Connection device for electrical conductors and spring element for a connection device

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a connection device for electrical conductors for connection to an electrical contact and, in particular, for protective conductors for connection to an earthing element, in each case especially a connector. The invention also relates in particular to a spring element suitable for such a connection device.

[0002] To connect the electrical conductors to electrical contacts, such connection devices typically use spring contact elements that are connected to the electrical contacts. Depending on the design, various types of spring contact elements are provided for making contact with the conductors. Advantageously, the spring contact elements are designed so that the connection to the conductors can be easily disconnected.

[0003] Earthing elements of connectors connected to protective conductors serve to keep a conductive, touchable part, e.g. a housing, at earth potential in the event of a short circuit between a live conductor and a conductive, touchable part, and to trigger a fuse, in particular to prevent current flow through the (human) body to earth.

[0004] In the case of connectors, there is the additional requirement that an electrical connection between the grounding elements must be created as soon as possible when the connector is plugged into its mating connector.

[0005] A screw connection is usually provided as the connection device for a protective conductor to an earthing element, where the protective conductor must be attached to the earthing element with the help of a screwdriver. Stand der Technik

[0006] In the prior art, a variety of connection devices for electrical conductors, in particular stranded conductors, are known.

[0007] WO 2018 / 019329 A1 provides an overview of prior art solutions for spring-loaded connection devices for electrical conductors and also proposes a connection device in which a conductor inserted into an insulating body is fixed to an electrical connection contact by actuating an actuator.

[0008] Disadvantages of this state of the art can arise from the size of the corresponding design, as well as from limitations in user-friendliness. Furthermore, its suitability may be limited to conductors with predetermined cross-sectional areas.

[0009] From DE 10 2012 016 725 A1, a connection device for an earthing element of a connector is known, provided by means of a screw terminal, wherein a protective conductor is attached to the earthing element using a screwdriver. To connect the protective conductor, a screw must be turned in or out of the earthing element. This screw can loosen over time due to vibrations, resulting in the protective conductor losing its function.

[0010] With screw terminals, there are numerous possibilities for incorrect connection of the protective conductor, as the tightening torque of the screw must be carefully observed. If the tightening torque is too low, the connection between the earthing element and the protective conductor can loosen, interrupting the electrical connection. If the tightening torque is too high, the protective conductor can be damaged, potentially leading to its breakage. Furthermore, the protective conductor can also be attached to the wrong side of the screw, causing it to be forced outwards.

[0011] Furthermore, a protective conductor connected to the earthing element can only be detached using a screwdriver, just as it was when it was fastened, which is disadvantageously time-consuming if necessary.

[0012] The German Patent and Trade Mark Office has searched the following prior art in the priority application for the present application: WO 2018 / 019 329 A1, DE 10 2012 016 725 A1, DE 10 2015 104 625 A1, JP 2004-319 196 A, EP 3 139 444 A1, DE 10 2012 110 895 A1, DE 10 2016 120 002 A1, DE 10 2016 101 713 A1 and DE 10 2011 011 080 A1.

[0013] From DE 84 24 056 U1, a screwless terminal block for electrical devices, and in particular for installation devices, is known, comprising a housing with one or more entry openings for one or more conductors. A clamping spring, which interacts with the conductor in certain areas, is housed inside the housing. The clamping spring has two legs arranged one behind the other in the conductor insertion direction, extending from a base. The front leg, located in the conductor insertion direction, is designed as a locking element, and the second leg, located at the rear in the conductor insertion direction, rests against the conductor with a rounded, smooth area. Each of the two legs of the clamping spring is divided into two sections by a slot. A handle is movably mounted in the housing, the front end of which projects outwards through an opening in the housing.The handle has at least one area that interacts with the leg of the clamping spring, which is designed as a lock, and releases the lock.

[0014] From GB 2 525 482 A, a clamping connection for a wire to an electrical connector is known, featuring two spring-loaded legs that press the stripped end of the wire against a mating surface. A first leg of the clamping connection offers resistance to the wire being pulled out, while a second leg offers less resistance. Thus, two contact points of the clamping connection with the wire are provided, and a tool only needs to release one of the contact points when the wire is to be removed. The legs of the clamping connection are provided by means of opposing ends of a spring element housed in a conductive terminal insert of the connector, which also provides the mating surface against which the wire is pressed. The clamping connection provides a connection of the wire to a terminal of the connector, which is designed for connection with a mating connector. Aufgabenstellung

[0015] The object of the invention is to provide a reliable, space-saving, and easy-to-handle connection device for electrical conductors for connection to an electrical contact, and in particular for connection to an earthing element, especially a connector. Furthermore, the connection device should be suitable for a wide variety of applications, and a further object is to provide a spring element suitable for such a connection device.

[0016] The problem is solved by the characterizing features of independent claim 1.

[0017] Advantageous embodiments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims and / or the following description.

[0018] The present invention relates in particular to a connection device for providing an electrical contact of at least one electrical conductor with a busbar of an electrical connection contact, wherein the connection device comprises the electrical connection contact with the busbar and at least one spring element.

[0019] A bearing device for at least one spring element is provided on the busbar of the connecting contact, which is suitably designed and actuated on the bearing device in such a way that the spring element can be brought from a predetermined first tension state to a predetermined second and third tension state.

[0020] The first voltage state is suitably pre-selected such that a contact end of the spring element rests on the busbar under a predetermined pre-tension of the spring element.

[0021] The second tension state of the spring element is suitably pre-selected such that the conductor is fixed to the busbar, whereby a contact connection for the conductor with the busbar is closed by means of the contact end of the spring element and the conductor is clamped to the busbar with a predetermined spring force.

[0022] The third voltage state of the spring element is suitably pre-selected such that the contact connection for the conductor with the busbar is open, with the connection device being ready for the insertion of the conductor in the third voltage state.

[0023] The spring element is particularly advantageously designed and arranged on the bearing in such a way that the spring element has a suitable spring constant and a suitable, desirable long spring travel, so that a connection device according to the invention is provided whose contact connection is advantageously suitable for a variety of conductors with different conductor cross-sections and thus for different applications.

[0024] The spring element can be suitably designed and arranged such that the connection device is suitable for conductor cross-sections from 0.15 mm² to 4 mm², with the conductor ends intended for contact with the busbar potentially having ferrules. It is particularly advantageous for the spring element to have a suitably long spring travel, so that its spring force acting on the conductor also increases with increasing conductor cross-section.

[0025] In a connection device according to the invention with a suitably designed and arranged spring element as described above, the spring element can be advantageously brought from the first tension state to the second tension state by inserting the conductor into the connection device, using a conductor with predetermined properties and, in particular, a predetermined stability. By means of this particularly advantageous push-in technique, the conductor can be easily contacted with the busbar of the connection contact and fixed to the busbar without the need for a tool.

[0026] To enable the insertion of a conductor that does not have the aforementioned stability, suitable means for actuating the spring element may be provided on the spring element, which are designed and arranged in such a way that the spring element can be brought from the first stress state to the second stress state and / or from the first and / or second stress state to the third stress state and / or from the third stress state to the first and / or second stress state.

[0027] A spring element particularly suitable for a connection device according to the invention, having the properties described above, is particularly advantageously provided by means of a meander-shaped and preferably S-shaped spring, which has a first and second bend that are bent in opposite directions to each other.

[0028] By means of the first and second bends, a suitable, advantageously compact first and second bearing section, in particular of the S-shaped spring element, is provided.

[0029] A suitable feature is the formation of an elongated clamping leg on the second bearing section of the S-shaped spring element, with a first free end for contacting the conductor with the busbar and for fixing the conductor to the busbar. This free end forms the contact end of the spring element mentioned earlier.

[0030] To enable a desirablely long spring travel, the elongated clamping leg projects beyond the first and second bearing sections of the spring element, with the clamping leg being arranged between the first and second bearing sections and the busbar. In the third tension state of the spring element, the clamping leg is located adjacent to the first and second bearing sections, while in the first tension state it is comparatively spaced away from them.

[0031] A particularly advantageous spring element with the spring properties described above and a suitable spring travel can be provided by means of a protruding meander-shaped and preferably S-shaped spring element. Such a spring element is also particularly compact, thus advantageously enabling the connection of conductors with different cross-sections and conductor types in confined spaces, even without the use of a tool.

[0032] The first free contact end provided on the clamping arm can be suitably bent towards the busbar, thus providing an advantageous locking contour for the conductor. In this way, a conductor fixed to the busbar is protected from unintentional removal.

[0033] To provide a suitable bearing arrangement for the spring element, a first and second opposing leg on the busbar of the connecting contact is advantageously angled, so that a first and second bearing section is formed on the connecting contact by means of the first and second legs. This measure provides a simple way to provide a first and second bearing pin for the first and second bearing section of the spring element on the first and second bearing sections of the connecting contact.

[0034] The bearing arrangement for the spring element at the connecting contact is formed by means of the first and second bearing sections and the first and second bearing pins, wherein the first and second bearing pins are each arranged in the bend of the first and second bearing sections of the spring element.

[0035] By means of the first and second bearing sections, suitably provided on the busbar of the connecting contact, and the first and second bearing pins, an advantageously compact, space-saving bearing arrangement for the spring element is provided at the connecting contact. The spring element, which despite its desirable long spring travel also has a desirablely compact design, can be advantageously provided on the bearing arrangement such that the first and second bearing pins are each arranged in the oppositely directed bends of the first and second bearing sections of the spring element, with the first and second bends each at least partially encompassing the first and second bearing pins.

[0036] The bending of the first bearing section of the spring element can be arranged opposite to the busbar of the connecting contact, and the bending of the second bearing section can be arranged facing the busbar. In its first pre-tensioned state of the spring element, as described above, the elongated clamping leg extends between the first and second bearing sections on one side and the busbar on the other, inclined at an acute angle to the busbar, with its first free, bent contact end resting against the busbar.

[0037] According to one embodiment of the invention, as a means mentioned above for actuating the spring element to bring it into the first, second and third tension state, a second free-standing end can be formed on the clamping leg in the opposite direction to the busbar, which has an opening for introducing a tool for actuating the spring element.

[0038] Suitablely, the second freestanding end with its opening can project in the opposite direction to the busbar by a predetermined amount beyond the first and second bends of the first and second bearing sections of a preferably S-shaped spring element.

[0039] To protect in particular the spring element and a conductor fixed to the busbar of the connecting contact by means of a connection device of the above embodiment of the invention, a housing half-shell can be provided to accommodate in particular the spring element and the contact connection.

[0040] A suitable housing half-shell can advantageously have an inner contour that interlocks with the connecting contact and / or the bearing pins and / or the spring element, and an insertion aid for the conductor. Suitable recesses can be provided in the housing half-shell for inserting a tool into the opening of the second free end of the clamping rail of the spring element, so that the second free end and its opening are accessible from outside the housing half-shell.

[0041] According to one embodiment of the invention, as a means mentioned above for actuating the spring element to bring it into its first, second and in particular third tension state, an actuating element with a lever arm, two brackets and two opposing eccentric shafts can be provided, wherein a cam is formed on each of the eccentric shafts which interacts with the clamping leg of the spring element.

[0042] A spring element particularly suitable for interaction with the actuating element can have a second and third free-standing curved end on the clamping leg, instead of the second free-standing end which has an opening for inserting a tool, and in the opposite direction to the busbar. The second and third free-standing ends serve as mounting aids for the actuating element to actuate the spring element.

[0043] A housing half-shell particularly suitable for interaction with the actuating element can suitably have on each of its two side walls a locking lug for positive locking with a locking contour provided in the first and second bearing sections of the connecting contact, and a recess that corresponds to a bearing contour provided in the first and second bearing sections. The recesses corresponding to the bearing contours are positively engaged with the eccentric shafts of the actuating element and provide a bearing contour for the actuating element.

[0044] The actuating element of this embodiment of the invention is arranged with its lever and brackets outside the housing half-shell, while its eccentric shafts are mounted in the bearing contour provided by the housing half-shell and the first and second legs. The two brackets are each arranged adjacent to the side walls of the housing half-shell. By actuating the actuating element, the cams formed on the eccentric shafts interact with the clamping leg of the spring element in such a way that the spring element can be brought into the first, second, and, in particular, third tension state. The connecting device can advantageously be actuated by means of the actuating element without the use of a tool.

[0045] The housing half-shell of the embodiment of the invention described above also has an inner contour that interlocks with the first and second bearing sections of the connecting contact and the spring element and / or the bearing pins, and an insertion aid for introducing the conductor into the connection device.

[0046] A connection device described above, according to one embodiment of the invention, can suitably be provided, in particular, for providing an electrical contact between at least one electrical conductor and a busbar of an electrical connection contact for use with a connector having an insulating body. The electrical connection contact, with its busbar and a contact element for providing an electrical contact with a corresponding contact element of a mating connector, extends in the insertion direction of the connector.

[0047] An electrical contact of a connection device suitable for a connector can advantageously be an earthing element for a contact connection of at least one protective conductor, wherein a protective conductor connection is provided by means of the connection device. Suitablely, for connecting two or more protective conductors, two or more independently actuated spring elements of the design described above, arranged side by side, with corresponding individual openings for the insertion of a tool, can be provided. A suitable housing half-shell can have an inner contour and suitable recesses as described above.

[0048] The busbar of a projecting grounding element can advantageously be designed as the central mounting area of ​​the grounding element on a wall of the insulating body, thus giving the busbar a particularly advantageous dual function. A suitable recess for receiving a plastic sleeve can be provided in the mounting area for a conductor fitted with such a sleeve.

[0049] The contact element of the earthing element can be suitably designed as a contact pin that extends in the plugging direction along a wall of a connection area of ​​the insulating body for connection with a mating connector.

[0050] A suitable spring element is preferably made of spring steel. A suitable actuating element and a suitable housing half-shell can each be made of a suitable plastic, and a protruding grounding element can also be made of metal. Ausführungsbeispiel

[0051] Exemplary embodiments of the invention are shown in the drawings and are explained in more detail below. They show: Fig. 1A An electrical connection contact suitable for a connection device according to an embodiment of the invention, provided with bearing pins; Fig. 1An electrical connection contact suitable for a connection device according to an embodiment of the invention, designed as an earthing element and provided with bearing pins; Fig. 1C A spring element suitable for the connection contact and the earthing element according to an embodiment of the invention; Fig. 1A Your connection device according to an embodiment of the invention with the spring element of Fig. 1C arranged on the grounding element of Fig. 1B ; Fig. 2A The grounding element of Fig. 1B without the bearing pins; Fig. 2B two spring elements arranged on the bearing pins of Fig. 1C Fig. 2C a housing half-shell for the grounding element; Fig. 3A a connection device according to an embodiment of the invention with the grounding element and the spring elements; Fig. 3B the connection device with the housing half-shell of Fig. 2C provided; Fig. 4A a longitudinal section through a section of the connection device of Fig. 3B with a spring element in a first tension state; Fig. 4B the connection device with the spring element in a third tension state; Fig. 5A an electrical connection contact suitable for a connection device according to an embodiment of the invention, designed as an earthing element; Fig. 5Leg for the earthing element of Fig. 5A Provided spring element arranged on bearing pins according to one embodiment of the invention; Fig. 5Cein for the spring element of Fig. 5B suitable actuating element together with the spring element; Fig. 5 Your for the grounding element of Fig. 5A , the spring element and the actuating element suitable housing half-shell; Fig. 6A a connection device according to an embodiment of the invention with the grounding element of Fig. 5A , the housing half-shell, the actuating lever and the spring element; Fig. 6 Longitudinal section through the connection device of Fig. 6A with the spring element in a first tension state; Fig. 6C the connection device with the spring element in a third tension state; and Fig. 7 the connection device mounted as intended on an insulating body of a connector and provided with a protective conductor and the housing half shell of Fig. 6A .

[0052] The figures contain simplified, schematic representations. In some cases, identical reference symbols are used for elements that are the same but may not be identical. Different views of the same elements may be scaled differently.

[0053] Fig. 1A Figure 1 shows an electrical connection contact 1 suitable for a connection device according to an embodiment of the invention, provided with a first and second bearing pin 110. The connection contact 1 is designed for use with an electrical connector and has an elongated contact element 15 extending in the insertion direction S, which is connected to a busbar 10 for contact with an electrical conductor 5. A first and second opposing leg 11 are bent at the busbar 10. By means of the first and second legs, a first and second bearing section 11 is provided for a [missing information] described below with reference to Fig. 1C The spring element 2 described above is provided. The first and second bearing pins 110 are arranged one above the other on the first and second bearing sections 11, perpendicular to the insertion direction S. A bearing arrangement for the spring element 2 is provided by means of the bearing sections 11 and the bearing pins 110.

[0054] Fig. 1B Figure 1 shows an electrical connection contact 1 suitable for a connection device according to an embodiment of the invention, provided with a first and second bearing pin 110. The connection contact 1 is designed as an earthing element 1 for use with an electrical connector. A mounting area 10 of the earthing element 1 is provided for mounting on a wall 60 of an insulating body of the insert for the connector. A contact element 15 extending in the insertion direction S is formed on the mounting area 10 of the earthing element 1 for providing an electrical contact with a mating connector. A busbar 10 for contacting an electrical conductor 5 is also provided by means of the mounting area 10 of the earthing element 1.

[0055] A first and second opposing leg 11 are angled on the conductor rail 10. A first and second bearing section 11 for a subsequent [unclear] with reference to Fig. 1C The spring element 2 described above is provided. The first and second bearing pins 110 are arranged one above the other, perpendicular to the insertion direction S. A bearing arrangement for the spring element 2 is provided by means of the bearing sections 11 and the bearing pins 110.

[0056] The grounding element 1 also has a third and fourth leg 13 angled perpendicular to the insertion direction. The third and fourth legs 13 provide a contact surface for electrically contacting a conductive connector housing and also a flange 13 for mounting the grounding element 1 on a support surface 63 provided on the wall 60. In this context, reference is made here to the following description. Fig. 7 referred.

[0057] Fig. 1C Figure 1 shows an S-shaped spring element 2 suitable for the connecting contact 1 and the grounding element 1, according to one embodiment of the invention. The S-shaped spring element 2 has a first and a second oppositely bent bearing section 21. The bearing sections 21 are designed for arrangement on the bearing pins 110 and at least partially encompass the bearing pins 110. An elongated clamping leg 22 adjoins the second bearing section 21 and extends downwards beyond the first bearing section 21 in the drawing. It should be noted that the spring element 2 is shown in the third tension state described above, in which the clamping leg 22 is arranged adjacent to the first and second bearing sections 21.

[0058] The S-shaped spring element 2 has an advantageously long spring travel with its first and second bearing section 21 and its elongated clamping leg 22, so that a spring element 2 with desirable predetermined spring properties is provided for an embodiment of a connection device according to the invention.

[0059] The clamping leg 22 has a first free end 25, which is bent in a first direction. The clamping leg 22 also has a second free end 27, bent in a second direction. The second free end 27 has an opening 270 for inserting a tool 7 to actuate the spring element 2.

[0060] Fig. 1D shows a connection device according to an embodiment of the invention with the spring element 2 of Fig. 1C , which is attached to the grounding element 1 of Fig. 1B is arranged from above.

[0061] The bends of the first and second bearing sections 21 of the spring element 2 each at least partially encompass the first and second bearing pins 110, which are arranged one above the other on the first and second bearing sections 11, which are angled at the busbar 10. The lower bearing pin 110 is located in the bend of the first bearing section 21 of the spring element 2, with the first bearing section 21 being bent in the opposite direction to the busbar 10. The upper bearing pin 110 is located in the bend of the second bearing section 21 adjoining the first bearing section 21 of the spring element 2, with the second bearing section 21 being bent towards the busbar 10.

[0062] The clamping leg 22 adjoining the second bearing section 21 extends downwards between the first and second bearing sections 21 and the busbar 10, and its first free contact end 25 rests against the busbar 10. The second free contact end 27 extends in the opposite direction to the busbar 10 below the first bearing section 21, with the opening 270 providing access for inserting a tool 7 to actuate the spring element 2. The spring element 2 is in the first tension state described above, in which the contact end 25 rests against the busbar 10 under a predetermined preload of the spring element 2.

[0063] The design of the connection device of Fig. 1D is suitable for connecting a protective conductor 5 to the earthing element 1.

[0064] Fig. 2A shows the grounding element 1 of Fig. 1B without the bearing pins 110 and Fig. 2B shows two spring elements 2 arranged side by side on the bearing pins 110, each corresponding to the spring element 2 of Fig. 1C correspond. On the busbar 10 of the earthing element 1, the two opposite legs 11 are angled, which with their recesses form opposing bearing sections 11 for receiving the bearing pins 110.

[0065] Fig. 2B shows two spring elements arranged side by side on the bearing pins 110 of Fig. 1C The spring elements 2 are arranged as intended on the bearing pins 110, wherein the bearing sections 21 of the spring elements 2 with their opposing bends each at least partially encompass one of the bearing pins 110 arranged one above the other.

[0066] The spring elements 2 are shown in the drawing in the third stress state of the spring element 2 described above, in which the elongated clamping leg 22 adjoining the upper curved bearing section 21 is arranged adjacent to the bearing sections 21. The first free contact end 25 and the second free contact end 27 with its opening 270 each correspond to the spring element 2 of Fig. 1B , which is why reference is made here to the relevant description.

[0067] Fig. 2C shows a housing half-shell 3 for the grounding element 1 and the spring elements 2 of Fig. 2B The housing half-shell 3 has an inner contour that corresponds positively to the contour of the spring elements 2, the opposing bearing sections 11, and the bearing pins 101. Recesses 31 and 310 are formed in the opposing side walls 30 of the housing half-shell 3 to receive the bearing sections 11 and the bearing pins 110, respectively.

[0068] The housing half-shell 3 also has continuous recesses 370 and 371, each provided for the second free-standing ends 27 with their openings 270 and the bearing sections 21 of the spring elements 2, whereby the openings 270 are accessible from outside the housing half-shell 3 for inserting a tool 7 for individually actuating the spring elements 2. The edge of an upper opening of the housing half-shell 3 has a chamfer 35 and provides an insertion aid 35 for inserting an electrical conductor 5.

[0069] Fig. 3A shows a connection device according to an embodiment of the invention with the earthing element 1 of Fig. 2A and the two spring elements 2 of Fig. 2B , which are arranged according to their intended purpose with the bearing pins 110 on the opposite bearing sections 11 of the earthing element 1, which are angled at the busbar 10. The spring elements 2 are in the first pre-tensioned state described above, with the free first contact ends 25 of the spring elements 2 bearing against the busbar 10. By means of this design of the connection device, two protective conductors 5 can advantageously be connected to the earthing element 1.

[0070] The first curved bearing sections 21 of the spring elements 2 partially engage the lower bearing pin 110 with their bends, the bends being in the opposite direction to the busbar 10. The second curved bearing sections 21 of the spring elements 2 engage the upper bearing pin 110 with their bends and are bent towards the busbar 10.

[0071] Fig. 3B shows the connection device of Fig. 3A , which are intended to be used with the housing half-shell 3 of Fig. 2C The spring elements 2 are equipped with two electrical conductors 5. The second free ends 27 of the spring elements 2, with their openings 270, are accessible from the outside via the recess 370 for the insertion of a tool 7 for individual actuation of the spring elements 2. The bearing sections 21 of the spring elements 2 are also accessible from the outside via the recesses 371.

[0072] The housing half-shell 3, with its recesses 310, is locked to the ends of the bearing pins 110 and thus fixed in place on the grounding element 1. The housing half-shell 3 contains the clamping leg 22, the first free-standing contact end 25, and an electrical conductor 5 (not shown in the drawing) which is inserted as intended through the upper opening and insertion aid 35 of the housing half-shell 3 and clamped to the busbar 10 by means of the contact end 25 of the spring element 2. In this way, a contact connection of the electrical conductor 5 to the grounding element 1 is provided, and the electrical conductor 5 is fixed to the busbar 10 of the grounding element 1.

[0073] The connection device with the two adjacent, independently actuated spring elements 2 is designed to accommodate the connection of two conductors 5. It is clear that a connection device intended for multiple conductors 5 can have a corresponding number of adjacent, individually actuated spring elements 2. Such a connection device can also have a suitably modified housing half-shell 4.

[0074] Fig. 4A shows a longitudinal section through a section of the connection device of Fig. 3B with the spring element 2 in the first tension state and Fig. 4B shows the connection device with the spring element 2 in a third tension state.

[0075] The S-shaped spring element 2 has an advantageously long spring travel, which gives the spring element 2 desirable spring characteristics that enable a reliable and simple connection of a variety of electrical conductors 5 with different conductor cross-sections and material properties, wherein the spring element 2 is also designed for connecting electrical conductors 5 fitted with ferrules. The connection device of this embodiment of the invention is suitable for conductors with a conductor cross-section of 0.15 mm² to 4 mm².

[0076] The aforementioned spring properties of the spring element 2 enable tool-free connection of an electrical conductor 5, which exhibits a predetermined stability. A suitable conductor 5 is inserted into the connection device in the insertion direction S through the upper opening and insertion aid 35 of the housing half-shell 3 and clamped to the first free contact end 25 and the busbar 10. In this state, the spring element 2 is in a second tension state as described above. The spring properties of the spring element 2 are advantageously designed such that, in the second tension state, the spring force acting on the conductor 5 also increases with increasing conductor cross-section.

[0077] The contact end 25, which is bent towards the busbar 10 by the elongated clamping leg 22 extending between the busbar 10 and the bearing sections 21, provides an advantageous locking contour that effectively prevents the conductor 5 from being unintentionally pulled out against the insertion direction S.

[0078] By inserting a tool 7 into the opening 270 of the second free-standing end 27, which is accessible via the recess 370, a lever can be attached to the edge of the opening 270, with a bearing section 21 of the spring element, also accessible via a continuous recess 371, serving as a first pivot point of the lever. By pivoting the tool 7, the spring element 2 can be easily actuated and moved from its first and / or second tension state to its third tension state, whereby an edge of the housing half-shell 3 can also serve as a pivot point of the lever during the pivoting motion.

[0079] The connecting device with the spring element 2 in its third tension state is in Fig. 4B The elongated clamping leg 22 is arranged adjacent to the first and second bearing sections 21, and the free-standing contact end 25 is spaced apart from the busbar 10. In the third tension state of the spring element 2, a conductor 5 can be inserted into or removed from the connection device to provide an electrical connection with the busbar 10.

[0080] In the third tension state of the spring element 2, conductors 5 without the aforementioned sufficient stability properties can also be easily inserted into the connection device. The spring element can then be moved to its second tension state by actuating the tool 7, in which the conductor 5 is fixed to the busbar 10 by means of the contact end 25 of the spring element 2. Naturally, the spring element 2 can also be moved from the third tension state to the first tension state in the same way.

[0081] Fig. 5A Figure 1 shows an electrical connection contact 1, designed as an earthing element 1, suitable for a connection device according to one embodiment of the invention. The earthing element 1 essentially corresponds to the earthing element 1 of Fig. 1B and 2A , which is why reference is made here to the relevant description.

[0082] In contrast to the design of the grounding element 1 of Fig. 1B and 2A On the opposing first and second angled bearing sections 11, an upper recess 113, designed as a locking contour, and a lower recess 114, designed as a bearing contour, are provided. Furthermore, the mounting area 10 of the grounding element 1, by means of which the busbar 10 is also provided, has a recess 14 for accommodating a plastic sleeve of a conductor 5 equipped with a corresponding plastic sleeve.

[0083] Fig. 5B shows a grounding element for the Fig. 5A The spring element 2, arranged on bearing pins 110, is provided according to one embodiment of the invention. The S-shaped spring element 2 has an advantageously long spring travel and essentially corresponds to a spring element 2 of Fig. 1C and 2B , which is why reference is made here to the relevant description.

[0084] Unlike the spring elements 2 of Fig. 1C and 2B The spring element 2 is shown in its first tension state, in which the elongated clamping leg 22 is spaced apart from the first and second bearing sections 21. On the clamping leg 22 of the spring element 2, a second and third comparatively short free-standing end 24 are bent in the opposite direction to the first free-standing contact end 25, instead of the second free-standing end 27. The second and third free-standing ends 24 provide an insertion aid for mounting an actuating element 4.

[0085] Fig. 5C shows a spring element 2 of Fig. 5B A suitable actuating element 4 is provided for actuating the spring element 2 together with the spring element 2 in its first tension state. A first and second bracket 41 are provided on a lever arm 40 of the actuating element 4, each of which has a first and second eccentric shaft 42.

[0086] The actuating element 4 provides a means for the advantageously tool-free actuation of the spring element 2, by means of which the spring element 2 can be brought into the first, second, and third tension states. When the actuating element 4 is actuated, the eccentric shafts 42 serve as the pivot point for the lever arm 40. A cam 420 is provided on each of the eccentric shafts 42, which is rotated against the clamping leg 22 of the spring element 2 when the lever arm 40 pivots. The free contact end 25 of the spring element 2 is arranged between the two eccentric shafts 42.

[0087] Fig. 5D shows one for the grounding element 1 of Fig. 5A , the spring element 2 and the actuating element 4 of Fig. 5C suitable housing half-shell 3 which has an inner contour which corresponds positively to the grounding element 1, the spring element 2, the bearing pins 110 and the actuating element 4.

[0088] The inner contour of the housing half-shell 3 has, in particular, a recess 31 formed on its lateral walls 30 for receiving the first and second bearing sections 11, a locking lug 33 for locking with the locking contours 113 formed in the bearing sections 11, and a recess 34 in each case that corresponds to the recesses 114 formed in the bearing sections 11. Further recesses 310 correspond to the bearing pins 110.

[0089] Housing half-shell 3 has the same features as housing half-shell 3 of the version of Fig. 2C also an upper opening with a chamfer 35 by means of which an insertion aid for the insertion of an electrical conductor 5 is provided.

[0090] Fig. 6A shows a connection device according to an embodiment of the invention with the earthing element 1 of Fig. 5A , the actuating element 4 and the spring element 2 of Fig. 5C and the housing half-shell 3 of Fig. 5D The locking lugs 33 of the housing half-shell 3 are locked with the locking contours 113, and the actuating element 4 is arranged with its brackets 41 adjacent to the side walls 30 of the housing half-shell 3 and to the bearing sections 11.

[0091] The recesses 114 formed in the bearing sections 11 correspond to the recesses 34 of the housing half-shell 3 in such a way that a bearing contour is provided for supporting the eccentric shafts 42 of the actuating element 4. The eccentric shafts 42 arranged in the housing half-shell 3 are inserted into their designated positions via the insertion aid 24 provided on the spring element 2. A stop for the lever arm 40, which is pivotably arranged in this way, is provided by means of the flange 13 provided on the grounding element 1.

[0092] Fig. 6B shows a longitudinal section through the connection device of Fig. 6A with the spring element 2 in the first tension state and Fig. 6C Figure 1 shows the connection device with the spring element 2 in a third stress state. The spring element 2 has the same advantageous spring properties as the spring element 2 of the embodiment described above. Fig. 4A und 4B , therefore, for the first, second and third stress states of the spring element 2 and the advantageous interaction of the contact end 25 with a multitude of different conductors 5, reference is made to the corresponding description.

[0093] In the first and second tension states of the spring element 2, the lever arm 40 of the actuating element 4 and the cams 420 formed on the eccentric shafts 42 are each in a first position in which a narrow side of the cams 420 faces the clamping leg 22 and the free contact end 25 extends beyond the eccentric shaft 42 in the direction of the busbar 10.

[0094] In the third stress state of spring element 2 of Fig. 6C The lever 40 is pivoted into a second position in which the cams 420 interact with the clamping arm 22 of the spring element 2 such that the clamping arm 22 is arranged adjacent to the first and second bearing sections 21 and the contact end 25 is spaced away from the busbar 10. A release lever for the connection device is provided by means of the actuating element 4.

[0095] Fig. 7 Figure 1 shows the connection device mounted as intended on an insulating body 60 of a connector and equipped with a protective conductor 5 and the housing half-shell 3. Fig. 6A The lever arm 40 of the actuating element 4 is in the first position and the spring element 2 is in a second tension state in which the protective conductor 5 is fixed to the busbar.

[0096] The earthing element 1, extending in the direction of insertion S, rests against the wall 60 of the insulating body 6 with its mounting area 10 and its contact element 15, which is designed as a contact pin angled at its end, in a form-fitting manner.

[0097] The contact element 15 is arranged at the connection area 65 of the insulating body 6 to provide an electrical contact with a mating connector. A flange provided by the third and fourth legs 13 has a contact surface equipped with two screws and rests on a projection 63 of the insulating body 6 formed on the wall 60 to provide an electrical contact with a connector housing (not shown) for assembly with the connector housing by means of the screws.

[0098] The above-described embodiments of a connection device with reference to the drawings have a particularly advantageous compact shape both in the plug-in direction S and perpendicular to the plug-in direction S, and are nevertheless suitable for connecting a large number of different conductors.

[0099] Even though the figures show various aspects or features of the invention in combination, it is apparent to the person skilled in the art – unless otherwise stated – that the combinations shown and discussed are not the only possible ones. In particular, corresponding units or sets of features from different embodiments can be interchanged. Bezugszeichenliste

[0100] 1 Connection contact, grounding element 10 Busbar, mounting area 11 First, second leg; bearing section 110 Bearing pin 113 Recess, locking contour 114 Recess, bearing contour 13 Third, fourth leg; contact surface, flange 14 Recess 15 Contact element, contact pin 2 Spring element, S-shaped spring, S-spring 21 First, second bearing section; bend 22 Clamping leg 24 Freestanding end, insertion aid 25 Freestanding end, contact end, locking contour 27 Freestanding end, edge 270 Release recess 3 Housing half-shell 30 Wall 31 Recess 310 Recess 33 Detent lug 34 Recess, bearing contour 35 Chamfer, insertion aid 370, 371 Recess 4 Actuating element, release lever 40 Lever arm 41 Bracket 42 Eccentric shaft 420 Cam 5 electrical conductor, protective conductor 6 Insulating body 60 Wall 63 Projection, bearing surface 65 Connection area 7 Tools Direction of insertion

Claims

1. Connection device for providing an electrical contact between at least one electrical conductor (5) and a busbar (10) of an electrical connecting contact (1), having the features: the connection device has the electrical connecting contact (1) between the busbar (10) and at least one spring element (2); a bearing device for the spring element (2) is formed on the busbar (10) of the connecting contact (1); the spring element (2) is formed and arranged in an actuable manner on the bearing device in such a way that the spring element (2) can be brought from a first tension state to a second and third tension state; wherein, in the first tension state of the spring element (2), a freely projecting contact end (25) of the spring element (2) abuts against the busbar (10) and, in the second tension state of the spring element (2), the conductor (5) is fixed on the busbar (10) by means of the contact end (25) of the spring element (2) and a contact connection for the conductor (5) to the busbar (10) is closed and, in the third tension state of the spring element (2), the contact connection for the conductor (5) to the busbar (10) is opened; the spring element (2) is a meander-shaped or S-shaped spring (2) having a first and second bend (21); a first and second bearing portion (21) of the spring element (2) are formed by means of the first and second bend, characterized by: a first and second opposing limb (11) are angled on the busbar (10); a first and second bearing portion (11) are provided on the busbar (10) of the connecting contact (1) by means of the first and second limb (11); a first and second bearing pin (110) are provided on the first and second bearing portion (11); the bearing device for the spring element (2) is formed on the connecting contact (1) by means of the first and second bearing portion (11) and the first and second bearing pin (110); wherein the first and second bearing pin (110) are arranged in the bend of the first and second bearing portion (21) of the spring element (2) in each case.

2. Connection device according to Claim 1, wherein the spring element (2) is formed and arranged on the bearing device in such a way and the spring element (2) has a predetermined spring constant and a predetermined spring travel, such that the contact connection is suitable for multiple conductors (5) having different conductor cross-sections; and the spring element (2) can be brought from the first tension state to the second tension state by a conductor (5) having predetermined properties by inserting the conductor (5) into the connection device; wherein means for actuating the spring element (2) are provided, which are formed and arranged in such a way that the spring element (2) can be brought from the first tension state to the second tension state; and / or means for actuating the spring element (2) are provided, which are formed and arranged in such a way that the spring element (2) can be brought from the first and / or second tension state to the third tension state; and / or means for actuating the spring element (2) are provided, which are formed and arranged in such a way that the spring element (2) can be brought from the third tension state to the first and / or second tension state.

3. Connection device according to Claim 1 or 2, having the features: an elongated clamping limb (22) adjoins the second bearing portion (21) of the spring element (2), on which clamping limb the contact end (25) of the spring element (2) is formed as a first freely projecting end (25) for the contact connection of the conductor (5) to the busbar (10) of the connecting contact (1) and for fixing the conductor (5) on the busbar (10); the freely projecting contact end (25) is bent in the direction of the busbar (10) on the clamping limb (22) such that a locking contour for the conductor (5) is provided.

4. Connection device according to Claim 3, wherein the first and second bearing portion (21) of the spring element (2) at least partially embrace the first and second bearing pin (110) in opposite directions in each case; and wherein the clamping limb (22) extends between the first and second bearing portion (21) and the busbar (10), and the contact end (25) faces the busbar (10).

5. Connection device according to Claim 3 or 4, wherein: a second freely projecting end (27) having an opening (270) for inserting a tool (7) is formed on the clamping limb (22) in the contrary direction to the busbar (10) as a means for actuating the spring element (2).

6. Connection device according to Claim 3 or 4, wherein: a second and third freely projecting end (24) are formed on the clamping limb (22) in the contrary direction to the busbar (10) as a mounting aid for an actuating element (4) for actuating the spring element (2).

7. Connection device according to Claim 6, having the features: the actuating element (4) is provided as a means for actuating the spring element (2); the actuating element (4) is an unlocking lever (4) having a lever arm (40), two brackets (41) arranged opposite one another and two eccentric shafts (42), wherein a respective cam (420) is formed on the eccentric shafts (42); the unlocking lever (4) is formed and arranged on the electrical connecting contact (1) in such a way that, by actuating the unlocking lever (4), the cams (420) cooperate with the clamping limb (22) in such a way that the spring element (2) is brought from the first and / or second tension state to the third tension state and from the third tension state to the first and / or second tension state.

8. Connection device according to one of Claims 1 to 7, having a housing half shell (3) for accommodating the spring element (2), wherein the housing half shell (3) has an inner contour, which interlocks with the first and second limb (11) and / or the connecting contact (1) and / or the bearing pins (110) and / or the spring element (2) and / or the actuating element (4), and an insertion aid (35) for inserting the conductor (5).

9. Connection device according to one of Claims 1 to 8, wherein the connection device has two spring elements (2) arranged next to one another.

10. Connection device according to one of Claims 1 to 9, having the features: the connecting contact (1) is provided for an insert of a plug connector having an insulating body (6) and extends with its busbar (10) and a contact element (15) in the mating direction (S) of the plug connector to provide an electrical contact with a mating plug connector.

11. Connection device according to Claim 10, wherein the connecting contact (1) is an earthing element (1), and the conductor (5) is a protective conductor (5), and a protective conductor connection is provided by means of the connection device.

12. Connection device according to Claim 11, wherein a central mounting region of the earthing element (1) is formed on a wall (60) of the insulating body (6) by means of the busbar (10).