Terminal clamp

Abstract

The invention relates to a terminal clamp (100) for the connection of at least one electrical conductor, having - a housing (110) which has at least one conductor introduction opening (111, 160) for the introduction of the at least one electrical conductor, which is to be connected, into the housing (110), - a current bar (112) which is arranged in the housing (110), - at least one clamping spring (113, 114) which is arranged in the housing (110) and which serves for clamping the at least one electrical conductor against the current bar (112), and - at least one rotatably mounted actuating lever (115, 116) by means of which the at least one clamping spring (113, 114) is actuatable, - wherein the current bar (112) has at least one receiving portion (117, 118) on which the at least one actuating lever (115, 116) is rotatably mounted.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a terminal block for connecting an electrical conductor, comprising a housing which has at least one conductor entry opening for inserting the at least one electrical conductor to be connected into the housing, a current bar arranged in the housing, at least one clamping spring arranged in the housing for clamping the at least one electrical conductor against the current bar, and at least one rotatably mounted actuating lever by means of which the at least one clamping spring can be actuated.

[0002] Such terminal blocks are known in various designs. The clamping spring is usually designed as a torsion spring, which has a clamping leg for clamping the conductor to be connected against the current conductor and a retaining leg for holding the clamping spring in the housing. To move the clamping leg into an open position and into a clamped position, a corresponding actuating lever can be provided, which can interact with the clamping leg of the clamping spring to move it into the open and / or clamped position. The actuating lever is usually mounted on a wall of the housing, with one wall of the housing forming a receptacle for a pivot axis of the actuating lever.Since the housing is usually made of plastic, if the actuating lever is mounted to the housing, the influence of the media or temperature on the housing can lead to an undesirable displacement or change in the bearing position of the actuating lever, which can impair or restrict the functionality of the terminal block. Terminal blocks that connect the actuating lever to the housing are known from WO 2018 / 036886 A1 and US 2015 / 357727 A1. A terminal block that enables the connection of the actuating lever to the busbar is known from DE 600 22 061 T2. Finally, a terminal block that discloses the introductory part of claim 1 is known from EP 2 001 086 A1.

[0003] The invention is therefore based on the objective of providing a terminal block in which consistent functionality of the terminal block can be guaranteed even under changing media or temperature influences.

[0004] The problem is solved according to the invention by the features of the independent claim. Advantageous embodiments and further developments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims.

[0005] The terminal block according to the invention is characterized in that the current bar has at least one receiving section on which the at least one actuating lever is rotatably mounted.

[0006] According to the invention, the actuating lever is no longer mounted on the housing, but on the current conductor. The actuating lever's mounting is thus decoupled from the housing, which is preferably made of a plastic material, so that changes in the housing's plastic due to media or temperature influences can no longer affect the actuating lever's mounting. The current conductor is preferably made of a metal material to ensure good electrical conductivity. The metal material makes the current conductor significantly less susceptible to changes in temperature or exposure to media, thus preventing changes in the actuating lever's mounting position on the current conductor due to media or temperature influences.In particular, the receiving section formed by the current bar is dimensionally stable due to its construction from a medium- and temperature-resistant metal material, so that the bearing of the actuating lever in or on this receiving section is not affected by different media or temperatures. This ensures consistent functionality of the terminal block even under varying media and temperature conditions.

[0007] To form the rotatable bearing, the actuating lever has a pivot axis which is received in the at least one receiving section such that the receiving section can at least partially enclose the pivot axis. The pivot axis is preferably designed in the form of an axle body which can be inserted into the receiving section such that this axle body is at least partially enclosed or gripped by the receiving section. By at least partially enclosing the pivot axis with the receiving section, unintentional release of the pivot axis from the receiving section can be prevented, thus ensuring secure mounting of the actuating lever on the current bar.

[0008] To achieve the most compact design possible for the terminal block, the at least one receiving section can preferably be formed at an end section of the current bar. The actuating lever can thus be mounted at an end section or at a free end of the current bar.

[0009] To form the receiving section, the current bar is preferably bent in a C-shape in the area of ​​the at least one receiving section. If the receiving section is formed at an end section of the current bar, a free end of the current bar can be bent in a C-shape to form the receiving section for the actuating lever. The C-shape allows the receiving section to easily engage or enclose the axis of rotation of the actuating lever, at least partially.

[0010] The at least one recording section has an opening which is closed by a wall of the housing.

[0011] The receiving section, together with the housing wall, can thus form a complete enclosure of the actuating lever's pivot axis. This allows even a small portion of the housing to act as a counter-bearing and therefore a fixing point for the actuating lever, while the actual bearing of the actuating lever is provided by the receiving section of the current bar. The housing wall prevents the actuating lever's pivot axis from slipping laterally out of the receiving section.

[0012] To actuate the clamping spring by means of the actuating lever, a clamping leg of the at least one clamping spring can have at least one tab spaced apart from a clamping edge of the clamping leg, which can interact with the actuating lever. The clamping edge, with which a conductor to be connected can be clamped against the current bar, is preferably set back in the direction of the curved section of the clamping spring, so that the tab can project beyond the clamping edge. The tab is preferably formed laterally to the side of the clamping edge, so that the tab can be guided past the clamping edge. Preferably, two such tabs are formed on the clamping leg, so that the clamping edge can be formed between the two tabs.The actuating lever can have an actuating section, wherein an outer surface of the actuating section is preferably curved, and the actuating lever can perform a rolling movement with this outer surface of the actuating section on the tab of the clamping leg of the clamping spring in order to actuate the clamping leg and thus the clamping spring. In addition to the clamping leg, the clamping spring can have a retaining leg that can be attached to the current bar. The retaining leg serves to support the clamping spring in the housing, and to ensure a secure positioning of the clamping spring, it can be attached to the current bar by its retaining leg.

[0013] The retaining leg of the clamping spring can be attached to the current beam in various ways. Preferably, the current beam has an opening into which the retaining leg can be hooked. The opening can, for example, be in the form of a window-like recess in the current beam. A retaining tab can be formed on the retaining leg, which can extend through the opening to grip an edge defining the opening and thus hook the retaining leg of the clamping spring into the opening.

[0014] By attaching the retaining leg of the clamping spring to the current bar and also attaching the actuating lever to the current bar, the current bar, the actuating lever and the clamping spring can form an assembly which can be pre-assembled together, so that this entire assembly can be arranged together in the housing of the terminal block after pre-assembly.

[0015] The terminal block can preferably be designed such that two conductors can be connected to it simultaneously. In such a configuration, a first clamping spring for clamping a first conductor and a second clamping spring for clamping a second conductor against the current bar can be provided, wherein the current bar can have a first receiving section on which a first actuating lever for actuating the first clamping spring can be rotatably mounted, and wherein the current bar can have a second receiving section on which a second actuating lever for actuating the second clamping spring can be rotatably mounted. The first receiving section is then preferably located on a first end section of the current bar, and the second receiving section is then preferably located on a second end section of the current bar opposite the first end section.The two actuating levers are preferably arranged on the current bar in such a way that they can rotate in opposite directions during an opening movement and a closing movement.

[0016] The first and second clamping springs are preferably spaced apart from each other, so that, in particular, the two retaining legs of the clamping springs do not have direct contact with each other and, especially, do not abut each other. To create a defined distance between the two clamping springs, a web for mechanical force decoupling of the first and second clamping springs can be arranged between them, the web being formed by a wall of the housing. This force decoupling prevents forces from being transmitted from the first clamping spring to the second clamping spring and vice versa.

[0017] To simplify the installation of the two clamping springs, they can be formed as a single piece via a connecting bridge, which can be attached to the current bar. This allows both clamping springs to be attached together to the current bar via the connecting bridge, eliminating the need for individual fastening of each clamping spring.

[0018] The connecting link can be attached to the current beam, for example, using a rivet connection, ensuring a particularly stable and slip-resistant positioning of the clamping springs on the current beam. Alternatively, a screw connection and / or a snap-fit ​​connection of the connecting link to the current beam is also possible.

[0019] If the two clamping springs are not connected by a connecting bridge, they can be attached individually to the current bar. For example, each clamping spring can have a retaining tab on its mounting leg, and these retaining tabs can then be hooked into an opening on the current bar to secure the clamping springs to the current bar.

[0020] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and preferred embodiments.

[0021] They show Fig. 1 a schematic representation of a terminal block according to an embodiment of the invention in a sectional view, Fig. 2 a schematic representation of the in Fig. 1 The arrangement of current bars and clamping springs shown in Fig. 3 is a schematic representation of a configuration as shown in Fig. 3. Fig. 1 and 2shown clamping spring, Fig. 4 a schematic representation of a terminal block according to a further embodiment of the invention in a sectional view, Fig. 5 a schematic representation of the in Fig. 4 The arrangement of current bars, clamping springs and actuating levers shown in a sectional view, Fig. 6, is a schematic representation of the arrangement shown in Fig. 6. Figs. 4 and 5 shown clamping springs connected in one piece via a connecting bridge, and Fig. 7 a schematic representation of a terminal block according to the invention.

[0022] Fig. 1 Figure 100 shows a terminal block in a cutaway view, by means of which two electrical conductors not shown here can be connected or contacted.

[0023] The terminal block 100 has a housing 110 made of an insulating material. The housing 110 has two opposing conductor entry openings 111 and 160, through which an electrical conductor can be inserted into the housing 110. The housing 110 is made up of two parts: an upper housing part and a lower housing part.

[0024] A current bar 112 is arranged in the housing 110, to which both conductors can be connected by clamping the conductors inserted into the housing 110 against the current bar 112 by means of a clamping spring 113, 114.

[0025] Each of the two clamping springs 113, 114 is actuated by a lever 115, 116, so that each clamping spring 113, 114 is assigned a lever 115, 116. The two levers 115, 116 are rotatably mounted so that the clamping springs 113, 114 can be actuated by a rotary movement of the levers 115, 116.

[0026] The actuating levers 115, 116 are rotatably mounted on the current bar 112. The current bar 112 has a first receiving section 117 and a second receiving section 118 for this purpose. As also in Fig. 2As can be seen, the two receiving sections 117, 118 are formed on opposing end sections 119, 120 of the current beam 112. The receiving sections 117, 118 are part of the current beam 112 and are therefore made of the same material. The current beam 112 is made of a metal material, so the receiving sections 117, 118 are also made of a metal material. The two actuating levers 115, 116 are suspended directly from the current beam 112 by the receiving sections 117, 118.

[0027] The receiving sections 117, 118 each have a C-shape, so that the current bar 112 is bent in a C-shape in the area of ​​the two receiving sections 117, 118.

[0028] The two actuating levers 115, 116 each have a pivot axis 121, 122, with which the actuating levers 115, 116 are rotatably mounted in one of the two receiving sections 117, 118. The two pivot axes 121, 122 are each received in the receiving sections 117, 118 such that the receiving sections 117, 118 at least partially enclose the pivot axes 121, 122.

[0029] The axes of rotation 121, 122 are each enclosed in three directions by the receiving sections 117, 118. In a fourth direction, the axes of rotation 121, 122 are each bounded by a wall 123, 124 of the housing 110. The two walls 123, 124 each have an arched shape. The two receiving sections 117, 118 each have an opening 125, 126 in this fourth direction, which is closed or covered by the respective wall 123, 124 of the housing 110. During a pivoting or rotating movement of the actuating lever 115, 116, it slides along the walls 123, 124 with a support surface 127, 128. The support surfaces 127, 128 are each formed at one end of a handle section 129, 130 of the actuating element 115, 116, whereby a user can manually rotate the actuating lever 115, 116 via the handle section 129, 130.

[0030] Furthermore, the actuating levers 115, 116 each have an actuating section 131, 132, via which the actuating levers 115, 116 can interact with the clamping springs 113, 114 to actuate the clamping springs 113, 114. The actuating section 131, 132 is directly adjacent to the handle section 129, 130, with the respective actuating section 131, 132 being connected to the respective handle section 129, 130 at the end of the handle section 129, 130 where the respective contact surface 127, 128 is formed. The actuating section 131, 132 each has a curved outer surface by means of which the respective actuating lever 115, 116 can act on a clamping leg 133, 134 of the respective clamping spring 113, 114 in order to move the clamping leg 133, 134 into an open position and / or a clamped position. The clamping legs 133, 134 each have two tabs 135, 136, 137, 138, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3It can be seen along which the actuating section 131, 132 of the actuating lever 115, 116 can slide in order to apply a compressive force to the clamping leg 133, 134 of the clamping spring 113, 114 and to move it from a clamping position to an open position. Spaced apart from the two tabs 135, 136, 137, 138, the clamping legs 133, 134 each have a clamping edge 139, 140, over which the clamping leg 133, 134 can clamp the conductor to be connected directly against the current bar 112.

[0031] The clamping leg 133, 134 of each clamping spring 113, 114 is integrally connected via an arcuate section 141, 142 to a retaining leg 143, 144 of the respective clamping spring 113, 114. The arcuate section 141, 142 of each clamping spring 113, 114 rests against an inner wall 145, 146 of the housing 110, so that the clamping spring 113, 114 is supported against this inner wall 145, 146 of the housing 110.

[0032] The retaining leg 143, 144 of the respective clamping spring 113, 114 is attached to the current bar 112, so that the clamping springs 113, 114 are also held on the current bar 112. In the Figs. 1 to 3 In the embodiment shown, the retaining legs 143, 144 each have a retaining tab 147, 148 at their free end, which are engaged in an opening 149 formed in the current bar 112. The opening 149 is formed centrally along the length of the current bar 112, so that the retaining tabs 147, 148 of the two clamping springs 113, 114 can be engaged in one and the same opening 149. As in Figs. 2 and 3 As can be seen, the retaining tab 147, 148 of a retaining leg 143 144 is bent in the direction of the clamping leg 133, 134 of the respective clamping spring 113, 114.

[0033] The two clamping springs 113, 114 are mechanically decoupled from each other by a web 150 formed between the clamping springs 113, 114, in particular between the two retaining arms 143, 144 of the clamping springs 113, 114. This web 150 holds the two clamping springs 113, 114 at a distance from each other. The web 150 is formed by a wall of the housing 110. The web 150 has locking lugs 151, 152 which can project through window-like openings 153, 154 formed in the retaining arms 143, 144 of the respective clamping springs 113, 114, so that the clamping springs 113, 114 can also be securely held on the web 150.

[0034] In Fig. 4 until 6An embodiment of a terminal block 100 is shown, which, with regard to the bearing of the actuating levers 115, 116 on the current bar 112, the design of the actuating levers 115, 116 and the current bar 112, the interaction of the clamping springs 113, 114 with the actuating levers 115, 116 and the bearing of the clamping springs 113, 114 in the housing 110, is identical to that shown in the Figs. 1 to 3 the design shown. The only difference is that in the Fig. 4 until 6 In the embodiment shown, the two clamping springs 113, 114 are connected to each other via a connecting web 155 and are thus formed integrally from a single piece of spring steel. The connecting web 155 extends parallel to the current bar 112. The connecting web 155 spans the web 150 of the housing 110, so that, in the assembled state of the clamping springs 113, 114, the connecting web 155 is located between the current bar 112 and the web 150.

[0035] The two clamping springs 113, 114 are attached to the current beam 112 via the connecting web 155. The attachment is made using a rivet connection 156. An opening 157 is provided in the connecting web 155 for this purpose, through which the rivet connection 156 can pass in order to attach the connecting web 155 and thus the two clamping springs 113, 114 to the current beam 112.

[0036] As in both versions in the Figs. 1 to 6As can be seen, the actuating levers 115, 116 are suspended from the current bar 112 via the receiving sections 117, 118 on a first side surface 158 of the current bar 112, whereas the clamping of the conductor to be connected is effected via the clamping springs 113, 114 on a second side surface 159 of the current bar 112, which is directed away from the first side surface 158 of the current bar 112. The actuating levers 115, 116 are suspended from the current bar 112 via the receiving sections 117, 118, which can also be referred to as receiving pockets. As shown in the Figs. 1 to 6 As can be seen, the actuating levers 115, 116 are arranged essentially above the current bar 112, in particular above the first side surface 158 of the current bar 112, whereas the clamping springs 113, 114 are arranged below the current bar 112, in particular below the second side surface 159 of the current bar 112.

[0037] The terminal blocks 100 can be designed as series terminals which can be snapped onto a mounting rail.

[0038] Fig. 7 shows a terminal block 100, the internal design of which corresponds to that shown in Figs. 1 to 3 design shown or corresponding to the one shown in Fig. 4 until 6 The design shown can be implemented as follows. The two actuating levers 115, 116 each protrude from the housing 110 with their grip section 129, 130, so that a user can easily grasp them. Reference symbol list

[0039] 100 Terminal block 110 Housing 111, 160 Conductor entry opening 112 Current bar 113, 114 Clamping spring 115, 116 Actuating lever 117, 118 Receiving section 119, 120 End section 121, 122 Pivot axis 123, 124 Wall 125, 126 Opening 127, 128 Contact surface 129, 130 Handle section 131, 132 Actuating section 133, 134 Clamping leg 135, 136 Tab 137, 138 Tab 139, 140 Clamping edge 141, 142 Arc-shaped section 143, 144 Retaining leg 145, 146 Inner wall 147, 148 Retaining tab 149 Opening 150 Web 151, 152 Locking lug 153, 154 Window-like opening 155 Connecting web 156 Riveted connection 157 Opening 158 First side surface 159 Second side surface

Claims

1. Connection terminal (100) for connection of at least one electrical conductor, having - a housing (110) which has at least one conductor introduction opening (111, 160) for introduction into the housing (110) of the at least one electrical conductor to be connected, - a current bar (112) which is arranged in the housing (110), - at least one clamping spring (113, 114) which is arranged in the housing (110) and serves for clamping the at least one electrical conductor against the current bar (112), and - at least one rotatably mounted actuating lever (115, 116) by means of which the at least one clamping spring (113, 114) is able to be actuated, wherein the current bar (112) has at least one receiving portion (117, 118) at which the at least one actuating lever (115, 116) is mounted rotatably, wherein the at least one receiving portion (117, 118) has an opening (125, 126) which is closed by a wall (123, 124) of the housing (110), characterized in that the suspension of the actuating lever (115, 116) on the current bar (112) via the receiving portion (117, 118) is formed on a first side surface (158) of the current bar (112), whereas the clamping via the clamping spring (113, 114) of the conductor to be connected is realized on a second side surface (159) of the current bar (112), which is directed away from the first side surface (158) of the current bar (112).

2. Connection terminal (100) according to Claim 1, characterized in that the at least one actuating lever (115, 116) has a rotation pin (121, 122) which is received in the at least one receiving portion (117, 118) in such a way that the at least one receiving portion (117, 118) at least regionally surrounds the rotation pin (121, 122).

3. Connection terminal (100) according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the at least one receiving portion (117, 118) is formed at an end portion (119, 120) of the current bar (112).

4. Connection terminal (100) according to one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, in the region of the at least one receiving portion (117, 118), the current bar (112) is curved in a C shape.

5. Connection terminal (100) according to one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that a clamping leg (133, 134) of the at least one clamping spring (113, 114) has at least one tab (135, 136, 137, 138) which is formed spaced apart from a clamping edge (139, 140) of the clamping leg (133, 134) and which interacts with the actuating lever (117, 118).

6. Connection terminal (100) according to one of Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that a holding leg (143, 144) of the at least one clamping spring (113, 114) is fastened to the current bar (112).

7. Connection terminal (100) according to Claim 6, characterized in that the current bar (112) has an opening (149) in which the holding leg (143, 144) is fitted.

8. Connection terminal (100) according to one of Claims 1 to 7, characterized in that provision is made of a first clamping spring (113, 114) for clamping a first conductor and a second clamping spring (113, 114) for clamping a second conductor against the current bar (112), wherein the current bar (112) has a first receiving portion (117, 118) at which a first actuating lever (115, 116) for actuating the first clamping spring (113, 114) is mounted rotatably, and wherein the current bar (112) has a second receiving portion (117, 118) at which a second actuating lever (115, 116) for actuating the second clamping spring (113, 114) is mounted rotatably.

9. Connection terminal (100) according to Claim 8, characterized in that, between the first clamping spring (113, 114) and the second clamping spring (113, 114), there is arranged a web (150) for mechanical force decoupling of the first clamping spring (113, 114) with respect to the second clamping spring (113, 114), wherein the web (150) is formed by a wall of the housing (110).

10. Connection terminal (100) according to Claim 8 or 9, characterized in that a holding leg (143, 144) of the first clamping spring (113, 114) is formed in one piece with a holding leg (143, 144) of the second clamping spring (113, 114) via a connecting web (155), wherein the connecting web (155) is fastened to the current bar (112).

11. Connection terminal (100) according to Claim 10, characterized in that the connecting web (155) is fastened to the current bar (112) via a rivet connection (156).

Images