Spring clamp connection and conductor connection terminal

Abstract

Spring-loaded clamping connection for connecting an electrical conductor (9) by means of spring force, wherein the spring-loaded clamping 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 the electrical conductor (9) to a contact section (33) of the busbar (3), and with at least one retaining element (5) which is arranged to hold the clamping leg (43) in an open position, characterized in that the at least one retaining element (5) is formed on the busbar (3).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a spring-loaded clamping connection for connecting an electrical conductor by means of spring force, wherein the spring-loaded clamping connection has at least one busbar and a clamping spring, which has a clamping leg with a clamping edge for clamping the electrical conductor to a contact section of the busbar, and with at least one retaining element which is configured to hold the clamping leg in an open position. The invention further relates to a conductor connection terminal with such a spring-loaded clamping 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 connected when the conductor is inserted into the terminal. Insertion of the electrical conductor automatically releases the clamping leg of the clamping spring, which is held in an open position, thereby clamping the electrical conductor securely.

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

[0004] This problem is solved by having at least one retaining element molded onto the busbar. By holding the clamping arm against a retaining element on the busbar, the complexity of the spring geometry can be reduced compared to solutions where the retaining element is integrally molded onto the spring. Hooking the clamping arm onto the busbar's retaining element ensures particularly secure retention of the clamping arm in the open position, especially compared to solutions where part of the insulating housing is used as a retaining element. A further advantage is that the release mechanism can be individually designed and is not dependent on the spring geometry.

[0005] In this way, a conductor terminal block with automatic connection of the electrical conductor to be connected can be improved with good usability and reliability in terms of size.

[0006] At least one of the retaining elements can be integrally formed on the busbar, for example by embossing, a stamping-bending process, or machining. This has the advantage that the retaining element can be produced directly during the busbar's forming process. Separate assembly of the retaining element is therefore unnecessary.

[0007] In particular, the busbar can also have two retaining elements, e.g., one retaining element on each side of the clamping leg. Then the clamping leg can be held symmetrically in the open position by a retaining element on both sides.

[0008] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the busbar has an elongated and / or slot-shaped opening through which the clamping spring, or at least its clamping leg, projects. This facilitates the secure clamping of an electrical conductor to the busbar. For example, the contact section can be designed as a clamping tongue cut from the busbar material and bent, e.g., a clamping tongue bent away from the surface of the busbar, on which a bearing section of the clamping spring rests. The electrical conductor to be clamped can then also be guided through the elongated and / or slot-shaped opening so that it is securely held therein. The elongated and / or slot-shaped opening can be completely or predominantly surrounded by the busbar material.

[0009] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the clamping spring is supported by its bearing section on the busbar, in particular on an inner side of the slotted opening. This allows for secure support of the clamping spring with support on both sides, so that the forces of the clamping spring are kept away from the insulating housing of a conductor terminal. For example, both the bearing section and the clamping leg can project through the slotted opening.

[0010] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the at least one retaining element forms an undercut on at least one surface side of the busbar. The undercut forms a locking element against which the clamping leg can be engaged. Such an undercut allows the clamping leg to securely hook onto the at least one retaining element. The retaining element with the undercut can be formed by a flared tab, a recess in the form of an embossed indentation, or a cut-out opening.

[0011] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the at least one retaining element is designed as a projection on at least one surface side of the busbar or as a recess on at least one surface side of the busbar, in particular on a surface side of the busbar facing the conductor entry side or on a lateral edge of the busbar. This allows for a variety of design options for implementing the functionality of holding the clamping leg in the open position.

[0012] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the clamping spring has a contact leg and a spring arc, the contact leg being connected to the clamping leg via the spring arc, and the contact leg being supported on a contact section of the busbar. In this way, the clamping spring can be clamped between the contact section and the contact section of the busbar. This provides a self-supporting contact insert in which the forces are not transmitted to the insulating housing. For example, the busbar can have an elongated opening into which the clamping spring projects with its contact leg on one side and its clamping leg on the other.

[0013] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the spring-loaded clamp connection has a release element with a release section by which the clamping leg, held in the open position on the retaining element, can be released from the retaining 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 retaining element by inserting the electrical conductor. The release section can be actuated by a separate tool, a component of the conductor connection terminal, such as an actuating element, or directly by the inserted electrical conductor itself, thereby causing the clamping leg to be released from the retaining element.

[0014] The release element allows the clamping leg, which is held in the open position on the retaining element, to be released from the retaining element by applying pressure to the release section in the conductor entry direction (L) of the electrical conductor to be connected. Depending on the design of the spring-clamp connection, the release element can be formed as part of the clamping spring, e.g., as a release element integrally formed with the clamping spring, or as a separate component.

[0015] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the release element is designed as a release lever, which is pivotably mounted on the spring-loaded clamping terminal or in an insulating housing of the conductor terminal, similar to a rocker or toggle lever. The release lever can have a bearing section on which it is supported and about which it is pivotable. The release lever can have a first lever arm projecting from the bearing section in one direction, on which the release section is arranged. The release lever can have a second lever arm projecting from the bearing section in a different direction than the first lever arm, extending towards the retaining element or the connection point between the retaining element and the clamping leg, and configured for mechanically releasing the clamping leg from the retaining element, e.g., by using the second lever arm to move the clamping leg slightly away from the connection point to the retaining element in order to release the locking mechanism.The first lever arm can be arranged at an angle, e.g. essentially at a right angle, to the second lever arm.

[0016] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the release lever has at least two lever arms that are aligned at an angle of less than 80° to each other. This allows the release lever to be integrated into a conductor terminal in a space-saving manner.

[0017] The spring-loaded clamp connection can have a one-piece or multi-piece actuating mechanism for actuating the clamping spring. This actuating mechanism allows the clamping arm to be moved into the open position by manual operation, against the spring force of the clamping spring. In this open position, the clamping arm can then be held by the retaining element, even without further manual actuation of the mechanism, so that the electrical conductor can be inserted at any time without requiring significant force.

[0018] The actuation mechanism can include a manual actuator that can be operated by the user with an actuating force. The manual actuator can be, for example, a sliding push button or a pivoting lever. In the case of a push button, it can be arranged to be essentially linearly displaceable within a guide channel of an insulating housing.

[0019] The clamping arm, together with the contact section of the busbar, can form a clamping point for connecting an electrical conductor between the clamping arm and the contact section. In the open position, at least the clamping edge of the clamping arm is pivoted away from the contact section of the busbar. The clamping arm can be pivoted, for example, between an open position in which the electrical conductor is freely movable between the clamping arm and the contact section, and a clamped position in which the clamping arm clamps the electrical conductor to the contact section.

[0020] The retaining element can, for example, act directly on the clamping leg to hold it in the open position. Thus, for example, a first locking element can be arranged on the clamping leg and a second locking element on the retaining element, whereby the first and second locking elements can be interlocked in the open position. (The first locking element can be designed as a locking projection or locking hook. The second locking element can be designed as a locking edge or locking opening.)

[0021] The aforementioned problem is also solved by a conductor terminal block with an insulating housing that has at least one conductor entry opening for receiving an electrical conductor in a conductor entry direction (L), wherein at least one spring-loaded clamping connection 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 entry opening in the conductor entry direction up to the clamping point between the clamping edge of the clamping leg and the contact section of the busbar and clamped there.

[0022] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, a conductor guidance 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 guidance channel or at least projects into the conductor guidance channel.

[0023] 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).

[0024] For the purposes of the present invention, the indefinite term "a" is not to be understood as a numeral. Therefore, when, for example, a component is mentioned, this is to be interpreted as "at least one component". Where angles are specified in degrees, these refer to a circle of 360 degrees (360°).

[0025] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to exemplary embodiments and drawings.

[0026] They show Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 a first embodiment of a spring-loaded clamping connection, Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 a second embodiment of a spring-loaded clamping connection, Fig. 5 and Fig. 6 a third embodiment of a spring-loaded clamp connection, Fig. 7 a clamping spring, Fig. 8 a solvent element, Fig. 9 a conductor terminal block in lateral sectional view with unactuated clamping spring, Fig. 10 the conductor connection terminal according to Fig. 9 in the open position, Fig. 11 the conductor connection terminal according to Fig. 9 with electrical conductor inserted in the clamping position.

[0027] The one in the Fig. 1 and Fig. The 2 identifiable spring-loaded clamp connection has, as separate components, a busbar 3 and a clamping spring 4. The clamping spring 4 is essentially U-shaped. The clamping spring 4 has a contact leg 41, a spring arc 42 adjoining the contact leg 41, and a clamping leg 43 adjoining the spring arc 42. The clamping leg 43 extends to a free end, with the width of the clamping leg 43 decreasing at a point of reduction and transitioning into a bent clamping tongue 45. At the end of the clamping tongue 45 is a clamping edge 46 (visible in Fig. 7) designed to clamp an electrical conductor. An electrical conductor is to be inserted into a conductor entry side of the spring-clamp terminal in a conductor entry direction L.

[0028] The busbar 3 has a surface 30 facing the conductor entry side. An elongated opening 32 is formed in the busbar 3 in the area of ​​the surface 30. The clamping spring 4, with its contact leg 41 and clamping leg 43 or clamping tongue 45, passes through this opening 32. A contact section 34 is formed from the material of the busbar 3, extending from the surface 30 and serving to support the contact leg 41 against the clamping force of the clamping leg 43. On the side opposite the contact section 34 at the elongated opening 32, the busbar 3 has a contact section 33 to which the electrical conductor can be clamped by means of the clamping leg 43.

[0029] The plant section 34 and the contact section 33 can be configured as a bent material tongue or, as in the Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 shown, is designed as a circumferential section of a continuous material passage.

[0030] The spring-loaded clamping connection also has a mechanism for holding the clamping arm in the open position. Fig. Figure 1 shows the clamping arm in the clamping position. Fig. Figure 2 shows the clamping leg 43 in the open position. To implement the mechanism, at least one retaining element 5 is formed on the conductor rail 3, whereby one can in the Fig. 2. It can be seen that, advantageously, a retaining element 5 is formed on each side to the left / right of the clamping leg 43. On the clamping leg 43, locking elements 44 are formed in the area of ​​the taper, e.g., by a stamping-bending process from the material of the clamping leg. These locking elements 44 protrude slightly and run essentially parallel to the clamping tongue 45 over a certain length.

[0031] The clamping spring 4 is moved into the open position by applying an actuating force, e.g. by means of its own actuating element of the spring force clamp connection or by an external tool, according to Fig. 2, the locking elements 44 engage with the retaining elements 5 and hold the clamping leg 43 in this open position against the force of the pre-tensioned clamping spring 4.

[0032] The retaining elements 5 can be designed in different ways. For example, the following is advantageous: Fig. Figure 1 shows a design with retaining elements 5 projecting from the surface side 30, e.g., in the form of cutouts. The retaining elements 5 can be ramped upwards on the side facing the contact section 33 of the busbar 3 and slope steeply downwards on the opposite side, e.g., such that an essentially 90-degree angle to the surface side 30 is formed.

[0033] The Fig. 3 and Fig. Figure 4 shows an embodiment of a spring-loaded clamping connection, which is designed differently with regard to the shape of the retaining elements 5. Fig. Figure 3 again shows the spring-loaded clamping connection in the clamping position, which Fig. 4 in the open position. In this case, the retaining elements 5 are designed as recesses in the surface 30, i.e., they do not protrude from the surface 30, but rather form a recess. With an otherwise identical design, the clamping spring can, in this case, be designed with slightly longer detent elements 44.

[0034] The Fig. 5 and Fig. Figure 6 shows another variant of a spring-loaded clamp connection with a further modified design of the retaining elements 5. Fig. Figure 5 shows the spring-loaded clamping connection in the clamping position, which Fig. 6 in the open position. The retaining elements 5 are now inserted into the power rail 3 as recesses on opposite edge sides 31 of the power rail 3.

[0035] If several retaining elements 5 are present, they can be identical or mirror-symmetrical as shown, but they can also be designed differently. Furthermore, it is possible to design the retaining elements 5 as projections on the edge sides 31 of the conductor rail 3.

[0036] The Fig. Figure 7 shows the clamping spring 4 as a single component. The essentially U-shaped design with the contact leg 41, the spring arc 42, and the clamping leg 43, as well as the projecting detent elements 44, is recognizable.

[0037] The Fig. Figure 8 shows a release element 8 designed as a release lever. The release lever can, for example, be made of plastic. The release element 8 is pivotably mounted in this way, similar to a rocker or toggle lever. For this purpose, the release lever has a bearing section 81, with which it can, for example, be supported on a section of an insulating housing. The release lever has a first lever arm 80 projecting in one direction from the bearing section 81, on which the release section is located. This section can be actuated by the inserted electrical conductor, thus releasing the locking mechanism of the clamping leg in the open position. On the other side of the bearing section 81, a second lever arm 82 projects, which is connected to the bearing section 81 via a joint 83. The essentially acute angle between the first lever arm 80 and the second lever arm 82 is evident.When the release section on the first lever arm 80 is actuated accordingly, the second lever arm 82 acts like a plunger that presses against the clamping leg.

[0038] The Fig. Figure 9 shows a conductor terminal 1 with an insulating housing 2 in which a spring-loaded clamp connection with the busbar 3 and the clamping spring 4 is arranged. The release element 8 is also arranged in the insulating housing 2. The release element 8 is pivotably mounted via its bearing section 81 in a bearing receptacle 21, which is formed from the material of the insulating housing 2.

[0039] The conductor connection terminal 1 has a conductor insertion opening 20 into which an electrical conductor can be inserted in a conductor insertion direction L and clamped at the clamping point between the contact section 33 and the clamping edge 46.

[0040] The insulating housing 2 has an actuation channel 22, which is arranged next to the conductor entry opening 20. The clamping spring 4 can be moved from the unactuated position (clamping position) via the actuation channel 22, as shown in Fig. 9 shown, can be moved into the latched open position, e.g. by inserting a tool into the actuation channel 22 or by arranging a separate actuation element of the conductor connection terminal 1, e.g. an actuation push button, in the actuation channel 22.

[0041] The Fig. Figure 10 shows the conductor connection terminal 1 with the clamping leg in the locked open position. If now, as the Fig.Figure 11 shows that an electrical conductor 9 is inserted and moved to the release section on the first lever arm 80. The release element 8 can then be pivoted by the electrical conductor 9 through force transmission to the first lever arm 80. This presses the second lever arm 82, which is guided in a channel of the insulating housing 2, against the free end of the clamping leg 43 or the clamping tongue 45. This overcomes the locking mechanism of the locking elements 44 on the retaining elements 5, so that the clamping leg 43 releases and presses the electrical conductor 9 against the contact section 33. It can be seen that the angle between the second lever arm 82, guided in the channel, and the first lever arm 80 changes to a certain extent, namely, it increases. The second lever arm 82 is thus pivoted relative to the first lever arm 80 by means of the joint 83. Reference symbol list 1 conductor connection terminal 2 insulating housings 3 busbar 4 clamping springs 5 retaining element 8 Solvent element 9 electrical conductors 20 Ladder entry opening 21 Bearing intake 22 Actuating channel 30 surface side 31 Marginal page 32 elongated opening 33 Contact section 34 Plant section 41 Attachment legs 42 feather bows 43 clamping legs 44 locking element 45 clamping tongue 46 clamping edge 80 first lever arm 81 Storage section 82 second lever arm 83 joint L conductor insertion direction QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

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

[0000] DE 10 2020 119 372 A1

[0002]

Claims

[1] Spring-loaded terminal for connecting an electrical conductor (9) by means of spring force, wherein the spring-loaded terminal has at least one busbar (3) and a clamping spring (4) which has a clamping leg (43) with a clamping edge (46) for clamping the electrical conductor (9) to a contact section (33) of the busbar (3), and with at least one retaining element (5) which is provided to hold the clamping leg (43) in an open position, characterized by , that at least one retaining element (5) is formed on the busbar (3). [2] Spring clamp connection according to claim 1, characterized by , that the busbar (3) has an elongated and / or slot-shaped opening (32) through which the clamping spring (4) or at least its clamping leg (43) protrudes. [3] Spring clamp connection according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the clamping spring has a support section with which the clamping spring is supported on the busbar, in particular on an inside of the elongated and / or slotted opening. [4] Spring clamp connection according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the contact section (33) is designed as a clamping tongue cut free from the material of the busbar (3) and bent. [5] Spring clamp connection according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the at least one retaining element (5) forms an undercut on at least one surface side (30, 31) of the busbar (3). [6] Spring clamp connection according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by, that the at least one retaining element (5) is designed as a projection on at least one surface side (30, 31) of the busbar (3) or as a recess on at least one surface side (30, 31) of the busbar (3), in particular on a surface side (30) of the busbar (3) facing the conductor entry side (L) or on a lateral edge (31) of the busbar (3). [7] Spring clamp connection according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the clamping spring (4) has a contact leg (41) and a spring bow (42), wherein the contact leg (41) is connected to the clamping leg (43) via the spring bow (42), wherein the contact leg (41) is supported on a contact section (34) of the busbar (3). [8] Spring clamp connection according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by, that the spring-loaded clamping connection has a release element (8) with a release section (80) by which the clamping leg (43) held in the open position on the retaining element (5) can be released from the retaining element (5) when an electrical conductor to be clamped exerts an actuating force on the release section (80). [9] Spring clamp connection according to claim 8, characterized by , that the release element (8) is designed as a release lever which is pivotably mounted on the spring-loaded clamping connection or in an insulating housing (2) of a conductor terminal (1) in the manner of a rocker or a toggle lever. [10] Spring clamp connection according to claim 9, characterized by , that the release lever has at least two lever arms (80, 82) which are aligned at an angle of less than 80° to each other. [11] Conductor terminal (1) with an insulating housing (2) which has at least one conductor entry opening (20) for receiving an electrical conductor (9) in a conductor entry direction (L), characterized by , that at least one spring clamp connection according to one of the preceding claims is arranged in the insulating housing (2).

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