Connection terminal for connecting electrical conductors

Abstract

The utility model relates to a connection terminal (1) for connecting electrical conductors (2), comprising: a housing (10) having a plug-in opening (100); a contact element (11) for making electrical contact with the electrical conductor (2); and a spring element (12) having a clamping leg (120) for acting on the electrical conductor (2) and a first support leg (121), the clamping leg (120) being elastically deflectable relative to the first support leg. An elastically adjustable release element (13) is operatively connected to the first support leg (121), said release element having a release leg (130) and at least one locking element (132), the clamping leg (120) being locked with the at least one locking element (132) in the release position, and the clamping leg (120) being locked with the at least one locking element (132) by the action of the electrical conductor (2) on the release leg (130) when the electrical conductor (2) is inserted into the plug-in opening (100). The clamping leg can be released from the release position.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The utility model relates to a kind of terminal for connecting electric wire. BACKGROUND

[0002] The terminal of this kind includes a housing having a plug-in opening into which an electric wire can be inserted in a plug-in direction to be connected to the terminal. A contact element is provided for electrically contacting the electric wire. A spring element has a clamping leg configured to act on the electric wire to bring the electric wire into contact with the contact element when the electric wire is inserted into the plug-in opening. The spring element has a support leg supported on the housing or on a component fixed in position relative to the housing, such as the contact element, and the clamping leg is resiliently deflectable relative to the support leg.

[0003] The terminal of this kind achieves a spring-loaded connection by using a spring element, wherein the electric wire is clamped to the contact element in a connected position under the resilient spring action of the spring element and is thus electrically connected to the contact element.

[0004] In the terminal disclosed by DE 10 2019 127 464 B3, a spring element in the form of a tension spring is provided, which, by means of the resilient spring action, pulls the connected electric wire into abutment with the corresponding contact element and thus establishes a clamping connection between the electric wire and the contact element. To this end, the electric wire is moved through an opening in the clamping leg when being placed and is clamped between the clamping leg and the contact element in the connected position.

[0005] In the terminal of DE 10 2019 127 464 B3, a locking device is provided, by means of which the clamping leg is locked relative to the housing in a release position. When the electric wire is inserted, the locking device is released and thus unlocked, so that the clamping leg is moved out of the release position and thereby clamps the electric wire to the contact element. In order to move the clamping leg into the release position, in particular in order to be able to place the electric wire or to loosen the connected electric wire from the terminal, a tool, such as a screwdriver, can be placed onto the terminal and thereby exert a force onto the clamping leg.

[0006] In DE 10 2019 127 464 B3, the adjustment of the clamping legs is carried out directly by means of a tool, whereas in the terminal known from DE 10 2019 135 203 A1 and DE 10 2020 104 140 A1, respectively, an operating element in the form of a so-called pusher is provided, which can be pushed into the housing of the terminal in order to act in this way on the clamping legs and to move them into their release position. The operating element is spring-prestressed relative to the housing of the terminal by means of a tension spring in the form of a pressure spring, respectively. In the terminal disclosed in DE 10

[0007] In the terminal disclosed in DE 10 2019 135 203 A1, an operating projection is arranged on the operating element, which, in the operating position of the operating element, hooks onto a fixing section of the retaining element. Invention content

[0008] The task of the present invention is to provide a terminal which enables the holding of the clamping legs of the spring element in the release position in a simple manner and the release of the clamping legs from the release position when inserting an electrical conductor.

[0009] The task is solved by a terminal for connecting an electrical conductor.

[0010] The terminal thus has an elastically adjustable release element which is in operative connection with the first support leg, the release element having a release leg and at least one locking element, wherein the clamping leg is locked in the release position with the at least one locking element and can be released from the release position by the electrical conductor acting on the release leg when the electrical conductor is inserted into the plug-in opening.

[0011] In the terminal, the electrical conductor is in electrical contact with the electrical contact element in such a way that, when the electrical conductor is inserted into the plug-in opening, the clamping leg acts on the electrical conductor and the spring elastically loads the electrical conductor in the direction of contact with the contact element. In order to make the plugging of the electrical conductor easier, the clamping leg of the spring element can be elastically deflected, for example by operating the operating element or by means of a tool, in order to move the clamping leg in this way into the release position, in which the space inside the housing in the region of the plug-in opening is released and the electrical conductor can thus be inserted into the plug-in opening in a substantially force-free manner or the connected electrical conductor can be removed from the terminal in a simple manner.

[0012] The spring element has a (first) support leg by which it is supported on the housing or on a component fixed in position relative to the housing, for example the contact element, and is thereby held in position relative to the housing. The clamping leg is elastically deflectable relative to the support leg, wherein the clamping leg is deflected in the release position such that the spring element is elastically tensioned and the clamping leg, after being released from the release position, moves out of the release position in an elastically preloaded manner.

[0013] The terminal has an elastically adjustable release element which comprises a release leg and at least one locking element. The release element is elastically movable relative to the housing by the release leg interacting with the electrical conductor when the latter is inserted into the insertion opening. By the electrical conductor interacting with the release leg, the release element is moved such that the at least one locking element is adjusted relative to the clamping leg, thereby cancelling the holding of the clamping leg and thus causing the clamping leg to move out of the release position.

[0014] By moving the release element relative to the housing when the electrical conductor is inserted and thereby acting on the locking section of the spring element in order to release the spring element from the locking holding in the release position of the clamping leg, the terminal is automatically closed when the electrical conductor is inserted. In the case of the electrical conductor being reliably brought into contact with the contact element by the clamping action of the clamping leg, a simple wiring process is obtained.

[0015] The release element is in operative connection with the first support leg of the spring element. The release element is thus arranged on the spring element, wherein it can be integrally and monolithically formed on the support leg of the spring element or can be placed as a separate, discrete element on the support leg in order to, for example, jointly secure the spring element and the release element on the housing or on a component fixed in position relative to the housing, for example the contact element.

[0016] The release element is elastically adjustable. To this end, the release element can in particular be configured to be elastic as such, for example in that it is formed by a further, second spring element or integrally and monolithically with the spring element configured with the clamping leg.

[0017] In one design variant, the spring element is configured as a tension spring. In this case, the clamping leg of the spring element is configured for pulling the electrical conductor into abutment with the contact element by means of the spring force. In this case, an opening can be formed on the clamping leg, for example, through which the electrical conductor can pass when it is inserted into the insertion opening of the housing in order to pull the electrical conductor into clamping contact with the contact element after the clamping leg is released from the release position.

[0018] Alternatively, the spring element can be configured as a pressure spring. In this case, the clamping leg is configured to push the electrical conductor against the contact element by spring force. Upon insertion of the electrical conductor into the plug-in opening, the electrical conductor reaches the space between the clamping leg and the contact element, wherein, after release of the clamping leg from the release position, the clamping leg acts on the electrical conductor and pushes the electrical conductor against the contact element.

[0019] The spring element may, for example, be formed integrally and monolithically from metal, preferably spring steel, as a sheet metal part, in particular as a stamped and bent part.

[0020] If the release element is formed as a separate element relative to the spring element, the release element can likewise be formed from metal, preferably spring steel, as a sheet metal part, in particular as a stamped and bent part. In another design variant, the release element can also be formed integrally with the spring element.

[0021] In one design variant, a first support leg of the spring element is supported on the contact element, for example, by an end of the clamping leg facing away from the clamping leg. For example, the end of the support leg engages with a corresponding fixing section on the base of the contact element, so that the support leg, and thus the spring element, is fixed relative to the housing. The fixing section may, for example, have the function of a rivet and is thus plastically deformed, so that, by means of the fixing section, the support leg is fixed on the contact element, in particular on the base of the contact element, in a torque-proof manner. Thus, the spring element is supported on the contact element by means of the support leg, wherein the clamping leg can be elastically deflected relative to the support leg and can be moved between the release position and the clamping position.

[0022] In one design variant, the release element has a second support leg, which is supported on the contact element.

[0023] Preferably, the first support leg of the spring element and the second support leg of the release element are jointly fixed on the contact element, in particular on the base of the contact element, for example by means of a fixing section of the base, so that the first support leg of the spring element and the second support leg of the release element lie against one another and are jointly fixed on the contact element in a torque-proof manner. Such a fixing section may, for example, pass through fixing openings on the first support leg of the spring element and on the second support leg of the release element and may, for example, establish a rivet connection by plastic deformation, which positionally and torque-proof fixes the first support leg of the spring element and the second support leg of the release element on the contact element.

[0024] The contact element may, for example, be formed as a solid component, for example by means of a chip removal machining method, in particular by turning and / or milling. Correspondingly, the base of the contact element can be formed from a solid, block-shaped section.

[0025] In one design variant, the contact element has a plug-in contact for plug-in connection with a mating contact. The plug-in contact can project, for example, longitudinally from the base of the contact element along a longitudinal axis, for example, directed in the plug-in direction. The plug-in contact can be formed, for example, by a contact pin or by a contact sleeve and is preferably manufactured as a solid component by means of a chip-removing machining method, as is the case with the entire contact element.

[0026] The terminal can be, for example, a component part of a plug-in connection to which an electrical line can be connected by means of the terminal. In this case, the plug-in contact can provide a contact of the plug-in connection by means of which the plug-in connection can be plug-in connected with a corresponding mating plug-in connection such that the plug-in contact of the terminal is in electrical contact with a corresponding mating contact of the mating plug-in connection.

[0027] In one design variant, the contact element has a contact recess into which an electrical line can be introduced when inserted into the plug-in opening. The contact recess can be, for example, U-shaped in a cross section transverse to the plug-in direction. In particular, the contact recess is preferably defined by one face section and two side walls projecting from the face section.

[0028] When the contact element is manufactured by means of a chip-removing machining method, the contact recess is solidly formed from a block component, integrally and monolithically with the contact element. An electrical line for connection to the terminal can be introduced into the contact recess, wherein the electrical line, when inserted into the plug-in opening, is introduced between the side walls of the contact recess and brought into contact with the face section by the joint action with the clamping leg. In the clamped position, the clamping leg can load the electrical line in particular such that the electrical line is pressed against the face section and is thereby brought into electrical contact with the contact element by the face section.

[0029] In the released position, the clamping leg is preferably moved away from the face section such that the electrical line can be introduced between the face section and the clamping leg. In contrast thereto, in the clamped position, the clamping leg is so close to the face section that the introduced electrical line is clamped between the clamping leg and the face section and is in clamped contact with the face section in order to be in electrical contact with the face section in this way and thereby with the contact element.

[0030] In particular, in the released position, the clamping leg can be moved away substantially from the area of the contact recess. In contrast thereto, in the clamped position, the clamping leg projects into the contact recess in order to clamp the introduced electrical line inside the contact recess with the face section of the contact element.

[0031] In one embodiment, the release leg extends in the initial position transversely to the insertion direction into the region of the contact recess. The release leg can be moved out of the initial position in order to release the clamping leg from the release position by interaction with the electrical line. If the electrical line for connection to the terminal is introduced into the contact recess through the insertion opening, the electrical line interacts with the release leg and thereby adjusts the release leg. As a result, at least one locking element of the release element is moved in such a way that the holding of the clamping leg in the release position is cancelled and the clamping leg is thereby released from the release position. The clamping leg adjusts due to its internal stress in the direction of the clamping position and acts onto the introduced electrical line in order to clamp it to the contact element.

[0032] In one embodiment, at least one locking element is formed on the release leg. If the release leg is thereby elastically deflected upon insertion of the electrical line, at least one locking element formed on the release leg is also adjusted and thereby moved relative to the clamping leg in such a way that the holding of the clamping leg in the release position is cancelled and the clamping leg is enabled to move from the release position in the direction of the clamping position.

[0033] In one embodiment, the terminal has an operating element adjustably arranged on the housing. The operating element can be operated by the user in order to adjust the clamping leg. To this end, the operating element can be adjusted in the operating direction from a non-operating position into an operating position, for example with the use of a tool, in order to adjust the clamping leg in the operating position, for example in order to easily insert the electrical line into the insertion opening or to remove the electrical line from the insertion opening. The operating element can be configured, for example, in the form of a pusher and be pushed by the user into the housing in order to act in this way onto the clamping leg and to adjust the clamping leg in the direction of the release position. Thus, by operating the operating element, the clamping leg can be adjusted relative to the housing and be transferred into the release position, so that the electrical line can be easily inserted into the insertion opening of the housing in order to connect the line to the terminal.

[0034] In one embodiment, the operating element is linearly movably supported on the housing and has a head, which constitutes an operating section operated by the user, and a stem, which is used to act onto the clamping leg. The head can be reached from outside the housing, for example in such a way that the user acts onto the head by means of a tool, for example a screwdriver, or alternatively manually, whereas the stem is in action connection with the clamping leg of the spring element. By adjusting the operating element, an adjusting force is exerted onto the clamping leg by means of the stem, so that the clamping leg is moved in the direction of the release position, in particular when the operating element is adjusted from the non-operating position into the operating position.

[0035] In one design variant, the lever of the operating element has a receiving cavity in which the spring element is accommodated at least in sections. For example, the clamping leg of the spring element is connected to the first support leg by means of a bent connecting section. The connecting section is accommodated in the receiving cavity of the operating element such that the connecting section engages into the receiving cavity and moves inside the receiving cavity when the operating element is operated.

[0036] By forming the receiving cavity on the operating element, a compact construction can be achieved, in which the operating element can be arranged in a spatially close relationship with respect to the plug-in opening for inserting the electrical conductor. In particular, the operating element and the spring element use a common construction space by the spring element engaging into the receiving cavity at least in sections.

[0037] In one design variant, the receiving cavity is U-shaped in a cross section transverse to the plug-in direction. For example, the receiving cavity can be defined by a front wall and two side cheeks projecting from the front wall, wherein the spring element is accommodated between the side cheeks, for example with the connecting section, and the side cheeks and / or the front wall slide over the spring element when the operating element is adjusted.

[0038] In one design variant, an action section for acting on the clamping leg of the spring element is formed on the front wall. The operating element acts on the clamping leg by means of the action section in order to move the clamping leg in the direction of the release position. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0039] The idea on which the present utility model is based is explained in detail below with the aid of embodiments shown in the drawings. It shows:

[0040] Figure 1 : cross-sectional view of a terminal for connecting an electrical conductor;

[0041] Figure 2 : partial enlarged view of the device according to Figure 1

[0042] Figure 3 : view of the spring element of the terminal together with the release element;

[0043] Figure 4 : exploded view of the spring element and the release element of the terminal together with the contact element and the operating element;

[0044] Figure 5 : view of the assembly according to Figure 4 in the assembled state;

[0045] Figure 6A : three-dimensional partial cross-sectional view of the assembly according to Figure 5 in the release position of the spring element;

[0046] ​Figure 6B : Detail A according to Figure 6A

[0047] Figure 7A : Detail B according to Figure 5

[0048] Figure 7B : Detail C according to Figure 7A

[0049] Figure 8A : View of an embodiment of the spring element and the release element

[0050] Figure 8B : Individual view of the release element

[0051] Figure 9A : View of another embodiment of the spring element and the release element

[0052] Figure 9B : Individual view of the release element

[0053] Figure 10A : View of yet another embodiment of the spring element and the release element

[0054] Figure 10B : Individual view of the release element

[0055] Figure 11A : View of yet another embodiment of the spring element and the release element

[0056] Figure 11B : Individual view of the release element; and

[0057] Figure 12 : View of an embodiment of the spring element integrally formed with the release element DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0058] Figures 1 to 7A Fig. 7B shows an embodiment of a terminal 1 which is configured with a housing 10 having a plug-in opening 100 formed therein for inserting an electrical conductor 2 in a plug-in direction E.

[0059] The housing 10 defines an accommodation space into which the electrical conductor 2 with the conductor end 20 stripped of insulation is introduced when the electrical conductor 2 is inserted into the plug-in opening 100 in the plug-in direction E. In the connected position, the conductor 2 with the conductor end 20 stripped of insulation is located inside the accommodation space and is in electrical contact with the contact element 11 by means of the clamping leg 120 of the spring element 12, so that the electrical conductor 2 is electrically connected to the terminal 1, as this is shown in Figure 7A 7B ​​​​as shown in the middle.

[0060] In the embodiment shown, the contact element 11 is manufactured from a solid component, which is manufactured, for example, under the condition that machining methods are used, for example by means of turning methods and / or milling methods.

[0061] The contact element 11 has a solid base 114, from which a plug-in contact 111 in the form of a solid contact pin protrudes on the side facing away from the plug-in opening 100, and with which the contact element 11 can be plug-in connected to a corresponding mating contact. In this way, the terminal 1 provided with the contact element 11 can be, for example, a component part of a plug-in connection, through which electrical lines can be connected to said plug-in connection, and the plug-in connection can be plug-in connected to a corresponding mating plug-in connection in such a way that the plug-in contact 111 of one or more terminals 1 is in electrical contact with a corresponding mating contact element of the mating plug-in connection.

[0062] On the side facing away from the plug-in contact 111, a contact recess 110 is formed on the base 114, which has a U-shape in a cross section transverse to the plug-in direction E and, in the embodiment shown, is formed by a face section 112 and a side wall 113 protruding from the face section 112. The contact recess 110 configures an accommodation space into which an electrical line 2 can be introduced by insertion into the plug-in opening 100 in order to interact with the clamping leg 120 inside the contact recess 110 and to come into contact with the contact element 11.

[0063] The spring element 12 has a support leg 121, which is connected to the clamping leg 120 by means of a curved intermediate section 122. The support leg 121 is supported by an end facing away from the clamping leg 120 on a fixing section 115 protruding from the base 114 of the contact element 11, so that the spring element 12 is fixed to the contact element 11 by means of the fixing section.

[0064] The clamping leg 120 can be elastically deflected relative to the support leg 121, in particular in such a way that the clamping leg 120 clamps onto an electrical line 2 connected to the terminal 1 in the clamping position shown and, under the condition of elastic prestressing, pushes the electrical line into contact with the face section 112 in the region of the contact recess 110 of the contact element 11 and thereby brings the line 2 into electrical contact with the contact element 11 by means of its conductor end 20. Figure 7A , 7B The clamping leg 120 can be elastically deflected relative to the support leg 121, in particular in such a way that the clamping leg 120 clamps onto an electrical line 2 connected to the terminal 1 in the clamping position shown and, under the condition of elastic prestressing, pushes the electrical line into contact with the face section 112 in the region of the contact recess 110 of the contact element 11 and thereby brings the line 2 into electrical contact with the contact element 11 by means of its conductor end 20.

[0065] The connection terminal 1 has a release element 13 which, in the embodiment shown, is formed by a further, second spring element and is itself elastically adjustable. The release element 13 serves to cooperate with an electrical conductor 2 inserted into the plug-in opening 100 in order to automatically connect the electrical conductor 2 to the connection terminal 1 in the event of the clamping leg 120 being released. The release element 13 has a release leg 130 which, in the initial position (see Figure 1 and Figure 2 ) extends at least approximately transversely to the plug-in direction E and projects into the contact recess 110 of the contact element 11 in such a way that, on insertion of the electrical conductor 2, the conductor end 20 comes into contact with the release leg 130 and in turn acts on the release element 13.

[0066] In the initial position, the release leg 130 bears against a correspondingly formed bearing section 116 on the inside of the side wall 113 of the contact recess 110, which defines the position of the release leg 130 in the initial position relative to the contact recess 110.

[0067] The release element 13 is configured with a support leg 131 which, together with the support leg 121 of the spring element 12, is arranged on the base 114 of the contact element 11 and is in operative connection with the support leg 121 of the spring element 12. The support leg 131 of the release element 13 and the support leg 121 of the spring element 12 bear against one another in the region of the base 114 and engage with the fixing section 115 of the contact element 11 in such a way that the fixing section 115 formed on the base 114 passes through the fixing openings 123, 133 on the support leg 131 of the release element 13 and on the support leg 121 of the spring element 12 and thereby fixes the support legs 121, 131 on the base 114.

[0068] In the assembled position, the fixing section 114 is for example plastically deformed in such a way that a rivet connection is achieved by the fixing section 115 by means of which the spring element 12 and the release element 13 together are fixed in position and torque-proof on the contact element 11.

[0069] In the embodiment shown, an operating element 14 is movably supported on the housing 10 in the operating direction B. The operating element 14 is accommodated in the operating opening 102 of the housing 10 (as is shown schematically in Figure 1 ) and can be moved in linear guide fashion relative to the housing 10 in the operating direction B in order thereby to act on the clamping leg 120 of the spring element 12 and to adjust the clamping leg between the clamping position and the release position.

[0070] The operating element 14 has a head 140 which constitutes an operating section and which can be reached from the outside of the housing 10 through the operating opening 102 and can thus be operated by a user, for example in the case of a tool. A stem 141 extends from the head 140, which is used to act on the spring element 12 for adjusting the clamping leg 120.

[0071] In the embodiment shown, the stem 141 is configured with a receiving cavity 143 in which the connection section 122 of the spring element 12 is received. If the operating element 14 is operated in order to move the clamping leg 120 into the release position, the connection section 122 of the spring element 12 is moved in particular inside the receiving cavity 143 in such a way that the operating element 14 slides along the spring element 12 and, in doing so, acts via the acting section 142 on the clamping leg 120 in order to elastically deflect the clamping leg 120 relative to the support leg 121 and move it into the release position.

[0072] When adjusting the operating element 14 in the operating direction B relative to the housing 10, the operating element 14 acts via the acting section 142 formed on the stem 141 on the clamping leg 120 of the spring element 12 and adjusts the clamping leg into the release position according to Figure 6A , 6B . Here, the clamping leg 120 engages with the two locking elements 132 formed as barbs on the release leg 130, so that the clamping leg 120 is locked by the edge on the end side with the locking elements 132, as can be seen from Figure 1 , 2 and Figure 6A , 6B .

[0073] Thus, when the clamping leg 120 is moved into the release position, the clamping leg 120 is locked by the locking elements 132 with the release leg 130 of the release element 13 and thus remains in the release position in the position relative to the housing 10.

[0074] In the embodiment shown, the spring element 12 is formed, for example, from spring steel as a punched and bent part.

[0075] Likewise, the release element 13 is formed, for example, from spring steel as a punched and bent part and thus has elasticity itself.

[0076] The receiving cavity 143 is defined by a front wall 144 and a lateral cheek 145, such that the lever portion 141 is configured in cross section transverse to the operating direction B (pointing in the plug-in direction E) in the shape of a U. The operating element 14 accommodates the connection section 122 of the spring element 12 in the receiving cavity 143 and, in operation, moves along the spring element 12, the operating element 14 and the spring element 12 at least partially utilizing a common structural space, which achieves the relative arrangement of the operating element 14 and the plug-in opening 100 and the contact recess 110 of the contact element 11, which is aligned with the plug-in opening 100, in a spatially close, directly adjacent position relationship. A structurally compact terminal 1 results therefrom, in which the operating element 14 and the corresponding plug-in opening 100 are arranged directly side by side on the housing 10.

[0077] The following mode of operation results:

[0078] If the operating element 14 is operated in the operating direction B and is thereby moved into the housing 10, the operating element 14 acts via the lever portion 141 onto the clamping leg 120 of the spring element 12 and thereby adjusts the clamping leg 120 into the Figure 1 , 2 and Figure 6A , 6B indicated release position. In the release position, the clamping leg 120 releases the area inside the contact recess 110, which is aligned with the plug-in opening 100 in the plug-in direction E, such that the electrical conductor 2 can be inserted into the plug-in opening 100 unhindered by the clamping leg 120 and can thus be connected to the terminal 1 in a substantially force-free manner.

[0079] In the release position, the clamping leg 120 is latched on the release element 13 by the latching element 132 and is thereby held in a position relative to the housing 10.

[0080] If the clamping leg 120 is in the release position and the clamping leg 120 is thereby latched with the latching element 132 of the release leg 130, the clamping leg 120 is tensioned. In addition, the release leg 130 can also be at least under a small elastic stress relative to the support leg 131.

[0081] If the electrical conductor 2 is inserted into the plug-in opening 100 with the conductor end 20 stripped of insulation and is thereby introduced into the receiving space 101 in the plug-in direction E, while the clamping leg 120 is in the release position, the conductor 2 abuts against the release leg 130 of the release element 13 and thereby adjusts the release element 13. Thereby, the latching element 132 is adjusted relative to the end-side edge of the clamping leg 120, such that the clamping leg 120 is released from its latching hold in the release position and is moved into the Figure 7A , 7Binto the clamping position and thus brings the conductor end 20 of the electrical line 2 into electrical contact with the contact element 11.

[0082] By adjusting the clamping leg 120, the operating element 14 is also moved out of the operating position, in the operating opening 102 in the reverse direction B and thus is adjusted in the direction back to the non-operating position.

[0083] Since the operating element 14 is automatically moved out of the operating position when the clamping leg 120 is transferred into the clamping position, the user can safely and reliably recognize that the terminal 1 has been triggered and that the electrical line 2 is thereby connected to the terminal 1. The risk of operating errors is thus reduced.

[0084] If the electrical line 2 is to be released from the connection position shown in Figure 7A , 7B and is to be removed again from the terminal 1, the operating element 14 can be transferred again into the operating position according to Figure 1 , 2 and Figure 6A , 6B so that the clamping leg 120 is released from the abutment with the line 2. Thereby, the line 2 can be removed from the terminal 1 in a substantially force-free manner.

[0085] When the clamping leg 120 is transferred into the release position, the clamping leg 120 is re-locked with the release leg 130 of the release element 13 by the locking element 132.

[0086] Figure 8A , 8B to Figure 11A , 11B different embodiments of the release element 13 are shown which act together with the respective corresponding spring element 12. Here, the release element 13 differs, inter alia, in the design of the release leg 130 and the locking element 132 formed thereon.

[0087] Thus, in the embodiments according to Figure 8A , 8B corresponding to the embodiments according to Figures 1 to 7A , 7B, the release leg 130 has a curved section 134 relative to the support leg 131, on which the locking element 132 is formed as a barb. From the section 134, a tab 135 extends, which carries an end section 136, which is laterally delimited by a cheek wall 137 and projects into the region of the contact recess 110, so that the inserted electrical line 2, inter alia, touches the end section 136 in order to adjust the release leg 130 in order to cancel the locking of the locking element 132 with the clamping leg 120 of the spring element 12.

[0088] In the embodiments according to Figure 8A ,8B In an embodiment according to Fig. 6, the section 134 is curved with respect to the support leg 131 at an angle greater than 90°.

[0089] In contrast, in an embodiment according to Figure 9A 、 9B the section 134 is curved with respect to the support leg 131 at an angle less than 90°. The end section 136 is also connected to the section 134 here by a tab 135, the locking element 132 being formed at this section.

[0090] In an embodiment according to Figure 10A 、 10B the individual locking elements 132 are formed by tabs projecting from the release leg 130.

[0091] An embodiment according to Figure 11A 、 11B is identical to an embodiment according to Figure 8A 、 8B , wherein the release leg 130 is bent in the region of the section 134.

[0092] In a further embodiment according to Figure 12 the release element 13 and the spring element 12 are formed integrally and monolithically with one another. To this end, the release leg 130 is formed on the support leg 121 of the spring element 12 and projects transversely from the support leg 121. The locking element 132 is formed substantially centrally on the release leg 130 by means of a step, with which the clamping leg 120 of the spring element 12 is locked in the release position.

[0093] Irrespective of the design of the release element 13, the working manner of the terminal 1 explained above with the aid of the embodiments according to Figures 1 to 7A , 7B applies.

[0094] The idea underlying the utility model is not restricted to the embodiments described above, but can also be realized in other ways.

[0095] The operating element can be preloaded in the direction of the non-operating position by means of the clamping leg of the spring element. However, it is also conceivable to provide an additional preloading element, which preloads the operating element relative to the housing in the direction of the non-operating position counter to the operating direction. Such a preloading element can be configured, for example, by means of a pressure spring or another mechanical spring.

[0096] Legend of the figures

[0097] 1 terminal

[0098] 10 housing

[0099] 100 plug-in opening

[0100] 102 operating opening

[0101] 11 contact element (busbar)

[0102] 110 contact recess

[0103] 111 plug-in contact

[0104] 112 face section

[0105] 113 side wall

[0106] 114 base

[0107] 115 fixing section

[0108] 116 abutment section

[0109] 12 clamping spring

[0110] 120 clamping leg

[0111] 121 support leg

[0112] 122 intermediate section

[0113] 123 fixing opening

[0114] 13 release element

[0115] 130 release leg

[0116] 131 support leg

[0117] 132 locking element

[0118] 133 fixing opening

[0119] 134 section

[0120] 135 web

[0121] 136 end section

[0122] 137 cheek wall

[0123] 14 operating element

[0124] 140 head

[0125] 141 shaft

[0126] 142 action section

[0127] 143 receiving cavity

[0128] 144 front wall

[0129] 145 side cheek

[0130] 2 conductor

[0131] 20 conductor end

[0132] B operating direction

[0133] E insertion direction

Claims

1. A terminal (1) for connecting an electrical conductor (2), having: a housing (10) with a plug-in opening (100) into which the electrical conductor (2) can be inserted in a plug-in direction (E) in order to be connected to the terminal (1), a contact element (11) for electrical contact with the electrical conductor (2), and a spring element (12) having a clamping leg (120) for acting on the electrical conductor (2) in order to bring the electrical conductor (2) into contact with the contact element (11) and having a first support leg (121) which is supported on the housing (10) or on a component which is fixed in position relative to the housing (10) and which clamping leg (120) can be elastically deflected relative to the first support leg, an elastically adjustable release element (13) is provided which is in operative connection with the first support leg (121) and which has a release leg (130) and at least one locking element (132), wherein the clamping leg (120) is locked in a release position by the at least one locking element (132) and can be released from the release position by the action of the electrical conductor (2) on the release leg (130) when the electrical conductor (2) is inserted into the plug-in opening (100). The clamping leg (120) is configured to urge or pull the electrical conductor (2) by spring force into abutment against the contact element (11). The first support leg (121) of the spring element (12) is supported on the contact element (11). The release element (13) has a second support leg (131) which is supported on the contact element (11). characterized in that The contact element (11) has a base (114), wherein the first support leg (121) of the spring element (12) and the second support leg (131) of the release element (13) are jointly supported on the base.

2. The terminal (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that The base has a fixing section (115) which engages into a first fixing opening (123) of the first support leg (121) and into a second fixing opening (133) of the second support leg (131) in order to fix the first support leg (121) and the second support leg (131) to the contact element (11).

3. The terminal (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that The contact element (11) has a plug-in contact (111) for plug-in connection with a counter contact.

4. The connection terminal (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that The contact element (11) has a contact recess (110) into which the electrical conductor (2) can be introduced when it is inserted into the plug-in opening (100).

5. The terminal (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that The contact recess (110) is U-shaped in a cross section transverse to the plug-in direction (E).

6. The terminal (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that The contact recess (110) is defined by a face section (112) and two side walls (113) which protrude from the face section (112), wherein the electrical conductor is introduced between the two side walls (113) when it is inserted into the plug-in opening (100) and can come into contact with the face section (112) by the joint action of the clamping leg.

7. The wiring terminal (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that The clamping leg (120) is moved away from the face section (112) in the release position, so that the electrical conductor can be introduced between the face section (112) and the clamping leg (120).

8. The wiring terminal (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that ​ 9. The terminal (1) according to claim 8, characterized in that ​ 10. The terminal (1) according to claim 8, characterized in that ​ 11. The terminal (1) according to claim 10, characterized in that ​ 12. The wiring terminal (1) according to claim 8, characterized in that The loosening leg (130) extends in the initial position in the contact recess (110) transversely to the plug-in direction (E).

13. The wiring terminal (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that At least one locking element (132) is formed on the loosening leg (130).

14. The wiring terminal (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that An operating element (14) is provided, which is adjustably arranged on the housing (10) and can be adjusted in an operating direction (B) from a non-operating position into an operating position in order to adjust the clamping leg (120), wherein the clamping leg (120) can be elastically adjusted into a release position relative to the housing by operating the operating element (14).

15. The terminal (1) according to claim 14, characterized in that The operating element (14) is linearly movable on the housing (10) and has a head (140) for operation by a user and a lever (141) extending therefrom for acting on the clamping leg (120).

16. The connection terminal (1) according to claim 15, characterized in that The lever (141) has a receiving cavity (143) in which the spring element (12) is accommodated at least in sections.

17. The connection terminal (1) according to claim 16, characterized in that The clamping leg (120) is connected to the first support leg (121) by a bent connecting section (122), wherein the connecting section (122) is accommodated in the receiving cavity (143) of the operating element (14).

18. The wiring terminal (1) according to claim 16, characterized in that The receiving cavity (143) is U-shaped in a cross section transverse to the plug-in direction (E).

19. The wiring terminal (1) according to claim 16, characterized in that The receiving cavity (143) is defined by a front wall (144) and two side cheeks (145) projecting from the front wall (144).

20. The wiring terminal (1) according to claim 19, characterized in that An acting section for acting on the clamping leg (120) in order to transfer the clamping leg (120) into the release position is formed on the front wall (144).

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