DE202018006800U1 - Compact conductor terminal - Google Patents

Abstract

Conductor terminal (1), with
- a housing (10) with a conductor receiving space (12) accessible via a conductor insertion opening (11) for receiving an electrical conductor (L), wherein the conductor (L) can be inserted into the conductor receiving space (12) in a conductor insertion direction (R);
- A current bar (20) arranged in the conductor receiving space (12) for contacting an electrical conductor (L) introduced into the conductor receiving space (12) via the conductor insertion opening (11);
- A clamping spring (30) arranged in the housing (10) and having a contact leg (31) and a clamping leg (32) connected thereto via a flexible joint (33), the clamping spring (30) moving between a release position in which an electrical conductor ( L) can be inserted and/or removed from the conductor receiving space (12), and a clamping position in which the clamping leg (32) can be actuated by applying a force to an electrical conductor (L) inserted in the conductor receiving space (12) in the direction of the current bar (20). ; and
- an actuating element (40) with a handling section (41) and a pressure section (42) that can be brought into contact with the clamping leg (32), the actuating element (40) being displaceable parallel to the conductor insertion direction (R) between a clamping position and a release position, and wherein by transferring the actuating element (40) from its clamping position to its release position, the clamping leg (32) is subjected to a force by means of the pressure section (42) and the clamping spring (30) is transferred from its clamping position to its release position, the conductor connection terminal (1) being characterized in that that the actuating element (40) has a receiving pocket (43) for receiving the clamping spring (30).

Description

The present invention relates to a conductor terminal.

Conductor connection terminals are known from the prior art, by means of which an electrical conductor can be reversibly electrically connected to an electrical contact.

That's how she describes it DE 10 2008 062 137 A1 a conductor connection terminal with an insulating material housing and with at least one clamping point for electrical conductors, each of which has a conductor entry opening in the insulating material housing and a clamping spring protruding with a clamping limb into the conductor entry opening for clamping an electrical conductor guided into the conductor entry opening, with a respective one for actuating the at least one clamping spring actuating push-button is provided, which is slidably mounted in an actuating opening arranged adjacent to the conductor insertion opening and has a spring contact section which rests against the clamping spring for actuation when it is displaced in the direction of the clamping spring and an actuating section which is opposite the spring contact section and is accessible from the outside of the insulating material housing.

The one in the DE 10 2008 062 137 A1 described conductor terminal has relatively large external dimensions. Depending on the area of application of a conductor connection terminal, there is only very limited space, so that the DE 10 2008 062 137 A1 Described conductor terminal for various purposes or areas of use builds too large.

The object of the present invention is to provide a compact conductor connection terminal with small external dimensions. This object on which the present invention is based is achieved by a conductor connection terminal having the features of claim 1 . Advantageous configurations of the conductor connection terminal are described in the dependent claims.

More specifically, the object on which the present invention is based is achieved by a conductor terminal with a housing with a conductor receiving space accessible via a conductor insertion opening for receiving an electrical conductor, the conductor being insertable into the conductor receiving space in a conductor insertion direction. The conductor connection terminal also has a current bar arranged in the conductor receiving space for contacting an electrical conductor inserted into the conductor receiving space via the conductor insertion opening. Furthermore, the conductor connection terminal has a clamping spring arranged in the housing with a contact leg and a clamping leg connected thereto via a flexible joint, the clamping spring being able to move between a release position, in which an electrical conductor can be inserted and/or removed from the conductor receiving space, and a clamping position, in which the clamping leg can be actuated by applying a force to an electrical conductor inserted in the conductor receiving space in the direction of the current bar. Furthermore, the conductor connection terminal has an actuating element with a handling section and a pressure section that can be brought into contact with the clamping leg, the actuating element being displaceable parallel to the conductor insertion direction between a clamping position and a release position, and the clamping leg being moved by transferring the actuating element from its clamping position to its release position by means of of the pressure section is subjected to a force and the clamping spring is transferred from its clamping position to its release position. The conductor connection terminal according to the invention is characterized in that the actuating element has a receiving pocket for receiving the clamping spring.

The conductor connection terminal according to the invention has the advantage that because the clamping spring is accommodated in the receiving pocket of the actuating element, it is possible to position the clamping spring relative to the actuating element in such a way that the actuating element and the clamping spring share a space within the housing, as a result of which the housing of the conductor connection terminal and thus the conductor connection terminal builds smaller / more compact.

The housing is preferably formed from an electrically insulating material. The housing can also be referred to as an insulating housing.

The electrical conductor can be inserted/pushed in a conductor insertion direction via the conductor insertion opening into the conductor receiving space.

The current bar has electrically conductive areas at least in one contact area. The current bar is preferably formed from an electrically conductive material, for example a metal. The current bar is also electrically/galvanically connected to a further electrical contact device, for example an electrical contact pin and/or an electrical contact socket.

The handling section of the actuating element can also be referred to as the operating section. The pressure section can also be referred to as a pusher section.

The pressure section of the actuating element is preferably always in contact with the clamping leg of the clamping spring. Consequently, the pressure section of the actuating element is then in contact with the clamping leg of the clamping spring both in the release position and in the clamping position of the clamping spring.

In the clamping position of the actuating element, it preferably protrudes from an end face of the housing. In the release position of the actuating element, this preferably does not protrude from an end face of the housing.

Preferably, the bending joint of the clamping spring is deformed by transferring from its clamping position to its release position in such a way that the contact leg and the clamping leg of the clamping spring enclose a smaller angle with one another in the release position than in the clamping position of the clamping spring.

The receiving pocket of the actuating element can also be referred to as a clamping spring receiving pocket. The receiving pocket defines a clamp spring receiving space within the actuator.

The receiving pocket of the actuating element is preferably formed by two side walls, a rear wall arranged between the two side walls and a top wall of the actuating element.

The conductor connection terminal is preferably designed in such a way that the clamping spring is at least partially arranged in the receiving pocket, at least in the release position of the actuating element.

Preferably, a large part, preferably more than 50%, more preferably more than 60%, more preferably more than 70%, more preferably more than 80%, more preferably more than 90%, and more preferably the entire clamping spring is in the release position of the actuating element arranged in the receiving pocket of the actuating element.

More preferably, the conductor connection terminal is designed such that in the clamping position of the actuating element at least the bending joint of the clamping spring is arranged in the receiving pocket of the actuating element.

With a corresponding design of the conductor connection terminal, it is particularly compact.

More preferably, the conductor terminal is designed such that the handling section of the actuating element and the flexible joint of the clamping spring are arranged relative to one another such that a connecting line from the handling section to the flexible joint runs parallel to the conductor insertion direction.

Appropriate design of the conductor connection terminal means that the installation space within the housing of the conductor connection terminal is used particularly advantageously, so that the correspondingly designed conductor connection terminal is designed to be particularly compact.

The conductor connection terminal is preferably designed in such a way that the actuating element has at least one slide rail which bears against a sliding edge of the current bar and/or the housing, with the slide rail sliding along the sliding edge when the actuating element is displaced between its clamping position and its release position.

A corresponding design of the conductor connection terminal allows the actuating element to be guided during the movement between its clamping position and its release position, so that reliable functionality of the conductor connection terminal is ensured.

More preferably, the conductor connection terminal is designed such that the current bar is U-shaped and has a rear wall and two side walls connected to the rear wall, with end edges of the side walls being designed as sliding edges, with two sliding rails of the actuating element resting on the sliding edges.

The correspondingly designed conductor connection terminal is particularly compact, since the functionality of the sliding edges is taken over by the current bar. Furthermore, due to the U-shaped configuration of the current bar, an even more reliable contacting of an electrical conductor inserted into the conductor connection terminal is achieved.

The rear wall can also be referred to as a contact wall and/or as a contact plate. The side walls can also be referred to as side panels. The end edges of the side walls are preferably parallel to one another.

The conductor connection terminal is preferably designed in such a way that the actuating element has a depression which is oriented toward the conductor receiving space.

A corresponding configuration of the conductor connection terminal makes it even more compact, since a distance between an electrical conductor inserted into the conductor receiving space and the actuating element can be reduced. Furthermore, it is easier to insert an electrical conductor into the conductor receiving space, since the electrical conductor is also guided through the depression provided in the actuating element when it is inserted into the conductor receiving space.

More preferably, the conductor connection terminal is designed in such a way that the housing has at least one guide groove and the actuating element has at least one guide rib, which is arranged in the guide groove, so that the actuating element can be displaced between its clamping position and its release position, guided via the guide groove and the guide rib.

Consequently, the guide groove preferably has a longitudinal extension that is parallel to the conductor insertion direction.

A corresponding design of the conductor connection terminal allows the actuating element to be guided during the movement between its clamping position and its release position, so that reliable functionality of the conductor connection terminal is ensured.

• 1: eine räumliche Darstellung einer erfindungsgemäßen Leiteranschlussklemme mit einem teilweise aufgeschnittenen Gehäuse, wobei sich ein Betätigungselement der Leiteranschlussklemme in dessen Klemmstellung befindet;
• 2A: eine räumliche Darstellung eines Betätigungselements der Leiteranschlussklemme mit Blick auf Vorderseite des Betätigungselements;
• 2B: das in 2A gezeigte Betätigungselement in räumlicher Darstellung mit Blick auf eine Rückseite des Betätigungselements;
• 2C: eine Ansicht der Vorderseite des in den 2A und 2B gezeigten Betätigungselements;
• 2D: eine Seitenansicht des in den 2A bis 2C dargestellten Betätigungselements;
• 2E: eine seitliche Schnittdarstellung des in 2D gezeigten Betätigungselements;
• 2F: eine Draufsicht auf eine Oberseite das in den 2A bis 2E gezeigte Betätigungselement;
• 3A: eine seitliche Schnittdarstellung eines in den 2A bis 2F gezeigten Betätigungselements in dessen Klemmposition mit einer teilweise in einer Aufnahmetasche des Betätigungselements aufgenommenen und sich in Ihrer Klemmstellung befindlichen Klemmfeder, wobei die restlichen Bauteile der erfindungsgemäßen Leiteranschlussklemme nicht dargestellt sind;
• 3B: das in 3A dargestellte Betätigungselement in dessen Freigabeposition mit sich größtenteils in der Aufnahmetasche des Betätigungselements befindlicher und sich in Ihrer Freigabestellung befindlichen Klemmfeder;
• 4: eine seitliche Schnittdarstellung eines in die erfindungsgemäße Leiteranschlussklemme eingeführten elektrischen Leiters, der die Klemmfeder in Richtung ihrer Freigabestellung betätigt, wobei die Klemmfeder größtenteils in der Aufnahmetasche des sich in dessen Freigabeposition befindlichen Betätigungselements angeordnet ist, und wobei die übrigen Bauteile der Leiteranschlussklemme nicht dargestellt sind; und
• 5: eine seitliche Schnittdarstellung eines Teils der in 4 dargestellten Leiteranschlussklemme, wobei das Betätigungselement nochmals weiter in Richtung dessen Freigabeposition in das Gehäuse der Leiteranschlussklemme gedrückt ist.

Further advantages, details and features of the invention result from the exemplary embodiments explained below. Show in detail:

• 1 1: a three-dimensional representation of a conductor connection terminal according to the invention with a partially cut-open housing, with an actuating element of the conductor connection terminal being in its clamping position;
• 2A : a spatial representation of an actuating element of the conductor terminal with a view of the front side of the actuating element;
• 2 B : this in 2A Actuation element shown in a spatial representation with a view of a rear side of the actuating element;
• 2C : a view of the front of the in den 2A and 2 B actuator shown;
• 2D : a side view of the in den 2A until 2C actuator shown;
• 2E : a lateral sectional view of the in 2D actuator shown;
• 2F : a top view of a top that in the 2A until 2E actuator shown;
• 3A : a lateral sectional view of one in the 2A until 2F shown actuating element in its clamping position with a partially received in a receiving pocket of the actuating element and located in your clamping position clamping spring, the remaining components of the conductor terminal according to the invention are not shown;
• 3B : this in 3A illustrated actuating element in its release position with the clamping spring located mostly in the receiving pocket of the actuating element and located in your release position;
• 4 : a lateral sectional view of an electrical conductor inserted into the conductor terminal according to the invention, which actuates the clamping spring in the direction of its release position, the clamping spring being largely arranged in the receiving pocket of the actuating element located in its release position, and the other components of the conductor terminal not being shown; and
• 5 : a lateral sectional view of part of the in 4 illustrated conductor terminal, wherein the actuating element is again pressed further in the direction of its release position in the housing of the conductor terminal.

In the description that now follows, the same reference symbols denote the same components or the same features, so that a description of a component carried out with reference to one figure also applies to the other figures, so that a repeated description is avoided. Furthermore, individual features that have been described in connection with one embodiment can also be used separately in other embodiments.

1 shows a spatial representation of a conductor terminal 1 according to the invention. The conductor terminal 1 has a housing 10, which in 1 shown in partially cutaway form. The housing 10, which is formed from an electrically insulating material or at least has electrically insulating material, has a conductor insertion opening 11, via which a conductor receiving space 12 of the housing 10 is accessible. a in 4 The electrical conductor L shown and not shown in the other figures can be inserted into the conductor receiving space 12 via the conductor insertion opening 11, in which the electrical conductor L is inserted or pushed into the conductor receiving space 12 in a conductor insertion direction R.

The conductor connection terminal 1 also has a current bar 20 which is arranged in the conductor receiving space 12 and is designed to make contact with an electrical conductor L introduced into the conductor receiving space 12 via the conductor insertion opening 11 . In the exemplary embodiment shown, the current bar 20 is U-shaped and has a rear wall 21 and two side walls 22 connected to the rear wall 21 . The current bar 20 is made from an electrically conductive material, for example from sheet steel. The current bar 20 is also electrically connected to a further electrical contact device, for example an electrical contact pin and/or an electrical contact socket, with the further electrical contact device not being shown in the figures.

A clamping spring 30 is also arranged in the housing 10 . The clamping spring 30 is in 1 not visible, but is in the 3A , 3B and 4 shown together with an actuating element 40 in a lateral sectional view. The clamping spring 30 has a contact leg 31 and a clamping leg 32 , the contact leg 31 being connected to the clamping leg 32 via a flexible joint 33 . The clamping spring 30 is between a in the 3B and 4 shown release position and in 3A shown clamping position actuated. When the clamping spring 30 is in the release position, an electrical conductor L can be inserted into and/or removed from the conductor receiving space 12 . In the clamping position of the clamping spring 30, the clamping leg 20 applies force to an electrical conductor L inserted into the conductor receiving space 12 in the direction of the current bar 20, more precisely in the direction of the rear wall 21 of the current bar 20. In the clamping position of the clamping spring 30, the clamping leg 32 projects further in the direction of the Rear wall 21 of the current bar 20 than in its release position.

From the 3A and 3B it can be seen that the flexible joint 33 of the clamping spring 30 can be opened by transferring its in 3A clamping position shown in the in 3B shown release position is deformed in such a way that the contact leg 31 and the clamping leg 32 of the clamping spring 30 enclose a smaller angle with one another in the release position than in the clamping position of the clamping spring 30.

The conductor connection terminal 1 also has an actuating element 40 which has a handling section 41 and a pressure section 42 . How from the 3A , 3B and 4 As can be seen, the pressure section 42 is in contact with the clamping leg 32 . The actuating element 40, which can also be referred to as a pusher element 40 or as a pusher 40, is arranged in the housing 10 in a displaceable manner. The displacement of the actuating element 40 takes place parallel to the conductor insertion direction R between a clamping position of the actuating element 40 and a release position of the actuating element 40. By transferring the actuating element 40 from its in 3A shown clamping position in its in 3B illustrated release position of the clamping legs 32 of the clamping spring 30 by means of the pressure section 42 is subjected to a force such that the clamping spring 30 is transferred from its clamping position to its release position.

Out of 1 it can be seen that in the clamped position of the actuating element 40 it protrudes from an end face of the housing 10 . When the actuating element 40 is in the release position, it preferably does not protrude from the end face of the housing 10 .

From the 3A , 3B and 4 It can be seen that the handling section 41 of the actuating element 40 and the flexible joint 33 of the clamping spring 30 are arranged in relation to one another such that a connecting line runs from the handling section 41 to the flexible joint 43 parallel to the conductor insertion direction R. Consequently, the actuating element 40 is displaced parallel to the insertion direction R.

The actuating element 40 has a receiving pocket 43 for receiving the clamping spring 30 . The receiving pocket 43, which can also be designated as the clamping spring receiving pocket 43, defines a clamping spring receiving space 43, within which the clamping spring 30 can be at least partially accommodated. In particular from 2 B It can be seen that in the exemplary embodiment shown, the receiving pocket 43 is formed by two side walls, a rear wall arranged between the side walls and a top wall of the actuating element 40 .

How out 3A As can be seen, in the clamping position of the actuating element 40 and consequently in the clamping position of the clamping spring 30 the bending joint 33 of the clamping spring 30 is accommodated or arranged in the receiving pocket 43 . By transferring or pressing down the actuating element 40 in the in 3B In the released position shown, the clamping spring 30 is further accommodated in the receiving pocket 43, so that in the released position of the actuating element 40 and consequently in the release position of the clamping spring 30 associated with it, this is largely in is accommodated or arranged in the receiving pocket 43 .

Out of 5 it can be seen that by further pressing the actuating element 40 in the direction of its release position in the 5 Not shown housing 10, the flexible joint 33 of the clamping spring 30 is further positioned in the direction of the handling portion 41 and partially in an arranged below the handling portion 41 opening of the actuating element 40. Due to the corresponding design of the actuating element 30, the entire conductor connection terminal 1 is very compact.

In the exemplary embodiment shown, the actuating element 40 has two sliding rails 44 which each rest on a sliding edge 23 of the current bar 20 . In this case, end edges 23 of the side walls 22 of the current bar 20 are designed as sliding edges 23 . When the actuating element 40 is displaced between its clamping position and its release position, the slide rails 44 slide along the sliding edges 23 so that the actuating element 40 is guided by the current bar 20 .

The housing 10 also has two guide grooves 13, in each of which a guide rib 46 of the actuating element 40 is slidably arranged. Consequently, the actuating element 40 can be displaced, guided via the guide grooves 13 and the guide ribs 46, between its clamping position and its release position.

Furthermore, the actuating element 40 has two holding surfaces 47 which prevent the actuating element 40 from falling out of the housing 10 . For this purpose, an end cap (not shown in the figures) is preferably placed on the housing 10, which prevents the actuating element 40 from falling out, in that the holding surfaces 47 rest against a holding device (e.g. in the form of further holding surfaces or holding projections) arranged in the end cap as soon as the actuating element 40 threatens to slip out of the housing 10.

As can be seen from the figures, the actuating element 40 also has a conductor receiving trough 45 oriented towards the conductor receiving space 12 . Due to the provision of the conductor receiving trough 45, the entire conductor connection terminal 1 is more compact, since a distance between an electrical conductor L inserted into the conductor receiving space 12 and the actuating element 40 can be reduced. Furthermore, an electrical conductor L can be inserted into the conductor receiving space 12 in a simplified manner, since the electrical conductor L is also guided through the conductor receiving recess 45 provided in the actuating element 40 when being inserted into the conductor receiving space 12 .

Reference List

1

conductor terminal

10

housing (of the conductor terminal)

11

conductor entry opening (of the housing)

12

conductor receiving space (of the housing)

13

guide groove (of the housing)

20

power bar

21

back wall (of the power bar)

22

side wall (of the power bar)

23

Sliding edge (of the power bar) / front edge (of the side wall)

30

clamping spring

31

contact leg (of the clamping spring)

32

clamping leg (of the clamping spring)

33

bending joint (of the clamping spring)

40

actuator

41

handling section (of the actuator)

42

pressure section (of the actuator)

43

Receiving pocket / clamping spring receiving pocket / clamping spring receiving space (of the actuating element)

44

slide rail (of the actuator)

45

Ladder receiving trough / trough (of the actuating element)

46

guide rib (of the actuator)

47

holding surface (of the actuator)

L

electrical conductor

R

conductor insertion direction

QUOTES INCLUDED IN DESCRIPTION

This list of documents cited by the applicant was 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.

Patent Literature Cited

• DE 102008062137 A1 [0003, 0004]

Claims (8)

Conductor connection terminal (1), with - a housing (10) with a conductor receiving space (12) accessible via a conductor insertion opening (11) for receiving an electrical conductor (L), the conductor (L) entering the conductor receiving space ( 12) is insertable; - A current bar (20) arranged in the conductor receiving space (12) for contacting an electrical conductor (L) introduced into the conductor receiving space (12) via the conductor insertion opening (11); - A clamping spring (30) arranged in the housing (10) and having a contact leg (31) and a clamping leg (32) connected thereto via a flexible joint (33), the clamping spring (30) moving between a release position in which an electrical conductor ( L) can be inserted and/or removed from the conductor receiving space (12), and a clamping position in which the clamping leg (32) can be actuated by applying a force to an electrical conductor (L) inserted in the conductor receiving space (12) in the direction of the current bar (20). ; and - an actuating element (40) with a handling section (41) and a pressure section (42) which can be brought into contact with the clamping leg (32), the actuating element (40) being displaceable parallel to the conductor insertion direction (R) between a clamping position and a release position, and wherein by transferring the actuating element (40) from its clamping position to its release position, the clamping leg (32) is subjected to a force by means of the pressure section (42) and the clamping spring (30) is transferred from its clamping position to its release position, the conductor connection terminal (1) being characterized is that the actuating element (40) has a receiving pocket (43) for receiving the clamping spring (30). Conductor connection terminal (1) according to claim 1 , characterized in that the clamping spring (30) is arranged at least partially in the receiving pocket (43) at least in the release position of the actuating element (40). Conductor connection terminal (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in the clamping position of the actuating element (40) at least the bending joint (33) of the clamping spring (30) is arranged in the receiving pocket (43) of the actuating element (40). Conductor connection terminal (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the handling section (41) of the actuating element (40) and the flexible joint (33) of the clamping spring (30) are arranged in relation to one another such that a connecting line from the handling section (41) to the flexible joint (33) runs parallel to the conductor insertion direction (R). Conductor connection terminal (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the actuating element (40) has at least one slide rail (44) which bears against a sliding edge (23) of the current bar (20) and/or the housing (10), wherein when the actuating element (40) is displaced between its clamping position and its release position, the sliding rail (44) slides along the sliding edge (23). Conductor connection terminal (1) according to claim 5 , characterized in that the current bar (20) is U-shaped and has a rear wall (21) and two side walls (22) connected to the rear wall (21), with front edges (23) of the side walls (22) acting as sliding edges (23 ) are formed, with two slide rails (44) of the actuating element (40) resting against the sliding edges (23). Conductor connection terminal (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the actuating element (40) has a conductor receiving trough (45) oriented towards the conductor receiving space (12). Conductor connection terminal (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the housing (10) has at least one guide groove (13) and the actuating element (40) has at least one guide rib (46) which is arranged in the guide groove (13), so that the actuating element (40) is guided via the guide groove (13) and the guide rib (46) and can be displaced between its clamping position and its release position.

Images