EP0955692B1 - Electric terminal actuated by a toggle lever - Google Patents

Abstract

Connecting terminal has housing (10) for the connecting contact (16) and a tensioning/clamping spring (20) having a first limb (18) supported on the connecting contact (16) and a free spring limb (24) which becomes a clamping end (26) via a deflection knee (28). The first lever arm (36) is hinge-mounted in the housing (10) and a free end (46) of the second lever arm (38) is coupled to the spring arm (24).

Description

The present invention relates to a terminal with a Housing, with a connection contact fixedly arranged in the housing, with a spring clip with a first leg, which is arranged on the terminal contact, with a free spring leg that fits over a bend knee in one Terminal end merges, the terminal end a the contact has engaging clamping edge, with a pivotable in the Housing mounted, attacking the spring leg of the clamping spring Actuator, which in a clamped position the spring leg releases so that its clamping end with its clamping edge a conductor inserted into the housing against the connection contact pulls, and in an open position the spring leg depresses so that the clamping edge for inserting a conductor is lifted from the terminal contact, the actuator has a first and a second lever arm with two free ends.

Such a terminal is known from DE 196 11 762. The two are in the connection terminal according to DE 196 11 762 Arms of the actuator rigidly connected. On one Arm end can be used from the outside with a tool, for example a screwdriver to be engaged around the actuator to pivot into the open position, one in the housing corresponding opening is provided, which this pivoting of Allows actuator. To lock the actuator in in the open position, the end of the other lever arm has a nose which, in the open position, is pivoted so far over the knee is that the actuator is in the open position is held self-locking. After inserting a conductor into the Terminal can be the actuator in opposite To be pivoted to release the travel, thereby the conductor is clamped to the connection contact.

This terminal has several disadvantages: Due to the direct contact of the actuating element with the clamping spring, which in turn conductively connects to the connection contact stands, the actuator is to be non-conductive. This is necessary because the actuator is designed from the outside must be accessible and therefore this with senior training would involve the risk of electric shock.

It will therefore, especially with regard to mass production of terminals, be made of plastic. Since usually also many such terminals in parallel are arranged side by side, there is another boundary condition in the small overall width to be demanded. This is possible inevitably with thin material walls of the actuator hand in hand. With frequent use of the actuator with a Screwdrivers are therefore at risk of breaking out a side wall of the actuator, this being due to aging of the plastic used for this can be favored.

Another disadvantage is that the actuator Due to the design, a large part of it is not from the housing is covered. In the embodiment shown in DE 196 11 762 one end of the actuator goes even beyond that Housing beyond. There is therefore a risk of accidental Activity.

For self-locking of the actuator in the open position the actuator must be pivoted precisely on a pin be stored. Wear of the nose can cause that the self-locking condition is no longer maintained will, d. H. the clamping spring springs back into the clamping position by itself. Because the actuator is exactly on the pin sit, are high demands on the manufacturing tolerances to deliver.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a terminal to provide that in the making Larger manufacturing tolerances allowed and that also with long-term operation works reliably.

According to the invention, this object is achieved in that the first Lever arm is pivotally connected to the second lever arm, wherein a free end of the first lever arm pivotable in the housing is stored, and a free end of the second lever arm with the Spring leg is connected and that the pivotable connection of the first and second lever arm is slidably disposed in the housing.

This solution also has the advantage that it enables such a lever mechanism inside the housing accommodate. This can prevent accidental activation be effectively excluded. This construction principle with a so-called toggle lever also allows the overall height above reduce everything.

Another significant advantage is that, you bring the clamping spring in the open position, according to the toggle principle with further opening the force exerted by the lever increases steadily, since the load path is very small in relation to the force path becomes. This increases the clamping force of the clamping spring Working principle effectively compensated.

It is particularly advantageous in the first and second lever arm Store the housing so that its position in the open position is held self-locking. This eliminates the tension the clamping spring through constant application of force from outside, for example with a screwdriver.

This is preferably achieved in that the connection of the first and second lever arm for self-locking via their dead center is pivotable out.

To pivot the lever arms against each other while doing the Clamping spring can tension the housing in the swiveling area Connection of the two lever arms an opening for one Have clamping tool. However, it can also be provided that an opening in the housing in the area of the pivotable connection for a clamping device that can be operated from outside the housing provide, the tensioning device being displaceable in the housing stored and can be firmly connected to the housing. In a Further development can be provided, such a tensioning device to connect with at least one lever arm such that In addition to tensioning, the clamping spring can also be released by actuation the clamping device is possible.

However, at least one can be used instead or in addition the lever arms are connected to an actuating device, with which the clamping spring can be tensioned and / or relaxed is. The actuating device is particularly advantageous to be arranged in or to the housing in such a way that they are only tensioned Condition of the clamping spring is actuated. This ensures that after inserting a conductor into the terminal, d. H. in the tensioned state of the spring, a relaxation, d. H. a jam of the conductor can be triggered while after clamping the actuator's actuator is no longer accessible and thus an accidental release of the conductor is prevented becomes.

The actuating device can be provided in this way to train that it extends out of a first side of the housing, thus, at least in part, around the housing, is led around from another side of the housing is visible and operable. This has the advantage that with a Installation of the connection terminal with the rear side not accessible three work steps can be carried out from one side of the connection terminal are: on the one hand the insertion of a conductor, on the other hand tensioning the spring by inserting a tensioning device or actuating the clamping device provided in the housing and thirdly, triggering the clamping of the conductor by actuation the actuator.

The first lever arm can be a pin or a rivet be pivotally connected to the second lever arm. However, it can also be provided the first lever arm with the second To form the lever arm in one piece, thereby the two lever arms in a cost-effective manner, for example by a plastic die-casting process can be produced in one operation.

Further advantageous developments of the invention are in the Subclaims defined.

Figur 1

eine erste erfindungsgemäße Anschlußklemme in der Offenstellung;

Figur 2

die Ausführungsform gemäß Figur 1 in der Klemmstellung;

Figur 3

eine zweite Ausführungsform der erfindungsgemäßen Anschlußklemme in der Offenstellung;

Figur 4

die Ausführungsform gemäß Figur 3 in der Klemmstellung;

Figur 5

eine dritte Ausführungsform der erfindungsgemäßen Anschlußklemme in der Offenstellung;

Figur 6

die Ausführungsform gemäß Figur 5 in der Klemmstellung;

Figur 7

eine vierte Ausführungsform der erfindungsgemäßen Anschlußklemme in der Offenstellung; und

Figur 8

die Ausführungsform gemäß Figur 7 in der Klemmstellung.

Exemplary embodiments of the invention are described in more detail below with reference to the attached drawings. They represent:

Figure 1

a first terminal according to the invention in the open position;

Figure 2

the embodiment of Figure 1 in the clamped position;

Figure 3

a second embodiment of the terminal according to the invention in the open position;

Figure 4

the embodiment of Figure 3 in the clamped position;

Figure 5

a third embodiment of the terminal according to the invention in the open position;

Figure 6

the embodiment of Figure 5 in the clamped position;

Figure 7

a fourth embodiment of the terminal according to the invention in the open position; and

Figure 8

the embodiment of Figure 7 in the clamped position.

The connector shown in Figure 1 has a housing Plastic, 10 pins 12 and holes 14 in the housing are provided to several such terminals to one Join the terminal strip together. The housing 10 has one Front 11 on which a conductor can be fed and a rear side 13. Each housing 10 has a closed Side wall which is the opposite exposed Side wall of the adjacent housing 10 when assembling the housing 10 covers and closes. The open side surface of the last housing 10 of the terminal block is replaced by a attached side plate (not shown) closed.

In the housing 10 there is a connection contact in the form of a Contact bracket 16. This contact bracket 16 can over the open Housing side are inserted into the housing 10 and holds in the Housing without additional fasteners, only by suitable Forming the interior of the housing. A first leg 18 a clamping spring 20 lies between part of the contact clip 16 and a retaining projection 22 and is thereby without additional Fasteners held in the housing 10. In continuation of the leg 18, the clamping spring 20 is U-shaped around the holding projection 22 curved. Above the holding projection 22 there is a free one resilient spring leg 24 of the clamping spring 20 is formed. The front The end of the spring leg 24 is essentially rectangular bent downwards so that a clamping end 26 is formed becomes. The transition of the spring leg 24 into the clamping end 26 is formed by an arc around the front end of the holding projection 22 stoked bend 28 formed. The pinch end 26 has an opening 30 through which the front end 32 of the contact bracket 16 passes through.

The spring leg 24 of the clamping spring 20 against its spring force pressed down, so the lower free end of the Clamping end 26 pressed down into a receptacle of the housing 10. In this open position of the terminal one is aligned Insert opening 34 of the housing 10 with the opening 30 of the Clamping end 26. In this position, an electrical conductor (not shown) with its stripped wire in the insertion opening 34 to be introduced and occurs through the breakthrough 30 through. Then, as shown in Figure 2, the Spring legs 24 are released. Because of its elasticity pivots the spring leg 24 up, causing the clamping end 26 is pulled up. This will make the breakthrough 30 of the terminal end 26 passing through the conductor. The wire is thereby under the spring force of the spring leg 24 between the contact bracket 16 and the lower clamping edge of the Breakthrough 30 clamped. In this way, the conductor becomes reliable brought into contact with the contact bracket 16 and held.

To actuate the clamping spring 20 is above the holding projection 22 a first lever arm 36 and a second lever arm 38 having actuator in a free space 40 of Housing 10 arranged. The first lever arm 36 is with the second Lever arm 38, for example by a pin 42 or a Rivet pivotally connected. While the free end 44 of the first Lever arm 36 is pivotally supported in the housing 10, that is free end 46 of the second lever arm 38 with the spring leg 24 the clamping spring 20 in contact. By appropriate training of a Housing projection 48 and the dimensioning of the game between the first and the second lever arm is achieved that the entire Actuator can only be inserted into the housing 10 needs without additional fastening or holding means would have to be provided. The free end 44 of the first lever arm 36 and the free end 46 of the second lever arm 38 are rounded trained to slide during pivotal movement in the housing area 48 or on the spring leg 24 of the clamping spring 20 to facilitate. In the open position shown in Figure 1 the terminal is the angle α that the first Includes lever arm 36 with the second lever arm 38, more than 180 °. This angle cannot be exceeded since the first Lever arm 36 on a stop area 50 and the second lever arm 38 rests on a stop area 52 of the housing 10.

In this position, the spring force of the clamping spring 20 causes one Self-locking, d. H. the clamping spring 20 can not without external Transition to the relaxed state. The security reserves for self-locking can be done by varying the angle the stop areas 50 and 52 are varied. In this state is an actuator 54 which with the first lever arm 36 is connected and through a housing opening 57 protrudes from the housing, visible and from the outside actuatable. A projection 56 of the housing 10 secures this actuating device 54 against unwanted touching.

After inserting a conductor through the insertion opening 34 can the actuator to effect the clamping of the conductor 54 are pressed down, making the swivel Connection of the first and second lever arm via the dead center can be pushed back, which in turn automatically turns the clamp closes. The actuator 54 also serves to display the status of the terminal, d. H. whether they are is in the open or clamped position.

The clamping position is shown in Figure 2. In the clamped position is the actuator 54 through the housing opening Although visible, it cannot, and in particular not be operated accidentally. To the connector 2 in the clamping position shown in FIG. 1 to transfer the open position shown is done with a tool, a screwdriver, for example, through the housing opening 58 against the first lever arm 36 and second lever arm 38 toggle lever pressed until the in Figure 1 shown, self-locking open position is reached. In this position is the one introduced through the insertion opening 34 Conductor from the clamping end 26 of the clamping spring 20 released again.

Figures 3 and 4 show a further embodiment of the invention Connector. The corresponding to Figures 1 and 2 Components are identified with the corresponding reference numbers. In this embodiment, a push button 60 is slidable stored in the housing 10. By pushing in the push button 60, the clamping spring 20 can be tensioned. To relax, the push button 60 has a projection 62, the one with a return hook attached to one of the two lever arms 64 cooperates to cause the spring to relax. So that the push button 60 is not by hand when relaxing Corresponding spring means can be pulled out of the housing 10 be available with appropriate locking means work together to set defined tension or relaxation states. It is obvious to a person skilled in the art that instead of a return hook and a projection also a corresponding Groove can be present, in which the return hook 64 engages. Figure 3 shows such a terminal in the open position, while in Figure 4 a corresponding terminal in the clamping position is shown.

The embodiment shown in Figures 5 and 6 is based on the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, is however further developed in that the actuating device 54 has an extension 68 and such around the top Side of the housing 10 is passed around from the side the terminal on which the insertion opening 34 for the conductor lies, can be seen and operated. This has the advantage that the connector only in the installed state from the front 11 needs to be accessible to the connector to transfer from the open position to the clamping position and vice versa.

The embodiment shown in Figures 7 and 8, wherein FIG. 7 shows the open position and FIG. 8 shows the clamping position, is particularly simple in terms of manufacturing effort and inexpensive to implement. In this embodiment the first lever arm 36 and the second lever arm 38 are in one piece educated. The two lever arms are via a constriction 66 pivotally connected to each other, the entire lever construction, preferably in a single operation, in the die casting process is made of plastic. Needless here the formation of holes around a rivet or a tenon to use. By suitable formation of the projection 48 ensured that the first and second lever arms in the clamped position do not fold together so tightly that they Case opening 58 fall out of the housing 10. By suitable Choice of the stiffness of the constriction 66 - especially by its Diameter and its length - will securely clamp the Clamping spring 20 reached in the open position. This can be done by suitable plastic shaping of the first and second lever arms are supported, see the structure shown in dashed lines.

It is clear to the person skilled in the art that further refinements of the Inventive ideas are possible. For example, it is not necessary that the free end 46 of the second lever arm 38 immediately communicates with the clamping spring 20. Rather, the Power transmission also via an intermediate connecting element be effected.

Claims (13)

1. An electric terminal comprising a casing (10),

   a connecting contact (16) immovably mounted within said casing (10),

   a clamping spring (20) including

   a first leg (18) mounted so as to rest on said connecting contact (16),

   a free spring leg (24) which transitions from a bending knee (28) into a clamping end (26), said clamping end (26) including a clamping edge reaching underneath said connecting contact (16),

   an actuating member pivotably mounted within said casing (10) and engaging said spring leg (24) of said clamping spring (20) which member - in a clamping position thereof - will release said spring leg (24) in such a manner that its clamping end (26) with its clamping edge will cause a conductor introduced into said casing (10) to be moved towards said connecting contact (16) and - in an open position thereof - will depress said spring leg (24) so that, for introducing a conductor, said clamping edge will be lifted away from said connecting contact (16), with said actuating member including first (36) and second (38) lever arms with two free ends,

   characterized in that

   said first lever arm (36) is pivotably connected to said second lever arm (38),

   with the free end (44) of said first lever arm (36) being pivotably mounted within said casing (10), and

   with the free end (46) of said second lever arm (38) being connected to said spring leg (24), and

   that said pivotable connection of said first and second lever arms (36, 38) is slidably mounted within said casing (10).
2. The electric terminal of claim 1
   characterized in that
   said first (36) and second (38) lever arms are mounted within said casing (10) in such a manner that - in the open position - they will retain their positions in a self-locking manner.
3. The electric terminal of claim 2
   characterized in that
   the connection (42) of said first (36) and second (38) lever arms can be pivoted beyond its dead center for self-locking purposes.
4. The electric terminal of one of the preceding claims
   characterized in that
   said casing (10), in the area of the pivotable connection (42), includes an opening (58) for a clamping tool in order to pivot said lever arms (36, 38) with respect to each other, thus loading said clamping spring (20).
5. The electric terminal of one of claims 1 to 3
   characterized in that
   said casing (10), in the area of the pivotable connection (42), includes an opening (58) for clamping means (60) to be actuated from outside said casing (10), said clamping means (60) being slidably mounted within said casing (10) and firmly connected thereto.
6. The electric terminal of claim 5
   characterized in that
   said clamping means (60) is in an effective connection with at least one lever arm (36, 38) in order to cause said clamping spring (20) to unbend.
7. The electric terminal of one of the preceding claims
   characterized in that
   at least one of said lever arms (36, 38) is connected to an actuating device (54) which can cause bending and/or unbending of said clamping spring (20).
8. The electric terminal of claim 7
   characterized in that
   said actuating device (54) can only be actuated in the bent state of said clamping spring (20).
9. The electric terminal of claims 7 or 8
   characterized in that
   said actuating device (54) projects from a first casing side (13) and at least partially extends around said casing (10) in such a manner that it can be seen and actuated from another casing side (11).
10. The electric terminal of one of the preceding claims
    characterized in that
    said first lever arm (36) is pivotably connected to said second lever arm (38) via a pivot (42) or a rivet.
11. The electric terminal of one of claims 1 through 9
    characterized in that
    said first lever arm (36) and said second lever arm (38) are formed as one piece.
12. The electric terminal of claim 11
    characterized in that
    said first lever arm (36) and said second lever arm (38) are pivotably interconnected via a narrow section (66).
13. The electric terminal of one of the preceding claims
    characterized in that
    it includes a delimitation (48) for the spring path of said spring leg (24).

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