Spring-force terminal connection and conductor connection terminal

Abstract

A spring-loaded clamping connection (1) with at least one loop-shaped clamping spring (2) and with a busbar (9) is described. The clamping spring (2) has a contact leg (6) resting against the busbar (9), a spring arc (5) adjoining the contact leg (6), and a clamping leg (3) adjoining the spring arc (5) and pointing towards the busbar (9) with a free clamping end (4). The contact leg (6) has at least one indentation (12).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a spring-loaded terminal connection with at least one loop-shaped clamping spring and a busbar, wherein the clamping spring has a contact leg lying against the busbar, a spring arch adjoining the contact leg and a clamping leg adjoining the spring arch and having a free clamping end pointing in the direction of the busbar.

[0002] The invention further relates to a conductor connection terminal with an insulating housing.

[0003] Such spring-cage terminals are used for connecting electrical conductors, e.g. in terminal blocks, box terminals, printed circuit board connectors, device connectors or similar.

[0004] DE 10 2004 045 026 B3 discloses an electrical connection or connecting terminal with a loop-shaped clamping spring, which has a U-shaped contact leg, an adjoining spring arch, and a clamping leg adjoining the spring arch. The contact leg has a recess in the free end area through which a busbar piece is passed to rest on a holder section punched out of the recess and a transverse edge bordering the recess. The free clamping end of the clamping leg points toward the busbar and, together with the busbar, forms a clamping point for an electrical conductor to be connected.

[0005] WO 2012 / 000639 A1 shows a terminal block with a loop-shaped clamping spring that has laterally protruding actuating tabs at the free clamping end of the clamping leg. A linearly movable actuating button interacts with the actuating tabs to open a clamping point formed by the clamping leg and the one busbar and / or to remove an electrical conductor.

[0006] From DE 10 2005 048 972 A1, it is known to design the clamping leg of a loop-shaped clamping spring so that it tapers from the spring arch and widens again toward the free clamping end. The contact leg is also narrower over a significant length adjacent to the busbar than in the section adjacent to the spring arch.

[0007] DE 75 37 982 U1 discloses a spring-loaded terminal connection with a loop-shaped clamping spring and a busbar. This busbar is guided through a recess in the contact leg or spring arch at the transition to the spring arch. The free clamping end of the clamping leg also has a central recess, from which a material tab is bent out to form a free clamping edge for clamping an electrical conductor.

[0008] Based on this, it is the object of the present invention to provide an improved spring-loaded terminal contact and an improved conductor connection terminal which enables installation in the insulating housing in a way that relieves the load on the insulating housing.

[0009] The object is achieved by the spring-loaded terminal connection having the features of claim 1 and the conductor connection terminal having the features of claim 10. Advantageous embodiments are described in the subclaims.

[0010] The at least one indentation creates a short web that is narrower than the adjoining section of the contact leg. Such a web forms a flexible joint or hinge. A force acting on the clamping spring via the clamping leg and the spring arch is absorbed by the flexible joint, i.e. the web, in such a way that the clamping spring deforms optimally without exerting excessive forces on an adjoining insulating housing, so that the force is diverted to the adjoining contact leg and the busbar arranged on it. This reduces the force connection of the clamping spring to an insulating housing. With the help of the at least one indentation in the contact leg, cutouts are provided to relieve the force on the insulating housing.

[0011] By providing at least one indentation, i.e. a recess of limited length at the edge region of a contact leg to form a bay, it is further achieved that a free space is created in the contact leg to accommodate sections of an insulating housing surrounding the spring-loaded terminal connection or, under certain circumstances, also sections of an actuating element which is installed in the insulating housing, when the spring-loaded terminal connection is installed in the insulating housing as intended to form a conductor connection terminal.

[0012] In the sense of the present invention, an indentation is thus understood to mean a relatively short recess in the edge region of the contact leg, which leads in the region of the indentation to a web with a reduced width compared to the adjoining sections of the contact leg, wherein the web has a shorter length compared to the other sections of the contact leg.

[0013] It is particularly advantageous if a pair of opposing indentations are provided on both sides of a contact leg, and if the contact leg has a web in the area of the indentations that is narrower than the sections of the contact leg facing the spring arch and the busbar. This creates a web that is offset inward on both sides by indentations relative to the side edges of the contact leg. This has the advantage that sections of the insulating housing can be inserted into a space defined by the side edges of the contact leg adjacent to the web.

[0014] The at least one recess is preferably arranged in a space above the busbar. This creates a hinge between the section of the contact leg connected to the busbar and the section of the contact leg connected to the clamping leg via the spring arch, opposite the terminal point for connecting an electrical conductor. This hinge relieves the load on the insulating housing surrounding the spring-loaded terminal connection.

[0015] The at least one indentation is preferably located in a space above the free clamping end of the clamping leg when the clamping spring is in the resting state, with the clamping leg resting on the busbar. The hinge of the clamping spring created by the indentations with the reduced-width web thus acts in an optimal position with respect to the free clamping end of the clamping leg and an insulating housing surrounding the clamping spring.

[0016] It is particularly advantageous if the busbar is mounted on the contact leg in a tiltable manner. This provides a flexible, conductor-adapting ramp for the busbar, which can be advantageously reduced by the force acting on the insulating material housing when inserting and clamping an electrical conductor to the spring-cage terminal. The tiltable mounting of the busbar on the contact leg is, in principle, independent of the special design of the spring-cage terminal with an indentation described above and can also achieve its advantageous effect with clamping springs without such an indentation.In the case of a loop-shaped clamping spring with a busbar, wherein the clamping spring has a contact leg lying against the busbar, a spring arch adjoining the contact leg and a clamping leg adjoining the spring arch and with a free clamping end pointing in the direction of the busbar, it is therefore advantageous that the busbar is mounted on the contact leg in a tiltable manner.

[0017] It is particularly advantageous if the contact leg has bearing openings or recesses at its free end section. The busbar then has protruding bearing lugs that each engage a corresponding bearing opening or recess to allow the busbar to be tiltably mounted on the contact leg.

[0018] The busbar is thus not immovably attached to the contact leg by welding or riveting, but rather is suspended in the contact leg and mounted on the contact leg in a tiltable manner. By locking the busbar to the contact leg using bearing lugs, the busbar is fixed in position relative to at least one clamping spring.

[0019] The bearing openings or bearing recesses can either be surrounded on all sides by the free end sections of the contact leg. It is also conceivable, however, that the bearing openings at the free end section of the contact leg are formed as indentations at the edges of the free end section. Such indentations are then only partially surrounded by the free end section of the contact leg and open to the outside over part of their circumference.

[0020] It is particularly advantageous if a plurality of clamping springs are arranged next to each other at a distance from one another and have a common busbar extending in the direction in which the clamping springs are arranged. This makes it possible, for example, to create a box terminal in which electrical conductors connected to the adjacently arranged clamping springs can be electrically connected to one another via the busbar.

[0021] The plurality of clamping springs preferably have a common free end portion of the contact legs, extending in the direction of the clamping springs' alignment. The clamping springs are formed integrally, i.e., as one piece, with the free end portion. This ensures that the clamping springs are arranged in a stable position relative to one another via the common free end portion, providing a good, flat support for the busbar. The invention is explained in more detail below using an exemplary embodiment with the accompanying drawings. They show:

[0022] Figure 1- Perspective view of a first embodiment of a spring clamp connection with three clamping springs arranged next to each other and a common busbar; Figure 2- Perspective view of the clamping springs of the spring clamp connection from Figure 1 ; Figure 3- Side view of the spring clamp connection from Figure 1 ; Figure 4- Perspective view of the spring clamp connection from Figure 1 and 3 from below; Figure 5- Top view of the spring clamp connection from Figure 1 ; Figure 6- Top view of the spring clamp connection from Figure 1 from below; Figure 7- Perspective view of a second embodiment of a spring clamp connection; Figure 8- Side view of the spring clamp connection from Figure 7; Figure 9- Perspective view of a clamping spring of the spring clamp connection from Figure 7 ; Figure 10- Top view of the spring clamp connection from Figure 7 ; Figure 11- View of the spring clamp connection from Figure 7 from below; Figure 12- Perspective view of a conductor terminal with operating lever; Figure 13- Top view of the conductor terminal from Figure 12 ; Figure 14- Side sectional view through the conductor terminal from Figures 12 and 13 in section BB with the operating lever open; Figure 15- Side sectional view through the conductor connection terminal from Figures 12 and 13 in section AA with the operating lever closed; Figure 16- Perspective view of a second embodiment of a conductor connection terminal; Figure 17- Top view of the conductor connection terminal from Figure 16 ; Figure 18- Side sectional view through the conductor terminal from Figures 16 and 17in section BB with the operating lever open; Figure 19- Side sectional view through the conductor connection terminal of the Figures 16 and 17 in section AA with the operating lever closed.

[0023] Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a first embodiment of a spring-loaded terminal connection 1, which has three loop-shaped clamping springs 2 arranged side by side. Each clamping spring 2 has a clamping leg 3 with a free clamping end 4. The clamping leg 3 merges into a spring bend 5, to which a contact leg 6 is connected. The contact leg 6 is bent into a U-shape, forming a conductor receiving pocket 7 for receiving a stripped free end of an electrical conductor clamped to the spring-loaded terminal connection. At the free end of the contact leg 6, the free end section 8 of the contact legs 6 forms a support for a common busbar 9.

[0024] The busbar 9 extends in the alignment direction A of the clamping springs 2 arranged next to one another and transversely to the conductor insertion direction L.

[0025] It is clear that the busbar 9 is supported on the free end section 8 of the contact legs 6. It is also evident that the contact legs 6 are formed integrally with the free end region 8, and the clamping springs 2 arranged adjacent to one another at a distance from one another are thus connected to one another via the common free end section 8.

[0026] In the resting position shown, the free clamping end 4 of the clamping leg 3 rests on the busbar 9. When an electrical conductor is clamped between the free clamping end 4 and the busbar 9, a clamping point is created between a clamping edge 10 on the free clamping end 4 and a contact edge 11 on the busbar 9 in order to electrically contact the electrical conductor with the busbar 9. The free clamping end 4 is bent relative to the clamping leg 3 in the direction of the busbar 9.

[0027] It is clear that the contact legs 6, in a section above the busbar 9 and the free terminal end 4, each have two opposing indentations 12 in the resting state. This creates a web 13 that has a reduced width compared to the adjacent sections of the contact leg 6. It is also clear that the web 13 and the indentations 12 are very short compared to the adjoining length of the contact leg 6 up to the busbar 9. The indentation extends over a length that is less than a quarter of the total length of the contact leg 6.

[0028] The indentations 12 and the webs 13 created thereby create a type of hinge between the spring arch 5 adjoining the web 13 with the clamping leg 3 and the remaining area of the contact leg 6 adjoining the web 13 up to the busbar 9. A force exerted when the clamping leg 3 is actuated, e.g. by an actuating lever, an actuating slide or a screwdriver, and a force transmitted to the contact leg 6 when an electrical conductor is clamped is absorbed by the web 13 by slight deformation (bending) of the web 13, reducing the force exerted on an adjacent insulating housing, and is diverted to the busbar 9. With the help of the indentation 12, a flexible section of the contact leg 6 is created adjoining the spring arch 5, with which the influence of the force on an insulating housing can be reduced.

[0029] To further stabilize the insulating housing, it is also conceivable that sections of the insulating housing dip into the indentations 12 and thus this space of the indentations 12 is also used to reinforce the insulating housing.

[0030] Figure 2 omits a perspective view of the clamping springs 2 of the spring clamp connection 1 Figure 1This clearly shows that the U-shaped contact legs 6 are integrally connected to one another via a common free end section 8, which extends over the three clamping springs 2 in the alignment direction A and transversely to the conductor insertion direction L. It is also clear that the free end section 8 has at least one bearing opening 14 for receiving a bearing nose of the busbar 9. In this way, the busbar 9 can be supported on the free end section 8 and fixed in position. The busbar 9 is not connected so firmly as to the free end section 8 that it cannot execute a tilting movement. The spring-loaded clamp connection 1 can therefore adapt flexibly to the respective electrical conductor being clamped.

[0031] Figure 3 omits a side view of the spring clamp connection 1 Figure 1can be seen. Here it is clear that the busbar 9 is supported on the free end section 8 of the contact leg 6. It can also be seen that a clamping edge 10 of the free clamping end 4 of the clamping leg 3 rests on the busbar 9 in the rest state. The web 13 formed by the indentations 12 lies above the busbar 9 and the free clamping end 4 when viewed transversely to the conductor insertion direction L. With the help of the webs 12, a flexible joint is created between the section formed by the spring arch 5 and the clamping legs 3 and that between the busbar 9 and the adjoining section of the contact leg 6. The clamping force of the free clamping end 4 on an electrical conductor is essentially applied by the spring arch 5.The flexible joint formed by the webs 13 ensures that further deformation forces are flexibly absorbed and are not transferred to the insulating housing to a large extent.

[0032] Figure 4 omits a perspective view of the spring clamp connection 1 Figure 1from below. It is clear that the free end section 8 of the contact leg 6 has bearing openings 14 into which bearing lugs 15 protrude from the underside of the busbar 9. The busbar 9 is therefore not so firmly connected to the free end section 8 that the busbar 9 cannot tilt relative to the free end section 8. However, it is fixed in position in the alignment direction A and transversely with the help of the bearing lugs 15 and the bearing opening 14. In contrast to fastening the busbar 9 to the free end section 8 by riveting, welding, screwing or similar, a tilting movement of the busbar 9 is possible, so that the position of the busbar 9 can adapt sufficiently to the position of a clamped electrical conductor.

[0033] Figure 5 omits a top view of the spring clamp connection Figure 1This clearly shows that the opposing indentations 12 at the edge regions of the contact legs 6 form webs 13 adjacent to the transition to the spring arch 5. It is clear that the indentations 12 and webs 13 are arranged above the busbar 9 and the free clamping end 4 of the clamping springs 2 in the rest position in the plan view.

[0034] It can also be seen that the webs 13 have a smaller width than the width of the adjoining section of the contact leg 6 and the spring arch 5.

[0035] Indentations can be seen on the busbar, which correspond to the downwardly projecting bearing lugs 15. These bearing lugs 15 are pressed downward from the material of the busbar 9 during the forming process.

[0036] It is also clear that the busbar 9 has an inclined ramp 16 in front of the free clamping end 4 of the clamping spring 2 and the contact edge 11, as seen in the conductor insertion direction L. This facilitates the insertion of an electrical conductor to the clamping point.

[0037] Figure 6 omits a view of the spring clamp connection 1 Figure 1 from below. The bearing lugs 15 protruding from the underside of the busbar 9 engage the bearing opening 14 of the free end section 8 of the contact legs 6.

[0038] Figure 7 shows a perspective view of a second embodiment of a spring-loaded clamp connection 1. Here, too, the contact legs 6 have webs 13 formed by opposing indentations 12 in an area adjacent to the spring arch 5. In this respect, reference can be made to the first embodiment of the spring-loaded clamp connection 1 described above.

[0039] The embodiments differ on the one hand in the mounting of the busbar 9 on the contact legs 6 and on the other hand in the design of the clamping leg 3.

[0040] It is clear that bearing lugs 15 are embossed on the busbar 9 from the top side of the busbar 9 to the bottom side and protrude from the plane of the bottom side of the busbar 9. It is also clear that the busbar has a U-shaped bend 17 in front of the contact point of the free clamping end 4 over the extended length of the busbar 9, as seen in the conductor insertion direction L. The top side of the U-shaped bend 17 extending in the alignment direction A forms a contact edge 11 for an electrical conductor to be clamped. In addition, the free end 18 of the free end section 8 of the contact legs 6 is bent upwards towards the busbar 9, so that the busbar is fixed in position in conjunction with the bearing lugs 15 which engage in the bearing openings 14.

[0041] Furthermore, it can be seen that actuating tabs 19 protrude from the edge areas of the clamping leg 3. The actuating tabs 19 are bent slightly upwards toward the contact leg 6 and form an actuating support to which an actuating element, such as a pivoting lever, can apply an actuating force to open a clamping point by lifting the clamping leg 3 toward the overlying section of the contact leg 6. In the area of the actuating tabs 19, the free clamping end 4 is bent relative to the clamping leg 3 toward the busbar 9.

[0042] In the illustrated embodiment, two actuating tabs 19 for a clamping spring 2 are provided on the two opposite edge regions of the clamping leg 3. However, it is also conceivable that only one actuating tab 19 is provided per clamping spring 2.

[0043] Figure 8 omits a side view of the spring clamp connection Figure 7This again makes it clear that the busbar rests in the free end of the contact leg, which is bent upwards towards the busbar 9, due to the U-shaped bend 17 and is additionally fixed in position by the bearing lugs 15 located behind it, which engage in the bearing openings 14 of the section of the contact leg 6.

[0044] Figure 9 omits a perspective view of the clamping spring 2 for the spring clamp connection Figures 7 and 8It is clear that the individual clamping springs 2 arranged next to one another are now separate from one another. In this embodiment, the bearing openings 14 are formed by indentations on the edge region of the contact leg 6 in the free end section and are therefore not completely closed around the circumference. It is also clear that the free end 18 of the free end section 8 is bent upwards from the plane of the free end section 8 in the direction of the web 13 or in the direction of the free clamping end 4 of the clamping leg which is approximately located above it. It can also be seen that the actuating tabs 19 are formed on both sides on the edge regions of the clamping leg 3 by cutting or punching free the clamping end 4 and folding it down towards the free end section 8.

[0045] Figure 10 omits a top view of the spring clamp connection 1 Figure 7This clearly shows that, in the top view, the actuating tabs 19 are located in the space below the webs 13 and the indentations 12 forming them. The free clamping end 4 of the clamping leg 3, the actuating tabs 19, and the indentations 12 forming the webs 13 are thus approximately aligned one above the other.

[0046] Figure 11 omits a view of the spring clamp connection 1 Figure 7 from below onto the busbar 9. It is clear that the protruding bearing lugs 15 engage the bearing openings 14 formed by indentations at the free end section 8 of the contact legs 6.

[0047] Figure 12shows a perspective view of a conductor connection terminal 20. The conductor connection terminal 20 has an insulating housing 21 into which one of the spring-loaded terminal connections 1 described above with three clamping springs 2 arranged next to one another is installed (not visible). To actuate the spring-loaded terminal connections 1, i.e. to open the clamping points formed thereby for connecting an electrical conductor, actuating levers 22 are pivotally accommodated in the insulating housing 21. Furthermore, the insulating housing has conductor insertion openings 23 on the front for inserting electrical conductors to an associated clamping point of a clamping spring 2. These conductor insertion openings 23 extend into conductor insertion opening L into the interior of the insulating housing 21.

[0048] Furthermore, it can be seen that above the central conductor entry opening 23, there is a test opening 24 extending in the conductor entry direction L. The test opening 24 is open at the front and toward the adjacent spring-cage terminal 1 in the interior, so that with the aid of an inserted test tool, it can be determined whether a voltage potential is present at the spring-cage terminal 1. Alternatively or additionally, it is also conceivable that a test opening 24' is provided in the rear area, opposite the conductor entry openings 23, on the top or rear side.

[0049] Figure 13 shows a top view of the conductor connection terminal 20 with the section lines AA and BB. The upper, in Figure 12The left operating lever is in the open position and is pivoted away from the insulating housing. This opens the clamping point of the associated clamping spring. The other two operating levers 22 are folded down toward the insulating housing 21 in the closed position, so that the clamping point is closed and the associated clamping spring exerts a clamping force on the underlying busbar and any intermediate electrical conductor (not shown) via the free clamping section 4.

[0050] Figure 14 omits a side sectional view in section BB through the conductor connection terminal 21 Figures 12 and 13It is clear that a spring-loaded terminal connection 1 as described above is installed in the interior of the insulating housing 21. The insulating housing 21 is designed in two parts and has a terminal housing part 25 and a cover part 26 closing this at the rear. It can be seen that the actuating lever 22, which is pivotally mounted in the insulating housing 21, has a pivot bearing pin 27 with a V-shaped cutout 28 of approximately 80 to 120° (approximately 110° in the illustrated embodiment) in the interior between the busbar 9 and the web 13. The V-shaped cutout 28 creates an actuating contour 29 which acts on an associated actuating tab 19 in order to displace the clamping leg 3 in the direction of the web 13 above it in order to open the clamping point.

[0051] Figure 15 shows a side sectional view of the conductor connection terminal 20 with the actuating lever 22 closed in section AA of the Figure 13This clearly shows that the clamping point is now closed. This is achieved by rotating the pivot pin 27 by approximately 90°. The actuating tab 19 is then released, and the clamping leg 3 can move freely under the spring force applied by the spring arch 5, exerting a clamping force on the busbar and any electrical conductor arranged between the busbar and the free clamping end 4.

[0052] The web 13 forms a type of spring joint or hinge, so that a force acting via the clamping leg 3 and the spring arch is flexibly absorbed by the clamping spring 2 itself, without transferring any significant force to the insulating housing.

[0053] Compared to Figure 15 is made from Figure 14It is clear that the upper section of the contact leg 6 is displaced upwards in the area of the web 13 in the open position. This is achieved by the flexible web 13, which, due to its reduced width, is more elastic than the adjacent sections of the contact leg 6.

[0054] In the section AA shown, the front test opening 24 above the middle conductor entry opening 23 as well as a rear test opening 24' accessible from above can also be seen.

[0055] Figure 16 shows a second embodiment of a conductor connection terminal 20. Reference can be made first to the description of the first embodiment. Unlike the first embodiment, there is no front test opening, but only a rear test opening 24'. The actuating levers 22 and the insulating housing 21 located therebetween are also designed slightly differently.

[0056] Figure 17omits a plan view of the second embodiment of the conductor connection terminal 20 Figure 16 with the intersection lines AA and BB.

[0057] Figure 18 shows the conductor connection terminal 20 from Figures 16 and 17 in section BB of the open actuating lever 22 with the terminal point open. Here, too, a partially circular pivot pin 27 is arranged at the level above the busbar 9 and below the web 13 and pivotally mounted in the insulating housing. The busbar 9, with its U-shaped bend 17, is comparable to the second embodiment of a spring-loaded terminal connection 1 according to Figures 7 to 11 The actuating contour 29 formed on the pivot pin 27 is slightly different from the first embodiment according to Figures 14 and 15 executed, but functionally comparable. Essentially, reference can therefore be made to the first embodiment.

[0058] Figure 19omits a side sectional view of the conductor terminal 20 Figures 16 and 17 in section AA with the actuating lever 22 closed. The clamping point is closed by the free clamping end 4 of the clamping leg 3 being pressed down toward the busbar 9 by the spring force of the clamping spring 5. Without an inserted electrical conductor, as shown, the free clamping end 4 then rests on the busbar.

Claims

1. Conductor connection terminal (20) - with an insulating housing (21), - with a spring-loaded clamp connection (1) in the insulating housing (21) with at least one loop-shaped clamping spring (2) and with a busbar (9), wherein the clamping spring (2) has a contact leg (6) resting on the busbar (9), a spring bend (5) adjoining the contact leg (6), and a clamping leg (3) adjoining the spring bend (5) and pointing with a free clamping end (4) towards the busbar (9) to form a clamping point, - with an actuating lever (22) as an actuating element (22), which is pivotably received in the insulating housing (21) for opening the clamping point, characterized in that- the contact leg (6) is bent in a U-shape to form a conductor receiving pocket (7) for receiving a stripped free end of an electrical conductor that can be clamped to the spring-loaded terminal connection (1), - in the section of the contact leg (6) opposite the busbar (9), a web (13) is formed by at least one indentation (12).

2. Conductor connection terminal (20) according to claim 1, characterized in that the web (13) is more elastic than the adjacent sections of the contact leg (6) due to its reduced width.

3. Conductor connection terminal (20) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that only one actuating tab (19) is provided on an edge region of the clamping leg (3), the actuating tab (19) is bent towards the contact leg (6) and forms an actuating support for the actuating element (22).

4. Conductor connection terminal (20) according to claim 3, characterized in thatthe free terminal end (4) is bent towards the busbar (9) relative to the terminal leg (3) in the area of ​​the actuating tab (19).

5. Conductor terminal (20) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the free clamping end (4) has a clamping edge (10) to create the clamping point.

6. Conductor terminal (20) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the web (13) has a smaller width than the width of the adjoining section of the contact leg (6), and the web (13) has a smaller width than the width of the spring arch (5).

7. Conductor terminal (20) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in thatby providing at least one indentation (12), a free space is created in the contact leg, in which sections of an insulating housing surrounding the spring-loaded terminal connection or sections of the actuating element which is installed in the insulating housing are received.

Images