Terminal device for connecting an electrical conductor

Abstract

A terminal device (1) for connecting an electrical conductor (4) comprises a contact element (22) having a contacting section (220), and a connecting device (2) having a spring element (21) with a clamping leg (210) that is adjustable between a clamping position and a release position and is designed to act in a clamping manner on the conductor (4) in the clamping position for electrically contacting the conductor (4) with the contacting section (220) of the contact element (22). The connecting device (2) has a latching element (214) by means of which the clamping leg (210) is held in position relative to the housing (10) in the release position.A busbar connection device (3) has an attachment opening (30) for attaching the terminal device (1) along an attachment direction (A) to a busbar (5), wherein the contact element (22) has a contact section (222) with which the busbar (5) is in electrically contacting contact when the terminal device (1) is attached to the busbar (5).

Description

The invention relates to a terminal device for connecting an electrical conductor according to the preamble of claim 1.Such a terminal device comprises a housing which forms a plug opening into which the electrical conductor can be inserted in a plug-in direction for connection to the terminal device. A contact element has a contacting section. A connection device has a spring element with a clamping leg, which is adjustable between a clamping position and a release position and is designed to act in a clamping manner in the clamping position on the conductor inserted into the plug opening for electrically contacting the conductor with the contacting section of the contact element, wherein the clamping leg is movable from the clamping position into the release position for inserting the conductor into the plug opening or for removing the conductor from the plug opening. The connection device also has a latching element, by means of which the clamping leg is held in position relative to the housing in the release position, wherein the latching element is adjustable when the electrical line is inserted in order to release the clamping leg from the release position.The connection device of the terminal device realizes a spring force connection by using the spring element, in which the electrical conductor 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.While in the clamping position the clamping leg is approached to the contacting section in such a way that a conductor inserted into the plug opening is held clampingly between the clamping leg and the contacting section and thus electrically contacts the contacting section and is additionally preferably mechanically locked to the clamping device, the clamping leg can be transferred into a release position in which the clamping leg is removed from the contacting section and thus an inserted electrical conductor can be removed from the clamping device. In the release position, a conductor can also be plugged onto the clamping device in an essentially force-free manner, wherein after the insertion the clamping leg is transferred from the release position into the clamping position and thus the conductor is clamped to the contacting section.In order to allow simple insertion of a conductor, the clamping leg is held in position relative to the housing by a latching element in the release position. For example, it can be provided that the clamping device is delivered by a manufacturer to a user when the clamping limb is in the release position, so that the user can easily connect an electrical line to the clamping device.In a connection device 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 establishes 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 device of DE 10 2019 127 464 B3, a latching device is provided by means of which the clamping limb 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 to release an attached electrical line from the connection device, a tool, for example a screwdriver, can be attached to the connection device 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 devices known from DE 10 2019 135 203 A1 and DE 10 2020 104 240 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 connection device 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 device. In the connection device 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.DE 10 2021 117 396 A1 describes a connection arrangement for connecting an electrical conductor, in which a clamping spring is adjustable between a clamping position and an open position. In the clamping position, the electrical conductor to be connected is clamped against a clamping section of a current bar. An actuating element that can be guided along a first actuating direction serves to transfer the clamping spring from the clamping position into the open position. A rotatably mounted lever element serves to actuate the actuating element.The connection arrangement of DE 10 2021 117 396 A1 can be used in particular in the case of a terminal block.DE 10 2016 112 831 A1 discloses a terminal device which can be attached to a busbar.It is the object of the present invention to provide a terminal device which enables simple, if possible tool-free connection to a busbar.This object is achieved by an object having the features of claim 1.Accordingly, the terminal device has a busbar connection device which has a mounting opening for mounting the terminal device along a mounting direction on a busbar, wherein the contact element has an abutment portion with which the busbar is in electrical contact in a position of the terminal device which is mounted on the busbar.An electrical conductor can be connected to the terminal device by inserting the electrical conductor into the plug opening of the housing. When the electrical conductor is inserted, the clamping leg of the spring element of the connection device is preferably in the release position, so that the electrical conductor can be inserted into the insertion opening in a substantially force-free manner, unimpeded by the clamping leg. If the conductor is inserted into the plug-in opening, the clamping leg is transferred from the release position into the clamping position, so that the electrical conductor is clamped to the contacting section and thus electrically connected to the contacting section of the contact element and, in addition, is preferably mechanically locked to the connection device of the clamping device.The connection device has a latching element for providing a latching hold on the clamping limb in the release position. The latching element can act directly or indirectly (via an element functionally arranged between the latching element and the clamping limb) on the clamping limb, in order thereby to hold the clamping limb in position relative to the housing in the release position.If an electrical conductor is inserted into the plug-in opening of the housing, the latching element is thereby triggered and in this way the clamping leg is released from the release position, so that the clamping leg of the spring element moves in the direction of the clamping position on account of a spring prestress on the spring element. The conductor thus has a clamping effect on the electrical conductor inserted into the plug opening in order to electrically contact the conductor with the contacting section of the contact element and also to lock it mechanically on the connection device of the terminal device.Because the latching element automatically triggers when an electrical conductor is inserted and thus the conductor is automatically brought into contact with the contacting section of the contact element when inserted, tool-free actuation of the connection device for connecting an electrical conductor is possible. In order to make it possible to easily plug the conductor on, the clamping leg can be transferred, for example, via an actuating element into the release position, in which the clamping leg is latched indirectly or directly relative to the housing via the latching element and is thus held in position. If an electrical conductor is connected to the terminal device when the clamping leg is in the release position, in that the conductor is inserted into the plug-in opening of the housing, the clamping leg releases and contacts the conductor with the contacting section of the contact element.The terminal device has, in addition to the terminal device for connecting an electrical conductor, a busbar terminal device which has a fitting opening for fitting the terminal device along a fitting direction to a busbar. The contact element has an abutment section with which the busbar is in electrical contact in a position of the terminal device which is attached to the busbar. The conductor connected to the connection device is thus contacted with the busbar via the contact element, configured for example as a current bar, and is thus connected to the busbar.A busbar is usually a rod-shaped element which is elongated along a longitudinal axis and is formed as a solid, electrically conductive, metal component. The busbar is at a reference potential, for example a neutral potential, wherein a plurality of terminal devices of the same or different design can be attached to the busbar and can thus be brought via the busbar to a common potential assigned to the busbar.The attachment of the terminal device to the busbar is effected by the attachment opening being brought into engagement with the busbar. In the attached position, the busbar is received in the attachment opening, wherein within the attachment opening the contact section of the contact element is electrically in contact with the busbar and the contact element is thus electrically connected to the busbar.The busbar can be rectangular, for example, in cross section transversely to its longitudinal axis. The attachment opening of the busbar connection device is correspondingly configured to receive a busbar which is rectangular in cross section.An electrical conductor is inserted into the insertion opening of the housing for connection to the connection device of the terminal device in the insertion direction and is thereby brought into operative connection with the spring element within the housing in that the latching element is triggered and thus the spring element is released from the release position. The attachment of the terminal device to the busbar takes place, in contrast, in the attachment direction. In one embodiment, the plug-in direction and the attachment direction are rectified, so that the connection of an electrical conductor to the connection device of the terminal device and the attachment of the terminal device to a (stationary) busbar takes place along a common direction.In one embodiment, the connection device has an active element that can be adjusted relative to the housing. The active element is latched to the latching element in the release position of the clamping limb and is thereby held in position relative to the housing.The knitting element can serve, for example, to act directly or indirectly on the clamping limb. By adjusting the active element, the clamping leg can be transferred, for example, from the clamping position into the release position, wherein after transferring into the release position the active element latches with the latching element and is thus held in position relative to the housing.The active element can be moved relative to the housing in particular between a non-active position and an active position in order to transfer the clamping limb from the clamping position into the release position. In the active position, the clamping leg is in the release position, wherein the active element latches relative to the housing via the latching element and is thus held in position relative to the housing.In one embodiment, the active element has a contact contour. On the clamping leg, on the other hand, a contact section is formed which, in the release position, is in contact with the contact contour in order to hold the clamping leg in the release position. By adjusting the active element, the clamping leg can be transferred in particular into the release position. By bearing against the active element, the clamping leg is held in the release position, wherein the active element is latched via the latching element in the active position assigned to the release position and is thus held in position relative to the housing.The contact portion is shaped, for example, as a tab on the clamping leg. For example, the contact portion can be formed on an edge of the clamping leg as a tab cut free relative to a clamping end of the clamping leg and bent over relative to the clamping end.In one embodiment, the latching element is designed to interact with the conductor when the conductor is inserted. As a result, the latching element is adjustable relative to the active element when the conductor is inserted, in order to release the latching between the active element and the latching element in the release position of the clamping limb. When a conductor is inserted, the connection device automatically triggers in that the electrical conductor acts on the latching element and thereby releases the latching between the active element and the latching element. The clamping leg is thus released and can be adjusted from the release position in the direction of the clamping position, so that the conductor is automatically connected to the connection device and for this purpose electrically contacted with the contacting section and, in addition, is preferably mechanically locked to the connection device.In one embodiment, the active element is displaceable linearly (linearly) relative to the housing. In another embodiment, the active element can also be movable along a curved path of movement or by pivoting relative to the housing.In one embodiment, the active element is operatively connected, for example, to an actuating element which is movable relative to the housing by user actuation for transferring the active element into the active position. While the active element can be shaped, for example, as a stamped bent part and is accommodated in the housing in order to act on the clamping leg in the housing and to act together with the latching element, the actuating element can be accessible, for example, from the outside and thus enable actuating the active element. The actuating element is operatively connected to the active element in such a way that, when the actuating element is actuated, the active element is carried along and is thus displaced relative to the housing.The actuating element can preferably be actuated by a user without tools. A user can act on the actuating element, for example, with a finger, in order to move the actuating element and thereby adjust the actuating element relative to the housing in order to act on the acting element. This results in simple, comfortable handling by a user who, in particular, does not necessarily have to have a special tool for actuating the actuating element.The actuating element can be configured in particular as a lever and pivotably mounted on the housing.The actuating element can be mounted pivotably on the housing, for example. The actuating element is thus configured as a lever element and can be pivoted to the housing in order to act on the active element in this way and thereby transfer the clamping leg of the spring element from the clamping position in the direction of the release position via the active element. By actuating the actuating element, the clamping limb can thus be moved from the clamping position into the release position, wherein the clamping limb is held in position indirectly via the active element in the release position and therefore remains in the release position.In one embodiment, the actuating element is pivotable relative to the housing about a pivot axis perpendicular to the plug-in direction. The active element can be linearly adjustable on the housing, for example, along a direction perpendicular to the plug-in direction and to the pivot axis of the actuating element. The clamping leg of the spring element is pivotable relative to the housing in a pivot plane perpendicular to the pivot axis of the actuating element. The pivot axis can be extended in such a way that it is directed parallel to a longitudinal axis of a busbar which is accommodated in the attachment opening of the terminal device when the terminal device is attached to the busbar.The actuating element is preferably operatively connected, for example latched, to the active element. If the active element is locked relative to the housing via the locking element after the clamping limb has been transferred into the release position, the actuating element is thus also held in position relative to the housing in an actuated position. If the clamping leg is released from the release position and the clamping leg moves from the release position in the direction of the clamping position due to the spring tension on the spring element, the active element is carried along and the actuating element is thereby moved from the actuated position into a non-actuated position.This can also be used for a status display, by means of which a user can immediately identify whether the connection device has triggered after an electrical line has been inserted.In one embodiment, the housing has at least one bearing journal for supporting the actuating element. The at least one bearing pin protrudes, for example, axially along the pivot axis relative to a housing section of the housing and has an edge section which protrudes radially with respect to the pivot axis and by means of which the at least one bearing pin engages over the actuating element. As a result, the actuating element is not only mounted pivotably on the housing via the bearing journal, but is also axially secured in its position relative to the housing, in particular in such a way that the actuating element cannot (excessively) deform in the axial direction when force is applied.In one configuration, the actuating element is elastically prestressed relative to the housing via a prestressing element, for example in the form of a mechanical compression spring. For example, the pretensioning element can be tensioned when the actuating element is moved from the non-actuated position into the actuated position in order to transfer the clamping leg of the spring element from the clamping position into the release position via the active element operatively connected to the actuating element. A return of the actuating element from the actuated position to the non-actuated position is thus assisted by a mechanical prestress of the prestressing element.For example, in one embodiment, the latching element is formed integrally with the spring element. For example, the latching element can be formed by a spring leg of the spring element, which can be elastically deflected and can thus latch in particular with the active element in order to hold the active element in position relative to the housing in the release position of the clamping leg.In one configuration, the spring element has a support leg supported on the housing and / or the contact element. The clamping leg is elastically deflectable relative to the support leg. The latching element is formed on the support limb, which latching element latches with the active element, for example, in the release position of the clamping limb and thus holds the active element and, via it, the clamping limb in the release position. The support leg is supported on the housing for fixing the spring element. The clamping leg can be formed, for example, at a first end of the support leg, while the latching element is formed by a leg at a second end of the support leg, which second end is remote from the first end.The clamping leg is elastically deflectable with respect to the support leg and can thus be moved between the clamping position and the release position, wherein in the release position the clamping leg is elastically braced in such a way that a clamping force acts in the direction of the clamping position. If the clamping leg is released from its hold in the release position, the clamping leg automatically reaches the clamping position due to the elastic clamping force on the spring element in order to clamp an electrical conductor inserted into the plug-in opening of the housing with the contacting section and thus electrically connect it to the contacting section and additionally preferably mechanically lock it to the connection device.The latching element formed by a spring leg is also elastically deflectable with respect to the support leg, so that the latching element can latch with the active element when the active element is transferred into the actuated position assigned to the release position of the clamping leg and thus holds the active element in position relative to the housing in the latched position.In one configuration, the contact element has a clamping section. For example, in the position of the terminal device attached to the busbar, the bearing section of the contact element is arranged on a first side of the busbar, while the clamping section is located on a second side of the busbar facing away from the first side. The contact portion and the clamping portion thus bear on the busbar on different sides. For example, the contact member can realize a C-shaped receptacle by the abutment portion and the clamping portion, within which receptacle the busbar is received when the terminal device is fitted to the busbar and the busbar is received in the fitting opening of the terminal device.For example, the clamping section is elastically deflectable relative to the contact section in order to prestress the busbar relative to the contact section. The clamping section is formed integrally on the contact element and thus integrally with the contact section. In this case, a (certain) elasticity is provided on the clamping section, by means of which elasticity a contact force between the busbar and the contact element can be adjusted. By elastic deflection of the clamping section and thus by bracing of the busbar between the bearing section and the clamping section, a contact force can be set between the busbar and the bearing section, so that an advantageous, low-resistance electrical transition is produced between the busbar and the bearing section.In one configuration, the busbar connection device has a locking element for locking the terminal device on the busbar, which locking element is elastically adjustable relative to the housing. The locking element secures the terminal device to the busbar when the terminal device is attached to the busbar, so that the terminal device cannot be removed from the busbar without difficulty, at least without cancelling the locking of the locking element.In particular, the connection of the terminal device to the busbar can be secured in a positive-locking manner via the locking element, such that the terminal device is held in a positive-locking manner on the busbar when the locking element is in a locking position.The locking element is elastically adjustable relative to the housing. When the terminal device is attached to the busbar, the locking element can yield in order, when the busbar is accommodated in the attachment opening of the terminal device, to snap back into an initial position and thus to lock the terminal device on the busbar.In one embodiment, the housing has an insertion opening into which a tool for acting on the locking element can be introduced. A tool, for example a screwdriver, can be operatively connected to the locking element via the insertion opening in order to act on the locking element and release the locking element from the locking position, so that the terminal device can be removed from the busbar.The tool can preferably be inserted into the insertion opening along an insertion direction different from the attachment direction. The insertion direction is directed, for example, perpendicular to the attachment direction and also perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the busbar accommodated in the attachment opening. The tool can thus be guided through the insertion opening on the housing through the housing to the locking element of the busbar connection device in order to cancel the locking of the terminal device on the busbar. The insertion opening can in particular enable a tool to be fed from a direction from which the terminal device is easily accessible, for example in a switchgear cabinet, and which in particular does not collide with an attached conductor.Because the tool is inserted through the insertion opening in the housing, the clamping device can be designed with a comparatively small installation space without the requirement for actuating the locking element by a tool resulting in an appreciable additional installation space requirement.In one configuration, the locking element is formed integrally with a housing section of the housing or integrally with the contact element. For example, the housing may be integrally molded as a whole from one piece. The locking element can in this case be formed integrally with the housing. In another embodiment, the locking element can be formed on the contact element, for example on an end projecting from the clamping section of the contact element, via which a latching, form-fitting connection can be produced between the busbar and the terminal device.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. 1 shows a view of a terminal device, having a connection device for connecting an electrical conductor and a busbar connection device for attachment to a busbar, in an actuated position of an actuating element; FIG. 2 is another view of the clamping device; FIG. 3 is a side view of the clamping device; FIG. 4 shows a view of the clamping device, without a housing cover; FIG. 5 is a side view of the arrangement according to FIG. 4 ; FIG. 6A is a plan view of the clamp device; FIG. 6B is a sectional view taken along line A-A of FIG. 6A ; FIG. 7 is a partial sectional view of the terminal device after insertion of an electrical conductor; FIG. 8 is a side view of the clamping device before the actuation of the actuating element; FIG. 9A is a plan view of the clamping device in the position according to FIG. 8 ; FIG. 9B is a sectional view taken along line D-D of FIG. 9A ; FIG. 10A is a side view of the clamping device in the position according to FIG. 8 ; FIG. 10B is a sectional view taken along line B-B of FIG. 10A ; FIG. 10C is a sectional view taken along line C--C of FIG. 10A; FIG. 11 is a view of the terminal device when it is attached to a busbar; FIG. 12 is a view of the terminal device in a position attached to the busbar; FIG. 13 is a view of the terminal device when a tool is used for releasing the terminal device from the bus bar; FIG. 14A is a plan view of the arrangement according to FIG. 13 ; FIG. 14B is a sectional view taken along line B-B of FIG. 14A ; and FIG. 15 is a side view of another embodiment of a clamping device.A terminal device 1 shown in an exemplary embodiment in FIGS. 1 to 14A, 14B has a connection device 2 which has a spring element 21 and realizes a spring force connection for connecting an electrical conductor 4.The terminal device 1 also has a busbar connection device 3, by means of which the terminal device 1 can be attached to a busbar 5 along an attachment direction A.The connection device 2 is assigned a plug opening 20 which is formed in a housing 10 of the terminal device 1 and into which an electrical conductor 4 can be inserted with a (stripped) conductor end 40 along a plug-in direction E, in order in this way to electrically contact the conductor 4 within the terminal device 1 with a contact element 22 and thus to connect it to the terminal device 1.As can be seen from FIGS. 4 and 5 in combination with the sectional view according to FIG. 6B, the connection device 2 has an active element 23, which is operatively connected to an actuating element 24 and can be adjusted on the housing 10 via the actuating element 24.The actuating element 24 is mounted on the housing 10 such that it can pivot about a pivot axis S. For this purpose, bearing journals 102 are formed on the housing 10, which project axially along the pivot axis S on both sides on the housing 10 and each form a collar-shaped edge section 205 which projects radially with respect to the pivot axis S and which extends over the actuating element 24 in sections, with the result that the actuating element 24 is mounted on the housing 10 via the bearing journals 102 such that it can be pivoted about the pivot axis S and is additionally secured axially on the housing 10 via the edge sections 105 of the bearing journals 102.The actuating element 24 forms an actuating section 240 via which a user can press on the actuating element 24 in order to pivot the actuating element 24 along an actuating direction B about the pivot axis S relative to the housing 10. The pivot axis S is directed perpendicular to the insertion direction E and also perpendicular to the attachment direction A aligned with the insertion direction E. The pivot axis S points parallel to a longitudinal axis L of a busbar 5 when the terminal device 1 is attached to the busbar 5 along the attachment direction A.On both sides of the housing 10, guide elements 104 are formed in the form of outwardly projecting pin elements. The guide elements 104 engage in guide portions 244 in the form of arcuate slotted guides on the actuating element 24, so that the actuating element 24 is guided relative to the housing 10 via said guide portions and can be pivoted relative to the housing 10 between defined positions, namely an actuated position according to FIGS. 1 to 6A, 6B and a non-actuated position according to FIGS. 7 to 10A, 10B.The actuating element 24 is operatively connected to a base 233 of the active element 23 via a retaining element 241 in the form of a hook element, as can be seen, for example, from the sectional view according to FIG. 6B. Also formed on the operating member 24 is a pressing portion 243 that cooperates with the base 233 of the acting member 23. If the actuating element 24 is transferred from the non-actuated position into the actuated position and pivoted for this purpose in the actuating direction B relative to the housing 10, the actuating element 24 presses via the pressing section 243 onto the base 233 of the active element 23 and thereby takes along the active element 23. In the actuated position, the actuating element 24 is held in position relative to the housing 10 via the holding element 241 on account of a latching of the active element 23.A biasing element 25 in the form of a mechanical compression spring acts between the actuating element 24 and a housing section 103 of the housing 10. When the actuating element 24 is transferred into the actuated position, the prestressing element 25 is elastically tensioned, so that a return of the actuating element 24 from the actuated position into the non-actuated position is assisted by the prestressing of the prestressing element 25.The spring element 21 forms a clamping leg 210 which has two contact sections 212 formed laterally on the clamping leg by bent-over lugs and interacts via the contact sections 212 with contact contours 230 on legs 232 of the active element 23 and can thus be adjusted by adjusting the active element 23 relative to the housing 10, as can be seen, for example, from FIG. 4.The clamping leg 210 forms a clamping end 215 which is designed to cooperate with a conductor 4 inserted into the plug opening 20 in order to clamp the conductor 4 to a contacting section 220 of the contact element 22 and thus electrically connect it to the connection device 2 and mechanically lock it.The spring element 21 has a support leg 211, by means of which the spring element 21 is supported on the housing 10 in the exemplary embodiment shown and can be elastically deflected relative to which the clamping leg 210 can be elastically deflected. Via an end 216, the respective support leg 211 engages in an opening on the busbar 22 and is thus supported on the busbar 22.In another exemplary embodiment, the support leg 211 can also be supported-alternatively or additionally to the support on the housing 10-on the contact element 22, which is designed as a current bar, for example.On the spring element 21 of the connection device 2, a latching element 214 is formed by a spring leg extending from the support leg 211. The latching element 214 forms latching sections 213, which, as can be seen from FIG. 4, are designed to latch with counter latching sections 231 of the active element 23 in order to hold the active element 23 in position relative to the housing 10 in an active position of the active element 23.The active element 23 is shaped as a stamped and bent part and has two legs 232 bent over toward the base 233, on each of which legs a mating latching section 231 is shaped. On both sides of the latching element 214, latching sections 213 are formed, which in the active position of the active element 23 according to FIGS. 1 to 6A, 6B are in engagement with the counter latching sections 231 on the limbs 232 of the active element 23 and as a result latch the active element 23 relative to the housing 10 in the active position.The latching element 214 in the form of the spring limb can be deflected elastically with respect to the supporting limb 211, with the result that, when the active element 23 is transferred from a non-active position into the active position illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 6A, 6B, the latching element 214 latches via the latching portions 213 with the mating latching portions 231 of the active element 23 and the active element 23 is thus held in position relative to the housing 10.If the active element 23 is in the active position and the active element 23 is locked relative to the housing 10 via the locking element 214, the clamping limb 210 of the spring element 21 is held in the release position on the limbs 232 of the active element 23 via the contact contours 230 acting on the contact sections 212 of the clamping limb 210. The clamping leg 210 is thus removed with the clamping end 215 from the contacting section 220 of the contact element 22, so that a space between the clamping leg 210 and the contacting section 220 is exposed and a conductor 4 can be inserted into the plug opening 20 in a substantially forceless manner.If the conductor 4 is inserted into the plug opening 20 of the respective connection device 2, the conductor 4 comes to rest with the conductor end 40 with the latching element 214 and thereby acts on the latching element 214 in order to release the latching of the latching sections 213 with the counter latching sections 231 on the active element 23. When an electrical conductor 4 is inserted, the latching is thus automatically released, the active element 23 is released and the clamping limb 210 is held free in the release position, with the result that the clamping limb 210 can come into contact with the conductor 4 on account of an elastic clamping force on the spring element 21. The conductor 4 is thus clamped to the contacting section 220 and thereby electrically connected to the contacting section 220 via the conductor end 40 and additionally mechanically locked.FIG. 7 shows the terminal device 1 with the conductor 4 connected to the connection device 2.If a connected conductor 4 is to be removed from the connection device 2 again, a user can act on the actuating element 24 of the connection device 2 and, by pivoting the actuating element 24 in the actuating direction B, can move the actuating element 23 from the non-active position into the active position. The clamping leg 210 of the spring element 21 is carried along and transferred into the release position in which the clamping leg 210 is held in position relative to the housing 10 by the latching of the active element 23 with the latching sections 213 of the latching element 214.In the exemplary embodiment shown, the active element 23 of the connection device 2 is displaceable within the housing 10 linearly along a direction perpendicular to the pivot axis S and the plug-in direction E. A user can act on the active element 23 from the outside via the actuating element 24, in order thereby to transfer the active element 23 from the non-active position into the active position and thus to move the clamping leg 210 from the clamping position into the release position.When being transferred from the non-active position into the active position, the active element 23 automatically latches with the latching element 214 in the form of the spring leg of the spring element 21. Due to the operative connection of the actuating element 24 with the active element 23 via the retaining element 241, the actuating element 24 is also held in the actuated position in position relative to the housing 10 due to the latching of the active element 23 relative to the housing 10, as can be seen from FIGS. 1 to 6A, 6B. If the latching is released when a conductor 4 is inserted, the actuating element 24 is reset into the non-actuated position on account of the spring prestress of the prestressing element 25, as can be seen from FIG. 7.The actuating element 24 engages with the pressing portion 243 in an opening 234 in the base 233 of the active element 23. The pretensioning element 25 is supported on the one hand on the housing section 103 of the housing 10 and on the other hand on the base 233 of the active element 23 and thus pretensions the active element 23 and above it (indirectly) also the actuating element 24 relative to the housing 10.In another exemplary embodiment, the prestressing element 25 can be supported on the contact element 22, instead of being supported on the housing section 103. The terminal device 1 can be attached to an associated busbar 5 along the attachment direction A via the busbar connection device 3. The busbar 5 can be mounted in a stationary manner on an electrical installation, for example in a switchgear cabinet. By attaching the terminal device 1 to the busbar 5, a connection possibility for connecting an electrical line 4 is created on the busbar 5, such that the electrical line 4 can be connected to the reference potential of the busbar 5.As shown in FIGS. 11 to 14A, 14B, the bus bar 5 is formed by a rod-shaped solid metal member. The busbar 5 is usually mounted in a stationary manner on an associated electrical installation, for example a switchgear cabinet.The bus bar terminal device 3 of the terminal device 1 forms a fitting hole 30 formed on the housing 10 with which the bus bar 5 can be engaged. The attachment opening 30 is designed to receive the busbar 5, which is rectangular in cross section transversely to the longitudinal axis L, wherein the contact element 22 is shaped such that it projects into the region of the attachment opening 30 in order to contact the busbar 5 within the attachment opening 30.The contact element 22 forms a C-shaped receptacle in the region of the attachment opening 30, which is formed by an abutment portion 222 and a clamping portion 223, which come to lie on mutually remote sides of the busbar 5 when the terminal device 1 is attached to the busbar 5, as can be seen, for example, from FIG. 12. While the abutment portion 222 extends linearly in a region in which an abutment with the busbar 5 is to be established, the clamping portion 223 is elastically deflectable toward the abutment portion 222, so that a contact force between the busbar 5 and the abutment portion 222 can be adjusted via the clamping portion 223. In the attached position, the busbar 5 is braced between the contact section 222 and the clamping section 223, so that a low-ohmic electrical transition is produced between the contact element 22 and the busbar 5.The contact section 222 is connected to the contacting section 220 of the contact element 22 via a connecting section 221. The support leg 211 of the spring element 21 is supported on the contact section 222. The supporting end 216 of the supporting leg 211 engages in an opening on the connecting section 221 for the additional support of the spring element 21 relative to the contact element 22. The contact section 222 and the contacting section 220 extend parallel to one another along the plug-in direction E and accommodate the spring element 21 between them. The active element 23 engages around the contacting section 220 with the legs 232 and is thus movable relative to the contacting section 220.The contact element 22 is designed as a bent metal part and is enclosed in the housing 10 of the terminal device 1.The busbar connection device 5 has a locking element 31 which projects with a latching projection 310 into the region of the attachment opening 30 and is elastically connected to the housing 10 via a connecting portion 311 in such a way that the locking element 31 can be elastically deflected relative to the housing 10 along a direction perpendicular to the attachment direction A. When the terminal device 1 is attached to a busbar 5, the busbar 5 runs onto the locking element 31 and pushes the locking element 31 aside transversely to the attachment direction A. Once the busbar 5 has passed the latching protrusion 310 of the locking element 31, the locking element 31 snaps back into a relaxed starting position, in which the latching protrusion 310 comes to lie in front of the busbar 5 with respect to the attachment direction A and the busbar 5 is thus locked in the attachment opening 30, as can be seen from FIG. 12.In order to release the terminal device 1 from the busbar 5, a tool 6, for example in the form of a screwdriver, can be inserted into an insertion opening 101 of the housing 10, as can be seen from FIGS. 13 and 14A, 14B. The insertion opening 101 extends through the housing 10 along an insertion direction X perpendicular to the attachment direction A and to the pivot axis S and enables the tool 10 to be inserted into the housing 10 in the insertion direction X such that the tool 10 can be brought into operative connection with the locking element 31, as can be seen from the sectional view according to FIG. 14B.A recess 242 of the actuating element 24 is aligned with the insertion opening 101, so that the actuating element 24 does not prevent the insertion of a tool 6 into the insertion opening 101.By inserting a tool 6 in the insertion direction X and by pressing on the locking element 31, the locking element 31 can be deflected within the attachment opening 30 in order to bring the latching projection 310 out of its blocking, locking position and thus release the busbar 5, so that the terminal device 1 can be removed from the busbar 5 counter to the attachment direction A.Because the insertion opening 101 extends through the housing 10 perpendicular to the attachment direction A, a tool 6 can be brought into operative connection with the locking element 31 in a simple manner in order to remove the terminal device 1 from the busbar 5. No complicated release mechanism is required, which would additionally increase the installation space requirement of the clamping device 1.FIG. 15 shows another exemplary embodiment of a terminal device 1, which differs from the exemplary embodiment described above with reference to FIGS. 1 to 14A, 14B in the design of the locking element 31 of the busbar connection device 3. Thus, in the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 15, the locking element 31 is formed integrally with the contact element 22 in that the locking element 31 is formed at an end of the contact element 22 projecting from the clamping portion 223 and acts with a latching projection 310 in the form of a projecting tab in a locking position in a locking manner on the busbar 5.Apart from this, in particular with regard to the configuration of the connection device 2, the terminal device 1 is functionally identical to the exemplary embodiment described above with reference to FIGS. 1 to 14A, 14B, so that reference is also made to the explanations in this respect.The idea underlying the invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments described above, but can also be realized in another way.A terminal device can have one or more connection devices for connecting one or more conductors.List of reference characters1 Tap clamp 10 Housing 100 Housing section 101 Insertion opening 102 Bearing journal 103 Housing section 104 Guide element 105 Edge section 2 Connection device 20 Plug opening 21 Spring element 210 Clamping limb 211 Support limb 212 Contact section 213 Latching section 214 Latching element 215 Clamping end 216 Support end 22 Contact element (current bar) 220 Contacting section 221 Section 222 Contact section 223 Clamping section 23 Active element 230 Contact contour 231 Counter-latching section 232 Limb 233 Base 234 Opening 24 Actuating element 240 Actuating section 241 Holding element 242 Opening 243 Pressing section 244 Guide section (guide slot) 25 Prestressing element (spring) 3 Busbar connection device 30 Attachment opening 31 Locking element 310 Latching projection 311 Connection section 4 Conductor 40 Conductor end 5 Busbar 6 Tool A Attachment direction B Actuating direction E Plug-in direction L Longitudinal axis s Pivot axis X Insertion 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 [0006, 0007, 0008]DE 10 2019 135 203 A1

[0008] DE 10 2020 104 240 A1

[0008] DE 10 2021 117 396 A1 [0009, 0010]DE 10 2016 112 831 A1

[0011]

Claims

A terminal device (1) for connecting an electrical conductor (4), comprising a housing (10) which forms a plug opening (20) into which the electrical conductor (4) can be inserted in a plug direction (E) for connection to the terminal device (1), a contact element (22) which has a contacting section (220), and a terminal device (2) which has a spring element (21) with a clamping limb (210) which is adjustable between a clamping position and a release position and is designed, in the clamping position, to act in a clamping manner on the conductor (4) inserted into the plug opening (20) for electrically contacting the conductor (4) with the contacting section (220) of the contact element (22), wherein the clamping leg (210) is movable from the clamping position into the release position for inserting the conductor (4) into the insertion opening (20) or for removing the conductor (4) from the insertion opening (20), wherein the connection device (2) has a latching element (214), by means of which the clamping leg (210) is held in position relative to the housing (10) in the release position, wherein the latching element (214) is adjustable when the electrical line (4) is inserted in order to release the clamping leg (210) from the release position, characterized bya busbar connection device (3) which has a mounting opening (30) for mounting the clamping device (1) along a mounting direction (A) on a busbar (5), wherein the contact element (22) has a mounting portion (222), with which the busbar (5) is in electrical contact with a position of the terminal device (1) which is fitted to the busbar (5).Terminal device (1) according to Claim 1, characterized in that the plug-in direction (E) and the attachment direction (A) are in the same direction.The clamping device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the connection device (2) comprises an active element (23), which is adjustable relative to the housing (10), for acting on the clamping leg (210), wherein the active element (23), in the release position of the clamping leg (210), latches with the latching element (214) and is thereby held in position relative to the housing (10).Clamping device (1) according to claim 3, characterised in that the active element (23) has an abutment contour (230), wherein an abutment portion (212) is formed on the clamping limb (210), which abutment portion, in the release position, abuts the abutment contour (230) in order to hold the clamping limb (210) in the release position.The clamping device (1) according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the latching element (214) is configured to cooperate with the conductor (4) when the conductor (4) is inserted, and the latching element (214) is thereby adjustable relative to the active element (23) in order to release the latching between the active element (23) and the latching element (214) in the release position of the clamping leg (210).Terminal device (1) according to one of Claims 3 to 5, characterized in that the active element (23) is displaceable linearly relative to the housing (10).The clamping device (1) according to any one of claims 3 to 6, characterized in that the connection device (2) comprises an actuating element (24) actuatable by a user, wherein the active element (23) is movable relative to the housing (10) for acting on the clamping leg (210) by user actuation of the actuating element (24).Clamping device (1) according to claim 7, characterised in that the actuating element (24) is pivotably mounted on the housing (10).Clamping device (1) according to claim 7 or 8, characterised in that the actuating element (24) is pivotable relative to the housing (10) about a pivot axis (S) perpendicular to the plug-in direction (E).Clamping device (1) according to one of Claims 7 to 9, characterized in that the housing (10) has at least one bearing journal (102) for mounting the actuating element (24), wherein the at least one bearing journal (102) has a radially projecting edge section (105), with which the at least one bearing journal (102) engages over the actuating element (24).Clamping device (1) according to one of Claims 7 to 10, characterized in that the actuating element (24) is prestressed elastically relative to the housing (10) by means of a prestressing element (25).Clamping device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the latching element (214) is formed integrally with the spring element (21).The clamping device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the spring element (21) has a support leg (211) supported on the housing (10) and / or the contact element (22), to which support leg the clamping leg (210) is elastically deflectable and on which the latching element (214) is formed.Terminal device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the contact element (22) has a clamping section (223), wherein, in the position of the terminal device (1) fitted to the busbar (5), the contact section (222) is arranged on a first side of the busbar (5) and the clamping section (223) is arranged on a second side of the busbar (5) remote from the first side.Terminal device (1) according to Claim 14, characterized in that the clamping section (223) can be deflected elastically relative to the bearing section (222) in order to prestress the busbar (5) relative to the bearing section (222).Terminal device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the busbar connection device (3) has a locking element (31) for locking the terminal device (1) on the busbar (5), which locking element is elastically adjustable relative to the housing (10).Clamping device (1) according to claim 16, characterised in that the housing (10) has an insertion opening (101) into which a tool (6) for acting on the locking element (31) can be introduced.Clamping device (1) according to claim 17, characterised in that the tool (6) can be inserted into the insertion opening (101) along an insertion direction (X) different from the attachment direction (A).Terminal device (1) according to Claim 18, characterized in that the insertion direction (X) is directed perpendicularly to the attachment direction (A) and perpendicularly to a longitudinal axis (L) of the busbar (5).Terminal device (1) according to one of Claims 16 to 19, characterized in that the locking element (31) is formed integrally with a housing section of the housing (10) or integrally with the contact element (22).

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