Protective Element for Conductors

Abstract

A protective element for manufacturing circuit boards is provided, where conductors are fastened to the contacts of the conductors. The protective element includes recesses which are configured for arranging a conductor each, and the protective element can be arranged adjacent a support. The recesses of the protective element are arranged in a first position in alignment with the recesses of the support and in a second position at an angle relative to the recesses of the support. Preferably, the protective element has at least one hinge section which is configured for interacting with a complimentary hinge section of a support which can be mounted against the protective element, where pivoting of the protective element against the support about the pivoting axis of the interacting hinge sections moves the protective element on the support from the first position into the second position.

1 . A Method for connecting electrical lines, each of said electrical lines having a conductor and surrounding insulation as well as individual contact elements which are fixedly mounted in current pathes of a circuit board, said method comprising the steps of:
 removing the insulation from the ends of the electrical lines to achieve bared individual electrical conductors,   inserting the bared individual electrical conductors of the electrical lines into recesses of a protective element, said protective element having a support and an upper part which are connected to each other by hinges, wherein the recesses of the support are aligned flush with and in a common plane with recesses of the upper part of the protective element,   pivoting the upper part of the protective element into an angle relative to the support of the same, thereby bending the conductors about the same angle,   positioning the protective element close to the circuit board such that the electrical conductors abut to contact elements of the circuit board respectively, which are fixedly connected to current pathes of the circuit board and protrude from the same approximately perpendicularly; and   electrically connecting of the conductors to the contact elements.   
     
     
         2 . Method according to  claim 1 , further comprising the step of pressing of positioning recesses of the upper part of the protective element against the contact elements of the circuit board such that the support of the protective element abuts to the circuit board by moving said support of said protective element against the circuit board, while the contact elements arranged against the positioning recesses space the upper part of the protective element from the support. 
     
     
         3 . Method according to  claim 1 , wherein the upper part of the protective element is pivoted together with the enclosed conductors relative to the support of the same at an angle of 70° to 120°, particularly of 90°. 
     
     
         4 . Method according to  claim 1 , wherein the upper part of the protective element is moved away from the conductors and the contact elements of the circuit board prior to the electrical connection of the conductors to the contact elements. 
     
     
         5 . Method according to  claim 1 , wherein the conductors and the contact elements of the circuit board are electrically connected by means of welding, soldering, crimping or clamping.