Junction box for a data or communications network

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a connection socket for a data or communications network. DE 101 63 861 A1 is known from the prior art.

[0002] DE 10 2004 025 188 A1 discloses a junction box for a data or communications network with a housing having a lower housing part with a base surface and an upper housing part. A clamping device for at least one cable is provided on the lower housing part. A printed circuit board is arranged in the housing, on which circuit board at least one socket for receiving a plug is arranged. The upper housing part can be placed onto the lower housing part and can be secured to the lower housing part in several positions rotated relative to one another about an imaginary housing center axis. Such a junction box enables cable outlet in several directions.

[0003] The object of the invention is to provide a junction box which can be used more flexibly.

[0004] The object is achieved according to the invention by a connection box for a data or communication network having the features of patent claim 1.

[0005] Advantageous embodiments and further developments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims.

[0006] The connection box according to the invention for a data or communications network with a housing which has a lower housing part with a bottom surface and a housing upper part, wherein a clamping device for at least one cable is provided on the lower housing part, and wherein a printed circuit board is arranged in the housing, on which at least one socket for receiving a plug is arranged, wherein the upper housing part can be placed onto the lower housing part and can be fixed to the lower housing part in several positions rotated relative to one another about an imaginary housing central axis, is characterized in that a first support surface for the at least one cable and a second support surface for the at least one cable are arranged on the lower housing part, wherein the at least one cable can be clamped selectively to the first support surface or the second support surface by the clamping device,wherein the first support surface and the second support surface are arranged at an angle to each other, and wherein the second support surface (22) is arranged against the bottom surface (20a) of the housing lower part at an angle (β) between 20° and 70°.,

[0007] The clamping device usually provides strain relief for the connected cable.

[0008] The two support surfaces allow cable outlets at two different angles relative to the base of the housing base and thus, in particular, the housing. This allows the junction box to be used in a variety of installation situations. Before installation, the user can select the angle relative to the base and the direction relative to an imaginary housing center axis at which the cable should be connected. The junction box according to the invention thus allows twice as many possible cable outlets.

[0009] Preferably, the first support surface is arranged parallel to the bottom surface of the housing base. This allows for a cable outlet at an angle of 90° relative to the housing center axis.

[0010] Particularly preferably, the second support surface is arranged at an angle of between 40° and 50°, particularly preferably at an angle of approximately 45°, relative to the bottom surface of the housing base. Such an arrangement is particularly advantageous in cavity wall boxes, since the cable requires less bending at the cable outlet.

[0011] An advantageous development of the invention provides that the first support surface and / or the second support surface have a contact contour and / or a contact structure. A contact contour, for example in the form of a groove for inserting the cable, can facilitate the positioning of the cable on the corresponding support surface. A contact structure, for example in the form of knobs, teeth, or ribs running transversely to the longitudinal direction of the cable, can improve the cable's fixation.

[0012] The clamping device preferably has a contact contour and / or a contact structure. A contact contour, for example in the form of a groove for inserting the cable, can facilitate cable positioning. A contact structure, for example in the form of knobs, teeth, or ribs running transversely to the longitudinal direction of the cable, can improve cable fixation.

[0013] Advantageously, the clamping device can be secured with a screw. This type of fixation allows for the easy connection of cables of different diameters. The screw is preferably secured to the housing in a captive manner to prevent loss.

[0014] According to a further development of the invention in a first alternative, the clamping device has a first section with which the at least one cable can be fixed to the first support surface, and a second section with which the at least one cable can be fixed to the second support surface, wherein the first section and the second section are arranged at an angle to one another which corresponds in particular to the angle between the first support surface and the second support surface. In this embodiment, the clamping device can be used to fix the cable to both support surfaces without requiring a change in the position of the clamping device.

[0015] According to a further development of the invention in a second alternative, the clamping device is movable between a first position, in which the at least one cable can be fixed to the first support surface, and a second position, in which the at least one cable can be fixed to the second support surface. The clamping device can be designed, for example, as a pivotable flap or as a relocatable cover element. In this embodiment, the clamping device can be designed smaller than in the embodiment according to the first alternative, thereby saving material.

[0016] Advantageously, the clamping device has at least one projection, which is arranged in a first recess in the first position and in a second recess in the second position. Such a configuration allows the clamping device to be structurally simple in order to realize movement, in particular transfer, between two positions.

[0017] In an advantageous development of the invention, the recess is designed with an undercut and the projection has such a non-circular cross-section that the projection can only be inserted into the recess in one orientation relative to the recess. A user must therefore consciously transfer the clamping device into one orientation in which they can remove the clamping device from the recess and reinsert it into the other. This reduces the risk of the clamping device falling out of the recess.

[0018] According to a preferred embodiment, the screw is guided and movable in a groove. This simplifies the fixation of the clamping device with a single screw in both the first and second positions.

[0019] Particularly preferably, the upper housing part can be placed on the lower housing part and can be fixed to the lower housing part in at least four, preferably at least six, particularly preferably in eight, positions rotated relative to one another about an imaginary central housing axis in order to enable a cable outlet in a large number of different directions.

[0020] The invention is explained in detail with reference to the following figures. Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a housing lower part of a housing of a first embodiment of a junction box according to the invention, Figure 2 shows a plan view of the housing lower part according to Figure 1 , Figure 3 a plan view of the housing of the first embodiment of a junction box according to the invention with a clamping device in a second position, Figure 4 a perspective view of the housing according to Figure 3, Figure 5 a plan view of the housing of the first embodiment of a junction box according to the invention with the clamping device in a first position, Figure 6 a perspective view of the housing according to Figure 5 , Figure 7 the lower part of the housing according to Figure 6 without clamping device with a screw in a first position, Figure 8 the lower housing part of the housing according to Figure 5 without clamping device with the screw in a second position, Figure 9 a perspective view of the housing according to Figure 6 with two connected cables with the clamping device in the first position, Figure 10 a perspective view of the housing according to Figure 5 with two connected cables with the clamping device in the second position, Figure 11 a side view of the clamping device of the first embodiment of the junction box in particular according to the Figures 3 and 4 , Figure 12 a plan view of a clamping surface of the clamping device according to Figure 11 , Figure 13 a plan view of an outer surface of the clamping device according to Figure 11 , Figure 14 a plan view of the front side of the housing of the first embodiment of a junction box according to the invention, in particular according to Figure 3 , Figure 15 a perspective view of a housing lower part of a housing of a second embodiment of a junction box according to the invention, Figure 16 a plan view of the housing lower part according to Figure 15 , Figure 17 a side view of the housing base according to Figure 15 , Figure 18 a plan view of an outer surface of the clamping device of the second embodiment of the junction box, in particular according to Figure 22 , Figure 19 a side view of the clamping device according to Figure 18 , Figure 20 a plan view of a clamping surface of the clamping device according to Figure 18 , Figure 21 a further perspective view of the housing base according to Figure 15, Figure 22 a perspective view of a housing of the second embodiment of a junction box according to the invention with a clamping device arranged thereon, Figure 23 a plan view of the housing according to Figure 22 , Figure 24 a perspective view of the housing according to Figure 22 with two connected cables when placed on a first support surface, Figure 25 a perspective view of the housing according to Figure 22 with two connected cables when placed against a second support surface, Figure 26 a plan view of the front side of the housing of the second embodiment of a junction box according to the invention, in particular according to Figure 22 and Figure 27 a side view of the housing according to Figure 26 .

[0021] The Figures 1 to 14 show various views, partly only of components, of a first embodiment of a connection box 10 for a data or communication network. Figures 15 to 27show various views, some of which show only components, of a second exemplary embodiment of a connection box 10 for a data or communications network. Unless otherwise stated, the following description refers to both exemplary embodiments. The same reference numerals denote the same or functionally identical parts. For clarity, not all reference numerals are shown in all figures.

[0022] The junction box 10 has a housing 15, which comprises a lower housing part 20 with a bottom surface 20a and a housing upper part 30 (see, for example, Figures 3 and 4 or Figure 22 ). A printed circuit board is arranged in the housing 15, on which at least one socket 42, in the present embodiment two sockets 42, is arranged, each for receiving a plug. The socket 42 is accessible in particular through an opening 41 in the upper housing part 40 (cf. Figure 14 or Figure 26). Inside the housing 15, the individual wires of at least one cable 50, in this case two cables 50, can be electrically connected to the individual contacts of the socket 42 via connecting contacts in a manner known per se. For this purpose, the cable(s) 50 are guided into the interior of the housing 15 through an opening 29 in the lower housing part 20, in particular in the bottom surface 20a of the lower housing part 20.

[0023] A clamping device 30 for the at least one cable 50, in this case for the two cables 50, is provided on the housing base 20. The clamping device 30 functions in particular as a strain relief for the at least one cable 50. For this purpose, the cable 50 is clamped between the clamping device 30 and the housing base 20.

[0024] The housing base 20 has a first support surface 21 for the at least one cable 50 and a second support surface 22 for the at least one cable 50. The at least one cable 50 can be clamped selectively to the first support surface 21 or to the second support surface 22 by the clamping device 30, wherein the first support surface 21 and the second support surface 22 are arranged at an angle α other than 0° to one another (cf. Figure 17 ). Depending on whether the at least one cable 50 is connected to the first support surface 21 (see Figure 9 or Figure 24 ) or on the second support surface 22 (cf. Figure 10 or Figure 25 ), two different cable outlet directions result. The angle α can be in particular between 110° and 150°, preferably between 130° and 140°, particularly preferably approximately 135°, measured between the two support surfaces 21, 22.

[0025] The first support surface 21 can be arranged parallel to the bottom surface 20a of the housing lower part 20 (see in particular Figure 1 or Figure 15 ).

[0026] The first support surface 21 can have a contact contour 23a, for example in the form of a groove for the at least one cable 50 or also in the form of two grooves, in particular approximately parallel, for the two cables 50. The contact contour 23a can, on the one hand, facilitate the positioning of the cable(s) 50 on the first support surface 21. On the other hand, the contact contour 23a can define the direction in which the cable(s) 50 are guided away from the housing on the base surface 20a, i.e., the direction of the cable exit.

[0027] The first support surface 21 can have a contact structure 24a, for example in the form of knobs, teeth or ribs running transversely to the longitudinal direction of the cable 50, which can improve the fixation of the cable 50 in the clamped state.

[0028] The second support surface 22 is arranged inclined at an angle β relative to the bottom surface 20a of the housing lower part 20, wherein the angle β is in particular between 20° and 70°, preferably between 40° and 50°, particularly preferably approximately 45°, wherein the acute angle β between the second support surface 22 and the bottom surface 20a is regarded as the inclination of the second support surface 22 relative to the bottom surface 20a (see Figure 17 ). The contact surface 22 can, for example, be formed on a correspondingly shaped projection 25 arranged on the bottom surface 20a.

[0029] The second support surface 22, like the first support surface 21, can have a contact contour 23b, for example in the form of a groove for the at least one cable 50 or also in the form of two grooves, in particular approximately parallel, for the two cables 50. The contact contour 23b can, on the one hand, facilitate the positioning of the cable(s) 50 on the first support surface 21. On the other hand, the contact contour 23b can define the direction in which the cable(s) 50 are guided away from the housing on the base surface 20a, i.e., the direction of the cable exit.

[0030] The first support surface 21, like the first support surface 21, can have a contact structure 24b, for example in the form of knobs, teeth or ribs running transversely to the longitudinal direction of the cable 50, which can improve the fixation of the cable 50 in the clamped state.

[0031] The clamping device 30 can have at least one plate-shaped section which is arranged approximately parallel to the corresponding support surface 21, 22 in order to clamp the at least one cable 50 between the clamping device 30 and the corresponding support surface 21, 22.

[0032] The clamping device 30 can also have a contact contour 33, for example in the form of a groove for the at least one cable 50 or in the form of two grooves, in particular approximately parallel, for the two cables 50. The contact contour 33 can, on the one hand, facilitate the positioning of the cable(s) 50. On the other hand, the contact contour 33 can define the direction in which the cable(s) 50 are guided away from the housing on the base surface 20a, i.e., the direction of the cable exit.Preferably formed in the contact contour 33 such that when the cable 50 rests against the first contact surface 21, the groove of the clamping device 30 and the groove of the first contact surface 21 almost completely enclose the cable 50 to be fixed and correspondingly when the cable 50 rests against the second contact surface 22, the groove of the clamping device 30 and the groove of the second contact surface 22 also almost completely enclose the cable 50 to be fixed (see for example. Figure 4 and Figure 10 or Figure 22 and Figure 25 ).

[0033] The clamping device 30 can also have a contact structure (not shown), for example in the form of knobs, teeth or ribs running transversely to the longitudinal direction of the cable 50, which can improve the fixation of the cable 50 in the clamped state.

[0034] The clamping device 30 can be fixed to the housing base 20 by means of a screw 35 (see Figures 7 and8 or Figure 21 ).

[0035] In the connection box 10 according to the second embodiment, the clamping device 30 has a first section 31, with which the at least one cable 50 can be fixed to the first support surface 21, and a second section 32, with which the at least one cable 50 can be fixed to the second support surface 22, wherein the first section 31 and the second section 32 are arranged at an angle γ to one another, which corresponds in particular to the angle α between the first support surface 21 and the second support surface 22 (see Figures 19 and Figures 24 and 25 ). The clamping device 30 can thus clamp the cable 50 to both the first support surface 21 and the second support surface 22 without the alignment of the clamping device 30 relative to the housing base 20 having to be changed, apart from the distance to the bottom surface 20a of the housing base 20 (cf. Figures 24 and Figures 25 ). In order to define the orientation of the clamping device 30 relative to the housing base 20, a projection 36 can be arranged on the clamping device 30, which projection can be inserted, in particular in a form-fitting manner, into a recess 26, which is arranged in particular on the bottom surface 20a of the housing base 20 (cf. for example Figure 23 ). In this way, it can be ensured that the clamping device 30 is always arranged in the same orientation relative to the housing base 20, even after removal and re-attachment.

[0036] In the junction box 10 according to the second embodiment, the clamping device 30 is movable between a first position (see Figures 5, 6 and 9 ), in which the at least one cable 50 can be fixed to the first support surface 21, and a second position (see Figures 3, 4 and 10), in which the at least one cable 50 can be fixed to the second support surface. The movement can be a pivoting movement, for example, if the clamping device 30 is designed in the manner of a flap and is arranged to be pivotable about a pivot axis between the two positions. In the present exemplary embodiment, the movement is a transfer movement, i.e. the clamping device 30 can be fastened at one point on the junction box 10 in which it can be brought into the first position, and alternatively the clamping device can be fastened at another point on the junction box 10 in which it can be brought into the second position.

[0037] As in the Figures 11 to 13As can be seen, the clamping device 30 can be designed as a substantially rectangular plate-like element. The clamping device 30 can have at least one projection 36, which in the first position is in a first recess 26a (see in particular Figure 5 ) and in the second position in a second recess (see in particular Figure 3 ) 26b is arranged. In particular, the clamping device 30 can have two projections 36. The projections 36 can be pin-shaped and can be arranged in particular in alignment on opposite side edges of the clamping device 30 (cf. in particular Figures 12 and 13 ), whereby they can also form a pivot axis. In particular, the clamping device 30 can be pivoted about the projections 36 in both the first recess 26a and the second recess 26b.

[0038] As particularly in Figure 1As can be seen, the recess 26a, 26b can be designed with an undercut 27 and the projection 36 can have such a non-circular cross-section (cf. Figure 11 ), that the projection 36 can only be inserted into the recess 26a, 26b in one orientation relative to the recess 26a, 26b. The non-circular cross-section of the projection 36 can be formed, for example, by providing a flattened portion 36a, preferably two parallel flattened portions 36a, on the otherwise circular-cylindrical projection 36 (cf. Figure 11 ).

[0039] After selecting the desired cable outlet, the cables 50 are thus placed on the first contact surface 21 or the second contact surface 22. Subsequently, the clamping device 30 with the projections 36 is inserted into the first recess 26a for the first contact surface 21 or the second recess 26b for the second contact surface 22, wherein, for example, the clamping device 30 is aligned with its plate-like element approximately perpendicular to the base surface 20a of the lower housing part 20. Finally, the clamping device 30 is pivoted about the projections 36 into the corresponding position for clamping the cables 50 to the corresponding contact surface 21, 22. In this position, the clamping device 30 can be fixed by means of the screw 35.

[0040] If the at least one cable 50 rests against the first contact surface 21, the present embodiments result in a cable outlet of approximately 90° relative to a housing center axis A, which is arranged perpendicular to the bottom surface 20a. If the at least one cable 50 rests against the second contact surface 22, the present embodiments result in a cable outlet of approximately 45° relative to the housing center axis A.

[0041] In order to enable the clamping device 30 to be fixed both in the first position and in the second position by a single screw 35, the screw 35 can be arranged so as to be guided and displaceable in a groove 28. Figure 7 shows the position of the screw for fixing the clamping device 30 in the first position, while Figure 8 represents the position of the screw 35 for fixing the clamping device 30 in the second position.

[0042] The upper housing part 40 can be placed onto the lower housing part 20 and can be secured to the lower housing part 20 in several positions rotated relative to one another about the housing center axis A. For this purpose, the upper housing part 40 and the lower housing part 20 have, for example, an outer contour in the shape of a regular N-gon, where N denotes the number of different positions. This makes it possible for the cable outlet to point in N different directions. Preferably, the upper housing part 40 can be secured to the lower housing part 20 in at least four, preferably at least six, and in the present embodiments in eight, positions rotated relative to one another about the housing center axis A. In combination with the two different inclinations for the cable outlet, eight different positions result in a total of sixteen different directions for the cable outlet of the at least one cable 50. List of reference symbols

[0043] 10 Junction box 15 Housing 20 Housing base 20a Base surface 21 First contact surface 22 Second contact surface 23a Contact contour 23b Contact contour 24a Contact structure 24b Contact structure 25 Projection 26 Recess 26a Recess 26b Recess 27 Undercut 28 Groove 29 Opening 30 Clamping device 31 First section 32 Second section 33 Contact contour 35 Screw 36 Projection 36a Flattening 40 Housing top 41 Opening 42 Socket 50 Cable AGoss center axis α Angle β Angle γ Angle

Claims

1. A connection box (10) for a data or communications network, comprising a housing (15) having a lower housing part (20) with a bottom surface (20a) and an upper housing part (40), wherein a clamping device (30) for at least one cable (50) is provided on the lower housing part (20), and wherein a printed circuit board is arranged in the housing (15), on which circuit board at least one socket (42) for receiving a plug is arranged, wherein the upper housing part (40) can be placed onto the lower housing part (20) and can be fixed to the lower housing part (20) in a plurality of positions rotated relative to one another about an imaginary housing center axis (A), wherein a first support surface (21) for the at least one cable (50) and a second support surface (22) for the at least one cable (50) are arranged on the lower housing part (20), wherein the at least one cable (50) can be clamped selectively to the first support surface (21) or the second support surface (22) by the clamping device (30), wherein the first support surface (21) and the second support surface (22) are arranged at an angle (α) to one another, characterized in that the second support surface (22) is arranged relative to the bottom surface (20a) of the lower housing part at an angle (β) between 20° and 70°.

2. The connection box according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first support surface (21) is arranged parallel to the bottom surface (20a) of the lower housing part (20).

3. The connection box according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second support surface (22) is arranged inclined relative to the bottom surface (20a) of the lower housing part at an angle (β) between 40° and 50°, particularly preferably at an angle (β) of approximately 45°.

4. The connection box according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first support surface (21) and / or the second support surface (22) have a contact contour (23a, 23b) and / or a contact structure (24a, 24b).

5. The connection box according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the clamping device (30) has a contact contour (33) and / or a contact structure.

6. The connection box according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the clamping device (33) can be fixed by means of a screw (35).

7. The connection box according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the clamping device (30) has a first section (31) with which the at least one cable (30) can be fixed to the first support surface (21), and a second section (32) with which the at least one cable (50) can be fixed to the second support surface (22), wherein the first section (31) and the second section (32) are arranged at an angle (γ) to one another, which corresponds in particular to the angle (α) between the first support surface (21) and the second support surface (22).

8. The connection box according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the clamping device (30) is movable between a first position in which the at least one cable (50) can be fixed to the first support surface (21) and a second position in which the at least one cable (50) can be fixed to the second support surface (22).

9. The connection box according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the clamping device (30) has at least one projection (36) which is arranged in a first recess (26a) in the first position and in a second recess (26b) in the second position.

10. The connection box according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the recess (26a, 26b) is designed with an undercut (27) and the projection (36) has a non-circular cross-section, such that the projection (36) can be inserted into the recess (26a, 26b) only in one orientation relative to the recess (26a, 26b).

11. The connection box according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the screw (35) is can be displaced in a guided manner in a groove (28).

12. The connection box according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the upper housing part (40) can be placed onto the lower housing part (20) and can be fixed to the lower housing part (20) in at least four, preferably at least six, particularly preferably in eight, positions rotated relative to one another about the imaginary housing center axis (A).