One-piece spring-loaded clamp for at least one electrical conductor

Abstract

A one-piece spring-loaded clamp (1) for at least one electrical conductor (2), comprising at least one terminal module (3) which includes a clamping unit (4) and a release unit (5), the respective clamping unit having a clamping section (6) and a clamping spring section (7) to force the clamping section into an end position by a spring force in a released state (9) of the respective terminal module, and an actuating surface section (8), wherein by pressing on the actuating surface section against the spring force of the clamping spring section the terminal module can be brought from the released state into a pre-tensioned state (10) in which the clamping section is held in position by a retaining tongue (12) in a holding position (15), wherein the respective release unit further comprises a release surface section (13) and a release spring section (14),wherein by pressing on the release surface section against a spring force of the release spring section, the retaining tongue can be moved from the holding position to a release position (16). According to the invention, the clamping section has a recess (17) in which the retaining tongue is recessed in the pre-tensioned state.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a one-piece spring-loaded terminal for at least one electrical conductor, comprising at least one connection module, wherein the respective connection module comprises a clamping unit and a triggering unit, wherein the respective clamping unit has a clamping section for contacting and clamping an electrical conductor and a clamping spring section in order to urge the clamping section into an end position with a spring force in a triggered state of the respective connection module, wherein the respective clamping unit further has an actuating surface section, wherein by pressing on the actuating surface section against the spring force of the clamping spring section, the connection module can be brought from the triggered state into a pre-tensioned state, wherein in the pre-tensioned state the clamping section is held in position by a retaining tongue of the respective triggering unit, which is in a holding position,wherein the respective triggering unit further comprises a triggering surface section and a triggering spring section, wherein by pressing on the triggering surface section against a spring force of the triggering spring section, the retaining tongue can be brought from the holding position into a release position in order to transfer the connection module from the pre-tensioned state into the triggered state by releasing the clamping section. STATE OF THE ART

[0002] Spring-loaded terminals are widely used in control cabinet construction and allow for quick, screwless wiring. There are "push-in" versions, in which a spring must be pressed open, particularly using a tool (slotted screwdriver or similar), to insert a conductor into a connection point. In recent years, more advanced versions have been used that are equipped with some form of trigger mechanism. This allows the spring-loaded terminal to be pre-tensioned or "pulled open" using a screwdriver. There are also versions that require no tools at all, with an integrated tensioning element, particularly a tension lever. Once pre-tensioned, no further tools are required. As soon as the conductor being inserted activates a trigger element, the spring-loaded terminal is released and clamps the conductor.The principle of operation is similar to a mousetrap or other trigger mechanisms. This makes wiring for control cabinet construction even easier and faster. Furthermore, this type (like "push-in") has the potential for easier integration into an automated wiring process, as no rotating tools are required, only linearly moving pre-tensioning aids. Furthermore, with a reliable and robust trigger system, products containing such terminals can be delivered pre-tensioned or "pulled on," thus reducing assembly effort for the user. A tool is required to release a clamped conductor, or in systems with an integrated tensioning element, the tool must be activated.

[0003] A disadvantage of the known spring-loaded terminals with a trigger mechanism is that false triggering can occur if the conductor does not exactly touch the intended trigger element when inserted, but first touches another, particularly protruding, element of the trigger mechanism.

[0004] A further disadvantage of known spring-loaded terminals is that the actual clamping of the conductor is often not carried out with sufficient mechanical precision and stability and the clamped conductor has an imperfect arrangement and / or an undesirably large amount of freedom of movement.

[0005] A further problem with prior art spring-loaded terminal blocks with trigger or release mechanisms is that there is usually only one connection point per connection, which is sufficient, in particular, when used in terminal blocks. Other applications, however, require multiple connection points per connection so that multiple conductors can be clamped per connection - i.e. with one and the same spring-loaded terminal. The clamped conductors are then electrically connected to one another via the spring-loaded terminal and / or a housing and / or an additional, electrically conductive element against which the clamped conductors are pressed. One such application is in cam or control switches, for example, where there are two connection points per connection. Another application example is distribution blocks with more than two connection points, e.g. with 8 connection points for clamping 8 electrical conductors.

[0006] Finally, multi-part solutions are disadvantageous in terms of cost-effective manufacturability.

[0007] WO 2021 / 105280 A1 shows a spring-loaded terminal designed as a direct plug-in terminal with protruding holding means for connecting a conductor. OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

[0008] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a spring-loaded terminal that avoids the above-mentioned disadvantages. In particular, the spring-loaded terminal should prevent false triggering. Preferably, the spring-loaded terminal should enable clamping with a well-defined arrangement and / or with high mechanical stability or . Allow the respective conductor to move as little as possible. Preferably, the spring-loaded terminal should allow the clamping of multiple conductors per connection. DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] To achieve the above-mentioned object, a one-piece spring-loaded terminal for at least one electrical conductor, comprising at least one connection module, wherein the respective connection module comprises a clamping unit and a triggering unit, wherein the respective clamping unit has a clamping section for contacting and clamping an electrical conductor and a clamping spring section in order to urge the clamping section into an end position with a spring force in a triggered state of the respective connection module, wherein the respective clamping unit further has an actuating surface section, wherein by pressing on the actuating surface section against the spring force of the clamping spring section, the connection module can be brought from the triggered state into a pre-tensioned state, wherein in the pre-tensioned state the clamping section is held in position by a holding tongue of the respective triggering unit, which is in a holding position,wherein the respective triggering unit further comprises a triggering surface section and a triggering spring section, wherein by pressing on the triggering surface section against a spring force of the triggering spring section, the retaining tongue can be brought from the holding position into a release position in order to transfer the connection module from the pre-tensioned state into the triggered state by releasing the clamping section, according to the invention provided that the clamping section of the clamping unit of the respective connection module has a recess, preferably in the form of a centering embossment, in which the retaining tongue of the triggering unit of the respective connection module is sunk in the pre-tensioned state.

[0010] "Contacting" or "contacting" here and below generally refers to mechanical contact. This may be accompanied by electrical contact, which will be noted separately.

[0011] The at least one electrical conductor for which the one-piece spring clamp terminal is suitable can be one or more stranded conductors and / or one or more single-core conductors.

[0012] Each connection module is used to connect a conductor and provides a connection point for the respective conductor as mentioned above.

[0013] Typically, the spring-loaded terminal is arranged, at least in sections, in particular at least with its at least one connection module, in a corresponding housing in the broadest sense. In this case, the respective conductor is clamped to the respective clamping section in conjunction with the housing, with the housing forming a counterbearing or part of a counterbearing.

[0014] When pushing the clamping section of the respective connection module into the corresponding end position, the end position should not be understood as a fixed or always constant value, but rather such that the conductor is clamped with a certain force. This force can depend, for example, on the geometry of the conductor and thus on how far the clamping section is deflected against the spring force of the clamping spring section compared to a "free" end position without conductor and housing. In other words, pushing into the end position should be understood as "toward an end position" if the end position cannot be assumed, for example because a housing and / or a conductor is blocking the assumption of the end position.

[0015] Accordingly, the respective clamping section can press against the respective conductor in the triggered state, especially when the conductor is inserted into the said housing.

[0016] An actuating element may be provided for pressing on the actuating surface portion, which may be a separate tool (for example, any screwdriver) or an element of a system comprising the spring-loaded terminal, for example, a movable pin or lever.

[0017] In the pre-tensioned state, the respective clamping section is held in position by the respective retaining tongue against the spring force of the respective clamping spring section.

[0018] The respective triggering surface section is pressed by the respective conductor to be clamped, particularly when it is inserted into the housing. For sensitive, reliable triggering with a wide variety of conductors, the spring force of the triggering spring section, which must be overcome to move the retaining tongue into the release position, can be designed to be correspondingly small. This causes the respective connection module, if initially pre-tensioned, to be transferred to the triggered state, since the corresponding clamping section is no longer held by the corresponding retaining tongue and is pushed into the end position due to the spring force of the corresponding clamping spring section.

[0019] By countersunk the retaining tab of the tripping unit of the respective connection module into the respective recess in the pre-tensioned state, it is ensured that the retaining tab protrudes only slightly or not at all. Preferably, the retaining tab forms a substantially flush surface with the clamping section in the pre-tensioned state. This means that the retaining tab does not pose any obstacle to the conductor being inserted, thus reliably preventing false triggering before the conductor touches the triggering surface section.

[0020] In addition, the shapes of the retaining tongue and the recess are clearly coordinated in such a way that problem-free pre-tensioning is ensured and the clamping section can slide along the retaining tongue, whereby the clamping section pushes the retaining tongue away against the spring force of the release spring section until the retaining tongue snaps back into the holding position.

[0021] The respective recess can be created by pressing, particularly embossing, the respective clamping section. However, other manufacturing methods are also conceivable, such as the integral joining of several individual parts to form a clamping section with a recess or to form a one-piece spring-loaded clamp with the aforementioned clamping section.

[0022] The term "centering embossing" refers to an embossing or depression whose shape is designed to also center the conductor to be clamped during clamping.

[0023] The one-piece spring-loaded terminal is typically made of a resilient or spring-hard material, preferably metal, particularly preferably steel or a spring-hard steel alloy (also referred to as spring steel) or a copper alloy such as spring-hard bronze, to ensure reliable clamping of the conductor, with the conductor being mechanically contacted. When made of metal, the desired spring forces of the clamping spring section, on the one hand, and the release spring section, on the other, can be adjusted by appropriate shaping or bending and / or thermal treatment.

[0024] In principle, the one-piece spring-loaded terminal does not have to be electrically conductive. However, electrical conductivity can be present, for example, if the spring-loaded terminal is made of one of the materials mentioned above. In such a case, the clamping section can (also) electrically contact the conductor. Typically, a separate electrically conductive element, a so-called contact piece, is provided for electrically contacting the clamped conductor. This element is arranged at least in sections in the aforementioned housing and can form the aforementioned counter-bearing, at least in sections.

[0025] As mentioned, the spring-loaded terminal is typically inserted in a housing. Accordingly, the invention also provides a system comprising a one-piece spring-loaded terminal according to the invention and at least one clamping chamber body, wherein each connection module of the one-piece spring-loaded terminal is arranged in a respective associated clamping chamber unit of the at least one clamping chamber body, and wherein the respective clamping chamber unit has an insertion opening through which the respective electrical conductor can be inserted into the respective clamping chamber unit such that it presses against the triggering surface section of the triggering unit of the respective connection module in the prestressed state, in order to transfer the respective connection module into the triggered state and to contact and clamp the respective electrical conductor with the clamping section of the respective connection module.

[0026] This means that the at least one clamping chamber body with the at least one clamping chamber unit assumes the function of the housing described above. If multiple clamping chamber units are present, these can be formed by one or more clamping chamber bodies.

[0027] The at least one terminal chamber body can be a, in particular integral, component of an electrical installation device (ie an electrotechnical installation device), for example a switching device, in particular a control or cam switch, or a terminal.

[0028] The prerequisite for triggering the connection module is that the respective connection module is in the pre-tensioned state when the respective electrical conductor is inserted into the clamping chamber unit assigned to the connection module. In this case, the electrical conductor can press against the triggering surface section, thus triggering the connection module or transferring it to the triggered state.

[0029] According to the above, clamping the respective electrical conductor with the respective clamping section serves to clamp it firmly. The clamping chamber unit forms at least part of a counter-bearing against which the clamping section presses the electrical conductor, possibly with the interposition of one or more further components - in particular an (electrically conductive) contact piece intended for electrical contact with the conductor. -, presses.

[0030] In a preferred embodiment of the one-piece spring-loaded terminal according to the invention, the retaining tongue of the trigger unit and the recess of the clamping unit of the respective connection module are designed such that, in the pre-tensioned state, the retaining tongue is hooked into the recess. This creates a barb effect that reliably prevents the connection module in the pre-tensioned state from releasing itself and being transferred from the pre-tensioned to the triggered state without actuating the trigger surface section or pressing against the trigger surface section. This improves the prevention of false triggering.

[0031] In order to realize said barb effect in a particularly simple manner in terms of design and manufacturing technology, a particularly preferred embodiment of the one-piece spring-loaded terminal according to the invention provides that the recess has a holding surface and the holding tongue has an engagement surface. In the prestressed state, the engagement surface contacts the holding surface and forms an angle of at most 30°, preferably at most 10°, with the latter. Preferably, said angle is substantially 0°, so that the engagement surface and the holding surface are substantially parallel to one another and, in particular, contact one another over a large area.

[0032] In a preferred embodiment of the one-piece spring-loaded terminal according to the invention, the recess of the clamping unit of the respective connection module has two boundary walls, between which the retaining tongue of the trigger unit of the respective connection module is arranged in the pre-tensioned state. The boundary walls are located opposite one another and serve, on the one hand, to laterally shield the retaining tongue when the retaining tongue is recessed in the recess in the pre-tensioned state of the respective connection module. This means that the boundary walls further reduce the possibility of false triggering.

[0033] Secondly, the boundary walls are designed to ensure that the conductor to be clamped is positioned between them, at least in sections, during clamping, depending on its lateral size or diameter. This means that the boundary walls limit any possible lateral movement of the conductor to be clamped or clamped. On the one hand, this increases mechanical stability and precision when clamping the respective conductor. On the other hand, it achieves a certain centering of the respective electrical conductor, so that the arrangement of the clamped conductor is perfected and a desired arrangement of the clamped conductor is ensured as far as possible.

[0034] Furthermore, depending on the lateral size or diameter and specific arrangement of the respective clamped conductor, the number of mechanical contact points or clamping points between the respective conductor and the respective clamping section can be increased by the respective electrical conductor not only touching - and being clamped with - a surface of the clamping section arranged between the boundary walls, in particular the aforementioned holding surface, but also touching at least one of the boundary walls. Since the respective conductor usually has a round - not necessarily circular - cross-section, the respective resulting contact surfaces between the conductor and the clamping section are correspondingly relatively small or even almost point-shaped and are therefore referred to here and below as clamping points. Consequently, the mechanical stability between the clamped electrical conductor and the clamping section orthe one-piece spring clamp has been further improved.

[0035] In a particularly preferred embodiment of the one-piece spring-loaded terminal according to the invention, a contact surface for the electrical conductor is arranged between the two boundary walls, connecting the two boundary walls to one another and pointing toward a free end of the clamping section. This means that the contact surface itself does not form the free end of the clamping section. The free end of the clamping section can be formed, at least in sections, by the surface of the clamping section arranged between the boundary walls, with which the respective conductor is clamped, in particular by the aforementioned holding surface.

[0036] When the one-piece spring-loaded terminal is in the released state, the contact surface helps to center the respective electrical conductor during its insertion. The conductor first touches the contact surface and then slides along it so that it is positioned between the two boundary walls. If the conductor is sufficiently strong or rigid for this, it presses against the spring force of the clamping spring section and moves the clamping section towards its pre-tensioned state, while the conductor slides along the contact surface or clamping section until it slides off the free end of the clamping section. Whereupon the conductor is clamped by the clamping section, which is pushed into its end position by the spring force of the clamping spring section. This means that the one-piece spring-loaded terminal can also be used in this way in the manner of a push-in variant mentioned above.

[0037] Typically, the contact surface for this purpose is not perpendicular to an upper side of the clamping section pointing away from the retaining tongue, but forms an acute angle with this upper side.

[0038] Preferably, the contact surface is flat. However, a curved design would also be conceivable, in particular a contact surface that is concavely curved relative to the free end of the clamping section, preferably with continuous and curved transitions to the holding surface and the boundary walls, in order to further improve the guidance and centering of the conductor during its insertion.

[0039] In a preferred embodiment of the one-piece spring-loaded terminal according to the invention, the actuating surface section of the clamping unit of the respective connection module is flat and adjoins the clamping section, with the actuating surface section and the clamping section forming an obtuse angle. On the one hand, this geometry can facilitate reliable actuation or pressing of the actuating surface section, particularly by means of the actuating element.

[0040] On the other hand, this geometry promotes reliable triggering of the pre-tensioned connection module and thus reliable clamping of the respective electrical conductor when the actuating element continues to contact the actuating surface section in the pre-tensioned state or at least remains arranged in its immediate vicinity, so that the actuating element is in any case contacted and moved by the actuating surface section when the connection module is triggered or transferred to the triggered state. This is because the direction of movement of the actuating element is at an angle to the actuating surface section that is closer to 90° or forms a smaller angle with the normal vector to the (flat) actuating surface section that is closer to 0°. This reduces the potential for the actuating element to become jammed during triggering because the actuating element is pushed more effectively away from the actuating surface section.

[0041] In particular, if the actuating surface section is connected between the clamping section and the clamping spring section, the said geometry can also effectively enlarge the resilient area without the clamping spring section itself having to be enlarged.

[0042] In a preferred embodiment of the one-piece spring-loaded terminal according to the invention, the actuating surface section of the clamping unit of the respective connection module is arranged between the clamping section and the clamping spring section, wherein the clamping spring section has a curved section and a directly adjacent flat section, and the curved section is arranged between the flat section and the actuating surface section. In general, high spring forces can be realized in this way by the clamping spring section, enabling rapid and reliable release and clamping.

[0043] The bent section ensures that the clamping spring section is sufficiently long so that it is deformed purely elastically. At the same time, the clamping spring section is kept short enough to generate a sufficiently high clamping force, especially to securely clamp or hold the conductor.

[0044] The bent section can be manufactured in a conventional manner. In particular, a heat treatment after a bending process can be provided during production to ensure high elasticity even after the bending process.

[0045] The actuating surface section does not have to directly adjoin the bent section of the clamping spring section. For example, a tight bend may be arranged between the actuating surface section and the bent section of the clamping spring section, but this typically contributes little to nothing to the elastic behavior of the clamping spring section.

[0046] In contrast to the clamping spring section, the trigger spring section has a significantly lower spring force to enable reliable triggering even with weakly dimensioned conductors and / or stranded conductors or with conductors with relatively low rigidity. For this purpose, a preferred embodiment of the one-piece spring-loaded terminal according to the invention provides that the trigger spring section of the trigger unit of the respective connection module is arranged between the trigger surface section and the clamping spring section and preferably has two flat band springs arranged parallel to one another. The trigger spring section can thus be dimensioned very easily, whereby, as mentioned, only a relatively small spring force should or must be achieved, not a particularly large one.The fact that no higher spring forces of the release spring section are required is also due to the fact that the spring force of the release spring section is hardly or not at all needed to hold the retaining tongue in the recess.

[0047] In particular, practically no spring force is required to hold the retaining tongue in the recess in the previously explained case where a barb effect is created by the design of the recess and retaining tongue in the preloaded state. In this case, the holding force of the retaining tongue is geometrically determined by the barb effect and is therefore independent of the spring force of the release spring section.

[0048] In order to be able to reliably clamp several conductors - and thus provide several connection points per connection -,In a preferred embodiment of the one-piece spring-loaded terminal according to the invention, it is provided that several, preferably two, connection modules and at least one connecting unit are provided, wherein two successive connection modules are connected to one another by a connecting unit which is arranged between the clamping units on the one hand and the triggering units of the two successive connection modules on the other hand.

[0049] The aforementioned arrangement of the connecting unit results in a mechanical decoupling of the spring elements, in particular the clamping spring sections and release spring sections, of the consecutive connection modules. Accordingly, electrical conductors can be reliably clamped with the connection modules without the release and clamping behavior of one of the connection modules affecting the release and clamping behavior of another.

[0050] Due to the one-piece design of the spring-loaded terminal, an electrical connection between the clamped electrical conductors can automatically occur if the spring-loaded terminal itself is electrically conductive.

[0051] In order to simplify the design and manufacturing of the respective connecting unit, a particularly preferred embodiment of the one-piece spring-loaded terminal according to the invention provides that each connecting unit comprises a connecting web extending between the two consecutive connection modules connected to each other by the respective connecting unit. The connecting web of the connecting unit allows a mechanically stable connection between the consecutive connection modules to be achieved.

[0052] It is conceivable that the respective connecting unit can also be completely formed by the respective connecting web or consist of it.

[0053] The respective connecting unit can, of course, also comprise elements other than the respective connecting web or further elements. In particular, the respective connecting unit can also overlap in sections with the two consecutive connection modules that it connects. Accordingly, in a particularly preferred embodiment of the one-piece spring-loaded terminal according to the invention, it is provided that the at least one connecting unit comprises at least one centering hole, wherein preferably in the respective two consecutive connection modules that are connected to one another by the respective connecting unit, a centering hole is provided for each connection module, which is arranged between the clamping unit and the triggering unit of the respective connection module.

[0054] The at least one centering hole proves advantageous from a manufacturing point of view, as the one-piece spring-loaded terminal or its pre-product can be precisely positioned and held for further processing by at least one projection or similar engaging in the centering hole. The pre-product can, for example, be a pre-bent or formed endless chain, from which only the one-piece spring-loaded terminals with the appropriate number of connection modules need to be separated.

[0055] On the other hand, the at least one centering hole can also be advantageous when using the one-piece spring-loaded terminal in the above-mentioned at least one clamping chamber body with the at least one clamping chamber unit, in that the one-piece spring-loaded terminal can be precisely positioned and / or centered in the at least one clamping chamber body with the at least one clamping chamber unit by means of one or more centering lugs that engage in the one or more centering holes. In particular, the at least one connection module can be precisely positioned or centered in said clamping chamber unit in this way, i.e. with a projection or centering lug in the associated at least one clamping chamber unit.

[0056] In order to be able to reliably electrically contact the at least one clamped electrical conductor and to establish an electrical connection with the one clamped electrical conductor, it is provided in a preferred embodiment of the system according to the invention that a contact piece is arranged in the respective clamping chamber unit, wherein a contact section of the contact piece is arranged opposite the clamping section of the clamping unit of the respective connection module when the respective connection module is in the prestressed state, in order to enable the respective electrical conductor to be arranged between the clamping section and the contact section when it is inserted into the respective clamping chamber unit, wherein one or more, preferably two, fixing lugs are provided on the contact section. That isThe contact piece with the contact section not only serves for electrical contact, but is also used to clamp the respective conductor, with the conductor being pressed against the contact section by the clamping section. As already explained, the respective clamping chamber unit functions at least partially as a counterbearing, with the contact piece or contact section being supported in or on the clamping chamber unit.

[0057] The at least one fixing lug causes a locally increased contact pressure when the respective electrical conductor is pressed against the at least one fixing lug during clamping, so that a particularly stable fixation of the conductor is achieved. Multiple fixing lugs prove to be advantageous in that they reliably prevent twisting of the clamped conductor transversely to its course in the area of ​​the contact section, with two fixing lugs proving to be a particularly economical solution for limiting or preventing movement of the clamped conductor as best as possible. With a single-core conductor and only one fixing lug, this typically creates two mechanical contact points or clamping points of the clamped conductor - a first clamping point between the clamping section and the conductor and a second clamping point between the fixing lug and the conductor. These two clamping points define an axis around which the clamped conductor can be rotated if necessary.can be twisted back and forth to a certain extent. When clamping with a second fixing lug, two additional clamping points are typically created for the clamped conductor – a first additional clamping point between the clamping section and the conductor, and a second additional clamping point between the second fixing lug and the conductor. Another axis runs through these two additional clamping points, which usually crosses or intersects the axis mentioned above, making it virtually impossible for the conductor to rotate.

[0058] In principle, one (common) contact piece can be provided for several clamping chamber units. However, it is also conceivable that several contact pieces are provided for several clamping chamber units, in particular one contact piece per clamping chamber unit.

[0059] The contact piece can be led out of the at least one clamping chamber unit or the at least one clamping chamber body at at least one point to enable an external electrical connection in a conventional manner. Particularly when several clamped electrical conductors are electrically connected to one another via a common contact piece, it is sufficient for the contact piece to be led out of one of the clamping chamber units.

[0060] The at least one contact piece is made of an electrically conductive material, preferably of metal, particularly preferably of copper or a copper alloy or a light metal such as aluminum or an aluminum alloy.

[0061] In a preferred embodiment of the system according to the invention, it is provided that an externally actuated actuating plunger is provided for each clamping chamber unit in order to be able to press against the actuating surface section of the clamping unit of the respective connection module by displacing the actuating plunger parallel to a direction of displacement and thus to be able to bring the respective connection module from the triggered state into the prestressed state, wherein the direction of displacement and a normal vector to the actuating surface section enclose an angle of less than 40°, preferably less than 30°, at a point which can be contacted by the actuating plunger in the prestressed state of the respective connection module.

[0062] On the one hand, the actuating plunger enables particularly easy and convenient pre-tensioning for the user.

[0063] Secondly, the aforementioned geometric design ensures that when the actuating plunger is triggered, the actuating surface section moves it as smoothly as possible, antiparallel to the direction of displacement. This prevents the actuating plunger from jamming, which in turn ensures reliable triggering—and subsequently clamping of the respective electrical conductor.

[0064] Analogous to the above, the invention provides a switching device, in particular a cam and / or control switch, comprising at least one system according to the invention. This means that the switching device can also comprise several one-piece spring-loaded terminals according to the invention. SHORT DESCRIPTION OF THE CHARACTERS

[0065] The invention will now be explained in more detail using exemplary embodiments. The drawings are exemplary and are intended to illustrate the inventive concept, but in no way restrict it or represent it exhaustively.

[0066] It shows: Fig. 1 an axonometric view of a first embodiment of a one-piece spring clamp according to the invention with two connection modules in a pre-tensioned state Fig. 2 a side view of the one-piece spring clamp from Fig. 1 Fig. 3 an axonometric view of the one-piece spring clamp made of Fig. 1 with the two connection modules in a triggered state Fig. 4 a side view of the one-piece spring clamp terminal made of Fig. 3 Fig. 5 an axonometric view of a rolled endless chain Fig. 6 an axonometric view of a finished formed endless chain Fig. 7 an axonometric view of a second embodiment of the one-piece spring clamp according to the invention with two connection modules in the triggered state with a view of a connection unit Fig. 8 a further axonometric view of the one-piece spring clamp from Fig. 7 with viewing direction analogous to Fig. 3 Fig. 9 a sectional view of a system according to the invention with a one-piece spring clamp in a clamping chamber unit of a clamping chamber body, wherein the connection module shown is in the triggered state Fig. 10 a sectional view analogous to Fig. 9 , wherein an electrical conductor is inserted into the clamping chamber unit and the connection module is in the pre-tensioned state Fig. 11 an axonometric detailed view of a clamping section with a recess Fig. 12 a schematic sectional view of a single-core conductor which is clamped with the clamping section against a contact section of a contact piece Fig. 13 a representation analogous to Fig. 12 , where the diameter of the single-core conductor is larger Fig. 14 a schematic sectional view of a multi-core conductor clamped with the clamping portion against the contact portion of the contact piece WAYS OF IMPLEMENTING THE INVENTION

[0067] Fig. 1 shows a first embodiment of a one-piece spring-loaded terminal 1 according to the invention for at least one electrical conductor 2 (cf. Fig. 10 ) in an axonometric view, wherein a connection module 3 is provided for each electrical conductor 2. The one-piece spring-loaded terminal 1 has two connection modules 3 in the illustrated first embodiment and can accordingly be used to clamp two electrical conductors 2.

[0068] Each connection module 3 has a clamping unit 4 and a triggering unit 5, wherein each clamping unit 4 has a clamping section 6 for contacting and clamping the respective electrical conductor 2, cf. Fig. 4 . Furthermore, each clamping unit 4 has a clamping spring section 7 in order to urge the clamping section 6 into an end position with a spring force in a triggered state 9 of the respective connection module 3. Fig. 3 und Fig. 4 each show the triggered state 9 of the connection modules 3 of the first embodiment of the one-piece spring-loaded terminal 1, wherein the clamping section 6 is free and also assumes the end position accordingly.

[0069] Finally, each clamping unit 4 has an actuating surface section 8, wherein by pressing on the actuating surface section 8 against the spring force of the clamping spring section 7, the respective connection module 3 can be brought from the triggered state 9 into a pre-tensioned state 10. Fig. 1 und Fig. 2 each show the pre-tensioned state 10 of the connection modules 3 of the first embodiment of the one-piece spring-loaded terminal 1.

[0070] In the pre-tensioned state 10, the clamping section 6 is held in position by a holding tongue 12 of the respective trigger unit 5 located in a holding position 15, cf. Fig. 2 . The respective trigger unit 5 further comprises a trigger surface section 13 and a trigger spring section 14, cf. Fig. 4 . By pressing on the trigger surface section 13 against a spring force of the trigger spring section 14, the retaining tongue 12 can be moved from the holding position 15 into a release position 16 in order to transfer the connection module 3 from the pre-tensioned state 10 into the triggered state 9 by releasing the clamping section 6. This pressing on the trigger surface section 13 in order to trigger the spring-loaded terminal 1 or to bring the respective connection module 3 into the triggered state 9 can be done in particular with the conductor 2 to be clamped, see. Fig. 10 , in which a sectional view of a system according to the invention with a one-piece spring-loaded terminal 1 according to the invention in a clamping chamber unit 31 of a clamping chamber body 30 is shown, wherein the electrical conductor 2 is inserted into the clamping chamber unit 31 and just does not touch the trigger surface section 13, so that the connection module 3 is still in the pre-tensioned state 10.

[0071] In Fig. 2 The trigger unit 5 with the retaining tongue 12 in the release position 16 is indicated by dashed lines, wherein the trigger unit 5 and thus also the retaining tongue 12 are pressed downwards or bent relative to the rest of the connection module 3 compared to the case in which the retaining tongue 12 is in the holding position 15. The dashed representation accordingly relates to a state of the connection module 3 immediately before the connection module 3 transitions from the pre-tensioned state 10 to the triggered state 9.

[0072] The clamping section 6 of the clamping unit 4 of the respective connection module 3 has a recess 17, which in the illustrated embodiments is designed as an embossed portion, in particular a centering embossed portion. The retaining tongue 12 of the trigger unit 5 of the respective connection module 3 is recessed in this recess 17 in the prestressed state 10. By recessing the retaining tongue 12 of the trigger unit 5 of the respective connection module 3 in the prestressed state 10 in the respective recess 17, it is ensured that the retaining tongue 12 does not protrude or protrudes only insignificantly, thereby preventing false triggering, in particular premature triggering, when inserting the respective electrical conductor 2 into the respective clamping chamber unit 31.

[0073] Basically, the system according to the invention provides that each connection module 3 is arranged in a respective associated clamping chamber unit 31 of at least one clamping chamber body 30 and the respective clamping chamber unit 31 has an insertion opening 32 through which the respective electrical conductor 2 can be inserted into the respective clamping chamber unit 31 in such a way that it presses against the triggering surface section 13 of the triggering unit 5 of the respective connection module 3 in the prestressed state 10 in order to transfer the respective connection module 3 into the triggered state 9 and to contact and clamp the respective electrical conductor 2 with the clamping section 6 of the respective connection module 3.

[0074] The one-piece spring clamp 1 is made in the illustrated embodiments from a resilient or spring-hardened metal, in particular from steel or a spring-hardened steel alloy or a copper alloy such as spring-hardened bronze. The metal construction facilitates the manufacture of the one-piece spring clamp 1. On the one hand, the desired spring forces of the respective clamping spring section 7 on the one hand and of the respective release spring section 14 on the other hand can be adjusted by appropriate shaping or bending and / or thermal treatment. On the other hand, the one-piece spring clamp 1 can be easily produced with any number of connection modules 3, for example by using a rolled endless chain 39, as shown by way of example in Fig. 5 shown, with the large arrow indicating the rolling direction. As shown in Fig. 5 As can be seen, the endless chain 39 already has the punchings necessary for the final shape as well as the embossed recesses 17.

[0075] The rolled endless chain 39 can then be finished by bending, ie the connecting modules 3 have their actual shape after the bending process, cf. Fig. 6 , which shows a finished, endless chain 40 corresponding to a sequence of interconnected connection modules 3. In order to produce the one-piece spring-loaded terminals 1 with the desired number of connection modules 3, only a continuous separation or severing step is necessary after the corresponding number of connection modules 3, for example, after each connection module 3 or after every second connection module 3 or after every third connection module 3 or after every fourth connection module 3, etc.

[0076] A connecting unit 27 is provided for connecting two consecutive connection modules 3. This connecting unit 27 is arranged between the clamping units 4 and the triggering units 5 of the two consecutive connection modules 3, cf. e.g. Fig. 4 for the first embodiment shown and e.g. Fig. 7 for a second embodiment shown. The aforementioned arrangement of the connecting unit 27 provides a mechanical decoupling of the resilient elements, in particular the clamping spring sections 7 and release spring sections 14, of the successive connection modules 3. The connection modules 3 therefore do not influence each other in their release and clamping behavior.

[0077] In the exemplary embodiments shown, each connecting unit 27 has a connecting web 28 which extends between the two successive connection modules 3 which are connected to one another by the respective connecting unit 27, cf. Fig. 7 .

[0078] The mentioned second embodiment of the one-piece spring-loaded terminal 1 differs from the first embodiment only in that the connecting unit 27 additionally has a centering hole 29 for each connection module 3. As can be seen in particular in Fig. 7 und Fig. 8 As can be seen, the respective centering hole 29 is arranged between the clamping unit 4 and the triggering unit 5 of the respective connection module 3. In the first embodiment, however, no centering holes are provided.

[0079] The centering holes 29, which are also shown in the exemplary rolled endless chain 39 of the Fig. 5 as well as in the finished endless chain 40 shown as an example of the Fig. 6 can be seen, prove to be advantageous from a manufacturing point of view. This is because the endless chains 39, 40 can be positioned and held precisely for further processing by at least one projection or the like (not shown) engaging in at least one of the centering holes 29. On the other hand, the centering holes 29 can also be advantageous when using the one-piece spring-loaded clamp 1 in the above-mentioned at least one clamping chamber body 30 with the at least one clamping chamber unit 31, in that the one-piece spring-loaded clamp 1 can be positioned and / or centered precisely in the at least one clamping chamber body 30 with the at least one clamping chamber unit 31 by means of one or more centering lugs (not shown) which engage in at least one of the centering holes 29. In particular, the respective connection module 3 can be manufactured in this way, ie with a projection or the like.a centering lug (not shown) in the associated clamping chamber unit 31, can be positioned or centered exactly in said clamping chamber unit 31.

[0080] In the exemplary embodiments shown, the retaining tongue 12 of the trigger unit 5 and the recess 17 of the clamping unit 4 of the respective connection module 3 are designed such that in the pre-tensioned state 10, the retaining tongue 12 is hooked into the recess 17. This achieves improved prevention of false triggering by creating a barb effect that reliably prevents the connection module 3 in the pre-tensioned state 10 from releasing itself and being transferred from the pre-tensioned state 10 to the triggered state 9 without actuating the trigger surface section 13 or pressing against the trigger surface section 13. For this purpose, the respective recess 17 has a retaining surface 18, see. Fig. 11 , and the retaining tongue 12 has an engagement surface 19, cf. Fig. 7 , wherein in the prestressed state 10 the engagement surface 19 contacts the holding surface 18 and encloses an angle of at most 30°, preferably at most 10°, with the latter.

[0081] As from Fig. 11 As can also be seen, in the exemplary embodiments shown, the recess 17 of the clamping unit 4 of the respective connection module 3 has two boundary walls 20, between which the retaining tongue 12 of the triggering unit 5 of the respective connection module 3 is arranged in the prestressed state 10. Accordingly, the boundary walls 20 shield the retaining tongue 12 particularly well laterally and thus further reduce the possibility of false triggering.

[0082] Furthermore, the boundary walls 20 restrict any possible lateral movement of the conductor 2 to be clamped or clamped. On the one hand, this increases the mechanical stability and precision when clamping the respective conductor 2. On the other hand, this achieves a certain centering of the respective electrical conductor 2, so that the arrangement of the clamped conductor 2 is perfected or a desired arrangement of the clamped conductor 2 is ensured as far as possible. Furthermore, depending on the lateral size orDiameter and specific arrangement of the respective clamped conductor 2 - the number of clamping points 11 between the respective conductor 2 and the respective clamping section 6 can be increased in that the respective electrical conductor 2 not only touches a surface of the clamping section 6 arranged between the boundary walls 20, in particular the aforementioned holding surface 18, - and is clamped with this - but also touches at least one of the boundary walls 20. Consequently, in particular the mechanical connection between the clamped electrical conductor 2 and the clamping section 6 or the one-piece spring-loaded terminal 1 is improved, wherein in the illustrated embodiments a certain electrical contact or connection also results between the conductor 2 and the clamping section 6 due to the electrically conductive material of the one-piece spring-loaded terminal 1. This is shown in . Fig. 12, Fig. 13 und Fig. 14 illustrated, wherein the electrical conductor 2 is in each case between the clamping section 6 and a contact section 34 of a contact piece 33 which is arranged in the respective clamping chamber unit 31, cf. Fig. 9 und Fig. 10 , is arranged or clamped. The contact piece 33 is made of an (electrically conductive) metal, preferably copper or a copper alloy, although other metals or metal alloys, in particular light metals such as aluminum or aluminum alloys, are also conceivable as materials. The contact piece 33 serves to electrically contact or connect the conductor 2 and is also used when clamping the respective conductor 2, in that the conductor 2 is pressed by the clamping section 6 against the contact section 34 of the contact piece 33.

[0083] In Fig. 12 the electrical conductor 2 is single-core and has a substantially circular cross-section. The cross-sectional dimension or the diameter of the circular cross-section is so small that the electrical conductor 2, in its central arrangement between the boundary walls 20, does not touch them. This means that for the clamping section 6, there is only one clamping point 11, namely between the electrical conductor 2 and the holding surface 18. In addition, there is also a clamping point 11' between the electrical conductor 2 and the contact section 34 of the contact piece 33, which runs straight in the sectional view, wherein the clamping point 11' serves not only for mechanical but also for electrical contact.

[0084] In Fig. 13 there is a Fig. 12 An analogous case is present, but the electrical conductor 2 has a slightly larger diameter, so that the electrical conductor 2 touches both boundary walls 20. Accordingly, in addition to the clamping point 11 on the holding surface 18, two further clamping points 11 are formed between the electrical conductor 2 and the clamping section 6 on the boundary walls 20. Furthermore, in this case, too, a clamping point 11' is formed for electrical and mechanical contact between the electrical conductor 2 and the contact section 34 of the contact piece 33, which runs straight in the sectional view.

[0085] In Fig. 14 Finally, a case is shown in which the electrical conductor 2 is multi-core with nineteen wires 41. Three of these wires 41 each have a terminal point 11 with the holding surface 18. Two further wires 41 each have a terminal point 11 with one of the boundary walls 20, so that a total of five terminal points 11 result between the conductor 2 and the clamping section 6. In addition, five further wires 41 each have a terminal point 11' with the contact section 34 of the contact piece 33, which runs straight in the sectional view, so that a total of five terminal points 11' result for electrical and mechanical contact between the conductor 2 and the contact section 34.

[0086] As from Fig. 11 As can be seen, in the illustrated embodiments of the one-piece spring-loaded terminal 1, it is provided that a substantially flat contact surface 21 for the electrical conductor 2 is arranged between the two boundary walls 20, which contact surface connects the two boundary walls 20 to one another and points in the direction of a free end 22 of the clamping section 6, wherein the holding surface 18 forms part of the free end 22.

[0087] The contact surface 21 helps, when the one-piece spring-loaded terminal 1 is in the released state 9, to center the respective electrical conductor 2 upon its insertion into the respective clamping chamber unit 31, in that the conductor 2 first touches the contact surface 21 and slides along it so that it is arranged between the two boundary walls 20. In doing so, the conductor 2, if it has sufficient strength or rigidity for this purpose, presses against the spring force of the clamping spring section 7 and moves the clamping section 6 in the direction of its pre-tensioned state 10, while the conductor 2 slides along the contact surface 21 or the clamping section 6 until it slides off the free end 22 of the clamping section 6, whereupon the clamping of the conductor 2 by the clamping section 6, which is urged into its end position by the spring force of the clamping spring section 7, takes place.In this way, the one-piece spring-loaded terminal 1 can also be used in the manner of a push-in variant mentioned above. For this purpose, the contact surface 21 is not perpendicular to an upper side 23 of the clamping section 6 facing away from the retaining tongue 12, but rather forms an acute angle with this upper side 23.

[0088] For example, Fig. 4 and Fig. 8 As can be seen, in the illustrated embodiments of the one-piece spring-loaded terminal 1, the actuating surface section 8 of the clamping unit 4 of the respective connection module 3 is designed to be flat and adjoins the clamping section 6, wherein the actuating surface section 8 and the clamping section 6 form an obtuse angle. This facilitates the actuation or pressing of the actuating surface section 8 by means of an actuating element, which in the illustrated embodiments is designed as an actuating plunger 36, cf. Fig. 9 und Fig. 10 .

[0089] Specifically, the system shown provides that each clamping chamber unit 31 is provided with an externally actuated actuating plunger 36 in order to press against the actuating surface section 8 of the clamping unit 4 of the respective connection module 3 by displacing the actuating plunger 36 parallel to a displacement direction 37 and thus to be able to bring the respective connection module 3 from the triggered state 9 into the preloaded state 10. The displacement direction 37 and a normal vector 38 to the actuating surface section 8 at a point which the actuating plunger 36 contacts or can contact in the preloaded state 10 of the respective connection module 3 enclose an angle α of less than 40°, preferably less than 30°, cf. Fig. 10 .

[0090] This geometric design ensures that, when triggered, the actuating plunger 36 is moved by the actuating surface section 8 as smoothly as possible in an antiparallel direction to the displacement direction 37. Jamming of the actuating plunger 36 can thus be avoided, which in turn ensures reliable triggering—and subsequently clamping—of the respective electrical conductor 2.

[0091] For example, Fig. 4 combined with Fig. 7 As can be seen, in the illustrated embodiments of the one-piece spring-loaded terminal 1, the actuating surface section 8 of the clamping unit 4 of the respective connection module 3 is arranged between the clamping section 6 and the clamping spring section 7, wherein the clamping spring section 7 has a bent section 24 and a flat section 25 immediately adjacent thereto, and the bent section 24 is arranged between the flat section 25 and the actuating surface section 8. The bent section 24 ensures that the clamping spring section 7 is of sufficient length so that it is deformed purely elastically.The actuating surface section 8, which is connected between the clamping section 6 and the clamping spring section 7, effectively enlarges the resilient area without the clamping spring section 7 itself having to be enlarged. A tight bend is still arranged between the actuating surface section 8 and the bent section 24, which, however, contributes little to nothing to the elastic behavior of the clamping spring section 7. At the same time, the clamping spring section 7 is kept short enough to generate a sufficiently high clamping force, in particular to be able to securely clamp or hold the conductor 2.

[0092] For example, Fig. 4 combined with Fig. 8 As can be seen, in the illustrated embodiments of the one-piece spring-loaded terminal 1, the trigger spring section 14 of the trigger unit 5 of the respective connection module 3 is arranged between the trigger surface section 13 and the clamping spring section 7 and has two flat band springs 26 arranged parallel to one another. The trigger spring section 14 is thus very lightly dimensioned, whereby only a relatively small spring force is to be achieved, in particular because, due to the barb effect described above, practically no spring force is required to hold the retaining tongue 12 in the recess 17.

[0093] As already mentioned, in the system shown, a contact piece 33 is provided in each clamping chamber unit 31 in order to reliably electrically contact the respective clamped electrical conductor 2 and to establish an electrical connection with the clamped electrical conductor 2. The contact section 34 of the contact piece 33 is arranged opposite the clamping section 6 of the clamping unit 4 of the respective connection module 3 when the respective connection module 3 is in the prestressed state 10 in order to enable the respective electrical conductor 2 to be arranged between the clamping section 6 and the contact section 34 when it is inserted into the respective clamping chamber unit 31, see in particular Fig. 10 .

[0094] Furthermore, in the system shown, two fixing lugs 35 are provided on the contact section 34, cf. Fig. 9 .

[0095] As mentioned above, especially based on the Figuren 12 bis 14 As already explained, the contact piece 33 with the contact section 34 not only serves for electrical contact, but is also used when clamping the respective conductor 2, in that the conductor 2 is pressed by the clamping section 6 against the contact section 34. The respective clamping chamber unit 31 functions at least partially as a counterbearing, in that the contact piece 33 or the contact section 34 is supported in or on the clamping chamber unit 31.

[0096] The two fixing lugs 35 each cause a locally increased contact pressure when the respective electrical conductor 2 is pressed against the fixing lug 35 during clamping, thus achieving a particularly stable fixation of the conductor 2. Furthermore, twisting of the conductor 2 transversely to its path in the region of the contact section 34 is reliably prevented.

[0097] In the system shown, a single (common) contact piece 33 is provided for all clamping chamber units 31, which is led out of one of the clamping chamber units 31 or out of the clamping chamber body 30 at only one point (in Fig. 9 und Fig. 10 bottom left) to enable an electrical connection from the outside in a conventional manner.

[0098] The system shown may be part of a switching device (not shown), in particular a cam and / or control switch. LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS

[0099] 1 Spring-loaded terminal 2 Electrical conductor 3 Connection module 4 Clamping unit 5 Release unit 6 Clamping section 7 Clamping spring section 8 Actuating surface section 9 Released state 10 Pre-tensioned state 11, 11' Clamping point 12 Retaining tongue 13 Release surface section 14 Release spring section 15 Holding position 16 Release position 17 Recess 18 Retaining surface 19 Engagement surface 20 Limiting wall 21 Contact surface 22 Free end of the clamping section 23 Top of the clamping section 24 Bent section of the clamping spring section 25 Flat section of the clamping spring section 26 Flat band spring 27 Connecting unit 28 Connecting web 29 Centering hole 30 Clamping chamber body 31 Clamping chamber unit 32 Insertion opening 33 Contact piece 34 Contact section 35Fixing nose 36Actuating plunger 37Displacement direction 38Normal vector 39Rolled endless chain 40Finished endless chain 41Athe α angle

Claims

1. One-piece spring-loaded terminal (1) for at least one electrical conductor (2), comprising at least one connection module (3), wherein the respective connection module (3) comprises a clamping unit (4) and a release unit (5), wherein the respective clamping unit (4) has a clamping section (6) for contacting and clamping an electrical conductor (2) and a clamping spring section (7) in order to urge the clamping section (6) into an end position with a spring force in a released state (9) of the respective connection module (3), wherein the respective clamping unit (4) further has an actuating surface section (8), wherein the connection module (3) can be brought from the released state (9) into a pretensioned state (10) by pressing on the actuating surface section (8) against the spring force of the clamping spring section (7), wherein in the pretensioned state (10) the clamping section (6) is held in position by a retaining tongue (12) of the respective release unit (5) located in a retaining position (15), wherein the respective release unit (5) further comprises a release surface section (13) and a release spring section (14), wherein the retaining tongue (12) can be brought from the retaining position (15) into a release position (16) by pressing on the release surface section (13) against a spring force of the release spring section (14) in order to transfer the connection module (3) from the pretensioned state (10) to the released state (9) by releasing the clamping section (6), characterized in that the clamping section (6) of the clamping unit (4) of the respective connection module (3) has a recess (17), preferably in the form of a centering embossing, in which the retaining tongue (12) of the release unit (5) of the respective connection module (3) is countersunk in the pretensioned state (10).

2. One-piece spring-loaded terminal (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the retaining tongue (12) of the release unit (5) and the recess (17) of the clamping unit (4) of the respective connection module (3) are designed in such a way that the retaining tongue (12) is interlocked with the recess (17) in the pretensioned state (10).

3. One-piece spring-loaded terminal (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that the recess (17) has a retaining surface (18) and the retaining tongue (12) has an engagement surface (19), wherein in the pretensioned state (10) the engagement surface (19) contacts the retaining surface (18) and forms an angle of at most 30°, preferably at most 10°, therewith.

4. One-piece spring-loaded terminal (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the recess (17) of the clamping unit (4) of the respective connection module (3) has two boundary walls (20), between which the retaining tongue (12) of the release unit (5) of the respective connection module (3) is arranged in the pretensioned state (10).

5. One-piece spring-loaded terminal (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that a run-up surface (21) for the electrical conductor (2) is arranged between the two boundary walls (20), which connects the two boundary walls (20) to one another and points in the direction of a free end (22) of the clamping section (6).

6. One-piece spring-loaded terminal (1) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the actuating surface section (8) of the clamping unit (4) of the respective connection module (3) is designed to be flat and adjoins the clamping section (6), wherein the actuating surface section (8) and the clamping section (6) form an obtuse angle.

7. One-piece spring-loaded terminal (1) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the actuating surface section (8) of the clamping unit (4) of the respective connection module (3) is arranged between the clamping section (6) and the clamping spring section (7), wherein the clamping spring section (7) has a curved section (24) and a directly adjoining flat section (25) and the curved section (24) is arranged between the flat section (25) and the actuating surface section (8).

8. One-piece spring-loaded terminal (1) according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the release spring section (14) of the release unit (5) of the respective connection module (3) is arranged between the release surface section (13) and the clamping spring section (7) and preferably has two flat strip springs (26) arranged parallel to one another.

9. One-piece spring-loaded terminal (1) according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that multiple, preferably two, connection modules (3) and at least one connection unit (27) are provided, wherein two successive connection modules (3) are connected to each other in each case by one connection unit (27) which is arranged between the clamping units (4) on the one hand and the release units (5) of the two successive connection modules (3) on the other hand.

10. One-piece spring-loaded terminal (1) according to claim 9, characterized in that each connection unit (27) comprises a connecting web (28) which extends between the two successive connection modules (3) which are connected to one another by the respective connection unit (27).

11. One-piece spring-loaded terminal (1) according to one of claims 9 to 10, characterized in that the at least one connection unit (27) comprises at least one centering hole (29), wherein preferably one centering hole (29) is provided per connection module (3) in the respective two successive connection modules (3) which are connected to one another by the respective connection unit (27), which centering hole (29) is arranged between the clamping unit (4) and the release unit (5) of the respective connection module (3).

12. System having a one-piece spring-loaded terminal (1) according to one of claims 1 to 11 and at least one clamping chamber body (30), wherein each connection module (3) of the one-piece spring-loaded terminal (1) is arranged in a respective associated clamping chamber unit (31) of the at least one clamping chamber body (30) and wherein the respective clamping chamber unit (31) has an insertion opening (32), through which the respective electrical conductor (2) can be inserted into the respective clamping chamber unit (31) in such a way that it presses against the release surface section (13) of the release unit (5) of the respective connection module (3) in the pretensioned state (10) in order to transfer the respective connection module (3) into the released state (9) and to contact and clamp the respective electrical conductor (2) with the clamping section (6) of the respective connection module (3).

13. System according to claim 12, characterized in that a contact piece (33) is arranged in the respective clamping chamber unit (31), wherein a contact section (34) of the contact piece (33) is arranged opposite the clamping section (6) of the clamping unit (4) of the respective connection module (3) when the respective connection module (3) is in the pretensioned state (10) in order to enable the respective electrical conductor (2) to be arranged between the clamping section (6) and the contact section (34) when it is inserted into the respective clamping chamber unit (31), wherein one or more, preferably two, fixing lugs (35) are provided on the contact section (34).

14. System according to one of claims 12 to 13, characterized in that an externally actuatable actuating plunger (36) is provided for each clamping chamber unit (31) in order to be able to press against the actuating surface section (8) of the clamping unit (4) of the respective connection module (3) by displacing the actuating plunger (36) parallel to a displacement direction (37) and thus bring the respective connection module (3) from the released state (9) into the pretensioned state (10), wherein the displacement direction (37) and a normal vector (38) to the actuating surface section (8) at a point which can be contacted by the actuating plunger (36) in the pretensioned state (10) of the respective connection module (3) enclose an angle (α) of less than 40°, preferably of less than 30°.

15. Switching device, in particular cam and / or control switch, comprising at least one system according to one of claims 12 to 14.

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