AUTOMATION-CAPABLE TERMINAL AND METHOD FOR CONTACTING A CONDUCTOR

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a terminal and a method for contacting a conductor using such a terminal.

[0002] Connecting conductors to terminal blocks is often done manually, as the mechanical connection technology used prevents automated connection of the terminal blocks to the cable ends. Furthermore, the cable ends are usually prepared manually for connection.

[0003] For example, a conductor to be contacted is first stripped at the end to expose the conductive core. The exposed end is then fitted with a wire end ferrule to ensure reliable insertion and contact in the area of ​​the terminal. The conductor end can be secured by screwing a clamping jaw or, in the case of a "push-in" or direct connection, by inserting the conductor into a terminal opening. The insertion movement clamps the conductor end by triggering a mechanical clamping mechanism.

[0004] In this context, document DE 10 2008 031 154 A1 discloses a self-insulating electrical terminal for electrical conductors, comprising a terminal body provided with at least one recess in its interior. The terminal comprises, in each recess, at least one stationary cable lug made of an electrically conductive material and at least one electrically insulating sliding part provided with at least one axial channel capable of receiving a conductor. The sliding part is displaceable along a transverse axis to a direction of conductor insertion between a first position for inserting the conductor and a second position in which the conductor is brought up to the cable lug. The terminal comprises locking means configured to lock the sliding part in at least one of the first and second positions.In addition, the sliding part is mounted in such a way that it can be moved linearly under the action of a pivoting movement of the tool.

[0005] Furthermore, document US 6,527,580 B1 discloses a screwless terminal, in particular a series terminal, with a busbar located in a terminal housing and with an insulation displacement element electrically connected to the busbar. An electrical conductor introduced via a housing feedthrough can be contacted between the cutting edges of the insulation displacement contact body, with the cutting edges facing each other. The insulation displacement contact element is movably arranged on the busbar. The insulation displacement contact of the stationary conductor is achieved by a translational movement of the insulation displacement contact element along the busbar. An additional actuating element, which engages an actuating tool, prevents direct contact between the actuating tool and a contact element comprising the insulation displacement contact element when contacting the conductor.

[0006] A stripping-free connection terminal is known from document DE 20 2016 003 374 U1, whereby a screwdriver or similar tool (no special tool is required) is guided through a pressure slide into an insulating material body until it stops in the screwdriver shaft. The pressure slide with the wire in the wire guide is then guided into the wire receptacle and pressed into / against the insulation displacement contact until the pressure slide assumes position. This spreads the insulation on both sides and contact is made with the now mostly exposed copper conductor. The insulation displacement contact can, for example, be doubled for wire diameter and insulation material with the overall material thickness being the same. Because the bending edge is not centered in the punching pattern, the four cutting points for the wire for the insulation of the wire are not aligned exactly on top of each other after bending, but slightly next to / behind one another.This spreads the insulation in two consecutive steps, roughly halving the force required. A wire clamp provides strain relief at the wire contact point and also redirects the wire.

[0007] Document EP 1 542 317 A1 relates to a device for contacting an electrical conductor, comprising a base body, a locking element with a receiving area for receiving the conductor, and an insulation displacement terminal with a contact area held in the base body. The locking element is linearly movable from an open position to a closed position relative to the base body. The insulation displacement terminal is arranged such that its contact area is located outside the receiving area with respect to the locking element in the open position and within the receiving area with respect to the locking element in the closed position.Furthermore, a rocker element and an actuating element are provided, wherein the rocker element is movably mounted in the base body and arranged with respect to the closing element and actuating element in such a way that a linear movement of the closing element from the open position to the closed position can be converted into a linear movement of the actuating element directed in the opposite direction, and that a linear movement of the actuating element can be converted into a linear movement of the closing element from the closed position to the open position in the opposite direction. Document DE 102 56 719 A1 relates to a contact structure for contacting at least one electrical conductor with an electrical contact region of an electrical conductor track structure, which is applied to a support structure made of electrically non-conductive material.The support structure provides a slot-like receiving unit which consists of an electrically non-conductive material and has, at least in sections, electrically conductive surface areas which are connected to the conductor track structure and represent the electrical contact area to the electrical conductor which can be inserted into the receiving unit in a force-fitting manner.

[0008] The disadvantage here is that both manual conductor preparation and manual connection are time-consuming and therefore costly. Against this background, the present invention is based on the technical problem of providing a terminal block and a method for contacting a conductor that do not have the aforementioned disadvantages or at least do so to a lesser extent, and in particular, enable automated terminal block assignment.

[0009] The technical problem described above is solved by a connection terminal according to claim 1 and a method according to claim 6.

[0010] Further embodiments emerge from the dependent claims and the following description.

[0011] According to a first aspect, the invention relates to a connection terminal according to claim 1.

[0012] The terminal block is therefore suitable for automated contacting of a conductor thanks to its tool stop. Furthermore, no stripping or preparation of the conductor is required prior to contacting, as the insulation displacement contact is provided. The terminal block therefore enables quick, automated contacting of a conductor.

[0013] The housing can have a guide to guide the slider linearly from the first to the second position. Thus, one or more guide surfaces can be provided on the housing, along which the slider is guided from the first to the second position. Such a guide, in particular a linear guide, enables the simple automation of the movement from the first to the second position.

[0014] Alternatively or additionally, the slider can be pivoted about a pivot axis to move from the first position to the second position. Thus, the movement to move the slider from the first to the second position can be at least partially or completely rotational.

[0015] The cutting contact can be partially or completely made of a metallic material.

[0016] The cutting contact can be positively secured to the housing. The cutting contact can have one or more retaining sections that are inserted into grooves or recesses in the housing and secure the cutting contact to the housing in a positively locking manner.

[0017] If the terminal in the fully assembled state is fastened, for example, to a holding device such as a mounting wall, a mounting strip, a mounting rail or the like, no reaction forces resulting from the assembly force act from the terminal on the holding device during the automated transfer of the slide from the first to the second position, since the assembly force is supported on the further tool stop of the housing.

[0018] According to the invention, the tool stop of the slide and the further tool stop of the housing face each other and define a receptacle for inserting a spreading tool. For example, in the first position, the tool stop of the slide and the further tool stop of the housing can define a tubular opening into which a spreading tool, which is mandrel-shaped in the closed state, can be inserted.

[0019] The opening can, in particular, be circular-cylindrical to facilitate the threading of a spreading tool, which is also essentially circular-cylindrical in its closed state. The spreading tool can have two prongs that, viewed in cross-section, form a circular shape when the tool is closed. Depending on the application, such an opening can, according to further embodiments, have a rectangular, oval, triangular, or asymmetrical cross-sectional shape. This also applies to the cross-sectional shape of a spreading tool in its closed state.

[0020] A spreading tool can therefore be inserted into the receptacle when the slider is in the first position. Opening the spreading tool causes the slider to move from the first to the second position, with the tool stop of the slider and the additional tool stop of the housing being moved apart by the spreading stroke of the spreading tool in the second position of the slider. The assembly forces required to move the slider and to cut the insulating sheath of the conductor to be contacted during this movement are supported by the additional tool stop of the slider on the housing.

[0021] According to the invention, the tool stop of the slide and the further tool stop of the housing can be spaced apart from one another and each form a receptacle for inserting a pressing tool. For example, the tool stop of the slide and the further tool stop of the housing can each be configured to receive the prongs of an open pressing tool in the first position of the slide.

[0022] A crimping tool can thus be inserted into the respective receptacle with its prongs in the slider's first position. Closing the crimping tool causes the slider to move from the first to the second position, with the tool stop of the slider and the additional tool stop of the housing being moved toward each other by the crimping stroke of the crimping tool in the slider's second position. The assembly forces required to move the slider and to cut the insulating sheath of the conductor to be contacted during this movement are supported on the housing via the additional tool stop of the slider.

[0023] Alternatively, it can be provided that only a tool stop is provided on the slide, but not on the housing. In this case, the assembly forces when moving the slide from the first to the second position are supported by a holding device to which the housing is attached.

[0024] According to a further embodiment of the terminal block, the opening of the slider is part of a linear, tubular conductor receptacle. Such a conductor receptacle facilitates automated conductor insertion, as insertion can be performed using a linear movement without deforming the conductor during insertion.

[0025] In particular, it can be provided that the conductor receptacle extends parallel to a receptacle for inserting a tool, so that, in particular, a simultaneous automated insertion of a conductor or conductor end to be contacted and the tool on the slider can take place. Such an arrangement therefore enables short process times for the automated contacting of a conductor or conductor end within the terminal.

[0026] Alternatively, it can be provided that the opening of the slide is part of a tubular conductor receptacle that is bent at least in sections. In this way, an end section of a conductor to be contacted can be deformed by an insertion movement along a bend in the conductor receptacle, so that the conductor end is deflected by, for example, 90° relative to the part of the conductor arranged in the opening of the slide. Such a configuration is useful, for example, if the slide is to be moved from the first position by engaging the housing in the direction of the cutting tool in order to contact the conductor end. This ensures that, as in the previously described configurations, the longitudinal extent of the conductor end section to be contacted is oriented transversely to the direction of movement of the slide from the first to the second position. Accordingly, the sheath of the conductor to be cut faces the cutting tool.

[0027] According to a further embodiment of the connection terminal, it is provided that the slider has a recess for receiving the cutting tool, wherein the cutting tool extends cantilevered into the recess of the slider at least in the second position of the slider.

[0028] In particular, it can be provided that a conductor receptacle is provided on both sides of the recess on the slide, so that a conductor accommodated in the conductor receptacle rests on both sides and spans the recess. When the cutting contact cuts into the conductor's sheath, the conductor is therefore supported on both sides of the cutting tool to enable reliable contact without bending the conductor end section.

[0029] The cutting tool can have fork-shaped, projecting cutting edges to grip and contact a conductor to be contacted from both sides. The cutting edges can thus define a cutting gap into which a conductor to be contacted, or a conductor end of a conductor to be contacted, is inserted as a result of the slider moving from the first to the second position.

[0030] According to a further embodiment of the terminal block, a locking device is provided to hold the slider in the first position in a form-fitting and / or force-fitting manner. This ensures that the slider reliably remains in the first position during transport, during assembly of the terminal block, and during the preferably automated insertion of a conductor to be contacted into the opening of the slider. The locking device can, for example, comprise a tongue and groove, between which a snap connection is formed, which can be released by applying a minimum tensile force.

[0031] Alternatively or additionally, a locking device can be provided to hold the slider in the second position with a positive and / or non-positive fit. This ensures that the slider reliably remains in the second position, ensuring permanent contact between the insulation displacement contact and the conductor to be contacted. The locking device can, for example, comprise a tongue and groove, between which a snap connection is formed, which can be released by applying a minimum tensile force.

[0032] For example, a slider can be provided with a first groove which, in the first position, engages with a first tongue of the housing. Using an assembly tool, a tensile force can be introduced into the snap connection to non-destructively drive the groove and tongue apart and move the slider from the first to the second position. In the second position, a second groove formed on the slider can be locked to a second tongue of the housing to secure the slider in the second position. The second snap connection can also be released, in particular non-destructively, by exceeding a minimum tensile force.

[0033] According to a second aspect, the invention relates to a method for contacting a conductor, comprising the method steps: providing a connection terminal, wherein the connection terminal is designed according to the invention; providing a conductor to be contacted; inserting the conductor into the opening of the slider; moving the slider from a first position in the direction of the cutting contact into a second position in order to bring the cutting contact into engagement with the conductor to be contacted, wherein the cutting contact cuts an insulation of the conductor and is brought into contact with a conductive core of the conductor, and wherein the movement of the slider is automated using the assembly tool of a robot.

[0034] The use of a terminal according to the invention enables automated contacting of a conductor, whereby no stripping or preparation of a conductor end section is required prior to contacting, since a cutting contact is provided. This enables automated contacting of a conductor with a short process time.

[0035] It is understood that method steps explained with reference to the connection terminal according to the invention can be further developments of the method according to the invention.

[0036] According to a further embodiment of the method, it is provided that the provided connecting terminal is fastened to a holding device, such as a mounting wall, a mounting strip or the like, and the housing of the connecting terminal has a further tool stop in order to support the assembly tool on the housing when moving the slider from the first to the second position, wherein an assembly force of the assembly tool is essentially completely supported on the housing, so that essentially no forces are introduced into the holding device by moving the slider.

[0037] Since essentially no assembly forces are transferred to the holding device, it will not give way mechanically, so that reliable, particularly robot-assisted contacting is ensured along a predefined assembly path and the contacting does not need to be additionally tested.

[0038] The wording "essentially no forces" in this case means that less than 10% of the reaction forces required to support the assembly forces are introduced into the holding device, in particular that less than 5% of the reaction forces required to support the assembly forces are introduced into the holding device, further in particular that less than 2% of the reaction forces required to support the assembly forces are introduced into the holding device.

[0039] A further embodiment of the method is characterized by the fact that the movement of the slider from the first position to the second position is a linear movement. Such a movement can be easily automated.

[0040] As already discussed above, it can be provided that the assembly tool is a spreading tool that carries out a spreading movement or the assembly tool is a pressing tool that carries out a closing movement or a pressing movement.

[0041] Alternatively, it can be provided that the slider is merely pressed in the direction of the cutting contact from a first position projecting from the housing into a second position partially or completely recessed in the housing.

[0042] A further embodiment of the method is characterized in that the conductor to be contacted is not pretreated before being inserted into the opening of the slider, in particular, it is not stripped of its insulation and / or, in particular, is not provided with a wire end ferrule. This allows for rapid, particularly fully automatic, contacting of the conductor.

[0043] The invention is described in more detail below with reference to a drawing illustrating exemplary embodiments. The drawings schematically show: Fig. 1 shows a terminal according to the invention in a perspective view; Fig. 2 shows the terminal from Fig. 1 with a conductor to be contacted; Fig. 3 the connection terminal Fig. 1 with a conductor to be contacted and a tool; Fig. 4 the terminal from Fig. 1 with a conductor to be contacted and a tool; Fig. 5 the terminal from Fig. 1 with a conductor to be contacted and a tool; Fig. 6 a further connection terminal according to the invention in a perspective view; Fig. 7 the connection terminal from Fig. 6 with a conductor to be contacted; Fig. 8 the connection terminal Fig. 6 with a conductor to be contacted; Fig. 9 a further connection terminal according to the invention in a perspective view; Fig. 10 the connection terminal from Fig. 9with a conductor to be contacted; Fig. 11 the connection terminal Fig. 9 with a conductor to be contacted.

[0044] Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a terminal block 2 according to the invention. The terminal block 2 has a housing 4, a slide 6, and a cutting contact 8. The slide 6 and the cutting contact 8 are accommodated at least partially in the housing 4. The slide 6 has an opening 10 for inserting a conductor 12 to be contacted.

[0045] The slider 6 is from a first position ( Fig. 1 ) in the direction of the cutting contact 8 into a second position ( Fig. 5 ). In this way, the cutting contact 6 is brought into engagement with the conductor 12 to be contacted.

[0046] The slider 6 has a tool stop 14 which is designed to detect an assembly force of a robot-guided assembly tool 16 ( Fig. 3) to move the slider 6 from the first to the second position.

[0047] In addition to the tool stop 14 of the slide 6, the housing 4 has a further tool stop 18. The tool stop 18 serves to support the assembly tool 16 on the housing 4 when the slide 6 is moved from the first to the second position. In this way, the assembly force applied by the tool 16 to the slide 6 can be fully supported on the housing 4, so that when the slide 6 is moved from the first position to the second position, no forces act on a holding device (not shown) to which the connection terminal 2 is fastened in the fully assembled state. The assembly force acting on the slide 6 and a resulting reaction force or supporting force acting on the tool stop 14 therefore mutually cancel each other out with respect to a holding device to which the connection terminal 2 is fastened.

[0048] In the present case, the tool stop 14 of the slide 6 and the further tool stop 18 of the housing 4 are in the Fig. 1 shown, first position of the slider 6 face each other and delimit a tubular receptacle 20 for inserting the tool 16 designed as a spreading tool 16.

[0049] The opening 10 of the slide 6 is in the present case part of a rectilinear, tubular conductor receptacle 22. The conductor receptacle 22 is oriented parallel to the tubular receptacle 20 when viewed along its longitudinal extent.

[0050] The slide 6 further has a recess 24 for receiving the cutting tool 8. The cutting tool 8 is in the first position ( Fig. 1 ) of the slider 6 and in the second position ( Fig. 5 ) of the slide 6 extends into the receptacle 24 of the slide 6.

[0051] The cutting tool 8 has fork-shaped projecting cutting edges 26 in order to enclose and contact the conductor 12 to be contacted on two sides.

[0052] The terminal 2 has a locking device 28 for holding the slide 6 in the first position in a positive and non-positive manner. The locking device 28 has a spring 30 formed on the housing 4 and a groove 32 provided on the slide 6, between which a snap connection is formed. A further locking device 34 serves to secure the slide 6 in the second position ( Fig. 5 ), wherein the locking device 34 has a spring 36 formed on the housing 4 and a groove 38 provided on the slide 6.

[0053] In the following, a method according to the invention for contacting the conductor 12 is described with reference to Figures 1-5 described in more detail.

[0054] In a first method step, the connection terminal 2 according to the invention is provided. The slide 6 is in the position shown in Fig. 1 illustrated first position, wherein the slider 6 is held in the first position by the snap connection formed between the spring 30 and the groove 32.

[0055] In a next process step, the conductor 12 to be contacted is provided and automatically inserted into the opening 10 of the slide 6 ( Fig. 2 ). The conductor 12 extends along the conductor receptacle 22 over the recess 24, so that the conductor 12 is supported on two sides.

[0056] In a next step ( Fig. 3 , Fig. 4 ) the spreading tool 16 is provided and inserted into the holder 20.

[0057] Thereafter ( Fig. 5 ) prongs 40, 42 of the spreading tool 16 are moved apart to move the slider 6 from the first position into the Fig. 5 shown, second position. In doing so, the cutting contact 8 is brought into engagement with the conductor 12, wherein the cutting contact 8 cuts an insulation of the conductor 12 and is brought into contact with a conductive core of the conductor 12. The movement of the slide 6 is automated using the assembly tool 16 attached to a robot. The movement of the slide 6 from the first position to the second position takes place in this case as a rectilinear movement.

[0058] The Figures 6, 7 and 8 describe a further connection terminal 44 according to the invention in a perspective view. To avoid repetition, only the differences from the previously described embodiment will be discussed below, with the same features being assigned the same reference numerals.

[0059] The terminal 44 has a slider 46, the first position of which is Fig. 6is shown. In the first position, the slide 46 extends in sections beyond the housing 2.

[0060] The slider 46 has a tool stop 48 which is configured to apply an assembly force of a robot-guided assembly tool for moving the slider 46 from the first position ( Fig. 6 ) to the second position ( Fig. 8 ) to the slide 46. To move the slide 46 from the first to the second position, a compressive force is exerted on one side on the tool stop 48 of the slide 46, so that the slide 46 is engaged into the housing 2. In this case, a locking device 50 initially forms a resistance, wherein the locking device can be displaced in the direction of the slide 6 by applying a minimum force.

[0061] In contrast to the exemplary embodiment described at the beginning, the slide 46 has a curved, tubular conductor receptacle 52. A conductor 12 is therefore deformed at the end by being inserted into the conductor receptacle 52, so that the outer surface of the conductor 12 faces the cutting tool 8.

[0062] An engagement of the slide 46 in the housing 2 therefore causes analogous to the Figures 1-5 described embodiment, contacting of the conductor 12 with the cutting contact 8.

[0063] The Figures 9, 10 and 11 show a further embodiment of a terminal 54 according to the invention, which differs from the one described with reference to the Figures 1-5 described embodiment in that the slide 56 is formed by a pressing tool from the Fig. 9 shown first position in the Fig. 11 shown second position is movable.

[0064] Thus, a tool stop 58 of the slide 56 and a tool stop 60 of the housing 2 are in the Fig. 9 In the first position shown, they are initially arranged at a distance from one another by a pressing stroke to be performed, and are brought closer together by inserting prongs of a pressing tool into the receptacles 58, 60 and then bringing the prongs together. Thus, in contrast to the exemplary embodiment described above, a movement of the slide 56 in the direction of the cutting contact 8 does not occur by opening a spreading tool, but rather by closing a pressing tool.

[0065] In this variant, too, the assembly and reaction forces cancel each other out, so that a holding device (not shown) on which the terminal is held in the fully assembled state is not subjected to any stress by assembly forces or resulting reaction forces. Reference symbol

[0066] 2Connection terminal 4Housing 6Slider 8Impact contact 10Opening 12Conductor 14Tool stop 16Assembly tool 18Tool stop 20Holder 22Conductor holder 24Recess 26Cutting edges 28Locking device 30Spring 32Groove 34Locking device 36Spring 38Groove 40Prong 42Prong 44Connection terminal 46Slider 48Tool stop 50Locking device 52Conductor holder 54Connection terminal 56Slider 58Tool stop 60Tool stop

Claims

1. Connection terminal comprising, - a housing (4), - a slide (6, 46, 56), and - an insulation displacement contact (8), - wherein at least portions of the slide (6, 46, 56) and the insulation displacement contact (8) are received in the housing (4), - wherein the slide (6, 46, 56) has an opening (10) for inserting a conductor (12) to be contacted, - wherein the slide (6, 46, 56) can be moved from a first position toward the insulation displacement contact (8) to a second position in order to engage the insulation displacement contact with the conductor (12) to be contacted, and - wherein the slide (6, 46, 56) has a tool abutment (14, 48, 58) which is designed to transmit, to the slide (6, 46, 56), an assembly force of a particularly robot-guided assembly tool (16) for moving the slide (6, 46, 56) from the first position to the second position, - the housing (4) has a further tool abutment (18, , 60) in order to support the assembly tool (16) on the housing (4) when the slide (6, 46, 56) is moved from the first position to the second position, - characterized in that (a) the tool abutment (14) of the slide (6) and the further tool abutment (18) of the housing (4) face one another and delimit a seat (20) for inserting a spreading tool (16); or (b) the tool abutment (58) of the slide (56) and the further tool abutment (60) of the housing (4) are spaced apart from one another and each form a seat (58, 60) for inserting a pressing tool (16).

2. Connection terminal according to claim 1, characterized in that - the opening (10) in the slide (6, 56) is part of a tubular conductor seat (22) which extends in a straight line; or - the opening (10) in the slide (46) is part of a tubular conductor seat (52) which extends at least in portions in a curved manner.

3. Connection terminal according to either of the preceding claims, characterized in that - the slide (6, 46, 56) has a recess (24) for receiving the insulation displacement tool (8), - wherein, at least in the second position of the slide (6, 46, 56), the insulation displacement tool (8) extends into the recess (24) in the slide (6, 46, 56) in a protruding manner.

4. Connection terminal according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that - the insulation displacement tool (8) has cutting edges (26) protruding in a fork-shaped manner in order to encase and contact a conductor (12) to be contacted on two sides.

5. Connection terminal according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that - a snap-in device (28, 50) is provided in order to hold the slide (6, 46, 56) in the first position in a form-locking and / or force-locking manner and / or - a snap-in device (38, 50) is provided in order to hold the slide (6, 46, 56) in the second position in a form-locking and / or force-locking manner.

6. Method for contacting a conductor, comprising the method steps: - providing a connection terminal (2, 44, 54), wherein the connection terminal (2, 44, 54) is designed according to any of claims 1 to 5; - providing a conductor (2) to be contacted; - inserting the conductor (12) into the opening (10) in the slide (6, 46, 56); - moving the slide (6, 46, 56) from a first position toward the insulation displacement contact (8) to a second position in order to engage the insulation displacement contact (8) with the conductor (12) to be contacted, - wherein the insulation displacement contact (8) cuts an insulation of the conductor (12) and is brought to bear against a conducting core of the conductor (12), and - wherein the slide (6, 46, 56) is moved automatically using the assembly tool (16) of a robot.

7. Method according to claim 6, characterized in that - the provided connection terminal (2, 44, 54) is fastened to a retaining device, such as a mounting wall, a mounting rail, a support rail, or the like, - wherein an assembly force of the assembly tool (16) is substantially entirely supported on the housing (4), so that substantially no forces are introduced into the retaining device when the slide (6, 56) is moved.

8. Method according to either claim 6 or claim 7, characterized in that - the movement of the slide (6, 46, 56) from the first position to the second position is a straight-line movement and / or - the assembly tool (16) is a spreading tool (16) that performs a spreading movement, or the assembly tool (16) is a pressing tool (16) that performs a closing movement.

9. Method according to either claim 6 or claim 7, characterized in that - the conductor (2) to be contacted is not pretreated, particularly not stripped and / or particularly not provided with a ferrule, prior to the insertion of the conductor (12) into the opening (10) of the slide (6, 46, 56).