DE20308288U1 - Device with housing and at least one current connector has cables clamped before exit seals by clamp that clamps them with movable clamp jaw clamped onto both cables simultaneously - Google Patents

Abstract

The device has a housing (4) and at least one current connection in the form of a line (2), especially a cable, fed into the housing or a plug and at least two braids belonging to lines or cables (3) leading away from the input cable and out of the housing via opening (5) seals. The cables are clamped before the seals by a clamp that clamps them simultaneously with a movable clamp jaw (8) that is clamped onto both cables simultaneously.

Description

MAUCHER, BÖRJES & COLLEAGUES

PATENT AND LAW FIRM

Patent Attorney Dipl.-Ing. W. Maucher · Patent and Attorney H. Börjes-Pestalozza

Anton Hummel Dreikönigstrasse 13

Verwaltungs GmbH D-79102 Freiburg i. Br.

Mozartstrasse 2 _{Telephone (07} 61)79 174 0

79183 Waldkirch Fax (07 61)79 174 30

Our file - Please always specify

G 03 254 M

Mr/be

Device with a housing and with at least one Power connection

The invention relates to a device with a housing and with at least one power connection in the form of a line, in particular a cable, guided into the housing or a plug connected or connectable thereto and with at least two strands extending from the individual strands of the line or cable or from contacts of the plug within the housing, which belong to continuing lines or cables which run outwards through housing openings enclosing them on the outside and in particular seals arranged in the housing openings.

Such devices are known and are suitable for allowing at least two such lines, each in particular in the form of cables, to extend from an electrical line in order to supply two consumers with electrical current, for example. It is difficult to install the at least two lines or cables extending from the connection point of the strands arranged inside the housing in a manner that is sufficiently safe and yet as inexpensive as possible.

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Housing to be fixed with strain relief.

It is therefore the object to provide a device of the type mentioned at the outset, with which a secure holding of at least two lines or cables emerging from the housing or entering in the case of reversed current direction is possible in a confined space.

To achieve this object, the device defined at the outset is characterized in that the lines or cables can be fixed in their running direction at or before they exit the housing opening and in particular behind any seals that may be present by a clamp that simultaneously grips them, and in that the clamp has at least one movable clamping jaw that spans the at least two lines or cables running next to one another and can be pressed onto the lines or cables at approximately the same time in order to fix them.

In this way, the two or possibly even more cables entering and/or exiting the device or its housing can be securely fixed, with the common clamp taking up little space and requiring little assembly effort. By closing a single clamp, at least two cables are fixed at the same time.

It is particularly useful if a fastening element, in particular a screw, is provided to press the clamping jaw onto at least two lines or cables, which passes through the clamping jaw and runs between the two lines or cables, whereby the clamping jaw can be pressed against the lines or cables at the same time.

By using a single fastening element or by tightening a single screw, the clamping jaw can be pressed against the cables, which not only reduces the number of individual parts, but also the number of work steps when fastening the cables or wires compared to solutions in which a clamping jaw is pressed with two screws running on either side of the respective cable.

A particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention can consist in the clamp for securing the cables or lines having two clamping jaws that can be pressed against the cables or lines in opposite directions or simultaneously from both opposite sides, and the screw passing through the clamping jaw engages with its thread on a counter thread on or in the other clamping jaw. As a rule, the screw will have an external thread that engages with a corresponding internal thread on or in the other clamping jaw. For example, the other clamping jaw can have this internal thread itself or it can be provided with a corresponding sleeve part with an internal thread or with a nut with an internal thread that grips it.

The housing wall can have openings in the area of the clamping jaws that accommodate these and lead in the clamping direction, in which the clamping jaws are held and guided in a form-fitting manner transversely to the path of the fastening element or the clamping screw. Tightening the fastening element or the clamping screw then automatically causes the clamping jaw or jaws to be adjusted in the desired direction towards the surface of the lines or cables, so that the clamping jaw or jaws do not require any additional support. Nevertheless, they can be specifically positioned at the appropriate points on the lines or cables.

be pressed.

A stop or a spacer can be arranged in the housing, the extension of which in the direction of the clamping screw or the like limits the path of the clamping jaw or jaws, so that in the position of use the clamping jaw is at the smallest possible distance from the housing wall or the clamping jaws from each other. This can prevent the clamping jaw or jaws from being pressed too tightly against the lines or cables. At the same time, this provides an assembly aid, since the clamping jaw or jaws can be brought closer to a defined distance and lines or cables can be pressed with a constant force.

The spacer can be arranged between the openings for the cables or lines and thus in the position of use between these cables or lines, for example adjacent to the path of the fastening element or the clamping screw and/or on both sides of the path of the fastening element or the clamping screw. Above all, a spacer designed as a stop between the lines or cables improves their guidance in the area of the clamp and can limit the contact force, especially where it is generated by the fastening element or the clamping screw.

The spacer can be connected to the housing as a stop for a single or two clamping jaws that can move in opposite directions. A stop for a single clamping jaw can be formed, for example, by one or more shoulders on or in the openings that accommodate the lines or cables, while a spacer for two clamping jaws that can move in opposite directions can be formed as a spacer between these

The spacer can be designed as a web that protrudes from the clamping jaws. If the spacer is arranged on both sides of the fastening screw, it can also help to guide it.

In addition to the spacer(s) between the lines or cables or instead of these spacers between the lines or cables, stops or spacers for one clamping jaw or the clamping jaws movable in opposite directions can be provided on the opposite sides of the lines or cables.

Accordingly, the force of the clamping jaws can be distributed not only to the lines and cables but also to corresponding stops or spacers.

In particular, when combining one or more of the features and measures described above, a device is obtained with a housing and at least one power connection that can be distributed over two further lines, in which the fastening of these two further lines is very simple with a single fastening element and a clamping jaw that acts on them at the same time.

. can be carried out quickly and easily. If the dimensions of the cables are fixed, both cables or wires can be clamped evenly with a single clamping jaw, particularly if a stop or spacer is provided to limit the adjustment path.

The spacer between the clamping jaws is particularly advantageous in a version with two clamping jaws that can be moved in opposite directions by a single fastening element or screw, because it can also prevent the two clamping jaws from moving with their

Fastening element fall out of the housing openings, i.e. during storage and transport the clamping jaws are captive due to the spacer(s) engaging between them after pre-assembly with the help of the fastening element or the screw.

Examples of embodiments of the invention are described in more detail below with reference to the drawing. It shows in a partially schematic representation:
10

Fig. 1 is a perspective side view of a device according to the invention with a housing with a nozzle or the like for an input cable and two parallel openings from which two lines or cables emerge - or in the reverse

Current conduction, the strands of which are connected internally to the strands of the individual cable, whereby in the area of the two openings for the parallel lines or cables a transversely running and arranged, both lines or cables

striking jaw is provided,

Fig. 2 is a view corresponding to Fig. 1, with the housing broken open in the area of the clamping jaw and the only fastening element passing through it

is shown,

Fig. 3 a cross section of an embodiment according to Fig. 1

and 2 in the area of the clamping jaw, whereby the only fastening screw in the housing has a

Stop to limit the maximum adjustment range of the

clamping jaw is provided,

Fig. 4 is a view corresponding to Fig. 3, in which

which in addition to a middle stop in the

Area of the fastening screw also on both sides of the

Openings on the opposite sides each have a stop for the individual clamping jaw,

Fig. 5 is a diagrammatic view of an embodiment of the device corresponding to Fig. 1, wherein a clamp with two clamping jaws movable in opposite directions is provided in the area of the openings for the two parallel lines or cables

which together carry these cables or wires

and with a single

Fastening element, namely a clamping screw, movable towards each other and against the cables or

Cables can be pressed,

Fig. 6 is a representation corresponding to Fig. 2 of the embodiment with the two oppositely movable clamping jaws,

. Fig. 7 shows a cross-section through the device according to Fig. 5 and 6 in the area of the clamping jaws, with a single spacer being provided between these clamping jaws in the area of the clamping screw, and

Fig. 8 shows a cross-section corresponding to Fig. 7, wherein in addition to the spacer arranged between the openings and thus between the lines and cables,

Such a spacer is provided on the opposite sides of the openings.

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In the following embodiments, parts that have the same function are given the same reference numbers even if they have different designs.

A device, designated as a whole by 1, serves to supply at least two consumers with power via two outgoing lines or cables 3 from a single line 2, which is shown schematically in Figs. 1 and 5.

0 The device 1 has a generally designated 4

( Housing which has a power connection in the form of the line 2, in particular a cable, leading into this housing 4.

Instead of this line 2, a plug could also be arranged at the entry point for this line 2 on or in the housing 4. In a manner not shown in detail but known in the art, the individual strands or wires of the line 2 or the cable can be connected to the contacts of the plug mentioned above inside the housing 4 with the individual strands or wires of the line 2 or the cable. In Figs. 1 and 5, the input line or the input cable 2 and the lines or cables 3 electrically connected to it inside the housing 4 are only shown schematically.

In reality, these lines or cables 3 run into the interior of the housing 4 and are enclosed on the outside of or in the housing 4 by housing openings 5. Seals enclosing these lines or cables 3 can also be provided within the housing openings 5.

In a known manner, the input line 2 is held to the housing 4 by a clamp 6 with two clamping screws 7 arranged on both sides of the line 2.

The two outgoing lines or cables 3 can be fixed in their direction of travel at or before they exit the respective housing opening 5 and behind any seal that may be present by a clamp that simultaneously grips them, said clamp having at least one movable clamping jaw 8 that spans the at least two lines or cables 3 running next to one another and that can be pressed onto the lines or cables 3 at approximately the same time in order to fix them.

In order to press the clamping jaw 8 onto two lines or cables 3 at the same time, a single clamping screw 9 is provided as a fastening element, which passes through the clamping jaw 8 and runs between the two lines or cables 3 within the housing 4, whereby the clamping jaw 8 can be pressed against the two lines or cables 3 at the same time. This simplifies assembly and at the same time results in an even distribution of the pressing force of the clamping jaw 8.

While in the embodiment according to Figures 1 to 4 a

. only such clamping jaw 8 is provided, which can be moved deeper into the housing 4 transversely to the path of the lines or cables 3 with the aid of the clamping screw 9, which can be seen particularly clearly in Figures 3 and 4, in the embodiment according to Figures 5 to 8 two clamping jaws 8 and 8a are provided as clamps for fixing the cables or lines 3, which can be pressed against the cables or lines 3 in opposite directions and simultaneously from both opposite sides. The clamping screw 9 passing through one clamping jaw 8 engages with its thread on a counter thread or in the other clamping jaw 8a, according to Figures 7 and 8. It can be seen above all in Figures 7 and 8

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·

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It is clear that the clamping screw 9 engages with its external thread in an internal thread which is incorporated in the other clamping jaw 8a, so that by turning the screw 9 in the closing direction of the clamp formed by the two clamping jaws 8 and 8a, both clamping jaws 8 and 8a are brought closer to one another and thereby penetrate deeper into the housing 4 compared to their initial position, which is shown in Figures 5 to 8, and grip the cables or lines 3 running there, which are omitted in the drawings for the sake of better clarity, from both sides with pressure.

By moving the clamping screw 9, the distance between the two clamping jaws 8 and 8a is reduced so that the two lines or cables 3 are gripped and fixed simultaneously.

The housing wall has openings in the area of the clamping jaw 8 (Fig. 1 to 4) or in the area of the clamping jaws 8 and 8a (Fig. 5 to 8) which accommodate them and lead in the clamping direction, which are practically completely filled by the respective clamping jaws 8 or 8a and in which the clamping jaws 8 and 8a are held and guided in a form-fitting manner transversely to the course of the clamping screw 9. Due to the wall thickness of the housing wall and the thickness of the clamping jaws, the guidance is also maintained during the adjustment movement for fastening the two lines or cables 3.

Inside the housing 4, between the two openings 5, a stop 10 (Fig. 1 to 4) or a spacer 11 (Fig. 5 to 8) is arranged, the respective extension of which in the direction of the clamping screw 9 or similar fastening element limits the path of the clamping jaw 8 or the path of the two clamping jaws 8 and 8a when tightening the clamping screw 9, so that the lines or cables 3 are not clamped too strongly, but with a

t · • ·

predetermined force. If only one clamping jaw 8 is provided, a fixed stop 10 is sufficient; if two clamping jaws 8 and 8a are movable against each other, the spacer 11 serves practically as a stop for these two clamping jaws 8 and 8a.

The stop 10 or the spacer 11 is, as can be clearly seen in Figures 3 and 4 as well as in Figures 7 and 8, between the openings 5 for the cables or lines 3 and 0 and thus in the position of use between these cables or lines 3 adjacent to the path of the clamping screw 9 and on both sides of this clamping screw 9, so that the clamping screw 9 is additionally guided by the stop 10 and above all by the spacer 11 and is aligned and held in its orientation 5 transverse to the path of the openings 5 and the lines or cables 3. The pressing movement of the one clamping jaw 8 or the two clamping jaws 8 and 8a is correspondingly precise.

Above all, the spacer 11 holds the clamp with the two clamping jaws 8 and 8a and the clamping screw 9 captive on the housing 4, even if no cables or lines 3 are attached. The stop 10 or the spacer 11 is integrally connected to the housing 4, which facilitates production.

In Figures 4 and 8 it is shown that in addition to the stop 10 or the spacer 11 between the openings 5 and thus between the lines or cables 3, stops 10a or spacers 11a for the clamping jaws 8 and 8a can be provided on the opposite sides of the openings 5 or the lines or cables 3 in order to reduce the forces generated by the clamping screw 9 and the precision

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the clamping movement even better. If necessary, the middle stop 10 or the middle spacer 11 could even be omitted in the embodiments according to Fig. 4 and 8.
5

In both cases, a device 1 is produced with a housing 4 in which the two lines or cables 3 extending from an internal connection point can be secured with sufficient security and yet with as little effort as possible. A single clamping screw 9 is sufficient as a fastening element to grip both lines or cables 3 with one or two clamping jaws 8 and 8a acting on them together, instead of having to provide, accommodate and tighten a clamping screw on both sides of each line 3. In particular, the advantageous use of two clamping jaws 8 and 8a that can move in opposite directions with only a single clamping screw 9 can be designed to be captive on the housing 4 by means of a spacer 11 that engages between the clamping jaws.

/Expectations

Claims (8)

1. Device ( 1 ) with a housing ( 4 ) and with at least one power connection in the form of a line ( 2 ) guided into the housing ( 4 ), in particular a cable, or a plug connected or connectable thereto, and with at least two strands each extending from the individual strands of the lines or cable ( 2 ) or from contacts of the plug within the housing ( 4 ), which belong to further lines or cables ( 3 ), which run outwards through housing openings ( 5 ) enclosing them on the outside and in particular through seals arranged in the housing openings ( 5 ), characterized in that the lines or cables ( 3 ) can be fixed in their direction of travel at or before they exit from the respective housing opening ( 5 ) and in particular behind any seals that may be present by a clamp that simultaneously grips them, and in that the clamp has at least one movable clamping jaw ( 8 ) which can be pressed onto the lines or cables ( 3 ) at approximately the same time as fixing them. 2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that for pressing the clamping jaw ( 8 ) onto at least two lines or cables ( 3 ), a fastening element, in particular a screw ( 9 ), is provided which passes through the clamping jaw ( 8 ) and runs between the two lines or cables ( 3 ), whereby the clamping jaw ( 8 ) can be pressed simultaneously against the lines or cables ( 3 ). 3. Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the clamp for fixing the cables or lines ( 3 ) has a further clamping jaw ( 8a ), i.e. two clamping jaws ( 8 , 8a ) which can be pressed against the cables or lines ( 3 ) in opposite directions and simultaneously from both opposite sides, and the clamping screw ( 9 ) passing through one clamping jaw ( 8 ) engages with its thread on a counter thread on or in the other clamping jaw ( 8a ) or vice versa. 4. Device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the housing wall in the region of the clamping jaw(s) ( 8 , 8a ) has openings which receive the latter and lead in the clamping direction, in which the clamping jaw(s) ( 8 , 8a ) are held and guided in a form-fitting manner transversely to the course of the fastening element or the clamping screw ( 9 ). 5. Device according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that at least one stop ( 10 ) or at least one spacer ( 11 ) is arranged in the housing ( 4 ), the extension of which in the direction of the clamping screw ( 9 ) or the like limits the path of the clamping jaw or the clamping jaws ( 8 , 8a ), so that in the position of use a minimum distance of the clamping jaw ( 8 ) from the housing wall or the clamping jaws ( 8 ) from each other is predetermined. 6. Device according to claim 5, characterized in that the stop ( 10 ) or the spacer ( 11 ) is arranged between the openings ( 5 ) for the cables or lines ( 3 ) and thus in the position of use between these cables and lines ( 3 ), for example adjacent to the path of the fastening element or the clamping screw ( 9 ) and/or on both sides of the path of the fastening element or the clamping screw ( 9 ), guiding and aligning them. 7. Device according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the stop ( 10 ) or spacer ( 11 ) for a single or two oppositely movable clamping jaws ( 8 , 8a ) is connected in one piece to the housing ( 4 ). 8. Device according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that in addition to the stop ( 10 ) or to the spacer ( 11 ) between the lines or cables ( 3 ) or instead of this stop ( 10 ) or spacer ( 11 ) between the lines or cables ( 3 ), stops ( 10a ) or spacers ( 11a ) for the clamping jaw ( 8 ) or the clamping jaws ( 8 , 8a ) are provided on the opposite sides of the openings ( 5 ) or the lines or cables ( 3 ).