DE102025102742A1 - Spring-cage terminal and conductor connection terminal - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a spring-loaded terminal connection for connecting an electrical conductor by means of spring force. The spring-loaded terminal connection comprises at least one busbar and a clamping spring having a clamping leg with a clamping edge for clamping the electrical conductor to a contact section of the busbar, and a retaining element configured to hold the clamping leg in an open position. The invention also relates to a conductor connection terminal having such a spring-loaded terminal connection.

Description

The invention relates to a spring-loaded terminal connection for connecting an electrical conductor by means of spring force. The spring-loaded terminal connection comprises at least one busbar and a clamping spring having a clamping leg with a clamping edge for clamping the electrical conductor to a contact section of the busbar, and a retaining element configured to hold the clamping leg in an open position. The invention also relates to a conductor connection terminal having such a spring-loaded terminal connection.

Such a conductor connection terminal is from the DE 10 2020 119 372 A1 This is a conductor terminal with automatic connection of the electrical conductor to be clamped when it is inserted into the terminal. Inserting the electrical conductor automatically releases the clamping leg of the clamping spring, which is held in an open position, thereby clamping the electrical conductor securely.

Based on this, it is the object of the present invention to provide a further improved spring-loaded terminal connection and a conductor connection terminal.

This object is achieved in a conductor connection terminal of the type mentioned at the outset in that the clamping spring is formed from a spring sheet to form a frame, and an interior space is formed in the frame, in which interior space an actuating element for actuating the clamping leg into the open position can be or is at least partially arranged. In this way, a conductor connection terminal with an automatic connection of the electrical conductor to be clamped can be improved in terms of operability and reliability. Furthermore, the option of arranging the actuating element at least partially in the interior space of the frame allows the spring-loaded clamp connection and a conductor connection terminal formed therewith to be designed to be particularly compact. Thus, in contrast to the prior art, the clamping spring is formed in a special way, namely in such a way that a frame is formed from a spring sheet, in which the aforementioned interior space is formed. The spring sheet can be formed (bent) into the frame by bending it multiple times.

The actuating element can be designed as a pivotable actuating lever or as an actuating pushbutton, in particular as an actuating pushbutton displaceably mounted in an actuating channel of an insulating material housing of the conductor connection terminal. For example, the actuating pushbutton can be arranged so that it can be linearly displaced within the actuating channel. The actuating element can move the clamping leg into the open position upon manual actuation, counter to the spring force of the clamping spring. The clamping leg can then be held in this open position by the retaining element, in particular without further manual actuation of the actuating element, so that the electrical conductor can be inserted at any time without any particular effort.

The clamping leg, together with the contact section of the busbar, can form a clamping point for clamping an electrical conductor between the clamping leg and the contact section. In the open position, at least the clamping edge of the clamping leg is pivoted away from the contact section of the busbar. The clamping leg can be pivoted, for example, between an open position, in which the electrical conductor is freely movable between the clamping leg and the contact section, and a clamping position, in which the clamping leg clamps the electrical conductor to the contact section.

The retaining element can, for example, act directly on the clamping leg to hold it in the open position. For example, a first locking element can be arranged on the clamping leg and a second locking element on the retaining element, with the first and second locking elements being lockable together in the open position. The retaining element can be designed as a projecting locking arm. The second locking element can be designed as a locking projection or locking hook. The first locking element can be designed as a locking edge or locking opening.

The holding element can be present as a separate component, which is attached, for example, to an insulating housing of a conductor connection terminal, to the busbar or to another component.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the retaining element is formed integrally from the material of the clamping spring. This has the advantage that the retaining element can be produced directly during the bending process of the clamping spring. Separate assembly of the retaining element is thus unnecessary.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the actuating element is positively coupled to the clamping spring. The actuating element can, in particular, be positively coupled to the clamping leg. In this way, the actuating element positively certain movements of the clamping spring or clamping leg. In particular, this allows the user to easily distinguish whether the clamping spring is in the clamped or open position, which can be identified, for example, by the different positions of the actuating element relative to the insulating housing. For example, an actuating element designed as an actuating push-button can be positioned deeper in an actuating channel of the insulating housing in the open position than in the clamped position.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the actuating element is immersed in the interior of the frame, at least in the open position. A portion of the actuating element can protrude from the interior or the area surrounded by the frame. The actuating element can be arranged within the interior, i.e., surrounded by the frame, at least in the open position.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the actuating element has at least a first positive-locking element and the clamping spring has at least a second positive-locking element which is designed as a counterpart to the first positive-locking element, wherein the actuating element is positively coupled to the second positive-locking element of the clamping spring via its first positive-locking element. In this way, both the aforementioned forced coupling of the actuating element with the clamping spring and an efficient transmission of the actuating force from the actuating element to the clamping spring can be realized particularly efficiently without tilting. For example, one of the positive-locking elements can be designed as a projecting projection and the other positive-locking element as an elongated hole receiving the projection. The projection can be guided in the elongated hole when the actuating element is actuated.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the spring-loaded terminal connection has a release element with a release section, by means of which the clamping leg held in the open position on the holding element can be released from the holding element when an electrical conductor to be clamped exerts an actuating force on the release section. This allows automatic release of the clamping leg from the holding element by inserting the electrical conductor. The release section can be subjected to pressure by a separate tool, a component of the conductor connection terminal, such as an actuating element, or directly via the inserted electrical conductor itself, thereby causing the clamping leg to be released from the holding element. By means of the release element, the clamping leg held in the open position on the holding element can be released from the holding element by applying pressure to the release section in the conductor insertion direction of the electrical conductor to be connected.

Depending on the design of the spring-loaded terminal connection, the release element can be formed as part of the clamping spring, e.g., as a release element formed integrally with the clamping spring, or as a separate component. According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the release element is designed as a release lever that is pivotably mounted on the spring-loaded terminal connection or in an insulating housing of the conductor terminal in the manner of a rocker or toggle lever. The release lever can have a bearing section on which it is supported and about which it can be pivoted. The release lever can have a first lever arm that projects in one direction from the bearing section and on which the release section is arranged. The release lever can have a second lever arm that projects from the bearing section in a different direction than the first lever arm, extends to the holding element or the connection point between the holding element and the clamping leg, and is configured to mechanically release the clamping leg from the holding element, e.g., by the second lever arm moving the holding element slightly away from the connection point to the clamping leg. The first lever arm can be arranged at an angle, e.g., substantially at a right angle, to the second lever arm.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the clamping spring has a support section designed to support the clamping spring on the busbar or another component of a conductor connection terminal. The clamping spring can be supported and supported with its support section, for example, on a surface of the busbar, e.g., a surface facing the actuating element. The clamping spring can be supported with its support section, e.g., on a surface of the busbar facing away from the contact section.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the holding element is fastened to the support section or is formed integrally therewith. In this way, the support section additionally serves as a counter-bearing for holding the holding element against the tensile force exerted by the clamping leg on the holding element in the open position. The holding element can, for example, be released from the support section. cuts, e.g. during the punching and bending process of the sheet metal part from which the clamping spring is made.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the support section has a first support leg and a second support leg arranged at a distance from the first support leg and extending substantially parallel to the first support leg. In this way, the clamping spring can be mounted and supported particularly securely and stably on a surface of the busbar.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the clamping spring has at least one spring arch, where the predominant bending occurs when the clamping spring is compressed in the open position. The spring arch thus provides a defined spring elasticity of the clamping spring. The clamping spring can, in particular, have two spaced-apart spring arches, as explained below.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the torsional movement in the spring arch during compression occurs essentially orthogonally to the thickness direction of the sheet metal material from which the at least one spring arch is formed. This allows for particularly clever shaping of the clamping spring into the frame-like construction with the interior space made from a single sheet metal part. The spring arch thus does not perform the required bending movement in the thickness direction of the sheet material, as in conductor connection terminals known from the prior art, but essentially orthogonally to it. If more than one spring arch is present, this can also apply to each of the spring arches.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, a first spring arch and a second spring arch arranged at a distance from the first spring arch extend from the support section to the clamping leg, wherein the interior of the frame is arranged between the first and second spring arches. In this way, the frame-like design of the clamping spring explained at the outset is also further promoted by the spring arches. The first spring arch can be arranged parallel to the second spring arch. In an advantageous embodiment, the first spring arch can be arranged in alignment with the first support leg in the actuation direction of the actuating element, and the second spring arch can be arranged in alignment with the second support leg.

The support section can have a first subsection formed integrally with the first spring arch and a second subsection formed integrally with the second spring arch, wherein the first subsection is formed separately from the second subsection, e.g. by a parting line arranged between the first and the second subsection.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the clamping leg has a first leg section connected to the first spring arch and a second leg section connected to the second spring arch, and the clamping leg has a connecting section by which the first leg section is connected to the second leg section. In this way, the frame-like design of the clamping spring continues into the clamping leg. For example, the first and second leg sections can be arranged parallel to one another and the connecting section can be arranged substantially orthogonal to the first and second leg sections. A second form-locking element can be arranged in each of the first and second leg sections.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, a clamping tongue of the clamping leg protrudes from the connecting section on a side of the connecting section facing away from the first and second spring arcs, and the clamping edge is formed at the free end of the clamping tongue. The clamping tongue can extend to the contact section of the busbar, at least in the clamped position without an inserted electrical conductor.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the retaining element is arranged between the busbar and the actuating element. This allows the retaining element to be housed in a particularly space-saving manner, e.g., within the interior of the frame. The retaining element can extend through the interior. This allows a spring-loaded terminal connection to be realized with a frame-like clamping spring and an internal retaining function of the clamping leg.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the busbar has a slot-shaped opening through which the clamping spring or at least its clamping leg protrudes. This is conducive to secure clamping of an electrical conductor to the busbar. For example, the contact section can be designed as a contact tongue cut out of the material of the busbar and bent over, e.g., a contact tongue bent away from the surface of the busbar, on which the support section rests on the busbar. The electrical conductor to be clamped can then also be guided through the slotted opening, ensuring it is securely held there. The slotted opening can be completely or predominantly surrounded by the material of the busbar.

The aforementioned object is also achieved by a conductor connection terminal with an insulating housing having at least one conductor insertion opening for receiving an electrical conductor in a conductor insertion direction (L), wherein at least one spring-loaded clamp connection of the type described above is arranged in the insulating housing. This also allows the previously described advantages to be realized. The electrical conductor can be inserted through the conductor insertion opening in the conductor insertion direction up to the clamping point between the clamping edge of the clamping leg and the contact section of the busbar, where it can be clamped.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, a conductor guide channel for guiding the electrical conductor to be clamped to the contact section can be formed in the insulating material housing, wherein the release section of the release element is arranged in the conductor guide channel or at least projects into the conductor guide channel.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the release section of the release element can be arranged behind the contact section or at least behind the clamping point in the conductor insertion direction (L).

For the purposes of the present invention, the indefinite term "a" is not to be understood as a numerical term. Therefore, if, for example, a component is mentioned, this should be interpreted as "at least one component." Angles expressed in degrees refer to a circle of 360 degrees (360°).

• 1 bis 4 eine Klemmfeder in verschiedenen Ansichten,
• 5 einen Federkraftklemmanschluss in perspektivischer Ansicht,
• 6 den Federkraftklemmanschluss gemäß 5 mit einem elektrischen Leiter,
• 7 eine Leiteranschlussklemme in Seitenansicht,
• 8 die Leiteranschlussklemme gemäß 7 in seitlicher Schnittansicht in der Klemmstellung,
• 9 die Leiteranschlussklemme gemäß 8 in der Offenstellung,
• 10 die Leiteranschlussklemme gemäß 9 mit einem elektrischen Leiter.

The invention is explained in more detail below using exemplary embodiments and drawings.

• 1 to 4 a clamping spring in different views,
• 5 a spring-loaded terminal connection in perspective view,
• 6 the spring clamp connection according to 5 with an electrical conductor,
• 7 a conductor connection terminal in side view,
• 8 the conductor connection terminal according to 7 in side sectional view in the clamping position,
• 9 the conductor connection terminal according to 8 in the open position,
• 10 the conductor connection terminal according to 9 with an electrical conductor.

The 1 shows a clamping spring 1 in a perspective view in the clamping position, the 2 shows the clamping spring according to 1 in side view and the 3 shows the clamping spring according to 1 in a top view. The 4 shows the clamping spring according to 1 in the open position.

The clamping spring 1 has a clamping leg 2, a first spring arch 31, a second spring arch 32, a support section 4, and a holding element 5. The support section 4 is divided into a first subsection 43 and a second subsection 44, which are formed separately from one another and between which a parting line 45 is formed. The holding element 5 can be cut free from the first or second subsection 43, 44 and bent in a desired direction. The first subsection 43 merges integrally into the first spring arch 31. The second subsection 44 merges integrally into the second spring arch 32. A first support leg 41 and a second support leg 42 are also formed on the support section 4. The first and second support legs 41, 42 serve to support the clamping spring 2 on a busbar, as will be explained below. For example, the first support leg 41 can be formed integrally with the first partial section 43 at the end facing away from the first spring arch 31, the second support leg 42 can be formed integrally with the second partial section 44 at the end facing away from the second spring arch 32.

The clamping leg 2 has a first leg section 21 and a second leg section 22 arranged at a distance therefrom. The first leg section 21 can be formed integrally with the first spring arch 31, and the second leg section 22 can be formed integrally with the second spring arch 32. The clamping leg 2 further has a connecting section 20, through which the first leg section 21 is connected to the second leg section 22. The clamping leg 2 has a first locking element 23, e.g., in the form of an edge of a recess, which can be formed in the clamping leg 2 and in particular in the connecting section 20. The first locking element 23 cooperates with a second locking element 50 formed on the holding element 5, e.g., a locking projection or locking hook, to hold the clamping leg 2 in the open position.

The clamping leg 2 further has a clamping tongue 25, which extends from the connecting section 20 and has a clamping edge 26 at the free end for clamping the electrical conductor. It can also be seen that the clamping spring 1 has at least one second positive-locking element 27, e.g., in the form of an elongated hole arranged on each of the leg sections 21, 22, which serves to accommodate a positive-locking element of an actuating element.

The clamping leg 2 with the connecting section 20 and the side legs 21, 22, as well as the spring arches 31, 32 and the partial sections 43, 44 of the support section 4, which form the rear side, form a frame in which an interior space 3 is formed. An actuating element for actuating the clamping leg 2 into the open position can be at least partially arranged in the interior space 3.

The 1 to 3 show the clamping spring 1 in the relaxed position. In the 4 The clamping leg 2 was deflected toward the holding element 5, so that the holding element 5 is locked with its second locking element 50 to the first locking element 23 of the clamping leg, whereby the clamping leg 2 is held in the tensioned position of the clamping spring, i.e., in the open position, by the holding element 5. The holding element 5 is thereby loaded with a tensile force by the pre-tensioned clamping leg 2.

The 5 The spring-loaded terminal connection shown has the previously described clamping spring 1 and, as further components, an actuating element 6 and a busbar 7. The busbar 7 can be designed as an angled busbar, in which, in addition to a surface section 70, at least one area angled thereto is present. A slot-like opening 72 can be formed in the surface section 70. A contact section 71 is also formed in one piece from the material of the surface section 70. The contact section 71 is angled relative to the surface section 70. It can be seen that the clamping spring 1 extends with its clamping leg 2 or at least with the clamping tongue 25 through the slot-like opening 72 and can extend, at least in the clamping position shown, as far as the contact section 71. It can also be seen that the clamping spring 1 is supported with its support legs 41, 42 on an upper side of the surface section 70, in particular on the upper side facing away from the contact section 71.

It can also be seen that the actuating element 6, e.g., in the form of an actuating push-button, extends at least partially into the interior 3 of the frame. The actuating element 6 has a manual actuating surface 60, at which the actuating element 6 can be actuated by applying a manually generated actuating force and can thereby be displaced toward the busbar 7.

It can also be seen that the actuating element 6 has a first form-locking element 62 on each of its two sides, e.g. in the form of a projecting pin, which engages in the second form-locking element 27 of the respective side leg 21, 22 and is received therein in a form-locking manner.

If the actuating element 6 is actuated by a pressure force in the direction of the busbar 7, it moves towards the busbar 7. In this case, an actuating force is transmitted via the form-locking elements 27, 62 to the clamping leg 2, which is deflected accordingly and moved away from the contact section 71. In the further course of the actuation of the actuating element 6, the clamping leg 2 is deflected into the open position, as the 6 shows. When the open position of the clamping leg 2 is reached, the second locking element 50 engages with the first locking element 23. An electrical conductor 9 can now be inserted into the clamping point without any effort.

Furthermore, a release element 8 is provided, which can be designed, for example, as an angled rocker arm. The release element 8 has a bearing section 81, with which the release element 8 can be pivotally mounted on a bearing element. A first lever arm 80 extends from the bearing section 81 in one direction, and a second lever arm 82 extends in an opposite direction or at an angle to the first lever arm 80. The first lever arm 80 forms a release section of the release element 8, and the second lever arm 82 forms a transmission section, through which an actuating movement exerted on the first lever arm 80 is transmitted to the holding element 5 in order to deflect it.

The 7 shows a conductor connection terminal 10, which has an insulating housing 11, which has at least one conductor insertion opening 12 for inserting the electrical conductor 9 into the insulating housing 11. The electrical conductor 9 is to be inserted in a conductor insertion direction L. In the insulating housing 11, a spring-loaded terminal connection according to 5 , 6 arranged. It can also be seen that the release element 8 with its bearing section 81 is pivotally mounted in a bearing receptacle 13, which can be formed, for example, from the material of the insulating housing 11.

The 8 shows the conductor connection terminal 10 according to 7 in a sectional view, where The spring-loaded terminal connection is in the clamped position. The conductor entry opening 12 or the adjoining conductor entry channel is then blocked in the area of the busbar 7 by the clamping tongue 25, so that an electrical conductor cannot be easily inserted into the terminal point.

The 9 shows the conductor connection terminal in the same sectional view as the 8 , whereby the clamping leg 2 is now deflected into the open position by the actuating element 6 and is held in this open position by the locking elements 50, 23 by the holding element 5. This open position is stably maintained until a force acting in the conductor insertion direction L is applied to the release section 80 of the release element 8, which force is sufficient to release the holding element 5 from the clamping leg 2 by the resulting tilting of the release element 8, as shown in 10 can be seen. The required force is applied directly to the release section 80 by the inserted electrical conductor 9, causing the release element 8 to pivot and the holding element 5 to be deflected via its second lever arm 82, thereby releasing the locking connection between the first locking element 23 and the second locking element 50. The pre-tensioned clamping leg 2 can then detach from the holding element 5 and, with the clamping edge 26, presses the electrical conductor 9 against the contact section 71.

List of reference symbols

1

clamping spring

2

clamping leg

3

Interior

4

Bearing section

5

Holding element

6

Actuating element

7

Busbar

8

Release element

9

electrical conductor

10

conductor connection terminal

11

Insulated housing

12

Conductor entry opening

13

Stock taking

20

connecting section

21

first leg section

22

second leg section

23

first locking element

25

clamping tongue

26

clamping edge

27

second form-locking element

31

first spring bow

32

second spring arch

41

first support leg

42

second support leg

43

first section of the support section

44

second section of the support section

45

Separation joint

50

second locking element

60

Actuating surface

62

first form-locking element

70

Surface section

71

Contact section

72

slit-like opening

80

first lever arm

81

Storage section

82

second lever arm

D

Thickness direction

L

Conductor insertion direction

QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of documents submitted by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the convenience of the reader. This 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 10 2020 119 372 A1 [0002]

Claims (18)

Spring-loaded terminal connection for connecting an electrical conductor (9) by means of spring force, wherein the spring-loaded terminal connection has at least one busbar (7) and a clamping spring (1) which has a clamping leg (2) with a clamping edge (26) for clamping the electrical conductor (9) to a contact section (71) of the busbar (7), and with a holding element (5) which is designed to hold the clamping leg (7) in an open position, characterized in that the clamping spring (1) is formed from a spring sheet to form a frame and an interior space (3) is formed in the frame, in which interior space an actuating element (6), in particular an actuating push-button, can be or is arranged at least partially for actuating the clamping leg (2) into the open position. Spring clamp connection according to Claim 1 , characterized in that the holding element (5) is formed in one piece from the material of the clamping spring (1). Spring-loaded clamp connection according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the actuating element (6) is positively coupled to the clamping spring (1). Spring-loaded terminal connection according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the actuating element (6) dips into the interior space (3) at least in the open position. Spring-loaded clamp connection according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the actuating element (6) has at least one first positive-locking element (62) and the clamping spring (1) has at least one second positive-locking element (27) which is designed as a counterpart to the first positive-locking element (62), wherein the actuating element (6) is positively coupled to the second positive-locking element (27) of the clamping spring (1) via its first positive-locking element (62). Spring-loaded clamp connection according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the spring-loaded clamp connection has a release element (8) with a release section (80) by means of which the clamping leg (2) held in the open position on the holding element (5) can be released from the holding element (5) when an electrical conductor to be clamped exerts an actuating force on the release section (80). Spring-loaded terminal connection according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the clamping spring (1) has a support section (4) which is designed to support the clamping spring (1) on the busbar (7) or another component of a conductor connection terminal (10). Spring clamp connection according to Claim 7 , characterized in that the holding element (5) is fastened to the support section (4) or is formed integrally therewith. Spring clamp connection according to one of the Claims 7 until 8 , characterized in that the support section (4) has a first support leg (41) and a second support leg (42) arranged at a distance from the first support leg (41) and running substantially parallel to the first support leg (41). Spring-loaded clamp connection according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the clamping spring (1) has at least one spring arch (31, 32) at which the predominant bending occurs when the clamping spring (1) is compressed in the open position. Spring clamp connection according to Claim 10 , characterized in that the torsional movement in the spring arch (31, 32) during compression takes place substantially orthogonally to the thickness direction (D) of the sheet material from which the at least one spring arch (31, 32) is formed. Spring clamp connection according to one of the Claims 10 until 11 , characterized in that a first spring arch (31) and a second spring arch (32) arranged at a distance from the first spring arch (31) extend from the support section (4) to the clamping leg (2), wherein the interior space (3) of the frame is arranged between the first and the second spring arch (31, 32). Spring clamp connection according to Claim 12 , characterized in that the clamping leg (2) has a first leg section (21) which is connected to the first spring arch (31) and a second leg section (22) which is connected to the second spring arch (32), and the clamping leg (2) has a connecting section (20) by which the first leg section (21) is connected to the second leg section (22). Spring clamp connection according to Claim 13 , characterized in that on a side of the connecting section (20) facing away from the first and the second spring arch (31, 32) a clamping tongue (25) of the clamping leg (2) protrudes, at the free end of which the clamping edge (26) is formed. Spring-loaded terminal connection according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the holding element (5) is arranged between the busbar (7) and the actuating element (6). Spring-loaded terminal connection according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the holding element (5) extends through the interior space (3). Spring-loaded terminal connection according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the busbar (7) has a slot-shaped opening (72) through which the clamping spring (1) or at least its clamping leg (2) projects. Conductor connection terminal (10) with an insulating housing (11) which has at least one conductor insertion opening (12) for receiving an electrical conductor (9) in a conductor insertion direction (L), characterized in that at least one spring-loaded clamp connection according to one of the preceding claims is arranged in the insulating housing (11).