EP0337016B1 - Framework-like bus bar device for lighting purpose - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a truss-like busbar arrangement, as has become known from DE-A-29 15 502.

In the framework-like busbar arrangement according to DE-A-29 15 502, two busbars are held together in an upright arrangement on the foot and head side by means of special foot and head connectors. Two such double-track busbars are fastened to one another via two equally long, horizontally extending binders composed of two half-shells. This is done in such a way that insert pieces provided at the end face of each binder engage in the slot of the busbar, that is to say in the adapter receiving channel, which, as is known, receives the relatively sensitive insulating material carrier containing copper conductor rails. The adapters of spotlights are plugged into the adapter receiving channel between the attachment points on the binder side and are intended to illuminate exhibits held on the binders, for example.

The truss-like busbar arrangement known from DE-A-29 15 502 is both in terms of their load-bearing capacity and their usability are limited. In the meantime, with this known truss-like busbar arrangement, a basic way has already been shown of not only using busbars as a supporting element of lights, but also integrating them into a truss-like supporting structure.

Starting from the truss-like busbar arrangement according to DE-A-29 15 502, the invention is based on the object of further developing the known truss-type busbar arrangement so that, with expanded application options, it also has a significantly higher load capacity with the possibility of also having large spans free to bridge. This object has been achieved in accordance with the features of patent claim 1.

Characterized in that, according to the invention, the fastening grooves of the two hollow profiles face each other, the two fastening grooves serving to attach connecting parts which fasten the two hollow profiles to one another, the adapter receiving channel of the conductor rail is available solely for electrical feeding or removal purposes. The invention therefore creates a separation of the carrying or fastening function and the electrical supply function, the latter in particular of lights. In this way, both functions can not hinder each other, as is the case, for example, with the subject of DE-A-29 15 502. There, namely, the adapter receiving channel serves both for current consumption by means of an adapter and for fastening two slotted tube-like hollow profiles of a pair of hollow profiles to one another.

According to the invention, therefore, much greater forces can be transmitted unhindered by pressure-sensitive insulating material carriers in the purely metallic fastening grooves on the hollow profile side than is possible with the subject of DE-A-29 15 502. The conductor rail according to DE-A-29 15 502 has an axial fastening groove on its outside diametrically opposite the axial slot opening (adapter receiving channel), but this fastening groove only serves to hold fastening parts for the ceiling-side cable or pendulum tube holder, but not for fastening two Busbars to each other (S.DE-A-29 15 502 p.5 paragraph 3; p.9 paragraph 4) Fastening grooves on power rails are known per se from DE-C2-28 10 681.

In contrast to the existing from two busbars and two bow ties, at the time sufficient for limited use, but otherwise relatively unstable truss module according to DE-A-29 15 502, a rigid connecting part is created according to the invention have been, the fastening areas are arranged at least in a square, so - in contrast to the truss module according to DE-A-29 15 502 - are widely spaced apart in a statically favorable manner with respect to one and the same hollow profile. The rigid connecting part can either be plate-shaped or cross-shaped in accordance with other features of the invention, in particular in the manner of a St. Andrew's cross containing oblique struts.

A truss module according to the invention is therefore constructed such that in the horizontal arrangement of such a module, in which, however, the two hollow profiles of the pair of hollow profiles lie vertically one above the other or next to one another (comparable to an I-beam), e.g. the upper hollow profile forms the compression belt when loaded and the lower hollow profile forms the tension belt.

Such truss modules according to the invention can be arranged axially one after the other and can be coupled to one another on the end faces of their hollow profiles in a tensile and compressive manner. By inserting tensile and pressure resistant into the hollow profiles and also fastened there insert pieces ensures that with the invention Truss modules can span very large spans.

The truss modules according to the invention can overall form a truss structure or, in a parallel arrangement of similar truss modules next to one another, can form box-like supports with a corresponding cross connection. The truss modules according to the invention can be used, for example, to create portals or portal groups or truss-like ceiling structures. The truss modules according to the invention can be used with particular advantage in exhibition halls. Here, with the truss modules according to the invention, individual room structures with an additional supporting function can be created, which allow even larger exhibits to be illuminated from all directions, in particular also from above - and also allow a room separation function.

Further features of the invention can be found in the subclaims.

• Fig. 1 einen Teilbereich einer fachwerkartigen Stromschienen-Anordnung, bei welcher sich Fachwerk-Module zweier unterschiedlicher Querweiten an einer Stoßstelle zwischen zwei Modulen quer durchdringen, und zwar etwa entsprechend einer in Fig. 2 gestrichelt angedeuteten Einkreisung in Blickrichtung des mit I bezeichneten Ansichtspfeils, wobei
• Fig. 2 in perspektivischer Darstellung einen Teilbereich einer etwa rasterartigen Fachwerkstruktur mit Säulenauflagerung zeigt,
• Fig. 3 einen Teilbereich eines Portals einer etwa kastenartigen Fachwerkstruktur,
• Fig. 4 einen teilweisen Vertikalschnitt etwa entsprechend der in Fig. 3 mit IV bezeichneten Einkreisung, wobei jedoch in Fig. 4 eine um 180° um die Längsachse x eines Fachwerk-Moduls gedrehte Anordnung gezeigt ist,
• Fig. 5 einen Schnitt etwa entsprechend der in Fig. 4 mit V-V bezeichneten Schnittlinie, und
• Fig. 6 in Anlehnung an die Darstellung gemäß Fig. 1 eine elektrische Einspeisung im Bereich einer Stoßstelle zwischen Stromschienen.

Preferred exemplary embodiments according to the invention are shown in more detail in the drawings, in which:

• Fig. 1 shows a portion of a truss-like busbar arrangement, in which truss modules of two different widths cross at a joint between two modules penetrate, approximately in accordance with an encirclement indicated by dashed lines in FIG. 2 in the direction of view of the view arrow labeled I, wherein
• 2 shows a perspective view of a partial area of an approximately grid-like truss structure with pillar support,
• 3 shows a partial area of a portal of an approximately box-type truss structure,
• 4 shows a partial vertical section roughly corresponding to the encirclement designated IV in FIG. 3, but in FIG. 4 an arrangement rotated by 180 ° about the longitudinal axis x of a truss module is shown,
• 5 shows a section approximately corresponding to the section line designated VV in FIG. 4, and
• FIG. 6, based on the illustration according to FIG. 1, shows an electrical feed in the region of a joint between busbars.

In Fig. 1, a truss module with larger transverse width with M₁ and a truss module with smaller transverse width are designated with M₂. The truss modules M₁, M₂ (see M₂ meet at the joints marked with S against each other.

Each truss module M₁ and M₂ has a pair of hollow sections, which consists of two busbars 10. These busbars 10 are attached according to the different cross-sections W 1 (larger cross section) and W 2 (smaller cross section) by means of different connecting parts K 1, K 2 spaced apart. The connecting parts of the truss modules M₁ are designated with K₁ and the connecting parts of the truss modules M₂ with K₂.

Each connecting part K₁, K₂ consists of two oblique struts 11, 12 arranged in the manner of a St. Andrew's cross, which are arranged in the same plane and represent an overall rigid component because of their integral, integral connection in the central node region 13.

The connecting parts thus formed as connecting crosses K₁ (large connecting cross) and K₂ (smaller connecting cross) are integrally-integrally connected light metal die-cast parts, the cross section of the oblique struts 11, 12 being approximately I-shaped, as is e.g. 3, that is to say each has two flanges 14 and a web 15 connecting them. In order to save weight and material, the webs 15 are provided with openings 16 (as in a Vendeel beam, for example).

Although the crosses K₁, K₂ are not shown in full in Fig. 1, is based on the Connection cross K₂ partially shown on the right in FIG. 1 conceivable that this has fastening areas arranged on both ends of its oblique struts 11, 12 on the corners of a square, namely fastening feet 17. Each fastening foot 17 carries at the end a foot plate 18 with a support surface 53, which is supported on a filler 19, which is accommodated relatively snugly in the approximately omega-shaped fastening groove 20 of the respective busbar 10 (see also hollow profile 10a of FIGS. 4 and 5) .

Diametrically opposite the omega-shaped fastening groove 20, each slotted tube-like busbar 10 has a slot, i. an adapter receiving channel 21. The adapter receiving channel 21 contains axially extending and oppositely arranged insulating material profiles 22, each of which receives a metal conductor, for example a copper flat conductor 23. Both such busbars 10 and corresponding adapters are known for example from DE-PS 28 10 681.

The fastening feet 17 of the connecting crosses K₁ and K₂ contain accessible internal thread receptacles 24 for fastening screws 25 from the support surface 53. As can be seen from FIG. 1, the fastening screws 25 penetrate the bottom 26 of an elongated, approximately U-shaped Steel connector 27 and also the bottom 28 of the busbar 10 from the adapter receiving channel 21. In this way, the joints S are fastened to one another in the longitudinal direction x successive busbars 10 in a tensile and compressive manner, while at the same time a firm connection of great force absorption capacity is achieved between the mounting feet 17 and the omega-shaped mounting grooves 20 of the busbars 10. In order to additionally increase the tensile and pressure-resistant connection in the joint area S between two successive busbars 10, the steel connecting pieces 27 with cams 29 arranged above their base 26 correspondingly form coupling holes 59 of the same shape within the base 26. The coupling holes 59 are designated in more detail in FIG. 6 .

The detailed arrangement according to FIG. 1 leads to a larger grid-like connection according to FIG. 2. Specifically, vertically standing truss modules M₁ supports or columns, which rest with feet 30 on an installation level and remove a grid-like truss structure on the top side via a flat articulated connection 31, in which the modules M 1 with larger cross width W 1 are penetrated by modules M 2 with smaller cross width W 2 are. On the lower busbars 10 of the modules M₁ but also on the lower busbars 10 of the truss modules M₂, spotlights 32 are connected.

To reinforce the grid-like truss structure according to FIG. 2, rope braces 33 can also be provided - in the present case running in a cross shape.

2, which among other things each consist of vertically and horizontally arranged truss modules M 1, spacer tubes 34 can be provided in the upper corner region. Instead of these spacer tubes 34, it is also possible, for example in the upper third of the column-like truss modules M 1, that is to say at the penetration points designated 35, to let truss modules M 2 pass through, the connecting crosses K 2 of which then extend in a horizontal plane would, while the smaller connecting crosses K₂ shown in Fig. 2 extend in a vertical plane.

2, the truss modules M₁ each with four meters of axial individual length in the axial direction x follow each other, so that in this case the free span (portal width) in the direction x between two opposite joint supports 31 is twelve meters.

It must also be added that in the illustration according to FIG. 2 only the right portal pages are used to simplify the drawing are shown.

Analogously, a portal half is shown in the embodiment according to FIG. 3 jur. The portal shown in Fig. 3 allows a greater load capacity than the structure shown in Fig. 2. In the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 3, two identical truss modules or a succession of several interconnected truss modules M 1 are firmly connected to one another via smaller connecting crosses K 2. The connecting crosses K₂ are arranged in inclined planes and screwed with their fastening feet 17 to corresponding struts 12 of two larger adjacent connecting crosses K₁ of the two neighboring truss modules M₁ at the fastening points 36. For this purpose, the connecting crosses K₁ mounting holes, as they correspond approximately to 55 designated at K₂ in Fig. 1.

4 and 5 show in particular a plate-shaped connecting part 37, the fastening areas of which only one is identified by 38 are also arranged on the four corners of a square. Analogous to FIG. 1, continuous filler pieces 19 can be seen from FIG. 4, each of which is penetrated by fastening screws 25, for which purpose the plate-shaped connecting part 37 has internal thread receptacles 39. So that additional thrust and tensile forces can be transmitted, there are additional internal thread mounts 40 socket head screws 41 are provided, the head area of which in each case passes through the profile base 28 of the conductor rail or a non-electrified, that is to say conductor-free, hollow profile rail 10a.

In contrast to the representation according to FIGS. 2 and 3, a hanging arrangement of the truss module M 1 is provided in the representation according to FIG. the joint disks or joint eyes 42 of the flat joint connection 31 are each provided at the top. Complementary to the articulated eye 42, one can imagine an articulated fork (with articulated bolt) which is fastened to the wall side of a building structure in a manner not shown.

The joint eye 42 has a screw extension 43, which is held in the internal thread of a tubular insert, designated overall by 44. The tubular insert 44 itself has slot-like slots 45, 46 in its upper and lower regions, which are penetrated transversely by a screw bolt 47, the threaded end of which is held in an internal thread receptacle 48 of the plate-shaped connecting part 37. In this way, a secure clamping connection of the tubular insert 44 to the hollow profile 10a can be produced, the stop 49 representing an extension protection against axial tolerance adjustments on the outside of the lower link slot 46.

In the middle of the plate-shaped connecting part 37, a box-shaped recess or opening 50 is provided, which is used to hold electrical connecting or control and regulating parts and, according to FIG. 5, can be closed on both sides with a cover 56. The plate-shaped connecting part 37 also has a number of cable bushings 51 for supply cables 57 (FIGS. 2 and 3) for feeding in the busbar 10. To feed the busbar 10, feed pieces (not shown) are provided in their adapter receiving channel 21 (see FIG. 1), as are disclosed, for example, in DE-A-29 15 502. Such feed pieces are also located in the areas of the joints S on both sides of the end faces of the steel connecting pieces 27. To connect two successive busbars 10 different modules M 1 and M 2 in series, cable bushings 52 are also provided in the fastening feet 17 of the connecting crosses K 1, K 2, via which an electrical conductor connection or a bridging of feed pieces, not shown, is guaranteed, which - as mentioned - are arranged left and right of the respective steel connecting piece 27 within the adapter receiving channel 21 of the busbar 10. FIG. 6 shows how the electrical connection in series of two busbars 10 which follow one another in the longitudinal direction takes place. The dash-dot and Line denoted by i symbolize one or more electrical lines. The electrical lines combined, for example, to form a cable i each open to the left and right of the steel connecting piece 27 in an electrical feed piece (see DE-OS 29 15 502). The electrical cable is guided below the steel connecting piece 27 through this and through the bottom 28 of the respective busbar 10 within cable bushings 52. Outside the joint S, a connection terminal arrangement is shown schematically and designated 60.

The connecting terminal arrangement 60 is surrounded by an approximately double-trapezoidal switch housing 61, which consists of two essentially identical shell halves 62, 63, which are held firmly together by means of screws 64 penetrating the strut-side fastening bores 55. In this way, the two-shell switch housing 61, which is expediently made of light metal die-casting, also serves as a gusset-like stiffening of the joint area S. Via connection cables, not shown, which can run through openings 68 of the switch housing 61 to the outside and then, for example, through a bushing 51 to the switch housing 50 of a connecting part 37 , the power supply can be accomplished. In any case, the arrangements according to the invention initially permit the structural design and then the electrical connection of the system with a minimum of work.

From Fig. 6 it can also be seen how two truss modules M₂ are attached to each other in the area of the joint S and to a module M₁. In fact, an Allen screw 65 passes from the adapter receptacle 21 from the lower busbar 10 of the larger truss module M 1 in succession to the following components: A washer 66 formally adapted to the undersurface of the busbar floor 28, the floor 28 itself, then the filler 19, finally penetrates the adapter receptacle channel 21 of the lower busbar 10 of the smaller truss module M₂ and is then held in a threaded bore 67 of the steel connector 27.

Instead of the wing busbars 10 with an approximately rectangular cross section shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, busbars which have an essentially round cross section can of course also be used, as shown in DE-OS 29 15 502. Furthermore, it is fundamentally possible for the busbars 10 themselves or the empty profiles 10a to accommodate light sources with appropriate dimensioning, that is to say they can generally serve as lamp holders or as lights. It is also possible to use the slots to cover or conceal the hollow profiles 10, 10a, for example the adapter receiving channel 21, at desired points by means of a plastic or metal profile, if this appears expedient for optical or other reasons.

From Fig. 5 it can be seen that the basic structure of a plate-shaped connecting part 37 is similar to that of a large or small connecting cross K₁, K₂. The plate-shaped connecting part 37 is also a light metal die-cast part; analog to the connecting crosses K₁, K₂ (see Fig. 1 and 3), the profile web with 15 and the profile flanges with 14 are designated.

In addition, it should also be mentioned that several portal-like successive box-like structures M 1, M 2, K 2 according to FIG. 3 can be transversely penetrated by truss modules M 2.

3 struts 58 can be screwed between the box-like structures according to FIG.

Claims (20)

1. A framework-like busbar arrangement, mainly for lighting purposes, comprising at least one framework module (M₁, M₂) comprising a pair of hollow section members, consisting of two slotted tube-like hollow section members (10; 10a) at least one (10; 10a) being a busbar and the two hollow section members (10; 10a) being held parallel and spaced apart at at least two axially separated places, each hollow section member (10; 10a) being formed with an axial securing groove (20) on its outer side diametrically opposite the axial slot opening (21), the axial securing grooves (20) in the two hollow section members (10; 10a) facing one another, and a rigid connecting part (K₁, K₂, 37) extending substantially in a plane being provided for holding apart each pair of parallel section members, the connecting part having securing regions (17; 38) arranged in a square, each pair of securing means being releasably secured in the same securing groove (20) on the side of the hollow section member.
2. A frame-like busbar arrangement according to claim 1, characterised in that the connecting part (37) is plate-like.
3. A frame-like busbar arrangement according to claim 2, characterised in that the plate-like connecting part (37) has a rectangular outer contour.
4. A frame-like busbar arrangement according to claim 2 or claim 3, characterised in that the plate-like connecting part (37) is a casting, more particularly a light-metal die casting.
5. A frame-like busbar arrangement according to any of claims 2 to 4, characterised in that the plate-like connecting part (37) is formed with internal threaded recesses (40, 48) on its two narrow sides each facing a securing groove (20) on the side of the hollow section member, the recesses receiving coupling or centring elements (41) engaging the adjacent securing groove (20) on the side of the hollow section member, and also receiving securing screws (25) which extend through the base (28) of the hollow section member.
6. A frame-like busbar arrangement according to any of claims 2 to 5, characterised in that the plate-like connecting part (37) has an approximately central box-like holder (50) for electric leads and for branching, control and feedback elements or the like.
7. A frame-like busbar arrangement according to claim 6, characterised in that bushings (51), more particularly for receiving electric supply cables, are inserted into the box-like holder (50) from all narrow surfaces of the plate-like connecting part.
8. A frame-like busbar arrangement according to any of claims 1 to 7, characterised in that the connecting part is a cross (K₁, K₂) comprising two sloping struts (11, 12) rigidly connected in their central region (13) like a St. Andrew's cross, the end regions of the struts forming securing feet (17) each having a supporting surface (53) facing the adjacent securing groove (20) on the side of the hollow section member.
9. A frame-like busbar arrangement according to claim 8, characterised in that the two sloping struts (11, 12) are interconnected in one piece (at 13) and more particularly form a one-piece light-metal die casting.
10. A frame-like busbar arrangement according to claim 9, characterised in that the two struts (11, 12) are disposed in the same plane.
11. A frame-like busbar arrangement according to any of claims 8 to 10, characterised in that each strut has a substantially I-shaped cross-section, comprising a web (15) disposed between two flanges (14) and extending in the plane of the connecting cross (K₁, K₂).
12. A frame-like busbar arrangement according to any of claims 8 to 11, characterised in that the supporting surface (53) of each securing foot is formed by a foot-plate (18) disposed at the end thereof and through which at least two internally threaded securing recesses (24) extend at right angles into the securing foot (17).
13. A frame-like busbar arrangement according to claim 12, characterised in that a through opening (52) for a cable lead-in extends through the securing foot (17) and the foot-plate (18) near the internally threaded securing bores (24).
14. A frame-like busbar arrangement according to any of claims 1 to 13, characterised by connecting parts having varying - more particularly two - transverse widths (W₁, W₂) between each pair of slotted tube-like hollow section members (10, 10; 10, 10a).
15. A frame-like busbar arrangement according to any of claims 1 to 14, characterised in that for the purpose of forming a grid structure, at least one framework module (M₂) has connecting parts (K₂) having a smaller but equal transverse width (W₂) and extends transversely to at least one other framework module (M₁), which has connecting parts (K₁) having a greater but equal transverse width (W₁) (Figs. 1 and 2).
16. A frame-like busbar arrangement according to claim 15, characterised in that the framework modules (M₁, M₂) of different width extend through one another at right angles.
17. A frame-like busbar arrangement according to claim 15 or claim 16, characterised in that the framework modules (M₁, M₂) extending through one another are secured to one another at the places where they extend through.
18. A frame-like busbar arrangement according to any of claims 1 to 17, characterised in that, for the purpose of forming a box-like structure, at least two framework modules (M₁, M₂) parallel and spaced apart from one another are secured to one another by equal-sized connecting parts (K₂), more particularly having the smaller width (W₂)(Fig. 3).
19. A frame-like busbar arrangement according to claim 18, characterised in that in order to form the box-like structure, each connecting cross (K₂) having the smaller width (W₂) is secured via its feet (17) to corresponding sloping struts (12), parallel to one another, of two opposite connecting crosses (K₁) of greater width (W₁) belonging to two adjacent framework modules (M₁) (Fig. 3).
20. A frame-like busbar arrangement according to any of claim 1 to 19, characterised in that for the purpose of connecting framework modules (M₁, M₂) to one another and for connecting framework modules (M₁, M₂) to external bearings or abutments, securing parts (27; 31, 42, 44) are provided and can be inserted into the hollow regions at the ends of the hollow section members (10, 10a) and secured there, optionally adjustably in the axial direction (x).

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