EP2713444A1 - Battery clamp with vertical screw connection - Google Patents

Abstract

The terminal has a ring section (100) manufactured by a punching bending process, and an actuation region formed at the ring section. An end of the actuation region is movably arranged in axial direction of the ring section relative to another end of the actuation region. A clasp element comprises an engagement surface and is moved relative to the ring section in such a manner that the surface moves along the actuation region. The ring section is contracted in sequence to the movement of the clasp element, with which the terminal is firmly connected with a pole of a battery.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to the contacting of battery poles. In particular, the invention relates to a battery terminal for producing an electrical contact with a pole of a battery, in particular a motor vehicle battery.

TECHNOLOGICAL BACKGROUND

As battery terminals, in particular for use in motor vehicles, forging clamps made of cast metal are used. These clamps are quite stable, but relatively expensive to manufacture. Another disadvantage of these terminals is their high weight.

For example, the shows EP 0 451 488 A1 a terminal in which the side of the battery pole and the clamping opening extending for this pole clamping screw is oriented approximately parallel to the pole axis and Aufsteckachse on the pole, via two co-operating inclined surfaces, the two jaws are movable toward each other. However, due to the friction between the inclined surfaces and the deformation, ie, the compression of the forging ring of the terminal, much force is lost, so that the actual clamping forces at the pole are sometimes insufficient. Another disadvantage is found when loosening the screw, since this is due to the deformation of the Schmiederings and due to the wedging of the inclined surfaces together the terminal clamped to the pole remains.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the invention to provide a battery terminal with vertical screw, which on the one hand has sufficient torsional and Abzugsfestigkeit and on the other hand is reliable to assemble and disassemble.

These and other objects are achieved by the battery clamp according to claim 1. Further embodiments are described in the dependent claims.

In general, a battery terminal for making electrical contact with a pole of a battery has a ring portion and a clamping member. At least one actuating surface is integrally formed on the ring section. The actuating surface is inclined in the axial direction of the annular portion, that is, a first end of the actuating surface is offset relative to a second end of the actuating surface in the axial direction of the annular portion. The clamping element is movable along the actuating surface, so that the ring portion can be contracted as a result of the movement and again diverges in opposite movement.

The ring portion may be formed as a tubular member having a diameter and a length, wherein the tubular member may be slotted in the longitudinal direction. The ring portion defines an axis in the longitudinal direction. Furthermore, the ring portion may be slightly conical in the longitudinal direction, so that the ring portion is in the shape of a Truncated cone has.

The ring portion may be made of a sheet, such as a copper sheet, in a stamping-bending drawing process. For example, after a first blank of a planar shape, this shape can be bent as a slotted ring portion, wherein the outlet portion and the at least one tab are pulled and / or bent in different directions away from the ring portion. By pulling and bending the outlet portion and the tab transversely to the rounding of the ring portion, a high rigidity of the battery terminal is achieved.

It is noted that an element, for example, a ring section, which is produced by means of stamping-bending method or also stamping-bending-drawing process, has an elasticity which allows an elastic spring-back after a small deformation. A ring section made of sheet metal can expand due to its own elasticity when releasing the clamping element, whereby a disassembly of the battery terminal is facilitated.

According to one embodiment, the annular portion is omega-shaped in cross-section, whereby the actuating surface may be provided adjacent to the slot in the annular portion, so that a force acting on the actuating surface can easily cause contraction of the annular portion. The actuating surface may be provided on the end face of a Ω-leg. Such a cross section of the ring portion also allows a maximum looping of a battery pole through the ring portion and thus improved contact and an improved grip of the battery terminal to the pole.

An embodiment of the ring portion of copper or a material which consists predominantly of copper, has the advantage that an improved power transmission can be achieved.

According to one embodiment, the clamping element can be arranged parallel to the axis of the annular portion along the actuating surface movable on the ring portion. Due to the inclination of the actuating surface relative to the axis, a force component arises in the circumferential direction when a force is applied in the axial direction. The force component in the circumferential direction causes a contraction of the ring portion.

It is noted that even with a movement that is both oblique to the axis of the ring portion and obliquely to the actuating surface, a force component can occur in the circumferential direction. Accordingly, according to one embodiment, the clamping member may be disposed on the ring portion such that it is movable in a direction that forms an angle to the axis of the ring portion of up to 20 degrees.

Due to the intended movement of the clamping element substantially in the axial direction of the ring portion (inclined up to 20 degrees) is achieved that mounting and mounting a battery terminal according to the invention at a pole of a battery is made possible from above, whereby a good accessibility and handling is achieved , In addition to improved handling, the battery terminal according to the invention is characterized in that it has a low weight, which can be achieved by reducing the amount of raw material required and by a possible reduction of the clamping element.

For applying a force to the clamping element, which causes a movement of the clamping element along the actuating surface on the ring portion, an actuating element may be provided, which on the one hand acts on the clamping element and on the other hand is supported on the ring portion.

For supporting the clamping element or an actuating element for actuating the clamping element, at least one tab may be provided on the annular portion which projects radially outward from the annular portion.

According to a further embodiment, the battery terminal may have a securing element for fastening the actuating element to the ring section, in particular to a flange projecting radially from the ring section.

According to one embodiment, the clamping element may have a thread and the actuating element may have a corresponding mating thread for moving the clamping element along the actuating surface. The clamping element can be designed, for example, as a screw and the actuating element as a nut, or vice versa. On the other hand, the clamping element can be actuated by means of a quick release.

According to one embodiment, the clamping element has an engagement surface, which is designed to be inclined relative to the actuating surface on the annular section, so that the clamping element can be arranged on the annular section in such a way that the engagement surface rests flat against the actuating surface.

As a captive for the clamping element may be provided adjacent to the engagement surface and / or the actuating surface, a crimp or a projection which allows engagement of the clamping element and the annular portion, so that movement of the clamping element in the radial direction away from the annular portion is prevented, however a movement along the actuating surface is not affected.

According to one embodiment, the ring portion may have two actuating surfaces. The two actuating surfaces may be arranged symmetrically on the ring portion and inclined in the opposite direction in the circumferential direction of the ring portion. Preferably, the actuating surface are disposed on opposite sides of a slot in the ring portion. In this case, the clamping member may be movable along the two actuating surfaces such that both actuating surfaces are engaged with the clamping member so that circumferentially opposing forces can be exerted by the clamping member on the annular portion, thus easily contracting the annular portion as a result of the movement can.

The battery terminal may further include a drain portion adapted to connect the battery terminal to a live conductor such as a cable. In this way, a universally usable battery terminal can be provided, at which, depending on the intended use of differently shaped outlet sections, the contact is made to a current-carrying conductor. The outlet portion may be integral with the ring portion or may be crimped, welded, brazed, riveted or otherwise fixedly connected to the ring portion.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, the ring portion of the battery terminal may have an embossment on its inner surface. This embossment may for example consist of one or more grooves, which are formed in the radial and / or axial direction of the ring portion. It is noted that the grooves on the inner surface of the ring portion may also be formed in complex shapes. For example, grooves may be provided in the form of characters, such as for a manufacturer and / or type designation of the battery terminal. An embossing on the inner surface of the ring portion leads to an improved twisting and trigger safety of the clamp on a battery pole.

The above-described aspects and other aspects, features, and advantages of the invention may also be had from the examples of the embodiments, which are described below with reference to the attached drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

• Fig. 1 is an isometric view of individual parts of a battery terminal.
• Fig. 2 is an isometric view of a battery terminal.
• Fig. 3 is an isometric view of a ring section.
• Fig. 4 is a plan view of a ring section.
• Fig. 5 is a side view of a ring section.
• FIGS. 6 and 7 are isometric representations of a clamping element.
• Fig. 8 is a partially sectioned side view of a clamping element.
• Fig. 9 is a plan view of a clamping element.
• Fig. 10 is a side view of an actuating element together with a securing element.
• Fig. 11 is a sectional view of an actuating element together with a securing element.
• Fig. 12 is a plan view of an actuating element together with a securing element.

In the figures, like reference numerals are used for the same or at least similar elements, components or aspects. It is noted that in the following embodiments will be described in detail, which are merely illustrative and not restrictive.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

The Figures 1 and 2 show a battery terminal with a ring portion 100 and a mounting arrangement 200. The mounting arrangement 200 has a clamping element 210, an actuating element 220 and a securing element 230. These elements are in FIG. 1 shown separated from each other, that is in the disassembled state. In FIG. 2 For example, the elements of the fastener assembly 200 are assembled and mounted to the ring portion 100.

The Figures 1 and 2 give an overview of the relative arrangements of the individual elements of the battery terminal relative to each other. In the following, the elements are described in detail.

The FIGS. 3, 4 and 5 show various views of a ring section 100.

FIG. 3 is an isometric view of a ring portion 100. The ring portion 100 has a first actuating surface 110 and a second actuating surface 112, which are inclined in the opposite direction, ie, away from each other. The actuating surfaces are relative to the axis 140 of the ring portion (see FIG. 5 ) and inclined in this example in the direction of a tangent to the circumference of the ring portion. As in FIG. 3 seen, the actuating surfaces 110 and 112 extend from a first end of the ring portion to a second end of the ring portion, that is, from bottom to top apart.

The ring portion 100 further comprises two tabs 120 and a tail portion 130, wherein the tabs 120 are disposed adjacent and above the actuation surfaces 110, 112 and the exit portion 130 is disposed at a location opposite the tabs on the annular portion. The outlet section 130 is shown with a break line, since it can be designed arbitrarily depending on the use.

Also, in FIG. 3 on an inner surface of the ring portion 100 embossments 150 shown schematically. These embossments 150, which extend in the axial direction along the inner surface of the ring portion, are merely an example.

FIG. 4 is a view of a ring portion 100 from below, with which the first actuating surface 110 and the second actuating surface 112 can be seen in front of the tabs 120. Also visible in this view is a flange 114 which is provided to provide a clearance between the actuating surfaces and the annular section. The functionality of this distance is discussed below.

In FIG. 5 In particular, it can be seen that a gap 160 is provided on the ring portion 100 between the actuating surface 110 (and also the actuating surface 112) and the tab 120. The functionality of this gap will also be discussed below.

The FIGS. 6, 7, 8 and 9 show various views of a clamping element 210, wherein the FIGS. 6 and 7 are isometric views from different directions.

The clamping element 210 has a journal with a thread 212 on its lateral surface, a body 216, two engagement surfaces 218 and two flanges 214. The engagement surfaces 218 are formed inclined relative to the axis of the threaded pin 212 on the body 216.

Once the clamping member 210 is mounted to the ring portion 100, the engagement surfaces 218 may abut the actuating surfaces 110, 112, wherein the axis of the threaded pin 212 may be disposed substantially parallel to the axis 140 of the ring portion 100. Adjacent to the engagement surfaces 218 flanges 214 are provided on the body 216 of the clamping member 210, which flanges 214 can grip the actuating surfaces 110, 112 on the ring portion, so that the clamping member 210 is no longer movable in the radial direction away from the ring portion 100.

The FIGS. 10, 11 and 12 show various views of an actuator 220 together with a fuse element 230.

The actuator 220 is in the form of a screw nut having a nut head 222 and a female neck 224. The fuse element 230 has a through-hole in which the female neck 224 is received with the lower end of the female neck 224 bent outwardly, that the securing element can no longer be removed from the actuating element 220. Such a nut may also be referred to as a cage nut.

The fuse element 230 may be formed of a thin sheet which is bent in a U-shaped cross-section, so that the sheet can embrace the tabs 120 on the ring portion 100, wherein the one leg of the U-shaped sheet in the gap 160 between can protrude into the tabs and the actuating surfaces. By projecting the securing element 230 into the gap 160, a captive securing device for the actuating element 220 (nut) is realized. In addition, the securing element ensures that the friction between the mother head and the surfaces of the tabs is reduced, which occurs when pulling the tabs together, ie when pulling the tabs towards each other.

Once all elements of the battery clamp are mounted, the actuator 220 is supported on the tabs 120 and rotation of the actuator results in displacement of the clamp member 210 substantially in the axial direction of the annular portion 100 and along the actuation surfaces 110, 112. Moving the clamp member along the Actuating surfaces in turn is converted by the inclined surfaces in a movement of the actuating surfaces (the free ends of the ring portion) to each other, and thus in a contraction of the ring portion.

In addition, this arrangement allows a forced opening upon actuation of the actuating element in the reverse direction, since the bent nut of the actuator is supported on the securing element such that the clamping element is pushed down, whereby the engagement surfaces are released, so that the ring portion of the battery terminal can spring open by its inherent elasticity ,

According to a further embodiment (not shown), the clamping element may have an additional wedge between the engagement surfaces, which may engage in the slot of the ring portion. This wedge can forcibly press the ring member when the actuator is moved in the reverse direction than in the closing direction and thus the clamping member is pushed down.

The arrangement of the actuating element 220 on and over the tabs 120 provides for improved accessibility of the actuating element during assembly of the battery terminal to a pole of a battery, in particular to a pole of a motor vehicle battery, in The rule is designed as an upstanding pin, and is often arranged slightly recessed in a recess of a battery case.

While the invention has been illustrated and described in the drawings and the description, such illustrations and descriptions are intended to be illustrative only or exemplary, but not limiting. The invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. Other variations of the disclosed embodiments can be understood and accomplished by one of ordinary skill in the art by practicing the claimed invention, from a study of the disclosure in the drawings, the specification, and the appended claims. In the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite article "a" does not exclude a plurality.

The fact that certain features are mentioned in different dependent claims should not be an indication that a combination of these features can not be used to advantage. The reference signs in the claims are not intended to limit the scope of the claims.

Claims (12)

A battery terminal for making electrical contact with a pole of a battery, comprising: a ring portion (100) wherein the ring portion is made by a punch-bending method, wherein a first actuating surface (110) is formed on the ring portion, wherein a first end of the first actuating surface relative to a second end of the first actuating surface in the axial direction of the annular portion and a clamping member (210), the clamping member having an engagement surface (218) and the clamping member being movable relative to the ring portion such that the engagement surface moves along the first actuating surface such that the ring portion contracts as a result of the movement is, with which the battery terminal is firmly connected to a pole of a battery. The battery terminal of claim 1, wherein the ring portion (100) defines an axis (140) and wherein the clamping member (210) is movable parallel to the axis of the ring portion (100). The battery clamp of claim 1, wherein the ring portion (100) defines an axis (140), and wherein the clamping member (210) is movable in a direction that is up to 20 degrees at an angle to the axis of the ring portion (100). A battery clamp according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the clamping member (210) has a thread (212) for moving the clamping member along the actuating surface. A battery terminal according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the engagement surface (218) of the clamping member is formed inclined to the ring portion corresponding to the operation surface (110), and the clamping member is disposed on the ring portion such that the engagement surface (218) on the operation surface (218). 110) lies flat. A battery clamp according to claim 5, wherein adjacent to the engagement surface (218) and / or the actuating surface (110) a flange (114, 214) is formed, wherein the flange a movement of the clamping element (210) in the radial direction away from the annular portion (100 ) prevented. The battery terminal of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the ring portion (100) further includes a second actuating surface (112), the second actuating surface being inclined opposite the first actuating surface (110), and wherein the clamping member (210) has two engagement surfaces (218). and the clamping member is movable relative to the annular portion such that the engagement surfaces move along the two actuating surfaces. A battery clamp according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising at least one tab (120) projecting radially outwardly from the ring portion (100), the clamping member (210) being supported on the tab. A battery clamp according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising an actuator (220), wherein the clamp member (210) is movable relative to the annular portion (100) by means of the actuator (220). Battery terminal according to claim 9, further comprising a securing element (230), wherein the actuating element (220) by means of the securing element on the tab (120) is fixable. A battery terminal according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a drain portion (130) disposed on the ring portion (100) for connecting the battery terminal to a live conductor. Battery terminal according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the ring portion (100) on its inner surface has an embossment (115).

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