Spring force clamping connection and terminal

Abstract

This invention relates to a spring-force clamping connector for connecting at least one electrical conductor by means of spring force, comprising at least one busbar and a clamping spring, wherein the busbar has a contact section for clamping the electrical conductor, and the clamping spring has clamping legs having clamping edges for pressing the electrical conductor against the contact section, wherein the clamping spring has a spring bow connected to the clamping leg and an abutment section connected to the spring bow, by means of which the clamping spring is secured to the busbar, wherein the spring-force clamping connector has a retaining element for holding the clamping leg in an open position, and wherein the spring-force clamping connector has a releasing element with a releasing section, by means of which the clamping leg held at the retaining element can be released from the retaining element when a releasing force is applied to the releasing section. The invention also relates to a terminal block having such a spring-force clamping connector.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a spring-force clamping connector for connecting at least one electrical conductor by means of spring force, comprising at least one busbar and a clamping spring, wherein the busbar has a contact section for clamping the electrical conductor, and the clamping spring has clamping legs having clamping edges for pressing the electrical conductor against the contact section, wherein the clamping spring has a spring bow connected to the clamping leg and an abutment section connected to the spring bow, by means of which the clamping spring is secured to the busbar, wherein the spring-force clamping connector has a retaining element for holding the clamping leg in an open position, and wherein the spring-force clamping connector has a releasing element with a releasing section, by means of which the clamping leg held at the retaining element can be released from the retaining element when the releasing section is applied with a releasing force. The invention also relates to a terminal block having such a spring-force clamping connector. Background Technology

[0002] Spring force clamping of connectors and terminals is known, for example, from WO 2014 / 124962 A1. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The purpose of this invention is to provide an improved spring-force clamping connector and terminal block.

[0004] The objective is achieved in the type of spring-force clamping connector described at the beginning by having a retaining element with at least one annular locking element, the clamping leg being lockable at the locking element in the open position, and a releasing element having at least one actuating element whose outer contour matches the inner contour of the at least one annular locking element and is form-fitted into the inner contour of the at least one annular locking element. In this way, a spring-force clamping connector with a safe and reliable automatic connection function can be realized. Here, through the form-fitting coupling of the releasing element and the at least one annular locking element, the releasing force can be transmitted particularly well from the releasing section to the locking portion to be released between the clamping leg and the retaining element. In particular, it is possible to transmit sufficient operating force to the releasing section even when the conductor cross-section is small or generally has low bending stiffness; that is, even conductors with low or small bending stiffness can automatically release the lock between the clamping leg and the retaining element upon insertion of the spring-force clamping connector.

[0005] For example, by means of loading an operating element, the clamping leg can be moved from a clamped position to an open position, in which the clamping edge of the clamping leg moves away from the contact section relative to the clamped position. This invention allows the clamping portion to remain open even for extended periods without the need for manual operation of the operating element. This invention enables force-free wire connections and automatic clamping of electrical wires via the clamping leg. The clamping spring can be constructed relatively simply because the releasing element is implemented as a separate component with a specific releasing profile (releasing section), for example, in the form of a plastic part.

[0006] As mentioned, at least one actuating element matches the inner contour of at least one annular locking element in terms of its outer contour. For example, the outer contour of the actuating element can precisely correspond to the inner contour of at least one annular locking element, at least over the vast majority of its circumference.

[0007] At least one annular locking element can be, for example, in the form of a collar, that is, the locking element surrounds the inner region in the form of an annular arm, such as in a bag-like manner, so that the drive member hooked at its inner contour will not unintentionally slip out. For example, the annular locking element can wrap around the inner space with a wrap angle greater than 180 degrees. At least one annular locking element then functions as a clamp that surrounds and holds the drive member.

[0008] The clamping leg can, for example, be directly engaged with the clamping edge at at least one annular locking element. The clamping leg may also have a locking section separate from the clamping edge, which can engage with the locking profile of the locking element.

[0009] The spring-force clamping connector can be configured, for example, to introduce the conductor to be clamped into the spring-force clamping connector in a specific conductor introduction direction, for example, the conductor introduction direction being substantially parallel to the longitudinal extension of the contact section of the busbar.

[0010] According to an advantageous design of the invention, at least one annular locking element has a locking profile, and the clamping leg can be locked at the locking profile, wherein the locking profile is disposed in the wire introduction direction behind the abutment section of the clamping spring at the support portion of the busbar.

[0011] According to an advantageous design of the invention, the releasing element has a body together with two connecting arms extending from the body, wherein a driving member is formed at each of the connecting arms, the driving member being form-fitted into the inner contour of at least one or more annular locking elements. This allows for a particularly secure and reliable fastening of the releasing element at the annular locking elements or, for example, at both annular locking elements. For example, one driving member can be attached to each annular locking element. The driving members can be positioned on the opposing inner sides of the connecting arms, such that the driving members point relative to each other. Alternatively, the driving members can be positioned on the opposite sides of the connecting arms, such that the driving members point away from each other.

[0012] According to an advantageous design of the invention, the direction in which the release section extends from the body differs from the direction in which the connecting arm extends from the body. Advantageously, the release section may, for example, extend from the body substantially orthogonal to the wire introduction direction of the conductor into the spring-force clamping connector and extend into the wire receiving space. The connecting arm may, for example, extend in the opposite direction from the body to the wire introduction direction. The release element may, for example, be formed in a pedal-like shape.

[0013] For example, a release section and two spaced-apart sidewalls may extend from the main body. Each sidewall may be connected to a connecting arm extending from the sidewall. The sidewalls may be arranged parallel to each other, with the release section extending transversely to the sidewalls. The release section may connect the sidewalls to each other.

[0014] According to an advantageous design of the invention, a pouch-shaped receiving portion is formed in the body for receiving the end of an inserted electrical wire. This has the advantage that at least the free end of the electrical wire can be securely received at the release element without lateral displacement. In this way, it can be particularly ensured that smaller electrical wires with lower bending stiffness are also reliably guided to the release section.

[0015] According to an advantageous design of the invention, a wire-receiving ramp is formed in the body for guiding the wire, the ramp extending at an acute angle relative to the wire introduction direction, allowing the wire to be clamped to be introduced into the spring-forced clamping connector in the wire introduction direction. In this way, the wire can be additionally and specifically guided to the release section. In particular, it avoids the wire from deflecting or bending in an undesirable direction at a specific location in the spring-forced clamping connector. To form the wire-receiving ramp in the body, the body can advantageously be oriented obliquely relative to the wire introduction direction.

[0016] According to an advantageous design according to the invention, the release element is configured as a separate component, particularly as a plastic component. This allows for a high degree of freedom in designing the release element, enabling its shape to be optimally matched to its function. By configuring the release element as a plastic component, the release element can be provided simply and cost-effectively in desired and complex shapes. In particular, the release element can be advantageously shaped for easy installation at the holding element location.

[0017] According to an advantageous design of the invention, the retaining element has two spaced-apart annular locking elements with a gap between them. The retaining element can be forked together with the annular locking elements, for example. The annular locking elements can be shaped like curved locking arms. The locking arms can have locking sections at their free ends, for example, where clamping legs can lock.

[0018] According to an advantageous design of the invention, a protrusion extends from the body of the releasing element and inserts into the gap between the spaced-apart annular locking elements. This allows for secure mounting of the releasing element at the retaining element. Undesirable displacement of the releasing element from the retaining element can be avoided. In this way, good force transmission from the releasing element to the locking mechanism on the retaining element for releasing the clamping legs can be ensured.

[0019] The protrusion can also be an extension of the wire-receiving ramp opposite to the direction of wire introduction. The protrusion can extend below the clamping edge of the clamping leg. This ensures that the introduced wire does not strike the edge at the beginning of the body and prematurely trigger the release element.

[0020] According to an advantageous design of the invention, at least one annular locking element has an inner contour that differs from a circle. This has the advantage that torque can be efficiently transmitted to the annular locking element via a drive member of the releasing element, the drive member, as mentioned, matching the inner contour of the locking element in its outer contour. For example, the retaining element, or at least one annular locking element, can also be deflected in a pivoting motion by deflecting the releasing element.

[0021] According to an advantageous design of the invention, at least one operating section is formed at the clamping leg, at which the clamping leg can be moved from a clamped position to an open position by means of loading by an operating element, in which the clamping edge of the clamping leg moves away from the contact section relative to the clamped position. In this way, a clamping spring, or a defined portion of the clamping leg, is provided for manual operation. It is also conceivable, in principle, that the clamping leg is not formed with an operating section. In this case, manual operation can be performed by directly loading the clamping leg.

[0022] At least one operating section can be formed as an outwardly turned or bent lug at the clamping leg. For example, operating sections can be formed at opposite side edges of the clamping leg. This allows for symmetrical operation of the clamping leg, thus preventing tilting.

[0023] According to an advantageous design of the invention, the spring-loaded clamping connector has a manual operating element for moving the clamping leg to the open position, wherein the manual operating element has a gripping section at which it can be manually operated. This has the advantage that the spring-loaded clamping connector has its own operating element, the configuration of which is optimally optimized for simple and safe operation of the clamping leg. Furthermore, the always-present operating element eliminates the need for separate tools by the user.

[0024] According to an advantageous design of the invention, a manual operating element branches from a gripping section into two spaced-apart, substantially parallel operating arms, each having a spring-loaded section for force-loading a clamping spring operating section. This forked operating element can be advantageously and space-savingly integrated into a compact terminal block. For example, the operating element, together with the operating arms, can bridge portions of spring-force-clamped connectors, such as contact sections or other parts of a busbar and / or a portion of the clamping spring.

[0025] According to an advantageous design of the invention, the spring-force clamping connector has a movable operating press as a manual operating element, the operating press being movable in the pushing direction. This allows for simple and ergonomic operation of the clamping leg by applying pressure at the manual operating section of the operating press. The operating press can be, for example, movable in a linear direction. For this purpose, the operating press can be movably supported in an operating channel within the insulating housing of the terminal block, in which the spring-force clamping connector is disposed.

[0026] According to an advantageous design of the invention, the pushing direction of the operating press is extended at an angle ranging from 60° to 120° with the direction of wire introduction, particularly from 80° to 100°. This allows for a particularly advantageous and direct force transmission from the operating press to the clamping legs. Here, the force can be blocked as much as possible by the insulating material housing that can surround the spring force clamping connector, so as not to unnecessarily load the material of the insulating material housing. The pushing direction of the operating press can, for example, extend substantially orthogonal to the direction of wire introduction.

[0027] According to an advantageous design of the invention, the retaining element and the abutment section are formed in one piece. This allows for the particularly advantageous provision of a structural unit consisting of a clamping spring and a retaining element.

[0028] According to an advantageous design of the invention, the busbar has a frame portion in which a clamping spring is attached or held, wherein the frame portion has a through-hole through which the electrical wire to be connected can be inserted. For example, the clamping spring can be attached to an edge portion of the frame portion surrounding the through-hole by means of its abutment section. The clamping spring can be held in the frame portion such that the abutment section is secured to the frame portion, and the clamping legs are oriented toward the contact section of the busbar, i.e., abutting against the contact section in the clamped position when no electrical wire is inserted, or pressing the electrical wire against the contact section when an electrical wire is inserted.

[0029] The frame portion can be formed in one piece from the busbar material, for example, as a region bent and punched out from the contact section. The frame portion 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. Thus, the frame portion can have a first side leg extending from one side of the contact section and a second side leg extending from the opposite side, wherein the first and second side legs can extend parallel to each other. The frame portion can also have a cross leg connecting the free ends of the first and second side legs to each other. The clamping spring can then be attached to the cross leg by means of a support section.

[0030] The aforementioned objective is also achieved through a terminal block having an insulating housing and a spring-loaded clamping connector of the type described earlier. The spring-loaded clamping connector is at least substantially housed within the insulating housing, which has a wire entry opening through which the wire is guided in the wire entry direction to the clamping portion between the contact section and the clamping edge. This also achieves the advantages described earlier.

[0031] According to an advantageous design of the invention, the spring-loaded clamping connector has a manually operated release mechanism, which can be manually operated from the outside of the insulating housing to release the clamping leg held at the retaining element from the retaining element. In this way, the release of the clamping leg from the retaining element can also be manually triggered, for example, in the sense of emergency release, when the latch cannot be released through the inserted electrical wire, for example, due to insufficient bending stiffness.

[0032] In the context of this invention, the indefinite article "a" should not be understood as a numeral. Therefore, if, for example, a component is mentioned, it should be interpreted as "at least one component." Where angles are given in degrees, these angles are based on a 360-degree (360°) measure of roundness. Attached Figure Description

[0033] The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments.

[0034] The attached diagram shows

[0035] Figure 1 A perspective view of the wiring terminals in the clamped position is shown.

[0036] Figure 2 Showing according to Figure 1 The wiring terminals along with the plugged-in electrical wires,

[0037] Figure 3 The basis shown in the open position Figure 1 Side sectional view of the wiring terminals.

[0038] Figure 4 A top view of the released component is shown.

[0039] Figure 5 Showing according to Figure 4 A 3D view of the released component.

[0040] Figure 6 A side view of a clamping spring with a retaining element is shown.

[0041] Figure 7 Showing according to Figure 6 A perspective view of a clamping spring with a retaining element.

[0042] Figure 8 Showing according to Figure 6 , Figure 7 A 3D diagram of the clamping spring and the busbar. Detailed Implementation

[0043] Figure 1A terminal block 1 is shown, having an insulating housing 2. Within the housing 2, the terminal block 1 has a spring-loaded clamping connector, which includes a busbar 3 and a clamping spring 4. The clamping spring 4 has a contact section 41, by which it is supported at and correspondingly assisted by the busbar 3. The clamping spring 4 extends from the contact section 41 via a spring bow 42 to a clamping leg 43, the clamping leg being configured to clamp a conductor at the contact section 31 of the busbar. In one exemplary embodiment, Figure 1 The terminal block 1 is shown as a circuit board terminal, with connecting pins 30 extending from the insulating housing 2. The terminal block 1 can be soldered to the circuit board using the connecting pins 30. The connecting pins 30 can be integrally formed with the busbar 3.

[0044] Figure 2 The diagram shows a terminal 1 and a wire 9 introduced through a wire introduction opening 20 in an insulating housing 2. The wire is clamped at a contact section 31 by means of a stripped insulation section via clamping legs 43, or at least at that location after the clamping legs 43 are released from their locking position. The wire 9 is introduced into the spring-loaded clamping connector, or insulating housing 2, in the wire introduction direction L.

[0045] Furthermore, the terminal block 1 also has an operating press as a manual operating element 6, which has a gripping section 60 accessible from the outside of the insulating material housing 2 for manual operation. The operating element 6 extends from the gripping section 60 into the insulating material housing 2, wherein the manual operating element 6 branches from the gripping section 60 into two spaced-apart operating arms 61, with a gap between the operating arms through which the electrical conductor 9 can be guided. Each operating arm 61 has a spring-loaded section at its free end, by means of which a force can be applied to the corresponding operating section 44 of the clamping spring 4 to deflect the clamping leg 43 from the shown clamping position to the open position. For this purpose, pressure is applied to the gripping section 60, which is transmitted via the operating arms 61 to the operating section 44.

[0046] In the wire introduction direction L, behind the support portion of the contact section 41 at the busbar 3, there is a box-shaped release element 8, which is configured as a separate component. The release element 8 is used to release the clamping leg 43 from its open position, as will be described in detail below. As an optional improvement, the release element 8 has a manual release actuation element 81, which protrudes from the insulating housing 2 or is at least manually operable on the outside of the insulating housing 2. By operating the release actuation element 81, the release element 8 can also be operated, thereby unlocking the clamping leg 43 from its locked open position.

[0047] exist Figure 3 In the cross-sectional view, the various components of the terminal 1 with further details can be seen. A retaining element 5 is integrally formed at the clamping spring 4, particularly as an extension of the abutment section 41. The retaining element 5 has at least one annular locking element 51, for example in the form of a bow-shaped locking arm, which terminates at its free end with a locking profile 50. In the open position, the clamping leg 43 can lock at the locking profile 50 either by means of its clamping edge 46 located at its free end or by means of a separate locking functional element, as shown in the figure. Figure 3 indicated.

[0048] At least one annular locking element 51 surrounds an internal space by virtue of its annular or arcuate contour. An actuating member 82 of a releasing element 8 is housed within this internal space, the actuating member's outer contour matching the inner contour of the at least one annular locking element 51, and is form-fittedly received and held therein. The releasing element 8 also has a releasing section 80 in the region where the electrical wire 9 is introduced, the releasing section being pressure-loaded by the inserted electrical wire 9 to allow the releasing element 8 to disengage. Figure 3 The unoperated position deflection is shown in the diagram. In particular, the release segment 80 can be slightly pushed back and / or pivoted in the wire introduction direction L by the electrical conductor 9. In this deflection of the release element 8, the retaining element 5, or at least one of its annular locking elements 51, is simultaneously deflected in the same manner via the drive member 82, which causes the locking profile 50 to move back in the wire introduction direction L, so that the clamping leg 43 can be released from the locking profile 50 and spring back toward the contact segment 31 due to its spring preload.

[0049] A wire receiving ramp 86 for guiding the electrical wire 9 can be formed at the body 83 of the release element 8, the wire receiving ramp extending at an acute angle relative to the wire introduction direction L.

[0050] Figure 4 and Figure 5 The release element 8 is shown in a different view with further details. The release element 8 may be generally box-shaped, thus surrounding the free end of the inserted electrical wire 9. The release element 8 has a body 83 from which two connecting arms 84 extend directly or via a sidewall 87. The connecting arms 84 are arranged spaced apart from each other. A drive member 82 is formed at each connecting arm 84. Between the connecting arms 84, a protrusion 85 extends from the body 83 in a direction opposite to that of the release section 80, the function of which will be described below.

[0051] For example, a release section 80 and two spaced-apart sidewalls 87 may extend from the body 83. Each sidewall 87 may be connected to a connecting arm 84 extending from the sidewall 87. The sidewalls 87 may be arranged parallel to each other, wherein the release section 80 may extend laterally to the sidewalls. The release section 80 may connect the sidewalls 87 to each other.

[0052] Figure 6 and Figure 7 An advantageous design is shown for the clamping spring 4 together with the retaining element 5 formed thereon. It can be seen that the operating section 44 at the clamping leg 43 can be configured such that the clamping leg 43 is wider in this region compared to the region of the clamping edge 46. The lateral operating sections 44 are formed by these laterally extending material sections.

[0053] The abutment section 41 has a tapered region 40 in which the width of the abutment section 41 decreases. With the aid of this tapered section 40, the clamping spring 4 can be attached to the frame portion of the busbar 3, as described below.

[0054] In the direction of wire introduction L, the retaining element 5 begins behind the tapered section 40. The retaining element 5 branches into two spaced-apart, parallel, annular locking elements 51 that surround a concave inner contour 52. The concave inner contour 52 coordinates with the outer contour of the actuating member 82, allowing the actuating member 82 to be form-fittedly received and held within the inner contour 52. A gap 53 is formed between the locking elements 51, into which the protrusion 85 of the releasing element 8 extends. In this way, additional form-fitting coupling and retention of the releasing element 8 at the retaining element 5 is achieved.

[0055] The protrusion 85 is also an extension of the wire receiving ramp 86 in the opposite direction to the wire introduction direction L, and extends below the clamping edge 46 of the clamping leg 43 (see...). Figure 3 This ensures that the introduced electrical wire 9 does not strike the edge at the beginning of the body 83 and prematurely trigger the release element 8.

[0056] Figure 8A clamping spring 4 is shown attached to the busbar 3. It can be seen that the busbar 3 has a frame portion formed by a region bent and punched out from the contact section 31. For example, side legs 33 of the frame portion extend laterally from the contact section 31, which extends laterally, and these side legs are connected at their ends by transverse legs 34 extending laterally from the frame portion. The through opening 32 of the busbar 3 is completely surrounded circumferentially by the contact section 31, the side legs 33, and the transverse legs 34. The abutment section 41 is supported at the transverse legs 34 by means of its tapered section 40. A connecting pin 30 is connected at the transverse legs 34 on the side opposite to the contact section 31.

[0057] List of reference numerals

[0058] 1 - Terminal block

[0059] 2 - Insulating material housing

[0060] 3 - Busbar

[0061] 4 - Clamping Spring

[0062] 5 - Holding element

[0063] 6 - Operating elements

[0064] 8 - Loosen the component

[0065] 9 - Electrical wires

[0066] 20 - Wire introduction opening

[0067] 30 - Connecting pins

[0068] 31 - Contact section

[0069] 32 - Through opening

[0070] 33 - Side Leg

[0071] 34 - Horizontal Leg

[0072] 40 - Gradient Region

[0073] 41 - Abutting Section

[0074] 42 - Spring Bow

[0075] 43 - Clasp your legs together

[0076] 44 - Operating Section

[0077] 46 - Clamp the edge

[0078] 50 - Lock outline

[0079] 51 - A set of ring-shaped locking elements

[0080] 52 - Concave inner contour

[0081] 53 - Gap

[0082] 60 - Grip section

[0083] 61 - Manipulator

[0084] 80 - Loosen Section

[0085] 81 - Release the control element

[0086] 82 - Drive components

[0087] 83 - Main Body

[0088] 84 - Connecting Arm

[0089] 85 - Protrusion

[0090] 86 - Conductor receiving ramp

[0091] 87 - Sidewall

[0092] L - Direction of wire introduction

[0093] V - Direction of movement

Claims

1. A spring-force clamping connector for connecting at least one electrical conductor by means of a spring force, the spring-force clamping connector having at least one busbar (3) and a clamping spring (4), wherein the busbar (3) has a contact section (31) for clamping the electrical conductor, and the clamping spring (4) has a clamping leg (43) having a clamping edge (46) for pressing the electrical conductor onto the contact section (31), wherein the clamping spring (4) has a spring bow (42) connected to the clamping leg (43) and a spring bow (42) connected to the spring bow (42). The abutment section (41) through which the clamping spring (4) is fastened at the busbar (3), wherein the spring force clamping connector has a retaining element (5) for holding the clamping leg (43) in the open position, wherein the spring force clamping connector has a releasing element (8) with a releasing section (80) through which the clamping leg (43) held at the retaining element (5) can be released from the retaining element (5) when a releasing force is applied to the releasing section (80), characterized in that, The retaining element (5) has at least one annular locking element (51), the clamping leg (43) being capable of locking at the locking element in the open position, wherein the releasing element (8) has at least one actuating member (82) whose outer contour matches the inner contour (52) of the at least one annular locking element (51) and is shaped-fitted into the inner contour (52) of the at least one annular locking element (51).

2. The spring-force clamping connector according to claim 1, characterized in that, The release element (8) has a body (83) and two connecting arms (84) extending from the body (83), wherein the drive element (82) is formed at each of the connecting arms (84) and the drive element (82) is shaped to engage in the inner contour (52) of the at least one annular locking element (51) or another annular locking element (51).

3. The spring-force clamping connector according to claim 2, characterized in that, The direction in which the release section (80) extends from the body (83) is different from the direction in which the connecting arm (84) extends from the body (83).

4. The spring-force clamping connector according to any one of claims 2 to 3, characterized in that, A bag-shaped receiving portion is formed on the main body (83) for receiving the end of the inserted electrical wire.

5. The spring-force clamping connector according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that, A wire receiving ramp (86) for guiding electrical wires is formed in the main body (83), the wire receiving ramp extending at an acute angle relative to the wire introduction direction (L), the electrical wire to be clamped can be introduced into the spring force clamping connector in the wire introduction direction (L).

6. The spring-force clamping connector according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The release element (8) is configured as a separate component, particularly as a plastic component.

7. The spring-force clamping connector according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The retaining element (5) has two spaced-apart annular locking elements (51) with a gap (53) between them.

8. The spring-force clamping connector according to claim 7, characterized in that, A protrusion (85) extends from the main body (83) and extends into the gap (53) between the spaced-apart locking elements (51).

9. The spring-force clamping connector according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The inner contour (52) of the at least one annular locking element (51) has a contour different from that of a circle.

10. The spring-force clamping connector according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, At least one operating section (44) is formed at the clamping leg (43), at which the clamping leg (43) can be moved from the clamping position to the open position by means of the loading of the operating element, in which the clamping edge (46) moves away from the contact section (31) relative to the clamping position.

11. The spring-force clamping connector according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The spring-force clamping connector has an operating element (6) for moving the clamping leg (43) to the open position, wherein the operating element (6) has a gripping section (60) at which the operating element (6) can be operated.

12. The spring-force clamping connector according to claim 11, characterized in that, The operating element (6) branches off from the gripping section (60) into two spaced-apart, substantially parallel operating arms (61), each having a spring-loaded section for applying force to the operating section (44) of the clamping spring (4).

13. The spring-force clamping connector according to any one of claims 11 to 12, characterized in that, The spring-force clamping connector has a movable operating press as an operating element (6), which is capable of moving in the pushing direction (V).

14. The spring-force clamping connector according to claim 13, characterized in that, The pushing direction (V) of the operating pressing member (6) extends at an angle of 60° to 120° with the wire introduction direction (L), especially at an angle of 80° to 100°.

15. The spring-force clamping connector according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The retaining element (5) and the abutting section (41) are formed in one piece.

16. The spring-force clamping connector according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The busbar (3) has a frame portion, and the clamping spring (4) is attached to or held in the frame portion, wherein the frame portion has a through opening (32) through which the electrical wire to be connected can be inserted.

17. A terminal block (1) having an insulating material housing (2) and a spring-force clamping connector according to any one of the preceding claims, the spring-force clamping connector being disposed at least substantially in the insulating material housing (2), wherein the insulating material housing (2) has a wire introduction opening (20) through which an electrical wire can be guided in the wire introduction direction (L) to a clamping portion between the contact segment (31) and the clamping edge (46).

18. The terminal block (1) according to claim 17, characterized in that, The spring-force clamping connector has a release operating element (81) that can be operated on the outside of the insulating material housing (2) to release the clamping leg (43) held at the retaining element (5) from the retaining element (5).

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