Spring-cage terminal and conductor connection terminal

Abstract

Spring clamp connection (2) with - a clamping spring (5) - a busbar (4) with a contact section (8) which forms a clamping point for clamping an electrical conductor (31) with the spring force of the clamping spring (5), and - a clamping element (6), characterized in that - the clamping element (6) has a clamping edge (11) for clamping the electrical conductor (31) to the contact section (8) and is displaceable relative to the contact section (8) of the busbar (4), and - that the clamping spring (5) is coupled to the clamping element (6) by a detachable engagement and wherein - the clamping spring (5) exerts a spring force on the clamping element (6) directed towards the contact section (8) of the busbar (4).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a spring-loaded terminal connection with a clamping spring, a busbar with a contact section which forms a clamping point for clamping an electrical conductor with the spring force of the clamping spring, and a clamping element.

[0002] The invention further relates to a conductor connection terminal with an insulating housing and such a spring-loaded clamp connection, wherein the insulating housing has a conductor insertion opening for inserting an electrical conductor to a clamping point in order to clamp the inserted electrical conductor to the contact section.

[0003] Spring clamp connections are used to clamp an electrical conductor to a terminal point formed between the clamping leg of a clamping spring and a busbar.

[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] US 7,115,001 B1 discloses a spring clamp device for clamping an electrical conductor to a terminal contact, comprising a trigger and a return element, for example in the form of a helical spring. A clamping spring provides the conductor clamping force and has an opening for receiving the conductor and is movable between a first and a second position. In the first position, the opening is positioned to receive the conductor, and in the second position, the conductor received in the opening is preloaded against the clamping spring. The trigger engages the clamping spring and is movable from an initial position to cause the clamping spring to move from the first position to the second position. The return element pushes the trigger back to the initial position.By inserting the electrical conductor into an opening in the clamping spring, the trigger is touched, so that the trigger releases the clamping spring to clamp the conductor against the terminal contact.

[0006] DE 20 2006 015 363 U1 discloses a self-closing spring-loaded terminal for an electrical conductor which is inserted lengthwise into a housing until the stripped end of the conductor strikes a return leg. Under the pressure of the conductor, the return leg is moved lengthwise against a return spring so that the return leg and thus synchronously a clamping leg, i.e. the entire clamping lever, rotate about a pivot point such that a locking cam slides out of a locking recess and thus releases the spring leg. The clamping spring designed to clamp the electrical conductor to a busbar can then freely relax with its spring leg in the transverse direction so that an edge of an insertion window of the clamping spring which is opposite the busbar in the transverse direction clamps the conductor between itself and the busbar.

[0007] 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.

[0008] 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 13. Advantageous embodiments are described in the subclaims.

[0009] It is proposed that the clamping element has a clamping edge for clamping the electrical conductor to the contact section and is displaceable relative to the contact section of the busbar, and that the clamping spring is coupled to the clamping element by releasable engagement, wherein the clamping spring exerts a spring force on the clamping element directed towards the contact section of the busbar.

[0010] The clamping element has a clamping edge for clamping the electrical conductor to the contact section of the busbar. The clamping spring itself does not serve directly to clamp the electrical conductor, but is merely coupled to the clamping element in order to preload it with a spring force. For this purpose, the clamping spring rests detachably on the clamping element, i.e. it is not connected integrally to the clamping element, but is also independently movable relative to the clamping element. The action of the clamping spring on the separate clamping element occurs when the clamping spring rests against the clamping element. The clamping element thus serves in the broadest sense as a spring-loaded clamping element that can be moved from an open position to a clamped position and provides the clamping edge for clamping an electrical conductor. Conventionally, however, the electrical conductor is clamped directly with a clamping edge of the clamping spring.

[0011] The (translationally) displaceable mounting of the clamping element relative to the contact section of the busbar has the advantage that the contact point between the clamping edge of the clamping element and the contact section of the busbar always lies on the same contact line. The contact line is preferably perpendicular to the average plane of the contact section, i.e., in the case of a bulge of the contact section, the contact line formed by the connection of the transitions immediately adjacent to the bulge on both sides. The clamping element, with its clamping edge or the clamping section of the clamping element adjacent to the clamping edge, can then be displaced translationally approximately on the contact line or parallel to it.A deviation from the contact line and thus an acute angle between the contact line and the translational movement path of the clamping edge is not critical, provided that the relative movement of the clamping edge towards the clamping section and a main force direction of the clamping edge onto the clamping section is ensured.

[0012] The clamping element can preferably be designed to hold the clamping point open by locking when the clamping spring is preloaded and can have a release section. The clamping element is designed to release the locking mechanism and move the clamping element into a clamping position with the clamping point closed by a release force exerted on the release section with the inserted electrical conductor to be clamped. The clamping element thus forms a hold-open release clamping element.

[0013] This allows the spring-loaded terminal connection to be locked in the hold-open position by keeping the terminal open, and to be unlocked by inserting an electrical conductor with the clamping element. In the hold-open position, the clamping spring and thus the clamping element are held in a pre-tensioned position by the clamping element locking onto, for example, the busbar, an insulating housing surrounding the spring-loaded terminal connection, the clamping spring, or possibly another component. The clamping spring itself is not locked.

[0014] The clamping edge of the clamping element is pushed or displaced in the direction of the contact section by the spring force exerted on the clamping element by the clamping spring after the clamping element, which is locked in the open position, has been unlocked.

[0015] The clamping element can have a locking contour that locks positively with a holding stop in the open position.

[0016] The retaining stop can be designed to lock the clamping element in the open position on the busbar, preferably on an extension of the contact section. This achieves a very stable, self-supporting structure for the spring-cage terminal. However, a retaining stop formed on the inner wall of an insulating housing can also be used to lock the clamping element.

[0017] The holding stop is, for example, a wall section extending transversely to the locking contour, which, viewed in the conductor insertion direction, ends directly below the positive engagement of the locking contour with the holding stop or merges into a recess. By inserting an electrical conductor onto the release surface, the locking contour can thus be displaced in the conductor insertion direction to the end of the wall section or recess in order to release the stop of the locking contour from the holding stop formed by the wall section. The clamping element is thus moved by the spring force of the clamping spring, so that the clamping edge of the clamping element is displaced to the contact section of the busbar, and the inserted electrical conductor, which causes the unlocking, is clamped to the contact section with the clamping edge.

[0018] The clamping element may have a clamping portion having the clamping edge. The trigger portion is arranged at a distance from the clamping portion, wherein the clamping portion and the trigger portion are connected to each other by a connecting portion, and the clamping portion and the trigger portion extend in the same direction from the connecting portion.

[0019] The free end of the release section can form a locking contour that engages positively with a holding stop in the hold-open position. This ensures that the locking contour engages with the release section, which is displaced by the insertion force of an inserted electrical conductor to release the locking contour from a holding stop, i.e., to release the clamping element.

[0020] The clamping element can have a receiving opening, and the clamping spring can be inserted into the receiving opening. This allows the clamping spring to be connected to the clamping element in a form-fitting manner. The receiving opening enables easy installation. The clamping spring can, for example, be inserted into the receiving opening with some play to prevent jamming during the relative movement of the clamping element and the clamping spring.

[0021] The busbar can have a conductor insertion opening that spans an insertion plane, and the clamping element is mounted so that it can be moved parallel to the insertion plane. This allows for a very compact design. The clamping element can preferably be moved translationally parallel to the insertion plane with its clamping section. This ensures that the contact point of the clamping edge is always on the same (horizontal) line with respect to the contact section of the busbar, regardless of the cross-section of the electrical conductor to be clamped.

[0022] The clamping spring can be designed as a U-shaped bent leg spring with a clamping leg, a contact leg and a spring arch connecting the clamping leg to the contact leg, wherein the clamping leg is connected to the clamping element.

[0023] The free end section of the clamping leg can be tapered and can be inserted into a receiving opening of the clamping element.

[0024] The contact leg can rest against the busbar, with the clamping spring and the contact leg mounted on the busbar. This enables a self-supporting design of the spring-loaded terminal connection.

[0025] The clamping element can have an engagement opening for receiving an actuating contour of an actuating tool or actuating element, wherein the engagement opening is delimited by an engagement surface and is designed such that an actuating force for displacing the clamping element in the direction of the hold-open position can be exerted on the engagement surface by the actuating tool or actuating element. Thus, the displacement of the clamping element into the preloaded and locked hold-open position can be achieved with the aid of an actuating tool or actuating element, which exerts a force on the engagement surface when the actuating tool or actuating element enters the engagement opening. The engagement opening, with its engagement surface, has the advantage that a force component acting primarily in the direction of displacement can be exerted on the clamping element.

[0026] The conductor connection terminal comprises an insulating housing and a spring-loaded clamp connection as described above. The insulating housing has a conductor insertion opening for inserting an electrical conductor into a clamping point in order to clamp the inserted electrical conductor to the contact section. The clamping point is formed by the contact section of the busbar together with the clamping edge of the clamping element. The clamping spring is coupled to the clamping element by releasable engagement and exerts a spring force on the clamping element directed toward the contact section of the busbar. The conductor insertion opening opens toward the clamping point.

[0027] Preferably, the clamping element is designed to hold the clamping point open when the clamping spring is pre-tensioned in a hold-open position by latching and has a release section, wherein the conductor insertion opening is aligned such that an electrical conductor inserted into the conductor insertion opening comes into contact with a release section of the clamping element and the clamping element is released by displacement of the release section from the hold-open position.

[0028] The insulating housing can have an actuating opening which opens towards the clamping spring and / or the clamping element in order to move the clamping leg and / or the clamping element into the hold-open position against the spring force of the clamping spring using an actuating tool inserted into the actuating opening or an actuating element movably installed in the actuating opening.

[0029] The clamping element can have an engagement opening for receiving an actuating contour of an actuating tool or actuating element. The engagement opening is defined by an engagement surface and is designed such that an actuating force for displacing the clamping element in the direction of the open position can be exerted on the engagement surface by the actuating tool or actuating element.

[0030] 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”.

[0031] 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 a conductor connection terminal in the unlocked clamping position in section AA; Fig. 2 - Front view of the conductor connection terminal from Fig. 1 with section line AA; Fig. 3 - Side view of the conductor terminal from Fig. 1 in the hold-open position; Fig. 4 - Side section view of the conductor terminal from Fig. 1 in the closed clamping position with a clamped electrical conductor in section CC; Fig. 5 - Front view of the conductor connection terminal from Fig. 1 with section line CC; Fig. 6 - perspective view of the conductor terminal from Fig. 3 in the hold-open position; Fig. 7 - perspective view of a clamping element of the first embodiment of the conductor connection terminal from Fig. 1 to 5; Fig. 8 - Side view of the clamping element from Fig. 6; Fig. 9 - Perspective view of the clamping spring of the conductor connection terminal from Fig. 1 to 5; Fig. 10 - Side view of the clamping spring from Fig. 9; Fig. 11 - Front view of the clamping spring from Fig. 9 and Fig. 10; Fig. 12 - Side sectional view of a second embodiment of a conductor connection terminal in the unlocked clamping position in section AA; Fig. 13 - Side section view of the conductor terminal from Fig. 12 in the hold-open position; Fig. 14 - Side section view of the conductor terminal from Fig. 12 in the closed clamping position with a clamped electrical conductor in section CC; Fig. 15 - perspective view of the conductor terminal from Fig. 13 in the hold-open position; Fig. 16 - perspective view of a clamping element of the second embodiment of the conductor connection terminal from Fig. 12 to 15; Fig. 17 - Side view of the clamping element from Fig. 16; Fig. 18 - Perspective view of the clamping spring of the conductor connection terminal from Fig. 12 to 15; Fig. 19 - Side view of the clamping spring from Fig. 18; Fig. 20 - Front view of the clamping spring from Fig. 18 and Fig. 19; Fig. 21 - Side view of a third embodiment of a conductor connection terminal in the locked open position; Fig. 22 - Side section view of the conductor terminal from Fig. 21 in the locked open position in section ZZ; Fig. 23 - Top view of the conductor connection terminal from Fig. 21 with section line ZZ; Fig. 24 - Side view of the conductor terminal from Fig. 21 in the closed clamping position; Fig. 25 - Side section view of the conductor terminal from Fig. 24 in the closed clamping position in section ZZ; Fig. 26 - Perspective view of the spring clamp connection of the third embodiment of the conductor connection terminal from Fig. 21 in the hold-open position; Fig. 27 - Perspective view of the spring clamp connection of the third embodiment of the conductor connection terminal from Fig. 24 in the closed clamping position; Fig. 28 - Side view of the spring clamp connection from Fig. 26 in the hold-open position; Fig. 29 - Side view of the spring clamp connection from Fig. 27 in the closed clamping position; Fig. 30 - Top view of the spring clamp connection from Fig. 26 in the hold-open position; Fig. 31 - Top view of the spring clamp connection from Fig. 27 in the closed clamping position; Fig. 32 - perspective view of the third embodiment of the conductor terminal from Fig. 21 in the hold-open position; Fig. 33 - perspective view of the third embodiment of the conductor terminal from Fig. 24 in the closed clamping position.

[0032] Fig. 1 shows a side sectional view of a first embodiment of a conductor connection terminal 1 in the unlocked clamping position in section AA from the Fig. 2.

[0033] The conductor terminal 1 has a spring-loaded terminal 2 for clamping an electrical conductor. The spring-loaded terminal 2 is installed in an insulating housing 3. The spring-loaded terminal 2 has a busbar 4, a clamping spring 5, and a clamping element 6.

[0034] The busbar 4 has a conductor insertion opening 7 with a contact section 8 that borders the conductor insertion opening 7 on one end face and forms a clamping point for clamping an electrical conductor. For this purpose, a protrusion 9, for example, a sharp edge, can be formed on the contact section 8, which provides a defined contact surface with a reduced area onto which the spring clamping force applied to the clamped electrical conductor is concentrated, thereby increasing the surface pressure. The contact section 8 is advantageously designed as a tab protruding from the busbar 4.

[0035] The clamping element 6 is mounted movably relative to the busbar 4. It has a clamping section 10 with a clamping edge 11, which, together with the contact section 8, forms a clamping point for clamping the electrical conductor.

[0036] The clamping spring 5 is coupled to the clamping element 6 by a detachable engagement, in that a clamping leg 12 of the clamping spring 5 engages a receiving opening 13 of the clamping element 6. The clamping leg 12 is movable independently of the clamping element 6, i.e., there is no integral connection between the clamping leg 12 and the clamping element 6.

[0037] The clamping spring 5 is mounted with a contact leg 14, for example, on an inner wall of the insulating housing 3 and has a spring arch 15 adjoining the clamping leg 12, which connects the clamping leg 12 to the contact leg 14. The clamping spring 5 is used for the translational displacement of the clamping element 6. It exerts a spring force that urges the clamping element 6 with its clamping edge 11 towards the contact section 8. An electrical conductor arranged between the clamping edge 11 and the contact section 8 is thus clamped to the busbar 4 by the clamping element 6, utilizing the clamping force applied by the clamping spring 5. The clamping spring 5 thus acts indirectly on the electrical conductor via the intermediate clamping section 10 of the clamping element 6 and not directly as is conventional.

[0038] The clamping element 6 is designed as a U-shaped bent part which has the clamping section 10 with the clamping edge 11 at its free end, a trigger section 16 opposite the clamping section 10, which is arranged at a distance from the clamping section 10, and a connecting section 17 connecting the clamping section 10 to the trigger section 16. The connecting section 17 extends transversely to the clamping section 10 and trigger section 16 at the ends of the clamping section 10 and trigger section 16 opposite the respective free ends of the clamping section 10 and trigger section 16. It can be seen that the contact section 10 and the trigger section 16 extend in the same direction starting from the connecting section 17.

[0039] The insulating housing 2 has a conductor insertion opening 18, which opens into the conductor insertion opening 7 and is aligned with its alignment F into a conductor collection pocket 19. The conductor collection pocket 19 is located below the conductor insertion opening 7 as seen in the conductor insertion direction L, so that the busbar 4 with its conductor insertion opening 7 is positioned between the conductor insertion opening 18 and the conductor collection pocket 19.

[0040] A guide contour 20, for example in the form of a groove or a web, is arranged on at least one lateral inner wall of the conductor retaining pocket 19. The clamping element 6 has an adjacent complementary counter-contour, for example in the form of a finger protruding into the groove or a recess or trough encompassing the web. This counter-contour can be present on the lateral edge of the connecting section 17.

[0041] The (translationally) displaceable mounting of the clamping element 6 relative to the contact section 8 of the busbar 4 has the advantage that the contact point between the clamping edge 11 of the clamping element 6 and the contact section 8 of the busbar 4, in particular the projection 9, always lies on the same contact line K. The contact line K can, as shown, be perpendicular to the average plane of the contact section 8, i.e. in the case of the protrusion 9 of the contact section 8, the connection of the transitions directly adjoining the protrusion 9 on both sides. The clamping element 6, with its clamping edge 11 or the clamping section 10 of the clamping element 6 adjoining the clamping edge 11, can be moved translationally approximately on the contact line K or parallel to it. For this purpose, the guide contour 20 is aligned parallel to the plane spanned by the busbar 4 or the conductor through-opening 7.

[0042] For the translational displacement of the clamping element 6 from the illustrated closed clamping position into a hold-open position, an actuating element 21 is provided, which is inserted into an actuating opening 22 of the insulating housing 3. The clamping section 10 of the clamping element 6 has an engagement opening 23 for receiving an actuating contour 24 of the actuating element 21, preferably designed as an inclined surface or wedge surface. The engagement opening 23 is limited by an engagement surface 25 and is designed such that an actuating force for displacing the clamping element 6 in the direction of the hold-open position (ie in Fig. 1 to the right) can be exerted by the actuating element 21 on the engagement surface 25.

[0043] In the illustrated embodiment, the actuating element 21 is designed as an actuating pushbutton 21 that is displaceably mounted transversely to the plane of the busbar 4 or transversely to the plane spanned by the conductor insertion opening 7. It can be pressed into the insulating housing 3 in the direction of the clamping element 6 using an actuating tool placed from the outside on the head of the actuating pushbutton 21. To prevent the actuating tool from slipping, a retaining contour 26, for example in the form of a recess, a slot, or a Phillips slot, can be provided on the top side of the actuating pushbutton 21.

[0044] Other kinematics are also possible, such as pivotally mounted actuating levers, actuating elements exerting tensile forces on the engagement surface 25 and pulling them towards themselves, or an actuating opening 21 into which an actuating tool, e.g. a screwdriver, is inserted for actuation.

[0045] The free end of the actuating element 21 pointing toward the trigger section 16 is designed as a holding stop 27. When displaced (pressed down) into the hold-open position, it engages a locking opening (locking contour 28) of the trigger section 16, thus forming a stop for positively locking the clamping element 6 in the hold-open position. The clamping element 6 is spring-loaded by the clamping spring 5 coupled thereto, so that a front edge of the trigger section 16 delimiting the locking opening 28 is pressed against the holding stop 27.

[0046] It can be seen that the conductor insertion opening 18 is arranged on the top side of the insulating housing 3, where the actuating opening 22 also opens outwards. The conductor insertion opening 18 can be separated from the actuating opening 22 by a partition 29. The spring bend 15 can be arranged in the space between the conductor insertion opening 18 and the actuating opening 22. A bearing pin 30 can be provided, around which the spring bend 15 is bent in order to determine the position of the clamping spring 5. The contact leg 14 can be inserted between the partition 29 and the bearing pin 30, preferably clamped with as little play as possible or without play.

[0047] Fig. 2 shows a front view of the conductor connection terminal 1 from Fig. 1 with the section line AA.

[0048] Fig. 3 shows a side sectional view of the conductor connection terminal 1 from Fig. 1 in the hold-open position.

[0049] The actuating element 22 is displaced so far toward the release section 16 of the clamping element 6 that its holding stop 27 engages the detent opening 28. This locks the spring-loaded clamping element 6 in the hold-open position and prevents it from being displaced back into the closed clamping position toward the contact section 8 by the spring force of the clamping spring 5. The displacement of the clamping element 6 occurs when the inclined actuating contour 24 of the actuating element 21 acts against the engagement surface 25 of the engagement opening 23 of the clamping element 6 when the same is actuated.

[0050] It can be seen that the clamping leg 12 of the clamping spring 5 is displaced away from the contact section 8, so that the clamping spring 5 is preloaded via the spring arch 15 and the support with the contact leg 14. This exerts a spring force on the clamping element 6 in the direction of the projection 9 on the contact section 8.

[0051] Fig. 4 shows a side sectional view of the conductor connection terminal 1 from Fig. 1 in the closed clamping position with a clamped electrical conductor 31 in section CC from the Fig. 5.

[0052] The electrical conductor can be inserted into the conductor collection pocket 19 through the channel-shaped conductor insertion opening 18 and conductor push-through opening 7 in the clamping point, which is in the hold-open position. The end of the electrical conductor 31 then strikes the release section 16, which is aligned F. This displaces the spring-elastic release section 16 downwards away from the busbar 4 in the conductor insertion direction L, so that the latching opening 28 is guided out of the holding stop 27. The clamping element 6 is thus unlocked and, under the influence of the spring preload, is moved translationally along the guide contour 20 to the contact section 8. The clamping leg 12 also exerts a force component directed towards the plane of the busbar 4, so that the free end of the clamping section 10, which has the clamping edge 11, is guided along the underside of the busbar 4.It is therefore sufficient if only the connecting section 17 or an adjoining area of ​​the clamping section 10 is translationally mounted with a guide contour 20.

[0053] The guide contour 20 arranged on the insulating housing 2 in the exemplary embodiment can alternatively also be present on the busbar 4.

[0054] Fig. 5 shows a front view of the conductor connection terminal 1 from Fig. 1 with the section line CC and an inserted electrical conductor 31.

[0055] Fig. 6 shows a perspective view of the conductor connection terminal 1 from Fig. 3 in the hold-open position.

[0056] It can be seen that the actuating element 21, with its holding stop 27 at the free end, engages the locking opening 28, thus locking the clamping element 6 in the open position by positive engagement. The end edge closest to the connecting section 17, which defines the locking opening 28, rests against the holding stop 27 of the actuating element 21. This end edge is pressed against the holding stop 27 by the spring force, thus forming a locking stop.

[0057] The connecting section 17 can have a recess 32 defined by webs 33. This recess 32 continues into the trigger section 16 and ensures spring elasticity of the trigger section 16. The width and length of the recess 32 allow the spring stiffness of the trigger section 16 to be adjusted at the factory as needed.

[0058] Fig. 7 shows a perspective view of a clamping element 6 of the first embodiment of the conductor connection terminal 1 from Fig. 1 to 5.

[0059] It can be seen that the clamping section 10 has a clamping edge 11 at its free end. This edge can be bent out of the plane of the clamping section 10, for example, toward the release section 16, in order to better grip the electrical conductor 31 and prevent the electrical conductor 31 from being pulled out.

[0060] For coupling the clamping spring 5, a rectangular receiving opening 13, for example, is provided adjacent to the clamping edge 11, the width of which is slightly wider than the thickness of the clamping leg 12. This allows the clamping leg 12 to be coupled to the clamping element 6 with a slight degree of play. The play should be dimensioned such that the changing angular position of the clamping leg 12 relative to the plane of the clamping section 10 upon displacement of the clamping element 6 does not lead to jamming of the clamping spring 5 on the clamping element 6.

[0061] The clamping section 10 further has, between the transition to the connecting section 17, an engagement opening 23 for receiving the actuating contour 24 of the actuating element 21, which preferably tapers conically toward the holding stop 27 at the free end. The end face closest to the connecting section 17, which defines the engagement opening 23, serves as an engagement surface 25, onto which an actuating force is exerted by the actuating contour 24 of the actuating element 21 on the clamping element 6. This engagement surface 25 can also be formed by a wall of the connecting section 17 if the engagement opening 23 merges directly into the connecting section 17.

[0062] The connecting section 17 extends opposite the clamping edge 11, transverse to the plane of the clamping section 10 and the trigger section 16. The trigger section 16 is aligned approximately parallel to the clamping section 10. The connecting section 17 has a recess 32 defined by webs 33. This recess 32 continues into the trigger section 16 and ensures spring elasticity of the trigger section 16. The width and length of the recess 32 allow the spring stiffness of the trigger section 16 to be adjusted at the factory as needed.

[0063] Furthermore, a locking opening 28, for example rectangular in shape, is present in the trigger section 16.

[0064] It can be seen that the connecting section 17 has a recess 34 on one side edge adjacent to the contact surface 25. The web-like guide contour 20 of the insulating housing 3 extends into the recess 34, so that the clamping element 6 is translationally mounted on the guide contour 20 extending parallel to the contact line K.

[0065] Fig. 8 shows a side view of the clamping element 6 from Fig. 6.

[0066] It is clear that the clamping section 10 and the release section 16 extend approximately parallel to each other from the common connecting section 17 so as to form a U-shaped bent part.

[0067] Fig. 9 and Fig. 10 show a perspective view and a side view of the clamping spring 5 of the conductor connection terminal 1 from Fig. 1 to 5.

[0068] The clamping spring 5 is a U-shaped leg spring with a contact leg 14 and an opposite clamping leg 12, as well as a spring arch 15 that connects the contact leg 14 to the clamping leg 12. It can be seen that the free end section 35 of the clamping leg 12 can be tapered as shown in order to engage the correspondingly narrow receiving opening 13 of the clamping element 6.

[0069] Fig. 11 shows a front view of the clamping spring 5 from Fig. 9 and Fig. 10. It is clear that the clamping leg 12 adjoins the spring arch 15 and tapers towards the free end section 35. The taper can be aligned such that the free end section 35 is centered in the width direction. Asymmetrical designs are also conceivable, even if this may have the disadvantage of force components directed obliquely towards or away from the guide contour 20. However, depending on the design of the spring-loaded clamp connection 2, such force components can also be advantageous in order to improve the sliding behavior of the clamping element 6 on the guide contour and / or the clamping forces on an electrical conductor. In the illustrated embodiment, the symmetrical design of the clamping spring 5 is more advantageous.

[0070] Fig. 12 shows a side sectional view of a second embodiment of a conductor connection terminal 1 in the unlocked clamping position in section AA.

[0071] The basic structure of the spring-loaded terminal connection 2, consisting of the three separate parts: busbar 4, clamping spring 5, and clamping element 6, is comparable to the first embodiment. Likewise, an insulating housing 3 with a channel-shaped conductor entry opening 18 and an actuating opening 22 is provided, into which an actuating element 21 is slidably mounted.

[0072] In this exemplary embodiment, the clamping spring 5 is arranged such that the clamping leg 12 is located on the side facing the conductor insertion opening 18, and the contact leg 14 is located on the opposite side, facing away from the conductor insertion opening 18. The contact leg 14 can extend into the conductor insertion opening 7 and be mounted on the busbar 4. However, a variant comparable to the first embodiment is also conceivable, in which the contact leg ends in front of the busbar 4 and is mounted on the insulating housing.

[0073] Again, a bearing pin 30 is present in the insulating housing 3, which is partially enclosed by the spring arch, so that the spring arch 15 is mounted between the bearing pin 30 and the adjacent inner wall of the insulating housing 3.

[0074] The actuating element 21 is arranged in the actuating opening 22 such that it acts on the clamping leg 12 with an actuating contour 24 at its free end in order to displace the clamping leg 12 into the hold-open position towards the contact leg 14.

[0075] The clamping leg 12 is in turn coupled to the clamping element 6 by inserting into a receiving opening 13 in the clamping section 10. Compared to the first embodiment, the clamping section 10 is significantly shorter and has no engagement opening 23.

[0076] The clamping element 6 is locked into place by a locking contour 36 at the free end of the trigger section 16, which can lock onto a retaining contour 37 in the open position. The retaining contour 37 is formed, for example, from the contact section 8, which extends down to the level of the trigger section 16 and is bent out of the plane of the conductor insertion opening 7. Alternatively, the retaining contour can also be formed from the inner wall section of the conductor receiving pocket 19, which adjoins the contact section 8, which is shortened as in the first embodiment, and faces the connecting section 17.

[0077] In the closed clamping position shown, the free end of the release section 16 dips into a recess 38 which opens into the conductor collection pocket 19 adjacent to the holding contour 37.

[0078] Fig. 13 shows a side sectional view of the conductor connection terminal 1 from Fig. 12 in the hold-open position.

[0079] It can be seen that the clamping leg 12 is displaced toward the contact leg 14 by pressing down the actuating element 21. In the end position, the actuating contour 24 of the actuating element 21 can abut the clamping section 10, thereby providing an end stop. The clamping leg 12 carries the clamping element 6 and displaces it translationally along the guide contour 20 away from the contact section 8. This clears the alignment F of the conductor insertion opening 18 through the conductor insertion opening 7 into the conductor receiving pocket 19, so that an electrical conductor can be inserted or removed without force.

[0080] In the hold-open position, the locking contour 36 curved towards the busbar 4 strikes the holding stop 37, so that the spring-loaded clamping element 6 is locked in the hold-open position.

[0081] Fig. 14 shows a side sectional view of the conductor terminal 1 from Fig. 12 in the closed clamping position with a clamped electrical conductor 31 in section CC.

[0082] It is clear that the free end of the electrical conductor 31 abuts the aligned trigger section 16 and moves it away from the plane of the clamping section 10 or the contact line K in the conductor insertion direction L. For this purpose, the connecting section 17 adjoining the clamping section 10 with the trigger section 16 connected to it is designed to be spring-elastic. A recess 32 in the connecting section 17 can contribute to this. The locking contour 36 at the free end of the trigger section 16 is displaced past the holding stop 37 so that the clamping element 6 is now unlocked and, guided by the spring force of the clamping spring 5, moves along the contact line K to the projection 9 of the contact section 8 in a translational manner by the guide contour 20.

[0083] Thus, the stripped end of the electrical conductor 31 is clamped between the clamping edge 11 of the clamping element 6 and the projection 9 of the contact section 8.

[0084] Fig. 15 shows a perspective view of the conductor connection terminal 1 from Fig. 13 in the hold-open position.

[0085] It can be seen that the trigger section 16 protrudes approximately at a right angle from the connecting section 17, wherein a recess 32 is present in the connecting section 17, which ensures spring elasticity through the webs 33 which delimit the recess 32.

[0086] Fig. 16 shows a perspective view of a clamping element 6 of the second embodiment of the conductor connection terminal 1 from Fig. 12 to 15.

[0087] It can be seen that the relatively short clamping section 10 protrudes from the connecting section 17 and has at its free end the clamping edge 11, which is curved, for example, toward the trigger section 16. Between the clamping edge 11 and the connecting section 17, there is a narrow rectangular receiving opening 13 for receiving the free end section 35 of the clamping spring 5.

[0088] A guide tab 39 protrudes laterally from the receiving opening 13. This guide tab is positioned between the web-shaped guide contour 20 and the underside of the busbar 4 and is mounted on the surface of the web-shaped guide contour 20. However, a variant is also conceivable in which the guide contour 20 is designed as a groove. The guide tab 39 then enters the groove and is mounted there so that it can be moved translationally along the groove.

[0089] Fig. 17 shows a side view of the clamping element 3 from Fig. 16.

[0090] It can be seen that the trigger section 16 and the clamping section 10 protrude from the connecting section 17 approximately parallel to each other and spaced apart from each other in the same direction. The clamping section 10 is significantly shorter than the trigger section. The length of the clamping section 10 is preferably less than 50% of the length of the trigger section 16.

[0091] The clamping edge 11, i.e., the free end of the clamping section 10 forming the clamping edge 11, is curved toward the release section 16. The free end of the release section 16 having the locking contour 36 is curved in the opposite direction, in the direction of the plane spanned by the clamping section 10.

[0092] Fig. 18, Fig. 19 and Fig. 20 show a perspective view, a side view and a front view of the clamping spring 5 of the conductor connection terminal 1 from Fig. 12 to 15.

[0093] The clamping spring 5 is designed as a U-shaped leg spring with a contact leg 14, a clamping leg 12, and a spring arch 15 that connects the contact leg 14 to the clamping leg 12. The free end section 35 of the clamping leg 12 is tapered to engage the correspondingly wide receiving opening 13 in the clamping section 10 of the clamping element 6. The free end section 40 of the contact leg 14 is likewise tapered, i.e., narrower than the section of the contact leg 14 adjoining the spring arch 15. This allows the free end section 40 to be inserted into the correspondingly narrow conductor insertion opening 7 of the busbar and supported there on the busbar 4.

[0094] Fig. 21 shows a side view of a third embodiment of a conductor connection terminal 1 in the locked open position.

[0095] This is comparable to the second embodiment with regard to the structure of the insulating housing 3 and the actuating element 21, so that reference can be made to the above explanations.

[0096] The clamping spring 5 also extends with its contact leg 14 into the conductor insertion opening 7 of the busbar 4. The conductor insertion opening 7 is delimited by a collar 41 on the underside of the busbar 4, which is diametrically opposite the upper side facing the actuating element 21, the spring arch 15 and the conductor insertion opening 18. The contact section 8 is formed by a first collar end wall, which is closest to the conductor insertion opening 18. The contact leg 14 is mounted on the opposite second collar end wall 42. The first collar end wall, i.e. the contact section 8, and the second collar end wall 42 are connected to one another by at least one collar side wall 43. Two collar side walls 43 arranged parallel and spaced from one another are advantageously present on both sides.

[0097] In this embodiment, the clamping element 6 is mounted on the top side of the busbar 4.

[0098] The upper side of the busbar 4 is generally the side facing the conductor insertion opening 18, the actuating opening 22 and the spring arch 15, ie the side from which an electrical conductor 31 is inserted into the conductor insertion opening 7 and towards which the actuating element 21 is moved to actuate the clamping spring 5 into the hold-open position.

[0099] The clamping element 6 can have lateral guide tabs 44 which engage around the side edges of the busbar 4 in order to ensure a positive translational guidance on the busbar 4.

[0100] Fig. 22 shows a side sectional view of the conductor terminal 1 from Fig. 21 in the locked open position in section ZZ.

[0101] It can be seen that the clamping element 6 rests on the top side of the busbar 4. The clamping spring 5, with its contact leg 14 and clamping leg 12, inserts into an engagement opening 23 of the clamping element 6 and into the conductor insertion opening 7 located thereunder. The contact leg 14 is mounted on the second collar end wall 42. The clamping leg 12 rests against the area of ​​the clamping section 10 that delimits the engagement opening 23 and on which the clamping edge 11 is formed. It can be seen that this area is bent from the support plane of the clamping element 6 into the conductor insertion opening 7 in the direction of the contact section 8.

[0102] The clamping leg 12 is displaced into the open position toward the contact leg 14 by means of the actuating element 21 pressed into the insulating housing 3. Self-locking is not provided in the illustrated embodiment, but can equally be implemented, for example, by locking the clamping leg 12 or clamping element 6 to the busbar, the contact leg 14, or the insulating housing 3. For unlocking, a release section can be provided as a separate part or as an extension of the contact leg 14, which projects into the conductor retaining pocket 19 in alignment F.

[0103] Fig. 23 shows a plan view of the conductor connection terminal 1 from Fig. 21 with section line ZZ.

[0104] It can be seen that the conductor insertion opening 18 and the actuating opening 22 are arranged side by side on the top side of the insulating housing 3, separated from each other by a partition wall 29. The actuating element 21 has, on its front side accessible from the outside via the actuating opening 22, a retaining contour 26 in the form of a slot with a central recess for the tip of an actuating tool.

[0105] Fig. 24 and Fig. 25 show a side view and side sectional view of the conductor connection terminal 1 from Fig. 21 in the closed clamping position.

[0106] The clamping element 6 is displaced toward the contact section 8 by the spring force of the clamping spring 5 with the aid of the clamping leg 12 coupled thereto. The translational displacement of the clamping element 6 occurs at the level of the busbar 4, so that, regardless of the cross-section of the electrical conductor 31 to be clamped, the clamping edge 11 is always at the same height relative to the protrusion 9 on the contact section 8.

[0107] Fig. 26 shows a perspective view of the spring clamp connection 2 of the third embodiment of the conductor connection terminal 1 from Fig. 21 in the hold-open position.

[0108] It can be seen that the actuating element 21 has an actuating head 45 with the holding contour 26 and, at the opposite end, a narrower actuating contour 24. In the hold-open position, the actuating element 21 with its actuating contour 24 is displaced toward the clamping element 6 and can rest on the clamping section 10 in the end stop position.

[0109] It can also be seen that the clamping section 10 has a material tab 46 having the clamping edge 11, which is bent from the plane of the webs of the clamping section 10 remaining laterally next to the material tab 46 into the conductor insertion direction 7.

[0110] Guide tabs 44 are arranged on the side edges of the clamping section 10 and engage around the side edges of the busbar. Thus, the clamping element 6 is not only supported on the busbar 4, but is also laterally guided and positively connected perpendicular to the plane of the busbar 4 to prevent tilting or lifting. This ensures a translational sliding bearing of the clamping element 6 on the busbar 4.

[0111] Fig. 27 shows a perspective view of the spring clamp connection 2 of the third embodiment of the conductor connection terminal 1 from Fig. 24 in the closed clamping position.

[0112] The clamping leg 12 is now displaced away from the contact leg 14 by the spring force of the clamping spring 5. The clamping element 6, with its clamping edge 10, is moved toward the contact section 8 in order to close the clamping point formed by the clamping edge 10 and the contact section 8.

[0113] Fig. 28 shows a side view of the spring clamp connection 2 from Fig. 26 in the hold-open position.

[0114] It is clear that the actuating element 21 has shifted the clamping leg 12 toward the contact leg 14. By coupling the clamping leg 12 with the clamping element 6, the latter is translationally displaced to the right on the busbar 4. The clamping section 10 or the material tab 46 is located in the open position directly below the end face of the actuating contour 24.

[0115] Fig. 29 shows a side view of the spring clamp connection 2 from Fig. 27 in the closed clamping position.

[0116] The actuating element 21 is now displaced upwards on the clamping leg 21 towards the spring arch 15, so that the clamping leg 12 is displaced away from the contact leg 14, whereby the clamping element 6 is displaced towards the contact section 8 with the aid of the spring force on the level of the busbar 4.

[0117] Fig. 30 shows a top view of the spring clamp connection 2 from Fig. 26 in the hold-open position.

[0118] It can be seen that the clamping element 6 is shifted toward the contact leg 14, thereby exposing the area of ​​the conductor insertion opening 7 adjacent to the contact section 8. This allows an electrical conductor to be inserted and removed without force.

[0119] Fig. 31 shows a top view of the spring clamp connection 2 from Fig. 27 in the closed clamping position.

[0120] The clamping edge 10 present on the material tab 46 is arranged on the end face facing the contact section 8. The clamping element 6 is displaced with its clamping edge 10 toward the contact section 8 to close the clamping point.

[0121] Fig. 32 shows a perspective view of the third embodiment of the conductor terminal of Fig. 21 in the hold-open position. Fig. 33 shows a corresponding view of this conductor connection terminal 1 in the closed clamping position (cf. Fig. 24).

[0122] The translational guidance of the clamping element 6 on the busbar 4 with the lateral guidance provided by the guide tabs 44 is clearly visible. It is also clear that the actuating element 21 slides along the clamping leg 12 to open the clamping point. The actuating opening 22 opens at the top of the insulating housing 3 next to the conductor insertion opening 18. The actuating head 45 with its retaining contour 26 is accessible from the outside to actuate the actuating element 21 by exerting a compressive force. List of reference symbols 1 conductor connection terminal 2 spring-loaded terminals 3 Insulated housing 4 busbar 5 clamping spring 6 clamping element 7 Conductor through-hole 8 Contact section 9 Protrusion 10 clamping section 11 Clamping edge 12 clamping legs 13 Receiving opening 14 investment legs 15 spring bows 16 trigger section 17 connecting section 18 Conductor entry opening 19 Ladder catch bag 20 Guide contour 21 Actuating element 22 Operating opening 23 Access opening 24 Actuating contour 25 Attack surface 26 Holding contour 27 Holding stop 28 locking opening 29 Partition wall 30 bearing journals 31 electrical conductor 32 recess 33 bridges 34 bay 35 tapered free end section of the clamping leg 36 locking contour 37 Holding stop 38 Deepening 39 Guide tab 40 free end section of the contact leg 41 collar 42 second collar end wall 43 Collar side wall 44 Guide tab 45 Actuating head 46 material rags F Escape K Contact line 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] US 7,115,001 B1

[0005] DE 20 2006 015 363 U1

[0006]

Claims

[1] Spring clamp connection (2) with - a clamping spring (5) - a busbar (4) with a contact section (8) which forms a clamping point for clamping an electrical conductor (31) with the spring force of the clamping spring (5), and - a clamping element (6), characterized by , that - the clamping element (6) has a clamping edge (11) for clamping the electrical conductor (31) to the contact section (8) and is displaceable relative to the contact section (8) of the busbar (4), and - that the clamping spring (5) is coupled to the clamping element (6) by a detachable engagement and wherein - the clamping spring (5) exerts a spring force on the clamping element (6) directed towards the contact section (8) of the busbar (4). [2] Spring-loaded terminal connection (2) according to claim 1, characterized byin that the clamping element (6) is designed to hold the clamping point open by latching when the clamping spring (5) is pre-tensioned and has a triggering section (16), wherein the clamping element (6) is designed to trigger the latching and displace the clamping element (6) into a clamping position with a closed clamping point by a triggering force exerted on the triggering section (16) with the inserted electrical conductor (31) to be clamped. [3] Spring-loaded terminal connection (2) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by that the clamping element (6) has a locking contour (28, 36) which locks positively with a holding stop (27, 37) in the open position. [4] Spring-loaded terminal connection (2) according to claim 3, characterized by that the holding stop (27, 37) is designed to lock the clamping element (6) in the open position on the busbar (4). [5] Spring-loaded terminal connection (2) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized byin that the clamping element (6) has a clamping section (10) which has the clamping edge (11), and the triggering section (16) is arranged at a distance from the contact section (10), wherein the contact section (8) and the triggering section (16) are connected to one another by a connecting section (17) and the contact section (8) and the triggering section (16) extend in the same direction from the connecting section (17). [6] Spring-loaded terminal connection (2) according to claim 5, characterized by that the free end of the trigger section (16) forms a locking contour (36) which locks positively with a holding stop (37) in the open position. [7] Spring-loaded terminal connection (2) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized by that the clamping element (6) has a receiving opening (13) and the clamping spring (5) is immersed in the receiving opening (13). [8] Spring clamp connection (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the busbar (4) has a conductor insertion opening (7) which spans an insertion plane and the clamping element (6) is mounted displaceably parallel to the insertion plane. [9] Spring-loaded terminal connection (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the clamping spring (5) is designed as a U-shaped bent leg spring with a clamping leg (12), a contact leg (14) and a spring arch (15) connecting the clamping leg (12) to the contact leg (14), wherein the clamping leg (12) is connected to the clamping element (6). [10] Spring-loaded terminal connection (2) according to claim 9, characterized by that the free end portion (35) of the clamping leg (12) is tapered and extends into a receiving opening (13) of the clamping element (6). [11] Spring-loaded terminal connection (2) according to claim 9 or 10, characterized by that the contact leg (14) rests on the busbar (4) and the clamping spring (5) rests on the busbar (4). [12] Spring-loaded terminal connection (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the clamping element (6) has an engagement opening (23) for receiving an actuating contour (24) of an actuating tool or actuating element (21), wherein the engagement opening (23) is delimited by an engagement surface (25) and is designed such that an actuating force for displacing the clamping element (6) in the direction of the open position can be exerted by the actuating tool or actuating element (21) on the engagement surface (25). [13] Conductor connection terminal (1) with - an insulating housing and - a spring-loaded terminal connection (2) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the insulating housing (3) has a conductor insertion opening (18) for inserting an electrical conductor (31) to a terminal point in order to clamp the inserted electrical conductor (31) to the contact section (8), characterized by , that - the clamping point is formed by the contact section (8) of the busbar (4) and the clamping edge (11) of the clamping element (6), - the conductor insertion opening (18) opens towards the terminal point and - the clamping spring (5) is coupled to the clamping element (6) by a detachable engagement and - the clamping spring (5) exerts a spring force on the clamping element (6) directed towards the contact section (8) of the busbar (4). [14] Conductor connection terminal (1) according to claim 13, characterized byin that the clamping element (6) is designed to hold the clamping point open when the clamping spring (5) is pretensioned in a hold-open position by latching and has a trigger section (16), and in that the conductor insertion opening (18) is aligned such that an electrical conductor (31) inserted into the conductor insertion opening (18) comes into contact with the trigger section (16) of the clamping element (6) and the clamping element (6) is unlocked by displacement of the trigger section (16) from the hold-open position, wherein the clamping spring (5) is coupled to the clamping element (6) for displacement of the clamping element (6) from the hold-open position towards the contact section (8) of the busbar (4) into a clamping position. [15] Conductor connection terminal (1) according to claim 13 or 14, characterized bythat the insulating housing (3) has an actuating opening (22) which opens out towards the clamping spring (5) and / or the clamping element (6) in order to displace the clamping leg (12) and / or the clamping element (6) into the hold-open position against the spring force of the clamping spring (5) using an actuating tool inserted into the actuating opening (22) or an actuating element (21) movably installed in the actuating opening (22). [16] Conductor connection terminal (1) according to claim 15, characterized by that the clamping element (6) has an engagement opening (23) for receiving an actuating contour (24) of an actuating tool or actuating element (21), wherein the engagement opening (23) is delimited by an engagement surface (25) and is designed such that an actuating force for displacing the clamping element (6) in the direction of the open position can be exerted by the actuating tool or actuating element (21) on the engagement surface (25).

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