conductor connection terminal

Abstract

A conductor terminal (1) comprising an insulating housing (2), a busbar (3), a clamping spring (4), and an actuating element (5), wherein: - the clamping spring (4) has a contact leg (6) and a clamping leg (7); - the clamping leg (7) forms a clamping point (8) with the busbar (3) for an electrical conductor (9) that can be inserted into the conductor terminal (1) in a conductor insertion direction (L); - the clamping leg (7) is displaceable between an open position (O) and a closed position (S) for opening and closing the clamping point (8); - the conductor terminal (1) has a retaining contour (10) for holding the clamping leg (7) in the open position (O); - the conductor terminal (1) has a release mechanism (11) that can be actuated by inserting an electrical conductor (9) into the conductor terminal (1) to trigger an automatic displacement of the clamping leg (7) into the closed position (S).and- the actuating element (5) is configured to return the clamping leg (7) to the open position (O) by moving the actuating element (5) from a rest position (R) to an actuating position (B), characterized in that the actuating element (5) can be moved into a release position (A) in which the actuating element (5) actuates the release mechanism (11).

Description

The invention relates to a conductor terminal with an insulating housing, a busbar, a clamping spring and an actuating element, wherein the clamping spring has a contact leg and a clamping leg, wherein the clamping leg forms a clamping point with the busbar for an electrical conductor that can be inserted into the conductor terminal in a conductor insertion direction, wherein the clamping leg is displaceable between an open position and a closed position for opening and closing the clamping point, and wherein the conductor terminal has a retaining contour for holding the clamping leg in the open position.wherein the conductor terminal has a release mechanism that can be actuated by inserting an electrical conductor into the conductor terminal for triggering an automatic displacement of the clamping arm into the closed position, and wherein the actuating element is configured to return the clamping arm to the open position by displacing the actuating element from a rest position to an actuating position. Such conductor connection terminals are well-known in practice. These terminals feature automatic connection of the electrical conductor when it is inserted. The release mechanism, activated in this process, automatically releases the clamping arm, which is held in the open position, and in the closed position, firmly clamps the electrical conductor. This allows for simple and convenient connection of an electrical conductor using the terminal. With regard to such conductor connection terminals, it is desirable to enable a reliably effective conductor connection regardless of the conductor properties of the electrical conductor being connected. In particular, the aim is to achieve a secure conductor connection even for finely stranded conductors, which, due to their small cross-section and correspondingly flexible conductor ends, can only exert a limited release force to actuate the release mechanism. At the same time, the user-friendliness of operating such conductor connection terminals with automatic conductor connection should be improved. The object of the present invention is to create an improved conductor terminal block. The problem is solved with a conductor terminal according to claim 1. Advantageous embodiments are disclosed in the dependent claims. It is proposed that the actuating element be movable into a release position, in which it actuates the release mechanism. This allows for optional manual actuation of the release mechanism, for example, to securely clamp a fine-stranded conductor. Thus, a user of the terminal block can choose whether the electrical conductor itself or the actuating element is used to close the clamping point. In other words, an automatic and a manual terminal block option are combined in one terminal block. Advantageously, the same actuating element is used for actuating the release mechanism as is used for resetting the clamping arm to its open position, so that a compact design of the terminal block is possible even with the additional manual release option. The improved conductor connection terminal thus ensures a secure conductor connection regardless of the conductor type, while maintaining high user-friendliness. The insulating housing of the terminal block, made of a plastic material, for example, contains the busbar and the clamping spring of the terminal block and protects them from environmental influences and contact. The insulating housing may have a conductor entry channel for the defined insertion of the electrical conductor. This channel can be a cylindrical or funnel-shaped insertion channel leading to the clamping point of the terminal block, allowing the end of an electrical conductor to be inserted into the insulating housing in the direction of entry and removed from the housing in the opposite direction. The busbar, also called a contact piece or current bar, can be a largely rigid electrical conductor, such as a metal strip.The busbar can be supported on the insulating housing and may have a bent clamping rib in the area of ​​the clamping point, which at least partially forms a clamping surface for clamping the inserted electrical conductor. The clamping spring of the conductor terminal can be an elastically resilient component made of a flat material. The clamping spring has a support leg for mounting the spring against an adjacent structure, such as the busbar and / or the insulating housing, and a clamping leg for clamping the conductor to the busbar. The support leg and the clamping leg can be connected by a spring arc. The clamping spring can be suspended from the busbar by its support leg. The clamping leg can form a clamping point with the busbar for clamping the electrical conductor to the busbar. For example, the conductor is clamped to the busbar by the spring force of the clamping spring via a clamping edge at the free end of the clamping leg, thus ensuring reliable electrical contact.The clamping arm can be moved between an open and a closed position to open and close the clamping point. In the open position, the clamping edge 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, the clamping edge is moved onto the busbar and the inserted electrical conductor, exerting a clamping force on the conductor towards the busbar, thus establishing electrical contact between the conductor and the busbar. The clamping arm can be moved from the closed to the open position by means of an actuating element, which exerts a restoring force on the clamping arm against the spring force.The clamping arm can, for example, have at least one laterally projecting actuating tab on which the actuating element can specifically engage. To achieve automatic conductor connection, the conductor terminal has a retaining contour to hold the clamping arm in the open position and a release mechanism, actuated by an inserted conductor, to trigger the automatic movement of the clamping arm into the closed position. In other words, the release mechanism allows the inserted conductor to release the mechanical interaction between the clamping arm and the retaining contour, causing the clamping arm to move into the closed position due to spring force. Alternatively, the mechanical interaction between the clamping arm and the retaining contour can also be released by the actuating element of the conductor terminal to activate the release mechanism.For this purpose, for example, a release element can be relocated by means of the actuating element, and by relocating the release element, a support or locking of the clamping arm on the holding contour is released, so that the clamping arm is freed. The actuating element can be arranged in the insulating housing and be displaceable relative to it in such a way that it is recognizable from the position of the actuating element whether it is in the rest position, the actuated position, or the release position. The actuator can be moved along a first actuation path from the rest position to the actuation position, and along a second actuation path following the first, from the actuation position to the release position. This allows for intuitive and convenient actuation of the release mechanism by moving the actuator. Furthermore, despite the additional release function of the actuator, a compact conductor terminal can be designed if the actuation paths are connected. Alternatively, it is also conceivable that the actuation position and the release position can each be reached directly from the rest position of the actuator, for example, by allowing the actuator to be moved in different directions. The first and second actuation paths can coincide with respect to the direction of actuation of the actuator. The actuator can thus be moved from the actuation position to the release position in the same direction as from the rest position to the actuation position. Put simply, the actuator can, for example, be moved into the release position by pushing it beyond the actuation position. This makes actuating the release mechanism with the actuator intuitive and convenient. The first and second actuation paths can differ in terms of the direction of actuation of the actuator. The actuator can thus be moved in different directions from the rest position to the actuation position and from the actuation position to the release position. This allows for more differentiated actuation of the actuator for resetting the clamping arm and for actuating the release mechanism, thereby reliably preventing accidental actuation of the release mechanism. The actuation direction can refer to a spatial direction or a path of movement along which the actuator can be moved. For example, the actuator can be predominantly translational between the rest position and the actuation position and predominantly rotational between the actuation position and the release position, or vice versa.With such combined translational and rotational mobility of the actuating element, it can be moved in different actuation directions in a confined space, so that a compact conductor terminal block is available. The release mechanism can be formed by a movably mounted release element. This allows for simple and efficient force transmission from an inserted conductor or from the actuating element to the clamping arm or the holding contour. The release element can be movably mounted within the insulating housing. Depending on the embodiment, the release element can, for example, be slidably or tiltably mounted within the insulating housing. The insulating housing can have a receptacle in which the release element is pivotally mounted and / or a guide surface along which the release element is slidable. The release element can be arranged as a separate component within the conductor terminal. This allows for optimal design of the release element tailored to the desired release mechanism, for example, with regard to sufficient mobility or favorable positioning of the release element relative to the other components of the conductor terminal. In principle, embodiments are also conceivable in which the release element is, for example, integrally formed with the busbar or the insulating housing. The release element can be mounted in the insulating housing so that it can be moved translationally. For example, the release element can have a sliding surface that allows it to slide along a corresponding surface of the insulating housing. The insulating housing can have a stop on one or more surfaces to limit the movement of the release element. It is also conceivable that the release element can be mounted in the insulating housing so that it can be tilted rotationally, for example, via a pivot pin that rolls in a corresponding receptacle in the insulating housing. The release element can have a conductor impact surface extending essentially transversely to the conductor insertion direction, which, viewed from the conductor insertion direction, is positioned behind the clamping point. This ensures reliable activation of the release mechanism with direct force transmission between the conductor end and the release element. The conductor impact surface forms a conductor stop, which displaces the release element by a predefined distance when struck by a conductor. This displacement, in particular, causes the release element to be disengaged from the clamping arm through an interaction between the release element and the clamping arm or between the release element and the holding contour. The release element can have an actuating contour facing an actuating surface of the actuator. This ensures reliable activation of the release mechanism with direct force transmission between the actuator and the release element. The actuating surface of the actuator can be configured to move the release element, for example, by transmitting force to the actuating contour when the actuator is moved into the release position. The actuating surface can be spaced apart from a clamping leg contact surface of the actuator to move the clamping leg into the open position. If the actuator is mounted on the release element, as explained below, force transmission for moving the release element can also occur via the bearing surface of the actuator on the release element. The retaining contour for holding the clamping leg in the open position can be located on the release element. This allows several functions to be combined in the release element, enabling a compact design of the conductor terminal. The release element can be movable between a holding position, in which the clamping leg can be fixed to the retaining contour or is fixed in place, and a release position, in which the clamping leg can be released from the retaining contour or is released. The retaining contour can be, for example, a detent contour or a support surface against which the clamping leg can be locked or supported in the open position. Several retaining contours can be arranged on the release element to securely fix the clamping leg to the release element in the open position.In principle, embodiments are also conceivable in which the holding contour is formed on a separate holding element or on another component of the conductor connection terminal, for example on the busbar. The release element can have a U-shaped profile with a base and two side walls projecting from the base. This allows for a compact release element that can be easily moved by an electrical conductor and the actuator. The side walls can form the legs of the U-shaped profile. The side walls can be aligned parallel to each other. The side walls can project substantially perpendicularly from the base. The open side of the U-shaped profile can face the inserted electrical conductor. The side walls can project from the base in the direction of the clamping point. The conductor can be guided between the side walls to the base. The release element can form a conductor receptacle for the inserted conductor. The side walls can have a receptacle or recess in which the actuator is mounted.The side walls may have a sliding surface that allows the release element to slide on an associated housing surface of the insulating housing. A conductor contact surface can be formed at the base of the U-shaped profile. An actuating contour for interaction with the actuating element can be formed on at least one side wall of the U-shaped profile. This ensures that the effective surfaces for displacing the release element are spatially spaced apart and arranged favorably for mechanical contact by an electrical conductor and the actuating element. The conductor contact surface can be a wall surface of the base of the U-shaped profile facing the inserted conductor. The actuating contour can be formed, for example, on a projection on the side wall and / or on an outer end edge of the side wall facing away from the base. The actuating contour can face an actuating surface of the actuating element, which is designed to displace the release element by transmitting force from the actuating element to the actuating contour of the release element.The actuating contour can be formed on an upper edge of the side wall or arranged closer to an upper edge than to a lower edge of the side wall, with the lower edge positioned closer to a contact leg of the clamping spring than the upper edge. This allows an upper area of ​​the actuating element to be used as a suitable actuating surface for actuating the release element, which is spaced apart from a clamping leg contact surface of the actuating element for moving the clamping leg into the open position. The retaining contour can be designed as a retaining projection extending from a side wall of the release element. This allows the clamping leg to be easily secured to the release element. The clamping leg can be supported or locked against the retaining projection. The retaining projection can extend laterally from the side wall, perpendicular to the conductor insertion direction, for example, towards an interior space of the U-profile. At least one retaining projection can extend from each of the two side walls of the release element. The retaining projections can be arranged opposite each other. The retaining projection can be formed on a lower edge of the side wall or positioned closer to the lower edge than to the upper edge of the side wall. This allows the clamping leg to be held in a lower region of the release element, and an inserted electrical conductor can be guided over the clamping leg into the release element. The clamping arm can have a retaining tab designed to support and / or lock onto the retaining contour of the release element. This allows for the targeted formation of a counter contour on the clamping arm, enabling reliable fixation of the clamping arm to the retaining contour of the release element. The retaining tab can, for example, project laterally from the clamping arm. The clamping arm can have multiple retaining tabs, such as two opposing ones. The retaining tab can, for example, be supported or locked onto a retaining projection extending from the side wall of the release element. When the clamping arm is moved into the open position by means of the actuating element, the clamping arm can be guided towards the contact arm until the retaining tab of the clamping arm engages with the retaining contour and is thereby temporarily fixed to the release element.The actuating element can be designed to remain in the actuating position after the clamping leg has been fixed to the holding contour, or to be moved back to the rest position. The release element can have a return mechanism. This allows the release element to return to its original position, such as its holding position, after displacement by an electrical conductor or the actuating element, without manual intervention. The return mechanism can be, for example, a return spring. The return mechanism can be supported against the insulating housing. The return mechanism can be formed integrally with the release element. For example, the return mechanism can be a spring tongue projecting from the release element. If the release element has a U-shaped profile as described above, the return mechanism can, for example, be a spring tongue projecting from the base. This can project from a side of the base facing away from the conductor contact surface and bear against a wall surface of the insulating housing facing the release element. The actuating element can be mounted on the release element. This provides a compact embodiment in which a corresponding bearing surface of the release element, on the one hand, allows the actuating element to move relative to the release element, and on the other hand, forms a force transmission surface over which the release element can be displaced by means of the actuating element. In particular, the actuating element can be designed as a pivot lever and pivotally mounted on the release element, for example, by means of a pivot pin that can be mounted in a recess of the release element, and the release element can be translationally displaceable by the actuating element. By a first pivoting movement of the actuating element from the rest position to the actuated position, the clamping arm can be moved into the open position.By means of a second pivoting movement of the actuating element from the actuating position to the release position, which can be simplified as overpressing the actuating element, the release element can be moved from the holding position to the release position. The actuating element can be designed as a push button, particularly a fork-type push button. This allows for a compact design with direct actuation paths. The push button can be translationally displaceable between the rest position and the actuated position. Alternatively, the push button can be rotationally displaceable between the actuated position and the release position. In simpler terms, the push button can be pressed into the insulating housing and then tilted to actuate the release mechanism. The different actuation directions allow for a clear distinction between actuating the clamping arm and actuating the release mechanism. At the same time, a compact design of the conductor terminal is possible. With a fork-type push button, high and evenly distributed restoring forces can be introduced into the clamping arm while requiring minimal installation space.The fork-type actuator can have two parallel, spaced-apart actuator arms extending from a control section. An electrical conductor can be routed between the actuator arms to the clamping point or removed from it. The actuator arms can extend past the conductor on both sides towards the clamping arm and be movable together with it. The actuating element can be designed as a pivoting lever. This provides a user-friendly actuating element with efficient leverage. The pivoting lever can be configured to move the clamping leg into the open position via a clamping leg contact surface with a first pivoting movement from the rest position to the actuating position, and to activate the release mechanism, for example, by moving the release element, with a second pivoting movement from the actuating position to the triggering position. In simpler terms, pushing the pivoting lever over triggers the automatic conductor connection. When pushed over, the pivoting lever can be supported against the busbar and temporarily displaced from its previous rotational position.The swivel lever can have two parallel lever arms, between which the conductor can be guided to the clamping point. The busbar can extend, at least in sections, transversely to the conductor insertion direction and have a through-hole for the inserted electrical conductor. This allows the conductor connection terminal to be designed compactly without the busbar impairing the automatic conductor connection function. The through-hole allows, for example, the conductor to be guided through the busbar to the release element, enabling it to be effectively moved by the conductor. The clamping arm can be fixed to a retaining contour of the release element, with the retaining contour being located in front of the through-hole in the conductor insertion direction. The insulating housing can have a guide and / or a receptacle for the actuator in its actuation position. The guide or receptacle can be formed by a cavity in the insulating housing that is specifically designed for the actuator. This allows the insulating housing to be adapted in such a way as to facilitate movement of the actuator into the actuation position and / or enable positioning of the actuator in the actuation position. A guide can facilitate the movement of the actuator into the actuation position. A boundary wall of the guide or receptacle can also act as a stop for the actuator once it has moved into the actuation position. The retaining contour can have a chamfer. A chamfer facilitates the transfer of the clamping arm from the closed to the open position past the retaining contour. The chamfer can be aligned with the retaining contour in such a way that the clamping arm, shifted towards the open position, can slide along the chamfer until it has passed the retaining contour and engaged behind it. If the clamping arm has a retaining tab as a defined counter-contour for holding the clamping arm against the retaining contour, the chamfer can be designed to guide the retaining tab. For example, in the case of a release element with a U-shaped profile, the chamfer can be formed on one or both side walls. The chamfer can, for example, point towards an opposite side wall of the release element.The passage ramp can, for example, be formed by a retaining projection extending from the side wall. The release element can be designed to be spread open by the clamping arm sliding along the passage ramp and to spring back into its initial position after the clamping arm has passed. This allows the clamping arm to be securely supported or locked against the retaining contour. Alternatively or additionally, the passage ramp can be inclined opposite to the conductor insertion direction. This facilitates the clamping arm passing the retaining contour in the direction of its open position, even without an spreading effect. 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". The invention allows for various embodiments and is explained in more detail below with reference to exemplary embodiments and the accompanying drawings. These show: Figs. 1-2 - a conductor terminal with a release mechanism and an actuating element according to a first embodiment, with the clamping point open and closed, in sectional side views; Fig. 3 - the conductor terminal according to the first embodiment when the release mechanism is actuated by an inserted electrical conductor, in a sectional side view; Fig. 4 - the conductor terminal according to the first embodiment when the release mechanism is actuated by the actuating element, in a sectional side view; Figs. 5a-5b - an isolated view of a release element of the conductor terminal according to the first embodiment in a perspective view and a top view; Fig.Fig. 6 - an isolated perspective view of a clamping spring of the conductor terminal according to the first embodiment; Fig. 7 - an isolated perspective view of the actuating element of the conductor terminal according to the first embodiment; Fig. 8 - the conductor terminal according to the first embodiment in a perspective view; Fig. 9a / 9b - a conductor terminal with a release mechanism and an actuating element according to a second embodiment with the clamping point open, shown in sectional side views in two different planes; Fig. 10a / 10b - the conductor terminal according to the second embodiment with the clamping point closed, shown in sectional side views in two different planes.Fig. 11a / 11b - the conductor terminal according to the second embodiment when the release mechanism is actuated by an inserted electrical conductor in sectional side views in two different sectional planes; Fig. 12a / 12b - the conductor terminal according to the second embodiment when the clamping point is opened by means of the actuating element in sectional side views in two different sectional planes; Fig. 13a / 13b - the conductor terminal according to the second embodiment when the release mechanism is actuated by the actuating element in sectional side views in two different sectional planes; Fig. 14a / 14b - an isolated representation of a release element of the conductor terminal according to the second embodiment in a perspective view and in a top view; Fig.15 - an isolated representation of a clamping spring of the conductor terminal according to the second embodiment in a perspective view; Fig. 16 - the conductor terminal according to the second embodiment in a perspective top view. Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 to 8 show a conductor terminal 1 according to a first embodiment, as well as various components of the conductor terminal 1 in different views. The conductor terminal 1 is designed for automatic connection of a conductor 9 when it is inserted into the terminal 1, thus enabling simple and convenient conductor connection. As can be seen, for example, in Figs. 1 and 2, the conductor terminal 1 has an insulating housing 2 with a conductor entry channel 24. A busbar 3, a clamping spring 4, and an actuating element 5 are arranged in the insulating housing 2. The clamping spring 4 has a contact leg 6 and a clamping leg 7. The contact leg 6 serves to support the clamping spring 4 primarily against the busbar 3 and, if applicable, the insulating housing 2. The contact leg 6 and the clamping leg 7 are connected to each other by a spring arc 26, for example, as shown in Fig. 6. According to the illustrated embodiment, the contact leg 6 is hooked into the busbar 3, as can be seen, for example, in Figs. 1 and 2. The clamping leg 7 forms a clamping point 8 with the busbar 3, as shown in Fig. 2, for a conductor that can be inserted into the conductor terminal 1 in a conductor entry direction L with one end of the conductor leading the way, as shown in Fig.Figure 3 illustrates the electrical conductor 9. The busbar 3 is supported by the insulating housing 2 and has a clamping lug 25 for clamping the electrical conductor 9. The busbar 3 extends section by section transversely to the conductor insertion direction L and has a through-hole 22 for the inserted electrical conductor 9, thus enabling a compact design of the conductor connection terminal 1. The clamping arm 7 is movable between an open position O shown in Fig. 1 and a closed position S shown in Fig. 2 for opening and closing the clamping point 8. In the open position O, a clamping edge 27 of the clamping arm 7 is spaced from the clamping web 25 such that the electrical conductor 9 can be passed between the clamping arm 7 and the clamping web 25. In the closed position S, the clamping edge 27 of the clamping arm 7 is moved towards the clamping web 25 such that the electrical conductor 9 can be clamped by the clamping arm 7 against the clamping web 25. The conductor terminal 1 also has a retaining contour 10, as shown, for example, in Figs. 1 and 2, for holding the clamping arm 7 in the open position O. The clamping arm 7 can be temporarily locked or supported against the retaining contour 10. Furthermore, the conductor terminal 1 has a release mechanism 11, which can be actuated by inserting the electrical conductor 9 into the conductor terminal 1, as illustrated in Fig. 3. The release mechanism 11 is designed to trigger an automatic movement of the clamping arm 7 into the closed position S. In other words, the release mechanism 11 can release the clamping arm 7 from the retaining contour 10, so that it is automatically moved into the closed position S by spring force. The conductor terminal 1 further comprises an actuating element 5, which, as illustrated in Fig. 1, is configured to return the clamping arm 7 to the open position O by moving the actuating element 5 from a rest position R shown in Fig. 2 to an actuating position B shown in Fig. 1. In addition, the actuating element 5 can be moved into a release position A, as shown in Fig. 4, in which the actuating element 5 actuates the release mechanism 11. This design of the conductor terminal 1 provides an optional manual release function for actuating the release mechanism 11 by means of the actuating element 5. This ensures a secure conductor connection, particularly for fine-stranded conductors 9, which, due to a flexible conductor end, can only exert a limited release force to actuate the release mechanism 11.By using the actuating element 5 for such a manual release option, on the one hand user comfort for a user of the conductor terminal 1 is increased and on the other hand the installation space required for this in the conductor terminal 1 is kept to a minimum. As can be clearly seen in Figures 1, 2, 3 to 4, the actuating element 5 can be moved along a first actuating path 12a from the rest position R to the actuating position B and along a second actuating path 12b following the first actuating path from the actuating position B to the release position A, thus enabling intuitive and convenient actuation of the release mechanism 11 as well as a compact design of the conductor connection terminal 1. The first actuating path 12a and the second actuating path 12b differ with respect to the actuating direction of the actuating element 5, thus allowing differentiated actuation depending on the desired function of the actuating element 5. As shown in Figure 1, the first actuating path 12a and the second actuating path 12b are arranged in the two directions of actuation of the actuating element 5.As indicated in Figure 4, the actuating element 5 can first be moved into the conductor terminal 1 in a first actuation direction along the first actuation path 12a and then tilted in a second actuation direction along the second actuation path 12b to actuate the release mechanism 11. According to the first embodiment of the conductor terminal 1, the actuating element 5 is designed as a push button 5a, here illustrated as a fork push button in Figure 7. A compact design of the conductor terminal 1 is possible with a push button 5a. As can be seen in Figures 1, 2, 3 to 4, the release mechanism 11 of the conductor terminal 1 is formed by a release element 13, which is slidably mounted in the insulating housing 2. For optimized design, the release element 13 is arranged as a separate component in the conductor terminal 1 and is additionally shown in isolated views in Figures 5a and 5b. As is clearly evident from Figures 5a and 5b, the release element 13 has a U-shaped profile with a base 17 and two parallel side walls 18 projecting from the base 17. The conductor 9 can be guided between the side walls 18 to the base 17. It is further evident that the retaining contour 10 for holding the clamping leg 7 in the open position O is arranged on the release element 13 and is designed here as retaining projections 10a extending from the side walls 18 of the release element 13.The retaining projections 10a extend laterally from the side walls 18, perpendicular to the conductor insertion direction L. As shown in Figs. 1, 2, 3 to 4, the retaining projections 10a can be positioned in the conductor connection terminal 1 offset from the busbar 3 below the through-hole 22 of the busbar 3. Fig. 5a also shows that the retaining contours 10 each have a ramp 32 facing the opposite side wall 18, along which the clamping leg 7 can slide when moving from the closed position S to the open position O, thus spreading open the side walls 18 of the release element 13. After the clamping leg 7 has passed the retaining contours 10, the side walls 18 spring back into the starting position, so that the retaining contours 10 can engage the clamping leg 7 at its side edges and the clamping leg 7 can thereby be securely supported or locked onto the retaining contours 10.As can be seen from the isolated representation of the clamping spring 4 in Fig. 6, the clamping leg 7 has laterally projecting retaining tabs 19, which are designed for support and / or locking against the retaining projections 10a of the release element 13, so that a defined counter contour of the clamping leg 7 is provided for fixing it to the release element 13. The retaining tabs 19 can facilitate a temporary spreading of the release element 13 in the area of ​​the retaining contours 10 when the clamping leg 7 is guided through the clamping leg 7 as it moves from the closed position S to the open position O, and ensure reliable support or locking of the clamping leg 7 against the retaining contours 10. The release element 13 can be displaceable, in particular as shown in Figs. 1, 2, 3 to 4, between a holding position H, in which the clamping leg 7 can be fixed to or is fixed to the holding contour 10, and between a release position F, in which the clamping leg 7 can be released from or is released from the holding contour 10. As can be clearly seen from Figs. 1 and 2 in comparison with Figs. 3 and 4, the release element 13 is mounted translationally displaceable in the insulating housing 2 according to the illustrated embodiment, wherein a wall surface of the insulating housing 2 adjacent to the release element 13 can form a stop 29. The release element 13 has a conductor impact surface 14 extending essentially transversely to the conductor insertion direction L, which, viewed in the conductor insertion direction L, is positioned behind the clamping point 8. A direct force transmission from the conductor end of the inserted conductor 9 to the release element 13 is possible via the conductor impact surface 14. The conductor impact surface 14 is formed at the base 17 of the U-shaped profile. An inserted conductor 9 can be guided through the through-hole 22 of the busbar 3 to the conductor impact surface 14. The release element 13 has an actuating contour 16 facing an actuating surface 15 of the actuating element 5. This contour is formed on each side wall 18 of the U-shaped profile, such that the actuating surfaces of the release element 13 are spatially spaced apart for actuation by the conductor 9 and the actuating element 5. A direct force transmission from the actuating element 5 to the release element 13 is possible via the actuating surface 15 and the actuating contour 16. According to the first embodiment of the conductor terminal 1, as shown, for example, in Figures 5a and 5b, the actuating contour 16 is formed on the front edges of the side wall 18 facing the actuating element 5. Figure 3 illustrates how the release mechanism 11 is actuated by means of the inserted electrical conductor 9. The electrical conductor 9 is inserted into the insulating housing 2 via the conductor entry channel 24, guided between two lever arms of the lever 5a, inserted through the through-hole 22 of the busbar 3, and guided between the side walls 18 of the release element 13 to the base 17. At the base 17 of the release element 13, one end of the conductor 9 contacts the conductor contact surface 14 and moves the release element 13 translationally from the holding position H to the release position F. This releases the contact between the holding contour 10 of the release element 13 and the clamping arm 7, allowing the clamping arm 7 to move automatically into the closed position S. In the closed position S, the clamping leg 7 clamps the conductor 9 against the clamping bridge 25, ensuring a reliable conductor connection.Figure 4 illustrates how the release mechanism 11 is actuated by means of the actuating element 5. For clarity, a conductor 9, for example a fine-stranded conductor, inserted into the conductor connection terminal 1 and intended to be clamped to the busbar 3 by means of the clamping arm 7, is not shown. To trigger the release mechanism 11, the push button 5a is first moved along the first actuation path 12a towards the clamping arm 7 and then tilted along the second actuation path 12b towards the release element 13. This causes the push button 5a to move the release element 13 translationally from the holding position H to the release position F, thereby disengaging the holding contour 10 of the release element 13 and the clamping arm 7, allowing the clamping arm 7 to move automatically into the closed position S.In the closed position S, the clamping leg 7 clamps the conductor 9 against the clamping bridge 25, ensuring a reliable conductor connection. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, and in the isolated view of the release element 13 in Figures 5a and 5b, it can be seen that the release element 13 has a return mechanism 21. According to the illustrated embodiment, the return mechanism 21 is a return spring, which is formed integrally with the release element 13 and is designed as two spring tongues projecting from the base 17 of the release element 13. As shown, for example, in Figures 5a and 5b, the spring tongues bear against the stop 29 of the insulating housing 2 and, when the release force applied to the release element 13 by the electrical conductor 9 or the actuating element 5 is removed, can cause the release element 13 to return automatically to its holding position H by spring force. For example, as can be seen from Fig. 1, Fig. 2, Fig. 3 to Fig. 4, the insulating housing 2 has a receptacle 23 for the actuating element 5 in its release position A, so that a defined positioning of the actuating element 5 in the release position A is possible. Figure 8 shows a perspective view of the conductor terminal 1 according to the first embodiment. It is evident that a compact design of the conductor terminal 1 is also possible when combining an automatic and a manual release option for connecting an electrical conductor 9. Figures 9a / 9b to 16 show a conductor terminal 1 according to a second embodiment, as well as various components of the conductor terminal 1 in different views. The conductor terminal 1 according to the second embodiment has a fundamentally similar structure and operating principle to the conductor terminal 1 according to the first embodiment, so that only selected similarities and differences between the second and first embodiments will be discussed below. In particular, the conductor terminal 1 according to the second embodiment also has a retaining contour 10 for holding the clamping arm 7 in the open position O and a release mechanism 11, which can be actuated either by inserting an electrical conductor 9 into the conductor terminal 1 or by actuating an actuating element 5, for triggering an automatic displacement of the clamping arm 7 into the closed position S. For such actuation, the actuating element 5 can be moved into a release position A, in which the actuating element 5 actuates the release mechanism 11. The actuating element 5 also serves to return the clamping arm 7 to its open position O, as illustrated in Figs. 12a and 12b. Fig. 15 additionally shows that the clamping arm 7 has laterally projecting actuating tabs 20 on which the actuating element 5 can engage with an actuating cam 28. As can be clearly seen in Figures 12a, 12b, 13a, and 13b, the actuating element 5 can be moved along a first actuating path 12a from the rest position R to the actuating position B, and along a second actuating path 12b following the first actuating path from the actuating position B to the release position A. This allows for intuitive and convenient actuation of the release mechanism 11 and a compact design of the conductor terminal 1. The first actuating path 12a and the second actuating path 12b are identical with respect to the direction of actuation of the actuating element 5; that is, the actuating element 5 can be moved from the actuating position B to the release position A along the same continuous path of movement as when moving from the rest position R to the actuating position B.In simplified terms, the release position A can be reached by pushing the actuating element 5 beyond its actuating position B. According to the second embodiment of the conductor connection terminal 1, the actuating element 5 is designed as a pivot lever 5b, thus enabling convenient actuation using leverage. In the second embodiment of the conductor terminal 1, the release mechanism 11 is also formed by a release element 13, which is slidably mounted in the insulating housing 2, as can be seen in Figures 9a to 13b. For optimized design, the release element 13 is arranged as a separate component in the conductor terminal 1 and is additionally shown in isolated views in Figures 14a and 14b. As can be clearly seen in Figures 14a and 14b, the release element 13 has a U-shaped profile with a base 17 and two parallel side walls 18 projecting from the base 17. The conductor 9 can be guided between the side walls 18 to the base 17.It is further evident that the retaining contour 10 for holding the clamping leg 7 in the open position O is arranged on the release element 13 and is designed here as retaining projections 10a projecting from the side walls 18 of the release element 13. The retaining projections 10a project laterally from the side walls 18 transversely to the conductor insertion direction L. In Fig. 14a, it is also evident that the retaining contours 10 each have a passage ramp 32 inclined opposite to the conductor insertion direction L, along which the clamping leg 7 can slide when moving from the closed position S to the open position O, in order to engage behind the retaining projections 10a after passing them, thereby securely supporting or locking the clamping leg 7 against the retaining contours 10. As can be seen from the isolated representation of the clamping spring 4 in Fig.As can be seen in Figure 15, the clamping leg 7 has laterally projecting retaining tabs 19, which are designed for support and / or locking against the retaining projections 10a of the release element 13, so that a defined counter contour of the clamping leg 7 is present for securing it to the release element 13. The retaining tabs 19 can facilitate guiding the clamping leg 7 along the passage ramps 32 behind the retaining projections 10a and ensure reliable support or locking of the clamping leg 7 against the retaining contours 10. The release element 13 can be displaceable, particularly as shown in Figures 9a to 13b, between a holding position H, in which the clamping leg 7 can be fixed to or is fixed to the holding contour 10, and between a release position F, in which the clamping leg 7 can be released from or is released from the holding contour 10. As is evident from Figures 9a / 9b and 10a / 10b in comparison with Figures 11a / 11b and 13a / 13b, the release element 13 is also mounted in the insulating housing 2 in a translationally displaceable manner in the second embodiment of the conductor terminal 1, wherein a wall surface of the insulating housing 2 adjacent to the release element 13 can form a stop 29. The release element 13, analogous to the conductor terminal 1 according to the first embodiment, has a conductor impact surface 14 extending substantially transversely to the conductor insertion direction L, which is positioned behind the clamping point 8 when viewed in the conductor insertion direction L. A direct force transmission from the conductor end of the inserted conductor 9 to the release element 13 is possible via the conductor impact surface 14. The conductor impact surface 14 is formed at the base 17 of the U-shaped profile. An inserted conductor 9 can be guided through the through-hole 22 of the busbar 3 to the conductor impact surface 14. The release element 13 has an actuating contour 16 facing an actuating surface 15 of the actuating element 5. This contour is formed on each side wall 18 of the U-shaped profile, such that the actuating surfaces of the release element 13 are spatially spaced apart for actuation by the conductor 9 and the actuating element 5. A direct force transmission from the actuating element 5 to the release element 13 is possible via the actuating surface 15 and the actuating contour 16. According to the second embodiment of the conductor terminal 1, as shown, for example, in Figures 14a and 14b, the actuating contour 16 is formed on a stepped shoulder of the side wall 18. Figures 11a and 11b illustrate how the release mechanism 11 is actuated by means of the inserted electrical conductor 9. The electrical conductor 9 is inserted into the insulating housing 2 via the conductor entry channel 24, guided between two lever arms of the pivot lever 5b, inserted through the through-hole 22 of the busbar 3, and guided between the side walls 18 of the release element 13 to the base 17. At the base 17 of the release element 13, one end of the conductor 9 contacts the conductor contact surface 14 and moves the release element 13 translationally from the holding position H to the release position F. This releases the contact between the holding contour 10 of the release element 13 and the clamping arm 7, allowing the clamping arm 7 to move automatically into the closed position S.In the closed position S, the clamping leg 7 clamps the conductor 9 against the clamping bridge 25, ensuring a reliable conductor connection. Figures 13a and 13b illustrate how the release mechanism 11 is actuated by means of the actuating element 5. For clarity, a conductor 9, for example a fine-stranded conductor, inserted into the conductor connection terminal 1 and intended to be clamped to the busbar 3 by means of the clamping arm 7, is not shown. To trigger the release mechanism 11, the pivot lever 5b is first pivoted along the first actuation path 12a into the actuation position B and then pivoted further along the second actuation path 12b into the release position A. This causes the pivot lever 5b to move the release element 13 translationally from the holding position H to the release position F, thereby disengaging the holding contour 10 of the release element 13 and the clamping arm 7, allowing the clamping arm 7 to move automatically into the closed position S.In the closed position S, the clamping leg 7 clamps the conductor 9 against the clamping bridge 25, ensuring a reliable conductor connection. Figures 9a to 13b, as well as the isolated view of the release element 13 in Figures 14a and 14b, show that the release element 13 has a return mechanism 21. According to the illustrated embodiment, the return mechanism 21 is a return spring, which is integrally formed with the release element 13 and is designed as two spring tongues projecting from the base 17 of the release element. As shown, for example, in Figures 11a and 11b, the spring tongues bear against the stop 29 of the insulating housing 2 and, when the release force applied to the release element 13 by the electrical conductor 9 or the actuating element 5 is removed, can cause the release element 13 to return automatically to its holding position H by spring force. For example, as can be seen in Figs. 11b, 12b and 13b, the actuating element 5 is mounted on the release element 13. For this purpose, recesses 30 are provided in the side walls 18 of the actuating element 5, in which a pivot pin 31 of the pivot lever 5b is arranged. Figures 12a and 12b show that the insulating housing 2 has a receptacle 23 for the actuating element 5 in its release position A, so that a defined positioning of the actuating element 5 in the release position A is possible. Figure 16 shows a perspective view of the conductor terminal 1 according to the second embodiment. It is evident that a compact design of the conductor terminal 1 is also possible when combining an automatic and a manual release option for connecting an electrical conductor 9. The conductor connection terminal 1, according to the described embodiments, enables a reliable and easily manufactured automatic conductor connection, independent of the conductor properties of the electrical conductor 9 to be connected. In particular, by optionally actuating the release mechanism 11 via the actuating element 5, a secure conductor connection can also be ensured for fine-stranded conductors 9. Reference symbol list 1 Conductor terminal 2 Insulating housing 3 Busbar 4 Clamping spring 5 Actuating element 5a Push button 5b Swivel lever 6 Mounting leg 7 Clamping leg 8 Clamping point 9 Electrical conductor 10 Retaining contour 10a Retaining projection 11 Release mechanism 12a First actuation path 12b Second actuation path 13 Release element 14 Conductor contact surface 15 Actuating surface 16 Actuating contour 17 Base 18 Side wall 19 Retaining tab 20 Actuating tab 21 Reset device 22 Through opening 23 Receptacle 24 Conductor entry channel 25 Clamping bridge 26 Spring arc 27 Clamping edge 28 Actuating cam 29 Stop 30 Recess 31 Pivot pin 32 Passing chamfer A Release position B Actuating position F Release position H Holding position L Conductor entry direction O Open position R Rest position S Closed position

Claims

A conductor terminal (1) comprising an insulating housing (2), a busbar (3), a clamping spring (4), and an actuating element (5), wherein: - the clamping spring (4) has a contact leg (6) and a clamping leg (7); - the clamping leg (7) forms a clamping point (8) with the busbar (3) for an electrical conductor (9) that can be inserted into the conductor terminal (1) in a conductor insertion direction (L); - the clamping leg (7) is displaceable between an open position (O) and a closed position (S) for opening and closing the clamping point (8); - the conductor terminal (1) has a retaining contour (10) for holding the clamping leg (7) in the open position (O); - the conductor terminal (1) has a release mechanism (11) that can be actuated by inserting an electrical conductor (9) into the conductor terminal (1) for triggering an automatic displacement of the clamping leg (7) into the closed position (S).and- the actuating element (5) is configured to return the clamping leg (7) to the open position (O) by moving the actuating element (5) from a rest position (R) to an actuating position (B), characterized in that the actuating element (5) can be moved into a release position (A) in which the actuating element (5) actuates the release mechanism (11). Conductor terminal (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the actuating element (5) can be moved along a first actuating path (12a) from the rest position (R) to the actuating position (B) and along a second actuating path (12b) following the first actuating path (12a) from the actuating position (B) to the release position (A). Conductor terminal (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that the first actuation path (12a) and the second actuation path (12b) are identical with respect to an actuation direction of the actuating element (5). Conductor terminal (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that the first actuation path (12a) and the second actuation path (12b) differ with respect to an actuation direction of the actuating element (5). Conductor terminal (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the release mechanism (11) is formed by a movably mounted release element (13). conductor terminal (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that the release element (13) is arranged as a separate component in the conductor terminal (1). Conductor terminal (1) according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the release element (13) is mounted in the insulating housing (2) in a translationally displaceable manner. Conductor terminal (1) according to one of claims 5 to 7, characterized in that the release element (13) has a conductor impact surface (14) extending substantially transversely to the conductor insertion direction (L), which is positioned behind the clamping point (8) when viewed in the conductor insertion direction (L). Conductor terminal (1) according to one of claims 5 to 8, characterized in that the release element (13) has an actuating contour (16) facing an actuating surface (15) of the actuating element (5). Conductor terminal (1) according to one of claims 5 to 9, characterized in that the retaining contour (10) for holding the clamping leg (7) in the open position (O) is arranged on the release element (13). Conductor terminal (1) according to one of claims 5 to 10, characterized in that the release element (13) has a U-shaped profile with a base (17) and two side walls (18) projecting from the base (17). Conductor terminal (1) according to claim 11, characterized in that a conductor contact surface (14) is formed at the base (17) and that an actuating contour (16) for interaction with the actuating element (5) is formed on at least one side wall (18). Conductor terminal (1) according to one of claims 10 to 12, characterized in that the retaining contour (10) is designed as a retaining projection (10a) extending from a side wall (18) of the release element (13). Conductor terminal (1) according to one of claims 10 to 13, characterized in that the clamping leg (7) has a retaining tab (19) which is provided for support and / or locking on the retaining contour (10) of the release element (13). Conductor terminal (1) according to one of claims 5 to 14, characterized in that the release element (13) has a reset device (21). Conductor terminal (1) according to one of claims 5 to 15, characterized in that the actuating element (5) is mounted on the release element (13). Conductor terminal (1) according to one of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that the actuating element (5) is designed as a push button (5a), in particular as a fork push button. Conductor terminal (1) according to one of claims 1 to 16, characterized in that the actuating element (5) is designed as a pivot lever (5b). Conductor terminal (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the busbar (3) extends at least sectionally transversely to the conductor insertion direction (L) and has a through-hole (22) for the inserted electrical conductor (9). Conductor terminal (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the insulating housing (2) has a guide and / or a receptacle (23) for the actuating element (5) in its release position (A). Conductor terminal (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the holding contour (10) has a passage ramp (32).

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