EP1909359A2 - Terminal clamp, connecting terminal assembly and installation switching device - Google Patents

Abstract

The clamping connection (10) has a clamping spring (12) acts on the conductor end for clamping the conductor end on a support. The clamping connection comprises a bus bar (102) with a connecting end (112) and a discharge area (114), which is connected on it. The bus bar on the connecting end has a window-type recess (116) with a supporting edge (118) and has a clamping edge opposite to the supporting edge at the intersection of the connecting end in the discharge area. The clamping spring has a support shank (212), with which it is supported at the supporting edge of the bus bar. Independent claims are also included for the following: (1) a connecting terminal arrangement in a clamp connection area of an installation switch device with a clamping connection (2) an installation switch device with two shell-shaped housing parts.

Description

The invention relates to a terminal connection for connecting a conductor to a service switching device, such as a circuit breaker, a residual current circuit breaker, or a motor protection switch, acting as a compression spring on the conductor end clamping spring for clamping the conductor end to an abutment, according to the preamble of claim 1, and a Terminal arrangement and a service switching device with a generic terminal connection.

From the EP 1 575 130 a generic terminal connection is known in which a plurality of insertion openings and a holding opening are present in a contact frame. The clamping spring is held at a first free end in the holding opening on the contact frame, and divided at its second free end by one or more slot-shaped recesses in a number of plug openings corresponding number finger-like extensions. Each of the extensions is guided through in each case one of the insertion openings and in each of the insertion openings of one of the extensions a conductor can be clamped. At the contact frame, a connection part for the attachment of another electrical outgoing conductor is formed in the switching device inside. The clamping spring is supported on a support edge at the transition between the contact frame and the connection part. The connection part is folded up in the direction of the insertion direction of the connecting conductor. For the current path from a clamped connection conductor to the connection part is at a terminal connection according to the EP 1 575 130 only a narrow bridge on the contact frame available. The contact resistance from the clamped connecting conductor to the further electrical outgoing conductor into the switching device is correspondingly high. For each to be clamped Connection conductor has its own connection window available, separated by a crossbar. This will make the terminal connection according to the EP 1 575 130 relatively wide, so that it does not fit into switching devices with only half a standard module width.

According to DIN 43 880, a division unit a is defined for the installation width of service switching devices. According to this standard, the paving width is a whole number or half integer multiple of 17.5 mm, more precisely: a = n x (17.5 mm + 0.5 mm), n = 0.5; 1.5; 1.5; 2,0, ....

An installation switching device with a half standard module width thus has a mounting width of 9 mm.

It is therefore the object of the present invention to provide a generic terminal connection for the screwless connection of one or more connecting conductors, which has a low contact resistance and can be installed in service switching devices with only half a standard module width.

The object is achieved in a generic terminal connection by the characterizing features of claim 1.

According to the invention, the terminal connection comprises a busbar with a connection end and an adjoining discharge area. At the connection end, the busbar has a window-like recess with a supporting edge and a clamping edge opposite the supporting edge at the transition of the connection end into the diverting region. The clamping spring also has a support leg, with which it is supported on the support edge of the busbar. At the support leg includes a curved piece and a clamping leg, so that the conductor end between the clamping leg and the clamping edge is clamped as an abutment. The conductor end can be inserted from the side of the elbow piece into the window-like recess.

Characterized in that the clamping edge is located at the junction of the terminal end in the Ableitbereich, the entire width of the busbar is available for the flow of current from the clamped to the terminal edge terminal lead to the Ableitbereich, so that a low contact resistance can be achieved.

Furthermore, the connection end has only a window-like recess, in which, if appropriate, the two connection leads to be connected are clamped. As a result, the terminal connection can be made so narrow that it can be installed in a service switching device only half a standard module width.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, to facilitate the clamping of two connecting conductors of the clamping legs of the clamping spring may be slotted longitudinally, so that two closely spaced, independently clampable part springs arise. Due to the fact that the two part springs lie close to each other, ie without a separating larger gap or an approximately intermediate gutter between them, a further contribution to a narrow design of the terminal connection is made, so that the terminal connection according to the invention in a service switching device with only half standard module width can be installed.

According to a very advantageous embodiment of the invention connects to the elbow a first part-clamping leg, which merges at a bending edge in a bent from the first part-clamping leg second part-clamping legs, so that the first and the second part clamping leg an obtuse angle occupy each other, the opening points in the insertion direction of the connecting conductor.

The obtuse angle between the first and the second partial clamping legs offers the advantage that in the vicinity of the bending edge is a favorable point of application for a spring actuating means. When placed in the vicinity of the bending edge between the first and second sub-clamping legs, the abutment point of the spring actuating means may have a greater distance to the pivot point of the clamping leg on the elbow without the thereby achievable maximum terminal opening is smaller, and without that Spring actuator would be a connecting conductor with large-ßen cross section in the way. However, a greater distance between the contact point and the pivot point means a more favorable lever ratio and thus a lower actuation force for the user.

This can advantageously solve another problem with previously known screwless terminals in service switching devices. For insertion of a connecting conductor namely the clamping leg is usually bent by means of an actuating means so that between the clamping edge of the clamping leg and the clamping edge of the busbars creates a window for the insertion of connecting conductors. If connecting conductors with a large conductor cross-section are to be introduced, it is necessary for the window to become sufficiently large. In the terminal connection according to the EP 1 575 130 the contact point of the spring actuating means must come to lie relatively close to the elbow of the clamping spring. Otherwise, the spring actuator would be the lead in the way. However, this has the consequence that an unfavorable lever for the operator arises. Accordingly, the actuation force that the user must exert when pressing on the pressure surface of the terminal cover for opening the terminal, relatively large in terminal connections according to the prior art. An inventive clamping connection can reduce the operating force.

A preferred embodiment is characterized in that the busbar has approximately a U-shape, wherein the terminal end forms the one U-leg, and the diverting region is formed by the transverse web and the other U-leg.

The clamping spring runs outside of the U-shaped busbar, so that it is accessible there for installation in the terminal connection of a switching device there for an operating tool or a clamping element

In this case, according to a further advantageous embodiment at the free end of the other U-leg, a Aufkantung for securing further current conductors, which lead into the interior of the service switching device, may be provided.

According to a further embodiment, at the free end of the other U-leg and a discharge bar may be formed. In this case, the discharge bar can run approximately perpendicular to the other U-leg, and the side of the connection end opposite the clamping edge can be supported on the discharge bar. From the busbar and the discharge so creates a closed terminal frame, which is stable in itself. This increases the mechanical stability of the terminal connection.

This results in the advantage that the forces acting on the terminal connection when inserting and releasing the connecting conductor are absorbed by the latter as a closed system. If the terminal connection according to the invention is installed in an installation switching device, then it will be connection forces, for example, when opening the terminal contact by an actuating tool occur, intercepted internally in the terminal frame and only act on the support points of the terminal frame in the housing, but not on other elements of the service switching device.

A connection terminal arrangement according to the invention in a terminal connection space of an installation switching device with a terminal connection according to the invention accessible through a housing opening is characterized in that the terminal connection is arranged in the terminal connection space so that a part of the conductor rail, namely the discharge area, is accessible from the outside as a calibration contact surface. The Kalibrierkontaktfläche is required for electrical contact during the calibration of the bimetallic strip in a service switching device when a terminal assembly according to the invention is installed. As is known, during the calibration of the bimetallic strip, it must be checked whether the time delay of the bimetallic strip in the case of heating due to an overcurrent of a certain intensity corresponds to the values prescribed in accordance with the respective tripping characteristic. For this purpose, the service switching device is specifically applied in the last manufacturing step with an overcurrent, which is supplied via said calibration contact.

In previously known service switching devices, which use terminal arrangements according to the prior art, the contact point for the calibration of the bimetallic strip is located at another location, outside the access area of the terminal terminal, and is not accessible via the terminal connection. Since the calibration of the bimetallic strip can only take place in the fully assembled state, in the case of known service switching devices, separate access openings to the calibration contacts must be covered by additional cover parts following the calibration.

This is not necessary when using terminal arrangements according to the invention in a service switching device. As a calibration contact here the Ableitbereich the busbar of the terminal terminal according to the invention is used in the terminal assembly according to the invention. There are thus over the prior art both mounting parts - namely the additional cover parts -, as well as manufacturing steps saved during assembly, so that there is a further advantage by the resulting simplification of assembly.

A further terminal arrangement according to the invention in a terminal connection space of an installation scarf device with a test opening according to the invention and accessible through a housing opening is characterized in that the clamp connection is arranged in the terminal connection space such that a part of the clamping spring is assigned to the test opening in the terminal cover part and thereby an electrical test contact can be done from the outside with attached terminal cover.

In an inventive installation switching device with a housing comprising two shell-shaped housing parts, with a front and rear front side, a connection side, front and rear narrow sides and broad sides, at least one inventive terminal connection is fixed in position in a terminal connection space of the housing.

According to a preferred embodiment of a service switching device according to the invention, the terminal connection space is bounded laterally by the housing broad sides and open at least to the front front, and the opening of the terminal connection space is covered by a terminal connected pivotally connected to the housing terminal cover, which has a pad with a number of connecting leads corresponding number comprises guide means for the connection conductor formed by connection openings and at each connection opening, and to the cover part spring actuating means are formed and designed so that they act on the clamping spring opening this during pivoting of the cover.

In an advantageous further embodiment, the terminal cover part is resiliently acted upon by the clamping spring counter to the insertion direction of the external connection conductor and can be pressed against the clamping spring. In this case, the spring actuating means may be formed by the integrally formed on each connection opening guide means for the connection conductors.

In one service switching device according to the invention, one or more outgoing side arranged, terminal connections according to the invention and one or more access side arranged conventional screw terminals can be arranged.

Further advantageous embodiments and improvements of the invention and further advantages can be taken from the subclaims.

Reference to the drawings, in which 3 embodiments of the invention are illustrated, the invention and further advantageous refinements and improvements of the invention will be explained and described in detail.

Figur 1:

eine schematische Ansicht eines erfindungsgemäßen Klemmenanschlusses in einer ersten Ausführungsform,

Figur 2:

eine Ansicht des Klemmenanschlusses gemäß Figur 1, von schräg oben,

Figur 3:

eine Ansicht der Federkraftklemme des erfindungsgemäßen Installationsschaltgerätes nach Figur 1, im geöffneten Zustand,

Figur 4:

eine schematische Ansicht einer Abwandlung der Federkraftklemme gemäß Figur 1

Figur 5:

eine schematische Teilschnittansicht eines erfindungsgemäßen Installationsschaltgerätes

Figur 6:

eine schematische Teilschnittansicht eines Installationsschaltgerätes mit einem weiteren erfindungsgemäßen Klemmenanschluss, bei geschlossener Klemme, sowie

Figur 7:

die Teilansicht gemäß Figur 6, bei geöffneter Klemme in Betätigungsstellung.

Show it:

FIG. 1:

a schematic view of a terminal terminal according to the invention in a first embodiment,

FIG. 2:

3 is a view of the terminal connection according to FIG. 1, obliquely from above,

FIG. 3:

2 shows a view of the spring-loaded terminal of the service switching device according to the invention according to FIG. 1, in the opened state,

FIG. 4:

a schematic view of a modification of the spring clamp according to Figure 1

FIG. 5:

a schematic partial sectional view of a service switching device according to the invention

FIG. 6:

a schematic partial sectional view of a service switching device with a further inventive terminal connection, with the terminal closed, and

FIG. 7:

the partial view of Figure 6, with the clamp open in the operating position.

In the figures, the same or equivalent components or elements are each provided with the same reference numerals, even if they are designed in different embodiments in a slightly modified form.

First, FIG. 1 will be considered. The terminal connection 10 comprises a busbar 102 and a clamping spring 12. The busbar 102 comprises a connection end 112 and an adjoining discharge region 114. At the connection end 112, it has a window-like recess 116 with a support edge 118 and one of the support edge 118 opposite clamping edge 120. The clamping edge 120 is located at the transition of the connection end 112 into the discharge region 114.

The clamping spring 12 has a support leg 212, with which it is supported on the support edge 118 of the bus bar 102. The support can be made so that the support leg 212 has at its free end a raised edge 228, with which it includes the support edge 118 for the purpose of supporting partially.

At the support leg 212, a curved piece 214 and thereon a clamping leg 216 connects. The conductor end 16 of a connecting conductor 14 (see FIG. 5) is introduced from the side of the curved piece 214 into the window-like recess 116 and can be clamped between the clamping leg 216 and the clamping edge 120 functioning as an abutment. The free end of the clamping leg 216 passes through the window-like recess 116th

The clamping leg 216 of the clamping spring 12 is longitudinally slotted along a slot 2181, so that two independently springable part springs 13a, 13b arise with which two connection conductors 14 can be clamped independently of each other.

The busbar 102 has approximately a U-shaped basic shape, wherein the terminal end 112 forms the first U-leg, and the discharge region 114 is formed by a transverse web 220 and the second U-leg 222. At the free end of the second U-leg 222 a Aufkantung 224 is attached. At this Aufkantung 224 further connection conductors can be attached, with which the terminal connection 10 is connected to other modules within the switching device housing, such as the trigger assemblies. In particular, the connection conductors can be welded or brazed to this upstand 224, also a screwing is possible.

In an alternative embodiment of a terminal connection, which is shown in Figure 4, the upstand at the free end of the second U-leg 222 is extended to a discharge rail 226. The discharge rail 226 is thus positively connected to the second U-leg 222; it points approximately perpendicularly from this towards the window-like recess 116 and projects beyond it. At the free end of the discharge rail 226 there is another upstand 228, can be welded or riveted to the other inner connection conductors. The upstand 228 can also be used directly as a terminal connection within the switching device use. Overall, the bus bar 102 according to this embodiment receives an outer contour, which is similar to the small letter "b". The connection end 112 of the bus bar 102 is supported against the discharge bar 226. This increases the mechanical stability of the terminal connection 10.

It also results in the advantage that the forces acting on the terminal connection 10 when inserting and releasing the connecting conductor are taken up by this as a closed system, and thus forces on other elements of the service switching device, such as the housing can be reduced.

The busbar 102 can be produced cost-effectively and simply and in a wide variety of shapes, for example as a stamped and bent part in very large quantities. The clamping spring 12 may be made of one piece bent spring band.

FIG. 5 shows a partial sectional view of the terminal connection space 18 of a service switching device 1 according to the invention with the housing open, with a terminal connection 10 according to the invention fixed in position therein.

The service switching device 1 has an assembled from two along a parting line 2a housing parts 2 (of which only one housing part is shown in Figure 5) formed Isolierstoffgehäuse with a front 4 front, a rear side 5, a mounting side 6, a front narrow side 7, a rear narrow side 8, and broadsides 9.

The terminal connection space 18 is laterally, ie towards the broad side, limited by the housing broad sides 9 of the insulating material. Toward the front front side 4, an opening 20 of the terminal connection space 18 is formed through a recess in the rear front side of the housing part 2, through which the terminal connection 10 fixed in position in the terminal connection space 18 is accessible for the connection of connection conductors 14. Due to a further recess on the rear narrow side 8 of the housing part 2, the opening 20 of the terminal connection space 18 extends over the abutting edge between the rear narrow side 8 and the rear Front 5 away in the rear narrow side 8 into it. This has the advantage that increased flexibility is given for the connection direction of the connection conductor 14.

The terminal connection 10 rests on a projection 110 formed in the inner side of the broad side 9 and is fixed in position in the terminal connection space 18 by means of webs 104 and pins 106, 108 in a manner known per se. The fixed in the terminal connection space 18 terminal terminal 10 is thus located in the region of the abutting edge between the rear narrow side 8 and the rear front side fifth

The opening 20 of the terminal connection space 18 is covered by a terminal cover part 22 pivotally connected to the housing 3. The terminal cover 22 is formed approximately L-shaped, wherein the two legs are formed by angularly stacked cover plates.

The first cover plate covers the terminal connection space 18 toward the rear front side 5 and has a connection surface 24 with two connection openings 26, wherein a connection conductor 14 can be connected through each of the connection openings 26.

The second cover plate covers the terminal connection space 18 towards the rear narrow side 8 and has an externally accessible, manually operable pressure surface 230. At its free edge, the second cover plate has a semi-open, tubular cavity, with which it is rotatably mounted in a connected to the broad side 9 of the housing 3 pivot pin 232. By pressure on the pressure surface 230, the terminal cover part 22 can thus be pivoted about the free edge of the second cover plate in the direction of the clamping spring. Falling out of the cover 22 is prevented by serving as a stop projection 234 on the housing wall.

At the first cover plate of the cover member 22, aligned with the clamping spring 12, at each of the connection openings 26 tubular, an insertion channel forming hollow body 28 are attached. These serve as a guide means for the introduced lead 14, and as spring actuation means. When the cover member 22 is pivoted by pressure on the pressure surface 230 about the pivot pin 232 in the direction of the clamping spring 12, the hollow body 28 press the clamping leg 216 in the clamping spring 12 of the clamping edge 120 of the bus bar 102 away, so that between the clamping edge 120 and the clamping leg 216 space for inserting the stripped terminal conductor end 16 of the connecting conductor 14 is formed. FIG. 5 shows this state.

If the pressure surface 230 of the cover 22 is released again after insertion of the connection conductor end, then the clamping leg 216 of the clamping spring 12 presses the covering part 22 outward again due to its spring force via the hollow body 28 and at the same time clamps the end 16 of the connection conductor 14 against the clamping edge 120 the window-like recess 116.

In the embodiment according to FIG. 5, two connection openings 26 are present in the connection surface 24 of the cover part 22, and behind each connection opening 26 there is formed on the connection surface a tubular hollow body 28 as guide means for the connection conductor and as spring actuation means 30. Each connection opening 26 and each guide means 28 is assigned to one of the two partial clamping springs 13a, 13b, as they are formed by the slot 2181 in the clamping spring 12. So if two conductors are to be clamped, then a conductor 14 is inserted through each of the two connection opening 26 and clamped by in each case one of the partial clamping springs 13a, 13b. The separation and guidance of the connection conductors 14 takes place in the hollow bodies 28 serving as guide means for the connecting conductors 14, thus no separate guiding or separating devices are required at the terminal connection 10. In particular, it is not necessary to divide the recess 116 into two receiving spaces by means of a web. The terminal connection 10 can be made very simple and narrow, so that it can be installed in a service switching device half a module width.

By the spring force of the clamping spring 12, the cover member 22 is pressed in the state of rest to the outside against the projection 234, so that the cover always assumes a defined position in the idle state.

The cover thus fulfills two functions: once the functions of the leadership of the connection conductor and the second, the function of the spring actuating tool. Without external actuating tool for the clamping spring can with the invention Device both rigid and flexible conductor ends pinched and removed again from the terminal.

Of course, in the pad 24 of the cover 22 also an additional slot could be present through which then an external tool for actuating the clamping spring 12 could be inserted therethrough.

In the pad 24 a test opening 236 is further attached. Through this test opening, the clamping spring 12 can be electrically contacted by means of a test probe.

In the embodiment shown in Figure 5, the pad 24 extends in the cover 22 inclined to the rear front side 5. The guide means 28 are approximately perpendicular to the pad 24. The inclination angle at which the terminal conductor 14 is inserted into the terminal, so through determines the inclination angle of the pad 24. An embodiment is also conceivable in which the connection surface 24 extends approximately parallel to the rear front side 5, and the guide means 28 are inclined with respect to the connection surface 24. Then, the inclination angle at which the leads 14 are inserted into the clamp is determined by the inclination angle of the guide means 28 opposite to the pad 24.

The cover 22 can be made very cheap injection molded plastic part in an injection process.

FIG. 6 shows a partial sectional view of a service switching device with a further embodiment of a terminal connection according to the invention.

6 has a front housing 304, a rear front side 305, a mounting side 6, a front narrow side 7, a rear narrow side 8, and two broad sides 9, of which in the view FIG. 6 shows only one lying in the plane of the drawing.

The terminal connection space 18 is laterally, ie towards the broad side, limited by the housing broad sides 9 of the insulating housing 3.

Towards the front front side 304, an opening 20 of the terminal connection space 18 is formed through a recess in the rear front side 305 of the housing part 2, through which the terminal connection 10 fixed in position in the terminal connection space 18 is accessible for the connection of connection conductors 14. On the front narrow side 7, first a housing-side section 356 of the rear front side 305 adjoins: This results in the rear front side 305 an opening 20 in the region between the front narrow sides 7 facing away from the end of the housing-side portion 356 and the rear narrow side eighth

Due to a further recess on the rear narrow side 8 of the housing part 2, the opening 20 of the terminal connection space 18 extends over the abutting edges between the rear narrow side 8 and the rear front side 305 away still in the rear narrow side 8 inside. This has the advantage that increased flexibility is given for the connection direction of the connection conductor 14.

The terminal connection 10 comprises a bus bar 102 and a clamping spring 312. The terminal connection 10 is fixed in position in the inside of the broad side 9 by means of webs 104 and pins 106, 108 in a manner known per se in the terminal connection space 18. The fixed in the terminal connection space 18 terminal terminal 10 is located in the region of the abutting edge between the rear narrow side 8 and the rear attachment side. 6

The busbar 102 of the terminal terminal 10 comprises a connection end 112 and a subsequent discharge region 114. At the connection end 112, it has a window-like recess 116 with a support edge 118 and a clamping edge 120 opposite the support edge 118. The clamping edge 120 is located at the transition of the connection end 112 into the discharge region 114.

The clamping spring 12 has a support leg 212, with which it is supported on the support edge 118 of the bus bar 102. The support can be made so that the support leg 212 has at its free end an upstand, with which it includes the support edge 118 for the purpose of supporting partially.

At the support leg 212, a curved piece 214 and thereon a clamping leg 216 connects. The conductor end of a connection conductor (not shown here) is from the side of the elbow 214 ago introduced into the window-like recess 116 and is clamped between the clamping leg 216 and acting as an abutment clamping edge 120. The free end of the clamping leg 216 passes through the window-like recess 116th

At first, a first partial clamping leg 217 adjoins the curved section 214, which merges at a bending edge 219 in a second partial clamping leg 218 bent from the first partial clamping leg 217, so that the first and the second partial clamping legs 217, 218 take an obtuse angle with each other. The opening of the obtuse angle points in the insertion direction of the connecting conductor, the bending edge 219 is located approximately in the middle of the clamping leg 216.

The busbar 102 has approximately a U-shaped basic shape, wherein the terminal end 112 forms the first U-leg, and the discharge region 114 is formed by a transverse web 220 and the second U-leg 222. At the free end of the second U-leg 222 a Aufkantung 224 is attached. At this Aufkantung 224 further connection conductors can be attached, with which the terminal connection 10 is connected to other modules within the switching device housing, such as the trigger assemblies. In particular, the connection conductors of this upstand can be welded or brazed, also screwing is possible.

In the embodiment of a terminal connection, which is shown in FIG. 6, the upstand at the free end of the second U-leg 222 is extended to a discharge rail 226. The discharge rail 226 is thus positively connected to the second U-leg 222; it points approximately perpendicularly from this towards the window-like recess 116 and projects beyond it.

At the free end of the discharge bar 226 is again a raised edge, then again welded on the connection conductor or can be rented.

The upstand can also be used directly as a terminal connection within the switching device use.

Overall, the bus bar 102 according to this embodiment receives an outer contour, which is similar to the small letter "b". The connection end 112 of the bus bar 102 is supported against the discharge bar 226. This increases the mechanical stability of the terminal connection 10.

It also results in the advantage that the forces acting on the terminal connection 10 when inserting and releasing the connecting conductor are taken up by this as a closed system, and thus forces on other elements of the service switching device, such as the housing can be reduced.

The busbar 102 can be produced cost-effectively and simply and in a wide variety of shapes, for example as a stamped and bent part in very large quantities.

The opening 20 of the terminal connection space 18 is covered by a terminal cover part 22 pivotally connected to the housing part 2.

The terminal cover part 22 comprises a longitudinally extending in the direction of the rear narrow side 8, pivotally coupled via a hinge pin 232 to the housing part 2, first part body 322 and at its free end via a film hinge 352 pivotally coupled closure member 354 which is approximately parallel to the rear front side 305th runs.

The first part body 322 includes a first cover plate 323 which covers the terminal connection space 18 in the lower part of the narrow side 8 adjacent to the attachment side 6 and which carries an approximately tubular counterpart to the hinge pin 232 with which it is pivotally coupled to the hinge pin is. The first cover plate 323 has an externally accessible, manually operable pressure surface 330.

Near the free end of the pressure surface 330, the first cover plate 323 is connected via a pointing into the housing intermediate piece 325 with a spacer surface 338, which also extends parallel to the rear narrow side 8 in the direction of the front side 305 and the terminal connection space 18 in the upper, adjacent to the rear front side 305 part of the narrow side 8 covers.

At the free end of the spacer surface 338 is the already mentioned film hinge 352 with the closure part 354 pivotally coupled thereto.

This is a plate which at least partially overlaps at its free end with the housing-side part 356 of the rear front side 305. The closure part 354 and the housing-side part 356 of the rear front side thus together form the rear front side 305.

At its free end, the closure member 354 carries laterally, in the direction of the broad sides 9 facing, projecting pins 358. In the housing near the housing-side part 356 of the rear front 305 a backdrop-like guide 360 is mounted, in such a way that the pins 358 included in the guide 360.

Now, if the terminal cover 22 is pivoted by pressure on the pressure surface 330 in the direction of the device interior, the closure member 354 is slid behind the housing-side part 356 of the rear front side 305 and guided by the slide-like guide 360 parallel to this. The angle between the closure part 354 and the spacer surface 338 changes.

Thus, in the closed position according to FIG. 6, the closure part 354 and the spacer surface 338 form an acute angle with one another, which is opened into the interior of the housing. In the position of Figure 7, when the terminal cover member 22 is pivoted into the housing interior, the closure member 354 and the spacer surface 338 form an obtuse angle with an opening into the housing interior.

Upon actuation of the terminal cover member and concomitant pivoting about the pivot pin 232, the closure member 354 and the spacer surface 338 also pivot against each other about the film hinge 352.

As a result of the attachment of the film hinge between the closure part 354 and the spacer surface 338, the closure part 354 can thus save space behind the housing-side part 356 of the rear front side 305 in order to save space. In a rigid coupling, as was previously known in the prior art alone, the closure member 354 would pivot into the housing interior and there place for his Block movement path, which would then no longer be available for functional modules or components of the switching device.

The intermediate piece 325 has an outwardly directed connection surface 324. In the pad 24 at least one connection opening 26 is present. Starting from the connection opening 26, the intermediate piece 325 is penetrated by a tubular recess 28 which, starting approximately perpendicularly from the connection surface 324, penetrates the intermediate piece 325 and thus serves as guide means for a connection conductor to be connected to the terminal connection 10.

The connection conductor is guided through the connection opening 26 in the terminal cover part 22 and, after leaving the tubular recess 28, strikes the clamping leg 216 of the clamping spring 312.

If the terminal conductor is a rigid conductor, then by means of the terminal conductor alone the clamping leg 216 of the clamping spring 312 can be pushed away from the clamping edge 120 so far that the terminal conductor between the free end of the clamping leg 216 and the clamping edge 120 in the window-like recess 116 inserted and clamped is.

In a flexible connection conductor, the window-like recess 116 must first be opened in another way.

This is done by pivoting the terminal cover 22nd

In the vicinity of the tubular recess 28, the terminal cover member 22 carries on the intermediate piece 325 a directed towards the clamping leg 216 toward nose 30, which serves as a spring actuating means.

The nose 30 can of course also be other protruding components or components, in particular the function of the nose 30 could also be formed by a collar which surrounds the outlet opening of the tubular recess 28.

Due to the restoring spring force of the clamping leg 216 this pushes the nose 30 and thus the terminal cover 20 be outward.

By pressing on the pressure surface 330 or on the spacer surface 338, the terminal cover member 22 is pivoted inwardly, and the nose 30, the clamping leg 216 is pushed away from the clamping edge 120 far enough that the window-like recess 116 is released for the insertion of the connecting conductor, see FIG 7th

The nose 30 forms a spring actuating means. It is so formed on the terminal cover 22 and formed so that they act on the clamping spring opening this close to the bending edge during pivoting of the cover.

Due to their orientation in the way that they act upon opening the clamping spring near the bending edges opening during pivoting of the cover, less force is required in the opening operation of the terminal cover, with a consistently large opening area in the clamping window.

In a specific example, the first and second partial clamping legs 217, 218 form an angle of about 160 °. Compared to an otherwise unchanged clamping spring with straight, unbent clamping leg 216 halves the insertion force of the angle, the operating force at maximum terminal opening.

Accordingly, the procedure for releasing a clamped connection conductor. Pressure on the terminal cover 22 releases in the manner described above, the deadlock between the clamping leg 216 and the connecting conductor, so that it can be pulled out of the window-like recess 116. Due to the above-described kinked design of the clamping leg 216 and the actuating force for releasing the connecting conductor is much lower.

Alternatively, the opening movement of the terminal cover member 22 may also be effected by a commercially available slotted or Phillips screwdriver 364. For this purpose, it is placed on the spacer surface 338 at an acute angle into a receptacle opening 350 (slotted, cross-shaped or spherical recess) which is suitable for receiving, and the clamp is opened by a pressure movement with the screwdriver 364.

Although only one connection opening 26 and only one tubular recess 28 is shown in the illustration according to FIGS. 6 and 7, it goes without saying that two or more such connection openings and recesses for the Receiving and connecting a plurality of connection conductors in the intermediate piece 325 may be provided. All connected connection conductors can be connected with a common clamping spring via their clamping legs 216. Upon actuation of the terminal cover 22 then all connected conductors are released simultaneously and can be solved simultaneously.

The terminal cover part 22 with the first part body 322, the hinge 352 and the closure part 354 can also consist of two material components with different mechanical properties.

These can be joined together in a two-component injection molding process.

The result is a hard / soft connection. The hard component is the main ingredient. From her, the first part of body 322 is made. It serves to transmit the actuating forces to the clamping spring 312 and thereby prevent or at least minimize bending of the component.

In the region of the hinge 352 and the closure part 354, the soft component is used.

This allows easy hinge movement required to allow the above-described angle change of the angle between the closure member 354 and the first sub-body 322 to be easily adjusted upon actuation of the terminal cover member 22.

A flexibility of the closure member 354 further contributes to the fact that, if it is displaced in the slide-like guide 360 in the direction of the front narrow side 7 parallel to the rear front side 305, could also bend slightly in itself, and thus even easier and can rest closer to the front narrow side 305.

Overall, this leads to a very tight guidance of the closure part 354 on the rear front side 305 and thus to a large space saving when pivoting the terminal cover part 322.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

Service switching device

2

housing part

2a

parting line

4

Front front

5

Rear front

6

terminal side

7

Front narrow side

8th

Rear narrow side

9

broadside

10

Screwless terminal connection

12

clamping spring

13a, b

partial spring

14

connecting conductors

16

Stripped connection conductor end

18

Terminal chamber

20

Terminal chamber opening

22

Cover part, terminal cover part

24

terminal area

26

port opening

28

Guide means, hollow body

30

Spring actuator

102

conductor rail

104

web

106

spigot

108

spigot

110

head Start

112

terminal end

114

discharge area

116

Window-like recess

118

supporting edge

120

clamping edge

212

support legs

214

elbow

216

clamping leg

217

First part clamping leg

218

Second part clamping leg

2181

slot

219

bending edge

220

crosspiece

222

Second U-thigh

224

backsplash

226

discharge bar

228

backsplash

230

print area

232

pivot pin

234

head Start

236

test opening

304

Front front

305

Rear front

312

clamping spring

322

First part body

323

First cover plate

324

terminal area

325

connecting piece

330

print area

338

Distance area

350

engagement opening

352

film hinge

354

closing part

356

Housing-side part of the rear front

358

spigot

360

Scenic leadership

364

screwdriver

Claims (16)

Clamping connection (10) for connecting a conductor (14) to an installation switching device (1), with a compression spring acting on the conductor end (16) clamping spring (12) for clamping the conductor end (16) to an abutment, characterized in that the clamping connection (10) comprises a bus bar (102) with a connection end (112) and a discharge region (114) adjoining thereto, - That the busbar (102) at the terminal end (112) has a window-like recess (116) with a support edge (118) and one of the support edge (118) opposite clamping edge (120) at the junction of the terminal end (112) in the discharge region (114) . - That the clamping spring (12) has a support leg (212), with which it is supported on the support edge (118) of the bus bar (102), and - That adjoins the support leg (212) a bow piece (214) and a clamping leg (216), so that the conductor end (16) between the clamping leg (216) and the clamping edge (120) can be clamped as an abutment. Terminal connection (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the arcuate piece (214) is adjoined by a first partial clamping limb (217) which, at a bending edge (219), is bent into a second part bent from the first part clamping limb (216). Clamping leg (218) merges, so that the first and the second partial clamping legs (218, 217) occupy an obtuse angle with each other, the opening facing in the insertion direction of the connecting conductor. Clamping connection (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the conductor end (16) from the side of the elbow (214) ago in the window-like recess (116) is insertable. Clamping connection (10) according to claim 2, characterized in that the busbar (102) has approximately a U-shape, wherein the terminal end (112) the forms a U-leg, and the diverting region (114) by the transverse web (220) and the other U-legs is formed. Terminal connection (10) according to claim 3, characterized in that the clamping spring (12) runs outside the U-shaped busbar so that it is accessible there for installation in the terminal connection space (18) of a switching device for an actuating tool or a clamping element Clamping connection (10) according to claim 4, characterized in that at the free end of the other U-leg a Aufkantung (224) is provided for securing further current conductors. Clamping connection (10) according to claim 4, characterized in that at the free end of the other U-leg, a discharge rail (226) is integrally formed. Terminal connection (10) according to claim 6, characterized in that the discharge rail (226) extends approximately perpendicular to the other U-leg and the clamping edge (120) opposite side of the connection end (112) on the discharge rail (226) is supported. Terminal connection (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the clamping leg (216) of the clamping spring (12) is slotted longitudinally, so that two closely spaced, independently clampable part springs (13a, 13b) arise. Terminal arrangement in a terminal compartment (18) accessible through a housing opening of a service switching device (1) with a terminal connection (10) according to one of the preceding claims and a terminal cover part (22) covering the housing opening, wherein the terminal connection (10) is thus arranged in the terminal connection space (18). is arranged, that a part of the bus bar (102) is accessible as Kalibrierkontaktfläche from the outside. A terminal assembly in a terminal compartment (18) of a service switching device (1) accessible through a housing opening, comprising a terminal connection (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 7 and a terminal cover (22) covering the housing opening with a test opening (236), the terminal connection (10 ) is arranged in the terminal connection space (18) such that a part of the clamping spring (12) of the test opening (236) in the terminal cover part (two in 20) is assigned, and thereby can be done with attached terminal cover (22) an electrical test contact from the outside. Installation switching device comprising a housing comprising two shell-shaped housing parts (2), with a front (4) and rear (5) front side, a fastening side (6), front (7) and rear (8) narrow sides and broad sides (9), and with at least a terminal connection according to one of claims 1 to 7, which is fixed in position in a terminal connection space (18) of the housing (3). Installation switching device according to claim 10, wherein the terminal connection space (18) laterally bounded by the housing broad sides (9) and at least to the front front side (4) is open, that the opening (20) of the terminal connection space (18) by a pivotally connected to the housing (3 ), which has a connection surface (24) with a number of connection openings (26) corresponding to the number of connection leads (14) to be connected, and guide means (28) for the connection conductors (14) integrally formed on each connection opening (26) in that spring-actuating means (30) are formed on the cover part (22) and are designed so that they act on the clamping spring (12) during the pivoting of the cover part (22) in an opening manner. Installation switching device according to claim 11, characterized in that the terminal cover (22) by the clamping spring (12) against the insertion direction of the external connection conductor (14) resiliently urged and against the clamping spring (12) can be pressed. Service switching device according to claim 12, characterized in that the spring actuation means (30) are formed by the guide means (28) for the connection conductors (14) integrally formed on each connection opening (26). Service switching device according to one of claims 10 to 13, with one or more output side arranged screwless terminal connections according to one of claims 1 to 7 and one or more access side arranged screw terminals.

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