WO2012000639A1

WO2012000639A1 - Connecting terminal

Info

Publication number: WO2012000639A1
Application number: PCT/EP2011/003156
Authority: WO
Inventors: Sebastian Schäfer
Original assignee: Phoenix Contact Gmbh & Co. Kg
Priority date: 2010-07-02
Filing date: 2011-06-27
Publication date: 2012-01-05
Also published as: DE102010025930A1; CN103038946A; CN108493630A; DE102010025930B4

Abstract

A connecting terminal (1) having a current bar (2) and a conductor holding area (3) for holding a conductor (4), and having a clamping spring (5) for clamping the conductor (4). The clamping spring (5) is in the form of an open loop (6) and has a contact limb (7) and a clamping limb (8). The contact limb (7) rests along the current bar (2), and the clamping limb (8) pushes a conductor (4), which is being held, in the direction of the current bar (2).

Description

terminal

The present invention relates to a terminal with a current bar and at least one conductor receiving area for receiving at least one conductor and at least one clamping spring for clamping the conductor to make contact of the terminal to the conductor. In the prior art a variety of terminals have become known in which a conductor without tools

can be inserted. For example, EP 1 081 790 A2 discloses a spring clip for connecting electrical conductors, in which a clamping spring with a clamping leg presses the inserted electrical conductor against a busbar so as to establish the electrical connection. The clamping spring is designed approximately U-shaped in order to apply the required clamping force. A disadvantage, however, in this known spring terminal, that the busbar piece must form a terminal cage for the clamping spring, so that the spring is supported on one leg of the U-shaped busbar and presses with the other clamping leg the conductor against the other leg of the busbar. Although the clamping spring is designed to be relatively short in itself and only produces a low material consumption, is

Busbar, which serves as a terminal cage, generates a considerable material consumption and it is a large volume on the spring clip needed. With DE 10 2004 046 471 B3 is an electrical

Terminal has become known in which a clamping spring is used in the form of a closed loop and provided at one end of the clamping spring with a passage opening

CONFIRMATION COPY is, by the at the other end of the clamping spring

provided clamping legs immersed to a there

clamp the received conductor. Although the clamping spring itself is designed to be self-supporting, the current bar is U-shaped for secure reception and support of the clamping spring and receives at the two legs of the U 's the plant leg transverse to the current bar. Again, a relatively large amount of material for the design of the U-shaped

Busbar required.

Prior to the cited prior art, it is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a terminal, which can be realized with less material required for the busbar.

This object is achieved by a terminal with the features of claim 1. Preferred features and

Embodiments of the invention are specified in the subclaims. Further advantages and features emerge from the exemplary embodiments.

A terminal according to the invention has a current bar and a conductor receiving area for receiving a conductor and a clamping spring for clamping the conductor. The

Clamping spring is designed as an open loop and has a plant leg and a clamping leg. In this case, the plant limb lies longitudinally on the current bar. Of the

Clamping leg is adapted to a in the

Conductor receiving area in the direction of the current bar. The terminal according to the invention has many advantages. A significant advantage of the terminal according to the invention is realized by the designed as an open loop clamping spring. The voltage applied to the current bar support leg serves to support the clamping spring, wherein between the

Clamping leg and the plant leg a conductor is receivable. Characterized in that the plant leg along the

Current bar is applied, becomes a self-supporting system

realized, so that a U-shaped current bar is not required to attach the clamping spring to the current bar. As a result, an overall structurally simple connection terminal is realized, which also has a

has less space. Due to the open loop and the voltage applied to the current bar along the plant leg inherent stability is generated, so that a sufficient fixation of the clamping spring is possible relative to the current bar without special fasteners.

It is possible that the plant leg engages behind the current bar from one side. In particular, the

Clamping leg adapted to a received conductor from the other and opposite side against the

Press current bar. Such a design is

particularly advantageous, since the current bar between the

Investment leg and the clamping leg is arranged. This means that the abutment leg forms an abutment on one side of the current bar, while the clamping leg presses the received conductor against the current bar from the other side. This is how a particularly simple one becomes

realized self-supporting system, in which a sufficient intrinsic stability is achieved by the longitudinally applied to the current bar plant leg. In this preferred embodiment, the current bar can be easily inserted into the clamping spring during assembly.

Alternatively, it is also possible that the plant leg and the clamping leg and the clamping spring are provided in total only on one side of the current bar, in which case the plant leg is fixed, for example by rivets or other mechanical connections to the current bar. To increase the conductivity of the clamping spring this can be provided with a particularly good conductive coating or be provided from a correspondingly good conductive material or having a corresponding support layer or the like on the plant leg. In all embodiments, the clamping spring is designed in particular selbstabstützend. At least when a conductor has been received in the terminal, the clamping leg rests against the received conductor on the terminal

Strombalken and above on the plant leg or directly from the plant leg, so that a closed power flow within the clamping spring is formed.

Preferably, the clamping leg is supported on the current bar or the plant leg even if no conductor is inserted in the conductor receiving area.

Preferably, the clamping leg on the clamping region on lateral broadening in order to effect a particularly reliable clamping. In particular, when the male conductor is made up of single wires, individual wires in the side area are not always reliably clamped when no side widenings are provided. In particular, the clamping region is formed with the lateral broadening wider than the current bar. The lateral broadening can be executed, for example hammer-like.

In all embodiments, it is particularly preferred that an opening device is provided. An opening device allows it via their operation to remove a conductor without the use of further tools from the terminal. It is particularly preferred that the opening device acts on both sides of the clamping leg. Especially

Preferably, the opening device engages the lateral widenings on the clamping area. As a result, a symmetrical opening of the clamping spring is ensured, which ensures a particularly reliable function. In particular, the opening device engages the lateral

Broadening of the clamping legs on. The opening device is designed to be U-shaped at the point of attack and in particular has an insertion opening for a male conductor.

In the insertion opening of the opening device can

Guide sections are provided, which when inserting a conductor in the terminal the conductor within the

Lead the terminal and so the conductor leads to a defined position to allow a secure contact.

Preferably, an actuating device is the

Opener aligned transversely to the direction of insertion of the conductor in the receiving area. Such a configuration allows a particularly low operating force for the

Normally closed, allowing for easy operation. Such a configuration also allows a space-saving construction in the rear region of the terminal, opposite to the Leiteranstecköffnung. At the same time a simple access to the opening device is made possible, since there is a greater distance to the recorded conductor by the different operating direction. It attacks the

Opening device on the lateral extensions on

Clamping area of the clamping leg of the clamping spring. As a result, the opening device acts on the end of the clamping leg, so that a small force is sufficient to release the clamping leg of the conductor.

In all embodiments, it is particularly preferred that the clamping spring extends longer in the insertion direction of the conductor than transversely thereto in the clamping direction. Such

Design allows a particularly flat structure of a terminal according to the invention. The required

Clamping force and elasticity of the clamping spring is ensured by the longer in the insertion direction clamping spring. At the same time, just a little bit across

Space required. A particular advantage of such a configuration is also that through the transverse to

Insertion of the conductor can be arranged opener a total small-sized terminal available

can be made, which in particular when installed in a housing or the like leaves much room for operation and at the same time requires very little space in the rear region of the terminal. A particular advantage of the present invention is

Furthermore, that the clamping spring as a simple component

can be executed. This can be a settlement of

Clamping spring may be formed substantially strip-like. At the contact area lateral broadening can be provided. Overall, a geometrically simple development of a clamping spring is made possible, so that the clamping spring is produced as a stamped part only with very little waste from a plate. This enables an efficient and simple production method.

In a preferred embodiment, the

Conductor insertion opening of the terminal higher than wide. As a result, a small lateral pitch when implemented as a series terminal is possible. Since the clamping spring does not have to be taken by a stable clamping cage, but for example, receives the current bar on the plant leg as a deposit part, the width of a terminal can be reduced. For the isolation of individual terminals of a terminal block may be provided between each one plastic wall. The height of the terminal can be reduced, even if the

Laderein insertion is higher than wide, since the arrangement of the longer in the longitudinal direction

a sufficient clamping force can be provided to extending clamping spring, although the overall height is reduced. Overall, with the terminal according to the invention by the significant increase in the resilient length of the

Clamping spring, a reduction of the necessary space in two axes, namely in the pitch direction at terminal blocks and perpendicular thereto and perpendicular in the direction of height

allows, since the resilient length is gained in Leitereinführrichtung. Furthermore, a better accessibility of the spring is made possible by an opening device, the For example, it is arranged transversely to the conductor insertion direction.

This makes it possible to reliably operate the opening device with a lower operating force. Of the

Spring opener can attack more optimally. Since a clamping cage or the formation of a spring pocket on the current bar is not necessary, less material is required for the current bar and the lateral space requirement can be reduced.

Further advantages and possible applications of the present invention will become apparent from the embodiment, which with reference to the accompanying figures below

to be discribed.

In the figures show:

Fig. 1 perspective view of a

inventive terminal block;

Fig. 2 is a front view of an inventive

Connection terminal;

Fig. 3 in cross-section A - A of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a schematic side view of a

inventive terminal in the ground state;

5 is a schematic side view of the terminal of Figure 4 with inserted conductor ..;

Fig. 6 is a schematic side view of the terminal of Figure 4 with the clamping spring in the open position. Fig. 7 is a plan view of a development of the clamping spring;

Fig. 8 ne schematic perspective view of

Clamping spring with inserted conductor;

9 is a schematic perspective view of

Clamping spring with opener arranged thereon; and

10 is a schematic perspective view of

Clamping spring with opener according to Fig. 9 im

Opening state.

With reference to the attached Figures 1 to 10 are in the following embodiments of the invention

Terminal 1 described. 1 shows a perspective view of a terminal block 50, in which a plurality of terminals are provided in a housing 30. Each terminal 1 has one

Ladereinstecköffnung 28 and arranged thereon

Conductor receiving area 3.

The housing 30 here consists of a front part 31 and a rear part 32, which are latched to each other during assembly. In the terminal block 50 according to the invention according to Figure 1, the front housing part 31, for example, outside of another housing, such. As a control box, etc, provided while the rear part 32 is disposed within a further housing. Then, the opening devices 17 with the pushers, as well as the conductor insertion openings 28 with the arranged behind the conductor receiving areas 3 are accessible from the outside, while the rear part 32 is provided within the further housing. Figures 2 and 3 show a front view and a cross section AA a terminal according to the invention 1, which is designed here as a single terminal.

From the cross-section shown in Figure 3 shows that in which of the housing parts 31 and 32 existing

Housing 30 a clamping spring 5 is arranged, which is the

Receivable conductor 4 (see Figure 5) on a

Ladder receiving portion 3 can be clamped against a current bar 2.

The clamping spring 5 is designed here as an open loop 6 and forms a self-supporting clamping spring, so that an outer clamping cage is not required.

As Einhakteil or insert 11 here the current bar 2 is added to the clamping spring 5, so that the

Investment limb 7 of the clamping spring 5 is located on one side 9 of the current bar 2, while on the opposite, other side 10 of the conductor receiving portion 3 is provided.

In the state shown in Figure 3, in which no conductor 4 is inserted into the terminal 1, here is the clamping leg 8 of the clamping spring 5 on the other side 10 of the current bar 2 by clamping. The plant leg 7 extends longitudinally and parallel to the current bar 2 and is applied to this. When the plant leg 7 and the

Clamping leg 8 on opposite sides of

Strombalkens 2 are provided for a good contact of a retractable conductor 4. If, on the other hand, the contact leg 7 is also provided on the other side 10 of the current bar 2, the contact leg 7 of the clamping spring 5 is connected to the current bar 2 by screwing, riveting or the like, for example. To record a good conductive electrical connection from a

To provide conductor 4 on the plant limb 7 on the current bar 2 available, then a surface coating of the clamping spring 5 is provided or the clamping spring can

made entirely of a highly conductive electrical material.

As can be seen in Figure 3, is the

Actuator 25 for actuating the

Opener 17 opposite to the clamping direction 24 of the clamping spring 5 aligned. Perpendicular to this is the

Insertion 26 of a conductor 4 is arranged. Thereby, the operation range of the opening device 17 of the

Ladereinereinstecköffnung 28 spatially decoupled, resulting in a convenient and easier to use.

Alternatively, the opening device 17 may be oriented in the direction of the conductor insertion opening 28, thus reaching into the terminal housing 31 from the right in FIG. 3. As a result, the height of the terminal 1 is again clear

reduced. In particular, in FIGS. 9 and 10 can be clearly seen that the opening device 17 even at a

Orientation in the direction of the conductor insertion opening 28

works perfectly. FIGS. 4 to 6 show different schematic side views of a connecting terminal 1 according to the invention and a clamping spring 5, respectively. FIG. 4 shows a schematic side view, in which the abutment limb 7 rests on the one side 9 of the current bar 2, while the clamping limb 8 makes contact with the clamping region 12 of the current bar 2 on the other side 10. The clamping spring 5 has two free pivot points 33 and 34, to which the clamping leg 8 is freely rotatably mounted during the opening and also during the closing movement.

In Figure 5, the state is shown schematically when a conductor 4 is received on the clamping spring 5. In the process, the clamping leg 8 deflects elastically and clamps the conductor 4

reliable at the current bar 2.

FIG. 6 shows the state of the clamping spring 5 in FIG

Opening state, when the clamping legs 8 by an opening means not shown here 17 against the

Spring force of the clamping spring 5 is elastically deflected to remove, for example, an inserted conductor 4. Figure 7 shows a plan view of a settlement 27, which clearly shows the strip-shaped outer contour of the clamping spring 5 of the settlement 27. At the clamping area 12 are the

lateral extensions 13 and 14 to recognize. The

Total width 15 at the clamping area 12 is greater than the corresponding width 16 of the current bar. At the other end of the clamping spring 5 on the plant leg 7, can

Fastener 35 may be provided to lock the clamping spring 5 to the housing or other components. It is also possible that the current bar is latched to the fastening means 35 in order to ensure a secure recording of the current bar 2 to the clamping spring 5. In the figures 8 to 10 different perspective views of a terminal 1 and the clamping spring 5 with a provided current bar 2 are shown. Figure 8 shows in a perspective view of the

Clamping spring 5 with a current bar 2 received thereon, wherein the plant leg 7 in the longitudinal direction of the

Current bar 2 extends and is applied to the current bar 2. The introduced in the insertion direction 26 conductor 4 is pressed by the clamping portion 12 of the clamping leg 8 in the direction of the current bar 2 and thus to the clamping spring

clamped.

The clamping region of the clamping leg 8 has lateral

Broadening 13 and 14 on pages 18 and 19 of the

Clamping leg in the clamping area 12.

In addition, the opening device 17 is shown in FIG

located, which provides by actuation in the direction of actuation 25 for opening the clamping spring 5. It attacks the

Opening device 17 at the point of attack 22 at the

Clamping area 12 of the clamping spring 5 at. Here is a symmetrical loading of the clamping spring 5, including at the two lateral extensions 13 and 14 on the sides 18 and 19 of the clamping leg 8, the U-shaped

Opener acts on the clamping leg 8 of the clamping spring 5. Between the guide portions 20 and 21 of the opening device 17, an insertion opening 23 for the conductor 4 is provided. The guide sections 21 and 22

cause a guide an inserted conductor within the terminal 1, so that a reliable connection of an inserted conductor 4 is achieved at the terminal 1. Overall, a small construction terminal is made possible by the present invention, in which a simply constructed clamping spring 5 is used as an open loop 6. A clamping cage for the clamping spring 5 is not necessary, since the clamping spring 5 is self-supporting formed. The height of the terminal 1 in the clamping direction 24 can be reduced. In addition, it is possible to provide a convenient terminal to be provided in which the operation range of the opener 17 and the conductor insertion opening 28 are spatially separated from each other.

Reference sign list

Terminal 1

Current bar 2 Conductor receiving area 3

Head 4

Clamping spring 5

Loop 6

Anlageschenkel 7 clamping leg 8 one side 9 other side 10

Insert 11

Clamping area 12 lateral broadening 13 lateral broadening 14 width 15, 16

Opening device 17

Side of the clamping leg 18 side of the clamping leg 19

Guide section 20

Guide section 21

Attack site 22

Through opening 23 clamping direction 24th

Actuation direction 25

Insertion direction 26

Settlement 27

Conductor insertion opening 28 housing 30

Front part 31

Back part 32

Fulcrum 33

Fulcrum 34 fixing part 35

Terminal block 50

Claims

claims

1. Terminal (1) with a current bar (2) and a conductor receiving area (3) for receiving a conductor

(4) and with a clamping spring (5) for clamping the

Chief (4),

characterized,

that the clamping spring (5) as an open loop (6)

is formed and has a plant leg (7) and a clamping leg (8), and

the abutment limb (7) bears longitudinally against the current bar (2),

and that the clamping leg (8) is adapted to receive a received conductor (4) in the direction of

Press current bar (2).

2. Terminal (1) according to claim 1, wherein the

Plant leg engages behind the current bar from one side (9).

3. Terminal (1) according to claim 2, wherein the of

Clamping leg is adapted to a recorded conductor (4) from the other opposite side

(10) Press against the current bar (2).

4. Connection terminal (1) according to one of the preceding

Claims, wherein the current bar (2) as an insert

(11) is formed in the clamping spring (5).

5. Connection terminal (1) according to one of the preceding

Claims, wherein the clamping spring (5) is formed selbstabstützend.

6. Connection terminal (1) according to one of the preceding

Claims, wherein the clamping leg (8) on the

Clamping region (12) lateral widenings (13, 14) and in particular wider than the current bar (15) is formed.

7. Terminal (1) according to one of the preceding

Claims, wherein an opening device (17) is provided.

8. Connection terminal (1) according to one of the preceding

Claims, wherein the opening means (17) on both sides (18, 19) of the clamping leg (8) engages. 9. Terminal (1) according to one of the preceding

Claims, wherein the opening device (17)

Guide sections (20, 21) for the ladder (4)

has to guide the conductor (4) during insertion. 10. Terminal (1) according to one of the preceding

Claims, wherein the opening device (17) at the point of attack (22) is U-shaped and

In particular, has an insertion opening (23) for a male conductor (4).

11. Terminal (1) according to one of the preceding

Claims, wherein an actuating direction (25) of the opening device (17) transversely to the insertion direction (26) of the conductor is aligned in the receiving area.

12. Terminal (1) according to one of the preceding

Claims, wherein the clamping spring (8) of the

Insertion direction (26) of the conductor (4) extends longer than transversely thereto in the clamping direction (24). Terminal (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a development (27) of the Klemmfede (8) is strip-shaped and has widened contact areas.

14. Terminal (1) according to one of the preceding

Claims, wherein a conductor insertion opening (28) is formed higher than wide.