Switch assembly

Abstract

A switch assembly for connecting or disconnecting at least one current-carrying conductor is provided. The switch assembly comprises an electrical isolating element that electrically and mechanically separates a first conductor section and a second conductor section at a separation point. The switch assembly further comprises a first piercing contact element for contacting the first conductor section without stripping the insulation, a second piercing contact element for contacting the second conductor section without stripping the insulation, and a contact bridge for electrically connecting the first and second piercing contact elements across the separation point.The switch arrangement also comprises an actuating element for the switch arrangement, wherein an electrical contact of the contact bridge with the first and second penetration contact element is established or broken via the actuating element and thus a connection between the first conductor section and the second conductor section is established or broken.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The invention relates to a switch arrangement for at least one current-carrying conductor. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] EP 2 780 920 A1 relates to a high-current switch having a first fixed contact, a second fixed contact spaced from the first fixed contact, and at least one contact bridge movable relative to the two fixed contacts. Furthermore, an adjustment device is provided for moving the contact bridge from an open position, in which the two fixed contacts are not connected to one another, into a closed position, in which the contact bridge electrically connects the two fixed contacts. The adjustment device is further provided for pressing the contact bridge against the two fixed contacts in the closed position. It is provided that the adjustment device is springless, with the rigidity of the contact bridge and adjustment device in the direction of the pressing force corresponding to a value of at least 50.000 kNmm2, and the lowest natural frequency of the system consisting of contact bridge and feed device in the direction of the pressing force is greater than 2000 Hz. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0003] According to a first aspect, a switch arrangement is provided for connecting or disconnecting at least one current-carrying conductor. The switch arrangement comprises an electrical isolating element that electrically and mechanically separates a first conductor section and a second conductor section at a separation point. The switch arrangement further comprises a first piercing contact element for contacting the first conductor section, a second piercing contact element for contacting the second conductor section, and a contact bridge for electrically connecting the first and second piercing contact elements across the separation point.The switch arrangement also comprises an actuating element for the switch arrangement, wherein an electrical contact of the contact bridge with the first and second penetration contact element is established or broken via the actuating element and thus a connection between the first conductor section and the second conductor section is established or broken. GENERAL EXPLANATION, ALSO RELATING TO OPTIONAL EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0004] A first aspect of the invention relates to a switch arrangement for connecting or disconnecting at least one current-carrying conductor.

[0005] In general, electrical switches are used to connect and disconnect live or current-carrying parts. The parts (poles) are located, for example, at two cable ends or at cable ends and device connections. Switches are often installed in cable feeds by splitting the cable and installing the switch between the cable ends as a connection. To install switches of this type, the cable ends are usually stripped and connected to the corresponding connection terminals of the switch (serial installation of the switch as a making and breaking element in the current-carrying conductor). The protective sheath is removed and then the insulation is removed from the current-carrying part. The bare ends can then be connected via a bridge that can be opened. Typically, this connection may only be made when the power is off, and the assignment of the cable end to the switch terminal must also be observed.

[0006] The switch arrangement described here, however, is applicable to current-carrying conductors, and the switch can also be installed while live. The current-carrying conductor is typically surrounded by an insulating layer (e.g., cable insulation).

[0007] The switch assembly described here comprises an electrical isolating element that electrically and mechanically separates a first conductor section and a second conductor section at a separation point. The isolating element, for example, represents a physical separation between conductor ends. Multiple isolating elements can also be provided to create the separation between the conductor ends. The first and second conductor sections are, for example, kept electrically insulated from one another by the isolating element. The first and second conductor sections, for example, touch opposite sides of the electrically insulating isolating element.

[0008] The switch assembly comprises a first piercing contact element for contacting the first conductor section (before the separation point) and a second piercing contact element for contacting the second conductor section (after the separation point). Multiple piercing contact elements can also be provided to contact the first conductor section, and multiple piercing contact elements can also be provided to contact the second conductor section. The piercing contact elements, for example, penetrate the insulation layer of the cable core in a single movement with the separation element and contact the core conductor, while the separation element separates the core conductor. Examples of piercing contact elements are: contact blades, mandrels, (double-sided) contact cutting edges, pointed screws, etc.

[0009] A contact bridge is provided in the switch arrangement to electrically connect the first and second piercing contact elements across the isolating point. The contact bridge is made of a metal, for example, and is mechanically connected to the piercing contact elements or to the connecting elements of the piercing contact elements, which are also made of metal, for example. The contact points can therefore be closed or separated by the contact bridge.

[0010] The switch arrangement further comprises an actuating element for the switch arrangement, wherein an electrical contact of the contact bridge with the first and second penetration contact element is established or broken via the actuating element and thus a connection between the first conductor section and the second conductor section is established or broken.

[0011] The actuating element can, for example, be in physical contact with the contact bridge in order to press the contact bridge in the direction of the first and second penetration contact elements themselves or connection points of the penetration contact elements and to mechanically contact the first and second penetration contact elements or connection pieces connected to them.

[0012] The actuating element can also be permanently connected to the contact bridge to transfer any actuating force acting on the actuating element directly to the contact bridge. The actuating element is typically made of electrically insulating material.

[0013] Overall, the switch arrangement described here makes it possible, for example, to realize a conductor separation related to, for example, a single wire or a flat cable in a single device, namely the switch arrangement.

[0014] In summary, a switch arrangement is described that, with the aid of separating and contact parts (the aforementioned separating element or the piercing contact elements), enables the separation of a wire and the contacting of the two separated ends without removing the protective sheath and the wire insulation (strip-free). The conductor separation and piercing contacting of the ends are performed, for example, in a single element, i.e., the separating elements and contact elements are combined into a single unit. The contacts can then be closed or separated using the built-in contact bridge.

[0015] The separating element can be designed as an insulating separating blade, whereby the insulating separating blade mechanically cuts the conductor and, after the conductor has been severed, serves as an insulating partition between the first and second conductor sections. The insulated conductor is interrupted, for example, by the separating blade, which mechanically cuts the core of the insulated conductor. Thus, the insulating separating blade cuts the core, and the insulating separating blade itself is then guided between the two cable ends as an insulating partition.

[0016] In this design, the separating blade can be made of a hard, insulating plastic or a composite material. The composite material can also include ceramic, for example. The separating blade can also have a ceramic blade attached to a plastic body, acting as a partition between the first and second conductor sections.

[0017] The cutting knife can also be equipped with a metal blade, followed by an insulating partition (a combination of a metal blade and an insulating partition). The insulating part of the cutting knife with a metal blade is made of plastic or ceramic, for example.

[0018] The first and / or second piercing contact element is / are, for example, contact blades. This allows the separated cable ends (first and second conductor sections) to be contacted without stripping by the contact blades, as they penetrate through the conductor insulation into the core of a single core or the core of a (multi-core) flat cable. The contact blades thus provide a piercing contact or tapping contact, one before the separation point and one after the separation point. Multiple contact blades can also be provided to contact the respective conductor section (before or after the separation point).

[0019] The stripping-free contacting of the first or second conductor section is carried out, for example, without removing the protective sheath and the wire insulation before contacting.

[0020] The contact points formed in this way are electrically connected or separated by means of the contact bridge when actuated by the insulated actuating element.

[0021] The piercing contact elements and the electrically insulating isolating blade can be installed in a cover part of a switch housing, which can be pivoted towards a base part of the switch housing.

[0022] The current-carrying conductor rests on the base of the switch housing and is routed through the switch housing. The current-carrying conductor is, for example, the single core of a single cable or a single core of a flat cable. The current-carrying conductor rests, for example, on the base, which typically includes a base plate.

[0023] The piercing contact elements and the electrically insulating isolating blade are guided, for example, through an insulating body in the cover of the switch housing. The insulating body electrically separates the piercing contact elements, such as contact blades or contact screws, from each other.

[0024] The described switch arrangement can be designed such that, by pressing the cover part against the base part of the switch housing, the current-carrying conductor is severed by the isolating blade at the separation point. By pressing the cover part against the base part of the switch housing, a first contact blade contacts the first conductor section, and a second contact blade contacts the second conductor section. Thus, by pressing the cover part against the base part, the contact points (between the contact blades and the respective conductor section) are formed in front of and behind the separation point created by the isolating blade, which can then be electrically reconnected by the contact bridge.

[0025] The isolating blade with an insulated partition and the piercing contact elements (e.g., contact blade or contact screw) along with the switch (contact bridge and actuating element) can be mounted on the cable in a single mechanically assembled element. This mechanically assembled element can correspond to the cover part described above, which is placed on the base part, on which, for example, the individual conductor rests.

[0026] The switch housing, for example, is equipped with a lever to press the cover part towards the base part.

[0027] This allows for tool-free installation of the switch assembly, as the necessary pressure, e.g., of the cover part against the base part (see above), is applied using the lever. The lever can, for example, be located at an anchor point on the cover part and be shaped so that it engages in recesses on the base part, pressing the cover part against the base part during this movement.

[0028] The pressure applied by means of the lever and the multi-part modular switch arrangement with insulating separating blade make it possible to mount a switch on a live line, even under voltage, without the use of tools.

[0029] If such a lever is not available, the cover can be pressed against the base by other means to disconnect or connect the cable. For example, a screw clamp can be used to provide this mechanical pressure.

[0030] The separating blade can also be driven into the conductor using a screw to create the separation point.

[0031] As far as the piercing contact elements are concerned, the first and / or second piercing contact element can (also) be designed as pointed screws which are screwed into the first or second conductor section, respectively, in order to establish the electrical contact.

[0032] For example, the separating blade and the piercing contact elements (piercing parts, e.g., pointed screws) are movably mounted in the switch housing, allowing them to be pressed into the conductor perpendicular to the cable core path by turning the screw. This splits the conductor into the first conductor section (before the separation point) and the second conductor section (after the separation point), and the two conductor sections are each contacted by a pointed screw at the respective contact point. When the screws are fully screwed in, the separating blade separates the cable, and the piercing parts contact the cable cores.

[0033] The contact bridge is arranged, for example, within the cover part of the switch housing, in such a way that it can, for example, electrically connect the two pointed screws (when the actuating element is actuated).

[0034] Instead of using a lever, for example, the cover part can also be fixed to the base part of the switch housing or pressed against the base part of the switch housing using specially provided screws (i.e. not contact screws or pointed screws).

[0035] Alternatively, in other embodiments, the mechanical separation of the current-carrying conductor can be carried out separately using a separation tool, and an insulating partition wall is then inserted as a separation element between the first and second line sections.

[0036] For example, in such embodiments, the cutting blade can be omitted, and the line can be separated (creating the separation points) by severing a cable using separate pliers, for example. The thus formed first and second cable sections (before and after the separation point) are then kept insulated from each other, for example, by inserting an insulating partition between the cable ends. The cable sections themselves can be contacted with piercing contact elements (e.g., contact blades, pointed screws, etc.), as already described for other embodiments.

[0037] As for the contact bridge, this can be spring-loaded in the switch arrangements described. The contact bridge can also be equipped with any other reset element. Due to the spring loading of the contact bridge, it can be moved into a position in which the first and second piercing contact elements are electrically separated from each other, provided it is not moved via the actuating element into a position in which the contact bridge electrically connects the first and second piercing contact elements.

[0038] Thus, in a first position of the actuating element (activation position of the switch arrangement), the contact bridge can establish an electrical connection between the first penetration contact element and the second penetration contact element, while in a second position of the penetration contact element (deactivation position), there is no electrical contact between the two penetration contact elements via the contact bridge. The deactivation position is the position in which, for example, no force acts on the contact bridge via the actuating element. The contact bridge is held in the deactivation position, for example, by the spring or another return element, until sufficient force is exerted on the contact bridge via the actuating element to move it into the activation position.

[0039] For example, when the actuating element changes from the deactivation position to the activation position, the contact bridge is mechanically pressed against the penetration contact elements or connections of these contact elements, while when the actuating element changes from the activation position to the deactivation position, the contact bridge is mechanically removed from the penetration contact elements or their connections, for example by the spring, and is held in this deactivation position.

[0040] The actuating element can be a push button on the contact bridge, for example one designed to be insulating.

[0041] By applying force to the push button, an electrical connection can be established between the contact bridge and the first and second piercing contact elements (activation position). This electrical connection is typically established by pressing the contact bridge against the connecting elements of the contact blades arranged in front of and behind the separation point.

[0042] The contact bridge is spring-loaded against the pressure direction of the push button, whereby the contact bridge is mechanically and electrically separated from the first and second piercing contact elements as long as no force is exerted on the push button.

[0043] The pressure force can be exerted on the push button by a standard rocker switch, for example, one with a large rocker (surface switch). By manually positioning the rocker (see standard wall switch), the push button can be moved from the activated position (of the switch arrangement) to the deactivated position (of the switch arrangement) and vice versa.

[0044] The actuating element can also be a toggle switch, wherein a lever of the toggle switch, when tilted into the activation position, rotates a cam eccentrically so that the cam presses the contact bridge against the piercing contact elements.

[0045] The contact bridge is spring-loaded against the contact force exerted by the cam, whereby when the toggle switch is moved back into a deactivation position, the contact bridge is mechanically and electrically separated from the first and second penetration contact elements or is then separated from the first and second penetration contact elements in the deactivation position.

[0046] In the initial position (deactivation position), the cam is mounted eccentrically in a position, for example, such that it does not touch the contact bridge (e.g. the longer diameter of the cam is arranged (approximately) parallel to the contact bridge). During the transition from the deactivation position to the activation position, the cam is rotated, for example, into a position in which the longer diameter of the cam is (approximately) perpendicular to the contact bridge and the cam thus mechanically presses the contact bridge against the first and second piercing contact elements or their terminals, thus establishing electrical contact between them. During the transition from the activation position to the deactivation position, the cam is returned to its initial position by eccentric (reverse) rotation.

[0047] The current-carrying conductor can be a core of a multi-core flat cable. This core of the multi-core flat cable, e.g. a phase conductor core, is contacted via the piercing contact elements (contact blades, mandrels, (double-sided) contact edges, pointed screw, etc.) without stripping. For example, the entire switch assembly is placed over the flat cable in such a way that exactly one core (e.g. a specific phase conductor core) is contacted by the piercing contact elements. The flat cable is inserted, for example, into a base part of the switch assembly in a specific position so that the position of the core conductor to be contacted is fixed and known. The base part can be shaped in such a way that the flat cable can only be inserted in the intended orientation.

[0048] The current-carrying conductor can also be a core of a round cable.

[0049] For example, several round cables can be separated or contacted in parallel as current-carrying conductors, provided the round cable cores are arranged parallel to each other and fixed relative to the isolating element or the piercing contact elements. Fixing the round cable cores for the purpose of separation or contact can be achieved using a template into which the round cables can be inserted parallel to each other. One isolating element or two first and second contact elements can be provided for each round cable to separate or contact the round cables.

[0050] Several isolating elements, several piercing contact elements and several contact bridges can be provided to switch several current-carrying conductors of a multi-core flat cable.

[0051] Each of these current-carrying conductors (e.g. several phase conductor wires of the flat cable) can be switched separately.

[0052] However, it can also be provided that the separation of the first conductor section from the second conductor section and the contacting of the first or second conductor section takes place in one go via a common contacting or separating element.

[0053] The common contacting or separating element can be the insulating body described above, which carries both penetration contact elements and at least one separating element.

[0054] The switch assembly can be assembled by applying pressure in one or more stages to the at least one isolating element or to the at least one first and second contacting element (e.g., first and second piercing contact elements - see above). The pressure required for separation or contacting can be applied simultaneously to the isolating element(s) and the piercing contact elements.

[0055] It is also possible to first selectively apply pressure to a separately mounted separator element, and then, in a second step, to the penetration contact elements. A screw clamp or lever element, for example, can be used to apply the pressure, as described above. SHORT DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

[0056] The drawing illustrates the switch arrangement described above and its operation using exemplary embodiments. The drawing shows: Fig. 1a-1e schematically the severing of a wire conductor as a cable by means of an insulating separating blade, as well as the contacting of the cable sections thus created by means of two piercing contact elements (here: contact blades) and a contact bridge in open (deactivation position) or closed (activation position) position with respect to the piercing contact elements, Fig. 2schematically a multi-part switch housing with a flat cable passing through, wherein the wire conductor is severed as a line by an insulating isolating blade and the line sections thus produced are contacted by associated penetration contact elements in the form of contact blades by means of a pivoting movement, wherein the contact blades are connected via a contact bridge when a push button is actuated, Fig. 3a schematically a multi-part switch housing of a switch arrangement with flat cable comparable to Fig. 2 , where the insulating separating blade is driven through the wire conductor as a cable with a screw and the cable sections thus created are contacted by pointed screws instead of contact blades, Fig. 3bschematically shows a switch arrangement with a toggle switch as the actuating element, wherein an eccentrically mounted cam is rotated by means of a lever of the toggle switch so that it presses the contact bridge against the penetration contact elements, Fig. 4 schematically a sectional view of a switch arrangement similar to that in Fig. 2 shown, in which an insulating isolating blade and two contact blades are driven through or into the conductor when a cover part is pressed against the base part of the switch housing by means of a lever-assisted pivoting movement, Fig. 5 schematically a switch arrangement in which the cover part of a switch housing is pressed against the base part of the switch housing by means of a screw clamp. DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLES OF WORKING DEVICES USING THE DRAWING

[0057] A schematic in Fig. 1a The cable 1 shown comprises a wire conductor 1' as a line, which is surrounded by an insulating layer.

[0058] As shown schematically in Fig. 1b As shown, the cable 1 is divided by a separating knife together with the conductor 1' at a separation point, whereby a first cable section 1a' and a second cable section 1b' are created in the corresponding cable ends 1a and 1b, respectively.

[0059] The thus formed first and second line sections 1a' and 1b' are, as in Fig. 1c As shown, the conductors are contacted by an associated penetration contact element, here contact blades 3a and 3b. Pins or pointed screws (double-sided blades, etc.) can also be provided for stripping-free contacting. In this example, the first conductor section 1a' at cable end 1a is contacted by a contact blade 3a, and the second conductor section 1b' at cable end 1b is contacted by a second contact blade 3b.

[0060] A contact bridge 4 with connection points 4a and 4b is in Fig. 1dshown in an open state, which corresponds to a deactivation position of the switch assembly (see Fig. 2 ff.). In this deactivation position, the contact bridge 4 is electrically and mechanically separated from the contact blades 3a, 3b.

[0061] The contact bridge 4 is in an activation position, shown in Fig. 1e , mechanically and electrically connected to the contact blades 3a and 3b, whereby the connection points 4a and 4b are in current-carrying contact with corresponding connections of the contact blades 3a, 3b.

[0062] A multi-part switch housing 80 of a switch arrangement 100 with a flat cable 10 passing through, wherein the wire conductor 1' is severed as a line by an insulating separating blade 2 and the line sections 1a', 1b' thus produced are contacted by associated contact blades 3a, 3b by means of a pivoting movement 40, is shown in Fig. 2 shown.

[0063] The contact blades 3a, 3b are connected via a contact bridge 4 when a push button 5 is pressed.

[0064] The switch arrangement 100 is intended to either interrupt or allow a single wire 1 with wire conductor 1', which represents the current-carrying line to be switched, to pass through.

[0065] In order to assemble and use the switch arrangement 100 shown, the conductor 1' does not have to be de-energized before assembly.

[0066] The single core 1 with the core conductor 1' is a phase conductor core of a flat cable 10, which also has at least four additional cores 11 to 13 with associated core conductors 11' to 13'. The cores 11 to 13 can comprise a neutral conductor core, a protective conductor core, or further phase conductor cores.

[0067] The conductor 1' to be switched, like the entire flat cable 10, rests on a base part 8 of the switch housing 80. The base part 8 is designed, for example, as a base plate. The switch housing 80 is constructed in two parts, for example, and comprises a base part 8 and a cover part 7, which can be pivoted relative to the base part in the pivoting direction 40 and can also be pressed against the base part 8 to separate or contact the conductor 1'.

[0068] In the Fig. 2In the state shown, the cover part 7 with the contact blades 3a, 3b anchored there, as well as the insulating separating blade 2, is pressed against the base part 8 and thus against the flat cable 10 in such a way that the core conductor 1' is severed by the insulating separating blade 2. In this fully engaged position of the cover part 7 in the base part 8, the insulating separating blade 2 forms an insulating partition between the conductor section 1a' and the conductor section 1b' of the core conductor 1'.

[0069] The line section 1a' is contacted by a contact blade 3a, while the line section 1b' is contacted by a contact blade 3b (tapping contacts or piercing contacts).

[0070] The contact blades 3a and 3b are connected to the respective connecting elements 33a, 33b of the contact blades 3a and 3b.

[0071] The spring 6 in the cover part 7 (for example on an insulating body, see Fig. 4The contact bridge 4 suspended from the contact strip 1 can be pressed against the connecting elements 33a and 33b of the contact blades 3a and 3b by means of a push button 5, which here serves as the actuating element of the switch assembly 100, in order to establish electrical contact between the contact blades 3a and the contact blades 3b and thus to establish an electrical connection between the line section 1a' and the line section 1b'. This position corresponds to the activation position of the switch assembly 100.

[0072] The contact bridge 4 experiences a restoring force by the spring 6 opposite to the direction of displacement or force of the push button 5, so that as soon as no more force is exerted on the push button 5 in the direction of the connecting elements 33a and 33b of the contact blades 3a and 3b, the contact bridge returns to a neutral position, which corresponds to a deactivation position of the switch arrangement 100.

[0073] A multi-part switch housing 81 of a switch arrangement 101 with flat cable 10 comparable to Fig. 2 , where the insulating separating blade 2 is driven by a screw 31 through the wire conductor 1' as a line and the line sections 1a', 1b' thus produced are contacted by pointed screws 30a, 30b instead of contact blades, is shown schematically in Fig. 3a shown.

[0074] In this embodiment, the insulating separating blade 2 is driven through the core conductor 1' by means of a screw 31 to divide the core conductor 1' into conductor sections 1a' and 1b'. In this embodiment, pointed screws 3a', 3b' with screw heads 30a, 30b are used as piercing contact elements. The first pointed screw 3a' contacts the first conductor section 1a', and the second pointed screw 3b' contacts the second conductor section 1b'.

[0075] In this embodiment, the cover part 7' of the switch housing 81 is pressed against the base part 8' of the switch housing 81 by screws 39 in order to achieve the insulating separation or contacting of the wire conductor 1' described above and to hold the cover part 7' and the base part 8' together.

[0076] The function of the push button 5 and the contact bridge 4 corresponds to that in relation to Fig. 2 described. The spring as suspension of the contact bridge 4 on an insulating body (see Fig. 4 ) is in the embodiment according to Fig. 3 not shown, but may be present.

[0077] A switch arrangement 102 with a toggle switch 54 as the actuating element, wherein an eccentrically mounted cam 50 is rotated by means of a lever 53 of the toggle switch 54 so that it presses the contact bridge 4 against the penetration contact elements 31a, 31b, is shown in Fig. 3b shown schematically.

[0078] The toggle switch 54 comprises an eccentrically rotatable cam 50 which is actuated by a lever 53 from a Fig. 3b shown deactivation position (left stop) to an activation position (right stop).

[0079] The contact bridge 4, in its neutral position, which is only loaded by the restoring force of the spring 6, has a distance d between the connection points 4a and 4b of the contact bridge 4 and the corresponding connections 31a and 31b of the piercing contact elements (e.g. contact blades 3a, 3b).

[0080] The cam 50 is mounted eccentrically above the contact bridge 4. The cam 50 has a first (shorter) radius from its bearing point R1 and a second (longer) radius R2 The first and second radius represent R1 or R2 of the cam 50 to the distance d the contact bridge 4 in the neutral or deactivation position to the (connecting pieces of the) piercing contact elements, the following relationship: R2 > R1 + d.

[0081] As soon as the cam 50 is moved by means of the lever 53 from a deactivation position in which its diameter (given by the sum of the radii R1 + R2 ) is oriented almost parallel to the contact bridge 4, is tilted into an activation position in which the radii R1 + R2 are oriented almost perpendicular to the contact bridge 4, the cam displaces the contact bridge 4 in the direction of the connections 31a and 31b of the contact blades 3a and 3b and presses the contact bridge 4 against the connections 31 and 31b - whereby the electrical contact between the contact blades 3a and 3b is closed via the contact bridge 4.

[0082] A sectional view of a switch arrangement similar to that shown in Fig. 2shown, in which an insulating separating blade and two contact blades are driven through or into the wire conductor when a cover part is pressed against the base part of the switch housing by means of a lever-assisted pivoting movement, is shown schematically in Fig. 4 shown.

[0083] The cable 1 with the conductor 1' to be contacted rests on the base part 61 (e.g. the base plate).

[0084] During the closing movement 40 of the cover part 62 against the base part 61, the conductor 1' is severed by the insulating separating blade 2' by pressing the cover part 62 against the base part 61 by means of the lever 63, on the one hand, and contacted by the contact blades 3a, 3b at the line sections upstream and downstream of the separation point, on the other hand. The contact force can be transmitted via the lever in such a way that the lever engages under tension in a receptacle in the base part 61 (not shown).

[0085] The contact blades 3a, 3b and the separating blade 2` are guided through a common insulating body 65, so that an electrical connection between the two contact blades can only be established via the contact bridge 4.

[0086] In the Fig. 4 In the embodiment shown, one of the two contact blades 3a, 3b, namely contact blade 3b, is suspended directly from the contact bridge 4. The contact bridge 4, in turn, is held at the position of the separating blade, i.e., at approximately the same distance from the first and second contact blades 3a, 3b, by means of a spring on the insulating body 65.

[0087] Provided no force is exerted on the push button 5 in the direction of the two contact blades 3a, 3b or their connecting pieces (deactivation position), the contact bridge 4 is mechanically and electrically separated from the one contact blade that is not suspended from the contact bridge 4, namely contact blade 3a, thereby breaking the connection along the conductor 1' via the switch arrangement 103. The restoring force mediated by the spring 6 ensures that the contact bridge 4 does not touch the contact blade 3a or its connecting piece in the deactivation position.

[0088] When a force is exerted on the push button 5 in the direction of the two contact blades, the contact bridge 4 contacts the contact blade 3a against the restoring force of the spring 6. The contact bridge thus conducts the current from the contact blade 3a to the contact blade 3b, which is already conductively connected to the contact bridge 4, thereby establishing a connection along the wire conductor 1' via the switch arrangement 103.

[0089] A switch arrangement 104 in which the cover part 72 is pressed against the base part 71 of a switch housing 70 by means of a screw clamp 90 is shown schematically in Fig. 5 shown.

[0090] A flat cable 10 with several cable cores 1 is guided through the switch housing 70 and rests on the base part 71 of the switch housing 70. The cover part 72, with the in eg Fig. 1 , 2 , 4described elements, is in this embodiment by means of a screw clamp 90 with a handle 91, along the Fig. 5 by an arrow indicated contact pressure direction, pressed against the base part 71 to one or more flat cable cores on the one hand, e.g. by means of an insulating separating blade (see e.g. Fig. 1 , 2 , 4 ) and on the other hand to contact before and after the separation point thus created.

[0091] Thus, in one embodiment, the switch assembly 104 can be mounted using a screw clamp 90.

Claims

1. Switch arrangement for connecting or disconnecting at least one current-carrying conductor, the switch arrangement comprising: an electrical isolating element which electrically and mechanically separates a first conductor section and a second conductor section from one another at a separation point, a first piercing contact element for contacting the first conductor section without stripping the insulation, a second piercing contact element for contacting the second conductor section without stripping the insulation, a contact bridge for electrically connecting the first and second piercing contact elements across the separation point, an actuating element for the switch arrangement, wherein electrical contact between the contact bridge and the first and second piercing contact elements is established or broken via the actuating element, and a connection is thus established or broken between the first conductor section and the second conductor section.

2. Switch arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the separating element is designed as an insulating separating blade, wherein the insulating separating blade mechanically cuts the conductor and, after the conductor has been cut, serves as an insulating partition between the first and the second conductor section.

3. Switch arrangement according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the separating blade is made of hard insulating plastic or of a composite material or an insulating partition wall is connected to a metallic blade.

4. Switch arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the first and / or the second piercing contact element are contact blades.

5. Switch arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the penetration contact elements and the electrically insulating isolating blade are installed in a cover part of a switch housing which can be pivoted towards a bottom part of the switch housing, wherein the current-carrying conductor rests on a bottom part of the switch housing and is guided through the switch housing.

6. Switch arrangement according to claim 5, wherein the penetration contact elements and the electrically insulating isolating blade are guided through an insulating body in the cover part of the switch housing.

7. Switch arrangement according to claim 5 or 6, wherein by pivoting and pressing the pivotable cover part against the bottom part of the switch housing, the current-carrying conductor passed through is severed by the separating blade at the separation point and a first contact blade contacts the first conductor section and a second contact blade contacts the second conductor section.

8. Switch assembly according to claim 7, wherein the switch housing is equipped with a lever to press the cover part towards the base part.

9. Switch arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the mechanical separation of the current-carrying conductor is carried out separately with a separation tool and an insulating partition wall is introduced as a separation element between the first and the second line section.

10. Switch arrangement according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the isolating blade is driven into the conductor by means of a screw in order to create the isolating point and wherein the first and / or second piercing contact element are pointed screws which are screwed into the first and / or second conductor section, respectively, in order to create the electrical contact.

11. Switch arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the contact bridge is spring-loaded.

12. Switch arrangement according to claim 11, wherein the actuating element is a push button on the contact bridge, wherein by exerting force on the push button, an electrical connection of the contact bridge to the first and second penetration contact elements can be established, wherein the contact bridge is spring-loaded against the pressure direction of the push button, whereby the contact bridge is mechanically and electrically separated from the first and second penetration contact elements as long as no force is exerted on the push button, or wherein the actuating element is a toggle switch, wherein a lever of the toggle switch, when tilted into an activation position, rotates a cam eccentrically such that the cam presses the contact bridge against the penetration contact elements, wherein the contact bridge is spring-loaded against the contact force exerted via the cam and when the toggle switch is moved back into a deactivation position,mechanically and electrically separated from the first and second piercing contact elements.

13. Switch arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the current-carrying conductor is a core of a multi-core flat cable, or wherein the current-carrying conductor is a core of a round cable.

14. Switch arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 13, wherein a plurality of round cables can be separated or contacted in parallel as current-carrying conductors, provided that the round cable wires are arranged parallel to one another and are fixed relative to the separating element or the penetration contact elements.

15. Switch arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 13, wherein a plurality of isolating elements, a plurality of piercing contact elements and a plurality of contact bridges are provided in order to switch a plurality of current-carrying conductors of a multi-core flat cable.

16. Switch arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 15, wherein the separation of the first conductor section from the second conductor section and the contacting of the first and second conductor sections in one step takes place via a common contacting and separation element.

17. Switch arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 16, wherein the stripping-free contacting of the first or second conductor section takes place without removing the protective sheath and the wire insulation before contacting.

18. Switch arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 17, wherein the assembly of the switch arrangement is carried out by single- or multi-stage exertion of pressure on the at least one separating element or on the at least one first and second contacting element.

Images