EP2112716B1 - Contact element for a connection clamp and connection clamp - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a contact element for a terminal, in particular for a circuit board terminal and a terminal.

In the terminology of this document, a terminal usually has several poles on each of which a lead wire can be fixed by clamping action in a conductive connection to a contact element for forwarding an electrical signal. From the contact element, the electrical signal is then tapped usually by one or more fixed or detachable conductive connections. Each pole of a terminal thus corresponds to a clamping element and the entire terminal is composed of several such clamping elements.

When using terminals for connecting a plurality of lead wires in general and circuit board terminals for connecting a plurality of lead wires to printed circuit boards in particular, it is often the case that two or more terminal members of the terminal are to be electrically connected to each other. This is usually done by a U-shaped bent piece of wire or a U-shaped stamped part is inserted and clamped in the nip. The problem with this approach, however, is that at least one of the connected terminal points additionally a connection wire must be connected, so that at this point two elements must be clamped. This means that a secure contact between the two elements can not be regarded as guaranteed, for example, because the diameter of U-shaped Wire piece or stamped part on the one hand and lead wire on the other hand differ from each other. Particularly vulnerable have proved because of their particularly robust, cost-effective to produce and extremely comfortable in handling clamping mechanism widely used spring clips.

From the DE 10 2004 013 757 It is known to circumvent this problem by installing separate electrical contacts for such clamping elements to be bridged together. However, this installation must be done in advance; Furthermore, a once established connection can not be solved and the installation costs increase.

From the DE 299 10 867 U1 and the DE 299 17 825 U1 are each contact elements for a terminal known, which are designed as stamped and bent part that recesses for receiving a jumper and a clamping means for fixing a terminal pin have.

From the DE 100 13 241 A1 is known as a cross bridge in the form of a bridge comb jumper known.

The object of the invention is therefore to provide a contact element for a terminal, in particular for a circuit board terminal, a terminal and a jumper for a terminal, with the connection of poles of the terminal is flexible, needs and cost possible.

This object is achieved by a contact element for a terminal with the features of claim 1 and a terminal with the features of the claim 7. Advantageous embodiments and further developments of the invention are specified in the subclaims.

The core idea of the invention is to implement a contact element for a terminal as a stamped and bent part, in which at least a first clamping means for fixing a jumper and a second clamping means for fixing a terminal pin are integrated. Integrated here means in particular that the first and second clamping means are an integral part of the stamped and bent part and the corresponding sections of the stamped and bent parts are optionally provided with a suitable mechanical bias.

As a result, a separate terminal contact for a jumper is provided, via which different contact elements can be short-circuited to each other, while at the same time ensures an optimal clamping action for pin and electrical conductor on all terminal contacts.

The inventively designed, multifunctional contact element can be in a single process step, namely by performing the stamping bending process, easily and inexpensively.

Advantageously, the stamped and bent part has a cage-like structure, since then, for example, a force flow introduced into the contact element by an additional clamping spring arranged as a separate part in the contact element can be closed.

Particularly suitable contact elements have proven in which at least the first clamping means is flat, as this allows a particularly compact, space-saving design. It is essential to the invention that the first clamping means has at least one clamping leg, for example, a insertable between clamping leg and a wall or a second clamping leg contact fingers of a jumper in the inserted state by a clamping action on a fixed to the clamping leg side surface of the contact finger.

A particularly secure clamping connection guaranteeing embodiment of the first clamping means provides that the at least one clamping leg a structure, e.g. an undercut or a bulge into which a corresponding bulge or an undercut of a contact finger can be accommodated. Such clamping means can be provided very easily by punching out a corresponding shape from a sheet metal strip.

A wide usability in a single embodiment of the contact element can be achieved if the second clamping means is designed for the insertion of the terminal pin from three different spatial directions.

The contact element is further improved if it additionally has a test contact surface which makes it possible to check the signal currently applied to this component.

An inventive terminal, in particular printed circuit board terminal, has at least two clamping elements, each having an insulating housing and a disposed within the insulating housing according to the invention contact element.

It is particularly advantageous if the insulating housing of at least two of the clamping elements, in particular the clamping elements, which are to be electrically conductively connected to each other, a wire insertion opening, a separate from the wire insertion opening jumper insertion opening and at least one further opening for producing a plug contact with a Pin or a pin header has. This ensures that its own and thus adapted to the particular requirements of each plug contact terminal point is available for each provided plug contact.

Next has proved to be favorable that the insulating housing has at least one locking device with which it is fixable to a housing or a printed circuit board.

For variable and retrofittable electrical connection of at least two clamping elements of such a terminal is particularly suitable jumper and in particular a jumper, which is in the mated state in each case with the first clamping means of the contact elements of the respective clamping elements in clamping connection.

The jumper for a contact element according to the invention advantageously has a front part and at least two contact fingers. It is particularly easy to handle, if the front part is at least partially angled. In order to allow a safe removal of the jumper at all just applied to the contact element voltages, it is very useful if the front part is at least partially covered with an insulation. The jacket can be achieved by an attached plastic part or by an overmolded part.

A particularly secure hold of the jumper is achieved if the at least one of the contact fingers has a bulge or an undercut, whereby a Verrastungswirkung in the associated clamping means is achieved in particular if they have a corresponding undercut or a corresponding bulge.

In addition, it contributes to a secure hold when at least one of the contact fingers has a recess, as this allows the edges of the contact fingers to spring to each other, which allows a better contact.

It makes sense to also execute the jumper as stamped and bent part, which advantageously has a U-shaped in a two-pole bridge and a comb-like shape in a multi-pole bridge.

Figur 1

eine Ansicht einer erfindungsgemäßen Anschlussklemme mit ungesteckter Steckbrücke,

Figur 2

eine Ansicht der Anschlussklemme nach Figur 1 mit entfernter Seitenwand und gesteckter Steckbrücke,

Figur 3

einen Querschnitt durch die Anschlussklemme nach Figur 1,

Figur 4

ein Ausführungsbeispiel für ein Kontaktelement der Anschlussklemme nach Figur 1 im Detail,

Figur 5

ein Ausführungsbeispiel für eine Steckbrücke für eine Anschlussklemme nach Figur 1 im Detail und

Figur 6

eine Ansicht von unten von zwei nebeneinander und beabstandet voneinander angeordneten Kontaktelementen einer Anschlussklemme nach Figur 1, die mittels ein-gesteckter Steckbrücke miteinander verbunden sind.

An embodiment of the invention will be explained in detail with reference to the following figures. Show it:

FIG. 1

a view of an inventive terminal with unmated jumper,

FIG. 2

a view of the terminal after FIG. 1 with removed side wall and plugged jumper,

FIG. 3

a cross section through the terminal after FIG. 1 .

FIG. 4

an embodiment of a contact element of the terminal after FIG. 1 in detail,

FIG. 5

an embodiment of a jumper for a terminal after FIG. 1 in detail and

FIG. 6

a bottom view of two juxtaposed and spaced apart contact elements a terminal after FIG. 1 , which are connected to each other by means of a plugged jumper.

Unless otherwise stated, the same reference numerals are used in all figures for the same components.

FIG. 1 shows a view of a terminal 100 according to the invention and an unplugged jumper 3. The in FIG. 1 shown terminal 100 is designed for four connecting wires, not shown, a design for more or fewer connecting wires is also possible. For this purpose, in particular a modular construction of the terminal from individual, interconnectable clamping elements 101, an inseparable design is also possible.

Each clamping element 101 shows an insulating housing 1, which is usually made of an electrically insulating material, with a wire insertion opening 4 and a jumper insertion opening 5 and a pusher 2, which is also usually made of an electrically insulating material, and the insulating housing. 1 interspersed.

Furthermore, the insulating housing 1 has at least one latching device 6 for latching into a printed circuit board or a wall of a housing. Laterally, the terminal 100 is closed by a side wall 102.

FIG. 2 shows a view of the composite of four clamping elements 101 terminal 100 FIG. 1 with the side wall 102 removed so that a view into the interior of one of the clamping elements 101 is possible. The insulating housing 1 has, in addition to the wire insertion opening 4, the jumper insertion opening 5 and the insulating housing 1 passing through Pusher 2 three openings 10, 11, 12 for plug contacts, not shown on. Inside the insulating housing 1, a contact element 8 is arranged, which is accessible from the outside via a Prüfabgriff 9.

An embodiment of the contact element 8 of the terminal 100 from FIG. 1 is FIG. 4 refer to. The contact element 8 is designed as a one-piece stamped and bent part. The contact element 8 is further formed like a cage. Essential to the invention is that in the contact element 8, a first clamping means 13 and a second clamping means 15 are integrated, which are in particular designed in one piece and integral with the contact element 8. The first clamping means 13 is in the embodiment according to FIG. 4 Specifically around two clamping legs with an undercut 14. The second clamping means 15 is designed as a contact spring having insertion aids 22 in three directions, which facilitate the production of a clamping contact with a not shown, supplied from these directions pin. In addition, the contact element 8 in the in FIG. 4 As shown embodiment, a Prüfkontaktfläche 16, which is accessible via the Prüfabgriff 9. The test contact surface 16 provided on the contact element 8 makes it possible, via a test tap 9, to pick up the current and voltage conditions currently prevailing on the contact element 8 and supply it to a measurement.

In detail, this is the cage-like structure of the contact element 8 forming stamped and bent part according to FIG. 4 A base plate 401 defines by its transverse extent an x-axis 419, its longitudinal extent a y-axis 420 and its thickness extension a z-axis 421, which together form a right-handed Cartesian coordinate system. In The coordinate system defined in this way corresponds to "larger" and "smaller" x values "to the front", "larger" and "smaller" y values to the "right" and smaller z values to the "upper" and "lower" ones.

Adjacent to the left edge of the base plate 401, this has a punched-402, which the first clamping means 13, here in the form of clamping legs, in the inner sides recesses 14 are introduced, generates.

From the right part of the front, substantially parallel to the y-axis edge of the base plate 401 is extending beyond the right edge of the base plate 401 further to the right extending first strip of material 408 about a substantially parallel to the y-axis axis upwards up bent. The portion of the first strip of material 408 adjacent to the base plate 401 serves for lateral stabilization of the in FIG. 4 not shown clamping spring in the forward direction. Then, following the extension of the first material strip 408 further to the right, it initially runs obliquely to the right rear, then merges into a substantially parallel to the x-axis, rectangular clamping surface 410, in the remaining three directions of relative to the clamping surface 410 obliquely forward surfaces 411, 412, 413 is surrounded. This portion of the first strip of material 408 forms a first part of the clamping means 15; another strip of material 414, the configuration of which will be described below, forms a second part of the clamping means 15.

From the rear, substantially parallel to the y-axis extending edge of the base plate 401, a rear wall 403 is bent so that it extends in the z-direction. From the rear wall 403, a second strip of material 404 is bent out, that it lies above the base plate 401 parallel to this. The second strip of material 404 prevents tilting of the in FIG. 4 not shown clamping spring.

From the upper, substantially parallel to the y-axis extending edge of the rear wall 403, a ceiling plate 405 is bent, which extends parallel to the base plate 401 substantially along the x-axis. On the base plate 401 side facing the ceiling plate 405 comes the wire, not shown, when inserted and by a purely in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 shown clamping spring 7 is fixed to the plant. At the front edge of the ceiling plate 405, a rectangular punched 406 is arranged to receive the in the FIGS. 1 to 3 shown pusher 2 is used.

In the lower left portion of the rear wall 403, a third strip of material 407 is bent out so that it extends parallel to the x-direction and that on the one hand, the front edge of the base plate 401, the front edge of the third strip of material 407 and the front edge of the ceiling plate 405 in a Plane lie and on the other hand, the left edge of the base plate 401, the left edge of the third material strip 407 and the left edge of the ceiling plate 405 lie in a plane. The strip of material 407 serves to secure the clamping spring 7, not shown, against over-pushing the contact element 8 to the right.

In the right upper area of the rear wall 403, a fourth strip of material 409 is bent out so that it extends parallel to the x-direction and the front edge of the fourth strip of material 409 and the cover plate 405 lie in one plane. The fourth strip of material serves as a support for the Prüfkontaktfläche 16, of him in the front part of its upper Edge region is bent to the right, so that the Prüfkontaktfläche 16 is substantially parallel to the ceiling plate 405 and is arranged with this in a plane or slightly below it.

From the lower right region of the rear wall 403, the fifth material strip 414 already mentioned above initially extends obliquely to the right front. At the y-coordinate of the left boundary of the first clamping surface 410 of the first strip of material 408, the fifth strip of material 414 transitions into a substantially parallel and equal square second clamping surface 415 to the first clamping surface 410 in the remaining three directions relative to the second clamping surface 415 obliquely backward surfaces 416, 417, 418 is surrounded. The surfaces 411 and 416, 412 and 417 as well as 413 and 418 in each case jointly form an insertion aid for the insertion of a connecting pin 21, not shown, into the second clamping means 16 formed by the material strips 408 and 414 and in particular between the clamping surfaces 410 and 415.

Referring again to FIG. 2 is in the contact element 8, the clamping spring 7 between the base plate 401 and the cover plate 405 of the contact element 8 and the base plate 401 of the contact element 8 and a bottom of the pusher 2 used that a clamping effect on a, not shown, introduced into the wire insertion opening 4 Connecting wire can be brought. The clamping spring 7 forms the third clamping means of the terminal 100. In the rear region of the contact element 8 can be seen that with this integrally executed second clamping means 15th

In two mutually adjacent jumper insertion openings 5 of two adjacent clamping elements 101, a jumper 3 is used, via which these two clamping elements 101 are connected to each other conductive. The jumper 3 can of course also be designed so that more than two clamping elements 101 are conductively connected to each other or that two non-adjacent clamping elements 101 are connected together.

Based on FIG. 2 It is easy to follow the basic principle of connecting lead wires through terminal 100. If an unillustrated lead wire with stripped end inserted through a wire insertion opening 4 in the interior of a clamping element 101, he strikes the obliquely upward leading, sheet-like front of the clamping spring 7 and is derived along this obliquely above until it on the actual contact surface, which is formed in particular by the inner surface of the ceiling plate 405, the contact element 8, the in FIG. 2 However, not recognizable, applies. If the connection wires are sufficiently stiff, pressure that continues to be exerted in this position causes the clamping spring 7 to be pressed down slightly and the stripped end of the connecting wire to be clamped between the contact surface and the clamping spring 7. When using less rigid connecting wires, the depression of the clamping spring 7 can also be brought about by pressure on the pusher 2, which rests on a shoulder or bearing surface of the clamping spring 7. Then the connecting wire is inserted and jammed by eliminating the pressure on the pusher. In both cases, a pressure on the pusher 2 is exerted to release the connection, thereby pressed down the clamping spring 7 and thus overcome the clamping action of the clamping spring 7. In the depressed state of Clamping spring 7 then the connecting wire can be easily removed again.

The contact element 8 is made of electrically conductive material. An electrical signal supplied via a connecting wire inserted into the clamping element 101 will therefore propagate in the contact element 8 and in particular in the contact spring for the plug contact. Through the openings 10, 11 and / or 12 can be made from three different spatial directions, a plug contact with the running as a contact spring second clamping means 15 by simply a in FIG. 2 not shown conductive pin or pin is inserted into the contact spring.

FIG. 3 shows a cross section through the terminal 100 FIG. 1 , This illustration are next to the already off FIG. 1 respectively. FIG. 2 known elements to take more details, in particular with regard to the arrangement of the clamping spring 7 in the contact element eighth

FIG. 5 shows an embodiment of the detailed structure of the jumper 3, which is particularly advantageous designed as a stamped and bent part. It advantageously has an angled front part 20, emanating from the two contact fingers 17, but in principle can also be the contact fingers 17 in the same plane as the front part 20; However, the angled arrangement facilitates handling and in particular the removal of the jumper 3. The number of contact fingers can also be larger, so that there is a comb-like structure. The inserted jumper 3 is determined by a clamping interaction with the integrally provided on the contact element 8 first clamping means 13 (see. FIG. 3 ). A secure fit of the jumper 3 in the inserted state is in particular by the provision of bulges 18, the inserted jumper 3 in the in FIG. 4 shown undercuts 14 of the first clamping means 13 of the contact element 8 engage and achieved by a recess 19 which allows feathers of the edges of the contact fingers 17 and thus improves the contact. Front part 20 and contact fingers 17 are usually made of an electrically conductive material; In particular, the front part 20 may also be at least partially surrounded by an insulating layer, not shown.

FIG. 6 shows a bottom view of two juxtaposed and spaced apart contact elements 8 according to FIG. 4 a terminal, which are connected by means of an inserted jumper 3. In particular, in each case the contact limbs, which realize the first clamping means 13, with the undercut 14, the second clamping means 15 in the form of a contact spring for the plug contact and the test contact surface 16 are clearly visible in the illustrated viewing perspective from below.

In the FIG. 6 it can be seen particularly clearly the interaction between the provided on the contact elements 8 contact legs 13 and the undercut 14 on the one hand and the contact fingers 17 with recess 18 and recess 19 on the other hand, which guarantees a secure, but also reliable detachable connection of contact elements 8 via the jumper 3 , It is essential that the first clamping means 13 is formed separately from the second clamping means 15 and also separately from the third clamping means designed as a clamping spring 7, a reliable fixation of the jumper 3 regardless of the fixation of the terminal pin 21 via the To allow clamping means 15 and the fixation of the connecting wire via the clamping spring 7.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

insulating

2

handle

3

jumper

4

Wire insertion opening

5

Jumper insertion opening

6

locking device

7

clamping spring

8th

contact element

9

Test tap

10

Opening for plug contact with pin

11

Opening for plug contact with pin

12

Opening for plug contact with pin

13

first clamping means

14

undercut

15

second clamping means

16

test pad

17

contact fingers

18

bulge

19

recess

20

angled front piece

21

pin

22

insertion

100

terminal

101

clamping element

102

Side wall

401

baseplate

402

punching

403

rear wall

404

strips of material

405

ceiling tile

406

punching

407

strips of material

408

strips of material

409

strips of material

410

clamping surface

411

area

412

area

413

area

414

strips of material

415

clamping surface

416

area

417

area

418

area

419

X axis

420

y-axis

421

z-axis

Claims (18)

1. A contact element (8) for a terminal clamp (100), which comprises a stamped bent part in which at least one first clamping means (13) for fixing a jumper and one second clamping means (15) for fixing a terminal pin (21) are incorporated, characterized in that the contact element (8) has a base plate (401) and a cover plate (405), between which a clamp spring (7) is capable of being inserted in such a way that a clamping action on a terminal lead is capable of being carried out when the latter is inserted, and the first clamping means (13) has at least one clamping foot and preferably two clamping feet.
2. A contact element (8) according to claim 1, characterized in that the contact element has a cage-like structure.
3. A contact element (8) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that at least the first clamping means (13) is flat.
4. A contact element (8) according to any preceding claim, characterized in that the at least one clamping foot has an undercut (14) or a bulge.
5. A contact element (8) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second clamping means (15) is designed from three different spatial directions for the insertion of the terminal pin (21).
6. A contact element (8) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the contact element (8) has a test contact face (16).
7. A terminal clamp (100), in particular a terminal clamp of a printed circuit board, with at least two clamp elements (101), wherein the clamp elements (101) have in each case an insulating casing (1), a contact element (8) arranged inside the insulating casing (1) and clamp springs for fixing a terminal lead, characterized in that the contact element (8) has the features of any one of claims 1 to 7 [sic].
8. A terminal clamp (100) according to claim 7, characterized in that the insulating casing (1) of at least two of the clamp elements (101) has a lead insertion opening (4), a jumper insertion opening (5) separate from the lead insertion opening (4) and at least one further opening (10, 11, 12) for producing a plug contact with a terminal pin (21) or with a pin header.
9. A terminal clamp (100) according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the insulating casing (1) has at least one catch apparatus (6).
10. A terminal clamp (100) according to any one of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that the contact elements (8) of at least two clamp elements (101) are capable of being connected to a jumper (3).
11. A terminal clamp (100) according to claim 10, characterized in that in the inserted state the jumper (3) is connected by clamping to the first clamping means (13) of the contact elements (8) in each case.
12. A terminal clamp (100) according to claim 11, characterized in that the jumper (3) has a front part (20) and at least two contact fingers (17).
13. A terminal clamp (100) according to claim 12, characterized in that the front part (20) is angled at least in part.
14. A terminal clamp (100) according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that the front part (20) is encased at least in part by an insulating means.
15. A terminal clamp (100) according to claim 14, characterized in that the insulating means is formed by an applied plastics material part or injection moulding around it.
16. A terminal clamp (100) according to any one of claims 12 to 15, characterized in that at least one of the contact fingers (17) has a bulge (18) or an undercut.
17. A terminal clamp (100) according to any one of claims 12 to 16, characterized in that at least one of the contact fingers (17) has a recess (19).
18. A terminal clamp (100) according to any one of claims 7 to 17, characterized in that the terminal clamp (100) has a pressing portion (2) which, when it is pressed, overcomes the clamping action of the third clamping means.

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