Terminal device for connecting an electrical conductor

Abstract

A terminal device (1) for connecting an electrical conductor (4) comprises a contact element (22) having a contacting section (220), and a connecting device (2) having a spring element (21) with a clamping leg (210) that is adjustable between a clamping position and a release position and is designed to act in a clamping manner on the conductor (4) in the clamping position for electrically contacting the conductor (4) with the contacting section (220) of the contact element (22). The connecting device (2) has a latching element (214) by means of which the clamping leg (210) is held in position relative to the housing (10) in the release position.A busbar connection device (3) has an attachment opening (30) for attaching the terminal device (1) along an attachment direction (A) to a busbar (5), wherein the contact element (22) has a contact section (222) with which the busbar (5) is in electrically contacting contact when the terminal device (1) is attached to the busbar (5).

Description

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

[0002] Such a terminal device comprises a housing that forms a plug-in opening into which the electrical conductor can be inserted in a plug-in direction for connection to the terminal device. A contact element has a contacting section. A connection device has a spring element with a clamping leg that is adjustable between a clamping position and a release position and is designed, in the clamping position, to clamp the conductor inserted into the plug-in opening for electrically contacting the conductor with the contacting section of the contact element, wherein the clamping leg can be moved from the clamping position into the release position for inserting the conductor into the plug-in opening or for removing the conductor from the plug-in opening.The connection device also has a locking element by means of which the clamping leg is held in position relative to the housing in the release position, wherein the locking element is adjustable when the electrical cable is inserted in order to release the clamping leg from the release position.

[0003] The connection device of the terminal device realizes a spring force connection by using the spring element, in which the electrical conductor 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] While in the clamping position the clamping leg is brought close to the contacting section such that a conductor inserted into the plug-in opening is held clamped between the clamping leg and the contacting section and thus electrically contacted with the contacting section and is also preferably mechanically locked to the terminal device, the clamping leg can be transferred into a release position in which the clamping leg is removed from the contacting section and thus an inserted electrical conductor can be removed from the terminal device. In the release position, a conductor can also be plugged into the terminal device in a substantially forceless manner, wherein after insertion the clamping leg is transferred from the release position into the clamping position and thus the conductor is clamped to the contacting section.

[0005] To facilitate easy insertion of a conductor, the clamping leg is held in position relative to the housing in the release position by a locking element. For example, the manufacturer may deliver the terminal device to the user with the clamping leg in the release position, allowing the user to easily connect an electrical cable to the terminal device.

[0006] In a connection device known from DE 10 2019 127 464 B3, a spring element in the form of a tension spring is provided, 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 attached and clamped between the clamping leg and the contact element in the connected position.

[0007] The connection device of DE 10 2019 127 464 B3 includes a locking device by means of 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 and the locking is thus released, so that the clamping leg is moved out of the release position and the electrical cable is thereby clamped to the contact element. In order 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 connection device, a tool, for example a screwdriver, can be applied to the connection device and a force can thereby be exerted on the clamping leg.

[0008] While in DE 10 2019 127 464 B3 the clamping leg is adjusted directly using a tool, the connecting devices known from DE 10 2019 135 203 A1 and DE 10 2020 104 240 A1 each provide an actuating element in the form of a so-called pusher, which can be pressed into the housing of the connecting device in order to act on the clamping leg and transfer the clamping leg into its release position. The actuating element is spring-loaded relative to the housing of the connecting device via a tension spring in the form of a compression spring. In the connecting device known from DE 10 2019 135 203 A1, an actuating lug is arranged on the actuating element, which, when the actuating element is in the actuated position, is hooked onto a fastening section of a holding element.

[0009] DE 10 2021 117 396 A1 describes a connection arrangement for connecting an electrical conductor, in which a clamping spring is adjustable between a clamped position and an open position. In the clamped position, the electrical conductor to be connected is clamped against a clamping section of a current bar. An actuating element, which can be guided along a first actuating direction, serves to transfer the clamping spring from the clamped position to the open position. A rotatably mounted lever element serves to actuate the actuating element.

[0010] The connection arrangement of DE 10 2021 117 396 A1 can be used in particular with a terminal block.

[0011] From DE 10 2016 112 831 A1 a terminal device is known which can be attached to a busbar.

[0012] The object of the present invention is to provide a terminal device which enables simple connection to a busbar, if possible without tools.

[0013] This object is achieved by an article having the features of claim 1.

[0014] Accordingly, the terminal device has a busbar connection device which has an attachment opening for attaching the terminal device along an attachment direction to a busbar, wherein the contact element has a contact section with which the busbar is in electrically contacting contact in a position of the terminal device in which it is attached to the busbar.

[0015] An electrical conductor can be connected to the terminal device by inserting the electrical conductor into the plug-in opening of the housing. When the electrical conductor is inserted, the clamping leg of the spring element of the connection device is preferably in the release position, so that the electrical conductor can be inserted into the plug-in opening in a substantially forceless manner, unhindered by the clamping leg. Once the conductor is inserted into the plug-in opening, the clamping leg is moved from the release position to the clamping position, so that the electrical conductor is clamped to the contacting section and thus electrically connected to the contacting section of the contact element and is also preferably mechanically locked to the connection device of the terminal device.

[0016] The connection device has a locking element for providing a locking hold on the clamping leg in the release position. The locking element can act directly or indirectly (via an element functionally arranged between the locking element and the clamping leg) on ​​the clamping leg to thereby hold the clamping leg in position relative to the housing in the release position.

[0017] When an electrical conductor is inserted into the plug-in opening of the housing, the locking element is triggered, releasing the clamping leg from the release position. The clamping leg of the spring element moves toward the clamping position due to spring preload on the spring element. The conductor thus clamps the electrical conductor inserted into the plug-in opening, electrically contacting the conductor with the contact section of the contact element and also mechanically locking it to the connection device of the terminal device.

[0018] Because the locking element releases automatically when an electrical conductor is inserted, meaning the conductor is automatically brought into contact with the contacting section of the contact element when inserted, tool-free operation of the connection device for connecting an electrical conductor is possible. To enable easy insertion of the conductor, the clamping leg can, for example, be moved into the release position using an actuating element. In this position, the clamping leg is directly or indirectly locked relative to the housing via the locking element and is thus held in position. If an electrical conductor is connected to the terminal device with the clamping leg in the release position by inserting the conductor into the plug-in opening of the housing, the clamping leg releases and contacts the conductor with the contacting section of the contact element.

[0019] In addition to the connection device for connecting an electrical conductor, the terminal device has a busbar connection device that has an attachment opening for attaching the terminal device to a busbar along an attachment direction. The contact element has a contact section with which the busbar is in electrical contact when the terminal device is attached to the busbar. The conductor connected to the connection device is thus contacted with the busbar via the contact element, designed, for example, as a current bar, and thus connected to the busbar.

[0020] A busbar is typically a rod-shaped element that extends along a longitudinal axis and is designed as a solid, electrically conductive, metal component. The busbar is connected to a reference potential, for example, a neutral conductor potential. A plurality of terminal devices of the same or different designs can be attached to the busbar and thus connected to a common potential associated with the busbar via the busbar.

[0021] The terminal device is attached to the busbar by engaging the attachment opening with the busbar. In the attached position, the busbar is received in the attachment opening, with the contact section of the contact element being in electrical contact with the busbar within the attachment opening, thus electrically connecting the contact element to the busbar.

[0022] The busbar can, for example, be rectangular in cross-section perpendicular to its longitudinal axis. The attachment opening of the busbar connection device is designed to accommodate a busbar with a rectangular cross-section.

[0023] To connect to the terminal device's connection device, an electrical conductor is inserted into the plug-in opening of the housing in the plug-in direction, thereby bringing it into operative connection with the spring element within the housing by triggering the locking element and thus releasing the spring element from the release position. In contrast, the terminal device is attached to the busbar in the attachment direction. In one embodiment, the insertion direction and the attachment direction are aligned, so that the connection of an electrical conductor to the terminal device's connection device and the attachment of the terminal device to a (stationary) busbar occur along a common direction.

[0024] In one embodiment, the connecting device has an active element that can be adjusted relative to the housing. The active element is locked to the locking element in the release position of the clamping leg and is thus held in position relative to the housing.

[0025] The active element can, for example, be used to act directly or indirectly on the clamping leg. By adjusting the active element, the clamping leg can be moved from the clamping position to the release position, for example. After moving to the release position, the active element engages with the locking element and is thus held in position relative to the housing.

[0026] The active element can be moved, in particular, between an inactive position and an active position relative to the housing in order to transfer the clamping leg from the clamping position to the release position. In the active position, the clamping leg is in the release position, with the active element being locked relative to the housing via the locking element and thus held in position relative to the housing.

[0027] In one embodiment, the active element has a contact contour. In contrast, a contact section is formed on the clamping leg, which, in the release position, contacts the contact contour to hold the clamping leg in the release position. By adjusting the active element, the clamping leg can be transferred, in particular, into the release position. By contacting the active element, the clamping leg is held in the release position, wherein the active element is locked in the active position associated with the release position via the locking element and is thus held in position relative to the housing.

[0028] The contact section is formed, for example, as a tab on the clamping leg. For example, the contact section can be formed on one edge of the clamping leg as a tab that is cut free relative to a clamping end of the clamping leg and bent over relative to the clamping end.

[0029] In one embodiment, the locking element is designed to interact with the conductor when inserted. As a result, the locking element is adjustable relative to the active element when the conductor is inserted in order to release the locking connection between the active element and the locking element in the release position of the clamping leg. When a conductor is inserted, the connecting device is automatically triggered by the electrical conductor acting on the locking element and thereby releasing the locking connection between the active element and the locking element. The clamping leg is thus released and can move from the release position towards the clamping position so that the conductor is automatically connected to the connecting device and, for this purpose, is electrically contacted with the contacting section and is also preferably mechanically locked to the connecting device.

[0030] In one embodiment, the active element is linearly displaceable relative to the housing. In another embodiment, however, the active element can also be movable along a curved path of movement or by pivoting relative to the housing.

[0031] In one embodiment, the active element is operatively connected, for example, to an actuating element that can be moved relative to the housing by user actuation to transfer the active element into the active position. While the active element can be formed, for example, as a stamped and bent part and accommodated in the housing to act on the clamping leg in the housing and interact with the locking element, the actuating element can, for example, be accessible from the outside and thus enable actuation of the active element. The actuating element is operatively connected to the active element in such a way that when the actuating element is actuated, the active element is carried along and thus displaced relative to the housing.

[0032] The actuating element can preferably be actuated by a user without the need for tools. To move the actuating element, a user can, for example, act on the actuating element with a finger, thereby adjusting the actuating element relative to the housing to act on the active element. This results in simple, convenient handling by a user, who, in particular, does not necessarily need a special tool to actuate the actuating element.

[0033] The actuating element can in particular be designed as a lever and pivotably mounted on the housing.

[0034] The actuating element can, for example, be pivotably mounted on the housing. The actuating element is thus designed as a lever element and can be pivoted relative to the housing in order to act on the active element and thereby, via the active element, move the clamping leg of the spring element from the clamping position toward the release position. By actuating the actuating element, the clamping leg can thus be moved from the clamping position to the release position, wherein the clamping leg is held in position in the release position indirectly via the active element and thus remains in the release position.

[0035] In one embodiment, the actuating element is pivotable relative to the housing about a pivot axis perpendicular to the plug-in direction. The active element can, for example, be linearly adjustable on the housing along a direction perpendicular to the plug-in direction and to the pivot axis of the actuating element. The clamping leg of the spring element is pivotable relative to the housing in a pivot plane perpendicular to the pivot axis of the actuating element. The pivot axis can be extended such that it is directed parallel to a longitudinal axis of a busbar, which is received in the attachment opening of the terminal device when the terminal device is attached to the busbar.

[0036] The actuating element is preferably operatively connected to the active element, for example, by locking it. If the active element is locked relative to the housing via the locking element after the clamping leg has been moved into the release position, the actuating element is also held in an actuated position relative to the housing. If the clamping leg is released from the release position and the clamping leg moves from the release position toward the clamping position due to the spring tension on the spring element, the active element is carried along, thereby moving the actuating element from the actuated position to a non-actuated position.

[0037] This can also be used for a status indicator, by means of which a user can immediately see whether the connection device has been triggered after plugging in an electrical cable.

[0038] In one embodiment, the housing has at least one bearing pin for supporting the actuating element. The at least one bearing pin protrudes, for example, axially along the pivot axis relative to a housing section of the housing and has an edge section that protrudes radially with respect to the pivot axis, with which edge section the at least one bearing pin engages over the actuating element. As a result, the actuating element is not only pivotally mounted on the housing via the bearing pin, but is also axially secured in its position relative to the housing, in particular such that the actuating element cannot deform (excessively) in the axial direction when force is applied.

[0039] In one embodiment, the actuating element is elastically preloaded relative to the housing via a preload element, for example in the form of a mechanical compression spring. For example, the preload element can be tensioned when the actuating element is moved from the non-actuated position to the actuated position in order to transfer the clamping leg of the spring element from the clamping position to the release position via the active element operatively connected to the actuating element. Returning the actuating element from the actuated position to the non-actuated position is thus assisted by mechanical preload of the preload element.

[0040] For example, in one embodiment, the locking element is formed integrally with the spring element. For example, the locking element can be formed by a spring leg of the spring element, which is elastically deflectable and can thus, in particular, lock with the active element to hold the active element in position relative to the housing in the release position of the clamping leg.

[0041] In one embodiment, the spring element has a support leg supported on the housing and / or the contact element. The clamping leg is elastically deflectable relative to the support leg. The locking element is formed on the support leg and, in the release position of the clamping leg, locks, for example, with the active element and thus holds the active element and, via it, the clamping leg in the release position. The support leg is supported on the housing to secure the spring element. The clamping leg can, for example, be formed at a first end of the support leg, while the locking element is formed by a leg at a second end of the support leg remote from the first end.

[0042] The clamping leg is elastically deflectable relative to the support leg and can thus be moved between the clamping position and the release position. In the release position, the clamping leg is elastically tensioned such that a clamping force acts in the direction of the clamping position. When the clamping leg is released from the release position, the clamping leg automatically moves into the clamping position due to the elastic tension force on the spring element. This clamping position clamps an electrical conductor inserted into the plug-in opening of the housing to the contacting section, thus electrically connecting it to the contacting section and also preferably mechanically locking it to the connection device.

[0043] The locking element formed by a spring leg can also be elastically deflected relative to the support leg, so that the locking element can lock with the active element when the active element is transferred into the actuated position associated with the release position of the clamping leg and thus holds the active element in position relative to the housing in the locked position.

[0044] In one embodiment, the contact element has a clamping section. For example, when the terminal device is attached to the busbar, the contact section of the contact element is arranged on a first side of the busbar, while the clamping section is located on a second side of the busbar facing away from the first side. The contact section and the clamping section thus bear against the busbar on different sides. For example, the contact element can implement a C-shaped receptacle through the contact section and the clamping section, within which the busbar is received when the terminal device is attached to the busbar and the busbar is received in the attachment opening of the terminal device.

[0045] For example, the clamping section can be elastically deflected relative to the contact section in order to pre-tension the busbar relative to the contact section. The clamping section is formed integrally with the contact element and thus integrally with the contact section. A (certain) degree of elasticity is provided at the clamping section, via which a contact force between the busbar and the contact element can be adjusted. By elastically deflecting the clamping section and thus by clamping the busbar between the contact section and the clamping section, a contact force between the busbar and the contact section can be adjusted, thus creating an advantageous, low-resistance electrical transition between the busbar and the contact section.

[0046] In one embodiment, the busbar connection device has a locking element for locking the terminal device to the busbar, which locking element is elastically adjustable relative to the housing. The locking element secures the terminal device to the busbar when the terminal device is attached to the busbar, so that the terminal device cannot be easily removed from the busbar, at least not without releasing the locking of the locking element.

[0047] In particular, the connection of the terminal device to the busbar can be secured in a form-fitting manner via the locking element, so that the terminal device is held in a form-fitting manner on the busbar when the locking element is in a locking position.

[0048] The locking element is elastically adjustable relative to the housing. When the terminal assembly is attached to the busbar, the locking element can deflect and then snap back into its original position once the busbar is received in the attachment opening of the terminal assembly, thus locking the terminal assembly to the busbar.

[0049] In one embodiment, the housing has an insertion opening into which a tool for acting on the locking element can be inserted. A tool, such as a screwdriver, can be brought into operative connection with the locking element via the insertion opening in order to act on the locking element and release the locking element from the locked position, allowing the terminal device to be removed from the busbar.

[0050] The tool can preferably be inserted into the insertion opening along an insertion direction that differs from the insertion direction. The insertion direction is, for example, perpendicular to the insertion direction and also perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the busbar received in the insertion opening. The tool can thus be guided through the insertion opening on the housing, through the housing, to the locking element of the busbar connection device in order to release the locking of the terminal device on the busbar. The insertion opening can, in particular, enable a tool to be fed in from a direction from which the terminal device is easily accessible, for example in a switch cabinet, and which, in particular, does not collide with a connected conductor.

[0051] Because the tool is inserted through the insertion opening in the housing, the clamping device can be designed with a comparatively small installation space, without the need to actuate the locking element with a tool resulting in a significant additional installation space requirement.

[0052] In one embodiment, the locking element is formed integrally with a housing portion of the housing or integrally with the contact element. The housing can, for example, be formed entirely in one piece. In this case, the locking element can be formed integrally with the housing. In another embodiment, the locking element can be formed on the contact element, for example, on an end protruding from the clamping portion of the contact element, via which a latching, positive-locking connection can be established between the busbar and the terminal device.

[0053] 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. 1 shows a view of a terminal device, comprising a connection device for connecting an electrical conductor and a busbar connection device for attachment to a busbar, in an actuated position of an actuating element; Fig. 2 shows another view of the terminal device; Fig. 3 shows a side view of the terminal device; Fig. 4 shows a view of the terminal device without a housing cover; Fig. 5 shows a side view of the arrangement according to Fig. 4 ; Fig. 6A a plan view of the clamping device; Fig. 6B a sectional view along the line AA according to Fig. 6A; Fig. 7 a partial sectional view of the terminal device, after insertion of an electrical conductor; Fig. 8 a side view of the terminal device, before actuation of the actuating element; Fig. 9A a top view of the terminal device in the position according to Fig. 8 ; Fig. 9Bene sectional view along the line DD according to Fig. 9A ; Fig. 10A a side view of the clamping device in the position according to Fig. 8 ; Fig. 10B a sectional view along the line BB according to Fig. 10A ; Fig. 10C a sectional view along the line CC according to Fig. 10A ; Fig. 11 a view of the clamping device when attached to a busbar; Fig. 12 a view of the clamping device in a position attached to the busbar; Fig. 13 a view of the clamping device when using a tool to release the clamping device from the busbar; Fig. 14A a plan view of the arrangement according to Fig. 13 ; Fig. 14B Sectional view along the line BB according to Fig. 14A ; and Fig. 15 a side view of another embodiment of a clamping device.

[0054] One in Fig. 1 to 14A , 14B The terminal device 1 shown in one embodiment has a connection device 2 which has a spring element 21 and realizes a spring force connection for connecting an electrical conductor 4.

[0055] The terminal device 1 also has a busbar connection device 3, via which the terminal device 1 can be attached to a busbar 5 along an attachment direction A.

[0056] The connection device 2 is assigned a plug-in opening 20 formed in a housing 10 of the terminal device 1, into which an electrical conductor 4 with a (stripped) conductor end 40 can be inserted along a plug-in direction E in order to electrically contact the conductor 4 within the terminal device 1 with a contact element 22 and thus to connect it to the terminal device 1.

[0057] As from Figs. 4 and 5 in conjunction with the sectional view according to Fig. 6B As can be seen, the connection device 2 has an active element 23 which is operatively connected to an actuating element 24 and can be adjusted on the housing 10 via the actuating element 24.

[0058] The actuating element 24 is mounted on the housing 10 so as to be pivotable about a pivot axis S. For this purpose, bearing pins 102 are formed on the housing 10, which project axially along the pivot axis S on both sides of the housing 10 and each form a collar-shaped edge section 205 projecting radially to the pivot axis S, which partially engages over the actuating element 24, so that the actuating element 24 is mounted on the housing 10 so as to be pivotable about the pivot axis S via the bearing pins 102 and is also axially secured to the housing 10 via the edge sections 105 of the bearing pins 102.

[0059] The actuating element 24 forms an actuating section 240, via which a user can press on the actuating element 24 in order to pivot the actuating element 24 along an actuating direction B about the pivot axis S relative to the housing 10. The pivot axis S is directed perpendicular to the plug-in direction E and also perpendicular to the attachment direction A, which is parallel to the plug-in direction E. The pivot axis S points parallel to a longitudinal axis L of a busbar 5 when the terminal device 1 is attached to the busbar 5 along the attachment direction A.

[0060] Guide elements 104 in the form of outwardly projecting pin elements are formed on both sides of the housing 10. The guide elements 104 engage in guide sections 244 in the form of arcuate links on the actuating element 24, so that the actuating element 24 can be guided relative to the housing 10 and moved between defined positions, namely an actuated position according to Fig. 1 to 6A , 6B and a non-actuated position according to Fig. 7 to 10A , 10B is pivotable relative to the housing 10.

[0061] The actuating element 24 is operatively connected to a base 233 of the active element 23 via a holding element 241 in the form of a hook element, as can be seen, for example, from the sectional view according to Fig. 6Bcan be seen. Furthermore, a pressing section 243 is formed on the actuating element 24, which cooperates with the base 233 of the active element 23. If the actuating element 24 is transferred from the non-actuated position into the actuated position and, for this purpose, pivoted in the actuating direction B relative to the housing 10, the actuating element 24 presses onto the base 233 of the active element 23 via the pressing section 243, thereby taking the active element 23 with it. In the actuated position, the actuating element 24 is held in position relative to the housing 10 via the holding element 241 due to a locking of the active element 23.

[0062] A preloading element 25 in the form of a mechanical compression spring acts between the actuating element 24 and a housing section 103 of the housing 10. When the actuating element 24 is moved into the actuated position, the preloading element 25 is elastically tensioned, so that the return of the actuating element 24 from the actuated position to the non-actuated position is assisted by the preload of the preloading element 25.

[0063] The spring element 21 forms a clamping leg 210, which has two contact sections 212 formed laterally on the clamping leg by bent tabs and interacts via the contact sections 212 with contact contours 230 on legs 232 of the active element 23 and can thus be adjusted by adjusting the active element 23 relative to the housing 10, as can be seen, for example, from Fig. 4 is evident.

[0064] The clamping leg 210 forms a clamping end 215 which is designed to cooperate with a conductor 4 inserted into the plug-in opening 20 in order to clamp the conductor 4 to a contacting section 220 of the contact element 22 and thus to electrically connect it to the connection device 2 and to mechanically lock it.

[0065] The spring element 21 has a support leg 211, via which the spring element 21 is supported on the housing 10 in the illustrated embodiment and relative to which the clamping leg 210 is elastically deflectable. Via one end 216, the respective support leg 211 engages in an opening in the busbar 22 and is thus supported on the busbar 22.

[0066] In another embodiment, the support leg 211 can - alternatively or in addition to the support on the housing 10 - also be supported on the contact element 22, which is designed, for example, as a current bar.

[0067] On the spring element 21 of the connecting device 2, a locking element 214 is formed by a spring leg extending from the support leg 211. The locking element 214 forms locking sections 213, which, as can be seen from Fig. 4 visible, are designed to engage with counter-locking sections 231 of the active element 23 in order to hold the active element 23 in position relative to the housing 10 in an active position of the active element 23.

[0068] The active element 23 is formed as a stamped and bent part and has two legs 232 bent to the base 233, on each of which a counter-locking section 231 is formed. On the locking element 214, locking sections 213 are formed on both sides, which in the active position of the active element 23 according to Fig. 1 to 6A , 6B are engaged with the counter-locking sections 231 on the legs 232 of the active element 23 and thereby lock the active element 23 in the active position relative to the housing 10.

[0069] The locking element 214 in the form of the spring leg is elastically deflectable to the support leg 211, so that when the active element 23 is transferred from an inactive position into the Fig. 1 to 6A , 6B In the active position shown, the locking element 214 is locked via the locking sections 213 with the counter-locking sections 231 of the active element 23 and the active element 23 is thus held in position relative to the housing 10.

[0070] If the active element 23 is in the active position and the active element 23 is locked relative to the housing 10 via the locking element 214, the clamping leg 210 of the spring element 21 is held in the release position on the legs 232 of the active element 23 via the contact contours 230 acting on the contact sections 212 of the clamping leg 210. The clamping leg 210 is thus removed from the contact section 220 of the contact element 22 with the clamping end 215, so that a space between the clamping leg 210 and the contact section 220 is released and a conductor 4 can be inserted into the plug-in opening 20 in a substantially forceless manner.

[0071] If the conductor 4 is inserted into the plug-in opening 20 of the respective connection device 2, the conductor end 40 of the conductor 4 comes into contact with the locking element 214 and thereby acts on the locking element 214 to release the locking of the locking sections 213 with the counter-locking sections 231 on the active element 23. When an electrical conductor 4 is inserted, the locking is thus automatically canceled, the active element 23 is released, and the hold of the clamping leg 210 in the release position is released, so that the clamping leg 210 can come into contact with the conductor 4 due to an elastic tension force on the spring element 21. The conductor 4 is thus clamped to the contacting section 220 and is thereby electrically connected to the contacting section 220 via the conductor end 40 and is also mechanically locked.

[0072] Fig. 7 shows the terminal device 1 with conductor 4 connected to the connection device 2.

[0073] If a connected conductor 4 is to be removed from the connection device 2, a user can act on the actuating element 24 of the connection device 2 and move the active element 23 from the inactive position to the active position by pivoting the actuating element 24 in the actuating direction B. The clamping leg 210 of the spring element 21 is thereby carried along and transferred into the release position, in which the clamping leg 210 is held in position relative to the housing 10 by the locking of the active element 23 with the locking sections 213 of the locking element 214.

[0074] In the illustrated embodiment, the active element 23 of the connection device 2 is linearly displaceable within the housing 10 along a direction perpendicular to the pivot axis S and the plugging direction E. A user can act on the active element 23 from the outside via the actuating element 24 in order to transfer the active element 23 from the inactive position to the active position and thus move the clamping leg 210 from the clamping position to the release position.

[0075] When transferred from the inactive position to the active position, the active element 23 automatically engages with the locking element 214 in the form of the spring leg of the spring element 21. Due to the operative connection of the actuating element 24 with the active element 23 via the holding element 241, the actuating element 24 is also held in the actuated position in position relative to the housing 10 due to the locking of the active element 23 relative to the housing 10, as can be seen from Fig. 1 to 6A , 6B is evident. If the locking is released when a conductor 4 is inserted, the actuating element 24 is returned to the non-actuated position due to the spring preload of the preload element 25, as can be seen from Fig. 7 is evident.

[0076] The actuating element 24 engages with the pressing portion 243 in an opening 234 in the base 233 of the active element 23. The prestressing element 25 is supported on the one hand on the housing portion 103 of the housing 10 and on the other hand on the base 233 of the active element 23 and thus prestresses the active element 23 and thereby (indirectly) also the actuating element 24 relative to the housing 10.

[0077] In another embodiment, the biasing element 25 may be supported on the contact element 22 instead of being supported on the housing section 103.

[0078] Using the busbar connection device 3, the terminal device 1 can be attached to an associated busbar 5 along the attachment direction A. The busbar 5 can be mounted stationary on an electrical system, for example, in a control cabinet. By attaching the terminal device 1 to the busbar 5, a connection option for connecting an electrical line 4 is created on the busbar 5, so that the electrical line 4 can be connected to the reference potential of the busbar 5.

[0079] How this Fig. 11 to 14A , 14B As can be seen, the busbar 5 is formed by a rod-shaped, solid, metal element. The busbar 5 is usually mounted stationary on an associated electrical system, for example, a control cabinet.

[0080] The busbar connection device 3 of the terminal device 1 forms an attachment opening 30 formed on the housing 10, into which the busbar 5 can be engaged. The attachment opening 30 is designed to accommodate the busbar 5, which has a rectangular cross-section transverse to the longitudinal axis L. The contact element 22 is shaped such that it protrudes into the region of the attachment opening 30 in order to make contact with the busbar 5 within the attachment opening 30.

[0081] The contact element 22 forms a C-shaped receptacle in the area of ​​the attachment opening 30, which is formed by a contact section 222 and a clamping section 223, which, when the terminal device 1 is attached to the busbar 5, come to rest on opposite sides of the busbar 5, as can be seen, for example, from Fig. 12can be seen. While the contact section 222 extends in a straight line in an area in which a contact with the busbar 5 is to be established, the clamping section 223 can be elastically deflected relative to the contact section 222, so that a contact force between the busbar 5 and the contact section 222 can be adjusted via the clamping section 223. In the attached position, the busbar 5 is clamped between the contact section 222 and the clamping section 223, so that a low-resistance electrical transition is established between the contact element 22 and the busbar 5.

[0082] The contact section 222 is connected to the contact section 220 of the contact element 22 via a connecting section 221. The support leg 211 of the spring element 21 is supported on the contact section 222. The support end 216 of the support leg 211 engages in an opening in the connecting section 221 for additional support of the spring element 21 relative to the contact element 22. The contact section 222 and the contact section 220 extend parallel to one another along the plugging direction E and accommodate the spring element 21 between them. The active element 23 engages around the contact section 220 with the legs 232 and is thus movable relative to the contact section 220.

[0083] The contact element 22 is designed as a bent metal part and enclosed in the housing 10 of the terminal device 1.

[0084] The busbar connection device 5 has a locking element 31 which projects with a latching projection 310 into the region of the attachment opening 30 and is elastically connected to the housing 10 via a connecting section 311 such that the locking element 31 can be elastically deflected relative to the housing 10 along a direction perpendicular to the attachment direction A. When the terminal device 1 is attached to a busbar 5, the busbar 5 runs onto the locking element 31 and pushes the locking element 31 aside transversely to the attachment direction A. Once the busbar 5 has passed the locking projection 310 of the locking element 31, the locking element 31 snaps back into a relaxed starting position in which the locking projection 310 comes to lie in front of the busbar 5 with respect to the attachment direction A and the busbar 5 is thus locked in the attachment opening 30, as can be seen from Fig. 12 is evident.

[0085] In order to release the terminal device 1 from the busbar 5, a tool 6, for example in the form of a screwdriver, can be inserted into an insertion opening 101 of the housing 10, as shown in Fig. 13 and 14A, 14B The insertion opening 101 extends along an insertion direction X perpendicular to the application direction A and to the pivot axis S through the housing 10 and enables the tool 10 to be inserted in the insertion direction X into the housing 10 such that the tool 10 can be brought into operative connection with the locking element 31, as can be seen from the sectional view according to Fig. 14B is evident.

[0086] A recess 242 of the actuating element 24 is aligned with the insertion opening 101, so that the actuating element 24 does not hinder the insertion of a tool 6 into the insertion opening 101.

[0087] By inserting a tool 6 in the insertion direction X and by pressing on the locking element 31, the locking element 31 can be deflected within the attachment opening 30 in order to bring the locking projection 310 out of its blocking, locking position and thus release the busbar 5, so that the terminal device 1 can be removed from the busbar 5 opposite to the attachment direction A.

[0088] Because the insertion opening 101 extends perpendicular to the insertion direction A through the housing 10, a tool 6 can be easily brought into operative connection with the locking element 31 in order to remove the terminal device 1 from the busbar 5. No complex release mechanism, which would further increase the installation space required for the terminal device 1, is required.

[0089] Fig. 15shows another embodiment of a terminal device 1, which differs from the one described above with reference to FIG. 1 by the design of the locking element 31 of the busbar connection device 3. Fig. 1 to 14A , 14B The embodiment according to Fig. 15 the locking element 31 is formed integrally with the contact element 22 in that the locking element 31 is formed at an end of the contact element 22 protruding from the clamping section 223 and acts in a locking manner on the busbar 5 with a locking projection 310 in the form of a protruding tab in a locking position.

[0090] Furthermore, particularly with regard to the design of the connection device 2, the terminal device 1 is functionally identical to the one described above with reference to Fig. 1 to 14A , 14B described embodiment, so that reference should also be made to the explanations thereon.

[0091] The idea underlying the invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but can also be implemented in other ways.

[0092] A terminal device may comprise one or more connection devices for connecting one or more conductors. List of reference symbols

[0093] 1Tap terminal 10Housing 100Housing section 101Insertion opening 102Bearing pin 103Housing section 104Guide element 105Edge section 2Connection device 20Plug-in opening 21Spring element 210Clamping leg 211Supporting leg 212Contact section 213Locking section 214Locking element 215Clamping end 216Supporting end 22Contact element (current bar) 220Contacting section 221Section 222Contact section 223Clamping section 23Active element 230Contact contour 231Counter-locking section 232Leg 233Base 234Opening 24Actuating element 240Actuating section 241Retaining element 242Opening 243Pressing section 244Guide section (guide link) 25Pre-tensioning element (spring) 3Busbar connection device 30Attachment opening 31Locking element 310Locking projection 311Connecting section 4Conductor 40Conductor end 5Busbar 6Tool AAttachment direction BActuating direction EStepping direction LLongitudinal axis SSwivel axis XInsertion direction

Claims

1. A terminal device (1) for connecting an electrical conductor (4), comprising a housing (10) forming a plug-in opening (20) into which the electrical conductor (4) can be inserted in a plug-in direction (E) for connection to the terminal device (1), a contact element (22) having a contacting section (220), and a connecting device (2) having a spring element (21) with a clamping leg (210) that is adjustable between a clamping position and a release position and is designed, in the clamping position, to act in a clamping manner on the conductor (4) inserted into the plug-in opening (20) for electrically contacting the conductor (4) with the contacting section (220) of the contact element (22), wherein the clamping leg (210) is movable from the clamping position into the release position for inserting the conductor (4) into the plug-in opening (20) or for removing the conductor (4) from the plug-in opening (20),wherein the connecting device (2) has a locking element (214) by means of which the clamping leg (210) is held in position relative to the housing (10) in the release position, wherein the locking element (214) is adjustable when the electrical line (4) is inserted in order to release the clamping leg (210) from the release position, , characterized by a busbar connection device (3) which has an attachment opening (30) for attaching the terminal device (1) along an attachment direction (A) to a busbar (5), wherein the contact element (22) has a contact section (222) with which the busbar (5) is in electrically contacting contact when the terminal device (1) is attached to the busbar (5).

2. Terminal device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the plug-in direction (E) and the attachment direction (A) are aligned.

3. Terminal device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in thatthe connecting device (2) has an active element (23) which is adjustable relative to the housing (10) and which acts on the clamping leg (210), wherein the active element (23) is locked to the locking element (214) in the release position of the clamping leg (210) and is thereby held in position relative to the housing (10).

4. Terminal device (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that the active element (23) has a contact contour (230), wherein a contact section (212) is formed on the clamping leg (210), which in the release position is in contact with the contact contour (230) in order to hold the clamping leg (210) in the release position.

5. Terminal device (1) according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in thatthe locking element (214) is designed to interact with the conductor (4) when the conductor (4) is inserted, and the locking element (214) is thereby adjustable relative to the active element (23) in order to release the locking between the active element (23) and the locking element (214) in the release position of the clamping leg (210).

6. Terminal device (1) according to one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that the active element (23) is linearly displaceable relative to the housing (10).

7. Terminal device (1) according to one of claims 3 to 6, characterized in that the connecting device (2) has an actuating element (24) which can be actuated by a user, wherein the actuating element (23) can be moved relative to the housing (10) to act on the clamping leg (210) by user actuation of the actuating element (24).

8. Terminal device (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that the actuating element (24) is pivotally mounted on the housing (10).

9. Terminal device (1) according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the actuating element (24) is pivotable relative to the housing (10) about a pivot axis (S) perpendicular to the plugging direction (E).

10. Terminal device (1) according to one of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that the housing (10) has at least one bearing pin (102) for supporting the actuating element (24), wherein the at least one bearing pin (102) has a radially projecting edge portion (105) with which the at least one bearing pin (102) engages over the actuating element (24).

11. Terminal device (1) according to one of claims 7 to 10, characterized in that the actuating element (24) is elastically prestressed relative to the housing (10) via a prestressing element (25).

12. Terminal device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the locking element (214) is formed integrally with the spring element (21).

13. Terminal device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the spring element (21) has a support leg (211) supported on the housing (10) and / or the contact element (22), to which the clamping leg (210) can be elastically deflected and on which the locking element (214) is formed.

14. Terminal device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the contact element (22) has a clamping section (223), wherein in the position of the terminal device (1) attached to the busbar (5), the contact section (222) is arranged on a first side of the busbar (5) and the clamping section (223) is arranged on a second side of the busbar (5) facing away from the first side.

15. Terminal device (1) according to claim 14, characterized in that the clamping section (223) is elastically deflectable relative to the contact section (222) in order to pre-tension the busbar (5) relative to the contact section (222).

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