Cable junction box for direct connection to circuit board

Abstract

Cable connection box (1) for the electrical connection of wires of a connection cable to a printed circuit board (8) of an electrical device, in particular an electrical household appliance, comprising: a housing (2) with • a housing base (3) and a housing cover (4), which can be optionally closed to enclose a connection space (A) and can be optionally opened to expose the connection space (A) for connecting the wires of the connecting cable, • a cable gland (5) for passing the connecting cable into the connection compartment (A), and at least one contact element (6) with • a contact section (60) for the direct electrical connection of at least one of the wires (L) of the connecting cable in the connection space (A), and • at least one contact pin (61) which is electrically connected to the contact section (60) and protrudes from the housing (2) in such a way as to be directly connected to a printed circuit board (8) by means of a solder connection and / or a plug connection.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a cable connection box for electrically connecting wires of a connecting cable to a printed circuit board - for example in an electrical (household) appliance -, a cable connection assembly with the cable connection box and a printed circuit board electrically connected thereto, and an electrical appliance, such as an electrical household appliance, with the cable connection assembly and an electrically operated unit electrically connected thereto.

[0002] Cable junction boxes are generally known from the prior art. Such cable junction boxes have a housing in which several contact points or connection points are provided for connecting any wires of a corresponding connecting cable. The cable is guided into the housing, often via a strain relief on the cable junction box. The connection points are usually provided by screw or plug contacts. The individual wires are inserted into the corresponding connection points and electrically and mechanically connected to a contact element on the connection point. The strain relief, if present, serves to mechanically relieve the strain on the electrical connection points. After the wires have been electrically connected and the strain relief is closed, the housing can be closed, thus safely concealing the electrical contact points from contact.Cable junction boxes differ from simple connection and connecting terminals not only in their design, intended use, and size, but also in their ability to be opened and closed as required, as well as in their generally detachable connection points and often also in their optional strain relief. Cable junction boxes also differ from simple plug-in connectors in that the latter are designed as sockets. The cable junction boxes described above are attached to the device side of a mounting area of ​​an electrical device, usually with a defined hole pattern for clear insertion of the cable junction box. The corresponding electrical cables of the electrical device are then connected to the corresponding contact elements on the back of the mounting area. For this purpose, the contact elements usually have flat plugs (also called flat plug-in tabs).The electrical cables have flat receptacles (e.g., plug-in cable lugs) that correspond to the flat plug, which are usually crimped onto the wire ends. The flat receptacles can then be plugged onto the flat plugs and, if necessary, crimped to form a flat plug connection. This allows the respective wires of the external connection cable to be electrically connected to the onward electrical cables via the contact elements.

[0003] Flat connectors are often used in electrical devices and in the automotive sector, where they are crimped or pressed onto the ends of cables (e.g., a wiring harness). In electrical installation technology, cable lugs enable the electrical connection of wires or strands using screws (rings, forks), plugs (plug-in cable lugs or flat connectors), or socket terminals (pin terminals) as an alternative to securing wires in terminals using wire end ferrules. The flat connectors, familiar from conventional cable junction boxes, are used for direct connection to device-side wires or strands via the provided cable lugs.The flat plugs are generally not intended for direct connection to a printed circuit board; and are also not suitable for direct connection to a printed circuit board due to their material (not or not sufficiently solderable), their dimensions (not solderable without damaging the printed circuit board) and / or their arrangement (not provided with sufficient exposure).

[0004] It is now an object of the present invention to provide a cable connection box of the type mentioned at the outset, which can be used and electrically connected in a simple manner even in limited installation space.

[0005] The above-described object is achieved by the subject matter of the independent claims. The dependent claims develop the central idea of ​​the present invention in a particularly advantageous manner.

[0006] According to a first aspect, the present invention relates to a cable junction box for electrically connecting wires of a connecting cable to a printed circuit board; and thus preferably further to continuing electrical lines on an electrical device. The cable junction box has a housing. The housing, in turn, has a housing base and a housing cover, which can be selectively closed to enclose a connection space and selectively opened to expose the connection space for connecting the wires of the connecting cable. The housing further has a cable feedthrough for feeding the connecting cable into the connection space—preferably in a feedthrough direction. The cable junction box also has at least one contact element. The contact element, in turn, has a contact section for directly electrically connecting at least one of the wires of the connecting cable in the connection space.Furthermore, the contact element has at least one contact pin which is electrically connected to the contact section and protrudes from the housing in such a way as to be connected to a circuit board by means of a solder connection and / or a plug connection.

[0007] In the context of the invention, a contact pin is preferably understood to be an essentially rod- or pin-shaped element or section which is designed for direct plug-in connection and / or soldering to a printed circuit board. Such contact pins are generally known, for example, from surface mounting (SMT; Surface Mount Technology), through-hole mounting (THT; Through Hole Technology), and pin-in-paste mounting (THR; Through Hole Reflow Technology). Contact pins generally have a (circular) or square cross-section; generally a cross-section with similar or identical extension dimensions in the cross-sectional plane with regard to the two coordinate axes spanning the cross-sectional plane. Contact pins differ fundamentally from the flat plugs or blade connectors known from conventional cable connection boxes.Flat plugs are designed and constructed for a purely mechanical connection to flat plug receptacles and are not designed for direct connection—either plug-in or soldering—to printed circuit boards or their conductor tracks. Flat plugs are generally significantly wider than deep in the cross-sectional plane and usually have a rectangular cross-section.

[0008] Using the cable junction box described above, it is now possible for the first time to install it directly on a printed circuit board using a soldered connection and / or plug connection. This allows the cable junction box to be installed particularly compactly. This allows the corresponding electrical devices with which the cable junction box is equipped to be designed more compactly overall, or more space can be provided for other components. For example, household appliances such as cooktops with induction technology have printed circuit boards with conductor tracks (e.g., printed circuits) to which the cable junction box can then be directly connected (electrically and preferably also mechanically). This eliminates the need for additional wiring between the printed circuit board and the cable junction box, unlike standard flat plug connectors.

[0009] The contact pin can preferably protrude from the housing base; thus, it can protrude from the housing base in such a way that it can be connected to a circuit board via a plug connection and / or solder connection. This allows the contact pin to be provided in a stable part of the housing. Furthermore, the arrangement of the contact pin makes it possible to provide a compact cable junction box overall.

[0010] The contact pin can preferably be designed as a pin connector. This allows contact elements generally known for printed circuit boards to be applied to the junction box, which in turn simplifies assembly for the technician.

[0011] The contact pin or pin connector can preferably be designed as a solder pin. This provides a contact pin that is typically used for a solder connection and can be easily soldered to a circuit board, for example, using surface mount technology (SMT) and / or through-hole technology (THT) and / or pin-in-paste assembly (THR).

[0012] The contact pin or pin connector can preferably be designed as a plug-in pin. This provides a contact pin that is typical for a plug-in connection and can be easily connected to a printed circuit board, for example, using a simple plug-in connection and / or through-hole mounting (THT) and / or pin-in-paste mounting (THR)

[0013] The contact element can preferably have several, particularly preferably at least two or at least three, contact pins. Thus, the contact element can be designed as desired depending on the required power to be transmitted (e.g., up to 40 amperes or more).

[0014] The contact element can preferably be at least partially accommodated in a receiving section of the housing, preferably the housing base. This simplifies the construction of the cable connection box and, in particular, the housing. Furthermore, the contact element accommodated in the receiving section can be provided securely and stably.

[0015] The contact section can preferably have a screw contact connection and / or a spring-clamp connection and / or a cutting contact for the electrical connection of at least one of the wires of the connecting cable. Thus, the contact section can be selected according to the desired cable connection option. By using a screw clamp connection, conventional connection options can be used. By using a corresponding spring-clamp connection, it is preferably possible to electrically (and preferably also mechanically) connect the wires of a connecting cable without the aid of additional aids and tools, such as a screwdriver or push-buttons or pivoting release levers and the like provided in the cable junction box – thus, without the need for tools.Since this property is provided in the spring-loaded terminal connection itself, a simple and compact design of the cable junction box is possible. Likewise, the connection of a connecting cable can be made even easier. By using a cutting contact, it is possible to connect the wires of a connecting cable electrically (and preferably also mechanically) in a simple and safe manner. Since the cutting contact is designed to sever the insulating material of the respective wire in order to create electrical contact between the wire and the contact element, complex preparatory steps such as stripping the wires can be dispensed with. In particular, this makes it easy, quick and safe to electrically connect both rigid and flexible conductors of a wire - which by definition has a conductor sheathed with the insulating material. Final processing, for example,by providing wire end ferrules or ultrasonic welding of the stripped wire ends - especially of flexible conductors - can be eliminated.

[0016] The contact element can preferably have a connecting section that electrically connects the contact section and the contact pin to each other and that extends from the connection space to the outside of the housing. This can thus provide a simple electrical connection between the contact section and the contact pin. This can also enable a particularly compact design of the cable junction box.

[0017] The connecting section can preferably be formed integrally and preferably in one piece with the contact section and / or the contact pin. This simplifies both the manufacture of the components in question and their handling during assembly.

[0018] The cable junction box can further comprise a grounding contact, which is preferably electrically connected to the contact element(s). In this way, the cable junction box can be easily and safely grounded to the electrical device. The cable junction box can thus be provided in a particularly safe manner.

[0019] The grounding contact can be provided as a separate component – ​​e.g., as a stamped and bent part – or formed integrally – preferably in one piece – with the associated contact element. Provided as a separate component, an electrical connection to the associated contact element can be achieved, for example, by a force-fitting and / or positive-fitting and / or material-locking connection of the components. For example, the grounding contact can have a clasp which, during assembly, is accommodated in the housing and / or is subsequently materially connected to a section of the contact element. With the integral design, the number of components can be reduced, thus simplifying handling during assembly; this is even more so with a one-piece design, which preferably also simplifies manufacturing.In particular, in the case where the contact element can be accommodated from an outer side or underside of the housing facing away from the connection compartment—for example, in the previously described receiving section—automated assembly of the cable connection box can be easily enabled. In particular, the grounding contact can be automatically provided with the associated contact element due to its preferably integral design.

[0020] The contact element is preferably formed in one piece. In particular, the contact section and / or the contact pin can be formed in one piece. Thus, these components can be easily provided in a conventional manner, resulting in simple handling and an overall cost-effective provision and manufacture of a cable junction box equipped with them.

[0021] The contact element is preferably designed as a stamped and bent part. In particular, the contact section and / or the contact pin can be designed as a stamped and bent part. Thus, these components can be easily provided in a conventional manner, resulting in a particularly cost-effective production and provision of a cable junction box equipped with them.

[0022] The housing and / or the contact element can have a coupling element for mechanically connecting the junction box—preferably to a circuit board. This allows for particularly simple and secure installation of the cable junction box. The coupling element can preferably have a locking element and / or a solder anchor. A locking element enables a simple but effective fastening option. A solder anchor enables a particularly compact and secure fastening option.

[0023] As already described, the cable junction box can preferably have several of the contact elements. This allows any number of conductor connection points (i.e., contact sections) or poles to be provided, depending on the specific purpose of the cable junction box (e.g., for connecting to high-voltage electrical devices).

[0024] The cable junction box can preferably have several contact sections per contact element. Thus, one contact element can be designed to connect any number of conductors.

[0025] The housing can preferably also have a strain relief for locking the connecting cable routed through the cable entry in the cable junction box. By providing appropriate strain relief, the contact sections of the contact element can be mechanically relieved, thus ensuring permanent, secure electrical contact between the wires in the associated contact elements.

[0026] The strain relief can preferably comprise a strain relief bracket. The strain relief bracket can be provided for movement—preferably translationally and / or rotationally—in order to place the strain relief into a closed position, thus locking a passed-through connection cable in the cable junction box. Thus, the strain relief bracket can preferably be provided in a pluggable manner; for example, for plugging onto a corresponding strain relief receptacle in the housing or housing base. When the strain relief bracket is removed (open position), the cable feedthrough is exposed for inserting a connection cable. When the strain relief bracket is plugged in (closed position), the cable feedthrough can be closed, thus locking a passed-through connection cable in the cable junction box.If the strain relief bracket is preferably pivotably mounted in the housing (e.g., the lower housing section), it can be moved between a (defined) open position, in which the strain relief or the cable entry is exposed for inserting a connecting cable, and a (defined) closed position, in which the cable entry is (at least partially) closed (e.g., by the strain relief bracket clamping an inserted connecting cable with the housing (e.g., the lower housing section)). This allows for a simple but effective design of the strain relief. In the closed position, the strain relief bracket can preferably lock (removably) to the housing—e.g., the lower housing section and / or the strain relief receptacle—effectively securing the strain relief.

[0027] Alternatively or additionally, the strain relief can preferably also comprise clamping sections of the housing, for example of the housing base and the housing cover, and particularly preferably also of the strain relief bracket (then, for example, at least through the housing base and strain relief bracket), in order to hold or lock a connecting cable guided through the cable feedthrough in the cable junction box, at least when the housing is closed. For this purpose, the corresponding clamping sections can be distributed accordingly between the housing base and the housing cover or the strain relief bracket in such a way as to lock a connecting cable guided through the cable feedthrough in the cable junction box when the housing is closed.The clamping sections can be provided at least partially in the area of ​​or as an extension of the cable entry, at least when the housing is closed; preferably, they can at least partially limit the cable entry on the sides or on both sides (i.e., at the top and bottom). Strain relief can thus be provided in a particularly simple but effective manner.

[0028] The strain relief or at least the strain relief bracket can be manufactured integrally - preferably in one piece - with the housing; this is preferably done as a (plastic) injection-molded part. For example, the clamping sections can be provided distributed between the two housing parts using the injection molding process. It is also conceivable for a correspondingly provided strain relief bracket to be formed, for example, via a co-injected section with a smaller cross-section, which can serve, for example, as a joint section or simply as a loss protection device. It is also conceivable for a strain relief bracket to be integrally injection-molded with the housing, for example, and then separated from the housing via predetermined breaking points after the injection molding process, in order to then be connected or locked to the housing for preferably pivotable provision.This allows the housing and strain relief to be manufactured in a particularly simple manner, while enabling high functionality and variability.

[0029] The housing is preferably manufactured as a (plastic) injection-molded part, and particularly preferably as an integral (plastic) injection-molded part. This allows for simple manufacturing of the housing.

[0030] The housing is preferably made of an insulating material (e.g., plastic) and is particularly preferably manufactured using a plastic injection molding process. This allows for particularly simple assembly and allows for safe use of the cable junction box.

[0031] The housing base and the housing cover are preferably movably connected to one another via a connecting element, such as a hinge, in order to selectively expose and close the connection compartment. The connecting element, such as the hinge, can be provided by integral or additional components and structures that enable the housing base and the housing cover to be movably connected to one another. For example, the connecting element can also be formed integrally between the housing base and the housing cover; for example, in the form of a film hinge.

[0032] According to a further aspect, the present invention further relates to a cable connection assembly. This assembly comprises the cable connection box according to the invention, as already described above. In this respect, reference is made to the above explanations. Furthermore, the cable connection assembly further comprises a printed circuit board with at least one electrical conductor track. The contact element(s) is / are then (respectively) connected to the printed circuit board via the respective contact pin in such a way as to electrically connect a wire of the connecting cable, which is electrically connected to the associated contact section, to the conductor track.

[0033] The cable junction box can thus be provided directly with—i.e., on—a printed circuit board in a particularly simple and compact manner. This eliminates the need for additional wiring between the printed circuit board and the cable junction box, as previously implemented, for example, using flat plugs. The cable connection assembly thus enjoys the same advantages as those described above for the cable junction box according to the invention.

[0034] The connection of the respective contact pin to the circuit board can preferably be made or has been made via a plug-in connection and / or surface mount technology (SMT), through-hole technology (THT), and / or pin-in-paste (THR). Thus, the electrical and mechanical connection can be realized in a variety of ways, depending on the requirements.

[0035] According to a further aspect, the present invention further relates to an electrical device, in particular an electrical household appliance. This electrical device has a cable connection assembly according to the invention, as already described above. In this respect, reference is made to the above explanations. In addition, the electrical device further has an electrically operated unit which is electrically connected to the conductor track of the circuit board in order to be supplied with power via a connection cable connected to the cable connection box. The electrically operated unit can be, for example, a hob with induction technology. The electrical device thus benefits equally from the advantages already described for the cable connection box and the cable connection assembly.

[0036] Further embodiments and advantages of the present invention are described below with reference to the figures of the accompanying drawings. They show: Fig. 1 a perspective bottom view of a cable connection box according to an embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 2 a side view of the cable connection box according to the invention according to Fig. 1, Fig. 3 a perspective top view of a cable connection assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention with the cable connection box according to Fig. 1, Fig. 4 a side view of the cable connection assembly according to the invention according to Fig. 3; here together with an electrically operated unit (e.g. a hob with induction technology) to form an electrical device according to the invention according to an embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 5 a perspective bottom view of the cable connection assembly according to the invention according to Fig. 3.

[0037] The figures show an embodiment of a cable junction box 1. The cable junction box 1 according to the present invention serves for the electrical connection of conductors or wires of a connecting cable to a circuit board 8 of an electrical device 100, in particular an electrical household appliance. All conceivable electrical devices 100, in particular electrical household appliances, that use circuit boards 8 are suitable as electrical devices 100; for example, cooktops with induction technology.

[0038] In particular with regard to the Fig. 1 to 4, the cable connection box 1 has a housing 2. The housing 2 is preferably made of an insulating material, such as plastic. Preferably, the housing 2 is manufactured as an (integral) (plastic) injection-molded part.

[0039] The housing 2 has a housing base 3 and a housing cover 4. The housing base 3 and the housing cover 4 can be optionally closed (see Fig. 1 to 5) to enclose or close a connection compartment A, and optionally openable to expose the connection compartment A for connecting the wires of the connecting cable.

[0040] The housing base 3 and the housing cover 4 can preferably be movably connected to one another via a connecting element 20 in order to selectively expose and close the connection space A. As in particular Fig. 3, the connecting element 20 can be designed, for example, as a hinge. For this purpose, the housing parts 3, 4 preferably have corresponding structural elements 34, 44, via which the housing lower part 3 is or can be pivotally coupled to the housing cover 4. It is also conceivable, for example, that the connecting element 20 is provided as an integral or one-piece element between the housing lower part 3 and the housing cover 4; for example, in the form of a film hinge.

[0041] The cable connection box 1 further comprises a cable feedthrough 5 for passing the connecting cable into the connection compartment A—here preferably in a feedthrough direction D. The cable feedthrough 5 is formed integrally by the housing 2, for example. The cable feedthrough 5 is preferably located in a parting plane between the housing base 3 and the housing cover 4.

[0042] The housing parts 3, 4 can have corresponding locking elements (not shown), via which the housing parts 3, 4 securely and preferably also releasably lock together in the closed state. Alternatively or additionally, the housing base 3 and the housing cover 4 can also be locked together in the closed position by other structural elements and / or separate elements, such as a screw.

[0043] The housing 2 can further comprise a strain relief 7 for locking the connecting cable guided through the cable bushing 5 in the cable connection box 1. The strain relief 7 is particularly clearly visible in the Fig. 3 as well as in the Fig. 2 and Fig. 4. The strain relief 7 is formed here, for example, by a strain relief bracket 71 or has this.

[0044] The strain relief bracket 71 can be provided so as to be movable - preferably translationally and / or rotationally - in order to move the strain relief 7 into a closed position (cf. Fig. 2 to 4) in order to lock a connecting cable in the cable connection box 1.

[0045] In the illustrated embodiment, the strain relief bracket 71 is provided so that it can be moved translationally or plugged in. For example, the strain relief bracket 71 can be provided so that it can be plugged in - preferably perpendicular to the feedthrough direction D - e.g., for plugging onto a corresponding strain relief receptacle 37 in the housing(s) 2 or the housing lower part(s) 3. When the strain relief bracket 71 is removed (open position), the cable feedthrough 5 is thus exposed for inserting a connecting cable. In the plugged-in state (closed position; see Fig. 2 to 4) of the strain relief bracket 71, the cable bushing 5 can be closed in order to lock a connecting cable in the cable connection box 1.

[0046] It is also conceivable that the strain relief bracket 71 is provided for rotational movement; preferably pivotally mounted in the housing 2—for example, via corresponding pivoting structures. If the strain relief bracket 71 is preferably pivotally mounted in the housing 2 (for example, the housing lower part 3), it can be movable between an open position, in which the strain relief 7 or the cable feedthrough 5 is exposed for inserting a connecting cable, and a closed position, in which the strain relief 7 or the cable feedthrough 5 is (at least partially) closed (for example, by the strain relief bracket 71 clamping an inserted connecting cable with the housing 2 (for example, the housing lower part 3).

[0047] In the closed position, the strain relief bracket 71 can preferably latch (removably) with the housing 2 or the housing lower part 3 or the strain relief receptacle 37. The strain relief bracket 71 and the housing 2—here the housing lower part 3 or its strain relief receptacle 37—can have corresponding latching structures 38, 78 (cf., for example, Fig. 3) by means of which the strain relief bracket 71 can be securely locked (from the open position) into the closed position.

[0048] Preferably, the connecting cable can be held securely in the strain relief 7 - here between the strain relief bracket 71 and the housing lower part 3 or its strain relief receptacle 37 - via corresponding clamping sections, in order to absorb tensile forces acting in particular along the connecting cable (i.e. preferably in the feed-through direction D), in order to relieve the wires electrically connected in the cable connection box 1 from corresponding tensile forces. Alternatively or additionally, it is also conceivable for the corresponding clamping sections to be distributed accordingly between the housing lower part 3 and the housing cover 4 and, when the housing 2 is closed, to hold a connecting cable guided through the cable feedthrough 5 in the cable connection box 1; optionally also by means of the strain relief bracket 71 described above. The clamping sections are at least in the closed position orIn the closed state of the housing 2, it is provided at least partially in the area of ​​or in extension of the cable feedthrough 5; preferably laterally or on both sides of the cable feedthrough 5 (here, for example, above and below).

[0049] The strain relief 7, preferably at least the strain relief bracket 71 and / or the strain relief receptacle 37, can be manufactured integrally and preferably in one piece with the housing 2 or the respective housing part 3, 4; for example, as a (plastic) injection-molded part.

[0050] The cable connection box 1 further comprises at least one and preferably several – in the present embodiment, for example, six – contact element(s) 6.

[0051] The contact element 6 in turn has at least one or more contact sections 60 (only indicated in Fig. 1 and Fig. 4) for the direct electrical connection of at least one of the wires of the connecting cable in the connection space A. The invention is not limited to a specific number of contact elements 6, so that the cable connection box 1 can have one or more (i.e. two or more) of the contact elements 6.

[0052] The housing 2 - here preferably the housing lower part 3 - can preferably have a receiving section 35 for each contact element 6 (only indicated in Fig. 1) for receiving and preferably for locking the associated contact element 6. The respective receiving sections 35 can preferably be designed such that the associated contact element 6 can be received from the connection space A - i.e. an inner side of the housing 2 or housing lower part 3; in Fig. 1, for example, from below. Alternatively, it is also conceivable that the contact element 6 can be received in the corresponding receiving section 35 from an outer side of the housing 2 or housing lower part 3 facing away from the connection space A; in Fig. 1 for example from above.

[0053] The contact element 6 further comprises at least one contact pin 61 which is electrically connected to the contact section 60 and protrudes from the housing 2 - here preferably from the housing lower part 3 - in such a way as to be directly connected to a printed circuit board 8 by means of a soldered connection and / or plug connection (cf. Fig. 1, Fig. 2, Fig. 4, Fig. 5).

[0054] The contact pin 61 can preferably be designed as a pin connector, preferably as a soldering pin and / or as a plug-in pin, as can be seen by way of example from the Fig. 1, Fig. 2, Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 is recognizable.

[0055] The contact element 6 can preferably have several - preferably at least two or at least three (in the illustrated embodiment three in each case) - of the contact pins 61.

[0056] The contact section 60 can preferably have a spring-loaded terminal connection and / or a cutting contact for electrically connecting at least one of the wires of the connecting cable. A screw contact connection or another connection option is also conceivable.

[0057] As is particularly evident from Fig. 1, the contact element 6 can have a connecting portion 62 that electrically connects the contact portion 60 and the contact pin 61 and that extends from the connection space A to the outside of the housing 2. The connecting portion 62 can, as shown by way of example, be formed integrally and preferably in one piece with the contact portion 60 and / or the contact pin 61 (here with both).

[0058] The contact element 6 can preferably be formed in one piece, as shown by way of example.

[0059] The contact element 6 can preferably be designed as a punched and bent part, as shown by way of example.

[0060] The cable connection box 1 can further comprise an earthing contact 9, which is electrically connected to the or one of the contact elements 6 or its contact section 60, as is the case, for example, with the Fig. 3 and Fig. 4. The grounding contact 9 can be provided, for example, as a separate component. In this case, the grounding contact 9 can be connected, for example, to the contact element 6 or its contact section 60 by means of a frictional connection. Alternatively or additionally, a form-fitting and / or material-fitting connection of the grounding contact 9 to the associated contact element 6 or contact section 60 is also conceivable. If the grounding contact 9 is provided as a separate component, it is preferably attached or inserted from an inner side facing the receiving space A or from an outer side of the housing 2 or housing lower part 3 facing away from the receiving space A. In principle, the grounding contact 9 can also be formed integrally and preferably in one piece with the associated - thus with one of the - contact elements 6 or its contact section 60.

[0061] The housing 2 and / or the contact element 6 can preferably have a coupling element 21 for the mechanical connection of the cable connection box 1 (cf. Fig. 1 to 5). The coupling element 21 can particularly preferably have a locking element and / or a solder anchor. The locking element (e.g., a catch) can then, for example, interact in a locking manner with a corresponding locking element on the circuit board 8 or the electrical device 100. The solder anchor can be soldered onto corresponding solder points on the circuit board 8, thus securing the cable junction box 1.

[0062] The Fig. 3 to 5 further show, by way of example, an embodiment of a cable connection assembly 10 according to the invention, which comprises the previously described cable connection box 1 and the printed circuit board 8 with at least one electrical conductor track 80 (in the illustrations of Fig. 3 covered by the cable connection box 1; in Fig. 4 (shown only schematically as an example for illustration purposes). The contact element(s) 6 is / are each connected to the circuit board 8 via the respective contact pin(s) 61 in such a way as to electrically connect a wire of the connecting cable electrically connected to the associated contact section 60 to the or at least one of the conductor track(s) 80.

[0063] The connection of the respective contact pin 61 to the circuit board 8 can preferably be made or have been made via a plug connection and / or surface mounting (SMT; Surface Mount Technology) and / or through-hole mounting (THT; Through Hole Technology) and / or pin-in-paste mounting (THR; Through Hole Reflow Technology).

[0064] The Fig.4 further shows, by way of example, an electrical device 100, in particular an electrical household appliance. In addition to the previously described cable connection assembly 10, this further comprises an electrically operated unit 101, which is electrically connected to the conductor track(s) 80 of the circuit board 8 in order to be supplied with power via a connecting cable connected to the cable connection box 1.

[0065] The present invention is not limited by the above-described embodiment, provided it is encompassed by the subject matter of the following claims. In particular, the above-described features can be combined and interchanged in any desired manner. If several or all of the features are present, as shown by way of example in the embodiment, several of the features can each be provided as a preferably integral part of the same component section, thus providing the most compact design possible while simultaneously maintaining high functionality.

Claims

[1] Cable connection box (1) for the electrical connection of wires of a connection cable to a printed circuit board (8) of an electrical device, in particular an electrical household appliance, comprising: a housing (2) with • a housing base (3) and a housing cover (4), which can be optionally closed to enclose a connection space (A) and can be optionally opened to expose the connection space (A) for connecting the wires of the connecting cable, • a cable gland (5) for passing the connecting cable into the connection compartment (A), and at least one contact element (6) with • a contact section (60) for the direct electrical connection of at least one of the wires (L) of the connecting cable in the connection space (A), and • at least one contact pin (61) which is electrically connected to the contact section (60) and protrudes from the housing (2) in such a way as to be directly connected to a printed circuit board (8) by means of a solder connection and / or a plug connection. [2] Cable connection box (1) according to claim 1, the contact pin (61) protrudes from the housing lower part (3) in such a way as to be connected to a printed circuit board (8) by means of a plug connection and / or solder connection. [3] Cable connection box (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the contact pin (61) is designed as a pin connector, preferably as a soldering pin and / or as a plug-in pin. [4] Cable connection box (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the contact element (6) has several, preferably at least two or at least three, of the contact pins (61). [5] Cable connection box (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the contact element (6) is at least partially received in a receiving section (35) of the housing (2), preferably of the housing lower part (3). [6] Cable connection box (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the contact section (60) has a spring clamp connection and / or a cutting contact for the electrical connection of at least one of the wires (L) of the connection cable. [7] Cable connection box (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the contact element (6) has a connecting section (62) which electrically connects the contact section (60) and the contact pin (61) and which extends from the connection space (A) to the outside of the housing (2), wherein the connecting section (62) is formed integrally and preferably in one piece with the contact section (60) and / or the contact pin (61). [8] Cable connection box (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the contact element (6) is formed in one piece and / or is formed as a stamped and bent part. [9] Cable connection box (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the housing (2) and / or the contact element (6) comprises a coupling element for mechanically connecting the cable connection box (1), wherein the coupling element comprises a latching element and / or a solder anchor. [10] Cable connection box (1) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising a plurality of the contact elements (6) and / or a plurality of the contact sections (60) per contact element (6). [11] Cable connection box (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the housing (2) further comprises a strain relief (7) for locking the connection cable guided through the cable bushing (5) in the cable connection box (1). [12] Cable connection assembly (10) comprising: • a cable connection box (1) according to one of the preceding claims, and • a printed circuit board (8) with at least one electrical conductor track (80), wherein the contact element(s) (6) is / are each connected to the printed circuit board (8) via the respective contact pin(s) (61) in such a way as to electrically connect a wire of the connecting cable electrically connected to the associated contact section (60) to the conductor track (80). [13] Cable connection assembly (10) according to claim 12, wherein the connection of the respective contact pin (61) to the printed circuit board (8) is made via a plug connection and / or surface mounting (SMT; Surface Mount Technology) and / or through-hole mounting (THT; Through Hole Technology) and / or pin-in-paste mounting (THR; Through Hole Reflow Technology). [14] Electrical device (100), in particular an electrical household appliance, comprising: • a cable connection assembly (10) according to claim 12 or 13, and • an electrically operated unit (101) which is electrically connected to the at least one conductor track (80) of the printed circuit board (8) in order to be supplied with power via a connecting cable connected to the cable connection box (1).

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