terminal block

Abstract

The invention relates to a terminal (1) having an insulating material housing (2), a busbar (3), a clamping spring (4) and a handling element (81), wherein the clamping spring (4) has a handling leg (42), wherein the handling element (81) cooperates with the handling leg (42), wherein the handling leg (42) has a carrier opening (46) for engaging a spring carrier (54) of the handling element (81) of the terminal (1), characterized in that the spring carrier (54) has a width which changes over its extension.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application of the patent application filed on March 28, 2019, with application number 201980022479.X, entitled "Terminal, Clamping Spring for Terminal and Rail-Mounted Terminal". Technical Field

[0002] This invention relates to a terminal block having an insulating housing, a clamping spring, and an actuating element. The actuating element is pivotally housed in the insulating housing via a pivot region, wherein the actuating element interacts with the clamping spring. The clamping spring may have clamping legs and / or abutment legs. A clamping tongue may be present. The clamping spring may have a spring bow connected to the abutment legs. The clamping legs may be connected to the spring bow. The clamping spring may have an actuating leg extending from the clamping legs. The actuating element interacts with the actuating leg to move the clamping tongue. The actuating element may be, for example, an actuating lever, pivotally housed in the insulating housing via a pivot region. The terminal block may further have a bus.

[0003] The invention also relates to a terminal block having an insulating housing, a clamping spring, and an operating lever, the operating lever being pivotally housed in the insulating housing via a pivoting region and pivotable between an open and a closed position, wherein the clamping spring has an operating leg that deflects at least in the open position via a spring-driven element of the operating lever. The terminal block may further have a bus. The two mentioned embodiments of the terminal block can also be advantageously combined with each other.

[0004] The present invention further relates to a clamping spring for a terminal block for connecting an electrical conductor to a busbar, wherein the clamping spring has a contact leg, a spring bow connected to the contact leg, and a clamping leg connected to the spring bow and terminating with a clamping tongue, wherein an operating leg extends from the clamping leg, and wherein the operating leg has a carrying member opening for engaging an operating lever of the terminal block with a spring carrying member. The operating leg may have two lateral tabs spaced apart from each other. The operating leg may have a transverse tab. The transverse tabs may connect the lateral tabs to each other at their free ends. The lateral tabs and the transverse tabs may form a carrying member opening. Such a clamping spring is suitable, for example, as a clamping spring for a terminal block of the type described above.

[0005] The present invention further relates to a terminal block having an insulating housing, a bus, a clamping spring, and an operating lever, the operating lever being pivotally housed in the insulating housing via a pivot region and pivotable between an open position and a closed position, wherein the clamping spring has an operating leg that is deflected at least in the open position by a spring-driven element of the operating lever, wherein the operating lever is mounted on the bus by a mounting force at least via a portion of the pivot region, and wherein the operating lever in the open position is lockable by means of at least one fixing element disposed on the operating lever and a mating fixing element formed on the bus. The fixing element mentioned above could be, for example, a fourth fixing element described below. A portion of the bus, particularly a curved region of the bus described below, can be used as the mating fixing element.

[0006] The present invention further relates to a rail-mounted terminal having an insulating material housing for locking onto a support rail, the rail-mounted terminal having:

[0007] a) at least one first wire connector, the first wire connector having a first clamping portion for connecting a first electrical wire, and

[0008] b) At least one second conductor connector, the second conductor connector having a second clamping portion for connecting a second electrical conductor.

[0009] c) wherein the first conductor connector has a spring-loaded clamping connector, the spring-loaded clamping connector having a clamping spring for clamping the first conductor to the first clamping portion by means of spring force.

[0010] e) Wherein the second conductor connector

[0011] e1) has an operating opening for introducing a separate operating tool to open the second clamping part, or

[0012] e2) has an operating element configured as a pressing member for opening the second clamping part, or

[0013] e3) The second conductor connector has a knife-type clamping connector or a screw-on connector for connecting the second conductor to the second clamping part. Summary of the Invention

[0014] In general, this invention relates to the field of wire connection technology using clamping springs. The invention aims to improve such terminals, their clamping springs, and the rail-mounted terminals formed therefrom.

[0015] The objective is achieved by means of the terminals according to the invention. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are given herein.

[0016] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the joystick is mounted on the bus at least via a portion of the pivot region. Correspondingly, the joystick is supported on the bus, which enables robust mounting of the joystick and the possibility of fixing it in a specific position, such as an open or closed position. The bus can be fixed in an insulating housing, i.e., substantially immovable in all three spatial directions except for tolerances.

[0017] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the joystick has at least one mounting protrusion for mounting the joystick on a busbar. A defined mounting surface of the joystick is provided in this manner, via which the joystick can be supported on the busbar. The mounting protrusion can project laterally from the pivot plane of the joystick, for example, on one side or both sides of the joystick.

[0018] According to an advantageous embodiment of the present invention,

[0019] - The joystick has a first guide section.

[0020] -The busbar has a notch, and

[0021] - The joystick is inserted into a notch in the busbar via a first guide section, at least through a portion of the pivot area.

[0022] In this manner, the joystick is additionally guided by the busbar during pivoting and held in the desired pivot plane against lateral forces. The notch in the busbar can be formed, for example, in the form of a slit, i.e., a longitudinal slot in the busbar.

[0023] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the notch in the busbar is slit-like and, particularly, on the circumferential side, surrounded by the busbar material. In this manner, the notch enables robust guidance for the first guide section of the lever. Furthermore, the busbar is not excessively weakened due to the notch.

[0024] The terminal block with clamping spring and busbar is also considered as a separate invention, the busbar having a slit-shaped notch. This terminal block can also be advantageously combined with the other embodiments of the terminal block mentioned above. The slit-shaped notch can be used for various purposes, such as for securing the busbar in an insulating housing. Another application possibility for supporting and guiding the lever is described above.

[0025] Therefore, according to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the joystick is guided in a recess in the busbar via a first guide section at least through a portion of the pivot region during pivoting motion.

[0026] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, a mounting protrusion is disposed adjacent to a first guide section on the lever. The mounting protrusion and the first guide section can be spaced apart, for example, by a slot. In an advantageous embodiment, at least no guiding element exists between the mounting protrusion and the first guide section. The mounting protrusion and the first guide section can have guiding surfaces, which are at an angle to each other, for example, 90°. The mounting protrusion can also be disposed adjacent to the first guide section, for example, laterally offset from the first guide section. In this manner, the lateral guidance of the lever via the first guide section can be mechanically advantageously combined with the lever's support on the busbar by means of the mounting protrusion.

[0027] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the abutment leg is mounted on the busbar. This has the advantage that the clamping spring can be directly supported on the busbar, which opens up the possibility of providing a self-supporting contact insert, wherein as little force as possible is transmitted to the insulating housing.

[0028] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the joystick is floatingly supported within an insulating housing. Accordingly, the joystick does not have a fixed (rigid) axis of rotation, but is capable of movement during pivoting motion with at least one additional degree of freedom, such as a translational degree of freedom. In this manner, the functionality of the joystick can be further improved, for example, regarding its fixation in the open and closed positions. The axis of rotation acting in the respective operating states of the joystick is also referred to as the instantaneous center. The instantaneous center can therefore be location-variable during the pivoting motion of the joystick.

[0029] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, a bus has a first bus section and a second bus section, on which a first clamping portion of a first wire connector for a terminal is formed, wherein the first bus section is connected to the second bus section via a curved region of the bus, in which the bus is bent. In this manner, a particularly compact terminal block that is operated by a lever can be realized. Furthermore, the curved region and / or the second bus section can be used for other functions of the terminal block, such as for the placement of the lever, for additional guidance during pivoting, and / or for its fixation, for example, in the open position.

[0030] Therefore, according to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the control lever is positioned on the busbar in the second busbar section at least via a portion of the pivot area. The abutment leg can be supported on the busbar in or on the first busbar section.

[0031] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the joystick has a profile in a region on the busbar that matches the profile of a curved region. This profile, in the open position, is positioned above the curved region and forms a fourth fixing element for securing the joystick to the busbar. In this manner, in the open position, i.e., in the open pivot state, the joystick can be secured by engaging the matching profile with the shape of the curved region. The matching profile thus forms the fourth fixing element, such as a locking element, for securing the joystick in the open position.

[0032] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, an interior angle ranging from 105 to 165 degrees or from 120 to 150 degrees is formed between the first bus section and the second bus section via a bending region. This also contributes to a compact structure of the terminal block. Furthermore, advantageous wire insertion directions can be achieved, for example, in applications using rail-mounted terminals.

[0033] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the curved region is configured such that the busbar begins with a concave curve of a first radius R1 from the second busbar section and then transitions to a convex curve of a second radius R2. In other words, the radii of curvature of the first radius R1 and the second radius R2 are oriented in opposite directions. In this manner, a "protrusion" can be achieved in the curved region, which is particularly suitable for fixing the form fit of the lever in the open position.

[0034] The curved region can be configured such that the busbar transitions directly from the first radius to the second radius without a non-curved region in between. Through the described configuration having a first radius and a second radius that curves in the opposite direction, a bulge is formed in the busbar, that is, a section that protrudes relative to the adjacent section of the busbar.

[0035] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the notch of the busbar is provided only in the second busbar section, or extends from the second busbar section to the curved region, or extends from the second busbar section through the curved region to the first busbar section. In this manner, the area of ​​the busbar for guiding the control lever can be spatially spaced from the area of ​​the busbar where a spring-loaded clamping connector is formed by a clamping spring.

[0036] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the control leg has a carrying area and the control lever has a spring-loaded carrying member that works in conjunction with the carrying area to move the clamping tongue. In this manner, the clamping tongue can be deflected by the control lever. The carrying area on the control leg can be configured, for example, as a carrying member opening as further described below, or it can also be configured as a lateral cutout in the control leg.

[0037] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the spring-loaded actuator is at least partially or completely disposed within a recess in the busbar in the closed position. In this manner, the spring-loaded actuator moves far back so that it does not exert any influence on the operating leg. Furthermore, the spring-loaded actuator additionally functions as a guide element, which guides the operating lever within the recess of the busbar in the region of the closed position.

[0038] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, a joystick is mounted on a busbar in such a way that at least one mounting protrusion of the joystick is positioned in a mounting area of ​​the busbar facing the joystick. The mounting area is, for example, located on the upper side of the busbar. A first guide section or an element of the joystick connected to the first guide section, such as a second fixing element, can extend through a recess in the busbar and perform other functions. In this manner, the joystick can function functionally on both sides of the busbar in combination with the recess, i.e., not only on the upper side but also on the lower side opposite to the upper side. Therefore, the joystick or its element extending through the recess interacts with another element of the terminal block, such as a section of the insulating housing, as further explained below regarding the second fixing element.

[0039] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the spring actuator is disposed in the curved region of the busbar, at least in the closed position. This also helps to provide a compact terminal block. The area where the clamping spring can be actuated by the spring actuator can therefore be configured to extend only slightly beyond the busbar. The spring actuator is preferably disposed on the first guide section of the operating lever. Since the first guide section, together with the spring actuator, is recessed into the slit-like recess of the busbar, a small overall structural height of the terminal block can be achieved. Furthermore, the length of the operating leg can also be reduced.

[0040] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the busbar has a wire pass-through opening into which abutment legs and clamping tongues are recessed. This allows for a particularly compact configuration of the terminals, especially in the case of electrical contact plugs.

[0041] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the wire pass-through opening has wall sections extending from the bus plane on all sides, said wall sections forming material flanges. This enables good contact of the wires and a secure mechanical fastening of the wires. The material flanges can be manufactured in a manner advantageous to manufacturing technology, for example, made in one piece from the bus material.

[0042] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the terminal block has a second conductor connector for connecting a second electrical conductor, wherein the second conductor connector is electrically connected to a first conductor connector via a second bus section or can be connected via a connecting element. In this manner, multiple electrical conductors can be connected simultaneously. The terminal block can be configured, for example, as a rail-mounted terminal block.

[0043] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the first bus section extends toward its free end in a direction away from the control lever. In this manner, the wire introduction direction for introducing the first electrical wire can be advantageously configured.

[0044] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, in the closed position, the outer surface of the manual operating section extends substantially parallel to the second bus section, or substantially parallel to the third bus section, along the longitudinal extension direction of the operating lever, which connects the first and third bus sections. The outer surface of the manual operating section is such that, when the operating lever is in the closed position, it is away from the insulating housing. This allows for a minimized construction height of the rail-mounted terminal.

[0045] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, in the closed position, particularly when the conductor is not clamped at the first clamping part, the lever extends from the clamping leg first along the first busbar section and out of the bending area. In this manner, the lever can be arranged in a space-saving manner, and despite this, it can still be held without problems by the spring actuator when the lever is moved to the open position.

[0046] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the control lever extends from the clamping leg, wherein the control leg has two spaced-apart lateral tabs and a transverse tab connecting the lateral tabs to each other at their free ends, wherein the lateral tabs and the transverse tab form a carrying opening for a spring-loaded member of the control lever for engaging the terminal block. This allows for a beneficial force transmission from the control lever to the clamping leg while maintaining a space-saving configuration for the terminal block.

[0047] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, at least when the lever is in the open position, the lateral tab engages with at least one area of ​​the insulating housing to form a protective portion preventing the lever from being pulled out of the insulating housing. Accordingly, no additional stabilizing mechanism is required, and in particular, no additional member is needed to prevent the lever from being pulled out in the open position.

[0048] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the area of ​​the protective portion that prevents the control lever from being pulled out of the insulating material housing forms a stop for the lateral tab of the control leg.

[0049] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the lever is pivotable from a closed position to an open position, in which the clamping edge, particularly the clamping tongue, together with the busbar forms a clamping portion for clamping the electrical wire, and in the open position, the clamping edge is lifted from the busbar to open the clamping portion. Correspondingly, the closed position of the lever corresponds to the closed position of the clamping portion, and the open position of the lever corresponds to the open clamping portion.

[0050] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the insulating housing has an opening covered by the lever in the closed position, wherein the opening leads to the clamping spring or other conductive component of the terminal block. The opening can here be configured, in particular, as a lever-through slot in the top plate of the insulating housing. The opening is covered, for example, via the manual operating section of the lever in the closed position. This shields the current-carrying elements within the terminal block from the external environment, thereby achieving contact safety (finger safety) of the terminal block. The top plate can be configured like the housing wall of the insulating housing, which is slightly offset inward relative to the outer contour of the insulating housing.

[0051] In addition to the previously mentioned opening, the insulating housing can have a rod opening that allows the operating lever to be inserted after the insulating housing is installed. The previously mentioned opening can thus form part of the rod opening. In this manner, in the terminal block according to the invention, the operating lever can pass through the rod opening, i.e., be installed from above, when the insulating housing is installed, i.e., without other openings such as lateral openings.

[0052] Here, the lever opening on the circumferential side can be completely surrounded by the material of the insulating housing, that is, surrounded by the corresponding wall or other section of the insulating housing. If the lever is installed in its final position in the terminal block, then at least the manually operated section extends at least partially from the insulating housing, that is, the lever then extends through the lever opening.

[0053] The lever opening can have a simple shape, such as a rectangle in a top view. The lever opening can also have more complex shapes. In particular, the lever opening can have a tapered portion, causing the width of the lever opening to vary along its longitudinal extension. For example, the tapering can be achieved through the aforementioned top plate, such that the lever guide slot between the top plate elements forms a narrower area of ​​the lever opening. The width of the lever opening is measured here along the transverse direction of the terminal block, where the direction of the lever perpendicular to the pivot plane is suitable as the transverse direction of the terminal block. Here, when the lever is in the closed position, the second guide section of the lever can be recessed into the tapered area of ​​the lever opening. The lever can have a lateral notch for this purpose, through which the area of ​​the lever that can be recessed into the tapered area of ​​the lever opening can be narrower than the adjacent area, for example, narrower than the manual operation section. In the closed position, the top plate can be at least partially accommodated in the lateral notch.

[0054] The top plate plane is defined by the surface of the top plate pointing to the outer side of the insulating material housing. In the open position, the spring-loaded actuator of the control lever can protrude outward from the top plate plane.

[0055] The top plate can also be used as a stop and / or mounting element for the joystick when it is in the closed position. For example, the manual control section can be placed on the top plate by means of its lower side.

[0056] The operating element or lever can be integrated into the terminal block, unlike operating tools that are not part of the terminal block and must be obtained separately when the clamping part of the terminal block needs to be opened. By integrating the operating element or lever into the terminal block, the need for obtaining a separate tool is eliminated. Thus, the operating element or lever can persistently provide operation for clamping the spring.

[0057] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the spring-loaded actuator is recessed into the opening in the open position of the lever. In this manner, the opening in the insulating housing can also be filled in the open position, ensuring contact safety of the terminals even in the open position. No additional components are required for this; instead, the lever itself, with the aid of its spring-loaded actuator, fulfills the aforementioned function.

[0058] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the lever has a second guide section extending toward the lever guide slot, through which the lever is guided in the region of the closed position. In this manner, additional guidance of the lever in the closed region can be achieved, particularly in addition to the lower guide section, through which the lever is guided in the recess of the busbar via its first guide section.

[0059] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the joystick has at least one laterally extending third fixing element on the second guide section, by means of which the joystick can be fixed in the area of ​​the top plate in the closed position. This allows for simple and reliable fixation of the joystick in the closed position.

[0060] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the joystick has at least one second fixing element by which it is secured in the open position. In this manner, the joystick can be securely secured in the open position. This securing can be alternative to or supplemented to the previously mentioned securing by means of a fourth fixing element existing in the curved area of ​​the busbar.

[0061] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the second retaining element is recessed into a receiving groove formed in the insulating material housing in the closed position. In this manner, it is possible to prevent the lever from being pulled out in the closed position. Furthermore, this enables a reset braking mechanism for the lever, thereby reducing the occurrence of lever rebound. In particular, this also prevents the lever from disengaging from or sliding out of the insulating material housing during lever rebound.

[0062] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the joystick is substantially situated within the area surrounded by the outer contour of the insulating material housing in each operating position. This has the advantage that the joystick is protected by the insulating material housing and requires only a small amount of additional external space in each operating state of the joystick, even during pivoting. In the open position, the joystick is positioned such that at least 30% or at least 40% of its longitudinally extending main area is within the area surrounded by the outer contour of the insulating material housing.

[0063] The joystick mentioned above can also be configured differently from, for example, a lever configured as a control slide or other control element. Accordingly, the present invention also relates to a terminal block of the type mentioned above, wherein an arbitrary type of control element for controlling the clamping leg exists instead of a joystick.

[0064] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, in a terminal block having an actuating element of arbitrary configuration, the actuating leg has two spaced-apart lateral tabs and a transverse tab connecting the lateral tabs to each other at their free ends. The actuating element interacts with the actuating leg extending from the clamping leg to move the clamping tongue, wherein the lateral tabs and the transverse tab form a carrying opening for engaging the spring-loaded actuating element of the terminal block. This allows for good force transmission from the actuating element to the actuating leg, even in compact embodiments of the terminal block.

[0065] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the spring actuator has a width that varies along its extension, particularly narrowing towards its free end. The width of the spring actuator is measured here in the transverse direction of the terminal block. This simplifies the introduction of the spring actuator into the actuator opening. Accordingly, the spring actuator can be configured to form a first and / or second and / or third spring actuator region. Here, the first spring actuator region can be narrower than the second spring actuator region. The second spring actuator region can be narrower than the third spring actuator region.

[0066] The spring-driven element can additionally or alternatively narrow towards its free end by a dimension other than its width, for example, along its height. The height of the spring-driven element is here measured along a direction perpendicular to the pivot plane of the lever and perpendicular to the maximum longitudinal extension of the lever, i.e., the structural length of the lever.

[0067] A configuration in which the spring actuator narrows in width toward its free end can be configured such that the width decreases continuously and / or decreases in a stepped manner. Correspondingly, at least one stepped portion and / or edge can exist regarding the width dimension, wherein the stepped portion does not necessarily extend at a right angle, but can extend at any other angle. Similarly, a configuration in which the spring actuator narrows in height toward its free end can be configured such that the height decreases continuously and / or decreases in a stepped manner. Correspondingly, at least one stepped portion and / or edge can exist regarding the height dimension, wherein the stepped portion does not necessarily extend at a right angle, but can extend at any other angle.

[0068] According to an advantageous design of the invention, the spring actuator is rounded at its free end in a side view of the lever, for example, having a radius. Correspondingly, there are no sharp areas and / or edges at the free end of the spring actuator, but rather the aforementioned rounded portion.

[0069] If the joystick pivots in its pivoting region, then the spring actuator performs the pivoting motion together with the joystick.

[0070] In general, compared to solutions in the prior art, the spring-driven element in this invention can be configured to be relatively long and thin. The length of the spring-driven element can, for example, be at least 20%, at least 25%, or at least 30% of the length of the lever in the support region. The region of the lever extending longitudinally from the spring-driven element away from its rear end is considered here as the support region. The proportion of the spring-driven element's length to the total length of the lever is, for example, at least 7%, at least 8%, or at least 9%.

[0071] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the third spring-carrying member region forms a guide portion for the lateral tabs of the operating leg when the operating element is moved to the open position. Correspondingly, the lateral tabs substantially abut against the third spring-carrying member region. This avoids misalignment between the operating leg and the spring-carrying member.

[0072] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the lever is positioned in the open position on a first mounting portion and a second mounting portion spaced apart therefrom, and the lever is pulled to the first and second mounting portions by the tension of the clamping spring acting on the spring-driven member by the operating leg. This has the advantage that the lever is additionally held and fixed in the open position by the tension of the clamping spring, which has the advantage over rigid fixing, for example, by a locking element, in that even when slightly deflected away from the true open position, the lever is pulled back towards the open position again. In this manner, the lever can be securely fixed even under external loads, such as strong vibration loads.

[0073] The first and second mounting locations can be located on the same element of the terminal block or on different elements of the terminal block. One mounting location can be, for example, formed on an insulating housing, and the other mounting location can be on a busbar.

[0074] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the line of action of the pulling force of the control leg extends through the space between the first and second mounting portions. In this manner, robust fixation of the control lever in the open position can be easily achieved. Particularly advantageously, the line of action of the pulling force of the control lever extends through the intermediate region between the first and second mounting portions, particularly within the range of 30% to 70% of the distance between the first and second mounting portions.

[0075] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the operating leg extends through the first and second mounting portions in the open position. This allows the wiring terminals and, in particular, the electrical contact plugs to be configured in a particularly compact manner.

[0076] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the lever has a second fixing element, by which the lever is positioned in the open position on a first mounting portion, wherein the second fixing element forms a recess along the outer circumference of the lever. This recess is understood herein as a concave shape of the surface. The raised portion is understood herein as a convex shape of the surface. Reliable locking in the sense of locking the lever is possible through this recess and raised portion.

[0077] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, a mounting surface is formed on the insulating material housing, the mounting surface forming a first mounting portion in the open position, wherein the mounting surface is part of a raised portion of the insulating material housing.

[0078] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the second mounting portion is provided on the busbar, particularly in the form of a raised portion of the busbar facing the control lever.

[0079] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the force induction point of the pull on the lever in the open position is configured such that torque is applied to the lever, and said torque is resisted by the positioning of the lever at the first and second mounting positions. The lever is thus permanently subjected to a torque load when it is in the open position, but is held in place by its mounting at the first and second mounting positions. Accordingly, the lever does not need to be manually held in the open position.

[0080] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, a connecting line extending through the first and second mounting portions intersects with the operating leg, wherein the angle from the operating leg to the connecting line is less than 90 degrees. A line parallel to the connecting line can also intersect with the operating leg. In this case, the angle from the operating leg to the line parallel to the connecting line is less than 90 degrees.

[0081] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the angle from the operating leg to the connecting line or to a line parallel to it is greater than 20°, particularly greater than 30° or greater than 45°. This ensures a particularly stable position of the operating lever in the open position. The operating lever also remains stably in the open position even under vibrational loads.

[0082] According to an advantageous improvement of the invention, an angle in the range of 60° to 120° is formed between a plane on the surface of the insulating housing and a spatial plane extending perpendicular to the pivot plane of the joystick, wherein the joystick extends from the insulating housing in the open position on said plane, and said spatial plane extends centrally through the manual operating section of the joystick. This allows for advantageous gripping of the joystick in the open position and ergonomically advantageous transfer from the closed position to the open position. In an advantageous design, the angle range, instead of being at 60° in its lower limit, can begin at 70°, 75°, or 80°. The angle range, instead of being at 120° in its upper limit, can end at 110°, 105°, or 100°.

[0083] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, at least a second mounting portion is formed by two mounting surfaces spaced apart from each other by pivot planes perpendicular to the joystick, on which the joystick is mounted. This enables multi-point mounting of the joystick at spatially distributed locations, particularly the three-point support described later.

[0084] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the joystick is positioned in a three-point support manner via two mounting surfaces of the second mounting portion and via the first mounting portion. Thus, the joystick is reliably held in a mechanically defined manner.

[0085] Viewed from the side in the joystick, three mounting points can be formed around its circumference. The middle mounting point (the second mounting point) can be supported on the busbar. The two other mounting points surrounding the middle mounting point (the first and third mounting points) can be supported on the terminal housing. The middle mounting point can be a single mounting point or two laterally offset mounting points. If two middle mounting points exist, they can be eccentrically positioned in the lateral direction of the joystick and correspondingly located on either side of the joystick's midplane. For example, the middle mounting points can be achieved by the arrangement of two eccentric fourth fixing elements, which will be described later.

[0086] Regarding the three-point support mentioned in the open position, the lever can correspondingly have at least three mounting points. Here, a first or second fixing element can form such mounting points. Additionally, two mounting points can be formed by a fourth fixing element. When not only the first but also the second fixing element forms such mounting points, an additional (fourth) mounting point can be formed.

[0087] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the mounting surface of the second mounting portion is disposed in a spatial plane parallel to the pivot plane of the lever, and the first mounting portion is disposed in a third spatial plane parallel to the first and second spatial planes, the third spatial plane being disposed between the first and second spatial planes. This allows for stable support of the lever in the open position. In particular, the lever cannot be unintentionally released, even when the terminal is subjected to a vibration load.

[0088] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the lever is positioned in the open position at least at a first mounting location, wherein the insulating material housing has an intermediate wall on one side of which the first mounting location is formed, and a clamping spring extends along the opposite side of the intermediate wall. In this manner, the clamping spring can be advantageously integrated into the region of the intermediate wall within the insulating material housing. The intermediate wall can thus be constructed within the insulating material housing as an island-like portion made of insulating material. In this manner, the insulating material housing participates in the mounting of the lever and other functions of the terminal block. This also contributes to the compact construction of the terminal block.

[0089] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the intermediate wall is supported and engaged with the clamping spring against the placement force applied to the intermediate wall by the operating lever at the first placement position. Accordingly, the intermediate wall is tensioned between two forces applied by the clamping spring: one is the placement force transmitted by the operating lever, and the other is the reaction force of the clamping spring. In this manner, a self-supporting system can be advantageously achieved. Furthermore, in this manner, the plastic component is supported on a metal component that generates or introduces the force, which is advantageous in the case of moisture, which can cause a decrease in the stability of the plastic material.

[0090] Therefore, according to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the intermediate wall is supported and counter-supported on the abutment leg and / or on the spring bow, which in turn connects the abutment leg and the clamping leg of the clamping spring to each other, resisting the mounting force applied to the intermediate wall by the lever at the first mounting position.

[0091] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the setting force of the lever is caused by a tension force transmitted to the lever by the operating leg of the clamping spring. By transmitting pure tension, the elements involved in force transmission with respect to the clamping spring, such as, for example, a portion of the operating leg, are constructed in a very material-efficient and correspondingly space-efficient manner.

[0092] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the intermediate wall is formed of a solid insulating material or has at least one reinforcing portion, particularly at least one rib-shaped reinforcing portion. The insulating material shell can be, for example, plastic.

[0093] The following embodiments of the clamping springs mentioned earlier are, for example, suitable as clamping springs for the types of terminals previously described.

[0094] Furthermore, this objective is achieved by a clamping spring having a contact leg, a spring bow connected to the contact leg, and a clamping leg connected to the spring bow and terminating with a clamping tongue. An operating leg extends from the clamping leg and has two lateral tabs integrally formed with the clamping spring. The lateral tabs are bent out of the clamping leg of the clamping spring with an average bending radius. The clamping spring is stamped and bent from a flat metal sheet of a predetermined thickness, wherein the ratio of the average bending radius to the thickness of the metal sheet is less than 3. The average bending radius refers to the centerline of the metal sheet material. In this manner, the force of the operating lever can be optimized for transmission to the clamping spring via the operating leg. This achieves direct transmission, a short stroke, and virtually no stretching in the operating leg. Furthermore, this construction allows for simple manufacturing of the components used in the terminal block and the entire terminal block. This embodiment of the clamping spring can be advantageously combined with all the other described variations.

[0095] The thickness of the clamping spring's metal plate can be selected in particular in relation to the rated wire diameter or rated wire cross-section of the terminal block, for example as follows:

[0096] Rated conductor cross-section Thickness of metal sheet 2.5mm2 0.34mm 4mm2 0.43mm 6mm2 0.45mm 10mm2 0.55mm

[0097] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, a connecting piece extending from the plane of the carrier opening abuts a transverse connecting piece, the connecting piece having a curved portion, wherein the convex surface of the curved portion faces the carrier opening. In this manner, a curved support region can be provided on the operating leg, the support region being advantageously positioned on the spring carrier and sliding along it during the pivoting movement of the control lever.

[0098] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the connecting piece is formed in one piece with the transverse connecting piece and bent out from the transverse connecting piece. This allows for the simple manufacture, for example, of a clamping spring with a control leg in a stamping and bending process.

[0099] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the free end of the control leg is bent outwards away from the spring bow by means of a transverse tab. This allows for a strong bend in the tab without requiring excessive modification in the bending process.

[0100] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the edge formed on the free end of the connecting piece is located away from the opening of the actuator. In this way, excessive wear of the spring actuator of the control lever is avoided. In particular, contact between the potentially sharp end edge of the connecting piece and the spring actuator can be avoided.

[0101] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the width of the carrying member opening, defined by the internal distance between the lateral tabs, varies along the longitudinal extension of the operating leg, decreasing particularly towards the free end of the operating leg. This reduction in width can be configured in a stepped manner. In this way, elements of varying widths, such as spring-driven elements on one hand and other elements, such as spring-clamping components, such as the abutment leg, can be guided through the carrying member opening.

[0102] Therefore, according to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the abutment leg extends through the carrying member opening, particularly through a wider area of ​​the carrying member opening. This wider area of ​​the carrying member opening is defined as an area where the internal distance between the lateral tabs is greater than in one or more other areas of the carrying member opening.

[0103] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the clamping tongue tapers from its root region toward the clamping edge on its free end. In this manner, possible misalignment of the clamping tongue when the busbar is open can be avoided, for example, due to the possible tilting position of the clamping spring. The root region is considered to be a portion of the clamping spring in which the clamping leg branches into a clamping tongue and an operating leg. Thus, the root of the clamping tongue and the root of the operating leg are both located within this portion of the clamping spring.

[0104] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the clamping leg has a clamping leg bow-shaped portion formed between the spring bow and the root region, and the operating lever has a length from the root region to a force-introducing region forming for applying the operating force to the operating leg, which is greater than the length of the clamping leg from the root region to the apex of the clamping leg bow-shaped portion. This can be achieved, for example, by the length of the operating lever, measured from the branch portion of the operating leg to the bent support region with respect to the operation, being greater than the length of the clamping leg measured from the branch portion of the operating leg to the apex of the spring bow. In this manner, a spring with a shortened bending length can be achieved. Such a clamping spring better prevents undesirable bending or buckling of the clamping leg when pulled from the outside against a fixed clamping wire.

[0105] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the clamping leg has a clamping leg bow-shaped portion formed between the spring bow and the root region, which strikes a portion of the insulating material housing of the terminal block when the operating lever moves from the closed position to the open position. In this manner, the bending length of the clamping spring can be advantageously shortened.

[0106] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the minimum width of the lateral tab is at most 20% of the maximum width of the clamping leg. In this manner, a very thin lateral tab can be provided, which contributes to material savings in the clamping spring and, additionally, to a compact terminal block design. Because the lateral tab only needs to transmit tensile force, a very narrow form is readily feasible.

[0107] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the minimum width of the lateral tab is four times the maximum thickness of the metal plate.

[0108] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the joystick has a spring-loaded actuation member that extends through an opening in the actuation member, at least in the open position. In this manner, the clamping leg can be deflected by the spring-loaded actuation member of the joystick.

[0109] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the spring actuator extends through a narrower region of the actuator opening, at least in the open position. Because only tension must be transmitted through the operating leg and its lateral tabs, it can be constructed accordingly thin, resulting in material savings for the clamping spring. Furthermore, in one embodiment of the clamping spring, a clamping tongue with a relatively large clamping width can be provided, which in turn allows clamping a relatively large conductor cross-section; in this embodiment, at least the clamping tongue is provided through a region punched out from the operating leg, in which the actuator opening is formed.

[0110] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, a curved support region is formed on the operating leg in the curved region of the connecting piece, wherein the operating lever has a recessed support portion on which the curved support region slides along the operating leg of the clamping spring during pivoting movement of the operating lever. In this manner, the curved support region can be reliably, non-skewed, and with low friction guided and slid on the operating lever. The recessed support portion can in particular be provided on the spring actuator.

[0111] The curved support region can have a constant curvature or a varying curvature. In any case, there is a curvature along the entire extension of the curved support region, and there are no sharp edges or bends. The minimum radius of curvature of the curved support region can be greater than or equal to half the thickness of the metal plate of the clamping spring.

[0112] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the operating leg extends first along the first busbar section from the clamping leg and extends out of the curved area of ​​the busbar at least by means of a portion of the drive member opening. In this manner, the spring drive member can be introduced into the drive member opening without obstruction by the busbar. Furthermore, the terminal block can be configured in a particularly compact manner, for example, by the operating leg extending closely along the first busbar section.

[0113] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the operating leg of the clamping spring slides at least partially on the busbar as the clamping leg is displaced. Accordingly, the operating leg is additionally guided via the busbar as the control lever pivots.

[0114] Especially in the closed position, when no wires are clamped at the clamping point, the operating lever can extend at least substantially parallel to the busbar, for example, parallel to the first busbar section. This allows for particularly miniaturized terminal blocks. Furthermore, in this manner, a relatively large lever arm for operating the clamping leg is achieved. This reduces the operating force required for the operating lever. In the substantially parallel region between the operating leg and the busbar, a small gap between the operating leg and the busbar can be achieved, which also contributes to the miniaturization of the terminal block construction. For example, the gap between the operating leg and the busbar in this region can be less than the material thickness of the busbar in this region or less than twice the material thickness of the busbar.

[0115] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the joystick has a spring-loaded actuator that does not contact the control leg in the closed position. Therefore, wear between the spring-loaded actuator and the control leg is avoided in the closed position. Here, the spring-loaded actuator can extend fully or at least partially into the actuator opening.

[0116] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the joystick has a spring-loaded actuator that, in the closed position, does not extend into the actuator region that clamps the spring, for example, does not extend into the actuator opening. This maximizes the distance between the spring-loaded actuator and the control leg.

[0117] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, a guide element is formed on the insulating material housing, which forms a guide portion on the housing side of the control leg, at least in specific operating situations and / or pivoting positions of the joystick. The guide element enables the control leg to be guided particularly when the control leg performs a pivoting movement approaching the open position. This resists excessive deflection or bending of the control leg, especially at the transition to the clamping leg. Furthermore, with this design, the joystick initially performs a certain free travel when pivoting from the closed position to the open position, without any operating force caused by the clamping spring. Therefore, the joystick can initially be operated substantially without force consumption, for example, by the fingertips, so that it can then be well manually gripped subsequently.

[0118] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the load arm of the joystick is shorter in the open position than in the closed position. This allows for ergonomic and tactilely comfortable operation of the joystick. In particular, to end the pivoting movement toward the open position, the operating force is maintained at a comfortable level, for example, at a force level that remains substantially constant within the pivoting angle, by means of a change in the transmission ratio, as the spring force of the clamping spring increases.

[0119] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the lateral tab and / or the curved support area slide along the spring actuator, particularly along the recessed support, as the lever moves from the closed position to the open position, and thus approaches the instantaneous center of the lever, i.e., the instantaneous center that functions during the pivoting movement of the lever. In this manner, the shortening of the load arm during the opening movement of the lever can be reliably achieved. Measured along the longitudinal direction of the lever, the amount by which the lateral tab approaches the instantaneous center of the lever as it moves from the closed position to the open position can, for example, be at least 5% or at least 10% of the length of the spring actuator.

[0120] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the terminal block has at least one force-reducing mechanism, by which the value of the settling force can be reduced when the lever is released from the locked open position and / or when the lever is locked into the open position. In this way, the contact portions loaded with the settling force are unloaded when the lever is released. This has the advantage of simplifying the release of the lever and reducing or even avoiding wear at the contacting components. By means of the force-reducing mechanism, the value of the settling force can be reduced more or less according to the embodiment until the settling force is completely removed (the settling force equals zero). Correspondingly, by means of the force-reducing mechanism, the components loaded with the settling force at the contact portions are separated from each other. For example, the area of ​​the lever for support on the busbar can be lifted from the busbar.

[0121] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the force-reducing mechanism is formed at least in part by mechanical elements of a lever, a clamping spring, and / or an insulating housing. Accordingly, no additional components are required to form the force-reducing mechanism or at least its main components. The force-reducing mechanism can thus be implemented in a very simple manner without complex construction.

[0122] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the mechanical element is formed by the contour of the combined action of the lever, clamping spring, and / or insulating housing. This also allows for a simple implementation of the force-reducing mechanism. For example, the force-reducing mechanism can be formed by combining a first mounting portion with the point of action of the clamping spring on the lever, for example, by combining the contact portion between the first fixing element of the lever and the second locking edge of the insulating housing with the recessed support portion of the lever and the curved support area formed on the operating leg of the clamping spring. These two contact portions, namely the first mounting portion and the contact portion between the lever and the clamping spring, can be configured such that when the lever moves from the open position toward the closed position, a reversing torque is first generated, which causes unloading of the contact portion of the lever on the busbar and causes the aforementioned lifting at said portion.

[0123] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the setting force can be reduced to an absolute value less than the absolute value of the force exerted on the lever by the clamping spring via the operating leg by a force-reducing mechanism. In this manner, the contact area between the fixing element and the mating fixing element provided on the lever can be reduced such that the aforementioned lifting of the lever can be achieved at that point.

[0124] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, a force-reducing mechanism is designed to reduce the setting force by shifting the force acting on the lever by the clamping spring to another contact point of the lever, where the lever is supported in a terminal block. This has the advantage that the reduction in setting force generated by the force-reducing mechanism does not interfere with the user, and the user will not feel an excessive increase in force consumption when the lever is released.

[0125] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the joystick is supported in the terminal block at a primary contact point, through which the maximum absolute force exerted by the clamping spring on the joystick can be transmitted to at least one additional element of the terminal block. The primary contact point is discontinuously changed in location at least two, three, or four times as the joystick pivots through its pivoting region. The location of the primary contact point can therefore change multiple times during the pivoting movement of the joystick. The changes can be particularly discontinuous, i.e., stepwise. This is also considered an independent aspect of the invention. The variability in the location of the primary contact point enables a pivoting mechanism for the joystick that allows for relatively complex, discontinuous motion processes, which in turn provides particular advantages regarding the user's tactile experience and protection of components. However, this relatively complex motion process can be achieved through relatively simple construction features, allowing the terminal block to still be manufactured cost-effectively.

[0126] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, a first location of the primary contact portion is formed in a fixed open position between the busbar and the area where the lever is mounted on the busbar. The first location of the primary contact portion can, for example, be a second mounting location.

[0127] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the lever is disposed in an open position on a first mounting location and a second mounting location different therefrom, wherein the lever is mounted on an insulating material housing on the first mounting location and on a busbar on the second mounting location, wherein a second location of the main contact portion is formed on the first mounting location of the lever on the insulating material housing.

[0128] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the joystick has at least one laterally extending support element spaced apart from the busbar throughout its pivot range, and a third point of primary contact is formed between the lateral support element of the joystick and the insulating housing. The laterally extending support element therefore does not function as a rotational axis in the sense of a fixed support, but only temporarily forms support for the joystick relative to the insulating housing in a supporting sense during specific pivoting situations.

[0129] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the joystick has a first guide section that is recessed into a recess in the busbar at least via a portion of the pivot region, wherein a fourth location of the primary contact portion is formed between the first guide section and the insulating housing.

[0130] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the joystick has at least one mounting protrusion for mounting the joystick on a busbar, the mounting protrusion extending laterally from the joystick relative to a first guide section, wherein a fifth location of the primary contact portion is formed between the mounting protrusion of the joystick and the busbar.

[0131] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the first mounting location forms a first instantaneous center of the pivoting movement of the lever when the lever is released from the locked open position. In this manner, the first mounting location can advantageously achieve multiple functions, more specifically, for mounting and securing the lever in the open position, and as a second location of instantaneous center and primary contact point when the lever is released.

[0132] The terminals described earlier can be configured as rail-mounted terminals, such as the rail-mounted terminals mentioned at the beginning.

[0133] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the first wire connector has a tool-free operating lever, wherein the lever is pivotally supported in an insulating housing to operate the elastic clamping connection of the first wire connector, and the lever has a manual operating section for manual operation. This allows for comfortable operation of the first wire connector without the need for additional tools.

[0134] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the operating section of the lever of the rail-mounted terminal extends at least partially beyond the outer contour of the insulating housing throughout the entire pivoting process. Therefore, in particular, the free end of the manual operating section (operating handle) of the lever can extend beyond the outer contour of the insulating housing. This allows for easy operation of the lever near the closed position.

[0135] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the lever automatically remains in the open position when it is adjusted to the open position. This is ensured by the construction of the terminals. For example, the automatic holding of the lever in the open position can be achieved by placement on first and second placement locations. Additionally, the lever is thus able to be held in the open position such that it can be pulled onto the first and second placement locations by means of a pulling force applied to the lever by a clamping spring.

[0136] In general, the difference between the terminal block operation via a lever and the prior art is that the lever transmits tension to the clamping spring via its spring-loaded actuator, thereby deflecting the clamping legs. Correspondingly, no pressure is transmitted, as in, for example, an operation solution with a pressing element. Another difference lies in the type of manual operation of the lever versus that of a pressing element. Advantageously, in this invention, the lever is manually loaded with tension in the manual operation section to move it from the closed position to the open position. During this movement, the manual operating force can also be converted into pressure.

[0137] Unlike recommendations in the prior art, the terminal block according to the invention can be configured such that the wire entry opening is part of an insulating housing and not part of other components such as, for example, a lever. In this manner, good accessibility of the wire entry opening and the electrical wire introduced into it can be achieved.

[0138] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the joystick is supported in an insulating material housing, i.e., a corresponding support element is formed in the insulating material housing.

[0139] In the aforementioned rail-mounted terminals, there may be one or more first wire connectors and / or one or more second wire connectors.

[0140] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the second wire connector has an operating opening for inserting a separate operating tool to open the second clamping portion. This allows for simple manual operation when opening the second clamping portion. The operating lever is part of the rail-mounted terminal, while the separate operating tool is not part of the rail-mounted terminal, and is thus "separate". The operating tool can be, for example, a screwdriver.

[0141] Alternatively, the second clamping part can also be lever-operated for opening, for example, by configuring the rail-mounted terminal with an additional lever for opening the second clamping part.

[0142] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the second wire connector has an actuating element configured as a pressing member to open the second clamping portion. The pressing member can here be part of a rail-mounted terminal.

[0143] The second wire connector can also be configured as a spring-loaded clamping connector, just like the first wire connector, and the spring-loaded clamping connector has a clamping spring for clamping the second wire.

[0144] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the second conductor connector has a knife-type clamping connector or a screw-on connector for connecting the second conductor. This allows for an alternative implementation of the second conductor connector when the second conductor connector is to be configured as a spring-loaded clamping connector.

[0145] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the operating section of the lever of the rail-mounted terminal extends at least partially beyond the outer contour of the insulating housing throughout the pivoting process. This allows for simple manual operation of the lever. The lever is easy to grip and can be easily manipulated with the fingers. Furthermore, the operating section is easily accessible.

[0146] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, a first conductor connector has a first bus section to which a first conductor can be connected by means of a clamping spring, and a second conductor connector has a third bus section to which a second conductor can be connected, wherein the first and third bus sections are electrically connected or can be connected via an electrical connection element of a rail-mounted terminal. The first and third bus sections can be part of a common bus, i.e., permanently connected to each other, or they can be separate bus sections that are connected only when needed, such as in a rail-mounted terminal.

[0147] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the rail-mounted terminal has a continuous bus from a first bus section to a third bus section. Accordingly, the bus establishes a conductive connection from the first bus section to the third bus section. The bus can therefore be molded in one piece or composed of individual components.

[0148] The busbar can extend linearly or at least substantially linearly in the second and third busbar sections. The busbar can also have one or more stepped portions in the second and / or third busbar sections, for example, such that, starting from the bend, in the second and / or third busbar sections, the stepped portion further down than the bend adjoins the area of ​​the second and / or third busbar sections preceding the bend. In this manner, the lower wire connection portion in the second and / or third busbar sections is achieved, thereby allowing the terminals to be configured particularly compactly and miniaturized.

[0149] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, a first wire connector has a first wire inlet opening, a second wire connector has a second wire inlet opening, and a lever is disposed at least in its longitudinally extending main portion between the first and second wire inlet openings. In this manner, the lever is relatively centrally positioned in the rail-mounted terminal, thus requiring less additional structural space.

[0150] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, a first wire connector has a first wire introduction direction in which a first wire can be guided through a first wire introduction opening to a first clamping portion, and a second wire connector has a second wire introduction direction in which a second wire can be guided through a second wire introduction opening to a second clamping portion, wherein the first wire introduction direction is inclined at an angle to the second wire introduction direction. This allows for simple operation of the rail-mounted terminal when connecting the first and second wires, especially when the rail-mounted terminal is already secured to the support rail. The two wire introduction openings are then easily accessible. The angle deviation can, for example, be at least 30°.

[0151] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the rail-mounted terminal has at least one rail-mounting element on the rail-mounting side, by means of which the rail-mounted terminal can be fastened to the rail. This allows for reliable and compliant fastening of the rail-mounted terminal and the arrangement of multiple rail-mounted terminals on the rail.

[0152] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the first wire introduction opening is fully or at least partially visible in a top view of the housing side of the rail-mounted terminal, away from the mounting rail fastening side. In this manner, it is easy for the user to see where the first wire should be introduced, especially when the rail-mounted terminal is already fastened to the mounting rail.

[0153] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the first wire inlet opening is disposed below the lever in a top view of the housing side of the rail-mounted terminal opposite to the mounting rail fastening side, and is fully or at least partially visible in each pivot position of the lever. Therefore, the first wire inlet opening is also at least partially visible, i.e., it is at least not completely obscured by the lever. However, it is feasible to arrange the lever in an ergonomically advantageous and space-saving manner, and in particular, to allow the operating section of the lever to extend to some extent beyond the outer contour of the insulating housing.

[0154] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the control lever is inserted into the housing side of the insulating housing of the rail-mounted terminal, away from the side secured to the bearing rail. This allows for space-saving placement while ensuring good accessibility to the control lever.

[0155] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the outer surface of the manual operating section of the joystick, in the closed position, at least follows the surface profile of the insulating material housing adjacent to the outer surface of the manual operating section. Accordingly, the outer surface of the manual operating section matches the surface profile of the insulating material housing such that there are substantially no shoulders or stepped transitions there. Therefore, the outer surface of the manual operating section can form a continuous surface with the upper side of the insulating material housing.

[0156] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the joystick is configured to be self-holding in the open position. This has the advantage that the joystick does not need to be held in place by the user. The joystick can be locked, for example, by one or more first, second, or fourth fixing elements.

[0157] Within the scope of this invention, the indefinite article “a” is not understood as a numeral. Therefore, if, for example, a component is mentioned, it is understood in the sense of “at least one component.” As long as the angle is described in degrees, it refers to a circle of 360 degrees (360°). Attached Figure Description

[0158] The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments.

[0159] The attached diagram shows:

[0160] Figure 1 A side sectional view of the terminal block in the closed position is shown, and

[0161] Figure 2 Showing according to Figure 1 A side sectional view of the wiring terminals in another section plane, and

[0162] Figure 3 Showing according to Figure 1 A side cross-sectional view of the wiring terminals when the joystick is open, and

[0163] Figure 4 Showing according to Figure 1 A side sectional view of the terminal block in the open position, and

[0164] Figure 4a Showing according to Figure 1 A side view of the terminal block in the open position, and

[0165] Figure 5 Shown in Figure 4 According to the section plane F marked in the middle Figures 1 to 4 The wiring terminals, and

[0166] Figure 6 Shown in Figure 4 According to the section plane G marked in the middle Figures 1 to 4 The wiring terminals, and

[0167] Figure 7 shows a front view of the joystick, and

[0168] Figure 8 shows a side view of the joystick according to Figure 7, and

[0169] Figures 9 and 9a show perspective views of the joysticks according to Figures 7 and 8, and

[0170] Figure 9b shows the following according to Figure 1 A perspective view of the terminals in the open position, and

[0171] Figure 9c A side view of the joystick according to Figure 7 is shown, and

[0172] Figure 10 shows a side view of the clamping spring, and

[0173] Figure 11 shows a perspective view of the clamping spring according to Figure 10, and

[0174] Figure 12 shows a perspective view of the device consisting of the control levers according to Figures 7 to 9 and the clamping springs according to Figures 10 to 11, and

[0175] Figure 13 shows a three-dimensional view of the busbar, and

[0176] Figure 14 shows a side view of the busbar according to Figure 13, and

[0177] Figure 15 A perspective view of the hybrid rail-mounted terminal block is shown, and

[0178] Figure 16 shows a side view of another embodiment of the clamping spring, and

[0179] Figure 17 shows a perspective view of the clamping spring according to Figure 16, and

[0180] Figure 18 shows the connection between the terminals. Figure 1 Similar views and clamping springs according to Figures 16 and 17, and

[0181] Figure 19 Showing according to Figure 4 Another view of the wiring terminals, and

[0182] Figure 20-22 shows the motion process of the joystick as it moves from the open position to the closed position and back.

[0183] The reference numerals used in the accompanying drawings are assigned as follows:

[0184] 1. Terminal block

[0185] 2. Insulating material housing

[0186] 20 wires introduced into the opening

[0187] 21 First locking edge

[0188] 22 busbar channels

[0189] 23 test openings

[0190] 24 top plate

[0191] 25. Rod threading joint in top plate

[0192] 26. In the intermediate wall between the abutment leg and the spring actuator

[0193] 27. External contour of the insulating material casing

[0194] 28. A receiving groove in the insulating material housing for accommodating a second fixing element in the closed position.

[0195] 29 Overload Protection Components

[0196] 3 bus

[0197] 30 First busbar section

[0198] 31 Second busbar section

[0199] 32 material flanging

[0200] 33 notch

[0201] 34. Placement area for mounting poles

[0202] 35° bending area, simultaneously for use with fixing elements

[0203] 36 Wire Pass-through Opening

[0204] 37 Third busbar section

[0205] 4 clamping springs

[0206] 40 leg rests

[0207] 41 Spring Bow

[0208] 42 manipulating legs

[0209] 43. Clasp your legs together

[0210] 44 clamping tongue

[0211] 45 Clamping edge

[0212] 46. ​​Opening of the actuator of the control lever

[0213] 47 Lateral splice of the control leg

[0214] 48-joystick lateral connector

[0215] 49. Bend support area

[0216] 5 joysticks

[0217] 50. Manual control section (control handle)

[0218] 51 Test blanking section

[0219] 52 First fixed element

[0220] 53 Second fixing element

[0221] 54 Spring-driven actuator (drive gear)

[0222] 55 Second Guide Section

[0223] 56 Lateral support elements

[0224] 57 First guiding section

[0225] 58. Installation protrusions for mounting on busbars

[0226] 59. The recessed support of the control lever

[0227] 60 is a third fixing element used to lock in the closed position.

[0228] 61 First Spring Carrying Component Area

[0229] 62 Second Spring Carrying Part Area

[0230] 63 Third Spring Carrying Part Area

[0231] 64 Fourth fixing element

[0232] 65. Outer surface of the manual control section

[0233] 6 First conductor connector

[0234] 7 First clamping part

[0235] 8 Second conductor connector

[0236] 9 Second clamping part

[0237] 80 Operating opening

[0238] 81 Other control elements

[0239] 82 bearing rail fastening element

[0240] 83 Insulating material housing upper side

[0241] 84 First resettlement site

[0242] 85 Second Resettlement Site

[0243] 86 Connecting straight lines

[0244] 87 Line of Action

[0245] 88-bar opening

[0246] 89 Lateral notch on the control lever

[0247] 90-degree leg arch

[0248] 91 Second locking edge

[0249] 92 electrical conductor

[0250] 93 connecting piece

[0251] 94 Stop for the rear side of the control lever

[0252] 95. Guiding elements on insulating material housing

[0253] 96 Clamping spring root area

[0254] L1 First Conductor Connector Conductor Introduction Direction

[0255] L2 Second Conductor Connector Conductor Introduction Direction

[0256] α angle

[0257] M1 First Instantaneous Center

[0258] M2 point

[0259] K1, K2, K3, K4 main contact points Detailed Implementation

[0260] Terminal block 1 has an insulating housing 2, a busbar 3, a clamping spring 4, and a lever 5 as an operating element for operating the clamping spring 4.

[0261] The insulating housing 2 has a wire introduction opening 20 through which an electrical wire can be introduced in the wire introduction direction L1 and guided to the first clamping portion 7 of the first wire connector 6, where the electrical wire can be clamped by means of a clamping spring 4 and a busbar 3 by spring force. The insulating housing 2 also has a busbar channel 22 through which at least a portion of the busbar 3 is guided and at least partially fixed and / or supported.

[0262] Busbar 3 has a first busbar section 30 and a second busbar section 31. The first busbar section 30 is connected to the second busbar section via a bending region 35, such that busbar 3 has a curved and / or bent shape overall. The second busbar section 31 is at least substantially disposed within the busbar channel 22. Busbar 3 has a wire pass-through opening 36 in the first busbar section 30 through which a wire to be clamped is guided. The wire pass-through opening 36 can be surrounded by a sidewall formed on the first busbar section 30, the sidewall being, for example, in the form of a material flange 32. For example, the wire pass-through opening 36 has wall sections extending from the busbar plane around its perimeter, the wall sections forming the material flange 32.

[0263] The clamping spring 4 has abutment legs 40, via which the clamping spring 4 is supported against the spring force introduced by the clamping legs 43. The abutment legs 40 are capable of being supported on the busbar 3 in the first busbar section 30. Support is achieved, for example, by the free end of the abutment legs 40 abutting against the inside of the wire pass-through opening 36 and / or the material flange 32. The clamping spring 4 continues from the abutment legs 40 via a spring bow 41 to the clamping legs 43. An operating leg 42 extends from the clamping legs 43, wherein the operating leg 42 bends out from the clamping legs 43 at a relatively large angle, for example, greater than 45 degrees or greater than or equal to 90 degrees. The operating leg 42 terminates at its free end with a transverse tab 48, which is positioned at the end side against... Figure 1 The invisible opening 46 of the drive mechanism is defined. In the free end region of the operating leg 42, a section of the clamping spring material is bent into a connecting piece 93 extending from the remaining extension of the operating leg 42, the connecting piece having at least a portion of the curved support region 49 of the operating leg 42. The curved support region 49, together with the recessed support portion 59 of the operating lever 5, forms a support device consisting of a column and a column shell, similar to a ball-and-socket support device.

[0264] Furthermore, the clamping leg 43 extends to the clamping tongue 44, which bends out from the clamping leg 43 in the opposite direction to the operating leg 42. The clamping tongue 44 terminates at the free end of the clamping leg 43 with a clamping edge 45. The clamping edge 45, together with the busbar 3, i.e., the wire pass-through opening 36 and / or the material flange 32, forms the first clamping portion 7 of the first wire connector 6 for securing the wire to be clamped there. Correspondingly, the abutment leg 40 and the clamping tongue 44 are recessed into the wire pass-through opening 36.

[0265] Terminal 1 has a lever 5, most of which is located in the area surrounded by the insulating material housing 2 and extends outward in a manually operated section 50, such as a handle, where manual operation of the lever 5 is possible. The first clamping portion 7 can be opened or closed by means of the manual operation of the lever 5. If the lever 5 is in the position... Figure 1 In the closed position shown, the first clamping part 7 is also closed. If the lever 5 is moved to the open position (as shown in the diagram), the first clamping part 7 will also be closed. Figure 4 (As shown in the diagram), then the first clamping part 7 opens. In the open position, the wire can be introduced into or removed from the first clamping part 7 without exerting any force, because by operating the lever 5, the clamping edge 45 moves away from its contact point on the busbar 3 or on the wire.

[0266] The wire introduction direction L can be tilted relative to the extension direction of the manual operation section 50. Correspondingly, an angle can be formed between the extension of the manual operation section 50, which extends approximately flush with the housing surface, and the wire introduction direction L1. The angle can be relatively small, for example, in the range of 20 degrees to 60 degrees.

[0267] The control lever 5 is pivotally supported in the insulating housing 2. Here, there is no fixed support axis, but the control lever 5 can also perform a certain movement during the pivoting movement from the closed position to the open position and vice versa.

[0268] The control lever 5 has a test recess 51 that penetrates the control lever 5, for example, in the area of ​​the manual operation section 50. In the closed position, the test recess 51 is substantially flush with the test opening 23 of the insulating material housing 2. The test opening 23 extends to the clamping spring 4, for example, to the spring bow 41. If the test bar is introduced through the test recess 51 and the test opening 23, then the clamping spring 4 can be electrically contacted and an electrical measurement can be performed in this manner. The clamping spring 4 is here secured by an overload protection element 29, thereby providing a support for the test bar. Furthermore, the overload protection element 29 in the insulating material housing 2 prevents excessive movement and loading of the clamping spring 4. The overload protection element 29 can be configured as an island-shaped material area of ​​the insulating material housing 2, which is disposed within the spring bow 41.

[0269] In the open position, the clamping spring 4 can rest against the overload protection element 29 by means of one or more areas, such as the spring bow 41 and / or the clamping leg 43.

[0270] The lever 5 is guided, supported, and fixed in defined positions, such as closed and open, within the terminal block 1 in several aspects. For this purpose, the lever 5 has a first fixing element 52 in its lower region, i.e., the portion of the lever 5 away from the manual operation section 50, and a second fixing element 53 in its rear region, i.e., the region away from the spring-loaded actuator 54. The first and / or second fixing elements 52, 53 can be configured as locking elements, for example. The first and / or second fixing elements 52, 53 can be configured as material protrusions or protrusions. The fixing elements 52, 53 can be formed directly on the material of the lever 5. The lever 5 further has a first guide section 57, through which the lever 5 is guided during pivoting movements, particularly within the busbar 3, and to prevent lateral tipping. The first guide section 57 extends through a recess 33 in the busbar 3, for example, a recess 33 in the first busbar section 31. The recess can be configured, for example, as a longitudinal slit. If the lever 5 pivots, for example from the closed position to the open position, then the first guide segment 57 extends through the recess 33. Furthermore, it can be proposed that the lever 5, during pivoting, moves along the internal guide contour of the insulating housing by means of a second fixing element 53, thereby additionally supporting and / or guiding it.

[0271] As mentioned, the lever 5 is used to operate the clamping spring 4. For this purpose, the lever 5 has a spring-carrying member 54, which is shaped like a carrying tooth and extends from the lever 5 in the installed state toward the clamping spring 4, particularly toward the operating leg 42. Here, the spring-carrying member 54 does not initially engage with the operating leg 42 in the closed position, so that no spring load acts on the lever 5 in the closed position. The spring-carrying member 54, for example, can be located, at least in the closed position, in the region of the curved area 35 of the busbar 3. The spring-carrying member 54 transitions into the support region of the lever 5 at the curved inner contour of the lever 5, which in this case forms a recessed support portion 59. This recessed support portion 59, as further explained below, interacts with the curved support region 49 of the clamping spring 4 during the pivoting movement of the lever 5.

[0272] joystick 5 in Figure 1The lever 5 is secured in the closed position by a mechanism different from the first and second fixing elements 52, 53. In the closed position, the second fixing element 53 is disposed in the free space of the insulating material housing 2, more specifically in the receiving groove 28. The second fixing element 52 is located near the first locking edge 21 of the insulating material housing 2, which does not have a substantial function in the closed position. A second locking edge 91 is also formed in the insulating material housing 2, which has the function as described below in the open position of the lever 5. Similarly, the construction and function of the second guide section 55 of the lever 5 are discussed below with reference to other drawings. By accommodating the second fixing element 53 in the receiving groove 28, it is possible to prevent the lever 5 from falling out of the insulating material housing 2 in the closed position. Furthermore, the second fixing element 53 being accommodated in the receiving groove 28 ensures that the lever 5 rotates out upon rebound when it moves from the open position to the closed position. The top plate 24 further prevents the lever 5 from falling out or leaving, especially in the open position.

[0273] A guide element 95 is further formed on the insulating material housing 2. The guide element 95 forms a guide portion on the housing side of the control leg 42, at least in specific operating situations and / or pivoting positions of the control lever 5. Therefore, the control leg 42 can slide at least partially along the guide element 95, for example, during the pivoting movement of the control lever to the open position.

[0274] exist Figure 1 The visible terminal 1 can be configured as a separate connecting clamp or as part of a terminal block that includes additional wire connectors, as shown below. Figure 15 This describes a portion of the wiring terminals.

[0275] Figure 2 The top plate 24, located below the manual operating section 50, serves as a boundary wall for the insulating housing 2. As another feature of the insulating housing 2, the top plate shields the current-carrying elements within the terminal 1 from the external environment, thereby providing contact safety (finger safety) for the terminal 1, particularly in the open position of the lever 5. The top plate 24 works in conjunction with the second guide section 55, as further illustrated below with reference to other cross-sectional views.

[0276] Furthermore, it can be seen that the outer surface 65 of the manual operation section 50 extends substantially parallel to the second bus section 31 and / or the third bus section 37, which is also described below.

[0277] First, according to Figure 3 Explain from the perspective of Figure 1 The closed position shown in the diagram initiates the function of lever 5 during pivoting. Figure 3In the middle, the lever 5 is not yet fully in the open position, but is a short distance ahead of it. The spring actuator 54 does not sink into the actuator opening 46 in the closed position, but the spring actuator 54 then engages into the actuator opening 46 when the lever 5 pivots from the closed position to the open position.

[0278] Through Figure 3 The enlarged partial views A, B, and C shown in the figure will illustrate some of the related components of the joystick 5 and its interaction with other components of the terminal block 1.

[0279] As can be seen from drawing A, the first fixing element 52 is located a short distance before reaching the second locking edge 91. Similarly, as shown in drawing C, the second fixing element 53 is located a short distance before reaching the first locking edge 21. In the area outside the insulating housing, the stop 94 at the rear of the lever 5 on the insulating housing 2 serves as a stop and rotation point for the lever 5 to continue its movement, so as to reach the position according to the... Figure 4 In the open position. During the continued movement, the spring-driven member 54 moves substantially first by translation along the second busbar section 31. As soon as the second fixing element 53 extends beyond the first locking edge 21, the lever 5 performs a "downward movement" substantially perpendicular to the translational movement by the spring force applied to the spring-driven member 54.

[0280] Figure B illustrates how the manipulator leg 42 is gripped at the end by the spring-loaded actuator 54 and continues to be guided via the recessed support 59. The recessed support 59, in its shape, i.e., its concave internal contour, matches the convex external contour of the curved support region 49, allowing the curved support region 49 to slide with low friction within the recessed support 59. (As shown from...) Figure 3 The overall view of the terminals is visible, where the operating leg 42 deflects and the clamping leg 43 moves accordingly, causing the clamping tongue 44 to move from its initial position. Figure 1 The visible position continues to move. Furthermore, it can be seen that in the described configuration, the payload arm of the joystick 5 shortens during the opening movement because the curved support area 49 slides along the recessed support portion 59 and approaches the virtual pivot axis of the joystick 5.

[0281] Figure 4 The lever 5 is shown in the open position, i.e., at the end of its pivoting motion. While the lever 5 in this open position can still be excessively pressured at small pivoting angles, such as a maximum of 5 degrees or a maximum of 10 degrees, to resist damage, it has already... Figure 4The lever 5 reaches the true open position in the position shown. If the lever 5 is over-pressurized, the over-pressurized movement is limited by the rear stop 94 on the insulating housing. The maximum range of excessive bending angle of the lever 5 is 5% of the entire pivot angle range, until the rear stop 94 is reached.

[0282] In each operating position, the lever 5 is predominantly situated within the area enclosed by the outer contour 27 of the insulating material housing 2. In particular, in the open position, the lever 5 is also situated within the area enclosed by the outer contour 27 of the insulating material housing 2 for at least 30% or 40% of its longitudinally extending region. In this manner, the lever 5 is particularly robustly supported, thus preventing easy damage and / or easy tilting. This achieves robust support of the lever 5 within the insulating material housing 2.

[0283] As shown in the enlarged detail views in partial enlarged views D and E, the first retaining element 52 is now locked behind the second locking edge 91, and the second retaining element 53 is locked behind the first locking edge 21. The lever 5 is here, i.e., from... Figure 3 Location to According to Figure 4 During the transition of position, in addition to pure pivoting or rotational movement, an additional traversal movement is performed, namely, a certain amount of movement along a directional path along the second busbar section 31 toward the first clamping part 7, so as to lift the fourth fixing element 64 above the curved region 35 of the busbar 3, and then descend perpendicularly to the traversal movement to the dead position, such that at least a portion of the curved region 35 is shape-fitted into the fourth fixing element 64. This traversal movement is not necessarily performed by the user, but is caused by the stop 94 and spring pull, with the operating leg 42 applying the spring pull to the operating lever 5. As in Figure 4 As can be seen, the lever 5 is now securely held in the position by means of a pulling force applied by the lever leg 42, which pulls the lever 5 to corresponding mounting portions 84 and 85 respectively located to the left and right of the line of action of the pulling force. Specifically, the first mounting portion 84 is formed between the first fixing element 52 and the second locking edge 91, and the second mounting portion 85 is located in the region of local area F. The second mounting portion 85 can be formed between the fourth fixing element 64 and the corresponding bending region 35 of the busbar.

[0284] In the opposite movement of the lever 5, i.e. from the open position to the closed position, the contact between the fourth retaining element 64 and the curved area 35 at the busbar 3 is released at the second mounting position 85 in the following manner: the second retaining element 53 rises above the first locking edge 21 (see also part C, Figure 3Here, the lever 5 first rotates around the first mounting portion 84 between the first fixing element 52 and the second locking edge 91. This avoids wear at the fourth fixing element 64.

[0285] Therefore, in the open position, the position of the lever 5 is stabilized by the two-point placement of the lever 5 on the insulating housing 2 and / or the busbar 3, and by the clamping force of the spring 4 acting substantially centrally through the operating leg 42. This force transmission achieves a funnel-shaped force action, which particularly and reliably prevents undesirable positional changes of the lever 5 due to vibration, for example.

[0286] Figure 4a In particular, a magnified view H illustrates how the fourth fixing element 64 is positioned on the curved region 35 and is fixed there in a conformal manner. The second fixing element 53 protrudes from the recess 33 of the busbar 3, such that a portion of the second fixing element 53 extends below the second busbar section 31 and is visible there.

[0287] Figure 4a Furthermore, the illustration shows the placement of the curved support area 49 of the control leg 42 on the recessed support portion 59.

[0288] Figure 4 Furthermore, it can be seen that the conductor 92 is introduced into the terminal 1 with the stripped insulation area on its end side, and the stripped insulation area is located in the area of ​​the first clamping part 7. If the lever 5 is now moved to the closed position again, the clamping leg 43 springs back until the clamping edge 45 abuts against the stripped insulation area of ​​the conductor 92 and presses it onto the busbar 3, for example, onto the inside of the conductor entry opening 36 or the material flange 32.

[0289] An intermediate wall 26 of the insulating material housing 2 exists between the abutment leg 40 and / or the spring bow 41 and the internal region of the insulating material housing 2. This intermediate wall has a second locking edge 91. In this internal region, a second guide section 55 is provided in the closed position and a spring-driven member 54 is provided in the open position. The intermediate wall 26 causes additional separation between the lever 5 and the electrical components, particularly the clamping spring 4.

[0290] Another advantageous aspect of this construction is that the intermediate wall 26 resists the mounting force of the operating lever 5 at the first mounting position 84 by the clamping spring 4, which presses against the intermediate wall 26 from the opposite side in the area abutting the leg 40 and / or the spring bow 41. In this manner, a self-supporting system can be advantageously achieved. Furthermore, in this manner, the plastic component is supported on the metal component, which induces or guides forces, which is advantageous in the presence of moisture, which can reduce the stability of the plastic material.

[0291] exist Figure 4 Two cross-sectional planes, F and G, are drawn. The corresponding cross-sectional planes are shown in... Figure 5 and 6 The image is drawn in the center, with joystick 5 in the closed position. (Example:) Figure 5 As shown in the cross-sectional view in plane F, the lever 5 is positioned within a recess 33 in the second busbar section 31 via its first guide section 57 and is guided longitudinally therein. For additional guidance and support, the lever 5 has a laterally extending support element 56, which can be configured as a support bolt. However, via the laterally extending support element 56, the lever 5 is not fixedly supported about an immutable axis of rotation, but rather is instead able to move within a certain range. In this manner, the lever is "floating" supported within the insulating housing 2.

[0292] Furthermore, it can be seen that the lever 5 is supported on the upper side of the busbar 3 via a laterally extending shoulder-shaped mounting protrusion 58, particularly in the second busbar region 31. The mounting protrusion 58 is particularly capable of forming a mounting point for the lever 5 on the busbar 3 in the open position, wherein the mounting point can be located in the curved region 35.

[0293] The first retaining element 52 is also capable of moving along a guide contour inside the insulating housing during pivoting of the lever 5, for example, when pivoting from the open position to the closed position. In this case, the contact between the mounting protrusion 58 and the mounting area 34 on the lever 5, which supports movement of the lever 5 toward the open position, can be removed, wherein the lever 5 is removed from the busbar 3. This also serves to reduce wear or tear on the lever 5.

[0294] Figure 5 The control lever 5 is shown in the closed position not extending beyond or substantially not extending beyond the outer contour 27 of the insulating material housing 2.

[0295] Figure 6 The fixation of the lever 5 in the closed position is illustrated by a cross-sectional view in section plane G. The lever 5 has a second guide section 55 extending downward from the manual operation section 50, which extends through the rod guide slot 25 in the top plate 24 at least in the aforementioned position of the lever 5. A laterally extending third fixing element 60 is provided on the second guide section 55, for example, formed in one piece on the second guide section 55, which engages rearward underside of the edge region of the top plate 24 in the closed position and fixes the lever 5 in the aforementioned manner. The top plate 24 can be formed by a protrusion extending inward from the opposite sidewall of the insulating material housing 2.

[0296] In the open position, the lever through the slit 25 is closed as much as possible by the area of ​​the lever 5 with the spring-loaded actuator 54, so that contact safety is also ensured in the position.

[0297] Generally, there are therefore openings in the insulating housing 2, such as, for example, rod through slots 25, which are shielded from the external environment by excessive pressure from the lever 5 in the closed position. The openings lead to electrically actuated components, such as clamping springs 4 or busbars 3, disposed in the insulating housing 2, and the spring actuator 54 at least partially closes the openings in the open position of the lever, at least to the point of providing contact protection.

[0298] The elements of the lever 5 described above are further illustrated by different views in Figures 7 to 9, which show the lever 5 as a separate view. In particular, it can be seen that the lever 5 does not necessarily need to be configured precisely symmetrically with respect to its pivot plane. Instead, as illustrated in Figure 7, the spring-loaded actuator 54 and the first guide segment 57 connected thereto are eccentrically arranged, for example, slightly offset laterally. To optimize the mounting of the parts, especially the lever 5, in the terminal block 1, the spring-loaded actuator 54 itself can also be configured asymmetrically, for example, asymmetrically tapering towards the end on one side.

[0299] Figure 9a shows a view of the joystick 5 below, in which the mounting protrusion 58 is visible. The mounting surface formed by the mounting protrusion 58 is depicted in Figure 9a with shaded lines for illustrative purposes.

[0300] As illustrated in the diagram, the joystick 5 can be configured as a material and weight-optimized component with a row of open sections, which are interrupted by reinforced walls and in this manner provide the joystick with the robustness and rigidity necessary for actuation. The joystick 5 can be manufactured, for example, as a one-piece plastic component, such as an injection-molded part.

[0301] As can also be seen in Figure 9a, the lever 5 may have a lateral recess 89. The lateral recess 89 may, for example, be located in the region of the second guide section 55 and / or the third fixing element 60. The top plate 24 is at least partially accommodated in the lateral recess 89 in the closed position.

[0302] Figure 9b shows the terminal 1 in the open position of the lever 5. As already mentioned, in the open position, the lever through slot 25 in the top plate 24 is at least as closed as possible.

[0303] Figure 9b further shows that the insulating housing 2 can have a rod opening 88, which allows the operating lever 5 to be inserted after the insulating housing 2 is installed. The operating lever can pass through the rod opening 88 after the insulating housing 2 is installed, that is, it can be installed from above.

[0304] Here, the rod opening 88 is completely surrounded on the circumferential side by the material of the insulating material housing 2, that is, by the corresponding wall or other section of the insulating material housing 2.

[0305] Figure 9c The diagram illustrates a specific proportion that the joystick 5 can possess according to the present invention. Along the longitudinal direction of the joystick 5, i.e., along direction a, the joystick 5 has a length a. In the rear region, the joystick 5 has its support region, which includes, for example, a third region 63. In this support region, the joystick 5 is supported within an insulating material housing 2. In the longitudinal direction, the support region has a length c. Furthermore, Figure 9c The length b of the spring actuator 54 is shown, which extends longitudinally along the lever 5 from the root region of the spring actuator 54 adjacent to the third region 63 to the free end. The ratio b / c can be, for example, at least 0.2 or at least 0.25 or at least 0.3. The ratio b / a can be, for example, at least 0.07 or at least 0.08 or at least 0.09.

[0306] Figures 10 and 11 show separate views of the clamping spring 4. Thus, the accompanying illustrations show that the clamping spring 4 has a root region 96 on the clamping leg 43, in which the clamping leg 43 branches into a clamping tongue 44 and an operating leg 42. As can be seen, the operating leg 42 is configured with a relatively large clearance, which forms the drive opening 46. Two relatively thin lateral tabs 47 extend from the clamping leg 43 only to the left and right of the abutment leg 40. The lateral tabs 47 can be constructed very thin because they transmit pure tension. Furthermore, the abutment leg 40 extends through the clearance. The operating leg 42 can be made of the same material as the clamping tongue 44, in such a way that the clamping tongue 44 is separated from the material of the operating leg 42, for example, by a stamping process. Because the lateral tabs 47 can be very narrow, a relatively wide intermediate material section is thus reserved for forming the clamping tongue 44, making it possible to provide a relatively wide clamping edge 45. This contributes to a secure clamping of the electrical wires and good electrical contact. Furthermore, the high flexibility of the operating leg 42 is achieved through such a narrow lateral tab 47. In this manner, the operating leg 42 is relatively easily bent and engaged with the clamping leg 43.

[0307] Because the lateral tab 47 can be configured like a "slim leg," it thus functions as a flexible connecting element, like a wire or rope connection, under tensile loads. The relatively small bending radius R3 at the transition from the operating leg 42 to the clamping leg 43, or the resulting narrow bend, causes reinforcement in the area, such that under the tensile load, the lateral tab 47 is stretched to a certain extent and undergoes almost no elastic deformation in the form of flexure.

[0308] The clamping spring 4 can be constructed as a single piece with all the aforementioned features, i.e., it is made entirely from a flat metal sheet, for example, by stamping and bending a metal sheet with a predetermined thickness.

[0309] As can also be seen in Figure 11, the material width of the lateral tab 47 can vary along its longitudinal extension. For example, there can be a transition or stepped portion of the lateral tab 47, from a region that is initially narrower starting from the clamping leg 43 to a region that is wider toward the lateral tab 48. The wider region of the lateral tab 47 is particularly effective under higher spring loads. Here, the internal distance between the lateral tabs 47 is greater in the region of the carrier opening 46 where the abutment leg 40 protrudes from the carrier opening 46 than in the region of the carrier 46 used to accommodate the spring carrier 54.

[0310] The clamping tongue 44 can be configured in a trapezoidal shape or can be narrowed toward the free end. This has the advantage that, in the possible tilted positions of the clamping spring 4, the clamping spring 4 does not get stuck on the inner side of the material flange 32.

[0311] The operating leg 42 has a transverse tab 48 on its end side. A curved connecting tab 93 extends from the transverse tab 48. On the underside of the connecting tab 93, i.e., on the side facing the drive member opening 46, a curved support region 49 is formed for placement on the recessed support portion 59 of the operating lever 5. The region on the end side of the operating leg 42 can be manufactured such that the region with the transverse tab 48 bends out from the lateral tab 47 in a first bending direction, and the connecting tab 93 bends out from the transverse tab 48 in another opposite bending direction. In this way, a relatively large angle exceeding 90 degrees between the connecting tab 93 and the lateral tab 47 can be achieved without excessive modification.

[0312] Correspondingly, the control leg 42 has two spaced-apart lateral tabs 47 connected to each other at their free ends via a transverse tab 48. The lateral tabs 47 and the transverse tab 48 form a carrier opening 46 for engaging the spring carrier 54. A connecting tab 93 facing the carrier opening 46 abuts the transverse tab 48, the connecting tab having a bend such that a curved support region 49 is formed on its convex surface through the bend, the support region constituting contact with the recessed support 59 of the control lever 5.

[0313] Correspondingly, the free end of the operating leg 42, together with the transverse connecting piece 48, bends away from the spring bow 41. The curved or rounded portion of the curved support region 49 matches the shape of the recessed support portion 59 in terms of design.

[0314] Furthermore, it can be seen that the operating leg 42 initially extends relatively far from the end of the clamping leg 43, but is closer to the clamping edge 45 than at least the spring bow 41, branching off from the clamping leg 43. The operating leg 42 thus extends with minimal distance from the busbar 3 in the installed and unoperated state (see also...). Figure 1 The operating leg 42 extends substantially parallel to the surface of the first busbar section 30. This provides a relatively large lever arm for operating the clamping leg 43. This reduces the operating force required for the lever 5. The operating leg 42 extends along the first busbar section 30 beyond the curved area 35. The operating leg 42 extends out of the first busbar section 30, particularly through its drive opening 46, allowing the spring drive 54 to engage with the drive opening 46 without obstruction by the busbar 3.

[0315] The clamping spring 4 is configured to be particularly flexible. This design also prevents the clamping spring from significantly flipping over when tilted or pulled.

[0316] The operating leg 42 is additionally guided along its longitudinal extension direction by a guide mechanism in the insulating housing, such as a housing wall or housing edge. Such an internal housing edge is formed, for example, by the free end of the intermediate wall 26 within the insulating housing 2 (see also...). Figure 3 and 4 This allows for further minimization of the bending load at the transition between the operating leg 42 and the clamping leg 43. Furthermore, it enables advantageous guidance of the bent support region 49 within the recessed support portion 59 during the pivoting movement of the lever 5, in that the bent support region 46 is guided within the recessed support portion 59 along the pivot axis of the lever 5. In this manner, a clamping spring 4 with a shortened bending length can be achieved. This clamping spring 4 better prevents undesirable bending or buckling of the clamping leg 43 when pulled from the outside at the fixed clamping wire. The risk of breakage of the clamping leg 43 is minimized when mechanically pulled at the clamped wire.

[0317] The spacing, i.e., the gap size between the operating leg 42 and the busbar 3, can be, for example, less than 1 mm or less than 0.5 mm. An exemplary advantageous value is 0.3 mm. In this manner, the operating leg 42 does not contact the busbar, thereby avoiding wear due to friction.

[0318] According to an advantageous embodiment, the effective length of the operating leg 42 in terms of operation, measured from the branch portion of the operating leg 42 from the clamping leg 43 to the curved support region 49, is greater than the length of the clamping leg measured from the branch portion of the operating leg 42 from the clamping leg 43 to the apex of the spring bow 41. In this manner, the spring can achieve a short bending length and a beneficial operating force.

[0319] Figure 12 illustrates the combined action between the clamping spring 4 and the operating lever 5 when the lever 5 is in the open position. The spring actuator 54 extends out of the actuator opening 46. The advantageous combined action of the curved support region 49 and the recessed support portion 59 is also visible.

[0320] As further shown in Figures 7 to 9, the spring-carrying member 54 has a width that varies along its extension. This can be achieved, for example, by the spring-carrying member 54 narrowing towards its free end, for example, through an inclined portion on one or both sides. Thus, a first region 61 and a second region 62 can be formed on the spring-carrying member 54, the second region being connected to the first region 61. The first region 61 is narrower than the second region 62 in the direction of the width of the spring-carrying member 54. The spring-carrying member 54 can then transition into a third region 63, which is wider than the second region 62. In this manner, the spring-carrying member 54 can be easily introduced into the carrying member opening 46. If the spring-carrying member 54 is introduced into the carrying member opening 46 via its first region 61, then guide portions for the lateral tabs 47 of the operating leg 42 are formed by the second region 62 and / or the third region 63 that follow as the lever 5 continues to pivot. The guide portions can be configured, in particular, as guide portions on both sides of the two lateral tabs 47. This embodiment of the spring-driven element 54 is applicable not only to the lever 5 having the said pivotability, but also to other types of control elements that are movably supported, i.e., configured as sliding elements.

[0321] Furthermore, it is evident that the position of the operating leg 42 relative to the clamping leg 43 remains substantially unchanged during the actuation of the lever 5. This has the advantage that the transition area between the operating leg 42 and the clamping leg 43 experiences only a small variation in bending load during actuation. This is further supported by a relatively small bending radius at the transition from the operating leg 42 to the clamping leg 43. For example, the average bending radius R3 of the bending area is advantageous, having a value up to three times the thickness of the metal plate. This enables optimized force transfer of the lever 5 to the clamping spring 4 via the operating leg 42. Consequently, direct transmission and a short stroke are achieved, resulting in virtually no stretching in the operating leg 42. Furthermore, this configuration allows for very simple manufacturing of the components used and the entire terminal block 1.

[0322] Therefore, the clamping spring 4 can be positioned on the same side of the busbar 3, with most of it and especially the operating leg 42, particularly on the side that allows the wires to be introduced into the wire pass-through opening 36.

[0323] Figures 13 and 14 show separate views of bus 3. In this case, bus 3 is shown with an additional third bus section 37 connected to the second bus section 31. Bus 3 has an additional wire pass-through opening in the third bus section 37, where an additional clamping portion can be formed.

[0324] The first and second busbar sections 30 and 31 have the elements already described. In particular, the notch 33 for guiding the first guide section 57 and the mounting area 34 for mounting the mounting protrusion 58 of the control lever 5 are visible. The notch 33 can be provided only in the second busbar section 31, or as shown, extend into the curved area 35, or even extend into the first busbar section 30. The notch 33 is surrounded by the material of the busbar 3. It can be configured as a gap that only partially penetrates the busbar material from the side of the mounting area 34, or as a completely penetrating gap (without a bottom).

[0325] The busbar 3 is constructed by bending and / or curving through a bending region 35, that is, forming an angle between the first busbar section 30 and the second busbar section 31. Through the bending region 35, an interior angle ranging from 105 to 165 degrees or from 120 to 150 degrees can be formed between the first busbar section 30 and the second busbar section 31. The bending region 35 can, for example, be configured such that the busbar 3 begins with a concave bend of a first radius R1 starting from the second busbar section 31 and then transitions to a convex bend with a radius of curvature R2, respectively, along the viewing direction toward the placement area 34. Advantageously, the radius R1 is larger than the radius R2, for example, at least twice as large.

[0326] In this manner, the lever 5 can also be supported at least partially on the arched area of ​​the busbar 3, i.e., in the curved area 35, and move along it during pivoting motion.

[0327] Instead of the one-piece embodiment described so far, the bus 3 can also be configured as a multi-piece embodiment, for example, having two or more separate bus sections. In particular, the third bus section 37 can be configured as a bus section separate from the first and second bus sections 30, 31. This is advantageous, for example, for applications in discrete terminals.

[0328] Figure 15Another embodiment of the terminal block 1 is shown, in which it is in the form of a rail-mounted terminal block, wherein, for example, four terminal blocks 1 are shown side by side. The terminal block 1 has the above-described configuration in the area visible on the left, namely, the arrangement of a busbar 3, a clamping spring 4, and an operating lever 5 within the insulating housing 2. The busbar 3 in this case corresponds to the configuration of the embodiments in Figures 13 and 14, namely, it has a third busbar section 37. The third busbar section extends to the area shown on the right of the corresponding terminal block 1, in which at least one second wire connector 8 with a second clamping portion 9 is provided. In the illustrated embodiment, each terminal block 1 has two second wire connectors 8 and correspondingly two second clamping portions 9. The corresponding second wire connectors 8 are accessible via additional wire introduction openings constructed within the insulating housing 2. Electrical wires can be introduced into the second wire connectors 8 along the wire introduction direction L2. The wire introduction direction L1 can be different from the wire introduction direction L2.

[0329] Terminal 1 has a carrier rail fastening element 82, by means of which the corresponding terminal 1 can be fastened to the carrier rail, for example by locking it to the carrier rail. The wire introduction direction L1, relative to the fastening plane defined by the carrier rail, can be set in the range of 30 to 60 degrees relative to the fastening plane, and the wire introduction direction L2 is in the angular range of 75 to 105 degrees.

[0330] The bearing rail fastening element 82 is provided on the bearing rail fastening side of the insulating material housing 2. On the housing side of the insulating material housing opposite to the bearing rail fastening side, also known as the housing upper side 83, the operating lever 5 is visible. Here, the outer surface 65 of the manual operation section of the operating lever 5 has the same orientation as the adjacent surface profile of the insulating material housing, i.e., the adjacent portion of the housing upper side 83, in the closed position.

[0331] The terminal 1 can be manipulated in the area of ​​the second wire connector 8 by another actuating element 81, which can be part of the terminal 1, for example in the form of a presser, provided in the actuating opening 80 of the insulating material housing 2, or can be achieved by a separate actuating tool that is guided to the second wire connector 8 through the actuating opening 80 when needed, but the second wire connector is not part of the terminal 1.

[0332] Figures 16 to 18 illustrate another embodiment of the clamping spring 4 and the terminal block 1 constituting the clamping spring. Unlike the previously described embodiment, the clamping spring 4 has an additional curved region in the area of ​​the clamping leg 43, referred to as the clamping leg bow 90. In the region of the clamping leg bow 90, the clamping leg 43 bends toward the interior region of the space surrounded by the clamping spring 4. The overload protection element 29 of the insulating material housing 2 can be matched to the clamping leg bow 90 here. With the aid of the clamping leg bow 90, when the region of the clamping leg 43 between the clamping leg bow 90 and the spring bow 41 abuts against the overload protection element 29, a shortened bending length of the clamping leg 43 is achieved. Therefore, when the lever moves from the closed position to the open position, the clamping leg bow 90 strikes the overload protection element 29.

[0333] Furthermore, it can be seen that the clamping spring 4 according to Figures 16 and 17 can have another configuration of clamping tongue 44, for example, having a width that first decreases toward the clamping edge 45, the width increasing again in the end section, so that a relatively wide clamping edge 45 can be provided with a small amount of material. Alternatively, the clamping spring 4 can also have clamping tongue 44, as shown in Figures 10 and 11.

[0334] Figure 19 The terminal block 1 is shown as similar to Figure 4 The view is different, but the cross-sectional plane is different; the terminals are already based on the previous view. Figures 1 to 4 Explanation. In Figure 19 In the terminal block 1 shown, the lever 5 is in the open position. The lever 5 is mounted on the first mounting portion 84 and the second mounting portion 85. The first mounting portion 84 is formed between the first fixing element 52 and the second locking edge 91 of the lever 5, and the second mounting portion 85 is formed between the fourth fixing element 64 of the lever 5 and the curved area 35 of the busbar 3.

[0335] exist Figure 19 A connecting line 86 is drawn, extending through the first mounting portion 84 and the second mounting portion 85. The direction of the pulling force exerted by the clamping spring 4 on the operating lever 5 is also shown by line 87, which is transmitted via the operating leg 42. The direction of the line of action 87 corresponds to the direction of the operating leg 42 or the direction of the lateral tab 47 of the operating leg 42. It is evident that the operating leg 42 or the line of action 87 forms an angle α with the connecting line 86. Angle α is therefore defined in the mathematically positive direction along the line of action 87 or in the direction from the operating leg 42 to the connecting line 86. Advantageously, angle α is less than 90 degrees. Thus, the direction of the line of action 87 or the direction of the operating leg 42 yields an advantageous funnel shape compared to the direction of the mounting plane formed by the first mounting portion 84 and the second mounting portion 85 (shown by the connecting line 86).

[0336] Passing through using lever 5 Figures 19 to 2 The movement process illustrated in Figure 1 will now be described, along with an advantageous force-reducing mechanism that is effective at least when the lever 5 moves from the open position to the closed position. The lever 5 is supported in terminal 1 at main contact points K1, K2, K3, K4, and K5. The maximum absolute force exerted by the clamping spring on the lever is transmitted to at least one additional element of the terminal via the main contact points K1, K2, K3, K4, and K5. The main contact points K1, K2, K3, K4, and K5 are capable of undergoing multiple discontinuous (jumping) position changes within their pivot range as the lever 5 pivots.

[0337] First, assume that the lever 5 is fully in the open position and is positioned on the first mounting part 84 and the second mounting part 85, such as... Figure 19 As shown. In this state, the first location of the main contact part K1 is formed between the busbar 3 and the area where the lever 5 is mounted on the busbar 3, for example, on the second mounting location 85. The first location of the main contact part K1 can also optionally be formed on the first mounting location 84.

[0338] If the lever 5 is now applied with a force in the direction of the closed position by manual operation on the operating section 50, then the pivoting process of the lever 5 begins as follows: a first instantaneous center M1 of pivoting motion is formed on the first mounting part 84, i.e., between the second locking edge 91 and the first fixing element 52. The second location of the main contact part K2 can now be formed on the first mounting part 84. At this time, the lock on the second mounting part 85 is simultaneously released, i.e., the lever 5 is easily lifted in this area, so that the fourth fixing element 64 and its adjacent material area are not loaded due to friction at the busbar 3 and are correspondingly not worn. Through the said movement phase of the lever 5, the second fixing element 53 can be said to be simultaneously raised above the first locking edge 21, wherein there is a certain gap between the second fixing element 53 and the first locking edge 21.

[0339] Figure 21 illustrates the continued movement of the lever 5 when it is in the closed position. If the lever 5 continues to move toward the closed position, the lateral support element 56 of the lever 5 contacts the edge of the insulating material housing 2. At this moment, the instantaneous center of the pivoting movement of the lever 5 becomes point M2, as shown in Figure 21, which becomes the contact point between the lateral support element 56 and the insulating material housing 2. At this point, the third location, now also forming the main contact point K3 of the lever 5, is formed for the continued movement phase of the lever 5.

[0340] The contact between the lateral support element 56 and the insulating housing 2 is removed again. The lever 5 is now able to slide along the guide rail of the insulating housing with the second fixing element 53 or along the lower side of the first guide section 57, so that the fourth location of the main contact area of ​​the lever 5 is now formed at this location.

[0341] Furthermore, during the continued movement, the mounting protrusion 58 of the lever 5 comes into contact with the mounting area 34 of the busbar 3, so that a fifth location of the main contact part of the lever can be formed between the mounting area 58 of the lever 5 and the mounting area 34 of the busbar.

[0342] Figure 22 The position of the lever 5 is now shown shortly before reaching the open position during movement from the closed position to the open position. The lower side of the first guide section 57 or the second fixing element 53 slides along the guide rail of the insulating housing 2, or is positioned on the guide rail shortly before reaching the open position, such that the fourth fixing element 64 and the mounting protrusion 58 of the lever 5 are raised or at least slightly spaced relative to the busbar 3. During the continued movement of the lever 5 to the closed position, the second fixing element 53 reaches behind the first locking edge 21 of the insulating housing 2, causing the lever 5 to be pulled towards the busbar 3 under spring force, and the fourth fixing element 64 is positioned on the curved area 35 (second mounting portion 85) to reach its position according to… Figure 19 The final position in the open position.

Claims

1. A terminal block (1) having an insulating housing (2), a busbar (3), a clamping spring (4), and an actuating element, wherein the clamping spring (4) has an actuating leg (42), wherein the actuating element interacts with the actuating leg (42), wherein the actuating leg (42) has a carrying opening (46) for engaging a spring carrying member (54) of the actuating element of the terminal block (1). Its features are, The spring-driven member (54) has a width that varies over its extension, and the actuating element has at least one placement protrusion (58) for placing the actuating element on the busbar (3), the placement protrusion extending laterally relative to a first guide section (57) of the actuating element, wherein the actuating element can be guided through the first guide section (57) through a notch (33) of the busbar (3) during pivoting motion.

2. The terminal block (1) according to claim 1. Its features are, A first spring-carrying member region (61) and a second spring-carrying member region (62) are formed on the spring-carrying member (54), wherein the first spring-carrying member region (61) is narrower than the second spring-carrying member region (62).

3. The terminal block (1) according to claim 2. Its features are, A third spring-carrying region (63) is also formed on the spring-carrying member (54), wherein the second spring-carrying region (62) is narrower than the third spring-carrying region (63).

4. The terminal block (1) according to claim 3. Its features are, The second spring-carrying part region (62) and / or the third spring-carrying part region (63) form guides for the lateral tabs (47) of the operating leg (42) when the operating element is moved to the open position.

5. The terminal block (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4. Its features are, The control element is configured as a joystick (5), which is pivotally housed in the insulating material housing (2) via a pivoting region.

6. The terminal block (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4. Its features are, The operating element is an integral part of the terminal block (1).

7. The terminal block (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4. Its features are, The spring actuator (54) has a height that varies along its extension.

8. The terminal block (1) according to claim 7. Its features are, The spring-carrying member (54) flattens out toward its free end.

9. The terminal block (1) according to claim 7. Its features are, The spring actuator (54) narrows in height toward its free end, such that the height decreases continuously and / or decreases in a stepwise manner.

10. The terminal block (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4. Its features are, The width of the carrying member opening (46), defined by the internal distance between the lateral tabs (47) of the control leg (42), varies along the longitudinal extension of the control leg (42), with its width decreasing toward the free end of the control leg (42).

11. The terminal block (1) according to claim 10. Its features are, The width of the opening (46) of the carrying member is reduced in a stepped manner.

12. The terminal block (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4. Its features are, The spring-carrying member (54) narrows toward its free end.

13. The terminal block (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4. Its features are, The width of the spring actuator (54) decreases in a stepped manner.

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