EP2608326B1 - Cable connection device for electrically connecting two data cables - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a cable connecting device for electrically connecting the wires and the shielding of a first data cable with the wires or the shielding of a second data cable, with an electrically conductive housing having a first wire fixing part for fixing the wires of the first data cable and a second wire fixing part for fixing the wires of the second data cable and an electrical connection device for electrically connecting in each case one core of the first data cable to a core of the second data cable surrounds and which is electrically connectable to the shields of the two data cables.

Such cable connection devices are used to connect data cables with each other. Electrical signals with frequencies of up to several 100 MHz are transmitted electrically via the data cables. The data cables have several electrical wires, in many cases eight wires are used, forming four pairs of wires. The data cables each have a shield that surrounds the wires in order to avoid that the signal transmission is affected by external influences. In buildings, the data cables are usually laid in cable ducts, wherein a plurality of data cables can be arranged side by side. If the cable infrastructure formed in this way is subsequently to be changed, then in many cases it is necessary to extend the data cable by connecting an additional data cable to an existing data cable. The electrical connection of the two data cables should not affect the quality of the signal transmission.

To make an electrical connection between two data cables usually cable connecting devices are used with an electrically conductive housing into which the end portions of the two data cables can be inserted through suitable housing passages. The shields of the data cables can be connected to the electrically conductive housing and within the housing are a first and a second wire fixing, on which the wires of the data cable can be determined. The wire fixing parts are connected to each other via an electrical connection means, so that by connecting the wires of the first data cable to the first wire fixing and connecting the wires of the second data cable to the second wire fixing an electrically conductive connection between a wire of the first data cable and a wire of the second data cable can be made. In this case, the electrical connection device usually has an electrical circuit board with interconnects and with electrical inductances and capacitances which are intended to ensure the best possible transmission quality.

Cable connecting devices of the type described above have been proven in practice insofar as they allow two data cables with good transmission quality can be connected to each other. However, the production of electrical connection in many cases associated with time-consuming and costly soldering and assembly work, with specially designed tool must be used.

From the publication GB 2 409 353 For example, a cable connection device for electrically connecting the wires of two cables is known. The cable connecting device has a first wire fixing part for fixing the wires of the first cable and a second wire fixing part for fixing the wires of the second cable. In addition, the cable connection device has an electrical connection device with which in each case one core of the first cable can be connected to one core of the second cable. The two wire fixing parts and the connecting device are surrounded by a housing. The connecting device comprises a plurality of electrically conductive connecting elements, each having a first contact region for contacting a wire of the first cable and a second contact region for contacting a wire of the second cable. The wire fixing parts each have several contact areas, to which an end portion of a wire can be applied. The wire fixing parts can be inserted into the housing, wherein the first contact regions of the connecting elements in each case engage in a contact region of the first wire fixing part and the second contact regions of the connecting elements in each case engage in a contact region of the second wire fixing part. The wire fixing parts are each held on a Kabelfixierteil on which an end portion of a cable is fixed.

From the publication DE 20 2008 004 892 U1 For example, a shield connector for a connector is known for connecting the shield of a shielded cable to a metal connector housing.

A cable termination device is disclosed in the publication DE 10 2010 017 265 A1 described. The cable connection device comprises a guide device and a union nut for screwing onto a connection part which has a connection element and at least one insulation displacement terminal. The guide device consists of a cable receiving part and a subsequent thereto via a connection area wire guide part. The union nut, the guide device and the connection part are made of metal and form in their entirety a metal housing.

Object of the present invention is to develop a cable connection device of the generic type such that the wires and shields of two data cables can be inexpensively connected to each other within a short time without special tools.

This object is achieved by a cable connecting device having the features of patent claim 1.

In the cable connecting device according to the invention, the electrical connecting device has a plurality of connecting elements, which are electrically conductive and held in the housing. Each connecting element has a first contact region, which is designed for electrical contacting of a wire of the first data cable, and a second contact region, which is designed for electrically contacting a wire of the second data cable. The electrical connection between two wires of the data cable is thus in each case directly via a single electrical connection element, which may be configured, for example, in the form of a metal part, in particular a metal stamped part. Electrical transmission losses can be kept low.

The wire fixing parts have several contact areas, to each of which an end area of a wire can be created. The contact areas can be designed, for example, in the form of recesses, depressions or bores, each of which receives an end area of a core. The two wire fixing parts can be inserted into the housing of the cable connecting device. When the wire fixing parts are inserted, a first contact region of the connecting elements engages in a contact region of the first wire fixing part, and a second contact region of the connecting elements engages in a contact region of the second wire fixing part. The result of this is that the end regions of the wires of the first data cable positioned in the contact regions forcibly each electrically contact a first contact region of the connecting elements, and correspondingly, the end regions of the wires of the second data cable forcibly contact a second contact region of the connecting elements.

Thus, after the end portions of the wires of the data cables are positioned in the abutment portions of the wire fixing portions and the wire fixing portions are inserted into the housing together with the data wires, there is an electrical connection between the other of the data cables without requiring additional soldering or assembling work. The wire fixing parts inserted in the housing are surrounded by the electrically conductive housing, via the the shields of the data cables are interconnected. The electrical connection elements are thus surrounded as well as the end portions of the wires from the electrically conductive housing and thereby protected against electrical interference. The housing also forms a mechanical protection, so that the two data cables are also mechanically connected to each other via the cable connection device and can withstand high loads.

The wires and shields of the two data cables can be inexpensively connected to each other by means of the cable connecting device according to the invention within a short time without special tools. At most, the production of the connection requires the use of standard tools, which the electrician has at hand at all times to expose the shields and wires of the data cable and, if necessary, to shorten the individual wires.

The wire fixing parts are each held on a Kabelfixierteil on which an end portion of a data cable is fixed. The wire fixing parts accommodate the end portions of the wires of a data cable, and the data cable can be fixed to a cable fixing part which is mechanically connected to the wire fixing part.

At the Kabelfixierteilen a shield contact element is held in each case for producing an electrically conductive connection between the shield of a data cable and the housing. The shield contact element can be configured, for example, in the form of an elastically deformable bending plate part. In particular, it may be provided that the shield contact element is designed as a bow spring, in particular as a steel spring. The shield contact element can be held pivotably on the cable fixing part. If the cable fixing part is inserted into the housing together with the wire fixing part held thereon, then the screen contact element on the inside of the electrically conductive housing and on the shielding of the data cable can be used Arrive system and thereby provide an electrical connection between the housing and the shield of the data cable.

According to the invention, the wire fixing parts are each connected to a Kabelfixierteil without tools. This simplifies the handling of the cable connecting device.

As already mentioned, the first and second contact regions of the connecting elements are configured for contacting one respective core of a data cable. It is advantageous if the contact areas are designed as insulation displacement contacts. Such insulation displacement contacts are known in the art. They have two mutually facing metal cutting edges, between which an end portion of a wire can be clamped. The metal cutting cut through the electrical insulation of the wire and contact the metallic conductor of the wire, so that when inserting the end portion of the wire in the area between the two metal cutting an electrical connection between the wire and the insulation displacement contact is made. When inserting a wire fixing with positioned at the investment areas wires of a data cable into the housing of the insulation displacement contact engages in a contact area, so that forcibly an electrical connection between the respective wire and the insulation displacement contact is made.

It is advantageous if in the housing electrically conductive and electrically connected to the housing partitions are arranged, each receiving a pair of fasteners between them. This has the consequence that in each case a pair of electrical connection elements is separated by means of a partition from an adjacent pair of electrical connection elements. The partitions are electrically conductive with the housing and connected via this with the shields of the data cable. This allows a particularly good transmission quality, since mutual interference of the signals, which are each transmitted via a pair of wires and connecting elements, can be avoided.

It can be provided, for example, that the housing is designed circular-cylindrical and the partitions are aligned radially to the cylinder axis of the housing. In particular, it can be provided that the housing is formed in the manner of a sleeve, which is penetrated by cross-shaped partitions.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the two wire fixing are used in opposite directions in the housing. This facilitates the handling of the cable connecting device when establishing an electrical connection between the two data cables.

A further simplification of the handling of the cable connecting device is achieved in an advantageous embodiment of the invention in that the two wire fixing parts are designed identically. The positioning of the end regions of the wires of the second data cable thus takes place in the same way as the positioning of the end regions of the wires of the first data cable. The use of identical wire fixing has the additional advantage that they can be produced in larger quantities and thus more cost-effective.

The wire fixing parts are preferably made of an electrically insulating material, preferably of a plastic material, for example of a polycarbonate material.

As already mentioned, when inserting the wire fixing parts, at the contact region of which an end region of a wire is respectively positioned, an electrical connection between the wires and a contact region of a connecting element can be forcibly produced in the housing. It is advantageous if the cable connecting device has at least one manually operable thrust element for inserting a wire fixing in the housing. In such an embodiment, the wire fixing can be inserted into the housing, and with the help of the at least one thrust element, the wire fixing can be acted upon with a thrust. This facilitates the insertion of the wire fixing with the positioned at the investment areas wires of a data cable.

It is particularly advantageous if the cable connection device has two push elements which are each assigned to a wire fixing part.

Preferably, the thrust elements are designed as union nuts and in each case screwed onto an external thread of the housing. The union nuts preferably made of an electrically non-conductive material can be screwed onto an external thread of the housing. Here, the union nuts exert a pushing force on a wire fixing, so that it is inserted when screwing the nut into the housing.

Preferably, the wire fixing by inserting the union nuts pressed into the housing. Such a configuration is particularly advantageous if the contact areas of the connecting elements are designed as insulation displacement contacts, since then the end portions of the wires can be pressed in each case between the metal cutting edges of a cutting terminal contact.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the electrical connection device has at least one retaining element on which the connecting elements are held. The holding element can be used in an advantageous embodiment of the invention in the assembly of the cable connecting device in the housing.

It is advantageous if the retaining element can be latched to the housing.

The holding element is conveniently made of an electrically insulating material, for example of a plastic material.

It is advantageous if the electrical connection device comprises two identically configured, electrically insulating holding elements and the connecting elements are respectively held on both holding elements.

It can be provided that the connecting elements pass through both holding elements, wherein in each case a contact region of the connecting elements is surrounded in the circumferential direction by a jacket of a holding element.

It is particularly advantageous if the holding elements are designed as end caps, in each of which dive the contact areas of a wire fixing. As already mentioned, an end region of a core can be positioned at each contact area of the wire fixing parts. After the insertion of the wire fixing parts with the wires positioned in the housing of the cable connecting device, the contact areas and thus also the end areas of the wires positioned on the contact areas can be covered by a retaining element. The holding element may be made of an electrically insulating material, so that there is no risk that the free ends of the wires come into contact with the electrically conductive housing. An electrical connection between the wires and the housing can be reliably prevented.

In particular, it can be provided that the wire fixing parts can each be latched with a Kabelfixierteil. For this purpose, the wire fixing parts and the cable fixing parts may have cooperating latching elements, for example latching projections and latching receivers.

Preferably, the shield contact element is held captive on Kabelfixierteil.

Preferably, the shield contact element is by inserting the Kabelfixierteils in the housing automatically from a release position in which it releases the shield of the data cable, movable in a connecting position in which it electrically connects the shield of the data cable to the housing. A Such a configuration facilitates the handling of the cable connecting device, since the shield contact element automatically transitions into its connecting position when the cable fixing part is inserted into the housing, without the shield contact element having to be manually operated.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the shield contact element is held pivotably on a Kabelfixierteil about a pivot axis.

It is advantageous if the pivot axis is offset radially to the longitudinal axis of the housing and aligned perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the housing. Such an orientation of the pivot axis makes it possible for the shield contact element when inserting the Kabelfixiertils forced into the housing so far to pivot about the pivot axis that the shield contact element on the one hand contacted the electrically conductive housing and on the other hand the electrically conductive shield of the data cable. Since the shield contact element is also made of an electrically conductive material, this allows an electrically conductive connection between the shield of the data cable and the housing, without the shield contact element must be manually operated.

Preferably, a strain relief element is arranged on each Kabelfixierteil for mechanically fixing a data cable on Kabelfixierteil. By means of the strain relief element it can be ensured that the data cable can not perform any unintentional movement relative to the cable fixing part.

It can be provided that the strain relief element can be latched with the Kabelfixierteil. It is advantageous if the strain relief element can be latched in several locking positions with the Kabelfixierteil, where it can embrace data cables with different diameters in the individual detent positions. This makes it possible in a structurally simple way to set data cables with different diameters on Kabelfixierteil.

The two cable fixing parts of the cable connecting device are favorably identical. This makes it possible to produce the Kabelfixierteile in higher quantities and thus more cost-effective. In addition, the handling of the cable connecting device is facilitated by the identical configuration of the two cable fixing.

The cable fixing parts are preferably made of electrically conductive material. For example, it can be provided that the cable fixing parts are designed as metal castings, in particular as zinc die-cast parts.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the cable connecting device according to the invention each form a Kabelfixierteil together with a held thereon Adernfixierteil a common mounting unit, which has a central passage for passing an end portion of a data cable and is positively inserted into the housing.

The contact areas of the wire fixing part are preferably arranged on an end face of the mounting unit. This has the advantage that the data cable can be passed through the central through-channel, so that subsequently in each case one end region of a core can be positioned on a contact region arranged on the end side. By means of a strain relief element, the data cable can be fixed to the cable fixing part of the mounting unit. A shield contact element can be positioned on the shield of the data cable and during the subsequent insertion of the complete mounting unit can be made via the shield contact element, an electrical connection between the shield of the data cable and the electrically conductive housing.

Conveniently, the mounting unit can be pressed into the housing by means of a union nut, wherein an electrical connection between the first contact regions of the connecting elements of the electrical connection device and the wires of the data cable can be produced by forcing the assembly unit into the housing.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the cable connecting device is designed dustproof and waterproof. This makes it possible to use the cable connection device outdoors, because even with temporary or even permanent submersion of the cable connection device in water in such an embodiment, there is no risk that water penetrates into the device. Also against the ingress of dust, the device is protected.

In order to reliably prevent the ingress of water, the cable connecting device according to the invention can have a plurality of sealing elements, for example sealing rings. In particular, it may be provided that at least one sealing ring is positioned in an annular groove surrounding the housing in the circumferential direction. In addition, in addition to inner union nuts, which act on the wire fixing parts and preferably the complete assembly units with a thrust toward the electrical connection elements, external union nuts are used, which are screwed on end side arranged external thread of the inner union nuts and in each case a ring or sleeve-shaped Press sealing element radially inwards.

Figur 1:

eine perspektivische Darstellung nach Art einer Explosionszeichnung einer ersten Ausführungsform einer erfindungsgemäßen Kabelverbindungsvorrichtung;

Figur 2:

eine perspektivische Darstellung nach Art einer Explosionszeichnung einer Montageeinheit der Kabelverbindungsvorrichtung aus Figur 1;

Figur 3:

eine perspektivische Darstellung eines Gehäuses der Kabelverbindungsvorrichtung aus Figur 1;

Figur 4:

eine perspektivische Darstellung des Gehäuses aus Figur 3 mit einer darin eingefügten elektrischen Verbindungseinrichtung;

Figur 5:

eine perspektivische Darstellung der Montageeinheit aus Figur 2 mit einem daran festgelegten Datenkabel;

Figur 6:

eine perspektivische Darstellung der Kabelverbindungsvorrichtung beim Einsetzen der Montageeinheit aus Figur 2 in das Gehäuse, wobei ein Schirmkontaktelement zunächst noch eine Freigabestellung einnimmt;

Figur 7:

eine perspektivische Darstellung entsprechend Figur 6, wobei das Schirmkontaktelement beim Einsetzen der Montageeinheit in das Gehäuse zwangsweise in eine Verbindungsstellung verschwenkt wird;

Figuren 8 bis 15:

schematische Darstellungen einzelner Montageschritte zur Herstellung einer elektrischen Verbindung zwischen den Adern und Abschirmungen zweiter Datenkabel, und

Figur 16:

eine perspektivische Darstellung nach Art einer Explosionszeichnung einer zweiten Ausführungsform einer erfindungsgemäßen Kabelverbindungsvorrichtung.

The following description of two preferred embodiments of the invention is used in conjunction with the drawings for further explanation. Show it:

FIG. 1:

a perspective view in the manner of an exploded view of a first embodiment of a cable connecting device according to the invention;

FIG. 2:

a perspective view in the manner of an exploded view of a mounting unit of the cable connecting device FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 3:

a perspective view of a housing of the cable connecting device FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 4:

a perspective view of the housing FIG. 3 with an electrical connection device inserted therein;

FIG. 5:

a perspective view of the mounting unit FIG. 2 with a data cable attached to it;

FIG. 6:

a perspective view of the cable connecting device when inserting the mounting unit FIG. 2 in the housing, wherein a screen contact element initially occupies a release position;

FIG. 7:

a perspective view accordingly FIG. 6 wherein the shield contact element is forcibly pivoted into a connecting position upon insertion of the mounting unit into the housing;

FIGS. 8 to 15:

schematic representations of individual assembly steps for establishing an electrical connection between the wires and shields of second data cable, and

FIG. 16:

a perspective view in the manner of an exploded view of a second embodiment of a cable connecting device according to the invention.

In the FIGS. 1 to 5 schematically a first embodiment of a cable connecting device according to the invention is shown, which is generally occupied by the reference numeral 10. It comprises an electrically conductive housing 12, which is designed as a cylindrical sleeve. The housing 12 carries a first external thread 14 and a second external thread 16 and is inside of four cross-shaped partitions arranged through, which are relative to a cylinder axis 22 of the housing 12 radially aligned. This is especially true FIG. 3 clear.

The housing 12 accommodates an electrical connection device 24 with eight electrically conductive connecting elements 25 to 32, which are configured identically and each having a first contact region in the form of a first insulation displacement contact 34 and a second contact region in the form of a second insulation displacement contact 36. As in particular from FIG. 4 becomes clear, each insulation displacement contact 34, 36 two mutually facing metallic cutting, which are arranged at a small distance from each other. The first insulation displacement contacts 34 are configured identically as the second insulation displacement contacts 36.

In addition to the connecting elements 25 to 32, the electrical connecting device 24 has two identically designed holding elements 38, 40, which are made of an electrically insulating material, preferably of a plastic material. The holding elements 38, 40 each include a substantially planar, perpendicular to the cylinder axis 22 of the housing 12 aligned end wall 42 and 44, to the one piece and the opposite holding element facing away from a jacket 46 and 48, respectively. The two holding elements 38, 40 are thus each formed in the form of an end cap. With their end walls 42, 44, the two holding elements 38, 40 facing each other. The electrical connection elements 25 to 32 pass through the end walls 42, 44, wherein in each case an insulation displacement contact 34 or 36 in the surrounded by a jacket 46 and 48 interior of the holding elements 38, 40 is immersed. This is especially true FIG. 4 clear.

The cross-shaped partitions 18, 19, 20 and 21 have a relative to the cylinder axis 22 radially inner region 50 with a shorter axial extent and a radially outer region 52 with a longer axial extent. This is especially true FIG. 3 clear. The longer regions 52 in each case pass through a slot of the end walls 42, 44 the holding members 38, 40 so that they each separate a pair of insulation displacement contacts 34 and 36 from an adjacent pair of insulation displacement contacts 34 and 36, respectively. This is especially true FIG. 4 clear. The shorter regions 50 extend between the end walls 42, 44 of the two holding elements 38, 40 and form stops, against which the holding elements 38, 40 can be pressed upon insertion into the housing 12. The holding elements 38, 40 can be inserted in opposite directions in the housing 12 and locked with the housing 12.

In addition to the housing 12 and the electrical connection means 24 arranged therein, the cable connection device 10 has two identically designed mounting units 54, 56, which can each be mounted on a data cable 58 and 60, respectively. After mounting on the respective data cable 58 or 60, the mounting units 54 and 56 can be inserted into the housing 12 in opposite directions. This will be explained in more detail below.

The first mounting unit 54 comprises a first wire fixing part 62 and a first cable fixing part 64, which in FIG. 2 are shown enlarged. The first wire fixing part 62 can be connected without tools to the first cable fixing part 64; more precisely, the first wire fixing part 62 can be locked to the first cable fixing part 64. For this purpose, the first wire fixing part 62 and the first cable fixing part 64 have mutually cooperating latching elements. Such locking elements are known in the art and therefore not shown in the drawing to achieve a better overview.

The first wire fixing part 62 has, on its front side 66 facing away from the first cable fixing part 64, a total of eight identically formed contact areas 67 to 74, which are each in the form of a recess and in each of which an end area of a wire 76 to 83 of the first data cable 58 can be inserted , This is especially true FIG. 5 clear. For this purpose, the first data cable 58 can form a central through-passage 86 formed by the first wire-fixing part 62 and the first cable-fixing part 64 succeed. The exposed wires 56 to 83 of the data cable 58 can be directed radially outwards and each used in a contact area 67 to 74.

The first Kabelfixierteil 64 has in its the first wire fixing 62 remote from the rear region on an electrically insulating strain relief element 88, which surround the central through-channel 86 extending through first data cable 58 and set on the first Kabelfixiertil 64.

In the area between the strain relief element 88 and the first wire fixing part 62, a shield contact element 90 is arranged on the first cable fixing part 64, which is designed in the form of a bow spring bent from sheet metal and can be applied to the exposed shielding of the first data cable 58 on the outside. The shield contact element 90 includes a first spring leg 91 and a second spring leg 93 and is pivotally mounted on a radially offset from the cylinder axis 22 of the housing 12 and arranged perpendicular to the cylinder axis 22 aligned pivot axis 95. The pivot axis 95 has centrally a radially outwardly projecting locking cam 97. With the aid of the latching cam 97, the shield contact element 90 is in an in FIG. 6 releasable position shown releasably latched. In the release position, the second spring leg 93 releases a shield 99 of the first data cable 58 and the first spring leg 91 protrudes in the radial direction beyond the housing 12. In the release position, the first spring leg 91 is aligned substantially perpendicular to the cylinder axis 22.

When inserted into the housing 12, the first spring leg 91 of the shield contact element 90 slides along an inner side of the housing 12 integrally formed guide cam 101 along, wherein the shield contact element 90 in an in FIG. 7 shown connection position is pivoted, in which the second spring leg 93, the shield 99 contacted. The two spring legs 91, 93 are elastically compressed when inserted into the housing 12 and exert an elastic restoring force, so that the voltage applied to the guide cam 101 of the housing 12 first spring leg 91 in combination with the voltage applied to the shield 99 of the first data cable 58 second spring leg 93 ensures that the shield 99 reliably electrically connected to the housing 12 is.

As already mentioned, the second mounting unit 56 is identical in construction to the first mounting unit 54. The second mounting unit 56 comprises a second wire fixing part 92, which is identical to the first wire fixing part 62 and which is locked with a second cable fixing part 94. The second cable fixing part 94 is formed identically to the first cable fixing part 64.

The second wire fixing part 92 has, on its front side remote from the second cable fixing part 94, in the same way as the first wire fixing part 62 a total of eight contact areas, each of which accommodates an end area of a wire of the second data cable 60, as already described above using the first data cable 58 in FIG Individual was explained.

The two assembly units 54 and 56 may be relative to the cylinder axis 22 in the axial direction, opposite to each other, inserted into the housing 12. In the process, the first insulation displacement contacts 34 of the electrical connection elements 25 to 32 dip into the contact areas 67 to 74 of the first core fixing part 62 and the second insulation displacement contacts 36 dip into the contact areas of the second core fixing part 92. The arranged on the contact areas ends of the wires are thereby forcibly respectively pressed between the two metal cutting a cutting terminal contact and the metal cutting cut through the insulation of the wire and contact the metallic conductor of the wire. Thus, upon insertion of the mounting units 54, 56 in the housing 12 compulsorily established an electrical connection between the wires of the data cable 58, 60 and the electrical connection elements 25 to 32. At the same time by the insertion of the mounting units 54, 56 in the housing 12th compulsorily pivoting shield contact elements 90 made an electrical connection of the shields of the data cable 58, 60 to the housing 12.

In order to facilitate the pressing of the mounting units 54, 56 in the housing 12, the cable connecting device 10, two manually operable pushers in the form of a first union nut 96 and a second union nut 98. The first union nut 96 can be screwed onto the first external thread 14 of the housing 12, with its rearward end region 100 exerting a thrust force axially aligned with respect to the cylinder axis 22 on the first assembly unit 54 and thereby the cores 76 arranged on the abutment regions 67 to 74 until 83 presses into the insulation displacement contacts 34 of the electrical connection elements 25 to 32.

The second union nut 98 can be screwed in a corresponding manner to the second external thread 16 of the housing 12, the second union nut 98 with its rear end portion 102 relative to the cylinder axis 22 axially directed thrust force on the second mounting unit 56 exerts, so that at the System areas of the second wire fixing 92 positioned cores of the second data cable 60 are pressed against the insulation displacement contacts 36 of the electrical connection elements 25 to 32 and thereby forcibly electrical contact between the wires of the second data cable 60 and the electrical connection elements 25 to 32 is achieved.

After insertion of the two mounting units 54, 56 in the housing 12 thus the wires of the two data cables 58, 60 are each connected to each other via an electrical connection element 25 to 32.

The second Kabelfixierteil 94 has in a similar manner as the first Kabelfixiertil 64 a strain relief element 104 and a shield contact element 106 and a central passageway through which the second data cable 60 relative to the cylinder axis 22 in the axial direction can be. By means of the strain relief element 104, the second data cable 60 can be fixed to the second cable fixing part 94 and by means of the shield contact element 106, the shield of the second data cable 60 can be electrically connected to the housing 12 when inserting the second mounting unit 56 into the housing 12. Thus, an electrically conductive connection between the two data cables 58, 60 is produced via the shield contact elements 90 and 106 and via the housing 12. The cores of the two data cables 58, 60 are thus, like the electrical connection elements 25 to 32 of the electrical connection device 24 in the circumferential direction surrounded by an electrical shield, which prevents deterioration of the transmission quality due to external influences.

In the FIGS. 8 to 15 FIG. 3 illustrates the assembly of the data cables 58 and 60 to the mounting units 54 and 56, respectively, and to establish an electrical connection between the data cables 58 and 60 by means of the cable connection device 10 in individual assembly steps. In a first assembly step, the in FIG. 8 is shown schematically, the first data cable 58 is passed through the first union nut 96 and the central passageway 86 of the first mounting unit 54, after previously the wires 76 to 83 of the first data cable 58 as well as the shield 99 were exposed. The strain relief element 88, like the shield contact element 90, is held pivotably on the cable fixing part 64 between a release position and a connection position. During the in FIG. 8 As shown in the first assembly step, the strain relief element 58 and the shield contact element 90 assume their release position so that the first data cable 58 can easily be passed through the central through-passage 86 of the first mounting unit 54.

In a second assembly step, the in FIG. 9 is shown schematically, the strain relief 88 is pivoted to its closed position. The strain relief element 88 thereby fixes the first data cable 58 to the cable fixing part 64.

In a third assembly step, the in FIG. 10 4, the exposed wires 76 to 83 of the first data cable 58 are bent radially outward, each being positioned in an abutting area 67 to 74 of the first wire fixing portion 62.

In a subsequent assembly step, the in FIG. 11 is illustrated, in the radial direction over the contact areas 67 to 74 protruding ends of the wires 76 to 83 are separated.

In further assembly steps, in the FIGS. 12 and 13 are illustrated, the complete assembly unit 54 is inserted with the data cable 58 fixed thereto in the housing 12. The housing 12 receives the first mounting unit 54 in a form-fitting manner. The shield contact element 90 contacts the guide cam 101 arranged on the inside of the housing 12 and forcibly pivots around the pivot axis 95 into its connecting position, so that an electrical connection is established between the exposed shield 99 of the first data cable 58 and the electrically conductive housing 12.

The further insertion of the mounting unit 54 in the housing 12 is achieved in that in the in FIG. 14 schematically shown assembly step, the first union nut 96 is screwed onto the first external thread 14 of the housing 12, the union nut 96 with its rear end portion 100 exerts an axially aligned pressing force on the first mounting unit 54, so that the insulation displacement contacts 34 of the electrical connection elements 25 to 32 each connect a wire 76 to 83 of the first data cable 58 electrically.

By pressing the first mounting unit 54 with the first data cable 58 fixed thereto in the housing 12, an electrical connection is thus forcibly established between the wires 76 to 83 of the first data cable 58 and the first insulation displacement contacts 34 of the electrical connection elements 25 to 32.

In a corresponding manner, the second assembly unit 56 can be inserted into the housing 12 together with the second data cable 60 attached thereto in subsequent assembly steps. This is in FIG. 15 shown schematically. In this case, an axial pressing force can be exerted on the second external thread 16 by screwing on the second cap nut 98, so that the wires of the second data cable 60 contact the second insulation displacement contacts 36 of the electrical connection elements 25 to 32 forcibly. Thus, by pressing in the second mounting unit 56 with the second data cable 60 attached thereto, an electrical connection is made between the wires of the second data cable 60 and the second insulation displacement contacts 36 of the electrical connection elements 25-32. This has the consequence that the wires of the first data cable 58 are electrically connected via the electrical connection elements 25 to 32 directly to the wires of the second data cable 60. At the same time, an electrical connection between the shields of the two data cables 58, 60 is ensured via the shield contact elements 90 and 106 and via the housing 12.

The establishment of an electrical connection between the two data cables 58, 60 is thus very simple by means of the cable connection device 10. The electrical connection can be achieved on-site within a very short time without the need for specially designed tools.

In FIG. 16 schematically a second embodiment of a cable connecting device according to the invention is shown, which is generally designated by the reference numeral 110. This is largely identical to that described above with reference to the FIGS. 1 to 15 explained cable connection device 10. For identical components are therefore in FIG. 16 the same reference numerals as in the FIGS. 1 to 15 , To avoid repetition, reference is made to the above explanations with respect to these components.

The cable connecting device 110 differs from the cable connecting device 10 in that it is made dustproof and waterproof. Even with temporary or even permanent submersion in water, the water can not penetrate into the housing 12. For this purpose, the housing 12 is surrounded in the cable connecting device 110 in the region between the two external threads 14, 16 of a first sealing ring 112 and a second sealing ring 114, which are each arranged in an annular groove of the housing 12, and instead of the above-explained union nuts 96, 98th For example, a first pair of union nuts 116 and a second pair of union nuts 118 are used. The first pair of union nuts 116 comprises a screwed onto the first external thread 14 of the housing 12 inner union nut 120 sealingly receives the first sealing ring 112 with a front collar 122 and at its end facing away from the first sealing ring 112 an external thread 124 and an axially in it Direction subsequent sealing sleeve 126 carries. On the external thread 124 of the inner union nut 120, an outer union nut 128 of the first pair of union nuts 116 are screwed, the outer union nut 128 presses the sealing sleeve 126 in the radial direction against a further sealing sleeve 127 through which the first data cable 58 is passed. The penetration of water into the area between the housing 12 and the first pair of union nuts 116 is thereby reliably prevented.

Similarly, the second pair of union nuts 118 of the cable connection device 110 includes an inner union nut 130 and an outer union nut 132. The inner union nut 130 can be threaded onto the second external thread 16 of the housing 12, sealing the second sealing ring 114 with a face collar 134 receives. The outer union nut 132 can be screwed onto an external thread 136 of the inner union nut 130, wherein it presses a sealing sleeve 138 of the inner union nut 130 in the radial direction against a further sealing sleeve 140, through which the second data cable 60 is passed. Thus, with the aid of the second pair of union nuts 118 reliable the penetration of water into the area between the housing 12 and the second pair of union nuts 118 can be prevented.

Establishing an electrical connection between the first data cable 58 and the second data cable 60 takes place in the in FIG. 16 Again, the electrical connection can be made inexpensively within a short time, without the need for special tool must be used for this purpose.

Claims (17)

1. Cable connecting device for electrically connecting the conductors and the shielding of a first data cable (58) with the conductors and the shielding of a second data cable (60), comprising an electrically conducting housing (12) which surrounds a first conductor fixing part (62) for fixing the conductors of the first data cable (58) and a second conductor fixing part (92) for fixing the conductors of the second data cable (60) and an electrical connecting arrangement (24) for electrically connecting a conductor of the first data cable (58) to a conductor of the second data cable (60) in each case, and which is electrically connectable to the shieldings of the two data cables (58, 60), wherein the connecting arrangement (24) comprises a plurality of electrically conducting connecting elements (25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32) held in the housing (12), each of which has a first contact portion (34) for contacting a conductor of the first data cable (58) and a second contact portion (36) for contacting a conductor of the second second data cable (60), and wherein the conductor fixing parts (62, 92) in each case have a plurality of lay-on areas (67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74) capable of having an end portion of a conductor laid thereon and wherein the conductor fixing parts (62, 92) are insertable into the housing (12), wherein the first contact portions (34) of the connecting elements (25 to 32) in each case engage in a lay-on area (67 to 74) of the first conductor fixing part (62) and the second contact portions (36) of the connecting elements (25 to 32) in each case engage in a lay-on area of the second conductor fixing part (92), wherein the conductor fixing parts (62, 92) are in each case held to a cable fixing part (64, 94) to which an end portion of a data cable (58, 60) is fixable, characterized in that held to the cable fixing parts (64, 94) is in each case a shield contact element (90, 106) for establishing an electrically conducting connection between the shielding of a data cable (58, 60) and the housing (12) and in that the conductor fixing parts (62, 92) are in each case connectable to a cable fixing part (64, 94) without the use of tools.
2. Cable connecting device in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that the contact portions of the connecting elements (25 to 32) are configured as insulation displacement contacts (34, 36).
3. Cable connecting device in accordance with claim 1 or 2, characterized in that arranged in the housing (12) are electrically conducting partition walls (18, 19, 20, 21) in electrical communication with the housing (12) which in each case receive a pair of connecting elements (25, 26; 27, 28; 29, 30; 31, 32) therebetween.
4. Cable connecting device in accordance with claim 3, characterized in that the housing (12) is of circular-cylindrical configuration and the partition walls (18, 19, 20, 21) are oriented radially with respect to the cylinder axis (22) of the housing (12).
5. Cable connecting device in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the two conductor fixing parts (62, 92) are insertable into the housing (12) in opposite directions to one another.
6. Cable connecting device in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cable connecting device (10; 110) has at least one manually actuatable pushing element for pushing a conductor fixing part (62, 92) into the housing (12).
7. Cable connecting device in accordance with claim 6, characterized in that the cable connecting device (10; 110) has two pushing elements which are configured as cap nuts (96, 98; 120, 130) and are in each case screwable onto an external thread (14, 16) of the housing (12).
8. Cable connecting device in accordance with claim 7, characterized in that the conductor fixing parts (62, 92) are pressable into the housing (12) by screwing the cap nuts (96, 98; 120, 130) thereonto.
9. Cable connecting device in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the electrical connecting arrangement (24) comprises at least one electrically isolating holding element (38, 40) on which the connecting elements (25 to 32) are held.
10. Cable connecting device in accordance with claim 9, characterized in that the electrical connecting arrangement (24) comprises two electrically isolating holding elements (38, 40) of identical configuration and in that the connecting elements (25 to 32) are in each case held on both holding elements (38, 40).
11. Cable connecting device in accordance with claim 10, characterized in that the holding elements (38, 40) are configured as end caps which in each case extend into the lay-on areas (67 to 74) of a conductor fixing part (62, 92).
12. Cable connecting device in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, by insertion of the cable fixing part (64, 94) into the housing (12), the shield contact element (90, 106) is movable from a release position in which it releases the shielding (99) of the data cable (58, 60) to a connecting position in which it electrically connects the shielding (99) of the data cable (58, 60) to the housing (12).
13. Cable connecting device in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the shield contact element (90, 106) is held to a cable fixing part (64, 94) for pivotal movement about a pivot axis (95).
14. Cable connecting device in accordance with claim 13, characterized in that the pivot axis (95) is radially displaced from the longitudinal axis (22) of the housing (12) and is oriented perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis (22) of the housing (12).
15. Cable connecting device in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that arranged on each cable fixing part (64, 94) is a strain relief element (88, 104) for mechanically fixing a data cable (58, 60) to the cable fixing part (64, 94).
16. Cable connecting device in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in each case a cable fixing part (64, 94) together with the conductor fixing part (62, 92) held thereto forms a common assembly unit (54, 56) which has a central through-channel (86) for passing therethrough an end portion of a data cable (58, 60) and which is insertable into the housing (12) in a form-locking manner.
17. Cable connecting device in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cable connecting device (110) is of dust-tight and water-tight configuration.

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