EP2190070B1 - Connection device with phase selection - Google Patents

Abstract

The connection device (1) has a rotating phase-selection element (2) and a receptacle for the phase-selection element, where a tapping unit is arranged in an eccentric arrangement on the phase selection element. The phase-selection element and receptacle are formed complementary to each other, where a phase selection is possible in three-rotational positions of the phase selection element.

Description

The invention relates to a connection device for stripping-free Anzapfkontaktierung a multi-phase flat cable, which makes it possible to tap only one of the wires belonging to the different phases, so make a "phase selection".

Connection devices with which a continuous flat cable with several, lying in a plane power conductors (eg for 380V three-phase) can be tapped without separation of the wires and without removal of wire and cable insulation, have been known for over 30 years. An early publication in this respect from the applicant's home is, for example, the German patent application DE-AS 2 206 187 , Tapped screws are used as tapping contacts. The connection is made by the connecting device with its housing - initially without the contact screws - placed on the cable and then the cable is also enclosed on the back of a housing plate. Finally, the tap is done by the guided in the housing with internal threads contact screws are screwed into the flat cable. They penetrate with their tip, first the outer insulation of the flat cable, then the respective core insulation, and finally penetrate with the tip in the head of each vein. This contacts the relevant wire.

A three-phase load must be connected to all three phase conductors; Single-phase consumers, however, are only connected to a phase conductor (and the neutral conductor as a return conductor). To balance the three-phase system symmetrically, the various single-phase loads of a consumer unit (e.g., a building) are to be connected to the three phase conductors with approximately equal distribution.

It would be conceivable to provide correspondingly three different prefabricated types of connection devices, each type each allowing connection to a specific phase conductor. To avoid such expense, but still be able to flexibly choose a specific phase conductor in the field installation, a connection device is desirable in which the tapable wire is not fixed, but which allows the installer, the desired phase conductor only during installation to choose by a corresponding adjustment of the device.

For this purpose, there are already various proposals in the prior art.

In the aforementioned DE-AS 2 206 187 already mentioned the possibility, if necessary, to tap only the wire of one of the three phase conductors by screwing in only the corresponding contact screw (hereinafter the conductor forming a phase conductor is also called "phase core" for short).

In a known type of connection device, a contact slide is provided as a phase selector. This can be moved linearly to select the desired phase across the cable (at a 90 ° angle or slightly inclined to the cable longitudinal direction) (see eg WO 00/41277 . DE 196 15 597 . DE 197 46 493 . DE 41 27 899 ).

A second known type has the phase selection, however, a bridge-like arm (see, eg DE 199 43 734 and DE 38 18 078 ).

These known connection devices are partly not yet considered to be optimal in terms of operation, partly they are structurally relatively expensive. The aim of the present invention is to provide a connection device with phase selection that has been further developed in this regard.

The connecting device according to the invention for stripping-free tap contact of a multi-phase flat cable has a rotatable phase selector and a receptacle for the phase selector. On the phase selector a tapping device is arranged in eccentric arrangement. The phase selection element and the receptacle are complementary to each other in a 120 ° rotational symmetry (hereinafter abbreviated to "120 ° symmetry"). This 120 ° symmetry makes it possible to contact one of the plurality of phase conductors with a tap contact, ie a phase selection, in three predetermined rotational positions of the phase selection element.

The connecting device according to the invention is designed to allow the tapping of a continuous flat cable with several, lying in a plane power conductors (eg for 380V three-phase) without separation of the wires and without removal of wire and cable insulation. The term "tapping device" stands here as a generic term for various possibilities of embodiment. As will be explained in more detail below, can the tapping device can be designed, for example, as a guide for a tapping contact that is movable in the tapping direction, into which the tapping contact has already been inserted and only has to be moved in to tap the flat cable. It is also conceivable that the tapping contact is not yet inserted into the guide, so that the guide alone forms the tapping device. Furthermore, the tapping device can also be configured as a tapping contact fixed in the tapping direction or as a loading element for a tapping contact. Tapped screws, for example, can be used as tapping contacts that are movable in the tapping direction. The preparation of a connection then takes place, for example, by the fact that the contact screw is screwed into the flat cable. It penetrates with its tip, first the outer insulation of the flat cable, then the core insulation of the selected phase core, and finally penetrates with the tip in the head of the selected phase wire and contacts them hereby.

The terminal device according to the invention thus permits on-site phase selection (i.e., at the point of manufacture of the terminal) by means of the rotatable phase selector. The tapping device is arranged eccentrically to the axis of rotation of the phase selector element. The "rotation axis" may be the imaginary axis around which the phase selector member is to be rotated to reach the various phase selection positions, or a structural axis with which the phase selector member is mounted on the receiver. Due to the eccentric arrangement of the tapping device to the axis of rotation of the phase selector, the rotation of the phase selector leads to a movement of the tapping device along a circular path about the axis of rotation, and thus to the necessary offset transversely to the cable longitudinal direction to contact the desired phase core. In this case, the eccentricity, that is to say the distance of the tapping device from the axis of rotation, is chosen such that the said circular path reaches at least the selectable phase core (or cores) furthest from the axis of rotation. In the case of an odd number of phases (i.a., three phases), the axis of rotation is arranged, for example, over the middle phase core. In this case, the eccentricity has at least the size of the distance between the middle phase conductor and the most distant phase conductor.

The complementary design of phase selector and inclusion in the 120 ° symmetry is such that the recording can accommodate the phase selector only in certain rotational positions, and only in three rotational positions, which are angularly spaced apart by 120 °. Only in one of these rotational positions, it is possible, for example, the phase selector Press down in the recording and thus make a phase selection. Said 120 ° symmetry relates functionally to the ability of the phase selector to be placed in a position which allows the tapping contact to penetrate into the flat cable. The outer shape of the phase selector and / or receiver can - unless it is decisive for this function - deviate from the 120 ° symmetry. For example, in the case of an image in the form of an equilateral triangle, one of the corners of the triangle could be cut off in the case of the complementary phase selection element. As far as the pure (non-functional effective) shaping is concerned, the 120 ° symmetry would be broken in view of the missing corner. Since, however, the said function would also be ensured with the cut-off corner, the phase-selection element can be brought into contacting position only in one of the three angular positions spaced apart by 120 °, the 120 ° symmetry is safeguarded in the functional sense on which it is based.

Strictly speaking, the fact that there is only a single eccentrically arranged tap means a break of the 120 ° symmetry (with strict 120 ° symmetry, three such devices would have to be provided). But the fact that only one such device is present on the 120 ° -symmetric phase selector just leads to the fact that only one of three possible phases can be selected.

On other parts of the phase selector and the recording, which do not directly affect their interaction, the requirement for the 120 ° -symmetrical training does not relate; these can be asymmetrical with respect to 120 °. For example, in some embodiments, a handle (e.g., a type of twist grip) is molded to the phase selector member that does not have a 120 ° symmetry.

In a similar functional way, the term "complementary" is to be understood. It is intended to express that the phase selection element and the recording fit together in such a way that the said function is achieved, that is, contacting (only) in the three positions is possible. "Complementary" does not mean, however, that the shaping of the phase selector and the recording must be the same, as the above example shows with the cut off corner.

In the flat cable are (at least) the selectable for contacting phase conductors equally spaced. It is namely a property of 120 ° symmetry that at a Arrangement of the phase selector, wherein the axis of rotation is disposed over the middle of the three selectable phase conductors and in one of the three selectable angular positions, the eccentric tapping means over the middle phase core, the device in the other two possible angular positions at the same distance left or right of the center wire comes to rest (namely, the three contact positions lie on the corners of an equilateral triangle). The 120 ° symmetry of the fully (ie by 360 °) rotatable phase selector thus forms the geometric equivalent of the equal spacing of the phase conductors in the cable. A flat cable of the type mentioned are, for example, from the document mentioned above DE-AS 2 206 187 known.

The connection device has a relatively simple structure due to the 120 ° symmetry of the phase selector element and at the same time allows intuitive, simple and safe local selection on site. Compared to the aforementioned prior art phase selectors, which operate with linear displacement, no additional space in the cable transverse direction is required in her. The aforementioned prior art connectors with swivel bridges or fork contacts are structurally relatively expensive; In addition, with them all the phase wire - even the ultimately unselected - tapped with a tap, while in the present connection device only the wire of the selected phase conductor needs to be tapped; i.e. there is only a puncture of the isolation of one, namely the actually selected phase core.

In an optional embodiment of the invention, the restriction of the tapping on the only three said angular positions is achieved in that the receptacle is formed as a recess, and the phase selector can only be used in the three allowed by the 120 ° symmetry rotational positions in the depression. For example, the recess and the phase selector may be substantially in the shape of an isosceles triangle oriented relative to the flat cable such that the projection of one of its bisectors perpendicular to the cable coincides with the middle one of the three phase conductors. That in this case only one of the phase conductors can be contacted, based on the fact that the phase selector has only one tapping device.

In one embodiment of the connection device, it may be in the eccentrically arranged on the phase selector tap device, for example, a guide for a tap contact and the tap itself act, the tap - will be explained in more detail below - is designed to be movable in the direction of the cable core (eg, in the manner of a screw-in contact screw). The connection device is therefore already supplied, for example, with the tapping contact inserted into the guide, so that the installer no longer has to insert the tapping contact into the guide in a separate operation during its installation. So that the tapping contact - for example, during transport of the connecting device or during their installation - does not fall out of the guide, this can be provided for a loss-protection. This can be configured such that the inner geometry of the guide is approximately complementary to the outer geometry of the tap contact and also the inner surface of the guide is at least partially made of an elastic material, so that by the resulting frictional force, the movement of the tap contact in the Guide is inhibited to a certain extent, a turning of the tap contact in tapping is, however, possible. However, other variants of such a loss protection are also conceivable, such as, for example, a closable cover of the guide or another releasable holder. These variants could be used, for example, when the guide and tapping contact are not complementary, but the internal geometry of the guide is greater than the external geometry of the tapping contact and the guide does not lead the tapping contact in a predetermined direction, but accordingly only as "implementation "is designed for the tap.

However, the tap contact does not necessarily have to be inserted in the eccentrically arranged tapping device, but it may also be provided only the guide. In such an embodiment of the tapping device, the phase selection would still be performed by rotation of the phase selector without the tapping contact engaged, and only in the next step would the tapping contact be used (e.g., the contact screw inserted into the guide). Thus, the connection device is here supplied, for example, without tapping contact, so that the latter is inserted into the guide only at a later time (for example as part of the installation). This can be useful, for example, if the connection device is prepared for different types of tapping contacts and initially should remain open, which type should actually be used.

Alternatively, the tapping device can also be designed as a tapping contact which is fixed in the tapping direction, in which case no guide has to be provided for it. Yet another alternative is in the connection device for each tappable phase a tap contact in "waiting position" available. After the phase selection (ie rotation of the phase selector in the respective angular position) is pressed by applying an eccentrically arranged on the phase selector Beaufschlagungselement only belonging to the selected phase conductor tap contact in the cable, so that also only the selected phase core is contacted. The loading element is, for example, a ram guided in the phase selection element.

In another embodiment, the possibility for the penetration of the tap contact is limited to the three said rotational positions, that the receptacle has three passage openings for the tap contact in 120 ° symmetry. These can be configured for example as threaded holes and allow the passage of the tap contact to the flat cable and thus the contacting of the selected phase core only in one of the three rotational positions. This measure can be provided in embodiments with recording in the form of a 120 ° -symmetric recess (as stated above); but it is possible that the 120 ° -symmetrical arrangement of the passages mentioned here alone ensures that the tap can only take place in one of the three said rotational positions.

In an optional embodiment, the phase selector can be locked in the course of the phase selection, namely after the rotation of the phase selector element and possibly its depression in the recording in one of the three said rotational positions. The lock ensures that the phase selector does not come off the selected position again. With her so a lock is made in terms of phase selection. In addition, in some embodiments, it may represent a way in which the phase selector can absorb the reaction force that the flat cable opposes to the tapping contact when pressed.

In one embodiment, the locking is done by locking the phase selector in the recording. For this purpose, for example, a catch undercut arrangement may be provided on the phase selector member and the receiver, which initially deforms elastically upon insertion of the phase selector member into the phase selection recess of the receiver and then locks into place.

In an optional further embodiment, the lock is non-destructive non-solvable, so that the once made phase selection is non-destructive non-reversible. This means For example, that the phase selector can not be taken out of the recording after making the phase selection, without the connection device thereby destroyed (ie significantly impaired in terms of their functionality or rendered useless). In embodiments with latching, for example, a detent undercut arrangement is self-locking, so that the catch breaks during the violent pulling out of the phase selector and thus in a possible attempt to use it again in the recording, the locking function is no longer available. By these measures is (largely) prevented that at the site of a once tapped a certain phase wire - with the consequent violation of the isolation of this wire - another phase core can be tapped. This helps to prevent the isolation of another phase wire from being damaged in the vicinity of a phase-amp tap (but this measure can not preclude such a "phase-select change" because a plumber could use a virginal connector for repeated installation after a first tap attempt , and could choose a different phase than the first attempt, but at least this possibility is excluded with the first connection device used). This measure is for safety, since such insulation injury would represent a reduction in the effective creepage distance.

Despite the irreversibility of the phase selection, in some embodiments not the connection device is unusable once the phase has been selected (eg the phase selection element has been pressed into the receptacle and locked in.) The connection device can also be removed from the flat cable without damage even after the phase selection has been made By way of example, the phase selection element has a guide which can be rotated in the three angular positions and the receptacle in the said angular positions has three through openings with internal thread mountings for the tapping element in the form of a contact screw The actual tap connection takes place after the (first) phase selection, in which the phase selection element was irreversibly locked in one of the three rotational positions in the receptacle by screwing the contact screw in. Di e connecting device can be removed after unscrewing the contact screw again from the flat cable and attached to another point in the cable longitudinal direction back to this become. In order to contact the same phase conductor again at this new position, it is only necessary to re-screw in the contact screw (no further phase selection).

According to one optional refinement, the part of the phase selection element that is complementary to the receptacle is mainly designed as a rotatable plate which is oriented perpendicular to the axis of rotation.

As already mentioned above, the axis of rotation may be an imaginary axis. The installer would in this case rotate the phase selector "free-flying" to the angular position corresponding to the desired phase and insert it in this position in the receptacle.

In order to facilitate the phase selection, however, there are embodiments in which the axis of rotation is structurally defined. It is in embodiments in which the phase selector can be inserted into the receptacle, an axially displaceable pivot bearing. For example, in one of these embodiments for defining the axis of rotation of the phase selector member, an axially displaceable stub axle stub bearing arrangement is provided between the phase selector and the receptacle. For example, the stub axle at the bottom of the receptacle may be arranged directed in the center of the phase selector; the bearing for this axle stub e.g. in the form of a complementary to the stub shaft hole with sufficient length for the axial displacement is then found in the phase selector. In other embodiments, conversely, the phase selector is equipped with the stub axle; in the bottom of the receptacle is then found e.g. a bore forming the bearing.

Alternatively or in addition to the axle stub axle stub bearing arrangement, in other embodiments, the connection device for defining the axis of rotation of the phase selector element on a circular recess. This leads the phase selector rotatably on the recording. The inner radius of the circular recess preferably corresponds to the largest radial extent of the cooperating with the depression portion of the phase selector (ie in a phase selector in the form of an equilateral triangle, for example, the distance of the corners of the triangle from the fulcrum). Such causes an axis definition, analogous to the stub axle stub bearing arrangement. In addition, the circular recess but facilitates the management of the phase selector element over the recording during the rotary movement.

In an optional embodiment, a handle is provided on the phase selector. This makes it easier for the installer to turn the phase selector and, if necessary, to insert it into the receptacle. Advantageously, the handle in each of the three possible rotational positions on a mark that identifies the phase in question. From this, the respectively selectable or already selected phase is readable, which helps to avoid confusion in the. To avoid phase selection or to check the phase selection made. For example, the handle may have a shape that is reminiscent of a pointer (or may have a pointer icon attached to it). The pointer points depending on the rotational position of the phase selector element on the relevant phase marker.

In a further embodiment, the handle, made of insulating material, has the function of a contact protection as an alternative or in addition. And although it encloses the bleed contact at least partially. In particular, in embodiments with a tapping contact in the form of a contact screw, it encloses the screw head, e.g. in the manner of a tube. When screwing in the screw head lowers, so that it is surrounded by a protruding insulating skirt at the moment of contacting. This provides some protection against accidental contact of the then possibly live screw head. Incidentally, the apron also has the function of guiding the contact screw when screwing.

In some embodiments, as already mentioned, the tapping contact is a contact screw made of conductive material (eg metal) that can be turned in the tapping direction. The thread of the screw gets in her screwing in contact with the likewise electrically conductive internal thread of the respective passage opening. The internal threads of the openings in turn are electrically connected, for example, with a leading through the connecting device connecting web. The connecting bridge provides for the current transfer, for example, to an outlet connection on the housing of the connecting device. The internal thread of the passage opening also absorbs the reaction force, which opposes the flat cable to the tap contact when turning it in (so that in this variant, this function is not perceived by the above-mentioned latch). As an alternative to threads in the passage openings can also be provided in the guide for the tap an internal thread, which is electrically connected, for example, with the stub axle of the phase selector. In this case, the stub axle stub bearing assembly is designed as a rotary electrical connection, so that the power transfer from the rotatable phase selector to an outgoing port.

In a configuration with contact screw, there are various possibilities for the order of the individual operations during installation of the connection device. For example, first of all the connecting device can be placed on the flat cable to be tapped on the point of the flat cable provided for the connection. Then the installer can make the phase selection by rotation of the phase selector, pushing in and possibly locking in the recording. The order of these two steps can also be reversed. In general, only then the contact screw is screwed in and thus tapped the selected phase wire. Because if the phase selector is already in its final position immediately above the phase core, the contact screw is well managed and therefore will hit the core exactly in the middle. The tapping of the flat cable is thus decoupled from the phase selection. Alternatively, however, embodiments are possible in which first the contact screw is screwed and then the phase selector member is depressed. In this case, the tapping of the selected phase conductor occurs simultaneously with the phase selection (this corresponds to the procedure for designs with fixed tapping contact - see below). Finally, it is also possible, with not yet attached to the cable connection device already make the phase selection (and already screw it in versions with contact screw), and press the housing part with the out standing contact screw (or out standing fixed blade contact) on the flat cable , and thereby make the contact.

When uninstalling the connection device, the contact screw can then first be unscrewed and then the connection device can be removed from the flat cable. As already mentioned above, in those configurations in which the phase selection is non-destructive, the connection device can be replaced at another point of the flat cable and the contact screw can be screwed in again while retaining the once selected phase for tapping. If, on the other hand, it is provided that the phase selection is reversible, the phase selection element can be taken out of the recording again and a different phase selected. In this case, the reinstallation can be carried out analogously to the first installation.

In contrast, in another embodiment of the connection device, the tap contact is designed as a contact blade fixed relative to the phase selection element (the fixed tap element referred to herein as "contact blade" can also be conical, that is, more in the form of a "contact dome"). Stripping-free tap with the help of such, at least in the direction of tap fixed contact blades is for example from EP 0 726 623 A1 to which reference is hereby made for further details of the contact blades. In this embodiment, the tapping of the flat cable is made, for example in the course of the phase selection with the depression and locking of the phase selector. Alternatively, as mentioned above, the phase selection may be made with the connection device not yet pressed onto the cable, and only then the connection device pressed onto the cable. A guide ensures (similar to the guide for the contact screw), even in these two embodiments, that the fixed contact blade not only penetrates just above the wire to be contacted, but is also moved exactly in the direction of the wire to meet the conductor in the middle. For example, forms in a pivotally aufdrückbaren contact housing part according to the EP 0 726 623 A1 the housing pivot bearing such a guide.

Theoretically, a three-phase cable needs only three phase conductors, so that a flat cable to be tapped with only three power cores and a connecting device designed for this purpose are conceivable. In general, however, a neutral conductor (also neutral) is required, and usually also a separate protective conductor, so that the flat cable to be tapped has four or five power cores. Accordingly, the connection device in such embodiments, in addition to the tapping device on the phase selector further tapping contacts for contacting the neutral and the protective conductor.

In some embodiments, the flat cable eventually additionally comprises one or more data lines, as for example in the EP 0 665 608 B1 is described. For stripping-free tap also the data line, this embodiment is also equipped with special tap contacts for the data line.

The connection device described is particularly suitable for large installations, eg in large office buildings, where it is particularly important to minimize the amount of work in the initial installation and flexibility in terms of possible subsequent installations.

• Fig. 1 eine perspektivische Gesamtansicht einer ersten Ausführungsform der Anschlussvorrichtung mit Verrastung an den Ecken des Phasenwahlglieds, wobei das Phasenwahlglied in einer die Kontaktierung einer Phasenader erlaubenden Drehstellung ist;
• Fig. 2 eine Draufsicht auf die Anschlussvorrichtung von Fig. 1, wobei das Phasenwahlglied in der gleichen Stellung wie in Fig. 1 ist;
• Fig. 3 eine Draufsicht entsprechend Fig. 2, wobei das Phasenwahlglied jedoch in einer Drehstellung zwischen zwei eine Kontaktierung erlaubenden Drehstellungen ist;
• Fig. 4 eine perspektivische Gesamtansicht der Anschlussvorrichtung von Fig. 1 nach dem Eindrücken und Verrasten des Phasenwahlglieds in der Aufnahme;
• Fig. 5 einen Querschnitt durch die Anschlussvorrichtung von Fig. 1, wobei das Phasenwahlglied in einer die Kontaktierung erlaubenden Drehstellung ist, aber noch nicht in die Aufnahme eingedrückt ist;
• Fig. 6 einen Querschnitt entsprechend Fig. 5, aber nun mit in die Aufnahme eingedrücktem und in dieser arretiertem Phasenwahlglied;
• Fig. 7 einen Querschnitt entsprechend Fig. 6, aber nun mit hineingedrehter Kontaktschraube;
• Fig. 8 eine perspektivische Gesamtansicht einer anderen Ausführungsform mit einer kreisförmigen Vertiefung zur Führung des drehbaren Phasenwahlglieds und Verrastung an dessen Schenkelpartien ;
• Fig. 9 eine Draufsicht auf die Anschlussvorrichtung von Fig. 8, mit einer Stellung des Phasenwahlglieds entsprechend Fig. 8;
• Fig. 10 einen Querschnitt durch eine Anschlussvorrichtung gemäß Fig. 8 mit einer Darstellung der Stromführung von der kontaktierten Flachkabelader bis zum Abgangsanschluss;
• Fig. 11 einen vergrößerten Querschnitt einer Anschlussvorrichtung entsprechend Fig. 10.

Various embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings. Show:

• Fig. 1 an overall perspective view of a first embodiment of the connection device with locking at the corners of the phase selector, wherein the phase selector member is in a contacting the phase conductor permitting rotational position;
• Fig. 2 a plan view of the connection device of Fig. 1 , wherein the phase selector in the same position as in Fig. 1 is;
• Fig. 3 a plan view accordingly Fig. 2 However, the phase-selecting element is in a rotational position between two rotational positions allowing a contacting;
• Fig. 4 an overall perspective view of the connecting device of Fig. 1 after impressing and locking the phase selector in the receptacle;
• Fig. 5 a cross section through the connecting device of Fig. 1 wherein the phase selector is in a rotational position permitting contacting, but not yet pressed into the receptacle;
• Fig. 6 a cross section accordingly Fig. 5 but now with pressed into the recording and locked in this phase selector;
• Fig. 7 a cross section accordingly Fig. 6 but now with screwed contact screw;
• Fig. 8 an overall perspective view of another embodiment with a circular recess for guiding the rotatable phase selector and latching on the leg portions thereof;
• Fig. 9 a plan view of the connection device of Fig. 8 , corresponding to a position of the phase selector Fig. 8 ;
• Fig. 10 a cross section through a connecting device according to Fig. 8 with a representation of the current flow from the contacted flat cable conductor to the outlet connection;
• Fig. 11 an enlarged cross-section of a connecting device according to Fig. 10 ,

Both embodiments of the connection device 1 according to Fig. 1 to 9 have a phase selector 2 in the form of a rotatable plate. On this a sleeve 12 is arranged, in which a phase selection tap contact 3 is housed. The latter is exemplified in the embodiments shown in the figures as a movable, rotatable in the direction of tap contact screw. The tap contact 3 is eccentric to the axis of rotation lying at 11 ( Fig. 2 . 3 . 5-7 . 9 ) In parallel to this and initially disposed above the rotatable plate, in the screw embodiment shown here in a guide in the phase selector 2. Upon rotation of the phase selector 2, the tap contact moves on a circular path about the axis of rotation 11 of the phase selector 2. Die Sleeve 12 is extended to the axis of rotation and runs to the opposite leg of the phase selector 2 pointed together. It thus forms a handle, or a "handle", which serve for easy operation (turning, pushing in) of the phase selector 2.

The phase selector 2 and the receptacle 4 are shaped complementary to each other in 120 ° symmetry. This symmetry requires that the phase selector 2 can be pressed down in exactly three rotational positions in the recording 4 for the purpose of phase selection. Before pressing the phase selector 2 is still above the recording 4 ( Fig. 1 . 3 . 5 . 8th ); it is then still rotatable. However, it is only possible to press into the receptacle 4 in one of the three rotational positions permitted by the 120 ° symmetry. The Fig. 1 . 2 . 8th . 9 show such a rotational position, but with not yet depressed phase selector 2. This is in the Fig. 1 and 8th recognizable that the phase selector 2 has not been pressed down into the receptacle for the phase selector 4. Fig. 3 shows, however, a rotational position in which the phase selector 2 can not be pressed.

The shape of phase selector 2 and receptacle 4 shown in the figures reflects the 120 ° symmetry: The rotatable plate has the shape of an equilateral triangle with truncated ( Fig. 1-4 ) or rounded ( Fig. 8 . 9 ) Corners. The recording 4 has the complementary form. However, such complementarity in the strict sense is not necessarily required to achieve the phase selection function. For example, without impairing the function, it would be possible to shorten one of the corners of the phase selector 2.

In the first embodiment ( Fig. 1-4 ) 2 locking lugs 6 are arranged at the cut corners of the triangular plate of the phase selector. When the phase selection element 2 is pressed down, these engage in corresponding undercuts 10 (FIG. Fig. 5-7 ) on the receptacle 4 and lock so phase selector 2 and 4 recording.

The phase-selecting element 2 is mounted in the connecting device 1 with an axially displaceable pivot bearing. For this purpose, a stub axle-stub bearing arrangement 17, 18 serves on the receptacle 4. This defines the axis of rotation 11. In the exemplary embodiments ( Fig. 5-7 The stub axle 18 is a bore through the center of the phase selector member 2, which is sufficiently long to allow the axial displacement of the phase selector member 2 when pressed into the receptacle 4. The stub axle 17 extends so far beyond the bottom of the receptacle 4, that it engages even when not pressed into the receptacle 4 phase selector 2 in the bore of the axle stub 18 and hereby defines the axis of rotation for the phase selector 2 in the not yet depressed state.

A cross section of the Fig. 5-7 shown ring with a tapered cross-section, in conjunction with an output-side narrowing of the axle support bearing bore 18 ensures that phase selector element 2 is not connected in captive state in the receptacle 4 captive with the connection device.

On the recording 4 labels 7 are applied to identify the belonging to the different rotational positions phase conductor. The tapered sleeve 12 also serves as a pointer, which points depending on the selected rotational position on the relevant marking 7. In Fig. 1 So it was the phase L2, and in Fig. 11 chosen the phase L3.

The connection device 1 has a receiving space 5 for the flat cable. The flat cable itself is not shown in the figures, but the inner contour of the

Receiving space 5 is shaped complementarily to the outer contour of the flat cable, for the contacting of the connection device is determined. In the embodiments shown in the figures is the contour of a flat cable with five equally spaced power conductors and a two-core shielded data line, all lying in one plane. On one side of the cable, the three phase wires are gathered, on the other side is the data line, and between them are the neutral conductor and the protective conductor (in this arrangement, the distance between the live phase conductors and the data line is greatest, thereby causing crossovers in the Data line are relatively low). Such a flat cable is for example from the EP 0 665 608 B1 known. The flat cable to be contacted has no symmetry against rotation by 180 ° (see DE-AS 2 206 187 and EP 0 665 608 B1 ), so that it can only be contacted in one of the two basically possible orientations. This avoids unintentional swapping of, for example, phase, protection, neutral and possibly data conductors.

The connection device 1 also has in each case a tap contact 8, 9, for the neutral conductor and the protective conductor. Both contacts - the e.g. again in the form of contact screws - are each housed in an insulating sleeve. These contacts 8, 9 are not rotatably on a phase selector or the like, but firmly arranged in the housing of the connection device 1, because neutral conductor and protective conductor are always - regardless of the phase to be selected contacted.

Finally, the connection device 1 has three outgoing connections 16, which are electrically connected to the selected phase, the neutral conductor or the protective conductor. The outgoing terminals 16 thus allow, for example, the connection of a single-phase electrical load. The in the 10 and 11 shown current path leads from the selected phase conductor 19 via the tip of the contact pin formed by the contact pin 3 through this, then on the external thread of the contact screw and engaging in this internal thread of the threaded bore 13, from there via the connecting web 20 to the phase conductor outgoing contact (one of three 16).

In the following, we will now describe the various positions which the connecting device undergoes in the course of a phase selection. However, reference is first made to the eccentric arrangement of the single tap contact 3 with respect to the axis of rotation 11, which is particularly well in the plan views of FIGS Fig. 2 and 9 is visible.

First, the installer will turn the phase selector 2 ia in the position corresponding to the desired phase. In Fig. 3 For example, such a rotation is illustrated to bring the pointer to the "L2" position. In the illustration, the phase selector 2 is currently in an angular position between two "allowed" positions, and therefore can not be pressed into the receptacle 4 there (because the cut corners of the phase selector 2 are not over the corresponding corners of the receptacle 4).

Then one of the 120 ° symmetry allowed rotational position is reached, for example, in the Fig. 1 and 2 shown position "L2". The phase selector 2 is not yet pressed into the receptacle 4, so it is still in a plane above the receptacle 4, as in the Fig. 1 . 2 . 5 and 8th is shown.

Then the installer presses it into the receptacle 4. The latching noses 6 deform elastically in order to pass through the undercuts 10 and finally attack them (FIG. Fig. 4 and 6 ). As a result, the phase selector element 2 is locked in the receptacle 4. The tap contact 3 is now above one of the three threaded holes 13 (due to the 120 ° symmetry of the threaded holes 13 is in the cross sections of Figures 5-7 only one opening at a time).

Finally, the installer turns on the contact pin 3 forming the contact screw. It engages in the arranged in the threaded hole 13 internal thread. Its tip then penetrates the cable sheath and the core insulation of the selected phase core and finally penetrates into the conductor. In this case, the internal thread of the threaded bores 13 absorbs the reaction force of the force pressing the contact screw into the flat cable. Fig. 7 shows the corresponding end position of the contact screw.

In the embodiments shown, the locking lugs 6 and undercuts 10 are shaped so that the phase selector member 2 and / or the receptacle 4 elastically deform when pressed to allow the latching, while trying to solve the latching example, by train on the phase selector 2, however break. This is due to different angles between the surfaces which engage with each other during latching and (attempted) disengagement. Like the FIGS. 5 and 6 show, take care of Engaging relatively acute angles relative to the direction of movement for the engagement surfaces to slide past each other; In the (attempted) disengagement, on the other hand, surfaces with angles which are almost perpendicular to the direction of movement engage, so that self-locking is present. When self-locking the surfaces do not slide past each other, no matter how large the force is. With increasing force, the latching noses 6 and / or undercuts 10 break, so that the latching could no longer function in a possible further phase selection attempt. The connection device 1 is thus no longer usable. Once a phase selection has been made, it is non-destructive and non-destructive.

In the second embodiment shown in the drawing ( Fig. 8-11 ) of the connecting device 1 is provided on the receptacle 4, a circular recess 14 relative to the surrounding level of the housing bottom. The cut corners of the phase selector 2 are complementarily rounded thereto. The recess 14 forms a guide surface, which facilitates the rotation of the phase selector element 2 and reaching the permitted angular positions. The actual 120 ° -symmetric recording 4 lies in the bottom of the recess 14th

Another difference from the first embodiment lies in the arrangement and design of the locking lugs 6. These are not arranged at the (cut) corners, but on the legs of the equilateral triangle of the phase selector 2. Complementary thereto, the receptacle 4 on their leg portions recesses 15, pass through the locking lugs 6 under elastic deformation, then elastically return to their original shape and thereby engage behind the wall of the receptacle 4 at the leg portions.

The locking lugs 6 are in this second embodiment in cross-section hook-shaped with an opening to the rear-engaged wall. This is followed, for example, by a complementary bead into which the hook engages. In an attempt to pull the phase selector element 2 out of the receptacle 4 again after latching, the hook-shaped latching lug 6 breaks off. A new phase selection is thereby avoided.

Claims (15)

1. A connection device (1) for a stripless tapping terminal of a multiphase ribbon cable,

   - having a rotatable phase selection member (2) and a receptacle (4) for the phase selection member (2),

   - wherein a tapping device is disposed on the phase selection member (2) in an excentric position, and

   - wherein the phase selection member (2) and the receptacle (4) are shaped so as to be complementary to each other in a 120° symmetry configuration, so that one of the several phase legs can be contacted by a tapping terminal (3), i.e. so that a phase selection in the three predetermined rotary positions enabled by the 120° symmetry of the phase selection member (2) is made possible.
2. The connection device as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the receptacle (4) is formed as a recess and the phase selection member (4) can be inserted into the recess only in the three said rotary positions.
3. The connection device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the tapping means is formed as a guide for a tapping terminal (3) movable in the tapping direction and having a corresponding tapping terminal (3) or as such a guide without a tapping terminal (3) or as a tapping terminal (3) that is fixed in the tapping direction or as an application element for a tapping terminal (3).
4. The connection device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the receptacle (4) has through openings (13) for the tapping terminal (3) in a 120° symmetry configuration, said through openings allowing passage of the tapping terminal (3) to the ribbon cable and thus contacting of the selected phase leg only in one of the three said rotary positions.
5. The connection device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein in the course of the phase selection, the phase selection member (2) may be locked in the receptacle (4) in any one of the three said rotary positions in respect of the phase selection made.
6. The connection device as claimed in Claim 5, wherein the phase selection member (2) may be locked by latching it in the receptacle (4).
7. The connection device as claimed in Claim 5 or 6, wherein the locking cannot be released without destruction, so that a phase selection once made cannot be reversed without destruction.
8. The connection device as claimed in Claim 7, wherein the connection device (1) may be disconnected from the ribbon cable without destruction after a phase selection has been made and can be reused whilst maintaining the phase selection previously made.
9. The connection device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the part of the phase selection member (2) that is complementary to the receptacle (4) is mainly formed as a rotary plate.
10. The connection device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein for defining the rotary axis (11) of the phase selection member (2) between the phase selection member (2) and the receptacle (4), an axle stub and axle stub bearing arrangement is provided.
11. The connection device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein for defining the rotary axis (11) of the phase selection member (2), the connection device (1) includes a circular recess (14) which guides the phase selection member (2) in a rotary manner over the receptacle (4).
12. The connection device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein a handle (12) is provided on the phase selection member (2) to assist in the rotation of the phase selection member and, if necessary, in the insertion thereof into the receptacle (4), said handle (12) pointing to a marking (7) that identifies the respective phase in each of the three possible rotary positions, so that the respectively selected phase can be determined therefrom.
13. The connection device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein a handle (12) is provided on the phase selection member (2) to assist in the rotation of the phase selection member (2) and in the insertion thereof, if necessary, into the receptacle (4), said handle (12) at least partially surrounding the tapping terminal (3), in order to form a shock hazard protection.
14. The connection device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the tapping terminal (3) is formed as a screw that can be turned inwards in the tapping direction or as a blade that is fixed in the tapping direction.
15. The connection device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the connection device (1) also has further tapping terminals for connecting neutral and/or protective conductors and/or one or several data lines.

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