AU673746B2

AU673746B2 - Electrical terminal

Info

Publication number: AU673746B2
Application number: AU67441/94A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Ruchholtz Carsten
Original assignee: Tridonic Bauelemente GmbH
Current assignee: Tridonic Bauelemente GmbH
Priority date: 1993-07-23
Filing date: 1994-07-14
Publication date: 1996-11-21
Anticipated expiration: 2014-07-14
Also published as: AU6744194A; EP0637098A1; EP0637098B1; ATE159128T1

Abstract

The invention relates to a universal connection terminal for the connection of electrical conductors (70, 71) of different cross-sections without having to strip the insulation. The connection terminals are especially, but by no means exclusively, suitable for making contact with varnished wires of various coil components. The terminal element (1) according to the invention has a plurality of clamping slots (6, 7) with different opening cross-sections. The end section (10) of a cable (line, lead) (70, 71) with which contact is to be made is inserted into the terminal element (1) in such a manner that contact is made on a clamping slot (6, 7) having an opening cross-section which is matched to the cross-section of the cable with which contact is to be made. The clamping slots (6, 7) are arranged in such a manner that clamping slots having opening cross-sections which are too small do not touch the cable with which contact is to be made. The clamping slots (70, 71) have a suitable profile and edge surfaces, which are advantageously inclined like blades, in order to cut through the insulation skin of the cables. The parallel connection of a plurality of cables is also possible. The terminal element (1) of the connection terminal is formed integrally from a folded, electrically conductive substrate. <IMAGE>

Description

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act COMPLETE SPECIFICATION

(ORIGINAL)

Class Int. Class Application Number: Lodged: Complete Specification Lodged: Accepted: Published: Priority Related Art: s n e D r Name of Applicant: Tridonic Bauelemente GmbH o a Actual Inventor(s): Ruchholtz Carsten Address for Service: PHILLIPS ORMONDE FITZPATRICK Patent and Trade Mark Attorneys 367 Collins Street Melbourne 3000 AUSTRALIA Invention Title: ELECTRICAL TERMINAL Our Ref 375390 POF Code: 1329/196885 The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to applicant(s): -1- Electrical terminal The invention relates to an electrical terminal, in particular the clamping element of such a terminal. The terminals according to the invention are intended in particular, but by no means exclusively, for the connection of chokes and transformers. The coils of these components are generally produced using so-called enamel-insulated wires which, for insulation, have a dipped enamel layer.

Where conventional clamping elements are used to connect :the coil body, the insulating layer has to be removed in the region of the connection. However, the stripping of the wires to be connected is time-consuming and is generally a nuisance in mass production.

Terminals are known in numerous forms in the state of the art. In addition to screw terminals, such terminals are known that clamp the end of the wire to be connected, thus connecting it in an electrically-conducting and force- 20 locked manner to the terminal. However, as mentioned, in addition to the necessary stripping of the end of the conductor to be connected, the known terminals furthermore :I have the drawback that these terminals are suitable only for a specific cross-section of the electric conductor to be connected.

The known terminals generally have a metallic clamping element in which a clamping slot to take the end section of the wire to be connected is provided. The conductor is connected to the clamping element in an electricallyconducting and force-locking manner by pressing together the clamping element and the end section of the conductor to be connected. Here the cross-sections of the connectable electrical conductors have only a narrow tolerance range which is related to the dimensions of the clamping slot.

It is known from DE 36 01 788 C3 to combine an insulationpiercing connecting device suitable for a range of conductor diameters from 0.4 mm to 0.6 mm with an insulation-piercing connecting device suitable for a range of conductor diameters from 0.6 mm.

It is the object of the present invention to provide a clamping element which is universally suitable for the connection of electrical conductors of different crosssections, and can be simply produced.

The present invention accordingly provides a clamping element of a terminal for connecting electrical conductors with at least one clamping slot extending transversely to the longitudinal direction of the conductor to be connected, into which the conductor section to be connected can be inserted, wherein by pressing together the clamping element and the conductor section to be connected, these are connected together in an electricallyconducting and force-locked manner in the region of the clamping slot, wherein a plurality of clamping slots which have different, decreasing opening cross-sections in the direction of the inserted conductor end are provided in the longitudinal direction of the conductor section to be connected, wherein the clamping element is formed in one piece from an electrically conducting, planar substrate folded into a U-shape or undulated shape, with longitudinal sections extending substantially in the longitudinal direction of the conductor section to be connected, and transverse sections extending substantially transversely to the longitudinal direction of the conductor section to be connected, wherein cut-outs are provided at the transverse sections for the formation of the clamping slots, and wherein for the formation of an additional plug terminal, a first end of the electrically-conducting substrate is bent into a spring-acting U-shape and a second end of the electrically-conducting substrate is bent in such a way that it encloses the U-shaped first end of the substrate and locates it under pretension.

S The inventive concept is based on the insight that it is advantageous to arrange a plurality of clamping slots, that have different opening cross-sections, along the 7 a. 3 length of the conductor section to be connected. It is of significance that the clamping slot nearest to the inlet opening for the conductor to be connected has the greatest opening cross-section, and the opening cross-sections of the other clamping slots decrease in the direction of the inserted conductor end. This ensures that, during insertion or clamping, a conductor with relatively large crosssection is not crushed or sheared off in a clamping slot with too small an opening cross-section. The clamping element may be simply formed from a one-piece electrically-conducting substrate, preferably a sheet metal strip, that may be folded so that the region of the conductor to be connected crosses specific sections of the substrate several times and is laid in cut-outs in the substrate, which form the clamping slots.

The clamping slots preferably have a taper. This measure ensures that, after pressing together the clamping element and the section of conductor to be connected, the conductor section makes contact with the clamping element at two ~contact points, which can reduce the contact resistance. This taper may be ~formed by a small V-shaped opening, whereby, to vary the opening cross-section, both the width of the base and the height of the V-shaped opening may be varied.

The contact between the conductor and the clamping element may be further improved by a rectangular or trapezoidal extension in the region of the apex of the V-shaped opening. To separate the insulating sheathing, particularly in the case of enamel-insulated wires, but also other insulated conductors, the clamping slot may advantageously have knife-like edges.

It is advantageous, particularly for carrying large current intensities, that the end

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of the wire to be connected is contacted at four points. This may be achieved in each case two neighbouring clamping slots being paired and having the same cross-section. A special cutting action for separating the insulation layer may be obtained with two clamping slots having different opening cross-sections arranged a short distance one behind the other. For the parallel connection of a plurality of electrical conductors the clamping element may have a plurality of offset rows of R4slots that accept the different electrical conductors.

,i a *a to *0 p IT m T- 3a The terminal according to the invention may be connected to a conventional, screw, plug or crimp terminal. When chokes, transformers and the like are connected, the wire ends of the coil body may be connected to the terminal according to the invention and the connecting leads connected to the conventional I n e

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*e C C CCC C C *C CC C o l terminal. However, for the connecting leads it is also possible to provide a second clamping element according to the invention, that is electrically connected to a first clamping element for connecting the wire ends of the coil body.

Examples of embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the drawings, which show: Fig. 1 r o o r a simple embodiment of a clamping element according to the invention, possible variations of the opening cross-section of the clamping slots, Figs. 2A and B Fig. 3 a second embodiment of a clamping element according to the invention, Fig. 4A a side view of a double clamping slot with enhanced cutting action, Fig. 4B a front view of a double clamping slot with enhanced cutting action, Fig. 5 Fig. 6 a third embodiment of a clamping element according to the invention, clamping element corresponding to the third embodiment, with sections of conductor inserted, development of a clamping element, Fig. 7 Figs. 8A 8D further embodiments of the clamping slot, Figs. 9A and B Fig. 10A an embodiment of the terminal according to the invention, a further embodiment of a clamping element according to the invention, Fig. 10(, a development of the clamping element in Fig.

Figs. 11A to 1IC Fig. 11iD side, front and perspective views of a further embodiment of a clamping element according to the invention, a development of the clamping element shown in Figures 11A to 11C.

0 Fig. 1 shows a simple embodiment of the terminal clamping element 1 according to the invention. Two transverse sections 3 and 4, whose spacing is determined by a longitudinal section 5, are located transversely of the direction 2 of the longitudinal extension of a conductor section, not shown. Two clamping slots 6 and 7 are formed at the transverse sections 3 and 4 of the clamping element 1. In the embodiment shown, the clamping slots are realized as V-shaped cut-outs. Instead of the V-shape configuration, the clamping slots can have any shape of cut-out, but preferably a form tapering in one direction. To facilitate the insertion of the conductor section to be connected, it is advantageous to make the clamping slot open on the side away from the taper. However, this is not necessary when it is intended to insert the section of conductor to be connected into the clamping element along the direction 2.

Of significance to the invention, the clamping slots 6 and 7 have different opening cross-sections.~ While larger- )I~qSl~i~l I diameter conductors are connected by the larger clamping slot 6, conductors with smaller diameters are connected at the smaller clamping slot 7. It is significant that the clamping slot 6 with the larger opening is located on the side towards the conductor to be connected.

Figures 2A and 2B show a front view of a transverse section 3 and 4, respectively, with conductor section 10 inserted.

As the Figures show, pressing the clamping element and the 0 conductor section 10 together produces an electricallyconducting and force-locked connection at the contact points 11 and 12. In the case of a sharp-edged, cutting construction of the edges of the clamping slot, the .".insulating skin of the conductor 10 is separated at the contact points 11 and 12 so as to produce an electricallyconducting connection between the clamping element and the conductor. An electrical connection can thus be produced and prior stripping of the section of conductor to be connected is dispensed with, especially when connecting i' 20 enamel-insulated wires of a coil body. The tapering of the clamping slot has the effect that the conductor to be connected makes contact with the transverse section 3, 4 of the clamping element at two support points 11, 12.

Furthermore, due to a slight deformation of the conductor 10 in the region of the edges of the clamping slot, a force-locked connection is achieved between the clamping element and the conductor.

Furthermore, two possible ways for varying the opening cross-section of the clamping slots 6, 7 are shown in Figures 2A and 2B. On the one hand the opening crosssection of the clamping slots can be varied by keeping the same height hi, h2 of the V-shape cut-outs and changing the base a, b, and on the other hand by keeping the base a, b the same and varying the height hi, h2. A combination of both measures is of course also possible.

Fig. 3 shows a second embodiment of the clamping element 1 according to the invention. The clamping element 1 is folded into an undulated or multiple U-shape and can, for example, be formed in one piece from a sheet metal strip, Transverse sections 20 to 26 are arranged at right-angles to the direction 2 of the longitudinal extension of the conductor to be connected, the spacing between said transverse sections being determined by the top longitudinal sections 27 to 30 and the bottom longitudinal 10 sections 31 to 33. The clamping slots 34 to 40 are arranged at the transverse sections. In the embodiment shown the clamping slots 34 to 40 are V-shaped and open downwards. As already stated, however, other forms of clamping slots can also be considered. The opening cross-sections A, B, C, C' and D decrease in the direction 2. In the embodiment shown the respective pairs of opening crosssections A and A' of the adjacent clamping slots 34 and B and B' of the adjacent clamping slots 36 and 37 and C and C' of the adjacent clamping slots 38 and 39 are identical.

20 This arrangement has the advantage in that the conductor section to be connected makes contact at four points, that is at the two contact points of each pair of identical clamping slots. This is particularly advantageous in the •case of large current intensities, since such a contact arrangement has a low contact resistance, Furthermore, in the embodiment shown the clamping gaps 35 and 36, 37 and 38 as well as 39 and 40 are close together, thus resulting in a double clamping slot as shown in detail in Figures 4A and 4B.

The double clamping slot shown in Figures 4A and 4B has the advantage of an improved cutting effect when separating the insulating skin of the conductor being connected. The clamping slots 35 and 36 arranged one behind the other at a short distance have different opening cross-sections due to a variation of the base lengths a and b and/or the heights hl and h2 of the V-shaped configuration.

Furthermore, as the front view of Figure 4B clearly shows, the edges 50 to 53 of the clamping slots 35 and 36 can be bevelled according to the gradient determined by the grading of the opening cross-sections in order to further improve the cutting action.

As Figure 5 shows, at each of the transverse sections of the clamping element 1 it is possible to provide further, offset arrangements of clamping slots 60 to 63 in addition 10 to the clamping slots 34 to 39 explained with the aid of 3. It is possible in this way to bring a plurality of conductors together at one terminal and at the same time make contact with them by means of only one clamping element and thus connect them in parallel. As already explained with the aid of Fig. 3, the clamping slots 34 to 39 have decreasing opening cross-sections in the direction 2. The same applies to the offset row of clamping slots to 63. The opening cross-sections of the clamping slots arranged at each common transverse section can be matched.

20 However, it is also possible to make the opening crosssections of the clamping slots 60 to 63 larger or smaller in relation to the respective offset clamping slot 34 to 39. This is particularly advantageous if conductors of widely significantly differing cross-sections are to be connected in parallel by means of one common clamping element.

The mode of operation of the clamping element according to the invention is explained below with the aid of Fig. 6.

The clamping element 1 shown corresponds to the embodiment represented in Fig. 5 for the parallel connection of a plurality of conductors. Whereas one conductor with relatively small diameter 70 sits comparatively deeply in the clamping element 1 and only makes contact with the clamping slot 39, a second conductor 71 with relatively large diameter is already in contact with the clamping slot 61 that, compared to the clamping slot 39, has a larger opening cross-section. It is clear that conductors with different cross-sections have to be inserted different distances into the clamping element and make contact with different clamping slots in each case, As already stated, it is significant that the clamping slots through which the conductor passes, but which do not make contact with it, have a larger opening cross-section compared to the contacting clamping slot to prevent the conductor being crushed, sheared off or cut through in the region of the 10 clamping slot that is not matched to the relevant conductor cross-section.

In addition to the clamping element 1, the terminal according to the invention also includes a support element, not shown, which when the clamping element 1 is pressed down in the direction 63 provides a corresponding support for the conductors 60 and 61. Furthernomre, the terminals are generally enclosed by an insulating housing known in a wide variety of forms.

The development of a sheet metal strip 82 forming a fourstage clamping element is shown in Fig. 7. The triangular cut-outs for the clamping slots 34, 37, 60 and 63, and the lozenge-shaped cut-outs for the clamping slots 35, 36, 61 and 62, can be stamped out along with the sheet metal strip. Afterwards, the clamping element has to be folded along the fold lines 75 to 80 shown dotted. The manufacture of the clamping element is therefore extremely simple.

Figures 8A to 8D show various additional embodiments of the design of the clamping slots according to the invention. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 8A, to form the clamping slot 6 a V-shaped tapering section 6a is first provided, in the region of whose apex is joined a rectangular cut-out 6b. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 8B the rectangular cut-out 6a is replaced by a trapezoidal cut-out 6c which can, however, also have a triangular shape. The areas 6b and 6c accept -9 I- PPP I~ 1, 1the inserted wire and due to the small angle of incidence provide a relatively large clamping force component in the directions 13a and 13b. The region 6a arranged at the opening of the clamping slot facilitates the insertion of the wires to be connected. In the embodiment shown in Fig.

8C the aperture angle of the clamping slot is continuously tapered The area 6b opposite the opening can be made rectangular. A rectangular or very slightly tapering area in the contact zone of the clamping slot has the advantage 10 that the insulating skin of the wire, particularly the enamel coating of an enamel-insulated wire is stripped by S.scraping the conductor along the edge of the clamping slot and this ensures reliable contact with the conductor, The embodiment shown in Fig. 6D combines the advantages of the different zones of the clamping slot, just described. A region 6e with constant opening cross-section for reliable removal of the insulating skin adjoins the V-shaped insertion area 6a. Finally, frictional clamping of the conductor due to the pair of forces 13a, 13b acting on the 20 conductor, takes place in the tapering area 6c. The cut-out 6f in the end region of the clamping slot improves the spring action of the cross-section 3 of the clamping element and thus increases the force components 13a and 13b acting on the conductor.

Two embodiments of the terminal according to the invention, which make use of the clamping element i according to the invention, are illustrated in Figs, 9A and 9B. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 9A the clamping element 1 according to the invention is inserted in an insulating housing 90. The insulating housing 90 has support faces 91 to 95 on which rest the conductor sections inserted into the termiinal. When the clamping element and the conductor section to be connected are pressed together, these support faces absorb the forces acting on the conductor section being connected. In the embodiment shown the insulating housing 90 is chambered by the formation of the sectional milli-l chambers 100 to 102. The provision of intermediate webs between the sectional chambers produces a corresponding support face 91 to 95 in the vicinity of each clamping slot 34 to 39 and 60 to 65. The heighZ of the support faces 91 to 95 is arranged so that the conductor sections being connected make contact with the area of the clamping slot provided for them. The clamping element 1 can be forcelocked to the insulating housing 90 by clamping or mechanical attachment. Latching elements, not shown, can be 10 provided for this purpose. Furthermore, the insulating housing can be closed with a cover, not shown, on the tc.

side.

In the embodiment shown in Fig. 9B the clamping element 1 according to the invention is placed into an insulating housing 90 that can in substance be constructed as described with the aid of Fig. 9A. Furthermore, a known screw terminal 110 which has an opening 111 for inserting a connecting lead to be conventionally connected, and screw 20 elements 112, 113 for forec-locking said connecting lead, can be provided on the top side of the clamping element 1.

Another known clamping device, particularly a plug-type or crimp-type terminal, can be provided instead of the screw terminal shown. It is significant that the clamping element 1 is electrically connected to parts of the screw, plug or crimp terminal with which contact is being made.

Fig. 10A shows a further embodiment of the clamping element 1 according to the invention. The clamping element 1 shown in Fig. 10A differs from the clamping element 1 shown in Fig. 9A, for example, in that the two transverse sections 124 and 125 are extended upwards and have further clamping slots 120 to 123 in the region of these extensions. The openings of the upper clamping slots 120 to 123 are aligned opposite the lower clamping slots 34 to 36 and 60 to 62, The upper clamping slots are for connecting the external connecting leads and serve the same purpose as the screw P1 C- 9- terminal 110 shown in Fig. 9B. When a coil body is connected, the enamel-insulated wire of the coil body can thus be connected by means of the lower clamping slots 34 to 36 and 60 to 62 and the external connecting lead can be connected via the upper clamping slots 120 to 123.

Fig. 10B shows the development of the clamping element illustrated in Pig. 10A. In this embodiment too the clamping element can be in the form of stamped or folded 10 sheet metal strips. The fold lines 126 to 131 are shown dotted.

Fig. 11A shows a side sectional view of a further embodiment of the clamping element according to the invention. The clamping slots 34 to 36 and 60 to 62 are located in the transverse sections 20 to 23. As a further development the clamping element has a plug terminal 140 on the upper side. To form the plug terminal 140 a first end 141 of the sheet metal strip of the clamping element 1 is 20 bent into a spring-acting U-shape, whilst a second end 142 of the sheet metal strip of the clamping element 1 is bent so that it encloses the U-shaped first end 141. The second end 142 of the sheet metal strip is bent in such a way that it pre-loads the spring-acting U-shaped first end 141 of the sheet metal strip. The U-shaped first end 141 is thus pressed at the top against the longitudinal section 27 of the clamping element 1. The second end 142 of the sheet metal strip has the opening 143 shown in Fig. 11B through which the inner conductor 145 of a connecting lead 144 is inserted into the plug terminal 140. The second end 141 of the sheet metal strip exerts a spring force on the inner conductor 145 and presses this against the top side of the longitudinal section 27 of the clamping element 1, which produces a conducting contact.

Fig. 111 shows the front view of the embodiment of the clamping element 1 according to the invention illustrated lp in Fig. 11A. The U-shaped, bent first end 141 of the sheet metal strip can be seen in the vicinity of the openings 143 of the second end 142 of the sheet metal strip. Cut-outs 146 can be provided in the contact region to improve the contact with the inner conductor 145 of the lead 144 being connected.

Fig. I1C shows a perspective view of the embodiment of the clamping element 1 according to the invention shown in 10 Figures 11A and 11B, while Fig. 11D illustrates the development of the clamping element 1. The cut-outs for the clamping slots 34 to 36 and 60 to 62, as well as the end *999 openings 143, must be stamped out first during manufacture of the clamping element 1. Folding then -akes place along the fold lines 126 to 131. Finally, the ends 141 and 142 are bent as shown in Figures 11A to 11C.

Figures 9B, 10A and 11A to I1C thus give a plurality of possibilities for simultaneously connecting the enameli' 20 insulated wire of a coil body by means of the lower clamping slots and connecting the external connecting lead by means of a screw, clamp or plug terminal arranged on top. Furthermore, the combination of two clamping elements S'according to the invention offers itself for the connection of the coil body and the external connecting lead.

II

Claims

1. Clamping element of a terminal for connecting electrical conductors with at least one clamping slot extending transversely to the longitudinal direction of the conductor to be connected, into which the conductor section to be connected can be inserted, wherein by pressing together the clamping element and the conductor section to be connected, these are connected together in an electrically- conducting and force-locked manner in the region of the clamping slot, wherein a plurality of clamping slots which have different, decreasing opening cross-sections in the direction of the inserted conductor end are provided in the longitudinal direction of the conductor section to be connected, wherein the clamping element is formed in one piece from an electrically conducting, planar substrate folded into a U-shape or undulated shape, with longitudinal sections extending substantially in the longitudinal direction of the conductor section to be connected, and transverse sections extending substantially transversely to the longitudinal direction of the conductor section to be connected, wherein cut-outs are provided at the transverse sections for the formation of the clamping slots, and wherein for the formation of an additional plug terminal, a first end of the H electrically-conducting substrate is bent into a spring-acting U-shape and a second end of the electrically-conducting substrate is bent in such a way that it encloses the U-shaped first end of the substrate and locates it under pretension. 25 2. Clamping element according to claim 1, characterised in that each of the clamping slots has a taper, whereby the conductor section to be connected is pressed in the direction of the taper by the pressing together of the clamping element and the conductor section to be connected.

3. Clamping element according to claim 2, characterised in that the clamping slots are formed by an essentially V-shaped, tapering opening. 'r O .0 s ar a a a a. a. **oe ao *o a ao ~SlpBSa~FBlpp 1IC L-

4. Clamping element according to claim 3, characterised in that the variation of the opening cross-sections of the clamping slots is achieved by a variation of the base and/or the height of the V-shaped openings. Clamping element according to claim 3 or 4, characterised in that the V- shaped openings have a rectangular and/or trapezoidal, elongated extension in the region of the apex.

6. Clamping element according to any one of claims 2 to 5, characterised in that the clamping slots have a region with a continuously decreasing aperture angle.

7. Clamping element according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterised in that the clamping slots have a cut-out at one end for improving the elastic clamping action.

8. Clamping element according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterised in that the clamping slots have knife-like edges.

9. Clamping element according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterised in that the clamping slots provided at the transverse sections are connected together at one end by cut-outs in the longitudinal sections and thus are open at one end. Clamping element according to claim 9, characterised in that the longitudinal sections are shorter on the side of the openings of the clamping slots than the longitudinal sections on the side away from the openings of the clamping slots.

11. Clamping element according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterised in that the electrically-conducting substrate is formed by a sheet metal strip.

12. Clamping element according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterised in that pairs of adjacent clamping slots have identical opening cross-sections.

13. Clamping element according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterised in that each two clamping slots with different opening cross-sections are offset from each other at a short distance in the longitudinal direction of the conductor section to be connected.

14. Clamping element according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterised in that the edges of the clamping slots are of bevelled, knife-like construction. toe*. oe* 01* *r 0 0b 0 00 00000::. 00 w 0 0 ~6~8llilsr"SPIIIIPn"srrprrPsa I Clamping element according to any one of claims 1 to 14, characterised in that particularly for the parallel connection of a plurality of electrical conductors, further clamping slots are provided and arranged in an offset manner transversely of the longitudinal direction of the conductor sections to be connected.

16. Clamping element according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterised in that particularly for the parallel connection of a plurality of electrical conductors, a plurality of clamping slots are provided in each transverse section of the clamping element.

17. Clamping element according to claim 16 when appended to claim characterised in that the offset clamping slots have differently aligned openings.

18. Terminal with a first clamping element according to any one of the preceding claims, and an insulating housing with at least one support element on which rests the conductor section inserted into the terminal, and which absorbs the force acting upon the conductor section when the clamping element and the conductor section to be connected are pressed together. o: 19. Terminal according to claim 18, characterised in that furthermore the ooinsulating housing includes a screw, plug or crimp terminal, or a second clamping i element according to any one of the claims 1 to 17, and that the first clamping element is electrically connected to electrically-conducting parts of the screw, plug 20 or crimp terminal or to the second clamping element, respectively. Terminal according to claim 19, characterised in that the screw, plug or crimp terminal or the second clamping element, respectively, is directly connected to the first clamping element in a force-locked and electrically-conducting manner, particularly by soldering or spot welding.

21. Clamping element of a terminal for connecting electrical conductors substantially as herein described with reference to any one of the embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings.

22. Terminal for connecting electrical conductors substantially as herein described with reference to any one of the embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings. DATED: 3 October, 1996 RA4 TRIDONIC BAUELEMENTE GMBH T U By their Patent Attorneys -j PHILLIPS ORMONDE FITZPATRICK Ens Abstract The invention relates to a universal terminal for connecting electrical conductors (70, 71) of differing cross-sections, without stripping the insulation. The terminals are intended in particular, but by no means exclusively, for the connection of enamel-insulated wires of various coil components. The clamping element (1) according to the invention has a plurality of clamping slots 7) with differing opening cross-sections, The end section (10) of a conductor (70, 71) to be connected is inserted into the clamping element so that the contact :i is made at a clamping slot 7) having an opening cross- i'"'"section that is matched to the cross-section of the 15 conductor to be connected. The clamping slots 7) are arranged so that clamping slots having opening cross- sections that are too small do not come into contact with the conductor to be connected. To separate the insulating S.skin of the conductors the clamping slots (70, 71) have a suitable profile and advantageously knife-like, bevelled edges. The parallel connection of a plurality of conductors is also possible. The clamping element of the terminal is formed in one piece from a folded, electrically- conducting substrate. S (Fig. 1)