DE102024105908A1 - Terminal for connecting an electrical cable - Google Patents

Abstract

A connection terminal (1) for connecting an electrical line (2) comprises a spring element (12) which has a supporting leg (121) and a clamping leg (120) which can be elastically deflected relative to the supporting leg (121). The clamping leg (120) is designed to act on the electrical line (2) in a clamping position in order to bring the electrical line (2) into contact with a contact section (110). The clamping leg (120) can be adjusted from the clamping position into a release position in order to release the electrical line (2). The clamping leg (120) can be released from the release position by the interaction of a trigger element (13) with the electrical line (2). The clamping leg (120) has a first locking element (123) for locking the clamping leg (120) in the release position, wherein the spring element (12) is shaped symmetrically with respect to a plane of symmetry (S) and the support leg (121) has a second locking element (124) symmetrical to the first locking element (123).

Description

The invention relates to a terminal for connecting an electrical line according to the preamble of claim 1.

Such a terminal comprises a housing having a plug-in opening into which the electrical line can be inserted along a plug-in direction for connection to the terminal. A contact element having a contact section for making electrical contact with the electrical line is arranged on the housing. Also arranged on the housing is a spring element having a support leg and a clamping leg that can be elastically deflected relative to the support leg. The clamping leg is designed to act on the electrical line in a clamping position in order to bring the electrical line into contact with the contact section. The clamping leg is adjustable from the clamping position into a release position relative to the housing in order to release the electrical line. In the release position of the clamping leg, the clamping leg is held in position relative to the housing. A release element is adjustably arranged on the housing, wherein the clamping leg can be released from the release position by interaction of the release element with the electrical line.

Such a connection terminal realizes a spring force connection by using the spring element, in which the electrical line in the connected position is clamped to the contact element under the elastic spring action of the spring element and is thus electrically connected to the contact element.

In one of the DE 10 2019 127 464 B3 The known connection terminal features a spring element in the form of a tension spring, which, through elastic spring action, draws a connected electrical cable into contact with an associated contact element, thus creating a clamping connection between the electrical cable and the contact element. For this purpose, the electrical cable is pushed through an opening in the clamping leg when attached and clamped between the clamping leg and the contact element in the connected position.

At the connection terminal of the DE 10 2019 127 464 B3 A locking device is provided by means of which the clamping leg is locked in a release position relative to the housing. When the electrical cable is inserted, the locking device is triggered and the locking is thus released, so that the clamping leg is moved out of the release position and the electrical cable is thereby clamped to the contact element. In order to move the clamping leg into the release position, in particular to enable the electrical cable to be attached or to detach a connected electrical cable from the connection terminal, a tool, for example a screwdriver, can be placed on the connection terminal and a force can thereby be exerted on the clamping leg.

While the DE 10 2019 127 464 B3 If the clamping leg is adjusted directly using a tool, DE 10 2019 135 203 A1 and the DE 10 2020 104 140 A1 Known connection terminals each have an actuating element in the form of a so-called pusher, which can be pressed into the housing of the connection terminal in order to act on the clamping leg and to transfer the clamping leg into its release position.

From the WO 2023/198842 A1 A terminal block with a spring element is known, which has a clamping leg and a supporting leg. The spring element is supported on a housing via the supporting leg. The clamping leg can be elastically deflected relative to the supporting leg.

The object of the present invention is to provide a connection terminal which enables simple assembly and reliable operation with advantageous adjustment of the spring element between the release position and the clamping position.

This object is achieved by an article having the features of claim 1.

Accordingly, the clamping leg has a first locking element for locking the clamping leg in the release position. The spring element is shaped symmetrically with respect to a plane of symmetry. The support leg has a second locking element symmetrical to the first locking element.

With the terminal block, the electrical cable is electrically connected to the electrical contact element by the clamping leg acting on the electrical cable when plugged into the plug-in opening and applying a spring-elastic load in the direction of contact with the contact element. To facilitate the plugging in of the electrical cable, the clamping leg of the spring element can be elastically deflected in order to transfer the clamping leg into a release position in which a space inside the housing in the area of the The plug-in opening is released and thus the electrical cable can be inserted into the plug-in opening in a substantially force-free manner or (alternatively) a connected electrical cable can be easily removed from the connection terminal.

The clamping leg has a first locking element designed to lock the clamping leg in the release position. The first locking element thus holds the clamping leg in position relative to the housing when the clamping leg is in the release position, allowing a conductor to be connected to the terminal in a substantially forceless manner, unhindered by the clamping leg of the spring element, or allowing a connected cable to be removed from the terminal.

With the clamping leg in the release position, the connection terminal can also be delivered to a customer by a manufacturer, for example.

The terminal block has a release element that is adjustable on the housing. The release element interacts with an electrical cable when it is inserted into the plug-in opening. Because the release element is adjusted toward the housing when the electrical cable is inserted, thereby releasing the clamping leg, the terminal block closes automatically when the electrical cable is inserted. This results in a simple connection process, with reliable contact between the electrical cable and the contact element due to the clamping effect of the clamping leg.

In the connection terminal, the spring element is designed symmetrically. For this purpose, the support leg serving to support the spring element relative to the housing has a second locking element symmetrical to the first locking element, so that the clamping leg with the first locking element arranged thereon and the support leg with the second locking element arranged thereon are shaped symmetrically to one another.

The symmetry may simplify assembly. For example, the orientation (relative to the plane of symmetry) of the spring element on the housing and/or contact element is irrelevant. Each leg of the spring element can (in principle) serve as a clamping leg or a supporting leg, and only the specific installation situation determines which leg becomes a clamping leg or a supporting leg.

Due to the symmetry, the assembly can be carried out intuitively and without error and does not require any special measures to ensure that the spring element is mounted in the correct orientation.

Due to the symmetry of the spring element, symmetrical tension is also exerted on the spring element when the clamping leg is elastically deflected relative to the support leg, particularly when the clamping leg is moved from the clamped position to the release position. When the clamping leg is in the release position, the spring element is tensioned by the clamping leg being elastically deflected relative to the support leg. Due to this symmetry, symmetrical tension is exerted, particularly in the area of a curved intermediate section between the clamping leg and the support leg.

The first locking element of the clamping leg serves to lock the clamping leg in the release position. The other, second locking element of the support leg, in contrast, is (basically) irrelevant for locking the clamping leg. The second locking element of the support leg, which is symmetrical to the first locking element, is, in one embodiment, non-functional for the operation of the terminal. In another embodiment, the second locking element of the support leg can, for example, contribute to supporting the support leg relative to the housing by supporting the support leg, for example, on the housing or on the contact element, via the second locking element.

In one embodiment, the spring element has a curved intermediate section arranged between the clamping leg and the support leg. The intermediate section can, for example, extend around a housing section of the housing and thereby provide support relative to the housing. The curved intermediate section provides a bending radius and is curved in an arc around a central axis. When the clamping leg is deflected relative to the support leg, a bending load occurs, particularly in the region of the intermediate section, which extends, for example, over an angle greater than 145°, for example greater than 180°, but preferably less than 270°, around the housing section of the housing.

In one embodiment, the intermediate section is symmetrically shaped with respect to the axis of symmetry. In particular, the plane of symmetry can point through the axis around which the intermediate section is curved, such that the intermediate section (considered in isolation) is symmetrical to the plane of symmetry and the plane of symmetry thus represents a mid-plane of the intermediate section.

In one embodiment, the first locking element is formed by at least one first tab bent over to form the clamping leg, and the second locking element is formed by at least one second tab bent over to form the support leg. The first locking element and the second locking element can, in particular, be cut free relative to the clamping leg or the support leg and can be flared out relative to the clamping leg or the support leg, such that the at least one first tab forming the first locking element and the at least one second tab forming the second locking element protrude from the clamping leg or the support leg in a pivot plane in which the clamping leg is elastically movable relative to the support leg.

If the first locking element is formed by a (single) first tab, the first tab is, for example, cut out of the center of the clamping leg and bent relative to the clamping leg. If, on the other hand, the first locking element is formed by more than one, for example, two, first tabs, these tabs can, for example, be cut out at the lateral edges of the clamping leg and bent relative to the clamping leg.

Analogously, the second locking element can be formed by a (single) second tab. In this case, the second tab is, for example, cut out of the center of the support leg and bent relative to the support leg. If, on the other hand, the second locking element is formed by more than one, for example, two second tabs, these tabs can, for example, be cut out at the lateral edges of the support leg and bent relative to the support leg.

Each tab can, for example, form a latching hook, wherein the at least one first tab of the first latching element engages in the release position of the clamping leg in order to hold the clamping leg in the release position.

In one embodiment, the housing defines a receiving space into which the electrical cable can be inserted by being inserted into the plug-in opening. The triggering element has a triggering leg which extends into the receiving space to interact with the electrical cable. In particular, the triggering leg can extend in an initial position (at least approximately) transversely to the plug-in direction in the receiving space. From the initial position, the triggering leg can be adjusted to release the clamping leg from the release position by interacting with the electrical cable. When the triggering leg is deflected from the initial position, the triggering element acts on the clamping leg or a counter-locking device which holds the clamping leg in the release position, thereby releasing the clamping leg from the release position, so that the clamping leg can be adjusted from the release position towards the clamping position.

In one embodiment, the release element is designed to act on the first locking element to release the clamping leg from the release position. If a counter-locking device is arranged, for example, stationary with respect to the housing and is essentially rigid, the first locking element, which is formed, for example, as a tab on the clamping leg, can be elastically deflected, so that the locking between the clamping leg and the contact element can be released by acting on the first locking element.

In one embodiment, the trigger element is tiltable relative to the housing. By interacting with an electrical line, the trigger element can thus be pivoted relative to the housing. Upon adjustment, the trigger element acts on the clamping leg in such a way that the clamping leg is released from the release position and can thus automatically adjust toward the clamping position due to the spring preload of the spring element.

In other embodiments, the trigger element can also be arranged on the housing in a linearly adjustable manner.

In one embodiment, the first locking element of the clamping leg is locked in the release position of the clamping leg with the trigger element or with a counter-locking element that is fixed in position and position relative to the housing.

For example, the first locking element of the clamping leg can be locked to the trigger element in the release position. In the release position, a locking connection is thus established between the first locking element of the clamping leg and the trigger element. In one embodiment, the trigger element can be formed, for example, by a rocker element that has a bearing section. The rocker element can be tilted relative to the housing at the bearing section. In the release position of the clamping leg, the first locking element is, for example, connected to the Bearing section is locked so that the release element is locked with the first locking element of the clamping leg and the clamping leg is thus held in the release position.

The bearing section provides support for the trigger element such that the trigger element can be tilted relative to the housing. The bearing section can be arranged, for example, on a housing section or on a section of the contact element, so that the trigger element is mounted so that it can be tilted directly or indirectly relative to the housing. The bearing section can, for example, have a hood shape with which the first locking element is locked in the release position of the clamping leg, so that engagement with the bearing section creates a locking connection between the trigger element and the clamping leg in the release position.

Alternatively, the first locking element of the clamping leg can be locked in the release position with a counter-locking element that is fixed in position relative to the housing. Such a counter-locking element can be formed, for example, on the contact element or on the housing. In the release position, the first locking element of the clamping leg engages with the counter-locking element, so that the clamping leg is held in the release position.

In one embodiment, the trigger element has an active section. The trigger element is designed to act on the first locking element via the active section to release the clamping leg from the release position. When the trigger element is adjusted by the action of an electrical cable when plugged into the connection terminal, the trigger element acts on the first locking element via the active section, thereby releasing the locking of the first locking element. Thus, when an electrical cable is plugged in, the first locking element can be disengaged from an associated counter-locking device via the active section, thereby releasing the clamping leg from the release position and thus moving the clamping leg out of the release position.

If the trigger element is configured as a rocker element, the bearing section can be arranged, for example, between the trigger arm and the active section. The active section can be formed by a lever section that protrudes from the bearing section in a direction opposite to the trigger arm. When the trigger element is adjusted upon insertion of an electrical cable, the first locking element is pushed, for example, over the bearing section by the action of the active section, so that the first locking element can slide off the bearing section and thus be moved out of the locked position.

If the counter-locking element is arranged in a fixed position relative to the housing, the first locking element can be disengaged from the counter-locking element by the action of the active section when interacting with an electrical line, in order to release the clamping leg from the release position.

In one embodiment, the terminal has an actuating element that can be adjusted relative to the housing for adjusting the clamping leg into the release position. By actuating the actuating element, the clamping leg can be moved into the release position. In the release position, the clamping leg is locked relative to the contact element, so that the clamping leg is held in position relative to the housing in the release position. After being moved into the release position, the clamping leg thus remains in the release position, so that an electrical line can be easily connected to the terminal or a connected electrical line can be removed from the terminal.

The actuating element can, for example, be designed in the manner of a push-button and can be pressed into the housing by user actuation in order to act on the clamping leg and to adjust the clamping leg in the direction of the release position.

In one embodiment, the actuating element is mounted on the housing so as to be linearly displaceable and has an actuating section for actuation by a user and an active section for acting on the clamping leg. While the actuating section is accessible from outside the housing, for example by a user being able to act on the actuating section using a tool, such as a screwdriver, or alternatively manually, the active section is operatively connected to the clamping leg of the spring element. By adjusting the actuating element, an adjusting force is thus exerted on the clamping leg via the active section, so that, in particular when the actuating element is adjusted from a non-actuated position to an actuated position, the clamping leg is entrained and thus moved towards the release position.

• 1A eine Ansicht eines Ausführungsbeispiels einer Anschlussklemme, in einer Freigabestellung eines Klemmschenkels eines Federelements;
• 1B eine perspektivische Ansicht der Anordnung gemäß 1A;
• 2A eine Schnittansicht durch die Anordnung gemäß 1A;
• 2B eine perspektivische Ansicht der Anordnung gemäß 2B;
• 3A die Schnittansicht gemäß 2A, bei Einstecken einer elektrischen Leitung;
• 3B eine perspektivische Ansicht der Anordnung gemäß 3A;
• 4A die Schnittansicht gemäß 3A, nach Einstecken einer elektrischen Leitung und bei freigegebenem Klemmschenkel;
• 4B eine perspektivische Ansicht der Anordnung gemäß 4A;
• 5A eine Schnittansicht durch eine Anschlussklemme nach einem anderen Ausführungsbeispiel;
• 5B eine perspektivische Ansicht der Anordnung gemäß 5A;
• 6A eine Schnittansicht durch eine Anschlussklemme nach einem wiederum anderen Ausführungsbeispiel;
• 6B eine perspektivische Ansicht der Anordnung gemäß 6A;
• 7A eine Ansicht eines Ausführungsbeispiels eines Federelements;
• 7B eine perspektivische Ansicht des Federelements gemäß 7A;
• 8A eine Ansicht eines weiteren Ausführungsbeispiels eines Federelements; und
• 8B eine perspektivische Ansicht des Federelements gemäß 8A.

The idea underlying the invention will be explained below with reference to the figures The following examples are explained in more detail. They show:

• 1A a view of an embodiment of a connecting terminal, in a release position of a clamping leg of a spring element;
• 1B a perspective view of the arrangement according to 1A ;
• 2A a sectional view through the arrangement according to 1A ;
• 2B a perspective view of the arrangement according to 2B ;
• 3A the sectional view according to 2A , when plugging in an electrical cable;
• 3B a perspective view of the arrangement according to 3A ;
• 4A the sectional view according to 3A , after inserting an electrical cable and with the clamping leg released;
• 4B a perspective view of the arrangement according to 4A ;
• 5A a sectional view through a connection terminal according to another embodiment;
• 5B a perspective view of the arrangement according to 5A ;
• 6A a sectional view through a connection terminal according to yet another embodiment;
• 6B a perspective view of the arrangement according to 6A ;
• 7A a view of an embodiment of a spring element;
• 7B a perspective view of the spring element according to 7A ;
• 8A a view of another embodiment of a spring element; and
• 8B a perspective view of the spring element according to 8A .

1A, 1B to 4A, 4B show an embodiment of a connection terminal 1, which forms a housing 10 with a plug-in opening 100 formed therein for inserting an electrical line 2 along a plug-in direction E.

The housing 10 defines a receiving space 101 into which the electrical cable 2 with a stripped conductor end 20 is inserted when it is inserted into the plug-in opening 100 along the plug-in direction E. In a connected position, the cable 2 with the stripped conductor end 20 is located within the receiving space 101 and is electrically contacted via a clamping leg 120 of a spring element 12 with a contact element 11 in the form of a current bar, so that the electrical cable 2 is electrically connected to the connection terminal 1.

The spring element 12 has a support leg 121 connected to the clamping leg 120 via a curved intermediate section 122, which in the illustrated embodiment is supported on the contact element 11, so that the spring element 12 is fixed thereto to the housing 10. The clamping leg 120 is elastically deflectable relative to the support leg 121, in particular such that the clamping leg 120 is in a 4A , 4B In the clamping position shown, it acts in a clamping manner on an electrical line 2 connected to the connection terminal 1 and presses this line 2 under elastic prestress into contact with a contact section 110 of the contact element 11 and thus electrically contacts the line 2 with the contact element 11 via its conductor end 20.

The intermediate section 122 extends in an arc around a housing section 103 of the housing 10 and provides a bending radius for elastic deflection of the clamping leg 120 relative to the support leg 121.

In the illustrated embodiment, the contact element 11 is formed integrally and in one piece, for example, as a stamped and bent part. The spring element 12 is also preferably formed as a stamped and bent part.

In the illustrated embodiment, an actuating element 14 is mounted on the housing 10 so as to be displaceable along an actuating direction B. The actuating element 14 is displaceably received in an actuating opening 102 of the housing 10 with an actuating section 140 and can be displaced relative to the housing 10 along the actuating direction B in a linearly guided manner in order to act on the clamping leg 120 of the spring element 12 via an active section 141 extending in shaft shape from the actuating section 140 and to adjust the latter into a release position.

The actuating portion 140 is accessible from outside the housing 10 via the actuating opening 102 and can thus be actuated by a user, for example using a tool.

The actuating element 14 is in a 4A , 4B shown non-actuated position is displaced outwards in the actuating opening 102, opposite to the actuating direction B. In In the non-actuated position, a stop element 142 formed on the actuating element 14 rests on the inside against an associated stop element 104 in the form of a step on the housing 10 and thereby prevents the actuating element 14 from sliding out of the receiving opening 102 counter to the actuating direction B.

When actuated in the actuating direction B, the actuating element 14 comes into operative connection with the clamping leg 120 of the spring element 12. For this purpose, the actuating element 14 acts with the active section 141 on the clamping leg 120 in order to adjust it with elastic deflection relative to the support leg 121. By moving the actuating element 14 in the actuating direction B, the clamping leg 120 is thus moved into the release position according to 1A , 1B and 2A , 2B transferred.

In the 1A , 1B and 2A , 2B In the actuated position of the actuating element 14 shown in the drawing, the clamping leg 120 has been moved into the release position, in which a space aligned with the plug-in opening 100 within the housing 10 is released, so that an electrical line 2 can be inserted into the housing 10 in a substantially forceless manner, as can be seen from 3A , 3B and 4A , 4B can be seen. In the release position, the clamping leg 120 is locked relative to the housing 10.

In the illustrated embodiment, a first locking element 123 is formed on the clamping leg 120 of the spring element 12, which is cut free as a tab relative to the clamping leg 120 and bent relative to the clamping leg 120, as can be seen from the views of the spring element 12 according to 7A , 7B The locking element 123 protrudes from the clamping leg 120 in a direction away from the receiving space 101 and can therefore be 1A , 1B and 2A , 2B shown release position with a release element 13.

In the embodiment shown in Figs. 1A, 1B to 4A, 4B, the trigger element 13 forms a trigger leg 130 and is mounted via a bearing section 131 so as to be tiltable relative to the housing 10, in that the bearing section 131 is arranged on a tab element 112 bent relative to a base section 111 of the contact element 11 and is tiltable relative to the tab element 112.

In the illustrated embodiment, the bearing section 131 forms a hood that is placed on the tab element 112 such that the trigger element 13 can be tilted relative to the tab element 112. The trigger leg 130 protrudes from the bearing section 131 on a first side. On a second side of the bearing section 131 facing away from the trigger leg 130, an active section 132 is formed, which protrudes from the bearing section 131 in a direction opposite to the trigger leg 130.

In the illustrated embodiment, the first locking element 123 of the clamping leg 120 is locked in the release position with the bearing section 131 of the trigger element 13, in that the first locking element 123 comes to lie behind the bearing section 131 in the release position of the clamping leg 120 and thus engages behind the bearing section 131, as can be seen from 1A , 1B and 2A , 2B The first locking element 123 acts on the active section 132 and thereby holds the trigger element 13 in a 1A , 1B and 2A , 2B starting position shown.

The release arm 130 is in the initial position (corresponding to the position according to 1A , 1B , 2A , 2B) extends at least approximately transversely to the plug-in direction E and projects in the housing 10 into an area in the receiving space 101 which is aligned with the plug-in opening 100, so that when an electrical cable 2 is plugged in, the cable end 20 of the cable hits the triggering leg 130 and thus acts on the triggering element 13.

The release element 13 serves to interact with an electrical cable 2 in order to automatically connect the electrical cable 2 to the connection terminal 1 by releasing the clamping leg 120. If an electrical cable 2, as shown in 3A , 3B , 4A , 4B visible, inserted into the plug-in opening 100, the cable 2 acts with a conductor end 20 on the release arm 130 and deflects it from the 1A , 1B , 2A , 2B shown starting position, as shown in 3A , 3B , 4A , 4B can be seen. The release leg 130 is arranged in a rear region of the receiving space 101, viewed in the plugging direction E, so that the electrical cable 2 is inserted into the receiving space 101 and then meets the release leg 130 in the region of the bottom of the connection terminal 1.

If the trigger element 13 is deflected from the initial position by the action of an electrical line 2, as can be seen from 3A , 3B As can be seen, the trigger element 13 acts with the active section 132 on the first locking element 123 of the clamping leg 120 and adjusts the first locking element 123 relative to the bearing section 131 in such a way that the first locking element 123 can slide off the bearing section 131, as in the transition from 3A , 3B towards 4A , 4B The locking of the clamping leg 120 is thus canceled, and the clamping leg 120 moves due to the preload of the spring element 12 from the release position into the clamping position according to 4A , 4B in order to electrically contact the electrical line 2 with the contact section 110 of the contact element 11 and also to mechanically lock it to the connection terminal 1.

• Wird das Betätigungselement 14 in die Betätigungsrichtung B betätigt und dadurch in das Gehäuse 10 hinein verschoben, so nimmt das Betätigungselement 14 über den Wirkabschnitt 141 den Klemmschenkel 120 des Federelements 12 mit und verstellt den Klemmschenkel 120 dadurch in die in 1A, 1B, 2A, 2B dargestellte Freigabestellung. Durch Einschieben in die Betätigungsrichtung B in das Gehäuse 10 wirkt das Betätigungselement 14 auf den Klemmschenkel 120 ein, sodass der Klemmschenkel 120 über das Rastelement 123 in rastenden Eingriff mit dem Lagerabschnitt 131 des Auslöseelements 13 gelangt.

The following functionality results:

• If the actuating element 14 is actuated in the actuating direction B and thereby displaced into the housing 10, the actuating element 14 takes the clamping leg 120 of the spring element 12 along with it via the active section 141 and thereby adjusts the clamping leg 120 into the 1A , 1B , 2A , 2B Release position shown. By insertion in the actuating direction B into the housing 10, the actuating element 14 acts on the clamping leg 120, so that the clamping leg 120 comes into locking engagement with the bearing section 131 of the trigger element 13 via the locking element 123.

In the release position, the clamping leg 120 releases an area within the receiving space 101 that is aligned with the plug-in opening 100 along the plug-in direction E, so that an electrical line 2 can be inserted into the plug-in opening 100 without hindrance from the clamping leg 120 and can thus be connected to the connection terminal 1 in a substantially forceless manner.

In the actuated, tensioned position according to 1A , 1B , 2A , 2B Terminal 1 can also be supplied by a manufacturer.

If an electrical cable 2 with a stripped conductor end 20 is inserted into the plug-in opening 100 and thereby introduced in the plug-in direction E into the receiving space 101 while the clamping leg 120 is in the release position, the cable 2 comes into contact with the triggering leg 130 of the triggering element 13 and thereby tilts the triggering leg 130 relative to the contact element 11. As a result, the active section 132 acts on the locking element 123 of the clamping leg 120 and pushes the locking element 123 over the bearing section 131 and thus out of engagement with the bearing section 131, so that the first locking element 123 is released from the locking engagement and the locking of the clamping leg 120 is thus canceled.

After the locking is released, the clamping leg 120 comes into clamping contact with the electrical cable 2 in a transverse direction Q and presses the conductor end 20 into contact with the contact element 11, so that the cable 2 is electrically connected to the connection terminal 1 and is also mechanically locked, as can be seen from 4A , 4B is evident.

If the electrical cable 2 is to be removed from the 4A , 4B shown connected position and removed from the terminal 1, the actuating element 14 can again be moved into the actuated position according to 1A , 1B , 2A , 2B so that the clamping leg 120 is brought out of contact with the line 2. The line 2 can thus be removed from the connection terminal 1 in a substantially forceless manner.

In the 1A, 1B to 4A, 4B illustrated embodiment, the spring element 12, as shown 7A , 7B visible, designed symmetrically to a plane of symmetry S. Thus, the support leg 121, via which the spring element 12 is supported in the mounted position on a tab-shaped support section 113 bent over to the base section 111 of the contact element 11 (see for example 2A) , a second locking element 124 which is symmetrical to the first locking element 123 of the clamping leg 120. The first locking element 123 and the second locking element 124 are each, as can be seen from the perspective view according to 7B As can be seen, it is formed by a cut-out, bent tab. The first locking element 123 is arranged centrally on the clamping leg 120 and protrudes from the clamping leg 120 in the manner of a hook in the direction of the support leg 121. The second locking element 124, in contrast, is formed centrally on the support leg 121 and protrudes from the support leg 121 in the manner of a hook in the direction of the clamping leg 120.

Due to the symmetrical design of the spring element 12, the spring element 12 can be mounted in the housing 10 in different orientations. Thus, each leg of the spring element 12 can basically serve as a clamping leg 120 or as a support leg 121. The leg of the spring element 12 serving as a clamping leg 120 due to the installation position of the spring element 12 latches in the release position during operation via the first locking element 123 arranged on this leg, so that the clamping leg 120 is held in the release position by this locking element. In contrast, the locking element 124 on the leg of the spring element 12 forming the support leg 121 is nonfunctional during operation in the illustrated embodiment.

Due to the symmetrical shape of the spring element 12, an elastic deflection of the clamping leg 120 results in a relatively to the support leg 121 a symmetrical tension on the spring element 12, in particular a symmetrical bending load on the curved intermediate section 122 arranged between the clamping leg 120 and the support leg 121.

In the 7A , 7B In the illustrated embodiment of the spring element 12, the first locking element 123 is formed by a (single) tab centrally on the clamping leg 120 and the second locking element 124 by a (single) tab centrally on the supporting leg 121. The respective tab is cut out of the respective leg and bent over to form the leg, as can be seen from 7B is evident.

In another, in 8A , 8B In the illustrated embodiment, the first locking element 123 is formed by two tabs cut out and bent over on the lateral edges of the clamping leg 120. The second locking element 124, in contrast, is formed by two tabs cut out and bent over on the lateral edges of the support leg 121. Apart from the shape of the locking elements 123, 124, the connection terminal 1 functions in the same way as previously explained.

In the embodiment according to 1A, 1B to 4A, 4B In the connection terminal 1, the trigger element 13 is formed by a rocker element which is tiltably mounted on a tab element 112 of the contact element 11, via whose bearing section 131 the first locking element 123 is locked in the release position of the clamping leg 120.

In another, in 5A , 5B In the illustrated embodiment, the terminal 1, in contrast, has a counter-locking element 15 which is fixed in position and position relative to the housing 10 and the contact element 11 and which is formed on a tab element 112 which is bent over and positioned perpendicularly to the base section 111 of the contact element 11. In the illustrated embodiment, the counter-locking element 15 is formed by a step at an end of the tab element 112 remote from the base section 111 of the contact element 11. The first locking element 123 of the clamping leg 120 engages with the counter-locking element 15 in the release position, as can be seen from 5A , 5B is visible, so that the clamping leg 120 is held in the release position.

In the 5A , 5B In the illustrated embodiment, the trigger element 13 is formed by an element that is mounted such that it can be tilted relative to the housing 10, which protrudes with a trigger leg 130 into the region of the receiving space 101 and serves to interact with an electrical line 2 when inserted into the plug-in opening 100 of the connection terminal 1. The trigger element 13 is mounted such that it can be tilted relative to the housing 10 via a cylindrical bearing section 131.

The trigger element 13 is designed to act on the first locking element 123 when the trigger leg 130 is tilted via an active section 132 formed by a step on the bearing section 131 when interacting with an electrical line and to force the first locking element 123 out of engagement with the counter-locking element 15 in order to thereby cancel the locking of the clamping leg 120 in the release position and thus to release the clamping leg 120 from the release position.

Apart from the design of the trigger element 13 and the counter-locking element 15, the connection terminal 1 of the embodiment according to 5A , 5B otherwise functionally identical to the embodiment according to 1A, 1B to 4A, 4B , so reference should also be made to the previous explanations.

Also in the embodiment according to 5A , 5B a spring element 12 according to the embodiment according to 7A , 7B or according to the embodiment according to 8A , 8B be used.

In yet another embodiment of a terminal 1 according to 6A , 6B a counter-locking element 15 is not formed by a flared tab element on the contact element 11, but by a locking plate that is fixed to the housing 10, for example a metal one, which is, for example, firmly connected to the housing 10. As can be seen from 6A , 6B As can be seen, the first locking element 123 of the clamping leg 120 is locked in the release position with the counter-locking element 15 in the form of the locking plate, which is fixed in position and location with respect to the housing 10, in that the first locking element 123 engages behind the locking plate 15.

In the embodiment according to 6A , 6B the trigger element 13 is functionally identical to the trigger element 13 of the embodiment according to 5A , 5B . In particular, the trigger element 13 can be tilted relative to the housing 10 by the action of an electrical line 2 on a trigger arm 130, so that an active portion 132 on a bearing portion 131 acts on the first locking element 123 and releases the first locking element 123 from the locking engagement with the counter-locking element 15.

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

The actuating element can be preloaded toward the non-actuated position by the action of the clamping leg of the spring element. However, it is also conceivable to provide an additional preload element that preloads the actuating element relative to the housing, counter to the actuating direction, toward the non-actuated position. Such a preload element can be configured, for example, as a compression spring or another mechanical spring.

List of reference symbols

1

Connection terminal

10

Housing

100

Plug-in opening

101

recording room

102

Actuating opening

103

Housing section

104

Stop element

11

Contact element (current bar)

110

Contact section

111

Base section

112

Tab element

113

Support section

12

clamping spring

120

clamping leg

121

Support leg

122

Intermediate section

123, 124

locking element

13

trigger element

130

trigger arm

131

Storage section

132

Effective section

14

Actuating element

140

Actuating section (head)

141

Active section (shaft)

142

Stop element

15

Counter-locking element

2

Line

20

ladder end

B

Actuation direction

E

Plug-in direction

Q

Transverse direction

S

plane of symmetry

QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of documents submitted by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the convenience of the reader. This list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• DE 10 2019 127 464 B3 [0004, 0005, 0006]
• DE 10 2019 135 203 A1 [0006]
• DE 10 2020 104 140 A1 [0006]
• WO 2023/198842 A1 [0007]

Claims (16)

A connecting terminal (1) for connecting an electrical line (2), comprising a housing (10) having a plug-in opening (101) into which the electrical line (2) can be inserted along a plug-in direction (E) for connection to the connecting terminal (1), a contact element (11) arranged on the housing (10) and having a contact section (110) for making electrical contact with the electrical line (2), a spring element (12) arranged on the housing (10) and having a support leg (121) and a clamping leg (120) that can be elastically deflected relative to the support leg (121), wherein the clamping leg (120) is designed to act on the electrical line (2) in a clamping position in order to bring the electrical line (2) into contact with the contact section (110), wherein the clamping leg (120) is adjustable from the clamping position into a release position relative to the housing (10) in order to release the electrical line (2), wherein the clamping leg (120) is held in position relative to the housing (10) in the release position of the clamping leg (120), and a release element (13) adjustably arranged on the housing (10), wherein the clamping leg (120) can be released from the release position by the interaction of the release element (13) with the electrical line (2), characterized in that the clamping leg (120) has a first latching element (123) for latching the clamping leg (120) in the release position, wherein the spring element (12) is shaped symmetrically with respect to a plane of symmetry (S) and the support leg (121) has a second latching element (124) symmetrical to the first latching element (123). Connection terminal (1) according to Claim 1 , characterized in that the spring element (12) has a curved intermediate section (122) arranged between the clamping leg (120) and the supporting leg (121). Connection terminal (1) according to Claim 2 , characterized in that the intermediate section (122) is supported on a housing section (103) of the housing (10) in that the intermediate section (122) is extended around the housing section (103). Connection terminal (1) according to Claim 2 or 3 , characterized in that the intermediate section (122) is symmetrical with respect to the plane of symmetry (S). Connection terminal (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first locking element (123) is formed by at least one first tab bent over to form the clamping leg (120) and the second locking element (124) is formed by at least one second tab bent over to form the support leg (121). Connection terminal (1) according to Claim 5 , characterized in that in a pivoting plane in which the clamping leg (120) is elastically movable relative to the supporting leg (121), the at least one first tab protrudes from the clamping leg (120) and the at least one second tab protrudes from the supporting leg (121). Connection terminal (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the housing (10) defines a receiving space (101) into which the electrical line (2) can be inserted by being inserted into the plug-in opening (100), wherein the trigger element (13) has a trigger leg (130) which extends in the receiving space (101) for cooperation with the electrical line (2). Connection terminal (1) according to Claim 7 , characterized in that the release leg (130) extends in an initial position transversely to the plug-in direction (E) in the receiving space (101), wherein the release leg (130) is adjustable from the initial position to release the clamping leg (120) from the release position by interaction with the electrical line (2). Connection terminal (1) according to Claim 7 or 8 , characterized in that the trigger element (13) is designed to act on the first locking element (123) to release the clamping leg (120) from the release position. Connection terminal (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the trigger element (13) can be tilted relative to the housing (10). Connection terminal (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first locking element (123) is locked in the release position of the clamping leg (120) with the release element (13) or with a counter-locking element (15) which is fixed in position and position relative to the housing (10). Connection terminal (1) according to Claim 11 , characterized in that the trigger element (13) is formed by a rocker element which has a bearing section (131), wherein the rocker element can be tilted relative to the housing (10) at the bearing section (131) and the first locking element (123) in the release position the clamping leg (120) is locked to the bearing cut (131). Connection terminal (1) according to Claim 11 , characterized in that a counter-locking element (15) is formed on the contact element (11) or the housing (10). Connection terminal (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the triggering element (13) has an active section (132) and is designed to act on the first locking element (123) via the active section (132) to release the clamping leg (120) from the release position. Connection terminal (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by an actuating element (14) adjustable relative to the housing (10) for adjusting the clamping leg (120) into the release position, Connection terminal (1) according to Claim 15 , characterized in that the actuating element (14) is linearly displaceable relative to the housing (10) and has an actuating section (140) for actuation by a user and an active section (141) extending from the actuating section (140) for acting on the clamping leg (120).