Wiring terminal

Abstract

The invention relates to a connection terminal having an insulating material housing with a conductor insertion opening for receiving an electrical conductor in a conductor insertion direction, at least one spring-force clamping connection being arranged in the insulating material housing, the invention relates to a spring-force clamping connection for connecting electrical conductors by means of a spring force, said spring-force clamping connection having at least one busbar and a clamping spring, said clamping spring having a clamping leg with a clamping edge for clamping an electrical conductor at a clamping point on a contact section of the busbar, the terminal has a retaining element which can be molded in one piece with the clamping spring and is configured to retain the clamping leg in the open position.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a terminal block having an insulating material housing having at least one wire inlet opening for receiving an electrical wire in a wire introduction direction, wherein at least one spring-force clamping connector is provided in the insulating material housing, the spring-force clamping connector being configured to connect an electrical wire by means of a spring force, wherein the spring-force clamping connector has at least one busbar and a clamping spring, the clamping spring having clamping legs with clamping edges for clamping the electrical wire at a clamping location at a contact segment of the busbar, and the terminal block having a retaining element that can be integrally formed with the clamping spring and configured to retain the clamping legs in an open position. Background Technology

[0002] Such a terminal block is known from DE 10 2020 119 372A1. This relates to a terminal block that automatically connects to the conductor to be clamped when the conductor is inserted into it. Upon insertion of the conductor, the clamping legs of the clamping spring, which are held in the open position, are automatically released, thereby causing the conductor to be securely clamped. Summary of the Invention

[0003] Therefore, the purpose of this invention is to propose a further improved terminal block.

[0004] The objective is achieved by having a support section in which the retaining element is supported at the bottom of the insulating housing via the support section. This allows for reliable positioning of the retaining element, ensuring reliable retention of the clamping legs even when external mechanical forces act on the terminals. Undesirable premature release of the clamping legs is prevented.

[0005] This construction with such a retaining element allows for the integration of automatic triggering technology into spring-forced clamping connectors and terminals with entirely different construction methods. In particular, the terminals with the aforementioned known construction methods can be further improved in terms of automatic triggering functionality, i.e., automatic wire connection with the wire to be clamped, with minimal cost, in the manner described above.

[0006] The retaining element, for example, can be supported at the bottom of the insulating housing via a support section relative to the force exerted on the retaining element by the clamping legs in the open position. The retaining element can have a locking element that is elastically loaded by the clamping legs in the open position, the locking element being capable of locking with the clamping legs.

[0007] The retaining element can be movably configured, i.e., movable, pivotable, or otherwise deflectable, such that the retaining element can be easily deflected via an inserted wire to induce a desired release effect of the clamping leg from the retaining element. The retaining element can be movably supported, for example, movable in a straight or arcuate direction. The retaining element can be pivotally supported. In this case, the retaining element can pivot about a fixed or variable pivot axis. In the case of a variable pivot axis, combined movable and pivotal movements can also be implemented. The retaining element can also be otherwise movably supported such that the retaining element can be deflected sufficiently far to release the clamping leg's latch at the retaining element.

[0008] The spring-loaded clamping connector can have an operating mechanism for manipulating the clamping legs. Through this operating mechanism, the clamping legs can be moved to the open position against the spring force of the clamping spring during manual operation. In the open position, the clamping legs can then be held by a retaining element, and in particular, manual operation of the operating mechanism is unnecessary, allowing the introduction of electrical wires without any special effort in any situation. For example, the clamping legs can be locked at the retaining element in the open position.

[0009] The clamping legs, together with the contact section of the busbar, form a clamping portion for clamping the electrical conductor between the clamping legs and the contact section. In the open position, at least the clamping edges of the clamping legs pivot away from the contact section of the busbar. The clamping legs, for example, are capable of pivoting between an open position and a clamped position, in which the electrical conductor can move freely between the clamping legs and the contact section, and in which the clamping position the clamping legs clamp the electrical conductor at the contact section.

[0010] The retaining element can act directly on the clamping leg, for example, to hold the clamping leg in the open position. Therefore, a first locking element can be provided at the clamping leg and a second locking element can be provided at the retaining element, wherein the first and second locking elements can lock into each other in the open position. The first locking element can be configured as a locking protrusion or a locking hook. The second locking element can be configured as a locking edge or a locking opening.

[0011] The retaining element can also exist as a separate component, such as being fastened to the insulating housing of the terminal block, the busbar, or other components.

[0012] According to an advantageous design of the invention, at least one retaining tab is formed at the retaining element, the retaining tab extending toward the free end of the clamping leg in the opposite direction to the wire introduction direction, such that the clamping leg can be secured at the retaining tab in the open position. This construction, particularly with the clamping spring integrally formed with the retaining element, allows for the integration of automatic triggering technology into spring-force clamping connectors and terminals of entirely different structural types.

[0013] According to an advantageous design of the invention, the spring-loaded clamping connector has a release element with a release section, by which actuation of the release section allows the retaining element to deflect until the clamping leg held at the retaining element is released from the retaining element. For example, when the conductor to be clamped applies an actuation force to the release section of the release element, the clamping leg held at the retaining element in the open position can be released from the retaining element. This allows the clamping leg to be automatically released from the retaining element by inserting the conductor. The release section can cause the clamping leg to be released from the retaining element by applying pressure through a separate tool, a terminal component, such as an actuation element, or directly via the introduced conductor itself. By means of the release element, the clamping leg held at the retaining element in the open position can be released from the retaining element by applying pressure through the release section in the direction of conductor introduction of the conductor to be clamped. Depending on the configuration of the spring-force clamping connector, the releasing element can be configured as a separate component or as part of the clamping spring or retaining element, for example, as a releasing element formed in one piece with the clamping spring or retaining element.

[0014] According to an advantageous design of the invention, the releasing element has a spring section behind the releasing section and / or behind the support section along the wire guiding direction. Through said spring section, the releasing element is supported relative to the force applied to the releasing section by the wire by the wire at a rear portion of the housing wall of the insulating material housing, located behind the spring element along the wire guiding direction. Thus, the releasing section is held under a defined preload by the spring section, preventing undesirable release of the clamping spring at the holding element, for example, due to vibration. The wire to be clamped must first be pressed against the releasing section with a minimum force to release the clamping.

[0015] According to an advantageous design of the invention, the spring element, viewed along the wire guide direction in the region of the release element, first arcs backward to a spring section extending substantially perpendicular to the wire guide direction. In this manner, the clamping spring can be formed from the release element to the support portion at the rear housing wall in a relatively long material section, allowing the spring element to be constructed with an advantageously small spring force without requiring particularly costly modifications to the relatively rigid sheet material of the clamping spring. To achieve the desired relatively small spring force, the clamping spring can be implemented with a small cross-section in the region of the arcuate section and in the region of the spring section, which can be achieved, for example, by punching out a central material section or by punching out a lateral material section from the material of the clamping spring. The arcuate section can, for example, extend in an angular range of substantially 180°.

[0016] According to an advantageous design of the invention, a support surface is provided at the free end of the spring section for supporting the spring element against the rear housing wall. This support surface enables defined support and reinforcement at the rear housing wall.

[0017] According to an advantageous design of the invention, the clamping spring has a support section connected to the clamping leg via a spring bow, wherein the support section is configured to support the clamping spring at the busbar, particularly at the frame member of the busbar. The support section here allows for reliable support of the clamping spring and sufficient support relative to the spring force applied by the clamping leg.

[0018] According to an advantageous design of the invention, the retaining element and the support section are formed in one piece. In this manner, the retaining element can be formed in an extension of the support section and extends into the region behind the clamping portion when viewed along the wire introduction direction.

[0019] According to an advantageous design of the invention, the retaining element has a body in which a retaining tab extends from the body at a location that is closer to the support portion of the support section at the busbar than to the release portion of the release element. In this manner, the gap along the wire introduction direction between the protruding portion of the retaining tab from the body and the support portion of the support section can be minimized, thereby minimizing the torque generated when the clamping leg is locked at the retaining tab. Consequently, the force exerted by the support portion of the clamping spring on the bottom of the insulating housing in the open position can also be minimized, particularly to a value range that does not damage the material of the insulating housing.

[0020] In an advantageous design, the support section can be positioned, for example, behind the release section along the direction of wire introduction. This maximizes the lever arm extending from the support section behind the retaining element, thereby minimizing the force acting on the bottom of the insulating housing.

[0021] According to an advantageous design of the invention, the body of the retaining element is connected to the support section via at least one connecting segment that is curved arcuately to the clamping spring in the side view. This connecting segment allows for a relatively short transition between the support portion of the clamping spring at the busbar and the retaining element, particularly a short transition along the direction of wire introduction. The arcuate connecting segment can, for example, be S-shaped.

[0022] According to an advantageous design of the invention, the arc-shaped connecting segment extends substantially perpendicularly to the direction of wire introduction for at least a portion of its longitudinal extension. This also minimizes the spacing between the supporting segment and the retaining element.

[0023] According to an advantageous design of the invention, the clamping leg has a first locking element and at least one retaining tab has a second locking element, the second locking element being capable of engaging with the first locking element in the open position. Thus, reliable locking between the clamping leg and the retaining element, or retaining tab, is feasible. The first locking element can be constructed, for example, without special modification of the clamping spring, by using the free end of the clamping leg, such as the clamping edge, as the first locking element. Alternatively, at least one locking tab can be constructed at the clamping leg, at which the first locking element for engaging with the retaining tab is present.

[0024] According to an advantageous design of the invention, at least one locking tab is provided at the clamping leg, and a first locking element for locking with the retaining tab is present at the locking tab. This allows for additional degrees of freedom in the configuration of the spring-force clamping connector and in the automatic triggering function. The locking tab can be provided laterally at the clamping leg, for example. Advantageously, locking tabs are provided symmetrically on the left and right sides of the clamping leg, and a first locking element is present at each of the locking tabs.

[0025] According to an advantageous design of the invention, at least one locking tab extends out of the clamping edge of the clamping leg along the direction of the wire introduction. This allows for reliable coupling between the first and second locking elements in the open position without compromising the clamping function of the clamping leg.

[0026] According to an advantageous design of the invention, the bus has a frame member in which a clamping spring is suspended or tensioned, wherein the frame member has a through-opening through which a wire to be connected can pass. For example, the clamping spring can be suspended by means of its support section at an edge section of the frame member surrounding the through-opening. The clamping spring can be suspended or tensioned in the frame member such that the support section is secured to the frame member and the clamping legs are oriented toward the contact section of the bus, i.e., in the clamped position, it rests against the contact section when the wire is not inserted, or when the wire is inserted, the clamping legs press the wire against the contact section.

[0027] The frame member can be formed in one piece from the material of the busbar, for example, as the area bent and punched out from the contact section. The frame member can have a frame surrounding the circumferential side, which completely surrounds the through opening. For example, the through opening can have a substantially rectangular cross-section. The frame member can then have a first lateral leg extending from one side of the contact section and a second lateral leg extending from the opposite side, wherein the first and second lateral legs can extend parallel to each other. The frame member can also have a transverse leg that connects the free ends of the first and second lateral legs to each other. A clamping spring can then be attached to the transverse leg by means of a support section.

[0028] According to an advantageous design of the invention, the retaining element extends into the through opening of the frame member. Thus, a compact construction of the spring-force clamping connector and a good integration of the snap-fit ​​function are feasible.

[0029] According to an advantageous design of the invention, a U-shaped recess, facing the clamping spring in a side view, is formed in the transition portion from the support section to the retaining element. This recess is configured to secure the support section to the busbar frame. This allows the clamping spring to be reliably and easily fastened to the frame.

[0030] According to an advantageous design of the invention, the retaining element is positioned after the clamping portion or after most of the busbar in the wire introduction direction from the conductor to the spring-forced clamping connector. In this manner, the retaining element does not obstruct the insertion of the conductor. For example, in the open position, i.e., when the clamping legs are locked at the retaining element, the retaining element does not extend into the conductor receiving space when viewed in the wire introduction direction, or extends only slightly into the conductor receiving space relative to the clamping legs.

[0031] According to an advantageous design of the invention, the spring-force clamping connector has a pivotable lever that can be manually operated by the user in order to actuate the clamping spring to the open position. This allows for simple and comfortable manual operation of the spring-force clamping connector. Furthermore, this lever can be well integrated into the construction of the terminal block.

[0032] According to an advantageous design of the invention, the lever is configured in a U-shape when viewed along the direction of wire introduction, wherein the electrical wire can be inserted into the internal space of the U. This allows for a particularly compact implementation of the spring-force clamping connector, enabling the transmission of large forces by means of the lever, but with only minor additional space requirements. This is particularly evident in that the internal space of the U-shape can be used to accommodate the electrical wire to be clamped.

[0033] For example, the joystick can have a manual operating area, such as in the form of a handle, from which the joystick extends around the device consisting of a clamping spring and a busbar via two sidewalls extending from the manual operating area, for example, in parallel. If the spring-force clamping connector is housed in an insulating material housing of the terminal block, then the sidewalls can be located within the insulating material housing. A spring actuation element can be provided on the inner side of the sidewall, i.e., on the side facing the clamping spring, which can be molded, for example, in one piece on the respective sidewall. By means of such a spring actuation element, the clamping spring can be actuated directly at the clamping leg or at the corresponding actuation section of the laterally extending clamping leg associated with the spring actuation element, and correspondingly pivoted to the open position.

[0034] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the lever has at least one spring actuation element disposed laterally to the clamping spring and configured to deflect the clamping leg. With at least one such spring actuation element, the clamping leg can be reliably deflected to the open position during a corresponding pivoting operation of the lever. The lever, or spring actuation element, can be supported, for example, on a contact section of the busbar.

[0035] According to an advantageous design of the invention, the spring actuator has a circumferentially circular or partially circular bolt with a V-shaped notch, wherein the clamping leg extends into the V-shaped notch via an actuating section. This enables reliable force transmission from the actuating lever to the clamping spring.

[0036] According to an advantageous design of the invention, the clamping spring has a support section connected to the clamping leg via a spring bow, wherein the support section is configured to support the clamping spring at the busbar, particularly at the frame member. The support section here allows for reliable support of the clamping spring and sufficient support relative to the spring force applied by the clamping leg.

[0037] According to an advantageous design of the invention, a wire guide channel for guiding the electrical wire to be fixed and clamped at the contact section can be formed in the insulating material housing, wherein the release section of the release element is disposed in the wire guide channel or at least extends into the wire guide channel.

[0038] According to an advantageous design of the invention, the release section of the release element can be disposed after the contact section or at least after the clamping section along the wire introduction direction (L).

[0039] In the context of this invention, the indefinite article "a" is not understood as a numeral. Therefore, if a component is mentioned, it should be understood as "at least one component." This refers to a circle of 360 degrees, provided the angle is described in degrees. Attached Figure Description

[0040] The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments.

[0041] The attached diagram shows:

[0042] Figure 1 A perspective view of the wiring terminals is shown.

[0043] Figure 2 The basis for showing the state of not being manipulated Figure 1 A side sectional view of the wiring terminals.

[0044] Figure 3 The following is shown based on the state in which the joystick is manipulated. Figure 2 The wiring terminals,

[0045] Figure 4 The following is shown as evidence of the situation where the electrical wire is in an unmanipulated state upon insertion. Figure 2 The wiring terminals,

[0046] Figure 5 A perspective view of the combined retaining-releasing element is shown.

[0047] Figure 6 A perspective view of the joystick is shown.

[0048] Figure 7 Showing according to Figure 6 A side sectional view of the joystick. Detailed Implementation

[0049] Figure 1 A terminal block 1 with an insulating housing 2 is shown. In the illustrated embodiment, the terminal block 1 is configured as a two-pole terminal block. Correspondingly, the terminal block 1 has two wire introduction openings 20 in the insulating housing 2, through which electrical wires to be clamped can be introduced respectively. Two spring-loaded clamping connectors are provided in the insulating housing 2, each of which is associated with a wire introduction opening 20. To operate the clamping spring of each spring-loaded clamping connector, the terminal block 1 has a pivotable lever 6.

[0050] Figure 2 Showing according to Figure 1 A side sectional view of terminal 1. It can be seen that the terminal, housed in an insulating housing 2, has a clamping spring 4 and a busbar 3. The busbar 3 has a contact section 31 and a frame member 32 bent at an angle from the contact section 31. The contact section 31 is used for electrical contact with the connected wire. The clamping spring 4 has a support section 41 fastened to the frame member 31. The support section 41 is particularly capable of being hung on a lateral leg 33 of the frame member 32 located away from the contact section 31. The clamping spring 4 has a spring bow 42 connected to the support section 41 and a clamping leg 43 connected to the spring bow 42, the clamping leg being used to securely clamp the wire at the contact section 31, more precisely at the clamping portion 30. The clamping leg 43 terminates at its free end with a clamping edge 46.

[0051] In order to manipulate the clamping spring 4, that is, to make the clamping leg 43 move from the clamping spring 4, the clamping leg 43 is released from the clamping spring 4. Figure 2 The clamping position shown is deflected to the open position, and a lever 6 is provided. The lever 6 has a manual operation area 60 that extends from the insulating material housing 2. At the manual operation area 60, the lever 6 can be gripped and pivoted by the user. The lever 6 extends into the insulating material housing 2 via a side wall 65. A spring-operated section 61 with a spring actuation member 62 is provided at each side wall 65. When the lever 6 pivots, the clamping leg 43 pivots away from the contact section 31 and moves to the open position via the spring actuation member 62, as shown in the diagram. Figure 3 As can be seen in. If the manipulator 5 is relative to... Figure 2 When the position shown is pivoted clockwise, the clamping leg 43 is driven by the spring to deflect upwards at the spring-loaded point 62, causing the clamping edge 46 to lift off the contact section 31 and move away from it. In this manner, the clamping portion can be opened, allowing the removal of the clamped wire or the easy introduction of the wire to be clamped. In the open position, the clamping leg 43 can be locked at the retaining element 5.

[0052] As can be seen, a retaining element 5 is provided in the insulating material housing 2, which is used to hold the clamping leg 43 in the open position. The retaining element 5 has a locking element 50, at which the clamping leg 43, having a locking element formed by the clamping edge 46 in this case, can be locked. However, it is also possible to have a dedicated locking element at the clamping leg 43.

[0053] Specifically, an S-shaped connecting section 51 is provided at the end of the support section 41, following the transverse leg 33 along the wire introduction direction L. This connecting section is integrally formed with the support section 41. The connecting section 51 transitions into the body 54 of the retaining element 5. A retaining tab 52 extends from the body 54 in the opposite direction to the wire introduction direction L, i.e., toward the clamping leg 43. A locking element 50 is formed at the free end of the retaining tab 52. The clamping leg 43 can be locked in the open position by means of its locking element, i.e., by means of the clamping edge 46 in this case, at the locking element 50. Figure 3 Diagrammatic explanation.

[0054] exist Figure 3 In the middle, the lever 6 is pivoted to the open position. Via the spring actuation member 62, the clamping leg 43 now moves to the open position, in which the clamping leg 43 can lock with the clamping edge 46 after the locking element 50. If the lever 6 now moves back to the closed position, as in... Figure 2 and Figure 4 As shown, the clamping leg 43 remains in the open position because it is held in place by the retaining element 5.

[0055] A release element 8 is connected to the retaining element 5 along the wire introduction direction L. This release element is also integrally formed with the clamping spring 4, or retaining element 5. The release element 8 has a release section 80 extending substantially orthogonal to the wire introduction direction L. This release section is used to actuate the release element 8 via the wire when the wire is inserted into the terminal 1 (see [link]). Figure 4 ).

[0056] The release element 8 transitions from the release section 80 into a U-shaped support section 82 in the side view, which supports the retaining element 5 at the bottom 22 of the insulating material housing 2. A spring element 81 is connected to the support section 82, extending substantially orthogonal to the wire introduction direction L and terminating at a support surface 83. The spring element 81 is supported via the support surface 83 at the rear housing wall 22 of the insulating material housing 2.

[0057] Figure 4 This illustrates how the wire 9 is inserted into the terminal 1 and pressed against the release section 80 by its free end. As a result, the release element 8 is slightly elastically compressed, thus holding element 5 deflected, causing the second locking element 50 to move slightly rearward along the wire introduction direction L, thereby releasing the clamping edge 46 of the clamping leg 43. The clamping leg 43 then springs back and presses the wire 9 against the contact section 31. The clamping leg 43 is thus moved into the clamping position due to the spring preload of the clamping spring 4.

[0058] Figure 5A clamping spring 4 is shown, having the elements already described, particularly a retaining element 5 molded in one piece at the support section 41 and a releasing element 8 molded in one piece at the retaining element 5. It is evident that the connecting section 51 can be formed by two relatively narrow lateral connecting arms, with the material between them having been removed from the sheet material of the clamping spring 4. Similarly, the intermediate sheet material between the body 54 and the releasing section 80 can be removed, such that the releasing section 80 is connected to the body 54 only via the side arms. In a similar manner, the releasing element 8 can be formed after the releasing section 80, such that the arcuate transition between the spring element 81 and the support section 82 is formed only via the side arms, with the sheet material of the clamping spring 4 removed between them. The side arms can be connected to each other at their free ends via a support surface 83, which thus forms a lateral connection between the two arms of the spring element 81.

[0059] Figure 6 and Figure 7 The joystick 6, with further details, is shown. It is evident that the joystick 6 has sidewalls 65 extending substantially vertically from the manual operation area 60 on opposite sides of the manual operation area 60. The sidewalls 65 extend longitudinally beyond the manual operation area 60. In this area, the sidewalls 65 are not connected to each other, i.e., there is free space 66 there.

[0060] A locking element 67 can be provided in the manual operation area 60 to lock the lever 6 in a closed lever position. With the help of the locking element 67, the lever can be locked, for example, at a corresponding locking section of the insulating housing 2. Furthermore, the lever 6 can have a manual operation aid 69 at its end facing the wire inlet side, which allows for easier gripping of the lever in the closed position or operation of the lever with the aid of a tool.

[0061] Support sections 68 are molded on the inner sides of the sidewalls 65, facing each other, and extend into the interior of the insulating material housing 2. Spring-operated sections 61 with spring-driven members 62 are respectively provided on the inner sides of the support sections 68, facing each other. The spring-driven members 62 are partially circularly configured with V-shaped cutouts 63 around their circumference. Furthermore, the spring-operated sections 61 with spring-driven members 62 are not directly adjacent to the respective associated sidewalls 65 in the lateral direction, but rather form a gap-like intermediate space 64 between them. The gap-like intermediate space 64 can accommodate, for example, the inner wall of the insulating material housing 2, which helps improve the guidance of the lever 6 during pivoting movements. The lever 6 is capable of pivoting about the rotation axis D.

[0062] List of reference numerals

[0063] 1. Terminal block

[0064] 2. Insulating material housing

[0065] 3 busbars

[0066] 4. Clamping spring

[0067] 5. Holding element

[0068] 6. Control joystick

[0069] 8. Loosen the components

[0070] 9. Electrical wires

[0071] 20 wires introduced into the opening

[0072] 21 Rear shell wall

[0073] 22 Bottom of the shell

[0074] 30 Clamping Part

[0075] 31 contact section

[0076] 32 frame components

[0077] 33 Horizontal Legs

[0078] 41 Support Section

[0079] 42 Spring Bow

[0080] 43. Clasp your legs together

[0081] 46 Clamping edge

[0082] 50 Second locking element

[0083] 51 Connecting Section

[0084] 52-piece splicing

[0085] 54 main bodies

[0086] 60 manual control area

[0087] 61 Spring Operating Section

[0088] 62 Spring Drive

[0089] 63 V-shaped incision

[0090] 64 interstitial intermediate spaces

[0091] 65 sidewall

[0092] 66 Free Space

[0093] 67 Locking Components

[0094] 68 support sections

[0095] 69 Manual Operation Assist Unit

[0096] 80 loosening section

[0097] 81 Spring Components

[0098] 82 Support Section

[0099] 83 support surfaces

[0100] L-direction of wire introduction

Claims

1. A terminal block (1) having an insulating material housing (2) having at least one wire introduction opening (20) for receiving an electrical wire in a wire introduction direction (L), wherein at least one spring-force clamping connector is provided in the insulating material housing (2), the spring-force clamping connector being configured to connect an electrical wire by means of a spring force, wherein the spring-force clamping connector has at least one busbar (3) and a clamping spring (4), the clamping spring having a clamping leg (43) with a clamping edge (46) for clamping the electrical wire at a clamping portion (30) onto a contact segment (31) of the busbar (3), and the terminal block having a retaining element (5) configured to retain the clamping leg (43) in an open position, characterized in that, The clamping spring (4) has a support section (82), wherein the retaining element (5) is supported via the support section (82) at the bottom (22) of the insulating material housing (2).

2. The terminal block according to claim 1, characterized in that, At least one retaining tab (52) is formed at the retaining element (5), the retaining tab extending toward the free end of the clamping leg (43) in the opposite direction to the direction of the wire introduction, such that the clamping leg (43) can be fixed at the retaining tab (52) in the open position.

3. The terminal block according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The spring-force clamping connector has a release element (8) with a release section (80), by manipulating the release section, the retaining element (5) can be pivoted until the clamping leg (43) held at the retaining element (5) is released from the retaining element (5).

4. The terminal block according to claim 3, characterized in that, When the wire to be clamped applies a manipulating force to the release section (80) of the release element (8), the clamping leg (43) held in the holding element (5) in the open position can be released from the holding element (5).

5. The terminal block according to any one of claims 3 to 4, characterized in that, The release element (8) and the retaining element (5) are formed in one piece.

6. The terminal block according to any one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that, The release element (8) has a spring element (81) behind the release element (80) and / or behind the support section (82) along the wire introduction direction (L). The release element (8) is supported by the spring element relative to the force applied to the release element (80) by the wire at the housing wall (21) of the rear part of the insulating material housing (2), which is located behind the spring element (81) along the wire introduction direction (L).

7. The terminal block according to claim 6, characterized in that, Viewed along the wire introduction direction (L) in the region of the release element (8), the clamping spring (4) first arcs behind the release section (80) into the spring section of the spring element (81) that extends substantially perpendicularly to the wire introduction direction (L).

8. The terminal block according to claim 7, characterized in that, A support surface (83) is formed at the free end of the spring section for supporting the spring element (81) at the rear housing wall (21).

9. The terminal block according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The clamping spring (4) has a support section (41) connected to the clamping leg (43) via a spring bow (42), wherein the support section (41) is configured to support the clamping spring (4) at the busbar (3), particularly at the frame member (32) of the busbar (3).

10. The terminal block according to claim 9, characterized in that, The retaining element (5) and the supporting section (41) are formed in one piece.

11. The terminal block according to any one of claims 9 to 10, characterized in that, The retaining element (5) has a body (54) wherein the retaining tab (52) extends from the body (54) at a location that is closer to the support portion (41) at the busbar (3) than to the release portion (80) of the release element (8).

12. The terminal block according to claim 11, characterized in that, The main body (54) of the retaining element (5) is connected to the support section (41) via at least one connecting section (51) that is curved in an arc to the clamping spring (4) in the side view.

13. The terminal block according to claim 12, characterized in that, The arc-shaped connecting section (51) extends substantially perpendicular to the direction of wire introduction (L) in at least a portion of its longitudinal extension.

14. The terminal block according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The clamping leg (43) has a first locking element, and the at least one retaining tab (52) has a second locking element (50) which is capable of locking with the first locking element in the open position.

15. The terminal block according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The busbar (3) has a frame (32) in which the clamping spring (4) is hung or tensioned, wherein the frame (32) has a through opening so that the wire to be connected can pass through the through opening.

16. The terminal block according to claim 15, characterized in that, The retaining element (5) extends into the through opening of the frame member (32).

17. The terminal block according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The retaining element (5) is disposed behind the clamping part (30) or most of the busbar (3) along the direction (L) of the wire introduction.

18. The terminal block according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, In order to manipulate the clamping spring (4) to the open position, the spring force clamping connector has an operable pivotable lever (6).

19. The terminal block according to claim 18, characterized in that, The control lever (6) is U-shaped when viewed along the direction (L) of the wire introduction, wherein the electrical wire can pass through the internal space of the U-shape.

20. The terminal block according to any one of claims 18 to 19, characterized in that, The lever (6) has at least one spring actuation element (62) located laterally to the clamping spring (4) and configured to deflect the clamping leg (43).

21. The terminal block according to claim 20, characterized in that, The spring actuator (62) has a circumferentially circular or partially circular plug with a V-shaped cutout (63).

22. The terminal block according to claim 21, characterized in that, The clamping leg (43) extends into the V-shaped cut (63) by means of the operating section.

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