JP2005259694A - Branch connection device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a branch connection device electrically connecting a main cable (1) to an auxiliary cable (3). <P>SOLUTION: The branch connection cable has a connection member (5) having a crimp terminal (11) connecting the main cable core wire, and forming an electric connection to a contact part of a socket in which, one of the auxiliary cable can be inserted as well. The connection member (5), having a local planer part has a clamp terminal (12) electrically connected to the crimp terminal. By the above, a clamping action of the clamp terminal acting along the plane is generated by a spring force. Advantageously, the whole part of the connection member is integrated, and manufactured by a punching work. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a branch connection device for connecting a main cable to a sub cable in such a manner that electricity is passed therethrough.

  As this type of device, various types of branch connection devices are known, for example, from Patent Literature 1, Patent Literature 2, Patent Literature 3, or Patent Literature 4. In all these branch connection devices, the cable cores of the main cables are connected by press contact terminals (Schneidkontakt). In the branch connection device based on Patent Literature 1, Patent Literature 2 and Patent Literature 3, the sub cable can be inserted by a socket / plug type connection terminal, whereas in the branch connection device of Patent Literature 4, the sub cable is , Also connected by pressure contact terminals, and therefore lacks means to replace the secondary cable as needed.

  A known branch connection device having a socket / plug type connection terminal for a secondary cable requires a relatively complicated connection part which is burdensome in terms of manufacturing. For example, a section of the formed metal plate is bent or bent to cause a clamping action between the flat side surfaces of the two sections. In addition to the complexity of the manufacturing method, this also stems from the fact that the spring action basically bends, which may result in accelerated metal fatigue due to sustained stress. Has drawbacks.

Another set of issues relates to matching. It is known to provide individual matching means for socket / plug type connection terminals. The contractor can be confident that the various devices can only be plugged into the correct power grid, with the codes that function during on-site assembly. For example, Patent Document 5 discloses a solution using a detachable sign protrusion. However, this solution is only suitable for adoption in certain networks, for example low-pressure networks.
International Patent Publication No. 00/30218 German Patent Publication No. 19920768 German Patent Publication No. 10143363 International Patent Publication No. 03/021721 German Patent Publication No. 19932243

  An object of the present invention is to provide a branch connection device that overcomes the problems in the prior art and enables particularly inexpensive manufacturing. In the context of the present invention, it is also an object of the present invention to provide a connection part that is as easy to manufacture as possible. Another object of the present invention is to provide a solution that eliminates the aforementioned matching problem.

  This problem is solved by the present invention based on the provisions of the claims.

  In the first aspect of the present invention, the branch connection device is a connection having at least one press contact terminal and at least one clamp terminal for connecting the core wire of each main cable in order to connect the main cable to the sub cable. Have parts. In the present invention, the clamp terminal is flat or a metal plate, and locally forms a flat surface. In this case, for example, the clamping action between two airfoil elements is a spring that operates along this flat surface. It is caused by force. The clamp terminal can be formed in the same manner as the cable terminal, that is, for example, can be a metal plate formed in a tuning fork shape, in which case the airfoil member is a protrusion of a tuning fork shaped product. . And, a gap between the terminals is formed between these protrusions. When an object to be connected (for example, a terminal pin) is inserted, the opening of the terminals is not between the protrusions, unlike the spring force described above. It will occur.

  In the context of the present invention, the term “flat” does not necessarily mean that the entire clamping terminal forms a strictly single plane. Rather, the clamp terminal as a whole can be bent or even bent, for example. However, this clamp terminal is locally flat in the shape of a metal plate, and the clamping action is, for example, at a clamping point, as described above, in a plane defined by the plane of the metal plate at the location of the clamping point. It is caused by the force acting along.

  Based on this invention, flattening the clamp terminals provides significant advantages during manufacture. This clamp terminal can be punched out from a single metal plate or formed by fine blanking, and it is not necessary to subsequently significantly deform the metal plate. Furthermore, by selecting a sufficiently large width of the airfoil member (or projection) that causes a clamping action between them, the clamping action can be sufficiently increased even when the thickness of the metal plate is small. This allows the use of relatively thin metal plates, which can also produce advantages. The connection on the front side also has an effect that a relatively low current density is obtained during operation even in the case of a thin metal plate.

  In addition, its unique geometry provides another important advantage. That is, since the clamp terminal is realized along a plane, two or a plurality of clamp terminals can be provided on the terminal member basically without a large manufacturing burden. By doing so, the clamp terminal is ideally suited as a component of a dual outlet type implementation where a single terminal member constitutes a terminal for a plurality of sockets. This is advantageous both at the time of manufacture and when the system is assembled using the branch connection device according to the present invention. Further, this design concept can be extended to a connection system having, for example, one branch connection device and a multiple outlet module. The terminal according to the invention in the dual outlet module also has a clamping terminal of the kind described above and can also be punched from a metal plate or manufactured by fine blanking.

  In an advantageous implementation, the terminal member is formed in an integrated shape. Therefore, the terminal member can be punched out of a metal plate as a whole or manufactured by fine blanking, and in that case, the edge of the press contact terminal is finished by embossing or polishing in some cases. And in some cases, the plane of the pressure contact terminal and / or the clamp terminal is twisted with respect to the plane of the original metal plate. The latter operation can be performed in an embossing process.

  In another aspect of the present invention, the branch connection apparatus has a multi-stage code system. The first stage consists of a factory-applied mechanical sign, such as a plug notch, which extends parallel to the plug axis and matches the socket ridge (for example, a false sign). Does not match) or vice versa. The second stage is composed of a member that can be separated and / or added, for example, a protrusion on the plug side, and its lateral position coincides with the lateral position of the pin provided on the socket side.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  The principle of the branch connection device according to the invention can be seen in FIG. A main cable 1 having a main cable core wire 2 is connected to a sub cable 3 having a sub cable core wire 4. The connecting member 5 that can be electrically connected to the plug terminal 6 plays the role. These plug terminals are firmly connected to the sub cable core wire 4 by, for example, a clamp 7.

  As can be seen from FIGS. 2 a and 2 b, each connecting member 5 has a pressure contact terminal 11 for connecting the main cable core wire and at least one clamp terminal 12, and in the illustrated embodiment, has two clamp terminals. This connecting member 5 is formed integrally, that is, as a punched part punched from a metal plate. The cutting edge formed inside the press contact terminal 11 is sharpened by embossing or polishing after punching. The press contact terminal is twisted and bent with respect to the plane of the metal plate (about 45 ° in the illustrated example). In this way, the geometry of this branch connection device is possible, as illustrated in FIG. 1, i.e. with a plug terminal 6 extending parallel to the main cable. However, other geometric shapes, such as a shape in which the crimp terminal is not twisted, a shape in which the plug terminal is deflected perpendicularly to the main cable, or an angle different from 45 ° with respect to the plane of the metal plate, for example 45 ° A shape in which the press contact terminal is twisted and bent at an angle of ˜90 ° is also conceivable.

  Unlike the prior art, the clamping terminal 12 of this connecting member is at least locally flat and consequently forms a flat surface. In the illustrated example, the clamp terminal is formed in a planar shape, like a tuning fork having two protrusions. The clamping action on the plug terminal 6 occurs between the two projections by the spring force along this plane, as in the case of the fork-shaped terminal (Gabelkontakt). Unlike the illustrated embodiment, the clamp terminal can be similarly twisted with respect to the original metal plate plane.

  The material for manufacturing this connection member is, for example, copper or a copper alloy. The thickness of this metal plate is, for example, 0.5 mm to 1.2 mm, preferably 0.7 mm to 0.9 mm. The width of the protrusion is selected so that the desired spring force is generated, and thus depends on the thickness of the metal plate, the length of the protrusion and the material. Its width is, for example, about 1 mm to 3 mm, preferably about 1.7 mm to 2.4 mm. The length of this protrusion can be set to 12 mm to 25 mm, for example.

  FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of the components shown in FIG. 1, in which the cable core of the main cable is guided into the case base portion 21 and also shows the wiring member, that is, the wiring cover 22. . The case base has a socket base (shown at the bottom of the figure) and a core guide for the main cable with guide fins 23 (shown at the top of the figure). The connecting member 5 is fitted into the case base portion, and the press contact terminal 11 cuts the cable insulation of the main cable core wire guided between the guide fins 23 and connects to the main cable core wire. .

  The wiring cover 22 plays a role of pushing the main cable core wire sufficiently deep between the guide fins against the repulsive force by the pressing fin 26 in order to securely connect the main cable core wire to the press contact terminal 11. The wiring cover 22 has a swivel shaft 24. The swivel shaft is hooked on a recess 25 on the front side of the guide fin, so that the wiring cover can immediately swivel around the swivel shaft. Guided. The wiring cover is fixed by a stopper 27 in the final position. Alternatively, it is also conceivable that the wiring cover is a wiring means that can be mounted vertically using a pressing or pressing rod.

  Two sockets 31 are disposed on the socket base, and the plug terminal 6 of the plug can be inserted into them. In the configuration shown, the sockets are facing forward and backward, respectively (with respect to the direction of the main cable). The connecting member and the outlet are arranged on both sides, and the inserted plug terminal is guided between the protrusions of the clamp terminal and thereby connected thereto.

  FIG. 4 shows the entire branch connection device, that is, the branch connection device including the attached plug, in which the wiring cover 22 is in the final position and the plug inserted into the socket 41 is also illustrated.

  In FIG. 5, the branch connection device including the cover 51 with the plug 41 pulled out is shown as a whole. This cover has a transparent window 52 through which the main cable core can be seen. This provides a manager with a means for checking whether the cable core is correctly laid without opening the cover. In the illustrated embodiment, the window is further marked with a sign 53 having a wire mark that indicates the correct position of the phase, neutral and ground, or cable cores of another nature. For manufacturing reasons, this cover can be made of a totally transparent material, for example by polishing only this window, so that the cable core can be seen clearly.

  However, if the cover can be attached and the branch connection device can be used, this wiring cover cannot be left in its final position or should not be left.

  In order to install securely, the standard requires that the plug be fastened to an outlet (ie a socket for the power cable). In known products, this fastening is solved by adding a fastening part. The illustrated embodiment of the invention has a pawl 42 injection molded on the plug. Instead of this, it is possible to use, for example, a metal part made of this pawl. This pawl cooperates with a stop angle inside the outlet (not shown) and plays a role of fastening. This fastening is only released by pushing the pressing part 44 towards the inside of the plug and thereby pushing the catching claw inward. Since the retaining pawl is injection-molded, no additional cost is incurred for the fastening during manufacture. The principle of injection-molding the pawl on the plug can be applied to a connection system configured without the present invention in other respects.

  In the preferred embodiment shown, a branch connection device for a three-core current cable is defined. However, the embodiment of the branch connection device according to the present invention can naturally also be used for another cable system, for example, a two-core or four-core power cable, a data cable having an arbitrary number of cable cores, a speaker cable, and the like. . The embodiment of the branch connection device of FIG. 6 according to the present invention also has a connection member and a case of the type described above. However, it is configured for a standard plug 61 (where the outlet and plug are formed according to Swiss standards), unlike the implementation of FIGS. This requires some configuration changes. Accordingly, the terminal pin 62 of the standard plug is usually round as shown in FIG. 6a, so that the protrusion of the clamp terminal must be widened and further separated. Furthermore, the terminal pins are not arranged at the same height, so that the clamping terminal 12 must be in a position adapted to it. This requires that the clamp terminals must be mounted offset from each other as shown in the figure. In FIG. 6 b, the configuration of the three connecting members used in the implementation configuration based on FIG. 6 is illustrated. This arrangement ensures that the relative polarity with respect to the plug is always the same.

  FIG. 7 shows how a connection system can be made on the basis of a branch connection device according to the present invention without the need for major structural changes or elaborate additions. This system has a stackable module 71, in which the connecting member 5 is fitted into the adjacent module or branch connection device 10 via the terminal holes 63 and 73, respectively. The connecting member 5 is connected. In this case, as shown in FIGS. 7a and 7b, the connecting member can have a gap between terminals configured in a composite manner as a pressure contact terminal and a plug terminal. The same connection member can be used for the branch connection device 10 and the stackable module 71. As an alternative to this, the module terminals are configured in the same way as the previously described clamp terminals, for example, instead of the terminal gaps described above, but they have a clamp terminal that is twisted about 90 °. Can do.

  In the illustrated embodiment, the stackable module 71 further comprises a screw-in and position-fixing projection 74 and a stop flap 75 for securing the module above or below it respectively.

  Instead of a stackable module according to FIG. 7, the branch connection device itself can also comprise a double socket or a double outlet. And the connection member used for the branch connection apparatus is comprised like the connection member 5 which has the six clamp terminals 12 which play the role of the outlet connection part illustrated in FIG.

  Another expanded connection system is illustrated in FIG. Along with the branch connection device 10, two double outlets 81 that can be installed side by side are shown. Each dual outlet has a dual outlet terminal, which similarly has a clamp terminal of the type described above, and is formed integrally, for example, from a metal plate. In the lower half of the figure, the connecting member 5 or the dual outlet terminal 82 is shown, which is used in this connection system. These dual outlet terminals have, for example, a pin plate 83 which is formed in a small plate shape and is twisted by 90 ° with respect to the original metal plate plane. This pin piece can be made by twisting the punched portion, but it can also be made by pressing (for example, with a punch press). These clamp terminals 84 are configured in the same manner as the clamp terminals 12 of the connection member 5 as described above.

  FIG. 10 further illustrates a terminal 92 for a module of a connection system that is simpler than FIG. 9 and has only two outlets. Such modules can also connect any number of additional modules in series.

  The implementation configuration of the connection system based on FIGS. 7 to 10 is merely an example for explaining various embodiments configured with a very small manufacturing burden by the connection member or the double outlet terminal realized according to the present invention. . Any dual outlet structure can be constructed by embodiments of a connection member or dual outlet terminal having any number of clamp terminals projecting outward on one or both sides.

  In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a connection system is constructed having a multi-stage mechanical sign system (having terminals of the type described above or of another shape).

  The mechanical agreement can prevent the user from making a wrong plug connection unintentionally and possibly leading to equipment damage.

  The connection system according to this aspect of the invention has a basic code part and individual code parts arranged at the factory. The principle of this multi-step mechanical matching is illustrated in FIGS. 11a and 11b and FIG. This basic sign consists of positive mechanical features derived from the shape of the plug and socket, such as a plug or socket notch 43, into which the socket or plug ridge 102 can be inserted. These notches and ridges can be arranged in various numbers and in various dimensions by known methods. These can be made during the casting of the socket or plug. These serve, for example, to identify low voltage networks, small voltage networks or data networks. In the second stage, individual codes are also deployed. A guide groove 103 having a pin guide 104 is provided on the outlet side with respect to individual matching portions of individual nets. A protrusion 45 that can be irreversibly separated is provided at a corresponding position of the plug, and this protrusion is inserted into the groove when the plug is inserted. A reversibly detachable member is also conceivable. With respect to the individual matching portions, the builder can employ one or a plurality of matching pins 106 on the outlet side and can cut off the corresponding matching protrusions (for example, using a knife) on the plug side. In the configuration according to FIG. 12, when this matching pin is employed, the plug can be inserted only when the upper protrusion 45 is removed. This is because the lateral position of the pin relative to the axis of the plug (corresponding to the direction in which the plug is moved for insertion) coincides with the lateral position of the protrusion and is therefore in the same track when inserted. Many combinations are possible by combining various basic code parts with individual code parts.

  This measure allows various basic codes, and furthermore, this measure provides an advantageous and simple means for adding individual codes of the plug system, for example with a branch connection device according to the invention. The connection system can be used for low voltage networks, small voltage networks or data networks.

Perspective view of the branch connection device according to the invention with the entire case removed for clarity Side view of the connecting member of the apparatus of FIG. 1 is a plan view of a connection member of the apparatus of FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the apparatus of FIG. 1 with the cable core of the main cable guided into the case base and the wiring cover also illustrated. 1 is a perspective view of the apparatus of FIG. 1 with the wiring cover in the final position and also showing the plug inserted into the socket. Perspective view of the device including the cover with the plug pulled out A perspective view of an implementation of the device according to the invention for using a power plug FIG. 6 is a detailed side view of a connecting member attached to the apparatus of FIG. FIG. 6 is a detailed perspective view of a connecting member attached to the apparatus of FIG. An implementation similar to that of FIG. 6 illustrating the stackability characteristics FIG. 7 is a detailed side view of a connecting member attached to the apparatus of FIG. 7 is a detailed side view of the connecting member attached to the apparatus of FIG. 7 in a stacked state. Another configuration of connecting member Branch connection device having two duplex sockets constituting a connection system Terminal for connection system Front view of outlet with sign Front view of outlet with sign 5 is a perspective view of the apparatus of FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Main cable 2 Main cable core wire 3 Sub cable 4 Sub cable core wire 5 Connection member 6 Plug terminal 7 Clamp 10 Branch connection device 11 Pressure contact terminal 12 Clamp terminal 21 Case base part 22 Wiring cover 23 Guide fin 24 Turning shaft 25 Depression 26 Pressing fin 27 Stopper 31 Socket 41 Plug 42 Stopper Claw 43 Notch 44 Pressing Part 45 Protrusion 51 Cover 52 Window 53 Marking 61 Standard Plug 62 Terminal Pin 63 Terminal Hole 71 Module 73 Terminal Hole 74 Protrusion 75 Stopping Flap 81 Duplicate Outlet 82 Duplicate Outlet Terminal 83 Pin section 84 Clamp terminal 92 Terminal 102 Raised portion 103 Guide groove 104 Pin guide 106 Matching pin

Claims (15)

A branch connection device (10) for connecting the main cable (1) and the sub cable (3) in an electrically conductive manner, the branch connection device forming an electrical connection to the contact part of the socket And a plug (41, 61) of the sub cable can be inserted into the socket. In this case, the connection member (5) is connected to the main cable core wire (2 of the main cable). In the branch connection device having the press contact terminal (11) for connecting)
At least one of the connection members (5) has a clamp terminal (12) electrically connected to the pressure contact terminal, the clamp terminal being flat and locally flat. A branch connection device, wherein the clamping action of the clamp terminal is caused by a spring force acting along the plane.   2. The branch connection device according to claim 1, wherein the clamp terminal (12) constitutes one of the contact portions of the socket.   The branch connection device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the connection member (5) is integrally formed.   There are a plurality of clamp terminals (12), forming a common plane, and the pressure contact terminals (11) are also flat and forming a plane, and the plane is constant with the plane of the clamp terminal. The branch connection device according to claim 3, wherein the branch connection device forms an angle.   At least the said clamp terminal (12) is comprised as a stamping process part punched from the metal plate, or obtained by fine blanking, It is any one of Claim 1 to 4 characterized by the above-mentioned. The branch connection device described.   The connection member (5) is fitted into the case base portion (21) having the guide fins (23), and the press contact terminal (11) is fitted into the main cable core (2) sufficiently deeply. The press-contact terminal is arranged at a position for cutting the cable insulation of the main cable core wire (2) guided between the guide fins (23) when being inserted. 6. The branch connection device according to any one of items 1 to 5.   A wiring member (22) having a pressing means (26) is provided, and the pressing means simultaneously moves the wiring member so that the main cable core wires placed on the outside between the guide fins are simultaneously connected to these core wires. The branch connection device according to claim 6, wherein the branch connection device is disposed at a position that presses the space between the guide fins inward to the extent that is connected to the press contact terminal (11).   A transparent window (52) is provided in a part of the case, and the exposed main cable core (2) can be seen from the window when it is used. The branch connection apparatus as described in any one.   The branch connection according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that a stop angle is provided, and the stop claw (42) of the plug (41) of the sub cable can be fixed by the stop angle. apparatus. Connection member (5) for connecting the main cable core wire (2) of the main cable and forming an electrical connection to the contacts of the socket, in particular according to any one of claims 1 to 9 And a branch connection device (10) for connecting the main cable (1) and the sub cable (3) in an electrically conductive manner, and at least one plug for the sub cable that can be inserted into the socket. (41, 61),
The plug and socket have a mechanical matching system with at least two stages, the first of which consists of mechanical features (43, 102) that are fixedly present on the socket and plug, and their corresponding The plug and socket features are matched to each other, and only plugs with matching signs can be plugged into the socket, and the second stage is separable on the socket and plug, or If there is an addable member (45, 106), one is present in the form that this member is coincident and the other is not, the plug can be inserted into the socket, and conversely If not, the branch connection system is characterized in that the members exist in opposition to each other to prevent insertion of the plug into the socket.   The detachable or addable member is an irreversibly detachable protrusion (45) provided on the plug side and a matching pin (106) that can be inserted into the guide groove (103) of the plug. The branch connection system according to claim 10, wherein the lateral position of the protrusion with respect to the axis of the plug coincides with the lateral position of the guide groove when inserted. A pressure contact terminal (11) and a clamp terminal (12) electrically connected to the pressure contact terminal suitable for use in the branch connection device (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 9 In the connecting member (5) having
The connection member according to claim 1, wherein the clamp terminal is flat and locally flat, and the clamping action of the clamp terminal is caused by a spring force acting along the plane.   This connecting member is an integral part and, advantageously, at least the clamping terminal (12) is configured as a stamped part punched from a metal plate or obtained by fine blanking. The connecting member according to claim 12, wherein   A branch connection device according to any one of claims 1 to 9 and a dual socket terminal (5, 82, 92) having a plurality of clamp terminals (12) which are flat and each locally flat. At least one dual socket module (71, 81), wherein the clamping action of these clamping terminals is caused by a spring force acting along this plane, and these clamping terminals are connected to this dual socket terminal A connection system comprising a contact portion of a socket.   15. A plurality of clamping terminals (12) that are flat and each locally planar, wherein the clamping action of these clamping terminals is caused by a spring force acting along this plane. Metal plate-like integrated double socket terminals (5, 82, 92) for the double socket module of the connection system described in 1).

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