conductor connection terminal

Abstract

The invention relates to a conductor terminal with an insulating housing and with a spring-loaded clamping connection and an actuating element in the insulating housing, wherein the spring-loaded clamping connection has a busbar and a clamping spring with a clamping leg which is designed in a clamping position for clamping an electrical conductor to the busbar, and wherein the actuating element is movably mounted in the insulating housing and is designed to move the clamping leg from a clamping position to an open position.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a conductor terminal with an insulating housing and with a spring-loaded clamping connection and an actuating element in the insulating housing, wherein the spring-loaded clamping connection has a busbar and a clamping spring with a clamping leg which is designed in a clamping position for clamping an electrical conductor to the busbar, and wherein the actuating element is movably mounted in the insulating housing and is designed to move the clamping leg from a clamping position to an open position.

[0002] Conductor terminals with spring-loaded clamping connections are used to clamp an electrical conductor to a clamping point formed between the clamping leg of a clamping spring and a busbar.

[0003] DE 20 2009 007 573 U1 discloses a terminal block for electrical conductors with a housing having at least one insertion opening. Behind the insertion opening, a receiving space is provided for receiving an electrical conductor. The receiving space is at least partially bounded on a side adjacent to the respective insertion opening by a busbar. An elastically deformable clamping element has a free end and is provided for pressing the electrical conductor against the busbar. A linearly displaceable actuating element is provided, which in a first position acts on a contact point of the clamping element such that the clamping element is elastically deformed and pivoted into the receiving space with its free end to press the electrical conductor against the busbar. In a second position of the actuating element, the free end of the clamping element is outside the receiving space.

[0004] Based on this, the object of the present invention is to create an improved conductor terminal.

[0005] The problem is solved by the conductor terminal with the features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments are described in the dependent claims.

[0006] It is proposed that the actuating element has two opposing handle sections accessible from opposite outer surfaces of the insulating housing.

[0007] The handle sections can be mounted in a sliding or pivoting manner, for example. They can be mounted, for instance, in or on the insulating housing and / or on the busbar.

[0008] In an advantageous embodiment, the actuating element is designed as an actuating slide, which is configured to move the clamping leg into the open position by means of a sliding movement running essentially parallel to an outer surface of the insulating housing. This enables advantageous sliding actuation of the clamping leg. As a result, the actuating element can be integrated into the conductor terminal in a very space-saving manner. For example, one or both of the handle sections can be supported on a respective outer surface of the insulating housing and slidably mounted there.

[0009] In this way, the invention enables the clamping arm to be actuated by means of the actuating slide. Unlike a push-button actuation, with an actuating slide, a handle section accessible manually on an outer surface of the insulating housing can be actuated by the user at any time, particularly without additional tools. The handle sections can be permanently accessible and / or visible on opposite outer surfaces of the insulating housing, i.e., in every actuating position of the slide. In this way, the actuating slide can also simultaneously serve as an indicator element for showing the actuating position of the clamping arm (clamping position or open position).

[0010] The handle sections can be connected to each other via at least one connecting section.

[0011] The connecting section can be coupled to the clamping leg.

[0012] The connecting section can have a wall that spans a plane in the direction from one handle element to the opposite handle element and in the direction of movement of the handle elements. This wall can have a diagonally extending guide slot. A guide tab projecting from the clamping leg can engage in the guide slot to couple the clamping leg to the actuating element.

[0013] The actuating element can have a deflection element that is movably mounted separately from the handle sections and coupled to the clamping arm. The handle sections can be coupled to the separate deflection element to convert a movement of at least the handle sections into a movement of the deflection element and to open the clamping spring by applying force to the deflection element. In this embodiment, the actuating element can optionally be designed with or without the connecting section. If, as explained above, the handle sections are connected to each other via at least one connecting section, the handle sections can move together with the at least one connecting section, and this movement can then be converted into a movement of the deflection element to open the clamping spring by applying force to the deflection element.

[0014] The clamping spring can be designed as a leg spring with a clamping leg, a contact leg and a spring arc connecting the clamping leg to the contact leg.

[0015] The actuating element can be slidably mounted on the insulating housing by means of a linear guide via a web-groove guide between a handle element and the insulating housing.

[0016] The handle elements may have ridges on their outer surface.

[0017] The conductor terminal block can have multiple spring-loaded clamps for connecting individual electrical conductors within the insulating housing. The spring-loaded clamps can be arranged side by side. Each clamp can have its own busbar, separate from other spring-loaded clamps. Alternatively, all spring-loaded clamps or groups of clamps can share a common busbar to connect the electrical conductors connected to the corresponding clamps. A feed-through terminal block can also be formed, where two spring-loaded clamps are arranged one behind the other in the conductor insertion direction and connected via a common busbar. A common actuating element can be provided for such a feed-through terminal block.

[0018] Each spring-clamp terminal can have one actuating element. In a feed-through terminal, the pairs of actuating elements can then be arranged one behind the other and be movable in the conductor insertion direction.

[0019] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the conductor terminal has a retaining element designed to hold the clamping arm in the open position. This retaining element allows the clamping arm to remain in the open position even when no manual actuation force is applied to the actuating element. Such a design enables the integration of automatic connection technology into spring-loaded terminals and conductor terminals of various designs. In particular, proven conductor terminals of known design can thus be easily upgraded to an automatic connection functionality, i.e., with automatic connection of the electrical conductor to be clamped.

[0020] The retaining element can be movably arranged, e.g., sliding, pivoting, or otherwise deflectable, so that it can be easily deflected by the inserted conductor to achieve the desired release of the clamping arm from the retaining element. The retaining element can be slidably mounted, e.g., in a linear or arc-shaped direction. The retaining element can be pivotally mounted. In this case, the retaining element can pivot about a fixed or variable pivot axis. In the case of a variable pivot axis, the retaining element can, for example, be floatingly pivotable. The retaining element can also perform a combined sliding and pivoting movement. The retaining element can also be movably mounted in another way so that it can be deflected sufficiently to release the locking of the clamping arm from the retaining element.

[0021] The actuating element allows the clamping arm to be moved into the open position by manual operation, against the spring force of the clamping spring. In this open position, the clamping arm can then be held by the retaining element, even without further manual operation of the actuating element, so that the electrical conductor can be inserted at any time without requiring any special effort. For example, the clamping arm can be locked onto the retaining element in the open position.

[0022] The clamping arm, together with the contact section of the busbar, can form a clamping point for connecting an electrical conductor between the clamping arm and the contact section. In the open position, at least the clamping edge of the clamping arm is pivoted away from the contact section of the busbar. The clamping arm can be pivoted, for example, between an open position in which the electrical conductor is freely movable between the clamping arm and the contact section, and a clamped position in which the clamping arm clamps the electrical conductor to the contact section.

[0023] The retaining element can, for example, act directly on the clamping leg to hold it in the open position. Thus, for instance, a first locking element can be arranged on the clamping leg and a second locking element on the retaining element, with the first and second locking elements being able to interlock in the open position. The first locking element can be designed as a locking projection or locking hook. The second locking element can be designed as a locking edge or locking opening.

[0024] The retaining element can be a separate component, attached, for example, to the insulating housing of a conductor terminal block, to the busbar, or to another component. Alternatively, the retaining element can be integrally formed with the clamping spring.

[0025] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the retaining element is arranged behind the clamping point or behind the majority of the busbar in the direction of conductor insertion into the spring-loaded clamping connection. In this way, the retaining element does not obstruct the insertion of the electrical conductor. For example, in the open position, i.e., when the clamping leg is locked onto the retaining element, the retaining element, when viewed in the direction of conductor insertion, may not protrude into a conductor receiving space, or only protrude slightly, relative to the clamping leg.

[0026] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the spring-loaded clamping connection has a release element, the actuation of which allows the clamping leg held on the retaining element to be released from the retaining element, in particular such that the actuation of the release element causes the retaining element to deflect sufficiently to release the clamping leg held on the retaining element. The release element may have a release section. The clamping leg, held on the retaining element in the open position, can be released from the retaining element by means of the release element when an electrical conductor to be connected exerts an actuating force on the release section. This allows the clamping leg to be automatically released from the retaining element by inserting the electrical conductor. The release section can be activated by a separate tool, a component of the conductor connection terminal, such as...An actuating element or directly via the inserted electrical conductor itself can be subjected to pressure, thereby causing the clamping leg to detach from the retaining element. By applying pressure to the release element in the conductor insertion direction of the electrical conductor to be connected, the clamping leg, which is held in the open position on the retaining element, can be detached from the retaining element. Depending on the design of the spring-clamp connection, the release element can be integrated into the clamping spring, e.g., as a release element formed integrally with the clamping spring, or as a separate component.

[0027] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the release element is integrated into the component or assembly of the spring-clamp connection that includes the retaining element. This minimizes the design and assembly effort for the spring-clamp connection. In particular, only one component or assembly is required for mounting the release element and the retaining element, rather than two separate components or assemblies. For example, the release element can be integrally formed with the retaining element. The component or assembly can be made of, for example, plastic or metal, or a combination of such materials.

[0028] In general, in connection with this application, the words "ein / eine" are not to be understood as numerals, unless expressly defined otherwise, but as indefinite articles with the meaning of "at least one".

[0029] The invention is described in more detail below by way of example with reference to an embodiment and the accompanying drawings. These show: Fig. 1. Perspective view of a conductor terminal block; Fig. 2a Front view of the conductor connection terminal Fig. 1 in the closed position; Fig. 2b Front view of the conductor connection terminal Fig. 1 in the open position; Fig. 2c Front view of the conductor connection terminal Fig. 1 in the closed clamping position; Fig. 3a Side section view of the conductor connection terminal Fig. 2a in cross-section AA in the closed position; Fig. 3b Side view of the conductor connection terminal Fig. 2b on average CC in the open position; Fig. 3c Side view of the conductor connection terminal Fig. 2b in section EE in the closed clamping position; Fig. 4a Side section view of the conductor connection terminal Fig. 2a in section BB through the actuating element in the closed position; Fig. 4b Side view of the conductor connection terminal Fig. 2b in section DD through the actuating element in the open position; Fig. 4c Side view of the conductor connection terminal Fig. 2c in section FF through the actuating element in the closed clamping position; Fig. 5. Perspective view of the actuating element; Fig. 6 Side view of the actuating element; Fig. 7 another embodiment of an actuating element in perspective view; Fig. 8 Perspective view of a clamping spring for the conductor connection terminal; Fig. 9 Side view of the clamping spring made of Fig. 8; Fig. 10 Top view of the clamping spring made of Fig. 8 and Fig. 9; Fig. 11a Side view of another conductor terminal in the closed position; Fig. 11b Side view of the conductor connection terminal Fig. 11a in the open position; Fig. 11c Side view of the conductor connection terminal Fig. 11a in the closed clamping position; Fig. 12 a contact insert of the conductor terminal according to Fig. 11a in perspective view in the open position.

[0030] Fig. Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a conductor terminal 1, which has an insulating housing 2 with conductor entry channels 3 opening at the front. The conductor entry channels 3 each lead to a spring-clamp terminal (not visible) located inside the insulating housing 2 for clamping an electrical conductor. Actuating elements 4 are slidably mounted on the insulating housing 2. One actuating element 4 is provided for each spring-clamp terminal to open a clamping spring of the spring-clamp terminal.

[0031] The actuating elements 4 each have a handle section 5a, 5b on the top and bottom of the insulating housing 2.

[0032] The insulating housing 2 has a linear guide 6, e.g., on its upper side with grooves 6a, in which webs 6b of the actuating elements 4 dip to mount the actuating element linearly displaceable on the insulating housing 2.

[0033] Optionally, a test opening 7 can be provided in the insulating housing 2, which opens towards the spring-clamp connection. In the illustrated embodiment, the test opening 5 is located on the front side between a conductor entry channel 3 and the associated actuating element 4. However, other positioning is also conceivable, e.g., on the back side, or a combination of several test openings 7.

[0034] Fig. Figure 2a shows a front view of conductor terminal 1. Fig. 1 in the closed position.

[0035] It can be seen that each conductor entry channel 3 opens to a spring-loaded terminal 8, which has a busbar 9 and a clamping spring. The clamping spring has a clamping leg 10 with a clamping edge at its free end (i.e., the freely movable end), which rests on the busbar 9 in the closed position.

[0036] The actuating elements 4 each have opposing grip sections 5a, 5b, which are arranged on the opposing upper and lower surfaces of the insulating housing 2. This allows the actuating element 4 to be gripped from both sides and subjected to an actuating force in order to move the actuating element 4.

[0037] Fig. Figure 2b shows a front view of conductor terminal 1. Fig. 1 with the left spring-loaded clamping connection 8 in the open position. The clamping leg 10 is displaced away from the busbar 9 in order to open the clamping point formed between the clamping edge and the busbar 9. For this purpose, the left actuating element 4 is shifted in the direction of view, i.e., in the direction of movement B.

[0038] The other two spring-loaded clamping connections 8 remain in the closed position.

[0039] Fig. 2c shows a front view of the conductor terminal block. Fig. 1 in the closed clamping position.

[0040] It can be seen that an electrical conductor 11 is now inserted into the left conductor entry channel 2 and connected to the spring-loaded terminal 8.

[0041] Fig. Figure 3a shows a side section view of conductor terminal 1. Fig. 2a in cross-section AA in the closed position.

[0042] The spring-loaded clamping connection 8 has a clamping spring 12 comprising the clamping leg 10, a contact leg 13, and a spring arc 14 connecting the clamping leg 10 to the contact leg 13. The clamping spring 12 is thus designed as a torsion spring. The busbar 9 is L-shaped and has a contact section 9a adjacent to the conductor entry channel 3 and a retaining section 9b projecting from it towards the top of the insulating housing 2. The retaining section 9b has a conductor entry opening 15, which is bounded at the free end of the retaining section 9b, the end furthest from the contact section 9a, by a transverse web 16. The contact leg 13 extends into the conductor entry opening 15 and engages under the transverse web 16, thus being supported on the busbar 9.

[0043] It can be seen that the clamping edge 17 in the closed position is mounted at the free end of the clamping leg 10 on a contact edge 18 of the contact section 9a.

[0044] The insulating housing 2 has a main housing part 2a and a cover part 2b, which is snapped to the main housing part 2a by a snap connection 19. The snap connection 19 can be located on either the top or the bottom of the insulating housing 2.

[0045] The grip sections 5a and 5b each have a knurled surface 20 on their outer side, which prevents fingers from slipping when gripping or grasping the actuating element 4. The knurling 20 can be formed by several grooves running parallel to each other and perpendicular to the conductor insertion direction L. Other contours with raised and / or recessed sections are equally possible.

[0046] Fig. Figure 3b shows a side section view of conductor terminal 1. Fig. 2b average CC in the open position.

[0047] It can be seen that the actuating element 4 is linearly displaced in the conductor insertion direction L, i.e., in the extension direction of the conductor insertion channel 3 on the insulating housing 2. In this example, the conductor insertion direction L corresponds to the direction of movement B of the actuating element 4. The clamping leg 10, which is coupled to the actuating element 4, is thereby displaced towards the contact leg 13. The clamping edge 17 is moved away from the contact edge 18. Thus, the clamping point formed between the clamping edge 17 and the contact edge 18 is opened for clamping an electrical conductor, and an electrical conductor can be inserted into or removed from the conductor insertion channel 3 without force.

[0048] It is clear that the two handle sections 5a, 5b of the actuating element 4 are displaced together equally.

[0049] Fig. Figure 3c shows a side section view of conductor terminal 1. Fig. 2b in section EE in the closed clamping position.

[0050] An electrical conductor 11 has now been inserted into the conductor entry channel 3. The clamping arm 10 rests with its clamping edge 17 on the stripped end of the electrical conductor 11 and presses it against the contact section 9a with the clamping force of the clamping spring 12. The actuating element 4, with its two grip sections 5a, 5b, has been moved back slightly into an intermediate position between the closed and open positions. Fig. 3a and the disclosure from Fig. 3b postponed.

[0051] Fig. Figure 4a shows a side section view of conductor terminal 1. Fig. 2a in section BB through the actuating element 4 in the closed position.

[0052] It can be seen that the two handle sections 5a, 5b are connected to each other via a connecting section 21. The connecting section 21 has a guide slot 22 extending diagonally between the handle sections 5a, 5b, into which a guide tab 23 of the clamping leg 10 engages. The guide slot 22 is oriented at an acute angle to the conductor entry direction L.

[0053] In the closed position, the guide tab 23 is adjacent to the lower handle section 5b.

[0054] Fig. Figure 4b shows a side section view of conductor terminal 1. Fig. 2b in section DD through the actuating element 4 in the open position.

[0055] The actuating element 4 is now displaced in the conductor insertion direction L or direction of movement B, so that the guide tab 23 in the diagonal guide slot 22 is shifted in the direction opposite the lower handle section 5b and adjacent to the upper handle section 5a. This shifts the clamping leg 10, from which the guide tab 23 projects laterally, away from the contact section 9a and towards the contact leg 13.

[0056] Fig. Figure 4c shows a side section view of conductor terminal 1. Fig. 2c in section FF through the actuating element 4 in the closed clamping position.

[0057] The guide tab 23 is now located in the diagonal guide slot 22 in an intermediate position between the two end positions. Fig. 4a and Fig. 4b, which has attached electrical conductor 11 to Fig. 3c is taken.

[0058] It is evident that the upper handle section 5a, together with the connecting section 21 projecting from the cover plate having the ribbing 20 and the adjacent webs 6b and grooves 6a, is mounted in the insulating housing 2. The lower handle section 5b rests slidably on the underside of the insulating housing with its flat underside, which has the ribbing 20 on the opposite outer surface of the cover plate. The wall of the connecting section 21, which transitions into the lower handle section 5b, engages in a groove 6a of the insulating housing 2 and is also mounted there so as to be linearly slidable.

[0059] The wall of connecting section 21 borders in the closed position in Fig. 4a is attached to a side wall 24 of the conductor entry channel 3 and moves away from the side wall 24 to open the clamping point by sliding the actuating element 4. A wall section 25 of the connecting section 21 remains, extending from the diagonal guide slot 22 towards the busbar 9, which extends between the clamping edge 17 and the contact section 9a of the busbar 9 and contributes to the lateral guidance of an inserted electrical conductor 11 towards the clamping edge 17.

[0060] Fig. Figure 5 shows a perspective view of the actuating element 4. It is evident that there are two opposing handle sections 5a and 5b, which are connected to each other by a connecting section 21. The connecting section 21 is designed as a wall.

[0061] A connecting section 21 can only be present on one side. However, it is advantageous if two spaced-apart connecting sections 21, aligned parallel to each other, are present on both sides of the handle sections 5a, 5b.

[0062] Fig. Figure 6 shows a side view of the actuating element 4. It is evident that the handle sections 5a and 5b have serrations 20 on their outer surfaces that point away from each other. The upper handle section 5a has a rib 6b in its front area, which projects towards the opposite handle section 5b and merges into the wall-like connecting section 21. The connecting section 21 is designed as a diagonal wall with a diagonal guide slot 22. The guide slot 22 is bounded by a triangular wall section 25 projecting towards the lower handle section 5b. This wall section 25 has a lower edge that is aligned parallel to the flat contact surface of the lower handle section 5b.

[0063] The Fig. Figure 7 shows a further embodiment of an actuating element 4, which, apart from the differences explained below, is designed like the embodiment described above. In particular, in the Fig. 7 similar to the Fig. Figure 5 shows that the actuating element 4 can have the connecting section 21 with the bridge 6b on both sides, left / right. A space is formed between them, which is suitable for inserting the electrical conductor 11.

[0064] While in the embodiment according to the Fig. 5, Fig. 6 in the respective connecting section 21 a guide slot 22 is provided in which a respective guide tab 23 of the clamping leg 10 can be inserted, in the embodiment according to Fig. 7. A receiving opening 27 is provided at a comparable location in the connecting section 21, which is larger than the guide slot 22. The receiving opening 27 has an inclined actuating surface 28, which can correspond to the lower edge of the guide slot 22 with regard to its position and orientation. While in the embodiment of the Fig. 5, Fig. 6. The guide tab 23 is positively guided in both directions of movement (forward and backward) of the actuating element 4 in the guide slot 22, in the embodiment of the Fig. 7 The receiving opening 27 is designed such that the guide tab 23, which enters the receiving opening 27, is guided only during one direction of movement B of the actuating element 4 to open the clamping point on the actuating surface 28. During the opposite movement, the guide tab 23 is not guided. Rather, the clamping leg 10 can spring back freely during this direction of movement.

[0065] Fig. Figure 8 shows a perspective view of a clamping spring 12 for the conductor terminal 1. It can be seen that the clamping spring 12 is formed as a torsion spring with the contact leg 13, the opposing clamping leg 10, and the spring arc 14, which connects the clamping leg 10 to the contact leg 13. The contact leg 13 terminates at its free end with a tapered retaining arm 26. The clamping leg 10 has a guide tab 23 at each of its two lateral edges at its free end.

[0066] Fig. Figure 9 shows a side view of the clamping spring 12. Fig. 8. The clamping leg 10, with its end region comprising the guide tabs 23 and the clamping edge 17 located between them, is bent away from the plane of the mounting leg 13. The guide tabs 23 are bent back towards the retaining arm 26. This forms a convex guide surface with which the guide tab 23 slides on an edge of the guide slot 22 of the connecting section 21, which defines the diagonal guide slot 22.

[0067] Fig. Figure 10 shows a top view of the clamping spring 12 made of Fig. 8 and Fig. 9. It is evident that the guide tabs 23 are positioned laterally relative to the edge edges of the clamping leg 10 and away from the spring arch 14. The clamping edge 17 extends between the guide tabs 23.

[0068] The conductor connection terminal 1 can additionally be equipped with an automatic connection technology for automatically connecting the electrical conductor 11, as shown in the Fig. The embodiment shown in Figures 11a to 11c is illustrated. In this case, the conductor terminal 1 has at least one retaining element 29 which is designed to hold the clamping leg 10 in the open position.

[0069] The Fig. 11a, Fig. 11b and Fig. Figure 11c shows the same conductor terminal 1 in different operating states in the same section plane, which is shown in Fig. 2a corresponds to the section plane AA shown.

[0070] The retaining element 29 has a second locking element 32, which can engage with a first locking element 35, designed as a counterpart, on the clamping leg 10 in the open position. The clamping leg 10 cannot then easily move back into the clamping position. The first locking element 35 formed on the clamping leg 10 can, for example, be formed by the clamping edge 17. However, at least one separate first locking element 35 can also be formed on the clamping leg 10, for example, in the form of a projecting locking tab, which can then engage with the second locking element 32. For example, a laterally projecting actuating section can be formed on the left and right sides of the clamping leg 10, on which the first locking element 35 is also formed.

[0071] Further back, in the conductor insertion direction L, the retaining element 29 transitions into a release element 33, which has a section angled relative to the retaining element 29 and extending transversely to the conductor insertion direction L. This section forms the release section 34 of the release element 33. When an electrical conductor 11 is inserted into the insulating housing 2 through the conductor insertion channel 3 in the conductor insertion direction L, pressing the end of the electrical conductor 11 against the release section 34 causes the entire assembly, consisting of the release element 33 and the retaining element 29, to shift slightly backward in the conductor insertion direction L. This also shifts the second locking element 32, releasing it from the first locking element 35. Consequently, the clamping arm 10 can spring back and press the electrical conductor 11 against the busbar 9. Due to the spring preload of the clamping spring 12, the clamping arm 10 moves into the clamping position.

[0072] The Fig. Figure 11a shows the conductor connection terminal 1 in a state in which the actuating element 4 had previously been moved into the actuated position in the direction of movement B, as in Fig. 3b shown. At the conductor connection terminal according to Fig. 11a locks the clamping leg 10 onto the retaining element 29 in this position. The actuating element 4 can then be moved back to the unactuated position, as shown in the Fig. Figure 11a shows that the clamping leg 10 then remains in the pre-tensioned open position, in which the clamping point is open.

[0073] If an electrical conductor 11 is now inserted into the conductor connection terminal 1, as the Fig. As shown in Figure 11b, this electrical conductor can be advanced to the release section 34 and subjected to a compressive force or deflected slightly in the conductor insertion direction L. This releases the locking mechanism of the clamping arm 10 on the retaining element 29, so that the clamping arm 10 springs out and clamps the electrical conductor 11 at the clamping point on the contact section 9a, as shown in Figure 11b. Fig. 11c shows.

[0074] The Fig. Figure 12 shows a contact insert of the conductor connection terminal 1 according to the Fig. 11a to 11c. The contact insert comprises three spring-loaded clamping terminals, each with its own clamping springs 12, wherein in the Fig. For the sake of simplicity, only one clamping spring 12 is shown. The contact insert includes a holding section 9b and a contact section 9a for each spring-clamp terminal, the contact sections 9a being designed in this case as part of a continuous busbar 9. In this respect, the described contact insert can also be used in the first embodiment of the conductor terminal 1 according to the Fig. 1 to 10 will be used.

[0075] With regard to the second embodiment according to the Fig. 11a to 11c are in the Fig.12. Additionally, for each spring-clamp connection, a retaining element 29 with an integrally molded release element 33 is provided. The respective retaining element 29 has a material section 30 facing the contact section 9a, which rests against the underside of the contact section 9a, i.e., the side facing away from the clamping spring 10, and thus additionally secures the retaining element 29. From the material section 30, the retaining element 29 extends at an angle towards the associated crossbar 16. In this area, the retaining element 29 has two support arms 31, which are spaced apart from each other, so that a gap is formed between the support arms 31 through which the electrical conductor 11 can be inserted. At the end of each support arm 31 facing the crossbar 16, there is a second locking element 32, which is designed to engage with the first locking element 35 on the clamping leg 10.The support arms 31 thus project in pairs from the material section 30. The support arms 31 serve to support the respective second locking element 32 against the spring force of the clamping leg 10. The support arms 31 each transition into connecting arms 36 of the release element 33, which are arranged at an angle to them. The connecting arms 36 extend in the conductor insertion direction L or parallel to it and are each connected in pairs to the respective release section 34 of the release element 33, which extends at an angle to the connecting arms 36. Reference symbol list 1 conductor connection terminal 2 insulating housings 3 conductor entry channel 4 Actuating element 5a Handle section 5b Handle section 6 linear guides 6a Nut 6b Bridge 7 Test opening 8 Spring-loaded clamp connection 9 busbar 9a Contact section 9b Stop section 10 clamping legs 11 electrical conductor 12 clamping springs 13 attachment legs 14 feather bows 15. Conductor feedthrough opening 16 crossbar 17 clamping edge 18 Contact edge 19 Rest stop 20 ribbing 21 Connecting section 22 guide slots 23 Guide tab 24 side wall 25 wall section 26 Support arm 27 Intake opening 28 operating area 29 Holding element 30 Material section 31 Support arm 32 second locking element 33 Solvent 34 Solution section 35 first locking element 36 connecting arms B Direction of movement L conductor entry direction QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] 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

[0000] DE 20 2009 007 573 U1

[0003]

Claims

[1] Conductor terminal (1) with an insulating housing (2) and with a spring-loaded clamping connection (8) and an actuating element (4) in the insulating housing (2), wherein the spring-loaded clamping connection (8) has a busbar (9) and a clamping spring (12) with a clamping leg (10) which is configured in a clamping position for clamping an electrical conductor (11) to the busbar (9), and wherein the actuating element (4) is movably mounted in the insulating housing (2) and is configured to move the clamping leg (10) from a clamping position to an open position, characterized by , that the actuating element (4) has two opposing handle sections (5a, 5b) which are accessible on opposite outer sides of the insulating housing (2). [2] Conductor terminal (1) according to claim 1, characterized by , that at least the handle sections (5a, 5b) are mounted in a way that allows them to be moved or pivoted. [3] Conductor terminal (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the actuating element (4) is designed as an actuating slide which is arranged to transfer the clamping leg (43) into the open position by means of a displacement movement (V) running essentially parallel to an outside of the insulating housing (2). [4] Conductor terminal block (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the handle sections (5a, 5b) are connected to each other via at least one connecting section (21). [5] Conductor terminal (1) according to claim 4, characterized by , that the connecting section (21) is coupled to the clamping leg (10). [6] Conductor terminal (1) according to claim 5, characterized by, that the connecting section (21) has a wall which spans a plane in the direction from one handle element (5a) to the opposite handle element (5b) and in the direction of movement (B) of the handle elements (5a, 5b), wherein the wall has a diagonally extending guide slot (22) and a guide tab (23) projecting from the clamping leg (10) dips into the guide slot (22) to couple the clamping leg (10) with the actuating element (4). [7] Conductor terminal (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized by , that the actuating element (4) has a deflection element which is movably mounted separately from the handle sections (5a, 5b) and coupled to the clamping leg (10), wherein the handle sections (5a, 5b) are coupled to the deflection element separate from them in order to convert a movement of at least the handle elements (5a, 5b) into a movement of the deflection element and to open the clamping spring (12) by applying force to the deflection element. [8] Terminal block (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the clamping spring (12) is designed as a torsion spring with a clamping leg (10), a contact leg (13) and a spring arc (14) connecting the clamping leg (10) with the contact leg (13). [9] Conductor terminal (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the actuating element (4) is slidably mounted on the insulating housing (2) by means of a web-groove guide between a handle element (5a, 5b) and the insulating housing (2) with a linear guide (6). [10] Conductor terminal (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the grip elements (5a, 5b) have grooves (20) on their outside. [11] Conductor terminal (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by, that several spring-loaded clamping terminals (8) for clamping one electrical conductor (11) each are arranged in the insulating housing (2). [12] Conductor terminal (1) according to claim 11, characterized by , that for each spring force clamp connection (8) there is one actuating element (4). [13] Conductor terminal according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the conductor terminal (1) has a retaining element (29) which is designed to hold the clamping leg (10) in the open position. [14] Conductor terminal according to claim 13, characterized by , that the retaining element (29) is arranged in the conductor insertion direction (L) behind the clamping point or behind the majority of the busbar (9). [15] Conductor terminal according to one of claims 13 to 14, characterized by, that the conductor terminal (1) has a release element (33) by actuating which the clamping leg (10) held on the retaining element (29) can be released from the retaining element (29). [16] Conductor terminal according to claim 15, characterized by , that the clamping leg (10) held in the open position on the holding element (29) can be released from the holding element (29) when an electrical conductor (11) to be clamped exerts an actuating force on a release section (34) of the release element (33).

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