Terminal clamp for connecting an electrical line
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- EP · EP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- PHOENIX CONTACT GMBH & CO KG
- Filing Date
- 2024-08-06
- Publication Date
- 2026-06-24
Smart Images
Figure EP2024072249_20022025_PF_FP_ABST
Abstract
Description
[0001] Terminal for connecting an electrical cable
[0002] The invention relates to a connecting terminal for connecting an electrical line according to the preamble of claim 1.
[0003] Such a connection terminal comprises a housing having an actuating side on which a plug-in opening is arranged, into which an electrical line can be inserted 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. Also arranged on the housing is a spring element which has a support leg supported relative to the housing, a clamping leg, and a curved connecting section arranged between the clamping leg and the support leg. The clamping leg can be elastically deflected relative to the support leg and is designed to act on the electrical line in order to bring the electrical line into contact with the contact element. The connecting section is curved about an axis of curvature.An actuating element is pivotable about a pivot axis relative to the housing and is adjustable relative to the housing to move the clamping leg from a non-actuated position to an actuated position. The actuating element has an actuating portion that can be moved by a user in an actuating opening formed on the actuating side of the housing to transfer the actuating element from the non-actuated position to the actuated position.
[0004] 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.
[0005] In a connection terminal 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 line into contact with an associated contact element through elastic spring action, thus establishing a clamping connection between the electrical line and the contact element. For this purpose, the electrical line is pushed through an opening in the clamping leg when applied and, in the connected position, is clamped between the clamping leg and the contact element. The connection terminal of DE 10 2019 127 464 B3 is provided with a locking device by means of which the clamping leg is locked in a release position relative to the housing. When the electrical line is plugged in, 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 line 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 terminal, a tool, for example a screwdriver, can be placed on the connection terminal and a force can thereby be exerted on the clamping leg.
[0006] While in DE 10 2019 127 464 B3 the clamping leg is adjusted directly using a tool, the connection terminals known from DE 10 2019 135 203 A1 and DE 10 2020 104 140 A1 each provide 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 move the clamping leg into its release position. The actuating element is spring-loaded relative to the housing of the connection terminal by a tension spring in the form of a compression spring. In the connection terminal 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.
[0007] Connection terminals in which a clamping leg of a spring element can be actuated via an actuating element pivotably mounted on a housing are known, for example, from US 10,418,727 B1, US 2022 / 0376409 A1 and EP 2 316 150 B1.
[0008] The object of the present invention is to provide a connection terminal which enables simple operation for connecting an electrical conductor and for actuating an actuating element.
[0009] This object is achieved by an article having the features of claim 1.
[0010] Accordingly, the pivot axis of the actuating element and the axis of curvature of the connecting section extend parallel to each other and are spaced apart in a plane perpendicular to the pivot axis and the axis of curvature. In the connecting terminal, the electrical cable is electrically connected to the electrical contact element by the clamping leg acting on the electrical cable when the electrical cable is inserted into the plug-in opening, exerting a spring-elastic load on it 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 by actuating the actuating element, thereby moving the clamping leg into a release position. In this position, a space in the area of the plug-in opening is released, allowing the electrical cable to be inserted into the plug-in opening with essentially no force, or a connected electrical cable to be easily removed from the terminal. The actuating element is pivotally mounted on the housing and can be moved relative to the housing by user actuation while pivoting, thereby acting on the clamping leg and adjusting the clamping leg toward the release position.
[0011] The actuating element is mounted on the housing so as to be pivotable about a pivot axis and has an actuating section for actuation by a user and, for example, 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 exerted on the clamping leg via the active section, so that, in particular when the actuating element is adjusted from the non-actuated position to the actuated position, the clamping leg is entrained and moved towards the release position.
[0012] In the terminal block, the plug-in opening for inserting an electrical cable is formed on an actuating side and allows the electrical cable to be inserted into the plug-in opening of the housing along a plug-in direction in order to connect the electrical cable to the terminal block. The actuating element is also arranged on the actuating side, in that the actuating element rests with an actuating section in an actuating opening formed on the actuating side of the housing and can thus be actuated by a user on the actuating side. Because the plug-in opening for inserting the electrical cable and the actuating section of the actuating element are accessible on the actuating side, handling is easy for the user.The actuating section can be actuated by a user, for example, manually or using a tool, for example, by pressing the actuating section into the housing to move the actuating element from the non-actuated position to the actuated position. Once the actuating element has been moved into the actuated position, the electrical cable can be inserted into the housing on the same side—namely, the actuating side—where the actuating section is located, in order to connect the electrical cable to the terminal.
[0013] The spring element has a connecting section that connects the support leg supported on the housing and the elastically deflectable clamping leg. The connecting section is curved around an axis of curvature. The axis of curvature at least approximately defines a deflection axis for the clamping leg, around which the clamping leg is moved when the actuating element is adjusted in order to transfer the clamping leg into the release position.
[0014] To enable a space-efficient arrangement of the actuating element and the plug-in opening on the actuating side such that the actuating element can be operated on the actuating side and, at the same time, an electrical cable can be inserted into the plug-in opening, the pivot axis about which the actuating element can pivot relative to the housing is spatially spaced from the axis of curvature about which the connecting section of the spring element is curved. The pivot axis of the actuating element and the axis of curvature of the connecting section extend parallel to one another, but are spaced from one another in a plane perpendicular to the pivot axis and the axis of curvature. The pivoting of the actuating element and the deflection of the clamping leg thus occur about different axes.
[0015] This makes it possible, for example, to arrange the actuating section on the actuating side of the housing in such a way that the actuating section can be pressed into the housing in an actuating movement that is essentially the same direction as the plug-in direction of the electrical cable, in order to move the actuating element from the non-actuated position to the actuated position. This results in simple, convenient, and intuitive actuation for connecting an electrical cable. In one embodiment, the actuating side of the housing extends along a (flat) plane. The plug-in direction is perpendicular to the plane. The plug-in opening and the actuating section of the actuating element are thus arranged on a common, flat side of the housing and are accessible via this common, flat side, namely the actuating side, in order to actuate the actuating element and connect an electrical cable to the connection terminal.
[0016] In one embodiment, the actuating element can be moved from the non-actuated position to the actuated position by actuation along an actuation direction that is parallel to the plug-in direction. The actuation of the actuating element by acting on the actuating section and the insertion of an electrical cable thus occur in a substantially parallel manner. For example, to transfer the actuating element from the non-actuated position to the actuated position, the actuating section can be pressed into the housing along the actuation direction in order to pivot the actuating element on the housing. The pivoting movement of the actuating element does not occur exactly in a straight line along the plug-in direction.However, an actuating movement with which the user acts on the actuating section and with which the user presses the actuating section into the housing, for example, is at least approximately in the same direction as the plug-in direction.
[0017] In one embodiment, the actuating portion protrudes outward from the housing on the actuating side in the non-actuated position. Thus, in the non-actuated position, the actuating portion protrudes from the actuating side, making it immediately apparent that the actuating element is in the non-actuated position. By pressing on the actuating portion, for example, manually with a finger or using a tool, the actuating element can be moved from the non-actuated position to the actuated position.
[0018] In one embodiment, the actuating section is at least approximately flush with the actuating side in the actuated position. In particular, an outward-facing outer surface of the actuating section can extend at least approximately along a plane that is aligned parallel to the actuating side. By arranging the actuating section flush with the actuating side, it is immediately recognizable to a user that the actuating element is in the actuated position. In one embodiment, the connecting section extends around a first bearing section of the housing. The bearing section can, for example, be formed by a cylindrical axle element around which the curved connecting section extends. The bearing section defines a deflection axis for the clamping leg, around which the clamping leg is deflected at least approximately relative to the support leg when the actuating element moves.
[0019] Advantageously, the first bearing section is arranged coaxially with the curvature axis of the connecting section of the spring element. A cylinder axis of the, for example, cylindrically shaped bearing section thus corresponds to the curvature axis of the connecting section.
[0020] In one embodiment, the actuating element is pivotably mounted on a second bearing section of the housing about the pivot axis. The second bearing section is formed, for example, by an axle element on the housing that is spatially spaced from the first bearing section, on which the actuating element is arranged and on which the actuating element is pivotably mounted relative to the housing.
[0021] The first bearing section and the second bearing section can, for example, each protrude axially from a housing wall of the housing.
[0022] In one embodiment, the connection terminal has a release element. The actuating element is designed to latch with the release element in the actuated position, such that the actuating element is held in the actuated position. The release element is designed to interact with the electrical cable when inserted into the plug-in opening to release the actuating element from the actuated position. In the actuated position, the actuating element is thus held in position via the release element, such that the clamping leg of the spring element is also held in its release position, in which an electrical cable can be easily attached to the connection terminal or a connected cable can be removed from the connection terminal in a substantially forceless manner.
[0023] The release element is used to lock the actuating element into the actuated position. By actuating the actuating element, the clamping leg can be adjusted relative to the housing and moved into a release position, making it particularly easy to insert an electrical cable into the plug-in opening of the housing to connect the cable to the terminal. The release element also serves to release the actuating element from the actuated position in order to automatically release the actuating element from the actuated position when the electrical cable is inserted into the plug-in opening, thus moving the clamping leg into a clamping position in which the electrical cable inserted into the plug-in opening makes electrical contact with the contact element of the terminal.
[0024] After the locking mechanism is released, the actuating element can, in particular, automatically return to the non-actuated position, preferably under spring preload. Spring preload on the actuating element can be achieved, in particular, via the clamping leg, which is elastically deflected in the actuated position and, after the actuating element is released, acts on the actuating element in a spring-mechanical manner to transfer the actuating element from the actuated position toward the non-actuated position.
[0025] Because the release element is deflected when the electrical cable is plugged in, the connection terminal closes automatically. This results in a simple connection process, with reliable contact between the electrical cable and the contact element thanks to the clamping action of the clamping leg.
[0026] In one embodiment, the trigger element has a support end and a trigger arm that is elastically adjustable relative to the support end. The trigger element is supported on the housing via the support end. The trigger element is preferably attached to the housing via the support end in such a way that the support end is held to the housing in a torque-resistant manner. Through interaction with the electrical line, the trigger arm is triggered, so that the locking of the actuating element with the trigger element is released, and the actuating element is thus released from the actuated position.
[0027] The support end is preferably fixed to the housing in a torque-resistant manner. The support end can be flat, which has the advantage that a contour can be easily formed on the support end, for example by punching, via which contour a reliable, for example form-fitting, attachment to the housing can be achieved. 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 leg extends into the receiving space to interact with the electrical cable. In particular, the electrical cable can be inserted into the plug-in opening along a plug-in direction, with the triggering leg extending transversely to the plug-in direction in the receiving space. The triggering leg can be elastically deflected relative to the support leg of the triggering element, such that when interacting with the electrical cable the triggering leg is elastically adjusted.
[0028] While the support end is supported in a torque-resistant manner relative to the housing, the trigger arm can be elastically adjusted in the receiving space and extends in the receiving space in such a way that an electrical cable inserted into the plug-in opening strikes the trigger arm when inserted into the receiving space and thus deflects it.
[0029] In one embodiment, the release arm is locked in a detent position with the actuating element in the actuated position. From the detent position, the release arm can be adjusted by interacting with the electrical line to release the actuating element from the actuated position. The actuating element is thus locked in the actuated position via the release arm. By deflecting the release arm from the detent position, the locking can be released, so that the actuating element is released from the actuated position and the clamping arm of the spring element can be adjusted from the release position toward a clamping position.
[0030] In one embodiment, the actuating element has a locking section for locking with a locking device of the trigger element in the actuated position. The locking section locks the actuating element in the actuated position with an associated locking device of the trigger element, thereby holding the actuating element in the actuated position. However, it can be released from the actuated position in a simple and reliable manner by releasing the trigger arm when the electrical cable is inserted.
[0031] The locking device of the trigger element can be formed, for example, by an opening into which the locking portion of the actuating element, for example formed by a projection, engages in the actuated position of the actuating element. The actuating element is thus held in position in its actuated position by the positive or force-locking engagement of the locking portion in the opening of the trigger element. Adjusting the trigger arm can release the engagement, allowing the actuating element to be released from the actuated position to transfer the clamping arm into the release position.
[0032] The opening into which the locking portion of the actuating element engages in the actuated position can, for example, be formed on the trigger arm of the trigger element. By adjusting the trigger arm, the engagement can be released by moving the trigger arm relative to the locking portion of the actuating element, thus removing the locking connection.
[0033] In one embodiment, the actuating element has a through-opening through which the spring element extends. The spring element can be formed, in particular, by a bent sheet metal spring, in which the clamping leg can be deflected along an adjustment plane relative to the support leg. The spring element extends through the through-opening of the actuating element, so that the spring element is supported on a first side of the actuating element via the support leg, and the clamping leg protrudes from the actuating element on a second, opposite side and is adjusted together with the actuating element when the actuating element is adjusted.This results in a space-efficient arrangement of the actuating element and the spring element, with effective force introduction into the spring element when transferring the actuating element from the non-actuated position to the actuated position and also from the spring element into the actuating element when returning the actuating element from the actuated position due to the spring preload of the spring element.
[0034] In one embodiment, the terminal block is part of a connection arrangement comprising several terminal blocks arranged in a row. The row direction extends perpendicular to the plug-in direction along which an electrical cable is to be connected to the terminal block.
[0035] The terminal blocks can be arranged and interacted in such a way that the side wall of one terminal block also provides a side wall for another adjacent terminal block. A single terminal block is therefore not closed externally, but is only closed when several terminal blocks are arranged in series. The terminal blocks in the arrangement can be identical in design. However, the terminal blocks can also differ in terms of their dimensions, for example, the width in the direction of alignment and the number and / or size of the plug-in openings.
[0036] The housing of the connection terminal can, for example, be formed by two housing parts attached to one another along the row direction, whereby adjacent connection terminals can use the housing parts together. Advantageously, it can be provided that the support leg of the spring element and the support end of the trigger element of the connection terminal are held in position jointly by the housing parts. For example, the support end can be arranged between parallel side walls of the housing parts in such a way that the support end is positively secured between the side walls of the two housing parts. The support end is thus held between the row-mounted housing parts of adjacent connection terminals and is secured by its support end in such a way that the trigger leg of the trigger element can be elastically deflected towards the support end, but the support end remains in position and can absorb torques.
[0037] In one embodiment, the spring element is designed as a tension spring. In this case, the clamping leg of the spring element is designed to pull the electrical cable into contact with the contact element using spring force. In this case, an opening can be formed on the clamping leg, for example, through which the electrical cable can be passed when inserted into the plug-in opening of the housing. After the clamping leg is released from the release position, the electrical cable is pulled into clamping contact with the contact element.
[0038] Alternatively, the spring element can be designed as a compression spring. In this case, the clamping leg is designed to press the electrical cable into contact with the contact element using spring force. When inserted into the plug-in opening, the electrical cable enters a space between the clamping leg and the contact element. After the clamping leg is released from the release position, the clamping leg acts on the electrical cable and presses it into contact with the contact element.
[0039] The concept underlying the invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to the exemplary embodiments illustrated in the figures. In the figures: Fig. 1 shows a view of a connection arrangement with a plurality of connection terminals accommodated in a housing;
[0040] Fig. 2A, 2B side views of the connection arrangement;
[0041] Fig. 3A is a sectional view along the line AA according to Fig. 1 through a
[0042] connection terminal;
[0043] Fig. 3B is a sectional view along the line BB according to Fig. 1 through the
[0044] connection terminal;
[0045] Fig. 4A is a view of a housing part of the terminal;
[0046] Fig. 4B is a rear view of the housing part;
[0047] Fig. 5A, 5B side views of the housing part;
[0048] Fig. 6A-6D separate views of an actuating element of the terminal;
[0049] Fig. 8A is an enlarged view in section A according to Fig. 5A; and
[0050] Fig. 8B is an enlarged view in section B according to Fig. 5B.
[0051] 1 and 2A, 2B show an embodiment of a connection arrangement 3 having a plurality of connection terminals 1 that are collectively enclosed in an outer housing 30. The connection terminals 1 are arranged in a row along a row direction A and collectively enclosed in the outer housing 30, wherein each connection terminal 1 is assigned a plug-in opening 100 on a housing 10, into which an electrical line 2 with a (stripped) conductor end 20 can be inserted along a plug-in direction E in order to connect the electrical line 2 to the connection terminal 1.
[0052] Fig. 3A, 3B show in sectional views along the line AA and BB according to Fig. 1 an embodiment of a connection terminal 1 which has a housing 10 with a plug-in opening 100 formed therein for plugging in an electrical line 2 along a plug-in direction E. The housing 10 defines a receiving space 101 into which the electrical line 2 with a stripped conductor end 20 is inserted when it is plugged into the plug-in opening 100 along the plug-in direction E. In a connected position, the line 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 line 2 is electrically connected to the connection terminal 1.
[0053] The spring element 12 has a support leg 121 supported on the housing 10. The clamping leg 120 is elastically deflectable relative to the support leg 121, in particular such that the clamping leg 120, in a clamping position, acts in a clamping manner on an electrical line 2 connected to the connection terminal 1 and presses it, under elastic prestress, into contact with the contact element 11, thus electrically contacting the line 2 with the contact element 11 via its conductor end 20.
[0054] The contact element 11 has a contact section 110, which extends flatly within the housing 10 and against which the electrical line 2 with the conductor end 20 is pressed by spring preload of the clamping leg 120 when the electrical line 2 is connected to the connection terminal 1. Connected to the contact section 110 are connecting legs 111, via which the connection terminal 1 can be arranged, for example, on a printed circuit board.
[0055] In the illustrated embodiment, the housing 10 of the terminal block 1 is formed by the housing parts shown in Figs. 4A, 4B and 5A, 5B. Adjacent terminal blocks 1 share the housing parts, with the housing 10 of a terminal block 1 being formed by adjacent, plate-shaped housing parts.
[0056] Figs. 4A and 5A show the front side of a housing part. Figs. 4B and 5B, in contrast, show the rear side of the housing part. Several housing parts are attached to one another along the alignment direction A to form the connection terminals 1 of the connection arrangement according to Figs. 1, 2A, 2B, wherein (with respect to the alignment direction A) outer housing parts are modified at their front and rear sides, respectively, for fitting into the outer housing 30.
[0057] On the front side of the housing part, shown in Figs. 4A and 5A, a housing section 105 is formed, which forms the plug-in opening 100. On the rear side of the housing part, shown in Figs. 4B and 5B, in contrast, a housing section 105' is formed, which, together with the housing section 105 of an adjacent housing part, provides a guide for an electrical line 2 within the receiving space 101 of the housing 10.
[0058] In addition, a support opening 103, 103' is formed on each of the wall sections 106, 106' on the front and rear sides of the housing part, into which the spring element 12 engages with the support leg 121 in the mounted position, so that the spring element 12 with the support leg 121 is supported between adjacent housing parts, which together form the housing 10.
[0059] An actuating element 14 is pivotably mounted on the housing 10 of each terminal 1 via a pivot axis 140. The actuating element 14 can be pivoted about the pivot axis 140 relative to the housing 10, wherein an actuating portion 141 is accessible from outside the housing 10 via an actuating opening 102 and can thus be actuated by a user, for example, manually with a finger or using a tool.
[0060] In the illustrated embodiment, the pivot axis 140 is formed by a bearing portion 109 in the form of a cylindrical axle element on the front side of the respective associated housing part, shown in Figs. 4A and 5A. The bearing portion 109 engages in an associated bearing opening 145 on the actuating element 14, shown in separate views in Figs. 6A to 6D.
[0061] The actuating element 14 is operatively connected to the clamping leg 120 of the spring element 12 and is designed to transfer the clamping leg 120 from the clamping position to a release position. For this purpose, the spring element 12 extends through a through-opening 142 within the actuating element 14 such that the spring element 12 engages with a curved connecting section 122 around a bearing section 108 on the housing 10, as can be seen in Fig. 3B. The support leg 121 protrudes from the opening 142 on a first side and is supported on the housing 10.The clamping leg 120, in contrast, protrudes from the actuating element 14 on a remote, second side and extends within the receiving space 101 in the region of the plug-in opening 100 such that the spring element 12 can act via the clamping leg 120 on an electrical line 2 inserted into the plug-in opening 100 for contacting the contact element 11 and also for mechanical locking. In the illustrated embodiment, the bearing section 108, around which the connecting section 122 of the spring element 12 engages, is formed by a cylindrical axle element that is spatially spaced from the bearing section 109.
[0062] The connecting section 122 is curved about an axis of curvature K, which is concentric with the bearing section 108, and has a radius of curvature R relative to the axis of curvature K. When the clamping leg 120 is deflected relative to the support leg 121, a bending load occurs, particularly in the region of the connecting section 122, wherein the radius of curvature R corresponds to a main load radius with which bending forces act on the spring element 12.
[0063] When deflected, the clamping leg 120 moves at least approximately in the sense of a pivoting movement directed around the curvature axis K, so that the deflection occurs at least approximately around the curvature axis K.
[0064] The pivot axis 140 and the curvature axis K are aligned parallel to each other.
[0065] The pivot axis 140 is arranged radially spaced from the curvature axis K by spatially spaced apart the bearing sections 108, 109 in a plane perpendicular to the curvature axis K and the pivot axis 140. The bearing section 109, which defines the pivot axis 140 of the actuating element 14, is correspondingly arranged outside the connecting section 122, namely radially beyond the connecting section 122 with respect to the curvature axis K.
[0066] Because the pivot axis 140 and the axis of curvature K are spatially spaced from one another and thus the actuating element 14 and the clamping leg 120 cannot pivot about a common axis, the actuating section 141 of the actuating element 14 and the plug-in opening 100 can be arranged together on an actuating side 15 of the housing 10, as can be seen from the sectional views according to Figs. 3A and 3B and from the view of the connection arrangement 3 according to Fig. 1. In particular, the actuating section 141 of the actuating element 14 can be actuated by a user along an actuating direction B that is parallel to the plug-in direction E.Thus, to move the actuating element 14 from the non-actuated position to the actuated position, a user can press on the actuating portion 141 in the actuating direction B, thus moving the actuating element 14 into the actuated position, in which the clamping leg 120 is moved into the release position and thus away from the contact portion 110 of the contact element 11. Figs. 3A and 3B show the actuating element 14 in the non-actuated position. In the non-actuated position, the actuating portion 141 protrudes outward relative to the actuating side 15.
[0067] By pressing into the housing 10, the actuating element 14 can be moved into the actuated position, so that in the actuated position, as can be seen from Fig. 1, the actuating section 141 is flush with the actuating side 15 in the west.
[0068] The connecting terminal 1 has a trigger element 13, which is attached to the housing 10 via a support end 132 and is thus supported in a torque-resistant manner relative to the housing 10. Extending from the support end 132 is a trigger leg 130, which projects into the receiving space 101 substantially transversely to the plug-in direction E and thus extends in an area aligned with the plug-in opening 100.
[0069] As can be seen from the separate view of the trigger element 13 according to Figs. 7A-7C, the detailed views of a housing part according to Figs. 4A, 4B and 5A, 5B, and the enlarged sectional views according to Figs. 8A, 8B, the support end 132 of the trigger element 13 is connected in a form-fitting manner in support openings 107, 107' of the adjacent housing parts forming the housing 10 of the connection terminal 1. The support end 132 of the trigger element 13, formed by a band-shaped spring element, has recesses 134, 135 on its opposite lateral edges, which, in the mounted position of the trigger element 13, engage with projection elements 104, 104' within the support openings 107, 107'.
[0070] The support end 132 engages in the support openings 107, 107', so that the support end 132 is positively received on the housing 10. The positive connection between the support end 132 and the housing 10 is such that the support end 132 cannot slide out of the support openings 107, 107', and moreover, the support end 132 is supported on the housing 10 in such a way that, upon elastic deflection of the release arm 130, torques can be absorbed at the support end 132 and diverted into the housing 10, while the support end 132 remains in position relative to the housing 10.
[0071] The engagement openings 107, 107' are formed on the wall sections 106, 106' on mutually facing sides of adjacent housing parts, as can be seen in Figs. 4A, 4B and 5A, 5B. The release leg 130 serves to interact with an electrical line 2 inserted into the plug-in opening 100, in particular to automatically connect the electrical line 2 to the connection terminal 1 by releasing the clamping leg 120.
[0072] The trigger element 13 has an opening 131 with which the actuating element 14 engages via a locking portion 143 in the form of a projection when the actuating element 14 has been transferred into an actuated position in an actuating direction B. In the actuated position, the actuating element 14 engages with the locking portion 143 in the opening 131 and is held by the trigger arm 130 in a locking manner, so that the actuating element 14 is locked in the actuated position.
[0073] In the illustrated embodiment, the triggering leg 130 is bent inward. A connecting section 136 extends between a free end 138 of the triggering leg 130, remote from the support end 132, and a leg portion 137 of the triggering leg 130, which is aligned with the support end 132 and on which the opening 131 is formed. This connecting section 136 extends transversely between the free end 138 of the triggering leg 130 and the leg portion 137 of the triggering leg 130, which carries the opening 131. By appropriately shaping the triggering element 13, the triggering element 13 can be adapted to the available space within the receiving space 101 of the housing 10.
[0074] If the actuating element 14 is actuated in the actuating direction B and thereby pivoted about the pivot axis 140 relative to the housing 10, the actuating element 14 entrains the clamping leg 120 of the spring element 12 via an active section 144 and thereby adjusts the clamping leg 120 into the release position. In the release position, the clamping leg 120 is removed with its free end from the contact section 110 of the contact element 11 and thus 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] 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 actuating element 14 is in the actuated position and thus the clamping leg 120 is in the release position, the cable 2 comes into contact with the trigger leg 130 of the trigger element 13 and deflects it elastically relative to the support end 132 and thus to the housing 10. As a result, the trigger leg 130 is adjusted in the plug-in direction E relative to the locking section 143 of the actuating element 14, so that the locking section 143 is disengaged from the opening 131 and thus the actuating element 14 is released from the actuated position.
[0076] On a side of the opening 131 facing the free end 138 of the trigger arm 130, a run-on element 133 is formed by a bent section of the trigger element 13, which is shaped as a sheet metal element. The latching section 143 rests against this run-on element when locked and the latching section 143 runs against this run-on element when released from the locking position. Because the electrical line 2 acts on the trigger arm 130 with a lever arm that is greater than the lever arm acting on the latching section 143, the trigger arm 130 can be deflected with a small force applied by the electrical line 2, thus easily and reliably releasing the locking when the electrical line 2 is inserted.
[0077] After the locking mechanism is released when an electrical cable 2 is inserted, the actuating element 14 moves out of the actuated position due to the elastic pretension on the clamping leg 120 and is returned opposite to the actuation direction B. The clamping leg 120 thereby 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] Because the actuating element 14 is moved out of the actuated position after the locking mechanism is released, a user can safely and reliably detect that the connecting terminal 1 has been triggered and that the electrical line 2 is thus connected to the connecting terminal 1. The risk of incorrect operation is thus reduced.
[0079] If the electrical cable 2 is to be released from the connected position and removed from the terminal 1, the actuating element 14 can be moved back into the actuated position, so that the clamping leg 120 is moved out of contact with the cable 2. The cable 2 can thus be removed from the terminal 1 in a substantially forceless manner. The concept underlying the invention is not limited to the embodiment described above, but can also be implemented in other ways.
[0080] The trigger element can, for example, be designed as a metal sheet element. However, other designs of the trigger element are also conceivable and possible, such as a plastic construction.
[0081] List of reference symbols
[0082] I Connection terminal
[0083] 10 housings
[0084] 100 plug-in opening
[0085] 101 Recording Room
[0086] 102 Access opening
[0087] 103, 103' support opening
[0088] 104, 104' form-locking element
[0089] 105, 105' housing section
[0090] 106, 106' wall section
[0091] 107, 107' support opening
[0092] 108 storage section
[0093] 109 camp section
[0094] II Contact element (current bar)
[0095] 110 Contact section
[0096] III Connection element (connection legs)
[0097] 12 clamping spring
[0098] 120 clamping legs
[0099] 121 support legs
[0100] 122 connecting section
[0101] 13 Trigger element
[0102] 130 trigger arms
[0103] 131 locking device (locking opening)
[0104] 132 supporting
[0105] 133 Casserole element
[0106] 134, 135 Form-locking element (recess)
[0107] 136 connecting section
[0108] 137 thigh section
[0109] 138 End
[0110] 14 Actuating element
[0111] 140 swivel axis
[0112] 141 operating section
[0113] 142 Access opening
[0114] 143 Rest section
[0115] 144 Effective section
[0116] 145 Bearing opening 15 Housing side
[0117] 3 Connection arrangement
[0118] 30 outer casings
[0119] A Array direction B Actuating direction
[0120] E Plug-in direction
[0121] K axis of curvature
[0122] R radius of curvature
Claims
Patent claims 1 . A connecting terminal (1) for connecting an electrical line (2), comprising a housing (10) having an actuating side (15) on which a plug-in opening (100) is arranged, into which an electrical line (2) can be inserted along a plug-in direction (E) for connecting to the connecting terminal (1), a contact element (11) arranged on the housing (10) for making electrical contact with the electrical line (2), a spring element (12) arranged on the housing (10) and having a support leg (121) supported relative to the housing (10), a clamping leg (120) and a curved connecting section (122) arranged between the clamping leg (120) and the support leg (121), wherein the clamping leg (120) is elastically deflectable relative to the support leg (121) and is designed to act on the electrical line (2) in order to bring the electrical line (2) into contact with the contact element (11 ) to bring,wherein the connecting portion (122) is curved about an axis of curvature (A), and an actuating element (14) which is pivotable about a pivot axis (140) relative to the housing (10), which is adjustable for adjusting the clamping leg (120) from a non-actuated position to an actuated position relative to the housing (10), and which has an actuating portion (141) which is movable in an actuating opening (102) formed on the actuating side (15) of the housing (10) for transferring the actuating element (14) from the non-actuated position to the actuated position by a user, characterized in that the pivot axis (140) of the actuating element (14) and the axis of curvature (K) of the connecting portion (122) extend parallel to one another and are spaced apart from one another in a plane perpendicular to the pivot axis (140) and the axis of curvature (K).
2. Connection terminal (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the actuating side (15) of the housing (10) extends along a plane, wherein the plug-in direction (E) is directed perpendicular to the plane.
3. Connection terminal (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the actuating element (14) can be moved from the non-actuated position into the actuated position by actuation along an actuating direction (B) which is parallel to the plugging direction (E).
4. Connection terminal (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the actuating section (141) protrudes from the housing (10) on the actuating side (15) in the non-actuated position.
5. Connection terminal (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the actuating section (141) is flush with the actuating side (15) in the actuated position.
6. Connection terminal (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the connecting section (122) extends around a first bearing section (108) of the housing (10).
7. Connection terminal (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that the first bearing section (108) is arranged coaxially to the axis of curvature (K).
8. Connection terminal (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the actuating element (14) is pivotally mounted on a second bearing section (19) of the housing (10) about the pivot axis (140).
9. Connection terminal (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by a release element (13), wherein the actuating element (14) is designed to latch with the release element (13) in the actuated position, so that the actuating element (14) is held in the actuated position, wherein the release element (13) is designed to cooperate with the electrical line (2) when inserted into the plug-in opening (100) to release the actuating element (14) from the actuated position.
10. Connection terminal (1) according to claim 9, characterized in that the trigger element (13) has a support end (132) and a trigger leg (130) which is elastically adjustable relative to the support end (132), wherein the support end (132) is supported on the housing (10).
11. Connection terminal (1) according to claim 10, characterized in that the housing (10) defines a receiving space (101) into which the electrical line (2) can be inserted by inserting it into the plug-in opening (100), wherein the release leg (130) extends in the receiving space (101) for cooperation with the electrical line (2).
12. Connection terminal (1) according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that the release leg (130) is locked in a locking position with the actuating element (14) located in the actuated position and is adjustable from the locking position to release the actuating element (14) from the actuated position by interaction with the electrical line (2).
13. Connection terminal (1) according to one of claims 10 to 12, characterized in that the actuating element (14) has a latching section (143) for latching with a latching device of the triggering element (13) in the actuated position.
14. Connection terminal (1) according to claim 13, characterized in that the locking device is formed by an opening (131) of the trigger element (13), into which the locking section (143) engages in the actuated position of the actuating element (14).
15. Connection terminal (1) according to claim 14, characterized in that the locking section (143) can be released from the opening (131) by deflecting the release leg (130) by interaction with the cable (2) inserted into the plug-in opening (100).
16. Connection terminal (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the actuating element (14) has a through-opening (142) through which the spring element (12) extends.