terminal block

Abstract

The invention relates to a terminal having an insulating material housing and at least one spring force clamping connection arranged at least predominantly in the insulating material housing, for connecting an electrical conductor by means of a spring force, wherein the spring force clamping connection has at least one busbar and a clamping spring having a clamping leg with a clamping edge for clamping the electrical conductor at a contact section of the busbar, wherein the spring force clamping connection has a manually actuated element, by means of which the clamping leg can be displaced into an open position by manual actuation, wherein the spring force clamping connection has a transmission body which is configured to transmit an actuating movement generated by manual actuation of the actuated element onto the clamping leg.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a terminal block having an insulating housing and at least one spring-force clamping connector, primarily disposed within the insulating housing, for connecting electrical conductors by means of a spring force. The spring-force clamping connector has at least one busbar and a clamping spring, the clamping spring having clamping legs with clamping edges for clamping the electrical conductors to a contact segment of the busbar. The spring-force clamping connector has a manual operating element, through which the clamping legs can be manually moved to an open position. The spring-force clamping connector also has a transmission body configured to transmit the actuating motion generated by the manual operating element to the clamping legs. Background Technology

[0002] Such terminal blocks are known, for example, from WO 2021 / 047974 A1. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The purpose of this invention is to provide a further improved terminal block.

[0004] The objective is achieved in the terminal block of the type mentioned at the beginning by configuring the actuating element to first pivot the transmission body when manually operated to move the clamping leg to the open position, and to move the transmission body linearly at the end of the actuation movement. Therefore, the terminal block has an additional component in the form of a transmission body, which is specifically configured as a component independent of the actuating element. With this additional component in the form of a transmission body, the clamping spring can be relatively easily formed, for example, into a V-shaped clamping spring having clamping legs, a spring bow connected to the clamping legs, and a support leg connected to the spring bow for supporting the clamping spring. Here, the transmission body achieves reliable force transmission from the actuating element to the clamping legs.

[0005] By means of the actuation process according to the invention, wherein the transmission body first pivots via the actuating element and moves linearly at the end of the actuation movement when manually actuated to move the clamping leg to the open position, additional advantageous functions can be integrated into the terminal block without significantly altering the actuation mechanism, and in particular without changing the structural form and dimensions. Thus, the proven construction features of the terminal block can be preserved. For example, the terminal block can be extended in this manner to have an automatic wire connection function, wherein the clamping leg can be held in the open position and can be automatically released from the clamping leg held in the open position by introducing an electrical wire to be clamped.

[0006] The transmission body can be configured as a frame-shaped or box-shaped body, for example, in the form of a stamped and bent member made of sheet metal.

[0007] The clamping legs, together with the contact section of the busbar, form a clamping portion for clamping the electrical conductor between the clamping legs and the contact section. The open clamping portion (open position) is characterized in that at least the clamping edges of the clamping legs pivot away from the contact section of the busbar, i.e., there is a larger distance from the contact section compared to the clamped position. The clamping legs, for example, can pivot between the open position, in which the electrical conductor can move freely between the clamping legs and the contact section, and in the clamped position, in which the clamping legs clamp the electrical conductor at the contact section.

[0008] According to an advantageous design of the invention, the transmission body is configured as a bending-resistant member that remains substantially undeformed when the actuating motion is transmitted from the actuating element to the clamping leg. This ensures that the transmission of actuating force from the actuating element to the clamping leg is at least substantially lossless. Furthermore, material fatigue at the transmission body is minimized, resulting in a long service life for the transmission body.

[0009] According to an advantageous design of the invention, the transmission body, in the open position, can be locked at a portion of the terminal block, particularly at the busbar or the insulating housing. Thus, the transmission body is fixed relative to the restoring force acting thereon by the clamping legs, thereby unloading the load from the manual operating element.

[0010] According to an advantageous design of the invention, the transmission body is pivotally supported at a spring-force clamping connection, such that pivoting movement can be performed when the actuating motion is transmitted from the actuating element to the clamping leg via the transmission body. For example, the terminal block can have a pivot support through which the transmission body is pivotally supported. Advantageously, the transmission body can have a variable pivot axis, for example, in that the transmission body is floatingly pivotally supported.

[0011] According to an advantageous design of the invention, the manual operating element is configured as a pivotable lever. Thus, the operating element performs a pivoting movement during manual operation. This allows for the transmission of a large operating force with minimal manual effort. The manual operating element can be pivotally supported, for example, by means of a pivot support at a portion of a spring-force-clamped connector or an insulating housing. The manual operating element can have a fixed pivot axis or a variable pivot axis, for example, in a way that the manual operating element is floatingly and pivotally supported.

[0012] Alternatively, the manual control element can be configured as a movable press or a control slider.

[0013] The manual control element can have a force-loading section configured to transmit control force from the control element to a transmission body. The force-loading section can be shaped as an eccentric section of the control element about its pivot axis. The transmission body can, for example, have a force-absorbing section through which the force output from the force-transmitting section of the control element is transmitted to the transmission body.

[0014] According to an advantageous design of the invention, the manual operating element, when manipulated to move the clamping leg to the open position, performs a pivoting movement having a pivoting direction opposite to the pivoting movement of the transmission body. This achieves a compact structure for the terminal block and good feasibility of placing the components within an insulating housing.

[0015] According to an advantageous design of the invention, the transmission body is linearly movably supported at at least one component of the terminal block. The transmission body can be supported at least substantially linearly, for example, translatably. This enables the operation process according to the invention to be performed with a small structural space. The transmission body can be supported in particular in a manner that is both pivotally and linearly movably supported. For example, the transmission body can be linearly movably supported at a busbar, for instance at a contact section, or at an insulating housing.

[0016] According to an advantageous design of the invention, the transmission body is frame-shaped as an operating frame, which surrounds the busbar at opposite edge sides and is configured to transmit the operating force to the clamping legs at opposite edge sides. This achieves efficient transmission of the operating force from the transmission body to the clamping legs. In particular, the clamping legs can be symmetrically loaded with the operating force, thereby preventing tilting.

[0017] According to an advantageous design of the invention, the spring-loaded clamping connector has a retaining element configured to hold the clamping leg in the open position. This has the advantage that the clamping leg can be permanently held in the open position by means of the retaining element, without requiring further manual operation or holding of the operating element.

[0018] According to an advantageous design of the invention, the retaining element is locked in the open position at a component of the terminal block, particularly at the busbar or the insulating housing. This ensures that the retaining element is securely held in the open position, wherein releasing the lock is also feasible to return the clamping legs to the clamping position.

[0019] According to an advantageous design of the invention, the retaining element, or at least one retaining segment of the retaining element, is configured as a segment of the transmission body. Thus, the transmission body is designed as a multifunctional component, capable of simultaneously performing the function of holding the clamping leg in the open position in addition to the force transmission function from the actuating element to the clamping leg. The retaining element can be integrally formed with the transmission body.

[0020] According to an advantageous design of the invention, the terminal block has a release element with a release section, which automatically releases the clamping legs held in the open position by the retaining element when an actuating force is applied to the release section by the clamping wire to be clamped. This achieves an automatic wire connection function. By inserting the clamping wire into the terminal block, the release section can be subjected to an actuating force, thereby releasing, for example, the locking of the retaining element or the transmission element in the open position.

[0021] According to an advantageous design of the invention, the releasing element or at least the releasing segment is configured as a segment of the transmission body. Thus, the transmission body is designed as a multifunctional component, capable of automatically releasing the clamping legs in the open position in addition to transmitting force from the actuating element to the clamping legs. The releasing segment can be integrally formed with the transmission body.

[0022] According to an advantageous design of the invention, the release section is formed as a rigid, bending-resistant portion of the transmission body, which is substantially undeformed by the actuating force applied by the conductor to be clamped. This achieves efficient and low-loss transmission of the actuating force from the conductor to the transmission body.

[0023] According to an advantageous design of the invention, a first shape-fitting element is formed at the actuating element and a second shape-fitting element is formed at the transmission body. The second shape-fitting element is configured to engage with the first shape-fitting element only after at least half of the actuating stroke of the actuating element has been performed to move the clamping leg to the open position, so as to induce linear movement of the transmission body. For example, the first shape-fitting element can be configured as a protruding protrusion, while the second shape-fitting element can be configured as a protruding protrusion, a ridge, or an edge of a recess. This configuration can also be reversed.

[0024] In the context of this invention, the indefinite article "a" is not understood as a numeral. Therefore, if, for example, one component is referred to, it should be interpreted in the sense of "at least one component." As long as the angle is described in degrees, the angle description refers to a circle of 360 degrees (360º). Attached Figure Description

[0025] The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. The drawings show:

[0026] Figure 1 A perspective view shows the spring force clamping the connector in the clamped position.

[0027] Figure 2 Shown in side view with according to Figure 1 The spring force clamps the connector terminals.

[0028] Figure 3 This shows the process of manipulating the control elements according to Figure 1 The spring force clamps the connecting parts.

[0029] Figure 4 This shows the process of manipulating the control elements according to Figure 2 The wiring terminals,

[0030] Figure 5 It shows that when the control element is fully manipulated, according to Figure 1 The spring force clamps the connecting parts.

[0031] Figure 6 It shows that when the control element is fully manipulated, according to Figure 2 The wiring terminals. Detailed Implementation

[0032] exist Figure 1 The visible spring-force clamping connector includes a clamping spring 4, a busbar 3, a manual operating element 6, and a transmission body 7. 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 busbar 3 has a contact section 30, at which an electrical conductor can be clamped by means of the clamping leg 43. The busbar 3 also has a support section 32, at which the clamping spring 4 is supported by its support leg 41 and supported by the spring force relative to the clamping leg 43. The busbar 3 has a connecting section 31 through which the contact section 30 is connected to the support section 32. The busbar 3 can be frame-like, for example, C-shaped. The connecting section 31 can extend substantially orthogonally to the contact section 30 and / or the support section 32, for example. For example, a connecting contact 33 can be formed at the support section 32, through which the spring force clamps the connector and can connect to other electrical components.

[0033] The transmission body 7 can be frame-shaped as a one-piece structural unit, the structural unit having a force-absorbing section 70 and two spring-loaded sections 71 extending substantially at right angles from the force-absorbing section 70 on opposite sides. The transmission body 7 also has a one-piece molded release element 8, the release element having a release section 80. The release section 80 extends at least substantially at right angles to the force-absorbing section 70 and the spring-loaded sections 71, resulting in a box shape.

[0034] The transmission body 7 extends laterally on both sides through the contact section 30 to the contact portion at the clamping leg 43 via its spring-loaded section 71. A pivot support element 34, for example in the form of a laterally protruding projection, is formed at the contact section 30. The transmission body 7 is pivotally and additionally movably supported at the busbar 3 by means of this pivot support element. It can be seen that the pivot support element 34 is surrounded circumferentially by different sections of the transmission body 7, namely the force-absorbing section 70, the spring-loaded section 71, and the release section 80, such that the transmission body 7 is held at least in a specific area by the pivot support element 34.

[0035] Furthermore, a second locking element 35 is formed at the contact section 30, which is configured to lock with a first locking element 50 at the transmission body 7. The first locking element 50 can be formed, for example, as a locking edge at one or both spring-loaded sections 71. Meanwhile, the transmission body 7 forms a retaining element 5 via the first locking element 50 for holding the clamping leg 43 in the open position.

[0036] The control element 6 is configured as a pivotable joystick. The control element 6 has a gripping section 60, at which it can be manually gripped and manipulated by a user. The control element 6 is pivotally supported, for example, at the insulating housing 2, which will also be described below, about a pivot axis 61. A force-loading section 62 is formed at the control element 6, and during pivoting movement of the control element 6, the force-absorbing section 70 of the transmission body 7 is loaded by means of the force-loading section and deflects accordingly. The force-loading section 62 is eccentrically configured about the pivot axis 61, particularly having an increased eccentricity in the direction away from the gripping section 60.

[0037] Figure 2The terminal block 1 is shown, having an insulating housing 2 schematically indicated. A spring-loaded clamping connector of the type previously described is disposed within the insulating housing 2. Here, specific portions of the spring-loaded clamping connector, such as the connecting contact 33 or a portion of the gripping section 60, naturally extend from the insulating housing 2 to perform their corresponding functions. The insulating housing 2 has a wire introduction opening 20 through which an electrical wire can be introduced into the insulating housing 2 in the wire introduction direction L, and can be clamped at a clamping position between the clamping leg 43 and the contact section 30. It can be seen that the clamping leg 43 can have a clamping edge 46 in the region of its free end, through which the electrical wire can be securely clamped.

[0038] It can also be seen that a first shape-fitting element 63 is provided at the operating element 6. A second shape-fitting element 72 is provided at the transmission body 7, for example, in the form of a gap or the edge of a gap. The first shape-fitting element 63 can be configured as a protruding portion, for example. This arrangement can also be reversed.

[0039] Figure 2 The terminal 1 is shown when the operating element 6 is not operated. The clamping leg 43 is in the clamped position. In this state, the first form-fitting element 63 does not engage with the second form-fitting element 72.

[0040] Figure 3 and Figure 4 This illustrates the movement process when the control element 6 is manually operated, and the control element now pivots about its pivot axis 61. Figure 3 and Figure 4 In the diagram, the actuating element 6 has passed approximately half or slightly more than half of its pivoting stroke. During this portion of the pivoting motion, the actuating force is transmitted from the eccentric force-loading section 62 to the force-absorbing section 70 of the transmission body 7, so that the transmission body 7 pivots essentially only about the pivot support 34 without any significant movement of the transmission body 7. For example, the transmission body 7 pivots until it is against or at least almost against the side of the contact section 30 opposite to the clamping leg 43. During the pivoting motion of the transmission body 7, the spring-loaded section 71 presses against the contact portion at the clamping leg 43 and deflects the clamping leg toward the open position.

[0041] like Figure 5 and Figure 6As indicated, if the actuating element 6 now pivots further, the first form-fitting element 63 engages with the second form-fitting element 72. Thus, the transmission body 7 moves in the direction of movement V by the further pivoting movement of the actuating element 6. It can be seen that, through this movement, the first locking element 50 now overlaps with the second locking element 35, and correspondingly, the transmission body 7 locks at the contact section 30. Now, the force applied to the transmission body 7 by the clamping leg 43 does not cause displacement of the transmission body 7, even if the actuating element 6 moves back to its original position. Figure 2 In the position shown. Here, the corresponding spring-loaded section 71 forms a retaining element 5 with its first locking element 50 as a terminal for holding the clamping leg in the open position. Thus, the clamping leg 43 is locked in the open position via the retaining element 5.

[0042] As in Figure 6 As shown by the dashed line, if the wire 9 is now introduced through the wire introduction opening 20 in the wire introduction direction L, then an operating force F is applied to the release section 80 through the front end of the wire 9. The transmission body 7 can move back against the movement direction V by the operating force F until the first locking element 50 is released from the second locking element 35, thereby releasing the lock. This causes the clamping leg 43 to no longer be held in the open position by the retaining element 5, and correspondingly springs back towards the clamping position due to its preload. Then, the wire 9 is firmly clamped at the contact section 30 by the clamping leg 43, or its clamping edge 46.

[0043] List of reference numerals

[0044] 1 terminal block

[0045] 2. Insulating material housing

[0046] 3 bus

[0047] 4 clamping springs

[0048] 5 retaining elements

[0049] 6 control elements

[0050] 7 Transmitters

[0051] 8 Release components

[0052] 9 electrical wires

[0053] 20 wires introduced into the opening

[0054] 30 contact section

[0055] 31 Connecting Section

[0056] 32 Support Section

[0057] 33 Connecting Contact Part

[0058] 34 Pivot Support Elements

[0059] 35 Second locking element

[0060] 41 Support Legs

[0061] 42 Spring Bow

[0062] 43. Clasp your legs together

[0063] 46 Clamping edge

[0064] 50 First locking element

[0065] 60 gripping section

[0066] 61 Pivot axis

[0067] 62 Force Loading Section

[0068] 63 First shape mating element

[0069] 70 Force Absorption Section

[0070] 71 Spring Loading Section

[0071] 72 Second Shape Fitting Component

[0072] 80 loosening section

[0073] F-Manipulation

[0074] L-direction of wire introduction

[0075] V-direction of movement

Claims

1. A terminal block (1) having an insulating material housing (2) and at least one spring-force clamping connector, primarily disposed in the insulating material housing (2), the spring-force clamping connector for connecting an electrical conductor by means of a spring force, wherein the spring-force clamping connector has at least one busbar (3) and a clamping spring (4), the clamping spring having a clamping leg (43), the clamping leg having a clamping edge (46) for clamping the electrical conductor to a contact segment (30) of the busbar (3), wherein the spring-force clamping connector has an actuating element (6), the clamping leg (43) being movable to an open position by means of manual operation via the actuating element, wherein the spring-force clamping connector has a transmission body (7) configured to transmit an actuating motion generated by manually operating the actuating element (6) to the clamping leg (43), characterized in that, The actuating element (6) is configured to first pivot the transmission body (7) when manually actuated to move the clamping leg (43) to the open position, and to linearly move the transmission body (7) at the end of the actuation movement.

2. The terminal block according to claim 1, characterized in that, The transmission body (7) is configured as a bending-resistant member that does not deform substantially when the manipulation motion is transmitted from the manipulation element (6) to the clamping leg (43).

3. The terminal block according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The transmission body (7) in the open position can lock at a portion of the terminal (1), particularly at the busbar (3) or the insulating housing (2).

4. The terminal block according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The transmission body (7) is pivotally supported at the spring force clamping connector, so that the pivoting movement can be performed when the actuating motion is transmitted from the actuating element (6) to the clamping leg (43) via the transmission body (7).

5. The terminal block according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The control element (6) is configured as a pivotable control lever.

6. The terminal block according to claim 5, characterized in that, When the actuating element (6) is actuated to move the clamping leg (43) to the open position, it performs a pivoting movement having a pivoting direction opposite to the pivoting movement of the transmission body (7).

7. The terminal block according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The transmission body (7) is linearly movable and supported at at least one component of the terminal (1).

8. The terminal block according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The transmission body (7) is frame-shaped as an operating frame, which surrounds the busbar (3) at opposite edge sides and is configured to transmit operating force to the clamping leg (43) at opposite edge sides.

9. The terminal block according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The spring-force clamping connector has a retaining element (5) configured to hold the clamping leg (43) in the open position.

10. The terminal block according to claim 9, characterized in that, The retaining element (5) is locked in the open position at the component of the terminal (1), particularly at the bus (3) or the insulating housing (2).

11. The terminal block according to any one of claims 9 to 10, characterized in that, The retaining element (5) or at least one retaining segment of the retaining element (5) constitutes a segment of the transmission body (7).

12. The terminal block according to any one of claims 9 to 11, characterized in that, The terminal block (1) has a release element (8) with a release section (80) and the clamping leg (43) held in the open position by the holding element (5) can be automatically released by the release element when the wire to be clamped applies a manipulating force to the release section (80).

13. The terminal block according to claim 12, characterized in that, The releasing element (8) or at least the releasing segment (80) constitutes a segment of the transmission body (7).

14. The terminal block according to claim 13, characterized in that, The release section (80) is formed as a rigid, bending-resistant part of the transmission body (7), which is substantially not deformed by the manipulation force applied by the wire to be clamped.

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