EP1043805B1 - Electrical connection terminal - Google Patents

Abstract

The terminal has a housing (2) of electrically conducting material containing a conducting connecting arrangement (10) with associated cable insertion openings in the housing and clamping devices for the inserted cables. The housing contains at least o temp. sensitive element (15) with electrical connections (16) and mounted in a thermal transfer association with an external hou surface. An Independent claim is also included for an electrical device, e.g. transformer, with an electrical terminal.

Description

The invention relates to an electrical connection or Terminal with one of electrically insulating Material existing housing and with arranged in the housing electrically conductive connection or Connection means which line insertion openings in the Housing and clamping means for introduced into it electrical Lines are assigned.

Such electrical connection or terminals are known in practice in various embodiments. Your electrically conductive connection or connection means are often essentially pod, tube, Laschen- or rail-shaped metal parts Brass or bronze while as clamping means clamping screws, Clamping springs, insulation displacement contacts and the like are provided. The connection or connection means are safely stored in the insulating housing, the housing itself being fasteners in Shape of screw holes, cutouts for sliding on fastening straps, etc. may have.

Such terminals are also typically used for Electrical equipment used, in which they usually are directly attached. The terminals themselves can be formed one or more poles, and also several terminals combined to form so-called terminal strips could be. Under the term "clamp" are in Within the scope of the present invention also such terminal strips and corresponding terminal arrangement understood.

For example, ballasts for gas discharge lamps, Transformers, chokes and the like must depending on their use with a thermal fuse or monitoring to ensure that when a predetermined excess temperature is exceeded the device is switched off. The same applies also for lights, where for safety reasons a predetermined excess temperature should not be exceeded may.

From DE 33 09 110 C2 it is known in a the Winding heads of a choke or a transformer cap-like covering insulating material molding a temperature sensitive To accommodate element that is in heat-conducting Assignment to the winding heads in one of the windings housed behind tongue of the insulating molding is and its electrical connections with the connection means connected to an associated terminal are. Special precautions must be taken to prevent the temperature-sensitive element when soaking and at elevated temperature the curing of the impregnating mass is impaired becomes. In addition, the temperature-sensitive element must be in its response to the respective power loss the transformer or the choke tuned what will be different in mass production Types and sizes of such transformers or chokes Manufacturing disadvantages. One assigned Winding head of a choke or a transformer cap-like covering insulating material molding, which at a Terminal body is formed, also has a from the DE 88 01 789 U known terminal on. The temperature sensitive Element is doing in a space between the actual the clamping inserts for the lines receiving Body and the winding head in larger Distance from the support surface of the clamp arranged. In a receiving space of the main body can Kal tleiterscheibe a cal be arranged, which is above the support surface adjacent clamping inserts is located. In one from the DE 33 42 395 A1 known connection device with a a clamp body of insulating material having connection terminal is the thermal fuse away from the itself if necessary heating part, here the transformer coil, arranged. An exchange is against other protective elements not possible, because this a differently sized recording room require. Also is the thermal fuse in a particularly large distance above the support surface.

Basically similar, as in DE 33 09 111 C2, also applies to a known from DE 29 16 639 C2 Proposal, a temperature-sensitive element in shape a bimetal thermal circuit breaker in a corresponding box-like recess of the bobbin one Accommodate coil winding. Although this recess can to be closed to the outside, but this is also execution less flexible and also expensive. Besides it is known from GB 1540685 C2, at a Ballast for gas discharge lamps a PCT resistor, in series with the glow starter of the gas discharge lamp is switched, in its own small housing to be accommodated on the terminal of the Ballast is clipped.

Based on this prior art is the Invention the task underlying to show a way that it allows to thermally protect an effective over-temperature protection to enable equipment or equipment to be used, without thereby the manufacture of the facilities or Devices themselves or their construction are difficult.

To solve this problem, the above-mentioned electrical connection or terminal created, the invention thereby the features of claim 1 is marked.

This training of the connection or terminal based on the original consideration, the connection or Use terminal itself as a temperature sensor, i.e. the temperature monitoring in the connection or Lay the connection terminal. This results in the Advantage that the device to be protected even without consideration on any required thermal protection devices can be produced. The required Limit temperature monitoring is completed by that at the Device attached, new connection or Terminal causes and is independent of any Impregnation or hardening processes during the manufacture of the device. The invention also allows optimal adaptation of the Temperature response of the in the connection or terminal accommodated, heat-sensitive element to the thermal conditions and properties of the assigned device or the material used for this. By appropriate choice of connection or Connection terminal can also only in the final assembly be decided whether a device according to the respective Requirements with or without thermal protection device is delivered. Finally, there is the possibility by simply replacing the connection or terminal on the finished device an optimal adaptation For example, to the thermal conditions of the site of the Device. This is at lights or at in Luminaires used ballasts or transformers Of considerable importance, because with it the heat protection to the thermal conditions in the light and on the defined ambient temperature of the luminaire can be adjusted can. For transformers, chokes, ballasts, etc. whose windings require impregnation is one Impairment of the temperature-sensitive element locked out.

The invention is not limited to the application for ballasts and transformers of different power, Types and uses limited. It can be everywhere applied where it matters, one Limit temperature monitoring. The selection of the each in the new connection or terminal used temperature-sensitive element depends on the conditions of use and the purpose. temperature-sensitive Elements can be heat protection switches, PCT resistors, thermal fuse elements and the like be, just to name a few examples. It are generally speaking, electrical switching elements that temperature dependent their electrical state value between change their electrical connections. These include also non-contact temperature sensors, the optionally in signal evaluation circuits, etc. included are.

The at least one temperature-sensitive element can be embedded in the material of the terminal housing, For example, be poured, but it is usually appropriate if the housing means for receiving the having used temperature-sensitive element, in turn, for example, at least one bag, channel or groove-like depression or recess have, in which the temperature-sensitive element is used. electrical Connections of the temperature-sensitive element are with Advantage with the connection or connection means of Clamp connected, so with the insertion and the contacting the line feeds the temperature sensitive Element automatically switched in an appropriate manner is.

The temperature-sensitive element can at a Side of the housing of the terminal at least partially exposed can be arranged, but the arrangement can also be made such that the temperature-sensitive Element near the bearing surface of the Terminal housing arranged and at least partially Covered by a heat-permeable wall to the outside is. This has the advantage that the temperature-sensitive Element in the clamp against environmental influences protected is housed. The heat-permeable wall can be made of an electrical insulating material of low wall thickness exist and integrally formed on the housing or by a cover part connected to the housing be formed. To a particularly good heat conduction too cases are also conceivable in which the heat-permeable Wall made of metal. The location of the temperature-sensitive element in the terminal housing depends on the structure and mounting position of the terminal their intended use. So can the temperature sensitive Element in heat transferring assignment to a support surface and / or to a cable entry openings containing side surface of the housing be arranged. Especially with narrow clamps it is advantageous if the heat-sensitive element in im substantially axial alignment with connecting or connecting means is arranged.

Under "heat transfer mapping" to an outer surface of the housing is understood that the heat transfer from this outer surface on the heat-sensitive Element as unobstructed as possible, but at least defined is possible. The heat transfer itself can be dependent on the type of heat-sensitive used Element and the application of the connection or connection terminal by heat conduction, heat radiation (infrared radiation) u. Like. happen.

The invention is also the use of in the above-described connection according to the invention or terminal as temperature monitor or temperature fuse for a device to be thermally monitored, For example, a lamp, a built on a board Circuit, a ballast for gas discharge devices, a choke, a transformer and the like. These include non-electrical devices in which It only matters that they have a certain limit temperature do not exceed. The new connection or terminal as a temperature sensor.

The invention is finally also a electrical device, in particular a ballast or Transformer or the like, with an inventive Terminal in which the arranged in the terminal housing temperature-sensitive element through the with the device connected terminal in heat transfer assignment to a heat-emitting, monitored area of the device is held. The area to be monitored may e.g. at a current-carrying winding or one with this formed in thermally conductive connection standing part be. The device can also be a light.

Fig. 1

eine Verbindungs- oder Anschlußklemme gemäß der Erfindung, im axialen Schnitt in einer Seitenansicht;

Fig. 2

die Klemme nach Fig. 1 in einer Ansicht der Geräte-Anschlußseite;

Fig. 3

die Klemme nach Fig. 2 in einer Ansicht der Leitungs-Anschlußseite;

Fig. 4

die Klemme nach Fig. 1 unter Veranschaulichung einer Geräte-Befestigungseinrichtung und eines Geräte-Anschlußes;

Fig. 5

ein Vorschaltgerät mit einer Anschlußklemme nach Fig. 1 in der Draufsicht;

Fig. 6

das Vorschaltgerät nach Fig. 5 in einer Seitenansicht, unter Veranschaulichung der Anschlußklemme im Längsschnitt entsprechend Fig. 4;

Fig. 7

das Vorschaltgerät nach Fig. 6 in einer Ansicht der Leitungs-Einführseite;

Fig. 8

ein Vorschaltgerät mit einer Anschlußklemme gemäß der Erfindung in einer weiteren abgewandelten Ausführungsform und in einer Draufsicht;

Fig. 9

das Vorschaltgerät nach Fig. 8 in einer Seitenansicht unter Veranschaulichung der Anschlußklemme im Längsschnitt und

Fig. 10

das Vorschaltgerät nach Fig. 8 in einer Ansicht der Leitungs-Einführseite.

In the drawings, embodiments of the subject matter of the invention are shown. Shown schematically in each case:

Fig. 1

a connection or terminal according to the invention, in axial section in a side view;

Fig. 2

the terminal of Figure 1 in a view of the device connection side.

Fig. 3

the terminal of Figure 2 in a view of the line connection side.

Fig. 4

the terminal of Figure 1 illustrating a device fastening device and a device connection.

Fig. 5

a ballast with a terminal of Figure 1 in plan view.

Fig. 6

the ballast of Figure 5 in a side view, showing the terminal in longitudinal section corresponding to Fig. 4.

Fig. 7

the ballast of Figure 6 in a view of the line insertion side.

Fig. 8

a ballast with a terminal according to the invention in a further modified embodiment and in a plan view;

Fig. 9

the ballast of FIG. 8 in a side view illustrating the terminal in longitudinal section and

Fig. 10

the ballast of FIG. 8 in a view of the line insertion side.

The schematically illustrated in Figs. 1 to 4 three-pin connection or connection terminal 1 is as Schraubklemme formed and has one of an electrical housing made of insulating plastic material 2 on. The housing 2 consists of three identically designed elongated housing parts or units 3, the by integrally formed webs 4, 5 are interconnected, in whose area is one from top to bottom, one Fastening device forming screw hole 6 is arranged is (Fig. 5). Each of the rectangular in cross-section Housing units 3 has one of the front 7 to Back 8 through, channel-like recess 9, in the one forming a connecting or connecting means, metallic clamping sleeve 10 is inserted. Each of the clamping sleeves 10 is not in a conventional manner with two further provided threaded holes provided in the Clamping screws 11 are screwed. The clamping sleeves 10 and the clamping screws 11 are in the housing units. 3 or in this molded insulating material sleeves 12th safe to touch.

In the area below the clamping sleeves 10 are on the housing units 3 in pairs associated with each other, parallel strips 13 formed, which is a common Form mounting surface 14 for the terminal housing 2. Between two strips 13a is a temperature-sensitive one Element 15 is inserted, which is a substantially rectangular Has cross-sectional shape and two electrical Connecting wires 16 carries, which bent approximately L-shaped in the manner shown in Fig. 2 manner in the adjacent two clamping sleeves 10 are inserted, one of which Central clamping sleeve 10 of the three-terminal screw 1 is. The temperature-sensitive element 15 is symmetrical to the two, the connecting wires 16 associated clamping sleeves 10, 10 a arranged and in the axial direction a housing shoulder 17 (Figure 1) on the lead wires Fixed 16 opposite end face. On the the footprint 14 facing side is the heat-sensitive Element 15 through a thin, heat-permeable Covered wall 18, which is integrally formed on the two webs 13a is and consists of the material of the terminal housing 2. Alternatively, the heat-permeable wall 18 also as be formed separate part, with the terminal housing glued, locked or otherwise connected. In usually it is sufficient if the temperature-sensitive element 15 in the of the webs 13 a of the heat-permeable Wall 18 and the overlying parts of the terminal housing 2 limited, pocket-shaped recess 19 is inserted and therein by the jammed in the collars 10, 10a Connecting wires 16 is held. If necessary can the temperature-sensitive element 15 also glued or otherwise be anchored as well as possible is, the pocket-like recess 19, at least on one Front side to close by a closure means or to shed.

Alternatively, the temperature-sensitive element 15 also in the production of the terminal housing 2 directly have been embedded in its material.

The clamping sleeve 10a receiving channel-like recess 9 of the middle housing part 3 is on the Lead wires 16 of the temperature-sensitive element 15 facing away from the front 7, the line connection side the clamp, by a wall 20 (Fig. 3) closed, so that the lead wire inserted into the ferrule 10a 16 is not accidentally jammed with a power cord can be.

In the described screw 1 is the heat-sensitive Element 15 over the heat-permeable wall 18 in heat transfer assignment to the footprint 14 of the terminal arranged. At with his footprint 14th acts on a pad 22 attached terminal housing 2 the screw terminal thus as a temperature sensor for the in the pad 22 prevailing temperature. The temperature sensitive Element 15 may be a thermal circuit breaker PCT resistor, a thermal fuse element or generally a heat sensor element connected to its connecting wires 16 outputs a temperature-dependent signal or the temperature dependent one between the leads 16 occurring electrical state variable, eg. changed a resistance or a switching state. As explained, the temperature-sensitive element 15 in simply plugged into the terminal housing 2, i. interchangeable be arranged so that the clamp 1 flexible to the Conditions of the respective purpose are adapted can.

Thus, the pad 22, for example, a part of a lamp housing be on which the screw 1 is attached is and the temperature of the temperature sensitive Element 15 is monitored when reaching a limit temperature For example, the lamp circuit interrupts.

Just as an example for other uses are some uses in Figs. 5 to 15 the new screw terminal as a terminal for Ballasts of gas discharge lamps shown. Each of the ballasts 23 has a laminated core 24, that on a marginally with him crimped, metallic Attachment rail 25 is attached. The frontal side over the laminated core 24 protruding end windings not further illustrated winding are by Isoliermaterialkappen 26 covered, as in principle, for example. In the DE 33 09 110 C2 are described. Each of the insulating material caps 26 carries molded, one-sided slotted tubes 27, on the connection side of the ballast Connecting sleeves 28 are clamped, which are connected to the winding connection wires are stuck. The ferrules 28 are with the clamping sleeves 10, 10 a subsequent to the associated Isoliermaterialkappe 26 on the mounting rail 25 attached screw terminal 1 jammed, as Connection terminal for the ballast is used. The screw clamp 1 is on the mounting rail 25 by means of a unlatched, substantially L-shaped flap 29 attached, in one of the below one of the two bridges 4 lying through openings 30 (Fig. 2) of the terminal housing 2 sticks out. The arrangement can be made in this way be that the resilient flap 29 directly on the temperature sensitive element 15 presses, so this over the heat-permeable wall 18 against the mounting rail 25 is pressed.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 5 to 7 is the temperature-sensitive member 15 in the reference to FIG. 1 to 4 described manner in heat transfer assignment arranged to the footprint 14, wherein it is laterally offset from the plane of symmetry of the terminal housing 2, in the of four adjacent clamping screws 16 bounded area sits. The temperature sensitive Element 15 therefore feels the temperature of the mounting rail 25, in thermally conductive connection with the Laminated core 24 and the lamp housing is. In operation it is, as seen in Fig. 5, in series between the in the two outer Leitungsseinführöffnungen 30, 31 inserted and with the clamping sleeves 10 on the line connection side 7 connected ladders. The clamping sleeve 10a of the middle clamping screw pair 11 is only used for connection of the insertion wire 16 inserted in it with the winding connection sleeve 28, as shown by the Fig. 2, 3 has already been explained.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 8 to 10 Finally, the temperature-sensitive element 15 in a pocket or channel-shaped recess 36 of the central Housing part 3 upright inserted from below with its shortened clamp sleeve 10b. It feels Therefore - if necessary, a heat-permeable thin wall 18 - the temperature of the mounting rail 25. The arrangement is made such that the temperature-sensitive Element 15 on the cable entry openings 30 and 31 associated side 7 of the terminal housing 2 is exposed. This can be the temperature-sensitive Element 15 also act on page 7 as a temperature sensor, what it possibly with not shown additional equipment parts may be in contact.

The application of the new connection and terminal is, as already mentioned, not on ballasts, Chokes. Transformers and the like with windings limited equipment limited. The clamp can also as a temperature sensor for non-electrical devices and equipment be used.

Claims (16)

1. An electric connecting or terminal clamp including a housing (2) being of an electrically insulating material and having a seating surface, and electrically conducting connecting or terminal means (10) disposed in the housing and associated with conductor-receiving openings in the housing and with clamping means (11) for electric conductors introduced thereinto; the housing (2) having at least one temperature-sensitive element (15) provided with electric terminals (16), characterized in that the temperature-sensitive element is in a heat-transferring relationship with the seating surface of the housing.
2. The clamp as defined in claim 1, characterized in that the housing (2) includes means (19) for receiving the inserted temperature-sensitive element (15).
3. The clamp as defined in claim 2, characterized in that the means for receiving the temperature-sensitive element include at least one pocket-like, channel-like or groove-like depression or recess (19) into which the temperature-sensitive element (15) is inserted.
4. The clamp as defined in one of the foregoing claims, characterized in that electric terminals (16) of the temperature-sensitive element are connected with the connecting or terminal means (10).
5. The clamp as defined in one of the foregoing claims, characterized in that the temperature-sensitive element (15) is arranged at one side of the housing (2) and is at least partially freely exposed.
6. The clamp as defined in one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the temperature-sensitive element (15) is at least partially covered toward the outside by a heat-pervious wall (18).
7. The clamp as defined in claim 6, characterized in that the heat-pervious wall (18) is of a thin, electrically insulating material.
8. The clamp as defined in claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the heat-pervious wall (18) is formed on the housing as a one-piece component thereof.
9. The clamp as defined in one of claims 6 to 8, characterized in that the heat-pervious wall (18) is a cover part connected to the housing.
10. The clamp as defined in one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the temperature-sensitive element (15) is in a heat-transferring relationship with a side surface forming part of the housing (2) and containing conductor-receiving openings.
11. The clamp as defined in one of claims 3 to 9, characterized in that the temperature-sensitive element (15) is arranged essentially in an axial alignment with the connecting or terminal means (10).
12. The use of the connecting or terminal clamp as defined in one of claims 1 to 11, as a temperature monitor or as a thermal fuse for a device to be thermally supervised.
13. An electric device, particularly a ballast, a transformer or the like, including a clamp as defined in one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the temperature-sensitive element (15) disposed in the clamp housing (2) is maintained, by the clamp connected with the device, in a heat-transferring relationship with a heat-emitting zone which forms part of the device and which is to be monitored.
14. The device as defined in claim 13, characterized in that the zone to be monitored is formed on a current-carrying winding or on a part which is in a heat-conducting connection with the current-carrying winding.
15. The device as defined in claim 13 or 14, characterized in that the clamp (1) is positioned on a base (25) of heat-conducting material, and the temperature-sensitive element (15) is held by the clamp (1) in a heat-transmitting relationship with the base.
16. The device as defined in claim 13 or 14, characterized in that the device is a lamp (22).

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