Connection device

Abstract

A connection device (1) for electric conductors (16) comprises: a cage (2) with two connection points (I, II); a force generation device for clamping and contacting at least one electric conductor (I-1; II-1) at one of the connection points (I, II); and a pressure plate (4) to which force is applied by the force generation device. The force generation device is arranged in the interior of the cage (2), and the connection points (I, II) have a common stationary conductor (5).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a connection device according to the preamble of claim 1. The invention also relates to an electrical device with at least one such connection device.

[0002] Such a connection device is used to connect one or more electrical conductors to a conductor, e.g. a busbar.

[0003] A continuously increasing demand for such connection devices, e.g. in automation areas, results in the requirement for improved connection devices with regard to a small number of parts, compact design and safe and easy handling.

[0004] The object of the present invention is therefore to create an improved connection device.

[0005] The problem is solved by a connection device having the features of claim 1 and by an electrical device having such a connection device having the features of claim 9.

[0006] DE 10 2007 016333 A1 discloses the preamble of claim 1. 1

[0007] An inventive connection device for electrical conductors comprising a cage with two connection points; a force-generating device for clamping and contacting at least one electrical conductor in one of the connection points; and a pressure plate acted upon by the force-generating device. The force-generating device is arranged inside the cage, and the connection points have a common stationary conductor.

[0008] In this way, a compact connection device is created that can be used easily and quickly.

[0009] For example, it is advantageous to be able to open the connection points easily against the force of the power generating device using the blade of a screwdriver, which is inserted into the respective connection point and then turned by 90°.

[0010] An electrical device has at least one connection device as described above.

[0011] In one embodiment, the force-generating device incorporates a force storage element in the form of a compression spring and / or tension spring. These are common components that are readily available at low cost and in high quality.

[0012] In another embodiment, the force-generating device can have at least one screw. Simple force generation is possible in this case. Such a screw can also be used to adjust the force of a spring.

[0013] Another embodiment provides that the connection device has an actuating mechanism that can be adjusted from a basic position in which the connection points are closed, to an actuating position in which the connection points are open, and back again. This results in a particularly advantageous, simple, safe, and quick actuation method.

[0014] In one embodiment, the actuating device is locked in its home position by means of a detent mechanism. This has the advantage that the actuating device cannot release itself.

[0015] According to the invention, the connection device has a locking mechanism which fixes both or individually the open connection points in their open position and which clamps the inserted conductors in the connection points when the locking mechanism is released. This allows for advantageously simple insertion of the conductors into the connection points.

[0016] It is particularly advantageous if the locking device (8) is released by actuation using a reset mechanism.

[0017] According to the invention, the locking device is actuated by means of a conductor inserted into the corresponding connection point. This is particularly advantageously simple.

[0018] If the connection device has a housing, the advantage is a very compact unit that can be easily and independently installed in various electrical devices.

[0019] In one version, the cage can be made of one piece or in multiple parts. This allows for advantageous adaptation to different applications.

[0020] The invention is explained in more detail by means of exemplary embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. These show: Figures 1-2 are schematic perspective views of an embodiment of a connection device according to the invention; Figures 3-6 are schematic side views of the connection device according to Figures 1-2; Figures 7-8 are schematic views of the connection device according to Figure 1-6 in an actuated position; Figures 9-14 schematic views of the connection device according to Figure 7-8 in various open positions; Figure 15 a schematic perspective view of the connection device according to Figure 1 with connected conductors; Figure 16 a schematic front view of the connection device according to Figure 1with a housing; and Figures 17-23 schematic perspective views of components of the connection device according to Figure 1 .

[0021] The coordinates x, y, z are used for orientation.

[0022] In Figure 1 Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of an embodiment of a connection device 1 according to the invention, seen from a front view. Figure 2 shows a view of the rear side of connection device 1. Figure 3 shows a front view of the connection device 1. Figures 4 and 6 show side views and Figure 5 a rear view of the connection device 1.

[0023] The connection device 1 is for connecting two conductors I-1 and II-2 (see Figure 15 ) trained. Connection points I and II are provided for each of the I-1 and II-2 conductors.

[0024] The connection device 1 comprises a cable figure 2, a power generating device, here a compression spring 3, a pressure plate 4, a stationary electrical busbar 5, an actuating device 6 with a shaft 7, a detent device 8 and a resetter 9.

[0025] The cheese figure 2 is in Figure 17 It is shown in perspective and is U-shaped with two long side parts 2a, a short connector 2b and a base plate 2c. The Kä figure 2 The base plate 2c is made of an electrically conductive material. It connects the two free ends of the side panels 2a. It is firmly attached to each free end of a long side panel 2a by means of a projection 2g on each side, for example, by crimping. The base plate 2c can also be manufactured as a single piece with the side panels 2a, for example, as a single casting. figure 2 It can also consist of several parts, i.e., be multi-part.

[0026] Each long side panel 2a of the Kä fig 2Each slot has one long slot 2e and one shorter slot 2f. The slots 2e and 2f run with their longitudinal axes parallel to each other and parallel to an imaginary longitudinal axis of the slot. fig 2 The longitudinal axis of the cheese fig 2 and the connection device 1 runs in the z-direction. The width of the side panels 2a lies in the x-direction. The y-direction runs perpendicular to the x-direction in the connecting line of the base plate 2c between the side panels 2a.

[0027] The free ends of the side panels 2a each have a printed section 2d that is folded at a right angle into the xy-plane and extends beyond the front side. The printed sections 2d project outwards from the side panels 2a in the y-direction.

[0028] On the rear side of the free ends of the side parts 2a, a guide projection 2i, bent at a right angle into the xy-plane, is formed. The guide projections 2i also protrude outwards from the side parts 2a in the y-direction.

[0029] A guide recess 2h is formed on each of the rear edges of the side parts 2a.

[0030] The force-generating device is represented here as a compression spring 3 (see also Figure 18 ). The force-generating device can also be a tension spring and / or a screw. A screw can also be provided for adjusting the force of the compression or tension spring.

[0031] The compression spring 3 is inside the box fig 2 arranged (see Figure 3 ) and its upper end is connected to connector 2b of the Kä fig 2 in contact. The other end of the compression spring 3 contacts a central base area 4a of the pressure plate 4. The pressure plate 4 is in Figure 19 depicted.

[0032] The printing plate 4 is inside the box fig 2 between the long side panels 2a of the cheese fig 2 The guides are arranged to be displaceable in the z-direction. Guide projections 4c extend laterally from the pressure plate 4 outwards, each corresponding to the long elongated hole 2e of a respective side part 2a of the guide. fig 2 intervention (see Figure 1, 2 , 4, 6 ). An upwardly curved front edge 4b ​​of the pressure piece 4 protrudes from the front of the Kä fig 2 protrudes outwards and forms an introduction aid for a conductor I-1 to be connected (see Figure 15 A back plate 4d of the pressure plate 4 is bent at a right angle into the yz-plane and has laterally projecting guide projections 4e. These guide projections 4e each engage with a recess 2h (see Figure 10 , 15 ).

[0033] In this position, the pressure plate 4 rests with its underside on the stationary electrical busbar 5, e.g., a flat bar. The busbar 5 extends through the back of the box. fig 2 up to its front through the interior of the cheese fig 2 and in turn lies with its underside on the base plate 2c of the Kä fig 2 The base plate 2c also has a downward-curved edge on its front side to facilitate the insertion of a conductor II-1 to be connected (see Figure 15 ).

[0034] The Figures 1 to 6 The figures show the connection device 1 in a closed position. This means that the two connection points I and II are closed.

[0035] The first connection point I is formed by the underside of the pressure plate 4 and by the top side of the conductor 5. The underside of the conductor 5 and the top side of the base plate 2c of the cable fig 2define the second interchange II.

[0036] The actuating device 6 is supplied as a separate component in Figure 20 The figure is shown and comprises two parallel arms 6a, which are connected at their upper ends to a bracket section 6b. The bracket section 6b is (in the installed state, see Figure 1, 2 , 4, 6 ) so that it is positioned above connector 2b of the cable fig 2 is located. At each free lower end, the arms 6a are each connected to a lever section 6c.

[0037] Each lever section 6c has a through-opening 6e for the shaft 7. The through-openings 6e are coaxial with a pivot axis 6d of the actuating device 6 and each lies on an imaginary center line of a respective arm 6a.

[0038] Each lever section 6c comprises a first cam 6f and a second cam 6g. The first cam 6f extends (in the installed state, see Figure 1, 2 , 4, 6) to the rear and is bent downwards. The second cam 6g protrudes at a right angle to the front in relation to the respective arm 6a. Both cams 6f, 6g have rounded corners with large radii.

[0039] The actuating device 6 is connected to the shaft 7 on the Kä figure 2 The shaft 7 is mounted so as to pivot about the pivot axis 7a. It extends through the through-openings 6e of the lever sections 6c of the actuating device 6, through through-openings 8i of the detent device 8, which is described in more detail below, and through the elongated holes 2f of the long side parts 2a of the cable. fig 2 The shaft axis 7a and the pivot axis 6d run in a line.

[0040] The lever sections 6c lie with the undersides of their second cams 6g on the pressure sections 2d of the Kä. fig 2 on.

[0041] The upper side of the first cams 6f of the lever sections 6c are in contact with the guide projections 4c of the pressure plate 4, which protrude outwards through the long elongated holes 2e.

[0042] The bracket section 6b of the actuating device 6 is above the connector 2b of the cable. fig 2 arranged.

[0043] This position of the actuating device 6 is referred to as the basic position 6-0 and is described in the Figures 7 to 15 clarifies.

[0044] The actuating device 6 can be locked in the home position 6-0. For this purpose, a locking mechanism (not shown, but easily imaginable) can be provided, which, for example, interacts with the lever section 6b and is attached, for instance, to the Kä figure 2is attached. A combination with a lever section 6c is also possible. Such a locking mechanism can, for example, have a cam-like projection with which the lever section 6b or another section of the actuating device 6 locks.

[0045] The locking device 8 (see Figure 1, 2 , 4, 5 , 6 and 22 ) has two side plates 8a, a first back plate 8b with two first rest sections 8d and a second back plate 8c with two second rest sections 8e.

[0046] The side plates 8a are arranged parallel to each other and connected at their upper ends to the first back plate 8b, with their lower ends connected to the second back plate 8c. The connections between the back plates 8b, 8c and the side plates 8a are relatively narrow, allowing the back plates 8b, 8c to flex relatively far outwards towards the rear.

[0047] The underside of the first back plate 8b and the top side of the second back plate 8c are not connected, but a gap 8h is provided between them, through which the busbar 5 passes into the case when installed. figure 2 extends.

[0048] On both sides of the back plates 8b, 8c, locking sections 8d and 8e are formed at a 90° angle. The locking sections 8d, 8e of the back plates 8b, 8c are each arranged in recesses 8k of the side plates 8a. Each locking section 8d, 8e has a bevel.

[0049] The side plates 8a have the through-openings 8i for the shaft 7.

[0050] Edges 8j angled at 90° are formed on the longitudinal edges of the side plates 8a, with which the locking device 8a on the front of the Kä fig 2 is fixed.

[0051] Figure 7 shows a schematic perspective view of the connection device 1 according to Figure 1-6in an activated position. Figure 8 shows a side view of Figure 7 .

[0052] In the actuated position, the actuating device 6 is pivoted about the pivot axis 6d from the basic position 6-0 downwards (here by 90°) to the actuating position 6-1.

[0053] During the pivoting process of the actuating device 6 from the home position 6-0 to the actuating position 6-1, the first cams 6f of the actuating device 6 move the pressure plate 4 over its guide projections 4c in the elongated holes 2e of the side parts 2a of the Kä fig 2 upwards against the force of the compression spring 3. The first connection point I is thus open.

[0054] At the same time, the second cams 6d shift the Kä figure 2 via pressure sections 2d downwards. In this way, the second connection point II is opened.

[0055] The movements of pressure plate 4 and Kä figure 2Here, the movements occur in the opposite direction, in the z-direction.

[0056] The open positions of connection points I and II are maintained by the locking device 8. This is achieved for the pressure plate 4 by its guide projections 4c sliding upwards along the slopes of the first locking sections 8d, and the spring-loaded first back plate 8b towards the rear of the Kä. fig 2 deflect towards, cross the corners of the slopes and then rest on the rest sections 8d after the first back plate 8b has rebounded, and are fixed there in the z-direction.

[0057] Similarly, the leading margins 2i of the Kä slide fig 2 on the slopes of the second resting sections 8e downwards, the springy second back plate 8c becomes the back of the Kä fig 2The guide projections 2i are deflected and cross the corners of the inclined surfaces. Then the second back plate 8c springs back, and the guide projections 2i then rest on the detent sections 8e and are fixed there in the z-direction.

[0058] The cheese figure 2 It is thereby changed from its basic position 2-0 to an open position 2-1.

[0059] The actuating device 6 can be swung back to its home position 6-0, the Kä figure 2 Due to the locking device 8, it retains its open position 2-1. This is in Figure 9 perspective and in Figure 12 shown in a side view. The Kä has changed position. figure 2 relative to the stationary shaft 7, since shaft 7 is received in the elongated holes 2f.

[0060] The opened connection points I and II now allow one conductor I-1 and one conductor II-1 to be inserted into these connection points I and II, as Figure 15 depicted.

[0061] The conductors I-1 and II-1 are clamped in the connection points I and II by releasing the locking device 8 using the reset tool 9.

[0062] The resetter 9 is a flat sliding element and comprises an actuating section 9a with a connector 9b, two parallel longitudinal bars 9c each with two chamfered noses 9e, 9f projecting towards the rear and a bracket 9g.

[0063] The connector 9b, the longitudinal bars 9c and the connector 9d form an open frame through which the stationary busbar 5 extends when installed (see Figure 1, 2 , 5 ).

[0064] The resetter 9 is located between the back of the Kä fig 2 and the back plates 8b, 8c of the locking device 8 are inserted in such a way that the noses 9e, 9f protrude outwards through recesses 8f, 8g of the back plates 8b, 8c.

[0065] The resetter 9 and the locking device 8 are not moved when the connecting device 1 is actuated by the actuating device 6; they are stationary together with the busbar 5.

[0066] The resetter 9 is displaceable in the z-direction relative to the detent device 8. Pressing on the actuating section 9a of the resetter 9 causes the resetter 9 to move downwards against a spring force of the bracket 9g, which rests on an upper edge of the first backplate 8b of the detent device 8. This presses the lugs 9e, 9f of the resetter 9 against the spring-loaded backplates 8b, 8bc of the detent device 8. The backplates 8b, 8c thus move backwards, releasing the guide projections 4c and 2i resting on the detent sections 8d, 8e.

[0067] Then the pressure plate 4 of the first connection point I is pressed downwards by the compression spring 3 against the inserted conductor I, which in turn is pressed onto the stationary busbar 5.

[0068] The base plate 2c of the Kä fig 2 The second connection point II is now pulled upwards against the second conductor II by the released guide projections 2i and the force of the compression spring 3, pressing it against the underside of the fixed conductor 5.

[0069] Figure 10 This shows the situation in which the second connection point II is not in use; the first conductor I in the first connection point I is not shown. The diagram shows the situation in which the second connection point II is not in use; the first conductor I in the first connection point I is not shown. figure 2 is in a second position 2-2.

[0070] In Figure 11 The first connection point I is not used, and the second conductor II is not shown.

[0071] In the Figures 12 to 14 are side views of the respective Figures 9 to 11 shown.

[0072] Figure 16 The connection device 1 is represented in a housing 10. The housing 10 has bearings 10a for the shaft 7.

[0073] Different conductors I and II can be connected to terminals I and II of the connection device 1. For example, both conductors I and II can be wires and / or stranded wires (with ferrules). It is also possible for both conductors I and II to be conductor bars. A combination is also possible in which the first conductor I is a wire and the second conductor is a conductor bar (busbar), or vice versa.

[0074] The locking device 8 can also be released by means of a suitable lever mechanism, which is not in accordance with the invention.

[0075] The back plates 8b, 8c can also be pushed backwards by an inserted conductor I-1, II-1, thus releasing or disengaging the locking device 8.

[0076] The connection device 1, with or without the housing 10, can be a component for various electrical devices, such as terminals, switching / disconnecting devices, and the like. Naturally, electrical devices can also have at least one such connection device 1. Reference sign

[0077] 1Connecting device 2Cage 2aSide part 2bConnector 2cBottom plate 2dPressure section 2e, 2fLong hole 2gProjection 2hGuide recess 2iGuide projection 2-0, 2-1, 2-2, 2-3Cage position 3Compression spring 4Pressure plate 4aBottom area 4bFront edge 4cGuide projection 4dBack plate 4eGuiding projection 5Conductor rail 6Actuating device 6aArm 6bBracket section 6cLever section 6dSwivel axis 6eOpening 6f, 6gCam 6-0, 6-1Actuator position 7Shaft 7aShaft axis 8Locking device 8aSide plate 8b, 8cBack plate 8d, 8eLocking section 8f, 8gRecess 8hDistance 8iThrough opening 8jRim 8kRecess 9Reset 9aOperating section 9bConnector 9cLocking lug carrier 9dConnector 9e, 9fLocking lug 9gBracket 10Housing 10aStorage I, IIConnection point I-1, II-1 conductor

Claims

1. Connection device (1) for electrical conductors (16), comprising - a cage (2) having two connection points (I, II); - a force-generating device for clamping and contacting at least one electrical conductor (I-1; II-1) in one of the connection points (I, II); and - a pressure plate (4) subjected to force by the force-generating device; wherein the force-generating device is arranged in the interior of the cage (2), and that the connection points (I, II) have a common stationary conductor (5), wherein the connection device (1) has a latching device (8) which fixes the open connection points (I, II) both together and individually in their open position and which causes the inserted conductors (I-1, II-1) to be clamped in the connection points (I, II) when the latching device (8) is released again, characterized in that the open positions of the connection points (I, II) are maintained by the latching device (8) in that the pressure plate (4) with guide projections (4c) rests on first latching sections (8d) of the latching device (8) and guide projections (2i) of the cage (2) rest against second latching sections (8e) of the latching device (8), wherein the latching device (8) is released by actuation by means of a conductor (I-1, II-1) inserted into the associated connection point (I, II).

2. Connection device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the force-generating device has a force storage element in the form of a compression spring and / or tension spring.

3. Connection device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the force-generating device comprises at least one screw.

4. Connection device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the connection device (1) has an actuating device (6) which can be moved from a basic position (6-0), in which the connection points (I, II) are closed, to an actuating position (6-1), in which the connection points (I, II) are open, and back again.

5. Connection device (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that the actuating device (6) is latched in at least the basic position (6-0) by means of a latching mechanism, wherein this latching mechanism has a cam-like projection attached to the cage (2) and with which a bracket section (6b) of the actuating device (6) or another section of the actuating device (6) cooperates.

6. Connection device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the latching device (8) is released by actuation by means of a reset device (9), wherein the reset device (9) is displaceable relative to the latching device (8) and interacts with lugs (9e, 9f) of the reset device (9) with resilient back plates (8b, 8c), which have the latching sections (8d, 8e) of the latching device (8), to release the guide projections (4c) of the pressure plate (4) and guide projections (2i) of the cage (2) resting on them.

7. Connection device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the connection device (1) has a housing (10).

8. Connection device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cage (2) is designed as a single piece or in several parts.

9. Electrical device having at least one connection device (1) according to one of the preceding claims.

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