DE102005043710A1 - Terminal clamp for battery has angled surface formed directly on clip and lever that protrudes up above battery terminal in unlocked position - Google Patents

Abstract

Terminal clamp has a clip (2) enclosing the terminal (7) and a clamping device with a pivotable lever (4), whereby the lever compresses the clip via an angled surface (11) in a locked position. The angled surface is formed directly on the clip and the lever protrudes up above the battery terminal in an unlocked position.

Description

The The invention relates to a pole terminal for fixing a electrical conductor to a pole of a battery with a pole comprehensive clamp and a clamping device with a pivoting Lever, with the lever in a locked position over a inclined plane squeezes the clamp.

binding posts be used to make an electrical connection between a Pole of a battery and with the electric current from the battery used to be supplied electrical device. Such pole terminals are known to those skilled in various embodiments. They persist essentially of a clamp, the end to an electric Conductor, such as a copper cable, is arranged and the usual vertically upstanding pole of a battery, e.g. a 12V battery, embraces.

to warranty a permanent electrical connection, the pole terminal is releasably attached to the Pole connected. This can be a clamp, which is essentially consists of two symmetrical flanges or arms, be clamped by a screw on the pole. To a screw is provided at the two free ends of the flanges, in cooperation with a nut or a thread in one of the flanges by twisting the free ends of the flanges to each other to move to achieve a clamping action. However, this requires to the reliable Production of the electrical connection of a precise assembly process, because such a screw usually must be tightened with a constant torque.

Especially in motor vehicles, the problem arises that during disassembly the battery or if by clamping at least one of the poles the battery, the electrical system should be de-energized, for example for longer Downtimes to avoid discharge of the battery when Restore the electrical connection the screw for clamping the pole terminals are not tightened to the correct torque, which can either solve the connection or due to a inadequate Connect the charging currents be reduced or the discharge of the battery faster it works. In extreme cases, this can lead to a sufficient Power supply to start the motor vehicle no longer guaranteed is.

The DE 295 16 589 U1 describes a cable clamp for batteries with a clamp consisting essentially of two symmetrical jaws or flanges. The flanges are moved towards and away from each other at the ends by means of a pivotable lever in order to fix or release the clamp at the pole of the battery. For the formation of the pivoting mechanism, however, a considerable design effort and a large number of separate components is necessary.

The DE 30 29 335 A1 discloses a battery terminal, the clamp can be clamped via a clamping mechanism with a pivotally mounted lever on the pole of the battery. However, the clamping mechanism is disadvantageous in so far as this separate components with cam surfaces are necessary, which can be lost in particular during assembly of the battery terminal to the battery.

It is the object of the invention, a pole terminal for mounting a electrical conductor to a pole of a battery of the aforementioned Specify type, which has a simple structure, operating errors in the assembly excludes and the always correct electrical connection between conductors and pole of the battery ensured.

According to the invention Task solved by that the inclined plane is formed directly on the clamp and the lever in an unlocked position up over the Pol of the battery survives.

The core idea of the invention is to provide an inclined plane, also referred to as a cam surface, for generating a clamping action of the lever, which is pivoted into a locked position, directly on the clamp or the clamp body. Thus, no separate component is necessary to form an inclined plane. The inclined plane is designed such that when pivoting the lever, this moves relative to the clamp in the axial direction and the flanges are moved towards each other to clamp the pole. In addition, due to the design of the pivotable lever in a simple manner captive on the clamp or end disposed on the two the actual pole of the battery encompassing flanges. Furthermore, it is ensured by the substantially vertically upwards beyond the clamp or the pole projecting position of the pivotable lever in the unlocked position that is detected immediately when the tool-less mounting of the pole terminal to the battery, whether the pole terminal is connected correctly or not , The correct position of the lever and thus the proper connection can be quickly determined even during maintenance by a simple inspection. The lever is especially on the inside Side of the associated Polecke, ie above the battery, arranged, after which he is located in a protected area and on the outside space for electrical connections is available.

Frequently the battery for powering a vehicle electrical system of a motor vehicle in a battery box to protect against splashing water and the like arranged. This one has one Cover. In this case, the lid or the pole terminal is designed such that in the open Position of the pole terminal, i. when the lever is essentially perpendicular to above, the battery box lid can not be closed. Thus, an engine hood of the motor vehicle can not be closed so that a mechanic does not hook up the correct one Battery must immediately detect. Optionally, this principle can also on a separate battery box, for example in one Trunk of the motor vehicle, to be applied.

Of the Advantage of the invention is that the pole terminal without tools can be attached to the pole of the battery, with a suitable choice the mechanism for clamping the pole terminal, the preferred as is formed below, it is ensured that the pole terminal always with a desired one Clamping action is fixed to the pole. In this case, there is the pivotable Lever essentially of an angled metal piece with preferably round or hexagonal cross-section, which can be produced in a simple manner is.

to increase the operating convenience of the pole terminal has the free end of the lever, which is gripped by a mechanic for mounting the pole terminal over flattened end to handle this free end better.

to Attach the lever to the pole terminal or at the free ends the flanges expediently passes through the lever appropriately sized holes in the flanges and is end with the help of a screwed on a thread self-locking nut with the interposition of a non-rotating Washer attached, which does not cause it unintentionally from the pole terminal can. It supports The washer acted upon by the nut during pivoting and clamping the lever to the clamp. The clamping force is exactly over the torque adjustable, creating manufacturing tolerances be compensated.

In an alternative embodiment is at this end of the lever a transverse to the longitudinal axis the hole formed by the lever provided by a pin, For example, a grooved pin, a taper pin or a dowel pin, is penetrated. In a further alternative embodiment At this end of the lever, a shaft securing ring is provided. The over the lever protruding Pin or the trained example as Seeger ring shaft securing ring serves as a stop surface when Warping by pivoting the lever.

to Improvement of the clamping action when pivoting the lever is preferred associated with the lever a spring ring. This is preferably between the aforementioned pin or shaft locking ring and a Outer surface of the Pole clamp arranged. With the help of such a spring ring it is possible in dependency of Dimensioning of the cam surface to obtain a defined clamping effect by replacing of the spring ring against one with a different spring constant also in desired Way changed can be. If the clamping effect decreases due to wear, the Federring be assigned at least one washer, causing the Clamping force increases.

Around incorrect operation of the lever when clamping the pole terminal to avoid being trained on the clamp end stops to the lever only between two fixed end positions, one open and a closed, to be able to pivot.

Around to set the lever in the locked position and an automatic opening, for example through vibrations during the driving operation of the motor vehicle, is to avoid, according to a development the lever over a dead center out in its final position lockable. For this If the inclined plane on the clamp is designed accordingly, then that before reaching this end position, a resistance during pivoting overcome the lever must become.

The formed on the clamp cam surface can to achieve a Clamping be configured by the skilled person in any desired manner. Preferably, the cam surface however inclined to the horizontal and / or to the vertical, where the size of the angle, around the cam surface inclined, by the expert in dependence the dimensioning of the pole terminal or the desired clamping action can be selected can.

To avoid a short circuit, the pole terminal is advantageously insulated. This can be done for example by electrically insulating the clamp in a dip and / or the lever is provided with an electrically insulating shrink tube. To reduce the cost and to mark the polarity of the pole terminal, it is possible only to the plus pole of the battery zugeord For example, to isolate colored pole terminal in color.

Of course, there is the clamp made of an electrically conductive metal or an alloy. For this purpose, the clamp is preferred either as cast, forged or Punching-bending part executed.

in the Previously, the pole terminal was always associated with a Battery of a motor vehicle described. It is for the expert, however it can be seen that such a pole terminal on all others Areas of technology for connecting an electrical conductor Any source of energy can be used.

It It is understood that the above and below to be explained features not only in the specified combination, but also in other combinations are usable. The scope of the invention is only through the claims Are defined.

The Invention will be described below with reference to an embodiment with reference on the associated Drawings closer explained. It shows:

1 a plan view of a pole terminal according to the invention and

2 a side view of the pole terminal after 1 ,

The pole clamp 1 , which is arranged end to end on a not shown for ease of illustration electrical conductor consists essentially of a clamp 2 consisting of two symmetrical flanges 2a . 2 B is formed. At the end, the two flanges 2a . 2 B one hole each 3 on, by a pivotable lever 4 are penetrated.

To increase the convenience of handling the lever 4 is its free end 4a executed flattened. On the other end 4b is the lever 4 from a pen 5 , which is inserted into a corresponding recess, penetrated. The pencil 5 For example, a grooved pin, taper pin or dowel pin is above the lever 4 above. In addition, there is between the flange 2 B and the pen 5 a spring washer 6 used to achieve a clamping effect of desired size and a tolerance compensation.

The clamp 2 or their flanges 2a . 2 B embrace a pole 7 a only schematically indicated battery 8th for example, to power a motor vehicle. To ensure a reliable electrical connection of the conductor to the pole 7 to produce, becomes the pole terminal 1 or their clamp 2 at the pole 7 clamped. For this purpose, the pivotable lever is used 4 ,

How out 2 can be seen, the lever 4 between an open position 9a and a closed position 9b , as indicated by the double-arrow, are pivoted. In the open position 9a is the lever 4 essentially perpendicular to the pole 7 or the battery 8th above. In the closed position 9b points the lever 4 essentially in the horizontal.

By the upright position of the lever 4 in the open position 9a it is ensured that a battery box cover or a hood of a motor vehicle can not be closed properly, causing a mechanic directly on the circumstance of an incorrect electrical connection between terminal 1 and pol 7 gets aware and can fix this.

To incorrect operation of the lever 4 to avoid, are at the clamp 2 end stops 10 formed, which is the pivoting of the lever 4 limit. The end stops 10 are integral with the cast or forged from a metal or a metal alloy clamp 2 educated.

To achieve a clamping action when pivoting the lever 4 is at the clamp 2 or on the flange 2a a sloping plane 11 trained, how, out 1 can be seen inclined at an angle α. Depending on the size of the angle α and the dimensions of the lever 4 or the clamp 2 must when pivoting the lever 4 in the closed position 9b a clamping work done or overcome a resistance. The size of the clamping action can in particular by the spring constant of the spring ring 6 to be influenced.

To accidentally loosen the lever 4 To avoid, for example, by vibrations during the running operation of the motor vehicle, is the lever 4 in the closed position 9b Pivoting beyond a dead center, the inclined plane 11 is designed accordingly to overcome an additional resistance here.

1

Polklemme

2

clamp

2a, 2 B

flanges

3

drilling

4

lever

4a, 4b

lever ends

5

pen

6

spring washer

7

pole

8th

battery

9a 9b

Position of 4

10

end stop

11

Leaning level

α

angle

Claims (11)

Pole terminal for fixing an electrical conductor to a pole ( 7 ) of a battery ( 8th ) with a pole ( 7 ) comprehensive clamp ( 2 ) and a clamping device with a pivotable lever ( 4 ), whereby the lever ( 4 ) in a locked position ( 9b ) over an inclined plane ( 11 ) the clamp ( 2 ), characterized in that the inclined plane ( 11 ) directly on the clamp ( 2 ) is formed and the lever ( 4 ) in an unlocked position ( 9a ) upwards over the pole ( 7 ) of the battery ( 8th ) survives. Pole clamp according to claim 1, characterized in that the lever ( 4 ) over a flattened free end ( 4a ). Pole clamp according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the lever ( 4 ) with a washer being interposed via a nut on the clamp ( 2 ) is supported. Pole clamp according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that a pin ( 5 ) the lever ( 4 ) at the end ( 4a ) opposite end ( 4b ). Pole clamp according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that a shaft securing ring at the end ( 4a ) opposite end ( 4b ) is provided. Pole clamp according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the lever ( 4 ) a spring washer ( 6 ) assigned. Pole clamp according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that on the clamp ( 2 ) End stops ( 10 ) are formed. Pole clamp according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the lever ( 4 ) is lockable beyond a dead center. Pole clip according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the inclined plane ( 11 ) is inclined to the horizontal and / or vertical. Pole clamp according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized that it is electrically isolated. Pole clamp according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the clamp ( 2 ) is cast or forged or formed as a stamped and bent part.