Connecting assembly, terminal and electronic device

Abstract

The invention relates to a connection arrangement (100) for connecting an electrical conductor (300), comprising a current bar (110), a clamping spring (111) which has a retaining leg (112) and a clamping leg (113), wherein the conductor (300) to be connected is clamped against the current bar (110) by means of the clamping leg (113) in a clamping position of the clamping spring (111), and an actuating element (115) by means of which the clamping spring (111) can be moved from the clamping position to the open position, wherein the actuating element (115) is held in position in the open position of the clamping spring (111) by means of the current bar (110) in order to keep the clamping spring (111) in the open position.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a connection arrangement for connecting an electrical conductor, which comprises a current bar, a clamping spring, which comprises a holding leg, and a clamping leg. The clamping leg clamps the conductor to be connected against the current bar in a clamped position of the clamping spring. The connection arrangement also comprises an actuating element by means of which the clamping spring can be moved from the clamped position to the open position. Furthermore, the invention relates to a connection terminal and an electronic device.

[0002] Such connection arrangements usually have a clamping spring designed as a leg spring, which has a holding leg and a clamping leg, wherein a conductor inserted into the connection arrangement can be clamped against the current bar by means of the clamping leg of the clamping spring. If flexible conductors in particular are clamped, the clamping spring must be moved into an open position by means of an actuating element before the conductor is inserted and thus actuated in order to pivot the clamping spring or the clamping leg away from the current bar so that the conductor can be inserted into the space designed as a conductor connection space between the current bar and the clamping spring. Only with rigid and therefore stable conductors can the conductor exert sufficient force on the clamping spring orApply the clamping leg of the clamping spring in order to pivot the clamping leg away from the current bar without the user having to actuate the actuating element. With flexible conductors, the user must first pivot the clamping spring away from the current bar by actuating the actuating element so that the flexible conductor can be inserted. The actuating element usually presses against the clamping leg of the clamping spring in order to pivot the clamping leg away from the current bar and release the conductor connection space. The actuating element is then usually held manually in this open position until the flexible conductor can be inserted into the connection space and clamped against the current bar. DE102017127001B3 and US 2017 / 012368 A1 disclose similar connection assemblies with an actuating slide that engages the housing of the connection assembly in order to hold the spring in the open position.DE 10 2008 033325 A1 discloses a terminal assembly with an actuating slide that engages the busbar of the terminal assembly to hold the spring in the closed position.

[0003] The invention is based on the object of providing a connection arrangement as well as a connection terminal and an electronic device in which handling for a user when connecting conductors, in particular flexible conductors, can be simplified.

[0004] The object is achieved according to the invention with the features of the independent claims. Expedient embodiments and advantageous further developments of the invention are specified in the subclaims.

[0005] The connection arrangement according to the invention is characterized in that the actuating element is held in position in the open position of the clamping spring by means of the current bar in order to hold the clamping spring in the open position.

[0006] According to the invention, it is now provided that in the open position of the clamping spring, the actuating element is in engagement with the current bar, so that the actuating element is held in a fixed position relative to the current bar. Because the actuating element is in engagement with the current bar in the open position of the clamping spring, a relative movement between the actuating element and the current bar and a relative movement between the actuating element and the clamping spring in this open position can be prevented. By holding the actuating element in a fixed position, the clamping spring can remain securely in the open position, so that a conductor to be connected can be easily inserted. By holding the actuating element in a fixed and therefore stable position by means of the current bar, manual holding of the actuating element in this position is no longer necessary.This allows for easier, particularly one-handed, operation of the connection arrangement by a user, allowing for easy and safe connection of a conductor, especially a flexible conductor. The actuating element can be held to the current bar via a positive and / or non-positive connection in the open position of the clamping spring between the current bar and the actuating element.

[0007] To hold the actuating element in a fixed position relative to the current bar, the actuating element can be clamped and / or locked to the current bar in the open position of the clamping spring.

[0008] The clamping or locking mechanism can be provided, for example, by forming a latching connection between the actuating element and the current bar in the open position of the clamping spring. As soon as the actuating element has been moved such that the clamping spring has reached the open position, the actuating element can latch onto the current bar, so that this latching connection can hold the actuating element in a fixed and stable position against the compressive force exerted by the clamping spring on the actuating element.

[0009] To form the locking connection, the actuating element can have a locking edge by means of which the actuating element can be locked to the current bar, in particular a contact section of the current bar, in the open position of the clamping spring. Due to the compressive force applied to the actuating element by the clamping spring, in particular by the clamping leg of the clamping spring, in the open position of the clamping spring, the actuating element can be clamped with its locking edge against the current bar, in particular against the contact section of the current bar, against which the conductor to be connected is clamped in the clamping position of the clamping spring, and thus locked. The locking edge of the actuating element can, for example, lock or be clamped to an edge surface of the contact section of the current bar.

[0010] The actuating element is preferably mounted so that it can be displaced. The actuating element can be designed in the form of a slide element.

[0011] To transfer the clamping spring from the clamping position to the open position, it is preferably provided that the actuating element can be guided along a first axially directed actuating direction and along a second actuating direction oriented transversely to the first actuating direction. The actuating element can thus be guided in two actuating directions to actuate the clamping spring. To transfer the clamping spring from the clamping position or initial position to the open position, the actuating element can first be guided along the first actuating direction and then along the second actuating direction. If the clamping spring is transferred from the open position to the clamping position or initial position, the movement of the actuating element can be reversed by first guiding the actuating element along the second actuating direction and then along the first actuating direction.Both when the actuating element is moved along the first actuating direction and along the second actuating direction, an axial movement of the actuating element occurs. The first actuating direction preferably extends transversely to the insertion direction of the conductor to be connected. The second actuating direction preferably extends parallel to the insertion direction of the conductor to be connected. The movement of the actuating element along the second actuating direction preferably locks / clamps the actuating element to the current bar or releases the locking / clamping of the actuating element to the current bar. When the actuating element is moved along the first actuating direction, the actual actuation of the clamping spring or the clamping leg of the clamping spring preferably takes place in order to transfer it to the open or clamped position.

[0012] The actuation element can be actuated manually, for example, by a user. For manual actuation of the actuation element, the actuation element can, for example, have a gripping surface. The gripping surface is preferably formed on an outer surface of the actuation element.

[0013] Additionally or alternatively, the actuating element may have a tool engagement opening for actuating the actuating element using a tool, such as a screwdriver. A tool inserted into the tool engagement opening can guide the actuating element along the first actuating direction and the second actuating direction.

[0014] Additionally or alternatively, a release element can be provided, via which the actuating element can be actuated. The release element is preferably part of the connection arrangement and can be guided so as to be displaceable relative to the actuating element in order to be able to release the actuating element, in particular from the holding position with the current bar. The release element can have a stop surface with which the release element can press against the actuating element and thus apply a compressive force to the actuating element in order to be able to bring the actuating element out of engagement with the current bar. As soon as the actuating element is brought out of engagement with the current bar, the compressive force applied to the actuating element by the clamping leg of the clamping spring can move the actuating element back, so that the clamping spring can be transferred from the open position into the clamped position.The release element is preferably arranged above the actuating element, viewed in the conductor insertion direction, so that the release element can press against the actuating element from above in order to release the actuating element from engagement with the current bar. The actuating direction of the release element is preferably angular, in particular at an angle between 20° and 70°, to the conductor insertion direction or to the two actuating directions of the actuating element. Due to the angular positioning of the release element, the release element can press obliquely against the actuating element. The release element can, for example, be pin-shaped. The release element can, for example, be actuated manually or using a tool.

[0015] In addition to its actual function of releasing the engagement between the current bar and the actuating element, the release element can also form a status indicator element that can show the clamped position and the open position of the clamping spring. Depending on the position of the release element, a user can then see from the outside whether the clamping spring is in the clamped position or the open position. If the actuating element is engaged with the current bar and the clamping spring is therefore in the open position, the release element can protrude from the connection arrangement with an end section, whereby the open position of the clamping spring can be signaled to a user by the visibility of the end section from the outside. If this end section is no longer visible from the outside, the clamped position of the clamping spring is signaled. The end section of the release element can, for example, be formed by a grip area of the release element.

[0016] The release element can be operatively connected to a spring element and thus spring-loaded. When the actuating element is actuated to move the clamping spring from the clamped position or initial position to the open position, the actuating element can press against the release element and move it away in the opposite direction to the actuating direction of the release element. During this sliding movement of the release element in the opposite direction to its actuating direction, the spring element can be tensioned so that the release element can be pre-tensioned in the open position of the clamping spring. If the clamping spring is to be moved from the open position to the clamped position, the release element is actuated in the actuating direction of the release element, whereby the spring force of the spring element can cause the release element to exert an increased compressive force on the actuating element in order to disengage the actuating element from the current bar.The spring element can be arranged in such a way that the compressive force of the spring element can act parallel to the actuation direction of the release element.

[0017] The connection arrangement can further comprise a pivotably mounted release element, which can engage with the actuating element when the clamping spring is in the open position. The release element can be actuated by the conductor to be connected in such a way that the release element can actuate the actuating element such that the actuating element can be released from the holding position with the current bar. The holding position is the position in which the actuating element is held in position by means of the current bar in order to hold the clamping spring in the open position. The release element enables tool-free connection of conductors with a small conductor cross-section, in particular flexible conductors.The trigger element can have a pressure surface, wherein in order to transfer the clamping spring from the open position to the clamping position, the pressure surface can be actuated by the conductor to be connected. By actuating the pressure surface, the trigger element can be pivoted against the actuating element, whereby a movement of the actuating element along its second actuating direction can be effected, whereby the actuating element can be brought out of engagement with the current bar. The trigger element and in particular the pressure surface of the trigger element is preferably arranged with an insertion region of the conductor into the connection arrangement and thus as an extension of a conductor insertion opening of a housing of a connection terminal, so that the conductor can strike the pressure surface of the trigger element when inserted into the connection arrangement.By applying a compressive force to the pressure surface using the conductor, the trigger element can be pivoted or tilted in the direction of the conductor's insertion, so that the trigger element can be pivoted or tilted in the direction of the conductor's insertion against the actuating element, in particular against a triggering lug of the actuating element. The pivoting movement of the trigger element against the triggering lug of the actuating element can set the actuating element in motion in such a way that the actuating element is disengaged from the current bar and thus released from the current bar, so that the actuating element and thus the clamping spring can be moved from the open position to the clamped position without manual assistance.This special mechanism makes it particularly easy to connect a conductor, particularly a conductor with a small cross-section and / or a flexible conductor, simply by inserting the conductor, without the user having to operate additional elements on the connection assembly, such as the actuating element itself, to release the clamping spring and move it from the clamped position to the open position. This simplifies handling of the connection assembly and saves time when connecting a conductor. The tension or locking of the actuating element with the current bar in the open position of the clamping spring can thus be released or canceled by the conductor to be connected.The trigger element is preferably designed to be so wide that it completely covers the conductor connection space in the insertion direction, so that it can be ensured that even conductors with a very small conductor cross-section can strike the pressure surface of the trigger element when inserted into the conductor connection space and can set the trigger element into a pivoting movement.

[0018] The actuating element can have at least one actuating arm and at least one connecting section arranged transversely to the actuating arm, wherein an actuating surface can be formed on the at least one actuating arm, which can interact with the clamping leg of the clamping spring to actuate the clamping spring. The at least one actuating arm can serve for direct interaction with the clamping spring, in particular the clamping leg of the clamping spring. All actuating surfaces or actuating elements for actuating the actuating element can be arranged on the connecting section. For example, the gripping surface and / or the tool engagement opening can be formed on the connecting section. Furthermore, the trigger lug can be formed on the connecting section.The at least one actuating arm can laterally delimit the conductor connection space so that incorrect insertion of the conductor to be connected can be prevented by means of the at least one actuating arm.

[0019] The actuating element can also have two actuating arms which are connected to one another via the connecting section. The actuating element can then have a U-shape in cross-section. The actuating element can have a first actuating arm and a second actuating arm arranged at a distance from the first actuating arm. The two actuating arms are preferably aligned parallel to one another. A free space is formed between the two actuating arms, into which space the conductor to be connected can be inserted and through which the conductor to be connected can be guided towards the triggering element. The conductor connection space formed between the current bar and the clamping spring can be delimited laterally by the first actuating arm and the second actuating arm, such that the two actuating arms can guide the conductor to be connected and prevent the conductor from escaping sideways.Both actuating arms can interact simultaneously with the clamping leg of the clamping spring, in that the first actuating arm can have a first actuating surface and the second actuating arm can have a second actuating surface for actuating the clamping leg of the clamping spring.

[0020] The clamping leg of the clamping spring can have a clamping tab and at least one side tab arranged laterally of the clamping tab. The at least one side tab can interact with the at least one actuating arm to actuate the clamping spring or the clamping leg of the clamping spring. A clamping edge for clamping the conductor to be connected against the current bar in the clamped position can be formed at a free end of the clamping tab. By means of the at least one side tab, a compressive force can be applied from the clamping leg of the clamping spring to the actuating element in the open position of the clamping spring, which can hold the actuating element in engagement with the current bar.The at least one side tab is preferably curved so that it can form a sliding skid which can slide along the actuating surface of the at least one actuating arm of the actuating element when the clamping spring is transferred into the open position and into the clamping position.

[0021] If the actuating element has two actuating arms, the clamping leg preferably also has two side tabs, whereby the two side tabs can then each be formed to the side of the clamping tab of the clamping leg. With two side tabs, the clamping tab is arranged between the two side tabs. The two side tabs are preferably in direct contact with the actuating element, so that the clamping spring can be actuated by the actuating element via the two side tabs of the clamping leg.

[0022] The clamping lug is preferably not in direct contact with the actuating element, but the clamping lug serves solely to clamp the conductor against the current bar in the clamping position.

[0023] To ensure particularly stable positioning of the clamping spring in the connection arrangement, the clamping spring can be attached to the current bar with its retaining leg. By attaching the clamping spring to the current bar via the clamping spring's retaining leg, unintentional tilting of the clamping spring can be prevented. The retaining leg can be attached to the current bar using a snap-in connection or a rivet connection, for example.

[0024] The current bar can have a feed-through opening through which the conductor to be connected can be led into the conductor connection compartment.

[0025] The current bar can, for example, have several subsections, wherein the current bar can have, among other things, a contact section and a holding section.

[0026] The clamping section can be used to connect the conductor by clamping the conductor to be connected against the contact section of the current bar using the clamping leg of the clamping spring. The contact section can extend parallel to the insertion direction of the conductor to be connected. The actuating element can preferably be brought into engagement with the current bar in the region of the contact section to hold the clamping spring in the open position.

[0027] The holding section can be used to attach the clamping spring to the current bar by attaching the holding leg of the clamping spring to the holding section of the current bar. The feedthrough opening through which the conductor to be connected can be guided into the conductor connection compartment can also be formed on the holding section of the current bar.

[0028] The object according to the invention is further achieved by means of a connection terminal, in particular a series terminal, which has a housing and at least one connection arrangement arranged in the housing and designed and further developed as described above.

[0029] A conductor insertion opening can be formed on the housing, which is aligned with the conductor connection space of the connection arrangement and through which the conductor to be connected can be inserted into the housing and into the connection arrangement. Particularly in the case of a design as a terminal block that can be snapped onto a mounting rail, two such connection arrangements can also be arranged in one housing.

[0030] Furthermore, the object of the invention is achieved by means of an electronic device having at least one connection arrangement designed and further developed as described above and / or at least one connection terminal designed and further developed as described above. The electronic device can be, for example, a control cabinet in which one or more support rails or mounting plates can be arranged, onto which a plurality of connection terminals, in particular terminal blocks having corresponding connection arrangements, can be snapped.

[0031] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the attached drawings using preferred embodiments.

[0032] It shows Fig. 1 a schematic perspective view of a connection terminal according to the invention in a starting position or clamping position of the clamping spring, Fig. 2 a further schematic view of the Fig. 1 shown terminal in the initial position or clamping position of the clamping spring, Fig. 3 a schematic sectional view of the Fig. 2 shown terminal, Fig. 4 a schematic representation of the Fig. 1 shown terminal in an open position of the clamping spring, Fig. 5 a schematic sectional view of the Fig. 4 shown terminal in the open position of the clamping spring with inserted conductor, Fig. 6 a schematic sectional view of the Fig. 1 to 5 shown terminal with connected conductor, Fig. 7 a schematic representation of the Fig. 1 shown terminal rotated by 90°, and Fig. 8 a schematic representation of the Fig. 1shown terminal is rotated by a further angle.

[0033] Fig. 1 to 8 Each shows a terminal 200 with a housing 210, within which a connection arrangement 100 for connecting a conductor 300 is arranged. The housing 210 can be made of an insulating material, in particular a plastic material. The connection arrangement 100 is arranged in an interior of the housing 210.

[0034] The connection arrangement 100 has a current bar 110 and a clamping spring 111, wherein the conductor 300 to be connected can be electrically clamped against the current bar 110 by means of the clamping spring 111, as for example in Fig. 6 is shown.

[0035] The clamping spring 111 is designed as a leg spring. The clamping spring 111 has a holding leg 112 and a clamping leg 113. The holding leg 112 and the clamping leg 113 are connected to one another via an arcuate section 114. The holding leg 112 is arranged in a fixed position in the housing 110, which in the embodiment shown here is achieved by the holding leg 112 being fastened to the current bar 110. The clamping leg 113 is pivotable relative to the holding leg 112, so that depending on the position of the clamping leg 113, the clamping spring 111 is in an open position, as shown in Fig. 4 and 5 shown, and into a starting position or clamping position as shown in Fig. 1, 2 , 3 and 6 shown, can be transferred and positioned.

[0036] To transfer the clamping spring 111 from the initial position or clamping position to the open position, the connection arrangement 100 has an actuating element 115. The actuating element 115 is slidably arranged in the housing 210 of the connection terminal 200.

[0037] In the embodiment shown here, the actuating element 115 has two actuating arms 116a, 116b and a connecting section 117, wherein the two actuating arms 116a, 116b are connected to one another via the connecting section 117. The two actuating arms 116a, 116b extend parallel to one another. A free space 118 is formed between the two actuating arms 116a, 116b, into which the conductor 300 to be connected can be inserted, so that the two actuating arms 116a, 116b can form a lateral boundary for the conductor 300 to be connected. Due to the two actuating arms 116a, 116b and the connecting section 117 connecting the two actuating arms 116a, 116b, the actuating element 115 has a U-shape.

[0038] The two actuating arms 116a, 116b each have an actuating surface 119a, 119b, via which the clamping leg 113 of the clamping spring 111 can be actuated to move the clamping spring 111 into the open position. The two actuating surfaces 119a, 119b extend parallel to each other. The actuating surfaces 119a, 119b are each formed on an edge surface of one of the actuating arms 116a, 116b.

[0039] The clamping leg 113 of the clamping spring 111 has a clamping tab 120 and two side tabs 121a, 121b arranged laterally of the clamping tab 120. The first side tab 121a cooperates with the first actuating arm 116a, and the second side tab 121b cooperates with the second actuating arm 116b to move the clamping spring 111 into the open position and hold it in the open position.

[0040] The clamping lug 120 preferably has no contact with the actuating element 115, but the clamping lug 120 serves to clamp the conductor 300 against the current bar 110. For this purpose, the clamping lug 120 has a clamping edge 122 at its free end, with which the clamping lug 120 can clamp the conductor 300 to be connected against the current bar 110, as in Fig. 6 is shown. The clamping tab 120 is longer than the two side tabs 121a, 121b arranged laterally of the clamping tab 120, so that the clamping tab 120 projects beyond the two side tabs 121a, 121b. The two side tabs 121a, 121b are each curved, so that the two side tabs 121a, 121b can slide along the actuating surfaces 119a, 119b of the actuating arms 116a, 116b of the actuating element 115 when actuated by the actuating element 115.

[0041] In order to be able to hold the clamping spring 111 in the open position without manual assistance, the actuating element 115 can be held in position in the open position of the clamping spring 111 by means of the current bar 110. The actuating element 115 can be clamped or locked to the current bar 110 in the open position of the clamping spring 111. For this purpose, a locking connection 123 can be formed between the actuating element 115 and the current bar 110 in the open position of the clamping spring 111.

[0042] To form the locking connection 123, a locking edge 124a, 124b can be formed on the actuating element 115, which can be locked or clamped to the current bar 110, as shown for example in Fig. 1, 2 and 4can be seen. A locking edge 124a can be formed on both the first actuating arm 116a and the second actuating arm 116b, so that in the open position of the clamping spring 111, the actuating element 115 with its two actuating arms 116a, 116b can be locked or clamped to the current bar. The locking edge 124a, 124b can preferably extend parallel to the insertion direction E of the conductor 300, as shown in the Fig. 1 to 8 can be seen. The locking edge 124a, 124b can each be designed in the form of an undercut.

[0043] To form the locking connection 123, the actuating element 115 is guided in a first axially directed actuating direction B1 and in a second axially directed actuating direction B2. The second actuating direction B2 extends transversely, i.e., at a 90° angle, to the first actuating direction B1. The second actuating direction B2 extends parallel to the insertion direction E of the conductor 300. The first actuating direction B1 extends transversely to the insertion direction E of the conductor 300.

[0044] To transfer the clamping spring 111 from the initial or clamping position to the open position, the actuating element 115 is first displaced along the actuating direction B1, whereby the actuating element 115 pivots the clamping leg 113 of the clamping spring 111 away from the current bar 110 via its actuating arms 116a, 116b in order to release the conductor connection space 125 formed between the clamping leg 113 and the current bar 110. In order to fix the actuating element 115 and thus the clamping spring 111 in this open position and thus hold it independently, a displacement movement of the actuating element 115 then takes place along the second actuating direction B2, wherein the actuating element 115 is displaced counter to the insertion direction E until the actuating element 115 is latched or clamped to the current bar 110 with its latching edge 124a, 124b. In this bracing orIn the locking position, the clamping leg 113 exerts a compressive force DS with its side tabs 120a, 120b on the actuating element 115 or the actuating arms 116a, 116b of the actuating element 115, so that the actuating element 115 is clamped with its locking edge 124a, 124b against the current bar 110. The compressive force DS of the side tabs 120a, 120b acts transversely to the insertion direction E on the actuating element 115.

[0045] To release this locking connection 123 in order to move the clamping spring 111 from the open position into the clamping position or the initial position, the actuating element 115 is first moved along the second actuating direction B2, whereby the locking connection 123 is released and the actuating element 115 is no longer held on the current bar 110. The actuating element 115 can then be moved back along the first actuating direction B1 by the compressive force DS acting on the actuating element 115, whereby the clamping leg 113 can pivot in the direction of the current bar 110 and, for example, clamp a conductor 300 inserted into the conductor connection space 125 against the current bar 110.

[0046] The actuation of the actuating element 115 can be carried out in different ways. In the case of the terminal 200 shown here in the Fig. 1 to 8all possibilities are shown, although the connection terminal 200 or connection arrangement 100 does not have to include all of these possibilities.

[0047] For example, the actuating element 115 can have a gripping surface 126, via which the actuating element 115 can be manually actuated by a user to guide the actuating element 115 along the first actuating direction B1 and along the second actuating direction B2. The gripping surface 126 is formed on an outer surface of the actuating element 115. The gripping surface 126 is formed on the connecting portion 117 of the actuating element 115.

[0048] Furthermore, the actuating element 115 shown here has a tool engagement opening 127 into which a tool 400, as in Fig. 4shown, can be inserted to actuate the actuating element 115. The tool engagement opening 127 is formed on the connecting portion 117 of the actuating element 115.

[0049] Furthermore, the connection arrangement 100 may have a release element 128, as shown in the Fig. 1 to 8 is shown. The release element 128 is displaceable in an actuating direction BL relative to the actuating element 115 in order to actuate the actuating element 115 and, in particular, to release it from a holding position with the current bar 110.

[0050] The release element 128 has a stop surface 129 at one end portion, with which the release element 128 can apply a compressive force to the actuating element 115 in the actuating direction BL in order to release the actuating element 115 from the holding position with the current bar 110. The actuating direction BL is formed here at an angle between 20° and 70° to the two actuating directions B1, B2 of the actuating element 115, so that the release element 128 abuts the actuating element 115 with its stop surface 129 at an angle to actuate the actuating element 115.

[0051] The release element 128 is guided in a guide channel 212 formed on the housing 210 of the connection terminal 200.

[0052] At least in cross section, the release element 128 may have a pin shape.

[0053] The release element 128 can be actuated manually or by means of a tool. To actuate the release element 128, it can have a gripping area 130 at an end section opposite the stop surface 129.

[0054] In addition to actuating the actuating element 115, the release element 128 can form a status indicator element that can indicate the clamped position and the open position of the clamping spring 111 to a user outside the terminal 200. If the actuating element 115 is engaged with the current bar 110 and the clamping spring 111 is thus in the open position, the release element 128 can protrude from the connection arrangement 100 and from the housing 210 of the terminal 200 with its gripping area 130, as shown in Fig. 4is shown, whereby the open position of the clamping spring 111 can be signaled by the user through the visibility of the gripping area 130 from the outside. If this gripping area 130 is no longer visible from the outside, as for example in Fig. 6 is shown, the clamping position of the clamping spring 111 is signaled.

[0055] The release element 128 is operatively connected to a spring element 131 arranged in the housing 210 and is spring-loaded by the spring element 131. Upon actuation of the actuating element 115 to move the clamping spring 111 from the clamped position or initial position to the open position, the actuating element 115 can press against the release element 128 and displace it counter to the actuation direction BL of the release element 128. During this sliding movement of the release element 128 counter to its actuation direction BL, the spring element 131 can be tensioned, so that the release element 128 can be pretensioned in the open position of the clamping spring 111.If the clamping spring 111 is to be moved from the open position to the clamped position, the release element 128 is actuated in the actuation direction BL, whereby the compressive force DF of the spring element 131 allows the release element 128 to act on the actuation element 115 with increased force in order to disengage the actuation element 115 from the current bar 110. The spring element 131 is arranged such that the compressive force DF of the spring element 131 acts parallel to the actuation direction BL of the release element 128.

[0056] The connection arrangement 100 further comprises a trigger element 132. The trigger element 132 is pivotally mounted about a rotation axis 133.

[0057] The trigger element 132 has a pressure surface 134, which is directed towards the conductor connection space 125. The pressure surface 134 delimits the conductor connection space 125 in the insertion direction E of the conductor 300. To transfer the clamping spring 111 from the open position to the clamping position, the pressure surface 134 can be actuated by the conductor 300 to be connected, whereby a pivoting movement of the trigger element 132 in the insertion direction E can occur. During the pivoting movement in the insertion direction E, the trigger element 132 abuts the actuating element 115, in particular against a trigger lug 135 of the actuating element 115, as shown in Fig. 5can be seen. The trigger lug 135 has an inclined surface 140 along which the trigger element 132 is guided during pivoting, and as a result, the trigger element 132 can press the trigger lug 135 downward in the insertion direction E. As a result, the entire actuating element 115 is moved in the insertion direction E and thus along its second actuating direction B2, whereby the actuating element 115 can be brought out of engagement with the current bar 110.

[0058] The trigger element 132 and in particular the pressure surface 134 of the trigger element 132 is arranged in extension of the conductor insertion opening 211 of the housing 210 of the connection terminal 200, so that the conductor 300 abuts against the pressure surface 134 of the trigger element 132 when inserted into the connection terminal 200 and thus into the connection arrangement 100. By applying a pressure force by means of the conductor 300 onto the pressure surface 134 in the insertion direction E, the trigger element 132 can be caused to pivot or rotate.Tilting movement in the direction of insertion direction E of the conductor 300, so that the triggering element 132 can strike the actuating element 115 in the insertion direction E of the conductor 300, whereby, as just described, the actuating element 115 can be set in motion in such a way that the actuating element 115 can be brought out of engagement with the current bar 110 and can thus be released from the current bar 110, so that the actuating element 115 and thus the clamping spring 111 can be transferred from the open position into the clamping position without manual assistance.

[0059] Fig. 6 shows a conductor 300 connected accordingly or clamped against the current bar 110.

[0060] The current bar 110 has several sections, wherein the conductor 300 to be connected can be electrically clamped against a contact section 136 of the current bar 110. The contact section 136 extends parallel to the insertion direction E of the conductor 300.

[0061] A holding section 137 of the current bar 110 is connected to the contact section 136. The clamping spring 111 is attached to the holding section 137. In the case of the Fig. 1 to 8 In the embodiment shown, the clamping spring 111 is fastened with its holding leg 112 to the holding section 137 of the current bar 110 via a rivet connection 138.

[0062] Furthermore, a through-opening 139 is formed in the holding section 137 of the current bar 110, through which the conductor 300 to be connected is passed in order to reach the conductor connection space 125, as for example in Figs. 5 and 6can be seen. The conductor 300 to be connected is thus pushed through the current bar 110.

[0063] The holding section 137 is arranged above the contact section 136 as seen in the insertion direction E.

[0064] Figs. 7 and 8 show the Fig. 1 to 6 shown terminal 200 in further possible positions, whereby the different positions of the terminal 200 allow the conductor 300 to be inserted and connected horizontally, vertically or at any angle therebetween in the insertion direction E into the terminal 200. List of reference symbols

[0065] 100Connection arrangement 110Current bar 111Clamping spring 112Retaining leg 113Clamping leg 114Curved section 115Actuating element 116a, 116bActuating arm 117Connecting section 118Free space 119a, 119bActuating surface 120Clamping lug 121a, 121bSide lug 122Clamping edge 123Locking connection 124a, 124bLocking edge 125Conductor connection space 126Grip surface 127Tool engagement opening 128Release element 129Stop surface 130Grip area 131Spring element 132Trigger element 133Rotation axis 134Pressure surface 135Trigger lug 136Contact section 137Holding section 138Rivet connection 139Through opening 140Beveled surface 200Connecting terminal 210Housing 211Conductor insertion opening 212Guide channel 300 ladders 400 tools B1First actuation direction B2Second actuation direction BLActing direction of release element EInsertion direction DFPressure force of spring element DSPressure force of side flap

Claims

1. Connection arrangement (100) for connection of an electrical conductor (300), comprising - a current bar (110), - a clamping spring (111) which has a holding limb (112) and a clamping limb (113), wherein the conductor (300) to be connected is clamped against the current bar (110) by means of the clamping limb (113) in a clamping position of the clamping spring (111), and - an actuating element (115), by means of which the clamping spring (111) can be moved from the clamping position to the open position, characterized in that the actuating element (115) is held in position against the pressure force applied by the clamping spring (111) to the actuating element (115) by means of the current bar (110) in the open position of the clamping spring (111) in order to hold the clamping spring (111) in the open position.

2. Connection arrangement (100) according to Claim 1, characterized in that a latching connection (123) is formed between the actuating element (115) and the current bar (110) in the open position of the clamping spring (111).

3. Connection arrangement (100) according to Claim 2, characterized in that the actuating element (115) has a latching edge (124a, 124b) for forming the latching connection (123), the actuating element (115) being latched to the current bar (110), in particular to a contact portion (136) of the current bar (110), by means of the latching edge in the open position of the clamping spring (111).

4. Connection arrangement (100) according to any of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the actuating element (115) is guided along a first axially directed actuating direction (B1) and along a second actuating direction (B2) oriented transversely to the first actuating direction (B1) for moving the clamping spring (111) from the clamping position to the open position.

5. Connection arrangement (100) according to any of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the actuating element (115) has a gripping area (126) for manually actuating the actuating element (115).

6. Connection arrangement (100) according to any of Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the actuating element (115) has a tool engagement opening (127) for actuating the actuating element (115) by means of a tool (400).

7. Connection arrangement (100) according to any of Claims 1 to 6, characterized by a release element (128) which is displaceably guided relative to the actuating element (115) in order to release the actuating element (115) from the holding position with the current bar (110).

8. Connection arrangement (100) according to Claim 7, characterized in that the release element (128) forms a status indicator element which indicates the clamping position and the open position of the clamping spring (111).

9. Connection arrangement (100) according to Claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the release element (128) is spring-loaded.

10. Connection arrangement (100) according to any of Claims 1 to 9, characterized by a pivotally mounted release element (132) which is in engagement with the actuating element (115) in the open position of the clamping spring (111), wherein the release element (132) can be actuated by the conductor (300) to be connected in such a way that the release element (132) actuates the actuating element (115) in such a way that the actuating element (115) is released from the holding position with the current bar (110).

11. Connection arrangement (100) according to any of Claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the actuating element (115) has at least one actuating arm (116a, 116b) and at least one connecting portion (117) arranged transversely to the actuating arm (116a, 116b), wherein an actuating area (119a, 119b) is formed on the at least one actuating arm (116a, 116b) and interacts with the clamping limb (113) of the clamping spring (111) for actuating the clamping spring (111).

12. Connection arrangement (100) according to any of Claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the clamping spring (111), by way of its holding limb (112), is fastened to the current bar (110).

13. Connection arrangement (100) according to any of Claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the current bar (110) has a leadthrough opening (139), through which the conductor (300) to be connected can be guided into a conductor connection space (125).

14. Connection terminal (200), in particular a terminal block, comprising a housing (210) and comprising at least one connection arrangement (100) according to any of Claims 1 to 13 arranged in the housing (210).

15. Electronic device, comprising at least one connection arrangement (100) according to any of Claims 1 to 13 and / or comprising at least one connection terminal (200) according to Claim 14.

Images