Connection assembly, connection terminal, and electronic device
By employing a dual-operation element design, especially the automatic release mechanism during conductor insertion, the problem of difficult connections for flexible or small conductors in existing technologies has been solved, achieving a simplified connection operation.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Patents(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2022-04-28
- Publication Date
- 2026-03-31
AI Technical Summary
Existing connection components are difficult to simplify conductor connections for flexible conductors or conductors with small cross-sections, especially since they cannot release the clamping springs by the conductor's own force.
The design employs a dual-operation element. The first operation element is used to open and close the clamping spring, while the second operation element is used to automatically release the clamping spring when the conductor is inserted. The automatic release of the clamping spring is achieved by the conductor contacting the pressure surface of the locking leg.
It enables simplified connections for flexible or small conductor cross-sections, avoids applying additional force to the conductor, and improves the ease of operation of the connection components.
Smart Images

Figure CN115275667B_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This invention relates to a connection assembly for connecting electrical conductors, the assembly having a current bar, a clamping spring, and a first actuating element movable in a first actuating direction. The clamping spring can be moved to a clamped position and an open position, wherein, in the clamped position, the electrical conductor to be connected is clamped relative to a clamping section of the current bar, and the clamping spring can be moved from the clamped position to the open position by means of the first actuating element. The invention also relates to a connection terminal and an electronic device. Background Technology
[0002] Such connection assemblies typically have a clamping spring configured as a clamping arm spring, which has retaining legs and clamping legs, wherein a conductor introduced into the connection assembly can be clamped to a current bar by means of the clamping legs of the clamping spring. To allow the connected conductor to be released from the clamped position again, an actuating element is typically provided, which can move the clamping spring from the clamped position to the open position. In the open position, the clamping spring can be held in its position, wherein by inserting the conductor into the connection chamber of the connection assembly, the clamping spring can be released from the open position solely by the conductor, allowing the clamping spring to automatically return from the open position to the clamped position. However, this is only possible for conductors with a sufficiently large conductor cross-section, allowing the conductor to apply sufficient force to release the clamping spring's lock in the open position. Summary of the Invention
[0003] The purpose of this invention is to provide a connection component, a connection terminal, and an electronic device that can also achieve simplified connections for flexible conductors.
[0004] According to the invention, this objective is achieved using the features of the independent claim. Advantageous embodiments and improvements of the invention are given in the dependent claims.
[0005] The connecting assembly according to the invention is characterized by a second actuating element that can be guided along a second actuating direction, by means of which the clamping spring can be released from the open position.
[0006] Therefore, according to the present invention, the connecting assembly has not only one operating element, but two operating elements. These two operating elements are constructed as two independent components. Furthermore, the two operating elements have two different functions. In particular, when the connected conductor should be released from the clamped position again, the clamping spring can be moved from the clamped position to the open position by means of the first operating element. The second operating element enables the release of the clamping spring from the open position, so that the clamping spring can pivot back or move back to the clamped position from the open position. Especially when connecting flexible conductors or conductors with small conductor cross-sections or small conductor diameters, the operation of the clamping spring to connect the conductor can be facilitated by means of the second operating element. The release of the clamping spring from the open position can therefore be achieved by the second operating element and does not necessarily require pressure applied to the clamping spring by the conductor. Therefore, depending on the conductor to be connected, the second operating element can be operated by the user as needed. Thus, operation becomes significantly easier for the user, especially when connecting flexible conductors.
[0007] Preferably, the first and second operating elements are configured such that a first operating direction of the first operating element is oriented parallel to a second operating direction of the second operating element. Therefore, the first and second operating elements can be operated by the user from the same side. The second operating element can be guided parallel to the first operating element. The second operating element is preferably disposed directly adjacent to the first operating element.
[0008] The clamping spring may have a retaining leg and a clamping leg, the clamping leg being used to clamp the conductor to be connected relative to the clamping section of the current bar in the clamping position of the clamping spring. Furthermore, the clamping spring may have a locking leg, preferably extending into the conductor connection chamber, which can be held in a fixed position in the open position of the clamping spring, wherein the clamping leg can be operated by means of a first actuating element and the locking leg can be operated by means of a second actuating element. The locking leg may be arranged on the retaining leg at the end of the retaining leg away from the clamping leg. Thus, the retaining leg may be arranged between the clamping leg and the locking leg. The locking leg may be integrally constructed with the retaining leg or connected to the locking leg as a separate component, particularly in a form-fitting and / or force-fitting manner. The locking leg is preferably connected to the retaining leg such that the locking leg is elastically or pivotally constructed relative to the retaining leg. The clamping spring can be held, particularly locked, to the first actuating element in the open position of the clamping spring by means of the locking leg. In the open position of the clamping spring, the locking leg can apply pressure to the first operating element, which can act on the first operating element in the opposite direction to the pressure applied by the clamping leg to the operating element in the open position of the clamping spring.
[0009] To enable tool-free connection of conductors with small cross-sections, particularly flexible conductors, the locking leg can have a pressure surface. This pressure surface can be manipulated by the conductor to be connected to move the clamping spring from the open position to the clamped position, and by manipulating the pressure surface, the locking leg can be disengaged from the actuating element. The locking leg can have a pressure surface that is aligned with the insertion area of the conductor in the connecting assembly, and thus arranged in an extension of the conductor insertion opening of the connecting terminal housing, so that the conductor can contact the pressure surface of the locking leg when inserted into the connecting assembly or the conductor connection chamber. By applying pressure to the pressure surface by means of the conductor, the locking leg can be pivoted or tilted along the conductor insertion direction, thus pivoting or tilting away from the first actuating element along the conductor insertion direction. Through the pivoting movement of the locking leg, the locking leg can disengage from and thus release from the actuating element, allowing the actuating element and therefore the clamping spring to move from the open position to the clamped position without manual assistance. This special mechanism allows for the connection of conductors very simply through the insertion movement of the conductor, releasing the clamping spring and moving it from the clamped position to the open position. If the conductor to be connected has high flexibility or a very small cross-section, making it impossible to apply sufficient force to the locking leg itself or the pressure surface of the locking leg to release the locking leg from the actuating element in the open position of the clamping spring, the locking leg can be released from the locking position with the first actuating element by means of a second actuating element. Therefore, the second actuating element can be used to assist in simplifying the connection of the conductors, depending on the cross-section of the conductor to be connected.
[0010] Therefore, the clamping spring can be manipulated in a different area than the first operating element by means of the second operating element, since the first operating element preferably works in conjunction with the clamping leg and the second operating element preferably works in conjunction with the locking leg.
[0011] To retain the locking leg on the actuating element in the open position of the clamping spring, the first actuating element can have a retaining profile. The retaining profile enables reliable and secure retention of the locking leg on the first actuating element in the open position of the clamping spring. Within the region of the retaining profile, the locking leg can apply pressure to the first actuating element in the open position of the clamping spring. The retaining profile is preferably constructed on the first actuating element itself in the form of a specific surface shape.
[0012] The cross-section of the first actuating element may be U-shaped. The first actuating element may have a first actuating arm and a second actuating arm spaced apart from the first actuating arm, wherein a retaining profile may be constructed on the first and second actuating arms. These two actuating arms are preferably oriented parallel to each other. A free space is formed between these two actuating arms, into which the conductor to be connected can be introduced and guided towards the locking leg. A conductor connection chamber formed between the current bar and the clamping spring may be laterally defined by the first and second actuating arms, such that these two actuating arms can guide the conductor to be connected and prevent lateral displacement of the conductor. The retaining profile on the first actuating arm is preferably constructed symmetrically with respect to the retaining profile arranged on the second actuating arm. In the open position of the clamping spring, the locking leg may be held, in particular locked, on both actuating arms or on the two retaining profiles of the two actuating arms.
[0013] The locking leg can have a free end on which at least one retaining arm can be configured. When the clamping spring is in the open position, the locking leg can be held on the retaining profile of the first actuating element by the retaining arm, wherein the second actuating element can cooperate with the at least one retaining arm when moving from the clamped position to the open position. The at least one retaining arm preferably extends transversely to the longitudinal extension of the locking leg. In the locked position, the locking leg can engage the first actuating element in the region of the retaining profile with its at least one retaining arm, such that the at least one retaining arm can be placed on the first actuating element in the locked position and thus pressure can be applied to the first actuating element through its at least one retaining arm.
[0014] Alternatively, the locking leg may have a T-shape at its free end, which allows it to be held on both control arms. The T-shape allows the locking leg to have a laterally projecting first retaining arm and a laterally projecting second retaining arm, wherein the locking leg can be held on the retaining profile of the first control arm by the first retaining arm, and the locking leg can be held on the retaining profile of the second control arm by the second retaining arm. The two retaining arms are thus preferably constructed on the locking leg such that they extend away from each other.
[0015] The second actuating element may have at least one actuating finger that can cooperate with at least one retaining arm when the clamping spring moves from the open position to the clamping position. The actuation of the clamping spring by means of the second actuating element can therefore be achieved by at least one retaining arm of the locking leg. The actuating finger preferably extends along the longitudinal direction of the second actuating element. In order to actuate the clamping spring and thus release it from the open position, the second actuating element can contact at least one retaining arm with its actuating finger, such that the second actuating element releases or pushes at least one retaining arm from the first actuating element by means of the actuating finger. The second actuating element can be guided along and press against at least one retaining arm of the locking leg by means of its at least one actuating finger, such that at least one retaining arm can be pressed away from or pushed away from the first actuating element. A sliding surface can be formed on the second actuating element, particularly on at least one actuating finger of the second actuating element, which can slide along the locking leg or along at least one retaining arm of the locking leg to release the locking leg from the first actuating element. The sliding surface is preferably constructed as a bevel.
[0016] If the first actuating element has two actuating arms and the locking leg has two retaining arms that cooperate with the two actuating arms, then the second actuating element preferably also has two actuating fingers, so that the first actuating finger can cooperate with the first retaining arm and the second actuating finger can cooperate with the second retaining arm. The two actuating fingers are preferably constructed symmetrically to each other. The two retaining arms of the locking leg can be operated simultaneously by means of the two actuating fingers. The two actuating fingers preferably extend parallel to each other in the longitudinal direction of the second actuating element.
[0017] The length of at least one actuating finger can be configured, for example, such that when guiding the second actuating element along the second actuating direction, at least one actuating finger can pass laterally beside the clamping section of the current bar to actuate the locking leg. If the second actuating element has two actuating fingers, these two actuating fingers are preferably configured to be of equal length, so that both actuating fingers can pass laterally beside the clamping section of the current bar to actuate the locking leg. Thus, the second actuating element can U-shapely surround the clamping section of the current bar with its two actuating fingers, especially when actuating the clamping spring or the locking leg of the clamping spring. These two actuating fingers are preferably spaced far apart from each other such that, especially when actuating the clamping spring or the locking leg of the clamping spring, these two actuating fingers can pass beside the clamping section of the current bar on two opposite sides of the clamping section of the current bar.
[0018] To achieve a compact structure, at least one recess can be formed in the clamping section of the current bar, allowing at least one actuating finger to be guided through it. The actuating finger can thus pass directly through the clamping section of the current bar. If the second actuating element has two actuating fingers, the clamping section of the current bar can have two recesses, allowing each actuating finger to pass through one of the recesses to actuate the clamping spring or its locking leg. In the area with one or two recesses, the width of the current bar is preferably reduced.
[0019] Alternatively, the length of at least one retaining arm can be configured such that it can laterally overlap with the clamping section of the current bar. In this design, at least one operating finger of the second operating element is preferably configured so short that it does not laterally pass beside the clamping section of the current bar. Instead, the at least one retaining arm can be configured to be longer and laterally overlap with the current bar. The at least one retaining arm can then extend from the conductor connection chamber. No recess is needed on the current bar, thus not reducing the cross-sectional area of the current bar for current carrying capacity. The at least one laterally projecting retaining arm can then have an extension along the second operating direction of the second operating element. The at least one retaining arm can then have an L-shape. Two retaining arms can also be provided in this design, and these two retaining arms can be configured to be mirror-symmetrical to each other. The two retaining arms can be configured to be so long that they laterally overlap with the clamping section of the current bar, particularly laterally overlapping on two opposite sides of the current bar.
[0020] The first actuating element can have a spring element, by means of which the first actuating element can be preloaded in the open position of the clamping spring. The spring element can cause the first actuating element to be returned to a defined, reproducible position, particularly the initial position, when the clamping spring moves from the open position to the clamping position. The first actuating element can be preloaded, for example, relative to a current bar spring. The spring element can be constructed in the form of a helical spring.
[0021] The first operating direction of the first operating element and / or the second operating direction of the second operating element can be designed to be transverse to the conductor insertion direction in the conductor connection chamber formed between the clamping section of the current bar and the clamping spring of the conductor to be connected.
[0022] Furthermore, the objective according to the invention is achieved by means of a connecting terminal, particularly a junction box, having a housing and at least one connecting assembly arranged in the housing with the construction and improvements described above. A conductor insertion opening can be constructed on the housing, aligned with the conductor connection chamber of the connecting assembly, and the conductor to be connected can be inserted into the housing and into the connecting assembly through this conductor insertion opening. Especially in the case of a junction box configured to lock onto a support rail, two such connecting assemblies can also be arranged in the housing.
[0023] Furthermore, the objective according to the invention is achieved by means of an electronic device having at least one connection component constructed and improved as described above and / or at least one connection terminal constructed and improved as described above. The electronic device may be, for example, a switch cabinet in which one or more support rails or mounting plates may be provided, and multiple connection terminals having corresponding connection components, particularly junction boxes, may be secured to the support rails or mounting plates. Attached Figure Description
[0024] The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and preferred embodiments.
[0025] The figure shows
[0026] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a connecting terminal having a clamping spring in the open position, according to the present invention, is shown.
[0027] Figure 2 It shows Figure 1 The schematic cross-sectional view shown depicts a connection terminal with a clamping spring in the open position.
[0028] Figure 3 It shows in Figure 1 Another schematic cross-sectional view of the connecting terminal shown, with a clamping spring in the open position.
[0029] Figure 4 It shows Figure 1 The schematic cross-sectional view shown depicts the connecting terminal with a clamping spring in the clamped position.
[0030] Figure 5 It shows in Figure 1 Another schematic cross-sectional view of the connecting terminal with the clamping spring in the clamped position, as shown.
[0031] Figure 6 A schematic diagram of a connecting assembly according to the invention is shown, which has a clamping spring and a second actuating element according to a first design.
[0032] Figure 7 A diagram of a connecting assembly according to the invention is shown, which has a clamping spring and a second actuating element according to another design.
[0033] Figure 8 A schematic cross-sectional view of a connection terminal according to another design of the present invention is shown, wherein the clamping spring is in the open position.
[0034] Figure 9 It shows Figure 8 Another schematic cross-sectional view of the connecting terminal shown, with the clamping spring in the open position, and
[0035] Figure 10 It shows Figure 8 The diagram shows a schematic cross-sectional view of the connecting terminal with a clamping spring in the clamped position. Detailed Implementation
[0036] Figure 1 A connection terminal 200, or a portion thereof, with a housing 210 is shown, in which a connection assembly 100 is arranged. The housing 210 is made of an insulating material, particularly a plastic material. The connection assembly 100 is arranged within the interior space of the housing 210.
[0037] The connection assembly 100 has a current bar 110, which, for example, in Figure 2 As can be seen, there is a clamping section 111, on which the conductor 300 to be connected can be clamped and thus connected to the clamping section.
[0038] Furthermore, the connecting assembly 100 has a clamping spring 112, wherein the conductor 300 to be connected can be electrically clamped relative to the current bar 110 or relative to the clamping section 111 of the current bar 110 by means of the clamping spring 112, such as, for example, in Figure 4 As shown in the image.
[0039] The clamping spring 112 is constructed as a clamping arm spring. The clamping spring 112 has a retaining leg 113 and a clamping leg 114. The retaining leg 113 and the clamping leg 114 are connected to each other by an arc-shaped section 115. The retaining leg 113 is arranged in a fixed position within the housing 210. The clamping leg 114 is pivotable relative to the retaining leg 113, such that, depending on the position of the clamping leg 114, the clamping spring 112 can be shifted and positioned, for example, in… Figure 1 and Figure 2 The opening position shown and, for example, in Figure 3 and Figure 4 The clamping position is shown in the figure.
[0040] Furthermore, the clamping spring 112 has a locking leg 116, giving it three legs 113, 114, and 116. The locking leg 116 is connected to the retaining leg 113, which is positioned between the clamping leg 114 and the locking leg 116. In the configuration shown here, the locking leg 116 extends substantially at a right angle away from the retaining leg 113. The length of the locking leg 116 is configured such that it extends beyond the clamping leg 114 from the retaining leg 113, at least in the open position of the clamping spring 112. The locking leg 116 assists in holding the clamping spring 112 in the open position.
[0041] The locking leg 116 extends from the retaining leg 113 toward or into the conductor connection chamber 117, which is formed between the current bar 110 or the clamping section 111 of the current bar 110 and the clamping spring 112. A conductor 300 to be connected is inserted into the conductor connection chamber 117 to connect the conductor 300 and clamp it relative to the clamping section 111 of the current bar 110. The length of the locking leg 116 is configured to define the conductor connection chamber 117 in the conductor insertion direction E. If the conductor 300 is inserted into the conductor connection chamber 117 via a conductor insertion opening 211 formed in the housing 210, the conductor 300 contacts the locking leg 116, thereby allowing the locking leg 116 to deflect or pivot in the conductor insertion direction E. The locking leg 116 has a pressure surface 118 pointing toward the conductor connection chamber 117, which the conductor 300 contacts when inserted into the conductor connection chamber 117. In order for the locking leg 116 to deflect, the locking leg 116 is spring-loaded and elastically connected to the retaining leg 113.
[0042] To move the clamping spring 112 from the clamped position to the open position, the connecting assembly 100 further includes a first actuating element 119. The first actuating element 119 is guided purely linearly within the housing 210. When the clamping spring 112 is actuated to move it from the clamped position to the open position, the first actuating element 119 moves in a first actuating direction B1, whereby the first actuating element 119 moves toward the clamping spring 112. The first actuating element 119 here cooperates with the clamping leg 114 of the clamping spring 112 in such a way that the first actuating element 119 applies a force to the clamping leg 114 in the first actuating direction B1, causing the clamping leg to pivot toward the holding leg 113 to release the conductor connection chamber 117.
[0043] The first actuating element 119 shown here has a U-shaped cross-section. The first actuating element 119 has two actuating arms 120a and 120b extending parallel to each other. A free space is formed between the two actuating arms 120a and 120b, through which the conductor 300 to be connected can be guided to be clamped relative to the clamping section 111 of the current bar 110. The lengths of the two actuating arms 120a and 120b are configured such that they laterally define the conductor connection chamber 117 and thus constitute lateral guides for the conductor 300 to be connected.
[0044] Operating surfaces 121a and 121b are respectively constructed on the edge surfaces of the operating arms 120a and 120b in the direction of the clamping spring 114. The operating surfaces work together with the clamping spring 112 to operate the clamping spring 112. When the clamping leg moves from the clamping position to the open position, the first operating element 119 rests against the clamping leg 114 of the clamping spring 112 with its two operating surfaces 121a and 121b.
[0045] The clamping leg 114 has a clamping tab 122 and two side tabs 123a and 123b disposed on the side of the clamping tab 122. The clamping tab 122 has a clamping edge 124 at its free end, by means of which the conductor 300 to be connected is clamped onto the current bar 110 or the clamping section 111 of the current bar 110.
[0046] A clamping tab 122 is disposed between two side tabs 123a and 123b. The clamping tab 122 is constructed to be longer than the two side tabs 123a and 123b, extending beyond them. The two side tabs 123a and 123b each have an arcuate shape. Therefore, the two side tabs 123a and 123b can each form a sliding plate, which can slide along the operating surfaces 121a and 121b when acting in conjunction with the first operating element 119. Therefore, to operate the clamping spring 112, the first operating element 119 directly contacts the two side tabs 123a and 123b of the clamping spring 112; conversely, the clamping tab 122 does not directly contact the first operating element 119. The clamping tab 122 is arranged in the free space formed between the two operating arms 120a and 120b.
[0047] Figure 1 and Figure 2The clamping spring 112 is shown in the open position, in which the conductor connection chamber 117 is released, allowing the conductor 300 to be connected to be inserted into and then pulled out again. In this open position, the clamping spring 112 and the first actuating element 119 are tensioned together, forming a closed force system in which the first actuating element 119 is held in position by the clamping spring 112 without additional assistance, and the clamping spring 112 is held in position by the first actuating element 119.
[0048] The tension of the first operating element 119 and the clamping spring 112 is achieved in such a way that, in the open position, the clamping spring 112 applies two opposing pressures D1 and D2 to the first operating element 119. Through these two opposing pressures D1 and D2, the first operating element 119, and thus the clamping spring 112, can be held in a stable, fixed position in the open position of the clamping spring 112.
[0049] A first pressure D1 acts against the first operating direction B1 on the first operating element 119. The first pressure D1 is applied to the first operating element 119 by the clamping leg 114, and in particular by the side tabs 123a and 123b of the clamping leg 114. The side tabs 123a and 123b press against the operating surfaces 121a and 121b of the first operating element 119 by the first pressure D1 applied by the spring action of the clamping leg 114.
[0050] A second pressure D2 is applied to the first operating element 119 along the first operating direction B1. The second pressure D2 is applied to the first operating element 119 by the locking leg 116 of the clamping spring 112. Here, the locking leg 116 is held on the first operating element 119, particularly on the two operating arms 120a and 120b of the first operating element 119, and is locked onto the first operating element 119. The free end 125 has a T-shape due to two laterally outwardly projecting retaining arms 126a and 126b. In the open position, the locking leg 116 is held on the first operating arm 120a by its first retaining arm 126a and on the second operating arm 120b by its second retaining arm 126b.
[0051] To ensure that the locking leg 116 is reliably and thereby fixedly held on the first actuating element 119 in the open position, retaining profiles 127 are respectively constructed on the two actuating arms 120a and 120b. The retaining profiles 127 are spaced apart from the actuating surfaces 121a and 121b on the first actuating element 119. In the open position, the two retaining arms 126a and 126b of the locking leg 116 abut against the retaining profiles 127 of the actuating arms 120a and 120b to hold the locking leg 116 in a fixed position.
[0052] If, with the clamping spring 112 in the open position, the conductor 300 to be connected is introduced into the conductor connection chamber 117 via the conductor insertion opening 211 of the housing 210 in the conductor insertion direction E, then the conductor 300 contacts the pressure surface 118 of the locking leg 116 of the clamping spring 112, which is aligned with the conductor insertion opening 211. Figure 2 As can be seen, when the conductor 300 touches the pressure surface 118, the locking leg 116 can pivot in the conductor insertion direction E, thereby disengaging the locking leg 116 from the holding profile 127 of the first actuating element 119.
[0053] Once the locking leg 116 is released from the first operating element 119, the tension between the clamping spring 112 and the first operating element 119 is released because the locking leg 116 no longer applies the second pressure D2 to the first operating element 119. Therefore, only the first pressure D1 applied to the first operating element 119 by the clamping leg 114 still acts on the first operating element 119. Thus, by the spring force of the clamping leg 114, the clamping leg 114 can push the first operating element 119 upwards against the first operating direction B1. Consequently, the clamping leg 114 also moves towards the conductor 300 introduced into the conductor connection chamber 117, pressing the conductor against the clamping section 111 of the current bar 110 via the clamping tab 122 of the clamping leg 114, and thus clamping and connecting the conductor 300 to the current bar 110. The clamping position of the clamping spring 112 is... Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown in the image.
[0054] In the case of a very thin or very flexible conductor 300, it is possible that the conductor, when inserted into the conductor connection chamber 117, cannot apply sufficient force through the pressure surface 118 to the locking leg 116 to release the locking leg from the latching with the retaining profile 127. To enable connection of such a conductor 300 with a very small conductor cross-section despite this, the connection assembly 100 has a second actuating element 128. This second actuating element 128 enables the clamping spring 112 to be released from its open position and moved into the clamped position. The second actuating element 128 for this purpose works with the locking leg 116, and particularly with the retaining arms 126a, 126b of the locking leg 116. The second actuating element 128 therefore does not work with the clamping leg 114 of the clamping spring 112. The first actuating element 119 and the second actuating element 128 therefore work with the clamping spring 112 in different areas.
[0055] The second actuating element 128 can be operated independently of the first actuating element 119. The second actuating element 128 is guided along a second actuating direction B2 to release the clamping spring 112 from the open position. The second actuating direction B2 extends parallel to the first actuating direction B1, so that the second actuating element 128 is guided in a direction parallel to the first actuating element 119. Therefore, the second actuating element 128 is guided linearly, just like the first actuating element 119.
[0056] The second actuating element 128 is positioned directly adjacent to the first actuating element 119. In the design shown here, the housing 210 has a guide well 212 in which the first actuating element 119 and the second actuating element 128 are arranged and guided. In the embodiment shown here, the first actuating element 119 has a groove 129 on its outer peripheral surface, and a beam 130 formed on the second actuating element 128 engages in the groove 129. The two actuating elements 119 and 128 are engaged with each other in a form-fitting manner through the groove 129 and the beam 130. By engaging and guiding the two actuating elements 119 and 128 in a form-fitting manner, it is possible to prevent the actuating elements 119 and 128 from tipping or tilting over each other. Alternatively, the groove 129 may be formed on the second actuating element 128, and the beam 130 may be formed on the first actuating element 119. Two or more grooves 129 and two or more beams 130 may also be provided.
[0057] The second actuating element 128, in the design shown here, has a first actuating finger 131a and a second actuating finger 131b, as particularly in Figure 6 As can be seen in the image. Figure 6 It shows in Figures 1 to 5The connecting assembly 100 shown comprises only a current bar 110, a clamping spring 112, and a second operating element 128. Two operating fingers 131a and 131b interact with the two retaining arms 126 of the locking leg 116 of the clamping spring 112 to release the clamping spring 112 from its open position. The two operating fingers 131a and 131b extend parallel to each other. The two operating fingers 131a and 131b are molded onto the base 132 of the second operating element 128. Preferably, the two operating fingers 131a and 131b can be integrally formed with the base 132. The entire operating element 128 can therefore be made of an insulating material, particularly a plastic material. The base 132 has an operating surface 133 through which the user operates the second operating element 128.
[0058] Each of the two actuating fingers 131a and 131b has a sliding surface 134a and 134b, which can slide along the retaining arms 126a and 126b via the sliding surface, so as to push the retaining arms 126a and 126b, and thus the locking leg 116, out of the lock with the first actuating element 119, and thus release it, allowing the locking leg 116 to pivot in the conductor insertion direction E via the second actuating element 128. The two sliding surfaces 134a and 134b are respectively constructed in the form of inclined planes. Through the inclined sliding surfaces 134a and 134b, the actuating fingers 131a and 131b gradually taper towards their free ends. The two actuating fingers 131a and 131b are constructed symmetrically to each other, so that the two retaining arms 126a and 126b of the locking leg 116 can be operated simultaneously by means of the two actuating fingers 131a and 131b.
[0059] exist Figure 6 In the illustrated configuration, the lengths of the two retaining arms 126a and 126b of the locking leg 116 are configured such that they laterally overlap with the current bar 110 or the clamping section 111 of the current bar 110. The clamping section 111 is U-shapedly surrounded by the locking leg 116, particularly by the U-shaped free ends 125 of the locking leg 116 having the two retaining arms 126a and 126b. The two retaining arms 126a and 126b are L-shaped, extending towards the second operating element 128. The two retaining arms 126a and 126b are guided from the region of the conductor connection chamber 117 towards the second operating element 128. The interaction between the second operating element 128 and the two retaining arms 126a and 126b, and consequently the locking leg 116, occurs outside the conductor connection chamber 117.
[0060] The clamping section 111 of the current bar 110 has a clamping surface 135 pointing towards the conductor connection chamber 117 and clamping the conductor 300 to be connected relative to this clamping surface. Two retaining arms 126a, 126b extend beyond the clamping surface 135 above the upper side surface 136 of the clamping section 111, which is opposite to the clamping surface 135. The retaining arms 126a, 126b are operated by means of a second actuating element 128 above the upper side surface 136.
[0061] Figure 7 This illustrates another possible design scheme, in which the two control fingers 131a and 131b are more precise than in... Figure 6 The design shown is constructed to be longer. Figure 7 In the design shown, when the locking leg 116 is operated by means of the second operating element 128, the two operating fingers 131a and 131b of the second operating element 128 can pass laterally beside the clamping section 111 of the current bar 110 so as to cooperate with the retaining arms 126a and 126b of the locking leg 116. Therefore, with Figure 6 In contrast to the configuration shown, the two retaining arms 126a and 126b of the locking leg 116 are constructed to be significantly shorter.
[0062] The two operating fingers 131a and 131b are constructed of the same length, such that they pass laterally beside the clamping section 111 of the current bar 110 in order to operate the locking leg 116. The second operating element 128 here U-shapedly surrounds the clamping section 111 of the current bar 110. The distance between the two operating fingers 131a and 131b is such that, especially when operating the clamping spring 112 or its locking leg 116, the two operating fingers 131a and 131b are guided across the clamping section 111 of the current bar 110 on two opposing sides. The operation of the retaining arms 126a and 126b, and therefore the operation of the locking leg 116, is performed here in the area of the conductor connection chamber 117. Below the clamping surface 135 of the clamping section 111, two operating fingers 131a, 131b can act on the retaining arms 126a, 126b to release the retaining arms from the latching with the first operating element 119.
[0063] Here, two opposing recesses 137a and 137b are constructed on the clamping section 111 of the current bar 110, in which one of the two operating fingers 131a and 131b is guided as it passes beside the clamping section 111 of the current bar 110. The operating fingers 131a and 131b can therefore pass directly through the clamping section 111 of the current bar 110, such as... Figure 7 As shown.
[0064] Figures 8 to 10 It shows that it has the following characteristics: Figure 7 The connecting terminal 200 of the connecting assembly 100 is shown. The clamping spring 112 and the first actuating element 119 correspond to the connection terminal 200 of the connecting assembly 100. Figures 1 to 6 The design scheme shown in the figure. Figure 8 and Figure 9 The clamping spring 112 is shown in the open position. Figure 10 A clamping spring 112 in the clamped position is shown, having a connected conductor 300.
[0065] exist Figures 1 to 10 In the two designs shown here, conductor 300 is introduced into conductor connection chamber 117 and thus into connection assembly 100 or connection terminal 200 in the direction of operation B1 and B2 of the two operating elements 119 and 128.
[0066] Furthermore, in both designs shown here, the first actuating element 119 is preloaded by a spring element 138 in the open position of the clamping spring 112. The spring element 138 allows the first actuating element 119 to be returned to a defined, reproducible position, particularly the initial position, when the clamping spring 112 moves from the open position to the clamping position. By means of the spring element 138, the first actuating element 119 can, for example, be preloaded relative to the current bar 110 or the clamping section 111 of the current bar 110, as shown in the figures. The spring element 138 is here constructed in the form of a helical spring.
[0067] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures
[0068] 100 connection components
[0069] 110 Current bar
[0070] 111 Clamping Section
[0071] 112 Clamping Spring
[0072] 113 Keep your legs
[0073] 114. Clasp your legs together.
[0074] 115 Arc-shaped section
[0075] 116 Leg Lock
[0076] 117 Conductor Connection Chamber
[0077] 118 pressure surface
[0078] 119 First Control Element
[0079] 120a, 120b control arms
[0080] 121a, 121b control surfaces
[0081] 122 clamping splice
[0082] 123a, 123b side connectors
[0083] 124 Clamp the edge
[0084] 125 Free end
[0085] 126a, 126b retaining arms
[0086] 127 Maintain the outline
[0087] 128 Second control element
[0088] 129 Grooves
[0089] 130 beams
[0090] 131a, 131b control pointers
[0091] 132 matrix
[0092] 133 control surfaces
[0093] 134a, 134b sliding surfaces
[0094] 135 Clamping surface
[0095] 136 Upper side
[0096] 137a, 137b recessed parts
[0097] 138 Spring Element
[0098] 200 connection terminals
[0099] 210 Housing
[0100] 211 Conductor insertion opening
[0101] 212 Pilot Well
[0102] 300 conductor
[0103] B1 First Control Direction
[0104] B2 Second Control Direction
[0105] D1 First Pressure
[0106] D2 Second Pressure
[0107] E Conductor insertion direction
Claims
1. Connection assembly (100) for connecting electrical conductors (300), having a current bar (110), a clamping spring (112) having a clamping leg (114) and a latching leg (116), and a first actuating element (119) which can be guided in a first actuating direction (Bl), which first actuating element cooperates with the clamping leg (114), by means of which first actuating element the clamping spring (112) can be transferred from a clamping position into an open position, characterized in that a second actuating element (128) which can be guided in a second actuating direction (B2) is provided, which second actuating element cooperates with the latching leg (116), by means of which second actuating element the clamping spring (112) can be released from the open position, wherein the second actuating element (128) can be actuated independently of the first actuating element (119). The first actuating element (119) and the second actuating element (128) are arranged relative to one another such that the first actuating direction (Bl) of the first actuating element (119) is oriented parallel to the second actuating direction (B2) of the second actuating element (128). a clamping spring (112) which can be shifted into a clamping position and an open position, wherein in the clamping position of the clamping spring (112) an electrical conductor (300) to be connected is clamped relative to a clamping section (111) of the current bar (110), wherein The clamping leg serves to clamp the conductor (300) to be connected relative to a clamping section (111) of the current bar (110) in the clamping position of the clamping spring (112), the latching leg being held in a fixed position in the open position of the clamping spring (112), wherein the clamping leg (114) can be actuated by means of the first actuating element (119) and the latching leg (116) can be actuated by means of the second actuating element (128), and wherein the clamping spring (112) further has a holding leg (113). The first actuating element (119) has a holding contour (127), on which the latching leg (116) is held in the open position of the clamping spring (112). The first actuating element (119) has a first actuating arm (120a) and a second actuating arm (120b) which is arranged spaced apart from the first actuating arm (120a), wherein the holding contour (127) is formed on the first actuating arm (120a) and the second actuating arm (120b). The latching leg (116) has a free end (125) on which at least one holding arm (126a, 126b) is configured, by means of which holding arm the latching leg (116) is held on the holding contour (127) of the first actuating element (119) in the open position of the clamping spring (112), wherein the second actuating element (128) cooperates with the at least one holding arm (126a, 126b) when switching from the clamping position to the open position.
2. The connection assembly (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that 3. The connection assembly (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that 4. The connection assembly (100) according to claim 3, characterized in that 5. The connection assembly (100) according to claim 4, characterized in that 6. The connection assembly (100) according to claim 4, characterized in that 7. The connection assembly (100) according to claim 6, characterized in that The second actuating element (128) has at least one actuating finger (131a, 131b) which cooperates with the at least one holding arm (126a, 126b) when the clamping spring (112) is transferred from the open position into the clamped position.
8. The connection assembly (100) according to claim 7, characterized in that The length of the at least one actuating finger (131a, 131b) is configured such that, when the second actuating element (128) is guided in the second actuating direction (B2), the at least one actuating finger (131a, 131b) passes laterally next to the clamping section (111) of the current bar (110) in order to actuate the latching leg (116).
9. The connection assembly (100) according to claim 8, characterized in that At least one recess (137a, 137b) is configured on the clamping section (111) of the current bar (110), in which the at least one actuating finger (131a, 131b) is guided laterally.
10. The connection assembly (100) according to claim 7, characterized in that The length of the at least one holding arm (126a, 126b) is configured such that the at least one holding arm (126a, 126b) overlaps laterally with the clamping section (111) of the current bar (110).
11. The connection assembly (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that The first actuating element (119) has a spring element (138) by means of which the first actuating element (119) is spring-preloaded in the open position.
12. The connection assembly (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that The first actuating direction (B1) of the first actuating element (119) and / or the second actuating direction (B2) of the second actuating element (128) is designed transversely to a conductor insertion direction (E) of a conductor (300) to be connected into a conductor connection chamber (117) formed between the clamping section (111) of the current bar (110) and the clamping spring (112).
13. Connection terminal (200) having a housing (210) and having at least one connection assembly (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 12 arranged in the housing (210).
14. Electronic device having at least one connection assembly (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 12 and / or having at least one connection terminal (200) according to claim 13.
Citation Information
Patent Citations
Electrical connector including conductor engaging means
US20070099479A1