip can be pulled off the marking plates, so that the marking plates are separated from one another and the individual electrical devices are provided with separate marking plates.

In a second variant, the marking plates are connected to one another in one piece in an initial state and can be separated from one another along separating lines. The dividing lines can be introduced into the marking strips, for example, by deliberately weakening the material, for example by perforating or thinning the material, so that the marking plates can be torn from one another along the dividing lines. In this second variant, an (additional) fixing strip for connecting the marking plates can thus be omitted. In the initial state, the marker plates are connected to one another in one piece. The marking labels can be separated automatically, for example when the electrical devices are removed from one another, without an additional work step being required for this.

An assembly has a plurality of electrical devices that can be arranged on a mounting rail, each of which includes a marking field to which a marking plate can be attached. The electrical devices are lined up along a longitudinal direction in such a way that the marking fields of the electrical devices adjoin one another along the longitudinal direction and form a continuous row extending along the longitudinal direction. It is provided here that a marking strip, which has a plurality of marking plates that are assigned to the marking fields of the electrical devices and can be inscribed with a laser inscription device and that can be separated, is attached along the row to the electrical devices.

The assembly preferably results as an intermediate product in the method described above. Thus, after the marking strip has been attached, the electrical devices are present with marking plates arranged thereon, it being possible for the marking plates to already be separated from one another or not by removing a fixing strip or by separating the marking fields along separating lines. The assembly of electrical devices can be arranged, for example, on a carrier tape and in this way represent a compact assembly that can be handled in a simple manner.

The module can be delivered to an end user by a manufacturer of the electrical devices, for example, with the labels on the electrical devices being inscribed at the end user after the electrical devices have been attached to a mounting rail.

• 1A eine perspektivische Ansicht einer Baugruppe von elektrischen Geräten in Form von Reihenklemmen;
• 1 B eine Ansicht der Baugruppe, mit an den elektrischen Geräten angebrachten Markierungsstreifen;
• 1C eine Ansicht der Baugruppe nach Vereinzelung von Markierungsschildern der Markierungsstreifen;
• 2A eine Ansicht einer Baugruppe von elektrischen Geräten nach einem zweiten Ausführungsbeispiel;
• 2B eine Ansicht einer Baugruppe nach Ansetzen von Markierungsstreifen;
• 2C eine Ansicht der Baugruppe nach Vereinzelung der Markierungsschilder;
• 3 eine Ansicht von unterschiedlichen, an eine Tragschiene angesetzten elektrischen Geräten;
• 4A eine Seitenansicht eines ersten Ausführungsbeispiels eines Markierungsstreifens;
• 4B eine Draufsicht auf den Markierungsstreifen;
• 5A eine Seitenansicht eines anderen Ausführungsbeispiels eines Markierungsstreifens mit größerer Teilung;
• 5B eine Draufsicht auf den Markierungsstreifen gemäß 5A;
• 6 eine Schnittansicht entlang der Linien A-A gemäß 4A und 5A;
• 7A eine entlang der Linie B-B gemäß 7B teilweise geschnittene Seitenansicht eines weiteren Ausführungsbeispiels eines Markierungsstreifens;
• 7B eine Draufsicht auf den Markierungsstreifen;
• 8A eine entlang der Linie B-B gemäß 8B teilweise geschnittene Seitenansicht eines wiederum weiteren Ausführungsbeispiels eines Markierungsstreifens, mit im Vergleich zum Markierungsstreifen gemäß 7A und 7B größerer Teilung;
• 8B eine Draufsicht auf den Markierungsstreifen;
• 9 eine Querschnittsansicht entlang der Linie A-A gemäß 7A und 8A; und
• 10 eine vergrößerte Ansicht im Ausschnitt C gemäß 7A.

The idea on which the invention is based is to be explained in more detail below with reference to the exemplary embodiments illustrated in the figures. Show it:

• 1A a perspective view of an assembly of electrical devices in the form of terminal blocks;
• 1 B a view of the assembly, with marking strips attached to the electrical devices;
• 1C a view of the assembly after separation of marking labels of the marking strips;
• 2A a view of an assembly of electrical devices according to a second embodiment;
• 2 B a view of an assembly after attachment of marking strips;
• 2C a view of the assembly after separation of the marking labels;
• 3 a view of different electrical devices attached to a mounting rail;
• 4A a side view of a first embodiment of a marking strip;
• 4B a plan view of the marking strip;
• 5A Figure 14 is a side view of another embodiment of a larger pitch marker stripe;
• 5B a top view of the marking strip according to FIG 5A ;
• 6 a sectional view along the lines AA according to FIG 4A and 5A ;
• 7A one along line BB according to 7B partially sectioned side view of another embodiment of a marking strip;
• 7B a plan view of the marking strip;
• 8A one along line BB according to 8B partially sectioned side view of yet another embodiment of a marking strip, compared to the marking strip according to FIG 7A and 7B larger division;
• 8B a plan view of the marking strip;
• 9 a cross-sectional view along the line AA according to FIG 7A and 8A ; and
• 10 an enlarged view of section C according to FIG 7A .

1A and 2A show different exemplary embodiments of electrical devices 2 in the form of terminal blocks, which have slots 21 for plugging in electrical conductors and allow electrical conductors to be contacted and connected to one another. The electrical devices 2 can be attached to a mounting rail 6 in a form-fitting manner via a fastening device 22, as is shown, for example, in 3 is shown, and can be combined on the mounting rail 6 with other electrical devices 2, such as other terminal blocks or electronic devices that take on control or automation functions in an industrial plant, for example.

By arranging electrical devices 2 on a mounting rail 6, an electrical system can be created, for example, inside a switch cabinet. In this case, electrical devices 2 can be arranged on the mounting rail 6 in a modular manner with a large number of variants for combining very different electrical devices 2 with one another.

The exemplary embodiments according to 1A and 2A differ in the dimensioning of the electrical devices 2 in the form of terminal blocks, but otherwise have the same function.

In 1A and 2A the electrical devices 2 are combined in the form of terminal blocks to form an assembly 1 by structurally identical electrical devices 2 being arranged on a transport aid device in the form of a carrier tape 3 . The electrical devices 2 are connected to one another via the carrier strip 3, so that the electrical devices 2 can be handled and, for example, transported in a simple manner. This is in detail in the DE 10 2013 112 789 A1 described, the content of which should be included here.

The electrical devices 2 should - if they are mounted on a mounting rail 6 to provide an electrical system, as in 3 shown, are combined with each other - be identified by inscribed marking signs 40. This should make it possible to distinguish the electrical devices 2 from one another, for example in order to identify predetermined slots 21 for electrical conductors.

Conventionally, it is usual, for example, to write on marking plates 40 and then apply them to the electrical devices 2 already mounted on the mounting rail 6 in order to identify the electrical devices 2 in this way. The marker plates 40 can be inscribed individually, for example by the manufacturer of the electrical devices 2, and the inscribed marker plates 40 can be delivered together with the electrical devices 2 (but still separately from them). However, attaching the marking plates 40 to the electrical devices 2 then requires a large amount of manual work in order to apply individual marking plates 40 to the electrical devices 2 that have already been installed.

In a departure from this hitherto customary concept, it is proposed in the present case to initially apply the marking labels 40 uninscribed to the electrical devices 2 and only inscribe them after the electrical devices 2 have been mounted on the mounting rail 6 using a laser inscription device 5 . The electrical devices 2 are thus already provided with marking plates 40 arranged on them (but uninscribed) and are arranged on the mounting rail 6 and are then, after mounting on the mounting rail 6, individually inscribed by the laser inscription device 5.

Due to the dissimilarity of the electrical devices 2 mounted on the mounting rail 6, the marking plates 40 are not in one plane. The use of a laser inscription device 5, which generates a flexibly controllable and alignable laser beam L for inscription, enables contactless inscription of the marking plates 40 arranged in different inscription planes in a simple and reliable manner.

To attach the marking labels 40, electrical devices 2, as in 1A and 2A shown, first combined into an assembly 1, this assembly 1 is connected to each other in the illustrated embodiment via a carrier tape 3 and the electrical devices 2 are thus held in position to each other. The electrical devices 2 are lined up in this assembly 1 along a longitudinal direction X together that Markie tion fields 20 of the electrical devices 2 along the longitudinal direction X connect to one another and form a coherent row extending along the longitudinal direction X.

Due to the fact that the marking fields 20 are arranged on the bottom of depressions in the electrical devices 2 , a coherent groove N extending along the longitudinal direction X is formed on the assembly 1 . Into this groove N can, as in 1 B and 2 B shown, a coherent marking strip 4 can be used by gluing the marking strip 4 onto the row of marking fields 20 .

In addition, undercuts 200 are formed on the lateral edges of the groove N, so that when the marking strip 4 is inserted into the groove N, a positive fit is produced between the marking strip 4 and the undercuts 200. For this purpose, the marking strip 4 can have a trapezoidal shape that tapers in the attachment direction in cross-section transversely to the longitudinal direction X, which facilitates the insertion of the marking strip 4 into the groove N.

In the exemplary embodiments shown, the electrical devices 2 each have two opposite marking fields 20 which, when arranged in a row to form the assembly 1, form two opposite grooves N into which a marking strip 4 can be inserted.

The marking strip 4 has, as in two exemplary embodiments in 4A , 4B and 5A , 5B shown, marking plates 40 lined up along the longitudinal direction X, which are connected to one another on a first side via a fixing strip 41 and have an adhesive layer 402 on a second side facing away from the first side, via which the individual marking plates 40 are attached to assigned marking fields 20 of the Electrical devices 2 can be glued. The exemplary embodiments according to 4A , 4B and 5A , 5B differ in the division of the marking plates 40 along the longitudinal axis X: The exemplary embodiment according to FIG 4A , 4B has a comparatively small pitch with marking labels 40 that are short in the longitudinal axis X and is therefore suitable for comparatively narrow electrical devices 2 . The embodiment according to 5A , 5B on the other hand, in the longitudinal direction X, it has a comparatively large pitch with marking plates 40 that are comparatively long in the longitudinal direction X.

In an initial state, the marking labels 40 are connected to one another via the fixing strip 41, so that a coherent marking strip 4 is created. In this case, however, the marking plates 40 are basically present individually and are individually connected to the fixing strip 41 . The fixing strip 41 can be detached so that the marking labels 40 can be separated by pulling off the fixing strip 41 .

So can, as in 1 B and 2 B shown, after attaching the marking strip 4 in the associated groove N of the assembly 1 of the electrical devices 2, the fixing strips 41 are removed, as a result of which the marking labels 40 on the electrical devices 2 are isolated. A marking plate 40 is assigned to each marking field 20 of an electrical device 2 , so that after the fixing strip 41 has been pulled off, a marking plate 40 remains on each marking field 20 .

After the fixing strip 41 has been pulled off, the subassembly 1 of the electrical devices 2 is present with marking plates 40 that can be written on and are arranged on the marking fields 20, as is shown in 1C and 2C is shown.

6 FIG. 1 shows a cross-sectional view through the marking strip 4 along the line AA in FIG 4A and 5A . Each marking plate 40 is formed by a base layer 401 which, in the illustrated embodiment, is provided with a cover layer 400 on the side facing the fixing strip 41 and has an adhesive layer 402 on the side facing away from the fixing strip 41 . In the initial state, the fixing strip 41 is arranged on the cover layer 400 and the marking plates 40 are connected to one another via the fixing strip 41 . In addition, before the marking strip 4 is attached to the respectively associated groove N, a protective film can be attached to the adhesive layer 402 in order to prevent the marking labels 40 from sticking together unintentionally.

The marker plates 40 are, as in 3 shown schematically, can be marked with a laser. For this purpose, a laser beam L of a laser inscription device 5 can be directed onto a single marking plate 40 in order to individually inscribe the marking plate 40 of an electrical device 2 already arranged on a mounting rail 6 . As part of the laser inscription, the top layer 400 is partially removed by means of the laser beam L, the top layer 400 and the base layer 401 having, for example, a different coloring and thus by removing the top layer 400 an inscription with the contrast of the different colorings of the top layer 400 and the base layer 401 is produced.

In this context, it should be noted that very different laser-inscribable Mate rials are available, which can be single-layer or multi-layer. Instead of the two-layer embodiment (with a cover layer 400 and a base layer 401), a single-layer material with only a base layer 401 can also be used, for example. In this case, a material change is effected on the base layer 401 by a laser beam L, which leads to a color change and thereby produces an inscription.

Polycarbonate (PC), polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) or acrylbutadiene styrene (ABS), for example, can be used as laser-inscribable materials. PC, for example, can be inscribed directly with a laser due to its carbon content. A laser beam causes carbonization of the material and thus a changed color that can be used for labeling. The materials can optionally have additional additives for improved laser inscribability.

The present concept is based on the fact that first a coherent marking strip 4 with marking labels 40 that can be separated is arranged on an assembly 1 of electrical devices 2 . The electrical devices 2 are preferably of the same design and thus have the same dimensions, so that by lining up the electrical devices 2 a coherent row of marking fields 20 is created, on which the marking strip 4 can be arranged. After separating the marking labels 40 by pulling off the fixing strip 41, the assembly 1 can be used, for example, in an automatic placement machine for equipping a mounting rail 6, so that individual electrical devices 2 can be removed and attached to a mounting rail 6. After attachment to the mounting rail 6, the marking plates 40 attached to the electrical devices 2 can then be individually inscribed.

Labeling is therefore preferably carried out when the electrical devices 2 have already been attached to the mounting rail 6 .

In its initial state, the marking strip 4 is coherent and has marking plates 40 lined up in a row, which can be separated in order to assign individual marking plates 40 to individual electrical devices 2 . In this case, the use of a fixing strip 41 is not mandatory, but the marking labels 40 can also be connected to one another in a different way in the initial state of the marking strip 4, but can be separated.

Other exemplary embodiments of a marking strip 4 show 7A , 7B and 8A , 8B , Where these two embodiments - according to analogous to the embodiments 4A , 4B and 5A , 5B - Distinguish only based on the division of the marking plates 40 along the longitudinal direction X. Thus, according to the exemplary embodiment 7A , 7B a comparatively small pitch with short marker plates 40 (measured in the longitudinal direction X). The embodiment according to 8A , 8B has, in contrast, a comparatively large pitch with marking plates 40 that are long in the longitudinal direction X.

In the embodiments according to 7A , 7B , 8A , 8B the marking plates 40 are connected to one another in one piece in the initial state, so that an integral, coherent marking strip 4 is created.

The basic structure of the individual marker plates 40 is as shown in the sectional view according to FIG 9 apparent, identical to the structure of the marker plates 40 in the embodiment according to 4A , 4B and 5A , 5B , but in the initial state there is no fixing strip 41 (as in the sectional view according to 6 ) is available. The marker plates 40 are integrally connected to each other in the initial state, as shown in the enlarged view of FIG 10 is evident.

In the initial state, the marking labels 40 are integrally connected to one another, but are structurally subdivided by means of separating lines 42 molded into the marking strip 4 and can therefore be separated. The individual marking labels 40 can be separated from one another along the separating lines 42 and thus isolated, which can be done using a (cutting) tool or by tearing open the marking strip 4 along the separating lines 42 when separating the electrical devices 2 of the assembly 1 .

As per the plan views 7B and 8B As can be seen, in the initial state the marker tags 40 may be surrounded by excess material 44 which is structurally separated from the marker tags 40 via parting lines 43 molded into the marker strips 4 . An adhesive layer 402 is only provided on the marking plates 40, but not on the excess material 44, so that the excess material 44 can be easily removed before or after gluing the marking strip 4 to the assembly 1 of electrical devices 2 by tearing at the separating lines 43 .

The idea on which the invention is based is not limited to that described above Exemplary embodiments are limited, but can in principle also be implemented in a completely different manner.

In particular, very different laser-inscribable materials can be used to implement the marking plates. These materials can be constructed in one or more layers.

If a fixing strip is provided for connecting the marking plates to one another in the initial state, this fixing strip can be detached from the marking plates in a simple manner without adhesive residues remaining on the marking plates. For this purpose, a low-tack adhesive can be used to connect the fixing strip to the marking plates in the initial state.

In contrast, the adhesive layer for connecting the marking plates to the electrical devices is strongly adhesive and thus creates a firm connection between the individual marking plates and the assigned marking fields on the electrical devices.

The electrical devices can be very different. The electrical devices can be implemented as terminal blocks. However, it is also conceivable and possible for the electrical devices to realize electronic devices which, for example, have a printed circuit board with electronic components arranged thereon.

Reference List

1

module

2

Electrical device (terminal block)

20

check box

200

undercut

21

contact point

22

fastening device

3

carrier tape

4

marking strips

40

marker sign

400

top layer

401

base layer

402

adhesive layer

41

fixing strips

42, 43

parting line

44

surplus material

5

laser marking device

6

mounting rail

L

laser beam

N

groove

X,Y,Z

direction

Claims (7)

Method for equipping a mounting rail (6) with electrical devices (2), each of which has a marking field (20) to which a marking plate (40) that can be written on can be attached, having: - Arranging the electrical devices (2) in a row along a longitudinal direction (X) to provide an assembly (1) in such a way that the marking fields (20) of the electrical devices (2) adjoin one another along the longitudinal direction (X) and a continuous line along the form a row extending in the longitudinal direction (X), - Fastening a marking strip (4), which has a plurality of marking plates (40) which are assigned to the marking fields (20) of the electrical devices (2) and can be inscribed with a laser inscription device (5), along the row on the electrical devices (2), - Separating the marking plates (40) in such a way that at least one marking plate (40) is arranged on the marking field (20) of each electrical device (2), - Removing an electrical device (2) from the assembly of electrical devices (2) lined up in a row, - Attaching the electrical device (2) to the mounting rail (6) and - Inscribing the at least one marking label (40) of the electrical device (2) that has been removed and placed on the mounting rail (6) using a laser inscription device (5). procedure after claim 1 , characterized in that the marking strip (4) is glued onto the electrical devices (2) along the row of marking fields (20). procedure after claim 1 or 2 , characterized in that the marking fields (20) are formed on depressions in the electrical devices (2) and by lining up the electrical devices (2) together, a continuous groove (N) extending along the longitudinal direction (X) is formed, in which the Marking strip (4) is attached. procedure after claim 3 , characterized in that the marking strip (4) is positively fixed in the groove (N). Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the electrical devices (2) for providing the construction group (1) are lined up on a carrier tape (3) extending along the longitudinal direction (X). Procedure according to one of Claims 1 until 5 , characterized in that the marking plates (40) are connected to one another in an initial state via a fixing strip (41) and are separated by detaching the fixing strip (41). Procedure according to one of Claims 1 until 5 , characterized in that the marking plates (40) are connected to one another in one piece in an initial state and are separated from one another by separating the marking plates (40) from one another along separating lines (42) formed on the marking strip (4).

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