conductor terminal block

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a conductor terminal for connecting an electrical conductor by means of an insulation displacement connection. Such a conductor terminal is known, for example, from WO 98 / 33235 A1.

[0002] DE 10 2015 114 134 A1 discloses a connection device for electrically contacting a conductor, in particular a ribbon cable. DE 24 49 326 A1 discloses a clamping connection device for contacting an electrical conductor and a connection element. EP 0 338 952 A1 discloses a conductor connection terminal according to the preamble of claim 1, which has insulation displacement contacts for connecting a branch to a main power supply cable. CH 654 696 A5 discloses a device for holding and tapping a ribbon cable.

[0003] The invention is based on the objective of providing an improved conductor terminal that is also suitable for transmitting high currents. This objective is achieved by a conductor terminal for connecting an electrical conductor by means of an insulation displacement connection according to claim 1. The conductor terminal comprises at least one insulation displacement connection, a pressure piece that can be actuated by means of an actuating force, e.g., manually generated, a plunger acting on the electrical conductor, and a force storage device acting between the pressure piece and the plunger, wherein the insulation displacement connection has an insulation displacement contact with two adjacent contact edges, wherein a cutting slot is formed between opposite sides of the contact edges, and wherein the force of the force storage device acts in the longitudinal direction of the cutting slot.The conductor terminal according to the invention enables easy handling for the user when connecting an electrical conductor, as the conductor does not need to be stripped first. This is particularly advantageous with large conductor cross-sections, since stripping in this case involves increased effort. The conductor terminal can be specifically designed for connecting an electrical conductor with a cross-sectional area of ​​at least 70 mm².

[0004] The energy storage device allows a permanent pressure force to be exerted on an electrical conductor clamped between the contact edges, thus ensuring a long-term stable connection between the electrical conductor and the insulation displacement contact.

[0005] The energy storage device is effective in absorbing and releasing the stored force between the pressure piece and the piston. For example, the energy storage device can be located partially or completely between the pressure piece and the piston. The energy storage device can be designed, for example, as a compression spring, tension spring, or elastic material block, possibly in combination with a force redirection mechanism. The energy storage device can also be designed, for example, as a coil spring or a disc spring.

[0006] In such an insulation displacement contact, the insulated electrical conductor is simply pressed against the contact edges on one side and from there forced into the cutting slot. The contact edges cut through the insulation of the electrical conductor, so that they come into electrical contact with the conductive inner material of the conductor, for example, with stranded wires or a solid conductor. The cutting slot can be U-shaped or V-shaped, viewed in the direction the conductor is inserted.

[0007] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the conductor terminal has a manual actuating element that is coupled to or forms part of the pressure piece, whereby the manually generated actuating force can be transmitted to the pressure piece via the manual actuating element. In this way, the conductor terminal has its own actuating element, so that no external tool or other object is required for manual actuation. The manual actuating element can, for example, be designed as a pivotable actuating lever or as an actuating push button. Particularly with large conductor cross-sections, the design of the actuating element as a pivotable actuating lever is advantageous, since greater conductor contact forces can be transmitted to the electrical conductor with such an actuating lever.

[0008] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the conductor terminal has a reset mechanism that secures the actuating element in an actuated end position against a restoring force from the energy storage device. The actuating element can thus be secured or held by the reset mechanism in the state in which the plunger rests against the electrical conductor and, due to the force of the energy storage device, presses it into the cutting slot. The reset mechanism can be designed in various ways, for example, as a detent of the actuating element. In the case of a pivotable actuating lever, the reset mechanism can also have an over-center position of an actuating contour of the actuating lever, for example, an eccentric actuating contour.

[0009] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the actuating lever has an eccentric actuating contour and is coupled to the pressure piece via this eccentric actuating contour. This allows, with a simple and reliable mechanical design, the transmission of large forces from a manual actuating area of ​​the actuating lever to the pressure piece.

[0010] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the punch has a conductor guidance contour that guides the electrical conductor from a conductor entry opening of the conductor terminal towards the cutting slot. In this way, the punch has an additional function, namely guiding the electrical conductor to the clamping point. The conductor guidance contour can, for example, be designed as a longitudinal groove in the punch extending in the conductor entry direction of the electrical conductor.

[0011] The conductor terminal has a housing, in particular a housing made of insulating material. The insulation displacement connection is fixed to the housing, i.e., essentially immovable relative to the housing of the conductor terminal. The insulation displacement connection can also form a counter bearing for the plunger.

[0012] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the housing has a conductor entry opening for introducing the electrical conductor to the insulation displacement contact. This entry opening defines the conductor insertion direction, which is perpendicular to a plane passing through the two adjacent contact edges. This allows for simple and intuitive operation of the conductor terminal. The electrical conductor simply needs to be inserted through the entry opening into the housing of the conductor terminal in the direction of insertion. The housing of the conductor terminal may include an end stop that limits the maximum conductor insertion depth.When the user senses that the end stop has been reached, the electrical conductor simply needs to be pressed into the cutting slot by actuating the manual operating element, so that it is mechanically fixed there by means of the cutting clamping function and is also electrically contacted.

[0013] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, an electrical conductor clamped to the insulation displacement contact between the two adjacent contact blades is permanently subjected to the force of the energy storage device. This ensures a long-term stable and reliable electrical connection between the electrical conductor and the insulation displacement contact.

[0014] For the purposes of the present invention, the indefinite term "a" is not to be understood as a numeral. Therefore, when, for example, reference is made to a component, this is to be interpreted as "at least one component". Where angles are specified in degrees, these refer to a circle of 360 degrees (360°).

[0015] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to exemplary embodiments and drawings. They show

[0016] Figure 1 shows a conductor terminal in a first embodiment in a partially cut-away side view, Figure 2 shows the conductor terminal according to Figure 1 in a cross-sectional view, Figure 3 the conductor connection terminal according to Figure 1 in the open position of the actuating element, Figure 4, the conductor connection terminal according to Figure 1In the closed position of the actuating element, Figure 5 shows a conductor connection terminal; in a second embodiment, a partially cut-away side view, Figure 6 shows the conductor connection terminal according to Figure 5 in a cross-sectional view, Figure 7 the conductor connection terminal according to Figure 5 in the open position of the actuating element, Figure 8 the conductor connection terminal according to Figure 5 in the closed position of the actuating element.

[0017] The in Figure 1The identifiable conductor terminal 1 has a housing 2 in which an insulation displacement connection 3 is arranged and essentially fixed to the housing. The insulation displacement connection 3 has contact edges 30 to which an electrical conductor can be connected using insulation displacement technology. The electrical conductor can be inserted into the housing 2 in a conductor insertion direction L. For connecting the electrical conductor to the insulation displacement connection 3, the conductor terminal 1 has an actuating mechanism comprising a manual actuating element 5, a pressure piece 4, a power storage element 6, and a plunger 7.

[0018] The manual actuating element 5 has a handle section 50 by which the manual actuating element 5 can be grasped and moved by the user, i.e. from the in Figure 1The open position shown can be pivoted into a closed position, which will be explained below. The handle section 50 is connected to a pressure section 51 of the actuating element 5, which is rotatably mounted about a pivot axis. The pressure section 51 has an eccentric actuating contour 52, via which an actuating force can be transmitted to the pressure piece 4 when the actuating element 5 is pivoted into the closed position. In this way, an actuating force manually generated at the actuating element 5 can be transmitted to the pressure piece 4. The pressure piece 4 is coupled to the piston 7 via the energy storage device 6. The actuating force transmitted to the pressure piece 4 is transmitted to the piston 7 via the energy storage device 6. The piston 7 is slidably mounted in the housing 2 and is supported by one or more support springs 8 against the housing 2 or a component connected to it.The piston 7 is subjected to force in the direction of the pressure piece 4 via the support springs 8. In this embodiment, the actuating force is preferably oriented essentially perpendicular to the conductor insertion direction L.

[0019] In the in Figure 1 In the illustrated embodiment, the piston 7 has a force-receiving side 70, via which the force transmitted by the energy storage device 6 is received by the piston 7. On the side associated with the support springs 8, the piston 7 has a support side 72, via which the piston 7 is supported on the support springs 8. A conductor receiving channel 71 is formed between the force-receiving side 70 and the support side 72, into which the electrical conductor to be connected can be inserted.

[0020] The Figure 2 The conductor terminal terminal shows according to Figure 1In another sectional view, the actuator 5 is shown in the closed position. In this closed position, the pressure piece 4, the energy storage device 6, and the plunger 7 are displaced downwards via the pressure section 51, against the force exerted by the support springs 8. The plunger 7 then presses the inserted electrical conductor against the cutting edges 30 of the insulation displacement connector 3 with a compressive force, thus establishing an electrically conductive connection between the electrical conductor 9 and the insulation displacement connector 3. When the electrical conductor, e.g., insulated, is pressed or pushed against the cutting edges 30 of the insulation displacement connector, the cutting edges penetrate the insulation of the electrical conductor 9 and make contact with the stranded wires or a solid conductor of the electrical conductor.

[0021] The support springs 8, when the actuating element 5 moves from the closed position to the open position, also ensure that the piston 7 returns to its starting position according to the Figure 1 and / or Figure 3 . Thus, the electrical conductor 9 is also moved away from the cutting edges 30 via the conductor receiving channel 71 and can be removed from the conductor connection terminal 1.

[0022] The Figures 3 and 4 further illustrate the different positions of the individual components in the open position ( Figure 3 ) and in the closed position ( Figure 4 ).

[0023] The Figure 5 Figure 1 shows an embodiment of a conductor terminal 1, which, apart from the differences of the embodiment explained below, Figure 1 corresponds. Unlike the Figure 1 The stamp 7 is designed differently, and the support springs 8 are also arranged in a different position. In the Figure 5In the illustrated embodiment, the punch 7 has a radially projecting collar 73 on the force-receiving side 70, by means of which the punch 7 is supported on the support springs 8. The support springs 8 can, for example, be supported in a region of the housing 2. In this embodiment, the punch 7 does not have the support side 72 spaced from the force-receiving side 70 by the conductor receiving channel 71. It is conceivable that, even in this embodiment, the punch could be designed with a conductor receiving channel similar to the conductor receiving channel 71 of Figure 1.

[0024] The Figure 5 The conductor connection terminal shows how it works. Figure 1 , in the open position. The Figure 6 shows a Figure 2 Comparable sectional view in the closed position of conductor terminal 1. It can be seen in the Figure 6that the stamp 7 in the area resting on the electrical conductor 9 represents a further difference from the embodiment of the Figures 1 to 4 The conductor guide contour 74, located on the punch 7, extends longitudinally, i.e., in the conductor insertion direction L of the electrical conductor 9, in the manner of a groove or channel, thereby contributing to improved centered contact of the contact edges 30. Furthermore, contours not shown, such as projecting edges or projections oriented transversely to the conductor insertion direction L, can be provided on the conductor guide contour 74. In the closed position, these contours press into the insulation of the electrical conductor 9, thus advantageously increasing the conductor retention forces. It is, of course, also possible to provide such a conductor guide contour 74 on the punch according to the first embodiment of the conductor terminal.

[0025] The Figures 7 and 8 show, analogous to the Figures 3 and 4 , the conductor connection terminal 1 in the open position ( Figure 7 ) and in the closed position ( Figure 8 ). Reference symbol list

[0026] 1 Conductor terminal 2 Housing 3 Insulation displacement connection 4 Pressure piece 5 Actuating element 6 Energy storage 7 Stamp 8 Support springs 9 Electrical conductor 30 Contact edges 50 Grip section 51 Pressure section 52 Eccentric actuating contour 70 Force absorption side 71 Conductor receiving channel 72 Support side 73 Collar 74 Conductor entry contour L Conductor entry direction

Claims

1. A conductor terminal clamp (1) for connecting an electrical conductor (9) by means of an insulation displacement connection (3), wherein the conductor terminal clamp (1) comprises at least one insulation displacement connection (3), a pressure piece (4) which can be acted upon by an actuating force, a stamp (7) acting on the electrical conductor (9), and a force storage device (6) effective between the pressure piece (4) and the stamp (7), wherein the insulation displacement connection (3) has an insulation displacement contact with two adjacently arranged contact blades (30), wherein a cutting slot is formed between opposing sides of the contact blades (30), wherein the force of the force storage device (6) is effective in the longitudinal direction of the cutting slot, characterized in that the conductor terminal clamp (1) has a housing (2) in which the insulation displacement connection (3) is arranged and essentially fixedly attached to the housing, wherein the stamp (7) is movably mounted in the housing (2) and is supported via one or more support springs (8) on the housing (2) or on a component connected thereto, wherein the stamp (7) is force-loaded via the one or more support springs (8) in the direction of the pressure piece (4).

2. Conductor terminal clamp according to claim 1, characterized in that the conductor terminal clamp (1) comprises a manual actuating element (5) which is coupled to the pressure piece (4) or is part of the pressure piece (4), wherein the manually generated actuating force is transferable to the pressure piece (4) by the manual actuating element (5).

3. Conductor terminal clamp according to claim 2, characterized in that the actuating element (5) is configured as a pivotable actuating lever.

4. Conductor terminal clamp according to one of claims 2 to 3, characterized in that the conductor terminal clamp (1) comprises a retaining lock, by which the actuating element (5) is secured in an actuated end position against a restoring force of the force storage device (6).

5. Conductor terminal clamp according to one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the actuating lever (5) has an eccentric actuating contour (52) and is coupled to the pressure piece (4) via this eccentric actuating contour (52).

6. Conductor terminal clamp according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the stamp (7) has a conductor guiding contour (74) which supports a guiding of the electrical conductor (9) from a conductor insertion opening of the conductor terminal clamp (1) in the direction of the cutting slot.

7. Conductor terminal clamp according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the housing (2) has a conductor insertion opening (20) for introducing the electrical conductor (9) to the insulation displacement contact (3), wherein a conductor insertion direction (L) of the electrical conductor (9) is defined by the conductor insertion opening (20), which direction runs perpendicular to a plane extending through the two adjacently arranged contact blades (30).

8. Conductor terminal clamp according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an electrical conductor (9) clamped at the insulation displacement contact (3) between the two adjacently arranged contact blades (30) can be permanently loaded with the force of the force storage device (6).