Actuator and connector insert with actuator

Abstract

The invention relates to an actuator 1, 1', 1" for releasing an electrical conductor from a contact carrier 4, wherein the actuator has a holding section 14 for positioning the actuator in the contact carrier and an actuating section 12 for actuating a clamping spring 3, wherein the actuating section has two actuating arms 122 extending laterally in the actuating direction B and an actuating web 123 connecting the actuating arms at their ends for actuating the clamping spring, such that the actuator is open in the area between the actuating web and the holding section, characterized in that the actuator has at least one pin 127, 127', 127", 128, 128', 128" laterally on at least one outer surface 142, which projects from the outer surface of the actuator substantially perpendicular to the actuating direction.The invention also relates to a connector insert with a clamping spring, a busbar 2 and the actuator according to the invention, wherein the contact carrier has at least one groove 42 in which the at least one pin can be positioned and moved when the actuator is arranged in the contact carrier.

Description

The invention relates to an actuator for a contact carrier according to the preamble of independent claim 1. Furthermore, the invention relates to a connector insert comprising an actuator. Such actuators are required in contact carriers to form a contact unit with a busbar and a clamping spring, and to connect an electrical conductor to the contact unit, i.e., to electrically connect it to the busbar and mechanically hold or fix it in place. Additionally, the electrical conductor should be easily detachable from the contact unit when needed. An electrical conductor can be, in particular, a wire of an electrical cable and / or the crimp area of ​​a crimped wire ferrule. The contact carrier and the contact unit form a connector insert which is suitable, for example, for being installed / inserted directly into a connector housing, such as a grommet, mounting or socket housing. Additionally or alternatively, the connector insert can be designed as a connector module, which, together with other connector modules, is arranged or used in a connector modular frame as part of a modular connector system. The connector modular frame can then be mounted, for example, in a connector housing or through a wall opening. The other connector modules of the modular connector system can be individually configured for the specific application, depending on the desired function, e.g., for optical and / or electrical, analog and / or digital signal transmission, electrical power transmission, transmission of gases and pressure (pneumatics), or for current, voltage, and temperature measurement, evaluation, and data processing. State of the art The so-called "push-in" technology for connecting electrical cables to electrical equipment is known in the prior art. It is known, in particular, that electrical cables are manually inserted into a cage-shaped busbar. A substantially V-shaped clamping spring, comprising a retaining leg and a clamping leg, rests with its retaining leg against a first cage wall of the busbar and presses an electrical conductor of the inserted cable with its clamping leg against a second cage wall, which is opposite the first. This establishes contact between the electrical conductor and the busbar. The particularly user-friendly manual operation of this connection process is therefore limited to inserting the electrical cable. In this context, numerous publications describe the use of an actuator that, after the electrical cable has been inserted, releases the electrical conductor from the busbar when the actuator is pressed. By moving or pressing the actuator into an actuating position, the clamping spring is elastically deformed and releases the electrical conductor. The actuating position can thus be understood as the release position. For example, German patent application DE 10 2021 129 010 A1 discloses an actuator with a holding section and an actuating section. The holding section has a contact surface to which, for example, a tool such as a screwdriver can be applied. The actuating section has two lateral actuating arms extending in the direction of actuation and an actuating bridge connecting the actuating arms at their ends for actuating the contact unit, thus making the actuator open in the area between the actuating bridge, the holding section, and the actuating arms. The actuator shown here has a stiffening rib on each of the actuating arms, which serves as an assembly aid when the actuator is positioned in the contact carrier. However, a disadvantage that emerged during development was that the known actuator takes up a lot of space in the very limited installation space within the connector insert. Task The object of the invention is to provide an assembly aid and thereby minimize the space required by the actuator within the connector insert. The problem is solved by the subject matter of independent claim 1. According to a first aspect of the invention, an actuator for a contact carrier is proposed, namely an actuator for releasing an electrical conductor from a contact carrier. The actuator has a holding section for positioning the actuator in the contact carrier and an actuating section for actuating a clamping spring. The actuating section has two actuating arms extending laterally in the direction of actuation and an actuating web connecting the actuating arms at their ends for actuating the clamping spring, so that the actuator is open in the area between the actuating web and the holding section. The actuator has at least one pin on at least one outer surface on its side, which projects from the outer surface of the actuator substantially perpendicular to the direction of actuation.In this context, "essentially perpendicular" means that the pin is arranged with a larger vector component perpendicular to the direction of actuation than with a smaller vector component in any other direction. Preferably, at least one pin is arranged exactly perpendicular to the direction of actuation. The actuator is designed and configured for use with a contact carrier. Specifically, the actuator is shaped to allow for at least partial insertion and positioning within a contact carrier. The contact carrier is described below. The actuator is designed and configured to actuate a clamping spring. The clamping spring and the actuation process are described below. The actuator and the clamping spring are designed such that the clamping spring is located, at least in the actuated state, in the open area of ​​the actuator, i.e., at least partially between the actuating arms. The electrical conductor can be a solid conductor or a stranded conductor. In particular, in the case of a stranded conductor, the stranded conductor can be either loose or crimped. In other words, the electrical conductor can be a core, e.g., a strand, of an electrical cable. The electrical cable preferably comprises a transmission section and, at the end to be inserted into the busbar, a contact section. At the transmission section, the electrical cable has an electrically insulating sheath radially surrounding the core. The contact section of the electrical cable is designed for electrical contact with the busbar and does not include an electrically insulating sheath. That is, at the contact section, the core of the electrical cable is not sheathed ("stripped").The electrical cable can be crimped with a wire end ferrule at the contact section, so that in this case the wire together with a crimp area of ​​the wire end ferrule forms the electrical conductor. The actuator is designed and configured to release the electrical conductor from the contact carrier. Specifically, the actuator is designed and configured to release the contact between the electrical conductor and the busbar. In other words, the actuator is designed and configured to move the clamping spring from an unactuated state to an actuated state. To achieve this, the actuator exerts a spring force as a counterforce on the clamping spring, which deforms the clamping spring and releases the electrical conductor. The deformation of the clamping spring caused by the spring force acting as a counterforce of the actuator specifically involves a deformation of the spring arc such that the retaining leg and clamping leg move towards each other. The actuator comprises a holding section and an actuating section. The holding section is designed and configured for positioning the actuator within the contact carrier. In particular, the holding section is designed and configured to hold the actuator during positioning within the contact carrier. Preferably, the holding section includes a contact surface to which, for example, a tool such as a screwdriver can be attached. The actuating section is designed and configured for actuating the clamping spring. The actuating section contacts the clamping spring at least when the clamping spring is actuated, i.e., at least when a counterforce is exerted on the clamping spring. The actuator is designed to actuate the clamping spring via the actuating section. The actuator has an elongated shape or extension in the insertion direction, with each elongated extension corresponding to the actuator's maximum extension. The retaining section is located in an upper section of the actuator, and the actuating section in a lower section, the lower section being located on the clamping spring. Preferably, the actuator is formed in one piece, and particularly preferably as a single component. Furthermore, the actuator is preferably made of plastic, particularly preferably glass fiber reinforced plastic, for example glass fiber reinforced polyamide. Additionally or alternatively, the actuator is preferably manufactured by an injection molding process, which enables cost-effective production in large quantities. "Actuation" means that a force acts on the clamping spring in an actuation direction via the actuator. Actuation in an actuation direction occurs even if the actuator moves translationally in the actuation direction during actuation, and occurs in particular if at least part of the force acts in the actuation direction, preferably a predominant part of the force, i.e., at least more than 50% of the force. This means that the actuating bridge acts on the clamping spring in an actuation direction when a force applied to the actuator in that direction exceeds a certain force threshold. This force then acts on the clamping spring such that, when the force threshold is exceeded, the spring arc deforms. In other words, the force deforms the spring arc in such a way that the retaining and clamping arms move relative to each other. An electrical conductor, which is held in the contact carrier by the clamping spring when not under force, is released from the contact carrier by the force applied. The direction of actuation corresponds to a direction along the actuator or the elongated extension of the actuator. In particular, the direction of actuation corresponds to a direction from the actuator along the actuator towards the clamping spring. The direction of actuation corresponds at least partially to the direction in which a force is applied to the clamping spring by the actuator. Preferably, an actuation direction corresponds to an insertion direction of the electrical conductor, i.e., the insertion direction of the electrical conductor into the contact carrier is preferably parallel to the actuation direction. As previously described, the actuator has an elongated extension along the direction of actuation, and it features external surfaces that run along this direction. Specifically, the actuator has two lateral external surfaces that run along the direction of actuation. "Lateral" here means that, given the actuator's essentially cuboid shape, these lateral external surfaces are the two smaller surfaces along the direction of actuation (as opposed to the two larger, wider surfaces). The actuating section has two laterally arranged actuating arms along the direction of actuation; that is, the actuating arms each have an elongated extension along the direction of actuation. Additionally or alternatively, the actuating web extends perpendicular to the direction of actuation. Preferably, the actuating arms each form at least partially the lateral outer surfaces of the actuator. According to the invention, the actuator has at least one pin laterally on at least one outer surface, i.e., on a lateral outer surface. The pin projects from the corresponding outer surface of the actuator at least partially perpendicularly, preferably exactly perpendicularly, to the direction of actuation. The at least one pin allows for a space-saving arrangement of the actuator within the contact carrier and prevents the actuator from tilting during the assembly of the contact carrier, i.e., the fitting of the contact carrier with at least one actuator. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims and the following description. Thus, an actuator is provided for actuating the clamping spring and thereby releasing the electrical conductor, which is very compact and at the same time easy to use. In a preferred embodiment of one aspect of the invention, the at least one pin is arranged in the area of ​​the retaining section. That is, the at least one pin is arranged on (one of) the lateral outer surface(s) in the area of ​​the retaining section. In particular, the at least one pin is thus located in the upper section of the actuator. Since the actuation direction generally corresponds to the insertion direction of the actuator into the contact carrier, this can prevent tilting particularly efficiently and simultaneously further reduce the space occupied by the actuator. In a further preferred embodiment of an aspect of the invention, the actuator has at least two pins that project from two opposing outer surfaces of the actuator essentially perpendicular to the direction of actuation. This effectively prevents tilting even if the actuator has some play in the contact carrier. Preferably, two pins are arranged on a line perpendicular to the direction of actuation. Alternatively, two pins are arranged offset from each other in the direction of actuation. In this case, one of the two pins is located in the area of ​​the holding section and the other of the two pins is located in the area of ​​the actuating section. If more than two pins are provided, in one embodiment two pins can be arranged on a line perpendicular to the direction of actuation and two pins can be arranged offset from each other in the direction of actuation (see below). In a preferred embodiment of one aspect of the invention, the actuator has four pins, wherein two of the four pins are arranged on each of the opposite outer surfaces of the actuator, and preferably two pins are located on a line perpendicular to the direction of actuation. In such a case, two pins are therefore also arranged offset from each other in the direction of actuation. It is preferred that at least one pin has the shape of a right prism. That is, in this case, the pin is arranged (exactly) perpendicular to the direction of actuation. It is particularly preferred that one base face of the right prism is a circle, meaning the pin has a cylindrical shape. Alternatively, a polygon as the base face is also conceivable. In another aspect, the invention relates to a connector insert. The connector insert comprises a contact carrier, a clamping spring, a busbar, and an actuator according to one of the embodiments described above or below. The contact carrier has a cable connection-side connection area and at least one cable connection-side open contact chamber for receiving the clamping spring, the busbar and the actuator. The clamping spring is designed and configured to clamp an electrical conductor in the contact carrier. That is, the clamping spring exerts a spring force on the electrical conductor in such a way that the conductor is clamped in the contact carrier. The clamping spring is designed with an outer shape for at least partial insertion and positioning in a busbar. The busbar is described below. The clamping spring is designed to make contact between the electrical conductor and the busbar. The clamping spring has a retaining leg, a clamping leg, and a spring arc connecting the retaining leg to the clamping leg. The spring arc allows the retaining leg to pivot elastically relative to the clamping leg, and vice versa. In particular, when the retaining leg is held, for example, by the contact carrier, the clamping leg can pivot relative to the retaining leg. That is, the clamping leg can pivot elastically relative to the retaining leg when a spring force is applied as a counterforce. The clamping spring is designed so that, in particular, the clamping leg can pivot elastically relative to the retaining leg via the spring arc, in order to press the electrical conductor against a busbar in a clamping position of the clamping spring. This creates an electrically conductive connection between the electrical conductor and the busbar, and mechanically clamps the electrical conductor to the busbar. Furthermore, the clamping spring is designed so that, in particular, the clamping leg can pivot elastically relative to the retaining leg via the spring arc, in order to release the clamping leg from the electrical conductor and thus also the electrical conductor at least mechanically from the busbar in a release position of the clamping spring. The release position is therefore the position of the clamping spring in which the electrical conductor is / is released from the clamping spring. The spring is bent. Preferably, the bend is greater than 270°, meaning the clamping spring has a bend of more than 270° in its relaxed state, and this bend is further increased when force is applied. As a result, the retaining leg and the clamping leg form an acute angle in both a relaxed and a force-applied state. The relaxed state corresponds to an unactuated state, and the force-applied state corresponds to an actuated state. The actuated state is the state in which the electrical conductor is released by the actuator, particularly the busbar, applying force to the clamping spring. A transition between the retaining leg and the spring arch, or between the clamping leg and the spring arch, is preferably defined by a change in curvature. Ideally, the clamping spring can be considered essentially V-shaped, with the clamping leg and the retaining leg each being understood as legs of the V. The clamping leg and / or the retaining leg can be essentially straight, or they can have bends, twists, openings, etc. In particular, the clamping leg and the retaining leg can be designed differently, for example, with different lengths. Preferably, the clamping leg and the retaining leg are essentially straight, with the retaining leg further preferably having a locking element and / or a hump.The clamping leg preferably has a contact area in one end region, with which the clamping spring presses the electrical conductor against the busbar and thus establishes a contact between the electrical conductor and the busbar. Preferably, the actuating bridge has a sliding area configured to slide (at least partially) along the clamping leg on an outer side of the clamping spring in the actuation direction when the clamping spring is actuated. For this purpose, the clamping spring preferably has a sliding surface on the clamping leg, along which the sliding area of ​​the actuating bridge slides when actuated. The busbar has a cage open on the cable connection side with two parallel cage walls, namely a first cage wall and a second cage wall, which are connected to each other by two side walls to form the cage. The retaining leg of the clamping spring is held on the first cage wall and preferably attached to it, the clamping leg being designed to press the electrical conductor against the second cage wall of the busbar when the clamping spring is not actuated, in order to electrically connect the electrical conductor to the busbar. This secures the electrical conductor against unintentional removal from the opposite direction of insertion by clamping it against the second cage wall. Furthermore, when actuated, the clamping arm is pivoted in the insertion direction relative to the unactuated state, due to a counterforce from the clamping spring. This allows the cable to be released for removal at the cable connection end. "Cable connection side" here refers to the side of the busbar from which the electrical cable is inserted. The busbar is preferably fully or at least partially open on the cable connection side to allow the insertion of the electrical cable. It is preferred that the actuator has stop areas. These stop areas can, in particular, be the lower edges of the actuating bridge. The stop areas are designed to abut against counter-stop edges of a busbar (see below) when actuated. Preferably, at least one of the side walls of the busbar comprises a step on the cable connection side, forming a sliding edge extending in the insertion direction. Preferably, both side walls have a step, each forming a sliding edge. The one or more sliding edges extend along the direction of actuation. Preferably, the actuating web of the actuator is in at least partial mechanical contact with the sliding edges during actuation. That is, the actuating web is designed to slide along the sliding edges and be guided by them during actuation. More preferably, the actuating web is designed to slide along the sliding edges perpendicular to an elongated extension of the actuating web and be guided by them in order to guide the actuator, particularly during translational movement of the actuator in and against the direction of actuation.In particular, the actuating bridge is designed to pivot the clamping spring from an unactuated state to an actuated state when force is applied, i.e., when the clamping spring exerts a counterforce against the unactuated state in the insertion direction. This allows the electrical conductor to be released from the busbar and, for example, made available for pulling the electrical conductor out at the cable connection end. The preferred step design creates a counter-stop edge running perpendicular to the sliding edge, in addition to the sliding edge. If stop areas are provided, these areas are preferably designed to abut at least one counter-stop edge of one of the side walls when actuated. This is particularly advantageous because it prevents overextension of the clamping spring. The stop, formed by at least one of the actuator's stop areas and at least one of the counter-stop edges of the side walls, places the actuator in a precisely defined position when actuated. While only sliding friction needs to be overcome between the actuator and the sliding edges of the side walls during the actuation process, static friction arises between the actuator and the sliding edges in the actuated state, which is naturally significantly greater than the aforementioned sliding friction. The first cage wall is designed to hold the retaining leg. Preferably, the retaining leg of the clamping spring includes a locking element that can be engaged with the first cage wall. Additionally or alternatively, the retaining leg has one or more retaining openings. In this case, the first cage wall has indentations that can engage in the retaining openings. This prevents the clamping spring from moving against the insertion direction. It is further preferred that the clamping spring, with its clamping leg, bears against the second cage wall, thereby pressing the retaining leg against the first cage wall, resulting in a vertical fixation. Preferably, the busbar is formed in one piece, particularly preferably from metallic material, for example by die casting or milling from a solid block. Alternatively, the busbar can be formed from several different materials, particularly metallic ones, such as zinc alloys, copper alloys, aluminum alloys, and / or one or more identical or different sheets, such as stainless steel sheets. Together with the actuator, the busbar and the clamping spring form a contact unit. The contact unit preferably also includes a plug contact, which is electrically connected to the busbar and mechanically attached to it. Preferably, the contact unit comprises a connecting section for the electrical and mechanical connection of the busbar to the plug contact. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the clamping spring, the busbar, and the actuator are arranged, particularly preferably completely, in the contact chamber of the contact carrier. More preferably, the contact carrier comprises several contact chambers, each containing a contact unit. The contact carrier preferably has a connection area on the plug-in side in addition to the connection area on the cable connection side. The connection area on the cable connection side is located opposite the connection area on the plug-in side. In the connection area on the plug-in side, a plug-in opening is arranged for each plug contact, connected to at least one contact chamber. The plug contact is received in this opening. The plug contact can, for example, be plugged into another plug contact of another connector, thus establishing an electrical connection between the conductor of the electrical cable and the other plug contact. Preferably, the connector insert includes a retaining plate that can be connected to and fixed to the contact carrier on the cable connection side. The retaining plate preferably includes an actuating opening and a connection opening adjacent to and / or connected to the actuating opening for each contact chamber. It is preferred that an actuator, at least partially located in the corresponding contact chamber and operable in one direction, is held at each actuating opening. The actuator can be operated in the direction of actuation through the actuating opening of the contact carrier, e.g., with a tool, in particular a screwdriver or a special tool. An electrical conductor can be inserted into the busbar or the contact chamber of the contact carrier through the connection opening in the insertion direction. Preferably, the actuation direction and the insertion direction are parallel to each other. This means that the electrical conductor is inserted in the same direction in which the actuator can be moved, i.e., actuated. Particularly preferably, the actuator is arranged within the contact carrier and, if applicable, the retaining plate when the contact carrier is mounted, and / or is at least flush with the retaining plate. That is, the actuator is recessed in the contact carrier and, if applicable, the retaining plate, and is held in place with a certain amount of play (mechanical tolerance), with preferably no significant frictional force occurring between the actuator and the contact carrier and, if applicable, the retaining plate.It is preferred that the actuator is pressed against the sliding edges of the busbar only by the actuating bridge via the clamping spring, so that the friction during actuation and return of the actuator occurs essentially at this point. The mounted actuator preferably has sufficient clearance relative to the contact carrier / retaining plate to prevent or at least minimize frictional forces. The connector insert can, in particular, be a connector module designed and configured to be received and held in a connector modular frame together with other connector modules. Preferably, the contact carrier is essentially cuboid in shape. The contact carrier comprises two opposing broad side walls, and each of its two narrow side faces may have a locking lug for fixation in the connector modular frame. The locking lugs are particularly preferably of different shapes. This provides polarization to ensure correct insertion into a connector modular frame. For this purpose, the connector modular frame preferably has locking windows corresponding to the locking lugs of the connector insert or the contact carrier. In a preferred embodiment, the actuator is arranged in the contact carrier. In particular, the actuator is arranged in the contact carrier such that it is movable in the actuation direction to move the clamping spring from the release position to the clamping position or vice versa. For this purpose, the contact carrier has at least one groove, preferably two grooves, in which the at least one pin can be positioned and moved when the actuator is arranged in the contact carrier. In the case that the connector insert has a retaining plate, it is preferred that the retaining plate limits the groove in the opposite direction to the actuation direction. The present invention offers the advantages of easier assembly and space saving, particularly in push-in contact systems. Examples of implementation Exemplary embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the drawings and are explained in more detail below. They show: Fig. 1 a perspective view of the actuator according to a first embodiment from a front oblique angle, Fig. 2 a perspective view of the actuator according to the first embodiment from a rear oblique angle, Fig. 3 a schematic view of the actuator according to the first embodiment from the front, Fig. 4 a perspective view of the actuator according to a second embodiment from a front oblique angle, Fig. 5 a perspective view of the actuator according to a third embodiment from a front oblique angle, Fig. 6 a perspective exploded view of the actuator according to the first embodiment with a clamping spring, a busbar and a contact carrier, Fig.Fig. 7 shows a further perspective exploded view of the actuator according to the first embodiment with a clamping spring, a busbar and a contact carrier, Fig. 8 shows a perspective view of the actuator according to the first embodiment, which is installed in the contact carrier, Fig. 9 shows a perspective sectional view of the connector insert in which the actuator according to the first embodiment is installed, and Fig. 10 shows a further perspective sectional view of the connector insert in which the actuator according to the first embodiment is installed. The figures contain simplified, schematic representations. In some cases, identical reference symbols are used for elements that are the same but may not be identical. Different views of the same elements may be scaled differently. Directional indications such as "left," "right," "up," and "down" are to be understood in relation to the respective figure and may vary between the individual representations compared to the object depicted. First, the actuator according to a first embodiment is described in detail with reference to Fig. 1, Fig. 2 and Fig. 3. The actuator 1 is designed to release an electrical conductor from a contact carrier. The actuator 1 comprises a holding section 14 and an actuating section 12. In particular, the holding section 14 is arranged in an upper section 145 of the actuator 1, and the actuating section 12 is arranged in a lower section 146 of the actuator 1. The holding section 14 is designed to position the actuator 1 in the contact carrier. The holding section 14 has a contact surface 10 against which, for example, a tool such as a screwdriver can be applied. The actuating section 12 is designed to actuate the clamping spring. Additionally, the actuation direction B corresponds to a direction along the actuator 1, i.e., the direction in which a force is applied by the actuator 1 to a clamping spring. If the actuator 1 is located in a contact insert, the actuation direction B also corresponds to the insertion direction E of an electrical conductor. The actuating section 12 has two laterally extending actuating arms 122 in the direction of actuation, as well as an actuating web 123 connecting the actuating arms 122 at their ends for actuating a clamping spring. As a result, the actuator 1 is open in the area 120 between the actuating web 123 and the retaining section 14. The actuating web 123 forms at least part of a projection 13 on the actuator 1. Adjacent to the actuating web 123, the actuating arms 122 each have a stop edge 124 for abutting counter-stop edges of the busbar, which is flush with the actuating web 123 in the direction of actuation B. The actuator 1 has two pins 127, 128 on the sides of two opposing outer surfaces, only one of which, namely outer surface 142, is shown in the figures, and each of these pins extends from the respective outer surface 142 of the actuator 1 essentially perpendicular to the direction of actuation B. The pins 127, 128 are arranged in the area of ​​the holding section 14. In particular, the two pins 127, 128 lie on a line perpendicular to the direction of actuation B. Each of the cones 127, 128 has a right prism shape with a circle as its base, i.e. a cylindrical shape. Fig. 4 shows a perspective view of the actuator according to a second embodiment from an oblique front view. The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in the position of one of the pins. The actuator 1' also comprises two pins, wherein the two pins 127', 128' are arranged offset from each other in the actuation direction B. One of the two pins 127' is arranged in the area of ​​the holding section 14 and the other of the two pins 128' is arranged in the area of ​​the actuation section 12. Fig. 5 shows a perspective view of the actuator according to a third embodiment from an oblique front view. The third embodiment differs from the first and second embodiments in the number (and therefore also in the position) of the pins. The actuator 1" has four pins, with two of the four pins 127", 128" being arranged on each of the opposite outer surfaces of the actuator 1. Two pins 127", 128" are always on a line perpendicular to the actuation direction B. Figures 6 and 7 each show a perspective exploded view of the actuator according to the first embodiment with a clamping spring, a busbar and a contact carrier. The contact carrier 4 contains the busbar 2 and the clamping spring 3. The busbar 2 has a cage formed by two cage walls and two side walls. The cage is open on the cable connection side. "Cable connection side" here means the side of the busbar 2 from which the electrical conductor is inserted into the busbar 2, diagonally upwards in Figs. 6 and 7. The busbar 2 is only partially visible in Figs. 6 and 7. In particular, the upper edge of each of the side walls of the busbar 2 can be seen. The clamping spring 3 is supported by the clamping leg 33 against one of the cage walls, so that the retaining leg is pressed against the other of the cage walls. In the unactuated state shown, the clamping leg 33 of the clamping spring 3 presses the electrical conductor (not shown), which is inserted into the busbar 2, against one of the cage walls of the busbar 2 in order to electrically connect the electrical conductor to the busbar 2. Fig. 8 shows a perspective view of the actuator according to the first embodiment, which is installed in the contact carrier 4, and Fig. 9 and Fig. 10 each show a perspective sectional view of the connector insert in which the actuator according to the first embodiment is installed. Figures 8 to 10 also show an unactuated state of the actuator 1 or the clamping spring 3. The contact carrier 4 has a groove 42 in which the respective pins 127, 128 are positioned when the actuator 1 is positioned in the contact carrier 4. In particular, Figures 9 and 10 show that a retaining plate 41 is provided next to the contact carrier 4, which can be connected to and fixed to the contact carrier 4 on the cable connection side. The retaining plate 41 limits the grooves 42 opposite to the direction of actuation B, so that the actuator 1 cannot fall out of the contact carrier 4 when the connector insert is rotated or turned. The functionality of actuator 1 will now be described using the figures. When force is applied to the actuator 1 in the direction of actuation B, the actuator 1 acts on the clamping spring 3. In particular, the actuating web 123 acts on the clamping spring 3, causing the spring arc 32 to deform. The spring arc 32 is deformed in such a way that the retaining leg and clamping leg 33 move towards each other. An electrical conductor, which is held against the busbar 2 by the unforced clamping spring 3, is released from the busbar 2 by the force being applied. For actuation, the actuator 1 can be moved manually in the actuation direction B. This also moves the actuation bridge 123 in the actuation direction B and simultaneously along the clamping arm 33, which thereby pivots elastically in the insertion direction E. At the same time, the spring force, which increases during this process, acts as a counterforce of the clamping arm 33 via the actuation bridge 123 on the actuator 1, at least with a vector component opposite to the actuation direction B. The actuating web 123 of the actuator 1 comes into mechanical contact with the sliding edges of the busbar 2 by applying force and is thereby guided. The actuating web 123 slides along the sliding edges of the busbar 2 in the actuation direction B in order to guide the actuator 1 during a translational movement of the actuator 1 both in and against the actuation direction B. The actuating bridge 123 is designed to pivot the clamping spring 3 from an unactuated state to an actuated state when force is applied to the actuator 1 in the actuating direction B relative to the unactuated state. The unactuated state corresponds to the clamping position of the clamping spring 3, and the actuated state corresponds to the release position of the clamping spring 3. By actuating, the electrical conductor can be released from the busbar 2 and, for example, made available for pulling the electrical conductor out at the cable connection end. Even though the figures show various aspects or features of the invention in combination, it is apparent to those skilled in the art – unless otherwise stated – that the combinations shown and discussed are not the only possible ones. In particular, corresponding units or sets of features from different embodiments can be interchanged. Furthermore, for the sake of clarity, not all reference numerals are always shown in every figure. The invention relates to an actuator for releasing an electrical conductor from a contact carrier, wherein the actuator has a holding section for positioning the actuator in the contact carrier and an actuating section for actuating a clamping spring, wherein the actuating section has two actuating arms extending laterally in the actuating direction and an actuating web connecting the actuating arms at their ends for actuating the clamping spring, so that the actuator is open in the area between the actuating web and the holding section, characterized in that the actuator has at least one pin laterally on at least one outer surface, which projects from the outer surface of the actuator substantially perpendicular to the actuating direction.The invention also relates to a connector insert with a clamping spring, a busbar and the actuator according to the invention, wherein the contact carrier has at least one groove in which the at least one pin can be positioned and moved when the actuator is arranged in the contact carrier. Reference symbol list 1, 1', 1" Actuator 10 Contact surface 12 Actuating section 120 Area between the actuating bridge and the holding section 122 Actuating arm 123 Actuating bridge 124 Stop edge 127, 128, 127', 128', 127", 128" Pin 13 Projection 14 Holding section 142 Outer surface 145 Upper section of the actuator 146 Lower section of the actuator 2 Busbar 3 Clamping spring 32 Spring arc 33 Clamping leg 4 Contact carrier 41 Retaining plate 42 Groove B Actuating direction E Insertion direction QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION This list of documents cited by the applicant was automatically generated and is included solely for the reader's convenience. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature DE 10 2021 129 010 A1

[0009]

Claims

Actuator (1, 1', 1") for releasing an electrical conductor from a contact carrier (4), wherein the actuator (1, 1', 1") has a holding section (14) for positioning the actuator (1, 1', 1") in the contact carrier (4) and an actuating section (12) for actuating a clamping spring (3), wherein the actuating section (12) has two actuating arms (122) extending laterally in the actuating direction (B) and an actuating web (123) connecting the actuating arms (122) at their ends for actuating the clamping spring (3), such that the actuator (1, 1', 1") is open in the area between the actuating web (123) and the holding section (14), characterized in that the actuator (1, 1', 1") has at least one pin (127, 127') laterally on at least one outer surface (142). 127", 128, 128', 128"), which extends from the outer surface (142) of the actuator (1, 1', 1") substantially perpendicular to the direction of actuation (B). Actuator (1, 1', 1") according to claim 1, wherein the at least one pin (127, 127', 127", 128, 128', 128") is arranged in the area of ​​the holding section (14). Actuator (1, 1', 1") according to one of claims 1 and 2, wherein the actuator (1, 1', 1") has at least two pins (127, 127', 127", 128, 128', 128") which extend from two opposing outer surfaces (142) of the actuator (1, 1', 1") substantially perpendicular to the direction of actuation (B). Actuator (1, 1', 1") according to claim 3, wherein two pins (127, 127', 127", 128, 128', 128") are located on a line perpendicular to the direction of actuation (B). Actuator (1, 1', 1") according to one of claims 3 and 4, wherein two pins (127, 127', 127", 128, 128', 128") are arranged offset from each other in the actuation direction (B), wherein one of the two pins (127, 127', 127", 128, 128', 128") is located in the area of ​​the holding section (14) and another of the two pins (127, 127', 127", 128, 128', 128") is located in the area of ​​the actuation section (12). Actuator (1, 1', 1") according to one of claims 3 to 5, wherein the actuator (1, 1', 1") has four pins (127, 127', 127", 128, 128', 128"), wherein two of the four pins (127, 127', 127", 128, 128', 128") are arranged on each of the opposite outer surfaces (142) of the actuator (1, 1', 1"), wherein preferably two pins (127, 127', 127", 128, 128', 128") are located on a line perpendicular to the actuation direction (B). Actuator (1, 1', 1") according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one pin (127, 127', 127", 128, 128', 128") has the form of a right prism, preferably with a circle or a polygon as the base. Connector insert comprising a contact carrier (4) with a cable connection-side connection area and at least one cable connection-side open contact chamber for receiving a clamping spring (3), a busbar (2) and an actuator (1, 1', 1"), a clamping spring (3) wherein the clamping spring (3) has a retaining leg, a clamping leg (33) and a spring arc (32) connecting the retaining leg to the clamping leg (33), wherein the clamping leg (33) is elastically pivotable relative to the retaining leg via the spring arc (32) in order to press an electrical conductor in a clamping position of the clamping spring (3) against the busbar (2) and thereby both electrically connect the electrical conductor to the busbar (2) and mechanically clamp the electrical conductor on the busbar (2),and in a release position of the clamping spring (3) to release the clamping leg (33) from the electrical conductor and thereby also the electrical conductor at least mechanically from the busbar (2), a busbar (2), wherein the busbar (2) has a cage open on the cable connection side with two cage walls parallel to each other, namely a first cage wall and a second cage wall, which are connected to each other by two side walls to form the cage, wherein the retaining leg of the clamping spring (3) is held on the first cage wall, wherein the clamping leg (33) is configured to press the electrical conductor against the second cage wall of the busbar (2) in the unactuated state of the clamping spring (3) in order to electrically connect the electrical conductor to the busbar (2), and an actuator (1, 1', 1") according to one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the actuator (1, 1', 1") is arranged in the contact carrier (4) such that the actuator (1, 1',1") in the actuation direction (B) to move the clamping spring (3) from the release position to the clamping position or vice versa, wherein the contact carrier (4) has at least one groove (42) in which the at least one pin (127, 127', 127", 128, 128', 128") can be positioned and moved when the actuator (1, 1', 1") is arranged in the contact carrier (4). Connector insert according to claim 8, wherein the connector insert has a retaining plate (41) which can be connected to and fixed on the cable connection side of the contact carrier (4), wherein the retaining plate (41) limits the groove (42) in the opposite direction of actuation (B).

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