EP2485331B1 - Battery clamp - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a battery terminal, which comprises a Polkontaktelement for enclosing a pole of a battery and two associated with this Polkontaktelement clamping leg. Further, the battery terminal has a screw for changing the distance between the two clamping legs and a terminal contact element for establishing an electrical contact between the battery terminal and a connecting line.

The battery terminal is used in particular for establishing an electrical contact between a pole of a starter battery of a vehicle and a connecting line. For this purpose, the Polkontaktelement contacted the pole, which surrounds it, such that it is electrically conductively connected thereto.

From the prior art, for example from the document DE 19859803 A1 , Battery terminals are known in which the terminal contact element is arranged on the Polkontaktelement, so that the distance between the connecting line and the contact of the battery terminal to the pole is minimized. The exact arrangement of the terminal contact element and its geometric configuration are particularly adapted to the structural conditions of the accumulator and / or the structural conditions of the accumulator in the installation position in the vehicle surrounding components and should cause a secure connection between the terminal contact element and the connecting line.

The problem with such battery terminals is that they are only suitable for use with the accumulators for which they were developed and also elaborately constructed and heavy. On the other hand, it is problematic that the contact between the Polkontaktelement and the pole is relatively unstable, so that it can dissolve over time and thus corrosion of the pole and / or the Polkontaktelementes is facilitated. This in turn can affect the safe electrical connection between the connecting cable and the pole.

From the document EP 0 742 606 A1 a battery terminal is known, at the first clamping leg a support element is provided for supporting on a second clamping leg. On the second clamping leg a survey is provided so that slipping of the support element is avoided. Furthermore, the battery terminal at its edges on flanges to increase the dimensional stability.

Other battery terminals are from the documents US 5 672 442 A1 . FR 832129 A . US 5,733,115 . US 2,152,832 A . US 2010/066351 A1 . US 4,354,726 and EP 1 826 844 A2 known.

It is an object of the invention to provide a battery terminal, which is simple and lightweight and with their help a reliable electrical connection between a connecting line and a pole of a battery can be produced.

This object is achieved by a battery terminal with the features of claim 1. Advantageous developments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims.

By arranging the terminal contact element at that end of the first clamping leg, which is opposite to the end at which the Polkontaktelement is arranged, it is achieved that no further contact element for contacting the connecting line must be attached to the Polkontaktelement. Thus, a simple, low-material construction is achieved, which in turn means that the battery terminal has a low weight. Furthermore, a safe connection between the Polkontaktelement and the pole is achieved by arranging the terminal contact element on the first clamping leg, as acting on the battery terminal via the connecting line mechanical forces do not directly attack on the Polkontaktelement, so that a loosening of the clamping connection between the Polkontaktelement and the Pol is prevented. Furthermore, it is achieved by the arrangement of the terminal contact element on the first clamping limb that the battery terminal is easy to handle and easy to mount on the pole and that also the connecting cable can be easily attached to the battery terminal.

The terminal contact element is in particular plate-shaped. On the flat surfaces of such a plate-shaped element crimp contacts can be attached in a simple manner, to which in turn the connection line is ancrimpbar. In particular, depending on which accumulator or in which vehicle the battery terminal is to be used, matched thereto crimp contacts are attached to the terminal contact element, so that the battery terminal is universally applicable and for use in various accumulators or in various vehicles no structural changes the battery terminal itself are necessary.

Furthermore, the plate-shaped connection contact element makes it possible for the conductors of the connection line to be attached directly to it. Here, the conductors may be individually attached to the terminal contact element or previously compacted into a single conductor.

The fastening of the conductors or the crimp contact takes place in particular by brazing and / or resistance welding, so that a secure, permanent connection is achieved.

Furthermore, such a plate-shaped connection contact element makes it possible for a connection line to be attached to both sides of this plate. For this purpose, for example, be attached to both sides in each case a crimp contact. Alternatively, a crimp contact can also be provided on one side and the other connection line can be directly welded or soldered on the other side. It is also possible that on both sides is dispensed with crimp contacts and the respective connecting cable is welded directly to the terminal contact element. In particular, also crimp contacts can be used, which have a plurality of contact areas for contacting a plurality of connecting lines.

The second clamping leg facing surface of the first clamping leg and the surface of the connecting element, to which the connecting line is attachable, are preferably tilted relative to each other. The relative tilting of the surfaces relative to one another is understood to mean that those two planes, which are each defined by one of the surfaces, intersect and thus are not arranged parallel to one another. Due to the tilted arrangement of the terminal contact element is achieved that this simply the connection line or the crimp contact for attaching the connection cable can be attached without this hinder the attachment of the first and / or the second clamping leg. Furthermore, the usual structural conditions in most vehicles is taken into account by this arrangement, so that the least possible deflection of the connecting cable is necessary for connection and thus the forces exerted by the connecting line to the battery terminal forces are minimized and secure contact between the Polkontaktelement and the Pol is guaranteed.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the pole contact element, the two clamping legs and the terminal contact element are integrally formed, so that no joints are present and thus the strength and rigidity of the battery terminal is increased. Furthermore, this achieves a simple, cost-effective production.

The first clamping leg and / or the second clamping leg has at one end facing away from the pole contact element directed towards the other clamping leg support member through which the clamping legs, at least when the battery terminal is attached to the pole, support each other. The support element is arranged in particular on the second clamping leg, so that the support element arranged on the first clamping leg Terminal contact element not impaired. By the support member a firm connection between the Polkontaktelement and the pole is ensured so that a permanent secure entrapment is achieved, which prevents corrosion and thus ensures the electrical contact between the Polkontaktelement and the pole.

According to a second aspect of the invention, the battery terminal may also be formed such that, as described above, a support element for supporting the clamping legs, but the terminal contact element not on the first clamping leg, but on another part of the battery terminal, in particular on the Polkontaktelement , is arranged.

The advantageous developments described below relate both to the first and the second aspect, ie both to the battery terminal described by the claim 1 and by the claim 8.

The support element is formed in particular by a curved in the direction of the other clamping leg clamping leg portion. Thus, a simple structure and in particular a simple production can be achieved.

By the support member, a minimum distance between the two clamping legs is preferably set so that by turning the screw, the distance between the clamping legs can be adjusted in a range whose lower limit is determined by this minimum distance. This minimum distance is in particular set such that at this minimum distance the clamping connection formed between the Polkontaktelement and the pole is solid and durable and under normal operating conditions, an unwanted detachment of the battery terminal is excluded from the pole.

By the support member in particular a tilting of the two clamping legs is avoided relative to each other, so that a loosening of the clamping connection is prevented by such a tilting of the clamping legs to each other.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, at least one, preferably several, beads are formed in the transition region between the first clamping leg and the pole contact element and / or in the transition region between the second clamping leg and the pole contact element. These beads increase the rigidity of the battery terminal, in particular in the transition area, so that twisting and / or bending of the battery terminal is avoided or impeded, and thus the firm connection between the battery terminal and the pole is ensured. Furthermore, this ensures that the clamping force generated by the screw is transmitted evenly from the clamping legs on the Polkontaktelement so that it securely surrounds the pole and thus clamps this reliable.

Further, it is advantageous if at least one embossment, at least one recess and / or at least one elevation are arranged on that surface of the Polkontaktelementes, which contacts the pole, by which a tight fit of the Polkontaktelementes is ensured at the pole. The embossing, recess and / or elevation are in particular designed such that through them the frictional and / or adhesive force between the pole contact element and the pole is increased, so that a release of the clamping connection is difficult.

By the screw a screw connection between the two clamping legs is formed, wherein by turning the screw, the distance between the clamping legs and thus the clamping force by which the clamping connection between the pole contact element and the pole is achieved, can be changed. In a first operating state, the two clamping legs have a first preset distance from each other, which is determined such that in him the Polkontaktelement can be placed on the pole. Subsequently, the Screw rotated until, in a second operating state, the clamping legs have a second preset distance from each other, which is less than the first preset distance and in which the clamping connection between the Polkontaktelement and the pole is made. Thus, a secure connection between the battery terminal and the pole is achieved with a still simple installation of the battery terminal.

The screw includes in addition to the screw in particular a nut into which the screw engages, so that a secure screw is guaranteed and unintentional changing the distance between the clamping legs is excluded. In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the screw connection may not include a nut. In this case, in at least one of the holes of the clamping leg through which the screw are passed, an internal thread cut, which is complementary to the external thread of the screw, so that even without a locknut, the distance of the clamping legs to each other can be changed.

Further, it is advantageous if the pole contact element and the clamping legs are tilted to each other. This ensures that the introduced via the screw clamping force is transmitted evenly and without deformation of the battery terminal in the transition areas.

The pole contact element is formed approximately cylindrical or conical, so that it optimally encloses the pole. Under the tilted arranging the Polkontaktelementes and the clamping legs to each other is understood in particular that the longitudinal axis of this cylinder or the cone of the Polkontaktelementes not parallel to those planes which are defined by the mutually facing surfaces of the clamping legs.

Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description, which explains the invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings with reference to exemplary embodiments.

Figur 1

eine schematische Darstellung einer Batterieklemme gemäß einer ersten Ausführungsform der Erfindung;

Figur 2

eine schematische Darstellung einer Batterieklemme gemäß einer zweiten Ausführungsform der Erfindung; und

Figur 3

eine weitere schematische Darstellung der Batterieklemme nach Figur 2.

Show it:

FIG. 1

a schematic representation of a battery terminal according to a first embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2

a schematic representation of a battery terminal according to a second embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 3

a further schematic representation of the battery terminal of Figure 2.

In FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of a battery terminal 10 according to a first embodiment of the invention shown. The battery terminal 10 includes a pole contact member 12 which, when the battery terminal 10 is mounted in a starter battery of a vehicle, a in FIG. 1 not shown pole of this starter battery encloses and is electrically connected to this.

Further, the battery terminal 10 has two at transition regions 14, 16 connected to the Polkontaktelement 12 clamping legs 18, 20, said clamping legs 18, 20 each having a bore through which a screw 22 is guided. The screw 22 is formed by a screw 24, a nut 26 and a washer 28. About the screw 22, the distance of the clamping legs 18, 20 are changed to each other.

For mounting the battery terminal 10 on the pole, the distance between the clamping legs 18, 20 is formed such that the pole contact element 12 can be placed on the pole. Subsequently, the screw and / or the nut 24 is rotated so that the nut 26 is moved closer to the head of the screw 24 on the shaft of the screw 24, so that the distance between the clamping legs 18, 20 is reduced. Thus, it is achieved that a clamping connection between the pole and the Polkontaktelement 12 is formed, which prevents loosening of the Polkontaktelementes 12 of the pole and thus releasing the electrical connection between the battery terminal 10 and the pole. The clamping force, which is necessary to form this clamping connection, is here introduced via the screw 22 and transmitted via the transition regions 14, 16 of the clamping legs 18, 20 to the Polkontaktelement 12. The clamping legs 18, 20 and / or the pole contact element 12 have in the transition regions 14, 16 at least one, preferably a plurality of beads 30, 32, through which the rigidity of the battery terminal 10 is increased in transition areas 14,16, so that via the screw 22 introduced clamping force can be reliably transmitted to the pole contact element 12. In particular, a uniform force transmission is thus achieved, so that a firm connection between the pole and the pole contact element 12 is ensured.

Furthermore, such a secure, firm connection between the battery terminal 10 and the pole is achieved by providing at least one, preferably more, embossments and / or depressions 34 in that surface 36 of the pole contact element 12 which contacts the pole. By means of these embossments or recesses 34, the mechanical contact between the pole contact element 12 and the pole is improved, so that slippage of the battery terminal 10 from the pole is made more difficult.

The second clamping leg 20 is bent in that end region which faces away from the pole contact element 12 in the direction of the first clamping leg 18, so that a support element 38 is formed by this bend over which the two clamping legs 18, 20 at least when the battery terminal 10 is attached to the pole, support each other. As a result, a firm connection between the battery terminal 10 and the pole is achieved. In particular, will As a result, a tilting of the two clamping legs 18, 20 avoided each other, so that the distance between the clamping legs 18, 20 can not be changed unintentionally to each other and thus the secure clamping connection is maintained.

By this solid, permanent connection between the battery terminal 10 and the pole is also avoided that the surface 36 and / or the pole corroded, since the ingress of moisture and / or mechanical damage by a relative movement are avoided or at least reduced to each other. Thus, a secure electrical contact is ensured.

The two legs 18, 20 are arranged tilted relative to the pole contact element 12, whereby an improved transmission of the clamping force of the transition regions 14, 16 is achieved.

Furthermore, the battery terminal 10 comprises a terminal contact element 40, on which in the in FIG. 1 shown embodiment, a connecting line 42 is attached. Via the battery terminal 10 thus an electrically conductive connection between the connecting line 42 and the pole of the starter battery is achieved.

The terminal contact element 40 is arranged on the pole contact element 12 opposite end of the first clamping leg 18 and tilted relative thereto. Thus, a simple construction of the battery terminal 10 is achieved since no terminal contact element must be structurally complicated to be attached to the pole contact element. Furthermore, in the case of the battery terminal 10, it frequently happens that forces act on the battery terminal 10 via the connecting line 42. By the terminal contact element 40 is disposed away from the Polkontaktelement 12, it is achieved that these forces do not act directly on the Polkontaktelement 12 and thus do not adversely affect the connection between the Polkontaktelement 12 and the pole.

The terminal contact element 40 is plate-shaped and has a first contact surface 44 and a second contact surface 46, wherein the two contact surfaces 44, 46 are arranged opposite to each other. Such a plate-shaped terminal contact element 40 ensures that the connection between the terminal contact element 40 and the connecting line 42 necessary for the use of the battery terminal 10 can be formed in a simple manner. At the in FIG. 1 For this purpose, the connection line 42 is fixed to the contact surface 46 of the connection contact element 40, for example, by resistance welding. Alternatively, the connection line 42 may also be soldered.

In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the connection line 42 may also be fastened to the first contact surface 44 of the connection contact element 40. Furthermore, it is alternatively possible for a connection line 42 to be attached to both contact surfaces 44, 46 as well.

In FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a battery terminal 50 according to a second embodiment of the invention shown. Elements with the same structure or the same function have the same reference numerals.

In this second embodiment, a crimp contact 52 is welded or soldered to the terminal contact element 40, via which in turn an electrical contact to the connecting line 42 can be made. For this purpose, a conductor or a plurality of conductors of the connection line 42 between the fingers 54 of the crimp contact 52 is arranged before the fingers 54 are moved towards each other, so that a crimped connection between the crimp contact 52 and the connecting line 42 is formed.

In FIG. 3 is a schematic representation of the battery terminal 50 after FIG. 2 and lead 42. The connecting line 42 comprises a plurality of conductors 56, which are compacted in an end region 58 into a single conductor 60.

This compacted conductor 60 can be easily crimped with the crimp contact 52.

In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the crimp contact 52 may be disposed on the first contact surface 44. Furthermore, alternatively, a crimp contact 52 can also be provided on both contact surfaces 44, 46 of the terminal contact element 40. In this way, two connecting lines 42 can be attached.

Due to the plate-like design of the terminal contact element 40 ensures that, depending on the application, the matching crimp contact 52 can be attached to the battery terminal 10, 50, so that the battery terminal 10, 50 is universally applicable and together with the crimp contacts 52 forms a modular kit. Thus, a cost-effective mass production is possible, which nevertheless allows a simple, cost-effective way to adapt to the customer-specific circumstances.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

10, 50

battery terminal

12

Polkontaktelement

14, 16

Transition area

18, 20

clamping leg

22

screw

24

screw

26

mother

28

washer

30, 32

Beading

34

embossing

36

surface

38

supporting

42

connecting cable

44.46

contact area

52

crimp contact

54

finger

56.60

ladder

58

end

Claims (7)

1. A battery terminal clamp, comprising
   a pole contact element (12) for surrounding a pole of an accumulator,
   a first clamping leg (18) connected to the pole contact element (12) and a second clamping leg (20) likewise connected to the pole contact element (12),
   a screw (24) for varying the distance between the first clamping leg (18) and the second clamping leg (20),
   and a connecting contact element (40) for establishing electric contact between the battery terminal clamp (10, 50) and a connecting line (42),
   wherein the first clamping leg (18) and/or the second clamping leg (20) has at an end portion opposite to the pole contact element (12) a support element (38) pointing toward the other clamping leg (18, 20), by which support element the clamping legs (18, 20) are supported on each other at least when the battery terminal clamp (10, 50) is fixed to the pole, and
   wherein the pole contact element (10, 50) is formed approximately cylindrically or conically,
   wherein the facing surfaces of the clamping legs (18, 20) are approximately parallel to each other, and wherein the longitudinal axis of the pole contact element (12) extends obliquely with respect to a plane defined by one of these surfaces,
   characterized in that the connecting contact element (40) is arranged at the end of the first clamping leg (18) opposite to the pole contact element (12) and is tilted relative thereto.
2. The battery terminal clamp (10, 50) according to claim 1, characterized in that the support element (38) is formed by a clamping leg portion bent toward the other clamping leg (18, 20).
3. The battery terminal clamp (10, 50) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that a minimum distance between the clamping legs (18, 20) is defined by the support element (38) such that at this minimum distance the pole of the accumulator is safely clamped by the pole contact element (12).
4. The battery terminal clamp (10, 50) according to one of the claims 1 to 3, characterized in that in a transition portion (16) between the first clamping leg (18) and the pole contact element (12) and/or in a transition portion (14) between the second clamping leg (20) and the pole contact element (12) each time at least one bead (30, 32) is formed.
5. The battery terminal clamp (10, 50) according to one of the claims 1 to 4, characterized in that in the surface (36) of the pole contact element (12) that contacts the pole at least one embossing (34), at least one recess and/or at least one elevation is provided.
6. The battery terminal clamp (10, 50) according to one of the claims 1 to 5, characterized in that in a first operating state the clamping legs (18, 20) have a preset first distance to each other, at which the pole contact element (12) can be placed on the pole, and that in a second operating state the clamping legs (18, 20) have a preset second distance to each other which is less than the first distance and at which a clamping connection is established between the pole contact element (12) and the pole.
7. The battery terminal clamp (10, 50) according to one of the claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the screw (24) engages with a nut (26).

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