Cable connection box for connecting a connection cable and a connecting element

Abstract

Cable connection box (1) for electrical connection of conductors of a connection cable with further electrical lines on an electrical device, comprising: a housing (2) with • a housing lower part (3) and a housing cover (4), which can optionally be closed to enclose a connection compartment (A) and can optionally be opened to expose the connection compartment (A) for connecting the conductors of the connecting cable, and • a cable gland (5) for routing the connecting cable into the connection compartment (A) in one routing direction (D), and at least two or more contact elements (6), each contact element (6) comprising: • a contact section (60) for tool-free connection of the conductors of the connecting cable to the contact element (6) for establishing electrical contact with the conductors of the connecting cable in the connection space (A), and • a connecting section (61) for tool-free and detachable connection with an electrical connecting element (10) in order to electrically connect at least two of the contact elements (6) together.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a cable junction box for electrically connecting conductors of a connecting cable with further electrical lines on an electrical device and optionally for electrically connecting individual poles of the cable junction box with connecting elements.

[0002] Cable junction boxes of the type mentioned above 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 the conductors of a corresponding connection cable. The cable is usually guided into the housing of the cable junction box via a strain relief. The connection points are generally provided by means of screw terminals. The individual conductors are inserted into the corresponding connection points and electrically and mechanically connected to a contact element of the connection point by means of screws. The optional strain relief serves to mechanically relieve the electrical connection points. After the conductors have been electrically connected and the strain relief closed, the housing can be closed, thus safely concealing the electrical contact points from accidental contact.Cable connection boxes therefore differ from simple connection and terminal blocks not only in their construction, intended use and size, but also in their ability to be opened and closed as desired, as well as in their usually detachable connection points and often also in their optional strain relief.

[0003] The aforementioned cable junction boxes are attached to a mounting area on the back of an electrical device, typically with a defined hole pattern for precise insertion. The corresponding electrical leads of the device are then connected to the corresponding contact elements on the back of the mounting area. This allows the individual conductors of the connecting cable to be electrically connected to the external electrical leads via these contact elements. The cable junction box can also feature a grounding contact, enabling it to be connected to the electrical device via one of the contact elements for grounding.

[0004] The electrical contact of the conductors, usually provided as a screw connection, enables a secure but complex electrical connection for assembly.

[0005] Furthermore, screwless contact points are known from the prior art, such as contact clamps designed as cage clamps. These can be opened using a tool, such as a screwdriver, by inserting the tool into an opening in the housing section that accommodates the cage clamp, so that, for example, a suitable flexible conductor can then be inserted into the contact point. Removing the tool then clamps the inserted conductor in the contact point.

[0006] Depending on the requirements, it may be necessary to electrically connect individual poles of the cable junction box. With screw terminals, a connector provided for bridging the connection points can be clamped together with the conductor over the screw head. With tool-free terminals, this is not possible or not easily done due to their design and function, and at best results in insufficient contact with the connector.

[0007] It is now an object of the present invention to provide a cable connection box of the type mentioned at the outset, which enables a simple connection of a connecting cable without additional aids as well as a desired connection configuration by simple and secure connection of several of the poles or connection points.

[0008] The problem described above is solved by the subject matter of the independent claim. The dependent claims further develop the central idea of ​​the present invention in a particularly advantageous manner.

[0009] According to a first aspect, the present invention relates to a cable junction box for the electrical connection of conductors of a connecting cable to downstream electrical lines on an electrical device. The cable junction box comprises a housing. The housing, in turn, has a lower housing part and a housing cover, which can be optionally closed to enclose a connection compartment and optionally opened to expose the connection compartment for connecting the conductors of the connecting cable. The housing further comprises a cable entry for passing the connecting cable into the connection compartment – ​​preferably in a (defined) direction. The cable junction box also has at least two or more contact elements.Each contact element has a contact section for tool-free (and preferably detachable) connection of the conductors of the connecting cable to the contact element for establishing electrical contact with the conductors of the connecting cable in the connection space. Furthermore, each contact element has a connecting section for tool-free (and preferably detachable) connection to an electrical connecting element in order to electrically connect at least two of the contact elements to each other.

[0010] The aforementioned cable junction box, and in particular its contact elements, enables the cable junction box to be provided with the desired connection configuration in a particularly simple yet secure manner. The contact sections allow for easy and secure connection of the conductors of the connecting cable without the need for tools. Furthermore, the connecting sections facilitate a simple electrical connection between connection points (i.e., between contact elements or their contact sections) to realize various connection configurations. Since all these steps are performed without tools, commissioning the cable junction box is particularly simple and intuitive. Because the contact section and the connecting section are provided separately, collision-free and secure contact between the conductors of the connecting cable and the connecting elements is ensured.This also allows the connecting elements to be positioned individually, so that the connection configuration can be established independently of when the conductors are connected.

[0011] The cable junction box preferably further comprises at least one electrical connection element with at least two contact sections. The connection element is designed such that each of its contact sections can be connected to another of the connection sections in order to electrically connect the contact elements thus connected. Such a connection element makes it possible in a particularly simple manner to electrically connect different connection sections – and thus the corresponding contact sections – to one another.

[0012] The connecting element can preferably be designed as a connecting tab, wherein the connecting element has a base section that connects the contact sections (electrically and physically). As a connecting tab, the connecting element can be provided in a particularly compact yet effective manner. Thus, connecting individual contact elements can be implemented particularly easily.

[0013] The connecting element can preferably be integral or one-piece. This makes the connecting element (e.g., as a connecting tab) particularly easy to handle and also provides a simple yet effective connection method. The connecting element can preferably be a stamped and bent part. This allows the connecting element to be easily manufactured using known methods. The connecting element can preferably be made from sheet metal or sheet material. This results in the connecting element being made from a cost-effective yet stable material that is generally easy to process. If required, the connecting element can be coated. This coating can serve as corrosion protection and / or offer additional properties such as electrical conductivity or decorative effects. The decorative effects can, for example,This can be helpful in order to easily distinguish between different types of connecting elements (e.g., with different thicknesses for transmitting different electrical currents).

[0014] The connecting section (i.e., each of the connecting sections) can preferably be designed to be selectively connected to one or more of the contacting sections – thus connecting without tools and preferably detachably. This makes it possible, for example, to provide two or more of the connecting elements as a package to transmit higher electrical currents between the connected contact elements when required. It is also conceivable that, for example, with three contact elements arranged in series or to be electrically connected, two connecting elements can be used, with the connecting section of the middle contact element being able to accommodate the contacting sections of both connecting elements.In principle, it is also conceivable that such a connection is provided with packages of connecting elements, so that the connection section can then consequently accommodate several of the contact sections without tools and preferably detachably.

[0015] The connecting section (i.e., each of the connecting sections) can preferably have a sliding contact and / or a clamping contact, preferably a spring clamping contact. This allows for a simple yet effective contact between the connecting section and the connecting element or its contacting section. Particularly when configured as a (spring) clamping contact, reliable contact or connection is easily achieved even with varying numbers or thicknesses of connecting elements or contacting sections.

[0016] The contact section and the connecting section of a (i.e., the same) contact element can preferably be accessible from different sides of the contact element. This allows the conductors of the connecting cable to be connected independently of the wiring of the individual contact elements via the connecting elements, enabling particularly flexible implementation of different connection configurations.

[0017] The contact section (i.e., each contact section) can preferably have a spring-loaded clamping connection and / or an insulating contact for the electrical connection of at least one of the conductors of the connecting cable. Thus, the contact section can be selected according to the desired cable connection option.

[0018] Preferably, the contact section can have a spring-loaded clamp connection with at least one conductor clamping point for the electrical connection of at least one of the conductors of the connecting cable in one insertion direction. This enables a highly efficient and compact connection option.

[0019] The spring-clamp terminal can preferably include a busbar section for electrical contact with the at least one conductor in the connection compartment. Furthermore, the spring-clamp terminal can have a clamping spring with a movable clamping arm, which presses towards the busbar section with a clamping edge to form the conductor clamping point. The spring-clamp terminal is thus designed for tool-free connection of the conductors of the connecting cable via the conductor clamping point. In this way, a highly efficient connection method can be provided. Depending on how the clamping edge is oriented relative to the insertion direction, the spring-clamp terminal can, for example, implement a tool-free or a tool-removable version of the contact section.

[0020] Preferably, the contact section can include the cutting contact with at least one cutting edge for severing the insulating material of the at least one conductor and for establishing electrical contact between the contact element and the at least one conductor. Using a cutting contact makes it possible to connect the conductors 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 conductor in order to provide electrical contact between the conductor and the contact element, time-consuming preparatory steps such as stripping the conductors can be dispensed with. In particular, this allows for the simple, quick, and safe electrical connection of both rigid and flexible conductors of a single conductor – which, by definition, typically has a conductor sheathed in insulating material.Any necessary final processing, e.g. by providing wire end ferrules or ultrasonic welding of the stripped wire ends - especially of flexible conductors - can be omitted.

[0021] The contact section (i.e., each of the contact sections) can preferably be designed not only for tool-free connection but also for tool-free disconnection (i.e., for tool-free connection and disconnection) of the conductors of the connecting cable to the contact element for establishing electrical contact with the conductors of the connecting cable in the connection compartment, and also for disconnecting them again. Thus, a cable junction box can be reconfigured as needed and also easily replaced.

[0022] Each contact element preferably has at least one contact part for electrical connection to downstream electrical lines on an electrical device. This allows the cable connection box to be easily connected to a device. The contact part can be designed, for example, as a contact pin (such as a solder pin), a pin connector (such as a plug-in pin), a connector (such as a flat blade connector), and the like. Preferably, the contact parts protrude from the housing (preferably the lower part of the housing) and, furthermore, preferably from the same side (e.g., the bottom) of the housing (preferably the lower part of the housing). The exposed design of the contact parts makes connection to the downstream lines particularly easy.

[0023] Each contact element can preferably be integral or one-piece. This makes the contact element particularly easy to handle and also provides a simple yet effective connection option for both the conductors of the connecting cable and the connecting element.

[0024] Each contact element can also be designed or manufactured as a stamped and bent part. This allows the contact element to be easily manufactured and compactly supplied using known methods.

[0025] Each contact element can preferably be made from a sheet of metal or sheet metal material. If the contact element has multiple parts (e.g., in the case of a spring-clamp connection), its components (e.g., busbar section, clamping spring) can be made from the same sheet of metal or sheet metal material, or—optimized for the specific application—from a different material. This allows the contact element to be manufactured from a cost-effective yet robust material that is generally easy to process. If required, the contact element can be provided with a coating similar to the optional coating of the connecting element, as described previously.

[0026] The housing can preferably have an entry space for the connecting cable, viewed in the direction of cable entry. This provides a simple structure for easy cable insertion and secure storage, while also enabling an overall compact design for the cable junction box.

[0027] The contact elements can preferably be arranged behind the insertion area when viewed in the direction of insertion. This can be advantageous, for example, in three-pole cable junction boxes, to allow for a compact arrangement and easy connection.

[0028] Alternatively or additionally, it is also preferably conceivable that the contact elements are arranged laterally to the insertion space with respect to the insertion area and the routing direction, preferably on both sides of the insertion space. This allows for a compact cable junction box even with a large number of poles, while still providing easy connection of the conductors. The contact elements can preferably be arranged in series on each side (preferably parallel to the routing direction). This also allows for a simple electrical connection of the contact elements by means of a connecting element; in any case, on the same side. All contact elements, or at least those on the same side with respect to the insertion space, can have the same orientation; thus, the contact sections are preferably all accessible from the same side, and the connecting sections are preferably all accessible from the same side.

[0029] The housing may preferably also include a strain relief for securing the connecting cable, which passes through the cable gland, in the cable junction box. By providing such strain relief, the contact sections of the contact elements can be mechanically relieved, thus ensuring a permanently reliable electrical connection of the conductors in the associated contact elements.

[0030] The strain relief can preferably include a strain relief bracket. The strain relief bracket can be designed to be movable – preferably translationally and / or rotationally – in order to move the strain relief into a closed position, thereby securing a connecting cable in the cable junction box. The strain relief bracket can preferably be designed to be plugged in; for example, to be attached to a corresponding strain relief receptacle in the housing or housing base. In the open position of the strain relief bracket, the cable entry is exposed for inserting a connecting cable. If the strain relief bracket is preferably pivotably mounted in the housing (for example, the housing base), it can be moved between a (defined) open position, in which the strain relief is closed, and a closed position.The cable entry point for inserting a connection cable is exposed and can be moved to a (defined) closed position in which the cable entry point is (at least partially) closed (for example, by the strain relief bracket clamping an inserted connection cable against the housing (e.g., the lower housing part)). This allows for a simple yet effective strain relief. In the closed position, the strain relief bracket can preferably be (releasably) locked to the housing – e.g., the lower housing part and / or the strain relief receptacle – thus effectively securing the strain relief.

[0031] The strain relief can alternatively or additionally preferably also include clamping sections of the housing, for example, the lower housing part and the housing cover, and particularly preferably also of the strain relief bracket (then, for example, at least through the lower housing part and the strain relief bracket) in order to hold or lock a connecting cable inserted through the cable gland in the cable junction box, at least when the housing is closed. For this purpose, the corresponding clamping sections can be distributed accordingly on the lower housing part and the housing cover or the strain relief bracket in such a way as to lock a connecting cable inserted through the cable gland in the cable junction box particularly effectively when the housing is closed.The clamping sections can be provided, at least when the housing is closed, at least partially within or extending from the cable entry point; preferably, they can limit the cable entry point at least partially laterally or on both sides (i.e., top and bottom). Strain relief can thus be provided in a particularly simple yet effective manner.

[0032] The strain relief, or at least the strain relief bracket, can be integrally manufactured – preferably in one piece – with the housing; preferably as a (plastic) injection-molded part. For example, the clamping sections can be distributed between the two housing parts and provided during the injection molding process. It is also conceivable that a strain relief bracket provided accordingly could be formed, for example, by means of an injection-molded section of smaller cross-section, which could serve, for example, as a hinge section or simply as a retention device. It is also conceivable that a strain relief bracket could be integrally injection-molded with the housing and then, after the injection molding process, separated from the housing via predetermined breaking points in order to subsequently be connected or snapped into place with the housing, preferably in a pivotable manner.This allows housings and strain relief to be manufactured in a particularly simple way, while enabling high functionality and variability.

[0033] Further embodiments and advantages of the present invention are described below with reference to the figures in the accompanying drawings. These show: Fig. 1 a top view of a cable junction box according to an embodiment of the present invention with the housing open, Fig. 2 a side view of the cable connection box according to Fig. 1, Fig. 3 a side sectional view of the cable connection box according to Fig. 2, Fig. 4 a side sectional view of the cable connection box according to Fig. 3 with closed housing, Fig. 5 another side sectional view of the cable connection box according to Fig. 4, Fig. 6 a perspective partial view of the cable connection box according to Fig. 1, Fig. 7 another perspective view of the cable connection box according to Fig. 6, Fig. 8 a perspective detail view of the cable connection box according to Fig. 7; here with two connecting elements for connecting the contact elements of the 4th and 5th poles, and Fig. 9 a perspective view of a connecting element of a cable junction box according to the invention Fig. 1.

[0034] The figures show different views and configurations of a cable connection box 1 according to the present invention for the electrical connection of conductors or wires of a connecting cable with further electrical lines on an electrical device (not shown) as well as components of the cable connection box 1 according to the invention. All conceivable electrical devices, such as household appliances, are suitable as electrical devices.

[0035] The cable junction 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 a plastic injection-molded part.

[0036] The housing 2 comprises a lower housing part 3 and a housing cover 4. The lower housing part 3 and the housing cover 4 are optionally lockable (see figure). Fig. 4 and Fig. 5), to enclose or close off a connecting space A, and optionally openable (see Fig. 1 to 3 and 6 to 8), to expose connection space A for connecting the wires of the connecting cable.

[0037] The lower housing part 3 and the housing cover 4 can preferably be movably connected to each other via a connecting element 20 in order to selectively expose and close the connection space A. The connecting element 20 can, for example, be designed as a hinge, as shown. For this purpose, the housing parts 3 and 4 preferably have corresponding structural elements 34 and 44 to form the connecting element 20 (here as a hinge), via which the lower housing part 3 can be pivotably coupled to the housing cover 4. It is also conceivable, for example, that the connecting element 20 is provided as an integral element formed between the lower housing part 3 and the housing cover 4; for example, in the form of a film hinge.

[0038] The cable connection box 1 further features a cable gland 5 for routing the connection cable into the connection compartment A in a routing direction D. Here, for example, the cable gland 5 is formed integrally by the housing 2. The cable gland 5 is located, for example, at an end of the housing 2 opposite the connecting element 20.

[0039] How especially the Fig. As can be seen from Figures 1 to 3, the housing parts 3 and 4 can have corresponding locking elements 35 and 45, by means of which the housing parts 3 and 4 lock securely and preferably releasably together in the closed state. Alternatively or additionally, the lower housing part 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.

[0040] The housing 2 can further include a strain relief 9 for securing the connecting cable, which passes through the cable gland 5, in the cable connection box 1. The strain relief 9 is particularly evident in the Fig. 6 and Fig. 7. The strain relief 9, for example, has a strain relief bracket 90. This is connected to the housing 2 via a locking device 91 or is integrally manufactured with it. The strain relief bracket 90 and the housing 2 can have corresponding locking structures 92 by means of which the strain relief bracket 90 locks securely to the housing 2 in order to securely hold a clamped connecting cable against tension. In the embodiment shown here, the strain relief 9 has several of the locking structures 92, so that the strain relief bracket 90 can be set in several locking positions to accommodate and secure connecting cables of different thicknesses.

[0041] It is also conceivable that the strain relief bracket 90 is preferably pivotably mounted in the housing 2 – for example, via corresponding pivot structures. The strain relief bracket 90 can thus be moved, for example, between an open position, in which the cable gland 5 is exposed for inserting a connecting cable, and a closed position, in which the cable gland 5 is closed.

[0042] Via corresponding clamping sections 93 (see Fig. 7) the connecting cable can be securely held in the strain relief 9 - here between the strain relief bracket 90 and the lower part of the housing 3 - in order to absorb tensile forces acting particularly along the connecting cable (i.e. in particular in the direction of passage D) in order to relieve the conductors electrically connected in the cable connection box 1 against corresponding tensile forces.

[0043] The strain relief 9 or the strain relief bracket 90 can be manufactured integrally with the housing 2; for example as a (plastic) injection molded part.

[0044] The cable junction box 1 further comprises at least two or more contact elements 6. These are only indicated in the figures. In the illustrated embodiment, a total of five contact elements 6 are provided, which here form five connection poles. An earthing connection 14, also shown here, can likewise have a comparable contact element 15.

[0045] Each of the contact elements 6 can preferably be integrally formed or formed in one piece. Each of the contact elements 6 can preferably be formed as a stamped and bent part. Each of the contact elements 6 can preferably be made from a sheet or sheet material.

[0046] The housing 2 may preferably, viewed in the direction of passage D, have an insertion chamber 7 for the insertion of the connecting cable, as is the case, for example, in the Fig. 1, Fig. 6 and Fig. 7. The contact elements 6 are preferably arranged laterally to the insertion space 7 with respect to the feed direction D, preferably on both sides of the insertion space 7. Alternatively or additionally, it is also conceivable that the contact elements 6 – or at least a part of them – are preferably arranged behind the insertion space 7 with respect to the feed direction D.

[0047] Each contact element 6 has a contact section 60 for tool-free connection (and preferably also tool-free disconnection) of the conductors of the connecting cable to the contact element 6 for establishing electrical contact with the conductors of the connecting cable in the connection space A (and – in the case of tool-free disconnection – also for disconnecting the conductors of the connecting cable), as shown, for example, in the Fig. 3 to 8 are visible.

[0048] The contact section 60 preferably has a spring-clamp connection and / or an insulating contact for the electrical connection of at least one of the conductors of the connecting cable. For example, the contact section 60 can have the spring-clamp connection with at least one conductor clamping point for the electrical connection of at least one of the conductors of the connecting cable in an insertion direction E. The spring-clamp connection 6 can then preferably have a busbar section for establishing electrical contact with the at least one conductor in the connection space A. Likewise, the spring-clamp connection preferably also has a clamping spring with a movable clamping leg, which presses with a clamping edge towards the busbar section to form the conductor clamping point between them. The spring-clamp connection 6 is then designed accordingly for tool-free connection of the at least one conductor via the conductor clamping point.

[0049] The contact section 60 can also have a cutting contact with a cutting edge for cutting through an insulating material of the at least one conductor and for making electrical contact with the contact element with the at least one conductor.

[0050] The lower part of the housing 3 may preferably have a receiving section 30 for each contact element 6 for receiving and preferably for snapping the associated contact element 6.

[0051] Each contact element 6 further comprises a connection section 61 for tool-free and preferably also detachable connection with an electrical connection element 10 in order to electrically connect at least two of the contact elements 6 to each other, as e.g. from the Fig. 1 and 6 to 8 are visible.

[0052] For example, from the Fig. As can be seen in Figures 6 to 8, the contact section 60 and the connecting section 61 of a contact element 6 can be accessed from different sides of the contact element 6. In this embodiment, the contact sections 60 are accessible laterally from the insertion chamber 7, while the connecting sections are accessible from above. In the embodiment shown here, the respective receiving section has through-openings 31, 32 leading to the contact section 60 and the connecting section 61, respectively. Likewise, as shown, the housing 2 or the respective receiving section 30 can have release openings 33 through which a release tool can be provided for selectively releasing or opening the associated contact section 60 in order to disconnect a conductor of the connecting cable connected to it, if necessary.

[0053] The cable connection box 1 may preferably also have at least one electrical connecting element 10 with at least two contact sections 11 (cf. Fig. 9 as well Fig. 1 to 8). The connecting element 10 can preferably be designed such that each of its contact sections 11 can be connected to one of the other connecting sections 61 in order to electrically connect the contact elements 6 thus connected to each other. This is, for example, evident from the Fig. 6 and Fig. 7 can be seen, in which it can be seen that a connecting element 10 is arranged between the 1st and 2nd pole, one between the 2nd and 3rd pole, and one between the 4th and 5th pole in order to electrically connect these poles or their contact elements 6.

[0054] The connecting element 10 is preferably designed as a connecting tab. The connecting tab has a base section 12 that connects the contact sections 11 – preferably rigidly. An embodiment of the connecting element 10 is shown in Fig. 9 shown.

[0055] The connecting element 10 is preferably integral or one-piece. The connecting element 10 is preferably designed as a stamped-bent part and / or manufactured from a sheet or sheet material. This is also possible in Fig. 9 is illustrated by example.

[0056] The connecting section 61 can preferably be designed in such a way as to be optionally connected to a (cf. Fig. 1 to 7) or several (see below). Fig. 1 to 8) of the contact sections 11 - to be connected without tools and preferably also detachably. In Fig. Figure 8 shows two connecting elements 10 plugged together as a package of connecting elements 10 in the same plug configuration. From the Fig. Figures 1 to 7 also show that the connecting element 10 for connecting the 1st and 2nd poles and the connecting element for connecting the 2nd and 3rd poles are both inserted with one of their contacting sections 11 into the connecting section 61 of the contact element 6 of the 2nd pole.

[0057] The connecting section 61 may preferably have a sliding contact and / or a clamping contact, preferably a spring clamping contact.

[0058] The housing 2 can be a storage structure 36 (see e.g. Fig. 1, Fig. 6 and Fig. 7) which is designed to accommodate one or preferably several of the connecting elements 10 and thus keep them ready for use. The storage structure 36 serves solely as a kind of parking position for the connecting elements 10, in order to easily provide them in the cable connection box 1 and thus keep them readily accessible to a user.

[0059] Each of the contact elements 6 may preferably further have at least one contact part 8 for electrical connection with further electrical lines on an electrical device (not shown), as can be seen, for example, from the Fig. As can be seen in Figures 2 to 5. The contact parts 8 preferably protrude from the housing 2 and furthermore preferably from the same side of the housing 2 – here the lower housing part 3. The contact parts 8 can, as shown, have flat plug-in tabs. Alternatively or additionally, the contact parts 8 can also have solder pins, plug-in pins, and the like.

[0060] The cable connection box 1 can furthermore have an earthing contact 13, which is electrically connected to one or more of the contact elements 6 or – as shown here – to a further contact element 15, as is the case in particular with the Fig. 1 and Fig. 6 can be seen. The earthing contact 13 can preferably be formed integrally with the associated contact element - e.g. with one of the contact elements 6 or here the further contact element 15.

[0061] The present invention is not limited by the embodiment described above, provided that it is encompassed by the subject matter of the following claims.

Claims

[1] Cable connection box (1) for electrically connecting conductors of a connection cable to further electrical lines on an electrical device, comprising: a housing (2) with • a housing lower part (3) and a housing cover (4), which can optionally be closed to enclose a connection compartment (A) and can optionally be opened to expose the connection compartment (A) for connecting the conductors of the connecting cable, and • a cable gland (5) for routing the connecting cable into the connection compartment (A) in one routing direction (D), and at least two or more contact elements (6), each contact element (6) comprising: • a contact section (60) for tool-free connection of the conductors of the connecting cable to the contact element (6) for establishing electrical contact with the conductors of the connecting cable in the connection space (A), and • a connecting section (61) for tool-free and detachable connection with an electrical connecting element (10) in order to electrically connect at least two of the contact elements (6) together. [2] Cable connection box (1) according to the preceding claim, further comprising at least one electrical connection element (10) with at least two contact sections (11), wherein the connection element (10) is designed such that each of its contact sections (11) can be connected to one of the other connection sections (61) in order to electrically connect the contact elements (6) thus connected. [3] Cable connection box (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the connecting element (10) is designed as a connecting tab, with a base section (12) connecting the contacting sections (11). [4] Cable connection box (1) according to one of the two preceding claims, wherein the connecting element (10) is integral or one-piece formed, and / or wherein the connecting element (10) is formed as a stamped-bent part and / or is made from a sheet or sheet material. [5] Cable connection box (1) according to one of the three preceding claims, wherein the connection section (61) is designed to be optionally connected to one or more of the contacting sections (11). [6] Cable connection box (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the connection section (61) has a sliding contact and / or a clamping contact, preferably a spring clamping contact. [7] Cable connection box (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the contact section (60) and the connecting section (61) of a contact element (6) are accessible from different sides of the contact element (6). [8] Cable connection box (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the contact section (60) has a spring clamp connection with at least one conductor clamping point for electrical connection of at least one of the conductors of the connection cable in an insertion direction (E). [9] Cable junction box (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the contact section (60) has a cutting contact with a cutting edge for cutting an insulating material of the at least one conductor and for making electrical contact between the contact element and the at least one conductor. [10] Cable connection box (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the contact section (60) is designed for tool-free connecting and disconnecting of the conductors of the connection cable with the contact element (6) for making electrical contact with the conductors of the connection cable in the connection space (A) and separating them. [11] Cable connection box (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein each of the contact elements (6) further comprises at least one contact part (8) for electrical connection with further electrical lines on an electrical device, wherein the contact parts (8) preferably protrude from the housing (2) and further preferably from the same side of the housing (2). [12] Cable connection box (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein each of the contact elements (6) is formed integrally or in one piece, and / or wherein each of the contact elements (6) is formed as a stamped-bent part and / or is made from a sheet or sheet material. [13] Cable connection box (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the housing (2), viewed in the direction of passage (D), has an insertion space (7) for the insertion of the connection cable. [14] Cable connection box (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the contact elements (6) are arranged with respect to the insertion space (7): • viewed in the direction of insertion (D) behind the insertion chamber (7), and / or • are arranged laterally to the insertion space (7) with respect to the insertion direction (D), preferably on both sides of the insertion space (7). [15] Cable connection box (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the housing (2) further comprises a strain relief (9) for locking the connection cable passed through the cable entry (5) in the cable connection box (1).

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