Actuation device for an electric connection terminal

The invention relates to an electrical connection terminal with an actuator, the connection terminal having a contact frame housed in an insulating material housing with a cable clamp connector for the electric wire, and the actuator has a button-shaped actuator which is connected in one piece to the housing with insulation material, and wherein the cable clamp connector on the contact frame is formed by means of at least one spring element, the free end of which is a clamping edge directed towards the electric wire and powered by a clamping force, and the cable clamp connector can be opened by the action of a button on at least one spring element by exerting a button against the clamping force on the spring element.

Background Art [0002] In ES 2 159 247 A1, an electric connection terminal with housing for a plug-in electric wire with a spring-loaded terminal is shown. On the upper part of the housing there is a lever shaped button in one piece. A button is provided on the button, which goes into the housing recess and into the recess of the contact insert and, when the button is actuated, acts on the clamping spring to release the clamping contact. To obtain an effective lever arm, the button is made very large and complex. A comparable embodiment has been disclosed in EP 1 182 750 A2.

[0003] DE 37 43 409 A1 shows a screwless connection clamp with an insulating casing and with a substantially Z-shaped contact insert and with a release lever which is formed on a flexible Z-shaped cover strip.

[0004]

DE 33 46 027 C2 discloses an electric connection terminal with a clamping element with spring force, which is shaped as a leaf spring wound in more than one loop with overlapping arms. For actuating the clamping element with a spring force, an actuating cradle is provided on the clamp housing with a designated bending position. The clamp housing has a limiting stop for the actuation cradle.

[0005] EP 0 212 330 A2 discloses a connection terminal with a two-part insulating element, which has a base element and a second element snap-in with it. The button from the back is connected to the second rigid component and extends on the wall of the lid covering the contact part.

Object of the invention [0006] The object of the invention is to provide an improved electrical connection terminal for connecting an electric wire, which guarantees safe clamping of the electric wire and at the same time has a simple, compact structure and can be reliably actuated.

Disclosure of the Invention [0007] This object is achieved by means of an electric connection terminal with the features of claim 1.

[0008] The angular configuration of the button allows a relatively long effective button arm with a correspondingly long lever arm, which is advantageous in particular in tight space conditions or very small electrical connection terminals with small housings made of insulating material. Therefore, in particular in the case of miniaturized connection terminals, it is only possible to provide an effective button for actuating the contact frame by shaping the button according to the invention.

[0009] Both surfaces arranged at an angle to each other lie at least almost perpendicular to each other. Thanks to this, the button arm consists of the first part of the button arm adapted to the course of the rear side of the housing and the second part of the button arm fitted to the course of the housing surface. In addition, the button arm is located in the recess of the insulating material housing.

[0010] In a particularly preferred embodiment, the button arm has an actuating surface with a non-recessed cavity, so that the actuation tool can easily be applied so that the button can be safely actuated.

[0011] Preferably, the button arm is shaped in a flexible manner so that a simple movement or deflection of the button can be provided with a minimum of structural effort.

[0012] In a preferred embodiment, the spring element is shaped as at least one leaf spring or spring arm, so that in the preferred configuration of the contact frame in the form of a channel and the contact frame to create a clamping joint of the wire on each side wall has one leaf spring of the type tab carved in a flat metal part that is bent from the plane of the flat metal part, that the free end of the leaf spring is the clamping edge facing the electric wire. This creates an electrical connection terminal consisting of only two structural components, an insulating plastic housing with an integrated push button and a one-piece contact frame, so that low construction costs and easy assembly can be guaranteed.

[0013] On each of the leaf springs, one approach chamfer is shaped correspondingly to the outside of the electrical connection terminal, which are funnel-shaped relative to each other. Thanks to this, the button can be easily pressed between the leaf springs to open the clamping connector of the electric wire by opening the leaf springs. For this purpose, the button has a matching wedge-shaped surface of the button, which is formed at the end of the button arm, facing away from the end connected to the insulating plastic housing. [0014] In the mounted state of the electric terminal, in which the contact frame is inserted into the insulating plastic housing, the button arm is pre-tensioned so that the button arm projects beyond the surface of the upper side of the housing. Due to the fact that the button arm in a stationary state is subjected to pre-tension, the stress with which the button arm is loaded can be relatively small. The value of the pretension is relatively small, since the deflection of the button arm is also relatively small when not in use. The deflection of the button arm in the actuated position towards the center of the insulating plastic casing is also not much greater than when not activated, so that the stresses to which the button arm is subjected can be jointly kept low. The low voltage values ​​inside the button or the arm of the button contribute to the fact that the button and also the casing made of insulating plastic may remain small.

[0015] In order to effectively avoid damage, in particular breakage of the at least one spring element and / or the button, in the preferred embodiment overload protection is provided for this purpose. Preferably, then the deflection of the spring element shaped as a leaf spring is limited by the side walls and / or intermediate walls of the housing of insulating material. In addition, it is preferable to limit the deflection of the button arm by adhering the button arm to the at least one spring element shaped as a leaf spring. These design examples allow overload protection without significantly matching the electrical connection terminal and are therefore inexpensive.

Brief description of the drawings [0016] In the following, the invention is explained in more detail on the basis of the embodiment shown in the figures. The figures show:

in Fig. 1: connection terminal according to the invention, assembled, in perspective view, in Fig. 2: connection terminal according to the invention located on its circuit board with inserted cable, without insulating plastic housing, in Fig. 3: perspective view of the contact frame, in Fig. 4: a perspective cross-sectional view of the connection terminal according to the invention placed on a circuit board with the electric wire inserted, in Fig. 5a: cross-sectional view of the connection clamp according to the invention according to section IV-IV of Figure 1 with the button not actuated, in Fig. 5b: cross-sectional view of the connection clamp according to the invention according to section IV-IV of Figure 1 with the button actuated, in Fig. 6a: first perspective a view of the insulating plastic housing, in Fig. 6b: a second perspective view of the insulating plastic housing, in Fig. 7: cross-sectional view of the connection terminal according to the invention according to section VII-VII in Figure a.

Embodiment of the Invention [0017] Figure 1 shows an electrical connection terminal 1 according to the invention with an insulating plastic housing 2 in which a metal contact frame 4 is housed. on the front side 19 has at least one conduit opening 3, for inserting the electric wire 5 (Figure 4). In the embodiment shown, the connection terminal 1 is bipolar and made with a wire entry hole 3 and a contact frame 4 for each pole, respectively. The connection terminal can also have any other number of poles.

[0018] In Figure 1, it is also possible to recognize the connection areas 15 of the contact frame 4, which are in contact with the respective contact sections 28, e.g. the conductive paths of the circuit board 7 (Figure 2). The connection areas 16 are connected to the contact sections 28, in particular by means of soldered connections (SMD solder connections), but a plug connection is also possible. In Figure 2 one can see the contact frame 4 held on the circuit board 7. The view does not include an insulating plastic casing, thanks to which the connection of the electric wire 5 to the contact frame 4 is visible. The electric wire 5 is inserted through a ring-curved, almost closed channel input 8 of the contact frame 4, the insulated end 6 of the electric wire 5 it fits between the side walls of the channel contact frame shaped as leaf springs

4. The leaf springs 9 are bent away from the flat metal part, and their free ends form a clamping edge 10, so that two opposite clamping edges 10 of the leaf springs 9 form a clamp for the electric wire 5. The area from the channel entry wire 8 connecting to the opening 3 in this case, the contact frame 4 up to the clamping point formed by the clamping edges 10 defines the wire insertion area 30.

[0019] The structure of the contact frame 4 is clearly visible in Figure 3, whereby it can be recognized that to form the clamping edge 10, an additional projection 12 is extruded or shaped at the free end of the leaf spring 9 directed towards the electric wire 5 to be able to improve the clamping action . In addition, the contact frame 4 has a contact bottom 11 which extends or is bent over from the surface of the metal part that it is made inclined from the channel entrance 8 towards the clamping point, i.e. essentially rising in the insertion area 30 towards the inserted cable 5. With the contact bottom 11 at one end with the channel inlet 8 connects the first contact area 16 and at the other end the second contact area 16. In addition, Figure 3 shows the front latch hooks 14 formed at the annular channel entrance 8, which for latching connection with the insulating plastic housing 2 enter the front latch recesses 17 therein next to the cable entry hole 3. In the area between the clamping places formed by the clamping edges 10 and the contact area 16 inverted from the annular channel entry, on the contact bottom 11 there are rear latch hooks 15, located on the sides on the contact bottom 11, which are preferably spaced from the printed circuit board 7 or from the plane formed by the contact areas 16 and engage on non-represented latch recesses of the housing 2 of insulating material.

[0020] In the area of ​​the free end of the leaf springs 9, on which the clamping edge 10 is formed in each case, the leaf spring 9, respectively, on its longitudinal side turned away from the contact bottom 10 has an approach slant 12, which is directed to the outside of the connection clamp 1. 12 of the contact frame 4 are thus together an upwardly directed funnel-shaped socket, turned away from the contact bottom 11.

[0021] Each of Figures 4 and 5a and 5b shows a cross-sectional view of a connection clamp 1 according to the invention consisting of a contact frame 4 and a housing 2 of insulating material, wherein Figure 4 additionally shows the connected electric wire 5. In these Figures, that the housing wall 31 has an oblique area, inside which the internal wall 31 of the housing is made with an inclination with respect to the inserted conduit 5. This inclined area is within the above defined cable insertion area 30 or may also extend over the entire cable insertion area 30.

[0022] In these representations, it can further be seen that the conductor insertion area 30 by forming the contact frame 4 with its leaf springs 9 and with its contact bottom 10 and the inner wall 31 of the insulating plastic housing 2 has a funnel-like configuration at least on certain sections, it is clear that the funnel-like lead-in area 30 consists of a contact frame 4 and a housing 2 of insulating material. In this case, the funnel-like feed area 30 is almost completely closed from the periphery. Only between the leaf springs 9 and the contact bottom 10 on one side and the leaf springs 9 and the inner wall 31 of the housing on the other side there are narrow gaps. In the embodiment, the cross-section of the conduit insertion area 30 is generally made rectangular or square, although it may have any other shape, in particular round or at least segmentally circular or arched.

[0023] In this case, the funnel-like lead-in area 30 forms a guide for the electric wire to be inserted 5, and in particular for its insulated end 6, so that the insulated end can be intentionally directed towards the clamping point. The electric connection terminal 1 can also be used for multi-strand electric wires 5, and especially when the clamping point created by the clamping edges 10 is opened before the wire 5 is inserted by the actuator, which is shaped as a button 21. Individual wires of the multi-wire wire 5 due to almost the perimeter enclosed wire insertion area 30 cannot escape and are securely held in the clamp by the clamping edge 10. The end of the funnel-shaped section 30 of the conduit section with the larger cross-section facing the conduit opening 3, if desired, can serve as a stop for the insulated section of conduit 5.

[0024] Due to the fact that the funnel-like lead-in area 30 consists of a housing 2 and insulating material and a contact frame 4, or is made up of both, a simple and effective conductor of the wire is obtained, in particular the contact frame 4 can be made very simple, compact and saving material.

[0025] In Figs. 4, 5a and 5b one can also see the button 21 as an actuating element with the button arm 23, which is made in one piece with the housing 2 of insulating plastic. Button 21 acts on the approach ramps 12 and, when actuated, opens the approach ramps 12 together with the leaf springs 9, i.e. when pressing with force F towards the housing 2 made of insulating material. In this way, the clamping edges 10 of the leaf spring 9 are also parted and the clamping place is opened to remove the electric wire 5, or to insert the electric wire 5, in particular the multi-core wire 5.

[0026] The button arm 23 according to the view in Figures 6a and 6b is formed in one piece in the region of the rear side 20 of the housing, and preferably in its lower half turned away from the upper side 18 of the housing, on the housing 2 of insulating material. The button arm 23 will follow the contours of the insulating plastic housing 2, so that the first part 24 of the button arm connected to the rear wall 20 of the housing extends approximately in the plane of the rear side 20 of the housing or more or less in parallel with it. The contour of the button arm 23 further follows the contour of the transition from the rear side 20 of the housing to the upper side 18 of the housing, such that the second part of the button arm 25, which is in one piece connected to the first part of the button arm extends approximately in the plane of the upper side 18 of the housing or approximately parallel to it. In this case, the rear side 20 of the housing and upper side 18 of the housing are arranged at an angle to each other, and preferably the rear side 20 of the housing and the upper side 18 of the housing are at least approximately at right angles to each other. The button arm 23 is therefore essentially shaped as an angle. On the second part 25 of the button arm, at its end facing away from the first part of the button arm, an actuating surface 27 is formed, which in this embodiment is made in the form of a trough, but alternatively it can also have any other shape, e.g. a slit or cross slot. In this connection, it can be seen that the button 21 is located in the housing recess 22, which extends on the rear side 20 of the housing and the upper side 18 of the housing. The housing recess 22 is essentially shaped as a cut-out so that the button 21 can act on the contact frame 4 located inside the insulating material housing 2. Button 21 as an actuating element, thanks to its bent design, is integrated with the wall or surface of the housing 2 of insulating material and is itself part of the housing 2 of insulating material.

In an unmounted state, the button arm 23 or outer surface lies substantially in the plane of the contours of the surface of the housing 2 of insulating material, both in the area of ​​the upper side 18 of the housing and in the area of ​​the rear side 20 of the housing. When mounted, with the contact frame 4 inserted into the housing 2 of insulating material and in the stationary state, the button 21 protrudes slightly relative to the upper side 18 of the housing, as can be seen in Figure 5a. The inclination slants 12 of the contact frame 4 adjoin the button 21, and more precisely, its pressing surface 26 (Figure 7) and deflect the button 21 outwards so that the button arm 23 is flexibly pre-tensioned. Figure 5b shows the actuated state in which the actuating force F acts on the button 21 in the area of ​​the non-filamentous actuating surface 27. It can be seen that the button arm 23 deforms substantially uniformly elastically under the influence of the actuating force F, wherein the area of ​​the button 21 penetrates the actuating surfaces 26 between the leaf springs 9. For uniform elastic deformation, the button arm 23 has a substantially uniform thickness or width. During the startup process, i.e. pressing the button 21, the button 21 is moved from a protruding position above the upper side 18 of the housing to a position in which the button arm 23, and in particular the second part 25 of the button arm sinks in the housing 2 of insulating plastic. The elastic pre-tension of the button arm 23 is then released, and the button arm 23 is subjected to inverted tension so that the button arm tends to move back outward to get to its starting position.

[0028] Figures 6a and 6b show the insulating plastic housing 2 as a single part, once again the described configuration of the button 21 and the connection of the button arm 23 with the insulating plastic housing 2 are clearly visible again. In addition, it can be recognized that the insulating plastic housing 2 on the lower side of the housing has, respectively, recesses 32 into which the contact areas 16 of the contact frame 4 engage, so that these contact areas 16 can protrude through holes 3 for cable entry beyond the rear side 20 of the housing and page 19 of the housing (see also Figure

1). At the same time, it is obtained that the bottom side of the housing of the assembled electrical connection terminals is a substantially flat surface without protruding elements. The housing 2 of insulating material in the condition placed on the circuit board 7 can therefore reach directly to the surface of the circuit board 7 or adhere to the circuit board 7.

[0029] Figure 7 shows once again how the button 21 affects the contact frame 4. The surface 26 of the button 21 is essentially wedge-shaped and acts on the cooperating inclined bevels 12 of the contact frame 4. When the button 21 is loaded with force F through the actuating surface The 27 wedge-shaped surface 26 of the button slides over the inclination slopes 12, sinks between the leaf springs 9 and pushes them apart. As soon as the actuating force F is removed from the button 21, the leaf springs 9, due to their returning force, push the button 21 by means of the approach ramps 12 and the actuating surface 26 cooperating with them back to the starting position.

The angular configuration of the button 21 shown allows a relatively long and effective button arm 23 with a correspondingly long lever arm, which is advantageous in particular in tight space conditions or very small electrical contact terminals with small housings of insulating material. Therefore, in particular in the case of miniaturized connection terminals by means of the configuration of the button 21 according to the invention, it is only possible to foresee at all an effective button 21 for actuating the contact frame

4.

[0031] Due to the fact that the button arm 23 in the unstated state is subjected to pretension, the stress at which the button arm 23 is loaded can be kept relatively low. The value of the pretension is relatively small, since the deviation of the button arm 23 is also relatively small when not in use. The deflection of the button arm 23 in the actuated position in the middle of the insulating plastic housing 2 is also not much greater than in the unlatched state, so that the stresses to which the button arm 23 is subjected can also be kept relatively low. On the other hand, if the entire actuation path was directed to the unstressed button arm 23, the stress acting on the button arm 23 would be much greater, so that also the button arm 23 would have to have larger dimensions. Thus, it can be seen that due to the present placement of the button 21 inside the connection terminal 1 and its interaction with the contact frame 4, the button can have very small dimensions in total and thus can in particular be suitable for connection terminals with very small dimensions.

[0032] Thanks to the embodiment of the electric terminal shown, overload protection for both leaf springs 9 and button 21 can also be realized. As can be seen in Figure 7, the inrun slants 12 located on the leaf springs 9, if the leaf springs 9 are sufficiently deflected, will hit the side walls 33 of the housing 2 of insulating plastic and / or one or more intermediate walls 34 of the housing 2 of insulating plastic placed between the poles of the clamp connection 1. The side walls 33 and / or intermediate walls 34 therefore limit the deflection of the leaf springs 9 and thus prevent their overloading, so that they cannot deform plastically or break.

[0033] At the same time, overload protection can also be provided for the button 21 or [0034] button arm. Due to the limited deflection of the leaf springs 9, only a limited intermediate space can be created between the associated leaf springs. If the maximum width of the arm section 23 of the button that sinks between the leaf springs 9 is greater than the intermediate space between the maximum deflected leaf springs 9, then the arm 23 of the button can only be deflected to a limited extent, as a result of which it cannot be subjected to excessive load, which effectively prevents the arm 23 button fracture.

[0035] Overload protection for the button 21 or its button arm 23 can also be obtained due to the fact that a stop is provided on the section of the arm arm 23 of the button between the leaf springs 9, which adheres to the springs at the maximum deflection of the button arm or at the maximum depth of the sink plate-shaped 9 or for ramps 12, yes, that further tilting of the button arm is prevented and the button 21 is not damaged.

Wago Verwaltungsgesellschaft mbH Representative:

49P36676PL00

EP 2 375 503 B1

List of references [0036] connection clamp insulated plastic housing cable entry hole contact frame electric cable isolated end of the electric cable circuit board channel input plate springs clamping edge contact bottom inclination inclination of the free end of the leaf spring front latch hook rear latch hook contact areas front latch recess upper side of the housing front side rear of the housing button housing recess button arm first part of the button arm second part of the button arm button surface actuating surface conductive path, contact section cable entry area inner housing wall recess side wall intermediate wall

Wago Verwaltungsgesellschaft mbH

Proxy:

49P36676PL00

EP 2 375 503 B1