Connection device for connecting an electrical cable

Abstract

Connecting device (1) for connecting an electrical conductor (2), comprising a housing (10) having a plug-in opening (100) for inserting an electrical conductor (2), a spring element (11) arranged on the housing (10) and having a spring leg (111) for locking a conductor (2) inserted into the plug-in opening (100), and an actuating element (12) which is displaceably arranged on the housing (10) and has an active portion (121) for acting on the spring element (11), wherein by displacing the actuating element (12), the spring element (11) is moved from a release position, in which a conductor (2) can be inserted into the plug-in opening (100) or a conductor (2) inserted into the plug-in opening (100) can be released from the plug-in opening (100), into a clamping position, in which a conductor (2) inserted into the plug-in opening (100) is in the Plug-in opening (100) is locked, is movable, wherein the spring element (11) has a support leg (110),wherein the actuating element (12) is designed to act on the support leg (110) when displaced, and wherein the actuating element (12) has an actuating section (122) which a user can engage in order to adjust the actuating element (12) relative to the housing (10), characterized in that an intermediate space (125) is formed on the inside of the actuating section (122), into which space a housing wall of the housing (10) slides when the actuating element (12) is displaced in a direction of movement (D), wherein the actuating element (12) can be locked to the housing (10) in different positions by a locking lug (124) in the form of an inwardly projecting web being formed on the actuating section (122), which, in an open position of the actuating element (12) associated with the release position, engages with first locking openings (109) on lateral edges of the housing (10) and in a clamping position assigned,closed position of the actuating element (12) the locking lug (124) is in engagement with second locking openings (108).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a connection device according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0002] Such a connection device is used to connect an electrical cable. Such a connection device can be used, for example, on an electrical system, a control cabinet, or another electrical assembly such as a circuit board or the like, to electrically connect the conductor by inserting the electrical conductor into a plug-in opening.

[0003] Such a connection device comprises a housing that forms a plug-in opening for inserting the electrical conductor, and a spring element arranged on the housing, which has a spring leg for locking a conductor inserted into the plug-in opening. An actuating element is displaceably arranged on the housing, which actuating element has an active portion for acting on the spring element. By displacing the actuating element, the spring element can be moved from a release position, in which a conductor can be inserted into the plug-in opening or a conductor inserted into the plug-in opening can be released from the plug-in opening, into a clamping position, in which a conductor inserted into the plug-in opening is locked in the plug-in opening.The spring element has a support leg, wherein the actuating element is designed to act on the support leg when displaced, and wherein the actuating element has an actuating portion which a user can engage in order to adjust the actuating element to the housing.

[0004] Conventional connecting devices of this type may require a tool to be used to actuate the actuating element in order to adjust the spring leg of the spring element. This may require a user to simultaneously hold and operate the connecting device and any electrical conductor to be connected, as well as the tool, in their hands, which can be cumbersome and impractical.

[0005] There is therefore a need for a connection device that allows easy handling by a user, in particular for inserting an electrical conductor or for detaching an electrical conductor from the connection device.

[0006] In a connection device known from US Pat. No. 8,113,858 B1, a spring element is arranged in a housing and adjustable by a manually operable actuating element. The actuating element is designed to act on the spring element to enable the connection of a conductor. After the conductor has been connected and the slider has been returned, the spring element locks the electrical conductor to the housing in an electrically contacting manner.

[0007] In a connection device known from DE 20 2009 007 573 U1, an actuating element is provided which is adjustable for adjusting a spring leg of a spring element.

[0008] DE 44 08 985 A1 discloses a connecting device comprising an actuating element in the form of a screw, which is movable, in particular, with its screw shaft within an opening of the housing. The actuating portion of the actuating element is the screw head.

[0009] WO 2016 / 128219 A1 discloses a conductor terminal in which the actuating element is designed as a slide element. The slide element has a gripping contour that a user can grasp to adjust the slide element relative to the housing. The slide element has a slot-shaped groove into which a guide leg of a connecting device arranged within the housing engages, so that the slide element is held to the connecting device.

[0010] DE 38 30 442 A1 describes a clamping device comprising an actuating element for actuating the clamping spring. The actuating element has an actuating section arranged on an end face of the elongated actuating element, via which a user can actuate the actuating element 10 by inserting a tool from the outside between the housing and the actuating section.

[0011] FR 2 789 808 A1 shows an elongated actuating element that, when inserted into a housing of a connecting device, can push a clamping spring toward a conductor to be connected. The actuating element has an actuating section for a user on its front side.

[0012] DE 20 2011 051 516 U1 describes a terminal block in which the actuating element is designed as a rocker arm. This rocker arm is formed from two webs that together form an L-shape. One of these webs is arranged outside the housing and has an actuating section with a grooved surface.

[0013] The object of the present invention is to provide a connection device which enables easy handling by a user, in particular for plugging in an electrical conductor or for disconnecting an electrical conductor plugged into the connection device, with a simple structure of the connection device.

[0014] This object is achieved by an article having the features of claim 1.

[0015] Accordingly, an intermediate space is formed on the inside of the actuating section, into which space a housing wall of the housing slides when the actuating element is moved in a direction of movement, wherein the actuating element can be locked to the housing in different positions by a locking lug in the form of an inwardly projecting web being formed on the actuating section, which locking lug is in engagement with first locking openings on lateral edges of the housing in an open position of the actuating element associated with the release position, and in a closed position of the actuating element associated with the clamping position, the locking lug is in engagement with second locking openings.

[0016] The connecting device comprises an actuating element designed to act on the spring element to move it from its release position into the clamping position. To move the spring element into the clamping position, the actuating element can be displaced in a first direction toward the housing and thereby acts on the support leg of the spring element to move the spring element into the clamping position. In the clamping position, the spring element is suitable for locking an electrical conductor inserted into the plug-in opening of the housing in the housing, so that the electrical conductor is held in the housing on the one hand and electrically contacted within the housing on the other.

[0017] The actuating element, in particular designed as a slider arranged to be longitudinally displaceable on the housing, can be displaced towards the housing by displacement in a second direction opposite to the first direction, whereby the spring element can be brought into the release position, so that the plug-in opening is at least partially released and thus a conductor can be easily inserted into the plug-in opening, i.e. without great force, or a conductor inserted into the plug-in opening can be released from the plug-in opening.

[0018] The actuating element is thus designed to act upon a support leg, also called the holding leg, of the spring element when moved, rather than the spring leg itself (which, in the clamped position, clamps an inserted conductor in place). The support leg is the leg of the spring element that is spaced apart from the conductor and does not have direct contact with the conductor to be clamped. In contrast, the spring leg, also called the clamping leg, is the leg of the spring element that applies a clamping force to the conductor to be clamped and can thus be brought into direct contact with the conductor to be clamped.

[0019] The operative connection between the actuating element and the spring element is established via the support leg and not via the spring leg. When the actuating element is moved to transfer the spring element from the release position to the clamping position, the actuating element exerts a compressive force on the support leg and thereby presses the spring element toward the clamping position, preferably by the entire spring element performing a pivoting movement. In contrast, when the actuating element is pushed back in the second direction, the actuating element releases the support leg, so that the spring element can be returned from the clamping position to the release position, preferably by a pivoting movement of the entire spring element.

[0020] Because the actuating element interacts with the spring element via the support leg, it is particularly possible to deliver the connection device in an open state (i.e. with the spring element in the release position) or in a closed state (i.e. with the spring element in the clamping position). Because the actuating element acts on the support leg to adjust the spring element, the spring element can be unloaded and thus relaxed in the open state. Only when actuated does the actuating element act on the support leg and, by applying preload, moves the spring element into the clamping position so that a conductor inserted into the plug-in opening of the connection device can be locked in the plug-in opening.

[0021] The support leg can be bent over to form the spring leg, so that the spring element extends, for example, around a housing section of the housing and is thereby movably mounted on the housing.

[0022] For example, the spring element can be pivotally mounted on the housing so that the spring element can be pivoted between its clamping position and its release position. In this case, the housing section on which the spring element is mounted forms a bearing point for the spring element, around which the spring element can be moved.

[0023] In one embodiment, the connecting device has a return spring which is designed to exert a prestressing force on the spring element in the direction of the release position. The movement of the spring element upon displacement of the actuating element in the second direction is thus assisted by the prestressing force of the return spring. Because the return spring acts elastically prestressing the spring element and exerts a prestressing force on the spring element in the direction of the release position, the spring element moves towards the release position upon displacement of the actuating element from the clamping position, such that the plug-in opening is at least partially released and a conductor can be inserted into the plug-in opening or a conductor inserted into the plug-in opening can be removed from the plug-in opening.

[0024] The use of the return spring enables a simple design of the connection device, which, in particular, eliminates the need for a complex coupling between the actuating element and the spring element to ensure that the spring element moves along when the actuating element is pushed back in the second direction. To move the spring element from the release position to the clamping position, the actuating element exerts pressure on the spring element. Returning the spring element from the clamping position to the release position when the actuating element is pushed back can then be assisted by the preloading force of the return spring.

[0025] In one embodiment, the return spring is also designed as a leg spring and has a spring leg that is in contact, for example, with the support leg of the spring element. The return spring preloads the spring element via the spring leg to cause the spring element to move from the clamping position toward the release position when the actuating element is moved back in the second direction.

[0026] The use of a return spring can be advantageous. However, it is also conceivable and possible to design the connection device without a return spring.

[0027] In one embodiment, the housing comprises a current bar with a contact section for electrically contacting an electrical conductor inserted into the plug-in opening. The connection device can be connected to an associated electrical assembly via the current bar, which is implemented as an electrically conductive, advantageously solid, metal conductor section. A conductor inserted into the plug-in opening makes electrical contact with the contact section of the current bar and is thus electrically connected to the electrical assembly associated with the connection device.

[0028] The current bar can have an L-shape, with the contact section extending within the housing, for example, along an insertion direction along which a conductor can be inserted into the plug-in opening. A conductor inserted into the plug-in opening thus makes electrical contact with the contact section, whereby the connection device can be connected to an associated electrical assembly, for example, via a rear base of the current bar extending transversely to the contact section.

[0029] In one embodiment, the current bar has an engagement section with which the actuating element engages when the spring element is moved into the clamping position. When the spring element is in its clamping position, there is a positive connection between the actuating element and the current bar, which can help reduce the force acting on the housing. The spring element is thus pressed toward its clamping position via the actuating element, pressing an electrical conductor against the contact section of the current bar, while allowing forces to be absorbed and dissipated directly at the current bar.

[0030] Advantageously, the contact section has a stop element that provides a stop for the spring leg. If no conductor is inserted into the plug-in opening, the spring leg rests against the stop element when the spring element is in the clamping position and is thus held in a defined position, allowing direct insertion of an electrical conductor without moving the spring element from the clamping position to the release position.

[0031] The actuating element is advantageously guided along the housing on a housing guide and can thus be moved between different, defined positions relative to the housing. By moving the actuating element, the spring element can be moved from its release position to the clamping position, under pressure on the spring element to lock an electrical conductor in the plug-in opening of the housing. By moving the actuating element back, the spring element is returned to the release position, for example due to the preload force of the return spring, so that an electrical conductor inserted into the plug-in opening can be removed from the plug-in opening or an electrical conductor can be inserted into the plug-in opening without great force.

[0032] In one embodiment, the actuating element has an actuating section that allows manual actuation by a user. For example, a user can act on the actuating element with their thumb and slide it along the housing to adjust the spring element between its different positions.

[0033] Preferably, the actuating element is locked to the housing in a first position associated with the clamping position of the spring element and / or in a second position associated with the release position of the spring element, so that the actuating element assumes a defined, locked position relative to the housing. For example, the actuating element can assume a first locking position locked to the housing when the spring element is in the release position. Additionally or alternatively, the actuating element can assume a second locking position locked to the housing when the spring element is in the clamping position.

[0034] For locking, the actuating element can, for example, have a locking lug that, in a locking position, positively engages with an associated locking opening in the housing, so that the actuating element is held in position by the locking engagement. By applying force to the actuating element, the locking can be released, so that the locking lug disengages from the locking opening, allowing the actuating element to be moved.

[0035] The concept underlying the invention will be explained in more detail below using the exemplary embodiment shown in the figures. They show: Fig. 1A is a perspective view of an embodiment of a connecting device, with a spring element in a release position; Fig. 1B the perspective view according to Fig. 1A, with the spring element in a clamping position; Fig. 2A another perspective view of the connecting device, with the spring element in the release position; Fig. 2B the perspective view according to Fig. 2A, with the spring element in the clamping position; Fig. 3A is yet another perspective view of the connecting device, with the spring element in the release position; Fig. 3B the perspective view according to Fig. 3A, with the spring element in the clamping position; Fig. 4A a side view of the connecting device, with the spring element in the release position; Fig. 4B the side view according to Fig. 4A, with the spring element in the clamping position; Fig. 5A is a sectional view through the connecting device, with the spring element in the release position; and Fig. 5B the sectional view according to Fig. 5A, with the spring element in the clamping position.

[0036] Fig. 1A, 1B to 5A, 5B show an embodiment of a connection device 1 which serves for connecting an electrical conductor 2, for example, to an electrical system such as a control cabinet or the like.

[0037] The connection device 1 has a housing 10 which forms a plug-in opening 100 into which a conductor 2 with a (stripped) conductor end 20 can be inserted in order to make electrical contact with a contact section 102 of a current bar 101 within the housing 10.

[0038] A spring element 11 is pivotally mounted within the housing 10 on a pin-shaped housing section 105 of the housing 10. The spring element 11 can be adjusted between a release position (the figures labeled "A" in each case) and a clamping position (the figures labeled "B" in each case) within the housing 10 in order to enable, in the release position, the insertion of an electrical conductor 2 into the plug-in opening 100 without exerting great force, or to enable the removal of a conductor 2 inserted into the plug-in opening 100 from the plug-in opening 100, and to lock, in the clamping position, a conductor 2 inserted into the plug-in opening 100 in the housing 10 and to hold it in electrical contact with the contact section 102 of the current bar 101.

[0039] The spring element 11 has a spring leg 111 which, in the clamped position, projects into the area of the plug-in opening 100 and, when no conductor 2 is inserted into the plug-in opening 100, is in contact with a stop element 104 on the contact section 102. The spring leg 111 serves to act on a conductor 2 inserted into the plug-in opening 100 in order to lock the conductor 2 within the plug-in opening 100 and also to press its conductor end 20 into electrical contact with the contact section 102.

[0040] The spring leg 111 is adjoined by a support leg 110 which is bent over to form the spring leg 111 and is in operative connection with an actuating element 12.

[0041] The spring element 11 can be made of spring steel, for example, and is thus inherently elastic. The spring leg 111 can thus be elastically deflected toward the support leg 110 to exert an elastic force on a conductor 2 inserted into the plug-in opening 100.

[0042] The actuating element 12 is slidably guided on a housing guide 106 of the housing 10. As can be seen from the sectional views according to Fig. 5A, Fig. 5B, the actuating element 12 has an active portion 121 which extends from a head 120 of the actuating element 12 and serves to act on the support leg 110 of the spring element 11.

[0043] In the release position, shown for example in Fig. 5A, the support leg 110 rests flat against the active portion 121 of the actuating element 12. The spring leg 111 is pivoted out of the region of the plug-in opening 100 such that a conductor 2 can be inserted into the plug-in opening 100 or a conductor 2 inserted into the plug-in opening 100 can be removed from the plug-in opening 100.

[0044] By moving the actuating element 12 in a direction of movement D, the effective section 121 runs onto an end section of the support leg 110, so that the spring element 11 is transferred from its release position into the clamping position, as can be seen from the transition from Fig. 5A towards Fig. 5B. In the clamping position, when no conductor 2 is inserted into the plug-in opening 100, the spring leg 111 rests against the stop element 104 on the contact section 102, so that the spring leg 111 assumes a defined position in the housing 10.

[0045] If the spring element 11 is to be moved from its clamping position back into the release position, the actuating element 12 is moved back toward the housing 10 opposite to the direction of movement D. In order to effect an adjustment of the spring element 11 from the clamping position into the release position, the connection device 1 has a return spring 13, which is arranged on a housing section 107, is supported by a first spring leg 131 against a base of the current bar 101 and is in operative connection with the support leg 110 of the spring element 11 by a second spring leg 130.

[0046] The return spring 13 exerts a preload force on the spring element 11 from the clamping position towards the release position. If the actuating element 12 is moved back against the direction of movement D, the spring element 11 follows the actuating element 12 due to the preloading effect of the return spring 13 and is moved into the release position, so that the spring leg 111 is pivoted out of the area of the plug-in opening 100, as can be seen from the transition from Fig. 5B towards Fig. 5A can be seen.

[0047] The return spring 11 is tensioned when the actuating element 12 is moved in the direction of movement D to move the spring element 11 from the release position to the clamped position. If the actuating element 12 is then moved back, the return spring 13 acts on the spring element 11 and moves it back from its clamped position to the release position.

[0048] The actuating element 12 has, at an end of the active section 121 facing away from the head 120, a recess 123 with which the actuating element 12 engages with an engagement section 123 of the current bar 101 when the actuating element 12 is moved into the clamping position to adjust the spring element 11, as shown in Fig. 5B. Due to the engagement of the active section 121 with the engagement section 123 of the current bar 101, a positive connection is established between the actuating element 12 and the current bar 101, which leads to a favorable transmission of force from the actuating element 12 to the current bar 101. Forces with which the actuating element 12 presses the spring element 11 towards its clamping position and a conductor 2 inserted into the housing 10 into contact with the contact section 102 can thus be introduced by the actuating element 12 directly into the current bar 101 and absorbed by the current bar 101 without resulting in a large flow of force via the housing 10. This makes it possible to manufacture the housing 10, for example, from plastic.

[0049] The spring element 11 has an actuating portion 122, which a user can engage to adjust the actuating element 12 relative to the housing 10. A gap 125 is formed on the inside of the actuating portion 122, into which a housing wall of the housing 10 slides when the actuating element 12 is displaced in the direction of movement D (see Fig. 5B).

[0050] The actuating element 12 is locked to the housing 10 in its various positions. For this purpose, a locking lug 124 in the form of an inwardly projecting web is formed on the actuating section 122. In an open position of the actuating element 12 associated with the release position, this locking lug engages with first locking openings 109 on the lateral edges of the housing 10. In a closed position of the actuating element 12 associated with the clamping position, the locking lug 124, on the other hand, engages with second locking openings 108, so that the actuating element 12 is locked to the housing 10 in a defined manner in its end positions and is thereby held in position relative to the housing 10.

[0051] The locking mechanism is positively engaged. By applying force to the actuating section 122, the locking mechanism can be released when a predefined minimum force is exceeded, allowing the actuating element 12 to be moved toward the housing 10.

[0052] The current bar 101, which serves to connect the connection device 1 to an associated electrical assembly, for example within the framework of an electrical system, for example on a switch cabinet, has (as can be seen from the sectional views according to Fig. 5A, Fig. 5B) has an L-shape. The contact section 102 extends along an insertion direction E, in which a conductor 2 can be inserted into the plug-in opening 100, from a base of the current bar 101 and carries the stop element 104. The engagement section 103 also projects from the base of the current bar 101, which engagement section also extends from the base along the insertion direction E and is used to engage with the actuating element 12 in the direction shown in Fig. 5B shown position.

[0053] As can be seen from the sectional views according to Fig. 5A, Fig. 5B, the support leg 110 of the spring element 11 is (slightly) bent and thus rounded at its end remote from the housing section 105, thus preventing jamming with the housing 10. In contrast, the spring leg 111 extends in a straight line at its end remote from the housing section 105, so that an angular contact can be established with a conductor 2 inserted into the plug-in opening 100 in order to reliably lock the conductor 2 in the plug-in opening 100.

[0054] The actuating element 2 can be moved manually by a user by engaging the actuating element 122 to move the actuating element 12 between its open position ( Fig. 5A) and its closed position ( Fig. 5B). However, the adjustment can also be carried out by using a tool 3 acting on the head 120 of the actuating element 12 (see Fig. 1A).

[0055] Whether the actuating element 12 is in its open position or its closed position can be easily recognized by a user from the outside based on the position of the actuating element 12 in the housing guide 106.

[0056] The idea underlying the invention is not limited to the embodiment described above, but can also be implemented in a completely different way.

[0057] Because a return spring is provided to reset the spring element, a complex coupling between the actuating element and the spring element is not required. To adjust the spring element to the clamping position, the actuating element can exert pressure on the spring element. The spring element is then returned from the clamping position to the release position under the preloading effect of the return spring. List of reference symbols 1 connection device 10 housings 100 insertion opening 101 current bars 102 Contact section Section 103 104 lead 105 Housing section 106 Housing guide 107 Housing section 108, 109 locking opening 11 Spring element 110, 111 spring legs 12 Actuating element 120 heads 121 effective section 122 operating section 123 recess 124 locking lug 125 space 13 Return spring 130, 131 spring legs 2 conductors 20 ladder end 3 tools D Direction of movement E Insertion direction V Swivel direction

Claims

[1] Connection device (1) for connecting an electrical conductor (2), comprising a housing (10) having a plug-in opening (100) for inserting an electrical conductor (2), a spring element (11) arranged on the housing (10) and having a spring leg (111) for locking a conductor (2) inserted into the plug-in opening (100), and an actuating element (12) which is displaceably arranged on the housing (10) and has an active section (121) for acting on the spring element (11), wherein by displacing the actuating element (12), the spring element (11) is moved from a release position, in which a conductor (2) can be inserted into the plug-in opening (100) or a conductor (2) inserted into the plug-in opening (100) can be released from the plug-in opening (100), into a clamping position, in which a conductor (2) inserted into the plug-in opening (100) (2) is locked in the plug-in opening (100), is movable, wherein the spring element (11) has a support leg (110),wherein the actuating element (12) is designed to act on the support leg (110) when displaced, and wherein the actuating element (12) has an actuating portion (122) which a user can engage in order to adjust the actuating element (12) to the housing (10), , characterized byin that an intermediate space (125) is formed on the inside of the actuating section (122), into which space a housing wall of the housing (10) slides when the actuating element (12) is moved in a direction of movement (D), wherein the actuating element (12) can be latched to the housing (10) in different positions by a latching nose (124) in the form of an inwardly projecting web being formed on the actuating section (122), which latching nose engages with first latching openings (109) on lateral edges of the housing (10) in an open position of the actuating element (12) associated with the release position, and in a closed position of the actuating element (12) associated with the clamping position, the latching nose (124) engages with second latching openings (108). [2] Connection device (1) according to claim 1, characterized by that the support leg (110) is bent to form the spring leg (111). [3] Connection device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by that the spring element (11) is pivotally arranged on a housing section (105) of the housing (10). [4] Connection device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by a return spring (13) which is designed to exert a prestressing force on the spring element (11) in the direction of the release position. [5] Connection device (1) according to claim 4, characterized by that the return spring (13) has a spring leg (130) via which the return spring (13) is in contact with the spring element (11). [6] Connection device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the housing (10) has a current bar (101) with a contact section (102) for making electrical contact with an electrical conductor (2) inserted into the plug-in opening (100). [7] Connection device (1) according to claim 6, characterized bythat the current bar (101) is L-shaped, wherein the contact section (102) extends in the housing (10) along an insertion direction (E), along which a conductor (2) can be inserted into the plug-in opening (100). [8] Connection device (1) according to claim 6 or 7, characterized by that the current bar (101) has an engagement portion (103) with which the actuating element (12) is engaged when the spring element (11) is moved into the clamping position. [9] Connection device (1) according to one of claims 6 to 8, characterized by that the contact section (102) has a stop element (104) with which the spring leg (111) is in contact in the clamping position when no conductor (2) is inserted into the plug-in opening (100). [10] Connection device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the actuating element (12) is guided on a housing guide (106) longitudinally to the housing (10). [11] Connection device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the actuating element (12) has an actuating section (122) for manual actuation by a user.

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