terminal block

Abstract

The present invention relates to a terminal block having an insulating material housing having at least one wire inlet opening for receiving an electrical wire in a wire introduction direction, 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, wherein the spring-force clamping connector has at least one busbar and a clamping spring, the clamping spring having a clamping leg and a supporting leg, the clamping leg having a clamping edge for clamping the electrical wire at a contact section of the busbar, the supporting leg being configured to support the clamping spring, and the terminal block having a retaining element being configured to hold the clamping leg in an open position.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a terminal block having an insulating material housing having at least one wire introduction opening for receiving an electrical wire in a wire introduction direction, 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, wherein the spring-force clamping connector has at least one busbar and a clamping spring, the clamping spring having a clamping leg and a supporting leg, the clamping leg having a clamping edge for clamping the electrical wire at a contact section of the busbar, the supporting leg being configured to support the clamping spring, and the terminal block having a retaining element being configured to hold the clamping leg in an open position. Background Technology

[0002] A connection terminal for a wire is known from DE 20 2019 105 075 U1, wherein a retaining mechanism for holding the clamping leg in the open position is achieved by locking the operating press in the open position. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The purpose of this invention is to provide a terminal block corresponding to this improvement.

[0004] The aforementioned objective is achieved in the type of terminal block mentioned at the beginning by the following method: the clamping spring has a retaining leg that extends at an angle from the clamping leg, wherein the retaining element has a body, and a spring retaining area extends from the body, wherein the clamping leg can be held in the open position by a form-fitting connection between the retaining leg and the spring retaining area. With this retaining element, the clamping leg can be stably held in the open position. Even under vibrational loads, the clamping leg will not accidentally release from the retaining element. Because the clamping spring has an additional retaining leg, wherein the clamping leg is held in the open position by means of the retaining element via the additional retaining leg, the retaining mechanism can be advantageously housed in an insulating housing, especially thus not hindering the introduction of electrical wires. Furthermore, the retaining leg can be additionally used to operate the clamping leg, that is, to move the clamping leg to the open position, for example, in the case of lever operation.

[0005] The spring retaining area can be integrally formed with the main body or configured as a separate component fastened to the main body. The spring retaining area can be configured, for example, as a protrusion extending from the main body and / or as a recess in the main body. The spring retaining area can also be achieved through a suitable shape of the main body, for example, by having an outer contour suitable for retaining the clamping leg, such as an elliptical or off-center contour.

[0006] The retaining leg can extend from the clamping leg at an angle ranging from 60 to 120 degrees, for example. The retaining leg can extend particularly toward the clamping leg, which is away from the contact section of the busbar. The spring-retaining region can be shaped, for example, as a cam engaging in the opening of the retaining leg. The retaining leg can be configured as a purely tension leg, that is, configured to apply essentially only tension to the spring-retaining region. Correspondingly, the retaining leg can be configured relatively finely because it does not require high bending stiffness.

[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. In the open position, at least the clamping edges of the clamping legs pivot away from the contact section of the busbar. The clamping legs can pivot, for example, between an open position and a clamped position, in which the electrical conductor can move freely between the clamping legs and the contact section, and in which the clamping position the clamping legs clamp the electrical conductor at the contact section.

[0008] The retaining element exists as an independent component, which can be fastened, for example, to the insulating housing of the terminal block, to the busbar, or to other components.

[0009] The support leg is used to support the clamping spring, that is, to hold the clamping spring in order to achieve sufficient support of the clamping spring relative to the spring force applied by the clamping leg. The clamping spring may have a spring bow that connects the support leg to the clamping leg. The support leg may, for example, be supported at an insulating housing and / or a busbar.

[0010] According to an advantageous design of the invention, a first locking element is formed in the body of the retaining element, by which the body, in the open position, can be locked at a second locking element and thereby fixed in the open position against the spring force of the clamping leg. In this way, the retaining element can be reliably locked and correspondingly held in the open position, and the clamping leg is securely held in the open position on the spring-holding area. The first locking element can be configured, for example, as a locking protrusion or a locking recess. The second locking element is then configured as a mating part relative to the first locking element, for example, as a locking protrusion or a locking recess. The second locking element can be particularly disposed in a substantially fixed position within the insulating housing, at least if it is fixed to the housing only if the second locking element does not participate in the movement of the clamping leg from the clamping position to the open position or the movement of the retaining element via its pivoting area. The second locking element is formed in a component of the terminal block different from the retaining element or the clamping leg, for example, in the support leg and / or busbar.

[0011] According to an advantageous design of the invention, the terminal block has a release element with a release section, the operation of which allows the lock between the first and second locking elements to be released. This allows reliable release of the locking of the retaining element and correspondingly also allows the clamping leg to be released from the spring-retaining area. If the lock between the first and second locking elements is released, the clamping leg springs back toward the contact section 31 and moves together with the retaining element. Thus, the clamping leg springs back toward the clamping position and can securely clamp the wire to the contact section of the bus. The release element, or release section, can be operated, for example, manually, to release the lock between the first and second locking elements.

[0012] According to an advantageous design of the invention, the release section is coupled to a second locking element such that the second locking element can be released from the first locking element when the release section deflects in the wire introduction direction. The second locking element can be correspondingly displaced by operating the release section until the first locking element can be released therefrom. For example, the second locking element can be disposed at the release element or integrally formed with the release element. The release element can, for example, be configured as a metal component.

[0013] According to an advantageous design of the invention, the release element is configured as a separate component or integrally formed with the clamping spring or busbar. This allows for simple and cost-effective manufacturing of the terminal block components, as well as easy installation.

[0014] According to an advantageous design of the invention, when the conductor to be clamped applies an operating force to the releasing section of the releasing element, the clamping leg held at the retaining element in the open position can be released from the retaining element. This has the advantage of enabling automatic wire connection of the terminals. The conductor only needs to be simply introduced into the insulating housing in the conductor introduction direction. If the free end of the conductor touches the releasing section, a corresponding force can be applied to the releasing section through the conductor, causing the releasing section to deflect in the conductor introduction direction until the second locking element is released from the first locking element. By operating the releasing section, the second locking element can be correspondingly displaced until the first locking element can be released therefrom. For example, the second locking element can be disposed at the releasing element or integrally formed with the releasing element. The releasing element can be configured, for example, as a metal component, for example, as an elastically deformable component. By operating the releasing section, the releasing element can be deflected or deformed, for example, until the second locking element disposed therefrom is displaced until the first locking element can be released therefrom.

[0015] According to an advantageous design of the invention, the retaining element is at least partially made of plastic, particularly the spring retaining area. This allows for simple and cost-effective manufacturing of the retaining element. Furthermore, damage to the clamping spring is reliably avoided by using a relatively soft plastic material.

[0016] According to an advantageous design of the invention, the retaining leg has a window-like opening into which the spring-retaining region engages, at least in the open position. This enables a reliable form-fit coupling between the retaining leg and the spring-retaining region. For example, the retaining leg can have two spaced-apart, parallel-extending traction arms connected to each other at their free ends via transverse tabs. In this way, the window-like opening is bordered by the traction arms and the transverse tabs. The traction arms can be constructed relatively finely because they essentially only transmit tensile force and therefore do not need to have high bending stiffness.

[0017] According to an advantageous design of the invention, the spring-retaining region surrounds the retaining leg with a circumferential angle greater than 130 degrees. For example, the spring-retaining region can surround the lateral tab of the retaining leg on the opposite side. This makes it possible that when the clamping leg is deflected to the open position, the clamping leg is operated to deflect together with the retaining leg, and the retaining leg here causes the spring-retaining region, and thus at least a portion of the retaining element, to move together. This is advantageous, for example, for terminals without their own operating elements, in which operation is performed by external tools.

[0018] According to an advantageous design of the invention, the terminal block has a manually operated element with a spring-loaded section, wherein the clamping legs can be deflected to the open position by the spring-loaded section when the operating element is manually operated. This has the advantages that the terminal block has its own operating element, which is always available and can be easily operated by the user. The user, in particular, does not need additional tools for operating the clamping legs.

[0019] According to an advantageous design of the invention, the spring-holding region of the holding element simultaneously forms a spring-loaded section. Correspondingly, the holding element can also perform at least a portion of the function of the manual operating element. It is feasible that the holding element and the manual operating element together constitute a single component.

[0020] According to an advantageous design of the invention, the manual operating element is configured as a pivotable operating lever having a lever arm for manual operation. This allows for simple manual operation of the clamping leg, wherein a small operating force is maintained by determining the corresponding dimensions of the lever arm. Alternatively, the manual operating element can also be configured as a movable pressing element, a moving operating element, or a combination of a pivotable operating lever and an operating pressing element or a moving operating element.

[0021] According to an advantageous design of the invention, the main body is rotatably supported in an insulating housing about a rotation axis, wherein at least when the main body is displaced about its rotation axis to an open-pivot position, the retaining leg is coupled to a spring-retaining region via a form-fitting connection, thereby clamping the leg and holding it in the open position. This achieves a highly efficient retaining mechanism for holding the clamping leg in the open position, which is specifically designed to protect the clamping leg. Furthermore, the specially protected release of the retaining leg held in the spring-retaining region is possible via the rotatable support of the retaining element, which is rotatable about a defined rotation axis, thus preventing damage during the release process.

[0022] By employing the described structure, which features a retaining element rotatably supported within an insulating housing and a clamping leg directly held in the spring-retaining area, a very robust retention of the clamping leg in the open position can be achieved, ensuring that the clamping leg will not undesirably loosen, for example, due to vibration. Overall, this also allows for simpler and more cost-effective manufacturing of the terminal block, as adhering to particularly narrow dimensional tolerances is not critical for the clamping leg to be securely held in the open position. Furthermore, the clamping leg retaining mechanism in the terminal block according to the invention is less dependent on temperature effects compared to known solutions.

[0023] According to an advantageous design of the invention, the terminal block has at least one support pin, at which the body of the retaining element is rotatably supported. This allows for reliable rotational support of the retaining element, for example, about a fixed axis of rotation. At least one support pin can be fixedly connected to the retaining element, for example, formed in one piece with the body, wherein the at least one support pin can then be rotatably supported, for example, in a support receiving portion of an insulating material housing. Alternatively, the body of the retaining element may have at least one through hole or at least one blind hole into which at least one support pin engages. The support pin can be made of plastic or metal. In an advantageous design, the support pin can be formed in one piece from the material of the insulating material housing.

[0024] According to an advantageous design of the invention, the lever arm of the operating lever is connected to or integrally formed with the body of the retaining element. Correspondingly, the retaining element can perform additional functions of the operating lever. This combined operating-retaining element enables the retention of multiple functions within the terminal block. This simplifies the construction of the terminal block and reduces manufacturing costs.

[0025] In the context of this invention, the indefinite term "one" is not to be understood as a numeral. Therefore, if, for example, a component is referred to, this should be interpreted in the sense of "at least one component." Angles are described in degrees, referring to the dimension of a circle of 360 degrees (360°). Attached Figure Description

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

[0027] The attached diagram shows:

[0028] Figure 1 The terminal block is shown in the clamped position.

[0029] Figure 2 Showing the basis in the open position Figure 1 The wiring terminals,

[0030] Figure 3 Details of the retaining mechanism in the open position are shown.

[0031] Figure 4 The clamping spring of the terminal block is shown as a separate component.

[0032] Figure 5 Another embodiment of the terminal block in the clamped position is shown.

[0033] Figure 6 Showing the basis in the open position Figure 5 The wiring terminals,

[0034] Figure 7 Details of the retaining mechanism in the open position are shown. Detailed Implementation

[0035] Figure 1A terminal block 1 is shown, having an insulating housing 2. A spring-loaded clamping connector is provided within the insulating housing 2, comprising a busbar 3 and a clamping spring 4. The busbar 3 has a contact section 31. 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 terminating at its free end with a clamping edge 46. The clamping leg 43 is used to clamp the conductor at the contact section 31 by means of spring force. The clamping spring 4 is supported in the insulating housing 2 by means of the support leg 41, for example, by the spring force of the support leg 41 relative to the clamping leg 43 on the material of the insulating housing 2 or on other components of the terminal block 1. A retaining leg 40 of the clamping spring 4 extends at an angle from the clamping leg 43. The retaining leg 40 extends away from the contact section 31.

[0036] The insulating material housing 2 has a wire introduction opening 20 through which an electrical wire can be introduced into the insulating material housing 2 in the wire introduction direction L and clamped at the clamping portion between the clamping leg 43 and the contact section 31. The illustrated embodiment of the terminal block 1 has a pivotable operating lever as a manual operating element 6, which has a lever arm 60 for manual operation. The lever arm 60 extends free end from the opening in the insulating material housing 2 and can be easily pivoted by the user at this location.

[0037] Terminal 1 has a retain-release mechanism by which the clamping leg 43 can be held in the open position, especially in the absence of other operation of the operating element 6. The retain-release mechanism has a retaining element 5 by which the clamping leg 43 can be held in the open position. The retaining element 5 has a body 50, which is rotatably supported in the insulating housing 2 and can rotate about a rotation axis formed by the support pin 53. The body 50 has a spring retaining region 51 extending toward the retaining leg 40. It can be seen that the spring retaining region 51 is shape-fitted with or at least can be coupled to the retaining leg 40. By means of the spring retaining region 51, the clamping leg 43 can be deflected toward the open position and held in the open position, in which the clamping leg 43 is displaced toward the support leg 41.

[0038] Advantageously, the lever arm 60 is directly connected to or integrally formed with the body 50 of the retaining element 5. In this way, the retaining element 5 and the lever arm 60 disposed therein simultaneously form a retaining element for holding the clamping leg 43 in the open position and a manual operating element 6. When the lever arm 60 is pivoted by manual operation to deflect the clamping leg 43 toward the open position, the retaining element 5 thereby retains the clamping leg 43 from the open position. Figure 1The clamping-pivot position shown in the diagram pivots to the position at... Figure 2 The open-pivot position is visible. Here, the spring-holding area 51 pulls the clamping leg 43 together with the holding leg 40. Figure 2 As indicated, in the open-pivot position of retaining element 5, clamping leg 43 is held in the open position by spring retaining region 51. It can be seen that the rotation axis of retaining element 5 also forms the rotation axis of operating element 6.

[0039] The holding-releasing mechanism also includes a releasing element 8. Via the releasing element 8, the holding element 5 can be held in the open-pivot position relative to the spring force acting by the clamping leg 43, in such a way that the holding element 5 is locked at the releasing element 8 in the open-pivot position. Furthermore, the locking of the holding element 5 in the open-pivot position can be released by means of the releasing element 8. For this purpose, the releasing element 8 has a releasing section 80 extending into a region of the insulating material housing 2 aligned with the wire introduction direction L, and the electrical wire to be clamped can be pressed against this region. Through the introduced electrical wire, the releasing section 80 can be slightly deflected in the wire introduction direction L, thereby releasing the holding element 5 and thus releasing the clamping leg 43.

[0040] In the illustrated embodiment, the release element 8 is fastened to the receiving portion 22 of the insulating material housing 2. Alternatively, the release element 8 may be integrally formed with the busbar 3 or the clamping spring 4. In this case, the receiving portion 22 is not necessarily required.

[0041] like Figure 2 As shown, by pivoting the lever arm 60, the clamping leg 43 has moved away from the contact section 31 and is now in the open position. Here, the rotatable retaining element 5 is in the open-pivot position, in which it is held in place via... Figure 3 The locking element, which can be seen, is locked at the releasing element 8. Here, the clamping leg 43 has been deflected by the tension transmitted to the retaining leg 40 by the spring-loaded section 51.

[0042] Figure 3 The locking of retaining element 5 at releasing element 8 is shown in more detail. Retaining element 5 may, for example, have a first locking element 54 at the body 50. A second locking element 81 may be provided at releasing element 8. In the open-pivot position, as in... Figure 3 As shown, the first locking element 54 locks at the second locking element 81, preventing the retaining element 5 from pivoting again by the spring force of the clamping leg 43. Figure 1The clamping-pivoting position can be seen in the diagram. To do this, an effective force must first be applied to the release section 80 in the direction of wire introduction L, thereby slightly displacing the release section 80 together with the portion of the release element 8 having the second locking element 81 and thereby releasing the lock between the first locking element 54 and the second locking element 81.

[0043] exist Figure 4 The clamping spring 4 is shown in more detail. In particular, the retaining leg 40 is shown to have two parallel, parallel-extending pull arms 44, each branching from the clamping leg 43 at its side edge. The pull arms 44 are connected to each other via a transverse tab 48 at their ends away from the clamping leg 43, forming a window-like opening 47 between the pull arms 44 and the transverse tab 48. The spring retaining region 51 can engage in the window-like opening 47. Thus, when the retaining element 5 pivots to the open-pivot position, the clamping leg 43 is deflected by a force transmitted to the transverse tab 48 by means of the spring retaining region 51.

[0044] Figures 5 to 7 The invention relates to a terminal block 1 that does not have its own manually operated element. Instead, an insulating housing 2 has an operating channel 21 into which a tool, such as a screwdriver, can be inserted. Pressure can then be applied to the clamping leg 43 by means of the tool, thereby enabling the clamping leg 43 to engage with the aforementioned... Figures 1 to 4 The embodiment described above pivots to the open position in a similar manner. In order to pivot the retaining element 5 together with it to the open position during the movement, the spring retaining region 51 in this embodiment is shaped differently from that in the above embodiment. The spring retaining region 51 surrounds the retaining leg 40, or rather, surrounds its lateral tabs 48 on two opposite sides. In this way, by means of a tool, pivoting the clamping leg 43 allows the retaining element 5 to be moved to the open-pivot position simultaneously via the retaining leg 40, enabling locking between the first locking element 54 and the second locking element 81 as in the above embodiment. Figure 7 As indicated in the text.

[0045] Furthermore, the structure and function of the hold-release mechanism are such that... Figures 1 to 4 It is configured as described in the implementation method.

[0046] List of reference numerals

[0047] 1. Terminal block

[0048] 2. Insulating material housing

[0049] 3 busbars

[0050] 4. Clamping spring

[0051] 5. Holding element

[0052] 6. Manual operating elements

[0053] 8. Loosen the components

[0054] 20. Wire introduction opening

[0055] 21 Operation Channels

[0056] 22. Reception area

[0057] 31 contact section

[0058] 40 Keep your legs

[0059] 41 Supporting Legs

[0060] 42 Spring Bow

[0061] 43. Clasp your legs together.

[0062] 44. Traction arm

[0063] 46. ​​Clamp the edges

[0064] 47. Window-shaped opening

[0065] 48. Lateral splicing

[0066] 50 main bodies

[0067] 51 Spring holding area

[0068] 53 Support pin

[0069] 54 First locking element

[0070] 60 lever arm

[0071] 81 Second locking element

Claims

1. A terminal block (1) having an insulating material housing (2) having at least one wire introduction opening (20) for receiving an electrical wire in a wire introduction direction (L), wherein at least one spring-force clamping connector for connecting an electrical wire by means of a spring force is provided in the insulating material housing (2), 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) and a supporting leg (41), the clamping leg having a clamping edge (46) for clamping the electrical wire at a contact section (31) of the busbar (3), the supporting leg being configured to support the clamping spring (4), and the terminal block having a retaining element (5) configured to retain the clamping leg (43) in an open position, characterized in that, The clamping spring (4) has a retaining leg (40) that extends at an angle from the clamping leg (43), wherein the retaining element (5) has a body (50) with a spring retaining area (51) provided thereon, wherein the clamping leg (43) is able to be held in the open position by a form-fitting connection between the retaining leg (40) and the spring retaining area (51).

2. The terminal block according to claim 1, characterized in that, A first locking element (54) is formed on the body (50) of the retaining element (5). Through the first locking element, the body (50) can be locked in the open position at the second locking element (81) and thereby resist the spring force of the clamping leg (43) and fixed in the open position.

3. The terminal block according to claim 2, characterized in that, The terminal block has a release element (8) with a release section (80), through which the lock between the first locking element (54) and the second locking element (81) can be released by operation of the release section.

4. The terminal block according to claim 3, characterized in that, The release section (80) is coupled to the second locking element (81) such that when the release section (80) deflects in the wire introduction direction (L), the second locking element (81) can be released from the first locking element (54).

5. The terminal block according to any one of claims 3 to 4, characterized in that, The release element (8) is configured as an independent component, or is formed as a single piece with the clamping spring (4) or the busbar (3).

6. The terminal block according to any one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that, When the wire to be clamped applies an operating force to the release section (80) of the release element (8), the clamping leg (43) held in the holding element (5) in the open position can be released from the holding element (5).

7. The terminal block according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The retaining element (5) is at least partially made of plastic, and in particular the spring retaining area (51) is made of plastic.

8. The terminal block according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The retaining leg (40) has a window-shaped opening (47), and the spring retaining area (51) engages with the window-shaped opening at least in the open position.

9. The terminal block according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The spring retaining area (51) surrounds the retaining leg (40) with a circumferential angle greater than 130 degrees.

10. The terminal block according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The terminal block (1) has an operating element (6) having a spring-loaded section, wherein when the operating element (6) is operated, the clamping leg (43) can be deflected to the open position by means of the spring-loaded section.

11. The terminal block according to claim 10, characterized in that, The spring holding region (51) of the holding element (5) simultaneously forms the spring loading section.

12. The terminal block according to any one of claims 10 to 11, characterized in that, The operating element (6) is configured as a pivotable operating lever having a lever arm (60) for the operation.

13. The terminal block according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The body (50) is rotatably supported in the insulating material housing (2) about a rotation axis, wherein at least when the body (50) is displaced about its rotation axis to an open-pivot position, the retaining leg (40) is coupled to the spring retaining region (51) by the form-fitting connection.

14. The terminal block according to claim 13, characterized in that, The terminal block (1) has at least one support pin (53), and the body (50) of the retaining element (5) is rotatably supported at the support pin.

15. The terminal block according to any one of claims 13 to 14, characterized in that, The lever arm (60) of the operating lever is connected to or integrally formed with the body (50) of the retaining element (5).

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