Terminal module and connection terminal formed by means of terminal module

Abstract

The invention relates to a terminal module for forming a modular connection terminal consisting of a plurality of terminal modules joined to one another. The invention also relates to a modularly constructed connection terminal, which consists of a plurality of terminal modules of the previously stated type, which are inserted together.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a terminal module for forming a modular connecting terminal consisting of a plurality of terminal modules joined to each other. The present invention also relates to a modularly constructed connecting terminal consisting of a plurality of terminal modules of the type described above plugged together.

[0002] With the aid of such a terminal module, for example, a modularly designed connecting terminal in the form of a freely configurable distribution terminal block can be formed. Background Art

[0003] A distribution terminal is known from DE 10 2020 122 136 A1, which is formed by a feed element and a distribution element plugged together with the feed element. Summary of the invention

[0004] The invention is based on the object of specifying a further improved connecting terminal and a terminal module designed therefor.

[0005] The object is achieved by a terminal module, which is used to form a modular terminal block formed by a plurality of terminal modules joined to each other, wherein the terminal module has a housing section, at least one busbar section arranged in the housing section, and one or more spring force clamping terminals arranged in the housing section, wherein the spring force clamping terminal is used to connect an electrical conductor by means of a spring force clamping device, wherein the terminal module has at least one connection end contact extending from the housing section at a first housing side of its housing section, and has a connection opening on a second housing side of the housing section opposite to the first housing side, through which the connection end contact of the adjacent terminal module plugged into the terminal module can be plugged and electrically contacted with the busbar section of the terminal module. With this terminal module, the terminal block can be constructed completely modularly and can be freely configured according to the user's wishes accordingly. In particular, the terminal block formed by a plurality of terminal modules can be flexibly configured by the manufacturer or the end user in terms of its connection feasibility. In particular, it is possible to freely select how many terminal modules are plugged together to form the terminal block. In this way, the terminal block can be optimally matched to the corresponding usage.

[0006] In particular, a system with differently configured terminal modules can be provided, such as a feed module configured for connecting an electrical conductor with a large cross section, via which an electrical signal can be fed into a terminal block, and a distribution module configured for connecting an electrical conductor with a small cross section, the conductor cross section of the electrical conductor with a small cross section being significantly smaller than the conductor cross section of the electrical conductor with a large cross section. A distribution terminal block can be advantageously formed by means of such a feed module and one or more distribution modules plugged into the feed module.

[0007] In terms of production, advantages result from the use of identical components in the distribution modules and reduced warehouse management for different variants of the distribution terminal block, as is required in non-modular distribution terminal blocks according to the prior art. Advantageously, a distribution terminal block according to the invention can be provided that is fully compatible with conventional distribution terminal blocks in terms of electrical connection values. In particular, the entire rated current fed into the busbar arrangement via the feed module can be directed to the last distribution module.

[0008] The distribution terminal block is used to distribute the electrical signal or electrical energy fed into the distribution terminal block via the electrical line to a plurality of electrical lines also arranged at the distribution terminal block, and the electrical line usually has a smaller cross-section than the electrical line that transmits the electrical signal or electrical energy. In the distribution terminal block according to the present invention, the electrical line that plays a transmission role is connected to the feed module, and the electrical wire with a small cross-section that continues to guide the transmitted electrical energy or signal is connected to the spring force clamping terminal of the distribution module. Here, the feed module can be plugged into the first distribution module of the distribution block in the same way as the distribution modules can be plugged together. The same plug connection technology can be used.

[0009] The feed module can in particular have only one first spring force clamping terminal. The distribution modules can be designed identically or differently. The distribution module can, for example, have one spring force clamping terminal or two spring force clamping terminals symmetrically arranged relative to the center plane of the distribution module. The distribution module can also have a number of spring force clamping terminals greater than two. For example, in the arrangement direction of the distribution modules, one, two or more spring force clamping terminals can be present side by side in a distribution module. In particular, the system can include distribution modules having housing sections of different widths in the arrangement direction. It is also conceivable that the system contains only one type of distribution modules that are all designed identically.

[0010] The spring force clamping terminal can, for example, have a clamping spring or be designed as such a clamping spring. The clamping spring can, for example, be hung on the busbar section of the corresponding module, i.e., the feed module or the distribution module, for example, in an opening of the busbar section. The busbar section of the distribution module can also have a type of clamping cage to accommodate one or more clamping springs of the spring force clamping terminal, or be designed integrally with such a clamping cage.

[0011] For example, different from other types of terminal blocks, the power distribution terminal block is characterized by a block-shaped, substantially prismatic housing. On the connection side of the housing, the housing shape can be designed slightly differently from the pure prismatic shape, for example, in a trapezoidal shape in a side view.

[0012] According to an advantageous design of the present invention, the terminal contact is configured as a contact strip or a contact blade. Such a contact strip is suitable for transmitting large currents with low transition resistance. In addition, such a terminal contact can be manufactured simply and cost-effectively, in particular by means of conventional manufacturing processes.

[0013] According to an advantageous design of the present invention, the terminal module has at least one connection contact, which is configured as a counterpart to the at least one protruding connection contact, and the connection contact of the adjacent terminal module can be plugged together with the connection contact according to the type of plug connection, wherein the connection contact is connected to the busbar section of the terminal module. Similar to an electrical plug connector, the terminal modules can be simply plugged together in the described manner, wherein when plugged together, electrical contact is automatically established between the busbar sections.

[0014] According to an advantageous design of the present invention, at least one connecting contact is formed integrally with the busbar section of the corresponding power distribution module. As a result, the manufacture and installation of the power distribution module are simplified and correspondingly designed cost-effectively. In addition, the current carrying capacity can be further improved and the transition resistance can be minimized by this one-piece design.

[0015] The connecting contact can be designed, for example, as a surface section of a busbar section of the terminal module.

[0016] According to an advantageous design of the present invention, the power distribution module has a busbar section which is at least mostly arranged in a housing section of the power distribution module, and the busbar section forms a part of the busbar arrangement of the connecting terminal to be formed by the terminal module. As a result, the terminal module is also modularly constructed in terms of the current transmission component, i.e., the busbar arrangement.

[0017] According to an advantageous design of the present invention, at least one connection contact extending from the housing section is formed integrally with the busbar section arranged in the housing section. As a result, the manufacture and installation of the power distribution module are simplified and correspondingly designed cost-effectively. In addition, the current carrying capacity can be further improved and the transition resistance can be minimized by this one-piece design.

[0018] According to an advantageous design of the present invention, the busbar sections of adjacent terminal modules are electrically contacted with each other, in that the terminal module has at least one connection end contact extending from the housing section at the first housing side of its housing section, and has at least one connection opening at the second housing side of its housing section opposite to the first housing side, through which the connection end contact of another terminal module plugged into the terminal module can be plugged and electrically contacted with the busbar section of the terminal module. This allows the terminal modules to be simply plugged together laterally to form a connection terminal according to the type of plug-in system.

[0019] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the terminal contact is formed integrally with the connection contact. This simplifies the manufacture of the terminal module and its installation and accordingly makes it cost-effective. In addition, the current carrying capacity can be further improved and the transition resistance can be minimized by means of this one-piece design. The one-piece design also improves safety, since the elements cannot be accidentally separated from one another.

[0020] According to an advantageous design of the present invention, the connection end contact together with the connection contact constitutes a first S-shaped contact unit. Such an S-shaped contact unit can be well integrated into the structure of a terminal block plugged together by a plurality of terminal modules. The first S-shaped contact unit can be formed in particular such that the connection end contact extends in a first spatial plane and the connection contact extends in a second spatial plane spaced apart from the first spatial plane, wherein the connection end contact is connected to the connection contact via a connection section, wherein the connection section constitutes a shoulder of the S-shaped contact unit thus formed.

[0021] According to an advantageous design of the present invention, a contact spring is provided at the corresponding connection contact portion, by which the connection end contact portion plugged into the connection contact portion can be pressed against the connection contact portion. Such a contact spring can establish a safe contact and, in particular, can generate a sufficient contact force.

[0022] The contact spring can be a spring other than the clamping spring of the spring force clamping terminal, which is specifically used for contact between the connection end contact and the connection contact. Alternatively, the clamping spring of the distribution module can also be used as a contact spring to press the connection end contact against the connection contact, and the contact spring also has the function of a clamping spring of the spring force clamping terminal of the distribution module.

[0023] According to an advantageous design of the present invention, the contact spring has a first spring leg, a spring bow connected to the first spring leg, and a second spring leg connected to the spring bow, wherein the connection contact is arranged between the first spring leg and the second spring leg. In this way, the contact spring can be supported on the connection contact by means of one spring leg and on the inserted connection contact by means of the other spring leg. The contact spring can be permanently fastened to the connection contact, for example, can be fixedly clamped on the connection contact as a prestressed spring by means of its spring force.

[0024] According to an advantageous embodiment of the present invention, the contact spring is designed mirror-symmetrically with respect to a symmetry plane extending between the first spring leg and the second spring leg. In this way, a contact spring of compact design with a high spring force can be provided.

[0025] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the clamping spring is designed in an omega-shaped manner in a side view. This shape makes it possible to achieve high spring forces with a relatively small structural shape of the contact spring. The omega-shaped design of the contact spring can be designed in particular such that the first spring leg and the second spring leg, starting from the spring bow, first extend toward each other and bend away from each other again toward the free end, so that an introduction funnel is formed in the longitudinal direction of the contact spring toward the free end of the spring leg.

[0026] According to an advantageous design of the present invention, the contact spring has a window-like opening, through which the connection end contact and / or the connection contact can be plugged in. This enables a particularly compact arrangement of the connection end contact, the connection contact connected thereto, and the contact spring. In this way, a miniaturized terminal module of a compact structure can be provided and correspondingly, a miniaturized connection terminal can be formed by plugging them together.

[0027] According to an advantageous design of the present invention, the terminal module has at least one bridge as an additional separate component, which extends from the busbar section of the terminal module and from the housing section of the terminal module, and can be connected to the busbar section of the adjacent terminal module plugged into the terminal module. This can further improve the plug connection between adjacent terminal modules. For example, the current carrying capacity can be increased by such a bridge, because the conductor cross section present for conducting the current is increased. In particular, the relatively high feed current in the distribution terminal block can be well conducted to the individual distribution modules in this way.

[0028] According to an advantageous design of the present invention, the bridge piece can be connected to the connection contact of the terminal module on one side and to the connection contact of the adjacent terminal module on the other side. It is feasible that the connection contact of the terminal module can be arranged between two contact sections of different bridge pieces.

[0029] The bridge can in particular have a first contact section, which is connected to the second contact section via a connecting section. The first contact section can extend in a first spatial plane, and the second contact section can extend in a second spatial plane spaced apart from the first spatial plane. A shoulder is formed between the first contact section and the second contact section via the connecting section. In particular, the bridge can be formed as a second S-shaped contact unit.

[0030] The objects mentioned at the outset are also achieved by a modularly constructed connecting terminal, which is composed of a plurality of terminal modules of the type explained above, which are plugged together, wherein housing sections of the terminal modules form the housing of the connecting terminal, and wherein busbar sections of a terminal module are connected to busbar sections of adjacent terminal modules via plug connections, thereby forming a busbar arrangement of the connecting terminal. The advantages explained above can also be achieved thereby.

[0031] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the plug connection has at least one connection contact of a terminal module and a connection contact of an adjacent terminal module.

[0032] The connecting terminal can be configured, for example, in the form of a distribution terminal block, which has a housing and a spring force clamping terminal for connecting an electrical conductor, the housing having a plurality of conductor introduction openings, the spring force clamping terminal being arranged in the housing and being accessible via the conductor introduction openings, wherein at least one first spring force clamping terminal is configured for connecting an electrical conductor with a large cross-section, via which an electrical signal can be fed into the connecting terminal, and there are a plurality of second spring force clamping terminals, which are configured for connecting an electrical conductor with a small cross-section, the conductor cross-section of the electrical conductor with a small cross-section being significantly smaller than the conductor cross-section of the electrical conductor with a large cross-section, wherein the first spring force clamping terminal and the second spring force clamping terminal are conductively connected to each other via a busbar device. The connecting terminal can be constructed in a modular manner, in which the connecting terminal has at least one feed module and a plurality of distribution modules plugged together to form a distribution block, the feed module including at least one first spring force clamping terminal, at least one second spring force clamping terminal is respectively provided in the plurality of distribution modules, wherein the feed module and each distribution module respectively have their own housing sections, wherein the housing of the connecting terminal is formed by the housing section of the feed module and the housing section of the distribution modules plugged together. The terminal module described above can be used as the distribution module.

[0033] According to an advantageous design of the present invention, the plug connection comprises at least one contact section of the bridge, which is arranged between the connection end contact and the connection contact. For example, a first contact section of the bridge can be arranged between the connection end contact and the connection contact of a terminal module, and a second contact section of the same bridge can be arranged behind the connection end contact of the first-mentioned terminal module in an adjacent terminal module, when viewed from the connection contact of the terminal module.

[0034] According to an advantageous design of the present invention, the first and / or second S-shaped contact unit is arranged substantially parallel to the wire introduction side of the terminal, at which the wire introduction opening of the terminal is arranged. In this way, a compact plug connection between terminal modules can be achieved, in particular by means of the horizontally arranged S-shaped contact unit.

[0035] In summary, the following advantages can be achieved in particular by means of the present invention:

[0036] - Free configurability of the terminal blocks,

[0037] - increase the current carrying capacity of the busbar arrangement by means of additional bridges,

[0038] -Manufacture the individual components using traditional manufacturing processes,

[0039] The distribution modules are simply and logically arranged and plugged together to form a distribution block, and plugged together with the feed modules to form a complete distribution terminal block.

[0040] For the purposes of the present invention, the indefinite article "a" is not to be understood as a numeral. That is, if, for example, "a component" is mentioned, this is to be interpreted in the sense of "at least one component". Whenever an angle is specified in degrees, it relates to a circle size of 360 degrees (360°). BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0041] The present invention will be described in detail below based on embodiments using the accompanying drawings.

[0042] The accompanying drawings show:

[0043] Figure 1 A modularly constructed connecting terminal in the form of a power distribution terminal block is shown in a perspective view.

[0044] Figure 2 Shown in a stereoscopic view according to Figure 1 The busbar device of the terminal block,

[0045] Figure 3 The contact spring is shown in a perspective view,

[0046] Figure 4 In another perspective view, the Figure 2 The busbar device,

[0047] Figure 5 A further embodiment of a busbar arrangement of a connecting terminal is shown in a perspective view. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0048] Figure 1 A connection terminal 1 in the form of a distribution terminal block can be seen. The connection terminal 1 has a modular structure with a plurality of terminal modules 11, 12, namely a feed module 11 and a plurality of distribution modules 12. The distribution modules 12 are plugged together to form a distribution block. The distribution block is plugged together with the feed module 11. The feed module 11 has a housing section 21. The distribution modules 12 each have a housing section 22. The plugged together housing sections 21, 22 of the mentioned modules form a block-shaped housing 2 of the connection terminal 1.

[0049] It can also be seen that the housing segment 21 has a relatively large wire introduction opening L1 for accommodating electrical conductors with large cross-sections. The housing segments 22 of the distribution module 12 each have two wire introduction openings L2, which are smaller than the wire introduction openings L1 and are configured to accommodate electrical conductors with small cross-sections. The wire introduction openings L1, L2 are arranged at the wire introduction side 23 of the housing 2. Each of the wire introduction openings L1, L2 is associated with a spring force clamping terminal arranged in the corresponding housing segment 21, 22. For each spring force clamping terminal, the housing segments 21, 22 each have an associated actuation opening 5, through which the spring force clamping terminal can be actuated by means of a tool or an actuation element fixedly arranged at the terminal, such as an actuation press. In addition, a busbar segment is arranged in each of the housing segments 21, 22, wherein in Figure 1 Only the busbar section 32 of the last distribution module 32 arranged in series can be seen in FIG. Furthermore, the housing sections 21 , 22 each have at least one connection opening 24 , via which electrical contact can be made with adjacent terminal modules 11 , 12 .

[0050] Figures 2 to 4 Indicate according to Figure 1An advantageous embodiment of a busbar arrangement 3 of a connecting terminal 1 of FIG. 1 is shown. It can be seen that the busbar arrangement 3 has a busbar section 31 of the feed module 11 and three busbar sections 32 of the corresponding distribution modules 12. The busbar sections 31, 32 have an opening 6 for each spring force clamping terminal, through which the electrical conductor to be clamped can be guided. In this area, the clamping spring for fixing the clamped electrical conductor is also provided as part of the spring force clamping terminal, which can be carried out in a known manner and is therefore shown here for a better overview. Figures 2 to 4 Not shown in FIG.

[0051] It can be seen that the busbar sections 32 of the distribution module 12 are connected to each other and electrically contacted by a connection contact 34 from one busbar section to the next busbar section. In addition, the electrical contact with the busbar section 31 of the feed module 11 is established via the connection contact 34 of the last busbar section 32. The connection contact 34 can be formed integrally with the material of the corresponding busbar section 32 and protrude from it in the manner of a connecting piece or a blade contact.

[0052] In the illustrated embodiment, the busbar sections 32 of the distribution module 12 and also the busbar sections 31 of the feed module 11 have connection contacts 33, which serve as counterparts to the connection contacts 34 and can each be electrically contacted with the connection contacts 34. Each connection contact 34 is connected to the connection contacts 33. The connection contacts 33 can also be formed integrally with the material of the respective busbar sections 31, 32 and can be formed, for example, by a flat central region of the respective busbar sections 31, 32.

[0053] In order to ensure a reliable electrical contact between the connection contacts 34 and the connection contacts 33, a clamping spring 7 is provided for each of the connection portions. The clamping spring 7 has a first spring leg 71 and a second spring leg 72. The spring legs 71, 72 are connected to each other via a spring bow 70. The respective connection contact 33 with its connection contact 34 connected thereto is arranged between the spring legs 71, 72, so that the respective connection contact 34 is pressed against the connection contact 33 via the spring legs 71, 72. Only in the last busbar section 32 viewed from the busbar section 31 is no connection contact 34 inserted.

[0054] In this case, the contact springs 7 each have a window-like opening 73 which extends on the spring bow 70 into the first and second spring legs 71, 72. In a side view, the contact spring 7 is designed essentially in the shape of an omega.

[0055] In the exemplary embodiment shown, additional bridges 8 are used to increase the current carrying capacity, which extend from the busbar section 32 to the adjacent busbar section 32 or 31. The bridges 8 each have a first contact section 81, a connecting section 83 and a second contact section 82, which is connected to the first contact section 81 via the connecting section 83.

[0056] The first and second contact sections 81, 82 are arranged in different spatial planes by forming an offset or step by the connecting section 83. As a result, the bridge 8 is S-shaped in a side view. The bridge 8 can be made of a highly conductive material, for example copper or a copper alloy.

[0057] In the embodiment shown, the connection contact 34 in the adjacent busbar section 32 does not directly contact its connection contact 33, but contacts via a corresponding first contact section 81 of the bridge 8, which is arranged between the connection contact 33 and the connection contact 34. The contact spring 7 here extends over the entire arrangement, i.e. the contact spring 7 rests on the upper side of the busbar section 32 and on the lower side of the second contact section 82 of the bridge 8. Thus, the corresponding bridge 8 extends in an S-shaped manner from one busbar section to the next. The S-shaped bridge 8 is arranged horizontally here, i.e. essentially parallel to the connection side 23.

[0058] Only at the busbar section 31 of the supply module 11 does the connection contact 34 of the adjacent busbar section 32 rest directly on the connection contact 33 .

[0059] according to Figures 2 to 4 Alternatively, the busbar arrangement can also be realized without the bridge 8. In this case, the corresponding terminal contact 34 rests directly on the connecting contact 33 of the other busbar section.

[0060] Figure 5 An embodiment of a busbar arrangement 3 is shown in which the corresponding connecting contact 33 is integrally formed on the busbar section 32 and is additionally integrally formed via a connecting section 35 with a connecting contact 34 integrally formed thereon. Figure 5In the embodiment shown in the figure, a bridge 8 is used, but an implementation without a bridge 8 is also possible. In the absence of a bridge 8, the connecting contact 33 always directly abuts against the connecting end contact 34 of the adjacent busbar section 32, otherwise, a corresponding contact section of the bridge 8 is arranged between them. An S-shaped contact unit is formed by such a connecting contact 33 together with the connecting end contact 34 molded thereon, which is arranged parallel to the wiring side 23 of the housing 2. Here, the contact spring 7 can also be used to increase the contact force, in which case the contact spring directly presses the connecting contact 33 and the connecting end contact 34 together.

[0061] Reference numerals list

[0062] 1 Terminal block

[0063] 2 Housing

[0064] 3 Busbar device

[0065] 5 Manipulation opening

[0066] 6 Busbar opening

[0067] 7 Contact spring

[0068] 8 Bridge

[0069] 12 Power distribution module

[0070] 21 Housing section of the feed module

[0071] 22 Housing section of power distribution module

[0072] 23 Wire introduction side

[0073] 24 connection openings

[0074] 31 Busbar section of the feed module

[0075] 32 Busbar section of the power distribution module

[0076] 33 connection contact part

[0077] 34 connection terminal contact part

[0078] 35 connection section

[0079] 70 Spring Bow

[0080] 71 first spring leg

[0081] 72 second spring leg

[0082] 73 Window opening

[0083] 81 first contact section

[0084] 82 second contact section

[0085] 83 connecting section of the bridge

[0086] AArrangement direction

[0087] L1 wire entry opening

[0088] L2 wire entry opening

Claims

1. A terminal module (11, 12), the terminal module being used to form a modular connection terminal (1) formed by a plurality of terminal modules (11, 12) joined to each other, wherein the terminal module (11, 12) comprises a housing section (21, 22), at least one busbar section (31, 32) arranged in the housing section (21, 22), and one or more spring force clamping terminals arranged in the housing section (21, 22), the spring force clamping terminals being used to connect electrical conductors by means of a spring force clamping device, wherein the terminal module The terminal module (11, 12) has at least one connection end contact portion (34) extending from the housing segment (21, 22) on a first housing side of its housing segment (21, 22), and has a connection opening (24) on a second housing side of the housing segment (21, 22) opposite to the first housing side, wherein the connection end contact portion (34) of an adjacent terminal module (11, 12) plugged into the terminal module can be plugged through the connection opening and can be electrically contacted with the busbar segment (31, 32) of the terminal module (11, 12).

2. The terminal module according to claim 1, characterized in that: The terminal contact portion (34) is designed as a contact strip or a contact blade.

3. The terminal module according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that: The terminal module (11, 12) has at least one connecting contact (33), which is configured as a counterpart to at least one protruding connecting end contact (34), and the connecting end contact (34) of adjacent terminal modules (11, 12) can be plugged together with the connecting contact according to the type of plug-in connection, wherein the connecting contact (33) is connected to the busbar section (31, 32) of the terminal module (11, 12).

4. The terminal module according to claim 3, characterized in that: The terminal contact (34) is formed integrally with the connecting contact (33).

5. The terminal module according to claim 4, characterized in that: The connection end contact portion (34) and the connection contact portion (33) together form a first S-shaped contact unit.

6. The terminal module according to claim 5, characterized in that: The connection contact (34) extends in a first spatial plane and the connection contact (33) extends in a second spatial plane spaced apart from the first spatial plane, wherein the connection contact (34) is connected to the connection contact (33) via a connection section (35), wherein the connection section (35) forms a shoulder of the S-shaped contact unit formed thereby.

7. The terminal module according to any one of claims 3 to 6, characterized in that: A contact spring (7) is provided at the corresponding connection contact portion (33), and a connection end contact portion (34) plugged into the connection contact portion (33) can be pressed against the connection contact portion (33) by means of the contact spring.

8. The terminal module according to claim 7, characterized in that: The contact spring (7) has a window-like opening (73) through which the terminal contact portion (34) and / or the connecting contact portion (33) can be plugged.

9. The terminal module according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that: The terminal module (11, 12) has at least one bridge (8) as an additional separate component, which extends from a busbar section (31, 32) of the terminal module (11, 12) out of a housing section (21, 22) of the terminal module (11, 12) and can be connected to a busbar section (31, 32) of an adjacent terminal module (11, 12) plugged onto the terminal module.

10. The terminal module according to claim 9, characterized in that: The bridge (8) can be connected to a connection contact (34) of a terminal module (11, 12) on one side and to a connection contact (33) of an adjacent terminal module (11, 12) on the other side.

11. The terminal module according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that: The bridge piece (8) is configured as a second S-shaped contact unit.

12. A modularly constructed terminal block (1), which is composed of a plurality of terminal modules (11, 12) according to any one of the preceding claims which are plugged into one another, wherein the housing sections (21, 22) of the terminal modules (11, 12) constitute the housing (2) of the terminal block (1), and wherein the busbar sections (31, 32) of the terminal modules (11, 12) are connected to the busbar sections (31, 32) of adjacent terminal modules (11, 12) via plug-in connections.

13. The connection terminal according to claim 12, characterized in that: The plug connection has at least one connection contact (34) of a terminal module (11, 12) and a connection contact (33) of an adjacent terminal module (11, 12).

14. The connection terminal according to claim 13, characterized in that: The plug connection comprises at least one contact section (81, 82) of a bridge (8), which is arranged between the terminal contact (34) and the connection contact (33).

15. The connecting terminal according to any one of claims 12 to 14, characterized in that: The first and / or second S-shaped contact unit is arranged substantially parallel to a wire introduction side (23) of the connecting terminal (1), and a wire introduction opening (L1, L2) of the connecting terminal (1) is arranged on the wire introduction side.

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