Connection terminal

Abstract

The invention relates to a connection terminal (1) comprising an insulating substance housing (2) that has a conductor insertion channel (3) extending in the direction of a conductor insertion axis (L), and an actuation channel (5) positioned next to said conductor insertion channel (3). The connection terminal (1) additionally comprises a U-shaped, curved torsion spring (11) having a contact limb (12), a clamping limb (15) and a spring arc (13) which connects said contact limb (12) to the clamping limb (15), a bus bar (8), and an actuation trigger (6) which is received in and can be displaced longitudinally in the actuation channel (5). The contact limb (12) is mounted on the bus bar (8), and a clamping edge (17) of the clamping limb (15) forms, with a contact region of said bus bar (8), a spring-loaded clamping connection. An actuation axis (B) that is defined by the longitudinal displacement direction of the actuation trigger (6) in the actuation channel (5), and said conductor insertion axis (L), are oriented at an angle of 5° to 30° to one another.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a terminal with an insulating housing having a conductor entry channel extending in the direction of a conductor entry axis with an at least partially circumferential conductor channel wall arranged coaxially to the conductor entry axis and an actuating channel arranged next to the conductor entry channel, a U-shaped leg spring having a contact leg, a clamping leg and a spring arch connecting the contact leg to the clamping leg, a busbar and an actuating push button accommodated in the actuating channel for longitudinal displacement, wherein the contact leg is mounted on the busbar and a clamping edge of the clamping leg forms a spring clamp connection with a contact area of ​​the busbar for clamping an electrical conductor inserted into the conductor entry channel.

[0002] "Coaxial" refers not only to the arrangement relative to a cylindrical conductor duct wall. If the center of gravity of a constant cross-section of the conductor duct wall runs parallel to the conductor insertion axis in the direction of extension, then it is coaxial.

[0003] DE 10 2013 111 574 A1 shows a spring-loaded terminal connection for connecting electrical conductors with an actuating pushbutton slidably mounted in the insulating housing. The actuating pushbutton has an actuating surface for contact with the clamping leg of the clamping spring, so that the actuating pushbutton is guided along the clamping leg. A protruding nose of the actuating pushbutton extends into the opening of the conductor entry opening and forms part of the wall of the conductor entry opening.

[0004] DE 10 2015 120 063 B3 shows a conductor connection terminal according to the preamble of claim 1, comprising an insulating housing and a spring-loaded terminal connection, as well as a push-button slidably received in a push-button shaft. The push-button has a protruding push-button nose, which, when actuated, ends above a conductor receiving opening formed in a busbar. The push-button is slidably mounted on the boundary wall of the conductor insertion opening, which defines the conductor insertion direction, parallel to this conductor insertion direction.

[0005] A screwless terminal block is known from DE 199 82 799 T1. A spring-loaded terminal connection and a terminal component are known from DE 10 2010 015 457 A1. A terminal block with a fastening structure for connecting electrical conductors is known from EP 3 159 971 A1.

[0006] The insulated housings and actuating buttons of such terminal blocks are made of plastic. The forces acting on the actuating button and, through them, on the insulated housing can lead to deformation of the plastic material. This is particularly true because the space available in the area of ​​the clamping spring for accommodating the conductor entry opening and the actuating button next to the clamping spring, and thus the available material thickness, is very limited.

[0007] Based on this, it is the object of the present invention to provide an improved connection terminal.

[0008] The object is achieved with the connecting terminal having the features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments are described in the subclaims.

[0009] By aligning the actuating axis, which is defined by the longitudinal displacement direction of the actuating pushbutton in the actuating channel, relative to the conductor insertion axis at an angle of 5° to 30°, and preferably 5° to 20°, it is achieved that the conductor insertion opening and the actuating pushbutton can be accommodated in a very small installation space. The inserted conductor and the actuating pushbutton are thus displaced towards a common (virtual) meeting point in the insulating housing when they are at such an acute angle to each other. The angular offset makes it possible to use the space available between the actuating channel and the conductor insertion channel for optimized support of the actuating pushbutton.Due to the relative angular offset between the direction of extension of the conductor insertion channel and the direction of extension of the actuating channel, the direction of force acting on the actuating button from the clamping leg of the clamping spring can be improved in order to counteract deformation of the actuating button and thus also of the insulating housing.

[0010] The angle can be made larger, particularly with a structurally adapted nozzle, and can be within the upper specified angle range of more than 20°. Similar structural designs are conceivable to achieve the desired angular orientation.

[0011] The conductor channel wall can form a partition between the actuating channel and the switch. The actuating button is then guided in a section of the partition that tapers conically to the conductor entry channel. This section can be aligned parallel to the actuating axis.

[0012] The actuating axis can be aligned approximately perpendicular to the plane spanned by the connection opening. "Approximately perpendicular" is understood to mean, in particular, an angle of 90° with a tolerance of ± 5° and preferably ± 2°.

[0013] This conically tapered section is used not only to guide the stripped end of an electrical conductor to be clamped to the terminal point, but also provides a support wall for the actuating pushbutton in the area closest to the clamping spring. Under the influence of the deflected clamping spring, the force components exerted by the actuating pushbutton on the conically tapered section of the partition act at a more acute angle than if the actuating pushbutton were supported on a non-conically tapered section of the partition of the conductor entry channel. This reduces the risk of plastic or elastic deformation of the partition.

[0014] The busbar has a connection opening, into which the leg spring is inserted. The actuating button then protrudes into this connection opening when the clamping leg is displaced toward the contact leg by the actuating button.

[0015] With such a connection opening, which can also be designed as a channel with guide walls in the form of a material passage, an electrical conductor can be reliably guided to the terminal point. This is especially true for multi-wire electrical conductors, whose strands can otherwise spread apart if the conductor is clamped using the actuating button without first deflecting the clamping spring. However, with such a connection opening, the available space for accommodating the electrical conductor and the clamping spring is greatly reduced. Optimal use of the available limited space is achieved without risk of deformation by aligning the actuating axis and conductor insertion axis at an angle of 5° to 20° to each other. The interaction between the actuating button and clamping spring is significantly improved if the stroke of the actuating button towards the clamping end of the clamping leg is utilized as fully as possible.This is achieved when the actuating lever engages the terminal opening in the actuated state. While this further limits the available space, this displacement is actually available when the actuating axis and the conductor insertion axis are aligned at an angle of 5° to 20°. This advantageously guides the electrical conductor along the actuating lever and avoids contact with the clamping leg.

[0016] The actuating pushbutton can have a shoulder on its actuating end that acts on the clamping leg, reducing the width of the actuating end. The shoulder then forms a stop for resting on an edge area of ​​the busbar that borders the connection opening. Because the actuating end of the actuating pushbutton tapers to allow it to enter the connection opening, the displacement of the actuating pushbutton is limited by the shoulder, which forms a stop between the actuating pushbutton and the busbar. In addition, the actuating pushbutton is designed to be wider above the actuating end than at the actuating end thanks to the shoulder. The actuating pushbutton is therefore more stable and can be supported at the widened end on the insulating housing in an area that is stronger than in the central area due to the generally cylindrical design of the adjacent conductor entry channel.

[0017] The surface of the actuating pushbutton facing the clamping leg can be designed without a projection from the actuating head to the clamping leg. In other words, the actuating pushbutton is designed without a projection towards the clamping leg in cross-section perpendicular to the actuating axis in the direction from the conductor entry channel to the clamping spring, starting from an actuating head. If the actuating end thus has a constant cross-section in the direction of the clamping leg or in the opposite direction towards the opening of the conductor entry channel, i.e., no protrusion, then a possible buckling moment that can act on the actuating pushbutton due to the clamping spring is avoided or at least reduced. In addition, the space required by the actuating pushbutton is kept small by the projection-free design.

[0018] The face of the actuating end of the actuating pushbutton, which engages the clamping leg, can have a rounded contour. In this case, the actuating end is tapered, but the rounded contour still does not create a disadvantageous protrusion.

[0019] The actuating channel can be conically widened towards the outside of the insulating housing in a head section located next to a cylindrical jacket receiving section of the conductor entry channel. The actuating pushbutton thus has an actuating head in the conically widened head section, the thickness of which increases towards the outside of the insulating housing in cross-section from the conductor entry channel to the clamping spring. The increased installation space towards the outside due to the inclined position of the actuating axis and conductor entry axis compared to a parallel alignment can be used to create a wider actuating head. The actuating channel then has a cross-section adapted to the conically widened head section, which enables simple and reliable demolding of the injection molding tool during injection molding of the insulating housing.

[0020] The conically widening head section towards the outside provides a surface for the actuation button to be actuated, which can be reliably actuated using standard screwdrivers as an actuation tool.

[0021] In the unactuated state, in which the clamping leg is not deflected by the actuating pushbutton toward the contact leg, the clamping leg of the clamping spring can be aligned with respect to the spring arch such that the clamping leg extends alongside the actuating pushbutton in the direction of extension of the actuating pushbutton and, after a bend below the actuating end of the unactuated actuating pushbutton, is guided through the actuating channel and the conductor entry channel or through their outlets in its rest position. This bend in the clamping leg, behind which the clamping leg is guided under the actuating end of the actuating pushbutton, as seen from the spring arch, represents the area where the distance between the clamping leg and the contact leg is at its smallest.The actuating end of the actuating pushbutton is then aligned with the clamping leg in such a way that the actuating end acts on the section of the clamping leg located behind the bend, as seen from the spring arc, and slides along this section when the actuating pushbutton is moved in the actuating channel. This applies pressure to the clamping spring in the area of ​​the clamping leg located behind the bend, starting from the spring arc, at a distance from the spring arc. This ensures that the force of the clamping spring is at an optimal angle with respect to the sliding plane of the actuating pushbutton on the insulating housing or in the direction of the actuating axis, so that the tilting and bending moments and deformation energies acting on the actuating pushbutton are kept to a minimum.

[0022] The bend of the clamping leg can have an interior angle in the range of 90° to 160°, and preferably up to 140°. This ensures that the clamping leg is aligned in a suitable relationship to the actuating axis or the sliding plane of the actuating lever for the reasons stated above.

[0023] The clamping leg can form the clamping edge with its front edge at the end of the clamping leg. A clamping section adjoining the clamping edge can then be bent toward the connection opening of the busbar. This additional folding of the clamping leg at the end of the clamping leg allows the section of the clamping leg acting on the actuating end of the actuating pushbutton to be aligned at a greater angle to the actuating axis than would be possible without this bend at the end of the clamping leg.

[0024] The clamping leg of the clamping spring can be designed such that, in any actuation state, it exerts a force on the actuating button at an angle of less than 50° to a sliding plane on which the actuating button is guided for longitudinal displacement. This ensures that the tilting moment acting on the actuating button and the deformation energy are kept as low as possible.

[0025] The actuating axis and the conductor insertion axis can intersect the clamping leg of the clamping spring independently of each other at different intersection points and run spaced apart from each other through a connection opening in the busbar, only intersecting below the plane of the busbar containing the connection opening. This places the actuating button and the conductor to be clamped close together and angularly aligned to each other so that the actuating button and the electrical conductor act independently on the clamping leg, with the actuating button sliding along the clamping leg during actuation.

[0026] The actuating end of the actuating pushbutton can be positioned close to the end of the clamping leg or close to the clamping edge when actuated, allowing the connector to be designed smaller overall. In conjunction with the fact that the actuating end slides along the clamping leg over a relatively long distance, the actuating forces can be evened out and thus reduced overall. The actuating force can thus be kept approximately constant over the entire actuating travel, resulting in a consistent actuating force level. This also enables a safe and consistent return of the actuating pushbutton.

[0027] The actuating lever can have a shoulder that, together with a projection in the actuating channel, forms a return stop in the opposite direction to the actuating direction of the actuating lever. This prevents the actuating lever from falling out of the actuating channel. During assembly, the actuating lever is inserted into the actuating channel, allowing the side walls to expand until the return stop snaps behind the recess or the locking edge of the side wall.

[0028] A partition wall exists between the actuating channel and the conductor entry channel. The boundary wall of the actuating channel opposite the partition wall is inclined relative to the actuating axis. Thus, the inner wall of the actuating channel opposite the partition wall is inclined, tapering toward the actuating opening of the actuating channel in the direction of the partition wall. When the actuating pushbutton is returned, this causes the actuating pushbutton to tilt toward the partition wall or the conductor entry channel, so that a gap between the partition wall and the head end is reduced and preferably at least largely closed. This prevents the possible ingress of dirt and / or foreign matter, and also improves the visual appearance.

[0029] The actuating buttons can have groove-like recesses. These groove-like recesses can be located, for example, on the side support surfaces. Different recesses can be provided for different types of actuating buttons. This allows the actuating buttons to be coded for optical recognition during automated assembly.

[0030] It can also be advantageously provided that the busbar and the actuating pushbutton protrude into the connection opening in the actuated state, in which the clamping leg is displaced towards the contact leg by the actuating pushbutton. The central actuating axis of the actuating channel is offset in the width direction of the connection opening from the central axis of the connection opening. An actuating head accommodated in the actuating channel is thicker in the width direction than the adjoining section of the actuating pushbutton leading to the connection opening. The center of the connection opening in the plane of the busbar is therefore not aligned with the center of the actuating channel, so that when the overall symmetrically designed actuating pushbutton is inserted, a gap exists in the actuating channel between the lateral wall of the insulating housing of the connection terminal and the actuating pushbutton.In order to reduce and / or equalize such a gap and at the same time to use the same symmetrical actuating buttons at both ends of a terminal block, for example, but with the same mirror image, i.e. on the reverse, the actuating head of the actuating button is designed to be slightly thicker in the width direction than the rest of the section. This means that the actuating opening of the actuating channel is largely filled in the width direction, apart from small gaps. The actuating button is slightly tilted in the actuating channel in the direction in which the terminal block is arranged on a mounting rail. This design, which can be combined with the other features of the terminal block described above, results in a uniform connection pattern on the top side of the terminal block.For the purposes of the present invention, the indefinite term "a" is to be understood as such and not as a numeral and also includes a plural in the sense of "at least one".

[0031] The invention is explained in more detail below using an exemplary embodiment with the accompanying drawings. They show: Figure 1- Sectional view of a terminal in the unactuated state; Figure 2- Sectional view of the terminal from Figure 1 in the actuated state; Figure 3- Section of the connection terminal from Figure 1 in plan view; Figure 4- Cross-sectional view of a section of the terminal from Figure 1 in the unactuated state; Figure 5- Cross-sectional view of a section of the terminal from Figure 2 in the actuated state; Figure 6- Sectional view of another terminal in the unactuated state; Figure 7- Terminal made of Figure 6in the actuated state; Figure 8- Cross-sectional view of a section of an embodiment of the terminal; Figure 9- Cross-sectional view of the section of Figure 8 in section AA; Figure 10- Cross-sectional view of the section from Figure 8 in section BB; Figure 11- Cross-sectional view of the section from Figure 8 in section CC; Figure 12- perspective view of the actuating button of the terminal from Figure 7 on the front; Figure 13- perspective view of the terminal block actuator button Figure 7 to the back; Figure 14- Perspective view of the terminal block from Figure 8 diagonally from below.

[0032] Figure 1 shows a sectional view of a connection terminal 1 with an insulating housing 2. In the illustrated embodiment, the connection terminal 1 is part of a series terminal, which is only shown in detail and can have several such connection terminals.

[0033] The insulating housing 2 has a conductor entry channel 3, which is defined by circumferential conductor channel walls 4. An actuation channel 5 is arranged next to the conductor entry channel 3, in which an actuation pushbutton 6 is slidably mounted. The conductor channel wall 4 of the conductor entry channel 3, which is adjacent to the actuation channel 5, forms a partition wall 7 to the actuation channel 5.

[0034] The connection terminal 1 further comprises a busbar 8 with a connection opening 9, which is inserted into the plane spanned by the busbar 8. The connection opening 9 is designed as a material passage with lateral guide walls 10a projecting downward from the plane of the busbar 8 in the insertion direction of an electrical conductor and aligned in the longitudinal extension of the busbar 8, as well as a contact wall 10b and a contact wall 10c. The guide walls 10a are formed integrally from the material of the busbar 8 and provide guide walls for an electrical conductor.

[0035] A U-shaped leg spring 11 is inserted into this connection opening 9 of the busbar 8. The leg spring 11 has a contact leg 12 that rests against and is supported on a contact wall 10b protruding from the busbar 8. A spring arch 13 adjoins the contact leg 12 of the leg spring 11. The leg spring is accommodated in a free space of the insulating housing 2. The movement space of the leg spring 11 can be limited by the wall surfaces of the insulating housing 2 that define the free space and optionally by an additional retaining pin 14.

[0036] Adjoining the spring arch 13 is a clamping leg 15 diametrically opposite the contact leg 12. This clamping leg 15 extends with its free clamping end into the connection opening 9. The clamping leg 15 forms a clamping edge 17 with its front edge at the clamping leg end 16. An electrical conductor inserted into the conductor entry channel 3 can then be clamped between the clamping edge 17 and the busbar 8. The busbar 8 provides a contact wall 10c for this purpose, which is formed integrally from the material of the busbar 8 and extends obliquely to the plane of the busbar 8 into the alignment of the connection opening 9. This contact wall 10c is formed by a bending contour such that a protruding contact edge 19 is provided and, in the illustrated idle state without an inserted conductor, the clamping edge 17 rests in the connection opening 9 of the contact wall 18.

[0037] The clamping leg 15 has a bend 20 near the spring arch 13 and is thus guided such that, in the illustrated unactuated state in which the clamping leg 15 is not deflected by the actuating pushbutton 6, the clamping leg 15 extends from the spring arch 13, initially in the extension direction of the actuating pushbutton 6, next to the actuating pushbutton 6, and then, at the bend 20, below the actuating end 21 of the actuating pushbutton 6. The clamping leg 15 is thus guided transversely through the actuating channel 5 and the conductor insertion channel 3, or through their outlets. "Transversely" means that the clamping leg 15 intersects the actuating channel 5 and the conductor insertion channel 3 at an angle of more than 45° and is thus oriented essentially perpendicularly thereto.

[0038] The clamping leg 15 with its bend 20 is further shaped such that the distance between the clamping leg 15 and the contact leg 12 is smallest at the bend.

[0039] Furthermore, it is clear that the partition 7 extends down to the clamping leg 15 in the unactuated state. The partition 7 does not have to touch the clamping leg 15, but can be adjacent to it at a distance of a small gap. However, this distance should be as small as possible and preferably less than the thickness of the clamping leg 15 as a tolerance dimension. This ensures that the actuating pushbutton 6 is guided even near the clamping spring 11 in an area where the force exerted by the clamping spring 11 on the actuating pushbutton 6 and thus on the adjacent partition 7 is greatest.

[0040] It is also clear that in the outwardly leading area of ​​the conductor entry channel 3, a cylindrical sheath receiving section M is created by the circumferential conductor channel walls 4. This sheath receiving section M can also be oval or polygonal. The only essential requirement is that in the area of ​​the sheath receiving section M, the diameter or cross-sectional area remains constant across the conductor entry axis L. The conductor entry axis L is determined by the direction of extension of the conductor entry channel 3 and thus by the concentric conductor channel walls 4.

[0041] The sheath receiving section M is followed by a section tapering conically toward the busbar 8. The partition wall 7, which serves as an intermediate wall to the actuating channel 5, extends in this conically tapered region of the conductor entry channel 3 in the direction of the actuating axis B and is aligned parallel to this actuating axis B. The actuating axis B is determined by the direction of extension of the actuating pushbutton 6 and by the adapted shape of the inner walls of the actuating channel 5, which extend concentrically around the actuating axis B.

[0042] It is clear that the actuating axis B is aligned at an angle to the conductor insertion axis L. The angle between the actuating axis B and the conductor insertion axis L is in the range of 5° to 20°. In the illustrated embodiment, it is approximately 15° + / - 5°.

[0043] It is also clear that the actuating axis B is aligned approximately perpendicular to the plane of the busbar 8 and thus to the plane spanned by the connection opening 9. The conductor insertion axis L has an interior angle of approximately 75° to the plane of the busbar 8.

[0044] It can also be seen that the actuating channel 5 is conically widened toward the outside of the insulating housing 2 in a head section located adjacent to the cylindrical casing section M. In this conically widening head section of the actuating channel 5, the actuating head 22 of the actuating push button 6 has a thickness that increases toward the head end in cross-section from the conductor insertion channel 3 to the clamping spring, ie, in the section shown.

[0045] At the head end of the actuating push button 6 there is an actuating slot 23 or another recess which is provided for receiving the end of an actuating tool.

[0046] The partition wall 7 between the conductor insertion channel 3 and the actuation channel 5 has a tab 24 at its outer end. This tab is created by elastic deformation after demoulding of an injection moulded part pulled out of the conductor insertion channel 3 and the actuation channel 5.

[0047] Figure 2 shows terminal 1 from Figure 1in the now actuated state. It is clear that the actuating pushbutton 6 is now linearly displaced in the actuating channel 5 in the direction of the actuating axis B downwards towards the busbar 8. The actuating pushbutton 6 is guided in the direction of the actuating axis B on a sliding plane G formed by the partition 7. During the actuation of the actuating pushbutton 6, i.e. when it is pressed down towards the busbar 8, the clamping leg 15 of the clamping spring 11 exerts a force on the actuating pushbutton 6. The direction of the force is always less than 50° to the sliding plane G and is therefore essentially directed in the direction of the actuating axis B. The influence of transverse forces acting on the actuating pushbutton 6 is thus considerably reduced. In addition, the partition 7, which extends very far downwards towards the busbar 8, can absorb such transverse forces and the resulting tilting moments.The forces acting on the actuating button 6 by the clamping spring 11 are directed onto the partition wall 7 in every actuating state and not onto an area of ​​the actuating button 6 that is not supported by the insulating housing 2.

[0048] The clamping leg 15 is shown in two deflection states. In the upper state, overlapping the actuating pushbutton 6, the actuating pushbutton 6 would not penetrate the connection opening 9 of the busbar 8. Then, the insertion dimension S 1 for clamping an electrical conductor would be significantly smaller than the smallest diameter of the conically tapered conductor entry channel 3. An electrical conductor would then abut the clamping end 16 and be guided by it into this narrow area.

[0049] The actual deflection state of the clamping leg 15 is the further deflected state with the insertion dimension S 2 . It is clear that a insertion dimension is achieved here that corresponds almost to the entire smallest diameter of the conically tapered conductor entry channel 3. In this state, the actuating end 21 of the actuating pushbutton 6 inserts into the connection opening 9 of the busbar 8 with a depth T. This depth T is greater than the thickness of the busbar 8 in the area adjacent to the connection opening 9. It is clear that an electrical conductor guided by the partition 7 and inserted into the conductor entry channel 3 is then first guided through the actuating end 21 of the actuating pushbutton 6 and only then reaches the clamping edge 17. The actuating end 21 of the actuating pushbutton 6 is thus located between the free end of the partition 7 pointing into the interior of the connection terminal and the clamping leg end 16.The clamping edge 17 of the clamping leg 15 is thus set back from the actuating end 21 of the actuating push button 6.

[0050] It is also clear that the smallest distance between the clamping leg 15 and the contact leg 12 is present at least in the area of ​​the bend 20, even in the actuated state.

[0051] When the actuating pushbutton 6 is actuated, the actuating end 21 slides along the clamping leg 15 in the area adjacent to the bend 20 until it further bends to the clamping leg end 16. This allows for a relatively long sliding path along the clamping leg 15. This design, in conjunction with the partition 7 extending down to adjacent to the busbar 8 and the actuating pushbutton 6 extending without a projection in the direction of the actuating axis B and acting with its actuating end 21 in alignment with the actuating axis 8, ensures that the deformation forces on the actuating pushbutton 6 are minimal. In addition, the interaction between the actuating pushbutton 6 and the clamping spring 11 is optimal due to the long actuating stroke.The limited space available in the connection opening 9 for clamping the electrical conductor and for accommodating the clamping spring 11 can still be used to accommodate the actuating button 6 due to the angular offset of the actuating axis B and the conductor insertion axis L. This allows the clamping spring 11 to act on the fully actuated terminal at a point as far away as possible from the spring arc 13, thus optimizing the force effects.

[0052] It is further clear that the actuating head 22, which widens conically outwards in the fully depressed, actuated state, is adapted to the head section of the actuating channel 5, which widens conically towards the outside of the insulating housing 2. Optionally, a step 25 on the head section, together with a step 26 in the actuating channel 5, can form a stop, which limits the displacement path of the actuating pushbutton 6 towards the busbar 8.

[0053] Figure 3 omits a top view of a section of terminal 1 Figure 1 in the unactuated state. It is clear that the head section 22 has an actuation slot 23. This can also have a different shape, such as cross-shaped, square, or round.

[0054] It is also clear that the partition wall 7 forming a conductor channel wall 4 between the conductor entry channel 3 and the actuation channel 5 is curved when viewed in the cross-section of the conductor entry channel 3. The actuation head 22 has a curved contour adapted to this. This also applies to the section of the actuation pushbutton 6 adjoining the actuation head 22 and leading to the actuation end 21, which then has a constant cross-section along its length.

[0055] Figure 4 shows a cross-sectional view of terminal 1 from Figure 1in the unactuated state as a cutout. It can be seen that the actuating pushbutton 6, in the section in the width direction of the busbar 8, has a smaller width in the area of ​​the actuating head 22 than in an adjoining central section 27 leading to the busbar 8. In this central section 27, support surfaces 28a, 28b protrude laterally from the contour of the actuating pushbutton 6, which are supported on guide wall surfaces of the insulating housing 2. This support occurs in an area of ​​the insulating housing 2 that is not as weakened by the adjacent conductor entry channel 3 as the section of the intermediate partition 7 located in the central area.

[0056] It can also be seen that the actuating pushbutton 6 has a shoulder 29a, 29b at its actuating end 21, which acts on the clamping leg 15, which reduces the width of the actuating end 21 compared to the central section 27 and the actuating head 22. This shoulder 29a, 29b forms a stop for resting on an edge region 30 of the busbar 8 that delimits the connection opening 9.

[0057] The width of the actuating section 21, as seen in the cross-section shown, is adapted to the width of the connection opening 9 in the busbar 8 and is at least slightly smaller than this width of the connection opening 9. In this way, it is ensured that the actuating push-button 6 can be inserted into the connection opening 9.

[0058] Figure 5 shows a cross-sectional view of terminal 1 from Figure 2in the actuated state. It is clear that the actuating end 21 extends into the connection opening 9 of the busbar 8. The shoulders 29a, 29b formed at the transition from the widened lateral support surfaces 28a, 28b of the central section 27 to the actuating end 21 abut the edge regions 30 of the busbar 8, which laterally delimit the connection opening 9. This prevents the actuating pushbutton 6 from being pressed further into the connection opening 9.

[0059] From the Figure 4 and 5 It is also clear that the center of the connection opening 90 is not aligned with the center of the actuating channel 5. With the actuating button 6 used, which is designed symmetrically overall, there is a gap in the actuating channel 5 between the side wall of the insulating housing 2 of the connection terminal 1 and the actuating button 6.

[0060] Figure 6shows a sectional view of another embodiment of a terminal 1. This is constructed in a similar manner to the previously described terminal 1 and has only a few modifications in this regard. Therefore, reference can essentially be made to the previous description.

[0061] It is clear that here too, the conductor entry channel 3 initially has a cylindrical casing section M, which then merges into a conically tapered section. The partition 7 in this conically tapered area forms a support and sliding surface G for the actuating pushbutton 6. The sliding surface G is aligned parallel to the actuating axis B. Here too, the partition 7 is pulled down so far from the upper plane of the busbar 8 or the plane spanned by the connection opening 9 that, in the non-actuated state, the clamping leg 15 is immediately adjacent to the partition 7, possibly with a small gap.

[0062] In this embodiment, the actuating head 22 has a nose 31 projecting in the direction of the conductor insertion channel 3, which in the unactuated state projects freely into the conically widening head section of the actuating channel 5.

[0063] In the area adjacent to the clamping spring 11, the actuating pushbutton 6 is designed without any projections and tapers towards the actuating end 21. An actuating force F is exerted by the clamping leg 15 on the clamping end 21 of the actuating pushbutton 6, which, as shown, is oriented at an acute angle to the sliding plane G or the actuating axis B. This acute angle is less than 50°. In the illustrated non-actuated state, the interior angle of the force direction F to the sliding plane G is approximately 30°.

[0064] In this embodiment, the actuating axis B is also offset at an angle to the conductor insertion axis L. This angle is also approximately 15° + / - 5°.

[0065] An angle of 16° is very suitable, with the actuating axis B being perpendicular to the plane of the busbar 8 or the plane spanned by the connection opening 9 in the busbar 8.

[0066] Figure 7shows the connection terminal Figure 6in the actuated state. The actuating pushbutton 6 is now displaced linearly in the direction of the actuating axis B or along the sliding plane G in the image plane downwards towards the busbar, so that the tapered actuating end 21 dips into the connection opening 9 of the busbar 8. The clamping leg 15 of the clamping spring 11 exerts an actuating force F on the actuating end 21, which acts at an angle of less than 50° to the sliding plane G. Here, too, the interior angle is taken into account. The force acting from the clamping leg 5 on the actuating pushbutton 6 is thus directed in the direction of the actuating axis B rather than perpendicular to it. The direction of force is oriented such that it points towards the partition wall 7. The tilting moments acting on the actuating end 21 are therefore negligible.Due to the tapered actuating end 21, which follows the direction of extension of the sliding plane G and the actuating axis B and has no projections, such disadvantageous tilting moments and deformation energies are avoided, which could impair the stability of the actuating push button 6.

[0067] In both exemplary embodiments, it is clear that the conductor channel wall 4 opposite the partition wall 7 initially extends beyond the sheath receiving section M without an inclined surface. The inclined surface adjoining there, leading to the conical taper of the conductor insertion channel 3, lies below the sheath receiving section M, viewed in the conductor insertion direction toward the busbar 8.

[0068] While the partition wall 7 runs in a straight line towards the actuating channel 5 below the sheath receiving section M, the conductor channel wall 4 has, on the opposite side, after a first inclined surface, a further end section which essentially follows the direction of extension of the conductor channel wall 4 in the sheath section M. This end section then merges into the transition of the connection opening 9 for connecting the busbar 8 and thus serves as an extension of the terminal wall 10c.

[0069] In the first exemplary embodiment, however, the partition wall 7 is straight toward the actuating opening 5 in the region of the guide section for the actuating pushbutton 6 toward the busbar 8. However, the partition wall 7 has a non-uniform cross-section in this guide section and forms a wall section below the casing section M that conically tapers the conductor entry channel 3. Following this conical taper of the conductor entry channel 3, the end section of the conductor entry channel 3 merges into a cylindrical section or a section with a constant cross-section at the opening to the connection opening 9 in the busbar 8.

[0070] Figure 8shows a cross-sectional view of a section of an embodiment of the terminal 1 in the area of ​​the actuating head 22 of the actuating push button 22. It is clear that the inner wall 40 of the actuating channel 5, which is opposite the partition 7, is inclined towards the actuating opening at the head end of the actuating channel 5 in the direction of the partition 7. This leads to a tilting of the actuating push button 6 in the direction of the partition 7 and the conductor entry channel 3 during the illustrated return of the actuating push button 6. This Figure 3 and 4 Any visible gap or slot between the partition wall 7 and the actuating head 22 is at least largely closed. This prevents the possible ingress of dirt and / or foreign bodies, and the visual appearance is improved.

[0071] It is clear that the actuating head 22 is slightly thicker in the width direction than the rest of the section. This allows the actuating opening of the actuating channel 5 to be largely filled in the width direction, except for small lateral gaps. The actuating pushbutton 6 is slightly tilted in the actuating channel 5 in the direction of the terminal block's alignment on a mounting rail, i.e., toward the side walls. This allows the same symmetrical actuating pushbutton 6 to be used on a folded surface at both ends of a terminal block, achieving a uniform connection pattern.

[0072] Figure 9 omits a cross-sectional view of the section Figure 8in section AA. This clearly shows that the actuating head 22 fills the actuating channel except for small remaining gaps. It is also clear that one side wall of the conductor entry channel is open at the side. An insulating sheath of an electrical conductor to be connected can be inserted into this area, assuming the insulating function of the side wall. This allows the connecting terminal, e.g., in the form of a terminal block, to be designed more narrowly.

[0073] Figure 10 omits a cross-sectional view of the section Figure 8 in section BB. It is clear that the actuating button 6 is significantly narrower in this section than in the area of ​​the actuating head 22. The conductor entry opening 3 is also open laterally in this area and is only closed all the way around with the insulating sheath of the electrical conductor to be connected or with the side wall of a terminal block arranged adjacent to it.

[0074] Figure 11 omits a cross-sectional view of the section Figure 8 can be seen in section CC. In this section, the actuating button 6 rests against the clamping leg 15 of the clamping spring and, when pressed down, slides along the clamping leg 15 toward the clamping edge. The conductor insertion opening 3 is now tapered in this section and closed all the way around by the insulating housing 2. The stripped end of an electrical conductor to be clamped is received in this section.

[0075] The Figure 12 and 13 show a perspective view of the terminal block actuator button from Figure 7on the front and back. It can be seen that the actuating pushbutton 6 is widened in the area of ​​the lateral support surfaces 28a, 28b. This width, at least in the actuated state of the actuating pushbutton 6, exceeds the width or diameter of the conductor entry channel 3, so that the acting spring forces can be absorbed by the thicker lateral side walls. This is shown in Figure 11 The partition 7 can thus be made thinner in the middle area, resulting in a smaller overall design of the terminal.

[0076] It can also be seen that the actuating pushbutton 6 has groove-like recesses 32 in the area of ​​the support surfaces 28a, 28b. These recesses can be different for different variants of the actuating pushbutton 6. The groove-like recesses 32 are thus codes that can be detected by means of automated optical recognition and used for automated assembly.

[0077] Figure 14 shows a perspective view of terminal 1 from Figure 8 obliquely from below. It is clear that the laterally open side wall of the conductor entry channel 3 is filled by the insulating sheath of an electrical conductor 33 to be clamped. It is also visible that the actuating button rests against the clamping leg 15 of the clamping spring 11. The support surfaces protrude laterally and rest against the insulating housing 2.

Claims

1. Connection terminal (1) with - an insulating material housing (2), which has a conductor insertion channel (3), which extends in the direction of a conductor insertion axis (L) with an at least partially circumferential conductor channel wall (4) arranged coaxially to the conductor insertion axis (L), and an actuating channel (5) arranged next to the conductor insertion channel (3), - a U-shaped curved leg spring (11), which has a contact leg (12), a clamping leg (15) and a spring bow (13) connecting the contact leg (12) to the clamping leg (15), - a conductor rail (8), and - a longitudinally displaceable actuating pusher (6) received in the actuating channel (5), wherein the contact leg (12) is mounted on the conductor rail (8) and a clamping edge (17) of the clamping leg (15) forms a spring clamp connection with a contact region of the conductor rail (8) for clamping an electrical conductor inserted into the conductor insertion channel (3), wherein an actuating axis (B) defined by the longitudinal displacement direction of the actuating pusher (6) in the actuating channel (5) and the conductor insertion axis (L) are aligned at an angle of 5° to 30° to one another, wherein the busbar (8) has a connection opening (9) and the leg spring (11) is inserted into the connection opening (9), characterized in that the actuating pusher (6) projects into the connection opening (9) in the actuating state, in which the clamping leg (15) is displaced towards the contact leg (12) by the actuating pusher (6).

2. Connection terminal (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the actuating axis (B) and the conductor insertion axis (L) are aligned at an angle of 5° to 20° to one another.

3. Connection terminal (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the conductor duct wall (4) forms a partition (7) to the actuating duct (5) and the actuating pusher (6) is guided in a section of the partition (7) which tapers conically into the conductor insertion duct (3).

4. Connection terminal (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the actuating pusher (6) has, at its actuating end (21) acting on the clamping leg (15), a shoulder (29a, 29b) which reduces the width of the actuating end (21), the shoulder (29a, 29b) forming a stop for bearing on an edge region (30) of the busbar (8) delimiting the connection opening (9).

5. Connection terminal (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the surface of the actuating pusher (6) facing the clamping leg (15), starting from an actuating head (22) up to the clamping leg (15), is formed without a projection.

6. Connection terminal (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the end face of the actuating end (21) of the actuating pusher (6) acting on the clamping leg (15) has a rounded contour.

7. Connection terminal (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the actuating channel (5) widens conically towards the outside of the insulating material housing (2) in a head section, which is located next to a cylindrical sheath receiving section (M) of the conductor insertion channel (3).

8. Connection terminal (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that the actuating pusher (6) has an actuating head (22) in the conically widening head section, the actuating head (22) having a thickness which increases towards the outside of the insulating material housing (2) when viewed in cross-section perpendicular to the actuating axis (B).

9. Connection terminal (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the clamping leg (15) extends from the spring bow (13) in the unactuated state, in which the clamping leg (15) is not deflected towards the contact leg (12) by the actuating pusher (6), extends in the direction of extension of the actuating pusher (6) next to the actuating pusher (6) and, after a bend (20) below the actuating end (21) of the unactuated actuating pusher (6) in its rest position, is guided through the actuating channel (5) and the conductor insertion channel (3) or their openings, wherein the distance between the clamping leg (15) and the contact leg (12) is smallest at the bend (20) and the actuating end (21) acts on the section of the clamping leg (15) located behind the bend (20) as seen from the spring bow (13) and slides along this section when the actuating pusher (6) is displaced in the actuating channel (5).

10. Connection terminal (1) according to claim 9, characterized in that the bend (20) has an internal angle in the range from 90° to 160°.

11. Connection terminal (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the clamping limb (15) forms the clamping edge (17) with its end edge at the clamping limb end (16), a clamping section having the clamping limb end (16) with the clamping edge (17) being bent towards the connection opening (9) of the busbar (8).

12. Connection terminal (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the clamping leg (15) exerts a force on the actuating pusher (6) in each actuating state at an angle of less than 50° to a sliding plane (G) on which the actuating pusher (6) is longitudinally displaceably guided.

13. Connection terminal (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the actuating axis (B) and the conductor insertion axis (L) intersect the clamping leg (15) of the clamping spring (11) independently of one another at different intersection points and extend at a distance from one another through a connection opening (9) in the busbar (8) and intersect below the plane of the busbar (8), which has the connection opening (9).

14. Connection terminal (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the actuating pusher (6) has a shoulder which, together with a projection in the actuating channel (5), forms a return stop in the opposite direction to the actuating direction of the actuating pusher (6).

15. Connection terminal (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that there is a partition wall (7) between the actuating channel (5) and the conductor insertion channel (3) and the boundary wall of the actuating channel (5) opposite the partition wall (7) is inclined relative to the actuating axis (B).

16. Connection terminal (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the actuating pusher (6) has groove-like recesses (32).

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