Connection terminal for connecting electrical conductors

Abstract

The invention relates to a terminal (1) for connecting an electrical conductor (2), comprising a housing (10), an electrical current bar (12) arranged in the housing (10), a clamping spring (13) arranged in the housing (10) and having a clamping leg (130) for clamping the conductor (2) to be connected in relation to the current bar (12) in a clamping position, and a handling element (14) movably supported in the housing (10), by means of which the clamping leg (130) can be transferred from the clamping position into an open position, wherein the clamping leg (130) has a sliding portion (131A) which cooperates with a pressing surface (140A) of the handling element (14). It is provided here that the pressing surface (140A) has a first section (A1) and a second section (A2), which are connected to one another by a connecting section (V) having a greater curvature than the first section (A1) and the second section (A2), wherein the sliding portion (131A) is designed to slide over the first section (A1), the connecting section (V) and the second section (A2) when being transferred from the clamping position into the open position.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The invention relates to a terminal for connecting electrical conductors according to the preamble of claim 1. BACKGROUND

[0002] Such a terminal comprises a housing, a current bar arranged in the housing, a clamping spring arranged in the housing, with clamping legs for clamping the conductors to be connected in relation to the current bar in a clamping position, and a handling element movably supported in the housing, by means of which the clamping legs can be transferred from the clamping position into an open position, wherein the clamping legs have a sliding portion which cooperates with a pressing surface of the handling element.

[0003] A terminal of this kind is described in DE 10 2019 106 350 A1. This terminal has improved operability compared to known terminals.

[0004] DE 10 2019 106 351 A1 and DE 10 2019 106 353 A1 describe further terminals.

[0005] In general, in terminals for connecting electrical conductors, intuitive and simple handling is required in order to avoid connection errors and to enable quick connection. Since such terminals are usually constructed in the form of terminal strips, in which many terminal strips are mounted and connected side by side, the improvement of the operability of the terminal is of particular importance. SUMMARY

[0006] It is an object of the invention to provide a terminal which has improved operability.

[0007] This object is achieved by the subject matter of claim 1.

[0008] It is therefore provided that the pressing surface has a first section and a second section, which are connected to one another by a connecting section, the connecting section having a greater curvature than the first section and the second section, wherein the sliding portion is designed to slide over the first section, the connecting section and the second section when being transferred from the clamping position into the open position.

[0009] It is thereby achieved that when handling the handling element, it is not necessary to use a force which continuously increases along the handling path, but rather the further handling is simplified haptically after a sub-section at the beginning of the handling path, until for example a stop is reached. It is thereby made significantly easier for the user to recognize when the handling element has been moved far enough or whether a further movement is required to reach the open position. This is particularly important in variants of the terminal for relatively large conductor cross sections. A terminal is therefore provided which enables significantly improved operability.

[0010] The first section is formed in particular by a first face section, the second section is formed by a second face section and the connecting section is formed by a third face section. The first face section then adjoins the third face section, for example, directly; the third face section adjoins the second face section, for example, directly. The third face section is located between the first face section and the second face section, for example. The sliding portion slides from the first section via the connecting section to the second section when the clamping leg is moved from the clamping position to the open position. Thus, the sliding portion slides along the first section, along the connecting section and along the second section when the clamping leg is moved from the clamping position to the open position.

[0011] In the open position of the clamping leg, the electrical conductor can be introduced into and / or can be removed, in particular without damage, from the electrically conductive connection chamber configured between the clamping leg and the current bar.

[0012] The connecting section of the pressing face has, for example, one convex curvature. This achieves a particularly distinct haptic difference between the opening movement from the clamping position to the open position and the stop in the open position.

[0013] Optionally, the first section of the pressing face has a concave curvature. This achieves, for example, a smooth introduction of the opening movement. Optionally, the concave curvature of the first section tapers, for example, stepwise or continuously, towards the connecting section.

[0014] Also optionally, the second section of the pressing face has a flat surface. For example, the entire second section or at least a majority thereof is configured flat.

[0015] The pressing face can also have one (additional) protrusion. The sliding portion optionally rests against the protrusion in at least one position, for example, in the clamping position of the clamping leg. The protrusion is formed, for example, by a convex face section. Thereby, a well-defined position of the handling element in the clamping position can be predefined and an easy introduction of the movement movement when handling the handling element out of the clamping position can be achieved.

[0016] According to an optional embodiment, the first section of the pressing face is arranged between the protrusion and the connecting section. Thus, the sliding portion slides from the protrusion via the first section into the connecting section when the clamping leg is moved from the clamping position to the open position.

[0017] For example, the first section, the second section and the connecting section of the pressing face together form two stages. This allows a two-stage haptics in the opening movement, which achieves a particularly distinct differentiation of the opening movement and the stop.

[0018] Optionally, the clamping leg comprises a second sliding portion, and the handling element comprises a second pressing surface, wherein the second sliding portion is configured to slide along the second pressing surface of the handling element when moving from the clamping position into the open position. This enables an even distribution of forces. For example, the first and the second pressing surface are identically configured, in particular shaped.

[0019] Optionally, the handling element has two handling arms, one of the pressing surfaces being configured on each handling arm. Here, a receiving portion can be configured between the handling arms. For example, the current bar is guided through the receiving portion, and / or the conductors to be connected can be introduced into the receiving portion.

[0020] It can be provided that the handling element has a stop surface, which, for example, abuts against a counter stop in the open position. For example, the stop surface abuts against the current bar in the open position. The stop surface is configured, for example, between the two handling arms. This enables a particularly secure stop. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0021] The idea of the application is explained in detail below with the aid of embodiments shown in the drawings. Therein:

[0022] Figures 1A-1C One view of a terminal is shown, wherein the clamping leg of the clamping spring of the terminal is in the clamping position;

[0023] Figure 2A and Figure 2B a view of a terminal according to Figures 1A-1C is shown, wherein the clamping leg is in the open position;

[0024] Figure 3 a view of the housing of a terminal according to Figures 1A-2B is shown;

[0025] Figure 4A and Figure 4B a view of the handling element of a terminal according to Figures 1A-2B is shown;

[0026] Figure 5 a view of the current bar of a terminal according to Figures 1A-2B is shown;

[0027] Figure 6 a view of the clamping spring of a terminal according to Figures 1A-2B is shown; and

[0028] Figure 7 a force-displacement diagram of a terminal according to Figures 1A-2B is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029] Figures 1A-2BA terminal 1 for connecting an electrical conductor 2 is shown, the electrical conductor being, for example, in... Figure 2B As shown in the image.

[0030] Terminal block 1 has a housing 10, which can be constructed as an insulating material housing. Housing 10 has an inner cavity. Furthermore, housing 10 has a conductor inlet 11 (see, for example, [reference needed]). Figure 1B and Figure 2B And separately shown housing 10 Figure 3 The conductor 2 to be connected can be introduced into the inner cavity of the housing 10 through the conductor inlet 11. A current rod 12, a clamping spring 13, and an operating element 14 for operating the clamping spring 13 are arranged in the housing 10.

[0031] The current rod 12 may be electrically connected to or attached to an external component, for example. Figure 5 The test contact 121 of the current rod 12, shown separately, can make electrical contact through an opening in the housing 10. The current rod 12 comprises two sub-segments extending perpendicularly to each other.

[0032] With the help of the clamping spring 13, the electrical conductor 2 to be connected can be clamped inside the housing 10.

[0033] A conductive connection chamber 15 is constructed between the current rod 12 and the clamping spring 13, in which the conductor 2 is electrically connected and clamped.

[0034] The clamping spring 13 is constructed as a leg-clamping spring. It has a retaining leg 134, a clamping leg 130, and a curved joint 135 constructed between the retaining leg 134 and the clamping leg 130, as particularly in… Figure 6 As can be seen in the image, the clamping spring 13 is shown separately.

[0035] The clamping spring 13 is attached to the protruding lug of the current rod 12 by means of the retaining leg 134. The curved joint 135 is inserted into the bracket 101 constructed in the housing 10. The clamping leg 130 is movable relative to the retaining leg 134, and in particular, it is oscillating. The clamping leg 130 enables the clamping of the conductor 2 to be connected relative to the current rod 12.

[0036] The actuating element 14 is movably supported within the housing 10. For this purpose, the actuating element 14 is movably guided within the well passage 100 of the housing. The clamping legs 130 of the clamping spring 13 are, for example, located within... Figures 1A-1C The clamping position shown is as follows: Figure 2A and Figure 2B The shift to the open position shown is achieved by the movement of the actuating element 14. In this movement, the actuating element 14 moves purely linearly along the actuating direction B. The actuating direction B of the actuating element 14 extends perpendicular to the insertion direction E of the electrical conductor 2 into the housing 10. The clamping spring 13 is preloaded in the clamped position.

[0037] The handling element 14, here on the end face, has a handling face 141, by means of which the handling element 14 can be handled, for example by means of a tool, such as a screwdriver. The handling element 14 is here movable in the housing 10. In the clamping position, the handling element 14 is arranged such that the handling face 141 can end, for example, flush with the outer surface of the housing 10. In the open position, the handling face 141 is arranged in the housing 10, in particular deeper in the housing 10 than in the clamping position.

[0038] The handling element 14 also has at least one pressing face, here two pressing faces 140A, 140B. In the example shown, the pressing faces 140A, 140B are formed at the end of the handling element 14 opposite the handling face 141.

[0039] The pressing faces 140A, 140B interact with the clamping leg 130 of the clamping spring 13 in order to transmit a force from the handling element 14 to the clamping leg 130 of the clamping spring 13 and thereby to move the clamping leg 130 from the clamping position to the open position.

[0040] At least one slide, here two slides 131A, 131B, are configured on the clamping leg 130. The slides 131A, 131B are arranged and configured to interact with one of the pressing faces 140A, 140B of the handling element 14, respectively, such that the clamping leg 130 slides along the pressing face 140A, 140B with the slide 131A, 131B when the handling element 14 is handled.

[0041] The two pressing faces 140A, 140B extend parallel to one another, as can be seen in particular in Figure 4A The two slides 131A, 131B likewise extend parallel to one another, as is shown in particular in Figure 6

[0042] As can be seen in particular from Figure 4A and 4B The pressing faces 140A, 140B each have a first section A1 and a second section A2. The first section A1 is connected to the second section A2 by a connecting section V, respectively. It is provided here that the connecting section V has a greater curvature and / or slope than the first section A1 and / or the second section A2. In each pressing face 140A, 140B, the first section A1 and the second section A2 are stepped relative to one another. The respective first section A1 forms a first step, and the respective second section A2 forms a second step. The slope at the transition between the first step and the second step is greatest. The respective first section A1 is further from the handling face 141 than the respective second section A2. The profile of the pressing face 140A, 140B thus has a shoulder between the first and second sections A1, A2, respectively. ​

[0043] The first section Al has a concave surface, the connecting section V has a convex surface, and the second section A2 has a flat surface. The first section Al, the connecting section V and the second section A2 are arranged in this order. The connecting section V is arranged between the first section Al and the second section A2. At the end facing away from the respective connecting section V, the respective first section Al adjoins on a protrusion P. The protrusion P is convex. The protrusion P forms a respective corner of the actuating element 14.

[0044] The respective flat surface of the second section A2 is oriented perpendicular to the actuating direction B.

[0045] The contouring of the two pressing surfaces 140A, 140B results in a course of the force F in relation to the stroke X shown in solid lines in Figure 7 . At first a minimum force has to be used in order to move the actuating element 14 against the force of the clamping spring 13. Thereafter the force required for further movement increases, but then decreases again due to the two stepped sections Al, A2 of the pressing surfaces 140A, 140B provided. The force required then increases again.

[0046] That is to say, at first a relatively large force is felt to be required in order to actuate the clamping spring 13. At the transition between the first and the second step, the user perceives a step. Thereafter, further actuation feels easier until the stop is reached. By means of this profile it is easier for the user to feel when the stop is reached.

[0047] In the transition from the clamped position to the open position, the respective slide 131A, 131B (starting from the protrusion P) slides over the first section Al, the connecting section V and the second section A2.

[0048] Figure 7 The respective course of the pressing surface without two sections connected by a more strongly curved connecting section is shown exemplarily by the dashed line in

[0049] The actuating element 14 has two actuating arms 142A, 142B which here extend parallel to one another (see in particular Figure 4A ). One of the pressing surfaces 140A, 140B is respectively configured on the actuating arms 142A, 142B. The two actuating arms 142A, 142B are spaced apart from one another, so that a receptacle 144 is configured between the two actuating arms 142A, 142B.

[0050] The current bar 12 is guided through a receptacle 144 of the handling element 14. In other words, the handling element 14 is inserted with the receptacle 144 on the current bar 12. Furthermore, the electrical conductor 2 to be connected can be inserted into the receptacle 144. The receptacle 144 defines an electrically conductive connection chamber 15. In particular, the electrically conductive connection chamber 15 is defined laterally by the two handling arms 142A, 142B. The electrically conductive connection chamber 15 is defined upwardly, for example with respect to a handling direction B which is oriented from top to bottom, by the current bar 12. The electrically conductive connection chamber 15 is defined downwardly by the clamping leg 130 of the clamping spring 13.

[0051] The handling element 14 further comprises a stop face 143 which, together with a counter stop face provided here on the current bar 12, forms an end stop for a movement of the handling element 14 relative to the housing 10. The stop face 143 is formed between the two handling arms 142A, 142B.

[0052] The clamping leg 17 of the clamping spring 13 has a clamping tab 132. The clamping tab 132 is arranged between the two sliding portions 131A, 131B. A clamping edge 133 is formed on the clamping tab 132 by means of which the electrical conductor 2 to be connected can be clamped to the current bar 12. Here, the current bar 12 has an edge 120 against which the clamping edge 133 abuts in a clamping position when no electrical conductor 2 is arranged in the electrically conductive connection chamber 15.

[0053] The clamping tab 132 is configured longer than the two sliding portions 131A, 131B, so that the clamping tab 132 protrudes beyond the two sliding portions 131A, 131B. The two sliding portions 131A, 131B are therefore recessed in the direction of the bent joint 135 of the clamping spring 13 from the clamping edge 133. The clamping tab 132 is configured essentially linearly. The two sliding portions 131A, 131B each have an arcuate shape. The sliding portions 131A, 131B are each configured arched in the direction of the pressing faces 140A, 140B. The sliding portions 131A, 131B are identically configured.

[0054] If the electrical conductor 2 is inserted into the terminal 1 and clamped to the current bar 12 by means of the clamping spring 13, the sliding portions 131A, 131B come into contact with the respective protrusion P, that is to say here with one end of the sliding portions 131A, 131B, respectively.

[0055] The manipulation element 14 comprises an (optional) hook 145, which is formed on the end of the manipulation element 14 opposite the manipulation face 141. The hook 145 encloses one of the sliding portions 131A, 131B. Thus, the manipulation element 14 is held on the sliding portion 141B with the hook 145 and cannot be moved in the shaft 100 into the position in which the manipulation element 14 is located when the clamping leg 130 is set in the clamping position. Thus, it can be easily recognized by the manipulation element 14 pushed into the housing 10 whether the inserted electrical conductor 2 is clamped correctly.

[0056] The terminal block 1 is, for example, a terminal strip.

[0057] Reference Signs List

[0058] 1 terminal block

[0059] 10 housing

[0060] 100 shaft

[0061] 101 holder

[0062] 11 conductor introduction opening

[0063] 12 current bar

[0064] 120 bevel

[0065] 121 test contact

[0066] 13 clamping spring

[0067] 130 clamping leg

[0068] 131A, 131B sliding portion

[0069] 132 clamping tab

[0070] 133 clamping bevel

[0071] 134 holding leg

[0072] 135 bending joint

[0073] 14 manipulation element

[0074] 140A, 140B pressing face

[0075] 141 manipulation face

[0076] 142A, 142B manipulation arm

[0077] 143 stop face

[0078] 144 receiving portion

[0079] 145 hook

[0080] 15 electrically conductive connection chamber

[0081] 2 electrical conductor

[0082] A1, A2 section

[0083] B steering direction

[0084] E insertion direction

[0085] P protrusion

[0086] V connection section

Claims

1. A terminal (1) for connecting an electrical conductor (2), having: a housing (10), a current bar (12) arranged in the housing (10), a clamping spring (13) arranged in the housing (10), having a clamping leg (130) for clamping the conductor (2) to be connected in relation to the current bar (12) in a clamping position, and the clamping leg (130) having a sliding portion (131A) which cooperates with a pressing surface (140A) of the actuating element (14), characterized in that the pressing surface (140A) has a first section (Al) and a second section (A2), which are connected to one another by a connecting section (V), wherein the connecting section (V) has a convex curvature, the first section (Al) has a concave curvature and the second section (A2) has a flat surface, wherein the connecting section has a greater curvature than the first section (Al) and the second section (A2), wherein the sliding portion (131A) is configured to slide over the first section (Al), the connecting section (V) and the second section (A2) when moving from the clamping position into the open position. the pressing surface (140A) has a protrusion (P), against which the sliding portion (131A) rests in the clamping position of the clamping leg (130). the first section (Al) of the pressing surface (140A) is arranged between the protrusion (P) and the connecting section (V). the first section (Al), the second section (A2) and the connecting section (V) of the pressing surface (140A) together form a two-stage design. A handling element (14) is movably supported in the housing (10) by means of which the clamping leg (130) can be transferred from the clamping position to the open position, wherein the clamping leg (130) has a second sliding portion (131B) and the actuating element (14) has a second pressing surface (140B), wherein the second sliding portion (131B) is configured to slide along the second pressing surface (140B) of the actuating element (14) when moving from the clamping position into the open position. the actuating element (14) has two actuating arms (142A, 142B), one of the pressing surfaces (140A, 140B) being configured on each of the actuating arms (142A, 142B), wherein a receiving portion (144) is configured between the actuating arms (142A, 142B), through which the current bar (12) passes and into which the conductor (2) to be connected can be inserted. the actuating element (14) has a stop surface (143) which rests against the current bar (12) in the open position. ​ ​ 2. The terminal (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that ​ 3. The terminal (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that ​ 4. The connection terminal (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that ​ 5. The terminal (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that ​ 6. The terminal (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that ​ 7. The wiring terminal (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that ​

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