Connection terminal for connecting electrical conductors

Abstract

The invention relates to a connection terminal (1) for connecting an electrical conductor (2), comprising a housing (10), a contact element (11) arranged on the housing (10), a spring element (12) arranged on the housing (10), which spring element has a clamping leg (120) for acting on the electrical conductor (2), and a trigger element (13). The clamping leg (120) is held in position relative to the housing (10) in a release position. The trigger element (13) is designed to interact with the electrical conductor (2) when inserted into the socket (100) in order to release the clamping leg (120) from the release position. The contact element (11) comprises a contact device (111) for making contact with a corresponding electrical component (5), a first leg extending from the contact device (111) and forming a contact section (110), and a second leg extending from the contact device (111) and forming a measuring section (112) for making electrical contact with a test tool (4).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a connection terminal for connecting an electrical conductor according to the preamble of claim 1 . Background Art

[0002] Such a terminal comprises a housing having a socket into which an electrical conductor can be inserted to be connected to the terminal. A contact element having a contact section for making electrical contact with the electrical conductor is arranged on the housing. A spring element is also arranged on the housing, the spring element having a clamping leg adjustable relative to the housing, the clamping leg being configured to act on the electrical conductor in a clamped position to make contact with the contact section, and in a released position being away from the contact section compared to the clamped position.

[0003] Here, the clamping leg is directly or indirectly latched relative to the housing in the release position and is thus held in its release position. If the clamping leg is in the release position, the electrical conductor can thus be connected to the terminal by being inserted into the socket. The triggering element is used to cooperate with the electrical conductor when inserted into the socket in order to release the clamping leg from the release position.

[0004] Such a connecting terminal realizes a spring-force connection by using a spring element, wherein the electrical conductor is clamped to the contact element under the elastic spring action of the spring element in the connected position and is thereby electrically connected to the contact element.

[0005] In the connection terminal disclosed by DE 10 2019 127 464 B3, a spring element in the form of a tension spring is provided, which pulls the connected electrical conductor into contact with the corresponding contact element by elastic spring action and thus establishes a clamping 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 placement and is clamped between the clamping leg and the contact element in the connected position.

[0006] In the connecting terminal of DE 10 2019 127 464 B3, a latching device is provided, by which the clamping leg is latched relative to the housing in the release position. When the electrical conductor is inserted, the latching device is triggered and the latching is thus released, so that the clamping leg is displaced from 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 connect the electrical conductor or to release the connected electrical conductor from the connecting terminal, a tool, such as a screwdriver, can be placed on the connecting terminal and a force can thereby be applied to the clamping leg.

[0007] In DE 10 2019 127 464 B3, the clamping leg is adjusted directly by a tool, while 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 so as 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 spring of the connecting terminal via a tensioning spring in the form of a compression spring. In the connecting terminal disclosed by DE 10 2019 135 203 A1, an operating projection is provided on the operating element, which is hooked into the fixing section of the retaining element in the operating position of the operating element.

[0008] In the case of the above-mentioned type of terminal, it is desirable to provide a test tapping in order to measure the voltage on the terminal by attaching a test tool to the terminal. In conventional terminals, such a test tapping is usually designed in such a way that a test tool with a test probe can contact the spring element forming the clamping leg, in order to test the voltage on the terminal in this way.

[0009] It is desirable to provide a test tapping which enables the voltage to be tapped even when no electrical conductor is connected to the terminal and the clamping leg of the spring element is in the released position. If the clamping leg is in the released position and the terminal is delivered in this state, for example by the manufacturer, the clamping leg is not in contact with the contact element, so that no voltage can be tapped at the spring element (especially when the spring element is supported on the housing separately from the contact element).

[0010] In the connecting terminal disclosed in DE 10 2020 104 138 B4, a test opening is formed on the housing, into which a test tool can be introduced for contacting a current bar in the housing. Summary of the invention

[0011] The object of the present invention is to provide a connecting terminal which can be realized in a simple manner by using a test tool to tap off the voltage at the connecting terminal for test purposes.

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

[0013] The contact element thus comprises a contact device for contacting a corresponding electrical component, a first leg extending from the contact device and forming a contact section, and a second leg extending from the contact device and forming a tapping section for electrical contacting a test tool.

[0014] In the connection terminal, the electrical conductor is brought into electrical contact with the electrical contact element in that, when the electrical conductor is inserted into the socket, the clamping legs act on the electrical conductor and cause the electrical conductor to be loaded elastically 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 actuating element, so that the clamping legs are transferred to a release position in this way, in which the space in the region of the socket is freed and the electrical conductor can thus be inserted into the socket in a substantially forceless manner or the connected electrical conductor can be removed from the connection terminal in a simple manner.

[0015] If the clamping leg is transferred to the release position, the clamping leg is held in the release position relative to the housing. This can be achieved by direct latching of the clamping leg relative to the housing or by indirect latching, for example, via an actuating element. Thus, the clamping leg can be latched with the triggering element in the release position, for example. Alternatively, the actuating element can latch with the triggering element or with a latching device on the housing. The clamping leg (directly or indirectly via the actuating element) is held in position relative to the housing in the release position, so that the user can insert the electrical conductor into the socket in a simple, essentially forceless manner and thereby connect it to the terminal.

[0016] 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 thus transferred to the clamping position, in which the electrical conductor inserted into the socket is in electrical contact with the contact element of the terminal. By deflecting the trigger element when the electrical conductor is inserted, the terminal automatically closes when the electrical conductor is inserted. This results in a simple connection process with reliable contact between the conductor and the contact element.

[0017] Such a terminal can be delivered by the manufacturer, for example, with the clamping legs in a released position, in which the clamping legs of the spring element are held in position relative to the housing in the released position and can be automatically triggered by a trigger element when an electrical conductor is inserted. In order to provide a test tapping in such a terminal, which allows the voltage at the terminal to be tapped for test purposes, a tapping section is formed on the contact element in the terminal, which tapping section allows electrical contact with a test tool and thus allows the voltage at the contact element to be tapped for test purposes.

[0018] The tapping section is formed on a leg extending from a contact device of the contact element. The contact device is used to contact a corresponding electrical component. Another leg extending from the contact device forms a contact section for abutting and contacting a connected electrical conductor.

[0019] By forming a tapping section that can come into contact with a test tool on the contact element, the test tapping is carried out on the contact element and is therefore independent of the position of the clamping legs of the spring element. Since the test tapping is not carried out on the spring element, it is particularly unimportant whether the spring element is in contact with the contact element or whether the clamping legs are in a released position in which the clamping legs are away from the contact section. Thus, the voltage on the connection terminal can be tapped in the released position of the clamping legs even when the spring element is supported on the housing independently of the contact element and is therefore not electrically connected to the contact element, via the tapping section on the contact element.

[0020] By constructing the contact section for contacting the electrical conductor and the tapping section for contacting the test tool on different legs of the contact element, the test tapping can be arranged at a position on the terminal at which the test tool can be placed on the terminal in a space-saving manner. The connected electrical conductor is contacted with the contact element via the first leg forming the contact section. The test tool can be brought into contact with the contact element via the second leg in order to tap a voltage for test purposes. A contact device is constructed between the first leg and the second leg, by which the terminal can be connected to a corresponding electrical component, such as a mating plug connector, for example.

[0021] In one embodiment, the contact section extends in a planar manner along a plane which is spanned by a plug-in direction and a transverse direction pointing transversely to the plug-in direction, in which the electrical conductor can be inserted into the socket. The contact section is thus designed to be planar and oriented parallel to the plug-in direction, in which the electrical conductor can be plugged into the terminal. When the electrical conductor is inserted, the electrical conductor acts on the triggering element and thus releases the clamping leg from the release position, so that the clamping leg acts clampingly on the electrical conductor and contacts the electrical conductor with the contact section.

[0022] In one embodiment, the measuring section extends obliquely to the plug-in direction. The contact section and the measuring section are therefore oriented on the housing in different directions. By extending obliquely, the measuring section can in particular be directed toward a test opening constructed on the housing so that a test tool can be introduced into the housing.

[0023] The test opening provided on the housing for introducing the test tool can be designed in particular such that the test tool can be introduced into the test opening along the vertical direction. Preferably, the tapping section extends obliquely to the vertical direction. The vertical direction can, for example, be oriented perpendicularly to the plugging direction, along which the electrical conductor can be inserted into the socket of the housing to be connected to the connection terminal, so that the test section is oriented obliquely not only to the vertical direction but also to the plugging direction.

[0024] In one embodiment, the tapping section engages with the end remote from the contact device into a coupling opening on the housing and is thereby supported on the housing. Thus, the tapping section extends from the contact device and is supported on the housing at the remote free end. Thus, by supporting the load force applied by the test tool on the housing and introducing it into the housing, the bending load on the tapping section is reduced.

[0025] In one embodiment, the contact section points with its end facing away from the contact device in the direction of the socket. Thus, in one embodiment, both the tapping section and the contact section point away from the contact device with their free ends.

[0026] For example, the contact element can be designed as a sheet metal element, for example in the form of a stamped and bent part, wherein the contact section, the contact device and the tapping section are formed by sections of the contact element that are bent relative to one another.

[0027] In one embodiment, the contact device is formed by a contact socket for plug-in connection with a corresponding electrical component. Such a contact socket, for example in the form of a so-called plum blossom contact, can have, for example, contact sheets, via which the contact device can be plug-in connected to a corresponding electrical component in the form of a mating plug connector. Contact elements of a mating plug connector can be inserted between the contact sheets of the contact socket, in order to establish an electrical connection between the plug connector, whose components are terminal blocks, and the mating plug connector in this way.

[0028] In one embodiment, the spring element 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 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 inserted into the socket of the housing, so that the electrical conductor is pulled into clamping contact with the contact element after the clamping legs are triggered from the release position.

[0029] Alternatively, the spring element can be designed as a compression spring. In this case, the clamping leg is designed to press the electrical conductor against the contact element by spring force. When inserted into the socket, the electrical conductor enters 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 presses the electrical conductor against the contact element.

[0030] The spring element can, for example, have a support leg, by which the spring element is supported on the housing and held in a position on the housing. The clamping leg can be deflected elastically relative to the support leg, wherein in the release position the clamping leg is deflected 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.

[0031] The supporting leg can for example engage in a supporting opening on the housing and thereby be supported on the housing. The spring element is therefore fixed to the housing independently of the contact element and is therefore not directly electrically connected to the contact element when the housing is constructed of an electrically insulating material, in particular a plastic material.

[0032] In one embodiment, the trigger element has a trigger leg, which is designed to cooperate with the electrical conductor when inserted into the socket. 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 defines a receiving chamber, into which the electrical conductor can be inserted by inserting it into the socket. The trigger leg extends in the receiving chamber in order to cooperate with the electrical conductor. In particular, the electrical conductor can be inserted into the socket along the plug-in direction, wherein the trigger leg extends in the receiving chamber at least with an end section (approximately) transversely to the plug-in direction.

[0033] The triggering element can be designed, for example, as an integrated, inherently elastically resilient element.

[0034] 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 inserted into the socket. The trigger element is supported on the housing via the support end, for example, in that the support end is fixed to a corresponding connection device of the housing. Thus, the trigger element is fixed to the housing via the support end in that the support end is operatively connected to the connection device of the housing and is thereby held rotationally fixed to the housing.

[0035] The support end is fixed to the connection device of the housing in a rotationally fixed manner. 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, via which a reliable, for example form-fitting, fixation to the connection device of the housing can be achieved. While the support end is supported in a rotationally fixed manner relative to the housing, the trigger leg can be elastically adjusted in the receiving chamber and extends in the receiving chamber, so that an electrical conductor inserted into the socket stops on the trigger leg when inserted into the receiving chamber and thus deflects the trigger leg.

[0036] In one embodiment, the support end has at least one first form-fitting element, and the connection device of the housing 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 engage with each other in a form-fitting manner in order to fix the support end to the housing. Thus, a form-fitting connection is achieved between the support end and the housing in such a way that the support end is held rotationally fixed to the housing. The trigger leg can be elastically deflected relative to the support leg, wherein the support end is fixed to the housing in such a way that a torque can be introduced into the housing via the support end and supported on the housing.

[0037] One of the form-fitting elements can be formed, for example, by a cutout. The other of the form-fitting elements is then formed by a protruding element, which engages in a form-fitting manner in the cutout in order to fix the support end on the housing. For example, the support end can have a cutout, which engages with a corresponding form-fitting element in the form of a protruding element on the housing. The form-fitting engagement is especially such that the support end cannot slide out of the housing, but is held on the housing, so that when the trigger leg is elastically deflected, the support end remains in position on the housing.

[0038] In one embodiment, the terminal has an actuating element which is adjustably arranged on the housing and which can be adjusted from an unactuated position into an actuated position in order to transfer the clamping legs into a released position. The actuating element can be actuated by a user, for example manually or by a suitable tool, and for this purpose has an actuating section which can be accessed from outside the housing.

[0039] In one embodiment, the actuating element is latched with the triggering element in the actuating position. Thus, in the actuating position, the actuating 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 placed on the terminal or a connected conductor can be removed from the terminal in a substantially forceless manner. After the latch is released, the actuating element can be moved back in the direction of the non-actuated position, in particular automatically, preferably under spring preload. In this case, the spring preload of the actuating element can be brought about, for example, by the clamping leg, which is elastically deflected in the actuated position, and after the actuating element is released, the spring acts mechanically on the actuating element in order to move the actuating element from the actuated position in the direction of the non-actuated position.

[0040] In one embodiment, the trigger leg is locked in the latching position with the operating element in the operating position. In order to release the operating element from the operating position, the trigger leg can be moved out of the latching position by cooperating with the electrical conductor.

[0041] In one embodiment, the actuating element is pivotably mounted on the housing about a pivot axis and has an actuating section for actuation by a user and an actuating section for acting on the clamping leg. The actuating section is operatively connected to the clamping leg of the spring element, while the actuating section is accessible from outside the housing, for example by enabling the user to act on the actuating section via a tool, such as a screwdriver, or alternatively manually. Thus, by adjusting the actuating element, an actuating force is applied to the clamping leg via the actuating section, so that, in particular, when the actuating element is adjusted from an unactuated position to an actuated position, the clamping leg is driven and thus moves in the direction of the release position.

[0042] In one embodiment, the actuating element has a latching section for latching with a latching device of the triggering element in the actuated position. The latching section can be arranged, for example, on a side of the actuating element facing away from the actuating section (with respect to the pivot axis of the pivotable mounting of the actuating element on the housing), preferably approximately opposite to the actuating section with respect to the pivot axis. The actuating element latches with a corresponding latching device of the triggering element in the actuated position by means of the latching section, so that the actuating element is thereby held in the actuated position, but can be released from the actuated position in a simple and reliable manner when an electrical conductor is inserted by triggering the trigger leg.

[0043] The latching device of the triggering element can be formed, for example, by an opening, into which a latching section of the actuating element, for example formed by a projection, engages in the actuated position of the actuating element. The actuating element is thus held in its actuated position by the latching section engaging in a positive fit in the opening of the triggering element, wherein the engagement can be released by adjusting the triggering leg and the actuating element can thus be released from the actuated position for transferring the clamping leg into the release position.

[0044] The opening that the latching section of the operating element is locked in the operating position and is engaged therein can for example be formed on the trigger leg of the trigger element. By adjusting the trigger leg, the engagement can be released in that the trigger leg moves relative to the latching section of the operating element and thus releases the connection of the latch.

[0045] In one embodiment, the connection terminal is a component of a connection assembly consisting of a plurality of connection terminals, which are arranged one after another along an arrangement direction, which extends transversely to a plug-in direction along which an electrical conductor is plugged onto the connection terminal.

[0046] Here, the connecting terminals can be abutted against each other and interact with each other so that the side walls of the connecting terminals also provide side walls for adjacent other connecting terminals. Therefore, a single connecting terminal is not closed outwardly, but is closed only by arranging a plurality of connecting terminals with each other.

[0047] The connecting terminals of the assembly can be of the same structure. However, the connecting terminals can also differ in their dimensions, for example the width in the arrangement direction and the number and / or size of the sockets.

[0048] The housing of the connecting terminal can be formed, for example, by two housing parts placed one next to the other in the arrangement direction, wherein adjacent connecting terminals can use the housing parts in common. Advantageously, it can be provided that the support ends of the triggering element of the connecting terminal are held in position by these housing parts in common, wherein the housing parts each have a connecting device, for example. For this purpose, the support end of the triggering element can be fixed to the connecting device of the housing part, for example. For example, the support end can be arranged between the side walls of the housing part extending parallel to each other, so that the support end is fixed between the side walls of the two housing parts in a form-fitting manner and, for example, engages with the connecting device of the housing part in a form-fitting manner. As a result, the support end is held between the housing parts of adjacent connecting terminals arranged one next to the other and is further fixed with its support end in such a way that the triggering leg of the triggering element can be elastically deflected relative to the support end, while the support end is held in position and can absorb torque. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0049] The idea underlying the present invention is explained in detail below with reference to the exemplary embodiments shown in the drawings.

[0050] Figure 1 shows a view of a terminal assembly having a plurality of terminal blocks received in a housing;

[0051] Figure 2 A front view of the wiring assembly is shown;

[0052] Figure 3 The connecting terminal is shown in the unactuated position of the actuating element along the axis according to Figure 2 A cross-sectional view of line AA;

[0053] Figure 4A A view showing a housing component of a terminal block;

[0054] Figure 4B A view showing housing components of adjacent terminal blocks;

[0055] Figures 5A-5C A separate view of a triggering element of a terminal block is shown;

[0056] Fig. 6A A view showing a housing component of a terminal block;

[0057] Figure 6B Shown according to Fig. 6A A magnified view of a local X;

[0058] Fig. 7A Another view of a housing component of a terminal block is shown;

[0059] Figure 7B Shown according to Fig. 7AA magnified view of a local X;

[0060] Figure 8 Shows along the basis Figure 1 Sectional view of midline BB;

[0061] Fig. 9 A view showing an embodiment of a wiring assembly with a test tool attached thereto;

[0062] Fig.10 Shown according to Figure 3 A longitudinal cross-sectional view of a device having a test tool attached;

[0063] Fig.11A An isolated view of a contact element of a terminal block is shown;

[0064] Fig. 11B shows a side view of a contact element; and

[0065] Fig.12 A view of the outer housing of the terminal block assembly is shown with a test tool attached. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0066] Figure 1 and 2 An embodiment of a terminal block 3 is shown, which has a plurality of terminal blocks 1, 1A, which are enclosed together in an outer housing 30. The terminal blocks 1, 1A are arranged in a row along an arrangement direction A and are enclosed together in an outer housing 30, wherein a socket 100 is assigned to each terminal block 1, 1A on a housing 10, into which an electrical conductor 2 can be inserted with a (stripped) conductor end 20 along a plug-in direction E in order to connect the electrical conductor 2 to the terminal block 1, 1A.

[0067] Figure 3 According to Figure 2 The sectional view along the line AA of FIG. 8 shows an exemplary embodiment of a connecting terminal 1 , which has a housing 10 with a socket 100 formed therein for inserting an electrical conductor 2 in a plug-in direction E.

[0068] The housing 10 defines a receiving chamber 101, into which the electrical conductor 2 is introduced with the uninsulated conductor end 20 when the electrical conductor 2 is inserted into the socket 100 along the plugging direction E. In the connection position, the conductor 2 with the uninsulated conductor end 20 is located within the receiving chamber 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.

[0069] The spring element 12 has a support leg 121, which is supported on the wall of the housing 10 by engaging the support leg 121 in a support opening 108 on the housing wall 106, so that the spring element 12 is fixed on the housing 10 and relative to the housing 10. The clamping leg 120 can be elastically deflected relative to the support leg 121, in particular, deflected in such a way that the clamping leg 120 acts in a clamping manner on the electrical conductor 2 connected to the connecting terminal 1 in the clamping position and presses the electrical conductor into contact with the contact element 11 under elastic pretension, thereby making electrical contact between the electrical conductor 2 and the contact element 11 via its conductor end 20.

[0070] The contact element 11 has a contact section 110 which extends flat in the housing 10 and against which the electrical conductor 2 is pressed by the conductor end 20 with 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 a corresponding electrical mating plug connector.

[0071] In the embodiment shown, the housing 10 of the terminal block 1 is provided with Figure 4A and 4B Here, the adjacent connecting terminals 1, 1A use the housing parts 105, 105' together. Therefore, the housing 10 of a connecting terminal 1 is formed by a housing part 105 and an adjacent housing part 105' of an adjacent connecting terminal 1A.

[0072] As this from Figure 4A , 4B As can be seen from the figure, the housing parts 105, 105' of the connecting terminals 1, 1A arranged in a row are attached to each other and are jointly enclosed in the outer housing 30 of the connecting assembly 3, as shown in FIG. Figure 2 Visible in.

[0073] An actuating element 14 is pivotably mounted on housing 10 of connecting terminal 1 via a pivot axis 140. Actuating element 14 can be pivoted about pivot axis 140 relative to housing 10, wherein an actuating section 141 is accessible from outside housing 10 through an actuating opening 102 and can thus be actuated by a user, for example using a tool.

[0074] In the exemplary embodiment shown, the pivot axis 140 is integrally formed on the housing part 105, into which the stub axis 140' of the housing part 105' engages and thereby completes the pivot bearing of the actuating element 14 on the housing 10. Figure 4A , 4B As can be seen in .

[0075] The actuating element 14 is in operative connection with the clamping leg 120 of the spring element 12. For this purpose, the spring element 12 passes through a through hole 142 inside the actuating element 14, so that the spring element 12 acts around the pivot axis 140 with a curved middle section 122, such as from Figure 3 As can be seen in FIG. The support leg 121 protrudes from the opening 142 on a first side and is supported on the housing 10. In contrast, the clamping leg 120 protrudes from the actuating element 14 on a second, remote side and extends in the receiving space 101 in the region of the socket 100 so that the spring element 12 can act on the electrical conductor 2 inserted into the socket 100 via the clamping leg 120, thereby contacting the contact element 11 and mechanically locking it.

[0076] The connecting terminal 1 has a trigger element 13, which is fixed to the housing 10 via a support end 132 and is thus supported in a torque-proof manner relative to the housing 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 chamber 101 and thus extends in a region aligned with the socket 100.

[0077] If this is based on Figures 5A-5C A separate view of the trigger element 13 according to Fig. 6A , 6B Detailed view of the housing part 105 of 7A, 7B and according to Figure 8 As can be seen in the sectional view of FIG. 1 , the support end 132 of the trigger element 13 is connected in a form-fitting manner to the connecting device 103, 103' of the housing part 105, 105' forming the housing 10 of the connecting terminal 1. The support end 132 of the trigger element 13 formed by the strip-shaped spring element has recesses 134, 135 on its mutually opposite side edges, which engage with the protruding elements 104, 104' on the connecting device 103, 103' in the installed position of the trigger element 13.

[0078] The connection devices 103, 103' are each formed by a coupling 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 10. The form fit between the support end 132 and the housing 10 is such that the support end 132 cannot slip out of the connection devices 103, 103', and furthermore the support end 132 is supported on the housing 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 10, and the support end 132 is held in a position relative to the housing 10.

[0079] The engagement openings 107, 107' are formed on the wall sections 106, 106' of the respective housing parts 105, 105', which protrude from the flat side walls of the housing parts 105, 105', such as from Figure 4A , 4B Visible in.

[0080] As according to Figure 8 As can be seen in the sectional view of FIG. 1 , the support end 132 of the connecting terminal 1 is accommodated between the housing parts 105, 105' of the adjacent connecting terminals 1, 1A in such a way that the support end 132 is held in a form-fitting manner on the mirror-inverted connecting devices 103, 103' of the housing parts 105, 105' of the connecting terminals 1, 1A. The housing parts 105, 105' thus jointly form the housing 10 of the connecting terminal 1. The trigger element 13 is fixed to the connecting terminal 1 via the housing 10 and is thus held in position relative to the housing 10 of the connecting terminal 1 in the assembled, ready-to-use connecting terminal 1.

[0081] The triggering leg 130 is used to interact with the electrical conductor 2 inserted into the socket 100 , in particular to automatically connect the electrical conductor 2 to the connecting terminal 1 when the clamping leg 120 is triggered.

[0082] The triggering element 13 has an opening 131, with which the operating element 14 is latched by a latching section 143 in the form of a projection when the operating element 14 is transferred into the operating position along the operating direction B. In the operating position, the operating element 14 engages with the latching section 143 in the opening 131 and is held in a latched manner on the triggering leg 130, so that the operating element 14 is latched in the operating position.

[0083] In the embodiment shown, the trigger leg 130 itself is curved. 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, there extends a middle section 136, on which the opening 131 is formed, which extends transversely between the free end 138 of the trigger leg 130 and the leg section 137 of the trigger leg 130 bearing the opening 131. By means of a suitable shaping of the trigger element 13, the trigger element 13 can be adapted to the structural space conditions within the receiving chamber 101 of the housing 10.

[0084] If the actuating element 14 is actuated in the actuating direction B and thereby pivoted relative to the housing 10 about the pivot axis 140, the actuating element 14 drives the clamping leg 120 of the spring element 12 via the engagement section 144 and thereby adjusts the clamping leg 120 to the release position. In the release position, the clamping leg 120 with its free end is away from the contact section 110 of the contact element 11 and thereby releases the region in the receiving chamber 101 that is aligned with the socket 100 in the plug-in direction E, so that the electrical conductor 2 can be inserted into the socket 100 without being hindered by the clamping leg 120 and thus can be connected to the connecting terminal 1 in a substantially forceless manner.

[0085] If the electrical conductor 2 with the uninsulated conductor end 20 is inserted into the socket 100 and thus introduced into the receiving chamber 101 in the plugging direction E, and the actuating element 14 is in the actuating position and thus the clamping leg 120 is in the release position, the conductor 2 comes into contact with the triggering leg 130 of the triggering element 13 and the triggering leg is elastically deflected relative to the support end 132 and thus relative to the housing 10. As a result, the triggering leg 130 is moved relative to the latching section 143 of the actuating element 14 in the plugging direction E, so that the latching section 143 is disengaged from the opening 131 and thus the actuating element 14 is released from the actuating position.

[0086] On the side of the opening 131 facing the free end 138 of the trigger leg 130, a contact element 133 is formed by a bent section of the trigger element 13 formed as a sheet metal element, against which a latching section 143 rests in the latched position and slides when releasing from the latching position. Since the electrical conductor 2 acts on the trigger leg 130 with a larger lever arm than the latching section 143, the trigger leg 130 can be deflected with a smaller force applied by the electrical conductor 2, so that the latching can be easily and reliably released when the electrical conductor 2 is inserted.

[0087] like Figure 3 and Figure 5B As shown in the combination, the contact element 133 is bent relative to the leg section 137 of the trigger leg 130 in a direction facing away from the operating element 14 in the plug-in direction E. Here, the locking section 143 is located at a support point C on the contact element 133 when the locking section 143 is inserted into the opening 131. The support point C is offset relative to the plane P, and the support section 137 aligned with the support end 132 extends along the plane. As a result, when the operating element 14 is engaged with the opening 131 on the leg section 137 by the locking section 143 and is locked with the trigger element 13, the operating element 14 applies a torque to the trigger element 13 via the locking section 143, and the torque is applied according to Figure 3 points in the counterclockwise direction in the sectional view of , and thus in a direction which additionally intensifies the latching engagement of the latching section 143 with the opening 131 .

[0088] When the latching is established, the latching section 143 slides into the opening 131 under the elastic deflection of the trigger leg 130, and the trigger leg 130 then returns to its initial position in which the trigger leg 130 is latched with the latching section 143 of the actuating element 14. The trigger leg 130 is loaded on the contact element 133 by the latching section 143 of the actuating element 14 and is pressed in the direction of the actuating element 14 due to the torque generated thereby, so that the latching section 143 moves to completely engage with the opening 131 on the leg section 137.

[0089] After the latch is released when the electrical conductor 2 is inserted, the actuating element 14 moves out of the actuating position due to the elastic preload on the clamping legs 120 and is reset against the actuating direction B. In this process, the clamping legs 120 come into clamped contact with the electrical conductor 2 and thereby press 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.

[0090] Since the actuating element 14 is adjusted out of the actuating position after releasing the latch, the user can safely and reliably detect that the connecting terminal 1 has been actuated and the electrical line 2 is therefore connected to the connecting terminal 1. The risk of incorrect actuation is thus reduced.

[0091] If the electrical conductor 2 is to be released from the connected position and removed from the terminal 1 again, the actuating element 14 can be transferred to the actuating position again, so that the clamping legs 120 are out of contact with the conductor 2. As a result, the conductor 2 can be removed from the terminal 1 in a substantially forceless manner.

[0092] In accordance with Figure 1 and Figure 2 In the wiring assembly, the test opening 300 is formed on the outer shell 30, and the test tool 4 having the test probe 40 can be respectively inserted into the test opening 300. Fig. 9 and Fig.10 Each test opening 300 is assigned to one of the terminals 1 , 1A of the terminal assembly 3 , so that a voltage can be tapped at the terminals 1 , 1A for testing purposes by a test tool 4 and thus the potential of the terminals 1 , 1A can be tested.

[0093] As according to Fig.11A , 11B, it can be seen from the individual views of the contact element 11 that the contact element 11 has different legs extending from the contact device 111. The first leg forms a contact section 110, which extends in a planar manner along a plane spanned by the plug-in direction E and a transverse direction Q pointing transversely to the plug-in direction E. Opposite thereto, the second leg forms a tapping section 112, which is oriented obliquely to the plane of the contact section 110 and thus to the plug-in direction E and also to a vertical direction V perpendicular to the plug-in direction E and the transverse direction Q.

[0094] In the illustrated embodiment, the testing tool 4 can be inserted into the testing opening 300 corresponding to the connecting terminal 1 , 1A along the vertical direction V in order to contact the tapping section 112 of the contact element 11 of the connecting terminal 1 , 1A with the testing probe 40 .

[0095] The legs each extend from a contact device 111 which, in the exemplary embodiment shown, is formed by a contact socket with contact blades, between which, for example, contact pins of a mating plug connector can be inserted in order to connect the terminal module 3 to the mating plug connector in a plug-in manner.

[0096] As from Figure 3 and Fig.10 It can be seen that the contact section 110 points with its free end from the contact device 111 in the direction of the socket 100 . In contrast, the tapping section 112 extends obliquely in the housing 10 into the region of the test opening 300 corresponding to the respective connecting terminal 1 .

[0097] In this case, the measuring section 112 is received with its free end in a joining opening 109, 109' on the protruding wall section 106, 106' of the housing part 105, 105', such as from Fig.10 Combination Figure 4A , 4B As can be seen, the tapping section 112 is thus supported on the housing 10 formed by the housing parts 105 , 105 ′.

[0098] In the illustrated embodiment of the connecting terminal 1, the supporting legs 121 of the spring element 12 are accommodated in the supporting openings 108, 108' of the housing parts 105, 105' and are thereby supported on the housing 10. The housing 10 is made of an electrically insulating material, in particular plastic, so that when the clamping legs 120 are in the released position and are therefore away from the contact section 110 of the contact element 11, the spring element 12 is not in electrical contact with the contact element 11. However, since the test tapping is performed on the contact element 11 via the tapping section 112, the voltage can be tapped directly on the contact element 11 via the test tool 4, regardless of the position of the clamping legs 120 of the spring element 12.

[0099] As according to Fig.12 As can be seen in the separate view of the outer housing 30 of the terminal assembly 3, in the area of ​​the test opening 300, the guide section 301 is formed in the form of a groove extending longitudinally and having a semicircular cross section, and when inserted into the test opening 300 corresponding to the terminal 1, the test probe 40 of the test tool 4 slides along the groove. Therefore, the test probe 40 is guided on the housing 30 and guided into the area of ​​the measuring section 112, so that the test probe 40 reliably contacts the measuring section 112 when inserted into the test opening 300.

[0100] The contact element 11 can be formed as a sheet-metal element, for example as a stamped and bent part, and can therefore be produced simply and cost-effectively.

[0101] The idea underlying the present invention is not limited to the above-described exemplary embodiments but can also be realized in other ways.

[0102] The triggering element can be designed, for example, as a sheet metal element. However, other embodiments of the triggering element are also conceivable and feasible, for example, made of plastic.

[0103] Description of Reference Numerals

[0104] 1. 1A terminal block

[0105] 10 Shell

[0106] 100 sockets

[0107] 101 Accommodation Chamber

[0108] 102 Joint opening

[0109] 103, 103' connection device

[0110] 104, 104' form-fitting element

[0111] 105, 105' shell parts

[0112] 106, 106' wall section

[0113] 107, 107' side wall

[0114] 108, 108' support opening

[0115] 109, 109' joint opening

[0116] 11Contact element (current bar)

[0117] 110 contact section

[0118] 111 contact device

[0119] 112 measurement section

[0120] 12 Clamping spring

[0121] 120 Clamping Legs

[0122] 121 Support Leg

[0123] 122 Middle section

[0124] 13 Trigger element

[0125] 130 Trigger Leg

[0126] 131 Locking device (locking opening)

[0127] 132 Support end

[0128] 133 Touch components

[0129] 134, 135 shape-fitting element (recessed portion)

[0130] 136 Middle section

[0131] 137 Leg Section

[0132] 138 end

[0133] 14 Control elements

[0134] 140 Swing shaft

[0135] 141 Operation section

[0136] 142 through holes

[0137] 143 card lock section

[0138] 144 Action section

[0139] 15 plug connector section

[0140] 3 Wiring components

[0141] 30 Shell

[0142] 300 test openings

[0143] 301 Guide Section

[0144] 4. Testing Tools

[0145] 40 test probes

[0146] 5 Electrical components

[0147] AArrangement direction

[0148] BControl direction

[0149] C support point

[0150] E Plug direction

[0151] QHorizontal direction

[0152] VVertical direction

Claims

1. A terminal (1) for connecting an electrical conductor (2), comprising a housing (10), the housing having a socket (101), the electrical conductor (2) being insertable into the socket for connection to the terminal (1), the terminal having a contact element (11) arranged on the housing (10), the contact element having a contact section (110) for making electrical contact with the electrical conductor (2), the terminal having a spring element (12) arranged on the housing (10), the spring element having a clamping leg (120) adjustable relative to the housing (10), the clamping leg being configured to act on the electrical conductor (2) in a clamping position so as to make contact with the contact section (110), and being spaced away from the contact section (110) in a release position compared to the clamping position, and the terminal having a triggering element (13), wherein: The clamping leg (120) is held in a position relative to the housing (10) in the release position, and the trigger element (13) is constructed to cooperate with the electrical conductor (2) when inserted into the socket (100) so as to release the clamping leg (120) from the release position, characterized in that the contact element (11) has a contact device (111) for contacting a corresponding electrical component (5), a first leg extending from the contact device (111) and forming a contact section (110), and a second leg extending from the contact device (111) and forming a measuring section (112) for electrical contact with a test tool (4).

2. The connecting terminal (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that: The contact section (110) extends flat along a plane which is spanned by a plug-in direction (E) along which the electrical line (2) can be inserted into the socket (100) and a transverse direction (Q) which runs transversely to the plug-in direction (E).

3. The connecting terminal (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that: The measuring section (112) extends obliquely to the plug-in direction (E).

4. The connecting terminal (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The housing (10) has a test opening (300) into which the test tool (4) can be inserted to contact the measuring section (112).

5. The connecting terminal (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that: The test tool (4) can be inserted into the test opening (300) along a vertical direction (V), wherein the measuring section (112) extends obliquely to the vertical direction (V).

6. The connecting terminal (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The measuring section (112) is inserted into a coupling opening (109, 109') on the housing (10) with its end facing away from the contact device (111) and is thereby supported on the housing (10).

7. The connecting terminal (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The contact section (110) points in the direction of the socket (100) with its end facing away from the contact device (111).

8. The connecting terminal (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The contact device (111) is formed by a contact socket and is used for plug-and-connection with a corresponding electrical component (5).

9. The connecting terminal (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The clamping leg (120) is designed to press or pull the electrical conductor (2) into contact with the contact element (11) by means of a spring force.

10. The connecting terminal (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The spring element (12) has a supporting leg (121) which is supported on the housing (10) and with respect to which the clamping leg (120) can be elastically deflected.

11. The connecting terminal (1) according to claim 10, characterized in that: The supporting legs (121) engage in supporting openings (108, 108') on the housing (10) and are thereby supported on the housing (10).

12. The connecting terminal (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The trigger element (13) has a trigger leg (130), wherein the housing (10) defines a receiving cavity (101), and the electrical conductor (2) can be inserted into the receiving cavity (101) by being inserted into the socket (100), wherein the trigger leg (130) extends in the receiving cavity (101) to cooperate with the electrical conductor (2).

13. The connecting terminal (1) according to claim 12, characterized in that: The electrical line (2) can be inserted into the socket (100) along a plug-in direction (E), wherein the trigger leg (130) extends in the receiving space (101) transversely to the plug-in direction (E).

14. The connecting terminal (1) according to claim 13, 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 the line (2) inserted into the socket (100).

15. The connecting terminal (1) according to claim 14, characterized in that The housing (10) has a connecting device (103, 103'), and the supporting end (132) is fixed on the connecting device.

16. The connecting terminal (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that An actuating element (14) is adjustably arranged on the housing (10) and is adjustable from an unactuated position into an actuated position in order to transfer the clamping leg (120) into the released position.

17. The connecting terminal (1) according to claim 16, characterized in that The operating element (14) is designed to be locked with the triggering element (13) in the operated position, so that the operating element (14) is held in the operated position.

18. The connecting terminal (1) according to claim 16 or 17, characterized in that: The operating element (14) is mounted on the housing (10) so as to be pivotable about a pivot axis (140) and has an operating section (141) for being operated by a user and an acting section (144) for acting on the clamping leg (120).

19. A wiring assembly (3) comprising a wiring terminal (1) according to any one of the preceding claims and a further wiring terminal (1A), wherein the further wiring terminal (1A) is arranged adjacent to the wiring terminal (1) along an arrangement direction (A) extending transversely to a plug-in direction (E), and the electrical conductor (2) can be inserted into the socket (100) along the plug-in direction, wherein: The housing (10) of the connecting terminal (1) is formed by two housing parts (105, 105') which are arranged adjacent to each other along the arrangement direction (A).

Images