A connection terminal block and connection device consisting of multiple row-type terminals equipped with multiple connection devices.

Abstract

The present invention relates to a connecting device used in a connecting terminal block. [Solution] The present invention relates to a connector block designed as a direct-insert type compression spring terminal for connecting the ends of each conductor, wherein a clamp spring is formed as a compression spring in a busbar that connects the ends of the conductors and each has at least the following, and each busbar has at least one contact zone for contacting each electrical conductor end, and each connector is provided with one operating device that is rotatable within a predetermined axis of rotation in a housing, the operating device being formed in the form of a single-arm lever, and the operating device having an operating section and an operating contour that acts on the clamp leg when tension is applied to the clamp spring.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a connection terminal block and a connection device each comprising a plurality of row-type terminals having a plurality of connection devices in a direct insertion type pressing spring technique.

[0002] Direct insertion type pressing spring terminals (also called "push-in terminals" or "snap-in terminals") are known in a variety of embodiments. These direct insertion type pressing spring terminals differ from each other, especially based on their use, for example, in relation to the required current capacity of a bus bar, the spring force of a clamping spring and / or its incorporation characteristics, especially its incorporation size. In this case, easy assembly and inexpensive manufacture are requirements permanently imposed on such terminals.

[0003] International Publication No. 2014 / 173717 and European Patent No. 1353407 disclose direct insertion type pressing spring terminals in the form described at the beginning respectively.

[0004] The object of the present invention is to improve a connection terminal block comprising row-type terminals with a direct insertion type pressing spring connection part, so that the row-type terminals are compactly and stably designed and are also suitable for connecting conductors having a relatively large cross-section. Furthermore, there is provided a connection device that is particularly suitable for such a connection terminal block and can also be used in another manner, that is, as a connection part for connecting a conductor end in an instrument such as a plug connector or a row-type terminal.

[0005] This object is solved by the features described in claim 1 with respect to the connection terminal block and by the features described in claim 17 with respect to the connection device. Advantageous embodiments are described in each of the dependent claims.

[0006] A terminal block comprising a plurality of row terminals, which can be installed side by side and are connected in a clamping and / or locking manner, each having one housing and two or more connectors inserted into each housing, wherein the connectors are designed as direct-insert compression spring terminals for connecting each conductor end, and each plurality of connectors has, for connecting the conductor ends: a busbar having at least one contact zone for contacting each electrical conductor, in this case the clamp spring is shaped as a compression spring. A connector block is provided, wherein a compression spring is provided so that the conductor end introduced into the connector can be pressed into a contact zone to make contact with the conductor, and each connector is provided with one operating device that is rotatable within the housing about a predetermined axis of rotation, and the clamping leg of the clamping spring can be moved from a relaxed position to a tensioned locking position in the retaining and locking spring, and the operating device is formed in the form of a single-arm lever, and the operating device has an operating section and an operating contour that acts on the clamping leg when tension is applied to the clamping spring.

[0007] Furthermore, a connecting device for connecting conductor ends and connecting the conductor ends to a busbar, particularly for a terminal block or plug connector or other electrical appliance as described in any one of the preceding claims, is provided, comprising a housing and a direct-insert type compression spring terminal inserted into the housing for connecting each conductor end, wherein the connecting device has at least the following for connecting the conductor ends: a busbar having a contact zone for contacting electrical conductors, in which a clamp spring is formed as a compression spring, and the conductor end introduced into the connecting device is pressable into the contact zone for contacting the conductor, and an operating device is provided in the housing that is pivotable about a predetermined axis of rotation, and the operating device is used to move the clamp leg of the clamp spring from a relaxed position to a tensioned locking position in a retaining and locking spring, further comprising an operating device that is formed in the form of a single-arm lever, and the operating device having an operating section and an operating contour that acts on the clamp leg when tension is applied to the clamp spring.

[0008] Thus, a stable structure and ergonomically simple operation requiring minimal force are obtained. In particular, a compact structure with a simple geometric shape and a small number of parts can be obtained, so the connection terminal block and its operating device can be conveniently manufactured and easily assembled.

[0009] In one preferred configuration, the distance between the operating end of the operating section and the fixed rotation axis may be specified to be greater than the distance between the rotation axis and the working contour. This further significantly optimizes ergonomic and power-saving operation and a compact structure.

[0010] Furthermore, in another preferred configuration, the operating element may be advantageously defined to have a rotational support, which is formed from at least one circumferentially closed or open annular passage provided in the housing, and engages into the annular passage from at least one circumferentially closed or open annular attachment provided in the operating section, extending perpendicularly to the operating section, and is capable of swiveling within the annular passage over a predetermined swivel angle about a rotation axis. In this case, each of the opposite sides of adjacent housings or the opposite sides of the housing and the intermediate or end plate may also be provided with a circumferentially closed or open circular groove and each circumferentially closed or open annular attachment that engages into this circular groove. Thus, each operating element is provided with excellent support, which ensures that the required operating force is reliably introduced into each connecting device.

[0011] Furthermore, in another preferred configuration, the annular attachment surrounds the bent portion of the clamp spring, and the annular attachment has a notch in which a circumferential working contour is formed, which can contact the clamp leg when the operating element is rotated, thereby moving the clamp leg away from the contact zone and engaging the clamp spring with the retaining and locking spring. This optional additional feature can further improve operation and compact structure.

[0012] In one preferred configuration, the row terminals can be arranged side by side along a support rail, and the row terminals are designed to be operable perpendicular to the support rail from the Z direction, and the two conductor ends can be introduced into the connector perpendicular to the Z direction in opposite directions +Y and -Y, and the row terminals can be operated from the Z direction. Thus, the connector block is advantageously formed for so-called 90° operation, in which the conductor ends can generally be introduced into the connector parallel to the rear wall of the switch cabinet. This is because this form of connecting and disconnecting conductors is particularly simple and practical for the user.

[0013] Preferably, the busbar is also formed to support one clamp spring each.

[0014] In this case, a preferred optional configuration may be specified in which the busbar conductively connects multiple connectors located perpendicular to the parallel direction within a single common connection plane, for this results in a very good, sufficiently lossless current line and a simple structure. Such characteristics are further optimized and improved by optionally specifying that a single common, in particular single-part, and / or integrated busbar is provided for all the connectors in each of two adjacent connection planes, so that the connectors are conductively connected together through this single busbar. This allows for particularly good distribution of a common potential to the various connectors in each connection plane or each of two adjacent connection planes.

[0015] Preferably, it is particularly advantageous that the busbars for all connecting devices are integrally formed as a single punched / bent section made of a highly conductive thin metal sheet. This results in a shape-stable structure with good spring support and excellent conductive connections between the various connecting devices. However, a multi-part configuration can also be advantageously used.

[0016] In one preferred configuration, each clamp spring and each retaining / locking spring are integrally formed, the clamp springs can be locked in the open position using the locking springs, in which case each conductor end can be introduced into the contact area of ​​each connector, and the retaining / locking springs can be released from the locked state together with the conductor ends when the conductor ends are introduced, thereby pressing the conductor ends into the respective contact zones. This configuration is preferred because it is structurally simple, compact, and yet functionally reliable.

[0017] In this case, in another preferred configuration, the housings of each adjacent row of terminals in the terminal block are mechanically coupled to each other in a parallel direction, at least partially by friction and / or shape connections, and in particular by corresponding clamping and / or locking means provided on each adjacent housing, which is particularly advantageous as it allows the terminal block to be easily provided as a handleable unit.

[0018] In one preferred configuration, two housings, each having one connection plane consisting of two or more connectors, are fitted together to form a double-row or multi-row terminal, which is advantageously and simply defined to have a common busbar for the connectors of both or more connection planes.

[0019] However, in another preferred configuration, each housing has a single connecting plane consisting of two or more connecting devices on either side of the center wall, so that the housings form a double-row terminal with two connecting planes, and each of these housings can be fitted with an intermediate wall, so that two housings placed side by side in the parallel direction are coupled to each other via the intermediate wall in a frictional and / or shape-connected manner.

[0020] Other advantageous configurations are described in the other claims in dependent form.

[0021] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings by way of examples. In this case, another advantage of the present invention will become apparent.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0022] [Figure 1] A perspective view showing a plurality of row-type terminals of a first structure that can be fitted together to form one first connection terminal block together with one end plate. [Figure 2a] A perspective view showing two row-type terminals and one end plate that can be fitted together to form one double-row type terminal and one connection terminal block, which are formed in the form of the row-type terminal and the end plate shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 2b] A cross-sectional view of a connection terminal block composed of a plurality of assemblies of the type shown in FIG. 2a. [Figure 3] An exploded view of the assembly shown in FIG. 2. [Figure 4a] A side view showing one row-type terminal of the type shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 together with a bus bar. [Figure 4b] An exploded view of the row-type terminal shown in FIG. 4a. [Figure 5] A side view showing one row-type terminal of the type shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 without a bus bar, with a locking-release and relaxed clamp spring, in a state where a conductor can be contacted. [Figure 6] A view showing the row-type terminal shown in FIG. 5 together with a clamp spring locked in an open state. [Figure 7] A perspective view showing a plurality of row-type terminals that can be fitted together to form another connection terminal block together with an end plate and an intermediate plate. [Figure 8] A side view showing one of the row-type terminals of the type shown in FIG. 7 without a bus bar, with a locking-release clamp spring. [Figure 9] An exploded view showing the row-type terminal shown in FIG. 9 together with a bus bar.

[0023] For this drawing - first refer to FIGS. 1 and 2 as well as FIGS. 7 and 8 - the row-type terminals R1, R2,... each have one housing 1 and one or more connecting devices 2 for conductor ends formed as a direct plug-in type of press spring connection part.

[0024] The housing 1 is substantially formed in a disk shape and is made of an insulating plastic material. The housings 1 can be arranged side by side in the juxtaposed direction X.

[0025] In the juxtaposed direction X, these connecting devices are positioned one behind the other in the connection plane I or in the connection planes I, II. For each of the connection planes I, II, a plurality of connecting devices 2 may be provided in a direction orthogonal to the juxtaposed direction. Preferably, two connecting devices are provided for each of the connection planes I, II. In an alternative configuration, the connecting devices can also be used individually. In that case, the connecting devices are individually inserted into one housing 1 (not shown). For this, it is only necessary to adapt the bus bar (to be described in more detail) slightly.

[0026] The housings 1, 100 of the row-type terminals are each formed in a disk shape. The housings 1, 100 may each have only one connection plane I (see FIGS. 1 to 6, for example FIG. 2), or two connection planes I, II (from FIG. 7 onwards) or more than two connection planes (not shown).

[0027] Preferably, it is stipulated that all (in this case four) of the connecting devices 2 of each of the two connection planes I, I or I, II are conductively connected only by a single bus bar 21 (see particularly FIGS. 2, 3 and 10). Such a configuration of the bus bar 22 is not necessary when only one connection part is provided or when only one connecting device is provided.

[0028] Advantageously, it may be specified that each connection plane I is provided with one separate row terminal R1, R2. In this case, each pair of row terminals—R1 and R2, and R3 and R4, etc.—are assembled with separate housings 1 that are arranged side by side and optionally coupled in a shape-connection and / or friction-connection, particularly clamp-type and / or locking-type, to form a kind of double-row terminal D1, D2, D3 with a single busbar 22 that electrically connects the connection devices 2 of both connection planes I and II (see Figures 1 and 2 in particular). In this case, these double-row terminals D1, D2, D3 may be arranged side by side in the direction of side by side (see Figure 1 in particular). The ends of each connection terminal block may optionally be further provided with end walls 1' that laterally close each connection terminal block.

[0029] Therefore, the busbar 21 connects the connector 2 in one connection plane to two adjacent connectors in the parallel direction X. This is particularly simple and results in excellent conductive connections for all connectors of each double-row terminal D1, D2, D3.

[0030] Therefore, unexpectedly, it can be easily and advantageously defined that two adjacent row terminals R1, R2, ... having two connection planes in the X direction each have only one busbar 21, and thus this single busbar 21 is shared by the two adjacent row terminals R1, R2. Of course, it is also conceivable to use one busbar for more than two adjacent row terminals R1, R2, R3, ..., i.e., for example, three row terminals. In that case, for example, six connection devices 2 can be connected to each other.

[0031] In this case, the housings 1 can be directly arranged side by side in the parallel arrangement direction X to form a single connection terminal block equipped with multiple double-row terminals D1, D2, and D3 (Figures 1 to 3).

[0032] In this case, each connection terminal block may be closed by an end wall 1' which can be optionally attached to the open side of the last housing (Figures 1 and 3). In the configurations shown in Figure 7 and later, each connection terminal block may be closed by such end walls 1' which can be attached to each housing 1 on both sides in the parallel arrangement direction and in the opposite direction to the parallel arrangement direction.

[0033] Therefore, the housing 1 of the row-type terminals in all embodiments is formed in a disc shape. The housing 1 has one connection plane I (Figures 1 to 3), or two connection planes I and II (Figures 7 to 10), or more than two connection planes (not shown).

[0034] In this case, the housing has a base wall, which may be formed as a rear wall 13 (Figures 1-3) or, for example, as a center wall 14 (Figure 10). If formed as a center wall 14, one or more, in this case two, connecting devices 2 for conductors are provided on each of the two main sides (X direction, -X direction). In this case, an intermediate wall 1'' may be provided between two adjacent housings 1 shown in Figure 10 with a center wall 14. These intermediate walls 1'' may also have functional contours such as locking means and / or clamping means for locking with adjacent housings and may also be used for supporting operating elements and busbars 20 (Figure 7).

[0035] In actual use, it is specified that the parallel section, consisting of housing 1 and possibly an intermediate wall 1'', be mounted on an assembly base such as a support rail. Therefore, in such a parallel section (see, for example, Figure 4), one or more of the parallel housings 1 may further have mounting bases 15 (see, for example, Figure 4a). Using these mounting bases 15, one or more of the parallel housings 1 can be mounted on the support rail and, in particular, can be locked in a snap-on manner (not shown). Each mounting base 15 may be formed as a kind of detachable locking base. Alternatively, only some of the row terminals of a single terminal block consisting of multiple row terminals may be provided—see, for example, Figures 3, 4, and 5, which will be discussed further later—each having one such mounting base 15. The number of mounting bases 15 provided in a single terminal block consisting of multiple row terminals is related, for example, to the number of parallel row terminals. The more parallel-arranged row-type terminals there are, the more mounting bases 15 can be provided.

[0036] Starting from an assembly base such as a support rail, the housing 1 extends upward in the Z direction, and also in the Y direction and parallel direction X, which are perpendicular to the Z direction.

[0037] In this case, the row terminals R1, R2, ... of all configurations are preferably designed so that these row terminals R1, R2, ... are operable from the Z direction, and the two conductor ends can be introduced into the connector 2 from opposite directions, +Y and -Y. This is also called 90° operation (in the -Z direction relative to conductor introduction from above in the vertical direction). Generally, this results in conductor introduction parallel to the rear wall of the switch cabinet.

[0038] On the rear wall 13 or the center wall 14, various functional areas are formed by projections of the housing 1 in the parallel direction, or in both the parallel and opposite directions, and these projections define the functional chambers 16 and / or functional passages 17, 18 (Figures 5 and 9). Furthermore, a support is provided for the clamp spring 23, which will be described later, in particular for the bent portion 232 of the clamp spring.

[0039] Preferably, each connection plane I and II is provided with two functional chambers 16 and four functional passages 17 and 18. In this case, both functional chambers 16 of each connection plane I and II are used to substantially accommodate one of each of the two connection devices 2 for the conductor ends. The two functional passages 17 are used to supply the conductor ends into the connection device 2, and the two functional passages 18 are used to accommodate each operating section 201 of each operating device 20 of the connection device 2.

[0040] The housing 1 contains multiple, preferably two, conductively connected connectors 2 for each connecting plane I or connecting planes I and II, and these connectors 2 are designed as direct-insert type compression spring terminals.

[0041] To this end, the housing 1 has two functional rooms 16 facing one side on the rear wall 13, or facing both sides on the center wall 14 (which may be provided instead of the rear wall 13) (i.e., in the X direction or in the X direction and the X direction - see Figures 3 and 2), and two functional passages 17 and 18, respectively.

[0042] In this case, each connecting device 2 has one functional passage 17 provided as a conductor introduction opening in the housing 1, through which each conductor end 3 can be introduced into each connecting device 2. The connecting device 2 is provided and formed for connecting each conductor end (not shown) in a direct-insert type compression spring technology. For this purpose, the conductor end is introduced into the housing 1 in direction Y or -Y.

[0043] Since both functional passages 18 for housing each operating element 20 are open in direction Z, it is possible to operate the operating elements 20 from this direction, for example, using a screwdriver.

[0044] Each connecting device has one spring. This spring is formed as a clamp spring 23. Each clamp spring 23 is further provided with an operating element 20 for operating the clamp spring 23, and using this operating element 20, the clamp spring can be displaced from one operating state to the other operating state.

[0045] The operating elements 20 of the connecting device 2 are inserted into the functional passage 18 and the functional chamber 16 respectively by the operating section 201, and are held within these functional passages 18 and functional chambers 16.

[0046] The clamp springs 23 of the connecting device 2 are each inserted into the functional chambers 16 and are held within these functional chambers 16.

[0047] The clamp spring 23 is used to press the conductor end against the contact area 210 of the busbar 21, thereby forming and maintaining an electrical contact between the conductor end and the busbar 21 in the contact zone 210 of the busbar 21 (see Figures 5, 6, and 9 for details).

[0048] The clamp spring 23 has a support leg 231 and a clamp leg 233 connected to the support leg 231 via a bent portion 232. The clamp spring 23 may further have a retaining and locking spring 24. The retaining and locking spring 24 is formed such that the clamp leg 233 can be locked to the locking web 241 of the retaining and locking spring 24 in the open position. In this open position, the conductor end can be introduced into the space between the clamp leg 233 and the contact zone 210 of the busbar 21. In this case, the retaining and locking spring 24 may be formed such that the conductor end abuts against the release leg 242 when the conductor end is introduced sufficiently deeply. Using the release leg 242, the retaining and locking spring 24 and the clamp spring 23 are moved relative to each other so that their locking positions are released, allowing the clamp leg 233 to press the conductor end against the busbar 21, thereby enabling contact between the conductor end and the busbar (Figures 4, 5, 6 or 9 and 10).

[0049] In this case, the operating element 20 is used to move the clamp spring 23 or its clamp leg 233 forward from the contact area or the conductor in contact in the contact area. This applies tension to the clamp leg 233 and releases the clamp, which may release any existing electrical contact and potentially remove the contacted conductor end from the connector 2.

[0050] On the contrary, by continuing to push down the clamp leg 233 using the operating element 20, the clamp leg can be moved even further so that the locking engagement between the retaining / locking spring 24 and the clamp spring 23 is re-formed, or formed for the first time, for example, during manufacturing (see Figures 5 and 6). In this case, the clamp spring 23 is locked in the open position, and the conductor end can be introduced into the clamp / contact area again.

[0051] The connecting device 2 further includes a receiver, which supports a clamp spring 23. This receiver may be located in the area of ​​the bent portion 232 or in the support leg portion 231. Preferably, the clamp spring is designed to be supported in the metal area of ​​the busbar 21.

[0052] The rotatable operating element 20 is substantially formed in the form of a single-arm lever—that is, by a principle of operation. The operating area 201 of the rotatable operating element 20 (see Figures 3 and 10) may in this case be formed as a lever arm.

[0053] The lever arm is supported within the housing 1 so as to be rotatable about a fixed axis A1 (Figures 5 and 6) in the inner end region. The inherent rotational support itself does not need to be precisely centered in the region of the rotation axis A1. Rather, the inherent rotational support is realized in this case by forming a kind of annular path 19 (a kind of annular control curve or annular groove or similar) concentrically with respect to the rotation axis A1 within the housing 1, on at least one side of the lever arm or on both sides of the lever arm 201, between the housing 1 and a parallel housing (Figures 1 to 6) or a parallel intermediate wall (Figure 7 onwards). Within each annular path 19 of the form of an annular motion path, one axial edge of a cylindrical or at least circular segment-shaped annular attachment 203 engages. This annular attachment 203—which can also be considered a cylindrical attachment—surrounds the bent portion 232 of the clamp spring 23.

[0054] The annular attachment portion 203 has a contour that is not closed in the circumferential direction on at least one side of the lever arm 201 (see Figure 4b in particular). This creates a kind of notch in the annular attachment portion 203, and a kind of working contour 202 is formed in the circumferential direction in this notch, and this working contour 202 can be pressed against the clamp leg portion 233 in order to move the clamp leg portion 233 away from the contact zone 210 (Figure 6).

[0055] To make contact with the conductor end, this conductor end is introduced into the functional passage 217. This functional passage 217 is a conductor introduction passage. When the conductor end is finally pressed against the release leg 242, the retaining and locking spring 24 is released from its locking portion, so that the clamping leg 233 of the clamping spring 23 can press the conductor end against the busbar 21 in the area of ​​the contact zone 210 (Figures 5 and 6).

[0056] In addition, the operating section 201 of the operating element 21 may be provided with one or more protrusions 205 in the parallel arrangement direction X and / or in the opposite direction to the parallel arrangement direction. These protrusions 205 can engage with corresponding ring-segment-shaped guide contours provided on the housing 1, which further improves the rotational support of the operating element 21 (Figure 4b).

[0057] It is particularly advantageous that the operating device 20 is formed in the form of a single-arm lever. The operating device has an operating section 201 and an operating contour 202 that acts on the clamp leg when tension is applied to the clamp spring. In this case, the distance between the free operating end of the operating section 201 (the "upper side" in Figure 4b) and the fixed rotation axis A1 is greater than the distance between the rotation axis A1 and the operating contour 202. This can be easily seen, for example, from Figure 4b.

[0058] When the free end of the operating element 20 is rotated or swiveled in one of the two rotational directions, the working contour 202 acts on the clamp spring or its clamp leg 233, thereby returning the clamp leg 233 from an open state (Figure 5) or a clamped state (not shown when the conductor end is in contact) to a locked state R (Figure 6).

[0059] Thus, a direct-insert terminal connector equipped with a retaining and locking spring for locking the clamp spring 23 can be incorporated into a row-type terminal R1, R2, ... as a 90° conductor supply variation type having a conductor introduction section that is lateral and parallel to the rear wall of the switch cabinet, while being superior in the open state for introducing the conductor end into the clamp and contact area without problems.

[0060] The clamp spring 23 may be formed as a single metal part together with the retaining and locking spring 26. Springs of this type can be well manufactured. Springs of this type may also be called snap-in springs.

[0061] Therefore, each of the multiple connecting devices 2 for connecting each conductor end, in particular the stranded conductor end, has at least the following: - Contact zones 210 of the busbar 21 for contacting each electrical conductor end 3; - Each clamp spring 23 is formed as a compression spring, and the clamp spring 23 is used to press the end of an electrical conductor introduced into the connecting device 2 against the contact zone 210 to make contact with the end of the conductor; - Retaining and locking spring 24, and - A rotatable operating element 20 in the form of a single-arm lever, rotatably supported at one end, wherein the clamp spring 23 can be operated using the operating element 20.

[0062] The intermediate wall 1'' and / or the end wall 1' or base wall may also be specified to have annular guide paths. In this case, the operating element 20 is supported by the housing 1 and one of these walls so as to be pivotable in two directions, which optimizes the guidance of the operating element 20. Each annular guide path does not need to be formed closed in the circumferential direction. It is sufficient that the operating element 20 is pivotable so as to be able to re-tension the clamp spring 23 and lock the clamp spring 23 in the open position.

[0063] The operating element 20 may be located entirely within the housing 1 or the virtual envelope contour of the housing 1. The operating element 20 may have an operating contour 204 for applying a tool, such as a screwdriver, to rotate the operating element (Figure 4b).

[0064] Each operating element 20 may optionally be provided with at least one test tap, and if the operating contour 204 is formed as a through hole, the operating contour 204 can also form such a test tap.

[0065] Preferably, the pivot position of the operating element 20 within the housing 1 is visible from the outside, and also visible in the functional passage 19. In this way, an advantageous status indication is obtained by visually detecting the position of the pivotable operating element 20.

[0066] The rotation axis A1 is positioned parallel to the parallel installation direction X. The rotation direction of the operating element is circumferential, centered on this rotation axis A1.

[0067] The operating direction (vertically from above, and then circumferentially around axis A1) and the conductor introduction direction may preferably be substantially perpendicular to each other, in which case these directions may be deviated by, for example, 90° ± 25° during operation. Operation from above in the Z direction and conductor supply in the Y direction perpendicular to this are particularly simple, because this can be performed most easily by the operator. Furthermore, since the conductor is also located in the plane of the rear wall of the switch cabinet, or parallel to this plane, it is not necessary to bend the conductor in the Z direction.

[0068] With minimal force, advantageous ergonomic operation can be achieved. Furthermore, a compact structure with a simple geometric shape and a small number of parts can be obtained; that is, the components can be conveniently manufactured and assembled.

[0069] The two connecting devices 2 in each connecting plane I and II are preferably arranged in a sequence in the Y direction. In the parallel arrangement direction, the two connecting devices 2 in multiple connecting planes R1 and R2, and possibly multiple row-type terminals, are aligned. These connecting devices are located on a straight line connecting them.

[0070] It is particularly advantageous if the clamp cages 21 of the multiple connectors 2 for each row of terminals, and the busbars 21 connecting these clamp cages, are collectively manufactured from a single sheet metal piece using punching / bending techniques for these multiple connectors 2. This allows the clamp cages and busbars to be easily electrically connected to each other. This is particularly well illustrated in Figure 2. The busbars 21 may indeed be assembled from multiple individual parts, but the integrated configuration is particularly easy to manufacture. That is, the busbars 21 may be formed as punched / bent portions, particularly preferably, made of metal.

[0071] In this case, it is also specified that all connection devices in each connection plane I or II are electrically connected to one another by such a single busbar 21.

[0072] The busbar 21 may be configured not only to electrically connect both connectors 2 of each connection plane I of a row of terminals having one connection plane I or multiple connection planes I, II, but also to connect two connectors 2 of connection planes I, II of a row of terminals having two connection planes I, II, or two adjacent row of terminals each having only one connection plane I (i.e., when each row of terminals has only one connection plane). Furthermore, the busbar 21 may form or have a contact area 210, in which the ends of the conductors to be introduced are made contact. The busbar 21 may also be used as a support or receiver for the clamp spring 23 of the connector 2 (Figures 7 and 1).

[0073] Each busbar 21 may in this case have a base plate region 211. This base plate region 211 may extend substantially in directions Y and Z, and in this case, a plurality of webs 212 extend from this base plate region 211 at an angle of about 90°, in this case, these webs 212 may form receiving webs for the contact regions 210 of a plurality of connectors 2 in one or two connecting planes (I,I;I,II) and / or for the metal support portion of the clamp spring 23.

[0074] In this case, the web 212 preferably penetrates a corresponding slit provided in the housing 1 or is guided along its edge past these slits. The web 212 is preferably formed to a length such that in the parallel direction X, these webs extend across two connection planes I, II, or across two row terminals each having one connection plane, thus conductively connecting the various connection planes or various row terminals to each other. The web 212 may also be formed to extend across another parallel single-row or double-row terminal.

[0075] This results in a shape-stable structure and allows current to flow across two or more connection planes with sufficient loss, depending on the realized cross-section, without damage that could otherwise occur at the connection points between mated conductive elements and components.

[0076] Preferably, the busbar 21 is manufactured integrally from a thin metal sheet made of a highly conductive copper alloy by a punching / bending process.

[0077] In an alternative configuration, the busbar 21 itself could consist of multiple separate parts that are electrically connected to one another, for example, through thermal or mechanical bonding techniques. This is advantageous when it is desirable to use a busbar with the most compact structure possible.

[0078] In yet another alternative configuration, casting or metal 3D printing could be considered as methods for manufacturing the busbar 21. Casting or metal 3D printing has the advantage of enabling particularly complex structures.

[0079] The rear side 13 of the housing 1 may be formed to be completely or substantially closed. In the parallel arrangement direction, the last row of terminals may acquire and have an end wall 1' as a cover plate in the housing (Figures 1 and 7).

[0080] The connecting device 2 can be adapted to various cross-sections, i.e., 2.5 mm 2 ~25mm 2 It can be designed to match the cross-section. Preferably, the number of connection devices 2 is specified as two or more per row terminal. That is, the current can be distributed to various consumers in relation to the demands of the connection devices 2.

[0081] The row-type terminals can be combined in the parallel arrangement direction X to form a single connection terminal block consisting of multiple row-type terminals, preferably formed in the same structure (but in some cases formed in various colors) (not shown).

[0082] In that case, this terminal block can be used to apply multiple potentials to the input side of this terminal block, for example, by applying one of five potentials to five double-row terminals. These potentials are then distributed to each connection device 2 at each row terminal, so that each potential can be taken out once or multiple times depending on the number of connection devices 2.

[0083] Each of the single or multiple connection devices 2 may be provided on a plug connector or other electrical appliance. In that case, only the busbar 20 is adapted accordingly. In that case, the busbar does not necessarily need to connect the multiple connection devices 2 to each other. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0084] 1 Housing 1' End wall 1'' Intermediate wall 11,12 Clamping means 13 Back wall 14 Center Wall 15 Mounting base 16 Functional Rooms 17,18 Functional passageway 19 Annular groove 191 Guide contour 2 Connection terminals 20 Operation Elements 201 Operation category 202 Action contour 203 Annular attachment section 204 Operational contour 21 Bus Bar 210 Contact Zones 211 Base plate area 212 Web 23 Clamp spring 231 Support legs 232 Bending section 233 Clamp Legs 24 Retaining and locking spring 241 Section Stop Web 242 Release leg X,Y,Z direction

Claims

1. A terminal block comprising a plurality of row-type terminals that can be installed side by side and are connected in a clamping and / or locking manner, each having one housing (1) and two or more connectors (2) inserted into each housing (1), wherein the connectors (2) are designed as direct-insert type compression spring terminals for connecting each conductor end (3), and each of the plurality of connectors (2) for connecting the conductor ends has at least: a busbar having at least one contact zone (210) for contacting each electrical conductor end ( 21) In this case, the clamp spring (23) is formed as a compression spring, and the conductor end (3) introduced into the connecting device can be pressed against the contact zone (210) to make contact with the conductor, and each connecting device (2) is provided with one operating device (20) that can pivot within the housing (1) about a predetermined axis of rotation, and the clamp leg (233) of the clamp spring (23) can be moved from a relaxed position to a tensioned locking position in the retaining and locking spring (24), in a connecting terminal block, A connection terminal block characterized in that the operating device (20) is formed in the form of a single-arm lever, and the operating device (20) has an operating section (201) and an operating contour (202) that acts on the clamp leg (233) when tension is applied to the clamp spring (23).

2. The connection terminal block according to claim 1, characterized in that the distance between the operating end of the operating section (201) and the fixed rotation axis (A1) is greater than the distance between the rotation axis (A1) and the working contour (202).

3. The connection terminal block according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the operating element (20) has a rotating support portion, the rotating support portion is formed from at least one annular path (19) provided in the housing (1) that is circumferentially closed or not closed in the circumferential direction, and is engaged into each annular path (19) from at least one annular attachment portion (203) provided in the operating section (201) that extends perpendicularly to the operating section and is circumferentially closed or not closed in the circumferential direction, and is rotatable within the annular path (19) over a predetermined rotation angle about the rotation axis (A1).

4. A connection terminal block according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that a circular groove, which is either closed in the circumferential direction or not closed in the circumferential direction, is provided on opposite sides of adjacent housings (1) or on opposite sides of the housing (1) and the intermediate plate or end plate (1', 1''), and annular attachments, which are either closed in the circumferential direction or not closed in the circumferential direction, that engage within the circular groove.

5. The connection terminal block according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the annular attachment portion (203) surrounds the bent portion (232) of the clamp spring (23), the annular attachment portion (203) has a notch, and an action contour (202) is formed in the notch in the circumferential direction, and the action contour (202) can come into contact with the clamp leg portion (233) when the operating element (20) is rotated, thereby moving the clamp leg portion (233) away from the contact zone (210) and locking the clamp spring (23) with the retaining and locking spring (24).

6. The connection terminal block according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the row-type terminals can be arranged side by side along a support rail, the row-type terminals are designed so that they can be operated perpendicular to the support rail from the Z direction, two conductor ends can be introduced into the housing (1) and two of the connection devices (2) arranged in the housing perpendicular to the Z direction in opposite directions +Y and -Y, and the row-type terminals are operable from the Z direction.

7. The connection terminal block according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the busbar (21) is also formed to support each clamp spring (23).

8. The connection terminal block according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the busbar electrically connects a plurality of connection devices (2) located perpendicular to the parallel arrangement direction (X) within a single common connection plane (I or II).

9. A terminal block according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that a single common, in particular single-part and / or integrated busbar (21) is provided for all the connecting devices (2) in each of two or more adjacent connecting planes (I, I or I, II, etc.), so that the connecting devices are conductively connected together via a single busbar (21).

10. A connecting terminal block according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that each clamp spring (23) and each retaining and locking spring (24) are integrally formed, the clamp spring (23) can be locked in an open position using the locking spring, in which case each conductor end can be introduced into the contact zone of each connecting device (2), and the retaining and locking spring (24) can each be released from the locked state together with the conductor end when the conductor end is introduced, thereby pressing the conductor end into each contact zone (210).

11. The connector terminal block according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the housings (1) of each adjacent row of terminals of the connector terminal block are mechanically coupled to each other in the parallel direction by friction connection and / or shape connection, and in particular by corresponding clamping means and / or locking means provided on each adjacent housing (1).

12. A terminal block according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that two housings (1), each having one connection plane (I) comprising two or more of the connection devices (2), are fitted together to form a double-row terminal, the double-row terminal having one common busbar (21) for the connection devices (2) of both connection planes (I, I).

13. The terminal block according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that each housing has one connecting plane consisting of two or more of the connecting devices (2) on both sides of the center wall (14), so that the housing forms a double-row terminal having two connecting planes (I; II), and each housing (1) can be fitted with one intermediate wall, so that two housings (1) arranged side by side in the parallel direction are connected to each other via the intermediate wall in a friction connection and / or shape connection manner.

14. A connector terminal block according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein each busbar (21) has a base plate region (211) which may substantially extend in directions Y and Z, and a plurality of webs (212) extend from the base plate region (211) at an angle of approximately 90°, and the webs (212) can form the contact zones (210) of a plurality of connectors (2) on one or more connecting planes (I, I; I, II, etc.) and / or can form a receiving web for a metal support portion of the clamp spring (23).

15. The terminal block according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the web (212) is preferably formed to a length such that it extends in the parallel direction X, across at least two connection planes (I, II) of one row of terminals, or across two or more row of terminals each having one connection plane (I, I), so that the connection devices (2) of various connection planes or various row of terminals are electrically connected to one another.

16. The connection terminal block according to any one of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that one or more of the housings (1) of the row-type terminals of the connection terminal block can be snap-on to a support rail in the form of a locking base using a locking device (15) consisting of one or more parts.

17. A connecting device for connecting conductor ends and connecting said conductor ends to a busbar, particularly for a terminal block or plug connector or other electrical device according to any one of claims 1 to 16, comprising a housing (1) and a direct-insert type compression spring terminal inserted into the housing (1) for connecting each conductor end (3), wherein the connecting device has at least the following for connecting the conductor ends: a busbar having at least one contact zone (210) for making electrical contact with said conductor ends; In this case, the clamp spring (23) is formed as a compression spring, and the conductor end (3) introduced into the connecting device can be pressed against the contact zone (210) to make contact with the conductor, and one operating device (20) is provided in the housing (1) that is rotatable about a predetermined axis of rotation, and the clamp leg (21) of the clamp spring (23) can be moved from a relaxed position to a tensioned locking position in the retaining and locking spring, in a connecting device, A connecting device characterized in that the operating device (20) is formed in the form of a single-arm lever, and the operating device (20) has an operating section (201) and an operating contour (202) that acts on the clamp leg (233) when tension is applied to the clamp spring (23).

18. The connecting device according to claim 17, characterized in that the distance between the operating end of the operating section (201) and the fixed rotation axis (A1) is greater than the distance between the rotation axis (A1) and the working contour (202).

19. The connecting device according to claim 17 or 18, characterized in that it has one or more features related to the connecting device in any one of claims 3 to 14.

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