Device for electrically connecting at least two main conductors of a main cable

Abstract

The invention relates to a multi-phase clamping device (1) for electrically connecting at least two main conductors (4) of a main cable (2) with corresponding conductors (5) of a branch cable (3). The clamping device (1) has a clamping part associated with the main cable (2), which comprises a first housing shell (6) associated with at least one first main conductor (4) of the main cable (2) and a second housing shell (7) associated with at least one second main conductor (4) of the main cable (2). The clamping device (1) further comprises a clamping part associated with the branch cable (3), which has a first housing shell (8) associated with at least one first conductor (5) of the branch cable (3) and a second housing shell (9) associated with at least one second conductor (5) of the branch cable (3).Furthermore, the clamping device (1) has a contact element (10) which is arranged at least partially or in a section between the first housing shell (6) of the clamping part associated with the main cable (2) and the second housing shell (7) of the clamping part associated with the main cable (2), and extends into a section between the first housing shell (8) of the clamping part associated with the branch cable (3) and the second housing shell (9) of the clamping part associated with the branch cable (3). The contact element (10) is designed to optionally form an electrical connection between a main conductor of the main cable (2) and a conductor (5) of the branch cable (3).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a multi-phase clamping device for electrically connecting main conductors of a main cable to corresponding conductors of a branch cable. The invention further relates to a corresponding method for electrically connecting main conductors of a main cable to corresponding conductors of a branch cable.

[0002] Multiphase clamping devices of this type are available in various designs and are used, for example, to connect so-called branch cables to a main cable laid underground, which are used, for example, for a so-called house connection. Such connections must be possible without cutting the main cable, without interrupting the power supply, and without stripping the individual conductors (main conductors) of the main cable.

[0003] Furthermore, in this context, it is necessary that the corresponding work can be carried out in such a way that, on the one hand, reliable connections are made and, on the other hand, the fitter cannot come into contact with live parts for safety reasons.

[0004] A further requirement is that the security of the connection established in this way must be reliably guaranteed for very long periods of many years.

[0005] Such a branch terminal is known, for example, from the document DE 196 15 951 A1.

[0006] In the branch terminal or clamping device known from this prior art, four main conductors of a main cable are electrically connected to four branch conductors of a branch cable via contact elements. Typically, each individual branch conductor is placed near the corresponding main conductor, and the main conductors do not need to be stripped separately for contact.

[0007] Either a milling screw cuts through the individual main conductor insulation, or sheaths or teeth, such as pyramid teeth, are pressed through the insulation. The branch conductors can be stripped and contacted via a screw, or they can be left unstripped and contacted via sheaths or teeth penetrating the insulation. The sheaths or teeth serve as contact edges for penetrating the corresponding insulation of the main conductor of the main cable or the conductor of the branch cable.

[0008] In order to bring the individual branch conductors close to the corresponding main conductors, they must be individually cut to the correct length and shaped accordingly. This shaping of the branch conductors is disadvantageous because it usually requires twisting the branch conductors, which requires considerable force and time. In addition, shaping the branch conductors when they are placed around the main conductors results in a larger overall volume, which must be enclosed by a sleeve in a subsequent work step. This has a negative impact on costs because the volume of the sleeve increases and more potting compound, particularly cast resin, must be poured into the sleeve.

[0009] A conventional multi-phase clamping device 20 known from the prior art is shown schematically and in a cross-sectional view in FIG. 1 shown.

[0010] It is intended that four main conductors of the main cable, designed as sector conductors, and four conductors of the branch cable, also designed as sector conductors, are electrically connected to one another.

[0011] In the right area of ​​the FIG. 1 The clamping device 20 is shown in the open state, with a pair of contact pieces 21 at a maximum distance from each other. Pressure pieces 22 are inserted into the contact pieces 21, with the upper pressure piece 22 receiving the head 23 of a screw 24, which extends downward into the interior of the opposite pressure piece 22, which receives a screw nut 25. The screw 24 passes through a toothed wedge 26, the front cutting edges of which engage the main conductors of the main cable.

[0012] As in the right area of FIG. 1As indicated, the conductors of the branch cable can be inserted from the side and inserted into a trough-shaped bed of the toothed wedge 26 without having to remove the insulation of these conductors. Since the contact pieces 21 are designed as rocker parts, they can be pivoted transversely to the screw 24, thus providing sufficient space for inserting the conductors.

[0013] Although this lateral insertion of the branch cable conductors already facilitates installation, the method known from the prior art and used, for example, in FIG. 1 schematically and in a cross-sectional view shown clamping device 20, it cannot be avoided that the branch cable and in particular the conductors of the branch cable must be aligned and rotated accordingly in order to be able to be electrically connected to the corresponding main conductors of the main cable via the clamping device 20.

[0014] The invention is based on the object of providing a multi-phase clamping device that is simple and cost-effective to install. Furthermore, a corresponding method for electrically contacting the main conductors of a main cable with the conductors of a branch cable is to be provided.

[0015] With regard to the clamping device, the object underlying the invention is achieved by the subject matter of independent patent claim 1, wherein advantageous developments of the clamping device according to the invention are specified in the dependent claims.

[0016] With regard to the method, the object underlying the invention is achieved by the subject matter of the independent patent claim 14. An advantageous development of the method according to the invention is specified in dependent claim 15.

[0017] Accordingly, the present invention relates in particular to a multi-phase clamping device for electrically connecting at least two main conductors of a main cable to corresponding conductors of a branch cable, wherein the clamping device has a clamping part assigned to the main cable and a clamping part assigned to the branch cable. The clamping part assigned to the main cable has a first housing shell assigned to at least a first main conductor of the main cable and a second housing shell assigned to at least a second main conductor of the main cable. The clamping part assigned to the branch cable has a first housing shell assigned to at least a first conductor of the branch cable and a second housing shell assigned to at least a second conductor of the branch cable.

[0018] The clamping device according to the invention is characterized in particular by the fact that it comprises a contact element, particularly designed as a connecting plate, which is arranged at least partially or in regions between the first housing shell of the clamping part assigned to the main cable and the second housing shell of the clamping part assigned to the main cable, and extends into a region between the first housing shell of the clamping part assigned to the branch cable and the second housing shell of the clamping part assigned to the branch cable. The contact element is designed to selectively form an electrical connection between a main conductor of the main cable and a conductor of the branch cable.

[0019] The advantages achievable with the multi-phase clamping device according to the invention are obvious: unlike conventional branch terminals or clamping devices, in which electrical contact between the main conductors of the main cable and the conductors of the branch cable is made from the outside, the invention provides for such electrical contact, which can be established as needed, to be made from the inside, specifically via the contact element, which is designed in particular as a connecting plate. This internal contacting offers many advantages.

[0020] In particular, with the clamping device according to the invention, it is no longer necessary for the end region of the branch cable and in particular the end regions of the corresponding conductors of the branch cable to be aligned and rotated with respect to the clamping device in a generally complex manner in order to electrically connect the main conductors of a main cable to corresponding conductors of a branch cable. Rather, the solution according to the invention allows an end region of the branch cable to be arranged such that the end region of the branch cable and in particular the end regions of the conductors of the branch cable are / are parallel to and adjacent to the main cable.

[0021] This eliminates the need for laborious manual shaping of the branch cable conductors, saving effort and time when electrically connecting the main cable conductors to the branch cable conductors. Furthermore, the potential for errors is significantly reduced.

[0022] Another advantage is that contact is made on the straight surfaces of the sector-shaped conductor, rather than on the round outer surface. This allows for a significant increase in the contact area at the contact points.

[0023] Preferably, the clamping part associated with the main cable and the clamping part associated with the branch cable are arranged next to one another, wherein the contact element extends in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the clamping parts.

[0024] This design variant simplifies the installation of the multi-phase clamping device because, due to the arrangement of the clamping parts next to each other, the conductors of the main cable and the conductors of the branch cable can also be arranged next to each other, thus eliminating the need for time-consuming manual alignment and, if necessary, twisting of the conductors of the branch cable.

[0025] It is preferably provided that the housing shells of the clamping part assigned to the main cable can be pressed towards one another by at least one first screw, wherein furthermore the housing shells of the clamping part assigned to the branch cable can be pressed towards one another by at least one second screw.

[0026] This is a particularly easy-to-implement yet effective solution for establishing appropriate electrical contact between the contact element and the corresponding main conductor of the main cable, on the one hand, and the corresponding conductor of the branch cable, on the other. In combination with the fact that the clamping part assigned to the main cable and the clamping part assigned to the branch cable are arranged side by side, the first and second screws of the corresponding clamping parts of the clamping device according to the invention can be manipulated / tightened from one side. This significantly simplifies the assembly of the clamping device according to the invention.

[0027] Preferably, a longitudinal axis of the at least one first screw runs at least substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the at least one second screw.

[0028] According to a further aspect of the present invention, the clamping device is particularly designed for a main cable in which a cross-sectional area of ​​each main conductor of the main cable is circular segment-shaped or at least substantially circular segment-shaped. For example, if the main cable has a total of four main conductors, these main conductors would then have a quarter-circle segment shape in cross-section.

[0029] In this context, according to embodiment variants of the clamping device according to the invention, it is provided that the first housing shell assigned to the at least one first main conductor of the main cable has a receiving area which is at least partially or regionally complementary to the - seen in cross section - circular arc-shaped outer surface of the at least one first main conductor of the main cable, which is designed to at least partially or regionally receive the at least one first main conductor of the main cable.

[0030] Preferably, in addition to this, it is provided that the second housing shell assigned to the at least one second main conductor of the main cable has a receiving area which is at least partially or regionally complementary to the - seen in cross section - circular arc-shaped lateral surface of the at least one second main conductor of the main cable, which is designed to at least partially or regionally receive the at least one second main conductor of the main cable.

[0031] In this context, it is particularly suitable that the at least one first main conductor of the main cable is received or can be received in the at least one receiving area of ​​the first housing shell assigned to the at least one first main conductor of the main cable in such a way that the at least one first main conductor of the main cable rests on the contact element, which is designed in particular as a connecting plate, via a jacket surface which is - seen in cross section - in the shape of a circular arc or chord.

[0032] In the same way, it is suitable that the at least one second main conductor of the main cable is received or can be received in the at least one receiving area of ​​the second housing shell assigned to the at least one second main conductor of the main cable in such a way that the at least one second main conductor of the main cable rests on the contact element, which is designed in particular as a connecting plate, via a jacket surface which is - seen in cross section - in the shape of a circular arc or chord.

[0033] Alternatively or in addition to this aforementioned aspect, it is conceivable for a cross-sectional area of ​​each conductor of the branch cable to be circular segment-shaped or at least substantially circular segment-shaped. For example, if the branch cable has a total of four conductors, the cross-sectional area of ​​each conductor is quarter-circle-segment-shaped or at least substantially quarter-circle-segment-shaped.

[0034] In this context, it is advisable for the first housing shell assigned to the at least one first conductor of the branch cable to have a receiving area which is at least partially or regionally complementary to the - seen in cross section - circular arc-shaped outer surface of the at least one first conductor of the branch cable, which receiving area is designed to at least partially or regionally receive the at least one first conductor of the branch cable.

[0035] At the same time, it is advantageous that the second housing shell assigned to the at least one second conductor of the branch cable has a receiving area which is at least partially or regionally complementary to the - seen in cross section - circular arc-shaped outer surface of the at least one second conductor of the branch cable, which receiving area is designed to at least partially or regionally receive the at least one second conductor of the branch cable.

[0036] In this context, according to further developments of the clamping device according to the invention, it is provided in particular that the at least one first conductor of the branch cable is received or can be received in the at least one receiving area of ​​the first housing shell assigned to the at least one first conductor of the branch cable in such a way that the at least one first conductor of the branch cable rests on the contact element, which is designed in particular as a connecting plate, via a jacket surface which is - seen in cross section - in the shape of an arc of a circle or a chord of a circle.

[0037] At the same time, the at least one second conductor of the branch cable should be received or receivable in the at least one receiving area of ​​the second housing shell assigned to the at least one second conductor of the branch cable in such a way that the at least one second conductor of the branch cable rests on the contact element, which is designed in particular as a connecting plate, via a jacket surface which is - seen in cross section - in the shape of a circular arc or chord.

[0038] Because, in the aforementioned embodiments of the clamping device according to the invention, contact between the contact element, which is particularly designed as a connecting plate, and the corresponding conductor / main conductor of the main cable or branch cable is established via a corresponding circular-arc or chord-shaped outer surface of the corresponding conductor / main conductor, this effectively prevents the need for electrical contact with the corresponding conductor or main conductor in a circular area, i.e., in an area of ​​the circular-arc-shaped outer surface of the conductor / main conductor. This increases contact reliability.

[0039] According to preferred embodiments of the clamping device according to the invention, it is provided that the contact element, which is designed in particular as a connecting plate, has contact cutting edges in some areas for penetrating the insulation of the main conductors of the main cable and / or for penetrating the insulation of the conductors of the branch cable.

[0040] In particular in this context, it is conceivable that the contact element, which is designed in particular as a connecting plate, has first contact edges in a first region of the contact element for penetrating the insulation of a first main conductor of the main cable and second contact edges in a second region of the contact element for penetrating the insulation of a first conductor of the branch cable.

[0041] The contact element, which is designed in particular as a connecting plate, should have third contact edges in a third region of the contact element for penetrating the insulation of a second main conductor of the main cable and fourth contact edges in a fourth region of the contact element for penetrating the insulation of a second conductor of the branch cable.

[0042] In this context, it is preferably provided that the first and second regions of the contact element are electrically insulated from the third and fourth regions of the contact element.

[0043] According to a particularly preferred embodiment of the contact element of the clamping device according to the invention, which is designed in particular as a connecting plate, it is provided that the contact element, which is designed in particular as a connecting plate, is designed as a laminate or layer or segment body and has a plurality of disc-shaped or plate-shaped contact elements extending in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal extension direction of the clamping parts of the clamping device.

[0044] In particular, according to a preferred implementation of the contact element, which is designed in particular as a connecting plate, the laminate, layer, or segment body constituting the contact element is formed by first disc- or plate-shaped contact elements and second disc- or plate-shaped contact elements. The first disc- or plate-shaped contact elements can have contact edges that serve to penetrate the insulation of a main conductor of the main cable and the insulation of a conductor of the branch cable, thus forming a current bridge between the main conductor of the main cable and the conductor of the branch cable.

[0045] On the other hand, the second disc- or plate-shaped contact elements can be designed without contact edges and serve to separate two adjacent first disc- or plate-shaped contact elements.

[0046] According to a further aspect of the present invention, the clamping device according to the invention further comprises a sleeve surrounding the clamping device, into which a casting compound, in particular casting resin, can be introduced or is introduced.

[0047] Due to the special embodiment of the clamping device according to the invention, the corresponding sleeve surrounding the clamping device can be designed to be particularly flat and in particular small, as a result of which the volume defined by the sleeve, which is to be filled with a casting compound, in particular casting resin, is particularly small.

[0048] The invention further relates to a method for electrically connecting at least two main conductors and preferably four main conductors of a main cable with at least two conductors and preferably four conductors of a branch cable.

[0049] The method according to the invention provides in particular the following method steps:Providing a clamping device of the aforementioned type according to the invention; arranging an end region of the branch cable such that the end region of the branch cable and in particular the end regions of the conductors of the branch cable are / are parallel to and adjacent to the main cable; accommodating at least one main conductor of the at least two main conductors of the main cable and preferably two main conductors of the preferably four main conductors of the main cable in the first and second housing shells of the clamping part assigned to the main cable; accommodating at least one conductor of the at least two conductors of the branch cable and preferably two conductors of the preferably four conductors of the branch cable in the first and second housing shells of the clamping part assigned to the branch cable;Positioning the contact element, which is designed in particular as a connecting plate, between the main conductors of the main cable accommodated in the first and second housing shells and the conductors of the branch cable accommodated in the first and second housing shells; and pressing the housing shells of the clamping part assigned to the main cable and the housing shells of the clamping part assigned to the branch cable together.

[0050] In particular, it is provided in this context that when arranging the end region of the branch cable, the end regions of the conductors of the branch cable are not twisted with respect to a longitudinal extension direction of the branch cable.

[0051] The invention further relates to a sleeve for a clamping device of the type described above. The sleeve according to the invention is characterized in that it enables particularly simple assembly due to the reduced space requirement enabled by the clamping device according to the invention, thereby also reducing costs.

[0052] The sleeve according to the invention comprises a sleeve housing with sealable cable insertion openings and at least one filling opening for a casting compound. The sleeve housing has a shape that engages or is adapted to the clamping part associated with the main cable and the clamping part associated with the branch cable.

[0053] Of course, the joint housing could surround the clamping device and the corresponding cable sections of the main cable and the branch cable at a distance, as is the case with known joints. However, the solution according to the invention, and in particular the clamping device according to the invention, is also characterized in particular by the fact that significantly shorter cable sections are required, on which the cable cores must be exposed in order to be able to apply the clamping device. Consequently, a considerable space saving compared to known joints and thus a reduction in the costs for the joint housing and the potting compound to be filled into it are achieved.

[0054] A particularly small space requirement and in particular also a simple assembly due to the self-positioning of the sleeve housing with respect to the clamping parts of the clamping device can be achieved if a first region extending in a longitudinal direction of the sleeve housing and a second region arranged parallel to the first region and also extending in the longitudinal direction of the sleeve housing are formed in the sleeve housing, wherein the first region has a spatial geometry adapted to receive the clamping part assigned to the main cable and the second region has a spatial geometry adapted to receive the clamping part assigned to the branch cable.

[0055] In this context, it is particularly advisable for the first and second areas of the sleeve housing to be at least substantially identical.

[0056] According to implementations of the sleeve according to the invention, the first region of the sleeve housing is cylindrical in shape, at least in part, and in particular circular in shape (inner diameter). Alternatively or additionally, the second region of the sleeve housing is also cylindrical in shape, at least in part, and in particular circular in shape (inner diameter).

[0057] Of course, other designs for the first and second areas of the sleeve housing are also possible, depending on the geometry of the clamping parts of the clamping device.

[0058] According to preferred embodiments of the sleeve according to the invention, it is provided that the first region of the sleeve housing is connected via a first channel region to a first cable insertion opening of the sleeve housing and via an opposite second channel region to a second cable insertion opening of the sleeve housing.

[0059] In the same way, it is preferred that the second region of the sleeve housing is connected to a third cable insertion opening of the sleeve housing via a third channel region.

[0060] In particular, it is provided that the cylindrical region of the first region of the sleeve housing transitions into the first and second channel regions via a tapered, in particular conically tapered, transition region. Similarly, it is conceivable that the cylindrical region of the second region of the sleeve housing transitions into the third channel region via a tapered, in particular conically tapered, transition region.

[0061] The first and second channel sections have a spatial geometry adapted to the outer circumference of the main cable. On the other hand, the third channel section has a spatial geometry adapted to the outer circumference of the branch cable.

[0062] It is particularly preferred that the sleeve housing is designed in two parts and has an upper shell and a lower shell, which can be connected to one another to form the sleeve housing, in particular via a snap-in or clip connection or via a slide.

[0063] The sleeve according to the invention is described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0064] The invention is described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0065] They show: FIG. 1 schematically and in a cross-sectional view, a clamping device generally known from the prior art for electrically connecting four main conductors of a main cable with corresponding (four) conductors of a branch cable; FIG. 2 schematically and in an isometric view, an exemplary embodiment of the clamping device according to the invention, which serves for electrically connecting a total of four main conductors of a main cable with corresponding four conductors of a branch cable; FIG. 3 schematically and in an isometric first cross-sectional view, the exemplary embodiment of the clamping device according to the invention according to FIG. 2 ; FIG. 4 schematically and in an isometric second cross-sectional view the exemplary embodiment of the clamping device according to the invention according to FIG. 2, without screws penetrating an insulator; FIG. 5 schematically and in a third isometric cross-sectional view the exemplary embodiment of the clamping device according to the invention according to FIG. 2 ; FIG. 6 schematically and in a fourth isometric cross-sectional view the exemplary embodiment of the clamping device according to the invention according to FIG. 2 ; FIG. 7A schematically and in an isometric view an exemplary embodiment of the sleeve according to the invention; FIG. 7B schematically and in a side view the exemplary embodiment of the sleeve according to the invention according to FIG. 7A ; FIG. 7C schematically and in a plan view the exemplary embodiment of the sleeve according to the invention according to FIG. 7A ; and FIG. 7D schematically and in a sectional view the exemplary embodiment of the sleeve according to the invention according to FIG. 7A .

[0066] In FIG. 1is shown schematically and in a cross-sectional view a clamping device 20 generally known from the prior art for electrically connecting a total of four main conductors of a main cable with corresponding four conductors of a branch cable.

[0067] The situation for connecting the conductors of a main cable to the conductors of a branch cable using a clamping device known from the prior art is described in FIG. 1 shown schematically. One can see four conductors 4 of the main cable 2, designed as sector conductors, and four conductors 5 of the branch cable 3, also designed as sector conductors. In the right area of ​​the FIG. 1The clamping device 20 is shown in the open state, with a pair of contact pieces 21 at a maximum distance from each other. Pressure pieces 22 are inserted into the contact pieces 21, with the upper pressure piece 22 receiving the head 23 of a screw 24, which extends downward into the interior of the opposite pressure piece 22, which receives a screw nut 25. The screw 24 passes through a toothed wedge 26, the front cutting edges of which engage the conductors 5.

[0068] As in the right area of FIG. 1As indicated, the conductors 5 of the branch cable 3 can be inserted from the side and inserted into a trough-shaped bed 27 of the toothed wedge 26 without the insulation of these conductors 5 having to be removed. Since the contact pieces 21 are designed as rocker parts, they can be pivoted transversely to the screw 24, so that sufficient space is available for the insertion of the conductors 5. This lateral insertion of the conductors 5 of the branch cable 3 facilitates assembly.

[0069] In the left area of FIG. 1 The two conductors 5 of the branch cable 3 have both been inserted into the corresponding trough-shaped bed 27 of the toothed wedge 26. The screw 24 has already been partially tightened, such that the distance between the pair of contact pieces 21 has been reduced and the screw 24 has been screwed into the nut 25.

[0070] For this purpose, a screw 24 with a cylindrical head 23 with an inner edge is expediently used, since this head 23 can then be easily accommodated in the interior of the pressure piece 22.

[0071] A spacer wedge 28 is inserted in a central plane and separates the conductors 4 of the main cable 2 into two groups. The two toothed wedges 26 are driven in from opposite sides and separate the two conductor groups from each other. The lateral driving in of the toothed wedges 26 is limited by the spacer wedge 28.

[0072] The following is based on the illustrations in FIG. 2 to FIG. 6 An exemplary embodiment of the multi-phase clamping device 1 according to the invention is described in more detail. The exemplary embodiment of the clamping device 1 according to the invention serves to electrically connect corresponding main conductors 4 of a main cable 2 to corresponding conductors 5 of a branch cable 3.

[0073] In the drawings ( FIG. 2 to FIG. 6 ) shown exemplary embodiment of the clamping device 1 according to the invention, this serves in particular for the electrical connection of a total of four main conductors 4 of a main cable 2 with corresponding four conductors 5 of a branch cable 3.

[0074] As is particularly the case with the cross-sectional representation in FIG. 3 can be seen, a cross-sectional area of ​​each conductor 4 of the main cable 2 is quarter-circle-segment-shaped or at least substantially quarter-circle-segment-shaped.

[0075] Furthermore, for example, the cross-sectional view in FIG. 3 It can be seen that a cross-sectional area of ​​each conductor 5 of the branch cable 3 is also designed in the shape of a quarter-circle segment or at least essentially in the shape of a quarter-circle segment.

[0076] In brief, the clamping device 1 according to the invention, which is shown in an exemplary embodiment in FIG. 2 to FIG. 6 As shown schematically, it comprises a clamping part associated with the main cable 2 and a clamping part associated with the branch cable 3. The clamping part associated with the main cable 2 has a first housing shell 6 associated with a first and second main conductor 4 of the main cable 2 and a second housing shell 7 associated with a third and fourth main conductor 4 of the main cable 2.

[0077] On the other hand, the clamping part associated with the branch cable 3 has a first housing shell 8 associated with a first and second conductor 5 of the branch cable 3 and a second housing shell 9 associated with a third and fourth conductor 5 of the branch cable 3.

[0078] In addition, the clamping device 1 according to the invention has a contact element 10, which is designed in particular as a connecting plate and which is arranged at least partially or in regions between the first housing shell 6 of the clamping part assigned to the main cable 2 and the second housing shell 7 of the clamping part assigned to the main cable 2 and extends into a region between the first housing shell 8 of the clamping part assigned to the branch cable 3 and the second housing shell 9 of the clamping part assigned to the branch cable 3.

[0079] The contact element 10 is designed to optionally form an electrical connection of a main conductor 4 of the main cable 2 with a conductor 5 of the branch cable 3, as will be described in more detail below.

[0080] In particular, the structure shown in the drawings ( FIG. 2 to FIG. 6) is characterized in that the clamping part assigned to the main cable 2 and the clamping part assigned to the branch cable 3 are arranged next to one another and preferably in a horizontal plane, wherein the contact element 10 extends in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal extension direction of the clamping parts.

[0081] The representations in FIG. 2 to FIG. 5 It can also be seen that the housing shells 6, 7 of the clamping part assigned to the main cable 2 can be pressed towards one another by a first screw 11, and that the housing shells 8, 9 of the clamping part assigned to the branch cable 3 can be pressed towards one another by a second screw 12.

[0082] In particular, in this context it is provided that a longitudinal extension axis of the first screw 11 runs at least substantially parallel to a longitudinal extension axis of the second screw 12.

[0083] As already mentioned at the beginning, the FIG. 2 to FIG. 6 schematically illustrated exemplary embodiment of the clamping device 1 according to the invention, it is provided that a cross-sectional area of ​​each main conductor 4 of the main cable 2 is circular segment-shaped or at least substantially circular segment-shaped and in particular quarter-circle segment-shaped or at least substantially quarter-circle segment-shaped.

[0084] It is provided that the first (upper) housing shell 6 assigned to the two main conductors 4 of the main cable 2 has a receiving area that is at least partially or partially complementary to the circular-arc-shaped outer surface of the first or second main conductor 4 of the main cable 2, as seen in cross-section. The receiving area is designed to at least partially or partially accommodate the corresponding main conductor 4 of the main cable 2.

[0085] On the other hand, the second housing shell 7 assigned to the third or fourth main conductor 4 of the main cable 2 has a receiving area which is at least partially or regionally complementary to the - seen in cross section - circular arc-shaped outer surface of the third or fourth main conductor 4 of the main cable 2, which is designed to at least partially or regionally receive the third or fourth main conductor 4 of the main cable 2.

[0086] It is provided that the first and second main conductors 4 of the main cable 2 are received in the corresponding receiving area of ​​the first housing shell 6 assigned to the main conductor 4 of the main cable 2 in such a way that the first and second main conductors 4 of the main cable 2 are received by the contact element 10, which is designed in particular as a connecting plate, via a lateral surface which is chord-shaped or arcuate in cross section.

[0087] Furthermore, it is provided that the third and fourth main conductors 4 of the main cable 2 are received in the corresponding receiving area of ​​the second housing shell 7 assigned to the third and fourth main conductors 4 of the main cable 2 in such a way that the third and fourth main conductors 4 of the main cable 2 are received by the contact element 10, which is designed in particular as a connecting plate, via a - seen in cross section - circular arc-shaped or chord-shaped jacket surface.

[0088] In the same way, a cross-sectional area of ​​each conductor 5 of the branch cable 3 is designed in particular in the shape of a quarter-circle segment or at least substantially in the shape of a quarter-circle segment.

[0089] In this case, FIG. 2 to FIG. 6In the exemplary embodiment of the clamping device 1 according to the invention shown, it is provided that the first housing shell 8 assigned to the first and second conductors 5 of the branch cable 3 has a receiving area which is at least partially or regionally complementary to the - seen in cross section - circular arc-shaped outer surface of the first and second conductors 5 of the branch cable 3, which receiving area is designed to at least partially or regionally receive the first and second conductors 5 of the branch cable 3.

[0090] On the other hand, the second housing shell 9 assigned to the third and fourth conductors 5 of the branch cable 3 has a receiving area which is at least partially or regionally complementary to the - seen in cross section - circular arc-shaped outer surface of the third or fourth conductor 5 of the branch cable 3, which is designed to at least partially or regionally receive the third and fourth conductors 5 of the branch cable 3.

[0091] In this context, it is provided in particular that the first and second conductors 5 of the branch cable 3 are received in the at least one receiving area of ​​the first housing shell 8 assigned to the first and second conductors 5 of the branch cable 3 in such a way that the first and second conductors 5 of the branch cable 3 are received by the contact element 10, which is designed in particular as a connecting plate, via a - seen in cross section - circular arc-shaped or chord-shaped outer surface.

[0092] In the same way, the one shown in the drawings ( FIG. 2 to FIG. 6) shown exemplary embodiment of the clamping device 1 according to the invention, it is provided that the third and fourth conductors 5 of the branch cable 3 are received in the at least one receiving area of ​​the second housing shell 9 assigned to the third and fourth conductors 5 of the branch cable 3 in such a way that the third and fourth conductors 5 of the branch cable 3 are received by the contact element 10, which is designed in particular as a connecting plate, via a - seen in cross section - circular arc-shaped or chord-shaped outer surface.

[0093] With regard to the contact element 10, which is designed in particular as a connecting plate, FIG. 2 to FIG. 6 In the exemplary embodiment of the clamping device 1 according to the invention shown, it is provided that this contact element 10 has contact cutting edges 13 in some areas for penetrating the insulation of the main conductors 4 of the main cable 2 and / or for penetrating the insulation of the conductors 5 of the branch cable 3.

[0094] In particular, the design shown in the drawings ( FIG. 2 to FIG. 6 ) shown exemplary embodiment of the clamping device 1 according to the invention, that the contact element 10, which is designed in particular as a connecting plate, is designed as a laminate body and has a plurality of disc-shaped or plate-shaped contact elements extending in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the clamping parts.

[0095] Specifically, the laminate body is formed by first disc- or plate-shaped contact elements and second disc- or plate-shaped contact elements. The first disc- or plate-shaped contact elements have contact edges 13, which serve to penetrate the insulation of a main conductor 4 of the main cable 2 and the insulation of a conductor 5 of the branch cable 3, thus forming a current bridge between the main conductor 4 of the main cable 2 and the conductor 5 of the branch cable 3.

[0096] On the other hand, the second disc- or plate-shaped contact elements of the laminate body are designed without contact edges 13 and serve to separate two adjacent first disc- or plate-shaped contact elements.

[0097] The invention is not limited to the FIG. 2 to FIG. 6schematically illustrated embodiment of the clamping device 1 according to the invention, but results from a synopsis of all features disclosed herein.

[0098] In particular, it is conceivable that the clamping device 1 according to the invention further comprises a sleeve 30 surrounding the clamping device 1, into which casting resin can be or is introduced.

[0099] The following is based on the illustrations in FIGS. 7A to 7D an exemplary embodiment of the sleeve 30 according to the invention is described in more detail.

[0100] Specifically, the sleeve 30 comprises a sleeve housing 31 with sealable cable insertion openings 32, 33, 34 and at least one filling opening 35 for casting resin. The sleeve housing 31 has a shape that engages and adapts to the clamping part associated with the main cable 2 and the clamping part associated with the branch cable 3.

[0101] As can be seen in particular from the sectional view FIG. 7D As can be seen, the sleeve housing 31 is formed with a first region 36 extending in a longitudinal direction of the sleeve housing 31 and a second region 37 arranged parallel to the first region 36 and also extending in the longitudinal direction of the sleeve housing 31. In the exemplary embodiment of the sleeve 30 according to the invention shown in the drawings, the first and second regions 36, 37 of the sleeve housing 31 are designed to be at least substantially identical.

[0102] The first region 36 of the sleeve housing 31 has a spatial geometry adapted to accommodate the clamping part assigned to the main cable 2.

[0103] On the other hand, the second region 37 of the sleeve housing 31 has a spatial geometry adapted to receive the clamping part associated with the branch cable 3.

[0104] The sectional view in FIG. 7D It can also be seen that the first and second regions 36, 37 of the sleeve housing 31 are cylindrical, at least in part or in section, and in particular circular-cylindrical.

[0105] According to the side view FIG. 7B It can be seen that the first region 36 of the sleeve housing 31 is connected via a first channel region 39 to a first cable insertion opening 32 of the sleeve housing 31 and via an opposite second channel region 40 to a second cable insertion opening 33 of the sleeve housing 31. The cylindrical region or section of the first region 36s of the sleeve housing 31 merges into the first and second channel regions 39, 40 via a tapered, in particular conically tapered, transition region 38.

[0106] The first and second channel areas 39, 40 of the sleeve housing 31 have a spatial geometry adapted to the outer circumference of the main cable 2.

[0107] The top view according to FIG. 7C and the isometric view according to FIG. 7A It can be seen that the second region 37 of the sleeve housing 31 is connected to a third cable insertion opening 34 of the sleeve housing 31 via a third channel region 41, wherein the cylindrical region of the second region 37 of the sleeve housing 31 merges into the third channel region 41 via a tapered, in particular conically tapered, transition region 38.

[0108] The third channel region 41 has a spatial geometry adapted to the outer circumference of the main cable 2.

[0109] According to the side view FIG. 7B It can also be seen that the sleeve housing 31 is designed in two parts and has an upper shell 42 and a lower shell 43, which can be connected to one another to form the sleeve housing 31, in particular via a snap-in or clip connection (not shown in the drawings).

[0110] Furthermore, the disclosure content of the present invention includes a corresponding method for electrically connecting at least two main conductors 4 and preferably four main conductors 4 of a main cable 2 to at least two conductors 5 and preferably four conductors 5 of a branch cable 3. List of reference symbols

[0111] 1Clamping device 2Main cable 3Branch cable 4Main conductor of the main cable 5Conductor of the branch cable 6First housing shell of the clamping part assigned to the main cable 7Second housing shell of the clamping part assigned to the main cable 8First housing shell of the clamping part assigned to the branch cable 9Second housing shell of the clamping part assigned to the branch cable 10Contact element 11First screw 12Second screw 13Contact edge 20Clamping device (state of the art) 21Contact piece (state of the art) 22Pressure piece (state of the art) 23Screw head (state of the art) 24Screw (state of the art) 25Screw nut (state of the art) 26Tooth wedge (state of the art) 27Trough-shaped bed (state of the art) 28Spacer wedge 30Sleeve 31Sleeve housing 32First cable entry opening 33Second cable entry opening 34Third cable entry opening 35Filling opening for casting resin 36First section of the sleeve housing 37Second section of the sleeve housing 38Transition area 39First channel area 40Second channel area 41Third channel area 42Upper shell 43Lower shell

Claims

1. Multi-phase clamping device (1) for electrically connecting at least two main conductors (4) of a main cable (2) to corresponding conductors (5) of a branch cable (3), the clamping device (1) comprising: - a clamping part assigned to the main cable (2), which has a first housing shell (6) assigned to at least a first main conductor (4) of the main cable (2) and a second housing shell (7) assigned to at least a second main conductor (4) of the main cable (2); - a clamping part assigned to the branch cable (3), which has a first housing shell (8) assigned to at least a first conductor (5) of the branch cable (3) and a second housing shell (9) assigned to at least a second conductor (5) of the branch cable (3);and - a contact element (10), designed in particular as a connecting plate, which is arranged at least partially or regionally between the first housing shell (6) of the clamping part assigned to the main cable (2) and the second housing shell (7) of the clamping part assigned to the main cable (2) and extends into a region between the first housing shell (8) of the clamping part assigned to the branch cable (3) and the second housing shell (9) of the clamping part assigned to the branch cable (3), wherein the contact element (10) is designed to optionally form an electrical connection between a main conductor of the main cable (2) and a conductor (5) of the branch cable (3), wherein the clamping device (1) preferably further comprises a sleeve (30) surrounding the clamping device (1), into which a casting compound, in particular casting resin, can be introduced or is introduced.

2. Clamping device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the clamping part assigned to the main cable (2) and the clamping part assigned to the branch cable (3) are arranged next to one another, and wherein the contact element (10) extends in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the clamping parts, wherein preferably the housing shells (6, 7) of the clamping part assigned to the main cable (2) can be pressed towards one another by at least one first screw (11), and wherein the housing shells (8, 9) of the clamping part assigned to the branch cable (3) can be pressed towards one another by at least one second screw (12), wherein preferably a longitudinal axis of the at least one first screw (11) runs at least substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the at least one second screw (12).

3. Clamping device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a cross-sectional area of ​​each main conductor (4) of the main cable (2) is circular segment-shaped or at least substantially circular segment-shaped, wherein the first housing shell (6) assigned to the at least one first main conductor (4) of the main cable (2) has a receiving area which is at least partially or regionally complementary to the - viewed in cross section - circular arc-shaped outer surface of the at least one first main conductor (4) of the main cable (2), which receiving area is designed to at least partially or regionally receive the at least one first main conductor (4) of the main cable (2),wherein the second housing shell (7) associated with the at least one second main conductor (4) of the main cable (2) has a receiving area which is at least partially or regionally complementary to the - viewed in cross-section - circular arc-shaped lateral surface of the at least one second main conductor (4) of the main cable (2), which receiving area is designed to at least partially or regionally receive the at least one second main conductor (4) of the main cable (2).

4. Clamping device (1) according to claim 3, wherein the at least one first main conductor (4) of the main cable (2) is received or receivable in the at least one receiving area of ​​the first housing shell (6) associated with the at least one first main conductor (4) of the main cable (2) in such a way that the at least one first main conductor (4) of the main cable (2) rests on the contact element (10), which is designed in particular as a connecting plate, via a chord-shaped outer surface, as seen in cross section, and wherein the at least one second main conductor (4) of the main cable (2) is received or receivable in the at least one receiving area of ​​the second housing shell (7) associated with the at least one second main conductor (4) of the main cable (2) in such a way that the at least one second main conductor (4) of the main cable (2) rests on the contact element (10), which is designed in particular as a connecting plate, via a chord-shaped outer surface, as seen in cross section.

5. Clamping device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a cross-sectional area of ​​each conductor of the branch cable (3) is circular segment-shaped or at least substantially circular segment-shaped, wherein the first housing shell (8) assigned to the at least one first conductor (5) of the branch cable (3) has a receiving area that is at least partially or partially complementary to the - viewed in cross section - circular arc-shaped outer surface of the at least one first conductor (5) of the branch cable (3), which is designed to at least partially or partially receive the at least one first conductor (5) of the branch cable (3), wherein the second housing shell (9) assigned to the at least one second conductor (5) of the branch cable (3) has a receiving area that is at least partially or partially complementary to the - viewed in cross section - circular arc-shaped outer surface of the at least one second conductor (5) of the branch cable (3),which is designed to receive at least partially or regionally the at least one second conductor (5) of the branch cable (3).

6. Clamping device (1) according to claim 5, wherein the at least one first conductor (5) of the branch cable (3) is received or can be received in the at least one receiving area of ​​the first housing shell (8) assigned to the at least one first conductor (5) of the branch cable (3) in such a way that the at least one first conductor (5) of the branch cable (3) rests on the contact element (10), which is designed in particular as a connecting plate, via a chord-shaped outer surface, as seen in cross section, and wherein the at least one second conductor (5) of the branch cable (3) is received or can be received in the at least one receiving area of ​​the second housing shell (9) assigned to the at least one second conductor (5) of the branch cable (3) in such a way that the at least one second conductor (5) of the branch cable (3) rests on the contact element (10), which is designed in particular as a connecting plate, via a chord-shaped outer surface, as seen in cross section.

7. Clamping device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the contact element (10), which is designed in particular as a connecting plate, has contact cutting edges (13) in some areas for penetrating the insulation of the main conductors (4) of the main cable (2) and / or for penetrating the insulation of the conductors (5) of the branch cable (3);and / or wherein the contact element (10), which is designed in particular as a connecting plate, has first contact edges (13) in a first region of the contact element for penetrating the insulation of a first main conductor (4) of the main cable (2) and second contact edges (13) in a second region of the contact element for penetrating the insulation of a first conductor (5) of the branch cable (3), wherein the contact element (10), which is designed in particular as a connecting plate, has third contact edges (13) in a third region of the contact element for penetrating the insulation of a second main conductor (4) of the main cable (2) and fourth contact edges (13) in a fourth region of the contact element for penetrating the insulation of a second conductor (5) of the branch cable (3), wherein the first and second regions of the contact element are electrically insulated from the third and fourth regions of the contact element.; 8. Clamping device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the contact element (10), which is designed in particular as a connecting plate, is designed as a laminate or layered body which has a plurality of electrically conductive individual segments which are galvanically separated from one another by insulation layers, wherein the electrically conductive individual segments of the laminate or layered body preferably have a plurality of disc-shaped or plate-shaped contact elements extending in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal extension direction of the clamping parts, wherein the laminate or layered body is preferably formed: - by first disc-shaped or plate-shaped contact elements which have contact edges (13) which serveto penetrate the insulation of a main conductor (4) of the main cable (2) and the insulation of a conductor (5) of the branch cable (3), thus forming a current bridge between the main conductor (4) of the main cable (2) and the conductor (5) of the branch cable (3); and - by second disc- or plate-shaped contact elements, which are designed without contact edges (13) and serve to separate two adjacent first disc- or plate-shaped contact elements.

9. A method for electrically connecting at least two main conductors (4) and preferably four main conductors (4) of a main cable (2) to at least two conductors (5) and preferably four conductors (5) of a branch cable (3), the method comprising the following method steps: - Providing a clamping device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 8; - Arranging an end region of the branch cable (3) such that the end region of the branch cable (3) and in particular the end regions of the conductors (5) of the branch cable (3) lie parallel to and next to the main conductor (4); - Accommodating at least one main conductor (4) of the at least two main conductors (4) of the main cable (2) and preferably two main conductors (4) of the preferably four main conductors (4) of the main cable (2) in the first and second housing shells of the clamping part assigned to the main cable (2);- receiving at least one conductor (5) of the at least two conductors (5) of the branch cable (3), and preferably two conductors (5) of the preferably four conductors (5) of the branch cable (3), in the first and second housing shells of the clamping part assigned to the branch cable (3); - positioning the contact element, which is designed in particular as a connecting plate, between the main conductors (4) of the main cable (2) received in the first and second housing shells and the conductors (5) of the branch cable (3) received in the first and second housing shells; and - pressing the housing shells of the clamping part assigned to the main cable (2) and the housing shells of the clamping part assigned to the branch cable (3) together, wherein, when arranging the end region of the branch cable (3), the end regions of the conductors (5) of the branch cable (3) are preferably not rotated with respect to a longitudinal direction of the branch cable (3); 10. Sleeve (30) for a clamping device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the sleeve (30) has a sleeve housing (31) with sealable cable insertion openings (32, 33, 34) and with at least one filling opening (35) for cast resin, wherein the sleeve housing (31) has a shape engaging with the clamping part assigned to the main cable (2) and with the clamping part assigned to the branch cable (3), wherein the sleeve housing (31) is preferably designed in two parts and has an upper shell (42) and a lower shell (43) which can be connected to one another to form the sleeve housing (31).

11. Sleeve (30) according to claim 10, wherein a first region (36) extending in a longitudinal direction of the sleeve housing (31) and a second region (37) arranged parallel to the first region (36) and extending in the longitudinal direction of the sleeve housing (31) are formed in the sleeve housing (31), wherein the first region (36) has a spatial geometry adapted to receive the clamping part assigned to the main cable (2) and the second region (37) has a spatial geometry adapted to receive the clamping part assigned to the branch cable (3), wherein preferably the first and second regions (36, 37) of the sleeve housing (31) are designed at least substantially identically,and wherein preferably the first region (36) of the sleeve housing (31) is connected via a first channel region (39) to a first cable insertion opening (32) of the sleeve housing (31) and via an opposite second channel region (40) to a second cable insertion opening (33) of the sleeve housing (31).

12. Sleeve (30) according to claim 11, wherein the first region (36) of the sleeve housing (31) is at least partially cylindrical and in particular circular-cylindrical; and / or wherein the second region (37) of the sleeve housing (31) is at least partially cylindrical and in particular circular-cylindrical.

13. Sleeve (30) according to claim 12, wherein the cylindrical region of the first region (36) of the sleeve housing (31) transitions into the first and second channel regions (39, 40) via a tapered, in particular conically tapered, transition region (38).

14. Sleeve (30) according to claim 12 or 13, wherein the first and second channel regions (39, 40) have a spatial geometry adapted to the outer circumference of the main cable (2); and / or wherein the second region (37) of the sleeve housing (31) is connected to a third cable insertion opening (34) of the sleeve housing (31) via a third channel region (41).

15. Sleeve (30) according to claim 12 and 14, wherein the cylindrical region of the second region (37) of the sleeve housing (31) merges into the third channel region (41) via a tapered, in particular conically tapered, transition region (38).

Images