Spring-cage terminal and conductor connection terminal

Abstract

A spring-loaded terminal connection for connecting an electrical conductor (9) by means of spring force, wherein the spring-loaded terminal connection has at least one busbar (3) and a clamping spring (4) having a clamping leg (43) with a clamping edge (46) for clamping an electrical conductor (9) to a contact section (31) of the busbar (3), and having a holding element (5) designed to hold the clamping leg (43) in an open position, wherein the spring-loaded terminal connection has an actuating mechanism (6, 7) for transferring the clamping leg (43) into the open position by manually actuating the actuating mechanism (6, 7), characterized in that the actuating mechanism (6, 7) has at least two separate components in the form of a first actuating element (7) and a second actuating element (6),wherein the second actuating element (6) is arranged to transmit a manual actuating force exerted on the first actuating element (7) to the clamping leg (43).

Description

The invention relates to a spring force clamping connection for connecting an electrical conductor by means of spring force, wherein the spring force clamping connection has at least one busbar and a clamping spring which has a clamping limb with a clamping edge for clamping an electrical conductor to a contact section of the busbar, and with a holding element which is configured to hold the clamping limb in an open position, wherein the spring force clamping connection has an actuating mechanism for transferring the clamping limb into the open position by manually acting on the actuating mechanism. The invention also relates to a conductor connection terminal with such a spring force clamping connection.Such a conductor connection terminal is known from DE 10 2020 119 372 A1. This is a conductor connection terminal with automatic connection of the electrical conductor to be connected when the latter is inserted into the conductor connection terminal. By inserting the electrical conductor, the clamping leg of the clamping spring held in an open position is automatically released and thereby effects a clamping of the electrical conductor.Proceeding from this, it is an object of the present invention to specify a further improved spring force terminal connection and a conductor terminal connection.This object is achieved in that the actuating mechanism has at least two separate components in the form of a first actuating element and a second actuating element, wherein the second actuating element is configured to transmit a manual actuating force exerted on the first actuating element to the clamping limb. As a result, a spring force clamping connection of relatively short construction transversely to the conductor insertion direction can be realized, which can be actuated effectively and ergonomically by such an at least two-part actuation mechanism. In this way, a conductor terminal with automatic connection of the electric conductor to be connected can be improved with good operability and reliability in terms of the size.By means of the actuating mechanism, the clamping leg can be transferred into the open position upon manual actuation counter to the spring force of the clamping spring. In this open position, the clamping leg can then be held by the holding element, in particular even without further manual actuation of the actuating mechanism, so that an insertion of the electrical conductor is possible at any time without any special exertion of force.The clamping leg can form together with the contact section of the busbar a clamping point for clamping an electrical conductor between the clamping leg and the contact section. In the open position, at least the clamping edge of the clamping leg is pivoted away from the contact section of the busbar. The clamping leg can be pivoted, for example, between an open position, in which the electrical conductor is freely movable between the clamping leg and the contact section, and a clamping position, in which the clamping leg clamps the electrical conductor to the contact section.The holding element can act directly on the clamping leg, for example, in order to hold it in the open position. Thus, for example, a first latching element can be arranged on the clamping limb and a second latching element can be arranged on the holding element, wherein the first and the second latching element can be latched to one another in the open position. The holding element can be designed as a protruding latching arm. The first latching element can be designed as a latching projection or latching hook. The second latching element can be designed as a latching edge or latching opening.The holding element can be present as a separate component, which is fastened, for example, to an insulating material housing of a conductor connection terminal, to the busbar or to another component.According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the holding element is formed in one piece from the material of the clamping spring. This has the advantage that the holding element can be produced directly during the shape bending process of the clamping spring. A separate mounting of the holding element is thus superfluous.The first actuating element can be designed, for example, as a displaceable pusher or pivotable lever. In the case of a pusher, the latter can be arranged so as to be substantially linearly displaceable in a guide channel of an insulating material housing. The second actuating element can be realized in a wide variety of ways, wherein a wide range of possible materials can also be used, in particular also electrically conductive materials such as metal.According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the actuating mechanism is positively coupled to the clamping spring. The actuating mechanism can be positively coupled in particular to the clamping limb. In this way, the actuating mechanism necessarily carries with it certain movements of the clamping spring or of the clamping limb. As a result of the positive coupling, the first and / or the second actuating element are in each case in different positions depending on whether the clamping limb is in the open position or in the clamping position. In particular, it is thereby possible in a simple manner for the user to distinguish whether the clamping spring is in the clamping position or the open position, which can be detected, for example, on the basis of different positions of the first actuating element relative to the insulating material housing. For example, an actuating element designed as an actuating presser can be arranged lower in an actuating channel of the insulating housing in the open position than in the clamping position.According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the second actuating element is coupled to the clamping limb at a fixed coupling point. In this way, for example, the positive coupling of the second actuating element with the clamping spring can be realized. For example, the second actuating element can have at least one second form-fit element and the clamping limb can have at least one first form-fit element designed as a counterpart thereto. By connecting the first form-fitting element to the second form-fitting element, a form-fitting coupling of the second actuating element to the clamping limb can be realized at the fixed coupling point. For example, the first form-fitting element can be designed as a protruding pin and the second form-fitting element as a pin receptacle for receiving the pin. The assignment can, however, also be carried out in the opposite direction. The second actuating element can be coupled to the clamping limb in an articulated manner, for example, at the fixed coupling point, such that it can be pivoted with respect to the clamping limb at least to a certain extent via this articulated coupling.According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the second actuating element is designed as an elastic spring element. This allows simple and cost-effective production of the second actuating element, for example from a spring steel sheet. Due to its elastic spring properties, the second actuating element can reversibly deform, so that it is not damaged immediately upon too strong actuation of the first actuating element. The second actuating element can also be made robust and durable when using relatively thin spring steel. The second actuator may have a higher flexibility than the first actuator.According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the first actuating element is formed from an insulating material and the second actuating element is formed from a metal material. The insulation required for electrical components is thus provided by the first actuating element. The second actuating element can then be manufactured in a space-saving manner from relatively thin metal material.According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the first actuating element is fixed to the second actuating element. In this way, the first operating member is held by the second operating member and cannot be lost. The first actuating element can be coupled to the second actuating element, for example, by a cohesive connection, a force-fit connection and / or a form-fit connection.According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the clamping spring has a support section which is connected to the clamping leg via a spring bend, wherein the support section is configured for supporting the clamping spring on the busbar or another component of a conductor connection terminal. The support section allows a secure support of the clamping spring and a sufficient support against the spring force exerted by the clamping leg.According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the second actuating element protrudes beyond the spring bow in a direction pointing away from the clamping edge. This is also conducive to a slender design of the spring force clamping connection. The second actuating element can extend, for example, from a coupling point at which the second actuating element is coupled to the clamping limb, along the clamping limb to the spring arch and beyond.According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the spring force clamping connection has a release element with a release section, by means of which the clamping leg held on the holding element in the open position can be released from the holding element when an electrical conductor to be clamped exerts an actuating force on the release section. This allows the clamping leg to be automatically released from the holding element by the insertion of the electrical conductor. The release section can be acted upon by a separate tool, a component of the conductor connection terminal, such as an actuating element, or directly via the inserted electrical conductor itself with compressive force and thereby bring about the release of the clamping leg from the holding element. By means of the release element, the clamping leg held on the holding element in the open position can be released from the holding element by the application of pressure to the release section in the conductor insertion direction (L) of the electrical conductor to be connected. Depending on the design of the spring force clamping connection, the release element can be designed as part of the clamping spring, for example as a release element formed integrally with the clamping spring, or as a separate component.According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the holding element is arranged on the support section, on the release element or on a section of the clamping spring connecting the release section to the support section. The holding element can be formed in particular integrally with the support section, the release element or a section of the clamping spring connected to the support section. In this way, no additional separate component needs to be provided. The manufacturing and assembly effort of the spring force clamping connection can thereby be reduced.According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the busbar has a slot-shaped opening through which the clamping spring or at least its clamping limb projects. This is conducive to secure clamping of an electrical conductor to the busbar. For example, the contact section can be formed as a contact tongue cut free from the material of the busbar and bent, e.g. a contact tongue bent away from the surface of the busbar, on which contact tongue the support section is supported on the busbar. The electrical conductor to be clamped can then likewise be guided through the slot-shaped opening, so that it is securely held therein. The slot-shaped opening can be surrounded on the circumference completely or predominantly by the material of the busbar.According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the clamping spring is supported with its support section on the busbar, in particular on an inner side of the slot-shaped opening. This allows a secure mounting of the clamping spring with support on both sides, so that the forces of the clamping spring are kept away from the insulating material housing of a conductor connection terminal. For example, both the support section and the clamping leg can project through the slot-shaped opening.The object mentioned at the outset is also achieved by a conductor connection terminal having an insulating material housing which has at least one conductor insertion opening for receiving an electrical conductor in a conductor insertion direction (L), wherein at least one spring force clamping terminal of the type explained above is arranged in the insulating material housing. The advantages explained above can also be realized in this way. The electric conductor can be inserted through the conductor insertion opening in the conductor insertion direction up to the clamping point between the clamping edge of the clamping leg and the contact portion of the busbar and clamped there.According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, a conductor guide channel for guiding the electrical conductor to be clamped to the contact section can be formed in the insulating material housing, wherein the release section of the release element is arranged in the conductor guide channel or at least protrudes into the conductor guide channel.According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the release section of the release element can be arranged behind the contact section or at least behind the clamping point in the conductor insertion direction (L).According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the insulating material housing has a first guide channel, in which the first actuating element is guided in the displacement direction during manual actuation, and a second guide channel, in which the second actuating element is guided in the displacement direction during manual actuation. In this way, the entire actuating mechanism can be reliably guided through the material of the insulating material housing. Jamming and tilting during actuation is avoided. The second guide channel can be directly adjacent to the first guide channel, for example.According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the first guide channel has a larger cross-sectional area than the second guide channel. In this way, a first actuating element with a relatively large cross-sectional area can be used, which can reliably absorb the required actuating force and transmit it to the second actuating element. The second actuating element can be formed substantially thinner than the first actuating element, e.g. from the mentioned spring steel sheet.According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the second guide channel runs at least partially curved in the longitudinal direction. For example, the second guide channel can have a curvature in the direction of the clamping leg at its end facing the clamping leg. In this way, the actuating direction of the second actuating element can advantageously be deflected in the direction of the clamping limb. The second guide channel can be formed rectilinear at least in its half facing the first guide channel.According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the second guide channel runs at an oblique angle to the first guide channel at least in the section adjoining the first guide channel. This is also conducive to a small construction of the conductor connection terminal transversely to the conductor insertion direction. The angle may be in the range of 5 degrees to 45 degrees, for example. For example, the second guide channel can be arranged between the clamping leg and the conductor insertion opening or a conductor insertion channel adjoining the conductor insertion opening.The first guide channel can be arranged in the first guide channel in the displacement direction of the first actuating element substantially flush with the spring arc of the clamping spring. In this way, the first actuating element can be arranged above the spring bend, as it were, as viewed in the displacement direction and does not have to be arranged above the clamping limb, as in known conductor connection terminals. In this way, the conductor insertion channel can be arranged relatively close to the clamping leg.In the sense of the present invention, the indefinite term "a" is not to be understood as a numerical word. Thus, if, for example, a component is mentioned, this is to be interpreted in the sense of "at least one component". Insofar as angle specifications are given in degrees, these refer to a circular dimension of 360 degrees (360°).The invention is explained in more detail below on the basis of exemplary embodiments using drawings.They show FIG. 1 shows a clamping spring in a perspective view in the relaxed state, FIG. 2 shows the clamping spring according to FIG. 1 in the open position, FIG. 3 shows the clamping spring according to FIG. 1 with a second actuating element arranged thereon, FIG. 4 shows the arrangement according to FIG. 3 with a busbar, FIG. 5 shows a lateral sectional view of a conductor connection terminal in the clamping position, FIG. 6 shows the conductor connection terminal according to FIG. 5 in the open position.The clamping spring 4 that can be seen in FIGS. 1 and 2 has a clamping leg 43, a spring arch 42 adjoining the clamping leg 43, and a support section 41 adjoining the spring arch 42. Furthermore, a holding element 5 is present, which is formed integrally with the clamping spring 4, in particular with a region 40 of the support section 41, which has a reduced width than the region of the support section 41 adjoining the spring arch 42. The holding element 5 serves to hold the clamping leg 43 in the open position, as can be seen in FIG. 2.Furthermore, a release element 8 is present, which is likewise formed integrally with the clamping spring 4, for example as a material section which adjoins the holding element 5. The release element 8 has a release section 80 at its free end, by means of which the clamping leg 43 held on the holding element 5 in the open position can be released from the holding element 5 when an electrical conductor to be clamped exerts an actuating force on the release section 80.First form-fitting elements 44 are formed on the clamping limb 43, for example in the form of lateral notches or other recesses. Towards the free end, a clamping tongue 45 is bent at the clamping leg 43. The clamping tongue 45 terminates at its free end with a clamping edge 46 which serves for clamping the electrical conductor. The clamping tongue 45 can be made of the material of the clamping leg 43 and bent in a direction facing away from the support section 41. By the extension of the clamping tongue 45, first latching elements 47, for example in the form of protruding latching arms, remain on the clamping leg 43 on both sides of the clamping tongue 45. The first latching elements 47 are configured for latching coupling with second latching elements 50 of the retaining element 5. The latching takes place in the open position, as can be seen in FIG. 2.As FIG. 3 shows, the first form-fitting elements 44 serve to receive second form-fitting elements 62, which are embodied as counterparts for this purpose, of a second actuating element 6. Furthermore, the second actuating element 6 can have a connecting portion 61 which connects the coupling portion 60 to the second form-fitting elements 62. The connecting portion 61 may have, for example, a single or multiple wave shape in the longitudinal direction. Due to the positive coupling of the second actuating element 6 at a fixed point on the clamping leg 43, the second actuating element 6 is positively coupled to the clamping spring and thus also performs its movements.FIG. 4 shows the elements explained with reference to FIG. 3 after mounting on a busbar 3. A contact portion 31 of the busbar 3 can be extended from the main portion 30 and bent, for example bent in the direction of the release portion 80. The clamping spring 4 is supported with its support section 41 on the one hand on the surface of the main section 30 facing away from the contact section 31 and in addition is supported with a rear side of the region 40 on the inner side of the slot-shaped opening 32. As can be seen, both the narrower region 40 of the support section 41 and the clamping leg 43 project through the slot-shaped opening 32.FIG. 5 shows a conductor connection terminal 1 with an insulating material housing 2, in which a spring force terminal connection according to FIG. 4 is arranged. In addition, there is also a first actuating element 7 which is coupled to the coupling section 60 of the second actuating element 6. The insulating housing 2 has a conductor insertion opening 20, into which an electrical conductor can be inserted in a conductor insertion direction L and clamped at a clamping point formed between the clamping leg 43 or the clamping edge 46 and the contact section 31.The insulating material housing 2 further has a first guide channel 21, in which the first actuating element 7 is guided during manual actuation in a displacement direction, which can be at least substantially parallel to the conductor insertion direction L. The insulating material housing 2 also has a second guide channel 22 adjoining the first guide channel 21, in which the second actuating element 6 is guided at least partially in its displacement direction. The second guide channel 22 branches off from the first guide channel 21 at an oblique angle and extends with a curved end section facing the clamping leg 43 as far as the coupling point between the second actuating element 6 and the clamping leg 43.In FIG. 5, the clamping leg 43 is in its clamping position. If no electrical conductor is inserted, the clamping leg 43 can, for example, abut the contact section 31 or be at least in the immediate vicinity.FIG. 6 shows the conductor connection terminal 1 in the actuated state, in which the clamping limb 43 is transferred into the open position by manual actuation of the first actuating element 7. For this purpose, a manual actuating force can be exerted by the user on an actuating surface 70 of the first actuating element 7, as a result of which the first actuating element 7 is displaced downward in the first guide channel 21. As a result, the second actuating element 6 is also displaced downward. The second actuating element 6 presses the clamping leg 43 into the open position visible in FIG. 6. The flat material of the second actuating element 6 is deflected or bent over by the curved end section of the second guide channel 22 facing the clamping limb 43 in order to apply a force to the clamping limb 43.In the open position, the first latching elements 47 latch with the second latching elements 50, so that the clamping leg 43 is held in the open position by the holding element 5, even if no further actuating force is exerted on the first actuating element 7. The first actuating element 7 now visually indicates to the user, by virtue of its position located further down in the first guide channel 21, that the conductor connection terminal 1 is located in the open position. In the open position, an electrical conductor 9 can be positioned at the clamping point without any force being applied.If the electrical conductor 9 is now to be clamped in the spring force clamping connection by means of spring force, only the electrical conductor 9 has to be pressed against the release section 80. As a result, the release section 80 is deflected somewhat downward, as a result of which the latching between the first latching elements 47 and the second latching elements 50 is canceled and the clamping limb 43 is thus released from the retaining element 5. Due to its spring force, the clamping leg 43 then springs with the clamping edge 46 against the electrical conductor 9 and clamps the latter firmly on the contact section 31.List of reference numbers:1 Conductor connection terminal 2 Insulating material housing 3 Busbar 4 Clamping spring 5 Holding element 6 Second actuating element 7 First actuating element 8 Releasing element 9 Electrical conductor 20 Conductor insertion opening 21 First guide channel 22 Second guide channel 30 Main section 31 Contact section 32 Slot-shaped opening 40 Region of the support section 41 Support section 42 Spring bend 43 Clamping limb 44 First positive locking element 45 Clamping tongue 46 Clamping edge 47 First latching element 50 Second latching element 60 Coupling section 61 Connecting section 62 Second positive locking element 70 Actuating surface 80 Releasing section L Conductor insertion directionReferences included in the specificationThis list of documents cited by the applicant has been produced in an automated manner and is only included for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent application or utility model application. The DPMA does not take any adhesion for any faults or omissions.Patent Literature citedDE 10 2020 119 372 A1

[0002]

Claims

Spring force clamping connection for connecting an electrical conductor (9) by means of spring force, wherein the spring force clamping connection has at least one busbar (3) and a clamping spring (4) which has a clamping limb (43) with a clamping edge (46) for clamping an electrical conductor (9) to a contact section (31) of the busbar (3), and with a retaining element (5) which is configured to retain the clamping limb (43) in an open position, wherein the spring force clamping connection has an actuating mechanism (6, 7) for transferring the clamping limb (43) into the open position by manually acting on the actuating mechanism (6, 7), characterized in that the actuating mechanism (6, 7) has at least two separate components in the form of a first actuating element (7) and a second actuating element (6), wherein the second actuating element (6) is configured to transmit a manual actuating force exerted on the first actuating element (7) to the clamping limb (43).Spring force clamping connection according to Claim 1, characterized in that the second actuating element (6) is coupled to the clamping limb (43) at a fixed coupling point.Spring force clamping connection according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second actuating element (6) is designed as an elastic spring element.Spring force clamping connection according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first actuating element (7) is formed from an insulating material and the second actuating element (6) is formed from a metal material.Spring force clamping connection according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first actuating element (7) is fixed to the second actuating element (6).Spring force clamping connection according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the clamping spring (4) has a mounting section (41) which is connected to the clamping limb (43) via a spring bend (42), wherein the mounting section (41) is configured for mounting the clamping spring (4) on the busbar (3) or another component of a conductor connection terminal (1).Spring force clamping connection according to Claim 6, characterized in that the second actuating element (6) projects beyond the spring bend (42) in a direction pointing away from the clamping edge (46).Spring force clamping connection according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the spring force clamping connection has a release element (8) with a release section (80), by means of which the clamping limb (43), which is held on the holding element (5) in the open position, can be released from the holding element (5) when an electrical conductor (9) to be clamped exerts an actuating force on the release section (80).Spring force clamping connection according to one of Claims 6 to 8, characterized in that the retaining element (5) is arranged on the mounting section (41), on the release element (8) or on a section of the clamping spring (4) connecting the release section (8) to the mounting section (41).Spring force clamping connection according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the busbar (3) has a slot-shaped opening (32) through which the clamping spring (4) or at least its clamping limb (43) projects.Spring force clamping connection according to Claim 10, characterized in that the clamping spring (4) is supported by its bearing section (41) on the busbar (3), in particular on an inner side of the slot-shaped opening (31).Conductor connection terminal (1) with an insulating material housing (2) which has at least one conductor insertion opening (20) for receiving an electrical conductor (9) in a conductor insertion direction (L), characterized in that at least one spring force clamping connection according to one of the preceding claims is arranged in the insulating material housing (2).Conductor connection terminal according to claim 12, characterised in that the insulating material housing (2) has a first guide channel (21), in which the first actuating element (7) is guided in the displacement direction during manual actuation, and a second guide channel (22), in which the second actuating element (6) is guided in the displacement direction during manual actuation.Conductor connection terminal according to claim 13, characterised in that the first guide channel (21) has a larger cross-sectional area than the second guide channel (22).Conductor connection terminal according to one of Claims 13 to 14, characterized in that the second guide channel (22) runs at least partially curved in the longitudinal direction.Conductor connection terminal according to one of Claims 13 to 15, characterized in that the second guide channel (22) runs at an oblique angle to the first guide channel (21) at least in the section adjoining the first guide channel (21).

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