conductor connection terminal

Abstract

Conductor terminal (1) with an insulating housing (2), a spring-loaded clamping connection (3) for connecting an electrical conductor in the insulating housing (2) and an actuating element (12), wherein the spring-loaded clamping connection (3) has a busbar (5) and a clamping spring (4), wherein the clamping spring (4) has a clamping leg (6) with a clamping edge (30) for clamping an electrical conductor to a contact section (24) of the busbar (5), a contact leg (7) which rests against the busbar (5) and supports the clamping spring (4) on the busbar (5), and a spring arc (8) which connects the contact leg (7) to the clamping leg (6), wherein the insulating housing (2) has a conductor entry channel (9) opening towards the contact section (24) of the busbar (5) and an actuating channel (11),and wherein the actuating element (12) is movably mounted in the actuating channel (11) and is configured to apply force to the clamping leg (6) in order to displace the clamping leg (6) against the force of the clamping spring (6) towards the support leg (7) into an open position, characterized in that an actuating section (17) projects laterally from the clamping leg (6) and the actuating element (12) extends past a side edge of the clamping leg (6) to the actuating section (17) and is configured to apply force to the actuating section (17).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a conductor terminal with an insulating housing, a spring-loaded clamping connection for connecting an electrical conductor in the insulating housing, and an actuating element, wherein the spring-loaded clamping connection has a busbar and a clamping spring, wherein the clamping spring has a clamping leg with a clamping edge for clamping an electrical conductor to a contact section of the busbar, a support leg which rests against the busbar and supports the clamping spring on the busbar, and a spring arc which connects the support leg to the clamping leg, wherein the insulating housing has a conductor entry channel opening towards the contact section of the busbar and an actuating channel, and wherein the actuating element is movably mounted in the actuating channel and is configured to apply force to the clamping leg.to move the clamping leg against the force of the clamping spring towards the support leg into an open position.

[0002] 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.

[0003] There is a need for a self-locking spring-loaded terminal for connecting electrical conductors in an open position. Often, it is desirable for conductor connection terminals to be delivered from the factory with the spring-loaded terminal already open.

[0004] DE 20 2011 051 466 U1 discloses a clamping spring for a terminal block with a clamping leg that transitions into a first clamping device (i.e., a spring arc), to which a base leg is attached, and after a second clamping device, a locking leg. The locking leg has projections extending from the plane of the locking leg, which form a stop for the clamping edge of the open clamping leg when the clamping leg is displaced against the spring force towards the base leg.

[0005] EP 2 466 689 B1 discloses a clamping contact for the electrical connection of conductors, comprising a clamping point with a contact field for the electrical conductor and a spring arm whose free end, when the clamping contact is closed, holds the electrical conductor between itself and the contact field. The clamping contact has a separate release lever, which is arranged in the path of movement of the electrical conductor and is operatively connected to the spring arm in an open position.

[0006] WO 2021 / 105280 A1 discloses a direct plug-in terminal for connecting an electrical conductor to a busbar and a clamping spring acting as a compression spring, as well as a retaining spring for locking the clamping spring in an open position.

[0007] Based on this, the object of the present invention is to create an improved spring clamp connection and a conductor terminal with such a spring clamp connection.

[0008] The problem is solved by the conductor terminal with the features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments are described in the dependent claims.

[0009] It is proposed that an actuating section projects laterally from the clamping leg and that the actuating element extends past a side edge of the clamping leg to the actuating section and is designed to apply force to the actuating section.

[0010] With the aid of at least one actuating section projecting laterally from the clamping leg, the actuating element can be guided past the side edge of the clamping leg to the actuating section in a space-saving manner, so that no installation space is required between the clamping leg and the inserted, clamped electrical conductor to accommodate sections of the actuating element.

[0011] The spring-loaded clamping connection can be designed to be self-retaining in an open position. This allows the spring-loaded clamping connection to be supplied with the clamping point open and unlocked by inserting an electrical conductor, so that the clamping arm clamps the inserted conductor to the contact section of the busbar. For this purpose, a retaining arm can be attached to the contact arm, for example, which has a locking contour designed to lock the clamping arm, deflected against the spring force of the clamping spring towards the contact arm, in an open position. However, other embodiments for the locking contour are also conceivable, which could, for example, be formed on a separate holding element.

[0012] The locking of the clamping leg can be achieved in a compact manner without additional components by means of the retaining leg projecting from the mounting leg, which has a locking contour that interacts with the clamping leg, thanks to the design according to the invention.

[0013] The actuating element can have an actuating head and two actuating webs projecting from the actuating head at a distance from each other. Actuating sections can project from the clamping leg on opposite sides, with the actuating webs extending past each side of the clamping leg to their respective actuating section. This enables compact, symmetrical actuation of the clamping leg by the actuating element.

[0014] The actuating element can be designed as a linearly displaceable actuating push button mounted in the actuating channel in one direction of actuation. Alternatively, a variant with a pivotally or floatingly mounted actuating element capable of pivoting and sliding is also conceivable. This actuating element is guided past a side edge of the clamping leg by at least one actuating web and is designed to apply force to the corresponding actuating section.

[0015] The actuating element can have a stop contour. The insulating housing and / or the clamping spring can have a counter-stop contour, the stop contour and the counter-stop contour forming a stop that secures the actuating element in the actuating channel. This allows the actuating element to be held in an end position against the insulating housing and / or the clamping spring by positive locking, for example, to prevent the actuating element from falling out of the insulating housing, including in the unactuated state.

[0016] To indicate the open position of the clamping spring, in which the clamping leg is locked to the retaining leg in the open position, the actuating element can optionally be pressed with at least one actuating section against a wall of the actuating channel of the insulating housing, thus frictionally locking it in the depressed open position. This makes the locked open position visible to the user based on the position of the actuating element.

[0017] The retaining arm can be spring-elastic in the area of ​​the detent contour. This allows the detent contour to spring back into the detent position after the clamping arm has been released, enabling a clamping arm, moved to the open position relative to the contact arm, to be engaged against the detent contour.

[0018] The locking contour of the retaining leg can be formed by a retaining flap projecting from the retaining leg or by an end edge on the retaining leg.

[0019] The retaining leg can be bent away from the clamping leg adjacent to the detent contour. The retaining leg can taper from the bend towards the contact leg, with a front edge at the transition between the side edge of the retaining leg and the widened section of the bend projecting laterally forming the detent contour. The bend can stiffen the retaining leg in the area of ​​the detent contour. The resulting at least one front edge, created by the taper at the bend transition, forms a stable detent contour without requiring additional complex forming during manufacturing. This is easy to produce because it is hardly susceptible to tolerances. The arrangement of the detent contour in the area of ​​the bend is very stable and insensitive to external influences such as vibration.

[0020] On both sides of the tapered section of the retaining leg, widened sections of the bend can project laterally from the retaining leg, their end edges forming a locking contour. This achieves a symmetrical locking of the clamping leg to the retaining leg. The end edges, or the widened sections, can be positioned at the transition between the retaining leg and a connecting section (described in more detail below) that links the retaining leg to a release section of a release leg.

[0021] A locking tab can project from the clamping arm towards the holding arm and be configured to engage with the locking contour in the open position of the clamping arm. The locking tab can be cut free at the lateral edge of the clamping arm and its free end bent out of the plane of the clamping arm towards the holding arm. The free end of the clamping arm can taper accordingly or transition back into a wider end section. The clamping edge for attaching the electrical conductor is preferably formed by the leading edge of the free end of the clamping arm.

[0022] A release arm can be attached to the retaining leg, particularly on the side facing away from the mounting leg. This release arm extends with a release section into the alignment of the conductor entry channel and is designed to be deflected by an electrical conductor inserted into the conductor entry channel for connection to the busbar. This deflection releases the detent contour, thus unlocking the clamping leg which is locked in the open position. The attached retaining leg can then be displaced by this release arm to move the detent contour away from the clamping leg and release the clamping leg. The clamping leg, thus unlocked, can then move towards the contact section of the busbar under the force of the clamping spring to clamp the inserted electrical conductor, which has come into contact with the release section and displaced the retaining leg.

[0023] The release arm can form a free end of the clamping spring. This allows the release arm to move freely due to the release force of an electrical conductor. Alternatively, the free end of the release arm could be supported, for example, by the insulating housing.

[0024] The insulating housing can have a ramp to guide an electrical conductor to the release section, with the ramp being located between the conductor entry channel and a connecting section of the release arm extending from the retaining leg to the release section. This has the advantage of preventing unintentional premature release of the clamping leg by the electrical conductor striking the connecting section. The ramp, located in a conductor collection pocket of the insulating housing, obstructs an electrical conductor inserted into the pocket as it moves towards the connecting section. Instead, the electrical conductor is guided to the release section and is inserted far enough to be clamped when it impacts the release section to release the clamping leg.

[0025] The busbar can have a conductor through-hole, and the clamping spring can project into this opening with its contact leg and clamping leg. This allows for a narrow and compact design of the conductor terminal. The conductor through-hole can be formed by the end wall on which the contact leg is mounted, a contact tab opposite the end wall (projecting from the plane of the conductor through-hole towards the conductor collection pocket or the release section located therein, forming the contact section), and a side wall connecting the end wall to the contact tab. It is conceivable that there are two spaced-apart side walls, each extending parallel to the other between the end wall and the contact tab. At least one of the side walls can be designed as a side web.It is also conceivable that at least one of the side walls is designed as a side wall projecting from the plane of the conductor through-hole. This allows for high stability of the busbar and high current-carrying capacity. Alternatively, it is also conceivable that the conductor through-hole has a collar on its circumferential underside, facing away from the upper side of the busbar facing the spring of the clamping spring, with one collar wall forming the contact section. The collar wall forming the contact section is preferably angled to provide a defined contact surface for clamping the electrical conductor.

[0026] The retaining leg may be bent away from the clamping leg on the underside of the busbar, on the upper side of the busbar facing away from the spring arch of the clamping spring, below the busbar's upper side.

[0027] The clamping spring can be mounted with its mounting leg on an end wall that limits the conductor through-hole.

[0028] The clamping leg can be tapered with the section projecting into the conductor insertion opening and supported on the busbar by bearing sections that form the transition from the tapered section to the wider section extending towards the spring arch and project laterally from the tapered section. This provides a stable, self-supporting mounting system for the clamping spring, in which the clamping force acting on a clamped electrical conductor and the counterforce acting on the clamping leg are absorbed by the busbar. The support provided by the end faces of the bearing section at the transition from the wider section to the narrower section projecting into the conductor insertion opening of the clamping leg is used to support the clamping spring on the busbar, thus positively locking the clamping spring to the busbar in the conductor insertion direction.

[0029] At least one actuating section can point with its free end towards the mounting leg. If multiple actuating sections are present, each can point with its free end towards the mounting leg. This allows for a compact, low-profile design of the clamping spring's actuating mechanism.

[0030] For the purposes of the present invention, the indefinite term "a" is not to be understood as a numeral. Therefore, when, for example, a component is mentioned, this is to be interpreted as "at least one component". Where angles are specified in degrees, these refer to a circle of 360 degrees (360°).

[0031] The conductor terminal block can thus have multiple spring-clamp terminals, each with its own actuating element, within the insulating housing. Each spring-clamp terminal can have its own busbar. Alternatively, two or more clamping springs can interact with a common busbar, resulting in multiple spring-clamp terminals, each consisting of a clamping spring and a section of the busbar.

[0032] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to exemplary embodiments and the accompanying drawings. These show... Fig. 1 - Perspective view of a conductor terminal block; Fig. 2 - Side view of the conductor connection terminal Fig. 1 in the released clamping position; Fig. 3 - Side view of the conductor connection terminal Fig. 1 in the latched open position; Fig. 4 - Side sectional view of the conductor connection terminal Fig. 2 in the released clamping position; Fig. 5 - Side view of the spring-loaded clamping connection with actuating element in the released clamping position; Fig. 6 - Side view of the clamping spring with actuating element in the released clamping position; Fig. 7 - Rear view of the clamping spring with actuating element in the released clamping position; Fig. 8 - Perspective front view of the clamping spring with actuating element in the latched open position; Fig. 9 - Perspective rear view of the clamping spring with actuating element in the latched open position; Fig. 10 - Perspective front view of the spring-loaded clamping connection with actuating element in the latched open position; Fig. 11 - Side view of the spring-loaded clamping connection with actuating element in the latched open position and section line AA; Fig. 12 - Front view of the clamping spring with actuating element in section AA in the released clamping position; Fig. 13 - Front view of the spring-loaded clamping connection with actuating element in section AA in the latched open position; Fig. 14 - Top view of the conductor terminal; Fig. 15 - Top view of the spring force clamp connection with actuating element.

[0033] Fig. Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a conductor terminal block 1.

[0034] The conductor terminal 1 has an insulating housing 2 in which a spring-loaded clamping connection 3 is installed. Alternatively to the illustrated embodiment, it is equally conceivable that several spring-loaded clamping connections 3 are installed side by side in different alignment directions within the insulating housing 2.

[0035] The spring-loaded clamping connection 3 has a clamping spring 4 and a busbar 5. The clamping spring 4 is designed for clamping an electrical conductor to a contact section of the busbar 5. It can be designed as a U-shaped bent leg spring, as shown. The clamping spring 4 has a clamping leg 6, a contact leg 7 which rests against the busbar 5 and supports the clamping spring 4 against the busbar 5, and a spring arc 8 which connects the contact leg 7 to the clamping leg 6.

[0036] The insulating housing 2 has a conductor entry channel 9, which opens into a conductor through-hole 10 in a busbar 5 of the spring-loaded terminal 3. Next to the conductor entry channel 9, an actuating channel 11 is incorporated into the insulating housing 2. An actuating element 12 is movably mounted in the actuating channel 11. An actuating push button, slidably mounted in the actuating channel 11, is shown as an example of the actuating element 12. However, pivoting actuating levers, actuating elements mounted with a pivoting-sliding motion, and the like are also conceivable.

[0037] Adjacent to the underside of the busbar 5, which is diametrically opposite the conductor entry channel 9, is a conductor collection pocket 13. The conductor entry channel 9 and the conductor through-hole 10 of the busbar 5 open into the conductor collection pocket 13, with the conductor entry channel 9 oriented into the conductor collection pocket 13. Thus, an electrical conductor inserted into the conductor entry channel 9 enters the conductor collection pocket 13. The insulating housing 2 has a ramp 14 projecting from a side wall into the conductor collection pocket 13 to guide the electrical conductor to a tripping section 15 of a tripping arm connected to the mounting leg 7.

[0038] The actuating channel 11 has a trough-shaped contour on the side wall facing away from the conductor entry channel 9, so that a test opening 16 remains free between the actuating element 12 and the limiting wall of the trough-shaped contour, which opens towards the spring bow 8.

[0039] It can be seen that an actuating section 17 in the form of a material flap projects laterally from the clamping leg 6. The actuating element 12 has an actuating web 18 that extends partially laterally past the clamping leg 6 and spring arch, and which, with a curved end face, for example with a circular arc contour, acts upon the actuating section 17.

[0040] The actuating element 12 can optionally have a stop contour 19 on an outer wall of the actuating element 12, for example, the actuating bridge 18 as shown. The insulating housing 2 has a counter-stop contour 20, for example, in the form of an upper end wall of a lateral clearance that transitions into the actuating channel 11. The stop contour 19 and the counter-stop contour 20 are designed and aligned with each other such that they form a stop that secures the actuating element 12 in the actuating channel 11 against falling out.

[0041] Fig. Figure 2 shows a side view of the conductor connection terminal 1. Fig. 1 in the unlocked clamping position.

[0042] It can be seen that the clamping leg 6 extending from the spring-loaded arch 8 projects obliquely into the conductor insertion opening 10, in line with the conductor entry channel 9. Next to the contact leg 7, there is a bearing pin 21 on which the spring-loaded arch 8 is supported and which is located between the clamping leg 6 and the contact leg 7.

[0043] It is also evident that the clamping spring 4 has a release leg 22 which has a release section 15 oriented horizontally approximately parallel to the upper plane of the busbar 5, i.e., the plane spanned by the conductor insertion opening 10, and which is located in the alignment F of the conductor entry channel 9, indicated by a dashed line. A connecting section 23 is bent from the release section 15 towards the busbar 5, so that the ramp 14 is positioned between alignment F and the connecting section 23. This keeps an electrical conductor inserted into the conductor entry channel 9 away from the connecting section 23 and thus prevents unwanted premature release of the clamping spring 4.

[0044] Fig. Figure 3 shows a side view of the conductor connection terminal 1. Fig. 1 in the locked open position.

[0045] It becomes clear that the actuating element 12 is now moved further into the actuating channel 11 towards the busbar 5 and, with its curved free end face of its actuating web 18, by exerting pressure on the laterally projecting actuating section 17, displaces the clamping leg 6 towards the system leg 7. This moves the clamping leg 6 out of alignment F of the conductor entry channel 9 and exposes the clamping point for connecting an electrical conductor.

[0046] It can also be seen here that the contact point of the curved end face of the actuating bridge 18 on the actuating section 18 of the clamping leg 6 differs from the position at the free end of the actuating section 17 (see Fig. 2) in the presentation of the Fig. 3 towards the free end of the clamping leg 6, or towards the connection point of the actuating section 17 to the clamping leg 6.

[0047] Fig. Figure 4 shows a side sectional view of the conductor connection terminal 1. Fig. 2 in the released clamping position.

[0048] A contact section 24 projects from the conductor through-hole 10 of the busbar 5 at one end face towards the conductor collection pocket 13. The contact leg 7 rests against an end wall 25 on the end face opposite the contact section 24 and is supported on the top of the busbar 5 with a widened section adjacent to the end wall 25. A retaining leg 26 adjoins the contact leg 7 and extends towards the contact section 24 on the underside of the busbar 5 opposite the spring arch 8. The release leg 22, with its connecting section 23, is bent away from the retaining leg 26 by a bend 27, pointing away from the busbar 5 and from the clamping leg 7. In the area of ​​the bend 27, the retaining leg 26 has a detent contour 28 (not shown in detail in this illustration) which is used for detenting with a component from the plane of the clamping leg 6, for example.The locking tab 29 of the clamping leg 6 is formed in the open position and projects in a bend.

[0049] It can be seen that the clamping leg 6 has a clamping edge 30 at its free end, which, in the clamping position without an intervening electrical conductor, rests against the contact section 24. The clamping edge 30, together with the contact section 24, forms a clamping point for clamping the electrical conductor.

[0050] Fig. Figure 5 shows a side view of the spring-loaded clamping connection 3 with actuating element 12 in the unlocked clamping position.

[0051] It becomes clear that an actuating section 17 projects from a side edge of the clamping leg 6, which may be partially bent out of the plane of the clamping leg 6, with its free end pointing towards the contact leg 7. The actuating web 18 of the actuating element 12 is guided laterally past the side edge of the clamping leg 6 to the actuating section 17 in order to apply an actuating force to it with its free end face. The free end face can be curved, as shown, e.g., have a semicircular cross-sectional contour, in order to slide off the actuating section 17.

[0052] The actuating section 17 can, as shown, be oriented at an obtuse angle in the depicted end-clamping position without a clamped electrical conductor. The obtuse angle can be, for example, as shown, in the range of approximately 100° to 140° and preferably 120° ± 10° to the displacement axis V of the actuating element 12. This creates an inclined surface relative to the curved end face of the actuating bridge 18, allowing it to slide. A force is induced on this inclined surface by the inclined surface shifting to a smaller angle, preferably an acute angle, during actuation, in a direction that efficiently opens the clamping leg 6 towards the contact leg 7.

[0053] It is also evident that the actuating element 12 has a widened actuating head 31, from which the actuating web 18 projects towards the busbar 5. It is advantageous if actuating webs 18 project on both sides of the clamping spring 4 and each actuate an actuating section 17. In this advantageous embodiment, actuating sections 17 are provided on both sides of the clamping leg 6, projecting in opposite directions from the opposing side edges of the clamping leg 6.

[0054] The busbar 5 can be designed such that a conductor through-hole 10 is provided in a cover plate 32 and a side wall 33 projects in the opposite direction to the spring arch 8 on at least one side. This allows for a rigid design of the busbar 5 and a large current-carrying cross-section to increase the current-carrying capacity and reduce the current-conducting resistance.

[0055] Fig. Figure 6 shows a side view of the clamping spring 4 with actuating element 12 in the released clamping position.

[0056] It becomes clear that in an area between the actuating section 17 and the free end of the clamping leg 6, where the clamping edge 30 is located, a locking tab 29 projects towards the release section 15. For this purpose, the clamping leg 6 can, for example, be bent away from the clamping leg 7 by means of a bend in a plane of the clamping leg 6 which continues straight with the locking tab 29.

[0057] The support leg 7 can have laterally projecting bearing sections 34 adjacent to the bend present at the transition to the retaining leg 26, so that the support leg 7 can be wider in the area of ​​the bearing sections 34 than in the adjoining section of the clamping spring 4 that extends into the conductor insertion opening 10, in particular the area with the bend towards the retaining leg 26. This allows the support leg 7 to be supported on the edge webs that laterally delimit the conductor insertion opening 10.

[0058] Fig. Figure 7 shows a rear view of the clamping spring 4 with the actuating element 12 in the unlocked clamping position.

[0059] It is evident that the actuating element 12 has an actuating head 31 from which two actuating webs 18 project at a distance from each other and parallel to each other. The actuating webs 18 preferably project from the lateral edge regions of the actuating head 31. These are arranged next to the clamping spring 4 such that they accommodate the clamping spring 4 between them. The actuating webs 18 are positioned laterally next to the side edges of a section of the clamping leg 6 and, if applicable, also of a section of the spring arc 8. The clamping leg 6 is not covered by the actuating element 12. Actuating sections 17 project from both sides of the clamping leg 6 and are acted upon by the curved free end faces of the actuating webs 18.

[0060] The actuating webs 18 can each be wider or thicker in the area between the free end and the stop contour 19 than the section extending from the stop contour 19 to the actuating head 31, in the direction pointing outwards, i.e., laterally away from the clamping leg 6. This creates a step projecting from the adjacent plane, which forms a stop contour 19 that secures the actuating element 12 to the insulating housing 2.

[0061] It is also evident that the mounting leg 7 is wider at least before the transition to the retaining leg 26 in order to form a bearing section 34 for supporting the clamping spring 4 on the busbar 5. The transition to the retaining leg 26 is achieved with a narrower, spring-like bend 35.

[0062] A tool-holding contour 36 can be provided on the free end face of the actuating head 31. This can be designed as a recess or trough, as shown. For example, a slot-shaped or cross-slot-shaped recess is conceivable.

[0063] Fig. Figure 8 shows a perspective front view of the clamping spring 4 with actuating element 12 in the latched open position.

[0064] The locking tabs 29, extending on both sides of the clamping leg 6 towards the retaining leg 26, engage in a lateral recess of the retaining leg 26, which, in the locked open position, is located between the pair of locking tabs 29. The retaining leg 26 widens in the area of ​​the bend 27, so that at each of the transitions to the widening, there is a front edge 37, which forms the locking contour 28. The locking tabs 29 abut with their free end regions against the respective front edge 37 (= locking contour 28). The clamping leg 6, through the force of the clamping spring 4, presses against the front edges 37, so that the clamping leg 6 is locked onto the retaining leg 26 in the open position.

[0065] Fig. Figure 9 shows a perspective rear view of the clamping spring 4 with the actuating element 12 in the latched open position.

[0066] It can be seen that the actuating webs 18 are guided laterally along a section of the spring arch 8 at the transition to the clamping leg 6, or laterally past the clamping leg 6, to the actuating sections 17 projecting laterally from and extending from the clamping leg 6. Due to the curved end face of the actuating webs 18 and the actuating sections 17 projecting obliquely relative to them, an actuating force of the actuating element 12 acting in the direction of displacement V is transformed into an opening force acting obliquely relative to it with a force component in the direction of the contact leg 7, which moves the clamping leg 6 into the open position shown, in the direction of the contact leg 7.

[0067] It is also apparent that the clamping arm 6 has spaced-apart locking tabs 29 extending from the area of ​​the actuating sections 17, which preferably extend in a straight line towards the free end. In the locked open position, the retaining arm 26 engages between the pair of locking tabs 29. The retaining arm 26 widens in the area of ​​a bend 27, forming end faces 37 that act as locking edges or a locking contour 28 for the locking tabs 29.

[0068] The retaining leg 26 is bent away from the mounting leg 7 in a bend 35. In the area of ​​the locking contour 28, there is a further bend 27 in which the release leg 22 connects to the retaining leg with a vertical section 23. The vertical section 23 transitions into a horizontal release section 15 by a bend. The retaining leg 26 and the release section 15 are both essentially horizontal and approximately parallel to each other, although perfect plane parallelism is not required.

[0069] Therefore, the connecting section 23 extends essentially parallel to the direction of movement and is vertically oriented in this sense. The retaining leg 26 and the release section 15 are approximately horizontally oriented in this respect, i.e., at an angle of approximately 90° with a tolerance of, for example, ±10°.

[0070] Fig. Figure 10 shows a perspective front view of the spring force clamp connection 3 with actuating element 12 in the latched open position.

[0071] It can be seen that the busbar 5 has a cover plate 32 into which a conductor through-hole 10 is provided, leaving edge ribs 38. On one side, a side wall 33 is bent away from the cover plate 32, the upper edge of which forms an edge rib 38.

[0072] The clamping spring 4, with its contact leg 7 and clamping leg 6, enters the conductor through-hole 10. The contact leg 7, with its laterally projecting bearing sections 34 (material flaps), is supported on the cover plate 32 of the busbar 5.

[0073] Fig. Figure 11 shows a side view of the spring-loaded clamping connection 3 with actuating element 12 in the latched open position and the section line AA.

[0074] It can be seen that the actuating sections 17 projecting laterally from the clamping leg 6 are now at an acute angle to the displacement direction V of the actuating element 12. In the open position, the angle is preferably in the range of approximately 10° to 70°. The angle can, for example, be approximately 40° ± 20° as shown.

[0075] Fig. Figure 12 shows a front view of the clamping spring 4 with actuating element 12 and busbar 5 in section AA in the latched open position.

[0076] It is evident that the mounting leg 7, with its laterally projecting bearing sections 34, is supported on the cover plate 32 of the busbar 5. It is also clear that the mounting leg 7, with a section adjoining the bearing sections 34, extends into the conductor through-hole 10 of the busbar 5 and is supported there against an end wall 25 that forms one narrow side of the conductor through-hole 10.

[0077] The clamping spring 4 is enclosed on both sides by the actuating webs 18, whereby the clamping leg 6 remains free and is not covered by the actuating element 12.

[0078] Fig. Figure 13 shows a front view of the spring force clamp connection 3 with actuating element 12 in section AA in the latched open position.

[0079] It becomes clear that the actuating webs 18 are mounted in a guide groove in the insulating housing 2 so as to be linearly displaceable in the direction of displacement V and are supported in the open position on a corresponding actuating section 17.

[0080] Also visible are the locking tabs 29 projecting from both sides of the clamping leg, which extend towards the retaining leg 26 and hold the retaining leg 26 between them in the open position.

[0081] Fig. Figure 14 shows a top view of the conductor connection terminal 1. It can be seen that the test opening 16, the actuating channel 11 and the conductor entry channel 9 are arranged next to each other on the top of the insulating housing 2. The actuating channel 11 can be separated from the conductor entry channel 9 by a partition.

[0082] The actuating element 12 is arranged in the actuating channel 11 and, with a side wall, delimits the test opening 16, which is formed as a semicircular contour in the form of a concave wall surface on a side wall section of the actuating channel 11. This side wall section is spaced apart from the conductor entry channel 9 and faces the conductor entry channel 9.

[0083] Fig.Figure 15 shows a top view of the spring clamp connection 3 with actuating element 12. It can be seen that the actuating element 12 partially covers the spring arc 8 and is thus arranged above a part of the spring arc 8 in the transition of the clamping leg 6 to the spring arc 8 with its widened actuating head 31 in the direction of displacement V.

[0084] The actuating element 12 can have a metal insert for reinforcement, particularly in the area of ​​the actuating webs 18. The actuating sections 17 on the clamping leg 6 point with their free end, so to speak, "backwards" towards the mounting leg 7. Reference symbol list: 1 conductor connection terminal 2 insulating housings 3 Spring clamp connection 4 clamping springs 5 busbar 6 clamping legs 7 attachment legs 8 feather bows 9 conductor entry channel 10 Conductor through-hole 11 Actuating channel 12 Actuating elements 13 Ladder collection bag 14 Ramp 15 Trigger section 16 Test opening 17 Actuation section 18 Actuating bridge 19 Stop contour 20 Counterattack contour 21 bearing journals 22 Release legs 23 Connecting section 24 Contact section 25 Front wall 26 retaining legs 27 bend 28 Rast contour 29 Rastlatsche 30 clamping edge 31 Actuating head 32 Cover plate 33 Side wall 34 Storage section 35 bend 36 Tool holding contour 37 Front edge 38 Edge V Direction of movement QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

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

[0000] DE 20 2011 051 466 U1

[0004] EP 2 466 689 B1

[0005] WO 2021 / 105280 A1

[0006]

Claims

[1] Conductor terminal (1) with an insulating housing (2), a spring-loaded clamping connection (3) for connecting an electrical conductor in the insulating housing (2) and an actuating element (12), wherein the spring-loaded clamping connection (3) has a busbar (5) and a clamping spring (4), wherein the clamping spring (4) has a clamping leg (6) with a clamping edge (30) for clamping an electrical conductor to a contact section (24) of the busbar (5), a contact leg (7) which rests against the busbar (5) and supports the clamping spring (4) on the busbar (5), and a spring arc (8) which connects the contact leg (7) to the clamping leg (6), wherein the insulating housing (2) has a conductor entry channel (9) opening towards the contact section (24) of the busbar (5) and an actuating channel (11),and wherein the actuating element (12) is movably mounted in the actuating channel (11) and is configured to apply force to the clamping leg (6) in order to displace the clamping leg (6) against the force of the clamping spring (6) towards the support leg (7) into an open position, characterized by , that an actuating section (17) projects laterally from the clamping leg (6) and the actuating element (12) extends past a side edge of the clamping leg (6) to the actuating section (17) and is designed to apply force to the actuating section (17). [2] Conductor terminal (1) according to claim 1, characterized by, that the actuating element (12) has an actuating head (31) and two actuating webs (18) projecting from the actuating head (31) at a distance from each other, and that actuating sections (17) project from the clamping leg (6) on both sides at opposite side edges of the clamping leg (6), wherein the actuating webs (18) each extend past a side edge of the clamping leg (6) to the associated actuating section (17). [3] Conductor terminal (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by , that the actuating element (12) has a stop contour (19), and that the insulating housing (2) and / or the clamping spring (4) has a counter-stop contour (20), wherein the stop contour (19) and the counter-stop contour (20) form a stop securing the actuating element (12) in the actuating channel (11). [4] Conductor terminal block (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by, that a retaining leg (26) is attached to the mounting leg (7), which has a detent contour (28) designed to lock the clamping leg (6) deflected towards the mounting leg (7) against the spring force of the clamping spring (4) in an open position, and [5] Conductor terminal (1) according to claim 4, characterized by , that the retaining leg (26) is spring-elastic in the area of ​​the locking contour (28). [6] Conductor terminal block (1) Claim 4 or 5, characterized by , that the locking contour (28) is formed by a retaining flap projecting from the retaining leg (26) or by an end edge (37) on the retaining leg (26). [7] Conductor terminal (1) according to claim 6, characterized by, that the retaining leg (26) is bent away from the clamping leg (6) adjacent to the locking contour (28) and the retaining leg (26) is tapered from the bend (27) to the contact leg (7), wherein an end edge (37) in the transition of the side edge of the retaining leg (26) to the laterally projecting widened section of the bend (27) forms the locking contour (28). [8] Conductor terminal (1) according to claim 7, characterized by , that on both sides at opposite side edge edges of the tapered section of the retaining leg (26) widened sections of the bend (27) project laterally from the retaining leg (26) and with their end edges (37) each form a locking contour (28). [9] Conductor terminal (1) according to one of claims 4 to 8, characterized by, that a locking tab (29) projects from the clamping leg (6) towards the retaining leg (26) and is designed to lock onto the locking contour (28) in the open position of the clamping leg (6). [10] Conductor terminal (1) according to one of claims 4 to 9, characterized by , that on the side facing away from the mounting leg (7) a release leg (22) is connected to the retaining leg (26), which extends with a release section (15) into the alignment of the conductor entry channel (9) and is designed to be deflected by an electrical conductor inserted into the conductor entry channel (9) for clamping to the busbar (5) and to release the detent contour (28) to release the clamping leg (6) which is locked in the open position. [11] Conductor terminal (1) according to claim 10, characterized by , that the release leg (22) forms a discontinuous free end of the clamping spring (6). [12] Conductor terminal (1) according to claim 10 or 11, characterized by , that the insulating housing (2) has a ramp (14) for guiding an electrical conductor to the release section (15), wherein the ramp (14) is arranged between the alignment of the conductor entry channel (9) and a connecting section (23) of the release arm (22) extending from the retaining leg (26) to the release section (15). [13] Terminal block (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the busbar (5) has a conductor through-hole (10) and the clamping spring (4) with its contact leg (7) and clamping leg (6) protrudes into the conductor through-hole (10). [14] Conductor terminal (1) according to claim 13, characterized by , that the clamping spring (4) is mounted with its support leg (7) on an end wall (25) limiting the conductor through-hole (10). [15] Conductor terminal (1) according to claim 13 or 14, characterized by , that the mounting leg (7) is tapered with its section projecting into the conductor through-hole (10) and is supported on the busbar (5) with bearing sections (34) that form the transition of the tapering to the wider section extending towards the spring arch (8) and project laterally from the tapered section. [16] Conductor terminal (1) according to one of claims 13 to 15, characterized by , that a retaining leg (26) is attached to the mounting leg (7), wherein the retaining leg (26) is bent away from the clamping leg (6) below the busbar (5) on the underside of the busbar (5) facing away from the spring bow (8) of the clamping spring (4). [17] Conductor terminal (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that at least one actuation section (17) points with its free end towards the mounting leg (7).

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