Bus bar piece and clamping spring configuration for a conductor connection terminal

Abstract

A contact insert for a conductor connection terminal having a bus bar piece and a clamping spring having a clamping leg with a clamping edge for connecting an electrical conductor. The clamping edge of the clamping leg and the bus bar piece form a clamping point for the electrical conductor to be connected. At least two lateral webs are arranged on the clamping spring on mutually opposite sides of the clamping spring. The free ends of the lateral webs are connected to one another by a transverse web, and the lateral webs and the transverse web form a circumferentially closed aperture on the clamping spring. The bus bar piece extends between the lateral webs, at least when a clamping point is closed, and the bus bar piece passes through the circumferentially closed aperture at least twice.

Claims

1. A contact insert for a conductor connection terminal, comprising: a bus bar piece; and a clamping spring having a clamping leg with a clamping edge to connect an electrical conductor, the clamping edge of the clamping leg and the bus bar piece forming a clamping point for the electrical conductor to be connected; and at least two lateral webs arranged on the clamping spring on mutually opposite sides of the clamping spring, free ends of the lateral webs being connected to one another by a transverse web, wherein the lateral webs and the transverse web form a circumferentially closed aperture on the clamping spring, wherein the bus bar piece extends between the lateral webs, at least when the clamping point is closed, wherein the bus bar piece passes through the circumferentially closed aperture at least twice, and wherein the lateral webs are designed to be V-shaped, wherein the lateral webs project from the clamping spring in one direction and wherein the lateral webs each form an acute angle.

2. The contact insert according to claim 1, wherein the bus bar piece is designed so as to be at least predominantly closed on a circumference thereof.

3. The contact insert according to claim 1, wherein the bus bar piece has an opening for guiding the electrical conductor to the clamping point.

4. The contact insert according to claim 1, wherein the bus bar piece is designed as a single piece, wherein free ends of the bus bar piece are bent over such that the free ends rest flat against one another.

5. The contact insert according to claim 1, wherein the transverse web is arranged behind the clamping point viewed from a conductor insertion direction.

6. The contact insert according to claim 1, wherein when the bus bar piece extends between the lateral webs, the transverse web is arranged on a side of the bus bar piece facing the clamping point.

7. The contact insert according to claim 1, wherein the lateral webs are arranged on the clamping leg of the clamping spring to guide the electrical conductor to the clamping point.

8. The contact insert according to claim 7, wherein the lateral webs are arranged on a free end of the clamping leg, and wherein the lateral webs project from the clamping leg in an extension of the clamping leg.

9. The contact insert according to claim 1, wherein the clamping spring has a seating leg for seating on the bus bar piece, wherein the seating leg transitions into a spring bend, and wherein the spring bend extends into the clamping leg.

10. The contact insert according to claim 9, wherein the lateral webs are arranged on the seating leg of the clamping spring.

11. The contact insert according to claim 10, wherein the clamping leg is bent over toward the circumferentially closed aperture and passes through the circumferentially closed aperture.

12. The contact insert according to claim 10, wherein a support section is cut free from the clamping spring, wherein the support section is configured to support the seating leg of the clamping spring.

13. The contact insert according to claim 10, wherein a contact section is cut free from the clamping spring in a region of the circumferentially closed aperture, and wherein the clamping leg bears on the contact section.

14. The contact insert according to claim 13, wherein the contact section has a second clamping edge at a free end thereof, wherein the second clamping edge and the bus bar piece form a second clamping point for the electrical conductor to be connected.

15. The contact insert according to claim 9, wherein the lateral webs are bent over toward the seating leg, wherein a retaining section is arranged on the bus bar piece and/or on the seating leg, and wherein at least one of the lateral webs or the transverse web is designed to be latchable with the retaining section at least when the clamping point is open.

16. The contact insert according to claim 15, wherein a release section is arranged on the contact insert, wherein the release section is designed to release the latching between the retaining section and the at least one of the lateral webs or between the retaining section and the transverse web by application of force.

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. 1a is a contact insert in a first embodiment in a perspective view when the clamping point is closed;

(3) FIG. 1b is a contact insert from FIG. 1a in a side view;

(4) FIG. 1c is a contact insert from FIGS. 1a and 1b in a side view when the clamping point is open;

(5) FIG. 2a is a contact insert in a second embodiment in a perspective view when the clamping point is open;

(6) FIG. 2b is a contact insert from FIG. 2a in a side view;

(7) FIG. 2c is a contact insert from FIGS. 2a and 2b in a side view with electrical conductor inserted and clamping point closed;

(8) FIG. 3a is a contact insert in a third embodiment in a perspective view when the clamping point is closed;

(9) FIG. 3b is a contact insert from FIG. 3a in a side view;

(10) FIG. 4a is a contact insert in a fourth embodiment in a perspective view when the clamping point is closed;

(11) FIG. 4b is a contact insert from FIG. 4a in a side view;

(12) FIG. 5a is a contact insert in a fifth embodiment in a perspective view when the clamping point is closed;

(13) FIG. 5b is a contact insert from FIG. 5a in a side view;

(14) FIG. 5c is a contact insert from FIGS. 5a and 5b in a side view with an inserted electrical conductor when the clamping point is open; and

(15) FIG. 5d is a contact insert from FIGS. 5a to 5c in a side view with an inserted electrical conductor when the clamping point is closed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(16) FIG. 1a shows a contact insert 1 in a first embodiment in a perspective view. The contact insert 1 has a bus bar piece 2 and a clamping spring 3, wherein the clamping spring 3 has a seating leg 3a for seating on the bus bar piece 2 and wherein the seating leg 3a transitions into a spring bend 3b. The spring bend 3b extends into a clamping leg 3c. The clamping leg 3c has a clamping edge 4, wherein the clamping edge 4 and the bus bar piece 2 form a clamping point for an electrical conductor to be connected. The clamping point is the point at which the electrical conductor is connected to the bus bar piece 2 by the clamping edge 4 of the clamping leg 3c. The clamping point is closed in FIG. 1a.

(17) It is clear that two lateral webs 5 are arranged to project from the free end of the clamping leg 3c, which is to say from the clamping edge 4, of the clamping spring 3, wherein the lateral webs project from the clamping leg 3c in extension of the clamping leg 3c. The lateral webs 5 in this case are arranged on mutually opposite sides of the clamping spring 3, wherein the free ends of the lateral webs 5 are connected to one another by a transverse web 6. In this design, the lateral webs 5 and the transverse web 6 form a circumferentially closed aperture 7 on the clamping leg 3c of the clamping spring 3, wherein the bus bar piece 2 extends between the lateral webs 5.

(18) It is also evident that the lateral webs 5 are bent in a V-shape, or in a bow-like manner, and form an acute angle in the bend. In this case, the lateral webs 5 initially extend laterally past the bus bar piece 2, so that the bus bar piece 2 is arranged between the lateral webs 5, and the lateral webs 5 extend from the side of the bus bar piece 2 facing the clamping point toward the side of the bus bar piece 2 turned away from the clamping point. The lateral webs 5 thus extend away from the bus bar piece 2. On the side of the bus bar piece 2 turned away from the clamping point, the lateral webs 5 are bent back again toward the bus bar piece 2, wherein an acute angle is formed in the bend. The lateral webs 5 in this case extend back again from the side of the bus bar piece 2 turned away from the clamping points toward the side of the bus bar piece 2 facing the clamping point, wherein the transverse web 6 connects the free ends of the lateral webs 5 to one another on the side of the bus bar piece 2 facing the clamping point. The lateral webs 5 consequently extend next to the bus bar piece 2 in a bow-like manner.

(19) It is also clear that the bus bar piece 2 passes through the circumferentially closed aperture 7 twice, wherein the bus bar piece 2 passes through the circumferentially closed aperture 7 before the bend viewed from the conductor insertion direction L on the one hand, and passes through one more time after the bend on the other hand.

(20) It is also evident that the bus bar piece 2 is designed such that it is closed on its circumference, wherein the bus bar piece 2 is designed as a single piece and the free ends 2a of the bus bar piece 2 are bent over such that they rest flat upon one another. The free ends 2a of the bus bar piece 2 that rest flat upon one another can be integrally joined to one another in this case, for example. Arranged on one of the free ends 2a of the bus bar piece 2 is a contact jack 8 for connecting a contact pin. The clamping spring 3 in this case is arranged in the interior region enclosed by the bus bar piece 2, wherein the clamping spring 3 can be inserted into the interior region via the through opening, wherein the through opening is arranged essentially perpendicular to a conductor insertion direction L.

(21) The bus bar piece 2 has an opening 9, wherein an electrical conductor can be guided through the opening 9 in the conductor insertion direction L to the clamping point. The opening 9 is arranged on the opposite side of the socket contact 8 on the bus bar piece 2 in this case.

(22) FIG. 1b shows a contact insert 1 from FIG. 1a in a side view. It is evident that a retaining section 10 is freed from the bus bar piece 2. The retaining section 10 is configured to latch with the transverse web 6 when the clamping point is open. The transverse web 6 in this case has protruding sections 6a that are oriented laterally, for example, which is to say at right angles to the conductor insertion direction L, and that cooperate with the retaining sections 10. The contact insert 1 according to the invention can thus be placed in an already preloaded state at the factory and delivered in this state, for example. After the connecting of an electrical conductor, the retaining section 10 can be bent away, for example with a tool, by which means the clamping spring 3 is released and the electrical conductor is clamped to the bus bar piece 2.

(23) FIG. 1c accordingly shows a contact insert 1 from FIGS. 1a and 1b in a side view when the clamping point is open, wherein the transverse web 6 is latched to the retaining section 10 of the bus bar piece 2. It is evident that the retaining section 10 here is designed as outward angled hooks, wherein the outward angled hooks block a deflection of the clamping leg 3c when the clamping point is open.

(24) It is clear from FIGS. 1a to 1c that the lateral webs 5 bent over in a bow-like manner during the maximum deflection of the clamping leg 3c of the clamping spring are only deflected far enough that the bus bar piece 2 continues to extend between the bow-like lateral webs 5. Only when the clamping point is open does the bus bar piece 2 no longer extend between the lateral webs 5. It is possible, however, for the contact insert 1 to be dimensioned such that the bus bar piece 2 extends between the lateral webs 5 even when the clamping point is open, which is to say at the maximum deflection of the clamping leg 3c of the clamping spring 3.

(25) FIG. 2a shows a contact insert 1 in a second embodiment in a perspective view when the clamping point is open. FIG. 2a differs from the first embodiment in FIGS. 1a to 1c in that the retaining section 10 is not freed from the bus bar piece 2, but instead the retaining section 10 is formed by the seating leg 3a of the clamping spring 3.

(26) FIG. 2b shows a contact insert 1 from FIG. 2a in a side view. It is clear that the transverse web 6 latches with the retaining section 10 of the seating leg so that the clamping leg 3c can be held when the clamping point is open.

(27) It is also evident that a release section 12 is arranged on the seating leg 3a, wherein the release section 12 is configured to release the latching between the retaining section 10 and the transverse web 6. The application of force can be accomplished, for example, by insertion of an electrical conductor in that pressure is exerted on the release section 12 by the free end of the electrical conductor. The release section 12 is arranged on the free end of the seating leg 3a of the clamping spring 3 in this case.

(28) FIG. 2c shows a contact insert 1 from FIGS. 2a and 2b in a side view with electrical conductor 13 inserted. It is clear that the latching between the retaining section 10 and the transverse web 6 is released by application of force to the release section 12, so that the clamping leg 3c clamps the electrical conductor 13 to the bus bar piece 2. The release section 12 can be deflected about an attachment point by application of force by the electrical conductor 13. In the process, the retaining section 10 on which the transverse web 6 or the lateral webs 5 are latched also moves, wherein the transverse web 6 or the lateral webs 5 themselves experience no movement, wherein the latching can be released. The clamping point is thus closed and the electrical conductor 13 cannot be removed from the contact insert 1 without external influences.

(29) The second embodiment from FIGS. 2a to 2c otherwise corresponds to the first embodiment from FIGS. 1a to 1c.

(30) FIG. 3a shows a contact insert 1 in a third embodiment in a perspective view when the clamping point is closed, wherein FIG. 3b shows a contact insert 1 from FIG. 3a in a side view. In contrast to the first embodiment from FIGS. 1a to 1c and the second embodiment from FIGS. 2a to 2c, it is clear that the lateral webs 5 do not project from the clamping leg 3c. The lateral webs 5 instead project from the free end of the seating leg 3a, wherein the free ends of the lateral webs 5 are connected to one another by the transverse web 6, and a circumferentially closed aperture 7 is formed on the clamping spring.

(31) It is also evident that the lateral webs 5 are bent in a V-shape, or in a bow-like manner, and form an acute angle in the bend. In this case the lateral webs 5 extend initially in extension of the seating leg 3c, away from the seating leg 3a toward the bus bar piece 2, so that the bus bar piece 2 is arranged between the lateral webs 5. The lateral webs 5 are then bent back toward the seating leg 3a.

(32) It is clear that the clamping leg 3c passes through the circumferentially closed aperture 7 at least once before the bend of the lateral webs 5 viewed from the conductor insertion direction. It is also possible here for the clamping leg 3c to pass through the circumferentially closed aperture 7 twice, namely once before the bend of the lateral webs 5 and once after the bend of the lateral webs 5.

(33) The clamping leg 3c in this case can rest against the transverse bar 6 with the electrical conductor inserted, at least when the clamping point is open and/or when the clamping point is closed, by which means the contact force can be increased. Owing to the support of the clamping leg 3c on the transverse bar 6, the transverse bar 6 must likewise be deflected.

(34) Furthermore, in contrast to the first and second embodiments from FIGS. 1a to 2c, neither a retaining section 10 nor a release section 12 is arranged here. Otherwise, the third embodiment corresponds to FIGS. 2a to 2b.

(35) FIG. 4a shows a contact insert 1 in a fourth embodiment in a perspective view when the clamping point is closed, wherein FIG. 4b shows a contact insert 1 from FIG. 4a in a side view. In contrast to the fourth embodiment from FIGS. 3a and 3b, a contact section 14 is exposed on the transverse bar 6 in the region of the circumferentially closed aperture 7a. The contact section 14 extends in this case from the transverse bar 6 toward the circumferentially closed aperture 7a and passes through the same at least once, wherein it is possible for the contact section 14 to pass through a second time.

(36) It is clear that the clamping leg 3c bears on the contact section 14, wherein the contact force can be increased since the contact section must likewise be deflected owing to the support of the clamping leg 3c on the contact section 14.

(37) Owing to the exposed contact section 14, it can be advantageous to support the seating leg 3c by means of a support section 15. In the fourth embodiment from FIGS. 4a and 4b, the support section 15 is cut free from the seating leg 3a of the clamping spring 3, wherein the free end of the support section 15 bears on the transverse bar 6 and supports it. By means of the support section 15, forces that arise, in particular the forces that arise on the lateral webs 5 and transverse bar 6, can thus be absorbed and dissipated by the support section 15. It is also possible in this case that the support section 15 bears directly on the clamping leg 3c itself and supports it directly.

(38) It is also evident that a second clamping edge 16 is arranged at the free end of the contact section 14, wherein the second clamping edge 16 and the bus bar piece 2 form a second clamping point for the electrical conductor to be connected. In this way, the clamping force on the electrical conductor or at least the number of contact impingements can be further increased, and the connected electrical conductor held in its position. The second clamping edge 16 can also be designed to be independent of the bearing of the clamping leg 3c on the contact section 14.

(39) The fourth embodiment from FIGS. 4a and 4b otherwise corresponds to the third embodiment from FIGS. 3a and 3b.

(40) FIG. 5a shows a contact insert 1 in a fifth embodiment in a perspective view when the clamping point is closed, wherein FIG. 5b shows a contact insert 1 from FIG. 5a in a side view. In contrast to the fourth embodiment from FIGS. 4a and 4b, a retaining section 10 is arranged on the contact section 14 in the fifth embodiment, wherein the retaining section 10 is designed as protruding claws. It is also possible for the retaining section 10 to be designed as a hook.

(41) FIG. 5c shows a contact insert from FIGS. 5a and 5b in a side view with an inserted electrical conductor 13 when the clamping point is open. It is clear that the clamping leg 3c is designed for latching with the retaining section 10 of the contact section 14, wherein the clamping leg 3c can be held in this way when the clamping point is open and the electrical conductor 13 can be inserted into the contact insert 1.

(42) FIG. 5d shows a contact insert from FIGS. 5a to 5c in a side view with an inserted electrical conductor when the clamping point is closed. It is clear that a release section 12 is arranged on the free end of the contact section 14, wherein the latching between retaining section 10 and the clamping leg 3c is released by application of force to the release section 12 by the free end of the electrical conductor 13, and the electrical conductor 13 is thus clamped to the bus bar 2.

(43) The fifth embodiment from FIGS. 5a to 5d otherwise corresponds to the fourth embodiment from FIGS. 4a and 4b.

(44) A connecting of electrical conductors can take place with a method for connecting the electrical conductor in an above-described contact insert 1 according to the embodiments from FIGS. 1a to 5d. It is possible in this case that the contact insert with the electrical conductor is placed in a housing after the connecting of the electrical conductor. The housing can be designed here as, e.g., an insulating housing, in particular as an insulating housing of a plug-and-socket connector.

(45) 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.