conductor terminal and electrical connector

Abstract

A conductor terminal (1) with a housing (2) and several spring-clamp terminals, each of which has at least one clamping spring (4) for clamping an electrical conductor by means of spring force, wherein the conductor terminal (1) has for several or all of these spring-clamp terminals an individual actuating element (5) assigned to each spring-clamp terminal, by actuating which the clamping spring (4) of the assigned spring-clamp terminal can be individually actuated into an open position, characterized in that the conductor terminal (1) has at least one general actuating element (6) by which the clamping springs (4) of several or all of these spring-clamp terminals can be actuated together into the open position.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a conductor terminal with a housing and several spring-clamp terminals, each of which has at least one clamping spring for clamping an electrical conductor by means of spring force, wherein the conductor terminal has, for several or all of these spring-clamp terminals, an individual actuating element assigned to each spring-clamp terminal, by actuating which the clamping spring of the assigned spring-clamp terminal can be individually actuated into an open position. The invention further relates to an electrical connector, in particular a circular connector, with at least one such conductor terminal.

[0002] A conductor connection terminal of this type is known from DE 10 2021 112 960 A1.

[0003] The present invention is based on the objective of providing an improved conductor terminal block in comparison.

[0004] This problem is solved in a conductor terminal of the type mentioned above by providing the conductor terminal with at least one universal actuating element by which the clamping springs of several or all of these spring-loaded clamping terminals can be actuated together into the open position. The invention enables the user of such a conductor terminal to, depending on requirements and situation, either actuate individual clamping springs or only one clamping spring into the open position by actuating the respective individual actuating element, or alternatively, to actuate the clamping springs of all spring-loaded clamping terminals that can be actuated via the universal actuating element together into the open position. Actuating several or all spring-loaded clamping terminals together via the universal actuating element is helpful, for example, when the conductor terminal is being wired for the first time.If, on the other hand, partial rewiring is required on an already wired terminal block, it is often undesirable to actuate all clamping springs into the open position, but only those clamping springs where rewiring is necessary. For this purpose, the user can selectively actuate individual actuators. For example, the universal actuator allows the clamping springs to be actuated directly into the open position.

[0005] Advantageously, the individual actuating elements can be operated directly by the user manually without the need for an additional tool. It is also conceivable that the individual actuating elements are designed in such a way that actuation is possible with a tool in addition to the individual actuating element, or is possible only with a tool. The individual actuating elements can, in particular, be operated at a point on the outside of the terminal block housing at a respective manual actuating section. Advantageously, the standard actuating element can be operated directly by the user manually without an additional tool. The terminal block housing can be designed as an insulating housing.

[0006] Furthermore, in the conductor terminal according to the invention, it is advantageously possible to actuate the several or all clamping springs together into the open position by means of the general actuating element and then, after connecting the electrical conductors to the spring-force clamping terminals, to move a respective individual clamping spring into the clamping position in which an electrical conductor is clamped to the spring-force clamping terminal by actuating the respective individual actuating element.

[0007] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, at least one actuating contour for directly or indirectly actuating the respective clamping spring is arranged on a radial outer surface and / or on a radial inner surface of the general actuating element. Such an actuating contour can, for example, directly actuate a clamping spring, i.e., subject it to an actuating force, by applying a compressive or tensile force directly to a clamping leg of the clamping spring. It is also conceivable that the actuating contour actuates the clamping spring only indirectly, for example, by the presence of a further mechanical element that transmits an actuating force from the actuating contour to the clamping spring. As explained below, the indirect actuating of the clamping spring can, for example, be achieved by actuating the individual actuating element associated with the clamping spring.The actuation contour can be shaped accordingly, e.g., as an actuation contour projecting from a radial outer surface and / or a radial inner surface, or as an actuation contour recessed relative to this radial outer surface and / or radial inner surface. Where the term "radial" is used in connection with the unidirectional actuation element, this implies that the unidirectional actuation element may have a cylindrical or annular body, or that such a body may be polygonal on the outside or an inside surface.

[0008] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the general actuating element is configured to indirectly actuate the respective clamping spring into the open position by actuating the individual actuating element associated with that clamping spring. In this case, the individual actuating element can be subjected to an actuating force by an actuating contour of the general actuating element. This allows for a variety of design variants of the conductor terminal, so that it can be optimally adapted to the respective application.

[0009] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the universal actuator has a main body from which several actuating arms project radially. These actuating arms are configured to transmit an actuating force from the universal actuator to individual actuating elements or clamping springs. Such actuating arms allow for reliable transmission of an actuating force to the respective individual actuating element or clamping spring while maintaining a robust design for the universal actuator. The actuating arms can project radially outwards or radially inwards from the main body, depending on the design of the main body.

[0010] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, one, several, or all of the individual actuating elements are designed as pivotable actuating levers, sliding actuating pushbuttons, or other sliding actuating elements. In this way, the conductor connection terminal can be optimally adapted to the respective application with respect to the individual actuating elements, depending on whether lever actuation, pushbutton actuation, or sliding actuation is more advantageous. A sliding actuating pushbutton can be characterized in that it is slidably arranged in an actuating shaft of the housing and can be actuated by applying a pressure force to an end face accessible on the outside of the housing.In contrast, a sliding actuating element, which can also perform a sliding movement like an actuating push button, can be actuated by means of a manual actuating section mounted on the outside of the housing and movable along the outside.

[0011] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the spring-clamp terminals are arranged in a ring shape within the housing of the conductor terminal. This enables a compact design of the conductor terminal, as a large number of spring-clamp terminals can be arranged in a space-saving ring shape. The spring-clamp terminals arranged in the ring shape can, for example, surround the center of the conductor terminal housing in a ring-like fashion. Alternatively, the spring-clamp terminals can be arranged on a circular path within the housing. The spring-clamp terminals can be evenly distributed along this circular path. The housing can, in principle, have any desired outer contour. It is advantageous to design the housing as a round housing, for example, with a cylindrical shape, the longitudinal direction of which aligns with the direction of movement of the actuating element.

[0012] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the actuating element is arranged in a central area of ​​the conductor terminal, located within the area defined by the ring shape of the spring-clamp terminals. This allows the actuating element to be operated easily and ergonomically at a central location within the housing. With such a design, it is advantageous, for example, to configure the actuating element as a sliding actuator or push button that can be actuated in a sliding direction. This allows for good structural integration of such an actuating element into the conductor terminal.

[0013] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the actuating element has an annular main body that surrounds the area defined by the ring shape of the spring-clamp terminals. In this case, the actuating element can optionally be designed as a sliding push button or as an actuating element rotatable about the longitudinal axis of the conductor terminal. Such an annular main body allows for a relatively large diameter, which facilitates the efficient transmission of actuating forces, particularly during rotary actuation.

[0014] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the actuating element is designed to be manually actuated at its annular main body on a circumferential side of a cylindrical housing of the conductor terminal. This makes it possible, for example, to arrange the annular main body not only on an end face of the housing, but also remotely from the end face.

[0015] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the individual actuating elements are designed to be actuated outside the area limited by the annular shape of the spring-clamp connections. Accordingly, at least the manual actuating sections of the individual actuating elements are arranged outside the area limited by the annular shape. Each of the individual actuating elements can also be arranged completely or at least predominantly outside the area limited by the annular shape of the spring-clamp connections. In this variant, the individual actuating elements can advantageously be designed as pivotable actuating levers or sliding actuating elements.

[0016] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the individual actuating elements are arranged to be actuated within the area limited by the annular shape of the spring-clamp connections. In this embodiment, the individual actuating elements can particularly advantageously be designed as movable actuating pushbuttons. Each of the individual actuating elements can be arranged completely or at least predominantly within the area limited by the annular shape of the spring-clamp connections.

[0017] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the universal actuating element is designed as a linearly displaceable actuating push button or as a pivotable or rotatable actuating element that can be rotated about a pivot axis. This enables simple and ergonomic operation of the universal actuating element.

[0018] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the direction of movement or the axis of rotation of the universal actuating element is orthogonal to a plane defined by the ring shape of the spring-clamp terminals. In this case, the direction of movement or the axis of rotation can run parallel to a longitudinal axis of the housing. If the conductor terminal is designed as an electrical connector, the direction of movement or the axis of rotation can run parallel to the insertion direction of the connector, in which the connector can be plugged together with a mating connector.

[0019] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the conductor terminal has a spring return element by which the universal actuator is spring-loaded in the direction of its unactuated position. This has the advantage that the universal actuator is reliably returned to the unactuated position by the spring return element when it is not subjected to an actuating force. A return force generated by the clamping springs is then not necessarily required.

[0020] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the clamping springs, actuated into the open position by means of the universal actuating element, are fixed in the open position even when the universal actuating element is no longer actuated or has been moved to its unactuated position. This has the advantage that the user only needs to actuate the universal actuating element briefly once, but does not need to hold it in place to connect the individual electrical conductors. The clamping springs, fixed in the open position, allow the electrical conductors to be inserted and connected without force. Each clamping spring can be held in the open position, for example, by a respective retaining element. Holding the clamping spring in the open position can be achieved, in particular, by the individual actuating element associated with the clamping spring, for example, by the individual actuating element being in an over-center position in the open position.If the individual actuating element is designed as a pivotable lever, then to move the clamping spring into the clamping position, the respective individual actuating element must be manually moved towards its unactuated position.

[0021] The aforementioned problem is also solved by an electrical connector, in particular a circular connector, which has at least one conductor terminal of the type described above. This also allows the previously described advantages to be realized.

[0022] 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°).

[0023] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to exemplary embodiments and the accompanying drawings. These show... Fig. 1 - a conductor terminal block in perspective view, Fig. 2 - a general operating element of the conductor connection terminal according to Fig. 1, Fig. 3 - an individual actuating element of the conductor connection terminal according to Fig. 1, Fig. 4 - the conductor connection terminal according to Fig. 1 in side sectional view, Fig. 5 - the interaction of the general actuating element and an individual actuating element with a spring-loaded clamping connection in the unactuated state, Fig. 6 - the order according to Fig. 5 in the activated state.

[0024] The Fig. Figure 1 shows a conductor terminal 1 with a housing 2 in which several spring-clamp terminals are arranged. The housing 2 has a conductor entry opening 20 for each spring-clamp terminal, through which an electrical conductor can be inserted into the housing 2 and clamped to the spring-clamp terminal. As can be seen, the housing 2 has a round shape, in particular a cylindrical shape. The conductor entry openings 20 are arranged on one end face of the cylinder and surround a center of the housing 2 in an annular shape.

[0025] The housing 2 has a plug-in section 21 on the side facing away from the conductor entry openings 20, through which the conductor terminal 1 is configured as an electrical connector, in particular as a circular connector. Several electrical plug contacts 8 can be arranged in the plug-in section 21, e.g., one plug contact each associated with a spring-clamp terminal, as shown by way of example in the Fig. 5 and Fig. 6 is recognizable.

[0026] To actuate a respective clamping spring of a spring-loaded terminal, the conductor terminal 1 has an individual actuating element 5 assigned to the spring-loaded terminal, e.g., in the form of a pivotable actuating lever. The respective individual actuating element 5 is accessible for manual actuation on a circumferential side of the housing 2.

[0027] The conductor terminal 1 also has a universal actuating element 6, which serves for the common and, in particular, synchronous actuation of all spring-clamp terminals of the conductor terminal 1. The universal actuating element 6 has a main body 62, which is arranged centrally in the housing 2 and is located, in particular, within the ring shape formed by the conductor entry openings 20. At least in the unactuated state of the universal actuating element 6, the main body 62 projects from the housing 2 at the end face where the conductor entry openings 20 are located. A manual actuation surface 60 is formed on the main body 62, on which the universal actuating element 6 can be actuated by applying manual pressure, thereby moving the main body 62 further into the housing 2.

[0028] The Fig. Figure 2 shows the actuating element 6 as a single component, together with a spring return element 7. As can be seen, the main body 62 can, for example, be essentially cylindrical, but other shapes are also conceivable, e.g., a polygonal cross-sectional shape. Several actuating arms 61 are arranged on the main body 62, extending radially from it. Each actuating arm 61 has an actuating contour 63 for the indirect or direct actuation of the respective clamping spring. For example, an actuating arm 61 can be arranged on the main body 62 for each spring-clamp connection, each associated with that connection.

[0029] On the side of the main body 62 facing away from the manual actuation surface 60, the spring return element 7 is arranged, e.g., a coiled compression spring. The spring return element 7 can be made of metal or plastic. For example, the entire actuation element 6 can be designed as a plastic component in which the actuating arms 61 are integrally formed with the main body 62. Additionally, the spring return element 7 can be formed integrally with the main body 62.

[0030] The Fig. Figure 3 shows an individual actuating element 5 as a single component. As mentioned, the individual actuating element 5 is designed as a pivotable actuating lever that can be pivoted about a pivot axis 52. The pivot axis 52 can, for example, be formed by cylindrical bearing journals, as shown. The individual actuating element 5 is rotatably mounted in the housing 2 by means of the pivot axis 52. The individual actuating element 5 has a manual actuating section 50, at which the user can apply an actuating force to pivot the individual actuating element 5. The individual actuating element 5 also has a spring-loaded section 51, by which the clamping legs of a clamping spring can be deflected into the open position via the individual actuating element 5 when it is pivoted.Furthermore, the individual actuating element 5 has an actuating section 53, via which the individual actuating element 5 inside the housing 2 can be actuated with an actuating force F, in particular via an actuating arm 61 of the general actuating element 6.

[0031] The Fig. Figure 4 shows the installation situation of the general actuating element 6 and an individual actuating element 5 in the conductor connection terminal 1 with the housing 2 partially open. Fig. Figure 4 shows the unactuated state, in which the spring-clamp connection is in the clamped position and neither the universal actuator 6 nor an individual actuator 5 is manually actuated. In this state, the actuating section 53 projects radially inwards and overlaps the conductor terminal 1 with an actuating arm 61 in the longitudinal direction L. If the universal actuator 6 is subjected to a pressure force at the manual actuating surface 60, a corresponding actuating force F can be transmitted via the actuating contour 63 of an actuating arm 61 to the actuating section 53 of an individual actuator 5, and the individual actuator 5 can thus be pivoted about the axis of rotation 52 without actuating the manual actuating section 50 of the individual actuator 5. This will be illustrated below with reference to the Fig. 5 and Fig. 6 explained further.

[0032] The Fig. 5 shows the in Fig. The four already identifiable components – the general actuating element 6, the individual actuating element 5, and the spring return element 7 – are shown without the housing 2 and without the other spring-clamp connections. For clarity, only one spring-clamp connection is shown. The spring-clamp connection has a clamping spring 4 and a busbar 3. The clamping spring 4 has a contact leg 41 and a clamping leg 43. The clamping leg 43 can be connected to the contact leg 41 via a spring arc. The busbar 3 can, for example, have a U-shaped or rectangular profile, wherein the clamping spring 4, with its contact leg 41, rests against one side of this profile, e.g., against a contact section of the busbar, and with its clamping leg 43 can clamp an electrical conductor to an opposite side of the profile, e.g., against a contact section of the busbar. Fig. 5 shows the arrangement, how the Fig. 4, again in the unactivated state.

[0033] The clamping leg 43, together with the contact section of the busbar 3, can form a clamping point for connecting an electrical conductor between the clamping leg 43 and the contact section. In the open position, at least the free end of the clamping leg 43 is pivoted away from the contact section of the busbar 3. The clamping leg 43 can, for example, be pivoted between an open position, in which the electrical conductor is freely movable between the clamping leg 43 and the contact section, and a clamped position, in which the clamping leg 43 clamps the electrical conductor to the contact section.

[0034] It is also apparent that an electrical plug contact 8 can be connected to the busbar 3. In the assembled state of the conductor connection terminal 1, the electrical plug contact 8 is located in the plug section 21. It is further apparent that the spring return element 7 can be supported against an inner housing contour 22 of the housing 2. The spring return element 7 spring-loads the universal actuating element 6 in the direction of its unactuated position.

[0035] The Fig. Figure 6 shows the arrangement according to Fig. 5 in the actuated state. The general actuating element 6 was displaced downwards by a pressure force on the manual actuating surface 60, i.e., in the direction of the support contour 22, so that the spring return element 7 was compressed. An actuating force was transmitted via the actuating contour 63 to the actuating section 53 of the individual actuating element 5, causing it to pivot by a certain angle, e.g., essentially 90 degrees. By pivoting the individual actuating element 5, the clamping arm 43 was deflected via the spring-loaded section 51, i.e., from a position in Fig. 5 is moved from the existing clamping position to an open position in which an electrical conductor can be inserted without force and, after being moved into the clamping position, can be clamped to the busbar 3 by the clamping leg 43.

[0036] One can recognize in the Fig. 6, that the spring-loaded clamping connection and the individual actuating element 5 are coordinated such that the spring force of the clamping arm 43, which acts on the spring actuating section 51, does not cause the individual actuating element 5 to automatically return to its original position, because the individual actuating element 5 is in an over-center position in which the open position of the clamping arm is automatically maintained by the individual actuating element 5. The user therefore does not have to maintain this open position by continuously actuating the general actuating element 6. When the actuation of the general actuating element 6 is terminated, the spring return element 7 causes the general actuating element 6 to return to its unactuated position, as shown in Fig. 5 is shown. The individual actuating element 5 remains in the actuated position as long as shown. Fig.6, until the individual actuating element 5 is pivoted towards its unactuated position by force acting on the manual actuating section 50.

[0037] As can be seen, with conductor terminal 1 it is also possible to move a terminal leg 43 into the open position without actuating the general actuating element 6, simply by actuating the respective assigned individual actuating element 5 at its manual actuating section 50. In this case as well, the open position can be maintained by the over-center position of the individual actuating element 5. Reference symbol list 1 conductor connection terminal 2 cases 3 Power rail 4 clamping springs 5 Individual actuation element 6. Flat-rate actuation element 7 Spring return element 8 electrical plug contacts 20 conductor entry openings 21 Plug section 22 Housing contour 41 Attachment legs 43 clamping legs 50 manual operating section 51 Spring actuation section 52 Rotary axis 53 Section 60 manual operating surfaces 61 Actuating arm 62 Main body 63 Actuation contour Actuating force F L Longitudinal direction of the housing 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 2021 112 960 A1

[0002]

Claims

A conductor terminal (1) with a housing (2) and several spring-clamp terminals, each of which has at least one clamping spring (4) for clamping an electrical conductor by means of spring force, wherein the conductor terminal (1) has for several or all of these spring-clamp terminals an individual actuating element (5) assigned to each spring-clamp terminal, by actuating which the clamping spring (4) of the assigned spring-clamp terminal can be individually actuated into an open position, characterized in that the conductor terminal (1) has at least one general actuating element (6) by which the clamping springs (4) of several or all of these spring-clamp terminals can be actuated together into the open position. Conductor terminal according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one actuating contour (63) for indirect or direct actuating of the respective clamping spring (4) is arranged on a radial outer surface and / or on a radial inner surface of the general actuating element (6). Conductor terminal according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the general actuating element (6) is configured to actuate the respective clamping spring (4) indirectly into the open position by actuating the individual actuating element (5) associated with this clamping spring (4). Conductor terminal according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the general actuating element (6) has a main body (62) from which several actuating arms (61) project in a radial direction, wherein the actuating arms (61) are arranged to transmit an actuating force from the general actuating element (6) to each individual actuating element (5) or a clamping spring (4). Conductor terminal according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that one, several or all individual actuating elements (5) are designed as a pivotable actuating lever or as a sliding actuating push button or other sliding actuating element. conductor terminal according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the spring force clamp connections are arranged in a ring shape in the housing (2) of the conductor terminal (1). conductor terminal according to claim 6, characterized in that the general actuating element (6) is arranged in a central area of ​​the conductor terminal (1) which is located within the area limited by the ring shape of the spring force clamp connections. Conductor terminal according to claim 6, characterized in that the general actuating element (6) has an annular main body (62) which surrounds the area limited by the ring shape of the spring force clamp connections in a ring-like manner. conductor terminal according to claim 8, characterized in that the general actuating element (6) is designed to be manually actuated on its annular main body (62) on a circumferential side of a cylindrical housing (2) of the conductor terminal (1). Conductor terminal according to one of claims 6 to 9, characterized in that the individual actuating elements (5) are arranged to be actuated outside the area limited by the ring shape of the spring force clamp connections. Conductor terminal according to one of claims 6 to 9, characterized in that the individual actuating elements (5) are arranged to be actuated within the area limited by the ring shape of the spring force clamp connections. Conductor terminal according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the general actuating element (6) is designed as a linearly displaceable actuating push button or as a pivotable or rotatable actuating element about a rotational axis. Conductor terminal according to claim 12, characterized in that the direction of displacement or the axis of rotation of the general actuating element (6) is orthogonal to a plane defined by the ring shape of the spring force clamp connections. Conductor terminal according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the conductor terminal (1) has a spring return element (7) by which the general actuating element (6) is spring-loaded in the direction of its unactuated position. Conductor terminal according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the clamping springs (4) actuated into the open position by means of the general actuating element (6) are fixed in the open position even when the general actuating element (6) is no longer actuated or has been moved to its unactuated position. Electrical connector, in particular circular connector, with at least one conductor terminal (1) according to one of the preceding claims.

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