Spring-cage terminal and conductor connection terminal

Abstract

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) which has a clamping leg (43) with a clamping edge (46) for clamping an electrical conductor (9) at a clamping point (30) on a contact section (31) of the busbar (3), and with a holding element (5) which is formed integrally with the clamping spring (4) and is designed to hold the clamping leg (43) in an open position, characterized in that at least one holding tab (54) is formed on the holding element (5), which extends towards its free end opposite to the conductor insertion direction (L) in the direction of the free end of the clamping leg (43), such that the clamping leg (43) can be secured to the holding tab (54) in the open position.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a spring-loaded terminal connection for connecting an electrical conductor by means of spring force. The spring-loaded terminal connection comprises at least one busbar and a clamping spring having a clamping leg with a clamping edge for clamping an electrical conductor at a clamping point on a contact section of the busbar. The spring-loaded terminal connection also comprises a retaining element formed integrally with the clamping spring and configured to hold the clamping leg in an open position. The invention also relates to a conductor terminal having such a spring-loaded terminal connection.

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

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

[0004] This object is achieved in that at least one retaining tab is formed on the holding element, which extends towards its free end opposite to the conductor insertion direction in the direction of the free end of the clamping leg, such that the clamping leg can be secured to the retaining tab in the open position. The holding element can have a locking element which is spring-loaded by the clamping leg in the open position. Such a construction, in particular a clamping spring formed integrally with the holding element, allows the integration of automatic connection technology in spring-loaded terminal connections and conductor connection terminals of various designs. In particular, proven conductor connection terminals of known design can be further developed in this way with little effort to have automatic connection functionality, i.e. with automatic conductor connection of the electrical conductor to be clamped.Advantageously, an automatic connection function can be easily and space-savingly integrated into existing conductor terminal designs. No additional retaining part is required for the holding function, simplifying the installation of the conductor terminal.

[0005] The holding element can be arranged so as to be movable, e.g. displaceable, pivotable or deflectable in some other way, so that it can be slightly deflected by the inserted conductor in order to bring about the desired release effect of the clamping leg from the holding element. The holding element can, for example, be mounted so as to be displaceable, e.g. displaceable in a linear direction or an arcuate direction. The holding element can be mounted so as to be pivotable. In this case, the holding element can be pivoted about a fixed or variable pivot axis. In the case of a variable pivot axis, the holding element can, for example, be mounted so as to be floating and pivotable. The holding element can also be mounted so as to be movable in some other way so that it can be deflected sufficiently far to release the locking of the clamping leg on the holding element.

[0006] The spring-loaded terminal connection can have an actuating mechanism for actuating the clamping leg. This actuating mechanism allows the clamping leg to be moved into the open position when manually actuated, counter to the spring force of the clamping spring. In this open position, the clamping leg can then be held by the retaining element, particularly without further manual actuation of the actuating mechanism, so that the electrical conductor can be inserted at any time without any particular effort. For example, the clamping leg can be locked to the retaining element in the open position.

[0007] The clamping leg, together with the contact section of the busbar, can form 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.

[0008] The retaining element can be designed as a separate component from the clamping spring, which is attached, for example, to an insulating housing of a conductor terminal, to the busbar, or to another component. The retaining element can also be formed integrally with the clamping spring.

[0009] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the clamping leg has a first locking element and the at least one retaining tab has a second locking element which can be locked to the first locking element in the open position. This allows a simple and reliable mechanical coupling of the clamping leg to the retaining element in the open position, which coupling can also be easily released again. The retaining tab can be designed, for example, as a locking arm. Depending on the embodiment, the first locking element can be formed by an existing element or a section of the clamping leg, so that the latter does not have to be modified. For example, the first locking element can be formed directly by the clamping edge. However, the first locking element can also be provided by modifying the clamping leg, as explained below.

[0010] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, at least one locking tab is provided on the clamping leg, on which a first locking element is located for locking with the retaining tab. This allows further freedom in the design of the spring-loaded terminal connection and the automatic connection functionality. The locking tab can be arranged, for example, on the side of the clamping leg. It is advantageous to arrange a locking tab symmetrically on the left and right of the clamping leg, each of which has a first locking element.

[0011] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the at least one locking tab protrudes beyond the clamping edge of the clamping leg in the conductor insertion direction. This allows for a reliable coupling between the first and second locking elements in the open position without impairing the clamping function of the clamping leg.

[0012] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the clamping spring has a support section connected to the clamping leg via a spring arch, wherein the support section is designed to support the clamping spring on the busbar, in particular on a frame part of the busbar. The support section allows for secure support of the clamping spring and sufficient support against the spring force exerted by the clamping leg.

[0013] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the retaining element is formed integrally with the support section. In this way, the retaining element can be formed as an extension of the support section and extend into an area behind the clamping point, as seen in the conductor insertion direction.

[0014] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the busbar has a frame part in which the clamping spring is suspended, clamped or received in some other way, wherein the frame part has a through-opening through which the electrical conductor to be connected can be inserted. For example, the clamping spring can be suspended with its support section on an edge section of the frame part surrounding the through-opening. The clamping spring can be suspended in the frame part in such a way that the support section is fastened to the frame part and the clamping leg is aligned towards the contact section of the busbar, i.e. in the clamped position without an inserted electrical conductor it rests against the contact section or, when an electrical conductor is inserted, the clamping leg presses the electrical conductor against the contact section.

[0015] The frame part can be formed in one piece from the material of the busbar, e.g. as a region bent and punched out from the contact section. The frame part can have a circumferential frame that completely surrounds the through-opening. For example, the through-opening can have a substantially rectangular cross-section. The frame part can then have a first side leg protruding from the contact section on one side and a second side leg protruding on the opposite side, wherein the first and second side legs can extend parallel to one another. The frame part can further have a cross leg that connects the free ends of the first and second side legs to one another. The clamping spring can then be suspended from the cross leg by means of the support section.

[0016] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the retaining element and / or the release element protrude into the through-opening of the frame part. This enables a compact design of the spring-loaded terminal connection and a good integration of the automatic connection functionality.

[0017] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, a U-shaped recess is formed on the clamping spring at the support section at the transition to the retaining element, which recess is designed to secure the support section to the frame part of the busbar. This allows for a reliable and easy-to-install attachment of the clamping spring to the frame part.

[0018] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the spring-loaded terminal connection has a release element with a release section, the actuation of which allows the holding element to be deflected to such an extent that the clamping leg held on the holding element releases from the holding element. For example, 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 of the release element. This allows automatic release of the clamping leg from the holding element by inserting the electrical conductor. The release section can be subjected to pressure by a separate tool, a component of the conductor connection terminal, such as an actuating element, or directly via the inserted electrical conductor itself, thereby causing the clamping leg to be released from the holding element.By means of the release element, the clamping leg, which is held in the open position on the retaining element, can be released from the retaining element by applying 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-loaded terminal connection, the release element can be formed as part of the clamping spring, e.g., as a release element formed integrally with the clamping spring, or as a separate component.

[0019] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the release element is part of the component or assembly of the spring-loaded clamp connection which has the retaining element. This allows the design and assembly effort for the spring-loaded clamp connection to be kept to a minimum. In particular, only one component or assembly needs to be assembled to assemble the release element and the retaining element, rather than two different components or assemblies. For example, the release element can be formed integrally with the retaining element. For example, the release element can be arranged in a further extension of the support section behind the retaining element, viewed in the conductor insertion direction. The component or assembly can be made, for example, from plastic or metal, or from a combination of such materials.

[0020] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the retaining element is arranged behind the clamping point or behind the majority of the busbar in the conductor insertion direction of the electrical conductor into the spring-loaded terminal connection. In this way, the retaining element does not impede the insertion of the electrical conductor. For example, in the open position, i.e., when the clamping leg is locked to the retaining element, the retaining element may not protrude into a conductor receiving space, or may protrude only slightly relative to the clamping leg, when viewed in the conductor insertion direction.

[0021] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the spring-loaded terminal connection has a pivoting operating lever that can be manually operated by the user to actuate the clamping spring into the open position. This allows for simple and convenient manual operation of the spring-loaded terminal connection. Furthermore, such an operating lever can be easily integrated into the design of a conductor terminal.

[0022] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the actuating lever is U-shaped as viewed in the conductor insertion direction, with an electrical conductor being able to be inserted through an interior space of the U-shape. This allows for a particularly compact design of the spring-loaded terminal connection such that large forces can be transmitted with the actuating lever, yet requires only a negligible amount of additional space. This is achieved in particular by using the interior space of the U-shape to accommodate the electrical conductor to be connected.

[0023] For example, the operating lever can have a manual operating area, e.g. in the form of a lever handle, from which the operating lever extends around the arrangement of clamping spring and busbar via two side cheeks that protrude, e.g. parallel, from the manual operating area. If the spring-loaded terminal connection is arranged in an insulating housing of a conductor connection terminal, the side cheeks can be located inside the insulating housing. A spring driver can be arranged on each of the side cheeks on an inner side, i.e. on the side facing the clamping spring, which can be formed integrally on the respective side cheek, for example. By means of such a spring driver, the clamping spring can be actuated and correspondingly pivoted into the open position either directly on the clamping leg or on respective operating sections assigned to the spring drivers, which protrude laterally beyond the clamping leg.

[0024] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the actuating lever has at least one spring driver arranged laterally of the clamping spring and configured to deflect the clamping leg. At least one such spring driver allows the clamping leg to be reliably deflected into the open position upon appropriate pivoting of the actuating lever. The actuating lever or the spring driver can be mounted, for example, on the contact section of the busbar.

[0025] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the spring driver has a pin with a circular or partially circular circumference and a V-shaped cutout, with the clamping leg extending into the V-shaped cutout with an actuating portion. This enables reliable force transmission from the actuating lever to the clamping spring.

[0026] The aforementioned object is also achieved by a conductor connection terminal with an insulating housing having at least one conductor insertion opening for receiving an electrical conductor in a conductor insertion direction, wherein at least one spring-loaded terminal of the type described above is arranged in the insulating housing. This also allows the previously described advantages to be realized. The electrical 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 section of the busbar, where it can be clamped.

[0027] 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 projects into the conductor guide channel.

[0028] 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.

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

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

[0031] It shows Fig. 1 a conductor connection terminal in perspective view Fig. 2 the conductor connection terminal according to Fig. 1 in side sectional view in closed operating position, Fig. 3 the conductor connection terminal according to Fig. 2 in open operating position, Fig. 4 the conductor connection terminal according to Fig. 2 with inserted electrical conductor, Fig. 5 a clamping spring with a retaining element and release element formed thereon in a perspective view, Fig. 6 an operating lever in perspective view, Fig. 7 the operating lever according to Fig. 6 in lateral sectional view.

[0032] The Fig. 1 shows a conductor terminal 1 with an insulating housing 2. In the illustrated embodiment, the conductor terminal 1 is designed as a two-pole conductor terminal. Accordingly, the conductor terminal 1 has two conductor insertion openings 20 in the insulating housing 2, through each of which an electrical conductor to be connected can be inserted. Two spring-loaded terminal connections are arranged in the insulating housing 2, with each spring-loaded terminal connection being assigned to a conductor insertion opening 20. The conductor terminal 1 has a pivotable actuating lever 6 for actuating the clamping spring of each spring-loaded terminal connection.

[0033] The Fig. 2 shows a side sectional view of the conductor connection terminal 1 according to Fig. 1. It can be seen that the spring-loaded terminal connection arranged in the insulating housing 2 comprises a clamping spring 4 and a busbar 3. The busbar 3 has a contact section 31 and a frame part 32 bent at an angle from the contact section 31. The contact section 31 serves to electrically contact a connected electrical conductor, with the busbar 3 electrically connecting two or more adjacent spring-loaded terminal connections. The clamping spring 4 has a support section 41 that is fastened to the frame part 32. The support section 41 can, in particular, be suspended from a transverse leg 33 of the frame part 32 that is arranged remote from the contact section 31. The clamping spring 4 has a spring arch 42 adjoining the support section 41 and a clamping leg 43 adjoining the spring arch 42, which serves to clamp an electrical conductor to the contact section 31, specifically at a clamping point 30.The clamping leg 43 ends at the free end with a clamping edge 46.

[0034] To actuate the clamping spring 4, ie to deflect the clamping leg 43 from the Fig. 2 into an open position, the actuating lever 6 is provided. The actuating lever 6 has a manual actuating area 60 that protrudes from the insulating housing 2. At the manual actuating area 60, the actuating lever 6 can be gripped and pivoted by the user. The actuating lever 6 extends into the insulating housing 2 via side cheeks 65. A spring actuating section 61 with a spring driver 62 is arranged on each of the side cheeks 65. When the actuating lever 6 is pivoted, the clamping leg 43 is pivoted in a direction away from the contact section 31 via the spring driver 62 and transferred into the open position, as can be seen in Fig. 3. If the actuating element 6 is positioned opposite the Fig. 1, the clamping leg 43 is deflected upward by the spring drivers 62, so that the clamping edge 46 is lifted from the contact section 31 and moved away. In this way, the clamping point can be opened so that a clamped electrical conductor can be removed or an electrical conductor to be clamped can be easily inserted. In this open position, the clamping leg 43 can be locked to a holding element 5.

[0035] It is evident in the Fig. 2, the support section 41 does not end at the frame part 32, but is extended and merges integrally into a holding element 5, which serves to hold the clamping leg 43 in the open position. Further back, as seen in the conductor insertion direction L, the holding element 5 merges into a release element 8. Advantageously, a U-shaped recess 40 is formed on the support section 41 at the transition to the holding element 5. This allows the support section 41 to be reliably suspended from the frame part 32 or the transverse section 33 and prevents it from slipping in the conductor insertion direction L.

[0036] The holding element 5 has at least one holding tab 54, which can be formed laterally on the holding element 5 from the material of the holding element 5, e.g., by means of a punching and bending process. In the area of ​​the free end, the holding tab 54 has a second locking element 50. On the clamping leg 43, viewed in the conductor insertion direction L, a locking tab 45 is formed behind the clamping edge 46, on which a first locking element 47 is located.

[0037] In the Fig. 3, the actuating lever 6 is pivoted into the open position. Via the spring driver 62, the clamping leg 43 is now moved into the open position, in which the first locking element 47 engages with the second locking element 50. If the actuating lever 6 is now moved back into the closed position, as in Fig. 2 and Fig. 4, the clamping leg 43 remains in the open position since it is held by the holding element 5.

[0038] The holding element 5 extends in the conductor insertion direction L further to the release element 8, which merges into a section that is angled relative to the holding element 5 and extends transversely to the conductor insertion direction L, forming the release section 80 of the release element 8. If an electrical conductor 9, such as the Fig. 4 shows, in the conductor insertion direction L into the insulating housing 2 through the conductor insertion opening 20, pressing the end of the electrical conductor against the release section 80 causes the entire assembly comprising release element 8 and holding element 5 to pivot about a rotation axis, as the Fig. 4. As a result, the second locking element 50, located further down, is pivoted and thus detaches from the first locking element 47. Accordingly, the clamping leg 43 can rebound and press the electrical conductor 9 against the contact section 31. The clamping leg 43 thus moves into the clamping position due to the spring preload of the clamping spring 4.

[0039] The Fig. 5 shows an advantageous embodiment of a clamping spring 4 with a retaining element 5 and a release element 8 formed thereon. A retaining tab 54 can be provided on each side, left and right, of the retaining element 5, each of which has a second locking element 50. Similarly, a locking tab 45 can be formed on the clamping leg 43 on the left and right, each of which has a first locking element 47. In this way, the clamping leg 43 can be locked symmetrically on both sides to the retaining element 5.

[0040] The Fig. 6 and Fig. 7 show an operating lever 6 with further details. It can be seen that the operating lever 6 has side cheeks 65 projecting substantially at right angles from the manual operating area 60 on opposite sides. The side cheeks 65 extend longitudinally beyond the manual operating area 60. In this area, the side cheeks 65 are not connected to one another, i.e., a free space 66 is present there.

[0041] A locking element 67 can be arranged on the manual actuation area 60, which serves to lock the actuation lever 6 in the closed lever position. With the locking element 67, the actuation lever 6 can be locked, for example, to a corresponding locking section of the insulating housing 2. Furthermore, the actuation lever 6 can have a manual actuation aid 69 on the end facing the conductor insertion side, which serves to make it easier to grip the actuation lever in the closed position or to actuate it with a tool.

[0042] A bearing section 68 is formed on each of the side cheeks 65 on the mutually facing inner sides, which extends into the interior of the insulating housing 2. The spring actuating sections 61 with the spring drivers 62 are arranged on the bearing sections 68 on the mutually facing inner sides. The spring drivers 62 are designed in a partially circular manner with a V-shaped cutout 63 on the circumference. It can also be seen that the spring actuating sections 61 with the spring drivers 62 do not directly adjoin the respectively assigned side cheeks 65 in the transverse direction, but rather a gap-like intermediate space 64 is formed between them. An inner wall of the insulating housing 2, for example, can be received in the gap-like intermediate space 64, which contributes to improving the guidance of the actuating lever 6 during a pivoting movement. The actuating lever 6 can be pivoted about a rotation axis D. List of reference symbols 1 conductor connection terminal 2 insulating housings 3 busbar 4 clamping spring 5 Holding element 6 operating levers 8 Release element 9 electrical conductor 20 conductor entry opening 21 rear housing wall 30 terminal point 31 Contact section 32 frame part 33 cross legs 40 U-shaped trough 41 support section 42 spring bows 43 clamping legs 45 locking tab 46 clamping edge 47 first locking element 50 second locking element 51 main body 54 retaining tab 60 manual operating range 61 Spring actuation section 62 spring drivers 63 V-shaped neckline 64 gap-like space 65 sidewall 66 open space 67 Locking element 68 camp section 69 manual operating aid 80 release section L Conductor insertion direction QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

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

[0000] DE 10 2020 119 372 A1

[0002]

Claims

[1] 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) which has a clamping leg (43) with a clamping edge (46) for clamping an electrical conductor (9) at a clamping point (30) on a contact section (31) of the busbar (3), and with a holding element (5) which is formed integrally with the clamping spring (4) and is designed to hold the clamping leg (43) in an open position, characterized by that at least one holding tab (54) is formed on the holding element (5), which extends towards its free end opposite to the conductor insertion direction (L) in the direction of the free end of the clamping leg (43), so that the clamping leg (43) can be fixed to the holding tab (54) in the open position. [2] Spring clamp connection according to claim 1, characterized bythat the clamping leg (43) has a first locking element (47) and the at least one retaining tab (54) has a second locking element (50) which can be locked to the first locking element (47) in the open position. [3] Spring clamp connection according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that at least one locking tab (45) is provided on the clamping leg (43), on which a first locking element (47) is located for locking with the holding tab (54). [4] Spring clamp connection according to claim 3, characterized by that the at least one locking tab (45) projects beyond the clamping edge (46) of the clamping leg (43) in the conductor insertion direction (L). [5] Spring clamp connection according to one of the preceding claims, characterized byin that the clamping spring (4) has a support section (41) which is connected to the clamping leg (43) via a spring arch (42), wherein the support section (41) is designed to support the clamping spring (4) on the busbar (3), in particular on a frame part (32) of the busbar (3). [6] Spring clamp connection according to claim 5, characterized by that the holding element (5) is formed integrally with the support section (41). [7] Spring clamp connection according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the busbar (3) has a frame part (32) in which the clamping spring (4) is suspended, clamped or received in some other way, wherein the frame part (32) has a through-opening through which the electrical conductor (9) to be connected can be inserted. [8] Spring clamp connection according to claim 7, characterized by that the holding element (5) projects into the through opening of the frame part (32). [9] Spring clamp connection according to one of claims 7 to 8, characterized by that on the support section (41) in the transition to the holding element (5) a recess (40) which is U-shaped in side view on the clamping spring (4) is formed, which is designed to fix the support section (41) on the frame part (32) of the busbar (3). [10] Spring clamp connection according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the spring-loaded clamp connection has a release element (8) with a release section (80), by the actuation of which the holding element (5) can be deflected to such an extent that the clamping leg (43) held on the holding element (5) is released from the holding element (5). [11] Spring clamp connection according to claim 10, characterized bythat 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 (9) to be clamped exerts an actuating force on the release section (80) of the release element (8). [12] Spring-loaded terminal connection according to one of claims 10 to 11, characterized by that the release element (8) is formed integrally with the holding element (5). [13] Spring clamp connection according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the holding element (5) is arranged in the conductor insertion direction (L) of the electrical conductor (9) into the spring-loaded terminal connection behind the clamping point (30) or behind the predominant part of the busbar (3). [14] Spring clamp connection according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the spring-loaded clamp connection has a pivotable actuating lever (6) that can be manually actuated by the user for actuating the clamping spring (4) into the open position. [15] Spring clamp connection according to claim 14, characterized by that the actuating lever (6) is U-shaped when viewed in the conductor insertion direction, wherein an electrical conductor (9) can be inserted through an interior space of the U-shape. [16] Spring-loaded terminal connection according to one of claims 14 to 15, characterized by that the actuating lever (6) has at least one spring driver (62) which is arranged laterally of the clamping spring (4) and is designed to deflect the clamping leg (43). [17] Spring clamp connection according to claim 16, characterized by that the spring driver (62) has a pin which is circular or partially circular in circumference and has a V-shaped cutout (63), wherein the clamping leg (43) projects into the V-shaped cutout (63) with an actuating section. [18] Conductor connection terminal (1) with an insulating housing (2) which has at least one conductor insertion opening (20) for receiving an electrical conductor (9) in a conductor insertion direction (L), characterized by that at least one spring-loaded terminal connection according to one of the preceding claims is arranged in the insulating housing (2).

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