CN117913585A

CN117913585A - Electrical connection device with pivotable actuating element

Info

Publication number: CN117913585A
Application number: CN202311350176.5A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 凯文·贝格哈恩; 海因茨·赖布克
Original assignee: Phoenix Contact GmbH and Co KG
Current assignee: Phoenix Contact GmbH and Co KG
Priority date: 2022-10-19
Filing date: 2023-10-18
Publication date: 2024-04-19
Also published as: DE102022127534A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a connection device for connecting electrical conductors, comprising: the electrical conductor can be clamped in the conductor connection space in the housing by means of the clamping leg relative to the contact element, and the clamping leg can be transferred into a release position for releasing the electrical conductor, and the connection device has an actuating element which is pivotably mounted on the housing about a pivot axis to an open position, the actuating element having an actuating region and a support arm, wherein the actuating region is configured for sliding on an actuating section of the clamping leg when the actuating element is pivoted and for holding the clamping leg in the release position in the open position, wherein at least a part of the conductor connection space is arranged between the pivot axis and the clamping leg when the clamping leg is in the release position. In this case, it is provided that the actuating region of the actuating element is arranged between the pivot axis and the portion of the arm.

Description

Electrical connection device with pivotable actuating element

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a connection device for connecting electrical conductors according to the preamble of claim 1.

Background

Electrical connection devices of different designs are known from practice. In the screw connection, for example, an electrical line is plugged into the socket with the stripped conductor end and then fastened in a clamping manner to the screw connection by tightening. In contrast, in spring force clamping devices, an electrical conductor is plugged into the socket and is in contact with the leg of the spring, wherein the spring acts on the electrical conductor such that it is mechanically locked and is in electrical contact with the current rail, for example.

It is generally desirable to implement the connection device as easily steerable as possible. It is furthermore desirable to be able to achieve a large cross section of the connectable electrical conductor while the dimensions of the connection device are comparatively small.

A connection device of the type mentioned at the outset is described in DE 299 15 515u 1. However, this connection requires relatively much installation space.

Other connection devices are known from DE 10 2015 115 612 A1 and DE 10 2018 010 359A1.

Disclosure of Invention

It is an object of the present invention to provide a further improved connection device for connecting electrical conductors.

This object is achieved by the subject matter having the features of claim 1.

The invention therefore proposes a connection device for connecting electrical conductors, comprising a housing, a contact element, a clamping spring with a clamping leg and an actuating element mounted on the housing so as to be pivotable about a pivot axis to an open position, the clamping leg being pretensioned toward a clamping position in which an electrical conductor can be clamped in a conductor connection space in the housing by means of the clamping leg relative to the contact element and the clamping leg can be transferred into a release position for releasing the electrical conductor, the actuating element having, for example, a protruding actuating region and a limb, wherein the actuating region is configured to slide on an actuating section of the clamping leg during a pivoting movement of the actuating element and to hold the clamping leg in the release position in the open position. It is provided here that at least a part of the conductor connection space is arranged between the pivot axis and the clamping leg, and that the actuating region of the actuating element is arranged between the pivot axis and a part of the arm, at least when the clamping leg is in the release position.

This achieves a compact design, since the pivot area of the actuating element can be used particularly well. Furthermore, this embodiment enables a comfortable transfer of the clamping leg between the clamping position and the release position. An improved connection device is thereby provided.

The clamping leg can be provided for locking the actuating element in the open position. The actuating element can therefore hold the clamping leg in the release position and the clamping leg in the open position. This achieves a self-retaining function without additional components. The actuating element can then be released from the locking and reset, for example, manually.

For example, when the actuating element is arranged in the open position holding the clamping leg in the release position, the spring-elastic restoring force of the clamping spring presses the actuating element against the stop surface. This enables a reliable hold in the open position.

Optionally, the actuating element is arranged on one side on the clamping spring. The actuating element acts on the clamping spring, for example, on one side only. This achieves a particularly compact design.

Part of the arm of the operating element may have a handle. This enables flexible handling.

When the actuating element is arranged in the open position, at least a part of the conductor connection space can be arranged between the pivot axis and the actuating region. This enables a wide pivoting movement of the actuating element.

The pivot axis may extend outside the conductor connection space. This makes it possible to realize an actuating element which is particularly long.

The clamping leg transitions into the holding leg of the clamping spring, for example, by a bend. In this case, the retaining leg can be arranged between the pivot axis and a part of the arm of the actuating element when the actuating element is in the open position. In this way, a compact embodiment can be achieved with an effective clamping.

It can be provided that the pivot axis is arranged below the clamping edge of the clamping leg when the connection device is oriented such that the holding leg is arranged above the conductor connection space.

The housing optionally has a retaining protrusion. The holding projection can fix a shaft body of the actuating element rotatably mounted on the bearing receptacle to the bearing receptacle. This prevents the actuating element from sliding out of its position when the electrical conductor is connected.

The housing may include a first housing member constituting the bearing housing portion and a second housing member constituting the holding projection. This enables a simple assembly. The two housing parts can be snapped into one another.

The shaft body is arranged, for example, next to the contact element. This achieves a particularly compact design.

Optionally, the housing has a guide profile of circular arc shape. The sliding surface of the actuating element can slide along the guide contour during a pivoting movement of the actuating element relative to the housing. This enables a precisely guided pivot track without jamming.

The actuating element can be configured to lock onto the housing in a closed position in which the clamping leg is disposed in the clamping position. This prevents the actuating element from moving out of the closed position when the electrical conductor is connected.

Optionally, the contact element extends through an opening of the clamping spring. This enables a particularly compact implementation and deep plugging of the electrical conductors to be connected.

The actuating element may have a guide contour for guiding the electrical conductor when inserted into the conductor connection space. This allows a particularly easy connection while at the same time being of simple construction.

Furthermore, the contact element can be configured in the form of a current bar and an electrical conductor can be inserted between the contact element and the clamping leg, wherein the contact element and the clamping spring are arranged in the housing.

Drawings

The idea underlying the invention is explained in detail below with the aid of an embodiment shown in the drawings. Wherein:

fig. 1 shows a sectional view of a connection device for connecting electrical conductors, having a housing, a contact element, a clamping spring and an actuating element which is pivotally mounted on the housing, wherein the actuating element is arranged in a position resting on the housing;

Fig. 2 shows a cross-sectional view of another section of the connection device;

Fig. 3 shows a sectional view of the connecting device, wherein the actuating element is arranged in an open position lifted from the housing;

fig. 4 shows a cross-sectional view of the connection device with the electrical conductor connected thereto;

fig. 5 and 6 show cross-sectional views of the connecting device in a further section, in which the shaft body of the actuating element can be seen;

fig. 7 to 10 show perspective views of the actuating element, the clamping spring and the contact element;

Fig. 11 to 13 show perspective views of the actuating element; and

Fig. 14 to 15 show perspective views of the connecting device.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1 to 6 show a connection device 1 in the form of a connection terminal, which is capable of electrically connecting an electrical conductor 2 to a contact element 11.

The connection device 1 comprises a housing 10, a contact element 11, a clamping element in the form of a clamping spring 12 and an actuating element 13.

A socket 102 is formed on the housing 10, into which the electrical conductor 2 can be plugged in the plugging direction E. The housing 10 defines an interior space, referred to herein as a conductor connection space 100, and is configured in the form of a chamber. The electrical conductor 2 can be introduced with the (insulation-removing) end 20 into the conductor connection space 100 by insertion into the socket 102 in order to be in electrical contact with the contact element 11 arranged in the housing 10 within the conductor connection space 100. The conductor connection space 100 is thus accessible from the outside via the socket 102. The housing 10 is made of an insulating material, for example, plastic.

The housing 10 is formed in two parts with a first housing part 103 and a second housing part 104. The two housing parts 103, 104 of the housing 10 are snapped onto one another.

The contact element 11 extends along a wall of the housing 10, more precisely here along the underside. The contact element 11 partially abuts against this wall of the housing 10. The contact element 11 serves as a current-guiding member. The contact element 11 is configured in this case as a strip and may also be referred to as a current strip. A plurality of electrical conductors 2 can be connected to the connection device 1, and the contact elements 11 are configured for electrically connecting the electrical conductors 2 to each other. Alternatively or additionally, it is also conceivable for the contact element to have a connection section which leads out of the housing 10 and serves to establish an electrical connection with other components.

The contact elements 11 extend in a plane extending parallel to the plugging direction E. The contact element 11 has a clamping edge 110 for clamping the spring 12 and the electrical conductor 2. The clamping edge 110 protrudes from the flat surface of the contact element 11.

In order to reliably bring the plugged electrical conductor 2 into electrical contact with the contact element 11, the connection device 1 comprises a clamping spring 12 having a clamping leg 120 which can be moved from a clamping position, in which the electrical conductor 2 can be clamped in the conductor connection space 100 relative to the contact element 11 by means of the clamping leg 120, to a release position, in which the electrical conductor 2 arranged in the conductor connection space 100 is released and can thus be removed. Furthermore, the release position allows the electrical conductor 2 to be introduced into the conductor connection space 100 without having to press the electrical conductor 2 against the clamping leg 120. Fig. 1,2, 4 and 5 show the clamping position of the electrical conductor 2 without or with a connection, and fig. 3 and 6 show the release position.

The clamping spring 12 is shown without a housing in fig. 7 to 10. In this case, it is provided that the clamping spring 12 is configured asymmetrically. In particular, the retaining legs 122 of the clamping spring 12 are asymmetrically configured, as will be explained in further detail below.

The clamping spring 12 is constructed in the form of a spring element. The clamping spring 12 is bent a plurality of times and has a plurality of bent portions 121A-121C. The clamping spring 12 is formed in one piece here, for example by stamping and bending a piece of flat material. The clamping spring 12 is made of spring steel.

The clamping leg 120 is constructed from a first leg of the clamping spring 12. The retaining leg 122 of the clamping spring 12 is constructed by a second leg. The holding leg 122 and the clamping leg 120 are connected to each other by a bent portion 121A.

The clamping leg 120 can be displaced relative to the holding leg 122, wherein in particular the curvature 121A is elastically curved (its curvature changes), see for example fig. 1 and 3. The bent portion 121A is provided in the housing 10 in the accommodation portion 101 of the housing 10.

In the clamping position, the clamping leg 120 rests against the contact element 11 (see, for example, fig. 1) or against the electrical conductor 2 arranged between the contact element 11 and the clamping leg 120 (see, for example, fig. 4). In particular, the clamping leg 120 has a clamping edge 127, which clamping edge 127, when the conductor connection space 100 is free, rests in the clamping position against the clamping edge 110 of the contact element 11, and when the electrical conductor 2 is arranged in the conductor connection space 100, the clamping edge 127 presses against the electrical conductor 2.

If the electrical conductor 2 is to be plugged or has been plugged into the socket 102, the clamping leg 120 of the clamping spring 12 acts on the electrical conductor 2 in the clamped position, so that the electrical conductor 2 is mechanically locked and is in electrical contact with the contact element 11. By clamping the electrical conductor 2 between the two clamping edges 110, 127, the mechanical locking is improved.

In the release position, the clamping leg 120 is arranged closer to the holding leg 122 than in the clamping position. In the release position, the electrical conductor 2 arranged in the conductor connection space 100 can be removed.

A (second) bend 121B is connected to the holding section 122, which transitions into the connecting section 123. The holding leg 122 connects the clamping leg 120 with the connecting section 123 (via the two bends 121A, 121B). The connecting section 123 connects the retaining leg 122 with the stop section 124. In this case, the connecting section 123 transitions into the stop section 124 via the (third) bend 121C. The connecting section 123 has an opening 126. The electrical conductors 2 to be connected can be plugged through the openings 126 (see, for example, fig. 4). The opening 126 is aligned with the socket 102. Furthermore, in the embodiment shown, the protrusions 111 of the contact element 11 extend through the openings 126. As can be seen, for example, from fig. 1, the stop section 124 is arranged between adjacent walls of the contact element 11 and the housing 10, wherein it lies in planar contact with the adjacent walls of the contact element 11 and the housing 10, respectively. The clamping spring 12 is securely locked in the housing 10 by the connecting section 123 and the stop section 124.

The connecting section 123 of the clamping spring 12 is fixed between the holding section 105 of the first housing part 103 and the holding section 106 of the second housing part 104.

The clamping leg 120 is slightly curved. The clamping spring 12 extends from the clamping leg 120 first to a (first) bend 121A oriented to the right in the viewing direction (corresponding to fig. 1 to 4). The curved portion 121A is curved in a direction opposite to the clamping leg 120. The curved portion 121A forms an angle of about or greater than 180 degrees depending on the position. Followed by a likewise slightly curved retaining leg 122. Next is a (second) curvature 121B, by means of which curvature 121B the holding leg 122 is connected to the connecting section 123. The curvature 121B is likewise directed to the right (in the same viewing direction) and approximately at right angles. Followed by a (third) bend 121C which in turn points to the right and is at a substantially right angle. Therefore, all three maximum curved portions 121A-121C are curved in the same direction.

Exactly one actuating section, in this case in the form of an actuating tab 125, is formed on the clamping leg 120. The actuating tab 125 protrudes from the remaining clamping leg 120. The actuating tab 125 is formed on the side of the clamping leg 120 between the clamping edge 127 and the (first) curvature 121A. In the embodiment shown here, the actuating tab 125 is formed integrally with the clamping leg 120 and thus with the clamping spring 12. The clamping leg 120 is thus configured asymmetrically in such a way that the actuating tab 125 is configured only on one of its two opposite sides.

The clamping legs 120 of the clamping spring 12 are spring-resiliently preloaded into the clamping position. In order to transfer the clamping leg 120 from the clamping position into the release position (and vice versa), the connecting device 1 comprises an actuating element 13.

Fig. 7 to 10 show the clamping spring 12 and the actuating element 13 and demonstrate their interaction. The support of the actuating element 13 on the housing 10 is illustrated in particular in fig. 5 and 6. The actuating element 13 is pivotally supported within the housing 10 about a pivot axis D (see, for example, fig. 5). For this purpose, the connecting device 1 comprises a bearing receptacle 109, on which the shaft body 131 of the actuating element 13 is rotatably mounted. The shaft body 131 has an arc-shaped section.

The housing 10 has a holding projection 108 which fixes a shaft body 131 of the actuating element 13, which is supported at the bearing receptacle 109, at the bearing receptacle 109. The retaining projection 108 is configured on the second housing piece 104. The bearing receptacle 109 is formed on the first housing part 103. Here, the end face of the contact element 11 adjoins the bearing receptacle 109. The shaft body 131 accommodated in the bearing accommodation 109 is disposed beside the contact element 11.

In addition to the shaft body 131, the operating element 13 has an engagement portion into which the holding projection 108 engages when the operating element 13 is moved to the open position (see, for example, fig. 6).

A clamping contour is formed on the shaft body 131, by means of which clamping contour the shaft body 131 is clamped in the closed position between the holding projection 108 and the bearing receptacle 109. The actuating element 13 is thereby locked to the housing 10 in the closed position. Thus, the connection device 1 remains closed in the case of connecting the electrical conductors 2.

The actuating element 13 is shown separately in fig. 11 to 13. The actuating element 13 is configured as a pivot lever and has an arm 133.

The operating element 13 has a handle 132 on one end of a support arm 133. In the clamped position, the handle 132 rests against the housing 10. Here, the handle 132 protrudes from the housing 10 so that it can be easily gripped (see, for example, fig. 1). The handle 132 can be manually manipulated to pivot the manipulating element 13 relative to the housing 10 about the pivot axis D. Here, the shaft body 131 rotates in its bearing receptacle about the pivot axis D. The arm 133 of the actuating element 13 connects the handle 132 to the shaft 131. The arm 133 is arranged beside the clamping spring 12 on one side. The shaft 131 (and corresponding pivot axis D) is disposed on the end of the arm 133 remote from the end 136.

The actuating element 13 is pivotally mounted on the housing 10 between a closed position (see, for example, fig. 1) and an open position (see, for example, fig. 3). In the open position of the actuating element 13, the clamping leg 120 is held in the release position by the actuating element 13.

The actuating element 13 is arranged on one side on the clamping spring 12. Furthermore, the actuating element 13 has precisely one actuating region 130 which interacts with the actuating tab 125 of the clamping leg 120 of the clamping spring 12. The handling area 130 is formed on the arm 133. The manipulation region 130 is convex. A recess 135 is formed next to the actuating region 130. The recess 135 is formed by a concave section. If the actuating element 13 is in the closed position and no electrical conductor 2 is arranged in the conductor connection space 100, the actuating tab 125 engages in the recess 125.

Rotation of the actuating element 13 about the pivot axis D causes the actuating region 130 of the actuating element 13 to press against the actuating tab 125 of the clamping leg 12, so that the clamping leg is displaced from the clamping position into the release position against the spring force of the clamping spring 12. The clamping leg 120 of the clamping spring 12 is thereby pressed against the holding leg 122.

Upon a pivoting movement relative to the housing 10, the actuating region 130 slides on the actuating tab 125 of the clamping leg 12. The actuating tab 125 of the clamping leg 12 slides on the actuating region 130 in contrast, in this case on the upper side to the end face of the actuating region 130.

The clamping leg 120 is furthermore provided for locking the actuating element 13 in the open position. In the open position, the actuating tab 125 rests against the end face of the actuating region 130. When the actuating element 13 is arranged in the open position, which holds the clamping leg 120 in the release position, the spring-elastic restoring force of the clamping spring 12 presses the actuating element 13 against the stop surface a of the housing 10 (see, for example, fig. 3 and 5). The force vector of the restoring force is directed in this case in the direction of the side of the pivot axis D facing away from the socket 102.

Thus, a self-retaining function in the tensioned state is provided by the arrangement of the actuating region 130 and the pivot axis D relative to one another. The release of the clamping spring 12 is likewise effected by actuation of the actuating element 13 from the open position into the closed position.

The actuating element 13 furthermore has a sliding surface 134. The sliding surface 134 is formed on the arm 133. The housing 10 has a circular-arc-shaped guide contour 107, on which the sliding surface 134 of the actuating element 13 slides during the pivoting movement of the actuating element 13 relative to the housing 10.

Furthermore, the actuating element 13 has a guide contour 136 for guiding the electrical conductor 2 when the electrical conductor 2 is inserted into the conductor connection space 100. The guide contour 136 is formed adjacent to the actuating region 130, in particular on the side of the actuating element 13 on which the actuating region 130 and the section of the guide contour 136 (in this case the projection) are formed opposite the actuating region 130. The guide profile 136 has a chamfer and a radius (typically optionally at least one chamfer and/or at least one radius).

At least a portion of the conductor connection space 100 is disposed between the pivot axis D and the clamping leg 120 when the clamping leg 120 is in the release position. Furthermore, it is provided that the actuating region 130 of the actuating element 13 is arranged between the pivot axis D and a part of the arm 133. The portion of the arm 133 includes a handle 132.

When the operating element 13 is in the open position and also when the operating element 13 is in the closed position, at least a portion of the conductor connection space 100 is arranged between the pivot axis D and the handle 132. The manipulation region 130 is arranged between the pivot axis D and the handle 132. When the actuating element 13 is arranged in the open position, at least a part of the conductor connection space 100 is arranged between the pivot axis D and the actuating region 130. When the operating element 13 is in the open position, the retaining leg 122 of the clamping spring 12 is arranged between the pivot axis D and the handle 132 of the operating element 13.

The pivot axis D does not extend through the conductor connection space 100, i.e. it extends outside the conductor connection space 100.

Fig. 14 and 15 show a connection device 1 in the form of a plurality of connection terminals, here three electrical conductors 2. One electrical conductor 2 each is insertable into one (of the three) sockets 102. The corresponding actuating element 13 moves the respective clamping spring 12 from the clamping position into the release position and vice versa. The contact elements 11 extend into all conductor connection spaces 100 of the illustrated connection device 1.

Description of the reference numerals

1 Connection device

10 Shell body

100 Conductor connection space

101 Accommodating portion

102 Socket

103 First housing part

104 Second housing part

105 Holding section

106 Holding section

107 Guide profile

108 Holding projection

109 Bearing housing

11 Contact element

110 Clamping edge

111 Projection

12 Clamping spring

120 Clamping leg

121A-121C bends

122 Holding leg

123 Connection section

124 Stop section

125 Control section (control tab)

126 Opening

127 Clamping edge

13 Operating element

130 Manipulation zone

131 Shaft body

132 Handle

133 Support arm

134 Sliding surface

135 Concave part

136 Guide profile

2 Electric conductor

20 End portions

A stop surface

D pivot axis

E direction of insertion

Claims

1. A connection device (1) for connecting electrical conductors (2), comprising:

a housing (10),

A contact element (11),

-A clamping spring (12) having a clamping leg (120) which is pretensioned into a clamping position in which an electrical conductor (2) can be clamped in a conductor connection space (100) in the housing (10) by means of the clamping leg (120) relative to the contact element (11) and which can be transferred into a release position for releasing the electrical conductor (2), and

-A handling element (13) which is mounted pivotably on the housing (10) about a pivot axis (D) to an open position, the handling element having a handling region (130) and a limb (133), wherein the handling region (130) is designed to slide on a handling section (125) of the clamping leg (120) during a pivoting movement of the handling element (13) and to hold the clamping leg (120) in the release position in the open position, wherein at least a part of the conductor connection space (100) is arranged between the pivot axis (D) and the clamping leg (120) when the clamping leg (120) is in the release position,

It is characterized in that the method comprises the steps of,

The actuation region (130) of the actuation element (13) is arranged between the pivot axis (D) and a part of the arm (133).

2. The connecting device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the clamping leg (120) is provided for locking the actuating element (13) in the open position.

3. The connecting device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the spring-elastic restoring force of the clamping spring (12) presses the actuating element (13) against the stop surface (a) when the actuating element (13) is arranged in the open position holding the clamping leg (120) in the release position.

4. The connection device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the actuating element (13) is arranged on one side on the clamping spring (12).

5. The connection device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the portion of the arm (133) of the operating element (13) has a handle (132).

6. The connection device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least a portion of the conductor connection space (100) is arranged between the pivot axis (D) and the handling area (130) when the handling element (13) is arranged in the open position.

7. The connection device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pivot axis (D) extends outside the conductor connection space (100).

8. The connection device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the clamping leg (120) transitions via a bend (121A) to a holding leg (122) of the clamping spring (12), wherein the holding leg (122) is arranged between the pivot axis (D) and the portion of the arm (133) of the operating element (13) when the operating element (13) is in the open position.

9. The connection device (1) according to claim 8, characterized in that the pivot axis (D) is arranged below a clamping edge (127) of the clamping leg (120) when the connection device (1) is oriented such that a holding leg (122) is arranged above the conductor connection space (100).

10. The connecting device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the housing (10) has a holding projection (108) which secures a shaft body (131) of the actuating element (13) rotatably supported on a bearing receptacle (109) on the bearing receptacle (109).

11. The connection device (1) according to claim 10, characterized in that the housing (10) comprises a first housing part (103) constituting the bearing accommodation (109) and a second housing part (104) constituting the holding projection (108).

12. The connection device (1) according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that the shaft body (131) is arranged beside the contact element (11).

13. The connecting device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the housing (10) has a guide profile (107) of circular arc shape along which the sliding surface (134) of the operating element (13) slides upon a pivoting movement of the operating element (13) relative to the housing (10).

14. The connection device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the actuating element (13) is configured to be locked on the housing (10) in a closed position in which the clamping leg (120) is arranged in the clamping position.

15. The connection device (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the contact element (11) extends through an opening (126) of the clamping spring (12).

16. The connection device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the handling element (13) has at least one guiding profile (136) for guiding the insertion of the electrical conductor (2) into the conductor connection space (100).

17. The connection device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the contact element (11) is configured in the form of a current bar and the electrical conductor (2) can be inserted between the contact element (11) and the clamping leg (120), wherein the contact element (11) and the clamping spring (12) are arranged in the housing (10).