Conductor terminal and method for its assembly

Abstract

Conductor terminal (1) with the following features: a) at least one insulating housing (2), b) at least one contact insert (3, 5) arranged at least partially in the insulating housing (2), comprising at least one contact piece (3) and at least one clamping spring (5), c) wherein the contact piece (3) with the clamping spring (5) forms at least one conductor clamping point (30) for an electrical conductor (8) to be contacted by means of the conductor terminal (1), which can be subjected to a spring force of the clamping spring (5) at the conductor clamping point (30), d) at least one actuating lever (7) pivotably mounted in the insulating housing (2) for actuating the clamping spring (5), wherein the actuating lever (7) is pivotable from a closed position to an open position and vice versa relative to the insulating housing (2) and / or the contact piece (3), and in the open position an electrical conductor (8) inserted into the conductor terminal (1) is not subjected to the spring force of the clamping spring (5) at the conductor clamping point (30), e) wherein the actuating lever (7) is floatingly mounted and is supported at least partially on the contact piece (3) at least in the open position, characterized in that the actuating lever (7) has at least one pull arm (73) which engages a drive element (51) of the clamping spring (5), so that the clamping spring (5) can be deflected by tensile load on the clamping spring (5) when the actuating lever (7) is pivoted into the open position by the pull arm (73).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a conductor terminal block with the features of claim 1. The invention further relates to a method for assembling such a conductor terminal block with the features of claim 14.

[0002] In general, the invention relates to the field of electrical conductor connection technology. Conductor connection terminals, e.g., in the form of terminal blocks, are known, for example, from DE 10 2011 106 640 A1 or EP 02 53 239 B1. DE 10 2013 101 409 A1 discloses a conductor connection terminal with a pivotable operating lever. A conductor connection terminal of this type is known from DE 84 24 056 U1. Further conductor connection terminals are disclosed in DE 10 2012 110 895 A1, DE 10 2010 024 809 A1, and DE 10 2011 056 410 A1.

[0003] The invention is based on the objective of further developing such conductor connection terminals with regard to ergonomics, manufacturing costs and / or ease of assembly.

[0004] This problem is solved by a conductor terminal according to claim 1. This includes the following features: a) at least one insulating housing, b) at least one contact insert arranged at least partially in the insulating housing, comprising at least one contact piece and at least one clamping spring, c) wherein the contact piece with the clamping spring forms at least one conductor clamping point for an electrical conductor to be contacted by means of the conductor terminal, which can be subjected to a spring force of the clamping spring at the conductor clamping point, d) at least one actuating lever pivotably mounted in the insulating housing for actuating the clamping spring, wherein the actuating lever is pivotable from a closed position to an open position and vice versa relative to the insulating housing and / or the contact piece, and in the open position an electrical conductor inserted into the conductor terminal is not subjected to the spring force of the clamping spring at the conductor clamping point, and e) the actuating lever (7) is floating and is supported at least partially on the contact piece (3) at least in the open position, e.g. directly on the contact piece (3).

[0005] Due to the floating bearing, the actuating lever automatically adapts to the prevailing forces and is therefore subject to reduced wear compared to a fixed axle bearing. Furthermore, the floating bearing allows for easy installation of the actuating lever, even after the insulating housing has been closed. The support of the actuating lever on the contact piece, which is usually made of metal, provides a robust counter-bearing for the actuating lever. Accordingly, the contact piece, together with a corresponding part of the actuating lever, forms a pivot bearing that is very wear-resistant. Since the actuating lever can advantageously be made of plastic, e.g., an insulating material of the insulating housing, this results in a favorable material pairing with the metallic contact piece, which is both low-friction and wear-resistant.

[0006] Additionally, the actuating lever can also be supported with its back against an inner wall of the insulating housing, at least in certain swivel angles.

[0007] The actuating lever can act directly or indirectly on the clamping spring to cancel the clamping effect of the clamping spring at the conductor clamping point and to prevent an electrical conductor inserted into the conductor terminal from being subjected to the spring force of the clamping spring, or to open the clamping point.

[0008] The clamping spring can apply the spring force directly to the electrical conductor at the conductor clamping point by touching the conductor, or indirectly via an intermediate component.

[0009] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the actuating lever has an eccentric outer contour by which the actuating lever is supported on the contact piece. The pivot bearing contour of the actuating lever is thus formed by the eccentric outer contour. This has the advantage that the actuating lever can exert relatively large forces to actuate the clamping spring with low manual actuating forces (high force transmission), which results in pleasantly smooth operation of the conductor terminal.

[0010] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the actuating lever, in addition to a rotational movement, can be displaced translationally relative to the insulating housing and / or the contact piece when pivoting. This gives the actuating lever improved degrees of freedom during the pivoting movement, which in turn promotes low-wear bearings, easy mounting of the actuating lever in the insulating housing of the conductor terminal, and a pleasant feel during actuation.

[0011] According to the invention, the actuating lever has at least one pull arm that engages a drive element of the clamping spring, so that when the actuating lever is pivoted into the open position by the pull arm, the clamping spring can be deflected by tensile force on the clamping spring. This has the advantage that the clamping spring can simultaneously exert a reaction force on the actuating lever, which acts on it in the direction of the closed position. In addition, a self-locking toggle lever principle can be implemented with minimal effort in this way with respect to the actuating lever, so that little or no additional effort is required to lock it in the open position.

[0012] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the clamping spring has a window-like recess into which the pull arm of the actuating lever engages. In this way, the driving element of the clamping spring can be implemented by an upper edge of the window-like recess, or in other words, by a transverse web of the clamping spring formed there. This allows the clamping spring to be coupled to the pull arm in a simple and cost-effective manner. Only the window-like recess needs to be produced by punching out a piece of material from the clamping spring. Furthermore, a self-coupling system can be created in this way, in which the actuating lever can be inserted into the insulating housing with the clamping spring already installed, and the pull arm can then snap into the window-like recess.The pulling arm then engages behind the drive element, so that from now on it is possible to actuate the clamping spring by pivoting the actuating lever.

[0013] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the conductor terminal has first locking means by which the actuating lever is locked in the open position. This has the advantage that the actuating lever remains in a defined position in the open position without having to be held by a user. This allows for practical and ergonomic handling of the conductor terminal and leads to simplified handling, especially with a large number of conductor terminals, e.g., in a terminal block arrangement.

[0014] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the first locking means comprise a first lever locking means, which is part of the actuating lever, and a first contact locking means, which is part of the contact piece. The first lever locking means and the first contact locking means interact to lock the actuating lever in the open position. For example, the first lever locking means can be configured as a groove, recess, or other depression in the actuating lever, and the first contact locking means as a protruding nose, contact edge, or similar projection adapted to the shape of the first lever locking means. A reverse configuration is also advantageous, in which the first lever locking means is configured as a nose or other projection and the first contact locking means as a groove or other depression.In particular, the first contact locking means can be formed by the front edge or a rounded end face at the front end of an upper section of the contact piece pointing towards the actuating lever.

[0015] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the conductor terminal has second locking means by which the actuating lever is locked in the closed position. This has the advantage that the actuating lever can be held in the closed position in a defined manner and does not open unintentionally.

[0016] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the second locking means comprise a second lever locking means, which is part of the actuating lever, and a second housing locking means, which is part of the insulating housing. The second lever locking means and the second housing locking means interact with each other to lock the actuating lever in the closed position.

[0017] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the actuating lever has bearing pins projecting parallel to the axis of rotation of the pivoting movement, which are designed to secure the actuating lever against removal from the insulating housing. In this way, the floating actuating lever can be secured in operating situations of the conductor terminal where the actuating lever is not otherwise held in the insulating housing, e.g., by the clamping spring. Here, the bearing pins do not function, or at least not primarily, to support the actuating lever in the insulating housing for the pivoting movement, but mainly as a locking device against removal of the actuating lever from the insulating housing.

[0018] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the insulating housing has a lever insertion channel for inserting the actuating lever, wherein the lever insertion channel has a guide contour for guiding the bearing pins, at least during the insertion of the actuating lever. In this way, the bearing pins, in addition to securing the actuating lever against removal, have a further function, namely a guiding function for the actuating lever during insertion into the insulating housing. By guiding the bearing pins along the guide contour in the lever insertion channel, the portions of the actuating lever to be arranged in the insulating housing travel a defined path within it. This path is designed by the guide contour such that the lever reaches its desired end position in the insulating housing and is not hindered from being inserted by other components, such as the clamping spring.Furthermore, it is ensured that the pull arm of the actuating lever ultimately engages the drive element of the clamping spring, so that the actuating lever can perform its function of actuating the clamping spring.

[0019] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the part of the contact piece on which the actuating lever is supported, at least in the open position, is designed as a ramp that slopes downwards in the direction of rotation of the actuating lever when opening. This reduces the actuating forces required to pivot the actuating lever into the open position. The ramp can be designed as a linear ramp or a non-linear ramp, i.e., with a linearly sloping contour or with a non-linearly sloping contour, e.g., a progressively or degressively sloping contour.

[0020] The aforementioned problem is further solved according to claim 14 by a method for assembling a conductor terminal block according to one of the preceding claims comprising the following steps to be carried out in the specified order: a1) Providing the insulating housing with the contact insert already arranged therein, b1) Inserting the actuating lever, at least with its pivot bearing area, into the insulating housing through a lever insertion channel of the insulating housing.

[0021] This has the advantage of simple and quick assembly of the conductor terminal block. Assembly of the conductor terminal block, in this context, refers to the assembly of the individual components of the conductor terminal block into a finished, ultimately functional conductor terminal block.

[0022] To provide the insulating housing with the contact insert already arranged inside, the housing parts of the insulating housing, e.g. two housing half-shells, can be fitted with the components of the contact insert before assembly and then joined together.

[0023] The aforementioned method can be advantageously further developed as follows: a1) Providing the insulating housing with the contact insert already arranged therein, a2) Deflection of the clamping spring by inserting an aid, e.g. a core or a conductor, into a conductor entry opening of the conductor terminal, b1) Inserting the actuating lever, at least with its pivot bearing area, into the insulating housing through a lever insertion channel of the insulating housing. b2) Removing the aid from the conductor terminal.

[0024] This has the advantage that the actuating lever can be inserted into the insulating housing even more easily, thus preventing unwanted, premature contact with the clamping spring. This minimizes unwanted material abrasion or scratching of the actuating lever, as well as the risk of material abrasion at the conductor clamping point.

[0025] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to exemplary embodiments and drawings.

[0026] They show Fig. 1 to 6 a conductor terminal in a first embodiment and Fig. 7 to 14 a conductor connection terminal in a second embodiment and Fig. Figures 15 to 18 show a conductor terminal in a third embodiment, each in different views.

[0027] The figures use the same reference symbols for corresponding elements.

[0028] The Fig. Figures 1 to 4 show the conductor connection terminal in a side view with the insulating housing open, so that the internal structure is visible, in various operating positions of the actuating lever. Here, the Fig. 1. The conductor terminal in the closed position without a connected conductor. Fig. 2 in closed position with conductor attached. The Fig. Figure 3 shows the conductor connection terminal in a partially open position and the Fig. 4 in the fully open position, each without a conductor connected. The construction and function of the conductor connection terminal are described below with reference to the Fig. 1 to 4 explained in more detail.

[0029] The conductor terminal 1 has an insulating housing 2, which can be designed, for example, as a flat, essentially cuboid housing, so that several conductor terminals can be connected side by side. The insulating housing 2 can, for example, be designed in the form of two housing halves that are joined together after the internal components have been installed. Advantageously, the insulating housing 2 accommodates the internal components, with the open side being closed by a cover 9 or an adjacent conductor terminal 1. Accordingly, the Fig. Figures 1 to 4 show a view of the conductor connection terminal with the cover part 9 removed.

[0030] The conductor terminal 1 comprises at least one contact piece 3, a clamping spring 5, and an actuating lever 7 as further components. The contact piece 3, together with the clamping spring 5, forms a contact insert of the conductor terminal 1. The clamping spring 5 and the contact piece 3 are, for example, made entirely of electrically conductive material, in particular metal. The actuating lever can be made of any material, for example, the same material as the insulating housing 2, such as a plastic material.

[0031] The insulating housing 2 has a conductor entry opening 6 through which an electrical conductor 8 to be connected can be inserted into the conductor terminal 1. The conductor 8 can be guided with one stripped end 80 forward through the conductor entry opening 6 into a conductor receiving chamber 60, as shown by the Fig. Figure 2 shows the contact piece 3 located in the conductor receiving chamber 60. The conductor receiving chamber 60 can be funnel-shaped. The contact piece 3 has electrically conductive contact pins 4 for external electrical contact with the conductor terminal 1, which protrude from the insulating housing 2. The contact piece 3 can, for example, be designed as a U-shaped component in the direction of view into the conductor connection opening 6, extending from a lower section marked with reference numeral 3 via a connecting section 33 to an upper section 32. The upper section 32 is connected to a chamfered section 31 of the contact piece 3, which is oriented in the conductor insertion direction and acts as a conductor insertion chamfer. The chamfered section 31 can also be formed as part of the housing 2 of the conductor terminal 1.

[0032] The clamping spring 5 extends from a first end region 52 across several arc-shaped sections to a second end region 50. The second end region 50 forms a conductor clamping point 30 with a contact point of the contact piece 3, with which a connected electrical conductor can be clamped between the second end region 50 and the contact piece 3, as is particularly evident in the Fig. Figure 2 shows that the clamping spring 5 is deflected accordingly.

[0033] The clamping spring 5 further comprises a drive element 51. In the case of a one-piece clamping spring 5, this can be produced by punching out an inner section of the clamping spring material. The punched-out inner section then forms the second end region 50 of the clamping spring 5. The part of the clamping spring comprising the drive element 51, which then forms a Fig. 10 and Fig. 11 recognizable, window-like recess 59, penetrated by the first end region 52 of the clamping spring 5, is inserted into the Fig. The upward-pointing position shown in Figure 1 is angled. For example, an end crossbar of the window-like recess 59 rests against the pull arm 73 of the actuating lever 7 and forms the drive element 51.

[0034] The clamping spring 5 is received and held within a clamping spring receiving area of ​​the insulating housing 2, which is surrounded by an inner wall 23 of the insulating housing 2. The clamping spring 5 is supported with its first end region 52 against one end of the upper section 32 of the contact piece 3 from below. The clamping spring 5 is supported with its second end region 50 against the lower section of the contact piece 3 or against the connected electrical conductor 8, 80.

[0035] The actuating lever 7 has a grip area 70 designed for manual actuation of the actuating lever 7. In the closed position, the actuating lever 7 is pivoted downwards and protrudes only slightly from the insulating housing 2, particularly only in the grip area 70. In the partially open and fully open positions, the actuating lever 7 is pivoted upwards and protrudes upwards from the insulating housing 2.

[0036] Furthermore, the actuating lever 7 has two bearing pins 71 projecting laterally from the material of the lever 7. However, the actuating lever 7 is not mounted in the insulating housing 2 via the bearing pins 71. Rather, the bearing pins 71 serve to prevent the actuating lever 7, which is floating and therefore loosely mounted in the insulating housing 1, from being lost. This will be discussed in more detail later in connection with the assembly of the actuating lever 7 in the insulating housing 2.

[0037] The floating bearing of the actuating lever 7 is realized by supporting the actuating lever 7 via an outer contour 72 of the actuating lever 7 forming a support surface, via which the actuating lever 7 is supported against the contact piece 3, in particular its upper section 32.

[0038] The actuating lever 7 has a pull arm 73, for example in the form of a protruding nose, which engages in the window recess 59 of the clamping spring 5 and thereby engages behind the drive element 51. Furthermore, the actuating lever 7 has a second lever locking element 74, for example in the form of a protruding nose, by means of which the actuating lever 7 is held in its Fig. The closed position shown in 1 can be locked and thus fixed by locking the second lever locking element 74 with a correspondingly shaped locking section designed as a housing locking element on an inner wall 22 of the insulating housing 2.

[0039] Furthermore, the actuating lever 7 has a first lever locking element 75, for example in the form of a recess or a groove. The actuating lever 7 can be fixed in its fully open position by means of this first lever locking element 75, by engaging a part of the contact piece 3 which serves as a counter bearing, as shown in particular in the Fig. 4 is recognizable. The first lever locking device 75 engages on an edge, e.g. the front edge 32a or the possibly rounded end edge at the front end of the upper section 32 of the contact piece 3. This is in the Fig. 4 is shown as detent R1. An additional detent R2 can be formed between a lower area of ​​the pull arm 73 and a step, e.g., on the inner housing wall 22 of the insulating housing 2.

[0040] When the actuating lever 7 is moved from the closed position to the partially open or fully open position, it pulls the drive element 51 of the clamping spring 5 along with it via the pull arm 73, i.e., the drive element 51 is deflected upwards. As a result of the connection of the drive element 51 with the second end section 50 in the lower area of ​​the clamping spring 5, this area is also moved upwards, so that the second end section 50 is pulled away from the conductor clamping point 30. In this way, an electrical conductor 8 can be removed from the conductor terminal 1 or inserted with less effort. This makes insertion into the conductor terminal 1 possible, especially with fine-stranded electrical conductors.

[0041] During its movement from the closed position to the partially or fully open position, or vice versa, the outer contour 72 of the actuating lever 7 slides on the contact piece 3. The outer contour 72 is designed such that the actuating lever 7 moves relative to the insulating housing 2, and thus also to the contact piece 3, during the pivoting movement. This can be observed, for example, as an upward movement of the bearing pins 71 during the opening movement or a downward movement during the closing movement of the actuating lever 7.

[0042] During a pivoting movement, the actuating lever 7 is therefore, at least as a rule, not supported by the bearing pins 71 against the surrounding insulating housing 2, but rather by its rear outer contour 72, which bears against a pivot bearing surface 32 of the contact piece 3. Additionally, at least at certain pivoting angles, the lever 7 can also bear against an inner wall 21 of the insulating housing 2 with its rear surface 79.

[0043] In the fully open position, as in Fig. As shown in Figure 4, the clamping spring 5 holds the actuating lever 7 in the position shown as a result of the tensile force exerted on the drive element 51, whereby the fixing via the first lever locking means 75 in conjunction with the first contact piece locking means is supported by the force of the clamping spring 5.

[0044] With the actuating lever 7 in the closed position and the electrical conductor 8 connected, as shown in Fig. As shown in Figure 2, the clamping spring 5 is deflected. Therefore, in this state, the drive element 51 of the clamping spring 5 does not rest against the pull arm 73 of the actuating lever 7 and is located in a free space below the actuating lever 7. In this state, the actuating lever 7 is fixed in the position shown in the insulating housing by the second lever locking element 74 in conjunction with the second housing locking element.

[0045] The Fig. Figure 5 shows the actuating lever as a single component in an isometric view. It is particularly noticeable that the bearing pins 71 can be flattened on their underside. This can be helpful for inserting the actuating lever 7 into the already closed insulating housing 2. The actuating lever 7 can then also be inserted into the insulating housing 2 from above in a position corresponding to the fully open position. At the same time, the actuating lever 7 cannot be removed from the insulating housing 2 in the closed position. For this purpose, a correspondingly designed lever insertion channel 20 with a guide contour 24 is provided in the insulating housing 2, the clear width of which is smaller than the largest diameter of the bearing pins 71 and slightly larger than or equal to the diameter in the area of ​​the flattening. Fig. Figure 6 shows the advantageous possibility of inserting the actuating lever 7 through the lever insertion channel 20 into the insulating housing 2, of which in the Fig. Figure 6 shows only a partial view of the upper area. The bearing pin is guided through the tapered lever insertion channel 20 in such a way that the bearing pin 71 snaps behind the inner wall of the insulating housing upon entering its interior.

[0046] It can also be seen that the actuating lever can have 7 recesses 76 and webs 77.

[0047] For mounting the actuating lever 7 in the insulating housing 2, it can be advantageous if the insulating housing 2 is already closed and the contact piece and the clamping spring are already inserted. To assist in inserting the actuating lever 7, the clamping spring can be pre-guided by an object, e.g., a screwdriver or an electrical conductor, inserted into the conductor entry opening 6 up to the conductor receiving area 60, so that the drive element 51 is positioned as shown in the diagram. Fig. 2 is recognizably pivoted counterclockwise. The actuating lever 7 can then be inserted from above. The pull arm 73 engages behind the drive element 51, which has been pivoted by the auxiliary device.

[0048] To fix the actuating lever 7 in the closed position, additional laterally arranged locking means 78 may be provided, e.g. arranged on the left and right sides, which fix the closed actuating lever 7 by means of protruding housing edges 25 of the insulating housing 2.

[0049] The second embodiment of the conductor terminal, which will now be explained, is described in the Fig. Figures 7 to 9 are shown in comparable views and positions as the first embodiments in the Fig. 1, Fig. 2 and Fig. 4, i.e. in the Fig. 7 in closed position without connected conductor, in the Fig. 8 in closed position with attached conductor and in the Fig. 9 in the fully open position without a connected conductor. The second embodiment is identical to the first embodiment in many features and differs, among other things, in a different method of fixing the actuating lever 7 in the closed position. Here, a second lever locking element 74 is again provided for fixing the actuating lever 7, but unlike in the first embodiment, this element is not spaced apart from the pull arm 73, but is formed on the pull arm 73 itself. Furthermore, a web 26 is provided in the insulating housing 2, which can, for example, be designed in the form of a flexible housing tab. This web 26, which then forms the second housing locking element, can thus be deflected under a corresponding, not excessively high, force, so that when opening the actuating lever 7, the fixed closed position can be overcome with moderate effort.

[0050] The Fig. Figure 7 shows the actuating lever 7 in the closed position. When the actuating lever 7 is moved into the open position, the second lever locking element 74 presses more strongly against the bridge 26 and deflects it slightly. From a certain open position, the second lever locking element 74 snaps over the bridge 26, thus overcoming the locking mechanism. The actuating lever 7 can then be moved into the open position according to Fig. 9. In this embodiment, it is fixed, as in the first embodiment, by means of a detent between the first lever detent means 75 and the contact piece 3 (detent R1).

[0051] To further illustrate, the Fig. 10 the conductor connection terminal according to Fig. 8 in isometric view from a rear oblique angle, which Fig. 11 in isometric view from a front oblique angle as well as the Fig. Figure 12 shows another isometric view from a front oblique angle looking at the side wall 27 of the insulating housing 2. The other side wall can be partially open, as can be seen in the figures. By connecting several conductor terminals in series, an open side wall of one conductor terminal is covered by the closed side wall 27 of the next conductor terminal. For the last open side wall of such a series arrangement of conductor terminals, a cover plate 9 can be placed on this last conductor terminal, as shown in the figures. Fig. Figure 13 shows that the end plate 9 and the side wall 27 of a conductor terminal block can each have a guide section 28, 98 at their upper edge, which serves to guide and support the actuating lever 7 of an adjacent conductor terminal block. The actuating lever 7, with a guide contour (79a) facing the guide section 28, 98, is supported against this at least partially during its pivoting movement.

[0052] The Fig. 13 and Fig. Figure 14 shows the conductor connection terminal according to the second embodiment in a cross-sectional view. Fig. Figure 13 shows the conductor connection terminal when the operating lever is in the closed position and an electrical conductor is inserted, which Fig. 14 with the operating lever open and the electrical conductor also inserted.

[0053] The Fig. Figures 15 to 17 show a third embodiment of the conductor connection terminal, each in perspective view. Fig. Figure 18 shows the actuating lever 7 of this conductor terminal, also in perspective view. In the Fig. From 15 to 17, the operating lever 7 is in the closed position. Fig. 16 and Fig. In addition, an electrical conductor is inserted into the conductor terminal at point 17. The illustration of the Fig. 17 corresponds to that of the Fig. 16, with the difference that the contact piece 3 is shown cut away at two points, such that the connecting section 33 is missing. This further clarifies the view of the stripped end 80 of the conductor 8 and its clamping via the second end region 50 of the clamping spring 5.

[0054] A difference between the third embodiment of the conductor terminal and the previously described embodiments lies in the position and shape of an element 78a arranged on the lever 7 for fixing the lever in the closed position. Element 78a can again be considered a locking device, but differs from the previously described lever-fixed locking devices 74 in that the lever fixing achieved in this way does not lead to a momentary increase in actuating force when the lever 7 is opened. Element 78a can, for example, be designed in the form of a ridge that is arranged laterally on the lever 7 and runs in a recess in the adjacent housing 2, thus defining / limiting each end position of the actuating lever 7. The actuating lever 7 is fixed relative to the insulating housing 2, as in the previous embodiments, by means of lateral locking devices 78 arranged in the front area of ​​the actuating lever 7.

[0055] The conductor terminal according to the invention, in all described embodiments, additionally features optimized overload protection to protect the clamping spring 5 if the conductor 8 is inserted into the conductor receiving chamber 60 at too steep an angle or otherwise improperly. In such cases, the clamping spring 5 must be protected from excessive stress on its second end region 50 and the region extending from the second end region 50 to the approximately semicircular spring arc running along the wall 23. This is achieved by extending the clamping spring 5, with its second end region 50, to the chamfered section 31 of the insulating housing, which acts as a conductor entry chamfer. In the exemplary embodiment, the chamfered section 31, which is designed as part of the insulating housing 2, extends to below the upper section 32 of the contact piece.This beveled section 31 thus also acts as a stop for the second end region 50 of the clamping spring 5, so that it cannot be deflected further upwards.

[0056] The portion of the contact piece 3 against which the actuating lever 7 rests, at least in the open position and possibly also in other positions, particularly in positions before reaching the open position, can be configured as a ramp rising in the direction of rotation of the actuating lever during opening, a descending ramp, or as a neutral surface without inclination. The first and third embodiments of the terminal described above show a configuration as a rising ramp, the second embodiment as a neutral surface. A descending ramp can also be implemented by not having section 32 of the contact piece 3, as, for example, in Fig.1. The slope towards the operating lever 7 is not ascending towards the front of the terminal block 1, i.e., towards the side of the conductor entry opening 6, but rather has a descending slope. This design reduces the operating forces required on the operating lever 7 to pivot it into the open position. This results in easier and more convenient operation of the terminal block.

Claims

[1] Conductor terminal (1) with the following features: a) at least one insulating housing (2), b) at least one contact insert (3, 5) arranged at least partially in the insulating housing (2), comprising at least one contact piece (3) and at least one clamping spring (5), c) wherein the contact piece (3) with the clamping spring (5) forms at least one conductor clamping point (30) for an electrical conductor (8) to be contacted by means of the conductor terminal (1), which can be subjected to a spring force of the clamping spring (5) at the conductor clamping point (30), d) at least one actuating lever (7) pivotably mounted in the insulating housing (2) for actuating the clamping spring (5), wherein the actuating lever (7) is pivotable from a closed position to an open position and vice versa relative to the insulating housing (2) and / or the contact piece (3), and in the open position an electrical conductor (8) inserted into the conductor terminal (1) is not subjected to the spring force of the clamping spring (5) at the conductor clamping point (30), e) wherein the actuating lever (7) is floatingly mounted and is supported at least partially on the contact piece (3) at least in the open position, characterized by, that the actuating lever (7) has at least one pull arm (73) which engages a drive element (51) of the clamping spring (5), so that the clamping spring (5) can be deflected by tensile load on the clamping spring (5) when the actuating lever (7) is pivoted into the open position by the pull arm (73). [2] Conductor terminal according to the preceding claim, characterized by , that the actuating lever (7) has an eccentric outer contour (72) by means of which the actuating lever (7) is supported on the contact piece (3). [3] Conductor terminal according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the actuating lever (7) can be displaced translationally relative to the insulating housing (2) and / or the contact piece (3) in addition to a rotary movement when pivoting. [4] Conductor terminal according to the preceding claim, characterized by, that the clamping spring (5) has a window-like recess (59) into which the pull arm (73) of the actuating lever (7) engages. [5] Conductor terminal according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the conductor terminal (1) has first locking means (32, 75) by which the actuating lever (7) is locked in the open position. [6] Conductor terminal according to the preceding claim, characterized by , that the first locking means (32, 75) comprise a first lever locking means (75) which is part of the actuating lever (7) and a first contact locking means (32) which is part of the contact piece (3) which cooperate with each other to lock the actuating lever (7) in the open position. [7] Conductor terminal according to the preceding claim, characterized by, that the first contact locking means (32) is formed by the front edge (32a) or a rounded end face at the front end of an upper section of the contact piece (3) pointing towards the actuating lever (7). [8] Conductor terminal according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the conductor terminal (1) has second locking means (22, 74) by which the actuating lever (7) is locked in the closed position. [9] Conductor terminal according to the preceding claim, characterized by , that the second locking means (22, 74) comprise a second lever locking means (74) which is part of the actuating lever (7) and a second housing locking means (22, 26) which is part of the insulating housing (2) which cooperate with each other to lock the actuating lever (7) in the closed position. [10] Conductor terminal according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by, that the actuating lever (7) has bearing pins (71) projecting parallel to the axis of rotation of the pivoting movement, which are designed to secure the actuating lever (7) against removal of the actuating lever (7) from the insulating housing (2). [11] Conductor terminal according to the preceding claim, characterized by , that the insulating housing (2) has a lever insertion channel (20) for inserting the actuating lever (7), wherein the lever insertion channel (20) has a guide contour (24) for guiding the bearing pins (71) at least during the insertion of the actuating lever (7). [12] Conductor terminal according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the part of the contact piece (3) on which the actuating lever (7) is supported at least in the open position is designed as a ramp descending in the direction of rotation of the actuating lever (7) when opening. [13] Method for assembling a conductor terminal block (1) according to one of the preceding claims comprising the following steps to be carried out in the specified order: a1) Providing the insulating housing (2) with the contact insert (3, 5) already arranged therein, b1) Inserting the actuating lever (7) at least with its pivot bearing area into the insulating housing (2) through a lever insertion channel (20) of the insulating housing (2). [14] Method according to the preceding claim comprising the following steps to be carried out in the specified order: a1) Providing the insulating housing (2) with the contact insert (3, 5) already arranged therein, a2) Deflection of the clamping spring (5) by inserting an aid into a conductor entry opening (6) of the conductor terminal (1), b1) Inserting the actuating lever (7) at least with its pivot bearing area into the insulating housing (2) through a lever insertion channel (20) of the insulating housing (2), b2) Removing the aid from the conductor terminal (1).

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