EP4323985A1

EP4323985A1 - Support device for supporting an electronic device within a receiving area for the support device

Info

Publication number: EP4323985A1
Application number: EP21720703.4A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Andreas RÖßL
Original assignee: SES Imagotag GmbH
Current assignee: Vusiongroup GmbH
Priority date: 2021-04-13
Filing date: 2021-04-13
Publication date: 2024-02-21
Also published as: WO2022218513A1; CN117223043A

Abstract

The invention relates to a support device (1), in particular a shelf track, for supporting a module (10), in particular an electronic device. The support device has an aligning wall (3) for aligning the module (10) inserted into the support device, and the aligning wall (3) has a length and a transverse extension which runs normal thereto, wherein the support device (1) is designed such that the module (10) inserted into the support device in an intended manner can be moved within the support device (1) in a manner corresponding to or along the transverse extension of the aligning wall (3) between a removal position and a holding position, in which the module (10) is aligned on the aligning wall (3), and the shape or cross-section of the support device (1) forms a removal opening at a distance to the aligning wall (3), said module only being removable from the support device through the removal opening in the removal position.

Description

title

Carrying device for carrying an electronic device within a receiving space of the carrying device.

description

technical field

The invention relates to a carrying device with a receiving space for receiving and holding a module that can be taken out of the receiving space again. The invention further relates to a module that is designed to be inserted into the receiving space of the carrying device and to be removed from this receiving space.

background

WO 2017/153481A1 discloses a module as an electronic display unit, which is also called "Electronic Shelf Label" or ESL for short and which is part of its fastening element, which is structurally integrated into the ESL and for fastening the ESL to a carrying device designed as a shelf rail serves, has a pin-shaped blocking element that can be retracted magnetically. The blocking element protrudes from the housing of the ESL and is used for locking into a groove or recess or a hole in the correspondingly designed shelf rail. With the blocking element, the ESL at the intended holding position in the shelf rail, which defines a receiving space through its shape, so that removal from the shelf rail, theft of the ESL, as well as its displacement along the shelf rail is reliably prevented a separate special tool that is brought into direct contact with the ESL, with the help of a magnetic field that can be generated by the special tool, so that the ESL can be removed from the shelf rail directly from the holding position. This is only possible for those people who have access to the special tool. However, the need for this special tool has proven to be a disadvantage in several respects because it is basically an additional piece to use when working with the ESLs on the shelf rail. This special tool is often lost or misplaced, leading to delays in changing or adjusting the positioning of the ESLs. In addition, the replacement of this special tool is associated with considerable logistical problems, because in the case of equipment with a strong permanent magnet, special delivery and transport conditions must be observed.

The invention has therefore set itself the task of providing an improved carrying device, an improved module and a system consisting of such a carrying device and at least one such module carried by the carrying device.

Summary of the Invention

This object is achieved by a carrying device according to claim 1. The subject of the invention is therefore a carrying device, in particular a shelf rail, for carrying a module, in particular an electronic device, wherein the carrying device has an alignment wall for aligning the module inserted into the carrying device and the alignment wall has a longitudinal extent and a transverse extent running normal thereto, wherein the carrying device is designed in such a way that the module used as intended in the carrying device can be moved within the carrying device corresponding to or along the transverse extent of the alignment wall between a removal position and a holding position in which the module is aligned on the alignment wall, and that the Shape or the cross-section of the carrying device forms a removal opening at a distance from the alignment wall, through which the module can only be removed from the carrying device starting from the removal position.

Furthermore, this object is achieved by a module according to claim 15. The object of the invention is therefore a module, preferably an electronic device, particularly preferably an electronic shelf display sign, which is designed to be carried by a carrying device, in particular shelf rails, wherein the carrying device has an alignment wall for aligning the module inserted into the carrying device and the alignment wall has a longitudinal extension and a transverse extension running normal thereto, the carrying device being designed in such a way that the module inserted into the carrying device as intended within the The carrying device can be moved corresponding to or along the transverse extent of the alignment wall between a removal position and a holding position in which the module is aligned on the alignment wall, and that the shape or the cross section of the carrying device forms a removal opening at a distance from the alignment wall, through which the module can only be removed from the carrying device starting from the removal position, the module having a first dimension which corresponds to the transverse extent of the alignment wall and which is greater than the We ite of the extraction opening and is smaller than the transverse extent of the alignment wall.

Furthermore, this object is achieved by a system according to claim 21. The object of the invention is therefore a system that has a carrying device according to the invention and at least one module according to the invention.

The measures according to the invention therefore have the advantage that the module can be removed from the carrying device without an additional special tool. In particular, no force has to be applied during removal that leads to elastic deformation or temporary change in shape of the carrying device in order to forcibly widen the removal opening in order to then be able to remove the module from the carrying device through the widened removal opening. With the present invention, the user only needs to know that the module cannot be taken directly from the holding position, but must first be brought into the removal position before he can remove the module from the carrying device. This makes working with the modules much easier, especially in a retailer's shop, where the carrying devices are implemented as shelf rails and sometimes thousands of electronic shelf displays are positioned as modules held on shelf rails, where the assembly of the shelf rails with the modules and/or the positioning of the modules on the shelf rails often has to be changed in a very short time.

In principle, the carrying device can be implemented in a variety of ways. For example, it can be a table display that can be set up on a counter or fixed there if necessary. It is also possible to design the support structure as a clothing tag that can be fixed there hanging on clothing. For the sake of the compact description of the invention, however, reference is primarily made below to a shelf rail as the preferred embodiment of the carrying device. The orientation of the carrying device and thus also the orientation of the module attached to it can also be arbitrary. For example, the carrying device can be made of a plastic or a composite material such as glass fiber reinforced plastic. A preferably non-magnetic or non-magnetizable metal, such as aluminum, can also be used.

Electronic devices with sensor units or sensors such as motion sensors, temperature sensors, light sensors and cameras, input devices such as rotary or push buttons, touch sensors, touch screens, output devices such as lighting, loudspeakers, printers, e.g. Thermal printers, or electronic display units, for example, implemented using Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) screens, Organic Light Emitting Diodes (OLED) screens, etc., or e-paper displays or called electrophoretic screens. A module can also be designed as a non-electronic module, such as a pure placeholder or a conventional (non-electronic) shelf rail sign, which e.g.

product and/or price information printed on a paper or plastic support, and the like.

If such a module is implemented as an electronic device, it can provide its function autonomously at the stopping position or be integrated into an electronic network.

A fully autonomous electronic device has its own power supply, such as a solar panel, removable battery, or rechargeable battery. The power supply can However, it can also be implemented using other measures, such as using Power-Over-WiFi technology, which can be used to supply energy over a greater distance using radio signals, or using NFC technology (NFC stands for Near- Field communication) or RFID technology (RFID stands for Radio Frequency Identification), with the help of which the power can be supplied directly to the carrying device over relatively short distances.

The communication technology supply of the electronic device, ie data and/or signal traffic to and from the device, can also be implemented differently. For example, each device can have its own radio module that enables communication according to a (at least de facto) standardized communication method (e.g. ZigBee, WiFi, WI_AN, etc. ...) or according to a proprietary communication method (e.g. disclosed in WO 2015/ 124197 A1). Each electronic device usually communicates with an access point to which it is assigned in terms of radio technology by prior registration. The usually several access points each supply a group of electronic devices and provide a connecting bridge to a server or a cloud-based management instance, where management software is run from where the actual control or query of the electrical devices is coordinated or takes place.

For the purpose of communication technology supply, possibly also for the purpose of supplying energy, however, a central supply device can also be provided for each carrying device, which supplies the electronic devices carried on the carrying device either with contact, i.e. by electrical lines (e.g. integrated into the carrying device), or contactless, i.e powered by capacitive or in particular inductive coupling (such as in the case of NFC or RFID). This supply device then forms the interface to one of the previously mentioned access points. In the case of wired coupling to the supply device, each electronic device can have corresponding contacts with which it can make contact with the lines, which are preferably integrated into the carrying device. In the case of contactless coupling to the supply device, each electronic device can have appropriate coupling means, such as Capacitance plate or inductance or coil with associated matching network and electronic circuit have.

Finally, she also mentions that the supply facilities can also be connected to a communication network by cable. The same applies to the energy supply, whereby a central power supply unit can be provided for the energy supply for a group of supply facilities, for example.

A holding position is to be understood as a position in which the module remains in relation to the carrying device without further action after it has been placed in or on the carrying device.

A removal position is to be understood as a position from which the module can be removed from the carrying device or removed from the carrying device.

Within the receiving space, the module in the holding position is positioned at least slightly offset in terms of location compared to the removal position.

The module and the carrying device are designed or matched to one another in such a way that the module can be moved between the removal position and the holding position. The module can therefore, for example, be displaceable or tiltable or pivotable. The mobility can be limited to a single type of movement, i.e. only displacement, for example, or it can also include or allow a sequence of several movements, such as tilting or tilting or panning and displacement. This results in at least one clear offset movement with which the module can be moved from the holding position to the removal position (possibly also backwards). The displacement of the module between the holding position and the removal position essentially takes place within the carrying device, ie within a receiving space which is delimited or defined by the shape of the carrying device and in which the module is accommodated.

These measures according to the invention allow persons in the know, such as sales staff or service technicians, who are instructed about the existence of the two positions and are aware that the module can only be removed from the carrying device via the removal position, a quick and uncomplicated Removal (e.g. for replacement, transport to a different position or maintenance of the modules), while unintentional or unauthorized removal of the module from the carrying device by other, i.e. uninitiated, persons is ruled out or largely prevented, because they usually do not have the necessary specialist knowledge.

Further, particularly advantageous configurations and developments of the invention result from the dependent claims and the following description.

The carrying device and the module can be designed or their designs can be coordinated in such a way that the mobility of the module from the holding position to the removal position (possibly and also vice versa) has to take place via several different movement processes or movement sequences in order to move the module from one position to another. The carrying device and the module can be designed in such a way or their design can be coordinated in such a way that, for example, an initial tilting movement and a subsequent displacement or, for example, an initial displacement and subsequent tilting of the module is necessary to move the module from the holding position to the removal position too moved.

However, the carrying device and the module are preferably designed in such a way or their designs are coordinated with one another in such a way that the module can only be moved from the holding position to the removal position by means of a substantially clear course of movement or a clear sequence of movements.

It should be noted that the movements of tilting and displacement mentioned by way of example can also occur superimposed, so that the module can or must be tilted and displaced simultaneously, for example, in order to reach the removal position. It is also possible that these movements have to take place in a defined value range of the relevant parameter, such as tilting the module between 25° and 30° and/or shifting the module by 3 and 7 mm in a specific direction. The (at least partial) superimposition of different movements or sequences can also structurally due to the dimensions or shape of the carrying device or the module.

In any case, one of the structural coordination of the configurations with one another can advantageously be carried out in such a way that the carrying device is configured in such a way that the width of the removal opening is smaller than the corresponding dimension (e.g. the height) of the module.

Targeted matching of the dimensions of the carrying device and the module to one another ensures that the module can be moved or shifted within the carrying device, i.e. in the receiving space between the two positions, namely the holding position and the removal position. The removal opening prevents the module, starting from the holding position, from moving away from the alignment wall due to its dimensions, i.e. the width of the removal opening, which is slightly smaller than the corresponding dimension of the module, which is referred to below as the height of the module , ie essentially normal to the alignment wall towards the removal opening, can be removed directly from the carrying device through the removal opening. Since the width of the removal opening is dimensioned somewhat too small in relation to the height of the module, the module is blocked at the edges of the removal opening, i.e. within the receiving space, during such a movement starting from the holding position or with an attempt to carry out such a movement is held.

The same applies, of course, when the situation is viewed the other way around, i.e. when the height of the module is chosen to be slightly larger than the width of the removal opening.

With regard to the removal opening, it should be noted that this can be formed, for example, by rods or strips delimiting it, which run at a distance from one another and at the respective distance from the alignment wall essentially parallel to the alignment wall, specifically parallel to the longitudinal extent.

However, it has proven to be advantageous if the carrying device itself delimits the removal opening in a defined manner by its shape. It is therefore particularly advantageous that the carrying device has at least two boundary walls, namely a first boundary wall and a second boundary wall, and the boundary walls enclose the alignment wall on both sides along the longitudinal extent of the alignment wall and run essentially transversely to the alignment wall, in particular forming a C-profile together with the alignment wall, the removal opening being bounded by the free ends of the boundary walls.

In this context, it should be mentioned that the meaning of "transverse" should be understood in such a way that the boundary walls do not necessarily have to be oriented at an angle of 90° to the alignment wall, but also at a different angle, i.e. running obliquely towards one another or can also be curved towards one another.

It has proven to be particularly advantageous if the free ends of the boundary walls are oriented towards one another. These free ends form the edges of the carrying device in the form of lips and thus limit the removal opening in the shape of a lip, with the receiving space opening from the removal opening in the direction of the alignment wall, which has a greater width, i.e. the width of the removal opening between the lips.

According to a further aspect of the invention, the first boundary wall has a module-receiving groove adjacent to the alignment wall, which groove runs parallel to the longitudinal extension of the alignment wall and is designed for partially receiving the module in the removal position. This module-receiving groove allows the module to be displaced away from the holding position and towards the removal position.

In the holding position, the module completely covers the width of the removal opening viewed from the receiving space. If the module has a screen, for example, then this is essentially unimpaired by the edges of the removal opening. The screen is therefore bordered by the edges of the removal opening on opposite screen edges. However, if the module is sunk in the module-receiving groove, that edge of the screen located adjacent to the module-receiving groove is positioned inwardly in the receiving space, offset behind the edge of the carrying device that delimits the removal opening, and is covered by this edge of the carrying device. The module receiving groove is preferably separated from one of the edges of the carrying device by a step, which delimits the removal opening, as seen from the bottom of the groove. The effect of this step is that the module or the edge of the module that is closest to the step before the module can enter the module-receiving trough must be displaced by the step width towards the alignment wall. Before moving from the holding position to the removal position, the module or a part of the module must be moved towards the alignment wall so that the module is no longer prevented from moving further by the step.

The module-receiving groove is particularly preferably designed in such a way that a module can be immersed with its first side (e.g. its lower side wall) so deeply into the module-receiving groove that the opposite side (e.g. its upper side wall) of the module the removal opening can be swung out. The module receiving groove has a depth that allows the module to immerse itself so deeply with its one side wall, as in the present example the lower side wall, that the other side wall, in the present example the upper side wall, under that edge of the Carrying device can dive through, which limits the removal opening there adjacent to the upper side wall.

It can only be removed from the removal opening when the module has been moved from the holding position to the removal position in a manner corresponding to the transverse extent, for example essentially parallel to the alignment wall. As discussed, this movement or displacement results in one of the edges of the module, which would otherwise be trapped within the support at its edge defining the ejection opening, now being brought into the clearance of the ejection opening and the module with this edge ahead can be pivoted or tilted out of the receiving space or receiving area and can be completely removed from the receiving space through the removal opening. The distance of the removal position in relation to the holding position should therefore be selected in such a way that the module is moved far enough in relation to the edges of the removal opening so that it can be easily moved out of the removal opening in the removal position. In this context, it should also be noted that the movement order or sequence discussed for removal is that which is used in reverse order for inserting the module into the carrying device. The removal position is therefore the same as the insertion position that the module assumes or into which the module is brought when it is inserted into the carrying device.

However, the preceding discussions regarding the geometry of the carrying device do not necessarily mean that the module always has to lie against the alignment wall in the holding position, possibly also in the removal position. The actual facts can be affected by the shape and/or the dimensions of the interior of the carrying device, which forms the receiving space of the carrying device and which is used to hold the module and which is limited by the shape of the carrying device, and/or the shape and/or the Dimensions of the module, especially its thickness arise. These parameters can, for example, also be dimensioned in such a way that the module can also move in the transverse direction normal to the orientation wall within the accommodation space.

The width of the removal opening can be adapted to the height of the front wall of the module or vice versa. This is advantageous when the module forms a shelf rail display and the front wall is essentially formed by a screen and this screen is to be unhinderedly visible through the carrying device in the holding position.

Unaffected by this, such a module can have further structural measures, such as one or more lips on the (upper and/or lower) side wall, which mean that the module cannot be removed directly from its holding position through the removal opening, as discussed .

Finally, with regard to the width of the removal opening, it should be stated in general that this is selected taking into account the dimensions of the front wall of the module used in the carrying device and the functionality or movement sequences discussed above so that the front wall is clearly and unhindered visible.

According to a further aspect of the invention, which can also be seen as an independent subject matter of the invention, the Carrying device has at least one first automatic positioning means, with the help of which a module used as intended in the carrying device can be automatically positioned in the holding position. This automatic positioning means can be implemented, for example, with the help of one or more springs, which act on one side of the inserted module, for example supported on the carrying device itself, for example supported on the bottom of the module-receiving groove slide or press the module into the holding position. Analogously, a leaf spring or the like can also be positioned at the locations mentioned and achieve this effect.

In principle, the same can also apply to the module. According to a further aspect of the invention, the module can therefore have at least one second automatic positioning means, with the aid of which a module which has been inserted into the carrying device as intended can be automatically positioned in the holding position. This second automatic positioning means can also be designed analogously to that of the carrying device. However, it is localized in the module. Preferably, the second automatic positioning means is located in an edge area (e.g. in the area of the lower side wall) of the module which is furthest away from the edge area (e.g. in the area of the upper side wall) closest to the holding position.

In a system of support and module, the first automatic positioning means can be provided without the second automatic positioning means and vice versa. However, both automatic positioning means can also be provided together.

According to a further aspect of the invention, which can also be seen as an independent subject matter of the invention, the first automatic positioning means is formed by at least one first magnetic force positioning means, with the aid of which a module inserted as intended in the carrying device with the aid of a magnetic force acting between the module and the carrying device Force can be automatically positioned in the holding position.

In the case of a solution based on attractive magnetic interaction, it is necessary for the module to be equipped accordingly. Therefore, it has proven to be particularly advantageous that the second Automatic positioning means is formed by at least one second magnetic force positioning means. This is preferably located in an edge area of the module, particularly preferably in the area of the rear wall or adjacent to the rear wall of the module, the rear wall being intended for aligning the module with the alignment wall.

This ensures that a module located in the insertion position (or in the removal position), which was positioned there with the hand of a person and released there, automatically, i.e. without the intervention of the person previously handling the module, solely by the attracting magnetic force is pulled into the holding position, moves there and, of course, once it has arrived there, it is magnetically fixed with equal force, because when approaching the holding position, the distance between the magnetically attractive interacting means was of course reduced until there is a minimum distance in the holding position . Accordingly, when the holding position is reached, the maximum magnetic holding force is present. The positioning of the magnetic force positioning means in the area of the rear wall of the module also ensures that the rear wall of the module is automatically aligned with the alignment wall.

In contrast to the previously discussed solutions based on spring force, e.g. caused by spiral springs, the solution based on magnetism has the advantage that the maximum attraction force is present at the holding position, because there is the minimum distance between the magnetically attractive interacting elements, whereas in the spring-based solution, the respective spring has the lowest spring force in the holding position, because the spring is already most relaxed there.

In principle, the first magnetic force positioning means could be realized by one or more permanent magnets, which are used, for example, distributed equidistantly along the longitudinal extension of the carrying device.

However, it is preferably provided in the carrying device that the first magnetic force positioning means is realized by a magnetizable material.

In order to fix the holding position in the carrying device, it has proven to be particularly advantageous if the magnetizable material is locally localized, preferably in the form of a strip of material, particularly preferably in the form of a ferromagnetic metal bar. The position of the strip of material or metal rail essentially defines the holding position along the transverse extension to which the set of magnets arranged in the module is attracted.

Advantageously, the localized magnetisable material, in particular the ferromagnetic metal strip, is located at an edge region of the alignment wall, preferably along the length of the alignment wall, more preferably along the entire length of the alignment wall. On the one hand, this ensures that there are no restrictions with regard to the positionability of the module along the longitudinal extent. On the other hand, the module inserted into the carrying device is automatically conveyed as far as possible to the edge area of the receiving space and there, possibly in cooperation with the boundary wall running adjacent to it, not only positioned reliably but also oriented or aligned against two inner wall areas of the carrying device.

However, the automatic positioning or alignment of the module in the receiving space can also be achieved without the contacting interaction of the module with the boundary wall, namely solely by a magnetic force-based alignment of the module, which results from suitable positioning of at least two magnets in the module. The two magnets align the module so that each of them is at a minimum distance from the first magnetic force positioning means of the carrying device. For this purpose, the strip of material or the metal rail is preferably also positioned at a sufficient distance from the boundary wall along the alignment wall.

In order to obtain the best possible automatic positioning and also alignment, it has proven to be particularly advantageous for the first magnetic force positioning means to be integrated essentially flush into an inner surface of the carrying device, in particular into the alignment wall. This prevents the module from tilting or getting caught during its automatic positioning or alignment caused by magnetic force. In particular in the case of a configuration of the magnetizable material in the form of a wire, strip or rail, it has proven to be advantageous for the alignment wall to have a receiving shaft in which the first magnetic force positioning means is inserted. This allows easy installation and a reliable and reproducible determination of the position of the magnetizable material.

On the module side, it has proven to be advantageous that the second magnetic force positioning means is implemented by at least one permanent magnet. This permanent magnet may be positioned in the backplane or adjacent thereto within the housing of the module.

The at least one second magnetic force positioning means is preferably formed by two permanent magnets which are located at a distance from one another along a rear wall of the module. This measure increases the magnetic force of attraction, which favors automatic positioning, and also improves the automatic alignment of the module within the support, as has already been pointed out.

According to a further aspect of the invention, the module has a rear wall which has at least two rear wall orientations which differ from one another. The rear wall preferably has a first rear wall section, which runs essentially parallel to a front wall of the module, and a second rear wall section, which is oriented inclined from the first rear wall section towards the front wall, and the two rear wall sections along a (in particular straight line) running) dividing line meet, which runs parallel to the longitudinal extent of the alignment wall when the module is intended to be carried by the carrying device. This configuration has the advantage that a module held in the holding position, in which the first rear wall section is held flat on the alignment wall, e.g first rear wall section lifts off the alignment wall. As a result, the holding force of the magnetic interaction through Clearance buildup to the alignment wall is reduced and the module is easier to move from the holding position to the unloading position.

The ratio of the dimensions of the respective rear wall sections, measured in the direction corresponding to or parallel to the transverse extension of the alignment wall, can be chosen such that the second rear wall section is shorter than the first rear wall section. In this way, the structure of the rear wall sections can be used as a kind of translation to overcome the magnetic force, whereby a movement at one end of the module is translated into a larger movement at the opposite end of the module and there a correspondingly large distance between the first and second Magnetic force positioning means is obtained.

The tilting movement is made possible by an appropriate configuration (e.g. dimension and shape) of the receiving space adjacent to one (e.g. upper) end and the other (e.g. lower) end of the module. Specifically, the distance between the lip of the support adjacent to or bounding the module-receiving groove and the alignment wall of the support is slightly greater than the thickness of the module at that end of the module. The depth of the module-receiving groove allows, at this end of the module, a non-contact tilt away from said lip toward the alignment wall relative to the bottom of the module-receiving groove.

At the other end of the module, which is located adjacent to the other lip of the support, the inner wall of the receiving area is formed such that the portion of the module there can easily move away from the alignment wall towards that lip during the tilting movement, i.e. at the If possible, the inner wall does not rub or cant or get caught there.

If the carrying device is designed with a step between the module-receiving groove and the removal opening, this tilting movement also causes the part of the module previously located above the step (in the example discussed, the lower side wall or the rib or Bar) is moved over the edge of the stage, which allows the module to be moved from the holding position to the removal position. According to a further aspect of the invention, the carrying device is designed such that the module used as intended in the carrying device can be at least partially, in particular completely, removed from the alignment wall in a direction normal to the alignment wall and positioned in an intermediate position. This intermediate position is characterized in that the magnetic attraction force is reduced due to the increased distance from the alignment wall compared to the holding position such that the module can be displaced along the carrying device in the longitudinal direction of the carrying device without being removed from the removal opening. The module can slide along the lips of the carrying device.

In this position, too, removal from the removal opening is not possible because the intermediate position differs from the removal position and in the intermediate position the module is blocked with regard to movement in the direction normal to the alignment wall by those edges of the carrying device bordering the removal opening .

These and other aspects of the invention result from the figures discussed below.

Character brief description

The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the attached figures using exemplary embodiments, to which the invention is not limited, however. The same components are provided with identical reference symbols in the various figures. They show in a schematic way:

1A shows a carrying device according to the invention designed as a shelf rail;

1B shows a module according to the invention designed as a display unit; Fig. 2 - Fig. 5 show the display unit in different positions in the shelf rail;

Figure 6 is a perspective view of two display units in different positions on the shelf rail;

Fig. 7A is a sectional view of the display unit; 7B shows a further sectional illustration of the display unit; 8A shows a further exemplary embodiment of a module according to the invention, designed as a display unit, and a carrying device according to the invention, designed as a shelf rail;

8B shows another illustration of the display unit and the shelf rail;

9-11 a further exemplary embodiment of a module according to the invention, designed as a display unit and a carrying device according to the invention, designed as a shelf rail, with the display unit being located in different positions in the shelf rail;

12 shows a further representation of the shelf rail and the display unit with exemplary dimensions and exemplary proportions.

Description of the exemplary embodiments

FIG. 1A shows a carrying device designed as a shelf rail 1, which is designed to carry a display unit 10 shown in FIG. 1B. The shelf rail 1 has an alignment wall 3 . Furthermore, the shelf rail 1 has a first boundary wall 4 and a second boundary wall 5 . The shelf rail 1 is made from a non-magnetic, dimensionally stable material such as plastic or aluminum and is designed in one piece, so that the first and second boundary walls 4 , 5 each merge into the alignment wall 3 .

At the end of the boundary walls 4, 5, the cross section of the shelf rail 1 has a first nose 6 and a second nose 7, which extend essentially along the entire shelf rail 1 as a continuous lip. The first lug 6 forms the end of the first boundary wall 4 and the second lug 7 forms the end of the second boundary wall 5. The shape of the shelf rail 1 corresponds in its cross section or in the lateral view, as shown in Figure 1A, a C profile. Between the first lug 6 and the second lug 7 there is a removal opening 8 along the shelf rail, through which a display unit 10 is inserted into the shelf rail 1 or the inserted display unit 10 can be removed. The inner walls of the shelf rail 1 thus delimit a receiving space that is open in the direction of the removal opening 8 . The accommodation space serves to accommodate the display unit 10.

Whether the shelf rail 1 is open or closed at its left or right edge or end is a question of the respective design or installation and does not relate to the invention discussed here. When using the shelf rail 1 in a shop, for example, the display unit 10 is usually inserted through the removal opening 8 or removed from there. If the shelf rail 1 is open at the side, the display unit 10 can of course also be pushed into the shelf rail 1 there or pushed out of the shelf rail there, but this is irrelevant for the discussion of the invention of this patent application and is only mentioned here for the sake of completeness .

The first boundary wall 4 is formed in such a way that it has a module-receiving groove 9, which also extends essentially along the entire length. The module receiving groove 9 delimits or defines a pivoting range for the display unit 10 and is dimensioned in such a way that part of the display unit 10 can be received and pivoted in it.

The first boundary wall 4 also has a step 23 which rises from the bottom of the module-receiving groove 9 towards the first lug 6 and forms an intermediate level between the bottom of the module-receiving groove 9 and the outer edge of the first lug 6 .

FIG. 1A also shows a metal rail 2, which forms a first magnetic force positioning means for magnetic force-based automatic positioning. The metal rail 2 is positioned in that area of the shelf rail 1 in which the alignment wall 3 transitions into the second boundary wall 5 . For receiving the metal rail 2, the alignment wall 3 has a receiving shaft 20 which extends essentially along the entire longitudinal extension and in which the metal rail 2 is inserted or clamped. Furthermore, the second boundary wall 5 has a beveled positioning strip 21 which extends essentially along the entire length and which holds the metal rail 2 in position in the receiving shaft 20 . Furthermore, the second boundary wall 5 has a deflection groove 22 that extends essentially along the entire length, into which an edge region of the display unit 10 can deflect.

The back of the shelf rail 1 is not discussed further in the present case. It should only be mentioned at this point that it can be designed to be connected to another part of the shelf, e.g. to a part of the shelf base.

The module that fits the shelf rail 1 is shown as a display unit 10 in FIG. 1B. The display unit 10 has a front wall 18 which has a screen 19 which is integrated into the front wall 18 and thus forms part of this front. The screen 19 is designed as an e-paper screen.

The display unit 10 has electronics 26 arranged inside it (see also Figures 7A and 7B), which controls or supplies the screen 19 and provides other functions, such as radio communication with an access point, which, however, is not described in this patent application further received.

The display unit 10 has a rear wall 13 . The rear wall 13 consists of a first rear wall section 14 and a second rear wall section 15 , the first rear wall section 14 running essentially parallel to the front wall 18 . The second rear wall section 15 is inclined towards the front wall 18 in comparison to the first rear wall section 14 , in the illustrated exemplary embodiment inclined by approximately 9° towards the front wall 18 . As a result, the display unit 10 can be tilted around the area in which the first rear wall section 14 merges into the second rear wall section 15 . The dividing line between these rear wall sections 14 and 15 is designed as a straight line and represents a tilting edge. The display unit 10 can be tilted about this tilting edge when its rear wall 13 is on one level (e.g. the alignment wall 3).

Furthermore, the display unit 10 has two magnets 12A and 12B (see also FIGS. 7A and 7B), which have a second

Form magnetic force positioning means for magnetic force-based automatic positioning of the display unit 10 in the shelf rail 1. the Magnets 12A, 12B are located inside the display unit 10 on the rear wall 13 along an edge of the display unit 10 near the corners of the housing, ie at the greatest possible distance from one another. However, they can also be in other positions, but positioned at a distance from one another.

As can be seen in Figure 1B, the display unit 10 has a first side wall 24 and a second side wall 25 which connect the rear wall 13 and the front wall 18 at diametrically arranged positions (opposite ends of the display unit 10). The first side wall 24 includes a first ledge 16 located proximate to the front wall 18 . A second strip 17 is formed on the opposite side wall 25, which essentially ends flat with the rear wall 13 or connects to it. The distance between the first bar 16 and the second bar 17 is greater than the distance between the first lug 6 and the second lug 7.

To clarify the direction information, a coordinate system is also shown, the orientation of which can be seen in a perspective, particularly in FIG. This is a right-handed (orthogonal) coordinate system, with the x-direction running parallel to the longitudinal extension of the alignment wall 3, i.e. also parallel to the longitudinal extension of the shelf rail 1 in the plane of the drawing, the y-direction parallel to the transverse extension of the alignment wall 3 in the and the z-direction is normal to the alignment wall 3 in the plane of the drawing. The y-direction points from the region of the alignment wall 3 which is adjacent to the first boundary wall 4 to the region of the alignment wall 3 which is adjacent to the second boundary wall 5 . The z-direction points from the alignment wall 3 in the direction of the removal opening 8.

Subsequently, the insertion of the display unit 10 into the shelf rail 1 and the removal of the display unit 10 from the shelf rail 1 is discussed. For this purpose, different positions for the display unit 10 are shown in FIGS. 2 to 4 during the insertion process or the insertion movement and in reverse order during the removal process or the removal movement. For the sake of clarity, some reference symbols have been omitted from the visualization. As shown in FIG. 2, the insertion of the display unit 10 is started by holding the display unit 10 with the hand of a person (not shown) with the lower end of the display unit 10 first, i.e. with the first bar 16 first, into the module -Accommodating groove 9 is used, while at the same time the upper end (i.e. the second strip 17) is still held forward out of the shelf rail 1. The display unit 10 is thus oriented inclined away from the alignment wall 3 with respect to the latter. The first strip 16 is placed on the bottom of the module-receiving groove 9, ie positioned below the step 23. In this position and orientation, the display unit 10 can subsequently be inserted or introduced into the receiving space.

As shown in FIG. 3A, the pivoting area in the module receiving groove 9 is used to move the second strip 17 past the second nose 7 into the receiving space, i.e. through the removal opening 8, until the second rear wall section 15 is aligned with the alignment wall 3. In this position, the second rear wall section 15 is aligned parallel to the alignment wall 3 and abuts the alignment wall 3 . In this position, the display unit is in the insertion position, the insertion position being de facto identical to a removal position.

Once in the insertion position, the user can let go of the display unit 10 and the display unit 10 is automatically drawn further into the receiving space of the shelf rail 1 with the help of the attractive magnetic force that acts between the two magnets 12A and 12B and the metal rail 2 and there in a Holding position, which is shown in Figure 4, aligned and fixed. As mentioned, this final sequence of movements takes place automatically without any manual intervention on the part of the user. During this course of movement, the first rear wall section 14 tilts against the alignment wall 3 while at the same time the second rear wall section 15 is lifted away from the alignment wall 3 . Substantially at the same time there is a movement parallel to the alignment wall 3 towards the second boundary wall 5 until the final holding position is reached. During this course of movement, the distance between the magnets 12A and 12B on the one hand and the metal rail 2 on the other hand is continuously reduced and the attractive magnetic effect increases in the process until it Maximum reached in the holding position in which the minimum distance between the magnets 12A, 12B and the metal rail 2 is present.

In the present case, the movement towards the second boundary wall 5 is limited by the inner wall profile of the second boundary wall 5 and its interaction with adjacent areas of the display unit 10 .

In this holding position, the first rear wall section 14 is aligned parallel to the alignment wall 3 and lies against it.

If a person unfamiliar with the system now tries to remove the display unit 10 from the shelf rail 1 and moves it instinctively in the z direction away from the alignment wall 3, the first bar 16 on the first lug 6 is blocked. As a result, the display unit 10 tilts around the contact point of the first bar 16 with the first lug 6 so that the second bar 17 moves towards the second lug 7 and is blocked by the second lug 7 there. In this position, the shape of the adjacent inner area of the nose 7 prevents a movement in the positive y-direction. In addition, in this position the step 23 prevents a movement of the display unit 10 in the negative y-direction. The display unit 10 is thus in a blocking position shown in FIG. The display unit 10 is caught in this blocking position and cannot be removed from the shelf rail 1 through the removal opening 8 and cannot be moved up or down even if it is pulled further. Only a movement backwards into the receiving space is possible, which, however, leads directly to an increase in the magnetic force of attraction, which in turn leads to positioning in the holding position, because the increase in the magnetic force of attraction takes place very quickly, so that when the display unit 10 is released, this hardly occurs or not at all cannot be compensated by the person holding the display unit 10 by hand.

As can be seen in FIG. 5, the dimensions of the shelf tickets 1, in particular the removal opening 8, and the display unit 10 are matched to one another in such a way that removal from the blocked position through the removal opening without damage is impossible. If the display unit 10 is released again in the blocking position, it moves—as already mentioned—on its own, ie automatically returns to the holding position under the magnetic force (see Figure 4).

In order to remove the display unit 10 from the shelf rail 1 without destroying it, the sequence of movements discussed in connection with the insertion must essentially be carried out in reverse order. For this purpose, starting from the holding position shown in Figure 4, by gently pressing on the front wall 18 of the display unit 10 in the area in which the rear wall 13 is formed from the second rear wall section 15, the display unit 10 can be tilted so that the second rear wall section 15 is pressed against the alignment wall 3. During this movement, the magnets 12A, 12B are moved away from the metal strip 2 and the magnetic attraction force acting between them is thus reduced. Since there has not yet been any movement in the negative y-direction, the display unit 10 tilts with the second bar 17 against the second nose 7. The display unit is then in an intermediate position shown in FIG. 3B. In the intermediate position, as in the removal position, the display unit 10 rests with the second rear wall section 15 on the alignment wall 3 . The first bar 6 is pivoted away from the stage 23. Subsequently, the tilted display unit 10, starting from the intermediate position, can be moved in the negative y-direction along the alignment wall 3 until the first bar 16 rests against the first boundary wall 4, specifically on the bottom of the module receiving groove 9. and the display unit 10 is in the removal position shown in Figure 3A. In this position, the second bar 17 can be moved past the second nose 7 .

Starting from the removal position, the display unit 10 can now be tilted into the position shown in FIG.

In FIG. 6, a first display unit 10A is in the holding position in the shelf rail 1, while a second display unit 10B located behind it is in a position in which it has been pivoted or tilted out through the removal opening 8. This is shown in perspective. In FIG. 7A, the display unit 10 is shown in a side view, the wall of the display unit 10 being shown in section so that the electronics 26 and one of the two magnets 12B can be seen.

It can be clearly seen here that the magnets 12A and 12B are inserted or held in holders, e.g. are pressed in or glued in there.

In FIG. 7B, the display unit 10 is shown with a view of the rear wall 13, with part of the first rear wall section 14 being shown in section in order to reveal a part of the electronics 26 and the two magnets 12A and 12B. It can be clearly seen here that the magnets 12A and 12B are arranged almost in the corners of the display unit 10 at the upper edge. This positioning favors the automatic magnetic force-based alignment of the display unit 10 in the shelf rail 1 in the holding position. This leads to an optimal alignment of the display unit 10 as parallel as possible to the longitudinal extent of the shelf rail 1, so that display units 10 arranged next to one another or modules in general can also be placed perfectly aligned in the shelf rail 1 without offset to one another and without deviating orientation from one another. As a result, a perfect and tidy appearance is obtained, which is very important not only to the operator of a business premises, such as a supermarket, but also to the customers who frequent it.

Figures 8A and 8B show a further exemplary embodiment of a display unit 10 and an associated shelf rail 1, in which the display unit 10 and the shelf rail 1 do not require magnetic force positioning means, but their geometry which is coordinated with one another remains in the present orientation of the system made up of carrying device 1 and display unit 10 forms a coordinated system of automatic positioning means. The orientation of the shelf rail 1 is selected so that the display unit 10, when it is released, from the insertion position and from the removal position, which are identical, falls into the receiving space by itself, i.e. automatically, only under the influence of gravity and transported there to the holding position.

The shelf rail 1 and in particular the alignment wall 3 is slightly inclined in this embodiment with respect to the gravitational acceleration, whose direction is indicated by an arrow 27 aligned. The shelf rail 1 can assume this inclination, for example, at the front edge of a shelf. Advantageously, the center of gravity 28 is located closer to the second bar 17 than to the first bar 16 in the physical display unit 10 .

The insertion process and the removal process are essentially equivalent to the aforementioned exemplary embodiment. Here, too, the display unit 10 can be placed manually by a user with the first bar 16 in the module receiving groove 9 . The user can then pivot the display unit 10 in the module receiving groove 9 until the second rear wall section 15 rests on the alignment wall 3 . The display unit 10 and the shelf rail 1 are matched to one another in such a way that the display unit 10 moves independently, ie automatically, into the holding position when it is released in this position. Here, too, the holding position is that in which the first rear wall section 14 rests against the alignment wall 3 or is aligned by the alignment wall 3, as can be seen in FIG. 8B.

This movement occurs automatically under the influence of gravity, preferably because of the position of the center of gravity 28 .

For removal, the front wall 18 can now be pressed gently in that area in which the rear wall is formed from the second rear wall section 15 in order to tilt the display unit 10 . The display unit 10 can now be displaced along the alignment wall 3, essentially counter to the acceleration of gravity, until the display unit 10 reaches the removal position from which the display unit 10 can be removed from the shelf rail 1.

However, if, starting from the holding position, the display unit 10 is simply pulled, i.e. it is only pulled away from the alignment wall 3 in the direction of the removal opening 8, it catches on the two lugs 6 or 7 and cannot be passed through the removal opening 8 .

FIGS. 9 to 11 schematically show a further exemplary embodiment of the display unit 10 and the shelf rail 1, the insertion and removal process being essentially equivalent to the insertion and removal process of that illustrated in FIGS. 1A to 5 embodiment is. In contrast to the exemplary embodiment mentioned at the beginning, the step 23 is dispensed with here (in the exemplary embodiment in FIGS. 9 to 11). The module-receiving groove 9 is enlarged accordingly and the inner wall of the shelf rail 1 is curved in the area of the module-receiving groove 9 so that the display unit 10 can slide with the first strip 16 in the module-receiving groove 9 .

Furthermore, the shelf rail 1 shown here has a mounting structure for mounting the shelf bills 1 on a shelf.

In FIG. 9, the display unit 10 is shown in a position equivalent to that in FIG.

In FIG. 10A, the display unit 10 is shown in a position equivalent to that in FIG. 3A.

In FIG. 10B, the display unit 10 is shown in a position equivalent to that in FIG. 3B.

In FIG. 11, the display unit 10 is shown in a position equivalent to that in FIG.

In the blocking position (which is also equivalent here to the blocking position shown in FIG. 5), the first strip 16 and that area of the first side wall 24 that is located near the front wall 18 are in contact with the first lug 6. This contact prevents the display unit 10 from moving out of the blocking position in the negative y-direction. The task of stage 23, namely restricting the mobility of display unit 10 (particularly in the y-direction), can also be performed by other coordinated components of display unit 10 and shelf rail 1, as shown in this exemplary embodiment.

The shelf rail 1 and the display unit 10 can be matched to one another in such a way that the tolerance during the insertion or removal movement is within a desired range. In the variant shown with step 23, the removal movement must be carried out more precisely, which makes it more difficult for people who are unfamiliar with the system to remove the display unit 10 from the shelf rail 1, because they have to know the exact movements with small deviations or tolerances in order to remove the display unit 10 refer to. In the variant without a step 23, knowledge of the movement sequence is also required to remove the display unit 10. However, because larger tolerances were selected here, i.e. deviations from the ideal movement within a desired range are possible in places, people who are familiar with the system, for example employees of a shop, who want to remove the display unit 10 for maintenance and want to use it again later, can fill the display unit 10 with liquid and fast movements in the shelf rail 1 used or removed from this.

FIG. 12 shows exemplary dimensions or proportions for the display unit 10 and the shelf rail 1 in the holding position. In this case, the display unit 10 has a first height H1, which (in the holding position) runs along the y-direction from the first side wall 24 to the second side wall 25 . In this case, the first height H1 also essentially corresponds to the dimension of the front wall 18 along the y-direction. In this example, the first height H1 corresponds to 43 mm.

The shelf tickets 1 have a second height H2 in the y-direction between the first nose 6 and the second nose 7, ie along the removal opening 8. The second height H2 is slightly greater than the first height H1, so that the display unit 10 can be positioned in the holding position with the front wall 18 between the two lugs 6 and 7. The second height H2 is 43.5 mm here.

The display unit 10 has a third height H3 in the y-direction (seen in the holding position) between the outermost regions of the first bar 16 and the second bar 17 . The third height H3 is greater than the second height H2, so that the display unit 10 is prevented from being pulled out of the shelf rail 1 in the blocking position (in the z-direction). The third height H3 is 46 mm here.

The shelving 1 has a fourth height H4 in the y-direction, which represents the overall height of the shelving rail 1, including the mounting structure, ie reflects the distance between the outermost areas in the y-direction. The fourth height H4 is approximately 53 mm here.

The second rear wall section 15 is inclined at an angle α with respect to the first rear wall section 14, so that tilting between the positions, as described, is possible. The angle a is about 9°. The display unit 10 has a first width Bl in the z-direction (in the holding position), which extends between the first rear wall section 14 and the front wall 18 . The first width Bl corresponds here to 8.3 mm.

The shelf rail 1 has a second width B2 along the z-direction between the alignment wall 3 and the extreme point of the first nose 6 . The second width B2 is selected here slightly larger than the first width Bl, so that in the holding position the display unit 10 is surrounded by the shelf rail 1 and the first lug 6 and the second lug 7 protrude slightly over the front wall 18 and this, for example, in front shock load, protect.

The shelf rail 1 has a third width B3, which essentially represents the material thickness of the shelf rail. Areas that have special shapes, for example to fulfill other tasks, such as the mounting structure or the positioning bar 21, may have a different material thickness than the third width B3. The third width B3 is 1.2 mm here.

These dimensions present an example of how the carrying device or the shelf rail 1 and the module or the display unit 10 can be matched to one another. Tests have shown that the dimensions shown here are particularly advantageous for display units of this size. However, a person skilled in the art can adapt the dimensions and proportions accordingly or choose different ones, for example in order to adapt differently proportioned modules and carrying devices to one another or to create a variation in the movement sequences for insertion and removal.

Finally, it is pointed out once again that the figures described in detail above are only exemplary embodiments which can be modified in a wide variety of ways by a person skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention. For the sake of completeness, it is also pointed out that the use of the indefinite article "a" or "an" does not rule out the possibility that the relevant characteristics can also be present more than once.

Claims

Expectations

1. Carrying device (1), in particular shelf rail, for carrying a module (10), in particular an electronic device, wherein the carrying device (1) has an alignment wall (3) for aligning the module (10) inserted into the carrying device (1) and the alignment wall (3) has a longitudinal extension and a transverse extension normal thereto, the carrying device (1) being designed in such a way that

- that the module (10) used as intended in the carrying device (1) within the carrying device (1) corresponding to or along the transverse extent of the alignment wall (3) between a removal position and a holding position in which the module (10) on the alignment wall (3) is aligned, is movable and

- that the shape or the cross-section of the carrying device (1) forms a removal opening (8) at a distance from the alignment wall (3), through which the module (10) can only be removed from the carrying device (1) starting from the removal position.

2. Carrying device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the carrying device (1) is designed such that the width of the removal opening (8) is smaller than the corresponding dimension of the module (10).

3. Carrying device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the carrying device (1) has at least two boundary walls (4, 5) and the boundary walls (4, 5) enclose the alignment wall (3) on both sides along the longitudinal extent of the alignment wall (3). and running essentially transversely to the alignment wall (3), in particular forming a C-profile together with the alignment wall (3), the removal opening (8) being delimited by the free ends of the delimiting walls (4, 5).

4. Carrying device (1) according to claim 3, wherein the free ends of the boundary walls (4, 5) are oriented towards each other.

5. Carrying device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims 3 - 4, wherein the first boundary wall (4) adjacent to the alignment wall (3) has a module-receiving groove (9) which runs parallel to the longitudinal extension of the alignment wall (3) and is designed to partially accommodate the module (10) in the removal position.

6. Carrying device (1) according to claim 5, wherein the module-receiving groove (9) is designed such that a module (10) can be immersed with its first side so deeply into the module-receiving groove (9) that the opposite side of the module (10) can be pivoted out of the removal opening (8).

7. Carrying device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the carrying device (1) has at least one first automatic positioning means (2), with the aid of which a module (10) inserted as intended in the carrying device (1) can be automatically positioned in the holding position is.

8. Carrying device (1) according to claim 7, wherein the first automatic positioning means (2) is formed by at least one first magnetic force positioning means, with the aid of which a module (10) inserted as intended in the carrying device (1) with the aid of a module ( 10) and the carrying device (1) acting magnetic force can be automatically positioned in the holding position.

9. Carrying device (1) according to claim 8, wherein the magnetic force positioning means (2) is realized by a magnetizable material.

10. Carrying device (1) according to claim 9, wherein the magnetizable material is locally localized, preferably in the form of a Strip of material, particularly preferably in the form of a ferromagnetic metal rail.

The carrying device (1) according to claim 10, wherein the localized magnetisable material is located at an edge region of the alignment wall (3), preferably along the length of the alignment wall (3), more preferably along the entire length of the alignment wall (3).

12. Carrying device (1) according to one of claims 8 - 11, wherein the magnetic force positioning means (2) is integrated substantially flush with an inner surface of the carrying device (1), in particular integrated into the alignment wall (3).

13. Carrying device (1) according to any one of claims 8 - 12, wherein the alignment wall (3) has a receiving shaft (20) in which the magnetic force positioning means (2) is inserted.

14. Carrying device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the carrying device (1) is designed such that the module (10) used as intended in the carrying device (1) extends in a direction normal to the alignment wall (3) at least partially, in particular fully removable from the alignment wall (3) and positionable in an intermediate position.

15. Module (10), preferably an electronic device, particularly preferably an electronic shelf display sign, which is designed to be carried by a carrying device (1), in particular shelf rails, the carrying device (1) having an alignment wall (3) for aligning the in the carrying device ( 1) inserted module (10) and the alignment wall (3) has a longitudinal extent and a transverse extent running normal thereto, wherein the carrying device (1) is designed such that

- That the intended in the carrying device (1) used module (10) within the carrying device (1) corresponding to or along the the alignment wall (3) being movable transversely between a removal position and a holding position in which the module (10) is aligned with the alignment wall (3), and

- that the shape or the cross section of the carrying device (1) forms a removal opening (8) at a distance from the alignment wall (3), through which the module (10) can only be removed from the carrying device (1), starting from the removal position, the module (10) having a first dimension which corresponds to the transverse extent of the alignment wall (3) and which is greater than the width of the dispensing opening (8) and smaller than the transverse extent of the alignment wall (3).

16. Module (10) according to claim 15, wherein the module (10) has at least one second automatic positioning means (12A, 12B), with the aid of which a module (10) inserted as intended in the carrying device (1) can be automatically positioned in the holding position is.

17. Module (10) according to claim 16, wherein the second automatic positioning means (12A, 12B) is formed by at least one second magnetic force positioning means, with the aid of which a module (10) used as intended in the carrying device (1) with the aid of a between the Module (10) and the carrying device (1) acting magnetic force can be automatically positioned in the holding position.

The module (10) of claim 17, wherein said at least one second magnetic force positioning means (12A, 12B) is formed by two permanent magnets located spaced apart along a rear wall (13) of the module (10).

19. Module (10) according to any one of the preceding claims 15 - 18, wherein the module (10) has a rear wall (13) having at least two different rear wall orientations.

20. Module (10) according to claim 19, wherein the rear wall (13) has a first rear wall portion (14) which is substantially parallel to a front wall (18) of the module (10), and has a second rear wall section (15) which, starting from the first rear wall section (14) is oriented inclined towards the front wall (18), and wherein the two rear wall sections (14, 15 ) meet along a line that is determined by the at a

Carrying device (1) carried module (10) parallel to the longitudinal extension of the alignment wall (3).

21. System comprising a carrying device (1) according to any one of claims 1-14 and at least one module (10) according to any one of claims 15-20.