EP1964219A1

EP1964219A1 - Clamp body for electrical connector clamps

Info

Publication number: EP1964219A1
Application number: EP06840956A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Hartmut Follmann; Olaf Gemke; Heinz Reibke
Original assignee: Phoenix Contact GmbH and Co KG
Current assignee: Phoenix Contact GmbH and Co KG
Priority date: 2005-12-21
Filing date: 2006-12-06
Publication date: 2008-09-03
Anticipated expiration: 2026-12-06
Also published as: JP2009521075A; WO2007079846A1; JP4808783B2; ES2440960T3; US20090070998A1; CN101341634A; EP1964219B1; DE102005061732A1; US7941912B2; DE102005061732B4; CN101341634B

Abstract

The invention generally relates to electrical screw connectors in industrial applications. One use of the clamp body is to guarantee the fixing of the electrical conductor. In order to increase the clamping effect, the support and contact surfaces for the electrical conductor in the cavity of the clamping body are structured. According to the invention, the structuring of the support and contact surfaces for the electrical conductor is carried out by various production methods using embossing or stamping tools.

Description

Title Clamping body for electrical connection terminals

Technical area

The present invention relates generally to the field of basic electrical components in electrical engineering consisting of electrically conductive connection elements. One of these connecting elements from the field of terminals is the screw terminal in its simplest kind. In screw terminals, electrical conductors in clamping bodies are brought into electrical and mechanical contact with one another by means of a clamping screw and suitably shaped clamping elements.

Background in the art

In industrial connection technology, a multitude of different clamping bodies for screw terminals have already proven themselves billions of times for the connection of electrical conductors and represent the most frequently used connection technology worldwide.

The clamping body for the electrical screw terminals are usually made of a substantially U-shaped clamping cross-section pocket (EP 0 334 975) or an approximately rectangular housing with at least one threaded part or a threaded bore in the bore a clamping screw can be screwed. The high clamping body can also be designed in the manner of a drawbar. All clamp bodies have in common that they have a Klemmkörperausnehmung - hereinafter referred to as cavity - have, which serves to receive the electrical conductor, wherein the conductor can consist of stranded or stranded or fine-stranded conductors. In this cavity, the electrical conductor is clamped by means of the clamping screw. The clamping of the electrical conductor can also be achieved by a current bar or busbar inserted between the clamping screw and the electrical conductor. To increase the clamping action of the electrical conductor, the busbar can be structured on the side facing the electrical conductor. Likewise, the bottom surface of the cavity of the clamp body can be structured. Thus, for example, clamping body for electrical screw terminals from EP 0082 285 B 1 and DE 203 05 314 are known which have in the cavity inwardly projecting oblique walls, between which are recesses. These clamping body with structured pockets bottoms are made for example of stamped sheet metal or copper alloys in bending technology. In this embodiment of clamping body, which is formed in several parts according to the above information, the sheet thickness of the cavity floor or the pocket bottom used mainly affects the deformation of the sloping bottom walls under load by the clamping screw adversely. These deformations lead to a significant reduction of the permissible clamping forces, in particular due to the setting of the conductor connection a secure clamping of the conductors over long periods is not guaranteed. A further embodiment of a generic clamping body can be taken from the prior art, for example, from the product catalog of the "terminal block CLIPLINE 2002" TN 12 5123461 / 10.04.02-00 from Phoenix Contact GmbH & Co. KG For the optimum fixing of electrical conductors, a clamping body produced in a copper alloy has a bore running transversely in the cavity bottom, which bore is produced by a cutting process in the clamping body and is a through-hole which runs transversely through the entire body

Clamp body goes. Such an embodiment of clamping bodies of the prior art produced by machining is shown in FIG. The perpendicular to the cavity opening introduced hole is placed such that the surface in the bottom of the cavity, as well as the adjacent inclined surfaces, which are the connection to the side walls and which is normally the entire surface of one side of the

Holes opening to the other side of the Höhlraumöffnung run continuously, are interrupted by the bore. This interruption serves to structure the cavity to increase the clamping action between the electrical conductor and the clamping body. The leading through the clamping body through hole in the bottom surface of the cavity weakens the side walls of the clamp body tremendously, ie, the forces occurring at the tightening torque of the clamping screw can adversely affect the geometric shape of the clamp body. There is a risk of plastic deformation and associated therewith no stable clamping conditions. Furthermore, no sufficient reliability is ensured with repeated actuation of the screw. The machining process therefore has an adverse effect on the mechanical strength of the clamp body. Object of the present invention is therefore to produce a clamping body of the type mentioned above, that the mentioned disadvantages of the known arrangements are avoided and in particular to provide a cost-effective, equipped with simple functional geometry clamping body for electrical screw terminals. In addition, the production of the clamp body to allow a higher yield per unit time, the clamp body not only meets the torque requirements of the standard, but due to the special manufacturing process also allows resistance to deformation, which is well above the standard currently available on the market and beyond also in particular for small terminal body, for example in terminal block assemblies for connectors is usable.

This object is achieved according to the invention in a clamping body of the type mentioned by the characterizing features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments and modifications of the invention will become apparent from the following dependent claims and the following descriptions. In order to produce a clamping body equipped with these features of the present invention, which achieves uniformly and securely applied clamping forces in screw terminals for long periods of time and, moreover, typically also in industrial applications shakeproof against strains, e.g. must be designed movable machine parts is proposed according to the invention to use a method in the manufacture of the clamping body, in particular in the manufacture of the recesses in the cavity of the clamp body that the strength of the clamp body against deformation, not reduced, but maintains or even increased. The structuring of the surfaces in the cavity means that the values of the standard IEC 60 947-1 / EN 60 947 for the safe connection of the conductors to be connected are not only met, but also exceeded. The structured surfaces in the cavity of the clamp body serve the electrical conductor as an investment and contact surface.

To increase the strength of the Klemmköφers and the tight fit of the electrical conductor for industrial application is proposed according to the invention that to apply in the production of structures in the form of, for example, recesses in the surfaces, the manufacturing method described below. Recesses in the cavity of the

Klemmköφers represent for electrical screw terminals in bottom and side walls forming depressions. These depressions are also referred to as bead-specific, which ensure the tight fit of the electrical conductor in conjunction with the current bar. In the manufacturing process of the beads in the clamp body, the properties of the material of which the clamp body is made are inherent. In general, the clamp body made of brass, other metals, especially steel, but are also conceivable. Copper alloys have excellent cold workability and are therefore well suited for example for pressing, embossing, hammering, hitting and driving. These material properties are advantageously utilized in the production of the beads.

The production of the beads is done by applying the embossing technique. The embossing technique is much cheaper because the production of the beads can be achieved in a fully automatic cycle cycle. The clock cycle in the embossing process is much shorter compared to the cutting process. For example, the clamping body, which have already undergone various stages of production, with a fully automatic device an embossing machine, which may be driven mechanically and / or pneumatically supplied to it. The clamp bodies are positioned precisely and clamped automatically in a tool device. At the same time an embossing tool moves in horizontal stroke in the part to be embossed or in the cavity of the clamp body.

Advantageously, the clamping body can also be fed by the automatic feeding device equal to the embossing tool so that the embossing position is reached. The embossing tool is for example made of tool steel and can be heated. Furthermore, the embossing tool predominantly has a structure on the underside which corresponds in shape and size to the desired beading in the clamping body in the contour or relief. The embossing tools can be engraved and flexibly interchanged so that every conceivable structure can be produced on the embossing tool and embossed into the clamping body. The shape and size of the structuring of the surface of the bottom and side walls in the cavity of the clamp body can be adapted to the technical requirements, for example the different clamping effects on different electrical conductors. Not only

Recesses in the form of beads, but also the creation of elevations are possible by cold forming in the embossing technique. For example, elevations in the form of crowned elevations or a combination of depressions and elevations which achieve an optimal clamping effect on the electrical conductors used in the clamping body. For example, for the clamping of fine-stranded conductors in sprags

Microstructures on. That is, the structure and shape of the contact and contact surface for the electrical conductor in the clamp body is decisive for the clamping action and thus on the pull-out forces of the clamped conductor. The embossing process itself takes place, for example, by feeding a pressure mandrel guided vertically to the embossing die. The pressure mandrel moves with pneumatically moved rapid stroke through the bore of the clamping screw and acts with hydraulically generated pressure on the embossing tool. The structure of the stamping tool is thus pressed into the contacted surface of the clamping body. Subsequently, the pressure mandrel returns to its initial position and the clamping body is ejected from the clamping device.

To produce the embossed structure can advantageously also a striking machine, which optimizes the cycle time of the embossing, are used. Furthermore, this method is characterized by a high impact rate, whereby the cycle time is reduced.

An embodiment of the invention is shown purely schematically in the drawings and will be described in more detail below. It shows

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a clamp body of the prior art

Figure 2 Method and apparatus for producing a structured contact surface for electrical conductors in a clamping body using the embossing technique.

Figure 3 Method and apparatus for producing a structured contact surface for electrical conductors in a clamping body using the impact technique.

FIG. 4 shows a contact surface structured by the embossing technique for electrical conductors with a contact surface

deepening

FIG. 5 shows a contact surface, structured by the embossing technique, for electrical conductors with a contact surface

increase

FIG. 6 shows a contact surface structured by embossing technology for electrical conductors with a recess and an elevation LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1 clamping body

2 opening for clamping screw

3 opening for electrical conductor

4 cavity

5 floor area

6.6 ^v oblique surface

7.7 ^v side surface

8 upper surface

9 structure (in the clamp body)

10 hole

11 deepening

12 side walls

13 upper wall

14 bottom wall

15 device

16 stamping tool

17 die stamp structure

18 embossing position

19 pressure mandrel

20 embossed stamp

21 inside 1

22 inside 2

23 vertical axis

24 tilt

25 crowned elevation

26 microstructure

27 contour

28 floor thickness

29 front end

30 rear end Description of an embodiment

In the illustrated in perspective view of FIG. 1 clamp body of the prior art, for example, a clamping body 1 with a first opening 2 for receiving a clamping screw (not shown) with a second opening 3 for receiving an electrical conductor (not shown) in a cavity 4 formed by the inner surfaces 5, 6, 7, 8 shown. The inner surfaces 5, 6 serve the electrical conductor as a contact and contact surface. The inner surfaces 5, 6 may have a structure 9. The structure 9 is produced by the bore 10, which leads transversely through the entire clamping body 1 or perpendicularly through the side walls 12. The bore 10 causes the normally flat continuous inner surfaces 5, 6, 7 are interrupted. The interruption forms, for example, in the inclined surface 6, caused by the bore 10 recess 11, which is also present in the inner side surface 7 and the bottom surface 5. When the bore 10 is a through hole 10, the walls 12 and the cavity 4 leads through the two sides. 1 shows a clamp body 1, shown in perspective view, which has inside surfaces in the cavity 4 whose structures have been produced by a machining process.

The invention now relates to a method and a device for producing a copper alloy clamping body for electrical screw terminals with structured surfaces in the cavity, which serve to contact the electrical conductor, the structured surfaces being produced by embossing technology.

The application of the manufacturing method and the device are shown by way of example in FIG. The device 15 consists of an embossing tool 16 which is located in Figure 2 in the opening 3 of the cavity 4 of the clamping body 1 and the embossing position 18. The embossing tool 16 has on the lower side, the bottom surface 5 of the clamp body 1 facing side, a structure 17. In the opening 2 of the clamp body 1, which serves to receive the clamping screw, there is a pressure mandrel 19 which presses perpendicular to the embossing tool 16. During the pressure force transmission from the pressure mandrel 19 to the embossing tool 16, the structure 17 contained in the embossing tool 16 is imaged in one or more inner surfaces of the cavity 4. In the example of Figure 2 in the inclined surfaces 6, 6 \ The transfer of Structure 17 of the embossing tool 16 in the surfaces 6, 6 ^V can be done by pressing, hitting, hammering or driving. The pressure mandrel 19 can, thus, act on the embossing tool 16 with different technical methods. After the transfer of the structure 17 into the surfaces of the cavity 4, the clamping body 1 is ejected from the clamping device, not shown. A clamping body produced in this way is shown in FIG. 4.

As can be seen from FIG. 3, the structuring 9 of the inner surfaces of the clamping body 1 can also be effected by the impact technique. The pressure mandrel 19 is then itself a carrier of an embossed structure 17 and serves as an embossing die 20, whereby the embossing tool 16 is omitted. The die 20 is guided through the opening 2 and generated by the impact technique on the inclined surfaces 6, 6 "of the bottom surface 5 and, if necessary, on the side surfaces 7, T a recess 11. The clamping body 1 is in a jig (not The inclination 24 may vary between 0 degrees to 10 degrees, but advantageously the embossing punch 20 may also be inclined below the aforementioned inclination angle 24 with respect to the vertical axis 23. through the opening 2 into the cavity 4 of the clamping body 1. The angle of inclination 24 causes only the inside (l) 21, of the cavity 4 with the surfaces 5, 6, 7 is structured and then by pivoting the die 20 or the clamping device the inside (2) 22, the cavity 4 with the surfaces 5, 6 \ 7 \ In this process of structuring the inner surfaces, the material the clamping body 1 are also driven by the punch 20 is guided with a high impact sequence from the side (l) to the side (2).

FIG. 4 shows a clamping body produced by the production method and device according to FIG. 2. In principle, the clamping body 1 consisting of a copper alloy is a geometric hollow body which consists of four walls. Consisting of two vertical side walls 12, an upper wall 13 in which the opening 2 for a clamping screw (not shown) is located, and one of the upper wall 13 opposite bottom wall 14 which extends perpendicular to the sides walls 12. All walls are integrally connected to each other. The outer shape of the clamping body 1 can assume different thickness 28 and contour 27 in the bottom region 14. In the middle of the clamp body 1 is a cavity 4 of the two sides through openings 3, located at the front end side 29 and the rear end side 30th are located, accessible and formed by internal surfaces. The cavity 4 serves to receive an electrical conductor (not shown) and has for clamping and contacting the electrical conductor different contact and contact surfaces. Two contact surfaces 7, T are parallel to the vertical side walls 12. The contact surface of the bottom 5 is perpendicular to the contact surfaces of the sides 7, 7 \ To increase the contact of the electrical conductor with the contact surfaces of the cavity 4 are two other inclined contact surfaces 6, 6 "disposed between the bottom surface 5 and the side surfaces 7, T. The inclined surfaces 6, 6" connect the bottom surface 5 with the side surfaces 7, 7 ^v approximately at an angle of 45 degrees. To increase the clamping effect, the inclined surface 6, 6 ^{V was structured} by a stamping tool 16. The embossing die structure 17 of the embossing tool 16 produces a structure 9 in the inclined surface 6, 6 ".This structure 9 is exemplified as a depression 11 and is also referred to as a bead or the production of several beads 11 in an oblique surface 6, 6" conceivable.

The structure 17 of the embossing tool 16 can in the inclined surface 6, 6 ^v and an increase in the form of a convex elevation 25, see Fig. 5, generate. Also, a combination of recesses 11 and crowned elevations 25 as a structure 9 in the inclined surfaces 6, 6 ^v to further increase the clamping effect of electrical conductors in particular in special applications can be made. This structured embodiment can be taken from FIG. 6. By a juxtaposition of crowned elevations 25 and depressions 11 results wavy structures in the inclined surfaces 6, 6 \ wherein advantageously the displaced in the recesses 11 material can be used to increase the crowned elevations 25. The structuring of the side surfaces 7, T advantageously with microstructures 26 is possible by applying the embossing technique, wherein the microstructure depth can be in the micrometer to tenth of a millimeter range. For this purpose, the clamping body 1 needs only rotated by 90 degrees, fed to the embossing tool 16 and structured as previously with one of the described method, wherein the pressure mandrel 19 is not passed through the opening 2, but on the front end face 29 of the clamp body 1 along up the embossing tool 16, which protrudes from the cavity 4.

Claims

claims

1. A method and device for producing a metal clamp body (1) for electrical screw terminals with a first opening (2) for receiving a clamping screw with a second opening (3) for receiving an electrical conductor, wherein one or more inner surfaces (5,6, 7) of the cavity (4) of the second

Opening (3) are structured, characterized in that the structuring (9) of at least one inner surface (5,6,7) using the embossing technique and / or impact technique is generated.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the structuring (9) of at least one inner surface (5,6,7) of the clamping body (1) by pressing

Shaping is generated.

3. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the structuring (9) of at least one inner surface (5,6,7) of the clamping body (1) is produced by striking shaping.

4. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the structuring (9) of at least one inner surface (5,6,7) of the clamping body (1) is generated by driving shaping.

6. An apparatus for producing a metal clamp body (1) for electrical screw terminals with a first opening (2) for receiving a clamping screw with a second opening (3) for receiving an electrical conductor, wherein one or more inner surfaces (5,6,7) the cavity (4) of the second opening (3) are structured, characterized in that a stamping tool (16) is used for structuring (9).

7. The device according to claim 6, characterized in that the embossing tool (16) has a structure (17) which generates in the inner surface (5,6,7) of the clamping body (1) at least one recess (11).

8. Apparatus according to claim 6 to 7, characterized in that the recess (11) forms a bead.

9. Apparatus according to claim 6, characterized in that the embossing tool (16) has a structure (17) which generates at least one increase in the inner surface (5,6,7) of the clamping body.

10. The device according to claim 9, characterized in that the increase forms a crowned elevation (25).

11. The device according to claim 7 and 9, characterized in that the embossing tool (16) has a structure (17) in the inner surface (5,6,7) of the clamping body (1) at least one recess (11) and at least one Increase (25) generated.

12. Device according to claim 6 to 7, characterized in that the recess (11) in at least one of the oblique side walls (6, 6 "), which the connecting surface between the bottom surface (5) and the vertical side surfaces (7.7") forms, is arranged.

Device according to claims 9-10, characterized in that the elevation (25) is formed in at least one of the oblique side walls (6,6 ^V ) forming the connecting surface between the bottom surface (5) and the vertical side surfaces (7 / T) , is arranged.

14. The device according to claim 11, characterized in that the recess (11) and the elevation (25) in at least one of the oblique side walls (6.6 ^V ), the connecting surface between the bottom surface (25) and the vertical side surfaces

(7.7 ^V ) is arranged.

15. The device according to claim 6, characterized in that the embossing tool (16) has a structure (17) which generates a microstructure (26) at least in one of the side surfaces (7,7 ") of the Klernmkörpers (1).