Terminal block for connecting at least one electrical conductor

Abstract

A conductor terminal (1) for connecting at least one electrical conductor (9), comprising a clamping spring (4) designed to clamp the electrical conductor (9) at a clamping point (30), a spring actuating element (5) in the form of a manual operating element designed to actuate the clamping spring (4) from a closed position to an open position, and a locking mechanism designed to releasably lock the clamping spring (4) in the open position, characterized in that the conductor terminal (1) has a further manual operating element (6) in the form of a spring release element, by the manual actuation of which the locking of the clamping spring (4) in the open position effected by the locking mechanism can be released.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a conductor connection terminal for connecting at least one electrical conductor, comprising a clamping spring which is designed to clamp the electrical conductor at a clamping point, a spring actuating element in the form of a manual operating element which is designed to actuate the clamping spring from a closed position to an open position, and a fixing mechanism which is designed to releasably fix the clamping spring in the open position.

[0002] From DE 33 02 372 C2 a screwless terminal is known in which the clamping leg or the back of the clamping spring can be releasably locked to the busbar or a housing projection when the clamping spring is in the tensioned state.

[0003] The invention is based on the object of providing a further developed conductor connection terminal in which the terminal point can be reliably kept open.

[0004] This task is achieved in a conductor terminal of the type mentioned above in that the conductor terminal has a spring release element as an additional manual operating element, the manual actuation of which can be used to release the clamping spring in the open position, which is caused by the fixing mechanism. Advantageously, the conductor terminal thus has both its own spring actuating element for actuating the clamping spring and its own spring release element for releasing the clamping spring, so that no tools are required to operate the conductor terminal, or any necessary use of a tool is at least minimized.

[0005] Advantageously, the clamping spring can also be held in the open position permanently, i.e., over extended periods, by the locking mechanism. For example, the conductor terminal is pre-set during production so that the clamping spring is held in the open position by the locking mechanism, and the conductor terminal is then delivered to the customer. The customer then only needs to actuate the spring release element after inserting the electrical conductor; i.e., they do not first have to move the clamping spring into the open position using the spring actuating element. This is a significant saving in effort and time, particularly for larger wiring projects.

[0006] Advantageously, the locking mechanism reliably holds the clamping spring in the open position, even in the event of vibrations or other shocks during transport. This prevents the clamping spring from accidentally being released in the open position.

[0007] A further advantage of such a design of a conductor connection terminal with an additional manual operating element in the form of a spring release element is that the release of the fixation does not have to be achieved by transmitting force via the electrical conductor to be connected. The electrical conductor can be placed at the clamping point essentially without force, and then the spring release element can be manually operated to move the clamping spring into the closed position and thus clamp the electrical conductor firmly at the clamping point using the clamping spring. This protects the electrical conductor. This prevents splicing, especially with stranded conductors.

[0008] In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the conductor connection terminal can have a housing with at least one conductor insertion opening for inserting the electrical conductor into the housing. The clamping spring and, if applicable, other components of a contact insert, such as a busbar, can then be arranged at least predominantly within the housing.

[0009] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the spring release element can be manually operated independently of the spring actuating element. In this way, the tensioning of the clamping spring, i.e., the transfer from the closed position to the open position, on the one hand, and the return to the closed position, i.e., the release of the locking mechanism, are decoupled from each other. Both manual operating elements can be freely operated by the user.

[0010] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the spring release element is designed as a separate component from the spring actuating element. This allows the decoupling of the two manual operating elements to be further optimized. The two separate manual operating elements enable the user to operate the conductor connection terminal in a simple and intuitive manner. In particular, the spring release element and the spring actuating element can each be optimized separately for their specific application, e.g. with regard to the choice of material, mechanical stability and other design details. In particular, it is also possible to differentiate the spring release element and the spring actuating element from one another using different colors or other distinguishing features, so that the user can distinguish between the two operating elements particularly easily and intuitively.

[0011] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the clamping spring is held in the open position by the spring actuating element. Accordingly, the spring actuating element absorbs at least part of the restoring force or the entire restoring force of the clamping spring. The force absorbed by the spring actuating element can be transmitted, for example, via the locking contour to other parts of the conductor terminal, e.g., the housing. The restoring force of the clamping spring in the open position can be diverted, in particular, to various parts of the conductor terminal.

[0012] For example, the spring actuating element can be mounted flat against the housing with a rear side facing away from the clamping spring, i.e., it can rest there. A front side of the spring actuating element facing the clamping spring can interact directly with the clamping spring, so that in the open position, a section of the spring actuating element is clamped between the clamping spring and the housing area on which the rear side of the spring actuating element rests. If the spring actuating element is designed, for example, as a linearly displaceable push button, the rear side of the spring actuating element resting on the housing area can simultaneously slide along the housing area like a plain bearing when the spring actuating element is displaced, i.e., when pressed.

[0013] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the spring actuating element is configured for releasably locking with a locking contour of the conductor terminal, in particular a locking contour formed on the housing of the conductor terminal, in the open position. Accordingly, a part of the conductor terminal, in particular the housing, can have the aforementioned locking contour. The spring actuating element then has a locking device that interacts with the locking contour, so that the spring actuating element is positively fixed to the locking contour in the locked position.

[0014] In the embodiment described here, the fixing mechanism can be formed at least in part by the locking of the spring actuating element with the locking contour and a pressure section of the spring actuating element which is in operative connection with the clamping spring and by means of which a holding force is transmitted from the spring actuating element to the clamping spring.

[0015] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the locking of the spring actuating element with the locking contour can be released by manually actuating the spring release element. For this purpose, the spring release element can be mechanically operatively connected to the spring actuating element and / or the component on which the locking contour is formed, e.g., via a rocker or other deflection mechanism.

[0016] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the clamping spring is held in the open position by the spring release element. Thus, the clamping spring is held in the open position by a manual operating element of the conductor terminal that is not the spring actuating element or that is not suitable for actuating the clamping spring.

[0017] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, in the open position, a portion of the clamping spring, in particular a clamping leg of the clamping spring, is releasably engaged with the spring release element. Accordingly, the restoring force of the clamping spring is transferred entirely or partially to the spring release element.

[0018] In the described embodiment, the fixing mechanism can be formed at least in part by locking a part of the clamping spring, in particular a clamping leg of the clamping spring, with the spring release element. For example, the clamping spring can have a window-like opening in the form of a recess through which a part of the spring release element engages in the open position, thereby holding the clamping spring in the open position.

[0019] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the locking of the spring release element with the clamping spring can be released by manually actuating the spring release element. For example, the spring release element can be displaced relative to the clamping spring or clamping leg to such an extent that the positive-locking connecting elements, which cause the locking of the part of the clamping spring with the spring release element, are moved away from each other until the positive coupling is released.

[0020] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the spring actuating element is loaded in the open position by the clamping spring with a spring force which, with regard to its direction of action, has at least one component directed toward an initial position of the spring actuating element, which the spring actuating element assumes in the closed position of the clamping spring. Accordingly, the spring actuating element can be automatically moved back to its initial position by the clamping spring once the fixation by the fixing mechanism is released. A manual reset or an additional component that effects the reset is therefore not required.

[0021] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the clamping spring is designed as a cage clamp spring. Such a cage clamp spring ensures reliable clamping of all types of electrical conductors. Furthermore, a cage clamp spring is relatively compact, allowing a large number of electrical conductors to be clamped using several such clamping springs in a comparatively small installation space.

[0022] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the spring actuating element and / or the spring release element are designed as manually operated pushbuttons that are movable in a substantially linear displacement direction. Such pushbuttons are simple to manufacture and inexpensive to produce. A relatively large force can be transmitted with one pushbutton. Furthermore, operation is relatively simple for the user. Such a pushbutton can be operated either directly manually or using an additional tool, for example a screwdriver. In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, both the spring actuating element and the spring release element are designed as respective manually operated pushbuttons, with both pushbuttons being movable in parallel linear displacement directions.

[0023] If the conductor connection terminal is designed for the connection of small-section conductors and / or the transmission of only relatively low currents, the conductor connection terminal can also be designed without a busbar, ie it can not have its own busbar.

[0024] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the conductor connection terminal has a busbar and the clamping spring has a clamping leg, with the clamping point being formed between a clamping edge of the clamping leg and the busbar. Such a busbar can also transmit larger electrical currents. Furthermore, the clamping point can be further optimized, for example, by appropriately shaping the busbar. The busbar can, for example, have a curvature and / or edge in the area of ​​the clamping point.

[0025] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the clamping spring has a contact leg with which the clamping spring is supported on the busbar, and the clamping spring has a back section that connects the contact leg to the clamping leg. The clamping spring can, for example, be loop-shaped. The clamping spring can have a first spring arch in the transition from the contact leg to the back section. The clamping spring can have a second spring arch in the transition from the back section to the clamping leg. When the clamping spring is deflected, e.g. when actuated into the open position, the bending of the clamping spring can occur predominantly in the area of ​​such a spring arch, e.g. in the area of ​​the first spring arch.

[0026] In such a clamping spring, the clamping leg bent from the back section can be arranged at an angle to the busbar and have a recess with a clamping edge. The busbar can extend through this recess with a clamping section. The clamping leg can engage underneath the busbar extending through the recess and clamp an electrical conductor inserted between the clamping edge and the busbar against the busbar.

[0027] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the spring actuating element is configured to actuate the clamping spring in the open position by transmitting force to the back section. This allows for particularly effective actuation of the clamping spring, especially if it is a cage tension spring. The spring actuating element can, for example, be in direct mechanical contact with the back section.

[0028] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the clamping point is arranged on the side of the busbar facing away from the contact leg. With a loop-shaped clamping spring, the clamping point is thus located outside the loop shape.

[0029] For the purposes of the present invention, the indefinite term "a" is not to be understood as a numerical term. Therefore, if, for example, a component is mentioned, this is to be interpreted as "at least one component." Angles expressed in degrees refer to a circle of 360 degrees (360°).

[0030] The invention is explained in more detail below using exemplary embodiments and drawings.

[0031] It shows Fig. 1 a partially reproduced conductor connection terminal in perspective view, Fig. 2 a contact insert of the conductor connection terminal according to Fig. 1 with a spring actuating element and a release element in side view, Fig. 3 the contact insert according to Fig. 2 and a spring actuating element and a spring release element in a further embodiment in side view, Fig. 4 a detailed view of the Fig. 3 mechanism shown, Fig. 5 a cage tension spring in perspective view, Fig. 6 one with the cage clamp spring according to Fig. 5 formed contact insert in side sectional view.

[0032] The Fig. 1 shows a conductor terminal 1 with a housing 2, e.g., an insulating housing. The housing 2 has a conductor insertion opening 20 for inserting an electrical conductor to be clamped into the conductor terminal 1. Furthermore, the conductor terminal 1 has a spring actuating element 5 in the form of a manual operating element, which is designed to actuate a clamping spring of the conductor terminal 1 from a closed position to an open position. The conductor terminal 1 also has a separate, further manual operating element in the form of a spring release element 6, the manual actuation of which can release the clamping spring from the open position.

[0033] The Fig. Figure 2 shows a contact insert of the conductor terminal 1 arranged in the housing 2, which has a busbar 3 and a clamping spring 4. The clamping spring 4, which is designed as a cage clamp, is described below with reference to Fig. 5 and Fig. 6. It is essential that the clamping spring 4 has a back portion 40 and a clamping leg 43 for clamping an electrical conductor 9 at a clamping point 30. The clamping leg 43 presses the electrical conductor 9 against the busbar 3 and thus clamps it.

[0034] The clamping spring 4 is in a closed position when it is not subjected to force by the spring actuating element 5. If the spring actuating element 5 is subjected to a compressive force by manual actuation, e.g. manual actuation on a manual actuating section 50 of the spring actuating element 5, then the spring actuating element 5 is moved in an actuating direction B essentially in a linear direction in the housing 2. In this case, a pressure section 51 of the spring actuating element 5 comes into contact with the back section 40 of the clamping spring 4 and in this way presses the back section 40 and thus the clamping leg 43 into an open position. The clamping leg 43 is thus shown in the illustration of the Fig. 2 is shifted slightly to the right. The spring actuating element 5 is clamped with its pressure section 51 between the back section 40 of the clamping spring 4 and a contact surface 21 on the housing 2. In other words, the spring actuating element 5 rests with its rear side on the contact surface 21.

[0035] In the open position, the clamping point 30 is open, i.e., the clamping spring 4 is actuated in such a way that it does not clamp the electrical conductor 9 to the clamping point 30. In the closed position, the clamping point 30 is closed. In this state, the electrical conductor 9 can be clamped to the clamping point 30 by means of the clamping spring 4.

[0036] By moving the clamping leg 43 into the open position, it engages with a Fig. 5 visible recess 44 on a fixing section 61 of the spring release element 6. In this way, the clamping leg 43 is fixed to the spring release element 6 in the open position.

[0037] To release this fixation of the clamping leg 43, the spring release element 6 can be displaced in a release direction L, e.g., by manually applying pressure to an application section 60 of the spring release element 6, e.g., against the force of a return spring 7 provided by the conductor connection terminal 1. After sufficient displacement of the spring release element 6 in the release direction L, the clamping leg 43 detaches from the fixing section 61 and is then brought into the closed position by the spring force of the clamping spring 4. The spring release element 6 can be moved back to its original position by the return spring 7. The spring actuating element 5 can be moved back to its original position via the back section 40 by the return force of the clamping spring 4.

[0038] The Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 show an embodiment of the conductor connection terminal 1, in which the spring actuating element 5 is designed essentially in a similar manner to that in the embodiment of Fig. 2. In contrast to Fig. 2, the spring release element 5 in this case has a locking device 52, e.g., in the form of two locking hooks, which can lock with a locking edge 23 of a fixing element 22 upon corresponding displacement of the spring actuating element 5 in the actuating direction B. The fixing element 22 can, e.g., be formed as part of the housing 2. The locking of the spring actuating element 5 with the fixing device 22 occurs in the open position of the clamping spring 4, e.g., when the back section 40 and thus the clamping leg 43 are displaced into the open position by the pressure section 51.

[0039] The release element 6 is again used to release this fixation. If the release element 6 is moved in the release direction L, e.g. by applying pressure to the actuating section 60, it can displace the fixing element 22 and / or the locking device 52 accordingly via a rocker 8 or a comparable deflection mechanism and in this way cancel the locking of the fixing element 22 with the locking device 52 of the spring actuating element 5. The spring actuating element 5 is then displaced back into the starting position counter to the actuating direction B by the restoring force of the clamping spring 4, which is transmitted via the back section 40 to the pressure section 51, whereby the clamping spring 4 moves into the closed position.

[0040] The Fig. Figure 5 shows a clamping spring 4 in the embodiment as a cage tension spring. The clamping spring 4 has a contact leg 41, with which the clamping spring 4 is supported on the busbar 3. The contact leg 41 merges via a first spring arch 42 into the already mentioned back section 40. The back section 40 merges via a second spring arch 45 into the clamping leg 43. In the clamping leg 43, there is a window-like recess 44, which Fig. 6 has a clamping edge 46 for clamping the electrical conductor 9. In the Fig. 5 shows that the contact leg can extend with a free end section through this recess 44, but this is not absolutely necessary.

[0041] As the Fig.6 shows, the clamping spring 4 is supported with the contact leg 41 on the busbar 3, i.e. the contact leg 41 lies predominantly flat on an upper side of the busbar 3. The clamping spring 4 then extends essentially in a loop shape, starting from the contact leg 41 over the back section 40 back to the contact leg 41 and then ends below the contact leg 41 and the busbar 3, i.e. on the underside of the busbar 3 facing away from the contact leg 41. As can be seen, the clamping of the electrical conductor 9 also takes place on this underside of the busbar 3, namely by a tensile force exerted by the clamping leg 43 via the clamping edge 46, by means of which the electrical conductor 9 is pressed against the clamping point 30. List of reference symbols 1 conductor connection terminal 2 housings 3 busbar 4 clamping spring 5 Spring actuating element 6 Spring release element 7 Return spring 8 Seesaw 9 electrical conductor 20 conductor entry opening 21 contact surface 22 Fixing element 23 locking edge 30 terminal point 40 back section 41 investment legs 42 first spring arch 43 clamping legs 44 window-like recess 45 second spring arch 46 clamping edge 50 operating section 51 Print section 52 locking device 60 loading section 61 Fixing section B Actuating direction L Release direction QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

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

[0000] DE 33 02 372 C2

[0002]

Claims

[1] Conductor connection terminal (1) for connecting at least one electrical conductor (9), with a clamping spring (4) which is designed to clamp the electrical conductor (9) at a clamping point (30), with a spring actuating element (5) in the form of a manual operating element which is designed to actuate the clamping spring (4) from a closed position to an open position, and with a fixing mechanism which is designed to releasably fix the clamping spring (4) in the open position, characterized by that the conductor connection terminal (1) has a spring release element as a further manual operating element (6), by the manual actuation of which the fixing of the clamping spring (4) in the open position caused by the fixing mechanism can be cancelled. [2] Conductor terminal according to claim 1, characterized by that the spring release element (6) can be manually actuated independently of the spring actuating element (5). [3] Conductor terminal according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the spring release element (6) is designed as a component separate from the spring actuating element (5). [4] Conductor terminal according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the spring actuating element (5) is designed for releasably locking with a locking contour (23) of the conductor connection terminal (1), in particular a locking contour (23) formed on the housing (2) of the conductor connection terminal (1), in the open position. [5] Conductor connection terminal according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the clamping spring (4) is held in the open position by the spring actuating element (5). [6] Conductor connection terminal according to claim 5, characterized by that the locking of the spring actuating element (5) with the locking contour (23) can be released by manual actuation of the spring release element (6). [7] Conductor connection terminal according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the clamping spring (4) is held in the open position by the spring release element (6). [8] Conductor terminal according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that in the open position a part of the clamping spring (4), in particular a clamping leg (43) of the clamping spring (4), is releasably locked to the spring release element (6). [9] Conductor connection terminal according to claim 8, characterized by that the locking of the spring release element (6) with the clamping spring (4) can be released by manual actuation of the spring release element (6). [10] Conductor terminal according to one of the preceding claims, characterized byin that the spring actuating element (5) is loaded in the open position by the clamping spring (4) with a spring force which, with regard to its direction of force action, has at least one component directed in the direction of an initial position of the spring actuating element (5), which the spring actuating element (5) assumes in the closed position. [11] Conductor terminal according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the clamping spring (4) is designed as a cage tension spring. [12] Conductor terminal according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the spring actuating element (5) and / or the spring release element (6) is designed as a manually operated push button which is movable in a substantially linear displacement direction. [13] Conductor terminal according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the conductor connection terminal (1) has a busbar (3) and the clamping spring (4) has a clamping leg (43), wherein the clamping point (30) is formed between a clamping edge (46) of the clamping leg (43) and the busbar (3). [14] Conductor terminal according to claim 13, characterized by that the clamping spring (4) has a contact leg (41) with which the clamping spring (4) is supported on the busbar (3), and the clamping spring (4) has a back section (40) which connects the contact leg (41) to the clamping leg (43). [15] Conductor terminal according to claim 14, characterized by that the spring actuating element (5) is designed to actuate the clamping spring (4) in the open position by transmitting force to the back section (40). [16] Conductor terminal according to one of claims 14 to 15, characterized by that the clamping point (30) is arranged on the side of the busbar (3) facing away from the contact leg (41).

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