Abstract:
The invention relates to an electric device with a modular construction, comprising at least one module, preferably several modules, said module(s) being fixed onto a mounting rail. To mount or dismount a module in a simple manner, the module is fixed onto the mounting rail using an adapter. Said adapter fulfils its fixing function by means of a bistable snap-on process and is configured in such a way that no tool is required for the manual mounting or dismounting process.

Description:
TECHNICAL DOMAIN  
         [0001]    The invention relates to a modular electrical device which has at least one equipment module, preferably several modules, and at least one module can be mounted on a mounting rail, according to the features of the preamble of claim 1.  
         PRIOR ART  
         [0002]    A modular electrical device is known from EP 0 527 247 B1. Such a device consists of several modules which can be electrically connected between one another and which modules are matched to the respective application. One application is electrical controls, especially memory-programmable controls. To match such a device to the respective application, it is necessary to interconnect a certain number of equipment modules which can be controls, sensors, and/or actuators. For this purpose EP 0 527 247 B1 discloses a flat mounting rail which is angled on its side edges and on which the modules with their one side edge are suspended and are fixed on the opposite side edge on the mounting rail via a screw connection. This type of attachment of modules on the mounting rail has several disadvantages. On the one hand, the modules can tilt when inserted with their one side edge onto the mounting rail so that easy mounting or dismounting is hindered. On the other hand in order to attach the modules on the mounting rail or to detach them from the mounting rail it is necessary to carry a tool for mounting or dismounting. This is a disadvantage with frequent modifications of an electrical device that consists of several equipment modules. Moreover the construction of the electrical device prevents the removal of several modules from being easily made when located next to one another; in particular, when a module is swiveled out, the tilting of the connecting module part which electrically connects to another of the modules located in a row can occur.  
         DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
         [0003]    The object of the invention is therefore to improve a modular electrical device like the one described above such that easy mounting or dismounting of equipment modules on a mounting rail is enabled.  
           [0004]    This object is achieved by the features of claim 1.  
           [0005]    It is provided as claimed for the invention that modules can be attached via an adapter to a mounting rail. Attachment of the modules via an adapter on the mounting rail has several advantages. On the one hand, the module itself, independently of the mounting rail, can be detached from it and replaced. Thus rapid replacement or mounting of another module is possible for several modules arranged in a row next to one another. On the other hand, the adapter can be made such that after its mounting on the mounting rail it produces an electrical connection to its neighboring adapter or adapters, while likewise there is an electrical connection between the adapter and the mounted equipment module. Thus, when a module is inserted or replaced there are no problems with electrical connections. In this way, when the module is inserted or replaced after it has been detached from the adapter, it can be removed perpendicular to the adapter upwards, by which removal no damage occurs to the electrical connections at all, especially plug connections between an adapter and a module. Alternatively it also is conceivable that the adapter is an integral component of the equipment module and is permanently connected to it, or the equipment module and the adapter form a unit.  
           [0006]    On the other hand, the adapter can be made such that for manual mounting or dismounting a tool is not necessary. This has the advantage that the module can be placed on the mounting rail by hand and can be attached there or vice versa can be detached from the mounting rail by hand. Accordingly, it is not necessary to carry along a tool for mounting or dismounting, by which on the other hand fastening devices for which a tool would be necessary can also be eliminated, thus the simplification of the construction of the modules and handling in their attachment on the mounting rail are enhanced.  
           [0007]    In one development of the invention the adapter has various fastening devices, especially catch devices. On the one hand there are catch devices with which an equipment module is held on the adapter. On the other hand, there are catch devices with which the adapter is held on the mounting rail. These increase the flexibility of the overall system since different adapters can be reserved for different mounting rails and different modules. On the other hand, for uniformly configured catch devices on the adapter and also corresponding catch devices on the module and/or the mounting rail an increased diversity of parts is avoided. The catch devices and the snap connections joined to them again enable that connections between modules and adapters can be made without tools on the one hand and adapters and the mounting rail on the other. The fastening devices also can be screw connections or elements of equivalent type action, combinations also being possible.  
           [0008]    In one development of the invention at least one of the catch devices, or alternatively all catch devices, are stationary mounted on the adapter. These catch devices which are stationary mounted and are optionally elastic or are made flexible on the adapter form contacts with the corresponding areas of modules or on the mounting rail, especially its side edge which runs lengthwise. Furthermore, other catch devices, especially all other catch devices, are movably mounted on the adapter. In this way, depending on the direction of motion of the movable catch devices, the equipment module can be fixed on the adapter or detached, in exactly the same way as the adapter is fixed on the mounting rail or detached. To move the catch devices there are one or more actuators which act on the respective movable catch devices or groups of them or all of them. In one configuration of the invention there is an actuator for the movable catch devices in order to fix the module on the adapter or to detach it. There is another actuator to move the movable catch devices on the adapter, to fix the adapter on the mounting rail, or to detach it from the latter. In another embodiment there is only one single actuator to move all movable catch devices at the same time, in order to fix the module on the adapter and the adapter on the mounting rail at the same time, or to detach it.  
           [0009]    In one development of the invention the movable catch devices are actuated by a spring force. The spring force is applied advantageously in the direction such that when the module is seated on the adapter or the adapter is seated on the mounting rail the movable catch devices are moved out of their rest position against the spring force and after the module is seated on the mounting rail they assume their rest position again in order to fix the module on the adapter or adapters on the mounting rail immovably in their respective positions to one another. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0010]    Possible embodiments of the modular electrical device as claimed for the invention or its adapter are described below and explained using the figures, the invention not being limited to the described and illustrated embodiments.  
         [0011]    [0011]FIG. 1 shows a side view of an equipment module;  
         [0012]    [0012]FIG. 2 shows a view of an adapter for the module from underneath;  
         [0013]    FIGS.  3  to  5  show detailed views of the adapter;  
         [0014]    FIGS.  6  to  8  show detailed views of the adapter mounted on a mounting rail;  
         [0015]    FIGS.  9  to  11  show other detailed views of the adapter;  
         [0016]    FIGS.  12  to  23  show alternative embodiments for attachment of the module via the adapter on the mounting rail. 
     
    
     EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION  
       [0017]    [0017]FIG. 1 shows in schematic form an equipment module  1  which is for example a control module, a sensor, an actuator, a combination of these components or the like. Several of these modules  1  generally are mounted with their lengthwise side parallel to one another on a mounting rail  2 , preferably a mounting rail according to EN 50022 or EN 50023, especially positioned next to one another in order to maintain given positions of the modules  1  among one another. The mounting rail  2  which can be mounted stationary fixes several modules  1  next to one another in their positions. They can be electrically cabled from there, optionally with the aid of connections, among one another.  
         [0018]    It also is provided as claimed for the invention that the module  1  can be attached via an adapter  3 , especially of plastic, onto the mounting rail  2 . Here the adapter  3  first takes over a pure fastening function between the module  1  and the mounting rail  2 . In addition, the adapter  3  can assume connection functions, especially electrical connections, between several modules  1 . The adapter  3  shown in FIG. 1 is configured such that in the Z direction it is seated from overhead onto the mounting rail  2  and can be fixed there in its position, especially without a mounting or dismounting tool being necessary. The same applies to the module  1  which can be fixed in its position likewise in the Z direction on the adapter  3 . Alternative embodiments include those in which the module  1  and the adapter  3  form a unit so that this unit can be mounted in the Z direction on the mounting rail  2  or can be dismounted from it.  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 2 shows a bottom view of the adapter  3  without the module  1 , and the mounting rail  2  which runs under the adapter  3  as shown in partial section.  
         [0020]    FIGS.  3  to  5  show detail views of the adapter  3  as claimed for in the invention. It being shown in FIG. 3 that in the direction of the module  1  there are catch devices, specifically at least one stationary elastic catch hook  4  and at least one likewise stationary or also alternatively movable elastic catch hook  5 . These catch hooks  4  and  5  fit into corresponding recesses on the bottom of the module  1  so that after the catch hooks  4  and  5  catch in the corresponding recesses in the module  1 , it is connected permanently to the adapter  3 . The capacity for movement of the catch hooks  4  and  5  is detailed below.  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 4 shows the bottom of the adapter  3  pointed in the direction of the mounting rail  2 , with catch hooks  6  projecting out of the adapter  3 .  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 5 shows the adapter  3  from its top which is pointed in the direction of the bottom of the module  1 . The adapter  3  has a middle bridge  7  with an actuator  8  located on its end. Furthermore there is a stop  9  which is connected to it and which can act on the catch hook  5  when the actuator  8  is actuated, but need not necessarily do so, by which it can be pushed out of its catch position and the module  1  can be removed from the adapter  3 . The middle bridge  7  can be moved in the lengthwise direction of the adapter  3 . For detachment of the module  1  from the adapter  3  the catch hooks  4  and/or  5  can be located on a bridge, especially the bridge  7 . In addition to the middle bridge  7 , there are two side bridges  10  which are guided identically or similarly in the same direction, and which are connected via at least one compression element, especially several compression elements  11 , and via pertinent film hinges  12  to the middle bridge  7  in order to produce a spring force. The bridges  7  and/or  10  are attached and guided via elastic guide elements  13  on the frame of the adapter  3 . On the side bridges  10  there are in turn catch hooks  14 . Thus the two side bridges  10  can be moved in the same way as the middle bridge  7  when push pressure is applied to the actuator  8  or the actuator  8  is pulled. In this case the movable catch hooks shown in FIG. 4 come to rest against the side edge of the mounting rail  2 .  
         [0023]    FIGS.  6  to  8  show detail views of the adapter which is mounted on the mounting rail. An intermediate plate  15  is placed on the tops of the bridges  7  and  10  and is fixed by the catch hooks  14  of the side bridges  10 . Thus no relative movement of the intermediate plate  15  to the bridges is possible. Movement is possible towards the bridge  10  in the X direction. Optionally the metal intermediate plate  15  is provided with an arm  16 , especially an elastic plate, which can enable electrical contact between the mounting rail  2  and the module  1 . The intermediate plate  15  has recesses  17  to accept the catch hooks  14  and the latter fit into the recesses and fix the intermediate plate  15  with reference to the bridges  7  and  10 .  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 7 shows the bottom of the adapter  3 , after the intermediate plate  15  has been connected to the adapter  3 , from which it is apparent that the intermediate plate  15  has catch hooks  18  which are pointed in the direction of the mounting rail  2 .  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 8 shows the location and the configuration of the catch hooks  18 , and specifically that the intermediate plate  15  on its bottom has a lengthwise edge  19  with which it can lie on the top edge of the mounting rail  2 , optionally elastically. Furthermore, in the end area of the lengthwise edge  19  there is a projection  20  which forms the catch hook  18  and which corresponds to the angling on the side edges of the mounting rail  2 . Thus the catch hook  18  of the intermediate plate  15  can reach behind a lengthwise edge of the mounting rail  2 .  
         [0026]    The adapter  3  performs with respect to the mounting rail  2  an attachment function that is based on a bistable snapping process. The snapping process for adapter  3  occurs between the middle bridge  7  and the two side bridges  10  which are coupled stiffly to one another via the intermediate plate  15 . A snapping force is generated by movement of the actuator  8  in the X direction from the compression elements  11 , detachment of the catch hook  6  takes place when the catch hook  18  of the intermediate plate  15  is fixed to be stationary for the time being on the mounting rail  2 . Detachment of the catch hooks  18  is consequently caused after the forces from the X direction components, which form in the compression elements  11  have undergone a reversal of direction, at a defined snap point over the path of the actuator  8  or the middle bridge  7  which is rigidly connected to it opposing motion of the side bridges  10  and the intermediate plate  15  which is connected to them in the negative X direction is initiated. The opposing paths of the catch hooks  6  and  18  with respect to the snap point can if necessary be defined via the correspondingly matched stops and/or catches with respect to the stop  9 , and these stops can be provided either on the adapter  3  or on the module  1  which is to be attached to it. The catch devices which are necessary for fixing the adapter  3  on the mounting rail  2  after mounting adjoin the mounting rail  2  largely without force in order to avoid twisting within the adapter  3 . Only a small force is applied to the mounting rail  2  in order to ensure zero backlash between the adapter  3  and mounting rail  2  (pretensioning).  
         [0027]    FIGS.  9  to  11  show other detailed views of the adapter  3  which is used especially when there is no electrical connection, but only a pure attachment function between the module  1  and the mounting rail  2  is to be accomplished. Then the adapter  3  can consist integrally of plastic.  
         [0028]    There is in turn a mounting plate  21  (of metal or plastic), the adapter  3  furthermore having a side elongated recess  22 . The catch hooks  23  which correspond to the catch hooks  18  are not attached to the mounting plate  21  as shown by examining FIG. 10, but are attached to the side bridge and thus are likewise movable. The mounting plate  21  is located on the other side bridge via a folding hinge  24  (or film hinge) and is fixed via a snap element  25  that is plane-parallel to the surface of the bridges on them. Here therefore the catch hooks  23  corresponding to the catch hooks  18  are securely attached to the side bridges  12  (analogously to the catch hook  6  on the middle bridge  7 ) by an injection process. Stiff coupling of the side bridges  10  is ensured by the mounting plate  21  which is connected on one of the side bridges  10  via a folding hinge  24  and to the opposite side bridge via the corresponding snap element  25 .  
         [0029]    Advantages of the described approaches are the following:  
         [0030]    Opposing motion of the catch hooks  6  and  18  is initiated in both directions, i.e. both when the adapter  3  is attached and also detached from the mounting rail  2  with only one movement of the actuator  8 .  
         [0031]    Relative to functionality, the connection of the module  1  to the mounting rail  2  represents a very economical two-part or one-part approach.  
         [0032]    The adapter  3  can be very easily removed from the mold in only one direction, i.e. it can be easily produced with only two tool halves.  
         [0033]    Very simple mounting of the module  1  on the adapter  3  and thus on the mounting rail  2  by snap connections so that mounting or dismounting is possible without tools.  
         [0034]    Although the described approaches in terms of construction are designed for a minimum of individual parts, they can of course also be made in several parts according to the same principle, such as for example metallic compression springs instead of compression elements  11 , slideways instead of elastic guide elements  13 , screw instead of snap connections, and the like.  
         [0035]    In addition, FIGS.  12  to  23  show, analogously to the preceding figures, alternative embodiments for the attachment of the equipment module  1  via the adapter  3  to the mounting rail  2 , the already described fastening principle, specifically the bistable snapping process, having been retained. Only the construction of the adapter  3  is optimized with respect to its functionality (especially ease of the movement) and its handling.