Abstract:
The invention relates to a channel system ( 10 ) comprising at least one first channel provided with a flat multicore cable and a socket ( 14 ) connected thereto, said channel having a back side, a bottom side, and a front side provided with a front cover that can be detachably fastened thereto, and having a detachably fastened upper covering, which is removed in the area of the mounted socket ( 14 ). The channel system is characterized in that the electrical contact between the flat cable and the socket ( 14 ) is established by way of an insulation displacement connector ( 26 ), the first part of which is resting on the flat cable, and the second part thereof, which includes the insulation displacement contacts, is arranged on the socket ( 14 ), and in that the socket ( 14 ) is detachably mounted.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention concerns a channel system comprising at least one first channel comprising a multicore flat cable and an electrical socket connected thereto and provided with a rearward side, a bottom side as well as an existing front side with a front cover that is detachably attachable thereto, and comprising a detachably attached upper cover that is removed in the area of the detachably attached electrical socket. 
     Recently, the need for such channel systems has risen more and more. This has several reasons. On the one hand, in old buildings, no new slots must be produced in order to lay the appropriate conduits. 
     On the other hand, many new houses are produced in modular construction for which it is not possible to already determine beforehand, for example, in prefabricated houses, the position of individual electrical sockets or other electrical elements. It is particularly important, not only in renovations of old buildings, but also when planning new buildings, to be able to supply the great number of electrical devices appropriately. 
     In this context, presently available are only channel systems that can be provided with electrical sockets which however no longer allow for free position selection for mounting. 
     The invention has therefore the object to provide a channel system of the aforementioned kind that with a few simplest means enables a high flexibility of the arrangement, in particular of electrical sockets. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     This object is solved according to the invention for a channel system of the aforementioned kind in that the electrical contact between the flat cable and the electrical socket is realized by means of an insulation piercing connector whose first part is resting on the flat cable and whose second part which is provided with the insulation piercing contact is arranged on the electrical socket and in that the electrical socket is detachably attached. 
     The gist of the invention resides in that with very minimal expenditure at least one first channel receiving a multicore flat cable is made available which can be easily surface-mounted. 
     The main advantage resides in that by means of the afore described channel system it is possible to mount at any location a functioning electrical socket with simplest and thus very safe manipulation steps. 
     In this context, a special feature resides in that the insulation piercing connector is of a two-part configuration wherein the first part can be pushed simply onto the region of the flat cable in contour conformity and serves as a guide for the insulation piercing contacts. These insulation piercing contacts are arranged in the second part of the insulation piercing connector, namely in such a way that they are brought into contact with the contact pins for the electrical socket. Accordingly, the second part is connected prior to mounting with the residual electrical socket. It is only required to connect the two parts of the insulation piercing connector with each other. Accordingly, the first and second parts are formed such that, after latching, they cannot be disassembled anymore. This latching action is therefore a so-called irreversible latching action. 
     Accordingly, attachment of an electrical socket is possible in a simplest manner, namely due to the aforementioned constructive features. 
     So that the insulation piercing connector, in particular the first part, can no longer be removed after having been installed once, it is advantageous when the insulation piercing connector is connected irreversibly with the channel, in particular by means of appropriate latching devices. Accordingly, the introduced insulation piercing connector is essentially like a “bandage”, however with the great difference that it can be reused at any time for connecting an electrical socket. For this purpose, it is only necessary that the appropriate electrical socket housing with the contact pins engages the appropriate openings between the first and second parts of the insulation piercing connector. 
     Therefore, it is advantageous when the non-piercing ends of the insulation piercing connectors within the second part are electrically conductingly connected with the contact pins arranged within the electrical socket in a detachable way. 
     An advantageous embodiment of the invention provides that the second part is locked irreversibly with the first part after the electrical socket has been pivoted in the direction of the channel and, at the same time, the insulation piercing contacts have penetrated into the flat cable. 
     In this context, there are, of course, several pivoting possibilities, namely for an already attached first channel there are three possibilities. It is therefore advantageous when the electrical socket has been pivoted in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the channel either clockwise, counterclockwise, or transverse to the direction of the longitudinal axis of the channel for mounting. 
     As already briefly mentioned above, it is also advantageous when the electrical socket is removable from the channel and the second part remains latched irreversibly with the first part and covers the ends of the insulation piercing contacts pointing away from the flat cable. 
     For a better securing action of the mounted electrical socket, it is advantageous when the electrical socket has a fastening profile that is connectable with the channel, that either supports an electrical socket housing in its interior or at least partially receives it, wherein the surfaces of the electrical socket housing that are pointing in the channel direction are free of any fastening profiles. 
     When as a flat cable a three-core cable should be employed which comprises a zero conductor, it is advantageous for safety reasons when this zero conductor, when mounting the electrical socket, is connected first with the appropriate insulation piercing contact with the electrical socket and the two other conductors then follow. For this purpose, it is then advantageous when the bottom side is profiled such that the matching surface of the multicore flat cable that is facing the bottom side can be joined only in a predetermined orientation so that an arrangement of the adjacently positioned cable strands of the flat cable is always the same. In this way, the position of the zero conductor is thus always defined. 
     When configuring the electric current distribution systems, in particular the electrical sockets at the desired positions, it is sometimes desirable, in case of those consumers of electricity that receive their signals by means of cable, to incorporate them into the cable system. In this context, it is then advantageous when a receiving possibility is provided by means of a second channel which is extending away from the bottom side opposite to the cover. 
     This second channel can also be closed off by the front cover in a detachable way. 
     It may moreover be desirable to accommodate additionally also heating conduits within the channel system, namely not only for visual appearance reasons. The channel system has additionally also a large surface area which can be employed as a radiation source for the heating pipes or their heat energy. In this connection, a third channel is then advantageous which is provided in its interior with holding elements for heating conduits and adjoins either the first channel or the second channel. 
     Even though the fastening profile has a satisfactory strength by means of the appropriate latching action which is not irreversible, with the first channel, it is still advantageous when the fastening profile in the first channel is braced by means of a securing screw. 
     Furthermore, it is possible that the first channel is formed monolithically either with the second channel or/and with the third channel. 
     A particularly good forced guiding action for the pivot movement of the electrical socket when being mounted on the channel system is provided in that the first part is connected by means of a film hinge with the second part of the insulation piercing connector. 
     Of course, with the exception of the flat cable, the material of the cable system is comprised of metal, plastic material or a combination thereof. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Further features and advantages of the invention result from the following Description of two embodiments as well as from the Figures to which reference is being had. It is shown in: 
         FIG. 1  an exploded illustration of a first embodiment of the channel system with electrical socket; 
         FIG. 2  an exploded illustration of a second embodiment of the channel system with electrical socket; 
         FIG. 3  first through third channels of the channel system without add-ons; 
         FIG. 4  an illustration similar to  FIG. 3  with additional flat cable prior to insertion into the channel; 
         FIG. 5  an illustration similar to  FIG. 3  with flat band cable and positioned electrical socket prior to its attachment; 
         FIG. 6  an illustration similar to  FIG. 5 , however during movement for attachment of the electrical socket, in this case a rotational movement; 
         FIG. 7  the end position of the fastening movement according to  FIG. 6  with two additional cross-sectional views, once inside and once outside of the fastening profile; 
         FIG. 8  a perspective view of the attached electrical socket prior to the upper cover being attached, the cover is illustrated in the cross-sectional illustration; 
         FIG. 9  a perspective view similar to  FIG. 8 , viewed from the electrical socket side, shortly before the front cover is latched, whose end position is shown in the cross-sectional view; 
         FIG. 10  two views showing the electrical socket in the mounted state and in the state demounted from flat cable or the insulation piercing connector, respectively; 
         FIG. 11  a view similar to  FIG. 6 , however with the electrical socket being folded away from the first channel; 
         FIG. 12  the final situation after the pivot movement according to  FIG. 11  with individual illustration of the insulation piercing connector which is serving as a protection and is staying behind; 
         FIG. 13  an illustration similar to  FIG. 12  prior to the upper cover and the front cover being latched for closing the channel system; and 
         FIG. 14  the final state after latching of the individual parts according to  FIG. 13 . 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     With the aid of  FIGS. 1 through 14 , two embodiments of a first to third channel  16 ,  42 , and  44  which are present in both embodiments will be described. Same reference characters mean same features inasmuch as nothing to the contrary is indicated. 
     Of course, the following description, at least the appropriate parts, also applies to a channel system  10  with only a first channel  16 , or a first and second channel  16  and  42 , or a first and third channel  44 . The main focus is therefore on the first channel  16  which is provided with a flat cable  12  that in this case has three cable strands  40 . 
     The cable systems  10  which will now be described contain each at least one multicore flat cable  12  to which is connected an electrical socket  14  at the first channel  16 . 
     The first channel  16  has a rearward side  18 , a bottom side  20 , and a front side  21 . 
     Of course, the rearward side  18 , the bottom side  20 , and the front side  21  can be connected either individually or also connected monolithically to the bottom side  20 , namely by means of latching/inserting connections. In the described embodiments, however, the rearward side  18  and the front side  21  are monolithically connected with an upper cover  24  so that the bottom side  20 , which receives the flat cable  12 , in the instant case a three-core cable, is latched with the above described parts for forming the first channel  16 . 
     In particular  FIG. 3  shows that the bottom side  20  of the first channel  16  for receiving the flat cable  12  is provided with a certain profiling that, as shown in particular in  FIG. 4 , is asymmetrically designed in cross-section. The surface of the flat cable facing the bottom side  20  has a negative contour relative to the bottom side  20  so that, in order to obtain a flat top surface of the inserted flat cable  12 , there is only one position for placing the flat cable  12  onto the bottom side  20 . 
     The reason for this is that for a correct electrical connection with the electrical socket  14 , the cables to be connected must have a certain configuration. Of course, the sequence of the cable strands which are positioned adjacent to each other is arbitrary; however, in the illustrated embodiments the zero conductor is arranged such that it is closest to the front side  21  so that, upon pivoting and piercing of the electrical socket  14  and the insulation piercing contacts  30 , the zero conductor is contacted first by the electrical socket  14  for safety reasons. 
     In which way this is carried out can be seen best in  FIG. 5 . Since the insulation piercing connector  26  with its first part  28  is positioned fixedly on the cable strands  40  of the flat cable  12 , there is already a latching securing action provided with the bottom side  20  of the first channel  16  in this way. 
     There is, of course, a plurality of ways to join the two parts  28  and  32  of the insulation piercing connector  26 . It has been found to be particularly advantageous however when the two parts  28  and  32  are connected by means of a film hinge  52  so that the insulation piercing connector  26  can already be connected with the electrical socket  14 , namely in that the second part  32  is inserted into appropriate contact pins  34  which are located within the electrical socket  14 . These contact pins  34  contact the insulation piercing contacts  30  which are pointing in the direction of the first part  28 . 
     When now the housing or the electrical socket  14  according to  FIG. 5  and  FIG. 6  is folded out of the paper plane, the film hinge  52  serves as an exact guiding device so that the insulation piercing contacts  30  that in this case are all designed in a fork shape will impinge exactly on the appropriate cable strands  40  and surround them with their fork-like tip. Upon this engagement action, the fork-like ends of the insulation piercing contacts  30  cut open the installation of the cable strands  40  of the flat cable  12  and push so strongly into the electrically conducting leads of the cable strands  40  that a safe contact is produced. 
     When the second part  32  together with the electrical socket  14  is completely joined with the first part  28  of the insulation piercing connector  26 , then these two first and second parts  28  and  32  are now irreversibly latched. 
     This not only serves safety issues, primarily after disassembly of the electrical socket  14 , but also to a certain extent imparts strength to the electrical socket  14  on the first channel  16 . 
     In this context, the insulation piercing connector  26  is no irreversibly connected with the channel  16 . 
     Since the non-piercing ends of the insulation piercing connector  26  within the second part  32  are electrically connected detachably by means of contact pins  34  arranged within the electrical socket  14 , it is advantageous to provide the electrical socket  14  with a fastening profile  36  for increasing the strength of the attachment force. 
     This fastening profile  36  forms also the two described different embodiments. It is indeed possible, and also illustrated in the Figures, that the electrical socket  14  is provided with the fastening profile connectable with the channel  16  or that either supports or at least partially receives an electrical socket housing  38  in its interior, wherein the surface of the electrical socket housing  38  facing in the channel direction are without a fastening profile. 
     Accordingly, on the one hand, the fastening profile  36  is located within the electrical socket housing  38 . On the other hand, in the second embodiment the fastening profile  36  essentially receives the electrical socket  14  or its housing in its interior and only the end faces which are pointing in the cable direction are without this fastening profile  36 . 
     The irreversible latching action is shown moreover in  FIG. 7  and particularly clearly shown in the lower smaller cross-sectional detail view thereof. Of course, there are several different ways to ensure this irreversible latching action. The illustrated latching action serves only as an example therefor. 
     Moreover, the pivot direction is also not mandatory. Of course, the pivoting action of the housing or of the electrical socket  14  can be realized from the right side or from the left side, viewed in longitudinal direction. However, care must be taken that then the insulation piercing connector also requires the film hinge  52  at a different location. 
     The greatest special feature of the described embodiments of two channel systems  10  resides in that the electrical socket  14  is removable from the channel  16 , the second part  32  remains irreversibly latched with the first part  28  and covers the ends of the insulation piercing contacts  30  which are facing away from the flat cable  12 . Accordingly, after removal of the electrical socket  14  the insulation piercing connector  26  remains essentially as a “bandage” so that touching the insulation piercing contacts is no longer possible. 
     A further advantage of this remaining insulation piercing connector  26  resides however also in that this insulation piercing connector that has been positioned and irreversibly latched once can again be provided with an electrical socket  14  which then must be manipulated opposite to the movements illustrated in FIG. 
       10 . 
     Once the electrical socket  14  has been mounted completely, the upper covers  24  to the right and to the left of the electrical socket  14  can be pushed onto the bottom side  20  of the first channel  16  and therefore form with its three flanks a completely enclosed first channel  16 . 
     As a final step, now the front cover  22  is then detachably latched with, in this case, first to fourth channels  16 ,  42 , and  44 . The type of latching action which has been selected in this embodiment is also illustrated in cross-section in FIG. 
       9 . 
     Moreover, it should be noted that, for increasing the strength, the fastening profile  36  in the first channel  16  is braced by means of a securing screw  50 . In this way, a securing action of the connecting housing on the channel profile by spreading apart the securing bracket or the fastening profile  36  at the level of the cable strands  40  exists. This is a mechanical securing action of the connecting housing or of the electrical socket  14  with a pointed securing screw  50  so that the latter grounds the connecting housing, namely in a single working step also the metallic connecting bracket on the profile in that, for example, the anodized layer is penetrated. 
     Also, as shown in particular in  FIG. 9 , it is apparent that the cable system  10  can be comprised of up to three channels  16 ,  42 , and  44 . The second channel  42  serves for receiving audio, video and CAT conduits, for example, speaker cables, antenna cables, telephone cables etc. The second channel  42  is also detachably closable by the front cover  22 . 
     Moreover, in the Figures it is illustrated that the channel system  10  has a third channel  44  which in its interior is provided with securing elements  46  for heating conduits  48 . This third channel  44  adjoins either the first channel  16  or the second channel  42 . It is thus not necessary that always three channels must be present. 
     Moreover, in the illustrated embodiments it is provided that the first channel  16  is monolithically formed either with the second channel  42  or/and with the third channel  44 . 
     As a material for the channel system either metal, plastic material or a combination thereof can be used. This does not apply, of course, to the flat cable  12  because the latter always comprises a combination of metal and plastic material. 
     By means of the channel system  10  according to the invention, a simple, easily installed multi-use solution is provided for installing simply and easily up to three channels for electric current, audio, video, and heating and primarily for retrofitting by surface mounting wherein the greatest degree of freedom resides in that an electrical socket  14  can be mounted at any desired location. 
     List Of Reference Characters 
     
         
           10  channel system 
           12  flat cable 
           14  electrical socket 
           15  rearward housing wall 
           16  first channel 
           18  rearward side 
           20  bottom side 
           21  front side 
           22  front cover 
           24  upper cover 
           26  insulation piercing connector 
           28  first part 
           30  insulation piercing contact 
           32  second part 
           34  contact pin 
           36  fastening profile 
           38  electrical socket housing 
           40  cable strand 
           42  second channel 
           44  third channel 
           46  securing elements 
           48  heating conduits 
           50  securing screw 
           52  film hinge 
           54  central screw 
           56  screw sleeve 
           58  housing