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 terminals are used to connect electrical conductors by means of a spring force clamping device, wherein the terminal module has at least one first connection end opening at a first housing side of its housing section, and has at least one second connection end opening on a second housing side of the housing section opposite to the first housing side, through which the busbar section of the terminal module can be electrically contacted by means of a connection end contact, and the connection end contact is connected to the busbar section of the adjacent terminal module plugged thereon. With this terminal module, the terminal block can be constructed completely modularly and correspondingly freely configured according to the user's wishes. 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. It can be freely selected: 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 terminal modules of different configurations can be provided, which system has, for example: a feed module configured for connecting electrical conductors of large cross-sections, via which electrical signals can be fed into the connection terminals; and a distribution module configured for connecting electrical conductors of small cross-sections, the conductor cross-section of which is significantly smaller than the conductor cross-section of the electrical conductors of large cross-sections. 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 suspended on a busbar section of the corresponding module, i.e., a feed module or a 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 in one piece 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] In this case, the first connection opening and the second connection opening of the housing section can be arranged in particular in alignment with each other or at least partially overlapping in the arrangement direction of the terminal modules. In this way, in the case of adjacent terminal modules plugged into each other, the connection contact can be electrically conductively connected to the busbar sections of the two terminal modules and protrude through the first connection opening of one terminal module and the second connection opening of the other terminal module directly adjacent thereto. In this way, in principle, any number of terminal modules can be arranged side by side in the arrangement direction and mechanically and electrically connected to each other via the connection contact.

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

[0014] In this case, the connection contacts can be selectively formed integrally with the busbar section of the terminal module or designed as a separate component which is only used when required. If the connection contacts are formed integrally with the busbar section, the terminal module is characterized in that at least one connection contact protrudes from the housing section at a first housing side of the housing section of the terminal module. If the connection contacts are designed as separate components, they only protrude noticeably from the housing section when they are attached to the housing section.

[0015] The use of connection contacts designed as separate components has the advantage that they can be dimensioned in a manner adapted to the current to be conducted. Such connection contacts can be manufactured simply and cost-effectively. Slight movements in the mechanical system can be compensated by the flexible connection within the scope of the plug connection. For example, different terminal modules in a series arrangement of a plurality of terminal modules can be connected to one another by means of differently dimensioned connection contacts, for example by using connection contacts of a larger cross section in the case of high currents, for example currents from the feed module, and using connection contacts of a smaller cross section for lower currents.

[0016] According to an advantageous design of the present invention, the terminal module has at least one second connection contact configured as a counterpart to a second contact section of at least one connection contact, and the second contact section of the connection contact of the terminal module can be plugged together with the second connection contact according to the type of plug-in connection, wherein the second connection contact is connected to the busbar section of its terminal module. In the embodiment, the terminal module is particularly suitable for a connection contact configured as a separate component. Therefore, the connection contact can be connected to an adjacent terminal module on both sides, i.e., at the first contact section and the second contact section, according to the type of plug-in connector.

[0017] According to an advantageous design of the present invention, the first contact section and / or the second contact section of at least one 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.

[0018] According to an advantageous design of the present invention, the first connecting contact and / or the second connecting contact are formed integrally with the busbar section of the corresponding terminal module. As a result, the manufacture and installation of the terminal 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.

[0019] The first terminal contact and / or the second terminal contact can be designed, for example, as a surface section of a busbar section of the terminal module.

[0020] According to an advantageous design of the present invention, a contact spring is provided at the first connection contact portion and / or the second 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.

[0021] The contact spring can be a spring added to the clamping spring of the spring force clamping terminal, and the spring is specifically used for contact between the connection end contact and the first connection contact and / or the second connection contact. Alternatively, the clamping spring of the distribution module can also be used as a contact spring for pressing the connection end contact onto the first connection contact and / or the second connection contact, and the contact spring also has the function of a clamping spring of the spring force clamping terminal of the distribution module.

[0022] 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 first connection contact portion and / or the second connection contact portion are arranged outside the area surrounded by the first spring leg and the second spring leg. For example, the contact spring can be arranged between the first connection contact portion and the second connection contact portion, and press the corresponding contact section of the connection end contact portion against the corresponding, associated connection contact portion by means of pressure. In this way, the contact spring can be supported at the first contact section of the connection end contact portion by means of one spring leg and at the second contact section of the other connection end contact portion by means of another spring leg. The contact spring can be permanently fastened to the first connection contact portion and / or the second connection contact portion, for example, it can be fixedly clamped on the first connection contact portion and / or the second connection contact portion as a preloaded spring by means of its spring force.

[0023] According to an advantageous embodiment of the present invention, the contact spring is designed mirror-symmetrically 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 large spring force can be provided.

[0024] According to an advantageous design of the present invention, the terminal contact is formed integrally with the first connection contact or the second connection contact. As a result, the manufacture of the terminal module and its installation are simplified and designed accordingly cost-effectively. In addition, the current carrying capacity can be further improved and the transition resistance can be minimized by this one-piece design. The one-piece design also improves safety because the elements cannot be accidentally separated from each other.

[0025] According to an advantageous design of the present invention, the connection end contact is configured as an 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 S-shaped contact unit can be formed in particular such that a first contact section of the connection end contact extends in a first spatial plane, and a second contact section of the connection end contact extends in a second spatial plane spaced apart from the first spatial plane, wherein the first contact section is connected to the second contact section via a connecting section, wherein the connecting section constitutes a shoulder of the S-shaped contact unit thus formed.

[0026] The objects mentioned at the outset are also achieved by a modularly designed connecting terminal, which is composed of a plurality of terminal modules of the type described above that 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 described above can also be achieved thereby.

[0027] 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 wire introduction openings, the spring force clamping terminal being arranged in the housing and accessible via the wire 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 wire cross-section of the electrical conductor with a small cross-section being significantly smaller than the wire 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 includes the 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 plugged distribution modules. The terminal module described above can be used as a feed module and / or a distribution module.

[0028] According to an advantageous design of the present invention, at least one connection terminal contact portion extends through at least one first connection terminal opening of a terminal module and through at least one second connection terminal opening of an adjacent terminal module. All terminal modules of the terminal block can be electrically connected to each other in the manner described, in that adjacent terminal modules are connected to each other via at least one connection terminal contact portion.

[0029] According to an advantageous design of the present invention, the first contact section and / or the second contact section of at least one connection end contact is arranged substantially parallel to the wire insertion direction of the electrical wire into the connection terminal, in which the electrical wire can be introduced through the wire insertion opening of the connection terminal. In this way, a compact plug connection between terminal modules can be realized by means of the connection end contact, in particular by means of a vertically arranged S-shaped contact unit.

[0030] According to an advantageous design of the present invention, at least two of the adjacent terminal modules plugged together are connected to each other by at least two connection end contacts, in particular by symmetrically arranged connection end contacts. By at least two of such electrical connections by means of connection end contacts, the current carrying capacity of the busbar device formed by the individual busbar sections can be increased. In addition, redundancy is generated in the electrical contact between adjacent terminal modules, which improves the reliability and safety of the terminal block. The connection end contacts can be symmetrically arranged in particular in the following manner: the connection end contacts are arranged mirror-symmetrically with the center plane of the terminal block extending in the arrangement direction. At least two connection end contacts can extend through the same first connection end opening and / or second connection end opening in the housing section, or through corresponding separate first connection end openings and / or second connection end openings.

[0031] In summary, the following advantages can be achieved in particular by means of the present invention:

[0032] - Free configurability of the terminal blocks,

[0033] - an increased current-carrying capacity of the busbar arrangement due to the additional bridges,

[0034] -Manufacture the individual components using traditional manufacturing processes,

[0035] 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.

[0036] For the purposes of the present invention, the indefinite article "a" is not to be understood as a numeral. That is to say, for example, if 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

[0037] The present invention will be described in detail below based on embodiments using the accompanying drawings.

[0038] The accompanying drawings show:

[0039] Figure 1 A modularly constructed connecting terminal in the form of a power distribution terminal block is shown in a perspective view.

[0040] Figure 2 Shown in a stereoscopic view according to Figure 1 The busbar device of the terminal block,

[0041] Figure 3 A further embodiment of a busbar arrangement of a connecting terminal is shown in a perspective view.

[0042] Figure 4 The base with the closing plate is shown in a perspective view Figure 1 The terminal blocks of the power distribution block. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0043] 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, that is, a feed module 11 and a plurality of distribution modules 12. The terminal modules 11, 12 are arranged one to another in an arrangement direction A. 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 modules mentioned form a block-shaped housing 2 of the connection terminal 1.

[0044] It can also be seen that the housing section 21 has a relatively large wire introduction opening L1 to accommodate electrical wires with large cross-sections. The housing sections 22 of the power 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 wires with small cross-sections. The wire introduction openings L1 and L2 are arranged at the wire introduction side 23 of the housing 2. Each of the wire introduction openings L1 and L2 is associated with a spring force clamping terminal arranged in the corresponding housing sections 21 and 22. The electrical wire is introduced into the housing 2 at the wire introduction side 23 in the wire introduction direction L and is guided to the spring force clamping terminal, and the electrical wire is fixedly clamped at the spring force clamping terminal by means of spring force.

[0045] For each spring-force clamping terminal, the housing sections 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, such as an actuation lever, which is fixedly arranged on the terminal. In addition, a busbar section is arranged in each of the housing sections 21, 22, wherein in Figure 1 Only the busbar section 32 of the last distribution module 32 arranged in series can be seen.

[0046] The housing sections 21, 22 each have a first housing side 25 and a second housing side 26 facing away from the first housing side. Thus, in the case of directly adjacent terminal modules 11, 12 plugged onto one another, the first housing side 25 of one terminal module always rests against the second housing side 26 of the adjacent terminal module. The first housing side 25 has at least one first connection opening 24, and the second housing side 26 has at least one second connection opening 27 (in Figure 4 can be seen in ).

[0047] Figure 2 Indicate according to Figure 1 The busbar arrangement 3 of the connecting terminal is an advantageous embodiment of the present invention. 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 module 12. The busbar section 31 of the feed module 11 is Figure 1 The busbar section 32 is located in the housing section 21. Figure 1 In the corresponding housing section 22. The busbar sections 31, 32 are provided with corresponding clamping springs 4 as spring force clamping terminals, through which the electrical conductor to be clamped can be fixedly clamped at the clamping location on the corresponding busbar sections 31, 32.

[0048] like Figure 2 As shown, adjacent busbar sections 31, 32 are connected to each other via connection contacts 34, so that adjacent busbar sections 31, 32 are electrically contacted to each other. The connection contacts 34 can be formed in different ways. Figure 2 , a substantially S-shaped design of the terminal contact 34 is shown. The terminal contact 34 has a first contact section 81, to which a connecting section 83 is connected. A second contact section 82 is connected to the connecting section 83. The first contact section 81 is electrically connected to the first connecting contact 33 of the busbar sections 31, 32, and the second contact section 82 of the same terminal contact 34 is electrically connected to the second connecting contact 35 of the adjacent busbar sections 31, 32. Here, for example, the respective contact sections 81, 82 can be pressed against the respective connecting contacts 33, 35 by the clamping spring 4 which is generally present for the spring force clamping of the electrical conductor.

[0049] For example, the clamping spring 4 can have a clamping leg for fixing the clamped electrical conductor, a spring bow following the clamping leg and a contact leg following the spring bow, the contact leg for supporting the clamping spring 4 against the clamping force applied by the clamping leg. Via the contact leg, which can be in contact with the corresponding contact section 81, 82 of the terminal contact 34, the contact section can be pressed against the associated terminal contact 33, 35.

[0050] It can be seen that the busbar sections 32 of the distribution module 12 are connected to each other and electrically contacted by the connection end 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 end contact 34 of the last busbar section 32. The connection end contact 34 can be formed integrally with the material of the corresponding busbar section 32 or, as shown, can be formed as a separate component.

[0051] according to Figure 3The busbar device 3 is connected to the Figure 2 31 , 32, with the difference that the contact sections 81, 82 of the terminal contact 34 are pressed against the respective connecting contact 33, 35 not by the clamping spring 4 but by an additional component in the form of a contact spring 7. Such a contact spring 7 can be arranged between the first connecting contact 33 and the second connecting contact 35 of the respective busbar section 31, 32, respectively. The contact spring 7 then presses the respective first contact section 81 of the terminal contact 34 against the first connecting contact 33 and the second contact section 82 of the other terminal contact 34 against the second connecting contact 35 of the same busbar section 31, 32 with its respective spring legs 71, 72. Only in the first terminal module and the last terminal module arranged in series does the contact spring 7 not bring about such a clamping on both sides, but only clamps the respectively existing contact sections 81, 82 against the associated connecting contact 33, 35.

[0052] It is feasible that, if Figure 1 As can be seen in FIG. 1 , the housing sections 21, 22 of the terminal module are designed to be partially open on the first housing side 25, i.e., there is no housing wall which largely closes the housing sections 21, 22. This provides a relatively large first connection opening 24. In this way, structural space is saved, so that the terminal block can be designed relatively compactly. In order to close the open first housing side 25 of the last terminal module 12, the closing plate 8 can be arranged there and coupled to the housing module 22, as shown in FIG. Figure 4 For example, the closing plate 8 can have a protruding pin 80, which is formed similarly to the connection contact 34 protruding from the housing module 22. The pin 80 can then be connected to the connection contact 33 of the busbar section 32 of the last distribution module 12 via the clamping spring 7 similarly to the connection contact 34.

[0053] like Figure 4 It is also indicated that adjacent terminal modules 11, 12 can also be electrically connected to each other via more than one connection contact 34, for example via two connection contacts 34 in each case. The connection contacts 34 can be guided through their own second connection openings 27, which are specifically associated with them, at the second housing side 26. It is also possible to guide a plurality of connection contacts 34 through a common second connection opening 27. In this case, the first contact sections 81 of the respective connection contacts 34 can, for example, respectively protrude from the housing sections 12, 22.

[0054] Reference numerals list

[0055] 1 Terminal block

[0056] 2 Housing

[0057] 3 Busbar device

[0058] 4 Clamping spring

[0059] 5 Manipulation opening

[0060] 7 Contact spring

[0061] 8 Closed plate

[0062] 11 Feed module

[0063] 12 Power distribution module

[0064] 21 Housing section of the feed module

[0065] 22 Housing section of power distribution module

[0066] 23 Wire introduction side

[0067] 24 first connection end opening

[0068] 25 first housing side

[0069] 26 Second housing side

[0070] 27 second connection end opening

[0071] 31 Busbar section of the feed module

[0072] 32 Busbar section of the power distribution module

[0073] 33 first connection contact portion

[0074] 34 connection terminal contact part

[0075] 35 second connection contact portion

[0076] 70 Spring Bow

[0077] 71 first spring leg

[0078] 72 second spring leg

[0079] 80 pins

[0080] 81 first contact section

[0081] 82 second contact section

[0082] 83 connecting section of the connecting terminal contact portion

[0083] A Arrangement direction

[0084] L Wire introduction direction

[0085] L1 wire entry opening

[0086] L2 wire entry opening

Claims

1. A terminal module (11, 12), wherein a plurality of the terminal modules joined to each other can form a modular connecting terminal (1), 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 (11, 12) has a housing section (21, 22) at least one busbar section (31, 32) arranged in the housing section (21, 22) ) has at least one first connection end opening (24) on a first housing side (25) of the terminal module (11, 12), and has at least one second connection end opening (27) on a second housing side (26) of the housing section (21, 22) opposite to the first housing side (25), through which the busbar section (31, 32) of the terminal module (11, 12) can be electrically contacted by means of a connection end contact portion (34), and the connection end contact portion (34) is connected to the busbar section (31, 32) of the adjacent terminal module (11, 12) plugged thereon.

2. The terminal module according to claim 1, characterized in that: The terminal module (11, 12) has at least one first connecting contact (33) which is configured as a counterpart to a first contact section (81) of at least one of the connecting end contacts (34), the first contact sections (81) of adjacent terminal modules (11, 12) being pluggable together with the first connecting contact (33) according to the type of plug-in connection, wherein the first connecting contact (33) is connected to the busbar sections (31, 32).

3. The terminal module according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that: The terminal module (11, 12) has at least one second connecting contact (35) which is designed as a counterpart to a second contact section (82) of at least one connecting end contact (34), wherein the second contact section (82) can be plugged together with the second connecting contact (35) in accordance with the type of plug-in connection, wherein the second connecting contact (35) is connected to the busbar section (31, 32).

4. The terminal module according to any one of claims 2 to 3, characterized in that: A contact spring (7) is provided at the first connection contact portion and / or the second connection contact portion (33, 35), and a connection end contact portion (34) plugged into the connection contact portion (33, 35) can be pressed against the connection contact portion (33, 35) by the contact spring.

5. The terminal module according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that: The first and / or second contact section (81, 82) is designed as a contact lug or contact blade.

6. The terminal module according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that: The terminal contact (34) is formed as a separate component which can be plugged together with the first and / or second terminal contact (33, 35) when necessary.

7. The terminal module according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that: The terminal contact portion (34) is configured as an S-shaped contact unit.

8. The terminal module according to claim 7, characterized in that: The first contact section (81) extends in a first spatial plane, and the second contact section (82) extends in a second spatial plane spaced apart from the first spatial plane, wherein the first contact section (81) is connected to the second contact section (82) via a connecting section (83), wherein the connecting section (83) constitutes a shoulder of the S-shaped contact unit formed thereby.

9. 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 that 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 at least one connection end contact (34), thereby forming a busbar device (3) of the terminal block.

10. The connection terminal according to claim 9, characterized in that: The at least one connection contact (34) extends through the first connection opening (24) of a terminal module (11, 12) and through the second connection opening (27) of an adjacent terminal module (11, 12).

11. The connecting terminal according to any one of claims 9 to 10, characterized in that: The first and / or second contact section (81, 82) of the at least one terminal contact (34) is arranged substantially parallel to a line insertion direction (L) of an electrical line into the connecting terminal (1).

12. The connecting terminal according to any one of claims 9 to 11, characterized in that: At least two terminal modules of the terminal modules (11, 12) plugged together are connected to each other via at least two connection terminal contacts (34), in particular via symmetrically arranged connection terminal contacts (34).

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