EP1453141B1 - Electrical connecting device, arrangement with at least one connecting device and use of at least one connecting device. - Google Patents

Abstract

The electrical connection arrangement has a holder (3) for at least one contact (21) with a blade terminal (21a). The holder has two elements (11,12), each of which has at least one edge section at a distance from a pivot axis (14) that is at least three times a measured slit distance from the pivot axis to at least one slit center line point on the slot center line (23). An independent claim is also included for the following: (a) an electrical system with at least one inventive connection arrangement.

Description

The invention relates to an electrical connection device according to the preamble of claim 1.

The connection device is provided for electrically conductive connection of an insulated, electrical conductor to a (different) electrical line and / or any electrical device. This device may for example consist of any current consumer, such as an electric lighting device, in particular continuous line lighting device, or a socket or any other electrical apparatus or device.

On the market known light band lighting devices have at least one fixed or oscillating held on a ceiling of a room support rail and a number of this attached lighting units. Each lighting unit has a housing, at least one fluorescent lamp and at least one ballast. For example, the continuous line lighting fixtures include cabling with a plurality of conductors running along the row of lighting units. The wiring is often composed of wires or multi-core flat cables, which are connected at fixed intervals, for example, about 1.25 m intervals via connectors. These connectors have terminal connections that can be connected to the leading to the light units branch lines. Such a wiring has the disadvantage that many multipolar, rather expensive connectors must be provided for the wires or flat cable, in addition often only partially used for connecting branch lines. Furthermore, the branch lines often become relatively long, namely more than 1 m long. When installing the branch lines, care must be taken that they fit in the trunking rail and / or in the housings and are not damaged. Such wiring and its installation are therefore quite complex and expensive.

There are also known various electrical connection devices with an electrically insulating holder and at least one metallic contact having a cutting clamp with at least one slot. For example, EP 0 653 803 A discloses a one-piece, plastic-made holder with two substantially symmetrical, elongated holder elements, which are connected at their one ends by a web. This is deformable, serves as a hinge and defines a pivot axis. Each of the two holder elements has in the vicinity of its ends facing away from the hinge a cross-sectionally approximately semicircular, continuous recess, which forms a short, parallel to the pivot axis channel. The two holder elements can be pivoted relative to each other about the pivot axis from an open position to a clamping position, in which the recesses or channels together form a passage for receiving an electrical conductor. The one, first holder member holds an approximately U-shaped contact with two legs. These each have a cutting section with a slot near their free, the hinge-facing ends. The two cutting sections together form a cutting clamp and protrude out of the first holder element such that the mouths of the slots of the cutting sections are outside the first holder element. For clamping an insulated electrical conductor of this is between the arranged in an open-position holder elements. Then they are pivoted into the clamping position, so that the conductor is pressed into the slots of the two cutting sections of the insulation displacement terminal. In this case, the insulating jacket of the conductor is cut open. Furthermore, the wire core of a conductive core of the conductor is electrically connected to the insulation displacement terminal. The hinge forming web of the holder has a narrow slot through which a plug contact of a plug can be inserted into the holder, so that the plug contact of the plug comes into contact with the cutting terminal forming contact. The housing of the plug then engages around the hinge and parts of the two holder elements and secures them against pivoting into the open position.

In this known connection device, the two slots of the cutting sections are significantly further away from the pivot axis than from the ends remote from the pivot axis or edges of the two holder elements. For pushing a conductor into the slots of the insulation displacement clamp therefore a fairly large force must be exerted on the two holder elements. This results in the disadvantage that a tool, such as a pair of pliers or the like, is required to clamp the connecting device to the conductor. Furthermore, the plug can only be inserted into and on the holder when it is clamped to an electrical conductor and connected thereto. Moreover, since the cutting clamp is quite far from the hinge and protrudes from the retaining member holding it, the conductor must be positioned rather accurately in an intended position, in which the holder is in an open position, so that the conductive core of the conductor upon compression of the two holder elements is actually pressed into the two slots of the insulation displacement terminal. These Characteristics make the use of the connecting device cumbersome, increase the time and labor costs for connecting a conductor to an electric device, and are particularly hindering, for example, when mounting and connecting a light-band lighting device held on a ceiling of a room. Namely, when installing a continuous-line lighting device, a U-shaped or C-shaped support rail, for example, approximately in cross-section, is usually mounted movably or immovably on the ceiling of a room. Further, extending along the support rail, electrical conductors are attached to the support rail. An installer must then usually climb on a ladder or the like to attach one of the light units to the previously mounted on the ceiling mounting rail and connect the electrical conductor along the mounting rail, electrically connected to the light unit. Since it is necessary in the use of connecting devices of the type known from EP 0 653 803 A - as mentioned - to place an electrical conductor pretty much in the connecting device, then squeeze the holder with a pair of pliers and then a plug in and on the In particular, such connecting devices are not suitable for connecting lighting strip lighting units or other luminaires and devices which are mounted on a ceiling.

One of the US 4,461,528 A known connection device also has a one-piece holder with two hingedly connected by a hinge holder elements. The one, referred to as a lid holder member holds a contact with two each having a slot cutting clamps. The other, called body holder element has two perpendicular to the pivot axis channels. One of these channels is continuous and serves for Picking up a continuous electrical conductor. The other channel is closed at one end and serves to receive the end portion of an electrical branch conductor. When the two holder elements are pressed together, the two insulation displacement terminals each clamp one of the two conductors and electrically connect the two conductors to one another. When squeezing the two holder elements can be pressed onto a position of the contact holding holder element, ie lid whose distance from the pivot axis is so much greater than the distance of the insulation displacement from the pivot axis, that the force exerted on the cover during transmission to the Contact 2.5 times to 3.1 times enlarged. However, since at the same time cut the insulating shells of two electrical conductors and the conductive cores of the two conductors in each slot of a cutting clamp must be pressed to clamp the known from US 4,661,528 A connecting device despite the power transmission nor a fairly large force be exercised on the holder elements. This force is further enhanced by the fact that the portions of the insulating sheaths of the two conductors located at the insulation displacement terminals are displaced slightly in the longitudinal direction of the conductors during the cutting operation because of the thickness of the insulation displacement terminals and because the latter are moved along a circular arc during the cutting process have to. In the practical use of such a connecting device, therefore, pliers are likely to be required in spite of the force transmission in order to compress the two holder elements. Further, it would be very cumbersome and difficult to use two conductors in the two transverse to the pivot axis of the channels designated as a body holder element in particular when mounting a lighting unit to a previously mounted on a ceiling of a room mounting rail. The connection device known from US 4,461,528 A is therefore also not suitable for connecting a conductor with a continuous-line lighting unit or other lamp or device which is mounted on the ceiling of a room. Since the continuous conductor runs in the clamping position perpendicular to the pivot axis laterally adjacent to the hinge, the hinge can only have a relatively narrow web. This affects the stability and durability of the holder.

FR 2 825 522 A discloses a connection device which can be attached to a two-core cable and has a holder which has two originally separate, identically formed, plug-in holder elements with one channel each. The channels of the two holder elements limit the composite holder a passage for the cable. Each of the two holder elements makes contact with a cutting clamp. Each insulation displacement terminal has two barb-shaped tips that are offset from one another in the longitudinal direction of the passage and, when the connection device is clamped on the cable, penetrate through its insulation into the electrically conductive core or into the core of one of the conductors of the cable. A two-pole connector suitable for the connection device has two plug contacts, each of which can be brought into contact with the contact held in the relevant holder element by a slot provided in one of the two holder elements. This connection device known from FR 2 825 522 A also has the disadvantage that a large force must be exerted on the two holder elements for clamping the connection device to a cable, so that the tips of the two insulation displacement terminals penetrate into the conductive cores through the insulation of the cable or invade souls of the cable. The two holder elements can therefore in practice probably only with the help of a pair of pliers assembled into a holder and clamped to a cable become. In addition, the barbed tips violate the conductive cores or souls of the cable as they enter it. Furthermore, the plug can only be plugged into the holder when it is clamped to a cable. Although the connection device known from FR 2 825 522 A is intended in particular for connecting radiant heaters mounted on a ceiling of a room, it is in practice just like the connection device according to EP 0 825 522 A only poorly suited for the connection of a device. which was or will be mounted on a ceiling.

The invention is therefore an object of the invention to provide an electrical connection device having a cutting terminal, can be avoided with the disadvantages of the known connection devices and in particular allows to push a conductor without tools in at least one slot of the insulation displacement terminal and conductively connected to the latter , The connection device should also be economically producible and allow the conductor via the connection device quickly and easily electrically conductive with a (different) electrical line and / or any electrical device, such as any power consumers, in particular mounted on a ceiling of a room electrical device , as a lighting unit of a lighting strip lighting device or other lighting device to connect. However, the connecting device should also be usable to connect a conductor arranged, for example, in a cable duct with a socket or any other electrical apparatus or device. Furthermore, the connecting device after clamping to a conductor should give a stable and permanent connection with this. The cutting clamp should either already before pushing a conductor into the insulation displacement terminal or only then be connectable to the said (other) line.

This object is achieved according to the invention by an electrical connection device having the features of claim 1.

The invention further relates to an electrical system with at least one connecting device, wherein the system according to the invention has the features of claim 15.

The invention further relates to a use of at least one connecting device according to claim 17.

Advantageous embodiments and details of the connecting device, the system and the use of at least one connecting device will become apparent from the dependent claims.

• Fig. 1 eine Explosionsdarstellung einer elektrischen Verbindungsvorrichtung, mit einem sich in der Offen-Stellung befindenden Halter und einem Kontakt,
• Fig. 2 eine Seitenansicht der Verbindungsvorrichtung,
• Fig. 3 eine Draufsicht auf die Verbindungsvorrichtung, in grösserem Massstab als Fig. 2,
• die Figuren 4, 5 und 6 Ansichten des Kontakts,
• Fig. 7 einen Querschnitt durch den Kontakt entlang der Linie VII-VII der Fig. 4, aber in grösserem Massstab als diese,
• Fig. 8 eine Stirnansicht eines in den Halter steckbaren Steckers,
• Fig. 9 einen Schnitt durch die Verbindungsvorrichtung entlang der Linie VIII-VIII der Fig. 3, aber mit sich in der Klemm-Stellung befindendem Halter,
• Fig. 10 eine Seitenansicht einer elektrischen Anlage mit einer Lichtband-Leuchteinrichtung und
• Fig. 11 ein vereinfachtes elektrisches Schaltschema der Anlage mit der Lichtband-Leuchteinrichtung,
• Fig. 12 eine Schrägansicht eines anderen, sich in der Offen-Stellung befindenden Halters,
• Fig. 13 eine Schrägansicht des Halters gemäss Fig. 12, aber in der Klemm-Stellung und
• Fig. 14 eine der Fig. 4 entsprechende Ansicht eines anderen Kontakts sowie eines strichpunktiert angeordneten Leiters.

The subject invention will be explained in more detail with reference to an embodiment shown in the drawing. In the drawing shows

• 1 is an exploded view of an electrical connection device, with a holder in the open position and a contact,
• 2 is a side view of the connecting device,
• 3 is a plan view of the connecting device, on a larger scale than FIG. 2,
• Figures 4, 5 and 6 are views of the contact,
• 7 shows a cross section through the contact along the line VII-VII of FIG. 4, but on a larger scale than this,
• 8 is an end view of a plug in the holder plug,
• 9 shows a section through the connecting device along the line VIII-VIII of FIG. 3, but with the holder in the clamping position,
• 10 is a side view of an electrical system with a light band lighting device and
• 11 is a simplified electrical diagram of the system with the light band lighting device,
• 12 is an oblique view of another holder, which is in the open position,
• Fig. 13 is an oblique view of the holder according to FIG. 12, but in the clamping position and
• Fig. 14 is a corresponding to FIG. 4 view of another contact and a dot-dash line arranged conductor.

The apparent in Fig. 1 electrical connecting device is designated as a whole with 1 and has a housing-like holder 3. This is also apparent in Figures 2, 3 and 8 and consists of a one-piece body made of an electrically insulating plastic. The holder 3 has a most part forming, first holder member 11, a lid-like, second holder member 12 and the two holder elements 11, 12 pivotally interconnecting hinge 13. The two holder elements 11, 12 can be pivoted relative to one another from an open position shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 into a clamping position illustrated in FIG. 9. The holder 3 is in the clamping position, for example, generally approximately cuboid. The first holder element 11 is, for example, oblong and likewise generally roughly parallelepiped-shaped and has a bottom side 11a located on its lower side in the positions of the holder 3 shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 9. This has a rectangular outline and, for example, essentially formed by a generally slightly concave curved base in a perpendicular to the longer rectangle sides extending cross-section. The first holder element 11 has opposite the bottom side 11a a cover side 11b, which is at least partially formed by a flat top surface. Furthermore, the first holder element 11 has, on the side located on the left in FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 9, a rear side 11c extending parallel to the longer sides of the rectangle formed by the base, for example essentially a flat rear surface and one of these opposite front 11d. The first holder element also has a first side and / or end surface 11e and a second side and / or end surface 11f. The two side and / or end surfaces 11f are substantially planar. The rear side 11c, the front side 11d and the two side and / or end surfaces 11e, 11f naturally extend away from the bottom side 11a against the cover side 11b.

The hinge 13 is located at the connection of the top 11b with the back 11c, ie at the top, the bottom side facing away from the bottom 11a edge 11c, is formed as a virtual hinge and consists namely of a thin, bendable web of the holder 3 forming body. This web forming the virtual hinge is strip-shaped and extends without interruption along the entire rear side 11c of the first holder element 11. The virtual hinge defines and / or has a virtual pivot axis 14 about which the two holder elements 11, 12 with respect to each other along at least approximately circular arc-shaped paths are pivotable. The virtual pivot axis 14 runs parallel to the longitudinal direction of the first holder element 11 and is parallel to the plane defined by the top side 11b and to the plane defined by the rear side 11c and to the straight line in which these two planes intersect. The pivot axis 14 is located in the various pivot positions very close to the hinge 13 forming web and / or within this web. The virtual pivot axis 14 is located for example in the drawn in Figures 1 to 3 open position approximately at the upper boundary surface of the web in this or a little above the web and then runs in the drawn in Fig. 9 clamping position approximately through the Middle of the curved bridge. The virtual pivot axis 14 is also located, for example, very close to the plane defined by the flat rear surface of the back 11c a little outside of this, ie on the side facing away from the front side of this plane. However, the web forming the hinge could also be designed such that the pivot axis lies precisely in the plane defined by the flat back surface or on the side of this plane facing the front side at a small distance therefrom. Further, the pivot axis 14 is approximately at a plane defined by the top side 11b, namely, for example, a little above this, but could also lie exactly in this plane or slightly below it.

The first holder member 11 has a channel 11g located near the rear side 11c, open to the cover side 11b, and continuous and uninterruptible along the rear side from the first side and / or end surface 11e to the second side and / or end surface 11f runs. The channel 11g is accordingly at least approximately and to Example substantially exactly parallel to the pivot axis 14. The two edges of the channel are formed for the most part by a respective plane parallel to the pivot axis 14 and the rear surface of the back side 11 c side surfaces. The channel is bounded on the top side 11b by two straight edges, which are also parallel to the rear surface and to the pivot axis 14. These edges of the channel 11g are rounded in cross-section so that the flat side surfaces of the channel smoothly and steadily connect to the flat top surface, but could instead be chamfered and formed by flat surfaces inclined against the top surface, or partially chamfered and partially rounded. The channel 11g is located substantially closer to the pivot axis 14 and the rear side 11c than to the front side 11d of the holder element 11.

The first holder member 11 further includes a groove 11h which is open to the top side 11b. The groove 11h has in a plan view of the top side two mutually forming a right angle groove portions 11i, 11k. Of these, the one, first groove portion 11i perpendicular to the back 11c and the channel 11g and the pivot axis 14, crosses the channel 11g at right angles and forms in the closer to the rear side 11c located edge of the channel 11m opening into the top side groove , The other, second groove portion 11k 11h is parallel to the back 11c and the pivot axis 14. The groove 11h is in a plan view of the top side 11b, for example according to Figures 1 and 3 approximately T-shaped, but could instead be cross-shaped or angular , The first holder element 11 is further provided with two recesses 11p and 11q which are open towards its top side 11b and which are at least partially groove-shaped, into which the flank 11g of the channel 11g facing away from the back 11c and away from the pivot axis 14 and the channel 11g ,

The first holder member 11 further has a pivot axis 14, the channel 11g and the groove portion 11i parallel insertion hole 11r, which is located completely in the first holder member and in particular is limited in cross-section on all sides by the first holder member, in the first side and / or end surface 11 e opens, formed as a blind hole extends from the end face 11 e, for example, to the vicinity of the groove portion 11 i and possibly separated from the groove portion 11 i by a wall. The groove 11h opens at the bottom of the insertion hole 11r in this. At least a part of the second groove portion 11k extends along the axis of the insertion hole 11r through a part thereof. The insertion hole is in a plan view of the first side and / or end surface 11e and in cross-section substantially square-shaped, namely rectangular. The longer sides of the rectangle formed in the above plan view and in cross-section of the insertion hole extend perpendicular to the planes defined by the bottom side 11a and the cover side 11b. Furthermore, the longitudinal center plane of the insertion hole perpendicular to these planes coincides approximately with the longitudinal center plane of the region 11 of the groove 11h.

The first holder element 11 is provided on the front side 11d with three ribs located in its longitudinal direction, of which the rib 11t located at the bottom edge of the front protrudes farthest from the rear side. The next middle rib will hereinafter be referred to as a detent projection 11u. The uppermost rib forms the deck-side edge of the front side 11d.

The second holder element 12 has a generally rectangular in plan view, namely rectangular top wall 12a, which at a longitudinal edge with the hinge 13 forming web of the holder 3 is connected. The top wall 12a hangs at its other longitudinal edge together with a front wall 12b perpendicular to it. The top wall 12a of the second holder element 12 has on its in the clamping position the first holder member 11 side facing a flat surface and lies with this at least approximately on the flat top surface of the first holder member 11 and is separated from this, for example, by a narrow gap , The channel 11g of the first holder member 11 forms in the clamping position of the two holder elements 11, 12 together with the second holder member 12 is a continuous, at both side and / or end surfaces 11e, 11f open passage.

The generally flat top wall 12a has on its in the clamping position to the first holder member side facing in the longitudinal direction of the top wall extending clamping projection 12c, which projects into the clamping position in the channel 11g and is bent at least partially convex in cross-section and namely forms a circular arc. The clamping projection 12c has an incision 12d on both sides of its vertex at its longitudinal region located closest to the region 11i of the groove 11h. The top wall 12a further has two rib-like stiffening projections 12e, 12f which run transversely to their longitudinal direction and engage in the clamping position in the recesses 11p or 11q of the first holder element 11. The front wall 12b of the second holder element 12 has on its side facing away from the top wall 12a longitudinal edge extending along the latter rib, which protrudes against the first holder member 11, forms a locking projection 12g and in the clamping position the locking projection 11u of the first Holder member 11 engages over and partially surrounds. The two latching projections 11u and 12g formed directly on the first and second holder element together form latching means 11u, 12g, which lock into one another during the pivoting of the two holder elements into the clamping position upon reaching the latter and the two Secure holder elements in the clamping position against pivoting. The two locking projections 11u and 12g are formed such that they can still be disengaged from each other by means of a tool, such as a knife or screwdriver. On the other hand, they can not be disengaged from each other manually, ie not without tools.

The electrical connection device 1 also has a metallic, electrically conductive contact 21 which is shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 9 together with the holder 3 and also separately in FIGS. 4 to 7. The contact 21 consists of a one-piece body and is formed for example from an originally flat plate with two originally flat and mutually parallel surfaces. The contact 21 has a fork-shaped cutting terminal 21a with two prongs 21b, 21c and a slot 21d therebetween. The slit 21d is bounded laterally by edges facing each other, ie narrow edge surfaces and / or edges, of the two prongs 21b, 21c and has a bottom 21e, a clamping portion 21f and a mouth portion 21g. The mouth portion 21g forms at its end remote from the base 21e an orifice and narrows from this away against the clamping portion 21f out. The mouth section is thereby bounded at least for the most part by two straight edge sections of the tines 21b, 21c which are inclined away from one another towards the mouth opening. Between the lowest point of the narrowing. Mouth portion and the clamping portion 21f is located on both sides of the slot 21d each have a small projecting toward the mouth opening teeth 21h, which has an edge at its upper end and can serve as a cutting edge. The clamping portion 21f of the slot 21d has a slight constriction 21k approximately midway between this base 21e and the prongs 21h, so that the clamping portion laterally delimiting edge portions of the tines from the teeth 21h away towards the bottom 21e first at least partially inclined towards each other and then at least partially slightly inclined away from each other again.

In the manufacture of the contact 21 from a one-piece originally flat plate this is provided with a slot, the clamping portion, for example, originally has substantially just mutually parallel side edges. Thereafter, for example, with two opposing pressing tools at the clamping portion 21f on both broad sides of the plate in a particularly clear in Figures 4 and 7 apparent dent 21i is pressed into this, so that the plate is slightly thinner there and the constriction 21k is created. The two pressing tools may, for example, have punches which have circular, slightly convexly curved end surfaces at their ends intended to engage contacts or platelets, so that the surfaces of the dimples in the cross section illustrated in FIG. 7 form slightly concave arcs. The slot 21d defines a slot centerline 23 extending through its center between the two prongs. The slot centerline 23 is straight. The slot 21d therefore also defines a slot center plane passing through the slot centerline 23 and is symmetrical with respect thereto.

The contact 21 has a laterally adjacent to the lower part of the prong 21c arm 21m with a first region 21n or leg 21n and a second region 21p or leg 21p. The first region 21n or leg is generally in the same plane as the insulation displacement terminal 21a and extends perpendicular to the slot center plane away from the insulation displacement terminal. The second region 21p or leg is angled and / or bent away from the first region 21n or leg in such a way that it is perpendicular to that of the insulation displacement terminal 21a and plane defined by the first portion 21n or legs of the arm 21m and parallel to the slot center plane. The two regions 21n, 21p or legs of the arm 21m thus together form a right angle. The first portion 21n or leg of the arm 21m has a nose 21q projecting on the side of the portion 21n or leg shown in FIG. 5 at the top and formed by forming a portion 21n with a pressure die of the type shown in FIG 5 down side was deformed ago. The nose 21q is quadrangular in plan view and against the upper, ie the mouth opening of the slot 21d having side of the contact 21 outwardly inclined so that it forms a barb. The second arm region 21p or leg has at its free end a somewhat narrower, in cross-section substantially rectangular connecting portion 21r, which forms an at least approximately dimensionally stable plug contact pin 21r. The connecting portion 21r or plug contact pin 21r has a transverse to its broad sides penetrating, in cross-section circular hole 21s and at its free end four bevelled edges.

When assembling the connecting device 1, the contact 21 in Fig. 1 is pressed from above into the groove 11h of the first holder member 11, so that the lower part of the cutting clamp 21a and the first portion 21n or legs of the arm 21m in the first region 11i of Groove 11h and the second portion 21p or legs of the arm 21m reach the second portion 11k of the groove. The contact 21 fits into the used part of the groove 11h in such a way that after insertion it sits at least approximately free of play in the groove 11h, rests on its base and is held in the groove at least approximately immovably. When inserting the contact 21 in the first holder member 11 also penetrates the barb-like nose 21q in the material, ie the plastic, of the first holder element, so that the nose 21g additionally secures and anchors the contact 21 and secures the contact, in particular in the open position of the holder 3, against separation from the first holder element 11. The insulation displacement terminal 21a and its slot 21d are located at least for the most part, preferably at least approximately completely and for example completely below the flat top surface of the first holder element 11. The insulation displacement terminal 21a of the contact 21 is accordingly located at least to a large extent in the channel 11g of the first Holder element 11, wherein the prong 21b engages in the groove 11m. For example, the upper end of the insulation displacement terminal delimiting the mouth opening of the slit 21d is approximately flush with the plane defined by the top side 11b of the first holder element and is also approximately at the level of the pivot axis 14. The slit 21d of the insulation displacement clamp is accordingly completely inside the slit Channel or possibly in part, ie at the lower end of the slot, in the base of the channel bounding portion of the first holder member. However, the upper end of the cutting clamp could possibly protrude a little bit beyond the plane defined by the top surface of the first holder element. The connecting portion 21r or plug contact pin is located after the insertion of the contact 21 into the first holder member 11 at least partially within the insertion hole 11r. The free end of the connecting portion 21r is also located within the insertion hole 11r at a distance from the mouth thereof.

The slit centerline 23 is perpendicular to the pivot axis 14 and to the planes defined by the bottom side 11a and the top side 11b when the connection device is assembled. The slot center plane passing through the slot centerline 23 is parallel to the pivot axis 14 and At least approximately coincides with the median plane of the channel 11g. The point of the slot centerline 23 which lies within the slot 21d between the two prongs 21b, 21c and which is closest to the pivot axis 14 in the finished connection device 1 is referred to below as slot centerline point 23a. This slot centerline point 23a is located - measured from the bottom side 11a of the first holder element 11 - at least approximately at the level of the mouth opening of the slot 21d and at least approximately and for example exactly at the height of the pivot axis 14. In FIGS. 2 and 9 is still a perpendicular to the pivot axis 14, this connecting with the slot center line point 23a connecting line 24 located. This is approximately or exactly perpendicular to the slot midplane. The point 23a protrudes from the pivot axis 14 in a slot spacing s drawn in FIG. 9, this slot spacing s being measured parallel to the connecting straight line 24. The outer edge of the rib 11t of the first holder element 11 is located on the side facing away from the pivot axis 14 of the slot 21d extending slot center plane, forms the - parallel to the connecting line 24 measured - furthest from the pivot axis 14 remote edge portion of the first holder member 11th and has - measured parallel to the connecting line 24 - the edge distance a from the pivot axis. When the second holder element 12 is in the clamping position with respect to the first holder element 11 according to FIG. 9, the outer surface of the front wall 12b lies on the side remote from the pivot axis 14 from the slot 21d and from its slot center plane, forming the - parallel to Connecting line 24 measured - most distant from the pivot axis 14 edge portion of the second holder member 12 and has the pivot axis 14, the edge distance b. The two edge distances a and b are at least approximately equal and at least three times, preferably at least four times and namely for example at least or approximately five times the slot spacing s. Incidentally, the edge distances a and b which are approximately equal to the width of the holder 3 are at least 10 mm and, for example, at least or approximately 15 mm.

Since the connecting line 24 is approximately or exactly perpendicular to the slot center plane, the slot spacing s could also be defined as the distance of the slot centerline 23 and slot centerplane from the pivot axis 14 as measured perpendicular to the slot centerline and slot centerplane. Furthermore, the edge distances a, b could be defined as distances of the respective edges from the pivot axis measured perpendicular to the slot center plane. Even with distances defined in this way and measured perpendicularly to the slot center plane, the edge distances a, b are again at least three times, preferably at least four times and, for example, at least or approximately five times the slot spacing s.

The outer edge of the rib 11t also forms that edge portion of the first holder element 11 which is furthest away from the pivot axis 14 in any measuring directions and from this - approximately diagonally to the first or second side and / or end surface 11e or 11f - has the marked in Fig. 2 edge distance c. The edge of the outer surface of the front wall 12b farthest from the top wall 12a forms that edge portion of the second holder element 12 which is furthest away from the pivot axis 14 in any measuring direction and has the edge distance d from this. The edge distances c and d are still slightly larger than the edge distances a and b and are therefore also at least three times, preferably at least four times and for example at least or approximately five times the slot spacing s.

The side surface of the channel closer to the rear side 11c and the pivot axis 14 and the edge of the channel located at the upper end of this side surface have a clearance smaller than that between the back surface 11c and the pivot axis flat, mutually parallel side surfaces of the channel measured width of this. The width of the channel may be, for example, about 3 mm, while the distance of the side surface of the channel and the upper edge of this side surface located closer to the rear side 11c and the pivot axis 14 from the flat rear surface - measured perpendicular to the last - at most 3 mm, preferably at most 2 mm, and for example about 1 mm to 1.5 mm. The distance of the side surface of the channel 11g located closer to the pivot axis 14 and the upper edge of this side surface from the pivot axis is preferably at most 4 mm, for example at most 3 mm, perpendicular to the center plane of the channel and the slot center line 23 mm and namely, for example, about 1 mm to 2 mm. The distance of the center plane of the channel from the pivot axis 14 and the slot spacing s approximately or exactly identical with this distance, for example, is at most 5 mm, preferably at most 4 mm, and for example approximately 3 mm.

FIGS. 1 and 9 also show an electrical conductor 25. This has one and only a single metallic, electrically conductive core 26, which consists for example of a full cross-section wire made of copper, but instead could be formed from a strand with a bundle of fine wire fibers. The conductor 25 also has an electrical insulating jacket 27, which consists for example of a well deformable thermoplastic material. The core 26 and the shell 27 of the conductor are circular in cross section. The diameter of the shell 27 is at most equal to the width of the channel 11g and, for example, a little smaller than this. The distance of closest to the channel 11g location of the hinge 13 forming web and / or the pivot axis 14 of the closer to the hinge located side surface of the channel - measured perpendicular to the median plane of the channel and perpendicular to the slot center line 23, smaller As the outer diameter of the shell and has approximately the same size as the distance of the said side surface of the channel from the rear surface of the first holder member.

The electrical connection device Fig. 1 can be clamped to the latter to form an electrically conductive connection with the insulated conductor 25. To form such a connection, the holder 3 should be in the open position shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, in which the flat region of the top wall 12a of the second holder element 12 is in the plane defined by the top side 11b of the first holder element 11 forms an angle of at least 60 ° and preferably from at least 90 ° to, for example, about 180 °, so that the top side 11b and the deck side of the channel 11g open towards this are freely accessible. A person, such as an installer, may now insert an approximately straight longitudinal portion of the insulated conductor 25 approximately parallel to the channel 11g between the top side 11b of the first holder member 11 and the top wall 12a of the second holder member 12. The conductor may for example be inserted directly into the channel 11g and / or into the mouth portion 21g of the slot 21d of the insulation displacement terminal 21a. The installer may then the second holder member 12 with respect to the first holder member 11 pivot from the open position into the drawn in Fig. 9 clamping position and press the two holder elements against each other. The clamping projection 12c acts on the insulating jacket 27 of the conductor 25 and presses the conductor 25 deeper into the channel 11g and the slot 21d of the insulation displacement terminal 21a of the contact 21.

The conductor 25 can be inserted by the installer instead of directly into the channel 11g in the resulting in the open position between the channel 11g and the web of the hinge 13 and the clamping projection 12c of the second holder member 12 throat, so that the conductor, for example touches the rear edge portion of the top surface of the first holder member 11 and the hinge 13 forming web and / or the clamping projection 12c of the second holder member 12. Since the channel is located very close to the hinge 13 and since the outer diameter of the shell 27 of the conductor 25 is smaller than the distance of the web of the hinge from the side of the channel located closer to this, the conductor is the second holder element 12 when closing the holder automatically pushed into the channel 11g of the first holder member 11 and into the slot 21d of the cutting terminal 21. When a longitudinal section of the conductor 25 is introduced into the channel in one way or another and the two holder elements 11, 12 are pivoted relative to each other into the clamping position, at least the greatest part of the cross-sectional area and namely the entire cross-sectional area of said longitudinal section of the Conductor below the plane defined by the flat top surface of the first holder member 11 within the channel 11g.

When the conductor 25 is pressed into the slot 21d of the cutting terminal 21, the insulating jacket 27 is cut by the cutting clamp on both sides. The Cutting occurs, for example, in particular by the teeth 21h of the cutting clamp 21a, which act as cutting edges. The core 26, ie wire, of the conductor 25 originally has a circular cross-section and a diameter which is slightly larger than the width of the clamping portion 21f of the slot 21d. When the conductor 25 is pressed into the slot 21d, the core 26 consisting of a wire is pressed into the clamping section 21f of the slot 21d during the cutting of the jacket and thereby plastically deformed and somewhat flattened on both sides. The core 26 then lies with bare surface portions in the region of the clamping portion of the slot slightly narrowing away from the mouth of the slot on the edge portion of the tines 21b, 21c laterally delimiting the clamping portion, so that the core is electrically conductive with the contact 21 is connected.

When the installer pivots the two holder elements 11, 12 in the manner described from the open position to the clamping position and presses against each other, at the boundaries of the slot 21d and the clamping projection 12c - ie in the slot 21d and / or very close to this - forces transferred to the ladder 25. Each of the two holder elements 11, 12 thus forms a pivotable about the virtual pivot axis 14, one-armed lever. When the installer exerts forces on the holder elements when the two holder elements 11, 12 are pressed against one another in the vicinity of the edges of the two holder elements furthest away from the pivot axis 14, these forces are transferred to the conductor 25 approximately to the ratio a / s or b / s and - depending on the points of attack on the holder elements - possibly even up to about the ratio c / s or d / s translated and enlarged. This power translation and the facts that only a single conductor 25 in just a single cutting clamp 21a with a single, must be pressed laterally by two prongs 21b limited slot 21d allow the installer, the two holder elements exclusively manually - ie without using an additional tool - with respect to each other in the clamping position to pivot. The installer may, for example, with one hand or possibly both hands on the bottom side 11a of the first holder member 11 and the top wall 12a of the second holder member 12 attack and press the two holder elements against each other. The installer can also press in the vicinity of the furthest away from the pivot axis edges of the bottom side 11a and top wall 12a on the two holder elements. Of course, the installer may of course instead apply one of the holder elements to a fixed support surface of any one article and then press the other holder element against the support surface on the support surface with one hand. Upon reaching the clamping position then snap the two locking projections 11a and 12g into each other, so that the clamping device 1 is firmly and stably clamped to the conductor 25. The conductor 25 can thereby completely penetrate the passage delimited by the channel 11g of the first holder element 11 and the second holder element 12 and extend away from the holder 3 at both side and / or end surfaces 11e, 11f of the first holder element, so that the connection device 1 forms a branch can form on the conductor 25. The contact 21 and that portion of the conductor 25 in which the insulation was cut when the connecting device 1 was clamped are then located completely inside the electrically insulating holder 3.

In Fig. 1 is still a branch and / or connection line 30 can be seen. This has an apparent also in Fig. 8 plug 31, which may be, for example, a commercially available connector. The plug 31 has an electrically insulating housing 32 and a metallic, at least locally resilient plug contact 33. The housing 32 has a cross-sectionally substantially quadrangular, namely rectangular housing portion 32a, which can be inserted into the insertion hole 11r of the first holder member 11. The plug-in contact 33 of the plug 31 can then at least partially surround the connection section 21r or plug-in contact pin 21r of the contact 21, which is also shown in phantom in FIG. The branching and / or connecting line 30 also has a conductor 34 with a conductive core, ie a wire or a strand, and with an insulating jacket, wherein the wire or the strand is firmly and conductively connected to the plug contact 33 , The plug 31 thus makes it possible for the contact 21a having contact 21 both in the open position and in the clamping position located in the holder 3 within this, namely in the interior of the insertion hole 11r electrically conductive and detachable with the insulated conductor 34 of the branch and / or connection line 30 to connect. When the connection device 1 is clamped to the conductor 25 and the line 30 is conductively connected to the contact 21 by the plug 31 inserted in the insertion hole 11r, the whole contact 23, the bare portion located in the holder 3 of the conductor 25 and the live parts of the connected to the contact 21 of the connecting device 1 end of the line 30, ie the plug 31, completely protected against contact by a person.

In Fig. 10, a ceiling 41 of a room and an electrical system with a held on the ceiling strip lighting device 43 can be seen. The latter has at least one support rail 45. This is in cross section, for example, approximately U-shaped and / or C-shaped and with, for example, at least partially flexible, such as wire ropes or chains or the like. Hanging suspension organs at a distance from the ceiling 41 pendulum suspended from this. On the or each support rail 45, a number of light units 51 is attached. Each lighting unit 51 has a housing 53 and at least one electric lamp, namely at least one electric fluorescent lamp 55.

Some of the lighting units 51 can also be seen in the circuit diagram in FIG. 11. Each lighting unit has, for example, four fluorescent lamps 55, namely two mutually aligned pairs of juxtaposed fluorescent lamps. Each light unit further has a multipolar connection 57 with a plurality of terminals or plug contacts or the like. Each lighting unit also has at least one ballast 59 having an electronic or a coil, which is connected in an electrically conductive manner to the connection 57 and the fluorescent lamp or the fluorescent lamps 55 in the usual way.

In Fig. 11, a multi-pole power supply 61 is further seen, to which at least two along the row of light units 51 extending, insulated electrical conductors, namely, for example, five are connected. These conductors comprise a ground conductor 62, a neutral conductor 63 and three phase conductors 65, 66, 67. Each phase conductor 65, 66, 67 is connected to the mains connection via a switch 68, 69 and 70, respectively. For example, the three switches can be turned on and off separately and independently, but could be formed by switch contacts of a three-pole switch.

The each consisting of an insulated wire or an insulated strand conductor 62, 63, 65, 66, 67 extend for example in a limited by the support rail 45 channel and / or through the housing 53 of the light units 51 along the row of light units. This extend preferably at least two conductors and namely for example at least three conductors continuously and without interruption along the row of light units from the first, closest to the mains connection 61 light unit to the last light unit. The multi-pin terminal 57 of each light unit - possibly with the exception of the last light unit of the series - is electrically connected via a connecting device 1 and a branch and / or connecting line 30 to the ground conductor 62 and to the neutral conductor 63. Furthermore, each lighting unit is connected to one of the three phase conductors 65, 66, 67, for example. These connections are all - possibly with the exception of the last connected to one of the three phase conductors light units via a connecting device 1 and a branch and / or connection line 30 is formed. The last lighting unit connected to one of the conductors can, for example, likewise be connected to the conductor via a connecting device 1. The free end of the conductor in question can in this case be insulated in any way and / or arranged in the holder 3 of the last connection device clamped on the conductor. However, a conductor may instead be connected at its end via a different end connection insulating the conductor end to the last lighting unit connected to the relevant conductor.

When installing the light band lighting device 43, the or at least one support rail 45 is mounted on the ceiling first. Thereafter, the conductors 62, 63, 65, 66, 67 can be arranged along the mounting rail and fastened thereto at least in the vicinity of the two ends of the mounting rail. The connecting devices 1 now allow an installer to connect the lighting units 51 quickly and easily electrically conductive with the required, along the lighting units running, insulated conductors, without them Stripping the conductor beforehand. Since an installer for mounting and connecting the lighting units often has to climb a ladder, it is particularly advantageous that the connecting devices can be connected without the use of a tool with the conductors. Likewise, the branch and / or lead wires 30 leading to the light units 51 can be quickly and easily connected to the connection devices by means of the plugs 31.

The connections 57 of the light units 51 are preferably already connected to branch lines and / or connection lines 30, which have plugs 31, prior to the attachment of the light units to the support rail-for example already in the fabrication operation producing the light units. These plugs 31 are preferably also already plugged into the insertion holes 11r of holders located in the open position before the attachment of the light units to a support rail - for example, already in the said factory. When installing a lighting unit 51 connected in this way with connecting devices 1, it can then be provisionally and movably fixed to the mounting rail, for example suspended, on one of its longitudinal sides. Thereafter, an installer only needs to connect the already connected to the light unit connecting devices to the conductors 62, 63, 65, 66, 67 and to attach the light unit completely and definitely to the mounting rail.

The connecting devices 1 result in a stable and permanent connection with the conductor after the connection to a conductor 25. If the electrical connection between a light unit 51 and the conductors connected to these for repair or replacement of the light unit to be interrupted, the plug 31 can with the associated branching and / or connecting lines 30 are quickly and easily pulled out of the holders of the connecting devices 1.

The connecting devices 1 can be connected to the conductors 62, 63, 65, 66, 67 close to the terminals of the light units, so that the lines 30 can be kept short. Incidentally, of course, only there connecting devices 1 need to be connected to the conductors where the connecting devices are really needed.

The inventive connecting devices 1 thus make it possible to connect the lighting units quickly, easily and inexpensively with serving to power the light units conductors. Furthermore, the connecting devices 1 themselves can also be produced economically. The inventive connecting devices 1 can also be readily used for voltages of more than 50 V, for example for three-phase networks with rated voltages of 380 V / 220 V and for currents up to at least 13 A. The slit 21d may be dimensioned, for example, to receive a conductor having a wire cross-sectional area of 1.5 mm ² or 2.5 mm ² or more. The holders 3 and contacts 21 may for example be designed and dimensioned such that identically dimensioned holders can optionally accommodate a contact for connecting a conductor having a wire cross-sectional area of 1.5 mm ² or 2.5 mm ² and / or of conductors with other different wire cross-sectional areas ,

The apparent in the figures 12 and 13 holder 103 is like the holder 3 of a one-piece body and is also otherwise largely similar to the holder 3. The holder 103 has in particular also two holder elements 111, 112, which are interconnected by a hinge 113. The hinge again defines a pivot axis 114 extending in the longitudinal direction of the holder 103. The first holder member 111 has a bottom side 111a, a top 111b, a back 111c, a front 111d, two side and / or end surfaces 111e, 111f, a channel 111g , a plug-in hole 111r and a latch projection 111u. However, the first holder element 111 differs from the first holder element 11 in that it has a projection 111w in each of the side edge 111b extending from the rear side 111c to the front side 111d and straight and perpendicular to the pivot axis 114. This projection 111w projects beyond the flat top surface in a direction away from the bottom side 111a.

The second holder element 112, like the second holder element 12, has a cover wall 112a, a front wall 112b, a clamping projection 112c and a latching projection 112g. However, the second holder member 112 differs from the holder member 12 in that the top wall 112a is provided at both generally straight side edges with an approximately cylindrical projection 112i forming an extension of the clamping projection 112c and parallel to the pivot axis 114 laterally across the straight portions the side edges of the top wall 112a protrudes.

When the holder 103 is in the clamping position shown in Fig. 13, the top wall 112a of the second holder member 112 is at least approximately on the flat top surface of the first holder member. A part of the top wall 112a is then with at most small clearance between the lugs 111w. Each of the two cylindrical lugs 112i of the second holder element 112 is located then at a small distance next to one of the lugs 111w. Each lug 111w has a side surface facing the associated lug 112i, which is concavely bent and, in the clamping position of the holder 103, is approximately concentric with the axis of lugs 112i. The lugs 111w secure the second holder member 112 in the clamping position against parallel to the pivot axis shifts and ensure, together with the interlocking detent projections 111u and 112g, in the channel 111g engaging clamping projection 112c and the rest, in grooves or recesses the first holder member 111 engaging reinforcing and stabilizing projections of the second holder member 112 that this remains firmly connected to the first Halterelemetn 111 even in a possible breakage of the web of the hinge 113.

The contact 121 shown in FIG. 14 is substantially similar to the contact 21 and has a cutting terminal 121a with two prongs 121b, 121c and with a slot 121d and a connecting portion 121r, which serves as a plug contact pin 121r. The slot 121d defines a straight slot centerline 123. The cutting clip 121a is slightly different than the cutting clip 21a and has a sharp apex 121s at each of the top ends of the two prongs 121b, 121c. The apex 121s of the two prongs together define the mouth of the slot 121d. The upper, free end portions of the two prongs 121b, 121c have on the opposite outer sides of the tines each have a straight edge 121t, which is inclined away from the apex 121s downwards, ie towards the bottom of the slot, away from the slot and with the slot center line 123 forms an angle, for example, about 45 °. The two flanks 121t, together with the pointed apexes 121s of the tines, form the cutting edges of the cutting clamp 121a. The slot 121d has a semicircular bottom and, for example, two to the Vertex 121s completely straight and to each other and the slot centerline 123 parallel side edges.

When the contact 121 is inserted into the first holder element 121 of the holder 103, the whole contact 121, and thus in particular also its insulation displacement terminal 121a, is a little - namely at least about 0.5 mm, at most about 2 mm and, for example, about 1 mm to 1.5 mm - below the flat top surface of the top 111b of the first holder member 111. The vertex 121s of the two prongs 121b, 121c and the mouth opening of the slot 121d of the IDC 121a are accordingly slightly recessed in the channel 111g and are also slightly below In Fig.14 are also two lying on the slot center line 123 slot centerline points 123a and 123a 'and two connecting lines 124 and 124' located. The two connecting lines 124, 124 'extend perpendicular to the pivot axis 114 from this to the slot centerline point 123a or 123a'. The connecting straight line 124a is also perpendicular to the slot center line 123 and to the center plane parallel to the pivot axis of the slot 121d and the center plane of the channel 111g coinciding at least approximately with this slot center plane. The point 123a is not in the slot 121d, but slightly above the mouth of the slot 121d, and forms the centerline point closest to the centerline 123 at the pivot axis. The midline point 123a 'is located at the level of the mouth of the slot 121d and forms that point of the centerline 123 that is closest to the pivot axis 114 from the midline points within the slot 121d. FIG. 14 also shows the two slot spacings s and s'. These denote the along the connecting lines 124 and 124 ' measured distances of the slot centerline points 123a and 123a 'from the pivot axis 114th

14, a conductor 125 with an electrically conductive, circular in cross-section core 126 and an insulating jacket 127 is still dash-dotted lines indicated. When the two holder elements 111, 112 are compressed, the clamping projection 112c of the second holder element 112 engages the conductor 125 and presses its core 126 into the slot in the direction of the arrow 129 during the cutting process. The conductor 125 is drawn in Fig. 14 in an intermediate position in which its core 126 is pressed about halfway into the slot 121d. When clamping the holder 103 on the conductor 125 whose insulating jacket is cut. The cut-up flap portions of the jacket 127 located under the acute peaks 121s of the tines of the cutting terminal 121a are pushed outward by the inclined flanks 121t of the end portions of the tines 121b, 121c in the cutting operation. As a result, they exert a reaction force on the tines, which presses them against each other. This supports and facilitates the cutting process.

The second holder element 112 engages in the cutting process with a lever arm on the head. This lever arm has - depending on the current position of the holder element - a lying approximately in the range of s to s' length. The holder 103 has edge distances measured analogously to the edge distances a, b, c, d of the holder 3, which are at least three times the slot spacing s and / or s' and preferably at least four times and for example even at least and or approximately five times the slot spacing s and / or s'.

Unless previously described otherwise, the holder 103 and the contact 121 may be similar in construction to the holder 3 and the contact 21, respectively. Furthermore, a connection device comprising a holder 103 and a contact 121 may be similar, unless previously stated otherwise have been used and have similar properties as a connecting device 1.

The connection devices can still be changed in various ways. Thus, for example, features of the connection device 1 can be combined with features of the connection device which has the parts shown in FIGS. 12 to 14. Further, the web forming the virtual hinge 13, 113, respectively, extending without interruption along the entire length of the holder, may for example be replaced by two or more narrower webs distributed along the pivot axis and separated by slots. Furthermore, each approach 111w may be divided into two or more approaches. Possibly, the clamping projection 12c or 112c of the top wall 12a or 112a of the second holder element 12 or 112 could be omitted so that the top wall on its in the clamping position the first holder member 11 and 111 side facing also against the channel 11g or 111g in general would be approximately even. Of course, the insulation displacement terminal would then have to be modified and arranged in the first holder element such that nevertheless a conductor can be connected to the insulation displacement terminal.

The contact may have more than one slot for receiving a wire. The contact may in this case, for example, have a U-shaped section whose U-legs each have a slot and each form a part of a cutting clamp. Furthermore, the shape of the slot and its arrangement with respect to the holder on a variety of Species are changed. For example, the slot and its centerline may be at least partially bent such that the slot centerline forms at least in part approximately a circular arc about the pivot axis.

Furthermore, the connecting portion 21r or 121r of the contact 21 and 121 may be formed as at least locally resilient spring contact. In this case, one can replace the one resilient plug contact 33 having the plug 31 of the line 30 by a plug with a fully dimensionally stable plug contact or omit the plug 31 at all and directly a bare end portion of the wire of the conductor 34 of the line 30 in the insertion hole 11r or 111r and the spring contact. If the conductor 34 has a wire, a bare end portion of this can be provided with a metallic sleeve, which is then plugged into the spring contact. The shape and dimensions of the insertion hole can of course be changed as necessary. The insertion hole may then be approximately circular in cross section, for example. In all these cases are the bare, current-carrying part of the line 30, which connects these conductively connected to the contact 21 and 121, within the insertion hole 11r and 111r. Further, the connection portion 21r, 121r of the contact 21, 121 may possibly even be formed as a solder terminal for soldering the conductor of the wiring 30.

Furthermore, the suspended in Fig. 10 via suspension members 47 suspended on a ceiling 41 support rail can be replaced by a stationary and fixed directly to the ceiling support rail. Finally, the connecting devices according to the invention can not only be used for connecting lighting units of continuous-line lighting devices, but also for connecting other lighting devices or other electrical devices, such as any Electricity consumers, electrical equipment and appliances, are used. For example, the connection devices may also be used to connect at least one conductor arranged in a channel of a parapet or the like to contacts of a series of sockets.

Claims (20)

1. Electrical connecting device with a holder (3, 103) and a contact (21, 121) held in said holder and having an insulation displacement terminal (21a, 121a), the holder (3, 103) having a first holder element (11, 111) holding the contact (21, 121) and a second holder element (12, 112), the two holder elements (11, 12, 111, 112) being electrically insulated and being pivotable relative to one another about a pivot axis (14, 114) from an open position to a clamping position and in the latter together bounding a passage at least approximately parallel to the pivot axis (14, 114) and intended for a conductor (25, 125) having an electrically conducting core (26, 120) and an electrically insulating sheath (27, 127), the insulation displacement terminal (21a, 121a) having at least one slot (21d, 121d) for receiving the electrically conducting core (26, 126) of the conductor (25) and defining a central line (23, 123) of the slot, the holder (3, 103) being formed to press the conductor (25, 125) arranged between the two holder elements (11, 12, 111, 112), and only this single conductor (25, 125), into the slot (21d, 121d) by pivoting the two holder elements (11, 12, 111, 112) from the open position to the clamping position, so that the insulation displacement terminal (21a, 121a) penetrates the sheath (27, 127) and comes into contact with the core (26, 126) of the conductor (25, 125), the holder (3, 103) having a hole (11r, 111r) and the contact (21, 121) having a connecting section (21r, 121r) present at least partly in the hole (11r, 111r) in order to connect the contact (21, 121) in an electrically conductive manner and detachably to a cable (30), characterized in that each of the two holder elements (11, 12, 111, 112) has at least one edge section which is an edge distance (a, b, c, d) away from the pivot axis (14, 114), which edge distance is at least three times a slot distance (s, s') measured from the pivot axis (14, 114) to at least one slot central line point (23a, 123a, 123a' ) located on the slot central line (23, 123), in that the hole (11r, 111r) is arranged in the first holder element (11, 111) and is parallel to the pivot axis (14, 114), and in that the holder (3, 103) and the contact (21, 121) are formed in such a way that the cable (30) can be connected to the contact (21, 121) even in the open position of the holder elements (11, 12, 111, 112) before a conductor (25, 125) is pressed into the slot (21d, 121d) of the insulation displacement terminal (21a, 121a).
2. Connecting device according to claim 1, characterized in that the slot distance (s, s') is measured parallel to a connecting line (24, 124, 124') which runs perpendicular to the pivot axis (14, 114) and through the latter and through the or a slot central line point (23a, 123a, 123a'), and in that the slot central line point (23a, 123a') is present inside the slot (21d, 121d) closest to the pivot axis (14, 114) and/or the connecting line (24, 124) is perpendicular to the slot central line (23, 123), preferably each of the two holder elements (11, 12, 111, 112) having at least one edge section which is an edge distance (a, b) away from the pivot axis (14, 114), which edge distance is measured in the clamping position parallel to the connecting line (24, 124, 124') and/or perpendicular to a slot central plane running parallel to the pivot axis (14, 114) through the slot central line (23, 123) and is at least three times, preferably at least four times and, for example, at least or approximately five times the slot distance (s), the slot central line (23, 123) being, for example, straight or possibly arc-shaped and the slot distance (s, s') expediently being not more than 5 mm, preferably not more than about 4 mm and, for example, not more than about 3 mm.
3. Connecting device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the holder (3, 103) consists of an integral plastic body and has a hinge (13, 113) which connects the two holder elements (11, 12, 111, 112) to one another, is formed from at least one flexible web and defines the pivot axis (14, 114), and catch means (11u, 12g, 111u, 112g), which snap one into the other in the clamping position and secure the two holder elements (11, 12, 111, 112) to prevent pivoting out of the clamping position, the catch means (11u, 12g, 111u, 112g) preferably being formed directly on the two holder elements (11, 12, 111, 112).
4. Connecting device according to any of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the first holder element (11, 111) has a continuous channel (11g, 111g) which, together with the second holder element (12, 112), bounds the passage for receiving the conductor (25) and is formed in order, in the clamping position, to receive at least the largest part of the cross-sectional area of the conductor (25, 125), including the insulating sheath (27, 127) thereof, and in that the slot (21, 121) is present at least partly inside the channel (11g, 111g).
5. Connecting device according to claim 4, characterized in that the channel (11g, 111g) and the insulation displacement terminal (21a, 121a) are formed in such a way that, in the clamping position, a longitudinal section of the conductor (25, 125) is present over its entire cross-sectional area inside the channel (11g, 111g), the slot (21d, 121d) having a mouth which is preferably arranged inside the channel (11g, 111g).
6. Connecting device according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the second holder element (12, 112) has a clamping projection (12c, 112c) which is formed in order to engage the conductor (25, 125) when the conductor (25, 125) is pressed into the slot (21d, 121d) and in the clamping position, and which projects into the channel (11g, 111g) in the clamping position.
7. Connecting device according to claim 3 and any of claims 4 to 6, characterized in that the first holder element (11, 111) has a top (11b, 111b), in that the channel (11g, 111g) is open toward the top and has two lateral surfaces opposite one another, in that the sheath (27, 127) of the conductor (25, 125) intended for connection to the connecting device is circular in cross-section and has an external diameter, and in that that lateral surface of the channel (11g, 111g) which is closer to the pivot axis (14, 114) is a distance away, in the direction perpendicular to the slot central line (23, 123), from the pivot axis (14, 114) and/or from that point of the web of the hinge (13, 113) which is closest to the channel (11g, 111g) which is less than the external diameter of the sheath (27, 127) and is preferably not more than 4 mm, and for example, not more than 3 mm.
8. Connecting device according to claim 3 and any of claims 4 to 7, characterized in that the first holder element (11, 111) is in general approximately cuboid and has a bottom (11a, 111a), a top (11b, 111b) facing away from said bottom, a back (11c, 111c) extending from the bottom (11a, 111a) towards the top (11b, 111b) and a front (11d, 111d) facing away from said back, in that the second holder element (12, 112) is in general approximately angular and has a top wall (12a, 112a) and a front wall (12b, 112b) making an angle therewith, in that, on connection of the top (11a, 111a) and back (11c, 111c) of the first holder element (11, 111), the or each web forming the hinge (13, 113) is associated with said holder element and with an edge of the top wall (12a, 112a) of the second holder element (12, 112) which faces away from the front wall (12h, 112h), and in that the catch means (11u, 12g, 111u, 112g) are arranged on the front (11d, 111d) of the first holder element (11) or on the front wall (12b, 112b) of the second holder element (12, 112).
9. Connecting device according to claim 8, characterized in that the top (111b) of the first holder element (111) has a generally approximately planar top surface having two lateral edges facing away from one another and extending from the back (111c) to the front (111d), in that the first holder element (111) has, at each lateral edge of the top surface, at least one appendage (111w) which projects beyond the top surface in a direction away from the bottom (111a), and in that the top wall (112a) of the second holder element (112) is present, in the clamping position, partly between the appendages (111w) arranged at the two lateral edges of the top surface of the first holder element (111).
10. Connecting device according to any of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the first holder element (11, 111) has a groove (11h) and in that the contact (21, 121) is formed from a lamella, fits at least partly in the groove (11h) and has at least one barb-like lug (21q) which engages the material of the first holder element (11, 111) at a boundary surface of the groove (11a).
11. Connecting device according to claim 10, characterized in that the groove (11h) of the first holder element (11, 111) and a section of the contact (21, 121) which fits therein have, in a plan view of the groove (11h), regions (11i, 11k, 21u, 21p) which are angled and/or bent relative to one another.
12. Connecting device according to any of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the contact (21, 121) has only a single insulation displacement terminal (21a, 121a) with only a single slot (21d, 121d), the contact (21, 121) preferably consisting of an integral body.
13. Connecting device according to any of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the hole (11r, 111r) is bounded in cross-section all round by the first holder element (11, 111) and in that the connection section (21r, 121r) of the contact (21, 121) is in the form of a plug contact pin for connection to a plug (31) of the cable (30), which plug (31) can be plugged into the hole (11r, 111r) and has a contact (33) which is springy at least in parts, and the hole (11r, 111r) and the plug contact pin of the contact (21, 121) having the insulation displacement terminal (21a, 121a) are then, for example, substantially rectangular in cross-section, or in that the connection section is in the form of a spring contact for connecting to a bare end section of a conductor (34) of the cable (30), which end section can be plugged into the hole (11r, 111r) and into the spring contact, or for connection to a plug (31) of the cable (30), which plug (31) can be plugged into the hole (11r).
14. Connecting device according to any of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the hole (11r, 111r) of the first holder element (11, 111) is formed in order to receive a section (32a) of a housing (32) of the plug (31).
15. Electrical arrangement comprising at least one connecting device (1, 101) according to any of claims 1 to 14 and comprising at least one electrical conductor (25, 62, 63, 65, 66, 67, 125) and at least one cable (30) and/or electrical device (43), characterized in that at least one conductor (25, 62, 63, 65, 66, 67, 125) is connected via the or a connecting device (1, 101) to the or a cable (30) and/or device (43).
16. Arrangement according to claim 15, characterized in that it has a device in the form of a light band illumination device (43) and having at least one support rail (45) bounding a channel and at least one row of illumination units (51) each having at least one electrical lamp (55) and conductors (62, 63, 65, 66, 67) running along the row, which row is fastened to the support rail (45) or to the support rails (45) and which conductors run through the channel of the or at least one support rail (45) and/or through housings (53) of the illumination unit (51), and in that at least some of the illumination units (51) are connected to at least two conductors (62, 63, 65, 66, 67) via connecting devices (1, 101), preferably at least two conductors (62, 63, 65, 66, 67) running continuously and without interruption from the first to the last illumination unit (51) of the row.
17. Use of at least one electrical connecting device (1, 101) according to any of claims 1 to 14 for connecting an electrical conductor (25, 62, 63, 65, 66, 67, 125) to an electrical cable (30) and/or an electrical device (43).
18. Use according to claim 17, a longitudinal section of the conductor (25, 62, 63, 65, 66, 67, 125) being arranged between the two holder elements (11, 12, 111, 112) when the holder (3, 103) is in the open position, the two holder elements (11, 12, 111, 112) being pressed exclusively manually towards one another and/or against a support surface in order to pivot them relative to one another into the clamping position, the longitudinal section of the conductor (25, 62, 63, 65, 57), in the open position of the hole (3, 103) being introduced, for example, between a hinge (13, 113) connecting the two holder elements (11, 12, 111, 112) to one another and a channel (11g, 111g) of the first holder element (11, 111) holding the contact (11, 111) and/or at least with a cross-sectional region into the channel (11g, 111g) and then, if the two holder elements (11, 12, 111, 112) are pivoted relative to one another into the clamping position, being pressed by the second holder element (12, 112) into the slot (21d, 121d) of the insulation displacement terminal (21a, 121a), only a single conductor (25, 62, 63, 65, 66, 67, 125) being introduced with only a single electrically conducting core (26, 126) into the same holder (3, 103), and the electrically conducting core (26, 126) consisting, for example, of a wire having a solid cross-section or possibly of a wire strand having a bundle of wire fibres.
19. Use according to claim 17 or 18, the electrical device being in the form of a light band illumination device (43) and having at least one row of illumination units (51) held on a ceiling (41) of a room and at least two conductors (62, 63, 65, 66, 67) extending along the row of illumination units, and at least some of the illumination units (51) being connected via connecting devices (1, 101) in an electrically conductive manner to at least two conductors (62, 63, 65, 66, 67).
20. Use according to claim 19, a support rail (45) serving for supporting a row of illumination units (51) and bounding a channel being mounted on the ceiling (41) of a room and conductors (62, 63, 65, 66, 67) and the illumination units (51) are mounted on the support rail (45), the connecting devices (1, 101) serving for connecting an illumination unit (51) to conductors (62, 63, 65, 66, 67) being connected by cables (30) to connections (57) of the illumination unit (51), the conductors (62, 63, 65, 66, 67), after assembly of the light band illumination device (43), running through the channel of the support rail (45) and/or through housings (53) of the illumination unit (51), and the connecting devices (1, 101) preferably being connected to the conductors (62, 63, 65, 66, 67) only after the connection to the connections (57).

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