EP1201009B1 - Coupling for conductor bars - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a coupling piece for Busbars, which is a central unit with two to each other a geometric pivot axis pivotable pivot parts has, which are shaped like a cup and with the open Sides facing each other and with abutting or each other overlapping edges are joined, the Swivel axis perpendicular to one through the open sides of the Swivel parts defined level in the middle of the open sides the swivel parts runs and being on each of these swivel parts in the radial direction with respect to the pivot axis from the outside the swivel parts projecting a holder for a multi-pole self-supporting, intended for attaching lights Busbar is arranged, which mounts with electrical Connection conductors for connection to power rails to be attached there are provided and the individual connection conductors of one Bracket each with a connecting conductor of the other bracket are electrically connected.

Coupling pieces of the aforementioned type serve primarily to Busbars, which in turn for attaching and feeding Lights are provided to put together in that those places where luminaires follow a certain concept to be arranged, for the supply of a busbar is available. There are coupling pieces of the type mentioned DE 21 31 065 B known. It can be used in busbars selectable angular position can be connected to each other. In these known coupling pieces there is a connecting conductor one bracket with a connecting conductor of the other Holder via a flexible line, which runs through the central unit is connected, conductively connected. This execution requires a relatively large effort in the manufacture of individual parts of the coupling piece and also during assembly, being on the need to connect the flexible lines with the connection conductors and on the required manipulation when inserting those connected via these lines Connection wire pairs can be pointed into the brackets. Next is the accommodation of the flexible lines in the Middle unit often difficult because of these lines, in particular if they should carry larger currents, relatively thick are, the required insulation of these lines Thickness further increased, and because in view of the requested Pivots of the brackets to each other in the central unit length of these flexible lines to be accommodated must be measured; the latter can also make it more difficult the mobility of the brackets to each other.

One intended for the transmission of electrical current Hinge piece is also described in US-A-2 447 026. With this The hinge piece is from one side of the hinge piece to other side of the joint leading connections in the form of Conductor pairs executed, which joined together like a hinge Form units, each as a whole in the housing of the joint piece are used or are. In order to make this possible, a multi-part design of the housing is provided, so that seen overall, a relatively large effort the manufacture of the individual parts and when assembling them results.

It is an object of the present invention to provide training to create a coupling piece of the type mentioned at the disadvantages as mentioned above are avoided.

The coupling piece according to the invention of the type mentioned is characterized in that the connecting conductor in the form of electrically conductive rods are formed, which of the Brackets in the interior of the swivel parts of the central unit protrude, with a connecting conductor near the swivel axis one holder on a connecting conductor of the other holder slidably, and that of each bracket in their on one of the swivel parts attached half a connecting conductor directly leads into the interior of this swivel part and a connecting conductor of the other half of the bracket in question the gap between this half and the other swivel part of the central unit passing through one in the circumferential direction running slot in the wall of that other swivel part leads inside. Through this training the The above objective was easily met become. It becomes a structurally simple coupling piece received, the parts made with little effort and with simple manipulation can be assembled and which is also easily adjustable in use, being a good electrical Connection of the connecting conductors is given to each other. You can do this in a structurally simple manner over long periods of time a very good electrical contact between the one Bracket to the other bracket leading electrical wiring obtained with an embodiment which is characterized is that the inside of the swivel parts of the Ends of the connecting conductors one each Wear a ring that surrounds the pivot axis, one ring at a time a connection conductor of a holder on a ring of a connection conductor the other bracket slidably. This Embodiment also provides good positioning over long periods of time the connection conductor safely. This embodiment can can also be advantageously added in that between pairs a ring-shaped insulating ring sliding against one another Spacer, which also surrounds the pivot axis, is arranged.

For making contact between the connection conductors in the Brackets of the coupling piece and to these brackets to be added to the busbars, it is favorable if you provide that the connection conductors can be moved in the brackets are stored and are resilient in the transverse direction. A transverse and resilient mounting of the connection conductor can can also advantageously be obtained with an embodiment which is characterized in that the connecting conductors in the Brackets are slidably mounted and that in the transverse direction the connecting conductor acting springs on the one hand the connection conductors and, on the other hand, on the relevant one Attack bracket, are provided.

It is for the manufacture and assembly of the at structurally special coupling piece according to the invention important individual parts, namely the two pivotable to each other Parts of the central unit and the brackets, particularly advantageous if you provide that the brackets each one directly on one of the two swivel parts of the central unit located approach part and an adjoining it to the outside Connector part to which a busbar can be positively attached, are formed. This embodiment also offers the advantage that to adapt to different Forming busbars only the connector parts must conform to the rails while the Middle unit with the attachment parts no adjustment to the Track shape required; moreover, by providing directly on the parts of the Middle aggregates located attachments and to these attachments assembly connecting to the outside of the brackets with their electrical connection strips the mutually pivotable parts of the central unit essential facilitated. The approach part can be advantageous with the associated swivel part can be integrated in one piece.

Fig. 1 ein bevorzugtes Ausführungsbeispiel eines erfindungsgemäß ausgebildeten Kupplungsstückes in einer Ansicht;

Fig.2 ein Beispiel einer Stromschiene, die zum Anfügen an ein erfindungsgemäßes Kupplungsstück vorgesehen ist;

Fig.3 die Einzelteile des in Fig. 1 dargestellten Kupplungsstückes in Explosionsdarstellung; und

die Fig.4 und 5 Ansichten des in Fig. 1 dargestellten Kupplungsstückes in von der Darstellung in Fig. 1 abweichenden Schwenkstellungen.

The invention will now be further explained with reference to examples which are shown schematically in the drawing. The drawing shows:

Figure 1 shows a preferred embodiment of a coupling piece designed according to the invention in a view.

2 shows an example of a busbar which is provided for attachment to a coupling piece according to the invention;

3 shows the individual parts of the coupling piece shown in Figure 1 in an exploded view; and

4 and 5 are views of the coupling piece shown in FIG. 1 in pivoting positions that differ from the illustration in FIG. 1.

The embodiment shown in Fig. 1 of an invention trained coupling piece 1 has a central unit 2 on which two brackets 3, 4 are arranged, which are formed, busbars 5, which are attached to these brackets are to be connected mechanically and electrically. Such busbars 5, which are indicated by dashed lines in Fig. 1 are, have at least two electrically insulated from each other Conductors on and are generally self-supporting and supply of lights which are connected to the conductors of the busbars be provided.

An example of such a busbar 5 is shown in FIG Section shown. The track has a basic profile bar 6, in which longitudinal recesses 7 are provided, which in turn Pick up conductor 8. The current conductors 8 are in the longitudinal recesses 7 held by insulating profiles 9. The insulating profiles 9 have a slot 10 that is open to the outside through which the current conductor 8 from the outside for feeding and for power consumption with pin-like or strip-like connection conductors can be contacted. On the opposite Side of the base profile rod 6 is another profile groove 11 provided, in which a for mechanical retention of Busbar provided profile bar can be inserted. If desired, another can be located at the bottom of the profile groove 11 Arrange conductor 12, which without further insulation measures is possible if the base profile rod 6 itself made of insulating material consists. If the base profile rod 6 is made of metal, it can itself serve as a ladder, in particular the use be considered as neutral or earth can.

The central unit 2 has two swivel parts 13, 14, which around a dashed geometric pivot axis 19 are pivotable to each other. At a pivot part 13 is the bracket 3 and on the other swivel part 14 the bracket 4 arranged. Connection conductors 15 are arranged in the brackets 3, 4, which is an electrical connection from the conductors a busbar, which is attached to the bracket 3 is to the conductors of another conductor rail, which is connected the bracket 4 is attached, manufacture. There are the individual connection conductor of the bracket 3 each with a connection conductor the holder 4 via a in Fig.1 not closer Shown pivotable connection, which is inside the central unit 2 is arranged in an electrically conductive connection.

As can be seen from FIGS. 1 and 3, the two are Swivel parts 13, 14 of the central unit 2 shaped like a cup and are facing each other with their open sides 17 and joined together with abutting edges 18. The In this case, the swivel axis is physical through an inside of the two cup-shaped pivot parts 13, 14 of the Central aggregate 2 arranged rod 20 formed on his End 21 each with one of the two facing away from each other Bottom zones 22 of the cup-shaped pivot parts 13, 14 connected is. This connection is in one case by an one end of the rod 20 provided collar 23 by a corresponding extension of a through hole in the Bottom zone of the pivot part 14 is added, and in the other Case by an adjusting ring 24, the extension 25th a through hole in the bottom zone of the swivel part 14 is recorded, formed; in the case shown, these are Through holes closed to the outside by stopper 26. The adjusting ring 24 can be screwed on the rod 20 are fixed, with a groove 28 an axial insertion of the Adjustment ring 24 in the extension 25 allows until the screw has reached an opening 29 through which a tool for Tightening the screw 27 can be inserted. Depending on the length the screw 27 can the swivel part when the screw is tightened 13 be fixed or pivotable with respect to the rod 20.

The brackets 3, 4 are in relation to the pivot axis 19 radial direction, which is indicated by arrows 30, from the Outside 31 of the cup-shaped pivot parts 13, 14 protruding arranged on these swivel parts.

The brackets 3, 4 are in the direction of the pivot axis 19th seen approximately symmetrical to that through the edges 18 of the Swivel parts 13, 14 arranged plane, the Bracket 3 with its half 32, one side of said Level lies, is attached to the pivot part 13, and with it other half 33 that to the other side of the said level is located in front of the pivot member 14; the same is true Bracket 4 attached with its half 34 on the pivot member 14 and is with its half 35 in front of the swivel part 13. Die Connection conductors 15 are in the form of electrically conductive rods formed, which of the brackets 3, 4 in the interior of the Pivot parts 13, 14 of the central unit 2 protrude, near the Pivot axis 19 in each case a connecting conductor of a holder 3 a connecting conductor of the other bracket 4 is sliding. It is preferred that of each bracket 3, 4 in the assigned pivot part 13 or 14 attached half 32 or 34 a connecting conductor 15 directly into the interior of the relevant Swiveling part 13 and 14 leads and another connecting conductor of the other half 33 or 35 of the holder in question 3 or 4 the gap 36 between the other half 33 or 35 and the other swivel part 14 and 13 respectively through a circumferential slot 37 in the Wall of the other swivel part 14 or 13 in the interior leads. By appropriately wide design of the brackets 3, 4 can provide sufficient security against a Touching the connecting conductor 15 guided through the slots 37 be achieved.

To make a good electrical connection between the sliding to create adjacent ends of connection conductors and to ensure structurally simple and safe positioning at the same time to achieve the connection conductor are in the case shown ends of the connecting conductors located inside the swivel parts 13, 14 15 each provided with a ring 16, which is the pivot axis surrounds, each with a ring of a connecting conductor Bracket on one ring of a connecting conductor of the other Bracket is sliding. Sliding together between pairs lying rings 16 is in each case an annular insulating spacer 38 is provided, which also the pivot axis 19th or 20 surrounds.

In the brackets 3, 4 grooves are provided in which the Connection conductor 15 are mounted so that they can be moved. The connecting conductor springs in the transverse direction, indicated by the arrow 39 is to make full electrical contact with the To ensure current conductors 8 of the busbars 5. In the illustrated The case is in the transverse direction 39 of the connecting conductor 15 Acting springs 40 are provided, which in chambers of the brackets 3, 4 are arranged and at 41 designated attack points act on the connecting conductor 15. To simplify the Parts manufacturing, to simplify assembly and to achieve the possibility of such coupling pieces in a simple manner to be able to adapt for different tracks Brackets 3, 4 each directly from one of the two Swivel parts 13, 14 of the central unit 2 located extension 42 and a connector part adjoining it to the outside 43, to which a conductor rail can be positively attached is formed. In the case shown, the brackets 3, 4 provided with a profile rod 44, which for mechanical guidance and bracket to be attached to the coupling piece Busbar 5 is provided and in a corresponding profile groove 11 of a track fits. This also preferably bears Profile bar as shown, a groove in which a connecting conductor can be inserted if another electrically conductive Connection, such as a neutral connection or one Earth connection, is desired.

Figures 4 and 5 show the coupling piece according to Fig.1 in 1 different pivot positions. In the shown in Fig. 1 Position the brackets 3, 4 to each other. According to Figures 4 and 5 are the pivot parts 13, 14 and thus also the brackets 3, 4 against each other about the geometric axis 19 pivoted, namely to the position shown in Figure 4 in the sense of arrow 45 and to the position shown in Figure 5 in the direction of the arrow 46. This allows busbars 5, which are at an angle to each other should be arranged in a continuous manner, easily connected to each other be by the swivel parts 13, 14 together with the brackets 3, 4 in one for the intended course of the busbars suitable position can be pivoted. For fixation of busbars 5 on the brackets 3, 4 screws 47 be provided.

Claims (6)

1. A coupling for conductor rails, which coupling comprises a middle unit (2) having two pivoting parts (13, 14) pivotable relative to each other about a geometric pivot axis (19), the pivoting parts being cup-shaped, facing each other with their open sides, and being assembled by rims abutting each other or overlapping each other, the pivot axis extending perpendicular to a plane defined by the open sides of the pivoting parts, in the middle of the open sides of the pivotable parts, wherein a respective holding means (3, 4) for a cantilevering multipole conductor rail (5), for attachment of lighting fixtures, is arranged on each one of these pivoting parts so as to project from the outer side of the pivoting parts in a radial direction with respect to the pivot axis, said holding means (3, 4) being provided with electrical connecting conductors (15) for a connection with conductor rails to be attached there, and wherein the individual connecting conductors of the one holding means (3) are each electrically conductively connected with a connecting conductor of the other holding means (4), characterized in that the connecting conductors (15) are formed as electrically conductive rods extending from the holding means (3, 4) into the interior of the pivoting parts of the middle unit (2), wherein, in the vicinity of the pivot axis (19), a respective connecting conductor (15) of the one holding means (3) slidingly contacts a connecting conductor (15) of the other holding means (4), and that a connecting conductor leads directly from each holding means (3, 4), in the half (32, 34) thereof attached on one of the pivoting parts (13, 14), into the interior of this pivoting part, and a connecting conductor from the other half (33, 35) of the respective holding means leads into the interior of the respective other pivoting part, passing the gap (36) between this half and the respective other pivoting part of the middle unit through a peripherally extending slot (37) in the wall of that respective other pivoting part.
2. A coupling according to claim 1, characterized in that each one of the ends of the connecting conductors (15) located in the interior of the pivoting parts (13, 14) of the middle unit (2) carries a ring (16) which surrounds the pivot axis (19), one ring (16) of one connecting conductor (15) of one holding means (3) each slidingly contacting a ring (16) of a connecting conductor (15) of the other holding means (4).
3. A coupling according to claim 2, characterized in that an annular insulating spacer which likewise surrounds the pivot axis is arranged between pairs of slidingly abutting rings.
4. A coupling according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the connecting conductors (15) are mounted in the holding means (3, 4) so as to be transversely displaceable therein and designed to be resilient in transverse direction.
5. A coupling according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the connecting conductors (15) are mounted in the holding means (3, 4) so as to be transversely displaceable therein and in that springs (40) are provided which act in transverse direction (39) of the connecting conductors (15) and engage on the connecting conductors (15), on the one hand, and on the respective holding means, on the other hand.
6. A coupling accoding to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each one of the holding means (3, 4) is formed by an attachment part (42) directly located on one of the two pivoting parts (13, 14) of the middle unit (2) and an externally following plug-in connection part (43) to which a conductor rail (5) can be attached by a positive connection.

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