Electromechanical connection device and directional control valve equipped with it

Abstract

An electromechanical connecting device (3) is proposed which is designed for the detachable connection of a plurality of wire conductors (8) serving as a power supply to a directional control valve (1). It contains a plurality of connecting structures (44, 45), each having a connecting channel (48) which is laterally delimited in a clamping region (53) by a movable clamping element (54). A wire conductor (8) inserted into the connecting channel (48) is clamped in an electrically conductive manner by the clamping element (54) which is subject to a spring force. All of the clamping elements (54) are jointly assigned a release element (74) which, by introducing a manually generated release force (FL), can be driven to perform a release movement (75) during which it acts on the clamping elements (54) so ​​that each clamped wire conductor (8) can be released for removal from the associated connecting channel (48).

Description

The invention relates to an electromechanical connecting device for a directional control valve, designed for the detachable connection of a plurality of wire conductors serving to supply the directional control valve with power. The invention further relates to a directional control valve having a valve member, an electrically actuatable drive device for moving the valve member and an electromechanical connecting device for the releasable connection of a plurality of wire conductors serving for supplying power to the drive device.An electromechanical connecting device of this type described in EP 2 110 562 A1 as a component of a directional control valve is designed as one of a plurality of connecting units which can alternatively be fixed to a valve assembly of the directional control valve in order to provide different connection possibilities for wire conductors. The wire conductors serve to supply the directional valve with power and in particular an electrically actuatable drive device of the valve assembly, with the aid of which a valve member can be moved for switching between different switching positions. The connection unit has a plug interface to which a connection plug can be detachably connected, to which wire conductors combined in a cable are fastened, which are connected, for example, to an electronic control device. The electromechanical connecting measures require a considerable expenditure of time and costs, which is attributable inter alia to a pre-assembly of the wire conductors to be connected by fitting with a connecting plug.EP 2 110 561 A1 discloses a directional control valve equipped with a connection unit, in which an electrical connection cable is permanently fixed to the connection unit in a non-detachable manner. Wire conductors formed by wires of the connection cable are firmly soldered to electrical conductors of an internal printed circuit board of the connection unit. To enable universal use, a relatively large cable length is required, which in use often leads to the connection cable having to be cut to size and unnecessary cable pieces being discarded, which entails undesirable material consumption.DE 10 2014 102 517 A1 discloses a connecting terminal for contacting electrical conductors, which has a plurality of clamping springs, each of which can be clamped to an electrical conductor to be connected and to which a respective dedicated actuating lever is assigned for its actuation.The object of the invention is to take measures which make possible simple, cost-effective and material-saving contacting of directional valves by means of wire conductors.The object is achieved by means of an electromechanical connecting device of the type mentioned at the beginning, which is characterized in that,a plurality of connecting structures each having a connecting channel provided for inserting a wire conductor to be connected, said connecting channel having a clamping region which is laterally delimited by a clamping element which is movable between a basic position and an open position which defines a larger cross section of the clamping region in comparison with the basic position,wherein an opening movement of the clamping element in the direction of the open position is accompanied by the build-up of a spring force which acts upon the clamping element in the direction of the basic position in a restoring manner and is provided by a spring structure, such that a wire conductor inserted into the associated clamping region can be clamped in an electrically conductive manner by the clamping element deflected from the basic position into a clamping position located between the basic position and the open position,wherein the clamping elements of all connecting structures, which are movable independently of one another, are jointly assigned a releasing element of the connecting device, which, starting from an inactive position allowing each clamping element to assume its basic position, can be driven by introduction of a manually generated releasing force to a releasing movement acting on all clamping elements, in which it causes an opening movement of all clamping elements, so that each clamped wire conductor can be released for removal from the assigned connecting channel.The object is furthermore achieved by means of a directional control valve of the type mentioned at the beginning, the electromechanical connecting device of which is designed in the aforementioned sense.In this way, an electromechanical connecting device is provided, which makes it possible in a simple manner to connect wire conductors provided for the power supply to a directional control valve in such a way that they are both mechanically fixed and electrically contacted with respect to the directional control valve. The power supply serves to actuate the directional valve for setting different switching states. The wire conductors are connected, for example, to an electronic control device for providing the power supply, wherein the power supply is manifested in particular in the transmission of electrical actuating signals. The connection device contains at least two connection structures, each of which is suitable for the detachable connection of one of a plurality of electrically conductive wire conductors, which are, for example, single-wire conductors or stranded conductors consisting of a plurality of thin wire strands. Each connection structure contains its own connection channel which has a clamping region delimited laterally by a movable clamping element and into which the wire conductor to be connected can be inserted in such a way that it passes through the clamping region with a length section. Each clamping element is assigned a spring structure which ensures that the wire conductor inserted into the clamping region is releasably clamped by the clamping element while at the same time providing an electrically conductive connection. The wire conductor to be connected can be inserted in particular during a basic position of the associated clamping element, which is accompanied by the clamping element being deflected from the basic position into a clamping position, with the build-up of a restoring spring force, and ultimately holding the wire conductor firmly by this spring force. In this way, a plurality of wire conductors can be fixed and electrically contacted independently of one another, for example simultaneously or successively, in different connection channels. Since the wire conductors are not permanently attached to the connecting device already from the factory, they can be made available very inexpensively in the respectively desired length by the user as required by appropriate cutting to length of a wire conductor meter product, which prevents the occurrence of unusable wire waste pieces. For the connection process itself, it is expedient that no handling is required on the connection device, since the clamping elements are preferably deflected from the basic position by the wire conductors themselves during the insertion of the wire conductors. The possibility available for simultaneously releasing all connected wire conductors ready for removal as required is particularly advantageous, which is ensured by a release element jointly assigned to all connection structures. The release element normally assumes an inactive position, in which it enables the basic position of all clamping elements and also permits their deflection into a clamping position, so that it does not impair the connection process for the wire conductors. If the wire conductors are to be removed from the connection device, a manually generated release force can be applied to the release element directly or indirectly, in particular with a finger of a hand, which results in a release movement of the release element, in which it acts on all clamping elements. The same are thereby driven to an opening movement in the direction of an open position, so that the cross section of each clamping region is enlarged and the previously clamped wire conductors are released, so that they can be removed from the associated connection channel in particular by being pulled out. Upon subsequent removal of the release force from the release element, the clamping elements can return to the basic position in which each clamping region has a minimum cross section which can also be equal to zero. The assignment of a common release element to all the clamping elements present simplifies the release process of the wire conductors and offers the possibility of a compact and space-saving design of the connection device. The release element can also be used when required for connecting the wire conductors in order to deflect the clamping elements and to enable a resistanceless easy insertion of the wire conductors into the connecting channels.A directional control valve according to the invention contains an electromechanical connecting device with the aforementioned properties, wherein the connecting device can be integrated as a fixed component into the directional control valve or can be designed as a detachable valve component. The latter enables a configuration of the directional valve in such a way that, if required, other types of connecting devices can be mounted instead of the connecting device according to the invention, in particular those which have a plug interface suitable for a connecting plug.Advantageous further developments of the invention are evident from the dependent claims.It is advantageous if the connection device is designed as a connection unit that can be handled in a uniform manner and has an electromechanical interface via which it can be attached to a valve assembly of the directional valve, wherein the electromechanical interface preferably allows a detachable attachment to the valve assembly. Alternatively, the connection device can also be integrated into a directional valve without any discernible delimitation from other components.The clamping elements expediently inherently have spring-elastically bendable properties, so that they each directly themselves form the spring structure assigned to them and suitable for building up the spring force. Preferably, the clamping elements are designed in the manner of leaf springs, wherein they are formed in particular by suitably bent leaf springs. Such a construction is simpler and more cost-effective than an embodiment which is likewise possible in principle, in which the movable clamping elements are acted upon by spring structures designed as separate springs.In particular in conjunction with the inherent spring-elastic properties, it is advantageous if the clamping elements are designed tongue-like with a free end section, so that the opening movement involves pivotable clamping elements which are each movable between the basic position and the open position within the scope of a pivoting movement.Expediently, the release element is designed such that in the inactive position it is spaced apart from each clamping element independently of the position of the clamping elements. In this way, it is ensured that the clamping elements can assume their basic position in the inactive position of the release element, independently of manufacturing tolerances.In principle, the clamping elements can be designed such that they are tension-neutral in the basic position and a spring force that is restoring in the direction of the basic position is only produced when deflected from the basic position. However, a construction is preferred in which each clamping element is prestressed into the basic position by the associated spring structure. In this way, it can be reliably ensured that even very thin wire conductors are securely held. Expediently, each clamping element in the basic position bears under prestress against an opposite supporting wall section of a channel wall delimiting the associated connection channel.Each connection structure expediently has a clamping unit consisting of metal, which is fixed directly or indirectly to a device housing of the connection device. The respectively assigned connecting channel extends in the clamping unit, wherein the connecting channel is limited to the clamping unit or can continue outside the clamping unit in the device housing. In any case, the connection channel extends at least with a longitudinal section containing the clamping region in the clamping unit. The clamping element is an integral component of the clamping unit, wherein it can be integrated into the clamping unit in one piece or as a separate component.It is advantageous if each clamping unit has a base body which forms an electrically conductive channel wall of the associated connection channel. In this case, the associated clamping element expediently has a force-absorbing tab which projects beyond the channel wall on the outside and on which the release element can act in order to produce an opening movement of the clamping element. Expediently, the channel wall is traversed by the release element.Each connection channel preferably has an inner longitudinal section extending in the clamping unit and containing the clamping region and an outer longitudinal section adjoining the latter and formed in the device housing. The outer longitudinal section of the connection channel opens out on the outside of the device housing with a wire insertion opening, which enables the insertion of the wire conductor to be connected. In this way, the clamping units can be accommodated in the device housing in a manner shielded from the environment, which prevents unintentional contact with the clamping units and possible short circuits.If the connection channels extend exclusively in the clamping units, the wire insertion openings are likewise located on the clamping units.Preferably, the connection device includes a circuit board enclosed by a device housing of the connection device and fixed with respect to the device housing, on which the clamping units of the plurality of connection structures are mounted, for example by soldering. In this way, the clamping units are indirectly fixed to the device housing with the printed circuit board interposed. Via a conductor track structure containing a plurality of conductor tracks, the clamping units are electrically conductively connected to contact elements of the connection device, at which contact elements an actuating voltage for the directional valve, which actuating voltage brings about the power supply, can be tapped. The contact elements mentioned are expediently components of the electromechanical interface, already discussed above, of a connection device preferably designed as a connection unit.The release element is expediently designed tongue-like and has a free end section, wherein the release movement is a pivoting movement in which the release element is pivoted at least in the region of the free end section. Advantageously, the release element is a one-piece integrated housing component of a device housing of the connection device, which in particular consists of plastic. In this way, the release element can be structured cost-effectively directly during the production of the device housing, which is effected in particular by injection molding.It is advantageous if the release element inherently has elastically bendable properties, so that it automatically returns to the inactive position after removal of an introduced release force and a deflection resulting therefrom. The inactive position of the release element is expediently a position of the release element in a neutral position with respect to forces, so that a restoring force which acts in the direction of the inactive position is formed only when a release movement is carried out.In an advantageous arrangement, the connection channels are placed next to one another in such a way that they have an alignment parallel to one another, with a channel longitudinal direction extending in a height direction of the connection device. Each connecting channel opens out on a first outer surface of the connecting device with a wire insertion opening that enables the insertion of a wire conductor to be connected. In the region of a second outer surface of the connection device oriented orthogonally to the first outer surface, the release element or at least one activation section of the release element that can be used for introducing the release force is located. Preferably, the entire release element is arranged in the region of the second outer surface of the connection device, wherein it expediently contributes to the formation of the second outer surface.On the release element there is expediently a number of force introduction projections corresponding to the number of clamping elements, which project in the direction of the clamping elements and which act upon one of the clamping elements present in each case in a pressing manner during the release movement of the release element in order to generate its opening movement. The force introduction projections are in particular designed in the manner of lugs and preferably project into a device housing of the connection device in which the clamping elements are located.Expediently, the release element is designed for a direct introduction of the release force. For this purpose, the release element can be acted upon, for example, directly by a finger of a hand or by means of an actuating tool, for example a screwdriver, which is used as an extension and is held in the hand. Such an actuation can take place, for example, directly on the second outer surface.Under certain circumstances, a directional control valve equipped with the connection device is installed at the place of use in the ready-to-use state in such a way that the second outer surface having the release element or at least one activation section of the release element is concealed and is not directly accessible, or is directly accessible only to a limited extent. In particular for such cases, it is advantageous if the connection device has a tool insertion opening which opens out on the first outer surface on the one hand in the vicinity of the wire insertion openings and on the other hand is open towards the release element in the region of the second outer surface. It is thus possible to plug an actuating tool, for example the shank of a screwdriver, from the side of the first outer surface through the tool insertion opening in order to act on the release element. The boundary wall of the tool insertion opening can be used to guide the actuating tool and / or to support it when pivoting the actuating tool to apply a lever effect to the release element.The connection device can in principle be equipped with an actuating element which is present in addition to the release element and interacts with the release element in a force-transmitting manner and which can be adjusted by a manually generated actuating force in order to act on the release element in order to generate the release force. The force direction of the actuating force advantageously deviates from the force direction of the release force to be generated and is oriented in particular perpendicular thereto. By appropriate configuration of the contact region between the actuating element and the release element, a force transmission can be realized if necessary. It is particularly advantageous if the actuating element is designed as a linearly movable actuating slide which is preferably displaceably mounted on a device housing of the connection device.A directional control valve equipped or equipable with the connection device can be equipped with an electrically actuatable drive device for actuating the valve member, which drive device allows direct actuation or indirect, pilot-controlled actuation. For direct actuation, the drive device can contain, for example, an electromagnetic actuator that acts mechanically on the valve member. For a pilot-controlled actuation, the drive device is designed as a pilot valve device, by means of the electrical actuation of which, effected by means of the connection device, fluid application to the valve member with a drive fluid can be controlled in order to move the valve member into different switching positions by controlled fluid application. The pilot valve device contains, for example, one or two pilot valves in a design as solenoid valves or piezoelectric valves.The electromechanical connecting device is preferably arranged directly on the electrically actuatable drive device, so that short current paths are present and compact dimensions are possible.Expediently, the valve member and the electrically actuatable drive device of the directional valve are combined in a valve assembly of the directional valve, at which an electromechanical counter-interface to an electromechanical interface formed on the connection device is located. The connection device, which in this case is preferably designed as a connection unit that can be handled as a unit, can be attached or attached to the valve assembly by interaction of the interface and the mating interface in such a way that an electrically conductive connection is present between the connection structures of the connection device and the electrically actuatable drive device.The directional control valve can expediently be defined to have a longitudinal axis extending in a longitudinal direction and a vertical axis extending in a height direction orthogonal thereto. The valve member is preferably oriented such that it is adjustable in the longitudinal direction for changing the switching position. The connection device, which is in particular designed as a connection unit, is located in an axial end region of the directional control valve oriented in the longitudinal direction, wherein the connection channels are oriented such that they open out on a first outer surface of the connection device oriented in the height direction for the insertion of the wire conductors. The release element or at least one activation section of the release element that can be used for introducing the release force is located in the region of a second outer surface of the connection device, which is oriented in the longitudinal direction of the directional valve.The connection device expediently has exactly two connection structures, to which a single release element is assigned jointly. In conjunction with such equipment, the directional control valve is expediently a monostable construction with spring return of the valve member. Of the two connection structures, one can be used for ground and the other as the positive pole of an actuating voltage. In a corresponding configuration of the drive device, a connection device provided with only two connection structures can also be used for the power supply of a bistable directional control valve. Alternatively, however, for the power supply of a bistable directional control valve, it is also possible to equip the connection device with three connection structures, to which a single release element is jointly assigned. In this case, one of the connection structures can be used for ground and the two other connection structures can be used as positive poles of two actuating voltages.The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the attached drawings. In these show: FIG. 1 shows an isometric view of a preferred embodiment of the directional control valve according to the invention, which is here equipped with a preferred design of an electromechanical connection device, wherein a wire conductor is depicted in the connected state and a further wire conductor is depicted during a connection process, wherein furthermore a region of the connection device framed by a dot-dash line is separately also illustrated again in an alternative configuration, FIG. 2 shows an individual illustration of the electromechanical connection device in a side view with the viewing direction according to arrow II from FIG. 1, FIG. 3 shows a rear view of the connection device as seen in the direction of arrow III from FIGS. 2 and 7, FIG. 4 shows a longitudinal section of the connection device according to section line IV-IV from FIG. 3 in the connected state of a wire conductor, wherein the release element assumes its inactive position and the associated clamping element assumes a clamping position and wherein the basic position of the clamping element is indicated by dash-dot lines, wherein an axial end region of a valve assembly of the directional valve is also indicated, on which the connection device is mountable and is mounted according to FIG. 1, FIG. 5 shows a cross section of the connection device according to section line V-V from FIGS. 3 and 4, FIG. 6 shows an isometric individual illustration of the connection device from FIGS. 1 to 5, wherein the release element assumes an active position which enables the extraction of a connected wire conductor and is caused by application of a release force, FIG. 7 shows a side view of the connection device viewed in the direction of arrow VII from FIG. 6, FIG. 8 shows a longitudinal section of the connection device according to section line VIII-VIII from FIGS. 3 and 10 in the active position of the release element shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, wherein a clamping element is shown which is moved by the active release element into an open position releasing the inserted wire conductor for pulling out, FIG. 9 shows a longitudinal section of the connection device according to section line IX-IX from FIG. 3, again in an active position of the release element, wherein the use of an actuating tool, indicated by dashed lines and inserted into a tool through-opening, for the introduction of a release force is indicated, FIG. 10 shows a cross section of the connection device according to section line X-X from FIGS. 3 and 8 in the operating state of FIGS. 6 to 8, and FIG. 11 shows an isometric individual illustration of one of the clamping units contained in the connection device and equipped with a clamping element.FIG. 1 shows an electrically actuatable directional control valve 1, which is designed for controlling fluid flows and can be used in particular to apply a fluidic pressure medium, in particular compressed air, to a connected fluid-actuated drive, which is not illustrated in greater detail in the drawing, for the purpose of actuating it in a controlled manner. The controlled pressurization can be effected by selectively supplying or discharging a fluidic pressure medium to or from the fluid-actuated drive.The directional control valve 1 contains a valve assembly 2 and an electromechanical connecting device 3 arranged on the valve assembly 2 in its position of use. The connecting device 3 is also depicted again separately in different views and sections in FIGS. 2 to 10.The directional control valve 1 contains a valve member 4 which is indicated only schematically by dashed lines and is designed, for example, as a valve slide and which can be driven to a changeover movement 5 indicated by a double arrow in order to position it in different switching positions. Depending on the switching position assumed, valve channels 6 opening out on the outside of the directional valve allow a fluidic pressure medium to flow out or back to or from a fluid-actuated drive. By way of example, these are five valve ducts 6, including two for connection to the fluid-actuated drive, one for connection to an external pressure source which provides the pressure medium to be controlled and enables venting of the fluid-actuated drive, and two for connection to a pressure sink, in particular to the atmosphere, in order to enable venting of the fluid-actuated drive.The changeover movement 5 and the resultant specification of different switching positions of the valve member 4 can be initiated by an electrically actuatable drive device 7 of the valve assembly 2. The electromechanical connecting device 3, referred to below simply as connecting device 3, allows the electrical power supply required for the actuation of the drive device 7 and allows the detachable connection of a plurality of electrically conductive wire conductors 8, which are connected or connectable to an electronic control device or another voltage source.By way of example, the wire conductors 8 are designed as individual wires that can be handled individually, but they can also be realized easily as wires of a multicore power cable.In a preferred construction, the directional valve 1 according to the illustrated embodiment is of an electro-fluidic and in particular electro-pneumatic pilot-controlled construction. For this purpose, the valve assembly 2 contains a main valve 11 equipped with the valve member 4 and the valve channels 6, and an electrically actuatable pilot valve device 12 formed by the drive device 7. The exemplary directional control valve 1 is of a monostable functionality, in which the valve member 4 is prestressed by a spring device 13 into a first switching position, from which it can be displaced into a second switching position by action on the part of a drive fluid within the scope of the changeover movement 5. The application of the drive fluid can be controlled by the pilot valve device 12 which contains only a single pilot valve, for example. A pilot control channel 14 provided for the application of fluid is indicated by dashed lines in FIG. 1. It communicates with a valve unit 12 aof the pilot valve device 12, which can be actuated by an electrically actuatable drive unit 12 bof the pilot valve device 12, which drive unit is equipped in particular with an electromagnet, in order to selectively ventilate or vent the pilot passage 14. The pilot driving fluid is separately supplied to the pilot valve device 12 or is branched from the main valve 11.The connection device 3 is preferably arranged directly on the drive device 7. It is in particular designed as a connection unit 3a, which can be handled uniformly independently of the valve assembly 2 and which is fastened detachably to the valve assembly 2 in its use position. FIG. 4 illustrates by means of a mounting arrow 15 how the connection unit 3 acan be placed with an electromechanical interface 16 into a complementary electromechanical mating interface 17 of the valve assembly 2 in order to complete the directional control valve 1. By way of example, the mating interface 17 is located on the drive device 7.In the assembled position of use of the connection unit 3 a, the wire conductors 8 connected to the connection unit 3 aare electrically conductively connected to the drive device 7 and, by way of example, to the drive unit 12 b. The electrical connection takes place in the joining region between the connection unit 3 aand the valve assembly 2 by the interaction between contact elements 18 formed at the interface 16 and mating contact elements 19 formed at the mating interface 17, which are inserted into one another in an electrically conductive manner or pressed against one another when the connection unit 3 ais mounted.The mechanical connection between the connection unit 3 aand the valve assembly 2 is effected, for example, by the interaction of a first hook structure 22 aarranged at the interface 16 with a second hook structure 22 barranged at the mating interface 17. The two hook structures 22 a, 22 bmay cooperate with one another in particular in a latching manner. Alternatively, other measures for the detachable mechanical connection are also possible, for example a screw connection.The directional control valve 1 extends in the axial direction, referred to as the longitudinal direction 23 a, of a longitudinal axis 23, the directional control valve 1 also has a vertical axis 28, which is orthogonal with respect to its longitudinal axis 23 and extends in a height direction 28 a. Furthermore, it has a transverse axis 67 which is oriented orthogonally with respect to the longitudinal axis 23 and with respect to the vertical axis 28.The valve assembly 2 and the connection unit 3 aare expediently arranged in a row in the longitudinal direction 23 a, wherein, by way of example, the drive device 7 is placed between the main valve 11 and the connection unit 3 a. For the accessibility of the connection unit 3 a, it is advantageous if, according to the illustrated exemplary embodiment, it is located in an axial end region of the directional control valve 1 oriented in the longitudinal direction 23 a. This applies correspondingly to a structural form of the connection device 3, which is formed as a non-detachable integral component of the directional control valve 1.Unless stated otherwise, references to the connection device 3 correspondingly apply to the connection unit 3 aand vice versa.The connection device 3 has a rear side 24 facing the valve assembly 2, on which the electromechanical interface 16 is located. The connection device 3 also has a front side 25 which is opposite the rear side 24 and faces away from it, for example, in the direction 23 a, and points away from the valve assembly 2; an outer surface of the connection device 3 assigned to this front side 25 is referred to as a second outer surface 27. It forms, by way of example, an axial end face of the directional control valve 1.The connection device 3 or the connection unit 3 acomprises a longitudinal axis 31 extending in a longitudinal direction 31 aand a vertical axis 32 perpendicular thereto and extending in a height direction 32 a. At an upper side 33 oriented perpendicularly to the front side 25 or the second outer surface 27, the connection device 3 has a further outer surface, which for better differentiation is referred to as first outer surface 26. Within the directional control valve 1, the connecting device 3 is oriented such that its longitudinal axis 31 runs parallel to the longitudinal axis of the directional control valve 1 and its vertical axis 32 is oriented parallel to the vertical axis 28 of the directional control valve 1.Regardless of the above axis designations, the directional valve 1 can be operated with any desired spatial orientation.The connection device 3 of the exemplary embodiment has a device housing 34 which encloses a housing interior 35. The device housing 34, which is preferably made of plastic, contains, for example, a housing base 37 and a hood-shaped housing cover 38 which is placed on the housing base 37. the housing base 37 and the housing cover 38 are fixed to one another, for example, by means of latching connection means 36. The housing base 37 is situated, for example, on the rear side 24 of the connection unit 3 a. The first and second outer surfaces 26, 27 are located on the housing cover 38.A printed circuit board 42 is fixed to the device housing 34 in the housing interior 35, said printed circuit board being oriented in particular such that its plate plane extends orthogonally to the longitudinal axis 31. The above-mentioned contact elements 18 are located on the circuit board 42 and are each accessible from the rear side 24 through a bottom aperture 43 of the housing bottom 37, in order to be able to be electrically contacted with the associated counter-contact elements 19. By way of example, the contact elements 18 are equipped with contact springs.The connection device 3 is equipped with a plurality of connection structures 44, 45 which each enable a detachable electromechanical connection of one of the wire conductors 8 already mentioned above. By way of example, exactly two connection structures 44, 45 are present, which for better differentiation are also referred to as first and second connection structures 44, 45. However, it can also be more than two and in particular three connection structures.Each connection structure 44, 45 expediently contains its own clamping unit 46. The clamping units 46 are preferably located completely in the housing interior 35 of the device housing 34. Each clamping unit 46 is fixed to the device housing 34, wherein, however, by way of example, there is no direct fixing, but rather an indirect fixing, which results from the clamping units 46 being fastened to the printed circuit board 42 fixed to the device housing 34 for its part.By way of example, the clamping units 46 are fastened to a first plate surface 42 aof the printed circuit board 42 which faces the front side of the connection device 3. The contact elements 18 are expediently located on a second plate surface 42 bof the printed circuit board 42 opposite the first plate surface 42 a.In a manner known per se, the printed circuit board 42 is equipped with a conductor track structure 47, which is indicated only by dashed lines and which independently of one another produces an electrically conductive connection between in each case one of the two clamping units 46 and one of the contact elements 18 which are present in the same number as the clamping units 46, i.e. are likewise present twice as an example.The clamping units 46 expediently consist entirely of a metal and therefore of an electrically conductive material and they are contacted to the conductor track structure by way of example by means of soldered connections. The latter also applies expediently to the contact elements 18.Each connection structure 44, 45 has a connection channel 48 into which a wire conductor 8 to be connected can be inserted by way of a connection end 8 a. To avoid short circuits, each wire conductor 8 is expediently surrounded, apart from its connection end 18 a, by an insulating jacket 8 bcomposed of plastic. Each wire conductor 8 can have its own insulating jacket 8 b, as is also the possibility that all wire conductors 8 are surrounded jointly by one and the same insulating jacket, forming a multicore cable.Each connection channel 48 has, by way of example, an inner longitudinal section 48 aextending in the associated clamping unit 46 and an outer longitudinal section 48 bconnected thereto and formed in the device housing 34. The outer longitudinal section 48 bends out on the outside of the device housing 34 with a wire insertion opening 51, through which the wire conductor 8 to be connected can be inserted into the connection channel 48.The outer length portions 48 bof the terminal channels 48 result from the clamping units 46 being accommodated in the housing interior 35 at a distance from each outer surface of the device housing 34. A distance between each clamping unit 46 and the outside of the device housing 34 is bridged by the outer length portions 48 b. In this way, each wire insertion opening 51 is spaced apart from the associated clamping unit 46.However, a design is also possible in which the clamping units 46 are installed flush with an outer surface of the device housing 34, so that each connection channel 48 extends exclusively in the associated clamping unit 46 and the wire insertion openings 51 are formed by openings of the clamping units 46.Preferably, the connection structures 44, 45 are oriented such that the connection channels 48 extend next to one another with mutually parallel orientation, so that the wire insertion openings 51 also have an orientation that is identical to one another. The wire insertion openings 51 are preferably arranged next to one another with only a small distance.By way of example, the connection channels 48 extend in the height direction 32 aof the connection device 3, wherein the wire insertion openings 51 are placed on the first outer surface 26 of the connection device 3 formed on the outside of the device housing 34. The insertion of a wire conductor 8 to be connected into a connection channel 48 indicated by an arrow 52 in FIG. 1 can thus take place in the height direction 32 a.A clamping region 53 is located in the course of each connecting channel 48, and the clamping region 53 is formed by a length section of the connecting channel 48 having a variable cross section, which length section is expediently relatively short. By way of example, each clamping region 53 is located in the interior of one of the clamping units 46.Each clamping region 53 is bounded by a movable clamping element 54, wherein the mobility of the clamping element 54 enables a change in the cross section of the clamping region 53.Each clamping element 54 is preferably an integral component of the associated clamping unit 46. In this way, a simple mounting on the printed circuit board 42 is obtained. Each clamping element 54 and expediently each entire clamping unit 46 consists of a metal, so that an electrical conductivity is provided, wherein a copper alloy is preferably used.Preferably, each clamping unit 46 has a base body 55, which is in particular formed in one piece and which, according to FIGS. 5, 10 and 11, has a hollow profile and in particular has the base structure of a hollow profile body with a rectangular cross section. The base body 55 encloses a base body interior 56, which defines, by way of example, the inner longitudinal section 48 aof the connection channel 48. Consequently, the base body 56 forms an electrically conductive channel wall 57 of the associated connection channel 48.Each clamping element 54 is fastened by a fixed end section 58 to the associated base body 55. The attachment may result from a one-piece connection if the base body 55 and the clamping element 54 have an overall one-piece structure. Alternatively, a clamping element 54 separate from the base body 55 can be fixed in an electrically conductive manner with its stationary end section 58 on the base body 55 by suitable fastening measures, for example by caulking or by means of a materially bonded connection such as welding.Starting from the stationary end section 58, each clamping element 54 projects into the associated base body interior 56, ending with a free end section 61. This is due to the fact that each clamping element 54 is designed tongue-like. Each clamping region 53 is bounded by the free end section 61 of the clamping element 54 and a wall section of the channel wall 57 opposite the free end section 61, which wall section is referred to below as a supporting wall section 62 for better differentiation and which is exemplarily a section of the base body 55.The tongue-like configuration of the clamping element 54 results in the already mentioned movability of the clamping element 54, which is expressed above all in a movability of the free end section 61. For the sake of easier description, the possible movement of the respective clamping element 54 is generally referred to as the working movement 63. Due to the tongue-like shape of the clamping element 54, the working movement 63 is, for example, a pivoting movement 69 with the region of the stationary end section 58 as the pivot center.During the working movement 63, the distance between the clamping element 54 and the supporting wall section 62 changes, which in this case increases or decreases depending on the direction of movement, which correspondingly also applies to the cross section of the clamping region 53.In the course of the working movement 63, the clamping element 54 is movable between a basic position 54 ashown in FIG. 5 for the clamping element 54 of the second connection structure 45 and an open position 54 bprovided in FIG. 10 for all clamping elements 54. In the open position 54 b, the clamping region 53 has a maximum cross section, caused by a maximum distance between the free end section 51 and the supporting wall section 62, In the basic position 54 a, the clamping region 53 has a minimum cross section, defined by a minimum distance between the free end section 51 and the supporting wall section 62, wherein the minimum cross section in the illustrated embodiment is equal to zero, since the clamping element 54 in the basic position 54 alies against the opposite supporting wall section 62.The main body 55 of each clamping unit 46 has a base portion 64 with which it is fixed to the first board surface 42 aof the circuit board 42. The support wall portion 62 is opposed to the base portion 64 in the longitudinal direction 31 with a distance. Two side wall sections 66 a, 66 bof the base body 55 spaced apart from one another in a transverse direction 65 aof the connection device 3 extend between the supporting wall section 62 and the base section 64, wherein the transverse direction 65 ais the axial direction of a transverse axis 65 which runs orthogonally to the longitudinal axis 31 and to the vertical axis 32 of the connection device 3. The transverse axis 65 of the connection device 3 extends parallel to the transverse axis 67 of the directional control valve 1. the main body interior 56 is bounded by the supporting wall section 62, the base section 64 and the two side wall sections 66 a, 66 b, which together form the electrically conductive channel wall 57 of the connection channel 48 already discussed above.The working movement 63 of each clamping element 54 can be carried out, for example, in each case in a movement plane 68 which runs orthogonally to the transverse axis 65. Due to the pivot mobility of the clamping elements 54, the plane of movement 68 is, for example, a plane of pivoting 68 a. During the working movement 63, the distance of each clamping element 54 from the front side 25 of the connecting device 3 also changes, among other things.The working movement 63 can take place in two mutually opposite directions, wherein, for better differentiation, a working movement 63 taking place in the direction of the open position 54 bis referred to as an opening movement 63 aand an opposite working movement 63 taking place in the direction of the basic position 54 ais referred to as a closing movement 63 b.Each clamping element 54 is assigned a spring structure 71 having spring-elastic properties, which has the effect that the opening movement 63 aof the clamping element 54 is accompanied by the build-up of a spring force FF beaufschlagen the relevant clamping element 54 in the direction of the basic position 54 a. This spring force FF becomes greater the farther the clamping element 54 moves from the basic position 54 a.Preferably, each clamping element 54 in the basic position 54 alies against the associated supporting wall section 62. The spring structures 71 are in particular designed such that the clamping elements 54 are also already exposed to a spring force FFin the basic position 54 a, so that they are prestressed by the respectively assigned spring structure 71 into the basic position 54 aand in the process against the supporting wall section 62.Each connection channel 48 has a channel end 72 opposite the wire insertion opening 51, which is situated, for example, in the main body interior 56, wherein the clamping region 53 lies between the wire insertion opening 51 and the channel end 72. The clamping element 54 is oriented such that its free end section 61 points in the direction of the channel end 72. Overall, the clamping element 54 is preferably shaped such that the free end section 61 in the basic position 54 ais aligned obliquely with respect to a channel longitudinal axis 48 cof the associated connection channel 48. The clamping element 54 is preferably structured such that, starting from the stationary end section 58, it initially extends in the direction of the wire insertion opening 51 and then merges with a U-shaped curved section 73 into an oppositely directed longitudinal section which terminates with the obliquely running free end section 61. The exemplary clamping element 54 is thus substantially U-shaped, with the two end sections 58, 61 as U-legs.A wire conductor 8 to be connected is inserted with its connecting end 8 apreviously according to the insertion arrow 52 (FIG. 1 ) through the selected wire insertion opening 51 into the adjoining connecting channel 48, wherein it abuts on the free end section 61 located in the basic position 54 awhen the clamping region 53 is reached and deflects the same from the basic position 54 awhen the insertion movement continues counter to the spring force FF. In this case, the clamping element 54 performs an opening movement 63 a. As soon as the wire conductor 8 passes the clamping region 53 which is enlarged in cross section due to the deflected clamping element 54, it is pressed against the supporting wall section 62 by the clamping element 54 which is under the spring force FF and is consequently clamped in an electrically conductive manner between the clamping element 54 and the supporting wall section 62. In this way, the inserted wire conductor 8 is mechanically held fixed on the one hand while preventing it from being pulled out and is electrically conductively contacted on the other hand with the clamping unit 46.If a tensile force is subsequently exerted on the wire conductor 8 for some reasons, the preferably sharp-edged free end section 61 of the clamping element 54 in the wire conductor 8 is expediently secured and thus, in addition to the clamping force, brings about a form-fitting holding force which resists the pulling out.The position assumed by the clamping element 54 in the state deflected by the wire conductor 8 is referred to as clamping position 54 cfor better differentiation. The clamping position 54 cis between the basic position 54 aand the open position 54 band can be seen in the drawing in particular from FIG. 4 and furthermore in FIG. 5 with the first connection structure 44 depicted on the right.According to the illustrated embodiment, it is advantageous if the clamping elements 54 each directly themselves form the spring structure 71 assigned to them, in that they inherently have elastically bendable properties. In this way, separate spring structures are saved with respect to the clamping elements 54. The clamping elements 54 are expediently designed in the manner of leaf springs. By way of example, the spring elasticity is promoted by the curved section 73, which ensures a relatively large stroke for the working movement 63 in conjunction with the build-up of a moderate spring force FF, such that the clamping elements 54 bring about a secure hold of the inserted wire conductors 8 and are nevertheless movable with little force into the open position 54 bwhen a connected wire conductor 8 is to be removed again.For the required removal of inserted wire conductors 8, the connection device 3 contains a separate release element 74 with respect to the clamping elements 54, which release element can be acted upon by a manually producible release force FL in order to uniformly move all the clamping elements 54 present into the release position and in the process to lift them off from each inserted wire conductor 8 for the purpose of its release permitting easy extraction. The fact is particularly advantageous that the clamping elements 54 can in principle execute their working movement 63 independently of one another, but a single and therefore one and the same release element 74 is assigned to all the clamping elements 54 together, by the actuation of which release element all the clamping elements 54 can be moved simultaneously into the open position 54 b.In the state not subjected to a release force FL, the release element 74 assumes an inactive position which can be seen, for example, from FIGS. 1, 2, 4 and 5. In this inactive position of the release element 74, each clamping element 54 is able to assume its basic position 54 a. This is achieved by way of example in that in the inactive position of the release element 54, independently of the position of the clamping elements 54 and therefore also in the basic position 54 aof the clamping elements 54, there is a distance "A" between the release element 74 and each clamping element 54.When a clamping element 54 assumes a clamping position 54 c, its distance "A" from the inactive release element 74 is greater than in the basic position 54 a.By introducing the release force FL, the release element 74 can be driven starting from the inactive position to a release movement 75 indicated by an arrow, during which it acts on all clamping elements 54 after bridging the distance "A" and carries the same along, causing an opening movement 63 a. Each clamping element 54 currently assuming a clamping position 54 cis displaced from the clamping position 54 cin the open position 54 b, wherein the cross section of the associated clamping region 53 is enlarged and the clamping of the inserted wire conductor 8 is canceled. Consequently, the now released wire conductor 8 can be pulled out of the associated connection channel 48 without resistance.If no wire conductor 8 is inserted into one of the plurality of connection structures 44, 45 at the time of the opening movement 75 and the associated clamping element 54 is consequently in the basic position 54 a, the same is nevertheless likewise carried along and moved into the open position 54 b, without a wire conductor 8 being influenced thereby.If necessary, the open position 54 bof the clamping elements 54 caused by the actuation of the release element 74 can also be used to plug in a wire conductor 8 to be connected according to the plug-in arrow 52 (FIG. 1 ). This facilitates the connection process, particularly in the case of very thin wire conductors 8 or in the case of wire conductors 8 of low rigidity which are designed as stranded conductors, because the clamping elements 54 then do not have to be deflected exclusively into the clamping position 54 cby the insertion force of the wire conductors 8.A position of the release element 74, in which it holds the clamping elements 54 in the open position 54 b, is referred to as an active position and can be seen from FIGS. 6 to 10.The release element 74 preferably has inherently spring-elastically bendable properties, so that after removal of the release force FL, it automatically returns from the active position into the inactive position within the scope of a return movement 79 which is opposed to the release movement 75 and is indicated by dashed lines in FIG. 8. However, a design is also possible in which a separate spring device is assigned to the release element 74 for an automatic return movement 79 into the inactive position and / or in which the return movement 79 results from the closing movement 63 bof the clamping elements 54, which push the release element 74 back into the inactive position.The release element 74 is exemplarily an integral part of the device housing 34. the device housing 34 preferably has a U-shaped recess 76 in the area of the front side 25, resulting in a tongue-like wall section 77 of the device housing 34 forming the release element 74. Consequently, the release element 74 is tongue-like, having at one end a root region 81 in which it is integrally connected to a residual component 82 of the device housing 34, with respect to which the connection structures 44, 45 are fixed in a fixed position. The root region 81 is located in the region of the U opening of the U-shaped cutout 76. the release element 74 also has a free end section 78, which is spaced apart from the root region 81 and is pivoted about the root region 81, in particular, during the release movement 75 and the return movement 79 of the release element 74 opposite thereto. Overall, the release element 74 can accordingly be driven by selectively applying or removing the release force FLto a pivoting movement 83 about the root region 81, which depending on the direction of movement is the release movement 75 or the return movement 79.The tongue-shaped release element 74 is preferably integrally connected to the remaining component 82 of the device housing 34 in the root region 81. The inherent spring elasticity results in particular from the flexibility in the root region 81 and optionally also from a correspondingly small thickness and / or a suitable choice of material.By way of example, the device housing 34 and consequently also the release element 74 consist of a thermoplastic material which offers a certain elastic deformability without the risk of breakage.The release element 74 is expediently located in the region of the second outer surface 27 of the connection device 3, which is the case in the illustrated exemplary embodiment. The release element 74 is preferably equipped with an activation section 84 which can be used very well for introducing the release force FL and is likewise located in the region of the second outer surface 27. The activation section 84 is preferably manifested in a visible local structure of the release element 74, which is for example a trough structure surrounded by a bead 90, on which a finger of a hand can be placed conveniently and in a targeted manner for introducing the release force FL.The release element 74 is preferably designed such that a movement plane 85, in which the release movement 75 takes place, is aligned parallel to the movement plane 68 of the clamping elements 54. Due to the pivot mobility of the release element 74, the plane of movement 85 is, for example, a plane of pivoting 85 a. The movement plane 85 extends, for example, orthogonally to the transverse axis 65. a release force FL hervorrufen the release movement 75 is exerted in the region of the front side 25 in the direction of the clamping units 46 located in the housing interior 35.For the transmission of the release force FL to the movable clamping elements 54, the release element 74 preferably has a number of force introduction projections 86 which expediently correspond to the number of clamping units 46 and which project into the housing interior 35 in the longitudinal direction 31 a. The force introduction projections 86 are in particular designed in the form of tabs.Each force introduction protrusion 86 extends as far as one of the clamping elements 54, so that each force introduction protrusion 86 is assigned to one of the clamping elements 54. In the inactive position of the release element 74, the distance "A" mentioned further above is expediently located between each force introduction projection 86 and the clamping element 54 assigned thereto and assuming the basic position 54 a.For a favorable transmission of force of release force FL to clamping elements 54, it is advantageous if each clamping element 54 has a laterally protruding force-absorbing tab 87 that protrudes into a region upstream of the associated force-introduction projection 86. During the release movement 75, the force introduction projections 86 can each exert a pressing force FD, indicated in FIGS. 10 and 11, on the associated force receiving tab 87 in order to bring about an opening movement 83 aof the associated clamping element 54.By way of example, the channel wall 57 of each connection channel 48 has a lateral wall recess 91, through which the force-absorbing tab 87 of the associated clamping element 54 passes, so that the force-absorbing tab 87 protrudes outside beyond the channel wall 57. By way of example, the wall recesses are each located in a side wall section 66 aof the base body 55 of the relevant clamping unit 46. The force introduction projection 86 acting on the force absorption tab 87 of a clamping element 54 extends adjacent to the side wall section 66 aadjacent to the base body 55 of the associated clamping unit 46.The force introduction projections 86 are expediently arranged on the free end section 78 of the tongue-like release element 74 on its inner side 89 afacing the connection structures 44, 45 and are formed integrally on in particular. They are arranged in the transverse direction 65 aat a distance from one another which corresponds to the mutual distance of the force-absorbing lugs 87.The channel end 72 of the connecting channels 48 is expediently axially delimited by a terminating wall section 92 of the base body 55. The end wall section 92 expediently forms an insertion stop for the wire conductor 8 to be connected, so that the latter can be inserted with its connection end 8 aprecisibly into the connection channel 48 at an optimum insertion depth.It can happen that the directional valve 1 is installed at a place of use in its use position such that the accessibility of the release element 74 is restricted from the front side 25. For this case, the connection device 3 can have an integrated aid, which enables simple actuation from the upper side 33. The illustrated connecting device 3 is equipped with such an auxiliary means which is a tool passage 94 permitting a rod-shaped actuating tool 93 indicated by dashed lines to be inserted through.The tool insertion channel 94 is preferably formed in the region of the front side 25 in a housing extension 95 which projects beyond the release element 74 in the longitudinal direction 31 aand which opens out on the first outer surface 26 adjacent to the wire insertion openings 51 on the one hand and on the other hand is open in the region of the second outer surface 27 in a region towards the release element 74 which is upstream of an outer side 89 bof the release element 74 opposite the inner side 89 a. The tool through-passage 94 preferably extends in the height direction 32 aof the connection device 3, wherein its two openings are likewise oriented in this height direction 32 a.A tool-assisted manual actuation of the release element 74 is possible, as illustrated in FIG. 9, for example, in that an actuating tool 93 which is held in the hand and is formed, for example, by a screwdriver is inserted from the upper side 33 through the tool insertion channel 94 such that its tip comes to lie in the region of the outer side 89 aof the release element 74, whereupon the actuating tool 93 is pivoted according to arrows 96, such that the tip of the actuating tool 93 acts on the release element 74 with a release force FL. During the pivoting according to arrows 96, the actuating tool 93 can be supported on the housing extension 95 within the tool insertion channel 94, so that a leverage effect is generated.If the diameter of the actuating tool 93 approximately corresponds to the diameter of the tool passage 94, the action on the release element 74 can also be brought about purely by a linear sliding process of the actuating tool 93 even without pivoting of the actuating tool 93, it being expedient if the actuating tool 93 has an inclined surface at its tip and / or if the release element 74 has a force introduction projection 90a which can be acted upon in a targeted manner by the actuating tool 93 on its outer side 89b. The force introduction protrusion 90 acan be formed, for example, by the above-mentioned bead 90 of the activation section 84.The connecting device 3 described thus far enables the introduction of a manual release force FL either by direct pressing with a finger of a hand or by direct pressing with an actuating tool 93 held in the hand. Moreover, the connecting device 3 can, however, be equipped, according to the dash-dotted illustration in FIG. 2, with an actuating element 97 which is present in addition to the release element 74 and can be adjusted by a manually generated actuating force FB, so that it acts on the release element 74 and in this respect generates the desired release force FL.The actuating element 94 is in particular an actuating slide 97 awhich is mounted on the device housing 34 such that it can be displaced orthogonally to the longitudinal axis 31 according to the double arrow 98. This constellation entails that the force direction of the actuating force FB abweicht from the force direction of the release force FLthat can be generated and is oriented in particular perpendicular thereto. The force deflection connected therewith can advantageously be connected for a force transmission with the effect of a release force FLthat is greater than the actuation force FB. The release element 74 expediently has a force introduction projection 97 bwhich is formed by the activation section 84-for example by the abovementioned bead 90-or by an independent section of the release element 74 and on which the actuating slide 97 acan act with an inclined surface 99.According to the separate detail illustration of FIG. 1, which is framed in dash-dot lines, the connection device 3 can optionally have a strain relief device 100, through which each connected wire conductor 8 is guided with a meanderingly bent length section located outside the connection structures 44, 45. The aforementioned length section is thereby expediently clamped in the strain relief device 100. The strain relief device 100 is preferably located on the front side 25 of the connection device 3, wherein it is integrated into the housing extension 95 by way of example. The strain relief device 100 has, by way of example, a number of strain relief slots 101 corresponding to the number of connection structures 44, 45, the slot opening of which points in the opposite direction to the wire insertion openings 51, so that the length section of the wire conductor 8 to be fixed can be inserted into a strain relief slot 101 from below.References 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 citedEP 2 110 562 A1

[0002] EP 2 110 561 A1

[0003] DE 10 2014 102 517 A1

[0004]

Claims

Electromechanical connecting device for a directional control valve (1) designed for the releasable connection of a plurality of wire conductors (8) serving for supplying power to the directional control valve (1), characterized - in that it has a plurality of connecting structures (44, 45), each of which has a connecting channel (48) provided for the insertion of a wire conductor (8) to be connected, which connecting channel has a clamping region (53), which is bounded laterally by a clamping element (54), which can be moved between a basic position (54a) and an open position (54b) which provides a larger cross section of the clamping region (53) compared to the basic position (54a), - wherein an opening movement (63a) of the clamping element (54), which opening movement takes place in the direction of the open position (54b), takes place with the build-up of an opening movement (63a) of the clamping element (54), which acts upon the clamping element (54) in the direction of the basic position (54a) in a restoring manner, A spring force (FL) provided by a spring structure (71) is associated with the result that a wire conductor (8) inserted into the associated clamping region (53) can be clamped in an electrically conductive manner by the clamping element (54) deflected from the basic position (54a) into a clamping position (54c) located between the basic position (54a) and the open position (54b), - wherein the clamping elements (54) of all the connection structures (44, 45), which are movable independently of one another, are jointly associated with a release element (74) of the connection device (3) which, starting from an inactive position allowing each clamping element (54) to assume its basic position (54a), can be driven by introduction of a manually generated release force (FL) to a release movement (75) acting on all the clamping elements (54), in which it causes an opening movement (63a) of all the clamping elements (54), such that each clamped wire conductor (8) can be released for removal from the associated connection channel (48).Connection device according to claim 1, characterised in that it is formed as a connection unit (3a) which can be handled in a uniform manner and which has an electromechanical interface (16) for attachment, in particular in a releasable manner, to a valve assembly (2) of the directional valve (1).Connection device according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the clamping elements (54) inherently have elastically bendable properties and each directly itself form the spring structure (71) assigned to them, wherein they are expediently designed in the manner of leaf springs.Connection device according to one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the clamping elements (54) are designed in the manner of tongues with a free end section (61) and can be moved between the basic position (54a) and the open position (54b) as part of a pivoting movement (69).Connection device according to one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, in the inactive position of the release element (74), independently of the position of the clamping elements (54), there is a spacing (A) between the release element (74) and each clamping element (54), and / or in that each clamping element (54) is prestressed into the basic position (54a) by the associated spring structure (71).Connection device according to one of Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that each connection structure (44, 45) has a clamping unit (46) which is fixed to a device housing (34) of the connection device and is composed of metal and in which the associated connection channel (48) extends with at least one longitudinal section containing the clamping region (53) and which has the associated clamping element (54) as an integral constituent part.Connection device according to claim 6, characterised in that each clamping unit (46) has a base body (55) which forms an electrically conductive channel wall (57) of the associated connection channel (48), wherein the associated clamping element (54) has a force-absorbing tab (87) which projects beyond the channel wall (57) on the outside and on which the release element (74) can act in order to produce an opening movement (63a) of the clamping element (54).Connection device according to claim 6 or 7, characterised in that each connection channel (48) has an inner longitudinal section (48a) extending in the clamping unit (46) and containing the clamping region (53), and an outer longitudinal section (48b) adjoining the latter and formed in the device housing (34), wherein the outer longitudinal section (48b) ends externally on the device housing (34) with a wire insertion opening (51) permitting the insertion of a wire conductor (8) to be connected.Connection device according to one of Claims 6 to 8, characterized in that the clamping units (46) are mounted on a printed circuit board (42) which is enclosed by the device housing (34) and fixed with respect to the device housing and are electrically conductively connected via a conductor track structure (47) to contact elements (18), at which an actuating voltage for the directional control valve (1) which brings about the power supply can be tapped.Connection device according to one of Claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the release element (74) is designed in the manner of a tongue with a free end section (78), wherein the release movement (75) is a pivoting movement (83), and wherein the release element (74) is expediently a one-piece integrated component of a device housing (34) of the connection device (3).Connection device according to one of Claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the release element (74) inherently has elastically bendable properties in such a way that it can automatically return to the inactive position after an introduced release force (FL) has been removed.Connection device according to one of Claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the connection channels (48) extend in a height direction (32a) of the connection device (3) with mutually parallel alignment and each end on a first outer surface (26) of the connection device (3) with a wire insertion opening (51), wherein the release element (74) is arranged at least with an activation section (84) which can be used for introducing the release force (FL) in the region of a second outer surface (27) of the connection device (3) which is oriented orthogonally with respect to the first outer surface (26), wherein the release element (74) expediently has a number of force introduction projections (86) which corresponds to the number of clamping elements (54), which, during the release movement (75), which can be brought about by action on the release element (74), act in each case in a pressing manner on one of the clamping elements (54) present in order to produce the opening movement (63a).Connection device according to claim 12, characterised in that on the one hand on the first outer surface (26) adjacent to the wire insertion openings (51) a tool insertion channel (94) open on the other hand in the region of the second outer surface (27) towards the release element (74) leads through which an actuating tool (93) usable for introducing the release force (FL) can be inserted.Connection device according to one of Claims 1 to 13, characterized in that it has an actuating element (97), which interacts with the release element (74) in a force-transmitting manner and is expediently designed as an actuating slide (97a), which actuating element is adjustable by a manually generated actuating force (FB) in order to produce the release force (FL) by interaction with the release element (74), wherein the direction of force of the actuating force (FB) expediently deviates from the direction of force of the release force (FL) and is in particular oriented perpendicularly thereto.Directional control valve, having a valve member (4), an electrically actuatable drive device (7) for moving the valve member (4) and an electromechanical connecting device (3) for the releasable connection of a plurality of wire conductors (8) serving for supplying power to the drive device (7), characterized in that the electromechanical connecting device (3) is designed according to one of Claims 1 to 14.Directional control valve according to Claim 15, characterized in that the electrically actuatable drive device (7) is designed as a pilot valve device (12), by the electrical actuation of which a fluid application of a drive fluid to the valve member (4) can be controlled in order to move the valve member (4) into different switching positions by controlled fluid application.Directional control valve according to Claim 15 or 16, characterized in that the electromechanical connecting device (3) is arranged directly on the electrically actuatable drive device (7).Directional control valve according to one of Claims 15 to 17, characterized in that the valve member (4) and the electrically actuatable drive device (7) belong to a valve assembly (2) of the directional control valve (1), wherein the electromechanical connection device (3) is designed as a connection unit (3a) which can be handled in a single manner and has an electromechanical interface (16), via which it can be fastened or is fastened to a complementary electromechanical mating interface (17) of the valve assembly (2) in such a way that an electrically conductive connection is present between the connection structures (44, 45) of the electromechanical connection device (3) and the electrically actuatable drive device (7).Directional control valve according to one of Claims 15 to 18, characterized in that it has a longitudinal axis (23) extending in a longitudinal direction (23a) and a vertical axis (28) extending in a height direction (28a) which is orthogonal thereto, wherein the electromechanical connection device (3) is located in an axial end region of the directional control valve which points in the longitudinal direction (23a), wherein the connection channels (48) of the connection structures (44, 45) open out at a first outer surface (26) of the electromechanical connection device (3) which is oriented in the height direction (28a), and the release element (74) is arranged at least with an activation section (84) which can be used for introducing the release force (FL) in the region of a second outer surface (27) of the electromechanical connection device (3) which is oriented in the longitudinal direction (23a).

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