System for a contact carrier, contact unit, plug-in connector insert, clamping spring and actuator
The clamping spring and actuator system addresses stability and friction issues in push-in technology by using a slot design and plastic manufacturing, enhancing ease of use and durability in electrical conductor connections.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- WO · WO
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- HARTING ELECTRIC STIFTUNG & CO KG
- Filing Date
- 2025-11-26
- Publication Date
- 2026-06-18
Smart Images
Figure DE2025101118_18062026_PF_FP_ABST
Abstract
Description
[0001] Applicant: HARTING Electric Stiftung & Co. KG
[0002] Title: System for a contact carrier, contact unit, connector insert, clamping spring and actuator
[0003] Description
[0004] The invention relates to a system for a contact carrier with an actuator and a clamping spring according to the preamble of independent claim 1.
[0005] Furthermore, the invention relates to a contact unit comprising a system according to claim 1.
[0006] Furthermore, the invention relates to a connector insert comprising a contact unit according to claim 16.
[0007] Furthermore, the invention relates to a clamping spring according to the preamble of independent claim 19.
[0008] Furthermore, the invention relates to an actuator according to the preamble of independent claim 20.
[0009] Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for detaching an electrical conductor according to the preamble of claim 21.
[0010] The system according to the invention is required in contact carriers to form a contact unit with a busbar and to connect an electrical conductor to the contact unit, i.e., to connect it electrically to the busbar and to mechanically hold or fix it. Additionally, the electrical conductor should be able to be easily detached from the contact unit if necessary. The electrical conductor can, in particular, be a core of an electrical cable and / or the crimp area of a crimped wire ferrule. The contact carrier and the contact unit form a connector insert, which is suitable, for example, for being installed / inserted directly into a connector housing, such as a grommet, surface-mount, or socket housing.Additionally or alternatively, the connector insert can be designed as a connector module, which, together with other connector modules, is arranged or used as part of a modular connector system within a modular connector frame. This frame can then be mounted, for example, in a connector housing or through a wall opening. The other connector modules of the modular connector system can be individually configured for the specific application, depending on the desired function, e.g., for optical and / or electrical, analog and / or digital signal transmission, electrical power transmission, transmission of gases and pressure (pneumatics), or for current, voltage, and temperature measurement, evaluation, and data processing.
[0011] State of the art
[0012] The so-called "push-in" technology for connecting electrical cables to electrical equipment is known in the prior art.
[0013] It is particularly known to manually insert electrical cables into a cage-shaped busbar. A substantially V-shaped clamping spring, comprising a retaining leg and a clamping leg, rests with its retaining leg against a first cage wall of the busbar and presses an electrical conductor of the inserted cable against a second cage wall, opposite the first, with its clamping leg. This establishes contact between the electrical conductor and the busbar. The particularly user-friendly manual operation of this connection process is thus limited to inserting the electrical cable. In this context, numerous publications describe the use of an actuator, which can be used to release the electrical conductor from the busbar after the cable has been inserted, by actuating the actuator. By transferring or...When the actuator is pressed down into an actuating position, the clamping spring is elastically deformed and releases the electrical conductor. The actuating position can therefore be understood as the release position.
[0014] For example, German patent application DE 2021 129 010 A1 discloses an actuator comprising a holding section and an actuating section. The holding section has a contact surface to which, for example, a tool such as a screwdriver can be attached. The actuating section has two lateral actuating arms extending in the direction of actuation and an actuating bridge connecting the actuating arms at their ends for actuating the contact unit, thus making the actuator open in the area between the actuating bridge, the holding section, and the actuating arms.
[0015] However, a disadvantage that emerged during development is that the actuator arms must have very thin outer walls due to the limited installation space. This restricts the actuator's stability and lifespan. This is further exacerbated by the fact that high forces must be applied to the actuator to overcome its friction. Moreover, the handling of such an actuator is not ideal.
[0016] The German Patent and Trade Mark Office has searched the following prior art in the priority application for the present application: DE 20 2023 107 242 U1, DE 20 2023 101 002 U1, DE 10 2021 129 010 A1, JP H04-82174 A and DE 10 2005 014 075 B3. Task
[0017] The object of the present invention is to address at least one of the problems mentioned above, in particular to increase the stability and / or service life of the actuator while simultaneously requiring minimal installation space, especially for a wide range of cable cross-sections. Particular attention should be paid to the fact that the actuator can be manufactured from plastic using a particularly advantageous injection molding process. It is especially desirable to reduce frictional forces and improve handling. Furthermore, the actuator's design should facilitate the simplest possible assembly of the contact unit or connector insert.
[0018] The problem is solved by the respective subject matter of the independent claims.
[0019] According to a first aspect of the invention, a system for a contact carrier is proposed as defined in claim 1, namely a system for a contact carrier comprising a clamping spring and an actuator, wherein the clamping spring has a retaining leg, a clamping leg and a spring arc connecting the retaining leg to the clamping leg, wherein the clamping leg is elastically pivotable relative to the retaining leg via the spring arc in order to press an electrical conductor in a clamping position of the clamping spring against a busbar and is thereby able, on the one hand, to connect the electrical conductor in said clamping position both electrically and mechanically to the busbar and, on the other hand, toIn a release position of the clamping spring, the clamping leg is released from the electrical conductor and thereby also the electrical conductor is released at least mechanically from the busbar, wherein the actuator has a guide section for positioning the actuator in the contact carrier and an actuating section for actuating the clamping spring, wherein the actuating section contacts the clamping spring when the clamping spring is actuated, in particular mechanically, characterized in that the clamping spring has a slot at least along the spring arc, the actuator has an actuating web on the actuating section for actuating the clamping spring, and the actuator has a connecting web that connects the guide section to the actuating web, wherein the connecting web is at least partially positioned in the slot, wherein the system is designedWhen the actuator is actuated in one direction, the connecting bridge is moved through the slot and simultaneously the actuating bridge acts on the clamping arm, thereby pivoting the clamping arm in such a way that the spring is moved into its release position and the clamping arm at least mechanically releases the electrical conductor from the busbar.
[0020] The system according to the invention is designed and configured for a contact carrier. In particular, the system is configured in an external form for at least partial insertion and positioning in a contact carrier. The contact carrier is described further below.
[0021] The clamping spring is designed and configured to clamp an electrical conductor in the contact carrier. That is, the clamping spring exerts a spring force that acts on the electrical conductor in such a way that the conductor is clamped in the contact carrier. The clamping spring is designed with an outer shape for at least partial insertion and positioning in a busbar. The busbar is described below. The clamping spring is designed to make contact between the electrical conductor and the busbar.
[0022] The electrical conductor can be a core, e.g., a strand, of an electrical cable. The electrical cable preferably comprises a transmission section and, at the end to be inserted into the busbar, a contact section. At the transmission section, the electrical cable has an electrically insulating sheath radially surrounding the core. The contact section of the electrical cable is designed for electrical contact with the busbar and does not include an electrically insulating sheath. That is, at the contact section, the core of the electrical cable is not sheathed ("stripped"). At the contact section, the electrical cable can be crimped with a ferrule, so that in this case, the core together with a crimped area of the ferrule forms the electrical conductor.
[0023] The clamping spring has a retaining leg, a clamping leg, and a spring arc connecting the retaining leg to the clamping leg. The spring arc allows the retaining leg to pivot elastically relative to the clamping leg, and vice versa. In particular, when the retaining leg is held, for example, by the contact carrier, the clamping leg can pivot relative to the retaining leg. That is, the clamping leg can pivot elastically relative to the retaining leg when a spring force is applied as a counterforce. The clamping spring is designed so that, in particular, the clamping leg can pivot elastically relative to the retaining leg via the spring arc, in order to press the electrical conductor against a busbar in a clamping position of the clamping spring. This creates an electrically conductive connection between the electrical conductor and the busbar, and mechanically clamps the electrical conductor to the busbar.
[0024] Furthermore, the clamping spring is designed so that, in particular, the clamping leg is elastically pivotable relative to the retaining leg via the spring arc. This allows the clamping leg to be released from the electrical conductor, and thus also the electrical conductor at least mechanically from the busbar, when the clamping spring is in a release position. The release position is therefore the position of the clamping spring in which the electrical conductor is released from the clamping spring. The spring arc has a bend. Preferably, the bend has an angle greater than 270°, meaning that the clamping spring has a bend of more than 270° in a relaxed state, and this bend is further increased by applying force. As a result, the retaining leg and the clamping leg form an acute angle in both a relaxed and a force-applied state. The relaxed state corresponds to an unactuated state, and the force-applied state corresponds to an actuated state.The actuated state is the state in which the electrical conductor is released by applying force to the clamping spring by the actuator, in particular from the busbar.
[0025] A transition between the retaining leg and the spring arch, or between the clamping leg and the spring arch, is preferably defined by a change in curvature. Ideally, the clamping spring can be considered essentially V-shaped, with the clamping leg and the retaining leg each being understood as legs of the V. The clamping leg and / or the retaining leg can be essentially straight, or they can have bends, twists, openings, etc. In particular, the clamping leg and the retaining leg can be designed differently, for example, with different lengths. Preferably, the clamping leg and the retaining leg are essentially straight, with the retaining leg further preferably having a locking element and / or a hump.The clamping leg preferably has a contact area in one end region, with which the clamping spring presses the electrical conductor against the busbar and thus establishes a contact between the electrical conductor and the busbar.
[0026] The actuator is designed and configured to release the electrical conductor from the contact carrier. Specifically, the actuator is designed and configured to release the contact between the electrical conductor and the busbar. In other words, the actuator is designed and configured to move the clamping spring from an unactuated state to an actuated state. To achieve this, the actuator exerts a spring force as a counterforce on the clamping spring, which deforms the clamping spring and releases the electrical conductor. The deformation of the clamping spring caused by the spring force acting as a counterforce of the actuator specifically involves a deformation of the spring arc such that the retaining leg and clamping leg move towards each other.
[0027] The actuator comprises a guide section and an actuating section. The guide section is designed and configured for positioning the actuator within the contact carrier. In particular, the guide section is designed and configured for guiding the actuator during its positioning within the contact carrier. Preferably, the guide section includes a contact surface to which, for example, a tool such as a screwdriver can be attached. The actuating section is designed and configured for actuating the clamping spring. The actuating section makes contact with the clamping spring at least when the clamping prongs are actuated, i.e., at least when a counterforce is exerted on the clamping spring. The actuator is designed to actuate the clamping spring via the actuating section.
[0028] The actuator has an elongated shape or extension in the insertion direction, with each elongated extension corresponding to the actuator's maximum extension. The guide section is located in an upper section of the actuator, and the actuating section is located in a lower section, the lower section being attached to the clamping spring. Preferably, the actuator is formed in one piece, and particularly preferably as a single component.
[0029] Furthermore, the actuator is preferably made of plastic, particularly preferably glass fiber reinforced plastic, for example glass fiber reinforced polyamide. Additionally or alternatively, the actuator is preferably manufactured by an injection molding process, which enables cost-effective production in large quantities.
[0030] The clamping spring has a slot along its arc. That is, the clamping spring has a slot-like opening along its arc. In other words, the slot is located in the region of a bend in the clamping spring. The clamping spring can be described by an outer and an inner surface, with the outer surface being at least partially oriented towards the actuator. The slot preferably has two opposing inner edges along its length, the inner edges being particularly preferably parallel to each other. It is further preferred that the slot is closed, i.e., has no connection with the outer edges of the clamping spring. Preferably, the width of the slot is the same along its entire length.Furthermore, the slot preferably has straight inner edges, with two opposing inner edges preferably arranged parallel to the inner edges of the clamping spring and two further opposing inner edges arranged perpendicular to the inner edges of the clamping spring. The corners of the slot are preferably rounded. The slot thus has a substantially rectangular shape in a plane perpendicular to the direction of actuation. Alternatively, other shapes are also conceivable, for example, a trapezoidal shape in a plane perpendicular to the direction of actuation.
[0031] Preferably, the slot extends along the entire length of the spring arc. Furthermore, the slot preferably also extends at least partially along the retaining leg and / or the clamping leg. Preferably, the clamping spring is formed in one piece, particularly preferably as a single unit.
[0032] The actuator has a connecting web and an actuating web. Preferably, the actuating section comprises the connecting web and the actuating web. The actuating web is designed and configured to actuate the clamping spring. The connecting web connects the guide section to the actuating web. The connecting web can be positioned, preferably, in the slot of the clamping spring. In particular, an extension of the connecting web perpendicular to an actuating direction corresponds to an extension of the slot, so that the connecting web can be positioned in the slot. Preferably, the connecting web and the actuating web are perpendicular to each other and perpendicular to the actuating direction.
[0033] The connecting link can be understood as a stem extending centrally from the actuator towards the slot, i.e., in the direction of actuation. The connecting link is preferably essentially cuboid in shape. This is particularly advantageous because it thus possesses maximum stability while simultaneously enabling its aforementioned functionality, i.e., resistance to penetration through the slot and movement within the slot.
[0034] The actuating element is arranged on the connecting element at an end spaced apart from the guide section. In particular, the actuating element is arranged at the end of the connecting element. In a preferred embodiment, the actuating element is arranged laterally on the connecting element. In other words, the actuator has a projection in the form of the actuating element. This is particularly advantageous because the small contact area between the actuator and the busbar reduces friction, both during actuation of the actuator and during its automatic return to its initial position by the force of the clamping spring. To further reduce static and / or sliding friction, the actuating element can also have a rounded shape, i.e., rounded edges, preferably with all edges of the actuating element being rounded.This advantageously allows the aforementioned friction to be reduced even further. The actuating bridge is preferably formed as a single unit with the connecting bridge. The system is designed so that, when the actuator is actuated in one direction, the connecting bridge moves through the slot and simultaneously acts on the clamping arm with the actuating bridge, thereby pivoting the clamping arm in such a way that the clamping arm at least mechanically releases the electrical conductor from the busbar.
[0035] The system is specifically designed so that, when the connecting bridge is positioned in the slot and the actuating bridge acts on the clamping spring in an actuating direction, it releases the electrical conductor from the contact carrier. That is, the system is designed to actuate the clamping leg of the clamping spring with the actuator, in particular the actuating bridge.
[0036] The connecting element is already positioned in the slot if it is partially positioned in the slot, i.e., partially engages through the slot and is therefore partially located within the clamping spring.
[0037] "When actuated" means that a force acts on the clamping spring in an actuation direction via the actuator. Actuation in an actuation direction occurs even if the actuator moves translationally in the actuation direction during actuation, and occurs in particular if at least part of the force acts in the actuation direction, preferably a predominant part of the force, i.e., at least more than 50% of the force.
[0038] This means that the actuating bridge acts on the clamping spring in an actuation direction when a force applied to the actuator in that direction exceeds a certain force threshold. This force then acts on the clamping spring such that, when the force threshold is exceeded, the spring arc deforms. In other words, the force deforms the spring arc in such a way that the retaining and clamping arms move relative to each other. An electrical conductor, which is held in the contact carrier by the clamping spring when not under force, is released from the contact carrier by the force applied.
[0039] The direction of actuation corresponds to a direction along the actuator or an elongated extension of the actuator. In particular, the direction of actuation corresponds to a direction from the actuator along the actuator towards the clamping spring. The direction of actuation corresponds at least partially to the direction in which a force is applied to the clamping spring by the actuator.
[0040] Preferably, an actuation direction corresponds to an insertion direction of the electrical conductor, i.e., an insertion direction of the electrical conductor.
[0041] That is, preferably the insertion direction of the electrical conductor into the contact carrier is parallel to the direction of actuation.
[0042] For actuation, the actuator can be moved manually in the direction of actuation. Consequently, the actuator's actuating web also moves in the direction of actuation and simultaneously along the clamping arm, which pivots elastically in the insertion direction. At the same time, the spring force, which increases during this process, acts as a counterforce of the clamping arm via the actuating web on the actuator, at least with a vector component opposite to the direction of actuation.
[0043] When actuated, the connecting link is moved through the slot. That is, the actuator, and in particular the connecting link, is designed to move through the slot in the direction of actuation when the actuator is activated. In this case, the guide section can be understood as lying on a first side of the slot, above the slot. Then, by moving the connecting link through the slot, the connecting link is moved in such a way that a progressively smaller first section of the connecting link remains on the first side of the slot, so that a remaining, progressively larger second section of the connecting link is created on a second side of the slot, below the slot. That is, a movement through the slot in the direction of actuation is a movement deeper into the slot.
[0044] Advantageous embodiments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims and the following description.
[0045] This provides a system for actuating the clamping spring and thus releasing the electrical conductor, which is very compact and stable and at the same time easy to use.
[0046] In particular, the system has the advantage that the actuator has both low static and low sliding friction, especially with respect to the busbar. This prevents the actuator from potentially getting stuck in its actuated position, i.e., from being moved from its actuated position against its direction of actuation by the spring force.
[0047] Furthermore, it is particularly advantageous that this design guarantees high stability of the actuator, which is also ensured when the actuator is advantageously made of plastic, in particular when it consists of plastic, and can therefore be manufactured cost-effectively, e.g., using injection molding.
[0048] In a preferred embodiment of an aspect of the invention, the system is configured to move the connecting web deeper into the slot when the actuator is actuated in an actuation direction, so that increasingly more volume of the connecting web is positioned in the slot and / or increasingly more volume of the connecting web is arranged behind the slot.
[0049] In another preferred embodiment of an aspect of the invention, the connecting bridge runs along the direction of actuation.
[0050] This means the connecting web has an elongated extension along the direction of actuation. Additionally or alternatively, the actuating web runs perpendicular to the direction of actuation. This means the actuating web has an elongated extension perpendicular to the direction of actuation.
[0051] In a further preferred embodiment of an aspect of the invention, the actuating bridge has two sliding areas, each projecting perpendicular to the actuation direction in two opposite directions beyond the connecting bridge. The actuating bridge thus comprises a central area connected to the connecting bridge and the two sliding areas projecting beyond the connecting bridge. The two sliding areas are configured to slide along the clamping leg in the actuation direction on an outer side of the clamping spring when the clamping spring is actuated.
[0052] In a preferred embodiment of the above design, the spring arch has two sliding elements separated by the slot. The sliding areas of the actuating web are then configured to move along the sliding elements in the actuation direction when the clamping spring is actuated. The sliding elements correspond to an outer surface of the clamping spring in the area of the slot. This enables particularly simple actuation with low friction losses.
[0053] In a further preferred embodiment of an aspect of the invention, the clamping spring is wider in the area of the slot than in the area without the slot. In particular, the clamping spring is wider in the area of the spring arc than at least in one end region of the retaining leg and at least in one end region of the clamping leg. In other words, the clamping spring is wider in a region of the clamping spring along which the slot extends than in a region of the clamping spring along which the slot does not extend. This results in a particularly stable clamping spring from the perspective of space saving.
[0054] In a further preferred embodiment of an aspect of the invention, the actuating bridge has two stop areas arranged perpendicular to the direction of actuation. The stop areas can, in particular, be lower edges of the actuating bridge. The stop areas are configured to abut against counter-stop edges of a busbar when actuated. If the busbar has only one counter-stop edge, at least one stop area is configured to abut against the counter-stop edge when actuated. This limits the movement of the actuator in the direction of actuation.
[0055] In another preferred embodiment of an aspect of the invention, the guide section has two side regions, each projecting in two opposite directions perpendicular to the direction of actuation beyond the connecting web. The guide section thus comprises a central region connected to the connecting web and the two side regions projecting beyond the connecting web. Particularly if the actuating web has sliding areas, the side regions preferably project beyond the connecting web in the same direction as the sliding areas of the actuating web. Most preferably, in this case, the side regions of the guide section and the sliding areas of the actuating web project the same distance beyond the connecting web. This optimizes the use of the available space for the actuator and achieves a good compromise between ease of handling and compactness.In a further preferred embodiment of an aspect of the invention, the slot is arranged in the area of the spring arc, partly in a region of the retaining leg and partly in a region of the clamping leg. That is, the slot extends from a region of the retaining leg, across the spring arc, to a region of the clamping leg.
[0056] Preferably, the clamping arm includes a boss. The slot then preferably projects further into the area of the clamping arm such that the actuating bridge is in mechanical contact with the boss when the actuator is in the actuated state. In other words, the slot projects into the area of the clamping arm such that the slot ends in the area of the boss, i.e., in the area where the boss is formed. If the actuator has stop areas, the boss is in mechanical contact with the actuating bridge when the actuator, with its stop areas, abuts at least one counter-stop edge of the busbar. The shape of the boss allows the restoring component of the spring force on the actuator—that is, the component of the spring force that acts vectorially opposite to the direction of actuation—to be increased, so that it overcomes the aforementioned static and / or sliding friction.
[0057] In a further preferred embodiment of an aspect of the invention, a contact surface of the actuating bridge with the clamping spring is inclined relative to the direction of actuation. The contact surface of the actuating bridge is preferably arranged at the sliding areas of the actuating bridge. This preferred inclination enables particularly good actuation of the clamping spring by the actuator.
[0058] In another preferred embodiment of an aspect of the invention, a cover element is arranged on the clamping spring to at least partially cover the slot. This prevents the electrical conductor, in particular a stranded conductor or a solid conductor with a cross-sectional area smaller than the slot width, from accidentally entering the slot. This further improves handling. Preferably, the cover element is made of a flexible material, in particular such that the cover element does not obstruct the actuator when it is actuated. For example, the cover element can have stiffening ribs perpendicular to the direction of actuation. The stiffening ribs give the cover element flexibility in the bending direction of the clamping arm and allow the actuator to release the slot.Furthermore, the stiffening ribs simultaneously provide stability perpendicular to it and thus prevent the electrical conductor from being inserted into the slot.
[0059] According to a second aspect of the invention, a contact unit is proposed, wherein the contact unit comprises a system according to one of the embodiments described above or below and a busbar, wherein the busbar has a cage open on the cable connection side with two cage walls parallel to each other, namely a first cage wall and a second cage wall, which are connected to each other by two side walls to form the cage, wherein the retaining leg of the clamping spring is held on the first cage wall and preferably attached thereto, wherein the clamping leg is configured to press the electrical conductor against the second cage wall of the busbar in the unactuated state of the clamping spring in order to electrically connect the electrical conductor to the busbar.
[0060] This secures the electrical conductor against unintentional removal from the conductor in the opposite direction of insertion by clamping it against the second cage wall. Furthermore, when actuated, the clamping arm is pivoted in the insertion direction relative to the unactuated state, due to a counterforce from the clamping spring. This allows the cable to be released for removal at the cable connection side. "Cable connection side" here refers to the side of the busbar from which the electrical cable is inserted. The busbar is preferably fully or at least partially open at the cable connection side to facilitate insertion of the electrical cable.
[0061] Preferably, at least one of the side walls of the busbar comprises a step on the cable connection side, forming a sliding edge extending in the insertion direction. Preferably, both side walls have a step, each forming a sliding edge. The one or more sliding edges extend along the actuation direction. Preferably, the actuating rib of the actuator is in at least partial mechanical contact with the sliding edges during actuation.
[0062] This means that the actuating bridge is designed to slide along the sliding edges during actuation and to be guided by them. Specifically, the actuating bridge is preferably designed to slide along the sliding edges perpendicular to an elongated extension of the actuating bridge and to be guided by them in order to guide the actuator, particularly during translational movement of the actuator in and against the direction of actuation. In particular, the actuating bridge is designed to pivot the clamping spring from an unactuated state to an actuated state when force is applied, i.e., when a counterforce is exerted by the clamping spring relative to the unactuated state in the insertion direction. This allows the electrical conductor to be released from the busbar and, for example, made available for pulling the electrical conductor out at the cable connection end.
[0063] The preferred step design creates a counter-stop edge running perpendicular to the sliding edge, in addition to the sliding edge. If stop areas are provided, i.e., stop areas of the actuating bridge or the sliding areas of the actuating bridge, the stop areas are preferably designed to abut at least one counter-stop edge of one of the side walls when actuated. This is particularly advantageous because it prevents overextension of the clamping spring. The stop, formed by at least one of the actuator's stop areas and at least one of the counter-stop edges of the side walls, ensures that the actuator is in a precisely defined position when actuated.While during the actuation process only sliding friction needs to be overcome between the actuator and the sliding edges of the side walls, in the actuated state a static friction arises between the actuator and the sliding edges, which is naturally much greater than the aforementioned sliding friction.
[0064] The first cage wall is designed to hold the retaining leg. Preferably, the retaining leg of the clamping spring includes a locking element that can be engaged with the first cage wall. Additionally or alternatively, the retaining leg has one or more retaining openings. In this case, the first cage wall has indentations that can engage in the retaining openings. This prevents the clamping spring from moving against the insertion direction. It is further preferred that the clamping spring, with its clamping leg, bears against the second cage wall, thereby pressing the retaining leg against the first cage wall, resulting in a vertical fixation.
[0065] Preferably, the busbar is formed in one piece, particularly preferably from metallic material, for example by die casting or milling from a solid block. Alternatively, the busbar can be formed from several different materials, particularly metallic ones, such as zinc alloys, copper alloys, aluminum alloys, and / or one or more identical or different sheets, such as stainless steel. In a preferred embodiment, the contact unit further comprises a plug connector, wherein the plug connector is electrically connected to the busbar and mechanically attached to it. Preferably, the contact unit includes a connecting section for the electrical and mechanical connection of the busbar to the plug connector.
[0066] According to a third aspect of the invention, a connector insert is proposed, namely a connector insert comprising a contact carrier with a cable-connection-side connection area and at least one cable-connection-side open contact chamber for receiving a contact unit, and a contact unit according to one of the embodiments described above or below, wherein the clamping spring and the busbar are arranged in the contact chamber of the contact carrier. Preferably, the clamping spring and the busbar are arranged completely in the contact chamber.
[0067] Preferably, the contact carrier comprises several contact chambers, each containing a contact unit.
[0068] The contact carrier preferably has a plug-in area in addition to the cable-connection-side connection area. The cable-connection-side connection area is located opposite the plug-in-side connection area. In the plug-in area, a plug-in opening connected to at least one contact chamber is arranged for each plug-in contact. The plug-in contact is received in this opening. The plug-in contact can, for example, be plugged into another plug-in contact of another connector, thus establishing an electrical connection between the conductor of the electrical cable and the other plug-in contact.
[0069] Preferably, the contact carrier includes a retaining plate that can be connected to and fixed to the contact carrier on the cable connection side. The retaining plate preferably includes an actuating opening and a connection opening adjacent to and / or connected to the actuating opening for each contact chamber. It is preferred that an actuator, at least partially located in the corresponding contact chamber and operable in one direction, is held at each actuating opening. The actuator can be operated in the direction of actuation through the actuating opening of the contact carrier, e.g., with a tool, in particular a screwdriver or a special tool. An electrical cable can be inserted into the busbar or contact chamber of the contact carrier through the connection opening in the insertion direction.
[0070] Preferably, the actuation direction and the insertion direction are parallel to each other. This means that the electrical conductor is inserted in the same direction in which the actuator can be moved, i.e., actuated. Particularly preferably, the actuator is arranged within the contact carrier and, if applicable, the retaining plate when the contact carrier is mounted, and / or is at least flush with the retaining plate. That is, the actuator is recessed in the contact carrier and, if applicable, the retaining plate, and is held in place with a certain amount of play (mechanical tolerance) within the contact carrier and, if applicable, the retaining plate, whereby preferably no significant frictional force occurs between the actuator and the contact carrier and, if applicable, the retaining plate.It is preferred that the actuator is pressed against the sliding edges of the busbar only by the actuating bridge via the clamping spring, so that the friction during actuation and return of the actuator occurs essentially at this point. The mounted actuator preferably has sufficient clearance relative to the contact carrier / retaining plate to prevent or at least minimize frictional forces.
[0071] The connector insert can be, in particular, a connector module designed and configured to be received and held in a connector modular frame together with other connector modules. Preferably, the contact carrier is essentially cuboid in shape. The contact carrier comprises two opposing broad side walls, and each of its two narrow side faces may have a locking lug for fixation in the connector modular frame. The locking lugs are particularly preferably of different shapes. This provides polarization to ensure correct insertion into a connector modular frame. For this purpose, the connector modular frame preferably has locking windows corresponding to the locking lugs of the connector insert or the contact carrier.
[0072] In a further aspect of the invention, a clamping spring is proposed, namely a clamping spring for clamping an electrical conductor in a contact carrier, wherein the clamping spring has a retaining leg, a clamping leg and a spring arc connecting the retaining leg to the clamping leg, wherein the clamping leg is elastically pivotable relative to the retaining leg via the spring arc in order to press the electrical conductor against a busbar in a clamping position of the clamping spring and thereby both electrically connect the electrical conductor to the busbar and mechanically clamp the electrical conductor to the busbar, and in a release position of the clamping spring to release the clamping leg from the electrical conductor and thereby also the electrical conductor at least mechanically from the busbar, characterized in that the clamping spring has a slot at least along the spring arc.wherein the clamping spring is designed, when a connecting web of an actuator is positioned in the slot and the actuator is moved in an actuation direction with the connecting web through the slot and simultaneously acts with the actuation web on the clamping leg, to pivot the clamping leg in such a way that the clamping leg at least mechanically detaches the electrical conductor from the busbar.
[0073] That is, according to the invention, a clamping spring for clamping an electrical conductor in a contact carrier is proposed, wherein the clamping spring has a retaining leg, a clamping leg and a spring arc between the retaining leg and the clamping leg, wherein the clamping leg is elastically pivotable relative to the retaining leg via the spring arc and wherein the clamping spring has a slot along the spring arc in which a connecting web of an actuator can be positioned.
[0074] In a further aspect of the invention, an actuator is proposed, namely an actuator for releasing an electrical conductor from a contact carrier, wherein the actuator has a guide section for positioning the actuator in the contact carrier and an actuating section for actuating a clamping spring, characterized in that the actuator has an actuating web on the actuating section for actuating the clamping spring, and the actuator has a connecting web that connects the guide section to the actuating section, wherein the connecting web is at least partially positionable in a slot of a clamping spring, wherein the actuator is configured, when the actuator is actuated in an actuating direction, to move the connecting web through the slot and simultaneously act with the actuating web on a clamping leg of the clamping spring, and thereby pivot it in such a way as tothat the clamping arm at least mechanically detaches the electrical conductor from the busbar.
[0075] That is, according to the invention, an actuator for releasing an electrical conductor from a contact carrier is proposed, wherein the actuator has a guide section and an actuating section, wherein the actuator has a connecting web that can be positioned in a slot of a clamping spring and an actuating web for actuating the clamping spring, wherein the actuator is configured, when the connecting web is positioned in the slot and the actuating web acts on the clamping spring in an actuating direction, to release the electrical conductor from the contact carrier.
[0076] In a further aspect of the invention, a method is proposed, namely a method for releasing an electrical conductor from a connector insert with a system according to one of claims 1 to 15, wherein the clamping spring presses the electrical conductor against a busbar in a clamping position of the clamping spring and thereby both electrically connects the electrical conductor to the busbar and mechanically clamps the electrical conductor to the busbar, comprising the following steps: positioning the connecting web of the actuator at least partially in the slot so that the actuating section of the actuator contacts the clamping spring, and actuating the actuator in an actuating direction to move the connecting web through the slot and simultaneously act with the actuating web on the clamping leg and thereby pivot it in such a way as tothat the clamping arm at least mechanically releases the electrical conductor from the busbar in a release position.
[0077] In another aspect of the invention, a use of a system according to one of claims 1 to 15 in a connector, in particular a connector module, is proposed.
[0078] The present invention offers the advantages of increased stability and space saving, particularly in push-in contact systems.
[0079] Example of implementation
[0080] An embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the drawings and is explained in more detail below. Figure 1 shows a perspective view of the system according to the invention for a contact carrier as described in the embodiment.
[0081] Fig. 2 shows a perspective view of an actuator according to the exemplary embodiment,
[0082] Fig. 3 shows another perspective view of the actuator according to the embodiment,
[0083] Fig. 4 shows a perspective view of a clamping spring according to the exemplary embodiment,
[0084] Fig. 5 shows another perspective view of the clamping spring according to the embodiment,
[0085] Fig. 6 shows a perspective view of a busbar according to the exemplary embodiment,
[0086] Fig. 7 shows a perspective view of the contact unit according to the invention in an unactuated state,
[0087] Fig. 8 shows another perspective view of the contact unit according to the invention in an unactuated state,
[0088] Fig. 9 shows a perspective view of the contact unit according to the invention in an actuated state, and
[0089] Fig. 10 shows another perspective view of the contact unit according to the invention in an actuated state.
[0090] The figures contain some simplified, schematic representations.
[0091] In some cases, identical reference symbols are used for elements that are the same but may not be identical. Different views of the same elements may be scaled differently. Directional indications such as "left," "right," "up," and "down" are to be understood in relation to the respective figure and may vary in the individual representations compared to the object depicted. Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of the system according to the invention for a contact carrier according to the exemplary embodiment. The system 10 comprises an actuator 1 and a clamping spring 3, with Figs. 2 and 3 each showing a perspective view of the actuator 1 and Figs. 4 and 5 each showing a perspective view of the clamping spring 3 on its own. The clamping spring 3 and the actuator 1 are each formed as a single piece.
[0092] Actuator 1 is designed to release an electrical conductor from the contact carrier. Actuator 1 comprises a
[0093] Guide section 14 and an actuating section 12. In particular, the guide section 14 is arranged in an upper section 145 of the actuator 1 and the actuating section 12 in a lower section 146 of the actuator 1. The guide section 14 is designed to position the actuator 1 in the contact carrier and the actuating section 12 is designed to actuate the clamping spring 3.
[0094] When the clamping spring 3 is actuated, the actuating section 12 contacts the clamping spring 3, in particular via an actuating bridge 122.
[0095] The actuator 1 comprises a connecting web 121, which can be positioned in a slot 321 of a clamping spring 3, and the actuating web 122 for actuating the clamping spring 3. The actuator 1 is configured, when the connecting web 121 is positioned in the slot 321 and the actuating web 122 acts on the clamping spring 3 in an actuating direction B, to release the electrical conductor from the contact carrier. The connecting web 121 connects the guide section 14 to the actuating section 122. The actuating direction B is parallel to an insertion direction E of the electrical conductor into the contact carrier.
[0096] The clamping spring 3 comprises a retaining leg 31, a
[0097] Clamping leg 33 and one of the retaining leg 31 with the
[0098] The clamping leg 33 is connected by a spring arc 32. The spring arc 32 is thus arranged between the retaining leg 31 and the clamping leg 33. The clamping leg 33 is elastically pivotable relative to the retaining leg 31 via the spring arc 32; in particular, the spring arc 32 is elastically pivotable between a clamping position and a release position. In the clamping position, the electrical conductor is pressed against a busbar 2 (see Fig. 6) by the clamping spring 3 or the clamping leg 33 and is thereby electrically connected to the busbar 2 and mechanically clamped to the busbar 2. In a release position, the clamping spring 3 or the clamping leg 33 is released from the electrical conductor, and thus the electrical conductor is also at least mechanically released from the busbar 2. In particular, when the retaining leg 31 is held against the busbar 2, the clamping leg 33 is pivotable relative to the retaining leg 31 via the spring arc 32.
[0099] The clamping spring 3 is designed to clamp an electrical conductor, particularly when the clamping spring 3 and the electrical conductor are arranged in the contact carrier. For this purpose, the clamping leg 33 has a contact area 331 at one end, with which the clamping spring 3 presses the electrical conductor against the busbar 2, thus establishing contact between the electrical conductor and the busbar 2.
[0100] The spring arc 32 has a bend. In this case, the bend is greater than 270°, so that the retaining leg 31 and the clamping leg 33 form an acute angle in a relaxed state. Thus, the clamping spring 3 can be considered to be essentially V-shaped.
[0101] The clamping spring 3 has a slot 321 at least along the spring arc 32, into which the connecting web 121 of the actuator 1 can be positioned. The slot 321 is closed in this case. Specifically, the slot 321 is located in the region of the spring arc 3, partially in a region of the retaining leg 31, and partially in a region of the clamping leg 33. That is, the slot 321 extends from a region of the retaining leg 31, across the spring arc 32, to a region of the clamping leg 33. In other words, there is a region of slot 328 that encompasses the spring arc 32, a region of the retaining leg 31, and a region of the clamping leg 33, and a region without a slot that encompasses an end region of the retaining leg 327 and an end region of the clamping leg 329. The clamping spring 3 is wider in the region of slot 328 than in the region without slots 327 and 329.
[0102] The system 10 consisting of the actuator 1 and the clamping spring 3 is designed to move the connecting web 121 through the slot 321 when the actuator 1 is actuated in an actuation direction B, and simultaneously act with the actuating web 122 on the clamping leg 3 and thereby pivot the clamping leg 3 in such a way that the clamping leg 3 at least mechanically detaches the electrical conductor from the busbar 2.
[0103] In particular, the system 10 is designed to move the connecting web 121 deeper, i.e. downwards in Fig. 1, into the slot 321 when the actuator 1 is actuated in an actuation direction B, so that increasingly more volume of the connecting web 121 is positioned in the slot 321 or increasingly more volume of the connecting web 121 is arranged behind the slot 321 from the perspective of the guide section 14.
[0104] In other words, when the connecting web 121 is positioned in the slot 321 and the actuating web 122 acts on the clamping spring 3 in an actuation direction B, the system 10 is configured to release the electrical conductor from the contact carrier. This makes the system 10 very compact and stable, while also being easy to operate. The actuation direction B corresponds to a direction along the actuator 1, i.e., the direction in which a force is applied to the clamping spring 3 by the actuator 1. In the illustrated embodiment, an actuation direction B corresponds to an insertion direction E of the electrical conductor.
[0105] The connecting web 121 of the actuator 1 extends along the direction of actuation B. In particular, the connecting web 121 extends centrally from the actuator 1 towards the slot 321. Furthermore, the actuating web 122 extends perpendicular to the direction of actuation B. The actuating web 122 is arranged on the connecting web 121 at an end spaced apart from the guide section 14. In the present embodiment, the actuating web 122 is arranged at the end and laterally on the connecting web 121. The actuating web 122 can also be understood as a projection.
[0106] The clamping spring 3 can be described by an outer surface 324, the outer surface 324 being at least partially oriented towards the actuator 1. The slot 321 has two opposing inner edges 325, 326 along the slot 321, which run parallel to each other. The slot 321 is closed in this case, i.e., the inner edges of the slot 321 are not connected to outer edges of the clamping spring 3.
[0107] The actuating web 122 comprises two sliding areas 123, 124. The two sliding areas 123, 124 each project perpendicularly to the actuation direction B in two opposite directions beyond the connecting web 121. In particular, the actuating web 122 comprises a central area 125, which is connected to the connecting web 121, and the two sliding areas 123, 124, which project beyond the connecting web 121. The sliding areas 123, 124 are designed to slide along the clamping spring 3 in the actuation direction B when the clamping spring 3 is actuated on an outer surface 324 of the clamping spring 3.
[0108] For this purpose, the spring arch 32 comprises two sliding elements 322, 323 separated by the slot 321. The sliding areas 123, 124 of the
[0109] Actuating bridges 122 are designed to slide along the sliding elements 322, 323 when the clamping spring 3 is actuated in the actuating direction B. The sliding elements 322, 323 correspond at least partially to an outer surface 324 of the clamping spring 3 in the area of the slot 328.
[0110] Furthermore, the actuating bridge 122 has two stop areas 126, 127 arranged perpendicular to the actuating direction B. The stop areas 126, 127 can in particular be lower edges or partial surfaces of the actuating bridge 122, i.e. edges or partial surfaces that are arranged in the direction of the clamping spring 3.
[0111] Stop areas 126, 127 are designed to abut against counter-stop edges 253, 254 of a busbar when actuated (see below).
[0112] The guide section 14 has two side sections 141, 142, each projecting perpendicularly to the direction of actuation B in two opposite directions beyond the connecting web 121. The guide section 14 thus comprises a central section 143, which is connected to the connecting web 121 and which
[0113] Side areas 141, 142, which project beyond the connecting web 121. In this case, the side areas 141, 142 each project in the same direction and to the same extent beyond the connecting web 121 as the sliding areas 123, 124 of the actuating web 122.
[0114] Furthermore, the guide section 14 includes an attack surface 144, on which, for example, a tool such as a screwdriver can be attached.
[0115] In the illustrated embodiment, the clamping leg 33 of the clamping spring 3 comprises a boss 332. The boss 332 and the slot 321 are arranged such that, when the connecting web 121 is positioned in the slot 321, the actuating web 122 of the actuator 1 is connected to the
[0116] The bump 332 is in mechanical contact with the actuating bridge 122 in an actuated state, or ends in the area of the bump 332. In this case, the bump 332 is in mechanical contact with the actuating bridge 122 in the actuated state when the actuator 1 strikes the counter-stop edges 253, 254 of the busbar 2 with the stop areas 126, 127.
[0117] In this case, a contact surface 128 of the actuating bridge 122 with the clamping spring 3 is inclined relative to the actuating direction B. The contact surface 128 is arranged at the sliding areas 123, 124.
[0118] Preferably, the actuator is designed as a single piece. Furthermore, the actuator is preferably made of plastic, particularly glass fiber reinforced polyamide. Additionally or alternatively, the actuator is preferably manufactured by an injection molding process. The clamping spring is also preferably designed as a single piece.
[0119] Fig. 6 shows a perspective view of a busbar according to the exemplary embodiment.
[0120] The power rail 2 has a cage that is divided by two
[0121] The cage is formed by cage walls 21, 23 and two side walls 22, 24. The cage is open on the cable connection side. "Cable connection side" here means the side of the busbar 2 from which the electrical conductor is inserted into the busbar 2, as shown at the top of Fig. 6.
[0122] The side walls 22, 24 each have a step 25 on the cable connection side, which forms sliding edges 251, 252 extending in the insertion direction E. The busbar 2 also has counter-stop edges 253, 254, which are designed to abut against stop areas 126, 127 of the actuator 1 when actuated. In the present embodiment, the busbar 2 includes a connecting section 26 for the electrical and mechanical connection of the busbar 2 to a plug connector (not shown).
[0123] Furthermore, in the embodiment shown, the retaining leg 31 of the clamping spring 3 comprises a locking element 311. The locking element 311 can be engaged with the first cage wall 21.
[0124] The clamping spring 3 is supported with the clamping leg 33 against the second cage wall 23, so that the retaining leg 31 is held against the first
[0125] Cage wall 21 is pressed.
[0126] Preferably, the busbar is formed in one piece, particularly preferably from metallic material, for example by die casting or milling from a solid block. Alternatively, the busbar can be made from several different materials, especially metallic ones, such as
[0127] Zinc alloys, copper alloys, aluminum alloys and / or one or more similar or different sheets such as e.g.
[0128] It must be made of stainless steel sheet.
[0129] Together with the busbar 2, the actuator 1 and the clamping spring 3 form a contact unit 100.
[0130] Figs. 7 and 8 each show a perspective view of the contact unit according to the invention in an unactuated state, and Figs. 9 and 10 each show a perspective view of the contact unit according to the invention in an actuated state.
[0131] As stated above, the retaining leg 31 of the clamping spring 3 is held or attached to the first cage wall 21.
[0132] In an unactuated state, the clamping leg 33 presses the electrical conductor, which is inserted into the busbar 2, against the second cage wall 23 of the busbar 2 in order to electrically connect the electrical conductor to the busbar 2.
[0133] When force is applied to the actuator 1 in the actuation direction B, the actuator 1 acts on the clamping spring 3. In particular, the actuating bridge 122 acts on the clamping spring 3, causing the spring arc 32 to deform. The spring arc 32 is deformed in such a way that the retaining leg 31 and clamping leg 33 move towards each other. An electrical conductor, which is held against the busbar 2 by the unforced clamping spring 3, is released from the busbar 2 by the force being applied.
[0134] For actuation, the actuator 1 can be moved manually in the actuation direction B. This also moves the actuation bridge 122 in the actuation direction B and simultaneously along the clamping arm 33, which pivots elastically in the insertion direction E. At the same time, the spring force, which increases during this process, acts as a counterforce of the clamping arm 33 via the actuation bridge 122 on the actuator 1, at least with a vector component opposite to the actuation direction B.
[0135] The actuating web 122 of the actuator 1 comes into mechanical contact with the sliding edges 251, 252 when force is applied and is thereby guided. The actuating web 122 slides along the sliding edges 251, 252 in the actuation direction B in order to guide the actuator 1 during a translational movement of the actuator 1 both in and against the actuation direction B.
[0136] The actuating bridge 122 is designed to pivot the clamping spring 3 from an unactuated state to an actuated state when force is applied to the actuator 1 in the actuating direction B relative to the unactuated state. The unactuated state corresponds to the clamping position of the clamping spring 3, and the actuated state corresponds to the release position of the clamping spring 3. By actuating, the electrical conductor can be released from the busbar 2 and, for example, made available for pulling the electrical conductor out at the cable connection end.
[0137] In the actuated state, the stop areas 126, 127 of the actuator 1 abut counter stop edges 253, 254 of the busbar 2.
[0138] The invention also relates to a connector insert with a contact carrier (not shown) and the contact unit 100. The contact carrier has a cable connection-side connection area and at least one cable connection-side open contact chamber for receiving a contact unit 100.
[0139] Even though the figures show various aspects or features of the invention in combination, it is apparent to those skilled in the art – unless otherwise stated – that the combinations shown and discussed are not the only possible ones. In particular, corresponding units or sets of features from different embodiments can be interchanged. Furthermore, for the sake of clarity, not all reference numerals are always shown in every figure.
[0140] The invention relates to a system for a contact carrier comprising a clamping spring for clamping an electrical conductor in the contact carrier, wherein the clamping spring has a retaining leg, a clamping leg and a spring arc between the retaining leg and the clamping leg, wherein the clamping leg is elastically pivotable relative to the retaining leg via the spring arc, and an actuator for releasing the electrical conductor from the contact carrier, wherein the actuator has a guide section and an actuating section, wherein the clamping spring has a slot along the spring arc, wherein the actuator has a connecting web that can be positioned in the slot and an actuating web for actuating the clamping spring, wherein the system is configured, when the connecting web is positioned in the slot and the actuating web acts on the clamping spring in an actuating direction B, to release the electrical conductor from the contact carrier.
[0141] Applicant: HARTING Electric Stiftung & Co. KG
[0142] Title: System for a contact carrier, contact unit, connector insert, clamping spring and actuator
[0143] Reference symbol list
[0144] 1 actuator
[0145] 12 Actuation section
[0146] 121 Connecting bridge
[0147] 122 Actuating bridge
[0148] 123, 124 Sliding ranges
[0149] 125 middle range
[0150] 126, 127 stop areas
[0151] 128 contact area
[0152] 14 Leadership section
[0153] 141, 142 page areas
[0154] 143 middle range
[0155] 144 attack surface
[0156] 145 upper section
[0157] 146 lower section
[0158] 2 busbar
[0159] 21, 23 cage walls
[0160] 22, 24 side walls
[0161] 25 levels
[0162] 251, 252 sliding edges
[0163] 253, 254 counter-stop edges
[0164] 26 Connecting section
[0165] 3 clamping springs
[0166] 31 retaining legs
[0167] 311 Latching element
[0168] 32 feather bows
[0169] 321 Slot 322, 323 Sliding elements
[0170] 324 Outside
[0171] 325, 326 inner edges
[0172] 327 End area of the retaining leg
[0173] 328 Area of the slot
[0174] 329 End area of the clamping leg
[0175] 33 clamping legs
[0176] 331 Contact area
[0177] 332 humps
[0178] 10 System
[0179] 100 contact units
[0180] B Direction of action
[0181] E Insertion direction
Claims
Applicant: HARTING Electric Stiftung & Co. KG Title: System for a contact carrier, contact unit, connector insert, clamping spring and actuator Claims 1. System (10) for a contact carrier, comprising a clamping spring (3) and an actuator (1), wherein the clamping spring (3) has a retaining leg (31), a clamping leg (33) and a spring arc (32) connecting the retaining leg (31) to the clamping leg (33), wherein the clamping leg (33) is elastically pivotable relative to the retaining leg (31) via the spring arc (32) in order to press an electrical conductor against a busbar (2) in a clamping position of the clamping spring (3) and thereby connect the electrical conductor both electrically to the busbar (2) and mechanically clamp the electrical conductor on the busbar (2), and in a release position of the clamping spring (3) to release the clamping leg (33) from the electrical conductor and thereby also at least mechanically from the busbar (2),wherein the actuator (1 ) has a guide section (14) for positioning the actuator (1 ) in the contact carrier and an actuating section (12) for actuating the clamping spring (3), wherein the actuating section (12) contacts the clamping spring (3) when the clamping spring (3) is actuated, characterized in that the clamping spring (3) has a slot (321 ) at least along the spring arc (32), the actuator (1 ) has an actuating ridge (122) on the actuating section (12) for actuating the clamping spring (3), and, the actuator (1 ) has a connecting web (121 ) which connects the guide section (14) with the actuating web (122), wherein the connecting web (121 ) is at least partially positioned in the slot (321 ), wherein the system (10) is designed to move the connecting web (121 ) through the slot (321 ) when the actuator (1 ) is actuated in an actuating direction (B) and simultaneously act with the actuating web (122) on the clamping leg (3) and thereby pivot the clamping leg (3) such that the clamping leg (3) at least mechanically releases the electrical conductor from the busbar (2).
2. System (10) according to claim 1 , characterized in that the slot (321 ) is closed.
3. System (10) according to one of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that the system (10) is designed to move the connecting web (121) deeper into the slot (321) when the actuator (1) is actuated in an actuation direction (B), so that increasingly more volume of the connecting web (121) is positioned in the slot (321) and / or increasingly more volume of the connecting web (121) is arranged behind the slot (321) from the perspective of the guide section (14).
4. System (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the connecting web (121) extends along the actuation direction (B) and the actuation web (122) extends perpendicular to the actuation direction (B).
5. System (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the actuating web (122) has two sliding areas (123, 124) which each project perpendicular to the actuating direction (B) in two opposite directions beyond the connecting web (121).
6. System (10) according to claim 5, characterized in that the spring bow (32) has two sliding elements (322, 323) separated by the slot (321), wherein the sliding areas (123, 124) of the actuating bridge (122) are designed to slide along the sliding elements (322, 323) when the clamping spring (3) is actuated in the actuating direction (B).
7. System (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the clamping spring (3) is wider in the area of the slot (328) than in the area without the slot (327, 329).
8. System (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the actuating bridge (122) has two stop areas (126, 127) arranged perpendicular to the actuating direction (B).
9. System (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the guide section (14) has two side areas (141 , 142) which each project perpendicular to the actuation direction (B) in two opposite directions beyond the connecting web (121 ).
10. System (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the slot (321 ) is arranged in a region of the spring bow (32), partly in a region of the retaining leg (31 ) and partly in a region of the clamping leg (33).
11. System (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the clamping leg (33) has a bump (332) and the slot (321) ends at the bump (332).
12. System (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a contact surface (128) of the actuating bridge (122) with the clamping spring (3) is inclined relative to the actuating direction (B).
13. System (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an insertion direction (E) of the electrical conductor into the contact carrier is parallel to the actuation direction (B).
14. System (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the clamping spring (3) is designed in one piece and / or the actuator (1) is designed in one piece.
15. System (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a cover element for at least partially covering the slot (321) is arranged on the clamping spring (3), wherein the cover element preferably has stiffening ribs perpendicular to the actuation direction (B).
16. Contact unit (100) comprising a system (10) according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 15 and a busbar (2), characterized in that the busbar (2) has a cage open on the cable connection side with two cage walls (21, 23) parallel to each other, namely a first cage wall and a second cage wall, which are connected to each other by two side walls (22, 24) to form the cage, wherein the retaining leg (31) of the clamping spring (3) is held on the first cage wall (21), wherein the clamping leg (33) is configured to press the electrical conductor against the second cage wall (23) of the busbar (2) in the unactuated state of the clamping spring (3) in order to electrically connect the electrical conductor to the busbar (2).
17. Contact unit (100) according to claim 16 further comprising a plug contact, characterized in that the plug contact is electrically connected to the busbar (2) and mechanically attached to it, preferably via a connecting section (26).
18. Connector insert comprising a contact carrier with a cable connection-side connection area and at least one cable connection-side open contact chamber for receiving a contact unit (100), and a contact unit (100) according to one of claims 16 and 17, wherein the contact unit (100) is arranged in the contact chamber of the contact carrier such that at least the clamping spring (3) and the busbar (2) are arranged in the contact chamber.
19. Clamping spring (3) for clamping an electrical conductor into a contact carrier, wherein the clamping spring (3) has a retaining leg (31), a clamping leg (33) and a spring arc (32) connecting the retaining leg (31) to the clamping leg (33), wherein the clamping leg (33) is elastically pivotable relative to the retaining leg (31) via the spring arc (32) in order to press the electrical conductor against a busbar (2) in a clamping position of the clamping spring (3) and thereby both electrically connect the electrical conductor to the busbar (2) and mechanically clamp the electrical conductor on the busbar (2), and in a release position of the clamping spring (3) to release the clamping leg (33) from the electrical conductor and thereby also at least mechanically from the busbar (2), characterized in that the clamping spring (3) has a slot (321) at least along the spring arc (32).wherein the clamping spring (3) is configured such that a connecting web (121) of an actuator (1) is positioned in the slot (321) and the actuator (1) is moved in an actuation direction (B) with the connecting web (121) through the slot (321) and simultaneously acts with the actuating web (122) on the clamping leg (3) to pivot the clamping leg (3) in such a way that the clamping leg (3) at least mechanically releases the electrical conductor from the busbar (2).
20. Actuator (1) for releasing an electrical conductor from a contact carrier, wherein the actuator (1) has a guide section (14) for positioning the actuator (1) in the contact carrier and an actuating section (12) for actuating a clamping spring (3), characterized in that the actuator (1) has an actuating web (122) on the actuating section (12) for actuating the clamping spring (3), and the actuator (1) has a connecting web (121) that connects the guide section (14) to the actuating section (12), wherein the connecting web (121) can be positioned at least partially in a slot (321) of a clamping spring (3), wherein the actuator (1) is designed to move the connecting web (121) through the slot (321) when the actuator (1) is actuated in an actuating direction (B) and simultaneously act with the actuating web (B) on a clamping leg (3) of the clamping spring (3), and thereby pivot it in such a way that the clamping leg (3) at least mechanically releases the electrical conductor from the busbar (2).
21. Method for releasing an electrical conductor from a connector insert with a system according to any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein the clamping spring (3) presses the electrical conductor in a clamping position of the clamping spring (3) against a busbar (2) and thereby both electrically connects the electrical conductor to the busbar (2) and mechanically clamps the electrical conductor to the busbar (2), comprising the following steps: Positioning the connecting bridge (121) of the actuator (1) at least partially in the slot (321) so that the actuating section (12) of the actuator (1) contacts the clamping spring (3), and Actuating the actuator (1 ) in an actuation direction (B) to move the connecting bridge (121) through the slot (321 ) and simultaneously acting with the actuating bridge (122) on the clamping leg (3) and thereby pivoting it in such a way that the clamping leg (3) connects the electrical The conductor is released from the busbar (2) at least mechanically in a release position.
22. Use of a system according to any one of claims 1 to 15 in a connector, in particular a connector module.