EP0891010B1 - Grounding terminal - Google Patents

Abstract

A protective conductor clamp having a mounting leg for mounting the clamp on a support rail and a contact rail that is connected electrically conducting to the mounting base and is provided with at least one conductor connection. The mounting base has shaped sections for holding a spring element for bracing the mounting base in the support rail. The shaped sections are formed by recesses in two parallel-arranged side walls of the mounting base, between which the spring element is inserted.

Description

The invention relates to a protective conductor terminal with a mounting foot their mounting on a mounting rail and with an electrically conductive with the mounting foot connected busbar equipped with a conductor connection.

A protective conductor terminal is known from the European patent specification EP 0 554 519 B1 known in which one arranged in an insulating housing and with conductor connections equipped busbar is connected to a mounting foot that for mechanical and electrical connection with a protective conductor busbar serving mounting rail. To make an electrical connection between To produce the busbar and mounting rail, the busbar and mounting base must be used in turn are electrically connected to each other. For example by welding, soldering or by a positive and non-positive connection, for example by caulking. Should track and Mounting foot to ensure a good electrical and mechanical load Connection can be welded together, so can track and mounting foot are not both made of copper since copper is not can be welded with copper. In this case, a different material pair must be used be avoided. In addition, as a result of the weld or the mechanical connection point an artificial transition point in the Terminal created that under unfavorable conditions a high contact resistance can have. This is particularly high when it occurs Short-circuit currents are disadvantageous.

From DE 39 03 752 C2, a terminal block is known in the busbar and one-piece contact or mounting foot made of a highly conductive material Material are made so that no artificial transition point with the above disadvantages mentioned. The contact foot is shaped as a clamp, whereby the contact force of this clip by a spring clip overlapping it provided. In this known terminal block, the Contact force due to elastic deformation of the contact foot designed as a clamp causes. This requires an unsatisfactory constructive compromise between the mechanical stability of the contact foot and its electrical Contacting required elastic deformability.

A protective conductor connection terminal is from the German utility model G 86 01 687.3, which is to be regarded as the closest prior art known, in which the mounting foot by means of a compression spring Round wire is fixed to a mounting rail. The disadvantage is that the Compression spring must simultaneously fix both ends of the mounting rails, so that the installation of this protective conductor connection terminal is relatively complicated.

The invention is based on the object of specifying a protective conductor terminal, which are particularly easy to assemble and also simple and is inexpensive to manufacture and the disadvantages of the previously published Does not have the prior art.

The above task is performed with a protective conductor terminal with the features of claim 1 solved. The protective conductor terminal according to the invention contains a mounting foot for mounting on a mounting rail and an electrically conductive connected to the mounting foot and equipped with a conductor connection Conductor rail, with recesses in the mounting foot for receiving a spring element provided for bracing the mounting foot in the mounting rail are. The formations are through recesses in the side walls of the Assembly foot formed.

The spring element consists of a spring plate that between the Side walls is inserted. Only one end of the mounting rail is used the spring plate fixed. This makes it easy to install the spring plate in the Mounting foot possible. The spring element is preferably with side shoulders provided, which protrude into the recesses to fix the spring plate.

In particular, the spring plate is at its free ends in plan view of its Flat side, each T-shaped.

In a further preferred embodiment of the invention is as a spring element a leg spring is provided, the two legs braced in the mounting foot are. By this measure, the spring element is non-positive and secure in the Mounting foot fixed.

In particular, an L-shaped leg spring is provided, which is particularly light can be snapped into corresponding recesses. Preferably the long leg of the leg spring arranged in the mounting foot so that it when inserted into a fastening hook in the side wall of the mounting foot Support rail clamped between the support rail and the mounting foot is.

In particular, the mounting foot and busbar form a one-piece contact element, wherein the one-piece contact element is preferably a stamped and bent part. This is a cost-effective production through a punching process and a subsequent bending process possible in one processing step, the formations required for receiving the spring element can then be produced in one step in punch bending. In particular, it can be used as a starting material or semi-finished product for the stamping and bending process a simple sheet can be used.

In particular, the cross section corresponds to the bending points of the contact element at the transition from the power rail to a side wall of the mounting base approximately the cross section of the busbar in its free area. This is in the event of a short circuit, an almost constant current density is guaranteed in the contact element.

The contact element is preferably made of copper. This makes it special good electrical connection between the conductor rail and the mounting rail guaranteed.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the protective conductor terminal comprises a housing that is a base part with a rear wall and with formations for Inclusion of the contact element and a cover that can be placed on the base part comprises the base part on its side opposite the rear wall closes at least in the area of the conductor connection. This will make the base part stiffened.

In a particularly advantageous embodiment, the lid is on the inside in the area of the outer legs of a U-shaped busbar a cheek to support the outer leg against that of the spring leg Apply the force exerted when the terminal spring is actuated. Through this It is no longer necessary to measure the outer leg of the busbar in the area of the connecting spring for stiffening to form a U-shape a bending of the outer leg when operating the terminal spring prevent. At the same time, the cover creates a closed receiving space for the connecting conductor clamped to the outer leg by the connecting spring formed so that it is ensured that no strands or wires laterally over the protective conductor terminal can protrude outside.

Such a constructive design can also be advantageous in one Feed-through clamps are used whose mounting base is not an electrically conductive one Establishes connection between the mounting rail and the power rail. By eliminating the metallic mounting foot on the one hand and by Stabilization of the outer legs of the busbars between the base part and cover on the other hand is no longer necessary, angled stiffening strips to manufacture the rail in this case, therefore, only a simple metal strip in the full width of the conductor rail required. This is especially for simple Through clamps the necessary material and manufacturing costs for the conductor rail reduced considerably.

Fig.1

eine Schutzleiterklemme gemäß der Erfindung in einer Explosionsdarstellung,

Fig.2

die Schutzleiterklemme bei abgenommenem Deckel in einer Seitenansicht,

Fig.3

das als Kontaktelement vorgesehene Stanzteil in ungebogenem Zustand,

Fig.4

den Deckel der Schutzleiterklemme in einer räumlichen Ansicht auf seine Innenseite,

Fig.5

einen Ausschnitt des Montagefußes mit in ihm verspannten Federelement.

To further explain the invention, reference is made to the embodiment of the drawing. Show it:

Fig.1

a protective conductor terminal according to the invention in an exploded view,

Fig.2

the protective conductor terminal with the cover removed in a side view,

Figure 3

the stamped part provided as a contact element in the unbent state,

Figure 4

the cover of the protective conductor terminal in a spatial view on its inside,

Figure 5

a section of the mounting base with spring element clamped in it.

According to Figure 1, the protective conductor terminal comprises a base part 1, which is made in one piece an insulating material is produced, for example a plastic injection molded part, and with is provided with a plurality of formations for receiving a contact element 2 are provided. The contact element 2 is a one-piece stamped and bent part, preferably made of copper Cu, and consists of a mounting foot 3 and an essentially U-shaped busbar 4. The busbar 4 is on their outer legs 5 with a conductor connection, in the embodiment a connecting spring 6, in particular a cage tension spring, as for example in a particularly advantageous embodiment from EP 0 303 818 B1 is known.

The base part 1 is provided with a rear wall 8, which is also a stop for the contact element 2 inserted into the base part 1. On his from Mounting foot 3 facing away from the narrow side is the base part 1 with two to each other provided at an obtuse angle a extending pads 10, the in each case one through opening 12 for an electrical one not shown in the figure Have connection conductor and a mounting opening 14. Through the is the mounting of the connecting conductors oriented obliquely to one another facilitated.

Through the mounting opening 14, for example, a screwdriver or a Pen are inserted, with a recess 16 for inserting the electrical conductor provided clamping part 18 of the terminal spring 6 across to the outer leg 5 can be pressed outwards, so that this recess 16 with the through opening 12 and with one arranged in the base part Recording room 17 is aligned. The terminal spring 6 comprises as a spring element a leg spring, one spring leg 19 of which carries the clamping part 18, and whose other spring leg 20 rests on the outer leg 5, which when actuated the clamping part 18 serves as an abutment. Since the connection spring 6 applied clamping forces ensure a secure fixation of the connection conductor are also the forces required to open the clamping part 18 high, so that even on the outer leg serving as an abutment 5 relatively high Bending moments work.

On the base part 1, a locking lug 22 is molded, which for receiving a corresponding L-shaped shape of a mounting rail, not shown in the figure is provided.

The mounting foot 3 comprises two mutually parallel side walls 24, 26 which the side opposite the latch 22 each provided with a hook 28 are. On one of the two side walls 24, 26 there is the latch 22 facing side a serving as a counter bearing for the mounting rail 30 molded.

In the side walls of the mounting foot 3 are also in pairs Formations opposite one another, in the exemplary embodiment recesses 32 and 34, are provided for receiving a shoulder-like widening 36 one inserted between the side walls 24, 26 of the mounting foot 3 and in him braced spring element 38, an L-shaped in the embodiment Leg spring, serve.

A cover 40 closes the base part 1, which is open on a flat side, at least in Area of the two receiving spaces 17 after the 6 with terminal spring and spring element 38 provided contact element 2 is inserted into the base part 1.

For this purpose, the cover has tabs 44 each provided with pins 42, which over the pads 10 are pushed so that the pins 42 are arranged in there Engage recesses 46. On the inside of the cover 40 are more in this representation not visible mounting pin arranged in the base part 1 bores arranged on the flat side opposite the rear wall 8 48 are introduced and the cover 40 against displacement or twisting to back up.

The cover 40 is made in one piece as a plastic injection molded part, with the lid 40 are colored green or yellow, so that when yellow or green respectively colored base part 1 a green-yellow marking in the area of the connection or Contact insertion openings 12 is formed, which signals that the protective conductor terminal actually the mounting rail serving as a protective conductor busbar contacted.

According to Figure 2 it can be seen that the spring element 38 is an L-shaped leg spring is, the two legs 50 and 52 with their at the free ends, respectively arranged widenings 36 are clamped in the mounting base 3. The long Leg 50 is in its relieved starting position in relation to the arranged from the hook 28 rear grip 54 arranged that the long leg 50th when sliding the mounting foot 3 onto the L-shaped shape of the mounting rail 56 acts essentially as a pure spiral spring, the mounting foot 3 safely fixed to the mounting rail 56 and at the same time for good electrical contact provides. The long leg 50 extends obliquely to the direction of movement Mounting foot 3 when pushed onto the mounting rail 56, so that a light The support rail 56 can be inserted into the rear grip 54 formed by the hook 28 is.

In Figure 3, the stamped part provided for the production of the contact element 2 is in the shown unbent state. In the figure it can be seen that the busbar 4 of the contact element 2 is a substantially rectangular base plate 60 includes. The side edges of this base plate 60 form the transition or Crosspieces 62 and 64 to the two side walls 24, 26 of the mounting foot 3 or to the two outer legs 5 of the busbar 4. These connecting webs 62 and 64 fall with the bending points when finished, i.e. H. curved Contact element 2 together. The connecting webs 62 are in the middle each provided with a recess 65 around one in the middle of the base plate 60 existing threaded hole 66 when bending the side walls 24, 26 the mounting foot 3 not to deform, so that to each side wall 24, 26 of Mounting foot two connecting webs 62 arise. These two connecting bars 62 together have approximately the same cross-section as everyone the connecting webs 64 and the free area, i.e. the outer leg 5, the Busbar 4. In the event of a short circuit, one of the outer legs (5) flows into it high short-circuit current I, as indicated by arrows. This short circuit current I essentially flows over the opposite connecting webs 62 on the two side walls 24, 26 of the mounting foot. Since two Connecting webs 62 have approximately the same cross section as the connecting web 64 and the outer leg 5, it is ensured that in one of the busbars 4 current density in the event of a short circuit when transitioning to Side walls 24, 26 of the mounting foot 3, i.e. thus overall within the Contact element remains largely constant, and therefore no local overheating takes place.

In Figure 4, the lid 40 is shown in the viewing direction on its inside, so that the mounting pins 70 provided for insertion into the bores 48 (FIG. 2) are recognizable. Furthermore, on the inside of the cover 40 is in the area of the receiving space provided for receiving the stripped connecting conductor part 17 a cheek 72 is provided which, when the cover 40 is mounted Abutment for the outer leg 5 is used when the abutting on the outer leg 5 Spring legs 20 a transverse to when actuating the clamping part 18 Outer leg exerts 5 directed force.

In Figure 5 it can be clearly seen how that consists of an L-shaped leg spring Spring element 38 between the side walls 24, 26 of the mounting foot 3 is arranged. The T-shaped extensions 36 at the free ends of the Legs 50 and 52 are in recesses 32 and 34 of the side walls 24,26 inserted so that the spring element 38 captive in the mounting foot braced. The long leg 50 is the rear grip 54 formed by the hook 28 upstream, so that an insertion of the longitudinal edge of the mounting rail 56 (Fig.2) only against the spring action of the long leg, which acts as a pure spiral spring 50 is possible. Since it for the secure fixation of the mounting foot 3 on the Support rail 56 (FIG. 2) only depends on the spring action of the long leg 50, can in an alternative embodiment of the invention, the spring element 38 basically only from a single-leg, straight spiral spring be constructed.

Claims (12)

1. Protective-conductor terminal with a mounting foot (3) for mounting it on a supporting rail (56) and with a bus bar (4) which is connected in an electrically conducting manner to the mounting foot (3) and is provided with at least one conductor connection (6), the mounting foot (3) containing shaped formations for receiving a spring element (38) for bracing the mounting foot (3) in the supporting rail (56), characterized in that the shaped formations are formed by clearances (32, 34) in two mutually parallel side walls (24, 26) of the mounting foot (3), and the spring element (38) comprises a spring plate which is placed between the side walls (24, 26), the spring plate in the position of use fixing the mounting foot (3) only at one end of the supporting rail (56).
2. Protective-conductor terminal according to Claim 1, in which the spring element (38) is provided with lateral shoulders (36), which protrude into the clearances (32, 34) and fix the spring plate.
3. Protective-conductor terminal according to Claim 2, in which, in a plan view of its flat side, the spring plate is shaped at each of its free ends in the form of a T.
4. Protective-conductor terminal according to Claim 1, 2 or 3, in which a leg spring is provided as the spring element (38), the two legs (50, 52) of which spring are braced in the mounting foot (3).
5. Protective-conductor terminal according to Claim 4, in which an L-shaped leg spring is provided.
6. Protective-conductor terminal according to Claim 5, in which the long leg (50) of the leg spring is arranged in the mounting foot (3) in such a way that, in the position for use, with a supporting rail (56) which can be introduced into a hook (28) in the side wall of the mounting foot (3), it is resiliently braced between the supporting rail (56) and the mounting foot.
7. Protective-conductor terminal according to one of the preceding claims, in which the mounting foot (3) and bus bar (4) form a one-piece contact element (2).
8. Protective-conductor terminal according to Claim 7, in which the one-piece contact element (2) is a punched/bent part.
9. Protective-conductor terminal according to Claim 7 or 8, in which the cross section of the bending points (62, 64) of the contact element (2) at the transition from the bus bar (4) to a side wall (24, 26) of the mounting foot (3) corresponds approximately to the cross section of the bus bar (4) in its free region.
10. Protective-conductor terminal according to one of Claims 7 to 9, in which the contact element (2) consists of copper Cu.
11. Protective-conductor terminal according to one of the preceding claims, with a housing which comprises a base part (1) with a rear wall (8) and with shaped formations for receiving the contact element (2) and also a cover (40) which can be placed on the base part (1) and closes the base part (1) on its side opposite from the rear wall (8), at least in the region of the conductor connection.
12. Protective-conductor terminal according to Claim 11, in which a U-shaped bus bar (4) is provided, on the outer leg (5) of which there is respectively arranged a connection terminal spring (6), which bears with a spring leg (20) against the outer leg (5), the cover (40) being provided on its inner side in the region of the outer leg (5) respectively with a side piece (72) for supporting the outer leg (5) against the force exerted by the spring leg (20) when the connection terminal spring (6) is actuated.

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