EP2987205B1 - Spring-force clamping element with pivoting lever - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a spring-force clamping element which has a pivot lever for opening a clamping point, so that an electrical conductor can easily be plugged into and / or detached from the spring-force clamping element, according to the preamble of claim 1.

Spring-force clamping elements have clamping springs which are provided for clamping the electrical conductor inserted in the spring clamp. The electrical conductors are, for example, solid wire conductors, stranded conductors or sleeves in which stranded conductors are clamped in order to protect the strands from damage. To ensure good electrical conductivity, the wires of the conductors are mostly made of a copper-containing metal or copper and are soft compared to the spring steel used for clamping springs.

Spring force elements according to the preamble of claim 1 disclose the US 2002/074218 A1 and the US 2010/167573 A1 .

The miniaturization of electronics constantly requires new, space-saving concepts.

The pamphlet US 8,262,422 B1 discloses a spring-loaded clamping element in which an electrical conductor is clamped at a clamping point in a spring housing between a busbar and a spring leg. The spring leg can be pivoted about an axis. To release the electrical conductor, the spring leg has an extension, on the outer edge of which a web is provided which engages in a groove of a lever pivotable about the same axis. As a result, the spring leg with the lever can be pivoted against its restoring force and the electrical conductor can be removed from the spring housing.

However, the extension of the spring leg requires a relatively wide spring and thus a large overall depth. Very precise guidance of the lever is required so that the web does not slip out of the groove. And due to the introduction of force on the outer edge of the extension, there is a risk that the spring will move when it is actuated of the lever bends towards the outer edge and the actuating force acts unevenly on the spring.

The object of the invention is to create an alternative spring force clamping element that ensures that an electrical conductor is clamped well and that the clamping point can be opened easily.

The object is achieved with a spring-force clamping element according to claim 1. Advantageous embodiments can be found in the subclaims.

A spring force clamping element is created for this, which has a spring housing which has an insertion area for inserting an electrical conductor, a busbar and a clamping spring being arranged in the spring housing, so that an electrical conductor inserted through the insertion area into the spring housing at a clamping point between the The clamping spring and the busbar can be clamped, the spring-force clamping element also having a pivoting lever which can be pivoted about a pivot axis to open the clamping point in a pivoting direction, and which has a contact geometry that presses the clamping spring in the pivoting direction when the clamping point is opened.

Such a spring force clamping element is preferably used as a circuit board terminal.

The contact geometry is arranged between an insertion area of the spring housing and the clamping spring.

As a result, the contact geometry is arranged in the interior of the spring housing. The clamping spring therefore does not have to be made wider than is necessary for the conductor diameter of the electrical conductor that can be clamped in the spring-force clamping element. As a result, the overall depth of the spring-loaded clamping element can be adapted to the conductor diameter.

Furthermore, according to the characterizing part of claim 1, a guide contour is provided on the pivot lever which, in an assembled state of the spring-force clamping element is arranged between the clamping leg and a support leg of the clamping spring. The guide contour is therefore arranged in the interior of the spring housing and does not increase the overall depth. In addition, a guide groove for the clamping spring is formed between the contact geometry and the guide contour. In addition, when the clamping leg is pivoted back, the pivot lever is automatically pivoted back against the pivoting direction with it.

The insertion area is preferably funnel-shaped or cylindrical. Furthermore, the contact geometry is preferably designed as a contact surface. However, other shapes of the insertion area and / or the contact geometry are also preferred.

It is preferred that the clamping spring has a clamping leg which is provided such that it can pivot about the pivot axis. Preferably, it also has a support leg which is supported on the spring housing and / or on a clamping cage when the clamping leg is pivoted. The clamping spring is particularly preferably designed as a leaf spring. It is very particularly preferably made from a spring steel.

In a preferred embodiment, the contact geometry lies at least partially flat on the clamping leg, at least when the clamping point is opened. In the area of the contact geometry, the force acting on the clamping leg is thus evenly distributed over it. In addition, it is preferred to provide a lever guide on the spring housing, along which the pivot lever is guided when it is opened. This prevents the pivot lever from rotating when it is opened and the clamping spring or the clamping leg is reliably actuated.

The pivot lever preferably has an axle side and an actuation side, the contact geometry being arranged between the axle side and the actuation side. It is advantageously approximately U-shaped so that it can be easily and compactly integrated into the construction.

The pivot lever is preferably mounted on its axle side. For this it is preferred that it has a steering knuckle. He also preferably points to his Actuating side on an actuating leg. Alternatively, it is semicircular. As a result, actuation running approximately in a straight line over the actuation angle is possible.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the contact geometry is arranged between the axle side and the actuation side. As a result, an open end of the clamping leg is freely movable when the clamping point is opened, which makes it easy to remove the electrical conductor.

The pivot lever is preferably mounted on the steering knuckle so that it can rotate about the pivot axis. Furthermore, an actuating surface is preferably provided on the actuating leg. As a result, the lever path is designed to be as large as possible and the force required to actuate the clamping leg is low. It is preferred that the actuation surface is designed for tool-free actuation and / or for actuation with an actuating tool.

The clamping leg preferably has a first kink at the open end and a second kink in the area of the contact geometry. Due to the second bend, the clamping leg extends between the first bend and the second bend almost transversely to a jammed electrical conductor or a conductor insertion direction. This enables a lower overall height. As a result of the first kink, an angle between the clamping leg and the electrical conductor is also formed butt and the jammed electrical conductor cannot be pulled out of the spring-force clamping element and is securely clamped. In addition, the open end of the clamping leg points through the first bend in the conductor insertion direction. As a result, the electrical conductor can be inserted and clamped into the spring housing without damage.

Fig. 1

in eine perspektivische Ansicht des Federkraftklemmelementes in einer Explosionsdarstellung;

Fig. 2

in (a) - (c) Seitenansichten des Federkraftklemmelementes und in (d) - (f) perspektivische Ansichten des Federkraftklemmelementes, die eine Vorderseite des Federkraftklemmelementes aus Fig. 1 zeigen, wobei in (a) und (d) jeweils der Schwenkhebel aus Übersichtlichkeitsgründen nicht dargestellt ist, wobei in (b) und (e) jeweils der Schwenkhebel mit gestrichelten Linien angedeutet ist, und wobei in (c) und (f) der Schwenkhebel dargestellt ist,

Fig. 3

in (b) eine Seitenansicht des Federkraftklemmelementes und in (a), (c) und (d) jeweils perspektivische Ansichten des Federkraftklemmelementes, die eine der Vorderseite aus Fig. 2 gegenüber liegende Rückseite des Federkraftklemmelementes aus Fig. 1 zeigen, wobei eine Rückwand eines Klemmkäfigs des Federkraftklemmelementes in (a) nicht, in (b) und (c) durch gestrichelte Linien, und in (d) dargestellt ist; und

Fig. 4

in (a) und (c) jeweils die Klemmfeder und den Schwenkhebel des Federkraftklemmelementes der Fig. 1 ohne Federgehäuse und Klemmkäfig, und (b) und (d) die Klemmfeder, den Schwenkhebel und den Klemmkäfig des Federkraftklemmelementes der Fig. 1 ohne Federgehäuse, jeweils in perspektivischen Ansichten der Rückseite.

The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the drawings using exemplary embodiments, further advantages of the invention becoming clear. It shows:

Fig. 1

in a perspective view of the spring force clamping element in an exploded view;

Fig. 2

in (a) - (c) side views of the spring force clamping element and in (d) - (f) perspective views of the spring force clamping element, showing a front side of the spring force clamping element Fig. 1 show, whereby in (a) and (d) the pivot lever is not shown for reasons of clarity, the pivot lever is indicated with dashed lines in (b) and (e), and the pivot lever in (c) and (f) is shown

Fig. 3

in (b) a side view of the spring force clamping element and in (a), (c) and (d) each perspective views of the spring force clamping element, one of the front side from Fig. 2 opposite rear side of the spring-loaded clamping element Fig. 1 show, wherein a rear wall of a clamping cage of the spring-force clamping element is not shown in (a), in (b) and (c) by dashed lines, and in (d); and

Fig. 4

in (a) and (c) the clamping spring and the pivot lever of the spring-loaded clamping element of the Fig. 1 without spring housing and clamping cage, and (b) and (d) the clamping spring, the pivot lever and the clamping cage of the spring-loaded clamping element of the Fig. 1 without spring housing, each in perspective views of the rear.

The spring-force clamping element 1 has a spring housing 2 with an interior space 20 in which a clamping cage 3 is arranged. However, the invention also includes spring-loaded clamping elements (not shown) that have no clamping cage 3 but only a separate busbar (not shown). The clamping cage 3 is accessible through an insertion area 21 which is provided in the spring housing 2. The spring housing 2 is preferably made of an electrically insulating material, preferably a plastic, and can be formed as part of a higher-level housing, for example a terminal block. The terminal cage 3 is preferably made of a metal with good electrical conductivity, preferably made of a copper-containing metal or copper.

In addition to the insertion area 21, a retaining contour 26 for a clamping spring 4 is provided. The clamping spring 4 is designed here as a leaf spring. It has a clamping leg 41 and a support leg 42, which by an approximately semicircular Cross legs 46 are connected to one another. The clamping spring 4 is preferably made from a spring steel.

In the area of the transverse leg 46, the clamping spring 4 is guided around the holding contour 26. A web 60 is formed approximately in the center of the transverse limb 46, which extends concentrically around a pivot axis 6 and forms a pivot shaft. As a result, the clamping leg 41 can be pivoted about the pivot axis 6. In the following the terms web 60 and pivot shaft are used synonymously.

The preferably U-shaped terminal cage 3 has a busbar 33 which is arranged transversely to a rear wall 35 of the terminal cage 3. Opposite the busbar 33, a side wall 32 is formed transversely to the rear wall 35, on which a support web 321 is provided.

When the clamping leg 41 of the clamping spring 4 is pivoted in a pivoting direction 61 about the pivot axis 6, the latter is supported with the support leg 42 on the support web 321. The clamping leg 41 is pivoted in the pivoting direction 61 against a restoring force of the clamping spring 4.

A connection web 31 is also provided on the terminal cage 3, on which four connection pins 311 are provided here for connecting electrical conductors (not shown). The connection pins 311 shown here are designed as solder pins. However, other connections are also possible, for example a contact spring or a contact tulip or differently designed connections that allow soldering, clamping, plugging or the like. The arrangement of the connecting web 31, the connecting pin 311 or other connections can be selected depending on the available space.

The clamping cage 3 can be pushed into the interior 20 of the spring-force clamping element 1 above a transverse web 22 of the spring housing 2. When the terminal cage 3 is pushed in, the connecting pins 311 are led outwards, so that the interior space 20 for the clamping spring 4 and an electrical conductor 7 inserted into the spring housing 2 (see Fig. Fig. 2 ) remains free. In addition, the connection pins 311 are thereby accessible from the outside.

When the spring-force clamping element 1 is mounted, the electrical conductor 7 can be pushed into a conductor insertion direction 8 in this direction and between the clamping leg 41 and the busbar 33. In a mounting position M (s. Fig. 2 , 3 ) it is pressed against the pivoting direction 61 against the busbar 33 by the clamping leg 41 at a clamping point 40, which is shown here by an arrow. As an electrical conductor 7, a sleeve is shown here as an example, into which a stranded conductor is usually inserted. The spring force clamping element can also be used for a stranded conductor without a sleeve and for a solid wire conductor.

In order to release the electrical conductor 7 from the spring-force clamping element 1 and to be able to remove it against the conductor insertion direction 8, a pivot lever 5 is provided. With the pivot lever 5, not only the electrical conductor 7 can be detached from the spring-loaded clamping element 1. Instead, the pivot lever 5 is provided for opening the clamping point 40. It therefore also enables the clamping point 40 to be opened before an electrical conductor 7, in particular a fine-wire electrical conductor 7, is intended to be clamped in the spring-force clamping element 1. When the terminal point 40 is open, the introduction of the electrical conductor 7 into the terminal point 40 is very easy.

The pivot lever 5 has an axle side 560 and an actuation side 570, which are connected via a base leg 580 ( Figure 4a ). The base leg of the pivot lever 5 is approximately U-shaped here. Figures 4b and d illustrate that the U-shaped clamping cage 3 of the pivot levers are advantageously opposite one another in such a way that they form a kind of closed contour that includes an inserted conductor, the pivot lever 5 remaining or being pivotable. The pivot lever 5 has a steering knuckle 56 on its axle side 560. At the end 58 of the steering knuckle 56, it is arranged on the pivot shaft 60 and rotatably mounted about the pivot axis 6. A through hole 51 is provided for this, which extends concentrically around the pivot axis 6 and which is rotatably arranged on the pivot shaft 60.

There are also differently shaped pivot levers 5, for example a semicircular or a V-shaped pivot lever 5, conceivable.

In addition, the pivot lever 5 on its actuation side 570 has an actuation leg 57 at the end opposite the stub axle 56. At the open end 59 of the actuation leg 57, an actuation surface 53, here an actuation handle 53, is arranged. The terms actuation surface 53 and actuation handle are used synonymously below. The pivot lever 5 can be actuated manually on the actuating handle 53. In addition, a recess 54 for an actuating tool (not shown) is provided at the open end 59 of the actuating leg 57, so that the pivot lever 5 can also be actuated there with the actuating tool, for example a screwdriver. Instead of an actuating handle 53, however, a more compact actuating surface 53 is also preferred, which only allows actuation with an actuating tool.

In order to be able to actuate the clamping leg 41 with the pivot lever 5 so that the clamping point 40 is opened and the jammed electrical conductor 7 can be inserted into the spring force element 1 or removed from the spring force clamping element 1, there is a contact geometry 52 between the stub axle 56 and the actuation leg 57 intended. When the spring-force clamping element 1 is mounted, the contact geometry 52 is arranged between the clamping leg 41 and the insertion area 21. As a result, it is arranged in the interior 20 of the spring-force clamping element 1 and does not increase the overall depth of the spring-force clamping element 1.

When the pivot lever 5 is pivoted about the pivot axis 6 in the pivot direction 61, the contact geometry 52 presses on the clamping leg 41. As a result, the clamping leg 41 is also pivoted about the pivot axis 6 in the pivot direction 61.

The contact geometry 52 is flat and at least partially lies flat on the clamping leg 41 when the clamping point 40 is opened, that is, when the pivot lever 5 is pivoted in the pivoting direction 61. As a result, the force in the area of the contact geometry 52 is evenly distributed over the clamping leg 41. In addition, it does not break when the pivot lever is actuated.

Due to the restoring force of the clamping spring 4, the clamping leg 41 is automatically pivoted back against the pivoting direction 61 when the electrical conductor 7 is removed from the spring force clamping element 1 and no actuating force acts on the pivot lever 5 any more. The clamping leg 41 is at least partially in contact with the contact geometry 52 and presses against the pivoting direction 61 on the contact geometry 52, so that the pivot lever 5 is pivoted back with the clamping spring 4.

A guide contour 55 is also provided on the pivot lever 5, which is arranged between the clamping leg 41 and the support leg 42 in the assembled state of the spring-force clamping element 1. As a result, there is a guide groove 551 between the contact geometry 52 and the guide contour 55 (see Fig. Fig. 2 (b) ) formed, in which the clamping leg 41 is safely guided when pivoting.

So that the overall depth of the spring-force clamping element 1 is not unnecessarily increased by the pivot lever 5, a lever guide 23 is provided on the spring cage 2. When pivoting, the pivot lever 5 is guided along the lever guide 23. The lever guide 23 prevents the pivot lever 5 from pivoting freely when the electrical conductor 7 is connected.

In order to limit the overall height of the spring force clamping element 1 and to bring about a good holding force on the inserted electrical conductor 7, the clamping leg 41 has a first bend 43 and a second bend 45.

The first kink 43 is provided at an open end 44 of the clamping leg 41. The second bend 45 is provided in the area of the contact geometry 52. Through the second bend 45, the clamping leg 41 extends between the first bend 43 and the second bend 45 almost transversely to the jammed electrical conductor 7 or the conductor insertion direction 8. The overall height is therefore low. The first bend 43 creates an angle between the clamping leg 41 and the electrical conductor 7, which is securely clamped in the spring-force clamping element 1.

The direction of the overall depth 81, the overall width 82 and the overall height 83 are in the Figures 2 and 3 shown.

To open the clamping point and release an electrical conductor 7 jammed in the spring-force clamping element 1, an actuating force on the actuating handle 53 or the recess 54 at the open end 59 of the actuating leg 57 of the pivot lever 5 is required, which acts in the conductor insertion direction 8.

The Fig. 3 shows in (b) a side view of the spring-force clamping element and in (a), (c) and (d) each perspective views of the spring-force clamping element, one of the front from Fig. 2 opposite rear side of the spring-loaded clamping element Fig. 1 map, wherein a rear wall of a clamping cage of the spring force clamping element is not shown in (a), in (b) and (c) by dashed lines, and in (d).

The Fig. 4 (a) and (c) show a basic position G of the clamping spring 4, in which no electrical conductor 7 is inserted into the spring housing 2. In this basic position, the clamping leg 41 extends approximately transversely to the conductor insertion direction 8.

The Fig. 4 (b) shows a mounting position M of the clamping spring 4, in which an electrical conductor 7 is inserted into the spring housing 2 and is clamped in this between the open end 44 of the clamping leg 41 and the busbar 33. The electrically conductive end of the sleeve 7 is denoted here by the reference numeral 71.

And in the Fig. 4 (d) an open position O of the clamping spring 4 is shown, in which the clamping leg 41 and the pivot lever 5 are pivoted as far as possible in the pivoting direction 61. This open position O is only possible if the actuating force acts on the pivot lever 5 in the conductor insertion direction 8. The actuation force is shown here by an arrow 9. However, it is also preferred to provide latching means (not shown) in the spring-force clamping element 1, so that the pivot lever 5 latches in the open position O. <b> List of reference symbols </b> 1 Spring-loaded clamping element 2 casing 20th inner space 21st Insertion opening 22nd Transverse web 23 Lever guide 26th Retaining contour for the clamping spring 3 Clamp cage 31 Connecting web 311 Connection pin 32 Side wall 321 Support web 33 Busbar 34 Retaining edge 35 Back wall 4th Clamp spring 40 Terminal point 41 Clamp leg 42 Support leg 43 First kink 44 Open end of the retaining leg 45 Second kink 5 Swivel lever 51 Perforation 52 On location geometry 53 Operating surface, operating handle 54 Recess 55 Guide contour 551 Guide groove 56 Steering knuckle 560 Axle side 57 Actuating leg 570 Actuation side 580 Base leg 58 Open end of the steering knuckle 59 Open end of the actuating leg 6th Swivel axis 60 Web, pivot shaft 61 Swivel direction 7th Sleeve, electrical conductor 71 electrically conductive end of the sleeve 8th Conductor entry direction 81 depth 82 width 83 height 9 Actuation force G Basic position M. Mounting position O Open position

Claims (8)

1. A spring-force clamping element (1) comprising a spring housing (2), which includes an insertion region (21) for inserting an electric conductor (7), and in which a busbar (33) and a clamping spring (4) are disposed, so that an electric conductor (7) inserted in the spring housing (2) may be clamped at a clamping point (40) between the clamping spring (4) and the busbar (33), wherein the spring-force clamping element (1) includes a pivoting lever (5), which may be pivoted to open the clamping point (40) in a pivot direction (61) about a pivot axis (6), and which includes a contact geometry (52), which presses the clamping spring (4) in the pivot direction (61) when the clamping point (40) is opened, and wherein the pivoting lever (5) includes an axial side (560) and an actuating side (570), and wherein the contact geometry (52) is disposed between the axial side (560) and the actuating side (570),
   characterized in that

   - the contact geometry (52) is disposed between an insertion region (21) of the spring housing (2) and the clamping spring (4); and

   - a guide contour (55) is provided on the pivoting lever (5), which in an assembled state of the spring-force clamping element (1) is disposed between the clamping limb (41) and a support limb (42) of the clamping spring (4).
2. The spring-force clamping element (1) according to Claim 1, characterized in that the contact geometry (52) fits at least partially flat against the clamping limb (41), and pushes the limb in the pivot direction (61) when releasing.
3. The spring-force clamping element (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the clamping spring (4) includes a clamping limb (41), which is provided so as to be pivotable about the pivot axis (6).
4. The spring-force clamping element (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pivoting lever (5) includes an axial limb (56) on its axial side (560), on which it is mounted so as to be rotatable about the pivot axis (6).
5. The spring-force clamping element (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pivoting lever (5) includes an actuating limb (57) on its actuating side (570), on which an actuating surface (53) is provided.
6. The spring-force clamping element (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the actuating surface (53) is provided for an actuation without the use of tools as well as for an actuation using an actuating tool.
7. The spring-force clamping element (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the contact geometry (52) is disposed in the interior space (20) of the spring housing (2).
8. The spring-force clamping element (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the U-shaped cage clamp (3) and the pivoting lever together form a kind of closed contour, which encompasses an inserted conductor (7).

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