Conductor connection terminal

Abstract

To provide a conductor connection terminal.SOLUTION: A conductor terminal is described, comprising an insulator housing, a spring terminal connection for connecting an electrical conductor in the insulator housing, and an actuating element, wherein the spring terminal connection has a busbar and a clamping spring, wherein the clamping spring comprises a clamping leg having a clamping edge for clamping the electrical conductor to a contact section of the busbar, a bearing leg which bears against the busbar and supports the clamping spring on the busbar, and a spring bend which connects the bearing leg to the clamping leg. Furthermore, the insulating housing has a conductor insertion channel, which is open toward the contact section of the bus bar, and an actuating channel, wherein an actuating element is movably mounted in the actuating channel and is designed to exert a force on the clamping leg in order to displace the clamping leg against the force of the clamping spring in the direction of the bearing leg into the hold-open position.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a conductor connection terminal comprising an insulator housing, a spring-loaded terminal connection portion for connecting an electric conductor in the insulator housing, and an actuating element, wherein the spring-loaded terminal connection portion has a busbar and a clamp spring, the clamp spring having clamp legs with clamping edges for clamping the electric conductor to a contact portion of the busbar, abutment legs that abut against the busbar and support the clamp spring on the busbar, and spring arches that connect the abutment legs to the clamp legs, the insulator housing having a conductor introduction channel that opens toward the contact portion of the busbar and an actuating channel, and the actuating element is movably supported in the actuating channel and configured to apply a force to the clamp legs to displace the clamp legs toward the abutment legs against the force of the clamp spring to an open, holding position. [Background technology]

[0002] Spring-loaded terminal connections are used to clamp electrical conductors at the clamping point formed between the clamping leg of the clamp spring and the busbar. To clamp the conductor, the clamp spring must be pushed away from the busbar by the conductor, against the force of the clamp spring during direct connection. This is possible with rigid conductors, but not with multi-wire or stranded conductors.

[0003] There is a need to provide a spring loaded terminal connection that is self-retaining in an open position for clamping an electrical conductor, where it is often desired that the conductor connection terminal be shipped from the factory with the spring loaded terminal connection in the open position.

[0004] German Utility Model No. 202011051466U1 discloses a clamping spring for a connection terminal having clamping legs, which transition into a first clamping device (i.e., a spring arch), to which a base leg is connected and which is connected after a second clamping device by a locking leg. The locking leg has a protrusion protruding from its plane, which protrusion forms a stop for the clamping edge of the opened clamping leg when the clamping leg is displaced towards the base leg against the spring force.

[0005] EP 2466689 B1 discloses a clamp contact for the electrical connection of a conductor having a clamp point, the clamp point including a contact area for abutting the electrical conductor and a spring leg, the free end of the spring leg holding the electrical conductor between the free end and the contact area when the clamp contact is closed. The clamp contact has a separate trigger lever, which is arranged in the path of movement of the electrical conductor and is in operative connection with the spring leg to hold the spring leg in an open position.

[0006] WO 2021 / 105280 A1 discloses a direct insertion terminal for connecting an electrical conductor to a busbar, a clamping spring acting as a compression spring, and a retaining spring for locking the clamping spring in an open position. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0007] [Patent Document 1] German Utility Model No. 202011051466U1 [Patent Document 2] European Patent No. 2466689B1 [Patent Document 3] International Publication No. 2021 / 105280A1 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0008] Based on the above, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved spring terminal connection and a conductor connection terminal equipped with such a spring terminal connection. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] This object is achieved by a conductor connection terminal having the features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments are set forth in the dependent claims. It is proposed that the actuating portion protrudes laterally from the clamp leg and that the actuating element is configured to extend through (in other words, past) the side edge of the clamp leg to the actuating portion and apply a force to the actuating portion.

[0010] By virtue of at least one actuating part protruding laterally from the clamp leg, the actuating element can be guided through the side edge of the clamp leg to the actuating part in a space-saving manner, so that no installation space is required between the clamp leg and the electrical conductor to be inserted and clamped to accommodate parts of the actuating element.

[0011] The spring-loaded terminal connection can be configured to self-retain in the open retention position. For example, the spring-loaded terminal connection can be shipped with its clamping point open and unlocked by inserting an electrical conductor, with the clamping legs clamping the inserted electrical conductor to the contact portion of the busbar. For this purpose, for example, a retaining leg can be connected to the abutment leg, the retaining leg having a locking profile configured to lock the clamping leg, which is deflected toward the abutment leg against the spring force of the clamp spring, in the open retention position. However, other embodiments for configuring the locking profile are also conceivable, and the locking profile can be configured, for example, as a separate open retention element.

[0012] The locking of the clamp legs can be achieved compactly and without additional components by means of the structure according to the invention, using retaining legs that protrude from the abutment legs and have locking contours that interact with the clamp legs.

[0013] The actuating element may comprise an actuating head and two actuating webs projecting from the actuating head at a distance from each other. An actuating portion may project from the clamp leg on either side at opposite side edges of the clamp leg, with the actuating webs each passing through the side edges of the clamp leg and extending to the associated actuating portion. This allows for compact and symmetric actuation of the clamp leg by the actuating element.

[0014] The actuation element can for this purpose be configured as an actuation push button slidably mounted linearly in the actuation direction in the actuation channel, but variants are also conceivable with an actuation element that is pivotally or floatingly mounted with a pivoting sliding movement, which actuation element is guided by at least one actuation web past the side edge of the clamp leg and is configured to apply a force to a corresponding actuation part.

[0015] The actuating element may have a stop contour. The insulator housing and / or the clamping spring may have a mating stop contour, which together form a stop that fixes the actuating element in the actuation channel. This allows the actuating element to be held in an end position on the insulator housing and / or the clamping spring by a mating connection, preventing the actuating element from slipping out of the insulator housing, for example, especially in an unactuated state.

[0016] To indicate the open-retention state of the clamp spring, in which the clamp legs are locked in the open-retention position with the retention legs, the actuation element can optionally be pressed at at least one actuation portion against a wall of the actuation channel of the insulator housing, thereby frictionally holding it in the depressed, open-retention position, such that the locked, open-retention position is apparent to a user based on the position of the actuation element.

[0017] The holding legs may have spring elasticity in the region of the locking contour, which may be achieved by the locking contour springing back into a locking position after unlocking of the clamping legs, in which position the clamping legs displaced relative to the abutment legs in the open holding position can be locked in the locking contour.

[0018] The locking contour of the retention leg may be formed by a retention tab projecting from the retention leg or by an edge on the retention leg. The retaining leg may be bent away from the clamping leg adjacent to the locking profile. The retaining leg may narrow from the bend towards the abutment leg, and the edge at the transition from the lateral edge of the retaining leg to the widened portion of the bend protruding laterally therefrom forms the locking profile. The bend may provide reinforcement for the retaining leg in the region of the locking profile. At least one edge obtained by the narrowing at the transition of the bend forms a stable locking profile without additional complex reshaping during production. This is easily manufacturable as it is hardly affected by tolerances. The arrangement of the locking profile in the region of the bend is very stable and insensitive to external influences such as vibrations.

[0019] On both opposite side edges of the narrow part of the holding leg, the widened part of the bent part can project laterally from the holding leg and form a locking contour at each of its end edges, thereby achieving symmetrical locking of the clamping leg to the holding leg. The end edges or widened parts can be arranged at the transition from the holding leg to the connecting part (described in more detail below), which connects the holding leg with the trigger part of the trigger leg.

[0020] A locking tab may protrude from the clamp leg towards the holding leg and may be configured to lock into a locking contour in the open holding position of the clamp leg. Here, the locking tab may be cut out in a lateral edge region of the clamp leg and bent at its free end out of the plane of the clamp leg towards the holding leg. Here, the free end region of the clamp leg may extend correspondingly narrower or may transition again into a wider end portion. A clamping edge for clamping the electrical conductor is preferably formed by a front edge of the free end of the clamp leg.

[0021] A trigger leg may be connected to the retaining leg, particularly on the side opposite the abutment leg, and the trigger leg extends at its trigger portion along the axis of the conductor introduction channel and is configured to be deflected by an electrical conductor inserted into the conductor introduction channel for clamping to the busbar, thereby unlocking the locking profile and unlocking the clamping leg locked in the open holding position. The trigger leg displaces the retaining leg connected to it, moving the locking profile away from the clamping leg and releasing the clamping leg. The thus unlocked clamping leg can then move under the force of the clamp spring towards the contact portion of the busbar to clamp the inserted electrical conductor, the electrical conductor displacing the retaining leg against the trigger portion.

[0022] The trigger leg can form the extended free end of the clamping spring, allowing it to move unhindered by the triggering force of the electrical conductor, although as an alternative, the free end of the trigger leg can also be supported, for example, in an insulating housing.

[0023] The insulator housing may have a guide ramp for guiding the electrical conductor to the trigger portion, the guide ramp being disposed between the axis of the conductor introduction channel and the connection portion of the trigger leg extending from the holding leg to the trigger portion. This has the advantage of preventing the electrical conductor from hitting the connection portion and unintentionally prematurely unlocking the clamp leg. The guide ramp disposed in the conductor collecting pocket of the insulator housing prevents the electrical conductor inserted in the conductor collecting pocket from moving toward the connection portion. Instead, the electrical conductor is guided to the trigger portion and inserted sufficiently far, and is then clamped when the electrical conductor acts on the trigger portion to unlock the clamp leg.

[0024] The busbar may have a conductor insertion opening, and the clamp spring may project into the conductor insertion opening with its abutment leg and clamp leg. This allows for a narrow, compact design of the conductor connection terminal. The conductor insertion opening may be configured with an end wall on which the abutment leg rests, a contact tab located opposite the end wall and projecting from the plane of the conductor insertion opening toward the conductor collection pocket or the trigger portion disposed therein to form a contact portion, and a side wall connecting the end wall to the contact tab. It is conceivable that there are two spaced-apart side walls extending parallel to each other between the end wall and the contact tab. At least one of the side walls may be configured as a side web. However, it is also conceivable that at least one of the side walls is configured as a side wall projecting from the plane of the conductor insertion opening. This allows for high stability and current-carrying capacity of the busbar. However, it is also conceivable that the conductor insertion opening optionally has a circumferential collar on the underside of the busbar opposite to the upper side of the busbar facing the spring arch of the clamping spring, the walls of the collar forming the contact area preferably extending at an angle to provide a defined contact surface for clamping the electrical conductor.

[0025] The retaining legs may be bent away from the clamping legs below the busbar on the opposite underside of the busbar to the upper side facing the spring arch of the clamping spring. The clamp spring may be supported at its abutment leg on an end wall that defines the conductor insertion opening.

[0026] The abutment legs have a narrowed width at the portion that projects into the conductor insertion opening and can be supported on the busbar by a support portion that forms a transition from the narrow portion to a wider portion extending toward the spring arch and projects laterally from the narrow portion. This allows the clamping spring to be stably supported on the busbar by a self-supporting system, and the clamping force acting on the clamped electrical conductor and the reaction force acting on the abutment legs are absorbed via the busbar. The support by the edge of the support portion at the transition from the wider area of ​​the abutment legs to the narrower area that projects into the conductor insertion opening is used to support the clamping spring on the busbar and secure the clamping spring to the busbar in a mating connection in the conductor insertion direction.

[0027] At least one actuating portion can be oriented with its free end toward the abutment leg. If there are multiple actuating portions, each can be oriented with its free end toward the abutment leg. This allows for a compact and small-sized construction of the actuating mechanism of the clamp spring.

[0028] In the present invention, the term "one" should not be understood as a number. That is, when referring to, for example, one component, this should be interpreted as meaning "at least one component." When angles are presented in units of "degrees," they are based on a circumference of 360 degrees (360°).

[0029] Thus, the conductor connection terminal may have multiple spring-loaded terminal connections with respective actuating elements within the insulator housing. Each spring-loaded terminal connection may have its own busbar. However, it is also conceivable that two or more clamping springs interact with a common busbar, forming multiple spring-loaded terminal connections each consisting of one clamping spring and one busbar portion of the common busbar.

[0030] The invention will now be explained in more detail on the basis of exemplary embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0031] [Figure 1] FIG. [Figure 2] 2 is a side view of the conductor connection terminal of FIG. 1 in an unlocked clamped position. [Figure 3] 2 is a side view of the conductor connection terminal of FIG. 1 in a locked open retention position. [Figure 4] 3 is a side cross-sectional view of the conductor connection terminal of FIG. 2 in an unlocked clamped position. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a side view of the spring-loaded terminal connection and actuation element in the unlocked clamp position. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a side view of the clamp spring and actuation element in the unlocked clamp position. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a rear view of the clamp spring and actuation element in the unlocked clamp position. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a front perspective view of the clamp spring and actuation element in a locked open holding position. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a rear perspective view of the clamp spring and actuation element in a locked open holding position. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a front perspective view of a spring-loaded terminal connection and actuation element in a locked, open, retention position. [Figure 11] 2 is a side view of the spring terminal connection and actuation element in a locked, open retention position, showing section line AA. FIG. [Figure 12] FIG. 2 is a front view of the clamp spring and actuation element at section AA in the unlocked clamp position. [Figure 13] FIG. 2 is a front view of the spring-loaded terminal connection and actuation element at section AA in the locked open retention position. [Figure 14] FIG. [Figure 15] FIG. 10 is a top view of the actuation element and spring-loaded terminal connection. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0032] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a conductor connection terminal 1. As shown in FIG. The conductor connection terminal 1 has an insulator housing 2 in which a spring-loaded terminal connection 3 is assembled. As an alternative to the illustrated exemplary embodiment, it is equally conceivable that a plurality of spring-loaded terminal connections 3 are assembled side by side in various alignment directions within the insulator housing 2.

[0033] The spring-loaded terminal connection 3 includes a clamp spring 4 and a busbar 5. The clamp spring 4 is configured to clamp an electrical conductor to a contact portion of the busbar 5. As shown, the clamp spring 4 may be configured as a U-shaped curved leg spring. The clamp spring 4 includes a clamp leg 6, an abutment leg 7 that abuts against the busbar 5 and supports the clamp spring 4 on the busbar 5, and a spring arch 8 that connects the abutment leg 7 to the clamp leg 6.

[0034] The insulator housing 2 has a conductor introduction channel 9 that communicates with a conductor insertion opening 10 of the busbar 5 of the spring-loaded terminal connection 3. An actuation channel 11 is provided in the insulator housing 2 next to the conductor introduction channel 9. An actuation element 12 is movably supported in the actuation channel 11. By way of example, an actuation push button slidably supported in the actuation channel 11 is shown as the actuation element 12. However, a pivotable actuation lever or an actuation element that is supported in a floating manner with a pivotal sliding movement is also conceivable.

[0035] A conductor collecting (in other words, storing) pocket 13 is located adjacent to the underside of the busbar 5 located directly opposite the conductor introducing channel 9. The conductor introducing channel 9 and the conductor insertion opening 10 of the busbar 5 communicate with the conductor collecting pocket 13, and the axis of the conductor introducing channel 9 is directed into the conductor collecting pocket 13. This allows the electrical conductor inserted into the conductor introducing channel 9 to reach the conductor collecting pocket 13. The insulator housing 2 has a guide ramp 14 that protrudes from the side wall into the conductor collecting pocket 13 to guide the electrical conductor to a trigger portion 15 of a trigger leg connected to the abutment leg 7.

[0036] The operating channel 11 has a trough-shaped contour on the side wall opposite the conductor introduction channel 9, whereby an inspection opening 16 is left between the operating element 12 and the boundary wall of the trough-shaped contour, and the inspection opening 16 opens towards the spring arch 8.

[0037] It can be seen that an actuating part 17 in the form of a material tab projects laterally from the clamp leg 6. The actuating element 12 has an actuating web 18 which runs partly laterally through the clamp leg 6 and the spring arch, and which acts on the actuating part 17 with a curved end face, for example with an arcuate profile.

[0038] The actuating element 12 may further optionally have a stop contour 19 on its outer wall, for example on the outer wall of the actuating web 18 as shown. The insulator housing 2 is provided with a counter stop contour 20, for example in the form of an upper end wall of the lateral free space that transitions into the actuating channel 11. The stop contour 19 and the counter stop contour 20 are configured and aligned with each other to form a stop that prevents the actuating element 12 in the actuating channel 11 from slipping out.

[0039] FIG. 2 shows a side view of the conductor connection terminal 1 of FIG. 1 in the unlocked clamped position. It can be seen here that the clamping legs 6 extending from the spring arches 8 project obliquely into the conductor insertion opening 10 towards the axis of the conductor introduction channel 9. Next to the abutment legs 7 there are support pins 21 on which the spring arches 8 are supported, the support pins 21 being located between the clamping legs 6 and the abutment legs 7.

[0040] It is also clear that the clamp spring 4 has a trigger leg 22 with a trigger portion 15 oriented horizontally, substantially parallel to the upper plane of the busbar 5, i.e. the plane in which the conductor insertion opening 10 extends, the trigger portion 15 being located on the axis F of the conductor introduction channel 9, shown in dashed lines. From the trigger portion 15, a connection portion 23 is bent towards the busbar 5, so that the guide ramp 14 is positioned between the axis F and the connection portion 23. This keeps the electrical conductor inserted into the conductor introduction channel 9 away from the connection portion 23, thus preventing undesired premature unlocking of the clamp spring 4.

[0041] FIG. 3 shows a side view of the conductor connection terminal 1 of FIG. 1 in a locked open holding position. It can now be seen that the actuating element 12 is slid further into the actuating channel 11 towards the busbar 5, with the curved free end face of the actuating web 18 of the actuating element 12 pressing against the laterally protruding actuating portion 17, displacing the clamping leg 6 towards the abutment leg 7. This moves the clamping leg 6 out of alignment with the axis F of the conductor introduction channel 9 and frees the clamping point for clamping the electrical conductor.

[0042] It can also be seen here that in the view of Figure 3 the abutment point of the curved end face of the actuating web 18 on the actuating part 17 of the clamping leg 6 is displaced from its position at the free end of the actuating part 17 (see Figure 2) towards the free end of the clamping leg 6 or towards the connection position of the actuating part 17 to the clamping leg 6.

[0043] FIG. 4 shows a cross-sectional side view of the conductor connection terminal 1 of FIG. 2 in the unlocked clamped position. A contact portion 24 projects from the conductor insertion opening 10 of the busbar 5 at one end face of the conductor insertion opening 10 in the direction of the conductor collecting pocket 13. The abutment leg 7 abuts against an end wall 25 at its end face opposite the contact portion 24 and is supported on the upper side of the busbar 5 by a widened portion adjacent to the end wall 25. A retaining leg 26 connects to the abutment leg 7 and extends towards the contact portion 24 on the underside of the busbar 5 opposite the spring arch 8. From the retaining leg 26, the trigger leg 22 and its connection portion 23 are bent at a bend 27 away from the busbar 5 or the clamping leg 7. In the region of the bend 27, the retaining leg 26 is provided with a locking contour 28 (not shown in detail in this figure) which is configured to lock with a locking tab 29 of the clamping leg 6 which projects out of the plane of the clamping leg 6, for example at the bend, in the open holding position.

[0044] It can be seen that the clamping legs 6 have at their free ends clamping edges 30 which, in the clamped position, abut against the contact portions 24 when no electrical conductor is present. The clamping edges 30 together with the contact portions 24 form a clamping point for clamping an electrical conductor.

[0045] FIG. 5 shows a side view of the spring terminal connection 3 and the actuating element 12 in the unlocked clamped position. It can be seen here that an actuating portion 17 projects from the side edge of the clamp leg 6, and that the actuating portion 17 can be partially bent out of the plane of the clamp leg 6, with its free end pointing towards the abutment leg 7. An actuating web 18 of the actuating element 12 passes over the side edge of the clamp leg 6 and is guided laterally up to the actuating portion 17, applying an actuating force to the actuating portion 17 with its free end face. The free end face may be curved, as shown, or may have, for example, a part-circular cross-sectional profile for sliding on the actuating portion 17.

[0046] The actuating portion 17 may be oriented at an obtuse angle in the final clamping position shown, when no electrical conductor is clamped. The obtuse angle may be oriented, for example, within the range of approximately 100-140°, preferably 120°±10°, relative to the sliding axis V of the actuating element 12, as shown. This allows the actuating web 18 to realize an inclined surface that allows sliding relative to the curved end face of the actuating web 18. When the inclined surface is displaced to a smaller angle, preferably an acute angle, during actuation, a force is induced on this inclined surface in a force direction that results in efficient opening of the clamping leg 6 towards the abutment leg 7.

[0047] It is also clear that the actuating element 12 has an enlarged actuating head 31 from which actuating webs 18 project towards the busbar 5. Advantageously, actuating webs 18 project on both sides of the clamping spring 4 and act on one actuating part 17 each. In this advantageous embodiment, on both sides of the clamping leg 6 there are actuating parts 17 which project in opposite directions from opposite side edges of the clamping leg 6.

[0048] The busbar 5 may be configured such that the cover plate 32 is provided with a conductor insertion opening 10 and a side wall 33 protrudes on at least one side in a direction opposite to the spring arch 8. This allows the busbar 5 to be designed with a high bending stiffness and a large conductive cross-sectional area, thereby increasing the current carrying capacity and reducing the conductive resistance.

[0049] FIG. 6 shows a side view of the clamping spring 4 and the actuating element 12 in the unlocked clamping position. It can now be seen that in the region between the actuation portion 17 and the free end of the clamp leg 6 at which the clamping edge 30 is present, the locking tab 29 projects towards the trigger portion 15. For this purpose, the clamp leg 6 can be bent, for example at a bend, away from the plane of the clamp leg 6 in which the locking tab 29 extends and away from the abutment leg 7.

[0050] Adjacent to the bend at the transition to the retaining leg 26, the abutment leg 7 may have a laterally protruding support portion 34, so that in the region of the support portion 34 the abutment leg 7 can be wider than the adjacent part of the clamp spring 4 that penetrates into the conductor insertion opening 10, in particular in the region with the bend to the retaining leg 26. This allows the abutment leg 7 to be supported by edge webs that laterally define the conductor insertion opening 10.

[0051] FIG. 7 shows a rear view of the clamping spring 4 and the actuating element 12 in the unlocked clamping position. It is clear that the actuating element 12 has an actuating head 31 from which two actuating webs 18 project parallel to one another at a distance from one another. The actuating webs 18 preferably project from the actuating head 31 in the region of its lateral edges. The actuating webs 18 are arranged alongside the clamp spring 4 so as to receive the clamp spring 4 therebetween. Here, the actuating webs 18 are positioned alongside the lateral edges of a portion of the clamp leg 6 and, if appropriate, also of a portion of the spring arch 8. The clamp leg 6 is not covered by the actuating element 12. Actuating portions 17 project from both sides of the clamp leg 6, and the actuating portions 17 are acted upon by the curved free end faces of the actuating webs 18.

[0052] Each actuating web 18 can be wider or thicker outward in the region between its free end and the stop contour 19, i.e. laterally away from the clamp leg 6, than in the portion extending from the stop contour 19 to the actuating head 31. This results in a shoulder projecting from the adjacent plane, which shoulder forms the stop contour 19 that secures the actuating element 12 to the insulator housing 2.

[0053] It is also clear that the abutment leg 7 is wider, at least before the transition to the retaining leg 26, and forms a support section 34 for supporting the clamping spring 4 on the busbar 5. The transition to the retaining leg 26 takes place at a narrower, spring-resilient bend 35.

[0054] On the free end face of the working head 31 there may be a tool-holding contour 36. This may be provided as a recess or trough, as shown. For example, slot-shaped or cross-slot-shaped recesses are conceivable.

[0055] FIG. 8 shows a front perspective view of the clamp spring 4 and actuation element 12 in the locked open holding position. Locking tabs 29 extending from both sides of the clamping leg 6 towards the holding leg 26 penetrate into the lateral free space of the holding leg 26, so that in the locked, open, holding position the holding leg 26 is located between the pair of locking tabs 29. The holding leg 26 widens in the region of the bend 27, and due to this widening there is an edge 37 at each transition on both sides, which edge 37 forms the locking contour 28. The locking tabs 29 abut with their free end regions against the respective edge 37 (=locking contour 28). The clamping leg 6 presses against the edge 37 by the force of the clamping spring 4, so that the clamping leg 6 is locked to the holding leg 26 in the open, holding position.

[0056] FIG. 9 shows a rear perspective view of the clamp spring 4 and actuation element 12 in the locked open holding position. It can be seen that the actuating web 18 is guided laterally along the part of the spring arch 8 at the transition to the clamping leg 6 or laterally past the clamping leg 6 up to the actuating portion 17 which projects laterally from the clamping leg 6 and extends therefrom. Due to the curved end faces of the actuating web 18 and the actuating portion 17 which extends obliquely for this purpose, the actuating force of the actuating element 12 acting in the sliding direction V acts on the clamping leg 6 as an opening force acting obliquely relative to the clamping leg 6 with a force component in the direction of the abutment leg 7, which displaces the clamping leg 6 in the direction of the abutment leg 7 into the open holding position shown.

[0057] It can also be seen that the clamp legs 6 are provided with spaced apart locking tabs 29 from the region of the actuating portion 17, which preferably extend further therefrom in a linear direction towards the free ends. In the locked, open, holding position, the retaining legs 26 extend between the pair of locking tabs 29. The retaining legs 26 widen in the region of the bends 27, whereby edge portions 37 are formed which act as locking edges or locking contours 28 for the locking tabs 29.

[0058] The retaining leg 26 is bent from the abutment leg 7 at a bend 35. In the region of the locking contour 28 there is a further bend 27, where the trigger leg 22 connects to the retaining leg at a vertical section 23. The vertical section 23 merges at the bend into the horizontal trigger section 15. The retaining leg 26 and the trigger section 15 are likewise configured substantially horizontally and approximately parallel to one another, although planar parallelism is not essential here.

[0059] In this respect, the connecting portion 23 extends substantially parallel to the sliding direction and is in this sense oriented vertically, whereas the retaining legs 26 and the trigger portion 15 are oriented approximately horizontally, i.e., at an angle of about 90° with a tolerance of, for example, ±10°.

[0060] FIG. 10 shows a front perspective view of the spring terminal connection 3 and actuation element 12 in the locked, open, hold position. The busbar 5 has a cover plate 32 in which the conductor insertion openings 10 are provided, leaving an edge web 38. On one side, a side wall 33 is bent away from the cover plate 32, the upper edge of the side wall 33 forming the edge web 38.

[0061] The clamp spring 4 enters the conductor insertion opening 10 with its abutment leg 7 and clamp leg 6. The abutment leg 7 is supported on the cover plate 32 of the busbar 5 with its laterally protruding support portion 34 (material tab).

[0062] FIG. 11 shows a side view of the spring terminal connection 3 in the locked, open, holding position, showing the actuating element 12 and section line AA. Here it can be seen that the actuating part 17 protruding laterally from the clamp leg 6 is at an acute angle to the sliding direction V of the actuating element 12. This angle is preferably in the range of approximately 10° to 70° in the open holding position. This angle may be, for example, approximately 40°±20° as shown.

[0063] FIG. 12 shows a front view of the clamp spring 4, actuating element 12 and busbar 5 in the locked open holding position in cross section AA. It can be seen that the abutment leg 7 is supported by its laterally projecting support portion 34 on the cover plate 32 of the busbar 5. It is also clear that the abutment leg 7, at the portion where it connects to the support portion 34, enters the conductor insertion opening 10 of the busbar 5, where it rests against the end wall 25, which defines the short side of the conductor insertion opening 10.

[0064] The clamp spring 4 is surrounded on both sides by actuating webs 18 , the clamp legs 6 being free and not covered by the actuating elements 12 . FIG. 13 shows a front view of the spring terminal connection 3 and the actuating element 12 in the locked, open holding position in cross section AA.

[0065] The actuating webs 18 are linearly slidably supported in guide grooves in the insulator housing 2 in the sliding direction V and are supported on each corresponding actuating part 17 in the open holding position. Also visible are locking tabs 29 projecting on either side from the clamp legs, which extend towards the retention legs 26 and receive the retention legs 26 therebetween in the open retention position.

[0066] 14 shows a top view of the conductor connection terminal 1. It can be seen that the inspection opening 16, the working channel 11, and the conductor introduction channel 9 are arranged side by side on the top side of the insulator housing 2. The working channel 11 may be separated from the conductor introduction channel 9 by a partition wall.

[0067] The actuation element 12 is arranged in the actuation channel 11 and defines an inspection opening 16 in its side wall, the inspection opening 16 being formed as a partially circular contour in the form of a concave wall surface in a side wall portion of the actuation channel 11. This side wall portion is spaced apart from the conductor introduction channel 9 and faces the conductor introduction channel 9.

[0068] 15 shows a top view of the spring terminal connection 3 and the actuating element 12. It can be seen that the actuating element 12 partially covers the spring arch 8 and is therefore arranged with its widened actuating head 31 above part of the spring arch 8, as viewed in the sliding direction V, at the transition of the clamp leg 6 to the spring arch 8.

[0069] The actuating element 12 may be provided with metal inserts for reinforcement, particularly in the region of the actuating web 18. With its free end in its free state, the actuating part 17 on the clamping leg 6 faces "backwards", so to speak, towards the abutment leg 7. [Explanation of symbols]

[0070] 1 Conductor connection terminal 2 Insulator housing 3 Spring terminal connection 4 clamp spring 5 Busbar 6 Clamp legs 7 Contact leg 8 Spring Arch 9 Conductor introduction channel 10 Conductor insertion opening 11 working channels 12 Actuating Elements 13 Conductor collection pocket 14 Guide inclined section 15 Trigger part 16 Inspection opening 17 Working Parts 18 Actuating Web 19 Stopper contour 20 Counterpart stopper contour 21 Support pin 22 Trigger leg 23 Connection part 24 Contact area 25 End Wall 26 Retaining legs 27 Bending section 28 Locking Contour 29 Locking tab 30 clamp edge 31 Working head 32 Cover plate 33 Side wall 34 Support part 35 Bending section 36 Tool-holding contours 37 Edge 38 Edge web V Sliding direction

Claims

1. A conductor connection terminal (1) comprising an insulator housing (2), a spring-loaded terminal connection portion (3) for connecting an electric conductor in the insulator housing (2), and an actuation element (12), The spring-type terminal connection (3) has a bus bar (5) and a clamp spring (4), the clamp spring (4) comprises clamp legs (6) having clamping edges (30) for clamping an electrical conductor to a contact portion (24) of the busbar (5), abutment legs (7) that abut against the busbar (5) and support the clamp spring (4) on the busbar (5), and a spring arch (8) that connects the abutment legs (7) to the clamp legs (6); The insulator housing (2) has a conductor introduction channel (9) that opens toward the contact portion (24) of the bus bar (5) and an operating channel (11), the actuating element (12) is movably supported in the actuating channel (11) and is configured to exert a force on the clamp leg (6) to displace the clamp leg (6) towards the abutment leg (7) against the force of the clamp spring (4) into an open holding position, An actuating portion (17) projects laterally from the clamp leg (6), and the actuating element (12) extends past the side edge of the clamp leg (6) to the actuating portion (17) and is configured to apply a force to the actuating portion (17). A conductor connection terminal (1) characterized by:

2. The actuating element (12) comprises an actuating head (31) and two actuating webs (18) projecting from the actuating head (31) at a distance from each other, On both sides of the clamping legs (6) at opposite side edges thereof, actuating portions (17) protrude from the clamping legs (6), The actuating webs (18) extend past the side edges of the clamp legs (6) to the corresponding actuating portions (17). A conductor connection terminal (1) according to claim 1.

3. the actuating element (12) has a stop contour (19), the insulator housing (2) and / or the clamping spring (4) have a counter stop contour (20), The stop contour (19) and the counter stop contour (20) form a stop for fixing the actuating element (12) in the actuating channel (11). A conductor connection terminal (1) according to claim 1 or 2.

4. 4. The conductor connection terminal (1) according to claim 1, wherein a retaining leg (26) is connected to the abutment leg (7), and the retaining leg (26) has a locking contour (28) configured to lock the clamp leg (6) in an open holding position when the clamp leg (6) is bent towards the abutment leg (7) against the spring force of the clamp spring (4).

5. 5. A conductor connection terminal (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that the retaining legs (26) are spring-elastic in the region of the locking contours (28).

6. 6. A conductor connection terminal (1) according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the locking contour (28) is formed by a retaining tab protruding from the retaining leg (26) or by an edge (37) on the retaining leg (26).

7. the retaining leg (26) adjacent to the locking contour (28) is bent away from the clamping leg (6), the retaining leg (26) narrowing from the bent part (27) towards the abutment leg (7), The locking contour (28) is formed by an edge (37) at the transition from the side edge of the holding leg (26) to the widened portion of the bent portion (27) projecting laterally therefrom. A conductor connection terminal (1) according to claim 6.

8. 8. The conductor connection terminal (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that on both sides at opposite side edges of the narrow part of the retaining leg (26), the widened part of the bent part (27) projects laterally at the retaining leg (26) and forms a locking contour (28) at each of its end edges (37).

9. 9. A conductor connection terminal (1) according to any one of claims 4 to 8, characterized in that a locking tab (29) projects from the clamping leg (6) towards the holding leg (26) and is configured to lock into the locking contour (28) in the open holding position of the clamping leg (6).

10. 10. The conductor connection terminal (1) according to claim 4, wherein a trigger leg (22) is connected to the holding leg (26) on the side opposite the abutment leg (7), the trigger leg (22) extending at a trigger portion (15) on the axis of the conductor introduction channel (9) and configured to be deflected by an electrical conductor inserted into the conductor introduction channel (9) for clamping to the busbar (5) to unlock the locking contour (28) and thereby unlock the clamping leg (6) locked in the open holding position.

11. Conductor connection terminal (1) according to claim 10, characterized in that the trigger leg (22) forms the extended free end of the clamping spring (4).

12. The insulator housing (2) has a guide ramp (14) for guiding an electrical conductor to the trigger portion (15), The guide ramp (14) is disposed between the axis of the conductor introduction channel (9) and a connecting portion (23) of the trigger leg (22) extending from the holding leg (26) to the trigger portion (15). A conductor connection terminal (1) according to claim 10 or 11.

13. 13. The conductor connection terminal (1) according to claim 1, wherein the busbar (5) has a conductor insertion opening (10), and the clamp spring (4) projects into the conductor insertion opening (10) with its abutment leg (7) and clamp leg (6).

14. 14. A conductor connection terminal (1) according to claim 13, characterized in that the clamping spring (4) is supported with its abutment leg (7) against an end wall (25) that defines the conductor insertion opening (10).

15. 15. The conductor connection terminal (1) according to claim 13 or 14, characterized in that the abutment leg (7) has a narrowed width at a portion thereof projecting into the conductor insertion opening (10) and is supported on the busbar (5) at a support portion (34), the support portion (34) forming a transition from the narrow portion to a wide portion extending towards the spring arch (8) and projecting laterally from the narrow portion.

16. The holding leg (26) is connected to the abutment leg (7), The retaining legs (26) are bent away from the clamp legs (6) below the busbar (5) on the side opposite to the upper side of the busbar (5) facing the spring arch (8) of the clamp spring (4). A conductor connection terminal (1) according to any one of claims 13 to 15.

17. Conductor connection terminal (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said at least one actuating portion (17) points with its free end towards said abutment leg (7).

Images