CN214849349U

CN214849349U - Connecting device for connecting electrical lines

Info

Publication number: CN214849349U
Application number: CN202120254223.6U
Authority: CN
Inventors: 丹尼斯·吉斯勒
Original assignee: Phoenix Contact GmbH and Co KG
Current assignee: Phoenix Contact GmbH and Co KG
Priority date: 2020-01-31
Filing date: 2021-01-29
Publication date: 2021-11-23
Anticipated expiration: 2031-01-29
Also published as: DE102021100100A1

Abstract

The utility model relates to a connecting device (1) for connecting electric lead (2), include: a housing (10) having a socket (100) for inserting an electrical conductor (2); a contact element (13) arranged on the housing (10); and a spring element (11) arranged on the housing (10) and having a clamping arm (110) which can be moved relative to the contact element (13) from an open position into a contact position in order to act on the electrical line (2) inserted into the socket (100) in the contact position in order to make electrical contact with the contact element (13). The adjusting element (12) can be adjusted by the action of the electrical line (2) when the electrical line (2) is inserted into the socket (100). A locking element (132) formed on the contact element (13) locks the clamping arm (110) in the open position relative to the contact element (13) and can be moved by the adjusting element (12) in order to release the clamping arm (110) for transfer into the contact position.

Description

Connecting device for connecting electrical lines

Technical Field

The utility model relates to a according to the utility model discloses a connecting device for connecting electric lead.

Background

Such a connecting device comprises a housing with a socket for inserting an electrical conductor, a contact element arranged on the housing, and a spring element arranged on the housing, which spring element has a clamping arm which is adjustable relative to the housing from an open position into a contact position in order to act on the electrical conductor inserted into the socket in the contact position in order to make electrical contact with the contact element.

Electrical connection devices of completely different design are known from the prior art. In a screw terminal, for example, an electrical conductor is inserted with a stripped conductor end into a socket and is then fixed in a clamping manner on the screw terminal by screwing. In contrast, in spring-loaded terminal clamps, the electrical line is inserted into the socket and makes contact with the arms of the spring element, the spring element acting on the electrical line in such a way that the electrical line is mechanically locked and, in addition, makes electrical contact, for example, with a conductor rail.

In connection devices in the form of spring-loaded terminal clamps, it is desirable to be able to achieve a simple connection of electrical lines. In this case, it can be advantageous if the connecting device is automatically closed when an electrical line is inserted, i.e. the spring element is automatically transferred from the open position into the contact position, in order to make a safe and reliable contact with the electrical line inserted into the socket of the housing. In this case, such an automatic triggering should be possible not only in the case of relatively rigid electrical lines, for example in the case of electrical lines provided with a connection sleeve, but also in the case of electrical lines which are inserted with relatively low insertion forces into the socket of the housing.

However, it is to be taken into account here that provision can be made for the connecting device to be supplied in its open position in order to achieve a direct connection of the electrical lines within the scope of conventional use. In the transport of such a connection device, the spring element of the connection device should therefore be as difficult to trigger as possible even under the action of shocks or vibrations.

DE 19825629B 4 discloses a spring-loaded terminal clamp having a clamping body arranged in a connection chamber, which clamping body is held in a prestressed position before an electrical conductor is introduced into the connection chamber with a conductor end and is released after the conductor has been introduced into the connection chamber.

In the connection terminal known from DE 102015119407 a1, the insulating material housing has a conductor clamping device with a spring element arranged in a stationary manner in the insulating material housing and a slider arranged movably in the insulating material housing between a conductor insertion position and a clamping position by means of a guide mechanism. When the electrical conductor is inserted, the slider is moved to the clamping position so as to bring the electrical conductor into contact with the connection terminal.

In the connecting device known from DE 202016007200U 1, the clamping arms of the clamping arm spring, which form the spring element, are latched in the open position with the supporting arms of the clamping arm spring. During insertion, the electrical line interacts with the support arm and thus releases the latching of the clamping arm, so that the connecting device automatically closes during insertion of the electrical line.

In the connection device known from DE 202016104971U 1, the clamping spring has a clamping arm which can be latched in the open position by a latching device.

In the direct plug-in terminal known from DE 202013100740U 1, the clamping arm of the spring element is locked in the latched state by the retaining element, wherein the latching element can be pivoted in order to release the clamping arm from the latched state.

SUMMERY OF THE UTILITY MODEL

The object of the present invention is to provide a connecting device for connecting electrical lines, which connecting device, while closing the connecting device automatically, also allows simple connection of electrical lines even when the insertion force is relatively small.

This object is solved by a connecting device for connecting electrical conductors according to the invention.

The connecting device therefore has an adjusting element which can be adjusted by the action of the electrical line when the electrical line is inserted into the socket and a locking element which is formed on the contact element. The locking element locks the clamping arm in the open position relative to the contact element and can be moved by the adjusting element in order to release the clamping arm for the transfer into the contact position.

The connecting device is designed to automatically close when an electrical line is inserted into the socket of the housing. For this purpose, the connecting device has an adjusting element which is designed to act on the locking element in order to adjust the locking element in such a way that the clamping arm of the spring element is released and can thus be pivoted from its open position into the contact position in order to bring the electrical line inserted into the socket into electrical contact with the contact element and, in addition, to be mechanically locked in the housing.

In the open position, the clamping arm is locked relative to the contact element by engaging the clamping arm with a locking element formed on the contact element. The clamping arm is held in the open position by a locking element, wherein the adjusting element is adjusted when the electrical line is inserted and is thereby moved relative to the locking element, such that the locking element is moved out of its locked position and the clamping arm is thereby released, such that the clamping arm can be automatically moved into the contact position for electrical contacting of the electrical line.

Since the clamping arm is locked in the open position, it is possible to supply the connecting device in the open position. The connecting device is automatically closed when the electrical line is inserted, wherein the connecting device can also be opened again by acting on the clamping arm in order to move the clamping arm into the open position and thus to remove the inserted conductor from the connecting device or to achieve a force-free insertion of the conductor.

Since the locking element is formed on the contact element, a simple design can be achieved with reduced tolerance sensitivity, in particular with respect to housing tolerances. Thus, locking takes place between, for example, a spring element supported on the contact element and a locking element formed on the contact element, so that the locking is independent of the housing and of tolerances that may exist on the housing.

In one embodiment, the locking element is integrally formed with the contact element. The locking element can be severed, for example, from the bottom of the contact element, so that the locking element is integrally connected with the contact element and can thus be moved elastically relative to the contact element.

In one embodiment, the locking element is formed on the contact element in the manner of a tongue. The locking element can thus have a first end and a second end remote from the first end, wherein the locking element is preferably connected on the first end integrally and integrally to the base of the contact element and can be moved with the free second end relative to the base. In the open position, the locking element extends, for example, at an oblique angle relative to the base and projects with the second end from the base when the clamping arm is locked. By moving the locking element with the second end close to the base, the locking can be released and the clamping arm can thus be released, so that the clamping arm can automatically move into the contact position due to the elastic stress in the spring element and elastically press the electrical conductor inserted into the socket into abutment with the contact element and thus into electrical contact with the contact element and is mechanically locked for this purpose.

In one embodiment, the locking element engages in a locking engagement formed on the clamping arm when the clamping arm is in the open position. The locking engagement can be formed, for example, as a recess on the lateral edge of the clamping arm. When the clamping arm is in the open position, the locking element is in engagement with the locking engagement, so that the clamping arm is fixed in position and cannot be easily, at least not without releasing the locking element, moved out of the open position.

In one embodiment, the adjusting element can be pivoted relative to the housing, for example, in that the locking element is pivotably supported on the contact element or the housing.

Tolerance sensitivity to tolerances on the housing can be further reduced if the adjusting element is pivotably supported on the contact element and, for this purpose, is arranged, for example, pivotably on a shaft element connected to the contact element, since the support of the adjusting element on the contact element and thus with respect to the locking element formed on the contact element is also independent of tolerances in the housing.

Alternatively, however, the adjusting element can also be mounted pivotably on the housing, for example on a shaft formed on the housing.

In one embodiment, the actuating element has a first lever section which projects into a connecting chamber formed in the housing, inside which connecting chamber an electrical line inserted into the socket makes electrical contact with the contact element. The connection chamber is aligned with the socket, so that the electrical line, when inserted into the socket, reaches the connection chamber with the stripped conductor end and interacts with the first lever section of the actuating element. By the action of the line on the first lever section, the adjusting element is adjusted relative to the contact element and acts on the locking element, so that the locking element is moved out of its locked position and releases the clamping arm, so that the clamping arm can be automatically adjusted from the open position into the contact position.

The first lever section can be formed, for example, on a first side of a shaft element for supporting the adjusting element. On the other hand, a second lever section can be formed on a second side facing away from the first side, which second lever section forms an actuating end for acting on the locking element. The first lever section and the second lever section extend on different sides of the pivot axis of the adjusting element, as viewed in a movement plane of the adjusting element which extends perpendicular to the pivot axis. The first lever section is shaped for cooperating with an electrical conductor inserted into the socket, while the second lever section is adapted to act on the locking element to move the locking element relative to the contact element, thereby releasing the clamping arm from the open position.

In one embodiment, the first lever section is longer than the second lever section, as viewed in a plane of movement perpendicular to the pivot axis of the actuating element. The first lever section therefore has a greater radial extent (with respect to the pivot axis of the adjusting element) than the second lever section. This can result in a relatively low force being sufficient for the adjustment of the adjusting element, so that a soft electrical line, for example an electrical line on which no connecting sleeve is arranged, can also be sufficient for adjusting the adjusting element when inserted into the socket and thus moving the locking element out of its locked position and thus releasing the clamping arm.

By means of the lever section, the adjusting element provides a lever transmission ratio. Since the first lever portion (via which the electrical line acts on the actuating element during insertion) is longer than the second lever portion (via which the actuating element acts on the locking element), the actuating element can be adjusted with a relatively low force, wherein due to the lever transmission ratio which is determined by the length of the lever portions relative to one another, a sufficient adjustment force can be exerted on the locking element to unlock the spring element. By adjusting the lever ratio of the element, the connection device can therefore also be triggered when a flexible conductor is inserted and thus automatically closes.

In one embodiment, a ramp is formed on the adjusting element, which ramp is designed to strike the locking element when the adjusting element is adjusted, so that the locking element is moved out of its locking position. Via this ramp, the locking element can be moved, for example, with the free end gradually towards the base of the contact element, in order to approach the base and thus disengage it from the clamping arm. The adjusting element thus touches the locking element with the inclined surface and moves it relative to the contact element in order to unlock the clamping arm in this way.

In one embodiment, the connecting device has an actuating element for acting on the clamping arm for displacing the clamping arm from the contact position into the open position. If the connecting device is closed and the clamping arms are thus in their contact position, the electrical line inserted into the socket is in electrical contact with the contact element and is also mechanically locked relative to the connecting device. In order to return the clamping arm into the open position, the actuating element can be actuated, which is arranged, for example, displaceably or pivotably on the housing. The actuating element has an actuating section which is designed to act on the clamping arm in order to move the clamping arm within the connection chamber and to return the clamping arm from the contact position into the open position.

The actuating element is guided, for example, displaceably on the housing and can therefore be moved linearly relative to the housing to act on the clamping arm in order to displace the clamping arm into the open position.

Alternatively, the actuating element can be pivoted relative to the housing, for example in that the actuating element is pivotably supported on a bearing shaft formed on the housing.

The bearing shaft can be formed, for example, on a housing section around which the spring element extends. The housing section can support a connecting section of the spring element, which connects a support arm, which is supported on the housing, of the spring element, which is designed, for example, as a clamping arm spring, to the clamping arm, wherein the connecting section is curved and forms the main load radius of the spring element. If the clamping arm is deflected, this takes place about a virtual pivot axis defined by the housing section, so that the housing section presets a pivot axis for the clamping arm. By forming the bearing shaft for bearing the actuating element on the housing section, the actuating element can be pivoted relative to the housing about a pivot axis defined by the housing section for the clamping arm, so that the actuating element and the clamping arm can be pivoted relative to the housing about the same axis, and a favorable introduction of force into the clamping arm can be achieved when actuating the actuating element.

In the non-actuated position, the actuating element with the actuating head is placed, for example, in a corresponding actuating opening of the housing. The actuating element can be actuated, for example, using a tool, in that the actuating element is pressed into the housing in order to act on the clamping arm via the actuating section and thereby move the clamping arm from the contact position into the open position.

The actuating element can be advantageous in order to enable a simple, comfortable actuation for reopening the connecting device. However, such actuating elements are not mandatory. The connecting device can therefore also be designed without an actuating element, wherein the housing can in this case, for example, be designed with an actuating opening, through which a user can act on the clamping arm with a tool (for example, a tool in the form of a screwdriver) in order to adjust the clamping arm from the contact position into the open position when using the tool.

In the open position, the clamping arm is automatically locked with the locking element. The clamping arm can be designed to strike the locking element when moving from the contact position into the open position, thereby moving the locking element elastically toward the contact element and locking it with the locking element. When the clamping arm is moved from the contact position into the open position, the clamping arm thus strikes the locking element and adjusts the locking element until the locking element snaps, for example with a locking joint, onto the clamping arm and thus locks the clamping arm in the open position. This preferably takes place automatically, without the user having to carry out further measures to lock the clamping arms in the open position.

The contact element may have, for example, a shaft section for making electrical contact with an electrical line inserted into the socket. The rod section may for example be arranged at an angle, preferably at right angles, with respect to the bottom of the contact element, wherein the locking element is preferably formed on the bottom of the contact element, for example in the form of a tongue by cutting off from the bottom. By means of the clamping action of the clamping arms, the electrical conductor inserted into the socket is pressed against the rod section of the contact element, so that the electrical conductor is thereby electrically connected to the contact section and is also mechanically locked to the connecting device.

For example, a further electrical line can be connected to the contact element, or the contact element can have a plurality of electrical connections, for example for arranging the connecting device on a printed circuit board or for connecting to a corresponding plug connector.

A support section can also be formed on the contact element, on which support section the spring element is supported and is thus fixed relative to the contact element.

The spring element can be formed, for example, by a (pressure-acting) clip arm spring or a (tension-acting) tension spring. The spring element can be elastically adjusted and deflected in order to enable an automatic closing of the connecting device, in particular when an electrical line is inserted.

In one embodiment, the spring element is formed as an integral, curved plate. The spring element can be made of spring steel, for example, and can be formed as a stamped and bent part, for example.

In one embodiment, the spring element has a support arm which is supported in a positionally fixed manner relative to the housing and against which the clamping arm can be spring-elastically deflected. The support arm can be connected to the clamping arm, for example, by a curved connecting section, wherein the connecting section is placed, for example, around a housing section of the housing and the support arm provides support relative to the housing. The spring element is supported, for example, on a support section of a contact element arranged on the housing by means of a support arm, wherein the clamping arm can be elastically deflected relative to the support arm by a spring in order to adjust the spring element between the open position and the contact position.

In one embodiment, the clamping arm is elastically tensioned against the supporting arm in the open position of the spring element. In the open position, the clamping arm is locked by the locking element and is thus held in position, the clamping arm thus being mechanically pretensioned against the support arm spring. If the electrical line acts on the adjusting element when inserted into the socket and thereby adjusts the adjusting element, the clamping arm is released and automatically adjusts into the contact position due to its spring-elastic stress in order to make contact with the electrical line inserted into the socket.

Drawings

The idea underlying the invention is explained in detail below with the aid of embodiments shown in the drawings. In which is shown:

FIG. 1A shows a view of one embodiment of a connecting device for connecting electrical conductors with the clamping arms of the spring element in a contact position;

FIG. 1B shows a view of the connection device with the clamp arms in an open position;

FIG. 2A shows a side view of the connection device with the clamp arms in a contact position;

FIG. 2B shows a side view of the attachment apparatus with the clamp arms in an open position;

FIG. 2C shows a side view of the coupling device when the adjusting element for moving the locking element is actuated;

FIG. 3 shows an isolated view of the clamping body assembly of the connecting device with the contact element and the spring element;

FIG. 4 shows an isolated view of the spring element;

fig. 5 shows a view of a contact element and an adjusting element arranged thereon;

FIG. 6A shows a view of another embodiment of the connecting device with the clamping arms of the spring element in the contact position;

FIG. 6B shows a view of the attachment device with the clamp arms in the open position;

FIG. 7A shows a side view of the attachment device with the clamp arms in the contact position;

FIG. 7B shows a side view of the attachment device with the clamp arms in the open position;

FIG. 7C shows a side view of the coupling device when the adjustment member for moving the locking member is manipulated;

FIG. 8A shows a view of another embodiment of the connecting device with the clamping arms of the spring element in the contact position;

FIG. 8B shows a view of the attachment device with the clamp arms in the open position;

FIG. 9A shows a side view of the connection device with the clamp arms in the contact position;

FIG. 9B shows a side view of the attachment device with the clamp arms in the open position; and

fig. 9C shows a side view of the connecting device when the adjusting element for moving the locking element is actuated.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1A, 1B to 5 show an embodiment of a connecting device 1 which enables the connection of electrical lines 2. The connecting device 1 can be, for example, a component of a plug connector, wherein a plurality of connecting devices 1 can be combined with one another in order to be able to connect a plurality of electrical lines.

As can be seen, for example, from fig. 1A, 1B, the connecting device 1 has a housing 10 in which a socket 100 is formed, into which the electrical line 2 can be inserted in the plugging direction E. The housing 10 defines a connection chamber 101 into which an electrical line 2 can be introduced with a (stripped) conductor end 20 by insertion into the plug socket 100 in order to make electrical contact with a contact element 13 arranged on the housing 10 within the connection chamber 101.

In the illustrated embodiment, the connecting device 1 has a spring element 11 in the form of a clip arm spring having a clamping arm 110 and a supporting arm 112 connected to the clamping arm 110 by a curved connecting section 111. The spring element 11 is placed with the connecting section 111 around the housing section 102 of the housing 10 and is supported relative to the housing 10 by means of the support arm 112 in such a way that the support arm 112 rests against the support section 133 of the contact element 13, so that the spring element 11 is fixed relative to the housing 10 and the contact element 13.

The clamping arm 110 is elastically deflectable relative to the support arm 112 and is adjustable between a contact position (fig. 1A) and an open position (fig. 1B) about a pivot axis preset by the housing section 102.

In the open position, the clamping arm 110 is spaced apart from the shaft section 130 of the contact element 13, so that the clamping arm 110 does not (or at least does not significantly) project into the region of the plug socket 100 and therefore the electrical line 2 can be inserted into the plug socket 100 substantially unimpeded in the plugging direction E and can be introduced into the connection chamber 101.

In the contact position, the clamping arm 110 approaches the pole segment 130 in opposition thereto, so that the electrical conductor 2 inserted into the plug socket 100 is pressed by means of the clamping arm 110 into contact with the pole segment 130 in electrical contact therewith and thus with the contact element 13.

In the open position, the clamping arm 110 of the spring element 11 is latched by the contact element 13 in such a way that the clamping arm 110 is in form-fitting engagement with a locking element 132 formed on the base 131 of the contact element 13. In the open position, the locking element 132 holds the clamping arm 110 in a position such that the clamping arm 110 is located outside the region of the insertion opening 100 and therefore the electrical line 2 can be introduced essentially without force into the insertion opening 100 and the connection chamber 101 aligned therewith.

The locking element 132 is formed in the manner of a tongue on the bottom 131 of the contact element 13. Here, as shown in fig. 5, the locking element 132 is integrally molded with the contact element 13 by cutting the locking element 132 from the bottom portion 131, but connecting one end portion 134 integrally and one-piece with the bottom portion 131.

In the unloading position, which corresponds to the locking position when the clamping arm 110 is in the open position, the locking element 132 projects from the bottom 131 with a free end 135 remote from the end 134, as can be seen in fig. 5. The locking element 132 is therefore inclined relative to the base 131 and projects into the connection chamber 101, so that the locking element 132 can be locked with the clamping arm 110 of the spring element 11 within the connection chamber 101.

As shown in fig. 4, a latching engagement 113 in the form of a recess is formed on the clamping arm 110 at one lateral edge, which extends along a movement plane in which the clamping arm 110 can be moved, with which latching element 132 engages in a form-fitting, latching manner in the open position of the clamping arm 110.

As can be seen, for example, from the overview of fig. 4, 5 and 2B, in the open position the clamping arm 110 bears against the obliquely extending bearing section 136 of the locking element 132, which adjoins the locking finger 137, and is thereby supported relative to the locking element 132. With the locking fingers 137, the locking element 132 engages in the locking engagement 113 and thereby establishes a form-fitting connection with the clamping arm 110.

The contact element 13 has a U-shape in cross section, wherein the base 131 forms the base of the U and the bar section 130 on the one hand and the support section 133 on the other hand form the arms of the U.

In the embodiment shown, an adjusting element 12 in the form of a lever is pivotably supported about the shaft element 120 on the base 131 of the contact element 13. The actuating element 12 is designed with a lever section 121 which projects into the region of the connection chamber 101 aligned with the plug socket 100 and is intended to interact with an electrical conductor 2 inserted into the plug socket 100.

Away from the lever portion 121, a lever portion 122 is formed on the adjusting element 12, which is configured with an actuating end 123, with which the adjusting element 12, when pivoted about the shaft element 120, can act on a free end 135 of the locking element 132 in order to move the locking element 132 relative to the contact element 13 in this way and thus release the clamping arm 110 for adjustment into the contact position.

As can be seen from the sequence according to fig. 2A to 2C, the clamping arm 110 of the spring element 11 can be moved by actuating the actuating element 14 received in the actuating opening 104 of the housing 10 from a contact position (fig. 2A), in which the clamping arm 110 approaches the lever section 130 of the contact element 13 with the end remote from the supporting arm 112, into an open position (fig. 2B), in which the clamping arm 110 is moved out of the region of the socket 100 of the housing 10.

In the exemplary embodiment shown, the actuating element 14 is accommodated movably in the actuating opening 104 and is accessible from the outside by means of the actuating head 140, so that a user acts on the actuating head 140 with a suitable tool, for example a screwdriver, and can press the actuating head into the actuating opening 104 in the actuating direction B. As a result, the actuating element 14 acts with the actuating section 141 on the clamping arm 110 and moves it out of the contact position, so that the clamping arm 110 is transferred into the open position according to fig. 2B.

In the open position, the clamping arm 110 is latched with respect to the contact element 13 by means of the locking element 132 and is thus held in position.

If, with the clamping arm 110 in the open position, as shown in fig. 2C, the electrical conductor 2 is inserted into the insertion opening 100 of the housing 10 and the conductor 2 interacts with the lever section 121 of the adjusting element 12 with the (stripped) conductor end 20 in the connecting chamber 101, the adjusting element 12 is thereby pivoted about the shaft element 120 in the tilting direction K. The actuating end 123 formed on the lever section 122 of the adjusting element 12 thus acts on the locking element 132 and pushes it toward the base 131 of the contact element 13 by the inclined surface 124 striking against the free end 135 of the locking element 132, so that the positive engagement of the locking finger 137 with the locking engagement 113 of the clamping arm 110 is cancelled.

The clamping arm 110 is thus released and automatically (due to the spring pretension caused in the spring element 11 when the contact position is transferred into the open position) pivots into the contact position, so that the electrical conductor 2 with the stripped conductor end 20 is pushed into contact with the rod section 130 of the contact element 13 and is also mechanically locked inside the connection chamber 101 by the clamping arm 110.

If the electrical line 2 is to be removed again from the connecting device 1 counter to the plugging direction E, the user can act again on the actuating element 14 in order to transfer the clamping arms 110 from the contact position into the open position, so that the electrical line 2 is released and can be removed from the connecting device 1 essentially without force.

Since, due to the lever ratio of the

lever sections

121, 122 of the actuating element 12, the unlocking can be brought about by the action of a relatively small force of the conductor 2, a flexible conductor 2, for example a conductor 2 without a connecting sleeve, can also be connected to the connecting device 1 with automatic closing by the movement of the clamping arm 110 into the contact position.

The exemplary embodiment shown in fig. 6A, 6B and 7A to 7C differs from the exemplary embodiment according to fig. 1A, 1B to 6 by the design of the actuating element 14, which in the exemplary embodiment according to fig. 6A, 6B and 7A to 7C is pivotably supported on the housing 10 about a bearing axis 143 formed on the housing section 102 and can be actuated relative to the housing 10 in an actuating direction B curved about the bearing axis 143. The actuating element 14 is arranged on a bearing shaft 143 via a bearing arm 142 and can be pivoted by pivoting the bearing arm 142, so that the actuating section 141, which projects in a finger-like manner, can act on the clamping arm 110 of the spring element 11 in order to pivot said clamping arm from a contact position (fig. 7A) into an open position (fig. 7B). In the open position, the clamping arm 110 latches with the locking element 132.

The housing section 102 presets a pivot axis for the clamping arm 110. As the clamping arm 110 is deflected, the clamping arm 110 is pivoted about a pivot axis, which corresponds to the center axis of the cylindrically shaped housing section 102, relative to the support arm 112 by means of a support on the housing section 102. The bearing shaft 143 is formed in the illustrated embodiment concentrically with the cylindrical housing section 102, so that the actuating element 14 and the clamping arm 110 can be pivoted about the same pivot axis. This enables an advantageous introduction of force into the clamping arm 110 via the actuating element 14 and the actuating section 141 formed thereon for displacing the clamping arm 110 into the open position according to fig. 6B and 7B.

Apart from the configuration of the actuating element 14, the exemplary embodiment according to fig. 6A, 6B and 7A to 7C has the same function as the exemplary embodiment according to fig. 1A, 1B to 6, so that reference should also be made to the above description.

In the exemplary embodiment shown in fig. 8A, 8B and 9A to 9C, in contrast to the exemplary embodiment according to fig. 1A, 1B to 6, the connecting device 1 does not have an actuating element 14, but rather the actuating opening 104 in the housing 10 is free, so that a user can act on the clamping arm 110 with the tool end 30 (fig. 9B) of the tool 3 in order to transfer the clamping arm 110 from the contact position (fig. 9A) into the open position (fig. 9B).

Otherwise, the embodiment according to fig. 8A, 8B and 9A-9C is functionally identical to the embodiment according to fig. 1A, 1B to 6, so that reference should be made to the above description.

The basic idea of the invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but can also be implemented in other ways.

Connecting devices of the type described here can be used in different ways, for example in switch cabinets or other electrical apparatuses for connecting one or more electrical lines. In this case, a plurality of connecting devices can be used in combination with one another, so that a connecting assembly can be created to which a plurality of electrical lines can be connected.

Description of the reference numerals

1 connecting device

10 casing

100 socket

101 connecting cavity

102 housing segment

104 manipulation opening

11 spring element

110 clamping arm

111 connecting section

112 support arm

113 locking engagement

12 adjusting element

120 axle element

121. 122 lever section

123 operating end

124 inclined plane

13 contact element

130 pole segment

131 bottom

132 locking element

133 support section

134. 135 end portion

136 abutting section

137 locking finger

14 operating element

140 head

141 manipulating end portion

142 support arm

143 support shaft

2 conductor

20 end of conductor

3 tools

30 tool end

B steering direction

E direction of insertion

K is inclined in direction.

Claims

1. A connecting device for connecting electrical lines, having: a housing (10) having a socket (100) for inserting an electrical conductor (2); a contact element (13) arranged on the housing (10); and a spring element (11) arranged on the housing (10), which spring element has a clamping arm (110) which can be moved relative to the contact element (13) from an open position into a contact position in order to act on the electrical conductor (2) inserted into the socket (100) in the contact position for electrical contact with the contact element (13), characterized by an adjusting element (12) which can be adjusted by the action of the electrical conductor (2) when the electrical conductor (2) is inserted into the socket (100), and by a locking element (132) which is formed on the contact element (13) and which locks the clamping arm (110) relative to the contact element (13) in the open position and can be moved by the adjusting element (12) in order to release the clamping arm (110) for transfer into the contact position.

2. The connecting device according to claim 1, characterized in that the locking element (132) is integrally formed with the contact element (13).

3. A connecting device according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the locking element (132) is resiliently movable relative to the contact element (13).

4. The connecting device according to claim 3, characterized in that the locking element (132) has a first end (134) and a second end (135) remote from the first end (134), wherein the locking element (132) is connected at the first end (134) with a bottom (131) of the contact element (13) and is movable with the second end (135) relative to the bottom (131).

5. The connecting device according to claim 1, characterized in that the locking element (132) engages in a locking engagement (113) formed on the clamping arm (110) in the open position of the clamping arm (110).

6. The connecting device according to claim 1, characterized in that the adjusting element (12) is pivotable relative to the housing (10).

7. The connecting device according to claim 1, characterized in that the adjusting element (12) is pivotably supported on the contact element (13).

8. Connecting device according to claim 1, characterized in that the adjusting element (12) has a first lever section (121) which projects into a connecting chamber (101) formed in the housing (10), inside which connecting chamber an electrical line (2) inserted into the socket (100) is in electrical contact with the contact element (13).

9. The connecting device according to claim 8, characterized in that the adjusting element (12) has a second lever section (122) which forms an actuating end (123) for acting on the locking element (132).

10. Connecting device according to claim 9, characterized in that a bevel (124) is formed on the actuating end (123), wherein the adjusting element (12) strikes against the locking element (132) with the bevel (124) during adjustment when inserting an electrical line (2).

11. Connecting device according to claim 1, characterized in that an actuating element (14) is provided for acting on the clamping arm (110) in order to transfer the clamping arm (110) from the contact position into the open position.

12. A connecting device according to claim 11, characterised in that the operating element (14) is displaceable or pivotable relative to the housing (10).

13. The connecting device according to claim 1, characterised in that the clamping arm (110) is configured to touch the locking element (132) when being transferred from the contact position into the open position, whereby the locking element (132) is moved resiliently relative to the contact element (13) and is locked with the locking element (132).

14. The connecting device according to claim 1, characterized in that the spring element (11) has a supporting arm (112) which is supported in a positionally fixed manner relative to the housing (10), wherein the clamping arm (110) is spring-elastically deflectable relative to the supporting arm (112).

15. The connecting device according to claim 14, characterized in that the clamping arm (110) is elastically tensioned in the open position relative to the support arm (112).