Abstract:
A device arrangement includes a number of series installation devices which can be snapped onto a mounting rail by way of a snap-action slide interacting with a slide actuator. It further includes the synchronous actuation of a plurality of snap-action slides, a comb-like coupling part which is connected in captive fashion to the slide actuator. Such parts are to be coupled and include a coupling web which runs transversely to a number of joining arms and connects the latter.

Description:
This application is the national phase under 35 U.S.C. § 371 of PCT International Application No. PCT/DE00/00905 which has an International filing date of Mar. 24, 2000, which designated the United States of America, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention relates to a device arrangement with a number of series installation devices which can be snapped onto a mounting rail. In each case, they are preferably snapped by way of a snap-action slide interacting with a slide actuator. Preferably, it is possible, for the synchronous actuation of a plurality of snap-action slides, for the slide actuator of the latter to be coupled to one another. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     A device referred to as a series installation device is usually one which has one or more poles and can be snapped onto a mounting or DIN rail. In order to fasten such a series installation device, e.g. a circuit-breaker or a similar switching or control device, on the standardized mounting or DIN rail, one or more snap-action slides are usually provided. Each of these slides, in the retaining connection between the device and the mounting rail, engages behind a mounting-rail border. 
     In order to release this retaining connection, DE 297 103 10 U1 discloses the practice of coupling the snap-action slide to a release lever in the manner of a toggle link. Upon actuation, forces are deflected, via the release lever serving as slide actuator, to the snap-action slide interacting therewith. The slide actuator here is expediently of web-like design, the webs being spaced-apart and parallel sidepieces which are integrally formed on a handgrip of the slide actuator. The slide actuator formed in this way thus leaves free between the webs or sidepieces, a sufficiently wide connection space for a terminal connection. 
     In the case of the known configuration of the slide actuator, connecting elements in the manner of a groove and tongue contour are provided in order to allow coupling of the slide actuator located one beside the other in multi-pole devices. As a result, the snap-action slides in multi-pole devices can be actuated synchronously by a single manipulation. It is only possible for single devices to be displaced on the mounting rail, aligned thereon or released therefrom by way of the slide arrangement when they are arranged separately or at a minimum distance from adjacent devices. In the case of single-pole devices, the laterally projecting tongues of the slide actuator are thus cut off. Analogously, in the case of multi-pole devices, the tongues of the slide actuator are thus cut off. Analogously, in the case of multi-pole devices, the tongues of the slide actuator of the two outer devices are removed. However, on account of the additionally necessary operating step, this is extremely undesirable. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The object of the invention is thus to specify a device arrangement of the type of which the slide actuator, in particular in the case of a series installation device of two, three or four poles, can be actuated synchronously in a particularly straightforward and reliable manner. 
     This and/or other objects are achieved according to the invention by the features of claim  1 . For this purpose, there is provided a separate coupling part which is connected in captive fashion to the slide actuator which are to be coupled and are thus to be actuated synchronously. The coupling part here is of comb-like design and has a coupling web which runs transversely to the number of joining arms and connects the latter. 
     The provision of such a separate coupling part also makes it possible for the slide actuator of series installation devices with two, three, four or more poles to be coupled subsequently. The respective slide actuator may thus be coupled when the corresponding devices have already been snapped onto the mounting rail. It is preferable, however, for the corresponding devices to be synchronized already, in terms of their slide actuator, at the factory in a preliminary assembly step by way of the coupling part. As a result, the device arrangement or device group as a whole can be positioned on the mounting rail on site. Otherwise, i.e. with the devices uncoupled, it is also possible for the slide actuator of the latter to be actuated individually when the devices are arranged directly one beside the other, and thus with virtually no distance between them. 
     The connection between the coupling part and the slide actuator may be a releasable connection, e.g. a screw-connection or a clip connection. It is advantageous, however, to provide a non-releasable joining connection between the coupling part and the slide actuator which are to be coupled. The joining connection here is expediently a combined plug-in and snap-action connection. 
     For this purpose, an advantageous configuration provides, in respect of the joining arm, a plug-in connection with the respective slide actuator and, in respect of the coupling web connecting the joining arms, a snap-action connection in the manner of a catch mechanism with the slide actuator which are to be coupled. For this purpose, on the one hand, there is advantageously provided on the coupling web a number of snap-action elements, which, in the joining connection, engage behind blocking contours provided on the slide actuator. This corresponds to the number of slide actuators which are to be coupled. On the other hand, the slide actuators have an abutment contour which is designed to complement a supporting contour provided on the joining arm. In the joining connection, each joining arm, which is supported on the abutment contour via its supporting contour, is then fixed in position in the respective plug-in connection with the slide actuator. This realizes a reliable and thus secure joining connection between the coupling part and the slide actuators which are to be coupled. 
     Those contours on the joining arms of the coupling part, on the one hand, and on the corresponding slide actuator, on the other hand, which butt against one another in the plug-in connection are expediently designed as centering contours. For this purpose, the contours are advantageously configured in the form of a wedge or of a V with a centering angle being formed in the process. In this case, the centering angle of the abutment contour of the slide actuators is greater than the centering angle of the supporting contour of the respective joining arm. 
     The slide actuator, which are expediently configured in the same way for all the series installation devices, can also be actuated individually, and thus independently of one another, if a plurality of devices are lined up in a row directly one beside the other, with no distance between them. It is thus possible for each series installation device designed in this way to be used equally as a single-pole device and within a multi-pole device arrangement. 
     It is advantageous for the slide actuator of each series installation device to be closed, in the initial state, by way of a membrane in the region of the plug-in connection of the coupling part, above a corresponding joining space. The membrane is configured as an injection-molded skin if a slide actuator includes plastic. In order to produce the joining connection, the membrane is cut or pierced, in a first joining step, by way of the joining arms of the coupling part, for which purpose each joining arm is advantageously provided with an integrally formed, blade-like cutting-edge contour at the free end. In this case, the cutting-edge contour, which runs transversely to the longitudinal direction of the joining arm and is expediently formed by two cutting arms, projects beyond the V-shaped supporting contour of the joining arms. 
     In order to fix the joining arms in position in the plug-in connection, each joining arm has an integrally formed portion in the form of a transverse web which is integrally formed on the joining arm, in the region between the cutting arms, at the free end on that side of the joining arm which is directed away from the supporting contour. In the joining connection, the transverse web of the joining arm engages behind a stop, provided on the slide actuator, in the manner of an undercut. 
     In order to ensure play-free synchronous movement of the coupled slide actuator, and thus of the multi-pole snap-action slides, the coupling part has at least one clamping nose. 
     By way of the or each clamping nose, in the joining connection, the coupling part is prestressed in relation to the slide actuator in the longitudinal direction of the joining arm and/or transversely thereto. The play which is necessary for latching the snap-action element and for producing the joining connection is achieved here in that the corresponding blocking contour of the slide actuator is configured in a deformable manner. Thus, as force is exerted via the coupling part, it can move away from the corresponding snap-action element, expediently designed as a snap-action hook, with elastic spring-back action. 
     For handling purposes during the synchronous actuation of the snap-action slides, the coupling part expediently has a trough-like finger hollow, preferably provided with corrugations, as a handgrip. As a result, all the snap-action slides of the device arrangement, which are coupled to the slide actuator, can easily be moved by hand by way of the coupling part. It is further possible, if appropriate, for a tool, for example a screwdriver, to be positioned on the handgrip. 
     The advantages achieved by the invention reside, in particular, in that, by the provision of a separate coupling part, it is possible for the slide actuator of a device arrangement with a corresponding number of series installation devices to be coupled to one another in a particularly straightforward manner. Thus, snap-action slides interacting with the slide actuator can be actuated synchronously. On the other hand, it is also possible for said slide actuator to be provided in single-pole devices. It is thus possible for the series installation devices configured with such a slide actuator, with a simultaneously small storage supply being required, during the production of the devices, both individually and—with the use of further individual or additional parts necessary for multi-pole devices—in a multi-pole device arrangement. 
     Furthermore, even with a plurality of series installation devices in closely packed distribution, the coupling part is always accessible in a particularly straightforward manner since the handling points are located on the front accessible region of the series installation devices. The joining connection, which is advantageously play-free in relation to the slide actuator as a result of the prestressing of the coupling part, avoids, in practice, any displacement loss of the slide actuator by deformation of the coupling part. This may be influenced particularly advantageously in that the coupling part has a flexorally rigid cross section and includes, for example, a material with a high glass-fill content. A glass-fiber-reinforced plastic with a glass-fiber content of preferably 50% is particularly suitable for this purpose. 
     On the one hand the active surfaces of the snap-action connection, which butt against one another in the joining connection of the coupling part with the slide actuator and, on the other hand, the supporting contours in the plug-in connection, which are expediently designed as centering surfaces, allow force to be introduced specifically to the individual slide actuator both during release, and thus unlocking, of the snap-action slides interacting therewith and during locking of the same on the mounting rail. In the joining connection with the slide actuator, the coupling part allows particularly smooth actuation, which is easy to realize using the fingers and thus without any tools, of the snap-action slides. The smoothness of the opening and closing movements is ensured by avoiding additional friction in the guidance of the slide actuator, as a result of symmetrical force introduction. 
     On account of the expediently non-releasable joining connection, which is realized, on the one hand, by a positionally fixed plug-in connection with undercut, and on the other hand, by a snap-action connection, undesired dismantling is reliably avoided. The joining connection can thus be produced straightforwardly without any waste and without any additional tools being used. The corresponding operation of installing the coupling part on the multi-pole devices can also be automated. 
     The joining connection can be realized in a manner which is straightforward in terms of design and assembly, and is thus cost-effective, by the coupling part being plugged and then snapped into the slide actuator, since preliminary punching of the slide actuator is dispensed with on account of the cutting-edge surfaces or contours integrally formed on the joining arms of the coupling part. Since the opening for the plug-in connection of the coupling part is only produced during the assembly operation by virtue of membranes provided on the slide actuator being severed, the opening is always closed in the case of a single-pole device, with the result that dirt cannot penetrate into the device. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Exemplary embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail hereinbelow, with reference to a drawing, in which: 
     FIG. 1 shows a perspective illustration of a multi-pole device arrangement with four series installation devices with slide actuator, which can be operated synchronously via a coupling part, in the closed position, 
     FIG. 2 shows a side view of the device arrangement according to FIG. 1 snapped onto a mounting rail, 
     FIG. 3 shows, in an illustration according to FIG. 1, the device arrangement with the coupled slide actuator in the open position, 
     FIG. 4 shows, in an illustration according to FIG. 2, the device arrangement released from the mounting rail on one side, 
     FIGS. 5 a  to  5   c  show a perspective illustration of a coupling part for a device arrangement which has two, three and four poles, respectively, and a number of joining arms, integrally formed on a coupling web, which corresponds to the number of poles, 
     FIG. 6 shows a detail VI from FIG. 5 c  on an enlarged scale with a joining arm having a supporting contour and a cutting contour, 
     FIG. 7 shows a rear view of the coupling part according to FIG. 5 c,    
     FIG. 8 shows a detail VIII from FIG. 7 on an enlarged scale with clamping noses and snap-action hooks integrally formed on the coupling web, 
     FIG. 9 shows a further detail IX from FIG. 7 on an enlarged scale with a transverse web integrally formed on the joining arm, 
     FIG. 10 shows, in detail form, a front view of the coupling part according to FIGS. 5 to  9  with a V-shaped supporting contour on the joining arm, 
     FIG. 11 shows a sectional illustration of the coupling part along line XI—XI in FIG. 10, 
     FIG. 12 shows another sectional illustration of the coupling part along line XII—XII in FIG. 10, 
     FIG. 13 shows, in detail form, a front view of a slide actuator, 
     FIG. 14 shows the slide actuator in a sectional illustration along line XIV—XIV from FIG. 13, 
     FIG. 15 shows a front view of the coupling part and the slide actuator in a first joining step, 
     FIG. 16 shows the first joining step in a perspective sectional illustration along line XVI—XVI in FIG. 15, 
     FIG. 17 shows the sectional illustration of the first joining step, 
     FIG. 18 shows a detail XVIII from FIG. 17 on an enlarged scale with the cutting-edge contour of the coupling part butting against a closed membrane of the slide actuator, 
     FIG. 19 shows, in an illustration according to FIG. 15, a coupling-part joining arm centered on the slide actuator, 
     FIG. 20 shows, in a perspective sectional illustration along line XX—XX in FIG. 19, the centering and an undercut of the joining arm of the coupling part, 
     FIG. 21 shows the sectional illustration according to FIG. 20, 
     FIG. 22 shows, in a detail XXII from FIG. 21, on an enlarged scale, the undercut of the joining arm, 
     FIG. 23 shows, in a perspective sectional illustration according to FIGS. 16 and 20, following a second joining step, the joining connection between the coupling part and the slide actuator, and 
     FIG. 24 shows a sectional illustration of the joining connection according to FIG.  23 . 
    
    
     Parts which correspond to one another are provided with the same designations in all the figures. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     FIGS. 1 to  4  show a four-pole device arrangement  1  as an example of a multi-pole arrangement, with four series installation devices  2  which are lined up in a row one beside the other and may be positioned jointly on a mounting rail  3 . Each series installation device  2  has, on both sides, a slide actuator  5  which can be operated from the top side  4  of the device and interacts in each case with a snap-action slide  6  (FIG.  2 ). 
     The coupling of each slide actuator  5  of the respective series installation device  2  to the associated snap-action slide  6  is preferably realized in the manner of a toggle-link coupling, as is illustrated and described in German Utility Model DE 297 10 310 U1. The coupling here is realized such that by displacement of the slide actuator  5  in the actuating direction  7 . As a result of the force deflection, a slide movement of the snap-action slide  6  running in the direction  8  transverse to the actuating direction  7  takes place. In the locked state according to FIG. 2, the snap-action slide  6  engages behind a border  9  of the mounting rail  3 . In the open position of the or each slide actuator  5 , the open position being illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4 and being brought about by the slide actuator  5  being pulled, in actuating direction  7 , towards the top side  4 , the corresponding snap-action slide  6  slides into the housing  10  of the series installation device  2 , with the result that the rear engagement of the mounting-rail border  9  is released and it is also possible for an individual series installation device  2  to be displaced on the mounting rail  2  or raised off therefrom (FIG.  4 ). 
     For the synchronous actuation of all the slide actuator  5 , the latter are connected to one another via a coupling part  11 . In this case, the coupling part  11  is of comb-like configuration—as is illustrated in FIG. 5 a  to  5   c  and  7 . It has joining arms  11   b  which are integrally formed on a coupling web  11   a  and the number of which corresponds to the number of slide actuator  5  which are to be coupled. In order to couple two slide actuators  5  of a two-pole device arrangement  1 , the coupling part  11  thus has, according to FIG. 5 a , two spaced-apart joining arms  11   b  which, in the installed or joined state, run in the actuating direction  7 . In the case of a three-pole or four-pole device arrangement  1 , a coupling part  11  respectively having three or four joining arms  11   b  is correspondingly provided. The coupling part  11  is joined preferably non-releasably to the corresponding slide actuator  5 . In the joining connection here, the joining arms  11   b  are located in each case above a terminal connection  12  of the respective series installation device  2 , the terminal connection being left free by the corresponding slide actuator  5 . 
     As can be seen comparatively clearly from FIG. 6, each joining arm  11   b  is provided with a cutting-edge contour  13  at the end on one side. The cutting-edge contour  13  is formed by two cutting-edge arms  13   a  and  13   b  which are of blade-like form at the free end in each case and between which an undercut contour  14  is provided. The undercut contour  14 , which is flanked on both sides by the cutting-edge arms  13   a  and  13   b  of the cutting-edge contour  13  which runs transversely to the actuating direction  7 , and thus transversely to the longitudinal direction  15  of the joining arm  11   b , has a transverse web  16  which is integrally formed on the rear side thereof, as can be seen from FIGS. 7 and 9. 
     Integrally formed on the coupling web  11   a , on the top edge  17  of the coupling part  11 , the top edge being located opposite the cutting-edge contours  13 , is a number of snap-action elements or snap-action hooks  18  which corresponds to the number of slide actuator  5  which are to be coupled. As can be seen comparatively clearly from FIG.  8  and from FIGS. 11 and 12, each snap-action element  18  projects on the rear side beyond the coupling web  11   a  of the coupling part  11 . On both sides of the snap-action element  18 , clamping noses  19   a  are integrally formed on the coupling web  11   a , the noses projecting beyond the top edge  17  of the coupling web  11   a . This can be seen comparatively clearly from FIG.  8 . In this case, the snap-action elements  18  project beyond the clamping noses  19   a  in turn, as can be seen from FIGS. 10 to  12 : The coupling part  11  is provided on the rear side, preferably in the region of each joining arm  11   b , with protuberance-like clamping noses  19   b , which are likewise integrally formed on the coupling web  11   a.    
     As can be seen particularly clearly from FIGS. 6 and 10, each joining arm  11   b  has a V-shaped supporting contour  20  which terminates above the coupling-edge contour  13  and of which the supporting legs  20   a ,  20   b  together enclose an angle α 1 . This centering angle α 1  is preferably greater than 90°, e.g. 125°. 
     FIGS. 13 and 14 show the slide actuator  5 , in detail form, in a front view and in longitudinal section, respectively. The slide actuator  5  has a top joining portion  5   a  and a bottom web or sliding portion  5   b  with two webs or sidepieces  21  which, in the installed state, flank the terminal connections  12  of the corresponding series installation device  2 . The webs or sidepieces  21  are coupled to the respective snap-action slide  6  in the manner illustrated and operated in German Utility Model DE 297 10 310 U1. 
     The top joining portion  5   a  is designed in order to accommodate the corresponding portion of the coupling part  11  in a form-fitting manner. For this purpose, the joining portion  5   a  is adapted to the contour of the respective portion of the coupling web  11   a  and of the corresponding joining arm  11   b . The slide actuator  5  is provided, at the top free end, with an L-shaped integrally formed portion which extends over its entire width and is in the form of a clip-like engagement portion  22  with a blocking contour  23  on the rear side. Provided opposite this is an abutment contour  24  which complements the supporting contour  20  of the joining arm  11   b  of the coupling part  11  and is likewise configured in the form of a V. In this case, the abutment legs  24   a  and  24   b  thereof, in turn, enclose an angle α 2 &gt;90°. 
     The abutment contour  24  here is designed as a centering contour by the angle α 2  being greater than the centering angle α 1  of the supporting contour  20  of the joining arm  11   b . In the region of the abutment contour  24 , a severable membrane  25 , which runs transversely to the actuating direction  7  and thus transversely to the longitudinal direction  15  of the joining arms  11   b , is provided on the slide actuator  5 . The membrane is configured as a thin injection-molded skin if a slide actuator  5  consists of plastic. 
     As can be seen from FIG. 14, said membrane  25  bounds, on the side located opposite the L-shaped engagement portion  22 , an accommodating recess for the corresponding portion of the coupling part  11 , the recess being open on both sides in the longitudinal direction  7  and  15 . With the slide actuator  5  in a state in which it has not been coupled or joined, the membrane  25  closes a joining space  26  for the free end of the joining arm  11   b  of the coupling part  11 , the joining space being located above the terminal-connection space bound by the webs  21 . 
     In this state, the slide actuator  5 , and the snap-action slide  6  coupled thereto, in each individual series installation device  2  and, in particular, in the case of a single-pole device  2  can be actuated via the clip-like engagement portion  22 . The joining space  26  here is closed by way of a membrane  25 . The result is that it is not possible for any dirt to pass to the terminal connection  12 . Even if the devices  2  are lined up in a row one beside the other with no distance between them, it is possible for their slide actuator  5  to be operated without obstruction and for the snap-action slides  6  coupled thereto to be actuated. 
     FIGS. 15 to  18  show, in different illustrations, a first joining step for producing the joining connection between the coupling part  11  and the or each slide actuator  5  to be operated synchronously. In this case, first of all the coupling part  11  is positioned obliquely on the slide actuator  5  such that the respective cutting-edge contour  13  of the joining arm  11   b  butts against the corresponding membrane  25  (FIG.  18 ). By virtue of the coupling part  11  being moved in the joining direction  27  (FIG.  17 ), the membranes  25  are severed simultaneously in practice and the respective joining arm  11   b  penetrates into the joining space  26  by way of its transverse web  16 . 
     In this plug-in connection, the respective transverse web  16  engages behind a corresponding undercut or stop  28  in the region of the abutment contour  24  of the slide actuator  5 . This can be seen from FIGS. 20 to  22 . In the following, second joining step in the joining direction  29  (FIGS.  17  and  21 ), the coupling part  11 , which has been plugged into the respective slide actuator  5  via the joining arms  11   b , is latched to the slide actuator  5  by the snap-action element  18  on the top side  17  of the coupling web  11   a  engaging behind the blocking contour  23  of the respective slide actuator  5 . The resulting joining connection between the coupling part  11  and the or each slide actuator  5  is illustrated in FIGS. 23 and 24. 
     A form-fitting joining connection, and thus play-free synchronous movement of the coupled slide actuator  5  and of the snap-action slides  6 , interacting therewith, of the multi-pole device arrangement  1 , is ensured here by the clamping noses  19   a  and  19   b . The clamping noses  19   a  here prestress the coupling part  11  in the longitudinal direction  7 , while the clamping noses  19   b  prestress the coupling part  11  in the transverse direction  8  within the joining connection with the slide actuator  5 . This ensures play-free mounting of the coupling part  11  in the slide actuator  5 . The clamping noses or integrally formed portions  19   a  and  19   b  thus ensure that the snap-action elements  18  and the blocking contours  23  remain pressed one upon the other in the joining connection of the coupling part  11  with the slide actuator  5 . The play for latching the snap-action elements or snap-action hooks  18 , and is necessary for assembly purposes, i.e. for producing the joining connection, is ensured via a deformation or recess  30  on the respective slide actuator  5  as a result of the action of force during the installation of the coupling part  11 . 
     The clamping or over-dimensioned noses  19   a , which are arranged symmetrically alongside the respective snap-action element  18 , cause force to be introduced symmetrically into the webs or sidepieces  21  of the slide actuator  5 . This may additionally be assisted in that the coupling part  11  is of particularly flexorally rigid configuration. The symmetrical introduction of force ensures a particularly high level of smoothness of the slide actuator  5  during the synchronous operation via the coupling part  11  since additional friction as a result of tilting of the slide actuator  5  in the guidance region is avoided. 
     For user-friendly actuation of the slide actuator  5 , the coupling part  11 , in the region of the coupling web  11   a , has a trough-like or hollow-like finger hollow  31 , running in the transverse direction  8 , as a handgrip, which may be corrugated in addition. As a result, all the synchronously operated slide actuator  5  of the device arrangement  1  can be moved smoothly by hand via the coupling part  11 . It is also possible, if appropriate, for a tool, for example a screwdriver, to be positioned, if appropriate, on the handgrip  31 . 
     The production equipment which is necessary for producing the slide actuator  5 , for example the injection mould which is provided for this purpose, may be configured without an additional slide (open-close mould) in the region of the membrane  25 , in order to produce the opening for the coupling part  11 . As a result, on account of the membrane  25  being present, the injection mould does not contain any difficult-to-coordinate marking locations in order to produce the opening for the coupling part  11 . This is a considerable advantage particularly in the case of large-scale production with multi-cavity moulds. Thus, in addition to the moulds being subjected to only a low level of wear, high efficiency of the moulds is ensured since no additional moving parts and mould halves only have to be coordinated to a small extent. Furthermore, a trouble-free production procedure is ensured on account of moulds not being particularly susceptible to disruption. 
     The invention being thus described, it will be obvious that the same may be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention, and all such modifications as would be obvious to one skilled in the art are intended to be included within the scope of the following claims.