DE102022105570A1 - Connection terminal for an electrical device - Google Patents

Abstract

A connection terminal (3) for an electrical device (1) comprises a connection sleeve (30) which has a base (300) and to which at least one electrical conductor (4) and/or at least one busbar (5) for electrical connection to the Connection terminal (3) can be attached. A pressure piece (31), which is guided along an adjustment direction (V) on the connecting sleeve (30), can be adjusted between a clamping position and an opening position on the connecting sleeve (30). The pressure piece (31) is elastically prestressed relative to the connecting sleeve (30) via a spring element (32). A lever element (33) is operatively connected to the pressure piece (31), which can be actuated to adjust the pressure piece (31) between the clamping position and the opening position. The pressure piece (31) is in the clamping position of the base (300) of the connecting sleeve (30) for clamping at least one conductor (4) or at least one busbar (5) on the connection terminal (3) and in the open position of the base (300 ) removed.

Description

The invention relates to a connection terminal for an electrical device according to the preamble of claim 1.

Such a connection terminal comprises a connection sleeve which has a base and to which at least one electrical conductor and/or at least one busbar can be attached for electrical connection to the connection terminal.

One or more electrical conductors and/or one or more busbars can be connected to an electrical device via such a connection terminal. An electrical device can have one or more connection terminals.

Such an electrical device can, for example, have a housing with a fastening device formed thereon. Via the fastening device, the electrical device can be arranged, for example, on a mounting rail and combined with further electrical devices lined up along a rowing direction on the mounting rail in order to create an assembly of electrical devices, for example in a control cabinet.

However, such a connection terminal can also be used on other electrical devices to which electrical lines and/or busbars are to be connected.

Such an electrical device can be, for example, a so-called FI circuit breaker or a circuit breaker.

In an electrical device for attachment to a mounting rail, for example a FI circuit breaker or a circuit breaker, a connection terminal in the form of a screw terminal is usually used, in which one or more conductors and / or one or more busbars are clamped to the connection terminal by a screw and therefore connected electrically. Such a connection terminal, for example, realizes a so-called double-chamber terminal, in which conductors and/or busbars can be connected to the connection terminal in two chambers.

A screw terminal enables reliable connection of conductors and/or busbars with high clamping force. With a screw clamp that creates a double chamber, the same clamping force can be reliably set in both chambers. Such screw terminals can be constructed easily and with just a few components.

However, there is a need to simplify the connection of conductors and/or busbars so that a connection operation can be carried out quickly. It must be ensured that the force provided at the connection terminal is sufficient to fix the conductors and/or busbars. Such connection terminals should be particularly suitable for devices in control cabinets such as FI circuit breakers or circuit breakers.

From the DE 10 2013 107 292 B4 , the DE 10 2016 112 831 A1 , the DE 10 2018 129 875 B4 and the EP 1 322 000 B1 Different designs of terminal arrangements for connecting to a busbar realized by a beam are known.

The DE 10 2017 311 735 A1 describes a connection terminal for connecting an electrical line, in which a clamping lever can be adjusted via an adjusting element arranged on a housing in order to clamp the electrical line to the connection terminal.

The object of the present invention is to provide a connection terminal for an electrical device which enables simple, rapid connection of at least one electrical line and/or at least one busbar, with a simple design of the connection terminal.

This task is solved by an object with the features of claim 1.

Accordingly, the connection terminal comprises a pressure piece which is guided on the connection terminal so as to be displaceable along an adjustment direction and which is adjustable between a clamping position and an opening position on the connection sleeve. The connection terminal also includes a spring element which elastically prestresses the pressure piece relative to the connection sleeve and a lever element which is operatively connected to the pressure piece and which can be actuated to adjust the pressure piece between the clamping position and the open position. In the clamping position, the pressure piece is brought closer to the base of the connecting sleeve for clamping at least one conductor or at least one busbar to the connecting terminal. In the open position, the pressure piece is displaced on the connection sleeve in such a way that the pressure piece is removed from the base in comparison to the clamping position in order to enable at least one conductor or at least one busbar to be attached to the connection sleeve.

In the connection terminal, a pressure piece is guided on a connection sleeve so that it can be moved along an adjustment direction. In a clamping position, the pressure piece assumes such a position on the connection sleeve that one or more electrical conductors and/or one or more busbars, which are attached to the connection sleeve, are clamped to the connection sleeve via the pressure piece and are thus connected to the connection terminal. To open the connection terminal, the pressure piece can be moved in the adjustment direction relative to the connection sleeve, so that the pressure piece is removed from the base of the connection sleeve, thereby releasing a space between the pressure piece and the base. In the open position of the pressure piece, conductors and/or busbars connected to the connection terminal can thus be removed from the connection terminal, or one or more conductors and/or one or more busbars can be connected to the connection terminal in a substantially powerless manner.

With the connection terminal, conductors and/or busbars are connected by transferring the pressure piece from the open position to the clamping position. In order to enable connection, the pressure piece is first brought into the open position and then, after the conductors and/or busbars have been attached, the pressure piece is moved back into the clamping position so that the conductors and/or busbars are clamped to the connecting sleeve. This results in a simple connection process in which conductors and/or busbars are attached to the connecting sleeve and then clamped to the connecting sleeve via the pressure piece.

When moving from the open position to the clamping position, the pressure piece is moved along the adjustment direction towards the base of the connecting sleeve, so that conductors and/or busbars attached to the connecting sleeve are clamped to the connecting terminal. The pressure piece has a clamping effect on the conductors and/or busbars, so that a clamping force for fixing the conductors and/or busbars on the connection terminal is provided via the pressure piece in cooperation with the connecting sleeve.

Because the pressure piece is spring-loaded to the connecting sleeve via the spring element, the pressure piece can be transferred into the clamping position in a spring-assisted manner, with the pressure piece in the clamping position providing a clamping force on the conductors and/or the busbars under the spring force of the spring element, to clamp it to the connection terminal.

The pressure piece is moved from the clamping position into the open position via the lever element, which can be pivoted on the connecting terminal. In particular, the pressure piece can be guided into the open position by pivoting the lever element, with the pressure piece returning to the clamping position by resetting the lever element, caused by the spring force of the spring element, in order to fix conductors and/or busbars on the connection terminal in this way.

The at least one electrical conductor and/or the at least one bus bar are electrically contacted after being connected to the connection terminal and are thus connected to the associated electrical device. The connection terminal can create a (single) connection chamber or a double chamber. Using a double chamber, two (or more) conductors and/or busbars can be connected to different chambers on the connection terminal.

In one embodiment, the connection terminal comprises a current bar for electrical contact with at least one conductor connected to the connection terminal or at least one bus bar connected to the connection terminal. Viewed along the adjustment direction, the current bar is preferably arranged between the pressure piece and the base and thus occupies an intermediate position between the pressure piece and the base. When connected to the connection terminal, the at least one conductor and/or the at least one busbar is electrically contacted with the current bar and an electrical connection is thus established. By clamping on the connection terminal, the conductor and/or the busbar is pressed into contact with the current bar, so that the conductor and/or the busbar are electrically contacted and also mechanically fixed to the connection terminal.

Because the current bar occupies an intermediate position between the base of the connecting sleeve and the pressure piece, a double chamber can be easily created on the connecting terminal. Thus, in one embodiment of the connection terminal, a first conductor or a first busbar can be connected to a first side of the current bar facing the pressure piece and a second conductor or a second busbar can be connected to a second side of the current bar facing away from the first side and facing the base become. The current bar thus separates a space within the connection sleeve into a double chamber. A first chamber is formed between the current bar and the pressure piece. A second chamber is formed between the strombal ken and the base of the connecting sleeve. One or more conductors and/or one or more busbars can be inserted into each chamber in order to connect the conductors and/or the busbars to the connection terminal.

In the clamping position, in which the pressure piece is closer to the base, the pressure piece and the base are therefore also closer to the power bar, so that conductors and / or busbars are clamped between the power bar and the pressure piece on the one hand and between the power bar and the base on the other hand and thus on the connection terminal is connected. Because the clamping force is applied uniformly across the pressure piece, the same clamping force results in the chambers.

In one embodiment, the current bar has, on the first side facing the pressure piece, a first contacting contour that widens in the direction of the pressure piece for contact with the first conductor or the first busbar and/or on the second side facing the base, a first contacting contour that extends in the direction of the Base widening, second contacting contour for contact with the second conductor or the second busbar. Such a contacting contour can be formed by sections that extend obliquely to the adjustment direction and are offset transversely to one another. The contacting contour widens towards the pressure piece or towards the base and thus has a funnel shape in cross section transverse to a plug-in direction (perpendicular to the adjustment direction) in which the conductors or the busbars are to be plugged into the connection terminal. On the one hand, such a contacting contour can be used to achieve a favorable contact with a punctual or linear contact and thereby a high contact force. Such a contacting contour can also cause the conductor and/or the busbar to assume a defined, centered position on the current bar. In particular for a busbar, a distance between the busbar and a base body of the current bar can be adjusted, so that a preload force is increased by increased deflection of the spring element and thus the contact force is improved.

In another embodiment, the current bar can also be flat, without such a contacting contour.

In one embodiment, the lever element can be pivoted to the connecting sleeve about a pivot axis perpendicular to the adjustment direction. The lever element can, for example, be pivotally mounted on the connecting sleeve, so that the lever element is adjusted to adjust the pressure piece on the connecting sleeve. The lever element is in operative connection with the pressure piece via an active section, so that when the lever element is pivoted, the pressure piece is displaced longitudinally along the adjustment direction on the connecting sleeve.

In one embodiment, the base extends transversely to the adjustment direction. One or more connection chambers are created between the base and the pressure piece, into which one or more conductors and/or one or more busbars can be inserted for connection to the connection terminal and in which the conductors and/or the busbars are clamped in the clamping position of the pressure piece are.

In one embodiment, the connecting sleeve has two legs extending from the base along the adjustment direction. The pressure piece is preferably guided between the legs. The legs are connected to each other via the base so that the connecting sleeve forms a U-shape. The pressure piece is longitudinally displaceable between the legs and can therefore be moved closer to the base or removed from the base in order to reduce or enlarge a clamping space created between the pressure piece and the base.

The connecting sleeve can be formed, for example, as a sheet metal part, in particular as a stamped and bent part.

The pressure piece can also be formed as a sheet metal part, for example as a stamped and bent part.

In one embodiment, the lever element is pivotably mounted between the legs of the connecting sleeve. The lever element can, for example, have two bearing elements which protrude from a body of the lever element along the pivot axis perpendicular to the adjustment direction and engage in bearing openings on the legs of the connecting sleeve. The lever element can thus be pivoted between the legs of the connecting sleeve in order to move the pressure piece between the clamping position and the opening position.

In one embodiment, the spring element biases the pressure piece in the direction of the clamping position. When the pressure piece is transferred from the clamping position to the opening position, the spring element is thus tensioned, so that the opening movement takes place against the spring force of the spring element. In contrast, the return of the pressure piece from the open position to the clamping position is supported by the spring force of the spring element. In the clamping position, the spring element biases the pressure piece towards the base, so that a clamping force determined by the spring element is exerted on conductors and/or busbars that are connected to the connection terminal.

In one embodiment, the spring element has a support leg supported on the connecting sleeve and an active leg that is operatively connected to the pressure piece and can be elastically deflected towards the support leg. The spring element is supported on the connecting sleeve via the support leg and is thus fixed to the connecting sleeve. The active leg can be deflected elastically relative to the support leg, with a connection to the pressure piece being established via the active leg. When the pressure piece moves on the connecting sleeve, the active leg is deflected, whereby when the pressure piece is transferred from the clamping position to the open position, the active leg is stretched elastically relative to the support leg and thus the adjustment into the open position takes place against the spring force of the spring element.

For example, the spring element can be formed from a spring steel, for example from a spring band. The spring element can basically have any shape, for example a U-shape or an S-shape. The spring element can also be formed by a spiral spring or have another spring shape.

The spring element can be supported directly on the connecting sleeve or indirectly, for example via an axle on the connecting sleeve. The spring element can also be firmly connected to the connecting sleeve, for example screwed or welded.

In one embodiment, the pressure piece has a pressure section at an end facing the base, which extends obliquely to the adjustment direction. The pressure section is designed to act on one or more conductors and/or on one or more busbars that are connected to the connection terminal.

For example, the pressure section can have a contacting contour on an end face facing the base, which widens in the direction of the base of the connecting sleeve and thus forms a funnel shape in a projection plane perpendicular to the plug-in direction.

On the front side, the pressure section can also be bevelled, so that an edge with an acute angle (less than 90°) results on the front side of the pressure section of the pressure piece, which is designed, for example, as a stamped and bent part. When jammed with a conductor or a busbar, the pressure section can dig into the material of the conductor or the busbar via such a beveled, sharp edge and thus produce an advantageous mechanical fixation on the connection terminal.

The pressure section is preferably formed on a surface section of the pressure piece, which extends along a plane which is spanned by the adjustment direction and a transverse direction directed transversely to the adjustment direction. The printing section is angled to the surface section. The surface section extends between the legs of the connecting sleeve and is guided between the legs, so that the pressure piece can be moved along the adjustment direction along the length between the legs.

In one embodiment, the pressure section extends obliquely to a plug-in direction along which conductors and/or busbars can be plugged into the connection terminal. The pressure section is thus aligned obliquely to the insertion direction and also obliquely to the adjustment direction (perpendicular to the insertion direction). The printing section preferably points in the insertion direction with a directional vector component. The pressure section thus stands at an angle to the adjustment direction and at an angle to the insertion direction from the surface section of the pressure piece and points in the insertion direction with a directional vector component (i.e. in the case of vector component decomposition in a plane spanned by the adjustment direction and the insertion direction). This has the advantage that when there is a load on an attached conductor or an attached busbar against the direction of insertion, the hold of the conductor or the busbar on the connection terminal itself is strengthened because the pressure section effects a mechanical fixation on the connection terminal in the manner of a barb.

In one embodiment, the connection terminal has a cover element connected to the pressure piece and made of an electrically insulating material, which can be adjusted together with the pressure piece relative to the connection sleeve. The pressure piece and the connecting sleeve are preferably each formed from an electrically conductive metal material, in particular as a metal sheet metal part, preferably as a stamped and bent part. In order to provide protection against accidental contact by a user, the cover element is arranged on the pressure piece, which provides an electrically insulating cover to the outside. When adjusting the pressure piece, the cover element is moved together with the pressure piece, which has the advantage that the cover element is closer to a connected conductor or a busbar in the clamping position of the pressure piece and thus the best possible cover is provided for contact protection when the conductor or busbar is connected.

Alternatively, a cover element can also be arranged on a housing of an associated electrical device.

The connection terminal is preferably part of an electrical device. Such an electrical device, which can be arranged, for example, on a mounting rail and combined with other electrical devices on the mounting rail, preferably has a housing on which the connection terminal is arranged.

In one embodiment, the connecting sleeve of the connecting terminal can be adjusted relative to the housing along the adjustment direction. The connecting sleeve is therefore not fixed in place on the housing, but can be moved along the adjustment direction on the housing. This can be particularly advantageous if a current bar is arranged in a stationary manner on the electrical device and is connected to electrical assemblies of the electrical device. Due to the adjustability of the connection sleeve, the base of the connection sleeve can be adjusted to the current bar in order to enable a conductor or a busbar to be connected to a connection terminal between the current bar and the base of the connection sleeve.

In one embodiment, the connecting terminal is designed for an actuation process in which, when the lever element is actuated to adjust the pressure piece from the clamping position to the open position, the pressure piece on the connecting sleeve is initially adjusted in the adjustment direction in a first movement phase. In the first movement phase, the pressure piece is removed from the base of the connecting sleeve by adjusting the pressure piece on the connecting sleeve. This first movement phase ends as soon as the pressure piece hits an assigned stop on the side of the housing and thus further movement of the pressure piece (with a fixed connecting sleeve) is prevented by the stop on the housing of the electrical device. At the end of the first movement phase, the pressure piece has thus reached a stop position on the housing defined by the stop. If the lever element is pivoted further on the connecting sleeve, the pressure piece remains stationary in the stop position in a second movement phase, but the connecting sleeve is now adjusted relative to the pressure piece against the adjustment direction. This makes it possible to remove the base of the connecting sleeve in the second movement phase from a current bar that is stationary in the housing.

However, the movement sequence described above is not mandatory. Because the connecting sleeve, in one embodiment, is not fixed to the housing, the connecting sleeve can also first move relative to the housing (with the pressure piece fixed to the housing) or simultaneously with the pressure piece relative to the housing. The result is a relative movement between the pressure piece, connecting sleeve and current bar.

This results in a movement process in which, in the first movement phase, the pressure piece is removed from the base and from the current bar in order to release a clamping space on a side of the power bar facing the pressure piece. In the second movement phase, with the pressure piece held firmly, the connecting piece with the base is then removed from the power bar, so that a clamping space is released on a side of the power bar facing the base.

A connection terminal of the type described can be used in particular on an electrical device that is to be mounted in a control cabinet and can preferably be combined with other electrical devices on a mounting rail. Such a connection terminal can be used in particular on a FI circuit breaker or a circuit breaker.

Such a connection terminal in particular enables a simple, quick, reliable connection of a line or a busbar, with sufficient clamping force being able to be provided via the pressure piece to firmly hold the conductor or the busbar on the connection terminal.

• 1 eine Ansicht eines elektrischen Geräts an einer Tragschiene;
• 2 eine Ansicht des elektrischen Geräts, mit einer angeschlossenen Leitung und einer angeschlossen Sammelschiene;
• 3 eine Explosionsansicht eines Ausführungsbeispiels einer Anschlussklemme zum Anschließen von Leitern oder Sammelschienen;
• 4 eine Frontalansicht der Anschlussklemme;
• 5 eine Ansicht der Anschlussklemme in montierter Stellung;
• 6A eine Schnittansicht durch die Anschlussklemme, in einer Klemmstellung eines Druckstücks der Anschlussklemme;
• 6B eine Schnittansicht durch die Anschlussklemme, in einer Öffnungsstellung des Druckstücks;
• 7A eine Seitenansicht der Anordnung gemäß 6A;
• 7B eine Seitenansicht der Anordnung gemäß 6B;
• 8 die Ansicht gemäß 6A, bei angeschlossenen Sammelschienen;
• 9 die Ansicht gemäß 6A, bei angeschlossenen Leitern;
• 10 die Ansicht gemäß 6A, mit einem angeschlossenen Leiter und einer angeschlossenen Sammelschiene;
• 11A eine Ansicht eines elektrischen Geräts mit einem Werkzeug zum Überführen des Druckstücks in die Öffnungsstellung;
• 11 B eine stirnseitige Ansicht der Anordnung gemäß 11A;
• 11C eine Schnittansicht entlang der Linie A-A gemäß 11 B;
• 12A eine Ansicht des elektrischen Geräts, nach Betätigung der Anschlussklemme zum Überführen des Druckstücks in die Öffnungsstellung;
• 12B eine stirnseitige Ansicht der Anordnung gemäß 12A;
• 12C eine Schnittansicht entlang der Linie B-B gemäß 12B;
• 13A eine Ansicht des elektrischen Geräts, nach Betätigung der Anschlussklemme zum Zurückstellen des Druckstücks in die Klemmstellung;
• 13B eine stirnseitige Ansicht der Anordnung gemäß 13A;
• 13C eine Schnittansicht entlang der Linie C-C gemäß 13B;
• 14A eine Ansicht eines elektrischen Geräts mit einer Anschlussklemme mit einem Strombalken; und
• 14B eine vergrößerte Ansicht des Strombalkens an der Anschlussklemme.

The idea underlying the invention will be explained in more detail below using the exemplary embodiments shown in the figures. Show it:

• 1 a view of an electrical device on a mounting rail;
• 2 a view of the electrical device, with a connected line and a connected busbar;
• 3 an exploded view of an embodiment of a connection terminal for connecting conductors or busbars;
• 4 a front view of the connection terminal;
• 5 a view of the connection terminal in the assembled position;
• 6A a sectional view through the connection terminal, in a clamping position of a pressure piece of the connection terminal;
• 6B a sectional view through the connection terminal, in an open position of the pressure piece;
• 7A a side view of the arrangement 6A ;
• 7B a side view of the arrangement 6B ;
• 8th according to the view 6A , with busbars connected;
• 9 according to the view 6A , with conductors connected;
• 10 according to the view 6A , with one conductor and one busbar connected;
• 11A a view of an electrical device with a tool for moving the pressure piece into the open position;
• 11 B a front view of the arrangement 11A ;
• 11C a sectional view along line AA according to 11 B ;
• 12A a view of the electrical device after actuation of the connection terminal to transfer the pressure piece into the open position;
• 12B a front view of the arrangement 12A ;
• 12C a sectional view along line BB according to 12B ;
• 13A a view of the electrical device after actuation of the connection terminal to return the pressure piece to the clamping position;
• 13B a front view of the arrangement 13A ;
• 13C a sectional view along the line CC according to 13B ;
• 14A a view of an electrical device with a connection terminal with a current bar; and
• 14B an enlarged view of the current bar on the connection terminal.

1 shows an exemplary embodiment of an electrical device 1, which, for example, implements a circuit breaker, for example a FI circuit breaker. The electrical device 1 has a housing 10 on which a fastening device 11 for locking the device 1 with a mounting rail 2 is formed.

The device 1 can be combined with other electrical devices on the mounting rail 2 by lining up the electrical devices along a rowing direction on the mounting rail 2. In this way, an electrical functional assembly can be created in a control cabinet, for example, via the mounting rail 2.

The electrical device 1 has a plurality of connection terminals 3, to which one or more electrical conductors 4 and/or one or more busbars 5 can be connected. The conductors 4 and/or the busbars 5 can be attached to the connection terminal 3 along a plug-in direction E in order to connect the conductors 4 and/or the busbars 5 to the electrical device 1.

External electrical assemblies can be connected to the electrical device 1 via conductor 4. In contrast, a potential distribution between a plurality of electrical devices arranged on the mounting rail 2 can be provided via a bus bar 5. For this purpose, a busbar 5 can have a rail body that extends along the longitudinal extension direction of the mounting rail 2, from which connecting pins protrude, which can be inserted into connecting terminals 3 of the electrical devices 1.

As will be described below, the connection terminals 3 implement double-chamber connection terminals in which conductors 4 or busbars 5 can be connected to the connection terminals 3 along two different conductor connection axes L1, L2.

2 shows the electrical device 1 according to 1 with a line 4 connected to a connection terminal 3 and a busbar 5 connected to the same connection terminal 3.

3 until 5 show an exemplary embodiment of a connection terminal 3, as on the electrical device 1 according to 1 and 2 can be provided.

The connection terminal 3 has a connection sleeve 30, a pressure piece 31, a spring element 32 and a lever element 33 which is pivotally mounted on the connection sleeve 30 about a pivot axis D. There is a on the pressure piece 31 Cover element 34 arranged, which is made of an electrically insulating material and thus provides protection against contact.

The connecting sleeve 30 has a base 300 that connects legs 301 to one another. The legs 301 protrude from the base 300 along an adjustment direction V and, together with the base 300, form a U-shape.

Between the legs 301 of the connecting sleeve 30, the pressure piece 31 is guided so as to be displaceable longitudinally along the adjustment direction V. The pressure piece 31 has a surface section 310 which extends flatly along a plane spanned by the adjustment direction V and a transverse direction. On the surface section 310, guide elements 312, 313 are formed laterally in the form of transversely projecting pins, which are guided in associated guide openings 302, 303 of the legs 301 of the connecting sleeve 30, which are formed by elongated link openings.

The pressure piece 31 forms a pressure section 311 that is angled relative to the surface section 310, which is inclined to the adjustment direction V and is formed on an end of the pressure piece 31 facing the base 300 of the connecting sleeve 30. The pressure section 311 is designed to cause connected conductors and/or busbars to jam on the connecting sleeve 30 in a clamping position, as will be described below.

The pressure piece 31 is spring-loaded relative to the connecting sleeve 30 via the spring element 32. The spring element 32 has a support leg 322, which engages via engagement pins 325 in support openings 306 on the legs 301 of the connecting sleeve 30 and is supported on the legs 301. At a connecting section 323 adjoining the support leg 322, support elements 324 are formed in the form of transversely projecting pins, which engage in recesses 305 on the legs 301 of the connecting sleeve 30 and thereby create additional support for the spring element 32 on the legs 301.

A clamping leg 320 can be elastically deflected in relation to the support leg 322 and the connecting section 323, which engages via an end 321 in an opening 316 at the transition between the surface section 310 and the pressure section 311 of the pressure piece 31 and thus establishes a connection between the clamping leg 320 and the pressure piece 31 manufactures.

The pressure piece 31 is displaceable on the connection sleeve 30 between a clamping position in which the pressure section 311 is closer to the base 300 of the connecting sleeve 30 and an open position in which the pressure section 311 is away from the base 300. The pressure piece 31 is spring-loaded in the direction of the clamping position via the spring element 32. Moving the pressure piece 31 in the adjustment direction V and thus in the direction of the open position takes place against the spring preload of the spring element 32.

Between the legs 301, the lever element 33 is pivotally mounted about the pivot axis D. The lever element 33 has a body 330, from which bearing elements 331 protrude axially on both sides along the pivot axis D in the form of circular pins, which engage in associated bearing openings 304 on the legs 301 of the connecting sleeve 30 and thus pivot the lever element 33 about the pivot axis D Store the legs 301.

The lever element 33 has an active section 333 which engages in an associated engagement opening 314 on the surface section 310 of the pressure piece 31 and thus establishes a connection between the lever element 33 and the pressure piece 31.

A tool grip 332 is also formed on the body 330 of the lever element 33, into which a tool, in particular a screwdriver, can be inserted in order to adjust the lever element 33.

The cover element 34 has a surface section 340 which extends parallel to the surface section 310 of the pressure piece 31. Fastening elements 341, 342 protrude from the surface section 340 in the direction of the pressure piece 31, the fastening elements 341 engaging in an opening 315 on the surface section 310 of the pressure piece 31 and the fastening elements 342 encompassing an upper end face of the surface section 310, so that the cover element 34 is fixed above it is connected to the pressure piece 31 and the cover element 34 is moved together with the pressure piece 31 when the pressure piece 31 is moved.

The pressure piece 31 and the connecting sleeve 30 are manufactured, for example, as sheet metal parts, preferably as stamped and bent parts, and consist of an electrically conductive metal material. The cover element 34, in contrast, consists of an electrically insulating material, for example a plastic material. Contact protection on the pressure piece 31 is provided via the cover element 34.

The connection terminal 3 is arranged on the housing 10 of the associated electrical device 1 net, like this in conjunction with 1 and 2 is visible. The electrical device 1 here has a current bar 12, which establishes an electrical connection between the respective connection terminal 3 and electrical and/or electronic assemblies of the electrical device 1. Like this 6A , 6B and 7A , 7B As can be seen, the current bar 12 projects into the connecting sleeve 30 of the connecting terminal 3 and thereby occupies an intermediate position between the base 300 of the connecting sleeve 30 and the pressure piece 31.

The pressure piece 31 can be switched between a clamping position ( 6A , 7A) and an open position ( 6B , 7B) can be adjusted on the connecting sleeve 30. In the clamping position, the pressure piece 31 with the pressure section 311 is brought closer to the base 300, so that inserted electrical conductors 4 and/or busbars 5 are clamped between the pressure piece 31, the current bar 12 and the base 300 and are thereby electrically connected to the power bar 12, as this out 8th (for two connected busbars 5), 9 (for two connected electrical conductors 4) and 10 (for a connected electrical conductor 4 and a busbar 5) is illustrated.

The connection terminal 3 here realizes a double-chamber connection terminal, in which a conductor 4 or a busbar 5 goes into a first chamber formed between the current bar 12 and the pressure piece 31 and another conductor 4 or another busbar 5 goes into one between the current bar 12 and The second chamber formed on the base 300 can be inserted and thus connected to the connecting terminal 3. A clamping force on the conductors 4 or the busbars 5 is brought about uniformly via the pressure piece 31 and the spring preload of the spring element 32, with the same clamping forces resulting in the two chambers.

In the clamping position ( 6A , 7A) the pressure piece 31 is adjusted in the direction of the base 300 of the connecting sleeve 30 and is spring-loaded via the spring element 32. If the pressure piece 31 is to move from the clamping position to the open position ( 6B , 7B) are transferred, a user can attack the lever element 33 using a tool 6 and pivot the lever element 33 in a pivoting direction S about the pivot axis D on the connecting sleeve 30. The lever element 33 thereby acts on the pressure piece 31 via its active section 333 and adjusts the pressure piece 31 in the adjustment direction V on the connecting sleeve 30, as in the transition from 6A , 7A towards 6B , 7B is visible.

Due to the displacement movement of the pressure piece 31 on the connecting sleeve 30, the clamping leg 320 of the spring element 32 is tensioned, so that the pressure piece 31 is adjusted against the spring preload of the spring element 32.

In the open position according to 6B , 7B the pressure section 311 of the pressure piece 31 is removed from the base 300, so that there is a space between the pressure piece 31 and the current bar 12 on the one hand and between the current bar 12 and the base 300 on the other hand. In the open position, conductors 4 and/or busbars 5 can be plugged into the connection terminal 3 in a simple, essentially powerless manner, or connected conductors 4 or busbars 5 can be removed from the connection terminal 3.

The opening movement of the connecting terminal 3 results in a movement sequence that is divided into different movement phases.

In a first movement phase, the pressure piece 31 is essentially moved on the connecting sleeve 30, with the connecting sleeve 30 remaining stationary on the housing 10. The connecting sleeve 30 is like this 6A and 7A can be seen, the current bar 12 is approached and biased into the assumed position, for example via a biasing element 307 relative to a housing section 101 of the housing 10.

If the pressure piece 31 comes into contact with a stop 100 on the housing 10, this will happen 7B As can be seen, the pressure piece 31 cannot be adjusted further in the adjustment direction V relative to the housing 10. If the lever element 33 is nevertheless adjusted further, the connecting sleeve 30 is now moved counter to the adjustment direction V with the pressure piece 31 held on the housing 10, so that the connecting sleeve 30 with the base 300 is removed from the current bar 12, as shown 7B is visible. In the second movement phase, a space between the current bar 12 and the base 300 of the connection sleeve 30 is thus (also) released, so that both connection chambers are opened and conductors 4 and / or busbars 5 along different conductor connection axes L1, L2 into the connection chambers along a plug-in direction E can be plugged in.

The movement sequence described above is not mandatory. Because the connecting sleeve 30 is not attached to the housing 10 and is therefore linearly adjustable along the adjustment direction V to the housing 10, it can also be adjusted first move the connecting sleeve 30 and then the pressure piece 31 to the housing 10. Or the pressure piece 31 and the connecting sleeve 30 can move to the housing 10 at the same time.

If conductors 4 or busbars 5 have been placed on the connecting terminal 3 in the open position of the pressure piece 31, the pressure piece 31 can be moved back into the clamping position. For this purpose, a user can use the tool 6 to pivot the lever element 33 back against the pivoting direction S or simply release the lever element 33 so that the pressure piece 31 returns to the clamping position due to the spring preload of the spring element 32. Plugged-in conductors 4 or busbars 5 are thus clamped between the pressure piece 31 and the current bar 12 on the one hand and between the current bar 12 and the base 300 on the other hand and thus connected to the connecting sleeve 30.

Like this 7A and 7B As can be seen, the pressure section 311 is aligned obliquely to the adjustment direction V and also obliquely to the insertion direction E and is angled towards the surface section 310 of the pressure piece 31. The orientation of the printing section 311 is such that the printing section 311 points in the insertion direction E with a directional vector component and thus protrudes from the surface section 310 of the pressure piece 31 with a directional vector component in the insertion direction E. The result of this is that the pressure section 311 creates a barb, which strengthens the hold of a connected conductor 4 or a busbar 5 when loaded against the insertion direction E.

The pressure section 311 can be beveled on an end face facing the current bar 12, so that an edge on the pressure section 311 results that has an acute angle (<90°). By forming such a sharp edge on the pressure section 311, the hold of the connection with a connected conductor 4 or a busbar 5 can be further improved by allowing the pressure section 311 to dig into the material of the conductor 4 or the busbar 5.

11A-11C , 12A-12C and 13A-13C show an exemplary embodiment of an electrical device 1 before transferring the connecting terminal 3 from the clamping position to the open position ( 11A-11C ), after transferring from the clamping position to the opening position ( 12A-12C ) and after returning to the clamping position ( 13A-13C ). To operate the connection terminal 3, a user grabs the lever element 33 with a tool 6, in particular a screwdriver, and pivots it so that the pressure piece 31 is moved into the open position and then returned to the clamping position under the spring preload of the spring element 32 in order to be connected Clamp conductor 4 or busbars 5 to connection terminal 3 (in the example according to 13A-13C two busbars 5 are connected to the connecting sleeve 3).

The pressure piece 31 acts on a connected conductor 4 or a busbar 5 via the pressure section 311. As shown in the enlarged view 14B As can be seen, a contacting contour 317 can be formed on the pressure section 311, which widens in the direction of the current bar 12 and forms a funnel shape in a projection plane perpendicular to the plug-in direction E.

Additionally or alternatively, contacting contours 120, 121 can also be formed on the current bar 12 on the side facing the pressure piece 31 and/or on the side facing the base 300 of the connecting sleeve 30, each of which widens outwards. An improved system with a connected conductor 4 or a busbar 5 can be obtained via the contacting contours 120, 121, 317, with increased contact force through punctual or linear contact. For a busbar 5, this can also be the case 14B As can be seen, a connection can be achieved with an increased distance between the pressure piece 31 and the base 300 of the connecting sleeve 30, so that an increased tension on the spring element 32 and thus a greater spring preload is set.

The idea on which the invention is based is not limited to the exemplary embodiments described above, but can also be implemented in other ways.

A connection terminal of the type described can advantageously be used on an electrical device that can be arranged on a mounting rail. However, the connection terminal is not limited to use on a circuit breaker, in particular an FI circuit breaker or a circuit breaker.

The connection terminal can preferably be a double-chamber connection terminal. However, this is not mandatory. The connection terminal can also form only a single chamber for connecting a conductor or a busbar.

Reference symbol list

1

Electric device

10

Housing

100

attack

101

Housing section

11

Fastening device

12

Current bar

120, 121

Contacting contour

2

Support rail

3

Connection terminal

30

Connection sleeve

300

Base

301

leg

302, 303

Guide opening

304

Warehouse opening

305

recess

306

Support opening

307

Prestressing element

31

Pressure piece

310

area section

311

Print section

312, 313

Leadership element

314

Access opening

315

Fastening opening

316

opening

317

Contacting contour

32

Spring element

320

active leg

321

End

322

Support leg

323

connection section

324

Support element

325

Intervention element

33

Lever element

330

Body

331

Bearing element

332

Tool engagement

333

Effective section

34

Cover element

340

area section

341, 342

fastener

4

Director

5

bus bar

6

Tool

D

Pivot axis

E

Plugging direction

L1, L2

Conductor connection axis

S

Swivel direction

v

Adjustment direction

QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of documents listed by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• DE 102013107292 B4 [0010]
• DE 102016112831 A1 [0010]
• DE 102018129875 B4 [0010]
• EP 1322000 B1 [0010]
• DE 102017311735 A1 [0011]

Claims (18)

Connection terminal (3) for an electrical device (1), with a connection sleeve (30) which has a base (300) and to which at least one electrical conductor (4) and/or at least one busbar (5) for electrical connection to the Connection terminal (3) can be attached, characterized by a pressure piece (31) which is guided along an adjustment direction (V) on the connection sleeve (30) and which can be adjusted between a clamping position and an open position on the connection sleeve (30), a pressure piece (31 ) elastically prestressing spring element (32) relative to the connecting sleeve (30) and a lever element (33) operatively connected to the pressure piece (31), which can be actuated to adjust the pressure piece (31) between the clamping position and the open position, the pressure piece (31 ) in the clamping position of the base (300) of the connecting sleeve (30) for clamping at least one conductor (4) or at least one busbar (5) on the connecting terminal (3) and is moved in the open position on the connecting sleeve (30). in that the pressure piece (31) is removed from the base (300) compared to the clamping position in order to enable at least one conductor (4) or at least one busbar (5) to be attached to the connecting sleeve (30). Connecting terminal (3). Claim 1 , characterized by a current bar (12) for electrical contact with at least one conductor (4) connected to the connection terminal (3) or at least one bus bar (5) connected to the connection terminal (3), the current bar (12), viewed along the Adjustment direction (V), an intermediate position between the pressure piece (31) and the base (300). Connecting terminal (3). Claim 2 , characterized in that a first conductor (4) or a first busbar (5) is connected to a first side of the current bar (12) facing the pressure piece (31) and a second conductor (4) or a second busbar (5) is connected to a The second side of the current bar (12) facing away from the first side and facing the base (300) can be connected. Connecting terminal (3). Claim 2 or 3 , characterized in that the current bar (12) on the first side facing the pressure piece (31) has a first contacting contour (121) that widens in the direction of the pressure piece to contact the first conductor (4) or the first busbar (5) and/or on the second side facing the base (300) has a second contacting contour (120) which widens in the direction of the base (300) for contact with the second conductor (4) or the second busbar (5). Connection terminal (3) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the lever element (33) can be pivoted to the connection sleeve (30) about a pivot axis (D) perpendicular to the adjustment direction (V). Connection terminal (3) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the lever element (33) is pivotally mounted on the connection sleeve (30). Connection terminal (3) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the base (300) extends transversely to the adjustment direction (V). Connection terminal (3) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the connection sleeve (30) has two legs (301) extending along the adjustment direction (V) from the base (300), the pressure piece (31) being between the legs (301 ) is guided. Connecting terminal (3). Claim 8 , characterized in that the lever element (33) is arranged between the legs (301) and is pivotally mounted on the legs (301). Connection terminal (3) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the spring element (32) biases the pressure piece (31) in the direction of the clamping position. Connection terminal (3) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the spring element (32) has a support leg (322) supported on the connection sleeve (30) and an active leg which is operatively connected to the pressure piece (31) and can be deflected elastically relative to the support leg (322). (320). Connection terminal (3) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pressure piece (31) has a pressure section (311) at an end facing the base (300) which extends obliquely to the adjustment direction (V). Connecting terminal (3). Claim 12 , characterized in that the pressure piece (31) has a surface section (310) which extends along a plane passing through the adjustment direction (V) and one transverse to the adjustment direction (V). directed transverse direction is spanned, and to which the pressure section (311) is angled. Connecting terminal (3). Claim 12 or 13 , characterized in that the at least one electrical conductor (4) and / or the at least one busbar (5) for electrical connection to the connection terminal (3) in a plug-in direction (E) perpendicular to the adjustment direction (V) to the connection sleeve (30) can be applied, the pressure section (311) extending obliquely to the insertion direction (E) and protruding from the surface section (310) with a directional vector component in the insertion direction (E). Terminal (3) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by a cover element (34) connected to the pressure piece (31) and made of an electrically insulating material, which can be adjusted together with the pressure piece (31) relative to the connecting sleeve (30). Electrical device (1) with a connection terminal (3) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the electrical device (1) has a housing (10) on which the connection terminal (3) is arranged. Electrical device (1). Claim 16 , characterized in that the connecting sleeve (30) is adjustable to the housing (10) along the adjustment direction (V). Electrical device (1). Claim 16 or 17 , characterized in that when the lever element (33) is actuated to adjust the pressure piece (31) from the clamping position to the open position in a first movement phase, the pressure piece (31) on the connecting sleeve (30) is adjusted in the adjustment direction (V) until the pressure piece (31) assumes a stop position relative to the housing (10) defined by a stop (100), and in a second movement phase the connecting sleeve (30) counteracts the adjustment direction (V) relative to the pressure piece (31) to the housing (10) the pressure piece (31) held in the stop position is adjusted.

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