CH715071B1 - Consumption meter with wire 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 utility meter without impairing the safety of use, 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 utility meter will. The invention also relates to a conductor connection device (10).

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 meter, z. B. 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 revenue meter to a power supply or to a source of electrical energy to be supplied and measured, the revenue meter includes the conductor connection device.

Conductor termination devices are commonly used to connect an electrical conductor, e.g. B. a line or cable with a device and z. B. to electrically connect a consumption meter Conductor connection devices must be inexpensive and should in particular facilitate the production of the connection to the conductor. In use, conductor termination devices conduct electricity and must include an insulating housing to protect users, e.g. B. operators or installers of the utility 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 mitigate some of the above-mentioned disadvantages of prior art revenue meters and their wire termination devices. In particular, a conductor termination device is presented that can be manufactured and assembled at a reasonable cost without compromising the electrical safety of the utility meter.

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

As a result, the conductor connection device can be arranged in the receiving volume such that electrical insulation of at least one contact spring of the conductor connection device is at least partially provided by the walls of the utility meter. When designing and producing the conductor connection device, an additional housing for 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. B. for an injection mold for the housing can be saved. Since the insulating housing may be provided by another element of the utility meter, which requires either material, production time and - if the other element is formed by injection molding - a mold, no or negligible costs arise from the formation and provision of the insulating housing for the conductor connection device Extra cost.

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

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

[0009] According to a further possible embodiment, the receiving volume comprises a contact side with a contact opening which opens to the installation space. An advantage of this embodiment may be that the conductor connection device quickly and even directly electronic components and z. B. can connect or contact a printed circuit board of the consumption meter via the contact opening, so that a costly separate connection between the conductor connection device and the electronic components and z. B. the circuit board can be avoided.

According to a further possible embodiment, the contact opening is covered by a printed circuit board of the consumption meter, the conductor connection device making electrical contact with the printed circuit board and being mechanically attached to it. An advantage of this embodiment can be that the conductor connection device does not have to be additionally fixed to the printed circuit board due to the electrical connection and the mechanical fixing.

[0011] 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 mounted manually or automatically on the printed circuit board and then by the Housing covered or can be 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 z. B. 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. B. to release a conductor from the conductor connection device without the conductor connection device 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 a contact section for contacting the Circuit board is provided, wherein the conductor connection portion is arranged on the first side and the contact portion 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.

According to the invention, the conductor connection section and the contact section extend essentially parallel to one another. An advantage of this can be that the conductor can easily be brought into contact along the conductor connection section. For example, when the contact portion extends parallel to one side of the circuit board, the conductor can be easily moved along or parallel to the circuit board to bring the conductor into contact with the conductor terminal portion.

The conductor connection element has a meander shape, z. B. like an S, or is U- or C-shaped, wherein the conductor connection section and the contact section are formed by parallel sections of the conductor connection element. An advantage of this can be that the wire connection member can be easily formed and its shape can be easily adjusted to facilitate assembling of the wire connection device and connecting a wire to its wire connection portion.

[0016] 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 to a counter-latching element of the printed circuit board. One advantage of this embodiment can be that the conductor connection device can be fixed to the printed circuit board in a simple manner using the latching element and the counter-latching element, either manually or automatically.

[0017] According to a further possible embodiment, the conductor connection device comprises two latching elements which are arranged at 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 want to move and in particular rotate the conductor connection device more effectively than one latching element, which prevents the latching connection from being unintentionally opened.

[0018] 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 engages with a counter-positioning element of the printed 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 locking elements which protrude beyond the second side and z. B. protruding from this, and a positioning element, which is arranged between the two latching 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 connection device laterally in relation to the printed circuit board from affecting 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, with the two latching elements in a direction that is perpendicular to the conductor connection direction extends, are arranged one after the other. An advantage of this embodiment can be that the space required for the snap-in connection does not affect the placement of the conductor connection device along the conductor connection direction.

According to a further possible embodiment, the conductor connection device has a predefined conductor connection direction in which a conductor is moved with respect to the conductor connection device in order to connect the conductor to the conductor connection device, the conductor connection device comprising a conductor fixing tongue which prevents a conductor in its connected state is moved against the conductor connection direction, with the conductor fixing tongue being accessible via the operator side. An advantage of this embodiment may be that inadvertent removal of a conductor from the conductor terminal device is prevented, whereas if the conductor is to be intentionally removed, the fixing tongue is easily accessible.

According to a further possible embodiment, the conductor fixing tongue protrudes in a 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 may be that the ladder fixation tongue is easily accessible from the operator side, e.g. B. by the operating element, whereby the design is simplified and thus the production costs are reduced.

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 may be that the stop surface, in cooperation with the fixation tab, limits maximum deflection of the actuator and provides a tactile response via the actuator that signals that the fixation tab is in a release position where the conductor can be removed.

The caseless conductor termination device is advantageous in its own right and without the remaining elements of the revenue meter and can be used with other devices that require connection to at least one electrical conductor.

Brief description of the drawings

The invention is described in more detail and by way of example below 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 be provided independently of one another or omitted, wherein in the drawings: Figure 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, Figure 2 shows an exemplary embodiment of a conductor connection device according to the present invention in a schematic perspective view, Figure 3 shows the conductor connection device of the exemplary embodiment illustrated in Figure 2, in a further perspective view, Figure 4 shows the conductor connection device of the exemplary Embodiment, which is illustrated in Figures 2 and 3, in a schematic perspective cross-sectional view with a printed circuit board in a pre-assembled state nd shows, Figure 5 shows the conductor connection device and the circuit board of the exemplary embodiment illustrated in Figure 4 in an assembled state, Figure 6 shows the housing of the exemplary embodiment illustrated in Figure 1 in a further perspective view and with im Figure 7 shows the housing and the conductor connection device illustrated in Figure 6 in a further cross-sectional perspective view Figure 8 shows the exemplary embodiment of the housing according to the present invention in a further schematic perspective view Figure 9 shows an exemplary An embodiment of a revenue meter according to the present invention in a schematic perspective view in a pre-assembled condition, Figure 10 shows the revenue meter illustrated in Figure 9 in a fully assembled condition d shows.

Ways to carry out the invention

Figure 1 shows an exemplary embodiment of an insulating housing 1 for a conductor connection device according to the present invention (see Figure 2). The insulating housing 1 comprises side walls 2, 3, 4, 5, which can enclose an accommodation volume U for accommodating the conductor connection device. The walls 2, 3, 4, 5 are provided independently or separately from the conductor connection device by the utility meter, e.g. B. by a cover plate that separates an installation space for the electronics of the utility meter from a space accessible to a user. Alternatively, the walls 2, 3, 4, 5 can be provided by an outer housing or a cover of the utility meter (see Figure 10). The insulating housing 1 can comprise a contact side C with a contact opening O, the conductor connection device, when it is arranged in the receiving volume U, electronics of the consumption meter and e.g. B. contact a printed circuit board of the consumption meter via the contact opening C electrically and / or mechanically. For example, the contact hole O opens the insulating case 1 to the installation space.

On another side and e.g. B. a side 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 when it is arranged inside the insulating housing 1. For example, an operating element 6 can be provided on the operating side S, i. H. in the receiving volume U. The operating element 6 can be formed from an insulating material and can be located at least in sections close to the insulating housing 1 on the operating side S. The conductor connection device can be accessible via the operating side S and the operating element 6, the operating element 6 avoiding that a user of the utility meter has to contact the conductor connection device directly in order to operate the conductor connection device, e.g. B. 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 can be moved into the insulating housing 1. For example, the operating element 6 via a hinge, z. B. a film hinge with the insulating housing 1 connected. One of the walls 2, 3, 4, 5 and z. B. 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 extend into the insulating housing 1 along a conductor connection direction D through the at least one guide opening.

FIG. 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 may include a first side 11 and a second side 12 , where the first and second sides 10 and 11 are different from each other and may 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 extend from the first side 11 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 where the conductor is connected to the conductor connection device 10 , the conductor electrically and mechanically contacts the conductor connection portion 14 . In an assembled state of the conductor connection device 10, in which the conductor connection device 10 on the consumption meter and z. B. is mounted on a printed circuit board of the consumption meter, the contact portion 15 of the contact element 13 contacts a further electrical or electronic part of the consumption meter and z. B. a contact element of the circuit board electrically and mechanically.

The conductor connection portion 14 and the contact portion 15 may extend substantially parallel to each other. For example, the contact element 13 can be C- or U-shaped, with 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 Figure 2, the contact element 13 can have a meandering shape and z. B. be substantially S-shaped, with the conductor terminal portion 14 and the contact portion 15 forming the end portions of the S, which extend parallel to each other.

The conductor connection device 10 can comprise a conductor fixing tongue 16 which is associated with 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 includes a clamping leg 17 which is pretensioned 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 perpendicularly to the conductor connection direction D and to the first side 11 . For example, a portion or portion of the ladder fixation tongue 16 may be located behind the recess 18 in the direction of operation 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 so that there is a locking connection with a counter-locking element of the consumption meter and z. B. forms the circuit board of the utility 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. B. in relation to a circuit board of the utility meter. The consumption meter and z. B. 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 .

If the conductor connection device 10 comprises two latching elements 19, 20, the at least one positioning element 21 can be arranged between the two latching elements 19, 20. The latching 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 at 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. H. dielectric, material is made. The at least one contact element 13 or multiple 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 that extends parallel to its conductor connection section 14, e.g. B. by soldering, welding, gluing or riveting. For example, particularly when the contact element 13 is C- or Q-shaped, the mounting leg 24 can be fixed to the contact section 15 and in particular to a side of the contact section 15 that faces the conductor connection section 14 . If the contact element 13 has a meandering shape, as shown in the exemplary embodiment of FIG. The middle section 25 can extend parallel to the conductor connection direction D and/or to the conductor connection section 14 . The at least one latching element 19, 20 and/or the at least one positioning element 21, 22 can be formed as part of the base body 23.

FIG. 3 shows the conductor connection device 10 in a further schematic perspective view, the first side 11 being turned essentially outside the plane of projection. 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 towards it. The free end 26 and the rear end 27 can be opposite ends of the conductor connection section 14 . Thus, the recess 18 can 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 protrusion direction P, which extends perpendicularly 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 protrusion direction P, in 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 central 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 pushed in the operating direction R to release a conductor held between the free end 29 and the central part 28 of the conductor terminal section 14 .

Figure 4 shows the conductor connection device 10, which is illustrated in Figures 2 and 3, in combination with an exemplary embodiment of a printed circuit board 30 according to the present invention in a pre-assembled state Y and with a conductor 31 in a schematic perspective cross-sectional view along the Cross-sectional plane AA of FIG. B. connects a bare wire 32 of the conductor 31 to the printed circuit board 30, which in turn can be adapted to interconnect the conductor connection device 10 and other electronic or electrical components of the utility meter.

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 be provided simply as a through hole or as a countersunk hole in the circuit board 30, in particular if the at least one positioning element 21, 22 is designed as a pin. The number of counter-positioning elements 34, 35 can correspond to the number 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 mating contact element 36, 37, 38 can simply be provided as a contact pad or track on the printed circuit board 30. The number of mating contact elements 36, 37, 38 can correspond to the number 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 in relation to the printed circuit board 30 and/or the second side 12 of the conductor connection device 10 . In particular, the contact spring 39 can form a free end of the contact section 15, with the free end pointing in the conductor connection direction D.

In Figure 4, the bare wire 32 of the conductor 31 was inserted between the clamping leg 17 of the head 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 elastically presses the bare wire 32 against the operating direction R against the central 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 fixation tongue 16 is made of an electrically conductive material, e.g. B. spring steel, and is electrically conductively fixed to the middle section 25 of the contact element 13, the conductor fixing tongue 16 also connects the bare wire 31 to the middle section 25 of the contact element 13.

If the clamping leg 17 is inclined towards the conductor connection direction D and/or in this direction and extends counter to the operating direction R, it not only presses the bare wire 32 against the conductor connection section 14. Rather, the clamping leg 17 prevents the bare wire from 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 printed circuit board 30 in an assembled state Z, in which the conductor connection device 10 is mounted on the printed 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 a positive fit with the at least one counter-positioning element 34, 35. The conductor 31 shown in Figure 4 has been omitted from Figure 5 for the sake of simplicity so that the shape of the free end 26 of the conductor terminal portion 14 can be illustrated more simply.

As shown in the exemplary embodiment of Figure 4, the free end 26 can extend counter to the conductor connection direction D and the operating direction R, whereby the funnel formed by the clamping leg 17 and the conductor connection section 14 widens counter to the conductor connection direction D will. In order to save installation space perpendicular to the operating direction R, a part of the free end 26 that faces the central part 28 of the conductor connection section 14 can be curved in the operating direction R, with the free end 26 being curved counter to the operating direction R as it further bends towards 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 at least partially covers the open operating side S of the insulating housing 1 and can be formed as a plate which extends substantially along a plane formed by the conductor connecting direction D and the protruding direction P. The operating element 6 can be a cover which at least partially covers the operating side S, it being possible for the operating element 6 to be movable in the operating direction R and counter to it. 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 to the wall 4, wherein the wall 4 can be referred to as the front wall of the insulating housing 1, the front wall can be the wall facing 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 that is integral with the operating element 6 and the insulating housing 1, z. B. in a single injection molding shot.

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

Figure 7 shows the insulating housing 1 with the conductor connection device 10, which is illustrated in Figure 6, in combination with the circuit board 30, which is shown in Figures 4 and 5, in the assembled state Z in a schematic perspective cross-sectional view, wherein the cross-sectional plane in Figure 2 is indicated by the plane AA. The central part 28 of the conductor connection section 14 has been omitted in FIG. 7 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 termination device 10 includes more than one conductor fixation tab 16 , the quantity of operating projections 40 may correspond to the quantity of conductor fixation tongues 16 .

An operating side 41 of a free end 22 of the operating projection 40 faces in the operating direction R and toward the contact hole O of the insulating case 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 rest 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 can be pressed in the operating direction R, e.g. B. when the conductor 31 is to be removed from the conductor connection device 10.

In order to avoid the clamping leg 17 and/or the operating element 6 being moved too far in the operating direction R and/or to provide a tactile response, the operating side 41 can be provided with a slot or groove 43 which , which opens in the operating direction R. The slot or groove 43 may have a front 44 and a back 45 . The front side 44 is arranged in front of the rear side 25 in the conductor connection direction D. The front side 44 can extend in the conductor connection direction D and counter to 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 pushed in the operating direction R. The rear side 45 can extend in the conductor connection direction D and in the operating direction R to form a stop surface 45, i. H. a limited stop, which limits a sliding movement of the free end 29 of the conductor terminal portion 14 in the conductor terminal direction D when the operating member 6 is pushed in the operating direction R.

In the assembled state Z, the contact spring 39 formed by the contact portion 15 of the contact element 13 can be compressed to be less curved than in the preassembled state Y or even flat, so that the contact spring 39 has 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 on the mating contact element 36, z. B. by gluing or soldering or the like.

Figure 8 shows the insulating housing 1 in a schematic perspective view essentially opposite to the operating direction R, but without the conductor connection device 10 or the printed circuit board 30. For example, the operating element 6 comprises several and in particular three operating projections 40, 46, 47, which are shown in 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 with 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 by way of 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. B. be provided by an outer housing or a cover for the consumption meter or the consumption meter.

Figure 9 shows an exemplary embodiment of a consumption meter 50, z. B. for measuring electricity fed to a facility or a home, in a pre-assembled state E and without the cover plate 48. The utility meter 50 comprises the conductor connection device 10, the conductor connection device 10 on one side of the circuit board 30 for the utility meter 50 or 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 printed circuit board 30 and z. B. on the side on which it is mounted, fixed, z. B. by positive or non-positive locking, the z. B. is provided by the at least one locking element 19 or a screw.

The 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 of the outer housing 51 and in particular a user of a User interface 53 or an installer of the consumption meter 50 faces. The wire termination device 10 may be mounted on the operator side 52 . In the exemplary embodiment of 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 circuit board 30 can be arranged in an installation space 54 provided in the case 51 .

In the exemplary embodiment shown in Figure 9, the outer housing 51 includes 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 via the front opening 34 has access to the installation space 54, e.g. B. 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. Thus, the front opening 55 can extend perpendicularly to the operating direction R. In addition or as an alternative, the outer housing 51 can include a connection opening 56 for connecting the consumption meter 50 and in particular the conductor connection device 10 via the connection opening 56 to the conductor. The connection opening 56 can extend in the operating direction R and can open the housing 51 opposite to the wire connecting direction D. The front opening 55 and the connection opening 56 may be formed continuously.

Figure 10 shows the consumption meter 50 of the exemplary embodiment of Figure 9 in a fully assembled state F, in which the housing 51 of the consumption meter 50 is closed by a cover 57. The lid 57 may be designed to close the front opening 55 of the case 51 . In addition, the cover 57 can be designed in such a way that it closes the connection opening 56 in the fully assembled state F of the utility meter 50 . The cover 57 can be formed with at least one recess that is exposed to the user interface 53 . In the fully assembled state F, the cover plate 48, which can enclose 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.

The conductor connection device 10, the insulating housing 1 and the circuit board 30 can be configured as required for connecting at least one or even a plurality of conductors 31 to the utility meter 50. The conductor connection device 10 can therefore comprise 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 utility meter 50 . The operating element 6 can further comprise the operating protrusion 40 in any number and shape as required for detaching the at least one or even a plurality of conductors 31 from the utility meter 50 .

Reference sign

1 insulating housing/housing 2-5 walls 6 operating element 7-9 guide opening 10 conductor connection device 11 first side of the conductor connection use 12 second side of the conductor connection device 13 contact element 14 conductor connection section of the contact element 15 contact section of the contact element 16 conductor fixing tongue 17 clamping leg 18 recess 19, 20 locking element 21, 22 positioning element 23 base body 24 mounting leg 25 middle section 26 free end of the conductor connection section 27 rear end of the conductor connection section 28 middle part of the conductor connection section 29 free end of the clamping leg 30 printed circuit board 31 conductor 32 bare wire 33 counter-locking element 34, 35 counter-positioning element 36-38 mating contact element 39 contact spring 40 operating projection 41 operating side of operating projection 42 free end of operating projection 43 slot/groove in operating side 44 front side of slot/groove 45 rear side of slot/roof, stop surface 46, 47 operating projection 50 consumption meter 51 outer housing of consumption meter 52 Circuit board operation side 53 Revenue meter user interface 54 Revenue meter installation space 55 Front opening 56 Connection opening 57 Cover C Contact side of insulating case D Conductor connection direction E Pre-mated state of meter F Fully assembled state of meter M Connected state O Contact opening of insulating case P Projection direction R Operating direction S Operating side U Capacity V capacity of the insulating housing Y pre-assembled state Z assembled state

Claims (14)

A utility meter (50) comprising a conductor connection device (10) for connecting the utility meter (50) to a conductor (31) and comprising an insulating housing (1) provided by walls (2 to 5) of the utility meter (50), wherein the walls (2 to 5) are provided separately from the conductor connection device (10) and form a receiving volume (U) for receiving the conductor connection device (10), characterized in that an electrically conductive contact element (13) of the conductor connection device (10) has a meandering shape or Is U-shaped or C-shaped and that a conductor connection section (14) and a contact section (15) are formed by essentially parallel sections of the contact element (13). 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 to one Separates user-accessible utility meter (50) space. A consumption meter (50) according to claim 2, characterized in that the insulating housing (1) comprises a contact face (C) with a contact opening (O) opening towards the installation space (54) and/or away from the cover plate (48). 4. Consumption meter according to claim 3, characterized in that the contact opening (O) 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. A consumption meter (50) according to claim 4, characterized in that the conductor connection device (10) comprises a first side (11) and a second side (12) different from the first side (11), the contact element (13) is provided with the conductor connection section (14) for contacting a conductor (31) and with the contact section (15) for contacting the printed circuit board (30), the conductor connection section (14) being arranged on the first side (11) and the contact section (15 ) is arranged on the second side (12). 6. Consumption meter (50) according to claim 5, 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 latch with a counter-latching element (33) of the printed circuit board (30). to become. A consumption meter (50) according to any one of claims 5 or 6, characterized in that the conductor connection device (10) comprises two latching elements (19, 20) arranged at opposite ends of the second side (12). A consumption meter (50) according to any one of claims 5 to 7, characterized in that the conductor connection device (10) comprises at least one positioning element (21) arranged on the second face (12) to mate with a counter-positioning element (34) of the printed circuit board (30) to engage. 9. Consumption meter (50) according to any one of claims 5 to 6, 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) which is located between the two latching elements (19, 20) are arranged on the second side (12). A consumption meter (50) according to any one of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that the conductor connection device (10) has a predefined conductor connection direction (D) along which a conductor (31) is to be moved with respect to the conductor connection device (10) in order to 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 perpendicularly to the conductor connection direction (D). A consumption meter (50) according to any one of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that the conductor connection device (10) has a predefined conductor connection direction (D) in which a conductor (31) is to be moved with respect to the conductor connection device (10) in order to 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) from moving against the conductor connection direction (D) in its connected state (M). whereby the conductor fixing tongue (16) is accessible via an operating side (S) of the insulating housing (1), the operating side (S) being arranged opposite the contact opening (O). A utility meter (50) according to claim 11, characterized in that the wire fixing tongue (16) protrudes from the wire connection portion (14) of the contact element (13) in a direction (P) perpendicular to the wire connection direction (D) and parallel to the service side (S). Consumption meter (50) according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that the operating element (6) comprises an operating projection (40) which extends substantially perpendicularly to the conductor connection direction (D) from the operating side (S) towards the contact opening (O). , wherein the operating projection (40) is provided with a stop surface (45) which is oriented obliquely to the conductor connection direction (D). 14. Conductor connection device (10) for connecting a device to a conductor (31), characterized in that an electrically conductive contact element (13) has a meander shape or is U- or C-shaped and that a conductor connection section (14) and a contact section (15) are formed by essentially parallel sections of the contact element (13).