Wiring terminal

Abstract

The invention relates to a connection terminal, comprising: an insulating material housing, which has a wire introduction opening; a spring-loaded clamping connection in the insulating material housing, the clamping connection having a busbar and a clamping spring, the clamping spring having a clamping leg with a clamping edge for clamping the electrical conductor to the busbar, a supporting leg for supporting the clamping spring, and a spring bow, the clamping leg having a clamping edge for clamping the electrical conductor to the busbar, the supporting leg having a clamping edge for clamping the electrical conductor to the busbar, and the spring bow having a clamping edge for clamping the electrical conductor to the busbar. The supporting legs are connected with the clamping legs through the spring bows; and-an actuating element which is pivotally mounted in the insulating material housing and which has a driver contour which is designed to interact with the clamping leg in order to move the clamping leg against the spring force of the clamping spring towards the support leg into the open position, and which has a latching contour which is designed to latch the clamping leg against the clamping spring in the open position. The locking contour is designed to lock the operating lever in the open position.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a terminal, which has:

[0002] - an insulating material housing having a wire inlet opening,

[0003] - a spring force clamping connection in the insulating material housing, which has a busbar and a clamping spring, wherein the clamping spring has clamping legs, supporting legs and a spring bow, the clamping legs having clamping edges for clamping an electrical wire to the busbar, the supporting legs for supporting the clamping spring, and the spring bow connecting the supporting legs to the clamping legs; and

[0004] - an operating element pivotally supported in the insulating material housing and having a carrier profile which is configured to cooperate with the clamping legs to move the clamping legs against the spring force of the clamping spring towards the supporting legs into an open position, and the operating element having a locking profile configured to lock a lever in the open position. Background Art

[0005] The spring force clamping connection is used to clamp an electrical wire to a clamping site formed between the clamping legs of the clamping spring and the busbar. To clamp the electrical wire, either the clamping spring is pressed away from the busbar against the force of the clamping spring when directly connecting through the electrical wire. This is feasible for rigid wires, but not for stranded wires or braided wires.

[0006] DE 10 2018 110 312 A1 discloses a terminal having: an insulating material housing having a wire introduction channel; a busbar in the insulating material housing; and a clamping spring. The clamping spring has supporting legs supported on the busbar, a spring bow connected to the supporting legs, clamping legs with clamping edges connected to the spring bow, and a pulling connection plate extending from the clamping legs, the clamping edges and the busbar together forming a clamping site for clamping an electrical wire. In addition, the terminal has a lever pivotally supported in the insulating material housing. The lever has a carrier projection and is configured to grip the pulling connection plate by means of the carrier projection and displace the pulling connection plate when pivoting the lever to open and close the clamping site. The operating surface of the carrier projection that contacts the pulling connection plate during gripping extends in a concentric section around the rotation center of the lever. The distance of the operating surface of the carrier projection from the rotation center increases towards the free end of the carrier projection within the length of the carrier projection.

[0007] WO 2019 / 185797 A1 shows a terminal with a clamping spring having a support leg, a spring bow connected to the support leg, and a clamping leg connected to the spring bow and terminating in a clamping tongue, wherein an actuating leg projects from the clamping leg. The actuating leg has two laterally spaced-apart side tabs and a transverse tab connecting the side tabs at their free ends. The side tabs and the transverse tab enclose an actuating opening for engaging an actuating member of a lever. A connecting plate having a bend projects from the plane of the actuating opening and abuts the transverse tab, wherein the convex surface of the bend faces the actuating opening.

[0008] WO 2019 / 185794 A1 discloses a terminal having an insulating material housing, a bus bar, a clamping spring, and a lever pivotally received in the insulating material housing via a pivot region and pivotable between an open position and a closed position. The clamping spring has an actuating leg which is deflected at least in the open position via an actuating member of the lever. The lever is supported in the open position at a first support site and a second support site spaced apart from the first support site and is pulled towards the first support site and the second support site by the tensile force exerted by the actuating leg of the clamping spring on the actuating member.

[0009] There is a need for a spring-force clamping connection that self-retains in the open position for clamping electrical conductors. It is generally desirable here to deliver terminals with open spring-force clamping connections from the factory. Summary of the Invention

[0010] The object of the present invention is to achieve an improved terminal.

[0011] The object is achieved by a terminal having the features of the present invention. Advantageous embodiments are described in the following description.

[0012] The present invention provides that the terminal has a release element having a release section which can be loaded with a release force by an electrical conductor to be clamped introduced into a conductor introduction opening and a disengaging section which abuts the lever in the open position of the lever. The release element is configured to release a locking profile from the lock of the lever pivoted to the open position when a release force is applied to the release section by the introduced electrical conductor impinging on the release section.

[0013] Thereby, the clamping spring can be held in the open position by means of the operating lever, such that the electrical conductor can be inserted into the wire inlet opening towards the open clamping portion of the spring-loaded connecting member against the spring force. The operating lever latched in the open position can be unlocked by a release element acting in the region of the latching profile in such a way that the release element transfers the release force exerted by the inserted electrical conductor onto the release section to the disengaging section. After the operating lever is unlocked, the clamping spring can pivot into the closed position by its spring force in order to clamp the electrical conductor at the clamping portion between the clamping edges of the clamping legs and the bus bar.

[0014] The release element for unlocking the operating lever enables a compact and space-saving construction. The pre-tensioned open clamping portion can be visibly indicated by an upwardly pivoting rod which acts as a visual indicator. The contact force of the clamping spring in the closed position is always ensured by the clamping spring itself independently of the closed rod. The operating lever can be pivoted back not only by unlocking by means of the inserted electrical conductor, but also, for example, manually by pivoting the rod back.

[0015] The operating element can be supported, for example, about a fixed axis of rotation or floatingly.

[0016] The latching connection of the operating lever holds the operating lever in the open position under spring stress. After unlocking can be effected directly or also indirectly at the latching connection and cancellation of the stop by means of the latching profile, the operating lever can automatically pivot back into the closed clamping position by the pulling force of the clamping spring.

[0017] The insulating material housing can have a stop profile which forms a stop for the latching profile of the operating element pivoted into the open position. Thus, in the open position, the operating element, i.e. the operating lever, can be latched at the stop profile by means of its latching profile. The release element can be configured to apply a force to the operating lever by means of the disengaging section and displace the operating lever in order to guide the latching profile past the stop profile and unlock the operating lever. It is also feasible that the release element is configured to apply a force to the stop profile of the insulating material housing by means of the disengaging section in order to correspondingly displace the stop profile in order to guide the latching profile past the stop profile and unlock the operating lever.

[0018] This enables stable latching of the operating lever at the insulating material housing. For unlocking, the operating lever can be lifted by the release element and moved out of the latch. The lifting of the operating lever is generally effected against the force of the clamping spring which is coupled to the operating lever.

[0019] The disengaging section can adjoin the latching profile of the operating lever in the open position of the operating lever.

[0020] Thereby, the force for releasing the component can act directly on the operating lever at the shifted (e.g., lifted) locking profile in order to unlock. If the release section itself forms a stop for the locking profile of the operating lever, the release section adjoins the locking profile in a forced manner.

[0021] The release section can form a stop for the locking profile of the operating element in the open position of the operating element.

[0022] This has the advantage that only a small force expenditure is required to move the release section away from the locking profile. For unlocking, the release section only has to be moved away from the locking profile, and there is no need to apply a force acting against the force of the clamping spring, for example by lifting the operating lever, for unlocking.

[0023] The releasing element can be spring-elastic. The release section can be moved away from the locking profile by deflection of the release section in order to cancel the stop, and the locking profile abuts against the release section forming the stop in the open position of the operating lever.

[0024] Here, the release section can form a locking edge or a stop for the locking profile of the operating lever and is displaced for unlocking.

[0025] For this purpose, the release section can be moved away from the locking profile against the spring force of the spring-elastic releasing element. The spring elasticity provides an internal restoring force for the releasing element. When the release section is not deflected, the release section can spring back into the locking position by its spring elasticity.

[0026] The releasing element can be pivotally supported for releasing the locking profile from the lock by displacement of the operating lever when a releasing force acting on the release section is applied.

[0027] Thereby, the operating lever can be displaced, e.g., lifted, by the releasing element, thereby guiding the locking projection away from the stop of the locking cavity of the insulating material housing. For this purpose, the releasing element basically performs a pivoting movement about the support point of the releasing element at the insulating material housing (i.e., about the pivot axis) in order to form a lever arm by means of which the operating lever can be lifted. For this purpose, the releasing element is configured more or less rigidly.

[0028] The operating element can be loaded by the force of the clamping spring in the open position.

[0029] Thereby, a restoring force acts on the operating lever, and the restoring force automatically pivots the operating lever back into the clamping position after unlocking.

[0030] The pull tab (i.e., the operating leg) can extend from the clamping leg towards the actuating profile of the operating lever. The pull tab can be connected to the actuating profile or can be connected to the actuating profile when the operating element is pivoted into the open position.

[0031] Here, the joystick can be fixedly, i.e., continuously in each pivoting position, connected to the clamping leg via a pulling adapter plate. However, a temporary form-fitting connection is also conceivable, for example, by the contour of the actuating member engaging below or engaging into a shoulder or recess of the pulling adapter plate. For this purpose, the contour of the actuating member can have a protruding projection that engages the pulling adapter plate below during the transition to the open position.

[0032] The actuating element can be a joystick with a lever arm that transitions into a pivot bearing section.

[0033] The contour of the actuating member can extend at an angle from the pivot bearing section with respect to the lever arm and form an actuating projection that constitutes a retaining contour for engaging the pulling adapter plate below or engages into a recess of the pulling adapter plate.

[0034] The busbar can have a wire passage opening. The clamping spring can extend into the wire passage opening with the clamping leg and the support leg. The support leg can abut against the first end side bounding the wire passage opening. The busbar can have a clamping projection at the second end side of the wire passage opening, which extends away from the plane of the busbar unfolded by the wire passage opening and forms a clamping section for clamping an electrical wire between the clamping edge of the clamping leg and the clamping projection.

[0035] Thereby, a self-supporting spring force clamping connection can be formed, wherein the force of the clamping spring is intercepted at the busbar.

[0036] The wire passage opening of the busbar can have a flange that bounds the wire passage opening partially or completely at the periphery and extends from the plane of the busbar unfolded by the wire passage opening towards the release surface of the release element.

[0037] The clamping section can be formed at the flange.

[0038] The busbar can have a plurality of wire insertion openings together with clamping springs respectively provided at the wire insertion openings. Thereby, a plurality of electrical wires can be clamped to a common busbar and conductively connected to each other.

[0039] The clamping spring is preferably a torsion spring, such that a direct connection of rigid wires is feasible even without prior opening of the clamping site. However, the terminal can also be realized by means of a cage tension spring as the clamping spring.

[0040] Generally speaking, in the context of this application, as long as not explicitly defined differently, the word "a / an" should not be understood as a numeral, but rather as an indefinite article with the meaning of "at least one / a". Description of the Drawings

[0041] The present invention allows for different embodiments and will be described in detail below by way of example according to the embodiments. The drawings show:

[0042] Figure 1 A side sectional view of a first embodiment of a terminal in a closed state;

[0043] Figure 2 Showing Figure 1 A side sectional view of the terminal in, where the operating lever is in an open position latched to the insulating material housing;

[0044] Figure 3 Showing Figure 2 A side sectional view of the terminal in, where the operating lever is in an open position latched with an inserted electrical wire;

[0045] Figure 4 Showing Figure 3 A perspective view of the terminal in;

[0046] Figure 5 Showing Figure 3 A top view of the terminal in, with Figures 1 to 3 The section line A - A of the sectional view in;

[0047] Figure 6 A perspective view of the clamping spring and release element of the first embodiment of the terminal;

[0048] Figure 7 A side sectional view of a second embodiment of the terminal in a closed state;

[0049] Figure 8 Showing Figure 7 A side sectional view of the terminal in, where the operating lever is in an open position latched to the release element;

[0050] Figure 9 Showing Figure 8 A side sectional view of the terminal in, where the operating lever is in an open position latched with an inserted electrical wire;

[0051] Figure 10 Showing Figure 9 A perspective view of the terminal in;

[0052] Figure 11 Showing Figure 9 A top view of the terminal in, with Figures 7 to 9 The section line A - A of the sectional view in;

[0053] Figure 12 A perspective view of the clamping spring and release element of the second embodiment of the terminal. Detailed implementation mode

[0054] Figure 1 Side cross-sectional view of the first embodiment of the terminal 1 in the closed state is shown.

[0055] The terminal 1 has an insulating material housing 2 with a wire insertion opening 3, a bus bar 4, a clamping spring 5, and an operating element 6 in the form of a lever for operating the clamping spring 5 pivotally supported in the insulating material housing 2. An electrical wire can be inserted into the wire insertion opening 3 and led to the first clamping site of the spring force clamping connection 7, where the electrical wire can be clamped by spring force with the aid of the clamping spring 5 and the bus bar 4. The bus bar 4 is accommodated in the insulating material housing 2.

[0056] The bus bar 4 has a first bus bar section 41 and a second bus bar section 42. The first bus bar section 41 is connected to the second bus bar section 42 via a bending region 43, such that the bus bar 4 generally has a bent and / or kinked shape. The second bus bar section 42 is at least mainly arranged within the bus bar channel 8. The bus bar 4 has a wire passing opening 9 in the first bus bar section 41, through which the electrical wire to be clamped can be guided. The wire passing opening 9 can be surrounded by side walls, which can be molded at the first bus bar section 41 and can be formed, for example, in the form of a material flange. For example, the wire passing opening 9 can have wall sections protruding from the bus bar plane all around, which form the material flange.

[0057] The clamping spring 5 has a support leg 51, a clamping leg 52, and a spring bow 53 connecting the support leg 51 and the clamping leg 52. The clamping spring 5 is supported at the bus bar 4 by the support leg 51. As shown, the clamping spring can sink into the wire passing opening 9 and abut against the narrow side wall there. As shown, the support is achieved, for example, by the free end of the support leg 51 abutting against the inner side of the wire passing opening 9 and / or the flange wall of the material flange. The clamping spring 5 extends further from the support leg 51 via the spring bow 53 to the clamping leg 52. A pulling connection plate 10 extends from the clamping leg 52. The pulling connection plate 10 can be bent at a relatively large angle, for example, at an angle greater than 45 degrees or greater than or equal to 90 degrees from the clamping leg 52. The pulling connection plate 10 terminates at its free end with a transverse tab 11, which bounds the carrier opening 12 at the end side. In the free end region of the pulling connection plate 10, a material section of the clamping spring material is bent into a connection plate protruding from the rest of the extension of the pulling connection plate 10, which has at least a part of the bent support region 13 of the pulling connection plate 10. The bent support region 13 and the socket-shaped support part 14 of the operating lever 6 together form a support device similar to a ball-socket support device consisting of a column and a column shell.

[0058] Furthermore, the clamping leg 52 extends further to a clamping tongue 54 which bends from the clamping leg 52 in a direction opposite to the pulling connection plate 10. The clamping tongue 54 terminates at the free end of the clamping leg 52 with a clamping edge. The clamping edge, together with the busbar 4, i.e., the flange wall 15 presented by the wire threading opening 9 and / or the material flange, forms a clamping portion for the electrical wire to be clamped there of the spring force clamping connection 7. Correspondingly, the supporting leg 51 and the clamping tongue 54 sink into the wire threading opening 9 or the material flange (flange) surrounded by the flange wall.

[0059] The terminal 1 has a joystick 6 which is mainly arranged in the area surrounded by the insulating material housing 2 and extends substantially outward with a manual operating section 61, such as a operating handle, where the manual operation of the joystick 6 can be carried out. By means of the manual operation of the joystick 6, the clamping portion can be opened or closed. If the joystick 6 is in the closed position shown in Figure 1 , the clamping portion is also closed. For this purpose, the joystick has a carrier profile 62 (i.e., a spring carrier) at its end opposite to the operating section 61. The joystick has a socket-shaped support portion 14 and sinks into the carrier opening 12 of the pulling connection plate 10 when pivoted to the open position. Then, the transverse tab 11 of the pulling connection plate 10 forms a stop for the carrier profile 62. The pulling connection plate 10 together with the clamping leg 52 connected thereto is pulled towards the pivoting area of the joystick 6 to open the clamping portion.

[0060] If the joystick 6 is moved to the open position (as shown in Figure 2 ), the clamping portion is opened. In the open position, the electrical wire can be introduced into or removed from the clamping portion without force consumption, because by operating the joystick 6, the clamping edge is moved away from its abutting portion on the busbar 4 or the electrical wire.

[0061] The wire introduction direction L can be oriented obliquely to the extension direction of the manual operating section 61. Correspondingly, an angle can be formed between the extension which extends approximately flush with the housing surface outside the manual operating section 61 and the wire introduction direction L. The angle can be relatively small, for example, in the range of 20 degrees to 60 degrees.

[0062] The joystick 6 is pivotally supported in the insulating material housing 2. Here, in this embodiment, there is no fixed support axis. More precisely, the joystick 6 is floatingly supported and can perform a translational movement in addition to the rotational movement during the pivoting movement from the closed position to the open position and vice versa.

[0063] The joystick 6 can have an inspection cutout 63 that penetrates the joystick 6, for example, in the region of the manual operation section 61. In the closed position, the inspection cutout 63 is substantially aligned with the inspection opening 16 of the insulating material housing 2, and the inspection opening extends up to the clamping spring 5, for example, up to the spring bow 53. If an inspection pin is introduced through the inspection cutout 63 and the inspection opening 16, the clamping spring 5 can be electrically contacted and an electrical measurement can be performed in this way.

[0064] The wire introduction opening 3 leads to the wire threading opening 9 of the bus bar 4. The wire introduction opening 9 transitions into the wire collection pocket 17 in a position opposite to the wire introduction opening 3. The electrical wire inserted into the wire introduction opening 3 and passed through the wire threading opening 9 enters the wire collection pocket 17 with its de-insulated free end.

[0065] In the wire collection pocket 17, there is a release element 18, which has a release section 19 that extends transversely to the wire introduction direction L below the outlet of the wire threading opening 9. The release element is oriented such that the introduced electrical wire to be clamped exerts a release force on the release section 19 in the wire insertion direction L. The release element 18 is pivotally supported in the insulating material housing 2 at a support point 20 and transitions from there into a disengaging section 21. The support point 20 is between the release section 19 and the disengaging section 21, such that a lever arm pivotally supported at the support point 20 is formed.

[0066] The joystick 6 is guided, supported, and fixed in a defined position, such as a closed position and an open position, in the terminal block 1 in multiple ways. For this purpose, the joystick 6 has a first latching projection 22 in the lower region, i.e., in the part of the joystick 6 remote from the manual operation section 61, and a second latching projection 23 in the rear region, i.e., in the region facing away from the carrier profile 62. The first latching projection and / or the second latching projection 22, 23 can be configured as latching elements, for example, as material protrusions or bumps. The latching projections 22, 23 can be directly formed from the material of the joystick 5. In addition, the joystick 6 has a first guiding section 24, and the joystick 6 is guided via the first guiding section, especially in the bus bar 4, during the pivoting movement and is prevented from tipping laterally. The first guiding section 24 extends through a recess in the bus bar 4, for example, a recess in the first bus bar section 41.

[0067] The recess can be configured as a longitudinal slot, for example. If the joystick 6 pivots, for example, from the closed position to the open position, the first guiding section 24 travels through the recess. It can also be proposed that the joystick 6 travels along the internal guiding profile of the insulating material housing 2 with the aid of the second latching projection 23 during the pivoting movement and is thus additionally supported and / or guided.

[0068] As mentioned, the joystick 6 is used to manipulate the clamping spring 5. For this purpose, the joystick 6 has a carrier profile 62, which is shaped like a carrier tooth and projects from the joystick 6 towards the clamping spring 5, in particular towards the pull - on plate 10, in the installed state. Here, the carrier profile 62 does not initially engage with the pull - on plate 10 in the closed position, so that no spring load acts on the joystick 6 in the closed position. The carrier profile 62 can be, for example, at least in the closed position, in the region of the bending region 45 of the busbar 4. The carrier profile 62 transitions into the support region of the joystick 6 at the curved inner profile of the joystick 6, and in this case, the support region forms a socket - like support 14. As will be further explained below, in the pivoting movement of the joystick 6, the socket - like support 14 interacts with the curved support region 13 of the clamping spring 5.

[0069] The joystick 6 is fixed in Figure 1 the closed position shown in such a way that the second latching projection 23 sinks into the free space in the insulating material housing 2, more precisely, into the receiving pocket 25.

[0070] The first latching projection 22 is near the first latching edge 26 of the insulating material housing 2, but the first latching edge does not have an important function in the closed position.

[0071] Furthermore, a second latching edge 27 is molded in the insulating material housing 2, and the second latching edge has the functions described below in the open position of the joystick 6. Similarly, the construction and mode of operation of the second guide section 28 of the joystick 6 will be discussed below based on other drawings. By the second latching projection 23 being received in the receiving pocket 25, it is possible to fix the joystick 6 in the closed position against falling out of the insulating material housing 2. In addition, when the joystick 6 is transferred from the open position to the closed position, the receiving of the second latching projection 23 in the receiving pocket 25 ensures that the joystick 6 rotates out during the rebound (Rückschlag).

[0072] The clamping spring 5 can be fixed by means of an overload protection element 29, so that a support for the check pin is achieved. In addition, the overload protection element 29 in the insulating material housing 2 prevents excessive movement and loading of the clamping spring 5. The overload protection element 29 can be configured as an island - shaped material region of the insulating material housing 2, which is arranged within the spring bow 53. In the open position, the clamping spring 5 can abut against the overload protection element 29 with one or more regions, such as the spring bow 53 and / or the clamping leg 52, that is, strike against the overload protection element 29.

[0073] In Figure 1 the terminal 1 visible in can be configured as a single connection terminal as shown, or as part of a terminal block including other wire terminals.

[0074] Figure 2 shows Figure 1 a side sectional view of the terminal 1 therein, where the operating lever 6 is in the open position latched at the insulating material housing 2. Here, the operating lever 6 pivots by approximately 90° relative to the Figure 1 closed position therein.

[0075] It can be seen that the clamping legs 52 of the clamping spring 5 are pulled towards the support legs 51 against the spring force by means of the pulling connecting plate 10. For this purpose, the carrier profile 62 engages with its socket-shaped support portion 14 in the curved support region 13 of the operating section 10 in order to pull the operating section 10 towards the operating section 61. The operating lever 6 is under the spring stress of the clamping spring 5 in the open position, and the clamping spring exerts a restoring moment on the operating lever 6.

[0076] Here, the second latching projection 23 moves out of the receiving pocket 25 and is now behind the first latching edge 26, and the first latching edge now forms a stop for the second latching projection 23. In addition, the first latching projection 22 is displaced behind the second latching edge 27, such that a stop for the first latching projection 22 is also formed by the second latching edge 27 here. Thereby, the operating lever 6 is latched in the open position.

[0077] It can be seen that the release section 21 is directly adjacent and below the first latching projection 23.

[0078] Figure 3 shows Figure 2 a side sectional view of the terminal 1 therein, where the operating lever 6 is in the latched open position with the inserted electrical wire 30.

[0079] If now the electrical wire 30 inserted into the wire introduction opening 3 reaches the wire collection pocket 17 with its de-insulated free end and touches the release section 19 of the release element 18, a release force is applied, by which the release element 18 pivots about the support point 20. Thereby, the release section 21 presses against the second latching projection 23 and causes the operating lever 6 to move upwards past the stop formed by the first latching edge 26.

[0080] Thereby, not only is the second latching projection 23 unlocked, but also the movement of the first latching projection 22 past the inclined second latching edge 27 can be achieved. The operating lever 6 is unlocked by the pivoting of the release element 18 and pivots back to the closed position by the force exerted by the clamping spring 5. The electrical wire 30 is clamped at the clamping site between the clamping edge at the clamping tongue 54 and the bus bar 4 by the released spring force of the pivoting-back clamping leg 52.

[0081] Figure 4 shows Figure 3Perspective view of the terminal 1 therein. It can be seen that the electrical conductor 30 is inserted into the conductor inlet opening 3 and introduced into the conductor collection pocket 17 through the conductor threading opening 9 bounded peripherally by means of a flange or flange wall. Thereby, the free end of the electrical conductor 30 touches the release section 19 of the release element 18 in order to pivot the release element about the support point 20.

[0082] The release section 21 thus moves towards the bending region 43 of the adjacent bus bar 4 and touches the actuating lever 6 in order to displace the actuating lever towards the side opposite to the release section 21. Therefore, the actuating lever 6 is lifted and moved from the locking position into the unlocking orientation and then pivoted back into the shown clamping position.

[0083] Figure 5 Shown Figure 3 Top view of the terminal 1 therein, with Figures 1 to 3 Section line A-A of the sectional view therein.

[0084] It can be seen the optional inspection opening 61 in the actuating section 61 (lever arm) of the actuating element 6.

[0085] Figure 6 Perspective view of the clamping spring 5 and the release element 18 of the first embodiment of the terminal 1.

[0086] The clamping spring 5 is configured as a U-shaped bent torsion spring having a support leg 51, a spring bow 53 and a clamping leg 52 connected to the spring bow. It can be seen that the pull tab 10 is bent in two spaced-apart tabs at the mutually opposite edge regions of the clamping leg 52. The support leg 51 projects through the pull tab 10. The tabs of the pull tab 10 are laterally beside the edge edges of the narrower free end region of the support leg 51. The pull tab 10 has a transverse tab 11 at its free end, from which a material projection for forming a curved support region 13 bends out of the plane developed by the pull tab 10 on the side facing the support leg 51. The material projection extends upwards in a bent portion on the side of the pull tab 10 facing the spring bow 53.

[0087] In the root region of the clamping leg 52 where the tabs of the pull tab 10 are bent, the clamping leg 52 continues in the clamping tongue 54, the edge edge of which forms a clamping edge 31 for clamping the electrical conductor 30 at the free end. The clamping tongue 54 projects in the direction opposite to the extending direction of the pull tab 10.

[0088] Below the tensioning connection plate 10, a release element 18 separate from the clamping spring is provided on the side facing away from the spring bow 53. The release element is configured as a bent plate element, but can also be formed from other materials, such as glass fiber-reinforced plastics, carbon fiber-reinforced plastics, etc. The release element is configured as a relatively shape-rigid element. For this purpose, tabs or ribs, hemming, and / or a wavy profile in cross-section can alternatively be present.

[0089] The release element 18 has a release section 19 spaced apart from the clamping edge 31, which transitions into a support point 20, i.e., a support surface, after bending. A release section 21 provided below the bent support area 13 is connected to the support surface, and the release section can be bent downward away from the tensioning connection plate 10 at its free end region. The force arm between the support point 20 and the release section 19 is longer than the load arm between the support point 20 and the release section 21. This enables a moment-optimized lever arm that converts the release force applied to the release section 19 by the de-insulated end of the electrical conductor 30 in the conductor insertion direction L into a lifting force applied by the release section 21 to the operating lever 6 in order to lift and unlock the operating lever 6.

[0090] Figure 7 Side sectional view showing a second embodiment of the terminal block 1 in the closed state.

[0091] The construction of the terminal block 1 basically corresponds to the first embodiment, so reference is made to the description above.

[0092] In contrast, the release element 18 is modified. The release element again has a release section 19 that transitions into a release section 21 after bending. The release section 21 abuts the operating lever 6 and has a locking edge 32 that forms a stop for the first locking projection 22 or the second locking projection 23. The release element 18 then transitions into a free end region that is opposite to the release region 19 and is connected to the busbar 4 as a fastening section 33. For this purpose, the fastening section 33 can be sunk into the busbar channel 8 parallel to the first busbar section 41 and connected to the busbar section 41 there in a form-fitting manner and, if necessary, additionally in a friction-fitting or force-fitting manner. However, another fixing method of fixing the release element 18 with its fastening section 33 to the busbar 4 and / or the insulating material housing 2 is also conceivable.

[0093] The release element 18 is flexible at least in the region of the release section 21, for example spring-elastic, and is accommodated in the free space of the insulating material housing 2, which allows the release section 21 to be displaced under the action of a force on the release section 19.

[0094] Figure 8shows Figure 7 A side sectional view of the terminal 1 in Figure 7 , where the joystick 6 is in the open position locked at the release element 18.

[0095] It can be seen that the second locking projection 23 is now behind the locking edge 32 of the disengaging section 21, so that the locking edge 32 forms a stop for the second locking projection 23. Thereby, the release element 18 prevents the joystick 6 under spring stress from pivoting back from the shown open position to Figure 7 the closed position in Figure 7 .

[0096] The first locking projection 22 is locked at the second locking edge 27 of the insulating material housing 2 as in the first embodiment. The first locking edge 26 proposed in the first embodiment of the insulating material housing 2 does not exist in the second embodiment. Instead, in this region, there is a free space in the insulating material housing 2 with sufficient movement clearance for the disengaging section 21.

[0097] Figure 9 shows Figure 8 A side sectional view of the terminal 1 in Figure 8 , where the joystick 6 is in the locked open position with the inserted electrical conductor 30.

[0098] It is clear that the free stripped end of the electrical conductor 30 that sinks into the conductor collecting pocket 17 and touches the release section 19 exerts a release force on the release section 19 in the conductor insertion direction L. This end displaces the disengaging section 21 downward with its locking edge 32 away from the joystick 6. Thereby, the stop formed by the locking edge 32 for the second locking projection 23 is cancelled and the joystick 6 is unlocked. Now, the joystick can be pivoted back by the spring force of the clamping spring 5 to Figure 7 the closed position or the clamping position in Figure 7 . The clamping spring is coupled to the actuating profile 62 of the joystick 6 via the support region 13. In the clamping position, the free stripped end of the electrical conductor 30 is clamped between the clamping edge 31 of the clamping tongue 54 and the proposed flange wall 15 of the busbar 4.

[0099] Figure 10 shows Figure 9 A perspective view of the terminal 1 in Figure 9 .

[0100] It can be seen that the pulling connection plate 10 is arranged on the upper side of the busbar 4 facing the spring bow 53, and the joystick 6 sinks into the free space of the busbar 4 between the two tabs. The curved support region 13 projects upward from the plane of the pulling connection plate 10, so that the actuating profile 62 of the joystick 6 can sink into the support region 13 and engage the transverse tab 11 at the back.

[0101] The release section 21 is arranged with its locking edge 32 on the side of the busbar 4 facing away from the spring bow 53. The actuating lever 6 has a locking profile arranged between the busbar 4 and the release section 21, which locking profile is locked in the open position by means of the locking edge 32. The locking profile includes a second locking projection 23.

[0102] Figure 11 Shows Figure 9 a top view of the terminal 1 in Figures 7 to 9 with the section line A-A of the cross-sectional view in

[0103] It can be seen that the electrical conductor 30 is introduced into the conductor inlet opening 3 of the insulation housing 2 below the actuating section 61. The actuating lever 6 is in the closed clamping position, in which the clamping spring 5 is largely decoupled from the actuating lever 6 and electrically and mechanically clamps the electrical conductor 30 in the clamping area formed between the clamping edge 31 and the raised flange wall 15 of the busbar 4.

[0104] Figure 12 Shows a perspective view of the clamping spring 5 and the release element 18 of a second embodiment of the terminal 1.

[0105] The clamping spring 5 is the same as in the first embodiment, so reference is made to Figure 6 the description of

[0106] The release element 18 is again configured as a bent plate element, but can also be formed from other materials such as GFK, CFK, etc.

[0107] The release section 21 is connected to the bent release section 19. The release section can be configured as an approximately straight section and is oriented approximately parallel to the pull connection plate 10. The release section 21 transitions into its bent fastening section 33, which fastening section forms the end of the release element 18 opposite to the release section 19.

[0108] The release section 21 has a recess (i.e., a cavity), which recess has its bottom oriented transversely to the longitudinal extension and provides a stop wall, i.e., a locking edge 32 for the locking profile of the actuating lever 6, i.e., for the second locking projection 23, with an inclined surface facing the fastening section 33.

[0109] List of reference numerals

[0110] 1 Terminal

[0111] 2 Insulation housing

[0112] 3 Conductor inlet opening

[0113] 4 Busbar

[0114] 41 First busbar section

[0115] 42 Second bus bar section

[0116] 43 Bending area

[0117] 5 Clamping spring

[0118] 51 Support leg

[0119] 52 Clamping leg

[0120] 53 Spring bow

[0121] 54 Clamping tongue

[0122] 6 Operating element

[0123] 61 Manual operation section

[0124] 62 Carrier part profile

[0125] 63 Inspection cutout

[0126] 7 Spring force clamping connection

[0127] 8 Bus bar channel

[0128] 9 Wire threading opening

[0129] 10 Pulling connection plate

[0130] 11 Lateral tab

[0131] 12 Carrier part opening

[0132] 13 Bent support area

[0133] 14 Socket-shaped support

[0134] 15 Proposed flange wall

[0135] 16 Inspection opening

[0136] 17 Wire collection bag

[0137] 18 Release element

[0138] 19 Release section

[0139] 20 Support point

[0140] 21 Disengagement section

[0141] 22 First locking projection

[0142] 23 Second locking projection

[0143] 24 First guiding section

[0144] 25 Accommodating bag

[0145] 26 First locking edge

[0146] 27 Second locking edge

[0147] 28 Second guiding section

[0148] 29 Overload protection element

[0149] 30 Electric conductor

[0150] 31 Clamping edge

[0151] 32 Locking edge

[0152] 33 Fastening section

Claims

1. A connection terminal (1), comprising: - an insulating material housing (2) having a conductor insertion opening (3), - a spring force clamping connection (7) in the insulating material housing (3), the spring force clamping connection having a busbar (4) and a clamping spring (5), the clamping spring (5) having a clamping leg (52), a supporting leg (51) and a spring bow (53), the clamping leg having a clamping edge (31) for clamping an electrical conductor to the busbar (4), the supporting leg for supporting the clamping spring (5), the spring bow connecting the supporting leg (51) to the clamping leg (52), an actuating element (6) which is pivotably mounted in the insulating material housing (2) and has a driver contour (62) which is designed to cooperate with the clamping leg (52) in order to move the clamping leg (52) against the spring force of the clamping spring (5) towards the supporting leg (51) into an open position, and which has a latching contour (22, 23) which is designed to latch the actuating lever (6) in the open position, It is characterized in that The connecting terminal (1) has a release element (18), the release element having a release section (19) and a disengagement section (21), the release section being capable of being acted upon by a release force by an electrical conductor to be clamped which is introduced into the conductor insertion opening (3), the disengagement section being adjacent to the operating lever (6) in the open position of the operating lever (6), wherein the release element (18) is designed to release the locking contours (22, 23) from the locking of the operating lever (6) pivoted into the open position when the release force is applied to the release section (19) by the electrical conductor abutting against the release section (19).

2. The connecting terminal (1) according to claim 1, It is characterized in that The insulating material housing (2) has a stop contour (26, 27) which forms a stop for a latching contour (22, 23) of the actuating element (6) pivoted into the open position.

3. The connecting terminal (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, It is characterized in that The release element (18) is designed to exert a force on the actuating lever (6) by means of the disengagement section (21) and to displace the actuating lever (6) in order to guide the latching contours (22, 23) past the stop contours (26, 27) and to unlock the actuating lever (6).

4. The connecting terminal (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, It is characterized in that The disengagement section (21) adjoins a latching contour (23) of the actuating lever (6) in the open position of the actuating lever (6).

5. The connecting terminal (1) according to claim 4, It is characterized in that The disengagement section (21) forms a stop for a latching contour (23) of the actuating element (6) in the open position of the actuating element (6).

6. The connecting terminal (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, It is characterized in that The release element (18) is spring-elastic, and the latching contour (23) abuts against the disengagement section (21) forming a stop in the open position of the actuating lever (6), wherein the disengagement section (21) can be moved away from the latching contour (23) by deflecting the release section (19) in order to cancel the stop.

7. The connecting terminal (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, It is characterized in that The release element (18) is pivotably mounted in order to release the latching contours (22, 23) from the latch by displacement of the actuating lever (6) when a release force is applied to the release section (19).

8. The connecting terminal (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, It is characterized in that The actuating element (6) is acted upon in the open position by the force of the clamping spring (5).

9. The connecting terminal (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, It is characterized in that A pull tab (10) projects from the clamping leg (52) toward a driver contour (62) of the actuating lever (6), wherein the pull tab (10) is connected to the driver contour (62) or can be connected to the driver contour when the actuating element (6) is pivoted into the open position.

10. The connecting terminal (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, It is characterized in that The actuating element (6) is an actuating lever having a lever arm which transitions into a pivot bearing section.

11. The connecting terminal (1) according to claims 9 and 10, It is characterized in that The driver contour (62) projects from the pivot bearing section at an angle to the lever arm and forms a driver projection which is designed to engage underneath a retaining contour (11, 13) of the pull tab (10) or to engage in a recess of the pull tab (10).

12. The connecting terminal (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, It is characterized in that The busbar (4) has a wire lead-through opening (9), the clamping spring (5) extends into the wire lead-through opening (9) with the clamping leg (52) and the supporting leg (51), wherein the supporting leg (51) abuts against a first end side delimiting the wire lead-through opening (9), and the busbar (4) has a clamping projection (15) at a second end side of the wire lead-through opening (9), the clamping projection extending away from a plane of the busbar (4) extending through the wire lead-through opening (9) and forming a clamping section for clamping an electrical conductor between the clamping edge (31) and the clamping projection (15).

13. The connecting terminal (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, It is characterized in that The conductor lead-through opening (9) of the busbar (4) has a flange which partially or completely delimits the conductor lead-through opening (9) at its periphery and extends from a plane of the busbar (4) extending through the conductor lead-through opening (9) towards a release surface of a release section (19) of the release element (19).

14. The connecting terminal (1) according to claim 13, It is characterized in that The clamping section is formed on the collar.

15. The connecting terminal (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, It is characterized in that The busbar (4) has a plurality of wire insertion openings (9) and clamping springs (5) respectively arranged at the wire insertion openings.

16. The connecting terminal (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, It is characterized in that The clamping spring (5) is a torsion spring.

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