Connection device for connecting a shield conductor of an electrical cable to an earthing section

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a connection device for connecting a shield conductor of an electrical line to an earthing section according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0002] Such a connection device comprises a housing that encloses a receiving space into which an electrical conductor with a shield conductor can be inserted along a longitudinal axis. The housing is attached to an earthing section such that the earthing section extends at least partially into the receiving space. The connection device further comprises an adjustable spring element arranged on the housing, which has a clamping leg and can be moved from an open position to a clamping position relative to the housing in order to act upon a shield conductor of an electrical conductor inserted into the receiving space with the clamping leg. The clamping leg has a contact section for acting upon the shield conductor, which, on a side facing the shield conductor, viewed in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, has a contact contour that is at least partially curved or angled.The system section has a first contact section and a second contact section that form the system contour, wherein the first contact section and the second contact section are angled relative to each other when viewed in the plane extended perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

[0003] Such a connection device, also known as a shield clamp, serves to make contact over a large area between a shield conductor and an earthing point – for example, a busbar, a mounting rail, or the housing wall of an electrical installation (e.g., a control cabinet). The contact must be durable, particularly resistant to temperature and corrosion (even in aggressive environments) and vibration, to ensure reliable earthing of the shield conductor to the earthing point throughout the service life of the electrical installation.

[0004] Conventional connection devices have a comparatively complex design, use a large number of components and are therefore correspondingly expensive to manufacture.

[0005] In a construction clamp known from DE 20 2015 102 037 U1, an earthing section in the form of a metallic conductor and an electrical conductor can be inserted into a housing. A clamping screw is arranged on the housing, via which the electrical conductor can be clamped to the metallic conductor.

[0006] In a connection element known from DE 200 14 918 U1 for connecting the cable shield of a shielded cable to conductor terminals of at least one module, a bridge is pre-tensioned against a housing via spring elements. A shielded cable can be electrically contacted via this bridge.

[0007] In a terminal arrangement known from DE 196 108 541 A1, a shield conductor of an electrical line can be attached to spring terminals for electrical contact with a busbar.

[0008] DE 199 17 407 C1 describes a shield connection terminal for mounting a shield conductor of an electrical cable on a rail with a discharge potential, in particular an earth potential. An adjusting screw has a pressure piece with a curved contour for contact with the shield conductor.

[0009] In a spring clamp known from WO 2016 / 166132 A1, clamping springs with one contact leg each are provided for connecting two conductors to the terminal block.

[0010] Further connection devices are known from EP 0 780 923 A2, on which the preamble of claim 1 is based, DE 200 03 081 U1, US 2017 / 125991 A1, DE 10 2016 110 393 A1 and DE 34 28 054 A1. The object of the present invention is to provide a connection device that enables reliable and permanent contact of a shield conductor of an electrical cable with an earthing section (for example, a busbar, a mounting rail or a housing edge of an electrical installation), is easy to operate and, if necessary, can also be released from a clamping position.

[0011] The problem is solved by an object having the features of claim 1.

[0012] Accordingly, the first contact section and the second contact section are separated from each other by a slot.

[0013] The connection device accordingly has an adjustable, in particular pivotable, spring element arranged on the housing, which can be brought into contact with a shield conductor of an electrical cable inserted into the receiving space of the connection device by means of a clamping leg. The spring element can, for example, be made of spring steel and is therefore inherently elastic, so that a clamping contact between the shield conductor and the earthing section can be established and, for example, an age-related change in the shape of the shield conductor or the earthing section can be compensated for without impairing the contact between the shield conductor and the earthing section.

[0014] To enable advantageous contact between the clamping leg and the shield conductor (which may have a cylindrical shape, particularly depending on the electrical conductor's design), especially for EMC-compliant large-area contact, the clamping leg has a contact section. This section allows the clamping leg to be brought into contact with the shield conductor over a flat area, and its shape is adapted to the shield conductor. The contact section forms a curved or angled contour (viewed in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis along which the shield conductor can be inserted into the receiving space of the terminal housing), allowing the contact section to make flat contact with the shield conductor, at least partially, when viewed circumferentially around the longitudinal axis. This enables advantageous force application with favorable, flat contact with the shield conductor.Furthermore, the secure fit of the shield conductor in the housing of the connection device can be improved because the shield conductor is held in position within the housing via the system contour, even in the plane extending perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, and thus cannot be displaced transversely to the longitudinal axis (tangential to the earthing section) relative to the clamping leg.

[0015] According to the invention, the contact section comprises a first contact section and a second contact section, which together form the contact contour. The contact sections can be formed in the manner of contact tongues and, according to the invention, are separated from each other by a slot extending longitudinally along the clamping leg, so that the contact sections can, in principle, independently of each other, elastically conform to the conductor. In this way, advantageous contact with the electrical conductor is enabled via the contact sections, optionally compensating for tolerances in the design of the connection device and the shape of the electrical conductor.

[0016] The first and / or second contact section can, for example, be curved at least partially in the plane extending perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The contact sections can, for example, together form a semicircular contact contour.

[0017] The contact sections are arranged at an angle to each other. For example, each contact section can extend in a straight line, at least partially, so that a V-shaped contact contour results in the plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The first and second contact sections can preferably form an obtuse angle with each other (viewed in the plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis).

[0018] In one embodiment, at least a third contact section is arranged between the first and second contact sections (viewed circumferentially around the longitudinal axis). The contact sections can be separated from each other, for example, by slots extending longitudinally along the clamping legs, allowing for elastic deflection of the contact sections relative to each other.

[0019] The first contact section and / or the second contact section and / or the third contact section can be curved, at least in part (viewed in the plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis). The contact sections can thus jointly form a semicircular contact contour. Additionally or alternatively, the contact sections can be angled relative to each other, with the third contact section preferably forming an obtuse angle with both the first and second contact sections (viewed in the plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis).

[0020] The spring element, including its contact sections, is preferably integrally formed in one piece. The contact sections are formed on the clamping leg by being separated from each other by slots, thus allowing them to move elastically relative to one another.

[0021] It is also conceivable and possible that the spring element has more than three contact sections on its clamping leg, separated from each other, for example by slots, which together form the contact contour.

[0022] In one embodiment, the spring element of the connection device is pivotable relative to the housing. Because the spring element is pivotally mounted on the housing, it can be easily actuated. By pivoting, the spring element can be easily adjusted between the open and clamped positions, for example, to connect the shield conductor to the grounding section attached to the housing, or to disconnect the electrical conductor from the connection device.

[0023] For example, the housing and the spring element can be designed as stamped and bent parts.

[0024] The spring element can, for example, have an actuating arm pivotally mounted on the housing. This arm is connected to the clamping arm, which can be brought into contact with the shield conductor of the electrical cable inserted into the receiving space, and is bent towards the clamping arm. The actuating arm can be locked to the housing to fix the position of the spring element relative to the housing in the clamping position. A user can, for example, manually actuate the spring element using the actuating arm and push it towards its clamping position to electrically connect the shield conductor to the grounding section. The clamping arm then brings the spring element into contact with the shield conductor, pressing the shield conductor against the grounding section and thus establishing an electrical connection between the shield conductor and the grounding section.

[0025] The clamping arm is preferably additionally curved in the area of ​​its contact section around the pivot axis about which the spring element is pivotably connected to the housing. In the area of ​​the contact section, the clamping arm thus has a curved or angled contour in the plane extending perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and is also curved around the pivot axis (extending transversely to the longitudinal axis). Because the clamping arm does not contact the shield conductor of the electrical cable with a (sharp) end edge, but rather via the curved contact section, a flat contact of the clamping arm against the shield conductor can be achieved. Due to the curvature of the contact section, the clamping arm conforms to the shield conductor and makes flat contact with it, without any sharp edges coming into contact with the shield conductor (which could otherwise lead to damage to the shield conductor).

[0026] The actuating arm preferably engages the spring element with the housing in the clamping position. For this purpose, the actuating arm preferably has a locking mechanism, which can be formed, for example, by locking lugs on an end section of the actuating arm located away from the clamping arm. The actuating arm engages with locking projections on the housing via these locking lugs, thus positively locking the actuating arm in its clamping position and holding it there.

[0027] To close the connection, the spring element is pressed, for example, by pressing on the actuating lever towards the clamping position. In the clamping position, the spring element clamps the shield conductor of the electrical cable to the grounding section attached to the housing, thus establishing electrical contact between the shield conductor and the grounding section. The spring element can be released from the closed position, for example, by a user inserting a tool, such as a screwdriver, into a tool recess on the end of the actuating lever, thereby releasing the locking mechanism between the locking lugs of the actuating lever and the locking projections of the housing.When the locking mechanism is released, the spring element springs out of the clamping position due to the elastic preload of the clamping leg (caused by contact with the shield conductor of the electrical cable), so that the connection device is opened and the housing can be removed from the earthing section and the electrical cable can be removed from the housing.

[0028] However, it is also conceivable and possible to open the spring element manually without using a tool.

[0029] In one embodiment, the spring element is pivotably mounted on the housing about the pivot axis. For this pivotable mounting, two opposing hinge tabs can be formed on the actuating arm, projecting from the actuating arm and engaging, for example, with pivot pins arranged on the housing, so that the spring element is articulated to the housing.

[0030] The housing can, for example, be made in one piece. In one embodiment, the housing can have, for instance, two parallel side walls spaced apart along a transverse direction, between which the receiving space is formed, and a base connecting the side walls. The housing can thus, for example, have a U-shaped cross-section into which the electrical cable with its stripped shield conductor can be inserted.

[0031] The shield conductor can, for example, be inserted into the housing in such a way that, in the clamped position, it extends along the longitudinal axis between the side walls through the receiving space. The shield conductor can be inserted into the receiving space, for instance, in an insertion direction perpendicular to both the longitudinal axis and the transverse direction along which the side walls are spaced apart. The electrical conductor thus does not need to be threaded through the housing, but can simply be inserted into the housing along the insertion direction, so that the shield conductor lies within the receiving space of the housing.

[0032] To electrically connect the shield conductor of the electrical cable to an earthing section, the electrical cable with its stripped shield conductor is preferably first inserted into the housing of the connection device. The housing, together with the electrical cable attached to it, can then be connected to the earthing section, for example, a busbar used for earthing, a mounting rail, or a section of the housing wall of an electrical installation, such as a control cabinet or the like. Once the housing has been connected to the earthing section, the earthing section preferably extends through the receiving space along the transverse direction in which the side walls of the housing are spaced apart from each other.The side walls of the housing may have recesses which are adapted in shape to the shape of the grounding section and can thus accommodate the grounding section, for example a metallic conductor with a rectangular cross-section.

[0033] The electrical conductor and the grounding section thus extend in different directions towards the housing. While the electrical conductor runs along the longitudinal axis through the housing, the grounding section extends transversely to the electrical conductor through the receiving space.

[0034] At least two variations of how the housing can be attached to the grounding section are conceivable and possible, for example, via a busbar, a mounting rail, or a section of the housing wall. The recesses in the side walls of the housing can be shaped as slots so that the connection device can be attached to the grounding section on the side of the pivot axis, via which the spring element is pivotally connected to the housing. In this case, it may be possible to attach the shield clamp to the grounding section even when the spring element is closed (spring element in the clamping position), and strain relief can also be improved. Alternatively, the recesses in the side walls can be shaped so that the connection device can be slid onto the grounding section on a side of the housing opposite the pivot axis.This may allow for a design where the stripped length for exposing the shield conductor can be shortened. Furthermore, the insertion direction of the connection device onto the grounding section and the closing movement of the spring element are essentially aligned in this case, resulting in simplified handling.

[0035] In the clamping position, the spring element on one side and the grounding section on the other side of the (stripped) shield conductor of the electrical cable preferably lie in contact. The shield conductor is thus held between the spring element and the grounding section and, by the clamping action of the spring element against the shield conductor, is pressed into direct, electrically contact with the grounding section.

[0036] The underlying concept of the invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to the exemplary embodiments shown in the figures. The figures show: Fig. 1 a schematic view of a connection device for electrically contacting a shield conductor of an electrical cable with an earthing section, for example in the form of an electrical busbar or in the form of a housing edge of an electrical installation; Fig. 2 a side view of the connection device; Fig. 3 a front view of the connection device; Fig. 4 a top view of the connection device; Fig. 5 a perspective view of another embodiment of a connection device; Fig. 6 a top view of the connection device according to Fig. 5 ; Fig. 7 a sectional view along line BB according to Fig. 6Fig. 8 a frontal view of the connection device; Fig. 9 a separate view of a spring element of the connection device; Fig. 10 a side view of the spring element; Fig. 11 a frontal view of the spring element; Fig. 12 a perspective view of another embodiment of a connection device; Fig. 13 a top view of the connection device according to Fig. 12 ; Fig. 14 a sectional view along line CC according to Fig. 13 ; Fig. 15 a frontal view of the connection device; Fig. 16 a separate view of the spring element of the connection device; Fig. 17 a side view of the spring element; and Fig. 18 a frontal view of the spring element.

[0037] Figs. 1 to 4 Figure 1 shows a schematic view of a first embodiment of a connection device 1, which serves to electrically contact a shield conductor 20 in the form of an electrically conductive shield braid of an electrical line 2.

[0038] For example, the electrical conductor 2 has a plurality of electrical conductors 22, which are surrounded by the shield conductor 20 in the form of the shield braid. The shield conductor 20 is enclosed on the outside by an electrically insulating sheath 21, so that the shield conductor 20 is electrically insulated from the outside where it is not insulated.

[0039] The connection device 1 allows the shield conductor 20 of the electrical cable 2 to be electrically contacted with an earthing section 3 in the form of a metallic conductor, for example, a busbar, a mounting rail, or a housing wall of an electrical installation. This allows the shield conductor 20 to be brought to the earthing potential of the earthing section 3, thus providing earthing of the shield conductor 20 via the connection device 1.

[0040] In principle, a plurality of electrical conductors 2 can be arranged and electrically grounded at the earthing section 3.

[0041] In the illustrated embodiment, the connection device 1, as shown in the views according to Figs. 2 to 4 As can be seen, a housing 10 is formed from two parallel side walls 100 spaced apart from each other along a transverse direction Q and a base 104 connecting the side walls 100. The housing 10 is preferably manufactured in one piece, for example as a stamped and bent part from a sheet of metal.

[0042] A spring element 11 is arranged on the housing 100, pivotable about a pivot axis S. The spring element 11 has an actuating leg 110 and a clamping leg 13 bent towards the actuating leg 110. The spring element 11 is, for example, made of spring steel as a stamped and bent part and is elastically resilient, so that the actuating leg 110 and the clamping leg 13 can be elastically adjusted in their position relative to each other.

[0043] Figs. 2 to 4Figure 11 shows the spring element 11 in a clamping position in which it is in clamping contact with the partially stripped shield conductor 20 of the electrical conductor 2 via the clamping leg 13, and presses the shield conductor 20 into electrical contact with the grounding section 3 extending through the housing 10. In this clamping position, the spring element 11 is engaged by locking lugs 114 on an end section 113 of the actuating leg 110, which is located away from the clamping leg 13, with locking projections 102 on the opposing side walls 100, so that the spring element 11 is positively locked in its clamping position relative to the housing 10.

[0044] In this clamping position, the clamping leg 13, with a section 130 spaced apart from an end edge 131, rests against the shield conductor 20 of the electrical line 2. In the area of ​​this section 130, the clamping leg 13 is curved (in the plane perpendicular to the pivot axis S) so that no sharp-edged areas of the clamping leg 13 (in particular not the end edge 131) rest against the shield conductor 20, thus ensuring a flat contact of the clamping leg 13 against the shield conductor 20.

[0045] In the clamping position, the spring arm 13 is elastically tensioned relative to the actuating arm 110 because the spring element 11 is pressed into the clamping position and locked to the housing 10 via the actuating arm 110 in this clamping position. Due to the elasticity of the spring element 11, for example, a (age-related) yielding of the shield conductor 20 of the electrical line 2 can be compensated for without impairing the electrical contact of the shield conductor 20 with the grounding section 3.

[0046] The spring element 11 has, on the actuating leg 110, two opposing pivot tabs 111, each of which is pivotally connected to one of the side walls 100 of the housing 10 and is pivotally arranged on pivot pins 103 of the side walls 100. The spring element 11 is thus pivotable about the pivot pins 103 and can be adjusted, in particular, between an open position, in which the spring element 11 is opened from the clamping position against a closing direction Z, and the clamping position.

[0047] On the side walls 100 of the housing 10, recesses 101 are formed opposite each other, in which the earthing section 3 can be received in such a way that the earthing section 3 extends in a position attached to the housing 10 along the transverse direction Q through a receiving space 12 of the housing 10 formed between the side walls 100, as is the case, for example, with Fig. 3 as is evident.

[0048] In contrast, the electrical conductor 2 can be inserted into the receiving space 12 with the sectionally stripped shield conductor 20 in an insertion direction E from a side facing away from the base 104 of the housing 10, so that the electrical conductor 2 extends in the inserted position along a longitudinal axis L transverse to the transverse direction Q and transverse to the insertion direction E through the receiving space 12 of the housing 10.

[0049] To electrically contact the shield conductor 20 of the electrical line 2 with the earthing section 3, the electrical line 2 with the partially stripped shield conductor 20 is first inserted into the receiving space 12 in the insertion direction E. The spring element 11 is usually in its open position, in which the spring element 11 is moved out of the clamping position in the opposite direction to the closing direction Z.

[0050] The connecting device 1, together with the electrical conductor 2 attached to it, is then attached to the earthing section 3 by engaging the housing 10 with the earthing section 3 via the recesses 101. The earthing section 3 thus extends through the receiving space 12 of the housing 10 such that the spring element 11 and the earthing section 3 are located on opposite sides of the electrical conductor 2.

[0051] Now, by pressing on the actuating lever 110, the spring element 11 is moved into the Figs. 2 to 4The clamping position shown is transferred and pressed in the closing direction Z until the actuating arm 110 engages with the locking projections 102 on the side walls 100 of the housing 10 via its locking lugs 114 arranged on the end section 113. In this way, the spring arm 13 comes into clamping contact with the shield conductor 20 and is elastically tensioned, so that the shield conductor 20 is pressed into contact with the grounding section 3 with sufficient contact force.

[0052] If the electrical conductor 2 is to be disconnected from the grounding section 3, a user can use a suitable tool, such as a screwdriver, to engage a tool recess 115 in the form of an opening on the end section 113 of the actuating arm 110. By (elastically) bending the end section 113, the actuating arm 110 is released from the housing 10. Due to the preload of the spring arm 13, the spring element 11 springs out of its clamping position, opening the connection device 1. This allows the housing 10 to be removed from the grounding section 3 and the electrical conductor 2 to be disconnected from the housing 10.

[0053] Another one, in Figs. 5 to 8 The illustrated embodiment of a connection device 1 is functionally largely identical to the one described above based on Figs. 1 to 4described embodiment, so that full reference is made to the explanations of the embodiment according to Figs. 1 to 4 This should be noted. Components with the same function are always provided with the same reference numerals in the different embodiments described in this text.

[0054] In the embodiment according to Figs. 5 to 8 is, in contrast to the embodiment according to Figs. 1 to 4 , the orientation of the recesses 101 on the side walls 100 of the housing 10 is reversed. Whereas in the embodiment according to Figs. 1 to 4 The connection device 1 can be attached to the grounding section 3 via the side of the housing 10 located away from the pivot axis S of the spring element 11 by placing the housing 10 onto the grounding section 3 along the longitudinal axis L. In the embodiment shown, the connection device 1 is Figs. 5 to 8in the opposite direction to an earthing section 3, namely via the side of the housing 10 where the pivot axis S of the spring element 11 is also located.

[0055] Both in the embodiment according to Figs. 1 to 4 as well as in the embodiment according to Figs. 5 to 8 The spring element 11 is designed on its clamping leg 13 such that at the contact section 130, viewed in a plane A perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (corresponding to the drawing plane in Fig. 8 and Fig. 11 ), resulting in a system contour K that is not straight, but is adapted to the curved surface shape of the shield conductor 20 of the electrical line 2.

[0056] This is the case with the one in Figs. 9 to 11The spring element 11 of the clamping leg 13, shown in separate illustrations, is formed with two contact sections 132, 133, which are separated from each other by a slot 135 extending longitudinally along the clamping leg 13. The contact sections 132, 133 are designed like contact tongues and are elastically deflectable relative to each other, so that the contact sections 132, 133 move into the clamping position when the spring element 11 is moved into the clamping position (see Fig. 8 ) can be elastically applied to the shield conductor 20 of the electrical line 2.

[0057] In the illustrated embodiment of the spring element 11, the contact sections 132, 133 are angled relative to each other to form the contact contour K for contact with the shield conductor 20. Additionally, the contact sections 132, 133 are convexly curved on their outer surfaces, with recesses 136 being formed into these outer surfaces to increase the elasticity of the contact sections 132, 133 at their ends for contact with the shield conductor 20.

[0058] By providing the mounting contour K, an advantageous mounting of the clamping leg 13 on the shield conductor 20 of the electrical line 2 is enabled. For example, from Fig. 8It can be seen that in this way the secure fit of the line 2 in the receiving space 12 of the housing 10 can also be improved, because the electrical line 2 is locked in the plane A extending perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L within the receiving space 12 by contact with the system contour K.

[0059] Furthermore, by providing the system contour K, a large-area connection of the clamping leg 13 to the shield conductor 20 can be achieved.

[0060] As an alternative to the angled design of the mounting contour K in the embodiment of the spring element 11 according to Figs. 9 to 11 The attachment contour K can also have a semicircular shape. For this purpose, the contact sections 132, 133 can each be concavely curved in the area of ​​their ends to form the attachment section 130, so that the contact sections 132, 133 together form a semicircular shape at their ends.

[0061] In another instance, in Figs. 12 to 15In the illustrated embodiment, the housing 10 has the following features: Figs. 16 to 18 The spring element 11 shown in separate illustrations is arranged. The spring element 11 has three contact sections 132, 133, 134 in the form of contact tongues on its clamping leg 13, each separated from the other by slots 135 and thus elastically movable relative to the other.

[0062] As from Fig. 18 As can be seen, the contact sections 132, 133, 134 form a plane A extending perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L (corresponding to the plane of the drawing in Fig. 18 and Fig. 15 ) together form a system contour K, over which the clamping leg 13 can be brought into contact with the shield conductor 20 of a line 2 inserted into the receiving space 12 of the housing 10 of the connection device 1.

[0063] By using more than two contact sections 132, 133, 134, the contact contour K can be adapted to the shape of a (nominally assigned) shield conductor 20, so that the contact sections 132, 133, 134 can favorably make contact with the shield conductor 20 over a flat surface. The elastic design allows for advantageous contact behavior of the contact sections 132, 133, 134 with the shield conductor 20, compensating for tolerances.

[0064] In the embodiment according to Figs. 12 to 15 The contact sections 132, 133, 134 in plane A each extend in a straight line, but are angled towards each other, so that, for example, the Fig. 18 The visible plant contour K results.

[0065] Alternatively, it is also possible that the plant sections 132, 133, 134 are curved at their ends in plane A, at least section by section (convex or concave).

[0066] With the exception of the design of the spring element 11, the embodiment is as follows: Figs. 12 to 15 functionally identical to the embodiments shown in the examples above. Figs. 1 to 4 and according to Figs. 5 to 8 , so that with regard to the functioning of the connection device 1, reference should be made to the explanations of the preceding exemplary embodiments.

[0067] With regard to the insertion direction for attaching the connection device 1 to the earthing section 3, the embodiment corresponds to Figs. 12 to 15 in accordance with the exemplary embodiment Figs. 5 to 8 .

[0068] The spring element 11 can be used in the embodiment according to Figs. 1 to 4 for example, according to the type of in Figs. 9 to 11 or according to the type of in Figs. 16 to 18 depicted spring element or realized in another way.

[0069] For example, the spring element 1 can have two, three or even more contact sections 132, 133, 134.

[0070] The underlying idea of ​​the invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but can also be realized in a completely different way.

[0071] The provided connection device can be simple in design and use only a few components. In particular, the connection device can essentially consist of a housing and a spring element. No other components are required. This results in simple, cost-effective manufacturing with a compact design.

[0072] The connection device can also provide a favorable, reliable, and consistent contact force for electrically connecting a shield conductor to an earthing section. The connection device can be easy and intuitive to use and also allow for disconnection.

[0073] The connection device can, in principle, be designed differently than described here. For example, the housing can have a different shape.

[0074] The housing can preferably be made of metal, for example as a stamped and bent part. However, this is not absolutely necessary. It is also conceivable and possible to make the housing from plastic. Reference symbol list

[0075] 1 Connection device 10 Housing 100 Side walls 101 Recess 102 Detent projection 103 Joint pin 104 Base 11 Spring element 110 Actuating leg 111 Joint catch 113 End section 114 Detent lugs 115 Tool engagement 12 Receiving space 13 Clamping leg 130 Mounting section 131 End edge 132, 133, 134 Contact section (contact tongue) 135 Slot 136 Recess 2 Conductor 20 Shield conductor 21 Sheathing 22 Conductor cores 3 Grounding section A Level E Insertion direction K Mounting contour L Longitudinal axis S Swivel axis Z Closing direction

Claims

1. Connection device (1) for connecting a shield conductor (20) of an electrical line (2) to an earthing section (3), having a housing (10) which encloses a receiving space (12) into which an electrical line (2) is insertable along a longitudinal axis (L) at a shield conductor (20), wherein the housing (10) is placeable onto an earthing section (3) in such a way that the earthing section (3) extends at least partially in the receiving space (12), and having a spring element (11) which is arranged adjustably on the housing (10) and has a clamping leg (13) and is movable from an open position into a clamping position in relation to the housing (10) so as, in the clamping position, to act by way of the clamping leg (13) on a shield conductor (20) of an electrical line (2) inserted into the receiving space (12), wherein the clamping leg (13) has an abutment section (130) for acting on the shield conductor (20), said abutment section, on a side facing towards the shield conductor (20), having an at least sectionially curved or angled abutment contour (K) when viewed in a plane (A) perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (L), wherein the abutment section (130) has a first contact section (132) and a second contact section (133), which form the abutment contour (K), wherein the first contact section (132) and the second contact section (133) are angled in relation to one another when viewed in the plane (A) perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (L), characterized in that the first contact section (132) and the second contact section (133) are separated from one another by a slot (135).

2. Connection device (1) according to Claim 1, characterized in that the clamping leg (13) has at least a third contact section (134), which is arranged between the first contact section (132) and the second contact section (133).

3. Connection device (1) according to Claim 2, characterized in that the third contact section (134) is separated from the first contact section (132) and the second contact section (133) via slots (135).

4. Connection device (1) according to Claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the third contact section (134) is angled both in relation to the first contact section (132) and in relation to the second contact section (133) when viewed in the plane (A) perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (L).

5. Connection device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the spring element (11) is pivotable about a pivot axis (S) in relation to the housing (10).

6. Connection device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the spring element (11) has an actuation leg (110) arranged pivotably on the housing (10) that is bent over in relation to the clamping leg (13).

7. Connection device (1) according to Claim 6, characterized in that the clamping leg (13) is curved around the pivot axis (S) in the region of the abutment section (130).

8. Connection device (1) according to Claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the actuation leg (110) has a latching device for connecting to the housing (10) with latching action in the clamping position.

9. Connection device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the housing (10) has two side walls (100), which extend in a parallel manner and are spaced apart from one another along a transverse direction (Q) and between which the receiving space (12) is formed, and a base (104), which connects the side walls (100) to one another.

10. Connection device (1) according to Claim 9, characterized in that the shield conductor (20) of the electrical line (2) is insertable into the housing (10) in such a way that the shield conductor (20) extends through the receiving space (12) between the side walls (100) along the longitudinal axis (L).

11. Connection device (1) according to Claim 9 or 10, characterized in that the shield conductor (20) of the electrical line (2) is insertable into the receiving space (12) in an insertion direction (E) transverse to the longitudinal axis (L) and transverse to the transverse direction (Q).

12. Assembly having an electrical line (2) which has a shield conductor (20), having an earthing section (3), and having a connection device (1) according to one of the preceding claims.