EP3021421B1 - Connection device for multi-conductor cables - Google Patents

Description

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

Such connection devices with insulation penetrating contacts are known per se. They are used for fast and safe wiring of flat cables with a relatively large number of conductors.

From the WO 96/01510 A1 it is known to insert individual conductors into through-openings of a block and then to make a connection to insulation-penetrating contacts with an eccentric arrangement. A continuous flat cable cannot be plugged into the block.

The US 5,704,801 A shows a generic connection device. The construction is basically only suitable for flat cables with very few conductors. The chosen design with brackets on the side of a kind of frame and an eccentric roller leads to a lot of play in the design, which makes it hardly possible to make good contact even with a flat cable with a relatively large number of conductors.

From the DE 34 22 607 C1 It is known to design the connection device in such a way that it can only be placed on the flat cable if a conductor or a wire has previously been interrupted at the placement point and has a breakout in this area. Lugs on one of the parts of the connecting device engage in the interrupted area of this wire. This serves to position the connection device and ensures that it can only be installed if corresponding openings are provided. In addition, the approach separates and isolates the two ends of the interrupted conductor. This solution has proven itself, especially when used in cramped building shafts, because it is easy to handle. An analog solution shows that EP 1 518 812 B1 which a connection device of the type DE 34 22 607 C2 for use in lift shafts where, for example, the safety circuit must be interrupted.

The EP 1 936 747 A2 discloses a generic connection device. The base housing is constructed in several parts and has a base section and a cover section, which in turn are designed in several parts. It is preferred a sliding cover is provided which is slidably guided on a base plate and which has wedges on its inside which cooperate with wedges of a support plate, the support plate being pressed together with the cable and a receiving plate for the cable as a unit onto the insulation-penetrating contacts. This version is compact and still implements a particularly safe circuit.

Although the structure of the generic EP 1 936 747 A21 proven in itself. However, there is still a need to further develop the generic connection device, in particular with regard to an even simpler contactability.

The object of the invention is to solve this problem.

The invention solves this problem by the subject matter of claim 1. According to this, at least one eccentric unit can be arranged on the base housing (or also arranged when making contact) with which the flat cable can be pressed onto the insulation-penetrating contacts until one or more of its conductors have been contacted. Contacting the flat cable is so simple and unproblematic.

The eccentric unit has an eccentric housing, in which an eccentric roller is inserted, which is rotatably mounted in the eccentric housing and which is supported in an abutment-like manner against wiring in a connection in or on the base housing, the eccentric housing being rotated relative to when the eccentric roller is rotated Basic housing moves, so that the flat cable can be pressed onto the insulation-penetrating contacts with the eccentric unit until it is contacted. The eccentric unit designed in this way has very compact dimensions and nevertheless enables the conductors of the flat cable to be contacted more easily and reliably with the insulation-penetrating contacts.

According to a variant, the contact plate unit is designed as a printed circuit board unit which has at least one printed circuit board which is placed on the base plate, a protective plate having openings, in particular slots, which at least partially covers the protective plate being placed on the printed circuit board in the region of the insulation-penetrating contacts enforce, and from which the insulation penetrating contacts protrude, the protective plate recesses for receiving and supporting base portions of the insulation penetrating contacts when contacting the insulation penetrating contacts, which are conductively connected to the circuit board. In this way, it is possible in a simple manner to support the relatively large forces that occur when the insulation-penetrating contacts come into contact over a larger area on the printed circuit board or even on a component located under the printed circuit board in order to protect the printed circuit board.

It is advantageous if two or more eccentric units are also movably guided on a housing offset in the main direction of extension of the flat cable, in particular are displaceable, in order to contact the flat cable in its longitudinal direction at different points. It is advantageous if the housings of these connection devices can be connected to form-locking means (and / or force-locking means), for example to corresponding geometries of one or more dovetail connections.

According to the characterizing part of claim 23, a punching device for severing one or more conductors of the flat cable is attached to the connection device in the main extension device of the flat cable. Since the punching device is not integrated into the housing of the connection device but is designed separately from it, it is possible to provide it specifically only in cases in which a cutting of the conductors e.g. is absolutely necessary to implement a safety circuit. It is particularly advantageous if the connecting device and the punching device have corresponding positive locking means - one or more. Corresponding, interlocking grooves and pins - have, on which they can be aligned in the main direction.

It is advantageous and preferred because it is practical and structurally compact and simple if the connection device and the punching device have corresponding form-locking means on which they can be arranged in the main direction of extension and / or that in and against the skin extension direction on the housings of the connection device and / or the Punching device one or more. Corresponding grooves and pins are formed, which together form a type of dovetail connection.

Fig. 1

eine perspektivische Ansicht einer erfindungsgemäßen Anschlussvorrichtung;

Fig. 2

eine Sprengansicht der erfindungsgemäßen Anschlussvorrichtung aus Fig. 1;

Fig. 3

die Anschlussvorrichtung aus Fig. 1 ohne Exzentereinheit;

Fig. 4

in a) eine Sprengansicht einer ersten Exzentereinheit, in b) die Exzentereinheit aus a) in einer perspektivischen Ansicht und in c) in einer Seitenansicht, jeweils in einer ersten Betriebsstellung, und in d) die Exzentereinheit aus a) in der perspektivischen Ansicht und in e) in der Seitenansicht in einer zweiten ersten Betriebsstellung;

Fig. 5

die Anordnung aus Fig. 1 mit der Exzentereinheit an einem Flachkabel;

Fig. 6

eine Leiterplattenanordnung der Anschlussvorrichtung aus Fig. 1;

Fig. 7

eine Sprengansicht einer zweiten Exzentereinheit;

Fig. 8a-f

in a) und b) eine erste und eine zweite perspektivische Ansicht einer zweiten erfindungsgemäßen Anschlussvorrichtung, in c) eine Sprengansicht der zweiten erfindungsgemäßen Anschlussvorrichtung aus a), in d) eine Schnittansicht durch eine Kontaktanordnung, ein Flachkabel und eine Exzentereinheit nach Art der Fig. 7 und 8a - c - wobei weitere Elemente der Anschlussvorrichtung nach Art der Fig. 1 ausgeblendet worden sind - während eines Kontaktierens des Flachkabels in aufeinanderfolgenden drei Schritten jeweils in perspektivischer Ansicht und in e) und f) Schnittansichten der Exzentereinheit mit dem Flachkabel;

Fig. 9a-c

eine Seitenansicht von Elementen einer Exzentereinheit nach Art der Fig. 7 während eines Kontaktierens des Flachkabels während der aufeinanderfolgenden Schritte der Fig. 8;

Fig. 10

eine Schnittansicht eines Abschnitts einer Leiterplattenanordnung einer ersten Bauart;

Fig. 11

eine Schnittansicht eines Abschnitts einer Leiterplattenanordnung einer zweiten Bauart;

Fig. 12

eine perspektivische Ansicht einer Anordnung aus zwei Anschlussvorrichtungen mit einer zwischen diesen angeordneten Stanzvorrichtung an einem Flachkabel;

Fig. 13

in a) eine Stanzanordnung an einem Flachkabel, in b) einen Schnitt durch die Stanzanordnung aus a) und in c) den Schnitt aus b) nach einem Stanzvorgang am Flachkabel;

Fig. 14

in a) bis e) Ansichten von Elementen der Stanzvorrichtung aus Fig. 13;

Fig. 15

in a) eine perspektivische Ansicht einer dritten Ausführungsvariante einer Anschlussvorrichtung mit einer Exzentereinheit mit einer Abdeckhaube; in b) eine Sprengansicht der Anschlussvorrichtung aus a); in c) eine Sprengansicht der Exzentereinheit aus a) und b) mit der Abdeckhaube, in d) die Exzentereinheit aus a) mit einem kontaktierten Kabel und mit einem abgedeckten Kabel, und in e) eine Draufsicht auf die Anschlussvorrichtung aus a) ohne Exzentereinheit und ohne deren Abdeckhaube sowie mit einem schematisch dargestellten Kabel; und

Fig. 16

in a) eine perspektivische Ansicht einer vierten Ausführungsvariante einer Anschlussvorrichtung mit einer Exzentereinheit mit einer Abdeckhaube und mit einem Elektronikgehäuse mit einem teilausgeblendeten Elektronikgehäusedeckel und aus einer ersten Blickrichtung schräg von oben, in b) eine zweite perspektivische Ansicht der Anschlussvorrichtung aus a) aus einer zweiten Blickrichtung schräg von unten, in c) die Anordnung aus a) in der Blickrichtung aus a) mit einem an eine Elektronik des Elektronikgehäuses angeschlossenen Kabel; und in d) die Anordnung aus a) und c) mit einem teilweise geöffneten Elektronikdeckel und einem an die Elektronik des Elektronikgehäuses angeschlossenen Kabel.

It is furthermore expedient and thus advantageous if the punching device has a housing with a lower housing part and an upper housing part, the upper housing part preferably having one or more openings which are aligned perpendicularly to the flat cable and are radially aligned therewith, and that in the respective opening in each case at least one punch can be used, with which a conductor of the flat cable lying under the opening can be severed, the lower part of the housing preferably being designed for laying the flat cable and the upper part of the housing being attachable to the lower part of the housing, in particular being latchable. Further advantageous configurations can be found in the subclaims. The invention is described in more detail below with reference to the drawing using exemplary embodiments. It shows:

Fig. 1

a perspective view of a connection device according to the invention;

Fig. 2

an exploded view of the connection device according to the invention Fig. 1 ;

Fig. 3

the connection device Fig. 1 without eccentric unit;

Fig. 4

in a) an exploded view of a first eccentric unit, in b) the eccentric unit from a) in a perspective view and in c) in a side view, in each case in a first operating position, and in d) the eccentric unit from a) in a perspective view and in e) in a side view in a second first operating position;

Fig. 5

the arrangement Fig. 1 with the eccentric unit on a flat cable;

Fig. 6

a circuit board arrangement of the connection device Fig. 1 ;

Fig. 7

an exploded view of a second eccentric unit;

8a-f

in a) and b) a first and a second perspective view of a second connection device according to the invention, in c) an exploded view of the second connection device according to the invention from a), in d) a sectional view through a contact arrangement, a flat cable and an eccentric unit of the type Fig. 7 and 8a - c - With further elements of the connection device in the manner of Fig. 1 have been hidden - during contacting the flat cable in successive three steps, each in a perspective view and in e) and f) sectional views of the eccentric unit with the flat cable;

Figures 9a-c

a side view of elements of an eccentric type Fig. 7 during contacting the flat cable during the successive steps of the Fig. 8 ;

Fig. 10

a sectional view of a portion of a circuit board assembly of a first type;

Fig. 11

a sectional view of a portion of a circuit board assembly of a second type;

Fig. 12

a perspective view of an arrangement of two connection devices with a punching device arranged between them on a flat cable;

Fig. 13

in a) a punching arrangement on a flat cable, in b) a section through the punching arrangement from a) and in c) the section from b) after a punching process on the flat cable;

Fig. 14

in a) to e) views of elements of the punching device Fig. 13 ;

Fig. 15

in a) a perspective view of a third embodiment variant of a connection device with an eccentric unit with a cover; in b) an exploded view of the connection device from a); in c) an exploded view of the eccentric unit from a) and b) with the cover, in d) the eccentric unit from a) with a contacted cable and with a covered cable, and in e) a plan view of the connecting device from a) without eccentric unit and without their cover and with a cable shown schematically; and

Fig. 16

in a) a perspective view of a fourth embodiment variant of a connection device with an eccentric unit with a cover and with an electronics housing with a partially hidden electronics housing cover and obliquely from above in a first viewing direction, in b) a second perspective view of the connection device from a) from a second viewing direction diagonally from below, in c) the arrangement from a) in the viewing direction from a) with a cable connected to electronics of the electronics housing; and in d) the arrangement from a) and c) with a partially opened electronics cover and a cable connected to the electronics of the electronics housing.

Fig. 1 shows a perspective view and Fig. 2 an exploded view of a first embodiment of a connection device 1. A further embodiment is in Fig. 8a - c shown. The connection devices 1 are for contacting a flat cable 50 (see also here Fig. 5 and 8a ) designed, which usually has a plurality of conductors 51, which are each preferably surrounded by insulation 52 and embedded in a higher-level cable sheath 53.

The flat cable 50 has a main direction of extension X and extends flat in the X / Y plane. It is contacted by the contacting device in a direction -Z. The X / Y plane is in the exemplary application of the Fig. 1 aligned horizontally. The direction Z is then the vertical direction. Terms used below such as top, bottom, right, left, etc. refer to the installation position of the Fig. 1 to relate, in which the connection device is placed on a horizontally oriented base, not shown. They change accordingly in a different installation position on a vertical wall or the like and are therefore not to be understood as restrictive beyond the installation position.

The connection device 1 is used in particular for contacting flat cables in building shafts, for example in elevator shafts. It has a one-part or multi-part basic housing 2 ( Fig. 3 , 8a ), which has a base section 3 and a cover section 4. The base section 3 is in a preferred embodiment as Base plate 3 is formed with a substantially rectangular shape. The base plate 3 can have fastening areas 5, for example in the area of one or more of its corners, to which it can be attached to a base such as a wall. For this purpose, the fastening regions 5 can have fastening openings, for example, to which the base plate 2 can be fastened to the base using fastening means (not shown here) such as screws. The cover section 4 can be locked on the base section 3, for example, or in some other way. To 8a-c these sections 3 and 4 are integrally formed or connected.

The base plate 3 extends parallel to the plane of the flat cable 50 to be contacted. It also has lateral webs 6 which protrude from the plane of the base plate 3 parallel to one another on the upper side facing away from the lower fastening side.

A contact plate unit is placed or can be placed on the base plate 3 ( Fig. 1 , 2nd ). This contact plate unit is after Fig. 1 , 2nd and 6 designed as a circuit board unit 7 according to a first type. The printed circuit board unit 7 has at least one printed circuit board 8 which can be placed directly on the base plate 2. A plurality of insulation-penetrating contacts 9 (also called insulation-penetrating contacts) are arranged on the printed circuit board 8 (preferably soldered to them), which preferably project vertically upward from the printed circuit board 8. Here, the insulation-penetrating contacts 9 each form a contact fork with cutting edges that taper towards their free ends. Each of the contact forks is designed to cut through the insulation of a conductor and to come into contact with the conductor exposed in this way.

In the area of the insulation-penetrating contacts 9, a protective plate 11 is applied to the printed circuit board 8, which has a smaller area than the printed circuit board 8. This protective plate 11 has openings, in particular slots 12, which at least partially penetrate the protective plate 11. As with the exemplary printed circuit board arrangement of the Fig. 6 can be seen, the insulation-penetrating contacts 9 in the openings 12 are preferably supported downwards, so that the protective plate 11 forms an abutment when making contact. The actual contacting of the printed circuit board 8 takes place on the side of the support areas and preferably on the side of the slots 12 of the protective plate 11 (cannot be seen here).

The protective plate 11 thus serves to support and stabilize the insulation-penetrating contacts 9 and to protect the (in Fig. 6 Printed circuit board 8 (not shown) when the flat cable is pressed into the conductor 51. The type of configuration of the insulation-penetrating contacts preferred here is explained in more detail below with reference to FIG Fig. 10 and 11 described.

Furthermore, one or more connection contacts such as socket or pin strips 13, 14 can be arranged on the printed circuit board 8, to which conductor ends or plugs or the like of an electrical / electronic module, which is not otherwise shown here, can be connected. Preferably, the connection direction Y / -Y of these socket and / or pin strips 13, 14 is in any case partially perpendicular to the main direction X of the ribbon cable. They can also be oriented in whole or in part in the direction of attachment or the main direction of extension of the flat cable. In this case, corresponding pin / knife and socket contacts, which are preferably a direct conductive connection between adjacent connecting devices, could be used (not shown here). The socket and pin headers or other connections are preferably accessible from the outside between the base plate 3 and the cover section 4.

The cover section 4 can be placed or placed on the base section 3 with the circuit board unit 7 ( Fig. 1 ). The cover section 4 has a lower frame section 15, from which two webs 16, 17 extend laterally vertically upwards. In a view in the YZ plane, the cover section 4 thus essentially has a U-shape ( Fig. 2 ).

In the area between the parallel webs 16, 17, a rectangular receiving space is formed, in which a cable support plate 18 can be inserted. The cable support plate 18 serves to support the actual flat cable 50. It can have grooves 19 parallel to one another, so that it adapts well to a correspondingly shaped flat cable 50 so that its conductors lie parallel to one another on the cable support plate 18 in a defined manner. The cable support plate 18 also has openings through it, in particular slots 20, which in turn are penetrated by the free ends of the insulation-penetrating contacts 9 in the contacted state.

The cable support plate 18 can be moved perpendicular to the plane of the flat cable 50 but parallel to its plane (X / Y plane) immovably on guide recesses 21 of the webs 16, 17 of the cover section 4 can be guided. It can also on two or more sides, in particular on three sides - locking hook 55 ( Fig. 2 , Fig. 8a ) or the like. With which the cable support plate 18 is locked in (not to be seen in detail here) contours (see, for example, the edge 66) of the housing 4. This is preferably done in such a way that a certain displaceability of the cable support plate 18 in the Z direction relative to the housing 2 is retained.

The cable support plate 18 can also advantageously be resiliently supported with one or more springs 54 on the frame section 15 of the cover section 4 of the housing 2. In a preferred embodiment, these springs 54 are designed as coil springs. Use of differently designed springs is conceivable. The springs can also be designed as one or more resilient sections on the housing 2 and / or the cable support plate 18 (not shown here). It is advantageous that the springs preload the cable support plate 18 against the contacting direction (-Z), which helps to ensure a precise contacting process.

The webs 16, 17 have a kind of triangular shape in a view from the X / Z plane and project from the frame section 15 in the Z direction to such an extent that they arrange, move and store at least one or more (the latter not here shown) enable eccentric unit (s) 22.

Two different types of eccentric units are considered below ( Fig. 4 , Fig. 7 ). Each eccentric unit 22 has an essentially cylindrical eccentric roller 23, which has lateral bearing journals 24 of smaller diameter on its axial sides, which serve to support the eccentric roller 23.

The bearing pins 24 are arranged eccentrically to an imaginary central axis M of the eccentric roller. The eccentric roller 23 preferably has at least one flattened area 25 on its outer circumference (see 8a-e ). The eccentric roller 23 is also provided with a radially extending slot 26, which extends from the outer diameter, preferably through the central axis M, into the eccentric roller 23. The slot 26 serves as an attachment contour for an actuating tool, here a screwdriver.

The eccentric roller 23 is inserted here from the side into a one-part or multi-part eccentric housing 27 of the eccentric unit 22 and is rotatably mounted therein. The eccentric housing 27 here has a basic shape which is rectangular in the X / Y plane. It is designed to be inserted into the frame section 15 (in its opening 28, see Fig. 2 ) of the cover section 4.

The eccentric housing 27 surrounds the eccentric roller 23 according to the first type of Fig. 4 almost completely. However, it preferably has a window 31 on its side facing away from the base section, which is designed in such a way that the actuating tool can be inserted into the attachment contour (here the slot 26) and that the eccentric roller 23 can be pivoted as far as it can for Wiring is necessary.

The eccentric housing 27 also has a section, in particular a (or two mutually parallel) side wall 29, in which an elongated hole 30 (which extends in the Z direction) extends ( Fig. 4 ) or a slot 30a is formed. The elongated hole or slot is penetrated by the journal 24 of the eccentric roller 23.

The eccentric roller 23 is rotatably arranged in the eccentric housing 27. The eccentric housing 27 has a pressure side 27a in the direction of the contacts 29 which penetrate the insulation.

The width of the eccentric housing 27 (the distance between the side walls 29) in the Y direction corresponds to the distance Y1 (see Fig. 3 ) between the webs 16, 17 of the cover section 4. In the webs 16, 17 of the cover section 4, a receiving contour 32 is also formed in each case, which enables insertion of the bearing pins 24 of the eccentric unit 22. The receiving contour 32 is preferably designed such that the eccentric housing 27 can be inserted with a movement component in the X direction until it comes to rest against a stop 33 in the X direction, which can be felt well when the eccentric unit 22 is inserted.

Preferably, each receiving contour 32 of the cover section 4 furthermore advantageously has a vertical stop contour 34 in the direction facing away from the base plate, which is preferably rounded (for example in the manner of a semi-cylindrical free space) and against the contacting direction -Y a stop in the manner of a Abutment and seat for the bearing journal 24 forms. The bearing pins 24 of the eccentric shaft 23 can also be designed as ends of a continuous shaft (not shown here).

On its lower side in the assembled state on the cover section 4 of the housing 2 toward the flat cable 50, the pressure stamp of the eccentric housing 27 of the eccentric unit 22 has at least in one or more areas one or more projections 35 as abutments to the contacts on the pressure side 27a, in which the flat cable is to be pressed onto the insulation-penetrating contacts 9 and in which it is cut by them. In this way, it is advantageously possible to apply the circuitry in a targeted or relatively precisely "punctiform" manner precisely in the area of the flat cable 50 in which it is to be contacted ( Fig. 8a ).

The function of the connection device with eccentric unit 22 described above with regard to its construction when contacting a flat cable is as follows.

The housing 2 of the connection device 1 is preassembled except for the eccentric unit 22 (see Fig. 3 ), placed on a mounting base and preferably firmly attached to it (for example, it is screwed to the mounting base, not shown here).

Now the flat cable 50 is placed on the cable support plate 18 pressed upwards by the springs 54 between the webs 16 and 17. The eccentric unit 22 is then guided with a movement component parallel to the flat cable into the space between the webs 16 and 17, so that the bearing pins 24 engage in the receiving contour 32. The eccentric unit 22 is moved as far as the stop 33 of the receiving contours 32. The journals 24 are located - unlike in Fig. 1 shown - in the elongated holes 30 (or in the slots 30a, see Fig. 9b ) in the lower position. The eccentric roller 23 is then rotated from the outside using an actuating tool (compare the positions of the slot 26 in FIGS 8a, 8b , 8c ). In this way, a pressure force in the wiring direction (- Z) is exerted on the inside of the lower sides or wall or the pressure side 27a of the eccentric housing 27, which forces the eccentric housing 27 with the pressure side 27a or wall and its projections 35 in the direction of the Insulation penetrating contacts 9 moves.

A further pivoting of the eccentric roller 23 presses, since the bearing pins 24 in the cover section 4 are supported in the Z direction upward against the contour 34 and are fixed, the pressure side 27a further perpendicular to the flat cable 50 in its direction (direction -Z, Fig. 8b ). As soon as the lower pressure side 27a (here with the projections 35) reaches the flat cable 50, the flat cable 50 is pressed onto the free ends of the insulation-penetrating contacts.

The pivoting is continued until the flat cable 50 is pressed onto the insulation-penetrating contacts 9 to such an extent that they penetrate the cable sheath 53 and the insulation 52 and reliably contact the conductor or conductors 51 to be contacted ( Fig. 8c , 9c ). This position can advantageously be felt here when the flattened area 25 of the eccentric roller 23 is reached, which increases the safety when wiring ( Fig. 9c ). The wiring requires only relatively small forces and can be carried out easily and easily manually. The flattened area also ensures a defined position in the manner of a "catch" and thus prevents the eccentric roller from turning back.

In the first embodiment of the eccentric unit 22 of the Fig. 4a ) to e) latching in a first position before contacting and after switching or contacting is achieved in the simplest manner by a small projection 67, which here latches into a small opening 68, 69 in both positions before and after contacting engages in the side wall 30 of the eccentric housing 27 with the slot 30 ( Fig. 4 b) to d ). This facilitates the contacting process and keeps the eccentric roller 23 in the position reached in each case.

In the second embodiment of the eccentric unit 22 according to Fig. 7 the eccentric housing 27 is open on another side, in particular the upper side, so that the eccentric roller 23 can be inserted into the eccentric housing 27 from this side. The eccentric housing 27 then has the two upwardly open slots 30a, which are penetrated by the bearing pins 24 after the eccentric roller has been inserted. In the lower area, one or the slots can have a taper 36 ( Fig. 9b ), so that the bearing pins 24 can be locked in the slots 30a in a lower mounting position, from which they are moved into the contacting position.

The preassembled eccentric housing 27 is used in the same way for contacting the flat cable 50 as the previously described eccentric housing. If the eccentric roller 23 is pivoted, its outer circumference in turn presses in the direction of the insulation penetrating Contacts lying housing wall or the pressure side 27a, which is advanced in the direction of the insulation-penetrating contacts 9 until the flat cable is pressed so far on the insulation-penetrating contacts 9 that they contact the contacting conductor safely.

The insulation penetrating contacts 9 can, but do not have to be mounted on a circuit board unit 7. They can also be pre-assembled on another contact plate unit.

The mounting base can, for example, as a contact plate 8 '(see Fig. 8a ) can be formed in which blind holes or slots or stepped holes or slots 37 are formed, so that the contacts with base sections 40 are arranged and supported in the contact-receiving plate 8 '. These base sections 40 can also be part of conductor connections.

According to the variant of the connection device of the 1 to 6 the contact plate is designed as a circuit board. According to a further variant of the connection device of the Fig. 8a ) to e), on the other hand, the contact contact plate is not a printed circuit board, but rather is provided with connection contacts 72 for connecting conductor ends 75 or the like, which are conductively connected or formed with the insulation-penetrating contacts 9. The connection contacts 72 are preferably accessible from the rear of the housing 2 ( Fig. 8b , c ). To Fig. 8 the base section 2 and the cover section 4 are formed in one piece, that is to say that the housing 2 is in one piece, which is possible on account of the other design of the contact plate to be discussed. The actual contact of the flat cable is based on the variants of Fig. 7 and 8th analog or even the same as after 1 to 6 ..

To Fig. 8a ) to e) and f), the contact plate 8 is preferably provided in the area of the slots or openings 37 also from the opposite side with openings 68. Conductors can be inserted into one of the openings 68. Here, another one of the openings 68 is formed for inserting an actuating tool.

The openings 68 open into contact chambers 71 for connection contacts 72 for conductor ends 75 of conductors 76 or the like. Fig. 8c ). The contact chambers 71 are formed by the openings 37. In the contact chambers 71 are the insulation penetrating Contacts 9 supported when wiring. These connection contacts 72 can be designed as spring contacts or screw contacts or the like. In the present case, they are designed as pressure spring contacts using direct plug-in technology (push-in). The openings 68 are preferably accessible from the rear of the housing (see Fig. 8a ), b) and c). In this case, connections on the sides (strips 13, 14) are not required. The conductors are preferably led outside through recesses or openings 74 in the housing 2 ( 8a, b , c ).

In the direction of the eccentric unit 22, a cover plate 38 (here with locking webs 73) can be placed on the contact-receiving plate / surface 8 ', which itself has smaller openings, in particular slots 39, than the contact-receiving plate 8', from which the free ends of the insulation-penetrating contacts protrude outward toward the eccentric unit 22 with the cutting edges. The insulation-penetrating contacts 9 are also securely guided and held in this way. A conductive connection to at least one of the external conductor or plug connections 13, 14 preferably extends from the base sections 40 of the insulation-penetrating contacts 9.

If a printed circuit board arrangement 7 with a printed circuit board 8 ( 1 to 6 ) is used, the following arrangement of the insulation-penetrating contacts 9 on the circuit board arrangement 7 is particularly advantageous. Each insulation-penetrating contact 9 has the actual contact cutting edges, to which, on the side facing away from the tips of the insulation-penetrating contacts, there is in turn a base section 41 which is inserted into openings 12 in the protective plate 11 on the printed circuit board 7. If a force is exerted on the free end of the insulation-penetrating contact 9, it is securely supported on the protective plate 11 as an abutment. In this way, the forces that are exerted relatively selectively on the insulation-penetrating contacts or contacts 9 can either be distributed over the protective plate 11 over the entire surface of the printed circuit board 8, which protects them in a simple manner against an excessive load that may lead to destruction ( Fig. 10 ). Alternatively, it is also possible to support the protective plate 11 on the base section 3 of the housing by means of webs 42 which penetrate the printed circuit board 8 ( Fig. 11 ), so that the circuit board 8 remains virtually completely free of circuitry.

The actual contacting of the printed circuit board 8 takes place via a conductive connection, for example a conductor rail piece 43, which is oriented at an angle, in particular at right angles to the wiring direction - on the base section 41 and preferably via a pin section 65, which is in turn oriented at an angle to the conductor rail piece 43, which passes through the protective plate 11 and is soldered to or in the printed circuit board 8. This "place of soldering" is preferably spaced perpendicular to the wiring direction (-Z) from the cutting edges of the insulation-penetrating contacts 9. The busbar piece 43 can also be U-shaped and then merge into the pin section 65. The U-shaped busbar piece 43 can thus deflect easily in the Z direction.

It is also advantageous to line up several of the connection devices in the main direction of extension of the flat cable. For this purpose, it is preferred that corresponding positive locking means are formed on the mutually facing sides of the housing 2 of the two connecting devices 1 to be strung together, so that the connecting devices 1 are held together in a form-fitting manner. For example, one or more can be in the main direction of extent on the housings, in particular on the webs. corresponding grooves 44 and pins 45 (see e.g. Fig. 1 ) formed, which together form a kind of dovetail connection.

As described at the beginning, in some applications it is necessary to contact one or more of the conductors of the flat cable 50 at two points offset in the main direction of extension. In this case, it is also often necessary to interrupt the conductor between the two points at which the conductors of the flat cable are contacted. This can be done with pliers or the like, with which a hole is punched in the conductor. However, it is easier to use the following arrangement (see 12 to 14 ).

For contacting the flat cable 50 at a distance, two contacting devices arranged offset in the main direction of extension X of the flat cable are arranged on the flat cable.

According to a further development, a punching device 46 with a housing 47 and a punching means for punching out one or more conductors is placed on one or between two of the contacting devices 1, 1.

Form-locking means are formed on the housing 47 of the punching device 46, in particular pins 44 and grooves 45, which correspond to the form-locking means of the housing 2 of the connecting devices. In this way, the housing 46 can be interlocked between the housings 2.2 of the two connecting devices 1; 1 can be set. This type of arrangement is simple and advantageous.

The housing 47 of the punching device 46 has a lower housing part 48 ( 14c ) and an upper housing part 49 on ( 14a, b ). In an XZ view, the lower housing part 48 preferably has a U-shape. The lower housing part 48 enables the flat cable 50 to be placed, which can be inserted and held centered between two webs 57, 58 extending in the Z direction. A support area 59 of the lower housing part has depressions 60 below areas in which the flat cable is to be cut.

The upper housing part has one or more openings 61 which are aligned perpendicularly to the flat cable and are radially aligned therewith. The openings 61 lie above the depressions in the Z direction. If a punch 62 is driven into the respective opening 61 as a punching means, for example driven into the opening 61, the conductor 51 lying under the opening 61 is severed. This type of circuit break can be carried out simply and safely. Since the punching devices are structurally separate from the connecting devices, they only have to be used in this application and can otherwise be saved. The upper housing part 49 can be fastened to the lower housing part 48, for example with latching means. These include, by way of example, two preferably detachable latching hooks 63 which are designed for latching on corresponding latching contours 64 of the lower housing part 48. In this way, the conductors of the flat cable can be easily and precisely interrupted. The handling is advantageously simple and nevertheless leads to very precise results. The openings could also be closed initially and, in the manner of a pre-assembly by breaking out e.g. can be opened by molded projections. The fitter then knows exactly where he has to insert the punch at the place of use.

Fig. 15 shows in a) to e) a third variant of a connection device 1 for contacting flat cables, which can be laid in particular in shafts, preferably in elevator shafts. It in turn has the two-part base housing 2 here ( Fig. 3 , 8a ), which has a base section 3 and a cover section 4, which are connected in one piece or in a latching manner or in another way. A type of floor cover plate 3 'is also provided, which prevents dust from penetrating from below. This connection device 1 is like the connection device of FIG Fig. 8 built up. Therefore, only differences to the variant of Fig. 8 explained. It thus also demonstrates the second embodiment of the eccentric unit 22 Fig. 7 on (see 15b ). However, compared to Fig. 8 more of the contacts 9, again designed as IDC contacts in three parallel rows, are provided, which are used for contacting conductors or wires of the flat cable 50. Accordingly, more of the contacts 72 are provided for connecting conductors, which are provided in order to be connected to one of the conductors of the flat cable 50.

The connecting device of the Fig. 15 also has a cover 77 which covers the eccentric unit 22 from above, so that it is well protected. In particular, dust penetration is thus avoided, which prevents the eccentric unit in the elevator shaft from becoming dirty. The cover 77 is preferably attached directly to the eccentric unit 22 and extends in the mounted position on the base housing 2, preferably between the webs 16, 17. Therefore, the width of the cover 77 in the Y direction preferably corresponds to the distance Y1 (see Fig. 3 ) between the webs 16, 17 of the cover section 4. On the eccentric unit 22, the cover 77 is preferably fixed in a form-fitting and / or latching manner. The eccentric housing can furthermore have a support contour 27b which runs obliquely and which serves to stabilize and support the cover 77. The cover 77 also optimizes the design of the connection device 1, since it is adapted to the contour of the webs 16, 17 on the base housing. In addition, it secures one or more elements of the eccentric unit, such as its eccentric roller 23, against failure before the eccentric unit is installed.

A strain relief contour 78 is formed on the base housing 2, here on its cover section 4, which in the main direction of extension of the flat cable 50 to be contacted ( 15 d) protrudes. A cable tie can be attached to this strain relief contour 78 (here in the manner of a partial collar) (not shown here). A corresponding partial collar 78 'can be formed on the base cover plate 3'. The partial collar 78 and the partial collar 78 'are perpendicular to the main direction of extension relative to one another of the flat cable 50 limited mobility. With the cable tie, guided through the partial collars 78 and 78 ', the flat cable 50 can be clamped in a simple manner. In this way, strain relief for the flat cable 50 can be implemented in a simple manner.

The cover hood 77 and the strain relief contour 78 for the strain relief can be implemented on all of the illustrated variants of the invention.

One or more webs 79 are provided on the cable support plate 18. These webs 79 are preferably releasably attached. They extend perpendicular to the plane of the cable support plate 18. They are located at points where one or more wires of the flat cable are interrupted, for example by a punching - so that, for example, a safety circuit function can be implemented.

The bottom cover plate 3 'preferably extends in width only or at least over the width of the flat cable 50 to be contacted ( Fig. 16d ). According to the variant of the connection device of the Fig. 15 there is no electronics, in particular no electronic circuit board for processing signals on the connection device.

The problem, a variant of the kind Fig. 15 To supplement electronics, in particular an electronic circuit board for processing signals on the connection device, this is achieved by creating an electronics housing with electronics, in particular an electronic circuit board, that can be attached to and fixed to the base housing 2 and has this electronics .

Such an arrangement is in 16 a) to d ) has been implemented. Thereafter, an electronics housing 81 with electronics, in particular an electronic circuit board 82, is created, which is attached to the base housing 2 in the main direction of extension of the flat cable 50 to be contacted and is fixed to the latter. One or more circuit board connector plugs 83, 84 are formed on the electronic circuit board. They allow the connection of cables 85 or conductors.

According to the variant shown, conductors are connected to the connection contacts 77 of the connection device 1, which thus conductors or conductors of the flat cable 50, which are connected to the corresponding contacts 9 of the connection device 1, via one of the circuit board connector plugs 83 with the electronic circuit board 82 connect. The cable 85 is connected as an output or input to another one of the printed circuit board connector 84.

In a preferred embodiment, the electronics housing 81 is designed to be relatively flat and elongated and is designed to be significantly flatter than the base housing 2 of the connection device 1 perpendicular to the flat cable. It can have a cover 86 in order to connect conductors and / or cables and / or plugs facilitate.

Preferably, not necessarily, the electronics housing 81 is simply locked onto the base housing 2. For this purpose, it is preferably pushed in the main direction of extension of the flat cable 50 (arrow P) and locked onto the base housing 2, for which purpose these housings have corresponding locking means (only one of these locking means can be seen here: 87).

The electronics housing 81 could also be attached below, above or on the other side of the base housing. The variant of Fig. 16 is particularly advantageous since the electronics housing 81 is housed compactly near the flat cable 50. Directly corresponding, pluggable connectors could also be provided between the electronics housing 81 and the base housing 2 (not shown here). <b> reference number </b> Connection device 1 casing 2nd Basic section 3rd Floor cover plate 3 ' Cover section 4th Fastening areas 5 Walkways 6 PCB unit 7 Circuit board 8th Contact plate 8th' contacts 9 Contact fork 10th Protective plate 11 slot 12 Socket or pin headers 13, 14 Frame section 15 Walkways 16, 17 Cable support plate 18th Grooves 19th Slits 20th Leadership recesses 21st Eccentric unit 22 Eccentric roller 23 Bearing journal 24th Flattened area 25th slot 26 Eccentric housing 27th Printed page 27a Support contour 27b opening 28 side walls 29 Long hole 30th slot 30 ' window 31 Receiving contour 32 attack 33 Vertical stop contour 34 head Start 35 rejuvenation 36 slot 37 Cover plate 38 Slits 39 Base sections 40, 41 Walkways 42 Track piece 43 Grooves 44 Cones 45 Punching device 46 casing 47 Lower part of the housing 48 Upper part of the housing 49 Flat cable 50 ladder 51 insulation 52 Cable sheath 53 feathers 54 Locking hook 55 Walkways 57, 58 Support area 59 Indentations 60 openings 61 Punch stamp 62 Locking hook 63 Locking contours 64 Pin section 65 Edge 66 head Start 67 openings 68, 69 Contact chambers 71 Connection contacts 72 Resting bridges 73 openings 74 Conductor ends 75 ladder 76 Cover 77 Strain relief contour 78, 78 ' Walkways 79 Electronics housing 81 Electronic circuit board 82 PCB connector 83, 84 electric wire 85 cover 86 Locking means 87, 88

Claims (23)

1. Connection device for contacting conductors of a continuous flat cable (50), which has several conductors (51) embedded in a superordinate cable sheath (53), having:

   a. a one-part or multi-part base housing (2) which is designed to support the flat cable (50),

   b. wherein several insulation-piercing contacts for contacting several of the conductors (1) of the flat cable (50) are arranged on the base housing (2),

   c. at least one eccentric unit (22) can also be attached to the base housing (2) and is arranged during the contacting of the flat cable, with which the flat cable (50) can be pressed onto the insulation-piercing contacts (9) until it is contacted,
   characterized in that

   d. the eccentric unit (22) has an eccentric housing (27) into which an eccentric roller (23) is inserted, which is rotatably mounted in the eccentric housing (27) and which is supported in the base housing (2) in the manner of an abutment against a wiring direction (-Z) during a wiring up, wherein when the eccentric roller (23) is rotated, the eccentric housing (27) is movable relative to the base housing (2) so that the flat cable (50) can be pressed with the eccentric unit (22) onto the insulation-piercing contacts (9) until it makes contact.
2. Connection device according to claim 1, characterized in that the conductors are surrounded in each case by an insulation (52).
3. Connection device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the eccentric housing (27) has at least one open side, from which the eccentric roller (23) can be inserted into the eccentric housing and/or that the eccentric housing (27) has a pressure side (27a) with which the flat cable (50) can be pressed onto the insulation-piercing contacts (9).
4. Connection device according to claim 3, characterized in that the pressure side (27a) has, on its side facing the flat cable (50) on the cover section (4) in the assembled state, in each case one or more projections (35) as an abutment in the respective area or areas, in which the flat cable (50) is incised by the insulation-piercing contacts (9) during contacting.
5. Connection device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the base housing (2) has a base section (3) and a cover section (4) which are formed separately or integrally connected.
6. Connection device according to claim 5, characterized in that the base section (3) of the base housing (2) is designed as a base plate, onto which a contact plate unit is placed, which has a contact receiving plate or a printed circuit board (8), from which the insulation-piercing contacts (9) preferably project perpendicularly.
7. Connection device according to claim 6, characterized in that one or more connecting contacts, such as socket or pin connectors (13, 14), to which conductor ends or plugs or the like of an electrical/electronic assembly can be connected, is or are also arranged on the contact receiving plate or the printed circuit board (8).
8. Connection device according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the cover section (4) is placed on the base section (3), in particular with the contact plate unit (7), or in that it is integrally formed thereon.
9. Connection device according to one of claims 5 to 8, characterized in that the cover section (4) has a frame shape in a top view and a U-shape in a side view perpendicular thereto.
10. Connection device according to one of claims 5 to 9, characterized in that the cover section (4) has a frame section (15) from which two webs (16, 17) project, which have a receiving contour for bearing journals (24) of the eccentric roller (23).
11. Connection device according to claim 10, characterized in that a receiving space is formed in the region between the webs (16, 17) of the cover section (4), into which a cable support plate (18) can preferably be inserted, which has openings, in particular slots (20), passing through it, which in turn are penetrated by the free ends of the insulation-piercing contacts (9) at least in the contacted state.
12. Connection device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the eccentric roller (22) has at least one flattened region (25) on its outer circumference, and/or in that the eccentric roller (22) is provided with a contour for the application of an actuating tool, which contour is preferably designed as a slot (26).
13. Connection device according to one of claims 10 to 12, characterized in that the eccentric roller (23) is inserted into the eccentric housing (27) and is rotatably mounted therein, and in that the eccentric housing is designed to dip into the frame section (15) of the cover section (4) when making contact on the pressure side (27a).
14. Connection device according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that the eccentric housing (27) has a window (31) on its side facing away from the base section, which is designed in such a way that the actuating tool can be inserted into the attachment contour, in particular the slot (26), and in that the eccentric roller (23) can be pivoted as far as is necessary for contacting the flat cable.
15. Connection device according to claim 10, characterized in that the eccentric housing (27) comprises at least one or two or more elongated holes or slots (30, 30a) extending perpendicularly (Z-direction), which is/are penetrated by the bearing journal(s) (24) of the eccentric roller (23) and in which the bearing journal(s) (24) is/are displaceable radially to its/their axis of rotation.
16. Connection device according to one of claims 10 to 15, characterized in that a receiving contour (32) is formed in each case in the webs (16, 17) of the cover section (4), which enables the bearing journal(s) (24) to be inserted, wherein the receiving contour(s) preferably is/are formed in such a way that the eccentric housing (27) can be inserted with a movement component (X-direction) parallel to the flat cable until it comes to rest against a stop (33), and wherein preferably one or each receiving contour (32) also comprises a vertical stop contour (34) in the direction away from the base plate.
17. Connection device according to claim 6, characterized in that the contact receiving plate has connecting contacts (72) supported in contact chambers (71) for connecting conductor ends (75) or the like, which are conductively connected or formed with the insulation-piercing contacts (9), and in that the connecting contacts (72) are preferably accessible from the rear side of the housing (2).
18. Connection device according to claim 6, characterized in that the contact plate unit is designed as a printed circuit board unit which has at least one printed circuit board (8) which is placed on the base plate (2), wherein a protective plate (11), which has openings that at least partially penetrate the protective plate, are preferably placed in sections on the printed circuit board (8), and from which the insulation-piercing contacts (9) project, and wherein the protective plate (11) has recesses for receiving and supporting base sections (41) of the insulation-piercing contacts (9) when the insulation-piercing contacts make contact, which recesses are conductively connected to the printed circuit board (8).
19. Connection device according to claim 18, characterized in that each of the insulation-piercing contacts (9) has a contact tip or one or more contact edges, to which the base sections (41) adjoin in each case, wherein the base sections (41) are inserted into the openings (12) in the protective plate (11) on the printed circuit board (8) in such a way that a force on the free end of the insulation-piercing contact (9) is supported on the protective plate (11) as an abutment.
20. Connection device according to claim 18 or 19, characterized in that the contacting of the printed circuit board (8) is effected via a conductive connection, in particular a busbar piece (43), which is aligned, preferably in sections at an angle, in particular at a right angle to the wiring direction at the base section (41) and preferably via a pin section (65) which is in turn aligned at an angle to the busbar piece (43), which penetrates the protective plate (11) and is soldered to or in the printed circuit board (8), preferably in such a way that the pin section is soldered to the printed circuit board (8) at a point on the latter which is spaced apart from the cutting edges of the insulation-piercing contacts (9) perpendicularly to the wiring direction (-Z).
21. Connection device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the eccentric unit (22) has a cover hood (77) fixed thereto, and/or in that a strain relief contour (78) for a cable tie is formed on the base housing (2).
22. Connection device according to claim 21, characterized in that an electronics housing (81) with electronics, in particular an electronics printed circuit board, is provided, which can be attached to and fixed on the base housing (2) and has electronics, in particular with an electronics printed circuit board (82) and one or more plug connectors (83, 84).
23. Connection device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a punching device for severing one or more conductors of the flat cable (50) can be lined up on it in the main extension direction of the flat cable (1).

Images