IP Library › Granted Patent US 12712293
Granted Patent B2
US 12712293 · App. 18/264,958 · Granted Aug 18, 2026

Ground connection terminal

Inventors: Vitogiuseppe Di Cosola (Hartheim, DE); Michael Lais (Schönau im Schwarzwald, DE); Lars Stolz (Eimeldingen, DE)
Assignee: Endress+Hauser SE+Co. KG
H01R4/34H01R4/26H01R4/28H01R4/48H01R11/12
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12712293
App. No.
18/264,958
Granted
Aug 18, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a ground connection terminal for fastening a ground connection cable to a field device of process and automation technology. The ground connection terminal comprises a connection element for connecting the ground connection terminal to the field device, and a clamping body for clamping the ground connection cable.

Claims (24)

1 . A ground connection terminal for fastening a ground connection cable to a field device of process and automation technology, comprising

a connection element for connecting the ground connection terminal to the field device, wherein at least a first end portion of the connection element can be connected to a receiving region of the field device, which receiving region is designed to be complementary to the first end portion of the connection element,

a clamping body for clamping the ground connection cable,

wherein the clamping body has a first plate and a second plate, wherein the first plate faces the field device, and the second plate faces away from the field device,

wherein the first plate and the second plate face one another,

wherein a first duct in the first plate and a second duct in the second plate are provided for receiving the connection element, wherein the first duct, the second duct, and the connection element are designed and matched with one another in such a way that the connection element can be connected through the two ducts to the receiving region, and the connection element is arranged at least partially between the first plate and the second plate,

wherein the first plate and the second plate are connected in one of their respective first end regions by a spring element, wherein the spring element is designed in such a way that, when the connection element is being connected to the receiving region, the distance between the first plate and the second plate is at least partially reduced so that at least a portion of a ground connection cable can be clamped between the first plate and the second plate,

wherein the connection element has a first thread and the first plate and/or the second plate has a corresponding second thread, wherein the connection element can be connected to the first plate and/or to the second plate by means of the first thread and the second thread, wherein at least one end portion of the first thread and/or of the second thread is deformed, in such a way that the connection element is fixed in its position relative to the first plate and/or to the second plate.

2 . A ground connection terminal for fastening a ground connection cable to a field device of process and automation technology, comprising

a connection element for connecting the ground connection terminal to the field device, wherein at least a first end portion of the connection element can be connected to a receiving region of the field device, which receiving region is designed to be complementary to the first end portion of the connection element,

a clamping body for clamping the ground connection cable,

wherein the clamping body has a first plate and a second plate, wherein the first plate faces the field device, and the second plate faces away from the field device,

wherein the first plate and the second plate face one another,

wherein a first duct in the first plate and a second duct in the second plate are provided for receiving the connection element, wherein the first duct, the second duct, and the connection element are designed and matched with one another in such a way that the connection element can be connected through the two ducts to the receiving region, and the connection element is arranged at least partially between the first plate and the second plate,

wherein the first plate and the second plate are connected in one of their respective first end regions by a spring element, wherein the spring element is designed in such a way that, when the connection element is being connected to the receiving region, the distance between the first plate and the second plate is at least partially reduced so that at least a portion of a ground connection cable can be clamped between the first plate and the second plate,

wherein the connection element has a thickening in the region between the first plate and the second plate, wherein the thickening is designed to fix the connection element relative to the first plate or to the second plate.

3 . A ground connection terminal for fastening a ground connection cable to a field device of process and automation technology, comprising

a connection element for connecting the ground connection terminal to the field device, wherein at least a first end portion of the connection element can be connected to a receiving region of the field device, which receiving region is designed to be complementary to the first end portion of the connection element,

a clamping body for clamping the ground connection cable,

wherein the clamping body has a first plate and a second plate, wherein the first plate faces the field device, and the second plate faces away from the field device,

wherein the first plate and the second plate face one another,

wherein a first duct in the first plate and a second duct in the second plate are provided for receiving the connection element, wherein the first duct, the second duct, and the connection element are designed and matched with one another in such a way that the connection element can be connected through the two ducts to the receiving region, and the connection element is arranged at least partially between the first plate and the second plate,

wherein the first plate and the second plate are connected in one of their respective first end regions by a spring element, wherein the spring element is designed in such a way that, when the connection element is being connected to the receiving region, the distance between the first plate and the second plate is at least partially reduced so that at least a portion of a ground connection cable can be clamped between the first plate and the second plate,

wherein the connection element has a taper in the region between the first plate and the second plate, wherein the first plate or the second plate has a hook-like structure, wherein the hook-like structure engages with the taper, in such a way that the connection element is fixed in its position relative to the first plate or to the second plate.