Actuating elements, connection assemblies, connection terminals, electronic equipment, and methods for mounting connection terminals.

Abstract

The subject of the present invention is an actuation element (100) for actuating a clamp spring (211) of a connection assembly (200), comprising a first body element (110) formed with a gripping surface (113) for actuating the actuation element (100) and a second body element (111) designed with at least one actuation surface (114a, 114b) for actuating the clamp spring (211), the first body element (110) being moved into a pre-latched position with the second body element (111) before being attached to the connection assembly (200).

Description

Technical Field

[0006]

[0001] The present invention relates to an actuating element for actuating a clamping spring of a connection assembly. The present invention further relates to a connection assembly having such an actuating element and a connection terminal. The present invention relates to an electronic device and a method for attaching a connection terminal.

Background Art

[0002] The actuating element serves to move the clamping spring of the connection assembly to the open position and / or the clamping position by the actuating element interacting with the clamping legs of the clamping spring.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0003] In this case, the actuating element has to perform several tasks. On the one hand, the actuating element needs to have a high strength in order to apply sufficient force to the clamping spring. On the other hand, the actuating element needs to have an insulating effect in order to enable the actuating element to be safely actuated by the user. Furthermore, the actuating element has to be arranged at the correct position within the housing of the connection terminal with sufficient high stability.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0004] Based on the object of providing an actuating element, a connection assembly, a connection terminal, an electronic device, and a method for attaching a connection terminal, the present invention is characterized by improved functionality.

[0005] This object is achieved by the features of the independent claims according to the present invention. Suitable embodiments and advantageous developments of the present invention are described in the dependent claims. <00​​The actuation element according to the present invention comprises a first body element on which a gripping surface for acting the actuation element is formed, and a second body element on which at least one actuation surface for acting a clamp spring is formed, wherein the first body element is moved to a pre-engaged position with the second body element before being attached to the connecting assembly.

[0007] According to the present invention, the actuation element is formed from at least two components, namely a first body element and a second body element, which are designed separately from each other. Each of these two body elements has a different function. The actuation element is actuated by the user via the first body element, which has a gripping surface for this purpose. The actuation element can be actuated via the gripping surface, either manually or by a tool such as a screwdriver. The second body element directly interacts with the clamp spring to actuate the clamp spring. For this purpose, the second body element has at least one actuation surface that directly contacts the clamp spring when the clamp spring is actuated. On the other hand, the first body element is spaced apart from the clamp spring and does not directly contact it. To form the actuation element, the first body element is connected to the second body element. According to the present invention, the first connection of the two body elements is already made before the actuation element is attached to the connection assembly, in particular before the actuation element is attached to the housing of the connection terminal. This first connection is made by forming a pre-engaged position of the first body element with the second body element. Accordingly, the first body element is pre-engaged with the second body element before the actuating element is further attached. The pre-engaging forms a locking connection between the first body element and the second body element, thereby fastening the first body element to the second body element via the locking connection. It is preferable that this locking connection can be released again if necessary. Thus, the connection of the two body elements is not precisely made when the actuating element, and therefore the two body elements, are inserted into the housing of the connection assembly or connection terminal. In contrast, the two body elements, and therefore the actuating element, are positioned in a pre-engaged position within the housing of the connection assembly or connection terminal, already connected. This facilitates the installation and handling of the actuating element, and therefore the connection assembly or connection terminal.

[0008] Preferably, the first body element is made from a first material, and the second body element is made from a second material different from the first material, the second material preferably having greater strength than the first material. The two different materials of the two body elements allow the properties of the two body elements to be individually adapted to the specific functions of the two body elements. Accordingly, the first body element on which the gripping surface is formed may have different material properties than the second body element on which the working surface is formed. In particular, the two body elements can be made from materials with different strengths. Then, in order to enable stable and specified operation of the clamp spring through the working surface of the second body element, the second body element can be made from a stronger material than the first body element.

[0009] For example, the first material of the first body element may have electrical insulating properties. Accordingly, the first material can be an insulating material in order to safely form a gripping surface for operating the actuation element for the user. The first material may be a plastic material. In contrast, the second material of the second body element may be a metallic material characterized in particular high strength and stability. Then, the second material may have particularly high bending rigidity in order to ensure the specified operation of the clamp spring through the actuation surface of the second body element of the actuation element. Since the second body element is not directly actuated by the user, it does not require any insulating properties.

[0010] A pre-hooking position can be configured such that a hooking element is formed on the first body element and / or the second body element and can hook into the corresponding opening of the first body element and / or the second body element. For example, at least one hooking element may be formed on the first body element, at least one opening may be formed in the second body element, and vice versa. At least one hooking element can hook into at least one corresponding opening to form a hooking portion, and therefore a pre-hooking position.

[0011] For example, to form a pre-locking position, the first body element may have two opposing openings into which two opposing locking elements formed on the second body element can be locked. By providing two openings and two locking elements, a particularly stable locking or locking position can be formed between the two body elements to prevent tilting. However, it is also possible that the two opposing openings are formed within the second body element and the two locking elements are formed on the first body element. Furthermore, each of the first body elements may have openings and locking elements, and each of the second body elements may have openings and locking elements.

[0012] The second body element can be designed to have at least one actuation arm and a connecting web formed laterally to the actuation arm, and at least one actuation surface can be formed on at least one actuation arm, and the second body element can be pre-hooked onto the first body element in a pre-hooked position via the connecting web. Accordingly, the second body element can have two functional regions that are spatially separable from each other. The first functional region can be formed on the actuation arm in the form of an actuation surface, and the second functional region can be formed on the connecting web in the form of a fastening surface for pre-hooking the second body element onto the first body element. The actuation arm preferably extends at an angle of 90° with respect to the connecting web. The second body element can also have two actuation arms that can be connected to each other via the connecting web, the two actuation arms then preferably extend parallel to each other. The second body element then has a U-shape. Next, the operating surfaces for acting the clamp spring are preferably formed on both operating arms, so that the second body element has two operating surfaces that can actuate the clamp spring simultaneously.

[0013] In addition to the step of actinguating the clamp spring, the actuating element may also have a further function, namely, the step of holding the actuating element in a fixed position relative to the clamp spring when the clamp spring is in the open position. For this purpose, a retaining contour for holding the latching leg of the clamp spring of the connecting assembly in the open position of the clamp spring can be formed on the second body element of the actuating element. In addition to the clamping leg and the retaining leg, the clamp spring may have a latching leg that can be held on the retaining contour of the second body element when the clamp spring is in the open position. If the second material of the second body element is made of a metallic material, a stable metal-to-metal connection can be formed between the retaining contour of the second body element and the latching leg of the clamp spring when the clamp spring is in the open position.

[0014] The connection between the first and second body elements can be additionally or alternatively designed such that the first body element has a fastening dome that, in a pre-locked position, can be retracted into an opening formed in the second body element. The fastening dome may have the shape of a pin protruding in the direction of the second body element. For example, the opening in the second body element may have an inner diameter smaller than the outer diameter of the fastening dome. The fastening dome can then be press-fitted into the opening for fastening. If the second body element has a connecting web, the opening is preferably formed in the connecting web.

[0015] The fastening element may further include a spring element. The actuating element can be spring-biased via the spring element. The spring element can return the actuating element to a specified repeatable position, particularly the starting position, when the clamp spring is moved from the open position to the clamped position. The spring element can spring-bias the actuating element against a stop surface of the connection assembly or against a stop surface of a connection terminal to which the connection component is spring-biased. The stop surface can be formed, for example, by a current bar of the connection assembly. Furthermore, the stop surface can be formed, for example, by a housing surface of the housing of the connection terminal. Preferably, the spring element is fastened to the first body element after the second body element has been pre-hooked to the first body element. Therefore, it is preferable that the spring element is fastened to the first body element before the actuating element is attached to the connection assembly or connection terminal. The spring element may be, for example, a spiral spring.

[0016] To further secure the fastening between the first and second body elements, the first body element can be further connected to the second body element by press-fitting and / or integral connection after being moved to a pre-locking position. Pre-locking can constitute the first fastening, and a second fastening can be performed after pre-locking. For example, in addition to pre-locking, the first body element can be connected to the second body element via further locking connections, riveting, welding, adhesive connections and / or screw connections.

[0017] The second body element may have at least one path limiting element so that the actuating element can achieve a specified starting position when it is returned in the opposite direction of its operation. The at least one path limiting element may form or have a stop surface on which the second body element, and therefore the actuating element, can abut when the actuating element is returned in the opposite direction of its operation. For example, the wall of the housing of a connector terminal may form the stop surface. Furthermore, the current bar of a connector assembly may also form the stop surface. At least one path limiting element may be formed on one or both of the actuating arms of the second body element. If the second body element has two actuating arms, it is preferable that the path limiting element be positioned on each of the two actuating arms. At least one path limiting element may be designed, for example, in the form of a tab or latch lug that can bend out of the plane of a particular actuating arm.

[0018] The object of the present invention is also achieved by a connection assembly for connecting conductors, the connection assembly being achieved by a current bar, a clamp spring having retaining legs and clamping legs, wherein the clamping legs clamp the conductor to be connected to the current bar at the clamping position of the clamp spring, and an actuation element that can be guided along the operating direction, thereby moving the clamp spring from the clamping position to the open position, the actuation element being further designed and deployed as described above.

[0019] The actuating elements, formed from at least two distinct components, namely a first body element and a second body element, are pre-hooked before being attached to the connecting assembly and are appropriately pre-mounted so that a number of actuating elements can be integrally positioned and attached to the connecting assembly.

[0020] If the actuating element has a spring element in addition to two body elements, the actuating element is preferably supported on the current bar by the spring element. Accordingly, the actuating element can be spring-biased relative to the current bar.

[0021] Preferably, in the open position of the clamp spring, the actuating element can be braced with the clamp spring together with its second body element, allowing the clamp spring to be held in the open position. This braced arrangement of the actuating element with the clamp spring in the open position allows the actuating element to be automatically held in this position to hold the clamp spring in the open position. The actuating element and the clamp spring can support each other in the open position. Therefore, the actuating element and the clamp spring can form a self-sufficient force system in the open position of the clamp spring, thereby allowing the actuating element to be held in a fixed position relative to the clamp spring by the force of the clamp spring without the need to hold the actuating element in this position manually or with a tool. This enables simpler, especially one-handed, operation of the connection assembly by the user, allowing for easy and reliable connection of conductors, particularly flexible conductors. As a result of the braced arrangement in the open position of the clamp, the clamp spring and the actuating element hold each other in the desired position and prevent movement relative to each other. Preferably, when the clamp spring is in the open position, the clamping of the actuating element within the clamp spring is performed within the region of the second body element of the actuating element, which preferably has greater strength than the first body element of the actuating element.

[0022] To form a brace support, the clamp spring can apply a first pressure to the actuating element in the open position, acting opposite to the direction of actuation of the actuating element, and a second pressure acting in the direction of actuation of the actuating element. These two opposing pressures applied by the clamp spring allow the actuating element to be held in the open position solely by the force of the clamp spring. Both the first and second pressures are applied to the actuating element by the clamp spring, thereby clamping the actuating element between the clamp spring or its lower portion in the open position, and holding it in a stationary manner by these two opposing pressures.

[0023] According to the present invention, a clamp spring can be designed such that a locking leg can be positioned on a retaining leg and a second pressure can be applied to the actuating element in the open position. Therefore, the second pressure is preferably not applied precisely to the actuating element by the clamping leg or retaining leg of the clamp spring, but the clamp spring may have a third leg, i.e., a locking leg, which can apply the second pressure to the actuating element. The locking leg can be positioned on the retaining leg at the end of the retaining leg far from the clamping leg. Therefore, the retaining leg can be positioned between the clamping leg and the locking leg. The locking leg can be formed integrally with the retaining leg or connected to the locking leg as a separate part, in particular by shape fitting and / or press-fit.

[0024] The latching leg is preferably elastically connected to or formed together with the retaining leg, thereby allowing the latching leg to pivot relative to the retaining leg.

[0025] In particular, to enable toolless connection of conductors with small cross-sections, especially flexible conductors, the locking leg may have a pressure surface, which can be actuated by the conductor being connected to move the clamp spring from the open position to the clamped position, and the pressure surface of the locking leg can be disengaged from the actuating element by acting on the pressure surface of the locking leg. The locking leg may have a pressure surface that can be positioned coplanar with the conductor insertion area into the connection assembly, and thus extending the conductor insertion opening of the housing of the connection terminal, so that the conductor contacts the pressure surface of the locking element during insertion into the connection assembly. By applying pressure to the pressure surface by the conductor, the locking leg may pivot or tilt in the direction of conductor insertion, thereby allowing the locking leg to pivot or tilt away from the actuating element in the direction of conductor insertion. As a result of the pivoting motion of the locking leg, the locking leg can be disengaged from the actuating element and thus released from the actuating element, thereby allowing the actuating element, and therefore the clamp spring, to move from the open position to the clamped position without manual assistance. This special mechanism allows conductors, particularly those with small cross-sections and / or flexible conductors, to be connected in a particularly simple manner by conductor insertion alone, without requiring the user to actuate any additional elements, such as actuating elements, on the connection assembly to release the clamp spring and move it from the clamped position to the open position. This facilitates handling of the connection assembly and saves time in connecting conductors. Thus, the brace support between the clamp spring and the actuating element in the open position of the clamp spring can be released or disengaged by the connected conductor.

[0026] To hold the locking leg on the actuating element in the open position of the clamp spring, the actuating element may have a retaining contour. The retaining contour allows for secure definition and holding of the locking leg on the actuating element in the open position of the clamp spring. Within the region of the retaining contour, the locking leg can apply a second pressure to the actuating element in the open position of the clamp spring. Preferably, the retaining contour is formed on the actuating element itself in the form of a special surface shape.

[0027] The actuating element can have a U-shaped cross-section. The actuating element can have a first actuating arm and a second actuating arm arranged remotely from the first actuating arm, and the two actuating arms can be connected to each other via a connecting web. Then, a retaining contour can be formed on the first actuating arm and on the second actuating arm. The two actuating arms are preferably oriented parallel to each other. A free space is formed between the two actuating arms into which a conductor to be connected is inserted and which can guide the conductor to be connected in the direction of the latching leg. A conductor connection space formed between the current bar and the clamping spring can be laterally defined by the first actuating arm and the second actuating arm, whereby the two actuating arms can guide the conductor to be connected and prevent the conductor from bending laterally. The retaining contour on the first actuating arm is preferably formed symmetrically with respect to the retaining contour arranged on the second actuating arm. In the open position of the clamping spring, the latching leg can be held, in particular latched, on the two actuating arms or on the two retaining contours of the two actuating arms. At its free end, the latching leg can have a T-shape that enables the latching leg to be held on the two actuating arms. As a result of the T-shape, the latching leg can have a first retaining arm projecting in a first lateral direction and a second retaining arm projecting in a second lateral direction, the first retaining arm being able to hold the latching leg on the retaining contour of the first actuating arm and the second retaining arm being able to hold the latching leg on the retaining contour of the second actuating arm.

[0028] In the open position, a first pressure can be applied to the actuating element by the clamping leg of the clamping spring. The clamping leg can have a clamping tab and at least one lateral tab arranged laterally to the clamping tab. A clamping edge for clamping a conductor connected to the current bar in the clamping position can be formed on the free end of the clamping tab. In the open position, the first pressure can be applied to the actuating element by at least one lateral tab. Thus, the clamping leg itself can apply a first pressure to the actuating element that acts in the opposite direction to the actuating direction of the actuating element. When the latching leg is released from the brace support or latching with the actuating element, only the first pressure applied by the clamping leg still acts on the actuating element, whereby, in that the clamping leg can push the actuating element upwards in the opposite direction to the actuating direction, as a result of this pressure of the clamping leg, the clamping spring or the clamping leg can pivot automatically from the open position to the clamping position. The clamping leg is preferably divided into a clamping tab and at least one, preferably two, lateral tabs that can be formed laterally to the clamping tab. In the case of two lateral tabs, the clamping tab is arranged between the two lateral tabs. The two lateral tabs preferably come into direct contact with the actuating element, whereby the first pressure can be applied to the actuating element via these two lateral tabs. The clamping tab preferably does not come into direct contact with the actuating element, but the clamping tab is only used for clamping a conductor against the current bar in the clamping position. At least one lateral tab is preferably curved, whereby a runner can be formed that can slide along the edge surface of the actuating element that forms the actuating surface while being moved between the open position and the clamping position.

[0029] The connection assembly is preferably designed such that the actuating direction of the actuating element can be formed laterally with respect to the conductor insertion direction of the conductor connected to the conductor connection space formed between the current bar and the clamping spring.

[0030] The object of the present invention is also achieved by a terminal block having a housing and at least one connection assembly disposed within the housing and formed and deployed as described above. Conductor insertion openings can be formed on the housing and coplanar with the conductor connection space of the connection assembly, through which conductors to be connected can be inserted into the housing and the connection assembly. In particular, in the case of a design as a terminal block that can be hooked onto a support rail, two such connection assemblies can also be disposed within the housing.

[0031] Furthermore, an object of the present invention can be achieved by an electronic device having at least one connection assembly and / or at least one connection terminal formed and deployed as described above. The electronic device may be, for example, a switch cabinet in which one or more support rails or mounting plates can be arranged and on which one or more connection terminals, in particular a terminal block having a corresponding connection assembly, can be hooked.

[0032] The objective solution according to the present invention can be further achieved by a method for mounting a connector, in which a first body element of an actuating element, on which a gripping surface for acting the actuating element is formed, and a second body element of an actuating element, on which at least one actuating surface for acting a clamp spring is formed, are moved to a pre-engaged position relative to each other before being mounted in the housing of the connector.

[0033] The present invention will be described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings based on preferred embodiments. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0034] [Figure 1] This is a schematic exploded view of the operating element according to the present invention, as seen from the lateral side. [Figure 2] Figure 1 is a schematic exploded view of the operating element as seen from the longitudinal side. [Figure 3]This is a schematic diagram of the operating element in the pre-locked position as viewed from the side. [Figure 4] This is a schematic cross-sectional view of the operating element shown in Figure 3 at the pre-engaged position, as seen from the longitudinal side. [Figure 5] These are schematic diagrams of a connection assembly including the operating elements shown in Figures 1 to 4 within the connection terminal, with the clamp spring in the clamping position. [Figure 6] Figure 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the connector terminal shown, with the clamp spring in the clamping position. [Figure 7] This is a schematic diagram of a connection terminal according to the present invention, with the clamp spring in the open position. [Figure 8] This is a schematic cross-sectional view of the connector shown in Figure 7, with the clamp spring in the open position. [Figure 9] This is a schematic diagram of the operating elements. [Figure 10] This is a schematic diagram of the operating element in a further embodiment. [Figure 11] This is a schematic cross-sectional view of the connection terminals at the clamping position. [Figure 12] This is a schematic diagram of a second main body element according to a further embodiment. [Figure 13] This is a schematic cross-sectional view of the connection terminal to the second main body element shown in Figure 12. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0035] Figures 1 and 2 show the actuation element 100 in exploded view. In the embodiments described herein, the actuation element 100 comprises a first body element 110, a second body element 111, and a spring element 112. These three parts are all individual components that are attached to and connected to one another.

[0036] The first main body element 110 has a gripping surface 113 through which the actuation element 100 can be actuated manually or by a tool. The gripping surface 113 is formed on the outer surface of the first main body element 110. For example, the gripping surface 113 may have a tool receiving area 126, for example in the form of a slot, through which a tool such as a screwdriver can be engaged.

[0037] On the other hand, the second body element 111 directly interacts with the clamp spring 211 that is actuated. For this purpose, the second body element 111 has at least one actuating surface 114a, 114b for actinguating the clamp spring 211. The actuating surfaces 114a, 114b are formed on the edge surfaces of the second body element 111.

[0038] Accordingly, the two body elements 110 and 111 have two separate functions. The actuation element 100 is actuated by the user via the first body element 110. The first body element 110 is positioned away from the clamp spring 211, thereby preventing direct contact between the first body element 110 and the clamp spring 211. In contrast, the clamp spring 211 is in contact only with the second body element.

[0039] The two body elements 110 and 111 are also made of different materials. The first body element 110 is made of a first material, which is an insulating material such as a plastic material, thereby electrically insulating the first material of the first body element 110. In contrast, the second body element 111 is made of a second material, which has different properties from the first material of the first body element 110. The second material of the second body element 111 is a high-strength material, such as a metallic material.

[0040] In particular, as shown in Figure 1, in the embodiments described herein, the second body element 111 has a U-shape. The second body element 111 has two operating arms 115a, 115b extending parallel to each other, which are connected to each other via a connecting web 116. Each of the two operating arms 115a, 115b extends at a 90° angle with respect to the connecting web 116. Each operating arm 115a, 115b has an operating surface 114a, 114b, which allows for symmetrical operation of the clamp spring 211 via the two operating surfaces 114a, 114b.

[0041] The second main body element 111 has path restricting elements 127a and 127b on its two operating arms 115a and 115b. The path restricting elements 127a and 127b restrict the operating element 100 in its movement or in a movement path opposite to the operating direction B when the clamp spring 211 is moved from the open position to the clamped position.

[0042] The two path limiting elements 127a and 127b each form stop surfaces 128a and 128b, which can interact with opposing stop surfaces that can be formed on the connection assembly 200 or on the connection terminal 300. The stop surfaces 128a and 128b are each formed at the free ends of the path limiting elements 127a and 127b. The stop surfaces 128a and 128b face the direction of the first body element 110. The path limiting elements 127a and 127b are each designed in the form of a tab or latch lug that bends out of the plane of a particular actuating arm 115a or 115b. Accordingly, the path limiting elements 127a and 127b are formed from the same material as the actuating arms 115a and 115b.

[0043] In the embodiments shown in Figures 1 to 11, the path limiting elements 127a and 127b are oriented away from each other in such a way that both path limiting elements 127a and 127b face away from the free space 117 formed between the two actuation arms 115a and 115b. Accordingly, the two path limiting elements 127a and 127b are bent outward. In this embodiment, the opposing stop surfaces are formed by the housing surface 314 of the housing 310 of the connector terminal 300, as seen in Figure 11. The housing surface 314 is formed in the form of an undercut in this region so that the two path limiting elements 127a and 127b can come into contact with their stop surfaces 128a and 128b when the actuation element 100 reaches its initial position as shown in Figure 11. In this starting position, the operating element 100, whose gripping surface 113 is formed on the first main body element 111, is positioned coplanar with the outer surface 312 of the housing 310 so that the user can visually recognize this starting position, and therefore the clamping position of the clamp spring 211, from the outside.

[0044] The path limiting elements 217a and 217b prevent the actuating element 100 from sliding off the outer surface 312 of the housing 310 and thus from protruding. Thus, the path limiting elements 217a and 217b enable the initial position to represent a defined and reproducible position of the actuating element 100.

[0045] In the embodiments shown in Figures 12 and 13, the two path restriction elements 127a and 127b are oriented toward each other. The two path restriction elements 127a and 127b protrude into the free space 117 between the two actuation arms 115a and 115b.

[0046] As can be seen in the cross-sectional view of Figure 13, the opposing stop surface is formed by the current bar 210 of the connection assembly 200. In the starting position, as shown in Figure 13, the movement limiting elements 127a and 127b, together with the stop surfaces 128a and 128b, contact the current bar 210 to restrict the actuating element 100 to move in the opposite direction to the actuating direction B.

[0047] In both embodiments, the path limiting elements 127a and 127b are formed at exactly the same height on the operating arms 115a and 115b of the second body element 111.

[0048] A free space 117 is formed between the two actuating arms 115a and 115b, through which the current bar 210 is guided into the connection assembly 200, into which the conductor to be connected 400 is inserted. Thus, the clamping of the conductor 400 to be connected to the current bar 210 is performed in the region of the free space 117. In this way, the two actuating arms 115a and 115b can form a lateral guide for the conductor to be connected 400.

[0049] When attached to the connection assembly 200, the actuation element 100 rests on the current bar 210 together with the connection web 116, and the two actuation arms 115a and 115b overlap the current bar 210 laterally.

[0050] Before the actuation element 100 is attached to the connection assembly, the first body element 110 is pre-hooked with the second body element 111. In this pre-hooked position, the two body elements 110 and 111 are connected to each other via a locking connection. As shown in Figures 3 and 4, in the pre-hooked position, the first body element 110 is hooked to the second body element 111 via the connecting web 116 of the second body element 111. In the pre-hooked position, the two body elements 110 and 111 are positioned in a fixed position relative to each other.

[0051] The first main body element 110 has two opposing lateral surfaces 118a and 118b. Each of the two lateral surfaces 118a and 118b extends at a 90° angle to the gripping surface 113 of the first main body element 110. The pre-hooking of the first main body element 110 to the second main body element 111 is performed via the two lateral surfaces 118a and 118b. Openings 119a and 119b are formed in both cases on the two lateral surfaces 118a and 118b. The two openings 119a and 119b face each other.

[0052] Two opposing latching elements 120a and 120b are formed on the second main body element 111 and, as can be seen from the cross-sectional view in Figure 4, are either pre-attached to or latched to the two openings 119a and 119b. The two latching elements 120a and 120b are formed on the connecting web 116. The two latching elements 120a and 120b are designed in the form of latching lugs, each extending away from the connecting web 116. The two latching elements 120a and 120b extend in the plane of the connecting web 116, thereby each forming a lateral extension of the connecting web 116.

[0053] To form a pre-locking position, the first body element 111 is pushed onto the connecting web 116, and therefore onto the first body element 110, along with its two lateral sides 118a, 118b, until the locking elements 120a, 120b on the connecting web 116 can fit into the openings 119a, 119b formed in the lateral sides 118a, 118b. In the pre-locking position shown in Figures 3 and 4, the lateral sides 118a, 118b of the first body element 110 overlap the connecting web 116 of the second body element 111 accordingly.

[0054] The first body element 110 is also fastened to the second body element 111 via a fastening dome 121 formed on the first body element 110 and into which an opening 122 formed within the second body element 111 can enter.

[0055] Here, the fastening dome 121 is formed around the central part of the first main body element 111. The fastening dome 121 is positioned in the center between the two lateral surfaces 118a and 118b.

[0056] The opening 122 is formed in the connecting web 116 of the second main body element 111. The opening 122 is also formed around the central part of the connecting web 116. In the pre-locked position, the fastening dome 121 is guided through the opening 122, as shown in Figure 4.

[0057] The fastening dome 121 can be positioned by press-fitting it into the opening 122.

[0058] The spring element 112 can be fastened to the fastening dome 121 as shown in Figure 3. Figure 4 shows a cross-sectional view with the spring element 112 removed.

[0059] In this specification, the spring element 112 is designed in the form of a spiral spring that is pressed into or inserted into the outer circumferential surface of the fastening dome.

[0060] As shown in Figures 5 to 8, when the actuation element 100 is attached to the connection assembly 200, the actuation element 100 is supported by the current bar 210 via the spring element 112. While attached to the connection assembly 200, the actuation element 100 can be spring-biased via the spring element 112. Before the actuation element 100 is attached to the connection assembly 200, the spring element 112 is fastened to the first body element 110 via the fastening dome 121. The spring element 112 is designed as a compression spring.

[0061] Using the first end 123, the spring element 112 is fastened to the fastening dome 121 and, therefore, to the first body element 110. Using the second end 124 opposite to the first end 123, the spring element 112 abuts against and is supported by the current bar 210.

[0062] Figure 9 shows an operating element 100 that substantially corresponds to the embodiments shown in Figures 1 to 4, and the operating element 100 shown in Figure 9 does not have a spring element 112.

[0063] In the actuation element 100 shown in Figure 10, there is no spring element 112, and the second main body element 111 has only one actuation arm 115a, and therefore only one actuation surface 114a. Otherwise, the actuation element 100 shown in Figure 10 corresponds similarly to the actuation elements 100 shown in Figures 1 to 4.

[0064] Figures 5 to 8 show a connection terminal 300 including a housing 310 in which a connection assembly 200 for connecting a conductor 400 is housed. The housing 310 is preferably formed from an insulating material, such as a plastic material. The connection assembly 200 is housed inside the housing 310.

[0065] The connection assembly 200 includes a current bar 210 and a clamping spring 211, and as shown in Figures 5 and 6, the conductor to be connected 400 can be electrically clamped to the current bar 210 by the clamping spring 211.

[0066] The clamp spring 211 is designed as a leg spring. The clamp spring 211 has a retaining leg 212 and a clamping leg 213. The retaining leg 212 and the clamping leg 213 are connected to each other via a curved portion 214. The retaining leg 212 is positioned in a fixed position within the housing 310. The clamping leg 213 is pivotable relative to the retaining leg 212 so that the clamp spring 211 can be moved and positioned in an open position as shown in Figures 7 and 8, and in a clamped position as shown in Figures 5 and 6, depending on the position of the clamping leg 213.

[0067] The clamp spring 211 also has a locking leg 215, so that the clamp spring 211 has three legs. The locking leg 215 is connected to a retaining leg 212, so that the retaining leg 212 is positioned between the clamp leg 213 and the locking leg 215. In the embodiment shown herein, the locking leg 215 extends substantially perpendicularly from the retaining leg 212. The locking leg 215 is designed to be long enough to start from the retaining leg 212 and protrude beyond the clamp leg 213, at least in the open position of the clamp spring 211. The locking leg 215 helps to hold the clamp spring 211 in the open position.

[0068] The latching leg 215 starts from the retaining leg 212 and extends in the direction of the conductor connection space 216 formed between the current bar 110 and the clamp spring 111, and the conductor to be connected 400 is inserted into this conductor connection space 216 in order to connect the conductor 400 and clamp it against the current bar 210. The latching leg 215 is designed to be long enough to define the conductor connection space 216 in the conductor insertion direction E. When the conductor 400 is inserted into the conductor connection space 216 through the conductor insertion opening 311 formed on the housing 310, the conductor 400 comes into contact with the latching leg 215, and as a result the latching leg 215 can deflect or pivot in the conductor insertion direction E.

[0069] The latching leg 215 faces the direction of the conductor connection space 216 and has a pressure surface 217 against which the conductor 400 can make contact during insertion into the conductor connection space 216. The latching leg 215 is elastically connected to the retaining leg 212 so that it can be deflected.

[0070] To move the clamp spring 211 from the clamped position to the open position, the connection assembly 200 has an actuating element 100. The actuating element 100 is guided purely linearly into the housing 310. When the clamp spring 211 is actuated to move from the clamped position to the open position, the actuating element 100 moves in the actuating direction B, and the actuating element 100 moves in the direction of the clamp spring 211. The actuating element 100 interacts with the clamp leg 213 of the clamp spring 211 in such a way that the actuating element 100 exerts a force in the actuating direction B on the clamp leg 213 via the actuating surfaces 114a, 114b of the second body element 111 of the actuating element 100, thereby causing the clamp leg 213 to pivot in the direction of the retaining leg 212 to release the conductor connection space 216.

[0071] While the actuating element 100 is moving in the actuating direction B, and therefore while the clamp spring 211 is moving from the clamped position to the open position, the spring element 112 of the actuating element 100 is compressed and therefore tensioned, as shown in Figure 8. When the clamp spring 211 is returned from the open position to the clamped position, the spring force of the spring element 112 acts on the actuating element 100 such that the actuating element 100 is returned by the spring element 112 in the opposite direction of actuating direction B, regardless of the position of the clamping leg 213 of the clamp spring 211. Thus, the predetermined position of the actuating element 100 is always achieved by the spring element 112 at the starting position of the actuating element 100, and therefore at the clamped position of the clamp spring 211, as shown in Figures 5 and 6. This makes it possible to clearly visually indicate to the user that the conductor 400 is connected to the connection assembly 200 or the connection terminal 300. In this starting position in the embodiments described herein, the actuation element 100 is positioned such that its gripping surface 113 is coplanar with the outer surface 312 of the housing 310 of the connection terminal 300, as shown in Figures 5 and 6.

[0072] To prevent the spring element 112 from tilting during mounting, an opening 313 is formed inside the housing 310 of the connector terminal 300, into which the spring element 112 is inserted along with its second end 124, as shown in Figure 6, thereby ensuring clear contact of the spring element 112 with the current bar 210 by the second end 124. The spring element 112 abuts against a side surface 227 of the current bar 210, which is located opposite the surface 228 of the current bar 210 to which the connected conductor 400 is clamped.

[0073] The two actuating arms 115a and 115b of the second body element 111 of the actuating element 100 are designed to be long enough so that they can laterally define the conductor connection space 216 and thus form a lateral guide for the conductor 400 to be connected.

[0074] The two operating surfaces 114a and 114b allow the operating element 100 to rest on the clamp leg 213 of the clamp spring 211 when the clamp leg is moved from the clamp position to the open position.

[0075] The clamp leg 213 has a clamp tab 221 and two lateral tabs 222a and 222b positioned laterally to the clamp tab 221. The clamp tab 221 has a clamp edge 223 at its free end, thereby clamping the connected conductor 400 against the current bar 210, as shown in Figure 6.

[0076] The clamp tab 221 is positioned between the two transverse tabs 222a, 222b. The clamp tab 221 is longer than the two transverse tabs 222a, 222b so that the clamp tab 221 extends beyond the two transverse tabs 222a, 222b. The two transverse tabs 222a, 222b are each arched. Accordingly, the two transverse tabs 222a, 222b can each form a runner that can slide along the working surfaces 114a, 114b when interacting with the actuating element 100. In order to actuate the clamp spring 211 via its second body element 111, the actuating element 100 is in proper direct contact with the two transverse tabs 222a, 122b of the clamp spring 211, but the clamp tab 221 is not in direct contact with the actuating element 100. The clamp tab 221 is positioned within or movable within the free space 117 formed between the two operating arms 115a and 115b.

[0077] Figures 7 and 8 show the clamp spring 211 in an open position, which releases the conductor connection space 216, allowing the conductor to be connected 400 to be inserted into and guided out of the conductor connection space 216 again. In this open position, the clamp spring 211 and the actuator element 100 are braced against each other so as to form a closed force system, with the actuator element 100 held in place by the clamp spring 211 without additional auxiliary means, and the clamp spring 211 held in place by the actuator element 100.

[0078] In the open position, the actuating element 100 is braced with the clamp spring 211, such that the clamp spring 211 applies two opposing pressures D1 and D2 to the actuating element 100, particularly to the second body element 111 of the actuating element 100. As a result of these two opposing pressures D1 and D2, the actuating element 100, and therefore the clamp spring 211, can also be held in a stable, stationary position.

[0079] The first pressure D1 acts on the actuating element 100 in the opposite direction to the actuation direction B. The first pressure D1 is applied to the second body element 111 of the actuating element 100 by the clamp legs 213, in particular by the lateral tabs 222a and 222b of the clamp legs 213. In this process, the lateral tabs 222a and 222b press against the actuating surfaces 114a and 114b of the second body element 111 of the actuating element 100 with the first pressure D1 applied by the spring effect of the clamp legs 213.

[0080] A second pressure D2 acts on the actuating element 100 in the actuating direction B. The second pressure D2 is applied to the actuating element 100 by the locking leg 215 of the clamp spring 211. The locking leg 215, together with its free end 224, is held on the actuating element 100, in particular on the two actuating arms 115a and 115b of the actuating element 100, and is specifically locked to the actuating element 100. The free end 224 has a T-shape in that it has two retaining arms 225 that project laterally outward from the free end 224. In the open position, the locking leg 215 is held on the first actuating arm 115a by one retaining arm 225 and on the second actuating arm 115b by the other retaining arm 225.

[0081] To ensure that the position of the locking leg portion 215 on the actuating element 100 is fixed and thus securely held in the open position, a retaining contour 125 is formed on each of the two actuating arms 115a and 115b. The retaining contour 125 is formed away from the actuating surfaces 114a and 114b on the actuating element 100. In the open position, the two retaining arms 225 of the locking leg portion 215 contact the retaining contour 125 of the actuating arms 115a and 115b to hold the locking leg portion 215 in a stationary position.

[0082] When the clamp spring 211 is in the open position, and the conductor to be connected 400 is inserted into the conductor connection space 216 through the conductor insertion opening 311 of the housing 310 in the conductor insertion direction E, the conductor 400 comes into contact with the pressure surface 217 of the retaining leg 215 of the clamp spring 211, which is located on the same plane as the conductor insertion opening 311. As the conductor 400 comes into contact with the pressure surface 217, the retaining leg 215 pivots in the conductor insertion direction E, thereby disengaging from the retaining contour 125 of the operating element 100.

[0083] As soon as the locking leg 215 is released from the actuating element 100, the locking leg 115 no longer applies a second pressure D2 to the actuating element 100, and the brace support of the clamp spring 211 with respect to the actuating element 100 is released. Thus, only the first pressure D1 applied to the actuating element 100 by the clamp leg 213 acts on the actuating element 100, and as a result, the clamp leg 213 is able to displace the actuating element 100 upward in the opposite direction to the actuating direction B by the spring force of the clamp leg 213, and as a result, the clamp leg 213 also moves in the direction of the conductor 400 inserted into the conductor connection space 216 in order to press the conductor against the current bar 210 via the clamp tab 221 of the clamp leg 213, and thus clamp and connect the conductor 400 to the current bar 210. This clamping position of the clamp spring 211 is shown in Figures 5 and 6.

[0084] This makes it possible to connect and clamp conductors 400, especially conductors with small cross-sections, without additional assistance.

[0085] In this specification, the conductor 400 is inserted into the conductor connection space 216, and therefore into the connection assembly 200 or the connection terminal 300, in a direction lateral to the operating direction B of the operating element 100. [Explanation of symbols]

[0086] 100 Operating elements 110 First main element 111 Second Housing Section 112 Spring elements 113 Gripping surface 114a, 114b Working surface 115a, 115b Operating arms 116 Connect to the Web 117 Free Space 118a, 118b Side view 119a, 119b opening 120a, 120b locking element 121 Consolidated Dome 122 Opening 123 First end 124 Second end 125 Retaining contour 126 Tool receiving area 127a, 127b Route restriction elements 128a, 128b Stop surface 200 connection assemblies 210 Current Bar 211 Clamp spring 212 Holding leg 213 Clamp Legs 214 Arcuate part 215 Hanging legs 216 Conductor connection space 217 Pressure surface 221 Clamp Tab 222a, 222b Horizontal tabs 223 Clamp edge 224 Free end 225 Holding Arm 227 External surface 228 Surface 300 connection terminals 310 Housing 311 Conductor insertion opening 312 Exterior 313 Opening 314 Housing surface 400 conductor D1 First pressure D2 Second pressure B Actuation direction E Conductor insertion direction

Claims

1. An actuation element (100) for actinguating the clamp spring (211) of the connection assembly (200), A first main body element (110) having a gripping surface (113) formed thereon for operating the aforementioned operating element (100), A second main body element (111) having at least one operating surface (114a, 114b) formed thereon for acting the clamp spring (211), It has, The first main body element (110) and the second main body element (111) are at least two components formed separately from each other, and the first main body element (110) is connected to the second main body element (111) to form the operating element (100). Before the first main body element (110) is attached to the connecting assembly (200), it is moved to a pre-engaged position with the second main body element (111). An operating element (100) characterized in that the first main body element (110) has two opposing openings (119a, 119b) into which two opposing locking elements (120a, 120b) formed on the second main body element (111) can be locked.

2. An actuation element (100) for actinguating the clamp spring (211) of the connection assembly (200), A first main body element (110) having a gripping surface (113) formed thereon for operating the aforementioned operating element (100), A second main body element (111) having at least one operating surface (114a, 114b) formed thereon for acting the clamp spring (211), It has, The first main body element (110) and the second main body element (111) are at least two components formed separately from each other, and the first main body element (110) is connected to the second main body element (111) to form the operating element (100). Before the first main body element (110) is attached to the connecting assembly (200), it is moved to a pre-engaged position with the second main body element (111). The second main body element (111) has at least one operating arm (115a, 115b) and a connecting web (116) formed laterally with respect to the operating arm (115a, 115b), At least one of the operating surfaces (114a, 114b) is formed on at least one of the operating arms (115a, 115b), An operating element (100) characterized in that the second main body element (111) is pre-hooked onto the first main body element (110) at the pre-hooked position via the connecting web (116).

3. An actuation element (100) for actinguating the clamp spring (211) of the connection assembly (200), A first main body element (110) having a gripping surface (113) formed thereon for operating the aforementioned operating element (100), A second main body element (111) having at least one operating surface (114a, 114b) formed thereon for acting the clamp spring (211), It has, The first main body element (110) and the second main body element (111) are at least two components formed separately from each other, and the first main body element (110) is connected to the second main body element (111) to form the operating element (100). Before the first main body element (110) is attached to the connecting assembly (200), it is moved to a pre-engaged position with the second main body element (111). An operating element (100) characterized in that, in the open position of the clamp spring (211), a retaining contour (125) for holding the latching leg portion (215) of the connecting assembly (200) of the clamp spring (211) is formed on the second main body element (111).

4. An actuation element (100) for actinguating the clamp spring (211) of the connection assembly (200), A first main body element (110) having a gripping surface (113) formed thereon for operating the aforementioned operating element (100), A second main body element (111) having at least one operating surface (114a, 114b) formed thereon for acting the clamp spring (211), It has, The first main body element (110) and the second main body element (111) are at least two components formed separately from each other, and the first main body element (110) is connected to the second main body element (111) to form the operating element (100). Before the first main body element (110) is attached to the connecting assembly (200), it is moved to a pre-engaged position with the second main body element (111). An operating element (100) characterized in that the first main body element (110) has a fastening dome (121) that retracts into an opening (122) formed in the second main body element (111) at the pre-locking position.

5. An actuation element (100) for actinguating the clamp spring (211) of the connection assembly (200), A first main body element (110) having a gripping surface (113) formed thereon for operating the aforementioned operating element (100), A second main body element (111) having at least one operating surface (114a, 114b) formed thereon for acting the clamp spring (211), It has, The first main body element (110) and the second main body element (111) are at least two components formed separately from each other, and the first main body element (110) is connected to the second main body element (111) to form the operating element (100). Before the first main body element (110) is attached to the connecting assembly (200), it is moved to a pre-engaged position with the second main body element (111). An operating element (100) characterized in that the second main body element (111) has at least one path restriction element (127a, 127b).

6. The first main body element (110) is formed from a first material, and the second main body element (111) is formed from a second material different from the first material. The operating element (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the second material has greater strength than the first material.

7. The operating element (100) according to claim 6, characterized in that the first material is a plastic material and the second material is a metal material.

8. The invention is characterized by a spring element (112) disposed on the fastening dome (121) of the first main body element (110), The actuation element (100) according to claim 4, wherein, in the assembled state of the actuation element (100), the spring element (112) is supported against the stop surface of the connection assembly (200) or the stop surface of the connection terminal (300) on which the connection assembly (200) is located.

9. The actuation element (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, after being moved to the pre-locked position, the first body element (110) can be further connected to the second body element (111) by press-fitting and / or integral connection.

10. A connection assembly (200) for connecting a conductor (400), Current bar (210), A clamp spring (211) having a retaining leg (212) and a clamping leg (213), wherein the clamping leg (213) clamps the connected conductor (400) against the current bar (210) at the clamping position of the clamp spring (211), An operating element (100) that can be guided along the operating direction (B), thereby moving the clamp spring (211) from the clamp position to the open position, It has, A connecting assembly (200) characterized in that the operating element (100) is designed according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

11. The connection assembly (200) according to claim 10, characterized in that the actuation element (100) is supported on the current bar (210) by a spring element (112) of the actuation element.

12. The connecting assembly (200) according to claim 10, characterized in that the actuation element (100) is braced and supported with the clamp spring (211) in the open position of the clamp spring (211) together with the second body element (111) of the actuation element, and holds the clamp spring (211) in the open position.

13. The connecting assembly (200) according to claim 12, characterized in that, in order to form a brace support, the clamp spring (211) applies a first pressure (D1) acting in the opposite direction of operation (B) of the actuating element (100) and a second pressure (D2) acting in the direction of operation (B) of the actuating element (100) to the second body element (111) of the actuating element (100).

14. The connection assembly (200) according to claim 13, characterized in that the latching leg (215) is positioned on the retaining leg (212), and the second pressure (D2) is applied to the operating element (100) in the open position.

15. The connection assembly (200) according to claim 14, characterized in that the locking leg (215) has a pressure surface (217), the pressure surface (217) can be actuated by the connected conductor (400) to move the clamp spring (211) from the open position to the clamp position, and the locking leg (215) can be disengaged from engagement with the actuating element (100) by actinguating the pressure surface (217).

16. The connection assembly (200) according to claim 10, characterized in that the operating direction (B) of the operating element (100) is formed laterally with respect to the conductor insertion direction (E) of the conductor (400) connected to the conductor connection space (216) formed between the current bar (210) and the clamp spring (211).

17. Housing (310) and At least one connection assembly (200) according to claim 10, disposed within the housing (310), A connection terminal (300) having the following characteristics.

18. An electronic device having at least one connection assembly (200) according to claim 10, and / or at least one connection terminal (300) according to claim 17.

19. A method for attaching the connection terminal (300) described in claim 17, A method comprising moving a first body element (110) of the actuating element (100), which has a gripping surface (113) formed on the actuating element for acting the actuating element, and a second body element (111) of the actuating element (100), which has at least one actuating surface (114a, 114b) formed on the actuating element for acting a clamp spring (211), to a pre-engaged position relative to each other before being installed in the housing (310) of the connection terminal (300).

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