TERMINAL FOR ELECTRICAL CABLES

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a terminal for electrical conductors according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0002] Such a terminal comprises a housing on which several connections are provided for the electrical connection of an electrical line to a terminal conductor arranged in the housing.

[0003] Such a terminal, in the form of a disconnect terminal with several parallel disconnecting elements, is described in DE 20 2016 103 277 U1.

[0004] DE202011000137U1 discloses a collective terminal device with several terminals arranged in series, each having a housing. Each terminal has in its housing exactly one connection for connecting an electrical conductor and exactly one fuse holder into which a fuse can be inserted.

[0005] US7118400B1 discloses the preamble of claim 1.

[0006] Terminals like the previously mentioned, known terminal are mounted, for example, together with other modules on mounting rails or in control cabinets. The modules are assembled according to the requirements of the specific application. However, this regularly means that several different modules must be kept on hand for the appropriate mounting system.

[0007] The object of the present invention is to provide an improved terminal for electrical conductors.

[0008] This problem is solved by an object having the features of claim 1.

[0009] Accordingly, the housing is designed to have several fuse holders, each located adjacent to one of the terminals, and in each of which a fuse can be inserted to electrically connect the terminal conductor of the respective terminal to a common bus conductor. Thus, with a fuse inserted into one of the fuse holders, the terminal conductor of the respective terminal can be electrically connected to the common bus conductor.

[0010] This makes it possible to create a particularly compact terminal block that is independent of a specific mounting system and therefore especially flexible, since it is not necessary to connect multiple, or only a relatively small, modules. The busbar conductor, for example, extends perpendicular to the individual terminals.

[0011] The fuse holders are arranged, for example, along a first straight line and / or the terminals are arranged along a second straight line. The second straight line can run parallel to the first. This allows for a particularly compact design. The terminal is, for example, in the form of a terminal strip.

[0012] Furthermore, the fuse holders can be arranged in pairs with an offset from each other (in particular, the same offset), with the adjacent terminals being arranged with the same offset. This not only enables a compact design but also facilitates visual identification, which helps to prevent incorrect connections.

[0013] At least one of the terminals is optionally designed as a push-in connection. Alternatively, all terminals can be designed as push-in connections. This allows for particularly easy and quick connection of the terminal. Furthermore, such push-in connections can be designed and arranged in a particularly space-saving manner.

[0014] The terminal also features a common terminal, via which an electrical conductor can be connected to the common terminal conductor. An electrical potential applied to this common terminal can be distributed to the multiple terminals via the individual fuses.

[0015] Optionally, a printed circuit board is provided. This can extend parallel to the common terminal conductor. Optionally, the circuit board has one contact for each of the terminal conductors.

[0016] According to further training, each of the terminals is equipped with an indicator that can be activated via the circuit board, which may include, for example, a light-emitting diode (LED). The circuit board and the indicators can be configured to show the status of each inserted fuse.

[0017] The housing optionally comprises a first housing part and a second housing part. The first housing part can be designed as an upper shell. The second housing part can optionally be inserted into it. This allows for simple manufacturing and also a robust construction.

[0018] Optionally, the first housing part and the subsequent housing part can be positively connected to each other using a locking mechanism, in particular by means of snap hooks. This allows for particularly quick and secure assembly.

[0019] According to further training, the first housing part is formed in one piece (alternatively or additionally, the second housing part is formed in one piece). The first housing part has openings for the multiple connections and fuse holders. This also enables particularly quick assembly and a robust construction.

[0020] Optionally, fuse holders are provided that can be mounted on the fuse holders, in particular screwed to them. Each fuse holder secures a fuse in the fuse holder in such a way that the fuse electrically connects the terminal conductor of the respective terminal to the common bus conductor.

[0021] According to further training, the fuse holders are each designed to accommodate a glass fuse. This allows for effective arc control.

[0022] According to one aspect, a secured terminal is provided, comprising the terminal according to any embodiment described herein and at least one fuse inserted into one of the fuse holders or electrically contactable.

[0023] The underlying concept of the invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to the embodiment shown in the figures. The figures show: Fig. 1 shows an embodiment of a terminal for electrical conductors with multiple fuses; Fig. 2 shows a view of some components of the terminal according to Fig. 1 ; Fig. 3 a view of a common terminal conductor of the terminal according to Fig. 1 Fig. 4 shows a view of a printed circuit board of the terminal according to Fig. 1 ; and Fig. 5 a cross-sectional view of the clamp according to Fig. 1 .

[0024] Fig. 1 Figure 1 shows a terminal 1 for connecting electrical conductors L1 and L2. The terminal 1 comprises a housing G with, in addition to a terminal referred to here for simplicity as a common terminal A, several terminals A1-A6, for example six (alternatively, for example, two, four, eight, ten, or twelve), each for an electrical conductor L1. The common terminal A and each of the terminals A1-A6 are located on the common housing G. The common terminal A and each of the terminals A1-A6 each form a receptacle into which an electrical conductor L1 or L2 can be inserted to electrically contact a contact area inside the terminal 1. The conductor feed direction to the common terminal A and / or to each of the terminals A1-A6 can be parallel or perpendicular to the slide 16.

[0025] The housing G further forms several fuse holders R, six in the example shown, each arranged adjacent to one of the terminals A1-A6. A fuse 2 can be inserted into each of the fuse holders R, as shown by Fig. 5 As shown. The fuses 2 can be inserted into the respective fuse holders in such a way that each fuse 2 can electrically contact the contacts arranged within the corresponding holder. An electrical conductor L1 connected to each of the terminals A1-A6 can be electrically connected to an electrical conductor L2 connected to the common terminal A, with one of the fuses 2 interposed.

[0026] The busbar A has a larger cross-section compared to the individual terminals A1-A6. Both busbar A and terminals A1-A6 are designed as push-in terminals. Depending on the push-in terminal design, the conductor feed direction can be parallel or perpendicular to the slider 16. Electrical conductors L1, L2, e.g., cables, can thus be easily inserted into the respective receptacles A, A1-A6 to establish an electrical contact inside terminal 1 and be held in place. This function will be explained in more detail below. To release the connection of the electrical conductors L1, L2 from terminal 1, the terminal includes a slider 16, which can be actuated by a tool, e.g., tool W, and in this case, pushed deeper into the housing G.

[0027] Next to each of the sliders 16 of the parallel terminals A1-A6, an (optional) indicator 15 is arranged (alternatively at a different location). In the example shown, an LED is housed in the casing G for this purpose. The indicator 15 displays the status of the respective fuse 13, specifically whether the fuse 13 is blown or intact. Next to the common terminal A (more precisely: next to the slider 16 of the common terminal A), an opening is provided through which a test contact 19 is accessible, e.g., to check a voltage present at the common terminal A.

[0028] The housing G includes a Fig. 1 The first housing part 10 shown is designed in the form of an upper shell. The first housing part 10 is formed in one piece. The first housing part 10 can be manufactured by injection molding and has been manufactured in this case.

[0029] The housing G includes positive locking elements, in this case for forming dovetail connections, in order to be positively connected to identical terminals 1 or, more generally, to appropriately designed components. In this way, several terminals 1 and / or other components can be connected to form a longer row.

[0030] The top surface of the first housing part 10 has insertion openings for terminals A, A1-A6. The fuse holders R are also located on this top surface (and, in the example shown, the sliders 16 as well). Furthermore, a labeling area is (optionally) provided on this top surface, in this case between terminals A1-A6 and the associated fuse holders R.

[0031] In addition to the (upper) first housing part 10, the housing G includes a (e.g. in Fig. 5 (shown) second housing part 11 and a (e.g. in Fig. 2 (shown) third housing part 12.

[0032] The first housing part 10 is firmly connected to the third housing part 12 in the assembled state of the terminal 1, specifically by a positive locking mechanism. For this purpose, the first and third housing parts 10 and 12 include locking elements, allowing the housing parts 10 and 12 to be easily, quickly, and securely fastened to one another. In this case, the first housing part 10 has several openings 106, specifically in its side walls (which extend essentially perpendicular to the top). The third housing part 12 has corresponding locking hooks 120, which are designed to engage with the openings 106 of the first housing part 10.

[0033] Fig. 2 The third housing part 12, which has already been mentioned, is shown. The third housing part 12 is designed in such a way that it can be inserted into the first housing part 10.

[0034] Fig. 2 and 3They further show a connecting conductor, which for the sake of simplicity will be referred to below as the common connecting conductor 14. The common terminal A can be electrically connected to the fuses 2 via the common connecting conductor 14. The connecting conductors 14A-14F of the respective terminals A1-A6 can be electrically connected to the common connecting conductor 14 via the fuses 2 inserted into the fuse holders R. For this purpose, the common connecting conductor 14 comprises several, in this case six, contacts K. Each of the contacts K has a recess. As can be seen in particular from the Fig. 3 and 5 As can be seen, the indentation describes the section of a cone. This allows cylindrical fuses 2 with different cross-sections to be held securely and with electrical contact.

[0035] The busbar conductor 14 includes a contact area 141, which can be electrically contacted by the electrical conductor L1 inserted into the busbar A. Furthermore, the busbar conductor 14 includes the test contact 19.

[0036] Each of the several, in this case six, terminals A1-A6 is electrically connected to a contact K1-K6 via a terminal conductor 14A-14E. Each of the terminal conductors 14A-14F comprises a contact area 141, which can be electrically contacted by the electrical conductor L1 inserted into the corresponding terminal A1-A6. The terminal conductors 14A-14F each have a U-shaped section (see in particular...). Fig. 2 ), from which a retaining section 140 projects. The retaining section 140 of each connecting conductor 14A-14F has an opening through which the fuse 2 can be inserted and to which, in the present example, the respective fuse holder 13 can be screwed, see in particular Fig. 5 The holding areas 140 each form the contacts K1-K6 of the connecting conductors 14A-14F.

[0037] The busbar 14 comprises a longitudinal strip on which the multiple, in this case six, contacts K of the busbar 14 are provided. The busbar 14 extends over the terminal conductors 14A-14F. Each of the contacts K of the busbar 14 is aligned with contact K1-K6 of one of the terminal conductors 14A-14F.

[0038] The contacts K of the busbar conductor 14 and the contacts K1-K6 of the terminal conductors 14A-14F are spaced apart from each other. A disconnect point is thus provided between the busbar conductor 14 and each of the terminal conductors 14A-14F, which can be electrically closed by means of the respective fuse 2.

[0039] The fuse holders R are arranged along a first straight line, and the terminals A1-A6 are arranged along a second straight line. The second straight line runs parallel to the first straight line. Furthermore, the fuse holders R are arranged in pairs with an offset from each other, with the adjacent terminals A1-A6 being arranged with the same offset from each other.

[0040] In particular, based on Fig. 2 and 4A circuit board 18 of terminal 1 is illustrated. The circuit board 18 is elongated and extends parallel to the longitudinal strip of the busbar 14. The circuit board 18 comprises electrical components 181, in this case several electrical components 181 per terminal A1-A8. Lines on the circuit board 18 are electrically connected to the busbar 14 and the individual terminals 14A-14F via a contact 180 each. The states of the fuses 2 can be detected by means of the components 181 of the circuit board 18. The circuit board 18 can be used to apply a voltage to the LEDs (or other indicator lights) of the displays 15 mentioned above, in order to indicate the state of the fuses 2.

[0041] The circuit board 18 is optionally connected to an external power source and may have a communication interface to communicate the states of the fuses 2, e.g. to a device spaced away from terminal 1.

[0042] In particular, based on Fig. 2 and 5 It can be seen that the third housing part 12 forms a partition 121 which extends insulatingly between the busbar 14 and the circuit board 18.

[0043] Fig. 5 The terminal 1 is shown in cross-section. To secure the fuses 2 to the housing G, the terminal 1 includes a fuse holder 13 for each fuse receptacle R. The fuse holders 13 each have an engagement area 133 for engagement by the tool W. In this case, the engagement area 133 is designed as a slot into which the tool W, designed as a slotted screwdriver, can engage. The fuse holders 13 can be screwed into the fuse receptacles R. For this purpose, the fuse holders 13 have an external thread, and the openings of the retaining sections 140 of the connecting conductors 14A-14F have an internal thread.

[0044] Fuse 2 is inserted into fuse holder 13, here with an optional spring interposed, so that fuses of different lengths can be used. The spring and / or the material of fuse holder 13 and / or a [missing information] Fig. 5 The additional conductor not shown is connected at one end to the respective terminal A1-A6 of fuse 2 (both when intact and when blown). The other end of fuse 2 is connected at one end to the common terminal 14 (both when intact and when blown).

[0045] As already mentioned, terminals A, A1-A6 are designed as push-in terminals. A contact spring 17 is provided for each of terminals A, A1-A6.

[0046] The second housing part 11 includes a bearing 115 for each of the terminals A1-A6 (which can be electrically connected to the common terminal A via a separating element 13, or are generally electrically connected to the common terminal A via a component arranged in the receptacle R).

[0047] The contact springs 17 are each mounted on the corresponding bearing 115 of the second housing part 11. The contact spring 17 comprises two spring legs. An electrical conductor L1, L2 inserted into the corresponding terminal A, A1-A6 displaces one spring leg of the contact spring 17, slides along one end edge of it, and is then pressed against the corresponding contact area 141 by the spring leg of the contact spring 17, thus making electrical contact.

[0048] To disconnect the electrical line L1, L2 from the terminal A, A1-A6, the slider 16 can be pushed deeper into the housing G, so that the slider 16 releases the spring leg of the contact spring 17 from the electrical line L1, L2 and this can be removed without damage.

[0049] The combination of the push-in terminals with the fuse holders R allows for a particularly compact design, since the release mechanism via the slider 16 can be positioned in a space-saving manner between the receptacle of the respective terminal A1-A6 and the corresponding fuse holder R, and because the adapted shape of the connecting conductors 14A-14F can be used synergistically for contacting the contact spring 17. The terminals A1-A6, for example, have a nominal cross-sectional area of ​​4 mm² to 10 mm² for the pluggable (stripped) electrical conductors L1. The (cylindrical) fuses 2, for example, have dimensions of 5 mm in diameter x 20 mm in length.

[0050] Also, in particular, based on Fig. 5 It can be seen that housing G has a bottom surface to which mounting material can optionally be attached, in particular mounting material adapted to the application. For example, double-sided adhesive tape can be fixed to the flat underside. Alternatively or additionally, the following can be used: Fig. 5 The rails can be connected to the recognizable, double-sided guides. Furthermore, it is possible to connect mounting modules using the aforementioned positive locking devices, e.g., mounting modules with at least one screw hole. In particular, since housing G can be manufactured as a closed unit, a floating connection in an unfixed mounting configuration is also possible.

[0051] Terminal 1 therefore forms a busbar block with connections for the common conductor and individual connections leading from it (terminals A1-A6), as well as a separation zone for a fuse for each individual connection. Terminal 1 can serve in particular as a potential busbar block or potential distribution block. Bezugszeichenliste

[0052] 1 Terminal 10 First housing part 100 Recess 101 Mounting section 102 Outer wall 103 Lead-in chamfer 104 Recess 105 Shaft 106 Opening 11 Second housing part 115 Bearing 12 Third housing part 120 Locking hook 121 Partition 13 Fuse holder 130 Mounting area 133 Engagement area 14 (Combined) connection conductor 14A-14F Connection conductor 140 Retaining section 141 Contact area 15 Indicator 16 Slider 17 Contact spring 18 Circuit board 180 Contact 181 Component 19 Test contact 2 Fuse A (Combined) connection A1-A6 Connection G Housing K, K1-K6 Contact L1, L2 Electrical line R Fuse holder W Tool

Claims

1. Terminal (1) for electrical lines (L1), having a housing (G) on which a plurality of connections (A1-A6) are provided for electrically connecting a respective electrical line (L1) to a respective connection conductor (14A-14F) arranged in the housing (G), characterized in that the housing (G) has a plurality of fuse receptacles (R), which are each arranged adjacent to one of the connections (A1-A6) and on each of which a fuse (2) can be inserted in order to electrically connect the connection conductor (14A-14F) of the respective connection (A1-A6) to a common collective connection conductor (14).

2. Terminal (1) according to Claim 1, characterized in that the fuse receptacles (R) are arranged along a first straight line and the connections (A1-A6) are arranged along a second straight line, wherein the second straight line runs parallel to the first straight line.

3. Terminal (1) according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the fuse receptacles (R) are arranged in pairs with an offset with respect to one another, wherein the respectively adjacent connections (A1-A6) are arranged with the same offset with respect to one another.

4. Terminal (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one of the connections (A1-A6) is designed in the form of a push-in connection.

5. Terminal (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by a collective connection (A), via which an electrical line (L2) can be electrically connected to the collective connection conductor (14).

6. Terminal (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a printed circuit board (18) extends parallel to the collective connection conductor (14) and has a contact (180) for each of the connection conductors (14A-14F).

7. Terminal (1) according to Claim 6, characterized in that a display (15), which can be activated via the printed circuit board (18), is provided for each of the connections (A1-A6) in order to in each case display the state of an inserted fuse (2).

8. Terminal (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the housing (G) comprises a first housing part (10) and a further housing part (12), wherein the first housing part (10) is designed in the form of an upper shell into which the further housing part (12) can be inserted.

9. Terminal (1) according to Claim 8, characterized in that the first housing part (10) and the further housing part (12) can be latched to one another in a form-fitting manner by means of latching hooks (103).

10. Terminal (1) according to Claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the first housing part (10) is formed in one piece and forms openings for the plurality of connections (A1-A6) and for the plurality of fuse receptacles (R).

11. Terminal (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by fuse holders (13), which can each be screwed to the fuse receptacles (R).

12. Terminal (1) according to Claim 11, characterized in that the fuse holders (13) are each designed to receive a fuse (2) in the form of a glass fuse.

13. Fused terminal, comprising the terminal (1) according to one of the preceding claims and at least one fuse (2), which can be inserted in an electrically contacting manner or is inserted into one of the fuse receptacles (R).