Electrical connectors – Contact comprising cutter – Insulation cutter
Reexamination Certificate
1999-09-20
2001-05-29
Paumen, Gary F. (Department: 2833)
Electrical connectors
Contact comprising cutter
Insulation cutter
C439S459000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06238233
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a connection terminal for at least one unstripped conductor cable, having a cutting member which has a plurality of contact cutting edges for cutting through the insulation.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
A connection terminal of this type is described in European Patent No. 0 511 098. It includes a metallic component which is affixed in a space of a housing and forms at least one connection unit having a convex hexagonal shape, and having a slit along one of its diagonal planes. The slit is used to hold the wire and to cut through the insulation in order to contact the conductor core. The slit has a widened mouth for cutting through the wire insulation with cutting edges.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,154,633 describes an insulation piercing connecting device for the penetration contacting of a conductor. The device includes a plurality of contact points of the same height which are arranged, one after another, in a direction of the conductor axis. The contact points are designed as swords which penetrate to the same depth into the conductor during the contacting operation. This design of contact points is not suitable for contacting conductors having different cross-sections.
British Patent No. GB 2 210 734 describes a contacting method in which a contacting element having teeth is used. No points are used for the contacting, but, rather, variably high cutting edges along the side at each tooth. Upon insertion of the conductor, the cutting edges rip open the insulation and contact the actual conductor core.
SUMMARY
An object of the present invention is to provide a connection terminal of the above-named type which, in a simple manner, permits a contacting of conductors having different diameters, irrespective of the insulation material, and at the same time is suitable for massive, fine-wire and multiple-wire conductor cross-sections.
This objective is achieved according to the present invention, in that the points of the contact cutting edges are set apart at variable distances from the axis of the conductor introduced into the connection terminal and located in contacting position, that the connection terminal has a clamping member which, in one mounting position, has an intervening space with a graduated variable opening width with respect to the contact cutting edges, so that conductors having different cross-sections can be inserted so far into the intervening space that at least one of the contact cutting edges overlaps the conductor, and that due to the action of force on the clamping member, the inserted conductor can be forced into at least one of the overlapping contact cutting edges to the extent that the conductor core is contacted.
For example, if the clamping member is spring-loaded, then good contacting can be maintained which is long-lasting, since the spring action compensates for a slackening of the contacting forces.
Advantageously, the clamping member is the lower part of a rotationally mounted lever having springs which act on the clamping member. The lever is normally mounted in the housing of a switching device, and therefore is accommodated in a manner that it is safe from loss. Using the lever, the pressure necessary for the contacting with the contact cutting edges can be applied with the assistance of a screwdriver, without great expenditure of force.
The connection terminal of the present invention facilitates the connection of conductors, because the lever can be locked in an open position and in a contacting position. The contacting position is thus secured at the same time.
The clamping member may have two regions, formed by a slit, which are flexible independently of one another, this likewise permits two contacted conductors, lying side-by-side, to be contacted independently of one another, and the contact state can be better maintained.
In addition, The connection terminal may be provided in a switching device, and the cutting member may be used at the same time as a contact member of the switching device.
Production can be accomplished particularly simply if the cutting member is composed of a plurality of cutting plates having a saw-toothed profile.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5041012 (1991-08-01), Caprio
patent: 5154633 (1992-10-01), Lee
patent: 6086406 (2000-07-01), Francois et al.
patent: 0 243 887 (1987-11-01), None
patent: 0338952 (1989-10-01), None
patent: 0340075 (1989-11-01), None
patent: 0 511 098 (1992-10-01), None
patent: 0 735 613 (1996-10-01), None
patent: 2 210 514 (1989-06-01), None
patent: 2 210 734 (1989-06-01), None
patent: 0780089 (1980-11-01), None
Drexler Johann
Klose Hubert
Koller Siegfried
Schumacher Hartmut
Kenyon & Kenyon
Paumen Gary F.
Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
Ta Tho D.
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