Clamp springs, connection assemblies, and connection terminals

Abstract

The subject of the present invention is a clamp spring (100) for clamping a conductor (400) to be connected to a current bar (210), the clamp spring (100) having a holding leg (110), a clamp leg (111) which can be moved into an open position and a clamped position, and a locking leg (112) which can be moved into a holding position and a released position, in which the locking leg (112) is held on an actuating element (211) and in which, in the released position, the locking leg (112) is released from the actuating element (211), the locking leg (112) having a pressing surface (117) by means of which the locking leg (112) can be moved from the holding position to the released position by the conductor (400) to be connected, the pressing surface (117) being curved in the direction of the clamp leg (111) and having a portion (123) on which a first conductor contact surface (120) is formed.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a clamping spring for clamping a conductor to be connected to a current bar. The present invention also relates to a connection assembly, a connection terminal, and an electronic device.

Background Art

[0002] Such a connection assembly typically has a clamping spring designed as a leg spring, which has a holding leg and a clamping leg and can clamp a conductor inserted into the connection assembly to the current bar by the clamping leg of the clamping spring. Specifically, when clamping a flexible conductor, before inserting the conductor, the clamping spring must be moved to the open position by an operating element, and thus the operating element is operated to rotate the clamping spring or the clamping leg away from the current bar so that the conductor can be inserted into an intermediate space designed as a conductor connection space between the current bar and the clamping spring. Only in the case of a rigid and thus robust conductor, the conductor can rotate the clamping leg away from the current bar without the user having to operate the operating element to rotate the clamping leg away from the current bar, provided that sufficient force can be applied to the clamping spring or the clamping leg of the clamping spring. When using a flexible conductor, the user must first rotate the clamping spring away from the current bar by operating the operating element so that the flexible conductor can be inserted. Here, the operating element is usually pressed against the clamping leg of the clamping spring to rotate the clamping leg away from the current bar and release the conductor connection space. Then, the operating element is manually held in this open position until the flexible conductor is inserted into the conductor connection space and can be clamped to the current bar. When inserting a flexible conductor into the conductor connection space, the operating element must be operated again to move the clamping spring or the clamping leg from the open position to the clamping position to clamp the conductor to the current bar.

Summary of the Invention

[0003] The object of the present invention is to provide clamp springs, connection assemblies, connection terminals, and electronic devices characterized by simplified handling during connection, particularly when connecting flexible conductors. [Means for solving the problem]

[0004] The objective is achieved by the features of the independent claims in accordance with the present invention. Suitable embodiments and advantageous development modes of the present invention are specified in the dependent claims.

[0005] The clamp spring according to the present invention comprises a retaining leg, a clamping leg that can be moved to an open position and a clamped position, and a locking leg that can be moved to a retaining position and a release position. In the retaining position, the locking leg is held on an operating element, and in the release position, the locking leg is released from the operating element. The locking leg has a pressing surface, which allows the locking leg to be moved from the retaining position to the release position by a conductor to be connected. The pressing surface is curved in the direction of the clamping leg and has a portion on which a first conductor contact surface is formed.

[0006] According to the present invention, the clamp spring is designed as a leg spring and has three legs: a clamp leg, a retaining leg, and a locking leg. When the clamp leg is in the open position, which allows the conductor to be connected to be inserted into or removed from the conductor connection space, the locking leg is in the retaining position, in which position the locking leg is held on the actuating element, and the actuating element can move the clamp leg from the clamp position to the open position. In the open position, the clamp leg can apply a compressive force to the actuating element, and the locking leg, in its retaining position, can apply a second compressive force to the actuating element which acts in the opposite direction to the first compressive force. Thus, in the open position, the actuating element is supported by the clamp spring. Due to the support configuration of the actuating element by the clamp spring in the open position of the clamp spring, the actuating element can be automatically held in this position and the clamp spring can be held in the open position. The actuating element and the clamp spring 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 manually hold the actuating element in this position or to hold it with a tool. To enable the connection of conductors with small conductor cross-sections, especially flexible conductors, without the use of a tool, the locking leg may have a pressing surface, which can be activated by the conductor to be connected to move the clamp spring from the open position to the clamped position, thereby releasing the pressing surface from the actuating element. The pressing surface can be positioned on an extension of the conductor insertion opening of the housing of the connection terminal, so that the conductor contacts the pressing surface of the locking leg when the conductor is inserted into the connection assembly or conductor connection space. By applying a compressive force to the pressing surface by the conductor, the latching leg can be rotated or tilted in the direction of conductor insertion, thereby allowing the latching leg to rotate or tilt away from the actuating element in the direction of conductor insertion.By rotating the locking leg, the locking leg can be disengaged from the actuating element and thus released from the actuating element and moved to the released position, thereby allowing the actuating element, and therefore the clamping leg of the clamping spring, to be moved from the released position to the clamped position without manual assistance. This special mechanism allows conductors, especially those with small conductor cross-sections and / or flexible conductors, to be connected to a connection assembly and released from the clamped position to the released position by simply inserting and moving the conductor, without the user needing to move further elements such as the actuating element. This facilitates handling of the connection assembly and saves time when connecting conductors. Thus, the support of the actuating element by the clamping spring in the released position of the clamping spring can be released or canceled by the conductor to be connected. The pressing surface is characterized by being curved in the direction of the clamping leg and having a portion on which a first conductor contact surface is formed. This portion, which is curved in the direction of the clamp leg and has a conductor contact surface formed thereon, allows the conductor to tilt when inserted into the conductor connection space, and in this tilted position, when it contacts the lock leg, the conductor to be connected can also actuate the lock leg. Thus, the first conductor contact surface is tilted or oblique with respect to the desired conductor insertion direction. The conductor contact surface is preferably tilted at an angle of 45°≦β≦80°, particularly preferably 60°≦β≦70°, with respect to the desired conductor insertion direction. This conductor contact surface, formed on the curved portion and being part of the pressing surface, also allows a conductor that deviates from the desired conductor insertion direction during insertion to actuate with enough force to reliably move the lock leg from the holding position to the release position without the need for additional assistance. Preferably, the end face of the conductor rests tightly on the first conductor contact surface, thereby contacting the pressing surface so that the best trigger pressure can be applied to the first conductor contact surface, and therefore to the pressing surface of the lock leg.The first conductor contact surface is formed on a portion of the pressing surface, and this portion is curved in the direction of the clamp leg, so that the conductor to be connected can be prevented from slipping while in operation and therefore in contact with the lock leg.

[0007] The locking leg preferably has a free end, along which a pressing surface extends, and a second conductor contact surface is formed on the free end. The second conductor contact surface formed on the free end is preferably aligned in the desired conductor insertion direction. When the conductor to be connected is inserted into the conductor connection space along the desired conductor insertion direction, the conductor to be connected comes into contact with the second conductor contact surface of the pressing surface, moving the locking leg from the holding position to the release position. Thus, the pressing surface has two conductor contact surfaces, which can receive the conductor at different conductor insertion angles and actuate the locking leg. The second conductor contact surface is preferably adjacent to the first conductor contact surface.

[0008] The first conductor contact surface preferably has an angle with respect to the second conductor contact surface. The first conductor contact surface preferably extends to the second conductor contact surface at an angle of 140°≦α≦170°, and particularly preferably at an angle of 145°≦α≦165°. Thus, a conductor that is inclined while being inserted into the conductor connection space and is not inserted along the desired conductor insertion direction, but instead inserted at an angle relative to the desired conductor insertion direction, can be guided from the second conductor contact surface to the first conductor contact surface, thereby ensuring that the locking leg is activated and moved from the holding position to the release position, regardless of the angle of the inserted conductor.

[0009] The locking leg is preferably formed integrally with the retaining leg, and therefore the clamping leg. Thus, the clamping spring can be formed to have three legs from a single stamped and bent piece.

[0010] The locking leg can be connected to the retaining leg by a connecting portion. The connecting portion is preferably designed to allow the locking leg to be elastically connected to the retaining leg, thereby allowing the locking leg to rotate relative to the retaining leg. The connecting portion is preferably curved. The connecting portion is preferably curved so that the locking leg bends at a substantially 90° angle from the retaining leg.

[0011] To enable a particularly good spring effect of the locking leg relative to the retaining leg, the locking leg is preferably tapered toward the retaining leg in the connection region. The locking leg is preferably substantially narrower in the connection region than the region of the pressing surface or the region of the two conductor support surfaces of the pressing surface of the locking leg. The connection region is preferably narrower immediately adjacent to the retaining leg by more than half the width of the pressing surface of the locking leg.

[0012] The clamp spring can be designed to connect to the current bar of the connection assembly in a positive locking manner. As a result, a self-clamping structural unit can be realized between the clamp spring and the current bar. This is because, in the clamping position or initial position where no conductor is inserted, the clamp legs can apply a compressive force to the current bar, and at the same time, the clamp spring can be connected to the current bar in a positive locking manner by its retaining legs.

[0013] To form a positive lock connection between the clamp spring and the current bar, the retaining leg may have at least one retaining arm for holding the retaining leg on the current bar. The retaining arm allows the retaining leg to engage in a positive lock manner with the current bar, particularly with an opening or notch in the current bar. The retaining arm is preferably formed on the retaining leg, thereby protruding beyond the connection portion.

[0014] To form a particularly stable and particularly tilt-resistant connection between the clamp spring and the current bar, the retaining leg has a first retaining arm and a second retaining arm, with the connecting portion positioned between them. The two retaining arms are preferably symmetrical to each other. The two retaining arms are preferably parallel to each other.

[0015] The object of the present invention is also realized by a connection assembly for connecting conductors, comprising a current bar, a clamp spring, and an actuation element, wherein the clamp spring is designed and developed as described above, and the actuation element has a retaining shape for holding the locking leg of the clamp spring in a retaining position.

[0016] To hold the latch leg on the actuating element in the open position of the clamp spring, the actuating element may have a retaining shape. The retaining shape allows the latch leg to be firmly and definitively held on the actuating element in the open position of the clamp spring. Within the region of the retaining shape, the latch leg can apply a second compressive force to the actuating element in the open position of the clamp spring. Preferably, the retaining shape is formed on the actuating element itself with a special surface shape.

[0017] The current bar may have at least one opening into which a clamp spring can be hooked by at least one retaining arm of the retaining leg. This allows for a positive lock connection between the current bar and the clamp spring. Preferably, the retaining leg may have two retaining arms, and the current bar may have two openings spaced apart from each other, into which one of the two retaining arms can be hooked.

[0018] The object of the present invention is also realized by a connection clamp, and more specifically by a terminal block having a housing and at least one connection assembly disposed within the housing and formed and developed as described above. A conductor insertion opening can be formed on the housing and coplanar with the conductor connection space of the connection assembly, and the conductor to be connected can be inserted into the housing and into the connection assembly through the conductor insertion opening. More specifically, two such connection assemblies can also be disposed within the housing when designed as a terminal block that can be latched onto a support rail.

[0019] Furthermore, an object of the present invention can be realized by an electronic device having at least one connection assembly formed and developed as described above, and / or at least one connection clamp formed and developed as described above. The electronic device may be, for example, a switch cabinet on which one or more support rails or mounting plates can be arranged, on which several connection terminals, in particular terminal blocks having corresponding connection assemblies, can be latched.

[0020] 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]

[0021] [Figure 1] This is a schematic diagram of the clamp spring according to the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a schematic diagram of a configuration including a current bar and two clamp springs similar to the clamp spring shown in Figure 1, positioned on the current bar. [Figure 3] Figure 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the configuration shown. [Figure 4] This is a schematic diagram of a connector with a conductor inserted. [Figure 5] Figure 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the connection terminals shown.

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0022] FIG. 1 shows a clamp spring 100. The clamp spring 100 is designed as a leg spring. The clamp spring 100 has a holding leg 110, a clamp leg 111, and a locking leg 112. The clamp leg 111 is connected to the holding leg 110 by an arcuate portion 113. The clamp leg 111 is rotatable relative to the holding leg 110, whereby, depending on the position of the clamp leg 111, the clamp leg 111, and thus the clamp spring 100, can be moved and positioned between an open position and a clamp position.

[0023] The clamp leg is moved from the clamp position to the open position by an actuating element 211 (shown in FIGS. 4 and 5) of the connection assembly 200.

[0024] The actuating element 211 is guided purely linearly in the housing 310 of the connection terminal 300 as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. When the clamp spring 100 is actuated to move the clamp leg 111 from the clamp position to the open position, the actuating element 211 is moved in the actuating direction B, and the actuating element 211 is moved in the actuating direction B towards the clamp spring 100. The actuating element 211 interacts with the clamp leg 111 of the clamp spring 100, and the actuating element 211 applies a force in the actuating direction B to the clamp leg 111, whereby the clamp leg is rotated towards the holding leg 110, releasing a conductor connection space 212 formed between the clamp leg 111 of the clamp spring 100 and the current bar 210 of the connection assembly 200.

[0025] In the embodiment shown herein, the actuation element 211 has a U-shaped cross-section. The actuation element 211 has actuation arms 213a and 213b extending parallel to each other. A free space is formed between the two actuation arms 213a and 213b, through which the conductor 400 to be connected can be guided. The two actuation arms 213a and 213b are designed to have a length such that they can define a conductor connection space 212 in the lateral direction, and thus form a lateral guide for the conductor 400 to be connected, as can be seen in Figures 4 and 5.

[0026] Actuating surfaces 214a and 214b are formed on the edges of the operating arms 213a and 213b that are facing the clamp spring 100. The acting surfaces 214a and 214b interact with the clamp leg 111 to actuate the clamp leg 111 of the clamp spring 100. The operating element 211 contacts the clamp leg 111 of the clamp spring 100 using its two acting surfaces 214a and 214b when the clamp leg is moved from the clamped position to the released position.

[0027] The clamp leg 111 has a clamp tab 114 and a clamp tab 114 It has two side tabs 115a and 115b positioned to the side of the clamp tab 114. The clamp tab 114 has a clamp edge 116 at its free end, and the clamp edge 116 clamps the conductor 400 to be connected to the current bar 210.

[0028] The clamp tab 114 is positioned between the two side tabs 115a and 115b. The clamp tab 114 is longer than the two side tabs 115a and 115b, thereby extending beyond them. Each of the two side tabs 115a and 115b has an arc shape. Thus, the two side tabs 115a and 115b can form runners that can slide along the working surfaces 214a and 214b while interacting with the actuation element 211. Thus, the actuation element 211 makes direct contact with the two side tabs 115a and 115b of the clamp spring 100 in order to actuate the clamp spring 100, while the clamp tab 114 does not make direct contact with the actuation element 211. The clamp tab 114 is positioned in the free space formed between the two actuation arms 213a and 213b.

[0029] The locking leg 112, which is the third leg of the clamp spring 100, is connected to the retaining leg 110, so that the retaining leg 110 is positioned between the clamping leg 111 and the locking leg 112. In the embodiment shown herein, the locking leg 112 extends substantially at a right angle away from the retaining leg 110. The locking leg 112 is designed to have a length such that it protrudes beyond the retaining leg 110 and the clamping leg 111, at least when the clamping leg 111 is in the open position. The locking leg 112 serves, in particular, to help hold the clamp spring 100 in the open position.

[0030] The locking leg 112 extends from the retaining leg 110 toward the conductor connection space 212 into which the conductor to be connected 400 is inserted, the conductor 400 is connected and clamped to the current bar 210. The locking leg 112 is designed to have a length that defines the conductor connection space 212 in the conductor insertion direction E, Es. When the conductor 400 is inserted into the conductor connection space 212 through the conductor insertion opening 311 formed in the housing 310, the conductor 400 comes into contact with the locking leg 112, resulting in the locking leg 112 bending or rotating in the conductor insertion direction E, Es.

[0031] The locking leg 112 is locked on the actuation element 211, with its free end 118 held on the actuation element 211, more specifically on the two actuation arms 213a and 213b of the actuation element 211.

[0032] As can be seen in Figure 1, the free end 118 of the lock leg 112 has a T-shape. This is because the free end 118 has two retaining arms 122a and 122b that protrude laterally outward. In the open position, as can be seen in Figures 4 and 5, the lock leg 112 is held on the first operating arm 213a using its first retaining arm 122a and on the second operating arm 213b using its second retaining arm 122b.

[0033] Retaining outlines 215a and 215b are formed on each of the two actuating arms 213a and 213b so that the lock leg 112 can be securely and therefore definitively held on the actuating element 211 in the open position. The retaining outlines 215a and 215b are formed on the actuating element 211 at a distance from the actuating surfaces 214a and 214b. In the open position, the two retaining arms 122a and 122b of the lock leg 112 contact the retaining outlines 215a and 215b of the actuating arms 213a and 213b to hold the lock leg 112 in a stationary position.

[0034] The locking leg 112 has a pressing surface 117 facing the conductor connection space 212, which contacts the pressing surface 117 when the conductor 400 is inserted into the conductor connection space 212, releasing the locking leg 112 from the retaining outlines 215a, 215b of the actuation element 211, and thus moving the locking leg from the retaining position to the released position. The pressing surface 117 extends over most of the length of the locking leg 112. The pressing surface 117 extends from the free end 118 of the locking leg 112 to the connecting portion 119 of the locking leg 112, by which the locking leg 112 is connected to the retaining leg 110.

[0035] The pressing surface 117 has a first conductor contact surface 120, and immediately next to the first conductor contact surface 120, a second conductor contact surface 121. The conductor 400 to be connected comes into contact with the second conductor contact surface 121, and its end face 410 rests on it, allowing the lock leg 112 to be moved from the holding position to the release position.

[0036] The second conductor contact surface 121 is formed in the region of the free end 118 of the lock leg 112. As can be seen in Figure 5, the second conductor contact surface 121 is aligned in the desired conductor insertion direction Es, so that the conductor 400 inserted straight through the conductor insertion opening 311 of the connector terminal 300 comes into contact with this second conductor contact surface 121, thereby releasing the lock leg 112 from locking with the actuation element 211, and thus allowing the lock leg 112 to move from the retained position to the released position.

[0037] The first conductor contact surface 120 is formed on a portion 123 of the pressing surface 117 of the lock leg 112, which is curved toward the clamp leg 111. Thus, the first conductor contact surface 120 is oriented at a certain angle to the second conductor contact surface 121. In the embodiment shown here, for example, as can be seen in Figure 3, the first conductor contact surface 120 extends at an angle of α = ±165° toward the second conductor contact surface 121. The first conductor contact surface 120 is offset from the conductor insertion opening 311. When the connection assembly 200 is installed inside the connection terminal 300, as can be seen in Figure 5, the first conductor contact surface 120 is positioned somewhat below the opening 312 of the conductor inlet opening 311 into the conductor connection space 212 in the operating direction B of the actuation element 211.

[0038] As can be seen in Figure 5, due to the curved portion 123 and the first conductor contact surface 120 formed on the curved portion 123, the conductor 400 to be connected is tilted while being inserted into the conductor connection space 212, and at this tilted position, i.e., in the conductor insertion direction E shown here, it is possible for the conductor to actuate the lock leg 112 when it comes into contact with the lock leg 112. Therefore, the first conductor contact surface 120 is tilted or oblique with respect to the desired conductor insertion direction Es. Here, the first conductor contact surface 120 is tilted at an angle of β = ±60° with respect to the desired conductor insertion direction Es.

[0039] The locking leg 112 is elastically connected to the retaining leg 110, thereby allowing it to flex and move from a retaining position to a released position when actuated by the conductor 400 to which it is connected. The connection to the retaining leg 110 is formed by a connecting portion 119. The connecting portion 119 is formed at the end of the locking leg 112 opposite to the free end 118. The connecting portion 119 extends to the curved portion 123 of the pressing surface 117.

[0040] The connecting portion 119 is designed to taper toward the retaining leg 110. Thus, the connecting portion 119 has the minimum width in the connection area of ​​the connecting portion 119 to the retaining leg 110. In the embodiment shown herein, the connecting portion 119 has a curved shape. The connecting portion 119 is integrally connected to the retaining leg 110 at approximately the center of the width of the retaining leg 110.

[0041] As can be seen in Figures 2 and 3, the retaining leg 110 has two retaining arms 124a and 124b, which allow the retaining leg 110, and therefore the clamp spring 100, to be positively locked to the current bar 210. The two retaining arms 124a and 124b are formed at the ends of the retaining leg 110, and at these ends, the locking leg 112 is also connected to the retaining leg 110. The two retaining arms 124a and 124b are spaced apart from each other, and the connecting portion 119 of the locking leg 112 is connected to the retaining leg 110 in the free space formed between the two retaining arms 124a and 124b.

[0042] The two retaining arms 124a and 124b of the retaining leg 110 are symmetrical to each other and extend parallel to each other. The free ends 125a and 125b of each retaining arm 124a and 124b have bends, thereby forming a kind of hook, which allows the two retaining arms 124a and 124b to hook into the respective openings 216a and 216b formed in the current bar 210.

[0043] Figures 2 and 3 show a current bar 210 to which two clamp springs 100, as shown in Figure 1, are fixed. The clamp springs 100 are held in a positive locking manner on the current bar 210 by two retaining arms 124a and 124b of retaining legs 110, which pass through openings 216a and 216b of the current bar 210. The initial position of the clamp springs 100 is shown here, in which the clamp edges 116 of the clamp legs 111 of the clamp springs 100 abut against the current bar 210. Due to the pre-loading of the clamp legs 111, the two clamp springs 100 apply tension to the current bar 210. Thus, a closed force system can be formed between each clamp spring 100 and the current bar 210. The reason is that, as shown in Figure 2, the clamp spring 100 is fixed and supported on the current bar 210 in three directions (x, y, and z directions).

[0044] Figures 4 and 5 show a connection terminal 300 on which a connection assembly 200 having a corresponding clamp spring 100 is positioned. Here, the clamp leg 111 of the clamp spring 100 is positioned in the open position, thereby opening the conductor connection space 212. In this open position, the clamp spring 100 and the actuating element 211 support each other, thereby forming a closed force system in which the clamp spring 100 and the actuating element 211 are held in place by the clamp spring 100 without additional assistance, and the clamp spring 100 is then held in place by the actuating element 211.

[0045] The actuating element 211 is supported by the clamp spring 100, and in the open position, the clamp spring 100 applies two opposing compressive forces D1 and D2 to the actuating element 211. As a result of these two opposing compressive forces D1 and D2, the actuating element 211, and therefore the clamp spring 100, can also be held in a stable, stationary position.

[0046] The first compressive force D1 acts on the actuating element 211 in the opposite direction to the operating direction B. The first compressive force D1 is applied to the actuating element 211 by the clamp leg 111, and more specifically by the side tabs 115a and 115b of the clamp leg 111. The side tabs 115a and 115b compress the operating surfaces 214a and 214b of the actuating element 211 by the first compressive force D1 applied by the spring effect of the clamp leg 111.

[0047] A second compressive force D2 acts on the actuating element 211 in the operating direction B. The second compressive force D2 is applied to the actuating element 211 by the locking leg 112 of the clamp spring 100, and the retaining arms 122a and 122b of the locking leg 112 are held on the retaining outer shapes 215a and 215b of the actuating element 211.

[0048] The conductor 400 to be connected shown here is deviated from the desired conductor insertion direction Es. This is because, as can be seen in Figure 5, this conductor has a small conductor cross-section, and thereafter the conductor 400 is inclined as it is inserted into the connection terminal 300 through the conductor insertion opening 311. Therefore, in this case, the conductor 400 is inserted into the conductor connection space 212 in the conductor insertion direction E such that it is oblique or inclined with respect to the desired conductor insertion direction Es.

[0049] The funnel-shaped conductor insertion opening 311 has a wall portion 313 aligned with the first conductor contact surface 120 of the locking leg 112 of the clamp spring 100. As can be seen in Figure 5, when the conductor 400 is tilted, the conductor 400 comes into contact with this wall portion 313 of the funnel-shaped conductor insertion opening, thereby guiding the conductor 400 along this wall portion 313 to the first conductor contact surface 120 of the pressing surface 117 of the locking leg 112, so that the end face 410 of the conductor 400 comes into contact with the first conductor contact surface 120. Without the risk of slipping from the first conductor contact surface 120, and therefore from the pressing surface 117, the conductor can apply a compressive force to the locking leg 112, thereby allowing the locking leg to rotate from the holding position to the release position shown in Figures 4 and 5. The pivot point of the locking leg 112 during the movement from the holding position to the release position is within the area of ​​the connecting portion 119.

[0050] As a result of the end face 410 of the conductor 400 coming into contact with the pressing surface 117 through contact with the first conductor contact surface 120, the lock leg 112 is rotated in the desired conductor insertion direction Es, thereby disengaging the lock leg 112 from the retaining outer shapes 215a and 215b of the actuation element 211.

[0051] As soon as the locking leg 112 is released from the actuating element 211 and therefore enters the released position, the locking leg 112 no longer applies the second compressive force D2 to the actuating element 211, and the support of the clamp spring 100 by the actuating element 211 is released. Therefore, only the first compressive force D1 applied to the actuating element 211 by the clamping leg 111 still acts on the actuating element 211, and therefore the clamping leg 111 can displace the actuating element 211 upward in the opposite direction to the actuating direction B by the spring force of the clamping leg 111, and as a result the clamping leg 111 also moves toward the conductor 400 inserted into the conductor connection space 212, pressing the conductor against the current bar 210 by the clamping tab 114 of the clamping leg 111, and thus clamping and connecting the conductor 400 to the current bar 210.

[0052] This ensures that the conductor 400, more specifically the conductor 300 having a small conductor cross-section, can be connected and clamped without additional assistance. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0053] 100 clamp springs 110 Holding Leg 111 Clamp Leg 112 Rock Leg 113 Arc-shaped part 114 Clamp Tabs 115a, 115b Side tabs 116 Clamp edge 117 Pressing surface 118 Free end 119 Connection part 120 First conductor contact surface 121 Second conductor contact surface 123 Curved section 124a, 124b Holding arms 125a, 125b free end 200 connection assemblies 210 Current Bar 211 Operating elements 212 Conductor connection space 213a, 213b Operating arms 214a, 214b Working surface 215a, 215b Retention outline 216a, 216b opening 300 connection terminals 310 Housing 311 Conductor insertion opening 312 Mouth 313 Wall section 400 conductor 410 End face B Actuation direction D1 First pressure D2 Second pressure E Conductor insertion direction Es desired conductor insertion direction α angle β angle

Claims

1. A clamping spring (100) for clamping a conductor (400) to be connected to a current bar (210), Supporting leg (110) and, A clamping leg (111) has a clamping tab (114) and two side tabs (115a, 115b) positioned next to the clamping tab (114), and can be moved between an open position and a clamped position. A locking leg (112) that can be moved to a holding position and a release position, It has, In the holding position, the lock leg (112) is held on the operating element (211), and in the release position, the lock leg is released from the operating element (211). The locking leg (112) has a pressing surface (117), and the pressing surface (117) allows the conductor (400) to be connected to move the locking leg (112) from the holding position to the release position. The pressing surface (117) is curved in the direction of the clamp leg (111) and has a portion (123) on which the first conductor contact surface (120) is formed. The free end (118) of the locking leg (112) is a clamp spring (100) having a T-shape with two retaining arms (122a, 122b) protruding laterally outward.

2. The clamp spring (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that the lock leg (112) has a free end (118), the pressing surface (117) extends along the free end (118), and a second conductor contact surface (121) is formed on the free end (118).

3. The clamp spring (100) according to claim 2, characterized in that the first conductor contact surface (120) extends to the second conductor contact surface (121) at an angle of 140° ≤ α ≤ 170°.

4. The clamp spring (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that the locking leg (112) is elastically connected to the retaining leg (110) by a connecting portion (119).

5. The clamp spring (100) according to claim 4, characterized in that in the region of the connecting portion (119), the lock leg (112) tapers toward the retaining leg.

6. The clamp spring (100) according to claim 5, characterized in that the retaining leg (110) has at least one retaining arm (124a, 124b) for holding the retaining leg (110) on the current bar (210).

7. The clamp spring (100) according to claim 6, characterized in that the retaining leg (110) has a first retaining arm (124a) and a second retaining arm (124b), and the connecting portion (119) is positioned between the first retaining arm (124a) and the second retaining arm (124b).

8. A connection assembly (200) for connecting a conductor (400), comprising a current bar (210), a clamp spring (100), and an actuation element (211), wherein the clamp spring (100) is designed according to any one of claims 1 to 7, and the actuation element (211) has retaining shapes (215a, 215b) for holding the locking leg (112) of the clamp spring (100) in the retaining position.

9. The connection assembly (200) according to claim 8, wherein the current bar (210) has at least one opening (216a, 216b), and the clamp spring (100) is hooked to the opening (216a, 216b) by at least one retaining arm (124a, 124b) of the retaining leg (110).

10. A connector terminal (300), particularly a terminal block, having a housing (310) and at least one connector assembly (200) disposed within the housing (310), wherein the connector assembly is designed according to claim 8.

11. The connector terminal (300) according to claim 10, wherein the housing (310) has at least one funnel-shaped conductor insertion opening (311), and the funnel-shaped conductor insertion opening (311) has a wall portion (313) aligned with the first conductor contact surface (120) of the lock leg (112) of the clamp spring (100).

12. An electronic device having at least one connection assembly (200) as described in claim 8.

13. An electronic device having at least one of the connection terminals (300) described in Claim 10.

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