CN116057781A

CN116057781A - Connecting terminal

Info

Publication number: CN116057781A
Application number: CN202180049947.XA
Authority: CN
Inventors: 托马斯·维特; 约尔格·阿尔达格
Original assignee: Wago Verwaltungs GmbH
Current assignee: Wago Verwaltungs GmbH
Priority date: 2020-07-28
Filing date: 2021-07-26
Publication date: 2023-05-02
Also published as: EP4189782A2; CN116057781A8; WO2022023274A3; WO2022023274A2; DE102020119864A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a connection terminal (1) comprising: an insulating material housing (2), wherein the insulating material housing (2) has a wire insertion opening (3) for inserting an electrical wire in a wire insertion direction (L); a busbar (4) and a clamping spring (5), wherein the clamping spring (5) has a clamping leg (5 c) which forms a clamping point (6) for the electrical line with the busbar (4); and an actuating element (7), wherein the actuating element (7) is mounted in the insulating-material housing (2) in a movable manner and has an actuating section (7 a), wherein the actuating section (7 a) is designed to open the clamping point (6), wherein the actuating section (7 a) interacts with the clamping leg (5 c) such that the actuating section (5 c) rests against the clamping leg (5 c) for opening the clamping point (6). The actuating section (7 a) is mounted in a movable manner on a locking contour (8) of the insulating-material housing (2).

Description

Connecting terminal

Technical Field

The invention relates to a connection terminal, comprising: an insulating material housing, wherein the insulating material housing has a wire introduction opening for introducing the electrical wire in a wire introduction direction; a busbar; and a clamping spring, wherein the clamping spring has clamping legs, which form a clamping point for the electrical line with the busbar; and an actuating element, wherein the actuating element is mounted in the insulating material housing in a movable manner and has an actuating section, wherein the actuating section is designed to open the clamping point, wherein the actuating section interacts with the clamping leg such that the actuating section for opening the clamping point is located against the clamping leg.

Background

DE 10 2017 117 459 A1 discloses a connection terminal having an actuating element which is mounted in a movable manner in a housing made of insulating material. The actuating element has an actuating section, wherein the actuating section is configured to open the clamping point in such a way that: the actuating section is supported on the support leg of the clamping spring.

Disclosure of Invention

Starting from this, the object of the invention is to create an improved connection terminal.

The object is achieved by means of a connection terminal having the features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments are described in the dependent claims.

In the case of such a connection terminal, it is proposed that the actuating section is mounted so as to be movable on a locking contour of the insulating-material housing.

In this way, an improved actuating mechanism for the connection terminal can be provided. The actuating section is in this case brought into contact with the clamping leg of the clamping spring for opening the clamping point, wherein the clamping leg is displaced such that the clamping point is opened when the actuating element is actuated completely. The spring force of the clamping leg acts on the actuating section of the actuating element.

For example, the locking profile is a material projection formed in one piece from the insulating material housing. It is also conceivable, however, for the locking contour to be formed by a separate component and to be inserted into the insulating-material housing. The actuating section is placed on the locking contour, wherein the actuating section is guided along the locking contour during the displacement of the actuating element for opening the clamping point. The locking contour thus extends in particular from an initial position in which the clamping point of the actuating element is closed to an actuating position in which the clamping point of the actuating element is open, so that the actuating section for opening the clamping point can be guided over the locking contour. The actuating section is therefore supported on the locking contour, in particular between the initial position and the actuating position.

The initial position is here the following position: the actuating element is in this position when the clamping point is completely closed. The steering position is the following: the actuating element is in this position when the clamping point is completely open.

It is conceivable that the actuating section is clamped by spring force to the locking contour with the clamping point open, wherein the actuating element locks to the locking contour with the clamping point open. Such a locking can be released again, for example, by actuating the tool in such a way that: the actuating element is guided out of the locking against the spring force of the clamping leg. It is possible here for the actuating element to be automatically displaced back into the starting position by the spring force of the clamping leg as soon as the actuating element is guided out of the locking.

By movable is meant in particular that the actuating element is arranged in the insulating-material housing in a linearly movable manner. The opening of the clamping point is thereby effected by a linear displacement of the actuating element from the initial position into the actuating position and not by a pivoting of the actuating element about the rotational axis, as is the case, for example, with an actuating lever. However, a small tilting movement of the actuating element about the bearing point or the rotation point is possible, so that the actuating element can be moved into the locking position, for example.

The actuating section can be arranged between the clamping leg and the locking contour in the open position of the clamping point.

In this way, the spring force of the clamping spring, in particular of the clamping leg of the clamping spring, can act on the actuating element in the actuating position of the actuating element, wherein the spring force of the clamping spring can press the actuating element onto the locking contour. The actuating element can thus be held in the actuating position in a self-retaining manner.

The locking profile can be formed as an elongated rail, wherein the elongated rail has a height offset.

The actuating section can be guided along the elongated guide rail on the guide rail during the entire opening process of the clamping part, wherein the actuating section is guided onto a further height plane by the height offset of the guide rail after reaching the actuating position in which the clamping part is open. The increased spring force can thus act on the actuating section, for example by means of a clamping spring, wherein the actuating section is held on the elongate guide rail.

However, it is also conceivable to guide the actuating section by means of the height offset into a locking recess, for example of an elongate guide rail, wherein the actuating element is locked in the locking recess in the open position of the clamping point. In this way, the following operating mechanism can be provided: the actuating element can be held in the open position of the clamping point without external action.

The actuating element can be supported by the height offset, for example, about a rotation point, whereby the actuating section of the actuating element can be guided along the height offset on an elongate guide rail.

The height offset can be arranged on the guide rail in such a way that the actuating section is held on the elongate guide rail by the spring force of the clamping leg and the height offset when the clamping point is open. The height offset is thus provided in particular in the region of the clamping point on the elongate rail. Furthermore, the height offset can advantageously be arranged above the clamping point on the elongate rail or on the locking contour.

The height offset can be seen in particular from the following linear direction: in the linear direction, the actuating element is mounted in the insulating-material housing in a displaceable manner. Thus, the linear direction relates in particular to the following steering direction: the actuating element can be moved in the actuating direction in order to open the clamping point. Thus, the elongated rail or locking profile may have a height offset as seen in the steering direction. Here, not only a downward height offset but also an upward height offset is conceivable. In particular, downward means that the distance of the locking contour or the elongated rail from the clamping point is smaller, whereas the upward height offset increases the distance of the locking contour or the elongated rail from the clamping point. The actuating direction is preferably oriented parallel to the wire insertion direction.

The actuating section can be held in the clamping position in the locking contour when the clamping point is opened under the force of the clamping leg.

The actuating section can thereby be held in the open position of the clamping point by the spring force of the clamping leg in a simple manner by: the actuating section is held in the clamping position by the spring force of the clamping leg at the locking spring. The electrical conductors can thus be introduced into the connection terminals without the actuating element having to be actively held in the actuating position.

The actuating section can be designed flexibly such that it can be guided into and/or out of the clamping position.

By virtue of the flexible design of the actuating section, the actuating section can be guided in a simple manner along the height offset of the elongate guide rail. The flexible embodiment of the actuating section means, in particular, that the actuating section is flexibly attached to the actuating element. It is thus conceivable, for example, for the actuating section to be formed flexibly in the transition to the body of the actuating element, wherein the actuating section can thus be guided into and/or out of the clamping position. However, it is also conceivable for the actuating section to be arranged at the actuating element via a flexible intermediate element.

The entire actuating element does not have to be displaced around the rotation point. After passing through the height offset, the flexible actuating section is elastically deflected, for example by the spring force of the clamping leg, so that the actuating section is further brought into contact with the elongate guide rail. Thus, no displacement of the entire operating element is required.

If the actuating element is again moved into the initial position in which the clamping point is closed, the actuating section returns into its original position.

The insulating material housing may have a first housing part and a second housing part.

By means of the two-part design of the insulating housing, the connection terminal according to the invention can be installed in a simple manner in that: the contact insert is first inserted into the first housing part and then the second housing part encloses the insulating-material housing.

The actuating element can be arranged substantially parallel to the line insertion direction.

By substantially parallel is meant in particular that the actuating element does not have to be arranged exactly parallel to the wire introduction opening. It is for example conceivable that deviations from exact parallelism (in a 360 deg. system) up to five degrees are possible.

By means of the parallel embodiment, the actuating element can be guided parallel to the lead-in, so that the lead-in cannot be blocked by the actuating element. The actuating element can be guided above the wire insertion region, for example, along a locking contour or an elongate guide rail, without protruding into the wire insertion region.

With the clamping points closed, the actuating section can be accommodated in a recess of the insulating-material housing.

It is conceivable here for the contour of the actuating section to be adapted to the contour of the recess of the insulating-material housing. The actuating element can thus be mounted in the initial position with the clamping point closed, without a large gap, so that sliding of the actuating element in the initial position is reduced.

The clamping spring may have a support leg, wherein a spring bow is arranged between the support leg and the clamping leg. The support leg is designed in particular here for abutment against a part of the connection terminal. The support leg is preferably designed for abutment against the busbar. This makes it possible, for example, to realize self-supporting clamping springs.

The first and the second holding element can be arranged at the support leg, wherein the first holding element is supported at a first holding edge of the connection terminal and the second holding element is supported at a second holding edge of the connection terminal.

The embodiment of the first and second retaining elements at the support leg and the corresponding first and second retaining edges are not relevant to the invention here and can be regarded as independent inventions. A connection terminal having the following features is therefore also conceivable:

A terminal, the terminal having: an insulating material housing, wherein the insulating material housing has a wire introduction opening for introducing the electrical wire in a wire introduction direction; a busbar; and a clamping spring, wherein the clamping spring has a clamping leg and a support leg for bearing against the busbar, wherein a spring bracket is arranged between the support leg and the clamping leg, wherein the clamping leg and the busbar form a clamping point for the electrical conductor; and an actuating element, wherein the actuating element is mounted in the insulating material housing in a movable manner and is provided for opening and/or closing the clamping point, wherein a first holding element and a second holding element are provided on the support leg, wherein the first holding element is mounted on a first holding edge of the connection terminal and the second holding element is mounted on a second holding edge of the connection terminal.

A stable attachment to the connection terminal is achieved in particular by a two-part attachment of the clamping spring, wherein at the same time a long and freely resilient movability of the clamping spring is ensured.

The first holding element and the second holding element can protrude from the support leg in a direction facing away from the clamping leg of the clamping spring. Furthermore, the first holding element and/or the second holding element can advantageously be arranged at the free end of the support leg.

The attachment of the clamping spring to the connection terminal can thereby be further improved, wherein the movability of the clamping spring can be improved by arranging the holding element at the free end of the support leg.

The first holding edge and/or the second holding edge can be configured as an edge of a holding opening of the connection terminal, wherein the first holding element and/or the second holding element passes through the holding opening.

By configuring the holding edge as an edge of the holding opening, the first holding element and/or the second holding element can be surrounded by the holding opening on the circumferential side, whereby an improved attachment of the clamping spring can be achieved. It is also conceivable that only the first holding edge or the second holding edge is formed as a holding edge of the opening.

The first holding edge and/or the second holding edge can be arranged at the busbar.

It is conceivable for the first holding element to engage behind the first holding edge at the busbar. A second holding element spaced apart from the first holding element is arranged toward the spring bow, said second holding element being supported on the second holding edge of the busbar or passing through the holding opening described above, for example. Thus, the first holding element can be arranged, for example, at the free end of the support leg, wherein the second holding element is arranged in a spaced-apart manner from the first holding element towards the spring bow. It is conceivable here for at least a part of the busbar to overlap or rest on the clamping spring.

The connection terminal may have a return spring, wherein a return force acts on the actuating element by means of the return spring.

The return spring is not relevant to the invention here and can be regarded as a separate invention. Thus, a connection terminal having the following features is also conceivable:

a terminal, the terminal having: an insulating material housing, wherein the insulating material housing has a wire introduction opening for introducing the electrical wire in a wire introduction direction; a busbar; and a clamping spring, wherein the clamping spring has clamping legs, which form a clamping point for the electrical line with the busbar; and an actuating element, wherein the actuating element is mounted in the insulating material housing in a movable manner and has an actuating section, wherein the actuating section is designed to open the clamping point, wherein the actuating section interacts with the clamping leg such that the actuating section rests against the clamping leg for opening the clamping point, wherein the connecting terminal has a return spring, wherein a return force is exerted on the actuating element by the return spring.

When the actuating element is not held, for example, by the spring force of the clamping spring at the locking contour of the terminal, by another means or by the user being self-retaining, the actuating element can be automatically returned to the initial position by the restoring force of the restoring spring, wherein the clamping point is closed in the initial position.

The return spring is a component different from the clamping leg. The connection terminal therefore has a return spring which is present in addition to the clamping legs of the clamping spring, wherein the actuating element can be guided back into the starting position via the return spring.

The return spring can protrude from the side of the clamping leg of the clamping spring facing away from the clamping point. The return spring may in particular have one or more S-shaped bends.

The free end of the return spring can in particular be directly contacted by the actuating element. A return mechanism of the actuating element into the initial position can be provided in the manner described. The return spring extends in particular from the support leg of the clamping spring. The support leg is designed in particular for abutment against a part of the connection terminal. However, it is also conceivable for the restoring spring to be arranged, for example, at a connecting leg, wherein the connecting leg is arranged between the support leg and the spring bow.

The return spring can be cut freely from the support leg (freigeschnitten).

The return spring can be provided in a material-saving manner by free cutting (freeschnitt) from the material of the clamping spring. In this case, no additional material is required for the double spring connection, but only an excess material of the clamping spring is used. The return spring can in particular be freely cut laterally from the support leg or the connecting leg.

The actuating element can be configured as a displacement actuating device, wherein the displacement actuating device has a displacement section which is supported at least in part with a bearing surface on the insulating material housing. The support surface can be supported in particular on the outside of the housing of the insulating-material housing, wherein the displacement section is provided for manual actuation of the actuating element.

An alternative handling option with respect to the handling of the pressing element is provided by a displacement handling, wherein the handling element can be displaced by the user by means of the displacement section. It is also conceivable here for a combined displacement-pressing element-actuating device to be present, so that the user can choose between a displacement actuation or a pressing element actuation, depending on the application.

In the case of a displacement actuating device, the displacement section for displacing the actuating element from the outside is supported on the insulating-material housing in a manner that is easily accessible to the user. The displacement section is displaced on the insulating-material housing during the handling process and is also very easily accessible when the clamping point is open. In contrast, in the case of a press-on actuating device, the actuating element is guided in the interior of the insulating-material housing, wherein the actuating element can only be accessible to the user from the outside via a smaller pressure surface than the displacement section. Furthermore, with the clamping point open, the actuating element of the press-fit actuating device is supported in the insulating material housing, so that accessibility to the user becomes difficult and additional actuating tools for releasing the actuating element may be required.

In an advantageous embodiment, the actuating section is located between the clamping leg and the locking contour at least when the clamping point is open. According to one advantageous embodiment, the guide profile is formed as an elongate guide rail with a height offset. The actuating section can be held in the locked position, i.e. with the clamping point open, by the force of the clamping spring.

According to one advantageous embodiment, the actuating section is connected to the body of the actuating element via a flexible hinge. This has the following advantages: in the case of a movement from the closed clamping position to the open clamping position, the actuating section can be deflected flexibly or elastically and vice versa without the body of the actuating element having to participate in the deflection movement. For example, the body may be guided in a continuous linear movement without the body performing a tilting movement on its maneuvering path.

According to one advantageous embodiment, the support of the actuating element in the insulating-material housing can have at least one defined tilting point, at which the actuating element can be tilted around the tilting point forming the support point into or out of the locking position.

An advantageous embodiment of the invention relates to: a terminal having a tension relief accessory mountable to an insulative material housing of the terminal; and such tension relief attachments in coordination with the terminals. The tension relief accessory can be snapped onto the insulating material housing of the terminal, for example, via a locking element. The tension relief accessory has at least one tension relief device by means of which tension relief of an electrical conductor connected to the connection terminal can be carried out. According to one advantageous embodiment, the tension relief attachment has at least one mechanical position-checking element, by means of which the tension relief attachment is automatically checked when it is mounted on the insulating material housing: whether the actuating element of the terminal is in the initial position. When the actuating element is not in the initial position, the at least one position-finding element automatically prevents the tension relief fitting from being placed on the insulating-material housing without problems. The locking of the tension relief fitting to the insulating material housing of the terminal can then be blocked, for example. As mentioned, the clamping point is closed in the initial position of the actuating element.

The terminals compatible with such tension relief attachments may be, for example, terminals of the type previously described.

The indefinite article "a" or "an" is to be understood as an article itself and not as a number. It is therefore also conceivable for the terminal to be formed as a multipolar terminal with a plurality of clamping points. Thus, for example, it is conceivable for the connection terminals to be two-pole, three-pole or six-pole connection terminals. Correspondingly, the connecting terminal has two, three or six clamping points.

Drawings

The invention is illustrated in detail below by way of example with the aid of the accompanying drawings according to an embodiment. The drawings show:

fig. 1 shows the connection terminal in a first embodiment in a side sectional view with the clamping point closed;

fig. 2a shows the connection terminal according to fig. 1 in a side sectional view with the clamping point open;

fig. 2b shows the connection terminal according to fig. 2a in a different sectional view from fig. 2 a;

fig. 3a shows the connection terminal according to fig. 1 in a side sectional view with the clamping point open;

fig. 3b shows the connection terminal according to fig. 3a in a different sectional view from fig. 3 a;

fig. 4a shows the connection terminal in the second embodiment in a side sectional view with the clamping point closed;

Fig. 4b shows the connection terminal according to fig. 4a in a different sectional view from fig. 4 a;

fig. 5 shows the connection terminal according to fig. 4a in a side sectional view with the clamping point open;

fig. 6 shows a contact insert of a terminal;

fig. 7 shows the terminal in a third embodiment with the contact insert according to fig. 6 in a side sectional view with the clamping point closed;

fig. 8 shows the connection terminal according to fig. 7 in the case of partial actuation;

fig. 9 shows the connection terminal according to fig. 7 with the clamping point open;

fig. 10 shows the connection terminal according to fig. 7 with the lock released in the open position;

fig. 11 shows a side sectional view of the connection terminal corresponding to fig. 8 with a modified section;

fig. 12 shows the connection terminal in the fourth embodiment in a side sectional view with the clamping point closed;

fig. 13 shows a terminal with a tension relief attachment in a side sectional view;

fig. 14 shows the arrangement according to fig. 13 in a side view;

fig. 15 shows the arrangement according to fig. 13 with the actuating element actuated;

fig. 16 shows the arrangement according to fig. 15 in a side view;

fig. 17 shows the connection terminal in the fifth embodiment in a side sectional view with the clamping point open;

Fig. 18 shows a actuating element of the connection terminal according to fig. 17 in a side view and in a perspective view;

fig. 19 shows the connection terminal in the sixth embodiment in a perspective view with the clamping point closed;

fig. 20 shows the contact insert of the terminal in a side sectional view;

fig. 21 shows the connection terminal in a seventh embodiment with the contact insert according to fig. 20 in a side sectional view with the clamping point closed;

FIG. 22 shows an enlarged partial view of FIG. 21;

fig. 23 shows a further side section of the connection terminal according to fig. 21 in a modified section;

fig. 24 shows the connection terminal according to fig. 21 in a side sectional view with partial actuation;

fig. 25 shows a further side section of the connection terminal according to fig. 24 in a modified section;

fig. 26 shows the connection terminal according to fig. 21 in a side sectional view with the clamping point open;

fig. 27 shows a further side section of the connection terminal according to fig. 26 in a modified section;

fig. 28 shows a further embodiment of the actuating element in a side sectional view, a side view and a perspective view.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1 shows a terminal 1 in a first embodiment in a side sectional view. The terminal 1 has an insulating-material housing 2 with a wire insertion opening 3, wherein an electrical wire can be inserted into the terminal 1 in a wire insertion direction L. A busbar 4 and a clamping spring 5 are arranged in the insulating-material housing 2. The clamping spring 5 has a support leg 5a which merges into a spring bracket 5b and then into a clamping leg 5 c. The clamping leg 5c and the busbar 4 form a clamping point 6 for the electrical line to be clamped.

It can be seen that the connection terminal 1 has an actuating element 7, wherein the actuating element 7 is mounted in the insulating-material housing 2 in a movable manner. The actuating element 7 has an actuating section 7a, wherein the actuating section 7a interacts with the clamping leg 5c such that the actuating section 7a for opening the clamping point 6 rests against the clamping leg 5 c. The actuating element 7 is mounted in the insulating-material housing 2 essentially parallel to the line insertion direction L, wherein the actuating element 7 is designed for actuation in an actuating direction B parallel to the line insertion direction L in order to open the clamping point 6.

It is evident that the actuating section 7a of the actuating element 7 is mounted in a movable manner on the locking contour 8 of the insulating-material housing 2, which is embodied as an elongated guide rail. During the displacement of the actuating element 7 in the actuating direction B, the actuating section 7a is guided on the locking contour 8. By virtue of the parallel design of the line insertion direction L and the actuating direction B, the actuating section 7a can be prevented from reaching into the region of the clamping point 6 and/or into the region into which the electrical line is inserted, so that insertion of the electrical line is blocked or the inserted electrical line is damaged.

A recess 10 is provided on the projection 9 of the insulating-material housing 2, wherein the actuating section 7a can be accommodated in the recess 10 with the clamping point closed. The contour of the actuating section 7a is adapted to the contour of the recess 10.

Fig. 2a and 2b each show the connection terminal 1 according to fig. 1 with the clamping point 6 open, wherein the connection terminal 1 of fig. 2a and 2b are each shown in different sectional views from one another.

It is evident that during the actuation process, i.e. during the movement of the actuating element in the actuating direction B from the initial position into the actuating position in which the clamping point 6 is open, the actuating section 7a rests on the locking contour 8 and displaces the clamping leg 5c such that the clamping point 6 is open. The actuating section 7a is arranged here between the clamping leg 5c of the clamping spring 5 and the locking contour 8.

As is evident from fig. 2b, the return spring 11 is freely cut out of the support leg 5a of the clamping spring 5. The return spring 11 interacts with the actuating element 7 in this case such that a return force acts on the actuating element 7 by the return spring 11, so that the actuating element 7 is moved back into the initial position against the actuating direction B as long as no actuating force opposite the return force acts on the actuating element 7. The return spring 11 is freely cut out of the clamping spring from the side of the support leg 5a of the clamping spring 5 facing away in the wire insertion direction L.

Fig. 3a and 3b each show the connection terminal 1 according to fig. 1 with the clamping point 6 open, wherein the connection terminal 1 of fig. 3a and 3b are each shown in different sectional views from one another. In contrast to fig. 2a and 2b, the actuating section 7a is in a locked position between the clamping leg 5c of the clamping spring and the locking contour 8, wherein the actuating section 7a is pressed against the locking contour 8 by the spring force of the clamping leg 5c and is thus held at the locking contour 8.

It is evident that the locking profile 8 has a height offset 12. The height offset is arranged above the clamping point 6, as seen in the actuating direction B. If the actuating section 7a is guided via the height offset 12, the actuating section 7a is also pressed by the spring force of the clamping leg 5c onto the locking contour 8, wherein the actuating section 7a reaches the following locking position: in this locking position, the actuating section 7a remains in the clamping position in the locking contour 8 when the clamping point 6 is opened under the force of the clamping leg 5 c.

Fig. 4a and 4b show the terminal 1 in the second embodiment in a side sectional view with the clamping point 6 closed, wherein the terminal 1 of fig. 4a and 4b are each shown in a different sectional view from each other. Fig. 5 shows the connection terminal according to fig. 4a in a side sectional view with the clamping point 6 open.

It is evident that the actuating element 7 and the locking contour 8 are formed differently from the first embodiment according to fig. 1 to 3 b. The locking contour 8 is also formed as an elongated guide rail, wherein the actuating section 7a of the actuating element is supported on the locking contour 8 during the actuating process.

Unlike the first embodiment, the locking profile 8 or the elongate guide rail extends in an ascending manner as seen in the actuating direction B, wherein a height offset is produced. It is evident that a locking recess 13 is provided at the locking profile 8, wherein a corresponding locking flange 14 is provided at the handling section 7 a. If the actuating element 7 is moved from the initial position into the actuating position according to fig. 5, the locking flange 14 reaches into the locking recess 13 of the locking contour 8, wherein the actuating element 7 remains in the actuating position. The actuating element 7 is held in the locked position without the spring force of the clamping leg 5 c. However, it is also conceivable for the locking to be designed to be supported by the spring force of the clamping leg 5 c.

It is also evident that the two embodiments according to fig. 1 to 5 are embodied as a combined displacement-pressing element-actuating device. The actuating element 7 has a displacement section 7b, wherein the displacement section 7b is supported on the outside of the insulating-material housing 2 and is provided for manual actuation of the actuating element 7. Alternatively, the actuating element 7 can also be actuated via the pressure on the pressure section 7 c.

Fig. 6 shows a contact insert with a busbar 4 and a clamping spring 5 as separate components. The clamping spring 5 is positively coupled to the busbar 4, so that a self-supporting contact insert is realized. The busbar 4 has a contact section 4c, at which a clamping point 6 is formed. The bus bar 4 extends from the contact section 4c to the fixing projection 4b via the connecting wall 4 a. The connecting wall 4a may be arranged, for example, substantially at right angles to the contact section 4c and/or to the fixing projection 4b. The securing projection 4b has a hook-like shape toward the free end, by means of which it hooks into the recess 5d of the clamping spring 5. The clamping spring 5 has, for example, a support leg 5a bent in a double-S shape. The recess 5d is located in the double-S-shaped bending region. In a further development, the support leg 5a transitions into the spring bow 5b, wherein the clamping leg 5c is connected to the spring bow 5 b.

Fig. 7 shows a connection terminal with a contact insert according to fig. 6 with the clamping point closed. It can be seen that the actuating section 7a is now still at least partially in the region of the recess 10 of the projection 9.

As shown in fig. 8, if the actuating element 7 is now actuated, for example, in the actuating direction B by means of a tool 15, the actuating section 7a moves on the locking contour 8. Fig. 8 shows the following intermediate states: in this intermediate state, the actuating section 7a is not yet locked in the locking contour 8.

Fig. 9 shows a state of full manipulation as follows: in the fully actuated state, the actuating section 7a is locked in the locking contour 8. As can be seen, the actuating section 7a is located between the clamping leg 5c and the locking contour 8. The actuating section 7a is pressed against the locking contour 8 by the clamping leg 5c and is fixed in the open position in this way. It can also be seen that the actuating element is inclined at an angle relative to fig. 8. In the transition region from the displacement section 7b to the pressure section 7c, the actuating element 7 has a small gap from the surface of the insulating-material housing 2.

If the locking of the actuating section 7a in the locking contour 8 should be released, a force is exerted on the actuating element 7, for example the displacement section 7b, in the unlocking direction R, as is shown in fig. 10. As a result, the actuating element 7 is tilted back again into its original position, so that the actuating section 7a is lifted out of the locking contour 8 and thus unlocked. The actuating element 7 can now be moved back into its unactuated position by the force of the return spring or the clamping leg 5 c. Alternatively, the resetting movement may also be performed by the user.

Fig. 11 again shows the connection terminal according to fig. 7 to 10 in a partially actuated intermediate position.

Fig. 12 shows a connection terminal which is constructed as the connection terminal according to fig. 7, but in contrast to this, has a return spring 11. The return spring 11 is designed to return the actuating element 7 into the initial position. The return spring 11 can be arranged, for example, in a recess of the insulating-material housing 2 and can extend over a pin of the actuating element 7. The return spring 11 can be configured as a coil spring, for example. The return spring 11 is supported on one side at the bottom of the recess and on the other side in the circumferential region of the peg at the actuating element 7. The return spring 11 then acts directly on the pressure section 7b of the actuating element.

Fig. 13 and 14 show a terminal 1 with a tension relief fitting 16 fastened to its insulating-material housing 2. The tension relief accessory 16 is snapped onto the insulating-material housing 2 via positive-locking fastening elements at the first fastening location 17 and the second fastening location 18. The locking of the tension relief fitting 16 to the insulating-material housing 2 is only achieved when the actuating element 7 of the terminal 1 is in the initial position, i.e. not actuated. Only then can the positive-locking fastening elements at the first fastening location 17 and the second fastening location 18 be correctly engaged into one another.

Fig. 15 and 16 show the arrangement according to fig. 13 and 14, in which the actuating element 7 of the connection terminal 1 is now moved into the actuating position. As can be seen, the fixing element 19 of the operating element 7 is now no longer aligned with the first fixing position 17 defined by the tension relief attachment 16. The same applies to the second fastening point 18, where the desired form fit cannot likewise be produced, so that the tension relief fitting 16 cannot be fastened to the insulating-material housing 2.

Fig. 17 shows a connection terminal 1 in which the actuating element 7 has an actuating section 7a which is connected to the body of the actuating element 7 via a flexible hinge 7 d. According to fig. 17, the actuating element 7 is in the actuating position, i.e. the clamping point is open. The actuating section 7a is thus already deflected into the lower section of the locking contour 8 and locked there. However, in this case, the body of the actuating element 7 does not perform a tilting movement as in the case of the previously described embodiment, but remains in its original position parallel to the surface of the insulating-material housing 2. The spatial position of the actuating section 7a, which changes with respect to the body of the actuating element 7, is thus compensated via the hinge point 7 d.

Fig. 18 shows the actuating element 7 of the connection terminal 1 according to fig. 17 in different views. In illustration a), the actuating element 7 is shown in a side view of a clamping point suitable for closing. In illustration b), the actuating element 7 is shown in a side view of the clamping point suitable for opening. Insert c) shows the actuating element 7 in a perspective view. The actuating element 7 can, for example, have two side sections 7e, which form the body of the actuating element 7. Between the side sections 7e, which may be configured as parallel side walls, the following free spaces may be present: in the free space, for example, a part of the clamping spring 5, for example a spring bracket 5b, can be accommodated. It can be seen that the handling section 7a is connected to the side section 7e via a hinge point 7 d.

A comparison of illustration a) and illustration b) shows the flexible deflectable properties of the actuating section 7a with respect to the side section 7e via the hinge point 7 d.

Fig. 19 shows an embodiment of a connection terminal 1 in which a return spring 11 for resetting an actuating element 7 is formed directly in one piece on a support leg 5a of a clamping spring 5. The lateral sections of the bearing section 5a can be cut out and shaped, for example, into a pressure spring shape extending at least partially in a serpentine fashion, in order to form the return spring 11.

The connection terminal according to fig. 19 furthermore has other ways of spring-suspending the clamping spring 5 at the busbar 4, which is explained in detail below with reference to fig. 20.

Fig. 20 shows a contact insert of the connection terminal 1 according to fig. 19 in a lateral section. As can be seen, the busbar 4 here also has a contact section 4c, a connecting wall 4a extending from the contact section and a fixing projection 4b extending from the connecting wall 4 a.

It can be seen that at the free end of the support leg 5a, the first holding element 5e and the second holding element 5f protrude from the support leg 5a in a direction away from the clamping leg 5c of the clamping spring 5, for example as webs bent upwards in the end direction and/or webs cut sideways and bent upwards. The first holding element 5e is supported at the first holding edge 4e, and the second holding element 5f is supported at the second holding edge 4f. The holding edges 4e, 4f are arranged here on the busbar 4.

It is evident that the first holding element 5e surrounds the first holding edge 4e. A second holding element 5f spaced apart from the first holding element 5e is arranged toward the spring bow 5b, wherein the second holding element 5f passes through a second holding edge 4f which is formed as an edge of the holding opening 4 d. The first holding element 5e is arranged at the free end of the support leg 5a, wherein the second holding element 5f is arranged in a spaced-apart manner from the first holding element 5e towards the spring bow 5 b. In this way, stable attachment of the clamping spring 5 to the busbar 4 can be ensured, and at the same time, a large movability of the clamping spring 5 can be ensured.

Fig. 21 shows the connection terminal 1 with the clamping point closed. The contact insert of the connection terminal 1 can be constructed, for example, according to fig. 20. In fig. 21, the area around the actuating section 7a is marked by means of a circle. The area marked with circles is shown enlarged in fig. 22. Fig. 22 shows that the clamping leg 5c can be bent several times. At the clamping leg 5c, there is in particular a convex section 5g from the point of view of the handling section 7 a. The convex section 5g protrudes slightly towards the handling section 7 a. The actuating section 7a can be said to be a negative contour of the convex section 5g in the region, for example: the actuating section 7a has a concave section 7f. In this way, the clamping spring 5 is adapted to the shape of the actuating section 7a in the region of the clamping leg 5 c.

Fig. 23 shows further details of the connection terminal in the non-actuated state of the actuating element 7 according to the section changed relative to fig. 21.

Fig. 24 and 25 show the connection terminal 1 in the case of a partially actuated actuating element 7, i.e. in the intermediate position. The locking flange 14 at the handling section 7a in said handling position has not yet reached the locked state at the locking recess 13 of the locking profile 8. It can be seen that the actuating element 7 is not yet tilted at this point about the tilting point 20 formed at the housing part of the insulating-material housing 2.

Fig. 26 and 27 show the connection terminal in the case of a fully actuated actuating element, i.e. with the clamping point open. The actuating element 7 is now tilted at an angle around the tilting point 20. Thereby, the handling section 7 is pivoted slightly downwards, so that the locking flange 14 at the handling section 7a is now arranged in the locking recess 13. In this state, the actuating element 7 is locked in the actuating position. In order to release the unlocking, a force can again be applied to the actuating element 7 in the unlocking direction R, as is illustrated with reference to fig. 10.

Fig. 28 shows the actuating element 7 in a side view in a side section in illustration a), in a side view in illustration b), and in a perspective view in illustration c). The actuating element 7 according to fig. 28 can be used, for example, in the case of a connecting terminal according to any of the embodiments described above. In particular, it can be seen that the actuating element 7 has a locking flange 14 at the actuating section 7 a.

The actuating element 7 may have a first long hole 7g at the displacement section 7b, for example, such that the first long hole 7g is arranged at the free end of the displacement section 7b and is open toward the free end. The displacement section 7b can be guided by the first slot 7g additionally in the longitudinal movement direction, for example by a pin protruding from the insulating-material housing 2, which engages in the first slot 7 g.

The actuating element 7 has a second slot 7h at one or both side sections 7e, respectively. The guide projection of the insulating-material housing 2 can be guided in the second long hole 7h. In this way, the actuating element 7 has an additional guidance in the case of its displacement movement. Furthermore, the operating element 7 is prevented from possibly being detached from the insulating-material housing 2. The second slot 7h may in particular be formed with side walls which are not parallel in the longitudinal direction, for example such that the width of the second slot 7h decreases with increasing distance from the pressure portion 7 c. In other words, the area of the second long hole 7h facing the pressure section 7c is wider than the area farther away. In this way, the operating section 7 has sufficient freedom of movement during tilting.

List of reference numerals

1. Connecting terminal

2. Insulating material shell

3. Wire introduction opening

4. Bus bar

4a connecting wall

4b fixing protrusion

4c contact section

4d recess

4e first holding edge

4f second holding edge

5. Clamping spring

5a support leg

5b spring bow

5c clamping leg

5d clearance part

5e fixing projection, first holding element

5f second holding element

5g of convex section

6. Clamping part

7. Actuating element

7a handling section

7b movement section

7c pressure section

7d hinge portion

7e side section

7f concave section

7g first long hole

7h second long hole

8. Locking profile

9. Protruding part

10. Concave part

11. Reset spring

12. Height offset part

13. Locking recess

14. Locking flange

15. Tool for cutting tools

16. Tension eliminating accessory

17. First fixed position

18. Second fixed position

19. Fixing element

20. Inclined part

L-wire introduction direction

B steering direction

R unlocking direction

Claims

1. A connection terminal (1) having: an insulating material housing (2), wherein the insulating material housing (2) has a wire introduction opening (3) for introducing an electrical wire in a wire introduction direction (L); a busbar (4) and a clamping spring (5), wherein the clamping spring (5) has a clamping leg (5 c) which forms a clamping point (6) for an electrical line with the busbar (4); and an actuating element (7), wherein the actuating element (7) is mounted in the insulating-material housing (2) in a movable manner and has an actuating section (7 a), wherein the actuating section (7 a) is designed to open the clamping point (6), wherein the actuating section (7 a) interacts with the clamping leg (5 c) such that the actuating section (5 c) bears against the clamping leg (5 c) for opening the clamping point (6), characterized in that the actuating section (7 a) is mounted in a movable manner on a locking contour (8) of the insulating-material housing (2).

2. Terminal (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the actuating section (7 a) is arranged between the clamping leg (5 c) and the locking contour (8) in the open position of the clamping point (6).

3. Terminal (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the locking profile (8) is formed as an elongated rail, wherein the elongated rail has a height offset (12).

4. Terminal (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the actuating section (7 a) can be held in the clamping position in the locking contour (8) with the clamping part (6) open under the force of the clamping leg (5 c).

5. Terminal (1) according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the actuating section (7 a) is designed flexibly such that it can be guided into and/or out of the clamping position.

6. Terminal (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the insulating-material housing (2) has a first housing part and a second housing part.

7. Terminal (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the actuating element (7) is arranged substantially parallel to the wire introduction direction (L).

8. Terminal (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the actuating section (7 a) is accommodated in a recess (10) of the insulating-material housing (2) with the clamping point (6) closed.

9. Terminal (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the clamping spring (6) has a support leg (5 a), wherein a spring bow (5 b) is provided between the support leg (5 a) and the clamping leg (5 c).

10. Terminal (1) according to claim 9, characterized in that a first holding element (5 e) and a second holding element (5 f) are provided at the support leg (5 a), wherein the first holding element (5 e) is supported at a first holding edge (4 e) of the terminal (1) and the second holding element (5 f) is supported at a second holding edge (4 f) of the terminal (1).

11. Terminal (1) according to claim 10, characterized in that the first holding element (5 e) and the second holding element (5 f) protrude from the support leg (5 a) in a direction facing away from the clamping leg (5 c) of the clamping spring (5).

12. Terminal (1) according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that the first holding edge (4 e) and/or the second holding edge (4 f) are designed as holding openings (4 d) of the terminal (1), wherein the first holding element (5 e) and/or the second holding element (5 f) pass through the holding openings (4 d).

13. The connection terminal (1) according to any one of claims 10 to 12, characterized in that the first holding element (5 e) and/or the second holding element (5) are arranged at the free end of the support leg (5 a).

14. The connection terminal (1) according to any one of claims 10 to 13, characterized in that the first holding edge (4 e) and/or the second holding edge (4 f) are arranged at the busbar (4).

15. Terminal (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the terminal (1) has a return spring (11), wherein a return force is exerted on the actuating element (7) by the return spring (11).

16. Terminal (1) according to claim 15, characterized in that the return spring (11) protrudes from the side of the support leg (5 a) of the clamping spring (5) facing away from the clamping point (6).

17. Terminal (1) according to claim 15 or 16, characterized in that the return spring (11) has one or more S-shaped bends.

18. Terminal (1) according to any of claims 15 to 17, characterized in that the return spring (11) is freely cut out of the support leg (5 a).

19. Terminal (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the actuating element (7) is designed as a displacement actuating device, wherein the displacement actuating device has a displacement section (7 b) which is supported at least partially with a bearing surface on the insulating-material housing (2).

20. Terminal (1) according to claim 19, characterized in that the bearing surface is supported on the outside of the housing of the insulating material housing (2), wherein the displacement section (7 b) is provided for manual actuation of the actuating element (7).

21. A tension relief accessory (16) for a connection terminal (1), wherein the connection terminal (1) has an insulating material housing (2), wherein the insulating material housing (2) has a wire insertion opening (3) for inserting an electrical wire in a wire insertion direction (L), wherein the connection terminal (1) has a busbar (4) and a clamping spring (5), wherein the clamping spring (5) has a clamping leg (5 c) which forms a clamping point (6) for the electrical wire with the busbar (4), wherein the connection terminal (1) has an actuating element (7) which is designed to open the clamping point (6), wherein the tension relief accessory (16) can be placed onto the insulating material housing (2) of the connection terminal (1), wherein the tension relief accessory (16) has at least one tension relief device by means of which a tension relief of an electrical wire connected to the connection terminal (1) can be carried out, characterized in that the tension relief accessory (16) has at least one mechanical position, when the position of the connection terminal (1) is checked for the insulating material by querying the position of the accessory (16): whether the actuating element (7) of the connection terminal (1) is in an initial position, in which the clamping point is closed.