conductor connection terminal

Abstract

The invention relates to a conductor terminal with an insulating housing which has at least one conductor entry opening for receiving an electrical conductor in a conductor entry direction, wherein at least one spring-loaded clamping connection for connecting the electrical conductor by means of spring force is arranged in the insulating housing, wherein the spring-loaded clamping connection has at least one busbar and a clamping spring which has a clamping leg with a clamping edge for clamping the electrical conductor at a clamping point on a contact section of the busbar, wherein the conductor terminal has at least one actuating element by which, when a handle section of the actuating element is manually accessible on a first outer side of the insulating housing, the clamping leg can be moved into an open position.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a conductor terminal with an insulating housing which has at least one conductor entry opening for receiving an electrical conductor in a conductor entry direction, wherein at least one spring-loaded clamping connection for connecting the electrical conductor by means of spring force is arranged in the insulating housing, wherein the spring-loaded clamping connection has at least one busbar and a clamping spring which has a clamping leg with a clamping edge for clamping the electrical conductor at a clamping point on a contact section of the busbar, wherein the conductor terminal has at least one actuating element by which, when a handle section of the actuating element is manually accessible on a first outer side of the insulating housing, the clamping leg can be moved into an open position.

[0002] Such a conductor terminal is known from DE 10 2020 119 372 A1. It is a conductor terminal with automatic connection of the electrical conductor to be connected when the conductor is inserted into the terminal. Insertion of the electrical conductor automatically releases the clamping leg of the clamping spring, which is held in an open position, thereby clamping the electrical conductor securely.

[0003] Based on this, the object of the present invention is to provide a further improved conductor connection terminal.

[0004] This problem is solved by designing the actuating element as an actuating slide, which is configured to move the clamping arm into the open position by means of a sliding movement running essentially parallel to the first outer surface of the housing. This enables advantageous sliding actuation of the clamping arm. As a result, the actuating element can be integrated into the conductor terminal in a very space-saving manner. Furthermore, existing and proven conductor terminal designs that were previously designed without an actuating element can be easily modified into a conductor terminal with an actuating element for the clamping arm, without requiring a complete redesign.

[0005] The invention is suitable, for example, for compact junction box terminals, e.g., those with leaf spring connection, in which the clamping leg is connected to a support section of the clamping spring without a spring arc, known in many conductor connection terminals, which extends over an angle range of more than 180°.

[0006] As mentioned, the invention enables the clamping arm to be actuated by means of the actuating slide. Unlike a push-button actuation, with an actuating slide, the handle section, which is manually accessible on the first outer surface of the housing, can be manually actuated by the user at any time, particularly without additional tools. The handle section can be permanently accessible and / or visible on the first outer surface of the housing, i.e., in every actuating position of the actuating slide. In this way, the actuating slide, by means of its handle section, can also simultaneously serve as an indicator element for showing the actuating position of the clamping arm (clamping position or open position). The position of the handle section thus makes it easy for the user to see from the outside whether the clamping arm is in the open or clamping position.

[0007] The actuating slider can, for example, be slidably mounted within the insulating housing. The manually accessible handle section can, for example, be slidably mounted on the first outer surface of the housing, such that the manual handle section slides along the first outer surface of the housing when actuated.

[0008] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the actuating slide has at least one first detent element by which the actuating slide can be locked against a second detent element in the open position. This has the advantage that the clamping arm can be permanently held in the open position by the actuating slide, even without the user constantly exerting an actuating force on the actuating slide or holding it in place. Advantageously, the detent can also be released, so that the actuating slide can be returned to its initial position, in which the clamping arm is not actuated or is in the clamping position.

[0009] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the conductor terminal has at least one release element with a release section, the actuation of which releases the locking mechanism of the actuating slide in the open position. The release element allows the locking mechanism of the actuating slide to be released in the open position when an electrical conductor to be connected exerts an actuating force on the release section. This enables the automatic release of the locking mechanism of the actuating slide, and thus of the clamping arm, by inserting the electrical conductor. Such a design allows the integration of automatic connection technology into spring-loaded terminals and conductor terminals of various designs. In particular, proven conductor terminals of known design can thus be easily upgraded to automatic connection functionality with minimal effort.with automatic conductor connection of the electrical conductor to be clamped, will be further developed.

[0010] The release section can be actuated by a separate tool, a component of the conductor terminal (such as an actuating element), or directly via the inserted electrical conductor itself, thereby releasing the locking mechanism of the actuating slide and thus resetting the clamping arm. Using the release element, the clamping arm, which is held in the open position, can be released by applying pressure to the release section in the direction of conductor insertion of the electrical conductor to be connected.

[0011] The release element can be located on the outside of the insulating housing. The first and / or the second locking element can be located on the outside of the insulating housing. In particular, the release element can be located together with the second locking element on the outside of the insulating housing. The release element can be made of insulating material (e.g., plastic).

[0012] In addition to being movable, the actuating slider can also be pivoted or deflected in other ways, so that it can be easily deflected by the inserted conductor to achieve the desired release effect of the locking mechanism.

[0013] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the first and / or the second locking element can be moved by means of the release element by actuating the release section. This movement of the first and / or second locking element allows the locking mechanism to be released by means of the release element, by moving the first and / or the second locking element apart. Thus, if an electrical conductor is inserted into the conductor terminal and pressed against the release section, this results in a movement of the first locking element, the second locking element, or both locking elements.

[0014] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the release element is designed as a pivotable and / or sliding lever that performs a pivoting and / or sliding movement when the release section is actuated. This allows for simple and reliable integration of a release element into such a conductor terminal. For example, the release element can be attached to a part of the insulating housing, e.g., to the rear side of the insulating housing facing away from the conductor entry side. The release element can be designed, for example, as a straight lever, similar to a rocker, or as an angled lever. The release element can be spring-loaded for return.

[0015] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the second locking element is arranged on the release element. In this way, the second locking element can be moved automatically when the release element performs a corresponding movement by actuating the release section, e.g., if it is designed as a pivotable and / or sliding lever.

[0016] It is also possible that the second locking element is arranged on or formed on the insulating housing and / or the busbar. In particular, it is possible that the second locking element is fixedly arranged on the insulating housing and / or the busbar and that the movement required to release the locking mechanism is achieved by a corresponding movement of the first locking element, e.g., by slightly pivoting and / or moving the actuating slider in the position locked to the second locking element using the release element.

[0017] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the conductor terminal has a conductor receiving chamber for receiving the electrical conductor to be clamped, which is arranged between the clamping spring and the first outer surface of the housing. Thus, the first outer surface of the housing is located behind the conductor receiving chamber, viewed from the clamping spring. The handle section is therefore located on an outer surface of the insulating housing that is positioned behind the conductor receiving chamber. In this way, the actuating slider can be accommodated in a space-saving manner and is also easy to operate.

[0018] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the actuating slide has at least one spring driver, which, when the actuating slide is manually actuated, allows the clamping arm to be pressed into the open position by means of a compressive force. The spring driver thus transmits a compressive force to the clamping arm. Advantageously, the spring driver can also serve as a retaining element for the conductor terminal, holding the clamping arm in the open position.

[0019] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the at least one spring driver projects from the handle section in the direction of the clamping leg. The at least one spring driver can, for example, be shaped like a projecting pin or wing.

[0020] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the handle section and the at least one spring driver are arranged at an angle to each other and surround an area of ​​the conductor receiving space at an angle on two different sides.

[0021] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, at least two spaced-apart spring drivers project from the handle section. These two spring drivers allow the clamping arm to be actuated symmetrically on both sides, for example, on opposite edges of the clamping arm, thus minimizing any tilting of the clamping arm. A space can be provided between the spring drivers through which the electrical conductor can be guided. The electrical conductor can therefore be accommodated between the two actuating wings.

[0022] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the at least one spring driver is supported against the force acting from the clamping arm on the insulating housing and / or on the busbar. This enables efficient force transmission of the actuating force to the clamping arm without requiring a particularly torsionally rigid connection between the at least one spring driver and the handle section. The actuating element can thus be designed to be relatively delicate, requiring little space within the insulating housing. Furthermore, the handle section does not require particularly complex support.

[0023] The at least one spring-loaded driver can, for example, be arranged laterally next to the conductor receiving space and extend between the busbar and the clamping arm. The at least one spring-loaded driver can have a relatively small width so that the conductor receiving space is not significantly affected by the actuating wing. If the conductor terminal is designed as a multi-pole terminal, a spring-loaded driver can also form at least part of a partition between adjacent spring-loaded terminals in the insulating housing or replace such a partition. The at least one spring-loaded driver can, for example, be arranged perpendicular to the planar extent of the handle section.

[0024] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the at least one actuating element can actuate exactly one clamping spring, or that the at least one actuating element can actuate several clamping springs, in particular two adjacent clamping springs. This also enables a multitude of possible implementations of the conductor terminal. If one actuating element is configured to actuate several clamping springs, fewer actuating elements are required in the conductor terminal, thus further reducing the space required. In this case, the insulating housing can, for example, have a partition between adjacent conductor entry openings between which no actuating element is arranged.

[0025] The clamping arm, together with the contact section of the busbar, can form a clamping point for connecting an electrical conductor between the clamping arm and the contact section. In the open position, at least the clamping edge of the clamping arm is pivoted away from the contact section of the busbar. The clamping arm can be pivoted, for example, between an open position in which the electrical conductor is freely movable between the clamping arm and the contact section, and a clamped position in which the clamping arm clamps the electrical conductor to the contact section.

[0026] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the clamping spring has a support section which is connected to the clamping leg via a spring arc, wherein the support section is designed to support the clamping spring on the busbar, in particular on a frame part of the busbar.

[0027] The support section allows for secure support of the clamping spring and sufficient support against the spring force exerted by the clamping leg.

[0028] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the busbar has a frame part in which the clamping spring is hooked or clamped, the frame part having a through-opening through which the electrical conductor to be connected can be inserted. For example, the clamping spring can be hooked with its support section onto an edge section of the frame part that surrounds the through-opening. The clamping spring can be hooked or clamped in the frame part such that the support section is attached to the frame part and the clamping leg is oriented towards the contact section of the busbar, i.e., in the clamping position without an inserted electrical conductor, it rests against the contact section, or, with an inserted electrical conductor, the clamping leg presses the electrical conductor against the contact section.

[0029] The frame component can be formed in one piece from the busbar material, for example, as a section bent and punched out from the contact section. The frame component can have a circumferential frame that completely surrounds the through-opening. For example, the through-opening can have a substantially rectangular cross-section. The frame component can then have a first leg projecting from the contact section on one side and a second leg projecting from the opposite side, with the first and second legs extending parallel to each other. The frame component can also have a transverse leg connecting the free ends of the first and second legs. The clamping spring can then be hooked onto the transverse leg via the support section.

[0030] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, a conductor guidance channel can be formed in the insulating housing for guiding the electrical conductor to be clamped to the contact section, wherein the release section of the release element is arranged in the conductor guidance channel or at least projects into the conductor guidance channel or projects into the extension of the conductor guidance channel.

[0031] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the release section of the release element can be arranged behind the contact section or at least behind the clamping point in the conductor insertion direction.

[0032] For the purposes of the present invention, the indefinite term "a" is not to be understood as a numeral. Therefore, when, for example, a component is mentioned, this is to be interpreted as "at least one component". Where angles are specified in degrees, these refer to a circle of 360 degrees (360°).

[0033] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to exemplary embodiments and drawings.

[0034] They show Fig. 1, Fig. 2, Fig. 3 to Fig. 4. A conductor terminal block in a side sectional view in various operating states, Fig. 5 the conductor connection terminal in a first perspective view, Fig. 6 the conductor terminal in a second perspective view.

[0035] The Fig. Figure 1 shows a conductor terminal 1 in a lateral sectional view in a section plane passing through a spring-clamp terminal. The conductor terminal 1 can be designed as a multi-pole conductor terminal in which several spring-clamp terminals are arranged side by side. The conductor terminal 1 has an insulating housing 2 which has a conductor entry opening 20 for each spring-clamp terminal, through which an electrical conductor to be clamped can be inserted into the insulating housing 2 in a conductor entry direction L. The conductor entry openings 20 are arranged on a conductor entry side 22 of the insulating housing 1.

[0036] Each spring-loaded terminal arranged in the insulating housing 2 has a clamping spring 4 and a busbar 3. The busbar 3 has a contact section 31 and a frame section 32 bent at an angle from the contact section 31, extending from the contact section 31 in a frame-like manner and terminating at a transverse leg 33. The contact section 31 serves for the electrical contact of a connected electrical conductor. The clamping spring 4 has a support section 41, which is attached to the frame section 32. The support section 41 can, in particular, be hooked onto a transverse leg 33 of the frame section 32 located away from the contact section 31. The clamping spring 4 has a spring arc 42 adjoining the support section 41 and a clamping leg 43 adjoining the spring arc 42, which serves to clamp an electrical conductor to the contact section 31.The clamping leg 43 ends at the free end with a clamping edge 46.

[0037] An electrical conductor 9 clamped between the clamping leg 43 and the contact section 31 is then received in a conductor receiving space 24 of the insulating housing 1, as e.g. in the Fig. 4 is recognizable.

[0038] To actuate the clamping spring 4, i.e., to deflect the clamping leg 43 from the position in Fig. To move the clamping position shown in Figure 1 to an open position, a manual actuating element in the form of an actuating slide 6 is provided. The actuating slide 6 has a handle section 60 designed for manual actuation, which is arranged on a first outer surface 23 of the insulating housing 2 and is manually accessible there. The user can apply an actuating force to the actuating slide 6 at the handle section 60 and thereby move the actuating slide 6 rearward in the conductor entry direction L, i.e., towards a rear housing wall 21 of the insulating housing 2. The actuating slide 6 has at least one spring driver 62, which projects at an angle from the handle section 60 and extends into the insulating housing 2 to the clamping leg 43.

[0039] The Fig. Figure 1 shows the conductor connection terminal 1 in the unactuated state of the actuating slider 6. Fig. Figure 2 shows the conductor connection terminal 1 according to Fig. 1. The actuating slide 6 is in an actuated state, i.e., the actuating slide 6 has been displaced, as can be seen, by means of a displacement movement V running essentially parallel to the first outer housing surface 23 in the direction of the rear housing wall 21. This causes the clamping arm 43 to be pivoted upwards by a compressive force exerted by the at least one spring driver 62, i.e., moved away from the contact section 31 into an open position. In this way, the clamping point can be opened so that a clamped electrical conductor 9 can be removed or an electrical conductor 9 to be clamped can be easily inserted.

[0040] As the Fig. 1 and Fig. 2. Furthermore, the actuating slide 6 also has a first detent element 61, e.g., in the form of a detent recess on the handle section 60. The first detent element 61 interacts with a second detent element 50 to hold the actuating slide 6 in the actuated position, as shown in Figure 2. Fig. Figure 2 shows that the clamping arm 43 is moved into the open position by at least one spring driver 62, and is thus held in this actuated position. In this way, the clamping arm 43 remains in the open position as long as the detent between the first detent element 61 and the second detent element 50 is effective. If the detent is released, the actuating slide 6 can return to the unactuated position either automatically by the spring force of the clamping spring 4 and / or by manual actuation or another return element, as shown in Figure 2. Fig. 1 shown, move back.

[0041] To release the detent of the actuating slide 6 in the actuated position, i.e., the detent between the first detent element 61 and the second detent element 50, the conductor terminal 1 has a release element 8. The release element 8 can be designed as a pivotally mounted lever, in particular as an angled lever. The release element 8 has a release section 80 that projects into the conductor receiving space 24 or is arranged in an extension of the conductor receiving space 24 in the conductor insertion direction L. The release element 8 can be mechanically actuated directly by the electrical conductor 9 inserted into the conductor terminal 1, as shown in the Fig. 3 illustrates this.

[0042] It can be seen that an electrical conductor 9 is inserted into the insulating housing 2 and is positioned with a stripped section in the conductor receiving space 24. The free end of the electrical conductor 9 can press against the release section 80 and thereby move the entire release element 8, e.g., in a pivoting motion, so that the second locking element 50 arranged on the release element 8 is also moved and thus moves away from the first locking element 61, thereby releasing the locking mechanism between the first locking element 61 and the second locking element 50. The actuating slide 6 now moves back to its initial position, as previously explained, e.g., by the force of the clamping spring 4, as shown in the Fig. 4 is shown. This allows the clamping spring 4 to partially relax, i.e., the clamping leg 43 moves towards the electrical conductor 9 and clamps it against the contact section 31.

[0043] The Fig. Figure 5 illustrates the overall design of the conductor terminal 1 with the insulating housing 2. It is particularly evident that each spring-clamp connection can have its own release element 8. The respective release element 8 can, for example, be movably mounted on the insulating housing 2, e.g., on a rear housing cover of the insulating housing 2. The respective release element 8 can also be integrally connected to the insulating housing 2, so that a spring-loaded return of the release element 8 is also advantageously possible.

[0044] As the Fig. As shown in Figure 6, the conductor terminal 1 can have its own actuating slide 6 for each spring-clamp connection. The actuating slides 6 can be actuated independently of each other, so that each spring-clamp connection can be individually selected by the user to be either in the open position or in the clamped position. Reference symbol list: 1 conductor connection terminal 2 insulating housings 3 Power rail 4 clamping springs 6 actuating sliders 8 Solvent element 9 electrical conductors 20 conductor entry openings 21 rear case wall 22 Ladder entry side 23 first side of case 24 Ladder reception room 31 Contact section 32 frame part 33 transverse legs 41 Support section 42 feather bows 43 clamping legs 46 clamping edge 50 second locking element 60 Handle section 61 first locking element 62 spring drivers 80 Solution section L conductor insertion direction QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents cited by the applicant was automatically generated and is included solely for the reader's convenience. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] DE 10 2020 119 372 A1

[0002]

Claims

[1] A conductor terminal (1) with an insulating housing (2) having at least one conductor entry opening (20) for receiving an electrical conductor (9) in a conductor entry direction (L), wherein at least one spring-loaded clamping connection for connecting the electrical conductor (9) by means of spring force is arranged in the insulating housing (2), wherein the spring-loaded clamping connection has at least one busbar (3) and a clamping spring (4) having a clamping leg (43) with a clamping edge (46) for clamping the electrical conductor (9) at a clamping point on a contact section (31) of the busbar (3), wherein the conductor terminal (1) has at least one actuating element by which, when a handle section (60) of the actuating element, which is manually accessible on a first outer surface (23) of the insulating housing, the clamping leg (43) can be moved into an open position, characterized by, that the actuating element is designed as an actuating slide (6) which is designed to move the clamping leg (43) into the open position by means of a sliding movement (V) running essentially parallel to the first outer side of the housing (23). [2] Conductor terminal according to claim 1, characterized by , that the actuating slide (6) has at least one first detent element (61) by which the actuating slide (6) can be detented in the open position on a second detent element (50). [3] Conductor terminal according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the conductor terminal (1) has at least one release element (8) with a release section (80) by actuating which the locking of the actuating slide (6) in the open position can be released. [4] Conductor terminal according to claim 3, characterized by, that the locking of the actuating slide (6) in the open position can be released when an electrical conductor (9) to be connected exerts an actuating force on the release section (80) of the release element (8). [5] Conductor terminal according to one of claims 3 to 4, characterized by , that the first and / or the second locking element (50, 61) can be moved by means of the release element (8) by actuating the release section (80). [6] Conductor terminal according to one of claims 3 to 5, characterized by , that the release element (8) is designed as a pivotable and / or displaceable lever which performs a pivoting and / or displacement movement when the release section (80) is actuated. [7] Conductor terminal according to one of claims 3 to 6, characterized by , that the second locking element (50) is arranged on the release element (8). [8] Conductor terminal according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by, that the conductor terminal (1) has a conductor receiving space (24) for receiving the electrical conductor (9) to be clamped, which is arranged between the clamping spring (4) and the first outer surface of the housing (23). [9] Conductor terminal according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the actuating slide (6) has at least one spring driver (62) by which, when the actuating slide (6) is manually actuated, the clamping leg (43) can be pressed into the open position by means of a pressure force. [10] Conductor terminal according to claim 9, characterized by , that at least one spring driver (61) projects from the handle section (60) in the direction of the clamping leg (43). [11] Conductor terminal according to claim 10, characterized by , that at least two spring drivers (62) arranged apart from each other protrude from the handle section (60). [12] Conductor terminal according to one of claims 9 to 11, characterized by, that the handle section (60) and the at least one spring driver (62) are arranged at an angle to each other and surround an area of ​​the conductor receiving space (24) at an angle on two different sides. [13] Conductor terminal according to one of claims 9 to 12, characterized by , that at least one spring driver (62) is supported against the force acting by the clamping leg (43) on the insulating housing (2) and / or on the busbar (3). [14] Spring clamp connection according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the clamping spring (4) has a support section (41) which is connected to the clamping leg (43) via a spring arc (42), wherein the support section (41) is designed to support the clamping spring (4) on the busbar (3), in particular on a frame part (32) of the busbar.

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