EP4315534A1

EP4315534A1 - Clamping device

Info

Publication number: EP4315534A1
Application number: EP22719279.6A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Jens Ruppert
Original assignee: Phoenix Contact GmbH and Co KG
Current assignee: Phoenix Contact GmbH and Co KG
Priority date: 2021-04-01
Filing date: 2022-03-30
Publication date: 2024-02-07
Also published as: BE1029269A1; AU2022248563A1; WO2022207689A1; BE1029269B1; CN117063360A; JP2024515513A; US20240162692A1

Abstract

A clamping device for holding at least one conductor (200), having: a housing element (3), at least comprising: - an inlet opening (5A) and an outlet opening (5B) for routing the conductor (200) through the housing element (3), and - a support surface (7) for the conductor (200) in the housing element (3) arranged at least in certain regions between the inlet opening (5A) and the outlet opening (5B); and wherein a clamping element (9) is arranged so as to be movable on the housing element (3, 3') between a first position (11A, 11A') and a second position (11B, 11B'), and is adapted, in the second position (11B, 11B'), at least to brake at least one movement of the conductor (200) out of the inlet opening (5A, 5A') counter to an insertion direction.

Description

clamping device

The invention relates to a clamping device for holding a conductor according to the preamble of claim 1.

Such a clamping device has a housing element, comprising at least one entry opening and an exit opening for passing the conductor through the housing element, and a bearing surface for the conductor in the housing element, arranged at least in regions between the entry opening and the exit opening. Furthermore, such a clamping device comprises a clamping element for pressing the conductor onto the support surface.

For example, DE 10 2012 014 975 A1 describes such a clamping device for an arrangement in switch cabinets. A conductor can be attached to a support surface of the clamping device by means of a clamping element designed as a cable tie, so that the conductor is held by the clamping device.

The clamping device described in DE 202015 101 480 U1 is used to attach a conductor to a connection box and is intended to permanently ensure the attachment of the conductor and strain relief for the conductor. The conductor is fastened in the clamping device using cable ties, straps or wires.

The clamping devices known from the prior art allow the conductor to be held without the conductor slipping backwards or forwards. However, the clamping devices known from the prior art have the disadvantage that they do not allow the conductor to be easily detached and refastened or pulled through, as is necessary when wiring the switch cabinet.

It is the object of the present invention to provide an improved clamping device which enables simpler and faster assembly and disassembly of a conductor.

This object is solved by an object with the features of claim 1. Accordingly, it is provided that the clamping element is movably arranged on the housing element between a first position and a second position, and is adapted in the second position to at least brake at least one movement of the conductor against a direction of insertion out of the input opening.

A conductor can be understood here as an electrical conductor, several electrical conductors or electrical lines with, for example, plastic insulation, which can also be referred to as cables. Alternatively, the conductor can also be designed as a pipeline or hose, for example made of a flexible material, for conducting fluids, for example for the use of compressed air in a pneumatic system or a liquid as the working medium in a hydraulic system.

The housing element can be designed as a plastic part, for example similar to a terminal block. The housing member includes an entry port and an exit port, which may be located on opposite sides of the housing member, for the conductor to pass therethrough. The two openings can therefore also be referred to as through-openings. The two openings can be arranged in surfaces of the housing element and completely surrounded by a material of the housing element, or only partially surrounded by the material of the housing element, for example open on one or more sides in order to thereby allow the conductor to be inserted from the side.

The bearing surface can be designed in a longitudinal manner, for example in the form of a web, between the inlet opening and the outlet opening. The support surface can be designed to be essentially flat, or at least in some areas can be adapted to the contour of the conductor. The conductor passed through the housing element can rest on the bearing surface and be pressed against the bearing surface by the clamping element in order to be held on the bearing surface.

The clamping element is movably arranged on the housing element between a first position and a second position, and is adapted in the second position to at least brake at least one movement of the conductor against a direction of insertion out of the input opening. For example, depending on the conductor cross-section used, the clamping element cannot touch the conductor in the first position, so that the conductor can simply be inserted into the housing element and passed through the housing element. The first position can therefore also be referred to as the lead-through position.

During a movement of the clamping element in the direction of the second position, the clamping element can be moved closer and closer in the direction of the conductor in order to thereby press the conductor against the support surface. Pressing the conductor against the support surface can also be referred to as clamping or fastening the conductor.

By clamping or fastening the conductor, a movement of the conductor counter to the direction of insertion out of the input opening is at least slowed down.

The term “insertion direction” can be understood to mean a direction in which the conductor or one end of the conductor is first introduced into the housing element through the entry opening and then exits the housing element again through the exit opening. A movement counter to the insertion direction can be understood to mean, for example, a movement of the conductor out of the input opening, for example by pulling on the conductor. The term "braking" can be understood to mean that a movement of the conductor is braked or reduced by a clamping force of the clamping element, or a movement of the conductor is only possible through a tensile force that is greater than the clamping force of the clamping element with which the conductor is held between the bearing surface and the clamping element in the housing element. For example, the term “braking” can also be understood to mean clamping in such a way that a movement of the conductor out of the input opening is prevented or blocked.

The clamping element can be fixed or locked in the second position in or on the housing element, for example by means of a screw. The second position can therefore also be referred to as the clamping position.

Advantageously, with the clamping device described here, a conductor can be securely held with a definable clamping force in order to prevent the conductor from accidentally slipping in the clamping device, while at the same time a user, for example when wiring a control cabinet, the conductor can be pulled to a desired length through the clamping device. Furthermore, the clamping device described herein is advantageously suitable for different conductor cross-sections, since the clamping device enables continuous adjustment of the clamping to the different conductor cross-sections.

In examples, the clamping device can be designed in one piece or made up of several components.

In one example, the clamping element is arranged at least in regions in a direction in which the conductor runs through the housing element so as to be movable along an inclined plane on the housing element between the first position and the second position.

In the first position the clamping element can be located in an area at the entrance opening and in the second position the clamping element can be located in an area at the exit opening.

During a movement of the clamping element in the direction of the second position, the clamping element can be moved closer and closer in the direction of the conductor in order to thereby press the conductor against the support surface.

In one example, the inclined plane runs from the first position in the direction of the second position, with the distance between the clamping element and the bearing surface decreasing when the clamping element moves from the first position in the direction of the second position.

For example, the inclined plane can extend on an inner side of the housing in the direction of the exit opening. Advantageously, depending on the angle of inclination of the inclined plane, the clamping element can be guided or brought ever closer towards the bearing surface from the first position to the second position, in order to thus fasten the conductor between the clamping element and the bearing surface. For example, the inclined plane can have an angle of inclination of up to 5°. Depending on the desired area of application or the conductor cross-sections to be used, the angle of inclination can also be selected to be greater than 5°. In an alternative example, the inclined plane runs from the second position in the direction of the first position, with the distance between the clamping element and the bearing surface decreasing when the clamping element moves from the second position in the direction of the first position.

In one example, the clamping element is movably arranged on the housing element via a pin and slot connection.

For example, an elongated hole can be arranged in an upper side of the housing element in a region between the inlet opening and that of the outlet opening and can run along the bearing surface. A corresponding pin can be arranged on the clamping element and can engage in the elongated hole or be guided in the elongated hole in order to thus arrange the clamping element movably on the housing element between a first position and a second position. Advantageously, by moving the pin back and forth, the user can reciprocate the clamping element between the first position and the second position and thereby move the clamping element closer to or further away from the bearing surface. The pin can, for example, be designed helically and be adapted to fix the clamping element on the housing element in a desired position.

In one example, the clamping element is elastic at least in regions on a side facing the bearing surface. For example, the clamping element can be made of an elastic material, in particular an elastic plastic material.

A region of the clamping element that rests on the conductor can advantageously be elastically deformed in this way in order to press the conductor onto the bearing surface and at the same time allow the conductor to be pulled through the clamping device, for example when wiring a switch cabinet.

In one example, the clamping element has at least one lamellar element, preferably a multiplicity of lamellar elements. Correspondingly, the clamping element with lamellar elements can also be referred to as a comb-shaped clamping element. Advantageously, the lamellar elements can be designed in such a way that they exert a uniform clamping force on the areas of the conductor that are in contact with the lamellar elements. The lamellar elements can also be arranged running obliquely to the direction in which the conductor runs through the housing element, in order to make it easier for the conductor to be pulled through from the input opening in the direction of the output opening and to make it more difficult for the conductor to be pulled back from the input opening.

In one example, the clamping element is wedge-shaped and adapted to be displaceable against a spring force of a compression spring along the inclined plane of the housing element.

For this purpose, the housing element can also have the compression spring, which holds the clamping element in the first position, so that the clamping element can be moved against the spring force of the compression spring on the inclined plane.

Advantageously, the wedge-shaped clamping element can move accordingly when the conductor is passed through the housing element. A movement of the conductor against the direction of insertion causes a wedging or jamming and thus also a stopping of the conductor in this one direction. This enables easy assembly. Manual guiding of the clamping element and fixing of the clamping element on the housing element between the first and second position, for example by means of a screw, are therefore also eliminated.

In one example, the clamping element comprises a multiplicity of displaceable surface elements. During a movement from the first position in the direction of the second position, the surface elements can move toward one another in order to thus securely hold the conductor.

For example, the surface elements can be configured similarly to the elements of a panel and move evenly towards one another when being transferred to the second position. In one example, the input port and/or the output port are/is cylindrical and have a larger diameter than the conductor.

In one example, the inlet opening is flared from an outside of the housing member to an inside of the housing member and/or the outlet opening is flared from an inside of the housing member to an outside of the housing member.

Advantageously, the funnel-shaped configuration of the openings means that the conductor can be guided more easily through the housing element.

In one example, the bearing surface is designed in the form of a channel at least in regions in the direction of the conductor through the housing element, for receiving the conductor at least in regions.

Advantageously, the bearing surface can have a geometry that corresponds to the conductor used, in order to thereby improve the positioning of the conductor on the bearing surface.

In one example, the bearing surface has a corrugated profile and/or a rubber coating, at least in some areas, to prevent the conductor from slipping on the bearing surface.

In addition to the clamping element, the corrugated profile and/or the rubber coating can/can advantageously counteract accidental slipping of the conductor in the clamping device.

In one example, the housing element is designed in the shape of a frame.

In this way, a central area of the housing element can advantageously remain free of material, in which area the clamping element can be displaced in order to enable a compact construction of the clamping device.

In one example, the housing element has a mounting section for mounting on a top-hat rail. For example, the housing element can have a corresponding mounting section for fastening the housing element to a DIN rail. Alternatively, the mounting section can also be adapted for attachment to other known profile rails.

In one example, the housing element is designed to be arranged on a terminal strip with terminal blocks.

For example, the housing element can have appropriate connection elements in order to be arranged in a system with different terminal blocks on a terminal strip.

In one example, the housing element comprises at least one inscription carrier for accommodating at least one inscription element.

As described above, the clamping device can be attached to a DIN rail like a terminal block and labeled accordingly. Advantageously, the inscription enables a clear assignment of the conductor routed through the clamping device.

In one example, the conductor is designed as an electrical line.

Alternatively, the conductor can also be designed as a pipeline or hose, for example made of a flexible material, for the use of compressed air in a pneumatic system or a liquid as the working medium in a hydraulic system.

The idea on which the invention is based is to be explained in more detail below with reference to the exemplary embodiments illustrated in the figures. Show it:

1A shows a view of a clamping device in a state mounted on a top-hat rail;

Fig. 1B is a view of the clamping device according to FIG. 1A, wherein the

Clamping device is shown with a conductor passed through the housing member; FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a portion of the clamping device according to FIG

Figure 1A;

3A-3D views of a clamping device according to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1A, 1B and 2; and

4A - 4D views of a clamping device according to a further embodiment.

FIG. 1A shows a view of a clamping device 1 in a state mounted on a top-hat rail 100 .

The clamping device 1 shown for holding at least one conductor (not shown in FIG. 1) has a housing element 3 with an inlet opening 5A and an outlet opening 5B for passing the conductor through the housing element 3. In the embodiment shown, the openings 5A, 5B are arranged on opposite sides of the housing element 3. It is also shown that the openings 5A, 5B are arranged completely surrounded by the material of the housing element 3. FIG. In further embodiments, however, the openings can also be only partially surrounded by the material of the housing element; for example, the openings can be open on one or more sides, in order thereby to enable the conductor to be introduced from the side.

Furthermore, FIG. 1A shows that the inlet opening 5A tapers in a funnel shape from an outside of the housing element 3 to an inside of the housing element 3 and the outlet opening 5B also tapers in a funnel shape from the inside of the housing element 3 to the outside of the housing element 3 in order to thereby pass through to facilitate the leader.

Also shown in Figure 1A is a conductor support surface 7 which extends in the housing member 3 between the inlet opening 5A and the outlet opening 5B.

The bearing surface 7 shown is designed in the form of a web, so that the conductor guided through the housing element 3 rests on the bearing surface 7 and from the Clamping element 9 can be pressed against the bearing surface 7 with a definable clamping force. The bearing surface 7 and a possible configuration of the bearing surface 7 are shown more clearly in FIG.

FIG. 1A also shows clamping element 9, which is arranged on housing element 3 so that it can move in a direction in which the conductor runs through housing element 3 between a first position 11A and a second position 11B. In the embodiment shown, the first position 11A is arranged towards the entrance opening 5A and the second position 11B is arranged towards the exit opening 5B. In the embodiment shown, the housing element 3 is shown in the form of a frame in order to be able to move the clamping element 9 in a central area of the housing element 3 which is free of material.

In the embodiment shown, the clamping element 9 can be moved along an inclined plane 13 on the housing element 3 between the first position 11A and the second position 11B. The inclined plane 13 runs in the direction of the second position 11B, i.e. also in the direction of the exit opening 5B, so that the distance between the clamping element 9 and the bearing surface 7 decreases more and more in the direction of the exit opening 5B, so that the conductor between the clamping element 9 and to attach the support surface 7. For this purpose, as shown in FIG. 1A, the clamping element 9 is movably arranged on the housing element 3 via a pin-slot connection 15A, 15B. The conductor can thus be introduced into the clamping element 9 through the entry opening 5A when the clamping element 9 is in the first position 11A or in the vicinity of the first position 11A, ie in the direction of the entry opening 5A. By moving the clamping element 9 in the direction of the second position 11B, the conductor can be fastened between the clamping element 9 and the bearing surface 7 .

The elongated hole 15B shown is arranged in an upper side of the housing element 3 in an area between the inlet opening 5A and the outlet opening 5B and runs along the bearing surface 7. The corresponding pin 15A is arranged on the clamping element 9 and engages in the elongated hole 15B in order to the slot 15B between the first position 11A and the second position 11B. In the embodiment shown, an end of the pin 15A facing away from the housing member 3 is provided with a head to facilitate a user to move the pin 15A back and forth and thereby adjust the position. The pin 15A can be helical be designed so that the user can fix the position of the clamping element 9 by rotating the helically designed pin 15A.

Also shown in FIG. 1A are lamellar elements 17A-17N, which are arranged on the clamping element 9 and point in the direction of the bearing surface 7. FIG.

When the conductor is inserted, the lamellar elements 17A - 17N can rest on the conductor and, depending on the position of the clamping element 9 between the first position 11A and the second position 11B, exert a uniform and defined clamping force on the conductor, but at the same time the conductor can be pulled through the Allow clamping device 1, for example when wiring a control cabinet.

The housing element 3 shown in FIG. 1A also has a corresponding mounting section 19 in order to be able to arrange the housing element 3, as shown, on a top-hat rail 100, for example together with one or more terminal blocks (not shown).

Furthermore, in the embodiment shown, an inscription carrier 21 for receiving at least one inscription element (not shown) is arranged on the housing element 3 in order to be able to clearly assign the conductor guided through the clamping device 1 by means of an inscription.

FIG. 1B shows a view of the clamping device 1 previously shown in FIG. 1A with a conductor 200 passed through the housing element 3 and clamped. In the embodiment shown, the conductor 200 shown can be one or more electrical conductors with plastic insulation. Alternatively, in further embodiments, the conductor can also be designed as a pipeline or hose for conducting fluids.

Figure 2 shows an enlarged view of an area of the clamping device 1 previously shown in Figure 1A. As shown in Figure 2, the bearing surface 7 is designed in the form of a groove in the direction of the conductor through the housing element 3, for at least regionally receiving the conductor, in order to thereby To improve positioning of the conductor on the support surface 7. Figures 3A - 3D show views of the clamping device 1 according to the previously shown embodiment.

In the side view shown in Figure 3B and the sectional view shown in Figure 3D, along the center line shown in Figure 3C, the inclined plane 13 can be seen, which runs on the housing element 3 in the direction of the outlet opening 5B, so that the distance between the clamping element 9 and the bearing surface 7 decreases more and more during a movement of the clamping element 9 in the direction of the outlet opening 5B.

Figures 4A - 4D show views of a clamping device V according to a further embodiment.

The embodiment of a clamping device V for holding at least one conductor shown in Figures 4A - 4D has, like the clamping device 1 already shown in the figures above, a housing element 3' with an inlet opening 5A' and an outlet opening 5B' for guiding the conductor through the Housing element 3 'on.

Also shown in Figures 4A - 4D is a conductor support surface 7' extending in the housing member 3' between the inlet opening 5A' and the outlet opening 5B'. In the embodiment shown, the clamping element 9' is wedge-shaped at least in the area that comes into contact with the conductor and can be displaced against the spring force of a compression spring 10' along the inclined plane 13' of the housing element 3'. In Figure 4D, which shows a sectional view along the center line shown in Figure 4C, it is shown that the compression spring 10' holds the clamping element 9' in the first position 11A', so that the clamping element 9' stops against the spring force of the compression spring 10' of the inclined plane 13' can be moved towards the second position 11B'. A movement of the inserted conductor against the feed direction, i.e. a pulling of the conductor out of the entry opening 5A', causes a wedging or jamming and thus also a stopping of the conductor in this one direction.

Furthermore, it is shown in Figures 4A, 4B and 4D that the inclined plane 13 'from the second position 11B' in the direction of the first position 11A 'extends, with a movement of the clamping element 9' from the second position 11B 'in the direction of first position 11 A', the distance between the clamping element 9' and the bearing surface 7' decreases. Furthermore, a clamping screw 23' is shown in FIG. 4D in order to be able to arrange the housing element 3' securely on a top-hat rail 100.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS 1, r clamping device

3, 3' housing element

5A, 5A' input port

5B, 5B' exit port

7, T support surface 9, 9' clamping element

10 compression spring

I IA, 11A' first position

I I B, 11 B' second position 13, 13' inclined plane 15A pin

15B slotted hole

17A - 17N slats 19, 19' assembly section

21 21 Label holder 23' clamping screw

100 DIN rail

200 ladder

Claims

patent claims

A clamping device for holding at least one conductor (200), comprising: a housing element (3, 3') comprising at least: an entry opening (5A, 5A') and an exit opening (5B, 5B') for passing the conductor (200) therethrough through the housing element (3, 3'), and a bearing surface (7, 7') for the conductor (200) in the housing element (3, 3') arranged at least in regions between the inlet opening (5A, 5A') and the outlet opening ( 5B, 5B'); and a clamping element (9, 9') for pressing the conductor (200) onto the bearing surface (7,

7'), characterized in that the clamping element (9, 9') is movable on the housing element (3, 3') between a first position (11 A, 11 A') and a second position (11 B, 11 B') is arranged, and is adapted in the second position (11 B, 11 B ') to at least brake at least one movement of the conductor (200) against a direction of insertion from the input opening (5A, 5A').

2. Clamping device according to claim 1, characterized in that the clamping element (9, 9') is movable at least in regions in a direction of extension of the conductor (200) through the housing element (3, 3') along an inclined plane (13, 13'). the housing element (3, 3') is arranged between the first position (11A, 11A') and the second position (11B, 11B').

3. Clamping device according to claim 2, characterized in that the inclined plane (13) runs from the first position (11A) in the direction of the second position (11B), wherein when the clamping element (9) moves from the first position (11A ) the distance between the clamping element (9) and the bearing surface (7) decreases in the direction of the second position (11 B), or the inclined plane (13') decreases from the second position (11 B') in the direction of the first position (11A') runs, the distance between the clamping element (9') and the bearing surface (7') decreasing when the clamping element (9') moves from the second position (11B') in the direction of the first position (11A').

4. Clamping device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the clamping element (9) is movably arranged on the housing element (3) via a pin-slot connection (15A, 15B).

5. Clamping device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the clamping element (9) is elastic at least in regions on one of the bearing surface (7) side facing.

6. Clamping device according to claim 5, characterized in that the

Clamping element (9) has at least one lamellar element (17A), preferably a multiplicity of lamellar elements (17A - 17N).

7. Clamping device according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the clamping element (9') is wedge-shaped and adapted to be displaceable against a spring force of a compression spring (10') along the inclined plane (13') of the housing element (3'). be.

8. Clamping device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the inlet opening (5A, 5A') and/or the outlet opening (5B, 5B') are/is cylindrical and have a larger diameter than the conductor (200). .

9. Clamping device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the inlet opening (5A, 5A') tapers in a funnel shape from an outside of the housing element (3, 3') to an inside of the housing element (3, 3') and/or the outlet opening (5B, 5B') tapers in a funnel shape from an inside of the housing element (3, 3') to an outside of the housing element (3, 3').

10. Clamping device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the bearing surface (7, 7') is designed in the form of a channel at least in regions in the direction in which the conductor (200) runs through the housing element (3, 3'), for receiving the conductor ( 200).

11. Clamping device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the bearing surface (7, 7') has at least in some areas a corrugated profile and/or a rubber coating to prevent the conductor (200) from slipping on the bearing surface (7, 7').

12. Clamping device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the housing element (3, 3') is designed in the shape of a frame.

13. Clamping device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the housing element (3, 3') has a mounting section (19, 19') for mounting on a top-hat rail (100).

14. Clamping device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the housing element (3, 3') comprises at least one inscription carrier (21, 21') for receiving at least one inscription element.

15. Clamping device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the conductor (200) is designed as an electrical line.