Terminal block for connecting an electrical line

Abstract

A terminal block (1) for connecting an electrical conductor (2) comprises a housing (10). A contact element (11) for electrical contact with the electrical conductor (2) and a spring element (12) are arranged on the housing (10). The spring element has a clamping leg (120) for acting on the electrical conductor (2) to bring the electrical conductor (2) into contact with the contact element (11). An actuating element (14) is adjustable for moving the clamping leg (120) in an actuating direction (B) from an unactuated position to an actuated position.The contact element (11) has a surface section (110) for electrical contact with the electrical conductor (2) and a reinforcing section (114) bent towards the surface section (110), wherein the reinforcing section (114) extends from the surface section (110) in the direction of the counter-locking element (104) and is supported in contact with at least one housing section (105, 108, 109).

Description

The invention relates to a connection terminal for connecting an electrical line according to the preamble of claim 1.Such a connection terminal comprises a housing which has a plug opening into which an electrical line can be inserted along a plug-in direction for connection to the connection terminal. A contact element for making electrical contact with the electrical line is arranged on the housing. A spring element is also arranged on the housing, said spring element having a clamping leg which is designed to act on the electrical line in order to bring the electrical line into contact with the contact element when the electrical line is inserted into the plug-in opening. An actuating element can be actuated by a user in order to adjust the clamping limb. For this purpose, the actuating element can be adjusted, for example using a tool, in an actuating direction from a non-actuated position into an actuated position in order, in the actuated position, to adjust the clamping limb, for example for easier insertion of the electrical line into the plug opening or for removal of the electrical line from the plug opening. In the actuated position, the actuating element is locked relative to the housing. The actuating element has a latching element which, in the actuated position of the actuating element, is latched to an associated counter-latching element which is stationary with respect to the housing.Such a connection terminal realizes, by using the spring element, a spring force connection in which the electrical line in the connected position clamps to the contact element under the elastic spring action of the spring element and is thus electrically connected to the contact element.In a connection terminal known from DE 10 2019 127 464 B3, a spring element in the form of a tension spring is provided which pulls a connected electrical line by elastic spring action into contact with an associated contact element and thus produces a clamping connection between the electrical line and the contact element. For this purpose, the electrical line is pushed through an opening in the clamping leg when it is attached and is clamped between the clamping leg and the contact element in the connected position.In the connection terminal of DE 10 2019 127 464 B3, a latching device is provided by means of which the clamping leg is latched relative to the housing in a release position. When the electrical line is inserted, the latching device is triggered and the latching is thus canceled, so that the clamping leg is adjusted from the release position and the electrical line is thereby clamped to the contact element. In order to transfer the clamping leg into the release position, in particular in order to enable the electrical line to be attached or a connected electrical line to be detached from the connection terminal, a tool, for example a screwdriver, can be attached to the connection terminal and a force can thereby be exerted on the clamping leg.Whereas in DE 10 2019 127 464 B3 the clamping limb is adjusted directly by a tool, in connection with the terminals known from DE 10 2019 135 203 A1 and DE 10 2020 104 140 A1, an actuating element in the form of a so-called pusher (pusher) is provided in each case, which can be pressed into the housing of the terminal in order in this way to act on the clamping limb and to transfer the clamping limb into its release position. The actuating element is spring-biased in each case by means of a tension spring in the form of a compression spring with respect to the housing of the connection terminal. In the connection terminal known from DE 10 2019 135 203 A1, an actuating nose is arranged on the actuating element, which actuating nose is hooked onto a fastening section of a retaining element in the actuated position of the actuating element.It is the object of the present invention to provide a connection terminal which makes it possible in a simple manner to hold the clamping leg of the spring element in a release position and to transfer it into a clamping position when an electrical line is inserted.This object is achieved by an object having the features of claim 1.Accordingly, the contact element has a surface section for making electrical contact with the electrical line and a reinforcing section bent over to the surface section, wherein the reinforcing section extends starting from the surface section in the direction of the mating latching element and is in supporting contact with at least one housing section.In the connection terminal, the electrical line is electrically contacted with the electrical contact element, in that when the electrical line is inserted into the plug opening, the clamping leg acts on the electrical line and loads the latter resiliently in the direction of contact with the contact element. In order to facilitate the plugging-on of the electrical line, the clamping leg of the spring element can be elastically deflected by actuation of the actuating element in order in this way to transfer the clamping leg into a release position in which a space in the interior of the housing in the region of the plug opening is released and thus the electrical line can be inserted into the plug opening in a substantially force-free manner or a connected electrical line can be removed from the connection terminal in a simple manner. The actuating element can be configured, for example, in the manner of a pusher and can be pressed into the housing by user actuation in order in this way to act on the clamping limb and to adjust the clamping limb in the direction of the release position.The actuating element, which is arranged adjustably on the housing, is held in position relative to the housing in the actuated position in that the actuating element is latched to the housing or to a component fixed in position relative to the housing, so that preferably also the clamping leg of the spring element is held above it in its release position, in which simple attachment of an electrical line to the connection terminal is possible or a connected line can be removed from the connection terminal in a substantially force-free manner.Because the actuating element is locked relative to the housing in the actuated position and for this purpose the locking element of the actuating element is in engagement with the counter-locking element fixed in position relative to the housing, an electrical line can be connected to the connection terminal in a simple manner when the actuating element is actuated and the clamping limb is adjusted accordingly. The latching arrangement allows the connection terminal to be delivered in an open state in which the actuating element is in the actuated position, which has the result that the connection terminal is optionally in the open state over a relatively long period of time and the latching position of the actuating element is thus retained over a relatively long period of time.In order to counteract material fatigue on the material of the housing, the contact element has a reinforcing section bent over to form a surface section, which extends starting from the surface section in the direction of the counter-latching element and is in supporting contact with at least one housing section. The surface section is configured flat and serves to make electrical contact with the electrical line when the electrical line is inserted. With the surface section, the electrical line is thus pressed into contact via the clamping leg of the spring element when the line is connected to the connection terminal. The reinforcing section extends from the surface section, wherein the reinforcing section extends from the surface section in the direction of the counter-latching element arranged in a fixed manner with respect to the housing such that the reinforcing section reinforces the housing in the region in which the counter-latching element is formed.The contact element is in particular designed as a metal part, for example as a metal stamped and bent part. The reinforcing portion is bent to the face portion. The reinforcing section can be formed, for example, by a tab bent over to the surface section or a flat wall section of the contact element, which extends from the surface section in the direction of the mating latching element and on which the reinforcing section is formed.The counter-latching element can be formed, for example, by a section of the housing, for example by a latching step on the housing.In another embodiment, the counter-latching element can be formed by the reinforcing section, so that in the actuated position the actuating element is latched directly to the reinforcing section of the contact element.The housing can be designed, for example, as a plastic part, for example as a plastic injection-molded part. Accordingly, the housing material consists of plastic. Because the reinforcing section of the contact element cooperates supportingly with one or more housing sections, the housing is reinforced in the region of the counter-latching element such that the latching with the actuating element can also be held over a longer period of time and material fatigue on the housing is counteracted, in particular in the region of the counter-latching element.In one configuration, a first housing section is arranged on a first side of the reinforcing section and a second housing section is arranged on a second side of the reinforcing section facing away from the first side. The reinforcement distance is thus surrounded at least in sections by the housing on sides facing away from each other.Additionally or alternatively, a third housing section can encompass an end of the reinforcing section remote from the surface section.While the first housing section is arranged above the reinforcing section, for example, as viewed along the plug-in direction, and the second housing section below the reinforcing section (if the plug-in direction is assumed to be the vertical direction), the third housing section can, for example, engage around an end of the reinforcing section on an end side remote from the surface section, such that the reinforcing section is surrounded by the housing on three sides, for example, and is thus accommodated between housing sections.The contact element can be attached to the housing formed by injection molding of plastic as a separate part. However, the contact element can also be encapsulated by the material of the housing, for example.In one configuration, the reinforcing section extends perpendicularly or obliquely to the surface section. The clamping leg of the spring element can be pivotable relative to the housing, for example, in a pivoting plane spanned by the plug-in direction and a transverse direction perpendicular to the plug-in direction. The surface section of the contact element can extend, for example, flat along the plug-in direction, so that an inserted electrical line can be pressed via the clamping leg into flat contact with the surface section, in order in this way to electrically contact the electrical line with the contact element. The reinforcing section can extend perpendicularly to the plug-in direction, in particular along the transverse direction, from the surface section. In another embodiment, the reinforcing section can extend obliquely to the plug-in direction and obliquely to the transverse direction from the surface section, wherein the reinforcing section is preferably oriented such that a spring force exerted via the clamping limb on the actuating element (located in the actuated position) acts along a force direction which is directed approximately along the longitudinal extent direction of the reinforcing section and can therefore be supported in a favorable manner via the reinforcing section.In one configuration, the reinforcing section is formed on a wall section of the contact element which is bent over to form the surface section. The wall section in this case forms the reinforcing section and extends from the surface section in the direction of the counter-latching element in order to support the housing in the region of the counter-latching element and thus to reinforce it. The reinforcing section can be formed by an edge section of the wall section and can provide a reinforcement of the housing in the region of the counter-latching element by supporting contact.In one embodiment, the reinforcing section has a beam element which projects from the wall section and is in supporting contact with at least one housing section. The beam element can, for example, be extended perpendicularly to the wall section and project relative to the wall section. The beam element is integrally formed with the wall portion and, for example, bent over to form the wall portion, for example, in such a way that the beam element extends substantially parallel to the surface portion of the wall portion.The wall section can extend in particular along a plane which is directed parallel to an adjustment plane of the clamping leg of the spring element and is spanned by the plug-in direction and a transverse direction perpendicular to the plug-in direction. By means of the wall section forming the reinforcement section, it is thus possible to provide reinforcement of the housing, in particular in a region laterally of an inner space of the housing, within which the actuating element is adjustable for adjusting the clamping limb and within which the actuating element is latched to the housing in the actuated position. Via the beam element, which preferably protrudes from the wall section to such a region on the housing, within which the latching with the actuating element takes place, an additional reinforcement can be provided where the counter-latching element is formed and where, in the actuated position of the actuating element, there is a latching engagement between the actuating element and the counter-latching element of the housing.In one configuration, the beam element can itself form the counter-latching element by a step for creating the counter-latching element being formed on the beam element, for example.In another embodiment, the beam element supports a section of the housing forming the counter-latching element, for example by the beam element being embedded at such a section of the housing at which the counter-latching element is formed by a step, for example, and thus reinforcing this section.In one configuration, the contact element has a base section which is bent over to the surface section and is spaced apart from the reinforcing section. The base section can, for example, extend perpendicularly to the plug-in direction from the surface section and is bent over to the surface section. The base section can, for example, delimit an interior space of the housing into which the electrical line can be inserted for connection to the connection terminal, such that the electrical line can only be inserted into the housing at most up to the base section.For example, the reinforcing section is bent around a first bending axis to form the surface section, while the base section is bent around a second bending axis, different from the first bending axis, to form the surface section. The first bending axis and the second bending axis can be directed parallel (but spaced apart from one another in space) or perpendicular to one another. The first bending axis can be directed, for example, perpendicular to the plug-in direction or parallel to the plug-in direction. The second bending axis is directed, for example, perpendicular to the plug-in direction. The first bending axis and the second bending axis can accordingly be oriented parallel to one another. The first bending axis and the second bending axis can, however, also be perpendicular to one another.In one configuration, the reinforcing portion and the base portion extend parallel to each other. The reinforcing portion and the base portion are connected to one another via the surface portion and extend, for example, in each case perpendicularly to the plug-in direction.In one embodiment, the contact element has an end section which is bent over to form the surface section and on which a fixing opening is formed, which is latched to the housing for fixing the contact element. The end section can, for example, extend obliquely to the plug-in direction and thus point obliquely away from the surface section. A fixing opening is formed on the end section, which is in latching engagement with an associated counter element of the housing, so that the contact element is fixed to the housing via this. If the housing is open laterally, the contact element can be fixed in the housing in this way, so that the contact element cannot fall out of the housing at a lateral opening.The end portion may be formed at a transition between the face portion and the reinforcement portion. In this way, forces can also be introduced into the housing via the end section, so that an additional support of the housing is created for absorbing in particular the error forces acting via the clamping leg.In one embodiment, the connection terminal has a trigger element which is adjustable with respect to the housing. The triggering element is arranged in an initial position relative to the housing in the actuated position of the actuating element and, when an electrical line is inserted into the plug-in opening, is adjustable out of the initial position by cooperation with the electrical line in order to release the actuating element from the actuated position.The triggering element, which is arranged so as to be adjustable relative to the housing, serves for triggering the actuating element from the actuated position in order to automatically release the actuating element from the actuated position when the electrical line is inserted into the insertion opening and thus to transfer the clamping leg into a clamping position in which the electrical line inserted into the insertion opening is electrically contacted with the contact element of the connection terminal. The trip member assumes an initial position relative to the housing when the actuator is in the actuated position. By cooperation with an inserted electrical line, the triggering element can be adjusted out of the starting position in order to thereby act on the actuating element and release the actuating element from the latching in the actuated position.After the locking has been canceled, the actuating element can in particular automatically, preferably under spring prestress, adjust back in the direction of the unactuated position. A spring prestress on the actuating element can be effected, for example, via the spring element which is elastically deflected in the actuated position and, after the actuating element has been released, acts in a spring-mechanical manner on the actuating element in order to transfer the actuating element from the actuated position in the direction of the non-actuated position. However, a prestress can also be provided by means of an additional prestressing element, for example an additional spring.Due to the fact that the triggering element is adjusted to the housing when the electrical line is inserted and thereby acts on the actuating element in order to release it from the latching in the actuated position, the connection terminal closes automatically when the electrical line is inserted. This results in a simple connection process, with reliable contacting of the electrical line with the contact element by the clamping action of the clamping leg.In one embodiment, the actuating element has a first actuating section and the triggering element has a second actuating section. The actuating element is designed, upon an adjustment into the actuated position, to act via the first actuating section on the second actuating section for returning the triggering element into the starting position. The first actuating section and the second actuating section cooperate when the actuating element is moved from the non-actuated position into the actuated position, in order thereby to return the triggering element to the starting position which the triggering element assumes when the actuating element is in the actuated position and an electrical line is to be plugged onto the connection terminal. Because the adjusting sections also interact when the actuating element is transferred from the non-actuated position into the actuated position, a separate restoring element, for example a mechanical spring, for restoring the triggering element into the starting position can be dispensed with if appropriate. The return of the triggering element to the initial position is effected by the actuating element when the actuating element is adjusted to the actuated position.The first adjusting section and / or the second adjusting section can, for example, extend obliquely to the plug-in direction. In another embodiment, the first adjusting section and / or the second adjusting section can be curved, for example, in a pivoting plane in which the clamping limb is pivotable.In one embodiment, the triggering element is designed to act on the first actuating section by means of the second actuating section to release the actuating element from the actuated position. If an electrical line is inserted into the plug-in opening of the housing and if the triggering element is thereby adjusted relative to the housing, the adjusting section on the triggering element runs onto the associated adjusting section on the actuating element and thereby adjusts the actuating element in such a way that a latching element on the actuating element is brought out of engagement by an associated counter-latching element on the housing or a component which is stationary relative to the housing and thus the actuating element is released from its latching in the actuated position.The actuation direction can be directed, for example, along the plug-in direction along which an electrical line is to be plugged into the plug-in opening of the housing for connection to the connection terminal.In one embodiment, the triggering element is designed to adjust the actuating element relative to the housing in order to release the actuating element from the actuated position along a transverse direction pointing transversely to the plug-in direction. In the actuated position, the actuating element is latched to the housing. The latching can be released in this case by the actuating element, triggered by an adjusting movement effected by the triggering element on the actuating element, being moved relative to the housing in a transverse direction oriented transversely with respect to the plug-in direction and thus being brought out of engagement with the latching on the housing. If the latching is canceled when an electrical line is inserted and the triggering element is adjusted as a result, the actuating element is released from the actuated position and can adjust back into the non-actuated position, wherein the actuating element can be automatically reset, for example by a spring prestress, effected, for example, by the clamping limb.In order to move the actuating element along the transverse direction relative to the housing, the actuating element can be tiltable by a (small) tilting angle in the housing, for example. The triggering element is designed here to tilt the actuating element relative to the housing for release from the actuated position. If an electrical line acts on the triggering element when it is inserted and thereby adjusts the triggering element, the triggering element acts on the actuating element and tilts the actuating element in the housing in such a way that the actuating element is brought out of engagement with the latching on the housing along the transverse direction.In one embodiment, the clamping leg of the spring element is pivotable in a pivoting plane relative to the housing. The pivot plane can be defined, for example, by the plug-in direction and the transverse direction. The triggering element is designed to tilt the actuating element relative to the housing in the pivoting plane for release from the actuated position, for example in such a way that the tilting movement of the actuating element for cancelling the latching takes place counter to the spring prestress of the clamping leg on the actuating element.The first adjusting section and / or the second adjusting section are, in one embodiment, curved obliquely to the insertion direction and to the transverse direction or in a plane spanned by the insertion direction and the transverse direction.In one embodiment, the triggering element has a third actuating section. The housing or a component which is fixed in place relative to the housing, for example the contact element, has a fourth actuating section. The triggering element is arranged on the housing in an adjustable manner in such a way that the triggering element slides on the fourth adjusting section during an adjustment with the third adjusting section effected by insertion of the electrical line and is thereby adjusted relative to the housing in the adjusting direction and also in the transverse direction. The triggering element is thus guided relative to the housing via the third actuating section and the fourth actuating section, so that the triggering element performs a superimposed movement both along the plug-in direction and along the transverse direction directed transversely to the plug-in direction during an adjustment from the starting position.The third adjusting section and / or the fourth adjusting section can, for example, each extend obliquely to the plug-in direction and to the transverse direction or be curved in a plane spanned by the plug-in direction and the transverse direction. This results in a movement path along which the triggering element is moved transversely to the plug-in direction with a movement vector component and with a further movement vector component during a movement.In one embodiment, when the actuating element is adjusted into the actuated position, the triggering element is guided in a sliding manner on the fourth actuating section via the third actuating section in such a way that the triggering element is returned into the starting position counter to the plug-in direction and counter to the transverse direction. The third actuating section and the fourth actuating section guide the triggering element relative to the housing during a movement out of the starting position. In addition, the third actuating section and the fourth actuating section also interact when the triggering element is reset in the direction of the starting position, so that when the actuating element is actuated in order to transfer the actuating element into the actuated position, the triggering element is moved back into the starting position in a guided manner, without a separate prestressing element being required on the triggering element for this purpose.In one embodiment, the housing defines a receiving space into which the electrical line can be introduced by being inserted into the plug opening. The triggering element is arranged in the receiving space for cooperation with the electrical line and is adjustable from the starting position relative to the housing by cooperation with the electrical line. The triggering element can be displaceable or pivotable relative to the housing.A displacement path of the triggering element can extend in a straight line or also curved manner. Such a displacement path can in particular be extended obliquely to the plug-in direction, so that the triggering element does not execute a rectilinear movement along the plug-in direction when an electrical line is inserted into the plug-in opening and acts on the triggering element, but rather the triggering element is adjusted both in the plug-in direction and in the transverse direction transversely to the plug-in direction, in order thereby to act on the actuating element in order to release the latching.In one embodiment, the triggering element is arranged pivotably on the housing and has a triggering leg which, in the starting position, extends transversely to the plug-in direction in the receiving space. The release leg extends into a region of the receiving space which is aligned with the plug-in opening, so that when an electrical line is inserted, it strikes the release leg and thereby swivels the release element relative to the housing. When an electrical line is inserted, the triggering element is thus adjusted out of an initial position and thereby acts on the actuating element in order to release the latching of the actuating element to the housing.In one embodiment, the spring element is designed as a tension spring. In this case, the clamping leg of the spring element is designed to pull the electrical line into contact with the contact element by spring force. For this purpose, an opening can be formed on the clamping leg, for example, through which the electrical line can be passed when it is inserted into the insertion opening of the housing, in order to pull the electrical line into clamping contact with the contact element after the clamping leg has been triggered from the release position.Alternatively, the spring element can be designed as a compression spring. In this case, the clamping leg is designed to press the electrical line by spring force into contact with the contact element. When inserted into the insertion opening, the electrical line reaches a space between the clamping leg and the contact element, wherein after the clamping leg is triggered from the release position, the clamping leg acts on the electrical line and presses it into contact with the contact element.In one embodiment, the clamping leg is elastically adjustable relative to the housing by actuating the actuating element into a release position and is held relative to the housing in the release position by the actuating element. The clamping leg is thus locked in the release position with respect to the housing, so that the clamping leg remains in the release position after actuation of the actuating element.The spring element can have, for example, a support leg, by means of which the spring element is supported on the housing and held in position on the housing. The clamping leg can be deflected elastically with respect to the support leg, wherein in the release position the clamping leg is deflected such that the spring element is elastically tensioned and the clamping leg is moved from the release position in an elastically prestressed manner out of the release position after release.In one embodiment, the reinforcing section points from the surface section in the direction of the clamping leg. The spring element can be shaped, for example, in such a way that the clamping leg is connected to the support leg via a connecting section, wherein the clamping leg is pivotable relative to the support leg in a pivoting plane spanned by the plug-in direction and the transverse direction and is thus elastically deflectable. The connecting portion engages around a housing portion, for example, and defines a pivot point for the clamping leg, for example. When viewed along the plug-in direction, the connecting portion is arranged, for example, above the clamping leg and the supporting leg (if the plug-in direction is assumed to be the vertical direction), so that the clamping leg and the supporting leg extend downward from the connecting portion. The reinforcing section is preferably arranged above the clamping leg (and the supporting leg) in that the plug-in opening is located, for example, on one side of the reinforcing section and an end of the clamping leg is located on another side of the reinforcing section facing away from the one side. For example, the reinforcing section can be arranged approximately at the height of the pivot point of the clamping leg.In one embodiment, the reinforcing section has an opening through which an electrical line can be inserted when it is inserted into the plug opening and thus when it is plugged onto the connection terminal. The opening can be formed, for example, between mutually parallel extending tongues forming the reinforcement section and bent over to form the surface section, wherein in this case the opening is, for example, not circumferentially closed. In another embodiment, the opening is formed peripherally closed at the reinforcing portion.The idea on which the invention is based is to be explained in more detail below with reference to the exemplary embodiments illustrated in the figures. The following are shown: FIG. 1A is a sectional view of a first exemplary embodiment of a connection terminal, in an actuated position of an actuating element; FIG. 1B is a front view of the terminal; FIG. 1C is a perspective view of the cut terminal according to FIG. 1A, for illustrating the cutting plane; FIG. 1D is a perspective view of the terminal; FIG. 2A is a sectional view of the connection terminal when an electrical line is inserted; FIG. 2B is a front view of the terminal; FIG. 2C is a perspective view of the cut terminal according to FIG. 2A, for illustrating the cutting plane; FIG. 2D is a perspective view of the terminal; FIG. 3A is a sectional view of a first exemplary embodiment of a connection terminal, with the electrical line plugged on; FIG. 3B is a front view of the terminal; FIG. 3C is a perspective view of the cut terminal according to FIG. 3A, for illustrating the cutting plane; FIG. 3D is a perspective view of the terminal; FIG. 4 shows a separate view of a contact element of the connection terminal; FIG. 5A is a view of the terminal of FIG. 1B; FIG. 5B is a sectional view taken along line I-I of FIG. 5A ; FIG. 6A is a front view of another embodiment of a terminal; FIG. 6B is a perspective view of the terminal; FIG. 7 shows a separate view of a contact element of the connection terminal according to FIGS. 6A, 6B ; FIG. 8A is a front view of still another embodiment of a terminal; FIG. 8B is a perspective view of the terminal; FIG. 9 shows a separate view of a contact element of the connection terminal according to FIGS. 8A, 8B ; FIG. 10A is a sectional view of another embodiment of a terminal; FIG. 10B is a perspective view of the terminal; FIG. 11 shows a separate view of a contact element of the connection terminal according to FIGS. 10A, 10B ; FIG. 12A is a front view of still another embodiment of a terminal; FIG. 12B is a perspective view of the terminal; FIG. 13 shows a separate view of a contact element of the connection terminal according to FIGS. 12A, 12B ; FIG. 14A is a view of a connection terminal according to a further exemplary embodiment, in a non-actuated position of an actuating element, without a housing; FIG. 14B is a view of the connection terminal in an actuated position of the actuating element, without a housing; FIG. 15A is a side view of the terminal in the unactuated position of FIG. 14A, with a surrounding housing; FIG. 15B is a side view of the terminal in the actuated position of FIG. 14B, with a surrounding housing; FIG. 16A is a sectional view through the terminal, in the unactuated position of FIG. 14A; FIG. 16B is a sectional view through the connection terminal, in the actuated position according to FIG. 14B ; FIG. 17A is a view of a connection terminal according to yet another exemplary embodiment, in a non-actuated position of an actuating element, without a housing; FIG. 17B is a view of the connection terminal in an actuated position of the actuating element, without a housing; FIG. 18A is a side view of the terminal in the unactuated position of FIG. 17A, with a surrounding housing; FIG. 18B is a side view of the terminal in the actuated position of FIG. 17B, with a surrounding housing; FIG. 19A is a sectional view through the terminal, in the unactuated position of FIG. 17A; FIG. 19B is a sectional view through the connection terminal, in the actuated position according to FIG. 17B ; FIG. 20A is a view of a connection terminal according to a further exemplary embodiment, in a non-actuated position of an actuating element, without a housing; FIG. 20B is a view of the connection terminal in an actuated position of the actuating element, without a housing; FIG. 21A is a side view of the terminal in the unactuated position of FIG. 20A, with a surrounding housing; FIG. 21B is a side view of the terminal in the actuated position of FIG. 20B, with a surrounding housing; FIG. 22A is a sectional view through the terminal, in the unactuated position of FIG. 20A ; and FIG. 22B is a sectional view through the terminal, in the actuated position according to FIG. 20B.FIGS. 1A-1D to 5A, 5B show an exemplary embodiment of a connection terminal 1 which forms a housing 10 having a plug opening 100 formed therein for plugging in an electrical line 2 along a plug-in direction E.The housing 10 defines a receiving space 101 into which the electrical line 2 having a stripped conductor end 20 is inserted when it is inserted into the plug opening 100 along the plug-in direction E. In a connected position, the line 2 with the stripped conductor end 20 is located within the receiving space 101 and is electrically contacted via a clamping leg 120 of a spring element 12 with a contact element 11 in the form of a current bar, so that the electrical line 2 is electrically connected to the connection terminal 1, as is illustrated in FIGS. 3A-3D.The spring element 12 has a support leg 121, which is connected to the clamping leg 120 via a curved intermediate section 122 and is supported together with the intermediate section 122 on a housing section 103 of the housing 10, so that the spring element 12 is fastened above it to the housing 10 and fixed to the housing 10. The clamping leg 120 can be deflected elastically with respect to the support leg 121, in particular in such a way that the clamping leg 120 acts in a clamping position illustrated in FIGS. 3A-3D in a clamping manner on an electrical line 2 connected to the connection terminal 1 and presses the latter under elastic prestress into contact with a surface section 110 of the contact element 11 and thus makes electrical contact with the line 2 via its conductor end 20 with the contact element 11.In the exemplary embodiment shown, an actuating element 14 is adjustable on the housing 10 along an actuating direction B. The actuating element 14 is accommodated in an actuating opening 102 of the housing 10 and can be displaced relative to the housing 10 along the actuating direction B in order thereby to act on the clamping leg 120 of the spring element 12 and to adjust the latter between the clamping position and a release position.The actuating element 14 has a head 140 which is accessible via the actuating opening 102 from outside the housing 10 and can thus be actuated by a user, for example using a tool. A shaft 141 extends from the head 140 and serves to act on the spring element 12 to adjust the clamping limb 120. For this purpose, in the exemplary embodiment shown, an operating section 147 is formed on the shaft 141, with which the actuating element 14 acts on the clamping limb 120 of the spring element 12 when adjusted into an actuated position and transfers the latter into the release position.In the actuated position of the actuating element 14, illustrated in FIGS. 1A-1D, the active section 147 is in contact with the clamping limb 120, as can be seen, for example, from FIGS. 1A, 1B, and, via this, holds the clamping limb 120 in the release position.A latching element 143 is formed on the shank 141, which latching element is formed by a step-shaped edge which extends approximately perpendicularly to the actuating direction B and serves for latching the actuating element 14 in the actuated position. Thus, in the actuated position of the actuating element 14, shown in FIGS. 1A-1D, the latching element 143 on the actuating element 14 is in engagement with an associated counter latching element 104 on an inner housing wall of the housing 10 and is fixed via it in a positive-locking or force-locking manner with respect to the housing 10 along the actuating direction B, which is oriented parallel to the plug-in direction E. In the actuated position, the actuating element 14 is thus latched to the housing 10.By means of the latching with the housing, the actuating element 14 holds the clamping leg 120 of the spring element 12 in the release position and thus at a distance from the surface section 110 of the contact element 11, such that an electrical line 2 can be inserted in a substantially force-free manner into the plug opening 100 along the plug-in direction E and can thereby be connected to the connection terminal 1. In the release position, the clamping leg 120 is elastically deflected relative to the support leg 121 and thus provides an elastic clamping force on the actuating element 14 in the direction of an engagement of the latching element 143 with the counter-latching element 104, such that the actuating element 14 is held in the latched position under prestress of the clamping leg 120.An end 142 is formed on the shank 141, forming an adjusting section 145, via which the actuating element 14 interacts with a release element 13 of the connection terminal 1. Between the end 142 and the active section 147, the shaft forms an opening 146, through which the clamping leg 120 of the spring element 12 engages.The actuating element 14 is operatively connected via the actuating section 145 to an associated actuating section 133 on the triggering element 13.In the exemplary embodiment shown, the triggering element 13 is adjustable relative to the housing 10 in a guided manner. For this purpose, the triggering element 13 has an actuating section 134 in the form of an oblique edge, which interacts with an associated actuating section 107 in the form of an oblique edge on the housing 10.The triggering element 13 serves for cooperation with an electrical line 2 inserted into the plug-in opening 100 in order to automatically connect the electrical line 2 to the connection terminal 1 by triggering the clamping limb 120. If the actuating element 14 is in the actuated position according to FIGS. 1A-1D, the triggering element 13 assumes the starting position which can be seen in FIGS. 1A-1D and in which the actuating portions 133, 145 of the triggering element 13 and of the actuating element 14 are in contact with one another. The actuating sections 133, 145 are each inclined obliquely here (in a plane spanned by the actuating direction B and a transverse direction Q, corresponding to the sectional plane according to FIG. 1A ) and in the starting position are in engagement with one another, such that the actuating element 14, which is latched to the housing 10 via the latching element 143, holds the triggering element 13 in position.If, when the actuating element 14 is in the actuated position, an electrical line is connected to the connection terminal 1 by the line being inserted into the plug opening 100 and coming into contact with the box-shaped triggering element 13 along the plug-in direction E, the triggering element 13 is adjusted in the plug-in direction E and also transversely in the transverse direction Q relative to the housing 10 by the triggering element 13 running with the adjusting section 134 onto the associated adjusting section 107 on the housing 10 and being adjusted on account of the oblique extent of the adjusting sections 107, 134 in the housing 10, as can be seen from FIGS. 2A-2D.When the triggering element 13 is adjusted, the adjusting section 133 of the triggering element 13, which is formed on an edge facing away from the adjusting section 134, slides along the associated adjusting section 145 on the shaft 141 of the actuating element 14, which adjusting section extends obliquely to the actuating direction B, and thereby adjusts the actuating element 14 by tilting in the transverse direction Q, such that the latching element 143 is brought out of engagement with the associated counter-latching element 104 on the housing 10 and the latching of the actuating element 14 to the housing 10 is thus canceled.If the actuation element 14 has been released from locking by triggering the triggering element 13, the actuation element 14 is moved counter to the actuation direction B relative to the housing 10 due to the spring prestress of the clamping limb 120, as is shown in FIGS. 3A-3D. The actuating element 14 thus slides upwards in the actuating opening 102, and the clamping limb 120 comes into contact with the line end 20 and presses the latter into contact with the surface section 110 of the contact element 12, as can be seen from the sectional views according to FIGS. 3A and 3C.The actuating element 14 is prevented from sliding out of the actuating opening 102 by the actuating element 14 coming, via the latching element 143, for example, into contact with a contact edge 106 on the housing, as can be seen from FIGS. 3A and 3C.Because the actuating element 14 is automatically moved out of the actuated position due to the spring prestress of the clamping leg 120 after releasing the hold, a user can reliably and reliably identify that the connection terminal 1 has triggered and the electrical line 2 is thus connected to the connection terminal 1. The risk of incorrect operation is thus reduced.If a connected electrical line is to be released again, the actuating element 14 is transferred back into the actuated position according to FIGS. 1A-1D, as a result of which the actuating section 145 of the actuating element 14 acts on the actuating section 133 of the triggering element 13 and transfers the triggering element 13 back into the starting position according to FIGS. 1A-1D. Due to the guidance of the triggering element 13 via the actuating section 134 on the associated actuating section 107 of the housing 10, the triggering element 13 slides in this case counter to the transverse direction Q and counter to the plug-in direction E relative to the housing 10 and thus, when the actuating element 14 is actuated, again assumes the starting position according to FIGS. 1A-1D.The resetting of the triggering element 13 thus takes place automatically upon actuation of the actuating element 14, without a prestress being required for this purpose, for example by means of a resetting spring, on the triggering element 13.In the exemplary embodiment shown, as can be seen from the separate view of the contact element 11 according to FIG. 4, the contact element 11 has a surface section 110 with which the electrical line 2 is pressed into pressing contact after connection to the connection terminal 1, so that the line 2 is electrically connected to the connection terminal 1. A base section 111 is bent over to the surface section 110, which forms the base of the connection terminal 1 and delimits the interior 101 within the housing 10 along the plug-in direction E. A tab-shaped fixing element 115 is extended from the base section 111, which provides a fixing via the base section 111 in the housing 10.In the exemplary embodiment shown, a reinforcing section 114 is bent over to the surface section 110, which reinforcing section serves for reinforcing the housing 10, in particular in the region of the counter-latching element 104. Thus, the reinforcing section 114 extends from the surface section 110 transversely to the plug-in direction E in the transverse direction Q in the direction of the mating latching element 104 and is embedded between housing sections 105, 108 of the housing 10 by a first housing section 105 being arranged above (as viewed along the plug-in direction E) and a second housing section 108 being arranged below the reinforcing section 114, as can be seen, for example, from the front view according to FIG. 1B. Housing sections 105, 108 are thus arranged on both sides of the reinforcing section 114 and accommodate the reinforcing section 114 between them, so that the housing 10 is reinforced in regions in the region of the counter-latching element 104 via the reinforcing section 114.The contact element 11 is integrally and integrally formed as a whole, for example as a metal part, for example as a stamped and bent part. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the reinforcing section 114 is cut free from the surface section 110 and bent over approximately 90° with respect to the surface section 110.In the region of the transition between the surface section 110 and the reinforcing section 114, an end section 112 is formed, which is set obliquely to the plug-in direction E and obliquely to the transverse direction Q and forms a fixing opening 113. An associated counter element of the housing 10 engages in the fixing opening 113, so that the contact element 11 is latched to the housing 10 via it and, when the housing 10 is open laterally, as in the exemplary embodiment shown, cannot fall out of the housing 10 laterally (along a depth direction perpendicular to the plug-in direction E and to the transverse direction Q), as can be seen from the views according to FIGS. 5A, 5B.The end section 112 is also accommodated in the housing 10 in such a way that the end section 112 lies between housing walls. By means of the end section 112, an additional support and force introduction can be provided between the housing 10 and the contact element 11.Via the reinforcing section 114, forces are absorbed and supported on the housing 10, in particular in the region of the counter-latching element 104. When the actuator 14 is in the actuated position of FIGS. 1A-1D, the deflected clamping leg 120 biases the actuator 14 and forces the actuator 14 into engagement with the mating latch 104. In order to counteract material fatigue on the housing 10, in particular in the region of the counter-latching element 104, the reinforcing section 114 extends starting from the surface section 110 in the direction of the counter-latching element 104 and provides support in the region of the counter-latching element 104, such that load forces can be absorbed and dissipated at the reinforcing section 14.As can be seen from FIG. 4, in the exemplary embodiment shown, the reinforcing section 114 is bent around a first bending axis B 1 relative to the surface section 110, wherein the end section 112 is also bent around the first bending axis B 1 to the surface section 110. The reinforcing portion 114 extends as a tab relative to the surface portion 110 and extends parallel to the base portion 111, wherein the base portion 111 is bent relative to the surface portion 110 about a second bending axis B 2 which is spaced apart from the first bending axis B 1 along the plug-in direction E but runs parallel thereto.In the exemplary embodiment according to FIGS. 1A-1D to 5A, 5B, the reinforcing section 114 extends toward the mating latching element 104 and is exposed at its end face.In another exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 6A, 6B and 7, the reinforcing section 114 is, in contrast, surrounded at its end remote from the surface section 110 by a further, third housing section 109 which engages around the remote end and thus encloses it in a plane spanned by the plug-in direction E and the transverse direction Q.The exemplary embodiment according to FIGS. 6A, 6B and 7 is otherwise identical to the exemplary embodiment according to FIGS. 1A-1D to 5A, 5B, so that reference is made to the preceding explanations in this respect.In yet another embodiment shown in FIGS. 8A, 8B and 9, the reinforcement portion 114 is formed on a wall portion 116 that is bent around a bending axis B 1 toward the surface portion 110. The bending axis B 1 is directed along the plug-in direction E and perpendicular to the bending axis B 2, about which the base section 111 is bent to the surface section 110.In the exemplary embodiment shown, the reinforcing section 114 is formed by an upper edge section of the wall section 116. A first housing portion 105 is arranged above the reinforcing portion 114 (with respect to the insertion direction E assumed to be the vertical direction). A second housing section 108 engages in a recess 117 on the wall section 116 so that the reinforcing section 114 on the housing 10 is embedded above it and forces can be absorbed and dissipated at the reinforcing section 114.Otherwise, the exemplary embodiment according to FIGS. 8A, 8B and 9 is again functionally identical to the exemplary embodiment according to FIGS. 1A-1D to 5A, 5B, so that reference is made to the above explanations in this respect.In yet another exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 10A, 10B and 11, the reinforcing section 114 of the contact element 11 is bent around a bending axis B 1 toward the surface section 110, which is directed parallel to the bending axis B 2 around which the base section 111 is bent around toward the surface section 110. An opening 118 is formed on the reinforcing section 114, through which an electrical line is guided when it is inserted into the insertion opening 100 of the housing, in order to guide the line with one line end into the region of the clamping limb 120 of the spring element 12 and thus to connect the line to the connection terminal 1. The reinforcing section 114 again serves to support the housing 10, in particular in the region of the counter-latching element 104, so that load forces can be absorbed and dissipated, in particular in the region of the counter-latching element 104.Otherwise, the exemplary embodiment according to FIGS. 10A, 10B and 11 is functionally identical to the exemplary embodiment according to FIGS. 1A-1D to 5A, 5B, so that reference is made to the above explanations in this respect.In yet another exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 12A, 12B and 13, the reinforcing section 114 is formed by two mutually parallel extending tongues which are set obliquely to the surface section 110 and are bent around a bending axis B 1 to the surface section 110. The bending axis B 1 is directed parallel to the bending axis B 2 about which the base portion 111 is bent to the surface portion 110.Between the tabs forming the reinforcing portion 114 an opening 118 is formed which is open when viewed along the transverse direction Q. An electrical line can be introduced into the opening 118 and thus between the tabs of the reinforcing section 114 when the electrical line is connected to the connection terminal 1.Due to the fact that the tabs forming the reinforcing section 114 are set obliquely to the plug-in direction E and obliquely to the transverse direction Q and in the process point toward the clamping limb 120, spring forces of the clamping limb 120 can advantageously be absorbed and dissipated at ends of the tabs of the reinforcing section 114 remote from the surface section 110. Due to the oblique position, the tabs of the reinforcing section 114 are aligned in particular with respect to the actuating element 14 and the clamping limb 120 in such a way that load forces act approximately along the direction of longitudinal extent of the tabs of the reinforcing section 114. The reinforcing section 114 is thus loaded substantially along the (oblique) longitudinal extension direction, but not transversely thereto, so that a bending load on the bending axis B 1 is low.Functionally, the exemplary embodiment according to FIGS. 12A, 12B and 13 is otherwise again identical to the exemplary embodiment according to FIGS. 1A-1D to 5A, 5B, so that reference is made to the above explanations in this respect.In another exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 14A, 14B to 16A, 16B, a connection terminal 1 has a housing 10, which forms a plug opening 100 for plugging in an electrical line 2 along a plug-in direction E and has a contact element 11 and a spring element 12.As in the preceding exemplary embodiments, the contact element 11 forms a surface section 110 for making electrical contact with an inserted electrical line 2. The spring element 12 has a support leg 121 supported on the housing 10 and a clamping leg 120 which is elastically adjustable with respect to the support leg 121. For connecting an electrical line 2, the electrical line 2 can be introduced via the plug-in opening 100 into a receiving space 101 within the housing 10 and is pressed in the receiving space 101 via the clamping leg 120 of the spring element 12 in contact against the surface section 110 of the contact element 11 and is thereby electrically contacted with the contact element 11 and mechanically locked to the connection terminal 1.The terminal 1 has an operating member 14 that forms a head 140 and a shaft 141 extending from the head 140. An opening 146 is formed on the shaft 141, through which the clamping leg 120 of the spring element 12 engages. The actuating element 14 can be adjusted relative to the housing along an actuating direction B between an unactuated position (FIGS. 14A, 15A and 16A ) and an actuated position (FIGS. 14B, 15B and 16B ) and acts on the clamping leg 120 via an operating section 147 above the opening 146 of the shank 141 in order to transfer the clamping leg, upon adjustment in the direction of the actuated position, from a clamping position into a release position in which a region within the receiving space 101 aligned with the plug opening 100 along the plug direction E is released by the clamping leg 120, so that an electrical line 2 can be inserted into the plug opening 100 and connected to the connection terminal 1 in a substantially forceless manner.Formed on the shaft 141 are latching elements 143, 144 which are designed for latching with a counter-latching element 104 which is stationary with respect to the housing 10. In the unactuated position, the actuating element 14 is in engagement with the counter-latching element 104 via the latching element 144, as can be seen from FIGS. 14A, 15A, 16A. In the actuated position, on the other hand, the latching element 143 is latchingly engaged with the counter-latching element 104, as can be seen from FIGS. 14B, 15B and 16B, so that the actuating element 14 is latched relative to the housing 10 via it in the actuated position.Because the actuating element 14 acts on the clamping leg 120 via the operating section 147 in the actuated position, the clamping leg 120 of the spring element 12 is also held in the release position via the actuating element 14 when the actuating element 14 is in the actuated position.In the exemplary embodiment shown, the connection terminal 1 has a release element 13 which is mounted on the housing 10 such that it can be pivoted via a bearing axis 131 and forms a release limb 130, which extends substantially perpendicularly to the plug-in direction E and in the process projects into a region aligned with the plug-in opening 100 along the plug-in direction E, as can be seen in particular from the sectional views according to FIGS. 16A, 16B.As can be seen from FIGS. 14A and 14B, the triggering element 13 has an opening 132 in the region of the triggering limb 130, into which the shank 141 of the actuating element 14 engages with one end 142 when the actuating element 14 is in the actuated position. In this case, an adjusting section 145 comes to lie at the end 142 of the shank 141 in the region of an adjusting section 133 of the triggering element 13.When inserted, an electrical line 2 acts on the release leg 130 of the release element 13 and thereby pivots the release element 13 about the bearing axis 131. As a result, the triggering element 13 acts with the actuating section 133 on the actuating section 145 at the end 142 of the shaft 141 of the actuating element 14 and tilts the actuating element 14 within the housing 10, such that the shaft 141 is moved substantially in a transverse direction Q relative to the housing 10 and the latching element 143 is thereby brought out of engagement with the mating latching element 104 of the housing 10. The latching of the actuating element 14 is thus automatically released when an electrical line 2 is inserted, so that the actuating element 14 is released from the actuated position and therefore the clamping limb 120 is also no longer held in the release position. The clamping leg 120 thus moves in the direction of the clamping position due to the spring prestress of the spring element 12 and clamps the inserted electrical line 2 within the receiving space 101 to the surface section 110 of the contact element 11, with the result that the electrical line 2 is electrically connected to the contact element 11 and is additionally mechanically locked to the connection terminal 1.If the connected electrical line 2 is to be detached from the connection terminal 1 again, the actuating element 14 can be pressed into the housing 10 in the actuating direction B and can thus be moved from the non-actuated position (FIG. 16A ) into the actuated position (FIG. 16B ) in order to transfer the clamping limb 120 into the release position and thus release the electrical line 2.In the exemplary embodiment shown, the contact element 11 has a wall section 116 which is bent over to form the surface section 110 and on which a reinforcing section 114 is formed. The reinforcing section 114 is formed by an upper edge section of the wall section 116 and is thus bent together with the wall section 116 to form the surface section 110.In the illustrated embodiment, the reinforcement portion 114 includes a beam member 114A that extends perpendicular to the wall portion 116 and protrudes from the wall portion 116 into the area of the receiving space 101 within the housing 10. The beam element 114A forms the counter-latching element 104 and is in supporting contact with housing sections 105, 105A (see FIGS. 16A and 16B ), so that the housing 10 is supported and reinforced via the beam element 114A where the latching with the actuating element 14 is produced both in the actuated position (FIG. 16B ) and in the non-actuated position (FIG. 16A ).Because the housing 10 is supported via the reinforcing section 114 and the beam element 114A formed thereon, the housing 10 is specifically reinforced in the region of the latching with the actuating element 14. The counter-latching element 104 is formed here by an edge on the beam element 114A, wherein the beam element 114A bears in a supporting manner against wall sections 105, 105A of the housing 10 and thus brings about a reinforcement of the housing 10. Material fatigue of the housing 10, in particular where the latching with the actuating element 14 is produced, is thus counteracted.In the exemplary embodiment shown, the wall section 116 with the reinforcing section 114 formed thereon extends laterally of the housing 10 and is bent around a bending axis B 1 toward the surface section 110. The wall section 116 with the reinforcing section 114 formed thereon is perpendicular to the surface section 110 with which an inserted electrical line 2 can be electrically contacted via the clamping leg 120, wherein the beam element 114A of the reinforcing section 114 extends starting from the wall section 116 into the housing 10 and is directed parallel to the surface section 110.In the exemplary embodiment shown, a base section 111 of the contact element 11 is bent around a bending axis B 4 relative to the wall section 116.In a further exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 17A, 17B to 19A, 19B, the reinforcing section 114 of the contact element 11 formed on the wall section 116 has a beam element 114A which bears in a supporting manner against a housing section 105 of the housing 10, wherein the mating latching element 104 is formed on the housing section 105, namely on a step on the housing section 105. The beam element 114A of the reinforcing section 114 reinforces the housing 10 in the region of the housing section 105.Otherwise, the exemplary embodiment according to FIGS. 17A, 17B to 19A, 19B is functionally identical to the exemplary embodiment according to FIGS. 14A, 14B to 16A, 16B, so that reference is also made to the preceding explanations.In yet another exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 20A, 20B to 22A, 22B, the reinforcing section 114 of the contact element 11 formed on the wall section 116 has a beam element 114A, which bears in a supporting manner against housing sections 105, 105A and in the process forms the mating latching element 104. In the unactuated position, the actuator 14 engages the mating latch 104 formed by the beam member 114A via the latch 144, as shown in FIG. 22A. In the actuated position, on the other hand, the latching element 143 is latchingly engaged with the counter latching element 104 of the bar element 114A, so that the actuating element 14 is latched relative to the housing 10 via this in the actuated position. The beam element 114A provides a supporting reinforcement on the housing 10 by its contact and embedding on the housing sections 105, 105A.Otherwise, the exemplary embodiment according to FIGS. 20A, 20B to 22A, 22B is also functionally identical to the exemplary embodiment according to FIGS. 14A, 14B to 16A, 16B, so that reference is made to the explanations in this respect.The idea underlying the invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiment described above, but can also be realized in another way.The triggering element can be mounted pivotably via a bearing axis on the housing or on a component stationary with respect to the housing.The actuating element can be prestressed by the action of the clamping limb of the spring element in the direction of the non-actuated position. However, it is also conceivable to provide an additional pretensioning element, which pretensions the actuating element counter to the actuating direction in the direction of the non-actuated position relative to the housing. Such a biasing element may be configured by a compression spring or another mechanical spring, for example.List of reference characters1 Connection terminal 10 Housing 100 Plug-in opening 101 Receiving space 102 Actuation opening 103 Housing portion 104 Latching element 105, 105A Housing portion 106 Contact edge 107 Actuating portion 108 Housing portion 109 Housing portion 11 Contact element (current bar) 110 Surface portion 111 Base portion 112 End portion 113 Fixing opening 114 Reinforcing portion (tab) 114A Bar element 115 Fixing element 116 Wall portion 117 Recess 118 Opening 12 Clamping spring 120 Clamping leg 121 Supporting leg 122 Intermediate portion 13 Triggering element 130 Triggering leg 131 Bearing axle 132 Opening 133 Actuating portion 134 Actuating portion 14 Actuation element 140 Head 141 Shaft 142 End 143 Latching element 144 Latching element 145 Actuating portion 146 Opening 147 Effective portion 2 Line 20 Conductor end B Actuation direction B 1-B 4 Bending axis E Plug-in direction Q Transverse directionReferences included in the specificationThis list of documents cited by the applicant has been produced in an automated manner and is only included for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent application or utility model application. The DPMA does not take any adhesion for any faults or omissions.Patent Literature citedDE 10 2019,127 464 B3 [0004, 0005, 0006]DE 10 2019 135 203 A1

[0006] DE 10 2020 104 140 A1

[0006]

Claims

A connection terminal (1) for connecting an electrical line (2), comprising a housing (10) having a plug opening (100) into which an electrical line (2) for connection to the connection terminal (1) can be inserted along a plug-in direction (E), a contact element (11) arranged on the housing (10) for making electrical contact with the electrical line (2), a spring element (12) arranged on the housing (10), which spring element has a clamping limb (120) for acting on the electrical line (2) in order to bring the electrical line (2) into contact with the contact element (11), and an actuating element (14) arranged adjustably on the housing (10), which is adjustable for adjusting the clamping limb (120) in an actuating direction (B) from a non-actuated position into an actuated position and is locked relative to the housing (10) in the actuated position, wherein the actuating element (14) has a latching element (143) which, in the actuated position of the actuating element (14), is latched to an associated mating latching element (104) which is stationary with respect to the housing (10), characterized in that the contact element (11) has a surface section (110) for making electrical contact with the electrical line (2) and a reinforcing section (114) which is bent over to the surface section (110), wherein the reinforcing section (114) extends, starting from the surface section (110), in the direction of the mating latching element (104) and is in supporting contact with at least one housing section (105, 108, 109).Connection terminal (1) according to Claim 1, characterized in that the mating latching element (104) is formed by a section of the housing (10).Connection terminal (1) according to Claim 1, characterized in that the mating latching element (104) is formed by the reinforcing section (114).The connection terminal (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that a first housing section (105) is arranged on a first side of the reinforcement section (114) and a second housing section (108) is arranged on a second side of the reinforcement section (114) facing away from the first side.Connection terminal (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a third housing section (109) engages around an end of the reinforcing section (114) which is remote from the surface section (110).The terminal (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the reinforcing portion (114) extends perpendicularly or obliquely to the surface portion (110).Connection terminal (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the reinforcing section (114) is formed on a wall section (116) of the contact element (11) which is bent over to form the surface section (110).The terminal (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that the reinforcing portion (114) comprises a beam element (114A) protruding from the wall portion (116) and supportingly abutting at least one housing portion (105, 108, 109).The terminal (1) according to claim 8, characterized in that the beam element (114A) extends parallel to the surface portion (110).Connection terminal (1) according to claim 8 or 9, characterised in that the beam element (114A) forms the counter-latching element (104) or supports a section of the housing (10) forming the counter-latching element (104).Connection terminal (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the contact element (110) has a base section (111) which is bent over to the surface section (110) and is spaced apart from the reinforcing section (114).The connection terminal (1) according to claim 11, characterized in that the reinforcing portion (114) is bent around a first bending axis (B1) to the surface portion (110), and the base portion (111) is bent around a second bending axis (B2) different from the first bending axis (B1) to the surface portion (110).The terminal (1) according to claim 12, characterized in that the first bending axis (B1) and the second bending axis (B2) are directed parallel or perpendicular to each other.The terminal (1) according to any one of claims 11 to 13, characterized in that the reinforcing portion (114) and the base portion (111) are extended in parallel with each other.Connection terminal (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the contact element (110) has an end section (112) which is bent over to form the surface section (110) and on which a fixing opening (113) is formed, which is latched to the housing (10) in order to fix the contact element (11).Connection terminal (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bya release element (13) which is arranged so as to be displaceable relative to the housing (10) in the actuated position of the actuation element (14) is arranged in an initial position relative to the housing (10) and, when an electrical line (2) is inserted into the plug-in opening (100), is displaceable out of the initial position by cooperation with the electrical line (2) in order to release the actuation element (14) from the actuated position.Connection terminal (1) according to claim 16, characterised in that the actuating element (14) has a first actuating section (145) and the triggering element (13) has a second actuating section (133), wherein the actuating element (14) is designed, when adjusted into the actuated position, to act via the first actuating section (145) on the second actuating section (133) for returning the triggering element (13) into the starting position.Connection terminal (1) according to claim 17, characterised in that the release element (13) is designed to act on the first actuating section (145) by means of the second actuating section (133) in order to release the actuating element (14) from the actuated position.Connection terminal (1) according to claim 17 or 18, characterised in that the release element (13) is designed to adjust the actuating element (14) relative to the housing (10) from the actuated position in a transverse direction (Q) pointing transversely to the plug-in direction (E) for release, wherein the first actuating portion (145) and / or the second actuating portion (133) is curved obliquely to the plug-in direction (E) and to the transverse direction (Q) or in a plane spanned by the plug-in direction (E) and the transverse direction (Q).Connection terminal (1) according to one of claims 17 to 19, characterised in that the triggering element (13) has a third actuating section (134) and the housing (10) or a component fixed in place relative to the housing (10) has a fourth actuating section (107), wherein the triggering element (13) is arranged on the housing (10) such that, when an adjustment is effected by insertion of the electrical line (2), the triggering element (13) slides out of the starting position with the third actuating section (134) on the fourth actuating section (107) and is thereby adjusted in the insertion direction (E) and also in the transverse direction (Q) relative to the housing (10).Connection terminal (1) according to claim 20, characterised in that the release element (13) is guided in a sliding manner on the fourth adjustment section via the third adjustment section (134) when the actuation element (14) is adjusted into the actuated position in such a way that the release element (13) is returned into the starting position counter to the plug-in direction (E) and counter to the transverse direction (Q).Connection terminal (1) according to claim 20 or 21, characterised in that the third adjusting section (134) and / or the fourth adjusting section (107) is curved obliquely to the plug-in direction (E) and to the transverse direction (Q) or in a plane spanned by the plug-in direction (E) and the transverse direction (Q).Connection terminal (1) according to one of claims 17 to 20, characterised in that the release element (13) is mounted pivotably relative to the housing (10) and has a release limb (130) for cooperation with the electrical line (2).Connection terminal (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the spring element (12) has a supporting leg (121), which is supported on the housing (10) and with respect to which the clamping leg (120) can be elastically deflected.Connection terminal (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the reinforcing section (114) points in the direction of the clamping limb (120) starting from the surface section (110).Connection terminal (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, as viewed along the plug-in direction (E), the plug-in opening (100) is arranged on one side of the reinforcing section (114), and one end of the clamping limb (120) is arranged on another side of the reinforcing section (114), said other side being remote from the one side.Connection terminal (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the reinforcing section (114) has an opening (118) through which the electrical line (2) can be guided when it is inserted into the plug opening (100).

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