EP1353415B1 - End piece for a busbar in a busbar system - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an end piece for a busbar of a busbar system, in which consumers, such as lights, spotlights and the like. Be used at any point.

Busbar systems of this type are often used for lighting purposes, since they are versatile and allow an individual and flexible arrangement of the lights. Such from the DE 100 25 647 A1 Known busbar system is initially based on Fig. 6 be explained.

The known busbar system initially consists of a formed from metal or sheet U-shaped, elongate support member 1, which is hereinafter referred to as a busbar, which is fastened with its center leg 2 by fastening means not shown on a support, such as a ceiling or a room wall. The cover of the downwardly open busbar 1 is effected by a latchable with this cover rail. 4

For the power supply or transmission of control information or control commands for the lights a plurality of conductor wires 6 ₁ to 6 ₅ and 7 ₁ to 7 _{6 are} provided, which extend on the inner sides of the two side walls _{3 a} and ₃ b in the longitudinal direction of the bus bar 1. The holder of the conductor wires 6 ₁ to 6 ₅ and 7 ₁ to 7 ₆ takes place with the help of inserted into the side regions of the busbar 1 Isolierstoffträgern 8. The connected via connecting webs 10 Isolierstoffträger 8 each have corresponding grooves 9, in which the non-insulated conductor wires 6 ₁ to 6 ₅ and 7 ₁ to 7 _{6 of} the busbar system are inserted. The shape of the grooves 9 is chosen such that a contact protection is ensured. This means that the grooves 9 are dimensioned such that an inadvertent contact of the conductor wires 6 ₁ to 6 ₅ and 7 ₁ to 7 _{6 is} excluded. The conductor wires 6 ₁ to 6 ₅ and 7 ₁ to 7 ₆ are contacted only by a to be introduced into the busbar 1 Drehabgriff having 8 inserted into the respective grooves 9 of the Isolierstoffträger 8 contacts and provides them with the lamp with power and control information. The entire busbar system is then composed of a plurality of such individual busbars.

In the from the DE 100 25 647 A1 known conductor rail system 8 a plurality of insulating material to a so-called. Stromleitprofil for holding the conductor wires 6 ₁ to 6 ₅ and 7 ₁ to 7 ₆ assembled. Through this modular assembly and a special configuration of the end portions of the insulating 8 are at intervals From about 30cm to 40cm compensation points formed, which allow a "thermal ventilation" of Stromleitprofils. This is important because the existing plastic insulating material 8 in heat much more than the embedded therein conductor wires 6 ₁ to 6 ₅ and 7 ₁ to 7 ₆ expand or contract in the cold accordingly. Due to the modular joining of the Isolierstoffträger 8 ensures that even with a contraction or expansion of the plastic parts through grooves for receiving the conductor wires 6 ₁ to 6 ₅ and 7 ₁ to 7 _{6 are} formed and accordingly at any time a sufficient contact protection is given. Thus, it is ultimately possible that the lights can be used anywhere in the busbar 1. The mentioned special embodiment of the end portions of the insulating 8 can the DE 100 25 647 A1 be removed.

Usually busbars of the type described in predetermined lengths of, for example, 2 m, 2.50 m, etc. distributed. In this case, special holding means are provided at the two ends of the busbars, which fix the plastic insulating material carrier for the conductor wires at the ends of the busbar. In the system described above, this is done for example by an inward deflection of the busbar. These special support means ensure that the existing plastic insulating material carrier can expand only to the inner region of the busbar or withdraw from this central area.

Often there is a need to saw off a busbar in order to obtain a rail of individual length in this way. This can be the case, for example, with the busbars arranged at the end of the system, since these must be adapted specifically to the spatial conditions. When sawing or cutting the busbar, however, it may be the case that the end region of the busbar is removed with the support means for the Isolierstoffträger. This then has the consequence that the insulating material carrier located in the busbar now not only extend inwards but also beyond the end of the busbar or can retreat towards the inner region of the busbar. Dangerous is in particular the retraction of Isolierstoffträger, because in this case, the wire ends of the non-insulated conductor wires protrude. For these conductor wires certain minimum clearances and creepage distances are prescribed, which are only satisfied when the conductor wires are within the grooves of the insulating material. On the other hand, if the wires protrude blank, the safety regulations are no longer met and there is a risk of unintentional contact with the wires. Basically, this case can occur whenever the end portions of a busbar no anchorages for the insulating carrier for the conductor wires are present.

The present invention is therefore an object of the invention to provide a solution in which, despite a lack of anchorages for the Isolierstoffträger at the end of a busbar, the regulations regarding the air and leakage current paths are met.

This object is achieved by an end piece for a busbar, which has the features of claim 1. The tail according to the invention is first for attachment to the busbar in the longitudinal direction thereof pushed onto this and further comprises adjusting means, which converts the Aufschiebbewegung in an adjustment for at least one of two juxtaposed conductor wires, such that the end portion of this conductor wire from its groove in the Isolierstoffträger is bent out. When pushing the tail on the power rail thus at least one conductor wire is offset from the other conductor wires, so due to this change in position the required air and Kriechstromstrecken be met.

Further developments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

Thus, a particularly good protective effect is achieved when the tail in turn has a housing enclosed by insulating receiving chamber into which the end of the bent conductor wire is inserted. The wire end is then offset from its original groove in the insulating carrier into a new and environmentally isolated area. The adjusting means may comprise, for example, a mandrel which has a run-on slope at its front end and, when the end piece is pushed onto the busbar, engages in the groove of the insulating material carrier associated with the conductor wire to be bent. This mandrel also prevents the wire end from leaving the receiving chamber of the tail. Further, the adjusting means may also comprise a projecting from the front end of the receiving chamber bottom portion through which the auszubiegende wire end is automatically inserted into the receiving chamber when pushing the tail on the busbar.

A particularly good protective effect is achieved when the conductor wires remain next to the bent conductor wire in their originally intended grooves of the insulating substrate. An advantageous development of the end piece according to the invention accordingly consists in that it also has restraining means, which comprise the end regions of the conductor wire to be bent out next to it arranged conductor wires in the designated grooves of Isolierstoffträgers hold. These retaining means may be, for example, comb-like ribs, which have run-on slopes at their front ends and, when the end piece is pushed onto the busbar, engage in the grooves of the insulating carrier assigned to the respective conductor wires. It is now possible to insert every other conductor wire into a receiving chamber provided on the end piece, so that the conductor wires of the conductor rail system are held alternately in the original insulating carrier of the bus bar and the end piece. Often, however, it is sufficient for the fulfillment of the above-mentioned regulations to introduce only those conductor wires provided in the end piece receiving chambers to which a particularly high voltage is applied. If the busbar is a system in which the conductor wires run on the two sides of a U-shaped busbar, then the adjusting and retaining means are preferably arranged on the side walls of a profiled element provided on the end piece made of an insulating material, which in the Assembling the busbar is inserted with the tail in the end region of the busbar.

Another advantageous development of the tail according to the invention is that this has to be introduced at its end to be inserted into the busbar fixing means which cause anchoring of the arranged in the busbar Isolierstoffträger. These fixing means may in particular be a V-shaped, resiliently bendable sheet-metal part which has claw-like projections at its lateral ends. This sheet metal part may be attached to a protruding metal tongue by means of a screw such that the sheet metal part is spread by tightening the screw. The projections then dig into the plastic insulating material carrier, whereby they are fixed laterally.

At the rear of the tail may further be provided a cap which has an opening for insertion of cables in the bus bar. In particular, the opening can be formed by a U-shaped collar arranged on the upper side of the end cap, which engages in a corresponding recess on the end piece. This makes it possible to supply the busbar with external cables which are used either for power supply or for transmitting control commands or control information from a central control unit.

Fig. 1 bis 3

verschiedene Ansichten des erfindungsgemäßen Endstücks;

Fig. 4

das mit zusätzliche Fixierungsmitteln versehene Endstück;

Fig. 5

das auf das Ende einer Stromschiene aufgesetzte Endstück;

Fig. 6

einen Schnitt I-I durch Fig. 5 im Bereich vor dem Endstück; und

Fig. 7

einen Schnitt II-II durch Fig. 5 im Bereich des erfindungsgemäßen Endstücks.

The invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the drawings. Show it:

Fig. 1 to 3

different views of the end piece according to the invention;

Fig. 4

the provided with additional fixing means tail;

Fig. 5

the attached to the end of a busbar tail;

Fig. 6

a section II through Fig. 5 in the area in front of the tail; and

Fig. 7

a section II-II through Fig. 5 in the region of the end piece according to the invention.

That in the Fig. 1-3 shown end piece 20 initially has a U-shaped housing 21, the contour of the busbar to which the end piece 20 is set up corresponds. At the front end of the housing 21 is a slightly enlarged receiving area 22 which is pushed onto the outer walls of the busbar and receives them. At the top of the housing 21 is a rearwardly open U-shaped recess 23, which - as will be explained later - allows the insertion of external cables in the busbar.

Towards the front, a profile body 24 consisting of an insulating material extends, which is introduced into the interior of the busbar when the end piece 20 is placed on the busbar. On the two side walls 25 and 26 of the profile body 24 comb-like ribs 31 and 33 to 35 and receiving chambers 32 are provided, which cause the inventive sheathing certain conductor wires of the busbar system when pushing the end piece 21 and the retention of the other conductor wires. Both the side walls 25 and 26 themselves and the ribs 31 and 33 to 35 are slightly chamfered at its front end to facilitate the insertion of the profile body 24 in the busbar.

The receiving chamber 32 has at its front end a projecting bottom portion 36, which facilitates the insertion of the conductor wire to be bent into the receiving chamber 32. Also, the side walls of this blade-like bottom portion 36 are chamfered. In the rear region of the profile body 24 of the receiving chamber 32 is associated with a mandrel 37, which also has a run-on slope. As will be explained later, this mandrel 37 immersed in placing the end piece 20 on the busbar in the corresponding groove of the insulating substrate and thereby causes the desired bending of this conductor wire and insertion into the receiving chamber 32. The mandrel 37 and the protruding bottom portion 36 thus form the Adjusting means for the inventive bending of the conductor wire. In addition, the mandrel 37 also prevents the conductor wire inserted into the receiving chamber 32 later from coming out of it inadvertently.

At the front end of the profile body 24 are also pins 29 and 30, whose function will be explained later. The upper side 27 of the profile body 24 has a slight increase 28 on one side. This increase ensures a 28 rotation, which prevents a laterally reversed insertion of the Profilköpers 24 in the busbar. The operation of this anti-rotation will be explained in more detail later.

In Fig. 4 has the end piece 20 according to the invention additional fixing means which cause an anchoring of the insulating material in the end region of the busbar. These fixing means consist essentially of a V-shaped sheet metal part 53 which has claw-like projections 54 at its two ends. The middle leg of the sheet metal part 53 is attached via a screw 52 to a downwardly projecting protrusion of a metal tongue 50 and arranged between the protruding from the profile body 24 pins 29 and 30. The metal tongue 50 is attached to the upper side of the housing 21 of the end piece 20 and extends in the direction of the profile body 24. The metal tongue 50 is also inserted into the busbar when pushing the end piece 20, thereby improving the connection between the busbar and the end piece 20th At the front end portion of the metal tongue 50 are marks in the form of notches 55, whose function will be explained later.

A fixation of the insulating material of the bus bar through the projections 54 of the sheet metal part 53 is made by the screw 52 is tightened after fitting the end piece 20 to the busbar. By tightening the screw 52, the screw pressure is increased in cooperation with the pins 29 and 30 on the sheet metal part 53, so that this spreads and the projections 54 dig into the existing on the side walls of the busbar and made of plastic Isolierstoffträger. By this clawing a connection between the end piece 20 and the Isolierstoffträgern is achieved, so that a heat-induced displacement of the insulating material is largely avoided.

Fig. 5 shows the end piece 20 in the mounted state on the busbar 1. The conclusion of the end piece 20 forms a closure cap 56 which has a U-shaped collar 57 at its upper region. This collar 57 engages in the previously described U-shaped recess 23 and forms an opening in the end region of the end piece 20. Through this opening, external lines can be inserted into the end of the busbar 1.

Based on Fig. 6 and 7 will now be explained the operation of the tail according to the invention. The already explained above Fig. 6 represents the course of the conductor wires 6 ₁ to 6 ₅ and 7 ₁ to 7 ₆ in the Isolierstoffträgern 8 of the busbar 1. This corresponds to the arrangement in a region before the end piece according to the invention, ie the section II in Fig. 5 ,

Fig. 7 on the other hand shows the section II-II of Fig. 5 or course of the conductor wires can be taken from 6 ₁ to 6 ₅ and 7 ₁ to 7 ₆ in the region of the end piece itself. As illustrated, there remains a large portion of the lead wires 6 ₁ to 6 ₅ and 7 ₁ to 7 ₆ in the appropriate grooves 9 of the insulating substrate 8. These remaining in their original grooves 9 conductor wires 6 ₁ , 6 ₃ to 6 ₅ , 7 ₁ and 7 ₃ to 7 ₆ are by the comb-like ribs 31, 33 to 35, 41 and 43 to 46 in their corresponding grooves 9 pressed. The comb-like ribs 31, 33 to 35, 41 and 43 to 46 thus prevent inadvertent emergence of these conductor wires 6 ₁ , 6 ₃ to 6 ₅ , 7 ₁ and 7 ₃ to 7 ₆ and represent the retaining means.

The seen from the top of each second conductor wires 6 ₃ and 7 ₂ , however, have in the example shown a particularly high voltage and were therefore during the pushing of the tail by the adjustment in the space provided receiving chambers 32 and 42 on the side walls 25 and 26 of the Profile body 24 offset. These two conductor wires 6 ₂ and 7 ₂ are thus covered separately and additionally protected. In particular, this also complies with the prescribed clearances and creepage distances. A re-emergence of the conductor wires 6 ₂ and 7 ₂ from the receiving chambers 32 and 42 of the profile body 24 is additionally prevented by the receiving chambers 32 and 42 associated mandrels 37 and 47, which engage in the original intended grooves 9 of the insulating 8. These two conductor wires 6 ₂ and 7 ₂ are thus fully protected against accidental contact.

Fig. 7 can also be taken from the aforementioned anti-rotation. This is ensured on the one hand by the located at the top 27 of the profile body 24 elevation 28 and by one of the connecting web 10 of the Isolierstoffträgers 8 downwardly projecting vertical web 12 and a laterally inwardly projecting bar 11. By the strip 11 and the vertical web 12, a free space 13 is limited, which can be used to carry additional cables that can be fed through the opening in the tail. At the same time, the arrangement of the strip 11 and the increase 28 of the profile body 24 is selected such that the placement of the tail on the busbar 1 is possible only in a particular orientation. By this anti-rotation is ensured that the on the profile body 24th provided ribs 31, 33 to 35, 41 and 43 to 46 and receiving chambers 32, 42 pass into a position corresponding to the grooves of the Isolierstoffträgers 8.

The placement of the end piece according to the invention on the busbar is then as follows. After sawing off the busbar, the conductor wires to be introduced into the receiving chambers 32, 42 of the profile body 24 must first be manually bent out of their grooves of the insulating carrier 8 manually. To identify these conductor wires to be bent, the markings 55 provided on the metal tongue 50 can be used. Namely, if the metal tongue 50 is inserted vertically from the bottom into the busbar 1 until it abuts the bar 11, the markings 55 indicate the conductor wires to be bent. The metal tongue 50 thus simultaneously forms a gauge for displaying the conductor wires to be bent. Preferably, these conductor wires should be bent out so far that they engage in the notches formed as notches 55.

After bending out the conductor wires, the end piece according to the invention can be pushed onto the end of the busbar 1. The conductor wires to be bent are then inserted into the corresponding receiving chambers 32 and 42 of the profile body 24 via the protruding bottom portions 36 and with the aid of the mandrels 37 and 47. The comb-like ribs 31, 33 to 35, 41 and 43 to 46, however, are introduced via their chamfers in the corresponding grooves of the Isolierstoffträgers until finally the in Fig. 7 shown arrangement of the conductor wires is achieved. Subsequently, the screw 52 is attracted to the clawing of the sheet metal part 53 with the Isolierstoffträgern and the Isolierstoffträger 8 accordingly additionally secured.

The tail according to the invention thus allows easy completion of a busbar, the safety standards are met. It should be noted that, of course, a plurality of receiving chambers may be provided on the profile body, are introduced into the corresponding conductor wires of the busbar system. In any case, such receiving chambers should be provided for those conductor wires to which a particularly high voltage is applied. Furthermore, the invention is not limited to busbar systems in which the conductor wires extend on the side walls of a busbar. Rather, a correspondingly modified end piece can also be used if conductor wires run only on the bottom side of the busbar.

Claims (15)

1. An end piece for a busbar (1) which is U-shaped in cross section and into which loads, for example luminaires, reflectors and the like, can be inserted at any point, wherein the busbar (1) has a plurality of non-insulated conductor wires (6₁-6₅, 7₁-7₆) that are arranged in parallel grooves (9) of an insulator carrier (8),
   characterised in that
   the end piece (20) can be slid onto the busbar (1) in the longitudinal direction thereof for securement thereon and has adjusting means (36, 37) which convert the sliding-on movement into an adjusting movement for at least one of two conductor wires (6₂, 7₂), extending side by side, in such a way that the end region of this conductor wire (6₂, 7₂) is bent out of its groove (9) in the insulator carrier (8).
2. An end piece according to claim 1,
   characterised in that
   the end piece (20) has a receiving chamber (32, 42), enclosed by insulating material, for the bent-out end region of the conductor wire (6₂, 7₂).
3. An end piece according to claim 1 or 2,
   characterised in that
   the adjusting means comprise a mandrel (37, 47) which at its front end has a run-up slope and when the end piece (20) is slid onto the busbar (1) engages into the groove (9) of the insulator carrier (8) associated with the conductor wire (6₂, 7₂).
4. An end piece according to claim 2 and 3,
   characterised in that
   the adjusting means comprise, furthermore, a base region (36) that projects from the front end of the receiving chamber (32, 42).
5. An end piece according to one of the previous claims, characterised in that
   it has, furthermore, retaining means (31, 33-35, 41, 43-46) which hold the end regions of the conductor wires (6₁, 6₃-6₅, 7₁, 7₃-7₆), arranged next to the conductor wire (6₂, 7₂) that is to be bent out, in the grooves (9) of the insulator carrier (8) provided therefor.
6. An end piece according to claim 5,
   characterised in that
   the retaining means are formed by comb-like ribs (31, 33-35, 41, 43-46) which have run-up slopes at their front ends and when the end piece (20) is slid onto the busbar (1) engage into the grooves (9) of the insulator carrier (8) associated with the respective conductor wires (6₁, 6₃-6₅, 7₁, 7₃-7₆).
7. An end piece according to one of the previous claims,
   characterised in that
   the end piece (20) has a profiled body (24) that is to be pushed into the end region of the busbar (1) and on the side walls (25, 26) of which the adjusting means (36, 37) and retaining means (31, 33-35, 41, 43-46) are arranged.
8. An end piece according to claim 7,
   characterised in that
   the profiled body (24) consists of plastics material.
9. An end piece according to one of the previous claims,
   characterised in that
   it has, at its end that is to be introduced into the busbar (1), fixing means (53, 54) for the insulator carrier (8) that is arranged in the busbar (1).
10. An end piece according to claim 9,
    characterised in that
    the fixing means are formed by a V-shaped sheet-metal portion (53) that can be bent out in a resilient manner and has at its lateral ends claw-like projections (54).
11. An end piece according to claim 10,
    characterised in that
    the V-shaped sheet-metal portion (53) is secured by means of a screw (52) on a protrusion of a metal tongue (50) projecting from the end piece (20), wherein the sheet-metal portion (53) is secured in such a way that it is spread when the screw (52) is tightened.
12. An end piece according to claim 11,
    characterised in that
    the metal tongue (50) has markings (55) for indicating the conductor wires (6₂, 7₂) that are to be bent out.
13. An end piece according to one of the previous claims, characterised in that
    the housing (21) of the end piece (20) has a receiving region (22) for sliding the end piece (20) onto the busbar (1).
14. An end piece according to one of the previous claims,
    characterised in that
    this end piece has a closing cap (56) which contains an opening for the introduction of cables into the busbar (1).
15. An end piece according to claim 14,
    characterised in that
    the opening is formed by a U-shaped collar (57) that is arranged on the upper side of the closing cap (56) and engages into a corresponding U-shaped recess (23) on the upper side of the end piece (20).

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