Terminal arrangement and bridge element for terminal arrangement

Abstract

The invention relates to a connection terminal arrangement having a plurality of connection terminals, each of which has a respective housing, the connection terminals being arranged next to one another with their housings in an arrangement direction, wherein each connection terminal has at least one spring-force clamping terminal arranged in the housing thereof for connecting an electrical conductor by means of a spring force, the at least one spring-force clamping terminal having at least one clamping spring and a busbar, the housing having at least one bridge connection opening, a bridge element, which is guided along a plurality or all of the terminals of the terminal arrangement, can be electrically connected through the bridge connection opening to the respective busbar in the housing of the respective terminal. The invention also relates to a bridging element for such a terminal arrangement.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a terminal device, the terminal device has a plurality of terminals, each of the terminals has its own housing, wherein the terminals are arranged side by side with their housings in an arrangement direction, wherein each terminal has at least one spring force clamping terminal arranged in its housing for connecting an electrical conductor by means of spring force, wherein at least one spring force clamping terminal has at least one clamping spring and a busbar, wherein the housing has at least one bridge connection opening, and a bridge element guided along a plurality or all of the terminals of the terminal device can pass through the bridge connection opening to be electrically connected to a corresponding busbar in the housing of the corresponding terminal. The present invention also relates to a bridge element for such a terminal device. Background Art

[0002] Such connecting terminals can be placed, for example, with their housings directly adjacent to one another, for example locked to one another, in order to form a terminal box. Furthermore, such connecting terminals, in particular in the described embodiment as rail-mounted terminals, can be configured for fastening to a support rail. In this case, the housings of the connecting terminals have corresponding support rail fastening elements. The connecting terminals are then arranged side by side in the state fastened to the support rail. Summary of the invention

[0003] The invention is based on the object of providing a simple and universal solution for the electrical connection of spring force clamping terminals which are arranged in individual housings of connecting terminals.

[0004] In the case of a terminal device of the type mentioned at the outset, this object is achieved in that the bridging element has cutouts and / or recesses at uniform or non-uniform intervals along the arrangement direction, through which separate contact locations and / or desired break locations of the bridging element are formed as required along the arrangement direction, and the desired break locations are used to shorten the bridging element. The present invention has the advantage that, in principle, continuous bridging of any number of terminals of the device can be performed using the bridging element. For example, all the terminals can be electrically connected to each other via the bridging element with their spring force clamping terminals, or only a part of the terminals can be electrically connected to each other. It is also feasible to electrically connect the terminals of corresponding groups of the device to each other using multiple bridging elements.

[0005] Another advantage of such a bridge rail of the connecting terminal arranged in the housing is that the bridge rail is not accessible in actual use and is therefore safe for manipulation. A bridge element suitable for this can be produced in series and can be shortened as required.

[0006] In addition, the individual connection terminals can be freely combined with one another as required. Thus, a distribution terminal or a terminal box with a desired number of feed-in and distribution modules can be built independently of the connection terminals of fixed size.

[0007] Advantageously, the bridge element can optionally have a plurality of contact points separated from one another by its cutouts and / or recesses, which can be used to contact corresponding spring force clamping terminals in the housing of the connecting terminal and / or which can be used to selectively shorten the bridge element. In this way, the bridge element can be arbitrarily adapted in its length or can be cut to length as required.

[0008] The bridging element can be designed in particular as a narrow, longitudinally extending component which has its greatest longitudinal extension in the row direction of the connecting terminals (longitudinal direction).

[0009] In an advantageous design, the housings are arranged side by side so that their bridge connecting openings are aligned with each other. In this way, a continuous bridge element can be inserted through a plurality of or all housings.

[0010] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the bridge element is designed as a sheet metal strip with a substantially rectangular or U-shaped cross section. In this way, the bridge element can be manufactured simply and cost-effectively, for example as a punched and bent part from sheet metal. In addition, such a shaped bridge element can be easily guided through the bridge connection openings of a plurality of housings of terminal blocks arranged side by side.

[0011] According to an advantageous design of the present invention, it is proposed that the bridging element is fixedly arranged at at least one terminal of the terminal device, in particular at the bridge feed module, or the bridging element can be plugged into the terminal device as required. By means of such a fixedly arranged bridging element, the remaining terminals can be simply and intuitively connected to the terminal with the bridging element, that is, the remaining terminals can be connected in series along the bridging element. The bridging element can, for example, be welded or melt-welded to a busbar or a clamping spring of the terminal, the bridging element being fixedly arranged at the terminal, or the bridging element can be formed integrally with such a component. Alternatively, the bridging element can also be not fixedly arranged at the terminal, but only plugged in as required. This makes sense, for example, for the following installation tasks, in which there are only a few application cases for such a bridging element.

[0012] According to an advantageous design of the present invention,

[0013] a) the cutouts and / or recesses form first plug contacts, onto which second plug contacts connected to the busbars of the corresponding connecting terminals can be plugged, respectively, depending on the type of plug connection,

[0014] or

[0015] b) The bridging element has first plug contacts arranged at uniform or non-uniform intervals in the row direction, to which second plug contacts connected to the busbars of the corresponding connecting terminal can be respectively plugged depending on the type of plug connection.

[0016] This allows a simple and reliable contacting of the corresponding busbars with the bridging element. The connection can also be released again by means of the plug connection.

[0017] According to an advantageous design of the present invention, in one, more or all of the connecting terminals, at least one second plug-in contact accessible through a bridge connection opening is provided at the busbar thereof, in particular at least one second plug-in contact integrally molded at the busbar, which second plug-in contact can be plugged together with the first plug-in contact of the bridge element according to the type of plug connection. The first plug-in contact and the second plug-in contact can be configured differently here as required, for example as a male plug-in contact and / or a female plug-in contact, for example as a contact pin, a contact blade, a socket contact, for example a fork contact. In an advantageous design, the first plug-in contact can be configured as a through-opening in the bridge element surrounded by the material of the bridge element. The second plug-in contact can then be configured as a contact tab, which can be inserted into the corresponding through-opening according to the type of plug connection.

[0018] In this case, not all connecting terminals of the connecting terminal arrangement necessarily have to be equipped with such second plug contacts, but rather only those connecting terminals which are connected to other connecting terminals by means of bridging elements should be equipped with such second plug contacts.

[0019] According to an advantageous embodiment of the present invention, it is proposed that the first plug contact is additionally present to the cutout and / or the recess. Thus, a particularly versatile pluggable bridge element can be provided, which can be used for different purposes.

[0020] According to an advantageous design of the present invention, the first plug contact is arranged offset from the cutout and / or the recess in the arrangement direction. For example, the first plug contact can be arranged between adjacent cutouts or recesses in the arrangement direction. In particular, in the case of a U-shaped bridging element, the side legs can then form additional elastic contact locations that contact the second plug contact at the plug contact.

[0021] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the bridging element is U-shaped and has a connecting section from which legs extend substantially at right angles on both sides, wherein the U-shape is formed by the connecting section and the legs extending from the connecting section. In such a bridging element, the first plug-in contact can be integrated particularly simply and inexpensively. In particular, no additional springs are required to produce a reliable plug connection, since the required spring action can be provided not only by the legs of the bridging element but also by the inserted second plug-in contact, in particular when designed as a contact tab.

[0022] According to an advantageous design of the present invention, it is proposed that the first plug contact is at least partially arranged in the connecting section, which allows simple plugging together with the second plug contact in the connecting terminal.

[0023] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the cutouts and / or recesses are provided in one or both legs. In this way, the U-shaped bridging element can be additionally structured in the arrangement direction so that interrupted legs are provided, each of which has an improved and individual spring action for fixing and clamping the second plug contact.

[0024] According to an advantageous design of the present invention, a protruding protrusion is formed on one inner side of the side leg or on two inner sides facing each other, and at least one contact point of the first plug contact is formed by the protrusion for contacting the second plug contact. As a result, the contact reliability of the plug connection formed by the first plug contact and the second plug contact can be further improved. In particular, the transition resistance can be reduced and a mechanically reliable fixation between the first plug contact and the second plug contact can be achieved.

[0025] Furthermore, the objects mentioned at the outset are achieved by a bridge element for a terminal device of the aforementioned type, wherein the bridge element has cutouts and / or recesses at uniform or non-uniform intervals in the arrangement direction, by which separate contact points and / or desired breaking points of the bridge element are formed as required in the arrangement direction, the desired breaking points being used to shorten the bridge element. The advantages explained above can also be achieved thereby. The bridge element can be advantageously improved, in particular, by means of the bridge element features explained above.

[0026] In the sense of the present invention, the indefinite article "a" is not to be understood as a numeral. Thus, when, for example, a component is mentioned, this is to be interpreted in the sense of "at least one component". Whenever an angle is specified in degrees, this relates to a circle size of 360 degrees (360°). BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] The present invention will be explained in detail below based on embodiments using the accompanying drawings.

[0028] The accompanying drawings show:

[0029] Figure 1 A perspective view of a connecting terminal with a bridging element,

[0030] Figure 2 , Figure 3 The bridging element and the busbar are shown in different perspectives,

[0031] Figure 4 A further embodiment of a bridging element with a spring force clamping terminal is shown in a perspective view,

[0032] Figure 5 Shown according to Figure 4 A side sectional view of the terminal block of the bridging element,

[0033] Figure 6 A further embodiment of a bridging element with a spring force clamping terminal is shown in a perspective view,

[0034] Figure 7 Shown according to Figure 6 A side cross-sectional view of the terminal block of the bridging element. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0035] exist Figure 1 2 shows a connecting terminal 1, for example in the form of a rail-mounted terminal, which has a housing 2. The connecting terminal 1 can be arranged next to connecting terminals of identical or similar design in a row direction A, for example when fastened to a support rail.

[0036] The connecting terminal 1 has a spring force clamping terminal in a housing 2, which comprises a busbar 3 and at least one clamping spring 4, here two clamping springs 4. The clamping springs 4 together with the busbar 3 form corresponding wire clamping locations, at which electrical wires can be clamped firmly by means of the force of the corresponding clamping springs 4. The connecting terminal 1 can have one or more actuating elements 5, by means of which the clamping springs 4 can be actuated respectively in order to open the wire clamping locations.

[0037] The housing 2 has a bridge connection opening 20, through which the bridge element 6 can be connected to the busbar 3, and here connected to the second plug contact 30 of the busbar 3. Here, the bridge element 6 extends over a plurality of adjacently arranged connecting terminals 1. Figure 1 This is not shown in the figure for simplicity. Figure 2 and Figure 3 The illustration of the bridging element 6 in FIG.

[0038] like Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the bridge element 6 can be designed as an elongated, almost continuous bridge element, which can be structured in different aspects in its longitudinal direction, which extends in the arrangement direction A. In particular, the bridge element 6 can have cutouts and / or recesses 63, 64 at uniform or non-uniform intervals along the arrangement direction A, which form contact locations of the bridge element 6 separated from each other as required along the arrangement direction A for connecting the busbars 3 of different connecting terminals 1 and / or form desired breaking locations for shortening the bridge element 6.

[0039] As can be seen, the bridging element 6 can have a U-shaped cross section. The U-shape is formed by a strip having a connecting section 61 and side legs 62 extending substantially at right angles from the connecting section 61 on both sides. For example, a cutout 63 can be provided at one or both side legs 62. The cutout formed as a through-opening 64 can be provided in the connecting section 61 or can also partially extend into one or both side legs 62. It can be seen in particular that the through-opening 64 is arranged offset from the cutout 63 in the arrangement direction. In this way, a well-elastic section is generated between the two cutouts 63 at the respective side legs 62, which section is formed for elastically clamping the second plug contact 30.

[0040] like Figure 3 As shown, an additional projection 65 can be integrally formed on the inner side of the limb 62. The projection 65 forms a contact point of the first plug contact 60 formed on the bridge element 6 for contacting the second plug contact 30. The second plug contact 30 can then be clamped elastically and fixedly between the projections 65 of the oppositely disposed elastic sections of the limb 62.

[0041] Figure 4 An embodiment of a bridge element 6 is shown which is not U-shaped in cross section but is instead a flat strip with a substantially rectangular cross section. In the longitudinal direction, i.e. in the arrangement direction A, the bridge element 6 has a cutout 63 by which the desired breaking point is formed for shortening the bridge element 6. Figure 4 It is shown that the bridging element 6 can be electrically connected to a spring force clamping terminal having a busbar 3 and a clamping spring 4 , for example by the bridging element being fixedly mounted there, for example by being welded or melted to the busbar 3 , or by being formed integrally with the busbar 3 .

[0042] exist Figure 4 In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2 , the bridge element 6 is arranged upright, so that it can be inserted through a vertically accessible bridge connection opening 20 of the housing 2 .

[0043] Figure 5The connecting terminal 1 is shown, which in turn has a busbar 3 and two clamping springs 4. For actuating the clamping springs 4, there is an actuating element 5 in each case. The housing 2 has a vertical slot-shaped bridge connection opening 20 on one side, which is connected according to Figure 4 The bridging element 6 can be inserted through the bridge connection opening and can be electrically connected to the connection surface of the busbar 3 which is designed as a second plug contact 30. In order to establish a reliable electrical contact, a connection spring 7 can be provided, by which the bridging element 6 is pressed against the second plug contact 30.

[0044] Figure 6 The embodiment of the bridging element 6 and the spring force clamping terminal with the busbar 3 and the clamping spring 4 is shown, wherein the bridging element 6 is not arranged vertically but horizontally. Figure 4 The embodiment is similarly designed in the embodiment, in particular, has a cutout 63 arranged along the arrangement direction A for forming a desired breaking point.

[0045] Figure 7 The figure shows a connecting terminal 1 which in turn has a busbar 3 and two clamping springs 4. Figure 5 Similarly, there are two actuating elements 5. The spring-force clamping terminal is located in the housing 2, which in this case has a horizontal bridge connection opening 20 which is accessible from the side. Figure 6 The horizontal bridge element 6 shown in FIG. 2 can advantageously be introduced through the bridge connection opening 20 and be electrically connected to the connection surface of the busbar 3 designed as a second plug contact 30 .

[0046] Reference numerals list

[0047] 1 Terminal block

[0048] 2 Shell

[0049] 3 Bus

[0050] 4 Clamping spring

[0051] 5. Control elements

[0052] 6 Bridge Components

[0053] 7 Connecting spring

[0054] 20 Bridge connection opening

[0055] 30 second plug contact portion

[0056] 60 first plug contact portion

[0057] 61 connection section

[0058] 62 Side Leg

[0059] 63 incision

[0060] 64 blank space

[0061] 65 protrusion

[0062] AArrangement direction

Claims

1. A terminal device, comprising a plurality of terminals (1) and a bridging element (6), wherein the terminals each have their own housing (2), wherein the terminals (1) are arranged side by side with their housings (2) along an arrangement direction (A), wherein each terminal (1) has at least one spring force clamping terminal (3, 4) arranged in its housing (2) for connecting an electrical conductor by means of spring force, wherein the at least one spring force clamping terminal (3, 4) has at least one clamping spring (4) and a busbar (3), wherein the housing (2) has at least one bridging element connection opening (20), and a bridging element (6) guided along a plurality or all of the terminals (1) of the terminal device can pass through the bridging element connection opening to be electrically connected to the corresponding busbar (3) in the housing (2) of the corresponding terminal (1), characterized in that The bridge element (6) has cutouts and / or recesses (63, 64) at uniform or non-uniform intervals along the arrangement direction (A), through which separate contact points and / or desired breaking points of the bridge element (6) are formed as required along the arrangement direction (A).

2. The terminal device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The bridge element (6) is designed as a metal strip with a substantially rectangular or U-shaped cross section.

3. The terminal device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The bridge element (6) is fixedly mounted on at least one terminal (1) of the terminal arrangement, in particular on a bridge feed module, or the bridge element (6) can be plugged onto the terminal arrangement as required.

4. The terminal device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a) the cutouts and / or recesses (63, 64) form first plug contacts (60), onto which second plug contacts (30) connected to the busbar (3) of the corresponding terminal (1) can be plugged in, respectively, depending on the type of plug connection, or b) The bridging element (6) has first plug-in contacts (60) arranged at uniform or uneven intervals along the arrangement direction (A), and second plug-in contacts (30) connected to the busbar (3) of the corresponding terminal (1) can be plugged into the first plug-in contacts respectively according to the type of plug-in connection.

5. The terminal device according to claim 4, characterized in that: In one, more than one or all of the connecting terminals (1), at least one second plug-in contact (30) accessible through the bridging element connection opening (20) is provided on the busbar (3), in particular at least one second plug-in contact (30) molded in one piece on the busbar (3), which second plug-in contact can be plugged together with a first plug-in contact (60) of the bridging element (6) depending on the type of plug-in connection.

6. The terminal device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that In addition to the cutouts and / or recesses (63, 64), the first plug contacts (60) are present.

7. The terminal device according to claim 6, characterized in that: The first plug contact (60) is arranged offset with respect to the cutouts and / or recesses (63, 64) along the arrangement direction (A).

8. The terminal device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The bridging element (6) is U-shaped and has a connecting section (61) from which limbs (62) extend substantially at right angles on both sides, wherein the U-shape is formed by the connecting section (61) and the limbs (62) extending from the connecting section.

9. The terminal device according to claim 8, characterized in that: The first plug contact (60) is arranged at least partially in the connecting section (61).

10. The terminal device according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that: The cutouts and / or recesses (63, 64) are provided in one or both limbs (62).

11. The terminal device according to any one of claims 8 to 10, characterized in that: A protruding projection (65) is formed on one inner side or on two inner sides facing each other of the limbs (62), by which at least one contact point of the first plug contact (60) is formed for contacting the second plug contact (30).

12. A bridging element (6) for a terminal arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The bridge element (6) has cutouts and / or recesses (63, 64) at uniform or non-uniform intervals along the arrangement direction (A), through which separate contact points and / or desired breaking points of the bridge element (6) are formed as required along the arrangement direction (A).

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