Spring clamp connection and conductor connection terminal

Abstract

Spring-loaded clamping connection for clamping electrical conductors (9) with a clamping spring (4) having a contact leg (41), a clamping leg (43) with a clamping edge (46) for clamping an electrical conductor (9) and a main spring arc (42) connecting the contact leg (41) to the clamping leg (43), characterized in that the clamping spring (4) has, in addition to the main spring arc (42), an additional spring arc (44) which is formed integrally from the material of the clamping spring (4) and extends from the contact leg (41) to the clamping leg (43), wherein the additional spring arc (44) rests with a free end on the side of the clamping leg (43) facing the contact leg (41).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a spring-loaded clamping connection for clamping electrical conductors with a clamping spring, which has a contact leg, a clamping leg with a clamping edge for clamping an electrical conductor and a main spring arc that connects the contact leg to the clamping leg.

[0002] Spring-loaded clamp connections for clamping electrical conductors are known in a variety of forms.

[0003] DE 20 2011 102 996 U1 discloses a spring-loaded clamping contact with a busbar element and a clamping spring. The spring arc of the clamping spring has material recesses extending in the longitudinal direction of the spring plate or slots that completely penetrate the spring plate. This increases the spring action of the clamping spring's bending radius and improves its properties.

[0004] DE 10 2015 107 055 B3 discloses a conductor terminal with an insulating housing having a conductor entry opening for inserting an electrical conductor and a contact pin entry opening for inserting a contact pin, a clamping spring having a clamping leg, a spring arc, and a contact leg, and a busbar section having a through-opening for receiving the contact pin and designed for clamping the electrical conductor between the clamping leg and a crossbar of the busbar section. The contact leg is slotted in the direction of extension of the contact leg, starting from the spring arms and extending towards the spring arc. The contact leg is thus provided with a slot extending into the spring arc, which divides the contact leg into two adjacent leg arms arranged on the same plane. This creates a space not only between the spring arms but also within the contact leg.Rather, this free space transitions into a slot that increases the spring force of the clamping leg perpendicular to its direction of extension. The slot can extend into the spring arc. This increases the available spring arm length and improves the resulting spring characteristic. Furthermore, the slotted spring arc also improves the spring action of the clamping spring's bending radius and thus the spring characteristic of the clamping leg.

[0005] The object of the invention is to create a further improved spring clamp connection and a conductor terminal with such a spring clamp connection.

[0006] The problem is solved by the spring-clamp connection with the features of claim 1 and the conductor connection terminal with the features of claim 18. Advantageous embodiments are described in the dependent claims.

[0007] It is proposed that the clamping spring, in addition to the main spring arc, has an additional spring arc which is formed in one piece from the material of the clamping spring and extends from the contact leg to the clamping leg, with the additional spring arc resting on the clamping leg with a free end on the side of the clamping leg facing the contact leg.

[0008] Because an additional spring arc projects from the clamping leg, which rests on the clamping leg that projects from the main spring arc, an additional spring force is exerted on the clamping leg, thus increasing the resulting spring force. This is achieved simply and reliably by integrating a one-piece additional spring.

[0009] Both the main spring bow and the auxiliary spring bow are arc-shaped, meaning they exhibit a certain curvature along their longitudinal extent. According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the auxiliary spring bow can have a curvature that differs from that of the main spring bow. For example, the auxiliary spring bow can have a radius that differs from that of the main spring bow. Thus, the auxiliary spring bow has a different spring characteristic and acts on the clamping leg at a different angle than the main spring bow. The auxiliary spring bow can, for example, be more strongly curved than the main spring bow or less strongly curved. If the auxiliary spring bow has a uniform curvature along its arc shape, i.e., with a constant radius of curvature, this radius of curvature can serve as a measure of the curvature.If the radius of curvature changes over the arc-shaped extension of the additional spring bow, a mean radius of curvature can, for example, be used as a measure of the curvature.

[0010] The additional spring arc can be positioned at a different distance from the clamping edge than the main spring arc. The additional spring arc is not simply created by slitting the main spring arc, which would adversely weaken the main spring arc. Rather, the additional spring arc is guided to the clamping leg on a different plane relative to the apex of the main spring arc in order to apply pressure to it.

[0011] The additional spring arc can be positioned laterally offset from the main spring arc. This allows the additional spring arc to lie laterally alongside the main spring arc and the adjoining clamping arm. This enables the additional spring arc to be cut from material of the clamping spring that would otherwise lie laterally alongside the main spring arc and guided up to the clamping arm to rest against it.

[0012] The additional spring arc can be arranged at a different height than the main spring arc, either as an alternative or in addition to it. For example, the additional spring arc can be offset vertically from the apex of the main spring arc. The apex of the additional spring arc can advantageously be located closer to the free end of the contact leg, the free end of the clamping leg, and / or a plane of the busbar in which the clamping point is located, than the apex of the main spring arc.

[0013] The additional spring arch can be formed from a pair of spring arches extending from the opposite edges of the clamping leg and engaging force-absorbing tabs or other material flaps projecting from both sides of the clamping leg. This allows the clamping leg to be symmetrically supported by additional spring arches acting on both sides of the clamping leg. The main spring arch can be positioned between the pair of spring arches of the additional spring arch.

[0014] The spring-loaded clamp connection can have a busbar, wherein the clamping spring is mounted on the busbar with its contact leg, and the busbar has a contact section which, together with the clamping edge of the clamping leg, forms a clamping point for connecting the electrical conductor. The clamping leg, together with the contact section of the busbar, can form a clamping point for connecting an electrical conductor between the clamping leg and the contact section. In the open position, at least the clamping edge of the clamping leg is pivoted away from the contact section of the busbar. The clamping leg can, for example, pivot between an open position in which the electrical conductor is freely movable between the clamping leg and the contact section, and a clamped position in which the clamping leg clamps the electrical conductor to the contact section.

[0015] The busbar can have a conductor through-hole, whereby the clamping spring with its clamping leg immerses into the conductor through-hole.

[0016] The clamping spring can be mounted with its contact leg against an end wall that defines the conductor insertion opening or another opening in the busbar. This allows for a compact design with stable mounting in a self-supporting system, where the clamping forces are absorbed by the busbar. The contact leg thus also serves as a support section for the clamping spring on the busbar. This support section ensures secure mounting of the clamping spring and sufficient resistance to the spring force exerted by the clamping leg.

[0017] The clamping leg can be tapered with the section projecting into the conductor through-hole or another opening in the busbar, and supported on the busbar by bearing sections that form the transition from the tapered section to the wider section extending towards the main spring arch and project laterally from the tapered section. This provides additional support for the clamping leg on the top side of the busbar.

[0018] The spring-loaded clamping connection can have a retaining element with a detent contour for locking the clamping leg in an open position offset towards the contact leg. This allows the clamping leg to be self-locking in an open position, so that an electrical conductor can be guided to the clamping point without force and, after release, clamped between the clamping edge of the clamping leg and a contact section of the busbar.

[0019] The locking contour can be formed by a retaining flap projecting from the retaining element or by an end edge on the retaining element. The locking contour of the retaining element can be a locking edge. A locking tab can project from the clamping leg towards the retaining leg and be designed to engage with the locking contour in the open position of the clamping leg.

[0020] It is advantageous if, on both sides of the tapered section of the retaining arm, wider sections of the bend project laterally at the transition of the respective side edge of the retaining arm and form a locking contour with their end faces. This allows the clamping arm to be locked symmetrically, with the locking forces being distributed between the two projecting sections.

[0021] The retaining element can be formed integrally with the clamping spring and connect to the mounting leg via a retaining leg. The retaining leg can be bent away from the clamping leg on the underside of the busbar, on the upper side facing away from the main spring arc of the clamping spring, below the busbar.

[0022] The retaining leg can be bent away from the clamping leg adjacent to the locking contour. The retaining leg can taper from the bend towards the contact leg, with a front edge forming the locking contour at the transition between the side edge of the retaining leg and the widened section of the bend projecting laterally.

[0023] An actuating mechanism allows the clamping arm to be moved into the open position by manual operation, against the spring force of the clamping spring. In this open position, the clamping arm can then be held by the retaining element, even without further manual operation of the actuating mechanism, so that the electrical conductor can be inserted at any time without requiring any special effort.

[0024] The retaining element can, for example, act directly on the clamping leg to hold it in the open position. Thus, for instance, a first locking element can be arranged on the clamping leg and a second locking element on the retaining element, with the first and second locking elements being able to interlock in the open position. The first locking element can be designed as a locking projection or locking hook. The second locking element can be designed as a locking edge or locking opening.

[0025] The retaining element can be a separate component, which is attached, for example, to an insulating housing of a conductor terminal, to the busbar or to another component.

[0026] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the retaining element is formed in one piece from the material of the clamping spring. This has the advantage that the retaining element can be produced directly during the form-bending process of the clamping spring. Separate assembly of the retaining element is therefore unnecessary.

[0027] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the spring-loaded clamp connection has a release element with a release section by which the clamping leg, held in the open position on the retaining element, can be released from the retaining element when an electrical conductor to be connected exerts an actuating force on the release section. This allows the clamping leg to be automatically released from the retaining element by inserting the electrical conductor. The release section can be actuated by a separate tool, a component of the conductor connection terminal, such as an actuating element, or directly by the inserted electrical conductor itself, thereby causing the clamping leg to be released from the retaining element. By means of the release element, the clamping leg, held in the open position on the retaining element, can be released from the retaining element by applying pressure to the release section in the conductor insertion direction (L) of the electrical conductor to be connected.Depending on the design of the spring-loaded clamping connection, the release element can be designed as part of the clamping spring, e.g. as a release element formed in one piece with the clamping spring, or as a separate component.

[0028] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the retaining element is arranged on the support section, the release element, or a section of the clamping spring connecting the release section to the support section. In particular, the retaining element can be formed integrally with the support section, the release element, or a section of the clamping spring connecting the release section to the support section. In this way, no additional separate component is required. This reduces the manufacturing and assembly effort of the spring-loaded clamping connection.

[0029] A release leg can be attached to the retaining leg, for example, which extends with a release section into the plane of the conductor entry channel and is designed to be deflected by an electrical conductor inserted into the conductor entry channel for clamping to the busbar and to release the detent contour to unlock the clamping leg which is locked in the open position.

[0030] The release leg can form a tapered free end of the clamping spring.

[0031] A conductor terminal block with an insulating housing has a spring-loaded clamping connection according to the invention, which is arranged in the insulating housing. The insulating housing has a conductor entry channel that opens towards the clamping arm of the spring-loaded clamping connection.

[0032] The spring-loaded clamping connection can have a retaining element with a detent contour for locking the clamping leg in an open position offset towards the contact leg, and a release element with a release section designed to release the clamping leg from the detent contour by a release force exerted by an electrical conductor striking the release section. Advantageously, the insulating housing can have a ramp to guide the electrical conductor to the release section, the ramp being located between the line of the conductor entry channel and a connecting section of the release leg extending from a retaining leg of the retaining element to the release section. This prevents an electrical conductor from touching the section of the clamping spring with the detent contour during insertion and causing unwanted premature release.Rather, it is ensured that the electrical conductor is guided with the ramp towards the release section, so that the release is only effected by the impacting conductor when it is inserted sufficiently deep in accordance with regulations.

[0033] A release leg can be attached to the retaining leg, which extends with a release section into the plane of the conductor entry channel and is designed to be deflected by an electrical conductor inserted into the conductor entry channel for clamping to the busbar and to release the detent contour to unlock the clamping leg which is locked in the open position.

[0034] An actuating element can be movably mounted within the insulating housing and designed to apply force to the clamping arm, thereby moving the clamping arm into the furnace holding position towards the mounting arm. The actuating element can be, for example, a sliding push button or a pivoting lever. In the case of a push button, it can be arranged to be essentially linearly displaceable within a guide channel of the insulating housing.

[0035] In general, in the context of this application, the words "ein / eine" (a / an) are not to be understood as numerals, unless explicitly defined otherwise, but rather as indefinite articles meaning "at least one / an". Thus, it is conceivable that several spring-clamp terminals are arranged within the insulating housing. Spring-clamp terminals arranged one behind the other in the conductor insertion direction or side by side perpendicular to it can share a common busbar. The conductor terminal can be single-row or multi-row.

[0036] The invention is described in more detail below by way of example. The figures shown are: Fig. 1 - Perspective view of a conductor terminal block with an inserted electrical conductor; Fig. 2 - Side view of the conductor terminal block with closed clamping spring; Fig. 3 - Side view of the conductor terminal block with the clamping spring open and the electrical conductor inserted; Fig. 4 - Perspective rear view of a spring-loaded clamping connection with actuating element in closed position; Fig. 5 - Perspective rear view of a spring-loaded clamping connection with actuating element in open position and inserted electrical conductor; Fig. 6 - Perspective front view of a spring-loaded clamping connection with actuating element in closed position; Fig. 7 - Perspective front view of a spring-loaded clamping connection with actuating element in open position and inserted electrical conductor; Fig. 8 - Perspective rear view of the spring-loaded clamping connection with clamping spring in closed position; Fig. 9 - Perspective front view of the spring-loaded clamping connection with clamping spring in closed position; Fig. 10- Perspective view of the clamping spring; Fig. 11 - Side view of the clamping spring; Fig. 12 - Perspective view of the underside of the clamping spring; Fig. 13- Perspective view of a busbar for spring clamp connection; Fig. 14- Perspective view of the actuating element; Fig. 15- Perspective view of the insulating housing with ramp in a ladder collection pocket. Fig. 16- Side section view of another embodiment of the conductor terminal block with holding and release element with closed clamping spring; Fig. 17- Side view of the conductor connection terminal Fig. 16 with open, locked clamping spring and inserted electrical conductor; Fig. 18- Perspective view of the clamping spring of the conductor connection terminal Fig. 16 in closed position; Fig. 19- Perspective view of the clamping spring of the conductor terminal block Fig. 16 in open position.

[0037] The Fig. Figure 1 shows a conductor terminal 1 designed for connecting an electrical conductor 9. The conductor terminal 1 has an insulating housing 2 in which a spring-loaded clamping connection is arranged. The spring-loaded clamping connection has a busbar 3 and a clamping spring 4. A conductor entry opening 20 is formed in the insulating housing 2, into which an electrical conductor 9 can be inserted in the conductor entry direction L into the insulating housing 2. A conductor entry channel 25 extends from the conductor entry opening 20 into the interior of the insulating housing 2 and serves to guide the electrical conductor 9 to the clamping point. The conductor entry channel 25 opens into a conductor collection pocket 22 in the insulating housing 2, in which the free end of the electrical conductor 9 to be connected can be placed.

[0038] Furthermore, the insulating housing 2 has an actuating channel 21 in which an actuating element 7 for actuating the clamping spring 4 is arranged. The actuating element 7 has a spring actuating section 72 by which the clamping spring 4 is deflected when actuated manually.

[0039] The Fig. Figure 2 shows the conductor connection terminal 1 with further details. It can be seen that the busbar 3 has a main section 30 in which a conductor insertion opening 32 is provided, e.g., a slot-shaped opening. A contact section 31 branches off from the main section 30 in the form of a material tab bent from the main section 30, which extends through the conductor insertion opening 32. The electrical conductor 9 can be passed through this conductor insertion opening 32 to be clamped on the contact section 31.

[0040] The clamping spring 4 has a contact leg 41, a main spring arc 42 adjoining the contact leg 41 and a clamping leg 43 adjoining the main spring arc 42, which transitions to a clamping tongue 45 at the free end, at the free end of which a clamping edge 46 is formed, which serves to clamp the electrical conductor to the contact section 31.

[0041] A further spring arc branches off from the mounting leg 41; this is an additional spring arc 44, which is formed in one piece from the material of the clamping spring 4. The additional spring arc 44 is more strongly curved than the main spring arc 42, i.e., it has a smaller radius of curvature. The additional spring arc 44 also branches off from the mounting leg 41 before the main spring arc 42 and thus extends, viewed in the conductor insertion direction L of the electrical conductor into the conductor terminal 1, below the main spring arc 42, i.e., at a greater distance from the conductor insertion opening 20 than the main spring arc 42. The additional spring arc 44 is formed from material sections cut laterally from the material of the clamping spring.

[0042] At these detached material sections, a concave section 48 adjoins the additional spring arc 44. This concave section is curved in the opposite direction of bending to the convexly bent additional spring arc 44. Towards its free end, the concave section 48 transitions into a support section 49, which bears against the underside of the clamping leg 43 with a certain spring preload force. This support section rests against the side of the clamping leg 43 facing the support section 41 and away from the conductor entry opening 20. In this way, the additional spring arc 44 provides additional spring force to support the clamping leg 43, thus increasing the overall spring force of the clamping spring 4.

[0043] The clamping spring 4 is supported and braced with its mounting leg 41 on the busbar 3, e.g. by the mounting leg 41 extending into the conductor through-hole 32 with a projecting section 40.

[0044] It is further evident that the actuating element 7 has an actuating surface 70 designed for manual actuation, which faces the outside of the insulating housing 2 and is subjected to a compressive force for actuation. The actuating surface 70 is part of a main body 71 of the actuating element 7. From the main body 71, the actuating element 7 extends in a fork-like manner over spring actuating sections 72 towards the clamping leg 43, the clamping leg 43 running at least partially between the fork-like spring actuating sections 72.

[0045] The Fig. Figure 2 shows the conductor terminal 1 in the unactuated state, i.e., the actuating element 7 is not actuated. Accordingly, with no electrical conductor 9 inserted, the clamping edge 46 is located at or at least near the contact section 31.

[0046] The Fig. Figure 3 shows the conductor terminal 1 with the actuating element 7 pressed. The actuating element 7 has now been moved further downwards into the insulating housing 2 by a pressure force exerted on the actuating surface 70. This causes the clamping leg 43 to be deflected by the spring actuating sections 72, so that the clamping edge 46 is moved away from the contact section 31. In this state, an electrical conductor 9 can be inserted into the clamping point or removed from the conductor terminal 1 without any effort. When the actuating force on the actuating element 7 is released, the clamping spring 4 or the clamping leg 43 springs back until the clamping edge 46 reaches the electrical conductor 9 and presses against the contact section 31. The electrical conductor 9 is then clamped at the clamping point between the clamping leg 43 and the contact section 31.

[0047] The Fig. Figure 4 shows the conductor terminal 1 without the insulating housing 2 in the unactuated state of the actuating element 7. It can be seen that the actuating element 7 has a fixing element 73 on both spring actuating sections 72 or only on one spring actuating section 72, e.g. in the form of an outwardly projecting barb-like projection, which prevents the actuating element 7 from falling out of the insulating housing 2 after installation.

[0048] It is further evident that the clamping spring 4 extends through a gap formed between the spring actuation sections 72, together with the main spring arc 42 and the adjoining section of the clamping arm 43. Laterally projecting force-absorbing lugs 51 are also formed on the clamping arm 43. These force-absorbing lugs 51 serve, on the one hand, to absorb the actuating force from the spring actuation sections 72 of the actuating element 7 on one side. On the opposite side, the force-absorbing lugs 51 are subjected to a counterforce via the support section 49 of the auxiliary spring arc 44.

[0049] It is also evident that the leg 41 of the system is tapered with its section 40 projecting into the conductor through-hole 32 and is supported on the conductor rail 3 by bearing sections 52, which form the transition of the tapering to the wider section extending towards the main spring arch 42 and project laterally from the tapered section.

[0050] The Fig. 5 shows the arrangement according to Fig. 4 with actuating element 7 engaged and electrical conductor 9 inserted, comparable to Fig. 3. The Fig. Figure 6 shows the arrangement according to Fig. 4 from a different perspective. The Fig. Figure 7 shows the arrangement according to Fig. 5 in the same direction of view as the Fig. 6.

[0051] The Fig. Figure 8 shows the busbar 3 with the clamping spring 4 in a view comparable to the Fig. 4, i.e., without the actuating element 7. The Fig. Figure 9 shows the busbar 3 and the clamping spring 4 in a position aligned with the Fig. 6 comparable view, i.e. without the actuating element 7.

[0052] The Fig. 10, Fig. 11 to Fig. Figure 12 shows the clamping spring 4 in various views, from which the elements already described are evident. It is particularly noticeable that the contact leg 41 transitions towards its free end into the narrower projecting section 40, by reducing the material width of the contact leg 41 to such an extent that the contact leg 41 with the section 40 can be inserted into the conductor through-hole 32 of the busbar 3 and can be supported on the main section 30 of the busbar 3 by the bearing sections 52 resulting in the transition from the narrower projecting section 40 to the wider area of ​​the contact leg 41.

[0053] The Fig. Figure 13 shows the busbar 3 as a single component. It can be seen that the conductor through-hole 32 is slightly wider in the area of ​​the contact section 31 than in an end area that serves as a spring receptacle 33 for receiving the protruding section 40 of the clamping spring 4. The wider area of ​​the slot-shaped opening serves as the conductor through-hole 32 for inserting the electrical conductor 9.

[0054] The Fig. Figure 14 shows an actuating element 7 with the elements already explained.

[0055] The Fig. Figure 15 shows an insulating housing 2 with the elements already described. It can also be seen that in the insulating housing 2, in the area of ​​the conductor collection pocket 22, where the free end of the electrical conductor 9 to be connected can be placed, a conductor guide element 23 can be arranged. This guide element has a ramp 24 that is inclined to the conductor insertion direction L and forms a kind of funnel-shaped guide for the electrical conductor 9 in this area of ​​the conductor collection pocket 22. The inserted electrical conductor 9 is guided by the ramp 24 to a desired, central position in the conductor collection pocket 22.

[0056] Based on the Fig. 16, Fig. 17, Fig. 18 to Fig. Reference 19 describes a further embodiment of a conductor connection terminal 1, which has a function for automatically holding the terminal leg 43 open and for automatically releasing the terminal leg when the electrical conductor 9 is inserted. Fig. Figure 16 initially shows the conductor connection terminal in a view comparable to the Fig. 2, i.e., in the unactuated state of the actuating element 7. It can be seen that the clamping spring 4 does not end with the projecting section 40 in the area of ​​the contact leg 41, but is extended and has an integrally formed retaining element 5 in this area. From the retaining element 5, the clamping spring then transitions integrally into a release element 8, at the free end of which a release section 80 is formed. In the area of ​​the clamping leg 43, the clamping spring 4 also has at least one first detent element 47, which can interact with a second detent element 50, which is located in the Fig. 18 and Fig. 19 is recognizable.

[0057] If the clamping arm 43 is deflected by means of the actuating element 7, as shown in Fig. As shown in Figure 17, the clamping arm 43, in this actuated open position, engages with its first locking element 47 on the second locking element 50 of the retaining element 5 and remains in this open position due to the locking action. When the electrical conductor 9 is now inserted into the conductor connection terminal 1, this insertion process, by exerting a pressure force from the free end of the electrical conductor 9 on the release section 80, releases the locking action between the first locking element 47 and the second locking element 50, for example, by deflecting the release section 80 together with the retaining element 5 slightly downwards, i.e., in the conductor insertion direction L. By releasing the locking action, the clamping arm 43 can spring back out and then clamps the electrical conductor 9 firmly to the busbar 3.

[0058] The Fig. Figure 18 shows the clamping spring 4 according to the diagram. Fig. 16 and Fig. 17. The embodiment described in the relaxed state or in the clamped position. Fig. Figure 19 shows the clamping spring 4 in the latched open position. It can be seen that the first locking elements 47 project laterally from the clamping leg 43. Between the locking elements 47, the clamping tongue 45 of the clamping leg 43 extends further to the clamping edge 46. The retaining element 5 is designed as a comparatively narrow section of material, through which the section 40 of the contact leg 41 is extended. Near a transition to the release section 80, the material width of the retaining element 5 increases on both sides, so that a second locking element 50 is formed by the shoulders created thereby. As the Fig. Figure 19 shows that, in the actuated state of the conductor connection terminal, a respective first locking element 47 can lock onto a second locking element 50. Reference symbol list: 1 conductor connection terminal 2 insulating housings 3 Power rail 4 clamping springs 5 retaining element 7 Actuating element 8 Solvent element 9 electrical conductors 20 conductor entry openings 21 Actuation channel 22 Ladder collection bag 23 Ladder guide element 24 Ramp 25 conductor entry channel 30 Main Section 31 Contact section 32 Conductor through-hole 33 Spring mount 40 projecting section 41 Attachment legs 42 Main Feather Bow 43 clamping legs 44 Additional feather bows 45 clamping tongue 46 clamping edge 47 first locking element 48 concave section 49 Support section 50 second locking element 51 Force absorption tab 70 operating area 71 Main body 72 Spring actuation section 73 Fixing element 80 Solution section L conductor insertion direction QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

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

[0000] DE 20 2011 102 996 U1

[0003] DE 10 2015 107 055 B3

[0004]

Claims

[1] Spring-loaded clamping connection for clamping electrical conductors (9) with a clamping spring (4) having a contact leg (41), a clamping leg (43) with a clamping edge (46) for clamping an electrical conductor (9) and a main spring arc (42) connecting the contact leg (41) to the clamping leg (43), characterized by , that the clamping spring (4) has, in addition to the main spring arc (42), an additional spring arc (44) which is formed in one piece from the material of the clamping spring (4) and extends from the contact leg (41) to the clamping leg (43), wherein the additional spring arc (44) rests with a free end on the side of the clamping leg (43) facing the contact leg (41). [2] Spring clamp connection according to claim 1, characterized by , that the additional spring bow (44) has a curvature that differs from the curvature of the main spring bow (42). [3] Spring clamp connection according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by , that the additional spring arc (44) is arranged at a different distance to the clamping edge (46) than the main spring arc (42). [4] Spring clamp connection according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by , that the additional spring bow (44) is arranged offset in the width direction next to the main spring bow (42). [5] Spring clamp connection according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the additional spring arc (44) is formed from a pair of spring arcs extending from the opposite edge regions of the mounting leg (41) and engaging force-absorbing tabs (51) projecting from both sides of the clamping leg (43). [6] Spring clamp connection according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by, that the spring-loaded clamp connection has a busbar (3), wherein the clamping spring (4) is mounted with its contact leg (41) on the busbar (3) and the busbar (3) has a contact section (31) which together with the clamping edge (46) of the clamping leg (43) forms a clamping point for clamping the electrical conductor (9). [7] Spring clamp connection according to claim 6, characterized by , that the busbar (3) has a conductor through-hole (32), wherein the clamping spring (4) with its clamping leg (43) dips into the conductor through-hole (32). [8] Spring clamp connection according to claim 6 or 7, characterized by , that the clamping spring (4) is mounted with its support leg (41) on an end wall limiting the conductor through-hole (32). [9] Spring clamp connection according to claim 8, characterized by, that the mounting leg (41) is tapered with its section (40) projecting into the conductor through-hole (32) and is supported on the conductor rail (3) with bearing sections (52) that form the transition of the tapering to the wider section extending towards the main spring arch (42) and project laterally from the tapered section. [10] Spring clamp connection according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the spring-loaded clamping connection has a retaining element (5) with a detent contour (50) for detenting the clamping leg (43) in an open holding position shifted towards the contact leg (41). [11] Spring clamp connection according to claim 10, characterized by , that the locking contour (50) is formed by a retaining flap projecting from the retaining element (5) or by an end edge on the retaining element (5). [12] Spring clamp connection according to claim 10 or 11, characterized by, that the retaining element (5) is formed integrally with the clamping spring (4) and connects to the mounting leg (41) with a retaining leg, wherein the retaining leg is bent away from the clamping leg (43) below the conductor rail (3) on the underside of the conductor rail (3) facing away from the main spring arc (42) of the clamping spring (4). [13] Spring clamp connection according to claim 12, characterized by , that the retaining leg is bent away from the clamping leg (43) adjacent to the locking contour and the retaining leg is tapered from the bend to the contact leg (41), with an end edge in the transition of the side edge of the retaining leg to the laterally projecting widened section of the bend forming the locking contour (50). [14] Spring clamp connection according to claim 13, characterized by, that on both sides at opposite side edge edges of the tapered section of the retaining leg, widened sections of the bend project laterally in the transition of the respective side edge of the retaining leg and form a locking contour with their end edges. [15] Spring clamp connection according to one of claims 12 to 14, characterized by , that a release leg is connected to the retaining leg, which extends with a release section into the plane of the conductor entry channel and is designed to be deflected by an electrical conductor (9) inserted into the conductor entry channel for clamping to the busbar (3) and to release the detent contour to unlatch the clamping leg (43) which is latched in the open position. [16] Spring clamp connection according to claim 15, characterized by , that the release leg forms a tapered free end of the clamping spring (4). [17] Spring clamp connection according to one of claims 10 to 15, characterized by , that the locking contour of the retaining element (5) is a locking edge and that a locking tab (47) projects from the clamping leg (43) towards the retaining leg and is designed to lock onto the locking contour (50) in the open position of the clamping leg (43). [18] Conductor terminal (1) with an insulating housing (2), with a spring clamp connection according to one of the preceding claims in the insulating housing (2) and with a conductor entry channel which opens towards the clamping leg (43) of the spring clamp connection. [19] Conductor terminal according to claim 18, characterized by, that the spring-loaded clamping connection has a retaining element (5) with a detent contour (50) for detenting the clamping leg (43) in an open position shifted towards the contact leg (41) and a release element (8) with a release section (80) which is designed to release the clamping leg (43) from the detent contour (50) by a release force which can be exerted by an electrical conductor (9) impacting the release section (80), wherein the insulating housing (2) has a ramp (24) for guiding the electrical conductor (9) to the release section (80), and wherein the ramp (24) is arranged between the alignment of the conductor entry channel and a connecting section of the release leg extending from a retaining leg of the retaining element (5) to the release section (80). [20] Conductor terminal according to claim 19, characterized by, that a release leg is connected to the retaining leg, which extends with a release section (80) into the plane of the conductor entry channel and is designed to be deflected by an electrical conductor (9) inserted into the conductor entry channel for clamping to the busbar (3) and to release the detent contour (50) to release the clamping leg (43) which is locked in the open position. [21] Conductor terminal according to one of claims 18 to 20, characterized by by an actuating element (7) which is movably mounted in the insulating housing (2) and is designed to apply force to the clamping leg (43) to displace the clamping leg (43) into the open position in the direction of the mounting leg (41).

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