LUMINAIRE OR ELECTRICAL UNIT FOR CONNECTION TO A SUPPORTING RAIL

Abstract

A luminaire (30) or electrical unit for connection to a supporting rail (10) has a contacting element (40, 50, 60), which is introducible into the supporting rail profile (15) and has connection contacts (42, 52, 62) mounted adjustably in order to bear against lines (25) of the busbar (20) in a state in which the contacting element (40, 50, 60) has been inserted into the supporting rail profile (15). The contacting element (40, 50, 60) has at least one contact block (41, 42, 51, 52, 61, 62) with connection contacts (43, 53, 63), which is linearly laterally adjustable between an open position and a contacting position.

Claims

1. A luminaire (30) or electrical unit for connection to a supporting rail (10) comprising a supporting rail profile (15) having two lateral walls (16) and at least one busbar (20), which is arranged on one of the two inner faces of the lateral walls (16) of the supporting rail profile (15) and comprises electrically contactable lines (25), wherein the luminaire (30) or the electrical unit comprises a contacting element (40, 50, 60) for electrically and, if necessary, mechanically connecting to the supporting rail (10), and wherein the contacting element (40, 50, 60) is introducible into the supporting rail profile (15) and comprises connection contacts (42, 52, 62) which are mounted in an adjustable manner in order to bear against lines (25) of the busbar (20) in a state in which the contacting element (40, 50, 60) has been inserted in the supporting rail profile (15), wherein the contacting element (40, 50, 60) comprises at least one linearly laterally adjustable contact block (41, 42, 51, 52, 61, 62) having connection contacts (43, 53, 63), which block is adjustable between an open position, in which an insertion and removal of the contacting element (40, 50, 60) from the supporting rail profile (15) is made possible, and a contacting position, in which the contact block (41, 42, 51, 52, 61, 62) with the connection contacts (43, 53, 63) is extended laterally in order to contact the lines (25).

2. The luminaire or electrical unit according to claim 1, wherein the contacting element (40, 50, 60) comprises two contact blocks (41, 42, 51, 52, 61, 62) with connection contacts (43, 53, 63) facing in opposite directions, wherein the two contact blocks (41, 42, 51, 52, 61, 62) are coupled such that they can be transferred from the open position into the contacting position while moving away from one another.

3. The luminaire or electrical unit according to claim 2, wherein the two contact blocks (61, 62) are connected to one another via a parallel guide (65).

4. The luminaire or electrical unit according to claim 2, wherein the two contact blocks (61, 62) are supported in a biased manner in the contacting position, wherein pressure elements or actuating elements (71, 72) are arranged on the contacting element (60) or on a supporting element (31) of the luminaire (30) or the electrical unit, which pressure or actuating elements allow the contact blocks (61, 62) to be manually compressed into the open position.

5. The luminaire or electrical unit according to claim 2, wherein the contacting element (40, 50) is configured such that a movement that is axially introduced into the supporting rail profile (15) is converted into a lateral movement of the contact blocks (41, 42, 51, 52).

6. The luminaire or electrical unit according to claim 5, wherein the two contact blocks (41, 42) are connected to one another via articulated arms (46, 48) that form a toggle joint (45).

7. The luminaire or electrical unit according to claim 6, wherein the toggle joint (45) is designed such that, upon application of pressure to the contact blocks (41, 42) in a direction opposite to the direction of insertion into the supporting rail profile (15), the contact blocks (41, 42) are transferred from the open position into the contacting position.

8. The luminaire or electrical unit according to claim 5, wherein the two contact blocks (51, 52) are supported on a carrier (31) of the luminaire (30) or the electrical unit by means of a wedge guide such that, when pressure is applied to the contact blocks (51, 52) in a direction opposite to the direction of insertion into the supporting rail profile (15), the contact blocks (51, 52) are forced from the open position into the contacting position by a wedge (55) arranged on the carrier (31).

9. The luminaire or electrical unit according to claim 5, wherein the two contact blocks (41, 42, 51, 52) are connected to one another via a tension spring (49, 59) that biases the contact blocks (41, 42, 51, 52) into the open position.

10. The luminaire or electrical unit according claim 2, wherein the contact blocks (41, 42, 51, 52, 61, 62) comprise outwardly facing detent elements (44, 54, 64) for mechanical fastening to the supporting rail profile (15).

11. The luminaire or electrical unit according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the contacts (43, 53, 63) is supported on the contact block (41, 42, 51, 52, 61, 62) in a height-adjustable manner.

12. The luminaire or electrical unit according to claim 1, wherein it is an LED bar luminaire.

13. An arrangement for light output with a supporting rail (10) comprising a supporting rail profile (15) having two lateral walls (16) and at least one busbar (20), which is arranged on one of the two inner faces of the lateral walls (16) of the supporting rail profile (15) and comprises electrically contactable lines (25), and a luminaire (30) or an electrical unit according to claim 1.

14. The arrangement for light output according to claim 13, wherein bus bars (20) are arranged on both lateral walls (16) of the supporting rail (10).

15. A contacting element (40, 50, 60) for electrically and mechanically connecting a luminaire or an electrical unit to a supporting rail (10), comprising a supporting rail profile (15) having two lateral walls (16) as well as at least one busbar (20), which is arranged on one of the two inner faces of the lateral walls (16) of the supporting rail profile (15) and comprises electrically contactable lines (25), wherein the contacting element (40, 50, 60) is introducible into the supporting rail profile (15) and comprises connection contacts (42, 52, 62) which are supported in an adjustable manner in order to bear against lines (25) of the busbar (20) in a state in which the contacting element (40, 50, 60) has been inserted in the supporting rail profile (15), wherein the contacting element (40, 50, 60) comprises at least one linearly laterally adjustable contact block (41, 42, 51, 52, 61, 62) with connection contacts (43, 53, 63), which is adjustable between an open position, in which an insertion and removal of the contacting element (40, 50, 60) from the supporting rail profile (15) is made possible, and a contacting position, in which the contact block (41, 42, 51, 52, 61, 62) with the connection contacts (43, 53, 63) is extended laterally in order to contact the lines (25).

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] The invention will be explained in further detail in the following with reference to the accompanying drawings. The figures show:

[0027] Fig. 1a and 1b is a first exemplary embodiment of a contacting element according to the invention for a bar luminaire to be connected to a supporting rail;

[0028] FIGS. 2a and 2b is a second exemplary embodiment of a contacting element according to the invention;

[0029] FIGS. 3a and 3b is a third exemplary embodiment of a contacting element according to the invention; and

[0030] FIG. 4 is a solution known from the prior art of a contacting element known for a bar luminaire to be connected to a supporting rail.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0031] The following detailed explanation of the exemplary embodiments according to the invention assumes a light strip system that substantially corresponds to the light strip system “TECTON” already mentioned above in terms of its design. A particular feature of this system is that the lines extending along the supporting rail for supplying power to the luminaires or consumers are supported such that they can be contacted over the entire length of the light strip system, so that luminaires or other consumers can be flexibly arranged over the length of the light strip system. However, it should be noted that the present invention is not limited to this particular light strip system, but rather the contacting elements according to the invention can, in principle, always be used when, in order to contact the lines of a supporting rail of a light strip system, corresponding contacts of the contacting element must be moved laterally in order to contact the lines of a busbar. In the figures explained in more detail below, the supporting rail with the busbars arranged therein is therefore only shown schematically.

[0032] It should also be noted that a contacting of the lines of a busbar does not necessarily have to serve to supply power to the unit to be connected. The connection to data lines used for communication would also be conceivable, wherein, in particular, the connection of sensors, cameras, or similar components that transmit data via the lines of the light strip system would also be conceivable, which are then used, for example, for automated control of the system. In this sense, the present invention encompasses all conceivable electrical units that can be connected to a busbar in a sensible manner.

[0033] According to the illustrations, the supporting rail 10 of the light strip system 1 comprises a supporting element, which opens to the bottom and comprises a U-shaped supporting rail profile 15, which, together with two lateral walls 16 and a horizontal wall 17 connecting the lateral walls 16, encloses an elongated receiving space 18, into which the contacting element described in more detail below is to be inserted. Busbars 20 are arranged on both inner faces of the lateral walls 16 with contactable lines 25, which are contactable by the luminaires or other electrical units to be connected to the system 1. As is already known from the prior art, the mounting of the lines 25 can be carried out by specially formed line retention elements consisting of an insulating material, which form elongated grooves or channels that open towards the inner face, in which the lines 25 formed by uninsulated wires are supported. In principle, the configuration of the busbars 20 could also vary. However, it is essential that the lines 25 are supported in such a way that they are accessible from the internal space 18 of the supporting rail 10 and can be contacted accordingly from this direction. However, the lines 25 need not necessarily be accessible over the entire length of the system 1, but it would also be conceivable that a contacting merely in sections is possible or provided.

[0034] As the luminaire to be connected to the system 1, the present figures show a so-called bar luminaire 30, which bears against the bottom of the supporting rail profile 15 in the assembled state according to the illustration according to Fig. 1a and 1b and, as a weight-bearing element, has an elongated profile body 31. In particular, the profile body 31 also serves to mount the illuminants, any components for the power supply of the illuminants, as well as any existing optical components that influence the light output of the luminaire 30 in a desired manner However, the design of these components is independent of the present invention, for which reason these components are not shown in detail in the figures and will also not be explained in greater detail in the following.

[0035] The decisive factor is that the luminaire 30 is configured in order to be mechanically fastened to the supporting rail 10 and to contact at least some of the lines 25 of the two busbars 20, which is enabled with the aid of the contacting elements, which are described in further detail below.

[0036] In principle, the contacting elements are designed to be transferable from a first configuration into a second configuration.

[0037] In the first configuration, the contacting element is designed so that it can be inserted into the internal space 18 of the supporting rail 10 and in particular does not conflict with the lower edges of the lateral walls 16 of the supporting rail profile 15. In this state, there is also still no contacting of the lines 25 of the busbars 20.

[0038] In the second configuration, on the other hand, the contacting element is in a state in which at least some of the lines 25 of the busbars 20 are contacted. Ideally, mechanical detent or interlocking elements also engage with corresponding projections on the supporting rail 10, so that a mechanical fastening to the supporting rail 10 is also carried out, in addition to the electrical contacting. The contacting element is thus additionally responsible for fastening the unit to be connected to the supporting rail 10.

[0039] In the solution known from the prior art as shown in FIG. 4, the contacting element was transferred from the first configuration into the second configuration by rotation. According to the present invention, it is now provided that linear displacements or movements are used in order to perform the above functions, deviating from a rotation. Three preferred embodiments of this concept are to be explained in further detail below.

[0040] In Fig. 1a and 1b, the first exemplary embodiment of a contacting element according to the invention bears the reference numeral 40. In the illustrated case, it comprises two so-called contact blocks 41 and 42, which are arranged on both sides of a longitudinal central plane E and support contacts 43 facing outwardly and in opposite directions, respectively. The number as well as the height positioning of the contacts 43 is shown merely by way of example in the figures and of course may also vary. In particular, it can also be provided that one or some of the contacts 43 are mounted in a height-adjustable manner on the corresponding blocks 41, 42, so that it can be determined by means of the corresponding positioning of the contacts 43 which of the lines 25 of the busbars 20 positioned above one another are to be contacted. If, for example, the different lines 25 are used for different phases of a power supply circuit or serve to provide a specific supply voltage or specific control information, a specific function can thereby be assigned to the luminaires or, generally, to the connected unit.

[0041] In order for the contacts 43, e.g., designed as contact tabs, to be able to contact the lines 25, there must be the possibility of extending these contacts 43 laterally. This is made possible in the first exemplary embodiment according to the invention in that the contact blocks 41, 42 are coupled to one another via a so-called toggle joint 45. This toggle joint 45 is formed by a vertically upwardly projecting first arm 46, which is rigidly connected to the carrier 31 of the luminaire 30. At its upper end, the arm 46 is connected via an articulated joint 47 to two pivotally supported arms 48, the end regions of which are each hingedly coupled to one of contact blocks 41 and 42, respectively. Furthermore, a tension spring 49 is provided, which connects the end regions of the two arms 48 to one another.

[0042] The toggle joint 45 formed in this manner now allows the two contact blocks 41 and 42 to be transferred from the position shown in Fig. 1a, which corresponds to an open position of the contacting element 40, into the position shown in Fig. 1b. As can be seen, in comparison to Fig. la, both contact blocks 41 and 42 are slightly laterally extended, such that the outer ends of the contact tabs 43 are now brought to bear against the lines 25 of the busbars 20. Furthermore, detent tabs 44 of the contact blocks 41, 42 at the lower end of the lateral walls 16 of the supporting rail 10 engage with provided detent protrusions. Thus, in this position, the luminaire 30 is not only electrically connected to the lines 25 of the busbars 20, but is also mechanically fixed to the supporting rail 10. The position of the arms 48 in the contacting position of the contact blocks 41 and 42 as shown is also such that the contact blocks 41 and 43 are locked by the tension spring 49 in the position shown.

[0043] Thus, upon axial insertion of the contacting element 40 shown, the contact blocks 41, 42, which are initially located in the position shown in Fig. 1a, come to bear against the horizontal wall 17 of the supporting rail 10 or with a stop 19 provided on the wall 17. If the supporting element 31 of the luminaire 30 is now pushed further upwards, the pressure exerted by the wall 17 or the stop on the contact blocks 41, 42 counter to the insertion movement leads to the conversion of this axial movement by the toggle joint 45 into a lateral deflection of the contact blocks 41 and 42, in that the arms 48 are pivoted about the pivot point 47 until they occupy the position shown in Fig. 1b. As already mentioned, a dead center of the joint 45 is exceeded, and the tension spring 49, which pulls the contact blocks 41 and 42 into the open position in the position shown in Fig. 1a, now ensures that the contact blocks 41 and 42 permanently assume the configuration shown in Fig. 1b. Only by exerting a powerful pull on the luminaire 30 from the bottom can the dead center of the joint 45 be overcome and the 30 luminaire removed from the supporting rail 10.

[0044] The solution shown in Fig. 1a and 1b thus represents a very comfortable possibility for enabling a connection of the luminaire 30 to the supporting rail 10. It is only necessary to insert the luminaire 30 into the supporting rail 10 from the bottom and to push it upwards with a corresponding force in order to achieve the configuration shown in Fig. 1b. A release of this interlocking or contacting configuration can then be achieved again by correspondingly pulling on the luminaire 30. If necessary, the ribs 35, which are schematically shown in the figures, can also be used in addition to this, which form a guide for the lateral movement of the two contact blocks 41, 42.

[0045] FIGS. 2a and 2b show a second exemplary embodiment of a contacting element according to the invention, now bearing the reference numeral 50. This also offers the advantage that the two contact blocks 51, 52, which are provided in turn and which are equipped with corresponding contacts 53, come to bear against a stop 19 or the wall 17 upon insertion into the receiving space 18 of the supporting rail 10 and then automatically emigrate laterally. Again, the axial insertion movement is converted into a lateral movement of the contact blocks 51, 52.

[0046] This is made possible in the second exemplary embodiment by a wedge guide for the two contact blocks 51 and 52. A guide element 55 used for this purpose, the design of which is approximately truncated in cross-section, is in turn fixedly connected to the carrier 31 of the luminaire 30 and forms two upwardly inclined projecting guide surfaces 56, along which the contact blocks 51, 52 can slide together, which are in turn connected to one another via a tension spring 59. The contact blocks 51, 52 have lateral walls facing the guide surfaces 56, which have a corresponding incline, such that a change in the height of the contact blocks 51, 52 is converted into a lateral movement compared to the guide element 55.

[0047] Analogously to the exemplary embodiment of Fig. 1a and 1b, the contact blocks 51 and 52 first come into contact with their top sides against the wall 17 and the stop 19 when they are inserted into the internal space of the supporting rail 10. A further pushing of the luminaire 30 and thus of the contacting element 50 upwards then results in the contact blocks 51, 52 emigrating laterally until the configuration shown in FIG. 2a is achieved.

[0048] Then, in this case, the contact blocks 51, 52 again occupy a position in which the contacts 53 contact the lines 25 of the busbars on the one hand and detent projections 54 engage with the supporting rail 10 on the other hand. It can be provided that, by means of special detent projections or detent elements (not shown), which are provided for example on the detent tabs 54 of the contact blocks 51, 52 and cooperate in a corresponding manner with the supporting rail profile 15, the end position shown in FIG. 2a is secured. This detent or interlocking can then be overcome by suitably pulling on the luminaire 30, so that the luminaire 30 can in turn be easily detached from the supporting rail 10 in this way.

[0049] A third exemplary embodiment of a contacting element 60 according to the invention is shown in FIGS. 3a and 3b. Here, by contrast to FIGS. 1 and 2, an axial movement is not automatically converted into a lateral movement of the two contact blocks 61, 62. Instead, both contact blocks 61, 62 are connected to one another via a parallel guide 65. In both FIGS. 3a and 3b, different variants of a corresponding parallel guide 65 are shown, wherein the guide 65 in FIG. 3a is achieved by a rib 67 of the other contact block 61, which engages with a slot-like recess 66 of a contact block 62, whereas in the variant according to FIG. 3b, the parallel guide 65 is formed with the aid of two articulated arms 68.

[0050] Further, both contact blocks 61, 62 are biased into an outward facing position. In FIGS. 3a and 3b, two different possibilities are provided for this purpose: on the one hand, leaf springs 69 (FIG. 3a) located in the interstice between the contact blocks 61, 62, and on the other hand, a spiral spring 70 (FIG. 3b) positioned in the lower region. Both variants cause the contact blocks 61, 62 to be biased into the outward facing contacting position.

[0051] Thus, to insert the contacting element 60 into the internal space 18 of the supporting rail 10, it is necessary to temporarily move both contact blocks 61, 62 towards one another in opposition to the spring force, which can be carried out manually by two laterally provided pressure fields 71, 72. If these pressure fields 71, 72 are unburdened in the inserted state of the contacting element 70 in the internal space 18 of the supporting rail 10, the contact blocks 61, 62 automatically move outwardly again by the spring force and, in turn, there is a contacting of the lines 25 of the busbars 20 and also a mechanical interlocking with the supporting rail 10 via the detent elements 64.

[0052] All three variants described are thus characterized in that, in a simple but efficient manner, a contacting between busbars on the one hand and a mechanical fastening of consumers to supporting rails on the other hand is enabled. In any case, due to the fact that no rotation or pivoting of a contacting element is required, the aforementioned disadvantages in the prior art can be avoided.