Connecting device having compensating element and kit for producing such connecting device

Abstract

The utility model relates to a connecting device (3), which comprises a plurality of connecting terminals (1) used for connecting electric leads (2), and the connecting terminals can be inserted into a shell (30) along an assembling direction (M). The connection terminals are accommodated in the housing (30) in a mounting position in a row arrangement with a first pitch R1 along an arrangement direction (A), the housing (30) having an inner width (B) extending along the arrangement direction (A) and coordinated with a second pitch R2. A compensation element (4) arranged between two connection terminals (1) adjacent in the arrangement direction (A) is used to compensate for a difference D between the first pitch R1 and the second pitch R2. The utility model further relates to a set for manufacturing the connecting device.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to a connecting device with a plurality of connecting terminals for connecting electric wires, a set for manufacturing the connecting device, and a method for manufacturing the connecting device. Background Art

[0002] DE 10 2009 013 689 A1 discloses a connection device comprising a plurality of connecting terminals adjacent to one another along an arrangement direction, to which electrical conductors can be inserted and connected. The connecting terminals are designed in the form of a disk-shaped structure with a disk-shaped extension along a plane perpendicular to the arrangement direction. As a result, the connecting terminals can be arranged in a row with one another along the arrangement direction and combined with one another, so that in this way a connection device is completed with a plurality of connecting terminals combined into a connection block, to which a plurality of electrical conductors can be connected.

[0003] In such connection devices, the connection terminals are typically associated with a plug connector part with a contact connection element, via which the connection device can be plugged and connected to a corresponding electrical counterpart plug connector. The connection terminals of such connection devices are usually arranged with a predefined grid pitch (Rastermaβ), that is, with a predefined and uniform spacing from each other. Depending on the connection requirements, such as the contour of the electrical conductor to be connected or the counterpart plug connector, different grid pitches are required. It is therefore desirable to be able to select and use a suitable grid pitch for each connection requirement.

[0004] However, providing a grid spacing according to the connection requirements requires the use of different tools and parts in previous connection technologies and is therefore associated with a high level of technical complexity and high costs.

[0005] There is therefore a need to provide a connecting device with different grid spacings with as few (different) parts as possible and with minimal technical effort. Utility Model Content

[0006] The object of the invention is to provide a connecting device which allows simple production.

[0007] This object is achieved by a connecting device, which comprises: a plurality of connecting terminals for connecting electrical conductors; a housing, into which the connecting terminals can be inserted along an assembly direction, and in the assembly position, the connecting terminals are accommodated in the housing in a row arranged along an arrangement direction with a first grid pitch R1, wherein the housing has an inner width extending along the arrangement direction and coordinated with a second grid pitch R2; and at least one compensation element, which is arranged between two adjacent connecting terminals along the arrangement direction and is constructed to compensate for a difference D between the first grid pitch R1 and the second grid pitch R2.

[0008] Therefore, the connection device comprises a plurality of connection terminals for connecting electrical conductors and a housing, wherein the connection terminals can be inserted into the housing along the assembly direction. In the assembly position, the connection terminals are arranged in a row with one another along the arrangement direction with a first grid pitch, wherein the housing has an inner width extending along the arrangement direction and coordinated with a second grid pitch. In addition, a compensation element is provided, which is arranged between two adjacent connection terminals along the arrangement direction and is configured to compensate for the difference between the first grid pitch and the second grid pitch.

[0009] The connection device is completed by inserting the connection terminals into the housing of the connection device, so that in the assembly position, the connection terminals are arranged in a row along the arrangement direction and are accommodated in the housing and are thus surrounded by the housing. Optionally, the connection terminals can be placed against each other along the arrangement direction before assembly, and inserted into the housing in a position (already) arranged in a row with each other for assembly.

[0010] The shell can for example have a box shape open on one side so that the connecting terminals can be pushed into the box-shaped shell. In another design, the shell can for example have the form of a frame open on both sides, and the connecting terminals arranged in a row with each other can be pushed into the frame.

[0011] The provision of a housing into which the connecting terminals can be inserted for assembly allows for variable combinations of the connecting terminals and thereby modular and flexible completion of the connecting device according to connection requirements.

[0012] The housing has an inner width, along which the connecting terminals arranged in a row with each other extend in the assembled state. The inner width is predefined. For example, the inner width depends on the number of connecting terminals to be assembled and is in particular at least equal to the product of the number of connecting terminals to be assembled and the thickness of the connecting terminals extending in the arrangement direction.

[0013] The inner width of the housing is coordinated with the (second) grid pitch. The inner width of the housing is a multiple of the second grid pitch. For example, the housing has a region on one side for plug connector parts extending in the arrangement direction for plug-in connection with corresponding electrical counterpart plug connectors, such as printed circuit board connectors. These plug connector parts are arranged in a row with a (predefined) spacing from one another and thereby predetermine the (second) grid pitch.

[0014] In the assembled position, the connecting terminals are arranged relative to one another in a first grid pitch along the row direction. In particular, the first grid pitch corresponds to the center distance between two (in the assembled state) adjacent and adjacent connecting terminals.

[0015] If the other connecting terminals are constructed, for example, in such a way that in the assembled state the connecting terminals are arranged relative to one another at a second grid pitch along the arrangement direction, and the inner width of a structurally identical housing is coordinated with the second grid pitch, then the connecting terminals are embedded in the housing in an exactly fitting manner in the assembled state without the compensating element and are thus accommodated in the housing in a mechanically stable manner.

[0016] In connection terminals having a first pitch, when the connection terminals are arranged in rows and / or assembled along the arrangement direction, an offset occurs along the arrangement direction depending on the number of connection terminals to be assembled and the size of the (cumulative) difference between the first and second pitches.

[0017] As described, at least one compensation element is currently provided, which is designed to compensate for such a difference between a first grid pitch and a second grid pitch. As a result, structurally identical connecting terminals can be used in housings whose widths are coordinated with different grid pitches and combined with at least one compensation element in a variable manner depending on the offset. In other words, the described solution allows an increased use of identical parts across the grid pitch spectrum. This creates a connection device that can be manufactured particularly simply.

[0018] Since the compensating element is arranged between two connecting terminals in the assembled state and is not fixed to the housing, the compensating element can be variably positioned between a plurality of connecting terminals along the row direction, thereby making it possible to compensate for differences between different grid pitches particularly easily and flexibly.

[0019] In one embodiment, at least two of the connecting terminals are adjacent to each other along the row direction. Thus, a terminal box that can be easily manufactured can be provided.

[0020] The connection terminals can be assembled with one another along the alignment direction, in particular pre-assembled into one or more connection blocks, wherein the connection blocks can be inserted into the housing in a block-like manner along the assembly direction. Thereby, the connection terminals can be combined with one another and aligned in rows, in particular before they are installed in the housing, in order to form in this way an assembly of connection terminals in the form of connection blocks that are interconnected along the alignment direction. The combination of the connection terminals into connection blocks allows for a particularly simple and oriented assembly along the assembly direction.

[0021] For example, the connection terminals form at least two connection blocks, wherein at least one of the connection blocks has two or more connection terminals. By combining a plurality of connection terminals (respectively) into one connection block, a small number of assemblies in the form of connection blocks to be assembled are completed from the plurality of individual connection terminals to be assembled. This allows for a reduction in the parts to be assembled and thus a reduction in the assembly effort.

[0022] In the described design, at least one of the one or more connection blocks has a compensation element. Optionally, each of the plurality of connection blocks has a compensation element. The compensation element can be mounted, in particular fixed, on the connection block. However, the compensation element can also be an integral part of the connection block and in particular integrated in the connection block. By pre-assembling the compensation element on or in the connection block, the number of parts to be assembled is reduced, and thus the assembly effort for completing the connection device is reduced.

[0023] The first pitch corresponds to the spacing, in particular the center-to-center spacing, of mutually corresponding points of two adjacent connection terminals.

[0024] Currently, the first and second pitches are different from one another. Here, the first and second pitches differ by a difference value. The aligned arrangement of the connection terminals with the first pitch results in an offset along the inner width of the housing compared to the second pitch of the housing, and this offset increases with the number of aligned connection terminals by the accumulation of the difference value for each connection terminal.

[0025] The second pitch R2 is greater than the first pitch R1. For the second pitch, for example, R1 < R2 ≤ R1 + 10%, preferably R1 < R2 ≤ R1 + 5%, particularly preferably R1 < R2 ≤ R1 + 2%. Thus, the difference value is in particular at most 10%, preferably at most 5%, particularly preferably at most 2%. The given difference value and the resulting offset can also be compensated for in the case of a plurality, in particular more than five, of connection terminals aligned with one another by means of a small number of, for example, only one compensation element, for example by means of one compensation element for a predefined number, for example five, of connection terminals.

[0026] The inner width of the housing can be a multiple of the second pitch. In particular, the inner width is at least equal to the product of the number of connection terminals to be installed and the thickness of the connection terminals extending along the alignment direction.

[0027] The compensating element can extend along a plane perpendicular to the arrangement direction. The plane is particularly extended by the assembly direction and the vertical direction. In a variant, the plane extends parallel to the side faces of the connecting terminals, which are abutted against each other by adjacent connecting terminals in the assembled and arranged state. This allows the compensating element to be pushed in along the assembly direction and thus allows a particularly simple assembly of the compensating element. For example, the compensating element is designed in the form of a wall, which extends in particular along a plane perpendicular to the arrangement direction. This allows the difference between the first and second grid pitches to be compensated particularly uniformly and reliably by extending between the two connecting terminals on both sides thereof.

[0028] The compensation element may have a thickness extending along the arrangement direction, which is, for example, greater than the difference between the first grid pitch and the second grid pitch, in particular a multiple of the difference. This allows the offset of the cumulative difference of a plurality of connection terminals to be compensated with as few parts as possible.

[0029] The connecting terminal can extend in a disc-shaped manner along a plane perpendicular to the arrangement direction. In particular, the connecting terminal has a thinner thickness (measured along the arrangement direction) than the thickness of the connecting terminal (and its mutually directed side surfaces perpendicular to the arrangement direction). The disc-shaped design allows the connecting terminals to be placed against each other particularly easily and to be pushed into the housing particularly easily along the assembly direction, while completing a uniform, mechanically stable connecting device.

[0030] The connecting terminals can each have a housing part, wherein the housing parts of the connecting terminals are arranged in a row along the arrangement direction. The housing parts can be connected to each other in particular without gaps along the arrangement direction. In the assembled position, the housing parts are accommodated in the housing and are thus surrounded by the housing.

[0031] Optionally, the longitudinal dimension of the compensating element in the mounting direction corresponds to the longitudinal dimension of the housing part of the connecting terminal. This allows the connecting terminal and the at least one compensating element to be mounted particularly uniformly in the housing.

[0032] The connection terminal can have an opening for inserting an electrical conductor. In a variant, the opening can be open on one side of the connection terminal in the arrangement direction and closed by an adjacent connection terminal or compensation element. This allows a simple and uniform assembly of a single connection terminal and a corresponding compensation element in a simultaneously variable combination with other connection terminals and / or compensation elements.

[0033] The arrangement direction and the assembly direction are preferably perpendicular to each other. The (disc-shaped) connection terminals can be attached to each other in a row along the arrangement direction. To complete the connection device, the (disc-shaped) connection terminals are pushed into the housing along the assembly direction perpendicular to the arrangement direction so that they are enclosed in the housing in the assembly position.

[0034] According to one aspect, a kit for producing a connecting device is provided, the connecting device being configured in particular according to any of the designs described herein.

[0035] The set comprises a plurality of connection terminals for connecting electrical conductors, which can be arranged in a row with each other at a first grid pitch along an arrangement direction for assembly. The set comprises a housing, into which the connection terminals can be inserted along an assembly direction, wherein the housing has an internal width that matches a second grid pitch. In addition, the set comprises another housing, into which the connection terminals can be inserted along an assembly direction, wherein the other housing has an internal width that matches the first grid pitch. In addition, the set comprises one or more compensation elements, which can be arranged adjacent to at least one connection terminal, in particular between two adjacent connection terminals along the arrangement direction for assembly. The one or more compensation elements are configured to compensate for the difference between the first grid pitch and the second grid pitch.

[0036] The connecting terminals are in particular constructed in the same manner and can be arranged in a row with one another in a first grid pitch. The set allows the user to complete a connecting device with a desired grid pitch in a modular manner according to the connection requirements. Therefore, a housing with an inner width coordinated with the desired grid pitch can be selected according to the connection requirements. According to the connection requirements, the connecting terminals and, if necessary, the compensating elements, which are in particular constructed in the same manner, can be variably combined with one another and inserted into the selected housing. This allows the user to complete a modular connecting device with a few different types of parts and an increased number of identical parts in a wide grid pitch spectrum.

[0037] It is also conceivable for the set to have further connecting terminals which can be arranged in the housing with a grid pitch which differs from the first grid pitch.

[0038] With regard to further advantages, reference is made to the above description of the connecting device.

[0039] According to another aspect, a method for producing a connection device is provided, wherein the connection device is constructed in particular according to any of the designs described herein. The method comprises the following steps, in any (alternatively, exactly in a specified) order: providing a plurality of connection terminals for connecting electrical conductors, wherein the connection terminals are constructed so that they have a first grid spacing relative to each other in the assembly position; providing a housing with a second grid spacing coordinated with its inner width; providing at least one compensation element, which is constructed to compensate for the difference between the first grid spacing and the second grid spacing; inserting the connection terminals and the at least one compensation element into the housing in the assembly direction so that the connection terminals are accommodated in the housing in a row arrangement in the arrangement direction and the compensation element is arranged between two connection terminals adjacent to each other in the arrangement direction. With regard to the advantages, reference is made to the above description.

[0040] Furthermore, the above method may include, before the assembly, combining and mutually assembling the plurality of connection terminals into one or more connection blocks, wherein the connection blocks are inserted into the housing in blocks in the assembly direction.

[0041] Optionally, a compensation element extending along a plane perpendicular to the arrangement direction is mounted on at least one of the one or more connection blocks. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0042] The idea underlying the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the exemplary embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings.

[0043] Figure 1 : A three-dimensional diagram of a connecting device having a plurality of connecting terminals accommodated in a housing and two compensating elements;

[0044] Figure 2 : Front view of the connecting device;

[0045] Figure 3 : Rear view of the connection device;

[0046] Figure 4 : A top view of the connecting device;

[0047] Figure 5 :according to Figure 1 A connecting device, wherein a plurality of connecting terminals are shown before being assembled in a housing of the connecting device;

[0048] Figure 6 :according to Figure 5 A top view of a connecting device;

[0049] Figure 7 : A three-dimensional diagram of a connection block having a plurality of connection terminals and a compensation element;

[0050] Figure 8 :according to Figure 7 A front view of a connection block;

[0051] Fig. 9 :according to Figure 7 A top view of a connection block;

[0052] Fig.10 : A longitudinal cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a connecting terminal;

[0053] Fig.11 : a schematic diagram of a kit for making a connection device; and

[0054] Fig.12 : Steps of a method for manufacturing a connecting device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0055] Figures 1 to 4 An exemplary embodiment of a connecting device 3 is shown, which has a plurality of connecting terminals 1 which are jointly enclosed in a housing 30 .

[0056] Each connecting terminal 1 has an opening 100 on the respectively associated housing part 10 , into which an electrical conductor 2 with a (stripped) contact head 20 can be inserted along a plug-in direction S in order to connect the electrical conductor 2 to the corresponding connecting terminal 1 .

[0057] The housing 30 has a box-shaped form open on one side, so that the connecting terminal 1 can be pushed into the box-shaped housing 30 along the assembly direction M. However, the housing 30 can also be designed as other types and, for example, have a frame form open on both sides, into which the connecting terminal 1 can be pushed.

[0058] As especially in Figure 3 Combination Figure 1 As can be seen in the figure, each connection terminal 1 corresponds to a plug connector part 15, which is molded on the housing 30. The plug connector parts 15 are arranged in rows with regular intervals. In the illustrated example, the center distance between two adjacent plug connector parts 15 corresponds to the second grid distance R2.

[0059] The housing 30 has an inner width W extending along the arrangement direction A (see Figure 4 In the example shown, the inner width W corresponds to the distance between the two side walls 31 , 31 ′ of the housing 30 .

[0060] The inner width W depends on the number of plug connector parts 15 used to complete the connection device 3 and / or the number of connection terminals 1 to be installed. The greater the corresponding number, the greater the inner width W of the housing 30. The inner width W is coordinated with the second grid pitch R2 and is in particular a multiple of the second grid pitch R2.

[0061] The connecting terminals 1 are arranged in a row along the arrangement direction A. The connecting terminals 1 are disc-shaped and extend along a plane perpendicular to the arrangement direction A. In particular, the connecting terminals 1 have a relatively thin thickness (measured along the arrangement direction A) compared to the disc-shaped extensions of the connecting terminals 1 and in particular the side surfaces thereof pointing perpendicular to the arrangement direction A and pointing to each other.

[0062] One or more connecting terminals 1, in the embodiment, respectively from (in accordance with Figure 2The first six connecting terminals 1 and the seventh to twelfth connecting terminals 1, counting from the side wall 31 on the left side (in a view of the open side of the housing 30), are arranged adjacent to each other and in particular (directly) abut against each other, specifically touch each other. Such adjacent connecting terminals 1 have a first grid spacing R1 with each other.

[0063] As especially Figure 2 Combination Figure 1 As can be seen in FIG. 1 , the first grid pitch R1 corresponds to the uniform spacing of the adjacent connecting terminals 1 along the arrangement direction A, in particular to the spacing between the points P of two adjacent connecting terminals 1 corresponding to each other. In the illustrated example, the (virtual) point P is arranged on an imaginary center line relative to the (total) thickness of the connecting terminal 1. The first grid pitch R1 corresponds in particular to the center distance between two adjacent connecting terminals 1.

[0064] The connecting device 3 has one or more, in the illustrated example, exactly two, compensating elements 4. The compensating element 4 is arranged between (in each case) two connecting terminals 1 in the assembled state. Figure 1 and 2 In the example shown, the compensating element 4 is arranged between the sixth and seventh connection terminals 1 counted from the left side wall 31, and between two connection terminals 1 arranged on the right. The compensating element 4 can be arranged between two multiple connection terminals 1 adjacent to each other, between multiple connection terminals 1 adjacent to each other and a single connection terminal 1, and / or between two single connection terminals 1. In the example shown, the (left) compensating element 4 is arranged between exactly six connection terminals 1. Another (right) compensating element 4 is arranged between multiple connection terminals 1 on its left side and a single edge-side connection terminal 1 on its right side.

[0065] The compensation element 4 has a thickness B extending along the arrangement direction A (see Figure 2 ). In particular, the thickness B is substantially constant along the vertical direction V and / or along the entire extension of the (disk-shaped) connecting terminal 1 in the vertical direction V. This allows a particularly uniform and reliable compensation of the difference D between the pitches R1, R2 and thus a particularly mechanically stable enclosure of the connecting terminal 1 in the housing 30.

[0066] The compensation element 4 increases the center distance between the connecting terminals 1 adjacent to the corresponding compensation element 4 compared to the first grid distance R1, in particular, increases the thickness B of the compensation element 4. The connecting terminals 1 separated from each other by the compensation element 4 have a third grid distance R3, which is different from the first grid distance R1 and the second grid distance R2. In the example shown, R3 ≥ R2 and R3 > R1.

[0067] The compensation element 4 extends along a plane perpendicular to the arrangement direction A, which plane extends through the assembly direction M and the vertical direction V. Figure 5 As can be seen in FIG. 4 , the compensating element 4 is designed in the form of a wall.

[0068] In the illustrated embodiment, each connection terminal 1 is assigned a housing part 10 , wherein the housing parts 10 are placed against one another in the assembled state along the arrangement direction A. Here, the housing part 10 of a connection terminal 1 is completed by the housing part 10 of an adjacent connection terminal 1 , so that the housing parts 10 of two adjacent connection terminals 1 jointly form a housing for the connection terminal 1 .

[0069] As in Figures 5 to 7 As can be seen in the figure, the connection terminal 1 (respectively) has a contact connection element 111, by which the connection terminal 1 can be plugged in and conductively connected to a corresponding electrical corresponding plug connector. The contact connection element 111 can be constructed as a (metal) spring clip. In order to assemble the connection terminal into the housing 30, the individual contact connection elements 111 of the connection terminal 1 are inserted in a directional manner, here along the assembly direction M, into the plug connector part 15 corresponding thereto, so that after assembly, when the connection device 3 is completed, the contact connection element 111 is located in the plug connector part 15 corresponding thereto (see Figure 3 ).

[0070] As in Figure 5 As can be seen in the figure, the housing 30 can have a first guide element 32, which is used to guide the connecting terminal 1, especially its housing part 10, along the assembly direction M. Suitably, the connecting terminal 1, especially its housing part 10, respectively has a corresponding guide element, which can be engaged with the corresponding guide device 32 (respectively) of the housing in a guided manner. In this way, the connecting terminal 1 can be pushed into the housing 30 in a guided manner for assembly. In the illustrated example, the guide elements 32 each have a guide tab and are implemented, for example, in the form of a dovetail guide device. However, other structural designs are also conceivable here.

[0071] The contact connection element 111 can be designed to be flexible, in particular elastic, in the horizontal direction, in particular in the arrangement direction A, so that it can compensate for the offset caused by the difference D between the first grid pitch R1 and the second grid pitch R2 of the connection terminal 1, which is caused by a predetermined number of connection terminals 1, for example two or three, and can always be inserted into the plug connector part 15 corresponding thereto and arranged with the grid pitch R2 over the entire inner width W of the housing 30. Number n of connection terminals 1 to be assembled A The larger it is, the greater the offset.

[0072] Figures 7 to 9A plurality of, in the illustrated example, exactly six, connecting terminals 1 are shown, which are combined to form a connecting block 5 and are (pre)assembled with one another. The connecting terminals 1 have a first spacing R1 with respect to one another.

[0073] The connection block 5 has a further compensation element 4 described above. In the example shown, the compensation element is (already) (pre)assembled on the connection block 5 and is, for example, a component of the connection block 5. The compensation element 4 is attached, for example clamped or plugged onto one side of the outer connection terminal 1 of the connection block 5. The housing part 10 of the (outer) connection terminal 1 is completed by the compensation element 4. In particular, the opening 100 open on one side of the connection terminal 1 is closed by the compensation element 4. In this way, the housing part 10 and the compensation element 4 form a common housing for the connection terminal 1.

[0074] In accordance with Figure 5 and Figure 6 In the illustrated example of FIG. 3 , the connection terminal 1 is combined into a total of three connection blocks 5 , 5A, 5B. The connection block 5A is shown in an assembled state, whereas the connection blocks 5 and 5B have not yet been accommodated in the housing 30 .

[0075] The connection blocks 5, 5A, 5B can have one or more connection terminals 1. In the example shown, the 13 connection terminals 1 of the connection device 3 are combined into two connection blocks 5, 5A, each with six connection terminals 1, and one connection block 5B with one connection terminal 1. The connection blocks 5 and 5B each have a compensation element 4. Together with the connection terminals 1, the (pre) assembled compensation element 4 can be inserted into the housing 30 along the assembly direction M.

[0076] In one embodiment, the inner width W of the housing 30 is coordinated with the second grid pitch R2, which is 5.08 mm. The first grid pitch R1 is 5.0 mm, and thus the difference D between the first grid pitch R1 and the second grid pitch R2 is 0.08 mm.

[0077] In accordance with Figures 1 to 4 In the illustrated example, the number n of the connection terminals 1 arranged in a row along the arrangement direction of the connection device 3 is A There are 13 in total. From this, we can get n for the inner width W. A ×D = 1.04 mm offset.

[0078] In the exemplary embodiment, the compensating element 4 has a thickness B of approximately 0.5 mm, so that a deflection of 1.04 mm is compensated by two compensating elements 4 in such a way that the connecting terminal is mechanically stably enclosed in the housing 30 .

[0079] Thus, in the example shown, the larger grid spacing R3 between the connecting terminals 1 separated from one another by the compensation element 4 is 5.5 mm (see Figure 2 ).

[0080] The connecting terminals 1 can be identical in structure and function in the same manner. However, it is also conceivable that the connecting terminals 1 differ in their structure and / or function.

[0081] Fig.10 An embodiment of a connection terminal 1 is shown in a longitudinal section. The connection terminal 1 is shown to be arranged in a housing 30 . Fig.10 An example of how one or more connecting terminals 1 of the above-mentioned connecting device 3 can be constructed is shown.

[0082] The connecting terminal 1 has a receiving space 101, into which the electric conductor 2 is inserted by means of the conductive head 20 with the insulation stripped off when the electric conductor 2 is inserted into the opening 100 along the plugging direction S. In the connection position, the conductor 2 is located in the receiving space 101 by means of the conductive head 20 with the insulation stripped off and is electrically contacted with the contact element 11 in the form of a current plate through the clamping legs 120 of the spring element 12, so that the electric conductor 2 is electrically connected to the connecting terminal 1.

[0083] The contact element 11 has a contact portion 110, which extends in a planar manner in the housing 10, and when the electrical conductor 2 is connected to the connection terminal 1, the electrical conductor 2 having the conductive head 20 is pressed against the contact portion by the spring preload of the clamping leg 120. A contact connection element 111 arranged in the plug connector part 15 is connected to the contact portion 110, through which the connection terminal 1 can be plug-connected to a corresponding electrical counterpart plug connector.

[0084] In the exemplary embodiment shown, the connecting terminal 1 also has an actuating element 14 which is mounted so as to be pivotable via a pivot axis 140. The actuating element 14 can be pivoted about the pivot axis 140 relative to the housing part 10, wherein an actuating section 141 is accessible from outside the housing part 10 via an actuating opening 102, whereby it can be actuated by a user, for example using a tool.

[0085] The actuating element 14 is in operative connection with the clamping leg 120 of the spring element 12. If the actuating element 14 is actuated in the actuating direction C and thereby pivoted relative to the housing part 10 about the pivot axis 140 into the actuating position, the actuating element 14 drives the clamping leg 120 of the spring element 12 and thereby adjusts the clamping leg 120 into the release position. In the release position, the free end of the clamping leg 120 is away from the contact portion 110 of the contact element 11 and thereby releases the region in the receiving space 101 that is aligned with the opening 100 along the plugging direction S, so that the electrical conductor 2 can be plugged into the plugging opening 100 from the clamping leg 120 without hindrance and can therefore be connected to the connecting terminal 1 in a substantially resistance-free manner.

[0086] When the electrical conductor 2 is inserted into the receiving space 101 , the actuating element 14 moves out of the actuating position due to the elastic preload on the clamping legs 120 and is reset in the opposite direction of the actuating direction C. Here, the clamping legs 120 are clamped against the electrical conductor 2 and thereby press the electrical contact head 20 into contact with the contact element 11 , so that the conductor 2 is electrically connected to the connecting terminal 1 .

[0087] In the above described embodiments, all the connection terminals 1 of the connection device 3 are implemented by spring force connections with the same function, which is not mandatory. The connection terminals 1 of the connection device 3 can also differ from one another in their function and design.

[0088] Fig.11 A set 6 for producing a connection device 3 is shown. The set 6 comprises a plurality of connection terminals 1 which can be arranged in a row with a first grid pitch R1 along an arrangement direction A for assembly. In addition, the set 6 comprises two housings 30, 30' into which the connection terminals 1 can be (respectively) inserted along an assembly direction M. In the example shown, the housing 30 has an internal width W coordinated with the second grid pitch R2, and the second housing 30' has a second internal width W' coordinated with the first grid pitch R1. However, other grid pitches different from the first grid pitch R1 and the second grid pitch R2 can also be considered here. The set also comprises one or more compensation elements 4, which can be arranged between two adjacent connection terminals 1 along the arrangement direction A for assembly and are constructed to compensate for the difference D between the first grid pitch R1 and the second grid pitch R2.

[0089] The set 6 can be present in the form of building blocks and is used to variably combine the connecting terminals 1 and / or the compensating elements 4 with one another and to selectively install them into suitable housings 30 , 30 ′ having inner widths W, W′ coordinated to different grid pitches R1 , R2 , depending on the connection requirements.

[0090] Fig.12A method for manufacturing a connection device 3 is shown. The method comprises the following steps in a (optionally precisely given) sequence:

[0091] In a first step S1, a plurality of connection terminals 1 for connecting electrical conductors 2 are provided, wherein the connection terminals 1 are configured such that they have a first grid pitch R1 relative to each other in the assembly position. In a second step S2, a housing 30 is provided, which has a second grid pitch R2 coordinated with its inner width W. The first step S1 and the second step S2 can also be performed in the opposite order or simultaneously. A third step S3 includes providing at least one compensation element 4, which is configured to compensate for a difference D between the first grid pitch R1 and the second grid pitch R2. In a fourth step S4, which can also be divided into two steps S4a and S4b, the connection terminals 1 (S4a) and the at least one compensation element 4 (S4b) are inserted into the housing 30 along the assembly direction M, so that the connection terminals 1 are accommodated in the housing 30 in a row along the arrangement direction A, and the compensation element 4 is arranged between two connection terminals 1 adjacent to each other along the arrangement direction A.

[0092] The idea on which the present invention is based is not limited to the above-described embodiments but can also be implemented in other ways.

[0093] Description of Reference Numerals

[0094] 1 Connection terminal

[0095] 10 Housing

[0096] 100 Open

[0097] 101 Accommodation Space

[0098] 102 Manipulation opening

[0099] 11 Contact elements

[0100] 110 Contact part

[0101] 111 Contact connection element

[0102] 12 Clamping spring

[0103] 120 Clamp your legs

[0104] 14 Control elements

[0105] 140 Swing axis

[0106] 141 Operation part

[0107] 15 Plug connector part

[0108] 2 Electrical wires

[0109] 20 Conductive head

[0110] 3 Connection device

[0111] 30 Shell

[0112] 30' Second Shell

[0113] 31, 31' side wall

[0114] 32 Guide element

[0115] 4 Compensation components

[0116] 5, 5A, 5B connection block

[0117] 6 sets

[0118] A Arrangement direction

[0119] B Thickness

[0120] C Control direction

[0121] D Difference

[0122] M Assembly direction

[0123] Point P

[0124] R1 Pitch

[0125] R2 Pitch

[0126] R3 Pitch

[0127] S Plug direction

[0128] W (Inner) Width

[0129] W' Second (inner) width

Claims

1. A connecting device (3), comprising: A plurality of connection terminals (1) for connecting electrical conductors (2); A housing (30), the connecting terminals (1) being insertable into the housing along an assembly direction (M), and the connecting terminals (1) being accommodated in the housing in an assembly position so as to be arranged in a row along an arrangement direction (A) with a first grid pitch R1, wherein the housing (30) has an inner width (W) extending along the arrangement direction (A) and coordinated with a second grid pitch R2; and At least one compensation element (4) is arranged between two connecting terminals (1) adjacent to each other along the arrangement direction (A) and is configured to compensate for a difference D between a first grid pitch R1 and a second grid pitch R2.

2. The connection device (3) according to claim 1, characterized in that At least two of the connecting terminals (1) are adjacent to each other along the arrangement direction (A).

3. The connection device (3) according to claim 1, characterized in that The connection terminals (1) are assembled with each other along an arrangement direction (A) in a manner of assembling one or more connection blocks, and the connection blocks can be inserted into the housing (30) in a block along an assembly direction (M).

4. The connection device (3) according to claim 3, characterized in that The connecting terminals (1) constitute at least two connecting blocks, wherein at least one of the connecting blocks has two or more connecting terminals (1).

5. The connection device (3) according to claim 3, characterized in that At least one of the one or more connecting blocks has a compensating element (4) extending along a plane perpendicular to the arrangement direction (A).

6. The connection device (3) according to claim 3, characterized in that A plurality of connection blocks each have a compensation element (4).

7. The connection device (3) according to claim 1, characterized in that The first grid pitch R1 corresponds to the distance between corresponding points (P) of two adjacent connecting terminals (1).

8. The connection device (3) according to claim 1, characterized in that For the first grid length R1 and the second grid length R2, it is applicable that: R1 <R2≤R1+10%。 9. The connection device (3) according to claim 8, characterized in that For the first grid length R1 and the second grid length R2, it is applicable that: R1 <R2≤R1+5%。 10. The connection device (3) according to claim 9, characterized in that For the first grid length R1 and the second grid length R2, it is applicable that: R1 <R2≤R1+2%。 11. The connection device (3) according to claim 1, characterized in that The inner width (W) is a multiple of the second grid pitch R2.

12. The connection device (3) according to claim 1, characterized in that The compensating element (4) extends along a plane perpendicular to the arrangement direction (A).

13. The connection device (3) according to claim 12, characterized in that The compensating element (4) is configured in the form of a wall extending along a plane perpendicular to the arrangement direction (A).

14. The connection device (3) according to claim 1, characterized in that The compensation element (4) has a thickness (B) extending along the arrangement direction (A), and the thickness (B) is greater than a difference D between the first grating pitch R1 and the second grating pitch R2.

15. The connection device (3) according to claim 14, characterized in that The compensation element (4) has a thickness (B) extending along the arrangement direction (A), and the thickness (B) is a multiple of a difference D between the first grating pitch R1 and the second grating pitch R2.

16. The connection device (3) according to claim 1, characterized in that The connecting terminal (1) extends in a disc shape along a plane perpendicular to the arrangement direction (A).

17. The connection device (3) according to claim 1, characterized in that The connecting terminals (1) each have a housing part (10), wherein the housing parts (10) of the connecting terminals (1) are arranged in a row along an arrangement direction (A).

18. The connection device (3) according to claim 1, characterized in that The connecting terminals (1) each have an opening (100) for inserting an electrical conductor (2), wherein the opening (100) is open on a side of the connecting terminal (1) along an arrangement direction (A) and is closed in the assembled position by an adjacent connecting terminal (1) or the compensating element (4).

19. The connection device according to claim 1, characterized in that The arrangement direction (A) and the assembly direction (M) are oriented perpendicularly to one another.

20. A kit (6) for producing a connecting device (3) according to any one of claims 1 to 19, comprising: A plurality of connection terminals (1) for connecting electrical conductors (2), wherein the connection terminals can be arranged in a row with a first grid pitch R1 along an arrangement direction (A) for assembly; A housing (30), into which the connecting terminal (1) can be inserted along an assembly direction (M), wherein the housing (30) has an inner width (W) coordinated with the second grid pitch R2; a second housing (30'), into which the connecting terminal (1) can be inserted along an assembly direction (M), wherein the second housing (30') has a second inner width (W') coordinated with the first grid pitch R1, and One or more compensating elements (4) can be arranged adjacent to at least one connecting terminal (1) for assembly and are configured to compensate for a difference D between a first grid length R1 and a second grid length R2.

21. The set (6) according to claim 20, characterized in that The compensation element (4) is arranged for assembly between two adjacent connection terminals (1) along an arrangement direction (A).

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