Connection terminal

Abstract

The invention relates to a connection terminal (100) for connecting an electric conductor (200), comprising: - a housing (10) within which a conductor connection area (11) is formed, - a conductor insertion opening (12) which is formed in the housing (10) and via which the conductor (200) to be connected can be inserted into the conductor connection area (11) along an insert direction (E), - a current bar (13) which is arranged in the conductor connection area (11) of the housing (10), - a clamping spring (14) which is arranged in the conductor connection area (11) and which has a holding limb (15) and a clamping limb (16), said clamping limb (16) being convertible into a clamping position and an open position, and - an actuation element (18) which is movably arranged in the housing (10) along an actuation direction (B), wherein the clamping limb (16) of the clamping spring (14) can be actuated by the actuation element (18) so as to be converted from the clamping position into the open position. The invention is characterized in that the actuation direction (B) of the actuation element (18) is configured transversely to the insertion direction (E) of the conductor (200) into the conductor connection area (11), and the conductor connection area (11) of the housing (10) is equipped with a holding element (19), against which the clamping limb (16) is held in the open position and from which the clamping limb (16) is released in the clamping position. The holding element (19) has a pressing surface (20) which is arranged transversely to the insertion direction (E) of the conductor (200) and which can be actuated by the conductor (200) to be connected in order to release the clamping limb (16) from the holding element (19) in order to convert the clamping limb from the open position into the clamping position.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a terminal block for connecting an electrical conductor, comprising a housing within which a conductor connection space is formed, a conductor entry opening formed in the housing through which the conductor to be connected can be inserted into the conductor connection space along an entry direction, a current bar arranged in the conductor connection space of the housing, a clamping spring arranged in the conductor connection space which has a retaining leg and a clamping leg, wherein the clamping leg can be moved into a clamping position and into an open position, and an actuating element which is slidably arranged in the housing along an actuating direction, wherein the clamping leg of the clamping spring can be actuated by means of the actuating element to move from the clamping position to the open position.

[0002] Such terminal blocks typically feature a spring-loaded clamp comprising a retaining leg and a clamping leg. A conductor inserted into the terminal block can be clamped against the busbar by means of the clamping leg. When clamping flexible conductors, in particular, the clamping spring must be actuated by the actuating element before the conductor is inserted. This action pivots the clamping spring or the clamping leg away from the busbar, allowing the conductor to be inserted into the space between the busbar and the clamping spring. Only with rigid, and therefore stable, conductors can the conductor exert sufficient force on the clamping spring or the clamping leg of the clamping spring to pivot the clamping leg away from the busbar without requiring user intervention.With flexible conductors, the user must first pivot the clamping spring away from the busbar by actuating the operating element so that the flexible conductor can be inserted and clamped. This manual actuation makes the installation or connection of the conductor more difficult for the user, as it is cumbersome and time-consuming.

[0003] DE 32 37 787 C1 discloses a terminal block in which a pre-tensioned conductor clamping spring can be released by applying an inserted conductor to a pressure surface of the spring. The clamping spring is brought into a pre-tensioned position by an actuating element that moves perpendicular to the wire insertion direction.

[0004] DE 20 2014 103797 U1 discloses a terminal block in which a pre-tensioned conductor clamping spring can be released from a retaining spring by pressing an inserted conductor against a pressure surface of the retaining spring. The retaining spring is attached to the cage that encompasses the current bar, or alternatively to the mounting leg of the clamping spring.

[0005] The invention is therefore based on the objective of providing an electrical terminal block which simplifies the connection of particularly flexible conductors.

[0006] The problem is solved according to the invention by the features of the independent claim. Advantageous embodiments and further developments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims.

[0007] The terminal block according to the invention is characterized in that the actuation direction of the actuating element is designed transversely to the insertion direction of the conductor, that a retaining element is arranged in the conductor connection space of the housing, on which the clamping leg is held in the open position and from which the clamping leg is released in the clamping position, wherein the retaining element has a pressure surface which is arranged transversely to the insertion direction of the conductor and which can be actuated by means of the conductor to be connected in order to release the clamping leg from the retaining element in order to transition from the open position to the clamping position.

[0008] Using the terminal block according to the invention, a flexible conductor can now be connected and clamped against the busbar without actuating the actuator in the terminal block. The clamping spring is designed as a torsion spring, which has a retaining leg and a clamping leg that is pivotable relative to the retaining leg. By pivoting the clamping leg, it can be moved into an open position, in which the clamping leg is spaced apart from the busbar and a conductor to be connected can be inserted into or removed from a space formed between the busbar and the clamping leg, and into a clamping position, in which the clamping leg can rest against the busbar or the connected conductor in order to clamp the conductor against the busbar.The terminal block has a retaining element on which the clamping spring and its clamping leg are held in the open position such that, in particular, a flexible conductor can be inserted into the resulting gap between the busbar and the clamping spring without the clamping spring or its clamping leg having to be actuated beforehand by the actuating element. The retaining element has a pressure surface which is arranged in the insertion area of ​​the conductor into the terminal block and thus in line with the conductor entry opening, so that the conductor abuts the pressure surface when inserted into the terminal block. By applying a pressure force to the pressure surface with the conductor, the retaining element can be set into a pivoting or tilting motion in the direction of the conductor insertion, so that the retaining element pivots away from the clamping leg in the direction of the conductor insertion.The clamping spring can be tilted away. By pivoting the retaining element, the clamping spring can be released from the retaining element, allowing the clamping leg to move towards the inserted conductor, specifically pivoting, and thereby clamping the inserted conductor against the current bar. This special mechanism makes connecting a flexible conductor particularly easy, simply by inserting the conductor, without requiring the user to operate any other elements, such as the actuator, on the terminal block. This simplifies handling the terminal block and saves time when connecting a conductor.To release the conductor from the clamping position, the clamping leg of the clamping spring can be pivoted back towards the retaining element using the actuating element and securely fixed to the retaining element, in particular by locking it in place, so that the clamping leg is again in the open position. The retaining element is preferably a separate element or component from the clamping spring and the current bar, which can be arranged in the conductor connection compartment of the terminal block housing. The terminal block is designed such that the actuating direction of the actuating element is perpendicular to the conductor insertion direction. A channel formed in the housing, in which the actuating element is guided, is therefore preferably perpendicular to the conductor entry opening formed in the housing.This allows the conductor to be inserted via a side surface of the housing where the actuating element is not located, thus preventing accidental activation of the actuating element when connecting and therefore when inserting the conductor into the housing.

[0009] To facilitate the pivoting or tilting movement of the retaining element when a compressive force is applied to the contact surface by the conductor being connected, the retaining element can be designed to be spring-elastic, at least in part. This spring elasticity reduces the compressive force required by the conductor to release the clamping arm from the locking mechanism. This allows even flexible conductors with small cross-sections to be securely connected with ease. The retaining element is preferably designed to be spring-elastic in a region located outside the contact surface, ensuring that the contact surface remains sufficiently dimensionally stable even with the spring elasticity of the retaining element.

[0010] To ensure that the clamping leg is securely held against the retaining element in the open position, the retaining element preferably has two opposing detent surfaces on which the clamping leg of the clamping spring can be held in the open position. The detent surfaces can each be arranged transversely to the pressure surface of the retaining element. Each detent surface can be formed on a type of detent wing, which can be integrally molded onto the longitudinal sides of the pressure surface. The two detent surfaces, together with the pressure surface, form a U-shaped cross-section of the retaining element. When the pressure surface is actuated with the conductor to be connected, the conductor is guided between the two detent surfaces to reach the pressure surface. The two detent surfaces thus project from the pressure surface in the direction of the conductor entry opening, allowing the clamping leg to be held against the retaining element by the detent surfaces at a distance from the pressure surface.In the open position, the clamping arm can engage or hook onto the two locking surfaces to be held against the retaining element. The two locking surfaces, which preferably run parallel to each other, ensure a particularly secure hold of the clamping arm at two spaced-apart points, thus preventing the clamping arm from tilting and consequently from unintentionally detaching from the retaining element or its locking surfaces.

[0011] The retaining element is attached to the clamping spring and the current bar. The retaining element, which is designed as a separate component from both the clamping spring and the current bar, is thus supported by the clamping spring and the current bar and held in position. According to the invention, the retaining element is held by both the clamping spring and the current bar, enabling a particularly stable arrangement of the retaining element relative to both the clamping spring and the current bar.

[0012] The retaining element preferably has a retaining web by means of which the retaining element can be attached to the clamping spring and / or the current bar, wherein the pressure surface can be formed at a first free end of the retaining web. The retaining web is preferably curved. The retaining web can be spring-elastic at least in some areas, so that the retaining element can be spring-elastic in some areas via the retaining web. The pressure surface can be directly connected to the retaining web. The retaining web can provide a fastening of the retaining element to the clamping spring and / or the current bar, which is spaced apart from the pressure surface, so that the function of the pressure surface is not affected by the fastening of the retaining element.

[0013] The fastening of the retaining element to the current beam can be designed such that the retaining bracket has a window-like opening through which a portion of the current beam can protrude. The current beam can have a type of retaining lug that can protrude through the window-like opening of the retaining bracket.

[0014] Furthermore, it is possible that the retaining bracket has a locking lug at a second free end, which can engage in a recess formed on the current beam. The retaining bracket can then be hooked onto the current beam by means of this locking lug.

[0015] Furthermore, it is possible that the retaining leg of the clamping spring rests, at least partially, on the retaining rib of the retaining element. By means of the retaining leg of the clamping spring, the retaining rib of the retaining element can thus be pressed against the housing or against an inner wall of the housing, so that the retaining rib, and thus the retaining element, can be held or fixed between the clamping spring and the housing or the inner wall of the housing. The retaining element can therefore be fastened via the retaining leg of the clamping spring.

[0016] The clamping arm of the clamping spring can be designed such that it has a clamping tab and at least one side tab arranged laterally to the clamping tab, wherein a clamping edge for clamping the conductor against the current bar can be formed at a free end of the clamping tab, wherein the clamping arm can be held on the retaining element via the clamping tab in the open position, and wherein the actuating element can interact with the side tab to actuate the clamping arm. Actuation of the clamping arm by means of the actuating element can thus be effected via a side tab of the clamping arm, which is provided in addition to the clamping tab of the clamping arm on which the clamping edge is formed. This allows the function of actuating the clamping arm by means of the actuating element to be separated from the clamping of the conductor to be connected via the clamping tab of the clamping arm.The side tab preferably runs parallel to the clamping tab. The side tab preferably forms an outer edge of the clamping leg. A space or gap is preferably formed between the side tab and the clamping tab, so that the side tab is preferably spaced apart from the clamping tab, with the side tab preferably being integrally connected to the clamping tab at a free end.

[0017] The clamping leg can have a second side tab arranged laterally to the clamping lug, with the clamping lug being positioned between the first and second side tabs. This allows the clamping leg of the clamping spring to be symmetrically designed with the two side tabs and the clamping lug. Consequently, the clamping leg can be subjected to force on both sides of the clamping lug via the two side tabs during an actuation process by the actuating element, resulting in a particularly even force distribution on the clamping leg of the clamping spring.

[0018] Preferably, the clamping tab is designed in relation to one or two side tabs such that it can project beyond at least one side tab in the longitudinal direction of the clamping leg. This allows the actuating surface of the actuating element formed by the side tab to be set back on the clamping leg relative to the clamping edge of the clamping leg in the direction of the bending joint of the clamping spring, which connects the clamping leg to the retaining leg.

[0019] The actuating element preferably has at least one actuating finger by means of which it can actuate the clamping leg. The actuating finger preferably interacts with the side tab of the clamping leg. The actuating finger thus preferably forms an outer surface or wall of the actuating element.

[0020] Preferably, the actuating element has two opposing actuating fingers for actuating the clamping leg of the clamping spring, with a space between the two actuating fingers for guiding the conductor to be connected. If the clamping leg has two side tabs, a first actuating finger of the actuating element can interact with a first side tab, and a second actuating finger of the actuating element can interact with the second side tab. The actuating element can have a U-shape due to the two actuating fingers, with an opening in the form of the space through which the conductor to be connected, and in particular also a portion of the current conductor, can be guided.The two actuating fingers prevent the conductor being inserted incorrectly to the right or left. The two actuating fingers are preferably symmetrical to each other. In the direction of actuation of the actuating element, the two actuating fingers are preferably long enough that they overlap the conductor inserted into the housing and the conductor connection compartment laterally at all times, particularly in the open and clamped positions of the clamping leg of the clamping spring. This ensures that the actuating fingers provide guidance and lateral support for the conductor at all times.

[0021] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and preferred embodiments.

[0022] They show: Fig. 1 a schematic representation of a terminal block according to the invention with a clamping leg of a clamping spring in an open position, Fig. 2 a schematic perspective representation of the Fig. 1 The terminal block shown when a conductor is inserted into the housing of the terminal block, Fig. 3 a schematic representation of a top view of a longitudinal side of the Fig. 2 Fig. 4 shows a schematic representation of the terminal block with the clamping leg of the clamping spring in a clamping position, Fig. 5 shows a schematic representation of the terminal block without housing with the clamping leg of the clamping spring in the open position, and Fig. 6 shows a schematic representation of the terminal block without housing with the clamping leg of the clamping spring in the clamping position without a conductor inserted.

[0023] Figs. 1 to 4Figure 1 shows a terminal block 100 for connecting an electrical conductor 200. The terminal block 100 has a housing 10, which may be made of an insulating material. Figs. 5 and 6 The terminal block 100 is shown without such a housing 10.

[0024] The housing 10 includes a conductor connection compartment 11, within which a conductor 200 inserted into the housing 10 can be clamped and thus electrically connected. To insert the conductor 200 into the conductor connection compartment 11, the housing 10 has a conductor entry opening 12, which leads into the conductor connection compartment 11. The conductor 200 to be connected can be inserted into the conductor connection compartment 11 along an entry direction E via the conductor entry opening 12.

[0025] A current bar 13 is arranged in the conductor connection compartment 11 of the housing 10, against which the conductor 200 to be connected can be clamped in order to electrically connect the conductor 200. A clamping spring 14 is also arranged in the conductor connection compartment 11 for clamping the conductor 200 to be connected against the current bar 13.

[0026] The clamping spring 14 is designed as a torsion spring. The clamping spring 14 has a retaining leg 15, a clamping leg 16, and an arc-shaped bending joint 17, the bending joint connecting the retaining leg 15 to the clamping leg 16. The retaining leg 15 is fixed in position within the conductor connection space 11. The clamping leg 16, on the other hand, is movable relative to the retaining leg 15, in particular pivotable. The clamping leg 16 can be moved into an open position and into a clamped position by means of its pivotability.

[0027] In the disclosure as it appears in Fig. 1, 2 , 3 and5 As shown, the clamping leg 16 is pivoted away from the current bar 13, so that a free space is formed between the clamping leg 16 and the current bar 13, into which a conductor 200 to be connected can be inserted.

[0028] In the Fig. 4 and 6 A clamping position of the clamping leg 16 is shown, in which the clamping leg 16 itself rests against the current bar 13 when no conductor 200 is inserted into the conductor connection space 11, and when conductor 200 is inserted, the clamping leg 16 presses or clamps the conductor 200 against the current bar 13.

[0029] To move the clamping arm 16 from the clamping position to the open position, an actuating element 18 is provided, which is slidably mounted in the housing 10 along an actuation direction B. When the clamping arm 16 is actuated, the actuating element 18 presses down on the clamping arm 16 of the clamping spring 14 from above.

[0030] Furthermore, a retaining element 19 is arranged in the housing 10, which holds the clamping leg 16 of the clamping spring 14 in its open position. The clamping leg 16 can hook or lock onto the retaining element 19 for this purpose. The retaining element 19 has a pressure surface 20 which extends transversely or perpendicularly to the insertion direction E of the conductor 200 into the housing 10. When the conductor 200 is inserted into the conductor connection space 11, the conductor 200, if it is inserted far enough, presses against the pressure surface 20, so that the retaining element 19 is moved away from the clamping leg 16 of the clamping spring 14 and thereby the locking or the rear locking of the clamping leg 16 on the retaining element 19 is released, so that the clamping leg 16 can automatically pivot from the open position to the clamping position in order to clamp the inserted conductor 200 against the current bar 13.The pressure surface 20 is aligned with the conductor entry opening 12 and thus arranged in extension of the conductor entry opening 12, so that when the conductor 200 is inserted into the conductor connection space 11, the conductor 200 is guided via the conductor entry opening 12 towards the pressure surface 20 of the retaining element 19.

[0031] To engage or lock the clamping leg 16 of the clamping spring 14 onto the retaining element 19 in the open position, the retaining element 19 has two opposing locking surfaces 21, 22, as shown in particular in Fig. 6The two locking surfaces 21, 22 extend parallel to each other. Here, the two locking surfaces 21, 22 are arranged transversely, or at a 90° angle, to the pressure surface 20. However, the locking surfaces 21, 22 can also be arranged at an angle greater or less than 90° to the pressure surface 20. For example, the locking surfaces 21, 22 can be arranged at an angle between 70° and 120°, preferably between 80° and 110°, to the pressure surface 20. The locking surfaces 21, 22 are each formed on a type of locking wing, which is integrally formed on the longitudinal side surfaces of the pressure surface 20. The two locking surfaces 21, 22 form a U-shaped cross-section with the pressure surface 20. To actuate the pressure surface 20 by means of the conductor 200 to be connected, the conductor 200 is guided between the two resting surfaces 21, 22 in order to reach the pressure surface 20.The two locking surfaces 21, 22 thus protrude from the pressure surface 20, so that the clamping leg 16 can be held at a distance from the pressure surface 20 on the holding element 19.

[0032] The retaining element 19 is designed to be spring-elastic, at least in part, to allow the pressure surface 20 to pivot when a conductor 200 presses against it. This spring elasticity is achieved by an elongated retaining web 23 of the retaining element 19. The retaining web 23 is curved in a half-S shape.

[0033] In addition to the spring elasticity of the retaining element 19, the retaining web 23 can also be used to fasten the retaining element 19 in the housing 10 of the terminal block 100. In the embodiment shown here, the retaining element 19 is held or fastened to the clamping spring 14 and also to the current bar 13 via its retaining web 23.

[0034] The retaining web 23 connects to the pressure surface 20 by the pressure surface 20 being integrally formed at a first free end of the retaining web 23.

[0035] To attach the retaining element 19 to the current beam 13, a window-like opening 24 is formed in the retaining web 23, through which a portion of the current beam 13 projects in the form of a retaining lug 25. The retaining element 19 is thus suspended from the current beam 13, specifically from the retaining lug 25. Furthermore, the retaining element 19 is attached to the current beam 13 by means of a locking lug 26 formed at a second free end of the retaining web 23, which engages in a recess 27 formed in the current beam 13, as shown in particular in Figs. 5 and 6 This can be seen. The retaining element 19 is thus held or attached to the current beam 13 at two different locations and in two different ways in the embodiment shown here.

[0036] Furthermore, the retaining element 19 is also held in a fixed and stable position by the clamping spring 14. To achieve this, the retaining leg 15 of the clamping spring 14 rests, at least partially, on the retaining web 23. A portion of the retaining web 23, and thus a portion of the retaining element 19, is therefore positioned between the clamping spring 14 and the inner wall 28 of the housing 10, which defines the conductor connection compartment 11.

[0037] The clamping leg 16 of the clamping spring 14 has a clamping tab 29 and two side tabs 30, 31 arranged laterally to the clamping tab 29. The clamping tab 29 is positioned between the two side tabs 30, 31. A clamping edge 32 is formed at a free end of the clamping tab 29, by means of which the clamping leg 16, and thus the clamping tab 29, rests against the current bar 13 or the connected conductor 200 in the clamping position. In the open position, the clamping leg 16 engages or latches via the clamping tab 29 on the retaining element 19 or on the locking surfaces 21, 22 of the retaining element 19, by the clamping edge 32 engaging the locking surfaces 21, 22.

[0038] The clamping leg 16 of the clamping spring 14 is actuated by the actuating element 18 via the two side tabs 30, 31, which run parallel to the clamping tab 29, by the actuating element 18 applying a compressive force to the two side tabs 30, 31 in the actuating direction B. Preferably, no compressive force is applied to the clamping tab 29 by the actuating element 18.

[0039] The clamping tab 29 is significantly longer than the two side tabs 30, 31, so that the clamping tab 29 extends beyond the two side tabs 30, 31 in the longitudinal direction of the clamping leg 16.

[0040] The actuating element 18 has two actuating fingers 33, 34 arranged parallel to each other, each of which interacts with the two side tabs 30, 31. The actuating element 18 has a U-shape due to the two actuating fingers 33, 34, which are spaced apart from each other, forming an opening in the form of a free space 35 through which the conductor 200 to be connected and also a section 36 of the current bar 13 are guided. The clamping tab 29 of the clamping leg 16 also extends into the free space 35 between the two actuating fingers 33, 34.

[0041] The two actuating fingers 33, 34 prevent the conductor 200 to be connected from being inserted laterally, both to the right and to the left of the current bar 13. For this purpose, the two actuating fingers 33, 34 are designed to be long in the actuation direction B of the actuating element 18 such that they overlap the conductor 200 inserted into the housing 10 and the conductor connection compartment 11 laterally at all times, particularly in the open and clamped positions of the clamping leg 16 of the clamping spring 14. This ensures that the actuating fingers 33, 34 provide guidance and lateral restraint for the conductor 200 at all times, as shown in particular in Fig. 2 , 3 and 4 can be seen. Reference symbol list

[0042] 100 Terminal block 10 Housing 11 Conductor connection compartment 12 Conductor entry opening 13 Current bar 14 Clamping spring 15 Retaining leg 16 Clamping leg 17 Bending joint 18 Actuating element 19 Retaining element 20 Pressure surface 21 Detent surface 22 Detent surface 23 Retaining bridge 24 Opening 25 Retaining lug 26 Detent lug 27 Recess 28 Inner wall 29 Clamping tab 30 Side tab 31 Side tab 32 Clamping edge 33 Actuating finger 34 Actuating finger 35 Clearance 36 Partial area 200 ladders B Actuation direction E Insertion direction

Claims

1. Connection terminal (100) for connection of an electrical conductor (200), having - a housing (10) within which a conductor connection space (11) is formed, - a conductor introduction opening (12) which is formed in the housing (10) and via which the conductor (200) to be connected is introducible into the conductor connection space (11) along a direction of introduction (E), - a current bar (13) which is arranged in the conductor connection space (11) of the housing (10), - a clamping spring (14) which is arranged in the conductor connection space (11) and which has a retaining leg (15) and a clamping leg (16), wherein the clamping leg (16) is transferable into a clamping position and into an open position, - an actuating element (18) which is arranged so as to be displaceable along a direction of actuation (B) in the housing (10), wherein the clamping leg (16) of the clamping spring (14) is actuatable by means of the actuating element (18) for transfer from the clamping position into the open position, and - a retaining element (19) which is arranged in the conductor connection space (11) of the housing (10) and against which the clamping leg (16) is held in the open position and from which the clamping leg (16) is released in the clamping position, wherein the retaining element (19) has a pressure-exertion surface (20) which is arranged transversely to the direction of introduction (E) of the conductor (200) and which, in order for the clamping leg (16) to be released from the retaining element (19) for the purpose of transfer from the open position into the clamping position, is actuatable by means of the conductor (200) to be connected, characterized in that the direction of actuation (B) of the actuating element (18) is configured to be transverse to the direction of introduction (E) of the conductor (200) into the conductor connection space (11), and in that the retaining element (19) is fastened to the clamping spring (14) and to the current bar (13).

2. Connection terminal (100) according to Claim 1, characterized in that the retaining element (19) is of at least regionally resiliently elastic form.

3. Connection terminal (100) according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the retaining element (19) has two oppositely arranged latching surfaces (21, 22) against which the clamping leg (16) of the clamping spring (14) is held in the open position, wherein the latching surfaces (21, 22) are each arranged transversely to the pressure-exertion surface (20) of the retaining element (19).

4. Connection terminal (100) according to one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the retaining element (19) has a retaining web (23) by means of which the retaining element (19) is fastened to the clamping spring (14) and / or to the current bar (13), wherein the pressure-exertion surface (20) is formed at a first free end of the retaining web (23).

5. Connection terminal (100) according to Claim 4, characterized in that the retaining web (23) has a window-like opening (24) through which a sub-region of the current bar (13) projects.

6. Connection terminal (100) according to Claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the retaining web (23) has at a second free end a latching nose (26) which engages into a cutout (27) formed at the current bar (13).

7. Connection terminal (100) according to one of Claims 4 to 6, characterized in that the retaining leg (15) of the clamping spring (14) bears at least regionally on the retaining web (23).

8. Connection terminal (100) according to one of Claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the clamping leg (15) has a clamping tab (29) and at least one side tab (30, 31) arranged laterally in relation to the clamping tab (29), wherein a clamping edge (32) for clamping the conductor (200) against the current bar (13) is formed at a free end of the clamping tab (29), wherein, in the open position, the clamping leg (16) is held against the retaining element (19) via the clamping tab (29), and wherein, for actuating the clamping leg (16), the actuating element (18) interacts with the side tab (30, 31).

9. Connection terminal (100) according to Claim 8, characterized in that the clamping tab (29) projects beyond the at least one side tab (30, 31) in the longitudinal direction of the clamping leg (16).

10. Connection terminal (100) according to one of Claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the actuating element (18) has two opposite actuating fingers (33, 34) for actuating the clamping leg (16) of the clamping spring (14), wherein a clearance (35) for passage of the conductor (200) to be connected is formed between the two actuating fingers (33, 34).

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