Electrical connectors – Metallic connector or contact having movable or resilient... – Spring actuated or resilient securing part
Reexamination Certificate
1998-09-10
2001-08-07
Vu, Hien (Department: 2833)
Electrical connectors
Metallic connector or contact having movable or resilient...
Spring actuated or resilient securing part
C439S729000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06270384
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
A connecting terminal of the general type to which the present invention relates is known from, for example, DE 4,239,480 A1 and DE 196-11,762 A1. In this known connecting terminal, the actuating element is designed as a lever mounted in a housing with freedom to pivot. In one of the positions into which it is pivoted, this lever presses the free elastic sidepiece of the clamping spring down into its open position, whereas, in a second pivoted position, the lever releases the sidepiece of the spring, so that it can clamp a conductor which has been inserted. A curved cam surface on the pivoting lever causes the elastic sidepiece of the clamping spring to move the required distance between the open position and the clamping position. So that a stroke of the required distance can be achieved by means of the pivoting movement of the lever, it is necessary for the lever to move over a relatively large pivot angle. If the lever, as is standard practice, is pivoted by means of a suitable tool such as a screwdriver, it is necessary for this tool to have sufficient room to pivot. In many situations where the connecting terminal is installed, however, this type of actuation can be difficult.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention is based the task of designing a connecting terminal of the general type indicated above in such a way that it can be actuated easily and can be constructed simply.
This task is accomplished in accordance with the invention by means of a connecting terminal characterized by novel features of construction and arrangement which is easy to operate and of compact design. The basic idea of the invention consists in pushing the actuating element like a wedge between the elastic sidepiece of the clamping spring and an inside wall of the housing. When the actuating element is pushed inward against the elastic force of the sidepiece, it presses the sidepiece into its open position. As a result of the wedge shape of the actuating element, the sidepiece of the spring can push it back and arrive in its clamping position after the actuating element is released. In the open position, the actuating element locks in a latching receptacle in the inside wall of the housing and is held in the locked position by the elastic force of the sidepiece.
It is extremely easy to actuate the connecting terminal. To bring the connecting terminal into the open position, the wedge-shaped actuating element is merely pushed inward by a suitable tool such as a screwdriver. Because only a linear displacement of the actuating element is required for this purpose, a small free space is sufficient for the intervention of the tool. The actuating element locks itself automatically in the open position and holds itself there. To bring the connecting terminal into the clamping position, the actuating element must merely be lifted out of the latching receptacle against the force of the sidepiece of the spring. Because of the wedge shape of the actuating element, the elastic force of the sidepiece is then able to push it into the clamping position. To move the actuating element out of its locked position, the tool requires only a small pivot angle, which means again that only a small amount of room needs to be made available for the intervention of the tool.
If the connecting terminal is mounted on a printed circuit board, the direction in which the conductor to be clamped is introduced can be essentially parallel to the plane of the printed circuit board. In this arrangement, the route along which the actuating element is pushed can also be nearly parallel to the plane of the printed circuit board. The force acting on the connecting terminal during actuation thus has only a minimum component acting in the direction perpendicular to the printed circuit board, which means that the board is subjected to only minimal stress during the actuation of the connecting terminal.
The actuating element is a molded part of extremely simple design. Because no pivot bearing is required for the actuating element, the design of the housing is also very simple. Assembly is also easy, because the actuating element can simply be inserted loosely into the housing. As a result, the connecting terminal is also especially suitable for automated assembly.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5679021 (1997-10-01), Krämer
patent: 5685735 (1997-11-01), Hohorst
patent: 5853304 (1998-12-01), Landreau et al.
patent: 0052767 (1981-10-01), None
patent: 0 052 767 (1981-10-01), None
patent: 3418536 A1 (1984-05-01), None
patent: 42 39 480 (1992-11-01), None
patent: 195 04 092 A1 (1995-02-01), None
patent: 196 11 762 A1 (1996-03-01), None
patent: 0 632529 A2 (1993-06-01), None
Renz, Jr. Eugene E.
Ria Electronics Albert Metz
Vu Hien
LandOfFree
Connecting terminal assembly does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Connecting terminal assembly, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Connecting terminal assembly will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2439412