EP0621655A1 - Connecting terminal for at least one electrical installation - Google Patents

Abstract

An electrical connecting element for at least one electrical equipment has insulation-piercing terminal contact points (5) and additional plug contact points (31) for the connection of conductive parts. <IMAGE>

Description

The invention relates to a connection element for at least one electrical equipment, with a fastening device comprising housing made of electrically insulating material and with contact means which have electrically conductively connected spatially separated connection points for electrically conductive parts, of which at least one connection point is designed as an insulation displacement contact point.

For example, from EP 002 099 a connection element for an electrical low-voltage transformer is known which has a housing made of insulating material and designed for fastening to the laminated core of the transformer, in which a number of electrically conductive contact springs are accommodated as contact means, each of which has a clamping slot for connecting an outer conductor in insulation displacement technology. In addition, the contact springs are provided with a further clamping slot which also forms an insulation displacement contact point, which allows a much thinner wire to be connected to the coil winding in order to establish an electrically conductive connection between the outer conductor and the winding. The assembly is carried out in such a way that the housing is first attached to the laminated core and then the wire ends coming from the winding are inserted into slots in the housing. The contact springs are then pressed from above into corresponding chambers of the housing assigned to the slots, whereby on the one hand the wire ends are pressed into the assigned clamping slots and on the other hand the contact springs are locked in the chambers of the housing. In a subsequent step, the outer lead wires can finally be inserted into the clamping slots of the contact springs which are accessible from the outside. The assembly of the housing and the contact spring must therefore already be done by the manufacturer.

For example, when wiring electrical lights with a three-pin terminal for gas discharge lamps, a considerable number of separate connection points have so far been connected by separate lines, because apart from a separate connection block, there are additional connection points for capacitors and other necessary equipment. The wiring effort is costly and time-consuming.

This results in the object on which the invention is based, namely to create a connection element for at least one piece of electrical equipment, for example a capacitor, which makes it possible to reduce the amount of wiring and which can also be used universally for various purposes.

To achieve this object, the connection element mentioned at the outset is characterized according to the invention in that at least one further connection point of the contact means is designed as a plug contact point and that both connection points, ie both the insulation displacement contact point and the plug contact point in the operating state are arranged in the housing at least in a touch-proof manner by surrounding housing parts.

The cutting contact point allows the simple connection of wiring conductors in insulation displacement technology, which is also particularly suitable for the automatic production of wiring by means of a program-controlled robot and a line laying tool moved by it along the line laying routes. The at least one plug contact point allows a corresponding supply line of electrical equipment - or another line - to be simply plugged in without the need for additional contact points which would have to be controlled by the line laying tool.

For example, at least one plug contact point can be set up for inserting a soldering tag or a flat plug, the arrangement often being such that the connection element has two adjacent plug contact points which are set up for plugging in a soldering tag and a flat plug and each of which is electrically conductive with its own insulation displacement contact point connected is. In this way it is e.g. For example, it is possible to connect an electrolytic capacitor equipped with the usual two soldering lugs directly to the connection element, so that there is no need for separate connection points to be installed in the device and subsequently wired. Resistors, chokes and similar equipment can also be connected at these points by means of a flat plug or at other appropriately configured connection points directly via their connecting wires or, if applicable, assigned circular plugs.

With regard to the automatic wiring and the necessary freedom of movement for the cable laying tool it is often advantageous if the connection element has at least one plug contact point, the insertion direction of which is arranged at right angles to the insertion direction of the cutting contact point. In addition, a receptacle or connection area for the equipment can be provided on the housing, in the area of which there is at least one plug contact point and which also allows the equipment to be connected to be mechanically connected directly to the housing. For this purpose, the receiving or connecting area can have mechanical stop or holding means for the equipment.

In order to increase the universal applicability of the connection element, it is expedient for the receiving or holding area to be covered to the outside in an isolating manner by releasable closure means if the connection element is used without operating means to be connected at this point.

The locking means can be designed such that they can be latched to the housing, but other locking options are also conceivable, for example using screw or bayonet locks.

In a preferred embodiment, the closure means are associated with electrical connection means for bridging at least two plug contact points located in the receiving or connection area, so that when the closure means are inserted, an internal switching of different connection points in the connection element is carried out immediately. In particular in the manufacture of the wiring of luminaires, further savings can be achieved at separate connection points for lines to be laid.

The plug-in connection points in the housing are advantageously assigned insertion channels for the conductive parts to be connected, in which these parts may be inclusive applied insulation can be absorbed over part of its length, so that a flawless touch-proof insulation is ensured in the contact area without additional measures. In order to facilitate the insertion of the conductive part to be connected, such an insertion channel can be designed to widen outwards in a funnel shape.

Depending on the structure of the device and the associated wiring, it can be advantageous if at least one plug contact point is designed with an insertion direction oriented parallel to the insertion direction of the insulation displacement contact point. The connection element can also have at least two plug-in connection points accessible from opposite sides of the housing, in order thereby to ensure the most space-saving possible arrangement of one or more equipment or lines to be connected.

In the practical embodiment, the contact means of the connection element can have at least one contact spring made of electrically highly conductive material, in which the insulation displacement contact point and the plug contact point or points are formed. It can be achieved with relatively simple means a particularly good contact at the insulation displacement contact point, if this is formed by two parallel over its length unconnected contact spring parts, in which two mutually aligned insulation displacement slots are arranged, both contact spring parts are laterally guided in the housing. Each of the two contact spring parts results in two separate contact points, so that the connected conductor is contacted via a total of four separate contact points.

In an advantageous embodiment, the contact spring can have a base part and, starting from it, two opposing leg parts, of which in At least part of a plug contact opening is formed, which is at least partially covered by a locking part which can be locked with an inserted part of the line to be connected. This locking part can be formed on the contact spring itself in the form of one or more cut-out tabs which spread out when a part is inserted and are locked in place with it. However, a separate clamping spring can also be inserted into the contact spring, which has locking parts that interact with the respective contact opening. For this purpose, the clamping spring can have a plug opening in the area of at least one contact opening of the contact spring, which opening is delimited by cut-out locking tabs that can be expanded at the end. Another possibility is that on a substantially flat part of the contact spring, a plug-in connection, which is pressed outward from the plane of this part and has an essentially L-shaped or U-shaped cross-section, into which a locking part protrudes, which may protrude is formed on the aforementioned clamping spring.

Otherwise, the contact spring in the region containing the base and the leg parts can be designed to be essentially closed all around by upper wall parts, the two parts carrying the insulation displacement slots being cut on the upper wall parts.

In the new connection element, several contact springs are usually arranged in the housing in their own chambers, which are separated from one another by insulating partition walls and are closed by a common cover. This cover can be omitted if the housing is seated directly on an insulating base in the operating state, so that the contact means are also closed to the outside in a contact-safe manner.

The cover can be arranged on the housing side opposite the insulation displacement contact points and can have support means for parts of the contact means forming the insulation displacement contacts. The cover and / or the housing or intermediate walls in this can be provided with interlocking parts which prevent creepage paths, as is also possible for the housing and / or the cover to have at least one through channel for a looped-through conductor.

As already mentioned at the beginning, it is particularly advantageous when used for lamps if the connection element is set up for use with a capacitor as the operating medium and the housing has form-fitting holding means for the capacitor in the receiving or connection area explained. Additionally or alternatively, the arrangement can also be such that a capacitor, a resistor or at least another component is accommodated in the housing itself, the accommodation being available in the space enclosed by the respective contact spring.

The connection element can also have connection points set up for connecting microfuse means or, for example, a bleeder resistor, which are either designed as plug contact points or lie within the housing itself.

The new connection element can be used universally. It can be used with particular advantage in the automatic production of the wiring of lights, but its use is not restricted to this area.

Fig. 1

ein Anschlußelement gemäß der Erfindung in perspektivischer Darstellung mit abgenommenem Verschlußteil,

Fig. 2

das Verschlußteil des Anschlußelementes nach Fig. 1 in perspektivischer Darstellung,

Fig. 3

das Anschlußelement nach Fig. 1 geschnitten längs der Linie III - III der Fig. 1 in einer Seitenansicht mit eingesetztem Verschlußelement unter Veranschaulichung der Anschlußbedingungen für einen Erdanschluß und eine Leitung,

Fig. 4

das Anschlußelement nach Fig. 1 in einer Schnittdarstellung entsprechend Fig. 1 unter Veranschaulichung des Anschlusses zweier äußerer Leitungen und eines Kondensators,

Fig. 5

das Anschlußelement nach Fig. 1 in einer Seitenansicht von der dem Verschlußelement gegenüber liegenden Seite aus,

Fig. 6

das Gehäuse des Anschlußelements nach Fig. 1 in einer Draufsicht auf den Boden bei entnommenen Kontaktfedern,

Fig. 7

das Gehäuse des Anschlußelementes nach Fig. 2 geschnitten längs der Linie VII- VII der Fig. 6 in einer Seitenansicht,

Fig. 8

den Deckel des Gehäuses des Anschlußelementes nach Fig. 1 geschnitten längs der Linie VIII - VIII der Fig. 9 in einer Seitenansicht,

Fig. 9, 10

den Deckel nach Fig. 8 in einer Seitenansicht und in einer Innenansicht,

Fig. 12, 13

einen Kontaktfederbügel des Verschlußteiles des Anschlußelementes nach Fig. 1 in einer Draufsicht bzw. in einer Seitenansicht,

Fig. 14 bis 18

eine Kontaktfeder des Anschlußelementes nach Fig. 1 in einer Seitenansicht, in einer Ansicht von oben, in zwei Ansichten von den beiden Stirnseiten her und in einer Ansicht von unten,

Fig. 19 bis 21

ein Erdungsanschlußelement für das Anschlußelement nach Fig. 1 in einer Draufsicht und in einer Seitenansicht sowie in einer Ansicht von oben,

Fig. 22 bis 24

die Klemmfeder für die Kontaktfeder nach den Fig. 14 bis 18 in einer Seitenansicht, in einer Ansicht von oben und in einer Schnittdarstellung gemäß der Linie XXIV- XXIV der Fig. 23,

Fig. 25

eine Kontaktfeder nach den Fig. 14 bis 18 mit eingefügter Klemmfeder und mit eingesetztem Kondensator in schematischer perspektivischer Darstellung und

Fig. 26

eine Kontaktstelle eines Schneidklemmkontaktes des Anschlußelementes nach Fig. 1 im Ausschnitt in einem anderen Maßstab und in der Draufsicht.

Exemplary embodiments of the subject matter of the invention are shown in the drawing. Show it:

Fig. 1

a connecting element according to the invention in a perspective view with the closure part removed,

Fig. 2

1 in a perspective view, the closure part of the connecting element according to FIG.

Fig. 3

1 along the line III - III of FIG. 1 in a side view with the closure element inserted, illustrating the connection conditions for an earth connection and a line,

Fig. 4

1 in a sectional view corresponding to FIG. 1, illustrating the connection of two outer lines and a capacitor,

Fig. 5

1 in a side view from the side opposite the closure element,

Fig. 6

1 in a plan view of the bottom with the contact springs removed,

Fig. 7

2 cut along the line VII-VII of FIG. 6 in a side view,

Fig. 8

1 cut along the line VIII - VIII of FIG. 9 in a side view,

9, 10

8 in a side view and in an inside view,

Fig. 12, 13

2 shows a contact spring clip of the closure part of the connection element according to FIG. 1 in a top view or in a side view,

14 to 18

1 in a side view, in a view from above, in two views from the two end faces and in a view from below,

19 to 21

1 in a top view and in a side view and in a view from above,

22 to 24

14 to 18 in a side view, in a view from above and in a sectional view along the line XXIV-XXIV of FIG. 23,

Fig. 25

a contact spring according to FIGS. 14 to 18 with inserted clamping spring and with inserted capacitor in a schematic perspective view and

Fig. 26

a contact point of an insulation displacement contact of the connecting element of FIG. 1 in a detail on a different scale and in plan view.

The connector shown in Fig. 1 has a one-piece plastic housing 1 with a rectangular base part 2, on which a cap-like cover 3 is placed at the bottom, which is locked on two opposite end faces via locking recesses 4 and locking lugs 5 (FIGS. 1, 5) provided on the base part 2. On the base part 2 5 are arranged in a row juxtaposed terminals 5, each of which is delimited by two parallel spaced walls 6. The connection terminals 5 are set up for the connection of lines 7 according to the so-called insulation displacement technology and are designed essentially the same.

In each of the connecting terminals 5, the two parallel side walls 6 delimit an upwardly open terminal housing. They carry on their inside two opposing molded ribs 8, which are located approximately in the middle between the two end faces of the side walls 6 and between them delimit a slightly wedge-shaped or parallel-slender insertion slot 9 (FIG. 5), which is widespread on its top by insertion bevels 10 . At its bottom 11, the insertion slot 9 is located somewhat higher than the bottom parts 12 adjoining on both sides of the space delimited by the two side walls 6, as can be seen from FIG. 3.

In the ribs 8 extend from below to approximately the height of the insertion bevels 10, two opposing narrow grooves 13, which the pair 15 each delimiting an edge-open insulation displacement slot 14 limbs 15 two insulation displacement contacts 16 (Fig. 26) of a contact spring 21 made of spring steel or bronze record, tape. The narrow plate-shaped insulation displacement contacts 16 are embedded between the side walls and in the grooves 13 except for the cutting sections formed on the legs 15 facing the insulation displacement slot 14 on the narrow side in the insulating material of the housing 1, the legs 15 being guided in the grooves 13 with limited movement. Together with the insulation displacement slot 14, they form the contacting zone the connection point formed by the respective terminal 5.

1, 3 and 5 in particular, the side walls 6 together with the associated bottom wall 12 delimit the ribs 12 on both sides and thus the insertion slot 9, each followed by a groove-like depression of rectangular cross-sectional shape, which is adjacent to the insertion slot 9 towards the top opens. The two groove-like depressions 17 on both sides of the insertion slot 9 are arranged in alignment with one another and with the insertion slot. You are also limited above by an insertion slope 10. As shown in FIG. 3, for example, the depth of the groove-like depressions 17 is greater than that of the insertion slot 9, and their width is also substantially greater than the width of the insertion slot 9 (see FIG. 5).

The dimensions of the individual parts are chosen so that when an insulated conductor is pushed in through the insertion slot 9 (see FIG. 4), the insulation in the insulation displacement slot 14 is cut open by the legs 15 of the two insulation displacement contacts 16, with gas-tight contacting between the insulation displacement contacts at the same time 16 and the conductor 19 deforming at the clamping point, as illustrated in detail in FIG. 27. Since the two insulation displacement contacts 16 are separated from one another - as will be explained in more detail below - they form two contact points spaced apart in the longitudinal direction of the conductor, with the result that the conductor 19 is contacted simultaneously at four separate locations which are delimited by the two insulation displacement slots 14 are. This ensures particularly effective contacting.

With its insulation 20, the pressed-in conductor 19 is simultaneously clamped in the insertion slot 9 between the two ribs 8. The connected line fixed in this way 7 passes through one of the groove-like recesses 17, while its cut end lies in the other groove-like recess 17, as illustrated in FIG. 4. The width and depth of the groove-like recesses 17 and their axial length are dimensioned such that there is automatically a protection against contact for the cut end of the line 7. This means that the standardized feeler finger cannot test to the bare cut end in the depth of the associated groove-like recess 17 when testing for safety against contact.

Four contact springs 21 (FIGS. 14 to 18) with clamping springs 22 (FIGS. 22 to 24), which are assigned to the individual connection terminals 5, are arranged in the essentially hollow housing 1 underneath the connection terminals 5.

Each of the contact springs 21 is bent in one piece from a strip of spring brass or bronze. It has a substantially trapezoidal, closed lower part 23 (FIG. 14) which is delimited by a flat bottom part 24, two leg wedges 25 adjoining it laterally inwards and two upper wall parts 26 parallel to the bottom part 24. The upper wall parts 26 are adjoined by two tabs 27 which are bent upwards at right angles and which, in the normal state, lie against one another on the broad side along the plane of symmetry 28 with slight prestress. The two tabs 27 are each provided with the insulation displacement slot 14 in the region of their upper edge, which is delimited by the two legs 15. They form the two insulation displacement contacts 16 and, in the assembled state, protrude from below into the two slots 13 of the respective connection terminal 5, in which they are guided so that they can move laterally.

In the closed lower part 23 of the contact spring 21 is essentially designed according to the inner contour C-shaped, clamping spring 22 (FIGS. 22 to 24) inserted, the width of which is equal to that of the contact spring 21 and which, with a flat lower part 29 and two side legs 30 cut thereon, snugly fits the bottom part 24 and the legs 25 of the contact spring 21 creates. The clamping spring 22 is made of spring steel.

In the left leg part 25 of the contact spring 21 in FIG. 26, a rectangular recess 31 is formed above the upper wall part 26, while on the opposite leg part 25 two adjacent, approximately oval through openings 32 are also provided at the top (FIG. 16 , 17). The recess 31 and the two openings 32 are covered by the two legs 30 of the inserted clamping spring 22, the leg 30 of the clamping spring 22 assigned to the openings 32 being divided by a longitudinal slot 34 into two tongue-shaped parts which can move independently of one another, one of which is each one Opening 32 is assigned.

The recess 31 and the openings 32 of the contact spring 21 together with the associated legs 30 of the clamping spring 22 form plug contact connection points, of which one 31, 30 is set up for connecting a soldering lug or a flat plug and the other two 32, 30 for connecting two round wires or two strands are determined, as will be explained in more detail.

From the leg portion 25 of the contact spring 21 assigned to the openings 32, an approximately L-shaped upward bent attachment projection 35 (FIG. 14) is released, which forms an extension of the base portion 24 on this side. A circular opening 36 is punched out in the center of the base part 24, to which an opening 37 of rectangular cross-section adjoins on one side (FIG. 18), while on the other side in the vicinity of the associated leg part 25, the base part 24 is followed by one down to notched in cross-section approximately L-shaped tab 38 (Fig. 17) is provided. The flap 38 is located near a longitudinal edge of the base part 24 and is oriented parallel to the plane of symmetry thereof. It is cut free on both sides at 39, 40. On the clamping spring 22, as can be seen from FIGS. 22 to 25, in the areas above the tab 38 a cut obliquely downwardly projecting locking tab 41 is provided, which in the assembled state interacts with the L-shaped tab 38 of the contact spring 21 and with this forms a plug-in contact point which, in the manner shown in FIG. 3, permits the connection of an inserted conductor 44. An embossed bead 46 is used for stiffening.

In the area above the rectangular opening 37 in the bottom part 24 of the contact spring 21, a plug contact point is also formed in the clamping spring 22, which is formed by two locking tabs 47 cut out laterally and cut open at an angle to the inside. If a flat connection portion is inserted from below through the opening 37 of the contact spring 21, the two tabs 47 are spread inwards; they lock with the inserted part in a manner known per se, so that it can no longer be withdrawn.

Finally, in the upper wall part 26 of the contact spring 21, a rectangular opening 48 is arranged in the vicinity of the two openings 32 (FIG. 26), which is used to insert a release tool, for example a screwdriver, in order to release the connection of the conductors to this plug contact point .

In the base part 2 of the housing 1, two axially parallel cylindrical cable insertion channels 49 are formed on each side below each connection terminal 5, each of which tapers in a funnel shape to form a coaxial bore 50, which leads into the interior of the housing leading to the associated one Opening 32 of the associated contact spring 21 is aligned.

As shown in Fig. 4, the inlet channel 49 receives the insulation 20 of an inserted line 7, the conductor 19 of which has spread the associated leg part 30 of the clamping spring 22 inwards when inserted through the opening 32 of the contact spring 21, such that it now acts as a locking part acts and prevents retraction of the conductor 19 while making contact. The conductor 19 lies snugly against the upper wall part 26 of the contact spring 21, so that a correct large-area contact is guaranteed.

If the clamping is to be released, a tool 21 is inserted from above through an opening 48 of the contact spring 21 through an opening 21 provided next to the associated connecting terminal in the housing 1, in order to press the inwardly spread leg part 30 resiliently downwards, thus the Head 19 is released.

On the opposite side, the housing 1 has a centrally arranged, in a vertical plane and essentially circular cylindrical socket 52 for an electrolytic capacitor 53 illustrated in FIG. 4. The electrolytic capacitor 53 is equipped with two conventional soldering lugs 54 on its end face which, when the electrolytic capacitor 53 is inserted into the socket 52, protrude through the openings 31 of the two associated contact springs 21 which are exposed to the outside via corresponding housing recesses and from the legs which are slanted inwards when inserted 30 of the clamping spring 22 are pressed against the upper wall part of the contact spring 21 and are firmly locked. The plug contact points for the solder lugs 54 formed in this way, like the opposite plug contact points for the conductors 19, are at right angles to the (vertical) direction of insertion of the insulation displacement contacts with their (horizontal) insertion direction Terminals 5 oriented. They allow a particularly space-saving and inexpensive arrangement of the capacitor 53, as well as of lines which run below the lines 7 contacted in the connection terminals 5 and thus do not hinder the automatic laying and contacting of the lines 7 in the insulation displacement contact connection terminals 5.

Laterally next to the socket 25, two further through-channels 56 for conductors are formed on the front end side below in the housing 1, which in the manner illustrated at 44 in FIG. 3 via the tab 38 and the locking tab 41 of the contact or clamping spring 21 , 22 are electrically connected to the contact spring 21 via a plug connection.

A grounding tab 59 which is inserted from below through a corresponding slot 58 in the cover 3 (FIG. 9) and which is held between the inward spreading locking tabs 47 (FIG. 3) allows the contact spring 21 associated with the grounding line to be connected to a metallic housing part or your own earth connection.

The grounding tab 59 is illustrated in detail in FIGS. 19 to 21. It has a narrow insertion lug 61, which is slightly sharpened at the end at 62 and is provided on the widened part 63 adjoining it with two cut-out locking tabs 64 which are slightly bent out laterally from the plane of the earthing lug 59, as shown in particular in FIG. 20 . They allow the earthing tab 59 to be locked in a slot-like opening in the base of the device.

Alternatively, as illustrated in FIG. 4, a cut-away earthing tab 66 can also be provided directly in the metallic base part 65 of a device, for example an electric light, which is rectangular is bent upwards and onto which the connection element is placed during assembly such that it protrudes inwards through the opening 58 in the cover 3 and is locked to the locking tab 47 of the clamping spring 22 in the manner already described while simultaneously making contact.

As can be seen, for example, from FIGS. 6, 7, chambers 67 lying side by side are formed in the housing 1 below the connecting terminals 5 and are separated from one another by integrally formed parallel partition walls 68. A contact spring 21 with an inserted clamping spring 22 is accommodated in each of the chambers 67 in the manner shown in FIGS. 3, 4. The contact springs 21 overlap with their attachment projection 35 (FIG. 14) in each case a transverse end wall 69 of the housing and protrude into a transverse channel 71 which lies within the base 2 in front of the end walls 69 and which is also closed at the bottom by the attached cover 3 is.

In the channel 71, for example, a bleeder resistor for the capacitor 53 can be arranged, which is designed as a cylindrical switching element with metal connection caps attached at the end and is shown at 73 in FIG. 4. The bleeder resistor 73 is used in such a way that its two connection caps are held in an electrically highly conductive connection with the fastening lugs 35 of adjacent contact springs 21.

Instead of the bleeder resistor 73, another switching element, for example a microfuse, could also be provided, which could possibly be exchangeable through a lateral opening in the base 2 and the cover 3.

On the outside on the outside serving as fastening elements locking feet 74 carrying cover 3 are on the inside 3, 8, in particular, parallel cylindrical support fingers 75 are formed, which in the assembled state protrude through the central hole 36 (FIG. 18) of the contact spring and the respective clamping spring and which form the two clamping contacts 16 on the end face Support tab 27 of contact spring 21. This support prevents the contact springs 21 from deflecting downward when a conductor 19 is pressed into the insulation displacement slots 14.

In addition, the cover 3 carries on its inside molded longitudinal ribs 76 and parallel springs 77, which are arranged such that the longitudinal ribs 76 axially support the contact springs 21 next to the intermediate walls 68 of the housing 1, while the springs 77 in corresponding grooves 78 in the assembled state engage on the end faces of the intermediate walls 68 in order to prevent the formation of creepage paths between adjacent contact springs 21.

The socket 52 (FIGS. 1, 4) formed on the side of the housing, which forms a receiving and connection area for the capacitor 53, is in applications in which no capacitor 53 is used, by a lid-shaped closure element 80 (FIG. 3) closed, which is inserted and guided in the socket 52 with a cylindrical projection 81. On the inside of the closure element 80, two latching hooks 82 are formed, which overlap corresponding housing parts 84 on the socket 52. The contact element 21, which in the mounted state, covers the two contact springs 21, which are partially exposed on the end face in the socket 52, is also provided on its inside with a molded plate 85 which, in the inserted state, projects into a corresponding slot-like opening 86 above the two associated contact springs 21, such as this can be seen in particular from FIG. 3.

On the underside of the plate 85, a contact bridge 87 (FIGS. 12, 13) consisting of resilient brass sheet is arranged, which carries on one side two parallel cut contact fingers 88, which are bent obliquely downwards in the manner shown in FIG. 13 and at the end are angled. A snap-in tab 89, also cut, engages in a central opening 90 of the plate 85 and holds the contact bridge 87 in place.

In particular, from Fig. 3 it can be seen that in the inserted state of the closure element 80, the two contact arms 88 of the contact bridge 87 are pressed onto the adjacent contact springs 21 exposed at the top in the opening 86 above, with the result that one over the contact bridge 87 secure electrical connection between these two contact springs 21 and thus the associated terminals 5 is made.

When using the connection element for wiring a lamp with gas discharge lamps, the closure element 80 thus allows on the one hand the connection of the line conductors L and N and the grounding conductor (on the contact spring 21 opposite the slot 58 in the cover 3), while on the other hand an optional wiring option for the Luminaire is given in such a way that it can be operated either uncompensated or compensated with a parallel capacitor or capacitively with a series capacitor, without the need for additional wiring from the outside. At the same time, if necessary, an interference suppression capacitor can also be connected, which is simply inserted with its two connecting wires through the insertion channels 56 (FIG. 1) into the plug connections which are formed by the two tabs 38 (FIGS. 3, 18).

In an alternative embodiment, the closure element 80 can also be designed such that it has switching elements, for example a microfuse, on its inside or an interference suppression capacitor, the connection parts of which are set up for insertion into the cutouts 31 of the two contact springs 21 exposed in the socket 52. The arrangement can also be such that these switching elements are fastened to the housing 1 within the socket 52 and are only held by the closure element 80 and are covered to the outside.

The design of the receiving and connection area in the form of the socket 52 is not limited to the connection of a capacitor 53 with a cylindrical cup. It is adapted to the respective shape of the switching element to be connected and to be spatially applied.

An alternative possibility for the arrangement of a capacitor 530 or another switching element, for example a resistor, is indicated in FIG. 26. The essentially cuboid capacitor 530 here is inserted into the space enclosed by the lower part 23 of two adjacent contact springs 21, its two connecting wires 95 being bent upward in a U-shape such that they lie between the upper side of the capacitor 530 and the inner side of the upper one Wall parts 26 of the contact springs 21 are clamped with a pretension required for good contact.

For the mechanical holding of the capacitor 530, the intermediate walls 68 of the housing 1 (FIG. 7) and the ribs 76 of the cover 3 (FIG. 8) are cut out or designed accordingly, while the support fingers 75 are omitted for the two contact springs 21, in which the Axial support of the insulation displacement contacts 16 is carried out directly by the inserted capacitor 530.

To easily identify the individual terminals 5 when using the new connection element in the automatic production of wiring To enable, these are provided with a coding, e.g. can be formed by a point code attached on the end face, as indicated for a connecting terminal 5 in FIG. 1 at 100.

In addition, the connection element can also be designed in such a way that it allows the direct looping through of lines, as is sometimes necessary in the manufacture of wiring. For this purpose, for example, at least one through-channel 96 (FIG. 5) can be formed between adjacent connecting terminals 5, but it is also conceivable to arrange corresponding devices in the base 2 or on other housing parts.

Finally, embodiments are conceivable in which in addition to or instead of at least one of the plug contacts at 30, 32 on the connection side is provided with a screw terminal connection or in which the plug connection is connected to a screw terminal via an intermediate piece (connecting lug or line).

Claims (28)

Connection element for at least one electrical equipment, with a fastening device comprising housing made of electrically insulating material and with contact means which have spatially separated connection points for electrically conductive parts which are electrically conductively connected, at least one connection point of which is designed as an insulation displacement contact point, characterized in that at least a further connection point (31, 32, 38) is designed as a plug contact point and that both connection points (16, 31, 32, 38) are arranged in the operating state in the housing (1) so as to be at least touch-proof insulated by surrounding housing parts. Connection element according to Claim 1, characterized in that at least one plug contact point (31) is set up for inserting a solder tab or a flat plug. Connection element according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it has two adjacent plug contact points (31) which are set up for inserting a solder tab or a flat plug and each of which is electrically conductively connected to its own insulation displacement contact point (16). Connection element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it has at least one plug contact point (31, 32, 38), the insertion direction of which is perpendicular to the direction of insertion of the cutting contact point (16). Connection element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one receiving or connection area (52, 71, 23) for an item of equipment (53, 73, 530) is arranged on the housing (1), in the area of which at least one contact point ( 31, 35, 26). Connection element according to Claim 5, characterized in that the receiving or connection area has mechanical stop or holding means (52, 3) for the operating medium. Connection element according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the receiving or holding area is covered to be isolated from the outside by releasable locking means (80, 3). Connection element according to claim 7, characterized in that the closure means (80, 3) are designed to be latchable with the housing (1). Connection element according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the closure means (80) are associated with electrical connection means (87) for bridging at least two contact points located in the receiving or connection area. Connection element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the plug-in connection points in the housing (1) are assigned insertion channels (49, 50; 56) for the conductive parts to be connected, in which these parts optionally include an applied insulation (20) over one part their length are recordable. Connection element according to claim 10, characterized in that at least one insertion channel (50) according to is widened to the outside in a funnel shape Connection element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one plug contact point (at 47) is formed with an insertion direction aligned parallel to the insertion direction of the insulation displacement contact point (16). Connection element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it has at least two plug connection points (31; 32) accessible from opposite sides of the housing (1). Connection element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the contact means have at least one contact spring (21) made of electrically highly conductive material, in which the insulation displacement contact point (16) and the plug contact point or points (31, 32, 47) are formed. Connection element according to claim 14, characterized in that the insulation displacement contact point (16) is formed by two parallel contact spring parts (27) which are not connected over their length, in which two mutually aligned insulation displacement slots (14) are arranged and that both contact spring parts (27) are in the housing ( 1) are guided laterally. Connection element according to claim 14 or 15, characterized in that the contact spring (21) has a base part (24) and, starting from this, two opposing leg parts (25), of which in at least one part (24, 25) a plug contact opening (31, 32, 47) which is at least partially covered by a locking part (30, 22) which can be locked with a part (54, 19, 59) to be inserted. Connection element according to Claim 16, characterized in that a clamping spring (22) is inserted into the contact spring (21) and has locking parts (30, 47) which interact with the respective contact opening (31, 32, 37). Connection element according to claim 17, characterized in that the clamping spring (22) in the region of at least one contact opening (37) has a plug opening which is delimited by locking tabs (47) which can be expanded on one side. Connection element according to claims 15 to 17, characterized in that the contact spring (21) in the area containing the base and leg parts (24; 25) is designed to be essentially closed all around by upper wall parts (26) and in that on the upper wall parts (26) the parts (27) carrying the insulation displacement slots (14) are cut. Connection element according to one of claims 14 to 19, characterized in that on a substantially flat part (24) of the contact spring (21) is a plug-in connection, which is pressed outward from the plane of this part and is essentially L- or U- in cross section. arranged in a shaped area (38) into which a locking part (41) protrudes. Connection element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a plurality of contact springs (21) are arranged in the housing (1) in separate chambers (67) which are separated from one another by insulating intermediate walls (68) and optionally closed by a common cover (3) are. Connection element according to claim 21, characterized in that the cover on the insulation displacement contact points (16) is arranged on the opposite side of the housing and has support means (75) for the parts (27) of the contact means forming the insulation displacement contacts. Connection element according to Claim 21 or 22, characterized in that the cover (3) and / or the intermediate walls (68) have parts (77, 78; 76) which engage in one another and prevent creepage paths. Connection element according to one of claims 21 to 23, characterized in that the housing (1) and / or the cover (3) have at least one through channel (96) for a looped-through conductor. Connection element according to one of Claims 6 to 24, characterized in that it is set up for use with a capacitor (53, 350) as operating means and in that the housing (1) in the receiving or connection area has form-fitting holding means (52, 3) for the Has capacitor. Connection element according to one of Claims 5 to 25, characterized in that it has contact connection points (35) set up for connecting a bleeder resistor (73). Connection element according to one of Claims 14 to 26, characterized in that at least one electrical operating means (530) is arranged in an area at least partially enclosed by at least one contact spring (21). Connection element according to Claim 27, characterized in that the insulation displacement contact point (16) of the contact spring (21) which is electrically connected to the electrical equipment (530) is mechanically supported by the equipment.

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