Spring force clamping connection piece and connection terminal

Abstract

The invention relates to a spring-loaded clamping connection, comprising a busbar and a clamping spring, which has a clamping leg, which has a clamping edge for clamping an electrical conductor to the busbar, a supporting leg, which rests on the busbar and supports the clamping spring on the busbar, and a spring bow, which is arranged on the clamping leg and supports the clamping spring on the busbar. And the supporting legs are connected with the clamping legs through the spring bows. The invention also relates to a connection terminal having an insulating material housing and such a spring-loaded clamping connection, the insulating material housing having a conductor introduction opening for introducing an electrical conductor into a clamping point formed between a busbar clamping section of the busbar and a clamping edge of the clamping leg, in this way, the lead-in electrical conductor is clamped between the busbar clamping section and the clamping point.

Description

Field of the Invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a spring force clamping connector having a bus bar and a clamping spring. The clamping spring has clamping legs, supporting legs and a spring bow. The clamping legs have clamping edges for clamping an electrical conductor to the bus bar. The supporting legs abut against the bus bar and support the clamping spring at the bus bar. The spring bow connects the supporting legs to the clamping legs.

[0002] The present invention further relates to a terminal block having an insulating material housing and such a spring force clamping connector. The insulating material housing has a wire inlet opening for introducing an electrical conductor into a clamping position formed between a bus bar clamping section of the bus bar and the clamping edge of the clamping leg, so as to clamp the introduced electrical conductor between the bus bar clamping section and the clamping position. Background Art

[0003] Spring force clamping connectors are used to clamp electrical conductors to a clamping position formed between the clamping legs of the clamping spring and the bus bar. To clamp the electrical conductor, the clamping spring is pressed open from the bus bar by the electrical conductor against the force of the clamping spring during a direct plug-in connection. This is feasible for rigid conductors, but not for multi-core or stranded conductors.

[0004] There is a need for a spring force clamping connector that self-retains in an open position for clamping electrical conductors. It is generally desirable to deliver terminal blocks with open spring force clamping connectors from the factory.

[0005] EP 2 768 079 B1 discloses a spring force terminal configured as a direct plug-in terminal for connecting electrical conductors. The spring force terminal has a bus bar for contacting the electrical conductor and a clamping spring acting as a pressure spring for fixing the electrical conductor in the spring force terminal. The clamping spring has clamping legs pivotable about a pivot axis in a pivot direction. The clamping legs can be adjusted from their locked state locked at a holding mechanism to a clamping state by the movement of the electrical conductor. In the clamping state, the clamping legs are unlocked by the holding mechanism and press the electrical conductor against the bus bar. In addition, the spring force terminal includes a reset mechanism for pivoting the clamping legs back. By means of the reset mechanism, the clamping legs can be pivoted back from the clamping state against the pivot direction to the locked state by the movement of the reset mechanism.

[0006] EP 3 469 659 B1 describes a spring-force terminal for connecting electrical conductors, the spring-force terminal having a housing, a busbar for contacting the electrical conductors, and a clamping spring with clamping legs that can be transferred between a release position for introducing the electrical conductors into the housing and a clamping position for clamping the electrical conductors in contact with the busbar. There are a release and holding spring having a release section for transferring the clamping legs from the release position to the clamping position and a holding section for holding the clamping legs in the release position. A locking device is provided having a first locking element at the holding section of the release and holding spring and a second locking element at the clamping spring, wherein the clamping legs are set in the release position in the locked state of the first and second locking elements and in the clamping position in the unlocked state of the first and second locking elements. The second locking element is provided at the back side of the clamping leg of the clamping spring facing away from the receiving section for the electrical conductors, wherein the second locking element has at least one locking wing protruding from the longitudinal edge of the clamping leg of the clamping spring. The first locking element has at least one locking projection at the holding section of the release and holding spring, the locking projection being set at the back side of the clamping leg facing away from the receiving section for the electrical conductors in the release position. The holding section of the release and holding spring is plate-shaped. At least one locking projection is formed by a narrow area of the plate-shaped holding section of the release and holding spring. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] Based on this, the object of the present invention is to provide an improved spring-force clamping connection and a terminal block having such a spring-force clamping connection.

[0008] This object is achieved by means of a spring-force clamping connection according to the invention and a terminal block according to the invention. Advantageous embodiments are described in the present invention.

[0009] It is proposed that the spring-force clamping connection has an opening and holding element having an elastically springy locking arm with a locking profile, the locking arm being laterally positioned beside the side edge edge of the clamping leg in the opening and holding position, in which the clamping leg is deflected against the spring force towards the support leg. The locking arm of the opening and holding element is configured to lock the clamping leg deflected against the spring force of the clamping spring towards the support leg in the opening and holding position by means of the locking profile. The opening and holding element has a release section configured to be deflected by the electrical conductor inserted for clamping to the busbar, and thereby displace the elastically springy locking arm away from the side edge edge of the clamping leg and unlock the clamping leg locked at the locking profile in the opening and holding position.

[0010] This provides for lateral locking at the lateral edge edges of the clamping leg. Lateral space is provided for the locking movement. Thereby, a new, compact and simple structural form is feasible. The locking movement for unlocking the clamping leg from the open holding position takes place away from the lateral edge edge of the clamping leg, i.e., in the width direction of the clamping leg and transversely to the extension direction of the clamping leg extending from the spring bow towards the clamping edge. Thus, the movements of the elastically resilient locking arm for locking and unlocking take place transversely to the extension direction of the clamping leg.

[0011] In the sense of the present invention, locking includes a form-fitting connection by means of a stop provided for the clamping leg by means of a locking profile. For this purpose, the locking profile of the locking arm can form a stop for one of the lateral edge edges in the lateral edge edge of the clamping leg.

[0012] The elastically resilient locking arm can be elastically resiliently configured, for example, in such a way that the locking arm itself has elastically resilient properties, for example, in such a way that the locking arm is configured as a spring-elastic (federelastisch) locking arm. The elastically resilient locking arm can also be elastically resiliently configured in such a way that the locking arm is elastically resiliently suspended at another component, or that the other component has elastically resilient properties and the locking arm is fastened to the other component.

[0013] The locking arm can move spring-elastically in the width direction of the clamping leg away from the lateral edge edge of the clamping leg with its locking profile. Thereby, a lateral deflection of the locking arm for unlocking and locking is achieved, wherein lateral space is provided for the locking movement. Thereby, a compact structural form outside the manipulation and wire insertion area is feasible. Correspondingly, when the release section is deflected by the inserted electrical wire, the locking arm can automatically deflect in the width direction, i.e., laterally.

[0014] The release section can be integrally formed with the open holding element or can be formed at a separate release component acting together with the open holding element.

[0015] When the elastically resilient release area is one-piece, i.e., integral with the elastically resilient locking arm, for example configured as a curved free end (flat bottom), only one stamping and bending part is required. This reduces the material requirement as well as the manufacturing and installation effort.

[0016] However, the open holding element can also be multi-piece, wherein the release area is achieved by another release component. This requires several stamping and bending parts that have to be manufactured and installed, but can still be meaningful in some cases for manufacturing reasons and for more stable fastening.

[0017] The elastically resilient release section can be integrally formed with the elastically resilient locking arm in such a way that the release section is bent out of the locking plane of the locking arm having a locking profile and forms, in the wire insertion direction, a support surface for the free end of the inserted wire to be clamped below the locking plane.

[0018] In the sense of the present invention, the free end is the end portion where the element terminates without being connected to other components.

[0019] The locking plane and the support plane of the support surface can be arranged at a distance from each other and parallel to each other. The release section can be implemented, for example, as an S-shaped or U-shaped bent plate element.

[0020] The opening and retaining element can have a fastening section fixed to the busbar. The elastically resilient locking arm can extend from the fastening section at a distance from the busbar parallel to the plane formed there.

[0021] Here, the extension at a distance from the busbar parallel to the plane formed there is understood in the sense of approximate parallelism, where exact parallelism is not important. The extension direction can be from the support leg in the movement direction of the free end of the clamping leg (for example having its clamping edge) from the open position to the clamping position, or vice versa.

[0022] The busbar can have a wire passing opening, into which the clamping spring projects with the clamping leg and the support leg. The opening and retaining element has a fastening section fixed to the wire passing opening. The elastically resilient locking arm extends from the fastening section at a distance from the busbar parallel to the plane formed by the wire passing opening.

[0023] The term "parallel" should again be understood in the sense of approximate parallelism, where exact parallelism and the extension direction towards or away from the clamping edge are not important.

[0024] The wire passing opening can have a flange extending in the wire insertion direction away from the busbar in the plane formed by the wire passing opening, which flange partially or completely delimits the wire passing opening and has two longitudinally side walls of the flange spaced apart from each other and opposite each other. The fastening section of the opening and retaining element can have two laterally spaced side walls, which are connected to each other via a root region on the end side and bear against the longitudinally side walls of the flange. The side walls can be force-fittingly fixed to the flange by the spring force exerted by the root region.

[0025] In an embodiment of a busbar having a wire threading opening, the wire threading opening can thus be at least partially or completely bounded by a flange on the lower side opposite the spring bow. Two opposing fastening flanks can have locking arms and, in the shape of clamping pliers, engage form-fittingly and force-fittingly onto the flange from one side. Thereby, the flange can be used to fasten the opening retaining element. The release spring can be plugged onto the flange on the other side as a separate clamping plier and connected to it form-fittingly and force-fittingly. However, the release spring can also be formed by an extended support leg or firmly clamped between the support leg and the busbar.

[0026] The elastically resilient locking arm can have a release profile. A release section integrally formed with the elastically resilient locking arm can run adjacent to the release profile alongside the elastically resilient locking arm, bend out of the locking plane of the locking arm having a locking profile, and form a support surface for the free end of the inserted wire to be clamped below the locking plane in the wire insertion direction. The release section can be configured to laterally deflect the locking arm by loading the release profile when the support surface is displaced away from the busbar by the inserted electrical wire.

[0027] Here, the release section can extend away from an optional fastening section of the opening retaining element, at which the opening retaining element is fastened to the busbar. The locking arm can be attached to the fastening section on the same side as the release section. However, it is also conceivable that the locking arm is attached to the fastening section on the side opposite the release section.

[0028] In the context of the present invention, lateral deflection includes movement transversely to the wire insertion direction in the width direction of the clamping leg away from the side edge ridge of the clamping leg.

[0029] The release profile and / or the locking profile can be, for example, a projection protruding from the locking arm, such as a protrusion or a projection. The projection can have an inclined (slant) surface. The inclination can increase from the clamping position towards the opening position in the pivoting direction of the clamping leg. Thereby, the height of the projection increases in this direction. This can apply not only to the locking profile but also to the release profile.

[0030] The release section can run between the locking profile and the release profile alongside the elastically resilient locking arm.

[0031] Thus, the release section can be connected to the fastening section with an elastically resilient region and run alongside the locking arm with this region or a more rigid release region connected to this region. The opening retaining element is connected to the busbar at the fastening section.

[0032] The release section can have a bearing surface (i.e., release surface) for the free end of the inserted wire to be clamped, which is formed, for example, reinforced by a hemming profile or rib structure. Thereby, it is achieved that the insertion force exerted on the release section by the inserted electrical wire does not deform the bearing surface. Instead, the insertion force causes the region where the release section is connected thereto to deflect.

[0033] The release section can have an elastically resilient section that is remote from the reinforced bearing surface. The elastically resilient section is preferably located in the transition section from the fastening section to the release area that cooperates with the release profile.

[0034] The spacing retaining tongue can extend from the fastening section of the opening retaining element towards the bus bar. Thereby, the spacing between the opening retaining element and the underside of the bus bar can be set by the spacing retaining tongue. In this way, it is structurally achieved by the spacing retaining tongue that different variants of the opening retaining element are factory-matched to different bus bars. For this purpose, spacing retaining tongues of different lengths can be provided as required. However, it is also conceivable to change the bending angle of the spacing retaining tongue in the case of the same stamping part, thereby changing the effective length.

[0035] The opening retaining element can have two side walls facing each other, a bottom section extending towards each other from the side walls, and an end wall extending transversely between the side walls and perpendicular to the side walls and the bottom section. In addition, there can be a bottom plate that is separate from the side walls together with their bottom section and end wall. The bottom plate can be arranged between the side walls, supported on the bottom section, and fixed to the side walls by means of support protrusions. The bottom plate forms the release section here and is supported at the end wall of the opening retaining element by means of a support area that bends towards the bus bar. The support leg is connected to the opening retaining element. The opening retaining element is spring-elastically supported at the bus bar. The locking profile is formed at the side wall of the side wall that forms the elastically resilient locking arm.

[0036] Thereby, a holder that is movably held by means of the support leg and has lateral locking protrusions is achieved.

[0037] The opening retaining element can have two locking arms that are arranged at a certain distance from each other and face each other. Each of the two locking arms has a locking profile for locking the side edge edges of the clamping legs.

[0038] In such a terminal block with an insulating material housing and a spring-force clamping connection according to the invention, the insulating material housing can have a wire inlet opening for introducing an electrical wire into a clamping site formed between a busbar clamping section of a busbar and a clamping edge of a clamping leg, in order to clamp the introduced electrical wire between the busbar clamping section and the clamping site. The wire inlet opening leads to the clamping site and is oriented such that the electrical wire introduced into the wire inlet opening contacts the release section and displaces the elastically springable locking arm by displacement of the release section for unlocking the clamping leg locked at the locking profile in the open holding position.

[0039] The insulating material housing can have an operating opening that opens towards the clamping leg, in order to displace the clamping leg against the spring force of a clamping spring into the open holding position by means of an operating tool introduced into the operating opening or an operating element movably inserted into the operating opening.

[0040] Generally speaking, in the context of the present application, as long as it is not explicitly defined differently, the word "a" should not be understood as a numeral, but rather as an indefinite article with the meaning of "at least one". In contrast, a feature with the specification "exactly one" can clearly refer to "a" as a numeral. Description of the Drawings

[0041] The present invention will be explained in detail below by way of example with reference to embodiments. The drawings show:

[0042] Figure 1 A perspective view of a terminal block showing a first embodiment of a spring-force clamping connection;

[0043] Figure 2 A top view of the terminal block;

[0044] Figure 3 A side cross-sectional view showing a first embodiment of the spring-force clamping connection;

[0045] Figure 4 Showing Figure 3 A three-dimensional side cross-sectional view of the spring-force clamping connection in

[0046] Figure 5 Showing Figure 3 And Figure 4 A side view of the open holding element in

[0047] Figure 6 Showing Figures 3 to 5 A three-dimensional top view of the open holding element of

[0048] Figure 7 Showing Figure 6 A top view of the open holding element in

[0049] Figure 8 Shows Figure 1 Partial side view of the terminal in;

[0050] Figure 9 Stereoscopic view of the terminal showing a second embodiment with a spring-force clamping connection;

[0051] Figure 10 Side sectional view showing a second embodiment of the spring-force clamping connection;

[0052] Figure 11 Shows Figure 10 Stereoscopic side sectional view of the spring-force clamping connection in;

[0053] Figure 12 Shows Figure 10 And Figure 11 Side view of the spring-force clamping connection in;

[0054] Figure 13 Shows Figures 10 to 12 Stereoscopic front view of the opening retaining element of;

[0055] Figure 14 Shows Figure 13 Top view of the spring-force clamping connection in;

[0056] Figure 15 Shows Figure 9 Partial side view of the terminal in;

[0057] Figure 16 Stereoscopic view of the terminal showing a third embodiment with a spring-force clamping connection;

[0058] Figure 17 Side sectional view showing a third embodiment of the spring-force clamping connection;

[0059] Figure 18 Shows Figure 17 Stereoscopic side sectional view of the spring-force clamping connection in;

[0060] Figure 19 Shows Figure 17 And Figure 18 Side view of the spring-force clamping connection in;

[0061] Figure 20 Shows Figures 17 to 19 Front view of the spring-force clamping connection of;

[0062] Figure 21 Shows Figure 20 Top view of the spring-force clamping connection in;

[0063] Figure 22 Shows Figures 17 to 21 The three-dimensional front view of the spring-force clamping connection in the open holding position;

[0064] Figure 23 Shows Figure 16 The partial side cross-sectional view of the terminal in;

[0065] Figure 24 The three-dimensional view of the terminal with the spring-force clamping connection of the fourth embodiment;

[0066] Figure 25 The side cross-sectional view showing the fourth embodiment of the spring-force clamping connection;

[0067] Figure 26 Shows Figure 24 The three-dimensional side cross-sectional view of the terminal with the spring-force clamping connection in the closed initial position in;

[0068] Figure 27 Shows Figure 24 The three-dimensional side cross-sectional view of the terminal with the spring-force clamping connection in the open holding position in;

[0069] Figure 28 Shows Figure 27 The three-dimensional side cross-sectional view of the terminal with the unlocked spring-force clamping connection in the closed clamping position in;

[0070] Figure 29 Shows Figure 25 The three-dimensional top view of the opening holding element of the spring-force clamping connection of the fourth embodiment in;

[0071] Figure 30 Shows Figure 29 The top view of the opening holding element for the spring-force clamping connection in;

[0072] Figure 31 Shows Figure 27 The cross-sectional view of the top view of the terminal with the spring-force clamping connection in the open holding position in;

[0073] Figure 32 Shows Figure 29 The side view of the opening holding element for the spring-force clamping connection in;

[0074] Figure 33 Shows Figure 29 The front view of the opening holding element for the spring-force clamping connection in;

[0075] Figure 34 Shows Figure 29Front view of the fourth embodiment of the spring force clamping connection element;

[0076] Figure 35 Stereo view showing the fourth embodiment of the spring force clamping connection element in the initial closed position;

[0077] Figure 36 Stereo view showing the fourth embodiment of the spring force clamping connection element with an inserted electrical wire;

[0078] Figure 37 Side view showing the fourth embodiment of the spring force clamping connection element with an actuating press piece in the initial closed position;

[0079] Figure 38 Side sectional view showing the fourth embodiment of the spring force clamping connection element with an actuating press piece in the locked open holding position. Detailed description of the specific implementation

[0080] Figure 1 Stereo view showing the terminal 1 of the first embodiment having an insulating material housing 2 and a spring force clamping connection element 3.

[0081] The terminal 1 has an insulating material housing 2 with a wire introduction opening 4. The spring force clamping connection element 3 is formed by a bus bar 5, a clamping spring 6, and an open holding element 7. In the illustrated embodiment, two spring force clamping connection elements 3 are formed at the common bus bar 5 by means of respective clamping springs 6. Here, the wire introduction openings 4 are respectively guided towards the associated spring force clamping connection elements 3.

[0082] It is clear that in addition to the wire introduction opening 4, there is also an actuating opening 8 in the insulating material housing 2. The actuating opening 8 leads to an actuating surface at the clamping leg 9 of the clamping spring 6. By introducing an actuating tool or by means of an actuating element inserted into the actuating opening 8, a force can be applied to the clamping leg 9 so as to displace the clamping leg towards the support leg 10 into the open holding position.

[0083] The open holding element 7 has a locking arm 11 with a locking profile 12, and the locking profile forms a stop for the free end of the clamping leg 9 pivoting towards the support leg 10 in the open holding position. Thereby, the clamping leg 9 is locked in the open holding position.

[0084] In the open holding position, the electrical conductor can be guided past the open clamping leg 9. The release section 13 of the open holding element 7 is positioned aligned with the conductor insertion opening 4. The inserted electrical conductor strikes the release section 13 and exerts a force in the conductor insertion direction L, by means of which the locking arm 11 is moved laterally away from the clamping leg 9 with its locking profile 12. Thereby, the locking of the clamping leg 9 at the locking profile 12 can be canceled, so that the clamping leg 9 pivots from the support leg 10 into the closed clamping position by the force of the clamping spring 6.

[0085] In the illustrated embodiment, the terminal 1 is configured as a rail-mounted terminal having locking feet 14 for locking to a support rail. In the insulating material housing 2, there can be a bridging opening 15, which is directed towards the bridging contact 16 at the bus bar 5. Thereby, a transverse bridging piece for conductively connecting a plurality of rail-mounted terminals or a connection contact of an electronic module can be placed on the insulating material housing 3 and conductively connected to the bus bar 5.

[0086] However, this is only exemplary. For the terminal 1, essentially important is the conductor insertion opening 4 in the insulating material housing 2, which is oriented aligned with the spring-force clamping connection 3 in order to insert an electrical conductor into the conductor insertion opening 4 and clamp it at the spring-force clamping connection 3.

[0087] Figure 2 Shown Figure 1 is a top view of the terminal 1 in. It can be seen that the conductor insertion openings 4 are arranged at a certain distance from each other and the actuating openings 8 are respectively beside them. Furthermore, it is clear that two bridging openings 15 are formed between the two conductor insertion openings 4, which lead to the bus bar 5 and the bridging contacts 16 provided at the bus bar.

[0088] From Figure 3 a side sectional view of the first embodiment of the spring-force clamping connection 3 can be seen.

[0089] The clamping spring has a support leg 10, a clamping leg 9 with a clamping edge 17 at the free end, and a spring bow 18, which connects the clamping leg 9 to the support leg 10.

[0090] The bus bar 5 has a conductor passage opening 19 with a flange 20, which delimits the conductor passage opening 19. For this purpose, the flange wall on the underside of the bus bar 5 projects in the conductor insertion direction L, the underside being opposite to the spring bow 18 of the clamping spring 6. The flange 20 thereby forms a channel for receiving and guiding the inserted electrical conductor.

[0091] The support leg 10 abuts against the side wall of the first flange end 21. On the opposite side of the support leg 10, there is a second flange end side wall 22 which is inclined towards the first flange end side wall 21 and provides a clamping section 23 where the electrical conductor is clamped. The clamping section 23 and the clamping edge 17 at the clamping leg 9 of the clamping spring 6 together form a clamping site for clamping the electrical conductor. The first flange end side wall 21 and the second flange end side wall 22 are connected to each other by a flange longitudinal side wall 24. In the embodiment of the flange 20 that is only partially surrounded, there is only one flange longitudinal side wall 24. In the completely surrounded flange 20, two parallel flange longitudinal side walls 24 are provided at a certain distance from each other.

[0092] The opening and holding element 7 is placed on the flange 20 in a form-fitting and force-fitting manner. The opening and holding element has a fastening section 25 which is fixed on the flange 20, and an elastically resilient locking arm 11 extends from the fastening section at a certain distance from the busbar 5 parallel to the plane formed by the wire insertion opening 19. The locking arm 11 has a locking profile 12 in the form of a material lug bent out from the sheet material of the locking arm 11 towards the clamping leg 9. As shown, when the clamping leg 9 pivots towards the support leg 10 into the opening and holding position, the free end of the clamping leg 9 is behind the locking profile 12, and the locking profile forms a stop for the clamping leg 9 and locks the clamping leg in the opening and holding position.

[0093] Furthermore, the opening and holding element 7 has a release section 13 which is integrally formed, i.e., in one piece, with the fastening section 25 as an elastically resilient release arm. The release section 13 extends downward from the fastening section 25 away from the busbar 5 in the wire insertion direction L. The release section has an S-shaped bent spring arm 26 which guides past the locking arm 11 laterally between the locking profile 12 and a release profile 27 protruding from the plane of the locking arm 11 towards the release section 13. The release section 13 terminates in a release surface 28 below the locking arm 11 after bending, and the release surface is arranged transversely to the wire insertion direction L in alignment with the wire insertion opening 19 and the flange 20 connected thereto. The electrical conductor inserted for clamping at the clamping site formed by the clamping edge 17 and the clamping section 23 of the spring force clamping connection 3 thereby touches the release surface 28 in order to apply a release force acting in the wire insertion direction L to the release surface 28. Thereby, the release section 13, in particular the S-shaped bent spring arm 26, is displaced towards the release profile 27, and the locking arm 11 moves laterally away from the clamping leg 9 in such a way that the spring arm 26 contacts the protruding release profile 27.

[0094] Figure 4 Shown Figure 3 is a three-dimensional side sectional view of the spring force clamping connection 3.

[0095] It can be seen that the release surface 28 is preferably configured in a reinforced manner, for example, having a hemmed profile or a ribbed profile. For this purpose, a laterally bent edge edge 29 of the slat can be provided and / or a hem can be introduced into the plane of the slat and / or a protruding rib can be formed at the slat. Thereby, under the action of the release force of the electrical conductor acting on the release surface 28, the deformation or displacement of the release section 13 is concentrated on the elastically resilient area of the spring arm 26 between the release surface 28 and the connection on the fastening section 25.

[0096] It can be seen that the elastically resilient locking arm 11 is arranged below the flange 20 in the wire insertion direction L and extends along the longitudinal side wall 24 of the flange in the longitudinal direction of the wire threading opening 19 from the direction of the second flange end side wall 22 towards the opposite first flange end side wall 21. The free end of the locking arm 11 adjacent to the first flange end side wall 21 having the support leg 10 is movable such that the locking arm 11 can elastically deflect laterally, i.e., transversely to the wire insertion direction L, away from the side edge of the clamping leg 9. The locking arm 11 is firmly connected to the fastening section 25 adjacent to the second end side wall 22 having the clamping section 23 and is fixed to the flange 20 there.

[0097] The section of the clamping leg 9 that sinks into the wire threading opening 19 can be narrower than the section of the clamping leg 9 connected to the spring bow 18. Correspondingly, the support leg 10 can sink into the wire threading opening 19 with a narrower end section and abut against the first flange end side wall 21 with the end section.

[0098] It is clear that the locking profile 12 has a material lug that protrudes obliquely from the plane of the locking arm 11, and the material lug forms a stop for the free end of the clamping leg 9 and locks the clamping leg in the open holding position.

[0099] Furthermore, it can be seen that the locking arm 11 has a release profile 27 that bends from the plane of the locking arm 11 into the alignment line (Flucht) of the wire threading opening 19, and the release profile is behind the clamping leg 9 and the S-shaped bent spring arm 26 when viewed from the direction of the second end side wall 22 in the open holding position. The free end of the clamping leg 9 and the release section 13 thus pass laterally beside the locking arm 11 between the locking profile 12 and the release profile 27. They can preferably abut against the locking arm 11 with their side edge edges.

[0100] If a actuating force is now applied to the release surface 28 in the wire insertion direction L via the inserted electrical wire, the release section 13 (counterclockwise in the view) pivots, and the spring arm 26 bearing against the locking arm 11 moves towards the plane formed by the first flange end wall 21. Here, the spring arm 26 presses against the release profile 27 extending obliquely behind the spring arm 26 and pivots the locking arm laterally outwards. As a result, the locking profile 12 is displaced laterally, i.e., transversely to the wire insertion direction L and transversely to the flange longitudinal side wall 24, in order to cancel the stop for the clamping leg 9. Thereby, the free end of the clamping leg 9 is unlocked and the clamping leg 9 can pivot from the open holding position into the closed initial position or the closed clamping position by the spring force of the clamping spring 6.

[0101] Figure 5 shows Figure 3 and Figure 4 a side view of the open holding element 7 in. It can be seen that the fastening section 25 consists of a U-shaped bent plate section having an end-side root region 30 and two (horizontal) flanking side walls 31 protruding from the root region and spaced apart from each other. The S-shaped bent spring arm 26 is integrally connected to the root region 30 and extends downward from the root region 30. At the free ends of the flanking side walls 31 opposite the root region 30, the flanking side walls 31 are freely movable in order to fix the open holding element to the flange 20 by spring-elastic form-fitting and force-fitting. Locking arms 11 are respectively attached at the free ends of the flanking side walls 31, and the locking arms extend parallel to the lower edge of the adjacent flanking side wall 31 below the flanking side walls 31 towards the S-shaped bent spring arm 26. The spring arm 26 is received between the two flanking side walls 31 and bears laterally against the inner walls of the locking arms 11 facing each other between the locking profile 12 and the release profile 27.

[0102] It can be seen that the release profile 27 present at the free end of the locking arm 11 is a section protruding, for example, obliquely or archwise from the plane of the locking arm 11 relative to the opposite locking arm 11.

[0103] At the upper edge of the flanking side walls 31, spacing tongues 32 project.

[0104] Figure 6 shows Figures 3 to 5Perspective top view of the opening and retaining element 7. It is clear that the fastening section 25 is formed by two laterally spaced-apart flank walls 31 and a root region 30 connecting the flank walls 31 at the end sides. Thereby, a U-shaped holder is formed, from which two locking arms 11 project towards each other. The locking arms 11 each have locking profiles 12 in the form of material lugs that are inclined and point towards each other, and curved and / or arched free ends, at which release profiles 27 pointing towards each other are formed. The release profiles are arranged in the transition to a widened and laterally reinforced release surface 28 that is connected below the locking arms 11, behind an S-shaped spring arm 26. When the release section 13 is displaced towards the root region 30, the lateral edges of the release section 13 that are arranged next to the locking arms 11 press the locking tabs 11 laterally apart from each other.

[0105] Figure 7 shows Figure 6 Top view of the opening and retaining element 7 in []. Here it is even clearer that the release section 13 laterally abuts the locking arms 11 in the region of the release profiles 27. Thereby, when the release section 13 is displaced between the release profiles 27 that are curved towards each other, the elastically resilient locking arms 11 pivot away from each other and towards the plane of the flank walls 31.

[0106] Figure 8 shows Figure 1 Partial side sectional view of the terminal in [].

[0107] It is clear that the wire insertion opening 4 extends with its delimiting wall in the insulating material housing 2 into the interior space towards the associated spring force clamping connection 3 along the alignment line indicated by the dashed line, such that the inserted electrical wire touches with its end on the reinforced release surface 28 of the release section 13. By means of the release force, the elastically resilient S-shaped curved spring arm 26 is displaced, and here the elastically resilient locking arms 11 pivot laterally outwards by the squeezing of the adjacent release profiles 27 in order to cancel the stop of the locking profiles 12 for the clamping legs 9.

[0108] It can also be seen that when the opening and retaining element 7 is fastened to the flange 20, the opening and retaining element 7 keeps a certain distance from the lower side of the bus bar 5 by means of the spacing retaining tongue 32 that projects from the upper edge of the flank wall 31.

[0109] Figure 9 Perspective view of the terminal 1 with a spring force clamping connection 3 in a second embodiment. The construction of the insulating material housing 2 together with its wire insertion opening 4, bus bar 5 and clamping spring 6 is similar to the first embodiment, such that reference is made to the above description.

[0110] The opening and holding element 7 is inserted with the fastening section 25 onto a flange 20 which delimits the wire passage opening 19 at the underside of the busbar 5.

[0111] Below the fastening section 25 there are in turn resiliently springable locking arms 11 which have locking profiles 12 pointing towards one another and protruding obliquely to the clamping legs 9. In the second embodiment, the locking arms 11 are integrally molded at the root region 30 of the fastening section 25. The root region 30 is pulled further down from the plane of the flank walls 31, thus also forming a root region for the two spaced-apart locking arms 11. The free ends of the locking arms 11, i.e. the ends which can move freely, face the second flange end side wall 22 with the clamping section 23.

[0112] Figure 10 A side sectional view showing a second embodiment of the spring force clamping connector 3 is shown. It can be clearly seen that the root region 30 is bent downwards away from the busbar 5 and the locking arms 11 are bent in the lower region from the root region 30 parallel to the flange longitudinal side wall 24.

[0113] The release section 13 in turn has an S-shaped spring arm 26 which is attached to the root region 30 and is guided laterally alongside the locking arms 11. The spring arm transitions into a curved release surface 28 which is reinforced, for example, by an edge edge 29 as shown and / or by hemming etc. The release surface 28 is oriented in alignment with the flange 20 such that an electric wire plugged through the wire passage opening 19 and the flange 20 impinges on the release surface 28 and exerts a release force. Thereby, the release section 13 is displaced such that the release section 13 engages with the release profile 27 of the locking arm 11, causing the locking arm 11 to pivot laterally away from the side edge of the clamping leg 9.

[0114] Figure 11 Shows Figure 10 A three-dimensional side sectional view of the spring force clamping connector 3 in. It can be seen that the clamping leg 9 is locked at the locking profile 12 of the locking arm 11 in the open and holding position. The free end of the clamping leg 9 is in front of the spring arm 26, at the lower edge of which a clamping edge 17 is formed. In the open and holding position, the freely movable end of the clamping leg 9 and the section of the spring arm 26 behind it are between the locking profile 12 and the release profile 27. The locking profile 12 is arranged closer to the clamping edge 23 of the busbar 5 and the release profile 27 is arranged closer to the support leg 10 or the root region 30.

[0115] Figure 12 Shows Figure 10 And Figure 11Side view of the spring force clamping connection 3 in []. It is clear that not only the flank walls 31 but also the locking arms 11 project from a common root region 30 in the same direction and have freely movable ends opposite the root region 30, to which no other components are connected.

[0116] The locking arm 11 is shorter than the adjacent flank wall 31. The locking arm is oriented parallel to the respectively adjacent flank wall 31 and can pivot laterally out of the plane of the flank wall 31, i.e., transversely to the wire insertion direction and away from the side edge of the release section 13.

[0117] At the locking arm 11, a locking profile 12 and a release profile 27 are formed on the side adjacent to the release section 13.

[0118] Figure 13 Shows Figures 10 to 12 Stereo front view of the opening holding element 7 shown. It can be seen that the fastening section 25 is formed by two flank walls 31 spaced apart from each other and a root region 30 connecting the flank walls 31 at the end side. In addition, a pair of locking arms 11 project from the root region 30 below the flank walls 31. Thereby, a U-shaped holder is formed.

[0119] The locking arms 11 project towards each other from the plane of the respectively adjacent flank walls 31. The locking arms 11 have locking profiles 12 in the form of material lugs that are inclined and point towards each other and curved free ends. At the release section 13, release profiles 27 that point towards each other are formed near the root region 30 of the locking arms 11 adjacent to the locking profiles 12. The release profiles are arranged in the transition to a widened and laterally reinforced release surface 28 connected below the locking arms 11 behind the S-shaped spring arms 26. When the release section 13 is displaced towards the root region 30, the side edges of the release section 13 arranged laterally next to the locking arms 11 press the locking arms 11 laterally apart from each other.

[0120] Figure 14 Shows Figure 13 Top view of the opening holding element 7 in []. The release section 13 laterally abuts against the locking arms 11 in the region of the release profiles 27. Thereby, when the release section 13 is displaced into the intermediate space between the release profiles 27 that are curved towards each other, the elastically resilient locking arms 11 pivot away from each other and towards the plane of the flank walls 31. Here, the locking profiles 12 are displaced away from each other in order to cancel the stop for the clamping leg 9 thereby.

[0121] Figure 15 Shows Figure 9 Partial side cross-section of the terminal block 1 in [].

[0122] The wire insertion opening 4 is formed by a delimiting wall in the insulating material housing 2. The wire insertion opening extends along the alignment line indicated by the dashed line into the interior space towards the associated spring-force clamping connection 3, such that the inserted electrical wire touches with its end on the firmly configured release surface 28 of the release section 13. By means of the release force, the release section 13 is displaced, and the adjacent elastically resilient locking arms 11 are pivoted laterally outwards by acting on the adjacent release profile 27 in order to cancel the stop for the clamping legs 9 of the locking profile 12.

[0123] The opening holding element 7 is fastened to the flange 20. Here, the spacing from the lower side of the bus bar 5 is preset by a spacing holding tongue 32 protruding from the upper edge of the flank wall 31. The spacing holding tongue 23 can be set, for example, according to the desired spacing from the respective bus bar 5 by its length or angle. Thereby, a standard opening holding element 7 can be used for different variants of the bus bar 5.

[0124] Figure 16 A perspective view of the terminal 1 with a spring-force clamping connection 3 of a third embodiment can be seen.

[0125] The construction of the insulating material housing 1 together with the bus bar 5 and the clamping spring 6 inserted therein is similar to the previously described embodiment. Therefore, reference can be made to the foregoing for the basic principle.

[0126] In the said embodiment, the opening holding element 7 is not fixed to the flange 20. The opening holding element has two side walls 33 opposite one another and end walls 34 connecting the side walls to one another. The opening holding element 7 is attached to an extension of the support leg 10 in such a way that the extension of the support leg 10 is positively fastened to the side wall 33 by a support projection 35. The end end of the extension of the support leg 10 provides the base plate 36 of the opening holding element 7 and forms the release surface 28. The base plate 36 is transverse to the alignment line of the wire insertion opening 4, i.e. it forms a delimiting bottom for the electrical wire inserted into the wire insertion opening 4 and guided through the wire passage opening 19 and the flange 20. Here, the base plate 36 together with the side walls 33 and the end walls 34 or the extension of the support leg 10 against which it abuts forms a wire collecting trough in which the stripped ends of the electrical wires to be clamped are received.

[0127] It can be seen that a locking profile 12 pointing towards the clamping legs 9 is provided in the upper corner region of the side wall 12. The locking profile is configured as a material lug that bends out of the plane of the respective side wall 12 and towards the opposite side wall 12.

[0128] Figure 17 A side sectional view of a third embodiment of the spring-force clamping connection 3 is shown.

[0129] It can be seen that the support leg 10 abuts against the first flange side wall 21 which bounds the flange 20 defining the wire insertion opening 19 and sinks through the flange 20. The extension of the support leg 10 abuts against the end wall 34 of the opening and retaining element 7 and forms the bottom plate 36 after bending, and the bottom plate simultaneously provides the release surface 28. Thus, the electrical wire inserted through the flange 20 strikes against the release surface 28 transverse thereto and applies a release force there, which causes the release section 13 to pivot.

[0130] The release section 13 formed by the extension of the support leg 10 is positively fixed on the side wall 33 by means of a support projection 35 which projects laterally from the side wall 33. The bottom section 37 in the form of a material lug is bent at the lower edge of the side wall 33, and the release section 13 is supported on the bottom section. Thereby, the extension of the support leg 10, i.e., the release section 13, is positively fixed between the bottom section 37 and the adjacent support projection 35 in the region of the release surface 28. In the region of the end wall 34, the end wall 34 and the adjacent support projection 35 together form a positive fit for the vertical section of the release section 13.

[0131] The opening and retaining element 7 is resiliently elastically supported in this way at the support leg 10 of the clamping spring 6.

[0132] It can be seen that the resiliently elastically movable locking arm 11 is arranged below the flange 20 in the wire insertion direction L and forms a wire collecting groove below the wire insertion opening 19 and the flange 20.

[0133] The section of the clamping leg 9 which sinks into the wire insertion opening 19 can be narrower than the section of the clamping leg 9 which is connected to the spring bow 18. Correspondingly, the support leg 10 can sink into the wire insertion opening 19 with a narrower end section and abut against the first flange end side wall 21 with said end section.

[0134] It is clear that the locking profile 12 has a material lug which projects obliquely from the plane of the locking arm 11 at at least one of the side walls 33, and the material lug forms a stop for the free end of the clamping leg 9 and locks the clamping leg in the open and retaining position.

[0135] If now a actuating force is applied to the release surface 28 in the wire insertion direction L by the inserted electrical wire, the release section 13 pivots (counterclockwise in the view), and the locking profile 12 moves downward away from the bus bar 5. Thereby, the stop formed by the locking profile 12 for the clamping leg 9 is canceled and the free end of the clamping leg 9 is unlocked. The clamping leg 9 can then pivot from the open and retaining position to the closed initial position or the closed clamping position by the spring force of the clamping spring 6.

[0136] Figure 18 shows Figure 17 A perspective side sectional view of the spring force clamping connection 3 in. It is clear that the free end of the clamping leg 9 is locked at the locking profile 12 protruding from the side wall 33 in the open holding position. Furthermore, it can be seen that the support projection 35 is configured as a material lug bent out from the plane of the side wall 33 towards the clamping spring 6. Thereby, the cage formed by the two side walls 33 and the end wall 34 connecting the side walls 33 is positively fixed on the release section 13, which is formed by an extension of the support leg 10.

[0137] Figure 19 shows Figure 17 and Figure 18 A side view of the spring force clamping connection 3 without the bus bar 5 in. The clamping spring 6 is hooked into the cage formed by the side wall 33 and the end wall 34 in the open holding position. It is clear that the cage is positively fixed on the extension of the support leg 10, i.e., the release section 13. Here, a material lug 38 is bent from the release section 13, which sinks through an opening in the end wall 34 and provides an additional positive connection between the release section 13 and the end wall 34.

[0138] Furthermore, it can be seen that the free end of the clamping leg 9 is locked at the locking profile 12 of the side wall 33.

[0139] Figure 20 shows Figures 17 to 19 A front view of the spring force clamping connection 3 of.

[0140] It can be seen that the two side walls 33 are arranged at a certain distance from each other and parallel to each other, wherein the side walls 33 are connected to the end wall 34 to form a U-shaped cage. The cage is composed of a stamped and bent sheet metal part. The bottom section 37 is bent towards each other from the side walls 33 at the lower edge edge. The support projection 35 is punched from the inner surface and protrudes obliquely towards each other into the inner space of the cage. Furthermore, at the upper front corner regions of the two side walls 33, material tabs are bent out towards each other respectively for forming the locking profile 12.

[0141] Furthermore, it can be seen that a material lug 38 emerges from the release section 13 formed by the extension of the support leg 10, which is bent backwards away from the clamping leg 9. The material lug sinks into the opening of the end wall 34 in order to positively connect the clamping spring 6 there with the cage.

[0142] Figure 21 shows Figure 20 A top view of the spring force clamping connection 3 in.

[0143] It is clear that the locking profiles 12 which are bent out from the inside of the side walls 33 towards the clamping spring 6 and point towards each other reduce the intermediate space, so as to thereby form a stop for the clamping legs 9 received between the side walls 33. The clamping legs are thereby locked and held in the open holding position.

[0144] It is also clear that the release surface 28 protruding from the intermediate space of the side walls 33 forms a bottom plate 36, which bottom plate blocks the path in the wire insertion direction L (in the perspective view in the viewing direction perpendicular to the release surface 28). Thereby, the electric wire to be clamped strikes against the release surface 28 and exerts a force in the wire insertion direction L for displacing the locking profile 12, so as to cancel the stop for the clamping legs 9.

[0145] Figure 22 Shown Figures 17 to 21 is a three-dimensional front view of the spring force clamping connection in the open holding position.

[0146] It can be seen that the intermediate space between the locking profiles 12 protruding towards each other is smaller than the width of the free end of the clamping leg 9. Thereby, a stop for the clamping leg 9 pivoting towards the support leg 10 in the open holding position is formed.

[0147] It is also clear that the release section 13 is positively fixed to the U-shaped holder by means of the support projection 35 and the bottom section 37 or the end wall 34.

[0148] Figure 23 Shown Figure 16 is a partial side cross-sectional view of the terminal block 1 in.

[0149] The wire introduction opening 4 formed by the boundary wall in the insulating material housing 2 extends along the alignment line indicated by the dashed line into the interior space towards the associated spring force clamping connection 3. Thereby, the inserted electric wire can strike with its end against the firmly formed release surface 28 of the release section 13. The release section 13 is displaced by the release force. Here, the open holding element 7 elastically attachable to the support leg 10 pivots downwards in the wire insertion direction L by acting on the adjacent release surface 28, so as to cancel the stop of the locking profile 12 for the clamping leg 9. Here, the locking profile 12 is formed at the side walls 33 laterally positioned beside the side edge edges of the clamping leg 9, and the side walls together with the end wall 34 form a holder positively connected to the release section 13.

[0150] The open holding element 7 is movably fastened in this way behind the support of the support leg 10 on the first end side wall 21 of the flange 20 at the support leg 10 of the clamping spring 6.

[0151] Figure 24A perspective view of the terminal 1 of the fourth embodiment with the spring force clamping connection 3 can be seen. The electrical wire 39 inserted into the wire introduction opening 4 is schematically shown here.

[0152] Furthermore, it can be seen that the actuating pressing element 40 is movably inserted into the actuating opening 8, which is arranged next to the wire introduction opening 4.

[0153] The busbar 5 in turn has a wire threading opening 19, which has a flange 20 connected to the lower side of the busbar 5 in the wire introduction direction L. Thereby, a channel is formed for threading the stripped end of the electrical wire 39.

[0154] The opening retaining element 7 is fastened to the flange 20. The opening retaining element 7 is formed by a bent strip, which has a fastening section 25 that abuts against the outer side of the flange longitudinal side wall 24 of the flange 20 by means of a clamping tab. The locking arm 11 projects from the horizontal, parallel and adjacent fastening section 25 arranged in the plane of the busbar 5. The locking arm has a vertical spring arm section 41 and a horizontal locking section 42 that extends parallel to the fastening section 25 from the vertical spring arm section. The locking section 42 is formed by two opposite tabs, and locking profiles 12 pointing towards each other are formed at the inner edges of the locking section. The locking profiles can be configured as gradually tapered ramps, where the locking profile 12 projects further towards the support leg 10 than on the side towards the spring arm section 41. Thereby, when the clamping leg 9 pivots into the opening retaining position, it can push the tabs of the locking section 42 apart from each other towards the support leg 10 in order to overcome the stop formed by the locking profile 12. However, it is also conceivable that the locking section 42 moves downwards away from the plane of the busbar in order to release in this way the path for the clamping leg 9 that is otherwise blocked by the locking profile 12.

[0155] The release section 13 is connected to the locking section 42. The release section has a section 43 that is bent from the locking section 42 and extends vertically away from the plane of the busbar, and a release surface 28 that extends transversely to the wire introduction direction L and parallel to the plane of the busbar from this section. The electrical wire 39 passing through the wire introduction opening 4 and the wire threading opening 19 with the flange 20 hits the aligned release surface 28, and applies a release force to the release section 13 in the wire introduction direction L. Thereby, the locking section 42 is displaced downwards away from the plane of the busbar, so that the locking profile 12 is displaced downwards. Thereby, the stop formed by the locking profile 12 for the free end of the clamping leg 9 is cancelled.

[0156] Figure 25Side sectional view showing a fourth embodiment of the spring-force clamping connection 3. The busbar 5 has a wire passage opening 19 which is bounded by a flange 20 at the lower side. The flange 20 is formed by two oppositely disposed flange end sidewalls 21, 22 and at least one flange longitudinal sidewall 24. The support leg 10 of the U-shaped bent clamping spring 6 in the form of a leg spring abuts against the first flange end sidewall 21. The opposing clamping legs 9 are connected to the support leg 10 via a spring bow 18 and in the initial closed position bear with their free ends or the clamping edges 17 at the free ends against the second flange end sidewall 22 protruding obliquely to the first flange end sidewall 21.

[0157] The fastening section 25 guides along the outside of the flange longitudinal sidewall 24 in order to form-fittingly and force-fittingly fasten the opening holding element on the flange 20. Here, an optional holding lug 44 can additionally protrude from the spring arm section 41 towards the flange 20 in order to additionally tension the opening holding element 7 at the flange 20.

[0158] It can be seen that the release surface 28 is arranged aligned below the passage channel formed by the flange 20 in order to form a bottom plate there transversely to the wire introduction direction L against which the electrical wire impinges.

[0159] The opening holding element 7 is formed by an S-shaped bent strip in the form of a seesaw. A release force acting on the release surface 28 pivots the locking section 42 away from the flange 20 downwards in order to thereby bring the locking profile 12 out of the movement radius of the clamping leg 9. Thereby, the stop for the clamping leg 9 formed by the locking profile 12 can be canceled.

[0160] Figure 26 Shows Figure 24 Side sectional view of the terminal 1 of the spring-force clamping connection 3 in the initial closed position. It can be seen that the wire introduction opening 4 leads to the wire passage opening 19 of the busbar 5 and is oriented along the alignment line indicated by the dashed line towards the release surface 28. The release surface 28 is arranged transversely to the flange opening below the flange 20, where "transversely" is not understood as an exact vertical arrangement but as an orientation that to some extent blocks the alignment line such that the inserted electrical wire 39 impinges on the release surface 28.

[0161] It can also be seen that the actuating press piece 40 is movably inserted into the actuating opening 8. The actuating press piece can be form-fittingly and anti-loss held in the insulating material housing 2.

[0162] Figure 27 Shows Figure 24Side cross-sectional view of the spring-force clamping connection 3 in the open holding position with respect to the terminal 1. It can be seen that the clamping leg 9 pivots towards the support leg 10 in such a way that the actuating pusher 40 has been moved into the interior space of the insulation housing 2 and has been moved towards the busbar 5. Thereby, an actuating force is applied to the actuating surface of the clamping leg 9, which causes the clamping leg to pivot towards the support leg 10 against the spring force. Here, the clamping leg 9 guides past the locking profile 12 in such a way that the clamping leg either presses the mutually opposed tabs of the locking section 42 apart from each other or pivots the locking section 42 away from the flange 20 downwards. After passing over the locking profile 12, the clamping leg reaches behind the locking profile 12, such that a stop is formed. Thereby, the clamping leg 9 is held in the shown open holding position by the open holding element 7.

[0163] Figure 28 shows Figure 27 Side cross-sectional view of the terminal 1 with the spring-force clamping connection 3 in the closed clamping position and unlocked. It can be seen that the clamping leg 9 springs onto the electric wire 39, such that the clamping edge 17 abuts against the stripped end of the electric wire 39 and, if necessary, embeds into its surface. On the opposite side, the electric wire 39 abuts against the clamping section 23 of the flange 20. Thereby, the electric wire 39 is conductively clamped at the busbar 5 by the spring force of the clamping spring 6 and is mechanically prevented from being pulled out or loosened.

[0164] The stop formed in the open holding position for the clamping leg 9 at the locking profile 12 is cancelled by the wire end hitting the release surface 28 when inserting the electric wire 39, in such a way that a release force is applied in the wire insertion direction L, by means of which the locking section 42 pivots downwards away from the end of the clamping leg 9 via the force flow passing through the vertical section 42.

[0165] Figure 29 shows Figure 25 Stereoscopic top view of the open holding element 7 of the fourth embodiment of the spring-force clamping connection 3. It can be seen that the fastening section 25 is formed by two mutually spaced parallel holding tabs 45, which are connected to each other by a transverse tab 46 serving as a root region. The holding tabs 45 can have recesses 47 at their mutually facing inner edge edges, in order to cause the open holding element 7 to grip at the flange 20 by means of the material lugs formed thereby. The frame-shaped fastening section 25 can be form-fitted onto the flange 20 and is held there by spring tension force-fit.

[0166] The retaining tab 45 is integrally connected to the spring arm section 41 extending therefrom, and the spring arm section connects the retaining tab on the side opposite to the transverse tab 46 in the form of a transverse tab. Two tabs for forming the locking sections 42 extend from the spring arm section 41, and the two tabs are spaced apart from each other and extend parallel to each other and parallel to the fastening section 25.

[0167] At the inner edge edges of the two tabs of the locking section 42, the locking profile 12 is formed as teeth that slope towards each other. The tabs can taper from the spring arm section 41 towards the locking profile 12 and then widen again at the locking profile 12.

[0168] The sections 43 extending vertically from the locking section 42 are also formed as tabs, and the tabs are respectively connected to the tabs of the locking section 42 and bent therefrom.

[0169] These two tabs of the spring arm section 41 are connected to each other at a certain distance from the plane of the locking section 42 by a release surface 28 that is bent transversely to the plane. The release surface 28 can be bent as shown optionally. Thereby, the release surface 28 is stabilized. Alternatively or additionally thereto, the release surface can also be reinforced by hemming and / or ribs.

[0170] Figure 30 A top view of the opening retaining element 7 for the spring force clamping connector 3 in Figure 29 is shown. It can be seen that the locking profile 12 of the locking arm 11 or the locking section 42 extends into the inner profile of the frame-shaped fastening section 42. It is also clear that the release surface 28 extends over the main part of the surface of the inner profile of the frame-shaped fastening section 42, thereby forming a bottom for the alignment line of the inserted electrical conductor 39 that extends in the viewing direction.

[0171] Figure 31 In the cross-sectional view of the top view of the terminal 1 with the spring force clamping connector 3 in the open retaining position in the section F-F (see Figure 27 ), it is shown. It is clear that the clamping legs 9 are locked at the locking profiles 12 that point towards each other. The intermediate space between the locking profiles 12 is smaller than the width of the clamping legs 9 in the movement radius where they intersect with the locking profiles 12 at the smallest part. Figure 27

[0172] Figure 32 Figure 25 Shown Figure 25Side view of the opening retaining element 7 for the spring force clamping connection 3. Here, the S-shaped configuration becomes clear by means of three planes, which are formed by the fastening section 45, the locking section 42 below it, the release surface 28 below it, and two vertical sections, namely the spring arm section 41 and the section 43.

[0173] Figure 33 Shows Figure 29 Front view of the opening retaining element 7 for the spring force clamping connection 3. It can be seen that the release surface 28 extends over the width of the opening retaining element 7 and connects the two vertical tab-shaped sections 43 to each other.

[0174] Figure 34 Shows Figure 25 Front view of the fourth embodiment of the spring force clamping connection 3. The clamping spring 6 is inserted with its support legs 10 and clamping legs 9 into the wire passage opening 19 of the busbar 5. A flange 20 is formed at the lower side of the busbar 5. The opening retaining element 7 is inserted with its fastening section 25 onto the flange 20 and is fastened there in a form-fitting and force-fitting manner.

[0175] Figure 35 Shows a perspective view of the fourth embodiment of the spring force clamping connection 3 in the closed initial position. The clamping leg 9 springs with its free end onto the second flange end sidewall 22 and abuts on the opposite side at the first flange end sidewall 21.

[0176] Figure 36 Shows a perspective view of the fourth embodiment of the spring force clamping connection 3 with the inserted electrical wire 39. The electrical wire 39 is inserted through the wire passage opening 19 and the flange 20 and touches the release surface 28 that limits the insertion path. Thereby, the clamping leg 9 locked at the locking profile 12 is unlocked and can spring onto the electrical wire 39 in order to clamp the electrical wire at the clamping site between the clamping edge 17 of the clamping leg 9 and the clamping section 23 of the busbar 5.

[0177] Figure 37 Shows a side view of the fourth embodiment of the spring force clamping connection 3 with the actuating pushbutton 40 in the closed initial position. The actuating pushbutton is positioned above the clamping leg 9. As shown, the actuating pushbutton can already rest on the clamping leg 9 in the initial position in order to thereby limit the degree of freedom of movement of the actuating pushbutton 40.

[0178] Figure 38Shows a side sectional view of a fourth embodiment of the spring - force clamping connection 3 with the actuating press piece 40 in the locked open - holding position. Here, the actuating press piece 40 is moved downward towards the busbar 5 and applies an actuating force to the clamping leg 9. Thereby, the clamping leg 9 pivots towards the support leg 10 such that the clamping leg reaches behind the locking profile 12 and is locked there in the open - holding position. Thereby, the open - holding element 7 fixed to the busbar 5 holds the clamping leg 9 in the open - holding position. The clamping leg 9 is hereby under mechanical stress by the spring force stored in the spring bow 18. During unlocking, this causes the clamping leg 9 to pivot away from the support leg 10 towards the clamping section 23 at the inclined second flange end sidewall 22 to Figure 37 the initial closed position, or to the closed clamping position by means of the inserted wire 39.

[0179] List of reference numerals

[0180] 1 Terminal

[0181] 2 Insulation housing

[0182] 3 Spring - force clamping connection

[0183] 4 Wire - entry opening

[0184] 5 Busbar

[0185] 6 Clamping spring

[0186] 7 Open - holding element

[0187] 8 Actuating opening

[0188] 9 Clamping leg

[0189] 10 Support leg

[0190] 11 Locking arm

[0191] 12 Locking profile

[0192] 13 Release section

[0193] 14 Locking foot

[0194] 15 Bridging opening

[0195] 16 Bridging contact

[0196] 17 Clamping edge

[0197] 18 Spring bow

[0198] 19 Wire - threading opening

[0199] 20 Flange

[0200] 21 First flange end side wall

[0201] 22 Second flange end side wall

[0202] 23 Clamping section

[0203] 24 Flange longitudinal side wall

[0204] 25 Fastening section

[0205] 26 Spring arm

[0206] 27 Release profile

[0207] 28 Release surface

[0208] 29 Edge edge

[0209] 30 Root region

[0210] 31 Side wing wall

[0211] 32 Spacing retaining tongue

[0212] 33 Side wall

[0213] 34 End wall

[0214] 35 Support projection

[0215] 36 Bottom plate

[0216] 37 Bottom section

[0217] 38 Material lug

[0218] 39 Electric wire

[0219] 40 Manipulation push piece

[0220] 41 Spring arm section

[0221] 42 Locking section

[0222] 43 Vertical section

[0223] 44 Retaining lug

[0224] 45 Retaining tab

[0225] 46 Transverse tab

[0226] 47 Recess

[0227] L Wire introduction direction

Claims

1. A spring force clamping connector (3), comprising: - busbars (5), and a clamping spring (6) having a clamping leg (9), a supporting leg (10) and a spring bow (18), the clamping leg having a clamping edge (17) for clamping an electrical conductor to the busbar (5), the supporting leg resting on the busbar (5) and supporting the clamping spring (6) on the busbar (5), the spring bow connecting the supporting leg (10) to the clamping leg (9), The spring force clamping connection (3) has an open holding element (7), which has an elastically springy locking arm (11) with a locking contour (12), which is positioned laterally next to the side edge of the clamping leg (9) in the open holding position and is designed to lock the clamping leg (9) deflected toward the support leg (10) against the spring force of the clamping spring (6) in the open holding position by means of the locking contour (12). The clamping leg (9) is deflected toward the supporting leg (10) against the spring force, and the opening holding element (7) has a release section (13), wherein the release section (13) is designed to be deflected by an electrical conductor inserted for clamping onto the busbar (5), thereby displacing the elastically springy locking arm (11) away from the side edge of the clamping leg (9) and unlocking the clamping leg (9) locked at the locking contour (12) in the opening holding position, It is characterized in that By pivoting the release section (13) by means of an inserted electrical conductor, the locking arm (11) can be moved with its locking contour (12) in a spring-elastic manner in the width direction of the clamping leg (9) away from a side edge of the clamping leg (9).

2. A spring force clamping connector (3), comprising: - busbars (5), and a clamping spring (6) having a clamping leg (9), a supporting leg (10) and a spring bow (18), the clamping leg having a clamping edge (17) for clamping an electrical conductor to the busbar (5), the supporting leg resting on the busbar (5) and supporting the clamping spring (6) on the busbar (5), the spring bow connecting the supporting leg (10) to the clamping leg (9), The spring force clamping connection (3) has an open holding element (7), which has an elastically springy locking arm (11) with a locking contour (12), which is positioned laterally next to the side edge of the clamping leg (9) in the open holding position and is designed to lock the clamping leg (9) deflected toward the support leg (10) against the spring force of the clamping spring (6) in the open holding position by means of the locking contour (12). The clamping leg (9) is deflected toward the supporting leg (10) against the spring force, and the opening holding element (7) has a release section (13), wherein the release section (13) is designed to be deflected by an electrical conductor inserted for clamping onto the busbar (5), thereby displacing the elastically springy locking arm (11) away from the side edge of the clamping leg (9) and unlocking the clamping leg (9) locked at the locking contour (12) in the opening holding position, It is characterized in that The open holding element (7) is designed as a holder connected to the support leg (10) and having two mutually opposite side walls (33) which are connected to each other via at least one bottom section (37).

3. The spring force clamping connection (3) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The locking contour (12) of the locking arm (11) forms a stop for one of the side edges of the clamping leg (9).

4. The spring force clamping connection (3) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The release section (13) is formed integrally with the holding-open element (7) or is formed on a separate release component that interacts with the holding-open element (7).

5. The spring force clamping connection (3) according to claim 4, characterized in that The elastically springable release section (13) is integrally formed with the elastically springable locking arm (11), wherein the release section (13) is bent out from a locking plane of the locking arm (11) having the locking contour (12) and forms a release surface (28) for the free end of the inserted electrical conductor to be clamped below the locking plane in the wire insertion direction (L).

6. The spring force clamping connection (3) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The open holding element (7) has a fastening section (25) fixed to the busbar (5), and the elastically springy locking arm (11) extends from the fastening section (25) at a distance from the busbar (5) and parallel to a plane of the busbar (5) formed there.

7. The spring force clamping connection (3) according to claim 6, characterized in that The busbar (5) has a wire lead-through opening (19), and the clamping spring (6) extends into the wire lead-through opening (19) with the clamping leg (9) and the supporting leg (10), wherein the opening holding element (7) has a fastening section (25) which is fixed to the wire lead-through opening (19), and the elastically elastic locking arm (11) extends from the fastening section (25) at a distance from the busbar (5) and parallel to a plane formed by the wire lead-through opening (19).

8. The spring force clamping connection (3) according to claim 7, characterized in that The wire lead-through opening (19) has a flange (20) extending in a wire insertion direction (L) away from a plane formed by the wire lead-through opening (19) of the busbar (5), the flange partially or completely defining the boundary of the wire lead-through opening (19) and having two flange longitudinal side walls (24) spaced apart from each other and lying opposite each other, wherein the fastening section (25) of the opening retention element (7) has two side wing walls (31) spaced apart from each other, the side wing walls being connected to each other via end-side root areas (30) and resting against the flange longitudinal side walls (24), wherein the side wing walls (31) are fixed to the flange (20) in a force-fitting manner by a spring force exerted by the root area (30).

9. The spring force clamping connection (3) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The elastically springable locking arm (11) has a release contour (27), and the release section (13) integrally formed with the elastically springable locking arm (11) is adjacent to the release contour (27) and is guided past the elastically springable locking arm (11), and the release section is bent out from a locking plane of the locking arm (11) having the locking contour (12), and the release section forms a release surface (28) for the free end of the inserted electrical conductor to be clamped below the locking plane in the wire insertion direction (L), wherein the release section (13) is configured to deflect the locking arm (11) laterally by loading the release contour (27) when the release surface (28) is displaced in a direction away from the busbar (5) by the inserted electrical conductor.

10. The spring force clamping connection (3) according to claim 9, characterized in that The release section (13) is guided between the locking contour (12) and the release contour (27) past the elastically springable locking arm (11).

11. The spring force clamping connection (3) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The release section (13) has a release surface (28) which is reinforced, for example by a flange contour or a rib structure, for the free end of an inserted electrical conductor to be clamped.

12. The spring force clamping connection (3) according to any one of claims 6 to 11, characterized in that A spacing tongue (32) extends from a fastening section (25) of the opening holding element (7) toward the busbar (5).

13. The spring force clamping connection (3) according to any one of claims 6 to 12, characterized in that The open holding element (7) comprises two side walls (33) lying opposite each other, bottom sections (37) projecting from the side walls (33) towards each other, and an end wall (34) extending between the side walls (33) and transversely to the side walls (33) and the bottom section (37), and comprises a bottom plate (36) separated from the side walls (33) together with their bottom section (37) and the end wall (34), wherein the bottom plate (36) is arranged between the side walls (33), supported on the bottom section (37) and supported by means of a supporting projection (3 5) is fixed to the side wall (33), wherein the base plate (36) forms the release section (13) and is supported on the end wall (34) of the opening and holding element (7) by means of a supporting area bent toward the busbar (5), wherein the supporting leg (10) is connected to the opening and holding element (7), and the opening and holding element (7) is supported on the busbar (5) in a spring-elastic manner, and wherein the locking contour (12) is formed on the side wall of the side wall (33) to form the elastically springable locking arm (11).

14. The spring force clamping connection (3) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The holding-open element (7) has two locking arms (11) which are arranged at a distance from one another and lie opposite one another, wherein the two locking arms (11) each have a locking contour (12) for locking the clamping leg (9).

15. A terminal block (1) comprising: - a housing (2) of insulating material, and - a spring force clamping connection (3) according to any one of the preceding claims, The insulating material housing (2) has a wire insertion opening (4) for introducing an electrical wire into a clamping location formed between a busbar clamping section (23) of the busbar (5) and a clamping edge (17) of the clamping leg (9), so as to clamp the introduced electrical wire between the busbar clamping section (23) and the clamping edge (17). It is characterized in that The wire introduction opening (4) leads to the clamping position and is oriented so that an electrical wire introduced into the wire introduction opening (4) contacts the release section (13), and the elastically springy locking arm (11) is displaced by displacement of the release section (13) to unlock the clamping leg (9) locked at the locking contour in the open holding position.

16. The connecting terminal (1) according to claim 15, characterized in that The insulating material housing (2) has an operating opening (8) which is open toward the clamping leg (9) so that the clamping leg (9) can be displaced toward the supporting leg (10) into the open holding position against the spring force of the clamping spring (6) by means of an operating tool introduced into the operating opening (8) or an operating element movably inserted into the operating opening (8).

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