EP3923417A1 - Junction box - Google Patents

Abstract

Junction box for connecting a multi-core flat cable with several terminals of a connection. The junction box comprises a support surface for a multi-core flat cable to be contacted, as well as several contact blades for their one-sided, stripping-free contacting. In addition, the junction box comprises a plurality of terminals and a plurality of terminal rails adjoining the terminals, each terminal rail having at least one hole, a contact pin being inserted through a respective hole of a terminal rail. One contact pin is provided for each wire-to-terminal contact. By occupying the holes of the terminal rails with contact pins, it is defined which wire of the flat cable is connected to which terminal. An electrical contact is established between contact blades and terminal rails via one or more contact pins.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a junction box for connecting any cable cores of a flat cable in any arrangement with any terminals of a connection.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

DE 8013692 U1 relates to a device for preparing a mechanical and electrical connection between multi-conductor flat cables. With the aid of the device described there, one or more contact pins are pushed through guide holes in a plate, which cause the correct perforations to connect two different cores of flat cables.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

• eine Auflagefläche für ein zu kontaktierendes mehradriges Flachkabel,
• mehrere Kontaktmesser zur einseitigen, abisolierfreien Kontaktierung mehrerer Adern des Flachkabels,
• mehrere Klemmen,
• mehrere sich an die Klemmen anschließende Klemmenschienen, wobei jede Klemmenschiene wenigstens ein Loch aufweist, wobei durch jeweils ein Loch einer Klemmschiene ein Kontaktstift gesteckt ist,

wobei jeweils ein Kontaktstift für einen Ader-zu-Klemme Kontakt vorgesehen ist,
wobei durch die Belegung der Löcher der Klemmenschienen mit Kontaktstiften definiert wird, welche Ader des Flachkabels zu welcher Klemme verbunden ist,
wobei über einen oder mehrere Kontaktstifte ein elektrischer Kontakt zwischen einen oder mehreren Kontaktmessern und einen oder mehreren Klemmenschienen hergestellt wird.A first aspect of the invention relates to a junction box for connecting a multi-core flat cable to a plurality of terminals of a connection, the junction box comprising the following:

• a support surface for a multi-core flat cable to be contacted,
• several contact blades for one-sided, stripping-free contacting of several cores of the flat cable,
• several clamps,
• several terminal rails adjoining the terminals, each terminal rail having at least one hole, a contact pin being inserted through one hole of each terminal rail,

one contact pin is provided for a wire-to-terminal contact,
The assignment of the holes in the terminal rails with contact pins defines which wire of the flat cable is connected to which terminal,
whereby an electrical contact is established between one or more contact blades and one or more terminal rails via one or more contact pins.

• wenigstens eine durch ein Flachkabel gebildete Durchgangsleitung
• wenigstens eine Anschlussleitung,
• wenigstens eine Anschlussdose gemäß dem ersten Aspekt, welche die Durchgangsleitung mit der Anschlussleitung verbindet.

A second aspect of the invention relates to an installation kit comprising:

• at least one through line formed by a flat cable
• at least one connection line,
• at least one junction box according to the first aspect, which connects the through line to the connection line.

GENERAL EXPLANATION, ALSO CONCERNING OPTIONAL EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

One aspect of the invention relates to a junction box for connecting a multi-core flat cable to a plurality of terminals of a connection.

For example, the order of the one to three phase conductors, the protective conductor and the neutral conductor is different in the flat cable and in the cable to be connected to the flat cable via the junction box. The junction box creates the possibility here to connect wires with the same assignment, for example the respective phase conductor A (BC) of a flat cable to the same respective phase conductor (s) A (BC) of a cable coupled to the connection and the neutral conductor of the flat cable to the neutral conductor of the cable coupled to the connection and the protective conductor of the flat cable to the protective conductor of the cable coupled to the connection. The cable coupled to the connection can be, for example, a second flat cable or also a round cable.

The junction box also makes it possible, for example, to connect the flat cable with a cable, with the order and assignment of data conductors being different. If the wires in the first flat cable are assigned signals in the following order: wire 1: signal 1, wire 2: signal 2, wire 3: signal 3 etc., and in the second cable coupled to the connection the assignment: wire 1: signal 3, wire 2: signal 1, wire 3: signal 2 is present, the wire of the first flat cable with assignment signal 1 (here: wire 1) to the respective wire of the second cable with assignment signal 1 (here: wire 2 ), as well as the wire with assignment of signal 2 in the first flat cable (here: wire 2) to the wire with assignment of signal 2 (here: wire 3), etc.

Overall, the junction box is therefore able to connect any wires of the flat cable to any terminals of the connection of the junction box.

The junction box comprises a support surface for a multi-core flat cable to be contacted, as well as several contact blades for one-sided, stripping-free contacting of several cores of the flat cable.

The junction box includes, for example, an inlet for the flat cable and can also include an outlet for this flat cable so that the flat cable can be guided through the junction box. Likewise, however, the junction box can only include one entry for the flat cable, so that the flat cable ends in the junction box. The support surface for the flat cable is adapted, for example, to the surface contour of the flat cable.

The contact blades pierce, for example, the jacket of the flat cable resting on this support surface by being driven through the jacket into the respective cable cores in the direction of the support surface. A contact blade is typically provided for contacting a wire of the flat cable.

The junction box also includes several terminals of a connector. The connection here can be a socket or a plug, corresponding to connections for cables which are to be connected to the flat cable tapped via the connection socket. The terminals of this connection typically have such a shape that round cables or flat cables, for example, can be connected to it.

Terminal rails are attached to the terminals. The terminals, which act as connecting pieces, are manufactured in one piece with the terminal rails - the terminals and the terminal rails connected to them are a single component. The terminal rails are typically located inside the junction box, which protects it from dust and moisture. The terminals are also protected from dust and moisture, for example, by being enclosed by a socket attachment / plug attachment for the second flat cable. The entire junction box is designed, for example, in such a way that it is impervious to water or dust of class IP20, IP40 or IP65 or IP68.

Each of the terminal rails has at least one hole, a contact pin being inserted through a respective hole of a terminal rail. The holes in the terminal rails are drilled, for example, perpendicular to the direction in which the terminal rails extend inside the junction box. The holes of a terminal rail are arranged, for example, one behind the other in the terminal rail. A contact pin can be inserted through each of these holes provided one behind the other.

A contact pin is provided for a wire-to-terminal contact. If a connection is to have five terminals, for example, the one belonging to the terminal has Terminal rail, for example, has five holes arranged one behind the other, for a possible connection to two different wires of the flat cable it would accordingly only be two holes arranged one behind the other.

By occupying the holes in the terminal rails with contact pins, it is defined which wire of the flat cable to be contacted or tapped is connected to which terminal. For example, if a terminal belongs to a terminal rail with five holes arranged one behind the other, the positioning of the contact pin in one of these holes defines to which wire of the flat cable an electrical connection is made. Electrical contact is thus established between the contact blades and the terminal rail via the contact pins. A hole for receiving a contact pin in the terminal rail represents such a possible connection.

The junction box can be constructed in such a way that the positioning of the contact pins in the holes of the terminal rails is fixed, that is, certain wires of the flat cable are firmly connected to certain terminals through the junction box.

However, the socket can also be manufactured in such a way that by pulling out a part of the junction box which carries the terminal elements, for example an insert with insert insulating body, the contact pins become accessible and the positioning of the contact pins in the holes of the terminal rails can be changed so that in each case other cable cores of the flat cable can be connected to the respective terminals.

In some configurations, the junction box includes cross connectors. The cross connectors establish the electrical connection between the contact pins and the contact blades. The cross connectors are typically made of metal.

The cross connectors are typically arranged at right angles to the course of the cable cores of the flat cable to be contacted or tapped in the junction box and thus extend transversely over all the cable cores of this flat cable. The holes in the first row of holes are arranged, for example, in such a way that a contact knife is placed exactly over a cable core to be contacted - the distances between the holes in the first row of holes correspond to the distances between the wires in the flat cable to be contacted.

In this embodiment, the cross connectors have, for example, a row with a plurality of first bores. By positioning the contact blades in the corresponding bores, it is determined which cross connector is connected to which contact blade and thus to which cable core of the flat cable. The positioning of the contact blade pressed into a hole in the cross connector (i.e. the choice of hole on the cross connector) determines which wire of the flat cable is contacted by the contact blade when the cross connector and contact blade against the top (i.e. side not lying on) of the flat cable inserted into the junction box is pressed. By changing this positioning, you can freely select which cross connector is connected to which wire of the flat cable.

Alternatively, in some configurations, contact blades and cross connectors can be firmly connected to one another or configured in one piece, so that it is firmly specified which cross connector is connected to which cable core by means of the contact blade.

In some configurations, the cross connectors have a row with a plurality of second bores in which the contact pins extending from the terminal rails are received. A contact pin is thus for example one end in a hole in a terminal rail and the other end in a bore of a cross connector and thus electrically connects the terminal rail and the cross connector to one another.

In some configurations, each terminal rail comprises a row with a plurality of holes arranged one behind the other, the contact pins extending from a hole in a clamping rail to a bore in a cross connector in order to establish the electrical connection of a specific terminal rail to a specific cross connector. This results in an electrical connection between the terminal belonging to the terminal rail and the cable core tapped by the contact blade of the cross connector, as described above.

In some configurations, the junction box comprises an insertable insulating body arranged between the cross connectors and the terminal rails. The insertable insulating body serves the purpose of electrically isolating the cross connectors and the terminal rails or the terminals apart from their intended electrical connection via the contact pins. Thus, short circuits between two or more wires of the flat cable are over which prevents cross connectors or terminals. The slide-in insulating body is made of plastic, for example.

In some configurations, the cross connectors are attached to the support surface for the side of the insertable insulating body facing the flat cable to be contacted or tapped, and the terminal rails are attached to the opposite side of the insertable insulating body. The cross connectors are clamped, for example, in recesses arranged one behind the other in rows on the underside of the slide-in insulating body, while the terminal rails are clamped in recesses also arranged one behind the other in rows on the upper side of the slide-in insulating body. In this example, the underside of the slide-in insulating body is understood to be that side which, in the junction box, is opposite the support surface for the flat cable to be contacted or tapped.

In some configurations, the insertable insulating body is only provided with holes at those positions at which contact pins are pushed through from the terminal elements through the insulating body to the cross connectors. The positioning of the contact pins in the holes of the terminal connector and the bores of the cross connector is specified by this hole coding on the insert insulator.

The hole coding thus defines which wires of the flat cable to be contacted or tapped are connected to which terminal by the inserted contact pins. Since the insert insulator has holes only at these desired connection points, a contact pin can only be inserted at these points through a hole in the terminal rail belonging to the terminal, through the hole in the insert insulator into a hole in the desired cross connector. This prevents the terminal from being connected to a wrong cross connector by an incorrectly inserted contact pin and thus to a wrong cable core of the flat cable.

In this embodiment, the contact pins are individually inserted from the holes in the terminal rail through the holes in the insertable insulating body and into the holes in the cross connectors.

In other refinements, the insertable insulating body is likewise provided with a hole for each hole in a terminal rail, in order nevertheless to keep the connection of a terminal to a cable core in a freely selectable manner.

In some configurations, the insertable insulating body is provided with contact pins which are firmly inserted at certain positions and which establish an electrical connection between certain clamping rails and certain cross-connectors.

This configuration eliminates the effort of inserting each contact pin individually through the holes of a terminal rail / insertable insulating body / cross connector - the contact pins protrude from the insert insulating body on both sides, for example at the one for establishing an electrical connection between the cross connector and the terminal rail. The terminal rails and the cross connectors are then inserted, for example, into receptacles on the two sides of the insulating body in such a way that they receive the upper or lower ends in the corresponding holes or bores of the terminal rails or cross connectors.

In this refinement, it is also impossible for a wrong connection to occur due to incorrect insertion of a contact pin. However, here too there is no freedom to connect any cable cores to any terminals, since the position of the contact pins in the holes in the terminal rails cannot be changed.

In some configurations, as mentioned above, the junction box is suitable for connecting a flat cable with five wires to five specific terminals of the connection. Three of the wires of the tapped flat cable are, for example, phase conductors, one wire is, for example, a neutral conductor and another wire is, for example, a protective conductor. An example here would be a connection of a first five-core flat cable to a second flat cable via the junction box, the assignment of the cable cores of the first flat cable and the second flat cable being different.

Correspondingly, five contact blades, five cross connectors, five terminal bars and associated terminals and five contact pins are provided to connect the corresponding phase conductors, neutral conductors and protective conductors of the flat cable to the terminals for the corresponding phase conductors, neutral conductors and protective conductors of any cable to be connected to the junction box or in the example above of the second flat cable.

In this embodiment, for example, the cross connectors are equipped with five bores to accommodate five contact pins, which are each inserted through five holes in the terminal rails arranged one behind the other, through five holes in the insertable insulating body and end in the holes in the cross connector (here, for example, in the second row of Bores of the cross connector).

Likewise, although a five-wire first flat cable is tapped by means of five cross connectors and plugged-in contact blades, only three terminals and associated terminal rails with holes can be provided in one embodiment, whereby a connection from a five-wire flat cable to three terminals of the connection can be established by means of the junction box. For example, a connection can be made from the first flat cable to a second three-core flat cable, which is coupled to the connector, or a connection from a three-core flat cable to a three-core round cable.

In some configurations, the junction box is suitable for connecting two data conductors of the flat cable in addition to the five wires of the first and second flat cable, with contact blades, cross connectors, terminal connectors and contact pins being provided to connect the corresponding data conductors of the first flat cable to the corresponding terminals for the To transmit data conductor of the second flat cable.

For example, the junction box can be designed in such a way that it can be used to establish a connection between a line according to the KNX standard and a DALI ^® light control. Here the input can be a KNX system (first flat cable optionally with data conductors) and the output a DALI ^® system (second flat cable optionally with data conductors) or vice versa. However, DALI ^® is only intended to serve as an example for any general bus system; connections to other bus systems are conceivable and possible.

If a certain data signal is to be decoupled on the data conductor wires of the terminals, for example to a second (flat) cable that does not match the data signal that is transported on the tapped flat cable, an electronic converter can be present inside the junction box. The electronic converter converts the data signals supplied by the tapped flat cable into the data signals to be applied to the terminals. The converter can be arranged in an intermediate level of the junction box and receive signals from contact blades or cross connectors at an input, while it outputs the signals already converted to the specific format at an output to the contact pins connected to the terminals or, for example, directly to the terminal rails Terminals.

In some embodiments, the contact pins are firmly anchored in an electrically insulating pin plate so that the arrangement of the contact pins of the desired connection of the wires Flat cable to the terminals and the electrical contact between the contact blades and the terminal rails is made by pressing the pin plate onto the terminal rails, the contact pins being driven through the holes of the terminal rail into the holes of the cross connector during the pressing.

In this embodiment, for example, a slide-in insulating body is also provided between the cross connectors and the terminal rails in order to electrically separate them apart from the contact via the contact pins. In this embodiment, by pressing the insulated pin plate, the contact pins are pressed in one jerk directly through the holes in the terminal rails, the insulating body and the cross-connectors in order to connect the terminals to the desired cores of the flat cable. The coding of the contact pins to establish this connection is thus directly determined by the arrangement of the contact pins on the pin plate. The contact pins protrude, for example, on one side from the insulated pin plate.

This embodiment with an insulated pin plate enables the wires of the flat cable to be quickly connected to the corresponding terminals of the connection. However, more force can be required to establish this connection than if the contact pins are individually inserted through the holes in the terminal rails and the insulating body and the cross connector. In order to provide this additional force, the junction box can have a lever element with which, for example, the insulating pin plate can be pressed in the direction of the terminal rails and at the same time the entire insert, together with the contact blades protruding in the direction of the flat cable, can be pressed against the flat cable to be contacted or tapped.

If such an insulating pin plate is used, the arrangement of the contact pins on it is specified and cannot be adapted as desired.

In some configurations, the terminals belong, as mentioned above, to a connection which is a connection for a round cable or for a flat cable. This round or flat cable can serve as a connection line, that is to say it can be fed via the flat cable tapped from the junction box or feed this flat cable. The round or flat cable coupled to the connection can, however, also serve as a feed line and feed the flat cable tapped from the junction box. Accordingly, the connection can be used as a plug insert or also be designed as a socket insert. If the terminals are part of a connector system, the terminals are designed as connector pins in this case.

In some configurations, the terminals are arranged at a right angle to the flat cable resting on the support surface, it being possible in this way to create a connection between two flat cables arranged perpendicular to one another. In this case, the terminal rails also extend at right angles to the direction of extension of the flat cable. In this embodiment, the contact pins can be connected directly to the contact blades or manufactured in one piece with them.

Since the terminal bars are arranged with their holes directed one behind the other perpendicular to the cable cores of the flat cable, each contact bar can be electrically connected to any core of the flat cable via one of the holes. The tapping can, as mentioned above, take place via separate contact blades, which are then electrically connected to the contact pins, or the contact pins can have a contact blade at their end passed through the holes in the terminal rails, so that a contact blade and the contact pin connected to it form one component .

In some embodiments, the terminals are arranged parallel to the flat cable resting on the support surface, a connection being created between two flat cables arranged parallel one above the other. In this embodiment, the terminal rails adjoining the terminals run, for example, parallel to the wires of the flat cable resting on the support surface and above this flat cable resting on the support surface.

In some configurations, the junction box is constructed in several parts, with a first part comprising a sleeve, with an insert comprising the insert insulating body, the terminal rails with inserted contact pins and the cross connectors with inserted contact blades being inserted into the sleeve so that the contact blades come out of the sleeve whose side facing the support surface for the flat cable to be contacted or tapped protrude.

The insert consists, for example, of an insert insulating body which has holes for inserting the contact pins and on one side of which the terminal rails are inserted and on the other side, in the transverse direction to the terminal rails, the cross connectors are inserted. The cross connectors are, for example, as mentioned above, with in a series of first holes placed contact blades. The cross connectors also have, for example, a second row of bores which are intended to receive the contact pins. The contact pins are inserted through the holes in the terminal rail and the holes in the insertable insulating body and ends in the holes in the second row of holes in the cross-connector. The terminals adjoining the terminal rails are encased, for example, by a socket or plug attachment. This socket or plug attachment can be enclosed by a sealing sleeve with O-rings in order to additionally protect the terminals against the ingress of dust or water. The sleeve which, for example, forms part of the first part of the junction box can also be designed as a sealing sleeve with possibly further sealing attachments, which offers protection against the ingress of dust or water. In this way, for example, protection of class IP68 can be achieved. The contact pins can be provided with their own seal in arrangements that protect against the ingress of dust or water in accordance with IP68.

In these configurations, a second part comprises the support surface for the flat cable to be contacted or tapped, as well as a receptacle for the first part with side walls, in which the sleeve of the first part is inserted for contacting the flat cable.

The support surface for the flat cable can lie in a recess in this second part of the junction box. Support surfaces for the sleeve of the first part can be provided at the edges of this recess. These bearing surfaces of the first part are delimited by side walls which, together with the bearing surfaces for the sleeve, form a receptacle for the sleeve. The contact blades inserted into the side of the sleeve facing the support surface protrude into the recess which forms the support surface for the flat cable. If a flat cable to be contacted is inserted into the recess, these contact blades are placed over the individual wires of the flat cable.

The support surface for the first flat cable is designed or coded, for example, in such a way that it clings to the contour of the flat cable. This prevents the wrong cable from being inserted or a cable being inserted the wrong way round.

The underside of the first part of the junction box can also be equipped with a coding in addition to openings for the contact blades so that the flat cable cannot be twisted either, i.e. in the wrong orientation, or only a suitable type of flat cable can be inserted.

In these configurations, a lever element is also provided in order to press the sleeve together with the protruding contact blades in the direction of the support surface for the flat cable in order to contact the flat cable. On the first part, in particular its sleeve or on the second part, in particular on its side walls, anchor points for the lever can be provided around which the lever can be moved in order to press the first and second parts of the junction box against each other, and thus the sleeve together with protruding contact blades in the direction of the contact surface for the flat cable.

Another aspect relates to an electrical installation kit. The installation set comprises at least one through line formed by a flat cable, at least one connection line formed by a flat cable and at least one junction box according to the first aspect, which connects the through line to the connection line.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

• Fig. 1 eine schematische Darstellung der Unterseite eines Einschub-Isolierkörpers mit eingesetzten Querverbindern und Kontaktmessern,
• Fig. 2 eine schematische Darstellung eines einzelnen Querverbinders mit einer Reihe von Löchern zur Aufnahme von Kontaktmessern,
• Fig. 3 eine schematische Darstellung des einzelnen Querverbinders aus Fig. 2 mit einer Reihe von Bohrungen für Kontaktstifte,
• Fig. 4 eine schematische Darstellung eines Einschub-Isolierkörpers mit an dessen Unterseite befestigten Querverbindern (Figs. 2, 3) und an dessen Oberseite befestigten Klemmenschienen, wobei die Klemmenschiene durch den Isolierkörper hindurch, mittels Kontaktstiften elektrisch mit den Querverbindern verbunden werden.
• Fig. 5 eine schematische Vorderansicht eines Einschub Isolierkörpers wie in Fig. 1, Fig. 4 mit Löchern welche eine Kodierung für einzusetzende Kontaktstifte vorgeben,
• Fig. 6 eine schematische Sicht auf die Unterseite des in Fig. 4 dargestellten Einschub-Isolierkörpers mit darin aufgenommenen Klemmenschienen und Querverbinder, ohne darin eingesteckte Kontaktmesser,
• Fig. 7 eine schematische Ansicht einer schematischen Anzapfung eines Flachkabels und Verbindung einzelner Adern zu Klemmen mittels Kontaktmessern, Querverbindern und Kontaktstiften,
• Fig. 8 ein Beispiel für einen Einschub mit einer ersten Anordnung von Kontaktstiften in fünf Klemmenschienen,
• Fig. 9 ein Beispiel für einen Einschub mit einer zweiten Anordnung von Kontaktstiften in fünf Klemmenschienen,
• Fig. 10 ein Beispiel für Einschub mit einer Anordnung von Kontaktstiften in drei Klemmenschienen,
• Fig. 11 ein Beispiel für einen Einschub wie er in eine Hülse aufgenommen wird, die zu einem ersten Teil der Anschlussdose gehört,
• Fig. 12 die Hülse aus Fig. 11 mit eingesetztem Einschub, mit an deren Unterseite eingesetzten Kontaktmessern,
• Fig. 13 ein Beispiel für einen zweiten Teil der Anschlussdose, der die Auflagefläche für das Flachkabel umfasst,
• Fig. 14 ein Beispiel einer Schnittansicht durch eine komplette Anschlussdose umfassend den ersten und den zweiten Teil,
• Figs. 14A bis 14C, beispielhafte Ansichten einer kompletten mehrteiligen Anschlussdose im geöffneten sowie geschlossenen Zustand und einer Explosionsansicht,
• Fig. 15 ein Beispiel für eine Draufsicht auf eine Anschlussdose umfassend den ersten und zweiten Teil,
• Fig. 16 ein Beispiel für eine Explosionsansicht einer Anschlussdose umfassend den ersten und zweiten Teil,
• Figs. 16A bis 16H zeigen Varianten der Anschlussdose mit unterschiedlicher Anordnung von Kontaktmessern in Querverbindern mitsamt eingelegtem Flachkabel in Explosionsansicht,
• Fig. 17 ein Beispiel für einen Einschub-Isolierkörper mit fest eingesteckten Kontaktstiften,
• Fig. 18 ein Beispiel für eine isolierende Stiftplatte um die Verbindung mittels Kontaktstiften in einem Zug herzustellen,
• Fig. 19A ein Beispiel für eine Anschlussdose die zwei senkrecht aufeinander stehende Flachkabel miteinander verbindet,
• Fig. 19B ein Beispiel für eine Anschlussdose die zwei parallel zueinander verlaufende Flachkabel verbindet,
• Fig. 20A ein Beispiel für eine Anschlussdose mit Dichtheit gegenüber Staub bzw. Wasser gemäß Schutzklasse IP40,
• Fig. 20B ein Beispiel für eine Anschlussdose mit Dichtheit gegenüber Staub bzw. Wasser gemäß Schutzklasse IP68,
• Fig. 21 ein Beispiel für eine Anschlussdose welche zusätzlich einen Stecker für ein Rundkabel umfasst, wobei in der Darstellung der Stecker von dem Anschluss der Anschlussdose getrennt ist
• Fig. 22 die Anschlussdose aus Fig. 21, mit in den Anschluss gesteckten Stecker.

In the drawing show:

• Fig. 1 a schematic representation of the underside of a slide-in insulating body with inserted cross connectors and contact blades,
• Fig. 2 a schematic representation of a single cross connector with a number of holes to accommodate contact blades,
• Fig. 3 a schematic representation of the individual cross connector Fig. 2 with a number of holes for contact pins,
• Fig. 4 a schematic representation of a slide-in insulator with cross connectors attached to its underside ( Figs. 2, 3 ) and clamp bars attached to the top thereof, the clamp bars being electrically connected to the cross connectors by means of contact pins through the insulating body.
• Fig. 5 a schematic front view of a plug-in insulating body as in FIG Fig. 1 , Fig. 4 with holes which specify a coding for the contact pins to be used,
• Fig. 6 a schematic view of the underside of the in Fig. 4 Slide-in insulating body shown with terminal rails and cross connectors accommodated therein, without contact blades inserted therein,
• Fig. 7 a schematic view of a schematic tapping of a flat cable and connection of individual wires to terminals by means of contact blades, cross connectors and contact pins,
• Fig. 8 an example of a plug-in unit with a first arrangement of contact pins in five terminal rails,
• Fig. 9 an example of a plug-in unit with a second arrangement of contact pins in five terminal rails,
• Fig. 10 an example of a plug-in unit with an arrangement of contact pins in three terminal rails,
• Fig. 11 an example of an insert as it is received in a sleeve that belongs to a first part of the junction box,
• Fig. 12 the sleeve off Fig. 11 with inserted insert, with contact blades inserted on the underside,
• Fig. 13 an example of a second part of the junction box that includes the support surface for the flat cable,
• Fig. 14 an example of a sectional view through a complete junction box comprising the first and the second part,
• Figs. 14A to 14C , exemplary views of a complete multi-part junction box in the open and closed state and an exploded view,
• Fig. 15 an example of a top view of a junction box comprising the first and second parts,
• Fig. 16 an example of an exploded view of a junction box comprising the first and second parts,
• Figs. 16A to 16H show variants of the junction box with different arrangements of contact blades in cross-connectors with inserted flat cable in exploded view,
• Fig. 17 an example of a slide-in insulator with permanently inserted contact pins,
• Fig. 18 an example of an insulating pin plate to make the connection by means of contact pins in one go,
• Figure 19A an example of a junction box that connects two flat cables that are perpendicular to each other,
• Figure 19B an example of a junction box that connects two parallel flat cables,
• Figure 20A an example of a junction box with tightness against dust or water according to protection class IP40,
• Figure 20B an example of a junction box with tightness against dust or water according to protection class IP68,
• Fig. 21 an example of a junction box which additionally comprises a plug for a round cable, the plug being separated from the connection of the junction box in the illustration
• Fig. 22 the junction box off Fig. 21 , with the connector plugged into the port.

The drawings and the description of the drawings relate to examples of the invention and not to the invention itself.

DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS BASED ON THE DRAWING

The underside of an insulating body 3, also referred to as a slide-in insulating body 3, together with the cross connectors 2 inserted therein, is shown in FIG Fig. 1 shown. The underside here generally refers to that side of the slide-in insulating body 3 which, in the installed state of the junction box 200 (see FIG Figs. 14th , 15th , 16 , 19A, 19B ) to the flat cable 100 (see e.g. Figs. 7th , 14th , 16 , 19A, 19B ) is pressed to contact this.

The slide-in insulating body 3 has receptacles 33 for the transverse connectors 2 on its underside. In the in Fig. 1 The example shown is five receptacles for five cross connectors 2. A contact blade 1 is inserted into each of the five cross connectors 2 so that it protrudes from the underside of the insert insulating body 3 and from the cross connectors. Each contact knife is inserted, for example, with its pin-shaped blunt end in a bore 20 (see e.g. Fig. 2 ) of the respective cross connector 2. The contact blades are arranged along a diagonal on the underside of the cross connector 2, so that when this side is pressed against a flat cable, each contact blade 1 has a different wire of the flat cable 150 (see e.g. Fig. 7 ) contacted.

A cross connector 2 together with the contact blades to be used in them is shown schematically in FIG Fig. 2 shown. The cross connector 2 has, for example, two rows of holes 2 ', 2 ". The first row of holes 2' has seven holes 20 which are arranged in a row along the longer side of the cross connector. The cross connector 2 is made of metal, for example and has the shape of a perforated plate.

Seven contact blades 1 are exemplified in Fig. 2 shown, these can be inserted into one of the seven bores of the first row of bores 2 'of the cross connector 2 in each case. the The hole through which the contact blade is inserted determines which core of the flat cable 100 to be contacted (see e.g. Fig. 7 ) is contacted.

Precautions can be taken to ensure that the protective conductor PE (see e.g. Fig. 7 ) of a flat cable 100 (see e.g. Fig. 7 ) when pressing the contact blade 1 into the flat cable 100 (see e.g. Fig. 7 ) always contacted first. This can be ensured, for example, if the contact blade 1 provided for the PE wire is slightly longer than the other contact blades 1.

The seven bores arranged in a row in the first row of bores 2 ', shown here as examples, are divided into a group of five and a group of two. If a contact knife 1 is placed in a hole 20 of the group of two, a wire D1 or D2 (see FIG Fig. 14 ) of the flat cable 100 (see e.g. Figs. 7th , 14th , 16 , 19A, 19B ) can be tapped. If a contact knife 1 is placed in a hole 20 of the group of five, phase conductor cores L1, L2, L3 or a neutral conductor conductor N or a protective conductor conductor PE (see e.g. Fig. 14 ) can be tapped. The metal contact blade 1, for example, creates an electrical connection between the cable cores L1, L2, L3, N, PE, D1 or D2 and the cross connector 2, so that current or an electrical data signal is applied to the cross connector 2.

Directly behind the first row of bores 2 'there is, for example, a row of second bores 2 ″, which comprises five bores 21 arranged laterally next to one another. The bores 21 in the second row of bores 2 ″ are for receiving contact pins 4 (see e.g. Fig. 3 ) intended.

Into the bores 21 of the second row of bores 2 ″ of the cross connector 2 Fig. 2 inserted contact pins 4 are in Fig. 3 shown. The second row of bores 2 ″ comprises five bores, each of which can receive a contact pin 4. Via these bores, the cross connector 2, depending on which bore of the second row of bores 2 ″ actually receives a contact pin, can be connected to five different terminal rails with holes being. These terminal rails 5 'are integrally connected to terminals (terminal 5 and terminal rail 5' are a single component (see e.g. Fig. 4 ). A contact pin 4 can be used to apply current to a specific terminal 5 via a specific terminal rail 5 ′.

A slide-in insulating body 3 with cross connectors 2 attached to its underside (see Figs. 2, 3 ) and the terminal rails attached to the top is in Fig. 4 in a schematic Sectional view shown. The bottom of the in Fig. 4 The arrangement shown can be as in Fig. 1 be designed - each of the cross connectors has inserted a contact knife 1 in a different bore of the first row of bores (see Fig. 1 ) in order to use another wire of the flat cable 100 (see Figs. 7th , 14th , 16 , 19A, 19B ) to contact. The insert insulating body 3 is typically made of an insulating material such as plastic.

The terminal rails 5 ′ are electrically connected to the cross connectors 2 through the insulating body by means of contact pins 4. In order to enable this connection, each of the terminal rails 5 ′ has at least two holes 51 arranged one behind the other. The contact pins 4 are inserted through these holes 51 and through holes 31 in the insertable insulating body 3 (see FIG Fig. 5 ) inserted into a hole in the second row of holes on the cross connector 2. By occupying a specific hole 51 in a terminal rail 5 'with a contact pin, it is determined to which cross connector 2 the terminal rail 5' is electrically connected. In this way, the current or the signal from any cross connector 2 can be placed on a specific terminal rail 5 '.

The clamps 5 adjoin the clamp rails 5 'in one piece, as in FIG Fig. 4 shown. The terminals 5 are suitable, for example, for the cores of a second flat cable 150 (see Figs. 19A, 19B ) to be connected. As mentioned, the terminals 5 can also be part of a connection 550 (see Figs. 14A-C , Fig. 16 , 16A-H ; Fig. 21 , Fig. 22 ) to which a round cable is connected (see Fig. 21 , Fig. 22 ). As already mentioned in the general explanations of the invention, the terminals 5 'can also be part of a plug-in system, the terminals 5' then being designed as plug pins.

The position of the contact pins 4 in the terminal rails 5 ′ determines which wire of the flat cable 100 to be contacted or tapped is connected to which terminal 5. In embodiments in which the connector 550 (see Figs. 14A-C , Fig. 21 ) is coupled to a flat cable, it is thus determined to which wire of the second flat cable 150 ( Figures 19A, 19B ) a cross connector 2 and, depending on the position of the contact blades in the cross connector 2, a certain cable core of the flat cable 100 is connected.

A top view of the slide-in insulating body 3 with the receptacles 34 for the terminal rails 5 '(see e.g. Fig. 4 ) is in Fig. 5 shown. The insert insulating body 3 has several (here: five) holes 31 which are arranged in the receptacles for the terminal rails 5 '. These holes 31 provide a coding through which holes in the Terminal rails 51 contact pins 4 in the direction of the holes in the cross connectors 2 (see e.g. Figs. 1 to 4 ) can be plugged. This causes assembly errors, i.e. connections of the wrong cross-connector to a terminal and thus the wrong cable core of the flat cable 100 (see Figs. 7th , 14th , 16 , 19A, 19B ) to a terminal 5, excluded.

The slide-in insulating body 3 from Fig. 4 with the terminal rails 5 'received on its upper side and cross-connectors 2 received on the underside, together with the inserted contact pins 4 in Fig. 6 shown in a view of its underside. It can be seen in the view that the transverse connectors 2 are inserted one behind the other along the direction of extension of the terminal rails 5 '(see FIG Fig. 4 ) are arranged. In the example shown here, there are five cross connectors that are electrically connected to five different terminals 5 by the contact pins 4.

In that through Fig. 4 and Fig. 6 given example, the terminal K1 is connected to the cross connector Q3, the terminal K2 to the cross connector Q2, the terminal K3 to the cross connector Q5, as well as the terminal K4 to the cross connector Q4 and the terminal K5 to the cross connector Q1.

A schematic view of a schematic tapping of a flat cable and connection of individual wires to terminals by means of contact blades, cross connectors and contact pins is through Fig. 7 given. The arrangement out Fig. 7 In this schematic view, it does not have a slide-in insulating body 3 (see e.g. Figs. 4th and 6th ), the parts can be isolated from one another by air in this arrangement. However, an insert insulating body 3 can also be present here.

The cable core L3 of the flat cable 100 is contacted or tapped without stripping by means of a contact knife 1. Via the cross connector Q1 and a contact pin 4 inserted into it, which opens into the terminal rail of terminal K1, the current of this phase wire L3 is applied to the terminal rail of terminal L3. According to the same principle, the current of phase conductor L2 is applied to terminal L2, the current of protective conductor conductor PE to terminal PE, the current of neutral conductor conductor N to terminal N and the current of phase conductor conductor L1 to terminal L1.

A complete slide-in module 30 with a first arrangement of the contact pins 41 "Code 1" is shown in FIG Fig. 8 shown. In the insert 30, a socket attachment 55 is plugged onto the terminals 5 in order to protect them from contact with dust or water or to protect a fitter or user from a Protection against contact with terminals 5. The structure of the insert insulating body 3 with cross connectors 2, receptacles for the terminal rails 34 and the terminal rails 5 'inserted therein is similar to that in FIG Fig. 1 , Fig. 4 and Fig. 6 described arrangements. The contact pins 4 are inserted into certain holes 51 of the terminal rails around certain terminal rails 5 'and thus terminals 5 with certain wires 101 of the flat cable 100 (see e.g. Fig. 7 ) connect to. In the in Fig. 8 The arrangement of the contact pins shown in the figure, the wires 101 of the flat cable 100 are connected to the terminals, for example, in the order as in FIG Fig. 7 shown.

In Fig. 9 an insert 30 'is shown, which is the insert 30 from Fig. 8 is the same except for the arrangement of the contact pins 4. The arrangement of the contact pins 42 in the terminal rails 5 'of the insert 30' connects in the insertion direction for cable cores of the second flat cable 150 (see FIG Figures 19A, 19B ) the terminal rail 5 'on the extreme left is counted to the third cross connector 2 from the front, the terminal rail 5' next to it on the right with the fourth cross connector 2 from the socket attachment side, the terminal rail 5 'in the middle with the rearmost cross connector 2, the one on the right next to the central terminal rail 5 'with the foremost cross connector 2 and the terminal rail 5' located on the extreme right with the second cross connector 2.

If, as in Fig. 7 shown, the cross connectors from the socket side to the rear with contact blades 1 placed in a diagonal pattern (see e.g. Fig. 1 ), the contact blade 1 of the cross connector 2 located directly behind the socket attachment 55 contacts the phase L3. The contact blades of the cross-connector 2 located behind them then contact the wires 101 in the following order: L2, L1, N, PE, as in FIG Fig. 7 shown.

This results in a connection of the phase conductor L1 to the extreme left terminal rail, the neutral conductor N to the terminal rail on the left, the protective conductor PE to the middle terminal rail and the phase conductor cores L2 or L3 to the two terminal rails on the right.

An insert 30 ″ with only three clamping rails 5 ′ received in itself and provided with contact pins in order to be electrically connected to only three cross connectors 2 is shown in FIG Fig. 10 shown. For example, only three wires are tapped from a five-wire flat cable. Assuming that the contact knife is made of the cross connector Fig. 10 are arranged like the cross connectors Q3, Q4 and Q5 Fig. 7 , contacted the of the Socket attachment 55 'from the terminal rail 5' located on the extreme right, here the phase conductor wire L1, while the middle terminal rail 5 'contacts the protective conductor wire PE and the terminal rail 5' located on the extreme left contacts the neutral wire N. The socket attachment 55 'takes the corresponding three terminals 5 (see Fig e.g. Fig. 4 ) and protects it against the ingress of dust and water or offers protection against contact with the electrically conductive parts.

As in Fig. 11 An insert 30 (or also an insert 30 'or 30 "as in FIG Figs. 9 and 10 shown) inserted through an opening 63 in a sleeve 60. This sleeve, together with the contact blades inserted therein, forms for the transverse connector 2 (see e.g. Fig. 2, Fig. 3 ) and possibly still further elements a first part 600 of the junction box 200 (see Figs. 15th , 16 , 19A, 19B ). The sleeve 60 closes, for example, with the insert 30 and the sealing attachment 65 (see Fig. 15 ) so watertight or dustproof that a degree of tightness of protection class IP68 can be achieved. For this purpose, one or more sealing rings can be provided or the contact blades 1 can be provided with seals. Without a sealing attachment 65 (see Fig. 15 ), for example, only a tightness according to a lower protection class is possible.

In Fig. 12 is shown as in openings 61 on the underside 62 of the in Fig. 11 The sleeve 60 shown, the contact blades 1 are pushed through. A seal is achieved between the contact blades 1 and the cable 100 in that a seal is applied around the contact blades 1. The underside 62 of the sleeve 60 is that side which is against the flat cable 100 to be contacted (see e.g. Fig. 7 ) is pressed. These openings 61 overlap with the bores of the first row of bores 2 'of the cross connectors 2 located on the insert 30 Figs. 15th , 16 , 19A, 19B ) inserted into the holes 20 of the first row of holes 2 'of the cross connector. The socket attachment 55 of the connection 550 protrudes from the sleeve 60.

A second part 70 of the junction box 200 is shown in FIG Fig. 13 shown. This second part 70 is provided with a support surface 71 for the flat cable 100 (see e.g. Fig. 7 , Fig. 16 ) fitted. The support surface is designed, for example, in such a way that it adapts to the contour of a flat cable 100 resting there (see e.g. Fig. 7 , Fig. 16 ) is adjusted. This prevents the flat cable 100 (see e.g. Fig. 7 , Fig. 16 ) can be inserted incorrectly. Another protection in this regard, a coding 68 on the underside 62 of the sleeve 60 is also achieved, see also Figs. 14th , 14A-14C .

The second part 70 of the junction box 200 also has side walls 73 into which the first part 600 of the junction box 200 (see FIG Fig. 14 , 15th , 16 ) can be used. This first part 600 of the junction box 200 can be supported on a support surface 72, which can be arranged next to the support surface 71 for the flat cable 100.

Fig. 14 shows a sectional view of a junction box 200, the first part 600 with an insert 30, 30 ', 30 ″ inserted into the sleeve 60 (see FIG Figs. 8th , 9 , 10 ) is inserted into the second part 70 in order to contact a flat cable 100 via the contact blade 1 protruding from the sleeve 60. At the side, the first part 600 is protected against slipping by side walls 73 of the second part 70. The flat cable 100 shown here is a flat cable 100 with seven cable cores: five cable cores for power supply (phase conductors L1, L2, L3, neutral conductor N, protective conductor PE) and two data conductors D1, D2.

The combination of the first part 600 inserted into the second part 70 forms the entire junction box 200, for example.

The support surface 71 of the second part 70 of the junction box 200 is shaped, for example, in such a way that it clings to the contour of the inserted flat cable 100. This special shape of the support surface forms a coding 68 of the support surface 71. Likewise, the underside 62 of the sleeve 60 is shaped at least on part of this underside 62, for example, so that it clings to the top of the flat cable 100 when the junction box 200 is closed. This shape forms a coding 69 of the underside 62 of the sleeve 60 (of the first part 600). The two codings 68, 69 ensure, for example, that the flat cable 100 can only be inserted in the correct orientation and thus form a safeguard against twisted insertion of the flat cable. In addition, the codings 68, 69 ensure, for example, that only those flat cables 100 can be inserted for whose tapping or assembly the junction box 200 is designed.

the Figure 14A shows the connection box 200 in the open state. The connection 550, which is protected against contact and penetration of moisture, etc. by a socket attachment 55, 55 ′, protrudes from the sleeve 60. The connection 550 is shaped, for example, in such a way that it has a plug 300 (see FIG Figs. 21 , 22nd ) can accommodate. Lever element 80 is rotatably mounted on the two long sides of the sleeve 60. As already mentioned, the lever element 80 is used to press the sleeve with the contact blade 1 inserted on its underside 62 against the flat cable 100 in order to contact the wires of the same without stripping on one side.

One recognizes in Figs 14A to 14C the above-mentioned two codings 68, 69 on the side of the junction box 200 opposite the connection 550. The coding 68 is attached to the support surface 71 for the flat cable 100 and extends, as in particular in the exploded view Figure 14C over the entire length of the support surface 71. In contrast, the coding 69 is attached to the rear side of the sleeve 60 opposite the connection 550 and only partially along the underside 62 of the sleeve 60. This is sufficient because this compact design of the coding 69 prevents the junction box 200 from being closed with a flat cable 100 inserted in the wrong orientation or even a flat cable not intended for this socket in order to contact the wires of the flat cable by means of the contact knife 1 An exterior view of an example of such a junction box 200 is shown in FIG Fig. 15 shown. In this example, the first part 600 has two sealing attachments 65, 66 which follow one another - which, for example, attach to a socket attachment 55, 55 'of an insert 30, 30'30 "(see FIG Figs. 8-11 ) to increase the tightness of the entire device against dust and water. In this way, for example, a tightness according to protection class IP68 can be achieved.

In Fig. 16 shows an exploded view of a possible configuration of a junction box 200 including an inserted flat cable 100.

The flat cable 100 is on the support surface 71 (see Fig. 13 ) placed in the second part 70. The five cable cores 101 of the flat cable 100 shown here in this example are tapped without stripping via five contact blades 1 in this example, each core 101 by a different contact blade 1. Each of these contact blades 1 is inserted into a bore 20 of another cross connector 2, here in one Hole from the first row of holes 2 '(see Fig. 2 ), and forwards current or electrical data signals to these cross-connectors 2.

The cross connectors are placed in receptacles on the underside of a slide-in insulating body 3, the terminal rails 5 'on its upper side (see Fig. 4 , Fig. 6 , Figures 8-10 ). The terminal rails 5 'are one-piece continuations of terminals 5, which can be clamped onto the wires of a second cable. The terminal rails 5 'have holes arranged one behind the other through which the contact pins 4 are inserted. These 4 contact pins go through these holes 51 of the terminal rails 5 '(see Fig. 4 ), through holes 31 (see Fig. 5 ) in the slide-in insulating body 3 and reach holes 20 in a second row of holes 2 'on the cross-connectors 2 (see Fig. 2 ). The contact pins 4 thus apply current through the insertable insulating body 3 via the cross connector 2 from the cable cores 101 of the first flat cable 100 to the terminals 5.

The terminals 5 for their part are received in a socket attachment 55. This socket attachment is coupled to further sealing attachments 65, 66 which, at their connection points, provide O-rings 91, 95 in order to provide additional protection against the ingress of dust and water. Overall, for example, the terminals together with the socket attachment and possibly further elements form the connection 550 of the junction box 200.

The insert insulator 3 together with the cross connectors 2, terminal rails 5 'and the socket attachment 55 forms an insert 30 which is inserted into the sleeve 60 (see FIG Fig. 11 ). The sealing attachments 65, 66 are then also coupled to the sealing sleeve 60.

For example, there is an anchor point for a lever element 80 at the rear end of this sleeve, which is used to surround the sealing sleeve 60 together with the underside 62 (see FIG Fig. 12 ) inserted contact blades 1 (see Fig. 12 ) to press against the flat cable 100 located on the support in order to contact it without stripping and to enable current to flow from the contact blades 1 to the terminals 5.

In Figs. 16A to 16H Different variants of the socket 200 are shown, which differ from each other through the arrangement or assignment of the flat cable cores 100, the type of flat cable (five-core flat cable without data conductor or seven-core with data conductor) and the arrangement of the contact blades 1 within the first row of holes 2 ' the cross connector 2 or by the arrangement of the contact pins 4 in the terminal rails 5 '. Accordingly, in the Figs. 16A to 16H the currents or signals of different flat cable cores are placed on different cross connectors 2. The different signals or currents applied to the cross connector 2 are passed on to the terminals 5 via the contact pins 4 and terminal rails 5 ′. Which wire of the flat cable 100 is connected to which terminal in this example is given on the one hand by the arrangement of the contact blades 1 in the cross connectors 2 and by the arrangement of the contact pins 4 in the terminal rails 5 '.

The ones in the Figs. 16A to 16H configurations shown will now be described in detail.

Figure 16A Figure 3 shows an arrangement referred to herein as "3LNPE-1". The flat cable 100 has five cores; from the flat side to the tapered side of the flat cable, the cores have the following assignment: phase L3, phase L2, phase L1, neutral conductor N, protective conductor PE. The contact blades 1 are placed within the row of bores 2 'in the cross-connectors 2 that the cross-connector 2 furthest away from the terminals 5' (that is, the rearmost) cross-connector 2 is connected to the protective conductor wire PE. The adjacent cross connector is connected to the neutral conductor wire N via a contact blade 1 ′ inserted into the corresponding hole. The middle cross connector 2 and the two (front) cross connectors closest to the terminals 5 are each connected from back to front to form the phase conductors L1, L2 L3.

Accordingly, with the given configuration of the contact pins, the terminals 5 have the following assignment (from left to right, frontal from the plug-in side): L3, N, PE, L2, and L1.

In the in Figure 16B Configuration shown "L1NPE-Bus (1)" configuration shown, a seven-wire cable is tapped, in addition to the to the already out Figure 16A known cores L3, L2, L1, N, PE still has the data conductors D1 and D2, these are arranged in the flat cable 100 next to the five phase conductors or neutral conductors and protective conductors.

In this configuration, although the flat cable 100 has seven cores, only five contact blades 1 and cross connectors 2 and terminals 5 are provided in order to tap only five of these cores and apply their signal to the terminals 5 of the connection 550.

In this configuration the rearmost cross connector 2 is connected to the PE wire, the next to the N wire when viewed in the direction of terminals 5 ', the next to the L1 wire, the next to the D2 wire and the frontmost to the D1 wire.

With the opposite arrangement or assignment of the contact pins 4, the following assignment of the terminals thus results (from left to right frontal from the perspective of an outlet to be coupled to the terminals): D1, D2, PE, N, L1. So here only one phase (phase L1) is applied to connection 550, as well as a neutral conductor, a protective conductor and two data conductors.

In the in Figure 16C In the configuration "L2NPE + Bus (1)" shown, the flat cable 100 is identical to that in FIG Figure 16B shown. However, in comparison to illustration 16B, phase L1 is not placed on cross connector 2, but phase L2. As a result, this phase L2 of the flat cable 100 is placed on the terminal 5 for the phase L2 and not L1.

In the configuration according to Figure 16D "L3NPE + Bus (1)" is applied to phase L3 on the middle cross connector 2 and, given the configuration, the contact pins 4 on terminal 5 for phase L3.

In Figure 16E a configuration with a five-core flat cable 100 is shown, in which the cable cores, however, have a different assignment than in FIG. 16A. This configuration is referred to as "3LNPE-2" in the figure. Here, the sequence of the phase conductors or neutral conductors and protective conductors in the flat cable 100 from left to right (from the flat side to the tapered side) is as follows: L1, N. PE, L2, L3. The neutral conductor and protective conductor are thus arranged in the flat cable 100 between phase L1 and phase pair L2, L3.

The contact blades 1 are arranged in the cross connectors so that they are as shown in FIG Figure 16A are connected from the rearmost to the foremost in the order PE, N, L1, L2, L3. This results in the in Figure 16E The arrangement of the contact pins 4 shown shows an assignment of the terminals 5 of the connection 550 as follows: Terminal 5, which is located on the extreme left in a front view from the point of view of an outlet coupled to the terminals, is assigned phase L3, the right next to it then correspondingly with N, PE, L2 , L1.

In the in Figure 16F The example shown assigns the flat cable 100 in comparison Figure 16F in addition, two data conductors D1, D2, the flat cable 100 here has seven cores. However, five contact blades 1 make contact here only for cores of the flat cable 100, as in FIG Figures 16B to 16D . According to Figure 16F the contact blades 1 are arranged in such a way that the two rearmost cross connectors 2 are assigned PE and N starting from the rear. The middle cross connector 2 is connected to the phase L1, the two front cross connectors 2 to the data lines D2 and D1. Accordingly, the in Figure 16F The arrangement of the contact pins 4 shown as an example, the two terminals on the outer left are assigned the two data signals D1 and D2, while the middle terminal is assigned PE and the terminals on the right with N or L1. This configuration is in the Figure 16F referred to as "L1NPE + Bus (2)".

In the Figure 16G The configuration shown "L2NPE + Bus (2)" corresponds to that in Figure 16F configuration shown, except for the position of the contact blade 1 that contacts the middle cross connector 2. This contact blade 1 is plugged into the middle cross connector in such a way that phase L2 is contacted. Correspondingly, terminal 5 on the right outside (assignment L2) is connected here to wire L2.

In the Figure 16H "L3NPE + Bus (2)" configuration shown corresponds to that in Figure 16G configuration shown, except for the position of the middle contact blade 1 that contacts the middle cross connector. In this example, contact is made with phase wire L3 and applied to terminal 5 of connection 550 on the extreme right.

In Fig. 17 an alternative embodiment of a slide-in insulating body 3 is shown. The slide-in insulating body 3 'has permanently inserted contact pins 4', the two ends of which protrude from the top and bottom of the slide-in insulating body 3 '. The upper end of the permanently inserted contact pins 4 'protrudes into receptacles 45' for the terminal rails 5 'and their lower end into receptacles 33' for the transverse connector 2. There the ends of the contact pins 4 'can each be inserted into bores or holes in the terminal rails 5 'or cross connectors are added.

In Fig. 18 an insulating pin plate 90 is shown, which represents a further alternative possibility to establish the electrical connection between terminal rails 5 ′ and cross connectors 2.

In this alternative, contact pins 4 ″ protrude from the insulating pin plate on one side, and when the plate is pressed onto the terminal rails 5 'inserted in the insertable insulating body, the contact pins 4 ″ through the terminal rails 5', the insertable insulating body 3 and into the holes in the second row of holes 2 "(see Fig. 2 ) to be driven. This means that electrical contact is quickly established in just one step. The contact pins 4 ″ can be pressed in by a lever element 80 (see FIG Fig. 16 ) Pressure is exerted on the insulating pin plate 90 in the direction of the terminal rails 5 '.

In other embodiments, such as Fig. 4 , the contact pins 4 are inserted individually.

Two different applications of a junction box 200, 200 'according to the invention are shown in FIGS Figs. 19A and 19B shown. As in Figure 19A shown can be through a Embodiment of the junction box 200 'two flat cables 100 or 150 arranged one above the other at right angles can be connected to one another. Here contact is made with the first flat cable 100 without stripping the insulation inside the junction box 200 ′ and the current is delivered to terminals 5, which are arranged at right angles to the direction of passage of the first flat cable, to which a second flat cable 150 is coupled. The terminal rails 5 '(in Figure 19A not visible) the cable cores of the first flat cable 150 cross here directly. The contact pins and the contact blades can be connected here directly to (for example, designed as a single component) to supply current from a cable core to a terminal. Cross connector 2 (see Fig. 2 ) can also be omitted in this embodiment.

As in Figure 19B However, as shown, the terminals 5 can also be arranged in parallel above the first flat cable 100 passed through in order to couple a second flat cable 150 there to the first flat cable. Here, the junction box 200 can be configured, for example, as in FIG Fig. 16 shown.

A junction box 200 "', provided to ensure protection against the ingress of dust or water of class IP40, is in Figure 20A shown. This junction box 200 "'is provided with a socket attachment 55' which connects the terminals 5 (see e.g. Fig. 4 ) for this very purpose.

An alternative junction box 200 "", provided for protection against ingress of water and dust of class IP65, is in Figure 20B shown. This junction box 200 "" is provided with a sealing attachment 65 'which - possibly in addition to any socket attachments 55, 55' (see Fig. 16 , Figure 20A ) - the junction box 200 "" seals.

A representation of the junction box 200 together with a plug 300 that can be coupled to its connection 550 and an outlet for a round cable 400 connected to the plug is shown in FIG Figs. 21 and 22nd shown.

The plug 300 is in the through Fig. 21 given example from the junction box 220 separated. An outlet for a round cable 400 is connected to the plug 300. The flat cable 100 is passed through the junction box 200. In Fig. 21 and Fig. 22 the sleeve 60 is shown to the lever 80 from above. The socket attachment 55, 55 'protrudes from the sleeve 60. The plug 300 is opposite the connection 550. The plug 300 can be in different variants 300 ', 300 ", 300"'. Such variants are in Fig. 21 shown schematically.

The plug 300 is in the through Fig. 22 illustrated situation in connection 550 (see Fig. 21 ) plugged into the junction box 200. The variant shown here offers protection against the ingress of dust or water in accordance with protection class IP40. In addition, a sealing attachment 65 is shown, which, if placed on the sleeve 60, would bring about a corresponding protection according to protection class IP68.

The representation is only an example, for example larger or smaller numbers of individual parts can be provided, or some parts can be completely missing.

Claims (15)

Junction box for connecting a multi-core flat cable to several terminals of a connection, the junction box comprising the following: a support surface for a multi-core flat cable to be contacted, several contact blades for one-sided, stripping-free contacting of several cores of the flat cable, several clamps, several terminal rails adjoining the terminals, each terminal rail having at least one hole, a contact pin being inserted through one hole of each terminal rail, one contact pin is provided for a wire-to-terminal contact, whereby the assignment of the holes of the terminal rails with contact pins defines which wire of the flat cable is connected to which terminal " whereby an electrical contact is established between one or more contact blades and one or more terminal rails via one or more contact pins. Junction box according to claim 1, wherein the junction box comprises cross connectors, wherein the cross connectors establish the electrical connection between the contact pins and the contact blades, wherein the cross connectors have a row with a plurality of first bores, wherein by positioning the contact blades in the corresponding bores it is determined which cross connector to which contact blade and thus to which cable core of the flat cable to be contacted or tapped is connected. Junction box according to Claim 2, the cross-connectors having a row with a plurality of second bores in which the contact pins extending from the terminal rails are received. Junction box according to claim 3, wherein each terminal rail comprises a row with a plurality of holes arranged one behind the other, the contact pins extending from a hole of a terminal rail to a bore of a cross connector in order to establish the electrical connection of a specific terminal rail to a specific cross connector. Junction box according to claims 2 to 4, wherein the junction box comprises a slide-in insulating body arranged between the cross connectors and the terminal rails. Junction box according to Claim 5, the cross-connectors being attached to the side of the insertable insulating body facing the flat cable to be contacted, and the terminal rails being fixed to the opposite side of the insertable insulating body. Junction box according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the plug-in insulating body is provided with holes only at those positions at which contact pins are inserted from the terminal elements through the insulating body to the cross connectors, whereby the positioning of the contact pins in the holes of the terminal connector and the bores of the cross-connector is specified by a hole coding on the insert insulator. Junction box according to one of Claims 1 to 6, the plug-in insulating body being provided with contact pins which are firmly inserted at certain positions and which define an electrical connection between certain clamping rails and certain cross-connectors. Junction box according to one of claims 2 to 8, wherein the junction box is suitable for connecting a first and a second flat cable with five wires each, three of the wires being phase conductors, one wire being a neutral wire and another wire being a protective conductor and correspondingly five contact blades, Five cross connectors, five terminals with associated terminal rails and five contact pins are provided to connect the corresponding phase conductors, neutral conductors and protective conductors of the first flat cable to the terminals for the corresponding phase conductors, neutral conductors and protective conductors of the second flat cable. Junction box according to claim 9, wherein the junction box is also suitable to connect two data conductors of the flat cables in addition to the five wires of the first and second flat cables, wherein corresponding contact blades, cross connectors, terminal connectors and contact pins are provided around the corresponding data conductors of the first flat cable to the corresponding ones Transfer terminals for the data conductors of the second flat cable. Junction box according to claim 5, wherein the contact pins are firmly anchored in an electrically insulating pin plate so that the arrangement of the contact pins corresponds to the desired connection of wires of the flat cable to the terminals and the electrical contact takes place between the contact blades and the terminal rails by pressing the pin plate onto the terminal rails, the contact pins being driven through the holes of the terminal rail into the holes of the cross connector during the pressing. Junction box according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the terminals belong to a connection which is a connection for a round cable or for a flat cable. Junction box according to claim 1, wherein the terminals are arranged at right angles to the first flat cable resting on the support surface and thus a connection can be created between two flat cables arranged perpendicular to one another, or wherein the terminals are arranged parallel to the first flat cable resting on the support surface and in this way a connection between two flat cables arranged parallel one above the other can be created. Junction box according to one of claims 5 to 13, wherein the junction box is constructed in several parts, a first part comprising a sleeve, an insert comprising the insert insulating body, the terminal rails with inserted contact pins and the cross connectors with inserted contact blades being inserted into the sleeve, so that the contact blades protrude from the sleeve on the side facing the support surface for the flat cable, and a second part comprises the support surface for the flat cable, as well as a receptacle for the first part with side walls in which the sleeve of the first part for contacting the flat cable is used, and a lever element is provided to press the sleeve together with protruding contact blades in the direction of the support surface for the flat cable in order to contact the flat cable. Installation kit, which installation kit comprises: at least one through line formed by a flat cable at least one connection line, At least one junction box according to one of Claims 1 to 14, which connects the through line to the connection line.

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