DE102016124891B4 - Terminal system for connecting at least one electrical line - Google Patents

Abstract

Connection terminal system for connecting at least one electrical line (3), with a connection terminal (1), a housing (10), a about a second pivot axis (D2) pivotally mounted on the housing (10) arranged clamping lever (13), an adjusting element ( 11), which has a lever portion (110), via which the adjusting element (11) about a first pivot axis (D1) is pivotally mounted on the housing (10), and a spring element (12), via which the adjusting element (11) articulated with the clamping lever (13) is connected, - wherein on the lever portion (110) of the adjusting element (11) an insulating cap (111) is arranged, - wherein the adjusting element (11) between a release position in which an electrical line (3 ) on the housing (10) of the terminal (1) can be attached, and a clamping position in which the attached electrical line (3) by clamping between the housing (10) and a clamping portion (130) of the clamping lever (13) is contacted, adjustable is, - an e lektrischen device (4) to which the terminal (1) is arranged, and- a cover member (2) which can be attached to cover to the terminal (1) attachable and in an attached position with the electrical device (4), - wherein the cover element (2) has a blocking element (21) which is formed by a rib element projecting from a wall (201) of a cover housing (20) of the cover element (2) in its interior space (R), the rib element being attached to the one of the Wall (201) remote side forms a contour portion (210) for cooperation with the adjusting element (11), - wherein the shape of the contour portion (210) of the shaping of the adjusting element (11) arranged insulating cap (111) is adapted, and- by the vote of the locking element (21) to the adjusting element (11) attaching the cover (2) to the terminal (1) for connection to the electrical device (4) can take place when the adjusting element (11) in the Klemmste is, and a connection of the cover (2) prevents the electrical device (4) when the adjusting element (11) is not in the clamping position.

Description

The invention relates to a terminal system for connecting at least one electrical line.

Such a connection terminal system comprises a connection terminal, which has a housing and an adjusting element movably arranged on the housing. The adjusting element can be adjusted between a release position in which an electrical line can be attached to the terminal, and a clamping position in which an electrical line attached to the terminal is clamped to the terminal, and is for this example pivotable or displaceable or along a other guideway movably arranged on the housing.

Such a connection terminal is used to connect an electrical line to an electrical device, for example to a control cabinet or an electrical system or the like. Several terminals can be combined with each other to provide a formation of terminals and to allow the connection of multiple electrical lines to the electrical device.

The terminal is for this purpose connected to the electrical device, such as a control cabinet or the like.

At one of the DE 10 2011 055 845 A1 known terminal, a clamping lever is pivotally mounted on a receiving body and coupled to a first lever arm. The first lever arm cooperates with a pivotably arranged on the receiving body second lever arm to clamp an electrical line in a clamping position of the clamping lever on the receiving body.

At one of the DE 10 2011 106 432 A1 known terminal, a clamping lever is pivotally mounted on a holder. With the clamping lever, a hand lever is pivotally connected, which is in turn coupled via an auxiliary lever articulated to the holder. By adjusting the hand lever of the clamping lever can be brought into a clamping position to clamp in the clamping position an electrical line to the holder.

Other types of terminals are for example from the DE 10 2013 108 116 A1 and the DE 10 2013 110 481 A1 known.

In such terminal systems is often provided after connecting an electrical line to a terminal a cover to be arranged on the terminal to cover the terminal to the outside and thus protected from external impact. The cover member may be connected to the electrical device to provide a closed housing within which the terminal is received.

After covering the terminal access to the terminal is no longer readily, at least not without removing the cover possible. This also states that after applying the cover can not be (more) checked whether an electrical line is properly connected to the terminal and the adjustment of the terminal is intended in its clamping position.

Next is from the WO 95/03615 A1 a junction box system for flat cable with multiple junction boxes, wherein a plurality of different junction boxes are provided for each flat cable, which are coupled to each other at their longitudinal sides, each junction box in a receiving part for a portion of the flat cable has a receiving space whose cross-sectional shape of the shell cross-sectional shape of the respective flat cable is adjusted.

From the EP 2 355 249 B1 For example, a terminal device for an electronic device is known, which has a terminal portion for the device, a holding member of a conductor provided with a passage substantially perpendicular to the terminal portion, spring-forming means coupled to the holding member, and a compression member , which is unitarily formed by a gripping lever and a pivotable cam and acting on an actuating portion of the spring-forming means and the holding member substantially orthogonal to the connection region between a first rest position, in which the connection region is disposed substantially at a first end of the passage, and a second compression position in which the passage is free, can mobilize, wherein a conductor which passes through the passage in the region of the first end, is parallel to the connection area has.

The EP 1 357 640 B1 describes a power cable connecting terminal, which is an L-shaped operating lever, which by an insertion opening, which is provided in a housing, can be slid in an axial direction, a V-shaped disc spring, which is housed in the housing and suitable elastic deformed when the operating lever is pushed through the insertion opening so that an open state is brought about having a gap between a metal connection terminal accommodated in the housing and the plate spring is formed in the open state, wherein a power cable can be inserted into the gap, wherein the plate spring is adapted to resiliently spring back when the operating lever is retracted, thereby causing a cable connection state in which the power cable is firmly held by the metal connection terminal and the plate spring. A cover is fitted to the housing to receive a head portion of the operating lever such that the entire operating lever is housed in the housing and the cover. An opening operation opening is provided in the cover through which the head part of the operation lever, which is positioned in the cable connection state, can be pushed in the axial direction. Further, a connection operation opening is provided, by which the head part of the operation lever, which is positioned in the open state, can be operated.

The WO 2014/146930 A1 describes a terminal block assembly including a terminal block having a housing and at least a plurality of terminals, each terminal including at least one clamping unit for contacting at least one conductor receivable on the terminal and at least one associated actuating unit for actuating the clamping unit to selectively connect the clamping unit between at least two Transfer positions, wherein at least one of the positions is a contact position. Furthermore, at least one locking device is provided, which in a blocking position is suitable for jointly preventing the actuation of the actuating units of at least two connection terminals of the plurality of connection terminals.

Object of the present invention is to provide a terminal system available that allows in a simple, inexpensive and intuitive way to ensure proper connection of an electrical line to a terminal.

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

The terminal system according to the invention comprises a terminal which comprises a housing, a clamping lever pivotally mounted on the housing about a second pivot axis, an adjusting element having a lever portion via which the adjusting element is pivotally mounted on the housing about a first pivot axis, and Spring element, via which the adjusting element is pivotally connected to the clamping lever on. At the lever portion of the adjusting an insulating cap is arranged. The adjustment is adjustable between a release position in which an electrical line to the housing of the terminal can be attached, and a clamping position in which the attached electrical line is clamped between the housing and a clamping portion of the clamping lever contacted. The terminal system further comprises an electrical device to which the terminal is disposed, and a cover member attachable to cover the terminal and connectable with the electrical apparatus in an engaged position. The cover element has a blocking element which is formed by a rib element protruding from a wall of a cover housing of the cover element in the interior thereof. The rib element forms on the side remote from the wall a contour section for interacting with the adjusting element. The shaping of the contour section is adapted to the shaping of the insulating cap arranged on the adjusting element. By adjusting the locking element to the adjusting element, a setting of the cover can be made to the terminal for connection to the electrical device, when the adjusting element is in the clamping position, and prevents connection of the cover to the electrical device, when the adjusting element is not in the clamping position is.

The cover thus cooperates with the terminal to ensure when attached cover that the adjustment is placed in its intended manner in its clamping position and remains there when the cover is attached to the terminal. Due to the locking element provided on the locking element, the cover can only be attached to the terminal and connected to the electrical device when the adjusting element is in its clamping position. If the adjustment element is not in the clamping position, the cover element can not be attached to the terminal in the intended manner and can not be connected to the electrical device, so that it is readily apparent that an electrical line is not properly connected to the terminal.

The cover member has a covering housing enclosing an interior, on which the blocking element is arranged. The blocking element projects from a wall of the covering housing into the interior, so that when the covering element is applied, the blocking element collides with the adjusting element when the adjusting element is not in its clamping position. The blocking element is in this case adapted in its shape to the adjusting element, so that a correct position attachment of the cover to the terminal is possible when the adjusting element in the Clamping is located, but the cover can not be attached to the terminal and connected to the electrical device when the adjustment is not in its clamping position.

The blocking element is formed by a rib element, which forms a contour section for cooperation with the adjusting element on a side remote from the wall. The contour section can be adapted to the shape of the adjustment element, for example, when viewed in an adjustment plane, along which the adjustment element is adjustable and which is directed for example perpendicular to a pivot axis of the adjustment element, that when the cover element is attached to the connection terminal there is no collision of the contour section comes with the adjustment when the adjustment is in the clamping position, however, it comes to a collision when the adjustment is not in the clamping position.

For example, viewed in the adjustment plane of the adjustment element, the blocking element may be concavely curved at least in sections. If the adjusting element, viewed in the adjustment plane, at least partially convexly curved and thereby complementary to the blocking element, the locking element and the adjusting element are matched in shape to each other, so that a correct position attachment of the cover to the terminal is only possible if the adjustment in its clamping position is.

In one embodiment, the adjusting element on a cover member attached to the blocking element facing the side of a projection element which protrudes from a surface of the adjusting element in the direction of the locking element and is positively engaged with an attached cover element with an engagement contour of the locking element, when the adjusting element in the clamping position is. The engagement contour of the blocking element can be formed for example by a lateral edge of the blocking element, wherein it is also conceivable that the engagement contour is formed by a recess in the form of a depression or the like on the blocking element.

The projection element may be formed, for example, as a projecting web, which is directed for example along a pivot axis of the adjusting element. If the adjusting element is not in the clamping position, provision can be made in particular for the projection element to come into contact with the blocking element in such a way that connection of the covering element to the electrical device is prevented. By collision of the protrusion element with the blocking element is thus a correct storage, intended application of the cover to the terminal excluded when the adjustment is not in its clamping position. On the other hand, if the adjustment element is in the clamping position, then the projection element can engage in the engagement contour on the blocking element, so that a correct positioning of the covering element to the connection terminal is possible.

In one embodiment, the cover element has a plurality of locking elements, which are offset from one another along a transverse direction, along which a plurality of terminals can be connected to one another. The transverse direction can be directed, for example, along a pivot axis of the adjusting element of the terminal. Along the transverse direction several terminals can be connected to each other to create a formation of terminals to which a plurality of electrical lines can be connected.

The blocking elements may in this case, for example, each have the shape of a rib and are offset from each other along the transverse direction.

According to the invention, the adjusting element has a lever section, via which the adjusting element is arranged pivotably about a first pivot axis on the housing of the connecting terminal. The adjusting element is thus pivotally connected to the housing of the terminal. By pivoting the adjusting element can be adjusted between its release position and the clamping position.

In order to allow a user a manual attack on the adjusting element, an insulating cap made of an electrically insulating material is arranged on the lever portion of the adjusting element. For example, a tool engagement may also be provided on the insulating cap so that a user can act on the adjusting element by means of a tool, for example a screwdriver, and adjust the adjusting element over it.

About the insulating cap, the adjusting element can cooperate with the blocking element. The blocking element is adapted in this case in its shape of the shape of the insulating cap. On the insulating cap can then also be formed a projection element which collides when attaching the cover member to the terminal with the locking element, when the adjusting element is not in its clamping position, but with an engagement contour of the locking element engages and thus a correct position, proper application of the Covering element to the terminal allows when the adjusting element is in the clamping position.

The adjusting element is articulated via a spring element connected to a pivotable about a second pivot axis on the housing of the terminal clamping lever. Due to the coupling of the adjusting element with the clamping lever of the clamping lever is moved when the adjusting element is adjusted. When adjusting the adjusting element in the clamping position of the clamping lever is hereby brought into a position in which a voltage applied to the terminal electrical line is clamped to the housing of the terminal, so that the electrical line is contacted with the terminal.

On the clamping lever, a clamping portion is formed, which may for example have a cutting edge to cut for electrical contacting in an insulating sheath of the electrical line.

• 1 eine perspektivische Ansicht einer Anschlussklemme;
• 2 eine Seitenansicht der Anschlussklemme, zusammen mit einer elektrischen Leitung;
• 3 eine perspektivische Ansicht eines Abdeckelementes zum Abdecken einer Anordnung von Anschlussklemmen;
• 4A eine Draufsicht auf das Abdeckelement;
• 4B eine Schnittansicht entlang der Linie A-A gemäß 4A;
• 5A eine Draufsicht auf das Abdeckelement nach Ansetzen an eine Anordnung von Anschlussklemmen;
• 5B eine Schnittansicht entlang der Linie B-B gemäß 5A;
• 6A eine Draufsicht auf ein Abdeckelement bei Ansetzen an eine Anordnung von Anschlussklemmen; und
• 6B eine Schnittansicht entlang der Linie C-C gemäß 6A.

The idea underlying the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the embodiments illustrated in the figures. Show it:

• 1 a perspective view of a terminal;
• 2 a side view of the terminal, together with an electrical line;
• 3 a perspective view of a cover for covering an array of terminals;
• 4A a plan view of the cover;
• 4B a sectional view along the line AA according to 4A ;
• 5A a plan view of the cover after attachment to an array of terminals;
• 5B a sectional view along the line BB according to 5A ;
• 6A a plan view of a cover when attached to an array of terminals; and
• 6B a sectional view along the line CC according to 6A ,

1 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a terminal 1 , which is part of a terminal system and connecting an electrical line 3 allows, as in 2 is shown.

The terminal 1 points as shown in the page view 2 and from the sectional view according to 5B seen, a housing 10 on, which is formed for example as a metal stamped sheet metal part and two mutually parallel side walls 100 between which the electrical line 3 with one end 30 for electrical contacting along a longitudinal direction L can be inserted.

Between the side walls 100 is an adjustment element 11 with a lever section 110 pivotally mounted such that the adjustment 11 around a first pivot axis D1 to the housing 10 can be pivoted. At the lever section 110 is an insulating cap 111 arranged, the metal lever section 110 electrically insulating covers and a manual attack of a user on the adjustment 11 allows.

As seen from the sectional view according to 5B can be seen, is the adjustment 11 via a spring element 12 from a curved spring plate hinged with a clamping lever 13 coupled, the one to the first pivot axis D1 spaced, second pivot axis D2 pivotable on the housing 10 is arranged. The spring element 12 is over an axis element 112 that in oblong holes 113 at parallel to each other extending side walls of the lever portion 110 is guided, on the one hand with the lever section 110 articulated and on the other hand via an axle 132 hinged to a lever section 131 of the clamping lever 13 articulated.

The axle element 112 is in sets 101 the side walls 100 of the housing 10 guided, so when adjusting the adjustment 11 along a pivoting direction S1 around the first pivot axis D1 the axle 112 in the oblong holes 113 the side walls of the lever portion 110 is moved.

The clamping lever 13 points, lying away from the lever section 131 to which the spring element 12 is tied, a clamping section 130 on, which is formed, with a clamping to the housing 10 scheduled electrical line 3 co. At the clamping portion 130 For example, a cutting device can be arranged, via which, in clamping connection with the electrical line 3 in a sheath of the electric wire 3 can be cut to penetrate in this way, the insulating sheath and make electrical contact.

The clamping lever 13 is about an axis element 133 around the second pivot axis D2 pivotable between the side walls 100 of the housing 10 stored. By pivoting the adjusting element 11 in the swing direction S1 around the first swivel axis D1 becomes the clamping lever 13 in the swing direction S2 around the second pivot axis D2 pivots, and thereby the clamping portion 130 from a bottom of the case 10 lifted, leaving an electrical line 3 to the housing 10 can be recognized. By pivoting back the adjusting element 11 against the pivoting direction S1 becomes the adjusting element 11 placed in a clamping position in which the clamping portion 130 of the clamping lever 13 jamming in plant with the electric wire 3 is pressed.

In the clamping position is the axle 112 in an angled end section of the scenes 101 the side walls 100 of the housing 10 like this 5B is apparent.

Several such terminals 1 can lead to a formation of terminals 1 be combined with each other and this along a transverse direction Q be strung together. The connection of electrical cables 3 takes place along a longitudinal direction L by removing the electrical wires 3 to one associated terminal each 1 be set.

After connecting electrical lines 3 to the terminals 1 intended a cover 2 like this in 3 is shown, to the terminals 1 be attached to the terminals 1 Cover to the outside and protect from external influences. The cover element 2 can about attachment dome 200 with an electrical device 4 with which the terminals 1 connected, so that a housing for the terminals 1 is created, in which the terminals 1 are enclosed.

The cover element 2 has a cover housing 20 in the form of a housing box, which has an interior R enclosed, in which the terminals 1 be recorded. From a wall 201 covering a bottom of the cover 20 forms, are a plurality of locking elements 21 along a height direction H in the interior R in front, which are formed when applying the cover 2 to the terminals 1 such with the adjustment 11 of the terminals 1 to cooperate, that an attachment of the cover 2 to the terminals 1 only possible if the adjusting element 11 each terminal 1 is in a proper clamping position and thus ensures that electrical lines 3 in the intended manner to the terminals 1 are connected.

The blocking elements 21 have the shape of protruding, parallel to each other ribs. One each blocking element 21 extends here in a plane through the height direction H and the longitudinal direction L is stretched. At a when attaching the cover 2 an associated terminal 1 facing side forms each blocking element 21 a contour section 210 with a concave curvature, the shape of the insulating cap in its shape 111 of the adjusting element 11 is adjusted, as this particular from 5B is apparent.

Is the adjustment element located? 11 the assigned terminal 1 in the clamping position, as in 5B is shown, then collides when applying the cover 2 to the terminal 1 the blocking element 21 not with the adjusting element 11 , The insulating cap 111 has a convex curvature, which is the concave curvature of the contour section 210 of the blocking element 21 is complementary. When using the cover element as intended 2 to the terminal 1 arrives the blocking element 21 thus in flat contact with the insulating cap 111 , without thereby the correct position, proper application of the cover 2 to the terminal 1 and the electrical device 4 is prevented.

On the insulating cap 111 is an outwardly projecting protrusion element 114 in the form of a parallel to the first pivot axis D1 extended footbridge 114 trained, like this 1 and 5B is apparent. Is the adjustment element located? 11 in the clamping position, this protrusion element arrives 114 in contact with an engagement contour 211 in the form of a lateral edge of the locking element 21 , so that the projection element 114 on the one hand the correct positioning of the cover 2 to the terminal 1 not prevented and the other with attached cover 2 an adjustment of the adjusting element 11 out of the clamping position locks.

Is the adjustment element located? 11 however, not in the clamping position and is trying to cover the cover 2 to the terminal 1 to set, so collides the adjustment 11 with the blocking element 21 like this in 6B is illustrated. In particular, the contour section comes 210 of the blocking element 21 with the protrusion element 114 in Appendix, so that attachment of the cover 2 to the terminal 1 and connecting the cover member 2 with the electrical device 4 not possible.

The cover element 2 can thus only to a formation of terminals 1 be set, if all adjusting elements 11 of the terminals 1 are in the clamping position.

Because the cover 2 only to the terminals 1 can be set when the adjusting elements 11 of the terminals 1 are in the clamping position, it is ensured that when attached cover 2 the adjusting elements 11 can only be in the clamping position and thus to the terminals 1 attached electrical lines 3 in the intended manner electrically with the terminals 1 contacted and at the terminals 1 are fixed. Although not on the terminals 1 accessed and these can not be visually inspected, is attached to cover 2 ensures that the adjusting elements 11 of the terminals 1 in the intended manner in the clamping position.

The idea underlying the invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but can in principle also be implemented in completely different embodiments.

In particular, the terminals may have very different designs and are not limited to the embodiment specifically described here.

Also, the blocking element of the cover can basically be shaped differently and is not limited to the embodiment specifically shown here.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

terminal

10

contact part

100

sidewall

101

scenery

11

adjustment

110

lever portion

111

insulating

112

axle

113

Long hole

114

projection member

12

spring element

13

clamping lever

130

clamping section

131

lever portion

132

connecting member

133

axle

2

cover

20

Cover housing (housing box)

200

fixing dome

201

wall

21

blocking element

210

contour section

211

engagement contour

3

management

4

Electric device

D1, D2

swivel axis

H

height direction

L

longitudinal direction

Q

transversely

R

inner space

S1, S2

pan direction

Claims (6)

Connection terminal system for connecting at least one electrical line (3), comprising - a connection terminal (1), a housing (10), a clamping lever (13) pivotable about a second pivot axis (D2) on the housing (10), an adjustment element ( 11), which has a lever portion (110), via which the adjusting element (11) about a first pivot axis (D1) is pivotally mounted on the housing (10), and a spring element (12), via which the adjusting element (11) articulated with the clamping lever (13) is connected, - wherein on the lever portion (110) of the adjusting element (11) an insulating cap (111) is arranged, - wherein the adjusting element (11) between a release position in which an electrical line (3 ) on the housing (10) of the terminal (1) can be attached, and a clamping position in which the attached electrical line (3) by clamping between the housing (10) and a clamping portion (130) of the clamping lever (13) is contacted, adjustable is a em electrical device (4) on which the terminal (1) is arranged, and - a cover (2) which can be attached to cover the terminal (1) attachable and in an attached position with the electrical device (4), - wherein the cover element (2) has a blocking element (21) which is formed by a rib element projecting from a wall (201) of a cover housing (20) of the cover element (2) in its interior space (R), the rib element being attached to the one of the wall (201) remote side forms a contour portion (210) for cooperation with the adjusting element (11), - wherein the shape of the contour portion (210) of the shaping of the adjusting element (11) arranged insulating cap (111) is adapted, and - wherein by the vote of the locking element (21) to the adjusting element (11) attaching the cover (2) the connecting terminal (1) for connection to the electrical device (4) can be made when the adjusting element (11) is in the clamping position, and a connection of the cover element (2) with the electrical device (4) prevents when the adjusting element (11 ) is not in the clamping position. Terminal system according to Claim 1 , characterized in that the blocking element (21), viewed in an adjustment plane, along which the adjusting element (11) is adjustable, at least in sections concavely curved. Terminal system according to Claim 1 or 2 , characterized in that the adjusting element (11), viewed in its adjustment plane, along which the adjusting element (11) is adjustable, at least partially convexly curved. Terminal system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the adjusting element (11) on a cover element (2) attached to the locking element (21) side facing a projection element (114) which when attached cover (2) form-fitting manner with an engagement contour ( 211) of the locking element (21) is engaged when the adjusting element (11) is in the clamping position. Terminal system according to Claim 4 , characterized in that the projection element (114), when the adjusting element (11) is not in the clamping position, when applying the cover (2) such with the locking element (21) comes into abutment, that connecting the cover (2) the electrical device (4) is prevented. Terminal system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cover (2) has a plurality of locking elements (21) along a transverse direction (Q), along which a plurality of terminals (1) are arranged adjacent to each other, offset from one another.

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