EP3176876B1 - Phase rail - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a phase rail according to the preamble of patent claim 1.

Well known, for example from the EP 1 667 286 A2 , Are phase rails with an insulating housing and at least one arranged in the insulating housing electrically conductive pole rail on which at least two terminal lugs are arranged, which are led out with a connection region of the insulating housing. Devices are usually connected to the terminal areas of the terminal lugs. This is usually done by means of a Schraubklemmkontakts, whereby it is thus necessary to tighten for connection to each terminal to be connected a screw and to release the complete phase rail at each individual connected terminal lug to loosen the corresponding screw again.
In addition to the known Schraubklemmkontakten spring terminal contacts are known in which an electrical conductor, such as a cable with its stripped end, against the force of a spring is inserted and contacted by the spring force in the spring terminal both electrically conductive and mechanically fixed. If the electrical conductor to be released from the spring terminal contact again, it is necessary to deflect the spring against the spring force such that the electrical conductor is released and can be deducted from the spring terminal. For this purpose, either a separate screwdriver can be used, which is inserted through an opening in the housing of the spring terminal contact such that the spring is pivoted against the spring force and releases the electrical conductor. Alternatively, also on the housing of the spring terminal contact a corresponding Be arranged actuating element which pivots the clamping spring when actuated such that the clamped electrical conductor is released again.

Phase rails have at least two, usually several, in particular significantly more than two, rigid terminal lugs. It is also desirable to be able to connect a phase rail to spring terminal contacts, since the installation could be made much easier, if not for each individual terminal lug a screw for electrical contacting and mechanical fixation must be tightened. The problem so far is that a phase rail can indeed be inserted with the several terminal lugs in several corresponding spring terminal contacts and the terminal lugs can also be contacted both electrically conductive and mechanically fixed by arranged in the spring terminal contacts springs. However, it is hardly possible to solve such a phase rail from the multiple spring terminal contacts again, since it is necessary to deflect all springs simultaneously against their spring force, so that all pinched terminal lugs are released simultaneously and then can be removed. For this purpose, however, the user would have to introduce, for example, at least two, but in particular significantly more than two, screwdrivers into the corresponding actuating openings, which is not possible for a single user with two hands.

The object of the invention is therefore to develop a phase rail such that it can also be used in conjunction with spring terminal contacts, in particular connected to these and can be easily solved by them again.

The object of the invention is achieved by a phase rail with the features of patent claim 1.

Advantageous embodiments and further developments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims.

The inventive phase rail with an insulating housing and at least one disposed in the insulating housing electrically conductive pole rail on which at least two terminal lugs, preferably a plurality of terminal lugs are arranged, which are led out with a terminal portion of the insulating housing, characterized in that each of the terminal lugs, a solvent is disposed on the phase rail, which is movable between a neutral position and a release position, and that on the housing, an actuating element is arranged, by means of which the solvent from the neutral position can be transferred to the release position when actuated.

By means of the solvent clamping springs of spring terminal contacts are deflected in the release position such that the terminal lug can be removed from the corresponding spring terminal. For this purpose, in particular the solvents in the release position correspondingly in the spring terminal contacts, in which the terminal lugs of the phase rail are inserted, a. In the neutral position, the solvents have no influence on the clamping connection of the terminal lugs in the spring terminal contact.

The basic idea of the invention is thus to arrange solvents for releasing a clamping spring connection instead of on the spring terminal contact on the phase rail itself. Another basic idea of the invention is to be Provide actuating element, by means of which the solvent from the neutral position can be transferred to the release position, so that upon actuation of the actuating element, the clamping terminals preferably all terminal lugs of the phase rail can be solved, so that the phase bar can be removed from the plurality of spring terminal contacts.

Advantageously, the solvents each have a wedge-shaped portion, which in the spring clamp contact in the release position is inserted in order to move the clamping spring against its spring force from the clamping position in such a way that a pinched electrical conductor, in particular the corresponding terminal lug, is released ,

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the solvents are mounted movably on the housing parallel to the longitudinal direction of the associated terminal lug. This can allow a good transmission of the actuation of the actuator to the movement of the solvent.

According to a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, all solvents can be simultaneously transferred from the neutral position to the release position upon actuation of the actuating element. This makes it possible, with a single actuator at the same time to solve the jamming connections on all terminal lugs and then subtract the phase rail.

Advantageously, the actuating element is actuated against the force of a return means. This makes it possible that after actuation of the actuating element, the actuating element is returned to the original position in which, in particular, the solvents are again in the neutral position to ensure that the phase bar is then re-connectable to spring terminal contacts. The return means may be formed, for example, as a spring element.
A preferred embodiment of the invention provides that the actuating element is designed as a slide or as a rocker arm, whereby a particularly user-friendly operation is possible.
A particularly preferred embodiment of the invention provides that the phase rail has a latching element, which is arranged such that it interacts with a device to be connected to a to be connected to the phase rail device locking element upon connection of the device to the phase rail. Such a locking element provides an additional mechanical fixation between the phase rail and the device to be connected in order to secure the phase rail against displacements relative to the devices to be connected.
The locking element is advantageously arranged on the housing of the phase rail or on the actuating element of the phase rail.

According to the invention, both the solvent from the neutral position in the release position can be transferred by means of the actuating element and the locking connection between the locking element and the phase bar and the device locking element, preferably simultaneously, detachable. This makes it possible, with a single operation all mechanical fixations between the Phase rail and the connected devices, which in particular have the spring terminal contacts to solve and to deduct the phase rail in a simple manner.

Fig. 1

eine perspektivische Ansicht eines Ausführungsbeispieles einer erfindungsgemäßen Phasenschiene,

Fig. 2

einen Schnitt durch die in Figur 1 dargestellte Phasenschiene mit den Lösemitteln in der neutralen Position und

Fig. 3

einen Schnitt durch die Phasenschiene gemäß Figur 1 mit den Lösemitteln in der Löseposition.

An embodiment of the invention will be explained in detail with reference to the following figures. Show it:

Fig. 1

a perspective view of an embodiment of a phase bar according to the invention,

Fig. 2

a section through the in FIG. 1 shown phase rail with the solvents in the neutral position and

Fig. 3

a section through the phase rail according to FIG. 1 with the solvents in the release position.

The FIGS. 1 to 3 show various views of a phase bar 10, which has an insulating housing 20. For a better overview, not all reference numbers are given in each of the figures.

The insulating housing 20 has a bottom wall 21a, two opposite, substantially parallel side walls 21b, 21c, two opposite, arranged substantially parallel to each other end walls 21d, 21e and the bottom wall 21a opposite, arranged substantially parallel to this top wall 21f , The housing 20 may be composed of several parts. For example, one part may comprise the bottom wall 21a, while a second part comprises the two side walls 21b, 21c and the top wall 21f, these two parts being pluggable into one another. These two parts can, for example, as extruded profile be made of insulating material. The end walls 21d, 21e can then be placed on the open surfaces of the nested parts.

At least one pole rail 30, preferably a plurality of pole rails, for example two, three or four pole rails, is arranged in the housing 20. A plurality of pole rails can on the one hand be insulated from one another by insulating webs 25a arranged in the housing 20 and, on the other hand, be fixed in their position. Even if only one pole rail 30 arranged in the housing 20 can be fixed in position by means of the web 25a.

The pole rail 30 is made of an electrically conductive material and formed, for example, as an elongated, substantially rectangular element whose longitudinal direction, for example, in the FIGS. 2 and 3 perpendicular to the paper plane. At the pole rail 30 spaced apart in the longitudinal direction of the pole rail 30 at least two, preferably a plurality, in the embodiments shown in the figures, for example, six, terminal lugs 32 are arranged. The terminal lugs 32 may be integrally arranged on the pole rail 30. The terminal lugs 32 are also made of electrically conductive material and may, for example, have a substantially rectangular elongated shape with a longitudinal direction, wherein the longitudinal direction in particular runs substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the pole rail 30. The terminal lugs 32 are preferably arranged on the pole rail 30 such that they lie with their connection region 34 substantially in one plane. If a plurality of pole rails are arranged in the housing 20, the terminal lugs 34 arranged on different pole rails 30 can advantageously be bent in such a way that the connection regions 34 of all connection lugs 32 are arranged in one plane. The connection regions 34 of the terminal lugs 32 are led out of the housing 20 through openings 22 arranged in the cover wall 21 f of the housing 20.

In the FIGS. 2 and 3 schematically a section of a device 70 is shown, which is to be connected to the phase rail 10. In this case, in particular, the detail of the contact of the device 70 is shown, which is designed as a spring terminal contact. The spring terminal has a clamping spring 72 with a spring leg 72a and a mounting portion 72b. Furthermore, the spring terminal contact of the device 70 has an insertion opening 74 into which the electrical conductor to be connected, in the present case one of the terminal lugs 32, can be inserted. The clamping spring 72 is arranged such that the spring leg 72a projects into the region of the insertion opening 74. The fixing portion 72b is properly set in the spring terminal contact. As a rule, the electrically conductive connection is made in the device 70 via the attachment section 72b.

In FIG. 2 It is shown that one of the terminal lugs 32 of the phase rail 10 has been inserted into the insertion opening 74 of the spring terminal of the device 70. The spring leg 72 a of the clamping spring 72 abuts against the terminal lug 32 and thus establishes the electrically conductive connection between the clamping spring 72 and the terminal lug 32. As a rule, the terminal lug 32 is mechanically fixed against withdrawal in the insertion opening 74 by this spring action.

In order to be able to release the electrical conductor inserted in the insertion opening 74, in the present case the terminal lug 32, from the device 70, the spring leg 72a must resist its spring force be pivoted so that it releases the inserted into the insertion opening 74 electrical conductor again.

For this purpose, the inventive phase rail 10 has a solvent 40 arranged on the housing 20. The solvent 40 has a stop surface 44, which is mounted in particular within the housing 20. On the stop surface 44, a wedge-shaped portion 42 is arranged, which is led out through an opening 23 of the housing 20. The solvent 40 is movably mounted on the housing 20, in particular between a neutral position (see in particular FIG. 2 ) and a release position (compare in particular FIG. 3 ). The movement of the solvent 40 is preferably parallel to the longitudinal direction of the terminal lugs 32. According to one embodiment, a solvent 40 is provided per terminal lug 32 in each case. The solvent 40 is disposed relative to the terminal lug 32 such that when the terminal lug 32 is attached to the device 70 with the terminal lug 32 inserted into the insertion opening 74, the wedge-shaped portion 42 comes to lie in front of an actuation opening 76 of the spring terminal of the device 70 or is already partially introduced into it. In the neutral position, however, the solvent 40 has no significant effect on the clamping connection between the spring leg 72a of the clamping spring 72 and the terminal lug 32 (see FIG. 2 ).

On the phase rail 10, an actuating element 50 is arranged, with which the solvent 40 can be transferred from the neutral position to the release position. When transferring the solvent 40 from the neutral position to the release position of the wedge-shaped portion 42 is pushed so far into the operating opening 76, that he the spring leg 72 a against the force of Clamping spring 72 deflects such that the spring leg 72a, the terminal lug 32 releases (see FIG. 3 ). This is a removal of the terminal lug 32 from the device 70 with the spring terminal contact possible. A pushing out of the solvent 40 from the housing 20 is thereby prevented that the stop surface 44 at a stop edge or stop surface of the housing 20, for example, the top wall 21f, strikes.

In particular, the actuating element 50 advantageously transfers all the solvent 40 arranged on the phase rail 10 simultaneously from the neutral position into the release position, so that even when several devices 70 are connected to the phase rail 10, for example from six different devices 70 at the six different connection lugs 32 Removing the phase bar 10 from all devices 70 in a simple manner is possible as soon as the actuator 50 is actuated.

The actuator 50 may be formed in cross-section approximately T-shaped. The actuating element 50 has, for example, an actuating surface 52 and an approximately at right angles thereto arranged pressure surface 54. The actuating surface 52 is disposed outside of the housing 20 and may extend over almost the entire length of the phase rail 10. The pressure surface 54 may also extend in one embodiment over almost the entire length of the phase rail 10 and simultaneously act on all solvents 40. However, it is alternatively also possible that a single pressure surface 54 is arranged on the actuating element 50 for each of the terminal lugs 32. The pressure surface 54 is guided through an opening 24 from the interior of the housing 20 to the outside. The opening 24 is arranged in particular in one of the side walls, for example the side wall 21c. The actuating surface 52 may be arranged substantially parallel to the side wall 21c. The actuating surface 52 may include one or more grooves 58 to allow better grip.

The actuating element 50 is formed in the present embodiment as a rocker arm and tiltably arranged in particular in the opening 24. When pressure is applied to the actuating surface 52, the end of the pressure surface 54 facing away from the actuating surface 52 tilts and thus exerts a pressure on the solvent 40 such that it is transferred from the neutral position into the release position. In particular, the free end of the pressure surface 54 is moved toward the top wall 21f and pushes the solvent 40 with the wedge-shaped portion 42 through the opening 23 partially out of the housing 20 and further into the insertion opening 74 of the device 70 inside.

The actuator 50 may include a return mechanism. For example, upon actuation of the actuating element 50, a spring element 60 can be tensioned, which returns the actuating element 50 to the starting position as soon as pressure is no longer exerted on the actuating surface 52 of the confirming element 50. In this case, in particular, the solvent 40 is again transferred to the neutral position.

In order to improve the fixation in the phase rail 10 on the device 70, a latching mechanism may be provided between the device 70 and the phase rail 10. For example, the device 70 has a device locking element 78, which is designed for example as a latching hook. On the phase rail 10, for example, the actuating element 50, a latching element 56 corresponding to this device latching element 78 can be arranged be, which may be formed for example as a recess. If the device 70 is plugged onto the phase rail 10, the device locking element 78 of the device 70 engages in the latching element 56 of the phase rail 10 (see FIG. 2). The latching element 56 is arranged in particular on the actuating element 50 such that the latching connection to the device latching element 78 is released as soon as the actuating element 50 is actuated. Thus, at the same time when transferring the solvent 40 from the neutral position to the release position, the latching connection between the phase rail 10 and the device 70 are solved, so that the phase bar 10 can be easily deducted from the devices 70.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

10

phase rail

20

casing

21a

bottom wall

21b, 21c

Side wall

21d, 21e

bulkhead

21f

top wall

22

opening

23

opening

24

opening

25a

web

30

pole bus

32

terminal lug

34

terminal area

40

solvent

42

wedge-shaped section

44

stop surface

50

actuator

52

actuating surface

54

print area

56

Rastelementausnehmung

58

groove

60

spring element

70

device

72

clamping spring

72a

spring leg

72b

attachment section

74

insertion

76

actuating opening

78

Device locking element

Claims (11)

1. Phase bar (10) comprising an insulating housing (20) and at least one electrically conductive pole bar (30) which is arranged in the insulating housing (20) and on which are arranged at least two terminal lugs (32) which, with a terminal region (34), lead out of the insulating housing (20), wherein the terminal lugs (32) can be inserted into spring clamp contacts of a device (70) in order to form a clamping spring connector, wherein for each of the terminal lugs (32) a releasing means (40) for releasing the clamping spring connector, which is movable between a neutral position and a release position, is arranged on the phase bar (10), and wherein an actuating element (50) is arranged on the housing (20), and by means of this actuating element, upon actuation, the releasing means (40) can be transferred from the neutral position into the release position, characterised in that a latching connection between a latching element (56) of the phase bar (10) and a device latching element (78) of the device (70) can be released by means of the actuating element (50) .
2. Phase bar (10) according to claim 1, characterised in that the releasing means (40) in each case have a wedge-shaped portion (42).
3. Phase bar (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the release means (40) are mounted movably on the housing (20) parallel to the longitudinal direction of the associated terminal lug (32).
4. Phase bar (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that upon actuation of the actuating element (50) all releasing means (40) can be simultaneously transferred from the neutral position into the release position.
5. Phase bar (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the actuating element (50) can be actuated against the force of a restoring means.
6. Phase bar (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the restoring means is designed as a spring element (60).
7. Phase bar according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the actuating element (50) is designed as a slider or as a rocking lever.
8. Phase bar (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that a plurality of terminal lugs (32) are arranged on each pole bar (30).
9. Phase bar (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the phase bar (10) has a latching element (56) which is arranged in such a way that upon connection of the device (70) to the phase bar (10) the latching element interacts with a device latching element (78) arranged on a device (70) to be connected to the phase bar (10) .
10. Phase bar (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the latching element (56) is arranged on the housing (20) or on the actuating element (50).
11. Phase bar (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that by means of the actuating element (50) the releasing means (40) can be simultaneously transferred from the neutral position into the release position and simultaneously the latching connection between the latching element (56) of the phase bar (10) and the device latching element (78) can be released.

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