Terminal block module and the terminal block arrangement formed therewith

Abstract

Terminal module (10) for constructing a terminal arrangement from several such terminal modules (10, 10', 10'') arranged side by side in a series direction (24), comprising - at least one first, one second and one third galvanically isolated terminal block (12, 14, 16) for connecting electrical conductors (40, 42, 54, 56, 58), - wherein the first terminal (12) is a single or double terminal for connecting one conductor (40, 42, 54, 56, 58) or two conductors (40, 42, 54, 56, 58), - wherein the second and third terminal blocks (14, 16) are double terminal blocks for connecting two conductors each (40, 42, 54, 56, 58), - wherein the first, second and third terminal blocks (12, 14, 16) are arranged next to each other in a stacking direction (22) perpendicular to the stacking direction (24), and - wherein the first and third terminal blocks (12, 16) are each provided with contact points (76, 78) for galvanic connection of the respective terminal block (12, 16) with a corresponding terminal block (12, 16) of a terminal block module (10', 10'') adjacent in the direction of assembly (24) in the intended assembly state of the terminal block arrangement.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a terminal module and a terminal arrangement formed from several such modules.

[0002] Terminal modules for constructing a terminal arrangement from several such terminal modules arranged side by side in a series direction have long been known, for example, from DE 44 02 002 A1. They are generally used to easily connect several components, which, regardless of their electrical function, simply represent consumers, in parallel. For this purpose, DE 44 02 002 A1 proposes terminal modules in which several galvanically isolated individual terminals for connecting a conductor are arranged side by side. Each individual terminal can be connected to a corresponding individual terminal of an adjacent terminal module via lateral contacts.

[0003] It should be noted that the term "conductor" here refers to all types of wires and strands used to electrically connect a wide variety of components. The term "single terminal" refers to connection elements equipped with a receptacle for connecting a single conductor. Of course, such a single terminal can also accommodate multiple conductors, for example, twisted together, even though the terminal is not actually designed for this purpose. Single terminals also have at least one contact point, such as the lateral contacts shown in the aforementioned DE 44 02 002 A1, to electrically connect the conductor to other parts of a circuit.

[0004] The term "double terminal" refers to connection elements that have two receptacles, each for a single conductor. The two receptacles are electrically connected, typically via a conductor rail, so that the conductors inserted into them are also electrically connected. Here, too, it is of course possible to insert several conductors, for example twisted together, into one receptacle. However, this does not correspond to the intended use, since connection terminals of the type in question here are intended to enable particularly quick and easy connection of different conductors, with it being clear to the expert which conductors are connected to each other.

[0005] Double terminals are known, for example from DE 10 2020 120 151 A1, which shows a double terminal with so-called "non-openable" clamping springs, into which conductors are simply inserted and then held securely in the connection terminal without any further action, and DE 10 2014 119 421 A1, which shows a double terminal with two clamping springs that can be opened by actuating a lever, so that conductors inserted into the terminal can be easily removed again by actuating the respective lever.

[0006] It should also be noted that when we talk about "galvanically isolated terminals," we mean that several such terminals are insulated from each other, unless connected by conductors. Accordingly, "galvanically connected" means that an electrically conductive connection is established.

[0007] Although the terminal blocks and terminal modules known from the aforementioned publications have proven themselves in practice for their respective applications, there are installation situations that cannot yet be optimally solved with the known terminal modules. For example, when setting up certain control circuits, such as a circuit for controlling underfloor heating, there is a desire to connect various thermostats powered by a common power supply to the actuators of corresponding valves in a very compact, yet clear, and quick-to-use manner. The thermostats and actuators are connected to common ground, but the actuators are supplied with power via the individual thermostats.While such wiring can be constructed using appropriate double terminals, this typically results in a very confusing tangle of cables, making it difficult to identify which thermostat is connected to which actuator. Furthermore, constructing such a circuit with many individual double terminals requires assembly time, which leads to increased costs. Similar problems also exist with other circuit tasks, particularly in the area of ​​building installations, such as the installation of ventilation systems.

[0008] The invention is based on the object of specifying an improved terminal module and a terminal arrangement formed therewith, which make it possible in a particularly simple and rapid manner, for example, to realize a circuit in which various components are connected in parallel and are jointly supplied with current, while the individual components control different other components and all components are connected to ground together, so that a particularly compact, but at the same time clear circuit is obtained.

[0009] The object is achieved by a terminal module having the features of claim 1 or a terminal arrangement having the features of claim 27. Advantageous embodiments and further developments of the invention are the subject of the respective subclaims.

[0010] A connection terminal module according to the invention for constructing a connection terminal arrangement from a plurality of such connection terminal modules arranged next to one another in a row direction comprises at least a first, a second and a third connection terminal which are galvanically isolated from one another for connecting electrical conductors, wherein the first connection terminal is a single or double terminal for connecting a conductor ortwo conductors, wherein the second and the third connection terminal are double terminals for connecting two conductors each, wherein the first, second and third connection terminal are arranged next to one another in a stacking direction running transversely to the row direction, and wherein the first and third connection terminal are each provided with contact points for the galvanic connection of the respective connection terminal to a corresponding connection terminal of a connection terminal module which is adjacent in the row direction in the intended assembly state of the connection terminal arrangement.

[0011] It should be noted that the term "side by side" refers to the spatial relative relationship between two or more connection terminal modules and does not mean a purely horizontal juxtaposition in the sense of left and right. Depending on the positioning of the connection terminal arrangement in the room, individual connection terminal modules of such a connection terminal arrangement can actually be arranged next to each other on the left and right, and the connection terminals in a connection terminal module can be arranged one above the other. This will typically be the case if the connection terminal arrangement is provided on or in the floor of a building. The connection terminal arrangement formed from the connection terminal modules can, however, also be attached to a wall in such a way that the so-calledThe alignment direction, in which the modules are arranged next to one another, runs horizontally for an observer and the connection terminal modules form a row of modules arranged next to one another to the left and right for the observer, the so-called stacking direction, in which the connection terminals of a connection terminal module are arranged, but also runs horizontally, so that the connection terminals are not arranged one above the other but one behind the other for the observer.

[0012] The invention enables a very compact connection terminal module with which switching tasks such as those mentioned above in the field of building installation can be solved in a simple, quick and clear manner.

[0013] A very special advantage of the invention is its "scalability", i.e., depending on requirements, almost any number of terminal modules (ultimately limited by the available space in the direction of arranging and the electrical power to be conducted, in particular current intensity) can be lined up one after the other and electrically coupled to one another in the desired manner, so that even large circuits, e.g. control circuits with a large number of thermostats and servo motors, can be advantageously implemented in such a way that there is exactly the required number of terminal modules, which saves costs and resources.

[0014] The first terminal can be a single terminal. Since for many circuit tasks, as explained in more detail below in connection with the description of exemplary embodiments, only one conductor needs to be connected to the first terminal, this design not only saves material, but also allows the terminal module to be constructed more compactly. The resulting space can be used, for example, to arrange levers or pushbuttons on the module for opening clamp springs and / or connection points for jumper elements or test elements for test devices, such as voltmeters.

[0015] The second terminal can be arranged between the first terminal and the third terminal. Since the first and third terminals are each provided with contact points for galvanically connecting the respective terminal to a corresponding terminal of a terminal module that is adjacent in the row direction when the terminal arrangement is properly assembled, this configuration allows the distance between the contact points of the first and third terminals to be increased. This not only has advantages for wiring but can also lead to a particularly stable design if the contact points are designed as side contacts, as explained below.

[0016] The second connection terminal can be provided with a connection point for a jumper element or test element. As explained below, for certain circuit tasks it can be advantageous to also electrically connect the conductors connected to two or more adjacent second connection terminals and / or to test whether current flows through the second connection terminal during operation. In particular, if the first connection terminal is a single terminal, it can be designed such that it is shorter than the second connection terminal in a longitudinal direction running transversely to both the stacking direction and the array direction. This then advantageously makes it possible to provide the connection point for a jumper or test contact in an area of ​​the second connection terminal that is not concealed by the first connection terminal in a plan view of the connection terminal module along the stacking direction, which ensures a compact design of the module.

[0017] The contact points can be designed to accommodate a jumper element for the galvanic connection between adjacent first terminals, and / or the contact points for the galvanic connection between adjacent third terminals. The term "jumper" refers here to an electrically conductive element that can be pressed into the corresponding contact points, for example, and then electrically connects terminals of adjacent terminal modules, such as a cross jumper.

[0018] The contact points for the galvanic connection between adjacent first terminals and / or the contact points for the galvanic connection between adjacent third terminals, preferably both contact points, can have side contacts on at least one side of the terminal module in the intended assembly state, facing the adjacent terminal module in the alignment direction. This has several advantages. Thus, when several terminal modules are aligned in series, the desired electrical connections between adjacent terminals are established directly, without the need to attach additional conductive elements.

[0019] If side contacts are provided, in a further preferred embodiment, certain terminal modules can be designed to be arranged as "middle modules" between two further terminal modules in a terminal arrangement, for which purpose they are provided with side contacts on two opposite sides, while other terminal modules can be designed to function as "terminal modules" in such a terminal arrangement, for which purpose they are provided with side contacts on only one side.

[0020] The side contacts can advantageously be designed such that they are at least partially complementary to the side contacts of an adjacent module in the intended assembly state. For this purpose, they can be designed, for example, as so-called knife-and-fork contacts or push-button contacts.

[0021] Advantageously, the side contacts can be designed as dual-function elements to establish, in the intended assembly state of two terminal modules arranged side by side in the array direction, not only a galvanic connection between adjacent first terminals and a galvanic connection between adjacent third terminals, but also a positive and / or non-positive connection between the adjacent terminal modules. The terminal modules can then be easily arrayed side by side without the need for tools, possibly eliminating the need for additional connecting elements such as locking lugs.

[0022] The side contacts can each be formed integrally with a conductor rail provided in the respective terminal. This advantageously allows for the elimination of separate components and the direct shaping of the conductor rails, for example, by punching them out, so that the side contacts can be easily formed by bending the punched conductor rail.

[0023] The terminal module may have means, in particular locking means, for connecting the terminal module to a mounting rail.

[0024] Each double terminal block can have two conductor receiving openings arranged on opposite sides of the double terminal block for connecting two conductors, into which electrical conductors can be inserted in essentially parallel insertion directions. Theoretically, the conductor receiving openings of a double terminal block can also be located next to each other on the same side, but such a design would widen the double terminal block and, if many double terminal blocks are to be equipped with conductors, would also make the wiring confusing.

[0025] If the conductor receiving openings are arranged on opposite sides of the double terminals and the first connection terminal is a single terminal, this can have a conductor receiving opening for connecting a conductor, into which the conductor can be inserted in an insertion direction substantially parallel to the aforementioned insertion directions. In this case, it can preferably be provided that the conductor receiving opening of the first connection terminal and one of the conductor receiving openings of each double terminal are arranged on one side of the connection terminal module, and the other conductor receiving opening of each double terminal is arranged on the opposite side of the connection terminal module. All conductors are then uniformly connected to the connection terminal module from only two opposite sides, resulting in an easily understandable wiring diagram.

[0026] At least one of the terminals can have at least one clamping spring. Preferably, all terminals contain clamping springs. Compared to other clamping means, such as screws, clamping springs allow for particularly quick, yet secure picking up and holding of conductors in the respective terminal. The clamping springs can advantageously be springs optimally adapted to the respective application, taking into account the conductor diameter, any tensile forces that may occur, etc., and can be, for example, U-shaped leg springs or cage clamps. Of course, other connection technologies are also possible, e.g., terminals with insulation displacement technology. The double terminals preferably contain two clamping springs each.

[0027] The clamping springs can be clamping springs that can be opened by means of at least one pushbutton or lever. The at least one actuating element, such as a pushbutton or lever, can be designed to open several clamping springs simultaneously.

[0028] It can be provided that at least one clamping spring, preferably several clamping springs, is / are non-openable. This is because, if cables intended for fixed installation with rigid single-wire conductors or with multi-wire conductors, including solid stranded conductors, of conductor classes 1 and 2 according to DIN VDE 0295 are used, these can then be connected simply by inserting them into the connection terminal without any additional steps (such as pressing a button). However, if flexible cables with fine-stranded conductors or highly flexible cables with extra-fine-stranded conductors, such as extra-fine-stranded stranded conductors, of conductor classes 5 and 6 according to DIN VDE 0295 are used, openable clamping springs are preferred.

[0029] Often, interconnections must be implemented in which both rigid cables and flexible cables are used. Therefore, in a further preferred embodiment, in which all connection terminals contain clamping springs, it is provided that the clamping spring of the first connection terminal and one clamping spring of each double terminal, which is assigned to a conductor receiving opening of the respective double terminal on the side (referred to as the front side) of the connection terminal module on which the conductor receiving opening of the first connection terminal is located, are non-openable clamping springs, and the clamping springs of each double terminal, which are assigned to the conductor receiving openings on the opposite side (referred to as the rear side) of the connection terminal module, are openable clamping springs. In this case, it can then be provided that the at least one pusher or lever is provided in the area of ​​the second connection terminal not covered by the first connection terminal.

[0030] The terminals can be arranged in a common housing. Alternatively, in another preferred embodiment, the terminal module can be modular in design, with each terminal arranged in its own housing, so that the terminal modules can be assembled and configured as needed.

[0031] In the stacking direction, one or more additional terminals designed in the manner of the third terminal may be provided, which may be necessary for certain circuit tasks when four or more conductor paths are required.

[0032] In a terminal arrangement according to the invention, several of the terminal modules described above are arranged next to one another in a row direction.

[0033] The terminal assembly can advantageously comprise a housing for accommodating the terminal modules. The housing can advantageously have additional features, such as, in particular, a mounting rail for securing the terminal modules in the housing, one or more strain relief devices for strain relief of connected conductors, labeling fields for labeling the terminal modules, and seals for sealing the housing.

[0034] Further details and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following purely exemplary and non-limiting description of an embodiment in conjunction with the drawing comprising 7 figures.

[0035] In general, in the context of this application, the words “a / an”, unless expressly defined otherwise, are not to be understood as a number, but as an indefinite article with the literal meaning of “at least one”.

[0036] The invention permits various embodiments and is described in more detail below using an exemplary embodiment. The figures show: Fig. 1 - a schematic side view of a terminal module according to the invention, seen in the so-called row direction, in which several of the modules shown are arranged next to one another. Fig. 2 - a partially sectioned and highly schematic internal view of the terminal module according to Fig. 1. Fig. 3 - a highly schematic and partially sectioned interior view of the terminal module according to Fig. 2, seen in the direction of arrows 72 in Fig. 2. Fig. 4 - the terminal module according to Fig. 2 with conductors inserted into the terminals. Fig. 5 - the terminal module according to Fig. 3 with conductors inserted into the terminals. Fig. 6 - a circuit that can be realized using connection terminal modules according to the invention. Fig. 7 - another circuit that can be realized using connection terminal modules according to the invention.

[0037] Unless otherwise indicated, parts with equivalent functions are always provided with the same reference symbols in the figures. For reasons of clarity, reference symbols have been omitted from all parts in the figures to avoid overloading the figures.

[0038] In the Fig. 1 to 5, a terminal module, designated as a whole by 10, is shown in a highly schematic manner for constructing a terminal arrangement from several such terminal modules 10, 10', 10".

[0039] In this exemplary embodiment, the connection terminal module 10 has a first connection terminal 12, a second connection terminal 14, and a third connection terminal 16. In this exemplary embodiment, the connection terminal module 10 has locking means 18 in the form of snap-in lugs on a side of the connection terminal 16 facing away from the second connection terminal 14, for locking the connection terminal module 10 onto a corresponding support rail 20. Such a support rail 20 can be attached directly to a wall or a floor. However, it is preferably located in a housing designed to accommodate several connection terminal modules 10 ora terminal arrangement formed by these modules, a specially designed housing (not shown in detail here), which can advantageously be provided with further additional devices, such as, for example, strain relief devices known per se for strain relief of connected conductors, labeling fields for labeling the terminal modules and seals for sealing the housing.

[0040] The connecting terminals 12, 14, and 16 are arranged next to one another in a stacking direction 22 such that the second connecting terminal 14 is located between the first connecting terminal 12 and the third connecting terminal 16. It will be clear to those skilled in the art that the stacking direction indicated by arrow 22 is chosen purely for illustrative purposes, since the connecting terminals 12, 14, and 16 are naturally also arranged next to one another in the opposite direction, which, depending on the viewing angle, also includes the adjacent arrangement above or below one another.

[0041] As particularly in the Fig. 2 and Fig. As can be clearly seen in Figure 4, the second terminal 14 and the third terminal 16 are each double terminals, while in this embodiment the first terminal 12 is designed as a single terminal. This design has several advantages. It is sufficient for many applications, for example, for those related to the Fig. 6 and Fig. 7, when the first terminal 12 is designed to connect a single conductor, so that material and thus manufacturing costs can be saved. On the other hand, this design allows the first terminal 12 to be arranged in a direction parallel to both the stacking direction 22 and the arranging direction 24, which are referred to in connection with the Fig. 3, Fig. 5 and Fig. 6 will be discussed later, transverse longitudinal direction 26 shorter than the second terminal 14, so that on a surface of the second terminal 14 there is an area 28 ( Fig. 2) which is not covered by the first connection terminal 12, so that a connection point 30 can be formed there in an easily accessible manner for establishing an electrical contact with a conductor rail 32 provided in the second connection terminal 14, via which a tester, for example a voltage tester for testing the function of connected consumers, can then be brought into electrical contact with the second connection terminal 14. However, a so-called jumper can also be easily connected via the connection point 30, with which two or more second connection terminals 14, 14', 14" of adjacent connection terminal modules 10 can be electrically connected to one another, which is useful, for example, in the implementation of the Fig. 7 is advantageous. Since the area 28 is located on the side of the terminal module 10 opposite the mounting rail 20, it advantageously remains accessible even when the terminal module 10 is installed, if necessary after opening a corresponding housing if the terminal module 10 is arranged in such a housing.

[0042] However, the area 28 also allows a push button 34 to be advantageously arranged next to the connection point 30 so that it can be easily actuated. In the illustrated embodiment of the push button 34, this is a double-acting push button that acts on both a clamping spring 36 of the second connection terminal 14 and a clamping spring 38 of the third connection terminal 16, so that these clamping springs can be used to insert or remove a conductor 40 or 42 ( Fig. 4 and Fig. 5). Instead of a double-acting push button 34, i.e. one which opens two clamping springs at the same time, other known means for opening the clamping springs 36 and 38 can of course also be provided, provided that openable clamping springs are required at all, which depends primarily on the type of conductor used. If the conductors are stranded wires, openable clamping springs are advantageous. If, on the other hand, the electrical conductors are relatively rigid wires, non-openable clamping springs can be used. It will be clear to a person skilled in the art that, instead of clamping springs, other known means for connecting conductors in the connection terminals can of course also be used, although clamping springs have proven particularly effective because they enable the conductors to be connected quickly and without the need for tools. Accordingly, in the exemplary embodiment shown, all connection terminals 12, 14 and 16 are provided with clamping springs.In particular, the second terminal 14 has a second clamping spring 44, and the third terminal 16 has a second clamping spring 46. The first terminal 12 has a clamping spring 48. All clamping springs 44, 46, 48 interact with a corresponding conductor rail 32, 50, or 52 in the respective terminal and ensure that a conductor inserted into the respective terminal 12, 14, 16 is pressed against the respective conductor rail 32, 50, or 52, thus ensuring good electrical contact.

[0043] In the embodiment shown, it is advantageously provided that the electrical conductors 40, 42, 54, 56 and 58 ( Fig. 4) can be inserted into the terminal module 10 from opposite sides, ie from the front side F and rear side R. For this purpose, the second terminal 14 and the third terminal 16 each have two conductor receiving openings 60, 62, 64 and 66 and the first terminal 12 has a conductor receiving opening 68, through which electrical conductors 40, 42, 54, 56 and 58 can be inserted into the respective terminal in insertion directions 72, 74 that are essentially parallel to one another. In the connected state, the electrical conductors 40, 42, 54, 56 and 58 also run essentially parallel to one another, as in Fig. 4, depending on the thickness of the conductors 40, 42, 54, 56, and 58, they may, of course, be tilted to a certain extent. Nevertheless, a clean and clearly identifiable cable layout is ensured, and in particular, the cables of a consumer to be connected on one side of the terminal module, for example, a thermostat or a servo motor, do not have to be shortened to different lengths in order to route them to different sides of a connection module 10.

[0044] In the embodiment shown, the clamping springs 44, 46 and 48 are designed as non-openable clamping springs, ie conductors 40, 42, 54, 56 and 58 are simply inserted into them and then held by spring force, while the clamping springs 36 and 38 are openable clamping springs as described above.

[0045] The contact points of the first terminal 12 and the third terminal 16, respectively, designed as side contacts 76 and 78, are provided for the galvanic connection of the respective terminal with a corresponding terminal of a terminal module that is adjacent in the row direction 24 when the terminal arrangement is in its intended assembly state. These contact points can be designed in the manner of contact point 30, i.e., can be provided to receive a corresponding jumper. However, they are preferably, as shown in the Fig. 3 and Fig. 5, are designed as side contacts 76, 78, so that when connection modules are arranged side by side, an electrical connection is automatically established between adjacent first connection terminals 12 and an electrical connection between adjacent third connection terminals 16.

[0046] In the embodiment shown, the side contacts 76 and 78 are designed such that they are at least partially complementary to the side contacts of an adjacent module in the intended assembly state, for which purpose they are designed here as so-called knife-fork contacts, each with a so-called knife section 76A, 78A, and a fork section 76B, 78B ( Fig. 3 and Fig. 5). Although the Fig. 3 and Fig. 5 show the same terminal module 10 in different states (once without, once with connected conductors), the figures also show the operation of the side contacts 76, 78. If that were in Fig. 5 shown terminal module 10 to the one in Fig. 3 shown terminal module adjacent module, it could be connected in the row direction 24 to the one shown in Fig. 3, and the blade sections 76A and 78A then slide into the fork sections 76B and 78B, respectively. Instead of blade-fork contacts, other suitable side contacts, for example, push-button contacts, can also be provided.

[0047] As the expert knows especially from the Fig. 3 and Fig. 5, the side contacts 76, 78 can advantageously be dual-functional elements and not only establish a galvanic connection between adjacent first and a galvanic connection between adjacent third connection terminals 16, 16', 16", but also ensure a positive and / or non-positive connection between adjacent connection terminal modules 10, 10', 10", so that these then form a compact unit after being lined up next to one another, which can be snapped as a whole onto a mounting rail 20, for example.

[0048] The connecting terminals 12, 14, and 16 can be designed as modular elements, so that the connecting terminal module 10 shown can be formed, for example, by locking the individual connecting terminals 12, 14, and 16 together. However, they can also be arranged in a common housing. The modular design is particularly advantageous if additional connecting terminals are to be provided in addition to the three connecting terminals 12, 14, and 16 shown.

[0049] In the Fig. 6 and Fig. Figure 7 shows two examples of circuits that can be realized with connection terminal modules 10, 10', 10" according to the invention, wherein here three connection terminal modules 10, 10', and 10" symbolized by dashed rectangles are arranged in series in the array direction 24. As indicated by the symbol [...], however, practically any number of additional connection terminal modules 10, 10', 10" can be arranged in series in the array direction, the number of which is ultimately limited by the available space on the mounting rail 20 in the array direction. With appropriate dimensioning of the side contacts 76, 78 and the connection terminals 12, 14, 16, the number of connection terminal modules 10, 10', 10" that can be arranged in series can be relatively large.

[0050] The terminal module 10 can be a terminating module that is provided with side contacts 76, 78 on only one side, namely the side facing the adjacent terminal module 10', while the terminal module 10', as a center module, is provided with side contacts 76, 78 on two opposite sides. If additional terminal modules 10 are to be connected in series, the terminal module 10" can also be a center module with side contacts on opposite sides; otherwise, it can be designed as a terminating module, with its contacts then also being provided on the side facing the adjacent terminal module 10'.Since the first connection terminal 12 in the connection terminal modules 10, 10', 10" is typically designed as a single terminal as described above, a configuration with termination modules then requires two different termination modules, whose side contacts 76, 78 are arranged on different sides. However, it is generally not necessary to provide separate termination modules at all. If unused side contacts are to be covered, this can be done, for example, by means of a corresponding electrically insulating plastic cover that is simply placed on the end side of the connection terminal arrangement or by means of electrically insulating plastic plugs that are plugged onto the respective side contact 76, 78.

[0051] In both cases Fig. 6 and Fig. 7 shown circuits are to control two servo motors St1 and St2, where in the example of Fig. 6 each actuator St1 and St2 is controlled by a thermostat Th1 or Th2 assigned to it only, while in the example of Fig. 7 the thermostat Th1 controls both actuators St1 and St2. The circuit implemented by means of the invention provides that a supply voltage, the so-called phase L0, is applied to the first connection terminal 12 of the first connection terminal module 10, which then reaches the thermostats Th1 and Th2 as phase LTh1 and LTh2 via the side contacts (not shown) via the first connection terminals 12' and 12" of the second and third connection terminal modules 10, respectively. Via the side contacts 76, 78, the first connection terminals 12, 12' and 12" thus form a continuous conduction path 80 for the supply voltage. As is immediately apparent from the circuit diagram, it is sufficient if the first connection terminals 12, 12' and 12" are each individual terminals, as described above.

[0052] The neutral conductor N0 is connected to the third terminal 16 of the first terminal module 10, which is indicated by the corresponding arrow in the Fig. 6 and Fig. 7. In current-carrying terms, the current naturally flows via the first terminal 12 into the terminal module 10 and, if the circuit is closed accordingly, then flows out of the terminal module 10 via the third terminal 16.

[0053] The third connection terminals 16, 16' and 16" are connected to one another via corresponding side contacts 76, 78, thus forming a continuous conduction path 82 for the neutral conductor. The neutral conductor NTh1 of the thermostat Th1 is connected to the third connection terminal 16' of the second connection terminal module 10', and the neutral conductor NTh2 of the second thermostat Th2 is connected to the third connection terminal 16" of the third connection terminal module 10". The neutral conductor NSt1 of the first actuator St1 is also connected to the third connection terminal 16' of the second connection terminal module 10', and in the same way, the neutral conductor NSt2 of the second actuator St2 is connected to the third connection terminal 16'' of the third connection terminal module 10".

[0054] The control voltage L'Th1 output by the thermostat Th1 during operation is passed to the actuator St1 via the second terminal 14' of the second terminal module 10' as control voltage LSt1. Similarly, the control voltage L'Th2 output by the thermostat Th2 during operation is passed to the actuator St2 via the second terminal 14" of the second terminal module 10" as control voltage LSt2. Actuators St1 and St2 are controlled via these control voltages in a conventional manner.

[0055] In Fig. 7 shows how a thermostat Th1 can control both actuators St1 and St2. For this purpose, the control voltage L'Th1 output by the thermostat Th1 during operation is applied to both the second terminal 14' of the second terminal module 10' and to the second terminal 14'' of the third terminal module 10'', which can be easily achieved by connecting a corresponding conductor from the thermostat Th1 to the second terminal 14' of the second terminal module 10' and by connecting the second terminals 14' and 14'' via connection points (not shown here) which, like the ones shown in FIG. Fig.2, the connection terminals 14' and 14'' of the adjacent connection terminal modules 10' and 10'' are connected to each other by means of a so-called jumper, i.e., a conductive connecting element that can, for example, simply be pressed into the connection points, so that they are at the same potential. Outputs of the thermostat Th1 are thus routed to both actuators St1 and St2.

[0056] Numerous modifications and further developments are possible within the scope of the inventive concept, relating, for example, to the number and design of the terminals present in a terminal module. For example, the clamping springs shown, which can be opened by means of a push-button, can also be clamping springs that can be opened by means of a lever or cannot be opened at all. Similarly, the non-openable clamping springs shown can be openable, in which case, for example, a push-button or lever can be arranged on the first terminal module, which, similar to the push-button 34 shown, acts synchronously on the clamping springs 44, 46, and 48. LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS 10, 10', 10'' terminal module 12, 12', 12'' first terminal 14, 14', 14'' second terminal 16, 16', 16'' third terminal 18 locking device (snap nose) 20 mounting rail 22 Stacking direction 24 Array direction 26 Longitudinal direction 28 Area 30 Junction 32 conductor rail 34 handles 36 clamping spring 38 clamping spring 40 ladders 42 ladders 44 clamping spring 46 clamping spring 48 clamping spring 50 conductor rail 52 conductor rail 54 ladders 56 ladders 58 leaders 60 ladder opening 62 ladder opening 64 conductor opening 66 Ladder opening 68 Ladder opening 72 Insertion direction 74 Insertion direction 76 side contact 76A Blade part of the side contact 76 76B Fork part of the side contact 76 78 side contact 78A Blade part of the side contact 78 78B Fork part of the side contact 78 80 Line path supply voltage 82 Line path neutral conductor F Front L0 supply voltage (“phase”) LSt1 control voltage to the first servo motor LSt2 control voltage to the second servo motor LTh1 phase to the first thermostat LTh2 phase to the second thermostat L'Th1 control voltage output by Th1 L'Th2 control voltage output by Th2 N0 neutral conductor NSt1 Neutral conductor from the second actuator NSt2 Neutral conductor from the second actuator NTh1 Neutral wire from the first thermostat NTh2 Neutral wire from the second thermostat R back St1 first actuator St2 second actuator Th1 first thermostat Th2 second thermostat 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 44 02 002 A1 [0002, 0003] DE 10 2020 120 151 A1

[0005] DE 10 2014 119 421 A1

[0005]

Claims

[1] Connection terminal module (10) for constructing a connection terminal arrangement from a plurality of such connection terminal modules (10, 10', 10'') arranged next to one another in a row direction (24), comprising - at least one first, one second and one third galvanically isolated connection terminal (12, 14, 16) for connecting electrical conductors (40, 42, 54, 56, 58), - wherein the first connection terminal (12) is a single or double terminal for connecting one conductor (40, 42, 54, 56, 58) or two conductors (40, 42, 54, 56, 58), - wherein the second and third connecting terminals (14, 16) are double terminals for connecting two conductors (40, 42, 54, 56, 58) each, - wherein the first, second and third connecting terminals (12, 14, 16) are arranged next to one another in a stacking direction (22) extending transversely to the row direction (24), and - wherein the first and third connecting terminals (12, 16) are each provided with contact points (76, 78) for galvanically connecting the respective connecting terminal (12, 16) to a corresponding connecting terminal (12, 16) of a connecting terminal module (10', 10'') adjacent to the connecting terminal module in the direction of assembly (24) in the intended assembly state of the connecting terminal arrangement. [2] Terminal module according to claim 1, characterized by that the first connection terminal (12) is a single terminal. [3] Terminal module according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by that the second connection terminal (14) is arranged between the first connection terminal (12) and the third connection terminal (16). [4] Terminal module according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by that the second connection terminal (14) is provided with a connection point (30) for a jumper element or a test element. [5] Terminal module according to claim 4 characterized bythat the first connection terminal (12) is shorter than the second connection terminal (14) in a longitudinal direction (26) running transversely both to the stacking direction (22) and to the arranging direction (24), and the connection point (30) for a jumper element or test element is provided in an area (28) of the second connection terminal (14) which is not covered by the first connection terminal (12) in a plan view of the connection terminal module (10) along the stacking direction (22). [6] Terminal module according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized by that the contact points (76, 78) for the galvanic connection between adjacent first connection terminals (12) and / or the contact points for the galvanic connection between adjacent third connection terminals (16) are designed to accommodate a jumper. [7] Terminal module (10) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized bythat the contact points for the galvanic connection between adjacent first connection terminals (12) and / or the contact points for the galvanic connection between adjacent third connection terminals (16) are side contacts (76, 78) on at least one side facing a connection terminal module (10') adjacent in the row direction (24) in the intended assembled state of the connection terminal module (10). [8] Connection terminal module (10') according to claim 7, characterized by in that it is designed to be arranged in a terminal arrangement as a central module between two further terminal modules (10, 10'') and is provided with side contacts (76, 78) on two opposite sides. [9] Terminal module (10) according to claim 7, characterized bythat it is designed to be arranged in a terminal arrangement as a terminating module (10) and is provided with side contacts (76, 78) on one side only. [10] Connection terminal module (10) according to one of claims 7 to 9, characterized by that the side contacts (76, 78) are designed such that they are at least partially complementary to the side contacts (76, 78) of a connection terminal module (10', 10'') adjacent to it in the intended assembled state and are preferably designed as knife-fork contacts or pressure bar contacts. [11] Connection terminal module (10) according to one of claims 7 to 10, characterized byin that the side contacts (76, 78) are designed as dual-function elements in the intended assembly state of two terminal modules (10, 10', 10'') arranged next to one another in the row direction (24), not only to establish a galvanic connection between adjacent first terminals (12) and a galvanic connection between adjacent third terminals (16), but also to effect a positive and / or non-positive connection between the adjacent terminal modules (10, 10', 10''). [12] Connection terminal module (10) according to one of claims 7 to 11, characterized by that the side contacts (76, 78) are each formed integrally with a conductor rail (50, 52) provided in the respective connecting terminal (12, 16). [13] Connection terminal module (10) according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized bythat the connection terminal module (10) is provided with means, in particular locking means (18), for connecting the connection terminal module (10) to a support rail. [14] Connection terminal module (10) according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized by that each double terminal (14, 16) has two conductor receiving openings (60, 62, 64, 66, 68) arranged on opposite sides of the double terminal (14, 16) for connecting two conductors (40, 42, 54, 56, 58), wherein on each side of the double terminal (14, 16) a conductor (40, 42, 54, 56, 58) can be inserted into the conductor receiving opening (60, 62, 64, 66, 68) there and the conductors (40, 42, 54, 56, 58) can be inserted in insertion directions (72, 74) that are essentially parallel to one another. [15] Terminal module (10) according to claim 14, wherein the first terminal (12) is a single terminal, characterized bythat the individual terminal has a conductor receiving opening (60, 62, 64, 66, 68) for connecting a conductor, into which the conductor can be inserted in an insertion direction substantially parallel to the said insertion directions (74). [16] Terminal module (10) according to claim 15, characterized by that the conductor receiving opening (60, 62, 64, 66, 68) of the first connection terminal (12) and one of the conductor receiving openings (60, 62, 64, 66, 68) of each double terminal are arranged on one side of the connection terminal module (10) and the other conductor receiving opening (60, 62, 64, 66, 68) of each double terminal are arranged on the opposite side of the connection terminal module (10). [17] Terminal module (10) according to one of claims 1 to 16, wherein at least one of the terminals (12, 14, 16), preferably all of the terminals (12, 14, 16), contain at least one clamping spring (36, 38, 44, 46, 48). [18] Connection terminal module (10) according to claim 17, wherein the double terminals (14, 16) each contain two clamping springs (36, 38, 44, 46). [19] Terminal module (10) according to claim 17 or 18, characterized by that at least one clamping spring (36, 38, 44, 46, 48), preferably several clamping springs (36, 38, 44, 46, 48) can be opened by means of at least one actuating element, in particular a push button (34) or lever. [20] Terminal module (10) according to claim 19, characterized by that the at least one actuating element is designed to simultaneously open several clamping springs (36, 38, 44, 46, 48). [21] Connection terminal module (10) according to one of claims 17 to 20, characterized by that at least one clamping spring (36, 38, 44, 46, 48), preferably several clamping springs (36, 38, 44, 46, 48) is / are non-openable. [22] Terminal module (10) according to claim 21 and claim 16, wherein all terminals (12, 14, 16) contain clamping springs (36, 38, 44, 46, 48), characterized by , that the clamping spring (48) of the first connection terminal (12) and a respective clamping spring (36, 38, 44, 46) of each double terminal, which is assigned to a conductor receiving opening (60, 62, 64, 66) of the respective double terminal on a front side (F) of the connection terminal module (10) on which the conductor receiving opening (68) of the first connection terminal (12) is located, are non-openable clamping springs (44, 46, 48), and that the clamping springs (36, 38) of each double terminal, which are assigned to the conductor receiving openings (64, 66) on a rear side (R) of the connection terminal module (10), which is opposite the front side (F), are openable clamping springs (36, 38). [23] Terminal module (10) according to claims 5 and 22 and one of claims 19 or 20, characterized bythat the at least one actuating element is provided in the area (28) of the second connection terminal (14) not covered by the first connection terminal (12). [24] Terminal module (10) according to one of claims 1 to 23, characterized by that the connecting terminals (12, 14, 16) are arranged in a common housing. [25] Terminal module (10) according to one of claims 1 to 23, characterized by that the connection terminal module (10) has a modular design and each connection terminal (12, 14, 16) is arranged in its own housing. [26] Connection terminal module (10) according to one of claims 1 to 25, characterized by that one or more further connection terminals designed in the manner of the third connection terminal (16) are provided in the stacking direction. [27] Terminal arrangement comprising a plurality of terminal modules (10, 10', 10'') arranged side by side in a row direction (xx) according to one of claims 1 to 26. [28] Terminal assembly according to claim 27, further comprising a housing for receiving the terminal modules (12, 14, 16). [29] Terminal arrangement according to claim 28, characterized by that the housing is provided with additional devices, such as in particular a support rail (20) for fastening the connection terminal modules (10, 10', 10'') in the housing, one or more strain relief devices for strain relief of connected conductors, labeling fields for labeling the connection terminal modules (10, 10', 10'') and seals for sealing the housing.

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