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) which has a plug-in opening (101) into which the electrical conductor (2) can be inserted in order to be connected to the connection terminal (1). A contact element (11) for electrically contacting the electrical conductor (2) and a spring element (12) having a clamping leg (120) for acting on the electrical conductor (2) in order to contact the electrical conductor (2) with the contact element (11) are arranged on the housing (10). In order to adjust the clamping leg (120), the operating element (14), which can be adjusted from a non-operating position into an operating position, can be pivoted relative to the housing (10). The trigger element (13) has a support end (132) which is arranged statically relative to the housing (10) and a trigger leg (130) which can be elastically adjusted relative to the support end (132), and wherein the operating element (14) is designed to latch with the trigger element (13) in an operating position such that the operating element (14) is held in the operating position.

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 plug opening into which an electrical conductor can be inserted to be connected to the terminal. A contact element for making electrical contact with the electrical conductor is arranged on the housing. In addition, a spring element is arranged on the housing, the spring element having a clamping leg, which is configured to act on the electrical conductor when the electrical conductor is inserted into the plug opening so that the electrical conductor contacts the contact element. The operating element can be operated by a user to adjust the clamping leg. For this purpose, the operating element can be adjusted from an unoperated position to an operated position, for example, using a tool, so as to adjust the clamping leg in the operated position, for example, to make it easier to insert the electrical conductor into the plug opening, or to remove the electrical conductor from the plug opening.

[0003] Such a connecting terminal is realized as 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 connection position 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 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 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 and the locking is thus canceled, 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 enable the attachment of 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 in order to act on the clamping leg in this way and transfer the clamping leg to its release position. The operating element is spring-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 on the fixing section of the retaining element in the operating position of the operating element. Summary of the invention

[0007] The object of the present invention is to provide a connecting terminal which can hold the clamping legs of a spring element in a released position in a simple manner and which can be transferred into a clamping position when an electrical conductor is inserted.

[0008] This object is achieved by the subject matter having the features of claim 1 .

[0009] Therefore, the connecting terminal has a trigger element, which has a support end arranged statically relative to the housing and a trigger leg that can be elastically adjusted relative to the support end. The operating element is configured to be locked with the trigger element in the operating position so that the operating element is held in the operating position. The trigger leg is configured to cooperate with the electrical conductor when the electrical conductor is inserted into the plug opening to release the operating element from the operating position.

[0010] 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 inserted into the plug opening, the clamping leg acts on the electrical conductor and spring-loads the electrical conductor in the direction of contact with the contact element. In order to facilitate the plugging of the electrical conductor, the clamping leg of the spring element can be elastically deflected by the operation of the operating element, so that the clamping leg is transferred to a release position in this way, in which the space in the area of ​​the plug opening is released, and the electrical conductor can thus be inserted into the plug opening in a substantially forceless manner, or (alternatively) the connected electrical conductor can be removed from the connecting terminal in a simple manner. The operating element can be designed, for example, in the form of a button and can be pressed into the housing by the user under the condition of pivoting relative to the housing, so as to act on the clamping leg in this way and adjust the clamping leg in the direction of the release position.

[0011] The operating element, which is pivotably mounted on the housing, latches in the operating position with a triggering element, which is supported by a support end on the housing or on a part connected to the housing. In the operating position, the operating element is thus held in a position by the triggering element, so that the clamping legs of the spring element are also held in their release position, in which a simple attachment of an electrical conductor to the terminal or a substantially forceless removal of a connected conductor from the terminal is possible.

[0012] The trigger element is used to lock with the operating element in the operating position. Therefore, by operating the operating element, the clamping leg can be adjusted relative to the housing and can be transferred to the release position, so that in particular the electrical conductor can be simply inserted into the plug opening of the housing to connect the conductor to the terminal. Here, the trigger element is also used to trigger the operating element from the operating position, so that when the electrical conductor is inserted into the plug opening, the operating element is automatically released from the operating position, and the clamping leg is transferred to the clamping position, in which the electrical conductor inserted into the plug opening is in electrical contact with the contact element of the terminal. For this purpose, the trigger element has a trigger leg, which is configured to cooperate with the electrical conductor when the electrical conductor is inserted into the plug opening. The trigger leg is triggered by the interaction with the electrical conductor, so that the locking of the operating element with the trigger element is cancelled, and the operating element is thus released from the operating position.

[0013] After the latching is cancelled, the operating element can be reset in the direction of the unactuated position, in particular automatically, preferably under spring preload. In this case, the spring preload on the operating element can be brought about in particular by a clamping leg, which is elastically deflected in the actuated position and after the operating element is released, the spring acts mechanically on the operating element to transfer the operating element from the actuated position in the direction of the unactuated position.

[0014] Since the triggering leg of the triggering element is deflected when the electric wire is inserted, the connecting terminal is automatically closed when the electric wire is inserted. Thus, while obtaining a simple connection process, the electric wire is reliably contacted with the contact element through the clamping effect of the clamping leg.

[0015] In one embodiment, the housing defines a receiving space into which the electrical conductor can be introduced by being inserted into the plug opening. The trigger leg extends in the receiving space to interact with the electrical conductor. In particular, the electrical conductor can be inserted into the plug opening along a plugging direction, wherein the trigger leg extends in the receiving space transversely to the plugging direction. The trigger leg can be elastically deflected relative to the support end of the trigger element, so that when interacting with the electrical conductor, the trigger leg is elastically adjusted.

[0016] The support end is preferably supported in a torque-proof manner relative to the housing, 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 plug opening hits the trigger leg when introduced into the receiving space, thereby deflecting it.

[0017] In one design, the trigger leg is locked in the locking 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 adjusted out of the locking position by cooperating with the electrical conductor. Thus, the operating element is locked in the operating position by the trigger leg. By deflecting the trigger leg out of the locking position, the locking can be canceled, so that the operating element is released from the operating position, and the clamping leg of the spring element can be adjusted from the release position to the clamping position.

[0018] 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 plug opening of the housing, so that after the clamping legs are triggered from the release position, the electrical conductor is pulled into clamping contact with the contact element.

[0019] Alternatively, the spring element 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 the electrical conductor is inserted into the plug opening, it 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 pushes the electrical conductor against the contact element.

[0020] In one embodiment, the clamping leg can be elastically adjusted to a release position relative to the housing by actuation of an operating element and is held relative to the housing in the release position by the operating element latched in the actuation position. Thus, the clamping leg is locked relative to the housing in the release position so that the clamping leg remains in the release position after actuation of the operating element.

[0021] The spring element can, for example, have a support leg, by which the spring element is supported on the housing and held in 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 such 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.

[0022] In one embodiment, the support end of the triggering element is arranged on a support leg. In particular, the support end can be supported on the support leg, so that the torque of the triggering element is absorbed on the support leg by the support on the support leg of the spring element and is discharged via the support leg. The support end of the triggering element is thus fixed statically relative to the housing by the support leg and is preferably held in a torque-proof manner relative to the housing, wherein the triggering leg extends from the support end and can be elastically deflected relative to the support end, in particular by cooperating with an electrical conductor inserted into the plug opening.

[0023] In one embodiment, the trigger element has an opening through which the support leg of the spring element extends. The trigger element is arranged on the support leg in the region of the support end by the support leg engaging in the opening of the trigger element, and is preferably supported on the support leg in such a way that when the electrical conductor acts on the trigger leg, the expected torque is absorbed and supported at the support end, and the trigger leg is thus elastically deflected relative to the support end. When the trigger leg no longer cooperates with the electrical conductor, the trigger leg automatically returns to its initial position due to the elastic deflection, so that when the operating element is actuated again, the latching can be established in the operating position of the operating element, and the operating element is thus held in the operating position by the trigger element.

[0024] In one embodiment, the operating element is supported on the housing so as to be pivotable about a pivot axis and has an operating section for being operated by a user and an actuating section for acting on the clamping leg. The operating section is accessible from outside the housing, for example, the user can act on the operating section by means of a tool, such as a screwdriver, or alternatively manually, and the actuating section is in an actuating connection with the clamping leg of the spring element. Thus, by adjusting the operating element, an actuating force is applied to the clamping leg via the actuating section, so that, in particular, when the operating element is adjusted from the non-operated position to the operated position, the clamping leg is driven and thus moves in the direction of the release position.

[0025] The operating element can be supported on the housing in a swingable manner, for example, by an axis element, and can therefore swing relative to the housing around the swing axis. In one design, the spring element extends around the axis element supporting the operating element. This means that the spring element engages an angle preferably greater than 120°, preferably 150°, around the axis element, for example, by a curved section arranged between the support leg and the clamping leg. It can be achieved that the spring element is supported in a manner centered with the swing axis of the operating element so that the clamping leg can be deflected relative to the support leg centered with the swing axis. Therefore, the rotation point of the operating element and the rotation point of the clamping leg are at least approximately the same. As a result, the clamping leg can be adjusted in a simple manner by the operation of the operating element, while the force is advantageously introduced without changing the position of the operating element relative to the clamping leg during pivoting. In addition, when the latch is canceled, the operating element can be reset in an easy manner by the action of the clamping leg.

[0026] In one embodiment, the operating element has a through opening through which the spring element passes. The spring element can be constructed in particular by a bent leaf spring, wherein the clamping leg can be deflected relative to the support leg along the adjustment plane. The spring element extends through the through opening of the operating element, for example, around the pivot axis of the operating element, so that the spring element is supported on the housing on a first side of the operating element by the support leg, and the clamping leg extends from the operating element on a second side that is away from each other and is adjusted together with the operating element when the operating element is adjusted. Thus, while obtaining a space-efficient arrangement of the operating element and the spring element, when the operating element is transferred from the non-operated position to the operated position, force is effectively introduced into the spring element, and in addition, when the operating element is reset from the operated position due to the spring preload of the spring element, force is effectively introduced from the spring element into the operating element.

[0027] The operating element can have two side surfaces extending parallel to each other and spaced apart from each other along the pivot axis of the operating element, between which a through opening is formed, so that the through opening is closed on both sides. The spring element passes through the through opening and protrudes from the operating element on a first side with a supporting leg and on a second side with a clamping leg.

[0028] In another embodiment, the operating element can be open on one side, in that the operating element has, for example, a side surface on one side, but does not have another side surface spaced apart from the side surface along the pivot axis. The through-opening (viewed along the pivot axis) is thus open on one side. This allows for simple mounting of a spring element on the operating element, which can be attached to the operating element in a simple manner.

[0029] In one embodiment, the operating element has a locking section for locking with a locking device of the triggering element in the operating position. The locking section can be arranged, for example, on a side of the operating element facing away from the operating section (with respect to a pivot axis on which the operating element is pivotably mounted on the housing), preferably approximately radially away from the operating section with respect to the pivot axis. The operating element is locked with a corresponding locking device of the triggering element in the operating position by 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 by triggering the trigger leg when an electrical conductor is inserted.

[0030] The locking device of the triggering element can be formed, for example, by an opening, into which a locking section of the operating element, for example 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 positive engagement of the locking section in the opening of the triggering element, wherein the engagement can be cancelled by adjusting the triggering leg and the operating element can thus be released from the operating position in order to transfer the clamping leg into the release position.

[0031] The locking section of the operating element is engaged in the opening in the operating position in a latching manner, and the opening can be formed on the trigger leg of the trigger element, for example. By adjusting the trigger leg, the engagement can be cancelled, in which the trigger leg moves relative to the locking section of the operating element, thereby canceling the locking connection. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0032] The idea underlying the present invention is explained in more detail below with reference to an exemplary embodiment shown in the drawings. It shows:

[0033] Figure 1A A view of an embodiment of a terminal block is shown with the operating element in an unoperated position;

[0034] Figure 1B Shown according to Figure 1A A side view of an assembly of

[0035] Figure 2A A view of the terminal block is shown when the operating element is in the operating position;

[0036] Figure 2B Shown according to Figure 2A A side view of an assembly of

[0037] Figure 3A A view of the terminal block when the electrical conductor and the trigger element cooperate is shown;

[0038] Figure 3B Shown according to Figure 3A A side view of an assembly of

[0039] Figure 4A shows a view of the terminal block after the electrical conductor has been inserted and the operating element has been released from the operating position;

[0040] Figure 4B Shown according to Figure 4A A side view of an assembly of

[0041] Figures 5A-5D A view showing one embodiment of an operating element; and

[0042] Fig. 6A , 6B The figure shows a further exemplary embodiment of an operating element. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0043] Figure 1A , 1B to Figure 4A , 4B An exemplary embodiment of a connecting terminal 1 is shown, which is designed with a housing 10 having a plug opening 100 formed therein for inserting an electrical conductor 2 in a plug-in direction E.

[0044] The housing 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 plugging direction E. In the connection position, the conductor 2 with the conductor end 20 stripped of insulation is located inside 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.

[0045] The spring element 12 has a support leg 121, which is supported on the wall of the housing 10, so that the spring element 12 is fixed on the housing 10 and fixed relative to 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 is Figure 4A , 4B In the clamping position shown, the conductor 2 connected to the terminal 1 acts in a clamping manner and pushes the conductor into contact with the contact element 11 under elastic preload, so that the conductor 2 makes electrical contact with the contact element 11 via its conductor end 20 .

[0046] In the exemplary embodiment shown, the operating element 14 is pivotably mounted on the housing 10 via a pivot axis 140. The operating element 14 can be pivoted about the pivot axis 140 relative to the housing 10, wherein an operating section 141 is accessible from outside the housing 10 via an operating opening 102 and can therefore be operated by a user, for example using a tool.

[0047] 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 is passed through a through opening 142 inside the operating element 14 so that the spring element 12 engages about the pivot axis 140. The support leg 121 projects from the opening 142 on a first side and is supported on the housing 10. In contrast, the clamping leg 120 projects from the operating element 14 on a second, opposite side and extends inside the receiving space 101 in the region of the plug opening 100 so that the spring element 12 can act on the electrical conductor 2 inserted into the plug opening 100 via the clamping leg 120 to make it contact the contact element 11 and furthermore mechanically locked.

[0048] The connecting terminal 1 has a trigger element 13, which is arranged on the support leg 121 of the spring element 12 via a support end 132 and is thereby supported in a torque-proof manner relative to the housing 10. Extending from the support end 132 is a trigger leg 130 which is bent approximately 90° relative to the support end 132 and projects into the receiving space 101 substantially transversely to the plug-in direction E and thus extends in a region aligned with the plug-in opening 100.

[0049] 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.

[0050] The trigger element 13 has an opening 131 through which the support leg 121 passes in order to support the support end 132 relative to the housing 10, for example Figure 1A and Figure 1B In addition, when the operating element 14 has been transferred along the operating direction B1 Figure 2A , 2B In the operating position shown in FIG. 1 , the operating element 14 is locked with the opening 131 by the 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 accordance with Figure 2A , 2B operating position.

[0051] If the operating element 14 is operated along the operating direction B1 and thereby pivoted about the pivot axis 140 relative to the housing 10, the operating element 14 drives the clamping leg 120 of the spring element 12 via the action section 144 and thereby adjusts the clamping leg 120 to the position. Figure 2A , 2BIn the released position, the clamping legs 120 release the region within the receiving 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 legs 120 and can thus be connected to the terminal 1 in a substantially forceless manner.

[0052] 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 trigger leg 130 of the trigger element 13 and the trigger leg is elastically deflected relative to the support end 132 and thus relative to the housing 10. As a result, the trigger leg 130 is adjusted relative to the locking section 143 of the operating element 14, so that the locking section 143 is disengaged from the opening 131, and the operating element 14 is released from the operating position.

[0053] On the side of the opening 131 facing the free end of the trigger leg 130, a sliding element 133 is formed by a bent section of the trigger element 13 formed as a plate element, on which the locking section 143 slides when releasing the latch. Since the electrical conductor 2 also 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 applied by the electrical conductor 2, and thus the latch can be easily and reliably canceled when the electrical conductor 2 is inserted.

[0054] After the locking is cancelled, the operating element 14 is moved out of the operating position due to the elastic preload on the clamping leg 120 and moves along the Figure 4A , 4B Here, the clamping leg 120 is clamped against the electrical conductor 2 and thereby the conductor end 20 is pushed into contact with the contact element 11, so that the conductor 2 is electrically connected to the terminal 1 and is also mechanically locked.

[0055] Since the operating element 14 is moved out of the operating position after the latch is released, the user can safely and reliably recognize that the connecting terminal 1 has been triggered and thus the electrical line 2 has been connected to the connecting terminal 1. The risk of incorrect operation is thus reduced.

[0056] If you want to connect the electrical conductor 2 from Figure 4A , 4B 1 and removed from the connecting terminal 1 again, the operating element 14 can then be transferred again to the position according to Figure 2A , 2BIn the operating position, the clamping legs 120 are disengaged from the conductor 2. As a result, the conductor 2 can be removed from the connecting terminal 1 in a substantially powerless manner.

[0057] Figures 5A-5D and Fig. 6A , 6B Two different exemplary embodiments of an operating element 14 are shown, which is mounted on the housing 10 of the connecting terminal 1 so as to be pivotable about a pivot axis 140 .

[0058] In accordance with Figures 5A-5D In the embodiment of the invention, the operating element 14 has a through-opening 142 which is laterally delimited by two side faces 147 spaced apart from one another along the pivot axis 140, and into which the spring element 12 is inserted such that the spring element 12 protrudes from the operating element 14 on a first side with a support leg 121 and on a second, further side with a clamping leg 120. In this case, the spring element 12 engages about the pivot axis 140, wherein the pivot point of the clamping leg 120, about which the clamping leg 120 can be elastically deflected relative to the support leg 121, is preferably concentric with the pivot axis 140 of the operating element 14.

[0059] In accordance with Figures 5A-5D In the embodiment of FIG. 1 , a bearing opening 145 is formed on each side surface 147 of the operating element 14 , and a shaft element formed on the housing 10 for supporting the operating element 14 passes through the bearing opening.

[0060] In the embodiment shown, the operating element 14 is composed of two half components, as shown in FIG. Figure 5C and showing one half alone Figure 5D To form the operating element 14 , the halves are fixedly connected to one another, for example by screwing, riveting or gluing.

[0061] In another embodiment, it is also conceivable that the operating element 14 is produced in one piece as a one-piece component.

[0062] exist Fig. 6A , 6B In the embodiment shown in , the operating element 14 is open on one side, in that the operating element 14 has a side 147, but no other side spaced apart along the pivot axis 140. Therefore, the through-opening 142 formed in the operating element 14 is open on one side, which makes it easy to insert the spring element 12 into the operating element 14 during assembly.

[0063] In accordance with Fig. 6A , 6BIn the embodiment of the embodiment of the invention, a projection section 148 is formed on the side surface 147, which projection section is formed with an axis element 149 for supporting the operating element 14 on the housing 10. The spring element 12, with a bent section 122 formed between the support leg 121 and the clamping leg 120, engages an angle of approximately 180° about the axis element 149 and is arranged with the clamping leg 112 in the gap 146 formed in the projection section 148. The spring element 12 is thus supported and guided with the clamping leg 120 on the operating element 14, wherein the pivot point of the clamping leg 120, about which the clamping leg 120 is elastically deflected relative to the support leg 121 during adjustment, is at least approximately concentric with the pivot axis 140 of the operating element 14.

[0064] Since the pivot point of the clamping leg 120 is at least approximately concentric with the pivot axis 140 of the operating element 14, the clamping leg 120 can be adjusted in a simple manner via the operating element 14 without the clamping leg 120 having to change its position relative to the operating element 14. As a result, when the operating element 14 is adjusted into the operating position, forces are advantageously introduced into the clamping leg 120, and conversely, when resetting, forces are advantageously introduced from the clamping leg 120 into the operating element 140.

[0065] The idea underlying the present invention is not limited to the above-described exemplary embodiments but can also be realized in other ways.

[0066] The trigger element can be supported on the spring element via the support end, but can also be (directly) fastened to the housing. The trigger element is preferably supported by the support end in a torque-proof manner relative to the housing, so that the trigger leg can be elastically deflected relative to the support end and can therefore automatically return to a relaxed initial position after the deflection.

[0067] The triggering element can be designed, for example, as a sheet metal element. However, other designs of the triggering element are also conceivable and feasible here, for example, made of plastic.

[0068] Description of Reference Numerals

[0069] 1 Terminal block

[0070] 10 Shell

[0071] 100 plug openings

[0072] 101 Accommodation Space

[0073] 102 Joint opening

[0074] 11Contact element (current bar)

[0075] 12 Clamping spring

[0076] 120 Clamping Legs

[0077] 121 Support Leg

[0078] 122 curved section

[0079] 13 Trigger element

[0080] 130 Trigger Leg

[0081] 131 Locking device (locking opening)

[0082] 132 Support end

[0083] 133 Sliding elements

[0084] 14 operating elements

[0085] 140 Swing shaft

[0086] 141 Operation Section

[0087] 142Through opening

[0088] 143 Locked Segment

[0089] 144 Action section

[0090] 145 Support opening

[0091] 146 Gap

[0092] 147 Side

[0093] 148 protrusion section

[0094] 149 shaft element

[0095] 2 wires

[0096] 20 Conductor end

[0097] B1 Operation Direction

[0098] B2 reset direction

[0099] E Plug direction

Claims

1. A terminal (1) for connecting an electrical conductor (2), comprising: a housing (10) having a plug-in opening (101) into which the electrical conductor (2) can be inserted to be connected to the terminal (1); a contact element (11) arranged on the housing (10) for electrically contacting the electrical conductor (2); a spring element (12) arranged on the housing (10), the spring element having a clamping leg (120) for acting on the electrical conductor (2) so as to bring the electrical conductor (2) into contact with the contact element (11); an operating element (14) arranged on the housing (10) in a pivotable manner, the operating element being adjustable to adjust the clamping leg (120) from an unoperated position to an operated position, characterized in that It also has a trigger element (13), which has a support end (132) statically arranged relative to the housing (10) and a trigger leg (130) that can be elastically adjusted relative to the support end (132), wherein the operating element (14) is constructed to lock with the trigger element (13) in the operating position so that the operating element (14) is maintained in the operating position, wherein the trigger leg (130) is constructed to cooperate with the electrical wire (2) when the electrical wire (2) is inserted into the plug opening (100) to release the operating element (14) from the operating position.

2. The connecting terminal (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that: The housing (10) defines a receiving space (101) into which an electrical line (2) can be introduced by being inserted into a plug opening (100), wherein a trigger leg (130) extends in the receiving space (101) in order to interact with the electrical line (2).

3. The connecting terminal (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that: An electrical line (2) can be inserted into the plug opening (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).

4. The connecting terminal (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The trigger leg (130) is locked in a locking position with an operating element (14) in an actuating position and can be adjusted out of the locking position by cooperating with an electrical line (2) to release the operating element (14) from the actuating position.

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

6. The connecting terminal (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The clamping leg (120) can be elastically adjusted into a release position relative to the housing (10) by operating an operating element (14), and in the release position the operating element (14) is held relative to the housing (10) by being locked in the operating position.

7. 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 relative to which the clamping leg (120) can be elastically deflected.

8. The connecting terminal (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that: The support end (132) is arranged on the support leg (121).

9. The connecting terminal (1) according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that: The triggering element (13) has an opening (131) through which the supporting leg (121) of the spring element (12) extends.

10. The connecting terminal (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The operating element (14) is supported 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).

11. The connecting terminal (1) according to claim 10, characterized in that: The spring element (12) extends around a shaft element (149) that supports the operating element (14).

12. The connecting terminal (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The operating element (14) has a through-opening (142) through which the spring element (12) passes.

13. The connecting terminal (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The operating element (14) has a locking section (143) for latching with a locking device of the triggering element (13) in an operating position.

14. The connecting terminal (1) according to claim 13, characterized in that: The locking device is formed by an opening (131) of the triggering element (13), into which the locking section (143) engages in the actuating position of the actuating element (14).

15. The connecting terminal (1) according to claim 14, characterized in that The locking section (143) can be released from the opening (131) by deflecting the triggering leg (130) in cooperation with the conductor (2) inserted into the plug opening (100).

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