EP1290759B1 - Connecting terminal - Google Patents

Abstract

A connecting terminal for switching device includes at least one receiving device configured to interchangeably receive either of a base contact element for a screw connection or a module for a spring-clamping device. A receiving shaft configured to engage the module is provided. The module includes an open mounting side configured for mounting the spring-clamping device.

Description

Technical area

The invention relates to a terminal with at least one receiving means for a base contact element for a screw. Furthermore, the invention relates to a terminal with at least one spring clamping means.

State of the art

For installation u. Industrial switching devices, in particular switching and protective devices, such as contactors, motor protection switches and the like, it is known to carry terminals with screw fastening as well as in spring clamp technology.

From the publication DE 296 19 139 U1 It is known to equip a terminal with a cage tension spring. So that an assembly of the clamping piece in a switching device is even possible, no support webs may be arranged in the housing according to this construction. The assembly is done on the front side. Support webs have the task to absorb the forces occurring in the cage tension spring. To eliminate this problem, the connector provides a punched out retaining tab. This requires an additional punching operation.

From the DE 2704057 A1 is an electrical installation device with a contact part for training with Schraubklemmanschluss or screwless terminal connection with arranged on the contact part switching contact and a socket for receiving one or more contact parts known. The screw terminals or screwless terminal connections are taken here by identically shaped recesses in a socket, can be molded to the covers. The screw terminals or screwless clamps se are engaged by means of corresponding tabs in corresponding recesses in a receiving shaft of the base. Another embodiment describes a module with spring clamping means, which can be snapped into the receiving shaft of the base, and which has an open mounting side, from which the spring clamping means can be mounted and which is covered in the locked state of the receiving shaft. In this electrical installation device, the device-internal, output-side wiring is made by means of the screw terminals or screwless clamping means described. The input-side contacting takes place by means of plug contacts or other switching contacts, so it is not fixed.

For connection terminals for busbars, such as the DE 93 15 474 U shows, such support bars are present. The mounting of the cage tension spring is in contrast to the aforementioned terminal from the side. For switching devices, such as contactors, this is not readily possible. The DE 197 56 751 C1 shows and describes a terminal in which a bone-like holding piece is arranged around which the spring clamp is arranged. Again, the assembly is done from the side. From the DE 43 21 067 C1 is known a terminal for a circuit board, which, like FIG. 6 shows, arranged stepwise screw terminals. The DE 35 10 588 C2 shows a switching device with terminals in screw technology. Base contact elements, which are arranged between separating webs, are provided with a saw toothing. There are advantages in terms of warehousing. This switching device is not intended for the use of spring terminals.

Presentation of the invention

The invention is therefore an object of the invention to provide a suitable for switching devices with their input as well as output side fixed wiring terminal in which a simple installation, further reducing the storage costs, and in both the use of screw and the clamping technology is possible.

The object of the invention is achieved by the characterizing features of the independent claim, while in the dependent claims particularly advantageous developments of the invention are characterized.
The invention not only simplifies assembly because pre-assembled modules can be used, but it also the structural design of the cage clamp and the arrangement is simplified. Retaining tabs on the cage tension spring, which require an additional manufacturing step, can be saved. Advantageous are the modular design and faster assembly times resulting from the invention. The invention is based on the common part principle or setting box principle. It is also advantageous that both cage tension springs and screw terminals can be used in a simple manner. A special saving occurs in that the basic housing, in which either the Käfigzugfedem or the screw terminals are used, is shared. This reduces storage and production costs. There are no separate injection molding tools for spring clamp technology and screwing required. The invention also makes it possible to integrate both techniques without additional effort. It is also advantageous through the use of the modules that standardized cage pull springs can be used. The shape of the module can be easily adapted to the construction of the cage clamp.

By the modules are latched into a receiving shaft, the requirements of the electrical insulation are met by the side walls of the receiving shaft. At the same time it is possible to perform the respective module, for example, open on one side.

The arrangement in the receiving shaft covers the open module side. The latchability of the module simplifies assembly. It is therefore particularly advantageous if the module has latching lugs which can be latched into latching openings arranged on side walls of the receiving shaft.

It is particularly advantageous if the receiving shaft is at least partially open on a front side, wherein the open front side is at least partially closed by a cover region or by a cover. This allows both a cable connection from above and from the side.

The assembly of the module is simplified if the module has a covering area with guide webs, wherein the covering area is wider than the receiving shaft.

A particularly favorable embodiment of the module, a secure clamping technology and a simple electrical contactability arises when the module has a contact piece which is arranged between a cage tension spring and two support areas, wherein between the support areas a cable contact space is present when the contact piece on the Cable outlet side opposite side is led out when the contact piece has curved contact ends and when the contact piece between its terminal end and the cable contact region has a bend, wherein the terminal end is led out of the module.

The connection of cables is facilitated by the fact that a downwardly open cable connection space is provided in addition to the receiving means, which is suitable both for a terminal end of a cage tension spring and for a connection piece of a base contact element.

Brief description of the drawings

Figur 1:

eine perspektivische Darstellung einer Anschlussklemme mit einem auseinandergezogenen Modul und einer auseinandergezogenen Käfigzugfeder;

Figur 2:

eine Ansicht von vorne der in Figur 1 gezeigten Anschlussklemme;

Figur 3:

eine Seitendarstellung der in Figur 1 gezeigten Anschlussklemme mit montierter Käfigzugfeder;

Figur 4:

eine komplett montierte, in Figur 1 gezeigte Anschlussklemme;

Figur 5:

eine Darstellung der komplett montierten, in Figur 1 gezeigten Anschlussklemme von vorne;

Figur 6:

eine Schnittdarstellung der komplett montierten, in Figur 1 gezeigten Anschlussklemme;

Figur 7:

eine Darstellung des Moduls von vorne;

Figur 8:

eine Schnittdarstellung des Moduls ohne Käfigzugfeder;

Figur 9:

eine perspektivische Darstellung des Moduls ohne Käfigzugfeder;

Figur 10:

eine perspektivische Darstellung des Moduls mit Käfigzugfeder;

Figur 11:

eine Schnittdarstellung des Moduls mit Käfigzugfeder;

Figur 12:

eine perspektivische Darstellung des Moduls aus einer anderen Perspektive;

Figur 13:

eine perspektivische Darstellung einer Anschlussklemme mit auseinandergezogener Schraubklemme und Abdeckung;

Figur 14:

eine Ansicht von oben der in Figur 13 gezeigten Anschlussklemme;

Figur 15:

eine komplett montierte, in Figur 13 gezeigte Anschlussklemme;

Figur 16:

eine Schnittdarstellung der in Figur 13 gezeigte Anschlussklemme;

Figur 17:

eine Darstellung der komplett montierten, in Figur 13 gezeigten Anschlussklemme von vorne und

Figur 18:

eine Schnittdarstellung der in Figur 13 gezeigten Anschlussklemme, jedoch komplett montiert.

Reference to the drawing, in which an embodiment is shown, the invention, further refinements and improvements of the invention and other advantages will be described and explained in more detail. Show it

FIG. 1:

a perspective view of a terminal with an exploded module and an exploded cage tension spring;

FIG. 2:

a view from the front in FIG. 1 shown terminal;

FIG. 3:

a page representation of in FIG. 1 shown terminal with mounted cage clamp;

FIG. 4:

a completely assembled, in FIG. 1 shown terminal;

FIG. 5:

a representation of the fully assembled, in FIG. 1 shown terminal from the front;

FIG. 6:

a sectional view of the fully assembled, in FIG. 1 shown terminal;

FIG. 7:

a representation of the module from the front;

FIG. 8:

a sectional view of the module without cage clamp;

FIG. 9:

a perspective view of the module without cage clamp;

FIG. 10:

a perspective view of the module with cage clamp;

FIG. 11:

a sectional view of the module with cage clamp;

FIG. 12:

a perspective view of the module from a different perspective;

FIG. 13:

a perspective view of a terminal with exploded screw and cover;

FIG. 14:

a top view of the in FIG. 13 shown terminal;

FIG. 15:

a completely assembled, in FIG. 13 shown terminal;

FIG. 16:

a sectional view of in FIG. 13 shown terminal;

FIG. 17:

a representation of the fully assembled, in FIG. 13 shown terminal from the front and

FIG. 18:

a sectional view of in FIG. 13 shown terminal, but completely assembled.

Embodiment of the invention

The Fig. 1 shows a connection terminal 1b with a spring clamping means. 7
The terminal has a receiving shaft 5, in which a module 6 can be latched. The spring clamping means 7 is a cage tension spring, which is arranged in the module 6. The terminal 1b or the clamping module, here module 6, are still in the FIGS. 2 to 12 shown.

A terminal 1a with a receiving means 2 for a base contact element 3 for a screw 4 is in the Fig. 13 to 18 shown.

The screw 4 is easily replaced by a module 6, wherein in the module 6 spring clamping means 7 are arranged. Depending on your needs so a screw or clamp connection can be arranged. The module 6 is locked in a simple manner in a receiving shaft 5 of the terminal 1a. To simplify the assembly, the module 6 has an open mounting side 8, from which the spring clamping means 7 can be mounted. Furthermore, the module 6 locking lugs 9, as the FIGS. 1 . 4 and 10 show, which can be latched in arranged on side walls 11 of the receiving shaft 5 locking openings 10. The receiving shaft 5 is partially open on a front side 12, such as Fig. 1 clearly shows, wherein the open front 12 of a cover portion 13, the in Fig. 3 is shown is closed. In the screw clamp, the open front side 12 is at least partially closed by a cover 14, in the FIGS. 15 . 16 and 18 you can see. The module 6 also has a cover region 13 with guide webs 15, wherein the cover region 13 is wider than the receiving shaft 5, which causes a guided insertion of the module.

How the particular FIGS. 8 to 10 show, the module 6 has a known bone-shaped retaining lug 16 for the cage tension spring 7, one or more Werkzeuginstecköffnungen 17 and one or more Kabeleinstecköffnungen 18 for insertion of the cable from above. The cage tension spring 7 is divided so that two cables can be clamped independently.

So that clamping forces can be absorbed and the cage clamp is easy to install, is an in Fig. 11 shown contact piece 19 between the Käfigzugfeder 7 and two support portions 20, 21, wherein between the support portions 20, 21, a cable contact space 22 is present, in which the cables can dip and can be contacted in a known manner, wherein the contact piece 19 on the cable opening side 23 opposite side 24 is led out, such as the Fig. 12 shows.

The contact piece 19 has bent contact ends 25 which are mounted in a recess in the module housing. Between the connection end 26 and the cable contact region 27, a bend 28 is present, wherein the connection end 26 of the module 6, as explained, is led out. The module 6 has on the sides in the upper module region first guide pin 29, which correspond to arranged on the side walls 11 guide cuts 30. So that the interchangeability of the module 6 is simplified with screw terminals, a block-shaped guide projection 30 is arranged on the bottom side, which is connectable to the receiving means 2 in the form of a plug-in recess for the base contact element 3.

The terminal 1a, 1b has, like the FIGS. 6 and 16 show cable guides 31 below the modules 6. This allows cables to be easily routed out without modules being mounted. The cables can be soldered to the connection ends 26, for example. Afterwards the modules can be mounted. The same way is possible when using the screw terminals.

The base contact element 3 is provided with two attachment legs, each with a saw toothing 33. The attachment legs are inserted into the wells or receiving means 2. In addition to the receiving means 2, a cable connection space 32 open at the bottom is present, which is suitable both for a connection end 26 of a cage tension spring 7 and for a connection piece 34 of a base contact element 3. The screw terminals 4 and the screw terminals 34 can be covered with a cover 14 with screw openings 35, wherein the cover 14 has latching lugs 9 and guide pins 29 which are identical to the latching lugs 9 and guide pins 29 of the modules 6. The screw terminals 4 of screw terminals 34 are provided with a cover 14, wherein the cover 14 has a relation to the front wall 12 shorter covering surface 36, that an insertion opening 37 for one or more cables is present.

The connection terminals 1a, 1b are provided with a T-shaped fastening web 39 when the connection terminals 1a, 1b are arranged individually in contactors with a separate terminal housing 38. The terminals can also be arranged side by side and integrated in contactors in a switchgear housing.

The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but also includes all the same in the context of the invention embodiments. For example, the invention can be supplemented or replaced by other modules. For example, a module can be used which contains a screw-clamp combination. The terminals are also available in other switching devices, used in programmable logic controllers, I / O modules and the like. Furthermore, all shown in the drawing, in particular geometric features of the invention.

List of reference numbers

• Terminal 1a, 1b
• Receiving means 2
• Basic contact element 3
• Screw connection 4
• Receiving shaft 5
• Module 6
• Spring clamp 7
• Cage tension spring 7
• Mounting side 8
• Latching noses 9
• Rest openings 10
• Side walls 11
• Front side 12
• Covering area 13
• Cover 14
• Guide webs 15
• Holding approach 16
• Tool insertion openings 17
• Cable insertion openings 18
• Contact piece 19
• Support areas 20, 21
• Cable contact space 22
• Cable opening side 23
• Page 24
• Contact ends 25
• Connecting end 26
• Cable contact area 27
• Bend 28
• Guide pin 29
• Guidance approach 30
• Cable guides 31
• Cable compartment 32
• Saw teeth 33
• Screw terminals 34
• Screw holes 35
• Covering area 36
• Insertion opening 37
• Terminal housing 38
• Fixing bar 39

Claims (17)

1. Connecting terminal (1a, 1b) for switching devices having the following features:

   - a base contact element (3) with a screw connection (4) or a module (6) with a spring-clamping means (7),

   - at least one receiving means (2) for optionally and interchangeably receiving a base contact element (3) and the module (6),

   - a receiving shaft (5) for engaging the module (6), and

   - an open mounting side (8) of the module (6), from which side the spring-clamping means (7) can be mounted and is covered by the receiving shaft (5) in the engaged state of the module (6),

   - characterised in that the connecting terminal (1a, 1b) has one or more cable guides (31) beneath the module (6) or the base element (3) for guiding the connection cable of the module (6) or base contact element (3).
2. Connecting terminal according to claim 1, characterised in that the spring-clamping means (7) is designed as a cage tension spring.
3. Connecting terminal according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the module (6) has locking tabs (9) which are able to snap into locking openings (10) located in side walls (11) of the receiving shaft (5).
4. Connecting terminal according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the receiving shaft (5) is open at least in part at a front side (12), the open front side (12) being closed off at least in part by a covering region (13) or by a cover (14).
5. Connecting terminal according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the module (6) has a covering region (13) with guide ribs (15), the covering region (13) being wider than the receiving shaft (5).
6. Connecting terminal according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the module (6) has a bone-shaped retaining projection (16) for a cage tension spring (7), one or more tool insertion openings (17) and one or more cable insertion openings (18).
7. Connecting terminal according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the module (6) has a contact piece (19) located between a cage tension spring (7) and two supporting regions (20, 21), a cable contacting chamber (22) being arranged between the supporting regions (20, 21), and in that the contact piece (19) is guided out at the side (24) opposite the cable opening side (23), in that the contact piece (19) has curved contact ends (25), and in that the contact piece (19) has a crank (28) between its connecting end (26) and the cable contact region (27), the connecting end (26) being guided out of the module (6).
8. Connecting terminal according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the module (6) comprises first guide tenons (29) on the sides in the upper region of the module, said guide tenons corresponding with guide notches (30) located in the side walls (11).
9. Connecting terminal according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the module (6) has a block-shaped guide extension (30) on the base, said guide extension being operatively connected to a receiving means (2) of a base contact element (3).
10. Connecting terminal according to claim 1, characterised in that the base contact element (3) has fastening legs which have a saw-toothing (33) and which are operatively connected to the receiving means (2).
11. Connecting terminal according to either claim 1 or claim 10, characterised in that next to the receiving means (2), there is a cable connection chamber (32) which is open at the bottom and is suitable both for a connecting end (26) of a cage tension spring (7) and for a connecting piece (34) of a base contact element (3).
12. Connecting terminal according to any one of claims 1, 10 or 11, characterised in that the screw connections (4) of screw clamps (34) can be covered by a cover (14) with screw openings (35), the cover (14) comprising locking tabs (9) and guide tenons (29), which have an identical construction to the locking tabs (9) and guide tenons (29) of the modules (6).
13. Connecting terminal according to any one of the claims 1 and 10 to 12, characterised in that the screw connections (4) of screw clamps (34) are provided with a cover (14) in such a way that an insertion opening (37) for one or more cables is present, the cover (14) having a covering face (36) which is shorter than the front wall (12).
14. Connecting terminal according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the connecting terminals (1a, 1b) are separately arranged in contactors with a separate terminal housing (38).
15. Connecting terminal according to claim 14, characterised in that the connecting terminals (1a, 1b) are provided with a T-shaped mounting rib (39).
16. Connecting terminal according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the connecting terminals are arranged in contactors side-by-side and in an integrated manner in a switchgear housing.
17. Connecting terminal according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that a cage tension spring (7) is divided up in such a way that two cables can be clamped independently of one another.

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