Spring clamp connection and conductor connection terminal

Abstract

The invention describes a spring-loaded clamping connection (3) with a busbar (4) and a cage spring (6). On the second side of the busbar (4), which is opposite the first support side of the busbar (4) with the contact leg (7) of the cage spring (6) located thereon, a release element (21) is arranged, wherein the release element (21) has a release section (22) designed for displacing the release element (21) by force exerted by an inserted, clampable electrical conductor and a locking section (23) designed for positive locking with the clamping section (11), wherein the locking section (23) forms a stop for a retaining contour on the clamping section (11) when the clamping section (11) is brought into an open position by movement of the actuating section (10) towards the busbar (4).and can be moved away from the holding contour to release the stop by a movement of the release section (21) when a release force is exerted on the release section (22) by an inserted electrical conductor to be clamped.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a spring-loaded terminal connection with a busbar having a clamping region and a cage clamp. The cage clamp has a contact leg for contacting a first side of the busbar, a spring arch adjoining the contact leg, and a clamping leg adjoining the spring arch, wherein the clamping leg has an actuating section adjoining the spring arch and extending away from the busbar, and a clamping section bent away from the actuating section and extending back towards the busbar. The clamping section has a recess defined by a transverse web at the free end of the clamping section, wherein the busbar extends with its clamping region through the recess, and the transverse web, together with the clamping section, forms a clamping point for clamping an electrical conductor.

[0002] The invention further relates to a conductor connection terminal with an insulating housing and with such a spring-loaded terminal connection in the insulating housing.

[0003] Spring-cage terminals are used to connect an electrical conductor to a terminal formed between the clamping leg of a spring clamp and a busbar. To connect the electrical conductor, the clamping spring can be pushed away from the busbar by the electrical conductor during direct connection, counteracting the force of the clamping spring. This is possible for rigid conductors, but not for stranded or multi-wire conductors.

[0004] There is a need for a self-retaining spring clamp connection in an open position for connecting electrical conductors. It is often desired that conductor terminals be delivered with the spring clamp connection open at the factory.

[0005] WO 2021 / 105280 A1 discloses a direct plug-in terminal for connecting an electrical conductor with a busbar and a clamping spring acting as a compression spring as well as a retaining spring for locking the clamping spring in an open position.

[0006] Based on this, it is the object of the present invention to provide an improved spring-loaded terminal connection and a conductor connection terminal with such a spring-loaded terminal connection.

[0007] The object is achieved with the spring-loaded terminal connection having the features of claim 1 and the conductor connection terminal having the features of claim 15. Advantageous embodiments are described in the subclaims.

[0008] It is proposed that a trigger element be arranged on the second side (i.e. the underside or clamping side) of the busbar, which is opposite the first side (i.e. the top side or support side) of the busbar with the contact leg of the cage clamp spring resting thereon. The trigger element has a trigger section designed to displace the trigger element by the action of force with an inserted electrical conductor to be clamped, and a locking section designed for a positive connection with the clamping section. The locking section forms a stop for a holding contour on the clamping section when the clamping section is brought into a hold-open position by movement of the actuating section towards the busbar.The locking section can be moved away from the holding contour by a movement of the triggering section to remove the stop when a triggering force is exerted on the triggering section by an inserted electrical conductor to be clamped.

[0009] This provides a cage clamp with a latching mechanism on the clamping leg through the release element. The cage clamp can be held open in the hold-open position for clamping an electrical conductor, e.g., in the delivery state, so that the cage clamp can be used independently of actuation by an actuating element or actuating tool.

[0010] Various variants are conceivable for the design of the retaining contour. For example, the retaining contour can be designed as a recess or hole in the clamping section. A recess provided in the clamping leg for the conductor can be used for the retaining contour, so that the crossbar, which forms a clamping edge for clamping the electrical conductor, serves as a counter-stop. However, a further opening can also be provided below the clamping edge in the crossbar or above the recess for the conductor.

[0011] An opening in the clamping section is not absolutely necessary, however. A holding contour in which a material tab is bent out of the clamping section is also conceivable. Such a holding contour in the form of a holding tab can, for example, be bent out of the recess above the busbar, i.e. in a space facing the first side. The locking section is mounted on the first side of the busbar (i.e. the top or support side). A holding tab can, however, also be bent laterally past the busbar, so that the locking section is supported on the second side (i.e. the underside) of the busbar and latches next to the holding tabs of the busbar.

[0012] "Above the busbar" or the "upper side of the busbar" refers to the contact side on which the cage clamp spring rests with its contact leg. This is therefore the side of the busbar facing the actuating section. The "underside of the busbar" is the clamping side opposite the top side, to which the electrical conductor is clamped.

[0013] The tripping section can extend transversely to the plane of the busbar.

[0014] The term "transverse" does not necessarily mean exactly 90° or perpendicular. The plane spanned by the tripping section must simply be aligned with the plane of the busbar, preferably at an angle of 90° with a tolerance of approximately ±20°. The relevant reference point for the plane of the busbar is the area closest to the tripping section or toward which the tripping section extends.

[0015] The locking portion may extend away from the trigger portion in a direction toward the clamping portion in its hold-open position.

[0016] The holding contour of the clamping section can be formed by the crossbar defining the recess of the clamping section, with the locking section protruding into the recess in the locking position forming a stop for the crossbar. This allows the crossbar, which is already present for clamping the electrical conductor to a cage clamp, to be used simultaneously as a holding contour.

[0017] The clamping section can have a locking opening in the transverse web, in an edge web laterally bordering the recess, or in the region of the clamping section extending from the recess to the actuating section. The locking opening can form the retaining contour, and the locking section, which protrudes into the locking opening in the locking position, can form a stop for the clamping section.

[0018] A locking tongue can protrude from the plane of the clamping leg, forming the holding contour. The locking section can be arranged between the locking tongue and the actuating section in the locking position and form a stop for the locking tongue. This allows the clamping leg to be locked in the open position in a simple and compact manner with minimal material consumption.

[0019] The busbar may have a web projecting from the plane of the clamping section of the busbar and the locking section of the locking element may be mounted on the web.

[0020] The web may have a bight or a fully circumferential hole, with the locking portion being mounted in the bight or hole.

[0021] The spring-loaded clamp connection may have a spring element which is connected to the trigger element and is designed to exert a restoring force on the trigger element, by means of which the locking section is displaced into the locking position with the clamping section.

[0022] The trigger element can be spring-elastic. It can be designed to exert a restoring force on the trigger element, which moves the locking section into the locking position with the clamping section.

[0023] Adjacent to the triggering section of the triggering element can be a section resting on the busbar. These can be side walls bent from the triggering section or locking section, extending from the plane of the locking section to the underside of the busbar and resting on the busbar.

[0024] The triggering section may extend in the same direction at a distance from the section supported on the busbar, wherein the triggering section connects the locking section to the section supported on the busbar.

[0025] This allows a U-shaped locking element to be realized.

[0026] The section supported on the busbar can form the locking section.

[0027] It is conceivable that the locking of the clamping section of the clamping leg on the locking section in the hold-open position takes place laterally to the busbar, for example on a recess in the edge web of the recess or on a locking tongue bent out from the edge web of the recess.

[0028] The trigger element may be a pocket or sleeve designed to receive the ends of an inserted electrical conductor, which pocket or sleeve has a base with the trigger section, a first boundary wall with the trigger section and at least one further boundary wall aligned at an angle to the base and the trigger section.

[0029] A conductor connection terminal with an insulating housing and with a spring clamp connection as described above in the insulating housing can have a conductor insertion opening in the insulating housing which leads to the triggering section of the triggering element.

[0030] The insulating housing may have an actuating opening leading to the actuating section of the clamping leg.

[0031] The actuating opening can be designed to accommodate an actuating tool or an actuating element movably installed in the actuating opening. With the aid of an actuating tool inserted into the actuating opening or an actuating element installed in the actuating opening, the clamping section can be pivoted into the hold-open position to lock the clamping section to the locking section.

[0032] However, the locking mechanism is in principle independent of the type of actuation.

[0033] In general, in the context of this application, the words “a / an”, unless expressly defined otherwise, are not to be understood as a number, but as an indefinite article with the literal meaning of “at least one”.

[0034] The invention permits various embodiments and is described in more detail below using an exemplary embodiment. The figures show: Fig. 1 - Side sectional view of a first embodiment of the conductor terminal in the closed position; Fig. 2 - Side section view of the conductor terminal from Fig. 1 with the operating lever unfolded on its way to the open position; Fig. 3 - Side view of the conductor terminal from Fig. 1 in the locked open position; Fig. 4 - perspective view of the cage tension spring of the first embodiment; Fig. 5 - perspective view of the trigger element of the first embodiment; Fig. 6 - perspective view of the conductor terminal from Fig. 1 in the closed position; Fig. 7 - perspective view of the conductor terminal from Fig. 2 with the operating lever unfolded on its way to the open position; Fig. 8 - perspective view of the conductor terminal from Fig. 3 in the locked open position; Fig. 9 - Side sectional view of a second embodiment of the conductor terminal in the closed position; Fig. 10 - Side section view of the conductor terminal from Fig. 9 with the operating lever unfolded on its way to the open position; Fig. 11 - Side section view of the conductor terminal from Fig. 9 in the locked open position; Fig. 12 - perspective view of the cage tension spring of the second embodiment; Fig. 13 - perspective view of the trigger element of the second embodiment; Fig. 14 - perspective view of the conductor terminal from Fig. 9 in the closed position; Fig. 15 - perspective view of the conductor terminal from Fig. 10 with the operating lever unfolded on its way to the open position; Fig. 16 - perspective view of the conductor terminal from Fig. 11 in the locked open position.

[0035] Fig. 1 shows a side sectional view of a first embodiment of the conductor connection terminal 1 in the closed position.

[0036] The conductor connection terminal 1 has an insulating housing 2 into which at least one spring-loaded clamp connection 3 is installed. The spring-loaded clamp connection 3 has a busbar 4 which has a clamping area 5 for clamping an electrical conductor to the clamping area 5. The spring-loaded clamp connection 3 also has a cage clamp 6. The cage clamp 6 has a contact leg 7 for contacting a first side (i.e. the top side or contact side) of the busbar 4, a spring arch 8 adjoining the contact leg 7 and a clamping leg 9 adjoining the spring arch 8. The clamping leg 9 has an actuating section 10 adjoining the spring arch 8, which extends away from the busbar 4 and has a clamping section 11 which is bent away from the actuating section 10 and extends back in the direction of the busbar 4.The clamping section 11 has a recess 12 which is delimited by a transverse web 13 at the free end of the clamping section 11.

[0037] The free end of the clamping section 11 is the end at which the cage clamp spring 6 terminates and which - in contrast to the end of the contact leg 7 supported on the busbar 4 - is relatively freely movable.

[0038] The busbar 4 extends with its clamping area 5 through the recess 12 and, together with the crossbar 13, forms a clamping point for clamping an electrical conductor.

[0039] Furthermore, an actuating lever 14 is pivotably mounted in the insulating housing 2. The actuating lever 14 can be mounted with a fixed pivot axis or in a floating manner. It is arranged at a distance from the busbar 4 above the actuating section 10 and engages with the actuating section 10 via an actuating contour 15 in order to displace it toward the contact leg 7 against the spring force of the cage clamp 6. For this purpose, the actuating lever 14 has a lever arm 16.

[0040] The insulating housing 2 has a conductor entry opening 17, which opens toward the terminal point, i.e., the terminal area 5 and the crossbar 13 on the underside (i.e., the terminal side) of the busbar 4. The conductor entry opening 17 is located on the front side of the insulating housing 2. The lever arm 16 can, for example, protrude forward from the contour of the insulating housing 2 toward the front side.

[0041] The insulating housing 2 can further have a bearing pin 18, wherein the cage tension spring 6 is fixed in position on the bearing pin 18 by the spring arch 8 encompassing the bearing pin 18.

[0042] The insulating housing 2 has a conductor collecting pocket 20 adjacent to the second side (underside or terminal side) of the busbar 4.

[0043] A trigger element 21 is arranged in the conductor retaining pocket 20 on the second side (bottom or clamping side) of the busbar 4, which is opposite the first side (top or support side) of the busbar 4, which faces the actuating section 10 and on which the contact leg 7 rests. The trigger element 21 has a trigger section 22 extending toward the plane of the busbar 4 and a locking section 23 angled therefrom and extending toward the plane of the crosspiece 13, as well as side walls 24 projecting from the locking section 23 toward the busbar 4.

[0044] The trigger section 22 can be slidably mounted on the busbar 4. Additionally, the side walls 24 of the trigger element 21 rest against the second side (underside or clamping side) of the busbar 4. Thus, the trigger element 21 is secured against tilting and is slidably mounted on the busbar 4 in the direction of extension of the busbar 4.

[0045] A spring element 25, e.g., a compression spring arranged between the trigger section 22 and the insulating housing 2, is connected to the trigger element 21. The spring element 25 exerts a restoring force on the trigger element 21 in the direction of the clamping section 11 of the clamping leg 9. The spring element 25 can be inserted into a retaining bore 26 in the insulating housing 2 to fix the spring element 25 in its position and to determine the direction of the restoring force.

[0046] The crosspiece 13 has a locking opening 27 (not visible in the section) that forms a holding contour on the clamping section 11. The locking opening 27 is adapted to the free end of the locking section 23, so that the locking section 23 can engage the locking opening 27 in the open position to form a stop for the clamping leg 9. In the exemplary embodiment, the locking opening 27 is formed as two slots open laterally to the edges of the crosspiece 13. The section shown shows the connecting web located between the slots, from which the crosspiece 13 continues continuously behind the slots.

[0047] Fig. 2 shows a side sectional view of the conductor connection terminal 1 from Fig. 1 with the operating lever 14 unfolded on the way to the open position.

[0048] It can be seen that the actuating lever 14 has been pivoted and the actuating contour 15 presses the actuating section 10 down towards the contact leg 7. As a result, the crossbar 13 moves downward into a receiving pocket 28 of the insulating housing 2. The locking section 23 slides along the crossbar 13. It can have a run-up slope 29 on its free side facing the crossbar 13, so that the locking section 23 is displaced towards the spring element 25. The trigger section 22 is thereby displaced towards the adjacent inner wall of the insulating housing 2. It can be seen that the spring element 25 is thereby compressed and pretensioned.

[0049] Fig. 3 shows a side sectional view of the conductor connection terminal 1 from Fig. 1 in the locked open position.

[0050] The clamping point is now opened so wide that the space below the clamping area 5 of the busbar 4 is free through the recess 12 of the clamping section 11. This allows an electrical conductor to be inserted into the conductor insertion opening 17 in the conductor insertion direction L and guided through the recess 12.

[0051] The cage clamp 6 is locked in the hold-open position by the locking section 23 inserting into the locking opening 27 in the crosspiece 13, i.e., into the two slots open outwards on the sides. The locking section 23 thus forms a stop for the clamping leg 9. The locking section 23 is supported on the busbar 4 by the spaced-apart side walls 24. The spring forces acting from the clamping leg 9 on the locking section 23 are diverted to the busbar 4 via the side walls 24. A self-supporting system is achieved by the contact leg 7 resting on the other side of the busbar 4.

[0052] It is clear that the spring element 25 shifts the trigger element 21 formed from the trigger section 22 and the locking section 22 towards the crosspiece 13, so that - in comparison to Fig. 2 - the locking section 23 now dips into the locking opening 27 of the crosspiece 13.

[0053] An electrical conductor inserted into the conductor insertion opening 17 and pushed through the recess 12 enters the space between the busbar 3, side walls 24, the locking section 23, and the triggering section 22. The triggering element 21 thus provides a conductor collection pocket 20. The end face of the electrical conductor inserted in the conductor insertion direction L strikes the triggering section 22 and, via a triggering force directed against the spring element 25, displaces the triggering element 21 along the busbar 4 away from the crosspiece 13. With a slight stroke, the locking section 23 moves out of the locking opening 27, so that the stop for the clamping leg 9 is removed and the cage clamp 6 is released. It springs back into the clamping position, in which an electrical conductor is clamped between the crosspiece 13 and the clamping section 11.

[0054] Fig. 4 shows a perspective view of the cage tension spring 6 of the first embodiment.

[0055] The cage tension spring 6 has, in a manner known per se, a contact leg 7, a spring arch 8, and a clamping leg 9. The clamping leg 9 has an actuating section 10 spaced from and extending away from the contact leg 7, which, after a bend, merges into a clamping section 11 extending towards the contact leg 7. The clamping section 11 has a recess 12 delimited by edge webs 30. The recess 12 is delimited in the direction of the free end of the clamping section 11 by a transverse web 13.

[0056] The crosspiece 13 has a locking opening 27, which can be designed, for example, in the form of two slots extending to the edges of the crosspiece 13. The slots are separated from each other by a connecting piece 31. A continuous crosspiece is connected to the connecting piece 31. The crosspiece 13 can end with a slanting, inwardly tapered end face and a central material tab 32.

[0057] Fig. 5 shows a perspective view of the trigger element 21 of the first embodiment.

[0058] It can be seen that the locking section 23 forms a base from which the two side walls 24 are spaced apart from one another and from which the trigger section 22 is bent at the rear. The side walls 24 and the trigger section 22 end on a common plane, which is used for support on the busbar 4. The locking section 23, together with the side walls 24 and the trigger section 22, forms a conductor collection pocket 20.

[0059] The locking section 23 protrudes forward. It can be tilted slightly downward, i.e., away from the support plane for the busbar 4. The locking section 23 can have ramps 29 on the front edge area on the upper side, along which the diagonally inwardly tapered end face of the crosspiece 13 can slide. A central recess 33 can be provided at the front edge area of ​​the locking section 23, in which the material tab 32 for centered guidance of the trigger element 21 and, in the locked open position, the connecting piece 31 can be received.

[0060] The side walls 24 can optionally protrude forward to increase the support length on the busbar 4.

[0061] Fig. 6 shows a perspective view of the conductor connection terminal 1 from Fig. 1 in the closed position.

[0062] The locking opening 27 formed by the two slots in the crosspiece 13 is clearly visible. The conductor entry opening 17 opens into the crosspiece 13. The upwardly bent end of the busbar 4 with the clamping area 5 forms a continuation of the upper boundary wall of the conductor entry opening 17.

[0063] The trigger element 21 is positioned behind the crossbar 13 in the conductor insertion direction L and rests on the underside of the busbar 4.

[0064] Fig. 7 shows a perspective view of the conductor connection terminal 1 from Fig. 2 with the operating lever 14 unfolded on the way to the open position.

[0065] It is clear that the inwardly tapered end face of the crosspiece 13 strikes the run-up slope 29 at the upper front edge area of ​​the locking section 23. Thus, a force component directed away from the crosspiece 13 and toward the spring element 25 is exerted on the trigger element 21, causing the trigger element 13 to be displaced to the left, i.e., away from the crosspiece 13.

[0066] Fig. 8 shows a perspective view of the conductor connection terminal 1 from Fig. 3 in the locked open position.

[0067] The free end of the locking section 23 now enters the two slots, ie, the locking opening 27 on the transverse web 13. The connecting web 31 thereby enters the recess 33 between the two projecting ends of the locking section 23.

[0068] In this way, the clamping leg 9 is locked to the trigger element 21, wherein the force of the cage tension spring 6 is diverted from the locking section 23 via the side walls 24 and possibly also via the rear trigger section 22 to the busbar 4.

[0069] It can be seen that the conductor insertion opening 17 opens into the recess 12, now positioned below the busbar 4, in the clamping section 11 and into the space between the side walls 24, the busbar 4, and the locking section 23. An electrical conductor is guided along the side walls 24 adjoining the edge webs 30 into the conductor receiving pocket 20 formed thereby.

[0070] Fig. 9 shows a side sectional view of a second embodiment of the conductor connection terminal 1 in the closed position.

[0071] The basic structure is essentially comparable to the first embodiment, so that reference is essentially made to the previous explanations.

[0072] In this second embodiment, however, the trigger element 21 is L-shaped without side walls. The force of the cage tension spring 6 is absorbed in a different way in this example.

[0073] It can be seen that a web 34 protrudes adjacent to the busbar 4. The web 34 is located adjacent to the clamping section 11 and protrudes from the plane of the busbar 4 in a direction away from the cage clamp 6. This plane is spanned by the busbar 4 in the area just before the clamping area 5. The clamping area 5 can be a protrusion protruding from the plane of the busbar 4, which is then bent upwards towards the lever arm 16. This tapered, inclined end of the busbar 4 thus provides a conductor guide surface which guides an electrical conductor inserted into the conductor insertion opening 17 along the guide surface to the clamping area 5 and from there into a conductor receiving pocket 20 in the insulating housing.

[0074] The locking section 23 is mounted on the web 34. For this purpose, the web 34 can have a recess 35 through which the locking section 23 is guided. The locking section 23 can rest against a front edge delimiting the recess 35.

[0075] As a result, the transverse web 13 moves downwards into a collecting pocket 28 of the insulating material housing 2, in which the web 34 is also arranged.

[0076] The locking section 23 and the locking opening 27 can be designed as in the first embodiment. However, another embodiment is also conceivable, in which, instead of the two outwardly opening slots or only one slot opening to one side, a central locking opening 27 is introduced into the crosspiece 13. A variant is also conceivable in which the front edge of the crosspiece 13, which delimits the recess 12, is used as a counterbearing for the locking section, so that the recess 12 simultaneously forms the locking opening 27. These variants can equally be provided in the first embodiment as an optional modification.

[0077] Fig. 10 shows a side sectional view of the conductor terminal 1 from Fig. 9 with the operating lever 14 unfolded on the way to the open position.

[0078] It is clear that the free end of the crosspiece 13 strikes the ramp 29 of the locking section 23 and the trigger element 21 is displaced away from the crosspiece 13 and toward the spring element 25. The locking section 23 is guided in the recess 35 of the web 34. The spring element 25 is further tensioned to exert a restoring force on the trigger element 21 in the direction of the crosspiece 13.

[0079] Fig. 11 shows a side sectional view of the conductor connection terminal 1 from Fig. 9 in the locked open position.

[0080] It can be seen that the release element 21 is displaced towards the crosspiece 13 by the restoring force of the spring element 25, so that the locking section 23 engages the locking opening 27 in the crosspiece 13. The locking section 23 forms a stop for the clamping leg 9. This locks the cage tension spring 6 in the open position.

[0081] The locking section 23 is held by the web 34 of the busbar 4. This web 34 absorbs the spring forces acting from the clamping leg 9 on the locking section 23 toward the busbar 4 and transfers them into the busbar 4 toward the contact leg 7.

[0082] The conductor insertion opening 17 opens into the recess 12, now positioned below the busbar 4. The web 34 has a corresponding recess defined by edge webs, through which the electrical conductor to be clamped is passed to reach the conductor receiving pocket 20, now formed by the insulating housing 2.

[0083] The end face at the free end of the inserted electrical conductor then strikes the release surface of the release section 22, which is arranged transversely to the conductor insertion direction L in alignment with the conductor insertion opening 17. This allows a release force to be exerted against the restoring force of the spring element 25, by which the release element 21 is displaced away from the crossbar 13 and towards the spring element 25. The free end of the locking section 23 is thereby displaced out of the locking opening 27 in order to remove the stop for the clamping leg 9 and to unlatch the cage clamp spring 6. It is clear that only a small stroke is required for locking and unlatching, on the order of the thickness of the crossbar, i.e. in the millimeter range (e.g. approx. 0.5 mm to 2 mm).

[0084] In both embodiments, the locking and unlocking movement of the trigger element 21 is directed transversely to the direction of force of the clamping section 11 onto the locking section 23. Thus, the required unlocking forces are also far lower than the considerable forces exerted by the clamping section 11.

[0085] Fig. 12 shows a perspective view of the cage tension spring 6 of the second embodiment.

[0086] The cage clamp spring 6 again has a clamping leg 6 with a clamping section 11 and an actuating section 10, to which a spring arch 8 and a contact leg 7 are connected. The clamping section 11 has a recess 12 laterally delimited by edge webs 30, which ends in a transverse web 13 at the free end of the clamping section 11. The contact leg 7 can protrude into the recess 12 with a narrower end.

[0087] In this embodiment, the crosspiece 13 has a locking opening 27 in the form of a central slot. This can have facing central projections to reduce the contact surface on the locking section 23. This reduces the frictional forces for unlocking and facilitates the insertion of the locking section 23 into the locking opening 27.

[0088] Fig. 13 shows a perspective view of the trigger element 21 of the second embodiment.

[0089] The trigger element 21 is designed as an L-shaped sheet metal element with a trigger section 22 and a locking section 23 bent from it at an angle of approximately 90°. The locking section 3 can taper to a narrower end. A ramp 29 can be provided on the upper side of the narrower end.

[0090] Fig. 14 shows a perspective view of the conductor terminal from Fig. 9 in the closed position.

[0091] It is clear that the locking section 23 projects with its free end into the recess 35 of the web 34 and is mounted on the upper edge of the recess 34. It is also evident that, in the closed position of the cage clamp 6, the cross web 13 rests on the underside (i.e., the clamping side) of the busbar 4 at or directly next to the clamping area 5. The locking opening 27 in the cross web 13 is offset in height from the recess 35 of the web 34 and thus from the position of the free end of the locking section 23.

[0092] Fig. 15 shows a perspective view of the conductor terminal from Fig. 10 with the operating lever unfolded on the way to the open position.

[0093] The actuating leg 10 is pressed down toward the contact leg 7. As a result, the crossbar 13 on the clamping section 11 moves downwards away from the clamping side of the busbar 4 toward the recess 34 in the web 35.

[0094] Fig. 16 shows a perspective view of the conductor terminal from Fig. 11 in the locked open position.

[0095] In the open position, the clamping leg 9 is pivoted downwards towards the contact leg 7 so far that the recess 12 below the busbar 4 is aligned with the conductor insertion opening 17. This allows an electrical conductor to be inserted into the conductor insertion opening 17 and pushed through the recess 12 past the underside of the busbar 4 into the conductor retaining pocket 20.

[0096] The crosspiece 13 is displaced downwards far enough away from the busbar 4 that its locking opening 27 is aligned with the recess 35 in the web 34. The free end region of the locking section 23, which is mounted in the recess 35, is displaced into the locking opening 27 by the restoring force of the spring element 25. The locking section 23 thus forms a stop for the clamping section 11, so that the clamping spring 6 is held in the open position. The force exerted by the cage tension spring 6 on the free end region of the locking section 23 is diverted to the busbar 4 via the upper edge of the recess 35 and the web.

[0097] An electrical conductor inserted into the conductor retention pocket 20 strikes with its end the release section 22 arranged in alignment with the conductor insertion opening 17. The release surface of the release section is perpendicular to the alignment and forms the rear wall of the conductor retention pocket 20. This exerts a release force on the release element 21, which displaces it rearward in the conductor insertion direction L away from the crosspiece 13. The free end region of the locking section 23 is pushed out of the locking opening 27, so that the stop is released and the cage tension spring springs back into the closed or clamped position.

[0098] In the clamping position, the electrical conductor is then clamped between the upper edge of the crossbar 13, which limits the recess 12, and the clamping area 5 of the busbar 4. List of reference symbols 1 conductor connection terminal 2 insulating housings 3 spring-loaded terminal connection 4 busbar 5 clamping area 6 cage clamp spring 7 investment legs 8 spring bows 9 clamping legs 10 Operating section 11 Clamping section 12 Recess 13 Crossbar 14 operating lever 15 Actuating contour 16 lever arm 17 Conductor entry opening 18 bearing journals 20 ladder collection bag 21 Trigger element 22 trigger section 23 Locking section 24 side walls 25 spring element 26 retaining hole 27 Locking opening 28 Collection bag 29 ramp 30 edge strips 31 Connecting bridge 32 material rags 33 trough 34 jetty 35 recess 36 central projection L Conductor insertion direction QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

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

[0000] WO 2021 / 105280 A1

[0005]

Claims

[1] Spring clamp connection (3) with - a busbar (4) having a clamping area (5), and - a cage tension spring (6) having a contact leg (7) for contact with a first side of the busbar (4), a spring arch (8) adjoining the contact leg (7), and a clamping leg (9) adjoining the spring arch (8), wherein the clamping leg (9) has an actuating section (10) adjoining the spring arch (8) and extending away from the busbar (4), and a clamping section (11) bent away from the actuating section (10) and extending back in the direction of the busbar (4), wherein the clamping section (11) has a recess (12) delimited by a transverse web (13) at the free end of the clamping section (11), wherein the busbar (4) extends with its clamping region (5) through the recess (12), and the transverse web (13) together with the clamping section (11) forms a clamping point for clamping an electrical conductor, characterized bythat a trigger element (21) is arranged on the second side of the busbar (4), which is opposite the first support side of the busbar (4) with the contact leg (7) of the cage clamp (6) resting thereon, wherein the trigger element (21) has a trigger section (22) designed to displace the trigger element (21) by the action of force with an inserted electrical conductor to be clamped, and a locking section (23) designed for a positive connection with the clamping section (11), wherein the locking section (23) forms a stop for a holding contour on the clamping section (11) when the clamping section (11) is brought into an open position by movement of the actuating section (10) in the direction of the busbar (4), and can be moved away from the holding contour to remove the stop by a movement of the trigger section (21),when a triggering force is exerted on the triggering section (22) by an inserted electrical conductor to be clamped. [2] Spring-loaded terminal connection (3) according to claim 1, characterized by that the triggering section (22) extends transversely to the plane of the busbar (4). [3] Spring-loaded terminal connection (3) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by that the locking portion (23) extends away from the triggering portion (22) in a direction towards the clamping portion (11) in its open position. [4] Spring-loaded terminal connection (3) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by that the holding contour of the clamping section (11) is formed by the transverse web (13) delimiting the recess of the clamping section (11), wherein the locking section (23) projecting into the recess in the locking position forms a stop for the transverse web (13). [5] Spring-loaded terminal connection (3) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized byin that the clamping section (11) has a locking opening (27) in the transverse web (13), in an edge web (30) laterally delimiting the recess (12) or in the region of the clamping section (11) extending from the recess (12) to the actuating section (10), wherein the locking opening (12) forms the holding contour and the locking section (23) projecting into the locking opening (12) in the locking position forms a stop for the clamping section (11). [6] Spring-loaded terminal connection (3) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by that on the clamping leg (9) a locking tongue protrudes from the plane of the clamping leg (9), which forms the holding contour, wherein the locking section (23) is arranged in the locking position between the locking tongue and the actuating section (10) and forms a stop for the locking tongue. [7] Spring-loaded terminal connection (3) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized bythat the busbar (4) has a web (34) projecting from the plane of the clamping section (11) of the busbar (4) and the locking section (23) of the locking element (21) is mounted on the web (34). [8] Spring-loaded terminal connection (3) according to claim 7, characterized by that the web (34) has a recess (35), for example in the form of a bay or a fully circumferentially delimited hole, wherein the locking section (23) is mounted in the recess (35). [9] Spring clamp connection (3) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the spring-force clamping connection (3) has a spring element (25) which is connected to the triggering element (21) and is designed to exert a restoring force on the triggering element (21), by means of which the locking section (23) is displaced into the locking position with the clamping section (11). [10] Spring-loaded terminal connection (3) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the trigger element (21) is spring-elastic and is designed to exert a restoring force on the trigger element (21), by means of which the locking section (23) is displaced into the locking position with the clamping section (11). [11] Spring-loaded terminal connection (3) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the triggering section (22) of the triggering element (21) is adjoined by a section supported on the busbar (4). [12] Spring-loaded terminal connection (3) according to claim 11, characterized by that the triggering section (22) extends in the same direction at a distance from the section supported on the busbar (4), wherein the triggering section (22) connects the locking section (23) to the section supported on the busbar (4). [13] Spring-loaded terminal connection (3) according to claim 11, characterized by that the section supported on the busbar (4) forms the locking section (23). [14] Spring clamp connection (3) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the trigger element (21) is a pocket or sleeve designed to receive the ends of an inserted electrical conductor, which has a base with the locking section (23), a first boundary wall with the trigger section (22) and at least one further boundary wall (24) aligned at an angle to the base and the trigger section (22). [15] Conductor connection terminal (1) with an insulating housing (2) and with a spring-loaded terminal connection (3) according to one of the preceding claims in the insulating housing (2), wherein the insulating housing (2) has a conductor insertion opening (17) leading to the triggering section (22) of the triggering element (21). [16] Conductor connection terminal (1) according to claim 15, characterized by that the insulating housing (2) has an actuating opening which leads to the actuating section (10) of the clamping leg (9). [17] Conductor connection terminal (1) according to claim 16, characterized by that the actuating opening is designed to receive an actuating tool or an actuating element (14) movably installed in the actuating opening.

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