Conductor connection terminal

Abstract

A conductor connection terminal with an insulating material housing, a busbar component, a first clamping leg and a second clamping leg, wherein the first clamping leg and the second clamping leg are arranged on a clamping spring or on different clamping springs, respectively, wherein the first clamping leg and the busbar component form a first clamping point for a first electrical conductor to be clamped, and the second clamping leg and the busbar component form a second clamping point for a second electrical conductor to be clamped, wherein the busbar component comprises a first conductor receiving section and a second conductor receiving section at diametrically opposite areas of one another, wherein the first conductor receiving section and the second conductor receiving section are connected to one another via a connecting section.

Claims

1. A conductor connection terminal comprising: an insulating material housing; a busbar component; a first clamping leg; and a second clamping leg, wherein the first clamping leg and the second clamping leg are arranged on different clamping springs, respectively, wherein the first clamping leg and the busbar component form a first clamping point for a first electrical conductor to be clamped, and the second clamping leg and the busbar component form a second clamping point for a second electrical conductor to be clamped, wherein the busbar component comprises a first conductor receiving section and a second conductor receiving section at diametrically opposite areas of one another, wherein the first conductor receiving section and the second conductor receiving section are connected to one another via a connecting section, wherein the first electrical conductor is adapted to be fed to the first clamping point via the first conductor receiving section in a first conductor insertion direction and the second electrical conductor is adapted to be fed to the second clamping point via the second conductor receiving section in a second conductor insertion direction, wherein the busbar component has a bottom section comprising the first and second clamping points, a top surface and two opposing side surfaces which connect the bottom section to the top surface, wherein the first conductor receiving section and the second conductor receiving section are designed to be closed circumferentially, wherein the connecting section has at least one recess within the bottom section, and wherein the top surface is designed as a conductor run-up chamfer.

2. The conductor connection terminal according to claim 1, wherein the busbar component has fastening tabs for fastening the clamping springs to the bus bar component.

3. The conductor connection terminal according to claim 1, wherein the at least one recess of the connecting section is arranged substantially central between the first conductor receiving section and the second conductor receiving section.

4. The conductor connection terminal according to claim 1, wherein the clamping springs include a first clamping spring and a second clamping spring, the first clamping spring having a contact leg, the first clamping leg and a spring arc arranged between the contact leg and the first clamping leg, and wherein the first clamping leg extends towards the busbar component and has a spring clamping edge for clamping the first electrical conductor, wherein the second clamping spring has a contact leg, the second clamping leg and a spring arc arranged between the contact leg and the second clamping leg, and wherein the second clamping leg extends towards the busbar component and has a spring clamping edge for clamping the second electrical conductor.

5. The conductor connection terminal according to claim 1, wherein the conductor connection terminal has an actuating lever, wherein the actuating lever is arranged for deflecting the first clamping leg or the second clamping leg.

6. The conductor connection terminal according to claim 1, wherein the at least one recess is closed by the insulating material housing.

7. The conductor connection terminal according to claim 1, wherein a conductor stop is arranged on the conductor connection terminal for the positioning of the first electrical conductor to be clamped and/or the second electrical conductor to be clamped, and wherein the conductor stop is arranged in the area of the at least one recess.

8. The conductor connection terminal according to claim 7, wherein the conductor stop is arranged on the insulating material housing.

9. The conductor connection terminal according to claim 7, wherein the insulating material housing is transparent at least in the area of the conductor stop, such that the conductor stop is seen through the insulating material housing.

10. A conductor connection terminal comprising: an insulating material housing; a busbar component; a first clamping leg; and a second clamping leg, wherein the first clamping leg and the second clamping leg are arranged on different clamping springs, respectively, wherein the first clamping leg and the busbar component form a first clamping point for a first electrical conductor to be clamped, and the second clamping leg and the busbar component form a second clamping point fora second electrical conductor to be clamped, wherein the busbar component comprises a first conductor receiving section and a second conductor receiving section at diametrically opposite areas of one another, wherein the first conductor receiving section and the second conductor receiving section are connected to one another via a connecting section, wherein the first electrical conductor is adapted to be fed to the first clamping point via the first conductor receiving section in a first conductor insertion direction and the second electrical conductor is adapted to be fed to the second clamping point via the second conductor receiving section in a second conductor insertion direction, wherein the busbar component has a bottom section comprising the first and second clamping points, a top surface and two opposing side surfaces which connect the bottom section to the top surface, wherein the first conductor receiving section and the second conductor receiving section are designed to be closed circumferentially, wherein the connecting section has at least one recess within the bottom section, and wherein the at least one recess extends over the side surfaces.

11. The conductor connection terminal according to claim 10, wherein the busbar component is U-shaped in a cross section substantially perpendicular to the first conductor insertion direction and/or to the second conductor insertion direction.

12. The conductor connection terminal according to claim 11, wherein the top surface is V-shaped in cross section in a direction of the first conductor insertion direction and/or the second conductor insertion direction.

13. A conductor connection terminal comprising: an insulating material housing; a busbar component; a first clamping leg; and a second clamping leg, wherein the first clamping leg and the second clamping leg are arranged on different clamping springs, respectively, wherein the first clamping leg and the busbar component form a first clamping point for a first electrical conductor to be clamped, and the second clamping leg and the busbar component form a second clamping point for a second electrical conductor to be clamped, wherein the busbar component comprises a first conductor receiving section and a second conductor receiving section at diametrically opposite areas of one another, wherein the first conductor receiving section and the second conductor receiving section are connected to one another via a connecting section, wherein the first electrical conductor is adapted to be fed to the first clamping point via the first conductor receiving section in a first conductor insertion direction and the second electrical conductor is adapted to be fed to the second clamping point via the second conductor receiving section in a second conductor insertion direction, wherein the busbar component has a bottom section comprising the first and second clamping points, a top surface and two opposing side surfaces which connect the bottom section to the top surface, wherein the first conductor receiving section and the second conductor receiving section are designed to be closed circumferentially, wherein the connecting section has at least one recess within the bottom section, and wherein a test opening is arranged on the insulating material housing, wherein the test opening is aligned transversely with respect to the first electrical conductor to be clamped and/or transversely with respect to the second electrical conductor to be clamped and extends from the insulating material housing towards the busbar component.

14. A conductor connection terminal comprising: an insulating material housing; a busbar component; a first clamping leg; and a second clamping leg, wherein the first clamping leg and the second clamping leg are arranged on different clamping springs, respectively, wherein the first clamping leg and the busbar component form a first clamping point for a first electrical conductor to be clamped, and the second clamping leg and the busbar component form a second clamping point for a second electrical conductor to be clamped, wherein the busbar component comprises a first conductor receiving section and a second conductor receiving section at diametrically opposite areas of one another, wherein the first conductor receiving section and the second conductor receiving section are connected to one another via a connecting section, wherein the first electrical conductor is adapted to be fed to the first clamping point via the first conductor receiving section in a first conductor insertion direction and the second electrical conductor is adapted to be fed to the second clamping point via the second conductor receiving section in a second conductor insertion direction, wherein the busbar component has a bottom section comprising the first and second clamping points, a top surface and two opposing side surfaces which connect the bottom section to the top surface, wherein the first conductor receiving section and the second conductor receiving section are designed to be closed circumferentially, wherein the connecting section has at least one recess within the bottom section, and wherein the busbar component has a support surface for the actuating lever.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description given hereinbelow and the accompanying drawings which are given by way of illustration only, and thus, are not limitive of the present invention, and wherein:

(2) FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a conductor connection terminal in a perspective view;

(3) FIG. 2a shows a conductor connection terminal according to FIG. 1 in a sectioned side view without inserted electrical conductor;

(4) FIG. 2b shows an enlarged section of a conductor connection terminal according to FIG. 2a;

(5) FIG. 3a shows a conductor connection terminal according to FIGS. 1-2b in a sectioned side view with inserted electrical conductor;

(6) FIG. 3b shows an enlarged section of a conductor connection terminal according to FIG. 3a; and

(7) FIG. 4 shows a conductor connection terminal with an insulating material housing in a side sectional view.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(8) FIG. 1 shows a conductor connection terminal 1 in a perspective view in a first embodiment. The conductor connection terminal 1 has a busbar component 2, wherein in each case a first clamping spring 3a and a second clamping spring 3b are arranged at the diametrically opposite ends of the busbar component 2. The clamping springs 3a, 3b each have a contact leg 4a, 4b which merges into a spring arc 5a, 5b and extends into a clamping leg 6a, 6b. The clamping leg 6a, 6b thereby extends to a section of the busbar component 2, wherein the clamping leg 6a, 6b has a spring clamping edge 7a, 7b and forms with the busbar component 2 a first clamping point for a first electrical conductor to be clamped and a second clamping point for a second electrical conductor to be clamped.

(9) It can be seen that a first conductor receiving section 8a for the first electrical conductor to be clamped and a second conductor receiving section 8b for the second electrical conductor to be clamped are arranged at the diametrically opposite ends of the busbar component 2, respectively. It is clear that the conductor receiving sections 8a, 8b are made to be circumferentially closed. The conductor receiving sections 8a, 8b comprise a top section 9a, 9b of a top surface 9 associated with the contact leg 4a, 4b and a bottom section 12 associated with the spring clamping edge 7a, 7b, wherein the respective top section 9a, 9b and the bottom section 12 are connected to one another via two side surfaces 13 and form a contiguous conductor receiving section 8a, 8b which is circumferentially closed. The conductor receiving sections 8a, 8b are thereby connected to one another via a connecting section 8c, wherein the conductor receiving sections 8a, 8b and the connecting section 8c comprise the common top surface 9.

(10) Viewed in a first conductor insertion direction L1 or a second conductor insertion direction L2 upstream of the conductor receiving sections 8a, 8b, the busbar component 2 comprises a preferably integrally formed tab-shaped conductor contact section 2a, 2b, on which, in the closed state without an inserted electrical conductor, the spring clamping edge 7a, 7b preferably rests.

(11) It can also be seen that two fastening tabs 10a, 10b are arranged on the top surface 9 of the busbar component 2, wherein the fastening tabs 10a, 10b are arranged at diametrically opposite ends of the top surface 9. One of the clamping springs 3a, 3b is suspended in each of the fastening tabs 10a, 10b in a self-supporting manner, i.e. without additional fasteners.

(12) However, it is also conceivable that the clamping springs 3a, 3b are formed as a single clamping spring with two clamping legs 7a, 7b, wherein the single clamping spring extends along the top surface 9 of the busbar component 2.

(13) FIG. 2a shows a conductor connection terminal 1 according to FIG. 1 in a sectioned side view without an inserted electrical conductor. It can be seen that the busbar component 2 has in each case a busbar clamping edge 11a, 11b in the area of the spring clamping edges 7a, 7b. The busbar clamping edges 11a, 11b can advantageously be provided in the area of the conductor contact sections 2a, 2b. The busbar clamping edges 11a, 11b have a radius smaller than or equal to 0.2 mm, in particular a radius smaller than or equal to 0.1. By forming the busbar clamping edge 11a, 11b with a very small radius, a conductor connection terminal 1 is provided which has a large conductor holding force. By forming the busbar clamping edge 11a, 11b with a small radius, the busbar clamping edges 11a, 11b are formed to be so sharp that they can cut into an electrical conductor to be clamped, and thus the busbar clamping edge 11a, 11b digs into the electrical conductor to be clamped, wherein a corresponding conductor holding force can be achieved.

(14) However, it is also conceivable that the busbar clamping edges 11a, 11b have even smaller radii. This further improves the effect of cutting into the electrical conductor.

(15) It can further be seen that the bottom section 12 of the busbar component 2 can form a support for the electrical conductors to be clamped. The bottom section 12 can thereby comprise the tab-shaped conductor contact sections 2a, 2b. The bottom section 12 and the top surface 9 are thereby connected to each other via two opposite side surfaces 13. It is clear that bottom section 12 and side surfaces 13 have a recess 14 in the area of the connecting section 8c. The recess 14 is thereby arranged substantially central between the first conductor receiving section 8a and the second conductor receiving section 8b. Substantially central means that the recess 14 is arranged such that the conductor receiving sections 8a, 8b have the same length. Deviations of up to 15% are possible.

(16) The recess 14 extends over half of the connecting section 8c. The half here refers to the area that the recess 14 occupies in the side view. The busbar component 2 is formed in a U-shape in cross section by the recess 14 extending over the bottom section 12 and both side surfaces 13. The U-shaped configuration can ensure a good current flow and a stable conductor connection terminal 1.

(17) It is further evident that the top surface 9 is designed as a conductor run-up chamfer, wherein the top surface 9 is V-shaped. In this case, the cross section of the conductor receiving sections 8a, 8b tapers towards the center of the conductor connection terminal 1 up to the area of the connecting section 8c. In this way, a corresponding electrical conductor can be inserted into the larger cross section of the conductor receiving sections 8a, 8b, wherein the electrical conductor can be guided through the tapering cross section towards the respective clamping point.

(18) FIG. 2b shows an enlarged section of the conductor connection terminal 1 according to FIG. 2a. The area around the busbar clamping edge 11a is shown enlarged. This would make clear that the busbar clamping edge 11a is arranged on a busbar clamping section 18. The busbar clamping section 18 is cut or punched out of the busbar component 2.

(19) It can further be seen that the busbar component 2 has a dip 15 and a depression 16, wherein the dip 15 is arranged downstream of the busbar clamping edge 11a with respect to the first conductor insertion direction L1 and the depression 16 is arranged upstream of the busbar clamping edge 11a with respect to the first conductor insertion direction L1. The depression 16 is formed in such a way that it can receive the spring clamping edge 7a when no electric conductor is inserted in the conductor connection terminal 1. In this way, the clamping spring 3a can be further stabilized, wherein the transport safety of the conductor connection terminal 1 can be increased.

(20) By means of the dip 15, a busbar clamping edge 11a can be created at a sufficient height in relation to the busbar so that the busbar clamping edge 11a can be embedded into the electrical conductor to be clamped at this height. However, care must be taken to limit the height, as otherwise damage may occur to the electrical conductor to be clamped.

(21) Furthermore, it is clear that the distance ΔA2 between a plane E extending through the busbar clamping edge 11a and parallel to the first conductor insertion direction L1 and the busbar 2 is greater behind the busbar clamping edge 11a than the distance ΔA1 upstream of the busbar clamping edge 11a.

(22) FIG. 3a shows a conductor connection terminal 1 according to FIGS. 1-2b in a sectioned side view with an inserted first electrical conductor 17. FIG. 3b shows an enlarged section of the conductor connection terminal 1 according to FIG. 3a. In this case, the area around the busbar clamping edge 11a is shown enlarged.

(23) It is clear that the first electrical conductor 17 is held clamped between the spring clamping edge 7a and the busbar clamping edge 11a on the bottom section 12 of the busbar component 2. The busbar clamping edge 11a is thereby formed as a hook, wherein the busbar clamping edge 11a cuts into the first electrical conductor 17 in the opposite direction of the first conductor insertion direction L1 when the first electrical conductor 17 is pulled, and thus is embedded into the first electrical conductor 17. In this way, a correspondingly high holding force can be exerted on the first electrical conductor 17, wherein the first electrical conductor 17 can be held fixed in the clamping point of the conductor connection terminal 1.

(24) A second electrical conductor could be clamped in the same way to the diametrically opposite end of the clamped first electrical conductor 17.

(25) The busbar clamping edge 11a can thereby be designed more rigid than the spring clamping edge 7a. The increased rigidity of the busbar clamping edge 11a as compared to the spring clamping edge 7a can ensure that the busbar clamping edge 11a cuts into the electrical conductor to be clamped.

(26) FIG. 4 shows a conductor connection terminal 1 with an insulating material housing 19 in a sectioned side view with a busbar component 2 arranged in the insulating material housing 19. Two clamping springs 3a, 3b are arranged on the busbar component 2 at diametrically opposite ends. The clamping springs 3a, 3b have a contact leg 4a, 4b which merges into a spring arc 5a, 5b and extends into a clamping leg 6a, 6b. The clamping legs 6a, 6b each have a spring clamping edge 7a, 7b, wherein the spring clamping edges 7a, 7b form a first clamping point with the busbar component 2 for a first electrical conductor to be clamped and a second clamping point for a second electrical conductor to be clamped.

(27) The conductor connection terminal 1 has two actuating levers 20a, 20b, wherein one actuating lever 20a, 20b interacts with a clamping spring 3a, 3b respectively so that the actuating levers 20a, 20b are arranged to deflect the clamping legs 6a, 6b. The clamping points for the electrical conductors can be opened and/or closed by the actuating levers.

(28) It is further clear that the conductor connection terminal 1 has a conductor stop 21, wherein the conductor stop 21 is arranged on the insulating material housing 2. The conductor stop serves to position the first electrical conductor to be clamped and the second electrical conductor to be clamped, wherein the conductor stop 21 is arranged in the area of the recess 14 of the busbar component 2. The conductor stop 21 is thereby guided through the recess 14 in the bottom section 12 of the busbar component 2. In an advantageous embodiment, the insulating material housing 19 is transparent at least in the area of the recess 14. By forming a transparent insulating material housing, a way to check the insertion depth of the electrical conductors to be clamped is created, wherein the user can actively check whether the respective electrical conductor is positioned at the conductor stop 21 by means of the insulating material housing 19.

(29) A test opening 22 is arranged on the conductor connection terminal 1, wherein the test opening 22 extends from the surface of the insulating material housing 19 through the insulating material housing 19 towards the busbar component 2. The test opening 22 extends transversely, in particular orthogonally, to the first conductor insertion direction L1. Through the test opening 22, the busbar component 2 can be contacted with external measuring devices, for example.

(30) The invention being thus described, it will be obvious that the same may be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention, and all such modifications as would be obvious to one skilled in the art are to be included within the scope of the following claims.