Connection device having plurality of connection terminals for connecting electrical conductors

Abstract

The invention relates to a connection device (3) comprising a plurality of connection terminals (1, 1A, 1B) for connecting electrical conductors (2), said connection terminals (1, 1A, 1B) each comprising: a housing part (10, 10A, 10B); a contact element (11) arranged on the housing part (10, 10A, 10B) for electrically contacting the electrical conductor (2); and a spring element (12) having a clamping leg (120) which can be adjusted relative to the housing part (10, 10A, 10B). The housing parts (10, 10A, 10B) of the connection terminals (1, 1A, 1B) are arranged one after the other in an arrangement direction (A). Housing parts (10, 10A, 10B) of the connection terminals (1, 1A, 1B) arranged one behind the other in an arrangement direction (A) can be introduced into the housing (30) in a mounting direction (M), the housing (30) having a first guide device (31) with at least one first guide web (310, 310 ', 311, 311'), and the housing parts (10, 10A, 10B) arranged one behind the other having a second guide device (16) with at least one second guide web (160, 160 ', 161, 161').

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a connection device having a plurality of connection terminals for connecting electrical conductors according to the preamble of claim 1 . Background Art

[0002] Such a connection device comprises a plurality of connection terminals into which electrical conductors can be inserted and connected. To this end, the connection terminals each comprise a housing, a contact element arranged on the housing and having a contact section for making electrical contact with the electrical conductor, and a spring element having clamping legs adjustable relative to the housing. The clamping legs of the spring element are designed to act on the electrical conductor in a clamped position so that the conductor contacts the contact section.

[0003] The connecting terminal is realized as a spring-force connection by using a spring element, wherein in a connected position the electrical conductor is clamped to the contact element under the elastic spring action of the spring element and is thus electrically connected to the contact element.

[0004] In the connection terminal known from DE 10 2019 127 464 B3, a spring element in the form of a tension spring is provided, which, by means of an elastic spring action, pulls the connected electrical conductor into contact with the corresponding contact element and thus establishes a clamped connection between the electrical conductor and the contact element. To this end, the electrical conductor is moved through an opening in the clamping leg during attachment and is clamped between the clamping leg and the contact element in the connected position.

[0005] In the terminal of DE 10 2019 127 464 B3, a locking device is provided, by which the clamping leg is locked relative to the housing in the release position. When the electrical conductor is inserted, the locking device is triggered, thereby canceling the locking, so that the clamping leg is adjusted out of the release position and the electrical conductor is thereby clamped to the contact element. In order to transfer the clamping leg to the release position, in particular to be able to attach the electrical conductor, or to release the connected electrical conductor from the terminal, a tool, such as a screwdriver, can be attached to the terminal and a force can thereby be applied to the clamping leg.

[0006] In DE 10 2019 127 464 B3, the clamping leg is adjusted directly by a tool, whereas in the connecting terminals known from DE 10 2019 135 203 A1 and DE 10 2020 104 140 A1, an operating element in the form of a so-called pusher is provided, which can be pressed into the housing of the connecting terminal to act on the clamping leg in this way and transfer the clamping leg to its release position. The operating element is preloaded relative to the housing of the connecting terminal by a tensioning spring in the form of a compression spring. In the connecting terminal known from DE 10 2019 135 203 A1, an operating nose is arranged on the operating element, which is hooked into the fixing section of the retaining element in the operating position of the operating element.

[0007] In the wiring device, the housing members of the wiring terminals can be attached to each other along the arrangement direction so as to complete a wiring block of the wiring device to which a plurality of electrical conductors can be connected. Thus, the wiring terminals can be combined with each other and arranged successively so as to complete a combination consisting of a plurality of interconnected wiring terminals in this way. The wiring terminals can be configured as a disc-shaped structure (which has a relatively thin width and a disc-shaped extension along a plane perpendicular to the arrangement direction) and attached to each other in order to complete the wiring device.

[0008] The disk-shaped structure of the connecting terminal has the advantage that this increases the working space in order to, for example, easily assemble the contact elements and the spring elements on the housing part of the connecting terminal. The housing part of the connecting terminal can be designed in such a way that the (closed) housing for the connecting terminal is only completed after the housing parts of the connecting terminal are attached to each other and, therefore, the housing part of the connecting terminal is completed by the housing part of the adjacent connecting terminal in order to complete the closed housing.

[0009] In order to complete the connection arrangement, the connection terminals must then be connected to one another in a fixed and force-resistant manner, so that a mechanically stable arrangement is achieved.

[0010] DE 10 2009 013 689 A1 discloses a connection device having connection terminals which are inserted into a fixing element. The fixing element can have a cap-shaped design, for example. Summary of the invention

[0011] The object of the present invention is to provide a terminal device in which a plurality of terminal blocks having housing parts can be combined with one another in such a way that the plurality of terminal blocks are arranged one behind the other in an arrangement direction while forming a mechanically stable terminal block.

[0012] This object is achieved by the subject matter having the features of claim 1 .

[0013] According to this, the terminal device has a housing into which the housing parts of the terminal blocks arranged one after another along the arrangement direction can be introduced along the assembly direction. The housing has a first guide device, which has at least one first guide tab. The housing parts arranged one after another have a second guide device, which has at least one second guide tab. When the housing parts arranged one after another are introduced into the housing along the assembly direction, the at least one second guide tab of the second guide device is guided at the at least one first guide tab of the first guide device.

[0014] The connection device is completed by attaching the housing parts of the connection terminals to each other along the arrangement direction. The housing parts can be introduced into the housing of the connection device in a state of being arranged one after another, so that in the assembled state, the housing parts are accommodated in the housing and then surrounded by the housing.

[0015] Shell for example can have box shape, and it is open on one side, so that the housing parts arranged in succession can be pushed into the box-shaped shell.In another design, shell for example can have the frame shape open on both sides, and the housing parts arranged in succession can be pushed into this frame.

[0016] The housing has a first guide device for guiding the housing parts arranged one behind the other and for this purpose cooperates with a second guide device for the housing parts arranged one behind the other. Each guide device has at least one guide tab, wherein when the housing parts arranged one behind the other are pushed into the housing, the guide tabs guide one another so that the housing parts arranged one behind the other engage in a guided manner with the housing.

[0017] By providing a housing, the advantages of a disk-shaped structure of the terminal block and a so-called monolithic structure are combined with one another.

[0018] Since the connecting terminal is constructed with individual housing parts and can be attached to each other along the arrangement direction to complete the wiring device, the housing parts can be designed so that the components of the connecting terminal, such as spring elements and contact elements, can be assembled on the corresponding housing parts in a simple manner. The housing part of each connecting terminal is not closed relative to the outside, for example, but the housing of the connecting terminal is completed only after the housing parts of the connecting terminal are attached to each other. This makes it easy to assemble the individual connecting terminals and has a variety of possibilities for combination with other connecting terminals.

[0019] Since the successively arranged connecting terminals are inserted into the housing in the assembled state, a mechanically stable device is also completed, in which the housing parts of the connecting terminals are accommodated in the housing in a defined manner in the successively arranged state and are fixed to the housing. By guiding with the help of the guide device, the housing parts are introduced into the housing in a defined manner and supported on the housing in the assembled state, so that a unitary, mechanically stable connecting device is completed.

[0020] In one embodiment, at least one of the housing parts has at least one second guide web, which is guided on the first guide web assigned to the first guide device. Advantageously, each of the housing parts has at least one second guide web, which is guided on the first guide web assigned to the first guide device. Thus, one (or all) of the housing parts is guided on the housing.

[0021] In one embodiment, at least one of the housing parts, preferably each of the housing parts, has a wall extending along a plane perpendicular to the arrangement direction, and the at least one second guide tab protrudes from the wall along the arrangement direction. The housing part of (each) connecting terminal can have a disc shape, wherein the wall of the housing part extends perpendicular to the arrangement direction and has a dimension in a plane perpendicular to the arrangement direction that is (significantly) greater than the width of the connecting terminal (measured along the arrangement direction). In this case, the guide tabs assigned to the housing part protrude from the wall along the arrangement direction and are therefore formed laterally on the wall.

[0022] Preferably, two second guide tabs are formed on at least one of the housing parts of the terminal, preferably on a plurality of housing parts, which are arranged on the sides of the wall facing away from each other. These guide tabs each protrude from the wall along the arrangement direction, but point in different, opposite directions. When the housing parts arranged one after the other are pushed into the housing, each guide tab is guided on the provided guide tab of the first guide device of the housing, so that in the assembled state there is a mechanically stable support and at the same time a reliable guidance is provided.

[0023] The guide tabs can be formed on the upper edge of the wall pointing along the assembly direction and / or on the lower parallel edges of the wall pointing along the assembly direction and protrude from the wall on one side or both sides. Each guide tab of the housing part is guided on the provided guide tab on the shell.

[0024] In one design, at least one first guide tab and / or at least one second guide tab form a dovetail guide. If, for example, two second guide tabs are formed on the wall of the housing part of the terminal block, which protrude from the wall in the arrangement direction and point in different directions, these guide tabs can together form a trapezoidal shape in cross section that provides a dovetail guide. Similarly, for example, two first guide tabs are formed on the wall of the housing, and these two first guide tabs together form a trapezoidal shape, with which the second guide tabs of the corresponding housing part can engage, so that a guide is provided when the housing part is pushed into the housing, and in the assembled state, the assembly of the housing part is mechanically stably supported on the housing.

[0025] The arrangement direction and the assembly direction are preferably perpendicular to each other. The (disk-shaped) connection terminals are attached to each other along the arrangement direction in such a way that the housing parts are arranged one after another along the arrangement direction. The housing parts are pushed into the housing in a state of being arranged one after another along an assembly direction perpendicular to the arrangement direction, so that the housing parts are enclosed in the housing in the assembled state.

[0026] Here, at least one first guide tab and at least one second guide tab advantageously have an undercut with respect to a vertical direction perpendicular to the assembly direction and the arrangement direction, so that the at least one first guide tab and the at least one second guide tab support each other along the vertical direction. These guide tabs protrude relative to a plane developed by the vertical direction and the assembly direction, so that these guide tabs are mutually locked (hintergreifen). These guide tabs here form undercuts with respect to the vertical direction by being set back along the arrangement direction, so that the guide tabs engage with each other in a plane developed by the arrangement direction and the vertical direction and support each other. These guide tabs can move relative to each other along the assembly direction, but support each other in a form-fitting manner in a plane perpendicular to the assembly direction.

[0027] In one embodiment, the spring element of at least one of the connecting terminals is designed as a tension spring. In this case, the clamping legs of the spring element are designed to pull the electrical conductor into contact with the contact element by means of the spring force. In this case, for example, an opening can be formed on the clamping legs, through which the electrical conductor can be passed when attached to the connecting terminal, so that after the clamping legs are triggered from the release position, the electrical conductor is pulled into clamping contact with the contact element.

[0028] Alternatively, the spring element of at least one of the connecting terminals can be designed as a compression spring. In this case, the clamping leg is designed to push the electrical conductor against the contact element by the spring force. When attached to the connecting terminal, the electrical conductor passes into the space between the clamping leg and the contact element, wherein after the clamping leg is triggered from the release position, the clamping leg acts on the electrical conductor and pushes it against the contact element.

[0029] The spring element of at least one of the connecting terminals can, for example, have a supporting leg, by which the spring element is supported on the housing part and is held in a position on the housing part. The clamping leg can be elastically deflected relative to the supporting leg, wherein the clamping leg is deflected in the release position in such a way that the spring element is elastically tensioned and the clamping leg moves out of the release position in an elastically prestressed manner after being released from the release position.

[0030] The supporting leg can, for example, rest against the supporting section and thereby be supported on the housing part. Thus, the spring element is fixed to the housing part independently of the contact element and, therefore, when the housing part is made of an electrically insulating material, in particular a plastic material, the spring element is not directly electrically connected to the contact element.

[0031] In one design, the support leg of the spring element of at least one of the connecting terminals is supported on a housing member provided to the connecting terminal and on a housing member of an adjacent connecting terminal along the arrangement direction. Thus, the support leg is supported on a housing member provided to the connecting terminal and, for this purpose, is embedded, for example, in a support section on the wall of the housing member. Additionally, the support leg is also supported on a housing member of an adjacent connecting terminal and, for this purpose, is embedded, for example, in a support section on the wall of the adjacent housing member. Thus, the support leg is supported jointly by two housing members of the adjacent connecting terminals.

[0032] In the connecting terminal, the electrical conductor is electrically contacted with the electrical contact element in such a way that, when the electrical conductor is plugged into the connecting terminal, the clamping legs act on the electrical conductor and load the electrical conductor in a spring-elastic manner in the direction of contact with the contact element. In order to facilitate the plugging of the electrical conductor, the clamping legs of the spring element can be elastically deflected, for example by a tool or by actuation of an operating element, so that the clamping legs are transferred to a release position in this way, in which the space in the area of ​​the plug opening is released, so that the electrical conductor can be inserted into the plug opening in a substantially forceless manner, or the connected electrical conductor can be removed from the connecting terminal in a simple manner.

[0033] In one embodiment, if the clamping leg is transferred into the release position, the clamping leg of at least one of the connecting terminals is held in the release position relative to the housing part associated with the respective connecting terminal. This can be achieved by direct latching of the clamping leg relative to the housing part or by indirect latching, for example, via an actuating element.

[0034] In one design, at least one of the connecting terminals has a trigger element, which is configured to cooperate with the electrical conductor when the electrical conductor is attached to the connecting terminal to release the clamping leg from the release position. The trigger element is used to trigger the clamping leg from the release position so that when the electrical conductor is inserted, the clamping leg is automatically released from the release position and then transferred to the clamping position, in which the electrical conductor plugged into the connecting terminal is in electrical contact with the contact element of the connecting terminal. Since the trigger element is deflected when the electrical conductor is inserted, the connecting terminal is automatically closed when the electrical conductor is inserted. This simplifies the connection process and at the same time the conductor is reliably in contact with the contact element.

[0035] Such a terminal can be provided by the manufacturer, for example, with the clamping legs in the released position, in which the clamping legs of the spring element are held in position relative to the housing part and can be automatically triggered by a triggering element when an electrical conductor is inserted.

[0036] In one embodiment, the trigger element has a trigger leg, which is designed to cooperate with the electrical conductor when the electrical conductor is plugged into the connecting terminal. The trigger leg is triggered by the interaction with the electrical conductor, so that the clamping leg is released from the release position. The housing part of at least one connecting terminal defines a receiving space, into which the electrical conductor can be introduced by inserting it into the plug opening. The trigger leg extends in the receiving space to cooperate with the electrical conductor. In particular, the electrical conductor can be inserted into the plug opening along the plug direction, wherein the trigger leg extends in the receiving space at least with an end section (approximately) transversely to the plug direction.

[0037] The triggering element can be designed, for example, as a one-piece, inherently elastically resilient element.

[0038] In one embodiment, the trigger element has a support end, relative to which the trigger leg can be elastically adjusted by cooperating with a conductor plugged into the connection terminal. The trigger element is supported on the housing part via the support end, for example, in that the support end is fastened to an associated connection device of the housing part of at least one connection terminal. The trigger element is thus fastened to the housing part via the support end, in that the support end is operatively connected to the connection device of the housing part and is thereby held on the housing part in a torque-proof manner.

[0039] The support end is preferably fixed in a torque-proof manner to a connection device of the housing part of at least one connecting terminal. The support end can extend flatly, which has the advantage that a contour can be formed on the support end in a simple manner, for example by stamping, by which the support end can be securely fixed, for example in a form-fitting manner, to the connection device of the housing part. The support end is supported in a torque-proof manner relative to the housing part, while the trigger leg can be elastically adjusted in the receiving space and extends in the receiving space in such a way that an electrical conductor inserted into the connecting terminal strikes the trigger leg when introduced into the receiving space, thereby deflecting the trigger leg.

[0040] In one embodiment, the support end has at least one first form-fitting element, and the connection device of the housing part of at least one connecting terminal includes at least one second form-fitting element. The at least one first form-fitting element and the at least one second form-fitting element are engaged with each other in a form-fitting manner in order to fix the support end to the housing part. As a result, a form-fitting connection is achieved between the support end of the at least one connecting terminal and the housing part, that is, the support end is held on the housing part in a torque-proof manner. The trigger leg can be elastically deflected relative to the support leg, wherein the support end is fixed to the housing part in such a way that a torque can be introduced into the housing part through the support end and supported on the housing part.

[0041] One of the form-fitting elements can be formed as a notch, for example. The other of the form-fitting elements can then be formed as a raised element, which engages in the notch in a form-fitting manner in order to fix the support end on the housing part. For example, the support end can have a notch, which engages with a provided form-fitting element in the form of a raised element on the housing part. The form-fitting engagement is in particular such that the support end cannot slide out of the housing part, but is held on the housing part in such a way that, when the trigger leg is elastically deflected, the support end remains in position on the housing part of the at least one terminal.

[0042] In one design, the supporting end of the trigger element of at least one of the connecting terminals is supported on a housing member provided to the connecting terminal and on a housing member of a connecting terminal adjacent in the arrangement direction. Therefore, the supporting end is supported on a housing member provided to the connecting terminal and, for this purpose, is engaged, for example, in an engagement opening on a wall of the housing member. In addition, the supporting end is also supported on a housing member of an adjacent connecting terminal and, for this purpose, is engaged, for example, in an engagement opening on a wall of the adjacent housing member. Therefore, the supporting end is jointly supported by two housing members of adjacent connecting terminals.

[0043] In one embodiment, at least one of the connecting terminals has an operating element which is adjustably arranged on the housing part and can be adjusted from an inoperable position into an operated position in order to transfer the clamping legs into a released position. The operating element can be operated by a user, for example manually or by a suitable tool, and for this purpose has an operating section which can be accessed from outside the housing part.

[0044] In one embodiment, the operating element is latched in the operating position with a triggering element of at least one of the terminals. Thus, in the operating position, the operating element is held in position by the triggering element so that the clamping leg of the spring element is also held in its release position, in which an electrical conductor can be simply attached to the terminal or a connected conductor can be removed from the terminal in a substantially forceless manner. After the latching is canceled, the operating element can be adjusted back in the direction of the non-operated position, preferably under spring preload, in particular automatically. In this case, the spring preload of the operating element can be brought about, for example, by the clamping leg, which is elastically deflected in the operating position and after the operating element is released, the spring acts on the operating element mechanically to transfer the operating element from the operating position in the direction of the non-operated position.

[0045] In one embodiment, an operating element of at least one of the connecting terminals is pivotably supported about a pivot axis on a housing part of the at least one of the connecting terminals and has an operating section that is operated by a user and an action section for acting on a clamping leg. The operating section is accessible from outside the housing part, in that the user can act on the operating section, for example, with a tool such as a screwdriver, or alternatively by hand, but the action section is in an operative connection with the clamping leg of the spring element. Thus, by adjusting the operating element, an adjusting force is applied to the clamping leg via the action section, so that, in particular when the operating element is adjusted from the unoperated position to the operated position, the clamping leg is driven and thus moves in the direction of the release position.

[0046] In one embodiment, the operating element has a locking section for latching with a locking device of a triggering element of at least one of the connecting terminals in the operating position. The locking section can be arranged, for example, on the side of the operating element facing away from the operating section (with respect to a pivot axis that pivotally supports the operating element on the housing part), preferably approximately diametrically opposite the operating section with respect to the pivot axis. In the operating position, the operating element latches with the associated locking device of the triggering element via the locking section, so that the operating element is thereby held in the operating position, but can be released from the operating position in a simple and reliable manner when an electrical conductor is inserted by triggering the trigger leg.

[0047] The locking device of the trigger element can be formed, for example, by an opening, into which a locking section of the operating element, for example, formed by a projection, engages in the operating position of the operating element. Thus, the operating element is held in position in its operating position by the form-fitting engagement of the locking section in the opening of the trigger element, wherein the engagement can be cancelled by adjusting the trigger leg and the operating element can thus be released from the operating position in order to transfer the clamping leg into the release position.

[0048] In one design, the operating element of at least one of the connecting terminals is supported on a housing member provided to at least one of the connecting terminals and on a housing member of a connecting terminal adjacent in the arrangement direction. Thus, the housing members of adjacent connecting terminals jointly support the operating element between them. For example, each housing member can have an axial end that engages in a bearing opening on the operating element, so that a swing bearing is provided for the operating element between the housing members.

[0049] In one design, the housing of at least one of the terminals has a first locking element. In contrast, the housing of the adjacent terminals along the arrangement direction has a second locking element. When the housings of the terminals are arranged successively along the arrangement direction, the first locking element and the second locking element are locked to each other.

[0050] One of the locking elements can be implemented as a locking opening, for example. In contrast, the other locking element can be formed as a resiliently deflectable locking hook, for example. In the latching position, the locking elements engage with each other and thus establish a form-fitting connection between the housing parts of the connecting terminal.

[0051] The locking elements can, for example, engage with one another along the row direction, so that the housing parts can be attached to one another along the row direction.

[0052] For example, all housing parts can have at least one locking element, so that when the housing parts of the connecting terminal are attached to one another, the housing parts latch into one another and are thus fixed to one another.

[0053] By means of the locking element, the housing parts can be positioned and held relative to each other, especially before being inserted into the housing, so that a terminal block assembly that can be inserted into the housing together is completed. This makes the assembly operation simple and also improves the stability of the wiring device in use. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0054] The idea underlying the invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the exemplary embodiments shown in the drawings. It shows:

[0055] Figure 1 A view showing a wiring device having a plurality of wiring terminals received in a housing;

[0056] Figure 2 shows a side view of the wiring device;

[0057] Figure 3 Shown according to Figure 1 A wiring device, wherein the operating element of the wiring terminal is located in the operating position;

[0058] Figure 4 Shown according to Figure 3 A side view of a wiring device;

[0059] Figure 5 shows a longitudinal section through the terminal with the operating element in the operating position;

[0060] Fig. 6A A view showing a housing member of a terminal block;

[0061] Figure 6B A view showing housing members of adjacent terminals;

[0062] Figures 7A-7C An isolated view of the triggering element of the terminal block is shown;

[0063] Fig. 8A A view showing a housing member of a terminal block;

[0064] Figure 8B Shown according to Fig. 8A A magnified view of a local X;

[0065] Fig. 9 Shown along the basis Figure 2 A cross-sectional view of line II in FIG.

[0066] Fig.10 Shown along the basis Figure 2 A sectional view taken along line I II I in FIG.

[0067] Fig.11 Shown along the basis Fig.10 A sectional view taken along line II II II;

[0068] Fig.12 An isolated view of the housing of the wiring device is shown;

[0069] Fig.13A A side view of the housing is shown;

[0070] Fig. 13B shows a front view looking into the interior of the housing;

[0071] Fig. 13C shows a rear view of the housing; and

[0072] Figures 14A-14C An individual view of a housing part of a terminal block is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0073] Figures 1 to 4An embodiment of a wiring device 3 is shown, which has a plurality of wiring terminals 1, 1A, 1B, which are enclosed together in a housing 30. The wiring terminals 1, 1A, 1B are arranged successively along an arrangement direction A and are enclosed together in the housing 30, wherein each of the wiring terminals 1, 1A, 1B is provided with a plug-in opening 100 on a respectively assigned housing part 10, 10A, 10B, into which an electrical conductor 2 can be inserted with a conductor end 20 (with the insulation stripped) along a plug-in direction E to connect the electrical conductor 2 to the wiring terminals 1, 1A, 1B.

[0074] Figure 5 An exemplary embodiment of a connecting terminal 1 is shown in a sectional view, which has a housing part 10 with a plug opening 100 formed therein for inserting an electrical conductor 2 along a plug direction E. The other connecting terminals 1A, 1B can be identical in structure and function to the connecting terminal 1, so that the following description applies to all connecting terminals 1, 1A, 1B.

[0075] However, it is also conceivable that the connecting terminals 1 , 1A, 1B differ in their mode of operation and, in particular, do not have all of the components described below.

[0076] The housing part 10 defines a receiving space 101, into which the electrical conductor 2 with the conductor end 20 stripped of insulation is introduced when the electrical conductor 2 is inserted into the plug opening 100 along the plug-in direction E. In the connection position, the conductor 2 with the conductor end 20 stripped of insulation is located within the receiving space 101 and is electrically contacted with the contact element 11 in the form of a current bar via the clamping legs 120 of the spring element 12, so that the electrical conductor 2 is electrically connected to the terminal 1.

[0077] The spring element 12 has a support leg 121, which is supported on the wall 106 of the housing 10. The clamping leg 120 can be elastically deflected relative to the support leg 121, in particular, so that the clamping leg 120 acts in a clamping manner on the electrical conductor 2 connected to the terminal 1 in the clamping position and pushes the electrical conductor into contact with the contact element 11 under elastic pretension, so that the conductor 2 is electrically contacted with the contact element 11 through its conductor end 20.

[0078] The contact element 11 has a contact section 110 which extends in a flat manner in the housing part 10 and against which the conductor 2 is pressed with the conductor end 20 due to the spring preload of the clamping legs 120 when the electrical conductor 2 is connected to the connecting terminal 1. A contact device 111 arranged in the plug connector section 15 is connected to the contact section 110 and by means of which the connecting terminal 1 can be plug-connected to an associated electrical mating plug connector.

[0079] In the exemplary embodiment shown, the operating element 14 is pivotably mounted on the housing part 10 of the connecting terminal 1 via a pivot axis 140. The operating element 14 can be pivoted about the pivot axis 140 relative to the housing part 10, wherein the operating section 141 can be accessed from outside the housing part 10 through the operating opening 102 and can thus be operated by a user, for example using a tool.

[0080] In the embodiment shown, the pivot axis 140 is formed on the housing part 10 assigned to the connecting terminal 1, and the shaft end 140' of the housing part 10A of the adjacent connecting terminal 1A engages in the housing part 10, thereby completing the pivot support of the operating element 14 on the housing part 10, such as this. Fig. 6A , 6B As can be seen in .

[0081] The operating element 14 is in operative connection with the clamping leg 120 of the spring element 12. For this purpose, the spring element 12 penetrates the through opening 142 inside the operating element 14 so that the spring element 12 surrounds the pivot axis 140 with the curved middle section 122, as shown in FIG. Figure 5 The support leg 121 projects from the opening 142 on a first side and is supported on the housing part 10. In contrast, the clamping leg 120 projects from the operating element 14 on a second, facing away side and extends within the receiving space 101 in the region of the plug opening 100 in such a way that the spring element 12 can act on the electrical conductor 2 inserted into the plug opening 100 via the clamping leg 120, so that the electrical conductor contacts the contact element 11 and is also mechanically locked.

[0082] The connecting terminal 1 has a trigger element 13, which is fixed to the housing part 10 via a support end 132 and is thus supported in a torque-proof manner relative to the housing part 10. Extending from the support end 132 is a trigger leg 130, which extends substantially transversely to the plug-in direction E into the receiving space 101 and thus in a region aligned with the plug-in opening 100.

[0083] As according to Figures 7A-7C A separate view of the trigger element 13 according to Fig. 8A , 8B Detailed view of the housing 10, 10A of the terminal 1, 1A, and according to Fig. 9As can be seen from the sectional view of the trigger element 13, the support end 132 of the trigger element 13 is connected to the connecting device 103, 103' of the adjacent housing part 10, 10A in a form-fitting manner. The support end 132 of the trigger element 13, which is composed of a strip-shaped spring element, has notches 134, 135 on its side edges facing each other, and in the assembled state of the trigger element 13, these notches engage with the protruding elements 104, 104' on the connecting device 103, 103'.

[0084] The connecting devices 103, 103' are each formed by a connection opening 107, 107', into which the support end 132 engages, so that the support end 132 is received in a form-fitting manner on the housing part 10. The form fit between the support end 132 and the housing part 10 is such that the support end 132 cannot slide out of the connecting device 103, 103', and furthermore the support end 132 is supported on the housing part 10 in such a way that, during the elastic deflection of the trigger leg 130, a torque on the support end 132 can be absorbed and discharged into the housing part 10, and the support end 132 is held in a position relative to the housing part 10.

[0085] The joining openings 107, 107' are formed on wall sections 106, 106' of the respective housing part 10, 10A, which protrude from the flat side wall 105 of the housing part 10, 10A, such as Fig. 6A , 6B As can be seen in .

[0086] If this is based on Fig. 9 As can be seen in the sectional view of , the supporting end 132 of the terminal 1 is accommodated between the housing parts 10, 10A of adjacent terminals 1, 1A in such a way that the supporting end 132 is held in a form-fitting manner on the connecting devices 103, 103' of the housing parts 10, 10A of the terminal 1, 1A, which are mirror-inverted to each other.

[0087] The triggering leg 130 is used to interact with the electrical conductor 2 inserted into the plug opening 100 , in particular to automatically connect the electrical conductor 2 to the connecting terminal 1 when the clamping leg 120 is triggered.

[0088] The trigger element 13 has an opening 131. When the operating element 14 has been transferred along the operating direction B, Figure 5 In the operating position shown in FIG. 1 , the operating element 14 is locked with the opening by a locking section 143 in the form of a projection. In the operating position, the operating element 14 engages with the locking section 143 in the opening 131 and is thereby locked on the trigger leg 130, so that the operating element 14 is locked in the operating position.

[0089] In the embodiment shown, the trigger leg 130 is bent inward. Between the free end 138 of the trigger leg 130 facing away from the support end 132 and the leg section 137 of the trigger leg 130 aligned with the support end 132 and formed with the opening 131, there extends an intermediate section 136, which extends transversely between the free end 138 of the trigger leg 130 and the leg section 137 of the trigger leg 130 carrying the opening 131. By giving the trigger element 13 a suitable shape, the trigger element 13 can be adapted to the given structural space conditions inside the receiving space 101 of the housing 10.

[0090] If the operating element 14 is actuated in the actuation direction B and thereby pivoted about the pivot axis 140 relative to the housing part 10 in accordance with Figure 5 , the operating element 14 drives the clamping leg 120 of the spring element 12 through the action section 144, and thereby adjusts the clamping leg 120 to the release position. In the release position, the clamping leg 120 is away from the contact section 110 of the contact element 11 with its free end, thereby releasing the area inside the accommodating space 101 that is aligned with the plug opening 100 along the plug-in direction E, so that the electrical conductor 2 can be inserted into the plug opening 100 without being hindered by the clamping leg 120, and can be connected to the connecting terminal 1 in a substantially forceless manner.

[0091] If the electrical conductor 2 with the conductor end 20 stripped of insulation is inserted into the plug opening 100 and thus introduced into the receiving space 101 along the plugging direction E when the operating element 14 is in the operating position and thus the clamping leg 120 is in the release position, the conductor 2 comes into contact with the end section 138 of the triggering leg 130 of the triggering element 13 and elastically deflects the triggering leg relative to the support end 132 and thus relative to the housing part 10. As a result, the triggering leg 130 is adjusted relative to the locking section 143 of the operating element 14 along the plugging direction E, so that the locking section 143 is disengaged from the opening 131, and thus the operating element 14 is released from the operating position.

[0092] On the side of the opening 131 facing the free end 138 of the trigger leg 130, a sliding element 133 is constructed, which is constructed by a bent section of the trigger element 13 formed as a plate element, and in the locked position, the locking section 143 rests on this sliding element and when released from the lock, the locking section 143 slides on this sliding element.

[0093] Since the electrical conductor 2 acts on the trigger leg 130 with a lever arm that is greater than the lever arm acting on the locking section 143 , the trigger leg 130 can be deflected with a smaller force exerted by the electrical conductor 2 and thus the locking can be easily and reliably canceled when the electrical conductor 2 is inserted.

[0094] As from Figure 5 Combination Figure 7B As can be seen, the sliding element 133 is bent relative to the leg section 137 of the triggering leg 130 in a direction that points away from the operating element 14 along the plug-in direction E. In this case, in the locked position in which the locking section 143 engages in the opening 131, the locking section 143 is located at a bearing point C on the sliding element 133, which bearing point C is offset relative to the plane P along which the leg section 137 aligned with the support end 132 extends. As a result, when the operating element 14 is locked to the triggering element 13 by the engagement of the locking section 143 in the opening 131 on the leg section 137, the operating element 14 applies a torque to the triggering element 13 via the locking section 143, which torque is applied according to Figure 5 In the cross-sectional view of FIG. 1 , the locking portion 143 points in the counterclockwise direction and thus points in a direction that additionally strengthens the latching engagement of the locking section 143 with the opening 131 .

[0095] When the locking is established, the locking section 143 slides into the opening 131 under the elastic deflection of the trigger leg 130, and then the trigger leg 130 returns to its initial position, in which the trigger leg 130 is locked with the locking section 143 of the operating element 14. The trigger leg 130 is loaded by the locking section 143 of the operating element 14 on the sliding element 133 and is pressed in the direction of the operating element 14 due to the torque generated thereby, so that the locking section 143 moves to fully engage with the opening 131 on the leg section 137.

[0096] After the latching is released when the electrical conductor 2 is inserted, the operating element 14 moves out of the operating position due to the elastic preload on the clamping legs 120 and is reset against the operating direction B. In this process, the clamping legs 120 are clamped against the electrical conductor 2 and thereby push the conductor end 20 into contact with the contact element 11, so that the conductor 2 is electrically connected to the connecting terminal 1 and is also mechanically locked.

[0097] Since the operating element 14 is adjusted out of the operating position after releasing the latch, the user can safely and reliably recognize that the connecting terminal 1 has been triggered and thus that the electrical line 2 has been connected to the connecting terminal 1. The risk of incorrect operation is thus reduced.

[0098] If the electrical conductor 2 is to be released from the connection position and removed from the terminal 1 again, the operating element 14 can be transferred to the operating position again so that the clamping legs 120 are no longer in contact with the conductor 2. As a result, the conductor 2 can be removed from the terminal 1 in a substantially forceless manner.

[0099] In the exemplary embodiment shown, each connecting terminal 1 , 1A, 1B is assigned a housing part 10 , 10A, 10B.

[0100] The housing members 10 and 10A are respectively as follows Fig. 6A , 6B The housing member 10, 10A and the Fig.14A , 14B , 14C. Each of these housing parts 10, 10A has an intermediate wall 105, from which a raised wall section 106 protrudes on a first side, which wall section 106 is provided with a connection opening 107 and a connection device 103, and from which a raised wall section 106' protrudes on a second, opposite side, which wall section 106' is provided with a connection opening 107' and a connection device 103'. Thus, the housing part 10, 10A is used on a first side to accommodate, support and bear the components of the terminal 1, 1A, 1B equipped with the housing part 10, 10A, and is provided with a plug-in opening 100 on a first side for inserting an electrical conductor 2. In contrast, the housing part 10, 10A is used on a second, rear side to complete the housing of the adjacent terminal 1, 1A, 1B.

[0101] As according to Fig.10 As can be seen in the sectional view of , the housing parts 10, 10A are accommodated in the middle of the housing 30 of the terminal device 3. The outer housing parts 10B, 10C each have an intermediate wall 105, but only carry a wall section 106 or 106' on one side. Therefore, the housing part 10B is attached to the housing part 10 and has only one wall section 106, but no wall section 106' on the back side. In contrast, the housing part 10C is attached to the housing part 10A and thus completes the housing for the terminal 1A, and for this purpose has only one wall section 106', but no wall section 106, as can be seen from Fig.10 As can be seen in .

[0102] In the illustrated embodiment, the housing elements 10, 10A, 10B of the connection terminals 1, 1A, 1B are attached to each other along an arrangement direction A, such as in Fig. 6A and Figure 6B The housing parts 10, 10A, 10B of the connecting terminal 1, 1A, 1B are completed by the housing parts 10, 10A, 10B of the adjacent connecting terminal, so that the housing parts 10, 10A, 10B together form a housing for the connecting terminal 1, 1A, 1B.

[0103] In order to assemble the connection device 3, the housing parts 10, 10A, 10B are pushed into the housing 3 in a state of being arranged one after another along the assembly direction M, so that the connection terminals 1, 1A, 1B are embedded in the housing 30 in this way, such as from Figure 1 and Figure 3 As can be seen in .

[0104] The housing parts 10, 10A, 10B, 10C each have a guide device 16, which has guide tabs 160, 160', 161, 161', which are guided on the associated guide tabs 310, 310', 311, 311' of the guide device 31 of the housing 3, such as this Fig.10 The guide device 16 , 31 is realized as a dovetail guide, by means of which the housing parts 10 , 10A, 10B, 10C can be pushed into the housing 30 in a guided manner when the housing parts 10 , 10A, 10B, 10C are attached to one another.

[0105] As this from Fig.10 Combination Fig. 6A , 6B as well as Figures 14A-14C As can be seen, the two middle housing parts 10, 10A have two guide ribs 160, 160' on the upper edge of the wall 105 and two guide ribs 161, 161' on the lower edge of the wall 105, which protrude from both sides of the wall 105 and together form a trapezoidal shape. The upper and lower guide rib pairs 160, 160' or 161, 161' formed in this way can be pushed between the guide rib pairs 310, 310' or 311, 311' provided on the top wall 300 or the bottom wall 301 of the housing 30, so as to thereby connect the housing parts 10, 10A, 10B, 10C to the housing 30.

[0106] As this from Fig.10 As can be seen in the drawing, the two outer housing parts 10B, 10C each have guide webs 160, 160', 161, 161' only on one side (facing inwards, inside) of the wall 105, which interact with the provided guide webs 310, 310', 311, 311' of the guide device 31 of the housing 30.

[0107] The introduction of the housing parts 10, 10A, 10B, 10C arranged one after another is achieved in a guided manner, in that the guide webs 160, 160', 161, 161' with a trapezoidal cross section are inserted into the guide webs 310, 310', 311, 311' on the housing 30 and are formed complementary to them in cross section, such as this. Fig.10 As can be seen in .

[0108] These guide tabs are each configured with an undercut with respect to a vertical direction V perpendicular to the assembly direction M and the arrangement direction A, so that the housing parts 10, 10A, 10B, 10C are arranged in accordance with Fig.10In a sectional plane corresponding to a plane perpendicular to the assembly direction M, the housing 30 is supported in a form-fitting manner in all spatial directions relative to the housing 30, but is guided on the housing 30 so as to be movably along the assembly direction M.

[0109] By providing the housing 30, the advantages of the disk-shaped modular structure of the individual connecting terminals 1, 1A, 1B and the self-enclosed terminal block (also called a monoblock) are combined with each other. Therefore, the housing parts 10, 10A, 10B, 10C can be constructed to be open on one side, and thus the components of the connecting terminals 1, 1A, 1B can be simply attached and assembled. The housing for the connecting terminals 1, 1A, 1B is completed by attaching the housing parts 10, 10A, 10B, 10C, wherein after the housing parts 10, 10A, 10B, 10C arranged in succession are inserted into the housing 30, a unitary, mechanically stable wiring device 3 is completed, wherein the housing parts 10, 10A, 10B, 10C are mechanically fixedly accommodated by the housing 30 and connected.

[0110] An axial securing device 17 is integrally formed on the wall 105 of the middle housing part 10, 10A, wherein locking noses 170, 171 protrude from the wall 105 at the upper and lower edges. Fig.11 As shown in the sectional view of FIG. 1 , the locking noses 170 , 171 engage in the provided locking openings on the top wall 300 and the bottom wall 301 of the housing 30 .

[0111] The outer housing parts 10B, 10C have, for example, upper locking noses 170 for engaging in associated locking openings on the top wall 300 of the outer shell 30 , but do not have lower locking noses 171 .

[0112] Fig.12 and Figures 13A-13C A separate view of the housing 30 is shown. The dovetail-shaped arrangement of the tabs 310 , 310 ′, 311 , 311 ′ of the guide device 31 on the top wall 300 and the bottom wall 301 of the housing 30 can be seen.

[0113] On the wall 105 of the housing parts 10, 10A, 10C, a locking element 108' in the form of a spring tongue is formed on the corresponding second side, and when the housing parts 10, 10A, 10B, 10C are attached, the locking element engages with the provided locking opening 108 on the adjacent housing parts 10, 10A, 10B, so that the housing parts 10, 10A, 10B, 10C are preassembled with each other along the arrangement direction A during attachment and are locked with each other. After the preassembled assembly thus completed is inserted into the housing 30, the wiring device 3 is completely assembled and mechanically stabilized by the enclosure of the housing 30.

[0114] In the exemplary embodiment shown, each connecting terminal 1 , 1A, 1B is assigned a plug connector section 15 which is formed on the housing 30 and into which the contact device 111 of the respectively assigned contact element 11 is inserted.

[0115] The idea underlying the present invention is not limited to the above-described exemplary embodiments but can also be realized in other ways.

[0116] In the above-described embodiment, all the connecting terminals of the connecting device are realized by spring-loaded joints with the same function, but this is not mandatory. Therefore, the connecting terminals of the connecting device can also be different from each other in terms of their working mode and construction mode.

[0117] Description of Reference Numerals

[0118] 1. 1A, 1B terminal blocks

[0119] 10, 10A-10C housing parts

[0120] 100 plug openings

[0121] 101 Accommodation Space

[0122] 102 Operation opening

[0123] 103, 103' connection equipment

[0124] 104, 104' form-fitting element

[0125] 105 wall

[0126] 106, 106' wall section

[0127] 107, 107' joint opening

[0128] 108, 108' locking element

[0129] 11Contact element (current bar)

[0130] 110 contact section

[0131] 111 contact equipment

[0132] 12 Clamping spring

[0133] 120 Clamping Legs

[0134] 121 Support Leg

[0135] 122 Middle section

[0136] 13 Trigger element

[0137] 130 Trigger Leg

[0138] 131 Locking device (locking opening)

[0139] 132 Support end

[0140] 133 Sliding elements

[0141] 134, 135 shape-fitting element (notch)

[0142] 136 Middle section

[0143] 137 Outrigger Section

[0144] 138 end

[0145] 14 operating elements

[0146] 140 Swing shaft

[0147] 141 Operation Section

[0148] 142Through opening

[0149] 143 Locked Segment

[0150] 144 Action section

[0151] 15 plug connector section

[0152] 16 Boot Device

[0153] 160, 160' guide tab

[0154] 161, 161' guide tab

[0155] 17Axial fixing device

[0156] 170, 171 locking element

[0157] 3 Wiring device

[0158] 30 Shell

[0159] 300 top wall

[0160] 301 bottom wall

[0161] 31 Boot Devices

[0162] 310, 310' guide tab

[0163] 311, 311' guide tab

[0164] AArrangement direction

[0165] B Operation direction

[0166] C support point

[0167] E Plug direction

[0168] M Assembly direction

[0169] VVertical direction

Claims

1. A wiring device (3) comprising a plurality of connection terminals (1, 1A, 1B) for connecting electrical conductors (2), wherein: The connecting terminals (1, 1A, 1B) respectively have a housing part (10, 10A, 10B); a contact element (11) arranged on the housing part (10, 10A, 10B) and having a contact section (110) for electrically contacting an electrical conductor (2); and a spring element (12) having a clamping leg (120) that can be adjusted relative to the housing part (10, 10A, 10B), the clamping leg being configured to act on the electrical conductor (2) in a clamping position so as to make it contact with the contact section (110), wherein the housing parts (10, 10A, 10B) of the connecting terminals (1, 1A, 1B) are arranged successively along an arrangement direction (A), and characterized in that a housing (30) is provided, wherein the housing parts (10, 10A, 10B) of the connecting terminals (1, 1A, 1B) arranged successively along the arrangement direction (A) B) can be introduced into the housing along the assembly direction (M), wherein the housing (30) has a first guide device (31) with at least one first guide web (310, 310', 311, 311'), and the housing parts (10, 10A, 10B) arranged in succession have a second guide device (16) with at least one second guide web (160, 160', 161, 161'), wherein when the housing parts (10, 10A, 10B) arranged in succession are introduced into the housing (30) along the assembly direction (M), the at least one second guide web (160, 160', 161, 161') of the second guide device (16) is guided on the at least one first guide web (310, 310', 311, 311') of the first guide device (31).

2. The wiring device (3) according to claim 1, characterized in that: At least one of the housing parts (10, 10A, 10B) has at least one second guide web (160, 160', 161, 161') which is guided on an associated first guide web (310, 310', 311, 311') of a first guide device (31).

3. The wiring device (3) according to claim 2, characterized in that: At least one of the housing parts (10, 10A, 10B) has a wall (105) extending along a plane perpendicular to the arrangement direction (A), and the at least one second guide tab (160, 160', 161, 161') protrudes from the wall along the arrangement direction (A).

4. The wiring device (3) according to claim 3, characterized in that: At least one of the housing parts (10, 10A, 10B) of the connecting terminal (1, 1A, 1B) has two second guide webs (160, 160', 161, 161') which are arranged on sides of the wall (105) facing away from each other.

5. The terminal device (3) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The at least one first guide web (160, 160', 161, 161') and / or the at least one second guide web (310, 310', 311, 311') form a dovetail guide.

6. The terminal device (3) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The arrangement direction (A) and the assembly direction (M) are perpendicular to each other.

7. The wiring device (3) according to claim 6, characterized in that The at least one first guide link (160, 160', 161, 161') and the at least one second guide link (310, 310', 311, 311') have a side recess with respect to a vertical direction (V) perpendicular to the assembly direction (M) and the arrangement direction (A), so that the at least one first guide link (160, 160', 161, 161') and the at least one second guide link (310, 310', 311, 311') support each other along the vertical direction (V).

8. The terminal device (3) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The clamping leg (120) of at least one of the connecting terminals (1, 1A, 1B) is designed to push or pull an electrical conductor (2) into contact with a contact element (11) by means of a spring force.

9. The terminal device (3) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The spring element (12) of at least one of the connecting terminals (1, 1A, 1B) has a supporting leg (121) which is supported on a housing part (10, 10A, 10B) and the clamping leg (120) can be elastically deflected relative to the supporting leg.

10. The wiring device (3) according to claim 9, characterized in that: The supporting leg (121) is supported on a supporting section of the housing part (10, 10A, 10B).

11. The wiring device (3) according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that: A supporting leg (121) of a spring element (12) of at least one of the connecting terminals (1, 1A, 1B) is supported on a housing member (10, 10A, 10B) provided on the connecting terminal (1, 1A, 1B) and a housing member (10, 10A, 10B) of a connecting terminal adjacent along an arrangement direction (A).

12. The terminal device (3) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that In the release position, the clamping leg (120) of at least one of the connecting terminals (1, 1A, 1B) is farther away from the contact section (110) compared to the clamping position, wherein the clamping leg (120) is held in position relative to the housing part (10, 10A, 10B) in the release position.

13. The wiring device (3) according to claim 12, characterized in that At least one of the connecting terminals (1, 1A, 1B) has a trigger element (13), which is designed to cooperate with the electrical conductor (2) to release the clamping leg (120) from a release position when the electrical conductor is plugged into the at least one of the connecting terminals (1, 1A, 1B).

14. The wiring device (3) according to claim 13, characterized in that The trigger element (13) has a trigger leg (130), wherein a housing part (10, 10A, 10B) of at least one of the connecting terminals (1, 1A, 1B) defines a receiving space (101), an electrical conductor (2) can be introduced into the receiving space by plugging into at least one of the connecting terminals (1, 1A, 1B), wherein the trigger leg (130) extends in the receiving space (101) to interact with the electrical conductor (2).

15. The wiring device (3) according to claim 14, characterized in that The trigger element (13) has a supporting end (132), and the trigger leg (130) can be elastically adjusted relative to the supporting end by cooperating with a wire (2) plugged into at least one of the connecting terminals (1, 1A, 1B).

16. The wiring device (3) according to claim 15, characterized in that A supporting end portion (132) of a trigger element (13) of at least one of the connecting terminals (1, 1A, 1B) is supported on a housing member (10, 10A, 10B) of at least one of the connecting terminals (1, 1A, 1B) and a housing member (10, 10A, 10B) of a connecting terminal adjacent along an arrangement direction (A).

17. The terminal device (3) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that At least one of the connecting terminals (1, 1A, 1B) has an operating element (14) which is adjustably arranged on a housing part (10, 10A, 10B) and can be adjusted from an unoperated position to an operated position in order to transfer a clamping leg (120) to a released position.

18. The wiring device (3) according to claim 17, characterized in that The operating element (14) is supported on a housing part (10, 10A, 10B) of at least one of the connecting terminals (1, 1A, 1B) so as to be pivotable about a pivot axis (140) and comprises an operating section (141) for being operated by a user and an acting section (144) for acting on a clamping leg (120).

19. The wiring device (3) according to claim 18, characterized in that An operating element (14) of at least one of the connecting terminals (1, 1A, 1B) is supported on a housing part (10, 10A, 10B) provided on the at least one connecting terminal (1, 1A, 1B) and a housing part (10, 10A, 10B) of an adjacent connecting terminal along an arrangement direction (A).

20. The terminal device (3) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The housing part (10, 10A, 10B) of at least one of the connecting terminals (1, 1A, 1B) has a first locking element (108), and the housing part (10, 10A, 10B) of the connecting terminal adjacent along the arrangement direction (A) has a second locking element (108'), wherein, when the housing parts (10, 10A, 10B) of the connecting terminals (1, 1A, 1B) are arranged successively along the arrangement direction (A), the first locking element (108) and the second locking element (108') are locked to each other.

Images