Connection terminal for connecting an electrical line

Abstract

A terminal block (1) for connecting an electrical conductor (2) comprises a housing (10) having a plug-in opening (101) into which the electrical conductor (2) can be inserted along a plug-in direction (E) for connection to the terminal block (1). A contact element (11) for electrical contact with the electrical conductor (2) is arranged on the housing (10), the contact element (11) having a contact section (111) with an insertion opening (115) into which the electrical conductor (2) can be inserted for electrical contact with the contact element (11). A spring element (12) arranged on the housing (10) has a clamping leg (120). The clamping leg (120) can be released from a release position by the interaction of a release element (13) with the electrical conductor (2). The spring element (12) has a first detent section (122) arranged on the clamping leg (120) and the contact element (11) has a second detent section (113).In the release position, the first resting section (122) and the second resting section (113) are locked together.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a terminal for connecting an electrical line according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0002] Such a connection terminal comprises a housing which has a plug-in opening into which the electrical line can be plugged along a plug-in direction for connection to the connection terminal. A contact element for making electrical contact with the electrical line is arranged on the housing. The contact element has a contact section with an insertion opening into which the electrical line can be inserted for electrical contact with the contact element. Also arranged on the housing is a spring element which has a clamping leg which, in a clamping position, is designed to act on the electrical line in order to bring the electrical line into contact with the contact section. The clamping leg can be adjusted from the clamping position into a release position relative to the housing in order to release the electrical line. In the release position of the clamping leg, the clamping leg is held in position relative to the housing.A trigger element is adjustably arranged on the housing, wherein the clamping leg can be released from the release position by interaction of the trigger element with the electrical line.

[0003] Such a connection terminal realizes a spring force connection by using the spring element, in which the electrical line in the connected position is clamped to the contact element under the elastic spring action of the spring element and is thus electrically connected to the contact element.

[0004] A connecting terminal known from DE 10 2019 127 464 B3 features a spring element in the form of a tension spring, which draws a connected electrical cable into contact with an associated contact element through elastic spring action, thus establishing a clamped connection between the electrical cable and the contact element. For this purpose, the electrical cable is pushed through an opening in the clamping leg when applied and clamped between the clamping leg and the contact element in the connected position.

[0005] The terminal of DE 10 2019 127 464 B3 features a locking device by which the clamping leg is locked in a release position relative to the housing. When the electrical cable is inserted, the locking device is triggered, thus releasing the locking, so that the clamping leg is moved out of the release position and the electrical cable is thereby clamped to the contact element. To move the clamping leg into the release position, in particular to enable the electrical cable to be attached or to detach a connected electrical cable from the terminal, a tool, such as a screwdriver, can be placed on the terminal, thereby exerting a force on the clamping leg.

[0006] While in DE 10 2019 127 464 B3 the clamping leg is adjusted directly by means of a tool, the connection terminals known from DE 10 2019 135 203 A1 and DE 10 2020 104 140 A1 each have an actuating element in the form of a so-called pusher, which can be pressed into the housing of the connection terminal in order to act on the clamping leg and to transfer the clamping leg into its release position.

[0007] DE 10 2020 119 372 A1 discloses a terminal with a spring element having a clamping leg that is locked to a release element in a release position. A contact element has a contact section in the form of a material passage into which an electrical line can be inserted to make contact with the contact element.

[0008] The object of the present invention is to provide a connection terminal which, with advantageous electrical contact, enables easy handling for connecting an electrical conductor, with reliable holding of the clamping leg in the release position and, in addition, reliable triggering when an electrical conductor is inserted.

[0009] This object is achieved by an article having the features of claim 1.

[0010] Accordingly, the spring element has a first latching portion arranged on the clamping leg and the contact element has a second latching portion, wherein in the release position the first latching portion and the second latching portion are latched together in order to hold the clamping leg in position relative to the housing in the release position of the clamping leg.

[0011] In the connection terminal, the electrical cable is electrically connected to the electrical contact element by inserting the electrical cable into the plug-in opening.

[0012] The clamping leg acts on the electrical cable and applies a spring-elastic load in the direction of contact with the contact element. To facilitate plugging in the electrical cable, the clamping leg of the spring element can be elastically deflected to move the clamping leg into a release position in which a space inside the housing in the area of ​​the plug-in opening is released, allowing the electrical cable to be plugged into the plug-in opening with essentially no force, or (alternatively) a connected electrical cable to be easily removed from the connection terminal.

[0013] With the clamping leg in the release position, the connection terminal can also be delivered to a customer by a manufacturer, for example.

[0014] The terminal block has a release element that is adjustable on the housing. The release element interacts with an electrical cable when it is inserted into the plug-in opening. Because the release element is adjusted toward the housing when the electrical cable is inserted, thereby releasing the clamping leg, the terminal block closes automatically when the electrical cable is inserted. This results in a simple connection process, with reliable contact between the electrical cable and the contact element due to the clamping effect of the clamping leg.

[0015] The contact element has a contact section with an insertion opening into which the electrical cable can be inserted to make electrical contact with the contact element. To connect an electrical cable, the cable is inserted into the plug-in opening of the housing and is thereby inserted into the insertion opening of the contact section. Through interaction with the electrical cable, the release element is adjusted so that the clamping leg is released from the release position and the clamping leg is released. The clamping leg thus moves from the release position towards the clamping position and acts on the inserted electrical cable to clamp it with the contact section of the contact element.

[0016] The clamping leg is held in the release position by a latching connection between the clamping leg and the contact element. For this purpose, the spring element has a first latching section arranged on the clamping leg, while the contact element has a second latching section. In the release position, the first latching section and the second latching section are latched together to thereby hold the clamping leg in position relative to the housing in the release position of the clamping leg. The latching of the clamping leg in the release position is thus achieved by the contact element, which for this purpose has a latching section that interacts with an associated latching section on the clamping leg and thereby creates a latching connection between the clamping leg and the contact element in the release position.When an electrical cable is plugged in and when the electrical cable interacts with the release element, the locking connection is released so that the clamping leg can move automatically from the release position towards the clamping position in order to clamp the plugged-in electrical cable to the contact section.

[0017] In one embodiment, the clamping leg engages in the insertion opening of the contact section and is adjustable within the insertion opening. The clamping leg is designed, for example, to act on the electrical line in the clamped position within the insertion opening. To connect an electrical line, the electrical line is inserted into the insertion opening of the contact section, into which the clamping leg also engages. When the triggering element is triggered, the clamping leg is released from the release position and thus moves within the insertion opening towards the clamping position in order to clamp the electrical line within the insertion opening of the contact section with the contact section and thus electrically connect it to the contact element and mechanically lock it within the connection terminal.

[0018] The trigger element is preferably arranged behind the contact section, viewed along the plug-in direction, so that the electrical line interacts with the trigger element after being inserted into the insertion opening.

[0019] The spring element is preferably designed as a leg spring embodying a compression spring. The clamping leg is designed to press the electrical wire into contact with the contact section using spring force. When inserted into the plug-in opening, the electrical wire enters a space between the clamping leg and the contact section. After the clamping leg is released from the release position, the clamping leg acts on the electrical wire and presses it into contact with the contact section of the contact element.

[0020] In one embodiment, the clamping leg is pivotable relative to a support leg in a plane spanned vertically by the insertion direction and a transverse direction. The spring element is designed, for example, as a leg spring, in which the support leg is supported relative to the housing and the clamping leg is elastically deflectable relative to the support leg. The clamping leg moves in a pivot plane spanned by the insertion direction and a transverse direction, and thus around a pivot axis perpendicular to the pivot plane.

[0021] In one embodiment, the first locking portion is formed by a tab bent over toward the clamping leg. The tab can, for example, be cut free from the clamping leg and protrudes from the clamping leg to engage the associated second locking portion of the contact element when the clamping leg is moved into the release position, thus locking the clamping leg relative to the contact element.

[0022] The first locking section can, for example, be formed in the area of ​​a lateral edge of the clamping leg.

[0023] For example, the spring element can have two first locking sections formed on mutually opposite lateral edges of the clamping leg, each formed by a tab that is bent relative to the clamping leg and protrudes from the clamping leg. In this case, two second locking sections can be formed on the contact element, which, in the release position, are locked to the first locking sections of the clamping leg.

[0024] In one embodiment, the second locking portion is formed by a locking edge on the contact element. If the clamping leg is pivotable relative to the support leg along a pivoting plane defined by the plugging direction and a transverse direction, the locking edge extends, for example, perpendicular to the pivoting plane, so that the first locking portion of the clamping leg can lock with the locking edge in the release position, thus securing the clamping leg in the release position relative to the contact element and thus relative to the housing.

[0025] In one embodiment, the contact element has a recess, which is formed, for example, as an indentation on a lateral edge of the contact element. The first locking portion engages in the recess in the release position, thus establishing a locking connection between the clamping leg and the contact element.

[0026] For example, the trigger element has an active section which engages in the recess of the contact element to act on the first latching section and which can be adjusted relative to the contact element by adjusting the trigger element such that the latching between the clamping leg and the contact element can be released by acting on the first latching section.

[0027] In one embodiment, the recess is formed outside the insertion opening on the contact element. The first locking portion of the clamping leg engages in the recess in the release position for locking with the second locking portion of the contact element. The locking occurs outside the insertion opening of the contact element, into which the electrical cable can be inserted for connection, and thus spatially separated from the insertion opening.

[0028] If the spring element has two first locking sections, two recesses can be formed on the contact element at mutually spaced lateral edges, with each first locking section engaging in an associated recess of the contact element when the clamping leg is in the release position. In this case, the trigger element can, for example, have two active sections, each of which engages in one of the recesses, thus acting on the associated first locking section to release the locking when the trigger element is adjusted.

[0029] In one embodiment, the contact section is formed by a collar surrounding the insertion opening. The collar can be formed, in particular, by material forming, in particular by collar drawing, as a material passage on the contact element and is thus manufactured integrally and in one piece with the contact element.

[0030] For example, the contact element can have a transverse section extending along a plane perpendicular to the plugging direction, on which the collar is formed. The collar preferably protrudes from the transverse section along the plugging direction and surrounds the insertion opening, so that an electrical cable for connection to the terminal can be inserted into the insertion opening within the collar along the plugging direction and thus connected to the terminal.

[0031] The contact element is preferably formed integrally and in one piece. The contact element is supported on the housing, for example, via the transverse section and, if appropriate, additionally via a support section bent over to form the transverse section, and is arranged in a fixed position relative to the housing.

[0032] The spring element can, for example, have a support leg, via which the spring element is supported relative to the housing and held in position relative to the housing. The clamping leg is elastically deflectable relative to the support leg, wherein in the release position, the clamping leg is deflected such that the spring element is elastically tensioned and, after being released from the release position, the clamping leg is moved out of the release position in an elastically pretensioned manner.

[0033] In one embodiment, the support leg engages in the insertion opening and is thereby supported on the contact element.

[0034] In one embodiment, the first locking portion protrudes from the clamping leg toward the support leg. The support leg is connected to the clamping leg, for example, via a curved connecting portion, wherein the clamping leg is elastically deflectable relative to the support leg, and the support leg is supported relative to the housing, for example, on the contact element. The first locking portion can be formed, for example, as a tab on the clamping leg and protrudes from the clamping leg toward the support leg.

[0035] In one embodiment, the first grid section extends past the support leg and, in the release position, is locked to the second locking section on a side of the support leg facing away from the clamping leg. The clamping leg is arranged on a first side of the support leg and can be elastically deflected relative to the support leg. Starting from the clamping leg, the first grid section extends past the support leg and, in the release position of the clamping leg, is locked to the second locking section of the contact element on a second side of the support leg facing away from the clamping leg. The locking of the clamping leg in the release position thus takes place on a side of the support leg facing away from the clamping leg and thus in a spatial area that is located outside a receiving space within the connection terminal into which the electrical cable is inserted for connection to the connection terminal.

[0036] In one embodiment, two first locking sections are arranged on the clamping leg. The two first locking sections protrude from the clamping leg in the direction of the support leg. For example, the two first edge sections can each engage past the support leg such that the support leg is received between the two first locking sections. The two first locking sections can, for example, be formed as cut-out, bent tabs on the clamping leg, for example on mutually remote, lateral edges of the support leg. The support leg is received in a space between the first locking sections such that the first locking sections engage past the support leg on different sides.

[0037] The first locking sections can, for example, be located in cutouts formed on the lateral edges of the support leg and thus engage past the support leg.

[0038] In one embodiment, the two first locking sections are locked to two second locking sections in the release position on a side of the support leg facing away from the clamping leg. The two first locking sections thus establish a locking connection with the contact element on a side of the support leg facing away from the clamping leg, thus spatially separating it from a receiving space into which the electrical cable is inserted for connection to the terminal.

[0039] In one embodiment, the contact element has two recesses, into each of which one of the two first locking sections engages in the release position. The trigger element has two active sections which engage in the recesses of the contact element to act on the first locking sections. The second locking sections are formed on the contact element in the region of the recesses. In the release position, the first locking sections of the clamping leg are locked to the second locking sections in the region of the recesses on the contact element, such that the clamping leg is held in the release position. By adjusting the trigger element, the active sections can be moved in the recesses in order to act on the first locking sections and release the first locking sections from the locked position.

[0040] In one embodiment, the two recesses are formed outside the insertion opening on the contact element and are thus spatially separated from the insertion opening on the contact element. The recesses, where the first locking sections engage with the second locking sections, are thus spatially separated from a receiving space into which the electrical cable is inserted for connection to the terminal.

[0041] In one embodiment, the trigger element is pivotably mounted relative to the housing. Through interaction with an electrical line, the trigger element can thus be pivoted relative to the housing. Upon adjustment, the trigger element acts on the locking connection between the clamping leg and the contact element in such a way that the clamping leg is released from the release position and can thus automatically adjust toward the clamping position due to the spring preload of the spring element.

[0042] In other embodiments, the trigger element can also be arranged on the housing in a linearly adjustable manner.

[0043] In one embodiment, the housing defines a receiving space into which the electrical cable can be inserted by being inserted into the plug-in opening. The triggering element has a triggering leg which extends into the receiving space to interact with the electrical cable. In particular, the triggering leg can extend in the receiving space transversely to the plug-in direction in an initial position. From the initial position, the triggering leg can be adjusted to release the clamping leg from the release position by interacting with the electrical cable. When the triggering leg is deflected from the initial position, the triggering element acts on the latching connection between the clamping leg and the contact element and thereby releases the clamping leg from the release position, such that the clamping leg can be adjusted from the release position towards the clamping position.

[0044] In one embodiment, the trigger element is designed to act on the first latching section to release the clamping leg from the release position. While the contact element is arranged stationary on the housing and is essentially rigid, the first latching section, which is shaped, for example, as a tab on the clamping leg, can be elastically deflected so that the latching between the clamping leg and the contact element can be released by acting on the first latching section. When the trigger element is deflected, the trigger element acts, for example, with an active section on the first latching section in order to move the first latching section out of its latching hold on the contact element and thus release the clamping leg from the release position.

[0045] In one embodiment, the trigger arm has a receiving tray into which the electrical cable dips when inserted into the plug-in opening. The receiving tray is formed as a recess in the trigger arm. The tray shape of the trigger arm allows the electrical cable to be caught when it hits the trigger arm, preventing it from slipping off the trigger arm. Even soft cables can thus trigger the reading arm, releasing the clamping arm from the release position.

[0046] The receiving tray on the release arm is preferably aligned with the insertion opening of the contact element along the plug-in direction.

[0047] In one embodiment, the terminal has an actuating element that can be adjusted relative to the housing for adjusting the clamping leg into the release position. By actuating the actuating element, the clamping leg can be moved into the release position. In the release position, the clamping leg is locked relative to the contact element, so that the clamping leg is held in position relative to the housing in the release position. After being moved into the release position, the clamping leg thus remains in the release position, so that an electrical line can be easily connected to the terminal or a connected electrical line can be removed from the terminal.

[0048] The actuating element can, for example, be designed in the manner of a push-button and can be pressed into the housing by user actuation in order to act on the clamping leg and to adjust the clamping leg in the direction of the release position.

[0049] In one embodiment, the actuating element is mounted on the housing so as to be linearly displaceable and has an actuating section for actuation by a user and an active section for acting on the clamping leg. While the actuating section is accessible from outside the housing, for example by a user being able to act on the actuating section using a tool, such as a screwdriver, or alternatively manually, the active section is operatively connected to the clamping leg of the spring element. By adjusting the actuating element, an adjusting force is thus exerted on the clamping leg via the active section, so that, in particular when the actuating element is adjusted from a non-actuated position to an actuated position, the clamping leg is entrained and thus moved towards the release position.

[0050] In one embodiment, the actuating element has a first stop element which, for example, in the non-actuated position, rests against a second stop element which is stationary relative to the housing and thus defines the position of the actuating element relative to the housing in the non-actuated position.

[0051] The concept underlying the invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to the exemplary embodiments illustrated in the figures. They show: Fig. 1A a view of an embodiment of a terminal, in a release position of a clamping leg of a spring element; Fig. 1B a side view of the arrangement according to Fig. 1A ; Fig. 2A a sectional view through the arrangement according to Fig. 1A ; Fig. 2B Sectional view through the arrangement according to Fig. 1B ; Fig. 3A a view of the terminal when plugging in an electrical cable; Fig. 3B a side view of the arrangement according to Fig. 3A ; Fig. 4A a sectional view through the arrangement according to Fig. 3A ; Fig. 4B Sectional view through the arrangement according to Fig. 3B ; Fig. 5A a view of the terminal after inserting an electrical cable and with the clamping leg released; Fig. 5B a side view of the arrangement according to Fig. 5A ; Fig. 6A a sectional view through the arrangement according to Fig. 5A ; Fig. 6B Sectional view through the arrangement according to Fig. 5B ; Fig. 7A a view of an assembly of the spring element together with a contact element of the terminal, in the release position of the clamping leg; Fig. 7B a side view of the arrangement according to Fig. 7A ; Fig. 8A a view of the arrangement according to Fig. 7A , together with a trigger element; Fig. 8B Side view of the arrangement according to Fig. 8A ; Fig. 9Athe arrangement according to Fig. 8A , together with a housing; Fig. 9Legs Side view of the arrangement according to Fig. 9A ; Fig. 10A a view of an assembly of a spring element with a contact element, according to another embodiment; Fig. 10B a side view of the arrangement according to Fig. 10A ; Fig. 11A a view of an assembly with a spring element and a contact element, according to another embodiment; and Fig. 11B a side view of the arrangement according to Fig. 11A .

[0052] Fig. 1A , 1B bis 6A , 6B show an embodiment of a connection terminal 1, which forms a housing 10 with a plug-in opening 100 formed therein for inserting an electrical line 2 along a plug-in direction E.

[0053] The housing 10 defines a receiving space 101 into which the electrical cable 2 with a stripped conductor end 20 is inserted when it is inserted into the plug-in opening 100 along the plug-in direction E. In a connected position, the cable 2 with the stripped conductor end 20 is located within the receiving space 101 and is electrically contacted via a clamping leg 120 of a spring element 12 with a contact element 11 in the form of a current bar, so that the electrical cable 2 is electrically connected to the connection terminal 1.

[0054] The spring element 12 has a support leg 121, which in the illustrated embodiment is supported on the contact element 11, so that the spring element 12 is fixed thereto to the housing 10. The clamping leg 120 is elastically deflectable relative to the support leg 121, in particular such that the clamping leg 120 is in a Fig. 5A, 5B and 6A, 6B In the clamping position shown, it acts in a clamping manner on an electrical line 2 connected to the connection terminal 1 and presses this line 2 under elastic prestress into contact with a contact section 110 of the contact element 11 and thus electrically contacts the line 2 with the contact element 11 via its conductor end 20.

[0055] In the illustrated embodiment, the contact element 11 is formed integrally and in one piece, for example as a stamped and bent part, and has a transverse section 110 on which a contact section 111 in the form of a collar is formed. The collar 111 is formed, for example, as a material passage through material deformation (in particular by collar drawing) on ​​the transverse section 110 and protrudes from the transverse section 110 along the plug-in direction E. The collar 111 surrounds an insertion opening 115 into which the electrical cable 2 is inserted when plugged into the plug-in opening 100 and into which the electrical cable 2 engages with its stripped cable end 20 in the connected position.

[0056] In the illustrated embodiment, the clamping leg 120 of the spring element 12 engages in the insertion opening 115 of the contact section 111 and is adjustable within the insertion opening 115 for interaction with the electrical line 2.

[0057] In addition, the support leg 121 also engages in the insertion opening 115 and is supported on the contact section 111 within the insertion opening 115, so that the clamping leg 120 can be elastically deflected relative to the support leg 121 and the support leg 121 is held in position relative to the contact element 12 by support when the clamping leg 120 is deflected under elastic deformation of the spring element 12.

[0058] In the illustrated embodiment, an actuating element 14 is mounted on the housing 10 so as to be displaceable along an actuating direction B. The actuating element 14 is displaceably received in an actuating opening 102 of the housing 10 with an actuating section 140 and can be displaced relative to the housing 10 along the actuating direction B in a linearly guided manner in order to act on the clamping leg 120 of the spring element 12 via an active section 141 extending in shaft shape from the actuating section 140 and to adjust the latter into a release position.

[0059] The actuating portion 140 is accessible from outside the housing 10 via the actuating opening 102 and can thus be actuated by a user, for example using a tool.

[0060] The actuating element 14 is in a Fig. 5A, 5B , 6A, 6B In the non-actuated position shown, it is displaced outwards in the actuating opening 102, counter to the actuating direction B. In the non-actuated position, a stop element 142 formed on the actuating element 14 rests on the inside against an associated stop element 103 in the form of a step on the housing 10 and thereby prevents the actuating element 14 from sliding out of the receiving opening 102 counter to the actuating direction B.

[0061] When actuated in the actuating direction B, the actuating element 14 comes into operative connection with the clamping leg 120 of the spring element 12. For this purpose, the actuating element 14 acts with the active section 141 on the clamping leg 120 in order to adjust it with elastic deflection towards the support leg 121 in the insertion opening 115 of the contact element 11. By moving the actuating element 14 in the actuating direction B, the clamping leg 120 is transferred into the release position, as can be seen from Fig. 1A, 1B and 2A, 2B is evident.

[0062] In the Fig. 1A, 1B and 2A, 2B In the actuated position of the actuating element 14 shown in the drawing, the clamping leg 120 has been moved into the release position, in which a space aligned with the plug-in opening 100 within the housing 10 is released, so that an electrical line 2 can be inserted into the housing 10 in a substantially forceless manner, as can be seen from Fig. 3A, 3B and 4A, 4B can be seen. In the release position, the clamping leg 120 is locked relative to the housing 10.

[0063] In the illustrated embodiment, two locking sections 122 are formed on the clamping leg 120 of the spring element 12, which are cut free as tabs relative to the clamping leg 120 and bent over to the clamping leg 120, as can be seen from the views according to Fig. 7A, 7B The locking sections 122 protrude from the clamping leg 120 in a direction away from the receiving space 101 and can thus be Fig. 7A, 7B shown release position with associated locking sections 113 in the form of locking edges in the area of ​​recesses 114 of the contact element 11, as can be seen from Fig. 7A, 7B in conjunction with Fig. 1A, 1B and 2A, 2B results.

[0064] In the illustrated embodiment, two locking sections 122 are formed on the clamping leg 120 at mutually spaced lateral edges. Accordingly, the contact element 11 has two recesses 114 at mutually spaced lateral edges, each of which has a locking edge 113 formed thereon for interacting with an associated locking section 122 of the spring element 12. The recesses 114 are formed as indentations laterally in the contact element 12 at a transition between the transverse section 110 and a support section 112 bent over to form the transverse section 110, and taper the contact element 12 in the region of the transition between the transverse section 110 and the support section 112.

[0065] The locking sections 122 engage past the support leg 121 and, for this purpose, are located in cutouts on lateral edges of the support leg 121. The clamping leg 120 is arranged on a first side of the support leg 121. Starting from the clamping leg 120, the locking sections 122 engage past the support leg 121 in such a way that the locking sections 122, on a second side of the support leg 121 facing away from the first side, are locked to the locking sections 113 in the form of locking edges on the recesses 114 of the contact element 11 when the clamping leg 120 is in the release position.

[0066] In the mounted position, the contact element 11 is supported relative to the housing 10 via the transverse section 110 and the support section 112 and is thereby fixed in position to the housing 10.

[0067] The terminal 1 has a trigger element 13, which is shaped as a rigid element and forms a trigger arm 130. The trigger element 13 is pivotally mounted on the housing 10 via an axle element 131, so that the trigger element 13 can be pivoted relative to the housing 10 and the contact element 11, which is fixed to the housing 10, as can be seen from Fig. 3A , 3B bis 6A , 6B is evident.

[0068] The release arm 13 is in an initial position (corresponding to the position according to Fig. 1A, 1B , 2A, 2B ) extends at least approximately transversely to the plug-in direction E and projects in the housing 10 into an area in the receiving space 101 which is aligned with the plug-in opening 100, such that when an electrical cable 2 is plugged in, the cable end 20 of the cable strikes the triggering leg 130 and thus acts on the triggering element 13.

[0069] The triggering leg 130 is arranged behind the contact section 111 of the contact element 11, viewed in the plugging direction E, so that the electrical line 2 is first guided through the contact section 111 and then meets the triggering leg 130.

[0070] The release element 13 serves to interact with an electrical cable 2 inserted into the plug-in opening 100 in order to automatically connect the electrical cable 2 to the connection terminal 1 by releasing the clamping leg 120. If an electrical cable 2, as shown in Fig. 3A, 3B , 4A, 4B visible, inserted into the plug-in opening 100, the cable 2 acts with a conductor end 20 on the release arm 130 and deflects it from the Fig. 1A, 1B , 2A, 2B shown starting position, as shown in Fig. 3A, 3B , 4A, 4B is evident.

[0071] A receiving trough 133 is formed on the trigger arm 130, into which the electrical cable dips when plugged into the connection terminal 1. Due to the trough-shaped design of the trigger arm 130, the electrical cable 2 can be caught upon impact with the trigger arm 130, thereby at least making it more difficult for the electrical cable 2 to slip off the trigger arm 130 and thus allowing even soft electrical cables 2 to trigger the trigger arm 130.

[0072] The trigger element 13 has active sections 132 which engage in the recesses 114 on the contact element 11 and serve to interact with the locking sections 122 of the spring element 12. If, when an electrical cable is inserted, the trigger element 13 is pivoted about the axis element 131, the active sections 132 press on the locking sections 122 and move them out of engagement with the recesses 114 and thus out of their operative connection with the locking edges 113, so that the clamping leg 120 is released and, due to the elastic spring preload of the spring element 12, moves in the direction of the clamping position according to Fig. 5A, 5B and 6A, 6B can be adjusted.

[0073] The following functionality results: If the actuating element 14 is actuated in the actuating direction B and thereby displaced into the housing 10, the actuating element 14 takes the clamping leg 120 of the spring element 12 along with it via the active section 141 and thereby adjusts the clamping leg 120 into the Fig. 1A, 1B , 2A, 2B Release position shown. By insertion in the actuating direction B into the housing 10, the actuating element 14 acts on the clamping leg 120, so that the clamping leg 120 with the locking sections 122 engages with the recesses 114 and, above, with the locking edges 113 of the contact element 11.

[0074] In the release position, the clamping leg 120 releases an area within the receiving space 101 that is aligned with the plug-in opening 100 along the plug-in direction E, so that an electrical line 2 can be inserted into the plug-in opening 100 without hindrance from the clamping leg 120 and can thus be connected to the connection terminal 1 in a substantially forceless manner.

[0075] In the actuated, tensioned position according to Fig. 1A, 1B , 2A, 2B Terminal 1 can also be supplied by a manufacturer.

[0076] If an electrical cable 2 with a stripped conductor end 20 is inserted into the plug-in opening 100 and thereby introduced in the plug-in direction E into the receiving space 101 while the clamping leg 120 is in the release position, the cable 2 is inserted into the insertion opening 115 of the contact section 111, comes into contact with the triggering leg 130 of the triggering element 13 and thereby pivots the triggering leg 130 relative to the contact element 12. As a result, the active sections 132 act on the locking sections 122 of the clamping leg 120 and force the locking sections 122 out of engagement with the recesses 114 of the contact element 12, so that the locking sections 122 are released from the locking engagement and the locking of the clamping leg 120 is thus canceled.

[0077] After the locking is released, the clamping leg 120 comes into clamping contact with the electrical cable 2 and thereby presses the conductor end 20 into contact with the contact element 11, so that the cable 2 is electrically connected to the connection terminal 1 and is also mechanically locked.

[0078] During the movement from the release position toward the clamping position, the locking sections 122 can, if necessary, slide frictionally along the surface of the transverse section 110. This can dampen a movement of the clamping leg 120 toward the clamping system with the inserted electrical cable 2, so that the clamping leg 120 strikes the cable 2 with comparatively little force, thus preventing damage to the cable 2, for example, when designed with a soft conductor, such as a stranded conductor.

[0079] A clamping force of the clamping leg 120 determined by the residual stress of the spring element 12 in the clamping position according to Fig. 5A, 5B , 6A, 6B is not affected by this.

[0080] If the electrical cable 2 is to be removed from the Fig. 5A, 5B , 6A, 6B shown connected position and removed from the terminal 1, the actuating element 14 can again be moved into the actuated position according to Fig. 1A, 1B , 2A, 2B so that the clamping leg 120 is brought out of contact with the line 2. The line 2 can thus be removed from the connection terminal 1 in a substantially forceless manner.

[0081] For mounting the terminal 1, for example, as shown in Fig. 7A, 7B As shown, the spring element 12 is placed against the contact element 11 so that the clamping leg 120 and the support leg 121 engage in the insertion opening 115 within the contact section 111. The clamping leg 120 of the spring element 12 is thereby brought into the release position and is thus locked to the contact element 11.

[0082] Then the trigger element 13, as in Fig. 8A, 8B shown, are applied in such a way that the trigger element 13 engages with the active sections 132 in the recesses 114 on the contact element 12.

[0083] The assembly created in this way can then be Fig. 9A, 9B shown, are inserted into the housing 10 by inserting the contact element 11 with the spring element 12 and the trigger element 13 arranged thereon laterally into the housing 10 and the contact element 11 coming into supporting engagement with the housing 10 via the transverse section 110 and the support section 112.

[0084] Fig. 10A, 10B and 11A, 11B show other embodiments of the spring element 12, which differ from the previously described embodiment by the shape of the locking sections 122 on the clamping leg 120.

[0085] In particular, in the embodiment according to Fig. 10A, 10 B the locking sections 122 are set steeper relative to the transverse section 111.

[0086] In the embodiment according to Fig. 11A, 11B the locking sections 122 are bent in an S-shape such that the locking sections 122 each rest with a rectilinear longitudinal section on the transverse section 110 of the contact element 12 when the clamping leg 120 is locked to the contact element 12 in the release position.

[0087] By suitable shaping of the locking sections 122, the locking force in the release position of the clamping leg 120 can be adjusted and specified.

[0088] The idea underlying the invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but can also be implemented in other ways.

[0089] The actuating element can be preloaded toward the non-actuated position by the action of the clamping leg of the spring element. However, it is also conceivable to provide an additional preload element that preloads the actuating element relative to the housing, counter to the actuating direction, toward the non-actuated position. Such a preload element can be configured, for example, as a compression spring or another mechanical spring.

[0090] The spring element can have one, two or more locking sections. Bezugszeichenliste

[0091] 1Connection terminal 10Housing 100Plug-in opening 101Receiving space 102Actuating opening 103Stop element 11Contact element (current bar) 110Cross section 111Contact section (pull-through) 112Support section 113Locking element 114Recess 115Insertion opening 12Clamping spring 120Clamping leg 121Support leg 122Locking section 13Triggering element 130Triggering leg 131Shaft element 132Activating section 133Receiving tray 14Actuating element 140Activating section (head) 141Activating section (shaft) 142Stop element 2Cable 20Conductor end BActuating direction ESlot-in direction QCross direction

Claims

1. A terminal (1) for connecting an electrical line (2), comprising a housing (10) having a plug-in opening (101) into which the electrical line (2) can be inserted along a plug-in direction (E) for connection to the terminal (1), a contact element (11) arranged on the housing (10) for making electrical contact with the electrical line (2), wherein the contact element (11) has a contact section (111) with an insertion opening (115) into which the electrical line (2) can be inserted for making electrical contact with the contact element (11), a spring element (12) arranged on the housing (10) having a clamping leg (120) which, in a clamping position, is designed to act on the electrical line (2) in order to bring the electrical line (2) into contact with the contact section (111), wherein the clamping leg (120) is adjustable from the clamping position into a release position relative to the housing (10),to release the electrical line (2), wherein the clamping leg (120) is held in position relative to the housing (10) in the release position of the clamping leg (120), and a release element (13) adjustably arranged on the housing (10), wherein the clamping leg (120) can be released from the release position by interaction of the release element (13) with the electrical line (2), , characterized in that the spring element (12) has a first latching section (122) arranged on the clamping leg (120) and the contact element (11) has a second latching section (113), wherein in the release position the first latching section (122) and the second latching section (113) are latched together in order to hold the clamping leg (120) in position relative to the housing (10) in the release position of the clamping leg (120).

2. Connection terminal (1) according to claim 1, characterized in thatthe clamping leg (120) engages in the insertion opening (115) and is adjustable within the insertion opening (115).

3. Connection terminal (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the first locking section (122) is formed by a tab bent over to form the clamping leg (120).

4. Connection terminal (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second locking section (113) is formed by a locking edge on the contact element (11).

5. Connection terminal (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the contact element (11) has a recess (114) into which the first latching section (122) engages in the release position, wherein the triggering element (13) has an active section (132) which engages in the recess (114) of the contact element (11) to act on the first latching section (122).

6. Connection terminal (1) according to claim 5, characterized in thatthe recess (114) is formed outside the insertion opening (115) on the contact element (11).

7. Connection terminal (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the contact section (111) is formed by a collar surrounding the insertion opening (115).

8. Connection terminal (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the spring element (12) has a support leg (121) which is supported relative to the housing (10) and to which the clamping leg (120) can be elastically deflected.

9. Connection terminal (1) according to claim 8, characterized in that the support leg (121) engages in the insertion opening (115) and is thereby supported on the contact element (11).

10. Connection terminal (1) according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the first locking portion (122) protrudes from the clamping leg (120) in the direction of the support leg (121).

11. Connection terminal (1) according to claim 10, characterized in thatthe first locking section (122) engages past the support leg (121) and, in the release position, is locked to the second locking section (113) on a side of the support leg (121) facing away from the clamping leg (120).

12. Connection terminal (1) according to one of claims 8 to 11, characterized in that two first locking sections (122) are arranged on the clamping leg (120), wherein the two first locking sections (122) protrude from the clamping leg (120) in the direction of the support leg (121).

13. Connection terminal (1) according to claim 12, characterized in that the two first locking sections (122) reach past the support leg (121) and take the support leg (121) between them.

14. Connection terminal (1) according to claim 13, characterized in that the two first locking sections (122) are locked to two second locking sections (113) in the release position on a side of the support leg (121) facing away from the clamping leg (120).

15. Connection terminal (1) according to one of claims 12 to 14, characterized in that the contact element (11) has two recesses (114) into which one of the two first locking sections (122) engages in the release position, wherein the trigger element (13) has two active sections (132) which engage in the recesses (114) of the contact element (11) to act on the first locking sections (122).

Images