terminal block

Abstract

The invention relates to a terminal having an insulating material housing having at least one conductor introduction opening for accommodating an electrical conductor in a conductor introduction direction, wherein at least one spring force clamping connection for connecting the electrical conductor by means of a spring force is provided in the insulating material housing, wherein the spring force clamping connection has at least one clamping spring having a clamping leg for clamping the electrical conductor at a clamping point, a bearing leg for bearing the clamping spring and a spring bow connecting the clamping leg with the bearing leg, wherein the clamping leg can be moved back and forth between a clamping position, in which the electrical conductor is clamped at the clamping point by the clamping leg, and an open position, in which the electrical conductor is not clamped.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a terminal block having an insulating material housing with at least one wire inlet opening for accommodating an electrical wire in the wire inlet direction. The insulating material housing includes at least one spring-force clamping connector for connecting the electrical wire by means of a spring force. The spring-force clamping connector has at least one clamping spring, which has a clamping leg for clamping the electrical wire at a clamping position, a supporting leg for supporting the clamping spring, and a spring bow connecting the clamping leg and the supporting leg. The clamping leg is movable between a clamped position and an open position. In the clamped position, the electrical wire is clamped at the clamping position by the clamping leg; in the open position, the electrical wire is not clamped. Background Technology

[0002] Such terminal blocks are known, for example, from EP 3 198 681 B1. Summary of the Invention

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

[0004] In the case of the type of terminal block mentioned at the beginning, the objective is achieved by positioning the spring bow behind the clamping portion when viewed from the wire introduction opening in the wire introduction direction. In this way, a so-called flip-up configuration with a clamping spring, i.e., a terminal block with a spring bow positioned at the rear, can be achieved. Consequently, the terminal block can be designed with a particularly flat construction. Furthermore, other functions, such as the automatic wire connection function described below, can be easily integrated.

[0005] Here, the arc-shaped region is considered as a spring bow that clamps the spring, which extends within an arc angle of at least 90 degrees, at least 130 degrees, or at least 170 degrees, at least in the clamped position.

[0006] Terminal blocks can be configured without their own actuating elements for operating the clamping legs, i.e., for moving the clamping legs from the clamped position to the open position. Terminal blocks can also have manually operated actuating elements, such as actuating presses or other movably disposed moving elements, or pivotable levers.

[0007] According to an advantageous design of the invention, the clamping legs are positioned closer to the support legs in the clamped position than in the open position. Correspondingly, the clamping legs move toward the support legs from the open position to clamp the electrical wire. In an advantageous design, the clamping spring can form a clamping preload with the clamping legs, said clamping preload acting toward the support legs, and correspondingly keeping the clamping legs always loaded toward the support legs.

[0008] According to an advantageous design of the invention, the spring bow has a bending radius that is smaller in the clamped position than in the open position.

[0009] According to an advantageous design of the invention, the clamping legs extend substantially parallel to the support legs in the open position or at an angle deviating from the parallel direction by less than 10 degrees. This also facilitates the design of a particularly flat structure for the terminal blocks. The clamping legs can also be positioned in the clamped position at only a relatively small angle deviating from the parallel direction of the support legs, for example, at an angle of less than 15 degrees.

[0010] Terminal blocks can be configured without busbars. The mating supports for clamping the conductors, i.e., the support surfaces for the conductors, can also be formed as part of the support legs or through an insulating housing. This embodiment of the terminal block is particularly suitable for small conductor cross-sections and / or small currents to be transmitted.

[0011] According to an advantageous design of the invention, the spring-force clamping connector has at least one busbar with a contact section at which a conductor can be clamped by means of clamping legs. In this way, the terminals can also be configured for transmitting larger currents or for clamping larger conductors. The contact section thus forms a mating support for the clamping legs, i.e., a support surface for the conductor. The busbar allows for a more stable design of the mechanical structure of the spring-force clamping connector. Additionally, the busbar can be used for other functions, as further described below.

[0012] The clamping leg, together with the contact section of the busbar, forms a clamping portion for clamping the conductor between the clamping leg and the contact section. In the open position, at least one clamping edge of the clamping leg pivots away from the contact section of the busbar or other mating supports. The clamping leg may, for example, pivot between an open position and a clamped position, in which the conductor can move freely between the clamping leg and the contact section, and in which the clamping position the clamping leg clamps the conductor at the contact section.

[0013] According to an advantageous design of the invention, the clamping spring is supported at the busbar by means of its support legs, particularly on the side of the contact section opposite to the clamping legs. Correspondingly, the contact section of the busbar can be located between the support legs and the clamping legs. This achieves a self-supporting spring-force clamping connection in which the insulating housing essentially does not bear the force of the clamping spring.

[0014] According to an advantageous design of the invention, the terminal block has a retaining element for holding the clamping legs in the open position. This has the advantage that the clamping legs can be held in the open position for a longer period of time, thus eliminating the need for manual operation of the clamping legs. It is also feasible to deliver the terminal block, already equipped with clamping legs held in the retaining element in the open position, to the user, so that the user can immediately use the terminal block to connect electrical wires without prior operation of the clamping legs.

[0015] The retaining element can be configured as a separate component, for example, separately from the clamping spring and busbar.

[0016] According to an advantageous design of the invention, the retaining element and the bus are formed in one piece. In this way, the bus can perform the additional function of retaining the clamping legs. Thus, when the clamping legs are held at the retaining element, the insulating housing does not bear the force of the clamping spring.

[0017] Alternatively, the retaining element can be molded as a single piece with the insulating housing or the clamping spring itself.

[0018] According to an advantageous design of the invention, at least one first locking element is formed at the clamping leg, which can engage with a second locking element formed at the retaining element in the open position. This locking allows the clamping leg to be reliably held in the open position and to be easily released by the first locking element disengaging from the second locking element.

[0019] According to an advantageous design of the invention, the terminal block has a release mechanism with a release section. When the release section is applied with a release force by means of the conductor to be clamped, the clamping leg, held in the open position by a retaining element, can be released from the retaining element through the release section and can be transferred to the clamping position. This structure allows for the integration of automatic conductor connection functionality into spring-forced clamping connectors and terminal blocks of different structural types. In particular, terminal blocks of proven known structural types can be further developed in this manner with minimal cost to have automatic triggering functionality, i.e., automatic conductor connection with the conductor to be clamped. Automatic conductor connection functionality can be integrated into the terminal block very efficiently and with minimal additional cost.

[0020] The release section can be positioned behind the clamping section in the wire introduction direction, and is reliably manipulated by the introduced wire only when the wire has been introduced sufficiently into the terminal block, so that the wire can be reliably clamped at the contact section by the clamping legs. The release section can be configured to apply a release force through the wire in the wire introduction direction that is sufficient to release the clamping legs from the open position.

[0021] The release mechanism with a release section can be formed by additional components of the terminal block, such as components separate from the clamping spring, busbar and insulating housing.

[0022] According to an advantageous design of the invention, the release section is integrally formed with the clamping spring, and particularly with the clamping leg. This has the advantage that no additional components are required to implement the release mechanism. The clamping spring can thus have an integrated release mechanism. Costs are reduced by using fewer components and the installation of the terminals is simplified. The release section can, for example, be configured as a plate tab extending from a part of the clamping spring, such as the clamping leg.

[0023] According to an advantageous design of the invention, a release section is disposed between the free end of the clamping leg and the spring bow. This ensures that the clamping leg is released from the retaining element only when the electrical conductor is introduced sufficiently into the terminal block and contacts the release section. Furthermore, this allows for reliable manipulation of the release section to release the clamping leg from the retaining element.

[0024] According to an advantageous design of the invention, the release section extends substantially orthogonally to the direction of wire introduction in the free space between the support leg and the clamping leg. In this way, the release section can be reliably contacted by the introduced electrical wire and subjected to an operating force.

[0025] 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

[0026] The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. The drawings show:

[0027] Figure 1 The wiring terminals are shown in a three-dimensional view.

[0028] Figure 2 The side sectional view shows the situation in the open position according to... Figure 1 The wiring terminals,

[0029] Figure 3 The following is shown in the case of wire insertion according to Figure 2 The wiring terminals,

[0030] Figure 4 Showing according to Figure 3 The wiring terminals along with the clamped wires,

[0031] Figure 5The side view shows the position according to the... Figure 1 The spring force of the terminal clamps the connector.

[0032] Figure 6 The following is shown in the clamping position: Figure 5 The spring force clamps the connecting parts.

[0033] Figure 7 Shown in a three-dimensional view according to Figure 1 The clamping spring of the terminal block,

[0034] Figure 8 Shown in a three-dimensional view according to Figure 1 The busbar of the terminal block. Detailed Implementation

[0035] Figure 1 The terminal block 1 is shown, which has an insulating material housing 2. The insulating material housing 2 has a wire inlet opening 20 on one side. Each wire inlet opening 20 is equipped with a spring-loaded clamping connector disposed in the insulating material housing 2.

[0036] Figure 2 The internal structure of terminal 1 is shown in the cross-sectional view. This terminal has a spring-loaded clamping connector disposed therein. The spring-loaded clamping connector includes a busbar 3, a clamping spring 4, a retaining element 5, and a release mechanism 8. The conductor to be clamped can be introduced into the insulating housing 2 through the conductor introduction opening 20 along the conductor introduction direction L.

[0037] Busbar 3 has a contact section 30, where electrical wires can be clamped. A first shape-fitting element 31 is molded at the contact section 30.

[0038] 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. A second form-fitting element 40 is formed at the support leg 41, which is form-fitted to a first form-fitting element 31, thus securing the clamping spring 4 to the busbar 3. Furthermore, the clamping spring 4 is supported at the busbar 3 by the second form-fitting element 40, and correspondingly supported against the spring force of the clamping leg 43. The spring bow 42 is located at the clamping leg 43. Figure 2 The main deformation portion of the clamping spring is shown when the open position is transferred to the clamping position. The clamping leg 43 is used to clamp the electrical wire at the contact section 30.

[0039] In the open position shown, the clamping leg 43 deflects against the spring return force acting toward the support leg 41, i.e., the spring return force tends to deflect the clamping leg 43 toward the support leg 41.

[0040] The retaining element 5 is used to hold the clamping leg 43 in the open position. For this purpose, the retaining element 5 has a second locking element 50. At least one first locking element 44 is formed at the clamping leg 43, which can lock into the second locking element 50 in the open position, as shown in the image. Figure 2 As it was achieved in [the context of the original text].

[0041] The releasing mechanism 8 has a releasing section 80, which, when viewed in the wire introduction direction L, is located between the contact section 30 and the spring bow 42, and extends transversely to the wire introduction direction L in a receiving space for accommodating the electrical wire. The releasing mechanism 8 is used to release the latch between the first locking element 44 and the second locking element 50.

[0042] Figure 3 This shows how the conductor 9 is introduced into the insulating housing 2 along the conductor introduction direction L and has been slightly pressed against the release section 80, such that the first locking element 44 has been slightly moved relative to its original position on the second locking element 50.

[0043] Figure 4 The wiring terminals are shown after the locking of the first locking element 44 and the second locking element 50 is released. The clamping leg 43 is now released and rebounds toward the support leg 41 or toward the contact section 30 by the clamping preload of the clamping spring 4, thereby clamping the wire 9 at the contact section 30.

[0044] Figure 5 To reiterate, the clamping leg 43 has a busbar 3 and a clamping spring 4 in the case of the retaining element 5. If the clamp is released by the loading release section 80, then at least when no electrical wire is introduced, it is concluded that... Figure 6 The state is shown in the figure. The clamping leg 43 then springs toward the contact section 30 until the clamping leg contacts the contact section 30 or is at least near the contact section 30.

[0045] Figure 7 An advantageous construction of the clamping spring 4 is explained here. Figure 7 The clamping spring 4 is shown in a preloaded state, as shown in the figure below. Figure 2The clamping spring 4 can be formed from a sheet metal in one piece with the release section 80. For example, the support leg 41 can be formed by two parallel leg sections that transition into parallel spring bow sections of spring bow 42, and the spring bow sections in turn transition into parallel leg sections of clamping leg 43. The leg sections of the support leg 41 can be connected to each other at their free ends by transverse tabs formed by a second shape-fitting element 40. The leg sections of the clamping leg 43 can be connected to each other by transverse tabs 45. Clamping edges for clamping the electrical wire 9 can be formed at the transverse tabs 45. As can be seen, first locking elements 44 can be symmetrically formed on both sides of the clamping leg 43. The release section 80 can branch off from the leg section of the clamping leg 43 via a bent connecting tab and extend in the space between the clamping leg 43 and the support leg 41. In the clamped position, the release segment 80 can sink into or pass through the free space between the two leg segments of the support leg 41, as in, for example, in Figure 4 and Figure 6 As can be seen from the text.

[0046] Figure 8 An advantageous construction of the busbar 3 is illustrated. It can be seen that the busbar 3 can be integrally formed with the retaining element 5, for example, by extending corresponding support sections 32 from the contact section 30, the support sections extending at an angle to the contact section 30, and each support section having a second locking element 50 in its end region. Subsequently, the electrical wire 9 to be clamped can be guided through between adjacent support sections 32.

[0047] List of reference numerals

[0048] 1 terminal block

[0049] 2. Insulating material housing

[0050] 3 bus

[0051] 4 clamping springs

[0052] 5 retaining elements

[0053] 8. Release mechanism

[0054] 20 wires introduced into the opening

[0055] 30 contact section

[0056] 31 First shape-fitting element

[0057] 32 Support Sections

[0058] 40 Second shape mating element

[0059] 41 Support Legs

[0060] 42 Spring Bow

[0061] 43. Clasp your legs together

[0062] 44 First locking element

[0063] 45 Horizontal splicing

[0064] 50 Second locking element

[0065] 80 loosening section

[0066] L-direction of wire introduction

Claims

1. A terminal block (1) having an insulating material housing (2) having at least one wire inlet opening (20) for receiving an electrical wire in a wire inlet direction (L), wherein at least one spring-force clamping connector for connecting the electrical wire by means of a spring force is provided in the insulating material housing (2), the spring-force clamping connector having at least one clamping spring (4), the clamping spring having a clamping leg (43) for clamping the electrical wire at a clamping portion (33), a supporting leg (41) for supporting the clamping spring (4), and a spring bow (42) connecting the clamping leg (43) to the supporting leg (41), wherein the clamping leg (43) is movable back and forth between a clamping position and an open position, wherein in the clamping position the electrical wire is clamped at the clamping portion (33) by the clamping leg (43), and in the open position the electrical wire is not clamped, characterized in that, The spring bow (42) is positioned behind the clamping part (33) when viewed from the wire introduction opening (20) in the wire introduction direction (L).

2. The terminal block according to claim 1, characterized in that, The clamping leg (43) is positioned closer to the supporting leg (41) in the clamped position than in the open position.

3. The terminal block according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The spring bow (42) has a bending radius that is smaller in the clamped position than in the open position.

4. The terminal block according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The clamping leg (43) extends substantially parallel to the supporting leg (41) in the open position or at an angle less than 10 degrees away from the parallel direction.

5. The terminal block according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The spring-force clamping connector has at least one busbar (3) with a contact section (30) at which the electrical wire can be clamped by means of the clamping leg (43).

6. The terminal block according to claim 5, characterized in that, The clamping spring (4) is supported at the busbar (3) by means of its support leg (41), particularly on the side of the contact section (30) opposite to the clamping leg (43).

7. The terminal block according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The terminal block (1) has a retaining element (5) for holding the clamping leg (43) in the open position.

8. The terminal block according to claim 7, characterized in that, The retaining element (5) and the busbar (3) are formed in one piece.

9. The terminal block according to any one of claims 7 to 8, characterized in that, At least one first locking element (44) is formed at the clamping leg (43), which is capable of locking with a second locking element (50) formed at the retaining element (5) in the open position.

10. The terminal block according to any one of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that, The terminal block (1) has a release mechanism (8) with a release section (80). When the release section (80) is loaded with a release force by the wire to be clamped, the clamping leg (43) held in the open position by the holding element (5) can be released from the holding element (5) by the release section (80) and can be transferred to the clamping position.

11. The terminal block according to claim 10, characterized in that, The release section (80) is formed in one piece with the clamping spring (4), and in particular with the clamping leg (43).

12. The terminal block according to any one of claims 10 to 11, characterized in that, The release section (80) is located between the free end of the clamping leg (43) and the spring bow (42).

13. The terminal block according to any one of claims 10 to 12, characterized in that, The release section (80) extends substantially orthogonally to the wire introduction direction (L) in the free space between the support leg (41) and the clamping leg (43).

14. The terminal block according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The supporting leg (41) is formed by two leg segments that extend parallel to each other, which respectively transition into the parallel spring bow segments of the spring bow (42).

15. The terminal block according to claim 14, characterized in that, The leg segments of the support leg (41) are connected to each other at their free ends by a first transverse tab.

16. The terminal block according to claim 15, characterized in that, The first transverse tab is formed by a second shape-fitting element (40), which is shape-fittingly held at the first shape-fitting element (31) of the busbar (3) to fix the clamping spring (4) on the busbar (3).

17. The terminal block according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The clamping leg (43) is formed by two leg segments that extend parallel to each other, which transition into the parallel spring bow segments of the spring bow (42).

18. The terminal block according to claim 17, characterized in that, The leg sections of the clamping leg (43) are connected to each other by a second transverse tab (45), and a clamping edge for clamping the electrical wire is formed at the second transverse tab (45).

19. The terminal block according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, First locking elements (44) are symmetrically formed on both sides of the clamping leg (43).

20. The terminal block according to any one of claims 10 to 13, characterized in that, The release section (80) branches off from the leg section of the clamping leg (43) via a curved connecting piece and extends in the space between the clamping leg (43) and the supporting leg (41).

21. The terminal block according to any one of claims 10 to 13, characterized in that, In the clamped position, the release section (80) sinks into or passes through the free space between the two leg sections of the support leg (41).

22. The terminal block according to claim 5, characterized in that, A corresponding support section (32) extends from the contact section (30), the support section (32) extending at an angle to the contact section (30), and each of the support sections (32) has a second locking element (50) in the end region.

23. The terminal block according to claim 22, characterized in that, The wire to be clamped can be guided through between adjacent support sections (32).

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