EP0144758A2 - Contact unit for non-soldered wire connections - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a contact unit (1) for non-soldered wire connections in which the individual contacts (3) are arranged in contact strips (2) of insulating material, on the basis of coordinates, these contact strips (2) being separable as required both in the longitudinal as well as in the width coordinate, along prepared separating lines (7, 15). The contact unit (1), which is optimally produced in this manner, is attached to reinforcing elements (4, 14). <IMAGE>

Description

The invention relates to a contact unit for solderless wire connections in connection or distribution systems in telecommunications equipment.

A variety of solderless contacts are available today for connections of the above type, which are common in different arrangements. These arrangements range from individual connectors to arrangements of contacts in strips to larger units in the form of connection distributors, as are known, for example, from the brochure from Siemens AG No. N 109/1784.101. When using such contact units, however, the choice of installation units is more or less restricted from the outset. Either the required connection units have to be put together from smaller contact units or one uses correspondingly larger contact units, in which case not all connection points may then be required. In any case, a coordination between fixed contact units and the installation housing is possible.

The present invention is based on the object of creating a contact unit of the type described at the outset, which can be adapted to the most varied of local conditions using the simplest means at the installation site.

The object is now in accordance with the invention with a contact unit for solderless wire connections Connection or distribution systems in telecommunication devices solved in that the individual contacts are arranged in the form of a regular coordinate system in contiguous contact strips, these contact strips being separable as desired both in the longitudinal and in the width coordinates along prepared separating lines.

An advantage of the invention is, among other things, that the planning for a contact system can be relieved, since the contact unit according to the invention can be adapted to the respective area of application directly at the installation site. In this way, a contact system becomes much cheaper overall and the workflow can be simplified. In addition, all of the existing requirements for moisture protection, disconnection, overvoltage protection, marking and the like are not impaired in these contact units. In addition to the generally universal arrangement of the contacts, which would be possible in principle, it is expedient to choose a certain grid arrangement which can be adapted from the complex requirements of the cables and the geometrical conditions of the fittings. For the arrangement according to the invention, the band-like arrangement of the contacts in different grids is primarily chosen as a universally usable contact arrangement. Here, in turn, five or ten-pair grids are particularly suitable for ten and twenty-five-pair wire bundles. According to the invention, these five-pair or ten-pair contact rows are arranged at a defined distance from one another, any number of such contact rows being connected to one another. The distance between the individual rows of contacts is selected so that the wire guidance is possible between them. Such a grid-like contact unit can now be according to the invention both in length and Cut to length as required. These dividing lines are prepared, for example, by notches in such a way that they can be easily adapted to the required size with simple means or by simple breaking. It is also expedient if flexible material is used for these contact strips. This means that the contact unit can then be arranged, for example, in a plane with any length and width and, on the other hand, if necessary as a hollow cylinder. Since the latter arrangement may not be sufficient in the case of high-pair sleeves, with the aid of the contact units according to the invention, a plurality of hollow cylinders can also be arranged one above the other or one behind the other in accordance with the available space. Furthermore, slidable or hinged plate arrangements can be selected transverse to the sleeve axis. If flexible material is used for the contact rows, it may be necessary to give the flexible structure a certain stability. According to the invention, this is done, for example, with the aid of a frame or with the aid of a rigid plate which is easily connected to the contact strips. For this purpose, known snap and locking systems are used to ensure simple handling. A connection at the installation site by gluing is also possible, adhesive coatings preferably being used which are protected with a film until use. The stability frame required for the stiffening can now also consist of bendable material which is provided with appropriate stiffening ribs in order to achieve stability at the installation site. These stiffening ribs can also be adjusted. The attachment is expediently also carried out with the aid of snap, clamp or adhesive connections. Another embodiment provides that the stiffening elements are provided with connecting elements with which they fix themselves in a cylindrical arrangement. In this way, no additive is necessary for the manufacture of a cylinder.

• Fig. 1 zeigt eine Kontakteinheit gemäß der Erfindung in Frontansicht.
• Fig. 2 zeigt die Kontakteinheit in einer seitlichen Ansicht.
• Fig. 3 zeigt die Kontakteinheit in einer Draufsicht.
• Fig. 4 erläutert die Befestigung der Kontaktbänder auf Versteifungseinheiten.
• Fig. 5 zeigt die Befestigung der Kontaktbänder mit Hilfe einer Kleberbeschichtung.
• Fig. 6 verdeutlicht die Aderführungskanäle zwischen den einzelnen Kontaktbändern.
• Fig. 7 erläutert eine weitere Verbindungsmöglichkeit zwischen den einzelnen Elementen.
• Fig. 8 zeigt die Ausbildung der einzelnen Elemente für die Befestigung nach Fig. 7.
• Fig. 9 erläutert eine zylindrische Anordnung der Kontaktbänder.
• Fig. 10 verdeutlicht Schnappelemente zur Fixierung der einzelnen Elemente.
• Fig. 11 zeigt in einem Querschnitt den Einsatz von Überspannungsleitern in Kontaktbändern gemäß der Erfindung.
• Fig. 12 erläutert in einem Querschnitt den Einsatz der Uberspannungsleiter.
• Fig. 13 verdeutlicht die abwechselnde Bestückung der Kontaktbänder mit Kontakten und überspannungsableitern.

The invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to 13 figures.

• Fig. 1 shows a contact unit according to the invention in front view.
• Fig. 2 shows the contact unit in a side view.
• Fig. 3 shows the contact unit in a plan view.
• Fig. 4 explains the attachment of the contact strips on stiffening units.
• Fig. 5 shows the attachment of the contact strips with the help of an adhesive coating.
• Fig. 6 illustrates the wire guide channels between the individual contact strips.
• 7 explains a further connection possibility between the individual elements.
• FIG. 8 shows the design of the individual elements for the fastening according to FIG. 7.
• 9 explains a cylindrical arrangement of the contact strips.
• Fig. 10 illustrates snap elements for fixing the individual elements.
• 11 shows a cross section of the use of surge conductors in contact strips according to the invention.
• 12 explains in a cross section the use of the overvoltage conductors.
• Fig. 13 illustrates the alternating equipping of the contact strips with contacts and surge arresters.

1 shows a contact unit 1 in front view according to the invention, only the first and last contact 3 of a row of contacts being indicated; because the further arrangement of contacts 3 is to be thought in the same way and, moreover, the number of contacts 3 according to the invention corresponds precisely to the need. The contact unit.1 now consists of plastic strips 2, which are chained together in a row. Incisions 7 are made between the individual contact strips 2, in such a way that the individual rows can be separated in these incisions if necessary. In this way, the required number of contact rows of a contact unit 1 can be determined. The transverse separation of the individual contacts 3 in the longitudinal direction can take place by separation along the channels 15 introduced into the contact strips 2. Through the incisions 7 in the transverse direction and the channels 15 in the longitudinal direction, a coordinate-wise separation of contacts up to finally the individual contact 3 is possible. The contact strips 2 are made of insulating material, the contacts 3 being clamped in individual shafts, as shown by the dotted indication. Insulation displacement contacts are expediently used as contacts 3, so that the individual wires do not have to be stripped. However, other types of contacts can also be used in principle. The Contact strips 2, which are preferably designed to be flexible at least due to the longitudinal and transverse notches, are applied to stiffening elements 4 after the cutting for reasons of stability. Correspondingly designed ribs 14, which are also attached in a simple manner, for example by clamping or snap elements, provide further stiffening. For the attachment of the entire contact unit 1 in housings or the like, tabs 10 are provided, which can optionally also be pinched off. The wire guide along the contact unit 1 takes place in wire guide channels, which in this exemplary embodiment are formed, for example, from rod-shaped, protruding elements 11. Together with the tabs 10, they each form a wire guide channel in the longitudinal direction. Furthermore, the individual contacts 3 or entire rows of contacts can be provided with protective caps 12, as is indicated for the right or left individual contact 3. The inserted and contacted wires 13 are then discharged through narrow slots in the protective caps 12 to the outside in the wire guide channels.

FIG. 2 shows a partial section of the contact unit according to the invention, it being clear that 2 wire guide channels 7 are arranged between the individual contact strips and run along possible dividing lines. These dividing lines can be widened in a special way by notches or the like in such a way that the separation is made possible by simple means or by breaking. The contacts 3, which are inserted into shafts 5 of the contact strips 2, are angled at the lower end, so that the overall height of the contact unit 1 can be kept as low as possible. The contacts 3 are locked by resilient cams 6 after insertion into the shafts 5, the contacts 3 being exchangeable by pushing the cams 6 back. The pinched wires 13 are through slots of the attached protective caps 12 and introduced into the wire guide channels 7. The contact strips 2 are fastened on the plate 4 with the aid of latching elements 9 in order to achieve the required rigidity for the entire unit. For particularly stable designs, additional stiffening elements, here in the form of angles 14, are arranged, which are fastened in a simple manner to the locking elements 9. The number of contact strips 2 arranged one behind the other is variable according to the invention, which is indicated by dash-dots in the figure. is indicated.

FIG. 3 now illustrates the arrangement of the contact strips 2 lying one behind the other, each of which is separated from one another by the wire guide channels 7 in a coordinate. Along these wire guide channels 7 there is the possibility of separating contact strips. Continuous notches 15 are also arranged in the longitudinal coordinate perpendicular to it, which enable separation in this coordinate. It is particularly clear from this figure that the contact unit 1 can be detached in any manner along the coordinates to be regarded as separating lines. The contact unit 1 can thus be adapted in any way to the requirements of the respective application. For the attachment of the contact unit 1 at the place of use, for example in sleeve or distributor housings, is carried out with attached tabs 10 and the already explained cohesion between the contact strips 2 and the stiffening elements underneath is carried out with the aid of the latching elements 9 the contact unit 1 wire guide channels are formed, into which the clamped wires are introduced from the wire guide channels 7.

In Figure 4, a locking element 9 is shown in particular, the contact in a clamping manner through holes 8 bands 2, the plate 4 and the stiffening ribs 14 is pressed. The locking element 9 is expediently formed thickened at its end, so that an independent release is no longer possible after the impression.

FIG. 5 shows a possibility of fastening the contact strips 2 on stiffening elements 17 with the aid of an adhesive 26 or an adhesive film, which is expediently covered with a protective film until use. A resilient wire guide 11 is arranged on the side of the contact strip 2, which provides security for the wires 13 inserted in the wire guide channels 7, as can be seen from FIG. 6.

FIG. 7 shows a further possibility for fastening the contact strips 2 and the stiffening elements 14 with the aid of tabs 18 which are punched out on the side of the plate 4. These tabs 18 are bent upwards or downwards and pressed into corresponding recesses 19 in a clamping manner. This possibility is particularly clear from FIG. 8, in which the individual parts are shown before assembly. The contact strips 2 with the inserted contacts 3 have recesses 19 on the edges, into which the upwardly bent tabs 18 of the plate 4 are pressed. In a similar manner, the second downwardly bent tab 18 of the plate 4 is pressed into a recess 19 in the stiffening elements 14, which is additionally locked by a molded pin which engages in a bore in the plate 4. The cutouts 19 ensure that the tabs 18 do not protrude at the edges of the contact unit.

FIG. 9 shows an exemplary embodiment of contact tapes which have dovetail-like approaches or pins as latching elements 21 which are shown in FIG Fitted grooves of a plate 4 can be locked. With a flexible design of the plate 4, it is also possible to form cylindrical arrangements which are particularly suitable for cylindrical sleeves.

The overlap region of such a hollow-cylindrical arrangement can be seen from FIG. 10, the longitudinal connection being carried out with the aid of the dovetail-like extensions 2 ¹ , which are snapped into the longitudinal grooves 20. In this way, hollow cylindrical contact units can be formed without further aids. Depending on the diameter and capacity of a sleeve, several hollow cylinders of this type can also be arranged concentrically.

FIGS. 11, 12 and 13 now illustrate contact strips 2 on which surge arresters 22 are arranged in an alternating sequence. As can be seen from FIG. 11, the contact 3 on its underside is extended so far in a U-shape that it can be used in the following contact strip 2 for contacting a surge arrester 22 arranged there. The discharge contact 23 of the surge arrester 22 to earth is connected to adjacent contacts in the axis of the contact strips and its legs are inserted into recesses in the contact strip 2 provided for this purpose, as can be seen in more detail in FIG. A protective cap 24 with a corresponding marking is placed over the entire contact bandwidth. An angled leg 26 of the discharge contact 23 engages at the end of the same in a resilient earthing bar 25, so that contacting is ensured during the plugging process. Figure 12 illustrates this arrangement, which is already indicated in Figure 11 by the section XII - XII. In addition to this, FIG. 13 shows the arrangement of the overvoltage conductors, which over the cross flag of Contacts 3 in the next contact band 2 are connected.

Claims (12)

1. contact unit for solderless wire connections in connection or distribution systems for telecommunications equipment,
characterized ,
that the individual contacts (3) are arranged in the form of a regular coordinate system in contiguous contact strips (2), these contact strips (2) being separable as desired both in the longitudinal and in the width coordinates along prepared separating lines (7, 15) . 2. Contact unit according to claim 1, characterized
characterized in that the contact strips (2) consist of flexible material. 3. Contact unit according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the dividing lines are designed as wire guide channels (7.15). 4. Contact unit according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that
that the contact strips (2) are arranged on stiffening elements (4, 14). 5. Contact unit according to claim 4, characterized
characterized in that the contact strips (2) are fastened with the aid of latching elements (9). 6. Contact unit according to claim 4, characterized
characterized in that the contact strips (2) are provided with hooking elements, in particular with dovetail-like approaches. 7. Contact unit according to claim 4, characterized in that the contact strips (2) have an adhesive coating (26). 8. Contact unit according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the contacts (3) are covered with protective caps (12). 9. Contact unit according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that wire guide hooks (11) are arranged on the contact strips (2). 10. Contact unit according to claim 9, characterized in that wire guide hooks (11) on the contact strips (2) are integrally formed. 11. Contact unit according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that contact strips (2) for receiving surge arresters (22) are formed and that the contacts (3) of the respective adjacent contact strips (2) connections for contacting the surge arrester (22) exhibit. 12. Contact unit according to claim 11, characterized in that an earthing rail (27) is arranged along the contact strips (2).

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