DE10218507C1 - Contact and/or connection terminal has supporting element pivotably mounted/deformably positioned, spring biased against spring arm, manually operable to relieve/open clamping point - Google Patents

Abstract

The device has at least one conducting supporting element (2) and at least one spring element (3), between which the conductor (30) is clamped when inserted and is contacted by the supporting element. The supporting element is pivotably mounted in the housing and/or deformably positioned, spring biased against the clamp arm (4) of the spring element and manually operable to relieve and/or open the clamping point (5).

Description

The invention relates to a connection and / or Connection clamp according to the preamble of claim 1.

Such clamps can be used, for example, as a lamp clamp or can be used as a socket clamp.

Such a spring clip is for example from DE 35 14 097 C2 known. There is one leg of the curved Clamp spring on the busbar, which has other legs a passage opening through which the busbar passes and whose lower boundary edge forms a clamping edge.

There is a clamping point above and below the conductor rail for an electrical conductor and both clamping points together are formed by a single clamp spring.

From DE 37 27 091 C1 there is also a connection terminal known a busbar and a curved clamping spring, one leg in turn rests on the conductor rail and whose other leg has a passage opening, through which enters the power rail and its lower boundary edge forms a clamping edge that the inserted conductor under the Bottom of the busbar is stuck. By a Locking device between the busbar and clamping spring the clamp spring is open in this connection terminal Lockable position.

DE 32 37 947 C2 is a device for screwless Connection of two parts shown. An in Preload locked spring element when introducing a electrical conductor released from the lock and then pinched by the spring element. To solve with a Tool brought back the spring element and be re-locked there.  

FR 2 333 363 A1 discloses a connecting clip which is a curved spring element with a passage opening having. To establish a connection, a electrical conductor passed through this opening and from clamped one leg of the spring element.

From US 4,701,000 is a two-part connecting element known that consists of a base plate and a gripping part. An electrical conductor is connected by one Spring element of the gripping part in a groove-shaped trough Base plate held.

In the German utility model DE 76 39 409 U1 one Spring clip for electrical conductors described one Conductor between an electrically conductive web and a Keeps spring leaf clamped. A is used to solve the connection Slider that is inserted parallel to the conductor in the terminal can be.

DE 33 46 027 C2 is an electrical connection terminal discloses a spring force clamping element with an inner and has an outer leg. Between these two legs becomes an electrical conductor inserted into the terminal held. When the leader is introduced, it is replaced by a Passage opening, which is in the spring clamp element located, passed through. By means of an operating rocker the inner leg be pushed back so that the head can be easily pulled out of the clamp again.

DE 36 21 369 A1 describes a connection or Connection terminal for electrical devices known in the one Protective conductor contact with an additional contact part one Reaches through the insulating body of the terminal and one external plug for direct contact with a Clamp carrier forms. With the help of a push button on the housing let the clamp open to one of you there Remove the spring leg held ladder again.  

A stripped conductor can be by means of such Spring clip can be clamped by hand by the spring clip or is pressed inside using a tool and thus a Slot or window is opened in which the conductor is inserted. After releasing the spring clip, the inserted conductor due to the internal tension of the spring clip clamped.

Such clamps have the following advantages:

• - You can do it again by pressing the bracket down again be opened so that the inserted conductor without Damage to the conductor and the clamp can be pulled out can
• - the terminal is suitable for contacting rigid, multi-wire, fine-wire and flexible conductors, and
• - Contact is made without screws.

Common to all these clamps is that the spring before Introduction of an electrical conductor biased by hand must become. This is usually done manually or with the help of a tool. Another is to disconnect Press the spring element necessary. especially the Fact that the clamp before inserting the conductor has to be operated manually, for example, difficult accessible mounting locations is a disadvantage.

The invention has for its object a and / or to introduce connecting clamps that are characterized by distinguishes increased ease of use. In particular, it should also offer the possibility of fixed ladder without prior manual actuation of the clamp can.

This object is achieved with those specified in claim 1 Features resolved. Advantageous embodiments of the Invention are specified in the subclaims.  

According to the invention, one is when a conductor is inserted self-opening terminal proposed to solve the Contacting can be relieved manually.

According to the invention, the spring clip has at least: a housing, an electrically conductive support element and a Spring element. The housing consists of an electrical  insulating material such as B. plastic. It points at least one opening that at least for insertion an electrical conductor is provided. If the clamp for the inclusion of several electrical conductors is designed, there is the possibility to close the conductor entry opening dimension that two or more conductors through this opening can be introduced. Of course there is also Possibility of the spring clip with several Conductor guide openings for at least one conductor each Mistake.

In the following, for ease of understanding, the Case described that the spring clip for receiving an electrical conductor is provided. A transfer of the Principle on a spring clip, which is used to hold two or more conductors is provided for the person skilled in the art obviously.

Inside, the housing forms a cavity, which is called Connection chamber is provided for the conductor and accordingly is dimensioned. That is in the cavity (metallic) support element and the spring element, the are positioned with respect to the housing so that when Insert the conductor of the conductor between the support element and a clamping leg of the spring element is guided.

Here are the clamping leg of the spring element and that Support element positioned with respect to the housing so that it when the conductor is inserted from it like a wing Starting positions are pushed away against the spring force until the end of the conductor between the spring element and the support element passes. The resulting, acting on the conductor Frictional force is thus on the spring element and that Split support element. Alternatively, either Clamp leg of the spring element or the support element firmly connected to the housing and the other element when inserting the conductor, bent away from the conductor until again the conductor end between the spring element and Support element passes through.  

For the conductor there is a clamping effect, which in the Connection chamber fixed. Through the contact of the conductor with the electrically conductive support element is also a electrical connection switched.

The spring element is preferably such in relation to the housing positioned that it is opposite the clamped conductor by a Insert has a locking hook effect that one Leading the conductor out of the terminal counteracts and thus a defined pull-off force of the conductor is defined.

To release the electrical connection, the invention Support element moved relative to the housing and / or deformed that the described clamping point is relieved and the conductor without damaging the conductor and the terminal the latter can be brought out.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, a rear arch of the spring element on a window opening, through which the conductor after passing the Conductor guide opening passes through before the top described clamping mechanism triggers. For this it is necessary that the spring element between its clamping leg and the Window is curved. It is preferably at this point with respect to the housing with a positioning element fixed in position. In this case the dimensioning is the Window opening chosen so that the intended maximum Conductor cross-section easily through the window opening fits. So there is an immediate one in this case Relationship between the dimensioning of the spring and the maximum intended conductor cross section. The window opening of the In this case, the spring is opposite the conductor guide opening position the housing so that insertion of the Head is not hindered by this.

In a further preferred embodiment of the invention the support element is essentially rigid and with respect to the Housing movably mounted so that it is between  Clamp position and connection release position moved back and forth can be. In this case, the support element is in Connection with a resilient element that the Support element from the connection-release position in his Preloaded starting position. To release the connection is in this case, the support element against the force of resilient element moves to like this way described to relieve the nip respectively release. While the support element in the connection Holding position is released, the conductor can be damaged be pulled out of the spring clip.

In a further preferred embodiment of the invention is the above-mentioned elastic element by a Leg of the spring element formed. This offers Advantages in terms of materials, as with only one spring element both described tasks, the clamping of the conductor and the Initial positioning of the support element, accomplished can be. So there are only two metal stamped parts, namely the spring element and the support element necessary.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention it is provided that the movement of the Support element in an indirect way via a movable Part of the housing can be done manually. It is in in this case a kind of "handle". In the described If this is the case, for example, the moving housing part moves the support element like a lever. In In this case, the support element must be dimensioned so that the desired maximum conductor length of one in the intended manner of pinched conductor is taken into account.

To the movement of the support element in a suitable manner limit, preferably two stops are to be provided, the Position of the support element on the one hand in the starting position and on the other hand define in the connection release position. in the In the case of a case handle, it also lends itself to that Movement of the movable housing part in its Limit starting position by a stop.  

In the case of the case handle, it still lends itself to the case to choose a resilient material and that Form the housing in such a way that the housing and the Have the movable housing part made from one piece. This is made of both material and manufacturing technology Visually advantageous.

If the spring clip is to be used for conductors, which are not so stable that they Bend away the spring element and the support element, there is Possibility, through a corresponding movement of the Support element to relieve the nip beforehand and in insert the conductor into this connection-release position. On this way even the finest wires can be connected to the Spring clip are connected.

In a further preferred embodiment of the invention a further clamping point is provided, through which another Head can be contacted with the support element. It is provided that this other conductor in opposite Pushable towards the first conductor in the spring clip is. Another point is another point on Support element provided, that of the first mentioned clamping point is on the other side of the Support element is located. This additional nip will also of a support element and a spring-elastic element educated.

In principle, this additional terminal point is analogous to first mentioned terminal point provided that the further conductor when inserting the resilient element against it Spring force bends away and after complete insertion one Clamp between the support element and the resilient Element experiences.

Preferably, the resilient element as the leg of the Be formed spring element. For example  Axis of rotation of the support element is bent and further Another direction in the direction of the other clamping point Bend - in the direction of the nip - has.

In this case, it is characteristic of the other terminal point, that as a connection between the spring clip and the other leaders a permanent connection in the sense of a Coupling is provided because none for the support element Movement is designed through which the further nip would be relieved. This pulls out the additional conductor not without risk of damage feasible.

Further advantages and properties should now be based on a detailed description of exemplary embodiments and referring to the figures of the accompanying drawings are explained. Show it:

Figure 1 shows a spring clip clamp according to the invention in the starting position in cross section.

Figure 2 is a spring clip clamp according to the invention with inserted and clamped conductor.

Fig. 3 shows a spring clip according to the invention for receiving two conductors, and

Fig. 4 juxtaposed terminals.

In Figs. 1 and 2, a housing 1 can be seen a spring U-clamp of the invention in schematic cross section, consisting of an insulating material such as plastic. Fig. 1 shows the spring clip terminal in the initial position, ie in the position in which the clamp is ready to receive a conductor 30. Fig. 2 shows the terminal block with the inserted and clamped conductors 30.

Shown in FIGS . 1 and 2 is the case of a spring clip for receiving an electrical conductor. Of course, a corresponding clamp according to the invention can also be implemented for several conductors, for example in the form that conductor guide openings for several conductors are lined up next to one another - that is to say vertically to the plane of the drawing in FIGS. 1 and 2.

For the sake of simplicity, the features of the illustrated embodiment of the spring clip terminal according to the invention are explained only with reference to a spring clip terminal which is designed for receiving a conductor 30 . However, the principle shown can also be used in the same way for a spring clip which is designed to accommodate two or more conductors.

For receiving the electrical conductor 30 is located in the housing 1, a conductor guide opening 9 through which the conductor can be inserted into the housing 1 30, and a terminal chamber 8 inside the casing 1, which serves to receive the conductor 30th

In the connection chamber 8 there is a spring element 3 made of stamped metallic flat material, which in particular has the following three parts, which are explained in more detail below: one leg 4 for clamping the conductor 30 , a second leg 11 for holding the support element 2 in the starting position and between the two legs 4 and 11 a window opening 6 through which the conductor 30 is moved when inserted after passing through the conductor guide opening 9 of the housing 1 .

The clamping leg 4 of the spring element 3 is fixed with respect to the housing 1 by means of a positioning element 7 such that it bends against its spring force when the conductor 30 is inserted and leads to the clamping of the conductor 30 at the clamping point 5 . In the basic state, the clamping leg 4 forms a funnel-shaped guide with the support element 2 , which gradually opens automatically when inserted.

The positioning element 7 is advantageously designed as part of the housing 1 . In the example shown, the clamping leg 4 is installed in such a way that it exerts a locking hook effect against the inserted and clamped conductor 30 , which effectively counteracts the conductor 30 being led out of the spring clip.

At the level of the positioning element 7 , the spring element 3 is bent and has the window opening 6 on the side of the bend facing away from the clamping leg 4 . The spring member 3 is positioned relative to the housing 1 such that its window opening 6 in alignment with the conductor guide opening 9 is located, and thus a conductor 30 simply from outside of the spring band clip through the conductor guide opening 9, and the window opening can be inserted into the terminal chamber 8. 6 For example, essentially the same cross section can be provided for the window opening 6 and the conductor guide opening 9 . In any case, the maximum conceived cross-sectional area of the conductor must be taken into account when dimensioning the window opening 6 and the conductor guide opening 9 .

Beyond the window opening 6 , the spring element 3 is fixed once more with respect to the housing 1 . This is realized in particular by a contact point 10 molded into the housing. Beyond the contact point 10 , the support leg 11 is located in a space which serves the support leg 11 together with the spring leg 12 of the support element 2 as a movement space 15 . The support leg 11 is moved to the left in the direction of the drawing when the support element 2 moves to release the connection between the spring clip and the conductor 30 from the spring leg 12 of the support element 2 . This movement takes place against the resilient force of the support leg 11 and leads to a restoring moment which tries to move the support element 2 from its connection-release position into its starting position.

In the meantime, a separate component can also be provided for pretensioning the support element 2 in its initial position.

The support element 2 consists of electrically conductive material and serves as a current guide. In the illustrated embodiment, it is made of an essentially rigid material and is angular. One leg serves as a support leg 32 for the conductor 30 . Here is the clamping point 5 for the conductor 30 and at this point the crucial electrical contact between the conductor 30 and the support element is made.

The second leg of the support element 2 serves as a spring leg 12 and is connected to the abovementioned support leg 11 of the spring element 3 .

Two movement spaces 14 and 15 are provided for the movement of the support element 2 . These are dimensioned such that the support element 2 can be moved back and forth between the starting position and the position for releasing the connection. This movement takes place about an axis of rotation 13 and in the example shown is guided by a pivot bearing 17 , which is advantageously formed as part of the housing 1 . Alternatively, the axis of rotation can of course also be made of material.

To limit the movement of the support leg 32 of the support element 2 is used in particular a lower stop 16 , which serves as a lower limit in the connection-release position and is advantageously also shaped as a housing part. In the example shown, an upper stop 20 , which in turn is formed as part of the housing 1 , serves as the upper movement limitation.

In the case of the angular support element 2 shown, it is advisable to realize a current discharge essentially along the movement axis 13 of the support element 2 - in FIGS . 1 and 2 vertical to the plane of the drawing - through the housing wall into the space outside the spring clip.

In the exemplary embodiment shown, a movable part of the housing 1 is designed as a pusher 33 which, when actuated in the direction of the arrow 23, indirectly moves the support element 2 from the starting position into the connection-releasing position through the upper stop 20 . For example, the housing 1 can be made of a resilient material for this purpose and can have a “target movement point” 34 specially shaped for the movement of the handle relative to the rest of the housing 1 .

The movement of the pusher 33 in the direction of the connection release position is limited by the lower stop 16 via the support leg 32 of the support element 2 . In order to limit the movement of the handle 33 in the other direction as well, the example shown shows a locking device consisting of a locking shoulder 21 and a locking lug 22 , both of which, as shown, are designed, for example, as part of the housing 1 .

In particular, attention is drawn to the possibility that a Embodiment of the spring clip according to the invention separate poles can be used as a lamp clamp.

In the case of an embodiment that is intended for the inclusion of two or more conductors are provided, one electrical Cross connection via the support elements between the conductors manufactured, it can be used as a box clamp.  

Fig. 3 shows a further advantageous embodiment of the spring clip clamp according to the invention. For the sake of clarity, the housing of the spring clip is not shown in this figure. The example shows a version of the spring clip which is intended to accommodate two conductors 30 and 31 . The device principle for clamping a conductor 30 described in the example given above is retained, but in addition this embodiment has a further clamping point 19 for a further conductor 31 .

It is provided that the further conductor 31 is inserted into the spring clip in the opposite direction 25 to the insertion direction 24 of the first conductor 30 . The further conductor 31 bends a spring-elastic element 18 to the side against its spring force and is clamped at a further clamping point 19 between the support element 2 and the spring-elastic element 18 . In the example shown, the resilient element 18 is advantageously designed as a leg of the spring element 3 . The further clamping point 19 lies with respect to the support element 2 with respect to the first clamping point 5 on the other side of the support element 2 .

The position of the second clamping leg 18 , which is shown in principle in FIG. 3, is advantageous, through which, in turn, a locking hook effect is achieved on the clamped-in further conductor 31 , which counteracts the further conductor 31 being brought out .

The support element 2 is mounted with respect to the housing 1 about an axis of rotation 35 . To release the clamping of the first conductor 30 , the support element 2 is in turn moved away from the first clamping leg 4 and thus the first clamping point 5 is relieved. A restoring moment, which acts on the support leg 2 and tries to move it back to its starting position, is advantageously caused in this case by the second clamping leg 18 .

It should be mentioned that, in the example shown in FIG. 3, a permanent connection in the sense of a coupling is designed for the further conductor 31 , since, when used appropriately, it cannot be guided out of the spring clip again without being damaged after being pinched.

Fig. 4 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the spring U-clamp according to the invention with two juxtaposed conductor guide openings 6 of an electrical conductor are provided for receiving in each case and two corresponding housing pushers 33rd The housing 1 and the pushers 33 are ergonomically favorable - in longitudinal section in a kind of tail fin shape.

If the spring clip with a example rear power supply is provided (not shown), it can be used as a lamp clamp. Especially The ease of use is advantageous in this case the lamp clamp, which can be found, for example, Working or working in assembly rooms that are difficult to access shows.

If an electrically conductive cross connection between the two connection points in the housing, the Spring clip clamp can be used as a socket clamp. Also in In this case, the ease of use is, for example, in narrow assembly areas particularly advantageous.

In all the cases shown, the advantage should be emphasized that pretensioning the spring clip before inserting the or the stable conductors is not necessary. This is especially true in With a view to making assembly work easier, for example in the ceiling area, an advantage.  

However, as shown, fine-wire conductors can also be used used by the spring clip before the introduction of the Conductor is pressed into the connection release position.

Typical conductor cross sections that are suitable for an illustrated embodiment are in the range from 0.5 to 2.5 mm ² and are designed for a nominal current of 20 A, for example. However, the principle shown is not limited to the use of conductors with such a characteristic.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

Housing, electrically insulating

2

support element

3

spring element

4

clamping leg

5

nip

6

window opening

7

positioner

8th

terminal chamber

9

Head guide opening

10

contact point

11

supporting leg

12

spring leg

13

axis of rotation

14

Movement space I

15

Movement space II

16

lower stop

17

pivot bearing

18

second clamping leg

19

second clamping point

20

upper stop

21

locking shoulder

22

locking tab

23

Pressure direction to the clamping solution

24

Insertion direction for the first conductor

25

Insertion direction for second conductor

30

ladder

31

second leader

32

supporting leg

33

handle

34

Target movement locus

35

axis of rotation

Claims (13)

1. connection and / or connection terminal for contacting at least one electrical conductor,
with at least one electrically conductive support element ( 2 ),
with at least one spring element ( 3 ), the conductor ( 30 ) being clamped in the inserted state between the support element ( 2 ) and the spring element ( 3 ) and being electrically contacted by the support element ( 2 ), and
an electrically insulating housing ( 1 ),
characterized by
that the support element ( 2 ) is pivotally mounted and / or deformably positioned in the housing ( 1 ) and is resiliently pretensioned relative to the clamping leg ( 4 ) of the spring element ( 3 ), and that by manual actuation of the support element ( 2 ) this relieves and / or opening of the clamping point ( 5 ) can be deflected. 2. Clamp according to claim 1, characterized in that the spring element ( 3 ) is fixed with respect to the housing ( 1 ) and the support element ( 2 ) is bent away when the conductor ( 30 ) is inserted. 3. Clamp according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that both the spring element ( 3 ) and the support element ( 2 ) are moved with respect to the housing ( 1 ) when inserting the conductor ( 30 ). 4. Clamp according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the spring element ( 3 ) has a window opening ( 6 ) through which the conductor ( 30 ) in the direction of the clamping point ( 5 ) can be passed. 5. Clamp according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the support element ( 2 ) is rigid in itself and is movably mounted with respect to the housing ( 1 ). 6. Clamp according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that when the support element ( 2 ) moves to relieve the clamping point ( 5 ), the support element ( 2 ) presses against a spring-elastic element ( 11 ) which presses the support element ( 2 ). biased towards a starting position. 7. Clamp according to claim 6, characterized in that the resilient element is a leg ( 11 ) of the spring element ( 3 ). 8. Clamp according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the support element ( 2 ) is manually deformable and / or movable by means of a movable housing part. 9. Clamp according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that a further clamping point ( 19 ) is provided, through which a further conductor ( 31 ) with the support element ( 2 ) can be contacted. 10. Terminal according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the two conductors ( 30 ) and ( 31 ) can be inserted in the opposite direction into the housing ( 1 ) of the terminal. 11. Clamp according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the two clamping points ( 5 ) and ( 19 ) on opposite sides of the support element ( 2 ) are arranged. 12. Clamp according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the further clamping point ( 19 ) is formed by a further clamping leg ( 18 ) of the spring element ( 3 ). 13. Clamp according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the further clamping point ( 19 ) cannot be relieved manually.