Elastic clamping connecting piece and wiring terminal

Abstract

The invention relates to an elastic clamping connection having a busbar with a clamping region and a cage tension spring, the clamping region of the busbar extending through a recess in a clamping section of the cage tension spring and a transverse web forming a clamping point for clamping an electrical conductor together with the clamping section. A release element is arranged on a second side of the busbar, which is opposite the first bearing side of the busbar, against which the support legs of the cage tension spring rest. The release element has a release section for displacing the release element by means of the force of the inserted electrical conductor to be clamped, and a locking section for form-fitting connection to the clamping section. The locking section forms a stop of the retaining contour at the clamping section when the clamping section is introduced into the open state position by a movement of the actuating section towards the busbar, and forms a stop of the retaining contour at the clamping section when a loosening force is applied to the loosening section by the inserted electrical conductor to be clamped. The stop can be eliminated by moving the release section away from the retaining contour.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a spring-loaded clamping connection having a busbar and a cage-type tension spring, wherein the busbar has a clamping region. The cage-type tension spring has a support leg for abutting against a first side of the busbar, a spring bow connected to the support leg, and a clamping leg connected to the spring bow, wherein the clamping leg has an actuation section connected to the spring bow and extending away from the busbar, and a clamping section bent from the actuation section and extending back in the direction of the busbar. The clamping section has a recess, which is bounded by a transverse web at the free end of the clamping section, wherein the busbar extends through the recess with its clamping region and the transverse web together with the clamping section forms a clamping location for clamping an electrical conductor.

[0002] The invention also relates to a connecting terminal having an insulating material housing and having such a spring force clamping connection in the insulating material housing. Background Art

[0003] Spring-force clamping connections are used to clamp electrical conductors at a clamping point formed between the clamping legs of a clamping spring and the busbar. To clamp the electrical conductor, the clamping spring can be pressed away from the busbar against the force of the clamping spring during direct connection via the electrical conductor. This is possible for rigid conductors, but not for multi-core conductors or stranded conductors.

[0004] For the clamping of electric conductors, there is a need to provide a spring force clamping connection that is self-retaining in the open position. It is usually desirable to deliver the connecting terminal with an open spring force clamping connection at the factory.

[0005] WO 2021 / 105280 A1 discloses a direct plug-in terminal for connecting an electrical conductor to a busbar and a clamping spring serving as a compression spring and a retaining spring for locking the clamping spring in an open state. Summary of the invention

[0006] Starting from this, the object of the invention is to provide an improved spring force clamping connection and a connecting terminal having such a spring force clamping connection.

[0007] This object is achieved by means of a spring force clamping connection having the features of the invention and a connecting terminal having the features of the invention. Advantageous embodiments are described herein.

[0008] It is proposed that the release element is arranged on a second side of the busbar, i.e. the lower side or the clamping side, which is opposite to a first side of the busbar, i.e. the upper side or the supporting side, which has a support leg of a cage tension spring resting thereon. The release element has a release section and a locking section designed to be connected to the clamping section in a form-fitting manner, wherein the release section is designed to displace the release element by the action of force by means of an inserted electrical conductor to be clamped. When the clamping section is brought into the holding open position by movement of the actuating section in the direction of the busbar, the locking section forms a stop for the holding contour at the clamping section. When a release force is applied to the release section by the inserted electrical conductor to be clamped, the locking section can be moved away from the holding contour by the movement of the release section to remove the stop.

[0009] Therefore, a cage-type tension spring is provided which is locked at the clamping leg by a release element. The cage-type tension spring can be kept open in a hold-open position, for example in the factory state, for clamping the electrical conductor, so that the cage-type tension spring can be used independently of actuation by an actuating element or an actuating tool.

[0010] Various variants are conceivable for the embodiment of the holding contour. Thus, the holding contour can be designed as a recess or an opening in the clamping section. A recess designed to receive the conductor in the clamping leg can be used for the holding contour, so that the cross piece forming the clamping edge for clamping the electrical conductor serves as a counter stop. However, it is also possible to introduce additional openings in the cross piece below the clamping edge or above the recess for receiving the conductor.

[0011] However, an opening in the clamping section is not necessarily required. It is also conceivable to have a retaining profile in which a material lug is bent out of the clamping section. Such a retaining profile in the form of a retaining lug can, for example, be bent out of the recess above the busbar, i.e. in the space facing the first side. The locking section is supported on the first side (i.e. the upper side or the supporting side) of the busbar. However, the retaining lug can also be bent laterally past the busbar so that the locking section is supported on the second side (i.e. the lower side) of the busbar and is locked next to the retaining lug of the busbar.

[0012] "Above the busbar" or "upper side of the busbar" is understood to mean the supporting side on which the cage tension spring is supported by its supporting legs. This is therefore the side of the busbar facing the actuation section. The "lower side of the busbar" is the clamping side opposite the upper side, to which the electrical conductors are clamped.

[0013] The release section can extend transversely to the plane of the busbar.

[0014] The expression "transverse" does not necessarily mean exactly 90° or vertical. The plane spanned by the release section only needs to lie on the plane of the busbar, preferably at an angle of 90° with a tolerance of approximately ±20°. The important reference point for the plane of the busbar is the area closest to the release section or extending toward the release section.

[0015] The locking section can extend away from the release section in the direction of the clamping section which is held in its open position.

[0016] The retaining contour of the clamping section can be formed by a cross piece which delimits the recess of the clamping section, wherein the locking section which projects into the recess in the locked state forms a stop for the cross piece. Thus, the cross piece which is actually present on the cage tension spring for clamping the electrical conductor can simultaneously serve as a retaining contour.

[0017] The clamping section can have a locking opening in a transverse web, in an edge web laterally delimiting the recess, or in a region of the clamping section extending from the recess to the actuating section. The locking opening can form a retaining contour and the locking section extending into the locking opening in the locked state can form a stop for the clamping section.

[0018] A locking tongue can protrude from the plane of the clamping leg on the clamping leg, said locking tongue forming the retaining contour. The locking section can be arranged between the locking tongue and the actuating section in the locked state and form a stop for the locking tongue. Thus, locking of the clamping leg in the retaining open position can be achieved in a simple and compact manner with little material consumption.

[0019] The busbar can have a web which projects out of the plane of the clamping section of the busbar, and the locking section of the locking element can be supported on the web.

[0020] The web can have a recess or a hole which is delimited over the entire circumference, wherein the locking section is supported in the recess or in the hole.

[0021] The spring force clamping connection can have a spring element which is connected to the release element and is designed to exert a restoring force on the release element, by which the locking section is moved into a locked state with the clamping section.

[0022] The release element can be spring-elastic. The release element can be designed to exert a restoring force on the release element, by which the locking section is moved into a locked state with the clamping section.

[0023] The release section of the release element may be adjoined by a section supported on the busbar. This may be a side wall bent from the release section or locking section, which extends from the plane of the locking section to the underside of the busbar and rests on the busbar.

[0024] The release section can extend in the same direction as the section mounted on the busbar at a distance therefrom, wherein the release section connects the locking section to the section mounted on the busbar.

[0025] Thus, a U-shaped locking element can be achieved.

[0026] The section which is supported on the busbar can form a locking section.

[0027] It is conceivable that the clamping section of the clamping leg in the holding open position is locked at the locking section laterally relative to the busbar, for example at a recess in an edge web of the cutout or at a locking tongue bent out from an edge web of the cutout.

[0028] The release element can be a recess or sleeve designed to receive the end of an inserted electrical conductor, which has a bottom with a release section and a first delimiting wall and at least one further delimiting wall oriented at an angle to the bottom and the release section.

[0029] A connecting terminal having an insulating material housing and having the above-described spring force clamping connection in the insulating material housing can have a conductor insertion opening in the insulating material housing, which leads to a release section of the release element.

[0030] The insulating material housing can have an actuation opening which leads to an actuation section of the clamping leg.

[0031] The operating opening can be configured to accommodate an operating tool or an operating element that can be movably inserted into the operating opening. By means of the operating tool introduced into the operating opening or the operating element inserted into the operating opening, the clamping section can be pivoted into the holding open position in order to lock the clamping section with the locking section.

[0032] However, locking is basically independent of the type of actuation.

[0033] Quite generally, in conjunction with the present application, the terms “a” or “an” are not to be understood as quantifiers, unless expressly defined differently, but as indefinite articles having the meaning “at least one”. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0034] The present invention allows various embodiments and is described in detail below by way of example based on embodiments. The accompanying drawings show:

[0035] Figure 1A side cross-sectional view showing a first embodiment of the terminal block in a closed position;

[0036] Figure 2 Show Figure 1 A side cross-sectional view of the terminal block in FIG. 1 , wherein the operating lever is being flipped up to the open position;

[0037] Figure 3 Shown in locked hold open position Figure 1 A side sectional view of a terminal block in FIG.

[0038] Figure 4 A perspective view showing a cage tension spring according to a first embodiment;

[0039] Figure 5 A perspective view showing a release element of a first embodiment;

[0040] Figure 6 Shown in closed position Figure 1 A three-dimensional view of the terminal block in FIG.

[0041] Figure 7 Show Figure 2 A perspective view of a terminal block in FIG. 1 , wherein the operating lever is being flipped up to the open position;

[0042] Figure 8 Shown in locked hold open position Figure 3 A three-dimensional view of the terminal block in FIG.

[0043] Fig. 9 A side cross-sectional view showing a second embodiment of the terminal block in a closed position;

[0044] Fig.10 Show Fig. 9 A side cross-sectional view of the terminal block in FIG. 1 , wherein the operating lever is being flipped up to the open position;

[0045] Fig.11 Shown in locked hold open position Fig. 9 A side sectional view of a terminal block in FIG.

[0046] Fig.12 A perspective view showing a cage tension spring according to a second embodiment;

[0047] Fig.13 A perspective view showing a release element of a second embodiment;

[0048] Fig.14 Shown in closed position Fig. 9 A three-dimensional view of the terminal block in FIG.

[0049] Fig.15 Show Fig.10 A perspective view of a terminal block in FIG. 1 , wherein the operating lever is being flipped up to the open position;

[0050] Fig.16 Shown in locked hold open position Fig.11 A three-dimensional view of the terminal blocks in the . DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0051] Figure 1 A side sectional view of a first embodiment of a connecting terminal 1 is shown in the closed position.

[0052] The connecting terminal 1 has an insulating material housing 2, into which at least one spring force clamping connection 3 is inserted. The spring force clamping connection 3 has a busbar 4, which has a clamping area 5 for clamping an electrical conductor at the clamping area 5. In addition, the spring force clamping connection 3 has a cage tension spring 6. The cage tension spring 6 has a support leg 7 for abutting against a first side (i.e., the upper side or the supporting side) of the busbar 4, a spring bow 8 connected to the support leg 7, and a clamping leg 9 connected to the spring bow 8. The clamping leg 9 has an actuation section 10 connected to the spring bow 8, which extends away from the busbar 4 and has a clamping section 11 that is bent from the actuation section 10 and extends back in the direction of the busbar 4. The clamping section 11 has a recess 12, which is delimited by a transverse web 13 at the free end of the clamping section 11.

[0053] The free end of the clamping section 11 is that end at which the cage tension spring 6 ends and which—in contrast to the end of the supporting leg 7 which is supported on the busbar 4 —is relatively freely movable.

[0054] The busbar 4 extends with its clamping region 5 through the recess 12 and, together with the cross piece 13 , forms a clamping point for clamping an electrical conductor.

[0055] Furthermore, an actuating lever 14 is pivotably inserted into the insulating material housing 2. The actuating lever 14 can be mounted by means of a fixed pivot axis or can be mounted in a floating manner. The actuating lever is arranged above the actuating section 10 at a distance from the busbar 4 and engages with the actuating section 10 by means of an actuating contour 15 in order to displace the actuating section against the spring force of the cage tension spring 6 in the direction of the support leg 7. For this purpose, the actuating lever 14 has a lever arm 16.

[0056] The insulating material housing 2 has a conductor insertion opening 17 which is open toward the clamping point at the bottom side (i.e., the clamping side) of the busbar 4, i.e., toward the clamping region 5 and the cross piece 13. The conductor insertion opening 17 is arranged at the front side of the insulating material housing 2. The lever arm 16 can, for example, protrude forward from the contour of the insulating material housing 2 toward the front side.

[0057] The insulating material housing 2 can furthermore have a bearing pin 18 , wherein the cage tension spring 6 is fixed in position on the bearing pin 18 in that the spring bow 8 surrounds the bearing pin 18 .

[0058] The insulating material housing 2 has a conductor receiving recess 20 adjacent to the second side (bottom side or clamping side) of the busbar 4 .

[0059] The release element 21 is arranged in a conductor receiving recess 20 at a second side (lower side or clamping side) of the busbar 4, which is opposite to a first side (upper side or supporting side) of the busbar 4, which faces the actuation section 10 and on which the support leg 7 is supported. The release element 21 has a release section 22 extending toward the plane of the busbar 4 and a locking section 23 bent away from the release section and extending toward the plane of the cross piece 13, as well as a side wall 24 projecting from the locking section 23 toward the busbar 4.

[0060] The release section 22 can be supported movably on the busbar 4. In addition, the side wall 24 of the release element 21 abuts against the second side (lower side or clamping side) of the busbar 4. Therefore, the release element 21 is supported movably on the busbar 4 in a tilt-proof manner in the extension direction of the busbar 4.

[0061] A spring element 25, for example a compression spring arranged between the release section 22 and the insulating material housing 2, is connected to the release element 21. The spring element 25 exerts a restoring force on the release element 21 in the direction of the clamping section 11 of the clamping leg 9. The spring element 25 can be inserted into a retaining hole 26 in the insulating material housing 2 in order to fix the orientation of the spring element 25 and determine the direction of the restoring force.

[0062] The cross piece 13 has a locking opening 27 (not visible in the section) which forms a retaining contour on the clamping section 11. The locking opening 27 is matched to the free end of the locking section 23 so that the locking section 23 can be inserted into the locking opening 27 in the retaining open position in order to form a stop for the clamping leg 9. In the present embodiment, the locking opening 27 is designed as two slots which are open laterally toward the edge edges of the cross piece 13. In the section shown, the connecting webs located between the slots are visible, from which the cross piece 13 continues again continuously behind the slots.

[0063] Figure 2 Show Figure 1 1 , wherein the actuating lever 14 is being flipped up into the open position.

[0064] It can be seen that the actuating lever 14 is pivoted and the actuating contour 15 presses the actuating section 10 downwards towards the supporting leg 7. As a result, the cross piece 13 is moved downwards into the receiving recess 28 of the insulating material housing 2. The locking section 23 slides along the cross piece 13. The locking section can have a guide bevel 29 on its free side facing the cross piece 13, so that the locking section 23 is moved towards the spring element 25. The release section 22 is thereby moved towards the adjacent inner wall of the insulating material housing 2. It can be seen that the spring element 25 is thereby pressed together and prestressed.

[0065] Figure 3 Shown in locked hold open position Figure 1 A side sectional view of the terminal block 1 in FIG.

[0066] The clamping point is now opened until the space below the clamping region 5 of the busbar 4 is exposed due to the cutout 12 of the clamping section 11 . An electrical conductor can thus be inserted into the conductor insertion opening 17 in the conductor insertion direction L and guided through the cutout 12 .

[0067] The cage tension spring 6 is locked in the holding open position by the locking section 23 extending into the locking opening 27 in the cross piece 13, i.e. into two laterally outwardly open slots. The locking section 23 thus forms a stop for the clamping legs 9. The locking section 23 is supported on the busbar 4 by side walls 24 spaced apart from one another. The spring force acting on the locking section 23 by the clamping legs 9 is conducted to the busbar 4 via the side walls 24. A self-supporting system is achieved by the support legs 7 supported on the other side on the busbar 4.

[0068] It becomes clear that the spring element 25 moves the release element 21 formed by the release section 22 and the locking section 23 toward the cross piece 13, so that - together with the Figure 2 In contrast, the locking section 23 now projects into the locking opening 27 of the cross piece 13 .

[0069] The electrical conductor introduced into the conductor insertion opening 17 and extending through the recess 12 reaches the intermediate space between the busbar 3, the side wall 24, the locking section 23 and the release section 22. Thus, the conductor receiving recess 20 is provided by the release element 21. The end face of the electrical conductor inserted in the conductor insertion direction L strikes against the release section 22 and, via a release force directed against the spring element 25, strikes against the release section, by which the release element 21 is moved along the busbar 4 away from the cross piece 13. By a slight lifting, the locking section 23 moves out of the locking opening 27, so that the stop for the clamping leg 9 is eliminated and the cage tension spring 6 is unlocked. The cage tension spring springs spring back into the clamped state, in which the electrical conductor is clamped between the cross piece 13 and the clamping section 11.

[0070] Figure 4 A perspective view of a cage tension spring 6 according to a first embodiment is shown.

[0071] The cage tension spring 6 has a supporting leg 7, a spring bow 8 and a clamping leg 9 in a known manner. The clamping leg 9 has an actuating section 10 which is spaced apart from the supporting leg 7 and extends away from the supporting leg 7 and which, after bending, transforms into a clamping section 11 extending toward the supporting leg 7. The clamping section 11 has a recess 12 which is bounded by an edge web 30. The recess 12 is bounded in the direction of the free end of the clamping section 11 by a transverse web 13.

[0072] The cross piece 13 has a locking opening 27 which can be designed, for example, in the form of two slots leading to the edge edges of the cross piece 13. The slots are separated from one another by connecting webs 31. A further continuous cross piece is connected to the connecting webs 31. The cross piece 13 can end with end faces and a central material lug 32 which tapers obliquely inwards.

[0073] Figure 5 A perspective view of a release element 21 of a first embodiment is shown.

[0074] It can be seen that the locking section 23 forms a base, from which two side walls 24 are laterally spaced apart from each other and are bent at the rear side of the release section 22. The side walls 24 and the release section 22 terminate in a common plane, which serves for support on the busbar 4. The locking section 23 together with the side walls 24 and the release section 22 form the conductor receiving recess 20.

[0075] The locking section 23 projects forward. It can be tilted slightly downward, that is, away from the support plane for the busbar 4. The locking section 23 can have a guide bevel 29 at the front edge region on the upper side, on which the obliquely inwardly tapering end side of the cross piece 13 can slide. A central recess 33 can be provided at the front edge region of the locking section 23, in which a material lug 32 can be accommodated, in order to guide the release element 21 in a centered manner and to accommodate the connecting piece 31 in a locked, held-open position.

[0076] The side walls 24 can optionally be extended forwards in order to increase the support length on the busbar 4 .

[0077] Figure 6 Shown in closed position Figure 1 A three-dimensional view of the terminal block 1 in FIG.

[0078] Clearly visible is the locking opening 27 formed by two slots in the cross piece 13. The conductor insertion opening 17 opens into the cross piece 13. The upwardly bent end of the busbar 4 with the clamping region 5 forms a continuation of the upper limiting wall of the conductor insertion opening 17.

[0079] The release element 21 is positioned behind the cross piece 13 in the line insertion direction L and is disposed on the underside of the busbar 4 .

[0080] Figure 7 Show Figure 2 A three-dimensional view of the connecting terminal 1 in FIG. 1 , wherein the actuating lever 14 is being flipped up into the open position.

[0081] It becomes clear that the obliquely inwardly tapering end face of the cross piece 13 strikes against the guide bevel 29 at the upper front edge region of the locking section 23. As a result, a force component pointing away from the cross piece 13 and toward the spring element 25 is exerted on the release element 21, by which the release element 21 is moved to the left in the viewing direction, i.e. away from the cross piece 13.

[0082] Figure 8 Shown in locked hold open position Figure 3 A three-dimensional view of the terminal block 1 in FIG.

[0083] The free ends of the locking section 23 now enter into two slots, namely into the locking openings 27 on the cross piece 13 . The connecting web 31 enters between the two protruding ends of the locking section 23 .

[0084] The clamping leg 9 is locked on the release element 21 in this way, wherein the force of the cage tension spring 6 is dissipated from the locking section 23 via the side wall 24 and, if necessary, also via the rear release section 22 to the busbar 4 .

[0085] It can be seen that the conductor insertion opening 17 opens into the recess 12 in the clamping section 11, which is now located below the busbar 4, and into the intermediate space between the side wall 24, the busbar 4 and the locking section 23. The electrical conductor is guided along the side wall 24 connected to the edge web 30 into the conductor receiving recess 20 formed thereby.

[0086] Fig. 9 A side sectional view of a second embodiment of the connecting terminal 1 is shown in the closed position.

[0087] The basic construction is in principle similar to that of the first embodiment, so that reference is essentially made to the previous embodiments.

[0088] However, in the second embodiment, the release element 21 is designed in an L-shape without side walls. In the present example, the force of the cage tension spring 6 is taken off in another way.

[0089] It can be seen that the tab 34 projects adjacent to the busbar 4. The tab 34 is adjacent to the clamping section 11 and projects from the plane of the busbar 4 in a direction facing away from the cage tension spring 6. The plane is formed by the busbar 4 in a region shortly before the clamping region 5. The clamping region 5 can be a bulge that projects from the plane of the busbar 4 and then bends upward toward the lever arm 16. This inclined terminal end of the busbar 4 thus provides a conductor guide surface, which guides the electrical conductor introduced into the conductor introduction opening 17 at the guide surface to the clamping region 5 and from there into the conductor receiving recess 20 in the insulating material housing.

[0090] The locking section 23 is supported on the web 34. For this purpose, the web 34 can have a recess 35 through which the locking section 23 is guided. The locking section 23 can rest against the end edge that delimits the recess 35.

[0091] As a result, the cross piece 13 is pushed downward into the receiving recess 28 of the insulating material housing 2 , in which the piece 34 is also arranged.

[0092] The locking section 23 and the locking opening 27 can be designed as in the first embodiment. However, another embodiment is also conceivable in which, instead of two slots leading to the outside or only one slot leading to one side, a central locking opening 27 is introduced into the cross piece 13. A variant is also conceivable in which the end edge of the cross piece 13 that delimits the recess 12 serves as a counter-bearing for the locking section, so that the recess 12 simultaneously forms the locking opening 27. The aforementioned variant can also be designed as an optional modification in the first embodiment.

[0093] Fig.10 Show Fig. 9 1 , wherein the actuating lever 14 is being flipped up into the open position.

[0094] It becomes clear that the free end of the cross piece 13 strikes the guide bevel 29 of the locking section 23 and moves the release element 21 away from the cross piece 13 and toward the spring element 25. The locking section 23 is guided in the recess 35 of the web 34. The spring element 25 is further tensioned in order to exert a restoring force on the release element 21 in the direction of the cross piece 13.

[0095] Fig.11 Shown in locked hold open position Fig. 9 A side sectional view of the terminal block 1 in FIG.

[0096] It can be seen that the release element 21 is moved toward the cross piece 13 by the restoring force of the spring element 25, so that the locking section 23 enters the locking opening 27 in the cross piece 13. The locking section 23 forms a stop for the clamping leg 9. The cage tension spring 6 is thus locked in the hold-open position.

[0097] The locking section 23 is held by a web 34 of the busbar 4 . The web 34 absorbs the spring force acting on the locking section 23 from the clamping leg 9 toward the busbar 4 and dissipates it toward the supporting leg 7 into the busbar 4 .

[0098] The conductor insertion opening 17 leads to the recess 12 now positioned below the busbar 4. The webs 34 have corresponding recesses delimited by edge webs through which the electrical conductor to be clamped is guided in order to reach the conductor receiving recess 20 now formed by the insulating material housing 2.

[0099] The end face at the free end of the inserted electrical conductor then strikes the release surface of the release section 22 which is arranged in alignment with the conductor insertion opening 17 transversely to the conductor insertion direction L. As a result, a release force can be exerted counter to the restoring force of the spring element 25, by which the release element 21 is moved away from the cross piece 13 and toward the spring element 25. The free end of the locking section 23 is thus moved out of the locking opening 27, so that the stop for the clamping leg 9 is thus removed and the cage tension spring 6 is unlocked. It becomes clear that only a slight lift is necessary for locking and unlocking in the order of magnitude of the thickness of the cross piece, i.e. in the millimeter range (e.g. approximately 0.5 mm to 2 mm).

[0100] In both embodiments, the locking and unlocking movements of the release element 21 transversely to the force direction of the clamping section 11 are directed toward the locking section 23. The required unlocking force is therefore also much smaller than the considerable force exerted by the clamping section 11.

[0101] Fig.12 A perspective view of a cage tension spring 6 according to a second embodiment is shown.

[0102] The cage tension spring 6 also has a clamping leg 6 with a clamping section 11 and an actuating section 10, to which the spring bow 8 and the support leg 7 are connected. The clamping section 11 has a recess 12 which is laterally delimited by edge webs 30 and ends in a transverse web 13 at the free end of the clamping section 11. The support leg 7 can extend into the recess 12 with the narrower end.

[0103] In the present embodiment, the cross piece 13 has a locking opening 27 in the form of a central slot. The cross piece can have central projections facing each other in order to reduce the bearing surface on the locking section 23. The friction forces for unlocking are thus reduced and the locking section 23 is introduced more easily into the locking opening 27.

[0104] Fig.13 A perspective view of a release element 21 of a second embodiment is shown.

[0105] The release element 21 is implemented as an L-shaped plate element with a release section 22 and a locking section 23 bent at an angle of about 90° thereto. The end of the locking section 23 is a narrower end. A guide bevel 29 can be present on the upper side of the narrower end.

[0106] Fig.14 Shown in closed position Fig. 9 A three-dimensional view of the terminal blocks in the .

[0107] It becomes clear that the locking section 23 projects with its free end region into the recess 35 of the web 34 and is supported at the upper edge of the recess 34. It can also be seen that the cross piece 13 in the closed position of the cage tension spring 6 rests against the underside (i.e. the clamping side) of the busbar 4 or directly next to the clamping region 5. The locking opening 27 in the cross piece 13 is offset in height from the recess 35 of the web 34 and thus from the free end region of the locking section 23.

[0108] Fig.15 Show Fig.10 3D view of the terminal block in the control cabinet, with the lever being flipped into the open position.

[0109] The actuating leg 10 is pressed downward in the direction of the supporting leg 7 . As a result, the cross piece 13 on the clamping section 11 is displaced downward, away from the clamping side of the busbar 4 , in the direction of the recess 35 in the web 34 .

[0110] Fig.16 Shown in locked hold open position Fig.11 A three-dimensional view of the terminal blocks in the .

[0111] In the holding open position, the clamping leg 9 is pivoted downward in the direction of the supporting leg 7 so that the cutout 12 is aligned with the conductor insertion opening 17 below the busbar 4. Thus, an electrical conductor can be inserted into the conductor insertion opening 17 and through the cutout 12 past the underside of the busbar 4 into the conductor receiving recess 20.

[0112] The cross piece 13 is shifted downwards away from the busbar 4 so that its locking opening 27 is aligned with the recess 35 in the web 34. The free end area of ​​the locking section 23 supported in the recess 35 is moved into the locking opening 27 by the restoring force of the spring element 25. Thus, the locking section 23 forms a stop for the clamping section 11, so that the clamping spring 6 is held in the open position. The force exerted by the cage tension spring 6 on the free end area of ​​the locking section 23 is directed to the busbar 4 via the upper edge of the recess 35 and the web.

[0113] The electrical conductor inserted into the conductor receiving recess 20 strikes with its end against a release section 22 arranged in alignment with the conductor insertion opening 17. The release surface of the release section is transverse to the alignment line and forms the rear wall of the conductor receiving recess 20. As a result, a release force is exerted on the release element 21, which moves it backwards in the conductor insertion direction L away from the cross piece 13. The free end area of ​​the locking section 23 moves out of the locking opening 27, so that the stop is released and the cage tension spring rebounds into the closed position or clamped position.

[0114] In the clamped position, the electrical conductor is then clamped between the upper edge of the crosspiece 13 delimiting the recess 12 and the clamping region 5 of the busbar 4 .

[0115] Reference numerals list

[0116] 1 Terminal block

[0117] 2Insulating material housing

[0118] 3Elastic clamping connector

[0119] 4 Bus

[0120] 5 Clamping area

[0121] 6 Cage tension spring

[0122] 7 Support Leg

[0123] 8 Spring bow

[0124] 9. Tighten your legs

[0125] 10 Control Section

[0126] 11 Clamping section

[0127] 12 blank space

[0128] 13 Transverse joints

[0129] 14 Joystick

[0130] 15. Manipulate the Contours

[0131] 16-bar arm

[0132] 17 Wire lead-in opening

[0133] 18 Support pin

[0134] 20 wire receiving recess

[0135] 21 Release the components

[0136] 22 Loosen section

[0137] 23 Locking section

[0138] 24 Sidewall

[0139] 25 Spring element

[0140] 26 holding holes

[0141] 27 Locking opening

[0142] 28 receiving recess

[0143] 29 Guide slope

[0144] 30 Edge tabs

[0145] 31 Connecting tab

[0146] 32 Material Lugs

[0147] 33 recess

[0148] 34 splices

[0149] 35 blank space

[0150] 36 Central protrusion

[0151] L conductor introduction direction

Claims

1. An elastic clamping connector (3), comprising: - a busbar (4) having a clamping region (5), and - a cage-type tension spring (6), comprising a support leg (7) for abutting against a first side of the busbar (4), a spring bow (8) connected to the support leg (7) and a clamping leg (9) connected to the spring bow (8), wherein the clamping leg (9) comprises an actuating section (10) connected to the spring bow (8) and extending away from the busbar (4) and a clamping section (11) bent away from the actuating section (10) and extending back in the direction of the busbar (4), wherein the clamping leg (9) comprises an actuating section (10) connected to the spring bow (8) and extending away from the busbar (4) The clamping section (11) has a recess (12) which is delimited by a cross piece (13) at the free end of the clamping section (11), wherein the busbar (4) extends through the recess (12) with its clamping region (5) and the cross piece (13) together with the clamping section (11) forms a clamping point for clamping an electrical conductor, and wherein the busbar (4) has a first bearing side against which a support leg (7) of the cage tension spring (6) rests, It is characterized in that A release element (21) is arranged on a second side of the busbar (4) opposite to the first supporting side of the busbar (4), wherein the release element (21) has a release section (22) and a locking section (23), wherein the release section is configured to displace the release element (21) by the force of an inserted electrical conductor to be clamped, and the locking section is configured to be connected to the clamping section (11) in a form-fitting manner, wherein when the clamping section (11) is moved to an open state position by the movement of the operating section (10) in the direction of the busbar (4), the locking section (23) forms a stop for a retaining contour at the clamping section (11), and when a release force is applied to the release section (22) by the inserted electrical conductor to be clamped, the locking section can move away from the retaining contour by the movement of the release section (21) to eliminate the stop.

2. The elastic clamping connector (3) according to claim 1, It is characterized in that The release section (22) extends transversely to the plane of the busbar (4).

3. The elastic clamping connection (3) according to claim 1 or 2, It is characterized in that The locking section (23) extends away from the release section (22) in the direction of the clamping section (11) in its open position.

4. The spring-loaded clamping connection (3) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, It is characterized in that The retaining contour of the clamping section (11) is formed by the cross piece (13), wherein a locking section (23) which projects into the recess (12) in the locked state forms a stop for the cross piece (13).

5. The spring-loaded clamping connection (3) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, It is characterized in that The clamping section (11) has a locking opening (27) in the transverse web (13), in an edge web (30) which laterally delimits the recess (12), or in a region of the clamping section (11) which extends from the recess (12) to the actuating section (10), wherein the locking opening (12) forms the retaining contour and the locking section (23) which projects into the locking opening (12) in the locked state forms a stop for the clamping section (11).

6. The spring-loaded clamping connection (3) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, It is characterized in that A locking tongue projects from the plane of the clamping leg (9) at the clamping leg (9), the locking tongue forming the retaining contour, wherein the locking section (23) is arranged between the locking tongue and the actuating section (10) in the locked state and forms a stop for the locking tongue.

7. The spring-loaded clamping connection (3) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, It is characterized in that The busbar (4) has a web (34) which projects from a plane of a clamping section (11) of the busbar (4), and a locking section (23) of the locking element (21) can be supported on the web (34).

8. The elastic clamping connection (3) according to claim 7, It is characterized in that The web (34) has a recess (35), for example in the form of a depression or a hole delimited over the entire circumference, wherein the locking section (23) can be mounted in the recess (35).

9. The spring-loaded clamping connection (3) according to any one of the preceding claims, It is characterized in that The spring force clamping connection (3) has a spring element (25) which is connected to the release element (21) and is designed to exert a restoring force on the release element (21), by which the locking section (23) is moved into a locked state with the clamping section (11).

10. The spring-loaded clamping connection (3) according to any one of the preceding claims, It is characterized in that The release element (21) is elastic and is designed to exert a restoring force on the release element (21), by which the locking section (23) is moved into a locked state with the clamping section (11).

11. The spring-loaded clamping connection (3) according to any one of the preceding claims, It is characterized in that The section of the release element (21) which is supported on the busbar (4) adjoins a release section (22) of the release element (21).

12. The spring-loaded clamping connection (3) according to claim 11, It is characterized in that The release section (22) and the section supported on the busbar (4) extend in the same direction at a distance therefrom, wherein the release section (22) connects the locking section (23) to the section supported on the busbar (4).

13. The elastic clamping connection (3) according to claim 11, It is characterized in that The section supported on the busbar (4) forms the locking section (23).

14. The spring-loaded clamping connection (3) according to any one of the preceding claims, It is characterized in that The release element (21) is a recess or sleeve designed to accommodate the end of an introduced electrical conductor, the recess or sleeve having a bottom by means of the locking section (23) and having a first boundary wall by means of the release section (22) and at least one further boundary wall (24) oriented at an angle to the bottom and the release section (22).

15. A terminal (1) comprising an insulating material housing (2) and a spring-loaded clamping connection (3) in the insulating material housing (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the insulating material housing (2) has a wire insertion opening (17) leading to a release section (22) of the release element (21).

16. The connecting terminal (1) according to claim 15, It is characterized in that The insulating material housing (2) has an actuation opening which leads to an actuation section (10) of the clamping leg (9).

17. The connecting terminal (1) according to claim 16, It is characterized in that The actuation opening is designed to receive an actuation tool or an actuation element (14) which is movably inserted into the actuation opening.

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