Terminal block for connecting an electrical line

Abstract

A terminal block (1) for connecting an electrical conductor (2) comprises a housing (10) having a plug-in opening (101) into which the electrical conductor (2) can be inserted for connection to the terminal block (1). 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), pivotably arranged on the housing (10), is adjustable for moving the clamping leg (120) from an unactuated position to an actuated position and has a cam (144) for acting on the clamping leg (120). An elastically spring-loaded release element (13) has a release leg (130) and a latching leg (132).The cam (144) of the actuating element (14) is locked in the actuated position with the locking lever (132).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a terminal for connecting an electrical line according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0002] Such a terminal comprises a housing having a plug-in opening into which the electrical line can be inserted for connection to the terminal. A contact element for making electrical contact with the electrical line is arranged on the housing. Also arranged on the housing is a spring element having a clamping leg 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 is pivotably arranged on the housing and can be actuated by a user to adjust the clamping leg.For this purpose, the actuating element can be adjusted from a non-actuated position to an actuated position, for example, using a tool. In the actuated position, the clamping leg can be adjusted, for example, to facilitate insertion of the electrical cable into the plug-in opening or removal of the electrical cable from the plug-in opening. The actuating element has a cam for acting on the clamping leg, so that pivoting the actuating element relative to the housing adjusts the cam, thereby moving the clamping leg.

[0003] A connection terminal in which a clamping leg of a spring element is adjusted via a cam of an actuating element is known, for example, from WO 2018 / 010893 A1.

[0004] Such a connection terminal realizes a spring force connection by using the spring element, in which the electrical line in the connected position is clamped to the contact element under the elastic spring action of the spring element and is thus electrically connected to the contact element.

[0005] A connecting terminal known from DE 10 2019 127 464 B3 features a spring element in the form of a tension spring, which draws a connected electrical cable into contact with an associated contact element through elastic spring action, thus establishing a clamped connection between the electrical cable and the contact element. For this purpose, the electrical cable is pushed through an opening in the clamping leg when applied and clamped between the clamping leg and the contact element in the connected position.

[0006] The terminal of DE 10 2019 127 464 B3 features a locking device by which the clamping leg is locked in a release position relative to the housing. When the electrical cable is inserted, the locking device is triggered, thus releasing the locking, so that the clamping leg is moved out of the release position and the electrical cable is thereby clamped to the contact element. To move the clamping leg into the release position, in particular to enable the electrical cable to be attached or to detach a connected electrical cable from the terminal, a tool, such as a screwdriver, can be placed on the terminal, thereby exerting a force on the clamping leg.

[0007] While in DE 10 2019 127 464 B3 the clamping leg is adjusted directly using a tool, the connection terminals known from DE 10 2019 135 203 A1 and DE 10 2020 104 140 A1 each provide an actuating element in the form of a so-called pusher, which can be pressed into the housing of the connection terminal in order to act on the clamping leg and move the clamping leg into its release position. The actuating element is spring-loaded relative to the housing of the connection terminal by a tension spring in the form of a compression spring. In the connection terminal known from DE 10 2019 135 203 A1, an actuating lug is arranged on the actuating element, which, when the actuating element is in the actuated position, is hooked onto a fastening section of a holding element.

[0008] The object of the present invention is 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 cable is inserted.

[0009] This object is achieved by an article having the features of claim 1.

[0010] Accordingly, the terminal block has a release element comprising a release leg and a locking leg. The cam of the actuating element is locked to the locking leg in the actuated position, so that the actuating element is held in position relative to the housing in the actuated position. The locking leg is adjustable relative to the housing through the interaction of the release leg with the electrical cable upon insertion into the plug-in opening, in order to release the actuating element from the actuated position. The release element is made of an elastically resilient material.

[0011] With the connection terminal, the electrical cable is electrically contacted with the electrical contact element by the clamping leg acting on the electrical cable when plugged into the plug-in opening and exerting a spring-elastic load on it in the direction of contact with the contact element. To make plugging in the electrical cable easier, the clamping leg of the spring element can be elastically deflected by actuating the actuating element, in order to move the clamping leg into a release position in which a space inside the housing in the area of ​​the plug-in opening is released. Thus, the electrical cable can be plugged into the plug-in opening with essentially no force, or (alternatively) a connected electrical cable can be easily removed from the connection terminal.The actuating element is designed in the manner of a lever and can be adjusted to the housing by user actuation in order to act on the clamping leg via the cam formed on the actuating element and to adjust the clamping leg in the direction of the release position.

[0012] The actuating element, which is pivotably mounted on the housing, is locked relative to the housing in the actuated position by being operatively connected to the locking leg of the release element. In the actuated position, the actuating element is thus held in position relative to the housing, so that the clamping leg of the spring element is also held in its release position, in which an electrical cable can be easily connected to the terminal or a connected cable can be removed from the terminal in a substantially forceless manner.

[0013] The locking action is achieved via the cam of the actuating element, which also acts on the clamping leg for adjustment. The locking action thus occurs in close spatial proximity to an active point on the cam where the actuating element acts on the clamping leg.

[0014] By actuating the actuating element, the clamping leg can be adjusted relative to the housing and moved into a release position, allowing, in particular, easy insertion of an electrical cable into the plug-in opening of the housing for connecting the cable to the terminal. The release element serves to lock with the actuating element in the actuated position, so that the actuating element is held in position relative to the housing in the actuated position by the release element, namely the locking leg of the release element.The trigger element also serves to trigger the actuating element from the actuated position in order to automatically release the actuating element from the actuated position when the electrical cable is inserted into the plug-in opening and thus to move the clamping leg into a clamping position in which the electrical cable inserted into the plug-in opening is electrically contacted by the contact element of the connection terminal. For this purpose, the trigger element has a trigger leg which is designed to interact with the electrical cable when inserted into the plug-in opening. Through the interaction of the electrical cable with the trigger leg, the trigger leg is adjusted and the locking leg connected to the trigger leg is deflected so that the connection between the locking leg of the trigger element and the cam of the actuating element is canceled and the actuating element is thus released from the actuated position.

[0015] After the locking mechanism is released, the actuating element can, in particular, automatically return to the non-actuated position, preferably under spring preload. Spring preload on the actuating element can be achieved, for example, via the clamping leg, which is elastically deflected in the actuated position and, after the actuating element is released, acts on the actuating element in a spring-mechanical manner to transfer the actuating element from the actuated position toward the non-actuated position. Preload can also be provided, however, via an additional preload element, for example, an additional spring.

[0016] Because the release element is moved toward the housing when the electrical cable is inserted, thereby deflecting the locking leg, the connection terminal closes automatically when the electrical cable is plugged in. This results in a simple connection process, with reliable contact between the electrical cable and the contact element thanks to the clamping action of the clamping leg.

[0017] The release element is made of an elastically springy material. For example, the release element is made of spring steel. The release element is therefore inherently elastically springy and, when interacting with a plugged-in electrical cable, can be elastically deflected to release the locking leg from the locking position of the actuating element and thus release the actuating element from the actuated position.

[0018] Because the trigger element is made of an elastically resilient material, it can be manufactured as a single piece, with the trigger arm interacting with the electrical line and the locking arm interacting with the actuating section. This results in a simple, cost-effective design that allows for easy assembly with comparatively few components.

[0019] Because the trigger element can be elastically deflected relative to the housing, a preload can be provided via the trigger element on the trigger leg towards an initial position, which causes the trigger element with the trigger leg to automatically assume the initial position when no electrical cable is plugged into the plug-in opening of the housing. When the actuating element is moved into the actuated position, the trigger element can be elastically deflected in order to establish the locking connection between the locking leg and the cam of the actuating element. In addition, the trigger element can be elastically deflected when an electrical cable is plugged into the plug-in opening in order to thereby cancel the locking connection between the locking leg and the cam of the actuating element.

[0020] In one embodiment, the trigger element has a base portion from which the trigger leg extends and on which the locking leg is formed. The trigger element is preferably integrally formed in one piece. For example, the trigger leg and the locking leg are each bent toward the base portion, so that the locking leg and the trigger leg extend in different directions from the base portion.

[0021] For example, the base section has an end that is supported on the housing such that the trigger element can be elastically deflected relative to the housing. The base section can be supported on the housing via the end, for example in a torque-resistant manner, so that the end is held in position on the housing, but the trigger leg can be deflected under elastic deformation on the trigger leg and / or on the base section in order to move the locking leg formed on the base section relative to the cam of the actuating element. The trigger element is thus fixed to the housing via the end, wherein due to the elastically springy design, the trigger element can be deformed at least in sections in order to enable the locking leg to engage with the cam of the actuating element and to elastically deflect the trigger leg when interacting with an inserted electrical cable.

[0022] In one embodiment, the trigger arm is directed perpendicular to the base section. In an initial position, the base section can, for example, rest flat against an associated housing section of the housing. The trigger arm extends perpendicular to the base section such that an electrical cable, when inserted into the plug-in opening, strikes the trigger arm and thus, through interaction with the trigger element, releases the locking of the actuating element in the actuated position.

[0023] In one embodiment, the locking leg is directed obliquely to the base section. The locking leg is preferably formed on the base section and bent at an oblique angle to the base section. The locking leg is oriented such that a locking connection with the cam of the actuating element can be reliably established when the actuating element is moved into the actuated position, and the actuating element is held resiliently in the actuated position by the locking connection with the locking leg until an electrical cable is inserted into the plug-in opening.

[0024] The terminal block can be delivered by a manufacturer to a customer with the actuating element in the actuated position, allowing an electrical cable to be connected to the terminal block in a simple, essentially forceless manner. When an electrical cable is connected, the terminal block closes automatically, resulting in a simple connection process.

[0025] In one embodiment, the housing defines a receiving space into which the electrical cable can be inserted by being inserted into the plug-in opening. The triggering leg extends into the receiving space to interact with the electrical cable. In particular, the electrical cable can be inserted into the plug-in opening along a plug-in direction, wherein the triggering leg extends in an initial position transversely to the plug-in direction in the receiving space. The locking leg is adjustable via the triggering leg relative to the housing, so that upon interaction with the electrical cable, the triggering leg is moved from the initial position and the locking leg is thereby adjusted to release the locking connection with the actuating element.

[0026] For example, the trigger arm can define a lever arm that is larger than the lever arm of the locking arm. This allows an electrical cable to act on the trigger arm with a comparatively small force to move it from its initial position.

[0027] 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 cable into contact with the contact element using spring force. In this case, an opening can be formed on the clamping leg, for example, through which the electrical cable can be passed when inserted into the plug-in opening of the housing. After the clamping leg is released from the release position, the electrical cable is pulled into clamping contact with the contact element.

[0028] Alternatively, the spring element can be designed as a compression spring. In this case, the clamping leg is designed to press the electrical cable into contact with the contact element using spring force. When inserted into the plug-in opening, the electrical cable enters a space between the clamping leg and the contact element. After the clamping leg is released from the release position, the clamping leg acts on the electrical cable and presses it into contact with the contact element.

[0029] 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 in the release position relative to the housing by the actuating element, which is locked in the actuated position. The clamping leg is thus locked in the release position relative to the housing, so that the clamping leg remains in the release position after actuating the actuating element.

[0030] The spring element can, for example, have a support leg, via which the spring element is supported on the housing and held in position on the housing. The clamping leg is elastically deflectable relative to the support leg. In the release position, the clamping leg is deflected such that the spring element is elastically tensioned and, after being released from the release position, the clamping leg is moved out of the release position in an elastically pretensioned manner.

[0031] In one embodiment, the cam has a locking portion for locking with the locking leg of the trigger element in the actuated position. In the actuated position, the locking portion of the cam engages with the locking leg of the trigger element in a locking manner, so that the actuating element is locked with the locking leg via the cam and thus held in position relative to the housing. By engaging with the locking leg, the cam is held in position in a positive-locking manner, so that the actuating element is locked in the actuated position and the clamping leg of the spring element is held in the release position.

[0032] In one embodiment, the locking portion can be formed by a groove on the cam. The locking leg of the trigger element engages in the groove when the actuating element is in the actuated position, so that the actuating element is locked relative to the housing. The locking leg of the trigger element can, for example, be designed as a substantially rigid portion formed on the base portion, which is substantially non-deformable under prevailing loading forces, particularly along a loading direction along which a force is introduced from the actuating element into the locking leg, so that the actuating element is held in position in the locked position by the locking leg.

[0033] In one embodiment, the spring element has a lever arranged on the clamping leg. The lever protrudes, for example, from the clamping leg and is bent toward the clamping leg such that it points into the region of the cam of the actuating element pivotably mounted on the housing. The spring element can be formed, for example, as an integral, one-piece sheet metal element, for example, as a stamped and bent part made of spring steel, so that the lever is integrally formed on the clamping leg and protrudes from the clamping leg to enable advantageous force transmission from the cam into the clamping leg.

[0034] The lever can, for example, engage around the support leg in such a way that the cam acts on the lever on a side of the support leg facing away from the clamping leg. This allows the actuating element to be arranged outside a receiving space in the housing into which an electrical cable is inserted for connection to the terminal.

[0035] The concept underlying the invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to the exemplary embodiments illustrated in the figures. They show: Fig. 1 a view of an embodiment of a connection terminal, in a non-actuated position of an actuating element; Fig. 2 a view of the terminal when the actuating element is actuated to transfer the actuating element into an actuated position; Fig. 3 a view of the terminal, in the actuated position of the actuating element; Fig. 4 a view of the connection terminal when an electrical cable is inserted; Fig. 5 a view of the connection terminal, after plugging in the electrical cable, after release of the actuating element from the actuated position, before movement of a clamping leg into a clamping position; Fig. 6 a view of the connection terminal, after plugging in the electrical cable, after releasing the actuating element from the actuated position, after moving the clamping leg into the clamping position; Fig. 7A-7C separate views of a trigger element of the terminal. Fig. 8A-8C separate views of a contact element of the terminal; Fig. 9A-9C separate views of a spring element of the terminal; Fig. 10A-10C separate views of the terminal actuating element; Fig. 11A, Fig. 11B separate views of a first housing part of the terminal; and Fig. 12A, Fig. 12B separate views of a second housing part of the terminal.

[0036] Fig. 1 to 6 show an embodiment of a connection terminal 1, which has a housing 10 with a plug-in opening 100 formed therein for inserting an electrical line 2 along a plug-in direction E.

[0037] The housing 10 defines a receiving space 101 into which the electrical cable 2 with a stripped conductor end 20 is inserted when it is inserted into the plug-in opening 100 along the plug-in direction E. In a connected position, the cable 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 cable 2 is electrically connected to the connection terminal 1.

[0038] The Fig. The spring element 12 shown in separate views in Figures 9A-9C has a support leg 121 which, in the illustrated embodiment, is supported on a surface section 112 of the contact element 11 which is bent over to form a wall 113, so that the spring element 12 is fastened to the housing 10 via it and is fixed to the housing 10. The clamping leg 120 is elastically deflectable relative to the support leg 121, in particular such that the clamping leg 120 is in a Fig. 6, acts in a clamping manner on an electrical line 2 connected to the connection terminal 1 and presses this under elastic prestress into contact with a surface section 110 of the contact element 11 and thus electrically contacts the line 2 with the contact element 11 via its conductor end 20.

[0039] In the illustrated embodiment, an actuating element 14 is pivotably mounted on the housing 10 about a pivot axis 140. The actuating element 14 is received in an actuating opening 102 of the housing 10 and can be pivoted relative to the housing 10 along an actuating direction B about the pivot axis 140 formed by the stub axle on the actuating element 14, in order to thereby act on the clamping leg 120 of the spring element 12 and to adjust it between the clamping position and a release position.

[0040] The Fig. The actuating element 14 shown in separate views in Figures 10A-10C has an actuating portion 141 which is accessible from outside the housing 10 via the actuating opening 102 and can thus be actuated by a user, for example manually or using a tool.

[0041] The actuating element 14 is operatively connected to the clamping leg 120 of the spring element 12. For this purpose, the actuating element 14 has a cam 144 which acts on a lever 122 on the clamping leg 120 of the spring element 12 in order to adjust the latter with elastic deflection towards the support leg 121 in the receiving space 101 of the housing 10. In a Fig. 3, the clamping leg 120 is held in the release position by the actuating element 14, in which a space aligned with the plug-in opening 100 within the housing 10 is released, so that an electrical line 2 can be inserted into the housing 10 in a substantially forceless manner, as can be seen from Fig. 4 is evident.

[0042] The spring element 12 is formed as a one-piece sheet metal element, for example, from spring steel, for example as a stamped and bent part, and is inherently elastic. The lever 122 is formed on the clamping leg 120, protrudes from the clamping leg 120 toward the support leg 121, and engages around the support leg 121 to interact with the cam 144 of the actuating element 14 on a side of the support leg 121 facing away from the clamping leg 120. By actuating the actuating element 14, a force can be introduced into the clamping leg 120 via the lever 122 in order to move it toward the release position and thus deflect it relative to the support leg 121.

[0043] In the illustrated embodiment, the housing 10 is formed by two Fig. 11A, Fig. 11B and Fig. 12A, Fig. 12B and is closed on both sides, so that the actuating element 14 is mounted on both sides of the housing 10. However, it is also conceivable to arrange the connecting terminal 1 in series with other connecting terminals 1, wherein a bearing point for the actuating element 14 can be formed on a rear wall of an adjacent connecting terminal 1.

[0044] The connection terminal 1 has a Fig. 7A-7C, which is formed from an elastically resilient material, for example, spring steel, and is supported on the housing 10 via an end 133 on a base section 131. The end 133 is fixed to the housing 10 in a torque-resistant manner, so that the trigger element 13 is held in position on the housing 10. Because the trigger element 13 is inherently elastically resilient, the trigger element 13 can, however, be elastically released from the Fig. 1 and Fig. 3 shown relaxed starting position.

[0045] The trigger element 13 has a trigger arm 130 which in an initial position (see Fig. 1 and Fig. 3) extends at least approximately transversely to the plug-in direction E and projects in the housing 10 into an area in the receiving space 101 which is aligned with the plug-in opening 100, such that when an electrical cable 2 is plugged in, the cable end 20 of the cable strikes the triggering leg 130 and thus acts on the triggering element 13.

[0046] The release element 13, designed as an elastically resilient element, also has a locking leg 132, which is formed integrally and in one piece with the base section 131 and is positioned at an angle to the base section 131. The release leg 130 extends perpendicularly from the base section 131 and points into the area of ​​the receiving space 101.

[0047] The end 133 is cut free from the material of the trigger arm 130 and the base section 131 and has a reduced width compared to the trigger arm 130 and the base section 131. This results in increased elasticity in the region of the end 133, so that deformation upon elastic deflection of the trigger element 13 occurs primarily in the region of the end 133. The end 133 thus at least approximately defines a pivot axis about which the trigger element 13 can be elastically deflected relative to the housing 10.

[0048] While the release arm 130 is in the initial position according to Fig. 1 and Fig. 3 extends transversely to the plug-in direction E and thus projects into the area of ​​the receiving space 101 aligned with the plug-in opening 100 in order to interact with the electrical cable 2 when plugging in the electrical cable 2, the locking leg 132 projects in the direction of the actuating element 14. In the actuated position, the actuating element 14 is locked to the locking leg 132 by the locking leg 132 engaging in a groove forming a locking section 143 of the cam 144, as can be seen from Fig. 3. In the actuated position, the actuating element 14 is thus held in position relative to the housing 10 via the trigger element 13, in that the locking leg 132 positively engages the groove of the locking portion 143 on the cam 144 of the actuating element 14.

[0049] Because the release leg 130 is integrally connected to the locking leg 132, the locking leg 132 can be moved by actuating the release leg 130 in order to thereby release the locking between the actuating element 14 and the locking leg 132.

[0050] If the actuating element 14 is removed from the Fig. 1 shown non-actuated position to the position shown in Fig. 3, by a user moving the actuating element 14 in the actuating direction B by grasping the actuating section 141, the cam 144 runs onto the locking leg 132 and thereby deflects the trigger element 13, as shown in Fig. 2. If the actuated position is as shown in Fig. 3 is reached, the locking leg 132 slides into engagement with the groove of the locking section 143, so that the actuating element 14 is locked in the actuated position.

[0051] The actuating element 14 cannot be pivoted beyond the actuated position in the actuating direction B relative to the housing 10. In the actuated position, the actuating portion 141 rests against an edge portion 103 of the receiving opening 102 and thus cannot be moved further in the actuating direction B.

[0052] The release element 13 serves to interact with an electrical cable 2 inserted into the plug-in opening 100 in order to automatically connect the electrical cable 2 to the connection terminal 1 by releasing the clamping leg 120. If an electrical cable 2, as shown in Fig. 4 and Fig. 5, inserted into the plug-in opening 100, the cable 2 acts with a conductor end 20 on the release arm 130 and deflects it from the Fig. 3 shown, unloaded starting position, as shown in Fig. 5. Together with the release leg 130, the locking leg 132 is thereby adjusted. The locking between the actuating element 14 and the locking leg 132 is thus released, so that the actuating element 14 is released and the clamping leg 120 of the spring element 12 can be adjusted from the release position to clamp with the electrical line 2, as shown in Fig. 6 is shown.

[0053] The release arm 130 defines a lever arm which is larger than the lever arm of the locking arm 132 for locking with the locking section 143 of the cam 144 of the actuating element 14. This results in a force transmission in which an electrical line 2 with its stripped conductor end 20 can act with comparatively little force on the release arm 130 in order to release it from the Fig. 3. The locking leg 132 is moved in a force-transmitting manner, so that the locking between the locking leg 132 and the locking section 143 of the actuating element 14 is released.

[0054] By dimensioning the release leg 130 and the locking leg 132, the force transmission can be adjusted in a suitable manner for reliable release when an electrical cable 2 is inserted.

[0055] Fig. 8A-8C show separate views of the contact element 11. The contact element 11 has a surface section 110 against which the conductor end 12 is pressed by the clamping action of the clamping leg 120 in the clamping position according to Fig. 6 is pressed, so that the line 2 is thereby contacted with the contact element 11. The surface section 110 is bent towards the wall 113, to which the surface section 112 is also bent at an edge facing away from the surface section 110.

[0056] The following functionality results: If the actuating element 14 is actuated in the actuating direction B and thereby pivoted relative to the housing 10, the actuating element 14 takes the clamping leg 120 of the spring element 12 along with it via the cam 144 and the lever 122 and thereby adjusts the clamping leg 120 into the Fig. 3. In the release position, the clamping leg 120 releases an area within the receiving space 101 that is aligned with the plug-in opening 100 along the plug-in direction E, so that an electrical cable 2 can be inserted into the plug-in opening 100 without hindrance from the clamping leg 120 and thus connected to the connection terminal 1 in a substantially forceless manner.

[0057] By pivoting in the actuating direction B relative to the housing 10, the actuating element 14 reaches the Fig. 3, in which the actuating element 14 is locked to the locking leg 132 of the trigger element 13 via the locking portion 143 in the form of the groove on the cam 144. For this purpose, the locking leg 132 engages in the groove on the cam 144 and thus positively locks the cam 144 and, via it, the actuating element 14.

[0058] In the actuated, tensioned position according to Fig. 3, terminal 1 can also be supplied by a manufacturer.

[0059] If an electrical cable 2 with a stripped conductor end 20 is inserted into the plug-in opening 100 and thereby introduced in the plug-in direction E into the receiving space 101, while the actuating element 14 is in the actuated position and thus the clamping leg 120 is in the release position, the cable 2 comes into contact with the release leg 130 of the release element 13 and thereby pivots the release leg 130 within the housing 10. As a result, the locking leg 132 is adjusted relative to the locking section 143 of the actuating element 14, so that the locking leg 132 releases the cam 144, as shown in Fig. 5. The actuating element 14 is thus released from the actuated position.

[0060] After the locking is released, the actuating element 14 moves out of the actuated position due to the elastic pre-tension on the clamping leg 120 and is returned in the opposite direction to the actuating direction B, as can be seen from Fig. 6. The clamping leg 120 comes into clamping contact with the electrical cable 2 and thereby presses the conductor end 20 into contact with the contact element 11, so that the cable 2 is electrically connected to the connection terminal 1 and is also mechanically locked.

[0061] Via the lever 122, the spring element 12 acts in the actuated position of the actuating element 14 according to Fig. 3 on the cam 144 in such a way that a torque is exerted on the actuating element 14 opposite to the actuating direction B. The tensioned spring element 12 thus loads the actuating element 14 in the direction of a return from the actuated position towards the non-actuated position. As a result, the actuating element 14 experiences an opening moment after the locking is released and is automatically moved by the spring force of the spring element 12 towards the non-actuated position according to Fig. 6 adjusted.

[0062] Because the actuating element 14 is automatically moved out of the actuated position after the locking mechanism is released, a user can safely and reliably detect that the connecting terminal 1 has been triggered and that the electrical line 2 is thus connected to the connecting terminal 1. The risk of incorrect operation is thus reduced.

[0063] If the electrical cable 2 is to be removed from the Fig. 6 shown connected position and removed from the terminal 1, the actuating element 14 can again be moved into the actuated position according to Fig. 3, so that the clamping leg 120 is brought out of contact with the cable 2. The cable 2 can thus be removed from the connection terminal 1 in a substantially forceless manner.

[0064] Due to its elastic design, the trigger element 13 returns to its initial position according to Fig. 3, so that the actuating element 14 locks in the actuated position and a cable 2 can be connected to the connection terminal 1 again.

[0065] The idea underlying the invention is not limited to the embodiment described above, but can also be implemented in other ways.

[0066] The actuating element can be preloaded toward the non-actuated position by the action of the clamping leg of the spring element. However, it is also conceivable to provide an additional preload element that preloads the actuating element relative to the housing, counter to the actuating direction, toward the non-actuated position. Such a preload element can be configured, for example, as a compression spring or another mechanical spring. List of reference symbols 1 connection terminal 10 housings 100 plug-in opening 101 Recording Room 102 Operating opening 103 marginal section 104, 105 housing part 11 Contact element (current bar) 110 area section 112 area section 113 Wall 12 clamping spring 120 clamping legs 121 support legs 122 levers 13 Trigger element 130 trigger arms 131 Base Section 132 locking legs 133 End 14 Actuating element 140 swivel axis 141 Operating section 143 Rest section 144 cams 2 lines 20 ladder end B Actuating direction E Plug-in direction QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents submitted by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the convenience of the reader. This list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] WO 2018 / 010893 A1

[0003] DE 10 2019 127 464 B3 [0005, 0006, 0007] DE 10 2019 135 203 A1

[0007] DE 10 2020 104 140 A1

[0007]

Claims

[1] Connection terminal (1) for connecting an electrical cable (2), with a housing (10) having a plug-in opening (100) into which the electrical cable (2) can be inserted for connection to the connection terminal (1), 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 has a clamping leg (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) pivotably arranged on the housing (10), which is adjustable for adjusting the clamping leg (120) from a non-actuated position to an actuated position and has a cam (144) for acting on the clamping leg (120), characterized bya trigger element (13) having a trigger leg (130) and a latching leg (132), wherein the cam (144) of the actuating element (14) is latched to the latching leg (132) in the actuated position, so that the actuating element (14) is held in position relative to the housing (10) in the actuated position, wherein the latching leg (132) is adjustable relative to the housing (10) by the interaction of the trigger leg (130) with the electrical line (2) when inserted into the plug-in opening (100) in order to release the actuating element (14) from the actuated position, wherein the trigger element (13) is made of an elastically springy material. [2] Connection terminal (1) according to claim 1, characterized by that the trigger element (13) has a base portion (131) from which the trigger leg (130) extends and on which the locking leg (132) is formed. [3] Connection terminal (1) according to claim 2, characterized bythat the base portion (131) has an end (133) which is supported on the housing (10) such that the trigger element (131) is elastically deflectable relative to the housing. [4] Connection terminal (1) according to claim 2 or 3, characterized by that the trigger arm (130) is directed perpendicular to the base section (131). [5] Connection terminal (1) according to one of claims 2 to 4, characterized by that the locking leg (132) is directed obliquely to the base section (131). [6] Connection terminal (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the housing (10) defines a receiving space (101) into which the electrical line (2) can be inserted by inserting it into the plug-in opening (100), wherein the trigger leg (130) extends in the receiving space (101) for cooperation with the electrical line (2). [7] Connection terminal (1) according to claim 6, characterized bythat the electrical cable (2) can be inserted into the plug-in opening (100) along a plug-in direction (E), wherein the release leg (130) extends in an initial position transversely to the plug-in direction (E) in the receiving space (101). [8] Connection terminal (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the release arm (130) is adjustable from the initial position to release the actuating element (14) from the actuated position by interaction with the electrical line (2). [9] Connection terminal (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the clamping leg (120) is designed to push or pull the electrical line (2) into contact with the contact element (11) by spring force. [10] Connection terminal (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the clamping leg (120) is elastically adjustable relative to the housing (10) by actuating the actuating element (14) into a release position and is held in the release position relative to the housing (10) by the actuating element (14) which is locked in the actuated position. [11] Connection terminal (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the spring element (12) has a support leg (121) which is supported relative to the housing (10) and to which the clamping leg (120) can be elastically deflected. [12] Connection terminal (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the cam (144) has a locking portion (143) for locking with the locking leg (132) of the trigger element (13) in the actuated position. [13] Connection terminal (1) according to claim 12, characterized by that the locking section (143) is formed by a groove on the cam (144). [14] Connection terminal (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the spring element (12) has a lever (122) arranged on the clamping leg (120), wherein the cam (144) of the actuating element (14) is designed to act on the lever (122) for adjusting the clamping leg (120).

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