CN115498430A

CN115498430A - Terminal with a terminal body

Info

Publication number: CN115498430A
Application number: CN202210584938.7A
Authority: CN
Inventors: A·艾德尔
Original assignee: Electro Terminal GmbH and Co KG
Current assignee: Electro Terminal GmbH and Co KG
Priority date: 2021-06-18
Filing date: 2022-05-27
Publication date: 2022-12-20
Also published as: EP4106108A1; DE202021103278U1

Abstract

The invention relates to a terminal, in particular a wiring terminal, for connecting electrical lines (2) without stripping the insulation, comprising at least one line insertion region (13) for inserting an electrical line (2) insulated by an insulating material into the terminal (1) in a line insertion direction, wherein the terminal (1) further comprises, for each line insertion region (13), an actuating element (50) which can be rotated about a rotational axis, and a blade contact (30) which comprises a blade (33) for cutting through the insulating material and making electrical contact with the electrical line (2), wherein the blade (33) extends in an arc around the rotational axis, wherein the blade contact (30) is connected to the actuating element (50) in such a way that the blade contact (30) can be moved between a contact position in which the blade (33) intersects the line insertion region (13) in order to make electrical contact with the inserted electrical line (2) and a release position in which the blade (33) releases the line insertion region by means of the rotational movement of the actuating element (50) about the rotational axis.

Description

Terminal with a terminal body

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a terminal, particularly a wiring terminal.

Background

Terminals, such as wiring terminals, for example, are used for electrical connection of electrical leads. By means of the terminal, the electrical line is electrically contacted in order to connect it by means of the terminal, for example, to another electrical line and/or to an electrical appliance, in particular to its power supply, which is electrically contacted in the terminal. The terminal is generally used here at the same time for mechanical positioning and/or fixing of the electrical line.

Because the electrical conductors are electrically insulated by an insulating layer or material, a portion of the insulating material must be removed along a length so that the electrical conductors can be electrically contacted. This step is referred to as insulation stripping. The stripped portion of the electrical conductor may then be in electrical contact with the terminal.

Stripping the insulating layer has the disadvantage that the removal of the insulating material is relatively complicated. In particular, a relatively large mounting force is required to perform the insulation stripping. Whereby additional tools, such as a screwdriver, may be required to apply a large force to strip the insulation. In addition, the insulation stripping process is time consuming.

The invention is therefore based on the object of providing a terminal, in particular a wiring terminal, which overcomes the disadvantages described above. In particular, a terminal should therefore be provided which allows simple electrical contacting of an electrical line insulated with an insulating material.

This and other tasks which are also mentioned when reading the following description or which can be found by a person skilled in the art are accomplished with the subject matter of the independent claims.

Disclosure of Invention

The terminal according to the invention, in particular the wiring terminal, is provided for connecting an electrical line without stripping off the insulation. The terminal has at least one wire insertion region for inserting an electrical wire insulated with an insulating material into the terminal in a wire insertion direction. The terminal also has, for each wire insertion region: an operating member rotatable about a rotation axis; a blade contact having a blade for cutting through the insulating material and making electrical contact with the electrical conductor, wherein the blade extends in an arc about a rotational axis, and the blade contact is connected to an operating member such that upon rotation of the operating member about the rotational axis, the blade contact is movable between a contact position in which the blade intersects the conductor insertion region for making electrical contact with the inserted electrical conductor and a release position in which the blade releases the conductor insertion region.

The terminal according to the invention has the advantage, on the one hand, that the operating force for penetrating the insulating material is reduced. This is particularly because the blade abuts the electrical conductor insulation at a very favourable angle (for example at a substantially perpendicular angle) as it extends in an arc around the axis of rotation. The blade can thus cut through the insulating material in a good manner without large forces having to act on the blade contact. The electrical contacting of the electrical conductor with the terminal is thus made simple. The curved design of the blade edge can advantageously extend the cutting opening or the cutting opening formed at least partially by the blade edge, for example in the form of a cutting slit. A comparatively long cutting stroke is thereby obtained, whereby less operating force is required to cut the insulating material. On the other hand, the advantage of a very compact terminal structure is obtained. This is particularly because the blade contact and the blade edge extending in an arc are arranged according to the invention with respect to the insertion of a conductor in the contact position and in the release position. In addition, the operating piece of the terminal can be designed more compactly in the form of, for example, a shortened lever due to a smaller operating force.

In the contact position the cutting edge can intersect or pass through a conductor insertion plane parallel to the conductor insertion direction and the axis of rotation. The wire insertion plane may be a (geometrical) plane, for example a plane along which the wire insertion region extends, and/or a plane of symmetry of at least a part of the wire insertion region. Which can be provided, for example, in the form of a wire insertion channel. In the release position, the blade is preferably spaced from the wire insertion plane.

The rotary shaft is preferably arranged in the conductor insertion region or in an extension thereof in the direction of conductor insertion. A very compact terminal is thereby obtained which also allows a simple electrical contacting of the wires. Preferably, the axis of rotation is transverse or perpendicular to the direction of wire insertion.

The blade may at least partially define a cutting opening (or cutting openings) in which the electrical lead is at least partially disposed when the blade contact electrically contacts the electrical lead at the contact location. The cutting opening is preferably at least partially a cutting slit. Cutting the openings results in, inter alia, a simple penetration of the insulating material and a simple electrical contact and mechanical positioning of the electrical leads. In addition, the blade contact is therefore arranged compactly with respect to the electrical line.

The cutting opening can be formed by two cutting portions which are preferably formed integrally with one another; "integral" means in this case, in particular, that the cut-outs are formed in one piece and/or integrally, in particular preferably integrally, in the form of an integrally stamped bent part, from one casting. The cutting opening can thus be formed simply. In addition, the cutting portion gives the cutting opening an advantageous cutting effect, since the cutting portion may act on different sides and/or locations of the electrical lead in order to penetrate the insulating material. It is preferred that the electrical conductor is at least partially arranged between the cut-outs in the contact position.

It is further preferred that the cutting section is designed to be resilient transversely to the wire insertion direction in order to electrically contact the electrical wire in the cutting opening in a clamping manner. A very reliable electrical contact between the blade contact and the electrical conductor is thereby obtained. The clamping may also provide advantageous mechanical positioning of the electrical leads. In addition, electrical leads having different cross-sections and/or diameters can be simply electrically contacted by elastically designing the cut-out.

The terminal preferably has a spring element, for example a spring element, which is arranged such that its restoring force presses the blade against the electrical conductor, i.e. clamps the electrical conductor. The spring is therefore preferably used for mechanically supporting the blade contact. The resilient member may be made of stainless steel and/or be arranged in a clamp-like manner. The spring is arranged, for example, in such a way that it surrounds the blade contact and/or is arranged in a sandwich-like manner with the blade contact (sandwich arrangement).

The blade contact may have only one cutting opening or a plurality of cutting openings. The plurality of cut-out openings may be arranged to be able to contact different electrical conductors (in particular electrical conductors having different cross-sections and/or diameters) which are inserted into the terminal, for example, through different conductor insertion regions (preferably having two different insertion holes). The blade contact may have a cutting slot which is designed in a multi-stage manner, i.e. for example in a two-stage manner, in order to form a plurality of cutting openings (for example a first stage is a first cutting opening and a second stage is a second cutting opening).

The arc may be a circular arc or an elliptical arc. Alternatively or additionally, the cutting edges may have the same radial distance from the axis of rotation along the arc. The arc shape can thereby be used to advantageously reduce the operating force for penetrating the insulating material.

Preferably, the blade is movable by rotation of the operating member along a circular path having a prescribed radius about the axis of rotation. This results in a very compact terminal which can also electrically contact the electrical conductor with reduced operating forces.

The blade contact can be designed as a one-piece component, preferably as a stamped and bent part. This results in a particularly cost-effective and material-saving production of the blade contact.

The terminal preferably has a contact piece, wherein the blade contact has a contact section which is in electrical contact with the contact piece exclusively or at least in the contact position. This has the advantage, in particular, that the blade contact can be electrically connected to the contact element or electrically isolated (separated) therefrom in a simple and selectable manner by means of the actuating element. In particular, the electrical connection between the wire and the contact piece can thus be separated without the conductor being removed from the terminal. Another advantage is that an alternative electrical connection can be simply established between the contact element and the contact portion. The blade contact can be contacted, for example, by a contact element with another blade contact or with another electrical consumer load. For example, it can be provided that the contact section is separated and/or spaced apart from the contact piece in the release position.

The contact portions and the contact elements can be designed correspondingly in such a way that they engage in a comb-like manner and/or in a clamping manner at the contact points for electrical contacting. A very advantageous electrical contact between the contact portion and the contact piece is thereby obtained. Furthermore, the mechanical positioning of the blade contact in the contact position can advantageously be provided by clamping.

The contact elements can be designed as long strips and/or as rails (bus bars). For comb-like engagement, the contact elements can be designed in the form of a comb (so-called "plug comb" or "contact comb"). The comb then preferably has one or more comb openings into which one or more contact portions (if there are multiple blade contacts) can be turned. The contact portions are preferably designed as contact prongs. The contact tine preferably has two projections (e.g., in the form of two teeth) that can be inserted into the comb. For example, the projections of the contact tines of the first blade contact and the projections of the contact tines of the second blade contact are inserted into the same comb opening.

If a plurality of blade contacts are provided, they may alternatively be connected to one another by one or more flexible electrical lines, for example by the lines being applied to the individual blade contacts by material bonding (welding, soldering, etc.).

The contact portion can protrude from the blade contact with the contact area in a radial direction with respect to the rotation axis. The contact portions can thus be provided very simply, for example by bending parts of the blade contact. In addition, an advantageous electrical contact with the contact piece is obtained due to the radially projecting contact region, since a rotation of the blade contact about the axis of rotation simply brings the contact region into electrical contact with the contact piece.

Preferably, the terminal has a plurality of conductor insertion regions, each having its own actuating element and blade contact, which can be contacted electrically by the contact elements. For example, the electrical connection of two blade contacts by means of a contact piece can be separated by moving one of the blade contacts into the release position. The electrical connection of the electrical conductors within the terminal can thus be broken, in particular, without removing one or more electrical conductors from the terminal.

The rotational movement between the contact position and the release position may be at an angle of 60-120. That is, the blade contact may be moved from the release position to the contact position or from the contact position to the release position by a corresponding rotational movement of the operating member through an angle of 60 ° -120 °. Preferably, the rotational movement is 90 ° in order to switch between the contact position and the release position by means of a rotation of the operating member.

The operating member may have a lever portion for rotating the operating member about a rotational axis. It is thus possible to apply an operating force very simply to penetrate the insulating material of the electrical line. The shaft section preferably extends parallel to the insertion direction and optionally parallel to the conductor insertion region in the contact position. This results in a very compact terminal.

The actuating element can have a rotation position, which forms a stop and/or a lock together with the corresponding rotation position in the contact position and/or the release position. This simplifies the assembly and/or disassembly of the electrical line by means of the terminal. Furthermore, the latching is a very advantageous way of securing the electrical line which is electrically contacted in the terminal.

The conductor insertion region is preferably surrounded by an electrical insulation at least in the contact position in the radial direction with respect to the conductor insertion direction along the circumferential side.

The terminal may further have an insulating material housing in which the operating member is rotatably accommodated. The insulating material housing may have or form a corresponding rotational position. The insulating material housing can be designed in one piece or in several pieces. The insulating material housing provides, inter alia, protection against undesired electrical shocks and/or short circuits. The insulating material housing is made of plastic, for example.

The insulating material housing may have a wire passage forming at least a portion of the wire insertion region. In the contact position, it can thus be provided, for example, that the cutting edge intersects and/or penetrates the conductor insertion channel or is inserted therein, in particular to an insertion depth which exceeds the depth in the release position. The wire insertion channel preferably defines a wire insertion direction. The electrical line can thus be simply inserted into the terminal.

The conductor insertion region can be delimited at least in the contact position by the insulating material housing and the actuating element, preferably the shank thereof. This results in a very advantageous separation of the conductor insertion regions in the contact position, thus preventing undesired electrical contact with the conductor insertion regions. There is furthermore the advantage that the structure of the insulating material housing is more compact, since the operating rod provides a part of the boundary for covering the electrical conductors.

The housing of insulating material may have a notch (i.e., void) such that at least a portion of the blade contact is disposed within or moves within the notch when moved by rotation of the operating member. The recess preferably extends such that it follows the path of movement of the blade contact part when the actuating element is rotated. By means of the notch, a very compact and weight-saving terminal can be provided. The indentation is preferably a guide groove. For example, the guide groove is designed such that it guides at least a part of the blade contact when moved by rotation of the operating element. The guide groove is particularly advantageously configured to cause the blade contact to be received in a defined position in the terminal during rotation of the operating member. The guide groove prevents, in particular, the knife contact from performing a translational movement parallel to the axis of rotation. The blade contact portion preferably has a contact area.

The insulating material housing may have a base with the indentation formed at least partially therein. Thereby, the terminal can be designed to be compact. The notches optionally serve as guide slots, so that the blade contact can also be placed in an advantageous position in relation to the conductor insertion region, in which position the blade edge penetrates the insulating material of the electrical conductor at a very advantageous angle. The guide groove may be arranged here such that the operating force is increased due to, for example, sliding friction between the guide groove and the blade contact. The indentation can also be designed such that there is no sliding friction with the blade contact, since there is a distance between the walls (side walls, bottom, etc.) delimiting the indentation and the blade contact, for example. Whereby a small operating force can be maintained.

The insulating material housing, preferably the aforementioned bottom, may have a bulge in which the indentation is formed at least partially. Material can thus be saved and the terminal as a whole can be made more compact, since the additional material is provided only at the location in which the indentation extends at least partially. This region then forms a bulge.

Drawings

The following detailed description refers to the accompanying drawings, in which:

fig. 1 shows a schematic perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a terminal according to the present invention in a release position;

FIG. 2 shows a perspective schematic view of the terminal shown in FIG. 1 with an electrical lead inserted (embedded) into the terminal;

FIG. 3 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of the terminal shown in FIG. 2 along section line III-III of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a perspective schematic view of the terminal shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 with the blade contact moved to a contact position by an operating member;

FIG. 5 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of the terminal shown in FIG. 4 along section line V-V of FIG. 4;

fig. 6 shows a perspective schematic view of the terminal as shown in fig. 1 to 5, wherein the electrical conductor is not inserted into the terminal and the blade contact is moved into the contact position by means of the operating lever;

fig. 7 to 12 show different schematic views of the terminal shown in fig. 6.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1 to 12 show by way of example a preferred embodiment of a terminal 1 according to the invention. The terminal 1 is generally used for electrical connection (soft or hard) of the electrical lead 2. For example, the terminal 1 may be provided for connecting a first electrical conductor 2 to another (second) electrical conductor 2, as is shown for example in fig. 1 to 5, the terminal 1 may also be used for the electrical connection of more than two electrical conductors. It is also possible that the terminal 1 is designed or used only for the electrical connection of a single electrical line, for example for the electrical connection to an electrical consumer (for example an electrical appliance). The terminal 1 may be a wiring terminal, for example.

The electrical conductor 2 typically has an insulating layer or material which surrounds the filaments or cores to electrically insulate the cores and thus serves as touch protection. The insulating material is made of an electrically insulating material, such as, for example, plastic. The wire core is usually constituted by a (metal) wire or a plurality of twisted wires. The current of the electrical conductor 2 is conducted through the core.

The terminal 1 is adapted to connect an electrical conductor 2 without stripping the insulation as will be described in more detail below. That is, the terminal 1 allows the electrical lead 2 to be electrically contacted through the terminal without the electrical lead 2 having to be stripped, i.e., without having to remove a portion of the insulation along a length of the electrical lead 2 prior to placing the electrical lead 2 into the terminal 1, so that it can make electrical contact within the terminal 1.

The terminal 1 may have a housing (insulating material housing) 10 which is generally provided for insulating the electrical connection provided by the terminal 1. The housing 10 is therefore designed as an insulating material housing. The housing 10 is preferably constructed of an insulating material such as plastic. As can be seen from the figures, the housing 10 can be designed in multiple parts and thus have at least or only a first housing part 11 and a second housing part 12. The first housing part 11 is preferably designed as a housing upper part or housing cover. The second housing part 12 is preferably designed as a housing lower part or housing bottom.

The

housing parts

11, 12 are joined to each other to form the housing 10. The joining of the

housing parts

11, 12 is for example effected by a force-fit and/or form-fit connection. It is for example conceivable that the

housing parts

11, 12 have mutually (correspondingly) engaging connecting pieces corresponding to each other in order to connect or fix the

housing parts

11, 12 to each other. The connecting pieces can be designed, for example, as snap-in and/or lock-in connections, so that they are connected or fixed to one another by simply snapping or locking the housing part 11 onto the housing part 12. The present invention is not limited to a multi-piece design of the housing 10. For example, the housing 10 may be designed as a single body, and the

housing portions

11 and 12 may be integrally formed with each other.

The terminal 1 has at least one wire insertion region 13 adapted to insert an electrical wire, such as the electrical wire 2, into the terminal 1 in a wire insertion direction. In the embodiment shown in the figures, the terminal 1 has two conductor insertion regions 13, i.e. one for the (first) electrical conductor 2 and one for the other (second) electrical conductor 2. The terminal 1 is not limited to a certain number of wire insertion sections. For example, the terminal 1 may also have only one conductor insertion region for a single electrical conductor. It is also conceivable for the terminal 1 to have more than two wire insertion regions 13. Thus, only one of the wire insertion regions 13 as shown is described herein. The description applies equally to the other wire insertion regions 13 and similarly to each of the further wire insertion regions, if any.

The conductor insertion region 13 can be surrounded by an electrical insulation at least at the contact locations in the radial direction with respect to the conductor insertion direction along the circumferential side. The electrical insulation along the circumferential side in the radial direction can be designed, for example, such that it defines the wire insertion direction. As shown in the figures by way of example, the conductor insertion region 13 can be formed at least partially by a conductor insertion channel or can be a conductor insertion channel. Preferably, the wire insertion region 13 has a wire insertion opening. The wire insertion channels may be designed to define a wire insertion direction of the wire insertion region 13. The housing 10 may have or form a wire insertion region 13, i.e. for example a wire insertion channel. The conductor insertion region is delimited, for example, on one side by the housing upper part 11 and on the other side by the housing lower part 12.

The terminal 1 has one operation piece 50 for (i.e., each) the wire insertion section 13. The operating member 50 is rotatable about a rotational axis, for example, the operating member 50 is rotatably accommodated in the housing 10. The axis of rotation can be set such that it is arranged in the conductor insertion region 13 or in the extension thereof in the direction of conductor insertion. The extension may have a different design than the wire insertion region 13, e.g. not constituted by a wire insertion channel. It is preferred that the operating member 50 has a bearing region which is mounted or received in a corresponding bearing region of the housing 10 such that the operating member 50 is rotatably received therein about a rotational axis. The housing-side bearing region can be formed in the first housing part 11 and/or the second housing part 12. Preferably, the bearing region of the actuating element 50 and the bearing region of the housing 11 are designed to correspond to one another, for example by the bearing region on the actuating element side being designed as a recess and the bearing region on the housing 10 side being designed as a projection.

In addition, the terminal 1 has blade contacts 30 for the wire insertion region 13. The blade contact 30 has one or more cutting edges 33 which are designed to penetrate the insulation of the electrical line 2 in order to thereby (without stripping off the insulation) make electrical contact with the electrical line 2 or its core and clamp it. The blade 33 (i.e. one of the one or more blades 33) can best be seen in the cross-sectional views according to fig. 3 and 5, where the blade 33 can be seen to extend along an arc around the rotational axis of the operation element 50. The blade contact 30 is thus formed at least partially in an arc shape by the blade 33. In a preferred embodiment as exemplarily shown in the figures, the arc is a circular arc and/or has the same radial distance from the axis of rotation along the arc. In other embodiments, the arc may be an elliptical arc.

As shown by way of example in fig. 3, the blade 33 may have a first blade portion 33.1 and a second blade portion 33.2. The first blade edge 33.1 is preferably the part of the blade 33 which first comes into contact with the insulation of the electrical conductor in order to cut through it, and the second blade edge 33.2 is the part which adjoins the first blade edge 33.1 and continues the penetration of the insulation in a corresponding manner. The first blade part 33.1 is preferably designed to extend obliquely with respect to the second blade part 33.2.

The blade 33 may at least partially define a cutting opening. For example, as in the embodiment shown by way of example, the cutting opening can be designed substantially in a V-shape. Preferably, the cutting opening is delimited at least by the first blade portion 33.1 and preferably also by the second blade portion 33.2. For example, the first blade part 33.1 of one blade 33 and the first blade part 33.1 of the other blade 33 may form a V-shape of the cutting opening. In this case, the two first blade parts 33.1 may thus extend obliquely with respect to the respective second blade part 33.2. Preferably, the second blade edge 33.2 forms a slit region (i.e. preferably a region where the cutting opening has a substantially constant width) at this point.

As can be seen particularly clearly in fig. 1 and 2, the blade contact 33 can have two cutting sections 34. They are preferably designed as one piece with each other, but can also be designed separately from each other in other embodiments. Each cutting portion 34 preferably has a respective blade edge 33. The cutting portions 34 are preferably arranged such that they at least partially delimit or form a cutting opening. In particular, the cut 34 is designed to be elastic transversely, preferably perpendicularly, to the wire insertion direction. The cut 34 and thus the cut opening can thus clamp the electrical contact to the electrical conductor 2. It is also possible to clamp electrical conductors 2 having different diameters by means of their elastic design. The cutting portion 34 may extend around the rotation axis along an arc (circular arc, elliptical arc, etc.), for example, along the arc of the blade 33.

Blade contact 30 may be manufactured using different manufacturing processes, such as a forming and/or cutting process. The blade contact 30 is preferably designed as a one-piece component, preferably as a stamped and bent part. Blade contact 30 may be made from sheet metal. Preferably, blade contact 30 has a uniform thickness except for at least one blade 33.

The blade contact 30 is connected to the operating member 50. The movement of the blade contact 30 can thus be effected without tools by means of the actuating element 50, for example by means of a lever. The connection between the blade contact 30 and the operating member 50 may be made directly or indirectly. Preferably, the blade contact 30 is connected to the actuating element 50 by means of a force-fit and/or form-fit connection. The actuating element 50 can have a mounting part, for example, at which and/or in which the blade contact 30 is at least partially accommodated in order to be connected to the actuating element 50. The connection between the blade contact 30 and the actuating element 50 is such that the blade contact 30 rotates with the actuating element 50 when the actuating element 50 rotates about the axis of rotation. The blade contact 30 can thus be moved between the release position and the contact position by rotation of the operating element 50 about the axis of rotation. The release position is exemplarily shown in fig. 1 to 3, and the contact position is exemplarily shown in fig. 4 to 12.

As can be seen from fig. 1 to 3, in the release position, the blade 33 releases the wire insertion region 13. In the release position, the electrical line 2 can therefore be inserted or inserted into the terminal 1 and also removed again therefrom. The blade 33 is preferably arranged such that at least a part of the blade 33 does not block the electrical line 2 when the electrical line is inserted into the terminal 1 through the line insertion region 13 for electrical contact. As shown in fig. 3, the cutting edge 33, in particular the first cutting edge 33.1 and/or the second cutting edge 33.2, can be arranged in the release position above the conductor insertion region 13 and/or the electrical conductor 2. The electrical line 2 can then be inserted deep into the terminal 1 in the release position, so that the electrical line 2, i.e. in particular its distal end, abuts against a stop within the terminal 1. The stop can be arranged such that, when the electrical line 2 abuts against the stop, the electrical line 2 is in a position in which electrical contact of the electrical line 2 can be made and the insulating material can be cut through by the blade contact 30. The stop can be formed by the blade contact 30 and/or the actuator 50.

The movement of the actuating element 50 into the contact position and thus the electrical contact of the electrical conductor 2 by means of the blade contact 30 and its blade 33 without insulation stripping takes place as follows, with reference to fig. 1 to 4. By rotating the operating member 50 about the rotational axis, the operating member 50 is moved from the release position shown in fig. 1 to 3 to the contact position shown in fig. 4 and 5. This movement causes the blade 33 to move relative to the electrical conductor 2. The cutting edge 33 is thereby brought into contact with the insulating material of the electrical line 2. The relative movement between the blade contact 30 or the blade 33 and the insulating material then penetrates the latter and, finally, is brought into electrically conductive contact with the electrical conductor 2 or its core in the contact position shown by way of example in fig. 5. That is, the blade contact 30 is then in electrical contact with the electrical conductor 2 via the blade 33. Preferably, at the contact location, at least or only the blade portion 33.1 and/or the blade portion 33.2 electrically contacts the electrical conductor or its core. If a cut-out opening of the blade contact 30 is present, the electrical line 2 is at least partially arranged in the cut-out opening in the contact position.

Since the blade 33 extends in an arc about the axis of rotation, the blade 33 penetrates the insulating material of the electrical line 2 at an advantageous angle and along a comparatively long cutting path during the rotation of the actuating element 50. Whereby no large operating forces need to be applied to the operating element 50 to penetrate the insulating material. Thus, the electrical contacting of the electrical lines 2 is simplified by the terminal 1. In addition, the terminal 1 becomes more compact by the blade 33 extending in an arc shape. It is particularly advantageous if the blade 30 can be moved by means of a rotary actuator 50 in a circular path of a defined radius relative to the axis of rotation. Whereby the operating force can be reduced even further.

As can be seen from fig. 6, the blade 33 is arranged in the contact position in such a way that it traverses the conductor insertion region 13. That is, the blade 33 passes through or is inserted into the wire insertion region 13. Provision can be made for the blade 33 to be inserted into the conductor insertion region more in the contact position than in the release position. In the contact position, the blade 33 does not release the wire insertion region 13. If no electrical conductor 2 is inserted into the terminal 1 at the contact location, as shown for example in fig. 6, it is not possible to insert an electrical conductor 2 into the terminal 1 to make electrical contact. In other words, the electrical conductor 2 or its distal end cannot be inserted further into the terminal 1 than the blade 33. As shown by way of example in fig. 5, the terminal 1 can in particular be designed such that in the contact position the blade 33 traverses or passes through a wire insertion plane E parallel to the wire insertion direction and the axis of rotation. Referring to fig. 3 and 5, the wire insertion plane E extends in a horizontal plane from left to right. The wire insertion plane E may be defined, for example, by one or more wire insertion directions of the one or more wire insertion regions 13. The conductor insertion plane E can also be a geometrical plane, for example a plane of symmetry, of the conductor insertion region 13. As shown by way of example in fig. 3, the blade 33 is preferably at a distance from the wire insertion plane E in the release position.

As can be seen in fig. 3 and 5, the blade contact 30 may have a contact portion 35 that may be in electrical contact with the contact piece 40. The electrical contact between the contact portion 35 and the contact member 40 may be provided by rotation of the operating member 50. When the blade contact 30 is in the contact position, the contact portion 35 is in electrical contact with the contact member 40. This state can be seen exemplarily in fig. 5. The contact portions 35 and the contact elements 40 are preferably designed such that they engage in a comb-like and/or clamping manner at the contact points in order to provide electrical contact. Preferably, the electrical contact between the contact portion 35 and the contact member 40 is present exclusively at the contact location. In the release position, the contact portion 35 is therefore preferably electrically isolated from the contact piece 40. Fig. 3 shows an exemplary position of the contact region 35 relative to the contact piece 40 in the release position. As shown in fig. 3, the contact portion 35 may be spaced apart and/or disengaged from the contact member 40 in the release position so that they are electrically isolated.

The contact portion 35 may be formed in various ways. For example, the contact portion 35 can project from the blade contact 30 in a radial direction with respect to the axis of rotation with a contact region. Preferably, the contact portion 35 is designed in one piece with the blade 33. For example, the contact portion 35 may be formed by bending and/or stamping, for example from the same metal sheet from which the blade 33 is also provided. As can be seen exemplarily from fig. 3, the contact portion 35 may extend from a stop of the blade contact 30, against which the electrical conductor 2 (or the distal end thereof) abuts in the release position.

The contact members 40 may provide different functions. It is preferable that a plurality of blade contacts 30 can be electrically contacted by the contact members 40 so that the blade contacts 30 are electrically connected to each other by the contact members 40. Thus, the electrical connection of the first electrical lead 2 to the second electrical lead 2 can be made through the contact member 40. The electrical connection can then also be simply separated by the operating element 50 being moved into the release position and the contact section 35 thus being electrically isolated from the contact element 40.

The contact piece 40 can be arranged in the terminal 1 in different ways. As can be seen from fig. 3 and 5, the contact piece 40 can be accommodated in the housing 10, for example. For example, the contact member 40 may be at least partially received or seated in the upper housing portion 11. It is preferred that the contact members 40 extend from the upper housing portion 11 into the lower housing portion 12. The contact piece 40 can be connected to the housing 10, preferably in the upper housing part 11, by force-fitting and/or form-fitting.

Also visible in fig. 3 and 5 is a notch (i.e., void) 14, which can optionally have a terminal 1. The indentation 14 can be provided in the form of a groove and is preferably a guide groove 14. The notches 14 or guide slots provide, among other things, the advantage of securely receiving the blade contact 30 during its rotation. A defined position of the contact portion 35 relative to the contact piece 40 can be achieved in particular by the guide groove 14. Thereby ensuring that a reliable electrical connection can be provided between the contact portion 35 and the contact member 40. The recess 14 is designed in particular such that at least a part of the blade contact 30 (for example the contact portion 35) is arranged in the recess 14, while the blade contact 30 is moved by rotation of the actuating element 50. The recess 14 may, for example, extend in a direction which corresponds to the path of movement of a part of the blade contact 30 during the rotation of the actuating element 50 about the axis of rotation. The indentation 14 may be formed at least partially in the bottom, such as the bottom provided by the lower housing portion 12. The housing 10 can have a bulge 15, which is formed, for example, by the bottom of the housing 10 and/or the housing lower part 12. For a very space-saving configuration of the terminal 1, the indentation 14 can be formed at least partially in this elevation 15.

The actuator 50 may be arranged such that a rotational movement of the actuator 50 within an angular range of 60 deg. -120 deg., preferably 90 deg., moves the blade contact 30 from the release position to the contact position, or from the contact position to the release position. For simple operation of the operating member 50, it may have a lever portion 51. In the contact position, the rod 51 then extends preferably parallel to the conductor insertion direction and preferably adjacent to the conductor insertion region 13. The operating member 50 may be used to define the wire insertion region 13 when the blade contact 30 is moved to the contact position. In the contact position, the conductor insertion region 13 can then be delimited in particular by the housing 10 and the operating lever 50, for example its lever part 51.

As can be seen in particular in fig. 5, the actuating element 50 can have a rotation position 52 which, in the contact position, forms a stop and/or a lock with the corresponding rotation position 16. Alternatively or additionally, the rotation position 52 can form a stop and/or a lock with the corresponding rotation position 16 in the release position. The corresponding rotational position 16 is preferably formed by the housing 10. Preferably, the rotation position part 52 is provided at the lever part 51 and/or the distal end of the operating member 50 or the lever part 51. A corresponding rotational position 16 is preferably formed in the housing upper part 11.

The invention is not limited to the foregoing preferred embodiments as long as it is covered by the subject matter of the following claims.

Claims

1. A terminal (1), in particular a wiring terminal, for connecting electrical lines (2) without stripping off insulation, the terminal (1) having at least one line insertion region (13) for inserting an electrical line (2) insulated with insulation into the terminal (1) in a line insertion direction, wherein the terminal (1) further has for each line insertion region (13):

an operating element (50) which can be pivoted about a pivot axis, and

-a blade contact (30), the blade contact (30) having a blade edge (33) for cutting through the insulating material and electrically contacting the electrical conductor (2), wherein the blade edge (33) extends in an arc around the axis of rotation,

wherein the blade contact (30) is connected to the actuating element (50) in such a way that, by means of a rotation of the actuating element (50) about the axis of rotation, the blade contact (30) can be moved between a contact position, in which the blade (33) extends transversely to the conductor insertion region (13) in order to make electrical contact with the inserted electrical conductor (2), and a release position, in which the blade (33) releases the conductor insertion region.

2. A terminal (1) according to claim 1, wherein in the contact position the blade (33) is transverse or passes through a wire insertion plane (E) parallel to the wire insertion direction and the rotation axis.

3. Terminal (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the rotational axis is arranged in the wire insertion region (13) or in an extension of the wire insertion region (13) in a wire insertion direction.

4. A terminal (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the blade (33) at least partially delimits a cut opening, and wherein the electrical conductor (2) is at least partially arranged within the cut opening when the blade contact (30) electrically contacts the electrical conductor (2) at the contact position.

5. A terminal (1) according to claim 4, wherein the cut-out opening is formed by two cut-outs (34), preferably formed integrally with each other, which are further preferably formed resiliently transversely to the wire insertion direction, in order to clamp the electrical contact wire (2) within the cut-out opening.

6. A terminal (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the arc is a circular or elliptical arc and/or wherein the blade (33) has the same radial distance from the rotational axis along the arc.

7. A terminal (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the blade (33) is movable by rotation of the operating member (50) along a circular trajectory having a prescribed radius with respect to the rotation axis.

8. A terminal (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the blade contact (30) is designed as a one-piece component, preferably as a stamped bent piece.

9. A terminal (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the terminal (1) has a contact piece (40) and wherein the blade contact (30) has a contact portion (35) which is in electrical contact with the contact piece (40) exclusively or at least in the contact position.

10. Terminal (1) according to claim 9, wherein the contact portion (35) and the contact piece (40) are designed to correspond to each other such that they are in a comb-shaped and/or clamping engagement for electrical contacting at the contact location.

11. Terminal (1) according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the contact portion (35) protrudes from the blade contact (30) in a contact region in radial direction with respect to the rotation axis.

12. A terminal (1) according to any of claims 9 to 11, wherein, when the terminal (1) has a plurality of wire insertion regions (13) each having its own operating member (50) and blade contact (30), the blade contacts (30) can be electrically contacted correspondingly by the contact member (40).

13. A terminal (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the rotational movement between the contact position and the release position lies in the angular range of 60 ° to 120 °, and preferably 90 °.

14. A terminal (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the operating element (50) has a lever part (51) for turning the operating element (50) around the rotational axis, wherein preferably the lever part (51) extends parallel to the wire insertion direction and preferably also adjacent to the wire insertion region (13) in the contact position.

15. Terminal (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the operating element (50) has a rotation position (52), the rotation position (52) forming a stop and/or a lock together with the corresponding rotation position (16) in the contact position and/or the release position.

16. A terminal (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the wire insertion region (13) is surrounded electrically insulated on the circumferential side in the radial direction in relation to the wire insertion direction at least at the contact position.

17. Terminal (1) according to one of the preceding claims, the terminal (1) further having an insulating material housing (10) in which the operating element (50) is rotatably accommodated, wherein the insulating material housing (10) preferably has or forms a corresponding rotational position (16).

18. A terminal (1) according to claim 17, wherein the insulating material housing (10) has a wire insertion channel forming at least a part of the wire insertion region (13) and/or defining the wire insertion direction.

19. A terminal (1) according to claim 17 or 18, wherein the wire insertion region (13) is delimited at least in the contact position by the insulating material housing (10) and the operating member (50), preferably by a stem (51) of the operating member (50).

20. A terminal (1) according to any of claims 17 to 19, wherein the insulating material housing (10) has a notch (14) such that at least a part of the blade contact (30) is arranged in the notch (14) when the blade contact (30) is moved by rotation of the operating member (50), wherein the part of the blade contact preferably has a contact region (35) and/or the notch (14) is preferably a guide groove.

21. A terminal (1) according to claim 20, wherein the insulating material housing (10) has a bottom, the indentation (14) being formed at least partially in the bottom.

22. Terminal (1) according to claim 20 or 21, wherein the bottom of the insulating material housing (10), preferably the insulating material housing (10), has a bulge (15) in which the indentation (14) is at least partially formed.