EP2729991B1 - Electrical connection clamp - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an electrical terminal, and more particularly to a tilting lever terminal for connecting a conductor.

With the WO 98 33235 A1 is a connection device for non stripped wires of different diameters become known. Sawtooth-like cutting plates are provided on a cutting body, wherein the height of the contact blades increases from the insertion side in order to achieve correspondingly adapted opening widths for non-stripped lines of different diameters. By closing a lever and by applying force to a pressure piece contacted at least one of the contact blades, the conductor wire of an inserted line.

In the prior art various other electrical terminals have become known, which are suitable for the connection of conductors of large diameter. For example, it is possible to connect conductors with large cross-sections of screw terminals. The conductor is clamped to the electrical terminal via a screw connection. A disadvantage of such screw terminals, however, is that a simple pivoting of the stripped conductor from above is not readily possible. This results in particular in large conductor cross sections and solid conductors to the fact that the assembly is difficult because the conductor must be bent and must be inserted axially from the front into the screw.

On the other hand, mounting is easier with an electrical connection terminal, which allows the pivoting of a allowed to be connected from above. As a result, the conductor to be connected can be previously shortened to the appropriate length and can be easily pivoted during assembly.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an electrical terminal, which is easy to assemble and allows reliable contacting of a conductor to be connected.

This object is achieved by an electrical terminal with the features of claim 1. Preferred developments of the terminal according to the invention are specified in the subclaims. Further advantages and features of the present invention will become apparent from the general description and from the description of an embodiment.

The electrical terminal according to the invention comprises at least one holder and at least one clamping lever pivotally arranged thereon with at least one clamping unit for clamping at least one conductor between the clamping unit and a current bar. It is provided a hand lever which is pivotally received on the clamping lever to allow a dynamic transmission ratio during the closing operation and a high clamping force. There is provided at least one auxiliary lever, which connects the hand lever pivotally connected to the holder.

The electrical terminal according to the invention has many advantages, as it provides a simple and flexible connection option for electrical conductors and allows safe contact. By pivotally mounted clamping lever, it is possible to the invention opening the electrical connection terminal so that an electrical conductor to be connected can be swung in from above into the opened connection terminal. The clamping state is then effected by pivoting the clamping lever.

Through the interaction of the hand lever and the clamping lever, a dynamic transmission ratio is achieved, so that the lever translation causes a large movement of the clamping lever at the beginning of the closing operation even with a relatively small movement of the hand lever, while at the end of the closing a large movement of the hand lever only to a relative low movement of the clamping lever leads. This makes it possible to transmit high clamping forces, so that subsequent conductors with large cross-sections can be contacted safely and reliably.

It is also possible to connect conductors of different cross sections reliably and safely.

In a preferred embodiment, the hand lever and the clamping lever are arranged such that a self-locking of the clamping state is effected. If the hand lever is transferred in this embodiment of the open state in the clamping state, a dead center is exceeded. The hand lever is in the clamping state in such a position in which only force must be applied again to move the hand lever from the clamping state to the open state.

Preferably, two auxiliary levers are provided, which are arranged in particular symmetrically on both sides of the housing or on both sides of the holder. By the at least one Auxiliary levers are a particularly effective gear ratio and a dynamic change of the gear ratio possible.

Particularly preferably, one side of the auxiliary lever is pivotally held on the holder. Another side of the auxiliary lever is preferably pivotally connected to the hand lever. It is possible that the pivot points of the auxiliary lever are each arranged close to the respective ends of the auxiliary lever. But it is also possible that the pivot points have on the one and on the other side of the auxiliary lever a considerable distance from the respective end of the auxiliary lever.

In particularly preferred embodiments, the hand lever is pivotally connected at one end to the clamping lever and at another end pivotally connected to the auxiliary lever. For the purposes of the present application, the term "at the end" also means a clear distance from the absolute end of the hand lever. Thus, distances of 20 or 30% of the total length to the respective pivot point are possible. The total length is determined by the functionally required length for the pivoting movement, so that the definition of the ends refers to the functionally required for the pivoting action length.

By such a configuration in which the auxiliary lever is pivotally connected at its sides or ends to the holder or the hand lever and in which the hand lever is in turn connected to the clamping lever and the auxiliary lever, results in a particularly advantageous embodiment, which is a simple Operation at very high clamping forces possible.

In preferred developments, the clamping unit comprises at least one clamping foot and / or at least one clamping point and / or at least one clamping point. For example, it is possible that the clamping unit comprises a clamping foot or a plurality of clamping feet, each clamping foot having a clamping prong or a plurality of clamping prongs, which lead to a particularly secure hold of the clamped conductor to the electrical terminal. But it is also possible that in addition to the clamping prongs or instead of the clamping prongs clamping points are provided which dig into the material of the conductor in order to achieve a high Ausziehsicherheit.

In all embodiments, it is preferred that at least one spring device is provided to counteract subsidence phenomena. It is possible that the electrical terminal itself or at least some parts or components thereof cause or at least contribute to the spring action of the spring device.

Particularly preferably, the spring action of the spring means is at least partially generated by at least one component of a group of components, said group of components comprising the holder and the hand lever and the auxiliary lever. For example, the entire spring effect can be generated by the terminal itself and by the components involved, without a spring in the form of, for example, a spiral or leaf spring or the like is present. By the housing itself and the components involved in the electrical terminal a very high spring stiffness is provided, which provides a reliable hold even with large conductor cross-sections guaranteed. Settling phenomena are reliably compensated.

In preferred developments, it is possible and preferred that the spring device has at least one clamping spring, wherein at least one clamping spring is preferably provided on the clamping unit. It is also possible and preferred for a plurality of clamping springs, in particular designed as leaf springs, to be provided on the clamping unit. Such particular parallel leaf springs increase the spring force with increasing deflection, so that for larger conductor cross-sections, a greater spring force is applied than for smaller conductor cross-sections.

In addition to or instead of clamping springs on the clamping unit and in particular the clamping foot of the clamping lever may also be provided at least one spring unit which presses in particular from below against the current bar. For example, the clamping unit can be provided above the current bar and the spring unit can be arranged below the current bar. In such an embodiment, pressure is applied to the conductor located between the clamping unit and the current bar from above through the clamping unit, while the current bar is pressed from below through the spring unit against the conductor.

It is also possible that the conductor is inserted below the current bar, so that the current bar is pressed by the clamping unit against the head.

It is particularly preferred if the hand lever has a tool holder. For example, the hand lever may have an insertion opening for a tool, so that a Tool such as a screwdriver or the like can be inserted into the hand lever. This lengthens the effective length of the hand lever so that a much greater force can be applied with the hand lever. At the same time, the operation is facilitated by the insertion of a tool in the hand lever.

In all embodiments, it is preferred that the hand lever and / or the holder and / or the auxiliary lever in each case substantially or even completely consist of one or more bent metal strips. Such a configuration allows a stable construction of the terminal according to the invention, wherein the production is simple and inexpensive.

Preferably, the holder has at least one stop for the auxiliary lever and / or the hand lever. As a result, a defined closed position is provided because the hand lever must be moved until the auxiliary lever and / or the hand lever itself strikes the stop of the holder.

It is also possible, at least one stop for the open state is provided to limit the opening movement. In all embodiments, it is particularly preferred that at the end of the closing process, a high power transmission is present in order to transmit the force applied to the hand lever to a considerable extent reinforced on the clamping lever.

Particularly preferably, the hand lever is so accommodated on the clamping lever and it is the auxiliary lever connected to the hand lever and the holder such that a dynamic Translation of the road conditions when closing and opening done.

In all embodiments, preferably at least one insulating layer and / or an insulating housing are provided to isolate the electrical terminal to the outside.

The proposed electrical terminal provides a tilting lever clamp with a dynamic leverage available, which is pressed when swiveling the conductor located in the terminal on the current bar. Due to the dynamic leverage is in an upper pivot range, in which no large force is needed, in particular a lever reduction provided. This means that a small pivoting movement of the hand lever causes a relatively large pivoting movement of the clamping lever. In the area in which the conductor is clamped, a sliding lever translation sets, so that a large pivoting movement of the hand lever causes a relatively smaller movement of the clamping lever. In a corresponding manner, a higher pressure force is applied to the conductor. The use of spring elements allows a certain elasticity of the construction and thus also the operation with different conductor cross sections. At the same time, the setting behavior of the conductor is compensated. By overcoming a dead center, a secure clamped state is achieved.

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

Fig. 1

eine schematische Darstellung einer Reihenklemme mit mehreren erfindungsgemäßen elektrischen Anschlussklemmen;

Fig. 2

eine Vorderansicht einer elektrischen Anschlussklemme;

Fig. 3

eine perspektivische Ansicht einer geöffneten Anschlussklemme gemäß Fig. 2;

Fig. 4

den Klemmhebel der Anschlussklemme nach Fig. 3 in einer Seitenansicht;

Fig. 5

den Klemmhebel nach Fig. 4 in einer Draufsicht;

Fig. 6

den Handhebel der Anschlussklemme nach Fig. 3 in einer perspektivischen Ansicht;

Fig. 7

eine Seitenansicht des Hilfshebels der Anschlussklemme nach Fig. 3;

Fig. 8

den Halter der elektrischen Anschlussklemme nach Fig. 3;

Fig. 9

die elektrische Anschlussklemme nach Fig. 3 im geschlossenen Zustand in einem Querschnitt;

Fig. 10

eine Seitenansicht der Anschlussklemme nach Fig. 9 im ungeschnittenen Zustand;

Fig. 11

die Anschlussklemme nach Fig. 3 in einem weit geöffneten Zustand;

Fig. 12

die Anschlussklemme nach Fig. 3 in einem teilweise geschlossenen Zustand; und

Fig. 13

die Anschlussklemme nach Fig. 3 in einem fast geschlossenen Zustand.

In the figures show:

Fig. 1

a schematic representation of a terminal with a plurality of electrical terminals according to the invention;

Fig. 2

a front view of an electrical terminal;

Fig. 3

a perspective view of an open terminal according to Fig. 2 ;

Fig. 4

the clamping lever of the connection terminal Fig. 3 in a side view;

Fig. 5

to the clamping lever Fig. 4 in a plan view;

Fig. 6

the hand lever of the terminal after Fig. 3 in a perspective view;

Fig. 7

a side view of the auxiliary lever of the terminal after Fig. 3 ;

Fig. 8

the holder of the electrical connection terminal Fig. 3 ;

Fig. 9

the electrical connection terminal after Fig. 3 in the closed state in a cross section;

Fig. 10

a side view of the terminal after Fig. 9 in uncut condition;

Fig. 11

the terminal after Fig. 3 in a wide open state;

Fig. 12

the terminal after Fig. 3 in a partially closed state; and

Fig. 13

the terminal after Fig. 3 in an almost closed state.

FIG. 1 shows a terminal block 100 according to the invention with a plurality of electrical connection terminals 1 according to the invention, which are each designed here as a tilting lever clamp and have a dynamic leverage. Each individual terminal 1 has an insulating housing 21, which may be formed as a one-piece housing or consists of several individual parts in order to effect the desired electrical insulation effect.

A hand lever 7 serves to operate each individual electrical connection terminal 1. In the clamped state, a - in FIG. 1 not shown conductor - recorded clamped in the conductor receiving space 8.

For actuating the hand lever 7, a tool holder 22 is provided on the hand lever 7. The tool holder here comprises an opening at the front end of the hand lever 7, through which a tool such as a screwdriver can be inserted into the hand lever 7. At the rear end of the hand lever, a slot 24 is provided here in FIG. 1 is not visible and where the tool can be fixed so that the hand lever 7 is moved by a pivoting movement of the screwdriver. As a result, considerably more force can be applied via the hand lever 7 than without the insertion of a tool or a rod or the like. FIG. 2 shows a front view of an electrical terminal 1 according to the invention, which can be used individually or part of the terminal 100 from FIG. 1 is.

The terminal 1 is surrounded outside of the insulating housing 21. The terminal 1 has a holder 2, on which a clamping lever 3 is pivotally mounted. The clamping lever 3 has a clamping unit 4, which here comprises a clamping foot 9. With the clamping foot 9, a conductor introduced into the conductor receiving space 8 is clamped between the clamping foot 9 and the current bar 6.

As in FIG. 2 is visible, the hand lever 7 has a tool holder 22 with an opening through which the slot 24 at the rear end of the hand lever 7 is visible. An inserted into the opening 22 screwdriver can be snapped into the slot 24 and thus allows a defined guidance of the hand lever 7 on the pivotal movement of the inserted screwdriver.

The hand lever 7 is connected via two auxiliary lever 12 with the holder 2 here. The function of these components will be explained in more detail with reference to the other figures.

FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of a terminal 1 without the surrounding the terminal 1 insulating components. On the holder 2, a current bar 6 is added. About a pivot axis 25 of the clamping lever 3 is pivotally received on the holder 2. In FIG. 3 a partially open state 11 is shown in which the clamping lever 3 pivots a considerable amount upwards has been. The clamping lever 3 is pivotable about the pivot axis 25.

On the pivot lever 3, a pivot axis 26 is provided, which is the rear pivot axis 26 of the hand lever. In addition, the hand lever 7 is pivotally received on the front pivot axis 28 relative to the two auxiliary levers 12. Each auxiliary lever 12 is pivotally received on one side 13 via the pivot axis 27 on the holder 2, while on the other side 14 of the auxiliary lever 12, the pivot axis 28 is provided as the front pivot axis of the hand lever 7.

Overall, four hinge points, over the four components, namely the holder 2, the clamping lever 3, the hand lever 7 and the or the auxiliary lever 12 are hinged together. The distance of the pivot axes 27 and 28 of an auxiliary lever 12 is smaller than the distance of the pivot axes 26 and 28 of the hand lever 7. The distance between the pivot axes 25 and 27 on the holder 2 is in turn greater than the distance of the pivot axes 25 and 26 on the clamping lever third

By choosing the geometry and the individual lengths, a dynamic adjustment of the transmission ratio of the lever movement and the lever forces is effected. At the beginning of the closing operation, a relatively small movement of the hand lever 7 causes a relatively large closing movement of the clamping lever 3, while at the end of the closing operation, a relatively large movement of the hand lever 7 only leads to a relatively small closing movement of the clamping lever 3, so that a high power transmission towards the end of Closing is achieved.

FIG. 4 shows the clamping lever 3 in a side view. At the front end of the clamping lever 3, the clamping unit 4 is arranged with the clamping foot 9, wherein to increase the pull-out clamping prongs 17 are provided on the clamping foot 9.

To achieve and reinforce a resilient effect, a spring means 18 is provided here, which has a plurality of clamping springs 19, which are designed here as leaf springs and extend parallel to each other.

The clamping lever 3 is provided pivotably about the pivot axis 25, wherein here in the clamping lever 3, a through hole is provided. The pivot axis 26 for pivoting the hand lever 7 here comprises stub axle on the outside of the clamping lever 3. On this stub axle corresponding openings of the hand lever 7 are plugged to connect the hand lever 7 pivotally about the pivot axis 26 with the clamping lever 3.

FIG. 5 shows a corresponding plan view of the clamping lever. 3

FIG. 6 shows a slightly perspective view of the hand lever 7, wherein the holes or holes on the pivot axes 26 and 28 are clearly visible. At the rear or one end 15 of the hand lever 7, the pivot axis 26 is provided, while at the front or other end 16, the pivot axis 28 of the hand lever 7 is arranged. The hand lever 7 here consists of a total of a curved metal strip, but can also be made of other materials consist. To facilitate the bending process holes 31 may be provided at the bending edges.

FIG. 7 shows a side view of an auxiliary lever 12 in which the pivot axis 27 is provided on one side 13 and at one end, while on the other side 14 and at the other end, the pivot axis 28 is provided. At both pivot axes 12 holes are provided here in the auxiliary lever 12, which are plugged onto corresponding stub axle on the holder 2 and the clamping lever 3, to connect the components against each other pivotally.

FIG. 8 shows a side view of the holder 2, which has at the location of the pivot axis 25 here has a hole, while at the location of the pivot axis 27 stub axles are laterally out of the holder 2 out. The current bar 6 is clamped at one end by a bend 32 of the holder.

The sliding stopper 30 will be described with reference to FIG FIG. 9 explained. FIG. 9 shows a cross section through a mounted terminal 1 in the clamping state 10. The current bar 6 is held by the bend 32 on the holder 2. The clamping lever 3 is pivotally received over the pivot axis 25 relative to the holder 2, so that by a pivoting movement of the clamping lever 3 in the counterclockwise direction in FIG FIG. 9 shown clamping state 10 is left and the terminal, for example, in the in FIG. 3 shown opened state 11 is transferred. Clearly visible are the clamping springs 19 at the front end, where the clamping foot 9 is arranged.

Shown here only by dashed lines is the pivot axis 26, which is located for the one auxiliary lever 12 spatially in front of the cutting plane and for the other auxiliary lever 12 behind the cutting plane.

Below the current bar 6, a spring unit 20 is provided which presses against the current bar 6 from below. The spring unit 20 is designed here as a bent sheet metal strip and is clamped to the stop 29 by bending, while the spring unit can slide resiliently against the stop 30 on the slope to produce the spring action.

FIG. 10 shows the uncut state of the terminal 1 according to FIG. 9 in the clamped state 10.

In this state, the auxiliary lever 12 is located with a part of its lever length on the stop 23 of the holder. The stopper 23 represents an end stop, which determines the clamped state. In this position, a self-locking position of the hand lever 7 and the clamping lever 3. During the movement of the open state 11 in the clamping state 10, a dead center is exceeded, so that first force is required to solve this condition.

With reference to the FIGS. 11 to 13 the function of the electrical terminal 1 is explained during the closing process.

FIG. 11 shows a wide open state 11, in which a pivoting of a conductor to be connected 5 from above is very easy. In this case, the conductor 5 does not have to be bent and inserted through a front opening, but can Simply swivel from above into the wide open terminal 1 until the conductor rests approximately on the current bar 6.

Following this, the hand lever 7 is pivoted, for example after insertion of a tool in the tool holder 22 from the open state in the direction of the clamping state, whereby initially in an accelerated manner the clamping lever 3 from the wide open state to FIG. 11 in a partially open state, as in FIG. 12 is shown, is pivoted.

For the sake of clarity are in the FIGS. 11 to 13 some components omitted. Thus, in particular, only one of the auxiliary lever 12 is located.

In the in FIG. 12 The state shown has been relatively little moved compared to in the state of the hand lever shown in Figure, while the clamping foot 9 of the clamping lever 3 has already moved much further in the direction of the current bar 6.

In the further movement of the hand lever 7 in the direction of the clamping state 10, the clamping foot 9 of the clamping lever 3 moves only relatively little, whereby a relatively high power transmission is effected. The force applied to the hand lever 7 clamping force is transmitted to an enlarged scale on the clamping foot of the clamping lever. As a result, high clamping forces are possible.

Due to the elastic effect of the individual components, conductor sections of different sizes can be clamped reliably and securely, which is safe and simple Operation of the electrical terminal 1 allows. The clamping springs 19 allow a defined spring action.

A separate locking is not necessary in the electrical terminal 1, since by overcoming the dead center in the pivotal movement of the open state 11 in the clamping state 10, a self-locking is achieved.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

Electrical connection terminal

1

holder

2

clamping lever

3

terminal unit

4

ladder

5

current bar

6

hand lever

7

Connecting capacity

8th

clamping foot

9

clamping state

10

Open state

11

auxiliary lever

12

a page

13

other side

14

an end

15

other end

16

terminal spike

17

spring means

18

clamping spring

19

spring unit

20

insulating

21

tool holder

22

attack

23

slot

24

swivel axis

25

swivel axis

26

swivel axis

27

swivel axis

28

attack

29

attack

30

hole

31

bend

32

terminal

100

Claims (14)

1. Electrical connection terminal (1) comprising a holder (2) and at least one clamping lever (3) which is pivotably arranged on said holder and has at least one clamping unit (4) for clamping at least one conductor (5) between the clamping unit (4) and a current bar (6),
   characterized in that
   a manual lever (7) is provided, which is pivotably accommodated on the clamping lever (3), and that an auxiliary lever (12) is provided, which pivotably connects the manual lever (7) to the holder (2), in order to enable a dynamic transformation ratio in the closing operation and a high clamping force.
2. The connection terminal (1) according to Claim 1, wherein the manual lever (7) and the clamping lever (3) are arranged so as to effect a self-locking of the clamping state (10).
3. The connection terminal (1) according to Claim 3, wherein on one side (13) the auxiliary lever (12) is pivotably held on the holder (2) and on another side (14) is pivotably connected to the manual lever (7).
4. The connection terminal (1) according to Claim 3 or 4, wherein the manual lever (7) is pivotably connected to the clamping lever (3) at one end (15) and pivotably connected to the auxiliary lever (12) at another end (16).
5. The connection terminal (1) according to any one of the previous claims, wherein the clamping unit (4) comprises at least one clamping foot (9) and/or at least one clamping tine (17) and/or at least one clamping apex.
6. The connection terminal (1) according to any one of the previous claims, wherein at least one spring device (18) is provided.
7. The connection terminal (1) according to the previous claim, wherein at least one component at least contributes to providing the spring action of the spring device (18), wherein the at least one component is taken from a group of components which comprises the holder (2) and the manual lever (7) and the auxiliary lever (13).
8. The connection terminal (1) according to either of the two previous claims, wherein the clamping unit (4) has at least one clamping spring (19).
9. The connection terminal (1) according to any one of the previous claims, wherein the clamping unit (4) is provided above the current bar (6), and wherein at least one spring unit (20) is provided below the current bar (6).
10. The connection terminal (1) according to any one of the previous claims, wherein the manual lever (7) has a tool holder (22).
11. The connection terminal (1) according to any one of the previous claims, wherein the manual lever (7) and/or the holder (7) and/or the auxiliary lever (13) consists substantially of a bent metallic strip (23).
12. The connection terminal (1) according to any one of the previous claims, wherein the holder (2) has at least one abutment (23) for the auxiliary lever (12) and/or for the manual lever (7).
13. The connection terminal (1) according to any one of the previous claims, wherein a high transformation ratio is present at the end of the closing operation.
14. The connection terminal (1) according to any one of the previous claims, wherein the manual lever (7) is accommodated on the clamping lever (3) and the auxiliary lever (12) is connected to the manual lever (7) and to the holder (2), both in such a manner that a dynamic transformation of the path ratios takes place during the closing operation.

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