Connection or connecting terminal comprising a pushbutton for actuating a spring element

The invention relates to a contacting or connection terminal for electrically connecting at least one conductor (26) and at least one electrical contact body, said terminal having a housing (2) in which the contact body is arranged, and at least one pressing member (3), wherein the electrical contact body comprises a clamping conductor connector for the at least one electrical conductor (26) and has at least one punched part (5), said punched part (5) having at least one spring element (6) for the clamping conductor connector. An actuation of the pressing member (3) acts on the spring element (6) and enables an opening of the clamping conductor connector, wherein the opening path of the clamping conductor connector (WF), due to actuation of the pressing member (3), is greater than the pressing member path (WD), at least in one portion. The invention also relates to a circuit board and a luminaire with a contacting or connection terminal according to the invention.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a connection or connecting terminal for at least one electrical conductor and to a printed circuit board and a luminaire.

BACKGROUND

Connection or connecting terminals preferably having a small physical shape are used for applications with light-emitting diodes (LEDs).

The connection or connecting terminal described in DE 102010014143 A1 discloses a connection or connecting terminal comprising an insulating housing and at least one pushbutton, arranged on the insulating housing. Furthermore, a contact frame comprising a spring element is provided, wherein an actuation of the pushbutton takes effect on the spring element and opens a conductor clamping connection. The pushbutton arm extends along at least a subsection of two surfaces of the insulating housing which are arranged at an angle with respect to one another in order that sufficient opening force can be applied to the spring element over a short travel distance.

The invention is based on the object of configuring a connection or connecting terminal such that the connection or connecting terminal has a much smaller physical shape, primarily with a very low height, wherein secure clamping of rigid or flexible conductors with different diameters is ensured. It should also be possible for there to be simple handling during fitting and removal of the electrical conductor.

The objects are achieved in accordance with the invention by the features specified in the independent claims.

SUMMARY

The connection or connecting terminal for electrically connecting at least one conductor and at least one electrical contact body has a housing, in which the contact body is arranged, and at least one pushbutton, wherein the electrical contact body comprises a conductor clamping connection for the at least one electrical conductor, and wherein the electrical contact body has at least one punched part, wherein the punched part has at least one spring element for the conductor clamping connection, wherein an actuation of the pushbutton takes effect on the spring element and enables opening of the conductor clamping connection.

An essential feature of the connection or connecting terminal consists in that the opening travel of the conductor clamping connection owing to the actuation of the pushbutton is greater, at least in a subregion, than the pushbutton travel.

This provides the advantage that a sufficient opening travel of the conductor clamping connection can be achieved with a very low physical height of the connection or connecting terminal in order to be able to insert or release an electrical conductor. Various conductors, rigid and/or flexible conductors, with different diameters, preferably from 0.2 mm2to 0.5 mm2, can also be used.

The configuration of the spring element may be essential for determining the opening travel of the conductor clamping connection. It is preferred that the spring element has an S shape or L shape with a spring limb.

It is thus possible to configure the spring limb to be longer and to achieve better spring properties or improved elastic recovery.

For this purpose, the pushbutton can be arranged so as to be guided in its actuation direction in the housing in order to be able to prevent a tipping movement of the pushbutton outside its actuation axis or actuation direction. Preferably, the pushbutton is guided in the manner of an elevator in the housing.

For example, the pushbutton can have a latching edge in order to be able to prevent the pushbutton from falling out of the housing.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the pushbutton can bear on the spring limb of the spring element, and an actuation of the pushbutton thereby takes effect directly on the spring limb.

Provision can also be made for the pushbutton to have a contact surface, which bears against the spring limb, at least in the unactuated state of the pushbutton.

For this purpose, the pushbutton can have a contact knob, which acts on the spring element on actuation of the pushbutton or transfers the actuation force on the spring element on actuation of the pushbutton and enables deformation of the spring element. The contact knob can pass through the punched part.

The spring element has a first resting region, which is supported on a mounting surface of the connection or connecting terminal, after a partial actuation of the pushbutton. A 2-point deformation of the spring element can be achieved during a release process as a result of this supporting arrangement.

It is preferred for the contact knob of the pushbutton to bear against the spring limb, but not in the region of the free end of the spring limb but more in the direction of the region of the resting region of the spring element.

For this purpose, the spring element can have a further resting region, which bears on the housing. This resting region preferably acts as support or bearing arrangement for the spring element.

In a first section, during actuation of the pushbutton, the entire spring element is moved uniformly in the actuation direction of the pushbutton until the first resting region of the spring element bears on a mounting surface of the connection or connecting element. The mounting surface may be a printed circuit board, for example. In this first section, the pushbutton travel corresponds to the opening travel of the conductor clamping connection, or a uniform ratio between the pushbutton travel and the opening travel of the conductor clamping connection is provided. The contact surface of the pushbutton preferably bears against the spring limb in this first section.

In a second section, on actuation of the pushbutton, once the spring element bears with its resting region on a mounting surface of the connection or connecting terminal, now only the spring limb is moved. Owing to the length of the spring limb or the available lever arm, a short pushbutton travel effects a relatively large opening travel of the conductor clamping connection. The contact surface of the pushbutton preferably no longer bears against the spring limb in this first section.

In addition, the pushbutton travel, on actuation of the pushbutton, can be limited by a stop in order to prevent the spring element or spring limb from bending over. The stop can be provided on the punched part or on the housing.

Preferably, the pushbutton can also act as conductor guide for the conductor, wherein a channel is provided in the pushbutton for the conductor. Therefore, the conductor can be located in a secure position in the conductor clamping connection.

The actuation of the pushbutton can preferably be performed by means of a tool, for example a screwdriver.

It is also advantageous if the punched part is formed in one piece or is formed from one material. However, the possibility of the punched part being formed in more than one piece should not be ruled out.

For this purpose, the stamped part can be latched in the housing, for example. Hooks can be provided on the contact frame of the punched part, which hooks are latched in the housing of the connection or connecting terminal.

The connection or connecting terminal according to the invention can be used, for example, as connection or connecting terminal for printed circuit boards. Owing to its small or low physical shape in terms of height and width, it can preferably be used in LED applications.

The connection or connecting terminal according to the invention can preferably be a screwless connection or connecting terminal.

In addition, the invention also relates to a printed circuit board comprising the connection or connecting terminal according to the invention.

In addition, the invention also relates to a luminaire comprising the connection or connecting terminal according to the invention.

The invention will be described in more detail below with reference to embodiments, but these embodiments should be interpreted merely by way of example and not in a restrictive manner.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1atoFIG. 2bshow an exemplary embodiment of a connection or connecting terminal1according to the invention, advantageously in the form of a screwless connection or connecting terminal.

The connection or connecting terminal1has a housing2, which is in the form of an insulating body. At least one conductor insertion opening4is provided in the housing2, wherein two conductor insertion openings4are provided in this exemplary embodiment, for preferably two conductors26, which are not illustrated inFIGS. 1aand1b.

Furthermore, the connection or connecting terminal1has at least one pushbutton3, which acts on a punched part5on actuation of the pushbutton3.

The pushbutton can preferably be actuated by a tool29since, owing to the small physical size of the connection or connecting terminal1, a person skilled in the art may find it more difficult to perform actuation with his hands or fingers. The pushbutton3can have an actuating element12, for example in this case in the form of an indentation for positioning a screwdriver as tool29.

A channel13, which acts as conductor guide for the conductor26when the conductor26is inserted into the connection or connecting terminal1, can also be provided in the pushbutton3.

The contact knobs14of the pushbutton3press on the spring limb23of the spring element6when the pushbutton3is actuated and enable opening of the spring element6for the insertion or removal of the conductor26into or out of the connection or connecting terminal1.

The pushbutton3can be manufactured integrally with the housing2, for example, and, during fitting, the pushbutton3can be positioned in its operating position. During fitting of the pushbutton3, the pushbutton3is latched in the housing or the latching edge30of the pushbutton3is pushed into the housing2and finally latches in beneath the housing upper side31. In the operating state, i.e. when the pushbutton3is actuated by the tool29, the pushbutton3can no longer be removed from the housing2. The latching edge30ensures that the pushbutton3cannot fall out of the housing2.

The pushbutton3is arranged in the housing2in such a way as to be guided in the actuation direction F, with the result that it cannot tip within the housing2or on the punched part5and can transfer the pushing force completely on actuation. The pushbutton3acts in the same way as an elevator in the actuation direction F or in the opposite direction.

The punched part5is arranged in the housing2and forms the conductor clamping connection for the conductors26. The punched part5has, inter alia, a spring element6, as well as a contact frame7and contact regions8,9for making electrical contact with a printed circuit board27. A resting lug10is also provided on the punched part5in order that the conductor26can be held between the spring element6or its spring limb23and the resting lug10, and contact can be made with said conductor.

Furthermore, the punched part5has stops11for the pushbutton3in order to limit the pushbutton travel on actuation of the pushbutton3.

The punched part5is arranged in the housing2of the connection or connecting terminal1, wherein, when the connection or connecting terminal1has a plurality of conductor inlets, preferably a plurality of punched parts5are provided in the housing2. The punched part5is provided in a chamber of the housing2and is positioned between the housing side walls19and/or housing intermediate walls20. Preferably, latching hooks32which are latched in the housing2in order to be able to fix the punched part in the housing, as can be seen fromFIG. 8, can be provided on the punched part5.

Furthermore, the punched part5can have contact regions8and9at the respective ends, which can each bear on a positioning surface21in the region of the housing front side17and on a positioning surface22in the region of the housing rear side18, respectively. The contact regions8and9can be used, for example, for the electrical contact with a printed circuit board27, for example they can be soldered on the printed circuit board27.

It is preferred for the punched part5to be formed from one material, wherein the material is conductive. For this purpose, it is also advantageous if the punched part5is formed in one piece.

FIGS. 3, 4aand4billustrate the state prior to actuation of the pushbutton3, wherein the conductor26has not yet been inserted into the connection or connecting terminal1.

The connection or connecting terminal1in the example illustrated is fixed or soldered on a printed circuit board27. LEDs28, which are connected to one another and to the connection or connecting terminal1or to the punched part5of the connection or connecting terminal1via electrical lines, are arranged on the printed circuit board27.

In the embodiment illustrated, the punched part5has a spring element6, which has an S shape.

The spring limb23of the spring element6forms the first limb of the S shape of the spring element6with a free end, which, in the unactuated state and without any conductors26, bears against the contact frame7or against the resting lug10of the punched part5and forms the conductor clamping connection.

Furthermore, the spring element6has resting regions24and25owing to its shape. The resting region24is arranged adjacent to the spring limb23. In the unactuated state and without any conductors26, the resting region24is free in the housing2or is unsupported. The resting region24is arranged spaced apart from a mounting plate of the connection or connecting terminal1, in this case in the form of a printed circuit board27, by a distance X, in this state.

The resting region25, on the other hand, acts as bearing region for the spring element6, in this case even with the other end limb of the S-shaped spring element6. The resting region25preferably bears against the housing2, in the unactuated state, and on actuation of the pushbutton3.

It will be conceivable for the spring element6to have a different shape, for example an L shape.

The pushbutton3is designed in such a way that, in the unactuated state and without any conductors26, it bears against the spring limb23over its contact surface15and its contact knob14bears at least partially against the spring limb23in order to be able to transfer a direct actuation force F onto the spring element6. The contact knob14of the pushbutton3is preferably provided closer to the resting region24than to the free end of the spring limb in the direction of the resting lug10in order to be able to ensure a more advantageous lever arm on actuation of the pushbutton3.

In the unactuated state and without any conductors26, the bearing surface16of the pushbutton3is arranged spaced apart from the stop11, in this case provided on the punched part5, by a distance WDmax, as the maximum possible pushbutton travel WD. The distance WDmaxis greater than the distance X.

FIGS. 5, 6aand6billustrate an intermediate state during actuation of the pushbutton3. In this first subregion of the actuation of the pushbutton3by means of the tool29in the direction of the actuation force F, the pushbutton travel WD1effects an approximate uniform opening travel of the conductor clamping connection WF1.

The pushbutton travel WD1and the opening travel of the conductor clamping connection WF1in this first subregion of the actuation of the pushbutton3are comparable with the distance X between the resting region24and the mounting plate of the connection or connecting terminal1, in this case in the form of a printed circuit board27, in the unactuated state and without any conductors, as is illustrated inFIG. 4a. The entire spring element6has been pushed in the direction of the actuation force F until the resting region24of the spring element6bears on the mounting plate of the connection or connecting terminal1, in this case in the form of a printed circuit board27, and can no longer be lowered any more.

At the end of this subregion, the stop surface16of the pushbutton3is still arranged spaced apart from the stop11of the punched part5by a distance Y. The distance Y is comparable to the distance WDmaxminus the distance WD1.

The contact surface15of the pushbutton3preferably still bears against the spring limb23of the spring element6, and the contact knob14of the pushbutton also bears at least partially against the spring limb23of the spring element6.

FIGS. 7aand 7billustrate the end state with the maximum actuation of the pushbutton3, wherein the stop surface16of the pushbutton3bears on the stop11of the punched part5. The pushbutton3has been actuated in total by its maximum pushbutton travel WDmaxby means of the tool29in the direction of the actuation force F.

In this second subregion of the opening travel of the conductor clamping connection, now only the spring limb23is pushed in the direction of the actuation force F since the other parts of the spring element6were already positioned in their end positions.

In the second subregion of the actuation, the pushbutton3is pushed over a pushbutton travel WD2, wherein this pushbutton travel WD2corresponds to the distance Y after the first subregion, as is illustrated inFIG. 6a. The pushbutton travels WD1and WD2give the maximum pushbutton travel WDmax.

In contrast to the first subregion, the opening travel of the conductor clamping connection in the second subregion does not have a uniform behavior with respect to the pushbutton travel since only the spring limb23of the spring element6is pivoted. The position of the pushbutton3on the spring limb23of the spring element6effects a greater opening travel of the conductor clamping connection WF2than the pushbutton travel WD2itself. The maximum opening travel of the conductor clamping connection WFmaxcorresponds to the opening travels of the conductor clamping connection WF1and WF2and is thus greater than the maximum pushbutton travel WDmax. The longer the spring limb23can be, the greater the opening travel of the conductor clamping connection WFmaxcan become.

It is advantageous here that the physical height of the connection or connecting terminal1can be kept very low and nevertheless can enable a sufficient opening travel for the conductor clamping connection. The possible release travel in order to be able to insert a conductor is greater than the maximum opening travel which is provided by the pushbutton3. For applications primarily with LEDs, it is of particular advantage since a small physical size is usually required for such products.

In this second subregion, the contact knob14of the pushbutton3passes through the punched part5or in the spring limb23of the spring element6or the contact knob14of the pushbutton3pushes and pivots the spring limb23downwards. The contact surface15of the pushbutton3no longer accompanies the movement of the spring limb23or no longer bears against the spring limb23.

The conductor26can be inserted into the conductor insertion opening4in the connection or connecting terminal1and pushed into the conductor clamping connection. It is also advantageous if the maximum opening travel of the conductor clamping connection WFmaxis greater than the diameter of the conductor26to be clamped. During release of the pushbutton3, the spring element6will clamp in the conductor26in the conductor clamping connection owing to the restoring force of said spring element.

During dismantling of the conductor26or in order to release the conductor26from the conductor clamping connection, the pushbutton3can be pushed in the direction of the actuation force F by means of the tool29, even up to the maximum pushbutton travel WDmax, which will trigger actuation of the spring element6and in turn enable opening of the conductor clamping connection up to the maximum opening travel WFmax. The conductor26can then be removed from the conductor insertion opening4.

REFERENCE SYMBOLS