Conductor connection terminal with at least one spring clamp connection

Abstract

The invention relates to a conductor connection terminal comprising at least one spring-loaded clamp connection part for connecting an electric conductor by means of a spring force, which has a clamp spring and a busbar section associated with the clamp spring, whereby a clamp position for clamping an electric conductor is formed between the clamp spring and the busbar section, and a pivotable actuating lever for actuating the clamp spring, which is associated with the spring-loaded clamp connection part, wherein the actuating lever has at least one support element, which has a support surface directed towards the busbar section, by means of which the actuating lever is supported on a support area of ​​the busbar section.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The invention relates to a conductor connection terminal with at least one spring-loaded clamp connection part for connecting an electric conductor by means of a spring force, the conductor connection terminal having a clamp spring and a busbar section associated with the clamp spring, between which a clamp position for connecting an electric conductor is formed, and further comprising a pivotable actuating lever for actuating the clamp spring, the actuating lever being associated with the spring-loaded clamp connection part, the actuating lever having at least one support element, the support element comprising a support surface directed towards the busbar section, via which the actuating lever is supported on a support area of ​​the busbar section. [Background technology]

[0002] Such a conductor connection terminal is known, for example, from EP 3111513 B1. Such a conductor connection terminal can in particular be formed by a number of spring clamp connections which are electrically connected to one another to form a connector terminal. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0003] The object on which the present invention is based is to further improve such a conductor connection terminal. [Means for solving the problem]

[0004] This object is achieved in a conductor connection terminal of the type mentioned at the outset in that the support region of the busbar section has a concavely curved shape. The support region is present in the busbar section in which the clamping position for connecting the electric conductor is formed. The support region is therefore the region of the busbar section facing (in other words facing) the support surface of the actuating lever, along which the actuating lever can slide during the pivoting movement. The support region is present on the side of the busbar section on which the clamping position is also present, i.e. on which the electric conductor is supported and clamped. The invention makes it possible to further miniaturize the conductor connection terminal, especially in the case of conductor connection terminals which already have very small dimensions anyway for small conductor cross-sections. Due to the concavely curved shape of the support region, the overall installation height of the conductor connection terminal can be reduced. In addition, the support of the actuating lever is improved and the wear occurring during pivoting is minimized. In this respect, it is advantageous if the support element comprises a support surface which has a convexly curved shape directed towards the busbar section.

[0005] The busbar section or the busbar may be formed mainly flat in the area directly adjacent to the support area. The normal of the busbar section may extend mainly perpendicular to the rotation axis of the actuation lever. The busbar section may be continuous between the support area and the clamping location or the conductor guide surrounding the clamping location, i.e. without steps, i.e. without slits and / or punched edges.

[0006] In a further embodiment of the invention, the problem mentioned at the beginning is solved in that the support region of the busbar section is formed as a recess in the busbar section, which recess forms a trough- or groove-shaped recess in relation to the adjacent flat region of the busbar section. This also allows a further miniaturization of the conductor connection terminal. This allows the installation height of the conductor connection terminal to be further reduced. In particular, if the recess is formed as an impression of the busbar, which is an extrusion of the busbar opposite the support region, then a usable but hitherto unused area below the busbar in the housing of the conductor connection terminal can be utilized. In addition, the invention offers the advantage that the risk that the individual strands of the stranded conductor will be clamped between the support surface of the actuating element and the support region of the busbar section is at least reduced, since the strands are essentially supported by a support surface that is higher than the support region.

[0007] As one of the above-mentioned adjacent flat regions of the busbar section, for example, there may be a conductor contact area, on which the electric conductor to be connected at the clamping position is arranged and rests on the surface of the busbar section. Such a conductor contact area may be formed by a flat surface. The conductor contact area may for example be arranged between two adjacent support areas formed as recesses, which support areas each form a trough- or groove-shaped recess.

[0008] Both aspects of the invention can also be advantageously combined with one another, since the recesses in the busbar regions have a concavely curved shape, but it is also possible for the recesses in the busbar regions to have a flat or convexly curved shape.

[0009] The recess in the busbar section can be recessed, for example, relative to the clamping position formed in the busbar section. The recess in the busbar section can then have a depth of at least 20% of the material thickness of the busbar section. Between the support areas, the busbar can be higher than the recess over the entire width of the conductor, i.e. extend closer to the axis of rotation of the actuating lever. The maximum dimension (length) of the recess can extend parallel to the conductor insertion direction. A support element of the actuating lever, for example in the form of a bearing plate, can also be guided axially by the recess in the busbar. In this regard, the recess in the busbar section can have a depth of at least 3% or at least 5% of the radius of curvature of the support element of the actuating lever in the region of the support surface. The recess in the busbar section can have a depth of at most 15% or at most 20% of the radius of curvature of the support element of the actuating lever in the region of the support surface.

[0010] Furthermore, depending on the design of the actuating lever, the invention makes it possible to reduce the load on the support of the actuating lever, especially when pivoting, i.e. opening or closing. With the present invention, the actuating lever fits better into the busbar area and can be displaced closer to the busbar area overall.

[0011] Overall, the invention allows for a conductor connection terminal with a flat design housing with increased clearance and creepage distances. The support surface of the actuating lever in the support area can be increased. The actuating lever can be more robust overall. The invention allows for the transmission or absorption of significantly larger actuating forces by the actuating lever, in particular onto the busbar.

[0012] In a further embodiment of the invention, the problem mentioned at the beginning is solved in that at least one test piece is arranged on the busbar, which can be electrically contacted by a probe inserted into the housing. The test piece can be arranged, for example, between adjacent spring clamp connections, as viewed in the conductor insertion direction (L), which also promotes a flat construction, as in the case of a recessed support area. The test piece can be formed as an angled test piece. The housing can have a test opening into which the probe can be inserted. The housing can have a test channel into which the test piece projects, and in which case the test piece can be electrically contacted by a probe inserted through the test channel.

[0013] The test strip can be molded integrally with the busbar or formed as a separate part fixed to the busbar. If the busbar has, for example, a retaining frame as described further below, such a test strip can be arranged, for example, between adjacent retaining frames. In this case, the test strip does not have to be arranged directly between the retaining frames, but can be arranged between the retaining frames offset in the conductor insertion direction. The test strip can be oriented with an angled area relative to the flat area of ​​the busbar perpendicular to the direction in which the clamping positions are aligned, for example mainly parallel to the retaining frames. As probes, commercially available probes for electrical testing can be used. A screwdriver blade can also be used as the inspection means.

[0014] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the concavely curved shape of the support area is adapted in terms of its curvature contour to the curvature contour of the convexly curved shape of the support surface. This allows the actuating lever to fit particularly well into the support area of ​​the busbar region. The support surface of the actuating lever may have, for example, an arched, convexly curved shape. The support area may have an arched, concavely curved shape. The radius of curvature of the concavely curved shape may be constant or different over the entire curvature contour. In an advantageous embodiment, the radius of curvature of the concavely curved shape of the support area may be at least as large as the radius of curvature of the convexly curved shape of the support surface. For example, the radius of curvature of the concavely curved contour may be at least 10% or at least 20% larger everywhere than the radius of curvature of the convexly curved shape of the support surface. The radius of curvature, averaged over the curved contour of the concavely curved shape of the support region, may also be, for example, at least 10% or at least 20% greater than the radius of curvature, averaged over the curved contour of the convexly curved shape of the support surface.

[0015] This allows the actuating lever some play within the concavely curved shape during the pivoting movement. The axis of rotation of the pivoting movement of the actuating lever can be a fixed axis of rotation throughout the pivoting movement or an axis of rotation that changes at least slightly.

[0016] The conductor connection terminal can be configured as a single-pole or multi-pole conductor connection terminal. The conductor connection terminal can also be configured as a plug connector or as part of an electrical plug connector, in which case the plug connector has one or more electrical plug contacts. The spring clamp connection is then electrically connected to at least one of the plug contacts.

[0017] In the conductor connection terminal according to the invention, a support element or its support surface can be associated with a corresponding concavely curved and / or recessed support region in the busbar section, which with respect to its width corresponds substantially (except for tolerances) to the width of the support element in the region of the support surface. The concavely curved shape in the support region and / or the support region formed as a recess in the busbar section can thus each be formed as a relatively elongated groove whose width is smaller than its length, as viewed in the conductor insertion direction of the electrical conductor into the spring clamp connection.

[0018] In multi-pole conductor connection terminals, the individual busbar sections of these spring clamp connections may be parts of a continuous busbar, which may be integrally formed from one metal part or may be in multiple parts and assembled from multiple metal parts, for example by form-fit, force-fit and / or integral joint connections.

[0019] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the conductor connection terminal is configured as a multi-pole conductor connection terminal in which several spring clamp connections are arranged next to each other or even opposite each other, each having a clamp spring and a busbar section associated with this clamp spring, and each spring clamp connection is associated with an actuating lever, the busbar sections are parts of a continuous busbar, and the concavely curved shape of the support region and / or the support region formed as a recess in the busbar section extends continuously from the support element of the actuating lever at least to the support element of the directly adjacent actuating lever or extends continuously over the busbar sections of several or all of the spring clamp connections. This has the advantage that the production of the busbar with concavely curved shapes and / or recesses is simplified, since the total number of concavely curved shapes and / or recesses to be introduced is reduced and their width is increased. For example, the concavely curved shapes of the support regions and / or the support regions formed as recesses in the busbar area can be formed such that they extend only from the support element of the actuating lever to the support element of the directly adjacent actuating lever and not beyond this, in which case gaps arise between such concavely curved shapes and / or recesses, which can advantageously be adapted accordingly for other functions, for example to form clamping positions for electrical conductors.

[0020] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the continuously extending concavely curved shape of the support region and / or the support region formed as a recess in the busbar section is at least partially interrupted, at least in the clamping position, by a further contour, in particular a clamping profile. This has the advantage that, regardless of the form of the concavely curved support region and / or the busbar section with the recess, the clamping position can be formed in a particularly advantageous manner for the connection of the electrical conductors.

[0021] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is provided that in the concavely curved shape and / or in the recess, the actuating lever is pivotable about an axis of rotation (D) extending transversely to the conductor insertion direction of the associated spring clamp connection, the arch of the concavely curved shape or the central axis of this arch being oriented transversely to the conductor insertion direction and / or parallel to the axis of rotation.

[0022] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the busbar section has a clamping edge for connecting the electric conductor. This allows a particularly reliable connection of the electric conductor to the busbar section. The clamping edge of the busbar section can be formed as a relatively sharp-edged point which can be slightly embedded in the material of the electric conductor to be connected.

[0023] The clamping spring of the spring clamp connection can have a clamping leg, which can also have a clamping edge at its free end, whereby the clamping of the electrical conductor at the clamping leg is also more reliable.

[0024] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the clamping edge of the busbar section is arranged in the conductor insertion direction next to or behind the support area configured as a concave arch and / or as a recess in the busbar section, so that the conductor connection terminal can have a particularly compact design also in the conductor insertion direction.

[0025] Apart from the presence of such clamping edges on the busbar sections, it is advantageous if the clamping positions for connecting the electric conductors on the busbar sections are arranged in the conductor insertion direction next to or behind the support area which is formed as a concave arch shape and / or as a recess in the busbar section, which also allows for a particularly compact design of the conductor connection terminal in the conductor insertion direction.

[0026] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the clamping edge is formed as a border edge of a recess embossed in the busbar region. In this way, the clamping edge of the busbar region can be produced in a manufacturing-technically simple manner without significantly weakening or damaging the material of the busbar region. The recess can have, for example, a bent cross-sectional shape, and in particular does not have to have a curved shape like the support region.

[0027] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the length of this embossed recess in the busbar region, as viewed in the conductor insertion direction, is smaller than the length of the concave arch shape of the support region and / or the support region formed as a recess in the busbar region.

[0028] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the actuating lever has two parallel, spaced apart support elements, each of which includes a support surface, e.g. having a convexly curved shape, directed towards the busbar section, via which the actuating lever is supported in a support region of the busbar section. This ensures that the actuating lever is supported on the busbar section. This actuating lever can be relatively robust even for conductor connection terminals of very small construction, and can thus transmit high actuating forces to the clamping spring. Alternatively, there can also be more than two parallel, spaced apart support elements, e.g. if the actuating lever is used to simultaneously actuate two clamping springs arranged next to each other.

[0029] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the clamping position of the electric conductor and / or the clamping edge of the busbar section, if present, is arranged in the space generated between two spaced apart parallel supporting elements, so that the space between the supporting elements can be utilized for arranging the electric conductor, so that the conductor connection terminal can be particularly compact.

[0030] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the concavely curved shape of the support region and / or the support region formed as a recess in the busbar section extends continuously from the support element of the actuating lever at least to the nearest support element of the directly adjacent actuating lever. This has the advantage that, regardless of the form of the concavely curved support region and / or the busbar section with the recess, clamping positions can be formed particularly advantageously for the connection of electrical conductors. That is to say, the concavely curved shape and / or the support region formed as a recess in the busbar section can, for example, extend continuously only from the support element of the actuating element to the nearest support element of the directly adjacent actuating lever, but not beyond.

[0031] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is provided that a receiving space is formed between the support elements of the actuating lever for receiving the electric conductor to be connected to the spring clamp connection, which is also beneficial for a particularly compact and small construction of the conductor connection terminal, so that the space enclosed by the actuating lever can be advantageously utilized for receiving the electric conductor.

[0032] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is provided that at least a part of the clamping spring, in particular the main part of the clamping leg of the clamping spring, is arranged in the region between the support elements of the actuating lever. This allows a mechanically favorable actuation of the clamping leg of the clamping spring by the actuating lever. The clamping leg can, for example, initially have a relatively large width starting from the spring arch of the clamping spring and then taper to a smaller width towards the free end. In the region of the clamping leg with a relatively large width, the impact area of ​​the actuating lever can transmit its actuation force to the clamping leg.

[0033] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the actuating lever has two side wall sections spaced apart from one another, which at least partially penetrate into the housing of the conductor connection terminal and are each connected to one of the support elements via a transverse web. In this way, a robust actuating lever can be provided that is nested with the housing of the conductor connection terminal, in particular with a particular housing wall. In this way, large clearance and creepage distances can be achieved in a small-construction conductor connection terminal. By arranging the support element in a concavely curved shape and / or in a recess, additional construction space for a robust design is provided at the transition of the actuating lever between the support element and the side wall section, i.e. the connection section can be formed with more material and therefore more robust. The actuating lever can have a U-shaped shape, for example, due to the side wall section, the transverse web connected to the side wall section and the support element connected to the transverse web. Due to the presence of two of these shapes (left and right of the clamping position), the actuating lever has a double U-shaped shape in the area of ​​these support elements.

[0034] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the support element forms a rotation axis (D) about which the actuating lever is supported in the housing so as to be pivotable, the support element having actuating sections, each of which is configured to abut against an associated clamp spring of the spring clamp connection when the actuating lever is pivoted from a closed position, i.e. in which the actuating lever is pivoted with its transverse web towards the housing and the clamping position formed by the spring clamp connection is closed for connecting the electric conductor, to an open position, i.e. in which the actuating lever is pivoted with its transverse web away from the housing and the clamping position formed by the spring clamp connection is opened for connecting the electric conductor. This allows a reliable actuation of the clamp spring by the actuating lever and at the same time a compact and small design of the spring clamp connection to the actuating lever. According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the actuating lever remains in an open position in the open position, i.e. does not automatically return to the closed position. For example, the actuating lever can be locked in the open position and / or be in an over-center position.

[0035] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the working sections of the support elements are arranged at a distance from one another that is smaller than the distance between the side wall sections, the working sections extending parallel to the side wall sections and being formed integrally therewith, in such a way that a guide slot is present between the working section and the directly adjacent side wall section associated with it, the guide web of the housing then entering into the associated slot in order to guide the actuating lever during the pivoting movement about the pivot axis of the pivoting support section.

[0036] By using an impact area separated from the side wall areas of the U-shaped lever arm by the guide slits between them, the lever arm can be pivotally and non-tiltably supported by guide webs of the housing which enter the respective guide slits. By means of the guide slits and the engaging guide webs, a very stable pivot support substantially laterally adjacent to the spring clamp connection can be realized in a space-saving manner.

[0037] The actuating lever is therefore configured approximately U-shaped in cross section and accommodates the spring clamp connection at least partially in an open space that is bounded laterally by side wall sections, and the pivot support area is therefore not located above, below, in front or at the rear of the spring clamp connection, but to the side of the spring clamp connection or of the clamp spring of the spring clamp connection to be actuated.

[0038] This results in a very compact conductor connection terminal in which the actuating lever, which has a pivotal support area arranged next to the spring clamp connection part in the housing, is supported in a positionally stable and robust manner so that it can be pivoted in the housing.

[0039] By combining the described measures, an extremely compact conductor connection terminal is realized in which the actuating forces acting on at least one pivot lever do not place excessive loads on the housing, and the pivot lever is stably supported for pivoting within the insulator housing.

[0040] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the guide webs of the housing each enter into an associated guide slit in order to guide the actuating lever during its pivoting movement about the axis of rotation (D) of the pivoting support area.

[0041] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the impact area has a partially circular periphery with a cutout forming a shoulder protruding towards the centre of the impact area, and that at least one spring-loaded clamp connection has a clamp spring with an actuating piece which rests against the shoulder when the actuating lever is pivoted to open the clamping position. The support of the shoulder, followed by an open space above, provides a stable support for the actuating piece of the clamp spring, so that the spring actuating force is optimally transmitted via the shoulder to the clamping piece of the clamp spring. The shoulder protruding towards the centre of the impact area provides an open space above it, so that the clamp spring can be lifted freely from the shoulder without the actuation of the lever, in order to apply the spring clamping force to the electrical conductor without the influence of the lever arm. It can therefore be provided that the electrical conductor can also be inserted directly, without the need to previously deflect the clamp leg via the actuating lever.

[0042] The above-mentioned configuration of the conductor connection terminal allows the transition from the support element to the side wall section via the transverse web to be enlarged and at the same time the clearance from the busbar to be increased, without the conductor connection terminal itself having to have a relatively large height. In addition, the contact area between the actuating lever and the busbar section can be formed like a pan curved in a concave arch. In comparison with the prior art, this contact area can be changed from a purely line contact to a stronger planar contact. This reduces the load and wear on the contact area. In addition, the actuating lever is better guided during the pivoting movement.

[0043] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the recess of the busbar section transitions stepwise on at least one side into the raised region of the adjacent busbar section and / or transitions steplessly on at least one side into the raised region of the adjacent busbar section. For example, one or both longitudinal sides of the recess running parallel to the conductor insertion direction may transition stepwise into the adjacent raised region and the side transverse to the conductor insertion direction may transition steplessly. A step-like transition may be, for example, a transition with a sharp cutting edge formed by a tool. A step-free transition may be a smooth transition, for example by means of a bevel or a rounded shape, i.e. a transition by continuous material that is deformed without cutting.

[0044] In the sense of the present invention, the indefinite concept "one" should not be understood as a numeral, i.e., when referring to, for example, one part, this should be interpreted as meaning "at least one part". When angle indications are made in degrees, these angle indications are relative to the scale of a circle of 360 degrees (360°).

[0045] In the following, the invention is explained in more detail on the basis of exemplary embodiments using the drawings. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0046] [Figure 1] FIG. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the conductor connection terminal based on FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a bus bar of a conductor connection terminal. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 shows a busbar according to FIG. 3 with additional components. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a side view of a busbar with additional components as shown in FIG. 4. [Figure 6] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a further embodiment of a bus bar. [Figure 7] FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a longitudinal section through the actuating lever according to FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a further embodiment of a bus bar. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the busbar according to FIG. 9 with an actuating lever. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a perspective view different from that of FIG. 10 of the busbar according to FIG. 9 with an actuating lever. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 shows the busbar according to FIG. 9 with the clamping spring and the actuating lever arranged thereon. [Figure 13] 13 is a side cross-sectional view of a conductor connection terminal formed with a contact insert according to FIG. 12. [Figure 14] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a further embodiment of a bus bar. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the busbar according to FIG. 14 with an actuating lever. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is a perspective view different from that of FIG. 15 of the busbar according to FIG. 14 with an actuating lever. [Figure 17] FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the busbar according to FIG. 14 with the clamping spring and the actuating lever arranged thereon. [Figure 18] FIG. 2 is a rear view of the conductor connection terminal based on FIG. [Figure 19] 2 is a further longitudinal section through the conductor connection terminal according to FIG. 1; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0047] FIG. 1 shows a conductor connection terminal 1, which here is made exemplarily with three poles. The conductor connection terminal 1 has a housing 2 in which three spring clamp connections are arranged next to one another. Associated with each spring clamp connection is a conductor insertion opening 20 in the housing 2, through which an electric conductor can be guided into the clamping position of the spring clamp connection. The conductor connection terminal 1 additionally has three actuating levers 5, each associated with one of the spring clamp connections. By means of the respective actuating lever, a clamping spring of the spring clamp connection can be actuated, so that the clamping position can be opened or closed as required.

[0048] 2, it can be seen that each spring clamp connection comprises a clamping spring 4 and a busbar section 37 associated with the clamping spring 4. The clamping spring 4 has a contact leg 41, a spring arch section 42 adjoining the contact leg 41 and a clamping leg 43 adjoining the spring arch section 42. The contact leg is attached to the holding frame 30 via a holding element 40 on the end side. In this way, the clamping spring 4 is fixed to the holding frame 30 by means of its contact leg 41.

[0049] In the illustrated arrangement, i.e. when the actuating lever 5 is closed and no electrical conductor is clamped, the clamping leg 43 rests against the contact area 31 of the associated busbar section 37. When the electrical conductor is clamped, it is clamped (in other words clamped) between the free end of the clamping leg 43 and the contact area 31. The retaining frame 30 is connected to the contact area 31 or, in the illustrated embodiment, is formed integrally with the contact area 31. In this way, a self-supporting spring clamp connection is formed, in which the clamping spring 4 is held on both sides by the busbar 3.

[0050] The actuating lever 5 has a manual actuation section 50 by means of which the actuating lever 5 can be manually actuated for pivoting and thus pivoted. The manual actuation section 50 advantageously projects at least partially from the housing 2 above the conductor insertion opening 20 and can therefore be relatively easily gripped. A side wall section 52 extends from the manual actuation section 50 into the housing 2. The side wall section 52 is connected to a support element 51, which supports the actuating lever 5 on the busbar 3, as will be explained in more detail below. The support element 51 has a collision section 53 which acts mechanically against the clamp leg 43 and deflects the latter when the actuating lever 5 is pivoted. When the actuating lever 5 is pivoted into the open position (clockwise by a certain angle relative to the illustrated arrangement), the collision section 53 comes into contact with the clamp leg 43 and lifts the latter off the busbar section 37. In this way the clamp position is opened. The electrical conductor can now be inserted forcelessly through the conductor insertion opening 20 in the conductor plug-in direction L into the clamping position between the clamping leg 43 and the busbar section 37. The actuating lever 5 can then be pivoted back again to the closed position (as shown in FIG. 2) so that the electrical conductor is securely clamped there.

[0051] The actuating lever 5 is supported on the busbar section 37 by its support element 51, more precisely by a support surface 54 directed towards (in other words facing) the busbar section 37. As can be seen in the cross-sectional view of Figure 2, the support surface 54 extends into the illustrated cross-section of the busbar section 37, due to a recessed support area in the busbar section 37, which will be explained further below.

[0052] 3 shows the busbar 3 of the aforementioned conductor connection terminal 1 as a part. It can be seen that the busbar 3 has a busbar section 37 for each of the three spring clamp connections. In this way, the contact area 31 is structured into three busbar sections 37. The contact area 31 merges on one side of the busbar 3 into a respective retaining frame 30 of the busbar section 37, on which the retaining frame 30 is attached the retaining element 40 of the clamp spring 4 as mentioned.

[0053] The busbar 3 has a flat region 32 in the contact area 31, into which a support region 36 and a clamping profile 34 are recessed, for example by stamping with a stamping tool. The clamping profile 34 serves to clamp an electric conductor in the respective busbar section 37. At the respective rear end of the clamping profile 34 in the conductor insertion direction L, a clamping edge 35 of the respective busbar section 37 is formed.

[0054] The support areas 36 serve for receiving and supporting the support element 51 of the actuation lever 5. The support areas 36 each have a concavely curved, for example arch-like, profile. Each individual support area 36 is interrupted by a conductor contact area 33, on which the electrical conductor to be connected is arranged. The conductor contact area 33 can, for example, have a flat profile equivalent to the flat area 32, i.e. be formed by a flat surface. In addition, one of the already mentioned clamping profiles 34 can be arranged on each conductor contact area 33.

[0055] Figure 4 shows the busbar 3 according to figure 3 with a clamping spring 4 attached to the right busbar section 37 and with an actuating lever 5 and a clamping spring 4 attached thereto in the leftmost busbar section 37. It can be seen how the actuating lever 5 is well inserted in the concavely curved support area 36 at the support surface 54 of the support element 51 and can slide along the support area 36 during a pivoting movement.

[0056] FIG. 5 shows in a side view this advantageous adaptation of the concavely curved shape of the support surface 54 and the convexly curved shape of the support area 36 which is adapted to the support surface 54 . 6 shows an embodiment of a busbar 3 in which the support area 36 has a convexly curved shape and extends continuously over the entire width of the busbar 3. Only in the rear area in the conductor insertion direction L is the concavely curved shape partially interrupted by a clamping profile 34 which is raised relative to the convexly curved shape. Here too, at the rear end of the clamping profile 34 in the conductor insertion direction L, a clamping edge 35 of the respective busbar section 37 is formed.

[0057] 7 shows a perspective view from below of the actuating lever 5. This makes it possible to see the essentially U-shaped cross section with two spaced apart side wall sections 52 which are connected to each other at their free ends at the lateral edges by transverse webs 59. It can be seen that the side wall sections 52 taper from the pivoting support area 62 towards the free end. It can also be seen that the transverse webs 59 have actuating ridges 60 at their free ends. It can also be seen that the actuating ridges 60 of the transverse webs 59 project forward beyond the free ends of the side wall sections 52 and that the inner surface of the transverse webs 59 runs obliquely at the edge of the free end. This prevents slippage when applying the lever actuating force by the actuating lever 5.

[0058] It can further be seen that in the pivoting support area 62, arc-shaped sections are arranged separated from the side wall area 52 by guide slits 57, which sections form the respective support elements 51. Between the support elements 51, receiving spaces 58 are formed for receiving electrical conductors to be clamped in the spring clamp connections. It can further be seen that the support elements 51 have an arc-shaped curved outer end surface which is a support surface 54, by means of which the actuating lever 5 is supported in the support area 36 and which is arranged in the housing so as to be pivotable about an imaginary axis of rotation D. The axis of rotation D runs through the centre of the arc generated by the support surface 54.

[0059] The support elements 51 each have a V-shaped cut-out 56. In the region of the V-shaped cut-outs 56, a collision area 53 is respectively formed, which serves to apply a spring application force to the clamping leg 43 of the associated clamping spring 4. It can be seen that both the collision area 53 and the transverse web 59, on which the lever pivoting force is applied, are on the same side of the axis of rotation D, as viewed in the longitudinal direction of the side wall section 52. This ensures that the spring application force applied via the application area 50 acts on the same side of the axis of rotation D as the lever pivoting force applied to the transverse web 59 for pivoting.

[0060] In addition to this, it can be seen that from the transverse web 59, on the side facing away from the actuating ridge 60, an engagement projection 61 projects approximately in the direction of the pivot support area 62 and the support element 51. The engagement projection 61 serves for the engagement of the actuating lever 5 with the housing 2 in the closed position.

[0061] Figure 8 shows a side cross-sectional view of the actuating lever 5 from Figure 7. Here, it can once again be seen that on the upper side of the actuating lever 5, the side wall sections 52 are connected by a transverse web 59 which connects them. The transverse web 59 extends only over a partial region of the length of the side wall section 52 and in this respect preferably occupies more than half the length of the side wall section 52.

[0062] Whereas in the above-described embodiment of the conductor connecting terminal the busbar sections 37 are formed each having a support region 36 with a concavely curved shape, the following exemplary embodiment based on Figures 9 to 17 describes an embodiment in which the support regions 36 are each formed as a depression in the busbar section 37 without having a concavely curved shape.

[0063] The exemplary embodiment according to Figs. 9 to 17 starts from the configuration of the conductor connection terminal 1 in which the conductor insertion openings are arranged not only on one side of the housing but on opposite (in other words mutually opposite) housing sides. The busbar 3 is accordingly also of double-sided design, i.e. has respective busbar sections 37 arranged on opposite sides. Each busbar section 37 has a clamping profile 34 for clamping an electric conductor, the clamping profile 34 having a clamping edge 35 at its rear end in the conductor insertion direction L. The busbar 3 has a flat area 32 between the opposite clamping profiles 34. A support area 36 for supporting the actuating lever 5 is present, which is formed as a recess in relation to the flat area 32, one support area 36 on each side of the clamping profile 34. The support area 36 extends in the conductor insertion direction L from the area in front of the clamping edge 35 to the area behind the clamping edge 35.

[0064] This busbar 3 is formed without the aforementioned retaining frame 30 for retaining the clamping spring. Instead, in the flat area 32, i.e. between the opposing clamping profiles 34, there is a retaining recess 38 in which the clamping spring 4 can be attached via an extended area of ​​the contact leg 41 in which the retaining element 40 is arranged.

[0065] Figure 10 reveals the arrangement of the actuating lever 5 with its support surface 54 on the support area 36. Figure 11 shows the support of the actuating lever 5 as in Figure 10, but in another viewing direction in which inter alia the receiving space 58 for receiving an electrical conductor can be seen. Figure 12 shows an arrangement with a busbar 3 according to Figure 9, two clamping springs 4 fixed thereto and an actuating lever 5 for actuating the respective clamping springs 4.

[0066] Figure 13 shows a conductor connection terminal 1 in which the mechanism according to figure 12 is integrated. In particular, the fixing of the clamping spring 4 by means of end-side retaining elements 40 present on the respective contact legs 41, which are mounted in retaining recesses 38 in the flat area 32 of the busbar 3, can be seen. The clamping spring 4 can be deflected by the application of a force to the respective actuating surface of the clamping leg 43, so that on pivoting of the respective actuating lever 5, the impact area 53 comes into contact with the actuating surface, thereby displacing the respective clamping leg 43 from the busbar 3.

[0067] Figures 14 to 17 show a further embodiment of a busbar 3 and further elements of a conductor connection terminal, which, unlike the embodiment of Figures 9 to 12, has several (here two) busbar sections 37 arranged next to each other on each side of the busbar 3. This busbar 3 is otherwise formed like the embodiment of Figures 9 to 12, in particular with a retaining recess 38 in the flat area 32 of the busbar 3. In addition to this, it can be seen that in the busbar sections 37 arranged on one side of the busbar 3, the central support area 36 is one common continuous recess, i.e. there is no individual recess formed for each busbar section 37, but one common recess. As can be seen for example on the basis of Figures 15 and 16, the actuating lever 5 has for this central area one wide side wall section 52 which extends at least approximately over the entire width of the recessed support area 36.

[0068] In particular in the exemplary embodiments according to Figs. 9 to 17, it is not necessary that a conductor insertion opening is arranged on each opposite housing side. The conductor insertion opening may be provided on only one side of the housing 2. For different clamping positions on one housing side, instead of only one actuating lever 5, two separate actuating levers 5 may be provided. In addition to this, it is also conceivable that there are more than two conductor insertion openings and corresponding clamping positions on one housing side. In the exemplary embodiments according to Figs. 1 to 8, a conductor insertion opening may also be present on each opposite housing side. The busbar 3 may then be of double-sided design.

[0069] A further independent aspect of the invention relates to a conductor connection terminal 1 of the type mentioned at the outset, in which at least one test piece 39 is arranged on the busbar 3. This embodiment is shown in FIGS. 3, 4, 5, 6 as well as 18 and 19. The test piece 39 serves for electrical contact and thus for carrying out electrical measurements on the busbar by means of a probe. It can be seen in FIG. 3 that the test piece 39 is arranged between the two holding frames 30 and is offset slightly backwards in the conductor insertion direction L relative to the holding frames, i.e. behind the holding frames 30 in the conductor insertion direction L. FIG. 5 also makes this clear. It can also be seen that the test piece 39 is molded integrally with the busbar 3 and initially extends behind the holding frames 30 in the extension of the flat area 32, where it transitions via a bend into a section that extends essentially perpendicular to the flat area 32.

[0070] Figure 18 shows the conductor connection terminal 1 with the housing 2 in a view towards the housing rear face 22. Figure 19 shows the conductor connection terminal 1 in a cross section equivalent to Figure 2, but through the test strip 39. The housing rear face 22 has a test opening which merges into the test path 21 which leads to the test strip 39. A probe can thus be guided through the test opening and the test path 21 to the test strip 39 and electrically contacted with the test strip 39. The longitudinal direction of the test path 21 runs essentially perpendicular to the direction in which the clamping positions are aligned. [Explanation of symbols]

[0071] 1 Conductor connection terminal 2. Housing 3 Busbar 4 Clamp spring 5 Operating lever 7 Actuation ridge 20 Conductor insertion port 21 Inspection Road 22 Rear of housing 30 Holding Frame 31 Contact area 32 Flat Area 33 Conductor Contact Area 34 Clamp shape part 35 Clamp edge 36 Support area 37 Busbar Area 38 Retaining recess 39 Test Strips 40 holding elements 41 Contact leg 42 Spring arch part 43 Clamp leg 50 Manual operation area 51 Supporting elements 52 Side wall area 53 Operating Area 54 Support surface 56 V-shaped notch 57 Guide slit 58 Containment Space 59 Cross Web 60 Actuation ridge 61 Engagement protrusion 62 Swivel support area D Rotational Axis L Conductor insertion direction

Claims

1. A conductor connection terminal comprising at least one spring clamp connection part for connecting an electric conductor by spring force, the spring clamp connection part comprising: a clamp spring (4) and a busbar section (37) associated with said clamp spring (4), with clamp locations formed between said clamp spring (4) and said busbar section (37) for connecting said electrical conductors; The conductor connection terminal further comprises a pivotable actuating lever (5) associated with the spring clamp connection part for actuating the clamp spring (4), the actuating lever (5) having at least one support element (51) including a support surface (54) directed towards the busbar section (37), via which the actuating lever (5) is supported on a support area (36) of the busbar section (37), the support area (36) of the busbar section (37) being formed as a recess in the busbar section (37), the recess forming a trough- or groove-shaped recess relative to an adjacent flat area (32) of the busbar section (37).

2. 2. A conductor connection terminal according to claim 1, characterized in that the depth of the recess in the busbar section (37) is formed relative to the clamping location formed in the busbar section (37).

3. 2. A conductor connection terminal according to claim 1, characterized in that the recesses in the busbar sections (37) have a depth which is at least 20% of the material thickness of the busbar sections.

4. The conductor connection terminal (1) is formed as a multi-pole conductor connection terminal in which a plurality of spring clamp connection portions are arranged adjacent to each other, 2. A conductor connection terminal according to claim 1, characterized in that each of the spring clamp connections has a clamp spring (4) and a busbar section (37) associated with the clamp spring (4), an actuating lever (5) is associated with each spring clamp connection, the busbar section (37) is part of a continuous busbar (3), and the support area (36) formed as a recess in the busbar section (37) extends continuously from a support element (51) of an actuating lever (5) at least to a support element (51) of an immediately adjacent actuating lever (5) or extends continuously over the busbar sections (37) of several or all of the spring clamp connections.

5. 2. A conductor connection terminal according to claim 1, characterized in that the support area (36) formed as a recess in the busbar section (37) is at least partially interrupted in at least one clamping position by a further contour or clamping profile (34).

6. 2. A conductor connection terminal according to claim 1, characterized in that in the support area (36) formed as a recess in the busbar section (37), the actuating lever (5) can be pivoted about an axis of rotation (D) which extends transversely to the conductor insertion direction (L) of the associated spring clamp connection.

7. A conductor connection terminal according to claim 1, characterized in that the busbar section (37) has a clamping edge (35) for connecting the electrical conductor.

8. 8. A conductor connection terminal according to claim 7, characterized in that the clamping edge (35) of the busbar section (37) is arranged adjacent to or behind the support area (36) formed as a recess in the busbar section (37) in the conductor insertion direction (L).

9. 8. A conductor connection terminal according to claim 7, characterized in that the clamping edge (35) of the busbar section (37) is formed as a border edge of a depression (34) embossed in the busbar section (37).

10. 10. A conductor connection terminal according to claim 9, characterized in that the length of the recess (34) embossed in the busbar section (37) is smaller than the length of the support area (36) formed as a recess in the busbar section (37) when viewed in the conductor insertion direction (L).

11. 2. A conductor connection terminal according to claim 1, characterized in that the actuating lever (5) has two support elements (51) arranged parallel to and spaced apart from one another, each of the support elements (51) having a support surface (54) directed towards the busbar section (37), via which the actuating lever (5) is supported on the support region (36) of the busbar section (37).

12. 12. A conductor connection terminal according to claim 11, characterized in that the support area (36) formed as a recess in the busbar section (37) extends continuously from a support element (51) of an actuating lever (5) at least to the nearest support element (51) of a directly adjacent actuating lever (5).

13. 12. A conductor connection terminal according to claim 11, characterized in that an accommodation space (58) for accommodating the electrical conductor to be connected to the spring clamp connection is formed between the support elements (51) of the actuating lever (5).

14. 12. A conductor connection terminal according to claim 11, characterized in that at least a part of the clamping spring (4) or the main part of the clamping leg (43) of the clamping spring (4) is arranged in the area between the support elements (51) of the actuating lever (5).

15. 12. The conductor connection terminal according to claim 11, characterized in that the actuating lever (5) has two side wall sections (52) spaced apart from one another, said side wall sections (52) at least partially extending into the housing (2) of the conductor connection terminal (1), each of said side wall sections (52) being connected to one of the support elements (51) via a transverse web.

16. The support element (51) defines a rotation axis (D), about which the actuating lever (5) is pivotably supported in the housing (2), The support element (51) has a working area (53), 16. The conductor connection terminal according to claim 15, characterized in that each of the actuating sections (53) abuts against an associated clamp spring (4) of a spring clamp connection when the actuating lever (5) is pivoted from a closed position, i.e. in which the actuating lever (5) with its lateral web (59) is pivoted towards the housing (2) and the clamping position formed by the spring clamp connection is closed for connecting an electric conductor, to an open position, i.e. in which the actuating lever (5) with its lateral web (59) is pivoted away from the housing (2) and the clamping position formed by the spring clamp connection is opened for connecting an electric conductor.

17. 17. A conductor connection terminal according to claim 16, characterized in that the working sections (53) of the support element (51) are arranged at a distance from each other that is smaller than the distance between the side wall sections (52), the working sections (53) extending parallel to and integrally formed with the side wall sections (52) such that at least one guiding slit is present between the working section and the directly adjacent side wall section (52) associated therewith.

18. 18. A conductor connection terminal as claimed in claim 17, characterized in that a guide web of the housing (2) penetrates into a guide slit (57) associated therewith in order to guide the actuating lever (5) during its pivoting movement about the axis of rotation (D) in a pivoting support area.

19. 17. A conductor connection terminal as claimed in claim 16, characterized in that the actuating section (53) has a partly circular periphery with a cut-out (56) forming a shoulder protruding towards the centre of the actuating section (53), and the at least one spring-loaded clamp connection has a clamp spring (4) including an actuating piece, the actuating piece of the clamp spring (4) bearing against the shoulder when the actuating lever (5) is pivoted to open the clamp position.

20. 2. A conductor connection terminal according to claim 1, characterized in that the support area (36) of the busbar section (37) has a concavely curved shape.

21. 21. A conductor connection terminal according to claim 20, characterized in that the concavely curved shape of the support area (36) is adapted in terms of its curved contour to the curved contour of the convexly curved shape of the support surface (54).

22. 2. A conductor connection terminal according to claim 1, characterized in that the recess of the busbar section (37) transitions on at least one side into a raised area of ​​the adjacent busbar section (37) in a stepped manner and / or transitions on at least one side into a raised area of ​​the adjacent busbar section (37) without a step.

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