Spring clamp connection and conductor connection terminal

Abstract

Spring-loaded clamping connection (3) comprising a busbar (4) and a clamping spring (5), wherein the clamping spring (5) has a clamping leg (6) with a clamping edge (29) for clamping an electrical conductor (45) to the busbar (4), a support leg (20) on which the clamping spring (5) is supported, and a spring arc (31) connecting the support leg (20) to the clamping leg (6), wherein the clamping leg (6) together with the busbar (4) forms a clamping point for clamping an electrical conductor (45) between the clamping leg (6) and the busbar (4), characterized in that the clamping leg (6) has a protrusion (13) adjacent to the spring arc (31), wherein the protrusion (13) is designed to displace the clamping edge (29) towards the support leg (20) into a preload position when force is applied to the protrusion (13).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a spring-loaded clamping connection comprising a busbar and a clamping spring, wherein the clamping spring has a clamping leg with a clamping edge for clamping an electrical conductor to the busbar, a contact leg on which the clamping spring is supported, and a spring arc connecting the contact leg to the clamping leg, wherein the clamping leg together with the busbar forms a clamping point for clamping an electrical conductor between the clamping leg and the busbar. The clamping spring can be supported with its contact leg on the busbar, an insulating housing, and / or another component.

[0002] The invention further relates to a conductor terminal block with such a spring-loaded clamping connection.

[0003] Spring-loaded clamp connections are used to connect an electrical conductor to a clamping point formed between the clamping arm of a spring clamp and a busbar. To connect the conductor directly, the clamping spring can be pushed away from the busbar against the force of the spring clamp. This is possible for solid conductors, but not for stranded or multi-stranded conductors.

[0004] There is a need for connecting electrical conductors with a spring-loaded clamp that is self-locking in the open position. It is often desirable for conductor connection terminals to be delivered from the factory with the spring-loaded clamp already open.

[0005] EP 2 768 079 B1 discloses a spring-loaded clamp with a busbar for contacting an electrical conductor and a clamping spring for fixing the electrical conductor in the spring-loaded clamp. A retaining element, supported on the insulating housing or connected to the contact leg of the clamping spring, is provided for locking the clamping spring in an open position, and a sliding return element is provided for pivoting the clamping leg back into the locked position.

[0006] The object of the present invention is to create an improved conductor terminal block.

[0007] The problem is solved by the conductor terminal with the features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments are described in the dependent claims.

[0008] It is proposed that the clamping arm have a bulge adjacent to the spring arch, the bulge being designed to shift the clamping edge towards the contact leg into a preloaded position when force is applied to the bulge. The bulge thus serves as a force transmission element for transferring a manual actuating force to the clamping spring, deflecting the clamping arm into the preloaded position. In the preloaded position, the clamping edge is therefore closer to the contact leg than in the unpreloaded position. Advantageously, the bulge projects slightly outwards on the clamping arm, allowing it to be easily actuated manually with an actuating element, such as an external tool or the conductor terminal's own actuating element, for example, an actuating push button or lever.In particular, a perpendicular to the apex of the bulge can be aligned in a force direction that shifts the clamping leg towards the mounting leg into a preload position when force is applied to the bulge.

[0009] This allows for a compact, narrow design to exert an actuating force on the clamping arm, enabling effective force transmission to move the clamping arm towards the mounting arm against the spring force of the clamping spring into the preloaded position. This is achieved without additional parts by simply reshaping the clamping spring in the transition area between the clamping arm and the spring arc by creating an additional bulge beyond the existing spring arc.

[0010] The clamping arm can transition directly into the spring arch via the bulge, with both the spring arch and the bulge being convexly curved. This creates two adjacent protrusions or "bumps" that bulge outwards from the mounting arm and / or the busbar. The spring force of the clamping spring is primarily provided by the spring arch. The adjacent bulge provides an actuation area that, due to its convex curvature, is oriented such that when force is applied to the outer surface of the bulge, the clamping arm is moved into the preload position towards the mounting arm. A convex curvature is thus understood as a shape in which a bulge is created that protrudes from the space defined by the spring arch and the adjoining clamping arm without the bulge, thereby increasing the size of the space defined without this bulge.The bulge thus forms a hump in the direction away from the mounting leg and / or the busbar.

[0011] The clamping arm can transition into the spring arch with its bulge, forming a recess between the bulge and the spring arch. This recess is concave, while the spring arch and the bulge are convex. The concave recess creates a protrusion projecting into the space defined by the spring arch and the clamping arm that adjoins it without a bulge. This recess defines an advantageous force direction in which an actuating element exerts an actuating force on the clamping arm to effectively displace it towards the contact leg into the preloaded position. The actuating force component acting perpendicularly on the bulged actuating surface of the protrusion pivots the protrusion and the clamping arm about a virtual pivot axis located approximately in the region of the transition between the recess and the protrusion.

[0012] The spring-loaded clamping connection can have a detent contour designed to lock the clamping arm, which is deflected against the spring force of the clamping spring towards the contact leg, in an open position. This allows the clamping arm to be held in the open position in a self-supporting manner under preload, so that an electrical conductor can be inserted into or removed from the open clamping point between the clamping arm and the busbar without obstruction. Actuating the clamping spring simultaneously with handling the electrical conductor is not required, which simplifies handling.

[0013] A retaining leg can be attached to the clamping arm. This retaining leg has a detent contour designed to lock the clamping leg, which is deflected towards the clamping leg against the spring force of the clamping spring, in an open position. The clamping leg is thus locked in the pre-tensioned open position at the retaining leg. Due to its spring elasticity, the clamping leg can be easily released from the retaining leg by applying a release force to the retaining leg, thereby unlocking the clamping leg. The clamping leg can then automatically move into the clamping position due to the spring force of the clamping spring, allowing an electrical conductor to be connected to the busbar. After release, the retaining leg springs back automatically into a detent position, allowing the clamping leg, now back in the open position, to lock into place.

[0014] The retaining leg can be spring-elastically formed on the contact leg. It can be integrally formed from the same spring steel material as the clamping spring. The retaining leg can connect to the contact leg with a bend. The clamping spring can terminate at the free end of the clamping leg on one side and at the free end of the retaining leg on the opposite side. A clamping edge for attaching an electrical conductor can be present at the free end of the clamping leg.

[0015] The retaining arm can have a release area, which is designed to be elastically deflected against the spring force of the retaining arm by an electrical conductor inserted for clamping to the busbar. This deflection moves the locking contour away from the clamping arm and releases the clamping arm, which is locked in the open position. This allows the locking of the clamping arm on the retaining arm to be automatically released when an electrical conductor is inserted for clamping. For example, the inserted electrical conductor's end face at its free end contacts the release area, exerting a release force on the retaining arm in the direction of conductor insertion.

[0016] The release area can extend transversely to the clamping arm, which is locked in the open position on the retaining leg. This ensures that the directions of the release force acting on the release area and the detent force acting on the detent contour are optimally aligned, so that the release action occurs at an angle to the detent force, rather than in the opposite direction. This results in a reduced release force being required for release.

[0017] The trigger area can therefore form a tapered free end of the clamping spring.

[0018] The clamping arm can taper to form a locking tab projecting towards the retaining arm. The retaining arm can have a locking edge, whereby the locking tab engages behind the locking edge in the open position, and the locking edge forms a stop for the locking tab to engage the clamping arm with the retaining arm.

[0019] The clamping arm can taper to form two locking tabs along its side edges. The retaining arm can have two spaced-apart locking edges, each of which, in the open position, forms a stop for the locking tab, i.e., a corresponding locking tab for each of the two locking tabs. This achieves symmetrical locking at two locking points, reliably holding the clamping arm in the open position.

[0020] At least one locking tab can project from the retaining leg in the direction of the bulge, with the locking tab forming the locking contour for locking the free end area of ​​the clamping leg.

[0021] In another embodiment, conversely, a locking tab can be provided that projects from the retaining leg, engages the clamping leg in the latched open position, and engages with a locking edge or surface of the clamping leg. For this purpose, at least one locking tab can project from the retaining leg in the direction of the spring arc, with the locking tab forming the locking contour for latching the free end region of the clamping leg.

[0022] The clamping leg can taper to form a detent edge, and the retaining leg can have a hook end bent towards the spring bow, which engages the detent edge in the open position and forms the detent contour for locking the clamping leg.

[0023] The clamping arm can taper to form two locking edges along its side edges. The retaining arm can have two spaced-apart retaining arms, each with a hook end bent towards the spring arch, which engages one of the locking edges in the open position.

[0024] The busbar can have a side surface or side plate, a bearing surface projecting transversely from the side plate for the clamping spring's support leg, and a clamping section spaced apart from this for connecting an electrical conductor, wherein the clamping leg is resiliently aligned towards the clamping section. The bearing surface can be arranged on a cover plate that projects transversely from the side plate. The cover plate can have a conductor through-hole.

[0025] The busbar can only have a side surface or side plate on one side and, in the area of ​​the gap between the support surface and the clamping section, can only be limited by the side surface.

[0026] The busbar can have a conductor through-hole enclosed by a collar, wherein the side surface is formed from a collar side wall, the bearing surface from a first collar end wall and the clamping surface with the clamping edge on a second collar end wall opposite the first collar end wall.

[0027] A conductor terminal according to the invention has at least one spring-loaded clamping connection as described above and has an insulating housing, wherein the insulating housing has a conductor entry opening for inserting an electrical conductor to the clamping point of the associated spring-loaded clamping connection and an actuating channel leading to the clamping spring.

[0028] An actuating push button can be slidably arranged in an actuating channel, wherein the actuating push button is designed to apply force to the protrusion when the actuating push button is displaced.

[0029] The actuating push button can grip the clamping arm and be positively connected to it on both sides, on the upper side facing away from the busbar and on the lower side facing the busbar. This has the advantage that the actuating push button moves with the clamping arm in a positively guided manner, so that the position of the clamping arm, in particular the end positions in the preload position or in the clamping position, is indicated by the position of the actuating push button.

[0030] For this purpose, the actuating push button can optionally protrude from the insulating housing in the clamping position.

[0031] An actuating lever can be pivotably arranged in the actuating channel, wherein the actuating lever is designed to apply force to the protrusion when the actuating lever is pivoted.

[0032] The clamping arm can transition into the spring arch with its bulge, forming a recess between the bulge and the spring arch. This recess can be concave, while the spring arch and the bulge are convexly curved in the opposite direction to the recess. The actuating lever can then be inserted into this recess. This allows the actuating lever to be guided within the recess, from where it can actuate the concave, outwardly curved bulge adjoining the recess. This provides an advantageous direction of force in which the actuating lever exerts an actuating force on the clamping arm, displacing the clamping arm towards the contact leg into the preloaded position.

[0033] The actuating lever can have a recess into which the spring arc adjoining a convexly curved protrusion, or a convexly curved protrusion itself, dips. Thus, when actuated, the lever, particularly if pivotally mounted, presses against the protrusion dipping into the recess, or against the protrusion adjoining the spring arc dipping into the recess, to apply force to the clamping spring and open the clamping arm.

[0034] The conductor entry opening of the insulating housing can be opened towards the retaining leg and aligned so that an electrical conductor inserted into the conductor entry opening comes into contact with the retaining leg and displaces it to release the clamping leg, which is locked against the detent contour in the open position. This optimally guides the inserted electrical conductor to the retaining leg, specifically to a release area of ​​the retaining leg, in order to release the clamping leg, which is held in the pre-tensioned open position, by means of a release force on the retaining leg.

[0035] 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".

[0036] The invention allows for various embodiments and is explained below by way of example with the accompanying drawings. The drawings show: Fig. 1 - Perspective view of a first embodiment of a conductor terminal block with actuating lever and spring-loaded clamping connection in the clamping position; Fig. 2 - Top view of the conductor connection terminal Fig. 1 with intersection line AA; Fig. 3 - Side section view of the conductor connection terminal Fig. 1 on average AA; Fig. 4 - Side view of the conductor connection terminal Fig. 1; Fig. 5 - Perspective side view of the spring force clamp connection in the clamping position with the actuating lever arranged above it; Fig. 6 - Perspective front view of the spring force clamp connection in the clamping position with the actuating lever arranged above it; Fig. 7 - Perspective view of the first embodiment of the conductor terminal block made of Fig. 1 with actuating lever and spring-loaded clamping connection in the pre-tensioned open position; Fig. 8 - Side section view of the conductor connection terminal Fig. 7 on average AA; Fig. 9 - Side view of the conductor connection terminal Fig. 7; Fig. 10 - Perspective side view of the spring-loaded clamp connection of the conductor terminal block made of Fig. 8 in the open position with operating lever arranged above it and electrical conductor inserted; Fig. 11 - Perspective front view of the spring force clamp connection made of Fig. 10 in the open position with operating lever arranged above it and electrical conductor inserted; Fig. 12 - Perspective view of a second embodiment of a conductor terminal block with actuating push button and spring-loaded clamping connection in the clamping position; Fig. 13 - Top view of the conductor connection terminal Fig. 12 with section line AA; Fig. 14 - Side section view of the conductor connection terminal Fig. 12 on average AA; Fig. 15 - Side view of the conductor connection terminal Fig. 12; Fig. 16 - Perspective side view of the spring-loaded clamp connection of the conductor terminal block made of Fig. 12 in the clamping position with actuating push button arranged above it; Fig. 17 - Perspective front view of the spring force clamp connection made of Fig. 12 in the clamping position with actuating push button arranged above it; Fig. 18 - Perspective view of the second embodiment of the conductor terminal block made of Fig. 12 with actuating push button and spring force clamp connection in the pre-tensioned open position; Fig. 19 - Side view of the conductor connection terminal Fig. 18 on average AA; Fig. 20 - Side view of the conductor connection terminal Fig. 18; Fig. 21 - Perspective side view of the spring-clamp connection of the conductor terminal block made of Fig. 18 in the open position with actuating push button arranged above it and electrical conductor inserted; Fig. 22 - Perspective front view of the spring force clamp connection made of Fig. 21 in the open position with actuating push button arranged above it and electrical conductor inserted; Fig. 23 - Perspective view of a clamping spring for the spring-loaded clamping connection of the embodiments of the conductor terminal in the clamping position; Fig. 24 - Perspective view of the clamping spring made of Fig. 23 in the pre-tensioned open position; Fig. 25 - Perspective side view of the clamping spring made of Fig. 23 in the clamping position; Fig. 26 - Perspective side view of the clamping spring made of Fig. 23 in the open position.

[0037] Fig. Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a first embodiment of a conductor terminal 1 with actuating lever 2 and spring-loaded clamping terminal 3 in the clamping position.

[0038] The spring-loaded clamping connection 3 has a busbar 4 and a clamping spring 5, which has a clamping leg 6 for clamping an electrical conductor to the busbar 4.

[0039] The conductor terminal 1 has an insulating housing 7 with a conductor entry opening 8 that leads to the busbar 4. Next to the conductor entry opening 8, an actuating channel 9 is arranged in the insulating housing 6, in which the actuating lever 2 is pivotably mounted. The actuating lever 2 can have bearing pins 10 projecting in opposite directions on both sides, which engage in bearing openings 11 and thus support the actuating lever 2 on the pivot bearings formed by the bearing pins 10 and bearing openings 11 on the insulating housing 7.

[0040] The actuation channel 9 can transition into a test opening 12, which opens towards the clamping spring 5. This allows a test tool to be inserted into the test opening 12 to contact the clamping spring 5 and measure the electrical potential or electrical signals present at the spring-clamp terminal 3.

[0041] The clamping spring 5 has a protrusion 13 which transitions into the clamping leg 6 and can be actuated by the actuating lever 2 when pivoting.

[0042] The conductor entry opening 8 is aligned with a conductor collection pocket 14 of the insulating housing 7. The clamping spring 5 has a retaining leg 15 with a release area 16 that extends into the conductor collection pocket 14.

[0043] Fig. Figure 2 shows a top view of the conductor connection terminal 1. Fig. 1 with the intersection line AA.

[0044] The actuating lever 2 protrudes from the actuating channel 9 on the upper side of the conductor terminal. The actuating channel 9 is located between the test opening 12 and the conductor entry opening 8. The test opening 12 can be formed as a recess on an end face of the actuating channel 9 and thus merge into the actuating channel 9.

[0045] Fig. 3 and Fig. Figure 4 shows a side section view in section AA and a side view of the conductor connection terminal 1. Fig. 1.

[0046] It can be seen that the actuating channel 9 is separated from the conductor entry opening 8 by a partition 17. The actuating lever 2 has a cylindrical rotating body 18, which is rotatably mounted in a correspondingly curved recess of the insulating housing, in particular at the partition 17 and the opposite transition of the actuating channel 9 to the test opening 12. A lever arm 19 projects from the rotating body 18 and extends out of the insulating housing 7.

[0047] The clamping spring 5 has a contact leg 20, which is mounted in the insulating housing 7 between an inner wall 21 of the insulating housing 7 and a spring bearing 22. The contact leg 20 extends through a conductor through-hole 23 of the busbar 4 and transitions into a retaining leg 15 via a bend. The retaining leg 15 has a retaining section 24 projecting approximately transversely from the contact leg 20, which, after a bend, transitions into a connecting section 25. From the connecting section 25, after a further bend, the release section 16 extends into the alignment F of the conductor entry opening 8.

[0048] The connecting section 25 is located between a guide section 26, which projects into the conductor collection pocket 14, and a boundary wall 27 of the conductor collection pocket 14. The guide section 26 may have an inclined surface 28. It is designed to guide an electrical conductor to the tripping area 16 with the inclined surface 28 when the electrical conductor is inserted in the direction of the plane F into the conductor entry opening 8 and through the conductor through-opening 23 into the conductor collection pocket 14.

[0049] The clamping leg 6 has a clamping edge 29 at its free end, which in the clamping position shown, without an inserted electrical conductor, rests against a clamping section 30 that projects from the busbar 4 out of the conductor through-hole 23 and into the conductor collection pocket 14.

[0050] A spring-loaded arc 31 is attached to the mounting leg 20 on the side opposite the retaining leg 15. The spring-loaded arc 31 is connected to the clamping leg 6 via a recess 32 and the protrusion 13.

[0051] It can be seen that the spring arc 31 and the bulge 13 are convexly curved or arched, projecting towards the actuating channel 9 and the actuating lever 2 mounted therein. The recess 32 arranged between the spring arc 31 and the bulge 13, on the other hand, is concavely curved into the space enclosed by the contact leg 20, the spring arc 31, the bulge 13, and the clamping leg 6.

[0052] The rotating body 18 of the actuating lever 2 can have a recess 33 into which the protrusion 13 partially engages in the unactuated clamping position. This provides an actuating finger 34 in the transition between the partially circularly curved bearing section 35 of the rotating body 18 and the recess 33, which engages in the recess 32 and can apply an actuating force to the clamping spring 5 in the transition between the recess 32 and the protrusion 13.

[0053] The busbar 4 can have a cover plate 36 and a side plate 37 projecting transversely from the cover plate. The conductor through-hole 23 is provided in the cover plate 36.

[0054] Fig. Figure 5 shows a perspective side view of the spring force clamp connection 3 in the clamping position with the actuating lever 2 arranged above it.

[0055] It can be seen that the rotating body 18 of the actuating lever 2, with its actuating finger 34, enters the recess 32 of the clamping spring 5. The convexly curved protrusion 13 projects into the indentation 33 of the rotating body 18. The rotating body 18 has a bearing pin 10 projecting from its side surface.

[0056] The conductor through-hole 23 in the cover plate 36 of the busbar 4 tapers towards the track section 20 to form a retaining slot 38. The track section 20 projects into the retaining slot 38 with a correspondingly tapered track section 39 and rests against an end wall 40 that defines the retaining slot 38. At the transition to the tapered track section 39, end faces 41 are present on both sides, which rest on the cover plate 36.

[0057] Fig. Figure 6 shows a perspective front view of the spring force clamp connection 3 in the clamping position with the actuating lever 2 arranged above it.

[0058] Locking tabs 42 protrude from the clamping leg 6, which lock into locking edges on the holding section 24 of the holding leg 15 and together with these form a locking contour.

[0059] Furthermore, the clamping leg 6 can be tapered from the bulge 13 towards the free end in front of the root area of ​​the locking tabs 42, thereby forming overload ribs 43 which can rest on the side ribs 44 of the cover plate 36 that limit the conductor through-hole 23 when the actuating lever 2 moves the bulge 13 together with the clamping leg 6 adjoining it towards the cover plate 36 and the contact leg 20.

[0060] It becomes clear that the leg 20 with its narrower section 39 extends through the retaining slot 38 and is supported with its end faces 41 on the cover plate 36 of the conductor rail 4.

[0061] Starting from the root area of ​​the locking tabs 42, the clamping leg 6 is bent away from the mounting leg 20 and towards the clamping section 30 from the plane spanned by the clamping leg 6 in the area of ​​the transition to the bulge 13 up to the free ends of the locking tabs 42.

[0062] Fig. Figure 7 shows a perspective view of the first embodiment of the conductor terminal 1. Fig. 1 with the actuating lever 2 and the spring-loaded clamping connection 3 in the pre-tensioned open position.

[0063] It is evident that the actuating lever 2 is now, in comparison to Fig. 1 is pivoted. This exerts an actuating force on the protrusion 13, which shifts the clamping leg 6 towards the contact leg 20.

[0064] Fig. Figure 8 shows a side section view of the conductor connection terminal 1. Fig. 7 on average AA and Fig. Figure 9 shows a side view of the conductor connection terminal 1. Fig. 7.

[0065] The actuating finger 34 exerts an actuating force on the protrusion 13, which displaces the protrusion 13, together with the clamping leg 6 attached to it, about a virtual pivot axis located approximately in the area of ​​the recess 32, relative to the contact leg 20 and retaining section 24 of the retaining leg 15. The protrusion 13 is designed such that a perpendicular to the apex of the protrusion 13 points towards the contact leg 20 or the retaining section 24 at the transition to the contact leg 20, and is thus oriented in a force direction that displaces the clamping leg into the illustrated preload position when force is applied to the protrusion 13.

[0066] It can also be seen that an electrical conductor 45 is inserted with its stripped end into the conductor insertion opening 8 and through the conductor insertion opening 23 into the conductor collection pocket 14. The electrical conductor 45 is guided by the guide section 26 to the release area 16 of the retaining arm 15 and kept away from the connecting section 25. This causes the electrical conductor 45 to exert a release force in the longitudinal direction of the electrical conductor 45 on the release section 16, which displaces the retaining section, connected to the release section 16 via the connecting section 25, away from the plane of the cover plate 36 and the actuating lever 2. This allows the locking of the clamping arm 6 on the retaining arm 15, formed by the positive engagement of the locking tabs 42 with the locking edges 49 of the retaining arm 15, to be released, and the clamping arm 6 to be unlatched.The clamping leg 6 can then, by means of the spring force of the clamping spring 5 stored in the spring arc 31, move with its free end towards the clamping section 30 in order to clamp the electrical conductor 45 between the clamping edge 29 and the clamping section 30.

[0067] Fig. Figure 10 shows a perspective side view of the spring clamp connection 3 of the conductor connection terminal 1. Fig. 8 in the open position with the actuating lever 2 arranged above it and the electrical conductor 45 inserted. The corresponding figure shows Fig. 11 a perspective front view of the spring force clamp connection 3 from Fig. 10 in the open position with actuating lever 2 arranged above it and electrical conductor 45 inserted.

[0068] It becomes clear that the actuating finger 34 of the actuating lever 2 displaces the protrusion 13 towards the cover plate 36 of the busbar 4. In doing so, the clamping leg 6 moves towards the contact leg 20 and engages with the retaining leg 15. The direction of movement of the clamping leg 6 is determined by the protrusion 13 and the transition to the recess 32, since the actuating finger 34 enters the recess 32 and exerts an actuating force on the protrusion 13 in the transition area between the recess 32 and or adjacent to it, and points perpendicular to the apex of the protrusion 13 in approximately the direction of the transition area between the contact leg 20 and the retaining leg 15.

[0069] Fig. Figure 12 shows a perspective view of a second embodiment of a conductor terminal 1 with an actuating push button 46 arranged slidably in the actuating channel 9 and the spring force clamping connection 3 described above in the clamping position.

[0070] It can be seen that the actuating pusher 46 has a tool-holding contour 47 on its end face, such as a groove and / or recess. This allows an actuating tool to be placed on the end face without slipping, in order to move the actuating pusher 46 towards the busbar 4 and thus exert an actuating force on the protrusion 13.

[0071] Fig. Figure 13 shows a top view of the conductor connection terminal 1. Fig. 12 with the intersection line AA.

[0072] It becomes clear that the front face of the actuating pusher 46, which has the tool holding contour 47, is accessible from the top of the insulating housing 2.

[0073] Fig. Figure 14 shows a side section view of the conductor connection terminal 1. Fig. 12 on average AA and Fig. Figure 15 shows a side view of the conductor connection terminal 1. Fig. 12.

[0074] The actuating push button 46 rests with its actuating surface on the protrusion 13 and engages the protrusion 13 with a retaining element 48, which is positively connected to the clamping spring 5. The clamping spring 5 is movably mounted on the protrusion 13 between a pin of the retaining element 48 and the actuating surface. The retaining element 48 prevents the actuating push button 46 from moving independently of the clamping spring 5 and, in particular, from falling out of the insulating housing 7.

[0075] The construction of the spring-loaded clamping connection 3 corresponds to the previously described embodiment, so reference is made to the foregoing.

[0076] Fig. Figure 16 shows a perspective side view of the spring-clamp connection 3 of the conductor terminal 1. Fig. 12 in the clamping position with actuating push button 2 arranged above it. Fig. Figure 17 shows a corresponding perspective front view of the spring force clamp connection 3. Fig. 12 in the clamping position with actuating push button 2 arranged above it.

[0077] The actuating push button 46 engages the clamping spring 5 with its retaining element 48 in the area of ​​the recess 32 and the adjacent bulge 13. For this purpose, the retaining element 48 has at least one retaining wall which is guided past the edge of the clamping spring 5, and a retaining pin projecting from the at least one retaining wall.

[0078] Fig. Figure 18 shows a perspective view of the second embodiment of the conductor terminal 1. Fig. 12 with actuating push button 2 and spring-loaded clamping connection 3 in the pre-tensioned open position and Fig. Figure 19 shows a side section view of the conductor connection terminal 1. Fig. 18 on average AA. Fig. Figure 20 shows a side view of the conductor connection terminal 1. Fig. 18.

[0079] It can be seen that the actuating push button 46 is shifted towards the busbar 4 and that the protrusion 13, with its actuating surface, is pressed towards the cover plate 36 of the busbar 4. This causes the protrusion 13, with the clamping leg 6 attached to it, to shift towards the mounting leg 20 in order to open the clamping point between the clamping edge 29 and the clamping section 30.

[0080] In the locked end position, the retaining element 48 rests with its pin on the spring bearing 22, which in this way serves as overload protection to limit the displacement travel of the actuating push button 46.

[0081] Fig. Figure 21 shows a perspective side view of the spring clamp connection 3 of the conductor connection terminal 1. Fig. 18 in the open position with actuating push button 2 arranged above it and electrical conductor inserted.

[0082] It can be seen that in the open position, the protrusion 13 lies with the spring arch 31 on a plane that is approximately parallel to the plane of the cover plate 36 when a measuring rod is placed on it, while in the clamping position the protrusion 13 is further away from the plane of the cover plate 36, so that in the clamping position according to Fig. 16 measuring rod resting on the spring arch 31 and the bulge 13 on a plane running at an angle to the plane of the cover plate 36.

[0083] Fig. Figure 22 shows a perspective front view of the spring force clamp connection 3. Fig. 21 in the open position with actuating push button 2 arranged above it and electrical conductor 45 inserted.

[0084] It can be seen that the locking tabs 42 are locked onto the locking edges 49 of the retaining leg 15.

[0085] Fig. Figure 23 shows a perspective view of a clamping spring 5 for the spring force clamp connection 3 of the embodiments of the conductor connection terminal 1 in the clamping position.

[0086] It can be seen that the clamping leg 6 connects to the protrusion 13 and spans a first plane on which the locking tabs 42 projecting from the clamping leg 6 also lie. The locking tabs 42 are formed by cutting away an end section of the clamping leg 6 that is bent out of the first plane. This end section is narrower in the bending area and becomes wider again at its end, which has the clamping edge 29. The locking tabs 42 are exposed at both edges of the sheet metal of the clamping leg.

[0087] Viewed from the bulge, the clamping leg 6 tapers in the area in front of the root area of ​​the locking tabs 42, so that overload ribs 43 are formed in the steps.

[0088] It is also evident that the mounting leg 20 tapers towards the mounting section 39, so that end faces 41 are formed in the steps on both sides for supporting the clamping spring 5 on the busbar 4. After an approximately 90° bend, the mounting section 39 transitions into the holding section 24, which widens in the area of ​​a further obtuse bend, forming detent edges 49 on the steps, and transitions into the connecting section 25 behind the bend. The connecting section 25 transitions with another obtuse bend into the release area 16, which runs approximately parallel to the holding section 24. The free end of the release area 16 may be bent upwards towards the plane of the holding section 24 to form a guide for the free end of the electrical conductor 45 striking the release area 16.

[0089] Fig. Figure 24 shows a perspective view of the clamping spring made of Fig. 23 in the pre-tensioned and latched open position.

[0090] It can be seen that the clamping leg 6, which is shifted towards the mounting leg 20, engages the locking edges 49 of the retaining leg 15 with its locking tabs 42. The locking tabs 42 are thus engaged with the locking edges 49.

[0091] When a release force is applied to the release surface 16, the retaining section 24, particularly in the area of ​​the bend to the connecting section 25, is displaced such that the detent edges 49 slide along the detent tabs 42 and release the detent. This requires only a short release path and a small release force, which overcomes the frictional force between the detent tabs 42 and the detent edges 49. This frictional force is low due to the small friction surfaces.

[0092] Fig. Figure 25 shows a perspective side view of the clamping spring 5. Fig. 23 in the clamping position.

[0093] It can be seen that the clamping leg 6 is disengaged from the retaining leg 15 and is moved away from the mounting leg 20 by the spring force stored in the spring bow 31.

[0094] Fig. Figure 26 shows a perspective view of the clamping spring 5. Fig. 23 in the open position.

[0095] The clamping leg 6, which is shifted towards the mounting leg 20, is engaged with the retaining leg 15 by its locking tabs 42 on both sides. This is achieved by the narrower retaining section 24 inserting into the space between the locking tabs 42, and the locking tabs 42 engaging with the locking edges 49 in the stepped transition of the widening of the retaining section 24 in the area of ​​the bend to the connecting section 25. The arrangement of the locking edges 49 in the area of ​​the bend is optional and has the advantage that the retaining leg 15 is stiffened in this area of ​​the locking contour by the bend. Reference symbol list 1 conductor connection terminal 2 operating levers 3 Spring clamp connection 4 busbar 5 clamping spring 6 clamping legs 7 Insulating housings 8 conductor entry opening 9 Actuation channel 10 bearing journals 11 Warehouse opening 12 Test opening 13 bulge 14 Ladder collection bag 15 retaining legs 16 Trigger area 17 Partition wall 18 Rotating Bodies 19 Lever arm 20 attachment legs 21 Interior wall 22 spring bearings 23 Conductor through-hole 24 Stop section 25 Connecting section 26 Leadership section 27 Boundary wall 28 inclined surface 29 clamping edge 30 clamping section 31 Feather Bows 32 trough 33 Indentation 34 actuating fingers 35 Storage section 36 Cover plate 37 Side panel 38 retaining slots 39 Plant section 40 Front wall 41 Front surface 42 Rastlatsche 43 Overload bridge 44 side bar 45 electrical conductor 46 Actuating push buttons 47 Tool holding contour 48 retaining link 49 locking edge F Escape 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] EP 2 768 079 B1

[0005]

Claims

[1] Spring-loaded clamping connection (3) comprising a busbar (4) and a clamping spring (5), wherein the clamping spring (5) has a clamping leg (6) with a clamping edge (29) for clamping an electrical conductor (45) to the busbar (4), a support leg (20) on which the clamping spring (5) is supported, and a spring arc (31) connecting the support leg (20) to the clamping leg (6), wherein the clamping leg (6) together with the busbar (4) forms a clamping point for clamping an electrical conductor (45) between the clamping leg (6) and the busbar (4), characterized by , that the clamping leg (6) adjacent to the spring bow (31) has a protrusion (13), wherein the protrusion (13) is designed to displace the clamping edge (29) towards the contact leg (20) into a preload position when force is applied to the protrusion (13). [2] Spring clamp connection (3) according to claim 1, characterized by, that the clamping leg (6) with the bulge (13) transitions directly into the spring bow (31), wherein the spring bow (31) and the bulge (13) are convexly curved. [3] Spring clamp connection (3) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the bulge (13) forms a protrusion projecting in a direction away from the mounting leg (20) and / or the conductor rail (4). [4] Spring clamp connection (3) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by, that the clamping leg (6) with the bulge (13) transitions into the spring bow (31), wherein a recess (32) is formed between the bulge (13) and the spring bow (31), and the recess (32) is concavely curved, and the spring bow (31) and the bulge (13) are convexly curved, so that a bulge protruding from the space bounded by the spring bow (31) and the clamping leg (6) adjoining it without a bulge (13) is formed by the concavely curved recess (32). [5] Spring clamp connection (3) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the spring force clamp connection (3) has a detent contour (42, 49) which is designed to lock the clamping leg (6) deflected against the spring force of the clamping spring (5) towards the contact leg (20) in an open position. [6] Spring clamp connection (3) according to claim 5, characterized by, that a retaining leg (15) is attached to the mounting leg (20), which has the locking contour (49) formed to lock the clamping leg (6) which is deflected towards the mounting leg (20) against the spring force of the clamping spring (5) in an open position. [7] Spring clamp connection (3) according to claim 6, characterized by , that the retaining leg (15) is spring-elastically formed on the mounting leg (20). [8] Spring clamp connection (3) according to claim 6 or 7, characterized by , that the retaining leg (15) has a release area (16), wherein the release area (16) is designed to be elastically deflected against the spring force of the retaining leg (15) by an electrical conductor (45) inserted for clamping to the busbar (4), thereby moving the detent contour (49) away from the clamping leg (6) and releasing the clamping leg (6) which is detented in the open position. [9] Spring clamp connection (3) according to claim 8, characterized by , that the release area (16) forms a tapered free end of the clamping spring (5). [10] Spring clamp connection (3) according to claim 8 or 9, characterized by , that the release area (16) extends transversely to the clamping leg (6) which is locked in the open position on the retaining leg (15). [11] Spring clamp connection (3) according to one of claims 6 to 10, characterized by , that the clamping leg (6) tapers to form a locking tab (42) projecting towards the retaining leg (15), and that the retaining leg (15) has a locking edge (49), wherein the locking tab (42) engages behind the locking edge (49) in the open position and the locking edge (49) forms a stop for the locking tab (42) to lock the clamping leg (6) onto the retaining leg (15). [12] Spring clamp connection (3) according to claim 11, characterized by, that the clamping leg (6) tapers at the side edge areas of the clamping leg (6) forming two locking tabs (42) and the retaining leg (15) has two spaced-apart locking edges (49) which each form a stop for the locking tab (42) in the open position. [13] Spring clamp connection (3) according to one of claims 6 to 10, characterized by , that at least one locking tab projects from the retaining leg (15) in the direction of the spring bow (31), the locking tab forming the locking contour for locking the free end area of ​​the clamping leg (6). [14] Spring clamp connection (3) according to claim 13, characterized by , that the clamping leg (6) tapers to form a detent edge and the retaining leg (15) has a hook end bent towards the spring bow (31), the detent edge engaging in the open position and forming the detent contour for locking the clamping leg (6). [15] Spring clamp connection (3) according to claim 14, characterized by , that the clamping leg (6) tapers by forming two locking edges at the side edge areas of the clamping leg (6) and the retaining leg (15) has two spaced-apart retaining arms, each with a hook end bent towards the spring bow (31), which each engage one of the locking edges in the open position. [16] Spring clamp connection (3) according to any one of claims 6 to 15, characterized by , that at least one locking tab projects from the retaining leg (15) in the direction of the protrusion (13), the locking tab forming the locking contour for locking the free end area of ​​the clamping leg (6). [17] Spring clamp connection (3) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by, that the busbar (4) has a side plate (37), a cover plate (36) projecting transversely from the side plate (37) as a support for the mounting leg (20) of the clamping spring (5) resting on it, a conductor through-hole (23) in the cover plate (36) and a clamping section (30) projecting from an end wall of the conductor through-hole (23) for clamping an electrical conductor (45), wherein the clamping leg (6) is resiliently aligned towards the clamping section (30). [18] Spring clamp connection (3) according to claim 17, characterized by , that the busbar (4) has a side plate (37) only on one side and in the area of ​​the space between the top plate (36) and the clamping section (30) is still only limited by the side plate (37). [19] Spring clamp connection (3) according to any one of claims 1 to 17, characterized by, that the busbar (4) has a conductor through-hole (23) enclosed by a collar, wherein the side plate (324) is formed from a collar side wall, a support surface for the mounting leg (20) from a first end wall (40) of the collar and the clamping section (30) is formed on a second collar end wall opposite the first collar end wall (40). [20] Conductor terminal (1) with a spring clamp connection (3) according to one of the preceding claims and an insulating housing (2), wherein the insulating housing (2) has a conductor entry opening (8) for inserting an electrical conductor (45) to a clamping point and an actuating channel (9) leading to the clamping spring (5). [21] Conductor terminal (1) according to claim 20, characterized by, that an actuating pusher (46) is slidably arranged in the actuating channel (9), wherein the actuating pusher (46) is designed to apply force to the protrusion (13) when the actuating pusher (46) is displaced. [22] Conductor terminal (1) according to claim 21, characterized by , that the actuating push button (46) engages the clamping spring (5) and is positively connected to the clamping spring (5) on both sides at the top, which is away from the busbar (4) and at the bottom, which is towards the busbar (4). [23] Conductor terminal (1) according to claim 20, characterized by , that an actuating lever (2) is pivotably arranged in the actuating channel (9), wherein the actuating lever (2) is designed to apply force to the protrusion (13) when the actuating lever (2) is pivoted. [24] Conductor terminal (1) according to claim 23, characterized by, that the clamping leg (6) transitions into the spring bow (31) with the bulge (13), wherein a recess (32) is formed between the bulge (13) and the spring bow (31), and the recess (32) is concavely curved, and the spring bow (31) and the bulge (13) are convexly curved, and that the actuating lever (2) dips into the recess (32). [25] Conductor terminal (1) according to one of claims 23 to 24, characterized by , that the actuating lever (2) has a recess (33) into which the spring bow (31) adjoining a concave curved protrusion (13) or a convex curved protrusion (13) dips. [26] Conductor terminal (1) according to one of claims 20 to 25, characterized by, that the conductor entry opening (8) is open towards the retaining leg (15) and is aligned in such a way that an electrical conductor (45) inserted into the conductor entry opening (8) comes into contact with the retaining leg (15) and moves it to release the clamping leg (6) which is locked in the open position on the locking contour (49).

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