JP4496548B2 - Electrical connection terminal - Google Patents

Abstract

The clamp has a contact insert, which has several clamping points arranged next to each other in a row. Stripped ends (18) of electrical conductors (15) are inserted through window recesses, which are originated from free cut of leaf spring guides in a spring steel plate (16). A main extension direction of the recesses cuts axles of the conductors under a maximum flat angle of incidence, which is obtained by positioning an upper edge region (23) of the plate with guide roots (22) and a lower edge region (24) of the plate with a contact rail adjacent to the ends.

Description

The present invention relates to a connection terminal for an electric conductor, comprising a terminal housing made of an insulator, and a contact insert having a plurality of tightening points provided side by side in a row, and insulating a plurality of electric conductors The removed end can be inserted into the clamping part parallel to each other from the same side of the terminal housing, and the contact insert is manufactured from a piece of spring steel plate and a highly conductive material and all clamping A plurality of leaf spring tongues are cut or punched from one spring steel plate according to the number of fastening points, and the base of the tongue piece is the upper edge of the spring steel plate. The leaf spring tongues extend towards the lower edge region of the spring steel plate and are each directed towards the conductor rail, the conductor rails being perpendicular to the longitudinal extension of the leaf spring tongue To the lower edge area of the spring steel plate The end of the electric conductor, from which the insulation of the electrical conductor has been removed, is first passed through a window notch formed in the spring steel plate by cutting out the leaf spring tongue, and then the tongue end of the leaf spring tongue parts and clamped clamping point of the electrical conductors are formed between the conductor rail, the window cutout of the extension extending from the tongue base occurs in the spring steel sheet by cutouts or punching of the plate spring tongue to the bottom edge region The longitudinal direction intersects the axis of the electrical conductor to be tightened with a gentle entry angle, so that it is located at the tongue base of the leaf spring tongue in the upper edge area of the spring steel plate and at the lower edge area of the spring steel plate. The present invention relates to a structure in which conductor rails that are fixedly held are located adjacent to the end portions from which the insulation of the electrical conductor to be clamped is removed.

  Such a contact insert usually consists of a piece of spring steel plate and a conductor rail made of a highly conductive material and common to all fastening points. Depending on the number of tightening points, a single spring steel plate is cut or punched out in the form of a plurality of leaf spring tongues, and the base of the tongue piece is joined to the upper edge region of the spring steel plate. The free ends of the leaf spring tongues extend towards the lower edge of the spring steel plate and are each directed towards the conductor rail. These free ends together with the conductor rails form the fastening points for electrical and mechanical fastening of the electrical conductors that are plugged into the connection terminals.

  The original form of such a connection terminal has been known since 1973 (German Federal Patent No. 2317040). In its basic structure, it has a conductor rail in the form of a solid (thick) per se rigid contact plate made of a highly conductive copper material. The contact plate is a support element for the contact insert. The contact plate is attached at a leaf spring tongue from which a spring steel plate is cut out. A window notch is formed in the solid contact plate for each tightening point. The electrical conductor to be clamped is first passed through the window notch, and then the conductor end passed through is fixedly clamped to the lower edge or lower edge area of the contact plate by the free end of the corresponding leaf spring tongue, respectively. .

  The original shape of the box-shaped connection terminal is variously changed as the year changes. For example, DE 44 45 603 shows that the first flat contact plate can be deformed into a square shape. The contact plate or the contact body deformed into a square is a solid (thick) support element of the contact insert, and the electric conductor to be fastened must be passed through the window notch formed in the support element. No such change has been made in that the end of the conductor passed therethrough can be clamped and fixed at the tightening point.

  These types of terminals are still used on a large scale in building equipment. But successful products also follow market demands. These demands are aimed at making cheaper (price reduction) and more compact (reduced overall height) (as is always the case).

  In order to meet the first requirement of price reduction, starting from the original form, a successor type has been developed and the solid (thick) contact plate-contact body produced from a relatively expensive copper material has a cross-sectional shape. Instead of a very small conductor rail, this conductor rail extends at right angles to the leaf spring tongue, like a conductor rail strip or conductor rail bar. Such strip-like or bar-like conductor rails are each limited to a minimum conductive cross section with respect to the use of expensive copper material. These conductor rails no longer have the function of a support element (with respect to the contact insert) and are held fixed in position by the lower edge area of the spring steel plate. The window notch is now in spring steel (see German Utility Model No. 20303537).

  The invention departs from the terminal type described in the German utility model No. 20303537. In this form, the end of the electrical conductor from which the insulator has been removed is first passed through a window notch formed in the spring steel plate by cutting out the leaf spring tongue. The conductor is then clamped electrically and mechanically at a clamping point formed between the free end of the leaf spring tongue and the free end of the strip or bar conductor rail.

  The object of the present invention is to show that for this type of connection terminal, the second requirement of the market, i.e. the reduction in height, can also be met.

According to the present invention, this problem is solved as follows. In other words , the lower edge area of the spring steel plate is bent back in the opposite direction of the conductor insertion direction at the portion of the window notch that ends there, as viewed in the section of the tightening point, and thereby opens in the direction opposite to the conductor insertion direction and the others A V-shaped accommodation space that is metallically surrounded on the opposite side is formed, and a conductor rail with a flat cross section and a thin wall thickness is inserted into the V-shaped accommodation space in the conductor insertion direction, and the tightening portion carries the conductor. When the leaf spring tongue is closed without being inserted, the length of the leaf spring tongue is set so that the tongue piece end of the leaf spring tongue penetrates the window notch of the spring steel plate and contacts the lower side of the conductor rail. ing.

  This teaching of the present invention includes a clue to new ideas. To date, those skilled in the art have provided the leaf spring base of the leaf spring tongue in the upper edge range of the spring steel plate as far away as possible from the electrical conductor to be clamped, so that the spring length of the leaf spring tongue is sufficient. It has been found that it is common and necessary to provide a large conductor pull-out force that allows and therefore the steep angle of the leaf spring to the electrical conductor to be clamped. The teachings of the present invention take different ways. This teaching combines a maximally flat tilt angle with a short leaf spring length, thereby making a significant reduction in overall height for a new terminal according to the present invention, which (as will be described below) and / or conductor clamping force and / or Do not adversely affect the conductor pull-out force.

  When the teachings of the present invention are used, the minimum structure for a new terminal is obtained, as can be seen from the accompanying drawings. The total height of the terminal contact insert shown in the figure does not protrude from the outer contour of the conductor defined by the outer diameter of the insulating coating of the electrical conductor. Such a minimum dimension for the overall height of the connection terminal (eg box connection terminal) has never been obtained. This provides significant advantages over actual use. Many connection terminals of this type can be accommodated per unit space. Even in narrow distribution boxes or other equipment terminal boxes, a plurality of these reduced size terminals can be used very well.

  In spite of the reduction in the size of the new terminal, according to claim 2, the leaf spring tongue starts from its tongue base and first moves away from the electrical conductor to be clamped in a first arc (base arc) and then In the second arc (reversing arc), these leaf spring tongues have a pre-deformed part so as to approach the electrical conductor to be clamped, so that a sufficiently large conductor clamping force and a sufficiently large conductor pulling force are guaranteed. The Both pre-deformed parts (base arc and reversing arc) are produced by work hardening in terms of manufacturing technology, so that a large spring force is obtained despite the flat inclination angle with respect to the electrical conductor to be clamped.

  In order to ensure a reliable conductor pull-out force, according to claim 3, the ends of the tongues of the leaf spring tongues such that the wedge angle measured with respect to the electrical conductor is greater than 10 ° The part is bent towards the electrical conductor to be tightened.

  It should be pointed out instead that the features according to the invention can be used not only in one row of connection terminals, but also in two rows of connection terminals, for example 2 according to DE 19654523. As shown in the row of six conductor terminals, here, the tightening points are provided in two rows parallel to each other. The two rows of connection terminals are merely a plane-symmetric arrangement of the one row terminals in a normal case.

    The means according to the invention can hold a flat, thin wall conductor rail in place by means of the lower edge area of the spring steel plate (without additional auxiliary mounting means such as spot welding, brazing or caulking, for example) In the solution according to claim 4, in order to fix the position of the conductor rail, the lower edge area of the spring steel plate is opposite to the conductor insertion direction in the part of the window notch that ends there. As a result, a V-shaped accommodation space is formed which opens in the direction opposite to the direction of inserting the conductor and is surrounded by metal on the other side. When a conductor rail with a thin wall thickness is inserted and the tightening part is closed without inserting a conductor, the tongue end of the leaf spring tongue penetrates the window notch of the spring steel plate, and is below the conductor rail. Abut to fix this , The length of the leaf spring tongues are set.

  This method of fixing the position of the flat strip-shaped conductor rail (or rod-shaped conductor rail if desired) in the lower edge area of the spring steel plate also has significant advantages when manufacturing new terminals with automatic manufacturing equipment. Yes. The conductor rail can be inserted into the V-shaped housing space of the spring steel plate without problems and without further auxiliary devices. In this case, the leaf spring tongue is pushed back from its inoperative position, and then the conductor rail is fixed (preliminarily fixed) in the V-shaped receiving space. The pre-fixed contact insert can be inserted into the insulator housing by the automatic manufacturing apparatus in the same manner.

  If the pre-fixation of the conductor rails in the V-shaped receiving space, and thus the contact insert as a whole, is suitable for the subsequent assembly process, according to claim 5, the conductor rail can be used as a V-shaped receiving space. There are conductor rail heads (such as supporting finger pieces) that protrude at each of the tightening points on the leading edge when inserting the conductor rails into the V-shaped accommodation space. At this time, it is preferable to engage with a window notch portion that is bent back in the direction opposite to the conductor insertion direction.

  The selection of strip-like conductor rails having a flat cross section and a relatively thin wall thickness contributes to a reduction in the overall height. Such a conductor rail has a flat (no step) lower side, and this lower side is inclined obliquely opposite to the conductor insertion direction, and the lower side of the conductor rail is an electric conductor that is inserted into the tightening point. On the other hand, this lower side can be positioned in the V-shaped accommodation space so as to serve as an approach slope.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 shows in cross section a terminal housing 10 with a housing lid 11 in front in the direction of conductor insertion, the housing lid 11 being a conductor insertion opening 12 for parallel insertion of all three electrical conductors 15 in the same direction. , 13 and 14 (see FIG. 3).

  4, 5 and 6 show a contact insert that is assembled into the terminal housing. The contact insert is composed of a piece of spring steel plate 16 (see FIG. 6) and a conductor rail 17 (see FIG. 5) manufactured from a highly conductive material.

  Three leaf spring tongues 21 are cut out from one piece of spring steel plate 16 according to the number of tightening points, thereby generating a window cutout in the spring steel plate. The size of the window notch is approximately equal to the size of the leaf spring tongue 21 including the end side portion 25 best seen in FIG. Electrical conductors 15 are passed through the window cutouts, and the ends 18 from which the conductor insulation has been removed are then electrically and mechanically clamped at the corresponding clamping points. The electric conductor 15 is inserted into the terminal together with a part of the insulator coating 19.

  The illustrated three-conductor connection terminal has three tightening points. The tightening points are respectively formed between the free end 20 of the leaf spring tongue 21 and the conductor rail 17. This is best shown in the side view shown in FIG. 4 of the assembled contact insert.

  The leaf spring tongue 21 is cut out from the spring steel plate 16, and its tongue base 22 is fixedly coupled to a so-called upper edge region 23 of the spring steel plate (see FIG. 6). The free end 20 of the spring tongue 21 extends towards the lower edge area 24 of the spring steel plate 16.

  The lower edge region 24 of the spring steel plate, together with the window notch portion 25 ending there, is bent back in the direction opposite to the conductor insertion direction, so that it is opened by the spring steel plate 16 opposite to the conductor insertion direction and on the other side. A V-shaped accommodation space 26 that is surrounded by the metal in the widest range is formed.

  A conductor rail 17 shown in FIG. 5 is inserted into the V-shaped accommodation space 26. The conductor rail 17 is formed as a strip-like conductor rail having a flat cross section. This extends over all three clamping points. The wall thickness is formed relatively thin and is thicker than the material thickness of the spring steel plate (see FIG. 4). The conductor rail 17 has three conductor rail head portions 27 projecting sideways, and when these conductor rails are inserted into the V-shaped accommodation space 26, the conductor rail 17 has a window notch 25 bent back in the conductor insertion direction. Extend to. A flat and relatively thin conductor rail 17 is located in the V-shaped receiving space 26 so that its flat lower side serves as an entry ramp for the electrical conductor 15 into which it is inserted.

  The cut-out leaf spring tongue 21 is pre-deformed in terms of manufacturing technology, starting with its first arc (base arc) 28, starting from its tongue base 22 and away from the electrical conductor 15 to be clamped, and then It approaches the electric conductor 15 clamped in the second arc (reversing arc) 29 of the. A comparison between FIG. 4 and FIG. 2 illustrates this in more detail. Since the last end 20 of the leaf spring tongue 21 is bent slightly towards the conductor to be clamped, the wedge angle measured with respect to the electrical conductor 15 at the clamping ridge of the tongue piece end 20 is greater than 10 °. . This wedge angle setting increases the conductor pulling force.

  Due to the base arc 28 and the reversing arc 29 pre-deformed in terms of manufacturing technology, the conductor clamping force exerted on the electrical conductor 15 to which the leaf spring tongue 21 is clamped is sufficiently large. The conductor clamping force is assisted by the separation cuts 30 (see FIG. 6) of the spring steel plate that form separate support bridging pieces 31 adjacent to each leaf spring tongue 21 on both sides. At this time, these support bridging pieces 31 are elastically deformed together. In order to enhance this desirable joint elastic deformation of the support bridge 31, each support bridge has an elastic arc 32 (see FIGS. 4 and 6).

  As previously mentioned, the contact inserts require very little space when incorporated into the terminal insulator housing. 2 and 1 show that in the conductor rail 17 in which the upper edge range 23 of the spring steel plate 16 is held at the tongue base 22 of the leaf spring tongue 21 and the lower edge range 24 of the spring steel plate is also held in fixed position. The electrical conductor 15 to be clamped is positioned closely adjacent to the end 18 from which the insulator has been removed. As a result, the main extending direction of the window notch generated in the spring steel plate 16 by the cutting or punching of the leaf spring tongue piece intersects the axis of the electric conductor 15 to be tightened at a maximum flat inclination angle. As a result, the overall height of the contact insert, and thus the overall height of the connection terminals, is also significantly reduced.

  The reduction in the overall height of the terminals can be seen well from FIGS. The upper edge range 23 of the spring steel plate (including the leaf spring tongue 21 coming out from it) and the lower edge range 24 of the spring steel plate (including the conductor rail 17 held in a fixed position) are also shown in the illustrated connection terminals. It does not protrude from the outer contour defined by the extension parallel to the axis of the outer diameter of the insulator coating 19 belonging to the conductor cross-section that can be tightened to.

A cross-sectional view of the new terminal is shown. Figure 2 shows a cross-sectional view of a new terminal with an electrical conductor to be clamped. FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of an insulator housing of a terminal. The side view of a contactor insert is shown. The perspective view of the conductor rail of a contactor insertion body is shown. The perspective view of the spring steel plate of a contactor insertion body is shown.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Terminal housing 15 Electric conductor 16 Spring steel plate 17 Conductor rail 18 End part from which electric conductor insulation was removed 20 Tongue piece end part 22 Tongue piece base part 23 Upper edge range 24 Lower edge range

Claims (6)

A connection terminal for an electrical conductor,
A terminal housing (10) made of an insulator, and a contact insert having a plurality of tightening points provided side by side in a row, and an end of the plurality of electrical conductors (15) from which the insulator has been removed (18) can be inserted from the same side of the terminal housing (10) into the clamping part in parallel to each other;
The contact insert consists of a piece of spring steel plate (16) and a conductor rail (17) manufactured from a highly conductive material and common to all clamping points,
Depending on the number of tightening points, a plurality of leaf spring tongues (21) are cut out or punched out from one piece of spring steel plate (16), and the tongue piece base (22) is formed on the spring steel plate (16). Combined with the upper edge range,
The leaf spring tongue (21) extends towards the lower edge region (24) of the spring steel plate (16) and is directed towards the conductor rail (17), respectively, the conductor rail (17) being the leaf spring tongue. Extending at a right angle to the longitudinally extending direction of (21), held in a fixed position in the lower edge area (24) of the spring steel plate (16),
The end (18) from which the insulator of the electric conductor (15) has been removed is first passed through a window notch formed in the spring steel plate (16) by cutting out the leaf spring tongue (21), and then the leaf spring tongue. Tightened at the tightening point of the electric conductor formed between the tongue piece end (20) of the piece (21) and the conductor rail ( 17 );
Cutout or lower from the tongue base occurs in the spring steel sheet (16) (22) the edge region (24) extending length direction-out window cutout that extends until the punching, the clamping is electrical conductors of the leaf spring tongues (21) ( Intersect the axis of 15) with a gentle approach angle,
Accordingly, the position is fixed to the tongue base portion (22) of the leaf spring tongue piece (21) in the upper edge range (23) of the spring steel plate (16) and the lower edge range (24) of the spring steel plate (16). The conductor rails (17) held in position are positioned adjacent to the end (18) from which the insulation of the electrical conductor (15) to be clamped has been removed,
The lower edge region (24) of the spring steel plate (16) is bent back at the window notch portion (25) ending there, as viewed in the section of the tightening point, in the direction opposite to the conductor insertion direction. A V-shaped receiving space (26) that opens in the opposite direction and is metallically surrounded on the other side is formed,
A conductor rail (17) having a flat cross section and a thin wall thickness is inserted into the V-shaped accommodation space (26) in the conductor insertion direction,
When the tightening point is closed without inserting the conductor, the tongue piece end portion (20) of the leaf spring tongue piece (21) passes through the window notch of the spring steel plate (16) and is below the conductor rail (17). The connection terminal is characterized in that the length of the leaf spring tongue (21) is set so as to be in contact with the side.   When viewed in cross-section at the clamping point, the leaf spring tongue (21) starts from its tongue base (22) and first leaves the electrical conductor to be clamped in the first arc (28) and then the next second arc. 2. The connection terminal according to claim 1, wherein the leaf spring tongue pieces have a pre-deformed portion so as to approach the electric conductor to be tightened. These tongue piece ends (20) so that the wedge angle measured with respect to the electric conductor at the fastening ridge of the tongue piece end portion (20) of the leaf spring tongue piece (21) is larger than 10 ° when viewed in the section of the tightening point. ), characterized in that is bent towards the clamping is electrically conductive, connecting terminal according to claim 1 or 2. The conductor rail (17) is inserted into the V-shaped accommodation space (26) in the conductor insertion direction,
  The conductor rail (17) has a conductor rail head portion (27) protruding at each of the tightening points on its leading edge at the time of insertion, and this conductor rail head portion (27) is opposite to the conductor insertion direction. Engages with bent window notch
The connection terminal according to claim 1, wherein the connection terminal is characterized in that The lower side of the conductor rail (17) inserted into the V-shaped accommodation space (26) is inclined obliquely opposite to the conductor insertion direction, and the lower side of the conductor rail is against the electric conductor inserted into the tightening point. The connection terminal according to claim 1, wherein the connection terminal serves as an approach slope. In the section of the tightening point, the upper edge range (23) of the spring steel plate (16) is fixed at the leaf spring tongue (21) coming out from it and the lower edge range (24) of the spring steel plate is fixed in position. In the retained conductor rail (17), the insulation coating (15) of the electrical conductor (15) to be tightened is closed even when the tightening portion is closed without inserting a conductor, or when the tightening portion is fully opened. 19) Extension parallel to the outer diameter axis 6. The connection terminal according to claim 1, wherein the connection terminal does not protrude from the outer contour defined by the length.

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