CN115764343A

CN115764343A - Connecting device, connecting terminal and electronic equipment

Info

Publication number: CN115764343A
Application number: CN202211072638.7A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 米夏埃尔·雷纳克; 维克托·布勃; 凯文·贝格哈恩; 拉尔夫·霍普曼
Original assignee: Phoenix Contact GmbH and Co KG
Current assignee: Phoenix Contact GmbH and Co KG
Priority date: 2021-09-03
Filing date: 2022-09-02
Publication date: 2023-03-07
Also published as: EP4145638A1; DE102021122816A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a connecting device (100) for connecting an electrical conductor (300), comprising: a current bar (110); a clamping spring (111) having a holding arm (112) and a clamping arm (113), wherein a conductor (300) to be connected is clamped in relation to the current bar (110) by means of the clamping arm (113) in a clamping position of the clamping spring (111); and an actuating element (115) by means of which the clamping spring (111) can be transferred from the clamping position into the open position, wherein the actuating element (115) is held in position in the open position of the clamping spring (111) by means of the current bar (110) in order to hold the clamping spring (111) in the open position.

Description

Connecting device, connecting terminal and electronic equipment

Technical Field

The invention relates to a connecting device for connecting electrical conductors, comprising a current bar, a clamping spring having a holding arm and a clamping arm, wherein a conductor to be connected is clamped in a clamping position of the clamping spring against the current bar by means of the clamping arm, and comprising an actuating element by means of which the clamping spring can be transferred from the clamping position into an open position. The invention also relates to a connecting terminal and an electronic device.

Background

Such connecting devices usually have a clamping spring, which is designed as a clamping arm spring and has a holding arm and a clamping arm, wherein a conductor introduced into the connecting device can be clamped to a current bar by means of the clamping arm of the clamping spring. If a particularly flexible line is clamped, the clamping spring must be moved into the open position by means of the actuating element before the conductor is inserted and thus actuated in order to pivot the clamping spring or the clamping arm away from the current bar, so that the conductor can be inserted into the intermediate space between the current bar and the clamping spring, which intermediate space is formed as a conductor connection chamber. Only with a rigid and therefore stable conductor can the conductor exert sufficient force on the clamping spring or the clamping arm of the clamping spring in order to be able to pivot the clamping arm away from the current bar without the actuating element having to be actuated by the user for this purpose. In the case of flexible conductors, the user must first pivot the clamping spring away from the current bar by actuating the actuating element in order to be able to insert the flexible conductor. The actuating element is usually pressed against the clamping arm of the clamping spring in order to pivot the clamping arm away from the current bar and release the conductor connection chamber. The actuating element is then held in this open position, usually manually, until the flexible conductor is inserted into the connection chamber and can be clamped relative to the current bar.

Disclosure of Invention

It is an object of the invention to provide a connecting device, a connecting terminal and an electronic device, in which the handling for the user when connecting conductors, in particular flexible conductors, can be simplified.

According to the invention, this object is solved with the features of the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments and advantageous refinements of the invention are specified in the dependent claims.

The connecting device according to the invention is characterized in that the actuating element is held in position in the open position of the clamping spring by means of a current bar in order to hold the clamping spring in the open position.

According to the invention, it is now provided that, in the open position of the clamping spring, the actuating element engages with the current bar, so that the actuating element is held in a fixed position relative to the current bar. By the engagement of the actuating element with the current bar in the open position of the clamping spring, a relative movement between the actuating element and the current bar and a relative movement between the actuating element and the clamping spring in the open position can be prevented. By holding the actuating element in a fixed position, the clamping spring can be reliably held in the open position, so that the conductor to be connected can be inserted in a simple manner. By holding the actuating element in a fixed and thus stable position by means of the current bar, it is no longer necessary to hold the actuating element in said position manually. This makes it easier for the user to actuate the connecting device, in particular with one hand, in order to be able to connect a conductor, in particular a flexible conductor, simply and reliably. The retaining of the actuating element on the power cable can be achieved by a form-locking and/or force-locking connection between the power cable and the actuating element when the clamping spring is in the open position.

In order to hold the actuating element in a fixed position relative to the current bar, the actuating element can be tensioned and/or latched to the current bar in the open position of the clamping spring.

This tensioning or latching can be provided, for example, in that, in the open position of the clamping spring, a latching connection is established between the actuating element and the current bar. As soon as the actuating element is moved such that the clamping spring has reached the open position, the actuating element can be latched to the current bar, so that the actuating element can be held in a fixed and stable position by means of the latching connection against the pressure exerted by the clamping spring on the actuating element.

In order to form the latching connection, the actuating element can have a latching edge, by means of which the actuating element can be latched on the current bar, in particular on the contact section of the current bar, in the open position of the clamping spring. By the pressure exerted by the clamping spring, in particular by the clamping arms of the clamping spring, on the actuating element in the open position of the clamping spring, the actuating element can be tensioned with its latching edge relative to the current bar, in particular relative to a contact section of the current bar, onto which the conductor to be connected is clamped in the clamping position of the clamping spring, and thereby latched. The latching edge of the actuating element can, for example, latch or be braced against an edge face of the contact section of the current bar.

The actuating element is preferably mounted so as to be movable. The actuating element can be designed in the form of a sliding element.

In order to transfer the clamping spring from the clamping position into the open position, it is preferably provided that the actuating element can be guided along a first actuating direction which is axially directed and along a second actuating direction which is oriented transversely to the first actuating direction. The actuating element can thus be guided in both actuating directions for actuating the clamping spring. In order to transfer the clamping spring from the clamping position or the initial position into the open position, the actuating element can be guided first in the first actuating direction and then in the second actuating direction. If the clamping spring is to be transferred from the open position into the clamping position or the initial position, the movement of the actuating element can be reversed in that the actuating element can first be guided in the second actuating direction and subsequently in the first actuating direction. The axial movement of the actuating element is effected both when the actuating element is moved in the first actuating direction and when it is moved in the second actuating direction. The first actuating direction preferably extends transversely to the insertion direction of the conductors to be connected. The second actuating direction preferably runs parallel to the insertion direction of the conductors to be connected. The locking/tensioning of the actuating element on the current bar or the release of the locking/tensioning of the actuating element with the current bar is preferably effected by a movement of the actuating element in the second actuating direction. When the actuating element is moved in the first actuating direction, the clamping spring or the clamping arm of the clamping spring is preferably actually actuated in order to be transferred into the open position or the clamping position.

The actuation of the actuating element can be effected manually by a user, for example. For manual actuation of the actuating element, the actuating element can have a gripping surface, for example. The gripping surface is preferably formed on an outer surface of the actuating element.

In addition or alternatively, the actuating element can have a tool engagement opening for actuating the actuating element with a tool, such as a screwdriver. The tool introduced therein can guide the actuating element in a first actuating direction and a second actuating direction via the tool engagement opening.

In addition or alternatively, a release element can be provided, by means of which the actuating element can be actuated. The release element is preferably part of the connecting device and can be guided movably relative to the actuating element in order to be able to release the actuating element, in particular from a holding position with the current bar. The release element can have an abutment surface with which the release element can be pressed against the actuating element and can therefore exert a pressure on the actuating element in order to be able to disengage the actuating element from the current bar. As soon as the actuating element is disengaged from the current bar, the actuating element can be moved back by the pressure exerted by the clamping arm of the clamping spring on the actuating element, so that the clamping spring can be transferred from the open position into the clamping position. The release element is preferably arranged above the actuating element, viewed in the insertion direction of the conductor, so that the release element can be pressed from above against the actuating element in order to be able to release the actuating element from engagement with the current bar. The actuating direction of the release element is preferably oriented at an angle to the insertion direction of the conductor or to both actuating directions of the actuating element, in particular at an angle of between 20 ° and 70 °. By means of the angular positioning of the release element, the release element can be pressed obliquely against the actuating element. The release element can be formed, for example, in the form of a pin. The release element can be actuated, for example, manually or by means of a tool.

In addition to the original function of releasing the engagement between the current bar and the actuating element, the release element can also form a status indicator element, which can indicate the clamping position and the open position of the clamping spring. Depending on the position of the release element, the user can then recognize from the outside whether the clamping spring is in the clamping position or in the open position. If the actuating element is engaged with the current bar and the clamping spring is therefore in the open position, the release element can protrude with an end section from the connecting device, wherein the open position of the clamping spring can be signaled by the user by viewing the end section from the outside. If the end section is no longer visible from the outside, the clamping position of the clamping spring is signaled. The end section of the release element can be formed, for example, by a grip region of the release element.

The release element can be in operative connection with the spring element and thus spring-loaded. When the actuating element is actuated to transfer the clamping spring from the clamping or starting position into the open position, the actuating element can be pressed against the release element and can be moved away against the actuating direction of the release element. In this displacement movement of the release element against its actuation direction, the spring element can be tensioned, so that the release element can be pretensioned in the open position of the clamping spring. If the clamping spring is to be transferred from the open position into the clamping position, the release element is actuated in an actuating direction of the release element, wherein the release element can act with increased pressure on the actuating element by means of the spring force of the spring element in order to be able to disengage the actuating element from the current bar. The spring element can be arranged such that the pressure of the spring element can act parallel to the actuating direction of the release element.

The connecting device may also have a pivotably mounted trigger element which can be engaged with the actuating element in the open position of the clamping spring, wherein the trigger element can be actuated by the conductor to be connected in such a way that it can actuate the actuating element in such a way that it can be released from a holding position with the current bar. The holding position is a position in which the actuating element is held in position by means of the current bar in order to hold the clamping spring in the open position. By means of the triggering element, a conductor, in particular a flexible conductor, having a small conductor cross section can be connected tool-lessly. The trigger element may have a pressing surface, wherein, to transfer the clamping spring from the open position into the clamping position, the pressing surface can be actuated by the conductor to be connected, and by actuating the pressing surface, the release element can be pivoted relative to the actuating element, as a result of which a movement of the actuating element in its second actuating direction can be brought about, as a result of which the actuating element can be disengaged from the current bar. The trigger element, and in particular the pressing surface of the trigger element, is preferably arranged in the insertion region of the conductor insertion connection device and thus in the extension of the conductor insertion opening of the housing of the connection terminal, so that the conductor can hit the pressing surface of the trigger element when the connection device is inserted. By applying a pressure to the pressing surface by means of the conductor, the triggering element can be set in a pivoting or tilting movement in the insertion direction of the conductor, so that the triggering element can be pivoted or tilted in the insertion direction of the conductor relative to the actuating element, in particular relative to the triggering projection of the actuating element. The actuating element can be moved by a pivoting movement of the trigger element relative to the trigger projection of the actuating element, so that the actuating element is disengaged from the current bar and is released from the current bar, so that the actuating element and thus the clamping spring can be transferred from the open position into the clamping position without manual assistance. By means of this special mechanism, it is possible to connect conductors, in particular conductors having a small conductor cross section and/or flexible conductors, particularly simply by an insertion movement of the conductors, without the user having to actuate further elements on the connecting device, for example the actuating element itself, in order to release the clamping spring and transfer it from the clamping position into the open position. This makes the handling of the connecting device easy and saves time when connecting the conductors. In the open position of the clamping spring, the tensioning or latching of the actuating element to the current bar can thus be released or cancelled by the conductor itself to be connected. The trigger element is preferably designed to be so wide that it completely covers the conductor connection chamber in the insertion direction, so that it can be ensured that a conductor with a very small conductor cross section also strikes the contact surface of the trigger element when the conductor connection chamber is inserted, and the trigger element can be pivoted.

The actuating element may have at least one actuating arm and at least one connecting section arranged transversely to the actuating arm, wherein a control surface may be formed on the at least one actuating arm, which control surface can cooperate with a clamping arm of the clamping spring for actuating the clamping spring. The at least one actuating arm can be used for direct interaction with the clamping spring, in particular with the clamping arm of the clamping spring. All actuating surfaces or actuating elements for actuating the actuating element can be arranged on the connecting section. For example, a gripping surface and/or a tool engagement opening can be formed on the connecting section. Further, the trigger protrusion may be configured at the connection section. The at least one actuating arm can laterally delimit the conductor connection chamber, so that a faulty insertion of the conductor to be connected can be prevented by means of the at least one actuating arm.

The actuating element can also have two actuating arms which are connected to one another by a connecting section. The actuating element can then have a U-shape in cross section. The actuating element may comprise a first actuating arm and a second actuating arm spaced apart from the first actuating arm. The two actuating arms are preferably oriented parallel to one another. A free space is formed between the two actuating arms, into which free space the conductor to be connected can be introduced and through which the conductor to be connected can be guided in the direction of the tripping element. The conductor connection chamber formed between the current bar and the clamping spring can be delimited laterally by the first actuating arm and the second actuating arm, so that these two actuating arms can guide the conductor to be connected and can prevent lateral deflection of the conductor. Both actuating arms can simultaneously interact with the clamping arms of the clamping spring in such a way that the first actuating arm can have a first actuating surface and the second actuating arm can have a second actuating surface for actuating the clamping arms of the clamping spring.

The clamping arm of the clamping spring can have a clamping tongue and at least one side tongue arranged laterally to the clamping tongue. The at least one lateral tongue can cooperate with the at least one actuating arm in order to actuate the clamping spring or the clamping arm of the clamping spring. A clamping edge can be formed at the free end of the clamping tongue for clamping the conductor to be connected to the current bar in the clamping position. By means of the at least one side tongue, a pressure force can be exerted by the clamping arm of the clamping spring on the actuating element in the open position of the clamping spring, which pressure force can hold the actuating element in engagement with the current bar. The at least one lateral tongue is preferably configured in a curved manner, so that it can form a slide which can slide along the actuating surface of the at least one actuating arm of the actuating element when the clamping spring is transferred into the open position and into the clamping position.

If the actuating element has two actuating arms, the clamping arm preferably likewise has two lateral tongues, wherein the two lateral tongues can then each be formed on the side of the clamping tongue of the clamping arm. For both side tabs, the clamping tab is arranged between the two side tabs. The two lateral tongues are preferably in direct contact with the actuating element, so that the actuating element can actuate the clamping spring via the two lateral tongues of the clamping arm. Preferably, the clamping tongues are not in direct contact with the actuating element, but rather the clamping tongues serve only to clamp the conductor relative to the current bar in the clamping position.

In order to be able to achieve a particularly stable positioning of the clamping spring in the connecting device, the clamping spring can be fixed to the current bar by means of its holding arm. By fixing the clamping spring to the current bar via the retaining arm of the clamping spring, an undesired tilting of the clamping spring can be prevented. The fixing of the holding arm to the current bar can be effected, for example, by a snap connection or riveting.

The current bar can have a through-opening, through which the conductor to be connected can be guided into the conductor connection chamber.

The current bar may have a plurality of subsections, for example, wherein the current bar may also have a contact section and a holding section.

The clamping section can be used for connecting a conductor in that the conductor to be connected can be clamped against the contact section of the current bar by means of the clamping arm of the clamping spring. The contact section can extend parallel to the insertion direction of the conductor to be connected. The actuating element can preferably engage with the current bar in the region of the contact section in order to hold the clamping spring in the open position.

The holding section of the clamping spring can be used to fix the clamping spring to the current bar by the holding arm of the clamping spring being able to be fixed to the holding section of the current bar. Through-holes can also be provided in the fastening sections of the current bars, through which the conductors to be connected can be introduced into the conductor connection chambers.

The object is also achieved according to the invention by means of a connecting terminal, in particular a series terminal, having a housing and at least one connecting device arranged in the housing and constructed and improved as described above.

A conductor insertion opening can be formed on the housing, which conductor insertion opening is formed in alignment with the conductor connection chamber of the connection device and through which the conductor to be connected can be inserted into the housing and into the connection device. In particular, in the case of a series connection which is designed to be snapped onto a support rail, two such connection devices can also be arranged in one housing.

The object is also achieved according to the invention by an electronic device having at least one connecting device of the above-described design and development and/or at least one connecting terminal of the above-described design and development. The electronic device can be, for example, a switchgear cabinet, in which one or more support rails or mounting plates can be provided, on which a plurality of connection terminals, in particular series terminals, having corresponding connection devices can be latched.

Drawings

The invention is explained in detail below according to preferred embodiments with reference to the drawings.

The attached drawing shows

Figure 1 shows a schematic perspective view of a connection terminal according to the invention in the initial position or clamping position of a clamping spring,

figure 2 shows a further schematic view of the connection terminal shown in figure 1 in the initial position or clamping position of the clamping spring,

figure 3 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of the connection terminal shown in figure 2,

figure 4 shows a schematic view of the connection terminal shown in figure 1 with the clamping spring in the open position,

figure 5 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of the connection terminal shown in figure 4 together with the lead-in conductor in the open position of the clamping spring,

figure 6 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of the connection terminal shown in figures 1 to 5 with the conductors connected,

FIG. 7 shows a schematic view of the connection terminal shown in FIG. 1 rotated by 90, an

Fig. 8 shows a schematic view of the connection terminal of fig. 1 rotated by another angle.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1 to 8 each show a connection terminal 200 having a housing 210, in the interior of which a connection device 100 for connecting conductors 300 is arranged. The housing 210 may be made of an insulating material, in particular a plastic material. The connection device 100 is disposed in the inner space of the housing 210.

The connecting device 100 has a current bar 110 and a clamping spring 111, wherein a conductor 300 to be connected can be clamped in an electrically conductive manner relative to the current bar 110 by means of the clamping spring 111, as shown, for example, in fig. 6.

The clamping spring 111 is configured as a clamping arm spring. The clamping spring 111 has a holding arm 112 and a clamping arm 113. The holding arm 112 and the clamping arm 113 are connected to each other by an arc-shaped section 114. The holding arm 112 is arranged in a fixed position in the housing 110, wherein this is achieved in the embodiment shown here in that the holding arm 112 is fixed to the current bar 110. The clamping arm 113 is capable of a pivoting movement relative to the retaining arm 112, so that, depending on the position of the clamping arm 113, the clamping spring 111 can be transferred and positioned into an open position, as shown in fig. 4 and 5, and into an initial position or clamping position, as shown in fig. 1, 2, 3 and 6.

In order to transfer the clamping spring 111 from the initial position or the clamping position into the open position, the connecting device 100 has an actuating element 115. The actuating element 115 is displaceably arranged in the housing 210 of the connection terminal 200.

In the embodiment shown here, the actuating element 115 has two actuating

arms

116a, 116b and a connecting section 117, wherein the two actuating

arms

116a, 116b are connected to one another by the connecting section 117. The two actuating

arms

116a, 116b extend parallel to one another. A free space 118 is formed between the two actuating

arms

116a, 116b, into which free space 118 a conductor 300 to be connected can be inserted, so that the two actuating

arms

116a, 116b can form lateral limits for the conductor 300 to be connected. Due to the two actuating

arms

116a, 116b and the connecting section 117 connecting the two actuating

arms

116a, 116b, the actuating element 115 has a U-shape.

The two actuating

arms

116a, 116b each have an

actuating surface

119a, 119b, by means of which the clamping arm 113 of the clamping spring 111 can be actuated in order to transfer the clamping spring 111 into the open position. The two

actuating surfaces

119a, 119b extend parallel to one another. The actuating surfaces 119a, 119b are each formed on an edge surface of one of the actuating

arms

116a, 116 b.

The clamping arm 113 of the clamping spring 111 has a clamping tongue 120 and two

side tongues

121a, 121b arranged laterally to the clamping tongue 120. The first side tongue 121a interacts with the first actuating arm 116a and the second side tongue 121b interacts with the second actuating arm 116b in order to transfer the clamping spring 111 into the open position and to hold it in the open position.

Preferably, the clamping tongues 120 are not in contact with the actuating element 115, but the clamping tongues 120 serve to clamp the conductor 300 relative to the current bar 110. For this purpose, the clamping tongue 120 has a clamping edge 122 at its free end, by means of which clamping edge 122 the clamping tongue 120 can clamp the conductor 300 to be connected to the current bar 110, as shown in fig. 6. The clamping tongue 120 has a greater length than the two

side tongues

121a, 121b arranged laterally to the clamping tongue 120, so that the clamping tongue 120 protrudes beyond the two

side tongues

121a, 121b. The two

lateral tongues

121a, 121b are each formed in a curved manner, so that the two

lateral tongues

121a, 121b can slide along the

actuating surfaces

119a, 119b of the actuating

arms

116a, 116b of the actuating element 115 when actuated by the actuating element 115.

In order to be able to hold the clamping spring 111 in the open position without manual assistance, in the open position of the clamping spring 111 the actuating element 115 can be held in position by means of the current bar 110. The actuating element 115 can be tensioned or latched with the current bar 110 in the open position of the clamping spring 111. For this purpose, a latching connection 123 between the actuating element 115 and the current bar 110 can be established in the open position of the clamping spring 111.

In order to produce the latching connection 123, latching

edges

124a, 124b can be formed on the actuating element 115, which latching edges can be latched or tensioned with the current bar 110, as can be seen, for example, in fig. 1, 2 and 4. Both the latching edge 124a and the latching edge 124b can be formed on the first actuating arm 116a and on the second actuating arm 116b, so that in the open position of the clamping spring 111 the actuating element 115 can be latched or tensioned with its two actuating

arms

116a, 116b on the current bar. The latching edges 124a, 124b may preferably extend parallel to the insertion direction E of the conductor 300, as can be seen in fig. 1 to 8. The latching edges 124a, 124b can each be designed in the form of an undercut.

To form the latching connection 123, the actuating element 115 is guided in a first actuating direction B1 which is axially oriented and in a second actuating direction B2 which is axially oriented. The second actuating direction B2 extends transversely, i.e. at an angle of 90 °, to the first actuating direction B1. The second actuation direction B2 extends parallel to the insertion direction E of the conductor 300. The first actuating direction B1 extends transversely to the insertion direction E of the conductor 300.

In order to transfer the clamping spring 111 from the initial position or the clamping position into the open position, the actuating element 115 is first moved in the actuating direction B1, whereby the actuating element 115 pivots the clamping arm 113 of the clamping spring 111 away from the current bar 110 by means of its actuating arms 116a, 116B in order to release the conductor connection space 125 formed between the clamping arm 113 and the current bar 110. In order to fix the actuating element 115 and thus the clamping spring 111 and thus to hold it in the open position autonomously, a displacement movement of the actuating element 115 in the second actuating direction B2 is then carried out, wherein the actuating element 115 is displaced in this case counter to the insertion direction E until the actuating element 115 latches or tightens with its latching edges 124a, 124B on the current bar 110. In this tensioning or latching position, the clamping arm 113 exerts a pressure DS with its side tongues 120a, 120b on the actuating element 115 or the actuating

arms

116a, 116b of the actuating element 115, so that the actuating element 115 is tensioned with its

latching edges

124a, 124b relative to the current bar 110. The pressure DS of the side tongues 120a, 120b acts on the actuating element 115 transversely to the insertion direction E.

In order to release the latching connection 123 in order to transfer the clamping spring 111 from the open position into the clamping position or starting position, the actuating element 115 is first moved in the second actuating direction B2, as a result of which the latching connection 123 is released and the actuating element 115 is no longer held on the current bar 110. Subsequently, the actuating element 115 can be moved back in the first actuating direction B1 by a pressure DS acting on the actuating element 115, as a result of which the clamping arm 113 can be pivoted in the direction of the current bar 110 and can, for example, clamp a conductor 300 introduced into the conductor connection chamber 125 relative to the current bar 110.

The actuation of the actuating element 115 can be carried out in different ways. All possibilities are illustrated in the connection terminal 200 illustrated here in fig. 1 to 8, wherein the connection terminal 200 or the connection device 100 does not necessarily comprise all these possibilities.

For example, the actuating element 115 can have a grip surface 126, via which the actuating element 115 can be manually actuated by a user in order to guide the actuating element 115 in the first actuating direction B1 and in the second actuating direction B2. A gripping surface 126 is formed on the outer surface of the actuating element 115. A gripping surface 126 is formed on the connecting section 117 of the actuating element 115.

Furthermore, the actuating element 115 shown here has a tool engagement opening 127 into which a tool 400, as shown in fig. 4, can be inserted in order to actuate the actuating element 115. A tool engagement opening 127 is formed at the connecting section 117 of the actuating element 115.

Furthermore, the connection device 100 may comprise a release element 128, as shown in fig. 1 to 8. The release element 128 is movable in the actuating direction BL relative to the actuating element 115 in order to actuate the actuating element 115 and in particular to release it from a holding position with the current bar 110.

The release element 128 comprises an abutment surface 129 at one end thereof, by means of which abutment surface 129 the release element 128 can apply pressure to the actuating element 115 in the actuating direction BL in order to release the actuating element 115 from the retaining position with the current bar 110. The actuating direction BL is formed at an angle of between 20 ° and 70 ° with respect to the two actuating directions B1, B2 of the actuating element 115, so that the release element 128 strikes the actuating element 115 with its abutment surface 129 at an angle to actuate the actuating element 115.

The release member 128 is guided in a guide channel 212 formed on the housing 210 of the connection terminal 200.

The release element 128 may have a pin shape at least in cross section.

The release element 128 may be manipulated manually or by a tool. To manipulate the release element 128, the release element 128 may include a grip region 130 at an end section opposite the abutment face 129.

In addition to actuating the actuating element 115, the release element 128 can form a status indicator element which can indicate the clamping position and the open position of the clamping spring 111 to the user outside the connection terminal 200. If the actuating element 115 is engaged with the current bar 110 and the clamping spring 111 is therefore in the open position, the release element 128 can protrude from the connecting device 100 and from the housing 210 of the connecting terminal 200 with its grip region 130, as shown in fig. 4, wherein the open position of the clamping spring 111 can be signaled by the user seeing the grip region 130 from the outside. If this grip region 130 is no longer visible from the outside, as shown, for example, in fig. 6, the clamping position of the clamping spring 111 is signaled.

The release element 128 is in operative connection with a spring element 131 arranged in the housing 210 and is spring-loaded by the spring element 131. When actuating the actuating element 115 in order to transfer the clamping spring 111 from the clamping or starting position into the open position, the actuating element 115 can be pressed against the release element 128 and can be moved counter to the actuating direction BL of the release element 128. In this displacement movement of the release element 128 against its actuation direction BL, the spring element 131 can be tensioned, so that in the open position of the clamping spring 111 the release element 128 can be pretensioned. If the clamping spring 111 is to be transferred from the open position into the clamping position, the release element 128 is actuated in an actuating direction BL, wherein the release element 128 can be acted upon by the pressure force DF of the spring element 131 with an increased force on the actuating element 115, so that the actuating element 115 can be disengaged from the current bar 110. The spring element 131 is arranged such that a pressure force DF of the spring element 131 acts parallel to the actuating direction BL of the release element 128.

The connecting device 100 also has a triggering element 132. The trigger element 132 is mounted pivotably about a rotational axis 133.

The trigger element 132 has a pressing surface 134 which points in the direction of the conductor connection chamber 125. The conductor connection chamber 125 is defined in the insertion direction E of the conductor 300 by means of the pressing surface 134. In order to switch the clamping spring 111 from the open position into the clamping position, the pressing surface 134 can be actuated by the conductor 300 to be connected, as a result of which the triggering element 132 can be moved pivotally in the insertion direction E. In the pivoting movement in the insertion direction E, the trigger element 132 strikes against the actuating element 115, in particular against a trigger projection 135 of the actuating element 115, as can be seen in fig. 5. The trigger projection 135 has a ramp 140, along which ramp 140 the trigger element 132 is guided when pivoting, and thus the trigger element 132 can press the trigger projection 135 downwards in the insertion direction E. As a result, the entire actuating element 115 is moved in the insertion direction E and thus in its second actuating direction B2, as a result of which the actuating element 115 can be disengaged from the current bar 110.

The trigger element 132 and in particular the pressing surface 134 of the trigger element 132 is arranged in the extension of the conductor insertion opening 211 of the housing 210 of the connection terminal 200, so that the conductor 300 strikes against the pressing surface 134 of the trigger element 132 when inserted into the connection terminal 200 and thus into the connection device 100. By applying a pressure force to the pressing surface 134 in the insertion direction E by means of the conductor 300, the triggering element 132 can be set in a pivoting or tilting movement in the direction of the insertion direction E of the conductor 300, so that the release element 132 can be brought into contact with the actuating element 115 in the insertion direction E of the conductor 300, whereby, as has just been described, the actuating element 115 can be set in a movement such that the actuating element 115 can be disengaged from the current bar 110 and can thus be released from the current bar 110, so that the actuating element 115 and thus the clamping spring 111 can be transferred from the open position into the clamping position without manual assistance.

Fig. 6 shows the conductor 300 connected accordingly or clamped in relation to the current bar 110.

The current bar 110 has a plurality of sections, wherein the conductor 300 to be connected can be clamped in an electrically conductive manner relative to the contact section 136 of the current bar 110. The contact section 136 extends parallel to the insertion direction E of the conductor 300.

The contact section 136 is connected to the holding section 137 of the current bar 110. The clamping spring 111 is fixed to the holding section 137. In the embodiment shown in fig. 1 to 8, the clamping spring 111 is fastened with its holding arm 112 to the holding section 137 of the current bar 110 by means of a riveted connection 138.

Furthermore, a through-hole 139 is formed in the holding section 137 of the current bar 110, through which through-hole 139 the conductor 300 to be connected is guided in order to enter the conductor connection chamber 125, as can be seen, for example, in fig. 5 and 6. The conductor 300 to be connected is thus inserted through the current bar 110.

The holding section 137 is arranged in a position above the contact section 136 as viewed in the insertion direction E.

Fig. 7 and 8 show the connection terminal 200 shown in fig. 1 to 6 in other possible positions, wherein the conductor 300 can be inserted and connected into the connection terminal 200 horizontally, vertically or at any angle therebetween in the insertion direction E by means of different positions of the connection terminal 200.

Description of the reference numerals

100. Connecting device

110. Current bar

111. Clamping spring

112. Holding arm

113. Clamping arm

114. Arc segment

115. Actuating element

116a, 116b manipulator arm

117. Connecting section

118. Free space

119a, 119b control surface

120. Clamping tongue

Tongue pieces on 121a and 121b sides

122. Clamping edge

123. Snap-lock connection

124a, 124b latching edge

125. Conductor connection chamber

126. Gripping surface

127. Tool scarf opening

128. Release element

129. Abutting surface

130. Grip area

131. Spring element

132. Trigger element

133. Axis of rotation

134. Extrusion surface

135. Trigger bulge

136. Contact section

137. Holding section

138. Riveted connection

139. Through hole

140. Inclined plane

200. Connecting terminal

210. Shell body

211. Conductor insertion opening

212. Guide channel

300. Conductor

400. Tool with a locking mechanism

B1 First operating direction

B2 The second operating direction

Operating direction of BL releasing element

E direction of insertion

Pressure of DF spring element

Pressure of DS side tongue

Claims

1. A connecting device (100) for connecting electrical conductors (300) has

-a current bar (110),

-a clamping spring (111) having a holding arm (112) and a clamping arm (113), wherein the conductor (300) to be connected is clamped with respect to the current bar (110) by means of the clamping arm (113) in the clamping position of the clamping spring (111), and

an actuating element (115) by means of which the clamping spring (111) can be transferred from the clamping position into the open position,

characterized in that the actuating element (115) is held in position in the open position of the clamping spring (111) by means of the current bar (110) in order to hold the clamping spring (111) in the open position.

2. Connection device (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that in the open position of the clamping spring (111) a snap-lock connection (123) is established between the operating element (115) and the current bar (110).

3. The connecting device (100) according to claim 2, characterized in that, for the purpose of producing the latching connection (123), the actuating element (115) has latching edges (124 a, 124 b), by means of which the actuating element (115) latches onto the current bar (110), in particular onto a contact section (136) of the current bar (110), in the open position of the clamping spring (111).

4. Connection device (100) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, for the purpose of transferring the clamping spring (111) from the clamping position into the open position, the actuating element (115) is guided along a first actuating direction (B1) directed axially and along a second actuating direction (B2) oriented transversely to the first actuating direction (B1).

5. The connecting device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the operating element (115) has a gripping surface (126) for manual operation of the operating element (115).

6. The connecting device (100) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the actuating element (115) has a tool engagement opening (127) for actuating the actuating element (115) by means of a tool (400).

7. Connection device (100) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized by a release element (128) which is guided movably relative to the actuating element (115) in order to release the actuating element (115) from a retaining position with the current bar (110).

8. The connecting device (100) according to claim 7, characterized in that the release element (128) constitutes a status indicating element indicating the clamping position and the open position of the clamping spring (111).

9. The connection device (100) according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the release element (128) is spring-loaded.

10. Connection device (100) according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that it has a pivotably mounted trigger element (132) which engages with the actuating element (115) in the open position of the clamping spring (111), wherein the trigger element (132) can be actuated by a conductor (300) to be connected in such a way that the trigger element (132) actuates the actuating element (115) in such a way that the actuating element (115) is released from the holding position with the current bar (110).

11. The connecting device (100) according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterised in that the actuating element (115) has at least one actuating arm (116 a, 116 b) and at least one connecting section (117) arranged transversely to the actuating arm (116 a, 116 b), wherein an actuating surface (119 a, 119 b) is formed on the at least one actuating arm (116 a, 116 b) which interacts with a clamping arm (113) of the clamping spring (111) for actuating the clamping spring (111).

12. Connecting device (100) according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the clamping spring (111) is fixed with its holding arm (112) on the current bar (110).

13. Connecting device (100) according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the current bar (110) has a through-hole (139) through which a conductor (300) to be connected can be guided into the conductor connection chamber (125).

14. Connection terminal (200), in particular a series terminal, having a housing (210) and having at least one connection device (100) according to one of claims 1 to 13 arranged in the housing (210).

15. An electronic device having at least one connecting apparatus (100) according to one of claims 1 to 13 and/or having at least one connecting terminal (200) according to claim 14.