Spring clamp terminal

Abstract

The present invention relates to a connection terminal (10) for electrically connecting at least two cables, comprising at least one body (20); at least one cable socket (61) for allowing the cables to pass through the body (20); at least one bridge (50) for providing electrical communication between the cables; at least one spring (30) with at least one pressing arm (31) for applying force to the cables to bring them into contact with the bridge (50); and at least one latch (40) for controlling the position of the spring (30).

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention provides a connection terminal for electrically connecting at least two cables, comprising at least one main body; at least one cable socket for allowing the cable to pass through the main body; at least one bridge for providing electrical communication between the cables; at least one spring with at least one pressure arm for applying force to the cable to bring it into contact with the bridge; and at least one latch for controlling the position of the spring. [Background technology]

[0002] A spring clamp terminal is a device responsible for providing an electrical connection to two or more cables. The main purpose of using a spring clamp terminal for cable connection is to provide a secure connection between the cables. The most effective way to avoid incomplete wiring and to make a tidy connection is to use a spring clamp terminal. Additionally, the spring clamp terminal makes it easy to change the wiring, as the cables can be quickly removed or attached by the spring clamp terminal.

[0003] Currently, spring-loaded ratchet-type spring clamp terminals are used to provide a more practical connection than the older screw-type spring clamp terminals. The basic working principle of a spring clamp terminal can be summarized as follows: the conductive end of a cable is brought into contact with a conductive bridge in the body of the spring clamp terminal, and electricity is transferred from one cable to another using this bridge. The conductive end of the cable must contact the bridge to ensure uninterrupted electrical transfer. Spring clamp terminals known in current technology are intended only for solid (single-core) cables. However, there are unidirectional, non-detachable structures in current technology cable connections.

[0004] A known document, China Utility Model No. 214428778, relates to a cable connecting device. The objective of the disclosed invention application is to improve the structure of both the guiding unit and the lever.

[0005] All of the above challenges result in the need for innovation in the relevant technical fields. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Chinese Utility Model No. 214428778 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a connection terminal for eliminating the above-mentioned drawbacks and for bringing new advantages to the related technical field.

[0008] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a connection terminal for solid (single-core) cables as well as multi-core (flexible) cables with ferrules.

[0009] Another object of the present invention is to provide a connection terminal that involves disconnecting and connecting cable connections. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] To achieve all of the above-mentioned objects and those that will emerge from the following "Description of Embodiments," the present invention provides a connection terminal for electrically connecting at least two cables, comprising at least one body; at least one cable socket for allowing the cable to pass through the body; at least one bridge for providing electrical communication between the cables; at least one spring with at least one pressing arm for applying force to the cable to bring it into contact with the bridge; and at least one latch for controlling the position of the spring. Thus, the novelty lies in the latch comprising at least one shaft portion that contacts the pressing arm when moved in a first direction, causing the pressing arm to reach a loaded position where contact between the cable and the bridge is broken. The latch has at least one protrusion that rests against at least one sliding surface of the body and is capable of sliding movement in a loading direction, facilitating movement of the shaft portion in the first direction. In this way, a suitable and removable connection terminal is provided for all single core, ferrule and multi-core cables.

[0011] A possible embodiment of the invention is characterized in that the body comprises at least one locking slot adapted to receive a protrusion and thereby lock the latch in said loaded position, thereby ensuring that the latch remains fixed in the loaded position and that the cable can be easily removed.

[0012] Another possible embodiment of the invention is characterized in that the device comprises at least one cover having at least one movement channel with a gap provided for guiding the movement of the shaft portion in a first direction, which prevents the latch from disengaging during movement.

[0013] Another possible embodiment of the invention is characterized in that the cable socket has at least one narrow portion sized to receive the conductive end of the cable and at least one wide portion that is wider than the narrow portion and is wide enough to receive the portion of the cable with the insulating coating, thus ensuring that the cable can be fully fitted into the connection terminal. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] 1 is a typical exploded side view of a connection terminal of the present invention; [Figure 2] 1 is a typical exploded perspective view of a connection terminal of the present invention; [Figure 3] 1 is a representative side view of a connection terminal of the present invention in a released position. [Figure 4] 1 is a representative side view of a connection terminal of the present invention when connected to a cable. [Figure 5] 1 is a representative side view of a connection terminal of the present invention in a loaded position. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] In this Detailed Description of the Invention, the present invention is illustrated by means of examples which are for better understanding only and do not have any limiting effect.

[0016] 1 shows a representative exploded side view of a connection terminal 10 of the present invention. The connection terminal 10 allows at least two cables to be electrically connected. Thus, the connection terminal 10 is essentially a junction box / wire connection spring clamp terminal.

[0017] This connection terminal includes at least one block 11. The block 11 is basically a structure to which each cable to be connected is connected. Figure 2 shows a typical exploded perspective view of a connection terminal 10 with three blocks 11. In using the connection terminal 10, the number of blocks in the connection terminal 10 is selected according to how many cables are to be connected.

[0018] The connection terminal 10 includes at least one body 20. The body 20 serves as a slot for the components forming the connection terminal 10 with an internal space, providing structural integrity. The body 20 is connected to at least one cover 60. The cover 60 covers the internal space of the body 20 and forms a closed volume for the elements within the connection terminal 10. The body 20 and the cover 60 are made of insulating material. The cover 60 has at least one cable socket 61. The cable socket 61 is a space provided to allow a cable to pass through. Thus, the cable socket 61 allows the cable to pass from the cover 60 to the body 20. A cable to be electrically connected is installed in the cable socket 61 in the cover 60.

[0019] The cable socket (61) has at least one narrow portion (612) that can receive the conductive wire portion of the cable that is not covered with insulation material. The cable socket (61) has at least one wide portion (611) that is large enough to accommodate the insulating coating portion of the cable.

[0020] At least one bridge (50) is present in the main body (20). The bridge (50) is made of a conductive material. The bridge (50) extends between the blocks (11) in the connection terminal (10) and provides electrical transmission between the blocks (11). Thus, a cable to be electrically connected contacts the bridge (50) within the main body (20). The length of the bridge (50) depends on the number of blocks (11) included in the connection terminal (10). In other words, it depends on the number of cables intended to be connected.

[0021] The body (20) has at least one spring (30) which acts as a pressure on a cable mounted in the body (20) to ensure that the cable contacts the bridge (50). The spring (30) has at least one pressure arm (31). The cable is positioned between the bridge (50) and the pressure arm (31).

[0022] The body 20 is connected to at least one latch 40. Thus, the body 20 includes at least one latch 40 slot that acts as a slot for the latch 40. The latch 40 serves to control the position of the spring 30 by contacting the spring 30. In other words, the latch 40 ensures that the position of the spring 30 is controllable by the user.

[0023] The latch (40) has at least one shaft portion (41). The shaft portion (41) contacts the pressure arm (31). When the shaft portion (41) is moved in a first direction (62a), the shaft portion (41) causes the spring (30) to move to a loaded position (a). The loaded position (a) is a position where the cable is disconnected from the bridge (50). The shaft portion (41) is essentially connected to at least one travel channel (62). The travel channel (62) is positioned in the cover (60). The travel channel (62) essentially guides the movement of the shaft portion (41) in the first direction (62a) and the second direction (62b), thereby preventing the latch (40) from disengaging during its movement. The second direction (62b) is opposite to the first direction (62a). When the shaft portion 41 is moved in the second direction 62b in the transfer channel 62, the connection terminal 10 engages in the release position 10b. The release position 10b is essentially a position where no force is applied by the shaft portion 41 to the pressure arm 31 of the spring 30. In this case, the pressure arm 31 is released and pushes the cable toward the bridge 50. This applied pressure prevents the cable from exiting the connection terminal 10.

[0024] The latch (40) has at least one extension (42). The extension (42) rests on at least one sliding surface (21) on the body (20). When the extension (42) is moved in a load-applying direction (I) on the sliding surface (21), the shaft portion (41) moves in a first direction (62a). When the extension (42) is moved in a release direction (II) on the sliding surface (21), the shaft portion (41) moves in a second direction (62b). The body (20) has at least one locking slot (22). The locking slot (22) is a groove shaped to at least partially receive the extension (42). Therefore, when the extension (42) reaches the locking slot (22) by being moved in the load-applying direction (I), the extension (42) is positioned within the locking slot (22). This fixes the block 11 of the connection terminal 10 in the loaded position a. In this way, the cable can be easily threaded through the connection terminal 10 and removed.

[0025] Considering all these explanations, the connection terminal (10) of the present invention performs its functions according to the following possible embodiments of the present invention.

[0026] 3 to 5 show the step-by-step wiring of the connection terminal 10 to the block 11. Thus, the cable is inserted into the cable socket 61 and pushed toward the body 20. As a result, the cable rests against the pressure arm 31 of the spring 30. With continued application of force, the cable sets the pressure arm 31. Meanwhile, the end of the cable pushes the shaft portion 41 together with the pressure arm 31 in the first direction 62a. As a result, the latch 40 reaches the loaded position (a) together with the spring 30. When the cable is inside the body 20, the latch 40 is moved toward the release direction (II). Thus, the pressure arm 31 of the spring 30 is partially released and presses the conductive end of the cable toward the bridge 50. In this position, the spring 30 prevents the cable from moving, even if the cable retracts from the body 20. In this way, the cable is fixed to the connection terminal (10).

[0027] If the conductive end of the used cable is not rigid enough to press the pressure arm (31), the latch (40) is first moved in the load direction (I) to bring the pressure arm (31) to the loaded position (a), so that the conductive end of the cable can be lifted up to the pressure arm (31) in the loaded position (a) without hitting an obstacle.

[0028] When the cable is removed from the connection terminal 10, the latch 40 is moved in the load direction I. The extension 42 of the latch 40 moves along the sliding surface 21 of the main body 20. The sliding surface 21 is essentially a surface curved radially outward. The movement of the shaft portion 41 in the first direction 62a is ensured to be easier by leaning the latch 40 against the sliding surface 21. When the protrusion is in the locking slot 22, the spring 30 returns to the loaded position a. Thus, the compressive force exerted by the spring 30 on the cable toward the bridge 50 is removed. Thus, the cable can be easily removed from the main body 20.

[0029] Using the connection terminal 10 of the present invention, a spring clamp terminal for junction box / wire connection is proposed that is suitable for connecting solid (single core, rigid), ferrule, and flexible (multiple core) cables. However, unlike the unidirectional, non-detachable structure of the current technology, the connection terminal 10 is proposed with a removable and attachable cable connection.

[0030] The scope of protection of the present invention is set forth in the appended claims and is not limited to what has been described for illustrative purposes in this Detailed Description. It is obvious that a person skilled in the art may provide similar embodiments in view of the above facts without departing from the spirit of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0031] 10 Connection terminal 11 blocks 20 Main Unit 21 Sliding surface 22 fixed slots 30 springs 31 Pressing arm 32 Support arm 40 Latch 41 Shaft part 42 Extension 50 Bridge 60 Cover 61 Cable Socket 611 Wide area 612 Narrow Part 62 Mobile Channel 62a First Direction 62b Second Direction (a) Load position (b) Release position (I) Load direction (II) Release direction

Claims

1. A connection terminal (10) for electrically connecting at least two cables, comprising: A main body (20); at least one cable socket (61) for inserting a cable into said body (20); At least one bridge (50) for providing electrical communication between the cables; at least one spring (30) with at least one pressure arm (31) for applying a force to the cable to enable it to contact said bridge (50); and at least one latch (40) for controlling the position of the spring (30); Here, the connection terminal (10) is the latch (40) comprises at least one shaft portion (41) which, when moved in a first direction (62a), contacts the pressure arm (31) to bring the pressure arm (31) to a loaded position (a) in which contact between the cable and the bridge (50) is interrupted; To facilitate movement of the shaft portion (41) in the first direction (62a), the latch (40) comprises at least one extension (42) capable of sliding movement in a loading direction (I) by resting against at least one sliding surface (21) of the body (20); A connection terminal (10) characterized by:

2. 2. The connection terminal (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the body (20) comprises at least one locking slot (22) configured to receive the extension (42) and thereby lock the latch (40) in the loaded position (a).

3. 2. The connection terminal (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises at least one cover (60) having at least one movement channel (62) with a gap provided to guide the movement of the shaft portion (41) in the first direction (62a).

4. 2. The connection terminal (10) of claim 1, wherein the cable socket (61) comprises at least one narrow portion (612) sized to receive a conductive end of a cable, and at least one wide portion (611) that is wider than the narrow portion (612) and is wide enough to receive an insulating coating portion of the cable.

Images