Abstract
A conductor connection terminal for connecting electrical conductors to each other, having an insulating material housing, which has a first housing section with a first spring-loaded clamping connection arranged in the first housing section, and a second housing section with a second spring-loaded clamping connection arranged in the second housing section. The first housing section can be swiveled relative to the second housing section and the conductor connection terminal has a busbar structure or the electrically conductive connection of the first spring-loaded clamping connection to the second spring-loaded clamping connection. The busbar structure has a first connection section assigned to the first spring-loaded clamping connection and a second connection section assigned to the second spring-loaded clamping connection. A hinged section connects the first connection section with the second connection section.
Claims
1. A conductor connection terminal to connect electrical conductors to each other, the conductor connection terminal comprising: an insulating material housing comprising a first housing section with a first spring-loaded clamping connection arranged in the first housing section and comprising a second housing section with a second spring-loaded clamping connection arranged in the second housing section, the first housing section adapted to be swiveled relative to the second housing section; and a busbar structure for an electrically conductive connection of the first spring-loaded clamping connection with the second spring-loaded clamping connection, the busbar structure comprising a first connection section assigned to the first spring-loaded clamping connection, a second connection section assigned to the second spring-loaded clamping connection, and a hinged section that connects the first connection section with the second connection section.
2. The conductor connection terminal according to claim 1, wherein the busbar structure is designed in one piece.
3. The conductor connection terminal according to claim 1, wherein the hinged section of the busbar structure has a sliding contact area.
4. The conductor connection terminal according to claim 1, wherein the hinged section of the busbar structure has a lower bending stiffness than the connection sections of the busbar structure.
5. The conductor connection terminal according to claim 4, wherein the hinged section is formed as an elastic hinged section.
6. The conductor connection terminal according to claim 1, wherein the busbar structure has a first fastening tab from which a clamping spring of the first spring-loaded clamping connection is suspended, and wherein the busbar structure has a second fastening tab from which a clamping spring of the second spring-loaded clamping connection is suspended.
7. The conductor connection terminal according to claim 1, wherein the first connection section and/or the second connection section have a conductor support surface and a conductor receiving pocket adjacent to the conductor support surface.
8. The conductor connection terminal according to claim 7, wherein the hinged section of the busbar structure extends between the conductor receiving pockets of the first connection section and the second connection section.
9. The conductor connection terminal according to claim 1, wherein the first housing section and the second housing section are connected to each other via a swivel joint so as to swivel.
10. The conductor connection terminal according to claim 9, wherein the swivel joint has at least one swivel arm that is adapted to be swiveled about a swivel axis, via which the first housing section and the second housing section are connected to each other.
11. The conductor connection terminal according to claim 9, wherein the first housing section has a swivel head and the second housing section has a swivel bearing corresponding to the swivel head, or vice versa.
12. The conductor connection terminal according to claim 9, wherein the first housing section and the second housing section are arranged overlapping each other in an area of the swivel joint.
13. The conductor connection terminal according to claim 1, wherein, between the first housing section and the second housing section, a swivel angle is adjustable between 0 and +/90.
14. The conductor connection terminal according to claim 13, wherein the swivel angle adjustable between the first housing section and the second housing section is fixable via a detent.
15. The conductor connection terminal according to claim 14, wherein the detent is formed by a detent structure in a swivel arm and by one or more detent openings in the housing section through which the swivel axis of the swivel arm passes.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0033] 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:
[0034] FIGS. 1a and 1b show a conductor connection terminal according to an example in lateral sectional views in an initial state and with housing sections swiveled towards each other;
[0035] FIGS. 2a and 2b show the conductor connection terminal in accordance with FIGS. 1a and 1b in plan views;
[0036] FIGS. 3a and 3b show the conductor connection terminal in accordance with FIGS. 1a and 1b in side views;
[0037] FIGS. 4a and 4b show the conductor connection terminal in accordance with FIGS. 1a/1b in perspective side views; and
[0038] FIGS. 5a and 5b show a busbar structure for a conductor connection terminal according to an example in perspective side views in an initial state and with connection sections swiveled towards each other.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0039] FIGS. 1a and 1b show a conductor connection terminal 1 according to an example in lateral sectional views. In FIG. 1a, the conductor connection terminal 1 is shown in an initial state. FIG. 1b shows the conductor connection terminal 1 with housing sections 2a, 2b swiveled towards each other. FIG. 1a corresponds to a sectional view along the section line B-B shown in FIG. 2a. FIG. 1b corresponds to a sectional view along the section line A-A shown in FIG. 2b.
[0040] The conductor connection terminal 1 is used for the electrical connection of electrical conductors that are not specified in detail, which can be connected to the conductor connection terminal 1 via spring-loaded clamping connections 3a, 3b. According to the example shown, the conductor connection terminal 1 is designed as a feedthrough connector. The conductor connection terminal 1 has an insulating material housing 2 with a first housing section 2a and a second housing section 2b. The second housing section 2b can be swiveled relative to the first housing section 2a. In the first housing section 2a, a first spring-loaded clamping connection 3a is arranged. In the second housing section 2b, a second spring-loaded clamping connection 3b is arranged. According to the example shown, the conductor connection terminal 1 is designed as a lever clamp and has a first actuating lever 16a for actuating a clamping spring 6a of the first spring-loaded clamping connection 3a and a second actuating lever 16b for actuating a clamping spring 6b of the second spring-loaded clamping connection 3b.
[0041] The conductor connection terminal 1 has a busbar structure 4 for the electrically conductive connection of the first spring-loaded clamping connection 3a with the second spring-loaded clamping connection 3b. A first connection section 4a of the busbar structure 4 is assigned to the first spring-loaded clamping connection 3a. A second connection section 4b of the busbar structure 4 is assigned to the second spring-loaded clamping connection 3b. The first connection section 4a and the second connection section 4b of the busbar structure 4 are connected to each other by a hinged section 4c. The hinged section 4c allows for the first connection section 4a and the second connection section 4b to move relative to each other and thus allows the housing sections 2a, 2b to swivel towards each other without affecting and/or interrupting the electrical connection between the spring-loaded clamping connections 3a, 3b. Due to the swiveling of the housing sections 2a, 2b and the adapted busbar structure 4, the connection space available for connecting electrical conductors to the conductor connection terminal 1 can be better utilized, especially in confined installation situations.
[0042] As indicated in FIGS. 1a and 1b, the hinged section 4c of the busbar structure 4, according to the example shown, is designed as a flexible pipe run made of an electrically conductive material and therefore has a lower bending stiffness than the connection sections 4a, 4b of the busbar structure 4. This way, the connection sections 4a, 4b can achieve a high relative mobility to one another. The hinged section 4c, the first connection section 4a, and the second connection section 4b are formed in one piece according to the example shown, so that the connection sections 4a, 4b merge directly into the hinged section 4c. In this case, the hinged section 4c can be connected to connection sections 4a and 4b in a material-tight manner. The hinged section 4c can be molded together with the connection sections 4a, 4b from a single piece of material or molded to the connection sections 4a, 4b in a material-tight manner. This ensures high electrical conductivity. Further, the busbar structure 4 can, for example, also be designed in two parts and have a sliding contact area for the realization of a sliding contact between the first connection section 4a and the second connection section 4b.
[0043] As shown in FIGS. 1a and 1b, the clamping spring 6a of the first spring-loaded clamping connection 3a can be suspended from the busbar structure 4 by means of a first fastening tab 5a and the clamping spring 6b of the second spring-loaded clamping connection 3b from the busbar structure 4 by means of a second fastening tab 5b, which makes it easy to attach the busbar structure 4 to the conductor connection terminal 1. In addition, the first connection section 4a and the second connection section 4b each have a conductor support surface 7 in the form of a flat material tongue for guiding and supporting a conductor to be clamped and a conductor receiving pocket 8 adjacent to the conductor support surface 7. The conductor support surface 7 merges into the conductor receiving pocket 8 at an incline, so that a conductor guided on the conductor support surface 7 can project into the conductor receiving pocket 8 at a predefined angle. According to the illustration, the conductor receiving pocket 8 forms a receiving space with a square channel with open ends for an end section of a clamped conductor.
[0044] As can be seen from FIGS. 1a and 1b, the hinged section 4c of the busbar structure 4 extends between the conductor receiving pockets 8 of the connection sections 4a, 4b. The hinged section 4c is molded directly to the conductor receiving pockets 8 and projects from an upper wall 17 of the conductor receiving pocket 8, which is opposite a lower wall 18 adjacent to the conductor support surface 7. The conductor receiving pockets 8 can receive the conductor end of a clamped conductor and prevent a collision with the hinged section 4c during a swivel operation.
[0045] As shown in FIGS. 1a and 1b, the first housing section 2a and the second housing section 2b are connected to each other by a swivel joint 9. The first housing section 2a and the second housing section 2b form separate housing components that are connected to each other via the swivel joint 9. The first housing section 2a has a swivel head 11 with a convex semi-cylindrical profile and the second housing section has a swivel bearing 12 corresponding to the swivel head 11 with a concave profile with a semi-cylindrical negative shape. When swiveling the housing sections 2a, 2b, the swivel head 11 can slide down on the swivel bearing 12 in a defined manner and make swiveling easier. As can be seen in particular in the cross-sectional representations according to FIGS. 1a and 1b, the first housing section 2a and the second housing section 2b are arranged overlapping each other in the area of the swivel joint 9. The housing wall of the second housing section 2b overlaps the opposite housing wall of the first housing section 2a in the initial position according to FIGS. 1a and 1n the swiveled position according to FIG. 1b, so that gap-free swiveling of the housing sections 2a, 2b in relation to each other is possible. This ensures sufficient tightness, creepage and clearance distances.
[0046] FIGS. 2a and 2b show the conductor connection terminal 1 described above in plan views. In FIG. 2a, the conductor connection terminal 1 is shown in an initial state. FIG. 2b shows the conductor connection terminal 1 with housing sections 2a, 2b swiveled towards each other. In these views, the actuating levers 16a, 16b of the spring-loaded clamping connections 3a, 3b, among others, can be seen in a view. As shown and also evident in the following figures, the swivel joint 9 also has two swivel arms 10 that can be swiveled about a common swivel axis S, via which the housing sections 2a, 2b are connected to each other. Furthermore, it can be seen from FIGS. 2a and 2b that by swiveling the housing sections 2a, 2b to each other, the total length of the conductor connection terminal 1 along the cutting lines A-A or B-B can be advantageously reduced, for example for confined installation situations.
[0047] FIGS. 3a and 3b show the conductor connection terminal 1 described above in side views. In FIG. 3a, the conductor connection terminal 1 is shown in an initial state. FIG. 3b shows the conductor connection terminal 1 with housing sections 2a, 2b swiveled towards each other. In these views, one of the two swivel arms 10 can be seen in the side view. Furthermore, it can be seen in these diagrams that between a central longitudinal axis M1 of the first housing section 2a and between a central longitudinal axis M2 of the second housing section 2b no swivel angle or a swivel angle of 0 is spanned in the illustration shown in FIG. 3a, and in the illustration shown in FIG. 3b a swivel angle of about 45 is spanned by way of example. The central longitudinal axes M1 and M2 can be central axes of the respective housing sections 2a, 2b, which are essentially aligned with a respective conductor insertion direction 19 in the conductor connection terminal 1.
[0048] As can be seen in FIGS. 3a and 3b, the swivel angle , which can be adjusted between the first housing section 2a and the second housing section 2b, can be fastened by means of a detent mechanism 13. The detent mechanism 13 is formed by a detent structure 14 indicated in the illustrations, for example a detent tab on which swivel arm 10 and detent openings 15 are formed, into which the detent structure 14 can be immersed. According to the example shown, the detent openings 15 are arranged on the first housing section 2a, through which the swivel axis S of the swivel arms 10 runs. It is optional, and not specified, that the detent mechanism 13 is provided on both sides of the conductor connection terminal 1, on which the swivel arms 10 are arranged.
[0049] FIGS. 4a and 4b show the conductor connection terminal 1 described above in perspective side views. In FIG. 4a, the conductor connection terminal 1 is shown in an initial state. FIG. 4b shows the conductor connection terminal 1 with housing sections 2a, 2b swiveled towards each other. In these views, the design of the swivel joint 9 with the semi-cylindrical swivel head 11 and the corresponding concave profile of the swivel bearing 12 with a semi-cylindrical negative shape is further illustrated. In addition, it can be seen that the housing sections 2a, 2b have a conductor insertion opening 20, through which an electrical conductor to be connected can be routed to the respective spring-loaded clamping connection 3a, 3b of housing section 2a, 2b.
[0050] FIGS. 5a and 5b show a busbar structure 4 for the conductor connection terminal 1 described above according to an example in perspective side views. In FIG. 5a, the busbar structure 4 is shown in an initial state. FIG. 5b shows the busbar structure 4 with connection sections 4a, 4b swiveled towards each other. FIGS. 5a and 5b can be considered isolated representations of the busbar structure 4 shown in FIGS. 1a and 1b.
[0051] The busbar structure 4 is designed for the electrically conductive connection of spring-loaded clamping connections 3a, 3b and conductors connected thereto and has a first connection section 4a, a second connection section 4b, and a hinged section 4c connecting the first connection section 4a with the second connection section 4b. Due to the hinged section 4c, the connection sections 4a, 4b are movable relative to each other and can therefore securely and reliably connect spring-loaded clamping connections 3a, 3b that are relatively movable to each other. According to the example shown, the hinged section 4c is designed as a flexible pipe run made of an electrically conductive material and therefore has a lower bending stiffness than the connection sections 4a, 4b of the busbar structure 4. The hinged section 4c, the first connection section 4a and the second connection section 4b are formed in one piece according to the exemplary example shown, so that the connection sections 4a, 4b merge directly into the hinged section 4c.
[0052] As shown in FIGS. 5a and 5b, the busbar structure 4 may have a first fastening tab 5a for the suspension of the first clamping spring 6a on the busbar structure 4 and a second fastening tab 5b for the suspension of the second clamping spring 6b on the busbar structure 4. For example, the fastening tabs 5a, 5b can each have a mounting opening 21 into which an attachment leg of the respective clamping spring 6a, 6b can be immersed. In addition, the first connection section 4a and the second connection section 4b each have a conductor support surface 7 in the form of a flat material tongue for guiding and supporting a conductor to be clamped and a conductor receiving pocket 8 adjacent to the conductor support surface 7. The conductor support surface 7 merges into the conductor receiving pocket 8 at an incline, so that a conductor guided on the conductor support surface 7 can protrude into the conductor receiving pocket 8 at a predefined angle. According to the illustration, the conductor receiving pocket 8 forms a receiving space with a square channel with open ends for an end section of a clamped conductor.
[0053] As can be seen from FIGS. 5a and 5b, the hinged section 4c of the busbar structure 4 extends between the conductor receiving pockets 8 of the connection sections 4a, 4b. The hinged section 4c is molded directly to the conductor receiving pockets 8 and protrudes from an upper wall 17 of the conductor receiving pocket 8, which is opposite a lower wall 18 adjacent to the conductor support surface 7. The conductor receiving pockets 8 can pick up the conductor end of a clamped conductor and prevent a collision with the hinged section 4c during a swivel operation.
[0054] Furthermore, when looking at FIGS. 5a, 5b, it can be seen that the busbar structure 4 can be made of a flat sheet metal cut. For example, the busbar structure 4 can be obtained by punching out a defined two-dimensional geometric contour from a sheet metal semi-finished product and by bending at predetermined positions of the sheet metal strip in different spatial directions, so that the three-dimensional busbar structure 4 can be produced from an essentially two-dimensional sheet metal cut. In this case, bent sections of the busbar structure 4 can be connected to each other, for example, by means of a form-fitting tab structure 22, to form a conductor receiving pocket 8 in accordance with the features described above.
[0055] With the conductor connection terminal 1 and busbar structure 4 described above, easier handling of the conductor connection terminal 1 and improved connection conditions for conductors to be connected are made possible.
[0056] 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.
