Set of several adapter plates, adapter plate of such a set, and conductor connection terminal block

Abstract

A set of several adapter plates (3, 4) for connecting conductor terminals (30, 40, 50, 60) of different sizes, wherein each adapter plate (3, 4) has a plate-shaped base body (5) with a first connection side (1) and a second connection side (2) facing away from the first connection side (1), wherein the base body (5) has first connecting elements (10) on the first connection side (1) which are configured to be connected to connecting components (36, 37) of a conductor terminal (30, 40, 50, 60) configured as counterparts to the first connecting elements (10), wherein the base body (5) has second connecting elements (20) on the second connection side (2) which are configured to be connected to second connecting elements (20) of an adjacent adapter plate (3, 4) configured as counterparts, wherein the set of adapter plates (3, 4) has base bodies (5) of different sizes exhibitswherein the size of the base body (5) is adapted to the size of a conductor terminal (30, 40, 50, 60) to be connected to the first connection side (1) of the adapter plate (3, 4).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a set of several adapter plates for connecting conductor terminals of different sizes. The invention also relates to an adapter plate of such a set and to a conductor terminal block that is modularly constructed from individual conductor terminals and adapter plates of such a set.

[0002] Terminal blocks are used to connect individual electrical conductors, for example, by means of spring clamping. Such terminal blocks with spring clamp connections are available in a wide variety of designs, with different sizes offered depending on the cross-section of the electrical conductor to be connected. Terminal blocks can, for example, be designed as multi-pole terminal blocks, in which several spring clamp connections are arranged in one housing, allowing multiple electrical conductors to be connected. Terminal blocks can also be designed in a disc-like form, in which a single terminal block has only one spring clamp connection and is therefore designed to accommodate only one electrical conductor.These disc-shaped terminal blocks can be snapped together laterally using their housings to form a multi-pole terminal block. However, only terminal blocks of the same size can be snapped together.

[0003] The invention is based on the objective of expanding the possibilities for creating a conductor terminal block from individual conductor terminals.

[0004] This task is solved by a set of several adapter plates for connecting conductor terminals of different sizes, wherein each adapter plate has a plate-shaped base body with a first connection side and a second connection side facing away from the first connection side, wherein the base body has first connecting elements on the first connection side which are configured to be connected to connecting components of a conductor terminal designed as counterparts to the first connecting elements, wherein the base body has second connecting elements on the second connection side which are configured to be connected to second connecting elements of an adjacent adapter plate designed as counterparts, wherein the set of adapter plates comprises base bodies of different sizes.The size of the base body is adapted to the size of a conductor terminal block to be connected to the first connection side of the adapter plate. Because any adapter plates in the set, even those with different-sized base bodies, can always be connected to each other via their respective second connection sides using the second connecting elements, the user can assemble a conductor terminal block according to their needs, similar to a modular system, using conductor terminal blocks of different sizes. All adapter plates in the set have an identical distribution pattern of the second connecting elements on their second connection sides, ensuring compatibility between them.

[0005] This provides a universal adapter plate configuration for connecting conductor terminals of various sizes.

[0006] Two conductor terminals of different sizes, connected via adapter plates from the set, are typically linked by a first adapter plate, whose size corresponds to a conductor terminal of the first size, and a second adapter plate, whose size corresponds to a conductor terminal of the second size. This ensures that two adapter plates are always connected at the interface between adjacent conductor terminals. In principle, any size jump between adjacent conductor terminals can be achieved using these adapter plates.

[0007] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the adapter plates with different sized base bodies each have connection-compatible second connecting elements on their second connection sides, so that conductor terminals of different sizes can be connected to each other via adapter plates with different sized base bodies by connecting the conductor terminals of different sizes to each other via the second connecting elements on the second connection sides of adjacent adapter plates.

[0008] The conductor connection terminals can each have their own housing. In this case, the adapter plate is connected to the housing of the conductor connection terminal with its first connection side and the first connecting elements using corresponding connection components. The conductor connection terminals can, for example, be designed as PCB terminals.

[0009] Such conductor terminals typically have a conductor entry side with a conductor entry opening through which the electrical conductor can be inserted into the terminal housing. When considering the conductor terminal from the conductor entry side, the left side of the housing is to the left of the conductor entry side, and the right side of the housing is to the right of the conductor entry side. The terms "left" and "right" are used in this sense.

[0010] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the set for conductor terminals of different sizes comprises a left-hand adapter plate, the first connection of which can be connected to the left side of the conductor terminal housing, and a right-hand adapter plate, the first connection of which can be connected to the right side of the conductor terminal housing. Accordingly, one left-hand and one right-hand adapter plate are provided in the set for each size, so that conductor terminals of different sizes can be connected to each other in both left / right directions.

[0011] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the first connecting elements and / or the second connecting elements are designed as positive-locking connecting elements, in particular as snap-fit ​​elements. This allows for easy assembly of the conductor terminals with the adapter plates or of the adapter plates with each other, while simultaneously ensuring a secure hold of the individual components against one another.

[0012] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the adapter plates of the set are configured to connect the conductor terminals to one another in identical spatial orientation of their conductor connection side. The conductor entry openings of a conductor terminal block formed by means of the adapter plates are then all accessible from the same side.

[0013] The aforementioned problem is also solved by an adapter plate of a set of the type described above, wherein the adapter plate has a plate-shaped base body with a first connection side and a second connection side facing away from the first connection side, wherein the base body has first connecting elements on the first connection side, which are configured to be connected to connecting components of a conductor terminal block designed as counterparts to the first connecting elements, and wherein the base body has second connecting elements on the second connection side, which are configured to be connected to second connecting elements of an adjacent adapter plate designed as counterparts. The advantages described above can also be realized in this way.

[0014] The aforementioned task is also solved by a terminal block modularly constructed from individual terminal blocks and adapter plates of a set of the type described above, comprising terminal blocks of different sizes. A first adapter plate is connected via its first connection side to at least one terminal block of a first size, and a second adapter plate is connected via its first connection side to at least one adjacent terminal block of a second size, which differs from the first size. The first and second adapter plates are connected to each other via their respective second connection sides. This also allows the previously described advantages to be realized. The terminal block can also be composed of terminal blocks of more than two different sizes, e.g.,with three or four different sizes.

[0015] Advantageously, in the conductor terminal block, the conductor connection sides of all conductor terminals can be aligned in the same spatial direction.

[0016] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, several conductor terminals of the same size are directly connected to each other in an immediately adjacent position, without the need for an adapter plate. This allows for a particularly compact design of the conductor terminal block and saves material. Adapter plates are therefore only required between conductor terminals of different sizes. However, it is of course also possible, in specific cases, to connect conductor terminals of the same size using two adapter plates plugged together.

[0017] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, at least one conductor terminal has a housing with one open side, which is covered by an end plate or adapter plate attached to the housing. Such a housing open on one side allows the conductor terminal to be designed with a relatively narrow profile, resulting in space and material savings, particularly when a plurality of conductor terminals of the same size are connected together. The open side of each conductor terminal is closed by the housing of an adjacent conductor terminal. Only the last conductor terminal in this series requires its housing to be covered by an end plate or adapter plate.

[0018] The end plate can differ from the adapter plate in that it does not have a second connection side with second connecting elements. Instead, on a side corresponding to the second connection side, the end plate can have connecting components that are compatible with the first connecting elements on the first connection side of an adapter plate. The end plate can also differ from the adapter plate in that the end plate has a base body with a thinner material thickness than the adapter plate.

[0019] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, an adapter plate is attached to the end plate with its first connection side. In this way, the additional end plate can be integrated into the structure of the conductor terminal block.

[0020] For example, the first connecting elements can be designed as pins projecting from the base body (e.g., locking pins) or as hole-like pin receptacles (e.g., locking recesses) in the base body. The second connecting elements can be designed as pins projecting from the base body or as hole-like pin receptacles in the base body.

[0021] In an advantageous embodiment, a left-hand adapter plate has second connecting elements that are designed as counterparts to the second connecting elements of any right-hand adapter plate. For example, the second connecting elements of a left-hand adapter plate can be designed as locking pins, and the second connecting elements of the right-hand adapter plate can be designed as locking recesses corresponding to the locking pins. Of course, a reverse arrangement is also possible, or a mixed configuration in which the second connecting elements of the left-hand and right-hand adapter plates are formed by a combination of locking pins and locking recesses.

[0022] The technical advantages that can be achieved through the invention include: Space saving: The universal adapter system reduces the need for multiple adapters and additional components, saves space and simplifies the assembly process. Increased compatibility: The versatile design of the invention is suitable for a wide range of conductor terminal sizes, orientations, and types, improving compatibility and reducing the need for custom solutions. Various types of conductor terminal blocks can be built using this design.

[0023] Flexibility and adaptability: The adjustable patch spacing of the invention and the ability to connect conductor terminals of different sizes side by side offer greater flexibility and adaptability to different PCB layouts and configurations.

[0024] Simplified assembly: The numerous adapters with initial connecting elements, e.g. snap-in pins, for each conductor terminal block, tailored to its size, orientation and type, simplify the assembly process, reduce the risk of errors and improve overall usability.

[0025] Improved reliability: The unique features of the invention, such as separate adapters for different types of terminal blocks and adjustable spacing with spacers, contribute to a safer and more reliable connection and reduce the risk of connection errors and maintenance problems.

[0026] Versatile double-sided adapters: Each conductor terminal block can be equipped with two adapters that can be mounted on either the left or right side. These adapters feature a unique design that allows them to be seamlessly connected to adjacent terminal blocks of different sizes, suitable for both left and right connections.

[0027] Overall, the technical advantages of the invention contribute to a more efficient, reliable and cost-effective solution for connecting conductor terminals and, in particular, printed circuit board terminals, and improve compatibility, versatility and ease of use for users working with conductor terminals of different sizes, orientations and types.

[0028] 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°).

[0029] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to exemplary embodiments and drawings. They show Fig. 1 a set of several adapter plates, Fig. 2 a conductor connection terminal and two adapter plates in a first view, Fig. 3 the conductor connection terminal with the adapter plates according to Fig. 2 in a second view, Fig. 4 a conductor terminal block in a first embodiment, Fig. 5 a conductor connection terminal block in a second embodiment, Fig. 6 a conductor connection terminal block in a third embodiment.

[0030] The Fig. Figure 1 shows a set of adapter plates 3, 4, comprising left-hand adapter plates 3 and right-hand adapter plates 4. Each adapter plate 3, 4 has a plate-shaped base body 5, with the base bodies 5 of the left-hand adapter plates 3 and the right-hand adapter plates 4 each having four different sizes to be attached to conductor terminals of four different sizes.

[0031] Each adapter plate 3, 4 has a first connection side 1 and a second connection side 2 facing away from the first connection side 1 on the base body 5. The base body 5 has first connecting elements 10 on the first connection side 1 and second connecting elements 20 on the second connection side 2. The first connecting elements 10 are each designed as counterparts to connection components on the housings of the conductor connection terminals. The second connecting elements 20 of the left-hand adapter plates 3 are designed as counterparts to the second connecting elements 20 of the right-hand adapter plates 4, so that each left-hand adapter plate 3 can be plugged together at its second connection side 2 with the second connection side 2 of a right-hand adapter plate 4.

[0032] The left-hand adapter plates of 3 different sizes each have second connecting elements 20 which are connection-compatible with the second connecting elements 20 of right-hand adapter plates of 4 any sizes, i.e. regardless of the size of the base body 5, the second connecting elements 20 are each attached at the same positions relative to each other and relative to a reference position of the base body 5, e.g. always at the front lower corner facing the conductor insertion side.

[0033] The Fig. Figure 2 shows four conductor terminals 30 connected together to form a terminal block. Each conductor terminal 30 has a disc-shaped housing 31, on the left side 34 of which connection components 36 are provided for connection, and on the right side 35 of which connection components 37 are arranged that are connection-compatible with the connection components 36 on the left. Each conductor terminal 30 has a conductor entry opening 33 on a conductor entry side 32, through which an electrical conductor can be inserted into the housing 31. The terms "left housing side" and "right housing side" refer to a viewing direction of the conductor terminal that is directed towards the conductor entry side 32. In this case, the left housing side 34 is on the left and the right housing side 35 is on the right.

[0034] The Fig. Figure 2 shows the conductor connection terminals 30, each viewed from the left side of the housing 34. Fig. 3 shows the same arrangement as the Fig. 2 in a viewing direction towards the right side of the housing 35.

[0035] As can be seen, a left-side adapter plate 3 with its first connection side 1 can be attached to the left side of the housing 34. A right-side adapter plate 4 with its first connection side 1 can be attached to the right side of the housing 35.

[0036] The Fig. Figure 4 shows the assembly of conductor connection terminals 30 of size, as shown by the Fig. 2 and Fig. As explained in section 3, conductor terminal blocks 40 of a larger size are connected to form a conductor terminal block. The interconnected conductor terminal blocks 30 of the smaller size are terminated on the left side with a left-hand adapter plate 3 and on the right side with a right-hand adapter plate 4. Similarly, several conductor terminal blocks 40 of the larger size are connected together, and this connected block is covered on the left side by a left-hand adapter plate 3 selected to match the size, and on the right side by a right-hand adapter plate 4.These two sub-blocks of conductor terminals 30, 40 are connected to each other via the right-hand adapter plate 4 of the conductor terminals 30 and the left-hand adapter plate 3 of the conductor terminals 40, wherein the adapter plates 3, 4, which have different sizes at this connection point, are connected to each other via their respective second connection sides 2 and second connecting elements 20.

[0037] As can be seen, the adapter plates can be designed such that the conductor terminals 30, 40 of different sizes are aligned with each other on the conductor entry side 32, i.e., without offset, to form a conductor terminal block. Additionally, the arrangement of the conductor terminals 30, 40 on the underside of the housing can be aligned, i.e., there is no offset on the underside of the housing.

[0038] The Fig. Figure 5 shows a conductor terminal block formed with the adapter plates 3, 4 according to the invention, consisting of the conductor terminals 30 of small size, as shown by the Fig. 2 and Fig. As described in section 3, conductor terminals 60 of a fourth size are attached adjacent to it, and conductor terminals 50 of a third size are attached to it. The fourth size is larger than the third size, and the third size is larger than the first size. The conductor terminals 30, 50, and 60 of different sizes can, in turn, be connected to each other by two immediately adjacent, plug-in adapter plates 3 and 4.

[0039] The Fig. Figure 5 shows an embodiment in which the interconnected conductor terminals 30, 60, 50 on the right-hand housing side 35 of the last conductor terminal, i.e., the housing side that thus remains open, are covered by an additional cover plate 6. A right-hand adapter plate 4 is then placed on the cover plate 6, which is then connected to a left-hand adapter plate 3 of a different size.

[0040] The Fig.Figure 6 shows another embodiment of a conductor terminal block, in which, viewed from the left, conductor terminals 30 of the first size are arranged first, then conductor terminals 40 of a second size, then conductor terminals 50 of the third size, then conductor terminals 60 of the fourth size, then again conductor terminals 50 of the third size, then conductor terminals 40 of the second size, and finally, at the end, again conductor terminals 30 of the first size. Between the conductor terminals of different sizes are two adapter plates plugged together; that is, a right-hand adapter plate 4 is plugged together with a left-hand adapter plate 3. Reference symbol list 1 first connection side 2 second connection side 3 left-side adapter plate 4 right-side adapter plates 5 basic shapes 6 Cover plate 10 first connecting element 20 second connecting element 30 conductor terminal blocks of a first size 31 cases 32 Ladder entry side 33 Ladder entry opening 34 left side of case 35 right side of case 36 left-hand connecting component 37 right-hand connecting component 40 conductor terminal blocks of a second size 50 conductor terminal blocks of a third size 60 conductor terminal blocks of a fourth size

Claims

[1] Set of several adapter plates (3, 4) for connecting conductor terminals (30, 40, 50, 60) of different sizes, wherein each adapter plate (3, 4) has a plate-shaped base body (5) with a first connection side (1) and a second connection side (2) facing away from the first connection side (1), wherein the base body (5) has first connecting elements (10) on the first connection side (1) which are configured to be connected to connecting components (36, 37) of a conductor terminal (30, 40, 50, 60) configured as counterparts to the first connecting elements (10), wherein the base body (5) has second connecting elements (20) on the second connection side (2) which are configured to be connected to second connecting elements (20) of an adjacent adapter plate (3, 4) configured as counterparts, wherein the set of adapter plates (3, 4) with base bodies (5) exhibits different sizeswherein the size of the base body (5) is adapted to the size of a conductor terminal (30, 40, 50, 60) to be connected to the first connection side (1) of the adapter plate (3, 4). [2] Set according to claim 1, characterized by , that the adapter plates (3, 4) with different sized base bodies (5) each have mutually compatible second connecting elements (20) on their second connection sides (2), so that conductor terminals (30, 40, 50, 60) of different sizes can be connected to each other via adapter plates (3, 4) with different sized base bodies (5) by connecting the conductor terminals (30, 40, 50, 60) of different sizes to each other via the second connecting elements (20) on the second connection sides (2) of adjacent adapter plates (3, 4). [3] Set according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by, that the set for the conductor terminal blocks (30, 40, 50, 60) of different sizes each has a left-side adapter plate (3) which can be connected with its first connection side (1) to a left housing side (34) of the conductor terminal block (30, 40, 50, 60), and a right-side adapter plate (4) which can be connected with its first connection side (1) to the right housing side (35) of the conductor terminal block (30, 40, 50, 60). [4] Set according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the first connecting elements (10) and / or the second connecting elements (20) are designed as positive-locking connecting elements, in particular as snap-fit ​​elements. [5] Set according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the adapter plates (3, 4) of the set are designed to connect the conductor terminals (30, 40, 50, 60) to each other in identical spatial orientation of their conductor connection side (32). [6] Adapter plate of a set according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the adapter plate (3, 4) has a plate-shaped base body (5) with a first connection side (1) and a second connection side (2) facing away from the first connection side (1), wherein the base body (5) has first connecting elements (10) on the first connection side (1) which are configured to be connected to connecting components of a conductor terminal (30, 40, 50, 60) designed as counterparts to the first connecting elements (10), wherein the base body (5) has second connecting elements (20) on the second connection side (2) which are configured to be connected to second connecting elements (20) of an adjacent adapter plate (3, 4) designed as counterparts. [7] A terminal block for conductors, which is modularly constructed from individual terminal blocks (30, 40, 50, 60) and adapter plates (3, 4) of a set according to one of claims 1 to 5, comprising terminal blocks (30, 40, 50, 60) of different sizes, wherein a first adapter plate (3, 4) is connected with its first connection side (1) to at least one terminal block (30, 40, 50, 60) of a first size and a second adapter plate (3, 4) is connected with its first connection side (1) to at least one adjacent terminal block (30, 40, 50, 60) of a second size, which differs from the first size, wherein the first and the second adapter plate (3, 4) are connected to each other via their respective second connection sides (2). [8] Conductor terminal block according to claim 7, characterized by, that several conductor terminals (30, 40, 50, 60) of the same size are directly connected to each other immediately adjacent to each other, without an adapter plate (3, 4) being arranged between them. [9] Conductor terminal block according to claim 7 or 8, characterized by , that at least one conductor terminal (30, 40, 50, 60) has a housing (31) which has an open housing side on one side, wherein the open housing side is covered by an end plate (6) attached to the housing (31) or an adapter plate 3, 4). [10] Conductor terminal block according to claim 9, characterized by , that an adapter plate (3, 4) is attached to the end plate (6) with its first connection side (1).

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