CH715071A1 - Consumption meter with conductor connection device. - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a consumption meter with a conductor connection device (10). In order to reduce the production costs of the consumption meter without impairing operational safety, the conductor connection device (10) is provided with an insulating housing (1), the insulating housing (1) being provided by the walls (2, 3, 4, 5) of the consumption meter becomes.

Description

Description: The present invention relates to a consumption meter with a conductor connection device for connecting the consumption meter to a conductor and with an insulating housing for the conductor connection device.

Technological background Consumption counters, e.g. Electricity meters are known from the prior art and are used to determine the amount of consumption of a medium such as water or gas or electrical energy supplied. In order to connect the consumption meter to a power supply or to a source of electrical energy that is to be supplied and measured, the consumption meter comprises the conductor connection device.

Conductor connection devices are commonly used to connect an electrical conductor, e.g. a line or a cable, with a device and e.g. to connect electrically to a consumption meter. Conductor connection devices must be inexpensive and, in particular, should facilitate the connection to the conductor. In use, conductor connection devices conduct electricity and must include an insulating housing to protect users, e.g. Operators or installers of the consumption meter to protect against electricity. However, due to the housing-specific requirements, known conductor connection devices are expensive in terms of their assembly and manufacture.

Description of the invention It is an object of the present invention to at least partially alleviate some of the disadvantages of consumption meters and their conductor connection devices from the prior art mentioned above. In particular, an object on which the invention is based is to provide a conductor connection device which can be produced and assembled at a reasonable cost without the electrical safety of the consumption meter being impaired in the process.

In the above-mentioned consumption meter, the object is achieved according to the invention in that the insulating housing is provided by walls of the consumption meter, the walls being provided separately from the conductor connection device and forming a receiving volume for receiving the conductor connection device.

As a result, the conductor connection device can be arranged in the receiving volume in such a way that electrical insulation of at least one contact spring of the conductor connection device is at least partially provided by the walls of the consumption meter. When designing and producing the conductor connection device, an additional housing of the conductor connection device, as known from the prior art, can thus be dispensed with, so that not only material costs for the housing, but also production costs and investments, e.g. for an injection mold for the housing, can be saved. Since the insulating housing can be provided by another element of the consumption meter, which in one way or another requires material, production time and - if the other element is formed by injection molding - a mold, the formation and provision of the insulating housing for the conductor connection device result in no or negligible Extra cost.

Unless expressly stated otherwise, the solutions according to the invention can be combined as desired and further improved by the further following embodiments, which are advantageous in themselves.

According to a possible embodiment, the insulating housing is at least partially or even completely provided or formed in one piece by a cover plate or cover of the consumption meter, the cover plate separating an installation space for measuring electronics from a space accessible to the user. An advantage of this embodiment can be that at least parts of the insulating housing and the cover plate in one step and e.g. can be formed in a single injection molding shot, so that the number of production steps and thus the production costs can be reduced.

According to a possible embodiment, the insulating housing is at least partially or even completely provided or formed by a housing and / or a cover of the consumption meter. An advantage of this embodiment can be that at least parts of the insulating housing and the cover plate, the housing of the consumption meter and / or the cover of the consumption meter in a single step and e.g. can be formed in a single injection molding shot, so that the number of production steps and thus the production costs can be reduced.

According to a further possible embodiment, the receiving volume comprises a contact side with a contact opening that opens to the installation space. An advantage of this embodiment can be that the conductor connection device quickly and even directly electronic components and e.g. can connect or contact a circuit board of the consumption meter via the contact opening, so that an expensive separate connection between the conductor connection device and the electronic components and e.g. the circuit board can be avoided.

According to a further possible embodiment, the contact opening is covered by a circuit board of the consumption meter, the conductor connection device making electrical and mechanical contact with the circuit board

CH 715 071 A1 this is attached. An advantage of this embodiment can be that the conductor connection device does not have to be additionally fixed to the circuit board due to the electrical connection and the mechanical fixing.

[0012] According to a further possible embodiment, the conductor connection device is not fixed to the housing. An advantage of this embodiment can be that the design of the housing and the conductor connection device and also the assembly of the conductor connection device can be simplified if the conductor connection device is not fixed to the housing, since the conductor connection device is first assembled manually or automatically on the circuit board and then by the Housing can be covered or inserted into this.

According to a further possible embodiment, the insulating housing comprises an operating side with an operating element for operating the conductor connection device, the operating side being different from the contact side and e.g. opposite the contact side, with the receiving volume in between. An advantage of this embodiment can be that the conductor connection device can be easily operated by providing the operating element, e.g. to release a conductor from the conductor connection device without the conductor connection device itself having to be provided with an operating element. By providing the operating element, the complexity of the conductor connection device and consequently its cost can be reduced.

According to a further possible embodiment, the conductor connection device comprises a first side and a second side, which differs from the first side, and an electrically conductive connection element, the connection element having a conductor connection section for contacting a conductor and with a contact section for contacting the circuit board is provided, wherein the conductor connection section is arranged on the first side and the contact section is arranged on the second side. An advantage of this embodiment can be that the accessibility to the conductor connection section can be improved if the conductor connection section and the contact section are arranged on different sides of the conductor connection device.

[0015] According to a further possible embodiment, the conductor connection section and the contact section extend essentially parallel to one another. An advantage of this embodiment can be that the conductor can be brought into contact in a simple manner along the conductor connection section. For example, if the contact section extends parallel to one side of the circuit board, the conductor can simply be moved along or parallel to the circuit board in order to bring the conductor into contact with the conductor connection section.

According to a further possible embodiment, the conductor connection element has a meandering shape, e.g. like an S, on or is U or C-shaped, the conductor connection section and the contact section being formed by parallel sections of the conductor connection element. An advantage of this embodiment can be that the conductor connection element can be easily formed and its shape can be easily adapted in order to simplify the assembly of the conductor connection device and to connect a conductor to its conductor connection section.

According to a further possible embodiment, the conductor connection device comprises at least one latching element latching, which is arranged on the second side and latched with a counter-latching element of the circuit board. An advantage of this embodiment can be that the conductor connection device can be easily fixed to the circuit board with the aid of the latching element and the counter-latching element, either manually or automatically.

According to a further possible embodiment, the conductor connection device comprises two latching elements which are arranged on opposite ends of the second side. An advantage of this embodiment can be that two latching elements, which are arranged at a distance from one another, absorb forces that move and in particular want to rotate the conductor connecting device more effectively than a latching element, thereby preventing the latching connection from being opened unintentionally.

According to a further possible embodiment, the conductor connection device comprises at least one positioning element which is arranged on the second side and which is in engagement with a counter-positioning element of the circuit board. An advantage of this embodiment can be that the positioning element and the counter-positioning element define the position of the conductor connection device in relation to the printed circuit board.

According to a further possible embodiment, the conductor connection device comprises two latching elements which protrude beyond the second side and e.g. protrude from this, and a positioning element which is arranged between the two locking elements on the second side and which is in engagement with a counter-positioning element of the circuit board. An advantage of this embodiment can be that the positioning element can prevent forces that want to move the conductor connecting device laterally with respect to the printed circuit board influence the engagement between the latching element and the counter-latching element.

According to a further possible embodiment, the conductor connection device has a predefined conductor connection direction along which a conductor is moved in relation to the conductor connection device in order to connect the conductor to the conductor connection device, the two latching elements in a direction which extends perpendicular to the conductor connection direction , are arranged one after the other. An advantage of this embodiment can be that the space required for the snap-in connection does not influence the placement of the conductor connection device along the conductor connection direction.

[0022] According to a further possible embodiment, the conductor connection device has a predefined conductor connection direction in which a conductor is moved in relation to the conductor connection device, around the conductor

CH 715 071 A1 of the conductor connection device, wherein the conductor connection device comprises a conductor fixing tongue which prevents a conductor in its connected state from being moved against the conductor connection direction, the conductor fixing tongue being accessible via the operating side. An advantage of this embodiment can be that an unintentional removal of a conductor from the conductor connection device is prevented, but if the conductor is to be deliberately removed, the fixing tongue is easily accessible.

According to a further possible embodiment, the conductor fixing tongue protrudes in one direction from the conductor connection section of the connecting element in a direction perpendicular to the conductor connection direction and parallel to the operating side. An advantage of this embodiment can be that the conductor fixing tongue is easily accessible from the operator side, e.g. through the control element, which simplifies the design and thus reduces the production costs.

According to a further possible embodiment, the operating element comprises an operating projection which extends perpendicularly to the conductor connection direction from the operating side to the contact side, the operating projection being formed with a stop surface which is oriented obliquely to the conductor connection direction. An advantage of this embodiment can be that the stop surface in cooperation with the fixing tongue limits a maximum deflection of the operating element and provides a tactile reaction via the operating element which signals that the fixing tongue is in a release position in which the conductor can be removed.

The housing-less conductor connection device is advantageous in itself and without the remaining elements of the consumption meter and can be used with other devices that require a connection to at least one electrical conductor.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention is described below in more detail and by way of example using advantageous embodiments and with reference to the drawings. The described embodiments are only possible configurations in which the individual features, as described above, can however be provided or omitted independently of one another, in which case:

1 shows an exemplary embodiment of a housing of a consumption meter for a conductor connection device according to the present invention in a schematic perspective view

2 shows an exemplary embodiment of a conductor connection device according to the present invention in a schematic perspective view,

3 shows the conductor connection device of the exemplary embodiment, which is illustrated in FIG. 2, in a further perspective view,

4 shows the conductor connection device of the exemplary embodiment, which is illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, in a schematic perspective cross-sectional view with a printed circuit board in a preassembled state,

5 shows the conductor connection device and the printed circuit board of the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4 in an assembled state,

6 shows the housing of the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1 in a further perspective view and with the conductor connection device accommodated in the housing,

7 shows the housing and the conductor connection device, which are illustrated in FIG. 6, in a further perspective cross-sectional view,

8 shows the exemplary embodiment of the housing according to the present invention in a further schematic perspective view,

9 shows an exemplary embodiment of a consumption meter according to the present invention in a schematic perspective view in a pre-assembled state,

Fig. 10 shows the consumption meter illustrated in Fig. 9 in a fully assembled state.

WAYS OF CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION FIG. 1 shows an exemplary embodiment of an insulating housing 1 for a conductor connection device according to the present invention (see FIG. 2). The insulating housing 1 comprises side walls 2, 3, 4, 5, which can surround a receiving volume U for receiving the conductor connection device. The walls 2, 3, 4, 5 are provided independently or separately from the conductor connection device by the consumption meter, e.g. through a cover plate,

CH 715 071 A1, which separates an installation room for the electronics of the consumption meter from a room accessible to a user. Alternatively, the walls 2, 3, 4, 5 in can be provided by an outer housing or a cover of the consumption meter (see FIG. 10). The insulating housing 1 can comprise a contact side C with a contact opening O, the conductor connection device, if it is arranged in the receiving volume U, electronics of the consumption meter and e.g. contact a circuit board of the consumption meter electrically and / or mechanically via the contact opening C. For example, the contact opening O opens the insulating housing 1 to the installation space.

On another side and e.g. On one side, which is opposite the contact side large C, the insulating housing 1 can comprise an operating side large S, via which the conductor connection device can be operated if it is arranged inside the insulating housing 1. For example, an operating element 6 can be provided on the operating side S, i.e. in the receiving volume U. The operating element 6 can be formed from an insulating material and can be located at least in sections near the insulating housing 1 on the operating side S. The conductor connecting device can be accessible via the operating side and the operating element 6, the operating element avoiding that a user of the consumption meter has to contact the conductor connecting device directly in order to operate the conductor connecting device, e.g. to remove a conductor from the conductor connection device.

The operating element 6 can be designed as a cover which is movably fixed to the insulating housing 1, so that the operating element 6 is movable in the insulating housing 1. For example, the control element 6 is connected via a hinge, e.g. a film hinge connected to the insulating housing 1. One of the walls 2, 3, 4, 5 and e.g. the wall 4 can be provided with at least one guide opening. In the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1, the wall 4 comprises three guide openings 7, 8, 9. The conductor can penetrate into the insulating housing through the at least one guide opening

I extend along a conductor connection direction D.

2 shows an exemplary embodiment of a conductor connection device 10 according to the invention in a schematic perspective view. The conductor connection device 10 can comprise a first side 11 and a second side 12, wherein the first and the second side 10 and 11 differ from one another and can be opposite sides of the conductor connection device 10. Furthermore, the conductor connection device 10 can comprise an electrically conductive contact element 13 which, in a state in which a conductor is connected to the conductor connection device 10, makes electrical and mechanical contact with the conductor. The contact element 13 can be from the first side

II extend to the second side 12. A conductor connection section 14 of the contact element 13 can be arranged on the first side 11. A contact section 15 of the contact element 13 can be arranged on the second side 12. In the state in which the conductor is connected to the conductor connection device 10, the conductor contacts the conductor connection section 14 electrically and mechanically. In an assembled state of the conductor connection device 10, in which the conductor connection device 10 on the consumption meter and e.g. is mounted on a circuit board of the consumption meter, the contact section 15 of the contact element 13 contacts a further electrical or electronic part of the consumption meter and e.g. a contact element of the circuit board electrically and mechanically.

[0031] The conductor connection section 14 and the contact section 15 can extend essentially parallel to one another. For example, the contact element 13 can be O or U-shaped, the legs of the C or U shape being formed by the conductor connection section 14 or the contact section 15. Alternatively, and as shown in the exemplary embodiment of Fig. 2, the contact element 13 may have a meandering shape and e.g. be substantially S-shaped, with the conductor connection section 14 and the contact section 15 forming the end sections of the S, which extend parallel to one another.

The conductor connection device 10 can comprise a conductor fixing tongue 16 which is assigned to the at least one contact element 13. If the conductor connection device 10 comprises more than one contact element 13, a conductor fixing tongue 16 can be assigned to each of the contact elements 13. The conductor fixing tongue 16 comprises a clamping leg 17 which is prestressed against the conductor connection section 14. A conductor can be inserted between the clamping leg 17 and the conductor connection section 14 in the conductor connection direction D. The clamping leg 17 and the conductor connection section 14 form a funnel, the free width of which decreases along the conductor connection direction D. The clamping leg 17 is inclined to the conductor connection direction D. The conductor connection section 14 can be provided with a recess 18 through which the clamping leg 17 is accessible in an operating direction R. The operating direction R can extend perpendicular to the conductor connection direction D and to the first side 11. For example, a section or part of the conductor fixing tongue 16 can be arranged behind the recess 18 in the operating direction R. A free width of the funnel, which is formed by the clamping leg 17 and the conductor connection section 14, can extend along the operating direction R.

The conductor connection device 11 can comprise at least one latching element 19 which is arranged on the second side 12. The locking element 19 can be designed such that it has a locking connection with a counter-locking element of the consumption meter and e.g. the circuit board of the consumption meter. The conductor connection device 11 may comprise at least one positioning element 21 for easier finding and fixing the position of the conductor when the connection device 10 is in its assembled state, e.g. with respect to a circuit board of the consumption meter. The consumption meter and e.g. the printed circuit board can comprise at least one counter-positioning element, which can be designed to be complementary to the positioning element 21. The at least one positioning element 21 can be provided on the second side 12.

CH 715 071 A1 If the conductor connection device 10 comprises two locking elements 19, 20, the at least one positioning element 21 can be arranged between the two locking elements 19, 20. The locking elements 19, 20 can be arranged one after the other in a direction perpendicular to the conductor connection direction D and / or to the operating direction R. In particular, the latching elements 19, 20 can be arranged on opposite ends of the second side 12. If the conductor connection device 10 comprises two positioning elements 21, 22, the two positioning elements 21, 22 can be arranged one after the other in a direction perpendicular to the conductor connection direction D and / or to the operating direction R.

The conductor connection device 10 can comprise a base body 23, which consists of an insulating, i.e. dielectric, material is made. The at least one contact element 13 or more contact elements 13 can be mounted on the base body 23. The conductor fixing tongue 16 can be mounted on the base body 23. Alternatively, and as shown in the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 2, the conductor fixing tongue 16 can be mounted on the contact element 13. For example, a mounting leg 24 of the conductor fixing tongue 16 can be fixed to a part of the contact element 13 which extends parallel to its conductor connection section 14, e.g. by soldering, welding, gluing or riveting. For example, in particular if the contact element 13C or Q-shaped, the mounting leg 24 can be fixed on the contact section 15 and in particular on a side of the contact section 15 which faces the conductor connection section 14. If the contact element 13 has a meandering shape, as shown in the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 2, the mounting leg 24 can be fixed to a central section 25 of the contact element 13 and in particular to a side of the central section 25 which faces the conductor connection section 14. The center section 25 can extend parallel to the conductor connection direction D and / or the conductor connection section 14. The at least one locking element 19, 20 and / or the at least one positioning element 21, 22 can be formed as part of the base body 23.

3 shows the conductor connection device 10 in a further schematic perspective view, the first side 11 essentially facing outside the projection plane. The recess 18 in the conductor connection section 14 of the contact element 13 extends between a free end 26 of the conductor connection section 14 and a rear end 27 of the conductor connection section 14. The free end 26 and the rear end 27 delimit the recess 18 in the conductor connection direction D and against it. The free end 26 and the rear end 27 can be opposite ends of the conductor connection section 14. The recess 18 can thus be provided in a central part 28 of the conductor connection section 14, the central part 28 being arranged between the free end 26 and the rear end 27 in the conductor connection direction D. In a projection direction P, which extends perpendicular to the conductor connection direction D and the operating direction R, the free end 26 and / or the rear end 27 protrude from the central part 28 in the projection direction P, into which the recess 18 opens.

In the operating direction R at least one free end 29 of the clamping leg 17 of the conductor fixing tongue 16 is arranged behind the central part 28 and extends in the projection direction P, so that part of the free end 29 is arranged behind the recess 18 in the operating direction R. , and another part of the free end 29 is arranged behind the middle part 28 in the operating direction R. The free end 29 is thus accessible in the operating direction R through the recess 18. For this reason, the free end 29 can be pressed in the operating direction R to release a conductor which is held between the free end 29 and the middle part 28 of the conductor connection section 14.

4 shows the conductor connection device 10, which is illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, in combination with an exemplary embodiment of a printed circuit board 30 according to the present invention in a preassembled state Y and with a conductor 31 in a schematic perspective cross-sectional view along the cross-sectional plane AA of FIG. 2. The circuit board 30 can be a circuit board for a consumption meter or a consumption meter, wherein the conductor connection device 10 is designed such that it comprises a conductor 31 and, for example connects a bare wire 32 of the conductor 31 to the circuit board 30, which in turn can be designed such that it connects the conductor connection device 10 and other electronic or electrical components of the consumption meter to one another.

The circuit board 30 can be provided with at least one counter-locking element 33, wherein the at least one counter-locking element 33 can simply be provided as a through hole in the circuit board 30. The number of counter-locking elements 33 can correspond to the number of locking elements 19 of the conductor connection device 10. The circuit board 30 can be provided with at least one counter-positioning element 34, 35, wherein the at least one counter-positioning element 34, 35 can simply be provided as a through hole or as a countersunk hole of the circuit board 30, in particular if the at least one positioning element 21, 22 is designed as a pin. The set of counter-positioning elements 34, 35 can correspond to the set of positioning elements 21, 22 of the conductor connection device 10.

Furthermore, the printed circuit board 30 can comprise at least one mating contact element 36, 37, 38 for contacting the at least one contact element 13 and in particular its contact section 15. The at least one counter-contact element 36, 37, 38 can simply be provided as a contact pad or trace of the printed circuit board 30. The amount of mating contact elements 36, 37, 38 can correspond to the amount of contact elements 13 of the conductor connection device 10. At least part of the contact section 15 can be designed as a curved contact spring 39, which curves convexly with respect to the printed circuit board 30 and / or the second side 12 of the conductor connection device 10. In particular, can

CH 715 071 A1 the contact spring 39 form a free end of the contact section 15, the free end pointing in the conductor connection direction D.

In Fig. 4, the bare wire 32 of the conductor 31 was inserted between the clamping leg 17 of the conductor fixing tongue 16 and the central part 28 of the conductor connection section 14 in the conductor connection direction D. The conductor 31 is thus shown in a connected state M in which it is connected to the conductor connection device 10. The clamping leg 17 presses the bare wire 32 elastically against the operating direction R against the middle part 28 of the conductor connection section 14, so that the bare wire 32 is in electrically conductive contact with the contact element 13. If the conductor fixing tab 16 is made of an electrically conductive material, e.g. Spring steel, and is fixed to the central section 25 of the contact element 13 in an electrically conductive manner, the conductor fixing tongue 16 also connects the bare wire 31 to the central section 25 of the contact element 13.

If the clamping leg 17 is inclined to the conductor connection direction D and / or in this and extends against the operating direction R, it not only presses the bare wire 32 against the conductor connection section 14. Rather, the clamping leg 17 prevents due to the tendency that the bare Wire 32 can be removed from the conductor connection device 10 counter to the conductor connection direction D. In order to be able to remove the bare wire 32 from the conductor connection device 10, the free end 29 of the clamping leg 17 must be moved away from the conductor connection section 14 and essentially in the operating direction R.

Fig. 5 shows the conductor connection device 10 with the circuit board 30 in an assembled state Z, in which the conductor connection device 10 is mounted on the circuit board 30. In the assembled state Z, the at least one locking element 19, 20 can form a locking connection with the at least one counter-locking element 33 and / or the at least one positioning element 21, 22 can form fit with the at least one counter-positioning element 34, 35. The conductor 31 shown in FIG. 4 has been omitted in FIG. 5 for the sake of simplicity, so that the shape of the free end 26 of the conductor connection section 14 can be illustrated more easily.

As shown in the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 4, the free end 26 can extend against the conductor connection direction D and the operating direction R, whereby the funnel, which is formed by the clamping leg 17 and the conductor connection section 14, counter to the conductor connection direction D. is widened. In order to save installation space perpendicular to the operating direction R, a part of the free end 26, which faces the central part 28 of the conductor connection section 14, can be curved in the operating direction R, the free end 26 being curved against the operating direction R if it continues to counter the Conductor connection direction D extends.

FIG. 6 shows the exemplary embodiment of the insulating housing 1, which is illustrated in FIG. 1, together with the conductor connection device 10, which is shown in FIGS. 2 to 5 and is arranged in the insulating housing 1. The operating element 6 covers the open operating side S of the insulating housing 1 at least partially and can be designed as a plate which extends essentially along a plane which is formed by the conductor connection direction D and the projection direction P. The operating element 6 can be a cover which at least partially covers the operating side S, wherein the operating element 6 can be movable in the operating direction R and counter to this. For example, the operating element 6 can be connected to the wall 2, which can be referred to as the rear wall of the insulating housing 1. The rear wall 2 can be arranged opposite the wall 4, the wall 4 being the front wall of the insulating housing 1; the front wall can be the wall which faces the conductor connection direction D. For example, the operating element 6 can be connected to one of the walls 2, 3, 4, 5 via a hinge. The hinge can be a film hinge which, together with the operating element 6 and the insulating housing 1, is made in one piece, e.g. in a single shot.

The at least one guide opening 7, 8, 9 in the wall 4 can be formed as a recess which extends completely through the wall 4 in the conductor connection direction D and opens against the operating direction R, so that the conductor 31 through the at least a guide opening 7, 8, 9 can be easily inserted into the insulating housing 1. The contact opening O opens the receiving volume U of the insulating housing 1 essentially in the projection plane and in the operating direction R.

Fig. 7 shows the insulating housing 1 with the conductor connection device 10, which is illustrated in Fig. 6, in combination with the circuit board 30, which is shown in Figs. 4 and 5, in the assembled state Z in a schematic perspective Cross-sectional view, the cross-sectional plane in FIG. 2 being indicated by the plane AA. In FIG. 7, the middle part 28 of the conductor connection section 14 has been omitted in order to be able to show more details of the operating element 6. The operating element 6 can comprise at least one operating projection 40 which extends in the operating direction R. If the conductor connection device 10 comprises more than one conductor fixing tongue 16, the number of operating projections 40 can correspond to the quantity of conductor fixing tongues 16.

An operating side 41 of a free end 22 of the operating projection 40 faces in the operating direction R and towards the contact opening O of the insulating housing 1. Thus, the free end 29 of the clamping leg 17 and the operating side 41 can face each other along the operating direction R. In particular, the free end 29 of the clamping leg 16 can lie on the operating side 41, at least in a state in which no conductor 31 is connected to the conductor connection section 14 of the contact element 13. In order to move the free end 20 of the clamping leg 17 away from the conductor connection section 14 and in the operating direction R, the operating element 6 in

CH 715 071 A1

Operating direction R, e.g. if the conductor 31 is to be removed from the conductor connection device 10.

In order to avoid that the clamping leg 17 and / or the operating element 6 are moved too far in the operating direction R, and / or to provide a tactile reaction, the operating side 41 can be provided with a slot or a groove 43 which or which opens in the R operating direction. The slot or groove 43 can have a front side 44 and a rear side 45. The front side 44 is arranged in the conductor connection direction D in front of the rear side 25. The front side 44 can extend in the conductor connection direction D and against the operating direction R in order to facilitate movements of the free end 29 of the conductor connection section 14 in the operating direction R when the operating element 6 is pressed in the operating direction R. The rear side 45 can extend in the conductor connection direction D and in the operating direction R to a stop surface 45, i.e. to form a limited stop, which limits a sliding movement of the free end 29 of the conductor connection section 14 in the conductor connection direction D when the operating element 6 is pressed in the operating direction R.

In the assembled state Z, the contact spring 39, which is formed by the contact section 15 of the contact element 13, can be compressed in order to be less curved than in the preassembled state Y or even flat, so that the contact spring 39 with an elastic force presses against the mating contact element 36 and maintains this electrical and mechanical contact with the mating contact element 36 even when vibrations or other forces want to open this contact. Thus, it may not be necessary to fix the contact spring 39 to the mating contact element 36, e.g. by gluing or soldering or the like.

Fig. 8 shows the insulating housing 1 in a schematic perspective view substantially against the operating direction R, but without the conductor connection device 10 or the circuit board 30. For example, the operating element 6 comprises several and in particular three operating projections 40, 46, 47, which in the projection direction P are arranged one after the other. In particular, the number of operating projections 40, 46, 47 can correspond to the number of conductor fixing tongues 16 with clamping legs 17. The positions of the operating projections 40, 46, 47 can correspond to the recesses 18 of the conductor connection sections 14, so that the operating projections 40, 46, 47 can each engage one of the recesses 18, at least when the operating element 6 is pressed in the operating direction R. The insulating housing 1 is shown as an example as part of a cover plate 48 for the consumption meter or the consumption meter. Alternatively, the insulating housing 1 can be replaced by another element of the consumption meter and e.g. be provided by an outer housing or a cover for the consumption meter or the consumption meter.

Fig. 9 shows an exemplary embodiment of a consumption meter 50, e.g. for measuring electricity fed to a device or home in a pre-assembled state E and without the cover plate 48. The consumption meter 50 comprises the conductor connection device 10, with the conductor connection device 10 on one side of the circuit board 30 for the consumption meter 50 or of the consumption meter 50 can be mounted. If the conductor connection device 10 is mounted on one side of the circuit board 30, this can mean that the conductor connection device 10 is arranged on the side of the circuit board 30. The conductor connection device 10 can be attached to the circuit board 30 and e.g. fixed to the side on which it is mounted, e.g. by positive or non-positive engagement, e.g. through which at least one locking element 19 or a screw is provided.

The printed circuit board 30 can comprise a mounting side for mounting at least selected electrical components of the consumption meter 50, the mounting side facing into an outer housing 51 of the consumption meter 50, and an operating side 52 which faces outside the outer housing 51 and in particular one user User interface 53 or an installer of the consumption meter 50 is facing. The conductor connection device 10 can be mounted on the operating side 52. In the exemplary embodiment from FIG. 9, the mounting side faces into a housing 51 of the consumption meter 50, so that the mounting side is not visible. At least the printed circuit board 30 can be arranged in an installation space 54 which is provided in the housing 51.

In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 9, the outer housing 51 comprises a front opening 55 which opens the outer housing 51 and in particular the installation space 54 towards the user or installer, so that the user or installer can move over the front Opening 34 has access to installation space 54, e.g. to install or access the circuit board 20. The operating side 52 faces the user through the front opening 55 against the operating direction R. The front opening 55 can thus extend perpendicular to the operating direction R. In addition or alternatively, the outer housing 51 can comprise a connection opening 56 for connecting the consumption meter 50 and in particular the conductor connection device 10 via the connection opening to the conductor. The connection opening 56 can extend in the operating direction R and can open the housing 51 against the conductor connection direction D. The front opening 55 and the connection opening 56 can be formed continuously.

FIG. 10 shows the consumption meter 50 of the exemplary embodiment from FIG. 9 in a completely assembled state F, in which the housing 51 of the consumption meter 50 is closed by a cover 57. The cover 57 can be designed in such a way that it closes the front opening 55 of the housing 51. In addition, the cover can be designed such that it closes the connection opening 56 in the fully assembled state F of the consumption meter 50. The cover 57 can be formed with at least one recess that faces the user interface

CH 715 071 A1 is exposed. In the fully assembled state F, the cover plate 48, which can include the insulating housing 1, can be arranged under or behind the cover 57 and in particular between the printed circuit board 30 and the cover 57. Alternatively, the outer housing 51 and / or the cover 57 and / or the cover plate 48 can provide the insulating housing 1, which at least partially encloses the conductor connection device.

Deviations from the above-described embodiments are possible without departing from the scope of the present invention. The conductor connection device 10, the insulating housing 1 and the printed circuit board 30 and can be designed as required, as required for connecting at least one or even a plurality of conductors 31 to the consumption meter 50. The conductor connection device 10 can therefore include contact elements 13 and optionally conductor fixing tongues 16 in any number and shape, as required for connecting the at least one or even a plurality of conductors 31 to the consumption meter 50. The operating element 6 can further comprise the operating projection 40 in any number and shape, as is required to detach the at least one or even a plurality of conductors 31 from the consumption meter 50.

Reference numerals [0057]

I insulating housing / enclosure

2-5 walls

operating element

7-9 guide opening

Wire connection device

II first side of the conductor connection use second side of the conductor connection device

contact element

Conductor connection section of the contact element

Contact section of the contact element

Head fixing tongue

clamping leg

recess

19.20 locking element

21.22 positioning element

body

Mounting leg

Middle section free end of the conductor connection section rear end of the conductor connection section

Middle part of the

Conductor connection section free end of the clamping leg

circuit board

Head of bare wire

Counter-locking element

CH 715 071 A1

34.35 counter-positioning element

36-38 mating contact element

contact spring

operating lead

Operating side of the operating projection free end of the operating projection

Slot / groove in the operating side

Front of the slot / groove

Back of the slots / roof, stop surface

46.47 Operating advantage

utility meters

Outer housing of the consumption meter

Operator side of the circuit board

User interface of the consumption meter

Installation space of the consumption meter front opening

connecting opening

cover

C Contact side of the insulating housing

D Direction of conductor connection

E State of the consumption meter pre-assembled

F fully assembled state of the consumption meter

M connected state

O Contact opening of the insulating housing

P projection direction

R operating direction

S operating side

U recording volume

V The volume of the insulating housing

Y pre-assembled condition

Z assembled condition

Claims (15)

claims 1. Consumption meter (50) with a conductor connection device (10) for connecting the consumption meter (50) with a conductor (31) and with an insulating housing (1) for the conductor connection device (10), characterized in that the insulating housing (1) through walls (2 to 5) of the consumption meter (50) is provided, the walls (2 CH 715 071 A1 to 5) are provided separately from the conductor connection device (10) and form a receiving volume (U) for receiving the conductor connection device (10). 2. Consumption meter (50) according to claim 1, characterized in that the insulating housing (1) is formed in one piece by a cover plate (48) of the consumption meter (50), the cover plate (48) having an installation space (54) for measuring electronics from one for separates a user accessible space of the consumption meter (50). 3. Consumption meter (50) according to claim 2, characterized in that the insulating housing (1) comprises a contact side (C) with a contact opening (O) which opens to the installation space (54) and / or away from the cover plate (48). 4. Consumption meter according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the contact opening (C) is covered by a printed circuit board (30), the conductor connection device (10) making electrical contact with the printed circuit board (30) and / or being mechanically attached to it , 5. Consumption meter (50) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the conductor connection device (10) has a first side (11) and a second side (12), which differs from the first side (11), and a electrically conductive connection element (13), the connection element (13) being provided with a conductor connection section (14) for contacting a conductor (31) and with a contact section (15) for contacting the circuit board (30), the conductor connection section (14) is arranged on the first side (11) and the contact section (15) is arranged on the second side (12). 6. The consumption meter (50) according to claim 5, characterized in that the conductor connection section (14) and the contact section (15) extend essentially parallel to one another. 7. consumption meter (50) according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the conductor connection element (13) has a meandering shape or is U- or C-shaped and that the conductor connection section (14) and the contact section (15) by substantially parallel sections of the conductor connection element (13) are formed. 8. Consumption meter (50) according to one of claims 5 to 7, characterized in that the conductor connection device (10) comprises at least one latching element (19) which is arranged on the second side (12) in order to with a counter-latching element (33) PCB (30) to be locked. 9. Consumption meter (50) according to one of claims 5 to 8, characterized in that the conductor connection device (10) comprises two latching elements (19, 20) which are arranged on opposite ends of the second side (12). 10. Consumption meter (50) according to one of claims 5 to 9, characterized in that the conductor connection device (10) comprises at least one positioning element (21) which is arranged on the second side (12) in order to with a counter-positioning element (34) PCB (30) to engage. 11. Consumption meter (50) according to one of claims 5 to 8, characterized in that the conductor connection device (10) comprises two latching elements (19, 20) which protrude beyond the second side (12) and a positioning element (21) between the two locking elements (19, 20) is arranged on the second side (12). 12. Consumption meter (50) according to one of claims 9 to 11, characterized in that the conductor connection device (10) has a predefined conductor connection direction (D) along which a conductor (31) can be moved with respect to the conductor connection device (10), to connect the conductor (31) to the conductor connection device (10), the two latching elements (19, 20) being arranged one after the other in a direction (P) which extends perpendicular to the conductor connection direction (D). 13. Consumption meter (50) according to one of claims 9 to 11, characterized in that the conductor connection device (10) has a predefined conductor connection direction (D) in which a conductor (31) can be moved with respect to the conductor connection device (10), to connect the conductor (31) to the conductor connection device (10), the conductor connection device (10) comprising a conductor fixing tongue (16) which prevents a conductor (31) in its connected state (M) against the conductor connection direction (D) is moved, the conductor fixing tongue (16) being accessible via an operating side (S) of the insulating housing (1), the operating side (S) being arranged opposite the contact opening (O). 14. Consumption meter (50) according to claim 13, characterized in that the conductor fixing tongue (16) protrudes from the conductor connection section (14) of the connecting element (13) in a direction (P) perpendicular to the conductor connection direction (D) and parallel to the operating side (S). 15. Consumption meter (50) according to claim 13 or 14, characterized in that the operating element (6) comprises an operating projection (40) which extends substantially perpendicular to the conductor connection direction (D) from the operating side (S) to the contact opening (O) extends, the operating projection (40) being provided with a stop surface (45) which is oriented obliquely to the conductor connection direction (D). CH 715 071 A1 CH 715 071 A1 CH 715 071 A1 26 17 14 CH 715 071 A1 CH 715 071 A1 CH 715 071 A1 CH 715 071 A1 AGREEMENT ABOUT INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION ^^ ENARSEIT IN D «FIELD OF PATENTING REPORT ON INTERNATIONAL SEARCH SW ^ ^? £ SS «.i <ì pg $ O« K AWALX » P180144CH Anmekted ^ to OMISSIS | »ŒÎ« ^ ÎCHmmG S £ R KÄTK? M.B8 AHS®USW IMettes Âkteiiî.ek.hesn 7.232018 CH Landls + Gyr AG! 8 & «n ÖS« Applications: Ì expensive SN71S40 IL KLÂSSâFæâe ^ ÿitS iæ $ .m & UmG8S £ GBmARE> $ sss-sfi; ; Ίβ ί ιη "5;?!" Ίί> 5η G81R1 W; G81R22 / 88; GÔlR1> ^ H01R4 / iW I ". RECKEROeSRIE. SACH6 £ »ETG 1PC | G01R; H62BjH81R »ÄmÂNSPRÔCRE HABSK SKSR MS'ÎlfCHT R £ CH £ SCHS £ R8.W ERWæ & SS S-ariTifeJsS FCT.SiS *. ? fS1 Si; ' iSSSö " CH 715 071 A1 VIEW 'OVERVIEW SEARCH IRTERIWOOM & UER ART Sforni CH 7232013 ADD. CDM / SA H81R4 / 48 ÄäfcF tbXi * c $ x aa ^ sfcss “iiùs ^ S> kiisò>> & $ -: ££ & Re £ Si -: ^ H & ^ T £ & AÖ ^ xÖiS-n £. SOIR H828 HOIR Ss «ï»> > Xirt> i ^ îS · Vÿ? Îî ¥ «S '^! K ^! Î? 1 · S <WÄ5 ^ <5S <}! $ &' Ώ $ ώ ^ EKMMsnwl _s WPT Data □. as.® srngji-nxst ANftsssH & œ «.w« wîû ^ .wk; * * Keisss® ^ DE 12 7S 1§2 8 (SJEHEK5 AS) 14. Must ms (ms-OiMA) ^Ä paragraphs [SW] _s [«$)» [WlS] Figi 1 digerì 1-4 * £ 2 3 225 812 Al (SIEMENS M [SEI) October 4, 2017 (2017-18Ό4) * paragraphs («SJ 1 * 15 [8814]; FromJM ìdu «« 1-3 1-3 DE 2§7 0? S24 31 IHHÖVAT (CHI) October 13, 199? * ÄbsäUe («41 (LAHOIS A OT TKH (WMW-IS) - [8S3S]; From bìì digerì 1-4 • X • SW SSÄT ^ Ab * X S 3 Wft & ss «îht S. ösa ^ sr COiS JiiifMcskäs Istvän S <sv> bÄ: twt. ^ 3X «ÿ 'ΧΛί'ί 1 CH 715 071 A1 CH 715 071 A1 BERUHT SŒR W RBCHERGW f ^ MÄIKmER ART A & $ efeä «SS. ' <$ A .irai: §ό8άί & ·> ? S *. <I * Hsu? Stasata * CH 7232818 valley <&? ' »»} R ^ fifeìi-ìta Ûato \% Ϊ $ ίί <δ · "^ Κί: Ί $ --- EP 3226812 al 8448-2S1? DE W20Û2BH6 Ai EP 3228612 Al ss-lu-m? DP 29767524 U1 15-1S-1W KEJhE HÖ 0631838 Al 82 ~ 66 «20Q§ A3 1256688 .A D r CA 2279466 Al 28-? DE 13W793 part 29 g US 6148187, A 14-1 US 6259558 SI 26-s w 8631838 Al 12-1 ... .V - \ K A »Ά Λ? A * * Λ V · Ά, Η ·