Terminal for connecting an electrical cable

Abstract

A connection terminal (1) for connecting an electrical line (2) comprises a housing part (10), a contact element (11) arranged on the housing part (10), which contact element has a contact section (110) for making electrical contact with an electrical line (2), and a spring element (12). A trigger element (13) is designed to interact with the electrical line (2) when plugged into the connection terminal (1) to release a clamping leg (120) of the spring element (12) from a release position. The trigger element (13) has a trigger leg (130), and the housing part (10) of the connection terminal (1) defines a receiving space (101) into which the electrical line (2) can be inserted by plugging it into the connection terminal (1).The triggering leg (130) has an impact section (138) onto which the electrical line (2) strikes when plugged into the connection terminal (1) and on which a guide device (17) for guiding the electrical line (2) in the direction of an effective point (173) or an effective surface (172) is formed on the impact section (138).

Description

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

[0002] Such a connection terminal has a housing part. A contact element with a contact section for making electrical contact with an electrical line is arranged on the housing part. A clamping leg of a spring element is designed to act on an electrical line in a clamped position to make contact with the contact section. In a release position, the clamping leg is removed from the contact section compared to the clamped position, wherein the clamping leg is held in position relative to the housing part in the release position. A trigger element is designed to interact with the electrical line when plugged into the connection terminal to release the clamping leg from the release position. The trigger element has a trigger leg.The housing part of the terminal defines a receiving space into which the electrical cable can be inserted by plugging it into the terminal, wherein the release leg extends into the receiving space for interaction with the electrical cable.

[0003] By using the spring element, the connection terminal realizes a spring force connection in which the electrical line in the connected position is clamped to the contact element under the elastic spring action of the spring element and is thus electrically connected to the contact element.

[0004] A connection terminal known from DE 10 2019 127 464 B3 features a spring element in the form of a tension spring, which draws a connected electrical cable into contact with an associated contact element through elastic spring action, thus establishing a clamped connection between the electrical cable and the contact element. For this purpose, the electrical cable is pushed through an opening in the clamping leg when applied and clamped between the clamping leg and the contact element in the connected position.

[0005] The terminal of DE 10 2019 127 464 B3 features a locking device by means of which the clamping leg is locked in a release position relative to the housing. When the electrical cable is inserted, the locking device is triggered and the locking is thus released, so that the clamping leg is moved out of the release position and the electrical cable is thereby clamped to the contact element. In order to move the clamping leg into the release position, in particular to enable the electrical cable to be attached or to detach a connected electrical cable from the terminal, a tool, for example a screwdriver, can be placed on the terminal and a force can thereby be exerted on the clamping leg.

[0006] While in DE 10 2019 127 464 B3 the clamping leg is adjusted directly using a tool, the connecting terminals known from DE 10 2019 135 203 A1 and DE 10 2020 104 140 A1 each provide an actuating element in the form of a so-called pusher, which can be pressed into the housing of the connecting terminal in order to act on the clamping leg and move the clamping leg into its release position. The actuating element is spring-loaded relative to the housing of the connecting terminal via a tension spring in the form of a compression spring. In the connecting terminal known from DE 10 2019 135 203 A1, an actuating lug is arranged on the actuating element, which, when the actuating element is in the actuated position, is hooked onto a fastening section of a holding element.

[0007] Such a terminal, which implements a spring-loaded connection and has a trigger element for automatic triggering when an electrical cable is plugged in, should also be able to accommodate electrical cables with a small cross-section and low rigidity, such as stranded cables. Because thin cables are flexible and may only be able to transmit compressive forces to a limited extent, it must be ensured that sufficient force is transmitted to the trigger element when such a cable is plugged in, allowing the terminal to trigger.

[0008] The object of the present invention is to provide a connection terminal which enables comfortable handling with reliable triggering of the trigger element even when connecting a thin cable.

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

[0010] Accordingly, the trigger arm has an impact section onto which the electrical cable strikes when plugged into the connection terminal and on which a guide device for guiding the electrical cable in the direction of an effective point or an effective surface is formed on the impact section.

[0011] With the terminal block, the electrical cable is electrically connected to the electrical contact element. When the electrical cable is plugged into the terminal block, the clamping leg acts on the electrical cable and exerts a spring-elastic load in the direction of contact with the contact element. To facilitate the connection of the electrical cable, the clamping leg of the spring element can be elastically deflected, for example, by a tool or by actuating an actuating element.

[0012] Once the clamping leg has been moved into the release position, it is held in the release position relative to the housing part. This can be achieved by directly locking the clamping leg relative to the housing part or by indirect locking, for example, via an actuating element.

[0013] The connection terminal has a release element that is designed to interact with the electrical cable when plugged into the connection terminal to release the clamping leg from the release position. The release element serves to release the clamping leg from the release position in order to automatically release the clamping leg from the release position when the electrical cable is plugged in and thus transfer it into a clamped position in which the electrical cable plugged into the connection terminal is electrically contacted with the contact element of the connection terminal. Because the release element is deflected when the electrical cable is plugged in, the connection terminal closes automatically when the electrical cable is plugged in. This results in a simple connection process with reliable contact between the cable and the contact element.

[0014] Such a connection terminal, in which the clamping leg of the spring element is held in position relative to the housing part in the release position and which can be automatically triggered by a trigger element when an electrical cable is inserted, can be delivered by a manufacturer, for example, with the clamping leg in the release position.

[0015] The triggering leg of the triggering element is designed to interact with the electrical cable when plugged into the connection terminal. By interacting with the electrical cable, the triggering leg is triggered, so that the clamping leg is released from the release position. The housing part defines a receiving space into which the electrical cable can be inserted by being inserted into a plug-in opening. The triggering leg extends into the receiving space to interact with the electrical cable. In particular, the electrical cable can be plugged into a plug-in opening along a plug-in direction, wherein the triggering leg extends (approximately) transversely to the plug-in direction in the receiving space, at least with the impact section that the cable encounters when plugged into the connection terminal.

[0016] The trigger element can, for example, be designed as an integral, elastically springy element.

[0017] Such a terminal should also be designed to allow the connection of a flexible cable. Such a flexible cable, for example, has a small cross-section or is designed as a stranded cable. Due to its flexibility, such an electrical cable is only suitable to a limited extent for transmitting compressive forces to the trigger element when plugged into the terminal.

[0018] To enable the connection of such a flexible cable with reliable triggering of the trigger element, the electrical cable, when plugged into the connection terminal, strikes the impact section formed on the trigger arm in such a way that an effective force transfer from the cable to the trigger element can take place. For this reason, a guide device is formed on the impact section of the trigger arm, which is designed to guide the electrical cable toward an effective point or an effective surface on the impact section when plugged into the connection terminal.

[0019] The impact section can, in particular, extend along a transverse direction in the receiving space within the terminal such that the electrical cable reliably impacts the impact section upon insertion into the receiving space. The guide device is preferably configured such that the guide device guides one end of the cable along the impact section such that the cable is guided toward the effective point or the effective surface at the impact section.

[0020] Preferably, the effective point or the effective surface is formed centrally on the impact section, so that the line is centered by the guide device and acts in a centered manner with advantageous force transmission on the impact section.

[0021] In one embodiment, the impact section is convexly curved or provided with a recess on a side facing the electrical cable to form the guide device. Due to a convex curvature, an electrical cable is guided to a central effective point or a central effective surface on the impact section when plugged into the connection terminal and upon impact with the impact section. In a recess formed on the impact section, for example, a funnel-shaped recess, the electrical cable can be captured upon impact with the impact section and guided to a central effective point or a central effective surface in the recess.In each case, the electrical line is guided along the impact section in such a way that, upon impact with the impact section, the electrical line is guided to an advantageous point or an advantageous surface on the impact section for force transmission to the trigger arm.

[0022] In one embodiment, the housing part forms a plug-in opening into which the electrical cable can be inserted in a plug-in direction for connection to the terminal. The guide device has at least one guide surface that is aligned obliquely to the plug-in direction in order to guide the electrical cable transversely to the plug-in direction in the direction of the effective point or the effective surface. The oblique guide surface causes a force deflection to transversely displace the electrical cable upon impact with the impact section. When the electrical cable hits the oblique guide surface, the electrical cable slides along the guide surface and is thereby guided towards the effective point or the effective surface at the impact section.

[0023] For example, the guide device has at least one pair of opposing guide surfaces, between which the point of action or the effective surface is located. The opposing guide surfaces are each inclined and point toward each other, so that an electrical line, upon impact with one of the guide surfaces, is guided to a central location between the guide surfaces.

[0024] For example, the guide device can have two pairs of opposing guide surfaces, between which the point of action or the effective surface is located. The guide surfaces of the two pairs are aligned with each other in such a way that guidance occurs along different directions towards the (central) point of action or the effective surface. For example, one pair of guide surfaces can provide guidance along a first transverse direction (perpendicular to the plug-in direction) and the other pair of guide surfaces can provide guidance along a second transverse direction (perpendicular to the plug-in direction and perpendicular to the first transverse direction), so that a cable slides off at least one of the guide surfaces upon impact with the impact section and is thereby displaced transversely and thus guided towards the point of action or the effective surface arranged centrally between the guide surfaces.

[0025] In one embodiment, the terminal block has an actuating element that can be moved from a non-actuated position to an actuated position to move the clamping leg into the release position. The actuating element can be actuated manually or using a tool by a user to move the actuating element into the actuated position and move the clamping leg into the release position. The actuating element can be mounted on the housing part or on a component that is stationary relative to the housing part, for example, the contact element, in a linearly displaceable or pivotable manner.

[0026] In one embodiment, the actuating element is locked to the release element in the actuated position, thereby holding the clamping leg in the release position. The clamping leg is thus locked in the release position indirectly via the actuating element by the actuating element locking to the release element.

[0027] In the release position, an electrical cable can be easily connected to the terminal, or a connected cable can be removed from the terminal with essentially no force. After the locking mechanism is released, the actuating element can, in particular, move automatically, preferably under spring preload, back toward the non-actuated position. Spring preload on the actuating element can be achieved, for example, via the clamping leg, which is elastically deflected in the actuated position and, after the actuating element is released, acts spring-mechanically on the actuating element to transfer the actuating element from the actuated position toward the non-actuated position.

[0028] In one embodiment, the actuating element has a latching section for latching with a latching device of the triggering element of the terminal in the actuated position. The latching section can, for example, be arranged on a side of the actuating element facing away from an actuating section, preferably approximately diametrically (with respect to a pivot axis of the actuating element) away from the actuating section with respect to the pivot axis. Via the latching section, the actuating element is latched in the actuated position with an associated latching device of the triggering element, so that the actuating element is held in the actuated position, but can be released from the actuated position in a simple, reliable manner by triggering the triggering arm when the electrical cable is inserted.

[0029] The locking device of the trigger element can, for example, be formed by an opening into which the locking portion of the actuating element, for example formed by a projection, engages in the actuated position of the actuating element. The actuating element is thus held in position in its actuated position by the positive engagement of the locking portion in the opening of the trigger element. Adjusting the trigger arm releases the engagement, allowing the actuating element to be released from the actuated position to transfer the clamping arm into the release position.

[0030] In one embodiment, the actuating element can be pivoted about a pivot axis relative to the housing part.

[0031] In one embodiment, the actuating element has a first sliding surface formed on a body portion of the actuating element, and the housing part has a second sliding surface formed on a housing portion for slidingly supporting the first sliding surface when the actuating element pivots about the pivot axis. With an actuating element pivotably mounted on a housing part for adjusting the clamping leg, loading forces on the actuating element act not only in tension and compression (as is usually the case with an actuating element displaceably mounted on the housing), but also as bending loads, in particular about a bending axis perpendicular to the pivot axis.In order to provide support for the actuating element for pivotable mounting on the housing part for this purpose, the actuating element has a first sliding surface formed on a body portion, which is designed to cooperate with a complementary sliding surface on a housing portion of the housing part in order to provide support between the actuating element and the housing part when the actuating element is pivoted.

[0032] The first sliding surface and the second sliding surface are radially spaced from the pivot axis. For example, the first sliding surface can be formed on an outer, radially outwardly facing wall of the actuating element to slidably cooperate with the sliding surface on the housing portion of the housing part.

[0033] In this case, it can be provided that the first sliding surface and the second sliding surface are always in sliding contact with one another when the actuating element is pivoted, so that a sliding bearing exists between the sliding surfaces.

[0034] In another embodiment, it can also be provided that the first sliding surface only comes into contact with the second sliding surface on the housing section of the housing part when an (excessive) load is applied to the actuating element, for example, when pressure is applied to an actuating section along a direction perpendicular to the pivot axis. Thus, in this embodiment, the sliding surfaces are not always in contact with one another, but only come into sliding contact with one another when an (excessive) load is applied to the actuating element.

[0035] In one embodiment, the first sliding surface and / or the second sliding surface are curved around the pivot axis. The first sliding surface and / or the second sliding surface can, for example, have a constant radius of curvature around the pivot axis, so that the first sliding surface and / or the second sliding surface extend in an arc around the pivot axis with a constant radius.

[0036] Preferably, both the first sliding surface and the second sliding surface are curved around the pivot axis and have an arcuate shape with a constant radius of curvature relative to the pivot axis. The sliding surfaces are shaped complementarily to each other, with the first sliding surface on the actuating element having a convex shape and the second sliding surface on the housing portion having a complementary, concave shape.

[0037] However, it is also conceivable that only one of the sliding surfaces is curved and rests on the other sliding surface at one or more contact points.

[0038] In one embodiment, the actuating element has an actuating section for actuation by a user and an active section for acting on the clamping leg. While the actuating section is accessible from outside the housing part, for example by a user being able to act on the actuating section using a tool, such as a screwdriver, or alternatively manually, the active section is operatively connected to the clamping leg of the spring element. By adjusting the actuating element, an adjusting force is exerted on the clamping leg via the active section, so that, in particular when the actuating element is adjusted from the non-actuated position to the actuated position, the clamping leg is entrained and thus moved towards a release position.

[0039] In one embodiment, the body portion of the actuating element on which the first sliding surface is formed forms the active portion for acting on the clamping leg when the actuating element is pivoted. With the body portion forming the active portion, which also integrally and one-piecely forms the (first) sliding surface on the actuating element, the actuating element acts on the clamping leg of the spring element when pivoting from the non-actuated position to the actuated position and adjusts it towards a release position. The body portion on which the sliding surface of the actuating element is formed is formed by the active portion, such that the actuating element is slidably supported on the housing portion of the housing part via a surface of the active portion when the actuating element is pivoted about the pivot axis relative to the housing part.

[0040] Preferably, the first sliding surface rests against the second sliding surface in the non-actuated position and in the actuated position of the actuating element, and when the actuating element pivots about the pivot axis between the non-actuated position and the actuated position. The first sliding surface and the second sliding surface are thus in supporting contact with one another both in the non-actuated position and in the actuated position, and also during any movement therebetween. In particular, due to the support in the actuated position, forces can be absorbed and supported on the actuating element when the clamping leg is deflected, without the force of the clamping leg causing any (significant) deformation of the actuating element.

[0041] In one embodiment, the actuating element has a further, second body portion. The clamping leg is received, for example, in a receiving slot between the (first) body portion, on which the first sliding surface is formed, and the further, second body portion. The clamping leg is thus supported in a defined position on the actuating element. Upon pivoting of the actuating element about the pivot axis, the clamping leg pivots together with the actuating element relative to the housing and is thus moved toward a release position.

[0042] For example, the first sliding surface is formed on a side of the body portion facing radially outward relative to the pivot axis. The first sliding surface is thus formed on an outer surface of the actuating element and faces radially outward to be slidably supported on the second sliding surface of the housing portion of the housing part.

[0043] In one embodiment, the housing section of the housing part forms the plug-in opening for inserting the electrical cable. The second sliding surface is formed on the housing section on the side of the housing part to provide sliding support for the actuating element during pivoting relative to the housing part.

[0044] In addition to the sliding bearing, the actuating element is preferably pivotably mounted on the housing via the first and second sliding surfaces. For example, an axle element can be formed on the actuating element or on the housing part, which is concentric with the pivot axis and via which the actuating element is pivotally mounted on the housing part. The axle element is arranged radially within the first sliding surface.

[0045] For example, the actuating element is mounted on the housing part only on one side (with respect to the pivot axis) via an axle element.

[0046] In one embodiment, the spring element of the terminal is designed as a tension spring. In this case, the clamping leg of the spring element is designed to pull the electrical cable into contact with the contact element using spring force. In this case, an opening can be formed on the clamping leg, for example, through which the electrical cable can be passed when plugged into the terminal. After the clamping leg is released from the release position, the electrical cable is pulled into clamping contact with the contact element.

[0047] Alternatively, the spring element of the terminal can be designed as a compression spring. In this case, the clamping leg is designed to press the electrical wire into contact with the contact element using spring force. When plugged into the terminal, the electrical wire enters a space between the clamping leg and the contact element. Once the clamping leg is released from the release position, the clamping leg acts on the electrical wire and presses it into contact with the contact element.

[0048] The spring element of the terminal can, for example, have a support leg, via which the spring element is supported on the housing part and held in position on the housing part. The clamping leg is elastically deflectable relative to the support leg. In the release position, the clamping leg is deflected such that the spring element is elastically tensioned and, after being released from the release position, the clamping leg is moved out of the release position in an elastically pretensioned manner.

[0049] The support leg can, for example, rest against a support section of the housing part and is supported by the housing part. The spring element is thus attached to the housing part independently of the contact element and, if the housing part is made of an electrically insulating material, in particular a plastic material, is not directly electrically connected to the contact element.

[0050] In one embodiment, the spring element has a curved connecting section arranged between the clamping leg and the support leg, which, for example, extends around the pivot axis of the actuating element when the actuating element is pivotably mounted. The support leg and the clamping leg preferably protrude from the actuating element and are arranged at an (acute) angle to one another, wherein the clamping leg can be elastically adjusted relative to the support leg.Because the connecting section extends around the pivot axis, a pivot point can be defined for the clamping leg, which is preferably concentric with the pivot axis of the actuating element, so that when the actuating element is pivoted, the clamping leg is supported in a fixed position on the actuating element and is pivoted together with the actuating element about the pivot axis assigned to the actuating element and is thereby deflected relative to the support leg.

[0051] In one embodiment, the trigger element has a support end relative to which the trigger arm is elastically adjustable through interaction with the cable connected to the terminal. The trigger element is supported on the housing part via the support end, for example, by the support end being attached to an associated connecting device of the housing part of the terminal. The trigger element is thus attached to the housing part via the support end, in that the support end is operatively connected to a connecting device of the housing part and is thereby held to the housing part in a torque-resistant manner.

[0052] The support end is preferably secured in a torque-resistant manner to the connecting device of the housing part of the terminal. The support end can be flat, which has the advantage that a contour can be easily formed on the support end, for example by punching, via which contour a reliable, for example form-fitting, attachment to the connecting device of the housing part can be achieved. While the support end is supported in a torque-resistant manner relative to the housing part, the release arm can be elastically adjusted in the receiving space and extends in the receiving space such that an electrical cable plugged into the terminal strikes the release arm when inserted into the receiving space, thus deflecting it.

[0053] In one embodiment, the support end of the trigger element of the terminal is supported on the housing part assigned to the terminal and the housing part of a terminal adjacent along the alignment direction. The support end is thus supported on the housing part of the assigned terminal and, for this purpose, engages, for example, in an engagement opening in a wall of the housing part. In addition, the support end is also supported on the housing part of an adjacent terminal and, for this purpose, engages, for example, in an engagement opening in a wall of the adjacent housing part. The support end is thus jointly supported on two housing parts of adjacent terminals.

[0054] In one embodiment, a connection arrangement has a plurality of connection terminals configured as described above. The housing parts of the connection terminals are arranged in a row along a row direction. The connection arrangement has an outer housing into which the housing parts of the connection terminals arranged in a row along the row direction can be inserted in an assembly direction. The connection arrangement is created by placing the housing parts of the connection terminals next to one another along the row direction. In a rowed position, the housing parts can be inserted into the outer housing of the connection arrangement, so that in an assembled position the housing parts are received in the outer housing and thus enclosed by the outer housing.

[0055] The outer housing can, for example, have a box shape that is open on one side, so that the adjacent housing parts can be inserted into the box-shaped outer housing. In another embodiment, the outer housing can, for example, have the shape of a frame that is open on two sides, into which the adjacent housing parts can be inserted.

[0056] By providing the outer housing, the advantages of a disc design of the connection terminals and a so-called monoblock are combined.

[0057] Because the terminal blocks are designed with individual housing sections and can be joined together along the alignment direction to create the connection arrangement, the housing sections can be designed in such a way that the components of the terminal blocks, for example, the spring element and the contact element, can be easily mounted on the respective housing section. For example, the housing section of each terminal block is not closed on the outside; rather, the housing of the terminal blocks is only completed when the housing sections of the terminal blocks are joined together. This results in simple assembly of the individual terminal blocks and flexible combination options with other terminal blocks.

[0058] The fact that the connecting terminals arranged in a row are enclosed in the outer housing in the assembled position also creates a mechanically stable arrangement in which the housing parts of the connecting terminals are accommodated in the housing in a defined manner in the arranged position and are fixed to the housing.

[0059] The alignment direction and the mounting direction are preferably perpendicular to each other. The (disk-shaped) terminal blocks are aligned along the alignment direction by aligning the housing parts along the alignment direction. In the aligned position, the housing parts are pushed into the outer housing in the mounting direction perpendicular to the alignment direction, so that in the assembled position, the housing parts are enclosed in the outer housing.

[0060] The concept underlying the invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to the exemplary embodiments illustrated in the figures. They show: Fig. 1 is a view of a connection arrangement with a plurality of connection terminals accommodated in an outer housing; Fig. 2 a side view of the connection arrangement; Fig. 3 a front view of the connection arrangement; Fig. 4A is a longitudinal sectional view of a first embodiment of a terminal, along the line AA according to Fig. 3; Fig. 4B is a perspective view of the arrangement according to Fig. 4A; Fig. 5A is a longitudinal sectional view of a second embodiment of a terminal, along the line BB according to Fig. 3; Fig. 5B is a perspective view of the arrangement according to Fig. 5A; Fig. 6A is a longitudinal sectional view of a third embodiment of a terminal, along the line CC according to Fig. 3; Fig. 6B is a perspective view of the arrangement according to Fig. 6A; Fig. 7A, Fig. 7B separate views of a trigger element of the terminal according to the first embodiment; Fig. 8A, Fig. 8B separate views of the trigger element of the terminal, according to the second embodiment; Fig. 9A, Fig. 9B separate views of the trigger element of the terminal according to the third embodiment; and Fig. 10A-10D separate views of an actuating element of the terminal.

[0061] Fig. 1 to 3 show an embodiment of a connection arrangement 3 having a plurality of connection terminals 1 that are jointly enclosed in an outer housing 30. The connection terminals 1 are arranged in a row along a row direction A and jointly enclosed in the outer housing 30, wherein each connection terminal 1 is assigned a plug-in opening 100 on a respectively associated housing part 10, into which plug-in opening an electrical line 2 with a (stripped) conductor end 20 can be inserted along a plug-in direction E in order to connect the electrical line 2 to the connection terminal 1.

[0062] Fig. 4A, Fig. 4B show in sectional views an embodiment of a connection arrangement 3 with connection terminals 1. The embodiments according to Fig. 5A, Fig. 5B and Fig. 6A, Fig. 6B are similar to the embodiment according to Fig. 4A, Fig. 4B except for the design of a guide device 17 on a trigger arm 130 of a trigger element 13, as will be explained below. Unless otherwise indicated below, the connecting terminals 1 are Fig. 4A, Fig. 4B, Fig. 5A, Fig. 5B and Fig. 6A, Fig. 6B in terms of their basic functionality.

[0063] Each connection terminal 1 of the connection arrangement 3 has a housing part 10 with a plug-in opening 100 formed on a housing section 108 for inserting an electrical line 2 along a plug-in direction E.

[0064] The housing part 10 of (each) connection terminal 1 defines a receiving space 101 into which the electrical line 2 with a stripped conductor end 20 is inserted when it is inserted into the plug-in opening 100 along the plug-in direction E. In a connected position, the line 2 with the stripped conductor end 20 is located within the receiving space 101 and is electrically contacted via a clamping leg 120 of a spring element 12 with a contact element 11 in the form of a current bar, so that the electrical line 2 is electrically connected to the connection terminal 1.

[0065] The spring element 12 has a support leg 121, which is supported in a support opening 104 on a raised wall section 106 of the housing 10. The clamping leg 120 can be elastically deflected relative to the support leg 121, in particular such that the clamping leg 120, in a clamping position, acts in a clamping manner on an electrical line 2 connected to the connection terminal 1 and presses this line 2 into contact with the contact element 11 under elastic prestress, thus electrically contacting the line 2 with the contact element 11 via its conductor end 20.

[0066] The contact element 11 has a contact section 110, which extends flatly in the housing part 10 and against which the electrical line 2 with the conductor end 20 is pressed by spring preload of the clamping leg 120 when the electrical line 2 is connected to the connection terminal 1. A contacting device arranged in a connector section 15 is connected to the contact section 110, via which the connection terminal 1 can be plugged into an associated electrical mating connector.

[0067] In the illustrated embodiment, the housing part 10 of the terminal 1 is provided with a Fig. 10A-10D, the actuating element 14 is pivotally mounted about a pivot axis S. The actuating element 14 can be pivoted about the pivot axis S relative to the housing part 10, wherein an actuating section 141 is accessible via an actuating opening 102 from outside the housing part 10 and can thus be actuated by a user, for example using a tool.

[0068] The actuating element 14 has, as can be seen from the separate views according to Fig. 10A-10D, a body portion 144 forms an active portion for acting on the clamping leg 120. The body portion 144, together with a body portion 145, forms a receiving slot 149 in which the clamping leg 120 is inserted such that the spring element 12 extends around the pivot axis S with a curved intermediate portion arranged between the clamping leg 120 and the support leg 121, so that a pivot point for deflecting the clamping leg 120 is concentric with the pivot axis S.

[0069] The body sections 144, 145 are raised relative to a rear wall 146 of the actuating element 14. The support leg 121 protrudes from the actuating element 14 in the region of an opening 142 and is supported on the housing part 10. Because the clamping leg 120 is received in the receiving slot 149, an actuating force is introduced into the clamping leg 120 via the active section 144 upon pivoting of the actuating element 14, so that the clamping leg 120 is elastically deflected relative to the support leg 121 about the pivot point concentric with the pivot axis S and moved toward a release position.

[0070] The actuating element 14 has an axle element 140 formed on the body portion 145, which engages in a bearing opening on a wall 105 of the housing part 10. The actuating element 14 is pivotally mounted relative to the housing part 10 about the pivot axis S via the axle element 140.

[0071] In the illustrated embodiment of the actuating element 14, a recess 148 is formed on a rear side of the rear wall 146, into which an axle element of an adjacent housing part engages in a supporting manner.

[0072] On the outside of the body section 144 forming the active section, a first sliding surface 147 is formed, which is curved around the pivot axis S and has a constant radius of curvature R with respect to the pivot axis S, as can be seen from Fig. 10D. The sliding surface 147 faces an associated second sliding surface 107 on the housing section 108 of the housing part 10, which is shaped complementarily to the first sliding surface 147 and has a constant radius of curvature R to the pivot axis S.

[0073] When the actuating element 14 pivots, the sliding surfaces 107, 147 are slidably supported against one another. The sliding surface 107 is located on the housing section 108 of the housing part 10, on which the plug-in opening 100 is also formed, wherein the sliding surface 107 is formed above the plug-in opening 100 on a side of the housing section 108 facing the actuating element 14.

[0074] Because the sliding surface 147 is formed on an outer side of the body portion 144, which forms the active portion for acting on the clamping leg 120, the sliding support via the sliding surfaces 107, 147 takes place on a comparatively large radius R with respect to the pivot axis S and thus at a position radially removed from the pivot axis S. Bending loads that act upon pressure on the actuating portion 141 for actuating the actuating element 14 can thus be absorbed by the sliding support of the sliding surfaces 107, 147 against one another, so that excessive stress on the actuating element 14, in particular on the axle element 140, is avoided.

[0075] The connection terminal 1 has a trigger element 13, which is attached to the housing part 10 via a support end 132 and is thereby supported in a torque-resistant manner relative to the housing part 10. Extending from the support end 132 is a trigger leg 130, which projects into the receiving space 101 essentially transversely to the plug-in direction E and thus extends in an area aligned with the plug-in opening 100.

[0076] The support end 132 of the trigger element 13 is received in a form-fitting manner in a support opening 103 of the housing part. The form-fitting connection between the support end 132 and the housing part 10 is such that the support end 132 cannot slide out of the support opening 103 and, moreover, the support end 132 is supported on the housing part 10 in such a way that, upon elastic deflection of the trigger arm 130, torques can be absorbed at the support end 132 and dissipated into the housing part 10, while the support end 132 remains in position relative to the housing part 10.

[0077] The support opening 107 is formed on a wall section 106 of the respective housing part 10, which protrudes from the flat side wall 105 of the housing part 10.

[0078] The release leg 130 serves to interact with an electrical line 2 inserted into the plug-in opening 100, in particular to automatically connect the electrical line 2 to the connection terminal 1 by releasing the clamping leg 120.

[0079] The trigger element 13 has an opening 131 with which the actuating element 14 engages via a locking portion 143 in the form of a projection when the actuating element 14 has been transferred into an actuated position in an actuating direction B. In the actuated position, the actuating element 14 engages with the locking portion 143 in the opening 131 and is held by the trigger arm 130 in a locking manner, so that the actuating element 14 is locked in the actuated position.

[0080] In the illustrated embodiment, the triggering leg 130 is bent inward. Between an impact section 138, which is formed at a free end of the triggering leg 130 remote from the support end 132, and a leg section 137 of the triggering leg 130 that is aligned with the support end 132 and on which the opening 131 is formed, an intermediate section 136 extends transversely between the impact section 138 of the triggering leg 130 and the leg section 137 of the triggering leg 130 that carries the opening 131. By appropriately shaping the triggering element 13, the triggering element 13 can be adapted to the installation space conditions within the receiving space 101 of the housing 10.

[0081] If the actuating element 14 is actuated in the actuating direction B and thereby pivoted about the pivot axis 140 relative to the housing part 10 into the actuated position, the actuating element 14 entrains the clamping leg 120 of the spring element 12 via the active section 144 and thereby adjusts the clamping leg 120 into a release position. In the release position, the clamping leg 120 is removed with its free end from the contact section 110 of the contact element 11 and thus exposes an area within the receiving space 101 that is aligned with the plug-in opening 100 along the plug-in direction E, so that an electrical line 2 can be inserted into the plug-in opening 100 without hindrance from the clamping leg 120 and thus connected to the connection terminal 1 in a substantially forceless manner.

[0082] If an electrical cable 2 with a stripped conductor end 20 is inserted into the plug-in opening 100 and thereby introduced in the plug-in direction E into the receiving space 101, while the actuating element 14 is in the actuated position and thus the clamping leg 120 is in the release position, the cable 2 strikes the impact section 138 of the triggering leg 130 of the triggering element 13 and deflects it elastically relative to the support end 132 and thus to the housing part 10. As a result, the triggering leg 130 is adjusted in the plug-in direction E relative to the locking section 143 of the actuating element 14, so that the locking section 143 is disengaged from the opening 131 and thus the actuating element 14 is released from the actuated position.

[0083] On a side of the opening 131 facing the impact section 138 of the triggering leg 130, a run-up element 133 is formed by a bent section of the triggering element 13 formed as a sheet metal element, against which the locking section 143 rests in the locked position and onto which the locking section 143 runs when released from the locking position.

[0084] Because the electrical cable 2 acts on the release arm 130 with a lever arm that is larger than the lever arm acting on the locking section 143, the release arm 130 can be deflected with little force applied by the electrical cable 2 and thus the locking can be released easily and reliably when the electrical cable 2 is inserted.

[0085] A guide device 17 is formed on the impact section 138 of the triggering leg 130, which guide device serves to guide the electrical line 2 in the direction of a center of the impact section 138 when it impacts the impact section 138, so that the electrical line 2 acts on the impact section 138 at a point or on a surface at which an effective force transmission to the triggering leg 130 can take place.

[0086] The embodiments according to Fig. 4A, Fig. 4B, Fig. 5A, Fig. 5B and Fig. 6A, Fig. 6B differ only in the design of the guide device 17 on the impact section 138 of the trigger arm 130. Fig. 7A, Fig. 7B show the trigger element 13 of the embodiment according to Fig. 4A, Fig. 4B. Fig. 8A, Fig. 8B show the trigger element 13 of the embodiment according to Fig. 5A, Fig. 5B, and Fig. 9A, Fig. 9B show the trigger element 13 of the embodiment according to Fig. 6A, Fig. 6B.

[0087] In the embodiment according to Fig. 4A, Fig. 4B, which shows the trigger element 13 according to Fig. 7A, Fig. 7B, the guide device 17 is formed at the impact section 138 by two pairs of guide surfaces 170, 171, which are each aligned obliquely to the plugging direction E and are arranged in pairs relative to one another such that they define a central point of action 173 between them, toward which the electrical line 2 is guided upon impacting the impact section 138. If the electrical line 2 impacts the impact section 138 upon insertion into the plug-in opening 100 of the respective connection terminal 1, it slides off one of the guide surfaces 170, 171 and is thereby displaced transversely toward the central point of action 173.

[0088] The guide surfaces 170, 171 are in the embodiment according to Fig. 7A, Fig. 7B to form a pyramid-shaped depression at the impact section 138 relative to each other.

[0089] In the embodiment according to Fig. 5A, Fig. 5B, which shows the trigger element 13 according to Fig. 8A, Fig. 8B, the guide device 17, in contrast, is formed as a trough-shaped depression at the impact section 138. Guide surfaces 170, 171 are arranged opposite one another in pairs and define an active surface 172 between them, which an electrical line 2 strikes when inserted into the plug-in opening 100. Upon impact with the impact section 38, the electrical line 2 is, so to speak, caught in the guide device 17 and guided toward the central active surface 172 in order to act thereon on the trigger arm 13.

[0090] In the embodiment according to Fig. 6A, Fig. 6B, which shows the trigger element 13 according to Fig. 9A, Fig. 9B, the guide device 17 is formed by a pair of inclined guide surfaces 170 angled toward a central effective surface 172. When an electrical line 2 strikes the impact section 138, a transverse offset toward the central effective surface 172 occurs.

[0091] Because a guide device 17 is formed on the impact section 138, which in an initial position extends substantially perpendicular to the plugging direction E in the receiving space 101, the trigger element 13 can also be reliably triggered by a thin, flexible cable 2, for example a stranded cable. By being guided via the guide device 17, the electrical cable 2, upon impact with the impact section 138, is reliably guided to such an effective point 173 or an effective surface 172 on the impact section 138, via which an advantageous force introduction into the triggering leg 130 can take place to deflect the trigger element 13 and thus to release the locking of the actuating element 14.

[0092] After the locking mechanism is released when an electrical cable 2 is inserted, the actuating element 14 moves out of the actuated position due to the elastic pretension on the clamping leg 120 and is returned opposite to the actuation direction B. The clamping leg 120 thereby comes into clamping contact with the electrical cable 2 and thereby presses the conductor end 20 into contact with the contact element 11, so that the cable 2 is electrically connected to the connection terminal 1 and is also mechanically locked.

[0093] Because the actuating element 14 is moved out of the actuated position after the locking mechanism is released, a user can safely and reliably detect that the connection terminal 1 has been triggered and that the electrical line 2 is thus connected to the connection terminal 1. The risk of incorrect operation is thus reduced.

[0094] If the electrical cable 2 is to be released from the connected position and removed from the connection terminal 1, the actuating element 14 can be moved back into the actuated position so that the clamping leg 120 is moved out of contact with the cable 2. The cable 2 can thus be removed from the connection terminal 1 in a substantially forceless manner.

[0095] The connection arrangement 3 of the connection terminals 1 can, for example, be delivered with the actuating element 14 (in each case) actuated. In the actuated position, the actuating element 14 is locked to the release element 13 of the connection terminal 1, whereby the actuating element 14 is held under tension due to the tension on the spring element 12. Bending loads are absorbed and supported by the support of the sliding surfaces 107, 147, thus avoiding excessive bending stress in the area of the axle element 140.

[0096] In addition, even when a force is introduced at the actuating section 141, for example manually or by a tool for actuating the actuating element 14, a bending load is supported on one another via the sliding support of the sliding surfaces 107, 147.

[0097] In the illustrated embodiment, the housing parts 10 of the connection terminals 1 are attached to one another along the alignment direction A perpendicular to the plug-in direction E and to a vertical direction V. The housing part 10 of a connection terminal 1 is completed by the housing part 10 of the adjacent connection terminal, so that the housing parts 10 together form a housing for the connection terminals 1.

[0098] To assemble the connection arrangement 3, the housing parts 10 are inserted into the outer housing 3 in a row-to-one position in an assembly direction (which is the same as the plug-in direction E) in order to enclose the connection terminals 1 in the outer housing 30.

[0099] In the illustrated embodiments, each connection terminal 1 is assigned a connector section 15 which is formed on the outer housing 30 and in which a contacting device in the form of a contact tulip or socket of the respectively assigned contact element 11 is located.

[0100] The idea underlying the invention is not limited to the embodiment described above, but can also be implemented in other ways.

[0101] The trigger element can be made of a metal material or a plastic material.

[0102] The actuating element can be pivotably mounted on a housing part of the terminal or on a component fixed to the housing part. In other embodiments, the actuating element can also be linearly displaceable.

[0103] The spring element can be supported directly or indirectly on the housing part, for example on a component that is stationary relative to the housing part, for example the contact element. List of reference symbols 1 connection terminal 10 Housing part 100 plug opening 101 Recording Room 102 Operating opening 103 Connecting device 104 Support opening 105 wall 106 wall section 107 Sliding surface 108 Housing section 11 Contact element (current bar) 110 Contact section 12 clamping spring 120 clamping legs 121 support legs 13 Trigger element 130 trigger arms 131 locking device (locking opening) 132 supporting 133 Overrun element 134 Form-locking element (recess) 136 Intermediate section 137 thigh section 138 impact section 14 Actuating element 140 axle element 141 operating section 142 Opening 143 Rest section 144 Body section (effective section) 145 Body section (bearing section) 146 rear wall 147 Sliding surface 148 recess 149 Recording slot 15 Connector section 17 Guide device 170 guide surface 171 guide surface 172 effective area 173 Effective point 2 lines 20 End of line 3 Connection arrangement 30 outer casings A Arranging direction B Actuating direction E Plug-in direction R radius S swivel axis V Vertical direction QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

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

[0000] DE 10 2019 127 464 B3 [0004, 0005, 0006] DE 10 2019 135 203 A1

[0006] DE 10 2020 104 140 A1

[0006]

Claims

[1] Connection terminal (1) for connecting an electrical cable (2), with a housing part (10), a contact element (11) arranged on the housing part (10) which has a contact section (110) for electrical contact with an electrical line (2), a spring element (12) having a clamping leg (120) which is adjustable relative to the housing part (10) and which is designed to act on an electrical line (2) in a clamping position for contacting the contact section (110), wherein the clamping leg (120) is removed from the contact section (110) in a release position compared to the clamping position, wherein the clamping leg (120) is held in position relative to the housing part (10) in the release position, and a trigger element (13) which is designed to cooperate with the electrical line (2) when plugged into the connection terminal (1) to release the clamping leg (120) from the release position, wherein the trigger element (13) has a trigger leg (130) and the housing part (10) of the connection terminal (1) defines a receiving space (101) into which the electrical line (2) can be inserted by plugging it into the connection terminal (1), wherein the trigger leg (130) extends in the receiving space (101) to cooperate with the electrical line (2), characterized by that the triggering leg (130) has an impact section (138) onto which the electrical line (2) strikes when plugged into the connection terminal (1) and on which a guide device (17) for guiding the electrical line (2) in the direction of an effective point (173) or an effective surface (172) is formed on the impact section (138). [2] Connection terminal (1) according to claim 1, characterized by that the effective point (173) or the effective surface (172) is formed centrally on the impact section (138). [3] Connection terminal (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by that the impact section (138) for forming the guide device (17) is convexly curved or provided with a recess on a side facing the electrical line (2). [4] Connection terminal (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by in that the housing part (10) forms a plug-in opening (100) into which the electrical line (2) can be plugged in a plug-in direction (E) for connection to the connection terminal (1), wherein the guide device (17) has at least one guide surface (171, 172) which is aligned obliquely to the plug-in direction (E) in order to guide the electrical line (2) transversely to the plug-in direction (E) in the direction of the effective point (173) or the effective surface (172). [5] Connection terminal (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the guide device (17) has at least one pair of opposing guide surfaces (171, 172) between which the effective point (173) or the effective surface (172) is located. [6] Connection terminal (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the guide device (17) has two pairs of opposing guide surfaces (171, 172), between which the effective point (173) or the effective surface (172) is located. [7] Connection terminal (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by an actuating element (14) which is movable from a non-actuated position to an actuated position in order to adjust the clamping leg (120) to the release position. [8] Connection terminal (1) according to claim 7, characterized bythat the actuating element (14) is locked to the triggering element (13) in the actuated position and thereby holds the clamping leg (120) in the release position. [9] Connection terminal (1) according to claim 8, characterized by that the actuating element (14) has a latching section (143) for latching with a latching device (131) of the triggering element (13) in the actuated position. [10] Connection terminal (1) according to one of claims 7 to 9, characterized by that the actuating element (14) is pivotable about a pivot axis (S) relative to the housing part (10). [11] Connection terminal (1) according to claim 10, characterized bythat the actuating element (14) has a first sliding surface (147) formed on a body portion (144) of the actuating element (14) and the housing part (10) has a second sliding surface (107) formed on a housing portion (108) for slidingly supporting the first sliding surface (147) when the actuating element (14) is pivoted about the pivot axis (S). [12] Connection terminal (1) according to claim 11, characterized by that the body portion (144) of the actuating element (14) forms an active portion for acting on the clamping leg (120) when the actuating element (14) is pivoted. [13] Connection terminal (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the clamping leg (120) is designed to push or pull the electrical line (2) into contact with the contact element (11) by spring force. [14] Connection terminal (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the spring element (12) has a support leg (121) via which the spring element (12) is supported on the housing part (10). [15] Connection terminal (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the trigger element (13) has a support end (132) which is supported on the housing part (10), wherein the trigger leg (130) is elastically adjustable relative to the support end (132) by interaction with the line (2) plugged into the connection terminal (1). [16] Connection arrangement (3) with a plurality of connection terminals (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the housing parts (10) of the connection terminals (1) are arranged in a row along a row direction (A), characterized byan outer housing (30) into which the housing parts (10) of the connecting terminals (1) arranged in a row along the row direction (A) can be inserted and in which the housing parts (10) of the connecting terminals (1) arranged in a row along the row direction (A) are received in an assembled position.

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