Locking element, set and arrangement with a conductor connection terminal and a locking element

Abstract

A locking element (7) for attachment to a conductor terminal (1), which has a housing (2) and at least one spring-loaded clamping connection (3) arranged in the housing (2) and at least one actuating element (5) for actuating the at least one spring-loaded clamping connection (3), wherein the locking element (7) is configured to block an actuating movement of the at least one actuating element (5) for actuating the spring-loaded clamping connection (3) in the state attached to the conductor terminal (1), characterized in that the locking element (7) has at least one connecting contour (71) which is designed as a counterpart to a receiving contour (51) formed on the actuating element (5), wherein the locking element (7) can be attached to the actuating element (5) by positively interlocking the at least one connecting contour (71) with the receiving contour (51).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a locking element for attachment to a conductor terminal, which has a housing and at least one spring-loaded clamping connection arranged in the housing, as well as at least one actuating element for actuating the at least one spring-loaded clamping connection, wherein the locking element is configured to block an actuating movement of the at least one actuating element for actuating the spring-loaded clamping connection when attached to the conductor terminal. The invention further relates to a set comprising a conductor terminal and such a locking element, as well as an arrangement comprising a conductor terminal and such a locking element.

[0002] The invention relates generally to the field of electrical installation technology and in particular to conductor terminals that have a spring-loaded clamping connection and an actuating element for actuating the spring-loaded clamping connection. In certain situations, it can be advantageous if the actuating element can be prevented from being actuated, e.g., to avoid unintentional actuation. From DE 10 2022 119 489 A1, a conductor marking element for marking at least one electrical conductor is known, which additionally has a function for blocking an actuating lever of a conductor terminal.

[0003] The invention is based on the objective of providing an improved locking element for attachment to a conductor terminal block, as well as a set and an arrangement comprising a conductor terminal block and a locking element.

[0004] This problem is solved with a locking element of the type mentioned above, in that the locking element has at least one connecting contour that is designed as a counterpart to a receiving contour formed on the actuating element, wherein the locking element can be attached to the actuating element by positively interlocking the at least one connecting contour with the receiving contour. Advantageously, the locking element can thus be attached directly to the actuating element, using a receiving contour already present on the actuating element for this purpose. Accordingly, other receiving or mounting options for the locking element are not necessarily required, in particular not on the housing of the conductor terminal. Nevertheless, it is of course conceivable that at least one additional mounting option for attaching the locking element is also present on the housing of the conductor terminal.Advantageously, no modifications to the conductor terminal are required for the use of the locking element; instead, existing contours can be used as a receiving contour on the actuating element. For example, the locking element can be attached by snapping its at least one connecting contour onto the receiving contour of the actuating element.

[0005] The locking element can be configured, in particular, to be attached to the conductor terminal and its actuating element when the actuating element is in an unactuated state in which the spring-loaded clamping connection is not open. Accordingly, the locking element can be configured, in particular, to block any actuating movement of the actuating element to open the spring-loaded clamping connection.

[0006] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the locking element has at least one blocking contour that prevents the actuating element from opening the spring-loaded clamp connection. Such a specially shaped contour effectively and reliably prevents the actuating movement of the actuating element. The blocking contour allows the locking element to be formed, so to speak, as a negative contour of a part of the actuating element and / or the housing of the conductor terminal.

[0007] For example, the connection contour and / or the blocking contour can be designed as a projection extending from the main body. The blocking contour allows the locking element to interact with the housing of the conductor terminal, for instance, to be additionally fixed to it or to be supported against it, thereby blocking the actuating movement of the actuator.

[0008] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the at least one connecting contour is spaced apart from the locking contour. This allows the locking element to be easily adapted to various types of conductor terminals. For example, the connecting contour can be located in the area of ​​a manual actuation section of the actuating element. The locking contour can be spaced apart from this, for example, near a support area of ​​the conductor terminal housing, where the locking element can bear against the housing.

[0009] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the at least one connecting contour and the at least one blocking contour are arranged at opposite end regions of the locking element. In this way, the locking element can extend over a relatively wide area of ​​the conductor terminal. For example, the locking element can have a main body, wherein the connecting contour is formed on one end side of the main body and the at least one blocking contour is formed on an opposite end side of the main body.

[0010] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the at least one blocking contour is configured to interact with another object to block the actuating movement of the actuating element for opening the spring-loaded clamping connection. The interaction with another object can, in particular, include supporting the locking element against another object. The other object can, in particular, be a separate object from the conductor terminal and the locking element.

[0011] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the further object is the housing of the conductor terminal, in the case that the conductor terminal is designed as an electrical connector, a mating connector associated with it, a device housing, and / or another object to which the conductor terminal is attached. It is particularly possible that the at least one blocking contour extends over several sections along the conductor terminal, so that the at least one blocking contour interacts with several of the aforementioned further objects, e.g., with the housing of the conductor terminal and additionally with a mating connector or a device housing.

[0012] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the locking contour is designed to engage with a counter contour on the further object, which is designed as a counterpart to the locking contour. In this way, for example, manipulation of the locking element by the further object can be prevented, e.g., removal of the locking element from the actuating element, at least as long as the further object with its counter contour is in the immediate vicinity of the locking contour. If the further object is removed, the release of the locking element from the actuating element can thereby be enabled.

[0013] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the locking element can be movably, and in particular pivotably, attached to the actuating element via its at least one connecting contour. This allows for easy attachment of the locking element to the actuating element or a conductor terminal block as a whole, and likewise easy removal of the locking element from the conductor terminal block. Furthermore, this makes it possible to release the blockage of the actuating movement of the actuating element by the locking element without having to completely remove the locking element from the actuating element, e.g., by pivoting the locking element into an inactive position in which the blockage is released.

[0014] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the locking element is designed to block the actuating movement of only one actuating element of the conductor terminal. Accordingly, a locking element can be individually assigned to a specific actuating element. In a multi-pole conductor terminal with multiple spring-clamp connections and, consequently, multiple actuating elements, one or more locking elements can be used at the user's discretion, regardless of the number of poles. For example, a locking element can be attached to one or more actuating elements, thus blocking the actuating movement of one or more actuating elements.

[0015] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the locking element is designed to block an actuating movement of the actuating element in the form of a pivoting movement. In this way, the locking element is well suited for use with conductor terminals with a pivotable actuating element, e.g., when the actuating element is designed as a pivotable lever.

[0016] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the locking element is provided to be attached with its at least one connecting contour to a manual actuating section of the actuating element, in particular a lever arm of the actuating element, on which the receiving contour is formed.

[0017] The aforementioned problem is also solved by a set comprising a conductor terminal block, which has a housing and at least one spring-clamp connection arranged in the housing, as well as at least one actuating element for actuating the spring-clamp connection, which has a receiving contour, and a locking element of the type described above, which has at least one connecting contour that is designed as a counterpart to a receiving contour formed on the actuating element. This also achieves the advantages described above.

[0018] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the actuating element has a manual actuating section, in particular a lever arm, by which the actuating element is manually actuated, with the receiving contour being formed on the manual actuating section. This allows for a convenient mounting position for the locking element on the actuating element. Such a receiving contour can be easily formed in conventional actuating elements of conductor connection terminals without impairing manual actuability. In particular, the connection contour can be formed on a lever head of the actuating element.

[0019] The aforementioned problem is also solved by an arrangement with a conductor terminal block comprising a housing and at least one spring-clamp connection arranged in the housing, as well as at least one actuating element for actuating the spring-clamp connection, and with at least one locking element of the type described above, wherein the at least one locking element blocks the actuating movement of the at least one actuating element for actuating the spring-clamp connection. The advantages described above can also be realized in this way.

[0020] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the arrangement comprises a further object, wherein the locking element with its blocking contour interacts with the further object, in particular being supported and / or fixed thereto. This ensures that the locking element can only be released or overridden when the conductor terminal is separated from the further object.

[0021] The conductor terminal can be designed, in particular, as an electrical connector. In this case, the other component with which the conductor terminal or its locking element interacts can be a mating connector that can be plugged together with the connector to form an electrical connection.

[0022] The blocking contour can be adapted, in particular with regard to its shape, to a counter contour of the further object that interacts with the blocking contour.

[0023] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to exemplary embodiments and drawings:

[0024] They show Fig. 1 a part of a conductor terminal block, Fig. 2 an actuating element of the conductor connection terminal according to Fig. 1, Fig. 3 a conductor terminal with a locking element, Fig. 4, Fig. 5 the locking element according to Fig. 3 in different views, Fig. 6, Fig. 7 Another embodiment of a locking element in different views, Fig. 8 another embodiment of a locking element with a conductor terminal Fig. 9, Fig. 10 the locking element according to Fig. 8 in different views, Fig. 11 another embodiment of a locking element with a conductor terminal, Fig. 12, Fig. 13 the locking element according to Fig. 11 in different views, Fig. 14, Fig. 15 Another embodiment of a locking element in different views, Fig. 16 a conductor terminal with a locking element and another object in side view.

[0025] The Fig. 1, Fig. 2, Fig. 3, Fig. 4, Fig. 5, Fig. 6, Fig. 7, Fig. 8, Fig. 9, Fig. 10, Fig. 11, Fig. 12, Fig. 13, Fig. 14 to Fig. 15 each show perspective views.

[0026] The Fig. Figure 1 shows a portion of a conductor terminal 1, which has a housing 2, e.g., an insulating housing. At least one spring-clamp terminal 3 is arranged in the housing 2, whereby, in the case of a multi-pole conductor terminal, several spring-clamp terminals can be arranged side by side and / or one behind the other in the housing 2. For each spring-clamp terminal 3, the housing 2 has a conductor entry opening 20 through which an electrical conductor, which is to be clamped to the spring-clamp terminal 3, can be inserted into the housing 2. Furthermore, an actuating element 5 is provided for actuating the spring-clamp terminal 3. By means of the actuating element 5, which can, for example, be designed as a pivotable actuating lever, the spring-clamp terminal 3 can be opened by an actuating movement, e.g.,such that the actuating movement during opening deflects a clamping leg of a clamping spring, thereby releasing a clamping point to which an electrical conductor can be clamped.

[0027] The Fig. Figure 2 shows an example of an actuating element 5 of the conductor terminal 1 as a single component. The actuating element 5 has a manual actuating section 50, e.g., in the form of a lever arm, by which the actuating element 5 can be actuated by the user. The actuating element 5 extends from the manual actuating section 50 to a spring-loaded section 52, which is arranged inside the housing 2 and acts on the spring-loaded terminal or its clamping spring when the actuating element 5 is actuated. As can be seen, the actuating element 5 has a receiving contour 51 on the manual actuating section 50, e.g., in the form of a molded recess. The receiving contour 51 can, in particular, be symmetrically present on both sides of the manual actuating section 50.

[0028] The Fig. Figure 3 shows a conductor terminal 1, which is designed as an electrical connector. The conductor terminal 1 has a housing 2 with a conductor entry opening 20. A spring-loaded clamping connection 3 (not shown) is arranged in the housing 2. On a side of the housing 2 facing away from the conductor entry opening 20, the conductor terminal 1 has a plug-in section 4 containing an electrical plug contact. Using the plug-in section 4, the conductor terminal 1, in its capacity as an electrical connector, can be plugged together in a mating direction S with a corresponding mating connector.

[0029] The housing 2 has an outer housing wall 21 on the side facing away from the conductor entry opening 20. Furthermore, the housing 2 has side walls 22, each of which connects the housing wall 21 to the housing side on which the conductor entry opening 20 is located.

[0030] As in the Fig. As can be seen in Figure 3, a locking element 7 is attached to the conductor connection terminal 1. The locking element 7 is specifically attached to the previously described receiving contour 51 of the actuating element 5.

[0031] The Fig. 4, Fig. Figure 5 shows the locking element 7 as a separate component. It can be seen that the locking element 7 has a main body 70. At one end of the main body 70, respective connecting contours 71 are formed, which can be designed as inwardly projecting, mutually converging projections. The connecting contours 71 are designed for positive locking with a respective receiving contour 51 of an actuating element 5. The locking element 7 can be engaged with the actuating section 50 of the actuating element 5 via the connecting contours 71.

[0032] The locking element 7 has a multi-part blocking contour 72, 73, 74, 75 at the end region of the main body 70 facing away from the connection contours 71. The blocking contour 72, 73, 74, 75 extends with a main section 72 essentially orthogonally to the longitudinal direction of the main body 70. As can be seen in the Fig. As can be seen in section 3, the main body 70, in the state of the locking element 7 attached to the conductor terminal 1, is essentially parallel to the manual actuation section 50 and covers it upwards.

[0033] The main section 72 extends parallel to the housing wall 21 of the housing 2, which points in the insertion direction S, and can abut the housing wall 21. A locking section 73, designed as a projection, can be formed on the main section 72, with which the locking element 7 can be locked onto the housing wall 21. In this way, the locking element 7 can be secured at a further fastening point on the conductor terminal 1. A retaining section 74 is also arranged on the main section 72 as a further part of the blocking contour 72, 73, 74, 75.

[0034] The blocking contour 72, 73, 74, 75 also has a blocking section 75, which is formed on the side of the main body 70 facing the actuating section 50 and projects from the main body 70. The blocking section 75 is designed to engage in a gap between the housing wall 21 and the end of the manual actuating section 50 facing away from the receiving contour 51, thereby additionally blocking the actuating element 5. If an attempt is made to manually actuate the actuating element 5 with the locking element 7 attached to it to open the spring-loaded clamping connection, the locking element 7, with its blocking section 75, bears against the inwardly facing side of the housing wall 21 and thus prevents the actuating element 5 from moving.

[0035] The Fig. 6, Fig. Figure 7 shows an embodiment of a locking element 7, which is designed similarly to the embodiment of the Fig. 3, Fig. 4 to Fig. 5, in contrast to the main section 72, each section has a gripping surface 76 arranged laterally, extending parallel to the side walls 22 of the housing 2. The gripping surfaces 76 make it easier for the user to operate the locking element 7, e.g., if the locking element 7 is pivotably attached to the actuating element 5 and is not to be completely removed, but merely pivoted away to allow actuating movement of the actuating element 5.

[0036] It is also evident that the retaining section 74 is merely formed as a stub-shaped step, designed to be placed above the plug-in section 4. In this way, the locking element 7 can be particularly effectively secured by a mating plug connector, which can then engage the retaining section 74.

[0037] The Fig. Figure 8 shows a conductor terminal 1 with an embodiment of the locking element 7, which surrounds the manual actuating section 50 of the actuating element 5 in the manner of a cover, wherein the locking element 7 may optionally have recesses in the main body 70 on the side of the manual actuating section 50 and / or on the side surfaces. Alternatively, the main body 70 may also be closed at these locations. It is particularly evident that the locking element 7 has a cover section 77, which is arranged on the side of the actuating element 5 where the actuating element 5 has the receiving contours 51. By means of the cover section 77, the actuating element 5 is completely covered in this area and cannot be directly grasped by the user.

[0038] The Fig. 9 and Fig. Figure 10 shows an embodiment of the locking element 7 according to Fig. 8 as a single component in different views.

[0039] The Fig. Figure 11 shows a conductor terminal 1 with an embodiment of a locking element 7, which is similar to the embodiments of the Fig. 8, Fig. 9 to Fig. 10 is designed as a locking element with a cover section 77. In contrast to the Fig. 8, Fig. 9 to Fig. In Figure 10, the locking element 7 is largely closed on the main section 70, although lateral incisions may be present. It can be seen that even in this embodiment, the locking element 7 can have one or more gripping surfaces 76.

[0040] The Fig. 12, Fig. Figure 13 shows the locking element 7 according to Fig. 11 in different views as a single item.

[0041] The Fig. 14, Fig. 15 show a difference compared to the Fig. 11, Fig. 12 to Fig. 13 modified embodiment of a locking element 7 in which the gripping surfaces 76 are freed by additional longitudinally extending relief cuts and are therefore designed to be more elastic, similar to the embodiment Fig. 6 and Fig. 7.

[0042] The Fig. Figure 16 shows a conductor connection terminal 1, in which, by way of example, a locking element 7 is shown according to the Fig. 14, Fig. 15 is attached, although any other embodiment of locking element 7 could also be used. Based on the Fig.Figure 16 illustrates the interaction of the locking element 7 with another object 8. For example, the other object 8 can be part of a mating connector that is plugged into the connector or plug-in section 4. The other object 8, which has a counter contour 81 designed as a counterpart to the blocking contour 72, 73, 74, 75, blocks the locking element 7 from being released from the conductor terminal 1. For example, the other object 8 overlaps the retaining section 74 or at least prevents the locking element 7 from being pivoted upwards by manual actuation at the gripping surfaces 76 with its counter contour 81, whereby the main section 72 is not movable or only movable to a limited extent in the direction of the object 8.Only when the object 8 is removed from the conductor terminal 1 is it possible to pivot upwards or remove the locking element 7, wherein the locking element 7 is preferably pivoted about an axis of rotation formed by the respective connecting contour 71 connected to the receiving contour 51. Reference symbol list 1 conductor connection terminal 2 cases 3 Spring clamp connection 4 Plug section 5 Actuating element 7 Locking element 8 other items 20 conductor entry openings 21 Housing wall 22 side wall 50 manual operating section 51 Recording contour 52 Spring actuation section 70 Main body 71 Connection contour 72 Main section of the blocking contour 73 Resting section of the blocking contour 74 Holding section of the blocking contour 75 Blocking section of the blocking contour 76 Grip area 77 Cover section 81 Counter contour 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 2022 119 489 A1

[0002]

Claims

[1] Locking element (7) for attachment to a conductor terminal (1), which has a housing (2) and at least one spring clamp connection (3) arranged in the housing (2) and at least one actuating element (5) for actuating the at least one spring clamp connection (3), wherein the locking element (7) is configured to block an actuating movement of the at least one actuating element (5) for actuating the spring clamp connection (3) when attached to the conductor terminal (1), characterized by , that the locking element (7) has at least one connecting contour (71) which is designed as a counterpart to a receiving contour (51) formed on the actuating element (5), wherein the locking element (7) can be attached to the actuating element (5) by positively interlocking the at least one connecting contour (71) with the receiving contour (51). [2] Locking element according to claim 1, characterized by, that the locking element (7) has at least one blocking contour (72, 73, 74, 75) by which an actuating movement of the actuating element (5) to open the spring force clamp connection (3) is blocked. [3] Locking element according to claim 2, characterized by , that at least one connecting contour (71) is spaced away from the blocking contour (72, 73, 74, 75). [4] Locking element according to claim 3, characterized by , that the at least one connecting contour (71) and the at least one blocking contour (72, 73, 74, 75) are arranged at opposite end regions of the locking element (7). [5] Locking element according to one of claims 2 to 4, characterized by , that at least one blocking contour (72, 73, 74, 75) is designed to cooperate with a further object (8) to block the actuating movement of the actuating element (5) to open the spring force clamp connection (3). [6] Locking element according to claim 5, characterized by, that the further object (8) is the housing (2) of the conductor terminal (1), in the case of the conductor terminal (1) being designed as an electrical connector, a mating connector assigned as a counterpart, a device housing and / or another object to which the conductor terminal (1) is attached. [7] Locking element according to one of claims 5 to 6, characterized by , that the blocking contour (72, 73, 74, 75) is formed for attachment to a counter contour (81) on the further object (8) which is designed as a counterpart to the blocking contour (72, 73, 74, 75). [8] Locking element according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the locking element (7) can be movably, in particular pivotably, attached to the actuating element (5) via its at least one connecting contour (71). [9] Locking element according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by, that the locking element (7) is designed to block the actuating movement of only one actuating element (5) of the conductor terminal (1). [10] Locking element according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the locking element (7) is designed to block an actuating movement of the actuating element (5) in the form of a pivoting movement. [11] Locking element according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the locking element (7) is designed to be attached with its at least one connecting contour (71) to a manual actuating section (50) of the actuating element (5), in particular a lever arm of the actuating element, on which the receiving contour (51) is formed. [12] Set comprising a conductor terminal (1) having a housing (2) and at least one spring clamp connection (3) arranged in the housing (2) and at least one actuating element (5) for actuating the spring clamp connection (3) having a receiving contour (51) and a locking element (7) according to one of the preceding claims having at least one connecting contour (71) formed as a counterpart to a receiving contour (51) formed on the actuating element (5). [13] Set according to claim 12, characterized by , that the actuating element (5) has a manual actuating section (50), in particular a lever arm, on which the actuating element (5) is to be actuated manually, wherein the receiving contour (51) is formed on the manual actuating section (50). [14] Arrangement with a conductor terminal (1) comprising a housing (2) and at least one spring clamp connection (3) arranged in the housing (2) and at least one actuating element (5) for actuating the spring clamp connection (3), and at least one locking element (7) according to one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the at least one locking element (7) blocks an actuating movement of the at least one actuating element (5) for actuating the spring clamp connection (3). [15] Arrangement according to claim 14, characterized by , that the arrangement includes a further object (8), wherein the locking element (7) with its blocking contour (72, 73, 74, 75) interacts with the further object (8), in particular is supported and / or fixed to it.

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