EP2190077B1 - Connection device with phase selection - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a connection device for stripping-free Anzapfkontaktierung a multi-phase flat cable, which makes it possible to tap only one of the wires belonging to the different phases, so make a "phase selection".

Connection devices with which a continuous flat cable with several, lying in a plane power conductors (eg for 380V three-phase) can be tapped without separation of the wires and without removal of wire and cable insulation, have been known for over 30 years. An early publication in this respect from the applicant's home is, for example, the German patent application DE-AS 2 206 187 , Tapped screws are used as tapping contacts. The connection is made by the connecting device with its housing - initially without the contact screws - placed on the cable and then the cable is also enclosed on the back of a housing plate. Finally, the tap is done by the guided in the housing with internal threads contact screws are screwed into the flat cable. They penetrate with their tip, first the outer insulation of the flat cable, then the respective core insulation, and finally penetrate with the tip in the head of each vein. This contacts the relevant wire.

A three-phase load must be connected to all three phase conductors; Single-phase consumers, however, are only connected to a phase conductor (and the neutral conductor as a return conductor). To balance the three-phase system symmetrically, the various single-phase loads of a consumer unit (e.g., a building) are to be connected to the three phase conductors with approximately equal distribution.

It would be conceivable to provide correspondingly three different prefabricated types of connection devices, each type each allowing connection to a specific phase conductor. To avoid such expense, but still be able to flexibly choose a specific phase conductor in the field installation, a connection device is desirable in which the tapable wire is not fixed, but which allows the installer, the desired phase conductor only during installation to choose by a corresponding adjustment of the device.

There are already various proposals for this in Tecknik's stand.

In the aforementioned DE-AS 2 206 187 already mentioned the possibility, if necessary, only the wire of one of the three phase conductors by screwing only the corresponding short called "phase wire").

In a known type of connection device, a contact slide is provided as a phase selector. This can be moved linearly to select the desired phase across the cable (at a 90 ° angle or slightly inclined to the cable longitudinal direction) (see eg WO 00/41277 . DE 196 15 597 . DE 197 46 493 . DE 41 27 899 ).

The in DE 38 18 078 A1 said pivot arm is mounted in a rotatable shift sleeve. By turning the switching sleeve, the installer can make a phase selection during installation. The swivel arm can be brought into one of three defined contact positions, in which the thus selected phase conductor can be contacted.

A second known type has the phase selection, however, a bridge-like arm (see, eg DE 199 43 734 and DE 38 18 078 ).

These known connection devices are partly structurally relatively expensive. The aim of the present invention is to provide a connection device with phase selection that has been further developed in this regard and also with regard to safety.

The connecting device according to the invention for stripping-free Anzapfkontaktierung a multiphase flat cable has a rotatable phase selector, which allows contacting only one of the phase conductors of the flat cable with a tap contact in certain rotational positions. The phase selector is locked in making the phase selection regarding the phase selection made. The lock is non-destructive non-releasable. Nevertheless, the connection device after making the selected phase non-destructive separable from the flat cable, so that it is reusable with the phase once selected.

Furthermore, a method for stripping-free Anzapfkontakrierung multiphase surface cable is provided by means of a connection device having a rotatable phase selector which allows contacting only one of the phase conductors of a flat cable with a tap contact in certain rotational positions. The connection device is connected to the flat cable, wherein a phase selection is made and the phase selector element is non-destructively locked non-destructively with respect to the phase selection made in the connection device. At a later time is taken and the phase selector is arrested non-destructively nondestructive with respect to the selected phase selection in the connection device. At a later date, it is then separated from the flat cable nondestructively and reused while maintaining the once selected phase at another point of the flat cable of the same strand or on another flat cable harness.

The terminal device according to the invention is designed to permit the tapping of a continuous flat cable having a plurality of in-line power cores (e.g., for 380V three-phase) without separation of the cores and without the removal of wire and cable insulation. As will be explained in more detail below, tapped screws can serve as tapping contacts, for example. The preparation of a connection then takes place, for example, by the fact that the contact screw is screwed into the flat cable. It penetrates with its tip, first the outer insulation of the flat cable, then the core insulation of the selected phase core, and finally penetrates with the tip in the head of the selected phase core and contacted them hereby.

The terminal device according to the invention thus permits on-site phase selection (i.e., at the point of manufacture of the terminal) by means of the rotatable phase selector. It is designed so that the flat cable to be tapped can be contacted only in certain rotational positions of the phase selector with a tap contact. To select a phase, the phase selector is thus brought into one of these predetermined rotational positions. In the course of the phase selection, ie after rotation in one of the above positions, it is locked. The lock ensures that the phase selector does not come off the selected position again. It is thus also secured in particular with regard to the selected phase selection.

The lock is non-destructive non-solvable, so that the once made phase selection is non-destructive non-reversible. That is, for example, that the phase selector can not be taken out of the recording after making the phase selection, without the connection device thereby destroyed (ie significantly impaired in terms of their functionality or rendered useless). In some embodiments, the locking is done by means of a latch. Then, for example, a detent undercut arrangement is self-locking, so that the catch in the forcibly pulling out the phase selector breaks and thus in a possible attempt to use it again in the recording, the locking function is no longer available. Similarly, in versions with locking the bolt can not be designed to be openable, so that it breaks when violently open, and no longer works for a new lock. By these measures is (largely) prevented that at the site of a once tapped a certain phase wire - with the consequent violation of the isolation of this wire - another phase core can be tapped. This helps to prevent the isolation of another phase wire from being damaged in the vicinity of a phase-amp tap (but this measure can not preclude such a "phase-select change" because a plumber could use a virginal connector for repeated installation after a first tap attempt , and could choose a different phase than the first attempt, but at least this possibility is excluded with the first connection device used). This measure is for safety, since such a (second) insulation injury would represent a reduction in the effective creepage distance.

Despite the irreversibility of the phase selection, the connection device is not unusable once the phase has been selected and the phase selector has been locked. Rather, the connection device can also be removed after making the selected phase non-destructively from the flat cable and, for example, at another offset in the longitudinal direction of the same Flachkabelstrangs or other flat harness - while retaining the already made phase selection - be reused. As will be explained in more detail below, the phase-selection element has a tapping device, for example. The term "tapping device" is used here as a generic term for various possibilities of embodiment. As will be explained in more detail below, the tapping device can be designed, for example, as a guide for a tapping contact that is movable in the tapping direction, into which the tapping contact has already been inserted and only has to be moved in to tap the flat cable. It is also conceivable that the tapping contact is not yet inserted into the guide, so that the guide alone forms the tapping device. Furthermore, the tapping device can also be designed as a tapping contact fixed in the tapping direction or as a loading element for a tapping contact. As in tapping movable tapping For example, rotatable contact screws may be used. The actual Anzapfkontaktierung takes place after the phase selection, in which the phase selector was irreversibly locked by screwing in the contact screw. The connection device can be removed after unscrewing the contact screw again from the flat cable and attached at another point in the cable longitudinal direction again on this or on another harness. In order to contact the same phase conductor again at this new position, it is only necessary to re-screw in the contact screw (no further phase selection).

The inventors of the present invention have recognized that only one possible phase selection in connection devices in which a tapping operation only ever contacts one of the phase conductors of the flat cable (i.e., only the insulation of one of the phase conductors is pierced) results in an increase in safety. Because a multiple phase selection at the same point of a flat cable leads to relatively little spaced apart injuries of the protective insulation of different phase conductors. As a result, for example, the occurrence of short circuits due to the small creepage distance between the exposed contact points would not be excluded. In addition, the connection device according to the invention is relatively simple in terms of construction, while the aforementioned prior art connectors are structurally rather complicated with pivoting jumpers or fork contacts; In addition, with them all the phase wire - even the ultimately unselected - tapped with a tap, while in the present connection device only the wire of the selected phase conductor needs to be tapped; i.e. there is only a puncture of the isolation of one, namely the actually selected phase core.

In some embodiments, a receptacle for the phase selector member is provided, which is formed complementary to the phase selector. The locking then takes place, for example, by pressing down the phase selector and a lock in the recording. For this purpose, for example, a catch undercut arrangement may be provided on the phase selector member and the receiver, which initially deforms elastically upon insertion of the phase selector member into the phase selection recess of the receiver and then locks into place.

In some embodiments, a tapping device is arranged eccentrically to the axis of rotation of the phase selector. The "rotation axis" may be the imaginary axis around which the phase selector member is to be rotated to reach the various phase selection positions, or a structural axis with which the phase selector member is mounted on the receiver. Due to the eccentric arrangement of the tapping device to the axis of rotation of the phase selector, the rotation of the phase selector leads to a movement of the tapping device along a circular path about the axis of rotation, and thus to the necessary offset transversely to the cable longitudinal direction to contact the desired phase core. In this case, the eccentricity, ie the distance of the tapping device from the axis of rotation, is selected such that said circular path at least approaches the selectable phase core (or cores) furthest from the axis of rotation. In the case of an odd number of phases (i.a., three phases), the axis of rotation is arranged, for example, over the middle phase core. In this case, the eccentricity has at least the size of the distance between the middle phase conductor and the most distant phase conductor.

In some embodiments, the complementary design of phase select element and receiving a 120 ° symmetry follows. This is such that the receptacle can accommodate the phase selector only in exactly three rotational positions, which are angularly spaced apart by 120 °. Thus, it is possible only in one of these three rotational positions, for example, press down the phase selector in the recording and thus make a phase selection. Said 120 ° symmetry relates functionally to the ability of the phase selector to be placed in a position which allows the tapping contact to penetrate into the flat cable. The outer shape of the phase selector and / or receiver can - unless it is decisive for this function - deviate from the 120 ° symmetry. For example, in the case of an image in the form of an equilateral triangle, one of the corners of the triangle could be cut off in the case of the complementary phase selection element. As far as the pure (non-functional effective) shaping is concerned, the 120 ° symmetry would be broken in view of the missing corner. Since, however, the said function would also be ensured with the cut-off corner, the phase-selection element can be brought into contacting position only in one of the three angular positions spaced apart by 120 °, the 120 ° symmetry is safeguarded in the functional sense on which it is based.

Strictly speaking, the fact that there is only a single eccentrically arranged tapping device represents a break in the 120 ° symmetry (with strict 120 ° symmetry, three such devices would have to be provided). But the fact that only one such device is present on the 120 ° -symmetric phase selector just leads to the fact that only one of three possible phases can be selected.

Other parts of the phase selector and the pickup, which do not directly affect their interaction, do not refer to the 120 ° symmetric design. Thus, for example, a handle (for example a type of twist grip) which does not have a 120 ° symmetry can be formed on the phase-selection element.

In a similar functional way, the term "complementary" is to be understood. He is to express that phase selector and recording match so that the said function is achieved, that is, contacting in the three positions is possible. "Complementary" does not mean, however, that the shaping of the phase selector and the recording must be the same, as the above example shows with the cut off corner.

In the flat cable are (at least) the selectable for contacting phase conductors equally spaced. It is namely a property of the 120 ° symmetry that, in an arrangement of the phase selector, wherein the axis of rotation is disposed over the middle of the three selectable phase conductors and in one of the three selectable angular positions of the eccentric contact on the middle phase core, the contact in the two other possible angular positions come to lie at the same distance left or right of the center line (namely, the three contact positions lie on the corners of an equilateral triangle). The 120 ° symmetry of the fully (ie by 360 °) rotatable phase selector thus forms the geometric equivalent of the equal spacing of the phase conductors in the cable. A flat cable of the type mentioned are, for example, from the document mentioned above DE-AS 2 206 187 known.

In one embodiment of the connecting device, it may be in the eccentrically arranged on the phase selector tap device, for example, a guide for a Tapping and the tapping itself act, the tapping - as will be explained in more detail below - is designed to be movable in the direction of the cable core (eg, in the manner of a screw-in contact screw). The connection device is therefore already supplied, for example, with the tapping contact inserted into the guide, so that the installer no longer has to insert the tapping contact into the guide in a separate operation during its installation. So that the tapping contact - for example, during transport of the connecting device or during their installation - does not fall out of the guide, this can be provided for a loss-protection. This can be configured such that the inner geometry of the guide is approximately complementary to the outer geometry of the tap contact and also the inner surface of the guide is at least partially made of an elastic material, so that by the resulting frictional force, the movement of the tap contact in the Guide is inhibited to a certain extent, a turning of the tap contact in tapping is, however, possible. However, other variants of such a loss protection are also conceivable, such as, for example, a closable cover of the guide or another releasable holder. These variants could be used, for example, when the guide and tapping contact are not complementary, but the internal geometry of the guide is greater than the external geometry of the tapping contact and the guide does not lead the tapping contact in a predetermined direction, but accordingly only as "implementation "is designed for the tap.

However, the tap contact does not necessarily have to be inserted in the eccentrically arranged tapping device, but it may also be provided only the guide. In such an embodiment of the tap means the phase selection would still be performed by rotation of the phase selector without applied tap contact, and only in the next step, the tap contact would be used (eg, the contact screw inserted into the guide). The connection device is therefore supplied here, for example, without tapping contact, so that the latter is inserted into the guide at a later time (eg as part of the installation). This can be useful, for example, if the connection device is prepared for different types of tapping contacts and initially should remain open, which type should actually be used.

Alternatively, the tapping device can also be designed as a tapping contact which is fixed in the tapping direction, in which case no guide has to be provided for it. In yet another alternative, a tapping contact in "waiting position" is present in the connecting device for each tappable phase. After phase selection (i.e., rotation of the phase selector to the respective angular position), only the tap contact associated with the selected phase conductor is pressed into the cable by applying an eccentric load to the phase selector so that only the selected phase wire is also contacted. The applying element is e.g. around a guided in the phase selector ram.

In an optional embodiment of the invention, the restriction of the tapping on the only three said angular positions is achieved in that the receptacle is formed as a recess, and the phase selector can be inserted into the recess only in the three allowed by the 120 ° symmetry rotational positions. For example, the recess and the phase selector may be substantially in the shape of an isosceles triangle oriented relative to the flat cable such that the projection of one of its bisectors perpendicular to the cable coincides with the middle one of the three phase conductors. The fact that in this case only one of the phase cores can be contacted, is based on the fact that the phase selector has only one tapping device.

In another embodiment, the possibility for the penetration of the tap contact is limited to the three said rotational positions, that the receptacle has three passage openings for the tap contact in 120 ° symmetry. These can be configured for example as threaded holes and allow the passage of the tap contact to the flat cable and thus the contacting of the selected phase core only in one of the three rotational positions. This measure can be provided in embodiments with recording in the form of a 120 ° -symmetric recess (as stated above); but it is possible that the 120 ° -symmetrical arrangement of the passages mentioned here alone ensures that the tap can only take place in one of the three said rotational positions.

According to one optional refinement, the part of the phase selection element that is complementary to the receptacle is mainly designed as a rotatable plate which is oriented perpendicular to the axis of rotation.

As already mentioned above, the axis of rotation may be an imaginary axis. The installer would in this case rotate the phase selector "free-flying" to the angular position corresponding to the desired phase and insert it in this position in the receptacle.

In order to facilitate the phase selection, however, there are embodiments in which the axis of rotation is structurally defined. It is in embodiments in which the phase selector can be inserted into the receptacle, an axially displaceable pivot bearing. For example, in one of these embodiments for defining the axis of rotation of the phase selector member, an axially displaceable stub axle stub bearing arrangement is provided between the phase selector and the receptacle. For example, the stub axle at the bottom of the receptacle may be arranged directed in the center of the phase selector; the bearing for this axle stub e.g. in the form of a complementary to the stub shaft hole with sufficient length for the axial displacement is then found in the phase selector. In other embodiments, conversely, the phase selector is equipped with the stub axle; in the bottom of the receptacle is then found e.g. a bore forming the bearing.

Alternatively or in addition to the axle stub axle stub bearing arrangement, in other embodiments, the connection device for defining the axis of rotation of the phase selector element on a circular recess. This leads the phase selector rotatably on the recording. The inner radius of the circular recess preferably corresponds to the largest radial extent of the cooperating with the depression portion of the phase selector (ie in a phase selector in the form of an equilateral triangle, for example, the distance of the corners of the triangle from the fulcrum). Such causes an axis definition, analogous to the stub axle stub bearing arrangement. In addition, the circular recess but facilitates the management of the phase selector element over the recording during the rotary movement.

In an optional embodiment, a handle is provided on the phase selector. This makes it easier for the installer to turn the phase selector and, if necessary, to insert it into the receptacle. Advantageously, the handle in each of the three possible rotational positions on a mark that identifies the phase in question. From this, the respectively selectable or already selected phase can be read, which helps to avoid confusion in the phase selection or to check the phase selection made. For example, the handle may have a shape that is reminiscent of a pointer (or may have a pointer icon attached to it). The pointer points depending on the rotational position of the phase selector element on the relevant phase marker.

In a further embodiment, the handle, made of insulating material, has the function of a contact protection as an alternative or in addition. And although it encloses the bleed contact at least partially. In particular, in embodiments with a tapping contact in the form of a contact screw, it encloses the screw head, e.g. in the manner of a tube. When screwing the screw head lowers so that it is surrounded by a protruding insulating skirt at the moment of contacting. This provides some protection against accidental contact of the then possibly live screw head. Incidentally, the apron also has the function of guiding the contact screw when screwing.

In some embodiments, as already mentioned, the tapping contact is a contact screw made of conductive material (eg metal) that can be turned in the tapping direction. The thread of the screw gets in her screwing in contact with the likewise electrically conductive internal thread of the respective passage opening. The internal threads of the openings in turn are electrically connected, for example, with a leading through the connecting device connecting web. The connecting bridge provides for the current transfer, for example, to an outlet connection on the housing of the connecting device. The internal thread of the passage opening also absorbs the reaction force, which opposes the flat cable Anzaptkontakt when screwing it in. As an alternative to threads in the passage openings can also be provided in the guide for the tap an internal thread, which is electrically connected, for example, with the stub axle of the phase selector. In this case, the stub axle stub bearing arrangement is formed as a rotary electrical connection, so that the Electricity transfer from the rotatable phase selector to an outgoing connection. The reaction force that opposes the flat cable the tapping when pressing or screwing, can be added in this variant by the latch.

In a configuration with contact screw, there are various possibilities for the order of the individual operations during installation of the connection device. For example, first of all the connecting device can be placed on the flat cable to be tapped on the point of the flat cable provided for the connection. Then the installer can make the phase selection by rotation of the phase selector, pushing in and possibly locking in the recording. The order of these two steps can also be reversed. In general, only then the contact screw is screwed in and thus tapped the selected phase wire. Because if the phase selector is already in its final position immediately above the phase core, the contact screw is well managed and therefore will hit the core exactly in the middle. The tapping of the flat cable is thus decoupled from the phase selection. Alternatively, however, embodiments are possible in which first the contact screw is screwed and then the phase selector member is depressed. In this case, the tapping of the selected phase conductor occurs simultaneously with the phase selection (this corresponds to the procedure for designs with fixed tapping contact - see below). Finally, it is also possible, with not yet attached to the cable connection device already make the phase selection (and already screw it in versions with contact screw), and press the housing part with the out standing contact screw (or out standing fixed blade contact) on the flat cable , and thereby make the contact.

When uninstalling the connection device, the contact screw can then first be unscrewed and then the connection device can be removed from the flat cable. As already mentioned above, the connection device can be placed on another point of the flat cable of the same strand or another flat cable strand again and screwed the contact screw while maintaining the once selected phase again for tapping.

In contrast, in another embodiment of the connection device, the tap contact is designed as a contact blade fixed relative to the phase selection element (the fixed tap element referred to herein as "contact blade" can also be conical, that is, more in the form of a "contact dome"). Stripping-free tap with the help of such, at least in the direction of tap fixed contact blades is for example from EP 0 726 623 A1 to which reference is hereby made for further details of the contact blades. In this embodiment, the tapping of the flat cable is made, for example in the course of the phase selection with the depression and locking of the phase selector. Alternatively, as mentioned above, the phase selection may be made with the connection device not yet pressed onto the cable, and only then the connection device pressed onto the cable. A guide ensures (similar to the guide for the contact screw), even in these two embodiments, that the fixed contact blade not only penetrates just above the wire to be contacted, but is also moved exactly in the direction of the wire to meet the conductor in the middle. For example, forms in a pivotally aufdrückbaren contact housing part according to the EP 0 726 623 A1 the housing pivot bearing such a guide.

Theoretically, a three-phase cable needs only three phase conductors, so that a flat cable to be tapped with only three power cores and a connecting device designed for this purpose are conceivable. In general, however, a neutral conductor (also neutral) is required, and usually also a separate protective conductor, so that the flat cable to be tapped has four or five power cores. Accordingly, the connection device in such embodiments, in addition to the tapping device on the phase selector further tapping contacts for contacting the neutral and the protective conductor.

In some embodiments, the flat cable eventually additionally comprises one or more data lines, as for example in the EP 0 665 608 B1 is described. For stripping-free tap also the data line, this embodiment is also equipped with special tap contacts for the data line.

The connection device described is particularly suitable for large installations, eg in large office buildings, where it is particularly important to minimize the amount of work in the initial installation and flexibility in terms of possible subsequent installations.

• Fig. 1 eine perspektivische Gesamtansicht einer ersten Ausführungsform der Anschlussvorrichtung mit Verrastung an den Ecken des Phasenwahlglieds, wobei das Phasenwahlglied in einer die Kontaktierung einer Phasenader erlaubenden Drehstellung ist;
• Fig. 2 eine Draufsicht auf die Anschlussvorrichtung von Fig. 1, wobei das Phasenwahlglied in der gleichen Stellung wie in Fig. 1 ist;
• Fig. 3 eine Draufsicht entsprechend Fig. 2, wobei das Phasenwahlglied jedoch in einer Drehstellung zwischen zwei eine Kontaktierung erlaubenden Drehstellungen ist;
• Fig. 4 eine perspektivische Gesamtansicht der Anschlussvorrichtung von Fig. 1 nach dem Eindrücken und Verrasten des Phasenwahlglieds in der Aufnahme;
• Fig. 5 einen Querschnitt durch die Anschlussvorrichtung von Fig. 1, wobei das Phasenwahlglied in einer die Kontaktierung erlaubenden Drehstellung ist, aber noch nicht in die Aufnahme eingedrückt ist;
• Fig. 6 einen Querschnitt entsprechend Fig. 5, aber nun mit in die Aufnahme eingedrücktem und in dieser arretiertem Phasenwahlglied;
• Fig. 7 einen Querschnitt entsprechend Fig. 6, aber nun mit hineingedrehter Kontaktschraube;
• Fig. 8 einen Querschnitt entsprechend Fig. 6, aber nun mit abgebrochener Rastnase aufgrund gewaltsamer Entfernung des Phasenwahlglieds aus der Aufnahme;
• Fig. 9 eine perspektivische Gesamtansicht einer anderen Ausführungsform mit einer kreisförmigen Vertiefung zur Führung des drehbaren Phasenwahlglieds und Verrastung an dessen Schenkelpartien ;
• Fig. 10 eine Draufsicht auf die Anschlussvorrichtung von Fig. 8, mit einer Stellung des Phasenwahlglieds entsprechend Fig. 8;
• Fig. 11 einen prinzipskizzenartigen Querschnitt der Anschlussvorrichtung durch gemäß Fig. 9 vor einem Hineindrücken des Phasenwahlglieds in die Aufnahme;
• Fig. 12 einen Querschnitt entsprechend Fig. 11, aber nun mit in die Aufnahme eingedrücktem und in dieser arretiertem Phasenwahlglied;
• Fig. 13 einen Querschnitt entsprechend Fig. 12, aber nun mit abgebrochener Rastnase aufgrund gewaltsamer Entfernung des Phasenwahlglieds aus der Aufnahme;
• Fig. 14 einen Querschnitt durch eine Anschlussvorrichtung gemäß Fig. 9 mit einer Darstellung der Stromführung von der kontaktierten Flachkabelader bis zum Abgangsanschluss;
• Fig. 15 einen vergrößerten Querschnitt einer Anschlussvorrichtung entsprechend Fig. 14.

Various embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings. Show:

• Fig. 1 an overall perspective view of a first embodiment of the connection device with locking at the corners of the phase selector, wherein the phase selector member is in a contacting the phase conductor permitting rotational position;
• Fig. 2 a plan view of the connection device of Fig. 1 , wherein the phase selector in the same position as in Fig. 1 is;
• Fig. 3 a plan view accordingly Fig. 2 However, the phase-selecting element is in a rotational position between two rotational positions allowing a contacting;
• Fig. 4 an overall perspective view of the connecting device of Fig. 1 after impressing and locking the phase selector in the receptacle;
• Fig. 5 a cross section through the connecting device of Fig. 1 wherein the phase selector is in a rotational position permitting contacting, but not yet pressed into the receptacle;
• Fig. 6 a cross section accordingly Fig. 5 but now with pressed into the recording and locked in this phase selector;
• Fig. 7 a cross section accordingly Fig. 6 but now with screwed contact screw;
• Fig. 8 a cross section accordingly Fig. 6 , but now with broken latching nose due to violent removal of the phase selector member from the recording;
• Fig. 9 an overall perspective view of another embodiment with a circular recess for guiding the rotatable phase selector and latching on the leg portions thereof;
• Fig. 10 a plan view of the connection device of Fig. 8 , corresponding to a position of the phase selector Fig. 8 ;
• Fig. 11 a schematic diagram of a cross-section of the connecting device by according to Fig. 9 before pushing the phase selector into the receptacle;
• Fig. 12 a cross section accordingly Fig. 11 but now with pressed into the recording and locked in this phase selector;
• Fig. 13 a cross section accordingly Fig. 12 , but now with broken latching nose due to violent removal of the phase selector member from the recording;
• Fig. 14 a cross section through a connecting device according to Fig. 9 with a representation of the current flow from the contacted flat cable conductor to the outlet connection;
• Fig. 15 an enlarged cross-section of a connecting device according to Fig. 14 ,

Both embodiments of the connection device 1 according to Fig. 1 to 15 have a phase selector 2 in the form of a rotatable plate. On this a sleeve 12 is arranged, in which a phase selection tap contact 3 is housed. The latter is exemplified in the embodiments shown in the figures as a movable, rotatable in the direction of tap contact screw. The tap contact 3 is eccentric to the axis of rotation lying at 11 ( Fig. 2 . 3 . 5-8 . 10 14-15 ) In parallel to this and initially disposed above the rotatable plate, in the screw embodiment shown here in a guide in the phase selector 2. Upon rotation of the phase selector 2, the tap contact moves on a circular path about the axis of rotation 11 of the phase selector 2. Die Sleeve 12 is extended to the axis of rotation and runs to the opposite leg of the phase selector 2 pointed together. It thus forms a handle, or a "handle", which serve for easy operation (turning, pushing in) of the phase selector 2.

Both embodiments have a lock, which causes the phase selector element 2 snaps into a depression in the receptacle 4 and is thus locked with respect to the phase selection. The latching is also each designed so that the phase selector 2 can no longer be released from the receptacle 4, without causing damage that lead to a malfunction of the connecting device 1 (see Fig. 8 and 13 ).

The phase selector 2 and the receptacle 4 are shaped complementary to each other in 120 ° symmetry. This symmetry requires that the phase selector 2 can be pressed down in exactly three rotational positions in the recording 4 for the purpose of phase selection. Before pressing the phase selector 2 is still above the recording 4 ( Fig. 1 . 3 . 5 . 9 ); it is then still rotatable. However, it is only possible to press into the receptacle 4 in one of the three rotational positions permitted by the 120 ° symmetry. The Fig. 1 . 2 . 9 . 10 show such a rotational position, but with not yet depressed phase selector 2. This is in the Fig. 1 and 8th recognizable that the phase selector 2 has not been pressed down into the receptacle for the phase selector 4. Fig. 3 shows, however, a rotational position in which the phase selector 2 can not be pressed.

The shape of phase selector 2 and receptacle 4 shown in the figures reflects the 120 ° symmetry: The rotatable plate has the shape of an equilateral triangle with truncated ( Fig. 1-4 ) or rounded ( Fig. 9 . 10 ) Corners. The receptacle 4 has the complementary shape. However, such complementarity in the strict sense is not necessarily required to achieve the phase selection function. For example, without impairing the function, it would be possible to shorten one of the corners of the phase selector 2.

In the first embodiment ( Fig. 1-4 ) locking lugs 6 are arranged at the cut corners of the triangular plate of the phase selector 2. When the phase selection element 2 is pressed down, these engage in corresponding undercuts 10 (FIG. Fig. 5-7 ) on the receptacle 4 and lock so phase selector 2 and 4 recording the locking lugs 6 and undercuts 10 are shaped so that the phase selector member 2 and / or the receptacle 4 elastically deform when pressed to allow the snapping when attempting the latching example, by train on the phase selector 2 again solve, but break (see Fig. 8 ). This is due to different angles between the surfaces which engage with each other during latching and (attempted) disengagement. Like the FIGS. 5 and 6 show when snapping relatively acute angle relative to the direction of movement that the engagement surfaces slide past each other; In the (attempted) disengagement, on the other hand, surfaces with angles which are almost perpendicular to the direction of movement engage, so that self-locking is present. When self-locking the surfaces do not slide past each other, no matter how large the force is. With increasing force, the latching noses 6 and / or undercuts 10 break, so that the latching no longer work in a possible further phase selection attempt and thus could no longer absorb the reaction force when screwing the contact screw. The connection device 1 is thus no longer usable. Once a phase selection has been made, it is non-destructive and non-destructive.

The phase-selecting element 2 is mounted in the connecting device 1 with an axially displaceable pivot bearing. For this purpose, a stub axle-stub bearing arrangement 17, 18 serves on the receptacle 4. This defines the axis of rotation 11. In the exemplary embodiments ( Fig. 5-8 The stub axle 18 is a bore through the center of the phase selector member 2, which is sufficiently long to allow the axial displacement of the phase selector member 2 when pressed into the receptacle 4. The stub axle 17 extends so far beyond the bottom of the receptacle 4, that it engages even when not pressed into the receptacle 4 phase selector 2 in the bore of the axle stub 18 and hereby defines the axis of rotation for the phase selector 2 in the not yet depressed state.

A cross section of the Fig. 5-8 shown ring with a tapered cross-section, in conjunction with an output-side narrowing of the axle support bearing bore 18 ensures that phase selector element 2 is not connected in captive state in the receptacle 4 captive with the connection device.

On the recording 4 labels 7 are applied to identify the belonging to the different rotational positions phase conductor. The tapered sleeve 12 is used also as a pointer, which points depending on the selected rotational position on the relevant label 7. In Fig. 1 So it was the phase L2, and in Fig. 9 chosen the phase L3.

The connection device 1 has a receiving space 5 for the flat cable. The flat cable itself is not shown in the figures, but the inner contour of the receiving space 5 is formed complementary to the outer contour of the flat cable, for the contacting of the connection device is determined. In the embodiments shown in the figures is the contour of a flat cable with five equally spaced power conductors and a two-core shielded data line, all lying in one plane. On one side of the cable, the three phase wires are gathered, on the other side is the data line, and between them are the neutral conductor and the protective conductor (in this arrangement, the distance between the live phase conductors and the data line is greatest, thereby causing crossovers in the Data line are relatively low). Such a flat cable is for example from the EP 0 665 608 B1 known. The flat cable to be contacted has no symmetry against rotation by 180 ° (see DE-AS 2 206 187 and EP 0 665 608 B1 ), so that it can only be contacted in one of the two basically possible orientations. This avoids unintentional swapping of, for example, phase, protection, neutral and possibly data conductors.

The connection device 1 also has in each case a tap contact 8, 9, for the neutral conductor and the protective conductor. Both contacts - the e.g. again in the form of contact screws - are each housed in an insulating sleeve. These contacts 8, 9 are not rotatably on a phase selector or the like, but firmly arranged in the housing of the connection device 1, because neutral conductor and protective conductor are always - regardless of the phase to be selected contacted.

Finally, the connection device 1 has three outgoing connections 16, which are electrically connected to the selected phase, the neutral conductor or the protective conductor. The outgoing terminals 16 thus allow, for example, the connection of a single-phase electrical load. The in the FIGS. 14 and 15 shown current path leads from the selected phase conductor 19 on the tip of the contact pin formed by the contact pin 3 through this, then on the external thread of the contact screw and in this engaging internal threads of the threaded bore 13, via the connecting web 20 to the phase conductor outgoing contact (one of the three 16).

In the following, we will now describe the different positions that the connection device undergoes in the course of a phase selection. First, however, attention is drawn to the eccentric arrangement of the single tap contact 3 with respect to the axis of rotation 11, which is particularly well in the plan views of Fig. 2 and 10 is visible.

First, the installer will turn the phase selector 2 ia in the position corresponding to the desired phase. In Fig. 3 For example, such a rotation is illustrated to bring the pointer to the "L2" position. In the illustration, the phase selector 2 is currently in an angular position between two "allowed" positions, and therefore can not be pressed into the receptacle 4 there (because the cut corners of the phase selector 2 are not over the corresponding corners of the receptacle 4).

Then one of the 120 ° symmetry allowed rotational position is reached, for example, in the Fig. 1 and 2 shown position "L2". The phase selector 2 is not yet pressed into the receptacle 4, so it is still in a plane above the receptacle 4, as in the Fig. 1 . 2 . 5 and 8th is shown.

Then the installer presses it into the receptacle 4. The latching noses 6 deform elastically in order to pass through the undercuts 10 and finally attack them (FIG. Fig. 4 and 6 ). As a result, the phase selector element 2 is locked in the receptacle 4. The tapping contact 3 is now above one of the three threaded holes 13 (due to the 120 ° symmetry of the threaded holes 13 is in the cross sections of Figures 5-7 only one opening at a time).

Finally, the installer turns on the contact pin 3 forming the contact screw. It engages in the arranged in the threaded hole 13 internal thread. Its tip then penetrates the cable sheath and the core insulation of the selected phase core and finally penetrates into the conductor. The internal thread of the Threaded hole 13, the reaction force of the contact screw in the flat cable pressing force. Fig. 7 shows the corresponding end position of the contact screw.

In the second embodiment shown in the drawing ( Fig. 9 to 15 ) of the connecting device 1 is provided on the receptacle 4, a circular recess 14 relative to the surrounding level of the housing bottom. The cut corners of the phase selector 2 are complementarily rounded thereto. The recess 14 forms a guide surface, which facilitates the rotation of the phase selector element 2 and reaching the permitted angular positions. The actual 120 ° -symmetric recording 4 lies in the bottom of the recess 14th

Another difference from the first embodiment lies in the arrangement and design of the locking lugs 6. These are not arranged at the (cut) corners, but on the legs of the equilateral triangle of the phase selector 2. Complementarily thereto, the receptacle 4 has recesses 15 on its leg portions. The locking lugs 6 are barb-shaped in cross section in this second embodiment. Complementary to this, the receptacle 4 recesses 10, each having a nose-shaped projection ( Fig. 11 ).

When the phase selection element 2 is pressed in, the latching lugs 6 enter into it with elastic deformation and are guided along the wall of the receptacle 4 along their legs. In this case, the angle between the surfaces of the deformable locking lugs 6 and the wall of the receptacle 4 in turn is relatively acute, so that the engagement surfaces slide past each other. The latching hooks 6 snap into the recesses 10 and underpin the projection ( Fig. 12 ).

The phase-locked member 2 latched in this way is likewise not removable from the receptacle 4 in a non-destructive manner. In an attempt to pull the phase selector 2 out of the receptacle 4 again after latching, the hook-shaped detent 6 breaks off ( Fig. 13 ). A new phase selection is thereby avoided.

Claims (16)

1. An attachment apparatus (1) for the tap contacting of a multiple-phase flat cable without stripping the insulation,

   - which has a rotatable phase selection member (2),

   - wherein the phase selection member (2) permits a contacting of one of the phase conductors of the flat cable with a tap contact (3) only in certain rotational positions,
   characterized in that

   - when the phase selection is carried out the phase selection member (2) is locked in the attachment apparatus (1) with respect to the phase selection made,

   - wherein the locking is not capable of being released in a non-destructive manner, the attachment apparatus (1) is nevertheless capable of being separated from the flat cable in a non-destructive manner after the phase selection has been made and is capable of being re-used whilst maintaining the phase selection once made.
2. An attachment apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the attachment apparatus (1) has a receiving means (4) complementary to the phase selection member (2) for the phase selection member (2) and the phase selection member (2) is capable of being locked by being caught in the receiving means (4).
3. An attachment apparatus according to claim 2, wherein

   - the phase selection member (2) is capable of engaging in the receiving means (4) only in specified rotational positions and thus allows contacting of one of the phase conductors of the flat cable with a tap contact (3),

   - the attachment apparatus is designed in such a way that the locking of the phase selection member (2) is carried out with respect to the phase selection made in the receiving means (4), and

   - the phase selection member (2) is not capable of being released from the receiving means (4) in a non-destructive manner after the locking, the attachment apparatus (1) is nevertheless capable of being separated from the flat cable in a non-destructive manner after the phase selection has been made and is capable of being re-used whilst maintaining the phase selection once made.
4. An attachment apparatus according to claim 2 or 3, wherein a tapping device is arranged in an eccentric arrangement on the phase selection member (2), and the phase selection member (2) and the receiving means (4) are shaped in a complementary manner with respect to each other in 120° symmetry in such a way that contacting of one of the plurality of phase conductors with the tap contact (3) in the three preset rotational positions of the phase selection member (2) allowed by the 120° symmetry is made possible.
5. An attachment apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the tapping device is designed in the form of a guide for a tap contact (3) movable in the tapping direction and with a corresponding tap contact (3) or in the form of such a guide without a tap contact (3) or in the form of a tap contact (3) fixed in the tapping direction or in the form of a stressing element for a tap contact (3).
6. An attachment apparatus according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the receiving means (4) is designed in the form of a depression, and the phase selection member (2) is capable of being inserted into the depression only in the three aforesaid rotational positions.
7. An attachment apparatus according to any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein the receiving means (4) has passage openings (13) for the tap contact (3) in 120° symmetry which allow the passage of the tap contact (3) to the flat cable and thus the contacting of the selected phase conductor only in one of the three aforesaid rotational positions.
8. An attachment apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 7, wherein the part of the phase selection member (2) complementary to the receiving means (4) is designed for the most part in the form of a rotatable plate.
9. An attachment apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 8, wherein an axle stub / axle stub bearing arrangement is provided between the phase selection member (2) and the receiving means (4) in order to define the axis of rotation (11) of the phase selection member (2).
10. An attachment apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 9, wherein the attachment apparatus (1) has a circular depression (14), which guides the phase selection member (2) in a rotatable manner by way of the receiving means (4), in order to define the axis of rotation (11) of the phase selection member (2).
11. An attachment apparatus according to any one of claims 4 to 10, wherein a handle (12) is provided on the phase selection member (2), in order to be able to rotate the phase selection member and optionally to insert it into the receiving means (4), and in each of the three possible rotational positions the handle (12) points to a marking (7) designating the phase in question, so that the phase selected in each case is capable of being read out therefrom.
12. An attachment apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 11, wherein a handle (12) is provided on the phase selection member (2), in order to be able to rotate the phase selection member (2) and optionally to insert it into the receiving means (4), and the handle (12) surrounds the tap contact (3) at least in part in order to form a contact protection.
13. An attachment apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the tap contact (3) is designed in the form of a screw capable of being screwed in in the tapping direction or in the form of a blade fixed with respect to the tapping direction.
14. An attachment apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the attachment apparatus (1) additionally comprises further tapping contacts for the attachment of a neutral and/or protection conductor and/or one or more data lines.
15. A method of tap contacting multiple-phase flat cables

    - without stripping the insulation - with the aid of an attachment apparatus (1) which has a rotatable phase selection member (2), which permits a contacting of one of the phase conductors of a flat cable with a tap contact (3) only in certain rotational positions, wherein

    - the attachment apparatus is attached to the flat cable, wherein a phase selection is made and the phase selection member (2) is not releasably locked in a non-destructive manner with respect to the phase selection made,

    - the attachment apparatus is separated in a non-destructive manner from the flat cable, and

    - is re-used whilst retaining the phase once selected at another location of the flat cable of the same strand or on another flat cable strand.
16. A method according to claim 15, wherein the attachment apparatus (1) has, in addition, a receiving means (4) complementary to the phase selection member (2) for the phase selection member (2) and wherein the phase selection member (2) is capable of being locked in specified rotational positions by catching in the receiving means (4), wherein

    - the attachment apparatus (1) is attached to the flat cable, wherein a phase selection is made and the phase selection member (2) is locked in the receiving means (4) without the ability of being released in a non-destructive manner with respect to the phase selection made,

    - the attachment apparatus (1) is separated in a non-destructive manner from the flat cable, and

    - is re-used whilst retaining the phase once selected at another location of the flat cable of the same strand or on another flat cable strand.

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