Locking element, kit and device having connection terminal and locking element

Abstract

The invention relates to a locking element for mounting on a connection terminal, comprising a housing and at least one spring-loaded clamping connection arranged in the housing and at least one actuating element for actuating the at least one spring-loaded clamping connection, wherein the locking element is configured to block an actuating movement of the at least one actuating element for actuating the spring force clamping connection in a state of being arranged on the connection terminal. The invention further relates to a kit comprising a connection terminal and such a locking element, and to a device comprising a connection terminal and such a locking element.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The invention relates to a locking element for being arranged at a terminal, the terminal having a housing and at least one spring force clamping connection arranged in the housing and at least one actuating element for actuating the at least one spring force clamping connection, wherein the locking element is configured to block an actuating movement of the at least one actuating element for actuating the spring force clamping connection in an arranged state at the terminal. Furthermore, the invention relates to a set consisting of a terminal and such a locking element and to a device having a terminal and such a locking element. BACKGROUND

[0002] Generally, the invention relates to the field of electrical installation technology and in particular to terminals having spring force clamping connections and actuating elements for actuating the spring force clamping connections. It can be advantageous in particular situations when the actuatability of the actuating elements can be blocked, for example in order to avoid unintentional actuation. A conductor marking element for marking at least one electrical conductor is known from DE 10 2022 119 489 A1, which additionally has the function of blocking an actuating lever of a terminal. SUMMARY

[0003] The invention is based on the object of presenting an improved locking element for being arranged at a terminal and a set and a device having a terminal and a locking element.

[0004] The object is achieved by a locking element of the type mentioned at the outset, which has at least one connection contour, which is configured as a counterpart to a receiving contour shaped at the actuating element, wherein the locking element can be arranged at the actuating element by a form-fit connection of the at least one connection contour with the receiving contour. Thus, the locking element advantageously can be arranged directly at the actuating element, wherein for this purpose the receiving contour, which is always present at the actuating element, can be utilized. Correspondingly, it is not necessarily necessary that further receiving possibilities or mounting possibilities for the locking element are present, in particular not at the housing of the terminal. However, it is of course conceivable that at least one additional mounting possibility for arranging the locking element is also present at the housing of the terminal. Advantageously, no change of the terminal is necessary in order to use the locking element, instead of this the existing contour at the actuating element can be used as a receiving contour. For example, the locking element can be arranged at the actuating element by locking its at least one connection contour on the receiving contour of the actuating element.

[0005] The locking element can in particular be configured for resting at the terminal and at its operating element in an unoperated state in which the spring force clamp connection is not opened. Correspondingly, the locking element can be configured in particular to block the operating movement of the operating element for opening the spring force clamp connection.

[0006] According to an advantageous design of the application, it is proposed that the locking element has at least one blocking contour, by means of which the operating movement of the operating element for opening the spring force clamp connection is blocked. By means of this specially shaped contour, the operating movement of the operating element can be particularly effectively and reliably prevented. By means of the blocking contour, the locking element can be shaped in a manner that can be described as a negative contour with respect to a part of the housing of the operating element and / or of the terminal.

[0007] For example, the connection contour and / or the blocking contour can be configured as a protrusion which protrudes from the main body. The locking element can for example interact via the blocking contour with the housing of the terminal in order to be additionally fixed thereon or supported thereon and in this way to block the operating movement of the operating element.

[0008] According to an advantageous design of the application, it is proposed that the at least one connection contour is spaced apart from the blocking contour. In this way, the locking element can be well matched in terms of construction to various different types of terminal. For example, the connection contour can be provided in the region of a manual operating section of the operating element. The blocking contour can be provided spaced apart therefrom, for example in the vicinity of a support region of the housing of the terminal, at which the locking element can be supported on the housing.

[0009] According to an advantageous design of the application, it is proposed that the at least one connection contour and the at least one blocking contour are provided at opposite end regions of the locking element. In this way, the locking element can extend over a relatively wide region of the terminal. For example, the locking element can have a main body, wherein the connection contour is formed at one end side of the main body and the at least one blocking contour is formed at the opposite end side of the main body.

[0010] According to an advantageous design of the application, it is proposed that the at least one blocking contour is configured to interact with a further object in order to block the operating movement of the operating element for opening the spring force clamp connection. Interacting with a further object can in particular involve supporting the locking element at the further object. The further object can in particular be a further object separate from the terminal and the locking element.

[0011] According to an advantageous design of the invention, the additional object is the housing of the terminal block, or, in the case of the terminal block being configured as an electrical connector, a mating connector configured as a mating element, or a device housing and / or other object on which the terminal block is housed. Particularly feasible is that at least one blocking profile extends along the terminal block over a plurality of segments, such that at least one blocking profile interacts with a plurality of the previously mentioned additional objects, for example, with the housing of the terminal block, and additionally with the mating connector or device housing.

[0012] According to an advantageous design of the invention, a blocking profile is configured to abut against a mating profile on another object, the mating profile being configured as a pairing member with the blocking profile. In this manner, at least as long as the other object is adjacent to the blocking profile by means of its mating profile, manipulation at the locking element can be prevented by the other object, for example, removal of the locking element from the actuating element. If the other object is removed, the disengagement of the locking element from the actuating element can be released.

[0013] According to an advantageous design of the invention, the locking element can be movably, and in particular pivotally, disposed at the actuating element via at least one of its connecting profiles. This allows the locking element to be simply disposed at the actuating element, or rather, at the terminal block, and also allows the locking element to be easily disengaged from the terminal block. Furthermore, this achieves the release of obstruction to the actuating movement of the actuating element via the locking element without having to completely remove the locking element from the actuating element, for example, by pivoting the locking element to an inactive position, in which the obstruction is released.

[0014] According to an advantageous design of the invention, a locking element is configured to block the actuation movement of only one actuating element of the terminal block. Correspondingly, the locking element can be individually configured on the respective actuating element. Therefore, in a multi-stage terminal block, one or more locking elements can be used regardless of the number of poles, depending on the user's selection. In the multi-stage terminal block, there are multiple spring-forced clamping connections and correspondingly multiple actuating elements. For example, locking elements can be placed at one actuating element or at multiple actuating elements respectively, such that one actuating element or a specific number of actuating elements are blocked in terms of actuation movement.

[0015] According to an advantageous design of the invention, a locking element is configured to block the pivoting motion of the actuating element. In this manner, the locking element can be readily used in terminals having a pivotable actuating element, for example, when the actuating element is configured as a pivotable lever.

[0016] According to an advantageous design of the invention, a locking element is configured to be disposed at a manual operating section of an operating element, particularly at a lever arm of the operating element, by means of at least one connecting profile thereon, wherein a receiving profile is formed at the manual operating section.

[0017] Furthermore, the aforementioned objective is achieved by a kit consisting of a terminal block and a locking element of the type previously described, the terminal block having a housing and at least one spring-force clamping connector disposed within the housing, and at least one actuating element having a receiving profile for actuating the spring-force clamping connector, the locking element having at least one connecting profile configured to mate with a receiving profile formed at the actuating element. This also achieves the advantages previously described.

[0018] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the actuating element has a manually operated section, particularly a lever arm, at which the actuating element can be manually operated, wherein a receiving profile is formed at the manually operated section. This achieves an advantageous mounting position for the locking element at the actuating element. This receiving profile can be easily formed in common actuating elements with terminal blocks without compromising manual operability. The connecting profile can particularly be formed at the lever head of the actuating element.

[0019] Furthermore, the aforementioned objective is achieved by a device having a terminal block and at least one locking element of the type previously described, the terminal block having a housing and at least one spring-forced clamping connector disposed within the housing, and at least one actuating element for operating the spring-forced clamping connector, wherein the at least one locking element blocks the actuating movement of the at least one actuating element for operating the spring-forced clamping connector. This also enables the previously described advantages to be achieved.

[0020] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the device includes another object, wherein the locking element interacts with the other object by means of its blocking profile, particularly supported at and / or fixed to the other object. This ensures that disengagement or failure of the locking element is only possible when the terminal block is separated from the other object.

[0021] Terminal blocks can be configured as electrical plug connectors. Thus, another component can be a mating plug connector configured as a mating element, the terminal block or its locking element working in conjunction with the other component, allowing the mating plug connector to be inserted into the plug connector to form an electrical plug connection.

[0022] Blocking contours can be formed, in particular, in terms of shape, by matching the paired contours of other objects that work together with the blocking contour. Attached Figure Description

[0023] The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments:

[0024] The attached diagram shows:

[0025] Figure 1 A portion of the wiring terminals is shown.

[0026] Figure 2 Showing according to Figure 1 The control element of the wiring terminal,

[0027] Figure 3 The wiring terminals with locking elements are shown.

[0028] Figure 4 , Figure 5 Shown in different views according to Figure 3 The locking element,

[0029] Figure 6 , Figure 7 Another embodiment of the locking element is shown in different views.

[0030] Figure 8 Another embodiment of the locking element with wiring terminals is shown.

[0031] Figure 9 , Figure 10 Shown in different views according to Figure 8 The locking element,

[0032] Figure 11 Another embodiment of the locking element with wiring terminals is shown.

[0033] Figure 12 , Figure 13 Shown in different views according to Figure 11 The locking element,

[0034] Figure 14 , Figure 15 Another embodiment of the locking element is shown in different views.

[0035] Figure 16 The side view shows the wiring terminals with locking elements and other objects. Detailed Implementation

[0036] Figures 1 to 15 The three-dimensional views are shown separately.

[0037] Figure 1A portion of a terminal block 1 is shown, the terminal block having a housing 2, such as an insulating material housing. At least one spring-loaded clamping connector 3 is provided in the housing 2, wherein in the case of multi-stage terminals, multiple spring-loaded clamping connectors can be arranged side-by-side and / or sequentially in the housing 2. The housing 2 has a wire inlet opening 20 for each spring-loaded clamping connector 3, through which an electrical wire to be clamped at the spring-loaded clamping connector 3 can be introduced into the housing 2. Furthermore, an operating element 5 is provided for manipulating the spring-loaded clamping connector 3. The operating element 5, for example, which can be configured as a pivotable lever, can open the spring-loaded clamping connector 3 during an operating movement, for example, by deflecting the clamping leg of the clamping spring during the opening operation and releasing the clamping portion in such a manner, at which the electrical wire can be clamped.

[0038] Figure 2 An exemplary example is shown of an actuating element 5 as a single component of the terminal block 1. The actuating element 5 has a manually operated section 50, for example in the form of a lever arm, at which the actuating element 5 can be operated by a user. The actuating element 5 extends further from the manually operated section 50 to a spring-loaded section 52, which is disposed within the housing 2 and acts on a spring force to clamp the connector, or its clamping spring, during the actuation movement of the actuating element 5. As can be seen, the actuating element 5 has a receiving profile 51 at the manually operated section 50, for example in the form of a shaped recess. The receiving profile 51 can be symmetrically present on both sides of the manually operated section 50.

[0039] Figure 3 The terminal block 1 is shown, which is configured as an electrical connector. The terminal block 1 also has a housing 2 with a wire inlet opening 20. A spring-loaded clamping connector 3 (not visible) is provided within the housing 2. The terminal block 1 has a insertion section 4 on the side of the housing 2 opposite to the wire inlet opening 20, where an electrical contact portion is located. The terminal block 1, in terms of its characteristics as an electrical connector, can be inserted into a mating connector, which is provided as a mating element, in the insertion direction S by means of the insertion section 4.

[0040] The housing 2 has an external housing wall 21 on the side opposite to the wire introduction opening 20. In addition, the housing 2 has side walls 22, which connect the housing wall 21 to the housing side where the wire introduction opening 20 is provided.

[0041] As in Figure 3 As can be seen, the locking element 7 is located at the terminal 1. The locking element 7 is specifically secured to the previously described receiving contour 51 of the operating element 5.

[0042] Figure 4 ,Figure 5 The locking element 7 is shown as a single component. It can be seen that the locking element 7 has a body 70. A corresponding connecting profile 71 is formed at the end region of the body 70, the connecting profile being configured as protrusions extending inward toward each other. The connecting profile 71 is configured to connect in a shape-fitting manner with the corresponding receiving profile 51 of the operating element 5. The locking element 7 can be locked at the operating section 50 of the operating element 5 via the connecting profile 71.

[0043] The locking element 7 has multiple blocking profiles 72, 73, 74, and 75 at the end region of the main body 70 opposite to the connecting profile 71. The blocking profiles 72, 73, 74, and 75 extend substantially orthogonally to the longitudinal extension direction of the main body 70 with respect to the main segment 72. (As shown in...) Figure 3 As can be seen, the main body 70 is substantially parallel to the manual operation section 50 and covers the manual operation section upward when the locking element 7 is placed at the terminal 1.

[0044] The main section 72 extends parallel to the housing wall 21 in the insertion direction S of the housing 2 and can abut against the housing wall 21. A locking section 73, configured as a protrusion, can be formed in the main section 72, by means of which the locking element 7 can be locked to the housing wall 21. In this manner, the locking element 7 can be fixed to another fastening point at the terminal 1. Furthermore, a retaining section 74, which is another part of the blocking contours 72, 73, 74, and 75, is provided in the main section 72.

[0045] Furthermore, the blocking profiles 72, 73, 74, and 75 have blocking sections 75 formed on the side of the main body 70 facing the operating section 50 and extending from the main body 70. The blocking sections 75 are configured to sink into the free space between the housing wall 21 and the end of the manual operating section 50 opposite to the receiving profile 51, thereby additionally blocking the operating element 5. If an attempt is made to manually operate the operating element 5, on which the locking element 7 is mounted, to open the spring-force clamping connector, the locking element 7 is supported by its blocking sections 75 on the inward-facing side of the housing wall 21, thereby preventing movement of the operating element 5.

[0046] Figure 6 , Figure 7 One embodiment of the locking element 7 is shown, the locking element being... Figures 3 to 5The implementation is similarly constructed, except that a gripping surface 76 is laterally provided at the main section 72, extending parallel to the side wall 22 of the housing 2. For example, when the locking element 7 is pivotally mounted on the operating element 5 and should not be completely removed from its front but only pivoted away, the locking element 7 can be more easily operated by the user using the gripping surface 76 to allow the operating movement of the operating element 5 in the aforementioned manner.

[0047] Furthermore, it can be seen that the retaining section 74 is only formed as an end-shaped shoulder, which is configured to be placed above the plug section 4. In this manner, the locking element 7 can be locked particularly effectively by the mating plug connector, which can then engage the retaining section 74.

[0048] Figure 8 A terminal block 1 with a locking element 7 is shown in one embodiment, which surrounds the manual operating section 50 of the operating element 5 as a cover, wherein the locking element 7 can selectively have a gap on one side and / or the side of the manual operating section 50 in the body 70. Alternatively, the body 70 can also be closed at said location. In particular, it can be seen that the locking element 7 has a cover section 77 disposed on one side of the operating element 5, where the operating element 5 has a receiving contour 51. The operating element 5 is completely covered in the area by the cover section 77 and cannot be directly held by the user.

[0049] Figure 9 and Figure 10 The basis for individual components is shown in different views. Figure 8 One embodiment of the locking element 7.

[0050] Figure 11 A terminal 1 is shown with a locking element 7 in one embodiment, the locking element being connected to... Figures 8 to 10 The implementation method is similarly configured as a locking element having a covering section 77. However, compared with... Figures 8 to 10 Unlike other embodiments, the locking element 7 is largely closed at the main section 70, allowing for the presence of lateral cutouts. It can be seen that in this embodiment, the locking element 7 may also have one or more gripping surfaces 76.

[0051] Figure 12 , Figure 13 The basis for showing individual components in different views Figure 11 Locking element 7.

[0052] Figure 14 , Figure 15 The locking element 7 is shown relative to Figures 11 to 13One embodiment of the variant, in which the similarity is found in Figure 6 and Figure 7 In one embodiment, the gripping surface 76 is exposed by additional free cutting in the longitudinal direction, and is thus configured to be more flexible.

[0053] Figure 16 Terminal 1 is shown, in which a terminal is exemplarily arranged according to... Figure 14 , Figure 15 The locking element 7, in which any other embodiment of the locking element 7 can also be used. According to Figure 16 This indicates the combined action of the locking element 7 and another object 8. For example, the other object 8 can be part of a mating plug connector that plugs into the plug connector or plug segment 4. The locking element 7 is prevented from disengaging from the terminal 1 by the other object 8, which has a mating profile 81 configured to mate with the blocking profiles 72, 73, 74, and 75. For example, the other object 8 overlaps the retaining segment 74, or at least prevents the locking element 7 from pivoting upwards due to manual manipulation at the gripping surface 76 by means of its mating profile 81, wherein the main segment 72 cannot or can only move toward the object 8 to a very small extent. When the object 8 is removed from the terminal, it is feasible to pivot upwards or remove the locking element 7, wherein the locking element 7 preferably pivots about a rotation axis formed by a corresponding connecting profile 71 connected to the receiving profile 51.

[0054] List of reference numerals

[0055] 1. Terminal block

[0056] 2. Shell

[0057] 3. Spring-force clamping connector

[0058] 4. Connecting section

[0059] 5. Control elements

[0060] 7 Locking elements

[0061] 8 Other objects

[0062] 20. Wire introduction opening

[0063] 21 Shell wall

[0064] 22 Sidewalls

[0065] 50 Manual control section

[0066] 51 Contains outline

[0067] 52 Spring-loaded section

[0068] 70 main body

[0069] 71 Connecting contours

[0070] 72. Main section of the obstructed outline

[0071] 73. Locking section that blocks the outline

[0072] 74. Sections that maintain the outline of the barrier

[0073] 75. Blocking section of the blocking profile

[0074] 76 grip surfaces

[0075] 77 Covered Section

[0076] 81 Paired Profiles

Claims

1. A locking element (7) for placement at a terminal block (1), the terminal block having a housing (2) and at least one spring-forced clamping connector (3) disposed in the housing (2) and at least one actuating element (5) for actuating the at least one spring-forced clamping connector (3), wherein the locking element (7) is configured to block the actuating movement of the at least one actuating element (5) for actuating the spring-forced clamping connector (3), characterized in that, The locking element (7) has at least one connecting profile (71) configured as a mating member with a receiving profile (51) formed at the operating element (5), wherein the locking element (7) is capable of being disposed at the operating element (5) by means of the connection of the at least one connecting profile (71) and the receiving profile (51) in a shape-fitting manner.

2. The locking element according to claim 1, characterized in that, The locking element (7) has at least one blocking profile (72, 73, 74, 75) that blocks the actuating movement of the actuating element (5) for opening the spring-force clamping connector (3).

3. The locking element according to claim 2, characterized in that, The at least one connecting profile (71) is spaced apart from the blocking profiles (72, 73, 74, 75).

4. The locking element according to claim 3, characterized in that, The at least one connecting profile (71) and the at least one blocking profile (72, 73, 74, 75) are disposed at opposite end regions of the locking element (7).

5. The locking element according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that, The at least one blocking profile (72, 73, 74, 75) is configured to work in conjunction with another object (8) to block the actuating movement of the actuating element (5) for opening the spring-force clamping connector (3).

6. The locking element according to claim 5, characterized in that, The other object (8) is the housing (2) of the terminal (1), or, if the terminal (1) is configured as an electrical plug connector, the other object is a mating plug connector provided as a mating part, or the other object is the device housing and / or other objects on which the terminal (1) is disposed.

7. The locking element according to any one of claims 5 to 6, characterized in that, The blocking contours (72, 73, 74, 75) are configured to abut against the mating contours (81) at the other object (8), the mating contours being configured as a pair with the blocking contours (72, 73, 74, 75).

8. The locking element according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The locking element (7) can be movably, and in particular pivotally, positioned at the operating element (5) via at least one of its connecting profiles (71).

9. The locking element according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The locking element (7) is configured to block the operation of only one operating element (5) of the terminal (1).

10. The locking element according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The locking element (7) is configured to block the pivoting motion of the operating element (5).

11. The locking element according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The locking element (7) is configured to be placed in the manual operating section (50) of the operating element (5) by means of at least one of its connecting profiles (71), particularly at the lever arm of the operating element, where the receiving profile (51) is formed in the manual operating section.

12. A kit comprising a terminal block (1) and a locking element (7) according to any one of the preceding claims, the terminal block having a housing (2) and at least one spring-force clamping connector (3) disposed in the housing (2) and at least one actuating element (5) for actuating the spring-force clamping connector (3), the actuating element having a receiving profile (51), the locking element having at least one connecting profile (71) configured as a mating member with the receiving profile (51) formed at the actuating element (5).

13. The kit according to claim 12, characterized in that, The operating element (5) has a manual operating section (50), particularly a lever arm, at which the operating element (5) can be operated, wherein the receiving profile (51) is formed at the manual operating section (50).

14. An apparatus having a terminal block (1) and at least one locking element (7) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, the terminal block having a housing (2) and at least one spring-force clamping connector (3) disposed in the housing (2) and at least one actuating element (5) for actuating the spring-force clamping connector (3), wherein the at least one locking element (7) blocks the actuating movement of the at least one actuating element (5) for actuating the spring-force clamping connector (3).

15. The apparatus according to claim 14, characterized in that, The device includes an additional object (8), wherein the locking element (7) interacts with the additional object (8) by means of its blocking profiles (72, 73, 74, 75), particularly supported at and / or fixed to the additional object.

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