JP5933697B2 - Electrical connection device with holding means for positioning a contact spring in a reference state - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an electrical connection device provided for connecting a conductor in particular to an electrical component.

  There is a high demand for easy handling of electrical connection devices for connecting electrical conductors to plugs or electrical assemblies and for robust contact. There is also a high demand for protecting electrical contacts from dust and moisture, especially when used in industrial environments.

  First, the prior art is disclosed in DE 20 2006 009 460 U1.

  The document DE 20 2010 016 638 U1 discloses an electrical connection device having a spring cage. In this document, in a reference state, a contact spring is mounted on a holding pin of a spring cage so that a conductor can be inserted into a spring clamp. The contact pin is disposed on the trigger lever, and the trigger lever is shifted by the entry of the conductor, so that the contact spring moves away from the holding pin and fixes the conductor in the connection device. This electrical connection device has the disadvantage that it is only suitable for conductors with sufficient rigidity, for example single-wire conductors or stranded conductors with ferrules.

  The object of the present invention is suitable for stranded conductors without ferrules, can be handled very easily, is suitable for connecting the conductors to an electrical assembly, in particular to the housing of the electrical assembly, and very good It is an object of the present invention to provide a connection device of the above type which ensures protection from dust and moisture.

  This object is achieved by the electrical connection device described below provided for connecting the electrical conductor to the electrical assembly. Such an electrical connection device includes a spring cage that accommodates a contact spring, and an application region that faces the contact spring, and the contact spring is a conductor from a reference state in which the conductor can be inserted into the spring cage. And holding means that can be adjusted to an installation state in which the conductor is fixed in the spring cage, and the holding means is disposed so as to be displaceable between the application area and the contact spring in the reference state. ing. Particularly preferably and advantageously, the holding means comprise an application web. More preferably, in the reference state, the application web is arranged between the conductor and the contact spring and is designed to bend in the direction of the conductor when the holding means is displaced.

  Since the holding means can be displaced relative to the spring cage, the holding means can be pushed and moved. Furthermore, advantageously, the application web guides the contact spring to the conductor so that the contact spring does not suddenly hit the conductor when the holding means moves under the contact spring, The contact spring is then pressed against the conductor. If the conductor is formed as a stranded conductor, the application web further prevents the individual leads from falling apart.

  The holding means is preferably displaceable, and is preferably displaceable together with the conductor between the application area and the contact spring when the conductor is inserted in the conductor insertion direction. Therefore, the holding means is displaced between the application area and the contact spring in the direction of inserting the conductor and along the application area until it moves under the contact spring to release the contact spring. The contact spring is then guided (pressed) to the conductor to fix the conductor. As described above, according to the electrical connection device of the present invention, the conductor can be automatically fixed only by inserting the conductor in the conductor insertion direction. Since no further assistance is required, even an untrained person can connect the electrical conductor to the electrical connection device very easily and quickly, and the electrical connection device can be handled very easily.

  The electric assembly in the meaning of the present invention is, for example, a conductor, an individual electric component, a circuit composed of a plurality of electric components, or the like. In a preferred embodiment, it is particularly preferred that the electrical assembly is protected by a housing and an electrical connection device is connectable to the housing.

  Preferably, the conductor has, for example, an electrically insulating sheath and an electrically conductive core. Preferably, the conductive core is formed as a single wire conductor or a stranded conductor. The electrical connection device according to the present invention is suitable not only for a wire conductor in which a ferrule is provided on a stranded wire but also for a wire conductor in which a ferrule is not provided.

  In order to ensure that the conductor is accurately positioned and firmly in contact with the spring cage, the electrical connection device has an insertion funnel for guiding the conductor to the holding means. In the reference state, the insertion funnel is arranged next to the holding means, or in the reference state, the holding means is arranged in the insertion funnel. Further, since the insertion funnel is formed as a sleeve and at least partially has a funnel shape, the insertion funnel becomes thinner as it proceeds in the conductor insertion direction, and guides the conductor to the holding means. It is like that. This is particularly advantageous in the case of stranded conductors. This is because the strands are concentrated in this way. In addition, preferably the holding means is arranged between the application area and the contact spring in the reference state, in particular sandwiched, so that the insertion funnel and the holding means are defined relative to each other in the reference state Is arranged. Therefore, the holding means is accurately positioned in the spring cage before being displaced by the conductor. In addition, the contact spring is positioned by the holding means so as not to interfere with the insertion of the conductor into the electrical connection device.

  Preferably, the holding means has an application surface. The conductor pushes this application surface of the holding means when inserted into the spring cage. Preferably, the application surface is arranged transverse to the conductor insertion direction.

  Preferably, at least one of the contact spring and the application area has conductivity. More preferably, in the installed state, the contact spring presses the core and at least partly the application area within the contact area. Therefore, in the set state, the contact spring presses the conductor core against the application area of the spring cage, so that the electrical contact between the application area and / or the contact spring and the conductor is ensured at the same time. The electrical conductor is firmly held in the electrical connection device. In this way, good contact of the conductor is ensured. The same applies to the case where a stranded conductor is used.

  Preferably, at least one of the contact spring and the application area is formed from a material having good conductivity, such as copper or a copper alloy. In a preferred embodiment, the spring cage is molded as a unitary structure to save manufacturing steps. However, in order to form the contact spring from a material with good spring properties, it is highly preferred that the contact spring is manufactured separately and then attached to the spring cage, in particular integrally joined. The spring force can set the contact force that holds the electrical conductor in the electrical connection device.

  Preferably, at least one of the holding means and the insertion funnel is manufactured from plastic, in particular as an injection molded part. They can therefore be produced cost-effectively using conventional means.

  In a preferred embodiment, the application web is arranged on the holding means via a film hinge, so that the application web is reset when the holding means passes under the contact spring.

  Preferably, the electrical connection device comprises a conductor connection housing, in particular a screw cap and a contact connection housing. The conductor is guided by the conductor connection housing into the contact connection housing in the direction of conductor insertion. Preferably, the spring cage is fixed in place in the contact connection housing and the restoring means is displaceably disposed in the spring cage. Preferably, the insertion funnel is fixed in place in the conductor connection housing.

  Preferably, the connecting portion is disposed in the spring cage. The connection is provided for connecting the electrical connection device to the electrical assembly. Preferably, the connecting portion is formed as a plug-type contact portion or a socket-type contact portion, and the corresponding socket-type contact portion or plug-type contact portion of the connection portion is connectable. In a preferred embodiment, the connection and spring cage are manufactured as a unitary structure, preferably as a pressed sheet metal part.

  Moreover, it is preferable to provide a seal in the conductor connection housing. The seal concentrically surrounds the conductor in the installed state to prevent dust and moisture penetration into the conductor connection housing. In addition, it is also preferable to provide a seal ring between the conductor connection housing and the contact connection housing. In this way, the spring cage, in particular the application area, is protected from dust and moisture.

  Preferably, the conductor connection housing is reversibly arranged on the contact connection housing. In a preferred embodiment, the contact connection housing and the conductor connection housing can be latched together. Instead, it is preferable that the contact connection housing and the conductor connection housing are rotatable relative to each other by providing a thread on the conductor connection housing and providing a corresponding counter thread on the contact connection housing. . However, other connection techniques are also preferred.

  The above object can also be achieved by the following method for inserting a conductor into the electrical connection device according to the present invention. In such a method, the holding means is disposed between the contact spring and the application area in the reference state, and in the installed state, the contact spring is guided (pressed) to the conductor until the conductor is fixed. It is displaced by the conductor in the insertion direction and along the application area. This method makes it very easy for the operator to handle the electrical connection device, and the electrical contact between the conductor and the spring cage is firmly formed and the conductor is securely mounted in the spring cage. It is done.

  In order that the advantages of the present invention will become more apparent, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings and based on exemplary embodiments.

It is a figure which shows the electrical connection device concerning this invention to which the conductor is connected, Comprising: It is a figure which shows the holding means in the installation state. It is a figure which shows the detail of C of Fig.1 (a), and is a figure which has a holding means in a reference | standard state. It is a figure which shows the detail of C of Fig.1 (a), and is a figure which the holding means has changed from the reference | standard state to the installation state. It is a perspective view which shows the funnel for insertion and holding means of the electrical connection device of FIG. It is a side view which shows the funnel for insertion and holding means of the electrical connection device of FIG. 1 is one of various perspective views showing the spring cage of the electrical connection device of FIG. 1 and the insertion funnel and holding means of FIG. 2, wherein the connection for connection to the electrical assembly is a spring cage It is a perspective view arrange | positioned. 1 is one of various perspective views showing the spring cage of the electrical connection device of FIG. 1 and the insertion funnel and holding means of FIG. 2, wherein the connection for connection to the electrical assembly is a spring cage FIG. 5 is a perspective view in which the conductor is at least partially inserted into the insertion funnel. 1 is one of various perspective views showing the spring cage of the electrical connection device of FIG. 1 and the insertion funnel and holding means of FIG. 2, wherein the connection for connection to the electrical assembly is a spring cage FIG. 5 is a perspective view in which the conductor is at least partially inserted into the insertion funnel. 1 is one of various perspective views showing the spring cage of the electrical connection device of FIG. 1 and the insertion funnel and holding means of FIG. 2, wherein the connection for connection to the electrical assembly is a spring cage FIG. 5 is a perspective view in which the conductor is at least partially inserted into the insertion funnel.

  An electrical connection device 10 is provided for connection to an electrical assembly (not shown). It is particularly preferred to use to connect a conductor from a solar power generation system or a conductor to a solar power generation system. For this purpose, the electrical connection device 10 comprises a contact connection housing 6 and a conductor connection housing, in particular a screw cap 5 for screwing into the contact connection housing 6. Furthermore, the snap connector 62 is preferably provided in the contact connection housing 6. By using the snap connector 62, the electrical connection device 10 can be attached to the housing (not shown) of the electrical assembly.

  The conductor connection housing 5 and the contact connection housing 6 are constructed like sleeves. The conductor connection housing 5 has an insertion opening 53 for inserting the conductor 4 in the direction 43 in which the conductor is inserted.

  A spring cage 2 having an application area 23 and a contact spring 21 is arranged in the contact connection housing 6. The contact spring 21 faces the application area 23 and is used to connect the conductor 4.

  Further, a connection portion 15 for connecting the electrical connection device 10 to the electrical assembly is disposed in the spring cage 2. Since the connection portion 15 is formed as a socket contact portion, a plug contact portion (not shown) of the electrical assembly corresponding to the socket contact portion can be inserted into the contact connection housing 6. In principle, the connection 15 for connection to the electrical assembly can be realized using any desired conventional connection technique that allows a firm electrical contact of the spring cage 2. For example, it can be realized using integral coupling, spring contact or pin contact.

  In the present embodiment, the connecting portion 15 is formed as an integral structure with the spring cage 2, but can also be formed as a separate part.

  The contact connection housing 6 and the conductor connection housing 5 are provided with threads 55, 65 that can be engaged with each other and that one is rotatable within the other. However, other connection techniques may be used here, for example to latch the contact connection housing 6 and the conductor connection housing 5 from each other, or one inserted into the other.

  A seal 52 located concentrically around the conductor 4 in the installed state M of the connection device 10 is provided in the conductor connection housing 5. The seal 8 ensures protection from the penetration of dust and moisture in the installed state M. In order to prevent dust and moisture from penetrating through the connection between the contact housing 6 and the conductor connection housing 5, a seal ring 56 is optionally provided between them. In addition, a corresponding seal (not shown) is preferably provided in the contact connection housing 6.

  An insertion funnel 7 extending concentrically around the conductor 4 in the installed state M is disposed in the conductor connection housing 5. The insertion funnel 7 is formed in a funnel shape, spreads on the side opposite to the spring cage 2 side, and becomes thinner as the conductor is inserted. If the conductor 4 is formed as a stranded wire, when the conductor 4 is guided to the spring cage 2 through the insertion funnel 7, the stranded wire of the core 42 is It is guided in its center in the spring cage 2 and maintaining the proper orientation.

  The holding means 3 is arranged in the spring cage 2. FIG. 1B shows the holding means 3 in the reference state G in which the holding means 3 is disposed between the contact spring 21 and the application area 23. The holding means 3 has a recess 31. The free end 22 of the contact spring 21 is placed on the holding means 3 and pushes the holding means 3 toward the application area 23. Therefore, before the conductor 4 is inserted, the holding means 3 is at the defined start position x0 in the spring cage 2. Since the free end 22 of the contact spring 21 is located in the recess 3, the contact spring 21 does not interfere with the conductor 4 during insertion. In addition, since the holding means 3 is arranged on the insertion funnel 7, the conductor 4 is guided towards the holding means 3 when inserted into the spring cage 2. The holding means 3 and the insertion funnel are preferably molded as an integral structure.

  The holding means 3 has an application surface 33. The application surface 33 extends in a direction transverse to the conductor insertion direction 43, and the conductor 4 is inserted toward the application surface 33. The conductor 4 or the core 41 of the conductor 4 pushes the application surface 33 when displaced, so that the conductor 4 moves together with the holding means 3. Therefore, when the conductor 4 is inserted toward the conductor insertion direction 43, the holding unit 3 is displaced together with the conductor 4. FIG. 1C shows the holding means 3 being displaced from the reference position G toward the installation position M. In this figure, the holding means 3 is displaced by a distance dx with respect to the prescribed start position x0.

  The holding means 3 has an application web 32. The application web 32 is pushed toward the conductor 4 by the free end 22 of the contact spring 21 when the holding means 3 is displaced in the conductor insertion direction 43 and bends in this direction. Therefore, the contact spring 21 is guided on the conductor 4 when the holding means 3 moves away from the bottom of the contact spring 21 to release the contact spring 21, so that the contact spring 21 does not suddenly hit the conductor 4. . In addition, the application web 32 prevents the strands of the conductor 4 formed as strands from breaking apart. When the holding means 3 releases the contact spring 21, the free end 22 of the contact spring 21 presses the core 41 of the conductor 4 and presses it against the application area 23. Therefore, in the installation state M, the conductor 4 is pressed against the application area 23 by the contact spring 21. FIG. 1A shows an installation state M.

  Since at least one of the contact spring 21 and the application region 23 is provided as having conductivity, in the installed state M, it is also in electrical contact with the conductor 4.

  The insertion funnel 7 and the holding means 3 of the electrical connection device 10 of FIG. 1 are shown in a perspective view in FIG. 2A and in a side view in FIG.

  The insertion funnel 7 has a funnel 71 that narrows toward the conductor insertion direction 43 at the end (see FIGS. 1 and 3) facing the side opposite to the spring cage 2 side. A guide channel 72 is provided at the end facing the two sides, the guide channel 72 has a substantially U-shaped cross section, and the side facing the contact spring side is open (see FIGS. 1 and 3). In addition, the insertion funnel 7 has a stop 73. The insertion funnel 7 is pressed against the contact connection housing 6 and / or the spring cage 2 using the stop 73, so that at least in the installation state M, the insertion funnel 7 is defined in the electrical connection device 10. It is arranged at a position and is not displaceable either in the conductor insertion direction 43 or in the opposite direction.

  In the reference state G, the holding means 3 has a concave portion 31 in which the free end 22 of the contact spring 21 is positioned, and the contact spring 21 in the insertion direction of the conductor 4 when the holding means 3 and the conductor 4 are displaced together. And an application surface 33 pressed by the conductor 4 in the reference state G. Furthermore, the holding means 3 is connected to the holding web 34 used for detachably arranging the holding means 3 in the guide channel 72 and to the connection part 15 or connected during displacement of the holding means 3 in the conductor insertion direction 43. A guide web 35 that is inserted into the part, and optionally guides the limit of displacement of the holding means 3 toward the conductor insertion direction 43 by being pushed into the connecting part 15. ing.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, the holding means 3 and the insertion funnel 7 form an installation unit having an integral structure in which the holding means 3 is held at the defined start position x0 next to the insertion funnel 7 in the reference state G. It is preferable. However, in principle, an embodiment is also conceivable in which the holding means 3 is held in the starting position x0 defined by the contact spring 21 in the reference state G. Furthermore, the insertion funnel 7 is formed without the guide channel 72, the holding means 3 is formed without the holding web 34, and optionally the conductor connection housing 5 forms a guide channel (not shown). Embodiments are also possible. In addition, in a further preferred variant, the holding means 3, in particular the application web 32, is shaped so that it can be displaced back in the direction opposite to the conductor insertion direction 43 by means of a drive means (not shown). By doing so, the conductor 4 can be reversibly arranged in the spring cage 2 and the electrical connection device 10 may be reused.

  Hereinafter, the insertion funnel 7 and the holding means 3 are preferably shown as “installation units” having an integral structure. Specifically, even if the conductor is formed as a stranded wire without a ferrule, the conductor 4 can be inserted very easily into the installation unit.

  FIG. 3 shows the spring cage 2 manufactured as an integral structure with the connecting portion 15, and the installation unit formed from the insertion funnel 7 and the holding means 3. 3A, 3 </ b> E, and 3 </ b> D, the installation unit is disposed in the spring cage 2, and in FIG. 3B, the installation unit is disposed outside the spring cage 2.

  The electric conductor 4 can be installed in the electric connecting device 10 according to the present invention simply by inserting the electric conductor 4 into the electric connecting device 10. Since the conductor 4 is automatically fixed in the spring cage 2 and without using further tools, the conductor 4 is firmly in electrical contact with the spring cage and in the electrical connection device 10. Arranged firmly. Thus, even an untrained person can install the conductor 4 on the connecting device 10 very easily and quickly.

15 Connection portion 2 Spring cage 21 Contact spring 22 Free leg end portion 3 Holding means 31 Recess 32 Application web 33 Application surface 34 Holding means / holding web 35 Guide web 4 Conductor 41 Conductor core 42 Conductor sheath 43 Conductivity Body Insertion Direction 5 Conductor Connection Housing 52 Seal 53 Insertion Opening 55 for Conductor Thread 56 Seal Ring 6 Contact Connection Housing 62 Snap Connector 65 Thread 7 Sleeve 71 Funnel
72 Guide channel 73 Stop 10 Electrical connection device x0 Start position dx Displacement part G Reference state M Installation state

Claims (12)

An electrical connection device (10) provided for connecting a conductor (4), in particular to an electrical component, comprising:
A spring cage (2) containing a contact spring (21);
An application area (23) facing the contact spring (21);
From the reference state (G) in which the conductor (4) can be inserted into the spring cage (2), the contact spring (21) pushes the conductor (4) so that the conductor becomes the spring cage. Holding means (3) that can be adjusted to the installation state (M) fixed inside,
The holding means is disposed so as to be displaceable between the adaptive area and the contact spring;
The holding means (3) comprises an application web (32);
In the reference state (G), the application web (32) is disposed between the conductor (4) and the contact spring (21), and during the displacement of the holding means (3), the conductor configured it characterized by comprising electrical connecting device to flex in the direction of (4) (10). When the conductor (4) is inserted in the conductor insertion direction (43), the holding means (3) moves between the application area (23) and the contact spring (21) together with the conductor. The electrical connection device (10) according to claim 1 , wherein the electrical connection device (10) is configured to be displaced. 3. Electrical connection device (10) according to claim 1 or 2 , characterized in that the holding means (3) have an application surface (33) for the conductor (4). Electricity according to any one of claims 1 to 3 , characterized in that it has an insertion funnel (7) for guiding the conductor (4) to the holding means (3). Connected device (10). 5. Electrical connection device (10) according to claim 4 , characterized in that the insertion funnel (7) is formed as a sleeve and at least partly having a funnel shape. In the reference state (G), the insertion funnel (7) is disposed adjacent to the holding means (3), or in the reference state (G), the holding means (3) is used for the insertion. Electrical connection device (10) according to claim 4 or 5 , characterized in that it is arranged in a funnel (7). The said holding | maintenance means (3) is arrange | positioned so that it may be pinched | interposed between the said application area | region (23) and the said contact spring (21) in the said reference state (G). The electrical connection device (10) according to any one of 1 to 6 . The electrical connection device (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 7 , wherein at least one of the contact spring (21) and the application area (23) is conductive. . The electrical connection device (10) according to any one of claims 4 to 6 , wherein at least one of the holding means (3) and the insertion funnel (7) is made of plastic. . A conductor connection housing (5) and a contact connection housing (6) are provided, and the conductor connection housing (5) causes the conductor (4) to face in the insertion direction (43). Electrical connection device (10) according to claim 2 , characterized in that it is guided into (6). Electrical connection device (10) according to claim 10 , characterized in that the connection (15) and the spring cage (2) are arranged in the contact connection housing (6). 12. A method of installing a conductor (4) in an electrical connection device (10) according to any one of claims 2, 10, and 11 , wherein in the reference state (G) the holding means (3) Is disposed between the contact spring (21) and the application area (23), and in the installed state (M), the contact spring (21) is guided to the conductor (4) to conduct the conduction. The holding means (3) is displaced by the conductor (4) along the application area (23) and in the conductor insertion direction (43) until the body (4) is fixed. Method.

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