EP1284035B1 - Supply track system - Google Patents

Abstract

The system has bearer rails for modular interconnection and a current conducting profile with grooves for electrical supply and/or control signal transmission wires and consisting of at least two joined wire holding elements with grooves for accommodating the wires. When the elements are joined they overlap with protrusions at the ends so as to form channels in the connecting region corresponding to the grooves and open to the contact side. The system has bearer rails for modular interconnection and a current conducting profile on at least one inner side wall with grooves for electrical supply and/or control signal transmission wires. The current conducting profile consists of at least two wire holding elements (10) joined together with grooves (11) for accommodating the wires (6). When the elements are joined they overlap with protrusions at the ends so as to form channels in the connecting region corresponding to the grooves and open to the contact side. INDEPENDENT CLAIMS are also included for the following: a wire holding element.

Description

The present invention relates to a busbar system for lamps according to the preamble of claim 1 and a wire support member. Such busbar systems and wire support elements are known from US-A-3,831,130.

Conductor rail systems or strip lights are used in a variety of forms, as they offer a high degree of flexibility in the individual planning of lighting structures for specific requirements compared to fixed or built-in luminaires. Thus, the busbar systems consist of several individual elements, which are assembled according to the modular principle, so that the entire arrangement can be adapted to the premises to be illuminated. There are known light band systems with which not only two-dimensional, but also three-dimensional structures can be formed.

The basic structure of a busbar system is formed by mounting rails, which are assembled to the desired structure and serve to hold the power supply and control lines and the individual lights. The mounting rails must therefore have a high stability and are usually made of metal. They may have different shapes, for example, DIN rails with a Y-profile or an A-profile are known. However, the most widespread are U-shaped mounting rails, which with their middle leg on a support, e.g. a room ceiling or room wall are attached. On the mounting rails, the individual lighting modules are attached, usually the length of a single mounting rail is a multiple of the length of the lighting modules. For example, mounting rails with a length of 3 m or 4.50 m are offered if the luminaire modules have a length of 1.50. Such integer aspect ratios are chosen to simplify planning in designing a lighting system.

In order to ensure the power supply for the luminaires, corresponding lines run on or within the mounting rails. In addition, other lines for the transmission of control signals can be provided in addition to the lines for power supply, which opens up the possibility of individually controlling and dimming the individual lights when using a suitable control system.

In a known light strip system, which is distributed by the applicant under the name "continuous line system ZX", the lines run in the form of a through-wiring within the U-shaped mounting rails, wherein in regular Distances that correspond to the length of the luminaire modules, Abgriffbuchsen are arranged. The Abgriffbuchsen be clamped in the mounting rails, with undercuts engage behind corresponding projections of the mounting rails. The luminaire modules can be mounted at the points specified by the tapping bushes by placing and fastening them on the support rails that are open at the bottom. The contacting of the lines via a located on the lamp modules contacting element, which has terminal contacts which engage when placing the lamp module on the mounting rail in openings of the pick-up bushing while contact with the corresponding wires in contact. Furthermore, the lighting modules on rotary knobs, which are rotated after placement, thereby ensuring a mechanical attachment to the mounting rails.

In the busbar system just described, the luminaire modules can each be arranged only at the locations that are predetermined by the Abgriffbuchsen, otherwise no electrical contact is possible. In order to avoid such restrictions and thus to obtain greater flexibility for the arrangement of the individual luminaires, busbar systems were developed which have a Stromleitprofil held by the support rails. This Stromleitprofil consists of elongated bodies of non-conductive material - usually plastic - extending in the longitudinal direction of the support rails and accessible from a contacting side grooves for receiving wires for the power supply and / or transmission of control signals. In this case, since the non-insulated wires are exposed to the contacting side at least over the length of a single current-conducting profile body, a luminaire can be disposed at any position within that range, so that there is greater freedom in planning and realization of the lighting system ,

The length of a single Stromleitprofil body is tuned to the length of the mounting rail. Since support rails are offered in different lengths, it is thus necessary to offer Stromleitprofil body in the appropriate sizes, whereby the total cost of the busbar system can be increased, since a large number of parts must be provided. In addition, it is necessary when assembling two mounting rails to connect the two Stromleitprofile also together. This compound is problematic in that it must be ensured in this area that no accidental contact of a wire is possible. A corresponding standard requires that a 1mm-thick test wire in straight-line stretch can not hit one of the wires. The connection therefore takes place with the help of a so-called row connector, which, however, itself offers no possibility of contacting, which has the consequence that within the connection area between two support rails still no contacting possible.

The Stromleitprofil forming plastic body are produced by extrusion. This method is disadvantageous in that it allows plastic parts to be manufactured only with limited precision, since the plastic cools very quickly after leaving the extrusion die and changes its shape. This has the consequence that one-piece Stromleitprofil body can be made only to a certain complexity.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a technique which allows a bus bar system for luminaires with a length to be easily adapted to the length of a mounting rail and inexpensively manufactured Stromleitprofil.

The object is achieved by a busbar system, which has the features of claim 1, or by a wire-holding element according to claim 14. The busbar system is characterized in that the Stromleitprofil held by a single support rail consists of at least two adjoining wire support elements made of non-conductive material, which have the grooves for receiving the wires. The wire support elements are in their end regions formed such that they overlap overlapping with each other when joining with projections located at their ends so that they form the grooves in the connection region between two wire-holding elements and open to the contacting side channels. These channels are accessible only from the contacting side, but otherwise as well as the grooves of the wire support elements enclosed, so that the aforementioned safety standard is met in these areas. Thus, a continuous but secure contacting possibility is created over the entire length of a mounting rail away.

Due to the modular joining of the Stromleitprofils of several individual wire holder elements, it is possible to offer mounting rails of different lengths, to use them with a Stromleitprofil only wire holder elements of a single length, since the Stromleitprofil only by changing the number of wire holder elements to the length of the mounting rail can be adapted. This results in a significantly lower production cost. Furthermore, no elongated and expensive be created to be produced one-piece plastic parts. The wire-holding elements can be produced, for example, by means of the much easier-to-control and less expensive injection molding process.

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

In the case of current-conducting profiles consisting of plastic parts, it should be noted in particular that they can be exposed to a non-negligible thermal radiation, in particular in the vicinity of ballasts for the luminaires arranged on or especially in the mounting rails. This has the consequence that the plastic parts can expand or contract when not irradiated. It is particularly problematic that the coefficient of expansion of plastic is about 10 times greater than that of metal, so that the individual wire support elements can change significantly in length, while the wires held by the Stromleitprofil remain virtually the same length. With an advantageous development of the invention it is therefore achieved that the wire holder elements arranged one behind the other at a greater length have an expansion clearance, whereby it is still ensured that there is a possibility of contacting over the connection region and nevertheless contact protection is provided. For this purpose, the wire support elements have at their ends locking elements which engage in the assembly of two wire-holding elements and limit a mutual displacement or distance in the longitudinal direction to a predetermined movement play. When the wire-retaining elements cool and contract, they move away to a predetermined maximum distance, which still provides protection against contact; when heated, they approach each other. In this way, a continuous Stromleitprofil is formed independently of temperature. Preferably, the wire support members have a length of about 500 mm, wherein the allowed game, with which two adjacent wire support members can move against each other, about 8 mm, which is sufficient for the temperature differences usually occurring in the busbar system.

The locking elements also have the advantage that the wire support members can be hung together to form a rail, which can be inserted as a whole in the mounting rail, whereby the assembly is facilitated. Preferably, the wire support members on guide arms which engage in corresponding guide grooves which are provided on or in the support rail, so that the wire support members are securely stored. The mounting rails may have, for example, an A-profile, a Y-profile or a U-profile, wherein the wire support members are arranged according to the profile on the outside of the support rail or within thereof.

If it is a U-shaped mounting rail, so can run on both side walls within the support rail wires, it would be possible to use each separately Stromleitprofile. Preferably, however, the wire support members consist of two side wings, which have the grooves for receiving the wires and are to be arranged on the side walls, these side wings are connected to each other at regular intervals via connecting webs. These connecting webs are arranged on the middle leg of the wire rail. Furthermore, one of the two side wings may have a parallel to the center leg of the support rail arranged horizontal leg, which forms together with protruding from the connecting webs retaining legs over the length of the support rail away an additional hollow or receiving space, which are used for receiving additional cables or lines can.

The inventive concept of a modular Stromleitprofils of a plurality of juxtaposed wire support elements provides the ability to realize over an arbitrary length across a continuous contacting possibility by the Stromleitprofil is used after the merger of the support rails in this. For ease of assembly, however, the DIN rails are usually already assembled ready, i. sold with an already inserted Stromleitprofil with the wires arranged therein. This is because it is easier when creating a trunking system to assemble the already assembled mounting rails, as first add together empty mounting rails and then use the Stromleitprofile. Thus, in turn, there is the problem that between two mounting rails an interface occurs at which the wires of two Stromleitprofile must be connected to each other.

A further development of the invention therefore relates to a connecting element which also forms a contacting possibility at these interfaces. In contrast to the known row connector, the connecting element of the contacting side and the two end faces accessible groove-shaped recesses corresponding to the grooves of the Stromleitprofile, wherein in the recesses in each case a metal connector is used, to which the wires to be joined together from both sides can be connected. This also consists of a non-conductive material connecting element closes the gap between the Stromleitprofilen two mounting rails and ensures that over the entire length of the busbar system away a luminaire module attached and to the lines of the Busbar system can be connected, since the metal connectors in the transition region form the contact surfaces for the terminal contacts of the lamp module. The metal connectors preferably have an elongated contacting plate and U-shaped spring elements arranged at both ends thereof, by means of which the wires are clamped during insertion and pressed against the contacting plate. At the same time, it is ensured by the spring elements that the wires can not move in a pump-like manner during thermal expansion of the wire-holding elements and possibly even emigrate. In U-shaped mounting rails in which Stromleitprofile are arranged on both side walls, a mechanical connection of two adjacent mounting rails preferably by means of a short U-shaped connecting rail, which engages half in both mounting rails and at the side legs, the connecting elements are arranged.

Another development is concerned with a possible easy to carry out contacting the wires within a U-shaped mounting rail by a luminaire module. For this purpose, the luminaire module has a contacting element with a plurality of terminal contacts, wherein the contacting element from the open side to introduce into the mounting rail and then partially - preferably by 45 ° - to twist. By turning the terminal contacts are inserted into the grooves of the Stromleitprofils and brought into contact with the wires. In this case, the contacting element may preferably be designed such that at least one of the terminal contacts is adjustable in height. Since the arranged at different heights wires of the Stromleitprofils have different functions, an optional contact can be achieved by moving the terminal contacts. This offers the possibility to assign different functions to the lights connected to the busbar system, for example, to use some of the lights only as emergency lights. Further, locking elements may be provided on the contacting element, which in the twisting and. Contacting the wires additionally engage behind protruding parts of the mounting rail, which at the same time a mechanical attachment to the mounting rail is made possible. In this way, both an electrical contact and a mechanical attachment of the luminaire module can be performed by means of a simple handle.

• Fig. 1 die Tragschiene eines erfindungsgemäßen Stromschienensystems mit einem eingesetzten Kontaktierungselement im Schnitt;
• Fig. 2 die in Fig. 1 dargestellte Tragschiene ohne das Kontaktierungselement im Schnitt;
• Fig. 3 ein Drahthalterungselement in perspektivischer Darstellung;
• Fig. 4 das in Fig. 3 dargestellte Drahthalterungselement im Schnitt;
• Fig. 5 den Übergangsbereich zwischen zwei zusammengesetzten Drahthalterungselementen von der Kontaktierungsseite her;
• Fig. 6 den Übergangsbereich zwischen zwei Drahthalterungselementen von der Rückseite her;
• Fig. 7 die Anordnung eines Verbindungselements und einer Verbindungsschiene zum Verbinden zweier Tragschienen;
• Fig. 8 den Aufbau des Verbindungselements;
• Fig. 9a einen in dem Verbindungselement verwendeten Metallverbinder;
• Fig. 9b ein Federelement des in Fig. 9a dargestellten Metallverbinders; und
• Fig. 10 das in Fig. 1 dargestellte Kontaktierungselement in perspektivischer Darstellung.

In the following, the present invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Show it:

• Figure 1 shows the support rail of a bus bar system according to the invention with an inserted contacting element in section.
• FIG. 2 shows the support rail shown in FIG. 1 without the contacting element in section; FIG.
• 3 shows a wire-holding element in perspective view;
• FIG. 4 shows the wire-holding element illustrated in FIG. 3 in section; FIG.
• 5 shows the transition region between two composite wire-holding elements from the contacting side;
• 6 shows the transition region between two wire-holding elements from the rear side;
• 7 shows the arrangement of a connecting element and a connecting rail for connecting two mounting rails.
• 8 shows the construction of the connecting element;
• FIG. 9a shows a metal connector used in the connecting element; FIG.
• FIG. 9b shows a spring element of the metal connector shown in FIG. 9a; FIG. and
• Fig. 10, the contacting element shown in Fig. 1 in a perspective view.

Base element of the busbar system shown in Fig. 1 is a metal or sheet metal existing U-shaped mounting rail 1, which is fastened with its center leg 2 by fastening means not shown on a support, such as a ceiling or a room wall. The cover of the open lower side of the support rail 1 is effected by a cover rail 5. In the illustrated case, this cover rail 5 is part of a mounted on the mounting rail 1 lamp module, in Fig. 1, only the contacting element of the lamp module in the form of a Drehabgriffs 50th is shown, but not its other components, such as the lamp or the associated control or operating device, which may be an electronic ballast (ECG). The interior of the mounting rail 1 then serves as a receiving space for the operating devices of the lamps in this case.

Those areas of the mounting rail 1, on which no luminaire modules are arranged, can also be closed with a cover rail 5 for visual and safety reasons, wherein the fixing of the cover rail 5 is effected by means of clamping or latching.

In the present example, 1 Stromleitprofile are arranged on the inner sides of the two side walls 3a and 3b of the support rail, which are inventively formed by a plurality of plastic and composite wire support members 10, each containing two side wings 10a and 10b with a plurality of grooves 11 for receiving the wires 6 , In this case, five wires 6 are arranged in the right side wing 10a, while six wires 6 extend on the left side.

• Notstrom 1
• Notstrom 2
• Neutralleiter vom Standardnetz
• D1 = Steuerleitung für Lichtsteuerung
• D2 = Steuerleitung für Lichtsteuerung.

The wires 6 arranged in the right side wing 10a may, for example, have the following function in the order from top to bottom.

• Emergency power 1
• Emergency power 2
• Neutral from the standard network
• D1 = control cable for lighting control
• D2 = control cable for lighting control.

• Phase von Notstrom 1
• Phase von Notstrom 2
• Standardphase 3
• Standardphase 2
• Standardphase 1
• Erde.

The functions of the wires 6 arranged in the left side wing 10b are, for example:

• Phase of emergency power 1
• Phase of emergency power 2
• Standard phase 3
• Standard phase 2
• Standard phase 1
• Earth.

Both the number of wires used and their arrangement and function is shown only by way of example and can be adapted to individual needs.

By contacting the corresponding wires 6 of the connected light can be assigned a desired function, for example, the light can be used as an emergency light. By using the two control cables for lighting control there is the possibility of using these two Lines to form a bus system over which a plurality of lights can be controlled by means of digital control commands, as is known from more complex lighting systems ago.

The contacting of the wires 6 via a plurality of arranged on the Drehabgriff 50 terminal contacts 53 and 54, which engage in the corresponding grooves 11 and come against the wires 6 to the plant. In order to enable a variable and simple contact, for example, the terminal contact 53 by means of a support member 55 is arranged vertically adjustable on the Drehabgriff 50. By simply moving the support member 55 thus the light connected to the busbar light can be assigned the desired function. For grounding, a wire element 62 guided in a slot 63 of the rotary handle 50 is also provided, the end 62b of which contacts the left lower wire 6 provided for earthing. The detailed structure and operation of the contacting element 50 will be explained in more detail later. The power supply for the busbar system can be done for example by a suitably adapted Drehabgriff, which is positioned in the longitudinal direction at any point.

A secure mounting of the two side wings 10a, 10b of the wire retaining element 10 is effected by a plurality of guide arms 12 ₁ - 12 ₄ , which engage in corresponding guide grooves 4 ₁ - 4 _{4 of} the U-shaped mounting rail 1. The lined up to a Stromleitprofil several wire retaining elements 10 are inserted during assembly in the longitudinal direction in the support rail 2. At the back of the side wings 10a and 10b, ie on the side opposite the contacting side of the grooves 11 are a plurality of support struts 16, which ensure a stable mounting of the grooves 11 within the support rail 2, so that they are not pushed back when contacting. In this way, a reliable contacting of the wires 6 is supported.

The connection of the two side wings 10a and 10b takes place at regular intervals via connecting webs 13, which are arranged on the center leg 2 of the support rail 1. The connecting webs 13 further have downwardly projecting retaining legs 15, which together with a horizontally projecting from the right side wing 10 a horizontal leg 14 form an additional cavity 8. This cavity can be used for the storage of additional cables or lines. In addition, the horizontal leg 14 still has the task of preventing the contacting element 50 is inserted laterally into the support rail 1, as will also be explained later.

The shape of the grooves 11 of the wire holder elements 10 is selected such that a contact protection is ensured, as will be explained below with reference to FIG. 2. Here again, the support rail 1 is shown with a Stromleitprofil disposed therein, but now without the Drehabgriff 50. The initially mentioned safety standard provides that the arranged in the Stromleitprofil wires 6 may not be exposed so that a 1mm-thick test wire 7 in straight ahead -Extension on a current-carrying wire 6 can meet. In the representation, the entry angle for the test wire 7 is the most favorable for the wire 6 arranged on the bottom left. As can be seen in FIG. 2, the widths, depths and opening shapes of the grooves 11 are dimensioned such that even at the smallest entry angle the test wire 7 can not contact any of the wires 6. In this way, unintentional contact with the wires 6 is avoided and the corresponding safety standard is met.

The specific embodiment of the wire retaining elements 10 according to the invention will now be explained with reference to FIGS. 3 to 6, FIG. 3 showing a wire retaining element 10 in a perspective view. Essential elements of the wire holder element 10 are the two side wings 10a and 10b, which have the grooves 11 for supporting the wires. They are connected to each other via two connecting bridges 13. In this way, in addition with the help of the horizontal leg 14 and the projecting from the connecting webs 13 retaining legs 15 of the aforementioned cavity 8 can be formed, which can be used to support other useful for the lighting system cables or cables. On the two side wings 10a, 10b are also also the guide arms 12 ₁ to 12 ₄ , which engage in the recesses 4 ₁ to 4 _{4 of} the support rail 1 during insertion. The illustrations in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 show the wire-holding element 10 immediately after production. In order to insert the wire-holding element 10 into the mounting rail 1, the side wings 10a and 10b are folded down by 90 ° about the two folding points A and B (see FIG. 4) and then inserted into the mounting rail 1, whereby the in FIGS. 1 and 2 shown arrangement results.

At their ends, the two side wings 10a and 10b on projections 17 and 22, with the help of two assembled wire holder elements 10 overlap overlapping. At one of the two ends locking heads 18 are further provided, which allow removal of two assembled wire holder elements 10 in the longitudinal direction only up to a certain maximum distance, so that a composed of several wire holder elements 10 Stromleitprofil in his Length is flexible and thus changes in length of the individual made of plastic wire holder elements 10 can be compensated due to temperature differences.

This will be clarified with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6, which show two composite wire support elements in an enlarged view, on the one hand from the contacting side (FIG. 5) and on the other from the opposite rear side (FIG. 6). The parts belonging to the first wire-holding element 10 ₁ are provided with the index 1, while the elements belonging to the second wire-holding element 10 _{2 have} the index 2. After joining the two wire holder elements 10 ₁ and 10 ₂ engage these two overlapping each other in such a way that in each case by a projection 17, the first wire holder element 10 ₁ and by a projection 22 _{2 of} the second wire holder element 10 _2, a channel 23 is formed, the grooves 11 of the two wire holder elements 10 ₁ and 10 ₂ connects to each other. Like the grooves 11, all the channels 23 formed in this way are accessible only from the contacting side, ie, from above, in the connection region, but not from the side. As a result, the required contact protection is ensured even in the region of the channels 23.

The illustration in Fig. 6 it can be seen that the two locking heads 18 ₂ allow removal of the two wire holder elements 10 ₁ and 10 ₂ only up to a maximum distance, which is predetermined by the fact that at the ends of the locking heads 18 laterally projecting locking projections 19th _{2 come} against stop walls 20 ₁ to the plant. In this case, this predetermined maximum distance and the length of the interlocking projections 17 and 22 dimensioned such that even at the maximum distance of the two wire holder elements 10 ₁ and 10 ₂ from each other, the previously discussed channels 23 are formed and the contact protection is ensured. On the other hand, the ends of the two wire holder elements 10 ₁ , 10 _{2 can} approach each other so far until their two end faces 21 ₁ and 21 ₂ come into contact against each other. This means that both wire holder elements 10 ₁ , 10 ₂ with a certain play against each other are displaced, but at any time the contact protection is achieved. In this way, changes in the length of a single wire-holding member 10, which expands due to, for example, increased temperature or contracts at lower temperatures, can be compensated. This is particularly important because, in contrast to the existing plastic wire retaining elements 10, the wires 6 stored therein can not perform such a long length changes themselves, since the temperature coefficient of metal only 1/10 of the expansion coefficient of plastic. With a length of about 500mm for a single wire-retaining element 10, a permissible clearance with which the adjoining wire-retaining elements 10 can move relative to one another can thus amount to approximately 8 mm.

The wire holder elements 10 shown can be made of plastic in a simple manner by injection molding, whereby they are very inexpensive to manufacture. Furthermore, it is sufficient to produce wire retaining elements 10 in only a single length, since to adapt the Stromleitprofils formed to the different lengths of the wire rails only the number of wire holder elements 10 used must be adjusted, which in turn significantly reduces the manufacturing cost of the entire system. The interlocking projections and the locking elements can also be configured differently.

When using the wire retaining elements according to the invention just presented, it would be conceivable first to mount all mounting rails of a busbar system and then to equip them with the required Stromleitprofilen, then a contact over the entire length of the busbar system is possible. Usually, however, the already stocked mounting rails are sold, in which there is already a complete Stromleitprofil with the wires arranged therein. In the following, therefore, a way will be explained to realize a continuous contact also in the connection areas between two mounting rails. This continuous contacting is achieved in that for this purpose a connecting element is used, which has the grooves of the Stromleitprofile corresponding and additionally accessible from the two end faces of the connecting element forth groove-shaped recesses.

This is initially shown schematically in FIG. 7. For the mechanical connection of two adjoining mounting rails 1, a likewise U-shaped short connecting rail 30 is used, on which the mounting rails 1 to be joined together are pushed from both sides. An education not shown ensures that two interconnected by a connecting rail 30 support rails 1 are held together releasably. For this purpose, each support rail 1 may have one or more openings in its upper region. The connecting rail 30 is then also provided with corresponding openings through which spring tongues protrude. The spring tongues engage behind the openings of the support rail 1, as soon as the connecting rail 30 in the mounting rail 1 the has reached the appropriate position. In order to solve the support rail 1 and the connecting rail 30 again, only pressure on the spring tongues must be exercised. Such a releasable connection is preferably on both sides, which means that the connecting rail 30 has next to its two ends such openings with the corresponding spring tongues. As an alternative to a connection detachable on both sides, however, an embodiment is also possible which has the connection just described on one side by means of spring tongues, while on the other side of the connecting rail 30 a conventional screw connection is provided.

A particularly advantageous variant of this development is that the spring tongues arranged at each end of the connecting rail 30 belong to a common rail locking element which is arranged on the center leg of the connecting rail 30, the spring tongues projecting laterally through openings in the upper region of the side walls , In this case, the rail-locking element is formed so that the spring tongues are retracted under the action of a force from above on the element in the interior of the connecting rail 30. About a provided in the middle leg of the support rails 1 additional opening the rail locking element from above in a simple manner to achieve and operate, for example by means of a screwdriver, so that the connection is released by a simple handle again.

The wire retaining elements 10, which are not shown in FIG. 7 for reasons of clarity, have a slightly different configuration in the connecting region in order to take account of the additional connecting rail 30 arranged in the mounting rail 1. For example, the wire support elements 10 have no support struts 16 in this area. To connect the Stromleitprofile 30 two connecting elements 31 are provided on the side legs 30a and 30b of the connecting rail, which have the aforementioned recesses 32. Within these recesses 32 metal connectors are arranged, which are connected from both sides with the wires to be joined together. The opening shape of the recesses 32 is chosen such that they meet the safety criterion of shock protection. For connection to the connecting elements 31, the wire holding elements adjacent to the connecting elements 31 are also modified at their ends.

In the example shown, identical connecting elements 31, each having six recesses 32, are arranged on both sides of the connecting rail 30. This means that the uppermost recess 32 of the arranged on the right side Connecting element 32 remains free, since the corresponding side wing 10 a has only five grooves 11 for holding five wires 6. Of course, however, the exact structure of the wire holder elements corresponding connecting elements can be used.

The more precise shape of a connecting element 31 is shown in FIG. 8. It consists of a box-shaped base part 33 which is open at the bottom, in which metal connectors 35 are inserted from the underside. The recesses 32 of the base part 33 are accessible from the two end faces via funnel-shaped openings 36, wherein upon insertion of a wire into a funnel-shaped opening 36, this is brought into connection with the metal connector 35. After inserting the metal connectors 35, the base part 33 is closed by a cover plate 34 from the bottom. A contacting by a luminaire module in the region of the connecting element 31 then takes place in that the terminal contacts of the contacting element are pressed against the top of a contacting plate 37 of the metal connector 35. At the end of the metal connector 35, this task is taken over again by the wires, so that no gap is formed in which a contact is not possible.

The detailed design of a metal connector 35 is shown in Figs. 9a and 9b. It consists of an elongated and on their long sides a little downwardly bent contacting plate 37, whose task is to take over the electric power from the wires and forward. At the ends of the contacting plate 37 is in each case a preferably made of a chromium-nickel alloy U-shaped spring element 38, which is shown individually in Fig. 9b, respectively. The spring element 38 has an inwardly bent spring tongue 39, through which a wire inserted into the metal connector 35 is clamped and pressed sufficiently firmly with respect to the electrical contact resistance against the contacting plate 37. In this way, it is further avoided that the wires can move or emigrate in a pump-like manner with a changing thermal expansion of the Stromleitprofils. The remote from the wires side of the tinned copper contacting plate 37 forms the contact surface for the contacts of the contacting element. To improve the contact between the contacting plate 37 and the wires has the contacting plate 37 on its underside a slightly arcuate or triangular recess 43rd

The attachment of the spring elements 38 at the ends of the contacting plate 37 is effected by located on the side walls of the spring elements 38 recesses 40, engage in the projections 41 of the contacting plate 37. A stable arrangement of Metal connector 35 in the connecting element 31 is further supported by the fact that on the cover plate 34 made of plastic pins 42 are arranged, which press after mounting the cover plate 34 from the bottom against the contacting plates 37 of the metal connector 35. Since the pins 42 also engage in lateral recesses 43 of the downwardly bent longitudinal sides of the contacting plates 37, a lateral displacement of the metal connectors 35 is also prevented at the same time. In addition, the pins 42 also constitute a barrier by which the migration of the wires is limited. The connecting element shown here closes the gap between the wire-holding elements of the Stromleitprofile, so that it is possible to assemble already assembled busbars 1, with consistently contactable Stromleitprofilen, which can be contacted in the connection areas.

The application of this connecting element is not limited to the illustrated example with the wire retaining elements according to the invention. For example, the connecting element illustrated in FIGS. 7 to 9b can also be used for the connection of the light band system mentioned in the introduction, in which the current-conducting profiles are produced by extrusion and are integral.

As an alternative to the aforementioned use of an adapted Drehabgriffs for the mains supply can also be provided on the front side of a DIN rail connectable and cooperating with the metal connectors power connector element, through which the wires of the busbar system are connected to the power lines.

Finally, with reference to FIGS. 1 and 10, the more detailed construction and the mode of operation of the contacting element configured as a rotary handle 50 will be explained. Fig. 10 shows the Drehabgriff 50 with a arranged on its underside cover rail 5 in a perspective view. An essential part of the Drehabgriffs 50 are arranged on the outside of the cylindrical base body 61 contacts 53 and 54, which are adjustable in height for an optional contacting of the various wires 6. Another, but not freely selectable but given contact with grounding is given by the wire member 62. This wire element 62 is guided in a provided on the base body 61 slot 63, wherein one end 62a of the wire member 62 is fixed by clamping its shape in the cover rail 5 of the lamp module. The other end 62b protrudes laterally in the height of the ground wire. Furthermore, the rotary handle 50 has in its lower region two laterally projecting locking elements 52.

The contacting of the wires 6 of the Stromleitprofils takes place in that the connected to a lighting module Drehabgriff 50 is inserted into the lower opening of the support rail 1. 1, the cylindrical base body 61 is of different heights, the horizontal leg 14 arranged only on the right-hand side of the mounting rail 1 preventing the contacting element 50 from being inserted laterally into the mounting rail 1.

After the introduction of the Drehabgriffes 50 this is rotated by approximately 45 °, as a result, the laterally disposed locking elements 52 engage inwardly projecting parts of the support rail 1 and the Stromleitprofils and thus provide a mechanical attachment of the luminaire module. At the same time, the terminal contacts 53 and 54 are screwed into the grooves 11 of the wire support members 10, so that the desired electrical contact is made. As previously mentioned, some or all of the contacts may be height adjustable, which in the illustrated example is achieved by the support member 55 of the contact 53 being vertically displaceable within guide rails 56 and 57. In this case, the support member 55 and the cylindrical base body 61 with the guide rails 56 and 57 are designed so that the support member 55 can easily engage in the corresponding positions of the wires 6, whereby an accurate positioning of the contact 53 is facilitated.

The slot 63 forms an eccentric stop for the wire member 62 and causes the end 62b of the wire member 62 to be pressed against the grounded left lower wire 6 during rotation of the rotary handle 50. In this way, a ground between the metallic cover rail 5, which is part of the luminaire module, and the metallic support rail 1 is made. For this purpose, it is necessary that the wire member 62 has a certain strength, which is why it preferably consists of a galvanized steel wire or a CrNi wire.

The arranged on the bottom of the Drehabgriffs cover 5 closes the support rail 1 down, which at the same time also the ingress of dust is avoided. In the region of the contacting element 50, the cover rail 5 has an elongate slot into which the rotary knob 58 can be inserted in the locked position upwards, so that it is flush with the cover rail 5 below. In this way, a complete closure of the support rail 1 is achieved.

The cover rail 5 is also used in places where no light modules are arranged. However, in the case of fixing a luminaire module, the cover rail 5 is at the same time also the holder for all elements of the luminaire module, wherein e.g. the or the ballasts are arranged on top of the cover rail 5 and thus protrude into the interior of the U-shaped mounting rail. The presented rotary handle 50 makes it possible in a simple manner to make contact with the wires and to mechanically fasten the luminaire module in the busbar system. In particular, in the presented solution, in which over the entire length of the busbar system away a free contact is made possible, an application of the illustrated Drehabgriffes 50 is advantageous because it is particularly flexible and can be removed again.

The present invention thus provides a very efficient busbar system, which for the first time offers the possibility of completely free contacting and arrangement of the luminaire modules. This has the consequence that the individual lighting modules no longer need to be adapted to certain lengths to allow a suitable arrangement within the busbar system. The application is not limited to the illustrated example of a U-shaped busbar. For example, the wire holder elements according to the invention can also be found in busbars with other profiles, such as A-profiles or Y-profiles use. This applies in the same way also for the imaginary connecting element. Furthermore, the manufacturing cost can be significantly reduced, since the wire support members can be made in a much simpler and faster way, as is the case with the known Stromleitprofilen. In particular, the present invention provides a way to circumvent the problems associated with temperature differences that cause length change and displacement of the plastic parts.

Claims (16)

1. Current rail system for luminaires
   having a plurality of carrier rails (1) connectable with one another in a modular manner, and a current carrying profile held by the carrier rails (1) which current carrier profile has groves (11) for receiving wires (6) for the current supply and/or transmission of control signals, which grooves run in the longitudinal direction of the carrier rails (1) and are accessible from a contacting side, wherein the current carrier profile held by a carrier rail (1) is comprised of at least two wire carrier elements (10, 10₁, 10₂) joined to one another, which elements have the grooves (11) for receiving the wires (6),
   characterised in that,
   the wire holding elements (10, 10₁, 10₂), upon joining together, so engage into one another, overlapping, with projections (17, 22) located at their ends that they form in the connection region channels (23) corresponding to the grooves (11) and open towards the contacting side.
2. Current rail system according to claim 1,
   characterised in that,
   the wire holder elements (10, 10₁, 10₂) have locking elements (18, 19) which limit a relative longitudinal movement of two wire holder elements (10, 10₁, 10₂) joined to one another to a predetermined play for movement with respect to one another.
3. Current rail system according to claim 1 or 2,
   characterised in that,
   the wire holder elements (10, 10₁, 10₂) have guide arms (12₁-12₄), which engage into corresponding guide grooves (4₁-4₄) of the carrier rail (1) .
4. Current rail system according to any of claims 1 to 3,
   characterised in that,
   the carrier rail (1) is U-shaped, wherein at the inner sides of the two side walls (3a, 3b) of the carrier rail (1) there is arranged a current carrier profile.
5. Current rail system according to claim 4,
   characterised in that,
   the inner space of the U-shaped carrier rail (1) serves as receiving space for operating devices of the lamps and for corresponding contacting elements.
6. Current rail system according to claim 4 or 5,
   characterised in that,
   the wire holder elements (10, 10₁, 10₂) are in each case comprised of two side wings (10a, 10b) which are arranged on the side walls (3a, 3b) of the carrier rail (1) and have the grooves (11) for receiving the wires (6),
   wherein the two side wings (10a, 10b) are in each case connected with one another by connecting webs (13) which are arranged on the middle limb (2) of the carrier rail (1).
7. Current rail system according to claim 6,
   characterised in that,
   one of the two side wings (10a) has a horizontal limb (14) arranged parallel to the middle limb (2) of the carrier rail (1), which horizontal limb together with holder limbs projecting from the connecting webs (13) form a receiving space (8) for receiving cables or lines.
8. Current rail system according to any preceding claim,
   characterised in that,
   this has a connection element (31) for connecting the two current carrier profiles of two consecutive carrier rails (1), which connection element has groove-like recesses (32) corresponding to the grooves (11) of the carrier profiles, in which recesses in each case a metal connector (35) is placed to which the wires to be connected with one another can be connected from both sides.
9. Current rail system according to claim 8,
   characterised in that,
   the metal connectors (35) are comprised of an elongate contacting plate (37), at the ends of which there is in each case a U-shaped spring element (38) for clamping the wires (6) to be connected to the metal connectors (35).
10. Current rail system according to any of claims 4-7 and claim 8 or 9,
    characterised in that,
    this has a U-shaped connection rail (30) for connecting two carrier rails (1), which connection rail engages internally into both carrier rails (1) and at the side limbs (30a, 30b) of which there is arranged in each case a connection element (31).
11. Current rail system according to any of claims 4-7 or 10,
    characterised in that,
    for connection of a luminaire to the current rail system this has a contacting element (50) having a plurality of connection contacts (53, 54) which can be introduced into the opening of the carrier rail (1) and is partly rotatable in order, through the rotation, to introduce connection contacts (53, 54) into the grooves (11) of the current carrier profile and bring them to bear against the wires (6) to be contacted.
12. Current rail system according to claim 11,
    characterised in that,
    at least one of the connection contacts (53) is height adjustable.
13. Current rail system according to claim 11 or 12,
    characterised in that,
    through the rotation, locking elements (52) on the contacting element (50) engage behind the projecting parts of the carrier rail (1).
14. Wire holder element for modular formation of a current carrier profile for a current rail system, which current carrier profile has groves (11) for receiving wires (6) for the current supply and/or transmission of control signals, which grooves run in the longitudinal direction and are accessible from a contacting side, wherein the wire carrier elements (10, 10₁, 10₂) have the grooves (11) for receiving the wires (6),
    characterised in that,
    the wire holding elements (10, 10₁, 10₂) have projections (17, 18) at their ends which, upon joining together with a further wire holding element (10, 10₁, 10₂), so engage into one another, overlapping, that they form in the connection region channels (23) corresponding to the grooves (11) and open towards the contacting side.
15. Wire holder element according to claim 14,
    characterised in that,
    the wire holder elements (10, 10₁, 10₂) have locking elements (18, 19) which limit a relative longitudinal movement of two wire holder elements (10, 10₁, 10₂) joined to one another to a predetermined play for movement with respect to one another.
16. Wire holder element according to claim 14 or 15,
    characterised in that,
    this is comprised of two side wings (10a, 10b) which are connected with one another by means of connecting webs (13), wherein each side wing (10a, 10b) has at least one groove (11) for receiving a wire (6).

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