DE102015110223B4 - Assembly of a terminal device for connecting electrical conductors - Google Patents

Abstract

Module (2) of a terminal device for connecting electrical conductors (3), with a first terminal row (20) and a second terminal row (21) offset in an attachment direction (A) to the first terminal row (20), each of which has at least one Have terminal element (1) with an insertion opening (11) for inserting a line end (30) of a conductor (3) and a fastening element (13) which can be actuated by a tool (4) for fastening the line end (30) in the insertion opening (11), The first terminal row (20) has a passage opening (200) through which the tool (4) for actuating the fastening element (13) of the at least one terminal element (1) of the second terminal row (21) can be inserted, and wherein the first terminal row ( 20) and / or the second terminal row (21) consist of a plurality of modular terminal elements (1) lined up along a width direction (B) transverse to the attachment direction (A), characterized thereby t that two adjacent terminal elements (1) of the first terminal row (20) form the passage opening (200) between them.

Description

The invention relates to an assembly of a terminal device for connecting electrical conductors according to the preamble of claim 1.

Such an assembly comprises a first terminal row and a second terminal row offset in an attachment direction to the first terminal row. Each terminal row has at least one terminal element with an insertion opening for inserting a line end of a conductor. A line end inserted into the insertion opening can be fastened in the insertion opening via a fastening element which can be actuated by a tool. The first terminal row has a passage opening, through which the tool for actuating the fastening element of the at least one clamping element of the second terminal row can be inserted. Furthermore, the first terminal row and / or the second terminal row consist of a plurality of modular terminal elements that are lined up along a width direction transverse to the attachment direction.

A corresponding assembly is, for example, from the DE 69 28 675 U and the DE 89 12 005 U 1 known.

Such a clamp element can be designed, for example, as a screw clamp. To arrange a conductor on the terminal element, the conductor is inserted into the insertion opening with a (stripped) line end, and the line end is clamped in the insertion opening by screwing in the fastening element designed as a screw.

In the case of terminal devices which are of multi-tier design and have correspondingly offset terminal rows, it is necessary that the fastening elements of a lower terminal row are freely accessible through an upper terminal row. Conventionally, it has been provided for this purpose that such terminal rows are not only offset from one another along the vertical direction, but also transversely to the vertical direction. However, this can be disadvantageous in that such terminal devices then require more installation space.

From the DE 861 66 08 U1 a terminal element in the form of a screw terminal is known.

From the DE 2 308 518 B a terminal element in the form of a screw terminal is known, in the line ends of two conductors can be inserted from different sides.

In the DE 35 02 813 C2 describes a multilevel printed circuit board terminal block which has a step-like arrangement of the terminal rows, at least one rear support plate being provided for supporting an upper terminal row arranged at a distance from the printed circuit board.

In the DE 28 33 313 B1 describes a terminal block for printed circuits.

Other terminal blocks are from the GB 2 425 665 A and the DE 16 40 917 A known.

The object of the present invention is to provide an assembly of a terminal device which enables a plurality of terminal rows arranged one above the other, each with one or more terminal elements, to be provided in a simple, space-saving manner.

This object is achieved by an object with the features of claim 1.

Accordingly, two adjacent terminal elements of the first terminal row form the through opening between them.

The first terminal row is arranged above the second terminal row. In order nevertheless to be able to easily access the fastening element of the at least one terminal element of the second terminal row, the first terminal row has a passage opening through which the fastening element of the at least one terminal element of the second terminal row is accessible. A tool in the form of a screwdriver can be inserted through the through opening of the first terminal row, for example, in order to access the fastening element of the at least one terminal element of the second terminal row by means of the screwdriver.

Because the first terminal row has a through opening, the first terminal row can be arranged directly above the second terminal row, viewed along the attachment direction. The terminal rows can thus be stacked without the terminal rows having to be offset from one another transversely to the direction of attachment. In order to be able to access a fastening element of a terminal element of the lower, second terminal row, a tool can be passed through the through opening in order to twist a fastening element in the form of a screw, for example.

The terminal elements of the first and the second terminal row each have an insertion opening for inserting a conductor. The The insertion opening can be formed in a housing of the respective terminal element in such a way that a conductor can be inserted along an insertion direction in the insertion direction. The attachment direction and the insertion direction preferably differ from one another, so that a conductor can be inserted into a terminal element in the insertion direction, but the fastening element can be actuated by attaching a tool along the attachment direction, which is different from the insertion direction.

The fact that the attachment direction and the insertion direction differ from one another should be understood in the present case to mean that the attachment direction and the insertion direction are arranged at an angle to one another. The direction of insertion and the direction of insertion are therefore not axially parallel, in particular not directed opposite to one another.

For example, the direction of insertion and the direction of insertion can extend transversely to one another. The fastening element of the one or more terminal elements of the second terminal row (which is arranged below the first terminal row as viewed along the attachment direction) can be arranged, for example, in an opening on a housing side of the respective terminal element of the second terminal row facing the first terminal row. If this opening in the housing of the terminal element of the second terminal row is aligned with the passage opening of the first terminal row, the fastening element can be accessed through the passage opening in order to actuate it for fastening a line end or for releasing a line end. The first terminal row at least partially covers the housing side of the terminal element of the second terminal row facing the first terminal row, so that access to the fastening element of the terminal member of the second terminal row is (only) possible via the access opening.

Because the first terminal row and the second terminal row are arranged one above the other in an overlapping manner and can therefore be stacked in a spatially efficient manner, the installation space requirement of the terminal device is reduced.

In an advantageous embodiment, the fastening element can be designed as a screw. To fix a line end in the insertion opening of a terminal element, the fastening element is screwed in and the line end is thereby clamped in the insertion opening. To loosen the screw, you can unscrew it from the housing of the terminal element.

Other configurations of the fastening element, for example clamping or latching devices, are also conceivable and possible in this context.

The first terminal row and / or the second terminal row each consist of a plurality of modular terminal elements that are lined up along a width direction transverse to the attachment direction.

Modular terminal elements are thus strung together to form a terminal row along a width direction. If the terminal elements of the first terminal row and the second terminal row are identical, the result is a modular system, by means of which terminal devices can be constructed in a simple, modular manner with a plurality of mutually offset terminal rows.

When the terminal device is manufactured, the terminal elements of the first terminal row, viewed along the width direction, can be offset from the terminal elements of the second terminal row. The offset between the terminal elements can, for example, be half the width of a (modular) terminal element, measured along the width direction. This offset makes it possible for a passage opening on the first terminal row to be arranged in a spatially offset manner with respect to a fastening element of a terminal element of the first terminal row, and the passage opening of the first terminal row aligned with the fastening element of the second terminal row thus on one of the fastening elements of the Terminal element of the first terminal row can be arranged different location.

In a simple, inexpensive solution, the passage opening of the first terminal row can be formed between two adjacent terminal elements of the first terminal row. For this purpose, the adjacent terminal elements of the first terminal row can each have groove-shaped depressions, which extend along the attachment direction, in mutually abutting housing sides, which, when put together, result in the through opening. The passage opening is designed in such a way that a suitable tool, for example a screwdriver, can be easily passed through the passage opening in order to be able to access a fastening element of a terminal element of the second terminal row.

The depressions on the housing sides of the terminal elements of the first terminal row each extend over the entire height (measured along the direction of attachment) Terminal elements, so that a through opening formed between adjacent terminal elements extends completely through the first terminal row and thus access to the second terminal row arranged below the first terminal row is created.

If modular terminal elements for forming the first terminal line and / or the second terminal line are attached to one another, it can be provided that the terminal elements are held in a composite form over a suitable carrier element, in order in this way to mount a unitary one, for example on one or more printed circuit boards Get terminal equipment. For this purpose, the terminal elements can each have a groove running around the insertion direction, which can be brought into engagement with a section of the carrier element, so that a terminal row formed by one or more terminal elements can be held on the carrier element.

• 1 eine gesonderte Ansicht eines Klemmenelements;
• 2 eine Ansicht einer Klemmeneinrichtung, die aus zwei Klemmenzeilen besteht, die jeweils durch eine Mehrzahl von Klemmelementen ausgebildet sind;
• 3 eine Ansicht der Klemmeneinrichtung an einem Trägerelement; und
• 4 eine Vorderansicht der Anordnung gemäß 3.

The idea on which the invention is based will be explained in more detail below with reference to the exemplary embodiments illustrated in the figures. Show it:

• 1 a separate view of a terminal element;
• 2 a view of a terminal device, which consists of two rows of terminals, each formed by a plurality of clamping elements;
• 3 a view of the terminal device on a carrier element; and
• 4 a front view of the arrangement according to 3 ,

1 shows a perspective view of a terminal element 1 , which is designed as a screw terminal. The clamp element 1 has a housing 10 which is cuboid in its basic form and on a front 100 an insertion opening for inserting a conductor 3 serves. The clamp element 1 is used to make electrical contact with the electrical conductor 3 and can have a contact tab 14 For example, arranged on a cable or a busbar and via a screw 140 screwed to the cable or the busbar.

The insertion opening 11 is on a front 100 of the housing 10 educated. In the insertion opening 11 can the leader 3 with one line end 30 in an insertion direction e to be plugged in inside the case 10 to be contacted electrically. At the end of the line 30 clamping on the terminal element 1 To be determined is at the top 101 of the housing 10 in an opening 12 a fastener 13 arranged in the form of a screw, which in a known manner in the housing 10 can be screwed to a clamp connection between the clamp element 1 and the line end 30 manufacture.

The (metal) contact tab 14 stands from a back 105 of the housing 10 from and is in the insertion opening 11 inserted conductor 3 , electrically with the conductor 3 contacted.

The clamp element 1 according to 1 can be used in a modular way with other, identical terminal elements 1 can be combined to create a terminal device 2 to create as exemplified in 2 to 4 is shown.

The terminal device 2 has two terminal rows 20 . 21 on, one of which is a first terminal row 20 - viewed in an application direction A - Above a second terminal row 21 is arranged. Every terminal element 1 the terminal rows 20 . 21 is like in 1 shown designed and in particular has an insertion opening 11 on which a ladder 3 in the direction of insertion e for electrical contact with the terminal element 1 can be inserted.

The terminal rows 20 . 21 are arranged to each other in such a way that the lower, second terminal row 21 with the tops 101 their terminal elements 1 subpages 104 of the terminal elements 1 the top, first terminal row 20 is facing. The terminal rows 20 . 21 are thus stacked on top of each other. This leads to the top, first terminal row 20 the tops 101 of the terminal elements 1 the lower, second terminal row 21 covered.

To ensure that when the terminal device is installed 2 on the fasteners 13 in the openings 12 of the terminal elements 1 the lower, second terminal row 21 can be accessed are in the top, first terminal row 20 Through openings 200 trained which is an attachment of a tool 4 (please refer 3 and 4 ) in the direction of attachment A allow from above and access to the fasteners 13 the lower, second terminal row 21 create.

The access openings 200 align with the openings 12 on the tops 101 of the terminal elements 1 the lower, second terminal row 21 , Through the access openings 200 can thus be a tool 4 with a shaft 40 passed through to the fasteners 13 of the terminal elements 1 the lower, second terminal row 21 to twist and this way line ends 30 of ladders 3 on the terminal elements 1 to fix or detach them.

The access openings 200 are between adjacent terminal elements 1 created. Every terminal element 1 points to side walls 102 . 103 groove-shaped along the direction of attachment A extended depressions 15 on, which extends over the entire height of the terminal element 1 (measured along the direction of attachment A ) extend. The wells 15 on adjacent side walls 102 . 103 adjacent terminal elements 1 make up the passage opening 200 how this from 2 can be seen.

The access opening 200 points in cross section to the direction of attachment A a circular shape and is designed and dimensioned to be a suitable tool 4 for example in the form of a screwdriver with a shaft 40 through the access opening 200 can be put through.

The top, first terminal row 20 and the lower, second terminal row 21 are along the direction of attachment A offset from one another and thus stacked on top of one another. In addition, the terminal rows 20 . 21 here along a width direction B transverse to the direction of attachment A and across the direction of insertion e for an offset V offset from each other. This offset V (please refer 4 ) corresponds to half the width X of a modular terminal element 1 and is chosen so that a fastener 13 a terminal element 1 the lower, second terminal row 21 just below one between two adjacent terminal elements 1 the top, first terminal row 20 formed through opening 200 comes to rest.

By using the modular, identical terminal elements 1 can be a terminal device 2 be produced in a variable, scalable manner. The fact that through openings 200 in the top, first terminal row 20 the lower, second terminal row can be provided 21 in an overlapping manner underneath the upper, first terminal row 20 be arranged so that there is a small space requirement for the terminal device 2 results.

About the contact tabs 14 can connect one or more cables or busbars to the terminal device 2 get connected. To provide an easy-to-use, uniform terminal device 2 can create a support element 22 be used that is a base 220 and flank elements arranged thereon 221 . 222 having. Every terminal element 1 shows how from the separate view 1 results in one around the direction of insertion e circumferential groove 16 on that allows the outer clamp elements 1 each terminal row 20 . 21 form-fitting with the flank elements 221 . 222 of the carrier element 22 can be engaged.

The flank elements 221 . 222 form together with the base 220 a bracket for the terminal elements 1 from, but represent only one of many possible embodiments.

The idea on which the invention is based is not limited to the exemplary embodiments described above, but can also be implemented in a completely different manner.

In principle, it is not necessary, for example, for the terminal elements to be modular. It is also conceivable and possible that one or both terminal rows are each formed only by one terminal element which has one or more insertion openings.

The through openings are not necessarily to be provided between two adjacent terminal elements, but can also be formed in a different manner in a housing of a terminal element.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

clamping element

10

casing

100-105

case side

11

insertion

12

opening

13

fastener

14

Contact tab

140

screw

15

groove

2

module

20

Upper terminal row

200

Through opening

21

Lower terminal row

22

support element

220

Base

221.222

edge element

3

ladder

30

cable end

4

Tool

40

shaft

A

attachment direction

B

widthwise

e

insertion

V

offset

X

width

Claims (12)

Module (2) of a terminal device for connecting electrical conductors (3), with - a first terminal row (20) and a second terminal row (21) offset in an attachment direction (A) to the first terminal row (20), each of which has at least one Have terminal element (1) with an insertion opening (11) for inserting a line end (30) of a conductor (3) and a fastening element (13) which can be actuated by a tool (4) for fastening the line end (30) in the insertion opening (11), The first terminal row (20) has a passage opening (200) through which the tool (4) for actuating the fastening element (13) of the at least one terminal element (1) of the second terminal row (21) can be inserted, and wherein the first terminal row ( 20) and / or the second terminal row (21) consist of a plurality of modular terminal elements (1) lined up along a width direction (B) transverse to the attachment direction (A), characterized in that net that two adjacent terminal elements (1) of the first terminal row (20) form the passage opening (200) between them. Assembly (2) after Claim 1 , characterized in that the conductor (3) can be inserted along an insertion direction (E) into the insertion opening (11) of the at least one terminal element (1) of the first or second terminal row (20, 21), the attachment direction (A) and the Insertion direction (E) differ. Assembly (2) after Claim 2 , characterized in that the attachment direction (A) and the insertion direction (E) extend transversely to one another. Assembly (2) according to one of the Claims 1 to 3 , characterized in that the fastening element (13) of the at least one terminal element (1) of the second terminal row (21) in an opening (12) on a housing side (101) of the at least one terminal element (1) facing the first terminal row (20) second terminal row (21) is arranged. Assembly (2) after Claim 4 , characterized in that the opening (12) of the at least one terminal element (1) of the second terminal row (21) is aligned with the passage opening (200) of the first terminal row (20) along the attachment direction (A). Assembly (2) after Claim 4 or 5 , characterized in that the first terminal row (20) at least partially covers the housing side (101) of the at least one terminal element (1) of the second terminal row (21) facing the first terminal row (20). Assembly (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fastening element (13) is designed as a screw. Assembly (2) according to one of the Claims 1 to 7 , characterized in that the terminal elements (1) of the first terminal row (20) and the second terminal row (21) are identical. Assembly (2) according to one of the Claims 1 to 8th , characterized in that the terminal elements (1) of the first terminal row (20), viewed along the width direction (B), are offset from the terminal elements (1) of the second terminal row (21). Assembly (2) after Claim 9 , characterized in that the offset (V) corresponds to half the width (X) of a clamp element (1), measured along the width direction (B). Assembly (2) according to one of the Claims 1 to 10 , characterized in that a first terminal element (1) of the first terminal row (20) with a first housing side (102) abuts a second housing side (103) of an adjacent, second terminal element (1) of the first terminal row (20), wherein in the the first housing side (102) and the second housing side (103) each have a recess (15) extending along the attachment direction (A) and the recess (15) of the first clamp element (1) and the recess (15) of the second clamp element (1 ) together form the through opening (200). Module (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one terminal element (1) of the first terminal row (20) and / or the at least one terminal element (1) of the second terminal row (21) have a circumferential groove which with a support element (22) for supporting the assembly (2) can be brought into engagement.

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