WO2010063728A1 - Toollessly actuable spring clamp with a plurality of clamping arms for a plurality of electrical conductors - Google Patents

Toollessly actuable spring clamp with a plurality of clamping arms for a plurality of electrical conductors Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2010063728A1
WO2010063728A1 PCT/EP2009/066164 EP2009066164W WO2010063728A1 WO 2010063728 A1 WO2010063728 A1 WO 2010063728A1 EP 2009066164 W EP2009066164 W EP 2009066164W WO 2010063728 A1 WO2010063728 A1 WO 2010063728A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
clamping
spring
clamping spring
region
arms
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/EP2009/066164
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Turhan Ergel
Stefan Hein
Manfred Schaarschmidt
Original Assignee
Tyco Electronics Amp Gmbh
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Tyco Electronics Amp Gmbh filed Critical Tyco Electronics Amp Gmbh
Priority to CN200980148646.1A priority Critical patent/CN102239600B/en
Publication of WO2010063728A1 publication Critical patent/WO2010063728A1/en

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Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R4/00—Electrically-conductive connections between two or more conductive members in direct contact, i.e. touching one another; Means for effecting or maintaining such contact; Electrically-conductive connections having two or more spaced connecting locations for conductors and using contact members penetrating insulation
    • H01R4/28—Clamped connections, spring connections
    • H01R4/48—Clamped connections, spring connections utilising a spring, clip, or other resilient member
    • H01R4/4809—Clamped connections, spring connections utilising a spring, clip, or other resilient member using a leaf spring to bias the conductor toward the busbar
    • H01R4/48455—Clamped connections, spring connections utilising a spring, clip, or other resilient member using a leaf spring to bias the conductor toward the busbar insertion of a wire only possible by pressing on the spring

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a spring clamp for electrically connecting electrical conductors to a mating contact.
  • the present invention also relates to a mounting method for electrically connecting electrical conductors with the aid of a spring clamp.
  • a spring clamping arrangement of this type from the prior art is illustrated by way of example in Figure 1 , and can serve for connecting an external line to an installation, such as for example for wiring switch cabinets, time relays or solar modules. Two lines can also be connected to each other in this way.
  • a stripped line 17 of a cable 16 is connected to a contact 12 by means of a clamping spring 11.
  • a clamping arrangement of this type requires low operating and tool costs and is in addition characterised by high functional reliability.
  • the clamping spring 11 is located in an electrically insulating housing 13 (made for example of plastics material), the clamping spring having a recess 20 at a clamping point.
  • An opening 19 allowing the actuating of the clamping spring and a conductor insertion opening 18 are provided in the housing.
  • the clamping spring is actuated with the aid of a tool 14 inserted into the opening 19, generally a screwdriver or the like.
  • the screwdriver 14 is inserted into the tool opening 19 provided therefor, in order to tension the clamping spring.
  • the tensioned clamping spring may be seen from the illustration marked by (2) of Figure 1.
  • the clamping spring 11 is deformed owing to the inserted tool and a part of the clamping spring is thus displaced into a corresponding housing recess 15.
  • the clamping spring opening 20 (not visible) forms in interaction with the conductor insertion opening 18 of the housing 13 a conductor insertion channel through which the stripped conductor can be inserted.
  • the conductor cannot be inserted and electrically connected to the contact 12 when the tension on the clamping spring is relieved (Illustration (1) of Figure 1), as the clamping spring opening 20 is not aligned with the conductor insertion opening 18 of the housing.
  • Illustration (3) of Figure 1 the conductor can now be completely inserted and, when the tool is removed, the conductor is pressed, as a result of the recoiling of the clamping opening 20 of the clamping spring 11, flat against the contact 12 and thus electrically connected thereto (see Illustration (4) of Figure 1).
  • connection technology allows a shake and impact-proof conductor connection and displays a higher clamping force as the conductor cross section increases. Nevertheless, in the starting state, the clamping spring is in all cases closed, so that the clamping spring must first be tensioned before an electrical conductor can be inserted into the resulting conductor insertion channel. If a relatively large number of conductors have to be clamped into the corresponding clamping spring arrangements, this proves to be costly and time-consuming, since the tool must first be inserted into the corresponding tool opening and held, while the conductor must first be inserted into the clamping spring arrangement; the tool is then removed and the electrical contacting is carried out.
  • the above-described spring clamping arrangement has various further drawbacks.
  • a tool is in all cases necessary for actuating the clamping spring.
  • the fact that the tool opening and conductor insertion opening are arranged next to each other on the same side of the housing also gives rise to the difficulty that the view onto the openings for the lines is obstructed by the tool.
  • the leverage forces for opening the clamping spring are accommodated by the housing, as a result of which the useful life of the clamping spring arrangement is reduced.
  • An object underlying the present invention thus consists in disclosing a terminal clamping device which is as simple and economical as possible, can be operated easily and without tools, and also allows a plurality of conductors to be connected and reduces a space necessary for the terminal clamping device. Further advantageous objects of the present invention are to allow simple mounting of the terminal clamping device and to achieve a long useful life of the terminal clamping device.
  • the present invention provides a terminal clamping device for electrically connecting at least two electrical conductors to a contact region of a mating contact.
  • a clamping spring, which is curved in a loop-shaped manner, of the terminal clamping device comprises a clamping region which is divided by at least one incision into at least two clamping arms which are positioned next to one another and each have a clamping opening.
  • the clamping spring also has a spring region which is resiliently connected to the at least two clamping arms.
  • a tensioning device of the terminal clamping device has a grip which can be actuated by an operator and an actuating region which deforms, during actuating of the grip, the two clamping arms of the clamping spring for tensioning.
  • the two clamping openings form two conductor insertion channels when the clamping arms are tensioned.
  • a conductor which is inserted through one of the conductor insertion channels is brought, as a result of the relieving of the tension on the one clamping arm, into electrically conductive contact with the mating contact.
  • a further conductor, which is inserted through the other conductor insertion channel is brought, as a result of the relieving of the tension on the other clamping arm, into electrically conductive contact with the mating contact.
  • the two conductors have substantially the same or different-sized conductor cross-sectional areas.
  • two conductors of different sizes or the same size can be clamped, in a shake and impact-proof manner, to a contact at the same time as a clamping spring.
  • the tensioning device is arranged between the at least two clamping arms of the clamping spring on the at least one incision.
  • the tensioning device has a mounting region by weight the tensioning device is rotatably mounted on an indentation of the clamping spring.
  • the tensioning device is embodied in such a way that it does not protrude laterally from the clamping spring. This reduces the space required by the clamping spring arrangement.
  • the tensioning device is guided through a part of the incision in the clamping region during actuating of the grip.
  • the incision in the clamping region is embodied in such a way that limitations are formed for the movement of the tensioning device.
  • the tensioning device has a mounting region which forms with the actuating region of the tensioning device a rectangle which is open on one side or a closed rectangle with a tensioning opening.
  • the contact region of the mating contact is embodied as a rail and as a mating bearing for a rest leg of the clamping spring.
  • a rest leg of the clamping spring is divided by at least one incision into at least two rest leg arms.
  • the actuating region of the tensioning device exerts a force on a part of the clamping arms that opposes the rest leg during actuating of the tensioning device, in order to deform the clamping arms for tensioning.
  • the mating contact is divided in the contact region into at least two mating contact arms with which one of the at least two conductors is brought into contact.
  • the spring region of the clamping spring is divided by at least one incision partly or wholly into at least two spring region parts which are positioned next to one another.
  • the tensioning device is held by a dead centre formed by the clamping spring in a state in which the clamping spring arms are subjected to maximum tension.
  • the embodiments of the invention can be used for time relays.
  • the present invention provides a mounting method for electrically connecting at least two electrical conductors to a contact region of a mating contact in a terminal clamping device.
  • the terminal clamping device comprises a clamping spring which is curved in a loop-shaped manner and has a clamping region which is divided by at least one incision into at least two clamping arms which are positioned next to one another and each have a clamping opening. Furthermore, the clamping spring has a spring region which is resiliency connected to the two clamping arms. Firstly, a grip of a tensioning device of the terminal clamping device is actuated, the tensioning device having an actuating region which deforms, during actuating of the grip, the two clamping arms of the clamping spring for tensioning.
  • a conductor is inserted into one of the conductor insertion channels formed by the clamping openings of the tensioned clamping arms.
  • the grip is now actuated in order to relieve the tension on the at least two clamping arms and in order to bring the conductor inserted through the one conductor insertion channel into electrically conductive contact with the mating contact.
  • the present invention provides a further mounting method for electrically connecting at least two electrical conductors to a contact region of a mating contact in a terminal clamping device.
  • the terminal clamping device comprises a clamping spring which is curved in a loop- shaped manner and has a clamping region which is divided by at least one incision into at least two clamping arms which are positioned next to one another and each have a clamping opening.
  • the clamping spring also has a spring region which is resiliently connected to the at least two clamping arms.
  • the terminal clamping device has a tensioning device with an actuating region which deforms, during actuating of a grip of the tensioning device, the at least two clamping arms for tensioning.
  • a conductor is inserted into one of the conductor insertion channels formed by the clamping openings of the tensioned clamping arms. Subsequently, the grip is actuated in order to relieve the tension on the at least two clamping arms and in order to bring the conductor inserted through the one conductor insertion channel into electrically conductive contact with the mating contact.
  • Figure 1 shows four illustrations of a clamping spring arrangement according to the prior art, showing step-by-step how a clamping spring can be tensioned using a screwdriver in order then to insert the conductor and to establish the electrical contact.
  • Figure 2 is a three-dimensional view of the clamping spring arrangement according to an embodiment of the invention, with a lever and contact rail; the clamping spring is in the tension-relieved state.
  • Figure 3 is a plan view of the clamping spring arrangement according to an embodiment of the invention, with a lever and contact rail.
  • Figure 4 is a side view of the clamping spring arrangement according to an embodiment of the invention, with a lever and contact rail; the clamping spring is in the tension-relieved state.
  • Figure 5 is a three-dimensional view of the clamping spring according to the embodiment of the invention shown in Figures 2-4; the clamping spring is in the tension-relieved state.
  • Figure 6 is a three-dimensional view of the contact rail according to the embodiment of the invention shown in Figures 2-4.
  • Figure 7 is a three-dimensional view of the lever according to the embodiment of the invention shown in Figures 2-4.
  • Figure 8 is a three-dimensional view of the clamping spring according to the embodiment of the invention shown in Figures 2-4, but from a different perspective to Figure 5.
  • Figure 9 shows three illustrations a)-c) of various embodiments of the lever responsible for actuating the clamping spring.
  • Figure 10 is a three-dimensional view of the tensioned clamping spring arrangement according to an embodiment of the invention.
  • Figure 11 is a three-dimensional view of the clamping spring arrangement according to an embodiment of the invention in which two conductors are inserted into the corresponding openings of the clamping arms.
  • a clamping spring arrangement according to an embodiment of the present invention may be seen in Figure 2 in a three-dimensional view, in Figure 3 as a plan view and in Figure 4 as a side view.
  • Figures 5, 6 and 7 show the individual parts of the clamping spring arrangement illustrated in Figure 2.
  • Figure 5 shows the clamping spring 21,
  • Figure 6 the terminal contact 22
  • Figure 7 the lever 24 with an insulating cap 25.
  • the clamping spring arrangement is intended in this embodiment to conductively connect two electrical conductors to a terminal contact 22.
  • the terminal arrangement comprises substantially a clamping spring 21 and a lever 24 intended for actuating the clamping spring 21.
  • the terminal contact 22 which is formed is to be regarded not as part of the clamping spring arrangement, but as part of an apparatus to which two electrical conductors are to be connected as a result of the use of the clamping spring according to the invention.
  • the loop-shaped clamping spring 21 is made of metal, for example sheet metal, and can be produced and shaped from a single flat metal piece in such a way that substantially three legs 21a, b and c are formed.
  • the second leg 21b is used for mounting the clamping spring on the terminal contact 22, in that the clamping spring rests with the second leg 21b on the flatly formed terminal contact 22.
  • the second leg 21b of the clamping spring 21 is furthermore shaped in such a way as to form a protrusion 28 which serves to mount the lever 24. This will be explained in greater detail hereinafter.
  • the second leg 21b of the clamping spring is sufficiently long that the second leg protrudes from the loop-shaped formation of the clamping spring arrangement.
  • the third clamping spring leg 21c is resiliently connected to the first leg 21a via a spring region 35, so that the second 21b and the third clamping spring leg 21c lie approximately parallel as a result of the 180° inflection in the spring region of the clamping spring. Furthermore, the first clamping spring leg 21a is connected to the third leg 21c of the clamping spring 21 by means of a 90° inflection of the clamping spring and is thus roughly orthogonal to the second 21b and third leg 21c of the spring clamp. Thus, the first 21a and the third clamping spring leg 21c are jointly resilient with respect to the second leg 21b.
  • the three legs 21a, b and c of the clamping spring 21 are divided by corresponding incisions 36a, b and c, thus producing two clamping spring arms 21-1 and 21-2 which are positioned next to each other.
  • the incisions 36a and 36c merge with each other and reach, up to a specific part, into the spring region 35 (see Figure 8).
  • the spring region can be divided only partly or wholly by the incision 36c, provided that the spring force acting on the clamping arms is not restricted.
  • the two clamping spring arms can be moved separately from and independently of each other.
  • Each clamping spring arm 21-1/21-2 has a respective recess 32-1/32-2 in order to receive a conductor 26 to be connected.
  • the ends 37-1 and 37-2 of the second clamping spring leg 21b are guided through these recesses.
  • the division 36c on the third clamping spring leg 21c is also shaped in such a way as to allow the lever 24 to be guided through, and also offers a guide for the movement of the lever.
  • the guidance of the lever through the slot 36c is limited by two stops 38a, b at both ends.
  • the recess 36b in the second clamping spring leg 21b is also embodied so as to allow the lever to be guided through.
  • the cut in the first clamping spring leg 21a is merely such that the clamping spring leg 21a is split into two parts which are positioned next to each other.
  • the mating contact 22 from Figure 6, on which the two conductors to be inserted are to be contacted, is embodied for this embodiment of the invention as a rail and, as such, not part of the clamping spring arrangement.
  • the second spring clamping leg 21b lies in this case flat on the mating contact rail on a contact region 27, the two ends 22-1 and 22-2 of the rail protruding from the clamping spring recesses 32-1 and 32-2.
  • the contact ends 22-1 and 22-2 of the rail therefore have a width corresponding to the openings 32-1 and 32-2 of the first clamping spring leg 21a.
  • the clamping spring arrangement further comprises the lever 24 in order to tension and to relieve the tension on the clamping spring 21 which may be seen separately in Figure 7.
  • the lever 24 itself is, like the clamping spring, made of a metallic material and comprises an operating region 25 in the form of a grip which an operator can actuate in order to tension or to relieve the tension on the spring clamp.
  • the surface must be made in the operating region 25 of an electrically insulating material (for example: plastics material), as electrical charges can be transmitted from the rail to the lever via the clamping spring.
  • the grip 25 of the lever 24 is therefore covered by an insulating cap.
  • the cap can also be embodied in such a way that a screen-like delimitation from the actuating region 29 prevents an operator from touching the non-electrically insulated surface of the actuating region 29.
  • This screen can be embodied in a rectangular manner, or readily be adapted by a person skilled in the art to other shapes of the grip and other arrangements.
  • the operating region 25 is directly adjoined by the aforementioned actuating region 29 which protrudes in a rod-shaped, orthogonal manner from the grip on both sides.
  • the actuating edge 29, which is provided for tensioning the clamping spring, lies on the third leg 21c of the clamping spring, as may be seen from Figures 2 and 4.
  • the mounting region 30 of the lever 24 protrudes, like the actuating region 29, in an orthogonal, rod-shaped manner on both sides, and is thus parallel to the actuating region.
  • the indentation 28 of the second leg 21b of the clamping spring 21 receives the mounting region 30 of the lever, and the mounting region 30 thus serves the lever 24 as a joint about which the lever can be moved in rotation.
  • the lever 24 illustrated in Figure 7 is mounted onto the clamping spring 21 as follows.
  • the mounting region 30 and the recesses 36b and 36c of the clamping spring are adapted in such a way as to allow mounting of the lever.
  • the lever is rotated, compared to the end position shown in Figure 1, through 90° about the longitudinal axis (parallel to the direction A indicated in Figure 4), and thus guided first through the recess 36c and subsequently through the recess 36b.
  • the lever is rotated back again through 90° and can now be inserted into the indentation 28 provided therefor.
  • the lever and particularly the mounting region 30 of the lever, is pressed into the indentation 28 of the second clamping spring leg 21b.
  • the lever is thus pivotably mounted to the clamping spring and can be actuated for tensioning and relieving the tension on the clamping spring.
  • the lever 24 according to the embodiment as shown in Figure 7 has the further advantage that the lever does not protrude laterally from the clamping spring arrangement. This reduces the width of the clamping spring arrangement and a smaller arrangement pattern can be achieved when setting up a plurality of clamping spring arrangements.
  • the lever illustrated in Figure 7 is in this case to be regarded merely as a possible embodiment of the lever 24.
  • Differently embodied levers are also possible, Figure 9 showing three further exemplary embodiments.
  • the two regions 29, 30 surround a tensioning opening 33 of the lever and are part of the edge of the lever that is produced through the tensioning recess 33.
  • the tensioning opening is designed in such a way that the edge of the lever 24 that surrounds this tensioning opening reaches round the clamping spring 21 on the undulatory indentation 28 of the second leg 21b.
  • the shape of the tensioning opening 33 is a self-enclosed rectangle.
  • the lever is mounted onto the clamping spring in that, when the clamping spring is pressed together, the clamping spring is guided with the side opposed by the first leg 21a through the tensioning opening 33 of the lever until the lever is located on the protrusion 28 of the clamping spring 21.
  • the tension on the clamping spring can be relieved again and the lever is thus rotatably mounted on the clamping spring.
  • the tensioning opening 33 is open on one side, producing simple mounting of the lever onto the clamping spring in that the lever is slid laterally onto the tensioned clamping spring via the indentation 28. Nevertheless, the mounting is less stable than in the embodiment of Figure 9a, as the lever does not have any hold on the clamping spring at the open side of the tensioning opening.
  • the tensioning opening is also open on one side, though not completely but rather merely partly.
  • This interrupted edge region 34 allows lateral mounting of the lever onto the clamping spring, as in the lever according to the embodiment of Figure 9b, although the mounting on the clamping spring is more stable as a result of the hook-shaped edge region 34, as lateral displacement is impeded after the mounting.
  • the clamping spring arrangement with one of the levers according to Figure 9 is wider than with the lever shown in Figure 7, as the levers from Figure 9 reach round the clamping spring.
  • a housing for the clamping spring arrangement is not in itself necessary, as the clamping spring and the lever can be mounted together without the support of a housing.
  • the clamping spring arrangement for its part, can be mounted onto the contact rail 22 in that the clamping spring is slid onto the contact rail in such a way that the rail ends 37-1 and 37-2 are guided through the conductor insertion openings 32-1 and 32-2 in the first leg 21a of the clamping spring.
  • the first leg 21a of the clamping spring is thus located close to the end of the rail and the second leg 21b of the clamping spring rests flat on the contact rail and thus offers a stable hold.
  • the installation in which the clamping spring arrangement is to be used can have a housing which is adapted in such a way that the clamping spring arrangement, including the lever and clamping spring, can be mounted thereon.
  • Means necessary for this purpose such as for example locks and the like on the installation or the clamping spring arrangement, can be readily provided and adapted by a person skilled in the art.
  • the operating region 25 of the lever 24 must in this case protrude partly from the housing of the installation in order to allow an operator to tension and to relieve the tension on the spring clamp with the aid of the lever.
  • the clamping spring arrangement it is also possible for the clamping spring arrangement to have a housing which surrounds the clamping spring, wherein the operating region of the lever protrudes from the housing of the clamping spring arrangement and can thus be actuated by an operator from outside the housing in order to close and to open the clamping spring.
  • the housing of the clamping spring opening has in this case two openings which are in alignment with the clamping spring recesses 32-1 and 32-2 in the first clamping spring leg 21a when the clamping spring is tensioned in order to form conductor insertion channels through which it is possible to insert two conductors which can be brought as a result into electrical contact with the contact rail.
  • a housing of this type must have at least one further opening which receives the lever and is formed in such a way as to allow tilting of the lever in order to tension and to relieve the tension on the spring in order as a result to allow contacting of the conductor.
  • Figure 2 shows the clamping spring arrangement in a possible starting position in which the tension on the clamping spring 21 is relieved and the lever 24 is in a corresponding position. Accordingly, the recesses 32-1 and 32-2 are positioned above the contact rail 22 and the lever 24 is tilted in the direction of the spring region 35 of the clamping spring. In this starting position, it is not possible to insert a conductor.
  • the lever 24 on the grip 25 is tilted in direction B.
  • the clamping spring 21 is shaped in such a way that its third leg 21c rises from the spring region 35 to the first leg 21a in the direction opposite to A, the clamping spring is deformed by the actuating region 29 during tilting of the lever 24 in direction B.
  • the first leg 21a which is connected to the third leg 21c, of the clamping spring moves in direction A.
  • both clamping arms 21-1 and 21-2 As the actuating region 29 acts on both clamping arms 21-1 and 21-2, both clamping arms are pressed in direction A and the recesses 32-1 and 32-2 in the clamping arms are located below the contact rail 22. This may be seen in Figure 10 which also shows the position of the lever, offset from the starting position, after the tensioning.
  • the clamping spring and the lever are shaped in such a way that a dead centre for the lever position is obtained when the spring clamp is subjected to roughly maximum tension.
  • holding the lever in this position does not require a lock.
  • the position shown in Figure 10 is in itself stable.
  • the clamping spring exerts a force on the lever
  • the clamping spring acts in such a way that the lever does not, owing to this force alone, tilt back into the starting position shown in Figure 2.
  • the operator does not have to hold the lever in the tensioned position after the tensioning of the clamping spring, while one or more conductors are inserted into the clamping spring. This allows the clamping spring arrangement to be operated using one hand.
  • two conductors 26-1 and 26-2 or the stripped ends thereof can be inserted into the recesses 32-1 and 32-2 provided therefor.
  • the lever can be moved in the direction opposite to B from the dead centre position to the starting position in order to relieve the tension on the clamping spring again.
  • the tension on the clamping arms 21-1 and 21-2 of the clamping spring is relieved independently of each other until the respective conductor prevents further relieving of the tension on the clamping spring, as the conductor is pressed onto the contact rail. Individual force now acts on both clamping points.
  • Figure 11 shows the conductor 26-1 as an example of the conductors 26-2 having a larger diameter. As a result, more tension is relieved on the clamping arm 21-1 than on the clamping arm 21-2.
  • the clamping spring arrangement according to the present invention allows an optimum shake and impact-proof connection to the contact both for conductors of the same thickness and for conductors of different thickness.
  • the clamping spring In order to release the conductors from the contact again, the clamping spring has to be tensioned again in that the lever 24 is tilted in direction B. As a result of the pressing-together of the clamping spring, the conductors are no longer pressed onto the contact rail 22 and can be drawn out of the clamping spring arrangement through the conductor insertion openings.
  • the above-described levers serve to actuate the clamping spring and are rotatably mounted on the indentation 28 of the rest leg 21b of the clamping spring.
  • the leverage force for opening and closing the clamping spring is therefore not accommodated by a (plastics material) housing; on the contrary, the force of the clamping spring is continuously accommodated by the actuating region 29 of the lever. This lengthens the useful life of the clamping spring arrangement.
  • the dead centre formed by the clamping spring and the lever allows the clamping spring arrangement to be operated using one hand.
  • a further advantage afforded by the dead centre is obtained, when the clamping spring is tensioned, for the starting position of the clamping spring arrangement.
  • lever In contrast to the starting position of the lever in Figure 2, lever can already be oriented in such a way that the clamping spring is tensioned. The first step of tensioning the clamping spring is thus dispensed with. The conductors can be inserted without prior tensioning of the clamping spring and the lever is subsequently actuated in order to relieve the tension on the clamping spring. Thus, the clamping spring can be opened in the state in which it is delivered.
  • FIG. 2-11 shows a clamping spring with two clamping arms acting independently of each other. Nevertheless, more than two clamping arms are also possible. As a result, a plurality of conductors could be connected to a contact by a clamping spring.
  • a clamping spring could be embodied in such a way that it is divided by incisions into three or more clamping arms which are positioned next to one another and each have a recess through which a conductor can be inserted.
  • the contact rail must in this case be designed in such a way that it also serves as a rest for the multi-armed clamping spring and allows contacting of the conductors inserted through the conductor insertion openings.
  • the lever of the clamping spring arrangement that is shown in Figure 7 must be adapted in such a way that the clamping arms are simultaneously tensioned when the lever is tilted for tensioning the clamping spring.
  • the lever can advantageously be arranged in the centre between the clamping arms in order to allow stable and uniform tensioning of the clamping arms.

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  • Connections Arranged To Contact A Plurality Of Conductors (AREA)
  • Clamps And Clips (AREA)

Abstract

The present invention relates to a terminal clamping device for electrically connecting a plurality of conductors (26-1, 26-2) to a mating contact (22). The terminal clamping device according to the invention comprises a clamping spring (21) and a lever (24) which is responsible for actuating the clamping spring and can be operated without tools. The lever is in this case designed in such a way that it does not protrude laterally from the terminal clamping device, and thus decreases the space necessary for the device. The lever is also mounted on an indentation of the clamping spring, thus lengthening the useful life of the terminal clamping device. The three-legged clamping spring has a plurality of clamping arms (21-1, 21-2), with corresponding conductor insertion openings through which conductors can be inserted and electrically connected to a contact. The conductors may in this case be of the same or different conductor cross sections, as the clamping arms exert independently of one another a maximum clamping force on the inserted conductor. A plurality of conductors can be electrically connected to a contact by the clamping spring.

Description

TOOLLESSLY ACTUATABLE SPRING CLAMP WITH A PLURALITY OF CLAMPING ARMS FOR A PLURALITY OF ELECTRICAL CONDUCTORS
Field of the INVENTION
The present invention relates to a spring clamp for electrically connecting electrical conductors to a mating contact. The present invention also relates to a mounting method for electrically connecting electrical conductors with the aid of a spring clamp.
Background of the INVENTION
A spring clamping arrangement of this type from the prior art is illustrated by way of example in Figure 1 , and can serve for connecting an external line to an installation, such as for example for wiring switch cabinets, time relays or solar modules. Two lines can also be connected to each other in this way.
In a connection technology of this type, a stripped line 17 of a cable 16 is connected to a contact 12 by means of a clamping spring 11. A clamping arrangement of this type requires low operating and tool costs and is in addition characterised by high functional reliability. The clamping spring 11 is located in an electrically insulating housing 13 (made for example of plastics material), the clamping spring having a recess 20 at a clamping point. An opening 19 allowing the actuating of the clamping spring and a conductor insertion opening 18 are provided in the housing. The clamping spring is actuated with the aid of a tool 14 inserted into the opening 19, generally a screwdriver or the like.
In the illustration marked by (1) of Figure 1, the screwdriver 14 is inserted into the tool opening 19 provided therefor, in order to tension the clamping spring. The tensioned clamping spring may be seen from the illustration marked by (2) of Figure 1. The clamping spring 11 is deformed owing to the inserted tool and a part of the clamping spring is thus displaced into a corresponding housing recess 15. In the tensioned state, the clamping spring opening 20 (not visible) forms in interaction with the conductor insertion opening 18 of the housing 13 a conductor insertion channel through which the stripped conductor can be inserted. The conductor cannot be inserted and electrically connected to the contact 12 when the tension on the clamping spring is relieved (Illustration (1) of Figure 1), as the clamping spring opening 20 is not aligned with the conductor insertion opening 18 of the housing. As may be seen from Illustration (3) of Figure 1, the conductor can now be completely inserted and, when the tool is removed, the conductor is pressed, as a result of the recoiling of the clamping opening 20 of the clamping spring 11, flat against the contact 12 and thus electrically connected thereto (see Illustration (4) of Figure 1).
This connection technology allows a shake and impact-proof conductor connection and displays a higher clamping force as the conductor cross section increases. Nevertheless, in the starting state, the clamping spring is in all cases closed, so that the clamping spring must first be tensioned before an electrical conductor can be inserted into the resulting conductor insertion channel. If a relatively large number of conductors have to be clamped into the corresponding clamping spring arrangements, this proves to be costly and time-consuming, since the tool must first be inserted into the corresponding tool opening and held, while the conductor must first be inserted into the clamping spring arrangement; the tool is then removed and the electrical contacting is carried out.
The above-described spring clamping arrangement has various further drawbacks. Thus, a tool is in all cases necessary for actuating the clamping spring. The fact that the tool opening and conductor insertion opening are arranged next to each other on the same side of the housing also gives rise to the difficulty that the view onto the openings for the lines is obstructed by the tool. In addition, the leverage forces for opening the clamping spring are accommodated by the housing, as a result of which the useful life of the clamping spring arrangement is reduced.
Thus, although this is not apparent from Figure 1, at least some of the components which are necessary for the clamping spring arrangement have to be mounted onto the housing using screws. This involves time and cost-intensive mounting and dismounting of the individual clamping springs. Furthermore, it is the case that only one conductor can be clamped on for each clamping spring. Therefore, a clamping spring arrangement must be provided for each conductor to be connected; this increases the space necessary for providing the clamping spring arrangements. It would be desirable to have a clamping spring arrangement with which more clamping springs can be arranged than with the clamping spring arrangement of the prior art shown in Figure 1.
Summary of the INVENTION
An object underlying the present invention thus consists in disclosing a terminal clamping device which is as simple and economical as possible, can be operated easily and without tools, and also allows a plurality of conductors to be connected and reduces a space necessary for the terminal clamping device. Further advantageous objects of the present invention are to allow simple mounting of the terminal clamping device and to achieve a long useful life of the terminal clamping device.
At least one of these objects is achieved by the subject-matter of independent claim 1.
Advantageous developments of the present invention form the subject-matter of the dependent claims.
The present invention provides a terminal clamping device for electrically connecting at least two electrical conductors to a contact region of a mating contact. A clamping spring, which is curved in a loop-shaped manner, of the terminal clamping device comprises a clamping region which is divided by at least one incision into at least two clamping arms which are positioned next to one another and each have a clamping opening. The clamping spring also has a spring region which is resiliently connected to the at least two clamping arms. A tensioning device of the terminal clamping device has a grip which can be actuated by an operator and an actuating region which deforms, during actuating of the grip, the two clamping arms of the clamping spring for tensioning. The two clamping openings form two conductor insertion channels when the clamping arms are tensioned. A conductor which is inserted through one of the conductor insertion channels is brought, as a result of the relieving of the tension on the one clamping arm, into electrically conductive contact with the mating contact. According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, a further conductor, which is inserted through the other conductor insertion channel, is brought, as a result of the relieving of the tension on the other clamping arm, into electrically conductive contact with the mating contact.
According to a further embodiment of the invention, the two conductors have substantially the same or different-sized conductor cross-sectional areas. Thus, two conductors of different sizes or the same size can be clamped, in a shake and impact-proof manner, to a contact at the same time as a clamping spring.
According to another embodiment of the invention, the tensioning device is arranged between the at least two clamping arms of the clamping spring on the at least one incision. The tensioning device has a mounting region by weight the tensioning device is rotatably mounted on an indentation of the clamping spring.
In an embodiment of the invention, the tensioning device is embodied in such a way that it does not protrude laterally from the clamping spring. This reduces the space required by the clamping spring arrangement.
According to another embodiment of the invention, the tensioning device is guided through a part of the incision in the clamping region during actuating of the grip.
According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the incision in the clamping region is embodied in such a way that limitations are formed for the movement of the tensioning device.
According to a further embodiment, the tensioning device has a mounting region which forms with the actuating region of the tensioning device a rectangle which is open on one side or a closed rectangle with a tensioning opening. An edge of the tensioning device that surrounds the tensioning opening, encompassing the mounting region and the actuating region, reaches in this case round the clamping spring on the indentation. In an embodiment of the invention, the contact region of the mating contact is embodied as a rail and as a mating bearing for a rest leg of the clamping spring.
According to an embodiment of the invention, a rest leg of the clamping spring is divided by at least one incision into at least two rest leg arms.
According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the actuating region of the tensioning device exerts a force on a part of the clamping arms that opposes the rest leg during actuating of the tensioning device, in order to deform the clamping arms for tensioning.
According to a further embodiment of the invention, the mating contact is divided in the contact region into at least two mating contact arms with which one of the at least two conductors is brought into contact.
According to another embodiment of the invention, the spring region of the clamping spring is divided by at least one incision partly or wholly into at least two spring region parts which are positioned next to one another.
In a further embodiment of the invention, the tensioning device is held by a dead centre formed by the clamping spring in a state in which the clamping spring arms are subjected to maximum tension.
The embodiments of the invention can be used for time relays.
The present invention provides a mounting method for electrically connecting at least two electrical conductors to a contact region of a mating contact in a terminal clamping device. The terminal clamping device comprises a clamping spring which is curved in a loop-shaped manner and has a clamping region which is divided by at least one incision into at least two clamping arms which are positioned next to one another and each have a clamping opening. Furthermore, the clamping spring has a spring region which is resiliency connected to the two clamping arms. Firstly, a grip of a tensioning device of the terminal clamping device is actuated, the tensioning device having an actuating region which deforms, during actuating of the grip, the two clamping arms of the clamping spring for tensioning. Subsequently, a conductor is inserted into one of the conductor insertion channels formed by the clamping openings of the tensioned clamping arms. The grip is now actuated in order to relieve the tension on the at least two clamping arms and in order to bring the conductor inserted through the one conductor insertion channel into electrically conductive contact with the mating contact.
The present invention provides a further mounting method for electrically connecting at least two electrical conductors to a contact region of a mating contact in a terminal clamping device. The terminal clamping device comprises a clamping spring which is curved in a loop- shaped manner and has a clamping region which is divided by at least one incision into at least two clamping arms which are positioned next to one another and each have a clamping opening. The clamping spring also has a spring region which is resiliently connected to the at least two clamping arms. The terminal clamping device has a tensioning device with an actuating region which deforms, during actuating of a grip of the tensioning device, the at least two clamping arms for tensioning. A conductor is inserted into one of the conductor insertion channels formed by the clamping openings of the tensioned clamping arms. Subsequently, the grip is actuated in order to relieve the tension on the at least two clamping arms and in order to bring the conductor inserted through the one conductor insertion channel into electrically conductive contact with the mating contact.
Brief description of the drawings
The invention will be explained hereinafter in greater detail with reference to the arrangements illustrated in the enclosed Figures 1 to 11.
Figure 1 shows four illustrations of a clamping spring arrangement according to the prior art, showing step-by-step how a clamping spring can be tensioned using a screwdriver in order then to insert the conductor and to establish the electrical contact.
Figure 2 is a three-dimensional view of the clamping spring arrangement according to an embodiment of the invention, with a lever and contact rail; the clamping spring is in the tension-relieved state. Figure 3 is a plan view of the clamping spring arrangement according to an embodiment of the invention, with a lever and contact rail.
Figure 4 is a side view of the clamping spring arrangement according to an embodiment of the invention, with a lever and contact rail; the clamping spring is in the tension-relieved state.
Figure 5 is a three-dimensional view of the clamping spring according to the embodiment of the invention shown in Figures 2-4; the clamping spring is in the tension-relieved state.
Figure 6 is a three-dimensional view of the contact rail according to the embodiment of the invention shown in Figures 2-4. Figure 7 is a three-dimensional view of the lever according to the embodiment of the invention shown in Figures 2-4.
Figure 8 is a three-dimensional view of the clamping spring according to the embodiment of the invention shown in Figures 2-4, but from a different perspective to Figure 5.
Figure 9 shows three illustrations a)-c) of various embodiments of the lever responsible for actuating the clamping spring.
Figure 10 is a three-dimensional view of the tensioned clamping spring arrangement according to an embodiment of the invention.
Figure 11 is a three-dimensional view of the clamping spring arrangement according to an embodiment of the invention in which two conductors are inserted into the corresponding openings of the clamping arms.
Detailed description
Based on the following discussion, the invention and its advantageous embodiments will be explained in detail with reference to Figures 2 to 11. The construction of the clamping spring arrangement will first be described, before the mode of operation thereof is commented on step-by- step.
A clamping spring arrangement according to an embodiment of the present invention may be seen in Figure 2 in a three-dimensional view, in Figure 3 as a plan view and in Figure 4 as a side view. Furthermore, Figures 5, 6 and 7 show the individual parts of the clamping spring arrangement illustrated in Figure 2. In this case, Figure 5 shows the clamping spring 21, Figure 6 the terminal contact 22 and Figure 7 the lever 24 with an insulating cap 25. The clamping spring arrangement is intended in this embodiment to conductively connect two electrical conductors to a terminal contact 22. For this purpose, the terminal arrangement comprises substantially a clamping spring 21 and a lever 24 intended for actuating the clamping spring 21. The terminal contact 22 which is formed is to be regarded not as part of the clamping spring arrangement, but as part of an apparatus to which two electrical conductors are to be connected as a result of the use of the clamping spring according to the invention.
The loop-shaped clamping spring 21 is made of metal, for example sheet metal, and can be produced and shaped from a single flat metal piece in such a way that substantially three legs 21a, b and c are formed. As may be seen from Figure 4, the second leg 21b is used for mounting the clamping spring on the terminal contact 22, in that the clamping spring rests with the second leg 21b on the flatly formed terminal contact 22. The second leg 21b of the clamping spring 21 is furthermore shaped in such a way as to form a protrusion 28 which serves to mount the lever 24. This will be explained in greater detail hereinafter. In addition, the second leg 21b of the clamping spring is sufficiently long that the second leg protrudes from the loop-shaped formation of the clamping spring arrangement.
The third clamping spring leg 21c is resiliently connected to the first leg 21a via a spring region 35, so that the second 21b and the third clamping spring leg 21c lie approximately parallel as a result of the 180° inflection in the spring region of the clamping spring. Furthermore, the first clamping spring leg 21a is connected to the third leg 21c of the clamping spring 21 by means of a 90° inflection of the clamping spring and is thus roughly orthogonal to the second 21b and third leg 21c of the spring clamp. Thus, the first 21a and the third clamping spring leg 21c are jointly resilient with respect to the second leg 21b.
As may be seen in Figure 5, the three legs 21a, b and c of the clamping spring 21 are divided by corresponding incisions 36a, b and c, thus producing two clamping spring arms 21-1 and 21-2 which are positioned next to each other. The incisions 36a and 36c merge with each other and reach, up to a specific part, into the spring region 35 (see Figure 8). In this case, the spring region can be divided only partly or wholly by the incision 36c, provided that the spring force acting on the clamping arms is not restricted. As a result, the two clamping spring arms can be moved separately from and independently of each other. Each clamping spring arm 21-1/21-2 has a respective recess 32-1/32-2 in order to receive a conductor 26 to be connected. In addition, the ends 37-1 and 37-2 of the second clamping spring leg 21b are guided through these recesses.
The division 36c on the third clamping spring leg 21c is also shaped in such a way as to allow the lever 24 to be guided through, and also offers a guide for the movement of the lever. The guidance of the lever through the slot 36c is limited by two stops 38a, b at both ends.
The recess 36b in the second clamping spring leg 21b is also embodied so as to allow the lever to be guided through. Conversely, the cut in the first clamping spring leg 21a is merely such that the clamping spring leg 21a is split into two parts which are positioned next to each other.
The mating contact 22 from Figure 6, on which the two conductors to be inserted are to be contacted, is embodied for this embodiment of the invention as a rail and, as such, not part of the clamping spring arrangement. The second spring clamping leg 21b lies in this case flat on the mating contact rail on a contact region 27, the two ends 22-1 and 22-2 of the rail protruding from the clamping spring recesses 32-1 and 32-2. The contact ends 22-1 and 22-2 of the rail therefore have a width corresponding to the openings 32-1 and 32-2 of the first clamping spring leg 21a.
The clamping spring arrangement further comprises the lever 24 in order to tension and to relieve the tension on the clamping spring 21 which may be seen separately in Figure 7. The lever 24 itself is, like the clamping spring, made of a metallic material and comprises an operating region 25 in the form of a grip which an operator can actuate in order to tension or to relieve the tension on the spring clamp. For this purpose, the surface must be made in the operating region 25 of an electrically insulating material (for example: plastics material), as electrical charges can be transmitted from the rail to the lever via the clamping spring. The grip 25 of the lever 24 is therefore covered by an insulating cap. Although this is not shown in Figure 7, the cap can also be embodied in such a way that a screen-like delimitation from the actuating region 29 prevents an operator from touching the non-electrically insulated surface of the actuating region 29. This screen can be embodied in a rectangular manner, or readily be adapted by a person skilled in the art to other shapes of the grip and other arrangements.
The operating region 25 is directly adjoined by the aforementioned actuating region 29 which protrudes in a rod-shaped, orthogonal manner from the grip on both sides. The actuating edge 29, which is provided for tensioning the clamping spring, lies on the third leg 21c of the clamping spring, as may be seen from Figures 2 and 4.
The mounting region 30 of the lever 24 protrudes, like the actuating region 29, in an orthogonal, rod-shaped manner on both sides, and is thus parallel to the actuating region. The indentation 28 of the second leg 21b of the clamping spring 21 receives the mounting region 30 of the lever, and the mounting region 30 thus serves the lever 24 as a joint about which the lever can be moved in rotation.
The lever 24 illustrated in Figure 7 is mounted onto the clamping spring 21 as follows. The mounting region 30 and the recesses 36b and 36c of the clamping spring are adapted in such a way as to allow mounting of the lever. For this purpose, the lever is rotated, compared to the end position shown in Figure 1, through 90° about the longitudinal axis (parallel to the direction A indicated in Figure 4), and thus guided first through the recess 36c and subsequently through the recess 36b. In order to allow the mounting, it is advantageous to keep the clamping spring in the tensioned state. Subsequently, the lever is rotated back again through 90° and can now be inserted into the indentation 28 provided therefor. If the tension on the clamping spring is relieved, the lever, and particularly the mounting region 30 of the lever, is pressed into the indentation 28 of the second clamping spring leg 21b. The lever is thus pivotably mounted to the clamping spring and can be actuated for tensioning and relieving the tension on the clamping spring.
The lever 24 according to the embodiment as shown in Figure 7 has the further advantage that the lever does not protrude laterally from the clamping spring arrangement. This reduces the width of the clamping spring arrangement and a smaller arrangement pattern can be achieved when setting up a plurality of clamping spring arrangements. The lever illustrated in Figure 7 is in this case to be regarded merely as a possible embodiment of the lever 24. Differently embodied levers are also possible, Figure 9 showing three further exemplary embodiments. According to the embodiment from Figure 9a, the two regions 29, 30 surround a tensioning opening 33 of the lever and are part of the edge of the lever that is produced through the tensioning recess 33. The tensioning opening is designed in such a way that the edge of the lever 24 that surrounds this tensioning opening reaches round the clamping spring 21 on the undulatory indentation 28 of the second leg 21b.
According to the embodiment as shown in Figure 9a, the shape of the tensioning opening 33 is a self-enclosed rectangle. This produces a stable mounting of the lever on the clamping spring. The lever is mounted onto the clamping spring in that, when the clamping spring is pressed together, the clamping spring is guided with the side opposed by the first leg 21a through the tensioning opening 33 of the lever until the lever is located on the protrusion 28 of the clamping spring 21. When the clamping spring has been slid into the tensioning opening of the lever sufficiently far that the edge surrounding the tensioning opening engages with the indentation 28, the tension on the clamping spring can be relieved again and the lever is thus rotatably mounted on the clamping spring.
In Figure 9b, the tensioning opening 33 is open on one side, producing simple mounting of the lever onto the clamping spring in that the lever is slid laterally onto the tensioned clamping spring via the indentation 28. Nevertheless, the mounting is less stable than in the embodiment of Figure 9a, as the lever does not have any hold on the clamping spring at the open side of the tensioning opening.
In the form of the lever shown in Figure 9c, the tensioning opening is also open on one side, though not completely but rather merely partly. This interrupted edge region 34 allows lateral mounting of the lever onto the clamping spring, as in the lever according to the embodiment of Figure 9b, although the mounting on the clamping spring is more stable as a result of the hook-shaped edge region 34, as lateral displacement is impeded after the mounting. Nevertheless, the clamping spring arrangement with one of the levers according to Figure 9 is wider than with the lever shown in Figure 7, as the levers from Figure 9 reach round the clamping spring.
A housing for the clamping spring arrangement is not in itself necessary, as the clamping spring and the lever can be mounted together without the support of a housing. The clamping spring arrangement, for its part, can be mounted onto the contact rail 22 in that the clamping spring is slid onto the contact rail in such a way that the rail ends 37-1 and 37-2 are guided through the conductor insertion openings 32-1 and 32-2 in the first leg 21a of the clamping spring. The first leg 21a of the clamping spring is thus located close to the end of the rail and the second leg 21b of the clamping spring rests flat on the contact rail and thus offers a stable hold.
The installation in which the clamping spring arrangement is to be used can have a housing which is adapted in such a way that the clamping spring arrangement, including the lever and clamping spring, can be mounted thereon. Means necessary for this purpose, such as for example locks and the like on the installation or the clamping spring arrangement, can be readily provided and adapted by a person skilled in the art. The operating region 25 of the lever 24 must in this case protrude partly from the housing of the installation in order to allow an operator to tension and to relieve the tension on the spring clamp with the aid of the lever.
Alternatively, it is also possible for the clamping spring arrangement to have a housing which surrounds the clamping spring, wherein the operating region of the lever protrudes from the housing of the clamping spring arrangement and can thus be actuated by an operator from outside the housing in order to close and to open the clamping spring. The housing of the clamping spring opening has in this case two openings which are in alignment with the clamping spring recesses 32-1 and 32-2 in the first clamping spring leg 21a when the clamping spring is tensioned in order to form conductor insertion channels through which it is possible to insert two conductors which can be brought as a result into electrical contact with the contact rail. A housing of this type must have at least one further opening which receives the lever and is formed in such a way as to allow tilting of the lever in order to tension and to relieve the tension on the spring in order as a result to allow contacting of the conductor. The use of the above-described clamping spring arrangement for contacting a conductor or a plurality of conductors to a contact will be explained hereinafter.
Figure 2 shows the clamping spring arrangement in a possible starting position in which the tension on the clamping spring 21 is relieved and the lever 24 is in a corresponding position. Accordingly, the recesses 32-1 and 32-2 are positioned above the contact rail 22 and the lever 24 is tilted in the direction of the spring region 35 of the clamping spring. In this starting position, it is not possible to insert a conductor.
By actuating the lever 24, it is possible to tension the spring clamp, and the contacting of conductors to the terminal contact is made possible. For this purpose, the lever 24 on the grip 25 is tilted in direction B. As the clamping spring 21 is shaped in such a way that its third leg 21c rises from the spring region 35 to the first leg 21a in the direction opposite to A, the clamping spring is deformed by the actuating region 29 during tilting of the lever 24 in direction B. As a result of this pressing-together of the clamping spring, the first leg 21a, which is connected to the third leg 21c, of the clamping spring moves in direction A.
As the actuating region 29 acts on both clamping arms 21-1 and 21-2, both clamping arms are pressed in direction A and the recesses 32-1 and 32-2 in the clamping arms are located below the contact rail 22. This may be seen in Figure 10 which also shows the position of the lever, offset from the starting position, after the tensioning.
According to an advantageous embodiment, the clamping spring and the lever are shaped in such a way that a dead centre for the lever position is obtained when the spring clamp is subjected to roughly maximum tension. Thus, holding the lever in this position does not require a lock. The position shown in Figure 10 is in itself stable. Although the clamping spring exerts a force on the lever, the clamping spring acts in such a way that the lever does not, owing to this force alone, tilt back into the starting position shown in Figure 2. Thus, the operator does not have to hold the lever in the tensioned position after the tensioning of the clamping spring, while one or more conductors are inserted into the clamping spring. This allows the clamping spring arrangement to be operated using one hand. As shown in Figure 11, two conductors 26-1 and 26-2 or the stripped ends thereof, can be inserted into the recesses 32-1 and 32-2 provided therefor. After the insertion of the conductors, the lever can be moved in the direction opposite to B from the dead centre position to the starting position in order to relieve the tension on the clamping spring again. The tension on the clamping arms 21-1 and 21-2 of the clamping spring is relieved independently of each other until the respective conductor prevents further relieving of the tension on the clamping spring, as the conductor is pressed onto the contact rail. Individual force now acts on both clamping points. As a result of the fact that the clamping arms 21-1 and 21-2 are separated from each other by the incisions 36a and 36c, conductors of differing thickness can be inserted into the two conductor insertion openings 32-1 and 32-2. That is to say, since the two clamping arms 21-1- and 21-2 press independently of each other the inserted conductors onto the mating contact 22 when the tension is relieved, it is immaterial whether the conductors have the same or different-sized conductor cross-sectional areas. In each case, the conductors are pressed onto the contact and a shake and impact-proof connection to the contact is achieved for both conductors.
Figure 11 shows the conductor 26-1 as an example of the conductors 26-2 having a larger diameter. As a result, more tension is relieved on the clamping arm 21-1 than on the clamping arm 21-2.
If the two clamping arms 21-1 and 21-2 were tensioned and tension-relieved together, then a shake and impact-proof connection would be possible only for conductors having the same thicknesses, as otherwise the clamping spring would not press the thinner conductor (in Figure 11 conductor 26-1) with sufficient force onto the contact 22 in order to ensure stable mounting. Even conductors having substantially the same diameter could not, owing to tolerances of the conductors, be placed optimally against the contact rail 22. Particularly for applications in which high loads occur on the clamping spring clamping of the conductors, such as for example in automotive applications, a shake and impact-proof connection to the contact is indispensable. Thus, the clamping spring arrangement according to the present invention allows an optimum shake and impact-proof connection to the contact both for conductors of the same thickness and for conductors of different thickness.
Of course, it is also possible to insert only one conductor, instead of the two possible conductors.
In order to release the conductors from the contact again, the clamping spring has to be tensioned again in that the lever 24 is tilted in direction B. As a result of the pressing-together of the clamping spring, the conductors are no longer pressed onto the contact rail 22 and can be drawn out of the clamping spring arrangement through the conductor insertion openings.
The above-described levers (from Figures 7 and 9) serve to actuate the clamping spring and are rotatably mounted on the indentation 28 of the rest leg 21b of the clamping spring. This results in easy and convenient opening and closing of the clamping spring without an additional tool and with a low leverage force in a self-enclosed system made of metal. The leverage force for opening and closing the clamping spring is therefore not accommodated by a (plastics material) housing; on the contrary, the force of the clamping spring is continuously accommodated by the actuating region 29 of the lever. This lengthens the useful life of the clamping spring arrangement.
As mentioned hereinbefore, the dead centre formed by the clamping spring and the lever allows the clamping spring arrangement to be operated using one hand. A further advantage afforded by the dead centre is obtained, when the clamping spring is tensioned, for the starting position of the clamping spring arrangement. In contrast to the starting position of the lever in Figure 2, lever can already be oriented in such a way that the clamping spring is tensioned. The first step of tensioning the clamping spring is thus dispensed with. The conductors can be inserted without prior tensioning of the clamping spring and the lever is subsequently actuated in order to relieve the tension on the clamping spring. Thus, the clamping spring can be opened in the state in which it is delivered.
The embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figures 2-11 shows a clamping spring with two clamping arms acting independently of each other. Nevertheless, more than two clamping arms are also possible. As a result, a plurality of conductors could be connected to a contact by a clamping spring.
For example, a clamping spring could be embodied in such a way that it is divided by incisions into three or more clamping arms which are positioned next to one another and each have a recess through which a conductor can be inserted. The contact rail must in this case be designed in such a way that it also serves as a rest for the multi-armed clamping spring and allows contacting of the conductors inserted through the conductor insertion openings.
The lever of the clamping spring arrangement that is shown in Figure 7 must be adapted in such a way that the clamping arms are simultaneously tensioned when the lever is tilted for tensioning the clamping spring. The lever can advantageously be arranged in the centre between the clamping arms in order to allow stable and uniform tensioning of the clamping arms.
A person skilled in the art in this field will have no difficulty adapting the clamping spring arrangement according to the invention and its parts to the circumstances.

Claims

1. Terminal clamping device for electrically connecting at least two electrical conductors to a contact region of a mating contact, wherein the terminal clamping device comprises: a clamping spring which is curved in a loop-shaped manner and has a clamping region which is divided by at least one incision into at least two clamping arms which are positioned next to one another and each have a clamping opening, and with a spring region which is resiliently connected to the at least two clamping arms, a tensioning device with a grip which can be actuated by an operator, the tensioning device having an actuating region which deforms, during actuating of the grip, the two clamping arms of the clamping spring for tensioning, and the two clamping openings forming, when the clamping arms are tensioned, two conductor insertion channels and a conductor which is inserted through one of the conductor insertion channels being brought, as a result of the relieving of the tension on the one clamping arm, into electrically conductive contact with the mating contact.
2. The terminal clamping device according to claim 1, wherein a further conductor which is inserted through the other conductor insertion channel is brought, as a result of the relieving of the tension on the other clamping arm, into electrically conductive contact with the mating contact.
3. The terminal clamping device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the two conductors have substantially the same or different-sized conductor cross-sectional areas.
4. The terminal clamping device according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the tensioning device is arranged between the at least two clamping arms of the clamping spring on the at least one incision and has a mounting region by which the tensioning device is rotatably mounted on an indentation of the clamping spring.
5. The terminal clamping device according to claim 4, wherein the tensioning device is embodied in such a way that it does not protrude laterally from the clamping spring.
6. The terminal clamping device according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the tensioning device is guided through a part of the incision in the clamping region during actuating of the grip and the incision in the clamping region is embodied in such a way that limitations are formed for the movement of the tensioning device.
7. The terminal clamping device according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the contact region of the mating contact is embodied as a rail and as a mating bearing for a rest leg of the clamping spring.
8. The terminal clamping device according to one of claims 1 to 7, wherein a rest leg of the clamping spring is divided by at least one incision into at least two rest leg arms.
9. The terminal clamping device according to claim 8, wherein the actuating region of the tensioning device exerts on a part of the clamping arms that opposes the rest leg, during actuating of the tensioning device, a force in order to deform the clamping arms for tensioning.
10. The terminal clamping device according to one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the mating contact is divided in the contact region into at least two mating contact arms with which one of the at least two conductors is brought into contact.
11. The terminal clamping device according to one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the spring region of the clamping spring is divided by at least one incision partly or wholly into at least two spring region parts which are positioned next to one another.
12. The terminal clamping device according to one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the tensioning device is held by a dead centre formed by the clamping spring in a state in which the clamping spring arms are subjected to maximum tension.
13. The terminal clamping device according to one of claims 1 to 12 for use for time relays.
14. Mounting method for electrically connecting at least two electrical conductors to a contact region of a mating contact in a terminal clamping device comprising a clamping spring which is curved in a loop-shaped manner, the clamping spring having a clamping region which is divided by at least one incision into at least two clamping arms which are positioned next to one another and each have a clamping opening, and having a spring region which is resiliently connected to the two clamping arms, wherein the mounting method includes the following steps: actuating a grip of a tensioning device of the terminal clamping device, the tensioning device having an actuating region which deforms, during actuating of the grip, the two clamping arms of the clamping spring for tensioning, inserting a conductor into one of the conductor insertion channels formed by the clamping openings of the tensioned clamping arms, and actuating the grip in order to relieve the tension on the at least two clamping arms and in order to bring the conductor inserted through the one conductor insertion channel into electrically conductive contact with the mating contact.
15. Mounting method for electrically connecting at least two electrical conductors to a contact region of a mating contact in a terminal clamping device comprising a clamping spring which is curved in a loop-shaped manner, the clamping spring having a clamping region which is divided by at least one incision into at least two clamping arms which are positioned next to one another and each have a clamping opening, and having a spring region which is resiliently connected to the at least two clamping arms, and the terminal clamping device having a tensioning device with an actuating region which deforms, during actuating of a grip of the tensioning device, the at least two clamping arms for tensioning, wherein the mounting method includes the following steps: inserting a conductor into one of the conductor insertion channels formed by the clamping openings of the tensioned clamping arms, and
actuating the grip in order to relieve the tension on the at least two clamping arms and in order to bring the conductor inserted through the one conductor insertion channel into electrically conductive contact with the mating contact.
PCT/EP2009/066164 2008-12-03 2009-12-01 Toollessly actuable spring clamp with a plurality of clamping arms for a plurality of electrical conductors WO2010063728A1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CN200980148646.1A CN102239600B (en) 2008-12-03 2009-12-01 Toollessly actuable spring clamp with plurality of clamping arms for plurality of electrical conductors

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

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DE102008060283.3 2008-12-03
DE102008060283A DE102008060283B4 (en) 2008-12-03 2008-12-03 Tool-free operable connection clamping device with several clamping arms for several electrical conductors

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WO2010063728A1 true WO2010063728A1 (en) 2010-06-10

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Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US9413082B2 (en) 2012-11-09 2016-08-09 Wago Verwaltungsgesellschaft Mbh Spring force terminal connection and electric device therewith
EP3261183A1 (en) * 2016-06-22 2017-12-27 Wieland Electric GmbH Spring contact
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US9413082B2 (en) 2012-11-09 2016-08-09 Wago Verwaltungsgesellschaft Mbh Spring force terminal connection and electric device therewith
EP3261183A1 (en) * 2016-06-22 2017-12-27 Wieland Electric GmbH Spring contact
CN108824936A (en) * 2018-06-25 2018-11-16 中国能源建设集团湖南省电力设计院有限公司 A kind of double loop " X " type cross-arm arrangement cable terminal steel pipe pole
GB2621484A (en) * 2021-03-04 2024-02-14 Honeywell Int Inc An electrical socket assembly and methods of installation and assembly

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DE102008060283B4 (en) 2011-08-25
CN102239600B (en) 2014-04-09
DE102008060283A1 (en) 2010-07-08

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