Spring force clamping connection piece and connection terminal

Abstract

The invention relates to a spring-force clamping connection for connecting electrical conductors by means of a spring force, the spring-force clamping connection having at least one busbar and a clamping spring, the clamping spring having a clamping leg with a clamping edge for clamping the electrical conductors to a contact section of the busbar, the clamping spring has at least one retaining element which is configured to retain the clamping leg in the open position. The invention also relates to a connection terminal having such a spring-loaded clamping connection.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The invention relates to a spring force clamping connection for connecting electrical conductors by means of spring force, wherein the spring force clamping connection has at least one busbar and a clamping spring, which has clamping legs with clamping edges for clamping the electrical conductors at contact sections of the busbar, and at least one holding element, which is configured for holding the clamping legs in an open position. Furthermore, the invention relates to a terminal having such a spring force clamping connection. BACKGROUND

[0002] Such a terminal is known from DE 10 2020 119 372 A1. It is involved that the terminal automatically connects the electrical conductors to be clamped when they are inserted into the terminal. By inserting the electrical conductors, the clamping legs of the clamping spring, which are held in the open position, are automatically released and thereby cause the clamping of the electrical conductors. SUMMARY

[0003] On the basis thereof, it is an object of the invention to specify a further improved spring force clamping connection and a terminal.

[0004] The object is achieved in that the at least one holding element is formed at the busbar. In comparison to solutions in which the holding element is integrally molded at the spring, by holding the clamping legs at the holding element of the busbar, the complexity of the spring geometry can be reduced. By the clamping legs being hooked at the holding element of the busbar, the clamping legs can be held particularly reliably in the open position, especially in comparison to solutions in which a part of the insulating material housing serves as holding element. A further advantage is that the release mechanism can be designed separately and independently of the spring geometry.

[0005] In this way, the terminal, which automatically connects the electrical conductors to be clamped, can be improved in terms of structural size with good operability and reliability.

[0006] The at least one holding element can be integrally formed at the busbar, for example by means of stamping, press bending processes or cutting. This has the advantage that the holding element can be produced together directly in the bending forming process of the busbar. By this, a separate installation of the holding element is not necessary.

[0007] Especially, two holding elements can also be formed at the busbar, for example one on each side of the clamping legs. The clamping legs can then be held in the open position on both sides by the holding elements symmetrically.

[0008] According to an advantageous design of the application, it is proposed that the busbar has an elongated and / or slit-like opening, through which the clamping spring or at least its clamping leg passes. This facilitates reliable clamping of the electrical line at the busbar. For example, the contact section can be configured as a clamping tongue cut out of and bent out of the material of the busbar, for example a clamping tongue bent away from the surface of the busbar, at which the support leg of the clamping spring bears on the busbar. The electrical line to be clamped can likewise be guided through the elongated and / or slit-like opening, so that it is reliably held therein. The elongated and / or slit-like opening can be completely or predominantly surrounded by the material of the busbar on the circumferential side.

[0009] According to an advantageous design of the application, it is proposed that the clamping spring bears with its support leg on the busbar, in particular on the inner side of the slit-like opening. This allows the clamping spring to be reliably supported with two-sided support, so that the force of the clamping spring is directed away from the insulating material housing of the terminal. For example, not only the support leg but also the clamping leg can pass through the slit-like opening.

[0010] According to an advantageous design of the application, it is proposed that the at least one holding element constitutes an undercut at at least one surface side of the busbar. The undercut constitutes a latching element at which the clamping leg can be latched. Such an undercut allows the clamping leg to be reliably hooked at the at least one holding element. The holding element with the undercut can be formed by an outwardly projecting tab, a recess in the form of an embossment or a cut-through.

[0011] According to an advantageous design of the application, it is proposed that the at least one holding element is configured as a protrusion at at least one surface side of the busbar or as a recess at at least one surface side of the busbar, in particular as a recess at the surface side of the busbar facing the line introduction side or at the lateral edge of the busbar. This allows various design options for achieving the functionality of the clamping leg being held in the open position.

[0012] According to an advantageous design of the application, it is proposed that the clamping spring has a support leg and a spring bow, wherein the support leg is connected to the clamping leg via the spring bow, wherein the support leg bears at an abutment section of the busbar. The clamping spring can be clamped at the busbar in the manner described between the abutment section and the contact section of the busbar. In the manner described, a self-supporting contact insert is provided, wherein the resulting forces are not transmitted to the insulating material housing. For example, the busbar can have an elongated opening, into which the clamping spring with its support leg on one side and with its clamping leg on the other side projects.

[0013] According to an advantageous design of the application, it is proposed that the spring force clamping connection has a release element with a release section, by means of which the clamping leg held in the open position at the holding element can be released from the holding element when the electrical conductor to be clamped exerts an operating force on the release section. This allows the clamping leg to be released automatically from the holding element by inserting the electrical conductor. The release section can be loaded with pressure by means of a separate tool, a component of the terminal block, such as, for example, a handling element, or directly via the introduced electrical conductor itself and thereby effect the release of the clamping leg from the holding element. By means of the release element, the clamping leg held in the open position at the holding element can be released from the holding element by exerting pressure on the release section in the direction of wire introduction (L) of the electrical conductor to be connected. Depending on the design of the spring force clamping connection, the release element can be formed as part of the clamping spring, for example as a release element formed in one piece with the clamping spring, or as a separate component.

[0014] According to an advantageous design of the application, the release element is formed as a release lever which is pivotably supported at the spring force clamping connection or in the insulating material housing of the terminal block according to the type of a seesaw or a rocker arm. The release lever can have a support section by means of which the release lever is supported and can be pivoted about. The release lever can have a first lever arm which projects in one direction from the support section, the release section being arranged at the lever arm. The release lever can have a second lever arm which projects in a different direction from the support section than the first lever arm, which extends to the holding element or to the connection between the holding element and the clamping leg, and which is configured for mechanically releasing the clamping leg from the holding element, for example in such a way that the clamping leg is slightly moved away from the connection to the holding element by means of the second lever arm in order to release the latching. Here, the first lever arm can be arranged at an angle, for example essentially at a right angle, to the second lever arm.

[0015] According to an advantageous design of the application, it is proposed that the release lever has at least two lever arms which are oriented at an angle of less than 80° relative to one another. Thereby, the release lever can be integrated into the terminal block in a space-saving manner.

[0016] The spring force clamping connection can have a one-piece or multi-piece handling mechanism for handling the clamping spring. By means of the handling mechanism, the clamping leg can be transferred into the open position against the spring force of the clamping spring upon manual handling. In the open position, the clamping leg can then be held by the holding element, in particular also without additional manual handling of the handling mechanism, so that the electrical conductor can be introduced at any time without particular expenditure of force.

[0017] The actuating mechanism can have a manual actuating element which can be actuated by a user with an actuating force. The manual actuating element can be designed, for example, as a movable pushbutton or as a pivotable lever. In the case of a pushbutton, the pushbutton can be arranged substantially linearly movably in a guide channel of the housing of insulating material.

[0018] The clamping leg can form, together with the contact section of the busbar, a clamping point for clamping the electrical line between the clamping leg and the contact section. In the open position, at least the clamping edge of the clamping leg is pivoted away from the contact section of the busbar. The clamping leg can be pivoted, for example, between an open position, in which the electrical line can move freely between the clamping leg and the contact section, and a clamping position, in which the clamping leg clamps the electrical line at the contact section.

[0019] The holding element can act, for example, directly onto the clamping leg in order to hold the clamping leg in the open position. Thus, for example, a first latching element can be provided at the clamping leg and a second latching element can be provided at the holding element, wherein the first latching element and the second latching element can latch into one another in the open position. The first latching element can be designed, for example, as a latching protrusion or as a latching hook. The second latching element can be designed as a latching edge or as a latching opening.

[0020] In an advantageous design, the at least one holding element can be provided at the busbar in the region of the elongate and / or slit-like opening.

[0021] In an advantageous design, the at least one holding element can be provided at the busbar, in particular in the region between the support section and the contact section.

[0022] In an advantageous design, the at least one holding element can be provided at the busbar closer to the support section than to the contact section.

[0023] In an advantageous design, the at least one latching element at the clamping leg can be designed as a latching edge or as a latching protrusion. If the at least one latching element is designed as a latching protrusion, the at least one latching element can project from the clamping leg with a relatively small length, in particular with a length of less than five or ten times the material thickness of the clamping leg.

[0024] Furthermore, the objects mentioned at the outset are achieved by a terminal having an insulating material housing with at least one wire introduction opening for accommodating an electrical wire in a wire introduction direction (L), wherein at least one spring force clamping connection of the type set forth previously is arranged in the insulating material housing. The advantages set forth previously are also achieved thereby. The electrical wire can be introduced through the wire introduction opening in the wire introduction direction up to a clamping point between the clamping edge of the clamping leg and the contact section of the busbar and clamped there.

[0025] According to an advantageous design of the application, a wire guide channel for guiding the electrical wire to be clamped at the contact section can be formed in the insulating material housing, wherein the release section of the release element is arranged in the wire guide channel or at least extends into the wire guide channel.

[0026] According to an advantageous design of the application, the release section of the release element can be arranged behind the contact section or at least behind the clamping point in the wire introduction direction (L).

[0027] In the sense of the application, the indefinite article "a" is not to be understood as a numeral. That is, for example, if a "component" is mentioned, this is to be interpreted in the sense of "at least one component". If an angle is specified in degrees, the angle specification relates to the circular dimension of 360 degrees (360°). BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0028] The application is explained in detail below with the aid of the drawings on the basis of embodiments.

[0029] The drawings show:

[0030] Figure 1 and Figure 2 a first embodiment of a spring force clamping connection is shown,

[0031] Figure 3 and Figure 4 a second embodiment of a spring force clamping connection is shown,

[0032] Figure 5 and Figure 6 a third embodiment of a spring force clamping connection is shown,

[0033] Figure 7 a clamping spring is shown,

[0034] Figure 8 a release element is shown,

[0035] Figure 9 a terminal with a clamping spring that is not actuated is shown in a side view,

[0036] Figure 10The terminal according to the application is shown in the open position, Figure 9 The terminal according to the application is shown in the open position,

[0037] Figure 11 The terminal according to the application is shown in the open position, Figure 9 The terminal according to the application is shown in the open position, DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0038] The spring force clamping connection, which can be seen in Figure 1 and Figure 2 , has a busbar 3 and a clamping spring 4 as separate components. The clamping spring 4 is bent substantially U-shaped. The clamping spring 4 has a support leg 41, a spring bow 42 connected to the support leg 41 and a clamping leg 43 connected to the spring bow 42. The clamping leg 43 extends towards a free end, wherein at a narrowing, the width of the clamping leg 43 is reduced and the clamping leg transitions into a curved clamping tongue 45. At the end of the clamping tongue 45, a clamping edge 46 is formed (which can be seen in Figure 7 ), which serves for clamping the electrical conductor. The electrical conductor should be introduced in the lead-in direction L at the conductor lead-in side of the spring force clamping connection.

[0039] The busbar 3 has a surface side 30 towards the conductor lead-in side. In the region of the surface side 30, an elongated opening 32 is shaped into the busbar 3. The clamping spring 4 leads with the support leg 41 and the clamping leg 43 or the clamping tongue 45 through the opening 32. From the material of the busbar 3, a resting section 34 is formed, which extends away from the surface side 30 and serves to rest against the support leg 41 in order to support the same with respect to the clamping force of the clamping leg 43. On the side of the elongated opening 32 opposite the resting section 34, the busbar 3 has a contact section 33, at which the electrical conductor can be clamped by means of the clamping leg 43.

[0040] The resting section 34 and the contact section 33 can be formed as a bent material tongue or as a circumferential section formed as a circumferential material flange, as shown in Figure 1 and Figure 2 .

[0041] The spring force clamping connection also has a mechanism for holding the clamping leg in the open position. Figure 1 The clamping leg is shown in the clamped position. Figure 2 The clamping leg 43 is shown in the open position. In order to implement the mechanism, at least one holding element 5 is formed at the busbar 3, wherein in Figure 2It can be seen that holding elements 5 are formed on each side to the left / right of the clamping leg 43 in a favorable manner. A latching element 44 is formed in the region of the narrowing of the clamping leg 43, for example by means of a punch bending process from the material of the clamping leg. The latching element 44 projects slightly and extends over a certain length substantially parallel to the clamping tongue 45.

[0042] If the clamping spring 4 is transferred into the open position according to Figure 2 by exerting a manipulation force, for example by means of a spring force of a manipulation element of the clamping connection itself or by means of an external tool, the latching element 44 latches at the holding element 5 and holds the clamping leg 43 in the open position against the force of the pre-tensioned clamping spring 4.

[0043] The holding elements 5 can be designed in different types. For example, the embodiment shown in Figure 1 with holding elements 5 projecting from the surface side 30, for example in the form of ratchet teeth, is favorable. The holding elements 5 can be configured ramped upward on the side facing the contact section 33 of the busbar 3 and steeply downward on the opposite side, for example such that they substantially form a 90-degree angle with respect to the surface side 30.

[0044] Figure 3 and Figure 4 An embodiment of a spring force clamping connection is shown, which is configured variably with respect to the design of the holding elements 5. Figure 3 The spring force clamping connection is shown again in the clamped position, Figure 4 The spring force clamping connection is shown in the open position. In this case, the holding elements 5 are configured as recesses in the surface side 30, that is to say they do not project with respect to the surface side 30, but rather form recesses. In an otherwise identical design, the clamping spring can in this case be designed with latching elements 44 which are configured somewhat longer.

[0045] Figure 5 and Figure 6 A further variant of a spring force clamping connection is shown, which has a modified design of the holding elements 5 again. Figure 5 The spring force clamping connection is shown in the clamped position, Figure 6 The spring force clamping connection is shown in the open position. The holding elements 5 are now introduced as recesses into the busbar 3 at the opposite edge sides 31 of the busbar 3.

[0046] If there are a plurality of holding elements 5, these can be configured identically or mirror-symmetrically as shown, but they can also be designed differently. It is furthermore possible for the holding elements 5 to be configured as protrusions at the edge sides 31 of the busbar 3.

[0047] Figure 7 The clamping spring 4 is shown as a single component. The essentially U-shaped design with the bearing leg 41, the spring bow 42 and the clamping leg 43 as well as the projecting latching element 44 can be seen.

[0048] Figure 8 The release element 8 is shown, which is designed as a release lever. The release lever can be realized for example as a plastic component. The release element 8 is pivotably supported in the manner of a seesaw or a rocker. To this end, the release lever has a bearing section 81, with which it can be supported for example at the region of the housing of the insulating material. The release lever has a first lever arm 80 projecting in one direction from the bearing section 81, at which a release section is arranged, which can be actuated by an introduced electrical conductor wire in order to bring about the latching of the clamping leg in the open position. Projecting on the other side of the bearing section 81 is a second lever arm 82, which is connected with the bearing section 81 via a hinge 83. An essentially acute angle between the first lever arm 80 and the second lever arm 82 can be seen. Here, the second lever arm 82 functions as a push rod, which presses against the clamping leg upon corresponding actuation of the release section at the first lever arm 80.

[0049] Figure 9 The terminal 1 with the housing 2 of insulating material is shown, in which the spring force clamping connection with the busbar 3 and the clamping spring 4 is arranged. Furthermore, the release element 8 is arranged in the housing 2 of insulating material. The release element 8 is pivotably supported via its bearing section 81 in a bearing receptacle 21, which is formed by the material of the housing 2 of insulating material.

[0050] The terminal 1 has a conductor introduction opening 20, into which an electrical conductor can be inserted in a conductor insertion direction L and can be clamped at the clamping point between the contact section 33 and the clamping edge 46.

[0051] The housing 2 of insulating material has an actuation channel 22, which is arranged next to the conductor introduction opening 20. Via the actuation channel 22, the clamping spring 4 can be transferred from the unactuated position (clamping position) as shown in Figure 9 for example in such a way that a tool is introduced into the actuation channel 22 or that an actuation element of the terminal 1 itself, for example an actuation press, is arranged in the actuation channel 22.

[0052] Figure 10 The terminal 1 with the clamping leg in the open position of the latching is shown. If now Figure 11By introducing and moving the electrical line 9 as shown to the release section at the first lever arm 80, the release element 8 can be pivoted by the force transmission of the electrical line 9 onto the first lever arm 80. Thereby, the second lever arm 82 introduced in the passage of the insulating material housing 2 presses against the free end of the clamping leg 43 or the clamping tongue 45. Thereby, the latching of the latching element 44 at the holding element 5 can be overcome, so that the clamping leg 43 is released and the electrical line 9 is pressed against the contact section 33. It can be seen that the angle between the second lever arm 82 introduced in the passage and the first lever arm 80 changes to some extent, more precisely increases. Thus, the second lever arm 82 is pivoted relative to the first lever arm 80 by means of the articulation 83.

[0053] List of reference signs

[0054] 1 terminal

[0055] 2 insulating material housing

[0056] 3 busbar

[0057] 4 clamping spring

[0058] 5 holding element

[0059] 8 release element

[0060] 9 electrical line

[0061] 20 line introduction opening

[0062] 21 support receptacle

[0063] 22 actuating passage

[0064] 30 surface side

[0065] 31 edge side

[0066] 32 elongated opening

[0067] 33 contact section

[0068] 34 abutment section

[0069] 41 support leg

[0070] 42 spring bow

[0071] 43 clamping leg

[0072] 44 latching element

[0073] 45 clamping tongue

[0074] 46 clamping edge

[0075] 80 first lever arm

[0076] 81 support section

[0077] 82 second lever arm

[0078] 83 hinge

[0079] L lead insertion direction

Claims

1. A spring force clamping connection for connecting electrical conductors by means of spring force, wherein the spring force clamping connection has at least one busbar (3) and a clamping spring (4) having a clamping leg (43) with a clamping edge (46) for clamping an electrical conductor at a contact section (33) of the busbar (3), and the spring force clamping connection has at least one retaining element (5) configured for retaining the clamping leg (43) in an open position, characterized in that The at least one holding element (5) is formed at the busbar (3).

2. The spring force clamping connector of claim 1, wherein, The busbar (3) has an elongated and / or slit-shaped opening (32), through which the clamping spring (4) or at least its clamping leg (43) passes.

3. Spring force clamping connection according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that The clamping spring (4) has a bearing leg (41), which supports the clamping spring (4) on the busbar (3), in particular on the inside of the opening (32).

4. Spring force clamping connection according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that The contact section (33) is configured as a clamping tongue, which is cut out of the material of the busbar (3) and bent out.

5. Spring force clamping connection according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that The at least one holding element (5) forms an undercut at at least one surface side (30, 31) of the busbar (3).

6. Spring force clamping connection according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that The at least one holding element (5) is configured as a protrusion or recess at at least one surface side (30, 31) of the busbar (3), in particular as a protrusion or recess at the surface side (30) of the busbar (3) facing the wire introduction side (L) or at the lateral edge (31) of the busbar (3).

7. Spring force clamping connection according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that The clamping spring (4) has a bearing leg (41) and a spring bow (42), wherein the bearing leg (41) is connected to the clamping leg (43) via the spring bow (42), wherein the bearing leg (41) bears at an abutment section (34) of the busbar (3).

8. Spring force clamping connection according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that The spring force clamping connection has a release element (8) with a release section (80), by means of which the clamping leg (43), which is held in the open position at the holding element (5), can be released from the holding element (5) when the electrical conductor to be clamped exerts a manipulation force on the release section (80).

9. The spring force clamping connector of claim 8, wherein, The release element (8) is configured as a release lever, which is pivotably supported at the spring force clamping connection or in the insulating material housing (2), in particular the release lever is of the seesaw or rocker type.

10. The spring force clamping connector of claim 9, wherein, The release lever has at least two lever arms (80, 82), which are oriented relative to each other at an angle of less than 80°.

11. A terminal (1) having an insulating material housing (2) with at least one wire lead-in opening (20) for accommodating an electrical wire in a wire lead-in direction (L), characterized in that At least one spring force clamping connection according to any one of the preceding claims is provided in the insulating material housing (2).

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