conductor connection terminal

Abstract

conductor terminal (1) with an insulating housing having a conductor entry channel, a busbar (2) and a clamping spring (3), wherein - the clamping spring (3) has a clamping leg (4) and a functional leg (5) with a support section (6) for supporting the clamping spring (3) on the busbar (2), - the clamping leg (4) with the busbar (2) forms a clamping point (7) for an electrical conductor that can be inserted through the conductor entry channel into the conductor connection terminal (1) in a predetermined conductor entry direction (L), - the clamping leg (4) can be moved between an open position (O) and a closed position (S) to open and close the clamping point (7), - the conductor terminal (1) is arranged to automatically move the clamping leg (4) into the closed position (S) when the electrical conductor is inserted into the conductor terminal (1), characterized in that the functional leg (5) has a holding section (8) for holding the clamping leg (4) in the open position (O) and a release section (9) for releasing the clamping leg (4) held in the open position (O) and that the busbar (2) defines a passage area (10) through which the clamping leg (4) and the functional leg (5) of the clamping spring (3) are passed and through which the electrical conductor in the open position (O) of the clamping leg (4) can be passed in the direction of the release section (9).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a conductor terminal block with an insulating housing having a conductor entry channel, a busbar, and a clamping spring. The clamping spring has a clamping leg and a functional leg with a support section for supporting the clamping spring against the busbar. The clamping leg and the busbar form a clamping point for an electrical conductor that can be inserted into the conductor terminal block through the conductor entry channel in a predetermined conductor insertion direction. The clamping leg is movable between an open position and a closed position for opening and closing the clamping point. The conductor terminal block is designed to automatically move the clamping leg into the closed position when the electrical conductor is inserted into the terminal block.

[0002] Such conductor connection terminals are well-known in practice. These terminals feature automatic connection of the electrical conductor when it is inserted. For this purpose, the terminal can be designed to temporarily hold the clamping arm of the spring in the open position. By inserting the conductor, a release mechanism automatically unlocks the clamping arm, closing it and clamping the conductor securely. This allows for a simple and convenient connection of an electrical conductor using the terminal, a process also known as force-free connection.

[0003] For versatile use of such conductor terminals, especially in confined installation environments, and with a view to optimized manufacturing, it is desirable to design such conductor terminals to be as compact as possible and with a small number of components.

[0004] Against this background, the invention is based on the objective of creating an improved conductor terminal with a reliably effective automatic conductor connection in a compact design of the conductor terminal.

[0005] The problem is solved by a conductor terminal block having the features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments are described in the dependent claims, the description, and the figures.

[0006] It is proposed that the functional leg has a holding section for keeping the clamping leg in the open position and a release section for releasing the clamping leg held in the open position, and that the busbar at least partially delimits a passage area through which the clamping leg and the functional leg of the clamping spring are passed and through which the electrical conductor can be passed in the direction of the release section in the open position of the clamping leg.

[0007] In simplified terms, the passage area of ​​the busbar, which can be a through-opening, creates a portal with a mechanical support and guidance function for the clamping spring and an electrical conductor, with the functional leg of the clamping spring having a holding and release function to hold and release the clamping leg.

[0008] The proposed conductor connection terminal is characterized by a particularly compact design with few components and ensures a reliably effective automatic conductor connection. The components already intended for connecting the electrical conductor, namely the clamping spring and the busbar, are designed in such a way that no additional component is required to implement the automatic connection function. This allows for minimal installation space for the conductor connection terminal components and a compact overall design. The integrated busbar opening for holding and guiding the clamping spring and the electrical conductor allows for a significant reduction in the dimensions of the busbar and the clamping spring, particularly in the direction of conductor entry, compared to similar known conductor connection concepts.This is particularly successful if the passage area is designed as a recess forming a passage opening in the busbar.

[0009] The insulating housing of the conductor terminal, made of a plastic material for example, accommodates the busbar and the clamping spring, i.e. the spring contact connection element of the conductor terminal, and protects the spring contact connection element from environmental influences and contact.

[0010] The conductor entry channel can form an insertion channel leading to the clamping point of the conductor connection terminal, for example at least partially cylindrical or funnel-shaped, into which an end section of an electrical conductor can be inserted into the insulating housing in the specified conductor entry direction and removed from the insulating housing in the opposite direction to the conductor entry direction.

[0011] The busbar, also called contact piece or current bar, can be a largely rigid electrical conductor, for example, formed by a metal strip. For a compact design or to create functional sections, the busbar can have several bends or angles. The busbar can have a clamping edge or surface against which an electrical conductor inserted into the terminal block can be clamped.

[0012] The clamping spring of the conductor connection terminal can be an elastically springy, predominantly flat component. The clamping spring has a functional leg with a support section for bracing the clamping spring against the busbar and a clamping leg for clamping the conductor to the busbar.

[0013] A spring-loaded arc can be arranged between the functional arm and the clamping arm to deflect the clamping spring. The clamping arm, with its defined clamping edge, can form a clamping point on the busbar's clamping surface for connecting the electrical conductor to the busbar. The conductor is clamped to the busbar by the clamping edge using the spring force of the clamping spring, thus ensuring reliable electrical contact. The clamping arm is movable between an open and a closed position for opening and closing the clamping point. In the open position, the clamping edge of the clamping arm is spaced away from the busbar and any inserted electrical conductor, allowing the clamping point to be opened and the conductor to be inserted into the conductor terminal and positioned within or removed from the clamping point.In the closed position of the clamping leg, the clamping edge is shifted onto the busbar and the inserted electrical conductor and exerts a clamping force on the electrical conductor in the direction of the busbar, so that an electrical contact is made between the conductor and the busbar.

[0014] To achieve automatic conductor connection, the conductor terminal is designed for the clamping arm to automatically move from the open position to the closed position when the electrical conductor is inserted. For this purpose, the terminal has a release mechanism that can be actuated by the inserted conductor. This mechanism releases the clamping arm from its open position, allowing it to move automatically into the closed position under spring force. The clamping arm can also be manually resettable, allowing it to be returned to the open position after being moved into the closed position by manual actuation. Manual actuation can be non-automatic, using a separate actuating tool and / or an actuating element within the terminal itself.

[0015] According to the invention, the functional leg has a holding section for keeping the clamping leg in the open position and a release section for releasing the clamping leg held in the open position. The support section, the holding section, and the release section can form integral functional areas of the functional leg. The holding section can be configured for mechanical interaction with the clamping leg and can be positioned and oriented such that a temporary fixation of the clamping leg to the holding section is accompanied by holding the clamping leg in its open position, thus ensuring sufficient space for the insertion of an electrical conductor.The release section can be designed in such a way that mechanical contact of the release section by an inserted electrical conductor leads to a displacement of the functional leg, which causes a cancellation of the mechanical interaction between the holding section and the clamping leg.

[0016] The busbar has a passage through which the clamping arm and the functional arm of the clamping spring are routed, and through which the electrical conductor can be guided in the direction of the release section when the clamping arm is in the open position. The busbar can therefore form a busbar frame in sections, which defines the passage and against which the clamping arm and the functional arm of the clamping spring can be supported. The busbar frame can extend in a main plane that is essentially perpendicular to the conductor insertion direction. An electrical conductor guided through the passage opening is reliably guided by the busbar frame towards the release section. The busbar frame can also have a clamping surface that defines the passage, on which the clamping point can be formed by the clamping edge of the clamping arm.In other words, the electrical conductor can be clamped by the clamping leg against a frame section of the busbar frame.

[0017] The busbar can have a fixing element in a fixing section that defines the passage area, for securing the support section of the functional leg to the busbar. This allows the clamping spring to be securely mechanically fixed to the busbar and reliably prevented from shifting along the conductor entry direction, for example, by an electrical conductor being inserted into or removed from the conductor terminal. By arranging the fixing section in the passage area, the holding and guiding function for the clamping spring achieved with the portal-like busbar frame can be effectively supplemented by a stable fixing function.

[0018] The fixing element can interact mechanically with the support section in such a way that at least one degree of freedom of the support section is blocked in this area. For example, the fixing element can rest against the support section by force and / or form locking, or it can grip the support section. The fixing element is particularly integral to the busbar and can, for example, project from the busbar frame.

[0019] The fixing element can be a fixing projection that engages in a recess of the support section. This ensures a secure hold of the functional leg on the busbar with reliable restriction of the functional leg's degrees of freedom. Furthermore, the engagement of the fixing projection in a correspondingly provided recess of the support section is easily achieved during the installation of the conductor connection terminal.

[0020] The fixing projection and the recess can be coordinated and dimensioned in such a way that the fixing projection and a wall of the functional leg that limits the recess lie against each other laterally in a flat surface, in order to minimize play of the fixing projection in the recess.

[0021] The fixing projection can be designed as a material tongue bent from the busbar. The recess can be designed, in particular, as a through-hole and, for example, shaped like a rectangular window opening. The fixing projection can extend from a side of the functional leg facing away from the clamping leg into the recess of the support section or extend through the recess.

[0022] The clamping point can be formed by a crossbar of the busbar that defines the passage area and a clamping edge of the clamping leg. An electrical conductor passing through the passage area can thus be reliably and precisely clamped to the busbar. This also creates a compact conductor connection mechanism. The crossbar can be formed by a frame section of the busbar frame. If the busbar has a fixing section with a fixing element that defines the passage area, the crossbar can extend along an edge of the passage area opposite the fixing section, such as a passage opening.

[0023] The holding section and the release section can extend at an angle, in particular essentially perpendicular to the conductor insertion direction, and be separated from each other by a connecting section. In other words, with a horizontal conductor insertion direction, the holding section and the release section can extend essentially vertically within the conductor terminal. The holding section is thus favorably oriented to securely hold the clamping leg in the open position. Due to its vertical orientation, the release section has a large contact area that can be reliably struck and easily displaced by the conductor end of an inserted electrical conductor. With a horizontal conductor insertion direction, the holding section and the release section can be connected to each other by a horizontal connecting section.Starting from the spring arch, the functional leg can successively comprise the support section, the holding section, the connecting section, and the release section. The release section can terminate with a free end of the functional leg.

[0024] The holding section can have a holding contour that interacts with a counter contour of the clamping arm to hold the clamping arm in the open position. This allows a holding function to be implemented on the holding section in a simple and defined manner. The interaction of the holding contour with the counter contour can be understood as a mechanical interaction, in which the holding contour and the counter contour can, for example, interlock, support each other, and / or latch onto each other. The interaction is designed such that the holding contour and the counter contour are movable relative to each other with at least one degree of freedom, so that the interaction can be easily released by displacing the holding contour together with the holding section using an inserted electrical conductor that moves the functional arm, at least partially, over the release section.

[0025] The retaining contour can be designed as a stepped shoulder on the functional leg. The retaining contour on the functional leg can therefore have a recessed profile relative to the outer contour of the retaining section. The counter contour of the clamping leg can reliably rest against and be held against the spring force of the clamping spring acting on the clamping leg at the step thus formed.

[0026] The counter contour can be designed as a retaining tab bent from the clamping leg. This allows for the simple and efficient creation of a counter contour that requires little installation space and is easy to manufacture. The retaining tab can be freestanding from the clamping leg and bent towards the holding section of the functional leg.

[0027] The release section can have an impact surface facing the passage area and be configured to be displaced when a conductor end of the electrical conductor strikes this surface, thereby releasing the clamping leg held in the open position by the retaining section. The release section can be displaceable between a holding position and a release position. In the holding position, the clamping leg is held by the retaining section, while in the release position, the mechanical interaction between the clamping leg and the retaining section is released, and the clamping leg automatically moves into its closed position. The release section can be inclined in the holding position towards the conductor entry channel, thus facilitating its movement into the release position when a conductor end strikes it.

[0028] The conductor terminal can have an actuating element for returning the clamping arm to the open position. An actuating element allows for convenient return of the clamping arm to its open position. Depending on the design, the actuating element can be a translationally movable actuating element, such as a push button, or a rotationally movable actuating element, such as a pivot lever.

[0029] The actuator may have an externally accessible operating section. This section may include a tool holder for easier operation. Depending on the position of the actuator, the operating section may protrude from the insulating housing to varying degrees and / or be positioned along the insulating housing in different ways, so that it is clear from the operating section whether the clamping arm is in the open or closed position.

[0030] The actuating element can be designed as a push button. This allows for a compact actuating mechanism with a direct actuation path. The push button is a predominantly translationally movable actuating element. The push button's position relative to the insulating housing can serve as a distinguishing feature, indicating whether the clamping arm is in the open or closed position.

[0031] The actuating element can be designed as a fork-type actuator. This allows high and evenly distributed restoring forces to be applied to the clamping arm with minimal installation space. Extending from the operating section, the fork-type actuator can have two parallel, spaced-apart arms. An electrical conductor can be routed between the arms to or from the clamping point. The arms can extend past the conductor on both sides towards the clamping arm and be movable together with it.

[0032] The clamping arm can have an actuating surface projecting laterally from it. This allows for a targeted force application surface to move the clamping arm into the open position. The lateral positioning of the actuating surface facilitates movement of the clamping arm. The actuating surface can represent a locally limited widening of the clamping arm, resulting in material savings compared to a wider clamping spring overall. The actuating surface can be formed, for example, on a laterally projecting rib or tab. In particular, the clamping arm can have two actuating surfaces projecting from opposite sides, enabling a more uniform force application.

[0033] The busbar can run parallel to the support section, the holding section, and / or the connecting section of the functional arm in certain sections. A compact design can be achieved by aligning the busbar parallel to these sections of the functional arm.

[0034] The busbar can have a bending profile that matches the functional leg in certain sections. This achieves further space savings, contributing to a more compact design of the conductor connection terminal. As described above, the functional leg can be bent or angled multiple times to create, for example, a vertical holding and / or release section with an intermediate horizontal connecting section. The bending profile of the busbar can be adapted to such a transition between vertical and horizontal sections. The bending profile of the busbar can, for example, be S-shaped. A section of the busbar with a bending profile that matches the functional leg can, for example, be a solid section constructed from the busbar frame, which can connect, in particular, to the fixing section of the busbar.

[0035] Alternatively, the busbar can have a base plate, a side wall projecting from it, and a crossbar projecting from the side wall opposite the base plate, whereby the passage area is limited by the side wall and the crossbar and may be partially open at the sides. This forms a passage channel in which an electrical conductor can be routed through the busbar to the impact surface.

[0036] A fixing element can project from the base plate towards the crossbar.

[0037] 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".

[0038] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to an exemplary embodiment and the accompanying drawings. These show, in schematic form: Fig. 1 - a conductor terminal according to an embodiment with open clamping point in a side view with the insulating housing hidden; Fig. 2 - the in Fig. 1 shown conductor connection terminal with closed clamping point; Fig. 3 - a perspective representation of the in Fig. 1 shown conductor connection terminal with open clamping point; Fig. 4 - the in Fig. 3 shown conductor connection terminal with the actuating element hidden; Fig. 5 - an isolated perspective view of a clamping spring of the conductor terminal according to the Fig. 1, Fig. 2, Fig. 3 to Fig. 4 in the open position; Fig. 6 - an isolated perspective view of a busbar of the conductor connection terminal according to the Fig. 1, Fig. 2, Fig. 3 to Fig. 4; Fig. 7 - an isolated perspective view of an actuating element of the conductor terminal according to the Fig. 1, Fig. 2 to Fig. 3; Fig. 8 - a conductor terminal according to another embodiment with open clamping point in a side view with the insulating housing hidden; Fig. 9 - the in Fig. 8 shown conductor connection terminal in side section view with closed clamping point; Fig. 10 - a perspective representation of the in Fig. 8 shown conductor connection terminal with open clamping point; Fig. 11 - the in Fig. 10. The conductor connection terminal shown is located with the actuating element hidden; Fig. 12 - an isolated perspective view of a busbar of the conductor connection terminal according to the Fig. 8, Fig. 9, Fig. 10 to Fig. 11.

[0039] The Fig. 1 and Fig. Figure 2 shows a conductor terminal 1 with an automatic conductor connection according to an exemplary embodiment. The conductor terminal 1 is shown with one open and one closed clamping point 7. Further details of the described embodiment can be found in the perspective views of the conductor terminal 1 in the following. Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 as well as the individual illustrations of the clamping spring 3, the busbar 2 and the actuating element 20 in the Fig. 5, Fig. 6 to Fig. 7 can be taken from.

[0040] The conductor terminal 1 has an insulating housing (not shown in detail) with a conductor entry channel, a busbar 2, and a clamping spring 3. The clamping spring 3 has a clamping leg 4 and a functional leg 5, which are connected to each other via a spring arc 23. The functional leg 5 has a support section 6 for supporting the clamping spring 3 against the busbar 2. The clamping leg 4, together with the busbar 2, forms a clamping point 7 for an electrical conductor (not shown in detail in the figures) that can be inserted into the conductor terminal 1 through the conductor entry channel in a predetermined conductor entry direction L. The clamping leg 4 is located between a Fig. 1 shown opening O and one in Fig. The clamping point 7 can be moved to the closing position S shown in section 2 for opening and closing.

[0041] The conductor terminal 1 is designed for the automatic movement of the clamping leg 4 into the closed position S when the electrical conductor is inserted into the conductor terminal 1. For this purpose, the functional leg 5 has a holding section 8 for holding the clamping leg 4 in the open position O and a release section 9 for releasing the clamping leg 4 held in the open position O. The support section 6, the holding section 8, and the release section 9 form integral components of the functional leg 5. The holding section 8 and the release section 9 extend essentially perpendicular to the conductor insertion direction L and are spaced apart from each other and connected to each other by an essentially horizontal connecting section 16.The retaining section 8 has a retaining contour 17 designed as a stepped shoulder of the functional leg 5, which is configured for mechanical interaction with a counter contour 18 of the clamping leg 4 to hold the clamping leg 4 in the open position O. The counter contour 18 is designed as a retaining tab that is freestanding and bent from the clamping leg 4. The release section 9 has an impact surface 19 pointing towards the passage area 10 and is designed to be displaced when a conductor end of the electrical conductor inserted into the conductor connection terminal 1 strikes the impact surface 19. This displacement releases the mechanical interaction between the retaining contour 17 and the counter contour 18, and the clamping leg 4 is released for automatic, spring-force-induced displacement into the closed position S.

[0042] The power rail 2 has a particularly in the Fig. 3 and Fig. The visible passage area 10 is in the form of a through-opening through which the clamping leg 4 and the functional leg 5 of the clamping spring 3 are guided, and through which the electrical conductor can be guided in the open position O of the clamping leg 4 towards the release section 9, thus providing a compact conductor connection mechanism. The busbar 2 can assume a holding and guiding function for the clamping spring 3 and the electrical conductor in the area of ​​the passage area 10, so that the automatic conductor connection can be reliably established. The clamping point 7 is formed by a transverse web 14 of the busbar 2, which delimits the passage area 10, and a clamping edge 15 of the clamping leg 4, so that a defined conductor connection can be established. The transverse web 14 can have a clamping surface delimiting the passage area 10, against which the electrical conductor can be clamped.In the open position O of the clamping leg 4, the clamping edge 15 is as shown in . Fig. 1 is visibly spaced from the crossbar 14 and in the closed position S of the clamping leg 4 the clamping edge 15 is as shown in Fig. 2 is evidently shifted to the crossbar 14.

[0043] For example, in the Fig. 1 and Fig. As can be seen in Figure 2, the busbar 2 has an integral fixing element 12 within a fixing section 11 that limits the passage area 10. This fixing element 12 secures the support section 6 of the functional leg 5 to the busbar 2. The fixing element 12 can optionally be designed as a fixing projection, as shown, which engages in a recess 13 of the support section 6. The fixing element 12 secures the functional leg 5 to the busbar 2 and prevents unintentional displacement, at least along the conductor entry direction L. The width of the functional leg 5 can be adapted to the width of the passage area 10, thus providing a further mechanism to prevent lateral displacement of the clamping spring 3 perpendicular to the conductor entry direction L.

[0044] For example, in the Fig. 1, Fig. 2 to Fig. As can be seen in Figure 3, the conductor terminal 1 has an actuating element 20 for convenient manual resetting of the clamping arm 4 to the open position O. The actuating element 20 can be designed as a translationally movable push button, in this case as a fork push button. Other kinematic designs are equally feasible. With a fork push button, high and evenly distributed restoring forces can be introduced into the clamping arm 4 while requiring little installation space. The fork push button has two Fig. 7 marked handle legs 26. In the Fig. 3 and Fig. Figure 4 shows that the clamping arm 4 has two opposing actuating surfaces 21 that project laterally from the clamping arm 4 and are designed as laterally projecting material tabs. The actuating surfaces 21 serve as mechanical contact surfaces for force transmission through the push-button arms 26 and thereby enable the clamping arm 4 to be moved into its open position O. The position of the fork-shaped push button relative to the insulating housing indicates whether the clamping arm is in the open position O or in the closed position S.

[0045] It is in the Fig. 1 and Fig. 2. It is further evident that the busbar 2 runs section by section parallel to the support section 6, the holding section 8, and the connecting section 16 of the functional leg 5. The busbar 2 has an S-shaped bend 22 that partially coincides with the functional leg 5. This allows the conductor connection terminal 1 to be optimized for a more compact design.

[0046] In Fig. Figure 5 shows the detailed design of the clamping spring 3. Starting from the spring arc 23, the clamping leg 4, shown in an open position O, extends over a first section with laterally projecting actuating surfaces 21, a second section with the projecting counter contour 18, and a third section with the clamping edge 15 to a free end of the clamping leg 4. On the other side of the spring arc 23, the functional leg 5 extends from it, comprising the support section 6, which has a recess 13 for receiving the fixing element 12 of the busbar, the retaining section 8 and the retaining contour 17 arranged thereon, the connecting section 16, and the release section 9, which has an impact surface 19 facing the conductor entry channel, to a free end of the functional leg 5.

[0047] In Fig. Figure 6 shows an exemplary embodiment of the busbar 2 in detail. It can be seen that the passage area 10 of the busbar 2 is limited by a circumferential busbar frame 24. The busbar frame 24 extends essentially perpendicular to the conductor insertion direction L. The busbar frame 24 enables the controlled routing of the electrical conductor towards the release section 9 of the clamping spring 3. A portion of the busbar frame 24, which is arranged opposite the fixing section 11, forms the transverse web 14 for the formation of the clamping point 7 with the clamping leg 4. The fixing element 12, designed as a fixing projection, is as shown in Figure 6. Fig. 6 is recognizably designed as a bent material tongue and is configured to be inserted into the recess 13 of the functional leg 5 from a side facing away from the clamping leg 4. A solid section 28 of the busbar 2, which has an S-shaped bend 22, can be connected to the busbar frame 24.

[0048] In Fig. Figure 7 shows the detailed design of the actuating element 20, which is designed as a fork-type actuator. In addition to the actuator arms 26 already mentioned, the actuating element has an operating section 25 with a tool holder 27, suitable, for example, for the tip of a screwdriver, for easier operation of the actuating element 20.

[0049] The described conductor connection terminal 1 enables a reliably effective conductor connection with a compact design. The conductor connection terminal 1 has a low component count and can therefore be easily manufactured and assembled.

[0050] The Fig. 8 and Fig. Figure 9 shows another embodiment of the conductor terminal 1 with an automatic conductor connection. The conductor terminal 1 is shown with one open and one closed clamping point 7. Further details of the described embodiment can be found in the perspective views of the conductor terminal 1 in the Fig. 10 and Fig. 11 and the detailed illustration of the busbar 2. The clamping spring 3 and the actuating element 20 correspond to the first embodiment, so that reference is made in particular to the explanations regarding Fig. 5 and Fig. 7 can be referred to.

[0051] The conductor rail 2 has a base plate 29 from which a side wall 30 is bent. Opposite the base plate 29, the side wall 30 transitions into a crossbar 14 after a bend. This crossbar can, at the end furthest from the side wall 30, also have a bend that terminates in a short side wall section 31. Thus, the passage area 10 is bounded by the base plate, the side wall 30, and the crossbar 14, and optionally also by the short side wall section 31.

[0052] Unlike the first embodiment, in which the passage area 10 is formed as a recess in the plane of the conductor rail 2, the front side edges of the side wall 30 and the crossbar 14 define the passage area in order to form a passage channel that is partially open laterally and is bounded by the side wall 30 and the crossbar 14.

[0053] The clamping spring 3 projects into the passage area 10 with its clamping leg 4 and its functional leg 5. The functional leg 5 rests on the base plate 29 and is fixed in position by a fixing element 12 projecting from the base plate 29 towards the crossbar 14.

[0054] The clamping point 7 is formed between the underside of the crossbar 14 and the clamping edge 15 of the clamping leg 4. This is particularly evident from the Fig. 9 is recognizable in the closed position S.

[0055] The crossbar 14 can have a central recess as shown, so that, as shown, a first crossbar section and a second crossbar section are arranged in the passage area 10, i.e. the passage channel, in the direction of the conductor entry L.

[0056] Fig. Figure 10 shows a perspective view of the in Fig. Figure 8 shows the conductor connection terminal 1 with the clamping point open. It can be seen that the clamping leg 4 engages with its counter contour 18 on the retaining contour 17 of the connecting section 16. It is also clear that the clamping leg 4 has actuating surfaces 21 projecting on both sides, which can be actuated by the actuating element 20.

[0057] From the Fig. 11 and Fig.Figure 12 clearly shows the clamp-like curved shape of the busbar 2. It can be seen that the fixing element 12, in the form of a retaining finger, is freestanding from the base plate 29 and projects towards the crossbar 14. The side wall 30 is integrally formed with the base plate 29 and projects laterally from the plane of the base plate 29 at a 90° angle. The side wall 30 abuts the side edge of the base plate 29. The end of the side wall 30 opposite the base plate 29 also has a 90° angle, which transitions into the crossbar 14, which is provided with a recess. This recess is optional. However, it is advantageous for clamping the electrical conductor to the side edge of the section of the crossbar 14 that adjoins the recess and is the front section in the conductor insertion direction L. This concentrates the force of the clamping spring 3 on a contact edge and increases the surface pressure.

[0058] To guide the electrical conductor, the side wall can extend further beyond the crossbar 14, at least in the upper area adjacent to it, in the conductor insertion direction L. This forms a guide wall for the electrical conductor towards the impact surface. Reference symbol list 1 conductor connection terminal 2 busbar 3 clamping springs 4 clamping legs 5 functional legs 6 Support section 7 clamping point 8 Stop section 9 Solution section 10 Passage area 11 Fixing section 12 fixing elements 13 recess 14 Crossbar 15 clamping edge 16 Connecting section 17 Holding contour 18 Counter contour 19 impact area 20 Actuating elements 21 operating area 22 Bending pattern 23 Feather Bows 24 busbar frames 25 Operating section 26 handle legs 27 Tool holder 28 Massive section 29 Base plate 30 side wall 31 Side wall section L conductor insertion direction O disclosure S Closed position

Claims

A conductor terminal (1) with an insulating housing having a conductor entry channel, a busbar (2) and a clamping spring (3), wherein: - the clamping spring (3) has a clamping leg (4) and a functional leg (5) with a support section (6) for supporting the clamping spring (3) on the busbar (2), - the clamping leg (4) forms a clamping point (7) with the busbar (2) for an electrical conductor that can be inserted into the conductor terminal (1) through the conductor entry channel in a predetermined conductor entry direction (L), - the clamping leg (4) is displaceable between an open position (O) and a closed position (S) for opening and closing the clamping point (7), - the conductor terminal (1) is designed to automatically displace the clamping leg (4) into the closed position (S) when the electrical conductor is inserted into the conductor terminal (1), characterized in thatthat the functional leg (5) has a holding section (8) for holding the clamping leg (4) in the open position (O) and a release section (9) for releasing the clamping leg (4) held in the open position (O), and that the busbar (2) defines a passage area (10) through which the clamping leg (4) and the functional leg (5) of the clamping spring (3) are guided and through which the electrical conductor can be guided in the open position (O) of the clamping leg (4) in the direction of the release section (9). Conductor terminal (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the busbar (2) has a fixing element (12) in a fixing section (11) limiting the passage area (10) for fixing the support section (6) of the functional leg (5) to the busbar (2). Conductor terminal (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that the fixing element (12) is a fixing projection which engages in a recess (13) of the support section (6). Conductor terminal (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the clamping point (7) is formed by a transverse web (14) of the busbar (2) limiting the passage area (10) and a clamping edge (15) of the clamping leg (4). Conductor terminal (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the holding section (8) and the release section (9) extend at an angle, in particular essentially perpendicular to the conductor insertion direction (L) and are spaced apart from each other by a connecting section (16). Conductor terminal (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the holding section (8) has a holding contour (17) which is configured to interact with a counter contour (18) of the clamping leg (4) for holding the clamping leg (4) in the open position (O). Conductor terminal (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that the retaining contour (17) is designed as a step-shaped shoulder of the functional leg (5). Conductor terminal (1) according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the counter contour (18) is designed as a retaining tab bent away from the clamping leg (4). Conductor terminal (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the release section (9) has an impact surface (19) pointing towards the passage area (10) and is designed to be displaced when a conductor end of the electrical conductor strikes the impact surface (19) and to release the clamping leg (4) held in the open position (O) on the holding section (8) by means of the displacement. Conductor terminal (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the conductor terminal (1) has an actuating element (20) for returning the clamping leg (4) to the open position (O). Conductor terminal (1) according to claim 10, characterized in that the actuating element (20) is designed as a push button. Conductor terminal (1) according to claim 11, characterized in that the actuating element (20) is designed as a fork push button. Conductor terminal (1) according to one of claims 10 to 12, characterized in that the clamping leg (4) has an actuating surface (21) projecting laterally from the clamping leg (4). Conductor terminal (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the busbar (2) runs section by section parallel to the support section (6), to the holding section (8) and / or to the connecting section (16) of the functional leg (5). Conductor terminal (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the busbar (2) has a bending profile (22) that corresponds to the functional leg (5) in sections. Conductor terminal (1) according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the busbar (2) has a base plate (29), a side wall (30) projecting therefrom and a cross web (14) projecting from the side wall (30) opposite the base plate (29), wherein the passage area (10) is limited by the side wall (30) and the cross web (14) and may be partially open laterally. Conductor terminal (1) according to claim 16, characterized in that a fixing element (12) projects from the base plate (29) in the direction of the crossbar (14).

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