CN214044020U

CN214044020U - Spring terminal for connecting at least one electrical conductor

Info

Publication number: CN214044020U
Application number: CN202022104961.0U
Authority: CN
Inventors: 安德里亚斯·施拉德尔
Original assignee: Phoenix Contact GmbH and Co KG
Current assignee: Phoenix Contact GmbH and Co KG
Priority date: 2019-09-23
Filing date: 2020-09-23
Publication date: 2021-08-24
Anticipated expiration: 2030-09-23
Also published as: DE102020123141A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a spring terminal (1) for connecting at least one electrical conductor (2), comprising a housing (10) having an insertion opening (100) for inserting the electrical conductor (2); a spring element (12) for locking the conductor (2) inserted into the insertion opening (100); an electrical contact element (11) arranged on the housing (10) for contacting a conductor (2) inserted into the insertion opening (100), and an operating element (15) which is movable relative to the housing (10) in order to move the spring element (12) relative to the housing (10) in an operating direction (B) from an inoperative position to an operating position of the electrical contact element relative to the housing (10) and which is lockable with the housing (10) in the operating position. The actuating element (15) has a first stop section (184), the contact element (11) has a second stop section (115), and the first stop section (184) abuts against the second stop section (115) in the actuating position of the actuating element (15).

Description

Spring terminal for connecting at least one electrical conductor

Technical Field

The utility model relates to a according to the utility model discloses a spring terminal for connecting at least one electric conductor.

Background

Such a spring terminal includes a housing having an insertion opening for inserting an electrical conductor. The spring element serves to lock the electrical conductor inserted into the insertion opening and can be moved relative to the housing by means of the actuating element. For this purpose, the actuating element can be moved in an actuating direction from the non-actuating position in the direction of the actuating position toward the housing in order to act on the spring element in this way, in particular to deflect the clamping legs of the spring element, so that the electrical conductor is inserted into the insertion opening of the housing and can be locked in the housing or released from the locking device on the housing.

An electrical contact element for contacting a conductor inserted into the insertion opening is arranged on the housing.

In order to simplify the handling of such a spring terminal, the actuating element can be locked with the housing in its actuating position. When the actuating element has been transferred from the inoperative position into the actuating position, the actuating element is held in its actuating position in such a way that the spring element is also held in the swung-out position and therefore the electrical conductor can be inserted directly into the insertion opening on the housing or the electrical conductor inserted into the insertion opening can be released from the insertion opening.

In such a spring terminal, it is desirable to enable simple handling by the user, in particular for actuating the actuating element. It is also desirable here for the user to be able to recognize the position in which the actuating element is currently located, so that it can act on the actuating element accordingly, in order to transfer the actuating element, for example, from the non-actuated position into the actuated position, or vice versa.

In the spring terminal known from DE 102008039232 a1, the actuating element can be pushed into the housing in an actuating direction and can be locked with the housing in an actuating position in which the actuating element is pushed into the housing.

In the spring terminal known from DE 202014102521U 1, the operating element can be moved between an inoperative position and an operative position in order to act on the spring element in the housing of the spring terminal in order to move the clamping leg of the spring element. In order to lock the actuating element in the actuating position, the actuating element can be tilted relative to the housing in the actuating position.

DE 102017127001B 3 discloses a spring terminal with an actuating element, which can be locked with the housing by a locking surface and can be tilted about a tilting section toward the housing for locking.

SUMMERY OF THE UTILITY MODEL

The object of the invention is to provide a spring terminal which enables a simple actuation of an actuating element while being easily but reliably locked in an actuating position.

This object is solved by a spring terminal according to the utility model discloses a.

The actuating element therefore has a first stop section and the contact element has a second stop section, the first stop section abutting against the second stop section in the actuating position of the actuating element.

Accordingly, a stop section is formed on the actuating element, which is operatively connected to the contact element when the actuating element is actuated in order to transfer the actuating element into the actuating position. The actuating element is thus limited in its actuating path in the actuating direction by a stop section formed on the actuating element, so that the actuating element cannot be moved relative to the contact element beyond the actuating position.

By the stop section of the actuating element interacting with a corresponding stop section on the contact element, the actuating path of the actuating element is determined when the actuating element is actuated relative to the contact element, relative to which the spring element is also moved in order to release the region of the insertion opening for inserting the conductor into the insertion opening in order to contact the contact element.

The contact elements can be formed, for example, as sheet metal bends and be designed in the form of a cage, in which the wall sections are bent to form the base. In the inserted position, the electrical conductor can be brought into electrical contact, for example, with a contact section of the contact element that is at an angle to the base, wherein in the inserted position the conductor is pressed into electrical contact with the contact section by means of a spring element and is mechanically held in place. Since the actuating path of the actuating element is limited by the interaction of the stop section on the actuating element and the stop section on the contact element when the actuating element is actuated, the spring element is moved in a defined manner relative to the contact element when the actuating element is actuated, without tolerances, for example, on the housing having an effect on the movement path of the contact element.

Due to the path limitation caused by the stop sections on the actuating element and the contact element, a simple operating mode is provided in which the user can receive feedback as to whether the actuating element has been actuated far enough to lock the actuating element with the housing in the actuating position.

In one embodiment, the actuating element has a first side and a second side, which is spaced apart from the first side transversely to the actuating direction. The first stop section is preferably formed on the first side, for example in the form of a shoulder extending transversely to the actuating direction.

The stop section on the contact element can be formed, for example, on the base of the contact element and, for example, by an edge extending transversely to the actuating direction on the base. When the actuating element is actuated in the actuating direction in order to transfer the actuating element from the inoperative position into the actuating position, the stop section of the actuating element comes into contact with the stop section on the contact element, so that the actuating path of the actuating element is limited and the actuating element can no longer be moved further in the actuating direction.

In one embodiment, the actuating element has a first guide section oriented along the actuating direction, and the contact element has a second guide section oriented along the actuating direction for guiding the actuating element on the first guide section when the actuating element is moved in the actuating direction. The guide section of the actuating element can be formed, for example, by a guide groove oriented in the actuating direction and is arranged, for example, on the same wall side as the stop section. Instead, the guide section of the contact element can be formed, for example, by a contact element edge extending in the actuating direction, for example on the bottom of the contact element. When the actuating element is actuated in the actuating direction, the guide section on the actuating element and the guide section on the contact element are operatively connected, so that the actuating element is guided on the contact element in the actuating direction. This results in a reliable, guided displacement of the actuating element relative to the contact element, wherein an undesired tilting of the actuating element during the displacement is eliminated by the interaction of the guide sections.

In one embodiment, the actuating element has a guide web extending in the actuating direction for guiding the actuating element when the actuating element is moved in the actuating direction. The guide tab is guided on the housing when the actuating element is moved from the inoperative position into the operative position and, for example, is recessed into a recess formed in the housing when the operative position is reached and the actuating element is locked on the housing. If the actuating position of the actuating element is reached, the guide tabs are guided on the housing, so that the actuating element can be tilted to lock the housing.

The guide section can be formed, for example, on the top side of the actuating element. In contrast, the guide webs can be formed, for example, on the bottom side of the actuating element facing away from the top side. Since the guide tab reaches in the region of the cutout on the housing when the operating position is reached, the operating element can be tilted relative to the housing in the tilting direction, so that the operating element can be locked with the housing.

The guide web may be formed, for example, approximately in the middle between the first side and the second side of the actuating element and extend longitudinally in the actuating direction, for example, on the bottom side of the actuating element.

In one embodiment, the actuating element has a locking surface and a tilting section axially offset from the locking surface in the actuating direction. The actuating element can be locked with the housing by the locking surface in the actuating position, so that the actuating element is locked with respect to the housing counter to the actuating direction. In the actuating position, the actuating element can be tilted relative to the housing about the tilting section in order to lock the actuating element with the housing via the locking surface.

The actuating element thus has a latching surface and a tilting section, which are axially spaced apart from one another in the actuating direction. The tilting section is therefore axially spaced apart from the locking surface, as viewed in the actuating direction. This results in an actuating element in which, viewed in the actuating direction, the locking surface and the tilting section are formed at axially different positions on the actuating element and are arranged in this order relative to one another.

The locking surface serves to lock the actuating element with the housing in the actuating position. For this purpose, when the actuating element is in the actuating position, it can be tilted relative to the housing about the tilting section in order in this way to engage the locking surface with a corresponding locking section of the housing and thereby lock the actuating element in the actuating position. The tilting section forms a tilting bearing for this purpose, by means of which the actuating element is supported on the housing in the actuating position and around which the actuating element can be tilted in the actuating position in order to bring the latching surface into latching engagement with the housing.

Since the locking surface and the tilting section are formed at positions of the actuating element which are axially spaced apart from one another, the actuating element can be simply operated for actuation. The locking surface thus has a lever which is relatively large compared to the tilting section and which can contribute to tilting toward the housing. Since the latching surface can be formed, for example, on the end of the actuating element remote from the spring element, it is possible to attach an outwardly directed color marking to the latching surface, which is visible or invisible depending on whether the actuating element is latched to the housing, so that the user immediately receives information about whether the actuating element is latched in its actuating position relative to the housing.

The locking surface can be formed, for example, by a shoulder on the actuating element. The locking surface is intended to be locked with the housing in the actuating position, so that when the actuating element is locked, the actuating element is prevented from moving against the actuating direction toward the housing.

In an advantageous embodiment, the locking surface formed by the shoulder can have, for example, a surface normal inclined with respect to the actuating direction. The locking surface therefore does not extend perpendicular to the actuating direction, but is inclined by an angle different from 90 ° relative to the actuating direction. This makes it possible for the locking surface to be in flat contact with a corresponding counter shoulder on the housing when the actuating element is tilted for locking, by compensating the tilt angle of the actuating element by tilting the actuating surface.

The tilting section can be formed on the same side as the latching surface, so that by tilting the actuating element around the tilting section, the latching surface can be brought into latching engagement with a corresponding counter shoulder on the housing.

In one embodiment, a first guide surface extending parallel to the actuating direction is connected to the locking surface, and a second guide surface extending parallel to the actuating direction and oriented parallel to the first guide surface is separated from the locking surface. Guide surfaces are thereby formed on both sides of the actuating element, wherein the guide surfaces extend parallel to one another. The actuating element is guided by a guide surface in a sliding manner on the housing, so that the actuating element is displaced in a defined manner, for example in a guide opening of the housing, when moving between the non-actuating position and the actuating position.

The contact surface, which is offset transversely to the first guide surface, can be connected to the locking surface, as viewed in the actuating direction. The contact surface provides a contact of the actuating element on the housing when the actuating element is locked with the housing in the actuating position. The contact surface thus defines a defined position of the actuating element relative to the housing, in which position the actuating element is located when the actuating element is locked on the housing in the actuating position. Since the actuating element is inclined relative to the housing when it is locked in the actuating position, the contact surface is inclined relative to the actuating direction in this embodiment, in order to provide a flat contact between the actuating element and the housing when the actuating element is locked with the housing in the actuating position.

Preferably, a tilting section is formed on the projecting section, which projects transversely to the actuating direction relative to the first guide surface, around which tilting section the actuating element can be tilted in order to lock the actuating element on the housing. The projection section can be formed, for example, at an end of the actuating element remote from the locking surface and, for example, for forming the tilting section, has a curvature which allows a tilting pivoting movement of the actuating element relative to the housing and thus achieves a locking of the actuating element with the housing when the actuating element is in the actuating position.

The projecting section can also be used for guiding the actuating element when the actuating element is moved between the non-actuated position and the actuated position. For this purpose, a further guide surface, which is offset transversely to the actuating direction relative to the first guide surface on the first side of the actuating element, can be formed on the projecting section, which extends longitudinally in the actuating direction and by means of which the actuating element is guided on the housing in a sliding manner.

The actuating element serves to act on the spring element in order to move the spring element relative to the housing and, for example, to enable an electrical conductor to be inserted into an insertion opening of the housing or to separate a conductor, which has been inserted into the insertion opening and is locked in the housing by the spring element, from the housing. The actuating element acts on the spring element and deflects the spring element when the actuating element is transferred from the inoperative position into the operative position, for which purpose the actuating element is pressed against the spring element, for example by a spring pressure section connected to the second guide surface. The spring pressure section is formed on the end of the actuating element remote from the locking surface and can be curved, for example, in a plane in which the actuating element can be tilted about the tilting section, which can facilitate the abutment of the actuating element on the spring element, for example on the clamping leg of the spring element. The spring pressure section is thus formed in the region of the second side of the actuating element and is situated opposite the projecting section on the first side of the actuating element. The tilting section and the spring pressure section are thus formed on different sides of the actuating element.

In one embodiment, the actuating element has a head section, a foot section remote from the head section, and a shaft section connecting the head section to the foot section. The locking surface is formed in the region of the head section, while the tilting section is formed in the region of the foot section. The first and second guide surfaces are formed in particular on the shaft section such that the actuating element is guided in a sliding manner relative to the housing via the shaft portion when moving between the non-actuating position and the actuating position.

In one embodiment, the actuating element is pressed into the housing in order to be transferred from the inoperative position into the actuating position. The actuating element can be located, for example, in a corresponding guide opening of the housing and can be linearly movable in the guide opening between an inoperative position and an actuating position. As soon as the actuating position is reached and the actuating element is sufficiently pressed into the housing, the actuating element can be tilted (slightly) relative to the housing in order to lock the actuating element with the housing in this way.

In this case, it can be provided that the actuating element projects outwardly relative to the housing in both the inoperative position and the actuating position, so that the head section of the actuating element projects out of the opening in which the actuating element is guided and is visible from the outside. This makes it easier for the user to identify the position in which the actuating element is currently located, in particular whether the actuating element is in the non-actuated position or in the actuated position.

In addition, for example, color markings can be arranged on the locking surface, for example by applying color markings that are different from the other color representations of the actuating element to the locking surface. The locking surface is visible from the outside when the actuating element is not locked to the housing, and is not visible from the outside when the actuating element is locked to the housing, so that a clear indication is given to the user as to where the actuating element is currently located, in particular whether the actuating element is locked to the housing. The user can thus easily see whether the operating element is locked in the operating position.

Such a color marking can be, for example, red or another clearly visible color which differs from the remaining color of the actuating element and can therefore be perceived directly by the user.

In order to be able to lock the actuating element with the housing, in one embodiment the housing has a locking section, on which a locking shoulder is formed, with which a locking surface of the actuating element can be brought into locking engagement. The locking section projects transversely to the direction of movement relative to a guide surface of the housing on which the actuating element is guided when moving between the inoperative position and the actuating position and serves, on the one hand, to lock the actuating element in the actuating position, but can additionally also serve to slide guide the actuating element on the housing when moving between the inoperative position and the actuating position, for example by sliding a first guide surface of the guide actuating element on the locking section of the housing when moving between the inoperative position and the actuating position.

In one embodiment, the spring element is designed as a leg spring having a support leg, by means of which the spring element is supported on the housing, and a clamping leg, by means of which the spring element acts in a clamping manner on the conductor when the electrical conductor is inserted into the housing. The clamping leg can be moved elastically relative to the housing by means of the actuating element, wherein the clamping leg projects into the region of the insertion opening in an undeflected position and can be removed from the region of the insertion opening by means of actuating the actuating element in order to easily insert an electrical conductor into the insertion opening or release the electrical conductor inserted into the insertion opening from the insertion opening in this way.

In one embodiment, the actuating element has a tool engagement portion on the outwardly facing side, which tool engagement portion extends longitudinally along an extension direction oriented perpendicularly to the actuating direction and provides an engagement point for a screwdriver, for example. The tool engagement portion is formed, for example, on a head section of the actuating element and faces outwards, i.e. towards an outer space outside the housing. The user can thus use a tool, for example a screwdriver, to act on the tool engagement portion in order to actuate the actuating element.

The tool engagement portion may extend, for example, perpendicularly to the actuating direction in a pivot plane of the actuating element, in which the actuating element may be tilted. In order to be able to have a favorable influence on the actuating element, in one embodiment, an actuating shoulder can be formed on the tool engagement part, which actuating shoulder extends transversely to the direction of extent of the tool engagement part and can thus be acted upon by a user in order to press the actuating element into its locking position, in particular transversely to the actuating direction, and in this way lock it with the housing.

Drawings

The idea on which the invention is based will be explained in more detail below with reference to exemplary embodiments shown in the drawings. In the figure:

FIG. 1 shows a view of an exemplary embodiment of a spring terminal;

fig. 2 shows a view of a housing half of a housing of a spring terminal, wherein a spring element is held on the housing of the spring terminal and an actuating element for acting on the spring element, which actuating element is not actuated;

fig. 3 shows a view of a housing half of a spring terminal, wherein the actuating element is actuated;

fig. 4 shows an isolated perspective view of the contact element and the actuating element of the spring terminal;

fig. 5 shows a side view of the contact element and the actuating element in the actuating position of the actuating element;

FIG. 6A shows an isolated view of the steering element; and

fig. 6B shows a further individual view of the actuating element.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1 to 6A, 6B show an embodiment of a spring terminal 1, the spring terminal 1 having a housing 10 with an insertion opening 100 into which an electrical conductor 2 with a (deinsulated) conductor end 20 can be inserted in an insertion direction E to electrically contact the electrical conductor 2 with a contact element 11 in the housing 10.

Such a spring terminal 1 is used to easily connect an electric conductor 2. The contact element 11 of the spring terminal 1 can, for example, be in electrical contact with a corresponding component, for example a printed circuit board, so that the electrical conductor 2 is connected to the corresponding component, for example the printed circuit board, by means of the spring terminal 1.

A spring element 12 is contained in the housing 10, which spring element 12 is supported with support legs 120 on a wall section 112 of the contact element 11 at an angle to the base 113 and is placed around a support section 117 of the contact element 11 and is held by it to the contact element 11 and thus also to the housing 10. By means of the clamping legs 122, the spring elements 12 extend in the clamping space 13 into the region of the insertion opening 100 (if no electrical conductor 2 is inserted into the insertion opening 100 of the housing 10, see fig. 2), wherein the clamping legs 122 can be elastically deflected relative to the supporting legs 120 to be able to act on an electrical conductor 2 inserted into the insertion opening 100 and press it into electrical contact with the contact sections 110 of the contact elements 11 and, in addition, can also mechanically lock the electrical conductor 2 in the clamping space 13.

The spring terminal 1 has an actuating element 15 in the form of a press-on part, which is guided in a manner that can be pushed in the actuating direction B in the guide opening 14 of the housing 1 and is intended to act on the spring leg 122 in order to deflect it elastically, as shown in the transition from fig. 2 to fig. 3. The spring leg 122 can be deflected by the actuating element 15 into the position shown in fig. 3, for example for inserting an electrical conductor 2 into the insertion opening 100 or for releasing a conductor 2 which has been inserted into the insertion opening 100 from the spring terminal 1.

If the actuating element 15 has been actuated, as shown in fig. 3, and the actuating element is in the actuated position shown in fig. 3, the clamping leg 122 is deflected relative to the supporting leg 120, so that the clamping leg 122 no longer protrudes into the region of the insertion opening 100, and therefore the conductor end 20 of the electrical conductor 2 can be inserted directly into the insertion opening 100, or the electrical conductor 2 located in the insertion opening 100 can be removed from the insertion opening 100.

Regardless of the actuation of the actuating element 15, the spring terminal 1 can also effect a so-called direct insertion of the electrical conductor 2, wherein the electrical conductor 2 is inserted into the insertion opening 100 without actuating the actuating element 15 and thus acts with its conductor end 20 on the clamping leg 122 and deflects it in the direction of the position shown in fig. 3.

In the inserted position, the electrical conductor 2 (when the actuating element 15 is not actuated) is locked in a clamping manner within the housing 10 by the clamping legs 122 and is also pressed into electrical contact with the contact sections 110 of the contact elements 11, so that the electrical conductor 2 is mechanically held in the housing 10 and is in electrical contact with the contact elements 11.

As can be seen in particular from fig. 2 and 3, the actuating element 15 is guided in a displaceable manner in the actuating direction B in the guide opening 14 of the housing 10. The actuating element 15 has a head section 16, a foot section 18 formed at the other end of the actuating element 15, and a central shaft section 17 connecting the head section 16 and the foot section 18 and extending longitudinally in the actuating direction B. In order to deflect the spring element 12, the actuating element 15 can be transferred from the non-actuating position shown in fig. 2 into the actuating position shown in fig. 3, in order to thereby act on the clamping leg 122 of the spring element 12 with the foot section 18 and deflect it.

A shoulder-like locking surface 163 for locking the actuating element 15 in the actuating position with the housing 10 is formed on the head section 16 on the side shown below in fig. 2, as shown in fig. 3.

On this side of the actuating element 15, viewed in the actuating direction B, a first guide surface 171 is connected to the blocking surface 163, and a second guide surface 170 on the opposite side of the actuating element 15 is situated opposite it. The first guide surface 171 and the second guide surface 170 define the shaft section 17 connecting the head section 16 with the foot section 18 and serve for the sliding guidance of the actuating element 15 in the guide opening 14.

The foot section 18 is formed on the side of the first guide surface 171 with a projecting section 181 which projects transversely to the actuating direction B relative to the first guide surface 171 and has a turned-over section 183 of curved cross section and a guide surface 182 which extends parallel to the second guide surface 170 and is offset transversely to the first guide surface 171.

The actuating element 15 is guided slidably in the guide opening 14 of the housing 10 by the guide surfaces 170, 171, 182. Thus, the first guide surface 171 slides on the contact surface 143 of the locking section 147 protruding into the guide opening 14, the guide surface 170 is slidably guided on the guide surface 142 of the housing 10, and the guide surface 182 on the protruding section 181 is slidably guided on the guide surface 145 of the guide opening 14.

A guide tab 172 projects from the first guide surface 171, which guide tab is shaped approximately centrally on the shaft portion 17 of the actuating element 15 and (viewed in the actuating direction B) merges into a projecting section 181 on the foot section 18. The actuating element 15 is additionally guided on the guide surface 145 on the housing 10 by means of the guide webs 172.

The actuating element 15 can thus be moved linearly between the non-actuated position (fig. 2) and the actuated position (fig. 3) in the guide opening 14 and guided in a defined manner by the guide surfaces 170, 171, 182 below the guide tabs 172.

Once the actuating position is reached (fig. 3), the first guide surface 171 is no longer in contact with the contact surface 143 of the locking section 147, so that the actuating element 15 can be tilted about a tilting section 183 formed on the projecting section 181 in the tilting direction V, so that the locking surface 163 engages with the locking shoulder 141 on the locking section 147, as can be seen from fig. 3. In this way, a movement of the actuating element 15 against the actuating direction B (out of the guide opening 14) is prevented, so that the actuating element 15 is locked to the housing 10 and is held in the actuating position.

The contact surface 161 is inclined relative to the actuating direction B in order to form a defined, flat contact with the contact surface 143 of the locking section 147 in the locked, inclined position of the actuating element 15, as can be seen from fig. 3.

In the actuating position of the actuating element 15, the guide webs 172 projecting from the first guide surface 171 are located in the region of the recesses 144 on the housing 10, so that in the actuating position of the actuating element 15, the guide webs 172 can be recessed into the recesses 144 and thus do not hinder the tilting of the actuating element 15 in the tilting direction V, as can be seen from fig. 3.

When the actuating element 15 is transferred from the inoperative position (fig. 2) into the actuating position (fig. 3), the actuating element 15 acts with a curved spring pressure section 180 formed on the foot section 18 on the clamping leg 122 of the spring element 12 and deflects it from the starting position shown in fig. 2 into the deflected position shown in fig. 3, in which the clamping leg 122 no longer projects into the region of the insertion opening 100 in the clamping space 13. It is thus possible to insert the electrical conductor 2 into the opening 100 into contact with the contact element 11 (wherein after insertion the actuating element 15 is released from its locking and thereby shifts back into its non-actuated position (fig. 2), so that the clamping legs 122 are brought into clamping contact with the electrical conductor 2 and the conductor ends 20 are pressed into electrical contact with the contact sections 110 of the contact element 11), or to remove the electrical conductor 2 located in the insertion opening 100 from the insertion opening 100 after unlocking of the clamping legs 122.

The actuating element 15 has a tool engagement 162 at its head section 16, by means of which tool engagement 162 a user can act on the actuating element 15, for example with a screwdriver, and press it into the housing 10 in the actuating direction B and, in the actuating position, press it in the tilting direction V (for establishing the locking) or tilt it counter to the tilting direction V (for releasing the lock) relative to the housing 10. In the embodiment shown in fig. 1 to 6A, 6B, the tool engaging portion 162 extends longitudinally perpendicular to the actuating direction B in an inclined plane in which the actuating element 15 can be inclined. An operating shoulder 164 is formed approximately at the center of the tool engagement portion 162, which extends transversely to the tool engagement portion 162 and thus enables a force to be applied perpendicularly to the actuating direction B in order to tilt the actuating element 15 into the locking position.

The actuating element 15, like the housing 10, is made of an electrically non-conductive material, for example plastic.

Instead, the spring element 12 consists, for example, of spring steel and is elastic in itself. Via the spring element 12, the electrical conductor 2 inserted into the insertion opening 100 is mechanically fixed in the housing 10 on the one hand and is pressed into contact with the contact section 110 of the contact element 11 in an electrically contacting manner on the other hand.

Advantageously, the actuating element 15 has a color marking on its locking surface 163, which is different from the remaining color of the actuating element 15 and thus directly indicates to the user whether the actuating element 15 is locked with the housing 10. Thus, the locking surface 163 is visible from the outside when the actuating element 15 is unlocked. In contrast, if the actuating element 15 is locked with the housing 10 (see fig. 3), the locking surface 163 is covered and is not visible from the outside, so that the user can directly recognize that the locking has been established.

Since the locking surface 163 and the tilting section 183 are formed on the actuating element 15 at a distance from one another in the axial direction along the actuating direction B, the actuating element 15 can be tilted in an advantageous manner relative to the housing 10 in order to establish the locking. In particular, a large lever arm exists between the locking surface 163 and the tilting section 183, which facilitates tilting.

In the exemplary embodiment shown in fig. 1 to 6A, 6B, a stop section 184 in the form of a shoulder on one side 150 of the actuating element 15 is formed on the foot section 18 of the actuating element 15 for interacting with a corresponding stop section 115 in the form of an edge extending transversely to the actuating direction B on the base 113 of the contact element 11 when the actuating element 15 is actuated. When actuating element 15 is moved from the inoperative position (fig. 2 and 4) into the actuating position (fig. 3 and 5), stop section 184 on actuating element 15 approaches stop section 115 in the form of an edge on base 113 of contact element 11, so that in the actuating position, stop section 184 comes into contact with stop section 115 and thus limits the path of movement of actuating element 15 in actuating direction B relative to contact element 11. Once the actuating position is reached (fig. 5), the actuating element 15 can be tilted relative to the housing 10 about the tilting section 183 and is thereby locked, as shown in fig. 3.

Since the stop section 184 of the actuating element 15 interacts with the stop section 115 of the contact element 11, the path of movement of the actuating element 15 relative to the contact element 11 is limited, so that the spring element 12 moves in a defined manner relative to the contact element 11. As a result, tolerances on the housing 10 and tolerances in the fastening of the contact element 11 to the housing 10 are negligible with respect to the displacement of the spring leg 122.

The stop section 115 is formed on the bottom 113 of the contact element 11. Accordingly, the stop section 184 is formed by a shoulder extending in a direction transverse to the actuating direction B on the side of the actuating element 15 facing the base 113. In contrast, no corresponding shoulder is formed on the side 151 of the actuating element 15 facing away (see fig. 6A).

At the transition between the guide surface 170 and the side 150 of the actuating element 15, a guide section 185 is formed in the region of the foot section 18, which serves to guide the actuating element 15 in a sliding manner during actuation and for this purpose interacts with a guide section 116 in the form of a guide edge formed on the base 113 of the contact element 11 and extending longitudinally in the actuation direction B, as shown in fig. 5. The actuating element 15 is therefore also guided in a defined manner relative to the contact element 11.

On the base 113 of the contact element 11, a stop element 111 is formed, which projects from the base 113, cores out of the base 113 in the region of the opening 114 and is bent toward the base 113. The stop element 111 limits the deflection path of the spring leg 122, as can be seen in fig. 3 and 5.

A locking element 102, which is formed on the housing 10 and establishes a locking connection between the housing 10 and the contact element 11, engages in the opening 114 (see fig. 2 and 3).

The idea on which the invention is based is not limited to the embodiments described above, but can in principle also be realized in completely different embodiments.

Spring terminals of the type described herein may have one or more insertion openings with one or more corresponding spring elements. The spring element may also have a shape different from that illustrated here.

In the embodiment shown, the actuating element bears against the spring element. However, this is not mandatory. For example, the actuating element and the spring element can also be operatively connected in such a way that, when the actuating element is actuated, the tensile force for moving the spring element is transmitted to the spring element.

Description of the reference numerals

1 spring terminal

10 casing

100 insertion opening

102 locking element

11 contact element

110 contact section

111 stop element

112 wall section

113 bottom part

114 opening

115 stop section (edge)

116 guide section

117 support section

12 spring element

120 support leg

121 curved section

122 clamping leg

13 clamping space

14 guide opening

141 locking shoulder

142 guide surface

143 contact surface

144 gap

145 guide surface

147 locking section

15 operating element (extrusion)

150 side surface

151 side surface

16 head section

161 contact surface

162 tool engaging portion

163 locking surface

164 operating shoulder

17 shaft section

170 guide surface

171 guide surface

172 guide tab

18 foot section

180 spring pressure section

181 projecting section

182 leading surface

183 inverted section

184 stop section (shoulder)

185 guide groove

2 electric conductor

20 end of conductor

B steering direction

E direction of insertion

V direction of turn

X, Y spatial direction

Claims

1. Spring terminal (1) for connecting at least one electrical conductor (2), comprising a housing (10) with an insertion opening (100) for inserting the electrical conductor (2); a spring element (12) for locking the electrical conductor (2) inserted into the insertion opening (100); an electrical contact element (11) and an actuating element (15) which are arranged on the housing (10) and are intended to be brought into contact with an electrical conductor (2) inserted into the insertion opening (100), which actuating element can be moved relative to the housing (10) in order to move the spring element (12) relative to the housing (10) in an actuating direction (B) from an inoperative position to an actuating position of the electrical contact element relative to the housing (10), and which can be locked in the actuating position with respect to the housing (10), characterized in that the actuating element (15) has a first stop section (184), and the contact element (11) has a second stop section (115), against which the first stop section (184) rests in the actuating position of the actuating element (15).

2. Spring terminal (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the actuating element (15) has a first side face (150) and a second side face (151) which is spaced apart from the first side face (150) transversely to the actuating direction (B), wherein the first stop section (184) is arranged on the first side face (150).

3. The spring terminal (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that the first stop section (184) is formed as a shoulder on the first side face (150).

4. Spring terminal (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the contact element (11) has a bottom (113), wherein a second stop section (115) is formed on the bottom (113).

5. Spring terminal (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that the second stop section (115) is formed by an edge of the bottom (113) extending transversely to the operating direction (B).

6. Spring terminal (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the actuating element (15) has a first guide section (185) oriented along the actuating direction (B) and the contact element (11) has a second guide section (116) oriented along the actuating direction (B) for guiding the actuating element (15) on the first guide section (185) when the actuating element (15) is moved along the actuating direction (B).

7. The spring terminal (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the actuating element (15) has a guide tab (172) extending in the actuating direction (B) for guiding the actuating element (15) when the actuating element (15) is moved in the actuating direction (B), wherein the guide tab (172) is recessed into a recess (144) formed in the housing (10) when the actuating element (15) is locked on the housing (10) in the actuating position.

8. Spring terminal (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the actuating element (15) has a locking surface (163) and a tilting section (183) axially offset from the locking surface (163) in the actuating direction (B), wherein the actuating element (15) can be locked with the housing (10) in the actuating position by means of the locking surface (163) in such a way that the actuating element (15) is locked with respect to the housing (10) counter to the actuating direction (B), wherein in the actuating position the actuating element (15) can be tilted relative to the housing (10) about the tilting section (183) in order to lock the actuating element (15) with the housing (10) via the locking surface (163).

9. Spring terminal (1) according to claim 8, characterized in that the locking surface (163) is formed by a shoulder on the actuating element (15).

10. The spring terminal (1) according to claim 9, characterised in that the actuating element (15) has a first guide surface (171) extending parallel to the actuating direction (B), which is connected to the latching surface (163) as seen in the actuating direction (B), and a second guide surface (170) extending parallel to the actuating direction (B), which is arranged on the side of the actuating element (15) facing away from the first guide surface (171), wherein the actuating element (15) is guided on the housing (10) via the first guide surface (171) and the second guide surface (170) when moving between the non-actuated position and the actuated position.

11. Spring terminal (1) according to claim 10, characterised in that a contact surface (161) which is offset transversely to the first guide surface (171) is connected to a locking surface (163) as seen in the actuating direction (B), wherein the actuating element (15) is in contact with the housing (10) via the contact surface (161) when the actuating element (15) is locked with the housing (10) in the actuating position.

12. Spring terminal (1) according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that a spring pressure section (180) for acting on the spring element (12) is connected to the second guiding surface (170).

13. Spring terminal (1) according to claim 12, characterized in that the actuating element (15) has a head section (16), a foot section (18) remote from the head section (16) and a shaft section (17) connecting the head section (16) with the foot section (18), wherein the locking face (163) is formed in the region of the head section (16) and the flip section (183) is formed in the region of the foot section (18).

14. Spring terminal (1) according to claim 13, characterized in that the housing (10) has a locking section (147) with a locking shoulder (141) for locking with a locking surface (163) of an operating element (15).

15. The spring terminal (1) as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the spring element (12) has a supporting leg (120), by means of which the spring element (12) is supported on the housing (10), and a clamping leg (122), which is elastically movable relative to the supporting leg (120) and is formed for locking the electrical conductor (2) inserted into the insertion opening (100) in a clamping manner on the housing (10), wherein the actuating element (15) is formed for acting on the clamping leg (122) for moving it.

16. Spring terminal (1) according to claim 1, characterised in that the actuating element (15) has a tool engagement portion (162) on the outwardly facing side, which tool engagement portion extends longitudinally along an extension direction oriented perpendicularly to the actuating direction (B), wherein an operating shoulder (164) is formed on the tool engagement portion (162), which operating shoulder extends transversely to the extension direction of the tool engagement portion (162).