CN110546816B

CN110546816B - Elastic joint

Info

Publication number: CN110546816B
Application number: CN201880026186.4A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 福尔克尔·贾尔姆斯
Original assignee: Phoenix Contact GmbH and Co KG
Current assignee: Phoenix Contact GmbH and Co KG
Priority date: 2017-04-18
Filing date: 2018-03-27
Publication date: 2021-12-31
Anticipated expiration: 2038-03-27
Also published as: ES2933899T3; CN110546816A; EP3613103B1; WO2018192752A1; DE102017108171A1; EP3613103A1

Abstract

A resilient joint (1) for connecting electrical conductors (2), comprising: a housing part (10); an electrically conductive contact element (11) for electrical contact with a conductor (2) connected to the spring contact (1), the contact element being arranged on the housing part (10); a spring element (12) having a clamping foot (120) which is movable relative to the contact element (11) for applying a spring force to a conductor (2) connected to the spring force terminal (1); and an actuating element (13) for moving the clamping foot (120). Furthermore, a traction element (14) is provided, which is movably coupled to the actuating element (13) and movably coupled to the clamping foot (120) and is designed to exert a traction force on the clamping foot (120) during the actuation of the actuating element (13) in order to move the clamping foot (120) relative to the contact element (11). In this way, a spring-loaded terminal is provided which is easy to handle and ensures a reliable mechanical hold and a reliable electrical contact when connecting the conductors.

Description

Elastic joint

Technical Field

The invention relates to a spring contact for connecting electrical conductors.

Background

The spring contact comprises a housing part and an electrically conductive contact element for electrical contact with a conductor connected to the spring contact, which contact element is arranged on the housing part. The spring element has a clamping foot which can move relative to the contact element to exert elastic force on the conductor connected with the elastic joint. The actuating element serves to move the clamping foot.

By means of such a spring contact, the electrical conductor can be connected to a corresponding electrical component, for example a contact insert of a plug connector part, a clip, a printed circuit board or another component. Such a spring contact connects the electrical conductor to the housing part and, in the plugged position, is held in place on the contact element by the spring force, so that the electrical conductor can be connected in a simple and intuitive manner. Here, the conductor is pressed with the insulation-removed conductor end against the contact section of the contact element, for example, by means of the clamping foot of the spring element, so that the conductor is mechanically held on the contact element and is also in electrical contact with the contact element.

It is desirable that the resilient contact can facilitate the plugging of the electrical conductors with a reliable electrical contact and a reliable mechanical retention, while at the same time being easy to operate, if necessary without the use of tools, to release the electrical conductors plugged to the resilient contact. The release is achieved here by actuating an actuating element which acts on the clamping foot in order to move it, so that the mechanical retention of the conductor on the spring contact can be undone.

In the spring joint disclosed in DE 102015104625 a1, an actuating element in the form of a lever element is arranged in a deflectable manner on the housing part. The actuating element acts on the clamping leg of the spring element via the pin element in order to move the clamping leg and thus to release the conductor from the spring contact.

DE 202009002324U 1 already discloses a connecting clip for connecting conductors, which has a clip cage that can be inserted into a housing. The clamping spring can be moved into a spring-open position by means of the actuating element, so that the conductor end can be inserted into the clamping point of the housing or can be removed again from the clamping point. The actuating element acts here on the clamping foot by means of a tractive force.

In the connecting clip known from DE 102012110895B 4, the actuating element is arranged on the housing part in a rotatable manner and is coupled in an articulated manner to the clamping feet of the spring element, so that the clamping feet can be moved by rotating the actuating element.

Disclosure of Invention

The object of the present invention is to provide a resilient contact which is easy to operate and which ensures a reliable mechanical retention and a reliable electrical contact when connecting conductors.

The solution of the invention to achieve the above object is the subject matter having the features of the invention.

According to the invention, the spring force joint has a traction element (in addition to the actuating element) which is movably coupled to the actuating element and movably coupled to the clamping foot and is designed to apply a traction force to the clamping foot during the actuation of the actuating element in order to move the clamping foot relative to the contact element.

The pulling element can be formed, for example, by a clip element which is connected to the actuating element in an articulated manner via a first clip section and which clasps the clamping foot with a second clip section.

The actuating element is coupled to the clamping leg of the spring element via the pulling element, so that the clamping leg can be actuated to connect or disconnect the electrical conductor to or from the spring contact. The actuating element can thus act on the clamping foot by applying a traction force, and the clamping foot can be moved relative to the contact element by actuating the actuating element in such a way that the conductor can be plugged into the contact element of the spring terminal or can be removed from the spring terminal.

Since the pulling element is designed, for example, as a clip which is connected to the actuating element in an articulated manner and which engages around the clamping foot of the spring element for coupling, a reliable transmission of power from the actuating element to the clamping foot of the spring element is possible with fewer components, so that a simple and cost-effective production is possible.

The connection of the pulling element in the form of a clip element to the actuating element in an articulated manner can be realized, for example, by a coupling point in the form of an elongated hole. The first clip section of the pulling element, which is designed as a clip element, engages with play in the coupling point of the actuating element and can be pivoted in an articulated manner relative to the actuating element and can be moved along the elongated hole relative to the actuating element. In this way, the traction element is supported on the actuating element with play, so that the traction element can be deflected, for example, when the conductor is connected to the spring contact by direct insertion, i.e. without actuating the actuating element. In this case, the pulling element can be offset and does not prevent the direct plugging of the conductor to the spring contact.

In one embodiment, the actuating element is formed by a lever element which can be pivoted relative to the contact element. For example, the actuating element can be mounted on the contact element in a pivotable manner, for example by means of a mounting element in the form of a pin arranged on the contact element, which pin engages in a mounting opening of the actuating element. Since the actuating element is supported directly on the contact element (and not on the housing part), during actuation of the actuating element, a flow of force is predominantly present between the actuating element and the contact element, so that twisting of the housing part can be avoided. During actuation, the actuating element is moved relative to the contact element in a defined manner under the action of the clamping foot of the spring element, so that the clamping foot is moved relative to the contact element in order to connect a conductor to the spring contact or to remove a connected conductor from the spring contact.

The actuating path of the actuating element relative to the contact element can be limited here, for example, by one or more path limiting elements acting between the contact element and the actuating element. For example, the bearing openings of the actuating element are formed with (radially inwardly projecting) projections which, during a deflection of the actuating element, for example, interact with the bearing elements of the contact element in order to limit the actuating path of the actuating element.

On the other hand, the actuating element can be moved relative to the contact element between a non-actuating position and an actuating position. The actuating position and the non-actuating position can be predefined by the path-limiting element, wherein the clamping foot can be moved away from the contact section of the contact element by the actuating element being moved from the non-actuating position into the actuating position. In the basic position, the clamping feet are, for example, adjacent to the contact sections of the contact elements, so that the electrical conductor can be plugged into the spring contacts for clamping. In the clamping position, the clamping feet then hold the electrical conductor in contact abutment against the contact section, so that both an electrical contact of the conductor with the contact section and a mechanical retention of the conductor on the contact element are established. By actuating the actuating element, the clamping feet can be moved away from the contact sections of the contact elements, so that the conductor can be easily connected to the spring contact, or the clamping can be released and the conductor can be removed when the conductor has been connected.

It may be advantageous here for the operating element to assume a stable position relative to the contact element when in the operating position. If the actuating element is transferred from the inoperative position into the actuating position, the actuating element remains in the actuating position which it then occupies and, in particular, cannot be easily moved back again automatically into the inoperative position. The operating element is moved back into the non-operating position only by acting on the operating element, for example manually or by using a tool. The actuating element remains in the actuating position after its actuation, which indicates that the actuating element has been actuated. The user can thus clearly see from here that the conductor can be plugged into the spring contact or that the connected conductor can be removed.

The stable position of the actuating element in the actuating position can be achieved in various ways. For example, in the actuating position, the traction element coupling the actuating element with the clamping leg of the spring element can extend at least approximately over the deflection axis of the actuating element, so that, due to the elastic tension on the spring element, no restoring moment in the direction of the non-actuating position is exerted on the actuating element by the spring force. In this way, the actuating element assumes a stable position in the actuating position, and can only be moved out again by force action, for example manually or by using a tool.

In addition or alternatively, the actuating element can be held in its inoperative position and/or its actuating position, for example, by the action of a stop device. Such a stop device can be formed, for example, by a stop projection on the housing part or on the lever section of the actuating element, which stop projection can be brought into operative connection with a corresponding stop recess on the respective other part, i.e. on the actuating element or on the housing part. In the locking position, the locking projection engages in the corresponding locking recess and in this way locks the actuating element in the position just occupied, for example the non-actuating position and/or the actuating position.

In one embodiment, the spring element has a retaining edge, by means of which the spring element is supported on the contact element and, if applicable, on the housing part. The spring element can thus be supported on the contact element and can also be held on the housing part. The clamping foot is movable under spring force against the retaining edge, and by deviating the clamping foot, the spring element can be biased and, in addition, a clamping force for mechanical and electrical contact of the electrical conductor can be provided. During the actuation of the actuating element, the clamping foot is moved relative to the holding edge under the influence of the elasticity by the deformation of the spring element.

In one embodiment, the housing part has a plug-in opening for inserting the electrical conductor in the plug-in direction. The electrical conductor can be inserted into the plug-in opening, for example, with the insulated conductor end removed, so that the conductor end interacts with the spring element and is held on the contact element by means of the clamping feet in an electrically contacting and mechanically locking manner.

Drawings

The basic idea of the invention is explained in detail below with reference to embodiments shown in the drawings. In the figure:

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of an embodiment of the resilient tab with the actuating member in a non-actuating position;

FIG. 1B is a side view of the arrangement with reference to FIG. 1A;

FIG. 2A is a perspective view of the elastomeric joint as the operating member is operated;

FIG. 2B is a side view of the arrangement with reference to FIG. 2A;

FIG. 3A is a specific view of the contact element and the operating element of the resilient joint with the operating element in the non-operating position;

FIG. 3B is a side view of the arrangement with reference to FIG. 3A;

FIG. 4A is a view of the spring contact as it engages a conductor;

FIG. 4B is a side view of the arrangement with reference to FIG. 4A;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged partial view of the view of FIG. 4B, showing the mobility of the traction element in connecting the conductors; and

fig. 6 is a special view of the contact element and the actuating element.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1A, 1B to 6 show an embodiment of a spring force terminal 1 with a housing part 10 and an electrically conductive contact element 11 in the form of a current bar arranged on the housing part 10. The housing part 10 is made of an electrically insulating (plastic) material and has a plug-in opening 100 into which a conductor 2 (see fig. 4A and 4B) can be inserted in a plug-in direction E in order to make electrical contact with the contact element 11.

In the connected position, the conductor 2 is held on the contact element 11 by means of a spring force. For this purpose, the spring force connection 1 has a spring element 12 which is made of a resilient elastic material, for example spring steel, and which is applied around a retaining section 101 of the housing part 10 and is retained on the housing part 10. The spring element 12 is supported relative to the contact element 11 and on the housing part 10 by means of a retaining edge 121. The clamping leg 120, which extends in the region of the plug-in opening 100 toward the flat contact section 110 of the contact element 11, is bent over against the retaining edge 121.

The spring-force terminal 1 allows a so-called direct plug-in connection of the conductor 2, in that the conductor 2 is inserted into the plug-in opening 100 with the insulated conductor end removed, so that the clamping feet 120 are offset from the position shown in fig. 1B. As shown in fig. 4A and 4B, in the inserted position, the conductor end of the conductor 2 is located between the clamping foot 120 and the contact section 110 of the contact element 11, so that the conductor end is pressed by the clamping foot 120 into abutment with the contact section 110 in an electrical contact manner and is clamped by the clamping foot 120 against the contact section 110.

The spring joint 1 has an actuating element 13 in the form of a lever element with a manually actuated lever section 130 which is mounted on the contact element 11 so as to be pivotable about a pivot axis D. For this purpose, the actuating element 13 has a body 135, in which a bearing opening 131 is formed, through which a bearing element 112 in the form of a flat pin, which is integrally formed on the section 111 of the contact element 11, extends. In this way, the actuating element 13 can be supported directly on the contact element 11 and can be pivoted relative to the contact element 11.

The actuating element 13 is coupled to the clamping foot 120 of the spring element 12 via a tension element 14 in the form of a bracket. For this purpose, the pulling element 14 is coupled at one end to the actuating element 13 in an articulated manner via two first clip sections 140 formed by the ends of the clip, and at the other, the second clip section 141, which is connected at the distal end to the first clip section 140 via a longitudinal section 142, clasps the clip base 120 in such a way that the pulling element 14 can be moved both relative to the actuating element 13 and relative to the clip base 120.

The pulling element 14 in the form of a clip can, for example, be designed in the form of a ring (substantially closed, but separated on the actuating element 13 side) and in this case snap into a coupling point 132 in the form of a long hole in the body 135 on both sides. Furthermore, the pulling element 14 is connected to the actuating element 13 in an articulated manner and can be moved with play in the coupling point 132, so that the pulling element 14 can be deflected when the conductor 2 is plugged directly, as described in more detail below.

Lead-in slots 134 (see, for example, fig. 2A) are formed on both sides of the body 135, through which the first clip section 140 can be led into the coupling points 132 on the body 135 during assembly of the resilient joint 1.

Alternatively, the pulling element 14 can be designed as a U-shaped clip which snaps with a clip section 140 into the coupling point 132 and with a second clip section 141 around the clip leg 120.

The handling element 13 serves to facilitate the connection of the conductors 2 and to allow the removal of the connected conductors 2. In the inoperative position shown in fig. 1A and 1B, the lever section 130 is oriented vertically upwards (parallel to the plugging direction E) and (when the conductor 2 is not connected to the spring contact 1) the clamping foot 120 is in the basic position shown in fig. 1B.

The actuating element 13 can be transferred from a non-actuating position into an actuating position shown in fig. 2A and 2B, in which the lever section 130 extends substantially horizontally (transversely to the plug-in direction E) relative to the contact element 11 and acts via the pulling element 14 on the clamping foot 120 in such a way that it is pulled out of its basic position and moved away from the contact section 110 of the contact element 11.

By deflecting the actuating element 13 from the inoperative position in the direction of the deflection direction S about the deflection axis D into the operative position, the clamping feet 120 can be acted upon in order to be able to (easily) connect the conductor 2 to the spring contact 1 or to remove the connected conductor 2. By actuating the actuating element 13, the clamping feet 120 are moved away from the contact sections 110 of the contact elements 11 facing away from the actuating element 13, so that the conductors 2 can be easily inserted into the plug openings 100 and attached to the contact elements 11, or when the conductors 2 have been connected, the clamping of the conductors 2 on the contact elements 11 is released.

The pulling element 14 is formed by a clip element and can be coupled both to the actuating element 13 in an articulated manner with play and to the foot 120 of the spring element 12 by means of a loose snap-in connection, so that a simple design is achieved with a reliable transmission of power between the actuating element 13 and the foot 120 with fewer components.

As shown in fig. 2B, in the actuating position of the actuating element 13, the pulling element 14 (tightly) approaches the pivot axis D of the actuating element 13, so that the spring force resulting from the pivoting of the clamping foot 120 acts on the actuating element 13 with a very small lever, which exerts a negligibly small torque on the actuating element 13.

A stop projection 102 (see, for example, fig. 2A) is arranged on the housing part 10, which stop projection interacts with a stop recess 136 on the lever section 130 of the actuating element 13. The actuating element 13 is accommodated between a housing front plate, not shown in the drawing, and a housing rear plate, visible in the drawing, wherein stop projections 102 are arranged on both housing plates, which stop projections each face the actuating element 13 and interact with stop recesses 136 on both sides of the lever section 130.

In the non-operating position (fig. 1A and 1B), the first upper stop tab 102 engages an upper stop notch in the stop notches 136 on the lever section 130. While in the actuated position (fig. 2A and 2B), the other lower stop tab 102 engages a corresponding lower stop notch 136 on the lever segment 130. By means of this snap-fit, the position of the actuating element 13 is fixed in a form-fitting manner in the inoperative position and in the actuating position.

After actuation of the actuating element 13, the actuating element 13 remains in the actuating position according to fig. 2A and 2B without being automatically reset, in order to indicate to the user that the actuating element 13 has been actuated and thus to deflect the clamping feet 120, so that the conductor 2 can be connected or the connected conductor 2 can be removed.

The actuating element 13 is mounted directly on the contact element 11, so that the power flow is located directly between the actuating element 13 and the contact element 11, without passing through the housing part 10. This prevents the housing part 10 from being twisted during the actuation of the actuating element 13.

The support of the actuating element 13 on the contact element 11 is provided by the latching of the support element 112, which is formed by the curved section of the contact element 11, which is formed as a curved plate, into the support opening 131 of the actuating element 13. Two radially inwardly projecting path limiting elements 133 are formed at the bearing opening 131 of the actuating element 13, which limit the actuating path of the actuating element 13 between a non-actuating position (fig. 1A and 1B) and an actuating position (fig. 2A and 2B). The actuating element 13 can thus be pivoted by approximately 90 ° between two defined positions (see also fig. 6).

As described above, the conductors 2 can also be connected by direct plug-in, i.e. without actuating the actuating element 13. The pulling element 14 is connected with play to the body 135 of the actuating element 13 via a coupling point 132 in the form of an elongated hole, so that the pulling element 14 can be moved along the elongated hole, as shown in fig. 4A and 4B and also in fig. 5 (fig. 4A and 4B show the pulling element 14 in different positions on the coupling point 132 in the form of an elongated hole).

If the actuating element 13 is not actuated, the pulling element 14 can be moved with its second clip section 141 in the space R1 (see fig. 5), with which the pulling element 14 clasps the clip leg 120 of the spring element 12 when the clip leg 120 is in its undeflected basic position. If the clamping foot 120 is deflected by the direct plugging of the conductor 2, the second hoop section 141 can move in the space R2. In this way, the pulling element 14 can be deflected without interfering with the insertion of the conductor 2, despite the fact that the actuating element 13 is not actuated, when the conductor 2 is directly plugged in. In particular, the pulling element 14 does not wedge with the conductor 2, but can move in the coupling point 132, so that the conductor 2 can be easily plugged onto the contact element 11 under the deflection of the clamping foot 120.

The basic idea of the invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but can of course also be implemented in other types of embodiments.

A resilient joint of the type described herein may be used, for example, for a contact plug or clip arrangement of a plug connector component, such as a wire clip or the like. This is not a limiting feature of the invention. A resilient contact of the type described herein can be used in a completely different manner for a completely different electrical assembly.

Description of the reference numerals

1 elastic force joint

10 housing part

100 plug-in opening

101 holding section

102 stop tab

11 contact element (Current bar)

110 contact section

Section 111

112 supporting element

12 spring element

120 clamping foot

121 holding edge

13 operating element

130 pole segment

131 support opening

132 coupling point (Long hole)

133 path limiting element

134 lead-in groove

135 body

136 stop notch

14 traction element (hoop element)

140 clamp segment

141 band segment

142 longitudinal section

2 conductor

D deflection shaft

E direction of insertion

Direction of S deflection

Claims

1. A resilient joint (1) for connecting electrical conductors (2), having: a housing part (10); an electrically conductive contact element (11) for electrical contact with a conductor (2) connected to the spring contact (1), the contact element being arranged on the housing part (10); a spring element (12) having a clamping foot (120) which is movable relative to the contact element (11) for applying a spring force to a conductor (2) connected to the spring force terminal (1); and an actuating element (13) for moving the clamping foot (120), characterized by a traction element (14) which is movably coupled to the actuating element (13) and movably coupled to the clamping foot (120) and is designed to exert a traction force on the clamping foot (120) during the actuation of the actuating element (13) in order to move the clamping foot (120) relative to the contact element (11), the traction element (14) being formed by a clip element which is connected to the actuating element (13) in an articulated manner by means of a first clip section (140) and which clasps the clamping foot (120) by means of a second clip section (141).

2. The spring force joint (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the actuating element (13) has a coupling point (132) in the form of a slot, into which the first clip section (140) snaps.

3. The resilient joint (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the operating element (13) is constituted by a rod element which is deflectable relative to the contact element (11).

4. The resilient joint (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the contact element (11) constitutes a bearing element (112) on which the actuating element (13) is supported in a deflectable manner.

5. The resilient joint (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that the bearing element (112) is formed by a pin element formed on the contact element (11), which engages with a bearing opening (131) of the actuating element (13).

6. The resilient joint (1) according to claim 1, wherein the actuation element (13) has at least one path limiting element (133) for limiting an actuation path relative to the contact element (11).

7. The resilient joint (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the operating element (13) is movable relative to the contact element (11) between a non-operating position and an operating position, wherein the clamping foot (120) is movable away from the contact section (110) of the contact element (11) by transferring the operating element (13) from the non-operating position to the operating position.

8. The resilient joint (1) according to claim 7, wherein the operating element (13) assumes a stable posture relative to the contact element (11) in the operating position.

9. The resilient joint (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the spring element (12) has a retaining edge (121) by means of which the spring element (12) is supported on the contact element (11).

10. The spring force connector (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the housing part (10) has a plug-in opening (100) for plugging in an electrical conductor (2) along a plug-in direction (E).