Patent Description:
In the field of electrical engineering and in other technological fields, certain units of technical equipment are installed in so-called equipment racks. Equipment racks serve the purpose inter alia of protecting these technical equipment units from environmental impact as well as organizing them in a structured manner. In order to achieve optimal and efficient organization, the respective technical equipment units can be attached and lined up on internal rails of the equipment racks.

Generally, the internal rails of a standardized mounting rail type are used. Therefore, predefined means can be employed for the attachment of the respective technical equipment unit thereto.

<CIT> relates to a rail-engaging structure including a slidable engaging member, a pivotable hook member and an elastic member. The engaging member and hook member are connected at their respective ends via a flexible thin wall or pivot pins, while receiving an elastic force of the elastic member. <CIT> shows a rail attachment device with a slidable plate and rotatable rods inside a casing of an electrical apparatus. An intermediate part connected to the plate and rods is configured to convert a translation movement of the plate into a rotary movement of the rods. Thus, the plate and rods are movable between an unlocked position and a locked position. <CIT> discloses a telecommunications connector with a base part configured for attachment to an earth rail. Integrally formed lugs enable the base part to engage with the rail. At least one resilient beam with a hook at its free end is provided in order to cater for rails of differing sizes. <CIT> relates to a modular distribution block for a high-current power system including a ground module. The ground module includes a metal grounding clamp configured to electrically and mechanically connect to a DIN rail and to retain the distribution block on the DIN rail.

Existing attachment means, however, often contain a complex mechanism involving a multitude of cooperating components and are thus usually prone to damage or malfunction. Attachment means including mechanisms with a low number of components on the other hand tend to be limited in their functionality, especially with regard to the attachment and detachment processes.

Therefore, it is desirable to have attachment means for attaching technical equipment units to mounting rails, which comprise only a minimal amount of components, while providing high functionality.

The object of the present invention is to provide improved attachment means for attaching a technical equipment unit to a mounting rail with a simple yet highly functional mechanism.

The object is achieved by providing a retention mechanism for attachment of a technical equipment unit to a mounting rail, the retention mechanism comprising a slider, which is movable in a translational manner along a sliding direction, a frame enclosing a groove for guiding the translational movement of the slider, and a lever, which is pivotable about a pivoting axis, wherein the lever is mechanically coupled with the slider, wherein the slider comprises a first retention section and the lever comprises a second retention section aligned with the first retention section in the sliding direction, and wherein a reception area for receiving the mounting rail is defined between the first retention section and the second retention section, wherein the frame is electrically conductive, and wherein the frame comprises at least one first contact point extending into the reception area and at least one second contact point extending away from the reception area.

It is to be understood that the technical equipment unit may be a PCB module, a circuit breaker or any other type of electrical or electronic unit or equipment as well as mechanical gear as by example but not exclusively separators or wire organization elements, which requires attachment to a mounting rail. It is further to be understood that the mounting rail may be, without limiting it to, a DIN rail, in particular a DIN rail with a hat-shaped cross section according to DIN EN <NUM>. Moreover, it is to be understood that the reception area is for receiving for example a length section of the mounting rail.

The functionality of the above-proposed retention mechanism benefits from the utilization of two components with different movement characteristics, especially from the combination of a translational and a pivotal movement. This is beneficial to the dynamic behaviour of the retention mechanism, compared to e.g., a mechanism combining two translationally movable components. Even if guaranteeing a static retention, dynamic loads can be compensated by the inventive mechanism.

Furthermore, a synchronization of said movements is achieved by the mechanical coupling between the lever and slider. This facilitates the attachment process as well as the detachment process, since it is sufficient to move actively only one of the slider and lever during these processes. The definition of a reception area further simplifies these processes and allows the implementation of proposedly specification-defined mechanical interface suitable e.g. for DIN <NUM><NUM> TH <NUM> /<NUM> without limiting the application thereto.

The above solution may be further improved by adding one or more of the following optional features. Each optional feature is advantageous on its own and may be combined independently with any other optional feature.

According to one possible embodiment of the retention mechanism, the first retention section of the slider may be formed by a first hook or hook-shaped projection extending away from the rest of the slider. Correspondingly, the second retention section of the lever may be formed by a second hook or hook-shaped projection extending away from the rest of the lever. The first hook and the second hook represent easy to manufacture means for gripping the mounting rail received in the reception area.

According to another possible embodiment of the retention mechanism, the mechanical coupling between the lever and the slider may be achieved through a mechanical joint, such as, for example a linking element or a non-rigid component. The mechanical joint may connect end sections of the lever and slider, respectively, in order to transfer forces and transmit motions therebetween. Preferably, the end sections of the lever and slider, which are connected by the mechanical joint, are distal from the first hook and second hook, respectively.

To achieve the mechanical coupling between the lever and slider without the use of additional components, such as additional joint elements, the lever may be directly coupled with the slider. In particular, the end section of the lever may be inserted between two inner walls of a cavity formed in the end section of the slider. The two inner walls are preferably arranged opposite to each other in the sliding direction. Preferably, the two inner walls may be arranged opposite to each other along the sliding direction. Thus, a movement of the slider in the sliding direction causes one of the two inner walls to abut against the inserted end section of the lever, thereby transferring the corresponding force of the slider onto the lever. A reverse movement of the slider against the sliding direction causes the other, opposite of the two inner walls to abut against the inserted end section of the lever. Thereby, the reverse force is transferred, respectively.

Optionally, the two inner walls may be curved in a circumferential direction with respect to the pivoting axis. This facilitates the force transfer between the slider and lever.

According to another embodiment, the slider may be movable into a slider locking position and/or the lever may be movable into a lever locking position. Further, the slider may be movable into a slider release position and/or the lever may be movable into a lever release position. Preferably, the reception area is narrower when the slider and/or lever is in the respective locking position (i.e. slider locking position and/or lever locking position), and wider when the slider and/or lever is in the respective release position (i.e. slider release position and/or lever release position). In particular, a clear width of the reception area measured parallel to the sliding direction is smaller than a width of the mounting rail when the slider and/or lever is in the respective locking position. Accordingly, when the slider and/or lever is in the respective release position, the clear width of the reception area is equal to or larger than the width of the mounting rail. Thus, the mounting rail can be engaged by or released from the first retention section and the second retention section according to the respective positions of the slider and/or lever. This will be further described in detail below. The slider and/or the lever may be retained in its locking position, its release position or both its locking and its release position.

Further, the slider may preferably be movable between the slider locking position and the slider release position. In addition, the lever may be preferably movable between the lever locking position and the lever release position. More preferably still, the lever moves into the lever release position when the slider is moved into the slider release position, and vice versa. The same may apply to the respective locking positions. Thereby, the slider and lever may be adapted to simultaneously engage and release the mounting rail, respectively.

According to another possible embodiment of the retention mechanism, the first retention section may comprise a first engagement surface extending in the sliding direction and parallel to the pivoting axis. The second retention section may comprise a second engagement surface, wherein the first engagement surface and the second engagement surface are mutually coplanar when the slider is in the slider locking position and the lever is in the lever locking position. In particular, the second engagement surface may extend e.g. in a tangential direction with respect to an imaginary cylinder around the pivoting axis. The two coplanar engagement surfaces each provide a resting surface for the mounting rail. For example, outwardly extending flanges of the mounting rail may rest on and be stably supported by the respective engagement surfaces.

According to another possible embodiment of the retention mechanism, the first retention section may comprise a first latching protrusion extending towards the second retention section. The second retention section may comprise a second latching protrusion extending towards the first retention section. In this embodiment, the mounting rail may be gripped by the respective latching protrusions, which extend towards each other. In particular, the first latching protrusion may protrude into the reception area when the slider is in the slider locking position. The second latching protrusion may protrude into the reception area when the lever is in the lever locking position. The first latching protrusion may just clear the reception area when the slider is moved into the slider release position. Accordingly, the second latching protrusion may just clear the reception area when the lever is moved into the lever release position.

The terms "just clear" should be understood to refer to a state of the first and second protrusion, in which the corresponding protrusion is exactly on the verge of protruding into the reception area without actually protruding into the reception area. In other words, the slightest movement of the slider and/or lever from the respective release position towards the reception area would cause the corresponding protrusion to at least partially protrude into the reception area.

Preferably, the first engagement surface is formed on the first latching protrusion. Accordingly, the second engagement surface may be formed on the second latching protrusion. Thus, the first engagement surface and/or the second engagement surface may be positioned in the reception area for the purpose of attaching the technical equipment unit to the mounting rail via the retention mechanism. Analogously, the first engagement surface and/or the second engagement surface may be moved out of the reception area for the purpose of detaching the technical equipment unit from the mounting rail via the retention mechanism.

For increased stability, the pivoting axis of the lever may be held fixedly and rotatably within the retention mechanism. Further, the pivoting axis may extend perpendicularly to the sliding direction.

The reception area may be adapted to receive the mounting rail along a preferential rail mounting direction. The mounting direction may be defined with respect to the sliding direction and the direction of the pivoting axis. The definition of a preferential rail mounting direction allows the design of the retention mechanism to be optimized according to the expected relative movement between the mounting rail and the respective components of the retention mechanism during the attachment process as well as the detachment process of the technical equipment unit.

Optionally, the preferential rail mounting direction may be indicated e.g., by at least one arrow symbol. The at least one arrow symbol may be printed, stamped, stuck, engraved or otherwise marked on the retention mechanism and/or the technical equipment unit. This is especially helpful during the attachment process.

According to another possible embodiment, the rail mounting direction may extend linearly i.e., straight, towards a plane spanned by the sliding direction and the pivoting axis. Preferably, the rail mounting direction is perpendicular to the sliding direction. Also preferably, the rail mounting direction is perpendicular to the pivoting axis. Thus, in combination with the aforementioned simultaneous engagement and release of the mounting rail, the attachment process as well as the detachment process of the technical equipment unit can take place along a straight path of movement at least in immediate proximity of the mounting rail. The attachment process and detachment process can, especially, take place without the need to tilt the technical equipment unit relative to the mounting rail. This is advantageous for applications e.g., with limited installation space or other types of spatial constrains.

In order to support the outwardly extending edges of the mounting rail stably from the rail mounting direction, the first engagement surface and the second engagement surface may face in the rail mounting direction when the slider and lever are in their respective locking positions.

According to yet another possible embodiment of the retention mechanism, at least one of the first retention section and second retention section may comprise a bevel surface extending obliquely with respect to the rail mounting direction, wherein each bevel surface forms a lead-in chamfer. In particular, each lead-in chamfer extends through the reception area, especially, through a peripheral zone of the reception area.

If the bevel surface is comprised by the first retention section, the bevel surface may be aligned with the first engagement surface in the rail mounting direction. Accordingly, the bevel surface may be aligned with the second engagement surface in the rail mounting direction if the bevel surface is comprised by the second retention section.

By providing such a bevel surface on at least one of the first retention section and second retention section, the retention mechanism can be easily latched onto the mounting rail during the attachment process of the technical equipment unit. In detail, the technical equipment unit may be pushed onto the mounting rail, such that the mounting rail enters into the reception area, in particular into the peripheral zone of the reception area. Thereupon, one of the outwardly extending flanges of the mounting rail can abut against the bevel surface at or near an outer edge of the bevel surface. By further pushing the technical equipment unit onto the mounting rail, the mechanically coupled slider and lever are gradually pressed out of their respective locking positions and towards their respective release positions. Once the outwardly extending flange, which abuts against the bevel surface, passes an inner edge of the bevel surface, the slider and lever may return into their respective locking positions. Consequently, the outwardly extending flange, which abutted against the bevel surface, as well as the corresponding other outwardly extending flange of the mounting rail are positioned beyond the first engagement surface and second engagement surface.

In order to balance the load during the aforementioned "clip on" process, both the first retention section and the second retention section may comprise a bevel surface extending obliquely with respect to the rail mounting direction and forming lead-in chamfers, respectively. In particular, the first retention section may comprise a first bevel surface and the second retention section may comprise a second bevel surface. Preferably, the first bevel surface is formed on the first latching protrusion and the second bevel surface is formed on the second latching protrusion. More preferably still, the first bevel surface is positioned opposite of the first engagement surface on the first latching protrusion and the second bevel surface is positioned opposite of the second engagement surface on the second latching protrusion with respect to the rail mounting direction, respectively.

According to another possible embodiment, the retention mechanism may comprise a position restoration element, which exerts a force on at least one of the slider and lever. In particular, the position restoration element may be a resilient element such as a coil spring. Accordingly, the force may be an elastic force. Preferably, the force may be directed towards the reception area. More preferably still, the force may act parallel to the sliding direction. Additionally or alternatively, the force may act along the pivoting direction of the lever. As such, the position restoration element may aid the "clip on" process described above, by automatically returning the slider and lever from their respective release positions to their respective locking positions once the mounting rail's outwardly extending flanges, which abutted against the bevel surfaces, have passed the inner edges of the bevel surfaces, respectively.

Preferably, the groove extends at least partially in the sliding direction. The movement of the slider may thus be guided in the groove. Moreover, the lever may be pivotably held in the groove. The position restoration element may be fixedly held in the groove.

By providing the retention mechanism with a frame, it is possible to create a preassembled module, which can be readily assembled to a unit housing of the technical equipment unit. In particular, the preassembled module may be received in a receptacle formed in the unit housing, as will be further described in detail below.

Optionally, the frame may comprise at least one guiding slot extending parallel to the groove in the sliding direction. For each guiding slot, the slider may comprise at least one sliding block or rib protruding into the respective guiding slot. In another embodiment, the frame may comprise at least one sliding block or rib and the slider may comprise at least one guiding slot. A width of the at least one guiding slot measured perpendicularly to the sliding direction may be equal to or larger than a width of the corresponding sliding block measured perpendicularly to the sliding direction. A length of the at least one guiding slot measured parallel to the sliding direction may be larger than a length of the corresponding sliding block measured parallel to the sliding direction. The length of the at least one guiding slot may be equal to or larger than a traveling distance of the slider moving between the slider locking position and the slider release position. Preferably, the length of the at least one guiding slot is equal to or larger than the sum of the length of the corresponding sliding block and the traveling distance of the slider moving between the slider locking position and the slider release position.

Optionally, the frame may further comprise at least one fixing hole extending parallel to the pivoting axis. Preferably, the frame comprises two fixing holes at opposite sides of the groove. For each fixing hole, the lever may comprise at least one axle pin projecting into the respective fixing hole. All axle pins of the lever may be aligned in the direction of the pivoting axis. Alternatively, the frame may comprise at least one axle pin and the lever may comprise at least one corresponding fixing hole.

According to yet another embodiment, the frame may have a lateral recess. In particular, the lateral recess may be a cut-out in the frame. The lateral recess may be substantially cuboid and may extend along the sliding direction and/or the rail mounting direction and/or parallel to the pivoting axis. The lateral recess may in particular extend at least partially into the groove. Preferably, the lateral recess at least partially coincides with the reception area. Thus, the lateral recess can clearly and visibly designate the reception area for the benefit of a simplified attachment process.

Preferably, the lateral recess makes the slider and lever accessible e.g., to the mounting rail. In particular, the first latching protrusion of the slider may protrude into the lateral recess of the frame when the slider is in the slider locking position. The second latching protrusion of the lever may protrude into the lateral recess when the lever is in the lever locking position. The first latching protrusion may just clear the lateral recess when the slider is moved into the slider release position. Accordingly, the second latching protrusion may just clear the lateral recess when the lever is moved into the lever release position.

In particular, the frame may be made of metal, such as aluminium, copper or stainless steel. Besides the improved mechanical stability gained from such a material choice, the frame may also be utilized for discharging interference currents or fault currents.

In particular, the at least one first contact point may be formed by at least one elastic spring finger extending into the lateral recess of the frame. The first contact point may electrically contact the metallic mounting rail received therein.

It is to be understood that the term metallic mounting rail refers to a mounting rail being completely made out of metal or at least having one of a metal coating and plating. Mounting rails being otherwise provided with electrical conductivity are also compatible with this embodiment.

In particular, the at least one second contact point may be formed by at least one elastic spring finger extending away from the lateral recess of the frame. Preferably, the at least one second contact point extends inside of the technical equipment unit and electrically contacts an electrical component, such as a printed circuit board (PCB), of the technical equipment unit. Thus, a grounding function can be fulfilled by the frame without the use of additional components, such as an electrically conductive grounding clip connecting the electrical component e.g., PCB, of the technical equipment unit to the mounting rail. The first and second contact point may, for example, be shaped as a prong.

In order to save material costs, the frame may alternatively be made of a material with no or low electrical conductivity, such as a resin. If a grounding function is required, an electrically conductive grounding clip comprising the at least one first contact point and the at least one second contact point may be fastened to the frame and connect the electrical component e.g., PCB, of the technical equipment unit to the mounting rail instead.

According to another embodiment, the retention mechanism may comprise at least one arresting feature with at least one abutment surface for securing the slider, the lever, or both the slider and the lever against movement. The at least one arresting feature may be formed on the slider and/or the lever. With the help of the at least one arresting feature, an unwanted, unintended or unauthorized movement of the slider and lever can be selectively prevented. The arresting feature may also be referred to as a latch or holding element.

For example, the at least one arresting feature may secure the slider and lever in their respective locking positions. Thereby, unintended removal of the retention mechanism from the mounting rail can be prevented.

According to another embodiment, the at least one arresting feature may secure the slider in a slider end position, which is situated away from the slider locking position and beyond the slider release position. Preferably, a traveling distance of the slider moving between the slider locking position and the slider end position equals the length of the at least one guiding slot of the frame subtracted by the length of the corresponding sliding block of the slider. Accordingly, the at least one arresting feature may secure the lever in a lever end position, which is situated away from the lever locking position and beyond the lever release position.

This embodiment is especially advantageous for applications where spatial constrains do not allow the technical equipment unit to be pushed onto the mounting rail, thereby rendering the "clip on" process described above impracticable. Under such circumstances, the at least one arresting feature can be utilized to secure the slider and lever in their respective end positions in preparation of the attachment process. As the end positions are situated beyond the release positions and away from the locking positions, the mounting rail may be received in the reception area without coming into contact with the slider or lever. Consequently, the technical equipment unit can be placed on the mounting rail smoothly and without requiring any pushing movement.

Once the technical unit is placed on the mounting rail, the slider and lever may be brought into their respective locking positions. To allow this movement of the slider and lever, the at least one arresting feature may be transferable from a securing state to a disengaging state. In particular, the at least one arresting feature may be movable, tiltable, slidable and/or deflectable from the securing state to the disengaging state. In the securing state, the at least one arresting feature secures the slider and lever against movement, as described above. In the disengaging state, the at least one arresting feature releases the slider and lever, thus allowing movement of the slider and lever.

Upon transferring the at least one arresting feature from the securing state to the disengaging state, the position restoration element may take effect and automatically return the slider and lever to their respective locking positions, thereby attaching the technical equipment unit to the mounting rail via the retention mechanism, as described above.

Analogously, the at least one arresting feature may be transferable from the disengaging state to the securing state. Preferably, this transfer takes place automatically when at least one of the slider and lever is moved into their respective end positions, whereupon the slider and lever are then secured by the at least one arresting feature.

By securing the slider and lever in their respective end positions, beyond their respective release positions, it is ensured that the transfer of the at least one arresting feature from the disengaging state to the securing state does not take place unintendedly e.g., during the "clip on" process described above, since the slider and lever are only brought into their respective release positions, but not therebeyond, in the course of the "clip on" process.

According to one possible embodiment, the at least one arresting feature may exhibit a shoulder, which engages with an edge of a counterpart arresting feature. The counterpart arresting feature may be formed on the frame or inside of the unit housing. Preferably, the shoulder is pivotable into and out of alignment with the edge of the counterpart arresting feature, the alignment being co-linear to the sliding direction. In particular, the shoulder may be monolithically connected to the rest of the slider and/or lever via a torsion hinge. Further, the torsion hinge may bias the shoulder towards the alignment with the edge of the counterpart arresting feature.

In this embodiment, the torsion hinge represents an easy to manufacture means for providing the shoulder's ability to be pivoted into and out of alignment with the edge of the counterpart arresting feature, while also biasing the shoulder towards the alignment with the edge of the counterpart arresting feature. Alternatively, any kind of hinge or bearing providing the shoulder with the ability to be pivoted into and out of alignment with the edge of the counterpart arresting feature is applicable. Optionally, the shoulder may also be spring-loaded and/or biased towards the alignment of the edge of the counterpart arresting feature by other resilient means.

Optionally, a release button may be arranged on an opposite side of the torsion hinge. Thus, when the release button is pressed in a circumferential direction with respect to the torsion hinge, the shoulder can be leveraged out of alignment with the edge of the counterpart arresting feature. This represents a means for effortlessly transferring the at least one arresting feature from the securing state to the disengaging state. Preferably, the release button is only operable with a tool e.g., a screwdriver. Alternatively, the release button may also be operable with a finger.

Further, optionally, a skew surface may be provided on the same side of the torsion hinge as the shoulder. Preferably, the skew surface abuts against the edge of the counterpart arresting feature when the slider is moved from the slider locking position to the slider end position. Also, the skew surface preferably extends obliquely with respect to the sliding direction. Furthermore, the abutment between the skew surface and the edge of the counterpart arresting feature preferably causes the shoulder to be gradually leveraged out of alignment with the edge of the counterpart arresting feature during the course of the slider's movement from the slider locking position to the slider end position. Preferably still, the shoulder is brought back into alignment with the edge of the counterpart arresting feature, once the slider reaches the slider end position. Thereby, a bistable click mechanism can be realized, which automatically transfers the at least one arresting feature from the disengaging state to the securing state when the slider is moved into the slider end position.

The initial object is further achieved by a technical equipment unit comprising a retention mechanism according to any one of the above-explained embodiments and a unit housing, wherein the unit housing has a receptacle for receiving the retention mechanism. The technical equipment unit may be a functional and/or electronics compound.

This technical equipment unit is advantageous, since it adopts the above explained features and advantages of the inventive retention mechanism. In particular, the technical equipment unit comprises a simple yet highly functional retention mechanism for attachment to the mounting rail.

If the retention mechanism comprises the frame (i.e. modular embodiment), the resulting preassembled module may be assembled to the unit housing. In particular, the frame may comprise latching features for establishing latching connections with counterpart latching features formed in the receptacle of the unit housing. Additionally or alternatively, the frame may comprise connectors for establishing connections via adequate interfaces formed in the receptacle of the unit housing. Preferably, the frame may comprise a combination of latching features and plugging features. In this case, it is preferred to establish the connections first, by pushing the frame at an angle into the receptacle. Thereafter, the latching connections may be established by swivelling the angled frame into the receptacle and bringing the latching features into engagement with the counterpart latching features. This way, the retention mechanism and the unit housing can be brought easily into their assembled state.

According to one possible embodiment of the technical equipment unit, at least one of the retention mechanism and unit housing may comprise at least one tensioning element for introducing a pre-stress between the retention mechanism and the unit housing. In particular, each tensioning element may be formed by a plastically deformable tab of the frame, which abuts against a surface of the unit housing and thus presses the retention mechanism away from the unit housing. This allows for compensation of manufacturing tolerances by eliminating play between the retention mechanism and the unit housing in their assembled state. These manufacturing tolerances may be inevitable or even necessary for the sake of the above-described latching connections for example.

Alternatively, the retention mechanism may be directly integrated into the receptacle of the unit housing. In particular, the receptacle may be configured for movably guiding the slider. Preferably, the receptacle extends at least partially in the sliding direction. The slider may thus be movably guided in the receptacle. Moreover, the lever may be pivotably held in the receptacle. The position restoration element may be fixedly held in the receptacle, as well. The receptacle may also comprise the at least one guiding slot and/or the at least one fixing hole. Thereby, the frame can be omitted for the purpose of saving costs.

In the following, exemplary embodiments of the invention are described with reference to the drawings. The embodiments shown and described are for explanatory purposes only. The combination of features shown in the embodiments may be changed according to the foregoing description. For example, a feature that is not shown in an embodiment but described above may be added if the technical effect associated with this feature is beneficial for a particular application. Vice versa, a feature shown as part of an embodiment may be omitted as described above, if the technical effect associated with this feature is not needed in a particular application.

In the drawings, elements that correspond to each other with respect to function and/or structure have been provided with the same reference numeral.

In the following, the structure of possible embodiments of a retention mechanism <NUM> for attachment of a technical equipment unit <NUM> to a mounting rail <NUM> according to the present invention is explained with reference to the exemplary embodiments shown in <FIG>. Further, <FIG> is used for explaining the structure of a technical equipment unit <NUM> according to the present invention.

<FIG> shows an exploded perspective view of the retention mechanism <NUM> according to one possible embodiment of the present disclosure. <FIG> shows a perspective view of the retention mechanism <NUM> according to another possible embodiment of the present disclosure attached to the mounting rail <NUM>. As can be seen, the retention mechanism <NUM> comprises a slider <NUM> and a lever <NUM>.

The slider <NUM> is movable in a translational manner along a sliding direction <NUM>. In the shown exemplary embodiment, the slider <NUM> comprises an oblong, beam-like main body <NUM> and a first retention section <NUM>. In particular, the main body <NUM> is oblong with respect to the sliding direction <NUM>. The first retention section <NUM> is formed by a first hook <NUM>. As can be seen in <FIG>, the first hook <NUM> is a hook-shaped projection <NUM> extending away from the main body <NUM>, preferably perpendicularly to the sliding direction <NUM>.

The lever <NUM> is pivotable about a pivoting axis <NUM>. As will be described in further detail below with reference to <FIG>, the lever <NUM> is mechanically coupled with the slider <NUM>. The lever <NUM> comprises a cylindrical axle <NUM> and a second retention section <NUM>. The cylindrical axle <NUM> extends coaxially with the pivoting axis <NUM>. The second retention section <NUM> is aligned with the first retention section <NUM> of the slider <NUM> in the sliding direction <NUM>. Further, the second retention section <NUM> is formed by a second hook <NUM>. As can be seen in <FIG>, the second hook <NUM> is a hook-shaped projection <NUM> extending away from the cylindrical axle <NUM>, preferably radially away with respect to the pivoting axis <NUM>.

As is shown in <FIG>, the pivoting axis <NUM> of the lever <NUM> may be held fixedly and rotatably within the retention mechanism <NUM>. Further, it is shown that the pivoting axis <NUM> extends perpendicularly to the sliding direction <NUM>.

<FIG> shows a side view of the retention mechanism <NUM> according to another possible embodiment of the present disclosure. As can be seen from <FIG> and <FIG>, a reception area <NUM> for receiving a length section <NUM> of the mounting rail <NUM> is defined between the first retention section <NUM> and the second retention section <NUM>. In particular, the reception area <NUM> is defined between the first hook <NUM> and the second hook <NUM>.

The reception area <NUM> may be adapted to receive the mounting rail <NUM> along a preferential rail mounting direction <NUM>, which is defined with respect to the sliding direction <NUM> and the direction of the pivoting axis <NUM>. In the shown exemplary embodiments, the rail mounting direction <NUM> extends linearly i.e., straight, towards a plane <NUM> spanned by the sliding direction <NUM> and the pivoting axis <NUM>. In particular, the rail mounting direction <NUM> is perpendicular to the sliding direction <NUM> and the pivoting axis <NUM> (see <FIG>).

The mounting rail <NUM> shown exemplarily in <FIG> is a DIN rail with a hat-shaped cross section according to DIN EN <NUM>. Alternatively, the mounting rail may have a different cross-section and/or comply with a different standard.

<FIG> shows a sectional view of the retention mechanism <NUM>. Here it can be seen that the mechanical coupling between the lever <NUM> and the slider <NUM> is achieved through a mechanical joint <NUM>. The mechanical joint <NUM> connects an end section <NUM> of the slider <NUM> with an end section <NUM> of the lever <NUM>. As can be further seen, the respective end sections <NUM>, <NUM>, which are connected by the mechanical joint <NUM>, are distal from the first hook <NUM> and the second hook <NUM>, respectively.

In particular, the lever <NUM> may be directly coupled with the slider <NUM>. For this the end section <NUM> of the lever <NUM> may be inserted between two inner walls <NUM> of a cavity <NUM> formed in the end section <NUM> of the slider <NUM>. Preferably, the two inner walls <NUM> may be arranged opposite to each other along the sliding direction <NUM>. The two inner walls <NUM> may be curved in a circumferential direction with respect to the pivoting axis <NUM>, respectively.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the slider <NUM> may be movable between a slider locking position <NUM> (see <FIG>) and a slider release position <NUM> (see <FIG>). Analogously, the lever <NUM> may be movable between a lever locking position <NUM> (see <FIG>) and a lever release position <NUM> (see <FIG>). The respective release positions <NUM>, <NUM> are depicted as dotted lines <NUM>. Due to the mechanical coupling, the lever <NUM> moves into the lever release position <NUM> when the slider <NUM> is moved into the slider release position <NUM> and vice versa. Also, the lever <NUM> moves into the lever locking position <NUM> when the slider <NUM> is moved into the slider locking position <NUM> and vice versa.

When the slider <NUM> and/or lever <NUM> is in the respective locking position (i.e. slider locking position <NUM> and/or lever locking position <NUM>), the reception area <NUM> is narrower, while the reception area <NUM> is wider, when the slider <NUM> and/or lever <NUM> is in the respective release position (i.e. slider release position <NUM> and/or lever release position <NUM>.

In particular, a clear width <NUM> of the reception area <NUM> measured parallel to the sliding direction <NUM> is smaller than a width <NUM> of the mounting rail <NUM>, when the slider <NUM> and/or lever <NUM> is in the respective locking position <NUM>, <NUM>. The clear width <NUM> of the reception area <NUM> is equal to or larger than the width <NUM> of the mounting rail <NUM>, when the slider <NUM> and the show lever <NUM> is in the respective release position <NUM>, <NUM>. This can be seen in <FIG> and <FIG>, respectively.

As further shown in <FIG>, the slider <NUM> may be moved into a slider end position <NUM>, which is situated away from the slider locking position <NUM> and beyond the slider release position <NUM>. Analogously, the lever <NUM> may be moved into a lever end position <NUM>, which is situated away from the lever locking position <NUM> and beyond the lever release position <NUM>.

The first retention section <NUM> shown in <FIG> comprises a first engagement surface <NUM> extending in the sliding direction <NUM> and parallel to the pivoting axis <NUM>. The second retention section <NUM> may comprise a second engagement surface <NUM>, wherein the first engagement surface <NUM> and the second engagement surface <NUM> are mutually coplanar when the slider <NUM> is in the slider locking position <NUM> and the lever <NUM> is in the lever locking position <NUM>, respectively (see <FIG>). The two coplanar engagement surfaces <NUM>, <NUM> each provide a resting surface <NUM> for the mounting rail <NUM>. In <FIG>, the function of the resting surfaces <NUM> becomes apparent. Here, outwardly extending flanges <NUM> of the mounting rail <NUM> are shown resting on the respective engagement surfaces <NUM>, <NUM> acting as resting surfaces <NUM>.

Further in <FIG>, the first retention section <NUM> comprises a first latching protrusion <NUM> extending towards the second retention section <NUM>. The second retention section <NUM> comprises a second latching protrusion <NUM> extending towards the first retention section <NUM>. The first latching protrusion <NUM> protrudes into the reception area <NUM> when the slider <NUM> is in the slider locking position <NUM>. The second latching protrusion <NUM> protrudes into the reception area <NUM> when the lever <NUM> in the lever locking position <NUM>. The mounting rail <NUM> is thus gripped by the respective latching protrusions <NUM>, <NUM>, which extend towards each other, when the mounting rail <NUM> is received in the reception area <NUM>, the slider <NUM> is in the slider locking position <NUM> and the lever <NUM> is in the lever locking position <NUM>.

For release of the mounting rail <NUM>, the slider <NUM> and/or lever <NUM> is brought into the respective release position <NUM>, <NUM>. In particular, when the slider <NUM> is moved into the slider release position <NUM>, the first latching protrusion <NUM> clears the reception area and is on the verge of protruding into the reception area <NUM> without actually protruding into the reception area <NUM>. Accordingly, when the lever <NUM> is moved into the lever release position <NUM> the second latching protrusion <NUM> clears the reception area <NUM> and is on the verge of protruding into the reception area <NUM> without actually protruding into the reception area <NUM>.

In the shown exemplary embodiments, the first engagement surface <NUM> is formed on the first latching protrusion <NUM>. The second engagement surface <NUM> is formed accordingly on the second latching protrusion <NUM>. Further, the first engagement surface <NUM> and the second engagement surface <NUM> face in the rail mounting direction <NUM>, when the slider <NUM> and lever <NUM> are in their respective locking positions <NUM>, <NUM>.

At least one of the first retention section <NUM> and the second retention section <NUM> may comprise a bevel surface <NUM> extending obliquely with respect to the rail mounting direction <NUM>. In the shown exemplary embodiment of <FIG>, both the first retention section <NUM> and the second retention section <NUM> comprise a bevel surface <NUM>. The bevel surfaces <NUM> form lead-in chamfers <NUM>, which extend through a peripheral zone <NUM> of the reception area <NUM>. The bevel surfaces <NUM> are respectively formed on the first retention section <NUM> and on the second retention section <NUM>, especially on the first latching protrusion <NUM> and on the second latching protrusion <NUM>. In particular, the bevel surfaces <NUM> are respectively aligned with first engagement surface <NUM> and the second engagement surface <NUM> in the rail mounting direction <NUM>.

The provision of such bevel surfaces <NUM> allows the retention mechanism <NUM> to be attached onto the mounting rail <NUM> during the attachment process of the technical equipment unit <NUM>. In detail, the technical equipment unit <NUM> is pushed onto the mounting rail <NUM> such that the mounting rail <NUM> enters into to the peripheral zone <NUM> of the reception area <NUM>. This state is shown in <FIG> with the mounting rail <NUM> drawn in a dotted line <NUM>. By further entering into the reception area <NUM>, the outwardly extending flanges <NUM> of the mounting rail <NUM> abut against the bevel surfaces <NUM> on either side. Upon further entering the reception area <NUM>, the slider <NUM> and lever <NUM> are gradually pressed out of their respective locking positions <NUM>, <NUM> and towards their respective release positions <NUM>, <NUM> (see <FIG>). Once the outwardly extending flanges <NUM> pass beyond the bevel surfaces <NUM>, the slider <NUM> and lever <NUM> can return into their respective locking positions <NUM>, <NUM>. This state is shown in <FIG> with the mounting rail <NUM> drawn in a continuous line <NUM>.

Said return of the slider <NUM> and lever <NUM> into their respective locking positions <NUM>, <NUM>, is achieved by a position restoration element <NUM>, which exerts a force on at least one of the slider <NUM> and lever <NUM>. In the shown embodiment of <FIG>, the position restoration element <NUM> is a resilient element <NUM> such as a coil spring <NUM>. The coil spring <NUM> exerts an elastic force <NUM> on the slider <NUM>, which acts parallel to the sliding direction <NUM> by abutting with one end <NUM> against the slider <NUM>. Optionally, the coil spring <NUM> may be supported by a coil spring support section <NUM> of the slider <NUM> projecting from the first hook <NUM> and extending along the sliding direction <NUM> (see <FIG>).

The respective other end <NUM> of the coil spring <NUM> may abut against a frame <NUM> of the retention mechanism <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>, or against a unit housing <NUM> of the technical equipment unit <NUM>.

In the shown exemplary embodiment of <FIG>, the frame <NUM> encloses a groove <NUM> in which the slider <NUM> is movably guided and the lever <NUM> is pivotably held. In particular, the retention mechanism <NUM> comprising the frame <NUM> represents a preassembled module <NUM>, which can be readily assembled into the unit housing <NUM> of the technical equipment unit <NUM>, as will be described below.

The frame <NUM> may comprise at least one guiding slot <NUM> extending parallel to the groove <NUM> in the sliding direction <NUM>. For each guiding slot <NUM>, the slider <NUM> may comprise at least one sliding block <NUM> projecting into the respective guiding slot <NUM>. A width <NUM> of the at least one guiding slot <NUM> measured perpendicular to the sliding direction <NUM> may be equal to or larger than a width <NUM> of the corresponding sliding block <NUM> measured perpendicular to the sliding direction <NUM>. A length <NUM> of the at least one guiding slot <NUM> measured parallel to the sliding direction <NUM> may be larger than a length <NUM> of the corresponding sliding block <NUM> measured parallel to the sliding direction <NUM>. As can be seen in <FIG>, the frame <NUM> comprises multiple such guiding slots <NUM> and the slider <NUM> comprises multiple sliding blocks <NUM>.

Further, the frame may comprise at least one fixing hole <NUM> extending parallel to the pivoting axis <NUM>. In the shown embodiment of <FIG>, the frame <NUM> comprises two fixing holes <NUM> on opposite sides of the groove <NUM>. For each fixing hole <NUM>, the lever <NUM> comprises one axle pin <NUM> projecting into the respective fixing hole <NUM>. The two axle pins <NUM> are aligned in the direction of the pivoting axis <NUM>.

In the embodiment shown in <FIG>, the frame <NUM> has a lateral recess <NUM>. The lateral recess <NUM> is formed by a cut-out <NUM>, which is substantially cuboid. The lateral recess <NUM> extends along the sliding direction <NUM> the rail mounting direction <NUM> and parallel to the pivoting axis <NUM>. Further, the lateral recess <NUM> extends at least partially into the groove <NUM> and at least partially coincides with the reception area <NUM>. The lateral recess <NUM> thus makes the slider <NUM> and lever <NUM> accessible for the mounting rail <NUM>.

The frame <NUM> is electrically conductive. In particular, the frame may be made of metal, such as aluminium, copper or stainless steel. This is the case for the exemplary embodiments shown in <FIG>. Further, the frame <NUM> shown therein comprises at least one first contact point <NUM> formed by at least one elastic spring finger <NUM> extending into the lateral recess <NUM> and reception area <NUM>, respectively. The frame <NUM> also comprises at least one second contact point <NUM> formed by at least one elastic spring finger <NUM> extending away from the lateral recess <NUM> of the frame <NUM>.

Preferably, the frame <NUM> comprises multiple parallel elastic spring fingers <NUM>, which form the first contact point <NUM> and the second contact prongs <NUM>, respectively. The first contact point <NUM> can be brought into electrical contact with a metallic surface of the mounting rail <NUM> for grounding purposes. This can be seen in <FIG>. Also, the second contact point <NUM> preferably extend inside of the technical equipment unit <NUM> and electrically contact an electrical component <NUM>, such as a printed circuit board of the technical equipment unit <NUM>. This can be seen in <FIG>.

The retention mechanism <NUM> may comprise at least one arresting feature <NUM> with at least one abutment surface <NUM> for securing at least one of the slider <NUM> and lever <NUM> against movement. The at least one arresting feature <NUM> may be transferable from a securing state <NUM> to a disengaging state <NUM>. In particular, the at least one arresting feature <NUM> may be movable, tiltable, slidable and/or deflectable from the securing state <NUM> to the disengaging state <NUM>. In the securing state <NUM>, the at least one arresting feature <NUM> secures the slider <NUM> and lever <NUM> against movement. In the disengaging state <NUM>, the at least one arresting feature <NUM> releases the slider <NUM> and lever <NUM> in order to allow their respective movement.

In the shown exemplary embodiment of <FIG>, the at least one arresting feature <NUM> is a latch <NUM> formed on the frame <NUM>. The latch <NUM> is adapted to engage with the slider <NUM> by entering into a notch <NUM> formed on the main body <NUM> of the slider <NUM>. Thereby, the slider <NUM> and the lever <NUM>, which is mechanically coupled to the slider <NUM>, are both secured in their respective end positions <NUM>, <NUM>. Alternatively, the slider <NUM> and lever <NUM> may be secured in their respective locking positions <NUM>, <NUM> by the at least one arresting feature <NUM>.

In the embodiment shown in <FIG>, the at least one arresting feature <NUM> is formed on the slider <NUM>. In particular, the at least one arresting feature <NUM> exhibits a shoulder <NUM>, which engages with an edge <NUM> of a counterpart arresting feature. In this case, the edge <NUM> of the counterpart arresting feature is a frame edge <NUM> of the frame <NUM>. The shoulder <NUM> is monolithically connected to the main body <NUM> of the slider <NUM> by a torsion hinge <NUM>. Further, a release button <NUM> is arranged on an opposite side <NUM> of the torsion hinge <NUM>. Thus, when the release button <NUM> is pressed in a circumferential direction <NUM> with respect to the torsion hinge <NUM>, the shoulder <NUM> can be leveraged out of alignment with the frame edge <NUM>.

As can further be seen in <FIG>, a skew surface <NUM> is provided on the same side <NUM> of the torsion hinge <NUM> as the shoulder <NUM>. The skew surface <NUM> can abut against the frame edge <NUM> when the slider <NUM> is moved from the slider locking position <NUM> (see <FIG>) to the slider end position <NUM>. During the course of this movement, the abutment between the skew surface <NUM> and the frame edge <NUM> leads to the shoulder <NUM> being gradually leveraged out of alignment with the frame edge <NUM>. This state is shown in <FIG> with dotted lines. When the slider8 reaches the slider end position <NUM>, the shoulder <NUM> is brought back into alignment with the frame edge <NUM> e.g., due to a bias of the torsion hinge <NUM>. This state is shown in <FIG> with continuous lines.

<FIG> shows a detail of a sectional view of the technical equipment unit <NUM>. The technical equipment unit <NUM> may comprise a retention mechanism <NUM> according to the above description (For the sake of better overview, only the frame <NUM> of the retention mechanism <NUM> is shown in <FIG>) and a unit housing <NUM>, wherein the unit housing <NUM> has a receptacle <NUM> for receiving the retention mechanism <NUM>.

The preassembled module <NUM> described above, may be assembled to the unit housing <NUM>. For this, the frame <NUM> may comprise a combination of latching features <NUM> and connectors <NUM>. By means of the connectors <NUM>, connections <NUM> with counterconnector <NUM> formed in the receptacle <NUM> of the unit housing <NUM> are established, respectively. By means of the latching features <NUM>, latching connections <NUM> with counterpart latching features <NUM> formed in the receptacle <NUM> of the unit housing <NUM> are established, respectively. This state is shown in <FIG>.

Further, at least one of the retention mechanism <NUM> and unit housing <NUM> may comprise at least one tensioning element <NUM> for introducing a pre-stress between the retention mechanism <NUM> and the unit housing <NUM>. In the shown exemplary embodiment of <FIG>, each tensioning element <NUM> is formed by a plastically deformable tab <NUM> of the frame <NUM>, which abuts against a surface <NUM> of the unit housing <NUM>. The frame <NUM> comprises two such tabs <NUM> (see <FIG>). Due to this abutment, the retention mechanism <NUM> is pressed away from the unit housing <NUM>. This eliminates play <NUM> between the retention mechanism <NUM> and the unit housing <NUM> e. g, introduced by manufacturing tolerances and/or the latching connections <NUM>.

Claim 1:
Retention mechanism (<NUM>) for attachment of a technical equipment unit (<NUM>) to a mounting rail (<NUM>), the retention mechanism (<NUM>) comprising:
- a slider (<NUM>), which is movable in a translational manner along a sliding direction (<NUM>),
- a frame (<NUM>) enclosing a groove (<NUM>) for movably guiding the slider (<NUM>) and
- a lever (<NUM>), which is pivotable about a pivoting axis (<NUM>),
wherein the lever (<NUM>) is mechanically coupled with the slider (<NUM>), wherein the slider (<NUM>) comprises a first retention section (<NUM>) and the lever (<NUM>) comprises a second retention section (<NUM>) aligned with the first retention section (<NUM>) in the sliding direction (<NUM>), wherein a reception area (<NUM>) for receiving the mounting rail (<NUM>) is defined between the first retention section (<NUM>) and the second retention section (<NUM>), characterized in that the frame (<NUM>) is electrically conductive, and wherein the frame (<NUM>) comprises at least one first contact point (<NUM>) extending into the reception area (<NUM>) and at least one second contact point (<NUM>) extending away from the reception area (<NUM>).