Terminal block

Abstract

The invention relates to a conductor connection terminal comprising an insulating material housing, a current bar, a clamping spring and an actuating lever, which is received in the insulating material housing such that the actuating lever can be swivelled over a swivel region and pivoted between an open position and a closed position, the clamping spring comprising an actuating limb, which is deflected, at least in the open position, by a spring catch of the actuating lever, characterised in that the actuating lever is supported in the open position at a first support point and a second support point spaced apart therefrom, and the actuating lever is pulled against the first and the second support point by means of a tensile force from the actuating limb acting on the spring catch.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a conductor terminal block with an insulating housing, a clamping spring, and an actuating element that is pivotably mounted in the insulating housing over a pivoting range, wherein the actuating lever interacts with the clamping spring. The clamping spring can have a clamping leg and / or a contact leg. The clamping tongue can have a clamping tongue. The clamping spring can have a spring arc adjoining the contact leg. The clamping leg can be connected to the spring arc. The clamping spring can have an actuating leg projecting from the clamping leg. The actuating element can interact with the actuating leg to move the clamping tongue. The actuating element is an actuating lever that is pivotably mounted in the insulating housing over a pivoting range. The conductor terminal block also has a busbar.

[0002] The invention further relates to a conductor terminal with an insulating housing, a clamping spring, and an actuating lever which is pivotably mounted in the insulating housing over a pivoting range and is pivotable between an open position and a closed position, wherein the clamping spring has an actuating leg which is deflected at least in the open position via a spring driver of the actuating lever. The conductor terminal also has a busbar.

[0003] The invention further relates to a clamping spring of a conductor terminal for connecting an electrical conductor to a busbar, wherein the clamping spring has a contact leg, a spring arc adjoining the contact leg, and a clamping leg adjoining the spring arc and terminating with a clamping tongue, wherein an actuating leg projects from the clamping leg, the actuating leg having a drive opening for engaging a spring driver of an actuating lever of the conductor terminal. The actuating leg can have two spaced-apart side webs. The actuating leg can have a cross web. The cross web can connect the side webs to each other at their free end. The side webs and the cross web can enclose the drive opening. Such a clamping spring is suitable, for example, as a clamping spring of a conductor terminal of the type described above.

[0004] The invention further relates to a conductor terminal block comprising an insulating housing, a busbar, a clamping spring, and an actuating lever which is pivotably mounted in the insulating housing over a pivoting range and is pivotable between an open position and a closed position, wherein the clamping spring has an actuating leg which is deflected at least in the open position via a spring driver of the actuating lever, wherein the actuating lever is supported on the busbar with a bearing force over at least a portion of the pivoting range, and the actuating lever can be locked in the open position by means of at least one locking element arranged on the actuating lever in conjunction with a counter-locking element formed on the busbar. The locking element mentioned above can, for example, be the fourth locking element described below.A part of the busbar can serve as a counter-fixing element, in particular the curvature area of ​​the busbar which will be explained below.

[0005] The invention also relates to a terminal block with an insulating housing for snapping onto a mounting rail with a) at least one first conductor terminal with a first clamping point for connecting a first electrical conductor and b) at least one second conductor terminal with a second clamping point for connecting a second electrical conductor, c) wherein the first conductor terminal has a spring-clamp terminal with a clamping spring for connecting the first electrical conductor to the first clamping point by means of spring clamping, e) wherein the second conductor terminal e1) has an actuating opening for inserting a separate actuating tool for opening the second clamping point, or e2) has an actuating element designed as a push button for opening the second clamping point, or e3) the second conductor terminal has an insulation displacement connection or a screw terminal for connecting the second electrical conductor to the second clamping point.

[0006] A terminal block is known from WO 2017 / 081001 A1. A screwless busbar connection for electrical terminals is known from DE 10 2004 018 904 A1. FR 2 857 511 A1 and EP 1 860 735 A1 disclose terminal blocks, each with several spring-loaded clamping connections that are actuated by a separate tool. DE 10 2014 114 026 A1 discloses a conductor connection terminal and a method for its assembly.

[0007] In general, the invention relates to the field of conductor connection technology using clamping springs. The invention is based on the objective of improving such conductor connection terminals, their clamping springs, and the terminal blocks formed therewith.

[0008] This problem is solved by the terminal block specified in claim 1. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims. Further advantageous embodiments of the invention are also specified in the following description and in the drawings.

[0009] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the actuating lever is supported on the busbar over at least a portion of its pivoting range. Accordingly, the actuating lever rests on the busbar, which provides a robust mounting for the actuating lever and allows it to be fixed in specific positions, such as the open or closed position. The busbar can be fixed within the insulating housing, i.e., arranged within the insulating housing in a manner that is essentially immovable in all three spatial directions, except for tolerances.

[0010] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the actuating lever has at least one bearing projection for supporting the actuating lever on the busbar. This provides a defined bearing surface for the actuating lever, allowing it to rest against the busbar. The bearing projection can, for example, project laterally from a pivot plane of the actuating lever, e.g., on one side or on both sides of the actuating lever.

[0011] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the actuating lever has a first guide section, the busbar has a recess, and the actuating lever, with the first guide section, enters the recess in the busbar at least over a portion of the swivel range.

[0012] In this way, the actuating lever is additionally guided by the busbar during a pivoting operation and held in a desired pivoting plane against lateral forces. The recess in the busbar can, for example, be slot-shaped, i.e., in the form of a longitudinal slot in the busbar.

[0013] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the recess in the busbar is slot-shaped and, in particular, enclosed on its circumference by the busbar material. In this way, the recess can form a robust guide for the first guide section of the actuating lever. Furthermore, the busbar is not excessively weakened by the recess.

[0014] A conductor terminal with a clamping spring and a busbar having a slotted recess is also to be considered an independent invention. Such a conductor terminal can also be advantageously combined with the other mentioned embodiments of the conductor terminal. The slotted recess can be used for various purposes, e.g., for fixing the busbar in the insulating housing. Another possible application is for the bearing and guidance of the actuating lever, as explained above.

[0015] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is therefore provided that the actuating lever is guided through the first guide section in the recess in the busbar during a pivoting movement, at least over a partial area of ​​the pivoting range.

[0016] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the support projection is arranged adjacent to the first guide section on the actuating lever. The support projection and the first guide section can be spaced apart, for example, by a groove. In an advantageous embodiment, at least no element with a guiding function is present between the support projection and the first guide section. The support projection and the first guide section can have guide surfaces that are at an angle to each other, for example, 90°. The support projection can also be arranged adjacent to the first guide section, for example, laterally offset from the first guide section. In this way, the lateral guidance of the actuating lever via the first guide section can be combined in a mechanically advantageous manner with the support of the actuating lever on the busbar by means of the support projection.

[0017] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the contact leg is supported on the busbar. This has the advantage that the clamping spring can also be supported directly on the busbar, which opens up the possibility of providing a self-supporting contact insert with minimal force transmission to the insulating housing.

[0018] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the actuating lever is mounted in a floating manner within the insulating housing. Accordingly, the actuating lever does not have a fixed (rigid) axis of rotation, but can move in at least one other degree of freedom, e.g., a displacement degree of freedom, during the pivoting movement. In this way, the function of the actuating lever can be further improved, e.g., with regard to fixing the actuating lever in the open and closed positions. The axis of rotation effective in the respective operating state of the actuating lever is also referred to as the instantaneous center of rotation. The instantaneous center of rotation can thus change position during the pivoting movement of the actuating lever.

[0019] According to the invention, the busbar comprises a first busbar section, on which a first clamping point of a first conductor connection of the conductor terminal is formed, and a second busbar section, wherein the first busbar section is connected to the second busbar section via a curved section of the busbar, in which the busbar is curved. In this way, a particularly compact conductor terminal with lever actuation can be realized. Furthermore, the curved section and / or the second busbar section can be used for additional functionalities of the conductor terminal, e.g., for supporting the actuating lever, providing additional guidance during pivoting, and / or fixing it, for example, in the open position.

[0020] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the actuating lever is therefore supported on the busbar at least over a portion of its pivoting range in the second busbar section. The support leg can be mounted in or on the busbar in the first busbar section.

[0021] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the actuating lever has a contour adapted to the curvature of the busbar in the area supported on the busbar. In the open position of the actuating lever, this contour rests on the upper surface of the curved section and forms a fourth fixing element for securing the actuating lever to the busbar. In this way, in the open position, i.e., in the open pivot state of the actuating lever, the lever can be fixed by the positive engagement of the curved section with the adapted contour. The adapted contour thus forms the fourth fixing element, e.g., a detent element, for securing the actuating lever in the open position.

[0022] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the curvature creates an internal angle between the first and second busbar sections in the range of 105 to 165 degrees or 120 to 150 degrees. This also promotes the compact design of the conductor terminal. Furthermore, a favorable conductor insertion direction can be achieved, for example, for applications in terminal blocks.

[0023] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the curved section is designed such that the busbar, starting from the second busbar section, is initially bent concavely with a first radius (R1) and then transitions into a convexly bent section with a second radius (R2). In other words, the radii of curvature of the first radius R1 and the second radius R2 are oppositely oriented. In this way, a kind of "hump" can be created in the curved section, which is particularly suitable for the positive locking of the actuating lever in the open position.

[0024] The curved section can be designed such that the busbar transitions directly from the first radius to the second radius without an intervening straight section. This arrangement, with the first radius and the oppositely curved second radius, creates a kind of hump in the busbar, thus forming a section raised above the adjacent areas of the busbar.

[0025] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the recess in the busbar is arranged only in the second busbar section, or extends from the second busbar section into the curved area, or extends from the second busbar section across the curved area into the first busbar section. In this way, the area of ​​the busbar that serves to guide the actuating lever can be spatially separated from an area of ​​the busbar that forms a spring-loaded clamping connection with the clamping spring.

[0026] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the actuating arm has a drive area and the actuating lever has a spring-loaded driver which interacts with the drive area to move the clamping tongue. In this way, the clamping tongue can be deflected by the actuating lever. The drive area on the actuating arm can, for example, be designed as a drive opening, as explained below, or as a lateral cutout in the actuating arm.

[0027] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the spring driver is arranged at least partially or completely within the recess of the busbar in the closed position. In this way, the spring driver is moved far back so that it cannot exert any influence on the actuating arm. In addition, the spring driver also acts as a guide element that guides the actuating lever within the recess of the busbar in the closed position.

[0028] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the actuating lever is supported on the busbar by having at least one bearing projection of the actuating lever rest on a bearing area of ​​the busbar facing the actuating lever. The bearing area is, for example, located on the upper side of the busbar. The first guide section or an associated element of the actuating lever, such as the second fixing element, can project through the recess in the busbar and perform a further function. In this way, the actuating lever, in combination with the recess, can function on both sides of the busbar, i.e., both on the upper side and on the underside facing away from the upper side. Thus, the actuating lever, or its element projecting through the recess, can interact with another element of the conductor terminal, for example.with a section of the insulating housing, as will be explained below with regard to the second fixing element.

[0029] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the spring actuator is arranged in the curved section of the busbar, at least in the closed position. This also facilitates the provision of a compact conductor terminal. The portion of the clamping spring that is actuated by the spring actuator can therefore be designed with only a minimal projection above the busbar. The spring actuator is preferably formed on the first guide section of the actuating lever. Because the first guide section with the spring actuator engages in the slot-shaped recess of the busbar, a low overall height of the conductor terminal can be achieved. Furthermore, the length of the actuating arm can also be reduced.

[0030] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the busbar has a conductor feed-through opening into which the mounting leg and the clamping tongue are inserted. This allows the conductor connection terminal to be designed in a particularly compact manner, especially with regard to the electrical contact insert.

[0031] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the conductor feedthrough opening has wall sections projecting on all sides from the busbar plane, forming a material passage. This enables good contact with an electrical conductor as well as secure mechanical fastening of the electrical conductor. The material passage can be manufactured in a production-efficient manner, e.g., in one piece from the same material as the busbar.

[0032] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the conductor terminal has a second conductor connection for connecting a second electrical conductor, wherein the second conductor connection is electrically conductively connected to the first conductor connection via the second busbar section or can be connected via a connecting element. In this way, several electrical conductors can be connected simultaneously. The conductor terminal can, for example, be designed as a terminal block.

[0033] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the first busbar section extends towards its free end in a direction away from the actuating lever. In this way, the conductor entry direction for inserting the first electrical conductor can be arranged favorably.

[0034] According to the invention, in the closed position, the outer surface of the manual actuating section runs essentially parallel to a second busbar section that connects the first busbar section to the third busbar section, or essentially parallel to the third busbar section, in the longitudinal direction of the actuating lever. The outer surface of the manual actuating section is the surface that faces away from the insulating housing when the actuating lever is in the closed position. This allows for a minimization of the terminal block's overall height.

[0035] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the actuating arm, in the closed position, particularly when no electrical conductor is clamped at the first clamping point, extends from the clamping arm along the first busbar section and projects beyond the curved area. In this way, the actuating arm can be arranged in a space-saving manner and yet still be easily engaged by the spring driver when the actuating lever is moved into the open position.

[0036] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the actuating leg projects from the clamping leg, the actuating leg having two spaced-apart side webs and a cross web connecting the side webs at their free end, the side webs and the cross web enclosing a drive opening for the engagement of a spring-loaded driver of an actuating lever of the conductor terminal. This allows for efficient force transmission from the actuating lever to the clamping leg while simultaneously enabling a space-saving design of the conductor terminal.

[0037] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the crossbar, in combination with at least one area of ​​the insulating housing, provides a safeguard against the actuating lever being pulled out of the insulating housing, at least when the actuating lever is in the open position. Accordingly, no additional securing means, in particular no additional components, are required to secure the actuating lever against being pulled out in the open position.

[0038] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the area of ​​the insulating housing that forms a safeguard against the actuating lever being pulled out of the insulating housing provides a stop for the crossbar of the actuating leg.

[0039] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the actuating lever is pivotable from a closed position, in which a clamping edge, in particular a clamping edge of the clamping tongue, forms a clamping point with the busbar for connecting an electrical conductor, to an open position, in which the clamping edge is lifted from the busbar to open the clamping point. Accordingly, the closed position of the actuating lever corresponds to a closed position of the clamping point, and the open position of the actuating lever corresponds to an open clamping point.

[0040] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the insulating housing has an opening which, in the closed position of the actuating lever, is covered by the actuating lever. This opening leads to the clamping spring or other electrically conductive components of the conductor terminal. The opening can, in particular, be designed as a lever guide slot in a canopy of the insulating housing. In the closed position, the opening is covered, for example, by a manual actuating section of the actuating lever. This shields the current-carrying elements within the conductor terminal from the external environment, thus ensuring touch safety (finger safety) of the conductor terminal. The canopy can be designed like a housing wall of the insulating housing, which is slightly recessed relative to the outer contour of the insulating housing.

[0041] In addition to the opening mentioned above, the insulating housing can have a lever opening that allows the actuating lever to be installed when the insulating housing is fully assembled. The opening mentioned above can form part of the lever opening. In this way, with the conductor terminal according to the invention, the actuating lever can be installed from above, so to speak, through the lever opening, when the insulating housing is fully assembled, i.e., without any further openings, e.g., on the sides.

[0042] The lever opening can be completely surrounded on its circumference by the material of the insulating housing, i.e., by corresponding walls or other sections of the insulating housing. When the actuating lever is mounted in its final position in the conductor terminal, at least the manual actuating section protrudes at least partially from the insulating housing; that is, the actuating lever then extends through the lever opening.

[0043] The lever opening can have a simple shape, such as a rectangular shape in plan view. It can also have more complex shapes. In particular, the lever opening can taper, so that its width changes along its length. For example, this taper can be achieved by the aforementioned canopy, so that the lever guide slot between the canopy elements forms a narrower section of the lever opening. The width of the lever opening is measured transversely to the conductor terminal, where the transverse direction of the conductor terminal is perpendicular to the pivot plane of the actuating lever. When the actuating lever is in the closed position, the second guide section of the actuating lever can engage in the tapered section of the lever opening.The operating lever may have lateral recesses that make the area of ​​the lever that can enter the tapered section of the lever opening narrower than adjacent areas, e.g., narrower than the manual operating section. In the closed position, the canopy may be at least partially accommodated in these lateral recesses.

[0044] The surface of the canopy facing the outside of the insulating housing defines a canopy plane. In the open position, the spring driver of the operating lever can protrude outwards from the canopy plane.

[0045] The canopy can also serve as a stop and / or support element for the operating lever when it is in the closed position. For example, the underside of the manual operating section can rest on the canopy.

[0046] The actuating element or lever can be designed as an integral part of the conductor terminal, unlike an actuating tool that is not part of the conductor terminal and must be procured separately when a clamping point of the conductor terminal needs to be opened. Because the actuating element or lever is designed as an integral part of the conductor terminal, the procurement of a separate tool is unnecessary. The actuating element or lever is then permanently available for actuating the clamping spring.

[0047] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the spring driver is designed to engage in the opening when the actuating lever is in the open position. This allows the opening of the insulating housing to be filled even in the open position, thus ensuring touch protection of the conductor terminal even in this position. No additional component is required for this; rather, the actuating lever with its spring driver can fulfill this function.

[0048] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the actuating lever has a second guide section projecting towards the lever guide slot, through which the actuating lever is guided in the closed position. In this way, additional guidance of the actuating lever in the closed position can be achieved, particularly in addition to a lower guide through which the actuating lever is guided by its first guide section in the recess of the busbar.

[0049] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the actuating lever on the second guide section has at least one laterally projecting third fixing element by which the actuating lever can be fixed in the closed position in the area of ​​the canopy. This allows for simple and reliable fixing of the actuating lever in the closed position.

[0050] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the actuating lever has at least one second fixing element by which the actuating lever is fixed in the open position. In this way, the actuating lever can also be securely fixed in the open position. This fixing can be provided alternatively or additionally to the previously mentioned fixing by means of the fourth fixing element at the curvature of the busbar.

[0051] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the second fixing element is designed to engage in a receiving pocket formed in the insulating housing when in the closed position. This secures the actuating lever against being pulled out in the closed position. Furthermore, this creates a kind of return brake for the actuating lever, thus dampening any lever recoil. In particular, this prevents the actuating lever from being forced out of the insulating housing or being ejected during a lever recoil.

[0052] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the actuating lever is located predominantly within the area enclosed by the outer contour of the insulating housing in every actuating position. This has the advantage that the actuating lever is protected by the insulating housing and that only a small amount of additional external space is required in every operating state of the actuating lever, even when pivoting. In the open position, the actuating lever can be located within the area enclosed by the outer contour of the insulating housing for a substantial portion of its longitudinal extent, at least 30% or at least 40%.

[0053] The aforementioned actuating lever can also be designed differently than a lever, e.g., as an actuating slide or as another actuating element. Accordingly, the invention also relates to a conductor terminal of the aforementioned type in which, instead of the actuating lever, an actuating element of some kind is provided for actuating the clamping arm.

[0054] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, a conductor terminal with an actuating element of any design, which interacts with an actuating leg projecting from the clamping leg to move the clamping tongue, has two spaced-apart side webs and a cross web connecting the side webs at their free end, wherein the side webs and the cross web enclose a drive opening for the engagement of a spring driver of the actuating element of the conductor terminal. This allows for good force transmission from the actuating element to the actuating leg, even with a very compact design of the conductor terminal.

[0055] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the spring driver has a width that varies along its length, in particular that the spring driver becomes narrower towards its free end. The width of the spring driver is measured in the transverse direction of the conductor terminal. This simplifies the insertion of the spring driver into the driver opening. Accordingly, the spring driver can be configured as follows: a first and / or second and / or third spring driver section is formed on the spring driver. The first spring driver section can be narrower than the second spring driver section. The second spring driver section can be narrower than the third spring driver section.

[0056] The spring driver can additionally or alternatively taper towards its free end in a dimension other than its width, e.g., in the direction of its height. The height of the spring driver is measured in a direction perpendicular to the pivot plane of the actuating lever and perpendicular to the direction of the greatest longitudinal extent of the actuating lever, i.e., the overall length of the actuating lever.

[0057] The design of the spring driver such that it narrows towards its free end can be configured as either a continuous reduction in width and / or a stepped reduction in width. Accordingly, at least one step and / or edge can be present in the width dimension, whereby the step need not be perpendicular but can be at any other angle. Similarly, the design of the spring driver such that it narrows towards its free end in height can be configured as either a continuous reduction in height and / or a stepped reduction in height. Accordingly, at least one step and / or edge can be present in the height dimension, whereby the step need not be perpendicular but can be at any other angle.

[0058] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the spring driver, when viewed from the side of the actuating lever, has a rounded free end, e.g., with a radius. Accordingly, there are no sharp areas and / or edges at the free end of the spring driver, but rather the aforementioned rounding.

[0059] If the actuating lever is pivoted within its pivoting range, the spring driver follows this pivoting movement with the actuating lever.

[0060] In general terms, compared to prior art solutions, the spring driver in the present invention can be relatively long and slender. The length of the spring driver can, for example, be at least 20%, at least 25%, or at least 30% of the length of the actuating lever in the bearing area. The bearing area is defined as the portion of the actuating lever extending longitudinally from the spring driver to the rear end furthest from the spring driver. With respect to the total length of the actuating lever, the proportion of the length of the spring driver can, for example, be at least 7%, at least 8%, or at least 9%.

[0061] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the third spring driver area forms a guide for the side webs of the actuating arm when the actuating element is moved into the open position. Accordingly, the side webs can each bear substantially against the third spring driver area. This prevents tilting between the actuating arm and the spring driver.

[0062] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the actuating lever is supported in the open position at a first and a spaced-apart second support point, and the actuating lever is pulled against the first and second support points by a tensile force of the clamping spring acting on the spring driver from the actuating leg. This has the advantage that the actuating lever is additionally held and fixed in the open position by the tensile force of the clamping spring, which, compared to a rigid fixation, for example by a detent element, has the advantage that even with slight deflections from this actual open position, the actuating lever is pulled back towards the open position. In this way, the actuating lever is securely fixed even under external loads, e.g., strong vibration loads.

[0063] The first and second support points can be located on the same element of the conductor terminal or on different elements of the conductor terminal. For example, one support point can be located on the insulating housing, and the other on the busbar.

[0064] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the line of action of the tensile force of the actuating arm runs between the first and second support points. This facilitates robust fixing of the actuating lever in the open position. It is particularly advantageous if the line of action of the tensile force of the actuating arm runs in a central region between the first and second support points, especially in a region of 30% to 70% of the distance between the first and second support points.

[0065] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the actuating arm extends between the first and second support points in the open position. This allows the conductor connection terminal and, in particular, the electrical contact insert to be designed in a particularly compact manner.

[0066] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the actuating lever has a second fixing element by which the actuating lever is supported at the first support point in the open position, wherein the second fixing element forms a recess in the outer circumference of the actuating lever. Such a recess is understood to be a concave shape of a surface. A protrusion is understood to be a convex shape of a surface. These recesses and protrusions enable reliable locking of the actuating lever in the sense of a latching action.

[0067] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, a bearing surface is provided on the insulating material housing, which in the open position forms the first bearing point, wherein the bearing surface is part of a bulge of the insulating material housing.

[0068] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the second support point is arranged on the busbar, in particular in the form of a bulge in the busbar pointing towards the actuating lever.

[0069] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the point of force application of the tensile force to the actuating lever is arranged in the open position such that a torque acts on the actuating lever, which is counteracted by the support of the actuating lever at the first and second bearing points. The actuating lever is thus permanently subjected to a torque when it is in the open position, but is held in place by the support at the first and second bearing points. Accordingly, the actuating lever does not need to be manually held in the open position.

[0070] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, a connecting line passing through the first and second support points intersects the actuating leg, with the angle between the actuating leg and the connecting line being less than 90 degrees. Alternatively, a line parallel to the connecting line can intersect the actuating leg. In this case, the angle between the actuating leg and the line parallel to the connecting line is less than 90 degrees.

[0071] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the angle between the actuating leg and the connecting line or the parallel line is greater than 20°, in particular greater than 30° or greater than 45°. This ensures a particularly secure support of the actuating lever in the open position. The actuating lever remains securely in the open position even under vibration.

[0072] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, an angle of 60° to 120° is formed between the plane of a housing surface of the insulating housing, from which the actuating lever projects in the open position, and a spatial plane perpendicular to the pivot plane of the actuating lever, which passes centrally through the manual actuating section of the actuating lever. This allows for convenient gripping of the actuating lever in the open position and ergonomically advantageous movement from the closed to the open position. In an advantageous embodiment, the lower end of the angle range can begin at 70°, 75°, or 80° instead of 60°. The upper end of the angle range can end at 110°, 105°, or 100° instead of 120°.

[0073] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, at least the second support point is formed by two support surfaces spaced apart from each other perpendicular to the pivot plane of the actuating lever, on which the actuating lever is supported. This enables multi-point support of the actuating lever at spatially distributed locations, in particular the three-point support described below.

[0074] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the actuating lever is supported by the two bearing surfaces of the second support point and by the first support point in a three-point bearing arrangement. This ensures that the actuating lever is reliably held in a mechanically defined manner.

[0075] Viewed from the side, the actuating lever can have three support points around its circumference. One of these three support points (the middle support point) can rest on the busbar. The other two support points (the first and third support points), surrounding the middle support point, can rest on the housing of the conductor terminal. The middle support point can be a single point or two laterally offset points. If two middle support points are present, they can be positioned off-center in the transverse direction of the actuating lever, on either side of a central plane of the lever. For example, the middle support points can be achieved by the arrangement of the two off-center fourth fixing elements described below.

[0076] For the aforementioned three-point mounting in the open position, the actuating lever can accordingly have at least three contact points. The first or the second locking element can form such a contact point. Additionally, two contact points can be formed by the fourth locking element. A further (fourth) contact point can be formed if both the first and second locking elements form such a contact point.

[0077] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the bearing surfaces of the second support point are arranged in spatial planes parallel to the pivot plane of the actuating lever, and the first support point is arranged in a third spatial plane parallel to the first and second spatial planes, which is located between the first and second spatial planes. This allows for secure support of the actuating lever in the open position. In particular, unintentional release of the actuating lever is prevented, even under vibration load on the conductor terminal.

[0078] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the actuating lever is supported at least at a first support point in the open position. The insulating housing has an intermediate wall, on one side of which the first support point is formed and on the opposite side of which the clamping spring runs. In this way, the clamping spring can be advantageously integrated into the insulating housing in the area of ​​the intermediate wall. The intermediate wall can be designed like an island of insulating material within the insulating housing. This allows the insulating housing to participate in the support of the actuating lever and other functionalities of the conductor terminal. This also promotes a compact design of the conductor terminal.

[0079] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the intermediate wall is supported and counter-supported by the clamping spring against the bearing force applied to the intermediate wall at the first support point by the actuating lever. Accordingly, the intermediate wall is, so to speak, clamped between two forces applied by the clamping spring: the bearing force transmitted by the actuating lever and a counter-force from the clamping spring. In this way, a self-supporting system can advantageously be realized. Furthermore, in this manner, a plastic component is supported against a metal component that induces or introduces the force, which is advantageous in the presence of moisture, which can lead to a reduction in the stability of the plastic material.

[0080] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is therefore provided that the intermediate wall is supported and counter-supported against the bearing force applied to the intermediate wall by the actuating lever at the first bearing point on the support leg and / or on a spring arc which connects the support leg and a clamping leg of the clamping spring.

[0081] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the bearing force of the actuating lever is generated by a tensile force transmitted from the actuating leg of the clamping spring to the actuating lever. By transmitting a purely tensile force, the elements involved in force transmission on the side of the clamping spring, such as parts of the actuating leg, can be designed to be very material-efficient and therefore also space-saving.

[0082] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the partition wall is formed by solid insulating material or has at least one stiffening element, in particular at least one rib-shaped stiffening element. The insulating material can, for example, be a plastic.

[0083] The embodiments of the clamping spring mentioned at the beginning, which are explained below, are suitable, for example, as a clamping spring for a conductor terminal of the type described above.

[0084] The problem is further solved by a clamping spring with a contact leg, a spring arc adjoining the contact leg, and a clamping leg adjoining the spring arc and terminating with a clamping tongue. An actuating leg projects from the clamping leg and has two side webs integrally formed with the clamping spring. The side webs are bent out from the clamping leg of the clamping spring with a mean bending radius. The clamping spring is stamped and bent from a flat metal sheet of a predetermined thickness, where the ratio of the mean bending radius to the thickness of the metal sheet is less than 3. The mean bending radius is defined by a material centerline of the metal sheet. In this way, the force transmission of the actuating lever force via the actuating leg into the clamping spring can be optimized.This results in a direct translation, a short stroke, and consequently, essentially no stretching in the actuating arm. Furthermore, such a design allows for the simple manufacture of the components used in the conductor terminal block, as well as the entire terminal block. This embodiment of the clamping spring can be advantageously combined with all other described variants.

[0085] The thickness of the metal sheet of the clamping spring can be selected, in particular depending on the nominal conductor diameter or nominal conductor cross-section of the conductor terminal, e.g. as follows: Nominal conductor cross-section thickness of the metal sheet 2.5 mm 2< 0.34 mm 4 mm 2< 0.43 mm 6 mm 2< 0.45 mm 10 mm 2< 0.55 mm

[0086] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, a tab projecting from the plane of the drive opening adjoins the cross web, the tab having a curvature, the convex surface of which faces the drive opening. In this way, a curved bearing area can be provided on the actuating arm, which can advantageously rest on the spring driver and slide along it during a pivoting movement of the actuating lever.

[0087] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the tab is formed integrally with the crossbar and bent away from the crossbar. This allows for simple manufacturing of the clamping spring with the actuating leg, for example in a stamping-bending process.

[0088] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the free end of the actuating leg is bent with the crossbar in a direction pointing away from the spring arc. This allows for a strong curvature at the tab without requiring excessively high degrees of deformation during the bending process.

[0089] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, an edge formed at the free end of the tab points away from the drive opening. This prevents excessive wear of the spring driver of the actuating lever. In particular, contact between the potentially sharp end edge of the tab and the spring driver can be avoided.

[0090] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the width of the drive opening, defined by the inner distance between the side webs, varies along the longitudinal extension of the actuating arm, in particular with a reduction in width towards the free end of the actuating arm. This reduction in width can be stepped. In this way, elements of different widths can be guided through the drive opening, e.g., the spring driver on the one hand, and other elements such as parts of the clamping spring, for example, the contact leg.

[0091] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the contact leg therefore extends through the drive opening, in particular through the wider area of ​​the drive opening. The wider area of ​​the drive opening is that area in which the inner distance between the side webs is greater than in one or more other areas of the drive opening.

[0092] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the clamping tongue tapers from the root region towards the clamping edge at the free end. This prevents the clamping tongue from tilting in an opening of the busbar, for example, due to a possible misalignment of the clamping spring. The root region is defined as the part of the clamping spring where the clamping leg branches into the clamping tongue and the actuating leg. Thus, the root of the clamping tongue and the root of the actuating leg are located in this part of the clamping spring.

[0093] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the clamping leg has a clamping leg arc formed between the spring bow and the root region, and the actuating leg has a length from the root region to a force application area, which is designed to apply an actuating force to the actuating leg, that is greater than the length of the clamping leg from the root region to the apex of the clamping leg arc. This can be achieved, for example, by making the effective length of the actuating leg, measured from the branch point of the actuating leg from the clamping leg to the curved bearing area, greater than the length of the clamping leg, measured from the branch point of the actuating leg from the clamping leg to the apex of the spring bow. In this way, a spring with a shortened buckling length can be realized.Such a clamping spring is better protected against unwanted bending or kinking of the clamping leg when a clamped electrical conductor is pulled from the outside.

[0094] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the clamping leg has a clamping leg arc formed between the spring bow and the root area, which, when the actuating lever is moved from the closed position to the open position, abuts a part of the insulating housing of the conductor terminal. In this way, the bending length of the clamping leg can be advantageously shortened.

[0095] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the narrowest width of a side web is a maximum of 20% of the widest width of the clamping leg. This allows for very thin side webs, which contributes to material savings in the clamping spring and also to the compact design of the conductor terminal. Since the side webs only need to transmit tensile forces, a very narrow design is readily achievable.

[0096] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the smallest width of a side web is provided that it is at most four times the thickness of the metal sheet.

[0097] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the actuating lever has a spring-loaded driver which extends through the driver opening, at least in the open position. In this way, the clamping arm can be deflected by the spring-loaded driver of the actuating lever.

[0098] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the spring driver extends through the narrower portion of the driver opening, at least in the open position. Since the actuating arm and its side webs only need to transmit tensile forces, they can be designed to be correspondingly thin, resulting in material savings for the clamping spring. Furthermore, in an embodiment of the clamping spring where at least the clamping tongue is provided by a section punched out of the actuating arm, in which the driver opening is formed, the clamping tongue can have a relatively large clamping width, which in turn allows for the clamping of relatively large conductor cross-sections.

[0099] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, a curved bearing area is formed on the actuating arm in the region of the curvature of the tab. The actuating lever has a cup bearing on which the curved bearing area slides along the actuating arm of the clamping spring during a pivoting movement of the actuating lever. In this way, the curved bearing area can be guided reliably over and slide along the actuating lever without tilting and with low friction. The cup bearing can be arranged, in particular, on the spring driver.

[0100] The curved bearing area can have a constant or a varying curvature. In any case, a curvature is present over the entire extent of the curved bearing area, and there is no sharp edge or kink. The smallest radius of curvature of the curved bearing area can be greater than or equal to half the thickness of the metal sheet of the clamping spring.

[0101] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the actuating leg extends from the clamping leg along the first busbar section and projects beyond the curvature of the busbar with at least part of the drive opening. In this way, the spring-loaded drive can be inserted into the drive opening through the busbar without obstruction. Furthermore, the conductor connection terminal can be designed to be particularly compact, for example, by having the actuating leg run close to the first busbar section.

[0102] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the actuating leg of the clamping spring is provided that it slides at least partially on the busbar when the clamping leg is moved. Accordingly, the actuating leg is additionally guided by the busbar when the actuating lever is pivoted.

[0103] Especially in the closed position, when no electrical conductor is clamped at the terminal, the actuating arm can run at least approximately parallel to the busbar, e.g., parallel to the first busbar section. This allows for a particularly compact design of the conductor terminal. This also results in a relatively long lever arm for actuating the clamping arm, thus reducing the operating force required. In this essentially parallel area between the actuating arm and the busbar, a small gap between the actuating arm and the busbar can be achieved, which also contributes to a compact design of the conductor terminal.For example, the distance between the actuating arm and the busbar in this area may be less than the material thickness of the busbar in this area, or less than twice the material thickness of the busbar.

[0104] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the actuating lever has a spring-loaded driver which does not contact the actuating arm in the closed position. This prevents wear between the spring-loaded driver and the actuating arm in the closed position. The spring-loaded driver may extend at least partially into the driver opening.

[0105] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the actuating lever has a spring-loaded driver which, in the closed position, does not extend into the drive area of ​​the clamping spring, e.g., not into the driver opening. This maximizes the distance between the spring-loaded driver and the actuating arm.

[0106] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, a guide element is formed on the insulating housing, which, at least in certain actuation situations and / or pivoting positions of the actuating lever, provides housing-side guidance for the actuating arm. The actuating arm can be guided by the guide element, particularly when the actuating lever performs a pivoting movement close to the open position. This counteracts excessive deflection or bending of the actuating arm, especially at the transition to the clamping arm. Furthermore, this design allows the actuating lever to initially perform a certain free stroke without actuating forces from the clamping spring during the pivoting movement from the closed position to the open position. Thus, the actuating lever can initially be operated essentially without force, e.g.,It can be operated with the fingertip so that it can then be easily grasped manually.

[0107] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the effective load arm of the actuating lever is shorter in the open position than in the closed position. This allows for ergonomic and tactilely pleasing operation of the actuating lever. In particular, towards the end of the pivoting movement in the direction of the open position, when the spring force of the clamping spring increases, the changed transmission ratio keeps the actuating force at a comfortable level, e.g., at a force level that remains essentially constant over the pivoting angle.

[0108] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the transverse web and / or the curved bearing area slides along the spring driver, particularly on the cup bearing, during movement of the actuating lever from the closed position to the open position, thereby approaching the instantaneous center of rotation of the actuating lever, e.g., the instantaneous center of rotation that is effective during the pivoting movement of the actuating lever. In this way, the shortening of the load arm during the opening movement of the actuating lever can be reliably achieved. The distance by which the transverse web approaches the instantaneous center of rotation of the actuating lever during movement of the actuating lever from the closed position to the open position can be, for example, at least 5% or at least 10% of the length of the spring driver, measured in the longitudinal direction of the actuating lever.

[0109] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the conductor terminal has at least one force reduction mechanism by which the magnitude of the contact force can be reduced when the actuating lever is released from the latched open position and / or when the actuating lever is latched into the open position. In this way, the contact point bearing the contact force is relieved when the actuating lever is released. This has the advantage of simplifying the release of the actuating lever and reducing or completely preventing wear on the contacting elements. Depending on the embodiment, the force reduction mechanism can reduce the magnitude of the contact force to a greater or lesser degree, up to and including a complete elimination of the contact force (contact force equal to zero).Accordingly, the force reduction mechanism allows the elements subjected to the supporting force at the contact point to be separated from one another. For example, a section of the actuating lever supported on the busbar can be lifted off the busbar.

[0110] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the force reduction mechanism is formed at least partially by mechanical elements of the actuating lever, the clamping spring, and / or the insulating housing. Accordingly, no additional components are required to form the force reduction mechanism or at least its essential parts. The force reduction mechanism can therefore be implemented in a very simple manner, without complicated designs.

[0111] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the mechanical elements are formed by interacting contours of the actuating lever, the clamping spring, and / or the insulating housing. This also allows for a simple implementation of the force reduction mechanism. For example, the force reduction mechanism can be formed by the first support point in combination with the point of application of the clamping spring on the actuating lever, e.g., by the contact point between the first fixing element of the actuating lever and the second detent edge of the insulating housing, in combination with the cup bearing of the actuating lever and the curved bearing area formed on the actuating leg of the clamping spring. These two contact points, i.e.,The first support point and the contact point between the actuating lever and the clamping spring can be arranged in such a way that, when the actuating lever moves from the open position towards the closed position, a tilting moment initially occurs, which relieves the contact point of the actuating lever on the busbar and leads to the aforementioned lifting at this point.

[0112] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the supporting force can be reduced by the force reduction mechanism to an amount less than the force exerted by the clamping spring via the actuating leg on the actuating lever. In this way, the contact point between the fixing element arranged on the actuating lever and the counter-fixing element can be reduced to such an extent that the aforementioned lifting of the actuating lever at this point is made possible.

[0113] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the force reduction mechanism for reducing the contact force is provided by transferring the force of the clamping spring acting on the actuating lever to a different contact point of the actuating lever, where the actuating lever is supported in the conductor terminal. This has the advantage that the reduction in contact force generated by the force reduction mechanism does not produce any disruptive effects for the user, and in particular, the user does not experience an excessive increase in the force required to release the actuating lever.

[0114] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the actuating lever is supported at a main contact point in the conductor terminal, through which the maximum force of the clamping spring acting on the actuating lever can be transmitted to at least one other element of the conductor terminal. The main contact point changes position discontinuously at least twice, at least three times, or at least four times when the actuating lever pivots through its range of motion. The position of the main contact point can thus be changed multiple times during the pivoting movement of the actuating lever. This change can be discontinuous, i.e., abrupt. This can also be considered an independent aspect of the present invention.The movable position of the main contact point allows for a pivoting mechanism of the actuating lever, enabling a comparatively complex, discontinuous movement sequence. This, in turn, offers particular advantages in terms of user tactile feedback and component protection. This relatively complex movement sequence can be achieved through relatively simple design features, allowing the conductor terminal to be provided cost-effectively.

[0115] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, a first location of the main contact point is formed in the fixed open position between the busbar and a portion of the actuating lever supported on the busbar. The first location of the main contact point can, for example, be the second support point.

[0116] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the actuating lever is provided in the open position at a first and a second support point spaced apart therefrom, wherein at the first support point the actuating lever is supported on the insulating housing and at the second support point the actuating lever is supported on the busbar, wherein a second location of the main contact point is formed at the first support point of the actuating lever on the insulating housing.

[0117] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the actuating lever has at least one laterally projecting bearing element which is supported by the busbar throughout its entire pivoting range, and a third location of the main contact point is formed between the lateral bearing element of the actuating lever and the insulating housing. The laterally projecting bearing element thus does not function as a pivot axis in the sense of a fixed bearing, but only temporarily forms a bearing for the actuating lever in certain pivoting situations, providing support against the insulating housing.

[0118] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the actuating lever has a first guide section which extends at least over a partial area of ​​the pivoting range into a recess in the busbar, forming a fourth location of the main contact point between the first guide section and the insulating housing.

[0119] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the actuating lever has at least one support projection for supporting the actuating lever on the busbar, which projects laterally from the actuating lever relative to the first guide section, forming a fifth location of the main contact point between the support projection of the actuating lever and the busbar.

[0120] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the first support point forms a first instantaneous center of rotation for the pivoting movement of the actuating lever when the actuating lever is released from the latched open position. In this way, a multiple function of the first support point can advantageously be realized: in the open position, it serves to support and fix the actuating lever, and when the actuating lever is released, it acts as an instantaneous center and the second location of the main contact point.

[0121] The previously explained conductor connection terminal can, for example, be designed as a terminal block, such as the terminal block mentioned at the beginning.

[0122] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the first conductor connection has an actuating lever that can be operated without tools. The actuating lever is pivotably mounted in the insulating housing to actuate the spring-loaded clamping connection of the first conductor connection, and the actuating lever includes a manual actuation section for manual operation. This allows for convenient operation of the first conductor connection without the need for additional tools.

[0123] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the actuating section of the terminal block's operating lever projects at least partially beyond the outer contour of the insulating housing throughout the entire pivoting process. In particular, the free end of a manual actuating section (operating handle) of the operating lever can project beyond the outer contour of the insulating housing. This allows for easy actuation of the operating lever near the closed position.

[0124] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the actuating lever, when placed in the open position, automatically maintains this position. This is ensured by the design of the conductor terminal. For example, the automatic retention of the actuating lever in the open position can be achieved by its support at the first and second support points. Additionally, the actuating lever can be held in the open position by a tensile force exerted on it by the clamping spring against the first and second support points.

[0125] In general terms, the actuation of the conductor terminal by the actuating lever differs from prior art in that the actuating lever transmits a tensile force to the clamping spring via its spring actuator in order to deflect the clamping arm. Accordingly, no compressive force is transmitted, as is the case, for example, with actuating solutions using a push button. Another difference lies in the method of manual operation of the actuating lever compared to a push button. In the present invention, it is advantageous to manually apply a tensile force to the manual actuating section of the lever to move it from the closed position to the open position. During this movement, the manual actuating force can also be changed to a compressive force.

[0126] In contrast to prior art proposals, the conductor terminal according to the invention can be designed such that the conductor entry opening is formed as part of the insulating housing and not as part of other elements, such as the actuating lever. This allows for good accessibility of the conductor entry opening and of an electrical conductor inserted into the conductor entry opening.

[0127] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the actuating lever is provided to be mounted in the insulating housing, i.e., corresponding bearing elements are formed within the insulating housing.

[0128] The aforementioned terminal block may have one or more first conductor connections and / or one or more second conductor connections.

[0129] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the second conductor terminal has an actuating opening for inserting a separate actuating tool to open the second clamping point. This allows for simple manual operation when opening the second clamping point. While the actuating lever is part of the terminal block, the separate actuating tool is not part of the terminal block and is therefore "separate". The actuating tool can, for example, be a screwdriver.

[0130] Alternatively, the second clamping point can also have a lever actuation for opening, e.g. by the terminal block being designed with a further actuating lever that serves to open the second clamping point.

[0131] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the second conductor connection has an actuating element designed as a push button for opening the second clamping point. The push button can be part of the terminal block.

[0132] The second conductor connection can also be designed, like the first conductor connection, as a spring-loaded clamp connection with a clamping spring for clamping the connection of the second electrical conductor.

[0133] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the second conductor connection is provided to have an insulation displacement connection or a screw terminal for connecting a second electrical conductor. This allows for an alternative implementation of the second conductor connection if it is not to be designed as a spring-clamp terminal.

[0134] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the actuating section of the terminal block's operating lever projects at least partially beyond the outer contour of the insulating housing throughout the entire pivoting process. This allows for easy manual operation of the operating lever. The operating lever is easy to grip and operate with one finger. Furthermore, the actuating section can be easily located by touch.

[0135] According to the invention, the first conductor connection has a first busbar section to which the first electrical conductor can be connected by means of the clamping spring, and the second conductor connection has a third busbar section to which the second electrical conductor can be connected, wherein the first busbar section is electrically connected to the third busbar section or can be connected via an electrical connecting element of the terminal block. The first and third busbar sections can be part of a common busbar, i.e., permanently connected to each other, or be separate busbar sections that are only connected to each other when required, such as in the case of a disconnect terminal.

[0136] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the terminal block has a continuous busbar extending from the first busbar section to the third busbar section. Accordingly, the busbar establishes an electrically conductive connection between the first and third busbar sections. The busbar can be formed in one piece or assembled from individual parts.

[0137] The busbar can run straight, or at least substantially straight, in the second and third busbar sections. The busbar can also have one or more steps in the second and / or third busbar sections, for example, such that, starting from the curved section, a step follows in the second and / or third busbar section, causing the subsequent section of the busbar to be lower than the curved section and the preceding sections of the second and / or third busbar section. In this way, conductor connection points can be located lower in the second and / or third busbar section, allowing the conductor connection terminal to be designed to be particularly compact and small.

[0138] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the first conductor connection has a first conductor entry opening, the second conductor connection has a second conductor entry opening, and the actuating lever is arranged between the first and the second conductor entry openings with at least the majority of its longitudinal extent. In this way, the actuating lever is arranged relatively centrally in the terminal block and therefore requires little additional installation space.

[0139] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the first conductor connection has a first conductor entry direction in which the first electrical conductor can be guided through the first conductor entry opening to the first clamping point, and the second conductor connection has a second conductor entry direction in which the second electrical conductor can be guided through the second conductor entry opening to the second clamping point, wherein the first conductor entry direction is arranged at an angle offset to the second conductor entry direction. This allows for easy handling of the terminal block when connecting the first and the second electrical conductors, particularly when the terminal block is already mounted on a mounting rail. Both conductor entry openings are then easily accessible. The angular offset can, for example, be at least 30°.

[0140] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the terminal block has at least one mounting rail fastening element on one mounting rail side, by which the terminal block can be fastened to a mounting rail. This allows for reliable and standard-compliant fastening of the terminal block as well as the connection of a large number of terminal blocks to the mounting rail.

[0141] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the first conductor entry opening is fully or at least partially visible when viewed from above on the housing side of the terminal block facing away from the mounting rail. This makes it easy for the user to see where the first electrical conductor is to be inserted, particularly when the terminal block is already mounted on the mounting rail.

[0142] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the first conductor entry opening is arranged below the actuating lever when viewed from above on the housing side of the terminal block facing away from the mounting rail side, and is fully or at least partially visible in every pivot position of the actuating lever. Thus, the first conductor entry opening remains at least partially visible, i.e., it is not completely covered by the actuating lever. Nevertheless, it is possible to arrange the actuating lever in an ergonomically advantageous and space-saving manner, and in particular to allow a certain projection of the actuating section of the actuating lever beyond the outer contour of the insulating housing.

[0143] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the actuating lever is recessed into the housing side of the terminal block's insulating housing that faces away from the mounting rail side. This allows for space-saving installation while ensuring good accessibility of the actuating lever.

[0144] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, at least the outer surface of the manual actuating section of the actuating lever, in the closed position, follows the surface contour of the insulating housing adjacent to the outer surface of the manual actuating section. Accordingly, the outer surface of the manual actuating section adapts to the surface contour of the insulating housing, so that essentially no step or ledge occurs. Thus, the outer surface of the manual actuating section can form a continuous surface with the top surface of the insulating housing.

[0145] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the actuating lever is designed to be self-locking in the open position. This has the advantage that the actuating lever does not need to be held by the user. The actuating lever can be locked, for example, by one or more of the first, second, or fourth locking elements.

[0146] For the purposes of the present invention, the indefinite term "a" is not to be understood as a numeral. Therefore, when, for example, reference is made to a component, this is to be interpreted as "at least one component". Where angles are specified in degrees, these refer to a circle of 360 degrees (360°).

[0147] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to exemplary embodiments and drawings.

[0148] They show Fig. 1 - a conductor terminal block in a side sectional view in the closed position and Fig. 2 - the conductor terminal block according to Fig. 1 in a lateral sectional view in another sectional plane and Fig. 3 - the conductor connection terminal according to Fig. 1 in lateral sectional view with the operating lever partially open and Fig. 4 - the conductor connection terminal according to Fig. 1 in lateral sectional view in the open position and Fig. 4a - the conductor connection terminal according to Fig. 1 in a side view in the open position and Fig. 5 - the conductor connection terminal according to the Figs. 1 to 4 in the Fig. 4 marked section plane F and Fig. 6 - the terminal block according to the Figs. 1 to 4 in the Fig. 4 marked section plane G and Fig. 7 - an actuating lever in front view and Fig. 8 - the actuating lever according to Fig. 7 in side view and Fig. 9, 9a - the actuating lever according to the Figs. 7 and 8in perspective view and Fig. 9b - the conductor connection terminal according to Fig. 1 in perspective view in the open position and Fig. 9c - the actuating lever according to Fig. 7 in side view and Fig. 10 - a clamping spring in side view and Fig. 11 - the clamping spring according to Fig. 10 in perspective view and Fig. 12 - an arrangement of the actuating lever according to the Figs. 7 to 9 and the clamping spring according to the Figs. 10 to 11 in perspective view and Fig. 13 - a busbar in perspective view and Fig. 14 - the busbar according to Fig. 13 in side view and Fig. 15 - a hybrid terminal block in perspective view and Fig. 16 - another embodiment of a clamping spring in side view and Fig. 17 - the clamping spring according to Fig. 16 in perspective view and Fig. 18 - a conductor connection terminal in one with the Fig. 1 comparable representation and a clamping spring according to the Figs. 16 to 17and Fig. 19 - another side view of the conductor terminal according to Figure 4 and Fig. 20 - 22 - the sequence of movements when moving the actuating lever from the open position towards the closed position and back.

[0149] The reference symbols used in the figures have the following assignment: 1-conductor terminal block 2 Insulating housing 20 Conductor entry opening 21 First locking edge 22 Busbar channel 23 Test opening 24 Canopy 25 Lever feed-through slot in the canopy 26 Partition between mounting leg and spring driver 27 Outer contour of the insulating housing 28 Receptacle in the insulating housing for receiving the second fixing element in the closed position 29 Overload protection element 3 Busbar 30 First busbar section 31 Second busbar section 32 Material passage 33 Recess 34 Support area for supporting the lever 35 Curvature area, also counter-fixing element 36 Conductor feed-through opening 37 Third busbar section 4 Clamping spring 40 Mounting leg 41 Spring arc 42 Actuating leg 43 Clamping leg 44 Clamping tongue 45 Clamping edge 46 Actuating leg drive opening 47 Actuating leg side webs 48 Actuating leg cross web 49 Curved bearing area 5 Actuating lever 50 Manual actuating section (actuating handle) 51 Test recess 52 First locking element 53 Second locking element 54 Spring driver (drive tooth) 55 Second guide section 56 Lateral bearing element 57 First guide section 58 Support projection for mounting on the busbar 59 Pan bearing of the actuating lever 60 Third locking element for latching in the closed position 61 First spring driver area 62 Second spring driver area 63 Third spring driver area 64 Fourth locking element 65 Outer surface of the manual actuating section 6. First conductor connection 7. First terminal 8. Second conductor connection 9. Second terminal 80 Actuating opening 81 Further actuating element 82 Support rail mounting element 83 Top of the insulating housing 84 First support point 85 Second support point 86 Connecting line 87 Line of action 88 Lever opening 89 Lateral recesses on the actuating lever 90 Clamping leg 91 Second locking edge 92 Electrical conductor 93 Tab 94 Rear stop for operating lever 95 Guide element on insulating housing 96 Root area of ​​the clamping spring L1 Conductor insertion direction of the first conductor connection L2 Conductor insertion direction of the second conductor connection αAngle M1first instantaneous pole M2Point K1, K2, K3, K4Main contact point

[0150] The conductor terminal 1 has an insulating housing 2, a busbar 3, a clamping spring 4 and an actuating lever 5 as an actuating element for actuating the clamping spring 4.

[0151] The insulating housing 2 has a conductor entry opening 20 through which an electrical conductor can be inserted in a conductor entry direction L1 and guided to a first clamping point 7 of a first conductor connection 6, where the electrical conductor can be clamped by spring force by means of the clamping spring 4 and the busbar 3. The insulating housing 2 also has a busbar channel 22 through which at least a part of the busbar 3 is guided and is at least partially fixed and / or supported there.

[0152] The busbar 3 has a first busbar section 30 and a second busbar section 31. The first busbar section 30 is connected to the second busbar section via a curved section 35, so that the busbar 3 as a whole has a curved and / or angled shape. The second busbar section 31 is arranged at least predominantly within the busbar channel 22. The busbar 3 has a conductor entry opening 36 in the first busbar section 30, through which an electrical conductor, which is to be clamped, can be guided. The conductor entry opening 36 can be surrounded by side walls integrally formed on the first busbar section 30, which can, for example, be designed in the form of a material passage 32. For example, the conductor entry opening 36 can have wall sections projecting from the plane of the busbar on all sides, forming the material passage 32.

[0153] The clamping spring 4 has a contact leg 40, by which the clamping spring 4 is supported against the spring forces introduced by the clamping leg 43. The contact leg 40 can be supported on the busbar 3 in the first busbar section 30. The support is provided, as shown, for example, by the free end of the contact leg 40 resting against the inside of the conductor entry opening 36 and / or the material passage 32. The clamping spring 4 extends from the contact leg 40 over the spring arc 41 to the clamping leg 43. The actuating leg 42 projects from the clamping leg 43, with the actuating leg 42 being bent from the clamping leg 43 at a relatively large angle, e.g., greater than 45 degrees or greater than or equal to 90 degrees. The actuating leg 42 terminates at its free end with a transverse web 48, which at its end forms the Figure 1The drive opening 46 is not visible. In the free end region of the actuating arm 42, a section of the clamping spring material is bent to form a tab 93 projecting from the rest of the actuating arm 42, which has at least part of a curved bearing area 49 of the actuating arm 42. The curved bearing area 49, together with the cup bearing 59 of the actuating lever 5, forms a type of cylinder-cylindrical shell bearing, similar to a ball-and-cup bearing.

[0154] Furthermore, the clamping leg 43 extends to a clamping tongue 44, which is bent away from the clamping leg 43 in the opposite direction to the actuating leg 42. The clamping tongue 44 terminates at the free end of the clamping leg 43 with a clamping edge 45. The clamping edge 45, together with the busbar 3, i.e., the conductor entry opening 36 and / or the material passage 32, forms the first clamping point 7 of the first conductor connection 6 for an electrical conductor to be clamped there. Accordingly, the mounting leg 40 and the clamping tongue 44 are inserted into the conductor entry opening 36.

[0155] The conductor terminal 1 has an actuating lever 5, which is predominantly located in the area surrounding the insulating housing 2 and extends outwards essentially with a manual actuating section 50, e.g., an actuating handle, where manual actuation of the actuating lever 5 can take place. By manually actuating the actuating lever 5, the first clamping point 7 can be opened or closed. If the actuating lever 5 is located in the Figure 1 In the closed position shown, the first clamping point 7 is also closed. If the actuating lever 5 is moved to the open position (as shown in Figure 4(as shown), the first clamping point 7 is open. In this open position, an electrical conductor can be inserted into or removed from the first clamping point 7 without force, since the clamping edge 45 is moved away from its contact point on the busbar 3 or the electrical conductor by actuating the actuating lever 5.

[0156] The conductor insertion direction L1 can be oriented obliquely to the extension direction of the manual actuating section 50. Accordingly, an angle can be formed between the extension of the outer surface of the manual actuating section 50, which is approximately flush with the housing surface, and the conductor insertion direction L1. The angle can be relatively small, e.g., in the range of 20 to 60 degrees.

[0157] The actuating lever 5 is pivotably mounted in the insulating housing 2. No fixed bearing axis is provided; rather, the actuating lever 5 can perform certain sliding movements during a pivoting motion from the closed position to the open position and vice versa.

[0158] The actuating lever 5 has a test recess 51 extending through it, e.g., in the area of ​​the manual actuating section 50. In the closed position, the test recess 51 is essentially aligned with the test opening 23 of the insulating housing 2. The test opening 23 extends to the clamping spring 4, e.g., to the spring arc 41. If a test probe is inserted through the test recess 51 and the test opening 23, the clamping spring 4 can be electrically contacted and an electrical measurement performed. The clamping spring 4 is fixed by an overload protection element 29, thus creating a counter-bearing for the test probe. Furthermore, the overload protection element 29 in the insulating housing 2 prevents excessive movement and stress on the clamping spring 4.The overload protection element 29 can be designed as an island-shaped material area of ​​the insulating housing 2, which is arranged inside the spring arch 41.

[0159] In the open position, the clamping spring 4 can be in contact with the overload protection element 29 with one or more areas, e.g. the spring arc 41 and / or the clamping leg 43, i.e., it can abut the overload protection element 29.

[0160] The actuating lever 5 is guided and supported in the conductor terminal 1 in several respects and fixed in specific positions, such as the closed and open positions. For this purpose, the actuating lever 5 has a first fixing element 52 in the lower region, i.e., the part of the actuating lever 5 furthest from the manual actuating section 50, and a second fixing element 53 in the rear region, i.e., the region facing away from the spring driver 54. The first and / or the second fixing element 52, 53 can, for example, be designed as a detent element. The first and / or the second fixing element 52, 53 can be designed as a material projection or cam. The fixing elements 52, 53 can be directly integrally formed with the material of the actuating lever 5.The actuating lever 5 also has a first guide section 57, by which the actuating lever 5 is guided during a pivoting movement, particularly in the busbar 3, and secured against lateral tilting. The first guide section 57 runs through a recess 33 in the busbar 3, e.g., a recess 33 in the first busbar section 31. The recess can, for example, be designed as a longitudinal slot. When the actuating lever 5 is pivoted, e.g., from the closed position to the open position, the first guide section 57 runs through this recess 33. It can also be provided that, during a pivoting movement, the actuating lever 5 runs along an inner guide contour of the insulating housing with the second fixing element 53 and is thereby additionally supported and / or guided.

[0161] As mentioned, the actuating lever 5 serves to actuate the clamping spring 4. For this purpose, the actuating lever 5 has a spring driver 54, which is shaped like a drive tooth and, in the assembled state, projects from the actuating lever 5 in the direction of the clamping spring 4, in particular in the direction of the actuating arm 42. In the closed position, the spring driver 54 is initially not engaged with the actuating arm 42, so that no spring load acts on the actuating lever 5 in this closed position. The spring driver 54 can, for example, be located, at least in the closed position, in the area of ​​the curvature 35 of the busbar 3. The spring driver 54 transitions at a curved inner contour of the actuating lever 5 into a bearing area of ​​the actuating lever 5, which in this case forms a cup bearing 59.As will be explained below, this pan bearing 59 interacts with the curved bearing area 49 of the clamping spring 4 during a pivoting movement of the actuating lever 5.

[0162] The actuating lever 5 is located in the Figure 1The closed position shown is fixed by means other than the first and second fixing elements 52, 53. In the closed position, the second fixing element 53 is arranged within a free space in the insulating housing 2, specifically in a receiving pocket 28. The second fixing element 52 is located near a first detent edge 21 of the insulating housing 2, which, however, has no essential function in the closed position. A second detent edge 91 is also formed in the insulating housing 2, which has a function, as described below, in the open position of the actuating lever 5. The structure and function of a second guide section 55 of the actuating lever 5 will also be discussed below with reference to further illustrations.The inclusion of the second fixing element 53 in the receiving pocket 28 secures the actuating lever 5 in the closed position against falling out of the insulating housing 2. Furthermore, the inclusion of the second fixing element 53 in the receiving pocket 28 prevents the actuating lever 5 from unscrewing in the event of kickback when it is moved from the open to the closed position. The canopy 24 provides additional protection against the actuating lever 5 falling out or being removed, particularly in the open position.

[0163] A guide element 95 is also formed on the insulating housing 2. The guide element 95 provides housing-side guidance for the actuating arm 42, at least in certain operating situations and / or pivoting positions of the actuating lever 5. For example, the actuating arm 42 can slide along the guide element 95, at least temporarily, during a pivoting movement of the actuating lever into the open position.

[0164] The in Figure 1 The identifiable conductor connection terminal 1 can be designed as a single terminal, as shown, or as part of a conductor connection terminal comprising further conductor connections, e.g., as part of the following, which will be described below. Fig. 15 explained conductor connection terminal.

[0165] The Figure 2A further feature of the insulating housing 2 is a canopy 24 arranged below the manual actuating section 50. This canopy acts as a kind of boundary wall for the insulating housing 2, ensuring that the current-carrying elements within the conductor terminal 1 are shielded from the external environment. This provides touch protection (finger safety) for the conductor terminal 1, particularly when the actuating lever 5 is in the open position. The canopy 24 works in conjunction with the second guide section 55, as will be explained in more detail below with reference to other sectional drawings.

[0166] It is also evident that the outer surface 65 of the manual actuation section 50 runs essentially parallel to the second busbar section 31 and / or the third busbar section 37, which will be explained below.

[0167] First, let's look at the Figure 3The function of the actuating lever 5 during a pivoting process is explained, starting from the in Figure 1 The closed position shown. In the Figure 3 The actuating lever 5 is not yet fully in the open position, but almost there. While the spring driver 54 does not engage in the drive opening 46 in the closed position, the spring driver 54 engages in the drive opening 46 when the actuating lever 5 pivots from the closed position to the open position.

[0168] Through the in Figure 3 The enlarged sections A, B and C shown here are intended to illustrate some relevant elements of the actuating lever 5 and their interaction with other elements of the conductor connection clamp 1.

[0169] As can be seen in Figure A, the first locking element 52 is just before reaching the second detent edge 91. Similarly, as Figure C shows, the second locking element 53 is just before reaching the first detent edge 21. The rear stop 94 of the actuating lever 5 on the insulating housing 2 in the area of ​​the outer surface of the insulating housing now serves as a stop and pivot point for the further movement of the actuating lever 5 to move into the open position. Figure 4 to achieve this. During this further movement, the spring driver 54 is initially moved translationally along the second busbar section 31. As soon as the second locking element 53 crosses the first detent edge 21, the actuating lever 5, due to the spring force acting on the spring driver 54, executes a "downward movement" oriented essentially vertically to the translational movement.

[0170] Figure B shows how the actuating arm 42 is gripped at its end by the spring driver 54 and guided further via the cup bearing 59. The cup bearing 59 is adapted to the convex outer contour of the curved bearing area 49 with respect to its shape, i.e., with respect to its concave inner contour, so that the curved bearing area 49 can slide within the cup bearing 59 with low friction. As the overall representation of the conductor terminal in Figure 3 As can be seen, the actuating arm 42 is deflected and the clamping arm 43 is also moved accordingly, so that the clamping tongue 44 is moved from its original position in Figure 1It is also apparent that, in the described design, the effective load arm of the actuating lever 5 shortens during an opening movement, since the curved bearing area 49 slides along the pan bearing 59 and thereby approaches the virtual pivot axis of the actuating lever 5.

[0171] The Figure 4 Figure 5 now shows the actuating lever 5 in the open position, i.e., at the end of its pivoting movement. Although the actuating lever 5 can still be over-pressed by a small pivoting angle in this open position, e.g., a maximum of 5 degrees or a maximum of 10 degrees, to be resistant to damage, the actual open position is already reached in the Figure 4The position shown is reached. If the actuating lever 5 is over-pressed, this over-pressing movement is limited by a rear stop 94 on the insulating housing. With respect to the total pivoting travel or pivoting angle of the actuating lever 5, the over-bending angle range of the actuating lever 5 is a maximum of 5% of the total pivoting angle range until the rear stop 94 is reached.

[0172] The actuating lever 5 is located predominantly within the area enclosed by the outer contour 27 of the insulating housing 2 in every actuating position. In particular, even in the open position, a substantial portion of the actuating lever 5's longitudinal extent, at least 30% or at least 40%, lies within the area enclosed by the outer contour 27 of the insulating housing 2. This provides a particularly robust mounting for the actuating lever 5, making it less susceptible to damage and / or misalignment. Robust support of the actuating lever 5 within the insulating housing 2 is thus achieved.

[0173] As the enlarged detail views in the inset enlargements D and E show, the first locking element 52 is now engaged behind the second detent edge 91, and the second locking element 53 is engaged behind the first detent edge 21. The actuating lever 5 has here, i.e., in the transition from the position according to Figure 3 to the position according to Figure 4In addition to the pure pivoting or rotating movement, a sliding movement is also performed; that is, it has moved a certain displacement path along the second busbar section 31 in the direction of the first clamping point 7 in order to lift a fourth fixing element 64 over the curvature area 35 of the busbar 3 and then lower it vertically to a dead center position, so that at least part of the curvature area 35 engages positively with the fourth fixing element 64. This sliding movement does not have to be performed by the user, but is caused by the stop 94 and the spring action that the actuating leg 42 exerts on the actuating lever 5. As can be seen in the Figure 4As can be seen, the actuating lever 5 is now securely held in this position by the tensile force applied by the actuating leg 42, which pulls the actuating lever 5 against corresponding support points 84, 85 located to the left and right of the line of action of the tensile force, namely, on the one hand, a first support point 84, which is formed between the first fixing element 52 and the second detent edge 91, and on the other hand, a second support point 85 in the area of ​​the cutout F. This second support point 85 can be formed between the fourth fixing element 64 and a corresponding curvature area 35 of the busbar.

[0174] During the opposite movement of the actuating lever 5, i.e. from the open position to the closed position, the contact between the fourth fixing element 64 and the curvature area 35 on the busbar 3 is released at the second support point 85 by the second fixing element 53 moving over the first detent edge 21 (see also section C, Figure 3 ) slides up. The actuating lever 5 initially rotates around the first support point 84 between the first fixing element 52 and the second detent edge 91. This prevents wear on the fourth fixing element 64.

[0175] Thus, in the open position, the position of the actuating lever 5 can be secured via a two-point support of the actuating lever 5 on the insulating housing 2 and / or the busbar 3 and the essentially central force application of the clamping spring 4 via the actuating leg 42. This type of force transmission creates a kind of funnel shape for the force effects, which makes the actuating lever 5 particularly secure against unwanted changes in position, for example due to vibrations.

[0176] The Figure 4a This is illustrated, particularly by the enlarged section H, how the fourth fixing element 64 rests on the curved area 35 and is positively locked in place there. The second fixing element 53 protrudes through the recess 33 of the busbar 3, so that part of the second fixing element 53 projects below the second busbar section 31 and is visible there.

[0177] The Figure 4aThis also illustrates the contact of the curved bearing area 49 of the actuating arm 42 on the pan bearing 59.

[0178] The Figure 4 This also shows that an electrical conductor 92 with a stripped end is inserted into the conductor terminal 1 and that the stripped area is located in the area of ​​the first clamping point 7. When the actuating lever 5 is moved back to the closed position, the clamping arm 43 springs back until the clamping edge 45 rests against the stripped area of ​​the electrical conductor 92 and presses it against the busbar 3, e.g., against the inside of the conductor entry opening 36 or the material passage 32.

[0179] Between the mounting leg 40 and / or the spring arc 41 and an inner area of ​​the insulating housing 2, in which the second guide section 55 is arranged in the closed position and the spring driver 54 in the open position, there is an intermediate wall 26 of the insulating housing 2, which has the second detent edge 91. This intermediate wall 26 provides additional separation between the actuating lever 5 and the electrical components, in particular the clamping spring 4.

[0180] Another positive aspect of this design is that the intermediate wall 26 is supported and counter-supported against the bearing force of the actuating lever 5 at the first support point 84 by the clamping spring 4, since the clamping spring 4 presses against the intermediate wall 26 from the opposite side in the area of ​​the contact leg 40 and / or the spring arc 41. In this way, a self-supporting system can be advantageously realized. Furthermore, a plastic component is supported against a metal component that induces or introduces the force, which is advantageous in the presence of moisture, which can lead to a reduction in the stability of the plastic material.

[0181] In the Figure 4 Two section planes, F and G, are drawn. The corresponding section views are shown in the Figures 5 and 6 shown with the actuating lever 5 in the closed position. As shown in the sectional view of the Figure 5As shown in the section plane F, the actuating lever 5, with its first guide section 57, is arranged in the recess 33 in the second busbar section 31 and guided longitudinally therein. For additional guidance and support, the actuating lever 5 has laterally projecting bearing elements 56, which can be designed like bearing journals. However, the actuating lever 5 is not rigidly mounted about a fixed axis of rotation via these lateral bearing elements 56, but rather is displaceable to a certain extent. In this way, the actuating lever is "floating" within the insulating housing 2.

[0182] It is further evident that the actuating lever 5 is supported on the upper side of the busbar 3, particularly in the second busbar section 31, by means of laterally projecting, shoulder-shaped support projections 58. The support projection 58 can, especially in the open position, form a support point for the actuating lever 5 on the busbar 3, whereby the support point can be located in the curvature area 35.

[0183] The first fixing element 52 can also run along an inner guide contour of the insulating housing during a pivoting movement of the actuating lever 5, e.g., during a pivoting movement from the open position to the closed position. In this case, the contact between the support projection 58 on the actuating lever 5 and the support area 34, which serves to support the movement of the actuating lever 5 towards the open position, can be released, whereby the actuating lever 5 is lifted from the busbar 3. This also serves, among other things, to reduce wear or abrasion on the actuating lever 5.

[0184] The Figure 5 shows that the actuating lever 5 does not protrude, or does not substantially protrude, beyond the outer contour 27 of the insulating housing 2 in the closed position.

[0185] The Figure 6The sectional view in section plane G illustrates the fixing of the actuating lever 5 in the closed position. The actuating lever 5 has a second guide section 55 projecting downwards from the manual actuating section 50, which, at least in this position of the actuating lever 5, extends through a lever guide slot 25 in the canopy 24. Laterally projecting third fixing elements 60 are arranged on the second guide section 55, e.g., integrally formed on the second guide section 55. In the closed position, these elements engage behind the underside of the edge regions of the canopy 24 and thus fix the actuating lever 5. The canopy 24 can be formed by projections extending inwards from opposite side walls of the insulating housing 2.

[0186] In the open position, the lever passage slot 25 is largely closed by the area of ​​the actuating lever 5 which has the spring driver 54, so that touch safety is also ensured in this position.

[0187] In general terms, the insulating housing 2 thus contains an opening such as the lever guide slot 25, which is covered by the actuating lever 5 in the closed position and is therefore shielded from the outside environment, the opening leading to electrically effective components such as the clamping spring 4 or busbar 3 arranged in the insulating housing 2, and the spring driver 54 at least partially closes this opening in the open position of the actuating lever 5, at least to the extent that protection against contact is provided.

[0188] The previously explained elements of the actuating lever 5 are further illustrated by the various representations in the Figures 7 to 9This is illustrated by the separate illustration showing the actuating lever 5. It is particularly evident that the actuating lever 5 does not have to be exactly symmetrical to a pivot plane of the actuating lever 5. Instead, as shown in Figure 7 As illustrated, the spring driver 54 and the associated first guide section 57 are arranged off-center, e.g., slightly offset to the side. To optimize the assembly of the individual parts, especially the actuating lever 5, in the conductor terminal 1, the spring driver 54 itself can also be asymmetrically designed, e.g., tapering asymmetrically on one side towards the end.

[0189] The Figure 9a Figure 5 shows the actuating lever 5 in a view where the support projection 58 is clearly visible. The bearing surface formed by the support projection 58 is shown in the figure for clarity. Figure 9a Represented by hatching.

[0190] As further illustrated, the actuating lever 5 can be designed as a material- and weight-optimized component with a series of recesses interrupted by stiffening walls, thus ensuring the necessary robustness and rigidity of the actuating lever for the actuating movements. The actuating lever 5 can, for example, be manufactured as a single-piece plastic component, e.g., as an injection-molded part.

[0191] The Figure 9a Furthermore, it can be seen that the actuating lever can have 5 lateral recesses 89. The lateral recesses 89 can be arranged, for example, in the area of ​​the second guide section 55 and / or the third fixing element 60. The canopy 24 can be at least partially received in these lateral recesses 89 in the closed position.

[0192] The Figure 9bThe conductor connection terminal 1 is shown in the open position of the actuating lever 5. As already mentioned, in this open position the lever guide slot 25 in the canopy 24 is at least largely closed.

[0193] The Figure 9b Furthermore, it shows that the insulating housing 2 can have a lever opening 88, which allows the actuating lever 5 to be installed when the insulating housing 2 is fully assembled. The actuating lever can be installed, so to speak, from above through the lever opening 88 when the insulating housing 2 is fully assembled.

[0194] The lever opening 88 can be completely surrounded on its circumference by the material of the insulating housing 2, i.e. by corresponding walls or other sections of the insulating housing 2.

[0195] The Figure 9cFigure 5 illustrates the special proportions that the actuating lever 5 can have according to the invention. In the longitudinal direction of the actuating lever 5, i.e., in direction a, the actuating lever 5 has a length a. In its rear region, the actuating lever 5 has its bearing area, which, for example, comprises the third region 63. In this bearing area, the actuating lever 5 is mounted in the insulating housing 2. In the longitudinal direction, the bearing area has a length c. Furthermore, Figure 5 shows Figure 9c The length b of the spring driver 54, which extends from the root region of the spring driver 54, adjacent to the third region 63, to the free end in the longitudinal direction of the actuating lever 5. The ratio b / c can be, for example, at least 0.2, at least 0.25, or at least 0.3. The ratio b / a can be, for example, at least 0.07, at least 0.08, or at least 0.09.

[0196] The Figures 10 and 11The clamping spring 4 is shown in a separate illustration. This further clarifies that the clamping spring 4 has a root area 96 on the clamping leg 43, at which the clamping leg 43 branches into the clamping tongue 44 and the actuating leg 42. As can be seen, the actuating leg 42 is designed with a relatively large recess, which forms the drive opening 46. Only two relatively thin side webs 47 extend from the clamping leg 43 to the left and right past the contact leg 40. The side webs 47 can be very thin, as they transmit only a tensile force. The contact leg 40 also extends through the recess. The actuating leg 42 can be manufactured from the same material as the clamping tongue 44, for example, by separating the clamping tongue 44 from the material of the actuating leg 42 using a stamping process.Since the side webs 47 can be so narrow, a relatively wide central material section remains for forming the clamping tongue 44, thus providing a relatively wide clamping edge 45. This promotes good electrical contact and secure clamping of an electrical conductor. Furthermore, such narrow side webs 47 allow for high elasticity of the actuating arm 42. In this way, the actuating arm 42 is connected to the clamping arm 43 with relatively flexible flex.

[0197] Since the side webs 47 can be designed like "thin legs", they act like a kind of flexible connecting element, i.e., like a thread or rope connection under tensile load. A relatively small bending radius R3 at the transition from the actuating leg 42 to the clamping leg 43, or the resulting tight bend, causes stiffening in this area, so that under tensile load the side webs 47 are virtually straight and experience almost no elastic deformation in the form of deflection.

[0198] The clamping spring 4 can be formed in one piece with all the described features, i.e., it can be integrally manufactured from a flat sheet of metal, e.g., stamped and bent from a sheet of metal with a predetermined thickness.

[0199] It is evident in the Figure 11Furthermore, the material width of the side webs 47 can vary along their longitudinal extent. For example, there can be a step or transition from a narrower area starting at the clamping leg 43 to a wider area of ​​the side webs 47 towards the transverse web 48. The wider area of ​​the side webs 47 becomes particularly effective under higher spring loads. In this case, the inner distance between the side webs 47 in the area of ​​the drive opening 46, where the contact leg 40 projects through the drive opening 46, can be greater than in the area of ​​the drive opening 46 that serves to receive the spring driver 54.

[0200] The clamping tongue 44 can be trapezoidal in shape or can taper towards the free end. This has the advantage that if the clamping spring 4 is tilted, it will not block the inner side surfaces of the material passage 32.

[0201] The actuating arm 42 has a cross web 48 at its end. A curved tab 93 projects from the cross web 48. On its underside, i.e., on the side facing the drive opening 46, the tab 93 forms the curved bearing area 49 for support on the cup bearing 59 of the actuating lever 5. The actuating arm 42 can be manufactured in its end region such that the area having the cross web 48 is bent away from the side webs 47 in a first bending direction, and the tab 93 is bent away from the cross web 48 in a different, opposite bending direction. In this way, a relatively large angle, exceeding 90 degrees, can be achieved between the tab 93 and the side webs 47 while avoiding excessive deformation.

[0202] Accordingly, the actuating arm 42 has two spaced-apart side webs 47, which are connected to each other at their free ends via the cross web 48. The side webs 47 and the cross web 48 enclose the drive opening 46, which serves for the engagement of the spring driver 54. The tab 93, which points into the drive opening 46, adjoins the cross web 48 and has a bend such that this bend forms a curved bearing area 49 on its convex surface, which is designed to contact the cup bearing 59 of the actuating lever 5.

[0203] Accordingly, the free end of the actuating arm 42 with the crossbar 48 is bent away from the spring arch 41. The curvature or rounding of the curved bearing area 49 is adapted to the shape of the pan bearing 59.

[0204] It is also evident that the actuating arm 42 branches off from the clamping arm 43 relatively far towards the end of the clamping arm 43, or at least closer to the clamping edge 45 than to the spring arc 41. The actuating arm 42 thus runs at a minimal distance from the busbar 3 in both the mounted and unactuated states (see also Figure 1The actuating arm 42 therefore runs predominantly parallel to the surface of the first busbar section 30. This creates a relatively long lever arm for actuating the clamping arm 43. This reduces the operating force required for the actuating lever 5. The actuating arm 42 can extend along the first busbar section 30 beyond the curvature area 35. In particular, the actuating arm 42 can project beyond the first busbar section 30 with its drive opening 46, allowing the spring driver 54 to engage in the drive opening 46 without obstruction from the busbar 3.

[0205] The clamping spring 4 can be designed to be particularly elastic. This design also prevents significant tilting of the clamping spring in the event of an oblique pull.

[0206] The actuating arm 42 can additionally be guided in the longitudinal direction of the actuating arm 42 by guide means in the insulating housing, e.g., an inner housing wall or housing edge. Such an inner housing edge is formed, for example, by the end of the partition wall 26 that is free into the interior of the insulating housing 2 (see also Figure 3 and 4This further minimizes bending stress at the transition between the actuating arm 42 and the clamping arm 43. Furthermore, this allows for advantageous guidance of the curved bearing area 49 in the cup bearing 59 during pivoting movements of the actuating lever 5, by guiding the curved bearing area 46 in the cup bearing 59 in the direction of a pivoting axis of the actuating lever 5. In this way, a clamping spring 4 with a shortened buckling length can be implemented. Such a clamping spring 4 is better protected against unwanted bending or buckling of the clamping arm 43 when a clamped electrical conductor is pulled from the outside. The risk of the clamping arm 43 buckling when a clamped electrical conductor is mechanically pulled is minimized.

[0207] The distance, i.e., the gap between the actuating arm 42 and the busbar 3, can be, for example, less than 1 mm or less than 0.5 mm. An advantageous value is 0.3 mm. In this way, the actuating arm 42 does not yet touch the busbar, thus preventing wear due to friction.

[0208] According to an advantageous embodiment, the effective length of the actuating leg 42, measured from the branch point of the actuating leg 42 from the clamping leg 43 to the curved bearing area 49, is greater than the length of the clamping leg, measured from the branch point of the actuating leg 42 from the clamping leg 43 to the apex of the spring arc 41. In this way, a spring with a short buckling length and favorable actuating forces can be realized.

[0209] The Figure 12The figure shows the interaction between the clamping spring 4 and the actuating lever 5 when the actuating lever 5 is in the open position. The spring driver 54 protrudes through the driver opening 46. The advantageous interaction of the curved bearing area 49 with the pan bearing 59 is again evident.

[0210] As the Figures 7 to 9Furthermore, the spring driver 54 has a width that varies along its length. This can be achieved, for example, by the spring driver 54 becoming narrower towards its free end, e.g., by a chamfer on one or both sides. Thus, a first region 61 and a second region 62 can be formed on the spring driver 54, adjoining the first region 61. The first region 61 is narrower than the second region 62 in the direction of the width of the spring driver 54. The spring driver 54 can then transition into a third region 63, which is wider than the second region 62. In this way, the spring driver 54 can be easily inserted into the driver opening 46.If the spring driver 54 is inserted into the driver opening 46 with its first section 61, the second section 62 and / or third section 63, which follow upon further pivoting of the actuating lever 5, can form a guide for the side webs 47 of the actuating arm 42. The guide can, in particular, be designed as a double-sided guide for both side webs 47. This embodiment of a spring driver 54 is suitable not only for an actuating lever 5 with the described pivotability, but also for other types of actuating elements that are slidably mounted, i.e., designed in the form of a sliding element.

[0211] It is also evident that the actuating arm 42 essentially does not change its position relative to the clamping arm 43 during the actuation movement of the actuating lever 5. This has the advantage that the transition point between the actuating arm 42 and the clamping arm 43 is subjected to only minimal alternating bending stresses during actuation. This is further supported by a comparatively small bending radius at the transition from the actuating arm 42 to the clamping arm 43. For example, a mean bending radius R3 for this bending area, which is at most three times the thickness of the metal sheet, is advantageous. This enables optimal force transmission of the actuating lever 5 via the actuating arm 42 into the clamping spring 4. This results in a direct transmission, a short stroke, and consequently, essentially no stretching in the actuating arm 42.Furthermore, such a design allows for the simple manufacture of the components used as well as the entire conductor connection terminal 1.

[0212] Thus, the clamping spring 4 with its predominant parts and in particular with the actuating leg 42 can be arranged on one and the same side of the busbar 3, in particular on the side from which an electrical conductor is inserted into the conductor feedthrough opening 36.

[0213] The Figures 13 and 14 The busbar 3 is shown in a separate illustration. In this case, the busbar 3 is additionally shown with a third busbar section 37 adjoining the second busbar section 31. The busbar 3 has further conductor entry openings in the third busbar section 37, where additional clamping points can be formed.

[0214] The first and second conductor rail sections 30, 31 have the elements already described. Particularly visible are the recess 33 for guiding the first guide section 57 and the support areas 34 for supporting the support projections 58 of the actuating lever 5. The recess 33 can be located only in the second conductor rail section 31 or, as shown, extend into the curvature area 35 or even into the first conductor rail section 30. The recess 33 is completely enclosed by the material of the conductor rail 3. It can be designed as a cutout that only partially penetrates the conductor rail material from the side of the support area 34 or as a completely through cutout (without a bottom).

[0215] The busbar 3 is angled and / or bent by the curvature section 35, i.e., such that an angle is formed between the first busbar section 30 and the second busbar section 31. The curvature section 35 can form an internal angle between the first busbar section 30 and the second busbar section 31 in the range of 105 to 165 degrees or 120 to 150 degrees. The curvature section 35 can, for example, be configured such that the busbar 3, starting from the second busbar section 31, is initially bent concavely with a first radius R1 and then transitions into a convexly bent section with a radius of curvature R2, each in a viewing direction towards the support area 34. It is advantageous if the radius R1 is larger than the radius R2, e.g., at least twice as large.

[0216] In this way, the actuating lever 5 can at least partially be supported on the curved area of ​​the busbar 3, i.e. in the curvature area 35, and run along it during a pivoting movement.

[0217] The described busbar 3 can, as an alternative to the previously described one-piece design, also be configured as a multi-piece design, e.g., with two or more separate busbar sections. In particular, the third busbar section 37 can be configured as a separate busbar section from the first and second busbar sections 30, 31. This is advantageous, for example, for use in a disconnect terminal.

[0218] The Figure 15Figure 1 shows another embodiment of a conductor terminal block 1, in this case in the form of a terminal block, with four conductor terminal blocks 1 arranged side by side as an example. The conductor terminal blocks 1 have the previously described structure in the area visible on the left, i.e., the arrangement with the busbar 3, the clamping spring 4, and the actuating lever 5 in the insulating housing 2. In this case, the busbar 3 is arranged according to the embodiments of the Figures 13 and 14The terminal block is designed, i.e., it has a third busbar section 37. The third busbar section extends into a region of the respective conductor terminal 1 shown on the right, in which at least one second conductor connection 8 with a second clamping point 9 is arranged. In the illustrated embodiment, each conductor terminal 1 has two second conductor connections 8 and, accordingly, two second clamping points 9. The respective second conductor connection 8 is accessible via further conductor entry openings formed in the insulating housing 2. An electrical conductor can be inserted into the second conductor connection 8 in a conductor entry direction L2. The conductor entry direction L1 can be different from the conductor entry direction L2.

[0219] The conductor connection terminals 1 have mounting rail fastening elements 82 with which the respective conductor connection terminal 1 can be attached to a mounting rail, e.g. by snapping it onto the mounting rail. Relative to a mounting plane defined by the mounting rail, the conductor insertion direction L1 can be arranged, for example, in the range of 30 degrees to 60 degrees to the mounting plane, and the conductor insertion direction L2 in an angle range of 75 to 105 degrees.

[0220] The mounting rail fasteners 82 are arranged on a mounting rail mounting side of the insulating housing 2. The actuating levers 5 are visible on the housing side of the insulating housing facing away from the mounting rail mounting side, which is also referred to as the housing top 83. Here, the outer surface 65 of the manual actuating section of the actuating lever 5 in the closed position has the same contour as the adjacent surface contour of the insulating housing, i.e., the adjacent parts of the housing top 83.

[0221] The actuation of the conductor terminal 1 in the area of ​​the second conductor terminal 8 can be effected by a further actuating element 81, which can either be arranged as part of the conductor terminal 1, e.g. in the form of a push button, in an actuating opening 80 of the insulating housing 2 or can be realized by a separate actuating tool which can be guided through the actuating opening 80 to the second conductor terminal 8 if required, but which is not part of the conductor terminal 1.

[0222] Based on the Figures 16 to 18Figure 1 shows a further embodiment of the clamping spring 4 and a conductor terminal 1 formed therewith. In contrast to the embodiments described above, the clamping spring 4 has an additional arc-shaped section in the area of ​​the clamping leg 43, which is referred to as the clamping leg arc 90. In the area of ​​the clamping leg arc 90, the clamping leg 43 is bent towards the interior of the space enclosed by the clamping spring 4. The overload protection element 29 of the insulating housing 2 is adapted to the clamping leg arc 90. By means of the clamping leg arc 90, a shortened bend length of the clamping leg 43 is achieved when the section of the clamping leg 43 between the clamping leg arc 90 and the spring arc 41 rests against the overload protection element 29. Thus, when the actuating lever is moved from the closed position to the open position, the clamping leg arc 90 abuts the overload protection element 29.

[0223] It is also evident that the clamping spring 4 is in accordance with the Figures 16 and 17 The clamping tongue 44 may have a different design, e.g., with a width that initially decreases towards the clamping edge 45 and then increases again in the end section, so that a relatively wide clamping edge 45 can be provided with little material. Alternatively, the clamping spring 4 may also have a clamping tongue 44, as shown in the Figures 10 and 11 is shown.

[0224] The Figure 19 The conductor connection terminal 1, which was already shown at the beginning based on the Figures 1 to 4 was explained in a to Figure 4 similar representation, but with different section planes. In the one in Figure 19At the conductor connection terminal 1 shown, the actuating lever 5 is again in the open position. The actuating lever 5 is supported at the first support point 84 and the second support point 85. The first support point 84 is formed between the first locking element 52 of the actuating lever 5 and the second detent edge 91, the second support point 85 is formed between the fourth locking element 64 of the actuating lever 5 and the curvature area 35 of the busbar 3.

[0225] In the Figure 19A connecting line 86 is shown, passing through the first support point 84 and the second support point 85. A further line 87 shows the direction of action of the tensile force acting on the actuating lever 5 from the clamping spring 4, which is transmitted via the actuating arm 42. The direction of action 87 corresponds to the direction of the actuating arm 42 or the direction of the side webs 47 of the actuating arm 42. It can be seen that an angle α is formed between the actuating arm 42 or the line of action 87 and the connecting line 86. The angle α is thus defined in a mathematically positive direction from the line of action 87 or the direction of the actuating arm 42 to the connecting line 86. Advantageously, the angle α is less than 90 degrees. This results in an advantageous funnel shape for the line of action 87 of the tensile force orthe direction of the actuating leg 42 in comparison to the support plane formed by the first support point 84 and the second support point 85 (represented by the connecting line 86).

[0226] Based on the Figures 19 to 21The advantageous force reduction mechanism, which becomes effective at least when moving the actuating lever 5 from the open position towards the closed position, will now be explained in relation to the illustrated movement sequence of the actuating lever 5. The actuating lever 5 is supported at a main contact point K1, K2, K3, K4, K5 in the conductor terminal 1. The maximum force of the clamping spring acting on the actuating lever is transmitted via the main contact point K1, K2, K3, K4, K5 to at least one other element of the conductor terminal. When the actuating lever 5 pivots through its range of motion, the main contact point K1, K2, K3, K4, K5 can undergo several discontinuous (abrupt) changes of position.

[0227] Initially, it is assumed that the actuating lever 5 is fully in the open position and is supported on the first support point 84 and the second support point 85, as shown by the Figure 19 This shows that in this state, a first location of the main contact point K1 can be formed between the busbar 3 and the area of ​​the actuating lever 5 supported on the busbar 3, e.g. at the second support point 85. Alternatively, the first location of the main contact point K1 can also be formed at the first support point 84.

[0228] If the actuating lever 5 is now subjected to force in the direction of the closed position by the application of a manual actuating force at the actuating section 50, the pivoting process of the actuating lever 5 begins with the formation of a first instantaneous center of rotation M1 of the pivoting movement at the first support point 84, i.e., between the second detent edge 91 and the first locking element 52. A second location of the main contact point K2 can now be formed at the first support point 84. Simultaneously, the detent at the second support point 85 is released, i.e., the actuating lever 5 is slightly lifted in this area, so that the fourth locking element 64 and its adjacent material areas are not subjected to friction against the busbar 3 and are therefore not worn.This movement phase of the actuating lever 5 allows the second fixing element 53 to be lifted over the first detent edge 21, creating a certain distance between the second fixing element 53 and the first detent edge 21.

[0229] The Figure 21 Figure 5 shows the further sequence of movements of the actuating lever 5 as it moves into the closed position. As the actuating lever 5 is moved further towards the closed position, the lateral bearing element 56 of the actuating lever 5 comes into contact with an edge of the insulating housing 2. At this point, the instantaneous center of rotation of the actuating lever 5 changes to point M2, as shown in the figure. Figure 21shown, i.e., at the contact point between the lateral bearing element 56 and the insulating housing 2. At this point, a third location of the main contact point K3 of the actuating lever 5 can now also be formed for a further movement phase of the actuating lever 5.

[0230] The contact between the lateral bearing element 56 and the insulating housing 2 is broken. The actuating lever 5 can now slide along a guide track of the insulating housing with the second fixing element 53 or the underside of the first guide section 57, so that a fourth location of the main contact point of the actuating lever 5 is now formed at this point.

[0231] Furthermore, in the further course of movement, the support projection 58 of the actuating lever 5 comes into contact with the support area 34 of the busbar 3, so that a fifth location of the main contact point of the actuating lever can be formed between the support area 58 of the actuating lever 5 and the support area 34 of the busbar.

[0232] The Figure 22The figure now shows the position of the actuating lever 5 as it moves from the closed position to the open position shortly before reaching the open position. The underside of the first guide section 57 or the second fixing element 53 slides along a guide track of the insulating housing 2 or rests on this guide track shortly before reaching the open position, so that the fourth fixing element 64 and the support projection 58 of the actuating lever 5 are lifted or at least slightly spaced away from the busbar 3.In the further movement sequence of the actuating lever 5 into the closed position, the second fixing element 53 comes behind the first detent edge 21 of the insulating housing 2, so that the actuating lever 5 is pulled towards the busbar 3 under the action of the spring force and the fourth fixing element 64 rests on the curvature area 35 (second support point 85) and thus reaches its end position in the open position according to the . Figure 19 reached.

Claims

1. Terminal block with an insulating material housing (2) for snapping onto a mounting rail with a) at least one first conductor connection (6) with a first clamping point (7) for connecting a first electrical conductor (92) and b) at least one second conductor connection (8) with a second clamping point (9) for connecting a second electrical conductor (92), c) wherein the first conductor connection (6) has a spring-loaded clamping connection with a clamping spring (4) for connecting the first electrical conductor (92) to the first clamping point (7) by means of spring-loaded clamping, e) wherein the second conductor connection (8) e1) has an actuating opening (80) for inserting a separate actuating tool for opening the second clamping point (9), or e2) has an actuating element (81) designed as a push button for opening the second clamping point (9), or e3) the second conductor connection (8) has a cut-off terminal connection or a screw connection for connecting the second electrical conductor (92) to the second clamping point (9), characterized in that the first conductor connection (6) has an actuating lever (5) that can be operated without tools and can be pivoted between an open position and a closed position, wherein the actuating lever (5) is mounted pivotably in the insulating material housing (2) for actuating the spring-loaded clamping connection of the first conductor connection (6), and the actuating lever (5) has a manual actuating section (50) for manually actuating the actuating lever (5), wherein the first conductor connection (6) has a first busbar section (30) to which the first electrical conductor (92) can be connected by means of the clamping spring (4), and the second conductor connection (8) has a third busbar section (37) to which the second electrical conductor (92) can be connected, wherein the first busbar section (30) is electrically conductively connected to the third busbar section (37) or can be connected thereto via an electrical connecting element of the terminal block, wherein, in the closed position, the outer surface (65) of the manual actuating section (50) extends in the longitudinal direction of the actuating lever (5) substantially parallel to a second busbar section (31) which connects the first busbar section (30) with the third busbar section (37), or runs substantially parallel to the third busbar section (37).

2. Terminal block according to claim 1, characterized in that the actuating section (50) of the actuating lever (5) of the terminal block protrudes at least partially beyond the outer contour (27) of the insulating material housing (2) over the entire swiveling movement.

3. Terminal block according to claim 1, characterized in that the terminal block has a busbar (3) extending continuously from the first busbar section (30) to the third busbar section (37).

4. Terminal block according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first conductor connection (6) has a first conductor insertion opening (20), the second conductor connection (8) has a second conductor insertion opening (20), and the actuating lever (5) is arranged at least with the majority of its longitudinal extension between the first and second conductor insertion openings (20).

5. Terminal block according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first conductor connection (6) has a first conductor insertion direction (L1) in which the first electrical conductor (92) can be guided through the first conductor insertion opening (20) to the first clamping point (7), and the second conductor connection (8) has a second conductor insertion direction (L2) in which the second electrical conductor (92) can be guided through the second conductor insertion opening (20) to the second clamping point (9), wherein the first conductor insertion direction (L1) is arranged at an angle offset obliquely to the second conductor insertion direction (L2).

6. Terminal block according to claim 5, characterized in that the angular offset is at least 30°.

7. Terminal block according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the terminal block has at least one mounting rail fastening element (82) on a mounting rail fastening side, by means of which the terminal block can be fastened to a mounting rail.

8. Terminal block according to claim 7, characterized in that the first conductor insertion opening (20) is completely or at least partially visible when viewed from above on the housing side of the terminal block facing away from the mounting rail fastening side.

9. Terminal block according to claim 8, characterized in that the first conductor insertion opening (20) is arranged below the actuating lever (5) when viewed from above on the housing side of the terminal block facing away from the mounting rail fastening side and is completely or at least partially visible in every swivel position of the actuating lever (5).

10. Terminal block according to one of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that the actuating lever (5) is embedded in the side of the insulating housing (2) of the terminal block facing away from the mounting rail fastening side.

11. Terminal block according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that at least the outer surface (65) of the manual actuating section (50) of the actuating lever (5) in the closed position follows the surface contour of the insulating material housing (2) adjacent to the outer surface (65) of the manual actuating section (50).

12. Terminal block according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the actuating lever (5) is self-locking in the open position.

13. Terminal block according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the actuating lever (5), when it is placed in the open position, automatically maintains this position in the open position.

14. Terminal block according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the actuating lever (5) has a spring follower (54) for actuating the clamping spring (4), wherein the actuating lever (5) is designed to transmit a tensile force to the clamping spring (4) via its spring follower (54) in order to deflect the clamping arm.

15. Terminal block according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the actuating lever (5) is manually acted upon with a tensile force at the manual actuating section (50) in order to move the actuating lever (5) from the closed position to the open position.

16. Terminal block according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the insulating material housing (2) has at least one conductor insertion opening for inserting the first and / or second electrical conductor (92), wherein the at least one conductor insertion opening is formed as part of the insulating material housing (2).

17. Terminal block according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the actuating lever (5) is mounted in the insulating material housing (2).

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