EP3298659B1 - Conductor connection terminal - Google Patents

Description

• mit einem Isolierstoffgehäuse, das eine Leiter-Einführungsöffnung zum Einführen eines elektrischen Leiters und eine Kontaktstift-Einführungsöffnung zum Einführen eines Kontaktstiftes hat,
• mit einer Klemmfeder zum Anklemmen des elektrischen Leiters, wobei die Klemmfeder einen Klemmschenkel mit einer zur Anlage an den anzuklemmenden elektrischen Leiter ausgerichteten Klemmkante, einen Federbogen und einen Anlageschenkel mit einer Durchstecköffnung hat,
• wobei die Leiter-Einführungsöffnung zu der Klemmkante hin ausmündet, um den elektrischen Leiter zu einer durch die Klemmkante gebildeten Klemmstelle zu führen, und
• wobei die Kontaktstift-Einführungsöffnung sich in entgegengesetzter Richtung zur Leiter-Einführungsöffnung in den Innenraum des Isolierstoffgehäuses hinein erstreckt und zu dem Anlageschenkel hin ausmündet, um den Kontaktstift zum Anlegen an den Anlageschenkel hin zu führen.

The invention relates to a conductor connection terminal

• with an insulating material housing which has a conductor insertion opening for inserting an electrical conductor and a contact pin insertion opening for inserting a contact pin,
• with a clamping spring for clamping the electrical conductor, wherein the clamping spring has a clamping leg with a clamping edge aligned to rest against the electrical conductor to be clamped, a spring arch and a contact leg with a push-through opening,
• wherein the conductor insertion opening opens out towards the clamping edge in order to guide the electrical conductor to a clamping point formed by the clamping edge, and
• wherein the contact pin insertion opening extends in the opposite direction to the conductor insertion opening into the interior of the insulating material housing and opens out to the contact leg in order to guide the contact pin to be placed against the contact leg.

Such conductor connection terminals are used to make electrically conductive contact with electrical conductors without screws using a spring-loaded terminal connection with a contact pin. The contact pin can, for example, be soldered into a circuit board and the conductor connection terminal can be plugged onto the circuit board with the at least one contact pin.

DE 10 2009 035 716 B4 discloses such a conductor terminal with a U-shaped bent clamping spring, which is supported with its contact leg on the insulating material housing. The clamping leg is directed with its free end in the direction of an intermediate element that can optionally be placed between the electrical conductor and the contact pin in the insulating material housing. The contact pin rests on the one hand on the insulating housing and on the other hand on the intermediate plate.

EP 1 022 808 B1 shows a cage tension spring with a feed-through opening in the clamping leg. A busbar piece protrudes through the feed-through opening in the clamping leg and has a connection contact pin at its end protruding from the insulating material housing. As is customary with a cage clamp spring, an electrical conductor can be clamped between a clamping edge at the free end of the clamping leg and the busbar section. Furthermore, a further insertion opening is provided above the conductor entry opening for the electrical conductor in the insulating material housing in order to clamp a cross jumper between the contact leg and the busbar section on the opposite side of the electrical conductor on the busbar section.

DE 39 11 459 A1 suggests for a cage tension spring that the lower edge of the recess in the clamping leg, which forms on the clamping edge for clamping an electrical conductor, is curved on both sides in order to form a conductor insertion funnel and has a curved leading edge in the conductor pull-out direction.

Furthermore, from the EP 1 515 397 B1 a connection device for direct connection of conductor ends with a loop spring is known which has a through opening in the contact leg. The contact leg rests on a busbar piece. A contact pin is bent from the busbar piece and is passed through the push-through opening in order to clamp an electrical conductor between the contact pin and the clamping leg of the leg spring. The contact leg with the window-like recess is arranged immovably on the busbar.

U.S. 5,158,475 A shows a spring connection terminal with a spring steel sheet, which has two mirror-inverted U-shaped leg springs on its opposite sides. These leg springs are provided in order to clamp an electrical conductor between the respective clamping leg and a common contact leg of the double spring.

A comparable spring clip is also in DE 20 2009 011 828 U1 described.

DE 10 2010 028 790 A1 discloses a push-in linear wire connector having a housing containing at least two wire entry ports, each facing opposite directions. A connection arrangement is arranged in the housing and has a busbar arranged between the wire openings and a spring member. The spring member has two spring arms bent out of a spring plate, which are aligned with the busbar located between them. The busbar is firmly connected to the spring plate.

DE 35 14 099 C2 shows a cage tension spring in which a rigidly designed busbar is passed through the conductor insertion opening in the clamping leg and rests with an upstand on the contact leg. The support takes place with two lateral raised edges at the rear end, between which a further electrical conductor can be passed for making contact between the contact limb and the busbar.

DE 10 2010 010 260 A1 shows a connector with a busbar element and a U-shaped bent leg spring. The contact leg of the clamping spring dips into a contact pin receptacle of the busbar element and exerts a spring force in the direction of an opposite contact surface of the busbar element in order to electrically contact a contact pin inserted into an associated contact pin insertion opening with the busbar element with spring force.

DE 202 10 105 U1 discloses an electrical connection for terminals with a contact insert which is arranged in an insulating material housing and which has at least one plug-in terminal connection for connecting at least one external electrical conductor to a busbar and a contact connection for a contact pin. A steel spring is inserted into a window-like opening of a busbar part, a web of the busbar part being passed through window-like recesses in the two independently movable clamping legs.

DE 20 2013 101 968 U1 Figure 10 shows a pushable wire termination having a housing into which a spring assembly is inserted. The spring assembly has a clamping spring in which inclined strips protrude towards a conductor strip at the upper end of an L-shaped support section. On the opposite side, the clamping leg is oriented towards the conductor strip. A wire can be clamped to the conductor strip with the diagonal strips.

Of the DE 3514099 A1 a connecting terminal for electrical conductors can be seen which has a clamping spring with two leg ends which are bent towards one another in such a way that one leg end extends through a recess in the other leg end. A busbar is also passed through the recess, to which an electrical conductor inserted above the busbar and a conductor inserted below the busbar can be clamped by means of the two leg ends of the clamping spring.

Based on this, it is the object of the present invention to create an improved conductor connection terminal in which the electrical contacting of an electrical conductor on a contact pin is improved with the most compact structure possible.

The task is achieved by the conductor connection terminal with the features of the claim 1 and solved by the conductor connection terminal with the features of claim 6. Advantageous embodiments are described in the subclaims.

• zwischen dem eingeführten elektrischen Leiter und dem eingeführten Kontaktstift ein elektrisch leitendes Kontaktelement an der Klemmfeder in der Durchstecköffnung des Anlageschenkels angeordnet ist, und
• eine von dem Klemmschenkel auf einen eingesteckten elektrischen Leiter ausgeübte Kontaktkraft den elektrischen Leiter an das zwischenliegende Kontaktelement drückt und der gegenüberliegende freie Endabschnitt des Anlageschenkels eine Kontaktkraft auf den eingesteckten Kontaktstift in Richtung des zwischenliegenden Kontaktelementes ausübt, wobei die Klemmkräfte der Klemmfeder beidseits über den Kontaktstift und den elektrischen Leiter auf das Kontaktelement wirken und
• der freie Endabschnitt des Anlageschenkels (9) einen Klemmabschnitt (11) zum Anklemmen des eingeführten Kontaktstiftes (5) zwischen dem Klemmabschnitt (11) und dem Kontaktelement (3) bildet, wobei der Klemmabschnitt (11) ein von der im Bereich der Durchstecköffnung (10) von dem Anlageschenkel (9) aufgespannten Ebene weggebogener Abschnitt des Anlageschenkels (9) ist.

For a generic conductor connection terminal it is proposed that

• between the inserted electrical conductor and the inserted contact pin, an electrically conductive contact element is arranged on the clamping spring in the through opening of the contact leg, and
• a contact force exerted by the clamping leg on an inserted electrical conductor presses the electrical conductor against the intermediate contact element and the opposite free end portion of the contact leg exerts a contact force on the inserted contact pin in the direction of the intermediate contact element, the clamping forces of the clamping spring on both sides via the contact pin and the electrical conductors act on the contact element and
• the free end section of the contact leg (9) forms a clamping section (11) for clamping the inserted contact pin (5) between the clamping section (11) and the contact element (3), the clamping section (11) being one of the in the area of the push-through opening (10 ) from the contact leg (9) spanned plane is bent away section of the contact leg (9).

The through opening is therefore not present in the clamping leg, but in the contact leg of the clamping spring. This ensures that the contact element can be placed in the push-through opening of the contact leg in a space-saving manner. The contact force exerted by the contact leg on an inserted electrical conductor presses the electrical conductor against the intermediate contact element. The opposite free end section of the contact leg also exerts a contact force on the inserted contact pin in the direction of the intermediate contact element. Both the electrical conductor and the contact pin are thus contacted directly on an intermediate contact element.

With a very compact design, this leads to a relatively short current transmission path between the electrical conductor and the contact pin via the contact element located between them. The clamping forces of the clamping spring act on both sides via the contact pin and the electrical conductor on the contact element. In addition, the contact pin and the electrical conductor can be inserted independently of one another. It is thus possible to first place the conductor connection terminal on a contact pin and to contact it and then to insert and clamp the electrical conductor. The reverse variant is also conceivable, in which at least one electrical conductor is initially clamped to the conductor connection terminal and this conductor connection terminal is then plugged onto the associated at least one contact pin together with the already connected electrical conductor. The insulating material housing does not significantly contribute to the clamping connection and in any case does not serve as a counter-bearing opposite the clamping spring. Rather, the contact pin and the electrical conductor are clamped between the free end portion of the contact leg and the clamping edge at the free end of the clamping leg. The spring-loaded terminal connection is thus self-supporting and largely independent of the insulating material housing.

It is particularly advantageous that the clamping section is a section of the contact limb that is bent away from the plane spanned in front of the contact limb in the area of the push-through opening of the contact limb. The free end section of the contact leg provided for clamping the contact pin to the contact element thus adjoins the push-through opening.

This free end section can be bent either in the insertion direction of the contact pin or opposite to the insertion direction of the contact pin. By bending the free end section opposite to the insertion direction of the clamping leg, the clamping force on the contact pin is shifted relatively far in front of the push-through opening, as seen in the contact pin insertion direction. In the other case, in which the free end section is bent in the direction of the contact pin insertion direction, the contact force is shifted further upwards, as seen in the contact pin insertion direction, above the push-through opening. The respective variant should preferably be selected adapted to the positioning of the clamping edge on the clamping leg, so that the contact forces of the contact leg and the clamping leg are directed towards one another as far as possible.

It is advantageous if the contact element is fixed in position or is arranged with limited mobility in the insulating material housing. This ensures that the conductor insertion opening and the contact pin insertion opening in the insulating material housing are not blocked by the contact element. The contact leg is then movable relative to the contact element in order to press the inserted contact pin against the contact element which is arranged in a fixed position in the insulating material housing. The same applies to the clamping leg, which is movable in the direction of the contact element by the spring force of the clamping spring.

It is particularly advantageous if the contact element has at least one contact projection on the contact side of the contact element facing the electrical conductor and / or the contact pin. The spring force exerted by the clamping spring via the clamped-on contact pin and / or electrical conductor is thus concentrated on the contact projection and the surface pressure is thus increased. The surface pressure is the contact pressure per surface. The clamping force is thus concentrated on the smallest possible area, which significantly improves the reliability of the electrical terminal connection.

In contrast to a busbar used to conduct electricity, the contact element is relatively short and serves exclusively to transmit the electrical current from the contact pin to the electrical conductor and vice versa. A further derivation of the current, for example to a connection contact of the conductor connection terminal connected to the contact element, is not provided. The contact element is therefore relatively short. It is preferably exclusively with the clamping spring and connected in an electrically conductive manner to an electrical conductor and a contact pin in the clamped state. The contact element is preferably shorter than the distance between the spring bow adjoining the contact limb and the clamping section of the contact limb. It is particularly advantageous if the contact element has an extension length that corresponds at most to the width of the clamping spring.

• zwischen dem eingeführten elektrischen Leiter und dem eingeführten Kontaktstift ein elektrisch leitendes Kontaktelement an der Klemmfeder in der Durchstecköffnung des Anlageschenkels angeordnet ist, und
• eine von dem Klemmschenkel auf einen eingesteckten elektrischen Leiter ausgeübte Kontaktkraft den elektrischen Leiter an das zwischenliegende Kontaktelement drückt und der gegenüberliegende freie Endabschnitt des Anlageschenkels eine Kontaktkraft auf den eingesteckten Kontaktstift in Richtung des zwischenliegenden Kontaktelementes ausübt, wobei die Klemmkräfte der Klemmfeder beidseits über den Kontaktstift und den elektrischen Leiter auf das Kontaktelement wirken,
• der freie Endabschnitt des Anlageschenkels (9) einen Klemmabschnitt (11) zum Anklemmen des eingeführten Kontaktstiftes (5) zwischen dem Klemmabschnitt (11) und dem Kontaktelement (3) bildet, und
• das Kontaktelement ist ortsfest und schwenkbar in der Durchstecköffnung gelagert ist.

For a generic conductor connection terminal, it is also proposed that

• between the inserted electrical conductor and the inserted contact pin, an electrically conductive contact element is arranged on the clamping spring in the through opening of the contact leg, and
• a contact force exerted by the clamping leg on an inserted electrical conductor presses the electrical conductor against the intermediate contact element and the opposite free end portion of the contact leg exerts a contact force on the inserted contact pin in the direction of the intermediate contact element, the clamping forces of the clamping spring on both sides via the contact pin and the electrical conductors act on the contact element,
• the free end section of the contact leg (9) forms a clamping section (11) for clamping the inserted contact pin (5) between the clamping section (11) and the contact element (3), and
• the contact element is stationary and is mounted pivotably in the push-through opening.

The contact element thus has a predetermined fixed position in relation to the conductor insertion opening and the contact pin insertion opening in the insulating material housing. The pivotable mounting of the contact element on the contact leg ensures that the contact element clings to an adjacent contact pin and electrical conductor when the contact pin and the electrical conductor are pressed against one another by the clamping force of the clamping spring. The spring forces act on the contact pin and the electrical conductor mostly not directly opposite one another. The pivotability of the contact element means that the position of the contact element is optimally adapted, so that the flow of force is optimized and an improved current transfer is ensured.

As an alternative to this, the contact element can also be mounted displaceably in the push-through opening. When inserting an electrical conductor and a contact pin, the contact element is thus able to align itself optimally with regard to the spring clamping forces acting on the contact pin and electrical conductor.

For mounting the contact element in the push-through opening, it is advantageous if the contact element has grooves on its opposite end faces for receiving on the side webs of the contact leg of the clamping spring that delimit the push-through opening. The contact element is thus not just simply inserted into the push-through opening, but rather mounted on the side webs of the push-through opening with the aid of the grooves. It can therefore not slip in a direction transverse to the plane of the plane spanned by the through opening. Rather, the contact element is fixed in position in this direction by the grooves. It is simply hooked into the push-through opening by means of the grooves.

The conductor connection terminal can be single-pole. However, it is also conceivable that the conductor connection terminal is multi-pole and has a number of clamping springs corresponding to the number of poles with an associated conductor insertion opening and contact pin insertion opening. Thus, in the above description and the claims, an indefinite article is not to be understood as a numerical word.

Figur 1

- Seitenansicht einer Leiteranschlussklemme ohne Isolierstoffgehäuse im Vorsteckzustand;

Figur 2

- Seitenansicht der Leiteranschlussklemme aus Figur 1 mit eingestecktem elektrischen Leiter und Kontaktstift;

Figur 3

- Seiten-Schnittansicht einer zweiten Ausführungsform eine Leiteranschlussklemme mit eingestecktem Kontaktstift;

Figur 4

- Draufsicht auf die Leiteranschlussklemme aus Figur 3 mit dem etwas in die Flucht der Leiter-Einführungsöffnung hineinragenden Kontaktelement;

Figur 5

- Seitenansicht einer dritten Ausführungsform einer Leiteranschlussklemme ohne Isolierstoffgehäuse mit verschiebbar in der Durchstecköffnung des Anlageschenkels gelagertem Kontaktelement;

Figur 6

- Seitenansicht einer vierten Ausführungsform einer Leiteranschlussklemme ohne Isolierstoffgehäuse mit schwenkbar in der Durchstecköffnung des Anlageschenkels gelagerten Kontaktelement;

Figur 7

- Ausschnittsansicht in der Draufsicht auf einen Ausschnitt des Anlageschenkels im Bereich der Durchstecköffnung mit darin in Nuten des Anlageschenkels eingehängten Kontakt-elements;

Figur 8

- Querschnittsansicht einer anderen Ausführungsform mit dem in Nuten des Kontaktelementes hineinragenden Anlageschenkel im Bereich der Durchstecköffnung;

Figur 9

- Querschnittsansicht einer weiteren Ausführungsform eines schwenkbar an dem Anlageschenkel gelagerten Kontaktelementes;

Figur 10

- Seiten-Schnittansicht einer hebelbetätigten Leiteranschlussklemme mit eingestecktem elektrischen Leiter und Kontaktstift;

Figur 11

- perspektivische Schnittansicht der Leiteranschlussklemme aus Figur 10;

Figur 12

- perspektivische Ansicht eines aus einer Klemmfeder und einem Kontaktelement gebildeten Klemmeinsatz für die Leiteranschlussklemme aus Figur 10 und 11;

Figur 13

- perspektivische Rückseitenansicht des Klemmeinsatzes aus Figur 12;

Figur 14

- Seiten-Schnittansicht des Kontakteinsatzes aus Figur 12 und 13 mit Betätigungshebel;

Figur 15

- perspektivische Ansicht des Kontakteinsatzes mit Betätigungshebel aus Figur 14;

Figur 16

- perspektivische Vorderseitenansicht des Kontakteinsatzes aus Figur 15 mit eingestecktem Kontaktstift;

Figur 17

- perspektivische Ansicht eines Stiftleistengehäuses mit eingebauten Kontaktstiften;

Figur 18

- perspektivische Ansicht des Stiftleistengehäuses aus Figur 17 mit angesetzter Leiteranschlussklemme;

Figur 19

- perspektivische Ansicht des Stiftleistengehäuses mit eingesetzter und verrasteter Leiteranschlussklemme;

Figur 20

- perspektivische Rückseitenansicht der Anordnung aus Stiftleistengehäuse und eingesetzter Leiteranschlussklemme aus Figur 19;

Figur 21

- perspektivische Rückseitenansicht der Leiteranschlussklemme mit Betätigungshebel aus Figur 11 mit eingesetzten Kontaktstiften.

The invention is explained in more detail below using exemplary embodiments with the accompanying drawings. Show it:

Figure 1

- Side view of a conductor connection terminal without insulating housing in the pre-plugged state;

Figure 2

- Side view of the conductor connection terminal Figure 1 with inserted electrical conductor and contact pin;

Figure 3

- Side sectional view of a second embodiment of a conductor connection terminal with an inserted contact pin;

Figure 4

- Top view of the conductor connection terminal Figure 3 with the contact element protruding somewhat into the alignment of the conductor insertion opening;

Figure 5

- Side view of a third embodiment of a conductor connection terminal without an insulating housing with a contact element which is slidably mounted in the push-through opening of the contact leg;

Figure 6

- Side view of a fourth embodiment of a conductor terminal without insulating housing with pivotably mounted contact element in the through opening of the contact leg;

Figure 7

- Detail view in plan view of a detail of the contact leg in the area of the push-through opening with contact elements suspended therein in grooves of the contact leg;

Figure 8

- Cross-sectional view of another embodiment with the contact leg protruding into the grooves of the contact element in the area of the push-through opening;

Figure 9

- Cross-sectional view of a further embodiment of a contact element pivotably mounted on the contact leg;

Figure 10

- Side sectional view of a lever-operated conductor connection terminal with an inserted electrical conductor and contact pin;

Figure 11

- Perspective sectional view of the conductor connection terminal Figure 10 ;

Figure 12

- Perspective view of a clamping insert formed from a clamping spring and a contact element for the conductor connection terminal Figures 10 and 11 ;

Figure 13

- Perspective rear view of the clamping insert from Figure 12 ;

Figure 14

- Side sectional view of the contact insert Figures 12 and 13 with operating lever;

Figure 15

- Perspective view of the contact insert with operating lever Figure 14 ;

Figure 16

- Perspective front view of the contact insert from Figure 15 with inserted contact pin;

Figure 17

- perspective view of a pin header housing with built-in contact pins;

Figure 18

- Perspective view of the pin header housing Figure 17 with attached conductor connection terminal;

Figure 19

- Perspective view of the pin header housing with inserted and locked conductor connection terminal;

Figure 20

- Perspective rear view of the arrangement of the pin strip housing and inserted conductor connection terminal Figure 19 ;

Figure 21

- Perspective rear view of the conductor connection terminal with operating lever Figure 11 with inserted contact pins.

Figure 1 shows a side view of a first embodiment of a conductor connection terminal without an insulating housing. The spring-loaded terminal connection formed from a clamping spring 2 and a contact element 3 for connecting an electrical conductor 4 can be seen from one side (from above) and a contact pin 5 from the opposite side (from below). Of the electrical conductor 4 with its stripped end and the contact pins 5 are in the pre-plugged state and not yet clamped to the spring-loaded terminal connection.

The clamping spring 2 has a clamping leg 6 which, at its free end, has a clamping edge 7 for clamping the stripped end of the electrical conductor 4. A “free end” is understood to mean the end region at which the clamping spring 2 runs out or ends.

The clamping leg 6 merges into a spring bow 8, to which a contact leg 9 is connected. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the contact leg 9 is bent over again and extends in the direction of the clamping leg 6. In the bent contact section, there is a push-through opening 10 over the length indicated by cross lines. The clamping leg 6 dips with its free end region into the push-through opening 10 at least in the deflected state and, as shown, can protrude from the push-through opening 10 on the side opposite the spring bow 8.

The free end of the contact leg 9, which lies opposite the clamping leg 6, is bent over adjacent to the push-through opening 10 relative to the plane spanned by the push-through opening 10 in order to form a clamping section 11 with the bent free end.

It can be seen that the contact element 3 is arranged in the push-through opening 10 and protrudes from the push-through opening 10 on both sides. In the illustrated embodiment, the contact element is supported with a bent support section 12 on the clamping section 11 of the contact leg 9. The contact element 3 is pressed by the clamping force of the clamping spring 2 with the clamping edge 7 of the clamping leg 6 against the clamping section 11 of the contact leg 9. The spring-loaded clamping contact is thus self-supporting. It can also be seen that in the lower region of the clamping element 3 a guide section 13 is bent obliquely out of the plane of the clamping element 3 in the opposite direction to the support section 12. This creates a funnel-shaped guide for inserting a contact pin 5 to be clamped between the contact element 3 and the clamping section 11 of the contact leg 9 of the clamping spring 2.

In the upper area, the clamping element 3 is tapered in order to protrude with the tapered end section 14 through the push-through opening 10. The contact element 3 then rests with its adjoining, again widened section on the side webs of the contact leg 9 that delimit the push-through opening 10.

Figure 2 omits a side view of the conductor connection terminal 1 Figure 1 recognize when plugged in. Both the electrical conductor 4 with its stripped end and the contact pin 5 in their respective clamping position are inserted into the spring-loaded terminal connection. It becomes clear that the stripped end of the electrical conductor 4 is pressed with the clamping leg 6 against the contact element 3. The clamping edge 7 rests on the free end of the contact leg 6 on the stripped end of the electrical conductor 4 and exerts a spring force in the direction of the contact element 3. The electrical conductor is pressed against a contact edge on the guide section 13 and, adjacent to the push-through opening 10, against a further contact edge 15 produced by bending over the contact element 3. The clamping force of the clamping leg 6 of the clamping spring 2, which essentially results from the spring bow 8, is thus concentrated on these defined contact points.

On the side of the contact element 3 opposite the electrical conductor 4, the contact pin 5 is inserted in the opposite direction and placed between the clamping edge 11 and the contact element 13. The clamping section 11 of the contact leg 9 has a bend at its free end region 16, with which, on the one hand, an insertion funnel for the contact pin 5 and, on the other hand, a defined and reduced contact surface is created with which the clamping section 11 transmits the spring force of the contact leg 9 to the contact pin 5. By inserting the contact pin 5 between the clamping section 11 and the contact element 3, the contact element 3 is relatively displaced from the clamping section 11 in the direction of the clamping leg 6 by the contact leg 9 undergoing a deflection. Both the stripped end of the electrical conductor 4 and the contact pin 5 are thus pressed against the contact element 3 by the opposing spring forces of the clamping leg 6 and the clamping section 11 of the clamping spring 2. An electrical current is transmitted between the contact pin 5 and the electrical conductor 4 via the shortest route through the contact element 3. This construction means that the contact resistances are kept extremely low.

Figure 3 shows a second embodiment of a conductor connection terminal 1 now in an insulating housing 17. Here, too, a clamping spring 2 is again received in the manner of a loop spring in the insulating material housing 17. The insulating material housing 17 has a conductor insertion opening 18 in the upper area, which opens out at the clamping point formed by the free end of the clamping leg 6 and the contact element 3 for clamping an electrical conductor 4. Adjacent to the conductor insertion opening 18, in the exemplary embodiment shown, an actuating lever 19 is slidably installed in the insulating material housing 17. The actuating lever 19 rests against the clamping leg 6 in order to displace the clamping leg 6 in the direction of the contact leg 9 for opening the clamping point for the connection or removal of an electrical conductor 4.

The insulating housing 17 is constructed in two parts from an upper part 20 and a lower part 21. The lower part 21 has latching lugs 22 which dip into latching openings 23 of the upper part 20 in order to latch the lower part 21 on the upper part 20. For assembly, the spring-loaded terminal connection formed from the clamping spring 2 and the contact element 3, as well as the actuating lever 19 in FIG the upper part 20 is used. The upper part 20 is then closed with the lower part 21, which then engages with the upper part 20.

It can be seen that in this exemplary embodiment, too, the contact element 3 is again passed through a push-through opening 10 in the contact leg of the clamping spring 2 and is thus mounted on the contact leg 9. The contact element 3 can be mounted in a stationary manner in the insulating material housing 17. However, it should be mounted on the contact arm 9 so that it can be displaced or pivoted relative to the clamping spring 2, in particular in the direction of extension of the through opening 10 and the contact leg 9 in the region of the through opening 10.

It becomes clear that the contact pin 5, which is inserted from below into a contact pin insertion opening 24 of the insulating material housing 17, rests against the contact element 3. The contact pin 5 is pressed against the contact element 3 with the clamping section 11 of the bent free end of the contact leg 9. The clamping section 11 bent in the insertion direction of the contact pin 5 has a section 25 bent opposite to the insertion direction of the contact pin 5, with which the clamping spring 2 is mounted in the insulating material housing 17. This section 25 is bent away from the contact pin 5 to be inserted and the contact pin insertion opening 24 in the direction of the outer wall of the insulating material housing 17 in order to form a funnel-shaped guide wall for the contact pin 5.

Furthermore, on the side of the contact section 9 opposite the clamping section 11, below the spring bow 8, a retaining tab 26 is bent down from the contact section 9 in the direction of the lower part 21 of the insulating housing 17. This retaining tab 26 dips into an associated retaining bay 27 of the lower part 21 in order to ensure that the clamping spring 2 is fixed in position in the insulating material housing 17 to a certain extent.

It can also be seen that the contact element 3 is on the clamping leg 6 has a protrusion 28 facing the side which forms a contact edge for clamping an electrical conductor inserted into the conductor insertion opening 18.

Figure 4 omits a top view of the conductor connection terminal 1 Figure 3 recognize. It becomes clear that the conductor insertion opening 18 opens into the contact space towards the clamping point, which is formed by the clamping leg 6 or the clamping edge 7 arranged on it at the free end section and the contact element 3 protruding with part of its width into the alignment of the conductor insertion opening 18 . The contact element 3 thus protrudes somewhat beyond the wall of the insulating material housing 17 which delimits the conductor insertion opening 18.

It can also be seen that the actuating lever 19 has a U-shaped bent section with two opposing side webs 29 which form part of the wall of the conductor insertion opening 18 and contribute to guiding an electrical conductor 4. The actuating pusher 19 rests with a transverse web on the clamping leg 6 in order to displace the clamping leg 6 when the actuating element 19 is pressed down in the direction of the contact leg 9 to open the clamping point.

Figure 5 shows a side view of a third embodiment of a conductor connection terminal 1 again without an insulating material housing with an inserted and clamped contact pin 5. Again, the free end section of the contact leg 9 is bent over in the insertion direction (direction of extension) of the contact pin in order to form a clamping section 11. This clamping section 11 is aligned with its free end towards the contact pin 5 and the contact element 3 inserted into a push-through opening 10 in the contact leg 9, so that the contact pin 5 makes contact with a clamping edge at the end of the clamping section 11 and is pressed against the contact element 3.

At the free end section of the contact leg 9, a section 25 is again bent out in the opposite direction of the clamping section 11, which is exposed (e.g. punched or cut free) from the sheet metal material of the contact leg 9 to form the through opening 10. This section 25 extends obliquely away from the plug-in direction of the contact pin 5 and is used to fix the clamping spring 2 in the insulating material housing and to form an insertion funnel for the contact pin.

The clamping leg 6 of the clamping spring 2 in turn dips with its free end section at least in the deflected plug-in state into the through opening 10 and is provided and aligned to clamp an electrical conductor 4 inserted between the clamping leg 6 and contact element 3 to the contact element 3.

The contact element 3 is, as indicated by the dashed lines, mounted in the push-through opening 10 so that it can be moved relative thereto. A fixed mounting of the contact element 3 in the insulating material housing is preferably provided.

Figure 6 shows another embodiment of the conductor connection terminal 1, in which the relatively short contact element 3 is again arranged in the push-through opening 10 of the contact leg 9. The contact element 3 is here fixedly but pivotably mounted on the bearing leg 9 by means of bearing journals 30. In this way, the position of the contact element 3 can be adapted to the clamping position and the action of the spring force when the contact pin 5 and the electrical conductor (not shown) are clamped. The pivot angle α for the contact element is preferably in the range of up to 10 degrees and particularly preferably up to 5 degrees.

It is also clear that the contact element 3 has protrusions 31 both on the side provided for clamping an electrical conductor and on the side provided for clamping a contact pin 5, which form a defined, reduced contact surface on which the clamping force of the clamping spring 2 is concentrated. This improves the surface pressure and reduces the contact resistance.

In the exemplary embodiment shown, the clamping section 11, which is bent away from the plane of the through opening 10, is now bent over at the free end of the contact leg 9 in the opposite direction to the insertion direction of the contact pin 5. As in the first exemplary embodiment, there is again a bend 16 so that the clamping section 11 ends with a section 32 protruding obliquely from the contact pin insertion opening. As in the first exemplary embodiment, this section 32 thus forms a funnel-shaped guide surface for the contact pin 5 to be inserted.

Figure 7 shows a detail view of a spring-loaded terminal connection in the area of the push-through opening 10 of the contact leg 9 of the clamping spring. This through opening 10 is delimited by two opposing side webs 33a, 33b of the clamping spring. These side webs have, on their side edge facing the through opening 10, grooves 34 into which the contact element 3 is suspended with its free ends. The free ends have a reduced width that is adapted to the grooves 34 compared to the width of the contact element 3 in the adjoining central main area.

In this way, the contact element 3 is fixedly mounted in the extension direction of the push-through opening 10 and the contact leg 9, but nevertheless at least tiltably movably supported on the contact leg 9.

Figure 8 shows an inverted variant in a cross-sectional view of the clamping element 3 in the area of the push-through opening. Again, the through opening is delimited by side webs 33a, 33b of the contact leg 9 of the clamping spring. In this exemplary embodiment, the contact element 3 has grooves 35 on the mutually opposite sides into which the associated side webs 33a, 33b dip. In this way, the contact element 3 is in the longitudinal direction of the contact leg 9 or by the side webs 33a, 33b limited through opening 10 movably mounted on the contact leg 9. The contact element 3 is arranged in the push-through opening.

Figure 9 shows a further embodiment of the mounting of the contact element 3, as it is in the embodiment according to FIG Figure 6 was used. In this case, the contact element 3 is arranged in the push-through opening 10 of the contact leg 9 and is pivotably mounted on the contact leg 9 by means of bearing journals 30.

The ones in the Figures 7 to 9 The illustrated variants of the mounting of the contact element 3 on the contact leg 9 can in principle be used for all of the previously described embodiments of the clamping springs 2 and contact elements 3.

Figure 10 shows a side sectional view of a conductor connection terminal 1, in which an actuating lever 36 is pivotably mounted in the insulating material housing 17 for each clamping spring 2. The insulating material housing has a conductor insertion opening 18 on its front side and a contact pin insertion opening 24 on the opposite rear side, which lead into a common connection space in the insulating material housing 17. The contact insert formed from the clamping spring 2 and the contact element is received in this connection space. It is clear that the contact element 3 is inserted into a push-through opening 10 of the contact leg 9, through which the stripped end of the electrical conductor 4 is also inserted from one side and the contact pin 5 is inserted from the opposite side. The contact element 3 then lies between the stripped end of the electrical conductor 4 and the contact pin 5.

The contact pin 5 rests against the clamping section 11 of the contact leg 9 pointing obliquely to the contact element 3. This clamping section 11 is resilient and exerts a clamping force on the contact pin 5 which is directed towards the opposite contact element 3. The free end of the contact leg 9 is bent away from the contact element 3 in order to create a clamping section 11 with a reduced contact area and to enable the contact pin 5 to be pulled out.

The actuating lever 36 has a partially circular actuating section 37 lying laterally next to the clamping limb 6. When the actuating lever 36 is pivoted up, the actuating section 37 rotates so that a driver surface 38 comes into contact with the clamping limb 6 or a flap of material protruding laterally from the clamping limb and the clamping limb from the contact element 3 moves away in the direction of the opposite part of the contact section 9 adjoining the spring bow 8. In this way, the clamping point formed between the clamping edge 7 of the clamping spring 2 and the contact element 3 is then opened for clamping an electrical conductor 4.

It becomes clear that the spring bow 8 is arranged adjacent to the conductor insertion opening 18 and the push-through opening 10 of the contact section 9 is arranged adjacent to the contact pin insertion opening 24.

It is also clear that the conductor insertion opening 18 and the contact pin insertion opening 24 are parallel and offset to one another, the contact element 3 lying between the alignment of the conductor insertion opening 18 and the alignment of the contact pin insertion opening 24.

Figure 11 FIG. 4 shows a perspective sectional view of the conductor connection terminal 1 from FIG Figure 10 . It becomes clear that the conductor connection terminal 1 has several juxtaposed clamping points each for clamping a pair of electrical conductors 4 and contact pin 5. Correspondingly, several actuating levers 36 are mounted next to one another in the insulating material housing 17 so as to be pivotable. The lever arms of the actuating levers 36 can be separated from one another by intermediate webs 39. The free ends of the actuation levers 36 are arranged adjacent to the conductor insertion openings 18.

It becomes clear that the stripped end of the electrical conductor 4 and the contact pin 5 rest against protrusions 31 (protruding contact edges) of the contact element 3, so that the clamping force is concentrated on these protrusions 31. It can also be seen that the clamping leg 6 is passed laterally next to the actuation section 37 of the actuation lever 36, the actuation section 37 adjoining the boundary wall of the conductor insertion opening 18. This ensures that the electrical conductor 4 is guided laterally by the actuating section 37 of the actuating lever 36.

It can also be seen that the contact leg 9, starting from the spring bow 8, is bent over in the shape of a box such that a first section extends in the conductor insertion direction adjacent to the lever arm of the actuating lever 36, then transversely to the conductor insertion direction or the direction of extension of the conductor insertion opening 18 and the contact pin -Insertion opening 24 extends and is then bent over with the free end region in order to form the clamping section 11 for the contact pin 5 there. The push-through opening 10 is made in the section extending transversely to the conductor insertion and contact pin insertion direction. The width of the push-through opening 10 is wider in the alignment of the conductor insertion opening 18 than in the lower area in the alignment of the contact pin insertion opening 24 Contact pin 5 remains free. The contact element 3 rests adjacent to the conductor insertion opening 18 on an inclined surface 40 of the insulating material housing and is bent slightly obliquely downward in the direction of the alignment of the contact pin insertion opening 24 and away from the spring bow 8. In this way, the contact element 3 is held in its position at least so far that when the conductor connection terminal 1 is unoccupied, the contact pin insertion opening 24 remains free and an electrical conductor 4 can be introduced to the clamping point using the contact element 3 as a guide surface.

Figure 12 leaves a perspective view of the from the clamping spring 2 and the Detect contact element 3 formed clamping insert. It becomes clear that the contact element 3 is inserted into the feed-through opening 10 of the clamping spring 2. For this purpose, the contact element 3 has a protruding tongue 41 with a width that is reduced in comparison to the contact area of the contact element 3. It can also be seen that this tongue 41 has incisions or grooves 42 on the opposite narrow sides, into which the side webs 43 of the contact leg 9, which delimit the push-through opening 10, dip. As a result, the contact element 3 is fixed in position on the clamping spring 2 in relation to its direction of longitudinal extent. It can also be seen that the width of the push-through opening 10 is gradually reduced towards the clamping section 11, so that the width of the push-through opening 10 above the clamping element 3 is greater than in the area below the clamping element 3 on the side facing the clamping section 11. The clamping element 3 can thus rest on the shoulder forming the stepped width of the through opening 10.

Figure 13 omits a perspective rear view of the clamping insert Figure 12 recognize. It becomes clear once again that the clamping element 3 is inserted with its tongue 41 into the push-through opening 10 and, in the process, rests on a shoulder of the push-through opening on the side webs 43.

Figure 14 omits a side sectional view of the clamping insert Figures 12 and 13 recognize with operating lever 36. It is clear that the actuation section 37 of the actuation lever 36 is part-circular and is positioned laterally next to the clamping leg 6. A pie-like cutout in the actuation section 37 creates an actuation surface 38 which engages the clamping leg 6 or a material flap protruding from the clamping leg 6 in order to move it away from the clamping element 3 against the spring force. The actuating section 37 can rest with its partially circular end face on the contact element 3 in order to absorb the actuating force in the contact insert (self-supporting) and to transmit as few forces as possible to the insulating material housing 17.

It can also be seen that after a first section, which adjoins the spring arch 8, the clamping leg 6 is bent down in the direction of the contact element 3 and the free end of the clamping leg 6 carrying the clamping edge 7 is bent back somewhat in the direction of the push-through opening 10.

It is also clear that the protrusions 31 on the contact element 3 are formed by groove-like projections with adjoining and / or intervening depressions, which are produced, for example, by a forming process.

Figure 15 omits a perspective rear view of the contact insert Figure 14 recognize. It becomes clear that the clamping spring with its spring bow 8 and the adjoining contact leg 9 and in particular the clamping leg 6 is delimited on both sides by side walls 44 of the actuating lever 36. These side walls 44 taper conically towards the free end and are connected to one another by a cover plate 45. This cover plate 45 forms the lever arm of the actuating lever 36, which is stabilized by the side walls 44 which widen conically in the direction of the clamping point. The interior of the actuating lever 36 formed in this way is also used for receiving the clamping spring 2 and for guiding the electrical conductor. On both sides of the clamping leg 6 there is a partially circular actuating section 37, which is supported on the contact element 3.

Figure 16 omits a perspective front view of the contact insert Figure 15 recognize. It becomes clear that the spring bow 8 of the clamping spring is arranged below the cover plate 15 of the actuating lever 36. The actuating lever 36 thus at least partially surrounds the clamping spring 2 and is arranged adjacent to the side edges of the clamping spring 2.

Figure 17 shows a perspective view of a pin strip housing 46, which consists of an insulating material housing with contact pins 5 built into it is formed. The pin strip housing 46 has a base plate 47 from which a side wall 48 protrudes on the opposite sides. The front and top of the pin header housing is largely open, the contact pins 5 protruding into this free space. On the front of the base plate 47, latching tabs 49 protrude upwards, which are curved, for example, in a U-shape.

On the side opposite the base plate 47, the side walls 48 are connected to one another by a ceiling web 50. The pin strip housing is connected to the rear by a base plate 51. The contact pins 5 are passed through the base plate 51 and fixed in the base plate 51.

Figure 18 shows a perspective view of the pin header housing 46 with the conductor connection terminal 1 attached to it. The conductor connection terminal 1 is then pushed onto the contact pins 5 and pushed into the pin strip housing 46 and guided laterally through the side walls 48. It can be seen that one of the plurality of actuating levers 36 is folded up in order to open the clamping point of the clamping insert assigned in the interior.

The actuating levers 36 are on the side facing away from the base plate 47.

Figure 19 shows a perspective view of the arrangement of the pin strip housing 46 with the conductor connection terminal 1 now completely inserted. The latching tabs 49 on the front side of the pin strip housing 46 are spring-backed in such a way that they rest against the front side of the conductor connection terminal 1 and form a stop. This means that the conductor connection terminal 1 cannot simply be pulled out of the pin strip housing 46. The latching tabs 49 are arranged on a web 53 of the base plate 47 that is partially exposed by incisions 52. Removal of the conductor connection terminal 1 requires this web 53 to be bent away so that the latching tabs 49 release the adjoining conductor connection terminal 1. A screwdriver, for example, can be used for this purpose be introduced into the space between the conductor connection terminal 1 and web 53 in order to move the web 53 and the latching tabs 49 and to lever out the conductor connection terminal 1.

Figure 20 omits a rear perspective view of the assembly Figure 19 recognize. It becomes clear that the contact pins 5 are received in the base plate 51 without any gaps.

It can also be seen that the open actuating levers 36 adjoin the connecting web 50 in the plugged-in state, so that the actuating levers 36 can be pivoted up completely, as shown in an example.

Figure 21 shows a perspective rear view of the conductor connection terminal 1 with inserted contact pins 5. It becomes clear that there is still a gap between the contact pins 5 and the insulating material housing 17 in the area of the contact pin insertion opening 24. These contact pins 5 are therefore not fixed on the insulating material housing 17 of the conductor connection terminal 1. Such a fixation of the contact pins 5 is only provided for the pin strip housing 46 (cf. Figure 20 ).

Claims (10)

1. Conductor terminal (1)

   - with an insulating housing (17) that has a conductor insertion opening (18) for inserting an electrical conductor (4) and a contact pin insertion opening (24) for inserting a contact pin (5),

   - with a clamping spring (2) for clamping the electrical conductor (4), wherein the clamping spring (2) has a clamping leg (6) with a clamping edge (7) oriented so as to rest against the electrical conductor (4) to be clamped, has a spring bend (8), and has a support leg (9) comprising a feed-through opening (10)

   - wherein the conductor insertion opening (18) leads to the clamping edge (7) in order to guide the electrical conductor (4) to a clamping point formed by the clamping edge (7), and

   - wherein the contact pin insertion opening (24) extends into the interior of the insulating housing (17) in the opposite direction to the conductor insertion opening (18) and leads to the support leg (9) in order to guide the contact pin (5) to rest against the support leg (9),
   characterized in that

   - a contact element (3) is arranged on the clamping spring (2) in the feed-through opening (10) of the support leg (9) between the inserted electrical conductor (4) and the inserted contact pin (5) such that a contact force exerted by the contact leg (6) on an inserted electrical conductor (4) presses the electrical conductor (4) against the contact element (3) located between them and the opposite free end section of the support leg (9) exerts a contact force on the contact pin (5) in the direction of the contact element (3) located therebetween, wherein the clamping forces of the clamping spring (2) act on the contact element (3) from both sides through the contact pin (5) and the electrical conductor (4),

   - the free end section of the support leg (9) forms a clamping section (11) for clamping the inserted contact pin (5) between the clamping section (11) and the contact element (3), wherein the clamping section (11) is a section of the support leg (9) that is bent away from the plane spanned by the support leg (9) in the region of the feed-through opening (10).
2. Conductor terminal (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the free end section of the support leg (9) is bent in the insertion direction of the contact pin (5) or opposite the insertion direction of the contact pin (5).
3. Conductor terminal (1) according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the contact element (3) is arranged in the insulating housing (17) in a fixed position or with a limited mobility, and in that the support leg (9) is movable relative to the contact element (3).
4. Conductor terminal (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the contact element (3) has at least one contact projection (15, 28, 31) on the contact side of the contact element (3) facing the electrical conductor (4) and/or the contact pin (5).
5. Conductor terminal (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the contact element (3) is connected in an electrically conductive manner solely to the clamping spring (2) and, in the clamped state, to an electrical conductor (4) and a contact pin (5).
6. Conductor terminal (1)

   - with an insulating housing (17) that has a conductor insertion opening (18) for inserting an electrical conductor (4) and a contact pin insertion opening (24) for inserting a contact pin (5),

   - with a clamping spring (2) for clamping the electrical conductor (4), wherein the clamping spring (2) has a clamping leg (6) with a clamping edge (7) oriented so as to rest against the electrical conductor (4) to be clamped, has a spring bend (8), and has a support leg (9) comprising a feed-through opening (10),

   - wherein the conductor insertion opening (18) leads to the clamping edge (7) in order to guide the electrical conductor (4) to a clamping point formed by the clamping edge (7), and

   - wherein the contact pin insertion opening (24) extends into the interior of the insulating housing (17) in the opposite direction to the conductor insertion opening (18) and leads to the support leg (9) in order to guide the contact pin (5) to rest against the support leg (9),
   characterized in that

   - a contact element (3) is arranged on the clamping spring (2) in the feed-through opening (10) of the support leg (9) between the inserted electrical conductor (4) and the inserted contact pin (5) such that a contact force exerted by the contact leg (6) on an inserted electrical conductor (4) presses the electrical conductor (4) against the contact element (36) located between them and the opposite free end section of the support leg (9) exerts a contact force on the contact pin (5) in the direction of the contact element (3) located therebetween, wherein the clamping forces of the clamping spring (2) act on the contact element (3) from both sides through the contact pin (5) and the electrical conductor (4),

   - the free end section of the support leg (9) forms a clamping section (11) for clamping the inserted contact pin (5) between the clamping section (11) and the contact element (3), and

   - the contact element (3) is pivotably supported in the feed-through opening (10) in a fixed position relative to the support leg (9), or the contact element (3) is movably supported in the feed-through opening (10).
7. Conductor terminal (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the contact element (3) has, on its mutually opposing faces, notches (35) for accommodating the side webs (33a, 33b) of the support leg (9) of the clamping spring (2) that delimit the feed-through opening (10).
8. Conductor terminal (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the conductor terminal (1) is multipole and has a number of clamping springs (2) with associated conductor insertion openings (18) and contact pin insertion openings (24) that corresponds to the number of poles.
9. Conductor terminal (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one operating lever (36) is pivotably supported in the insulating housing (17) for applying force to an associated clamping leg (6).
10. Arrangement composed of a conductor terminal (1) according to one of the preceding claims and a pin connector housing (46), characterized in that the contact pins (5) are built into the pin connector housing (46) and the pin connector housing (46) is designed to accommodate the conductor terminal (1).

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