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 an electrical conductor (9) at a clamping point on a contact section (31) of the busbar (3), and with a retaining element (5) which is configured to hold the clamping leg (43) in an open position, characterized in that the retaining element (5) is designed as a component separate from the clamping spring (4), wherein the spring-loaded clamping connection has a release element (8) by actuation of which the retaining element (5) can be displaced, pivoted or deflected in any other way to such an extent that the clamping leg (43) held on the retaining element (5) is released from the retaining element (5).

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 an electrical conductor at a clamping point on a contact section of the busbar, and with a retaining element that 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 designing the retaining element as a separate component from the clamping spring. The spring-clamp connection has a release element, the actuation of which allows the retaining element to be displaced, pivoted, or otherwise deflected to such an extent that the clamping leg held by the retaining element releases from the retaining element. Such a design with a retaining element separate from the clamping spring enables the integration of automatic release technology into spring-clamp connections and conductor terminals of various designs. In particular, proven conductor terminals of known design can thus be easily upgraded to include automatic release functionality, i.e., automatic connection of the electrical conductor to be clamped.

[0005] Because the retaining element is movably mounted—that is, it can be slid, pivoted, or otherwise deflected—it can be easily deflected by the inserted conductor to achieve the desired release of the clamping arm from the retaining element. The retaining element can be mounted, for example, so that it can be moved linearly or in an arc. The retaining element can also be mounted so that it pivots about a fixed or variable pivot axis. In the case of a variable pivot axis, the retaining element can, for example, be mounted so that it pivots with a floating bearing. The retaining element can also perform a combined sliding and pivoting movement. Alternatively, the retaining element can be mounted in a way that allows it to deflect sufficiently to release the clamping arm from the retaining element.

[0006] The spring-loaded clamping connection can have an actuating mechanism for operating the clamping arm. This 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 operation of the mechanism, so that the electrical conductor can be inserted at any time without requiring significant force. For example, the clamping arm can be locked onto the retaining element in the open position.

[0007] 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.

[0008] The retaining element can, for example, act directly on the clamping leg to hold it in the open position. Thus, for instance, a first locking element can be arranged on the clamping leg and a second locking element on the retaining element, with the first and second locking elements being able to interlock 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.

[0009] The retaining element is a separate component, which is attached, for example, to an insulating housing of a conductor terminal block, to the busbar or to another component.

[0010] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the retaining element is pivotably mounted, for example, on the contact section of the busbar via at least one pivot bearing element. In this way, the axis of rotation of the retaining element can be positioned as far as possible from the contact point of the clamping leg on the retaining element, which is helpful in minimizing the required release stroke on the release element.

[0011] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the release element is integrated into the component or assembly of the spring-clamp connection that includes the retaining element. This minimizes the design and assembly effort for the spring-clamp connection. In particular, only one component or assembly is required for mounting the release element and the retaining element, rather than two separate components or assemblies. For example, the release element can be integrally formed with the retaining element. The component or assembly can be made of, for example, plastic or metal, or a combination of such materials.

[0012] 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 direction in which the electrical conductor is inserted into the spring-loaded clamping connection. In this way, the retaining element does not obstruct the insertion of the electrical conductor. For example, in the open position, i.e., when the clamping leg is locked onto the retaining element, the retaining element, when viewed in the direction of conductor insertion, may not protrude into a conductor receiving space, or may only protrude slightly, relative to the clamping leg.

[0013] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the clamping spring has a support section that is connected to the clamping leg via a spring arc, the support section being designed to support the clamping spring on the busbar, in particular on the frame part. The support section ensures secure support of the clamping spring and provides sufficient resistance to the spring force exerted by the clamping leg.

[0014] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the busbar has a frame in which the clamping spring is clamped, the frame having a through-opening through which the electrical conductor to be connected can be inserted. For example, the clamping spring can be hooked with its support section onto an edge section of the frame that surrounds the through-opening. The clamping spring can be clamped in the frame such that the support section is attached to the frame and the clamping leg is oriented towards the contact section of the busbar, i.e., in the clamping position without an inserted electrical conductor, it rests against the contact section, or, with an inserted electrical conductor, the clamping leg presses the electrical conductor against the contact section.

[0015] The frame component can be formed in one piece from the busbar material, for example, as a section bent and punched out from the contact section. The frame component 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 component can then have a first leg projecting from the contact section on one side and a second leg projecting from the opposite side, with the first and second legs extending parallel to each other. The frame component can also have a transverse leg connecting the free ends of the first and second legs. The clamping spring can then be hooked onto the transverse leg via the support section.

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

[0017] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the spring-loaded clamp connection is provided with a pivotable actuating lever, manually operated by the user, for actuating the clamping spring into the open position. This allows for simple and convenient manual actuation of the spring-loaded clamp connection. Furthermore, such an actuating lever can be easily integrated into the design of a conductor terminal.

[0018] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the actuating lever is U-shaped when 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-clamp connection, such that the actuating lever can transmit large forces while requiring only a negligible amount of additional space. This is achieved in particular because the interior space of the U-shape can be used to position the electrical conductor to be clamped.

[0019] For example, the actuating lever can have a manual actuation area, e.g., in the form of a lever handle, from which the actuating lever extends around the assembly of clamping spring and busbar via two side plates projecting parallel to the manual actuation area. If the spring-clamp connection is located in an insulating housing of a conductor terminal, the side plates can be situated within the insulating housing. A spring driver can be arranged on the inner side of each side plate, i.e., on the side facing the clamping spring. This spring driver can be integrally formed with the respective side plate. By means of such a spring driver, the clamping spring can be actuated either directly at the clamping leg or at actuation sections associated with the spring drivers, which project laterally beyond the clamping leg, and thus pivoted into the open position.

[0020] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the actuating lever has at least one spring driver arranged laterally to the clamping spring and configured to deflect the clamping arm. At least one such spring driver ensures that the clamping arm is reliably deflected into the open position by a corresponding pivoting action of the actuating lever. The actuating lever or the spring driver can, for example, be mounted on the contact section of the busbar.

[0021] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the spring driver has a circumferentially circular or semicircular pin with a V-shaped cutout, wherein the clamping leg with an actuating section projects into the V-shaped cutout. This enables reliable force transmission from the actuating lever to the clamping spring.

[0022] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the release element is resiliently mounted by means of at least one spring element, wherein the release element is actuated by the electrical conductor being inserted, against the spring force of the spring element. This ensures that the release element does not unintentionally release the locking mechanism between the clamping arm and the retaining element, for example, due to vibrations of the conductor terminal, because the additional spring force of the spring element must first be overcome. The spring element required for the resilient mounting can be attached to the release element or formed integrally with it.

[0023] 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 connected 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. By means of the release element, the clamping leg, 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 clamping connection, the release element can be designed as part of the clamping spring, e.g. as a release element formed in one piece with the clamping spring, or as a separate component.

[0024] 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 one direction, wherein at least one spring-loaded clamping connection of the type described above is arranged in the insulating housing. This also allows the advantages described above to be realized. The electrical conductor can be inserted through the conductor entry opening in the direction of entry up to the clamping point between the clamping edge of the clamping leg and the contact section of the busbar, and clamped there.

[0025] 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.

[0026] 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).

[0027] 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°).

[0028] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to exemplary embodiments and drawings.

[0029] They show Fig. 1 a conductor terminal block in perspective view, Fig. 2 the conductor connection terminal according to Fig. 1 in a side sectional view, Fig. 3 spring-loaded clamping connections in the clamping position in perspective view, Fig. 4 the spring-loaded clamping connections according to Fig. 3 in the open position, Fig. 5 a combined hold-release element in perspective view, Fig. 6. An operating lever in perspective view, Fig. 7 the actuating lever according to Fig. 6 in side sectional view, Fig. 8 Another embodiment of a conductor terminal block in a side sectional view Fig. 9 a spring clamp connection of the conductor terminal according to Fig. 8 in the open position in side section view, Fig. 10 a combined holding-release element of the conductor terminal according to Fig. 8 in perspective view.

[0030] The Fig. Figure 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 entry openings 20 in the insulating housing 2, through each of which an electrical conductor to be connected can be inserted. Two spring-clamp terminals are arranged in the insulating housing 2, with each spring-clamp terminal being assigned to one conductor entry opening 20. The conductor terminal 1 has a pivotable actuating lever 6 for actuating the clamping spring of each spring-clamp terminal.

[0031] The Fig. Figure 2 shows a side sectional view of the conductor connection terminal 1 according to Fig. 1. It can be seen that the spring-loaded clamping connection arranged in the insulating housing 2 has 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, which, however, only appears in the Fig. 3 is more clearly visible. The contact section 31 serves for the electrical contact of a connected electrical conductor. The clamping spring 4 has a support section 41, which is attached to the frame part 32. The support section 41 can, in particular, be hooked onto a transverse leg 33 of the frame part 32 located away from the contact section 31. The clamping spring 4 has a spring arc 42 adjoining the support section 41 and a clamping leg 43 adjoining the spring arc 42, which serves to clamp an electrical conductor to the contact section 31. The clamping leg 43 terminates at its free end with a clamping edge 46.

[0032] To actuate the clamping spring 4, i.e., to deflect the clamping leg 43 from the position in Fig. To move the clamping position shown in Figure 2 into an open position, the actuating lever 6 is provided. The actuating lever 6 has a manual actuation area 60 that projects from the insulating housing 2. The user can grasp and pivot the actuating lever 6 at the manual actuation area 60. The actuating lever 6 extends into the insulating housing 2 via side walls 65. A spring actuation section 61 with a spring driver 62 is arranged on each of the side walls 65. When the actuating lever 6 is pivoted, the clamping arm 43 is pivoted via the spring driver 62 in a direction away from the contact section 31 and moved into the open position. Fig. When the clamping arm 43 is pivoted clockwise in the position shown in Figure 1, the spring-loaded actuators 62 deflect the clamping edge 46 upwards, lifting it away from the contact section 31 and moving it forward. This allows the clamping point to be opened, enabling the removal of a clamped electrical conductor or the easy insertion of a new one.

[0033] Furthermore, a retaining element 5 is arranged in the insulating housing 2, which serves to hold the clamping leg 43 in the open position. The retaining element 5 has a locking element 50 against which the clamping leg 43 can be locked with a locking element, which in this case is formed by the clamping edge 46. However, it is also possible that a separate locking element is formed on the clamping leg 43. The retaining element 5 has one or more support cheeks 53 by which the retaining element 5 is supported against the force acting on the locking element 50, for example against the busbar 3 or a part of the housing 2.

[0034] Furthermore, a release element 8 is arranged in the insulating housing 2. This element serves, when actuated, to deflect the retaining element 5 such that the clamping leg 43 held by the retaining element 5 is released from the retaining element 5. For this purpose, the release element 8 has a release section 80. When an electrical conductor is inserted into the insulating housing 2 through the conductor entry opening 20 in the conductor insertion direction L, pressing the end of the electrical conductor against the release section 80 causes the retaining element 5 to deflect towards a rear housing wall 21 of the insulating housing 2, thus releasing the locking mechanism between the locking element 50 and the clamping leg 43. The clamping leg 43 then moves into the clamping position due to the spring preload of the clamping spring 4.

[0035] The Fig. Figure 3 shows the spring-loaded clamping terminals arranged in the insulating housing 2, which have two clamping springs 4 of the type described above arranged side by side. The spring-loaded clamping terminals have a common transverse busbar 3 with a contact section 31 and a frame part 32 each associated with a clamping spring 4. It can be seen that the retaining element 5 is pivotably attached to the busbar 3 in this embodiment by means of a pivot bearing element 51 projecting laterally from the retaining element 5 to the left and right, which engages behind the busbar 3, e.g. in the area of ​​the curved transition from the contact section 31 to the frame part 32. The retaining element 5 is thus pivotably mounted on the busbar 3.

[0036] The Fig. Figure 3 shows the spring-loaded clamping connections with the clamping springs 4 in the clamping position. Fig. 4 shows the arrangement according to Fig. 3 - shown here for better illustration with a sectional view of the front clamping spring 4 and the busbar 3 - in the open position, in which the clamping leg 43 is locked to the retaining element 5, specifically to the locking element 50.

[0037] The Fig. Figure 5 shows an advantageous embodiment of the retaining element 5 with the release element 8 in the form of a single-piece formed assembly, e.g., in the form of a sheet metal part, which can be provided as a stamped and bent component. The retaining element 5 has two support cheeks 53, which are spaced apart from each other and run essentially parallel to each other. The cheeks 53 are connected to each other via a transverse connecting section 52 in the area of ​​the locking elements 50. The retaining element 5 is supported via the free ends of the support cheeks 53, which are spaced apart from the transverse connecting section 52, and / or via the pivot bearing elements 51, e.g., on the busbar 3. The release element 8 is formed directly onto the transverse connecting section 52 and extends via an angled section to the release section 80, which serves for the actual actuation of the release element 8 by the electrical conductor.

[0038] The Fig. 6 and Fig. Figure 7 shows an actuating lever 6 with further details. It can be seen that the actuating lever 6 has side flanges 65 projecting essentially at right angles from opposite sides of the manual actuating area 60. The side flanges 65 extend longitudinally beyond the manual actuating area 60. In this area, the side flanges 65 are not connected to each other, i.e., a gap 66 is present.

[0039] A locking element 67 can be arranged at the manual actuation area 60, which serves to lock the actuating lever 6 in the closed lever position. The actuating lever can be locked, for example, to a corresponding locking section of the insulating housing 2 by means of the locking element 67. Furthermore, the actuating lever 6 can have a manual actuation aid 69 at the end facing the conductor entry side, which serves to make it easier to grip the actuating lever in the closed position or to actuate it with a tool.

[0040] On each of the side walls 65, a bearing section 68 is formed on the facing inner surfaces, extending into the interior of the insulating housing 2. On the facing inner surfaces of each bearing section 68, spring actuation sections 61 with spring drivers 62 are arranged. The spring drivers 62 have a semicircular circumference with a V-shaped cutout 63. It can also be seen that the spring actuation sections 61 with the spring drivers 62 do not directly abut the respective side walls 65 in the transverse direction, but rather a gap-like space 64 is formed between them. An inner wall of the insulating housing 2 can, for example, be accommodated in this gap-like space 64, which improves the guidance of the actuating lever 6 during pivoting movements. The actuating lever 6 can be pivoted about a pivot axis D.

[0041] In the Fig. Section 8 describes a further embodiment of a conductor terminal 1 with a differently designed retaining element 5 and release element 8. The remaining features of the conductor terminal 1 correspond to the embodiment described above. The section plane of the Fig. The spring-loaded clamping connection shown in Figure 8 has already been moved into the open position by actuating the associated actuating lever 6, whereby the clamping leg 43 is locked onto the detent element 50 of the retaining element 5.

[0042] In the embodiment of the Fig. The retaining element 5, together with the release element 8, is designed as a pot-shaped component that can be closed, or at least substantially closed, on five of its six sides. The component can be manufactured, for example, as a plastic or metal component. One end wall of the component, facing the rear housing wall 21, forms the release section 80.

[0043] The Fig. Figure 9 shows the spring-loaded clamping connection with the previously described combined retaining-release element 5, 8. The retaining-release element 5, 8 can, for example, be slidably supported on the insulating housing 2 by a lower wall 55. In this case, the retaining-release element 5, 8 does not perform a pivoting movement, but rather a substantially linear displacement movement. A spring element 81 can be arranged on the retaining-release element 5, 8 in the area of ​​the release section 80, which can, for example, be formed integrally with the release section 80.

[0044] The Fig.Figure 10 shows the combined retaining-release element 5, 8 with the retaining element 5 and the release element 8 in a separate illustration. For example, the component can have two essentially parallel side walls 54. The side walls 54 can be connected to each other in the upper region by an upper wall 56 and in the lower region by a lower wall 55. The retaining-release element 5, 8 can be essentially funnel- or wedge-shaped. An electrical conductor to be clamped is then inserted into the area enclosed by the walls 54, 55, 56 and then abuts the release section 80, which forms a rear boundary wall for the component. Then, against the restoring force of the spring element 81, the entire retaining-release element 5, 8 can be displaced by the electrical conductor slightly towards the rear housing wall 21 until the clamping leg 43 with the clamping edge 46 releases from the detent element 50. Reference symbol list: 1 conductor connection terminal 2 insulating housings 3 Power rail 4 clamping springs 5 retaining element 6 operating levers 8 Solvent element 20 conductor entry openings 21 rear case wall 31 Contact section 32 frame part 33 transverse legs 41 Support section 42 feather bows 43 clamping legs 46 clamping edge 50 locking elements 51 Swivel bearing element 52 Cross-connection section 53 Support cheek 54 side wall 55 lower wall 56 upper wall 60 manual operating range 61 Spring actuation section 62 spring drivers 63 V-shaped cutout 64 slit-like space 65 Side cheek 66 free space 67 Locking element 68 Storage section 69 manual operating aids 80 Solution section 81 Spring element D axis of rotation 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 an electrical conductor (9) at a clamping point on a contact section (31) of the busbar (3), and with a retaining element (5) which is provided to hold the clamping leg (43) in an open position, characterized by , that the retaining element (5) is designed as a component separate from the clamping spring (4), wherein the spring force clamping connection has a release element (8) by actuation of which the retaining element (5) can be displaced, pivoted or deflected in any other way so that the clamping leg (43) held on the retaining element (5) is released from the retaining element (5). [2] Spring clamp connection according to claim 1, characterized by, that the retaining element (5) is pivotably mounted on the busbar (3) via at least one pivot bearing element (51). [3] Spring clamp connection according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the release element (8) is part of the component or assembly of the spring-loaded clamping connection which has the retaining element (5). [4] Spring clamp connection according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the retaining element (5) is arranged in the conductor insertion direction (L) of the electrical conductor into the spring-loaded clamping connection behind the clamping point or behind the predominant part of the busbar (3). [5] 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 clamped, wherein the frame part (32) has a through-opening through which the electrical conductor to be connected can be inserted. [6] Spring clamp connection according to claim 5, characterized by , that the retaining element (5) and / or the release element (8) protrudes into the through-opening of the frame part (32). [7] Spring clamp connection according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the spring force clamp connection for actuating the clamping spring (4) into the open position has a pivotable actuating lever (6) that can be manually actuated by the user. [8] Spring clamp connection according to claim 7, characterized by , that the actuating lever (6) is U-shaped when viewed in the conductor insertion direction (L), wherein an electrical conductor can be inserted through an interior of the U-shape. [9] Spring clamp connection according to one of claims 7 to 8, characterized by , that the actuating lever (6) has at least one spring driver (62) which is arranged laterally to the clamping spring (4) and is designed to deflect the clamping leg (43). [10] Spring clamp connection according to claim 9, characterized by , that the spring driver (62) has a circumferentially circular or semicircular pin with a V-shaped cutout (63), wherein the clamping leg (43) projects into the V-shaped cutout (63) with an actuating section. [11] Spring clamp connection according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the clamping spring (4) has a support section (41) which is connected to the clamping leg (43) via a spring arc (42), wherein the support section (41) is designed to support the clamping spring (4) on the conductor rail (3), in particular on the frame part (32). [12] Spring clamp connection according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by, that the clamping leg (43) held in the open position on the holding element (5) can be released from the holding element (5) when an electrical conductor (9) to be clamped exerts an actuating force on a release section (80) of the release element. [13] Spring clamp connection according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the release element (8) is resiliently mounted by means of at least one spring element (81), wherein the release element (8) is to be actuated by the electrical conductor (9) to be inserted against the spring force of the spring element (81). [14] 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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