EP2503643B1 - Clamp device for connecting electrical lines and tool for same - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a clamping device for connecting extending in a longitudinal direction electrical conductors and a tool for mounting a clamping block and / or a sliding nut in such a clamping device. An inventive kit comprises the clamping device and at least one tool.

The clamping device according to the invention is intended in particular for voltages up to 1 kV as well as conductors with cross-sectional areas over 1.5 mm ² , in particular in the range of 16 mm ² and 25 mm ² . Such conductors are used in the low voltage range in particular for cable routes in the ground or in the air in power engineering. For example, the lanterns of streets are powered by such cable routes with energy. The large conductor cross sections ensure even with long cable routes to only low line losses.

With the help of the clamping devices according to the invention cables are to be interconnected by their stripped stripped conductors are brought into contact with each other electrically conductive. This is usually done by mechanically bringing the stripped ends of the conductors of the cables to be connected together into contact with each other. During branching, an end-stripped branch cable is electrically connected to a stripped portion of the uncut through-cable.

If cables with multiple conductors are used, the conductors must be bent away from each other and electrically isolated from each other with the respective corresponding conductors of the cable to be connected in contact. Due to the large cross-sections of the ladder bending requires a lot of effort, the clamping devices must absorb high forces and are built to robust. Such clamping devices are for example in the DE-A-1245464 and the DE-A-1277977 shown.

A disadvantage is the relatively high cost of materials that must be operated to keep the individual conductors spaced from each other and to reliably isolate each other.

The DE 17 54 437 U relates to a terminal for connecting electrical lines. The clamp consists of an insulating body with longitudinal openings therethrough for loosely inserted, metallic connectors and screwed into this from the side of clamping screws. By this clamping screws, the connecting pieces are held in the insulating body and the wall of the insulating body is pierced by a reaching through to the longitudinal opening longitudinal slot in which the heads of the clamping screws are held.

In the FR 2 312 129 A1 there is described an electrical connector having a plurality of separate insulating housings in each of which an electrically conductive body, which can receive a conductor end, and a clamping body for fixing the conductor ends in the conductive body, are arranged.

In the US 3,342,090 is described a tool for holding a nut.

The US 4,053,202 discloses a clamping device with a base body and a clamping module. The terminal block is locked to the base body, to which the base body has latching hooks, which engage in grooves on the upper side of the terminal block.

The US 2004/0229518 A1 shows a terminal block assembly comprising a housing having a base portion and partitions defining a cavity and a terminal connector mounted in the cavity.

The invention is based on the object to improve the known clamping devices to the effect that they can be manufactured without sacrificing stability with less material.

According to the invention, this object is achieved by an aforementioned clamping device with a support member made of an electrically insulating material having at least two in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction transverse direction adjacent, longitudinally open receptacles, in each of which at least one terminal block with a movable against at least one conductor Clamping device can be used, wherein the receptacle and the terminal blocks are provided with engageable designed fasteners and wherein the fasteners are configured to receive a transversely across the recording acting transversal force and initiate the at least one arranged in the recording terminal block and adjacent thereto Shooting in the longitudinal direction are arranged one behind the other and between two longitudinally at a height shots a transverse to the transverse and the longitudinal direction, ie in the mounting direction, continuous ig open passband is provided.

According to the invention, it is therefore provided that transverse forces, which arise due to the bent conductor or due to cable movements, are no longer conducted solely on the recording, but at least in part via the terminal block. The terminal block is thus arranged in the power flow of the transverse force and the carrier element is relieved. Due to the large conductor cross-sections, the terminal block already inherently has a high degree of stability in order to receive the clamping forces required to produce a secure mechanical and thus electrical contact between the conductors of the interconnected cables. According to the invention, this stable mechanical structure is used to absorb the transverse forces, which are low compared to the clamping forces acting on the conductors in the receptacle. The introduction of the transverse force in and their discharge from the terminal block is possible due to the interlocking fasteners. Thanks to the solution according to the invention, transverse forces can not buckle up even in the case of a filigree carrier element. The cost of materials for the carrier element decreases. A smaller width of the clamping device in the transverse direction can be achieved by adjacent receptacles are arranged one behind the other in the longitudinal direction and at least partially overlap in particular in the longitudinal direction. This staggered arrangement in the longitudinal direction has the further advantage that, although due to the transverse force introduced at least in part by the fastening elements into the clamping components, the individual receptacles are very stiff, but the staggered receptacles result in a longitudinally flexible clamping device. With such flexibility, the positional differences of the conductors, which can arise in particular after installation of the clamping device over a longer period of time in the cable can be compensated without the clamping in the terminal block is compromised. In the case of a longitudinally staggered arrangement of the transversely juxtaposed receptacles, in particular the use of the clamping device in gel sleeves is advantageous. The open one Passage area allows the gel to enter and tile around the ladder in that location.

The solution according to the invention can be further improved by further embodiments which are advantageous in each case and can be combined with one another as desired. These developments of the invention are briefly explained below.

Thus, according to a first advantageous embodiment, the receptacles can open in a mounting direction pointing transversely to the transverse direction as well as transversely to the longitudinal direction. This facilitates the insertion of the conductors into the receptacles, especially when the clamping device has to be fastened to a ground cable in a ground hole. The individual conductors can namely be pre-bent in this embodiment and then placed in the mounting direction from above into the receptacle. This is much easier to accomplish than threading the ladder longitudinally.

The threading of the ladder can be further facilitated by the fact that the recordings in the mounting direction to a reason at which the conductors rest in the clamped state, taper, so that with increasing depth of the conductor in the mounting direction, the inside width in the transverse direction of the receptacles tapers ,

The insertion of the conductors can also be simplified in that the receptacles extend in a channel shape in the longitudinal direction. A gutter is open on one side and thus allows the insertion of the ladder. Analogously, the receptacles can have a substantially U-shaped cross section in a plane lying transversely to the longitudinal direction. Through the opening of such a cross section can also insert the ladder.

In order to largely initiate the transverse force on the carrier element in the terminal block, it is advantageous if the fastening elements are arranged on both sides of a transversely extending insertion opening of a receptacle. By this arrangement prevents the recording widens due to the lateral force. The fastening elements are preferably located on the opposite in the mounting direction, opposite edges of the insertion opening.

In order to guide the transverse forces over a plurality of receptacles across the terminal blocks, it can be provided according to a further advantageous embodiment that the fastening elements of several, preferably all recordings lie substantially in one plane. This measure ensures that lateral forces can be directed in a straight line over several receptacles.

In order to simplify assembly on site and in particular to enable tool-free installation, the fastening elements can be designed as positively locking engageable positive locking elements. The form-fitting elements can in particular form a longitudinal guide which extends in the longitudinal direction, through which the clamping modules are guided along the longitudinal direction in the receptacles.

The interlocking elements can lock in the transverse direction, so that the transverse force can be passed by the inclusion in the terminal block and vice versa by the positive connection. Preferably, the interlocking elements also lock in the mounting direction to prevent falling out of the terminal block from an open in the mounting direction recording. For this purpose, the fastening elements can also have transversely extending into the receptacle positive locking elements and / or longitudinally extending guide and hold-down surfaces facing in a direction transverse to the transverse and longitudinal direction.

In particular, when the clamping device in a gel-filled sleeve, for example, the gel sleeve RayGel Tyco Electronics to be included, it is advantageous if the recordings are arranged in a plane next to each other. This results in a low overall height, so that a low filling level of gel in the sleeve is necessary to seal the clamping device.

The carrier element is preferably an injection-molded element made of an electrically insulating plastic, such as polypropylene.

In order to facilitate the threading of the conductor connected in the receptacle, an edge of a receptacle pointing in a mounting direction can continue in the longitudinal direction in the edge of an adjacent receptacle.

According to a further advantageous embodiment, the receptacles can be connected to one another by a transverse stiffening wall. Due to the course in the transverse direction, the support element is stiffened. For the use of Gelmuffen having gel-filled half-shells, it is particularly advantageous if the stiffening wall is transverse to the longitudinal direction. In this orientation, the stiffening wall has only a small Cross section for the incoming gel in the mounting direction, so that the forces required to close the gel sleeve are low.

The receptacles can enforce the stiffening wall at least with part of their cross-sectional area, so that the conductors can be inserted into the receptacle from both sides, or the receptacle can be placed against the conductors.

Neighboring receptacles may project alternately on one side of the stiffening wall in the longitudinal direction, which increases the flexibility of the support element.

The width of the recordings, in the case of a U-shaped and / or channel-shaped receptacle, this is in particular the width at the base of the receptacle, corresponds at least to the conductor diameter, but not more than 1.2 to 1.5 times, so that the conductors can not lie next to one another , which would greatly affect the clamping effect generated by the clamping member and thus the electrical and mechanical contact.

The stiffening wall can, in particular in the longitudinal direction, form stops for the terminal blocks. This leads on the one hand to a reinforcement of the stiffening wall, which continues in this way in the recording, on the other hand, the position of the terminal blocks is determined to each other and for receiving. The support member may have protrusions projecting into the receptacles, which bear frictionally against the terminal block and hold it in its position.

When mounting the clamping device on site, it may happen due to usual tolerances, that the conductors are stripped over too long a portion, so that the stripped portion of the receptacle, whose length in the longitudinal direction may correspond substantially to the length of the clamping block protrudes. Then there may be the risk that after a long period of operation of the clamping device due to penetrating between the core and core insulation moisture or faulty mounting a leakage current or short circuit between adjacent conductors. In order to provide additional insulation between the conductors, it is therefore provided according to a further advantageous embodiment that a protective wall which is arranged upstream of the receptacle along the longitudinal direction and which surrounds the latter at least in sections, is provided. Through this protective wall, the conductors assigned to the different receptacles are additionally separated by the insulating material of the carrier element. To save material, it may be sufficient to provide the protective wall only in the region of a base of the receptacle, against which the conductors are pressed in the receptacle by the clamping member.

The terminal block may have a U-shaped and / or channel-shaped clamping bracket, which nestles in the receptacle of the support element. The clamping bracket is preferably made of a metal material to absorb the forces occurring during the clamping of the conductors and to reduce the resulting in the connection of the two conductors electrical resistance. On the narrow side, for example, a disk-shaped or plate-shaped sliding nut can be arranged, which is provided with the clamping member.

Preferably, the U-shaped conductor receiving the terminal block is pre-assembled in the clamping device, so that when mounting the clamping device on site this no longer used in recording, in particular must be inserted.

The sliding nut can be designed to be inserted in the longitudinal direction in the ladder receiving. It can thus be easily adjusted to cover the ladder in the recording or Leiteraufnahme exactly.

The clamp can, in order to facilitate the insertion of the slide nut, longitudinally ersteckende guide members which define the slide nut in the mounting direction. To accommodate the ladder, the clamp has a ladder mount that can expand in the mounting direction away from your floor to facilitate ladder insertion. The extension may be stepped to form a shoulder as a guide surface for the sliding nut.

The sliding nut may be provided at its transverse ends and / or in the region of these ends with fastening elements which lock the sliding nut in the transverse direction and at least partially direct the transverse force over the sliding nut. As a result, a particularly strong stiffening of the recording is achieved.

The sliding nuts of various receptacles are preferably arranged in a plane. Furthermore, the sliding nuts are offset at the level of the fasteners of the terminal blocks or only slightly offset from these levels to direct the transverse forces as directly as possible from the fasteners in the sliding nut and back again.

The sliding nuts are preferably delivered preassembled with a tool, which facilitates mounting on the remaining terminal block. The clamping device according to the invention may be designed as a kit that includes the pre-assembled in the support member clamping bracket as a part and pre-mounted on the tool slide nuts as another part.

The invention also relates to the tool with which the slide nuts are mounted in the clamping device. The tool according to the invention is defined in claim 15. Such a tool has a handle, at one end of a longitudinally insertable into the receptacle holding head of the holding head against rotation on the sliding nut and the clamping member is arranged fastened. For example, if the clamping member is a movable in the receptacle or conductor receiving screw, such as a grub screw, the tool is attached to the operating end of the screw. This can be achieved in a simple manner by frictional engagement by the inclusion of the tool has a smaller inside diameter than the clamping member.

This embodiment has the advantage that upon actuation of the clamping member, in which this is moved into the conductor receiving the clamping member gradually out of engagement with the tool. When the clamping operation is completed, the tool can be removed from the slide nut without much effort.

The tool is preferably rotationally connected to the sliding nut, so that a rotational movement of the rotary member does not lead to a rotation of the sliding nut and the tool always has the same orientation to the sliding nut. The rotation can have a voltage applied to the slide nut retaining edge.

In the following the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings using exemplary embodiments is explained in more detail. The present in the following embodiments, features may be omitted or otherwise combined in accordance with the above embodiments, should it not on specific, associated with these features benefits or particularly arrive. For elements of the invention, which are the same or similar in construction and / or function, identical reference numerals are used in the individual figures.

Figur 1:

eine schematische Ansicht einer erfindungsgemäßen Klemmvorrichtung in einer Gelmuffe;

Figur 2:

die Klemmvorrichtung der Figur 1 in einer schematischen Ansicht entlang des Pfeiles II der Figur 3;

Figur 3:

die Klemmvorrichtung der Figur 1 in einer schematischen Ansicht entlang des Pfeiles III der Figur 2;

Figur 4:

eine schematische Darstellung von Komponenten eines Bausatzes zur Herstellung einer erfindungsgemäßen Klemmvorrichtung;

Figur 5:

eine weitere schematische Darstellung einer erfindungsgemäßen Klemmvorrichtung.

Show it:

FIG. 1:

a schematic view of a clamping device according to the invention in a gel sleeve;

FIG. 2:

the clamping device of FIG. 1 in a schematic view along the arrow II of FIG. 3 ;

FIG. 3:

the clamping device of FIG. 1 in a schematic view along the arrow III of FIG. 2 ;

FIG. 4:

a schematic representation of components of a kit for producing a clamping device according to the invention;

FIG. 5:

a further schematic representation of a clamping device according to the invention.

FIG. 1 shows an opened sleeve 1, which serves to connect conductors 2 of a cable 4 with conductors 6 of a cable 8. At the in FIG. 1 illustrated embodiment, the conductors 2 of the cable 4 are each connected to the conductors 6 of a cable 8. The conductors 2, 6 have a cross section of at least 1.5 mm ² , typically 16 mm ² or 25 mm ² . Cables 4, 8 with such conductors 2, 6 are used, for example, in laid underground cable routes for the energy supply of street lighting and in building services.

The respective conductors 2, 6 are connected to one another by a clamping device 10 arranged in the sleeve 1.

For this purpose, the clamping device 10 has a plurality of receptacles 12, in each of which the conductors 2, 6 to be connected to one another are inserted and electrically brought into contact with each other. For this purpose, each receptacle 12 is provided with a clamping member 14, for example in the form of a grub screw provided with an internal hexagon at an actuating end 16. The number of receptacles 12 is adapted to the number of pairs of conductors to be connected.

By the clamping member 14, the stripped ends of the conductors 2, 6 are mechanically pressed against each other, so that between them an electrical contact is made.

In view of the large cross sections of the conductors 2, 6, the clamping forces to be applied by the clamping member 14 are quite high, so that a clamping member 18 carrying the clamping member 14 is made very stable and usually made of a metal material. In addition, acting on the clamping device 10 considerable lateral forces 20, which must also be intercepted.

The clamping device 10 is preferably intended for use in sleeves 1, which are filled with a gel 21, in which the clamping device 10 is immersed in the closed socket 1, so that no moisture can get to the stripped conductor ends and can lead to short circuits. In FIG. 1 only one half-shell 22 is shown filled with the gel 21. The clamping device 10 receiving half-shell 24 is also filled with gel up to a filling line 26, which is omitted in the illustration, however, to release the view of the clamping device 10.

In order to keep the filling level of the half-shell 24 and the displacement by the clamping device 10 as small as possible, the receptacles 12 are arranged in a plane and not one above the other. By a staggered arrangement one behind the other also results in a narrow construction, so that even narrow sleeves 1 can be used. In addition, the clamping device 10 is designed so that it sets the smallest possible flow resistance against the resulting flow of the gel 20 during collapse of the half-shells 22, 24. On the one hand, this results in the clamping device 10 being well penetrated by the gel 20 and shielded from external influences. On the other hand, due to the permeable design of the clamping device 10, the forces required to close the sleeve 1 are low.

The structure of the clamping device is described in more detail below with reference to FIGS FIGS. 2 and 3 explained. In this case, 28 denotes a longitudinal direction, which corresponds essentially to the direction in which the conductors 2, 6 (FIG. FIG. 1 ) are guided by the clamping device 10. The receptacles 12 are arranged side by side in a transverse direction 30. A mounting direction 32 extends transversely to both the longitudinal direction 28 and the transverse direction 30.

The clamping device 10 has an electrically insulating carrier element 34, which is preferably made of a plastic. The carrier element 34 is in particular an injection-molded part.

The support member 34 forms the receptacles 12, which, like FIG. 2 shows, with respect to the mounting direction 32 are arranged at the same height. Adjacent receptacles 12 are each staggered one behind the other in the longitudinal direction 28 and overlap in the longitudinal direction 28 at the edges located in the transverse direction 30. The receptacles extend continuously in the longitudinal direction 28 in order to allow the conductors 2, 6 to pass through. Thus, the receptacles 12 in the mounting direction with the bent-apart, prepositioned ladders 2, 6 can be simply plugged together in mounting direction 32, they have a lying in the mounting direction, a base 36 of the receptacle opposite side in the longitudinal direction 28 a continuous insertion opening 38. The clear width of the insertion opening 38 in the transverse direction 30 corresponds at least to the maximum conductor diameter for which the clamping device 10 is intended.

In a cross-section transverse to the longitudinal direction 28, the receptacles are U-shaped or channel-shaped.

A longitudinally extending, upper edge 40 of the insertion opening of a receptacle 12 continues in each case as an edge 40 on a side adjacent receptacle. The edge 40 is located at the end of the legs 41. This facilitates the threading of the superposed, stripped ends of the conductors 2, 6 in the receptacle 12th

Adjacent receptacles 12 can each terminate at a common, transverse to the longitudinal direction 28 stiffening wall 42. From the stiffening wall 42, a wall 44 surrounding the receptacle 12 projects in each case in the longitudinal direction alternately to one side or the other. The stiffening wall 42 is in the longitudinal direction 28 at the locations of the receptacles 12 each broken.

Between two receptacles 12 lying at the same height in the longitudinal direction 28, there is a passage 46 which is open in the mounting direction 32. This passage serves to reduce the flow resistance of the clamping device 10 when used in sleeve-filled sleeves (cf. FIG. 1 ) and to facilitate the flow of gel in the mounting direction 32.

The two in the transverse direction 30 outer shots also have in the longitudinal direction 28 on the stiffening wall 42 continuing edges 40 to allow the threading of the conductors 2, 6 also in the outer receptacles 12 and to obtain additional lateral electrical insulation.

The carrier element 34 furthermore has fastening means 48 with which the clamping device is attached to the sleeve 1 (FIG. FIG. 1 ) is attachable. The fastening means 48 may be part of a positive, frictional or non-positive connection. They may in particular comprise latching hooks and / or recesses.

The receptacles 12 are also provided on the legs 41 preferably in the region of the edges 40 with fastening elements 50, which are in engagement with corresponding fastening elements 52 of the clamping block 18.

The fastening means 50, 52 in particular allow insertion of the clamping blocks 18 into the respective receptacle along the longitudinal direction 28. In the longitudinal direction, the clamping blocks 18 in the receptacles are provided by frictional engagement elements 88 (FIG. Fig. 4 ) held frictionally. The frictional engagement elements may include protrusions projecting from the wall 44, which press against the clamping components 18. Due to the frictional fixing of the clamping blocks 18 in the longitudinal direction, a yielding movement of the clamping blocks 18 is possible with large forces acting in the longitudinal direction 28.

The fastening elements 50, 52 are further configured such that they absorb the transverse force 20, which acts in the transverse direction 30 over the receptacle 12 or its insertion opening 38 and in the arranged in the receptacle 12 terminal block 18 initiate. The resulting force flux 54 is in FIG. 2 schematically represented by a dashed line. It can be seen that the transverse force 20 acting on the carrier element 34 is introduced into the clamping module by the fastening elements 50, 52 and is reintroduced into the receptacle 12 via the clamping module in the transverse direction on the opposite side.

The clamping blocks 18 are already built very stable to absorb the high, generated by the clamping member 14, acting on the conductors 2, 6 clamping forces. In addition, the clamping forces 56 are greater than the transverse forces 20 to be expected during operation. Thus, the clamping module 18 need not be reinforced in order to absorb and forward the transverse force 20. However, since the power flow is conducted at least in part, preferably for the most part via the terminal block 18, the support member 34 may be constructed filigree and material-saving.

The arrangement of the fasteners 50 on the edge 40 directs the flow of force into the terminal block before it reaches the legs 41.

The fastening elements 50, 52 may be designed, in particular, as positive-locking elements projecting into the respective receptacle 12. In particular, the receptacle-side positive-locking element 50 may have a groove 58 which opens toward the base 36 of the receptacle in the mounting direction 32, into which protrusion 60 of the terminal block protrudes. The projection 60 projects in the mounting direction 32 from the terminal block 18. The introduction of the transverse force 20 of the receptacle 12 in the clamping block 18 is ensured by the fact that the groove 58 includes the projection 16 in the transverse direction 30 on both sides.

The groove 58 also forms a longitudinal direction 28 extending guide surface 62, which facilitates the insertion of the clamping block 18 in the receptacle. The guide surface 62 simultaneously forms a hold-down surface, which blocks a movement of the clamping block 18 in the mounting direction 28.

The clamping module 18 is preferably made of a metal material in order to absorb the forces occurring during the clamping of the conductors 2, 6, despite the smaller sizes.

The terminal block 18 has in the in FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrated embodiment a the clamping member 14 supporting sliding nut 64. The sliding nut 64 may be inserted directly into the receptacle 12, so that the conductors 2, 6 are pressed against the bottom 36 of the receptacle 12. Thus, the sliding nut 64 can be provided with the fastening or clamping elements 52 be. For large conductor cross sections, for the invention, the clamping devices are primarily intended, but this would require that the support member 34 is made of a high strength material.

For large conductor cross-sections, it is therefore advantageous if the sliding nut 64 is held in a clamping bracket 66. The clamp has transversely to the longitudinal direction 28 has a substantially U-shaped cross-section. Its outer contour preferably corresponds to the inner contour of the receptacle 12, so that it nestles in the receptacle 12.

The fastening elements 52 are located at the ends of the legs 67 which are located in the mounting direction 32 and which, together with the base 70, enclose the conductor receptacle 68 on three sides.

The sliding nut 64 can be inserted in the longitudinal direction 28 in the clamping bracket 66. The clamping bracket 66 encloses in the transverse direction a conductor receptacle 68 which receives conductors 2, 6 to be connected to one another. In the region of the base 70, a protruding surface structure 72 may be arranged in the conductor receptacle 68, which presses under the effect of the clamping force 56 in the surface of the possibly oxidized conductors 2, 6, so that the metallic contact is improved.

The conductor receptacle 68 tapers in the mounting direction 32 towards the base 70. This is done, for example, by a stepped taper at a predetermined distance 73 from the base 70. The taper results in an insertion opening 38 facing shoulder 74, which together with clamp-side fasteners 76 and slide nut side fasteners 78 extending in the longitudinal direction 28 guide for the sliding nut 64th form and determines its location in mounting direction 32. Through this guide, the sliding nut 64 is less easily lost during assembly and prevents the spreading of the clamp 66th

The fastening elements 76, 78 overlap in the transverse direction 30, so that the force flow 54 conducted via the fastening elements 50, 52 from the carrier element to the clamping bracket 66 is conducted via the fastening elements 76, 78 into the sliding nut 64. The power flow 54 is directed into the sliding nut 64 to relieve the legs 67. Thus, at least a portion of the power flow 54 is not guided over the bottom 70 of the retaining clip but as directly as possible on the opposite side in the transverse direction 30 of the recording.

A direct power flow is ensured by the fastening elements 50, 52 to the fastening elements 76, 78 in that the fastening elements 50, 52 are arranged at a height with respect to the mounting direction 28 and the fastening elements 76, 78 are as close as possible to this plane.

The fastening elements 76, 78 may form a common, with respect to the mounting direction 32 inclined guide surface 79, the imaginary continuation of which cuts in the region of the conductor receptacle 68. In this embodiment, the sliding nut 64 is pressed during application of the clamping force 56 in the fastener 76. Due to the inclination of the guide surface 79, the clamp 66 pulls together somewhat in the region of the fastening elements 76 and the engagement of the fastening elements 76, 78 increases under the effect of the clamping force.

In particular in FIG. 3 It can be seen that the fastening elements 50 in the longitudinal direction 28 are only slightly longer than the clamping block 18. On the side facing away from the stiffening wall 42, the wall 44 or its leg and ground continues in the form of a protective wall 80 in the longitudinal direction. The protective wall 80 preferably has no fastening means 50, but extends outside at least around the area of the bottom of the conductor receptacle 68 to electrically isolate this, if a received in the terminal block 18 conductors 2, 6 has been stripped too far and its stripped area outside of Clamping blocks 18 is located.

The in the FIGS. 2 and 3 described clamping device 10 is very stable to transverse forces 20. At the same time it allows, on the one hand by the displaceability of the terminal blocks and on the other hand by their with the lines 81 in FIG. 3 indicated flexibility to react on forces occurring in the conductors 2, 6 and to compensate for minor deviations in position of the stripped conductor ends. As shown by the lines 81, the stiffening wall 42 allows flexing in the plane spanned by the longitudinal and transverse directions in which the seats are adjacent.

FIG. 4 schematically shows the assembly of a clamping device, as shown in the FIGS. 2 and 3 is shown. The clamping device 10 is preferably assembled on site from a kit which has at least two preassembled assemblies 82, 84.

The preassembled module comprises the carrier element 34 with clamping brackets 66 inserted in the longitudinal direction. The insertion of the clamping bracket 66 into a receptacle 12 is represented schematically by the arrow 86. In FIG. 4 are still in the recording 12 protruding frictional engagement elements 88, here in the form of longitudinally extending ribs, with which the clamps 66 are secured in the receptacles 12.

To insert the clamp 66, it is first inserted into the protective wall 80, which thus additionally serves as an alignment aid. As a result of the fastening means 50 which are not present in the region of the protective wall, the clamping bracket 66 can also be used in the mounting direction in the region of the protective wall 80. Subsequently, the fasteners 50, 52 are engaged with each other by the clamping bracket 66 is pushed into the receptacle. The stiffening wall 42 forms a longitudinally facing stop surface 90, which limits the insertion of the clamping bracket 66 in the longitudinal direction and keeps it at a predetermined position.

The pre-assembled assembly 82 is placed in the mounting direction under the bent and superimposed stripped ends of the conductors 2, 6 and then lifted, so that the ends 2, 6 of the conductors through the inlet openings 38 into the respective conductor receivers 68 occur.

The second assembly 84 includes the sliding nut 64, the clamping member 14 and a tool 100.

The clamping member 40 is attached to the sliding nut 64, for example by screwing by a small amount. Subsequently, the tool 100 is releasably secured to the sliding nut 64.

The tool 100 has a handle 102, which facilitates the insertion of the sliding nut 64 in the conductor receptacle 68. The insertion of the sliding nut 64 in the clamp 66 is indicated by the arrow 104. The handle 102 extends in the assembly of the slide nut 64 in the longitudinal direction. In order to simplify handling, the handle 102 extends to the sliding nut 64 set in the receptacle 12 obliquely to the plane spanned by the longitudinal and transverse directions, so that it projects beyond the clamping device 10 in the mounting direction.

The tool 100 is preferably an injection molded part. Several tools 100 are structurally combined to form a tool set 106. The individual tools 100 can be broken out of the set 106. The tool set 106 includes as many tools 100 as receptacles 12 or clamps 66 are present in the clamping device 10. Preferably, all tools 100 of a tool set 106 are already provided with slide nuts 64. On site, therefore, only one tool 100 must be canceled from the tool set 106 and the so connected sliding nut 66 are inserted into the receptacle 12 and the clamping bracket 66,

At the one end 108 of the tool 100 is a holding head 110, on which the sliding block 64 is held. The holding head 110 has an opening 112, into which the clamping member 14, in particular in its configuration as a screw, can be latched and / or accommodated by frictional engagement. A projection 114 abuts an edge 116 of the sliding nut and secures the tool 100 against rotation.

At the one end 108 opposite the other end 118 is a tear-off tab 120, with which the tools 100 of the tool set 106 are molded onto a common headband 122.

The insertion of a sliding nut 64 with clamping member 14 by means of the tool 100 is closer with respect to the FIG. 5 explained. First, the sliding nut 64 is inserted together with clamping member 14 in the corresponding receptacle in the longitudinal direction 28 until it abuts against the stop 90. Subsequently, the clamping member 14 is actuated, in which it is moved into the conductor receptacle 68. This is done for example by screwing the clamping member 14. With the screwing, the clamping member 14 moves increasingly from the holding head of the tool 100 and frees itself from the detachable connection. If the clamping operation is completed and the clamping member 14 is moved into its end position in the conductor holder 68, the tool can be removed without much effort.

The width of the holding head 110 in the transverse direction 30 is smaller than the clear width of the insertion opening 38. By a longitudinally extending, preferably two-sided notch 124, it is guided in the mounting direction to the height required for the assembly. In the notch 124, the fastening means 76, 78 and also the fastening means 50, 52 enter. The notch 124 forms a longitudinal guide together with these fastening elements. The width of the holding head beyond the notch 124 is greater than the clear width of the insertion opening 38 in the transverse direction.

In a modification, the tools 100 can also be used for mounting the clamping blocks 18.

In FIG. 5 is also a modification of the carrier element 34 of FIGS. 2 to 4 indicated: The support member 34 has no fastening means 48 for attachment to a sleeve 1. As a further modification, as indicated by the dashed line 126, the protective wall 80 may be present only in the region of the base 36 of the receptacle 12 and over the inserted clamping bracket 66 in the longitudinal direction 28 projecting. Towards the insertion opening 38, the depth of the protective wall in the longitudinal direction 28 can decrease. <B> reference numerals </ b> 1 sleeve 2 ladder 4 electric wire 6 ladder 8th electric wire 10 clamping device 12 admission 14 clamping member 16 Operating end of the clamping member 18 terminal block 20 lateral force 21 gel 22 half shell 24 half shell 26 Fill line of the half shell 28 longitudinal direction 30 transversely 32 mounting direction 34 support element 36 Reason of the recording 38 insertion 40 Edge of the insertion opening 41 Thighs of the recording 42 stiffening wall 44 Wall of the recording 46 passage 48 Fastening means for attachment in sleeve 50 Fastener of the receptacle 52 Fastener of the clamp 54 power flow 56 clamping force 58 groove 60 head Start 62 guide surface 64 slide nut 66 clamp 67 Legs of the clamp 68 conductor receiving 70 Reason for ladder reception 72 surface structure 73 distance 74 shoulder 76 Clamp-bracket-side fastening elements 78 Sliding nut side fasteners 79 guide surface 80 bulkhead 81 line 82 module 84 module 86 arrow 88 frictional engagement 90 stop surface 100 Tool 102 handle 104 arrow 106 Tool 108 The End 110 holding head 112 opening 114 head Start 116 Edge of the sliding nut 118 other end of the tool 120 pull tab 122 headband 124 notch 126 line

Claims (18)

1. Clamping device (10) for connecting electrical conductors (2, 6) extending in a longitudinal direction (28), comprising a carrier element (34) made of an electrically insulating material, which has at least two receptacles (12) that are located next to one another in a transverse direction (30) extending transversely to the longitudinal direction and are open in longitudinal direction (28) and into each of which at least one clamping module (18) with a clamping element (18) movable against at least one conductor (2, 6) is insertable, wherein the receptacles (12) and the clamping modules (18) are provided with fastening elements (50, 52) which can be brought into engagement with one another, and wherein the fastening elements (50, 52) are designed to absorb a transverse force (20) acting in transverse direction (30) over the receptacles (12) and to introduce it into the at least one clamping module (18) arranged in the receptacles (12), characterized in that adjacent receptacles (12) are arranged in longitudinal direction (28) one after the other, and a passage (46) which is open in a mounting direction (32) oriented both transversely to the transverse direction (30) and transversely to the longitudinal direction (28) is arranged between two receptacles (12) lying in longitudinal direction (28) at one level.
2. Clamping device (10) according to claim 1, wherein the receptacles (12) open in the mounting direction (32).
3. Clamping device (10) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the receptacles (12) have a substantially U-shaped cross-section transversely to the longitudinal direction (28).
4. Clamping device (10) according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the fastening elements (50, 52) are arranged on both sides of an insertion opening (38) of a receptacle (12) extending in transverse and longitudinal direction (28, 30).
5. Clamping device (10) according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the fastening elements (50, 52) protrude in transverse direction (30) into the receptacle (12).
6. Clamping device (10) according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the fastening elements (50) on the receiving side embrace the fastening elements (52) on the clamping module side in transverse direction (30).
7. Clamping device (10) according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the fastening elements (50, 52) comprise a guide and holding-down surface (62) extending in longitudinal direction (28) and facing in mounting direction (32).
8. Clamping device (10) according to one of claims 1 to 7, wherein an edge (40) of a receptacle (12) facing in mounting direction (32) continues in longitudinal direction (28) as an edge (40) of an adjacent receptacle (12).
9. Clamping device (10) according to one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the receptacles (12) are connected to one another by a stiffening wall (42) extending in transverse direction (30).
10. Clamping device (10) according to claim 9, wherein the receptacles (12) pass at least with a part of their cross-sectional area through the stiffening wall (42).
11. Clamping device (10) according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the stiffening wall (42) forms stops (90) for the clamping modules (18).
12. Clamping device (10) according to one of claims 1 to 13, wherein a protective wall (80) is provided upstream of the receptacle (12) in longitudinal direction (28) and surrounds it at least in sections.
13. Clamping device (10) according to one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the clamping module (18) has a U-shaped clamping bracket (66) into the opening of which a sliding nut (64) provided with the clamping element (14) can be inserted in longitudinal direction (28).
14. Clamping device (10) according to claim 13, wherein the sliding nut (64) and the clamping bracket (66) comprise fastening elements (76, 78) which can be brought into engagement with one another and by which the transverse force (20) can be transmitted in transverse direction (30) from one leg (67) to the other leg (67) of the clamping bracket (66).
15. Tool (100) for mounting a clamping module (18) and/or a sliding nut (64) in a receptacle (12) in a clamping device according to one of claims 1 to 14, comprising a handle (102), at one end (108) of which a retaining head (110) is arranged, which can be inserted in longitudinal direction (28) into the receptacle (12), characterized in that the retaining head (110) can be fastened to the sliding nut (64) and the clamping element (14) in a rotationally secure manner.
16. Tool (100) according to claim 15, wherein the retaining head (110) is detachably attachable to the clamping element (14).
17. Kit with a clamping device (10) according to one of claims 1 to 14 and at least one tool (100) according to one of claims 15 and 16.
18. Kit according to claim 17, wherein the clamping module (18) comprises a U-shaped clamping bracket (66) into the opening of which a sliding nut (64) provided with the clamping element (14) can be inserted in longitudinal direction (28), and wherein on the clamping device (10) the clamping bracket (66) and on the tool (100) the sliding nuts (64) with the clamping elements (14) are preassembled.

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