EP1460733A2 - Conductor rail adapter - Google Patents

Abstract

The adaptor has at least one switching shaft comprising at least two housing parts (34a,34b) made of insulating plastics material. A locking member (36) is arranged on at least one of the housing parts (34b), and cooperates with the switching shaft and/or with the second housing part (34a).

Description

The invention relates to a device for the at least indirect connection of a lamp with a busbar according to the preamble of claim 1.

A device for the at least indirect connection of a luminaire to a busbar is commonly referred to as a busbar adapter. In a busbar, a plurality of lights, axially displaceable, can be fastened in a simple manner.

A busbar adapter of the prior art, which goes back to the applicant, is described in DE 28 10 681 A1. The adapter known from this is manufactured almost unchanged by the applicant for 25 years now and is widely used.

The known busbar adapter consists of a variety of items and requires a complex assembly. The housing consists of three housing shell parts, which are held together by means of conventional threaded screws. In the interior of the housing there is a first and a second switching shaft. The first shift shaft is pivotable through a 90 ° angle and has a pair of retaining tabs and a neutral contact tongue. The second switching shaft is pivotable through 180 ° and in particular has a phase conductor contact tongue. Between the two switching waves, a locking member G is arranged, which in the form of a mutual control ensures that no incorrect operation occurs.

The object of the invention is to develop the known from DE 28 10 681 A1 busbar adapter according to the preamble of claim 1 such that a simpler installation is possible.

The invention solves this problem with the features of claim 1, in particular with those of the characterizing part and is accordingly characterized in that at least one first housing shell part a locking member is arranged, which cooperates with the switching shaft and / or with a second housing shell part.

The principle of the invention is thus essentially to provide locking members, which may be formed, for example, in the manner of clip elements and exercise a holding function.

For example, it may be provided to provide latching members of the first kind, which are arranged on a first housing shell part and which cooperate with corresponding retaining surfaces on another housing shell part. In this way, the use of threaded screws, which were provided in the prior art three omitted. The hitherto laborious assembly of screws is dispensable according to the invention. By simply clipping together the housing shell parts, in particular two housing halves, the housing can be combined in a very simple way.

In particular, an at least partially automated assembly is possible in this way, since the locking members may be formed in the manner of snap connection elements that can automatically snap in an automatic movement of a housing shell part relative to the other.

According to a further aspect of the invention, the locking members may also be provided to cooperate with the shift shaft. The busbar adapter, which almost completely corresponds both to its outer structure, as well as in terms of its internal parts and its functions from the busbar adapter known from DE 28 10 681 A1, has a first and a second switching shaft, which is pivotable in the housing are stored.

In the known busbar adapter, the first and the second switching shaft for their assembly are only loosely, successively, inserted into the first housing shell. Subsequently, further elements, in particular the locking member, are introduced into the interior of the housing. Finally, connecting conductors that are used for electrical connection with a luminaire are fastened to the corresponding connection terminals. Since the two switching shafts were only loosely inserted, such an attachment designed partially tedious.

According to the invention, it is possible to provide a precisely defined locking seat for the first and / or for the second control shaft by providing at least one locking member. A well-defined detent position can be displayed to the user by a sound, which occurs when clips, and then when the proper detent position is reached.

The switching shaft located in the locking position may preferably be pivotable, so that the locking members in no way affect the switching shaft in their switching function.

On the other hand, the locking position optionally also allows a z. B. automated transport of the housing shell part with the mounted therein selector shaft, without the risk that the shift shaft unintentionally detached from the housing shell part. The handling is thus significantly simplified, which can lead to a simpler installation overall.

Preferably, the locking seat for the switching shaft cooperates with an axial securing for the switching shaft, so that a connection conductor for a light can be easily connected by making a connector by moving the free end of the connecting conductor in the axial direction with a corresponding terminal contact in the switching shaft.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, a first type of locking member is provided, which cooperates with the shift shaft and a second type of locking member provided, which cooperates with the second housing shell part. In this embodiment of the invention, the assembly is further facilitated.

According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the locking member is integrally formed cohesively to the housing shell part. In particular, in the case of a housing shell part designed as a plastic injection-molded part, the latching element can be injection-molded, so that the production outlay of the latching element is minimized.

According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the locking member is resilient. This allows a particularly simple construction, which can be dispensed with additional items.

According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the locking member is designed as a spring tongue. This allows a further simplified construction, wherein it can be provided that the spring tongue protrudes freely from a bottom wall of the housing shell part. Due to the axial length of the spring tongue, the desired elasticity of the locking member can be readily adjusted.

According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the housing consists essentially of two housing halves, which are connected to each other via a film hinge. This allows a further simplified design and handling, since the one-piece housing can also be mechanically transferred by pivoting the two housing halves relative to each other in the closed, assembled state. In this case, a plurality of locking members on the first housing half cooperate with corresponding retaining surfaces on the second housing half.

According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the retaining surfaces are arranged in the region of openings in the wall of the housing shell part. This allows a particularly efficient and material-saving accommodation of retaining surfaces and locking members. In addition, in this way, the locking members are accessible from outside even in the assembled state of the housing and can be attacked for example for opening the housing with a loose tool.

According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, a locking member of the first kind engages around the switching shaft, in particular an outer circumferential surface of the switching shaft, at least partially. This embodiment of the invention ensures a particularly simple securing of the switching shaft to the housing shell part.

According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, at least one pair of locking members of the first type is provided, which clasps the shift shaft. Here an optimal power distribution is achieved in a particularly simple manner.

Fig. 1

in schematischer Ansicht das Profil einer Stromschiene des Standes der Technik,

Fig.2

in schematischer Ansicht ein Ausführungsbeispiel der erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung im zusammengesetzten Zustand,

Fig. 3

in teilgeschnittener, schematischer Ansicht den Innenraum der erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung aus Fig. 2, wobei die beiden Gehäusehälften auseinandergeklappt sind,

Fig. 4

in perspektivischer Ansicht unter Weglassung der beiden Schaltwellen die Vorrichtung in nicht zusammengesetztem Zustand gemäß Fig. 3,

Fig. 5

die Vorrichtung gemäß Fig. 4 in vergrößerter Draufsicht,

Fig. 6

die Vorrichtung aus Fig. 5 in einer Rückansicht,

Fig. 7

die Vorrichtung gemäß Ansichtspfeil VII in Fig. 5,

Fig. 8

die Vorrichtung in schematischer, teilgeschnittener Ansicht gemäß Schnittlinie VIII - VIII in Fig. 5,

Fig. 9

die Vorrichtung gemäß Ansichtspfeil IX in Fig. 5,

Fig. 10

die erste Schaltwelle gemäß Fig. 3 in Einzeldarstellung in einer Seitenansicht,

Fig. 11

die erste Schaltwelle in einer Schnittansicht gemäß Schnittlinie XI - XI in Fig. 10,

Fig. 12

in einer Seitenansicht die zweite Schaltwelle aus Fig. 3 in Einzeldarstellung, und

Fig. 13

die zweite Schaltwelle in einer Schnittansicht gemäß Schnittlinie XIII - XIII in Fig. 12.

Further advantages of the invention will become apparent from the non-cited subclaims and with reference to the following description of an embodiment shown in FIGS. Show:

Fig. 1

in a schematic view the profile of a bus bar of the prior art,

Fig.2

a schematic view of an embodiment of the device according to the invention in the assembled state,

Fig. 3

in a partially sectioned, schematic view of the interior of the inventive device of FIG. 2, wherein the two housing halves are unfolded,

Fig. 4

in a perspective view with omission of the two switching waves, the device in the non-assembled state of FIG. 3,

Fig. 5

the apparatus of FIG. 4 in an enlarged plan view,

Fig. 6

the device of Fig. 5 in a rear view,

Fig. 7

the device according to the arrow VII in Fig. 5,

Fig. 8

the device in a schematic, partially sectional view along section line VIII - VIII in Fig. 5,

Fig. 9

the device according to arrow IX in Fig. 5,

Fig. 10

the first shift shaft of FIG. 3 in a single representation in a side view,

Fig. 11

the first shift shaft in a sectional view along section line XI - XI in Fig. 10,

Fig. 12

in a side view, the second switching shaft of FIG. 3 in a detail view, and

Fig. 13

the second switching shaft in a sectional view along section line XIII - XIII in Fig. 12.

It should be noted that in the following description of the figures the same or comparable parts or elements for the sake of clarity with the same reference numerals, sometimes with the addition of small letters, are called.

The apparatus designated in the figures in its entirety by 10 serves to connect a luminaire, not shown, to a conventional busbar, designated by the reference numeral 11 in FIG. Such a bus bar is on the building side, in particular on the ceiling side, mounted and serves to accommodate a The device 10 corresponds in its external dimensions, and of its structural internal structure forth, at least as regards their functionalities, largely described in DE 28 10 681 A1, there as a busbar adapter designated device of the applicant.

Even under the risk of possible repetitions, the functional principle of the device 10 will be described briefly below:

The busbar 11 has an insertion opening 13, which serves to receive the insertion section 12 of the device 10. The device 10 is inserted so far into the insertion opening 13, until a stop surface 14 of the device 10 comes to rest on the underside 15 of the busbar 11 or at least in their area. To avoid incorrect operation, a coding groove 16 is arranged on the busbar 11, in the coding 17, which are mounted in the region of the stop surface 14 on the device 10, can penetrate.

The busbar 11 has a multiplicity of channels 18a, 18b, 18c, 18d, 18e, 18f, which are designed as holders (for example, 18a, 18f) or as contact channels. In the grooves 18b, 18c, 18d, 18e ladder rails are arranged. The conductor rail 19 is designed as a neutral conductor rail, and the remaining three conductor rails are phase conductor rails 20a, 20b, 20c, as is common in the prior art.

The device 10 is used for electrical contacting and usually also for mechanical attachment of a lamp, not shown in the figures on the busbar 11. For mechanical attachment of the lamp, for example, a Screw connection made in the mounting portion 37 of the device 10, for example by screwing or bracing a fastening element, not shown, of the lamp. It is also known to attach to the attachment portion 37 of the device 10 separate fastening devices, in the manner of holders.

For electrical connection of the luminaire to the conductor rails 19, 20a, 20b, 20c, light-side connection conductors, not shown, are guided through the fastening region 37 of the device 10 into the interior of the housing 38 of the device 10. In the interior of the housing 38, a first switching shaft 21 (FIG. 3) and a second switching shaft 22 is arranged. Each of the two switching shafts 21, 22 is pivotable about its own pivot axis 23. The first switching shaft 21 is pivotable about 90 °, and for this purpose has an out of the outer dimensions of a housing 38 also projecting actuating lever 34 which can be manually operated. For pivoting the second switching shaft 22, which is pivotable substantially over a circumferential angular range of 180 °, are provided at the bottom with respect to FIG. 3 end handle 25 in the manner of an external toothing, which allow easy manual attack.

A locking member 39 is shown in FIG. 3 approximately centrally between the two switching shafts 21, 22 and provides for mutual control.

The basic structure of the two switching shafts 21, 22 will first be briefly explained with reference to FIGS. 10 to 13.

The first shift shaft 21 has a neutral contact tongue 26, which projects radially outward with respect to the pivot axis 23 of the shift shaft 21. In addition, two of the mechanical support serving retaining tongues 27a, 27b are provided.

The first shift shaft 21 has a head portion 29, a middle portion 30 and a foot portion 31. Head and middle section have a substantially identical outer diameter, wherein the outer diameter of the foot portion 30, however, greatly increased. Overall, the first shift shaft 21 is formed as a hollow body and has central openings 40a, 40b.

The neutral contact tongue 26 is part of a contact carrier 32, which is formed for example as a stamped part of a copper sheet by bending. At its lower end with respect to FIG. 11, the contact carrier 32 has a tongue 33, which serves to connect to a tab sleeve of a light-side, not shown connecting conductor.

The second switching shaft 22 according to FIGS. 12 and 13 has a phase conductor contact tongue 28, which projects in a similar manner as in the switching shaft 21 from the pivot axis 23 radially outwardly away. The phase conductor contact tongue 28 is a component of a contact carrier 32, which may also be formed as a copper sheet stamped part. The contact carrier 32 of the second switching shaft 22 is located in a chamber-like space 41 and has a mounting portion 42, by means of which the contact carrier 32 is fixed. A tongue 33 points upward with respect to FIG. 13, and is aligned substantially along the pivot axis 23. The tongue 33 is used for electrical connection with a not shown tabs sleeve of a connecting conductor, not shown.

Also, the second switching shaft 22 can be divided into a head portion 29 and a central portion 30, which have a significantly smaller outer diameter compared to a foot portion 31.

The first shift shaft 21 is equally as the shift shaft 22 prior to insertion of the insertion section 12 into the insertion opening 13 in a non-use position. The retaining tongues 27a, 27b and the neutral contact tongue 26 as well as the contact tongue 27 and the phase conductor contact tongue 28 of the second control shaft 22 are arranged in this position within the housing 38.

After inserting the device 10 into the insertion opening 13, the first switching shaft 21 can be pivoted about its longitudinal axis 23 by operating the lever 24 by about 90 °, wherein the retaining tongues 27a, 27b and the neutral contact tongue 26 through slots provided for this purpose 43a, 43b 43c can emerge from the housing 38. The retaining tongues 27a, 27b penetrate into the corresponding holders 18a, 18f, whereas the neutral contact tongue 26 enters the correspondingly provided neutral contact channel 18e for contacting the neutral conductor rail 19. The first shift shaft 21 thus reaches its use position.

The axially displaceable with respect to FIG. 3 along the double arrow y locking member 39 can be moved due to an outer circumferential groove, not shown on the first switching shaft 21 now in a position in which it allows pivoting of the second switching shaft 22 from its non-use position out. It should be noted that in the inoperative position located first shift shaft 21, a pivoting of the second shift shaft 22 from its rest position is not possible because the locking member 39 ensures a blocking of this movement. The blocking member may be formed, for example, as described in DE 28 10 681 A1.

When the second shift shaft 22 is shifted from its non-use position to a use position, three different usage positions can be achieved. Depending on whether starting from the non-use position according to FIG. 3 of the second control shaft 22 pivoting by 90 ° counterclockwise or clockwise, a first or a second use position is reached, in which the phase conductor contact tongue 28 either from an upper housing slot 43d or emerges from a lower housing slot 43e. The retaining tongue 27 of the second switching shaft 22 accordingly emerges through the respective other housing slot 43e, 43d.

Alternatively, however, an axial displacement of the second switching shaft 22 with respect to FIG. 3 downwards be performed so that, a subsequent further pivoting provided by 90 °, the phase conductor contact tongue 28 can escape through the housing slot 43 f. In this case, the retaining tongue 27 exits through the housing slot 43g.

For further description of the subject of the application, reference is made to the applicant's co-pending patent application of the same date (Official Gazette DE 103 12 012.2), the content of which is hereby fully incorporated in the content of the present patent application.

As is apparent in particular from FIG. 5, the housing 38 consists of two housing halves 34a, 34b, which are designed as half shells. The two housing halves 34a, 34b are connected to each other via a film hinge 44 and thus form a single component.

By pivoting the relative to Fig. 5 right half of the housing 34a to the pivot hinge 45 defined by the hinge 44 around, the viewer of the paper plane of FIG. 5 initially opposite and then opposite to FIG. 5 left housing half 34b, the housing 38 in the in Fig. 2 shown, assembled state.

As is apparent, for example, from FIGS. 4 and 5, the two housing halves 34a, 34b have a bottom wall 35 from which project a plurality of elements. For example, side wall portions 46 a, 46 b, 46 c are provided, which form a pivot bearing for the first shift shaft 21. Similarly, corresponding wall portions 46d, 46e, 46f are provided, which form a pivot bearing for the second switching shaft 22.

The peculiarity of the present device 10 is that a plurality of latching members 36a, 36b, 36c, 36d, 36e, 36f, 36g, 36h is provided. Each latching member 36a, 36b, 36c, 36d, 36e, 36f, 36g, 36h is formed as a spring tongue element.

The latching element 36c will be described by way of example with reference to FIG. 8: it is connected to the bottom wall 35 of the housing half 34b via a fastening region 47. An axially elongate portion 48 terminates in a hooked end 49 having a hook surface 50.

Due to the relatively elongated and thin design of the portion 48, the end 49 is slightly deflectable about a perpendicular to the paper plane, extending substantially through the mounting portion 47 pivot axis.

In the right with respect to FIG. 8 housing half 34 a, an opening 51 is arranged, which provides a holding surface 52. If the two housing halves 34a, 34b are pivoted relative to one another about the pivot axis 45 toward one another, the hook end 49 having a control surface 54 passes through the opening 51 until, after snapping back, the hook surface 50 lies on the holding surface 52 and the two housing halves 34a, 34b are permanently secured together.

Without this being necessary, it may be desirable to ensure, by means of a corresponding formation or inclination of the hook surface 50 and the holding surface 52, that a release of the latching element 36c takes place when a large threshold force is applied, so that the housing 38 can be unfolded.

For attachment of the two housing halves 34a, 34b to each other, in addition to the locking member 36c also attached in the edge region 53 of the housing 38 locking member 36b and locking member 36a is provided, the latter being disposed on the film hinge facing the edge region 53. Overall, therefore, three locking members 36a, 36b, 36c, which are formed substantially identical, arranged to lock the two housing halves 34a, 34b with each other. Likewise, corresponding openings 51 are provided for the locking members 36a and 36b.

The locking members 36a, 36b, 36c are referred to as locking members of the second kind. In addition, locking devices 36d, 36e, 36f, 36g of the first type and a latching element 36h of the third type are also provided on the device 10. The locking member 36h third type is similar to the locking members 36a, 36b, 36c and serves to define the locking member 39. This will not be further described here.

The locking members of the first type are used to attach the switching shafts 21, 22nd

For fixing the second shift shaft 22, a pair of opposing detent members 36f and 36g are provided, which engage the outer circumferential surface of the middle portion 30 of the second shift shaft 22. The locking members 36f, 36g are, as partially apparent from Fig. 7, formed substantially like a clasp and clasp in the latching position shown in FIG. 3 befindlicher second shift shaft whose central portion 30th

To secure the first shift shaft 21 on the housing 38 is a latching member 36 d, and with respect to FIG. 3 axially offset down, a second latching member 36 e is provided. The two locking members 36d and 36e embrace the first shift shaft 21 on its outer circumferential surface equally clasp-like, but axially offset. Thus, the locking member 36d engages around the head portion 29 and the locking member 37e, the central portion 30 of the first shift shaft 21st

If the first or the second switching shaft 21, 22 is moved from a removal position into its latching position according to FIG. 3, the latching members 36d, 36e, 36f, 36g bend momentarily outward, since their projected minimum distance m ₁ or m _{2 is} smaller , as the outer diameter of the corresponding portion 29, 30 of the corresponding switching shaft 21, 22. Once the Switching shaft 21, 22 has reached its locking position, it is secured to the housing 38. The housing 38 can now be transported, for example, and thereby experience movements, even shaking or pivoting movements, without the switching shaft 21, 22 can detach from the housing 38.

In this way, for example, an automated transport can be carried out as part of an automated assembly.

The handling during assembly of the device 10 is thereby significantly simplified, whereby an automatic, at least a semi-automatic assembly is possible. Finally, in particular the contacting of the tabs 33 by the connection conductor of the luminaire, not shown, plays a special role during assembly, since the switching shafts 21, 22 fixed to the housing 38 are readily contactable by a machine.

The locking members of the first type are designed so that a secure locking seat for the switching shaft 21, 22 is achieved. The reaching of the locking seat can be signaled by an acoustic sound, for example by a clip, the user.

But the locking members of the first type are also designed so that they do not affect a pivotal movement of the first and second switching shaft 21, 22. On the contrary, they form a pivot bearing for the respective selector shaft 21, 22 with.

Claims (14)

Device (10) for the at least indirect connection of a luminaire to a busbar (11), comprising a housing (38) for receiving at least one switching shaft (21, 22) which can be pivoted over a circumferential angular range and which comprises at least two housing shell parts (34a, 34b) is made of insulating material, in particular of plastic, characterized in that at least one first housing shell part (34b) a latching member (36a, 36b, 36c, 36d, 36e, 36f, 36g) is arranged, which with the switching shaft (21 , 22) and / or cooperates with a second housing shell part (34a). Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that a first type of locking member (36d, 36e, 36f, 36g) is provided which cooperates with the switching shaft (21, 22). Apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that the latching member (36d, 36e, 36f, 36g) of the first kind, the switching shaft (21, 22), in particular an outer circumferential surface of the switching shaft, at least partially surrounds. Apparatus according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that at least one pair of latching members (36f, 36g, 36d, 36e) of the first type is provided, which clasps the switching shaft (22). Device according to one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the at least one latching member (36d, 36e, 36f, 36g) of the first kind a latching position for the switching shaft (21, 22) provides, in which the shift shaft (34 b) is secured to the housing shell part. Apparatus according to claim 5, characterized in that the switching shaft (21, 22) in its latching position (Fig. 3) is pivotable. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a second type of locking member (36a, 36b, 36c) is provided which cooperates with the second housing shell part (34a). Apparatus according to claim 7, characterized in that a plurality of latching members (36a, 36b, 36c) of the second type are provided, which are arranged substantially in a region (53) of the edge of the first housing shell part (34b). Apparatus according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that on the second housing shell part (34a) at least one holding surface (50) is arranged, which cooperates with the latching member (36a, 36b, 36c) of the second kind. Apparatus according to claim 9, characterized in that the holding surface (50) in the region of an opening (51) in a wall of the housing shell part (34a) is arranged. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the latching member (36a, 36b, 36c, 36d, 36e, 36f, 36g) is integrally formed integrally with the housing shell part (34b). Claim according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the latching member (36a, 36b, 36c, 36d, 36e, 36f, 36g) is designed yielding. Claim according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the latching member (36a, 36b, 36c, 36d, 36e, 36f, 36g) is designed as a spring tongue. Claim according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the housing (38) consists essentially of two housing halves (34a, 34b), which are connected to each other via a film hinge (44).

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