Tap device

The invention relates to a junction device for electrically conductive connection a main cable with a side cable.

There are several types of junction devices of this type known For example, in the publications WO 00/30218, DE 199 20 768, DE 101 43 363 or WO 03/021721. In all of these connectors may be the cable cores Main cable contacted by cutting contacts. At the junction devices according to WO 00/30218, DE 199 20 768 DE 101 43 363, the addition by cable a jack-and-plug connection inserted, while at the Branching device of WO 03/021721 the side cable also by a is contacted by cutting contact, thereby reducing the possibility is missing, the side cable needs according to exchange.

Known branching devices with jack-and-plug connections for Besides cables require relatively complicated shaped contacting elements which in production are complex. For example, portions of a molded Sheet thus bent or kinked, that two between flat sides Portions a clamping effect arises. This has in addition to the complexity of the Manufacturing process the additional disadvantage that the spring effect in the essentially arises from the crease out what under prolonged stress can have a rapid fatigue result.

Another issue relates to the encoding. It is known, plug and socket connections to be provided with an individual coding possibility. On Assembler can by made at the on-site assembly coding ensure that different devices plugged only in the correct mains can be. A solution with a separable Kodiernocken is for example, disclosed in DE 199 32 243rd The solution is only for use in a fixed network, for example. a N iederspannungsnetz suitable.

The object of the invention to provide a feeder device which Problems according to the prior art and overcomes a particular cost production allows. In this context, the work is a Contacting element, which is as simple as possible in the production, also an object of the invention. Another object of the invention is to provide solutions to provide, mentioned in the above which corrective Coding problem creates.

These objects are achieved by the invention as defined in the claims is defined.

According to a first aspect of the invention, the branch device Connecting a trunk cable with a secondary cable contacting elements, each of which at least one insulation displacement connector for contacting the main cable cores and have at least one terminal contact. The terminal contact is According to the invention flat or sheet-like and locally defined a plane, the Clamping action - for example, between two wing elements. - By along the plane spring forces acting arises. The terminal contact may be similar to a his fork contact formed, ie, as a tuning fork-like ausgestaltetes example Metal present, the wing members tines of a tuning fork-like structure are. Between the tines then forming a contact hole, and the Inserting the contact is to the object (eg. Contact pin) results Contact a spreading of the prongs against each other against the said spring force.

The term "flat" means in this context does not necessarily mean that the whole displacement contact strictly lies in a single plane. Rather, the Displacement contact bent as a whole, for example. Or even kinked. But he is locally sheet-like flat, and the clamping effect is, for example. in a pinch point, as mentioned by forces causes which the along the sheet surface at the location acting clamping point defined level.

Characterized in that the clamping contact according to the invention is flat, the result important Advantages in manufacture. The terminal contact can be stamped from sheet metal or are formed by finely cut without the sheet then massively must be deformed. Furthermore the clamping action can, even at low Thicknesses enough to be big, by the width of wing members (or Tines), between which the clamping action occurs, is chosen sufficiently large. This allows the use of relatively thin sheets, which also can bring benefits. The front-side contact causes also, that even with thin sheets in operation a relatively small is current density available.

Also produced by the specific geometry of a weighty Another Advantage: Since the press-contact is carried out along a plane, the Contact element essentially without major production effort with two or several terminal contacts are provided. This makes it ideal ideally as part of a multi-socket-embodiments in which a single contact element makes contact to multiple sockets. This is advantageous both in manufacture and in installation of systems with the inventive branching device. In addition, the concept of Contact systems with, for example, a branching device and with Multiple socket modules to be expanded. An inventive Contact in a multiple socket module also has terminal contacts of the above described kind and can also stamped from a sheet or by finely cut be made.

The contact element is in one piece according to a preferred embodiment formed. It may therefore also punched from a sheet as a whole or by finely cut are prepared, then possibly the cutting of Insulation displacement connector can be manufactured by stamping or grinding and wherein if necessary, the level of insulation displacement terminal and / or a clamping contact against the original sheet plane is rotated. The latter can in an embossing process happen.

The branch system has according to a further aspect of the invention, a multistage coding. A first stage is mounted from factory mechanical codings, for example. notches in the connector, which to a parallel extend plug axis and ridges in the connector are (or with faulty Encoding not match), or vice versa. The second stage consists of removable and / or addable elements, eg. existing plug side Cam whose lateral position that can be introduced by the socket side pins equivalent.

Embodiments of the invention reference will Drawings. In the drawings:<ul><li>Fig. 1: A view of the inventive feeder device, to Respecting Overview all housing parts removed</li><li>. 2A and 2B: views of a contact-making of the apparatus according to FIG. 1</li><li>Fig. 3: A view of the device according to FIG 1, wherein the wires of the cable. Main cable are guided in the housing base part and being a Wiring cover is drawn.</li><li>Fig. 4: A view of the same device, wherein the wiring cover is in the final position and also being an inserted into the socket Plug is drawn.</li><li>Fig. 5: The device with the connector is included cover.</li><li>Figure 6, 6a and 6b. An embodiment of the inventive device, for use with power plugs and detailed views of the associated Contacting elements.</li><li>7, 7a and 7b:.. One of the Ausführungsgsform of similar to Figure 6 Embodiment, wherein the property of the stackability is visible.</li><li>Fig. 8 shows another embodiment of the contacting. </li><li>Fig. 9 is a branching device comprising two multiple sockets, so that a Contacting system results.</li><li>Fig. 10 A contact for a connection system.</li><li>FIG. 11a and 11b front views of a plug connector with coding.</li><li>FIG. 12 is a fragmentary view of the device according to FIG. 5,.</li></ul>

The principle of an inventive device in branch <b>figure 1</b> visible. A main cable 1 with the main cable cores 2 with a side cable 3 In addition to cable cores 4 contacted. Serve this purpose contact-5, which of plug contacts 6 are electrically contacted. The plug contacts are, for example. firmly connected via terminals 7 with the side cable wires. 4

As the in the <b>Figures 2a and 2b</b> is visible, has each contacting element 5 an insulation displacement contact 11 for contacting the Hautpkabeladern and at least a terminal contact 12, in the illustrated embodiment, there are two Displacement contacts. 5, the contacting element is integrally formed, namely as a stamped from a sheet metal stamping. On the inside of the Insulation displacement terminal 11 formed cutting edges after punching by embossing or grinding been sharpened. The insulation displacement terminal is - in the example shown opposite the plate plane turned - by about 45 °. This allows a geometry branch circuit drawn as in Figure 1, ie with the main cable parallel extending plug contacts 6 are, however, other geometries conceivable eg. without turned Scheid terminal and perpendicular to the main cable outgoing plug contacts, or with Scheid terminals that other one Angle than 45 degrees are rotated with respect to the plane of the sheet, for example, a Angle between 45 ° and 90 °.

The terminal contacts 12 of the contact-making are in contrast to the state of the art at least locally flat, so that a plane is defined. in the drawn example of the clamping contact in the plane is similar to a tuning fork formed with two prongs. A clamping action of the plug contacts 6 arises between the two prongs by spring forces along the plane, similar to a fork contact. The terminal contacts can - unlike in the subscribed Embodiment - also rotated relative to the original plane of the sheet be.

The material from which the contacting is made is, for example, Copper or a copper alloy. The thickness of the sheet is, for example, between 0.5 mm and 1.2 mm, preferably 0.7 mm to 0.9 mm. The width of the Tines is selected so that a desired spring force is produced and is therefore depending on the sheet thickness of the length of the tines and the material. they is, for example, about 1 mm to 3 mm, preferably about 1.7 mm to 2.4 mm. The length the tines can be eg. between 12 mm and 25 mm.

<b>figure 3</b> shows a view of the components according to FIG. 1, wherein the wires of the cable Main cable is guided in a housing base part 21 and wherein a Wiring member, namely, a wiring cover 22 is drawn. The Housing base part has a female seat (in the figure drawn below) and a Main cable wire guide (in the figure above) 23 with guide webs The Contacting elements 5 are fitted into the housing base part, so that the Insulation displacement terminals 11 cable insulation from between the guiding ribs 23 guided main cable wires intersect and contact the main cable cores.

The wiring cover 22 serves on pressing webs 26, the main cable cores against a resistance sufficiently deeply between the guide webs depress, so that they are reliably contacted by the insulation displacement terminals 11th The wiring cover 22 has pivot pins 24, which in the end face Indentations 25 of the guide webs are suspended, whereupon the Wiring cover about the pivot axes is pivotally guided. In a End position is fixed by catches 27 of the wiring cover. conceivable also wiring cover respectively wiring means through which means Pressing or pressing tongs can be connected vertically.

In liner seat two bushings 31 are introduced, in which plug contacts 6 a are plug inserted. In the illustrated arrangement is one socket - respect to the direction of the main cable - directed forwards and backwards. The Contacting and sockets are mutually positioned, that the inserted plug contacts between the prongs of the terminal contacts be out and contact them thus.

<b>figure 4</b> the whole branch system - that the branch device included corresponding plug, wherein the wiring cover 22 in the end position , and wherein the plug is drawn 41 is inserted into the socket.

In <b>figure 5</b> you see the branch device 10 as a whole with the plug is pulled 41 including cover 51. The cover has a transparent window 52, allows a view of the main cable cores. This provides an inspector, the Way to verify the correct installation of the cable cores, without the open cover. In the illustrated embodiment, on the window still marks 53 mounted with conductor designations that the correct Position of the phase, neutral and earth or of different kind of cable cores refer. the cover can manufacturing reasons as a whole a transparent material be made wherein, for example. Only the window is ground, that a crystal clear view of the cable wires is possible.

The wiring cover may, but need not remain in its end position, when the cover is mounted and the branch device is ready for use.

For some installations, the locking of the plug in the provisions with the outlets (ie the sockets for power cord) requires. In known products the locking is achieved with an additional locking part. The subscribed Embodiment of the invention includes a latch 42 that the plug is injection-molded. Alternatively, the latch as a separately manufactured eg. be metallic item available. The latch operates with a on the Socket inside existing latching edge (not visible) along and causes a catch. This can only be solved by a pressing member 44 against the Plug inside is pressed, whereby the latch pushed inward becomes. Because of the molded latch formed during the production no Additional costs for the catch. This principle of the molded on plug Latching pawl can also be used for contact systems, which are otherwise configured in accordance with the invention.

In the shown, preferred embodiment, the feeder device for tripolar power cable determined. The inventive design of the Branching device can of course also for other cable systems be used, for example, two or five pole power cable, for Data cable with any number of cable cores, for speaker cables etc.

The embodiment of the inventive feeder apparatus in Figure 6 also has contact-making elements, and a housing of the above- However manner described. It is in contrast to the embodiment of Figures 1 to 5 for standard plug 61 (shown plugs and sockets in accordance with Swiss Norm) formed. This requires some design changes. So must the Tines of the terminal contacts be spread further apart, since the contact pins 62 the standard plug are usually round, as in <b>6a</b> is shown. Furthermore, the contact pins are not arranged at the same height, so that the Terminal contacts 12 must be correspondingly adjusted positions. That can require that the terminal contacts are added as shown in the figure drawn to each other must be attached. In Figure 6b is an arrangement of three Contact-drawn, as in the embodiment according to FIG is used 6th This arrangement ensures that the polarity relative the connector is always the same.

In <b>figure 7</b> is shown on the basis of the inventive branch device a connection system can occur without massive Design changes or refined additional parts would be needed. The System includes stackable modules 71, wherein said contacting elements 5 through Contact holes 63, 73 in the respective adjacent module or the engage branching device 10, and a contacting element 5 of the banachbarten module or branch circuit contact. The Contacting a possibility to combine the insulation displacement terminal and have plug contact formed contact slit, as in Figs 7a and 7b is illustrated. Then, for branching device 10 and stackable Module 71 identical contacting elements are used. Alternatively the contacts of the modules instead of said contact slots comprise clamping contacts, for example, are the same design as the already Terminal contacts described, but are rotated relative to this about 90 °.

The stackable modules 71 have in the embodiment drawn yet Twisting and positioning cam 74 and locking flap 75 for mounting the each overlying or underlying module.

Instead according stackable modules Figure 7 can also Drop apparatus itself be equipped with multiple sockets or socket outlets. Contacting elements used in these devices are then branch eg. formed as in the <b>figure 8</b> drawn contacting 5 with six serving as socket contacts terminal contacts 12th

Another advanced contact system is in the <b>figure 9</b> drawn. together with the branching means 10 are two aneinanderreihbare multiple sockets 81 drawn. Each multiple socket has multiple socket contacts which also comprise clamping contacts of the type described above and which for example. are also integrally formed from sheet metal. In the lower half of the Figure 5 contacting or multiple socket contacts 82 drawn as they come in contact system for use. The Multiple socket contacts have a pin section 83, which for example. platelet-shaped and rotated by 90 ° from the original sheet plane is. The pin portion can be made of the stamped part by twisting, or (eg. when punching) be prepared by compression. The Terminal contacts 84 are as mentioned analogous to the terminal contacts 12 of the Contacting elements 5 formed.

<b>figure 10</b> still shows a contact 92 for a compared to 9 simpler Modulus of a connection system with only two sockets. Such a module may also be connected in series with any number of other modules will.

The embodiments of contacting system 7 to 10 are in accordance mere examples to illustrate the various design possibilities, which by inventively executed contacting or Multiple socket contacts at very low manufacturing costs consist. By designing of contacting or multiple plug contacts projecting with any number of one or both sides to the outside Displacement contacts are any multiple socket assemblies Artwork.

According to one aspect of the invention is a connection system - according to the type described above or with other types of contacts - with a multistage mechanical coding system equipped.

By mechanical codings can be prevented that a user mistakenly connectors makes, which are not intended and may can cause damage to equipment.

Contacting systems according to this aspect of the invention have a Basic coding, which has been set at the factory, and an individual Coding. The principle of multi-stage mechanical encoding is in the<b>Figures 11a and 11b</b> as in <b>figure 12</b> illustrated. The basic coding consists of in the shape of plugs and sockets predetermined fixed mechanical Features, such as notches 43 in the plug or socket, in which Combs 102 can be inserted into the socket or the plug. The notches and Combs can in a known per se in various numbers and with its various dimensions available. You can during the casting of the socket be made or socket. They are used, for example, to distinguish between low voltage, extra-low or data networks. according to a second stage is also an individual coding provided. For the individual Coding of the individual networks are on the socket side guide grooves 103 with a Pin guide 104 is provided. At appropriate points of the plug are irreversible detachable cam 45 provided that when plugging the plug into the groove be introduced. Also reversibly separable elements are conceivable. For the custom coding allows the installer a on the side or more doses Insert coding pins 106 and plug side the corresponding Kodiernocken - for example with a knife -. separated. When coding is inserted in the can Only plugged arrangement according to FIG. 12 of the plug when the upper cam 45 is removed. This is because the in respect to the plug axis (corresponding to the Direction along which the plug moves to plug) lateral position of Pin of the lateral position of the cam corresponding to and therefore during insertion in the Is away. Through combinations of different basic codes with individual codes are a variety of combinations are possible.

This approach allows the use of a contacting system, eg. With an inventive feeder device - in low voltage, Extra low or data networks, since different basic codings are, and it also provides a convenient, easy way for a additional, individual coding of the plug-in system.