EP2467548A1

EP2467548A1 - Guide rail for a sliding wall and method for operating a switch point in a guide rail

Info

Publication number: EP2467548A1
Application number: EP10744877A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Olaf LÜTTMANN; Arne Liebscher
Original assignee: Dorma Deutschland GmbH
Current assignee: Dorma Deutschland GmbH
Priority date: 2009-08-20
Filing date: 2010-08-03
Publication date: 2012-06-27
Anticipated expiration: 2030-08-03
Also published as: EP2467548B1; AU2010285293A1; WO2011020557A1; SG178256A1; DE102009038014A1; US8627621B2; US20120144627A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a guide rail for a sliding wall, comprising several sliding wall elements (5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10), in which each sliding wall element (5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10) is slidably seated on particularly two track carriages (3.1, 3.2), wherein the guide rail (1.1) can be connected to and/or separated from a diverging guide rail (1.2) by way of a switch point (1), which can be controlled by the track carriages (3.1, 3.2). The invention provides that for adjusting the switch point (1), at least one track carriage (3.1, 3.2) of a sliding wall element (5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10) assumes a position, which is arranged beyond the switch point (1).

Description

Title: Slide rail for a sliding wall and method for operating a switch in a track

description

The invention relates to a running rail for a sliding wall according to the preamble of claim 1. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for operating a switch in a running rail according to the preamble of claim 13. The sliding wall consists of several separate sliding wall elements, each sliding wall element usually two Carriage has, which engage in the track. In this way, the sliding wall element hangs in the running rail and is slid over the carriage in the running rail. To the sliding wall elements z. B. to set in a parking position, the running rail can be connected to a branch bar or separated from this, which is done via a switchable switch, which is operated by each carriage.

Such sliding wall elements are known as wing elements of horizontal and Faltschiebewänden that u. a. in the park or closed position. In the park position, the sliding wall elements are lined up side by side in a parking station as a wing package. In the closed position, the sliding wall elements along the rail track of the track between final walls or columns lined up and separate an indoor from an outdoor area.

If the sliding wall elements are moved into the parking position, then a carriage of a sliding wall element continues on the

Running track moves while the other carriage of the same sliding wall element is moved to the branch rail. To

BESTATIGUNGSKOPIE For this purpose, the running rail and the branch rail are connected via a switch.

From DE 100 24 580 A1 discloses a generic track rail is known, in which the switch when driving through the same is operated by a carriage. The carriage pushes while passing the switch against this and sets the track. Since the switch is also loaded by the force acting on the carriage weight of the sliding wall element, the carriage is subjected when driving through the Weichen with significant switching and / or holding forces, thereby increasing the driving resistance for the carriage.

Based on the aforementioned prior art, it is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a running rail for a sliding wall, which is inexpensive and easy to manufacture and at which the switching and / or holding forces are minimized when passing through the switch by the carriage or omitted entirely , Thus, a safe operation of the switch when driving through the carriage should be guaranteed.

The solution of the problem is achieved by the measures specified in claim 1 and / or claim 13, which have the following meaning. In the track rail according to the invention a completely new mode of operation of the switch is proposed. The adjustment of the switch takes place by at least one carriage of the sliding wall element, when this carriage is outside the expansion area of the switch. After that, the carriage first passes through the already operated switch without switching and / or holding forces occurring in the switch. As a result, mechanical wear of the carriage and turnout is minimized and a fluid movement of the carriage in the Running track or the branch rail guaranteed: The adjustment of the switch by the carriage outside the expansion area of the switch is possible according to the invention in both directions. Advantageously, the switch is designed as a simple switching element which is arranged between the running rail and the branch rail. The switching element is switched by means of a switching mechanism, with which it is rotatably connected. The shifting mechanism protrudes outside the turnout area in the direction of travel of the carriage. If the carriage moves in front of the points area on the track rail or the branch track rail, the carriage moves the switching mechanism, which in turn switches the switching element between the track rail and the branch track rail. The necessary to actuate the switching mechanism switching forces are reduced. In case of failure of the motor of a motor-driven carriage, the sliding wall elements can be manually moved from the parking position to a closed position and vice versa at any time.

In a structurally very simple possibility, the switching mechanism comprises a movably mounted pivoting lever. On the pivot lever at least one switching part is fixed, which protrudes in the direction of travel of the carriage and which is actuated by the carriage. Since the pivot lever is rotatably connected to the switching element representing the switch, the switching element is always adjusted when the switching part is actuated by the carriage.

It is optimal if the switching part is designed as a shift lever. In this case, two of these shift levers are arranged on the pivot lever, wherein a shift lever moves the switch in the direction of the track rail and the other shift lever, the switch in the direction branch line rail. Each shift lever is movable in both directions of travel of each carriage, so that the switching element via the shift lever both when retracting the Carriage in the parking position and during the extension of the carriage from the parking position of the sliding wall elements can be actuated. After the carriage has passed the shift lever, it assumes a rest position, from which it is driven again by the following carriage.

A particularly robust construction of the shift mechanism is achieved when the shift lever is biased to return to its rest position by a spring element. The carriage then has to expend only the force which is necessary to overcome the spring force in the operation of the shift lever. Since the spring force for returning the shift lever can be kept very low in its rest position and the switching mechanism is guided as such easily movable, only minimal switching forces must be applied to switch the switch by the carriage.

Conveniently, four shift lever are provided on the pivot lever, of which two shift lever in the direction of the running rail and the other two shift lever have in the direction of the branch rail. Thus, each pair of shift levers is provided for the track rail and the branch track rail. The first shift lever of each pair is moved by the carriage in its first direction of travel, while the second shift lever of each pair is activated by the carriage on its return, that is in a second direction of travel. This has the advantage that the direction of travel of a sliding wall element can be changed at any time. Even if only a part of the sliding wall has moved, for example, in the parking position in which the first carriage of the sliding wall element has passed the switch in the direction of branch rail and the second carriage of the same sliding wall element but is still positioned in front of the switch, located on the branch rail Carriage immediately take the opposite direction of travel and pass the switch in the direction of running rail. There- by the sliding wall elements are very flexible and also the control effort in electrically operated sliding wall elements is reduced significantly, so that a simple control can be used.

Since the two pairs of shifters switch the pivoting lever of the switching mechanism with which they are movably connected between two different states, it must be ensured that the pivoting lever remains in the once switched position, so that the switch maintains its position. Therefore, the pivot lever is positively biased. This ensures that the pivot lever assumes its two end positions stable.

Advantageously, the pivot lever for stable adjustment of its two end positions is biased by a spring. This spring presses the pivot lever in its respective end position. The carriage must overcome this spring force upon actuation of the shift lever on the pivot lever to move the pivot lever from the first end position to the second end position. In this case, the pivot lever automatically switches under the action of the spring force in the next end position when the pivot lever has covered approximately half the distance from the one end position to the second end position, with half of the distance is set by the displacement of the corresponding lever through the carriage back , This optimizes the shifting force which the carriage has to apply.

It is further provided that the two carriages, which move a sliding wall element, have different identifiers in the form of codes. The various identifiers are used to displace a switching element which corresponds to the identifications and which is attached to the switching mechanism. By means of the identifiers, the switching element detects whether the first carriage or the second carriage of a sliding wall element takes over the operation of the switch.

Preferably, the identifiers of the carriages are mechanically coded. Such a mechanical coding can for example take place in that the identifier is designed as a pin which is arranged on the carriage and dimensioned so that it can contact the switching element. The switching element is formed in a particularly robust and simple form as a leaf spring which at least partially encloses an axis of rotation. The axis of rotation connects the pivot lever and the switching element rotatably with each other. Since the leaf spring is firmly connected to the axis of rotation, the switching operation of a carriage is forwarded to the switching element serving as a switch. To come in contact with the carriage, each end of the leaf spring protrudes either in the direction of travel of the carriage on the running rail or in the direction of travel of the carriage on the branch rail. A leaf spring is a structurally simple to produce actuator, which nevertheless has sufficient stability to transmit the forces acting on the leaf spring switching forces on the switching element.

Particularly simple is the mechanical coding designed as a driver. These drivers in the form of surveys, z. B. pins, on the carriage are arranged at different positions of the carriage, which depend on the design of the switching element. In the case of the leaf spring as a switching element, the driver is positioned on the right side of the first carriage of a sliding wall element and the second carriage on the left side of the same sliding wall element or vice versa. In addition, it should be noted that the switching element can also be designed as a hub, with two turntables are required to operate the switch. The first turntable is in the direction the running rail oriented, while the second turntable points in the direction of the branch rail. Both turntables are connected to each other by a linkage and are actuated by the differently arranged drivers of the two carriages of a sliding change element.

Another development of the invention relates to a method according to claim 13 for actuating a switch in a running rail for a sliding wall consisting of several sliding wall elements. In this case, each sliding wall element is displaced in the running rail with the aid of in particular two carriages on which the sliding wall element is attached hanging. The track can be connected via a switch with a branch rail or separated from it. The switch is operated by a carriage. To reduce the switching and / or holding forces when driving through the switch, the switch is switched by the carriage before the carriage enters the switch. When driving through the switch thus no switching or holding forces occur, whereby a smooth passage of the switch is made possible by the respective carriage.

Preferably, a preceding carriage switches the switch for a subsequent carriage. Alternatively, a carriage switches the switch before the same carriage enters the turnout area. It is also conceivable that a carriage of the sliding wall element with drive and another without a drive for automatically moving or moving the sliding wall element has. Likewise, a sliding wall element may also have more than one or two carriages.

Technical features which are disclosed for the device according to the invention also apply to the method according to the invention and vice versa. Also, the inventive method can be carried out with the device according to the invention. Further measures and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the claims, the following description and the drawings. In the drawings, the invention is shown in several embodiments.

Show it:

Figure 1: schematic representation of the switch in a system with

Track and branch track,

2 shows a schematic illustration of the switch mechanism for the switch with a shift lever per track rail and branch rail, FIG. 3 shows a schematic illustration of the switch mechanism for the switch with a pair of shift levers per track rail and branch track rail;

FIG. 4: three-dimensional representations of the switching mechanism on the covered running rail and branch rail,

Figure 5: schematic representation of the switching mechanism with a

Leaf spring as a switching element and Figure 6: schematic representation of the switching mechanism with a

Turntable as switching element.

In Fig. 1, a running rail 1.1 is schematically shown, which is fixed to the ceiling of a room and which is split behind a switch 1 in a ne branch rail 1.2 and a rail section 1.3, wherein the rail section 1.3 represents an extension of the rail 1.1. The especially automatically movable Sliding wall elements 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 are shown on two runners not shown hanging on the branch rail 1.2 and the rail section 1.3 in its parking position. In this case, the sliding wall elements 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 are lined up parallel to each other, wherein the first carriage of a sliding wall element on the branch rail and the second carriage of the sliding wall element is on the rail section 1.3. As can be seen from Fig. 1, the sliding wall element 9 is moved out of its parking position. Another position of the sliding wall element is indicated by the reference numeral 9a. In this case, first traverses the one end of the sliding wall element 9, the switch 1, which on the rail section 1.3. was parked and pivots on the track 1.1. This is followed by the second end of the running rail 9, which was arranged on the branch rail 1.2. Both ends of the sliding wall element 9, that is, their two carriages, now pivot. on the running rail 1.1, on which there is already the sliding wall element 10 with its two carriages.

Fig. 2 shows in a first embodiment of the track rail according to the invention, as the switch 1 is provided by the carriage 3.1, 3.2. In the area of the switch 1, the running rail 1.1, or the running rail section 1.3 and the branch rail 1.2 are arranged. On the ceiling or on a panel of the track 1.1, a switching mechanism 2 is fixed, which has a pivot lever 2.1, which is rotatably connected via a rotational axis 2.2 with a switching element 2.3, which the track of the carriage 3.1, 3.2. in the direction of running rail 1.1 or rail section 1.3 or in the direction of the branch rail 1.2 releases or blocks. On the pivot lever 2.1 in the direction of branch rail 1.2, a first shift lever 2.1.a and in the direction of the rail section 1.3, a second shift 2.1.b is arranged. The attachment to the pivot lever 2.1 via an intermediate rod 2.5, wherein at each end of the intermediate rod 2.5 a Spring element 2.6 is arranged. Each spring element 2.6 is connected to a respective shift lever 2.1a and 2.1.b, wherein the spring element 2.6 pulls each switching element after actuation in a rest position. In the figures A and B of Fig. 2, the switching operation of the switch 1 is shown when the sliding wall elements 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 retract from the closed position to the parking position. Only a sliding wall element, which has the two carriages 3.1, 3.2, is considered, wherein, for example, one carriage is designed with an electric drive and the other carriage is designed without an electric drive and pushes or moves the first carriage. But it is also another variant possible in which a driven carriage pulls the second carriage. Fig. 2A shows the first carriage 3.1, the direction of travel is marked with the arrow F, the coming of the track 1.1 has already crossed the switch 1 and now outside the switch area actuates the shift lever 2.1.b, which projects into its track. By adjusting the shift lever 2.1.b moves the pivot lever 2.1 and pivots the switching element 2.3 in a direction opposite to the clockwise direction, whereby the rail section 1.3 is blocked. The shift lever 2.1.a is at this time in its rest position. The now following carriage 3.2 is guided due to this position of the switching element 2.3 in the direction of the branch rail 1.2, which can be seen from Fig. 2B. During pivoting into the branch rail 1.2, the second carriage 3.2 actuates the shift lever 2.1.a from its rest position, as a result of which the pivot lever 2.1 is moved again and moves the shifting element 2.3 via the rotation axis 2.2 operating as a shaft. This now moves in the opposite direction, which is in the clockwise direction and blocks the branch line Rail 1.2 for the subsequent first carriage 3.1 of the next sliding wall element, which is now pushed back in the direction of the rail section 1.3. 2C and 2D illustrate the operation of the switching mechanism 1, when the sliding wall elements 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 are moved from the parking position to the closed position. First, in FIG. 2C, the first carriage 3.1 of a sliding wall element 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 is moved, wherein the shift lever 2.1.b is moved from its rest position, whereby the switching element 2.3 is rotated in the clockwise direction and the way from the rail section 1.3 to the running rail 1.1 releases and the branch rail 1.2 locks. During this process, the shift lever is 2.1.a in its rest position. After the first carriage 3.1 has passed the switch 1 moves the parked in the branch rail 1.2 carriage 3.2 the shift lever 2.1.a, which has the consequence that the switching element 2.3 is rotated in a counterclockwise direction again and the branch rail 1.2 for passing the carriage 3.2 in the track 1.1 again releases (Fig. 2D).

This embodiment is comfortable only with a shift lever 2.1.a and 2.1.b per single rail 1.1 and 1.2.

In Fig. 3, a second embodiment of the invention is shown, in which on the pivot lever 2.1 per track rail, a pair of shift levers are arranged. Thus, the slide rail section 1.3, the shift lever 2.1.a.1 and 2.1.a.2 assigned, while the branch rail the shift lever 2.1.b.1 and 2.1.b.2 are assigned. The two pairs of shifter 2.1. a.1; 2.1. a.2 and 2.1. b.1, 2.1.b.2 are each connected via a linkage 2.5.a and 2.5.b with the pivot lever 2.1, wherein the pivot lever 2.1 is connected to the end, which is opposite to the axis of rotation 2.2 with a spring 2.4, the as a compression spring is trained. The task of the spring 2.4 is to ensure that the pivot lever has only two stable end states, which corresponds to the two different positions of the switching element 2.3. Fig. 3A shows the parking of a sliding wall element 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10. In this case, the first carriage 3.1, the switch 1 has already passed through and actuated in its further travel in the rail section 1.3 the shift lever 2.1.a.1, whereby the Switching element 2.3, the branch rail 1.2 released for the subsequent carriage 3.2 and the rail section 1.3 has locked. In Fig. 3B, the second carriage 3.2 has passed the switch 1 and is pivoted to the branch rail 1.2 and is now close to the operation of the shift lever 2.1.b.2, which in turn brings the switching element 2.3 in such a position that the Branch rail 1.2 locked and the rail section 1.3 is released for the first carriage 3.1 of the following sliding wall element.

Fig. 3C illustrates the extension of the sliding wall elements 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 from the parking position. The first carriage 3.1 a Schiebewand- element moves at its exit from the parking position, first the shift lever 2.1.a.2, which protrudes outside of the switch area in its infrastructure. As a result, the pivot lever 2.1 is moved from its first end position to its second end position and the switching element 2.3 releases the running rail 1.1 for the carriage 3.1, which can pass the switch 1 unhindered. In a next step, the second carriage 3.2 of the same sliding wall element, which was parked on the branch rail 1.2, moved. In Fig. 3D, the second carriage 3.2 is just before the operation of the shift lever 2.1.b.1. In this position, the switching element 2.3 still blocks the branching rail 1.2, which is released only by the actuation of the switching lever 2.1.b.2, whereby the switching element 2.3 is moved in the direction of the runner. nenabschnitt 1.3 pivoted and the way for the carriage 3.2 is released from the branch rail 2.1 to the track 1.1.

As already explained, for example, the second carriage 3.2 can be electrically driven. For this purpose, a first and a second busbar 1.4 and 1.5 are arranged in the running rail 1.1 and the branch rail 1.2, which contact the second carriage 3.2 and thereby supply him with electrical power. In Fig. 4 the disguised switch area of the track rail according to the embodiment of FIG. 3 is shown. Fig. 4A shows the pairs of the shift lever 2.1.a.1, 2.1.a.2 and 2.1. b.1, 2.1.b.2 in the position in which the switching element 2.3 has disconnected the connection between the running rail 1.1 and the running rail section 1.3. In Fig. 4B, the pairs of the shift lever 2.1. a.1, 2.1. a.2 and 2.1. b.1, 2.1. b.2 shown in the position in which the switching element 2.3 has the connection between the running rail 1.1 and the rail section 1.3 has released and the access to the branch rail 1.2 blocked. The points area is provided with a cover 4, which are mechanically connected to the switch 1 via connecting elements 4.1, which are designed as clamping elements. For this purpose, the cover has 4 brackets 4.2, in which the connecting element 4.1 is inserted.

Fig. 5 shows a third embodiment of the invention. The carriage 3.1 and 3.2 are mechanically coded here with a driver 2.7a and 2.7.b. In such a driver 2.7.a is a pin which is mounted on the carriage 3.1 on the left rear side outside, while the driver is 2.7.b on the second carriage 3.2 on the right rear side, ebenfall outside arranged (Fig. 5A). If the carriage 3.1 crosses the area of the switch 1, it operates outside the switch 1, one end of a leaf spring 2.8, which projects into the travel path of the carriage 3.1, with the aid of the driver 2.7.a. As can be seen from FIG. 5B, the leaf spring 2.8 is partially bent about the axis of rotation 2.2 and firmly connected thereto. The leaf spring 2.8 forms a solid unit with the pivoting lever 2.1 and the switching element 2.3, which are also rotatably connected to each other via the rotation axis 2.2. In this way, the leaf spring 2.8 in the operation of a carriage 3.1, 3.2 change the position of the switching element 2.3. Thus, the switching element 2.3 blocks the running track 1.3 after the first carriage 3.1 has passed the switch 1 and with its left driver 2.7.a the leaf spring has operated 2.8. Thus, the way for the second carriage 3.2 of the same sliding wall element 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 in the direction of the branch rail 1.2 free. Also, the second carriage 3.2 operated after passing the switch 1, the leaf spring 2.8, whereby the switching element 2.3 is set so that the subsequent first carriage 3.1 of the next sliding wall element 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 can pass through the switch 1 unhindered ,

When moving out of the parking position of the second carriage 3.2 drives first of the Auszeiglaufschiene 1.2 in the track 1.1, where he before driving through the switch 1 with its driver 2.7. b, the leaf spring 2.8 presses forward and thereby moves the switching element 2.3 in a position in which the switching element 2.3, the branch rail 1.2 releases and blocks the rail section 1.3. If the carriage 3.2 has reached the runner rail 1.1, it tows the carriage 3.1, which initially moves the leaf spring 2.8 forward in the direction of travel with its driver 2.7.b. As a result, the switching element 2.3 is switched back and gives the carriage 1.3 the way to the track 1.1 free. A fourth exemplary embodiment is shown in FIG. 6, in which the branch rail 1.2 and the rail section 1.3 are each assigned a turntable 2.1.C.1 and 2.1.C.2. The carriages 3.1 and 3.2 In this case too, mechanical drivers 2.7.a and 2.7.b, which actuate a driver cam, not shown further, on the turntable 2.1.C.1, 2.1.C.2, which in turn actuates a pivoting lever 2.1 on the switching mechanism 2 for actuation of the Switching element 2.3 moves. The turntables 2.1.C.1 and 2.1.C.1 are coupled to each other via a linkage 2.5. The linkage 2.5 causes that upon actuation of the turntable 2.1.C.1 clockwise, the second turntable 2.1.C.2 is moved counterclockwise, whereby the switching cam of the second turntable 2.1.C.2 is placed in such a position in that it can contact the carrier 2.7.b of the following carriage 3.2.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1 turnout

1.1 Track

1.2 branch track

1.3 track section

1.4 first busbar

1.5 second busbar

2 switching mechanism

2.1 Swivel lever

2.1.a shift lever

2.1. b shifter

2.1.a. .1 shifter

2.1.a. , 2 shifters

2.1. b. .1 shifter

2.1.b. , 2 shifters

2.1. c. 1 turntable

2.1. c. 2 turntable

2.2 rotation axis

2.3 switching element

2.4 spring

2.5 linkage

2.5.a linkage

2.5.b linkage

2.6 spring element

2.7.a first coded carrier

2.7.b second coded carrier

2.8 switching element / leaf spring

3.1 first carriage

3.2 second carriage

4 cover 4.1 connecting element

4.2 bracket

5 sliding wall element

6 sliding wall element 7 sliding wall element

8 sliding wall element

9, 9a sliding wall element 10 sliding wall element

Claims

Patent claims

1. Running rail for a sliding wall, which comprises several sliding wall elements (5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10), in which each sliding wall element (5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10) has in particular two carriages (3.1, 3.2 ) is slidably mounted, the running rail (1.1) being connectable or separable to a branch running rail (1.2) via a switch (1) which can be switched by the running carriages (3.1, 3.2), characterized in that at least one running carriage (3.1, 3.2) a sliding wall element (5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10) for adjusting the switch (1) occupies a position which is arranged outside the switch (1).

2. Running rail according to claim 1, characterized in that the switch (1) is designed as a switching element (2.3), which is connected to a switching mechanism (2) which is at least partially in the

Direction of travel of the carriage (3.1, 3.2) moving on the running rail (1.1) or the branch running rail (1.2.), whereby the switching mechanism (2) can be actuated by the carriage (3.1, 3.2), whereby the switching mechanism (2) attached switching element (2.3) moves between the running rail (1.1) and the branch running rail (1.2.).

3. Running rail according to claim 2, characterized in that the switching mechanism (2) has a movably mounted pivoting lever (2.1), which is non-rotatably connected to the switching element (2.3) and on which at least one switching part is for actuation by the carriage (3.1, 3.2). (2.1a, 2.1 b, 2.1.a.1 , 2.1.a.2, 2.1. b.1 , 2.1.b.2, 2.1.C.1 , 2.1.C.2) is attached.

4. Running rail according to claim 3, characterized in that the pivoting lever (2.1) has one pointing in the direction of the running rail (1.1) or the branch running rail (1.2), as a switching lever (2.1a, 2.1 b). trained switching part, which returns to its rest position after being moved by the carriage (3.1, 3.2).

5. Running rail according to claim 4, characterized in that the switching lever (2.1.a, 2.1.b) is loaded by a spring element (2.6) to return to its rest position.

6. Running rail according to claim 3, characterized in that for the running rail (1.1) and for the branch running rail (1.2) there are two, pointing in the direction of the same rail (1.1, 1.2), as switching levers

(2.1. a.1, 2.1.a.2; 2.1. b.1, 2.1.b.2) trained switching parts are arranged on the pivoting lever (2.1), the first switching lever (2.1.) assigned to each rail (1.1, 1.2). .a.1, 2.1.b.1) can be actuated by the carriage (3.1, 3.2) in a first direction of movement and the second switching lever (2.1.a.2, 2.1.b.2) assigned to each rail in a second Direction of movement of the same carriage (3.1, 3.2) can be actuated.

7. Running rail according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the pivoting lever (2.1) is non-positively biased to ensure a stable assumption of its two end positions.

8. Running rail according to claim 7, characterized in that the pivoting lever (2.1) is biased via a spring (2.4).

9. Running rail according to claim 2, characterized in that the two carriages (3.1, 3.2) of a sliding wall element (5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10) are coded differently, the coding being a switching element arranged on the switching mechanism (2). (2.8) can be switched.

10. Running rail according to claim 9, characterized in that the two carriages (3.1, 3.2) have different mechanical codings (2.7.a,

2.7. b) which actuate the switching element designed as a leaf spring (2.8), the leaf spring (2.8) partially surrounding a rotation axis (2.2) connecting the pivoting lever (2.1) and the switching element (2.3) and at least one end of the leaf spring (2.8). partially in the path of the carriage (3.1) moving on the running rail (1.1),

3.2.) protrudes, while the other end of the leaf spring (2.8) extends at least partially into the lane of the carriage (3.1, 3.2) moving on the branch running rail (1.2).

11. Running rail according to claim 10, characterized in that the mechanical coding is carried out by drivers (2.7a, 2.7b), which are located at different points on the two carriages (3.1, 3.2) of a sliding wall element (5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 ) are attached.

12. Running rail according to claim 3, characterized in that the switching part is designed as a turntable (2.1.C.1, 2.1.C.2) and a first turntable (2.1.C.1) in the direction of the running rail (1.1) and the second Turntable (2.1.C.2) points in the direction of the branch running rail (1.2), the first and second turntables (2.1.C.1, 2.1.C.2) being connected to one another via a linkage (2.5) and the turntables

(2.1.C.1, 2.1.C.2) can be actuated by the differently positioned drivers (2.7a, 2.7b) of the carriages (3.1, 3.2) of a sliding wall element (5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10).

13. Method for actuating a switch (1) in a running rail (1.1) for a sliding wall consisting of several sliding wall elements (5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10), in which each sliding wall element (5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10) is moved via in particular two carriages (3.1, 3.2) and the running rail (1.1) is connected to or separated from a branch running rail (1.2) via the switch (1), the switch (1) being separated from each carriage ( 3.1, 3.2) is switched, characterized in that that the switch (1) is switched and then the carriage (3.1, 3.2) moves into the switch (1).

14. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that a preceding carriage (3.1, 3.2) sets the switch (1) for a following one

Car (3.1, 3.2) switches.

15. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that the carriage (3.1, 3.2) switches the switch (1) before it itself enters the switch (1).