CN111064017B

CN111064017B - Protective conductor terminal

Info

Publication number: CN111064017B
Application number: CN201910982588.8A
Authority: CN
Inventors: G.斯佩
Original assignee: Wago Verwaltungs GmbH
Current assignee: Wago Verwaltungs GmbH
Priority date: 2018-10-16
Filing date: 2019-10-15
Publication date: 2023-06-27
Anticipated expiration: 2039-10-15
Also published as: DE202018004780U1; CN111064017A; DE102019123860A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a protective conductor terminal for locking on a support rail extending in a longitudinal extension direction, the support rail having a first support rail edge and a second support rail edge, the protective conductor terminal having an insulating material housing and at least two conductor contacts accommodated in the insulating material housing, the at least two conductor contacts being electrically connectable to the conductor rail, the protective conductor terminal further having a metal contact leg by means of which the conductor rail and the support rail can be electrically connected, the metal contact leg having a first arm which in a locked state engages behind the first support rail edge and a second arm which in a locked state engages behind the second support rail edge, wherein provision is made for the metal contact leg to have a support section and for the support section to be supported in the locked state on the first support rail edge and the second support rail edge and to project beyond the second support rail edge in a transverse direction of the support rail by an end section of the support section facing the second arm.

Description

Protective conductor terminal

Technical Field

The invention relates to a protective conductor terminal for locking on a support rail extending in a longitudinal extension direction, said support rail having a first support rail edge and a second support rail edge, which is spaced apart from the first support rail edge in a direction transverse to the longitudinal extension direction and lies in a common plane with the first support rail edge.

Background

Document EP 1 394 B1 shows a contact pin which is formed in one piece with the conductor rail of the terminal block, wherein an overall rigid support section of the contact pin supports the PE pin on both support rail edges. The locking arm and the locking arm project from the connecting section to the conductor rail in a spring-biased manner on both sides, the locking arm and the locking arm respectively bearing against the rail edge in a snap-locking manner. The gripping section on the locking arm can be moved elastically in the release direction by means of a screw wrench, so that the locking projection of the locking arm can be released on the edge of the support rail.

Document DE 10 2013 114 315 A1 discloses a contact pin for protecting a conductor terminal, wherein the contact pin has a first and a second spring arm, which protrude outwards respectively, starting from a conductor rail connection. Each spring arm is attached back at its free end to the edge of the support rail having a fastening section with a locking edge. In the center between the spring arms, a support section is provided with support legs on the end sides for supporting on the edges of the support rails lying opposite one another in order to receive the contact pins in a clamping manner. The first spring arm also has a locking element for fixing the contact pin to the insulating-material housing of the protective conductor terminal. For disengagement from the support rail, the second spring arm of the contact pin is deflected by the tool acting on the plastic locking pin of the insulating-material housing.

Disclosure of Invention

The object of the invention is to improve a protective conductor terminal with compact metal contact pins.

The technical problem is solved according to the invention by a protective conductor terminal.

The protective conductor terminal is provided for locking on a support rail extending in a longitudinal extension direction, the support rail having a first support rail edge and a second support rail edge, which is spaced apart from the first support rail edge in a direction transverse to the longitudinal extension direction and lies in a common plane with the first support rail edge. The protective conductor terminal has an insulating material housing and at least two conductor contacts accommodated in the insulating material housing, wherein the at least two conductor contacts can be connected to the conductor rail in an electrically conductive manner. The protective conductor terminal also has a metal contact pin, by means of which the conductor rail and the support rail can be electrically connected, and wherein the metal contact pin has a first arm which in the locked state engages behind the locking of the first support rail edge and a second arm which in the locked state engages behind the locking of the second support rail edge. The second arm spring is elastically constructed.

According to the invention, the metal contact pin has a support section, and the support section is supported in the locked state on the first support rail edge and the second support rail edge and protrudes beyond the second support rail edge in the transverse direction of the support rail by an end section of the support section facing the second arm.

Advantageously, it is provided that the second arm has a second locking section with a locking edge for the rear snap-on of the second support rail edge, wherein the second locking section rests against the end section at least in the elastically deflected state of the second arm. In an advantageous further development, a stop is thereby realized between the free end of the support section and the locking section for limiting the displacement of the locking arm and the second arm perpendicular to the plane of the support rail. The abutment of the second locking section on the free end of the support section or on the end section of the second arm also enables a guided displacement movement of the second arm when the second arm is elastically displaced. However, the use of end sections protruding beyond the edge of the support rail or the free ends of the support sections is not limited to stops or guides. The free end of the support section can also be used, for example, as a connection to other elements of the metal contact pin or for connection to the insulating-material housing.

Preferably, the second locking section is movable from the support rail in the transverse direction of the support rail over its spring travel in the state of the second arm being offset relative to the support section. Thus, unlocking the patch panel from the support rail can enable the patch panel to be easily removed from the support rail.

Advantageously, the insulating-material housing has a first stop associated with the second locking section for limiting the movement of the second locking section, thereby preventing overload of the second locking section in normal use in connection with the application.

It is also preferred that the insulating-material housing has at least one second stop assigned to the support section, which limits the movement of the support section perpendicular to the plane of the support rail edge. In this way, in normal use, an overload of the support section and an overload of the second locking section in the second direction are prevented.

Preferably, the second arm has a hook section for inserting an operating tool, for example a bolt spanner, for the elastic deflection of the second arm. In this way, a manual displacement of the second locking segment can be achieved in a simple manner.

The metal contact pin preferably also has a connecting section which is electrically connected to the conductor rail, wherein the connecting section is connected to the support section by a first connecting arm. In this way, a short and/or direct current path from the conductor rail to the support rail is provided in the locked state.

Preferably, the first arm is connected to the first connecting arm and protrudes in the direction of the first support rail edge. The first arm spring is elastically designed.

The first and second openings associated with the first and second conductor tabs are arranged in the conductor rail for receiving the adjacent electrical conductors, respectively. Preferably, the second connecting arm protrudes from the first connecting arm in the direction of the conductor rail, wherein the second connecting arm has a pin protruding into a third opening of the conductor rail at its end facing away from the first connecting arm. The pin, which advantageously protrudes with a small clearance into the third opening, advantageously serves for positioning the metal contact rail relative to the conductor rail and prevents, for example, a lateral displacement of the contact pin relative to the conductor rail in the longitudinal extension direction of the support rail.

It is also preferred that the second arm is connected to the second connecting arm and protrudes in the direction of the second support rail edge. The further the second arm is connected to the second connecting arm from the support section, the longer the second arm can be designed, whereby the elastic properties of the second arm can be selected appropriately and can be improved, for example.

The protective conductor terminal is preferably designed as a terminal block, wherein the conductor rail of the protective conductor terminal is electrically connected to the support rail.

Preferably, the insulating material housing has an operating tool guide receiving portion. The actuating tool guide receptacle interacts with a hook segment arranged on the metal contact pin. A recess is provided in the hook segment into which a handling tool can be inserted. The operating tool is guided into the recess by means of the operating tool guide receptacle and is supported on a side wall of the operating tool guide receptacle which is inserted into the insulating material housing when the operating tool is rotated.

The invention is not limited to the foregoing features. Other aspects of the invention are provided by combinations of features. Combinations of features are also further illustrated in the description of the drawings.

Drawings

The invention is further elucidated below in connection with a number of embodiments shown in the drawings. In the drawings:

figure 1 shows a three-dimensional view of a first embodiment of a protective conductor terminal locked on a support rail,

fig. 2 shows a three-dimensional view of an embodiment of a metal contact pin for protecting a conductor terminal, which is locked on a support rail, with a conductor rail and a conductor tab,

fig. 3 shows a side view of a further embodiment of the protective conductor terminal, with the metal contact feet in an undeflected position,

fig. 4 shows a side view of the protective conductor terminal with the metal contact feet in an offset position for unlocking from the support rail.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1 shows a first exemplary embodiment of a terminal block with a housing 2 of insulating material, which is designed to protect a conductor terminal 1. The first and second

clamping leg sections

3, 4 are connected to the insulating-material housing 2, which is produced from plastic, preferably in an injection-molding process, in order to lock the protective conductor terminal 1 to the cap-shaped support rail 5, wherein the support rail 5 has a first support rail edge 5.1 and a second support rail edge 5.2, which is spaced apart from the first support rail edge transversely to the longitudinal extension of the support rail 5 and lies in a common plane with the first support rail edge 5.1.

The protection conductor terminal 1 has a first conductor tab 6 provided with a first terminal spring 7 and a second conductor tab 8 provided with a second terminal spring 9. The insulating-material housing 2 has a first conductor insertion opening 10 into which an electrical conductor can be inserted for electrical connection to the first conductor tab 6. The first conductor terminal 6 also has a first operating button 11 guided in the operating opening for operating the first terminal spring 7. The insulating-material housing 2 also has a second conductor insertion opening 12 into which an electrical conductor can be inserted for electrical connection to the second conductor tab 8. The second conductor connection 8 also has a second operating button 13 guided in a further operating opening for operating the second terminal spring 9. The number of the conductor tabs, the conductor inlets, and the operation keys may be changed as needed, respectively.

Also arranged in the insulating-material housing 2 is a conductor rail 14 which has a first opening 15 for the first conductor connection 6, into which the first terminal spring 7 is suspended. The second terminal spring 9 of the second conductor tab 8 is suspended in the second opening 16 of the conductor rail 14.

A metal contact pin 17 is also arranged in the insulating-material housing 2 protecting the conductor terminal 1. The metal contact pin 17 has a connecting section 18 which is accommodated in an accommodation opening 19 of the conductor rail 14 for the clamped electrical connection of the metal contact pin 17 to the conductor rail 14 (see the embodiment of fig. 2). The metal contact feet 17 are formed by stamping from a flat, planar metal, in particular a metal plate, and have a correspondingly flat, planar design. The metal contact feet 17 and the conductor rail 14 together with the terminal springs 7, 9 which are inserted into the conductor rail 14 form a preassemblable assembly which can be inserted from the side into the receptacle 20 of the insulating-material housing 2. This can achieve efficient and simple installation of the protection conductor terminal 1.

Fig. 2 shows a preassemblable structural unit consisting of the conductor rail 14, the terminal springs 7, 9 and the metal contact pins 17, which can be used, for example, in the embodiment according to fig. 1. It is apparent here that the connecting section 18 of the metal contact pin 17 is clamped into the receiving opening 19 of the conductor rail 14. The connecting section 18 has two elastic webs 18.1, 18.2 spaced apart from one another, which webs 18.1, 18.2 are mounted in the receiving opening 19 and preferably pass through the receiving opening 19.

The structure and function of the protective conductor terminal 1, in particular of the metal contact pin 17, is also described in connection with fig. 2 to 4.

Starting from the connecting section 18, the contact leg 17 has a first connecting arm 21 which is directed away from the conductor rail 14 and which is connected at the end to a support section 22 which is suitable for being supported on the support rail edges 5.1, 5.2. By means of the first connecting arm 21, which connects the conductor rail 14 directly to the support section 22, a direct and short electrical conduction from the conductor rail 14 to the support rail 5 is ensured. From the first connecting arm 21, a first arm 23 protrudes laterally, which can be designed elastically and is adapted to snap behind or under the first support rail edge 5.1 by means of a first locking section 24 on the end side with a first locking edge 25. A second connecting arm 26 protrudes from the support section 2 in the direction of the conductor rail 14, said second connecting arm having a pin 27 on the end face. The pin 27 projects into a third opening 28 of the conductor rail 14. The third opening 28 has a larger diameter than the pin 27, so that the pin 27 is guided only inside the third opening 28 and thus the contact pin 17 has an additional position fixing with respect to the conductor rail 14. In the end-side region of the third connecting arm 26, adjacent to the pin 27, a second arm 29 protrudes from the third connecting arm 26. The second arm 29 is spring-elastically embodied and is adapted to snap behind the second support rail edge 5.2 by the second locking section 30 with the second locking edge 31. A hook segment 32 is formed on the second arm 29. The hook section 33 is configured with a recess 34 into which an operating tool, for example a bolt spanner, can be inserted in order to elastically deflect the second arm 29 and move it away from the second support rail edge 5.2. By receiving the connecting portion 18 in the receiving opening 19, the metal contact pin 17 is securely fastened to the conductor rail. On the other hand, the second arm 29, despite its small overall dimensions, can be deflected sufficiently elastically, in particular by the pin 27 being accommodated with play in the third opening 28.

Fig. 3 shows a state in which the protective conductor terminal 1 is locked on the support rail 5. It is clearly visible that the first locking section 24 engages behind the first locking edge 25 with the first support rail edge 5.1. The second locking section 30 engages behind the second locking edge 31 with the second support rail edge 5.2. The support sections 22 of the metal contact feet 17 are supported here on the upper sides of the first support rail edge 5.1 and the second support rail edge 5.2. The first and

second locking sections

24, 30 thus bear against the sides of the first and second support rail edges 5.1, 5.2 facing away from the support section 22 in the locked state on the support rail 5.

The support section 22 protrudes from the second support rail edge 5.2 in the transverse direction Q of the support rail 5 by way of an end section 34 facing the second arm 29. The abutment section 35 arranged on the second locking section 30 in the locked state is opposite the end section 34 of the support section 22 or abuts the end section 34 of the support section 22. The contact sections 35 and the end sections 34 in this case each preferably have an exactly flat contact surface oriented in the direction of extension in the transverse direction Q relative to the support rail 5. Other configurations of abutment surfaces are also contemplated.

The insulating-material housing 2 has at least one, but preferably two hook-shaped first holding webs 36 on the side facing away from the support rail 5, which extend in sections over the support section 22 and ensure that they do not deviate or bend out of the insulating-material housing 2. In the region of the first locking section 24, a second holding web 37 is arranged on the insulating-material housing 2, which spans a section, preferably the free end, of the first locking section 24 and likewise does not deviate or bend out of the insulating-material housing 2. A recess is formed between the second arm 29 and the second locking section 30, in which recess a first stop 38 protruding from the plane of the receptacle 20 of the insulating-material housing 2 is arranged.

It can be seen that the contact pins 17 are inserted into the receptacles 20 of the insulating-material housing 2 from the open side. The first arm 23 with the first locking section 24 and the second arm 29 with the second locking section 30 are arranged next to the first and

second leg sections

3, 4 of the insulating-material housing 2 in the longitudinal extension direction of the support rail 5 and can be contacted from the open side.

In order to elastically deflect the second arm 29, a handling tool is inserted in the recess 33 of the hook segment 34, which handling tool is turned in a clockwise direction in the views of fig. 3 and 4. The actuating tool is supported on a housing edge 39 of the actuating tool guide receptacle 40 of the insulating-material housing 2. The offset position of the second arm 29 or of the metal contact foot 17 is shown in fig. 4.

The second arm 29 with the second locking section 30 can be deflected from the support rail 5 to such an extent that the second locking section 30 rests against the stop 38. Thereby, excessive deflection of the second arm 29 is prevented and possible damage due to plastic deformation is avoided. The abutment section 35 of the second locking section 30 abuts the end section 34 of the support section 22 when the second arm 29 is deflected and slides outwardly on the support section in a direction away from the support rail 5. A force component which is conditionally directed by the offset of the second arm 23 perpendicular to the plane of the support rail edges 5.1, 5.2 and acts on the second locking section 30 is transmitted to the end section 34 of the support section 22. The displacement of the support section 22 in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the support rail edges 5.1, 5.2 is effectively prevented by the first retaining tab 36 or the first retaining tab 36 forming the second stop 36. In this way, excessive deflection of the support section 22 and possible damage to the support section due to plastic deformation can also be avoided. By the abutment of the second locking segment 30 against the end segment 34 of the support segment 22, excessive deflection is also prevented and plastic deformation of the locking segment in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the support rail edges 5.1, 5.2 is prevented.

The design and arrangement of the metal contact feet is particularly suitable for small-structured protective conductor terminals, with an effective limitation of the spring deflection of the second arm 23 at low spring deflection.

The pin 27 is accommodated with a small play in the third opening 28 of the conductor rail 14 in the transverse direction Q of the support rail 5 and in the longitudinal extension direction L of the support rail 5, whereby a sufficiently large elasticity of the second arm 29 can advantageously be achieved in a small installation space. At the same time, a sufficient lateral stability of the metal contact feet 14 is advantageously achieved in the longitudinal direction L of the support rail 5 or in a direction transverse to the longitudinal extension of the conductor rail 14, so that a displacement of the metal contact feet 17 in the longitudinal extension direction L of the conductor rail 5 is prevented.

A housing side wall section of the insulating housing 2 is provided laterally next to the second locking section in the longitudinal direction of the support rail, wherein the edges of the housing side wall section extend essentially perpendicularly to the plane defined by the support rail edges 5.1, 5.2. The edges of the housing side wall sections are arranged in the locked state close to the support rail edge 5.2. When an operating tool, for example a screw wrench, is inserted into the operating tool guide receptacle 40 and the second arm 29 with the second locking section 30 is deflected, the operating tool is supported on the insulating-material housing 2 and moves the edge of the insulating-material housing 2 parallel to the plane defined by the support-rail edges 5.1, 5.2 in the direction of the second support-rail edge 5.2 until the edge of the insulating-material housing 2 rests on the support-rail edge 5.2 and further movement of the insulating-material housing 2 is prevented. Thereby, further rotational movement of the operating tool is completely transmitted to the second arm 29, so that the operating tool as a whole does not have to be deflected excessively. Thereby avoiding excessive loading of the contact pins.

List of reference numerals

1. Protective conductor terminal

2. Insulating material shell

3. First leg section

4. Second leg section

5. Support rail

5.1 Edge of first support rail

5.2 Second support rail edge

6. First conductor joint

7. First terminal spring

8. Second conductor joint

9. Second terminal spring

10. First conductor inlet

11. First operation key

12. Second conductor inlet

13. Second operation key

14. Conductive rail

15. A first opening

16. A second opening

17. Metal contact pin

18. Connecting section

18.1 Connecting sheet

18.2 Connecting sheet

19. Accommodating port

20. Housing part

21. First connecting arm

22. Support section

23. First arm

24. First locking section

25. First locking edge

26. Second connecting arm

27. Pin bolt

28. A third opening

29. Second arm

30. Second locking section

31. Second locking edge

32. Hook segment

33. Groove

34. End section

35. Abutment section

36. First holding tab, second stop

37. Second holding tab

38. First stop block

39. Shell side edge

40. Operation tool guide accommodating part

Q transverse direction

L longitudinal extension direction

Claims

1. A protective conductor terminal (1) for locking on a support rail (5) extending in a longitudinal extension direction (L), said support rail having a first support rail edge (5.1) and a second support rail edge (5.2) which is spaced apart from the first support rail edge in a direction transverse to the longitudinal extension direction (L) and lies in a common plane with the first support rail edge (5.1),

the protective conductor terminal has a housing (2) of insulating material and at least two conductor joints (6, 7) accommodated in the housing of insulating material,

wherein at least two conductor contacts (6, 7) can be connected to the conductor track (14) in an electrically conductive manner,

and the protective conductor terminal further has a metal contact pin (17) by means of which the conductor rail (14) and the support rail (5) can be electrically connected,

and wherein the metal contact foot (17) has a first arm (23) which in the locked state engages behind the locking of the first support rail edge (5.1) and a second arm (29) which in the locked state engages behind the locking of the second support rail edge (5.2),

and wherein at least the second arm (29) is spring-elastically configured,

it is characterized in that the method comprises the steps of,

the metal contact leg (17) has a support section (22),

-and the support section (22) is supported in the locked state on the first support rail edge (5.1) and the second support rail edge (5.2) and protrudes beyond the second support rail edge (5.2) in the transverse direction (Q) of the support rail (5) by an end section (34) of the support section facing the second arm (29).

2. Protection conductor terminal (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that,

the second arm (29) has a second locking section (30) with a second locking edge (31) for back-snapping the second support rail edge (5.2),

-and wherein the second locking section (30) rests against the end section (34) at least in the elastically deflected state of the second arm (29).

3. Protection conductor terminal (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that the second locking section (30) is removable from the support rail (5) in its spring travel in the transverse direction (Q) of the support rail (5) in the state of the second arm (29) being offset relative to the support section (22).

4. The protective conductor terminal (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the insulating-material housing (2) has a first stop (38) associated with the second locking section (30) for limiting the movement of the second locking section (30).

5. The protective conductor terminal (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the insulating-material housing (2) has at least one second stop (36) associated with the support section (22), which limits the movement of the support section (22) perpendicular to the plane of the support rail edges (5.1, 5.2).

6. Protection conductor terminal (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second arm (29) has a hook section (32) for inserting an operating tool for the elastic deflection of the second arm (29).

7. The protective conductor terminal (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the metal contact pin (17) has a connecting section (18) which is electrically connected to the conductor rail (14), wherein the connecting section (18) is connected to the support section (22) by means of a first connecting arm (21).

8. Protection conductor terminal (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that the first arm (23) is connected to the first connecting arm (21) and protrudes in the direction of the first support rail edge (5.1).

9. The protective conductor terminal (1) according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the second connecting arm (26) protrudes from the first connecting arm (21) in the direction of the conductor rail (14), wherein the second connecting arm (26) has a pin (27) at its end facing away from the first connecting arm (21) protruding into a third opening (28) of the conductor rail (14).

10. Protection conductor terminal (1) according to claim 9, characterized in that the second arm (29) is connected to the second connecting arm (26) and protrudes in the direction of the second support rail edge (5.2).

11. The protective conductor terminal (1) according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the insulating-material housing (2) has an operating-tool-guiding receptacle (40).