EP1855356B1 - Connecting device for multiconductor cables - Google Patents

Abstract

A connector arrangement comprises a displacing mechanism (31, 40) for displacing an actuator plate (27) downwardly to press cable conductors into insulation-piercing engagement with the associated respective electrical contacts (9). The displacing mechanism includes a wedge (30) between the actuator plate and a housing cover (28) and operable by the actuator plate during the initial displacement of the cover from a partially displaced position from the base toward a position over the base to displace the cable downwardly into insulation-piercing engagement with contact knife edges. A connector arrangement for connecting an insulated conductor (3) of a flat multi-conductor cable (2) with a tapped-off branch conductor comprises a housing base (6) including a rectangular base (8). Insulation-piercing electrical contacts carried by the base extend upwardly from the base upper surface. The upper extremities of the contacts have knife edges. A horizontal actuator plate is connected with the base for displacement between an upper position above the contacts toward a lower position adjacent the contacts. The spacing distance between the actuator plate and the contacts is greater than the thickness of the flat cable to permit the longitudinal horizontal introduction of the flat cable between the actuator plate and the contacts with the conductors of the cables above the contacts, respectively. A displacing mechanism for displacing the actuator plate downwardly to press the cable conductors into insulation-piercing engagement with the associated respective contacts includes a housing cover arranged horizontally above and spaced from the actuator plate. A connector connects the cover for longitudinal sliding displacement relative to the base between a partially displaced position from the base and a position over the base. A wedge between the actuator plate and the cover is operable by the actuator plate during the initial displacement of the cover from the partially displaced position to the position over the base to displace the cable downwardly into insulation-piercing engagement with the contact knife edges. Branch conductors are connected with the contacts, respectively.

Description

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

Such connection devices - even with insulation-penetrating contacts - are known per se, so from the DE 34 22 607 C2 and the generic DE 44 02 837 A1 ,

Connecting devices for the ends of flat cables reveal the US 5,429,526 , the DE 44 36 829 A1 discloses a connection device according to the preamble of claim 1, the DE 92 10 333 U1 , the US 4,252,396 and the US 5,076,801 ,

Nevertheless, there is a need for further development, in particular with regard to a fast and reliable wiring even of flat cables with relatively many conductors.

The solution to this problem is the object of the invention. The invention has been disclosed in claim 1.

Thereafter, at least one of the wedge arrangements is designed for connecting the ribbon cable, in particular such that it is designed for sliding the flat cable onto the insulation-penetrating contacts, preferably until contacting the conductors and / or pushing the insulation-penetrating contacts onto the ribbon cable.

With the wedge arrangement relatively high circuit forces can be realized in a simple manner, so that even a multi-core cable is securely contacted with only a single movement.

Preferably, at least one or more of the wedge assemblies are further configured to activate a cable strain relief device. Thus, the advantageous wedge actuation technique is also used for the task of strain relief. This preferably occurs in such a way that the wedge arrangements for strain relief each have a wedge surface on the inside of the sliding cover, on which a respective web slides for strain relief during the wiring.

In order to prevent the wiring is made difficult, it is further preferably provided that the wedge assemblies for wiring and strain relief are coordinated so that the strain relief is activated only after the connection of the ribbon cable.

Most preferably, a screwdriver is used for contacting, which is adapted to perform the relative displacement of the wedges of the wedge assembly with a high leverage.

In this case, the wedges of the wedge arrangement are configured such that the flat cable is possibly pressed together with other elements (as described below) on the insulation-penetrating contacts.

The housing is constructed in several parts and has a base portion and a lid portion, which in turn are preferably designed in several parts. It is possible to make all parts of the base portion and the Deckelab-section substantially plate-like, so that the entire housing is relatively flat.

In this case, a sliding cover is preferably provided, which is displaceably guided on a base plate and having on its inside wedges which cooperate with wedges of a support plate, wherein the support plate is pressed together with the cable and a receiving plate for the cable as a unit on the insulation piercing contacts , This version is compact and still realizes a particularly safe wiring.

Further advantageous embodiments can be found in the dependent claims.

Fig. 1

eine Sprengansicht einer erfindungsgemäßen Anschlussvorrichtung;

Fig. 2 - 4

die Kontaktierung eines Flachkabels mit der Anschlussvorrichtung nach Art der Fig. 1 in drei Schritten jeweils in perspektivischer Ansicht;

Fig. 5a,b - 7a, b, c

die Kontaktierung des Flachkabels mit der Anschlussvorrichtung der Fig. 1 in mehreren Schritten jeweils in einer Schnittansicht und in einer Ausschnittsvergrößerung;

Fig. 8

einen Schnitt durch eine Anschlussvorrichtung; und

Fig. 9, 10

je verschiedene Ansichten von und Schnitte durch Flachkabel, die sich für einen Einsatz im Rahmen der Erfindung besonders eignen.

The invention will be described in more detail below with reference to the drawing with reference to exemplary embodiments. It shows:

Fig. 1

an explosive view of a connecting device according to the invention;

Fig. 2-4

the contacting of a flat cable with the connection device in the manner of Fig. 1 in three steps each in perspective view;

Fig. 5a, b - 7a, b, c

the contacting of the flat cable with the connection device of Fig. 1 in several steps, each in a sectional view and in an enlarged detail;

Fig. 8

a section through a connection device; and

Fig. 9, 10th

each different views of and cuts through flat cables, which are particularly suitable for use in the invention.

Fig. 1 shows an explosive view of a connection device 1, which is designed for contacting a flat cable 2, which usually has a plurality of conductors 3, which may each be surrounded by an insulation and embedded in a higher cable sheath 4. The flat cable may for example be a flat cable that is laid in a lift shaft.

The connecting device has a multi-part housing 5, which comprises a base portion 6 and a cover portion 7, which in turn are each preferably formed in several parts.

Thus, the base portion 6 a base plate 8, on which a plurality of insulation piercing contacts is arranged, which are here designed as Piercingkontakte 9, but which may also be formed as a cutting contacts.

Here, in / on the base plate 8, a plurality of Piercingkontakten 9 are arranged, which here in each case preferably each other angled aligned, crossed double points 10, 11 (see Fig. 5b ), which can be provided in addition to increase the insulation penetrating effect with cutting edges to ensure a particularly secure contact of the individual wires of the flat cable to be contacted.

The base plate 8 has two mutually parallel side webs 12, 13, which realize a guide for a later explained in more detail holding plate 18. Here, the side bars are higher than the flat cable 2, so that they project laterally beyond the edge of the inserted flat cable 2.

The isolationsdurchdringenden contacts 9 are preferably connected to the realization of a T-type branch on the flat cable 2 to other terminals, which are formed here, for example, as a particularly fast and easy contactable direct plug spring contacts 14 (see also Fig. 5b ), which could also be designed as tension spring contacts, also as IDC contacts as screw contacts or in any other way (not shown).

The insulation piercing contacts 9 protrude from the base plate 8 toward the flat cable 2 side with their tips 10, 11.

After the simple assembly method realized here, the insulation-piercing contacts together with the direct plug contacts 14 are respectively inserted in receiving chambers 15 in the base plate 8, which are designed so open to the side of the flat cable 2, that the insulation-penetrating contacts 9 in the assembly of this page in the Receiving chambers 15 are used.

At the side remote from the flat cable 2 side, the receiving chambers 15 may be provided with further openings which are configured such that branch conductor 17th (please refer Fig. 2 ; possibly also combined as a flat cable) and / or actuating tools (opening 16, Fig. 5 )) can be inserted to actuate the branch contacts in the receiving chambers 15, wherein the openings 16 are further designed so that the insulation piercing contacts (in particular piercing contacts) 9 can not be made from the on take-combs 15. For the branch conductor 17 8 clearances 33 are provided here on the side facing away from the flat cable 2 side of the base plate.

The receiving chambers 15 and the insulation-penetrating contacts for the different conductors of the flat cable 2 to be contacted may be arranged slightly offset in the direction of the longitudinal extent of the flat cable 2, so that the individual IDC contacts may also be slightly wider than the distance of the conductors of the flat cable 2. By way of example, eleven piercing contacts 9 are accommodated in a small space here.

So that the insulation-penetrating contacts 9 can not fail out of the receiving chambers 15, the receiving chambers 15 are covered by a cross-holding plate 18, which first latching means (here latching webs 19) may be latched with corresponding second latching means (here latching recesses 20) of the base plate.

The holding plate 18 is provided with openings, in particular slots 21, from which protrude the insulation piercing contacts in the direction of the flat cable 2 to be inserted.

On the holding plate 18 here an optional receiving plate 22 for receiving the flat cable can be placed, which preferably has a contouring 23, which corresponds to the contour of the shell of the flat cable to be contacted so that it is well aligned and centered in the contouring 23, which is safe Contacting is an advantage.

Also, the receiving plate 22 has here first locking means (here again latching webs 24), which allows a latching to corresponding latching means (here again latching recesses 25) of the base plate 8.

The receiving plate 22 is in turn provided with openings, in particular slots 26, from which protrude the insulation-penetrating contacts 9 in the contacted state.

In the non-contacted state, the receiving plate 22 is still so high on the base plate 8, that the insulation piercing contacts 9 do not protrude from it, so that the flat cable can be placed. The receiving plate 22 is displaceable perpendicular to the flat cable to the base plate 8 for contacting.

The holding plate 18 and the receiving plate 22 could also be integrally formed (not shown here).

For contacting the flat cable 2 is first inserted into the receiving plate 22 of the preassembled base portion of the housing, so that it is safely centered directly above the double points 10, 11 of the insulation-penetrating contacts 9 ( Fig. 2 ; Fig. 5 ).

The actual contacting of the flat cable is then carried out with the aid of the lid portion 7, which also serves as an actuating unit and which is guided displaceably relative to the base portion.

This actuating unit consists of a support plate 27 which can be placed on the base section receiving the flat cable 2 and a sliding cover 28.

The support plate 27 has a contour - here lateral webs 29 - which cooperates with the contour - in particular the side bars 12, 13 - of the base portion such that the support plate 27 in the mounted state before the wiring, although perpendicular to the flat cable 2 in the direction of isolationsdurchdringenden Contacts 9 is movable, but not or substantially not in a direction parallel to the extension of the flat cable. 2

The actual contacting then takes place with the aid of the sliding cover 28, which is held displaceably on the base section, in particular of the base plate 8.

For this purpose, the sliding cover 28 on side webs 31 which engage the base plate 8 at webs 40 directly on their sides ( Fig. 8 ) or which cooperate with the base plate 8 in the manner of a tongue and groove arrangement.

In this way, the sliding cover 28 is slidably guided in the longitudinal direction of the flat cable at the base portion (Siege Fig. 2-7 ).

It is essential that between the sliding cover 28 and / or the support plate 27 at least one or preferably a plurality of wedge assemblies 30, 36, 37 are formed with wedge elements or wedge contours.

Wedge elements 32, 34 of the first wedge assembly 30 are designed such that when sliding the sliding cover 28 on the base plate parallel to the flat cable 2, the support plate 27 presses with the flat cable 2 and the receiving plate 22 perpendicular to the flat cable 2 on the insulation-penetrating contacts 9, what leads that the insulation piercing contacts 9 first penetrate / pierce the receiving plate and then the cable sheath 4 and the conductor insulations and contact the individual conductors 3.

The wedge elements 32, 34 come here below the sliding cover 28 to the plant ( Fig. 6 ).

The wedge elements 32, 34 may have a constant inclination angle α to the flat cable 2. The inclination or wedge angle α could, however, also be variable in the longitudinal direction of the flat cable 2 (not shown here).

Thus theoretically, instead of flat wedges, those with a curved top could also be used.

It is essential that the support plate 27 and the insulation-penetrating contacts 9 are moved towards each other by the wedge elements 32, 34 during displacement of the sliding cover 28, so that the insulation-penetrating contacts 9 contact the flat cable 2.

In addition, at least one web (s) 35 extending transversely to the flat cable 2 is or are formed on the support plate 27, which, after contacting, rotates the screwdriver further (FIG. Fig. 7 ) between the sliding cover 28 and the flat cable 2 is jammed, so that the flat cable 2 is securely clamped in the manner of a strain relief between the support plate 27 and the base portion 6 of the housing 5.

To activate this device for strain relief further wedge assemblies 36, 37 each provided with a wedge surface on the inside of the sliding cover 28, on which each one of the webs 35 slides along, wherein the wedge assemblies 30, 36, 37 are coordinated such that the strain relief is activated after connecting the ribbon cable.

The process of wiring is in Fig. 2 to 4 and 5 to 7 shown. The wiring is preferably carried out by means of a screwdriver which can be used in a recess 36 of the sliding cover 28 and with its tip on the base plate can be supported (see also Fig. 8 ) and with the preferably quickly and easily by means of a single pivoting movement, the wiring of the flat cable 2 can be done. To produce a branch on the continuous flat cable 2 then only the branch conductor 17 are to be connected.

Dismantling, if ever necessary, is also done with the aid of a screwdriver (not shown here).

Advantageous cables for wiring are in Fig. 9 and 10 shown. The flat cable 2 of Fig. 9 corresponds to the Fig. 1 , This differs from the coded ribbon cable of Fig. 10 in that in each case two of the conductors 3a, 3b in any case sections (at least up to the area to be connected) in so-called twisted pair technology are twisted together, which from the sections and front views of Fig. 10c, d, e becomes clear.

It is advantageous that the twisted together conductors 3a, 3b are arranged in a widened coding region 38 of the cable sheath, which is designed like a coding and thus always allows a correct wiring of this cable.

When wiring each one or more of the conductors this coded ribbon cable sections (section area 39) is severed to switch here an electronics between the two severed ends. Accordingly, several piercing contacts 9 for contacting the two ends of these conductors are provided for these conductors.

reference numeral

connection device

1

flat cable

2

ladder

3, 3a, 3b

cable sheath

4

casing

5

base portion

6

cover section

7

baseplate

8th

Piercing contacts

9

twin peaks

10, 11

sidebars

12, 13

Direct plug-spring contacts

14

receiving chambers

15

opening

16

branch conductor

17

Retaining plate

18

detent webs

19

recesses

20

slots

21

mounting plate

22

contouring

23

detent webs

24

recesses

25

support plate

27

sliding cover

28

Stege

29

Keilanodnung

30

sidebars

31

wedge contours

32, 34

clearances

33

Steg (e)

35

wedge formations

36, 37

coding region

38

Trimming area

39

Stege

40

tilt angle

α

Claims (34)

1. Connecting device for contacting conductors of a cable having a plurality of conductors (3), in particular conductors of a continuous flat ribbon cable (2), wherein the conductors may be surrounded by an insulation and embedded in a common cable sheath (4), comprising the following features:

   a. a multi-part housing (5) comprising a base section (6) for the accommodation of the cable (2) and a cover section (7),

   b. insulation-penetrating contacts, in particular piercing contacts (9), provided on/in the housing (5),

   c. one or more wedge arrangements (30, 36, 37),
   characterised in that

   d. at least one of the wedge arrangements (30) is designed for terminating the flat ribbon cable.
2. Connecting device according to claim 1, characterised in that the at least one wedge arrangement (30) for terminating the flat ribbon cable is designed for pushing the flat ribbon cable onto the insulation-penetrating contacts (9), preferably until the conductors are contacted, and/or for pushing the insulation-penetrating contacts (9) onto the flat ribbon cable.
3. Connecting device according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that one or more of the wedge arrangements (36, 37) is/are designed for activating a device for the tensile stress relief of the cable.
4. Connecting device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that the wedge arrangements for termination and tensile stress relief are matched to each other such that tensile stress relief is activated only after the termination of the flat ribbon cable.
5. Connecting device according to claim 1, characterised in that the cover section (17) is completely or partially slidable relative to the base section (6).
6. Connecting device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that each of the wedge arrangements (36, 37) for tensile stress relief has a wedge surface on the inside of the sliding cover (38) on which a web (35) slides along the support plate (27) for tensile stress relief during the termination process.
7. Connecting device according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the base section (6) has a base plate (8) on which a majority of the insulation-penetrating contacts is arranged.
8. Connecting device according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the base plate (8) has lateral webs (12, 13) between which the flat ribbon cable (2) to be contacted can be placed.
9. Connecting device according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the insulation-penetrating contacts (9) are connected to further connections for implementing a branch on the flat ribbon cable (2).
10. Connecting device according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the further connections are designed as direct plug-in compression spring contacts (14).
11. Connecting device according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the insulation-penetrating contacts together with the direct plug-in contacts (14) are installed into receptacle chambers (15) in the base plate (8).
12. Connecting device according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the receptacle chambers (15) are open towards the side of the flat ribbon cable (2).
13. Connecting device according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the receptacle chambers (15) and the insulation-penetrating contacts (9) are offset with respect to each other in the longitudinal dimension of the flat ribbon cable (2).
14. Connecting device according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the receptacle chambers (15) are covered by an overlapping retaining plate (18).
15. Connecting device according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the retaining plate (18) is provided with latching means (19) which can be latched to corresponding latching means (latching recesses 20) provided on the base plate.
16. Connecting device according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the retaining plate (18) is provided with openings, in particular slots (21), through which the insulation-penetrating contacts project towards the flat ribbon cable (2) to be installed.
17. Connecting device according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that a mounting plate (22) can be placed on the retaining plate (18).
18. Connecting device according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the mounting plate (22) has a contour (23) which corresponds to a contour of the flat ribbon cable (2).
19. Connecting device according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the mounting plate (22) is provided with first latching means (22), in particular latching webs (24), which can be latched to corresponding latching means, in particular latching recesses (25).
20. Connecting device according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the mounting plate (22) is provided with further openings, in particular slots (26).
21. Connecting device according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the mounting plate (22) can in the not yet contacted state be placed on the base plate (8) at so high a level that the insulation-penetrating contacts (9) do not project therefrom.
22. Connecting device according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the cover section is designed as an operating unit comprising a support plate (27) and a sliding cover (28).
23. Connecting device according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the sliding cover (28) is slidably guided on the base plate (8).
24. Connecting device according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the support plate (27) has a contour which acts together with the contour of the base section in such a way that the support plate (27) is movable at right angles to the flat ribbon cable (2) in the direction of the insulation-penetrating contacts (9), but substantially not in a direction parallel to the flat ribbon cable (2) in the assembled state before termination.
25. Connecting device according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the support plate (27) is provided with recesses and/or openings (30) for the insulation-penetrating contacts (9).
26. Connecting device according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the sliding cover (28) comprises lateral webs (31) which engage the sides of the base plate (8) from below.
27. Connecting device according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that at least one or preferably several wedge elements or wedge contours (32, 34) is/are provided between the sliding cover (28) and/or the support plate (27) for the implementation of the wedge arrangement.
28. Connecting device according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the wedge elements (32, 34) are designed such that, as the sliding cover (28) is pushed onto the base plate (8) parallel to the flat ribbon cable (2), the sliding cover pushes the support plate (27) with the flat ribbon cable (2) and possibly with the mounting plate (22) onto the insulation-penetrating contacts (9) at right angles to the flat ribbon cable (2), so that the insulation-penetrating contacts (9) first penetrate/pierce the mounting plate and then the cable sheath (4) and the conductor insulation and contact the individual conductors (3).
29. Connecting device according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the wedge elements have a constant angle of inclination (α) with respect to the flat ribbon cable (2).
30. Connecting device according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the wedge elements (32, 34) are designed such that, as the sliding cover (28) is displaced, the support plate (27) and the insulation-penetrating contacts (9) are moved towards each other, so that the insulation-penetrating contacts (9) contact the flat ribbon cable (2).
31. Connecting device according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the web (35) of the tensile stress relieving device extending at right angles to the flat ribbon cable (2), which is clamped to the flat ribbon cable (2) following the contacting between the sliding cover (28) and the flat ribbon cable (2) in the manner of tensile stress relief, is formed on the support plate (27).
32. Connecting device according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that each of the insulation-penetrating contacts (9) has a twin tip (10, 11).
33. Connecting device according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that in the terminated state one or more of the conductors of the coded flat ribbon cable is/are severed in sections (sectional region 39), and in that for these conductors several of the insulation-penetrating contacts (9) are provided for contacting the two ends of these conductors.
34. Connecting device according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the cable is a flat ribbon cable (2) with two outer conductors (3a, 3b) which are twisted using twisted pair technology, wherein the twisted conductors (3 a, 3b) are located in a widened coding region (38) of the cable sheath.

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