Conductor connection terminal

Abstract

The invention relates to a conductor connection terminal, e.g. in the form of a distribution terminal block, which comprises a housing with a number of conductor insertion openings and spring clamp connections for connecting conductors, which are arranged in the housing and accessible via the conductor insertion openings, in which the spring clamp connections are conductively coupled to one another via a busbar arrangement.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a conductor connection terminal, for example in the form of a distributor terminal block, which comprises a housing with a plurality of conductor insertion openings and spring clamp connections for connecting conductors, which are arranged in the housing and accessible via the conductor insertion openings, and in which the spring clamp connections are electrically conductively coupled to one another via a busbar arrangement. [Background technology]

[0002] Such a conductor connection terminal is known from EP 2 456 011 B1. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0003] The object underlying the present invention is to further improve such conductor connection terminals. [Means for solving the problem]

[0004] This problem is solved by a conductor connection terminal having the features of claim 1. A distribution terminal block is used to distribute an electrical signal or electrical energy fed into the distribution terminal block via an electrical line to multiple electrical lines also connected to the distribution terminal block, and these multiple electrical lines generally have a smaller cross section than the electrical line that supplies the signal or electrical energy.

[0005] According to feature a), at least one clamp spring of the spring clamp connection is supported on at least one support rod, which terminates at least one end section within the spring arch of the clamp spring and extends to a support point on the housing, which is outside the spring arch, with at least this end section projecting laterally beyond the edge of the spring arch and supported in a receiving groove in a part of the housing. Such a support rod provides advantageous support for the clamp spring, ensuring that the clamp spring is held securely in the housing even under high forces. Because the end section projects laterally beyond the edge of the spring arch and is supported in a receiving groove in a part of the housing, the support rod is also stabilized, which allows the support rod to be formed less large and heavy and with correspondingly lower material costs. Additionally, this advantageously allows the clamp spring to be supported at its side edges. In this way, the end section is reliably held by a tongue-and-groove connection of some kind. The part of the tip section which is received in the receiving groove of the housing can, for example, be received in the receiving groove in a form-fitting manner, i.e., can bear closely against the inner surface of the receiving groove.

[0006] According to feature b), at least one clamp spring of the spring clamp connection is supported on at least one support rod, with at least one tip section of this support rod terminating in the spring arch of the clamp spring and extending to a support point on the housing that is outside the spring arch, and with at least two tip sections of the same support rod or two separate support rods extending into and supporting the spring arch of the clamp spring. In this way, the clamp spring can be symmetrically supported in its two side edge regions by such tip sections. The tip sections that protrude laterally beyond the edges of the spring arch on both sides can be received and supported in respective receiving grooves in a part of the housing, as explained above.

[0007] According to feature c), the busbar arrangement has at least one retaining tab for retaining at least one clamping spring, the retaining tab having at least one lateral retaining plate, which is received for support in a retaining groove in at least one portion of the housing. This also provides an advantageous retaining device for the clamping spring. In this case, the busbar arrangement functions as the mounting mechanism, i.e., the retaining tab is part of the busbar arrangement and, accordingly, is formed as a partial region of the busbar component or is connected to such a busbar component. In this case, the retaining tab can be made of a metal material, for example, the same material as the busbar component or a different metal material. In particular, the retaining tab can have lateral retaining plates on opposite sides, which are received for support in a respectively assigned retaining groove in at least one portion of the housing. This also provides a tongue-and-groove connection for supporting the retaining tab.

[0008] The present invention therefore makes it possible to realize a conductor connection terminal that has a simple and compact structure, is easy to assemble, and requires only one assembly direction for the components. The conductor connection terminal has a relatively small number of simple components, and therefore requires little effort for assembly. In addition, the conductor connection terminal can be realized inexpensively. In this regard, the above-mentioned features a), b), and c) can be realized individually or in any combination with each other.

[0009] The housing may be formed, for example, as a substantially rectangular parallelepiped housing. The housing may be formed from exactly two parts, i.e., have only a first and a second housing part. The first housing part may be connectable with the second housing part, for example, via an engaging connection. The housing may have, for example, a lower housing part and an upper housing part. The upper housing part may be formed in the form of a cap that can be fitted over the lower housing part, in this case overlapping a major portion of the side wall of the lower housing part. The part of the housing may, for example, be the upper housing part.

[0010] According to one advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is provided that two spaced apart tip sections arranged in the same spring arch are arranged laterally on opposite sides at the edge of the spring arch or project laterally beyond the edge of the spring arch, which allows a particularly secure support of the clamping spring by the tip sections.

[0011] According to an advantageous embodiment of the present invention, at least one tip section protruding laterally beyond the edge of the spring arch of a clamp spring extends into the spring arch of an adjacent clamp spring to support the adjacent clamp spring. In this way, one and the same tip section of the support rod can be used in two locations. This significantly streamlines (i.e., simplifies) conductor connection terminals, particularly those with multiple spring clamp connections in which clamp springs are supported on such tip sections. For example, if n clamp springs are arranged side by side in a row and supported on such a common tip section, it is sufficient to use n-1, n, or n+1 tip sections. In one advantageous embodiment, a gap exists between the edge of the spring arch of one clamp spring and the edge of the spring arch of the adjacent clamp spring, exposing the tip section in the gap. In this region, the tip section can be received in a retaining groove in at least part of the housing for support.

[0012] According to one advantageous embodiment of the invention, the retaining tabs terminate within the spring arch of the clamp spring and extend to a support point on the busbar arrangement, the support point being outside the spring arch. Accordingly, the retaining tabs may be formed relatively elongated like support rods and may extend, for example, along the mounting legs of the clamp spring.

[0013] According to one advantageous embodiment of the invention, the retaining tab is provided with at least one lateral retaining plate that protrudes beyond the edge of the spring arch. This has the advantage that if this lateral retaining plate or plates protrude beyond the edge of the spring arch, the retaining plate can be easily accommodated in a retaining groove in a part of the housing. In particular, the part of the housing with the retaining groove does not have to protrude into the space enclosed by the spring arch.

[0014] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the free ends of the mounting legs of one, several or all of the clamp springs rest against the support contours of the busbar arrangement, particularly in the deflected state of the clamp springs, in this way making it possible to achieve a self-supporting design of the spring clamp connection, which minimizes the forces acting on the housing.

[0015] According to an advantageous embodiment of the present invention, at least one clamp spring is supported by a support structure, which includes at least two overlapping, interconnected layers of metal components, e.g., sheet metal components. Such metal components provide a particularly stable support for the clamp spring. This support is particularly useful for spring clamp connections with large cross sections, since particularly strong clamp springs are used there. In this regard, for example, one metal component layer can be formed by a busbar component, and the second metal component layer can be formed by a component with a retaining tab. These metal component layers can be interconnected, for example, by a joint connection, e.g., by riveting, welding, or press-jointing.

[0016] The busbar component may be formed in one piece from a metal sheet strip, and at least one of the two metal layers may be folded about two mutually perpendicular bending axes, which provides reinforcement for the busbar component as a whole.

[0017] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the at least two overlapping and interconnected layers of the metal parts are arranged flat against each other (i.e., in surface contact) in a plane extending perpendicular to the conductor insertion direction of the spring clamp connection. In this regard, at least a part of the support structure can be arranged below the spring arch of the clamp spring and / or can extend into the spring arch of the clamp spring. This allows for a particularly robust support of the clamp spring.

[0018] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, one, several or all of the support rods extend through at least one opening in the busbar arrangement. This has the advantage that the support rods can be easily formed integrally with part of the housing, for example the lower housing section. In this case, the support rods additionally provide a fixed position for the busbar arrangement within the housing.

[0019] According to an advantageous embodiment of the present invention, the conductor insertion openings include at least one large cross-section conductor insertion opening and several small cross-section conductor insertion openings, and the number of small cross-section conductor insertion openings is greater than the at least one large cross-section conductor insertion opening, and the at least one large cross-section conductor insertion opening has a larger cross-section than the small cross-section conductor insertion opening. In this way, the area available on the conductor side of the housing can be utilized as efficiently as possible. Accordingly, only relatively small conductor insertion openings are required for connecting conductors with small cross-sections. Therefore, only one or at least several relatively large required areas are required on the conductor connection side for the at least one large cross-section conductor insertion opening.

[0020] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the support rod is molded integrally with at least a portion of the housing. The support rod can be manufactured, for example, together with the portion of the housing in a plastic injection molding process. This has the advantage that the support rod does not exist as an independent part and does not have to be attached separately. The support rod is already positioned in the desired correct location by manufacturing the portion of the housing.

[0021] The support bar may instead be formed from multiple sections or as a separate component from the housing. The support bar may be manufactured from plastic, metal, or another material. The support bar may be formed as part of the busbar arrangement or may be connected to the busbar arrangement.

[0022] The housing of the conductor connection terminal, particularly the second housing part, can have one dedicated actuation channel for each spring clamp connection, in which an actuation element, such as an actuation button, for opening the clamping point of the spring clamp connection is arranged. In one advantageous embodiment, the manual actuation surface of the actuation button can be arranged on the conductor connection side of the conductor connection terminal. This allows for easy operation of the spring clamp connection for inserting and removing conductors.

[0023] In the sense of the present invention, the indefinite concept "one" should not be understood as a numeral. That is, for example, when referring to one part, this should be interpreted as meaning "at least one part." When angle indications are made in degrees, these angle indications are relative to the scale of a 360-degree (360°) circle.

[0024] In the following, the invention is explained in more detail on the basis of exemplary embodiments using the drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0025] [Figure 1] FIG. [Figure 2] 2 is a plan view of the conductor connection side of the conductor connection terminal based on FIG. 1. [Figure 3] FIG. [Figure 4] 4 shows the busbar arrangement according to FIG. 3 with a clamp spring disposed thereon. FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. [Figure 6]6 shows a housing lower part according to FIG. 5 with an arrangement according to FIG. 4; [Figure 7] 3 is a cross-sectional view of the conductor connection terminal shown in FIG. 2; [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a DD cross-sectional view of the conductor connection terminal based on FIG. [Figure 9] 3 is a cross-sectional view of the conductor connection terminal shown in FIG. 2; [Figure 10] 3 is a cross-sectional view of the conductor connection terminal according to FIG. 2 along the line AA. [Figure 11] 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along CC of the conductor connection terminal shown in FIG. [Figure 12] FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0026] 1 shows a conductor connection terminal 1 in the form of a distribution terminal block, which comprises a housing 2 with a number of conductor insertion openings 20, 21. In the exemplary embodiment, all conductor insertion openings 20, 21 are arranged on a conductor connection side 24 of the housing 2. In addition, an actuating element 5 extending into the interior of the housing 2 is externally accessible from the conductor connection side 24. Via the actuating element 5, a spring clamp connection arranged in the housing 2 can be manually actuated. Electrical conductors can be inserted into the housing 2 through the conductor insertion openings 20, 21 and clamped in the spring clamp connection.

[0027] FIG. 2 shows the conductor connection terminal 1 in a plan view of the conductor connection side 24. It can be seen that the conductor insertion openings 20, 21 have different sizes, i.e., different cross sections. In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, there are several (here, six) small-cross-section conductor insertion openings 20 and one large-cross-section conductor insertion opening 21. Due to their size, only conductors having a smaller cross section than those inserted into the large-cross-section conductor insertion opening 21 can be inserted into the small-cross-section conductor insertion opening 20 and connected to the small-cross-section spring clamp connection. The large-cross-section conductor insertion opening 21 is used to connect a large-cross-section conductor to the large-cross-section spring clamp connection, through which electrical energy or an electrical signal is fed into or led out of the conductor connection terminal 1.

[0028] 1 and 2, at least one connecting element 28 can be arranged on the outer surface of the housing 2, for example, on the lower housing part 23 (corresponding to FIG. 5), for example, by integrally molding the connecting element 28 into a corresponding housing part. The housing 2 can have a corresponding mating element for the connecting element 28 on the side of the housing opposite the connecting element 28. For example, the connecting element 28 can be formed as a protruding stud or engaging element, and in this case the mating element on the opposite housing side can be formed as a recess or indentation in the housing. By coupling the connecting element 28 to its mating element, multiple conductor connection terminals 1 can be connected to each other in a form-fitting (in other words, snap-fit) manner on the outer surface of the housing to form a distributor.

[0029] The conductor connection terminal 1 includes a busbar assembly 3, shown in FIG. 3, arranged in the housing 2. The busbar assembly 3 includes a busbar part 31 and a spring support element 32 fixed to the busbar part 31. The busbar part 31 serves to transmit current between the different spring clamp connections of the conductor connection terminal 1. In this regard, the busbar part 31 can be formed as a single piece. This ensures optimal current flow between the spring clamp connections and also saves manufacturing steps. Furthermore, the busbar part 31 also provides a mechanical support function for the clamp springs of at least some of the spring clamp connections. For this purpose, the busbar part 31 has a number of protruding studs 39, which can be formed, for example, from the material of the busbar part 31 by elevating the material from which the studs are respectively formed in a deformation process. This results in openings 33 in the busbar part 31 near each stud 39.

[0030] The spring support element 32 serves to support one of the clamp springs of the conductor connection terminal 1. The spring support element 32 has a fastening section 37, at which the spring support element 32 is fixed to a holding section 38 of the busbar part 31. The spring support element 32 further has a holding tab (i.e., a holding piece) 34, which is arranged, for example, substantially perpendicular to the fastening section 37. The holding tab 34 extends into the spring arch of the clamp spring to be supported. Retaining plates 35 project laterally from the holding tabs 34. The spring support element 32 further has a connecting section 36, which projects from the fastening section 37 beyond the holding tab 34, by means of which the mounting leg of the clamp spring to be supported can be connected to the spring support element 32 in a form-locking manner.

[0031] The busbar components 31 additionally have openings 30 through which support rods, described further below, may extend. FIG. 4 shows a busbar assembly 3 with clamp springs 4, 6 fixed thereto. There is a clamp spring 4 for each spring clamp connection with a small cross section, and a clamp spring 6 for each spring clamp connection with a large cross section. The clamp spring 6 is correspondingly larger than the clamp spring 4. Each clamp spring 4, 6 has a mounting leg 41, 61, respectively. Adjacent to the mounting leg are spring arches 42, 62. Adjacent to the spring arches 42, 62 are clamp legs 43, 63. The mounting legs 41, 61 serve to secure the clamp springs and to support the clamping forces of the clamp legs 43, 63. The spring arches 42, 62 provide the necessary elasticity for the clamp springs. Therefore, the spring arches 42, 62 undergo the greatest shape change when the clamp legs flex, e.g., when the clamping points open.

[0032] In this regard, it is advantageous for the free end of the mounting leg 41 to be bent away from the clamping leg 43. The clamping legs 43, 63, together with the bent sections of the busbar part 31 opposite to the conductor insertion direction, form clamping points for the clamped conductor(s). Furthermore, the bottom surface of the busbar part 31, i.e., the section aligned perpendicular to the conductor insertion direction, has exposed (i.e., erected) stop tabs 30 as stops / overload stops for the clamping legs 43, 63. The mounting legs 41 can be supported on studs 39, as will be explained further below with reference to FIG. 7. The mounting legs 61 are held on one side by the retaining tabs 34 and on the opposite side by the connecting section 36. Additionally, the entire clamping spring 6 is supported by the retaining tabs 34, which extend into the material of the clamping spring 6 inside the spring arch and abut there. In addition, it will be appreciated that lateral retaining plates 35 project laterally relative to the clamp spring 6 .

[0033] 5 shows the lower housing part 23 of the housing 2 without the further elements of the conductor connection terminal 1 fixed thereto. It can be seen that in the central region, and also partially at the edges of the lower housing part 23, protruding support rods 7 are present. The support rods 7 are fixed to or integrally formed with the lower housing part 23 at a lower base section 70. The support rods 7 extend towards their free ends to respective tip sections 72, which serve to support the clamp springs 4, as will be explained further below. It can be seen that the support rods 7 have different widths in the illustrated exemplary embodiment, but may also be formed with the same width.

[0034] FIG. 6 shows the housing lower part 23 with the busbar assembly 3 and clamp springs 4, 6 installed. It can be seen that the support rods 7 have their free ends rounded at their tip sections 72, which extend into and abut the respective spring arch sections 42. A gap exists between the spring arch sections 42 of adjacent clamp springs arranged in a row, and this gap is bridged by at least one of the intermediate tip sections 72. Such a tip section 72 extends from the spring arch section 42 of one clamp spring to the spring arch section 42 of the adjacent clamp spring. Thus, the tip sections 72 of the intermediate support rods 7 function as support elements for two adjacent clamp springs 4.

[0035] 7 once again clearly shows the support of the clamping springs 4 on the respective support rods 7, by virtue of the tip sections 72 of the support rods 7 extending into the spring arch sections 42 and at least partially abutting there. In this regard, it is advantageous if the mounting legs 42 of the clamping springs 4 can abut against the support rods 7 at least over the greatest part of their extension. In addition, the free ends of the mounting legs 41 can bear against the material of the studs 39 exposed through the openings 33 when the clamping springs 4 are in the deflected state. In this case, one stud 39 is used as a support for two opposing clamping springs 4.

[0036] 8 clearly shows that each outer support bar 7 supports a respective outer clamp spring 4 or spring arch 42 on one side, while each intermediate support bar 7 supports two adjacent spring arches 42 on their side edges.

[0037] The cross-sectional view of Figure 9 makes it clear that when the housing top 22 is mounted, the area of ​​the tip section 72 that protrudes laterally beyond the clamping spring 4, and partially the area of ​​the base section 70 of the support rod 7 that protrudes laterally beyond the clamping spring 4, are form-fittingly received in the matching sized receiving groove 26 of the housing top 23 and are supported thereby.

[0038] The cross-sectional view of Figure 10 clearly shows the design of the spring clamp connection with its large cross section, and in particular the orientation and positional fixation of the clamp spring 6 by the retaining tab 34 and the coupling section 36. In this regard, it is advantageous that the mounting leg 63 can come into surface contact with the retaining tab 34 along the main section of its extension.

[0039] FIG. 11 clearly shows the positioning and support of the retaining tabs 34 by the lateral retaining plates 35, which each engage in a retaining groove 27 in the upper housing part 22 and are received therein in a form-fitting manner.

[0040] FIG. 12 shows, on the basis of a cross section, a possible design of such a retaining groove 27 for accommodating a lateral retaining plate 35 . [Explanation of symbols]

[0041] 1 Conductor connection terminal 2. Housing 3 Busbar structure 4 Clamp spring 5. Actuation Elements 6 Clamp spring 7 Support rod 20 Conductor insertion opening with small cross section 21 Large cross-section conductor insertion port 22 Lower part of housing 23 Upper part of housing 24 Conductor connection side 25 Protrusion on first housing part 26 Storage groove 27 Retaining groove 28 Connected Elements 30 Stopper tab 31 Busbar parts 32 spring support element 33 Opening 34 Retention tab 35 Holding plate 36 Combined area 37 Fixed area 38 Retention Area 39 studs 41 Mounting leg 42 Spring arch part 43 Clamp leg 61 Mounting leg 62 Spring arch part 63 Clamp leg 70 Basic area 72 Tip area

Claims

1. A conductor connection terminal (1) comprising: a housing (2) having a plurality of conductor insertion openings (20, 21); and spring clamp connection portions for connecting conductors, the spring clamp connection portions being disposed in the housing (2) and accessible through the conductor insertion openings (20, 21), wherein the spring clamp connection portions are electrically conductively coupled to each other via a busbar structure (3). The conductor connection terminal (1) has the following features a), b), c), a) at least one clamp spring (4, 6) of the spring clamp connection is supported on at least one support rod (7), at least one tip section (72) of which terminates within the spring arch section (42, 62) of the clamp spring (4, 6) and extends to a support point in the housing (2), the support point being outside the spring arch section (42, 62), and at least the tip section (72) protruding laterally beyond the edge of the spring arch section and received and supported in a receiving groove (26) in a part of the housing (2); b) at least one clamp spring (4, 6) of the spring clamp connection is supported on at least one support rod (7), at least one tip section (72) of which terminates in the spring arch section (42, 62) of the clamp spring (4, 6) and extends to a support point in the housing (2), the support point being outside the spring arch section (42, 62), and at least two tip sections (72) of the same support rod (7) or of two different, spaced apart support rods (7) extend into the spring arch section (42, 62) of the clamp spring (4, 6) and support the spring arch section (42, 62); c) the busbar arrangement (3) has at least one retaining tab (34) for retaining at least one clamp spring (4, 6), the retaining tab (34) having at least one lateral retaining plate (35), the retaining plate (35) being received in a retaining groove (27) in at least a part of the housing (2) for support; A conductor connection terminal (1) characterized by one, several or all of the following:

2. 2. The conductor connection terminal according to claim 1, wherein the two spaced apart tip sections (72) arranged in the same spring arch portion (42, 62) are arranged laterally at the edge of the spring arch portion (42, 62) on opposite sides or protrude laterally beyond the edge of the spring arch portion (42, 62).

3. 2. A conductor connection terminal according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one tip section (72) projecting laterally beyond the edge of the spring arch portion (42, 62) of one clamp spring (4, 6) extends into the spring arch portion of an adjacent clamp spring (4, 6) and supports said adjacent clamp spring (4, 6).

4. 2. The conductor connection terminal according to claim 1, wherein the retaining tab (34) terminates within the spring arch portion (42, 62) of the clamp spring (4, 6) and extends to a support point on the busbar arrangement (3), the support point being outside the spring arch portion.

5. 5. A conductor connection terminal according to claim 4, characterized in that said retaining tab (34) has at least one lateral retaining plate (35) which projects beyond the edge of said spring arch portion (42, 62).

6. 2. A conductor connection terminal according to claim 1, characterized in that the free ends of the mounting legs (41, 61) of one, several or all of the clamping springs (4, 6) can rest on a support contour (39) of the busbar arrangement (3), in particular in the deflected state of the clamping springs (4).

7. 2. A conductor connection terminal according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one clamping spring (4, 6) is supported by a support structure, said support structure having at least two overlapping and interconnected layers of metal parts (37, 38).

8. 8. A conductor connection terminal according to claim 7, characterized in that the at least two overlapping and interconnected layers of metal parts (37, 38) are arranged flat against each other in a plane extending perpendicular to the conductor insertion direction of the spring clamp connection.

9. 8. The conductor connection terminal according to claim 7, wherein at least a part of the support structure is arranged below the spring arch portion (42, 62) of the clamp spring (4, 6) and / or extends into the spring arch portion (42, 62) of the clamp spring (4, 6).

10. 2. A conductor connection terminal according to claim 1, characterized in that one, several or all of the support rods (7) extend through at least one opening in the busbar arrangement (3).

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