EP2581992B1 - Electric plug connector - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to an electrical connection terminal, suitable for use at higher, about the temperatures required for a fire protection application, comprising an electrical connection part for holding together to be connected electrical conductors by a terminal closure, and the temperature requirements sufficient, the connection part enclosing coat.

For many applications, electrical connection terminals are required for connecting electrical conductors with each other, which must withstand certain temperature stresses. These temperature stresses may be those caused by the operation of an electrical load, such as a lamp. In addition, such connection terminals are used so that electrical installations, such as building installations meet the fire protection requirements. According to the fire protection requirements, it is necessary that certain electrical installations, such as communication installations must remain functional even in case of fire, at least for a certain period of time. These requirements are met by ceramic terminals, which are often used as terminal blocks, sitting on a mounting rail. These terminals are luster terminals with a ceramic housing, which surrounds a tubular profile of an electrically conductive material as an electrical connection part. In this electrical connection part one or two threaded holes are introduced. There are clamping screws in these. The ends of electrical conductors to be joined together are clamped by means of clamping screws in the tubular profile and are thus held by a terminal closure in the electrical connection part.

In these electrical connection terminals, the ceramic housing forms the coat sufficient for the temperature requirements. This jacket also forms the electrical insulation to the outside and in the formation of the connection terminal as a terminal block the insulation between adjacent poles.

Such electrical connection terminals satisfy the requirements placed on a fire protection application. However, the effort to connect electrical conductors is not inconsiderable, especially when a plurality of conductors are to be connected together within a junction box. However, this is just typical for connections of communication installations.

The WO 01/09990 shows a method of making a connection to an electrical cable. Here, an outer sheath of the cable is removed in a section and stripped the individual wires of the cable. Subsequently, these are conductively connected to a plug part. The compound thus created is placed in a mold and encapsulated overall with a plastic material to form an insulating plug housing. In particular, the sheath of the cable and the connector housing may be made of a refractory or fire-retardant material. The plug part can be accommodated in a ceramic insert, which is poured into the overall plastic material in the mold.

The JP 2009/218141 discloses an electrical connection terminal intended to provide improved protection against withdrawal of an inserted electrical conductor. The clamp comprises a housing body and a cover part closing the latter, which has openings for introducing conductors. In the housing body, a metallic fitting is installed, which has a front wall, a bottom plate and a rear wall. On the front and the rear wall spring terminals are formed, which are deflected when inserting a conductor and clamp it so. Fire safety of the connection terminal is not referred to.

The document EP 2 263 757 A1 discloses an electrical connection terminal according to the preamble of claim 1.

( Continue: page 2, line 9 of the original documents)

Based on this discussed prior art, the invention is therefore the object of developing an electrical connection terminal of the type mentioned in such a way that it not only withstand the requirements for use at higher temperatures, especially those required for a fire protection applications, but that in this Above all, the effort to create an electrical connection between two electrical conductors is simplified.

This object is achieved according to the invention by an electrical connection terminal mentioned above, in which the electrical connection part is designed as a spring clamp and sitting in a plastic housing, which plastic housing is positively arranged in the shell of a temperature-resistant material, wherein the electrical connection part with its plastic housing of the temperature-resistant Sheath is framed such that the electrical connection part is held captive even in the jacket when the plastic housing is destroyed or burned due to a temperature effect.

In this electrical connection terminal, the electrical connection part is designed as a spring-type terminal, often also addressed as a plug-in terminal. Thus, the connection of an electrical conductor to this electrical connection part takes place without tools, namely solely by inserting the stripped conductor end. This electrical connection part is seated in a plastic housing, through which the spring-loaded terminal is typically also electrically isolated at the same time. A special feature of the claimed connection terminal is that the plastic housing, which includes the electrical connection part, is arranged in a form-fitting manner in the temperature-resistant jacket, for example a ceramic shell. The arrangement of the spring clamp with its plastic housing in the temperature-resistant jacket is designed such that the electrical connection part is also held captive in the jacket when the plastic part surrounding the connecting part destroyed or - as in a fire the rule - burned after a certain time of the fire and therefore no longer available is. Thus, even in a fire, the electrically conductive components are sufficiently isolated, so that in several cases installed in a junction box connection terminals in such a case, the risk of short circuit is effectively avoided. Similarly, such a connection terminal can be used even if the risk of damage, destruction or a change in the material condition of a plastic housing within the environment of the arrangement of the connection terminal can not be excluded, as is the case, for example, when used in areas of higher temperature environment. In such a case, the plastic housing, which becomes brittle due to the effect of temperature, remains between the electrical connection part and the temperature-resistant sheath, held by the sheath, and effectively forms the electrical insulator even in the case of such a state change.

Particularly useful in such an electrical connection terminal is that for the production of the claimed connection terminal commercial spring terminals (plug-in terminals) can be used to which the temperature-resistant jacket is attached. This is done in accordance with a preferred embodiment by encapsulating such a spring clamp with the intended for the formation of the temperature-resistant shell material, such as a ceramic material. It is understood that in the course of this casting process at least one conductor receptacle of the housing remains free. The same applies to the rear of the conductor mounting side opposite back mostly test openings. Since such spring-type terminals are mass-produced especially in a multi-pole design, they form a cost-effective starting product from which the above-described connection terminals can be made.

In the above-described concept of the electrical connection terminal, the fact that it is used to maintain the functionality an electrical installation in a fire over the desired period of time is not required that the insulation must meet the requirements placed on a contact protection requirements. In this respect, the design of this electrical connection clamp has ignored a prejudice prevalent in the industry. This is based on the consideration that in case of fire, if by burning the junction box and the plastic housing of the electrical connection part is no longer present, due to the prevailing at this point high temperatures anyway no person is present.

According to one embodiment, it is provided that, as part of the jacket of the connecting terminal, a latch is provided on the conductor mounting side of the spring-loaded terminal, which extends transversely to the row of the poles and is integrally formed on the opposite side walls of the jacket. By this bolt is ensured in the event of loss of the plastic housing, that the electrical connection part can not get out of the temperature-resistant jacket. According to a development of this embodiment, the bolt has an extension which projects into a conductor receptacle of the plastic housing. This extension can extend to the pole associated with this spring terminal. Then the spring clamp sits on the bolt and is held by this measure quasi immovable in the jacket even when the plastic housing is no longer available. Such a configuration lends itself to a multi-pole spring-type terminal, wherein one of the poles is no longer usable by the bolt for the electrical connection. It is understood that in such a configuration, a plurality of bars can be provided. If only such a bolt is provided, it is advisable to arrange this centered or mittignah with respect to the ranking of the poles.

As a material for producing the temperature-resistant shell, in particular, a ceramic material is suitable, and also because of its property to be brought into shape by casting can. Consequently, in such an embodiment, the typically multi-pole spring-loaded terminal for forming the temperature-resistant shell of ceramic material can be encapsulated, which then surrounds the plastic housing hardens around.

If desired, one or more connecting members may be formed on the temperature-resistant jacket of the connecting terminal. These may serve the purpose of connecting individual connection terminals of this type with each other and / or fix them in a junction box. The design of the connecting members as part of the temperature-resistant shell has the consequence that even in a region of higher temperature, such as in a fire, the mechanical connection of the spring clamps is maintained with each other. This requires in such links, which are connected to an additional link that this also meets the temperature requirements. For example, the connecting members may be projections formed on the jacket with an opening. Depending on the configuration of the same and of the extension, the opening may, for example, engage a screw, a pin or a clamp for producing the connection.

Fig. 1:

eine perspektivische Ansicht einer elektrischen Verbindungsklemme mit Blick auf die Leitermontageseite,

Fig. 2:

eine perspektivische Ansicht der Verbindungsklemme der Figur 1 auf die der Leitermontageseite gegenüberliegende Seite,

Fig. 3:

einen Längsschnitt durch die Verbindungsklemme der Figuren 1 und 2,

Fig. 4:

einen Querschnitt durch den Mantel der Verbindungsklemme der Figuren 1 bis 3,

Fig. 5:

eine schematisierte Seitenansicht von zwei miteinander verbundenen Verbindungsklemmen gemäß einer ersten Weiterbildung und

Fig. 6:

eine Seitenansicht von zwei weiteren, miteinander verbundenen Verbindungsklemmen gemäß einer weiteren Weiterbildung.

The invention is described below with reference to exemplary embodiments with reference to the attached figures, from which embodiments further advantages and embodiments of the invention result. Show it:

Fig . 1:

a perspective view of an electrical connection terminal with a view of the conductor mounting side,

Fig. 2:

a perspective view of the connection terminal of FIG. 1 on the side opposite the ladder mounting side,

3:

a longitudinal section through the connecting terminal of Figures 1 and 2 .

4:

a cross section through the jacket of the connecting terminal of FIGS. 1 to 3 .

Fig. 5:

a schematic side view of two interconnected Connecting terminals according to a first embodiment and

Fig. 6:

a side view of two further, interconnected connection terminals according to another embodiment.

An electrical connection terminal 1 comprises a heat-resistant ceramic jacket 2. The jacket 2 is made of a ceramic material which is not only heat-resistant but also has electrically insulating properties. Enclosed in the shell 2 is a commercial spring cage terminal 3, which is designed in the illustrated embodiment 5-pin. FIG. 1 shows the connection terminal 1 with respect to its conductor mounting side 4. The conductor mounting side 4 is the side at which electrical conductors are inserted into the connection terminal 1 with its stripped end for the purpose of contacting. Therefore, the conductor mounting side 4 is open with respect to the spring clamp 3 disposed in the sheath 2. Consequently, at least some of the five conductor receptacles of the spring-loaded terminal 3 are accessible and not covered by the jacket 2. Towards the conductor mounting side 4 toward the side walls of the shell 2 overhang the relevant conclusion of the spring clamp 3. Between these on this side of the conclusion of the spring clamp 3 projecting side walls a latch 5 is arranged. The latch 5 traverses the conductor mounting side 4 of the spring-loaded terminal 3 and is arranged in the region of the middle conductor receptacle of the spring-loaded terminal 3. This middle pole is therefore no longer accessible for electrical contact. The connection terminal 1 can therefore be used as a 4-pin connection terminal.

The spring-loaded terminal 3 is a commercially available terminal, also referred to as a plug-in terminal. This comprises a clamping rail made of conductive metal, each pole being associated with a spring clip. For this reason, the four usable poles of the connection terminal 1 are assigned one and the same electrical conductor and can therefore be referred to in principle as connection points. Nonetheless, as is customary in common usage, these will continue to be referred to below as poles.

In the opposite side of the conductor mounting side 4 6 7 is introduced into the ceramic shell 2, an opening. Through the opening 7 or the Prüfzugänge the spring clamp 3 are accessible.

The structure of the spring clamp 1 is clear from the longitudinal section of FIG. 3 , The spring clamp 3 comprises as electrical connection part a clamping rail 8, which is constructed in the illustrated embodiment, as described above, 5-pin. For this reason, each pole has a spring terminal 9. The clamping rail 8 with its spring terminals 9 is inserted into a plastic housing 10. The plastic housing 10 is made in two parts in the illustrated embodiment and comprises a first housing part 11 as a receptacle for the clamping rail 8 and a second Housing part 12 which fixes the inserted in the first housing part 11 clamping rail 8 therein in the manner of a closure body. The plastic housing 10 has electrically insulating properties, as is the case for commercially available spring-type terminals. Enclosed is this spring clamp 3 in the ceramic shell 2. From the longitudinal section of FIG. 3 clearly shows the arrangement of the bolt 5 can be seen that crosses the conductor mounting side 4 transverse to the order of the poles. In the illustrated embodiment, the ceramic shell 2 is a casting that has been cast around the spring clamp 3 around. In this case, a mold has been used, through which the openings remain in the conductor mounting side 4, or the latch 5 is formed. The side walls of the ceramic shell 2 are inclined at a small angle to each other in the direction of the back 6, which slope serves as a draft angle. The presentation of the FIG. 3 makes it clear that the electrical connection terminal 1 can be used as a 4-pin plug-in terminal.

In an enlarged view of the ceramic shell 2 in FIG. 4 shown. From this representation, it can be seen that the bolt 5 carries an extension F, which projects into the conductor receptacle of the housing 10 of the spring-loaded terminal 3 in the middle pole. This has an additional positional fixation between spring clamp 3 and ceramic shell 2 result.

The description of the ceramic shell 2, in particular as this the spring clamp 3, it is clear that the spring-loaded terminal 3 is held in a form-fitting manner therein. In this case, the bolt 5 with its extension 6 serves the purpose that the arranged in the plastic housing 10 clamping rail 8 is still form-fitting inside the chamber formed by the ceramic shell 2, when the plastic housing 10 is no longer available. In a fire, it is to be expected that the plastic housing 10 is already burned or melted away after a few minutes. The clamping rail 8 remains made of metal with its spring terminals 9. In such a state of the connection terminal 1, the electrically conductive clamping rail 8 is still taken captive in the ceramic shell 2 with their spring terminals 9. This means that even in the case of fire, in which the electrically insulating plastic housing 10 has been destroyed, the electrical conductors are still not exposed, whereby a risk of short circuit is effectively avoided.

Since in the connection terminal 1, a commercially available spring terminal 3 is used with a clamping rail 8 as an electrical connection part, the connection of electrical conductors is without tools and readily feasible. Finally, the stripped conductor ends - whether cables or wires - must only be inserted into the conductor receptacles of the connection terminal 1 and inserted into the respective spring terminal 9. These act under bias standing on the inserted conductor end, in the manner of a barb, wherein the force acting on the respective conductor clamping force increases at a voltage applied to the conductor mechanical tension.

In the embodiment described above, the ceramic shell 2 has been created by means of a casting. This manufacturing method lends itself to, if desired, to form the ceramic shell 2 connecting members. Such links may serve the purpose of interconnecting individual connection terminals. This can take place in the transverse direction and / or also in the longitudinal direction thereof.

FIG. 5 shows in a first embodiment, a connection terminal 1.1, at its opposite transverse sides of the ceramic shell 2 each carries a connection extension 13, 13.1 as a link. The connection extensions 13, 13.1 each have an opening 14 or 14.1. The connection extensions 13, 13.1 are arranged point-symmetrically with respect to the connection terminal 1.1. This means that the connection extension 13 is formed in the illustrated embodiment in the alignment of the back 6 to the ceramic shell 2.1 and extends to the middle of the height of the shell 2.1, while the connection extension 13.1 is provided with its one side in alignment with the conductor mounting side 4 and also extends with respect to the height to the center of the ceramic shell 2.1. In this way, as in FIG. 5 shown, several such connection terminals 1.1 are queued to each other. To fix the connection terminals 1.1 with each other is a metal pin 15. Since this is fire resistant, the mechanical juxtaposition of the connection terminals 1.1 is maintained even in case of fire.

FIG. 6 shows two more, interconnected connection terminals 1.2. These each have an over the entire height extending connection extension 13.2 and 13.3. Also introduced is an opening 14.2, 14.3 in the connection extensions 13.2, 13.3. Two such, with their transverse sides adjacent connection terminals 1.2 can, as in FIG. 6 shown to be held together with a connection clip 16. The connecting bracket 16 is made of metal, which is why this connection is maintained in case of fire.

The same or other connecting links can also carry such a connecting terminal or only on its longitudinal walls, so that a multiplicity of such connecting terminals can be connected to one another. Since, in principle, such connection terminals only need to be accessible from one side, the space available in a connection box can be largely completely utilized by such interconnected connection terminals.

The invention has been described with reference to the figures with reference to a 4-pole insertable connection terminal. It is understood that in the same way spring terminals with a different number of poles sheathed with a ceramic sheath as connecting terminals, suitable for a higher, about the temperatures required for a fire protection application can be used. Similarly, it is possible to arrange several or even a plurality of commercially available spring-type terminals in a casting mold, in order subsequently to accommodate them in a common ceramic jacket.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1, 1.1, 1.2

connecting terminal

2, 2.1

ceramic shell

3

Spring terminal

4

Head mounting side

5

bars

6

back

7

perforation

8th

clamping rail

9

spring clip

10

casing

11

first housing part

12

second housing part

13, 13.1, 13.2, 13.3

Connecting projection

14, 14.1, 14.2, 14.3

perforation

15

metal pin

16

brace

F

extension

Claims (9)

1. Electric plug connector, for use at higher temperatures, such as those required for use in fire protection applications, comprising an electrical connection part (3) for the holding of electric conductors to be connected to one another by means of a connector terminal and a casing (2, 2.1) suitable for the temperature requirements, retaining the connection part (3), wherein the electrical connection part (3) is configured as a spring-loaded terminal, characterised in that the electrical connection part (3) is located in a plastic housing (10), said plastic housing (10) being arranged in a positive fit in the casing (2, 2.1) and made of a temperature-resistant material, wherein the electrical connection part (3) with its plastic housing (10) is retained by the temperature-resistant casing (2, 2.1) in such a way that the electrical connection part (3) is held in the casing (2, 2.1) in such a way that it cannot be lost, even if the plastic housing (10) is destroyed or burnt due to the effect of temperature.
2. Plug connector according to claim 1, characterised in that the electrical connection part (3) is configured as multipole, and part of the casing (2, 2.1) is a bar (5), running transversely to the row of the poles and moulded to the opposing side walls (6) of the casing (2, 2.1).
3. Plug connector according to claim 2, characterised in that the bar (5) is arranged such as to cover the access to a pole of the multipole electrical connection part (3), and that this comprises an extension part (F) extending into a conductor compartment of the housing (10).
4. Plug connector according to claim 3, characterised in that the extension part (F) extends as far as the spring-loaded terminal (9) of the connection part (3), allocated to this pole.
5. Plug connector according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the temperature-resistant casing (2, 2.1) is produced from a ceramic material.
6. Plug connector according to claim 5, characterised in that the casing (2, 2.1) is produced by way of a casting process by encapsulation of the plastic housing (10) containing the spring-loaded terminal (3).
7. Plug connector according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterised in that one or more connecting links (13, 13.1; 13.2, 13.3) are moulded to the casing (2, 2.1).
8. Plug connector according to claim 7, characterised in that a plurality of plug connectors (1.1, 1.2) are held together by means of their connecting links (13, 13.1; 13.2, 13.3), by way of an additional connecting element (15, 16) which is likewise sufficient to meet the temperature requirements.
9. Plug connector according to claim 8, characterised in that the connecting links are configured in each case as connection extensions (13, 13.1; 13.2, 13.3), comprising in each case a knock-through aperture (14, 14.1; 14.2, 14.3), and the connection element (15, 16), in order to connect at least two plug connectors (1.1, 1.2), engages in the knock-through apertures (14, 14.1; 14.2, 14.3) of at least two connection extensions (13, 13.1; 13.2, 13.3).

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