Connection arrangement

Abstract

The invention relates to a connection arrangement (100) for connecting an electrical conductor (L), comprising a housing (110) having a conductor entry opening (111), a current bar (112) arranged in the housing (110) which has a current bar passage (114) in which a conductor connection space (115) is formed, a clamping spring (113) arranged in the housing (110) which has a retaining leg (116) and a clamping leg (117), wherein the clamping leg (116) can be moved into a clamping position and into an open position, wherein, in order to hold the clamping leg (117) in the open position, the clamping leg (117) is engaged with the retaining leg (116), an actuating element (133) by means of which the clamping leg (117) can be moved from the clamping position to the open position, and a release element (119) which is pivotable in such a way thatthat when the conductor (L) to be connected is inserted in the insertion direction (E) into the conductor connection space (115), the release element (119) can be actuated in such a way that the clamping leg (117) disengages from the retaining leg (116) and pivots from the open position to the clamping position.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a connection arrangement for connecting an electrical conductor.

[0002] Such connection arrangements typically feature a clamping spring designed as a torsion spring, which has a retaining leg and a clamping leg. A conductor inserted into the connection arrangement can be clamped against the current bar by means of the clamping leg of the clamping spring. When clamping flexible conductors, in particular, the clamping spring must be moved into a release position and thus actuated by an actuating element before the conductor is inserted. This action pivots the clamping spring or the clamping leg away from the current bar, allowing the conductor to be inserted into the space between the current bar and the clamping spring. Only with rigid and therefore stable conductors can the conductor exert sufficient force on the clamping spring or the clamping leg of the clamping spring to pivot the clamping leg away from the current bar without requiring the actuating element to be operated by a user.With flexible conductors, the user must first pivot the clamping spring away from the conductor bar by actuating the actuator, allowing the flexible conductor to be inserted. To clamp the inserted conductor, the user must manually actuate the actuator a second time to move the clamping spring from the release position to the clamping position. Manually actuating the actuator makes the assembly or connection of the conductor more difficult for the user, as the handling is cumbersome and therefore time-consuming.

[0003] The invention is based on the objective of providing a connection arrangement that simplifies the connection of, in particular, flexible conductors.

[0004] The problem is solved according to the invention by the features of the independent claim. Advantageous embodiments and further developments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims.

[0005] The connection arrangement according to the invention comprises a housing having a conductor entry opening, a current bar arranged in the housing which has a current bar passage in which a conductor connection space is formed, a clamping spring arranged in the housing which has a retaining leg and a clamping leg, wherein the clamping leg can be moved into a clamping position and into an open position, wherein the clamping leg is engaged with the retaining leg to hold the clamping leg in the open position, and an actuating element by means of which the clamping leg can be moved from the clamping position to the open position.Furthermore, the connection arrangement has a release element which is pivotable in such a way that when the conductor to be connected is inserted into the conductor connection space in the insertion direction, the release element can be actuated in such a way that the clamping leg comes out of engagement with the holding leg and pivots from the open position to the clamping position.

[0006] By means of the connection arrangement according to the invention, a flexible conductor can now also be easily and securely connected and clamped against the current bar. The clamping spring is preferably designed as a torsion spring, which has a retaining leg and a clamping leg that is pivotable relative to the retaining leg. By pivoting the clamping leg of the clamping spring, it can be moved into an open position, in which the clamping leg is arranged at a distance from the current bar or from a wall of the current bar opening, and a conductor to be connected can be inserted into or removed from a space or conductor connection space formed thereby between the current bar or the wall of the current bar opening and the clamping leg, and into a clamping position, in which the clamping leg is held against the current bar or the wall of the current bar opening or against the connected conductor in order to clamp the conductor against the current bar or the wall of the current bar opening.The clamping arm can be moved from the clamping position to the open position. This movement is achieved by means of an actuating element. The actuating element is preferably guided linearly within the housing. As soon as the clamping arm reaches the open position, it engages with the retaining arm, thus holding the clamping arm in the open position and preventing it from unintentionally pivoting back from the open to the clamping position. The clamping spring can therefore engage with itself to hold the clamping arm in the open position. Additional elements, such as the actuating element itself, are thus unnecessary to hold the clamping arm in the open position.

[0007] Once the clamping arm reaches the open position, the actuating element can be moved away from the clamping arm of the spring against the direction of its actuation, without the clamping arm following the actuating element. In the open position, the actuating element can thus be positioned at a distance from the clamping arm of the spring. If the clamping arm is held in the open position by the retaining arm, the actuating element can move back to its initial position against the direction of its actuation, so that in the open position of the clamping arm, there is no longer any operative connection between the actuating element and the clamping arm.A pivoting movement of the release element allows the clamping leg to disengage from the retaining leg, pivoting back into the clamping position and clamping a conductor to be connected against the current bar within the current bar opening. The pivoting movement of the release element can be triggered by the conductor itself when, upon insertion into the conductor connection space, the conductor strikes the release element, thereby initiating a tilting or pivoting movement of the release element. The conductor is clamped by the clamping leg of the clamping spring within a current bar opening formed by an opening in the current bar. This opening has a wall extending away from the main plane of the current bar in the direction of conductor insertion, against which the conductor to be connected is clamped by the clamping leg in the clamping position.

[0008] The release element is preferably connected to the clamping spring. Particularly preferably, the release element can be formed integrally with the retaining leg of the clamping spring. The release element can then be in the form of a leg that can be integrally formed at a free end of the retaining leg. The retaining leg can then be positioned between the clamping leg and the release element. The release element preferably extends at an angle to the retaining leg. The connection area between the retaining leg and the release element can have a 90° bend. If the release element is formed integrally with the retaining leg, it can be made from the spring steel of the clamping spring. Because the release element is connected to the clamping spring, no additional bearing points for the release element are necessary in the connection arrangement, thus saving required installation space.

[0009] The clamping spring can be positioned within the connection assembly such that its retaining leg and clamping leg protrude into the current bar opening. This projection of both the clamping leg and the retaining leg into the current bar opening improves the clamping spring's stability within the connection assembly, as the current bar opening holds the spring in position and prevents it from tilting within the assembly.

[0010] The release element can be positioned below the current bar opening when viewed in the insertion direction. This ensures that the conductor is inserted far enough into the housing and thus into the conductor connection compartment to guarantee that the conductor is securely clamped against the conductor in the area of ​​the current bar opening. In its unactuated position, the release element preferably extends transversely to the conductor insertion direction, so that it can form a boundary of the conductor connection compartment in that direction. The retaining leg of the clamping spring can then be long enough to protrude from the current bar opening when viewed in the insertion direction, allowing the release element to be connected to the retaining leg outside the current bar opening.The connection area of ​​the release element to the retaining leg can then be positioned outside the current beam passage.

[0011] For clamping and thus contacting the conductor to be connected, a wall of the current bar opening can form a contact area against which the conductor to be connected can be clamped in the clamping position of the clamping leg of the clamping spring. The contact area can be formed, for example, by a clamping edge formed on the wall against which the conductor to be connected can be clamped by means of the clamping leg in the clamping position. The clamping edge can be formed at an edge of the current bar opening or by a kink, offset, or bulge along the wall of the current bar opening. Clamping against a clamping edge can create a point contact of the conductor on the current bar in the area of ​​the current bar opening.

[0012] The clamping arm, in its open position, can engage with the retaining arm in such a way that, in the open position, the clamping arm can lock onto the retaining arm. In the open position, the clamping spring can thus lock itself to the clamping arm, automatically holding it in the open position. Therefore, no additional elements other than the clamping spring itself are necessary to hold the clamping arm in the open position.

[0013] To form the locking mechanism, the retaining leg can have at least one locking tab and the clamping leg at least one locking opening, wherein in the open position the at least one locking tab can engage with the at least one locking opening. In the open position, the at least one locking tab can extend through the at least one locking opening and hook onto an edge bordering the at least one locking opening. The at least one locking tab can be sheared out of the material of the retaining leg and bent towards the clamping leg.

[0014] The actuating element can have a clearance adapted to the at least one locking tab of the retaining arm. When the clamping arm is moved from the clamping position to the open position, this prevents the actuating element from obstructing the locking mechanism between the clamping arm and the retaining arm, as the locking tab can engage in the clearance of the actuating element. The clearance is preferably formed on an actuating section of the actuating element that rests against the clamping arm of the clamping spring when the clamping arm is moved from the clamping position to the open position.

[0015] The retaining leg is preferably not straight, but may have a bend. Along its length, the retaining leg preferably has an angle due to the bend. The bending axis preferably extends transversely to the length of the retaining leg. The bend is particularly preferably a 90° bend. This bend in the retaining leg ensures reliable unlocking of the latch between the retaining leg and the clamping leg when the release element is actuated.

[0016] The clamping spring can be mounted on the current beam by resting on it. Alternatively, the clamping spring can rest on the current beam with its retaining leg. The clamping spring can be mounted on the current beam by friction and / or form-fitting means.

[0017] To ensure particularly secure mounting of the clamping spring on the current beam, the clamping spring can have at least one retaining tab that engages in at least one retaining opening formed on the current beam. This retaining tab can be located on the retaining leg, preferably in the area where the leg rests on the current beam. The clamping spring can be inserted into the current beam using this retaining tab. The retaining opening is preferably spaced apart from the current beam opening. Particularly preferably, the clamping spring has two retaining tabs spaced apart from each other, and the current beam has two retaining openings spaced apart from each other. This enables a particularly tilt-resistant mounting of the clamping spring on the current beam.

[0018] In addition to being mounted on the current bar, the clamping spring can also be mounted on the housing. The housing can have a bearing journal on which the clamping spring can be mounted with an arc-shaped section formed between the clamping leg and the retaining leg. The clamping spring can be positioned on the bearing journal such that the arc-shaped section can encompass the bearing journal. Furthermore, mounting the clamping spring on the housing's bearing journal ensures that a defined pivot point for the clamping spring is established when the release element is actuated.

[0019] The connection arrangement described above, which has been further developed and refined, can be part of a terminal block, which can be designed, for example, as a terminal block or a printed circuit board terminal block. The connection arrangement can also be used in a connector.

[0020] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and a preferred embodiment.

[0021] They show Fig. 1 a schematic representation of a terminal block according to the invention with the clamping leg of the clamping spring in the open position, Fig. 2 a schematic sectional view of the in Fig. 1 shown connection terminal in the open position of the clamping leg of the clamping spring, Fig. 3 a schematic representation of the in Fig. 1. Terminal block shown with the clamping leg of the clamping spring in the clamping position and a connected conductor, Fig. 4 a schematic sectional view of the in Fig. 3 shown terminal block with connected conductor, Fig. 5 a schematic representation of the clamping spring and the current bar with the clamping leg of the clamping spring in the open position, Fig. 6 a schematic sectional view of the in Fig. 5 arrangement shown, Fig. 7 a schematic representation of the in Fig. 5 shown arrangement with inserted conductor, Fig. 8 a schematic sectional view of the in Fig. 7 arrangement shown, Fig. 9a, Fig. 9b a schematic representation of the clamping spring, Fig. 10 a schematic representation of the current beam, and Fig. 11 a schematic representation of the actuating element.

[0022] In Fig. Figures 1 to 4 show a connection arrangement 100 according to the invention. The connection arrangement 100 has a housing 110. The housing 110 can be made of an insulating material, such as a plastic material. The housing 110 has a conductor entry opening 111 through which a conductor L to be connected can be inserted into the housing 110 in the insertion direction E in order to be connected to the connection arrangement 100.

[0023] A current bar 112 and a clamping spring 113 are positioned in the housing 110. A conductor L inserted into the housing 110 can be clamped against the current bar 110 by means of the clamping spring 111 and thus connected. The current bar 110 has a current bar opening 114 in which a conductor connection space 115 is formed, so that the conductor L to be connected can be clamped in the current bar opening 114 by means of the clamping spring 113. The current bar opening 114 is formed by an opening 139 in the current bar 112 and a wall 128 extending from the opening 139 in the insertion direction E, as shown, for example, in Fig. 10 can be seen.

[0024] The clamping spring 113 is designed as a torsion spring. The clamping spring 113 has a retaining leg 116 and a clamping leg 117. The clamping leg 117 is pivotable relative to the retaining leg 116 in order to move the clamping leg 117 into a clamping position and into an open position. The clamping leg 117 has a clamping edge 118 at its free end section, which clamps the conductor L to be connected against the current bar opening 114, in particular against a wall 128 of the current bar opening 114, of the current bar 112, when the clamping leg 115 is in the clamping position. The clamping spring 113 projects into the current bar opening 114 with both its clamping leg 117 and its retaining leg 116.

[0025] The conductor L is clamped in the conductor connection compartment 115. The conductor L to be connected can be inserted into the conductor connection compartment 117 via the conductor entry opening 111. The conductor connection compartment 115 is formed within the current beam opening 114 of the current beam 112. In the embodiment shown here, the conductor connection compartment 115 is enclosed by the wall 128 of the current beam opening 114. The wall 128 of the current beam opening 114 forms, at least in part, a lateral boundary of the conductor connection compartment 115. The wall 128 of the current beam opening 114 forms a contact area 129 against which the conductor L to be connected is clamped in the clamping position of the clamping leg 117 of the clamping spring 113. The contact area 129 is formed by a clamping edge formed on the wall 128, against which the conductor L to be connected can be clamped in the clamping position by means of the clamping leg 117.

[0026] Viewed in the insertion direction E, the conductor connection space 115 is bounded downwards by a release element 119. Viewed in the insertion direction E, the release element 119 is positioned below the current bar opening 114. The release element 119 is integrally formed with the clamping spring 113. Therefore, the release element 119, like the clamping spring 113, is made of spring steel. The release element 119 is integrally connected to the retaining leg 116 of the clamping spring. The connection area 121 of the release element 119 to the retaining leg 116 has a 90° bend, so that the release element 119 extends at an angle away from the retaining leg 116. The release element 119 is designed here in the form of a rectangular leg, which extends transversely to the insertion direction E of the conductor L in the open position of the clamping leg 117.

[0027] The release element 119 is pivotably or tiltably positioned on the retaining leg 116, so that it can tilt or pivot relative to the retaining leg 116. The pivot axis of the release element 119 lies in the connection area 121 of the release element 119 on the retaining leg 117. The release element 119 has a pressure surface 120 pointing towards the conductor entry opening 111, against which a conductor L can abut when inserted into the conductor connection chamber 115. If the conductor L abuts the pressure surface 120, a pivoting or tilting movement V of the release element 119 occurs in the insertion direction E, as shown in Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 is marked.

[0028] In the open position of the clamping leg 117 of the clamping spring 113, the clamping leg 117 is engaged with the retaining leg 116, as for example in Fig. 2 can be seen. The clamping arm 117 is locked to the retaining arm 116.

[0029] As especially in Fig. 9a and Fig. As can be seen in Figure 9b, the retaining leg 116 has a locking tab 122 and the clamping leg 117 has a locking opening 123. In the open position of the clamping leg 117, the locking tab 122 engages with the locking opening 123, so that in the open position the locking tab 122 extends through the locking opening 123 and can hook onto an edge limiting the locking opening 123, as shown in Fig. 9a and Fig. 9b can be seen. The locking tab 122 is sheared out of the material of the retaining leg 116 and bent towards the clamping leg 117.

[0030] If a conductor L to be connected now comes into contact with the pressure surface 120, causing a pivoting movement V of the release element 119 in the insertion direction E, as shown in Fig. 3 and Fig. As shown in Figure 4, a deflection movement of the retaining arm 116 connected to the release element 119 causes the clamping arm 117 to disengage from the retaining arm 116, allowing the clamping arm 117 to pivot towards the conductor L in order to clamp the conductor L, which is inserted into the conductor connection space 115, against the current bar opening 114 of the current bar 112, as shown in Figure 4. Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 is shown.

[0031] To facilitate the release of the locking mechanism between the retaining leg 116 and the clamping leg 117, the retaining leg 116 is not straight along its length, but rather has a bend 124. Thus, the retaining leg 116 is angled along its length. The axis of the bend 124 extends transversely to the length of the retaining leg 116. The bend 124 is shown here as a 90° bend.

[0032] The retaining leg 116 has a first leg section 125 and a second leg section 126. The two leg sections 125 and 126 are connected to each other via the bend 124. The first leg section 125 is connected to the clamping leg 117 via an arc-shaped section 127. The second leg section 126 is connected to the release element 119 via the connection area 121. When the release element 119 is actuated, the second leg section 126 can follow the pivoting movement V of the release element 119 to release the locking mechanism between the retaining leg 116 and the clamping leg 117. The retaining leg 116 projects into the current beam opening 114 with the second leg section 125. The first leg section 125 is positioned outside the current beam opening 114. The retaining leg 116, and thus the clamping spring 113, rests on the current beam 112 with the first leg section 125.Unlike the second leg section 126, the first leg section 125 is arranged in a fixed position relative to the current beam 112, so that the first leg section 125 is mounted on the current beam 112 in a positionally stable manner. The first leg section 125 and the second leg section 126 extend at a 90° angle to each other.

[0033] In the embodiment shown here, the clamping spring 113 is supported at two points.

[0034] Firstly, the clamping spring 113 is mounted on the current bar 112. This is achieved by a positive-locking connection of the clamping spring 113 to the current bar 112. The positive-locking connection is formed by two retaining tabs 130a, 130b formed on the clamping spring 113, which each engage in retaining openings 131a, 131b formed on the current bar 112, such as in Fig. 5 and Fig. 6 can be seen.

[0035] The two retaining tabs 130a, 130b are spaced apart from each other on the retaining leg 116 of the clamping spring 113. The two retaining tabs 130a, 130b are each formed from material punched out of the retaining leg 116 and bent. The two retaining tabs 130a, 130b extend along opposite longitudinal sides of the retaining leg 116. The two retaining tabs 130a, 130b are located in the area of ​​the first leg section 125 of the retaining leg 116. The clamping spring 113 can be inserted into the current bar 112 using the two retaining tabs 130a, 130b. The two retaining openings 131a, 131b on the current bar 112 are spaced apart from the current bar passage 114 on the current bar 112. The two retaining openings 131a, 131b are formed on opposite longitudinal sides of the current beam 112.In the embodiment shown here, the two retaining openings 131a, 131b are each formed in the form of a U-shaped cutout on the longitudinal sides of the current beam 112, as shown in particular in . Fig. 10 can be seen.

[0036] The clamping spring 113 is also mounted via its arc-shaped section 127 on a bearing pin 132 of the housing 110, as shown in Fig. 1 to 4 can be identified.

[0037] When a conductor L to be connected is inserted into the conductor connection space 115 in the insertion direction E, the conductor L to be connected abuts the pressure surface 120 of the release element 119. This causes a tilting or pivoting movement V of the release element 119 in the insertion direction E, whereby the second leg section 122 of the retaining leg 116, which is connected to the release element 119 via the connection area 121, also follows the pivoting movement V in the insertion direction E and thus disengages from the clamping leg 117 by disengaging the locking tab 122 of the retaining leg 116 from the locking opening 123 of the clamping leg 116. As a result, the clamping leg 117 disengages from the retaining leg 116, so that the clamping leg 117 is released by its restoring force.its spring force can automatically pivot away from the retaining leg 116 in the direction of the conductor L inserted into the conductor connection space 115 in order to clamp the conductor L against the contact area 129 of the wall 128 of the current beam 112, as for example in . Fig. 7 and Fig. 8 is shown.

[0038] If the conductor L is to be released from the clamping position, an actuating element 133 is moved in the actuating direction B, as shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2. Through the sliding movement of the actuating element 133, the actuating element 133, with its actuating section 134, pushes the clamping leg 117 away from the conductor L, so that the clamping leg 117 pivots towards the retaining leg 116. The actuating element 133 applies a pressure force to the clamping leg 117 in the actuating direction B until the clamping leg 117 engages with the retaining leg 116 again and is thus in the open position and held there. To allow the retaining leg 116 with its locking tab 122 to move freely into the locking opening 123 of the clamping leg 117 and engage there, a clearance 135 is formed on the actuating section 134, as shown in Fig. 11, which is adapted to the locking tab 122 of the retaining arm 116. The locking tab 122 of the retaining arm 116 can engage in this recess 135. The actuating element 133 is linearly displaceable within the housing 110. As soon as the clamping arm 117 engages with the retaining arm 116, and the clamping arm 117 is thereby held in the open position by the retaining arm 116, the actuating element 133 can return to its initial position in the opposite direction of actuation B, as shown in Fig. 3 and Fig. As shown in Figure 4, the actuating element 133 can be moved back. In this starting position, the actuating element 133, with its upper surface 137 having a tool engagement 136, can be positioned flush with an outer surface 138 of the housing 110. Reference symbol list 100 connection arrangement 110 cases 111 Ladder entry opening 112 power bars 113 Clamping spring 114 Current beam passage 115 conductor connection space 116 retaining legs 117 clamping legs 118 clamping edge 119 Trigger element 120 printing area 121 Connection area 122 Rastlatsche 123 Rest opening 124 bend 125 First thigh section 126 Second thigh section 127 Arc-shaped section 128 wall 129 Contact area 130a, 130b retaining tab 131a, 131b Holding opening 132 bearing journals 133 Actuating element 134 Actuation section 135 Free-from 136 Tool engagement 137 Top 138 outdoor area 139 Opening E Insertion direction B Actuating direction V swivel movement L ladder

Claims

[1] Connection arrangement (100) for connecting an electrical conductor (L), with a housing (110) having a conductor insertion opening (111), a current bar (112) arranged in the housing (110), which has a current bar passage (114) in which a conductor connection space (115) is formed, a clamping spring (113) arranged in the housing (110), which has a holding leg (116) and a clamping leg (117), wherein the clamping leg (116) can be transferred into a clamping position and into an open position, wherein for holding the clamping leg (117) in the open position, the clamping leg (117) is in engagement with the holding leg (116), an actuating element (133) by means of which the clamping leg (117) can be moved from the clamping position into the open position, and a trigger element (119) which is pivotable such that when the conductor (L) to be connected is inserted in the insertion direction (E) into the conductor connection space (115), the trigger element (119) can be actuated such that the clamping leg (117) comes out of engagement with the holding leg (116) and pivots from the open position into the clamping position. [2] Connection arrangement (100) according to claim 1, characterized by that the trigger element (119) is formed integrally with the holding leg (116) of the clamping spring (113). [3] Connection arrangement (100) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by that the clamping leg (117) and the holding leg (116) protrude into the current bar passage (114). [4] Connection arrangement (100) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by that the trigger element (119) is positioned below the current bar passage (114) as seen in the insertion direction (E). [5] Connection arrangement (100) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by that a wall (128) of the current bar passage (114) forms a contact area (129) against which the conductor (L) to be connected is clamped in the clamping position of the clamping leg (117) of the clamping spring (113). [6] Connection arrangement (100) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized by that in the open position of the clamping leg (117) the clamping leg (117) is locked to the holding leg (116). [7] Connection arrangement (100) according to claim 6, characterized by in that, to form the locking mechanism, the holding leg (116) has at least one locking tab (122) and the clamping leg (117) has at least one locking opening (123), wherein in the open position the at least one locking tab (122) is in engagement with the at least one locking opening (123). [8] Connection arrangement (100) according to claim 7, characterized bythat the actuating element (133) has at least one clearance adapted to the at least one locking tab (122) of the holding leg (116). [9] Connection arrangement (100) according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized by that the holding leg (116) has a bend (124). [10] Connection arrangement (100) according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized by that the clamping spring (113) is mounted on the current bar (112). [11] Connection arrangement (100) according to claim 9, characterized by that the clamping spring (113) has at least one retaining tab (130a, 130b) which engages in at least one retaining opening (131a, 131b) formed on the current bar (112). [12] Connection arrangement (100) according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized by that the clamping spring (113) has an arcuate section (127) between the clamping leg (117) and the holding leg (116), which is mounted on a bearing pin (132) of the housing (110).

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