WO2003092122A1

WO2003092122A1 - Connecting terminal

Info

Publication number: WO2003092122A1
Application number: PCT/EP2003/004219
Authority: WO
Inventors: Gerhard Kottek
Original assignee: Electro-Terminal Gmbh & Co Kg
Priority date: 2002-04-25
Filing date: 2003-04-23
Publication date: 2003-11-06
Also published as: DE10218507C1; AU2003240460A1; EP1357639A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a spring clip terminal which is generally used for connecting electrical conductors. The insulating housing (1) comprises at least one conductor guiding opening (6) into which at least one electrical conductor (30) is introduced in order to establish a connection. A clamping spring (3) and a support element (2), which is simultaneously used as a conductor rail, hold the inserted conductor (30) in the connecting chamber (8) at a clamping point (5). Stable conductors (30) can be introduced for contacting without pre-tensioning the spring element (3). The spring element and the support element are simultaneously pressed to the side by the conductor like a folding door. A previous actuation of the terminal enables the same to also be opened for extra-fine wire conductors. In order to stop the connection, the support element (2) moves into the disconnection position.

Description

Connection and / or connection terminal

The invention relates to a connection and / or connection terminal according to the preamble of claim 1.

Such clamps can be used, for example, as a lamp clamp or as a socket clamp.

Such a spring clip is known for example from DE 35 14 097 C2. One leg of the curved clamping spring rests on the busbar, the other leg has a passage opening through which the busbar enters and the lower boundary edge of which forms a clamping edge. Above and below the conductor rail there is a clamping point for an electrical conductor and both clamping points are jointly formed by a single clamping spring.

From DE 37 27 091 Cl a connection terminal with a busbar and a curved clamping spring is also known, one leg of which in turn rests on the busbar and the other leg of which has a passage opening through which the busbar passes and whose lower boundary edge forms a clamping edge that clamps the inserted conductor under the bottom of the busbar. By means of a locking device between the busbar and the clamping spring, the clamping spring can be locked in the open position in this connection terminal.

DE 32 37 947 C2 shows a device for the screwless connection of two parts. In this case, a spring element locked in pretension is released from the locking device when an electrical conductor is introduced and then clamped in by the spring element. To release, the spring element can be pre-tensioned again and locked there again. FR 2 333 363 AI discloses a connecting clip which has a curved spring element with a passage opening. To establish a connection, an electrical conductor is passed through this opening and clamped by one leg of the spring element.

From US 4,701,000 a two-part connecting element is known, which consists of a base plate and a gripping part. When connected by a spring element of the gripping part, an electrical conductor is held in a groove-shaped depression in the base plate.

In the German utility model GM 76 39 409 a spring clip for electrical conductors is described, which holds a conductor clamped between an electrically conductive web and a spring leaf. A slide that can be inserted parallel to the conductor into the terminal serves to release the connection.

DE 33 46 027 C2 discloses an electrical connection terminal which has a spring-loaded clamping element with an inner and an outer leg. An electrical conductor inserted into the clamp is held between these two legs. When the conductor is introduced, it is passed through a passage opening which is located in the spring force clamping element. The inner leg can be pushed back by means of an operating rocker so that the conductor can easily be pulled out of the clamp again.

From DE 36 21 369 AI a connection or connecting terminal for electrical devices is known, in which a protective conductor contact with an additional contact part extends through a wall of the insulating body of the terminal and forms an external connector for direct contact with a terminal support. With the help of a pushbutton on the housing, the terminal can be opened to remove a conductor held there by a spring leg. An stripped conductor can be clamped by means of such a spring clip by pressing the spring clip inside by hand or by means of a tool and thus opening a slot or window into which the conductor is inserted. After releasing the spring clip, the inserted conductor is clamped by the internal tension of the spring clip.

Such clamps have the following advantages:

- They can be opened again by pressing the bracket again so that the inserted conductor can be pulled out without damaging the conductor and the clamp, - The clamp is suitable for contacting rigid, multi-stranded, fine-wire and flexible conductors, and

- Contact is loosened.

Common to all these clamps is that the spring must be preloaded by hand before an electrical conductor is inserted. This is usually done manually or using a tool. A further pressing of the spring element is necessary to release the connection. In particular, the fact that the clamp has to be operated manually before the conductor is inserted is a disadvantage, for example, in assembly locations that are difficult to access.

The invention has for its object to provide a connection and / or connection terminal, which is characterized by increased ease of use. In particular, it should also offer the possibility that fixed conductors can be inserted without prior manual operation of the terminal.

This object is achieved with a spring clip clamp specified in claim 1. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are specified in the subclaims. In other words, a self-opening clamping point is inserted in the insertion of a conductor, which can be manually relieved to release the contact.

According to the invention, the spring clip has at least: a housing, an electrically conductive support element and a spring element. The housing consists of an electrical

at least one opening, which is provided for the introduction of at least one electrical conductor. If the terminal is designed to accommodate several electrical conductors, it is possible to dimension the conductor insertion opening so that two or more conductors can be inserted through this opening. Of course, there is also the possibility of providing the spring clip with several conductor guide openings for at least one conductor each.

For the sake of clarity, the following describes the case in which the spring clip is provided for receiving an electrical conductor. A transfer of the principle to a spring clip which is intended to accommodate two or more conductors is obvious to the person skilled in the art.

Inside, the housing forms a cavity, which is provided as a connection chamber for the conductor and is dimensioned accordingly. That is in the cavity

(metallic) support element and the spring element, which are positioned with respect to the housing so that the

Inserting the conductor of the conductor between the support element and a clamping leg of the spring element is performed.

The clamping leg of the spring element and the support element are positioned with respect to the housing in such a way that when the conductor is inserted, they are pushed away from the starting position in a wing-like manner against the spring force until the conductor end passes between the spring element and the support element. The resulting frictional force acting on the conductor is thus divided between the spring element and the support element. Alternatively, either the clamping leg of the spring element or the support element is firmly connected to the housing and the respective other element is bent away from the conductor when the conductor is pushed in until the conductor end again passes between the spring element and support element. The conductor has a clamping effect that fixes it in the connection chamber. Through the contact of the conductor with the electrically conductive support element, an electrical connection is switched at the same time.

The spring element is preferably positioned relative to the housing in such a way that it has a locking hook effect in relation to the clamped conductor by pushing it in, which counteracts the conductor being led out of the clamp and thus defines a defined pulling force of the conductor.

To release the electrical connection, the support element is moved and / or deformed relative to the housing in such a way that the described clamping point is relieved and the conductor can be led out of the latter without damaging the conductor and the terminal.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, a rear arch of the spring element has a window opening through which the conductor passes after passing through the conductor guide opening before it triggers the clamping mechanism described above. For this it is necessary that the spring element is bent between its clamping leg and the window. At this point, it is preferably fixed in position with respect to the housing with a positioning element. In this case, the dimensioning of the window opening is selected so that the maximum conductor cross section provided fits easily through the window opening. In this case, there is a direct connection between the dimensioning of the spring and the maximum conductor cross section provided. In this case, the window opening of the spring must be positioned opposite the conductor guide opening of the housing so that insertion of the conductor is not hindered by this.

In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the support element is essentially rigid and movably mounted with respect to the housing such that it lies between Clamp position and connection-release position can be moved back and forth. In this case, the support element is connected to a spring-elastic element which prestresses the support element from the connection-release position into its starting position. To release the connection, in this case the support element is moved against the force of the spring-elastic element in order to relieve or release the clamping point in this way as described. While the support element is held in the connection release position, the conductor can be pulled out of the spring clip without damage.

In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the spring-elastic element mentioned above is formed by one leg of the spring element. This offers advantages in terms of material technology, since with just one spring element both described tasks, the clamping of the conductor and the initial positioning of the support element, can be accomplished. Thus, only two metallic stamped parts, namely the spring element and the support element are necessary.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the described movement of the support element can be carried out manually in an indirect manner via a movable part of the housing. In this case, it is a kind of 'housing pusher'. In the case described, this can be achieved, for example, by moving the housing part to move the support element in a lever-like manner. In this case, the support element must be dimensioned such that the desired maximum conductor length is designed of a conductor clamped in the intended manner is taken into account.

In order to limit the movement of the support element in a suitable manner, two stops are preferably to be provided, which define the position of the support element on the one hand in the starting position and on the other hand in the connection-release position. In the case of a handle, it is advisable to limit the movement of the movable housing part in its starting position by means of a stop. In the case of the handle, it is also advisable to choose a resilient material for the housing and to shape the housing in such a way that the housing and the movable housing part can be manufactured in one piece. This is advantageous both from a material and a manufacturing perspective.

If the spring clip is to be used for conductors that are not so stable that they deflect the spring element and the support element during insertion, it is possible to relieve the clamping point beforehand by moving the support element accordingly and to insert the conductor in this connection-release position , In this way, even the finest wires can be connected to the spring clip.

In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, a further clamping point is provided, through which a further conductor can be contacted with the support element. It is provided that this additional conductor can be inserted into the spring clip in the opposite direction to the first conductor. As a further clamping point, a further point is provided on the support element, which lies opposite the first-mentioned clamping point, that is to say is located on the other side of the support element. This further clamping point is also formed by a support element and a spring-elastic element.

For this further clamping point, in principle, analogously to the first-mentioned clamping point, it is provided that the further conductor bends the spring-elastic element away against its spring force when it is pushed in, and after complete insertion, it is clamped between the support element and the spring-elastic element.

The spring-elastic element can preferably be designed as a leg of the spring element. For example can be achieved in that the spring element is bent in the region of the axis of rotation of the support element and has a further bend in the direction of the further clamping point - in the direction of the clamping point.

In this case, it is characteristic of the further clamping point that a permanent connection in the sense of a coupling is provided as the connection between the spring clip and the further conductor, because no movement is conceived for the support element by which the further clamping point would be relieved. As a result, the further conductor cannot be pulled out without the risk of damage.

Further advantages and properties will now be explained on the basis of a detailed description of exemplary embodiments and with reference to the figures of the attached drawings. Show it:

Figure 1 shows a spring clip according to the invention in the starting position in cross section.

2 shows a spring clip according to the invention with the conductor inserted and clamped;

Fig. 3 shows a spring clip according to the invention for receiving two conductors, and

Fig. 4 juxtaposed terminals.

A housing 1 of a spring clip according to the invention, which consists of an insulating material such as plastic, can be seen schematically in cross section in FIGS. 1 and 2. Fig. 1 shows the spring clip in the starting position, that is, in the position in which the clamp is ready to receive a conductor 30. 2 shows the clamp with the conductor 30 inserted and clamped. Shown in Figures 1 and 2 is the case of a spring clip for receiving an electrical conductor. Of course, a corresponding clamp according to the invention can also be implemented for several conductors, for example in the form that conductor guide openings for several conductors are lined up next to one another - that is to say vertically to the plane of the drawing in FIGS. 1 and 2.

Below are the characteristics of the illustrated

Embodiment of the spring clip according to the invention is explained for the sake of simplicity only with the aid of a spring clip which is designed for receiving a conductor 30. However, the principle shown can also be used in the same way for a spring clip which is designed to accommodate two or more conductors.

To accommodate the electrical conductor 30, there is a conductor guide opening 9 in the housing 1, through which the conductor 30 can be inserted into the housing 1, and one

Connection chamber 8 inside the housing 1, which serves to receive the conductor 30.

In the connection chamber 8 there is a spring element 3 made of stamped metallic flat material, which in particular has the following three parts, which are explained in more detail below: one leg 4 for clamping the conductor 30, a second leg 11 for holding the support element 2 in the starting position and between the two legs 4 and 11 a window opening 6 through which the conductor 30 is moved when inserted after passing through the conductor guide opening 9 of the housing 1.

The clamping leg 4 of the spring element 3 is fixed with respect to the housing 1 by means of a positioning element 7 in such a way that it bends against its spring force when the conductor 30 is inserted and to clamp the conductor 30 Clamping leg 4 with the support element 2 is a funnel-shaped guide, which gradually opens automatically when inserted.

The positioning element 7 is advantageously designed as part of the housing 1. In the example shown, the clamping leg 4 is installed in such a way that it exerts a locking hook effect against the inserted and clamped conductor 30, which effectively counteracts the conductor 30 being led out of the spring clip.

At the level of the positioning element 7, the spring element 3 is bent and has the window opening 6 on the side of the bend facing away from the clamping leg 4. The spring element 3 is positioned opposite the housing 1 in such a way that its window opening 6 is aligned with the conductor guide opening 9 and thus a conductor 30 can simply be inserted into the connection chamber 8 from outside the spring clip through the conductor guide opening 9 and the window opening 6. For example, essentially the same cross section can be provided for the window opening 6 and the conductor guide opening 9. In any case, the maximum conceived cross-sectional area of the conductor must be taken into account when dimensioning the window opening 6 and the conductor guide opening 9.

Beyond the window opening 6, the spring element 3 is fixed once more with respect to the housing 1. This is achieved in particular by a contact point 10 molded into the housing. Beyond the contact point 10, the support leg 11 is located in a space which serves the support leg 11 together with the spring leg 12 of the support element 2 as a movement space 15. The support leg 11 is after movement of the support element 2 to release the connection between the spring clip and the conductor 30 from the spring leg 12 of the support element 2 in the direction of the drawing Force of the support leg 11 and leads to a restoring moment that seeks to move the support element 2 from its connection-release position to its starting position.

In the meantime, a separate component can also be provided for pretensioning the support element 2 in its starting position.

The support element 2 consists of electrically conductive material and serves as a current guide. In the illustrated

Embodiment, it is made of a substantially rigid material and is angular. One leg serves as a support leg 32 for the conductor 30. Here is the clamping point 5 for the conductor 30 and at this point the decisive electrical contact between the conductor 30 and the support element is made.

The second leg of the support element 2 serves as a spring leg 12 and is connected to the above-mentioned support leg 11 of the spring element 3.

Two movement spaces 14 and 15 are provided for the movement of the support element 2. These are dimensioned such that the support element 2 can be moved back and forth between the starting position and the position for releasing the connection. This movement takes place about an axis of rotation 13 and, in the example shown, is guided by a pivot bearing 17, which is advantageously formed as part of the housing 1. Alternatively, the axis of rotation can of course also be made of material.

To limit the movement of the support leg 32 of the support element 2 is used in particular a lower stop 16, which serves as a lower limit in the connection-release position and is advantageously also shaped as a housing part. In the example shown, a serves as the upper movement limit upper stop 20, which in turn is formed as part of the housing 1.

In the case of the angular support element 2 shown, it is advisable to conduct current essentially along the line

Movement axis 13 of the support element 2 - in Figures 1 and 2 vertical to the plane of the drawing - through the housing wall into the space outside the spring clip.

In the exemplary embodiment shown, a movable part of the housing 1 is designed as a pusher 33 which, when actuated in the direction of the arrow 23, indirectly moves the support element 2 from the starting position into the connection-releasing position through the upper stop 20. For example, the housing 1 can be made of a resilient material for this purpose and can have a “target movement point” 34 specially shaped for the movement of the handle relative to the rest of the housing 1.

The movement of the pusher 33 is in the direction of the connection release position through the lower stop 16 over the

Support leg 32 of the support element 2 limited. To the

To limit movement of the push button 33 in the other direction, the example shown shows one

Locking device, consisting of a locking shoulder 21 and a locking lug 22, both of which, as shown, are formed, for example, as part of the housing 1.

In particular, attention is drawn to the possibility that an embodiment of the spring clip according to the invention with separate poles can be used as a lamp clamp.

If, in the case of an embodiment which is intended to accommodate two or more conductors, an electrical cross-connection is established between the conductors via the support elements, it can be used as a socket clamp. Figure 3 shows a further advantageous embodiment of the spring clip according to the invention. For the sake of clarity, the housing of the spring clip is not shown in this figure. The example shows a version of the

Spring clip, which is intended for receiving two conductors 30 and 31. In this case, the device principle for clamping a conductor 30 described in the example given above is retained, but in addition, this embodiment has a further clamping point 19 for a further conductor 31.

It is provided that the further conductor 31 is inserted into the spring clip in the opposite direction 25 to the insertion direction 24 of the first conductor 30. The further conductor 31 bends a spring-elastic element 18 to the side against its spring force and is clamped at a further clamping point 19 between the support element 2 and the spring-elastic element 18. In the example shown, the resilient element 18 is advantageously designed as a leg of the spring element 3. The further clamping point 19 lies with respect to the support element 2 with respect to the first clamping point 5 on the other side of the support element 2.

The position of the second clamping leg 18, which is shown in principle in FIG. 3, is advantageous, by means of which, in turn, a locking hook effect is achieved on the clamped-in further conductor 31, which counteracts the further conductor 31 being brought out.

The support element 2 is mounted with respect to the housing 1 about an axis of rotation 35. To release the clamping of the first conductor 30, the support element 2 is in turn moved away from the first clamping leg 4 and thus the first clamping point 5 is relieved. A restoring moment, which acts on the support leg 2 and tries to move it back to its starting position, is advantageously caused in this case by the second clamping leg 18. It should be mentioned that, in the example shown in FIG. 3, a permanent connection in the sense of a coupling is designed for the further conductor 31, since if it is used appropriately, it cannot be led out of the spring-loaded clamp again without being damaged after being pinched.

Fig. 4 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the spring clip according to the invention with two side-by-side conductor guide openings 6, which are provided for receiving an electrical conductor and two corresponding housing pushers 33. The housing 1 and the pushers 33 are ergonomically favorable - in longitudinal section in a kind of tail fin shape - trained.

If the spring clip shown is provided with, for example, a rear power outlet (not shown), it can be used as a lamp clamp. In this case, the ease of use of the lamp clamp is particularly advantageous, as can be seen, for example, when working overhead or working in assembly rooms that are difficult to access.

If an electrically conductive cross connection is made between the two connection points in the housing, the spring clip can be used as a box terminal. In this case too, ease of use, for example in narrow assembly areas, is particularly advantageous.

In all of the cases shown, the advantage should be emphasized that it is not necessary to pretension the spring clip before inserting the stable conductor (s). This is particularly advantageous with a view to facilitating assembly work, for example in the ceiling area. However, as shown, fine-wire conductors can also be used by pressing the spring clip before inserting the conductor into the connection release position.

Typical conductor cross sections that are suitable for an illustrated embodiment are in the range from 0.5 to 2.5 mm ² and are designed for a nominal current of 20 A, for example. However, the principle shown is not limited to the use of conductors with such a characteristic.

Reference numeral e

1 housing, electrically insulating

2 support element

3 spring element

4 clamping legs 5 clamping point

6 window opening

7 positioning element

8 connection chamber

9 conductor guide opening 10 contact point

11 support legs

12 feather legs

13 axis of rotation

14 Movement space I 15 Movement space II

16 lower stop

17 swivel bearings

18 second clamping leg

19 second clamping point 20 upper stop

21 locking shoulder

22 locking lug

23 Printing direction to the clamping solution

24 Direction of insertion for first conductor 25 Direction of insertion for second conductor

30 conductors

31 second head

32 support leg 33 pusher 34 target movement point

35 axis of rotation

Claims

New claims

1. connection and / or connection terminal for contacting at least one electrical conductor,

- With at least one electrically conductive support element (2),

- With at least one spring element (3), the conductor (30) being clamped in the inserted state between the support element (2) and the spring element (3) and being electrically contacted by the support element (2), and - An electrically insulating housing (1 ), characterized in that the support element (2) is pivotally mounted and / or deformably positioned in the housing (1) and is resiliently prestressed with respect to the clamping leg (4) of the spring element (3), and that by manual actuation of the support element (2) this can be deflected to relieve and / or open the clamping point (5).

2. Clamp according to claim 1, characterized in that the spring element (3) is fixed with respect to the housing (1) and the support element (2) is bent away when the conductor (30) is inserted.

3. Clamp according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that both the spring element (3) and the support element

(2) when inserting the conductor (30) with respect to the housing

(1) to be moved.

4. Clamp according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the spring element (3) has a window opening (6) through which the conductor (30) can be guided in the direction of the clamping point (5).

5. Clamp according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the support element (2) stiff in itself and with respect to

Housing (1) is movably mounted.

6. Clamp according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that when the support element (2) moves to relieve the clamping point (5), the support element (2) presses against a spring-elastic element (11) which presses the support element (2). biased towards a starting position.

7. Clamp according to claim 6, characterized in that the resilient element is a leg (11) of the spring element (3).

8. Clamp according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the support element (2) is manually deformable and / or movable by means of a movable housing part.

9. Clamp according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that a further clamping point (19) is provided, through which a further conductor (31) with the support element (2) can be contacted.

10. Terminal according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the two conductors (30) and (31) can be inserted in the opposite direction into the housing (1) of the terminal.

11. Clamp according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the two clamping points (5) and (19) on opposite sides of the support element (2) are arranged.

12. Clamp according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the further clamping point (19) is formed by a further clamping leg (18) of the spring element (3).

13. Clamp according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the further clamping point (19) cannot be relieved manually.