DE102017115865A1 - Connecting device for connecting an electrical line - Google Patents

Abstract

A connection device (1) for connecting an electrical conductor (2) comprises a housing (10) which has a plug-in opening (100) for inserting an electrical conductor (2), a spring element (11) arranged on the housing (10) a spring leg (111) for locking a plug in the opening (100) inserted conductor (2), and an adjusting element (12) which is adjustably arranged on the housing (10), wherein by adjusting the adjusting element (12) of the spring leg ( 111) between a clamping position and a release position is movable. It is provided that the spring element (11) on the spring leg (111) arranged actuating portion (112), on which the adjusting element (12) during an adjustment for moving the spring leg (111) acts and on which a support portion (113). is formed, which is adapted to move when moving the spring leg (111) at a base (114) with the spring leg (111) into abutment.

Description

The invention relates to a connection device according to the preamble of claim 1.

Such a connection device serves to connect an electrical line. Such a connection device can be used for example on an electrical system, a control cabinet or other electrical assembly such as a printed circuit board or the like to electrically connect the conductor by inserting an electrical conductor into a plug-in opening.

Such a connection device comprises a housing which has a plug-in opening for insertion of an electrical conductor, and a spring element arranged on the housing, which has a spring leg for locking a conductor which is inserted into the plug-in opening. An adjusting element is adjustably arranged on the housing such that by adjusting the adjusting element of the spring leg between a clamping position in which a plugged into the plug opening conductor is locked in the plug opening, and a release position in which a conductor plugged into the plug hole or a in the plug opening plugged conductor is detachable from the insertion opening, is movable.

In conventional connection devices of this type can be provided that is acted upon by means of a tool on the slider element, thereby to adjust the spring leg of the spring element. This may require that a user must simultaneously hold and operate the connector and any electrical conductor to be connected, as well as the tool, which may be cumbersome and impractical.

There is therefore a need for a connection device which allows easy handling by a user, in particular for inserting an electrical conductor or for releasing an electrical conductor from the connection device.

At one of the US 8,113,858 known connection device, a spring element is arranged in a housing and adjustable by a manually operable slide element. The slider element is designed to act on the spring element to allow a plugging of a conductor, wherein after attaching the conductor and after resetting the slider, the spring element locks the electrical conductor in an electrically contacting manner on the housing.

At one of the DE 20 2009 007 573 U1 known connection device is a slider element is provided which is adjustable for adjusting a spring leg of a spring element.

At one of the DE 10 2015 115 612 A1 known connection device in the form of a terminal is formed on a spring leg of a spring element, a connecting element, via which the spring leg is coupled to an actuating element in the form of a pivot lever such that can be pulled by pivoting the actuating element of the spring leg from a clamping position in the direction of a release position.

At the time of the DE 10 2015 115 612 A1 Known connection device, the connecting element is integrally formed with the spring leg, by bending the manufactured as a stamped part of spring steel spring element. Also, depending on the rolling direction of the spring steel, a comparatively large bending radius may be required for such a bend, which may increase the space of the spring element.

Object of the present invention is to provide a connection device for connecting an electrical conductor available, which is easy to adjust a spring element between a clamping position and a release position operable, with ease of manufacture of the spring element and favorable load capacity even with repeated operation during operation.

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

Accordingly, the spring element has a arranged on the spring leg operating portion on which the adjusting element acts on an adjustment for moving the spring leg and on which a support portion is formed, which is formed when moving the spring leg at a base with the spring leg in Appendix reach.

The adjustment of the spring leg can be done by pressing the adjustment. The adjusting element acts in this case on the formed on the spring leg actuating portion to thereby apply an adjusting force on the spring leg and to adjust the spring leg.

In order to predefine a defined pivot axis for adjusting the spring leg, the support section is formed on the actuating section. The support portion is adapted to come into contact with a movement of the spring leg with the spring leg, so that the Supports support portion on the spring leg and thereby creates a defined pivot point for the spring leg.

Characterized in that by means of the support portion a defined pivot point is provided on the spring leg, which may preferably lie in a resilient region of the spring leg, the load on the spring leg to bending at a defined location in a defined manner, so that the load in other areas of the spring leg can be reduced and thus a reduction of the dimensioning of the spring leg is made possible in other areas.

In particular, the spring leg at the location where the actuating portion extends from the spring leg, be dimensioned with reduced cross-section, which allows the space of the spring element - despite an optionally required large bending radius at the transition between the spring leg and the operating section - to keep small ,

The adjusting element may in particular be designed to act on the actuating section in order to move the spring leg in the direction of the release position. By adjusting the adjustment of the spring leg can thus be transferred from its clamping position to the release position by the adjustment acts on the actuating portion, for example, on the actuating portion presses or pulls on the actuating portion, thereby the spring leg is moved. When adjusting the adjusting element in this case the spring leg is preferably pivoted about a pivot point pointing through the support pivot axis relative to the housing, so that the spring leg performs a defined pivoting movement upon actuation of the adjusting element.

In one embodiment, the support portion in the clamping position of the spring element is not in contact with the spring leg. Only when the spring leg is moved, caused by an adjustment of the adjusting element, does the support section come into contact with the spring leg at the support point, so that the pivoting of the spring leg from the release position in the direction of the clamping position can take place about a defined pivot axis pointing through the support point.

In one embodiment, the actuating portion is formed integrally with the spring leg. The spring element can in particular be made entirely from a spring steel. The actuating portion is preferably formed in this case by bending on the spring leg. This results in a simple, inexpensive manufacture of the spring element, under integral, one-piece shaping of the spring leg with the actuating portion and the support portion formed thereon.

In one embodiment, the spring element has a holding leg adjoining the spring leg. Via the retaining leg, the spring element is supported relative to the housing, for example by the holding leg is engaged with a current bar, which holds the holding leg in position within the housing.

The current bar can, for example, form a contact section for contacting with a conductor inserted in the plug-in opening. The current bar may have an L-shape with a base to which the contact portion extends transversely. In this case, a connection for connecting a connector for electrical contacting with a line connected to the connection device can also be formed on the base.

The retaining leg can be bent, for example, to the spring legs. The support portion of the actuating portion may in this case extend from the actuating portion to the transition between the spring leg and the retaining leg and cooperating at a distal end of the actuating portion supportingly cooperate with the spring leg, so that above a pointing through the pivot point pivot for pivoting the spring leg is specified.

In one embodiment, the retaining leg is bent around a first bending axis to the spring leg. The actuating portion is in contrast bent around a first bending axis transversely directed, second bending axis to the spring leg. Of the actuating portion, the support portion preferably extends in the direction of the transition from the spring leg to the holding leg.

The adjusting element may for example be designed as a lever element and be arranged pivotably about a pivot axis on the housing. In this case, the adjusting element, for example, have an eccentric to the pivot axis effective portion, with which the adjusting element acts on an adjustment on the actuating portion to deflect over the spring leg and adjust between its clamping position and the release position.

• 1A eine perspektivische Ansicht einer Anschlusseinrichtung zum Anschließen eines elektrischen Leiters, mit einem Federelement in einer Klemmstellung;
• 1B die Ansicht gemäß 1A, mit dem Federelement in einer Freigabestellung;
• 2A eine Seitenansicht der Anschlusseinrichtung, mit dem Federelement in der Klemmstellung;
• 2B die Ansicht gemäß 2A, mit dem Federelement in einer Freigabestellung;
• 3A eine Seitenansicht der Anschlusseinrichtung von der anderen Seite, mit dem Federelement in der Klemmstellung;
• 3B die Seitenansicht gemäß 3A, mit dem Federelement in der Freigabestellung; und
• 4 eine gesonderte Ansicht des Federelements.

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

• 1A a perspective view of a connection device for connecting an electrical conductor, with a spring element in a clamping position;
• 1B the view according to 1A , with the spring element in a release position;
• 2A a side view of the connection device, with the spring element in the clamping position;
• 2 B the view according to 2A , with the spring element in a release position;
• 3A a side view of the connection device from the other side, with the spring element in the clamping position;
• 3B the side view according to 3A , with the spring element in the release position; and
• 4 a separate view of the spring element.

1A . 1B to 4 show an embodiment of a connection device 1 that a housing 10 with a plug-in opening formed thereon 100 having. To the connection device 1 can be an electrical conductor 2 in a plug-in direction e be infected, causing the conductor 2 in engagement with the plug-in opening 100 gets to inside the case 10 with a contact section 130 a current bar 13 to contact electrically.

At the current bar 13 is a connection 132 shaped, to which a connector of an associated electrical assembly can be connected. The connection device 1 may for example be part of an electrical system, for example on a cabinet, and connecting an electrical conductor 2 to the electrical system.

In the case 10 is a spring element 11 edged, that over a holding leg 110 at a base 131 of the current bar 13 is supported and a spring leg 111 for locking one in the plug-in opening 100 plugged in electrical conductor 2 having. The spring element 11 lies with a bending section 116 , on which the spring leg 111 to the holding leg 110 is bent, in an associated housing receptacle 102 of the housing 10 and is above it in the housing 10 edged.

The spring leg 111 is adjustable between different positions. The figures marked with "A" ( 1A . 2A and 3A) show here the spring element 11 each with the spring leg 110 in a clamping position, in the one in the plug-in opening 100 plugged in conductor 2 in the case 10 locked and also in electrically contacting system with the contact section 130 of the current bar 13 is pressed. The figures marked with "B" ( 1B . 2 B and 3B) show in contrast the spring leg 111 in a release position in which the spring leg 111 from the contact section 130 is removed, so one in the plug hole 100 plugged in conductor 2 from the plug-in opening 100 can be removed or an electrical conductor 2 without much force in the plug-in opening 100 for contacting with the contact section 130 is pluggable.

The connection device 1 has an adjusting element 12 in the form of a lever element, which is about a pivot axis 120 pivotable on the housing 10 is stored. The adjusting element 12 has a handle portion 121 on which a user can manually attack to the adjustment 12 to the housing 10 to adjust. About an effective section 122 , which is realized by an eccentric cam, the adjusting element acts 12 when adjusting to an operating portion 112 of the spring element 111 a, about the spring leg 111 to pivot.

As from the separate view of the spring element 11 according to 4 it can be seen, is the operating section 112 from the spring leg 111 in the direction of the retaining leg 110 before and is integral with the spring leg 111 shaped. The spring element 11 is a total of one piece, for example, formed from a spring steel and elastic in itself.

The operating section 112 is a bending axis B2 to the spring leg 111 bent. The bending axis B2 at the transition between the operating section 112 and the spring leg 111 extends here transversely to a bending axis B1 to the spring legs 111 at the bending section 116 to the holding leg 110 is bent over.

At the operating section 112 is a surface section 115 shaped, which has a contact surface for the active section 122 of the adjusting element 12 provides, so when pivoting the adjusting element 12 the effective section 122 on the surface section 115 acting and a lever on the spring leg 111 generated due to which the spring leg 111 is pivoted from the clamping position in the direction of the release position.

At the operating section 112 is a support section 113 shaped, extending from the operating section 112 in the direction of the bending section 116 at the transition between the spring leg 111 and the holding leg 110 extends and thus along the bending axis B2 from the operating section 112 protrudes. The support section 113 is designed to be at an action of the adjustment 12 on the surface section 115 at a base 114 with the spring leg 111 abstützend to get into conditioning, about a pivot axis D for pivoting the spring leg 111 pretend from the clamping position in the direction of the release position.

As from the transition to the example of 2A towards 2 B it can be seen, the adjustment is 12 for adjusting the spring leg 111 from the clamping position in the direction of the release position in a pivoting direction S1 around the pivot axis 120 pivoted. As a result, the active section pushes 122 of the adjusting element 12 on the surface section 115 , so that leverage in a pivoting direction S2 on the spring leg 111 is generated. Due to the leverage of the support section 113 at the base 114 in contact with the spring leg 111 pressed so that at the place of the base 114 a support for the spring leg 111 is created and the spring leg 111 around the base 114 pointing pivot axis D is pivoted.

Because the pivoting of the spring leg 111 out of its clamping position thus by a defined, by the support on the support section 113 predetermined pivot axis D takes place, a load on the spring leg 111 on bending, in particular in the region of the pivot axis D but less so in other sections, especially in the area of the transition from the spring leg 111 to the operating section 112 , This allows, as from the separate view of the spring element 11 according to 4 seen, the width of the spring leg 111 at the place of transition from the spring leg 111 to the operating section 112 to reduce what allows the space of the spring element 11 to keep small.

How out 4 can be seen, is for the production of the spring element 11 - In particular for the production of the actuating portion 112 on the spring leg 111 - Required, the operating section 112 to the spring leg 111 to bend. For this purpose, a comparatively large bending radius is required, the space in the transverse direction (along the direction of the bending axis B1 ) requires. By reducing the dimensioning of the cross-sectional area of the spring leg 111 in the region of the transition between the spring leg 111 and the operation section 112 The space can be reduced in the transverse direction, so that the bend of the operating section 112 not to increase the total by the spring element 11 occupied space in the transverse direction leads.

By adjusting the adjusting element 12 for moving the spring leg 111 out of its clamping position, the spring leg 111 curious; excited. Will the adjusting element 12 then reset, the spring leg passes 111 due to its elastic tension automatically back into the clamping position and jammed one into the plug-in opening 100 plugged in electrical conductor 2 inside the case 10 so that a (stripped) conductor end 20 of the leader 2 in electrically contacting system with the contact section 130 is pressed.

The connection device 1 can also direct plugging an electrical conductor 2 allow without the adjusting element 12 for moving the spring leg 111 is to operate out of the clamping position. For this purpose, an electrical conductor 2 for example with one at the end of the ladder 20 attached end sleeve, into the plug opening 100 be plugged, located in the clamping position spring leg 111 , This will, due to the pressure effect of the conductor 2 , the spring leg 111 deflected so that the support section 113 at the base 114 with the spring leg 111 comes into contact and thus turn the pivoting of the spring leg 111 around a defined pivot axis D he follows.

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

A connection device of the type described here can be used to connect an electrical conductor to any electrical assembly. In this case, the connection device may have a connection (which is additional to the spring force connection) for connecting a connector. However, this is not mandatory. A current bar of the connection device can also be connected in any other way to an electrical assembly.

In the embodiment described here, the adjusting element for adjusting the spring element is pivotable. It is also conceivable and possible, however, to arrange the adjusting element displaceable on the housing, for example.

In the described embodiment, the adjusting element acts on pressure on an actuating portion on the spring leg. It is also conceivable, however, a coupling with which, for example, a tensile force is transmitted from the adjusting element to the spring leg.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

connecting device

10

casing

100

plug-in opening

101

plug-in opening

102

housing receptacle

11

spring element

110

holding leg

111

spring leg

112

actuating section

113

support section

114

base

115

surface section

116

bending section

12

adjustment

120

swivel axis

121

handle portion

122

effective section

13

current bar

130

Contact section

131

Base

132

connection

2

ladder

20

conductor end

B1, B2

bending axis

D

swivel axis

e

plug-in direction

S1, S2

pan direction

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• US 8113858 [0006]
• DE 202009007573 U1 [0007]
• DE 102015115612 A1 [0008, 0009]

Claims (11)

Connecting device (1) for connecting an electrical conductor (2), with a housing (10) having a plug-in opening (100) for insertion of an electrical conductor (2), a on the housing (10) arranged spring element (11) a spring leg (111) for locking a plug in the opening (100) inserted conductor (2), and an adjusting element (12) which is adjustably arranged on the housing (10), wherein by adjusting the adjusting element (12) of the spring leg ( 111) between a clamping position in which in the plug opening (100) inserted conductor (2) in the plug opening (100) can be locked, and a release position in which a conductor (2) in the plug opening (100) can be inserted or a in the inserted opening (100) plugged conductor (2) from the plug opening (100) is detachable, is movable, characterized in that the spring element (11) on the spring leg (111) arranged actuating portion (112), on the the adjustment element (12) acts on an adjustment for moving the spring leg (111) and on which a support section (113) is formed, which is formed when the spring leg (111) moves at a support point (114) with the spring leg (111 ) to get into contact. Connection device (1) according to Claim 1 , characterized in that the adjusting element (12) is designed to act on the actuating portion (112) for moving the spring leg (111) in the direction of the release position. Connection device (1) according to Claim 1 or 2 , characterized in that the support portion (113) in the clamping position not with the spring leg (111) in abutment and upon movement of the spring leg (111) in the direction of the release position at the base (114) with the spring leg (111) in abutment arrives. Connecting device (1) according to one of Claims 1 to 3 , characterized in that the spring leg (111), due to the abutment of the support portion (113) at the support point (114) about a by the support point (114) facing pivot axis (D) relative to the housing (10) is pivotable. Connection device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the actuating portion (112) is formed integrally with the spring leg (111). Connecting device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the actuating portion (112) is bent over to the spring leg (111). Connecting device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the spring element (11) has a holding leg (110) adjoining the spring leg (111), via which the spring element (11) is held relative to the housing. Connection device (1) according to Claim 7 , characterized by a current bar (13) arranged on the housing (10), which forms a contact section (130) for contacting a conductor (2) inserted into the plug opening (100) and on which the spring element (11) via the holding leg (11). 110) is supported. Connection device (1) according to Claim 7 or 8th , characterized in that the retaining leg (110) about a first bending axis (B1) to the spring leg (111) and the actuating portion (112) about a transversely to the first bending axis (B1) directed, second bending axis (B2) to the spring leg (111 ) is bent over. Connecting device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the adjusting element (12) about a pivot axis (120) is pivotally mounted on the housing (10). Connection device (1) according to Claim 10 , characterized in that the adjusting element (12) has a to the pivot axis (120) eccentric active portion (122) for acting on the actuating portion (112) of the spring element (11).

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