GB2099386A

GB2099386A - Power and control current supply rails for suspension monorails

Info

Publication number: GB2099386A
Application number: GB8214752A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Translift AG; Translift Gesellschaft fuer Hebe und Foerderanlagen mbH
Current assignee: Swisslog AG; Translift Gesellschaft fuer Hebe und Foerderanlagen mbH
Priority date: 1981-05-21
Filing date: 1982-05-20
Publication date: 1982-12-08
Also published as: FR2509240B3; DE3120188C1; IT8221260A0; FR2509240A1; ATA199882A; JPS5826641A; IT1152164B; JPH0323379B2; AT372917B

Abstract

A housing (3) of an electrically non-conductive material has, on its front, means (3'',8,9) for attaching current supply rails (1). Embedded in the housing (3) is at least one electrically conductive bridge (4) provided with threaded holes into which is screwed a bolt (5) which serves for the connection to a source of power and projects at the rear of the housing (3), while on the front of the housing (3) are holes for receiving screws (8) which may be screwed into the bridge (4) and which connect the current supply rails (1) with the bridge (4) and therefore with the power supply. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION A device and a method for supplying power and also for connection of running and control current supply rails of monorails and suspension monorails The invention relates to a device for supplying power and also for connection of running and control current supply rails of monorails and suspension monorails.

Usually several contact lines are needed for the running of an electrically powered monorail or suspension monorail, which lines are attached by means of insulators on suitable surfaces of the running and support rail. The connection to the running line or to the control current supply line was made in known devices of this kind by special supply cables connected by special connectors to the individual rails.

The aim of the present invention is to significantly improve and simplify by means of a suitable device the power supply of running and control current supply rails of the said monorails and suspension monorails, while the device may at the same time be used not only to simply make any combination of power supply circuits but also for simple mutual butt connection of running rails.

For the solution of the said problem is provided a device of the kind mentioned above which is characterised in that in a housing from an electrically nonconductive material which has on its front means for receiving and possibly attachment of current supply rails, is embedded at least on electrically conductive bridge provided with threaded holes in which is screwed a threaded bolt which serves for the connection to a source of power and which projects at the rear of the housing, and that on the front of the housing are holes for receiving screws which may be screwed in the bridge and which connect the current supply rail or rails with the bridge and therefore with the current supply.

By the device according to the invention is achieved a substantial advantage that the current supply may be made simply and quickly in any circuit combination with the individual current supply rails.

Advantageous further development of the invention are described in the subsidary claims. With the embodiment of the device according to Claim 2 is achieved that the adjustment of the profile on the front of the housing to the rail profile and by the fixing of the individual rails by means of a clamp element which complements the rail profile, is obtained a good contact and a good mechanical attachment.

By making the device as stated in Claim 3 is achieved that the connection piece serves not only for supplying power but also for the connection of individual current supply rails with each other by simple doubling of the clamping element.

A preferred embodiment of the subject matter of the invention will now be explained, by way of example, in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawing. The figure of the drawing shows, in section, an embodiment of the device according to the invention which is fixed to a special current supply rail of a suspension monorail.

As is apparent from the drawing, the running and control current supply rails 1 of the suspension monorail are parallel to a connection web 2 of a carrier and running rail formed by two tubular profiles 2' and the said web 2. On one side of the web 2 is arranged a housing 3 of electrically nonconductive material in which is embedded a bridge 4 of electrically conductive material. The bridge has at its rear a threaded bolt 5 which is screwed therein and by which the housing 3 may be fixed on the connection web 2, and to which may be connected the power supply by means of a cable 6. A disc 7 of nonconductive material insulates the whole system relative to the web 2 of the running rail. In order to ensure centering and insulation of the threaded bolt 5 in the hole in the web 2, the housing 3 may have at its rear a short attachment 3'.

The housing 3 has on its front for the receiving and attachment of the current supply rails 1 several projecting profiles 3" which are adapted to the one side of the dovetail profile of the current supply rails 1. A screw 8 connects the current supply rail 1 by means of a clamp element 9, which has for this purpose a hole and a profile adapted to the free space between the rail 1 and the next projecting profile 3", with the bridge 4. The current supply rail 1 is thereby via the cables 6 connected to the power supply.

As is apparent from the drawing, up to three current supply rails may be simultaneously connected to the same device. To this end for each connection the clamping element 9 must be screwed by means of the screw 8 in the corresponding hole.

By turning the housing 3 through 1800 also the lower three current supply rails may be supplied. If two housings 3 are arranged one behind the other turned through 1800, the uppermost current supply rail may be connected to the lowermost one.

The device according to the invention serves not only for the connection of individual current supply rails to the power supply, but also for the connection of individual current supply rails with each other, for instance to transmit control signals from one current supply rail to another, without the connection pieces being connected to the power supply.

A further significant function of the device according to the invention resides in the connection of individual current supply rails with each other. The clamping element 9 is doubled for this purpose to connect in this manner two adjacent abutting rails and to carry out a current supply rail joint.

1. A device for supplying power and also for the connection of running and current supply rails of monorails and suspension monorails, the device comprising a housing of an electrically nonconductive material in which is situated at least one electrically conductive bridge provided with at least one threaded hole in which is screwed a threaded bolt which passes through a hole at the rear of the housing and serves for the connection to a source of

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION A device and a method for supplying power and also for connection of running and control current supply rails of monorails and suspension monorails The invention relates to a device for supplying power and also for connection of running and control current supply rails of monorails and suspension monorails. Usually several contact lines are needed for the running of an electrically powered monorail or suspension monorail, which lines are attached by means of insulators on suitable surfaces of the running and support rail. The connection to the running line or to the control current supply line was made in known devices of this kind by special supply cables connected by special connectors to the individual rails. The aim of the present invention is to significantly improve and simplify by means of a suitable device the power supply of running and control current supply rails of the said monorails and suspension monorails, while the device may at the same time be used not only to simply make any combination of power supply circuits but also for simple mutual butt connection of running rails. For the solution of the said problem is provided a device of the kind mentioned above which is characterised in that in a housing from an electrically nonconductive material which has on its front means for receiving and possibly attachment of current supply rails, is embedded at least on electrically conductive bridge provided with threaded holes in which is screwed a threaded bolt which serves for the connection to a source of power and which projects at the rear of the housing, and that on the front of the housing are holes for receiving screws which may be screwed in the bridge and which connect the current supply rail or rails with the bridge and therefore with the current supply. By the device according to the invention is achieved a substantial advantage that the current supply may be made simply and quickly in any circuit combination with the individual current supply rails. Advantageous further development of the invention are described in the subsidary claims. With the embodiment of the device according to Claim 2 is achieved that the adjustment of the profile on the front of the housing to the rail profile and by the fixing of the individual rails by means of a clamp element which complements the rail profile, is obtained a good contact and a good mechanical attachment. By making the device as stated in Claim 3 is achieved that the connection piece serves not only for supplying power but also for the connection of individual current supply rails with each other by simple doubling of the clamping element. A preferred embodiment of the subject matter of the invention will now be explained, by way of example, in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawing. The figure of the drawing shows, in section, an embodiment of the device according to the invention which is fixed to a special current supply rail of a suspension monorail. As is apparent from the drawing, the running and control current supply rails 1 of the suspension monorail are parallel to a connection web 2 of a carrier and running rail formed by two tubular profiles 2' and the said web 2. On one side of the web 2 is arranged a housing 3 of electrically nonconductive material in which is embedded a bridge 4 of electrically conductive material. The bridge has at its rear a threaded bolt 5 which is screwed therein and by which the housing 3 may be fixed on the connection web 2, and to which may be connected the power supply by means of a cable 6. A disc 7 of nonconductive material insulates the whole system relative to the web 2 of the running rail. In order to ensure centering and insulation of the threaded bolt 5 in the hole in the web 2, the housing 3 may have at its rear a short attachment 3'. The housing 3 has on its front for the receiving and attachment of the current supply rails 1 several projecting profiles 3" which are adapted to the one side of the dovetail profile of the current supply rails 1. A screw 8 connects the current supply rail 1 by means of a clamp element 9, which has for this purpose a hole and a profile adapted to the free space between the rail 1 and the next projecting profile 3", with the bridge 4. The current supply rail 1 is thereby via the cables 6 connected to the power supply. As is apparent from the drawing, up to three current supply rails may be simultaneously connected to the same device. To this end for each connection the clamping element 9 must be screwed by means of the screw 8 in the corresponding hole. By turning the housing 3 through 1800 also the lower three current supply rails may be supplied. If two housings 3 are arranged one behind the other turned through 1800, the uppermost current supply rail may be connected to the lowermost one. The device according to the invention serves not only for the connection of individual current supply rails to the power supply, but also for the connection of individual current supply rails with each other, for instance to transmit control signals from one current supply rail to another, without the connection pieces being connected to the power supply. A further significant function of the device according to the invention resides in the connection of individual current supply rails with each other. The clamping element 9 is doubled for this purpose to connect in this manner two adjacent abutting rails and to carry out a current supply rail joint. CLAIMS

1. A device for supplying power and also for the connection of running and current supply rails of monorails and suspension monorails, the device comprising a housing of an electrically nonconductive material in which is situated at least one electrically conductive bridge provided with at least one threaded hole in which is screwed a threaded bolt which passes through a hole at the rear of the housing and serves for the connection to a source of power, and on the front of the housing are means for receiving, and possibly for the attachment of, the current supply rails, the front of the housing being provided with holes for receiving screws which may pass therethrough and be screwed in the bridge and serve to connect the current supply rail or rails with the bridge and therefore with the power supply.

2. A device according to Claim 1, wherein the means on the front of the housing are formed by projecting profiles onto or into which are disposed current supply rails, while at last one of the screws for the fixing of the current supply rails passes through a clamping element which has a profile complementing the rail profile and the housing profile, and ensures after fixing, a good electrical contact and a safe mechanical connection.

3. A device according to Claim 2, wherein for the connection of the ends of the current supply rails the clamping element, or at last one of the clamping elements, is doubled to be able to receive butting ends of the rails.

4. A device for supplying power and also for the connection of running and current rails of monorails and suspension monorails, constructed, arranged and adapted to operate substantially as herein described with reference to, and as shown in, the accompanying drawing.

5. A monorail or suspension monorail including a device according to any one of Claims 1 to 4.

6. A method of supplying power and also for the connection of running and current supply rails of monorails and suspension monorails, substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawing.