EP2208257B1 - Connector clamp with opening unit - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a terminal with an opening device. In the prior art terminals with opening devices have become known in order to ensure a secure reception at the terminal, in particular with flexible conductors. For this purpose, at a e.g. flexibly trained conductor a tool used at the terminal to reliably insert the conductor into the terminal, where the conductor is reliably received after the operation of the opening device and establishes a secure electrical connection.

Furthermore, in the prior art terminals have become known with a status indicator indicating the status of an inserted conductor.

A disadvantage of the known state of the art is that on the one hand there is no status indication when an opener is present, while on the other hand the normally closed contact is missing in the case of a status display.

So z. B. with the DE 10 2006 014 646 A1 a connection terminal for printed circuit boards has become known, which has a pusher part made of plastic for opening the nip. A separate status display is not provided in this prior art. On the pusher part can be read in certain installation situations, whether a conductor is added to the nip. However, if the mounting position of the terminal is so, can not be deduced at the position of the pusher part on the clamping state. Not representative of the clamping state is the position of the pusher part, for example, in an overhead mounting, because then the pusher is not moved by gravity back to its original position. But also at one Arrangement on a vertical printed circuit board is not guaranteed that the pusher part reliably indicates the clamping state. A disadvantage of this prior art is that no reliable indication of the clamping state takes place.

Furthermore, with the US 6,682,364 B2 a terminal has become known in which an opener is provided for opening the clamp connection. The opener is coupled to the clamping spring, so that in principle can be deduced from the position of the pusher on the clamping state even when mounted on a vertical rail or in an overhead mounting. A disadvantage of this prior art, however, is that the path difference of the opener between the open and the clamped position is small, so that the detection of the state is only reliably possible on closer inspection and from a short distance.

From the EP 1 677 390 is a speaker cable plug and speaker terminal for receiving such a plug known.

From the EP 1 355 380 there is known a conductor terminal having a contact portion with a conductor insertion recess and a transverse opening, the transverse opening intersecting the conductor insertion recess.

From the DE 8704494 is a screwless terminal with a two adjacent slots for each terminal conductor having a terminal carrier known.

It is the object of the present invention to provide an improved terminal in which with simple means regardless of the mounting position a clear indication of the clamping state takes place.

This object is achieved by a terminal with the features of claim 1. Preferred developments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims. Further advantageous features emerge from the description of the embodiment.

The terminal according to the invention has a housing with a current bar arranged thereon. Furthermore, a receiving device for receiving at least one conductor is provided on the housing. A clamping device with a clamping spring held in the housing serves to clamp the conductor against the current bar to electrically connect an inserted conductor to the current bar. An actuating device is provided for opening the clamping device. The actuating device acts on the clamping spring for opening the clamping device. The actuating device is provided with a display device for indicating a clamping state of the clamping device. The actuator is motion coupled to the clamping device. The receiving device is arranged spatially between a fixed portion of the clamping spring and the actuating device, so that the display device displays the clamping state of the clamping device on an enlarged scale, regardless of a spatial position of the housing.

The terminal according to the invention has many advantages. A considerable advantage is that the actuating device for opening the clamping device is provided with a display device which indicates the clamping state of the clamping device. As a result, erroneous plugging operations of conductors in the terminal can be prevented because the user can visually assess the result of the insertion process directly after insertion or at any time later. The display device displays the clamping state reliably and reproducibly. The position of the display device can also be read from larger distances. This is achieved by the movement coupling of the actuator and the clamping device in conjunction with the amplified transmission of the movement of the clamping device to the display device.

The invention is particularly advantageous since the clamping state of the clamping device is displayed independently of the spatial position of the housing. Since terminals are mounted in a variety of spatial locations, benefits a terminal may not do much if the status display is position-dependent. In the invention, the position independence is achieved in that the actuating device is equipped with the display device and in particular so that it is integrally formed. Due to the increased scale of the transmission, a significantly improved indication of the clamping state is made possible, which enables a significant status indication even for conductors with small outside diameters.

According to the invention, the actuator can be used directly as a display device, since the clamping device amplifies the current state of motion on the actuator transmits, so that the display device provided thereto on the movement coupling indicates the state of the clamping on an enlarged scale.

Such a configuration offers very significant advantages, since the device can be realized very small building. If, on the other hand, a separate actuating device and, moreover, a separate display device are integrated in a connecting terminal, this leads to a considerable space requirement, which is typically not given in the case of connecting terminals. The space requirement of terminals is important, since there is only limited space available on the mounting rails etc.

Preferably, the receiving device is arranged in a central region and in particular approximately centrally in the housing.

The clamping spring is advantageously designed as a leg spring. Preferably, the clamping spring or leg spring is about a pivot point at the fixed portion of the clamping spring on the one side of the receiving device in the Housing pivotally provided. The actuating device is then arranged on the other or opposite side of the receiving device in the housing.

In one embodiment of the invention, the actuating device is rigidly connected to the clamping device, so that any movement of the clamping device is transmitted to the actuating device.

In advantageous developments, the actuating device is flexibly connected to the clamping device. This includes, in particular, the case in which the actuating device first has to perform a certain stroke before the movement of the actuating device is transmitted to the clamping device.

In the invention, the actuating device comprises a pusher whose position serves as a display of the display device. In this embodiment, a particularly simple structure and a particularly little space-requiring structure is possible because the pusher serves as an actuator on the one hand to release a conductor in the terminal, while on the other hand, the pusher at the same time indicates the state of the clamping device over its position.

In the invention, the clamping device comprises a clamping spring, which is designed in particular as a leg spring. Especially when using leg spring clamps, a status display makes sense, as this can prevent incorrect insertion due to insufficient deep insertion. In particular, the clamping spring is movement-coupled with the pusher.

In the invention, the clamping spring has a window, which is particularly suitable for receiving a conductor. For example, the clamping spring may have a window through which the inserted into the terminal conductor can be guided, where the inserted conductor is then received by clamping of the clamping spring. This means that the clamping spring or the window of the clamping spring rests against the male conductor so that a statement can be made about the position of the clamping spring, whether the conductor is included or not.

In the invention, the clamping spring engages in an opening and in particular a groove of the pusher. This means that not only the pusher is moved on actuation of the pusher, but also the clamping spring changes its position accordingly. In addition, the clamp between the spring clip, conductor and the busbar can be removed so that the conductor can be removed or inserted.

Preferably, the pusher is preloaded with a preloading device in a basic position. In this case, the preloading device is designed in particular as a spring, which is preferably formed integrally with the pusher. For example, the preloading device may be designed as a spring, which is molded onto the pusher during production.

In preferred developments, the display device is suitable for displaying the recorded conductor cross-section. This is for example the case regularly when the information about the inserted conductor is determined via the clamping device, since the clamping device is deflected by a smaller conductor cross section only less than by a larger conductor cross section.

In preferred embodiments of the invention, a pressure piece may be provided, which is arranged in the receiving device and is coupled for movement with a position of a conductor. This can be done, for example, that the pressure piece occupies the entire cross section of the receiving device, so that an inserted into the receiving device conductor inevitably moves the pressure piece in the insertion of the conductor.

The pressure piece preferably transmits its position change to the pusher or the preloading device or spring provided thereon, so that the pusher is also moved with the movement of the pressure piece, so that the pusher or its position, in turn, serves as a display device.

By a pressure piece, a status display is achieved, which is independent of the line cross section of the inserted conductor. Another significant advantage of a pressure piece is that directly the inserted depth of the conductor can be determined. If, on the other hand, the conductor is inserted into a window of the clamping spring, the clamping leg of the clamping spring does not move until the conductor has actually been picked up, but how deep the conductor has already been received can not be readily indicated or determined. This is different when using a pressure piece, since the inserted depth of a conductor can be determined directly on the position of the pressure piece.

In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the actuating device is provided with a driver and with a hinge, wherein an inserted into the receiving device conductor entrains the driver and thus deflects the pusher on the hinge, so that the pusher indicates the state of an inserted conductor. To release the clamp connection, the pusher can be actuated so that a Operating range of the pusher presses on a spring leg of the clamping spring, which then picks up the clamping of the conductor against the busbar, so that a combined display and pusher device is provided in this embodiment.

Advantageously, a clearance is provided between the pusher and the clamping spring, so that an opening of the clamping spring by the pusher takes place only after a shift of the pusher to a dimension of the free space, which is particularly preferably dimensioned in the form that the pusher even in the smallest provided or male conductor cross-section reaches the correct position for display without pressing the leg spring and open the contact.

In preferred embodiments, the pusher protrudes over the housing when a conductor is inserted correctly. In another preferred embodiment, the pusher enters the housing when a conductor has been picked up correctly.

Further advantages and features of the present invention will become apparent from the description of the embodiment, which is explained below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Fig. 1

ein erstes Ausführungsbeispiel der erfindungsgemäßen Anschlussklemme im Grundzustand;

Fig. 2

die Anschlussklemme nach Fig. 1 mit einem eingeschobenen Leiter mit kleinem Leitungsquerschnitt;

Fig. 3

die Anschlussklemme nach Fig. 1 mit einem eingeschobenen Leiter mit großem Leitungsquerschnitt; und

Fig. 4

die Anschlussklemme nach Fig. 1 bei Betätigung des Öffners;

Show:

Fig. 1

a first embodiment of the terminal according to the invention in the ground state;

Fig. 2

the terminal after Fig. 1 with an inserted conductor with a small line cross-section;

Fig. 3

the terminal after Fig. 1 with an inserted conductor with a large cable cross-section; and

Fig. 4

the terminal after Fig. 1 on actuation of the opener;

With reference to the enclosed FIGS. 1 4 to 4, an embodiment of the present invention will now be described.

The in the FIGS. 1 to 4 illustrated terminal 1 comprises a housing 2 and a thereto or disposed therein current bar 3. A central opening serves as a receptacle 4 to introduce a conductor 5 with a small cross section or a conductor 6 with a larger cross section in the housing 2 of the terminal 1. A clamping device 7, which comprises a clamping spring 10 designed here as a leg spring 11, serves for the clamping connection of the inserted conductor 5 or 6 to the current bar 3.

In Fig. 1 the basic state 17 is shown, in which here the display 9 is flush with the upper edge of the housing. The display 9 also serves as a pusher 15 of the actuator 8, for example, to allow for flexible conductors secure terminals and a later safe reopening of the clamping device, so as to introduce the conductor undamaged or remove it from the terminal 1.

The actuating device 8 simultaneously serves as a display device 9, so that it is possible to deduce the position of the pusher 15 on the terminal state. Is the pusher 15 in the flush position with the top of the housing 2, then no conductor is inserted or the conductor is inserted only very unreliable in the receiving device 4.

The receiving device 4 is arranged in a central region 34 and here approximately centrally in the housing 2.

The designed as a leg spring 11 clamping spring 10 is pivotally provided about a pivot point 26 on the fixed portion 35 of the clamping spring 10 on the one side 36 of the receiving device 4 in the housing 2. The actuating device 8 is then arranged on the other or opposite side 37 of the receiving device 4 in the housing 2.

By this arrangement it is achieved that a movement of the clamping spring 10 is amplified transmitted to the serving as a display device 9 actuator 8. A plugged into the receiving device 4 conductor acts in a central region between the pivot point 26 and the end 27 of the clamping leg 38 of the leg spring 11, so that the end 27 undergoes a considerably enlarged according to the lever law deflection. The degree of reinforcement is adjustable via the lever ratios. Thus, even a thin clamped in the receiving device 4 conductor provides a reliable indication of the clamping state.

In Fig. 2 the state is shown when a conductor 5 is taken with a small cross-section properly in the receiving device 4 and is reliably pressed by the leg spring 11 against a portion of the current bar 3. Here in the exemplary embodiment, the leg spring 11 is provided on the clamping leg 38 with a window 12 through which the conductor 5 passes at the clamping connection. The approximately rectangular window 12 allows the inclusion of conductors of different diameters.

On one side of the window 12, namely at the current bar or the contact point with the opposite of the current bar Side is the clamping edge 13 is provided, with which the leg spring 11 presses the conductor 5 against a portion of the current bar 3 to make a conductive contact with the current bar.

The receiving device 4 is arranged here in the embodiment in a central region of the housing 2, so that the pivot point 26 of the leg spring 11 is located on one side of the receiving device 4, while the actuator 8 is arranged on the opposite side. This causes the immersed in an opening 14 of the pusher 15 end 27 of the clamping spring 11 has a maximum distance from the pivot point 26 of the clamping spring, so that an amplification of the deflection, which causes the inserted conductor to the clamping spring. This makes it possible that even with the insertion of conductors with a thin cross section, a clearly visible deflection of the pusher 15 and the display device 9 takes place, so that a reliable assessment of the clamping state is possible even with ladders 5 with a small cross section.

In Fig. 3 the state of the terminal 1 is shown when receiving a conductor 6 with a larger cross-section. Here, the display device 9 is deflected correspondingly stronger.

In Fig. 4 the terminal 1 is shown with inserted tool 20, wherein the pusher 15 has been moved by the tool 20 maximum. Since the end 27 of the leg spring 11 is immersed in the particular formed as a groove opening 14 of the pusher 15, the leg spring 11 is moved by the dipping movement of the pusher 15, so that the end 27 of the leg spring pivots about the pivot point 26 and thus the previously clamped Leaves conductor 6, which can thus be pulled out without contact to the window 12 in the leg spring 11.

Here in the embodiment is in the ground state 17 of the pusher 15 on the top of the housing 2 also out, while correctly inserted conductor of the pusher 15 is aligned flush with the surface of the housing 2.
In contrast to the illustrated embodiment, the status indicator can be formed independently of the diameter of the inserted conductor in further embodiments. Whether a conductor 5 with small diameter or whether a conductor 6 is introduced with a larger diameter in a corresponding receiving device 4, a corresponding state of the terminal state display or display device 9 may result in corresponding embodiments and correct insertion.

Here in the embodiment is in the ground state 17 of the pusher 15 on the top of the housing 2 also out, while correctly inserted conductor of the pusher 15 is aligned flush with the surface of the housing 2.

It is also possible that the pusher 15 is flush with the surface in the ground state 17 and dips into the housing 2 with correctly connected conductors.

In preferred embodiments, a pressure piece may be provided in the housing 2, which has a contact surface for the contact with the inserted conductor 5 or 6 and a transition piece and a driver.

The pressure piece can be designed so that the contact piece substantially completely fills the cross section of the receiving device 4, so that it has to be taken along by a conductor in the insertion direction when a conductor 5 or 6 is inserted into the receiving device 4.

About the transition piece this translational movement is transmitted to the driver. The driver is in contact with a rib, which is in particular part of a preloading device 16 designed as a spring. Thus, by pushing a conductor 5 or 6 in the receiving device 4, the pressure piece against the force of the biasing device 16 is moved.

Since the preloading device 16 is in particular integrally formed with the pusher 15 and in any case firmly connected thereto, thus the pusher 15 and thus the display 9 is moved to the receiving device 4 by immersing a conductor 5 or 6 in the receiving device 4 as soon as the immersing conductor. 5 or 6 contacted the pressure piece. The pressure piece is moved to the maximum depth, so that the display stroke of the pusher 15 results from the corresponding immersion depth.

The opening of the clamping device 7 of the terminal 1 is accomplished by pressing the pusher 15 with a tool 20. The pusher 15 is immersed by the tool 20 in the housing and, after a translational movement over the clearance with the contact area on the contact leg 31 of the leg spring 11. In the further translational movement through the tool 20, the contact portion presses the contact leg 31 from the contact position out and the clamping state is canceled, so that the inserted conductor 5 or the inserted conductor 6 can be easily removed from the terminal 1 or inserted in the reverse case in the receiving device 4 of the terminal 1.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

terminal

2

casing

3

current bar

4

recording device

5

ladder

6

ladder

7

clamper

8th

actuator

9

display

10

clamping spring

11

Leg spring

12

window

13

clamping edge

14

opening

15

handle

16

biasing means

17

basic position

20

Tool

26

pivot point

27

End of the clamping spring

28

contact area

31

contact legs

34

central area

35

fixed section

36

the one side

37

the other side

38

clamping leg

Claims (7)

1. A connector clamp (1), comprising a housing (2) and a current bar (3) arranged thereon, and also comprising a receiving device (4) for receiving at least one conductor (5, 6) and comprising a clamping device (7) with a clamping spring (10) held in the housing (2) for clamping the conductor (5, 6) against the current bar (3) in order to electrically conductively connect a plugged-in conductor (5, 6) to the current bar (3), wherein
   an actuation device (8) is provided, which acts on the clamping spring (10) to open the clamping device (7), and wherein the actuation device (8) is provided with an indicator device (9) for indicating a clamped status of the clamping device (7),
   the actuation device (8) is coupled in terms of movement to the clamping device (7),
   the actuation device comprises a pusher element (15), of which the position serves as the indicator of the indicator device (9),
   the clamping spring (10) is formed as a leg spring (11), wherein
   the leg spring (11) comprises a clamping leg (38), which is provided with a window (12), through which the conductor (5, 6) passes when a clamping connecting is provided, wherein
   one end of the clamping leg (3) is lowered into an opening (14) in the pusher element (15), said opening being formed as a groove, such that the leg spring (11) is entrained when the pusher element (15) moves, and
   the receiving device (4) is arranged spatially between a fixed portion (35) of the clamping spring (10) and the actuation device (8), wherein the deflection of the clamping spring (11), which causes the plugged-in conductor (5, 6), leads to an intensified deflection of the position of the pusher element (15) relative to the cross section of the plugged-in conductor (5, 6), so that the indicator device (9) indicates the clamped state of the clamping device (7) in an enlarged state irrespective of a spatial position of the housing (2).
2. The connector clamp (1) according to Claim 1, wherein the receiving device (4) is arranged in a central region (34) of the housing (2).
3. The connector clamp (1) according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein the leg spring (11) is pivotable about a point of rotation (26) on the fixed portion (35) of the clamping spring (10) on one side (36) of the receiving device (4) in the housing (2), and wherein the actuation device (8) is arranged on the other side (37) of the receiving device (4) in the housing (2).
4. The connector clamp (1) according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein the actuation device (8) is rigidly connected to the clamping device (7).
5. The connector clamp (1) according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein the actuation device (8) is flexibly connected to the clamping device (7).
6. The connector clamp (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the pusher element (15) is pre-stressed by a pre-stressing device (16) in a normal position (17).
7. The connector clamp (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the pre-stressing device (16) and the pusher element (15) are integral.

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