MOUNTING CLAMP

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a mounting clamp for securing a terminal block consisting of several terminal blocks in a wall opening of a housing wall, comprising a terminal housing and at least one clamping element, wherein the clamping element has a clamping surface. The invention also relates to a structural unit consisting of two mounting clamps and several adjacently arranged terminal blocks.

[0002] Electrical terminal blocks have been used millions of times over for many years in the wiring of electrical systems and devices. The terminals are often snapped onto mounting rails, which can be arranged in multiples within a control cabinet. Terminal blocks can also be mounted individually or, usually, in groups as a terminal block in a wall opening, particularly in an opening in a control cabinet wall. This has the advantage that one side of the terminals, the operator side, is accessible from outside the control cabinet without having to open the control cabinet, while the other side of the terminal, the connection side, is only accessible when the control cabinet is open. This ensures that no unauthorized person can access or tamper with the wiring.

[0003] Electrical terminal blocks are generally connecting terminals, meaning they have at least two conductor connection elements that are electrically connected to each other via an electrically conductive connecting bar, the current bar. In addition to this basic type of terminal block, which is often referred to as a through terminal block, there are numerous other terminal block types that are specifically adapted to specific applications. Examples include protective conductor terminal blocks, knife-edge disconnect terminal blocks, and installation terminal blocks.

[0004] In switching, measurement, and control technology, through-terminals with a disconnection option are the standard. The disconnection option implemented in the electrical terminal block, i.e. the disconnection point provided in the current bar, allows different connectors with different functions to be inserted into the terminal block housing of the terminal block, which then contact the current bar at the disconnection point. In addition to simple disconnect plugs or through-connectors, test plugs can also be used as plugs. These can have special components and enable the proper function of the circuit connected to the terminal block to be checked. Since electrical terminal blocks are generally disc-shaped, they are usually plugged together with several other electrical terminal blocks to form a terminal block.A terminal block of this type can then accommodate a number of test plugs corresponding to the number of terminal blocks. Terminal blocks with isolating points are used primarily for connecting current and voltage transformers. An important functional feature is that a connected current transformer is short-circuited when the secondary circuit is disconnected from the load.

[0005] DE 10 2006 052 894 A1 discloses a terminal block, a test plug, and a test terminal block consisting of a plurality of adjacent terminal blocks and a corresponding number of test plugs. The individual terminal blocks each have two current bars, whose contact sections contact each other when the plug of a test plug is not inserted into the contact area formed by the contact sections. If the plug of a test plug is fully inserted into the contact area, the two contact sections are separated from each other by the plug, with the current flow then being conducted via the plug, allowing a test procedure to be performed.The terminal block and the associated test plug thus operate according to the break contact principle, since the connection between the two current bars of the terminal block is opened when the plug, which has two metal sections insulated from each other, is inserted into the contact area.

[0006] An electrical terminal block in the form of a test terminal is also known from DE 10 2011 113 333 A1. This terminal block also features two conductor connection elements and two current bars arranged in the housing. In addition to a connection section and a first contact section, the two current bars each have a second contact section. The first contact sections are spaced apart from one another and are only electrically connected to one another via the plug when the plug is inserted, so that this terminal block operates according to the normally open contact principle. Furthermore, two further current bar sections are arranged in the housing, with at least one of the current bar sections having a recess for inserting a leg of a jumper.Each of the current bar pieces is assigned to one of the current bars, so that the second contact section of a current bar contacts the assigned current bar piece due to the spring force of the current bar when no plug is inserted.

[0007] The current bars of the terminal block are then each electrically connected to the conductor connection element with their connection section, and to the respective current bar section with their second contact section. When a test plug is inserted into the contact area, the two current bars are deflected so that the second contact section of a current bar is spaced from the associated current bar section. This interrupts the electrical connection between a conductor connection element and the associated current bar section.

[0008] Regardless of the specific design of the terminal blocks, whether they are connecting terminals or through terminals with a disconnect option, such terminal blocks are often arranged in groups next to each other and mechanically connected to each other, forming a terminal block. These are often mounted in a wall opening of a housing panel, such as a control cabinet door or a control cabinet wall.

[0009] WO 2011 / 054743 A2 discloses a mounting arrangement for electrical devices, in particular for a switch cabinet, comprising a mounting plate for receiving electrical devices, in particular terminal blocks. The mounting plate has openings into which the electrical devices can be inserted. The electrical devices have conductor connections for connecting electrical conductors, wherein the conductor connections are accessible from a first side of the mounting plate, while the housings protrude with a front section through the opening to the other side of the mounting plate. In order to fix the electrical devices in the openings in the mounting plate, the housings of the electrical devices have fastening devices designed as latching means, with which the housings can latch into the openings in the mounting plate. The fastening devices are each formed by a resilient latching web and a support orAbutments are formed, which are arranged on the sides of the housing. The locking ribs are designed in such a way that they deflect when the terminal blocks are pushed through the openings, whereupon the edges of the opening rest in the space between the abutment and the locking ribs. This allows the locking rib to spring back, and the mounting plate is locked between the locking rib and the abutment, thus securing the terminal block in the opening of the mounting plate.

[0010] DE 198 01 260 C2 discloses a wall feed-through terminal block in which a one-piece terminal housing is pushed through the wall opening up to a stop, and then a clamp-shaped locking lever is slid onto the part guided through the wall opening. The locking lever engages two opposite sides of the housing, so that the housing wall is fixed between the stop on one side and the locking lever on the other. The housing wall must be accessible from both sides for installation.

[0011] DE 202 00 974 U1 also discloses a wall feed-through terminal block in which the one-piece terminal housing is inserted through the wall opening of a housing. When the terminal housing is inserted through the wall opening, spring catches provided on the top and bottom of the housing are pushed back by the top and bottom edges of the wall opening, respectively. To permanently secure the feed-through terminal block in the wall opening, a locking slide must be used to prevent the spring catches from springing back again. This locking slide can only be operated from the inside of the housing, while the feed-through terminal block must first be inserted from the outside of the wall opening, so that access to both sides of the housing wall is necessary during installation.Furthermore, the two wall feed-through terminals described above are not intended or suitable for fastening a terminal block consisting of several terminal blocks in a wall opening of a housing wall.

[0012] DE 10 2010 045 913 B4 discloses a panel feedthrough connector for insertion and locking into a wall cutout of a housing wall. The panel feedthrough connector comprises an insulating housing with two spring-loaded fastening arms arranged on opposite sides of the insulating housing and each having a locking edge for locking into a housing wall. The two spring-loaded fastening locking arms are formed on a support section opposite their free ends with two spaced-apart spring arches. A free space is formed between the spring arches to accommodate a retaining section of a mating connector that can be plugged onto the connector.

[0013] EP 1 655 813 A1 discloses a fastening element for a wall feedthrough terminal, which has a U-shaped base body with two legs, at the free ends of which fixing elements are formed. Furthermore, the fastening element also has a pivotable actuating wedge, which is connected to one leg of the U-shaped fastening element via a flexible connecting web. Additionally, a spring-loaded clamping element is provided, which, when mounted, acts against an inner edge of the narrow side of the wall opening.

[0014] The fastening element is inserted together with the terminal housing of the wall feed-through terminal into an opening in a housing wall and clamped there by pivoting the actuating wedge. If the actuating wedge is pivoted between the two legs of the U-shaped fastening element, both the legs of the fastening element are pressed against the inner edges of the opposite long sides of the wall opening and the spring-loaded clamping element is pressed against the In pressed against the inner edge of a narrow side of the wall opening. While this allows for easy fastening and loosening of the wall feed-through clamp in the wall opening, the flexible connecting bar is susceptible to torsion and can be damaged by even the slightest misalignment of an operating tool.

[0015] DE 10 2012 011 676 A1, from which the invention is based, discloses a mounting clamp for a terminal block consisting of several terminal blocks, which enables one-sided assembly and disassembly of the terminal block in a wall opening of a housing wall. For this purpose, a clamping element is slidably arranged in the terminal housing of the known mounting clamp. This clamping element has a clamping bevel that protrudes through an opening in the terminal housing. The clamping element can be moved into a clamping position by means of a screw, in which the clamping bevel presses against the upper inner edge of the wall opening when the mounting clamp is assembled.

[0016] The fastening clamp is installed and removed from the wall opening from one side only, namely the side from which the screw for moving the clamping element can be operated. The fastening clamp is first pushed into the wall opening from this side, before the fastening clamp is secured in the wall opening by moving the clamping element into the clamping position. To ensure that the clamp is fastened sufficiently securely in the wall opening, the clamping surface between the clamping bevel and the upper inner edge of the wall opening must not be too small. This means that the clamping element must have a certain extension perpendicular to the direction of extension of the terminal housing, i.e. the clamping element must have a certain minimum width. This means that the terminal housing, in which the clamping element is slidably arranged, must also have a certain minimum width.Especially in a terminal block consisting of several relatively narrow terminal blocks, this results in one mounting terminal being wider than the individual terminal blocks. In order for a terminal block with a certain number of terminal blocks to be mounted in a wall opening, the wall opening must then have a width that is significantly larger than the width of the terminal block itself.

[0017] The present invention is therefore based on the object of providing a fastening option for a terminal block consisting of several terminal blocks, which enables simple assembly and disassembly of the terminal block in a wall opening of a housing wall, wherein the installation space required for this should be as small as possible, so that a terminal block can also be fastened in a relatively narrow wall opening.

[0018] This object is achieved with the fastening clamp described at the outset with the features of patent claim 1. According to the invention, the clamping element is designed as a resilient latching arm which is fastened to the terminal housing by its base region and at whose free end the clamping surface is formed, wherein the latching arm extends along the side surface of the terminal housing. In the assembled state of the fastening clamp, the clamping surface then acts against an edge of the wall opening, which can in particular be the opposite lateral inner edge of the wall opening. By designing the at least one clamping element as a resilient latching arm which extends approximately parallel to the side surface of the terminal housing and whose free end is designed as a clamping surface, the clamping takes place not on the upper or lower inner edge of the wall opening, but on a lateral inner edge of the wall opening.The clamping surface of the locking arm can therefore have a sufficiently large width without requiring a corresponding width of the terminal housing. Rather, the width of the terminal housing is independent of the width of the clamping surface of the clamping element, since the locking arm extends essentially perpendicular to the transverse extension of the terminal housing.

[0019] When the terminal housing is pushed through the wall opening, the locking arm attached to the side surface of the housing is pushed back by the inner edge of the wall opening towards the side surface of the terminal housing, thereby clamping the terminal housing firmly in the wall opening. To prevent unauthorized release of the locking mechanism and to secure the feed-through terminal in the wall opening, a locking element is also slidably arranged on the terminal housing and can be moved from a first position to a second position. In its first position, the locking element is arranged such that the at least one spring-loaded locking arm can be deflected towards the side surface of the terminal housing, so that the terminal housing can be pushed into the wall opening.In its second position, however, the locking element is partially positioned between the free end of the spring-loaded locking arm and the side surface of the terminal housing, so that the spring-loaded locking arm cannot be deflected toward the side surface of the terminal housing. The terminal housing is then securely fixed in the wall opening, since the clamping between the clamping surface of the at least one locking arm and the inner lateral edge of the wall opening cannot be released without the locking element being returned to its first position.

[0020] The locking element is preferably arranged so that it can be actuated from the side from which the mounting clamp is inserted into the wall opening. The mounting clamp in the wall opening is then installed and removed from only one side, particularly from the wiring side. From this side, the mounting clamp is first inserted into the wall opening before being securely fixed in the wall opening by actuating the locking element, thus preventing unauthorized removal.

[0021] According to an advantageous embodiment, the clamping surface at the free end of the spring-loaded locking arm has several ribs that serve to lock the mounting clamp into the wall opening. Furthermore, since the locking arms are spring-loaded, certain tolerances in the width of the wall opening can be compensated for.

[0022] As previously explained, in its second position the locking element is located at least partially between the free end of the resilient latching arm and the side surface of the terminal housing, such that the resilient latching arm cannot be deflected towards the side surface of the terminal housing. The locking element has a bevel on its side facing the free end of the resilient latching arm. As a result, the locking element with its bevel can be inserted particularly easily between the free end of the resilient latching arm and the side surface of the terminal housing when the locking element is moved from its first position to its second position. The further the locking element is moved into its second position, the further the locking element with the bevel moves between the free end of the latching arm and the side surface of the terminal housing.Thus, the locking element not only prevents the locking arm from springing back towards the side surface of the terminal housing, but also increases the force with which the locking arm acts with its clamping surface against the lateral inner edge of the wall opening.

[0023] Preferably, the bevel on the locking element has a toothing, and the free end of the resilient locking arm has a corresponding counter-toothing on the side facing the bevel. This reliably prevents the locking element from accidentally sliding back from its second position to its first position, especially when dynamic loads, such as shocks or vibrations, act on the fastening clamp.

[0024] According to a further advantageous embodiment of the fastening clamp according to the invention, an insertion bevel is formed in the terminal housing, with which the terminal housing rests on the lower inner edge of the wall opening when the fastening clamp is mounted. The fastening clamp is thereby additionally fixed and held in place in the vertical direction when mounted. Furthermore, the formation of the insertion bevel on the underside of the terminal housing also serves to simplify the installation of the fastening clamp in the wall opening. For this purpose, the fastening clamp is first placed with the insertion bevel on the lower inner edge of the wall opening and then pivoted into the wall opening, whereby the spring-loaded locking arm is pushed back by the inner edge of the wall opening towards the side surface of the terminal housing and then the clamping surface locks with the inner edge of the wall opening.

[0025] To further simplify the insertion of the mounting clamp into the wall opening and ensure its correct positioning within the wall opening, a contact surface is preferably formed on the terminal housing. The contact surface preferably extends perpendicularly or approximately perpendicularly to the side surface of the terminal housing. When installed, the mounting clamp then rests against the housing wall with the contact surface. The design of the contact surface thus also ensures that the mounting clamp is always inserted sufficiently far into the wall opening during installation.

[0026] It was stated at the outset that the fastening clamp has at least one clamping element designed as a resilient latching arm. According to the preferred embodiment of the fastening clamp, it has two resilient latching arms, each of which is fastened to the terminal housing by its base region and both extend along the side surface of the terminal housing. The two latching arms are arranged next to one another perpendicular to the direction of extension of the fastening clamp, i.e., one above the other when the fastening clamp is arranged horizontally. This enables particularly secure fixing of the fastening clamp in a wall opening, since tilting of the fastening clamp about its longitudinal axis is prevented.Furthermore, the design of two spring-loaded locking arms with two clamping surfaces allows for secure fastening of the terminal in the wall opening without requiring an excessively wide locking arm, which could negatively impact its spring-loaded properties. To ensure that the two spring-loaded locking arms can be deflected independently of each other, especially when the mounting clamp is pivoted into the wall opening, the two locking arms are spaced apart on the terminal housing.

[0027] It has also been stated above that the locking element is preferably arranged such that it can be actuated from the side from which the fastening clamp is inserted into the wall opening. To enable the locking element to be easily moved by the installer from its first position to its second position or from its second position to its first position, a further advantageous embodiment provides an actuating element that is connected to the locking element on the one hand and easily accessible to the installer on the other.

[0028] According to a first advantageous embodiment, a screw is arranged as the actuating element in an externally accessible bore in the terminal housing, and a thread is formed in the locking element into which the end of the screw is screwed. The bore is designed such that the screw is fixed in the longitudinal direction, so that turning the screw causes the locking element to move. For this purpose, the end of the screw can be screwed into a nut that is arranged in the locking element in a rotationally secure manner.

[0029] According to another variant of the invention, a spring-loaded locking unit is provided as the actuating element. The locking unit comprises a compression spring and a locking element, wherein the locking element has a locking portion and a handle or actuating portion. The locking portion is partially arranged in a bore in the terminal housing. The compression spring is arranged with one end on the locking portion and with its other end on the locking element. The locking element can be moved from a first position in the extension direction of the fastening clamp into a second position, wherein the locking element exerts a force on the compression spring in the second position, so that the compression spring is tensioned and moves the locking element into its second position.The locking element can be locked in its second position by rotating the locking element about its longitudinal axis, which runs parallel to the direction of extension of the fastening clamp.

[0030] In this way, the actuating element can be pushed from the first position from the outside into the interior of the terminal housing using the handle portion. Instead of a handle portion that can be operated manually, the locking element can also have an actuating portion that can be rotated using a tool, such as a screwdriver. By rotating the handle or actuating portion, for example, by a quarter or half turn, the locking element is then locked in the second position, and the blocking element also remains in the second position.

[0031] In a further embodiment of the variant of the invention, a latching hook is provided on the locking section. At least one groove corresponding to the latching hook is provided in the bore, wherein the latching hook engages with the groove in the first position of the locking element and has protruded from the bore and the groove towards the interior of the terminal housing in the second position of the locking element. The latching hook can be applied to a projection in the terminal housing by rotating the locking element about its longitudinal axis. The locking element can thus be pushed into the interior of the terminal housing like a key. While the latching hook is engaged with the groove, the locking element cannot be rotated about its longitudinal axis. As soon as the latching hook protrudes from the groove, the locking element can be rotated about its longitudinal axis.The projection, for example, could be the wall of the hole in the terminal housing, against which the locking hook engages. In the second position, the spring is tensioned, so that the locking hook is automatically pressed against the wall. However, a specially designed projection is also conceivable, which, for example, allows only limited rotation of the locking element due to a profile designed for the locking hook.

[0032] In the two variants of the invention described above, the locking element is moved from its first position to its second position by a technician rotating a screw or the locking element. According to a further alternative embodiment of the invention, a lever system with two levers is provided as the actuating element, wherein the first end of the first lever is pivotally connected to the locking element and its second end is pivotally connected to the first end of the second lever, which is rotatably mounted on the terminal housing. The second end of the second lever is accessible from outside the housing, so that the second lever can be easily pivoted by a technician from its first position to its second position.By connecting the second lever to the locking element via the first lever, pivoting the second lever from its first position to its second position results in the locking element being moved from its first position to its second position.

[0033] According to a particularly simple variant of the invention, an actuating section is provided as the actuating element, which is connected to the locking element. The actuating section is arranged and designed such that the free end of the actuating section pointing away from the locking element is accessible from outside the terminal housing, so that the locking element can be moved via the actuating section from its first position to its second position and from its second position to its first position. The actuating section can be actuated by hand, so that it can also be referred to as a handle section. Alternatively, the actuating section can also be designed such that it is actuated with the aid of a tool, for example a screwdriver.The locking element and the actuating section can either be two separate components connected to each other, or the actuating section can be integrally connected to the locking element. The only important factor is that a displacement of the actuating section also leads to a corresponding displacement of the locking element.

[0034] According to a preferred embodiment of this variant, a resilient locking arm is provided, one end of which rests on the terminal housing and, with its second, free end, interacts with a counter-locking element formed on the locking element or on the actuating section. This allows the locking element to be securely held in its second position when the free end of the locking arm and the counter-locking element are engaged. The locking arm thus serves as a type of backstop, preventing the locking element from accidentally shifting from its second position to its first position, for example, due to vibrations or shocks, which would compromise the secure fixation of the terminal housing in the wall opening.

[0035] The locking arm can be designed as a separate component or integral with the terminal housing. The locking arm can also be formed, for example, by a leg of a leg spring that is completely fixed in the terminal housing, so that only the leg acting as the locking arm can be deflected, but not the entire leg spring within the terminal housing.

[0036] The counter-locking element, with which the free end of the locking arm can interact, is preferably designed as a toothing arranged on a longitudinal edge of the locking element or the actuating section. For this purpose, a corresponding counter-toothing is formed on the second, free end of the locking arm. If the toothing on the locking element or the actuating section has a certain longitudinal extension, the locking element can be fixed in various positions in stages, depending on how far the free end of the locking element is inserted between the spring-loaded locking arm and the side surface of the terminal housing.Preferably, the teeth and the counter-teeth are aligned with each other such that the locking element can be moved from its first position to its second position, even when the teeth and the counter-teeth are engaged with each other, while the locking element can only be moved from its second position to its first position when the teeth and the counter-teeth are not engaged with each other. This allows the locking element to be easily moved into its second position without the locking arm having to be deflected to lift the free end of the locking arm from the teeth on the locking element or on the actuating section.

[0037] The variants and designs of an actuating element described above each provide the opportunity for a fitter to move the locking element precisely, yet easily and with little effort from its first position to its second position or from its second position back to its first position.

[0038] In contrast to the wall feed-through terminal blocks described above, which are known from the prior art, the terminal block is not secured in the wall opening, at least not primarily, by means of locking elements formed on the individual terminal blocks, but rather by means of the fastening terminals, which are usually arranged on both sides of the terminal block. This has the advantage that the terminal blocks can be secured in the wall opening more easily in the blocked state than is the case with a terminal block consisting of several terminal blocks, each of which has a locking element for securing it in the wall opening.

[0039] The invention therefore also relates to a structural unit consisting of two mounting terminals according to the invention and a plurality of adjacent terminal blocks, wherein the terminal blocks are arranged between the mounting terminals and each have a terminal housing with at least two conductor connection elements arranged therein. Such terminal blocks are already known in various designs from the prior art. The terminal blocks are preferably through-type terminals with a disconnection option, so that a test plug can be inserted into each individual terminal block.

[0040] The terminal blocks used in the preferred embodiment of the invention in the assembly each have at least two current bars arranged in the terminal housing, each having a connection section and a contact section. The connection sections are each assigned to a conductor connection element, while the contact sections together form a resilient contact area for receiving the plug of a test or operating plug. To allow such a plug to be inserted into the resilient contact area, an opening is formed in the terminal housing of the terminal block, which is accessible from one side, the operator side. Such terminal blocks are known, for example, from DE 10 2011 113 333 B4 and DE 10 2015 114 186 A1.

[0041] The electrical terminal blocks that together form the terminal block are each disc-shaped. To ensure that several terminal blocks together form a terminal block, the individual terminal blocks are connected to one another. The terminal blocks are locked together via corresponding locking elements formed in the terminal housing. The locking elements preferably consist of locking pins arranged on one side of the terminal housing and corresponding locking recesses formed on the other side of the terminal housing. To connect the mounting terminals to the adjacent terminal blocks, locking elements are preferably also formed on the terminal housings of the mounting terminals, which correspond to the locking recesses and / or locking pins in the terminal housing of the terminal blocks.

[0042] In detail, there are numerous possibilities for designing and developing the fastening clamp and the assembly according to the invention. Reference is made to the dependent claims as well as to the following description of preferred embodiments in conjunction with the drawings. The drawings show: Fig. 1 a structural unit according to the invention, consisting of a terminal block and two fastening terminals, diagonally from the operator side, Fig. 2 the structural unit according to Fig. 1 , inserted in a wall opening, Fig. 3 a fastening clamp according to the invention when inserted into a wall opening, from the side, Fig. 4 the fastening clamp according Fig. 3 , inserted into the wall opening, Fig. 5the fastening clamp according to Fig. 4 , with a screwdriver for moving the locking element from its first position to its second position, Fig. 6 a variant of the fastening clamp according to Fig. 5 . with a spring-loaded locking unit for moving the locking element from its first position to its second position, Fig. 7 a further variant of the fastening clamp according to Fig. 5 . with a lever system for moving the locking element from its first position to its second position, Fig. 8 a third variant of the fastening clamp with a manually operable actuating section for moving the locking element, locked in its second position, Fig. 9 the fastening clamp according to Fig. 8 with released locking, and Fig. 10the fastening clamp according to Fig. 8 with the locking element in its first position.

[0043] The figures show various embodiments of the fastening clamp 1 according to the invention as well as in the Fig. 1 and 2a structural unit 30 consisting of two mounting terminals 1 and several, in this case four, adjacently arranged terminal blocks 31, which together form a terminal block 32. The mounting terminals 1 serve to fix the terminal block 32 in a wall opening 33 of a housing wall 34, which can be, for example, the door of a control cabinet.

[0044] For example, in the Fig. 3 and 4 The fastening clamp 1 shown from the side comprises a terminal housing 2 on which two resilient locking arms 3, 4 are formed as clamping elements. The base region 5 of the locking arms 3, 4 is attached to the terminal housing 2, while the free end 6 of the locking arms 3, 4 is formed as a clamping surface 7. As can be seen particularly from the perspective view according to Fig. 1 As can be seen, the locking arms 3, 4 extend along the side surface 8 of the terminal housing 2, so that the clamping surface 7 in the assembled state of the fastening terminal ( Fig. 2 ) against a lateral inner edge of the wall opening 33. The two locking arms are arranged next to each other perpendicular to the direction of extension E of the fastening clamp 1, in the orientation of the fastening clamp 1 according to Fig. 1 thus arranged one above the other.

[0045] To secure the fastening clamp 1 in the wall opening 33, a locking element 9 is slidably arranged on the terminal housing 2, which can be moved from a first position (Fig. 5a, 6a , 7a , 10 ) into a second position (Fig. 5b, 6b , 7b , 8 , 9) can be moved. In the first position of the locking element 9, the spring-loaded locking arms 3, 4 can be deflected in the direction of the side surface 8 of the terminal housing 2, so that the locking arms 3, 4 are deflected inwards by the inner edge of the wall opening 33 when the terminal housing 2 is pushed through the wall opening 33. If the fastening clamp 1 is in accordance with Fig. 4 When inserted into the wall opening 33, the fastening terminal 1 is fixed in the wall opening 33 by the fact that the spring-loaded locking arms 3, 4 each press with their clamping surface 7 against the lateral inner edge of the wall opening 33. Ribs 10 formed on the clamping surfaces 7 ensure that the terminal housing 2 locks into its position in the wall opening 33. The position of the terminal housing 2 in the wall opening 33 is additionally secured by the fact that the outer end 11 of the locking arms 3, 4 is bent outwards. The outer end 11 is arranged on one side of the housing wall 34, the wiring side, and the rest of the spring-loaded locking arms 3, 4 are arranged on the other side of the housing wall 34, the operator side.

[0046] To prevent unauthorized release of the locking connection between the clamping surfaces 7 of the locking arms 3, 4 and the lateral inner edge of the wall opening 33, the locking element 9 must be moved to its second position. For this purpose, the locking element 9 has a bevel 12 on the side facing the free end 6 of the resilient locking arms 3, 4, which, in the second position of the locking element 9, is arranged between the free end 6 of the locking elements 3, 4 and the side surface 8 of the terminal housing 2. This blocks the locking arms 3, 4 in their clamping position, preventing them from being deflected toward the side surface 8 of the terminal housing 2.

[0047] Based on the Fig. 3 and 4It can be seen how the fastening clamp 1 or the assembly 30 is inserted into the wall opening 33 on the housing wall 34. On the underside of the terminal housing 2, an insertion bevel 13 is formed, with which the terminal housing 2 is first placed onto the lower inner edge of the wall opening 33. Then the fastening clamp 1 or the assembly 30 - in the illustration according to Fig. 3 - pivoted clockwise into the wall opening 33, whereby - as already explained - the locking arms 3, 4 are deflected by the lateral inner edge of the wall opening 33 in the direction of the side surface 8 of the terminal housing 2. The contact surface 14 formed on the terminal housing 2, which extends perpendicular to the side surface 8 of the terminal housing 2, serves as a stop when pivoting the fastening clamp 1 into the wall opening 33, so that the fastening clamp 1 is always inserted into the wall opening 33 until the contact surface 14 rests against the housing wall 34 running parallel thereto.

[0048] The Fig. 5 bis 8 show various embodiments of the fastening clamp 1 according to the invention, which essentially only differ from one another in how the locking element 9 can be moved from its first position to its second position. All embodiments have in common that the fastening clamp 1 is first pivoted into the wall opening 33 from one side, the wiring side, as shown in the Fig. 3 and 4 is shown. The locking element 9 is then moved from its first position to its second position with the aid of an actuating element, which is also accessible from the wiring side. This ensures that the locking mechanism between the locking arms 3, 4 and the lateral inner edge of the wall opening 33 cannot be released from the second side, the operator side, and that the fastening clamp 1 or the assembly 30 cannot then be pushed out of the wall opening 33.

[0049] In the first variant according to Fig. 5 A screw 15 is provided as the actuating element, which is arranged in a bore 16 in the terminal housing 2 that is accessible from the outside. The end of the screw 15 is connected to the locking element 9 in such a way that turning the screw 15 causes an axial displacement of the locking element 9. For this purpose, a nut corresponding to the screw 15 can be arranged in the locking element 9 in a rotation-proof manner, into which the end of the screw 15 is screwed. In addition, the bore 16 has a contact shoulder for the screw 15, against which the screw head rests, whereby the screw 15 is fixed in the longitudinal direction. Turning the screw 15 using a screwdriver 17 thus does not lead to a longitudinal displacement of the screw 15, but to a displacement of the locking element 9 in the longitudinal direction of the screw 15.This allows the locking element 9 with its bevel 12 to be moved between the free end 7 of the locking arms 3, 4 and the side surface 8 of the terminal housing 2, whereby the locking arms 3, 4 are blocked in their position in which the clamping surfaces 7 of the locking arms 3, 4 clamp against the lateral inner edge of the wall opening 33. If the fastening terminal 1 is to be removed from the wall opening 33 again, the screw 15 must be turned in the opposite direction using the screwdriver 17, whereby the locking element 9 is retracted from its second position to its first position. The locking arms 3, 4 can then be deflected towards the side surface 8 of the terminal housing 2 so that the fastening terminal 1 can be pushed through the wall opening 33 towards the wiring side.

[0050] In the version according to Fig. 6 A spring-loaded locking unit is provided as the actuating element. The locking unit comprises a compression spring 18 and a locking element 19, wherein the locking element has a locking section 20 and a handle section 21. The locking section 20 is arranged in the bore 16 in the terminal housing 2. The compression spring 18 is in turn arranged with one end on the locking section 20 and with its other end on the locking element 9. With the aid of the handle section 21, an installer can press the locking element 19 from a first position in the extension direction E of the fastening clamp 1 into a second position in the terminal housing 2. The locking element 19 exerts a force on the compression spring 18 and this is tensioned. The tension in the compression spring 18 also moves the locking element 9 into its second position, whereby the entire system is tensioned via the compression spring 18.

[0051] In the second position, the installer can rotate the locking element 19 around its longitudinal axis, thus locking it. The locking element 19 is locked by a locking hook, which, after rotation of the locking element 19, rests against the wall of the bore 16 in the terminal housing 2. To allow the locking element 19 to slide through the bore 16 despite the locking hook, a groove corresponding to the locking hook is also provided. To unlock the locking element 19 again, the locking element 19 is rotated around its longitudinal axis until the locking hook pivots back into the groove and can slide back through the bore 16.

[0052] In the embodiment according to Fig. 7 The actuating element is designed as a lever system having two levers 22, 23 that are pivotally connected to one another. Specifically, the first lever 22 is pivotally connected to the locking element 9 at its first end 24 and to the first end 26 of the second lever 23 at its second end 25. The second lever 23 is rotatably mounted via a pivot pin 27 formed on the terminal housing 2, with the second end 28 of the second lever 23 being accessible from the outside. Furthermore, a recess 29 is formed in the second end 28 of the second lever 23, into which the tip of a screwdriver 17 can be inserted, so that the second lever 23 can be easily moved from its first position ( Fig. 7a ) to its second position ( Fig. 7b ) can be pivoted. The previously described arrangement of the two levers 22, 23 ensures that when the second lever 23 is pivoted from its first position to its second position, the locking element 9 is also moved from its first position to its second position. Conversely, when the second lever 23 is pivoted from its second position to its first position, the locking lever 9 can be retracted with little effort from its second position to its first position, in which position the locking lever 9 releases the locking arms 3, 4 again, so that the fastening clamp 1 can be removed from the wall opening 33.

[0053] The Figuren 8 - 10 show a further embodiment variant in which an actuating section 36 is provided as the actuating element. The actuating section 36 is connected in one piece with the locking element 9, wherein the free end 37 of the actuating section 36, pointing away from the locking element 9, protrudes from the terminal housing 2 so that it can be easily actuated by a technician with one or two fingers. To move the locking element 9 from its first position ( Fig. 10 ) to its second position ( Fig. 8 ), the free end 37 of the actuating section 36 only needs to be pressed with a finger in the direction of the terminal housing 2. To ensure that the locking element 9 is secured in its second position and cannot accidentally slip back into its first position, an additional backstop is provided. For this purpose, a resilient locking arm 38 is arranged in the terminal housing 2, one end 39 of which is supported on the terminal housing 2. The second, free end 40 of the locking arm 38 interacts in the locked position with a counter-locking element formed on the locking element 9. In the illustrated embodiment, the counter-locking element is formed by a toothing 41 on a longitudinal edge of the locking element 9, to which a counter-toothing 42 is formed on the second, free end 40 of the locking arm 38. When the toothing 41 and the counter-toothing 42 are in engagement with one another, the locking element 9 is thus securely locked in its second position ( Fig. 8 ).

[0054] In order to move the locking element 9 into the first position, the locking mechanism must first be released, for which purpose the free end 40 of the locking arm 38 with its counter-toothing 42 must be lifted off the toothing 41 on the locking element 9, ie the spring-loaded locking arm 38 must be deflected. This can be done particularly easily with the aid of a screwdriver 17, the tip of which is inserted into a recess 43 provided for this purpose in the terminal housing 2, as shown in Fig. 9 is shown. This deflects the locking arm 38, so that the locking is released. Then, an installer can simply pull the actuating section 36 with two fingers in the direction L, whereby the locking element 9 is moved from its second position towards its first position. In this released position of the locking element 9, which is shown in Fig. 10 As shown, the fastening terminal 1 can then be removed from the wall opening 33 of a housing wall 34, for example to exchange a defective terminal block 32 and replace it with a new one.

[0055] As already stated, the Fig. 1 and 2 a structural unit 30 consisting of two mounting terminals 1 and four terminal blocks 31, which are snapped together to form a terminal block 32. For this purpose, the terminal housings 35 of the terminal blocks 31 have corresponding locking elements, in particular locking pins and locking recesses, with the aid of which the disc-shaped terminal blocks 31 can be snapped together. The fastening of the mounting terminals 1 to the adjacent terminal blocks 31 is preferably also carried out via corresponding locking elements, which are formed in the terminal housings 2 of the mounting terminals 1 or in the terminal housings 35 of the terminal blocks 31.

[0056] As can be seen from the Fig. 1 and 2 As can be seen, the individual terminal blocks 31 each have an opening 36 into which the plug of a test or operating plug can be inserted. The openings 36 are accessible from the operator side when the assembly 30 is in the assembled state. Arranged in the terminal housings 35 of the terminal blocks 31 are two conductor connection elements and at least two current bars, each having a connection section and a contact section. Regarding the possible concrete structure of the individual terminal blocks 31 and the arrangement and design of the current bars, reference is made to DE 10 2015 114 186 A1 as an example.

Claims

1. Fastening clamp (1) for securing a modular terminal block (32) consisting of several terminals (31) in a wall opening (33) of a housing wall (34), having a clamp housing (2) and at least one clamping element, wherein the clamping element has a clamping surface, wherein the clamping element is designed as an elastic locking arm (3, 4) which is fastened with its foot region (5) to the clamp housing (2) and at whose free end (6) the clamping surface (7) is formed, wherein the locking arm (3, 4) extends along the side surface (8) of the clamp housing (2) such that, in the mounted state of the fastening clamp (1), the clamping surface (7) acts against an edge of the wall opening (33), wherein a locking element (9) is arranged displaceably on the clamp housing (2), which can be moved from a first position to a second position, wherein in the first position of the locking element (9), the elastic locking arm (3, 4) is deflectable towards the side surface (8) of the clamp housing (2), characterized in that in its second position, the locking element (9) is arranged partially between the free end (6) of the elastic locking arm (3, 4) and the side surface (8) of the clamp housing (2), such that the elastic locking arm (3, 4) is not deflectable towards the side surface (8) of the clamp housing (2), and wherein the locking element (9) has an inclined surface (12) on the side facing the free end (6) of the elastic locking arm (3, 4).

2. Fastening clamp according to claim 1, characterized in that the inclined surface (12) on the locking element (9) has a toothing and that the free end (6) of the elastic locking arm (3, 4) has a corresponding counter-toothing on the side facing the inclined surface (12).

3. Fastening clamp according to claims 1 or 2, characterized in that an insertion slope (13) is formed in the clamp housing (2), by means of which the clamp housing (2) rests on the lower inner edge of the wall opening (33) in the mounted state of the fastening clamp (1).

4. Fastening clamp according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that a contact surface (14) is formed on the clamp housing (2), which preferably extends perpendicular to the side surface (8) of the clamp housing (2).

5. Fastening clamp according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that two elastic locking arms (3, 4) are formed, each fastened with their foot region (5) to the clamp housing (2) and both extending along the side surface (8) of the clamp housing (2), wherein the two locking arms (3, 4) are arranged side by side perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (E) of the fastening clamp (1).

6. Fastening clamp according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the locking element (9) can be moved both from the first position into the second position and from the second position into the first position by means of an actuating element.

7. Fastening clamp according to claim 6, characterized in that a screw (15) is arranged as the actuating element in a bore (16) in the clamp housing (2) accessible from the outside, and that a thread is formed in the locking element (9), into which the end of the screw (15) is screwed, wherein the bore (16) is designed such that the screw (15) is fixed in the longitudinal direction, so that rotation of the screw (15) causes an axial displacement of the locking element (9).

8. Fastening clamp according to claim 6, characterized in that a springloaded locking unit is provided as the actuating element, wherein the locking unit comprises a compression spring (18) and a locking element (19), wherein the locking element (19) has a locking section (20) and a grip section (21) or an actuating section, wherein the locking section (20) is partially arranged in a bore (16) in the clamp housing (2), that the compression spring (18) is arranged with one end on the locking section (20) and with the other end on the locking element (9), that the locking element (19) can be moved from a first position in the longitudinal direction (E) of the fastening clamp (1) into a second position, that in the second position the locking element (19) exerts a force on the compression spring (18) so that the compression spring (18) is tensioned and moves the locking element (9) into its second position, and that the locking element (19) can be locked in its second position by rotating the locking element (19) about its longitudinal axis.

9. Fastening clamp according to claim 8, characterized in that a locking hook is provided on the locking section (20), that at least one groove corresponding to the locking hook is provided in the bore (16), wherein the locking hook in the first position of the locking element (19) engages with the groove and in the second position of the locking element (19) exits from the bore (16) and the groove towards the interior of the clamp housing (2), and that the locking hook can be positioned against a projection in the clamp housing (2) by rotation of the locking element (19) about its longitudinal axis.

10. Fastening clamp according to claim 6, characterized in that a lever system with two levers (22, 23) is provided as the actuating element, wherein the first lever (22) is pivotally connected with its first end (24) to the locking element (9) and with its second end (25) to the first end (26) of the second lever (23), that the second lever (23) is rotatably mounted on the clamp housing (2), and that the second end (28) of the second lever (23) is accessible from outside, and that the second lever (23) can be pivoted from a first position into a second position, wherein the locking element (9) is in its first position when the second lever (23) is in its first position and in its second position when the second lever (23) is in its second position.

11. Fastening clamp according to claim 10, characterized in that a recess (29) for inserting a tool is formed in the second end (28) of the second lever (23).

12. Fastening clamp according to claim 6, characterized in that an actuating section (36) is provided as the actuating element, which is connected to the locking element (9) and that the free end (37) of the actuating section (36), which faces away from the locking element (9), is accessible from outside the clamp housing (2).

13. Fastening clamp according to claim 12, characterized in that an elastic locking arm (38) is provided, which is supported with one end (39) on the clamp housing (2) and interacts with its second, free end (40) with a counter-locking element formed on the locking element (9) or on the actuating section (36), so that the locking element (9) locks into its second position when the free end (40) of the locking arm (38) and the counter-locking element engage with each other.

14. Fastening clamp according to claim 13, characterized in that the counter-locking element is formed as a toothing (41) and that a counter-toothing (42) is formed on the second, free end (40) of the locking arm (38), wherein the toothing (41) and the counter-toothing (42) are preferably aligned in such a way that the locking element (9) can be moved from its first position into its second position even when the toothing (41) and the counter-toothing (42) are engaged, while the locking element (9) can only be moved from its second position into its first position when the toothing (41) and the counter-toothing (42) are not engaged.

15. Component (30) consisting of two fastening clamps (1) according to one of claims 1 to 14 and a modular terminal block (32) consisting of several terminals (31) arranged next to each other, wherein the terminals (31) are arranged between the fastening clamps (1) and each have a terminal housing (35) with at least two conductor connection elements arranged therein.

16. Component according to claim 15, characterized in that the fastening clamps (1) are mechanically connected to the adjacent terminal (31) via locking elements formed on their clamp housings (2), in particular via locking pins and / or locking recesses, for which corresponding locking recesses and / or locking pins are formed in the terminal housing (35) of the terminals (31).