WO2003036762A2

WO2003036762A2 - Electrical plug-in connector

Info

Publication number: WO2003036762A2
Application number: PCT/EP2002/011221
Authority: WO
Inventors: Uwe Stosch; Beat Villinger; Christoph BLÖSCH; Ulrich Tschirwitz
Original assignee: Wieland Electric Gmbh
Priority date: 2001-10-24
Filing date: 2002-10-07
Publication date: 2003-05-01
Also published as: WO2003036762A3; EP1438769A2

Abstract

The invention relates to an electrical plug-in connector having a clamp connection (1, 101) for electrically contacting an electrical conductor (25, 125). In order to simplify construction and achieving a compact structural shape, the invention provides an electrical plug-in connector having a clamp connection for electrically contacting an electrical conductor, said connector being characterized by a basic limb and a clamp limb connected thereto that can be moved in the direction of the basic limb from an open position to a contact position, and by a clamp body projecting from the clamp limb in the direction of the basic limb for clamping and contacting the electrical conductor that is arranged between the basic limb and the clamp limb when the clamp connection is closed.

Description

Description Electrical connector

The invention relates to an electrical connector with a terminal connection for making electrical contact with an electrical conductor.

For the connection of electrical conductors, terminal connections are known which are used, for example, in electrical plug connectors, such as are used for connection to socket-plug combinations. Known clamp connections are comparatively large due to their construction. Therefore, they require a relatively large installation space in electrical connectors, which in turn has an adverse effect on the size of the electrical connector. In addition, known terminal connections often consist of a large number of individual parts, so that there is a high outlay in terms of production and assembly.

The invention has for its object to provide an electrical connector with a terminal connection for electrical contacting an electrical conductor, which is simple and has a compact design. This object is achieved by a connector according to claim 1.

The electrical plug connector according to the invention has a clamp connection for making electrical contact with an electrical conductor, which has a base leg and a clamp leg connected to it, which can be moved from an open position into a contact position in the direction of the base leg, and a protrusion from the clamp leg in the direction of the base leg Clamping body for clamping contact of the electrical conductor arranged between the base leg and the clamping leg is identified when the terminal connection is closed.

The conductor to be contacted is inserted into the terminal connection between the terminal leg and the base leg. By closing the clamping connection, the electrical conductor is then clamped between the clamping leg and the base leg, the clamping body pressing on the conductor ensuring reliable contact. An essential point of the invention is that the clamp connection is particularly simple. This enables a very simple and economical production. The conductor to be connected is almost encompassed in the contact position of the clamping leg and base leg, which enables a very compact design. The clamp connection formed in this way can therefore also be used with very little space, so that extremely compact plug connectors can be produced. The protruding clamp body also ensures very secure clamp contacting of the electrical conductor.

An embodiment of the invention is particularly advantageous, according to which a contact element is provided for receiving the conductor, said contact element being located between the legs of the terminal connection. The connection area of the connector can thus not only be arranged directly on the base leg, but also on the contact element. Nevertheless, the very compact design is retained.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the clamping body is designed as a tab bent out of the clamping leg. This enables simple and inexpensive manufacture of the clamping body. For example, the tab can be manufactured as a stamped and bent part or by simply pressing or milling it out of the body of the clamping leg. The clamping body can also be attached to the clamping leg by a rivet, weld or screw connection. The clamping body pressing the electrical conductor into the contact position on the contact element or the base leg is preferably resilient, which ensures better contacting. In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the clamping body is designed as a spring tongue.

In a further exemplary embodiment, the clamping leg and the base leg are connected to one another via a swivel connection, which is preferably produced by a hinge joint. This has the advantage that it can be realized with simple constructive means. If the hinge joint is formed by a bearing lug that can be snapped into a bearing recess, simply cut the legs and connect them again. The base leg preferably has a bearing lug on both sides and the clamping leg has a bearing recess on both sides, which enables captive and secure storage.

As an alternative to the connection with a hinge joint, the clamping leg and the base leg can also be connected directly to one another in a springy manner, so that they form a clamping spring. The two legs are preferably connected to one another in one piece, which leads to a further design simplification.

In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the clamping connection is kept closed in the contact position by fastening elements which are located on the clamping leg and on the base leg. Preferably, a snap connection between the clamping leg and the base leg is made in the contact position. Such a locking connection consisting of locking lug and locking recess represents a very secure locking connection. In addition, it has the advantage that it is both easy to close and easy to release. For the production of an extremely secure snap-in connection, the arrangement of two fastening elements on the two sides of the open end of the clamping leg and on both sides of the open end of the base leg is preferably provided.

In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, at least one handle is provided for opening the terminal connection. The clamping leg and / or the base leg is preferably elastically deformed by actuating the handle. In this way, for example, a snap-in connection can be easily released. For a particularly secure opening of the clamping connection, two handles are preferably attached to the two sides of the open end of the base leg or of the clamping leg.

The base leg or the contact element preferably have a conductor bed in which the electrical conductor to be contacted is received. The security of the contact to be established between the electrical conductor and the base leg or contact Clock element is improved because the clamping body presses the electrical conductor precisely into the conductor bed in the contact position.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the clamping leg has side walls. The upper housing part thus formed, together with the base leg as the lower housing part in the contact position, forms a type of terminal housing in which the conductor to be contacted is located. This enables a stable enclosure of the electrical conductor. If a contact element is provided between the clamping leg and the base leg, then side walls are preferably arranged on the base leg. These side walls then provide a guide for the inserted contact element. In addition, the contact element in the housing formed also remains captive in the open position.

In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the clamping connection has an insertion opening. This is used to easily insert the electrical conductor into the terminal connection. The insertion opening is preferably located in a transition area between the clamping leg and the base leg, which enables a low design of the clamping connection. In a further embodiment of the invention, the insertion opening is located at the open, that is to say unsupported, end of the contact element, which enables the conductor to be inserted easily in the open position. However, the insertion opening can also be arranged at another location on the contact element.

In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the connection area of the plug connector is provided directly on the base leg or on the contact element. The connection area is preferably located at the end of the terminal connection opposite the insertion opening.

The connection area is advantageously designed as a socket contact. In an alternative embodiment, the connection area is designed as a plug contact. In both cases it is an advantage that it is possible to connect plugs or sockets directly to the terminal connection if the design is very simple. In a further embodiment of the invention, the connection area has a receptacle for introducing a connection contact. The connection contact can be both a socket contact and a plug contact. This enables the connection and any exchange of different contacts to the terminal connection without the need for additional spacers or adapters.

Advantageously, a plurality of terminal connections according to the invention are connected to one another in the connector. This enables a very simple connection of several conductors. The interconnected base legs preferably share a connection area, so that several electrical conductors can easily be combined to form a connection. The independent terminal points guarantee a very secure terminal connection of a large number of electrical conductors even if the conductors have a very different conductor cross-section. The connector according to the invention can therefore be used universally.

To protect against dust, moisture etc., but above all to ensure protection against accidental contact, the clamping leg and base leg are preferably arranged in the receiving space of an insulating material housing.

Further embodiments of the invention result from the subclaims.

The invention is described below using two exemplary embodiments, which are explained in more detail with reference to the figures. Show:

1 shows a first connector in an exploded view,

Fig. 2 shows a longitudinal section through the first connector with the open

3 shows a side view of the first connector with the clamp connection closed,

4 shows a second connector in an exploded view, 5 shows the base leg of a second connector with a socket contact,

6 shows an embodiment of the second connector in contact position with a socket contact,

7 shows an embodiment of the second connector in contact position with a connector contact,

Fig. 8 shows an embodiment of the second connector with two independent clamping points in an exploded view.

1 to 3, a first embodiment of a connector according to the invention is shown. Fig. 1 shows a connector without an insulating housing, so that the terminal connection 1 is clearly recognizable. The clamping connection 1 comprises a clamping spring 2 and a contact element 3. The clamping spring 2 consists of a clamping leg 4 and a base leg 5 which is resiliently connected to the clamping leg 4. In the transition region 6 between the clamping leg 4 and the base leg 5 there is an insertion opening 7 through which the conductor 8 to be contacted can later be inserted.

The clamping spring 2 is formed in one piece. However, it can also be composed of several elements. For example, the clamping leg 4 can be connected to the base leg 5 by a riveted, welded or screw connection. The clamping spring 2 is preferably made of a resilient material, for example spring steel. It is manufactured, for example, as a stamped and bent part.

Side walls 9 are attached to both sides of the base leg 5 in such a way that the base leg 5 forms a type of spring housing. The side walls 9 are designed so high that they provide sufficient guidance for the contact element 3. In addition, the base leg 5 with its side walls 9 forms a spring interior 10 when the clamping spring 2 is closed, the clamping leg 4 forming a type of housing roof.

The base leg 5 has two catch recesses 11 in the region of the open end of the base leg. These are each a breakthrough in the side walls 9 executed and serve to accommodate corresponding locking lugs 12 to form a locking connection. The, locking recesses 11 can alternatively also be designed as correspondingly shaped depressions in the side walls 9, as long as they ensure a secure locking.

The locking lugs 12 are in turn arranged in the region of the open end of the clamping leg 4. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the front section of the clamping leg located at the open end of the clamping leg 4 is bent in the direction of the base leg 5. By arranging the locking lugs 12 on both sides of the bent clamping leg section, a secure engagement in the locking recesses 11 is achieved.

In an alternative embodiment, the locking recesses are attached to the clamping leg 4 and the locking lugs to the base leg 5. In this case too, the clamping connection 1 is closed by pressing the clamping leg 4 of the clamping spring 2. However, only a single latching recess with a single associated latching lug can also be provided. A single latching recess can, for example, be located approximately in the middle of the end of the open end of the base leg 5, while the latching lug can be arranged at the corresponding point on the clamping leg 4.

Instead of the locking connection by means of locking lugs and locking recesses, other types of connection can also be used, for example screw connections or pin and bolt connections.

The clamping spring 2 has a spring tongue 13 which is bent out of the clamping leg 4 and points in the direction of the base leg 5. The spring tongue 13 points obliquely into the spring interior 10 in the direction of the open end of the clamping spring 2, which leads to an improved clamping effect. Instead of the spring tongue 13, other clamping bodies can also be used, for example a tab bent out of the clamping leg 4. In addition to resilient sprags, non-sprung sprags can also be used. The clamping body need not be formed in one piece from the clamping leg 4. It is also possible to get one Attach the clamp body to the clamp leg, for example by riveting, soldering, welding or a screw connection. The clamping body can also consist of several elements, for example of several clamping bars arranged side by side like a comb. The clamping body can also be shaped at its lower end, for example semicircularly, in such a way that it adapts to the profile of the electrical conductor 8.

In order to enable simple assembly of the clamping connection, the clamping spring 2 is designed in such a way that the contact element 3 can be inserted into the spring housing. This takes place in the open position of the clamp connection 1 by inserting the contact element 3 into the spring housing through the open end of the clamp spring 2.

Clamping spring 2 and contact element 3 are designed such that a captive connection between contact element 3 and clamping spring 2 can be established. For this purpose, the contact element 3 has two locking projections 14. In the side walls 9 of the base leg 5, two recesses 15 are machined, into which the locking projections 14 of the inserted contact element 3 snap. When the contact element 3 is inserted into the clamping spring 2, the contact element 3 is inserted into the spring housing along the side walls 9 of the base leg 5, which serve as a guide, until the latching projections 14 snap into the recesses 15 and a captive connection is thus established.

The contact element 3, which is preferably formed in one piece, serves to receive the conductor 8 to be connected and for this purpose has a conductor bed 16. The conductor bed 16 in the form of a semicircular or trough-shaped recess is arranged approximately centrally on the contact element 3. In the case of multi-wire conductors, the conductor bed 16 also prevents individual cable cores from moving sideways and from being unavailable for power transmission.

To connect the electrical conductor 8, which can be single-wire or multi-wire, for example, the stripped part of the conductor is inserted into the spring housing through the insertion opening 7 in the transition region 6 until it comes to rest under the spring tongue 13. The stripped conductor 8 is positioned in such a way that it is embedded in the conductor bed 16 of the contact element 3, via which the current later flows.

When the clamping spring 2 is closed, it is compressed until the locking lugs 12 snap into the existing locking recesses 11 and a connection between the clamping leg 4 and the base leg 5 is thus established. For this purpose, the clamping leg 4 is moved towards the base leg 5 in the pressure direction 17. The terminal connection 1 according to the invention can be closed by hand without tools. This leads to significant simplifications when assembling on site. In the contact position, the spring tongue 13 acts on the stripped conductor 8, so that the clamping force required for contacting is produced between the contact element 3 and the electrical conductor 8. There is a sufficiently large contact area between the conductor 8 and the conductor bed 16.

In addition, in the area of the open end of the base leg 5 there are two handles 18 which serve to open the clamping spring 2 again. The handles 18 designed in the manner of wings are attached to the side walls 9 of the base leg 5. This leads to the side walls 9 being pressed apart when the handles 18 are actuated. As a result, the latching connection can be released and thus the clamping spring 2 can be opened. In the sense of a construction that is as compact as possible, the handles 18 are preferably such that, in the contact position, they do not protrude beyond the clamping leg 4 that closes the spring housing. In the embodiment of the clamp connection 1 shown, the clamp spring 2 can be opened again by hand or with the blade of a screwdriver. If only a single snap connection is used, a single handle can also be used. The handles 18 are designed such that they also protrude as a casserole when the clamping spring 2 is closed and thus serve as a type of guide for the locking lugs 12.

An advantage of the clamp connection 1 according to the invention is that it can be delivered in the open state. It does not need to be moved into its open position, which is usually done with a special tool. is working. The terminal connection 1 is only closed on site after the stripped conductor 8 has been inserted.

It is also conceivable with rigid, solid conductors that the clamping spring 2 is already closed, i.e. H. is locked, and the rigid conductor is pushed through the insertion opening 7 of the closed clamping spring 2 and thereby deflects the spring tongue 13 upwards, whereby the contact pressure is built up at the same time. Since the spring tongue 13 then acts like a barb on the conductor, the conductor is fixed in the terminal connection 1. The work step "close clamping spring" can thus be omitted.

Figures 2 and 3 show an electrical connector in which an above-described terminal connection is used. For this purpose, after the clamping spring 2 has been connected captively to the contact element 3 as described above, the terminal connection 1 is installed in a corresponding receptacle in the insulating material housing of the electrical plug connector. The insulating housing is not shown in either figure for the sake of clarity. Pre-positioning of the clamping spring 2 and the contact element 3 is achieved by suitable shaping of the insulating material housing. The contact element 3 of the terminal connection 1 can be connected both to a socket element and to a plug element. A contact element 3 with plug element 19 is shown as an example in the figures. The connection of contact element 3 with socket or plug element 19 is preferably an inseparable connection, which can be produced, for example, by welding, riveting or soldering. The combination of contact element 3 and socket or plug element 19 is preferably manufactured in one piece as a turned / milled part. The terminal connection 1 can be used with different types of socket or plug elements 19.

2, the spring tongue 13 can clearly be seen, which is already in contact with the stripped conductor 8 in the illustrated closing movement of the terminal connection 1. In this exemplary embodiment, wings 20 are attached to the two sides of the clamping leg, which are shaped in the direction of the base leg 5 and, in the manner of side walls, complete the spring housing and for a reinforcement ensure the spring leg 4. This stiffening is advantageous because the spring tongue 13 uses the full pivoting movement of the clamping leg 4 as the spring travel.

In Fig. 3, the terminal connection, as used in a connector, is shown in the contact position. The extremely compact design is clearly illustrated here. In this closed state of the clamping connection 1, the clamping leg 4 and the base leg 5 of the clamping spring 2 are approximately parallel to one another. It can clearly be seen that the base leg 5 with its side walls 9 on one side and the clamping leg 4 on the other side in the contact position form a type of closed spring housing and thus a spring interior 10.

4 to 8, a second embodiment of a connector according to the invention is shown. Fig. 4 shows a connector with terminal 101 in an exploded view. The terminal connection 101 for connecting an electrical conductor 125 (shown in FIGS. 6, 7 and 8) comprises a clamping leg 102 and a contact leg 103.

The clamping leg 102 consists essentially of a clamping leg base plate 104 which has side walls 105 on the longitudinal sides, so that a U-shaped profile results overall for the clamping leg 102. It thus forms the upper housing part of the later terminal housing 124 (shown in FIGS. 7 and 8). The clamping leg 102 is preferably formed in one piece and preferably consists of a resilient material, for example spring steel. It is manufactured, for example, as a stamped and bent part.

At the end of the clamping leg 102, which is provided for connection to the base leg 103, two bearing recesses 106 are made in the side walls 105.

The clamping leg 102 has a spring tongue 107 which is bent out of the clamping leg 102 and points into the later clamping housing 124. The spring tongue 107 points obliquely in the direction of the storable end of the clamping leg 102, which leads to an improved clamping effect. Instead of the spring tongue 107, Other clamping bodies are also used, for example a tab bent out of the clamping leg 102. In addition to resilient sprags, non-sprung sprags can also be used. The clamping body does not have to be formed in one piece from the clamping leg 102. It is also possible to attach a clamping body to the clamping leg 102, for example by riveting, soldering, welding or a screw connection. The clamping body can also consist of several elements, for example of several clamping bars arranged side by side like a comb. The clamping body can also be shaped at its lower end, for example semicircularly, in such a way that it adapts to the profile of the electrical conductor 125.

The clamping leg 102 has two locking recesses 108 in the region of its non-supported end. These are each designed as an opening in the side walls 105 and serve to accommodate corresponding locking lugs 109 to form a locking connection. The latching recesses 108 can alternatively also be designed as correspondingly shaped depressions in the side walls 105, as long as they ensure a secure latching.

The base leg 103, which is preferably formed in one piece, in turn essentially consists of a base leg base plate 110. It has a conductor bed 111 for receiving the conductor 125 to be connected. In the case of multi-wire conductors, the conductor bed 111 also prevents individual cable cores from moving sideways and from being unavailable for power transmission. In the embodiment shown, the conductor bed 111 is formed in that vanes 112 are formed on both sides of the base leg base plate 110, which face into the later terminal housing 124. The wings 112 are formed by bending the base leg base plate 110 along the length of the conductor bed. However, the conductor bed 111 can also be arranged in the form of a semicircular or trough-shaped recess on the base leg 103.

At the non-supported end, the base leg 103 is bent in such a way that it points into the later terminal housing 124. At the upper end of the base leg 103 latching lugs 109 are attached on both sides, which for establishing the connection with the Serve clamping legs 102. An insertion opening 114 is provided in the bending region 113, through which the conductor 125 to be contacted can be inserted. The base leg 103 can also be produced as a stamped and bent part, which enables the use of simple and inexpensive production technology.

Clamp leg 102 and base leg 103 are pivotally connected to one another by two hinge joints. Each hinge joint consists of a bearing lug 115 and a bearing recess 106. However, a pivotable connection between the clamping leg 102 and the base leg 103 can also be produced by means of only one hinge joint or by means of another bearing.

To connect the electrical conductor 125, which can be single-wire or multi-wire, for example, the stripped part of the conductor 125 is inserted through the insertion opening 114 until it comes to rest under the spring tongue 107. The stripped conductor 125 is positioned such that it is embedded in the conductor bed 111 of the base leg 103, via which the current later flows.

After inserting the conductor 125, the clamp housing 124 is closed. This takes place in that the clamping leg 102 is pivoted in the direction of the base leg 103 until the locking lugs 109 of the base leg 103 engage in the locking recesses 108 of the clamping leg 102. The terminal connection 101 according to the invention can be closed by hand without tools. This leads to significant simplifications when assembling on site. In the contact position, the spring tongue 107 acts on the stripped conductor 125, so that the clamping force required for contacting is established between the base leg 103 and the electrical conductor 125. There is a sufficiently large contact area between the conductor 125 and the conductor bed 111.

For better guidance of the latching lugs 109 when closing the clamp connection 101, run-up slopes 116 are attached to the side walls 105 of the clamp leg 102. By arranging the locking lugs 109 on both sides of the bending area 113, a secure engagement in the locking recesses 108 is achieved. In an alternative embodiment, the locking recesses are attached to the base leg 103 and the locking lugs to the clamping leg 102. In this case too, the clamping connection 101 is closed by pressing the clamping leg 102. However, only a single latching recess with a single associated latching lug can also be provided. A single latching recess can, for example, be located approximately centrally at the end of the non-supported end of the clamping leg 102, while the latching lug can be arranged at the corresponding location on the base leg 103, for example above the insertion opening 114.

Instead of the locking connection by means of locking lugs 109 and locking recesses 108, other types of connection can also be used, for example screw connections or pin and bolt connections.

To open the clamp connection 101 there are two handles 117 in the region of the non-supported end of the clamp leg 102. The handles 117 designed in the manner of wings are attached to the side walls 105, the side walls 105 in this area not being connected to one another via the clamp leg base plate 104 , This leads to the side walls 105 being pushed apart when the handles 117 are actuated. As a result, the latching connection can be released and thus the terminal connection 101 can be opened. In the sense of a construction that is as compact as possible, the handles 117 are preferably such that in the contact position they do not protrude beyond the clamping leg 102 that closes the clamping housing 124. In the embodiment shown, the clamp connection 101 can be opened again by hand or with the blade of a screwdriver. If only a single snap connection is used, a single handle can also be used.

The base leg 103 has a connection area 118 at its mounted end, which extends beyond the area of the clamping housing 124. The connection area 118 is preferably connected in one piece to the base leg 103. The connection between base leg 103 and connection area 118 may be but it can also be an inseparable connection that was made, for example, by welding, riveting or soldering.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the connection area 118 has a receptacle 119 for introducing a connection contact 120, 121. The receptacle 119 is designed as a receptacle channel which is formed by receptacle sections which are approximately triangular in cross section and which are bent out of the connection area and point alternately upwards and downwards from the plane of the connection area. 4 also shows two connection contacts, namely a round plug contact 120 and a corresponding socket contact 121, both of which each have a connection part 122 which can be inserted into the receptacle 119 of the base leg 103. In a further production step, the connection part 122, which is designed here in the form of a connection pin, is then non-detachably connected to the receptacle 119.

In an alternative embodiment, the connection area 118 itself is designed as a connection contact. This can be any socket contact as well as any plug contact. 5 shows a base leg 103, the connection region 118 of which is designed as a socket contact for a flat plug with a rectangular cross section. 7 shows a terminal connection 101, in which the connection area 118 of the base leg 103 is designed as a flat plug contact. The combination of base leg 103 and socket or plug contact can be made in one piece. However, the connection contact can also be connected to the connection area 118, for example by a solder connection. Provision can also be made for the connection area 118 always to be in the form of a socket contact, and, in the event that a plug contact is required, to insert such a plug contact with its connecting part into the existing socket contact and then to connect it captively.

8 shows, as a further embodiment, a terminal connection 101 with several connection options. A plurality of electrical conductors 125 can thus be brought together to form a connection. For this purpose, two base legs 103 are arranged side by side. The base legs 103 use a common connection closing area 118, via which they are also connected to one another. In addition, the two base legs 103 are connected by a web 123, which is located in the region of the non-supported ends of the base legs 103. To manufacture such a multiple connection, a plurality of base legs 103 lying next to one another can simply be punched out of a base plate and then bent accordingly. Each of these base legs 103 can in turn be connected to its own clamping leg 102 (shown only once in FIG. 8). As a result, each conductor 125 can advantageously be clamped individually. The problem that the conductor 125 with the largest cross section determines the pretension for the other conductors 125 to be connected, which may have a smaller cross section, does not arise with the terminal connection 101 according to the invention.

The number of interconnected base legs 103 is not limited to two. Terminal connections 101 are also possible in this way, which allow three, four or more conductors 125 to be contacted.

An advantage of the clamp connection 101 according to the invention is that it can be delivered in the open state. It does not need to be moved into its open position, which is usually done with a special tool. The terminal connection 101 is only closed on site after the stripped conductor 125 has been inserted.

Figures 6 and 7 show an electrical connector with terminal 101 in contact. For this purpose, after the clamping leg 102 has been connected to the base leg 103 via the hinge joints, the clamping connection 101 is installed in a corresponding receptacle of the insulating material housing of an electrical plug connector. The insulating housing is not shown in either figure for the sake of clarity. Pre-positioning of the clamping leg 102 and the base leg 103 is achieved by suitable shaping of the insulating material housing.

Both in FIG. 6 and in FIG. 7, the extremely compact design of the terminal connection 101 is clearly illustrated. In this closed state of the Clamping connection 101 are clamping legs 102 and base legs 103 approximately parallel to one another. It can be clearly seen that the clamping leg 102 with its side walls 105 on one side and the base leg 103 on the other side form a clamping housing 124 in the contact position.

With the described terminal connections 1, 101, the very compact and space-saving design enables electrical connectors to be produced, which can be installed in a three-pole or multi-pole version for 220 V / 20 A in an existing installation space of 20.7 mm in diameter.

The described terminal connection 1, 101 can be used not only in plug connectors, but universally in any connection devices for contacting electrical conductors.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

Terminal connection 103 base leg

Clamping spring 104 clamping element base plate

Contact element 105 side wall

Clamp leg 106 bearing recess

Base leg 107 spring tongue

Transition area 108 locking recess

Insertion opening 109 latch

Electrical conductor 110 contact element base plate

Side wall 111 ladder bed

Spring interior 112 wings

Locking recess 113 bending area

Lugs 114 insertion opening

Spring tongue 115 bearing nose

Latching projection 116 ramp slope

Recess 117 handle

Conductor bed 118 connection area

Direction of pressure force 119 shot

Handle 120 plug contact

Plug element 121 socket contact

Wing 122 connector

123 footbridge

Terminal connection 124 terminal housing

Clamp leg 125 electrical conductor

Claims

Expectations

1. Electrical connector with a terminal connection (1, 101) for making electrical contact with an electrical conductor (8, 125), characterized by a base leg (5, 103) and a clamping leg (4, 102) connected to it, which extends from an open position into a Contact position in the direction of the base leg (5, 102) is movable, and a from the clamping leg (4, 102) in the direction of the base leg (5, 102) protruding clamping body (13, 107) for clamping contact between the base leg (5, 103) and Clamping legs (4, 102) arranged electrical conductor (8, 125) when closing the clamping sleeve (1, 101).

2. Connector according to claim 1, characterized by a between the base leg (5, 103) and clamping leg (4, 102) arranged contact element (3) for receiving the conductor to be connected (8).

3. Connector according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by a from the clamping leg (4, 102) bent tab as a clamping body (13, 107).

4. Connector according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the clamping body (13, 107) is resilient.

5. Connector according to claim 4, characterized by a spring tongue as a clamping body (13, 107).

6. Connector according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the clamping leg (4, 102) and the base leg (5, 103) are connected to one another by at least one hinge joint.

7. Connector according to claim 6, characterized in that the hinge joint in each case consists of a bearing lug (115) and a bearing recess (106) such that the bearing lug (115) can be latched into the bearing recess (106).

8. Connector according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that two bearing lugs (115) on the two sides of the base leg (103) and two bearing recesses (106) are arranged on the two sides of the clamping leg (102).

9. Connector according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the clamping legs (4, 102) and base legs (5, 103) are connected to one another in the manner of a clamping spring.

10. Connector according to claim 9, characterized in that the clamping legs (4, 102) and base legs (5, 103) are integrally connected to one another.

11. Connector according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the clamping leg (4, 102) and the base leg (5, 103) each have at least one fastening element, the fastening elements being designed such that they connect the clamping connection (1, 101) keep closed in contact position.

12. Connector according to claim 11, characterized in that the fastening elements each consist of a locking lug (12, 109) and a locking recess (11, 108) such that the locking lug (12, 109) in the contact position in the locking recess (11, 108) engages.

13. Connector according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that two fastening elements are arranged on the two sides of the open end of the clamping leg (4, 102) and on the two sides of the open end of the base leg (5, 103).

14. Connector according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized by a handle (18, 117) for opening the terminal connection (1, 101).

15. Connector according to claim 14, characterized in that the handle (18, 117) at the open end of the clamping leg (4, 102) or base leg (5, 103) is attached

16. Connector according to claim 14 or 15, characterized in that actuation of the handle (18, 117) results in an elastic deformation of the clamping leg (4, 102) and / or the base leg (5, 103).

17. Connector according to one of claims 1 to 16, characterized in that the base leg (103) has a conductor bed (111) for receiving the electrical conductor (125) such that the clamping body (107) in the contact position the electrical conductor (125 ) into the conductor bed (111).

18. Connector according to one of claims 2 to 15, characterized in that the contact element (3) has a conductor bed (16) for receiving the electrical conductor (8) such that the clamping body (13) presses the electrical conductor (8) into the conductor bed (16) in the contact position.

19. Connector according to one of claims 1 to 18, characterized in that the clamping leg (4, 102) or the base leg (5, 103) have side walls (9, 105) such that the clamping leg (4, 102) and base leg (5 , 103) in the contact position form a clamp housing (10, 124).

20. Connector according to one of claims 2 to 19, characterized by on the clamping leg (4, 102) or base leg (5, 103) attached side walls (9, 105) to form a guide in which the contact element (3) lies in a form-fitting manner.

21. Connector according to one of claims 1 to 20, characterized by an insertion opening (7, 114) for the electrical conductor (8, 125).

22. Connector according to claim 21, characterized by an insertion opening (7) at the open end of the base leg (5).

23. Connector according to claim 21, characterized by an insertion opening (114) in the region (113) of the connection between the base leg (103) and the clamping leg (102).

24. Connector according to one of claims 1 to 23, characterized in that the base leg (103) has a connection area (118).

25. Connector according to one of claims 2 to 23, characterized in that the contact element (3) has a connection region (19).

26. Connector according to claim 24 or 25, characterized in that the connection region (19, 118) is located at the end of the terminal connection (1, 101) opposite the insertion opening (7, 114).

27. Connector according to one of claims 24 to 26, characterized in that the connection region (19, 118) is a socket contact.

28. Connector according to one of claims 24 to 26, characterized in that the connection area (19, 118) is a plug contact.

29. Connector according to one of claims 24 to 26, characterized in that the connection area (19, 118) has a receptacle (119) in which a connection contact can be introduced.

30. Connector according to claim 29, characterized in that the connection contact is a socket contact (121).

31. Connector according to claim 29, characterized in that the connection contact is a plug contact (121).

32. Connector according to one of claims 1 to 31, characterized in that the base leg (103) is connected to at least one further base leg (103) which has a further clamping leg (102) and thus creates a further connection option.

33. Connector according to claim 32, characterized in that the interconnected base legs (103) use a single connection area (118).

34. Connector according to one of claims 1 to 33, characterized in that the clamping legs (4, 102) and base legs (5, 103) are arranged in the receiving space of an insulating material housing.