Battery terminal clamp and device with one battery terminal and one battery terminal clamp

Abstract

Battery terminal (1) for connecting an electrical line to a battery terminal (7) of a battery, wherein the battery terminal (1) has the following features: a) at least one line connection device (2) for connecting the electrical line, b) at least one clamping sleeve (3) electrically connected to the line connection device (2), which has at least two clamping jaws separated from each other by a free space, c) at least one pivotable actuating lever (4), d) at least one wedge-shaped expansion body (5) and / or one pressure body (6) formed with a V-shaped groove, e) wherein by pivoting the actuating lever (4) the expanding body (5) can be moved in the free space between the clamping jaws and thereby the clamping jaws can be expanded and / or by pivoting the actuating lever (4) the clamping jaws can be gripped and compressed from the outside by the pressure body (6).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a battery terminal for connecting an electrical line to a battery terminal. The invention also relates to a device comprising a battery terminal and such a battery terminal.

[0002] A battery connection terminal is known, for example, from EP 1 852 942 B1 or FR 2 881 582 A1.

[0003] The invention is based on the object of providing an improved battery terminal and a device formed thereby.

[0004] This task is solved with a battery terminal for connecting an electrical cable to a battery terminal of a battery, whereby the battery terminal has the following features: a) at least one line connection device for connecting the electrical line, b) at least one clamping sleeve electrically connected to the cable connection device, which has at least two clamping jaws separated from each other by a free space, c) at least one pivotable operating lever, d) at least one wedge-shaped expanding body and / or a pressure body formed with a V-shaped groove, e) whereby by pivoting the actuating lever the expanding body can be moved in the free space between the clamping jaws and thereby the clamping jaws can be expanded and / or by pivoting the actuating lever the clamping jaws can be gripped and pressed together from the outside by the pressure body.

[0005] Such a battery terminal can be advantageously placed on the battery terminal without great effort. Such an operating lever enables simple and tactile operation of the battery terminal by the user. By pivoting the operating lever, the battery terminal can be secured to the battery terminal in an ergonomic, effortless manner using its clamping sleeve, whereby the clamping jaws are clamped onto the battery terminal under pre-tension. By only generating the contact force to the battery terminal once the battery terminal is in place, wear on the contact surfaces during the installation process can be avoided. Accordingly, cost-intensive coating of the contact surfaces on the battery terminal and / or the battery terminal, e.g. with a precious metal, is not required.In addition, higher contact forces can be achieved, so that the positioning of the battery terminal on the battery terminal can be ensured by friction alone. This eliminates the need for additional anti-twist protection and / or locking to the battery terminal.

[0006] Overall, the battery terminal according to the invention is characterized by simple, intuitive handling for the user and a simple structural design, which in turn enables cost-effective production.

[0007] The free space between the clamping jaws can be designed, for example, as a slot. The clamping jaws can have an inner contour facing the battery terminal, which is adapted to the outer contour of the battery terminal, e.g., in the case of a cylindrical battery terminal, a circular-segment-shaped inner cross-sectional contour. The clamping sleeve can be designed to accommodate a battery terminal with a predefined diameter, which can be specified, for example, in a specification for the battery terminal.

[0008] Depending on the design of the battery terminal with the expander or the pressure body, the clamping jaws can, in the relaxed state, be spaced closer to each other than the predefined diameter of the battery terminal, the same distance apart, or further apart in a section designed to accommodate the battery terminal. The expander allows the clamping jaws to be elastically expanded, i.e., their distance from each other is increased. If the expander is returned to a neutral position, the clamping jaws spring towards each other and clamp the battery terminal between them using their intrinsic clamping force. To increase the clamping force, an overspring can be attached to the arrangement in order to increase the contact force with the battery terminal. The pressure body allows the clamping jaws to be pressed together in order to clamp them onto the battery terminal, i.e., their distance from each other is reduced. The pressure body, for example, hasa groove that is tapered conically. Preferably, the groove is V-shaped, at least in sections.

[0009] The cable connection device is used to connect the electrical cable, e.g., a battery cable, to the battery terminal. The cable connection device can be designed as a crimp sleeve, spring-cage terminal, or screw terminal.

[0010] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the battery terminal has an insulating housing that electrically insulates the cable connection device and the clamping sleeve. This reduces the risk of short circuits in the battery. This protects both the battery and the battery terminal. Furthermore, the operator is protected from contact.

[0011] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the actuating lever is pivotably mounted in the insulating housing via at least one bearing element. As a result, the actuating lever is largely located within the housing and is accordingly protected from damage by the insulating housing. The actuating mechanism, ie, the expansion body and / or the pressure body, can also be located in the insulating housing.

[0012] The actuating lever can, in particular, be pivotable about a pivot axis. The pivot axis can, for example, be defined by the at least one bearing element. The wedge-shaped expansion body can be mounted rotatably, for example, about the pivot axis. The pressure body can be mounted rotatably, for example, about the pivot axis. It is also possible for the wedge-shaped expansion body and / or the pressure body to be mounted displaceably, for example, linearly displaceable.

[0013] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the operating lever has an actuating arm for manual operation, which protrudes from the insulating housing. This allows for easy operation of the battery terminal. Furthermore, the actuating arm can signal whether the battery terminal is already clamped to the battery terminal with its clamping sleeve.

[0014] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the clamping jaws are elastically resilient, so that after expanding or compressing caused by actuating the actuating lever, they spring back again after the actuating lever is returned. However, such elastically resilient functionality of the clamping jaws is not absolutely necessary. For example, when using the pressure element, the required contact force can be generated solely by the pressure element, even without any spring action of the clamping jaws.

[0015] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the clamping sleeve is designed to accommodate a cylindrical battery terminal. Accordingly, the inner sides of sections of the clamping jaws designed to accommodate the battery terminal can have a complementary shape, e.g., a circular cross-sectional contour.

[0016] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the expansion body is arranged on the actuating lever or formed integrally therewith, and / or the pressure body is arranged on the actuating lever or formed integrally therewith. This enables the provision of a battery terminal with few components, making assembly particularly simple. Furthermore, manufacturing costs can be minimized. For example, the actuating lever with the expansion body and / or the pressure body can be manufactured as a metal component or as a plastic component, e.g., in an injection molding process.

[0017] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the battery terminal has a transmission element that can be moved by means of the actuating lever and is formed as a separate component from the actuating lever. The expansion body is arranged on the transmission element or is formed integrally therewith, and / or the pressure body is arranged on the transmission element or is formed integrally therewith. Such a construction can be particularly advantageously realized with a pressure body that is formed separately from the actuating lever and is arranged on the transmission element or is formed integrally therewith.

[0018] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the clamping sleeve is formed from a plurality of lamellae stacked together, each of which has its own separately resiliently deflectable clamping legs. The clamping jaws of the clamping sleeve are formed by the clamping legs of several or all of the lamellae. This further improves the electrical contact of the battery terminal. Furthermore, the axial pull-off protection for the battery terminal, as explained below, can be easily implemented.

[0019] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the clamping sleeve is designed to accommodate a battery terminal with a predefined diameter, wherein the clamping legs of at least one lamella, in the relaxed state, have a smaller inner diameter from one another in a section designed to accommodate the battery terminal than the predefined diameter of the battery terminal. Accordingly, the clamping legs of such a lamella rest against the outside of the battery terminal under a certain prestress when the battery terminal is connected to the battery terminal.

[0020] The aforementioned object is also achieved by a device comprising a battery terminal and a battery terminal of the type described above, wherein the battery terminal engages around the battery terminal with its clamping sleeve and is clamped to the battery terminal by means of the clamping jaws. This also allows the previously described advantages to be realized.

[0021] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the battery terminal has at least one radially circumferential groove, wherein at least one radially inner projection of the clamping sleeve, in particular at least one clamping leg of at least one lamina of the clamping sleeve, engages in the radially circumferential groove. In this way, an axial pull-off protection for the battery connection terminal can be implemented particularly simply and efficiently. Because the projection of the clamping sleeve engages in the radially circumferential groove of the battery terminal, the battery connection terminal cannot easily be pulled off the battery terminal in the axial direction. The battery connection terminal is thus additionally fixed to the battery terminal by a positive fit. In the design of the clamping sleeve with several stacked laminas, for example, one of the laminas, e.g. the lamina closest to the free end of the battery terminal, can engage with its clamping legs in the radially circumferential groove.

[0022] The battery terminal according to the invention is also generally suitable as a terminal for other applications, e.g., as a bolt terminal. Instead of the operating lever, the terminal can also have a sliding element for actuation.

[0023] 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°).

[0024] The invention is explained in more detail below using exemplary embodiments and drawings.

[0025] It shows Fig. 1 to 6 a first embodiment of the invention Fig. 7 to 10 a second embodiment of the invention, Fig. 11 to 12 a third embodiment of the invention.

[0026] In the first embodiment of the invention according to the Fig. 1 to 6, a battery terminal with a wedge-shaped expansion body is described. Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 show various perspective views of a battery terminal 1 with opened insulating housing 8, the Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 perspective views of the battery terminal 1 without the insulating housing 8 and the Fig. 5 and Fig. 6 Side views of the battery terminal 1 without the insulating housing 8. Fig. 3 and Fig. 4, a battery pole 7 is additionally shown, so that these figures also show a device with a battery pole 7 of a battery and a battery connection terminal 1.

[0027] In the first exemplary embodiment, the battery connection terminal 1 has the aforementioned insulating housing 8, a line connection device 2 for connecting an electrical line, a clamping sleeve 3 connected to the line connection device 2, a pivotably mounted actuating lever 4, and a wedge-like expanding body 5. The wedge-like expanding body 5 is connected to the actuating lever 4 or formed integrally therewith. The actuating lever 4 has at least one bearing element 9, via which it is pivotally mounted, e.g., in the insulating housing 8 and by one or two laterally projecting axle stubs. The actuating lever 4, together with the bearing element 9 and the expanding body 5, as well as the clamping sleeve 3, are located at least predominantly within the insulating housing 8. The line connection device 2 protrudes from the insulating housing 8.The operating lever 4 protrudes from the insulating housing 8 with a manual operating arm 10, which is designed for operation by the user. An insertion opening 12 for inserting the battery terminal 7 is provided on the insulating housing 8.

[0028] As can be seen, the clamping sleeve 3 has two opposing clamping jaws 32, between which a free space 33 is formed. The wedge-like expanding body 5 projects into this free space 33 and, upon corresponding pivoting of the actuating lever 4, can widen the clamping jaws 32 due to its wedge shape, ie push them apart, so that the free space 33 is enlarged and thus the battery terminal 7 can be inserted more easily into the space formed between the clamping jaws 32. Fig. 3 and Fig. 5 shows that the actuating lever 4 is pivoted in such a way that the clamping jaws 32 are widened by the wedge-like expanding body 5, so that the battery pole 7 can be inserted into the space between the clamping jaws 32 without any effort.

[0029] The Fig. 4 and Fig. 6 show the actuating lever 4 in a pivoted position in which the clamping jaws 32 are no longer expanded by the expanding body 5. The expanding body 5 is now loosely arranged in the free space 33, i.e., there is some play between the expanding body 5 and the adjacent areas of the clamping jaws 32. The clamping jaws 32 are now spring-loaded toward each other again due to their elasticity and grip the battery terminal 7 in a clamping manner due to their spring preload.

[0030] It can also be seen that the clamping sleeve 3 with its clamping jaws 32 can be formed from a plurality of lamellae 31 stacked into a stack, in this case two lamellae 31, wherein the lamellae 31 each have their own separately resiliently deflectable clamping legs, which form the clamping jaws 32. However, it is also possible to form the clamping jaws 32 not in multiple layers, but from a single piece of material extending in the axial direction of the battery terminal.

[0031] Based on the Fig. Figures 7 to 10 describe the second embodiment, which is characterized by a design of the battery terminal with a pressure body 6. Instead of the wedge-shaped expansion body 5, the pressure body 6 is provided, which has a V-shaped groove 60 through which the clamping jaws 32 can be gripped from the outside and pressed together. This reduces the size of the free space 33 between the clamping jaws 32.

[0032] The Fig. 7 to 10 show the battery terminal 1 in different perspective views, whereby this embodiment of the battery terminal 1 can also have an insulating housing 8, which is not shown in the drawings.

[0033] It can be seen that the pressure body 6 is designed as part of a transmission element 11, which is designed as a separate component from the actuating lever 4. The transmission element 11 can be displaced relative to the clamping jaws 32 via the actuating lever 4, as can be seen in particular from a comparison of the Fig. 7 and Fig. 8 shows. In the Fig. 7, the transmission element 11 with the pressure body 6 is not yet pushed over the clamping jaws 32, in the Fig. 8, the pressure body 6 with the transmission element 11 is pushed over the clamping jaws 32. Due to the smaller internal distance between the arms of the pressure body 6 resulting from the V-shaped groove 60, the clamping jaws 32 are moved toward each other, thus reducing the free space 33. In this state, the battery terminal 1 can be clamped to the battery terminal 7.

[0034] A design with a separate transmission element 11 is also conceivable for the embodiment with the wedge-shaped expansion body. It is also possible to dispense with a separate transmission element 11 in the embodiment with the pressure body 6. For example, the pressure body 6 can be formed integrally with the actuating lever 4.

[0035] The battery terminal 1 can also have both actuating elements, ie, the wedge-like expansion body 5 and the pressure body 6. In this case, the advantages of both embodiments can be combined.

[0036] The Fig. 11 shows, by way of example, a battery terminal 7, which may be cylindrical or at least have a cylindrical connection section 70. In the cylindrical connection section 70, the battery terminal 7 has a radially circumferential groove 71.

[0037] The Fig. 12 shows the connection of a battery terminal 1 to the Fig. 11 shown battery terminal 7. In the illustrated embodiment of the Fig.12, the clamping sleeve 3 has a plurality of individual lamellae 31 stacked into a stack, each of which has its own separately resiliently deflectable clamping legs that form the clamping jaws 32 of the clamping sleeve 3. The last lamella 31 directed towards the free end of the connection section 70 engages with its clamping legs in the groove 71 and thus fixes the battery connection terminal 1 in the axial direction to the battery pole 7 by means of a positive fit. It is also conceivable that any other of the lamellae 31 or even all of the lamellae 31 of the stack of stacked lamellae 31 engage in the groove 71. The battery connection terminal 1 cannot therefore be easily pulled off the battery pole 7 in the axial direction, but can be rotated relative to the battery pole 7. List of reference symbols 1 battery terminal 2 cable connection device 3 clamping sleeve 4 operating levers 5 expanders 6 pressure bodies 7 Battery terminal 8 Insulated housing 9 Bearing element 10 Actuating arm 11 Transmission element 12 insertion opening 31 slats 32 clamping jaw 33 open space 60 V-shaped groove 70 connecting section 71 radial circumferential groove 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] EP 1 852 942 B1

[0002] FR 2 881 582 A1

[0002]

Claims

[1] Battery terminal (1) for connecting an electrical cable to a battery terminal (7) of a battery, the battery terminal (1) having the following features: a) at least one line connection device (2) for connecting the electrical line, b) at least one clamping sleeve (3) electrically connected to the line connection device (2) and having at least two clamping jaws separated from each other by a free space, c) at least one pivotable operating lever (4), d) at least one wedge-like expanding body (5) and / or a pressure body (6) formed with a V-shaped groove, e) wherein by pivoting the actuating lever (4) the expanding body (5) can be moved in the free space between the clamping jaws and the clamping jaws can thereby be expanded and / or by pivoting the actuating lever (4) the clamping jaws can be gripped and pressed together from the outside by the pressure body (6). [2] Battery terminal according to claim 1, characterized by that the battery connection terminal (1) has an insulating housing (8) which surrounds the cable connection device (2) and the clamping sleeve (3) in an electrically insulating manner. [3] Battery terminal according to claim 2, characterized by that the actuating lever (4) is pivotally mounted in the insulating housing (8) via at least one bearing element (9). [4] Battery terminal according to one of claims 2 to 3, characterized by that the operating lever (4) has an operating arm (10) for manual operation, which protrudes from the insulating housing (8). [5] Battery terminal according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the clamping jaws are elastically springy, so that after an expansion or compression caused by actuation of the actuating lever (4) they spring back again after the actuating lever (4) has been returned. [6] Battery terminal according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the clamping sleeve (3) is designed to receive a cylindrical battery pole (7). [7] Battery terminal according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the expanding body (5) is arranged on the actuating lever (4) or formed integrally therewith and / or the pressure body (6) is arranged on the actuating lever (4) or formed integrally therewith. [8] Battery terminal according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the battery connection terminal (1) has a transmission element (11) which is movable by means of the actuating lever (4) and which is designed as a separate component from the actuating lever (4), wherein the expanding body (5) is arranged on the transmission element (11) or is formed integrally therewith and / or the pressure body (6) is arranged on the transmission element (11) or is formed integrally therewith. [9] Battery terminal according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the clamping sleeve (3) is formed from a plurality of lamellae stacked to form a stack, each of which has its own separately resiliently deflectable clamping legs, wherein the clamping jaws of the clamping sleeve (3) are formed by the clamping legs of several or all of the lamellae. [10] Battery terminal according to claim 9, characterized byin that the clamping sleeve (3) is designed to receive a battery pole (7) with a predefined diameter, wherein the clamping legs of at least one lamella in the relaxed state have a smaller inner diameter from one another in a section designed to receive the battery pole (7) than the predefined diameter of the battery pole (7). [11] Device with a battery pole (7) of a battery and a battery terminal (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the battery terminal (1) with its clamping sleeve (3) engages around the battery pole (7) and is clamped to the battery pole (7) by means of the clamping jaws. [12] Device according to claim 11, characterized bythat the battery pole (7) has at least one radially circumferential groove, wherein at least one radially inner projection of the clamping sleeve (3), in particular at least one clamping leg of at least one lamella of the clamping sleeve (3), engages in the radially circumferential groove.

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