Conductor connection terminal

Abstract

To provide a conductor connection terminal to be improved.SOLUTION: In a conductor connection terminal 1, a bus bar member 2 includes a first conductive reception part 8a and a second conductive reception part 8b, in each region opposite to an opposite side, respectively. The first conductive reception part 8a and the second conductive reception part 8b are connected via a connection part 8c each other, and a first conductor can be supplied to a first conductor insertion direction L1 via the first conductive reception part 8a, and a second conductor can be supplied to a second conductor insertion direction L2 via the second conductive reception part 8b at a clamp position, respectively. In the conductor connection terminal 1, the bus bar member 2 includes: a bottom part having the clamp position, an upper face 9, and two opposite side faces 13 connecting the bottom part and the upper face 9 each other, and the first conductive reception part 8a and the second conductive reception part 8b are structured so as to be closed to a peripheral direction. The connection part 8c includes at least one concave part in the bottom part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Field of the Invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a conductor connection terminal including an insulating housing, a bus bar member, a first clamping leg, and a second clamping leg. The first clamping leg and the second clamping leg are arranged on a clamping spring or on different clamping springs respectively. The first clamping leg and the bus bar member form a first clamping position for a first conductor to be clamped. The second clamping leg and the bus bar member form a second clamping position for a second conductor to be clamped. The bus bar member has a first conductor receiving portion and a second conductor receiving portion in regions facing each other on opposite sides. The first conductor receiving portion and the second conductor receiving portion are connected to each other via a connecting portion. The first conductor can be supplied to the respective clamping position in a first conductor insertion direction via the first conductor receiving portion, and the second conductor can be supplied to the respective clamping position in a second conductor insertion direction via the second conductor receiving portion. The bus bar member has a bottom having the clamping position, an upper surface, and two opposing side surfaces connecting the bottom and the upper surface.

Background Art

[0002] German Utility Model No. 202016105702 discloses a conductor connection terminal provided with a contact insert, and the contact insert has a holding frame. Here, the holding frame is formed from a plurality of side walls arranged adjacent to and aligned with each other. Here, one of the side walls is form-fittingly connected to another side wall.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Based on this, an object of the present invention is to provide an improved conductor connection terminal.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] This problem is solved by a conductor connector having the features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments are described in the dependent claims. In this type of conductor connector terminal, it is proposed that the first conductor receiving portion and the second conductor receiving portion are closed in the circumferential direction, and that the connector portion has at least one recess in the bottom.

[0006] In this way, a conductor connection terminal is provided that ensures the flow of current while simultaneously having the necessary stability. The corresponding recess allows for material savings and simultaneously provides space for additional components. Here, the busbar members can be constructed integrally.

[0007] Furthermore, the recess can provide a locking edge to the busbar member. This locking edge can be used, for example, by having one or more locking connectors arranged in the insulating housing that surround the busbar member and engage with the locking edge of the recess.

[0008] The busbar member may have mounting elements for attaching clamp springs to the busbar member. In particular, the mounting elements are configured as mounting tabs. Here, the clamp spring may also be held in a free-floating state on the mounting tab. This has the advantage of allowing the clamp spring to be attached to the busbar without additional mounting means.

[0009] The recess in the connecting portion can be positioned approximately in the center between the first conductor receiving portion and the second conductor receiving portion. The recess may extend to the side. In particular, the recess is configured such that its cross-section is U-shaped perpendicular to the first conductor insertion direction and / or the second conductor insertion direction. The U-shaped recess can further save material and provide a higher locking edge.

[0010] The upper surface can be configured as a conductor upward sloping surface. In particular, the upper surface can be configured with a V-shape in cross-section in the first conductor insertion direction and / or the second conductor insertion direction. By configuring the upper surface as a conductor-inclined surface, the insertion of conductors can be facilitated by utilizing the existing contour. Therefore, the upper surface can be configured to rise in the direction opposite to the first and / or second conductor insertion direction. This results in funnel-shaped first and / or second conductor receiving sections that extend in the direction opposite to the conductor insertion direction to guide the first and / or second conductors. The clamped conductor is inserted into each conductor receiving section with a large cross-section, and its cross-section tapers toward each clamping position, thereby ensuring that the conductor is securely clamped at each clamping position.

[0011] The clamp spring has a contact leg, a clamp leg, and a spring arch positioned between the contact leg and the clamp leg, the clamp leg extending toward the busbar member and having a spring clamp edge for clamping a first conductor and / or a second conductor.

[0012] Conductor connection terminals may be provided with conductor stoppers for positioning a first conductor and / or a second conductor to be clamped, the conductor stoppers being located in a recessed area. Furthermore, the conductor stoppers may also be located in an insulating housing.

[0013] The conductor stopper functions to correctly position the conductor to be clamped. Here, the conductor is guided to the conductor terminal until it is blocked by the conductor stopper. The conductor to be clamped can then be tightened and secured in this position. It is intended that conductor stoppers are provided for a first conductor to be clamped and a second conductor to be clamped. In this case, the opposing sides of the conductor stoppers are each assigned to one of the conductors to be clamped. However, it is also conceivable to assign a separate conductor stopper to each conductor to be clamped.

[0014] To provide a conductor stopper in a structurally simple manner, the conductor stopper can be placed in an insulating housing so that it can engage with a recess in the busbar member. However, it is also possible to place the conductor stopper on the busbar member itself, for example, so that it protrudes into the recess of the busbar member.

[0015] The insulating housing can be made transparent at least in the area of ​​the conductor stopper, and the conductor stopper can be seen through the insulating housing. By configuring a transparent insulating housing, the insertion depth of the clamped conductors can be confirmed, and the user can actively verify through the housing whether each conductor is positioned in the conductor stopper. It is also conceivable to place markings on the busbar member and / or insulating housing, which indicate the minimum insertion depth of the first and / or second conductors. The minimum insertion depth is the depth that ensures secure clamping of the conductor to the busbar member. Such markings can be implemented, for example, as colored markings or indentations.

[0016] An inspection opening can be provided in the insulating housing, which is oriented laterally with respect to the first and / or second conductors to be clamped, and extends from the surface of the insulating housing through the insulating housing toward the busbar member. Through such an inspection opening, the busbar member can be brought into contact with an external measuring device.

[0017] The conductor connection terminal may have an operating lever, which is installed to displace a first clamp leg and / or a second clamp leg. In particular, the conductor connection terminal may have a support surface for the operating lever.

[0018] This makes it possible to easily open and close the clamp position without using any further auxiliary means. It is conceivable that the conductor connection terminal has at least two operating levers, each of which interacts with one of the clamp legs, and therefore one operating lever is set to open and close the clamp position. The clamp positions can then be opened and closed independently of each other. In this case, it is preferable that the conductor cannot be removed from the clamp position without operating the levers.

[0019] The support portion of the operating lever enables a closed force transmission path through the conductor connection terminal, thereby reducing temporary load peaks. The support portion can be implemented, for example, as a support tab, which is positioned in either the first or second conductor insertion direction, or, in both conductor insertion directions, one support tab is positioned upstream of the conductor receiving portion. The support portion may be positioned, for example, in an insulating housing and / or a clamp spring and / or a busbar member. Having multiple support portions improves the distribution of force generated by the operating lever.

[0020] The recess may be closed by an insulating housing. In this case, for example, the insulating housing may protrude into the recess, or the insulating housing may be guided from the outside through the recess, either directly or indirectly nearby.

[0021] The indefinite article "ein" is understood as an indefinite article, not as a numeral. The conductor connection terminal according to the present invention may also have a plurality of adjacent busbar members. Here, for example, two, three, four, or five busbar members are arranged adjacently within an insulating housing, and each busbar member has two clamping springs for two conductors to be clamped.

[0022] The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to examples and illustrative drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0023] [Figure 1] It is a perspective view of an embodiment of a conductor connection terminal. [Figure 2a] It is a cut-away side view of the conductor connection terminal according to FIG. 1 without a conductor inserted. [Figure 2b] It is an enlarged partial view of the conductor connection terminal according to FIG. 2a. [Figure 3a] It is a cut-away side view of the conductor connection terminal according to FIGS. 1-2b with a conductor inserted. [Figure 3b] It is an enlarged partial view of the conductor connection terminal according to FIG. 3a. [Figure 4] It is a cut-away side view of a conductor connection terminal provided with an insulating housing.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0024] FIG. 1 shows a conductor connection terminal 1 in a first embodiment in a perspective view. The conductor connection terminal 1 has a bus bar member 2, and a first clamp spring 3a and a second clamp spring 3b are respectively arranged at opposite end portions of the bus bar member 2. The clamp springs 3a, 3b are respectively connected to spring arches 5a, 5b and have contact legs 4a, 4b extending to clamp legs 6a, 6b. Here, the clamp legs 6a, 6b extend to a portion of the bus bar member 2, and the clamp legs 6a, 6b have spring clamp edges 7a, 7b, and together with the bus bar member 2, form a first clamp position for a first conductor to be clamped and a second clamp position for a second conductor to be clamped.

[0025] It can be seen that a first conductor support portion 8a for a first conductor to be clamped and a second conductor support portion 8b for a second conductor to be clamped are located at opposite ends on opposite sides of the busbar member 2. It is clear that the conductor support portions 8a and 8b are configured to be closed in the circumferential direction. Here, the conductor support portions 8a and 8b have upper parts 9a and 9b of the upper surface 9 corresponding to the contact legs 4a and 4b, and a bottom portion 12 corresponding to the spring clamp edges 7a and 7b, respectively, and the upper parts 9a and 9b and the bottom portion 12 are connected to each other via two sides 13 to form a continuous conductor support portion 8a and 8b that is closed in the circumferential direction. Here, the conductor support portions 8a and 8b are connected to each other via a connecting portion 8c, and the conductor support portions 8a and 8b and the connecting portion 8c have a common upper surface 9.

[0026] In the first conductor insertion direction L1 or the second conductor insertion direction L2, as viewed from the front of the conductor receiving portions 8a and 8b, the busbar member 2 preferably has integrally molded tab-shaped conductor contact portions 2a and 2b, and preferably the spring clamp edges 7a and 7b are in contact with the conductor contact portions 2a and 2b in a closed state without a conductor inserted.

[0027] Furthermore, two mounting tabs 10a and 10b are positioned on the upper surface 9 of the busbar member 2, and it can be seen that the mounting tabs 10a and 10b are positioned at opposing ends on opposite sides of the upper surface 9. One of the clamp springs 3a and 3b is held independently, i.e., floating, on the mounting tabs 10a and 10b, respectively, without any additional mounting means.

[0028] However, it is also possible that the clamp springs 3a and 3b are configured as a single clamp spring having two clamp legs 7a and 7b, and that this single clamp spring extends from the upper surface 9 of the busbar member 2.

[0029] Figure 2a is a cross-sectional side view of the conductor connection terminal 1 according to Figure 1, without the conductor inserted. It can be seen that the busbar member 2 has busbar clamp edges 11a and 11b in the regions of the spring clamp edges 7a and 7b, respectively. The busbar clamp edges 11a and 11b may, advantageously, be provided in the regions of the conductor contact portions 2a and 2b. The busbar clamp edges 11a and 11b have a radius of 0.2 mm or less, particularly a radius of 0.1 mm or less. By configuring the busbar clamp edges 11a and 11b with a very small radius, a conductor connection terminal 1 with a large conductor holding force is provided. By configuring the busbar clamp edges 11a and 11b with a small radius, the busbar clamp edges 11a and 11b are configured to be sharp enough to cut into the conductor being clamped, and the busbar clamp edges 11a and 11b can bite into the conductor being clamped, thereby achieving a corresponding conductor holding force.

[0030] However, it is also conceivable that the busbar clamp edges 11a and 11b have an even smaller radius. In this case, the cutting effect on the conductor is further improved. Furthermore, it can be seen that the bottom portion 12 of the busbar member 2 can form a support for the conductor to be clamped. Here, the bottom portion 12 may be provided with tab-shaped conductor contact portions 2a, 2b. The bottom portion 12 and the upper portion 9 are connected to each other by two opposing sides 13. It is clear that the bottom portion 12 and the sides 13 have a recess 14 in the region of the connection portion 8c. Here, the recess 14 is located approximately in the center between the first conductor receiving portion 8a and the second conductor receiving portion 8b. Approximately in the center means that the recess 14 is positioned such that the conductor receiving portions 8a and 8b have the same length. In this case, an error of up to 15% may occur.

[0031] Here, the recess 14 extends over more than half of the connection portion 8c. Here, "half" refers to the area occupied by the recess 14 when viewed from the side. The busbar member 2 has a U-shaped cross-section due to the recess 14 extending over the bottom portion 12 and both sides 13. The U-shaped configuration ensures good current flow and a stable conductor connection terminal 1.

[0032] What is even clearer is that the upper surface 9 is configured as a conductive upward sloping surface, and that the upper surface 9 is V-shaped. Here, the cross-sections of the conductor receiving portions 8a and 8b are tapered toward the center of the conductor connection terminal 1 up to the region of the connection portion 8c. In this way, the corresponding conductors can be inserted into the large cross-sections of the conductor receiving portions 8a and 8b, and the conductors are guided toward their respective clamping positions through the tapered cross-sections.

[0033] Figure 2b is an enlarged partial view of the conductor connection terminal 1 according to Figure 2a. Here, the area surrounding the busbar clamp edge 11a is shown in enlargement. It is clear that the busbar clamp edge 11a is positioned on the busbar clamp portion 18. At this time, the busbar clamp portion 18 is cut out or punched out from the busbar member 2.

[0034] Furthermore, the busbar member 2 has a recessed portion 15 and a recessed portion 16. The recessed portion 15 is positioned behind the busbar clamp edge 11a with respect to the first conductor insertion direction L1 (in other words, when viewed from the first conductor insertion direction L1), and the recessed portion 16 is positioned in front of the busbar clamp edge 11a with respect to the first conductor insertion direction L1. The recessed portion 16 is configured to accommodate the spring clamp edge 7a when no conductor is inserted into the conductor connection terminal 1. In this way, the clamp spring 3a can be further stabilized, and the transport safety of the conductor connection terminal 1 can be improved.

[0035] The recessed portion 15 allows for the creation of a busbar clamp edge 11a at a sufficient height relative to the busbar, and consequently, the busbar clamp edge 11a can bite into the conductor being clamped at this height. Note that the height is limited because otherwise, the clamped conductor may be damaged.

[0036] What is even clearer is that the distance ΔA2 from the plane E, which is parallel to the first conductor insertion direction L1 and extends through the busbar clamp edge 11a, to the busbar 2 behind the busbar clamp edge 11a is greater than the distance ΔA1 in front of the busbar clamp edge 11a.

[0037] Figure 3a shows a cross-sectional side view of the conductor connection terminal 1 according to Figures 1 to 2b, with the conductor 17 inserted. Figure 3b shows an enlarged partial view of the conductor connection terminal 1 according to Figure 3a. Here, the area around the busbar clamp edge 11a is shown in enlargement.

[0038] It is clear that the first conductor 17 is clamped and held at the bottom 12 of the busbar member 2 between the spring clamp edge 7a and the busbar clamp edge 11a. Here, the busbar clamp edge 11a is configured as a hook portion (in other words, a locking portion), and when the first conductor 17 is pulled, the busbar clamp edge 11a cuts into the first conductor 17 in the opposite direction to the first conductor insertion direction L1, and consequently bites into the first conductor 17. In this way, a corresponding high holding force can be applied to the first conductor 17, and the first conductor 17 can be fixed and held in the clamp position of the conductor connection terminal 1.

[0039] Similarly, a second conductor can be fastened to the end opposite to the clamped first conductor 17. Here, the busbar clamp edge 11a can be constructed with higher rigidity than the spring clamp edge 7a. The higher rigidity of the busbar clamp edge 11a compared to the clamp spring 7a ensures that the busbar clamp edge 11a reliably cuts into the conductor being clamped.

[0040] Figure 4 shows a cross-sectional side view of a conductor connection terminal 1 equipped with an insulating housing 19, where the busbar member 2 is located in the insulating housing 19. The busbar member 2 has two clamp springs 3a and 3b located at opposite ends on opposite sides. The clamp springs 3a and 3b are connected to spring arches 5a and 5b and have contact legs 4a and 4b extending to clamp legs 6a and 6b. The clamp legs 6a and 6b each have spring clamp edges 7a and 7b, which, together with the busbar member 2, form a first clamp position for a first conductor to be clamped and a second clamp position for a second conductor to be clamped.

[0041] The conductor connection terminal 1 has two operating levers 20a and 20b, which interact with clamp springs 3a and 3b, respectively, and are therefore positioned to displace clamp legs 6a and 6b. The clamp position of the conductor can be opened and / or closed by the operating levers.

[0042] It is also clear that the conductor connection terminal 1 has a conductor stopper 21, which is located in an insulating housing 19. The conductor stopper functions for positioning the first clamped conductor and the second clamped conductor, and the conductor stopper 21 is located in the area of ​​a recess 14 in the busbar member 2. Here, the conductor stopper 21 is guided through the recess 14 in the bottom 12 of the busbar member 14. In an advantageous embodiment, the insulating housing 19 is configured to be transparent in at least the area of ​​the recess 14. The transparent insulating housing configuration allows for confirmation of the insertion depth of the clamped conductor, and the user can actively confirm through the insulating housing 19 whether each conductor is positioned in the conductor stopper 21.

[0043] An inspection opening 22 is provided in the conductor connection terminal 1, and the inspection opening 22 extends from the surface of the insulating material housing 19 through the insulating material housing 19 toward the busbar member 2. At this time, the inspection opening 22 extends particularly laterally with respect to the first conductor insertion direction L1, specifically perpendicular to it. The busbar member 2 can be brought into contact with, for example, an external measuring device through the inspection opening 22. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0044] 1 Conductor connection terminal 2 Bus bar member 2a, 2b Conductor contact area 3a, 3b Clamp springs 4a, 4b Contact legs 5a, 5b Spring arch 6a, 6b Clamp legs 7a, 7b Spring clamp edge 8a First conductor receiving section 8b Second conductor receiving section 8c connection 9 Top surface 9a, 9b upper part 10a, 10b Mounting tabs 11a, 11b Busbar clamp edge 12 Bottom 13 Side view 14 recess 15. Sinkhole 16 recesses 17 First conductor 18 Busbar clamp section 19 Insulating Housing 20a, 20b Operating levers 21 Conductor stopper 22 Test openings ΔA1, ΔA2 distance E plane L1 First conductor insertion direction L2 Second conductor insertion direction

Claims

1. A conductor connection terminal (1) comprising an insulating material housing (19), a bus bar member (2), a first clamp leg (6a) and a second clamp leg (6b), wherein the first clamp leg (6a) and the second clamp leg (6b) are arranged on one clamp spring (3a, 3b) or on different clamp springs (3a, 3b) respectively, the first clamp leg (6a) and the bus bar member (2) form a first clamping position for a first conductor (17) to be clamped, the second clamp leg (6b) and the bus bar member (2) form a second clamping position for a second conductor to be clamped, the bus bar member (2) has a first conductor receiving portion (8a) and a second conductor receiving portion (8b) in regions facing each other on opposite sides, the first conductor receiving portion (8a) and the second conductor receiving portion (8b) are connected to each other via a connecting portion (8c), the first conductor (17) can be supplied to the respective clamping position in a first conductor insertion direction (L1) via the first conductor receiving portion (8a), and the second conductor can be supplied to the respective clamping position in a second conductor insertion direction (L2) via the second conductor receiving portion (8b). In the conductor connection terminal (1) having a bottom (12) having the first and second clamping positions, an upper surface (9), and two opposing side surfaces (13) connecting the bottom (12) to the upper surface (9), the first conductor receiving portion (8a) and the second conductor receiving portion (8b) are configured to be closed in the circumferential direction, and the connecting portion (8c) has at least one recess (14) in a cut-out form in the bottom (12). The recess (14) provides a locking edge portion for the bus bar member, and the insulating material housing (19) protrudes into the recess (14) and closes an opening of the bottom (12) provided by the recess (14), characterized in that the conductor connection terminal (1).

2. The bus bar member (2) has attachment elements (10a, 10b) for attaching the clamp springs (3a, 3b) to the bus bar member (2), characterized in that the conductor connection terminal (1) according to claim 1.

3. The attachment elements (10a, 10b) are configured as attachment tabs (10a, 10b), characterized in that the conductor connection terminal (1) according to claim 2.

4. The concave portion (14) of the connecting portion (8c) is disposed substantially at the center between the first conductor receiving portion (8a) and the second conductor receiving portion (8b), the conductor connection terminal (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. The concave portion (14) extends to the two side surfaces (13), the conductor connection terminal (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. The bus bar member (2) is configured in a U shape in a cross section perpendicular to the first conductor insertion direction (L1) and / or the second conductor insertion direction (L2), the conductor connection terminal (1) according to claim 5.

7. The upper surface (9) is configured as a V-shaped conductor rising inclined surface, the conductor connection terminal (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. The upper surface (9) is configured in a V shape in a cross section of the first conductor insertion direction (L1) and / or the second conductor insertion direction (L2), the conductor connection terminal (1) according to claim 6.

9. The clamp springs (3a, 3b) include contact legs (4a, 4b), clamp legs (6a, 6b), and spring arches (5a, 5b) disposed between the contact legs (4a, 4b) and the clamp legs (6a, 6b), and the clamp legs (6a, 6b) extend toward the bus bar member (2) and have spring clamp edges (7a, 7b) for clamping the first conductor (17) and / or the second conductor, the conductor connection terminal (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. A conductor stopper (21) for positioning the first conductor (17) to be clamped and / or the second conductor to be clamped is disposed on the conductor connection terminal (1), and the conductor stopper (21) is disposed in the region of the concave portion (14), the conductor connection terminal (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

11. The conductor stopper (21) is disposed on the insulating material housing (19), the conductor connection terminal (1) according to claim 10.

12. The insulating material housing (19) is transparent at least in the region of the conductor stopper (21), and the conductor stopper (21) is visible through the insulating material housing (19). The conductor connection terminal (1) according to claim 10 or 11.

13. An inspection opening (22) is arranged in the insulating material housing (19), and the inspection opening (22) extends orthogonally to the first conductor (17) to be clamped and / or extends orthogonally to the second conductor to be clamped, and extends from the insulating material housing (19) toward the bus bar member (2). The conductor connection terminal (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that.

14. The conductor connection terminal (1) has operating levers (20a, 20b), and the operating levers (20a, 20b) are installed to displace the first clamping leg (6a) and / or the second clamping leg (6b). The conductor connection terminal (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that.

15. The bus bar member (2) has a support surface for the operating levers (20a, 20b). The conductor connection terminal (1) according to claim 14, characterized in that.

Images