EP2491622B1 - System for connecting electrical conductors to mutually different potentials and plug adaptor for the system - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a system for connecting electrical conductors with mutually different potentials according to the preamble of claim 1 and a plug-in adapter for the system.

Such a system is for example already out of the DE 43 22 535 C2 known. The known system for connecting electrical conductors with mutually different potentials consists of at least two juxtaposed electrical terminals with plug-in receptacles and at least two jumpers, each having at least two interconnected via a headpiece and plug-in receptacles plug-in contacts.

In addition, from the DE 10 2008 017 429 A1 an electrical switchgear known in which, among other things, a so-called assembly or coding plug is used to reduce the wiring. In order to enable flexible wiring, there are then various prefabricated or coding plug vorzuhalten in which the individual wiring is to be realized by depending on the application with each other electrically connected pins. For this purpose, contact bridges are inserted on one connection side of the assembly or coding plug.

From the EP 2 053 696 A1 For example, a terminal block assembly of at least two or more terminal blocks which can be connected to one another is known. The terminal blocks include one or more terminals for electrical conductors or plugs, and a plurality of bus bars interconnecting the conductor or plug terminals, and at least one or more slots for receiving at least one connector for distributing one or more potentials in the direction of arrangement across a plurality of the terminal blocks. Further slots and / or a layout of the slots for receiving at least one further connector or more, further plug-in connector for distributing one or more of the potentials within the respective terminal blocks are provided.

The DE 21 16 342 A relates to an electrical connector system consisting of an upper housing part and various housing covers and inserted contact sockets and / or contact socket groups, in which a plug and replace individual pins without additional tools can be performed, creating a variety of connection options are given, eg. B. arrangement of the contact sockets one, two or more rows parallel up and / or down. The upper housing part is provided with individual installation spaces, which have a square base with a circular recess for the actual contact socket and slot-shaped recesses are mounted between the square base surfaces of the installation spaces both in the longitudinal and in the transverse direction, in which webs or ribs of the housing cover intervene, which are integrally connected to the housing cover or optionally formed as a separate cutting discs.

The present invention has for its object to provide a system for connecting electrical conductors with mutually different potentials, in which a high degree of flexibility of the electrical connections while reducing the space required is possible.

This object is achieved by a system having the features of claim 1 and with a plug-in adapter according to claim 7. The subclaims relate to advantageous developments of the invention.

A significant advantage of the system according to the invention is, in particular, that due to the cross arrangement of the jumpers, a high degree of flexibility of the electrical connections is made possible while at the same time requiring less space.

In the system according to the invention it is provided that the jumpers and the electrical terminals are designed coordinated with each other that the Jumpers from identical endless jumpers can be produced. In this way it is possible to reduce the number of mutually different components and to simplify the production and storage. For example, it is possible to dimension the distance between the individual plug receptacles of the individual electrical terminals relative to one another and relative to the housing of the electrical terminals such that the distance between the individual plug receptacles of an electrical terminal and the plug receptacles of two adjacent electrical terminals substantially corresponds the design of the jumper or the endless jumper be tuned to this uniform level, so that a kind of jumper or Endlossteckbrücke both for cross-bridging, ie for electrical connections of receptacles of an electrical terminal, as well as for longitudinal bridging, ie for electrical connections of plug-in receptacles can be used indirectly or directly adjacent electrical terminals.

The jumpers can then be separated depending on the application of the endless jumper, so that from a single endless jumper a variety of different individual jumpers can be produced. The separation can be done in a manner known to those skilled in the art, for example by bending the endless jumper at predetermined breaking points or by cutting off. In order to improve the flexibility even further, it is conceivable that in the case of the abovementioned endless plug-in bridge, the plug-in contacts are additionally designed to be separable.

Another advantageous embodiment provides that at least two plug receptacles of at least one of the electrical terminals electrically conductive with an electrical Contact means of this electrical terminal are connected. This makes it possible to easily connect the two plug-in receptacles with the same electrical potential.

A further advantageous embodiment provides that the number of plug receptacles is selected at least one of the electrical terminals in dependence on the number of electrical potentials to be connected to the system. In this way it is possible to tap each of the electrical potentials connected to the electrical terminal via jumpers. It is particularly advantageous if the number of plug-in receptacles of all the electrical terminals used for the system is selected as a function of the number of electrical potentials to be connected to the system, in particular if each electrical terminal has at least one, in particular two plug receptacles, per electrical potential.

A particularly advantageous development provides that the plug contacts of the jumpers have a square or a circular cross-section. This ensures that the force required for the insertion of the jumpers in the receptacles of the electrical terminals regardless of the direction of insertion of the jumpers, that is, regardless of whether the jumper is used for cross-bridging or for longitudinal bridging, is the same size.

In principle, it is conceivable that the jumpers of the system are plugged directly into the receptacles of the electrical terminals. Conveniently, it is provided that in the assembled state of the system between the electrical terminals and the jumpers a plug-in adapter is arranged.

An advantageous development of the aforementioned embodiment provides that the jumpers and the plug-in adapter have mutually corresponding locking means, which form a latching connection in the mounted state of the system. In this way, a detachable connection is realized by simple means. On the other hand, this ensures a defined orientation of the jumpers to the plug adapter.

Basically, the plug-in adapter for a system according to the invention by type, material, dimensioning and arrangement to the rest of the system within wide suitable limits selectable. A particularly advantageous development provides that the plug-in adapter has a base plate with a hole pattern, wherein the hole pattern in the assembled state of the system is substantially congruent with the plug-in receptacles of juxtaposed electrical terminals. As a result, ensures a clear assignment of the individual holes in the plug adapter for insertion of the jumpers to the plug-in receptacles in the electrical terminals of the system.

In a particularly advantageous development of the plug-in adapter is designed such that it can be produced from an endless plug adapter. In this way, the production cost is reduced and simplifies storage. The plug-in adapter can then be separated depending on the application of the endless plug adapter, so that from a single endless plug adapter a plurality of mutually different individual plug adapters can be produced. The separation can be carried out in a manner known to the person skilled in the art, for example by bending the endless plug adapter at predetermined breaking points or by cutting off.

An advantageous development of the plug-in adapter provides that this has on the in the assembled state of the system the jumpers facing side of the base plate first ribs, wherein the first ribs extending in the direction of arrangement of juxtaposed electrical terminals. By the first ribs on the one hand, the jumpers are guided when plugged into the plug-in adapter, so that the electrical contact between the plug contacts and the electrical terminals is ensured when inserting the plug contacts of the jumpers in the plug-in receptacles. If the plug-in adapter or at least its first ribs are made of an electrical insulating material, thereby the required electrical creepage distance and thus the required tracking resistance of the plug-in adapter can be realized in a particularly simple manner. On the other hand, it is conceivable that the height of the first ribs is selected from the base plate such that this defines a predetermined insertion depth of the plug contacts in the receptacles of the electrical terminals.

A particularly advantageous development of the aforementioned embodiment provides that the first ribs comprise two groups of ribs of different heights, wherein in the assembled state of the system, the higher ribs are arranged between plug-in receptacles, which are electrically connected to each other different potentials and the lower ribs between Plug receptacles are arranged, which are electrically connected to the same potentials. In this way, on the one hand ensures the required high creep resistance between plug-in receptacles of different electrical potentials and on the other hand simplifies the assembly and disassembly of the individual jumpers on and from the plug-in adapter. For example, the individual jumpers can be gripped by the lower ribs of a user at the headboard. On the other hand, it is thereby possible to pull the jumpers by means of a screwdriver or the like over the headstock in a manner known to those skilled in the art. For this purpose, the head webs, for example, engagement grooves.

Another advantageous development of the plug-in adapter with first ribs provides that it has second ribs on the side of the base plate facing the electrical terminals in the installed state of the system, the second ribs extending in the arrangement direction of the electrical terminals arranged next to one another. If the plug-in adapter or at least the second ribs are made of an insulating material, this further improves the creep resistance of the plug-in adapter.

In principle, it is conceivable that the plug-in adapter is placed loosely on or in a receptacle formed by the juxtaposed electrical terminals of the system and is held solely by the plug-in bridges inserted into the plug-in adapter and the plug-in receptacles of the electrical terminals. Advantageously, the plug-in adapter in the assembled state of the system is releasably secured by means of a latching connection to the juxtaposed electrical terminals.

As a result, in particular the mounting of the jumpers on the plug adapter and thus to the electrical terminals is simplified.

Fig. 1

ein erstes Ausführungsbeispiel des erfindungsgemäßen Systems im montierten Zustand und in einer perspektivischen, teilweise geschnittenen Ansicht,

Fig. 2

das Ausführungsbeispiel aus Fig. 1 in einer Detailansicht im Bereich des Steckadapters,

Fig. 3

ein zweites Ausführungsbeispiel des erfindungsgemäßen Systems im montierten Zustand und in einer perspektivischen Detailansicht im Bereich des Steckadapters,

Fig. 4

das zweite Ausführungsbeispiel in einer Vorderansicht,

Fig. 5

das zweite Ausführungsbeispiel in einer zur Fig. 3 analogen Ansicht, jedoch ohne elektrische Klemme und

Fig. 6

das zweite Ausführungsbeispiel gemäß Fig. 5 in einer Vorderansicht.

Reference to the accompanying, rough schematic drawings, the invention will be explained in more detail below. Showing:

Fig. 1

A first embodiment of the system according to the invention in the assembled state and in a perspective, partially sectioned view,

Fig. 2

the embodiment Fig. 1 in a detailed view in the area of the plug-in adapter,

Fig. 3

A second embodiment of the system according to the invention in the assembled state and in a perspective detail view in the region of the plug-in adapter,

Fig. 4

the second embodiment in a front view,

Fig. 5

the second embodiment in a for Fig. 3 analog view, but without electrical terminal and

Fig. 6

the second embodiment according to Fig. 5 in a front view.

In Fig. 1 a first embodiment of a system according to the invention is shown. The system for connecting electrical conductors with mutually different potentials has here juxtaposed designed as basic terminals 2 electrical terminals, in the present embodiment, a total of five basic terminals 2 are arranged side by side in the arrangement direction. The arrangement direction is in Fig. 1 symbolized as a double arrow 4. Basically, the skilled person, depending on the application, however, free in the number of juxtaposed Basic clamps 2. For this purpose, the basic clamps 2 can be pushed onto a mounting rail (not shown) in the arrangement direction 4 in a manner known per se and have, inter alia, two plug-in contact fields 6 each. The plug-in contact fields 6 here have four plug contacts 8, wherein the plug contacts 8 of a plug-in contact field 6 are occupied with mutually different electrical potentials.

On four of the basic terminals 2 are designed here as jumper terminals 10 electrical terminals in the manner known to those skilled snapped. How out Fig. 1 shows, the jumper terminals 10 are arranged side by side in the arrangement direction 4. The Rangierklemmen 10 explained in more detail below in Fig. 1 not shown plug-in receptacles 12, are plugged into the jumpers 14.

Between the jumpers 14 and the jumper terminals 10, a plug-in adapter 16 is arranged here. The jumpers 14 each have at least two interconnected via a headpiece 14.1 and plug-in receptacles 12 plug-in contacts 14.2, which in Fig. 2 are shown in more detail. In the headpiece 14.1, an engagement groove 14.1.1 is formed for easier handling of the jumper 14.

The jumpers 14 and the jumper terminals 10 are formed so matched to each other that a jumper 14 in plug-in receptacles 12 of the same jumper terminal 10 and the other jumper 14 are crosswise plug-in receptacles 12 of two indirectly or immediately juxtaposed jumper terminals 10 can be inserted. See also Fig. 1 and 2 ,

As from the synopsis of Fig. 1 and 2 As can be seen, the jumpers 14 and the jumper terminals 10 are designed coordinated with each other so that the jumpers 14 are made of identical endless jumpers. The Endlossteckbrücke is here formed of an elongated head land on which plug contacts are arranged at regular intervals. The head bar and the plug contacts of the endless jumper are here formed from an electrically conductive metal, which in the region of the top land with an insulating material, here plastic surrounded is. See also in particular the Fig. 2 , The not explicitly shown Endlossteckbrücke would be similar to in Fig. 2 illustrated jumper 14, in the sheet plane extending from left to right, formed, with the endless jumper in contrast to the illustrated jumper 14 in the leaf level to the left and right, as explained above, would continue the same.

How out Fig. 2 shows, at least two plug receptacles 12 at least one of the jumper terminals 10 are electrically connected to an electrical contact means 18 of this jumper terminal 10. As already explained above, the jumper terminals 10 are plugged in the present embodiment to the basic terminals 2, wherein the electrical contact means 18 each get in electrical connection with the plug contacts 8 of the corresponding plug contact field 6. Here, two plug receptacles 12 each jumper terminal 10 are each electrically connected to one of the electrical contact means 18, wherein these are each connected via the plug contacts 8 with different electrical potentials from each other.

Thus, the number of receptacles 12 is selected at least one of the jumper terminals 10 here in dependence on the number of electrical potentials to be connected to the system, namely per electrical potential two plug receptacles 12 are provided per jumper terminal 10.

To ensure one of the selected Brückungsart, ie longitudinal bridging or transverse bridging, independent, always the same effort for the insertion of the jumpers 14, the cross sections of the plug contacts 14.2 of the endless jumper and thus the jumpers 14 used here are square. Alternatively, for example, a circular cross section would be conceivable.

The plug-in adapter 16 of the present exemplary embodiment has a base plate 16.1 with a hole pattern, so that a type of hole matrix results in the base plate 16.1. The hole pattern is in the mounted state of the system shown in the figures essentially congruent with the plug receptacles 12 of the side-by-side jumper terminals 10.

Similar to the jumpers 14 are made of an endless jumper, the plug-in adapter 16 used here is also made of an endless plug adapter, wherein the endless plug adapter as a longitudinal profile with the out Fig. 2 apparent cross section of the plug-in adapter 16 is formed. The endless plug adapter can then be cut to the required length according to the particular application. For example, predetermined breaking points or the like may be provided for this purpose.

As further out Fig. 1 and 2 it can be seen, the plug-in adapter 16 on the in the assembled state of the system the jumper 14 facing side of the base plate 16.1 first ribs 16.2 and 16.3, wherein the first ribs 16.2 and 16.3 in the arrangement direction 4 of the side-by-side jumper terminals 10 extend. The entire plug-in adapter 16, so both the base plate 16.1 as well as the first ribs 16.2 and 16.3 are made here of an insulating material, such as a plastic.

The first ribs 16.2 and 16.3 comprise two groups of ribs of different height, wherein in the mounted state of the system, the higher first ribs 16.2 are arranged between plug receptacles 12 which are electrically connected to each other different potentials, and the lower first ribs 16.3 between plug receptacles 12 are arranged, which are electrically connected to the same potentials. This has the advantage that on the one hand a sufficient tracking resistance is realized. On the other hand, provide, based on the base plate 16.1, higher first ribs 16.2 for a predetermined and defined insertion length of the plug contacts 14.2 of the jumper used for bridging 14 in the receptacles 12, as these jumpers 14 with the head bars 14.2 on the tops of the higher first Ribs 16.2 come to rest. In addition, the lower first ribs 16.3 enable the simplified assembly and disassembly of the jumper bridges 14 used for longitudinal bridging. As already explained above, the holding web 14.1 of the plug-in bridges 14 has an engagement groove 14.1.1. In the Engagement groove 14.1.1, a screwdriver or the like can be inserted to pull these jumpers 14 in the art known manner. Furthermore, the engagement groove 14.1.1 facilitates the handling of each jumper 14, regardless of their use and arrangement.

For releasable fixation of the plug-in adapter 16 is releasably secured in the assembled state of the system by means of a latching connection to the shunting jumpers 10 arranged side by side. For this purpose, latching grooves 10.1 and latching regions 16.4 are formed on the plug-in adapter 10, respectively. See in particular Fig. 2 ,

In the Fig. 3 to 6 a second embodiment of the system according to the invention is shown, wherein the same or corresponding components are provided with the same reference numerals. In the following, only the differences from the first embodiment will be explained. Otherwise, with respect to the second embodiment, reference is hereby made to the comments on the first embodiment.

Fig. 3 shows the second embodiment in a similar representation as Fig. 1 the first embodiment shows. For the sake of clarity, Fig. 3 the basic terminals 2 left off. How out Fig. 3 clearly shows, there is a significant difference to the first embodiment is that the plug-in adapter 16 here in addition to the first ribs 16.2 in the illustrated assembled state of the system on the shunting 10 facing side of the base plate 16.1 second ribs 16.5, wherein the second ribs 16.5 in Arrangement direction 4 of the side-by-side jumper terminals 10 run. As a result, the tracking resistance is further improved. All second ribs 16.5 extend with respect to the base plate 16.1 the same distance in the direction of jumper 10th

Another difference is that the first ribs 16.2 in this embodiment extend all the same distance in the direction of the jumpers 14. In addition, the plug-in adapter 16 is here only in a side by side arranged Rangierklemmen 10 formed receptacle and is not releasably held on a latching connection. The fixation of the plug-in adapter 16 takes place here alone via the plug-in adapter 16 and the plug-in receptacles 12 inserted plug contacts 14.2 of the jumpers fourteenth

As in particular from the Fig. 3 and 5 It is apparent in the system according to the invention, it is possible to insert a plurality of jumpers 14 cross over the plug-in adapter 16 in the receptacles 12 of the jumper terminals 10. This applies regardless of the embodiment. Here, the jumpers 14 used for longitudinal bridging are inserted below the jumpers 14 used for transverse bridging in the plug-in adapter 16 and the plug-in receptacles 12. The desired and predetermined insertion depth of the jumpers used for longitudinal bridging 14 can be defined as in the first embodiment by the thickness of the base plate 16.1 or as in the second embodiment by the base plate 16.1 in conjunction with the second ribs 16.5.

In the figures, it can be clearly seen how the jumpers 14 used have been made from an endless jumper. By cutting the endless jumper to the respective jumper 14, the metal cores 14.1.2 of the head webs 14.1 can be seen in the figures.

The invention is not limited to the illustrated embodiments. For example, the system according to the invention can advantageously also be used with other electrical terminals, such as, for example, electrical terminals designed as basic terminals. Also, the jumpers 14 and the plug-in adapter 16 may have mutually corresponding locking means which form a latching connection in the assembled state of the system. Furthermore, the production of the jumpers and plug adapters is not limited to the described manufacturing method. In addition, the materials, dimensions and arrangements mentioned are purely exemplary. The person skilled in the art will use the most suitable production methods, materials, dimensions and arrangements depending on the application.

Finally, it should be noted that the described system for connecting electrical conductors on the one hand, as described, may include jumper terminals 10 and 2 basic terminals. In this embodiment, the plug receptacles 12 and the electrical contact means 18 are part of the jumper terminal 10th

In an alternative, not shown embodiment can be provided that the plug-in receptacles and the electrical contact means are components of the basic terminals. This embodiment has the advantage that no jumper terminals are needed, so the system consists of fewer items and the user does not have to put on the basic terminal a jumper to create Rangiermöglichkeiten. In addition, this alternative embodiment of the system has the advantage that the contact resistance between the plug contacts and their associated electrical contact means are substantially lower than when the user connects the electrical contact means with the plug contacts. This is due in particular to the fact that the plug-in receptacles and the electrical contact means are already electrically connected in the basic terminal. This prevents foreign substances such as dust, soot or the like from forming on the plug contacts or on electrical contact means when the basic terminal is used in rough surroundings, which can prevent good electrical contact between the plug contacts and the electrical contact means. A particularly low contact resistance is achieved in the alternative embodiment of the system when the plug contact and the corresponding electrical contact means are made in one piece, because then no contact points are present between the plug contact and the electrical contact means. This reduces the contact resistance in the system.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

2

ground chuck

4

arrangement direction

6

Plug contact field of the basic terminal 2

8th

Plug contact of the plug-in contact field 6

10

jumper terminal

10.1

locking groove

12

plug-in receptacle

14

jumper

14.1

head web

14.1.1

engagement

14.1.2

metal core

14.2

plug contact

16

plug-in adapter

16.1

baseplate

16.2

Higher first rib

16.3

Lower first rib

16.4

Rest area

16.5

Second rib

18

Electrical contact agent

Claims (12)

1. A system for connecting electrical conductors with potentials which differ from one another, consisting of:

   at least two electrical terminals (10) which are located next to one another with plug-in receptacles (12) and

   at least two plug-in jumpers (14), each of which has at least two plug-in contacts (14.2) which are connected to one another via a head web (14.1) and are insertable into the plug-in receptacles (12),

   wherein the plug-in jumpers (14) and the electrical terminals (10) are matched to one another such that one plug-in jumper (14) is insertable into plug-in receptacles (12) of the same electrical terminal (10) and the other plug-in jumper (14) is insertable crosswise into plug-in receptacles (12) of two electrical terminals (10) which are located directly or indirectly next to one another,

   characterised in that

   the plug-in jumpers (14) and the electrical terminals (10) are matched to one another such that the distance between the individual plug-in receptacles (12) of one electrical terminal (10) and the plug-in receptacles (12) of two adjacent electrical terminals (10) correspond substantially to one another and the plug-in jumpers (14) can be produced from identical endless plug-in jumpers that are adapted to this uniform measure.
2. The system according to claim 1,
   characterised in that
   at least two plug-in receptacles (12) of at least one of the electrical terminals (10) are electrically conductively connected to an electrical contact means (18) of this electrical terminal (10).
3. The system according to either one of claims 1 or 2,
   characterised in that
   the number of plug-in receptacles (12) of at least one of the electrical terminals (10) is selected depending on the number of electrical potentials which are to be connected to the system.
4. The system according to any one of the preceding claims,
   characterised in that
   the plug-in contacts (14.2) of the plug-in jumpers (14) have a square or a round cross-section.
5. The system according to any one of the preceding claims,
   characterised in that
   a plug-in adapter (16) is disposed between the electrical terminals (10) and the plug-in jumpers (14) in the assembled state of the system.
6. The system according to claim 5,
   characterised in that
   the plug-in jumpers (14) and the plug-in adapter (16) have detent means which correspond to one another and which form a detent connection in the assembled state of the system.
7. A plug-in adapter (16) for a system according to claim 5 or 6 for placement on at least two electrical terminals (10) which are located next to one another with plug-in receptacles (12), wherein the distance between the individual plug-in receptacles (12) of one electrical terminal (10) and the plug-in receptacles (12) of two adjacent electrical terminals (10) correspond substantially to one another,
   characterised in that
   the plug-in adapter (16) has a base plate (16.1) with a hole pattern, wherein in the assembled state of the system the hole pattern is substantially congruent with the plug-in receptacles (12) of the electrical terminals (10) located next to one another, wherein the distance between the individual holes corresponding to the individual plug-in receptacles (12) of one electrical terminal (10) and the plug-in receptacles (12) of two adjacent electrical terminals (10) correspond substantially to one another.
8. The plug-in adapter (16) according to claim 7,
   characterised in that
   the plug-in adapter (16) is designed in such a way that it can be produced from an endless plug-in adapter.
9. The plug-in adapter (16) according to either one of claims 7 or 8,
   characterised in that
   the side of the base plate (16.1) of the plug-in adapter (16) facing the plug-in jumpers (14) in the assembled state of the system has first ribs (16.2, 16.3), wherein the first ribs (16.2, 16.3) run in an arrangement direction (4) of the electrical terminals (10) which are located next to one another.
10. The plug-in adapter (16) according to claim 9,
    characterised in that
    the first ribs (16.2, 16.3) comprise two groups of ribs of different height, wherein
    in the assembled state of the system the higher of said ribs (16.2) are located between plug-in receptacles (12) which are electrically connected with potentials which differ from one another, and the lower of said ribs (16.3) are located between plug-in receptacles (12) which are electrically connected with the same potentials.
11. The plug-in adapter (16) according to either one of claims 9 or 10,
    characterised in that
    the side of the base plate (16.1) of the plug-in adapter (16) facing the electrical terminals (10) in the assembled state of the system has second ribs (16.5), wherein the second ribs (16.5) run in an arrangement direction (4) of the electrical terminals (10) which are located next to one another.
12. The plug-in adapter (16) according to any one of claims 7 to 11,
    characterised in that
    the plug-in adapter (16) in the assembled state of the system is detachably fastened by means of a detent connection (10.1, 16.4) to the electrical terminals (10) located next to one another.

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