Electrical terminal block, assembly with such a terminal block, and electrical connector
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- DE · DE
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- METZ CONNECT GMBH
- Filing Date
- 2024-10-16
- Publication Date
- 2026-07-30
AI Technical Summary
Existing electrical connectors with braided shielding require multiple parts and a significant assembly effort, leading to increased manufacturing and assembly complexity.
A one-piece electrical terminal block with a base section and opposing clamping arms, featuring clamping sections and a retaining arm, designed for efficient clamping and electrical contact, manufactured from a flat sheet metal component.
Reduces manufacturing and assembly complexity while ensuring effective clamping and electrical contact, allowing for efficient shielding transmission.
Smart Images
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Abstract
Description
[0001] The invention relates to an electrical terminal block, an assembly with such a terminal block and an electrical connector with such an assembly.
[0002] Electrical connectors are used, among other things, as connection components for cables with braided shielding. Electrical terminals, as components of the connector, are used, among other things, to secure the cable connected to the connector and to establish an electrically conductive contact between the outer braided shielding of the cable and a terminal component of the connector.
[0003] An example of a terminal block 1 from such a state-of-the-art connector is shown in the following: Fig. 1 and Fig. 2. In a housing component 2 of the terminal block 1, a shielding plate 3 with two contact tabs 4 is formed (see Fig. 2) A cable (not shown) with an external braided shield can be inserted into the terminal 1 such that the braided shield comes into electrically conductive contact with the two contact tabs 4 of the shielding plate 3. The shielding plate 3 typically contacts a terminal component (not shown) of the connector by means of a corresponding contact element 7. To hold the cable in the terminal 1 and to establish a contact force between the contact tabs 4 and the braided shield, the terminal 1 includes a Fig. 1 shown claw 5, which can be positively fitted and held on the housing component 2, for example by means of a saw tooth 6.
[0004] A disadvantage of such a system is, in particular, the variety of parts and the associated effort involved in the manufacture and assembly of a corresponding connector.
[0005] The invention is based on the objective of providing a terminal block that reduces the effort involved in the manufacture and assembly of a connector. The invention is further based on the objective of providing a corresponding assembly for the transmission of the shielding, as well as a corresponding connector.
[0006] The problems are solved according to the invention by an electrical terminal block with the features of claim 1, an assembly with the features of claim 14 and a connector with the features of claim 15.
[0007] Advantageous embodiments and further developments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims.
[0008] An electrical terminal block according to the invention for connecting a cable to a terminal component comprises a base section, a first clamping arm arranged on the base section with a first clamping section for clamping the cable, a second clamping arm arranged on the base section with a second clamping section for clamping the cable, and a retaining arm arranged on the base section. A terminal component can, for example, be formed by a housing or a circuit board. The first clamping arm and the second clamping arm are preferably arranged opposite each other on the base section. The base section can be rectangular.
[0009] The first clamping section has a first distal clamping section end and a first proximal clamping section end, the first proximal clamping section end being arranged closer to the base section than the first distal clamping section end. Accordingly, the terms "distal" and "proximal" here and in the following preferably refer to an arrangement with respect to the base section. The second clamping section has a second distal clamping section end and a second proximal clamping section end, the second proximal clamping section end being arranged closer to the base section than the second distal clamping section end.
[0010] A clamping chamber located between the first and second clamping sections is bounded by the retaining arm towards the base section. The retaining arm can hold the cable in the clamping chamber, particularly against the clamping force exerted by the clamping arms. Preferably, the terminal block is formed in one piece.
[0011] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the first distal clamping section end and the second distal clamping section end are arranged at a distal distance from each other, and the first proximal clamping section end and the second proximal clamping section end are arranged at a proximal distance from each other. The distal distance is preferably smaller than the proximal distance. This allows for an oblique arrangement of the first clamping section and / or the second clamping section relative to the base section. The described arrangement of the first clamping section, the second clamping section, and the base element relative to each other allows the clamping space to be trapezoidal. In particular, the interaction between the two clamping sections and the retaining arm enables the cable to be held frictionally within the clamping space.The two clamping sections can preferably establish an electrical contact with the cable in addition to the mechanical contact.
[0012] Preferably, the first clamping arm and the second clamping arm are arranged and / or designed in a mirror-symmetrical manner with respect to an imaginary plane of symmetry that intersects the base section, preferably centrally. Particularly preferably, the entire electrical terminal block is designed in a mirror-symmetrical manner with respect to this plane of symmetry.
[0013] The first clamping section and / or the second clamping section can be straight, at least in part. Preferably, the first clamping section and / or the second clamping section are completely straight.
[0014] Preferably, the first clamping section and / or the second clamping section each have a clamping projection that extends towards the other clamping section. This increases the clamping force that can be exerted on the cable. The clamping projection can be located centrally within the respective clamping section. Particularly preferably, the clamping projection is designed as a groove.
[0015] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the first clamping arm has a first support section connecting the first clamping section to the base section, and the second clamping arm has a second support section connecting the second clamping section to the base section, wherein the first support section is arranged at the first distal end of the clamping section and the second support section is arranged at the second distal end of the clamping section. With such an arrangement, the terminal clamp can provide a relatively high spring force while occupying a relatively small installation space. The respective support section is preferably longer than the corresponding clamping section. The first support section can be arranged directly on one side at the base section and on the other side at the first distal end of the clamping section.The second support section can be arranged directly on one side at the base section and on the other side at the second distal end of the clamping section. Preferably, the respective support section thus at least partially surrounds the corresponding clamping section.
[0016] The first support section can comprise a first straight section that, in an unpopulated state, is arranged parallel to the first clamping section of the terminal block. The second support section can comprise a second straight section that, in an unpopulated state, is arranged parallel to the second clamping section. Preferably, no cable is installed in the terminal block in the unpopulated state.
[0017] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the first support section has a first proximal spring section and the second support section has a second proximal spring section, wherein the first proximal spring section and the second proximal spring section are each arranged on the base section. Preferably, the first proximal spring section is arranged on one side on the base section and on the other side on the first straight section. Accordingly, the second proximal spring section is preferably arranged on one side on the base section and on the other side on the second straight section. The respective proximal spring section can be bent such that the corresponding straight section forms a support angle with the base section of less than 90° and greater than or equal to 45°, preferably greater than or equal to 60°, in the unassembled state.The angle specifications preferably refer to the surfaces of the base section and the respective straight section facing the clamping space.
[0018] The first support section can have a first distal spring section arranged at the first distal end of the clamping section, and / or the second support section can have a second distal spring section arranged at the second distal end of the clamping section. The respective distal spring section can be curved. The distal spring radius of each distal spring section is preferably smaller than the proximal spring radius of each proximal spring section. In their unassembled state, the first distal spring section and the second distal spring section can each have a bending angle of 160° to 200°, preferably 175° to 185°, and particularly preferably 180°. In particular, providing a bending angle of 180° allows the clamping section to be arranged parallel to the corresponding straight section.
[0019] In a further embodiment of the invention, the first clamping arm has a first limiting section arranged at the first proximal end of the clamping section, and / or the second clamping arm has a second limiting section arranged at the second proximal end of the clamping section. The first limiting section can be oriented towards the second clamping arm, preferably bent. The second limiting section can be oriented towards the first clamping arm, preferably bent. The limiting sections can define the clamping space towards the base section.
[0020] The retaining arm can have a retaining spring section arranged on the base section and a contact section arranged on the retaining spring section for contact with the cable. The contact section can thus be resiliently arranged in the clamping space. The retaining spring section can have a recess. The recess can serve to adjust the spring characteristics of the retaining spring section and / or to fix the terminal block. In particular, the retaining spring section can be curved. Preferably, the base section and contact section are arranged with an angular offset of 20° to 40°, preferably 30°, relative to each other in the unassembled state. Preferably, the contact section is arranged on a side of the limiting sections facing away from the base element. In this way, deflection of the contact section towards the base section can be limited by the limiting sections.
[0021] Preferably, the terminal block has a contact element, particularly preferably arranged on the base element, for contacting a terminal component. This allows an electrically conductive contact to be established between the terminal block and the terminal component. The contact element can be, preferably in a U-shape, cut out of the base element and / or bent away from the base element.
[0022] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the terminal block is designed as a sheet metal component, preferably a single piece. The terminal block can thus be manufactured from a flat sheet metal component. Such a flat sheet metal component can have a T-shaped section, wherein the two clamping arms are formed from opposing arms, and the retaining arm is formed from a perpendicular arm. The base section can be located at the intersection of the two clamping arms and the retaining arm. Preferably, the terminal block is made of copper sheet.
[0023] In a further development of the invention, the terminal block can include a mounting part. The mounting part preferably has additional contact elements and / or additional recesses for fixing the terminal block. The mounting part can be arranged on the base section, preferably opposite the retaining spring section.
[0024] An assembly according to the invention comprises the electrical terminal block described above and a cable with a braided shield, wherein the cable is clamped between the first clamping section, the second clamping section and the holding arm, and the braided shield is in electrically conductive contact with the first clamping section, the second clamping section and the holding arm. Preferably, the cable is arranged towards the base section on the mounting section, which can exert a holding force on the cable pointing away from the base section and into the holding area.
[0025] An electrical connector according to the invention comprises the assembly described above and a connection component, wherein the electrical terminal is in electrically conductive contact with the connection component. This allows the shielding between the cable and the connector to be transmitted. The terminal preferably contacts the connection component by means of the contacting element. The connection component is typically formed by a housing component of the connector.
[0026] An embodiment of the invention is explained with reference to the following figures. It shows: Fig. 1 a schematic view of a terminal block known from the prior art, Fig. 2 a schematic view of part of the in Fig. 1 shown terminal block, Fig. 3 a schematic first view of a first embodiment of a terminal block according to the invention, Fig. 4 a schematic second view of the in Fig. 3 shown embodiment, Fig. 5 a schematic third view of the in Fig. 3 shown embodiment, Fig. 6 a schematic view of an embodiment of an assembly with the in Fig. 3 shown embodiment of a terminal block and a cable, Fig. 7 a schematic view of a second embodiment of a terminal block according to the invention, Fig. 8 a schematic view of the in Fig. 7 shown embodiment with a fixing component, Fig. 9 a schematic sectional view of the in Fig. 8 shown arrangement in a housing component of a connector.
[0027] The Fig. Figures 1 to 9 show different views of various embodiments. For clarity, not all reference numerals are used in every figure. The same reference numerals are used for identical and functionally equivalent parts.
[0028] Fig. Figure 3 shows a first embodiment of an electrical terminal block 10 according to the invention. The terminal block 10 comprises a base section 12, a first clamping arm 14 with a first clamping section 16, and a second clamping arm 18 with a second clamping section 20. The first clamping arm 14 and the second clamping arm 18 are arranged opposite each other on the base section 12. The base section 12 can be rectangular.
[0029] The first clamping section 16 has a first distal clamping section end 22 and a first proximal clamping section end 24, wherein the first proximal clamping section end 24 is located closer to the base section 12 than the first distal clamping section end 22. Similarly, the second clamping section 20 has a second distal clamping section end 26 and a second proximal clamping section end 28, wherein the second proximal clamping section end 28 is located closer to the base section 12 than the second distal clamping section end 26.
[0030] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 3, the first distal clamping section end 22 and the second distal clamping section end 26 are arranged at a distal distance 30 from each other, and the first proximal clamping section end 24 and the second proximal clamping section end 28 are arranged at a proximal distance 32 from each other. The distal distance 30 is smaller than the proximal distance 32. The first clamping section 16 and the second clamping section 20 are arranged obliquely to the base section 12.
[0031] How Fig. As further shown in Figure 3, the entire terminal block 10 is designed to be mirror-symmetrical with respect to an imaginary plane of symmetry 34 that intersects the base section 12 at its center. In particular, the first clamping arm 14 and the second clamping arm 18 are arranged and designed to be mirror-symmetrical with respect to the plane of symmetry 34.
[0032] In the illustrated embodiments, the first clamping section 16 and the second clamping section 20 are each completely straight. Furthermore, the first clamping section 16 and the second clamping section 20 each have a clamping projection 36 in the form of a groove 37. The clamping projection 36 of the first clamping section 16 projects towards the second clamping section 20. Similarly, the clamping projection 36 of the second clamping section 20 projects towards the first clamping section 16. The two clamping projections 36 are each arranged centrally within their respective clamping sections 16 and 20.
[0033] As the Fig. As further shown in Figure 3, the first clamping arm 14 has a first support section 38 connecting the first clamping section 16 to the base section 12, and the second clamping arm 18 has a second support section 40 connecting the second clamping section 20 to the base section 12. The first support section 38 is arranged on one side at the base section 12 and on the other side at the first distal end 22 of the clamping section, so that the first support section 38 partially surrounds the first clamping section 16. In particular, the first support section 38 can surround a side of the support section 38 facing away from the plane of symmetry 34. Similarly, the second support section 40 is arranged on one side at the base section 12 and on the other side at the second distal end 26 of the clamping section. For this purpose, the two support sections 38, 40 are each longer than the corresponding clamping section 16, 20.
[0034] The first support section 38 comprises a first straight section 42, which is located in the Fig. In the unpopulated state shown in Figures 3 and 4, the terminal block 10 is arranged parallel to the first terminal section 16. The second support section 40 comprises a second straight section 44, which in the unpopulated state is arranged parallel to the second terminal section 20.
[0035] The first support section 38 has a first proximal spring section 46, and the second support section 40 has a second proximal spring section 48. The first proximal spring section 46 is arranged on one side at the base section 12 and on the other side at the first straight section 42. Accordingly, the second proximal spring section 48 is arranged on one side at the base section 12 and on the other side at the second straight section 44. The two proximal spring sections 46, 48 are bent such that, in the unpopulated state of the terminal block 10, the two straight sections 42, 44, together with the base section 12, each form a support angle 50 between 90° and 60°.
[0036] Furthermore, the first support section 38 has a first distal spring section 52, which is arranged at the first distal clamping section end 22. Similarly, the second support section 40 has a second distal spring section 54, which is arranged at the second distal clamping section end 26. In particular, the Fig. Figures 3 and 4 show that the first distal spring section 52 is arranged opposite the first proximal spring section 46 on the first straight section 42 and also at the first distal clamping section end 22. Similarly, the second distal spring section 54 is arranged opposite the second proximal spring section 48 on the second straight section 44 and also at the second distal clamping section end 26.
[0037] The two distal spring sections 52, 54 are each curved. The respective distal spring radii 56 of the distal spring sections 52, 54 are smaller than the corresponding proximal spring radii 57 of the proximal spring sections 46, 48. In their unassembled state, the distal spring sections 52, 54 preferably each have a bending angle 58 of 180°. This allows the parallel arrangement of the first clamping section 16 to the first straight section 42 and of the second clamping section 20 to the second straight section 44 to be achieved.
[0038] Especially from Fig. Figure 3 shows that the first clamping arm 14 has a first limiting section 60 and the second clamping arm 18 has a second limiting section 62. The first limiting section 60 is located at the first proximal end 24 of the clamping section and the second limiting section 62 is located at the second proximal end 28 of the clamping section. The two limiting sections 60 and 62 are each bent towards the opposite side of the clamping arms 14 and 18.
[0039] The terminal block 10 has a retaining arm 64 arranged on the base section 12. In the illustration in Fig. In this respect, the retaining arm 64 is arranged in a plane with the base section 12. Therefore, it shows Fig. 3 A snapshot of terminal 10 during the manufacturing process. Fig. Figure 4, however, shows the completed terminal block 10.
[0040] The retaining arm 64 comprises a retaining spring section 66 arranged on the base section 12 and a contact section 68 arranged on the retaining spring section 66. The contact section 68 can delimit a clamping space 70 arranged between the first clamping section 16 and the second clamping section 20 towards the base section 12. By arranging the contact section 68 on the retaining spring section 66, the contact section 68 can be resiliently positioned in the clamping space 70.
[0041] How in particular the Fig. As shown in Figure 4, the retaining spring section 66 can have a recess 72, which can be used in particular to adjust the spring characteristics of the retaining spring section 66. The retaining spring section 66 can be curved. Preferably, the base section 12 and the contact section 68 are arranged with an angular offset 71 of 30° to each other in the unassembled state. Fig. Figure 4 also shows that the system section 68 is arranged on a side of the limiting sections 60, 62 facing away from the base element 12. This allows the limiting sections 60, 62 to restrict any deflection of the system section 68 towards the base section 12. Furthermore, a load on the holding arm 64 in the direction of the base section 12 can cause the clamping sections 16, 20 to move towards each other, which can further narrow the clamping space 70 and further increase the clamping force acting in the clamping space 70.
[0042] As the Fig. As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the terminal 10 has a contacting element 75 arranged on the base element 12. This allows an electrically conductive contact to be made between the terminal 10 and a component in Fig. The connecting component 86, not shown in sections 3 and 4, is manufactured. The contacting element 75 can be cut out of the base element 12 in a U-shape and bent away from the base element 12.
[0043] The in Fig. Terminal block 10, shown in Figures 3 and 4, is designed as a one-piece sheet metal component made of copper sheet. Accordingly, terminal block 10 can be manufactured essentially by cutting and forming from a flat sheet metal part. Fig. Figure 5 shows the terminal block 10 in an “unwound” state, i.e., after completion of the separating and before the beginning of the forming manufacturing steps – with the exception of the production of the beads 37. How Fig. As shown in Figure 5, the flat sheet metal component can be T-shaped, or at least comprise a T-shaped section, wherein the two clamping arms 14, 18 are formed from opposing arms, and the retaining arm 64 is formed from an arm arranged perpendicular to them. The base section 12 can be located in the intersection area of the two clamping arms 14, 18 with the retaining arm 64.
[0044] Fig. Figure 6 shows a representation of an assembly 74 before its assembly. The assembly 74 comprises the terminal block 10 and a cable 76 with a braided shield 78 arranged on the outer sheath of the cable 76. The cable is routed in the direction of the Fig. The cable 76 is inserted into the terminal space 70 of the terminal block 10, as indicated by the arrow 6, so that it is held clamped between the first clamping section 16 and the second clamping section 20 and arranged towards the base section 12 on the mounting section 68. The mounting section 68 can exert a holding force on the cable 76, pointing away from the base section 12 and into the holding space. When the terminal block 10 is fitted with the cable 76 in this manner, the braided shield 78 is in electrically conductive contact with the first clamping section, the second clamping section, and the mounting section 68. The clamping projections 36 can increase the clamping force that can be exerted on the cable 76.
[0045] The Fig. Figures 7-9 show a second embodiment of the terminal block 10. The terminal block in Fig. The left part shown in Figure 7 is designed according to the first embodiment. The terminal block 10 of the second embodiment is only supplemented by a mounting part 80 that is integrally connected to the left part. The mounting part 80 has additional contact elements 75 and additional recesses 72 for fixing the terminal block.
[0046] Fig. Figure 8 shows the second embodiment of the terminal block 10, arranged on a fixing component 82. The illustration clearly shows how the terminal block 10 can be fixed by means of the recesses 72. In particular, the recesses 72 can serve as locking elements. Specifically, the recess 72 of the retaining spring section 66 can be designed as a locking element.
[0047] Fig. Figure 9 shows a sectional view of an arrangement of the terminal block 10 and the fixing component 82. Fig. 8 in a connection component 86 of an electrical connector designed as a housing component 84. The terminal contact is preferably made with the connection component 86 by means of the contacting elements 75. Reference symbol list 1 terminal block 2 Housing component 3 Shielding plate 4 contact tabs 5 Claw 6 Saw teeth 7 Contact element 10 terminal block 12 Basic section 14 first clamping arm 16 first clamping section 18 second clamping arm 20 second clamping section 22 first distal clamping section end 24 first proximal clamping section end 26 second distal clamping section end 28 second proximal clamping section end 30 distal distance 32 proximal distance 34 Plane of symmetry 36 clamping projection 37 groove 38 first support section 40 second support section 42 first straight section 44 second straight section 46 first proximal spring section 48 second proximal spring section 50 support brackets 52 first distal spring section 54 second distal spring section 56 distal spring radius 57 proximal spring radius 58 bending angles 60 first boundary section 62 second boundary section 64 Support arm 66 Retaining spring section 68 Plant section 70 Terminal space 71 angular offset 72 recess 74 Assembly 75 Contact element 76 cables 78 Umbrella weave 80 Mounting part 82 Fixing component 84 Housing component 86 Connecting component