Connection terminal for connecting an electrical line

Abstract

A connection terminal (1) comprises a housing (10), a contact element (11) which is provided on the housing (10) and has a contact portion (110) for electrically contacting a line (2), and a spring element (12) which has a clamping limb (120) and a contact limb (121) for supporting the spring element (12) on a bearing portion (103) which is stationary relative to the housing (10), wherein the clamping limb (120) is designed, in a clamping position, to act on a line (2) in order to bring the line (2) into contact with the contact portion (110) of the contact element (11) and can be adjusted from the clamping position into a release position in order to release the plugged-in line (2). The contact limb (121) is connected to the clamping limb (120) via a curved connecting portion (122), the connecting portion (122) extends around the bearing portion (103), and the contact limb (121) can be moved relative to the bearing portion (103) when the clamping limb (120) is moved from the clamping position into the release position.

Description

[0001] Terminal for connecting an electrical cable

[0002] The invention relates to a terminal for connecting an electrical line according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0003] Such a connection terminal comprises a housing having a plug-in opening, a contact element arranged on the housing, which contact element has a contact section for making electrical contact with a cable inserted into the plug-in opening, and a spring element. The spring element has a clamping leg and a contact leg for supporting the spring element on a bearing section arranged stationary relative to the housing. In a clamping position, the clamping leg is designed to act on a cable inserted into the plug-in opening to contact the cable with the contact section of the contact element. From the clamping position, the clamping leg can be adjusted into a release position to release the inserted cable. The contact leg is connected to the clamping leg via a curved connecting section. The connecting section extends around the bearing section.

[0004] Such a terminal realizes a spring force connection by using the spring element, in which the electrical line in the connected position is clamped to the contact section of the contact element via the clamping leg and is thus electrically connected to the contact element and is also mechanically locked to the terminal.

[0005] While the spring element is supported relative to the housing via the contact leg, the clamping leg is elastically deflectable relative to the contact leg to exert an elastic clamping force on a plugged-in electrical cable in the clamped position, thus clamping the electrical cable to the contact section of the contact element. When transferred to the release position, the spring element is elastically tensioned, with deformation occurring particularly in the area of ​​the curved connecting section.

[0006] EP 3 772 777 A1 discloses a terminal block that implements a spring-loaded connection and, for this purpose, comprises a spring element with a clamping leg and a contact leg supported on a housing. The clamping leg is connected to the contact leg via a curved connecting section. The connecting section extends around a pin-shaped housing section and provides a bending radius for elastically deflecting the clamping leg relative to the contact leg.

[0007] In a terminal block that implements a spring-loaded connection, the clamping leg can be elastically deflected relative to the contact leg, undergoing bending deformation, particularly in the area of ​​the connecting section between the clamping leg and the contact leg. It should be noted that excessive deflection of the clamping leg, known as over-mating, may result in undesirable plastic deformation, particularly in the area of ​​the connecting section, which could reduce the clamping forces available on the clamping leg in the clamped position. This must be avoided.

[0008] In a connection terminal known from DE 10 2020 121 004 A1, a spring element is arranged floatingly on a receiving pin of a contact body.

[0009] The object of the present invention is to provide a connection terminal which, with a simple and cost-effective design, enables reliable operation with improved plug-in security.

[0010] This object is achieved by an article having the features of claim 1.

[0011] Accordingly, when the clamping leg is adjusted from the clamping position to the release position, the contact leg can be moved relative to the bearing section.

[0012] In the terminal block, the spring element is supported relative to the housing via a bearing section that is arranged fixedly to the housing. The bearing section can, for example, be formed integrally and in one piece with the housing. In another embodiment, the bearing section can also be formed on the contact element.

[0013] The bearing section can, for example, have a pin shape.

[0014] The connecting section of the spring element extends around the bearing section. The connecting section is curved and connects the clamping leg of the spring element to the contact leg. The spring element is supported relative to the housing via the contact leg, for example, by contacting the housing or a component fixed to the housing, such as the contact element.

[0015] The contact leg is mounted so that it can be moved relative to the housing. In particular, the contact leg is not fixed to the bearing section, but can be moved relative to the bearing section when the clamping leg of the spring element is adjusted. If the clamping leg is moved from the clamped position to the release position, thereby tensioning the spring element, the contact leg can move relative to the bearing section and thus perform a compensating movement relative to the bearing section.

[0016] When the clamping leg is adjusted between the clamping position and the release position, deformation occurs, particularly in the area of ​​the connecting section of the spring element. Because the contact leg can perform a sliding movement relative to the bearing section, a pivot axis defined by the connecting section, about which the clamping leg is pivoted during adjustment, can be achieved that remains approximately fixed in position. A pivot axis around which a main load radius acts on the connecting section thus remains at least approximately fixed in position when the clamping leg is adjusted.

[0017] Because the contact leg can perform a compensating movement relative to the bearing section, a larger, more flexible working range of the spring element is also possible. Over-mating security can be improved because the clamping leg can be elastically deflected over a greater distance relative to the contact leg without causing plastic deformation of the spring element and thus impairing the clamping force.

[0018] The clamping leg is designed, in the clamping position, to clamp a conductor inserted into the plug-in opening of the housing in order to push or pull said conductor into contact with the contact section of the contact element. By adjusting it from the clamping position towards the release position, a receiving space aligned with the plug-in opening inside the housing is released, so that an electrical cable can be inserted into the plug-in opening for connection to the connection terminal in a substantially forceless manner, or an inserted electrical cable can be removed from the plug-in opening in a substantially forceless manner. In one embodiment, the contact leg is displaceable along a linear direction relative to the bearing section.During an adjustment movement of the clamping leg, the contact leg moves linearly relative to the bearing section, wherein the contact leg preferably substantially maintains its orientation along the linear direction.

[0019] In one embodiment, the cable can be inserted into the plug-in opening along a plug-in direction. The linear direction along which the contact leg is displaceable relative to the bearing section is preferably at least approximately collinear with the plug-in direction.

[0020] In another embodiment, the linear direction along which the contact leg is displaceable relative to the bearing section can also be directed obliquely or perpendicularly to the plug-in direction.

[0021] In one embodiment, the contact leg has a stop element which, in the clamping position of the clamping leg, occupies a first position relative to the bearing section and, in the release position of the clamping leg, occupies a second position closer to the bearing section than the first position. The stop element can, in particular, be formed at an end of the contact leg remote from the connecting section. For example, the stop element can be formed by a bent edge at the end of the contact leg. While in the clamping position of the clamping leg the stop element is remote from the bearing section (viewed along the linear direction), in the release position of the clamping leg, i.e. when the spring element is tensioned, the stop element is closer to the bearing section.

[0022] In particular, the stop element can be in contact with the bearing section in the release position of the clamping leg. The stop element thus limits the displacement of the bearing leg by causing the stop element to come into contact with the bearing section when the clamping leg is moved into the release position, thus preventing further displacement of the bearing leg relative to the bearing section.

[0023] In one embodiment, the connecting portion is slidably supported on the bearing portion. The connecting portion extends around the bearing portion, wherein the connecting portion is arranged relative to the bearing portion such that the connecting portion can deform elastically upon adjustment of the clamping leg. Preferably, there is a sliding support between the connecting portion and the bearing portion. If the clamping leg is adjusted, for example, from the clamping position toward the release position, the connecting portion slides on the bearing portion, causing the contact leg to be displaced relative to the bearing portion to follow the deformation of the connecting portion.

[0024] In particular, when the clamping leg is adjusted, a radius of curvature at the connecting section can change. For example, when the clamping leg is in the clamped position, the connecting section has a first radius of curvature. When the clamping leg is in the release position, the connecting section has a second radius of curvature that is smaller than the first radius of curvature. When adjusted towards the release position, the radius of curvature thus decreases, so that the connecting section narrows relative to its clear width and contracts around the bearing section. The connecting section is slidably supported on the bearing section. Due to the displaceability of the contact leg relative to the bearing section, the contact leg can follow the deformation in the region of the connecting section and execute a compensating movement relative to the bearing section.

[0025] In one embodiment, the contact element has a support section. The contact element can, for example, be formed as a bent sheet metal element. The support section can, for example, extend (at least approximately) parallel to the contact section. While an inserted electrical cable is clamped into contact with the contact section via the clamping leg of the spring element, thus making electrical contact with the contact section, the contact leg is supported on the support section.

[0026] For example, the contact leg can be slidably displaceable between the bearing section and the support section. The contact leg thus lies between the bearing section and the support section. The contact leg is slidably supported both on the bearing section (which is stationary relative to the housing) and on the support section (which is also stationary relative to the housing) and can thus be displaced relative to the bearing section and the support section. In one embodiment, the connection terminal has an actuating element that is movable relative to the housing in order to adjust the clamping leg from the clamping position toward the release position.The actuating element can be actuated by a user using a tool, for example a screwdriver, or tool-free, for example with the fingers, in order to act on the clamping leg via the actuating element and to adjust the clamping leg from the clamping position towards the release position.

[0027] The actuating element can be adjusted relative to the housing in any way. For example, the actuating element can be designed as a pivotable lever or as a push-button element that can be moved relative to the housing.

[0028] In one embodiment, the actuating element is linearly displaceable relative to the housing along an actuating direction. The actuating element is accommodated, for example, in an actuating opening of the housing and can be adjusted within the actuating opening, in particular, pressed into the housing, in order to thereby act on the clamping leg and adjust the clamping leg toward the release position.

[0029] The actuation direction can, for example, be aligned with the plug-in direction in which a cable can be inserted into the plug-in opening of the housing. In another embodiment, the actuation direction differs from the plug-in direction in that the actuation direction is oriented at an angle or approximately perpendicular to the plug-in direction.

[0030] In one embodiment, the actuating element has a head portion and at least one active portion extending from the head portion for acting on the clamping leg. If the actuating element is moved relative to the housing, the actuating element acts on the clamping leg via the active portion and adjusts it toward the release position, for example, by the actuating element pressing on the clamping leg via the active portion, thereby tensioning the spring element by deflecting the clamping leg.

[0031] The head section can be accessible, in particular, from outside the housing, so that a user can act on the head section using a tool or without a tool to move the actuating element relative to the housing. In one embodiment, the head section is arranged on a first side of the contact section of the contact element. The clamping leg, in contrast, is arranged on a second side of the contact section facing away from the first side. The head section and the clamping leg are thus located on different sides of the contact section.

[0032] In order to act on the clamping leg via the active section, the active section reaches past the contact section starting from the head section (on the first side of the contact section) in order to interact with the clamping leg on the second side of the contact section.

[0033] For example, the actuating element can have two active sections extending from the head section as parallel limbs. The active sections accommodate the contact section of the contact element between them, and by moving the actuating element, the active sections can be adjusted relative to the contact section in order to act on the clamping limb on the second side of the contact section.

[0034] In one embodiment, the clamping leg has a sliding portion. The active portion is designed to interact with the sliding portion in a sliding manner to adjust the clamping leg from the clamping position. The sliding portion is formed, for example, on a lateral edge of the clamping leg, for example, as a bent tab.

[0035] If the actuating element has two active sections, two sliding sections are preferably formed on the clamping leg at opposite edges of the clamping leg. The sliding sections can, for example, each be formed as a tab bent relative to a clamping edge of the clamping leg, against which the associated active section rests in a sliding manner.

[0036] A terminal block of the type described can be used in a variety of ways, for example on a terminal block, a connector or to provide a connection on a printed circuit board.

[0037] The concept underlying the invention will be explained in more detail below using the exemplary embodiment illustrated in the figures. They show: Fig. 1A is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a connecting terminal, in a clamping position of a clamping leg of a spring element;

[0038] Fig.1 B is a side view of the arrangement according to Fig. 1A;

[0039] Fig.2A is a perspective view of the terminal, in a

[0040] Release position of the clamping leg;

[0041] Fig. 2B is a side view of the arrangement according to Fig. 2A;

[0042] Fig. 3 a view of the connection terminal, with an electrical cable plugged in;

[0043] Fig. 4 the arrangement according to Fig. 3, without an actuating element;

[0044] Fig. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view through the arrangement according to Fig. 3;

[0045] Fig. 6A-6C separate views of the spring element;

[0046] Fig. 7A-7C separate views of the actuating element;

[0047] Fig. 8A-8C separate views of a contact element of the terminal;

[0048] Fig. 9A-9C separate views of a housing part implementing a housing; and

[0049] Fig. 10A-10C separate views of a housing cover.

[0050] Fig. 1A, 1B, 2A, 2B, 3, 4 and 5 show an embodiment of a connection terminal 1 which has a housing 10, a contact element 11 fixedly arranged on the housing 10, a spring element 12 and an actuating element 14.

[0051] The housing 10 forms a plug-in opening 100 into which an electrical line 2 with a (stripped) line end 20 can be plugged along a plug-in direction E. The spring element 12 is located in a receiving space 101 within the housing 10 and projects with a clamping leg 120 into an area within the receiving space 101 that is aligned with the plug-in opening 100 such that an inserted electrical line 2 can be clamped via the clamping leg 120 to a contact section 110 of the contact element 11 in order to electrically contact the electrical line 2 with the contact section 110 and also to mechanically lock it to the connection terminal 1.

[0052] The spring element 12, shown in separate views in Figs. 6A-6C, has a contact leg 121 connected to the clamping leg 120 via a curved connecting section 122. The clamping leg 120 is elastically deflectable relative to the contact leg 121 in order to adjust the clamping leg 120 from a clamping position shown in Figs. 1A, 1B toward a release position shown in Figs. 2A, 2B.

[0053] The actuating element 14, shown in separate views in Figs. 7A-7C, lies in an actuating opening 102 of the housing 10 and is linearly displaceable relative to the housing 10 within the actuating opening 102 along an actuating direction B. The actuating element 14 has a head portion 140, which is accessible from outside the housing 10 and can be actuated by a user using a tool, for example a screwdriver, or optionally also without tools. Two leg-shaped active portions 141 extend parallel to one another from the head portion 140 such that the contact portion 110 of the contact element 11 can be received between the active portions 141.

[0054] The contact element 11 shown in separate views in Fig. 8A-8C is designed as a bent sheet metal element, in particular as a stamped and bent part made of metal. The contact element 11 has a receiving chamber 113 adjoining the contact section 110 and a support section 111, from which a connection section in the form of a connection leg 112 extends for electrically contacting an associated electrical assembly, for example a circuit board. The support section 111 extends at least approximately parallel or at a small angle, for example less than 10°, to the contact section 110. An electrical line 2 can be brought close to the U-shaped receiving chamber 113 when inserted into the plug-in opening 100, as can be seen from Fig. 3 to 5, so that the line end 20 can be received in the receiving chamber 113. A housing part forming the housing 10 is shown in separate views in Fig.9A-9C and can be closed by a housing cover 104 shown in Fig. 10A-10C to complete the housing 10.

[0055] As can be seen from Fig. 1A, 1B and 2A, 2B, the active sections 141 of the actuating element 14 engage past the contact section 110 of the contact element 11 and act in a sliding manner on sliding sections 123 in the form of bent tabs on lateral edges of the clamping leg 120 in order to thereby transfer the clamping leg 120 from the clamping position shown in Fig. 1A, 1B into the release position shown in Fig. 2A, 2B when the actuating element 14 is actuated in the actuating direction B.

[0056] In the release position according to Fig. 2A, 2B, the clamping leg 120 is deflected relative to the contact leg 121 such that an area aligned with the plug-in opening 100 within the receiving space 101 is released and an electrical line 2 can thus be inserted unhindered by the clamping leg 120 into the plug-in opening 100 in order to make contact with the contact element 11.

[0057] If the actuating element 14 is released after an electrical cable 2 has been plugged in, the clamping leg 120 automatically comes into contact with the electrical cable 2 due to an elastic tension force on the spring element 11 and clamps the electrical cable 2 to the contact section 110, so that the electrical cable 2 is electrically contacted with the contact section 110 and is also mechanically locked to the connection terminal 1.

[0058] The connecting portion 122 of the spring element 12 extends around a bearing portion 103 protruding from a bottom of the housing 10, as can be seen, for example, from the side views according to Figs. 1B and 2B. The connecting portion 122 is slidably supported on the bearing portion 103. When the clamping leg 120 is adjusted between the clamping position (Figs. 1A, 1B) and the release position (Figs. 2A, 2B), the connecting portion 122 can slide accordingly on the bearing portion 103.

[0059] The contact leg 121 lies between the bearing section 103 and the support section 111 of the contact element 11 and is linearly displaceable along a direction X that is substantially collinear with the plugging direction E between the bearing section 103 and the support section 111 and thus relative to the housing 10. At an end remote from the connecting section 122, a stop element 124 is formed on the contact leg 121, which is formed by a bent edge of the contact leg

[0060] 121 is formed and limits a displacement path of the contact leg 121 relative to the bearing section 103.

[0061] In the position of the spring element 12 according to Fig. 1A, 1B, the connecting section

[0062] 122 has a radius of curvature R1, as shown in Fig. 1B. The connecting section 122 extends with a comparatively large inside width around the bearing section 103. The stop element 124 at the end of the contact leg 121 is spaced from the bearing section 103, as can be seen from Fig. 1B.

[0063] If the clamping leg 120 is pivoted toward the release position, thereby tensioning the spring element 12, the radius of curvature R2 of the connecting section 122 decreases, as shown in Fig. 2B. The clear width of the connecting section 122 decreases accordingly. The connecting section 122 contracts around the bearing section 103.

[0064] Due to the sliding support of the connecting section 122 on the bearing section 103, during the flexurally elastic deformation of the connecting section 122, the contact leg 121 is moved along the direction X relative to the bearing section 103 such that the stop element 124 at the end of the contact leg 121 is brought closer to the bearing section 103 and, in the release position according to Fig. 2A, 2B, comes into contact with the bearing section 103, as can be seen in particular from Fig. 2B.

[0065] Due to the displaceable mounting of the contact leg 121 between the bearing section 103 and the support section 111, the spring element 12 is mounted in a floating manner relative to the housing 10. Because the contact leg 121 can perform a compensating movement when the clamping leg 120 is adjusted, a pivot axis about which the clamping leg 120 is pivoted when adjusted toward the release position can remain at least approximately fixed in position relative to the housing 10.

[0066] The pivot axis of the clamping leg 120 corresponds (at least approximately) to the central axis of the connecting section 122, around which the connecting section 122 is curved and relative to which the radius of curvature R1, R2 results. Due to the compensating movement of the contact leg 121, this axis remains at least approximately stationary while the clamping leg 120 is adjusted.

[0067] Due to the floating mounting of the spring element 12, an enlarged, elastic working range for deflecting the clamping leg 120 can be enabled, with improved mating security, thus reducing the risk of excessive deformation of the clamping leg 120 and the associated plastic deformation of the spring element 12.

[0068] If an electrical cable 2 is to be connected to the terminal 1, the clamping leg 120 is moved into the release position shown in Fig. 2A, 2B by actuating the actuating element 14. After releasing the actuating element 14, the clamping leg 120 clamps the cable 2 to the contact section 110 of the contact element 11 and thus connects the cable 2 to the terminal 1.

[0069] If the cable 2 is to be removed from the connection terminal 1, the actuating element 14 can again be actuated in the actuating direction B in order to release the clamping contact of the clamping leg 120 on the cable 2 and thus release the cable 2 for removal from the plug-in opening 100.

[0070] In the illustrated embodiment, the contact leg 121 is displaceable along the direction X approximately collinear with the insertion direction E relative to the housing 10. However, such a floating support can also be provided along a direction oblique or perpendicular to the insertion direction E.

[0071] In the illustrated embodiment, the actuating element 14 is adjustable relative to the housing 10 along an actuating direction B that is approximately perpendicular to the plug-in direction E. Other embodiments are also conceivable in which the actuating element 14 is movable relative to the housing 10 along an actuating direction B that is oblique to or parallel to the plug-in direction E.

[0072] In the illustrated embodiment, the actuating element 14 is formed by a push-button element that can be moved (approximately) linearly relative to the housing 10. In another embodiment, the actuating element 14 can be a lever that is pivotally mounted relative to the housing. In yet other embodiments, an actuating element can be omitted in order to adjust the clamping leg 120 of the spring element 12 directly using a tool, for example, a screwdriver.

[0073] The idea underlying the invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but can also be implemented in other ways.

[0074] A terminal block of the type described can be used, for example, on a connector, a terminal block or any other electrical assembly, for example on a printed circuit board.

[0075] List of reference symbols

[0076] 1 connection terminal

[0077] 10 housings

[0078] 100 plug-in opening

[0079] 101 Recording Room

[0080] 102 Operating opening

[0081] 103 storage section

[0082] 104 Housing cover

[0083] 11 Contact element

[0084] 110 Contact section

[0085] 111 support section

[0086] 112 connecting section

[0087] 113 Recording section

[0088] 12 spring element

[0089] 120 clamping legs

[0090] 121 investment legs

[0091] 122 connecting section

[0092] 123 sliding section

[0093] 124 stop element

[0094] 14 Actuating element

[0095] 140 head section

[0096] 141 Effective section

[0097] 2 lines

[0098] 20 Line end

[0099] B Actuating direction

[0100] E Plug-in direction

[0101] R1 , R2 radius of curvature

[0102] X direction

Claims

Patent claims 1. A terminal (1) for connecting an electrical line (2), comprising a housing (10) having a plug-in opening (100), a contact element (11) arranged on the housing (10) and having a contact section (110) for making electrical contact with a line (2) inserted into the plug-in opening (100), and a spring element (12) having a clamping leg (120) and a contact leg (121) for supporting the spring element (12) on a bearing section (103) arranged stationary relative to the housing (10), wherein the clamping leg (120) is designed, in a clamping position, to act on a line (2) inserted into the plug-in opening (100) for contacting the line (2) with the contact section (110) of the contact element (11), and is adjustable from the clamping position into a release position in order to release the inserted line (2),wherein the contact leg (121) is connected to the clamping leg (120) via a curved connecting section (122) and the connecting section (122) extends around the bearing section (103), characterized in that the contact leg (121) is displaceable relative to the bearing section (103) when the clamping leg (120) is adjusted from the clamping position into the release position.

2. Connection terminal (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the contact leg (121) is displaceable along a linear direction (X) relative to the bearing section (103).

3. Connection terminal (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that the line (2) can be inserted into the plug-in opening (100) along a plug-in direction (E), wherein the linear direction (X) is approximately collinear with the plug-in direction (E).

4. Connection terminal (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the contact leg (121) has a stop element (124) which, in the clamping position of the clamping leg (120), assumes a first position relative to the bearing section (103) and, in the release position of the clamping leg (120), assumes a second position which is closer to the bearing section (103) than the first position.

5. Connection terminal (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that the stop element (124) is in contact with the bearing section (103) in the release position of the clamping leg (120).

6. Connection terminal (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the connecting section (122) is slidably supported on the bearing section (103).

7. Connection terminal (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the connecting section (122) has a first radius of curvature (R1) in the clamping position (120) of the clamping leg (120) and a second radius of curvature (R2) which is smaller than the first radius of curvature (R1) in the release position of the clamping leg (120).

8. Connection terminal (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the contact element (11) has a support section (111), wherein the contact leg (121) is arranged to be slidable between the bearing section (103) and the support section (111).

9. Connection terminal (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by an actuating element (14) which is movable relative to the housing (10) in order to adjust the clamping leg (120) from the clamping position towards the release position.

10. Connection terminal (1) according to claim 9, characterized in that the actuating element (14) is linearly displaceable along an actuating direction (B) relative to the housing (10).

11. Connection terminal (1) according to claim 10, characterized in that the actuating direction (B) differs from a plug-in direction (E) in which the cable (2) can be plugged into the plug-in opening (100).

12. Connection terminal (1) according to one of claims 9 to 11, characterized in that the actuating element (14) has a head section (140) and at least one active section (141) extending from the head section (140) for acting on the clamping leg (120).

13. Connection terminal (1) according to claim 12, characterized in that the head section (140) is arranged on a first side of the contact section (110) and the clamping leg (120) is arranged on a second side of the contact section (110) facing away from the first side.

14. Connection terminal (1) according to claim 13, characterized in that the active section (141) extends from the head section (140) past the contact section (110) in order to cooperate with the clamping leg (120) on the second side of the contact section (110).

15. Connection terminal (1) according to one of claims 12 to 14, characterized in that the clamping leg (120) has a sliding section (123), wherein the active section (141) is designed to interact in a sliding manner with the sliding section (123) for adjusting the clamping leg (120) from the clamping position.

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