DE102017127378B4 - Connecting device for connecting an electrical line - Google Patents

Abstract

A connection device (1) for connecting an electrical conductor (2) comprises a contact element (10) forming a plug-in opening (102), a spring element (11) arranged on the contact element (10) and an actuating element (13) connected to the contact element (10). 10) is movable and has an effective portion (133) for acting on a spring leg (111) of the spring element (11). In addition, an adjusting element (12) is provided, which is adjustable from a first position to a second position, in order to transfer the actuating element (13) for moving the spring leg (111) from a starting position into a release position, wherein the adjusting element (12) in the second position relative to the contact element (10) is latched and a trigger portion (125) which is formed when inserting a conductor (2) in the insertion opening (102) for releasing the locking of the adjusting element (12) with the conductor (2 ) interact.

Description

The invention relates to a connection device according to the preamble of claim 1.

Such a connection device, also referred to as spring terminal, is used to connect an electrical line. Such a connection device can be used for example on an electrical system, a control cabinet or other electrical assembly such as a printed circuit board or the like to electrically connect the conductor by inserting an electrical conductor into a plug-in opening.

Such a connection device comprises a contact element which forms a plug-in opening for insertion of the electrical conductor, and a spring element arranged on the contact element, which has a spring leg for locking a conductor inserted into the plug-in opening. To the contact element, an actuating element is movable, which has an operative portion for acting on the spring leg. The actuator serves to adjust the spring leg to allow insertion of a conductor in the plug-in opening or to remove an inserted into the plug-in conductor from the plug-in opening. The adjustment of the spring leg takes place here by moving the actuating element relative to the contact element, whereby the actuating element acts on its active portion for moving the spring leg from a starting position in the direction of a release position on the spring leg and thus deflects and thereby brings out of the region of the plug-in opening.

In conventional connection devices of this type can be provided that is acted upon by means of a tool on the actuating element, thereby to adjust the spring leg of the spring element. This may require that a user must simultaneously hold and operate the connector and any electrical conductor to be connected, as well as the tool, which may be cumbersome and impractical.

There is therefore a need for a connection device which allows easy handling by a user, in particular for inserting an electrical conductor or for releasing an electrical conductor from the connection device.

At one of the US 8 113 858 B1 known connection device, a spring element is arranged in a housing and adjustable by a manually operable actuator. The actuating element is designed to act on the spring element to allow a plugging of a conductor, wherein after insertion of the conductor and after returning the slider, the spring element locks the electrical conductor in an electrically contacting manner on the housing.

At one of the DE 20 2009 007 573 U1 known connection device, an actuating element is provided which is adjustable for adjusting a spring leg of a spring element.

At one of the DE 10 2006 009 074 A1 known electrical connector, a contact can be inserted into a plug-in opening on a contact element and acts on a support arm to release the support frame from a connection with a contact blade. If the holding frame is released, the contact blade snaps into contact with the contact pin and thus contacts the contact pin electrically.

At one of the DE 10 2010 054 679 A1 known clamping contact a spring leg of a spring element is held in a starting position on a base. If an electrical conductor is inserted into a plug-in opening of the terminal contact, the conductor acts on a release lever and above it on the base, so that the spring leg is released and locks the conductor.

From the DE 20 2017 103 185 U1 a spring terminal for connecting a conductor is known, comprising a housing with a chamber and with an insertion channel for the conductor in the chamber, a busbar and / or a clamping cage and arranged in the chamber, acting as a compression spring clamping spring for fixing the electrical conductor the busbar and / or the clamping cage in the region of a clamping point, wherein the clamping spring has a pivotable about a pivot axis clamping leg, which is adjustable from a latching state in which it is locked in a detent position in a clamping state in which he from the latching state is unlatched and presses the electrical conductor against the busbar or the clamping cage. The clamping leg is here with two different adjustment of the latching state solvable.

The DE 20 2014 103 797 U1 describes a trained as a direct plug terminal spring terminal having a housing and a bus bar arranged therein for contacting an electrical conductor and having a spring acting as a compression spring clamping spring for fixing the electrical conductor in the spring terminal, wherein the clamping spring pivotable about a pivot axis in a pivoting clamping leg having a latching state in which it is locked to a holding means, by moving the electrical conductor is adjustable in a clamping state in which it is disengaged from the holding means and presses the electrical conductor against the busbar, wherein the spring terminal has a sliding sleeve which serves as an insertion aid for the conductor.

Another connection terminal designed for tool-free direct connection of a conductor is the DE 20 2006 009 460 U1 known.

Moreover, from the DE 20 2012 103 581 U1 a line connector known.

The object of the present invention is to provide a connection device which allows easy handling by a user, in particular for the purpose of plugging in an electrical conductor or for releasing an electrical conductor which is connected to the connection device.

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

Accordingly, the connection device has an adjusting element, which is adjustable from a first position to a second position, to transfer the actuating element for moving the spring leg from the starting position to the release position, wherein the adjusting element is locked in the second position relative to the contact element and a Triggering section, which is designed to interact upon insertion of a conductor in the insertion opening for releasing the locking of the adjusting element with the head.

The connection device thus comprises an actuating element which can be moved (for example displaceable) relative to the contact element and, in addition, an adjusting element which can be moved (for example pivotable) relative to the contact element and via which the actuating element can be actuated. By pivoting the adjusting element, the actuating element for moving the spring leg from its initial position can be moved to the release position to act in this way on the spring leg of the spring element and deflect it so that it is spent from the region of the plug hole and thus a conductor in the Inserted plug-in opening or (with ladder inserted into the plug-in opening) can be released from the plug-in opening.

The actuation of the actuating element can thus take place without the use of a tool in a way that is easy for a user to handle.

The adjusting element is locked in its second position relative to the contact element. The adjusting element is thus held in position in its second position and acts on the actuating element in order to lock the spring leg of the spring element in the release position. The spring leg is thus locked in the release position when the actuator is in the second position. This has the advantage that the adjusting element, when it has been brought into the second position, and thus also the actuating element not readily, at least not without loosening the latch, can be reset. The adjusting element and above the actuating element are thus held in position, so that a user in a simple manner, for example, insert an electrical conductor into the insertion opening of the contact element and thus can electrically connect to the connection device.

In the latched position, the connection device can also be delivered, for example, so that a customer can readily connect an electrical conductor to the connection device.

About the trigger section, the locking of the adjustment and about the locking of the spring leg can be repealed in a simple manner in that an electrical conductor is inserted into the insertion opening. When inserting the electrical conductor acts with its conductor end on the trigger section and thereby triggers the locking of the adjustment, so that the adjustment and about the actuator, supported by the biasing effect of elastically deflected in the release position spring leg, are reset and the spring leg back so moved in the direction of its initial position.

Characterized in that the latching of the adjusting element can be automatically canceled by the interaction with the triggering section upon insertion of the electrical conductor, the connection device closes automatically when an electrical conductor is inserted into the insertion opening of the contact element. A user therefore does not have to apply an additional work step for closing the connection device. Closing takes place automatically when plugging in the electrical conductor.

The trigger section preferably protrudes in the second position of the adjusting element into the region of the plug-in opening. If an electrical conductor is inserted into the plug-in opening, then the electrical conductor comes into contact with the release section and moves it and above the adjusting element out of the latched position.

In one embodiment, the latching section is also the locking of the Adjustment made in the second position. For this purpose, the trigger section, for example, have a latching nose over which the triggering section and above the adjusting element are locked in the second position. By acting on the electrical conductor on the trigger section when inserted into the insertion opening, the locking of the trigger section and above the adjusting element is released, so that the adjusting element and the actuating element are reset and the spring leg can move in the direction of its initial position.

For example, in the second position of the adjusting element, the latching lug can engage in an opening on a contacting section of the contact element, which is approximated in the starting position by the spring leg of the spring element. The triggering section may, for example, extend from a gripping section of the actuating element in the manner of a flag and be fixedly formed, for example in one piece, on the gripping section. The locking lug can be formed in this case at an end remote from the handle portion of the trigger section. In the second position, the triggering section is moved with its detent to the contacting portion of the contact element, that the detent engages in the opening at the Kontaktierabschnitt and about the locking of the adjusting element with the contact element produces. The trigger section extends in this case within the insertion opening, so that acts upon insertion of the electrical conductor on the trigger section and releases the locking of the locking lug with the Kontaktierabschnitt.

Additionally or alternatively, the adjusting element can be locked in the second position with the actuating element. The adjusting element is not latched directly to the contact element about it when it is in the second position, but is held in position indirectly via the actuating element. By locking with the actuating element, the adjusting element is locked in the second position and can be moved back to the first position only after releasing the locking from the second position. By locking with the actuating element in this case also the actuating element is held in position and above the spring leg of the spring element in the release position.

In one embodiment, the adjusting element has at least one guide section, which is formed, for example, by a curved guide edge on the adjusting element. In contrast, the actuating element has a guide element, for example in the form of a projection element, which cooperates with the guide section of the adjustment element when the adjustment element is adjusted. If the adjusting element is moved from its first position to the second position (for example pivoted), then the adjusting element acts via its guide section on the guide element of the actuating element and thus displaces the actuating element from the starting position in the direction of the release position.

By shaping the guide portion, on which slides the guide member, for example, upon pivoting of the adjusting element, the translation of the movement of the adjusting element can be adjusted in the movement of the actuating element and set in the desired manner.

In one embodiment, the adjusting element has at least one engagement opening with which the at least one guide element engages in a latching manner in the second position of the adjustment element. In the second position, the adjusting element is thus locked by engagement of the guide element of the actuating element in the engagement opening of the adjusting element, with the actuating element, so that the adjusting element is held in position relative to the actuating element and relative to the contact element.

In one embodiment, the spring element embodied as a leg spring has, in addition to the spring limb (which serves to secure a clamping limb) (which serves to lock an electrical conductor inserted into the insertion opening) to a support limb via which the spring element is supported on the contact element. The support leg is preferably bent over to the spring leg, wherein the spring leg is elastically deflectable to the support leg to bring out the spring leg from the region of the insertion opening and to allow insertion of an electrical conductor into the insertion opening. The deflection of the spring leg takes place under elastic tension of the spring element, so that after a reset of the adjusting element from the second position in the direction of the first position, the spring leg automatically resets due to the elastic tension of the spring element and possibly also the actuating element from the release position in the direction of the starting position emotional.

If an electrical conductor has been inserted into the plug-in opening, then the electrical conductor is locked in the plug opening by the action of the spring leg and also pressed into electrical contact with the contact element, so that an electrical contacting of the electrical conductor with the connection device takes place.

It can be provided in one embodiment, that the trigger section in the second position of the adjustment by a Opening of the support leg extends into the region of the insertion opening. The support leg thus has an opening through which the trigger section of the adjustment element can engage in order to protrude into the region of the insertion opening.

In the second position, the triggering section thus extends into the region of the plug-in opening of the contact element. In contrast, in the first position, the triggering section can be adjusted so that the triggering section does not engage through the opening of the support leg, but is arranged outside the insertion opening.

Alternatively, when the adjusting element is in the second position, the triggering section can also extend past the supporting leg and, for example, protrude through a lateral opening of the contact element into the region of the plug-in opening. While the contacting section, with which an electrical conductor is pressed into engagement via the spring leg when the electrical conductor is locked in the plug opening, for example forms a bottom of the contact element, such a lateral opening can be formed in a side wall of the contact element which extends perpendicular to the contacting section be, and through the lateral opening of the trigger section can engage in the region of the insertion opening into it when the adjusting element is in the second position, so that an electrical conductor when inserted into the insertion opening can act on the trigger section.

In an advantageous embodiment, a ramp may be formed on the trigger section, to which the electrical conductor runs when it is inserted into the plug-in opening. The ramp extends obliquely to a plug-in direction into which a conductor is to be inserted into the plug-in opening, so that a force deflection over the ramp is provided for a simplified release of the adjusting element from its latching in the second position.

In an advantageous embodiment, the actuating element is displaceable relative to the contact element and, for this purpose, slidingly guided on the contact element or on a housing enclosing the contact element. The actuating element can thus be moved between different positions to the contact element, in particular to move the spring element from its initial position in the direction of the release position, thereby enabling insertion of an electrical conductor into the insertion opening or an electrical conductor located in the insertion opening from the insertion opening to solve.

In one embodiment, the actuating element has at least one leg, which is guided on a guide track of the contact element or a housing receiving the contact element. In an advantageous embodiment, the actuating element has two legs, wherein each leg can be guided on an associated guide track of the contact element, so that about the actuating element is guided along a (linear) direction of movement to the contact element. The actuating element can thus, for example, run on the contact element and also be guided in cooperation with the spring element to the contact element.

For example, while the actuating element can be displaceable relative to the contact element, in an advantageous embodiment the adjusting element can be pivoted about a pivot axis to the contact element. The adjusting element can thus be pivoted between its first position and its second position to the contact element to move the actuating element, for which purpose the adjusting element on the contact element or on a housing enclosing the contact element can be pivotally mounted.

The adjusting element is, in one embodiment, mounted on at least one leg pivotally mounted on the contact element or the housing enclosing the contact element of the connection device. Preferably, the adjusting element has two legs which receive the actuating element between them, so that the adjusting element engages around the actuating element on the outside.

On each leg of the adjusting element in this case may be formed a guide portion which cooperates with a guide element on an associated leg of the actuating element to move the actuating element from the initial position in the direction of the release position upon pivoting of the adjusting element from the first position to the second position effect.

The legs can be connected to each other for example via a handle portion. At this grip portion of the trigger section may be arranged and extend, for example (viewed along the pivot axis) between the legs. The triggering section thus extends in the manner of a flag substantially parallel to the legs and extends in the second position of the adjusting element for cooperation with an electrical conductor when inserted into the insertion opening into the region of the plug-in opening of the contact element.

A connector of the type described can be used in a variety of ways to connect one or more electrical conductors become. Such a connection device can also have a plurality of insertion openings, for example each having an associated spring element, so that a plurality of electrical conductors can be connected to the connection device.

• 1 eine Ansicht eines Ausführungsbeispiel einer Anschlusseinrichtung in Form einer Federkraftklemme, in einer Ausgangsstellung eines Federelements bei nicht betätigtem Verstellelement und Betätigungselement;
• 2 eine Ansicht der Anschlusseinrichtung, bei betätigtem Verstellelement und entsprechend verschobenem Betätigungselement zum Überführen des Federelements aus der Ausgangsstellung in Richtung einer Freigabestellung;
• 3 eine Längsschnittansicht durch die Anordnung gemäß 1;
• 4 eine Längsschnittansicht durch die Anordnung gemäß 2; und
• 5 eine Ansicht eines weiteren Ausführungsbeispiels einer Anschlusseinrichtung.

The idea underlying the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the embodiments illustrated in the figures. Show it:

• 1 a view of an embodiment of a connection device in the form of a spring-loaded terminal, in an initial position of a spring element with non-actuated adjusting element and actuator;
• 2 a view of the connection device, with actuated adjusting element and correspondingly displaced actuating element for transferring the spring element from the starting position in the direction of a release position;
• 3 a longitudinal sectional view through the arrangement according to 1 ;
• 4 a longitudinal sectional view through the arrangement according to 2 ; and
• 5 a view of another embodiment of a connection device.

1 to 4 show an embodiment of a connection device 1 for connecting an electrical conductor 2 For example, to an electrical system such as a control cabinet or the like is used.

The connection device 1 has a contact element received by a housing, for example 10 on, that's a plug-in opening 102 trains in which a ladder 2 with a (stripped) conductor end 20 can be plugged in with the contact element 10 to contact electrically.

At the contact element 10 is a spring element 11 arranged with a support leg 110 on the contact element 10 fixed and at one end section 104 of the contact element 10 is supported and in an in 1 and 3 illustrated starting position with a clamping leg realized spring leg 111 in the area of the plug-in opening 102 extends into it, into the plug-in opening 102 plugged in conductor 2 to lock and also in electrically contacting system with a Kontaktierabschnitt 101 of the contact element 10 to press.

The connection device 1 has a displaceable on the contact element 10 arranged actuator 13 on, that along a direction of movement D at guideways 100 laterally on the contact element 10 is guided and an effective section 133 having, in operative connection with the spring leg 111 to bring is to deflect on the spring leg 111 act.

Additionally or alternatively, the actuating element 13 also on a contact element 10 enclosing housing 14 (this in 3 and 4 is shown, for the sake of clarity but not in 1 and 2 ) be guided displaceably.

In an (at least partially) relaxed position takes the spring leg 111 in the 1 and 3 shown position in which the spring leg 111 in the area of the plug-in opening 102 protrudes and the space inside the plug hole 102 narrows. Should an electrical conductor 2 with a (stripped) conductor end 20 in a plug-in direction e in the plug-in opening 102 can be inserted, so this can be the actuator 13 in the direction parallel to the insertion direction e directed direction of movement D to the contact element 10 be moved, causing the effective section 133 inside the plug hole 102 on the spring leg 111 acts and this from his relaxed starting position in the in 4B deflected release position, in which the spring leg 111 from the contacting section 101 of the contact element 10 is removed and thus space inside the plug hole 102 releases. In this position is possible a ladder 2 without further ado in the plug-in opening 102 insert, wherein after insertion the actuator 13 can be reset and thereby the spring leg 111 in contact with the conductor 2 arrives and this with his (stripped) conductor end 20 in contact with the Kontaktierabschnitt 101 inside the plug hole 102 suppressed. This is the leader 2 inside the plug hole 102 mechanically locked and also electrically connected to the Kontaktierabschnitt 101 of the contact element 10 contacted.

The actuator 13 has, in the illustrated embodiment, two parallel to each other, transverse to the direction of movement D spaced leg 131 on, each at a guideway 100 laterally on the contact element 10 are guided. The thigh 131 are above the effective section 133 connected with each other.

The connection device 1 also has a pivot axis 120 pivotable on the contact element 10 arranged adjustment 12 in the form of a lever, with lateral thighs 122 the actuator 13 encompasses and over the lateral thighs 122 around the pivot axis 120 pivotable on the contact element 10 or the contact element 10 enclosing housing 14 (please refer 3 and 4 ) is stored. The leg 122 are over a grip section 121 connected to each other, which realizes a handle for manual attack for a user.

The adjusting element 12 serves to the actuator 13 without using a tool 3 to press. For this purpose, the adjustment 12 around the pivot axis 120 from a first position ( 1 and 3 ) into a second position ( 2 and 4 ), causing the legs 122 of the adjusting element 12 with realized by curved edges guide sections 123 on the thighs 122 on guide elements 132 in the form of protrusions on the thighs 131 of the actuating element 13 act and thereby the actuator 13 in the direction of movement D shift, as is the transition from 1 and 3 towards 2 and 4 is apparent.

In 1 and 3 is the actuator 13 in a starting position at (at least partially) relaxed (or slightly biased) spring element 12 , The adjusting element 12 is here in its non-pivoted, first position, in which it is not in operative connection with the actuating element 13 is.

Should a leader 2 to the connection device 1 be infected, so a user can manually on the handle section 121 of the adjusting element 12 attack and this in a pan direction V to the contact element 10 pivot, causing the thighs 122 of the adjusting element 12 with the guide sections 123 in contact with the guide elements 132 on the thighs 131 of the actuating element 13 arrive and thereby the actuator 13 in the direction of movement D adjust. As a result, the effective section acts 133 of the actuating element 13 on the spring leg 111 of the spring element 11 a, so that the spring leg 111 deflected out of its initial position and from the Kontaktierabschnitt 101 of the contact element 10 Will get removed.

In the in 2 and 4 shown, pivoted, second position of the adjustment 12 is the spring leg 111 according to the view 4 deflected, leaving a leader 2 without further ado in the plug-in opening 102 of the contact element 10 can be inserted. In this position is the actuator 13 with the effective section 133 in the plug-in opening 102 moved into it, wherein in this position the adjusting element 12 is locked so that the adjusting element 12 relative to the actuator 13 and thereby also relative to the contact element 10 is held in position.

In the illustrated embodiment, the adjusting element 12 a trigger section 125 in the form of one of the handle portion 121 ranged banner that viewed along the pivot axis 120 , between the lateral thighs 122 is located. The trigger section 125 carries on one of the handle portion 121 distant end a catch 126 in the second position of the adjusting element 12 in an opening 103 at the contacting section 101 engages and thereby the adjusting element 12 with the contact element 10 locked.

The trigger section 125 extends in the first position of the adjustment outside the housing 14 (please refer 3 ) and in the second position of the adjusting element 12 through an opening 141 in an upper wall section 140 of the housing 14 and also through an opening 112 at the contact element 10 supported support leg 110 through into the area of the plug-in opening 102 within the contact element 10 into ( 4 ). The trigger section 125 thus engages in the second position of the adjustment 12 the plug-in opening 102 and is about the catch 126 with the Kontaktierabschnitt 101 locked so that about the adjustment 12 and thus also the actuating element 13 and the spring leg 111 of the spring element 11 be held in position, like this 2 and 4 is apparent.

If the adjusting element for deflecting the spring leg 111 pivoted in the direction of the release position, the catch dives 126 in the opening 103 of Kontaktierabschnitts 101 and latched to the Kontaktierabschnitt 101 , After reaching the pivoted, second position, the adjusting element 12 thus held and thereby the actuator 13 Locked in its release position, so that a user a ladder 2 in a simple manner to the connection device 1 can attach, without taking special care to hold the actuator 13 in the release order.

The holding force of the locking lug 126 produced latching can be adjusted 126 by appropriate dimensioning and shaping of the locking lug.

When plugging in an electrical conductor 2 in the insertion direction e in the plug-in opening 102 on the contact element 10 , the output side through an insertion 142 in an insert part of the housing 14 is defined (see 3 and 4 ), becomes the electrical conductor 2 with its (stripped) conductor end 20 in the plug-in opening 102 introduced and thereby interacts with the plug-in opening 102 thorough triggering section 125 like this in 4 is shown. By acting on the trigger section 125 can be the locking of the trigger section 125 over the catch 126 With the contact section 101 be solved automatically, so that the adjustment 12 from his second position ( 4 ) back to its first position ( 3 ) and thus also the actuator 13 , by spring action of the spring leg 111 , can be reset. As a result, the spring leg also arises 111 in the direction of the Kontaktierabschnitts 101 back and gets into contact with the in the plug hole 102 plugged in conductor 2 , so this in the plug hole 102 locked and also with the Kontaktierabschnitt 101 will be contacted.

Due to the spring preload of the deflected spring leg 111 the provision of the actuating element takes place 13 and also about the adjusting element 12 automatically after releasing the locking.

At the connection device 1 is thus an actuation of the actuating element 13 without using an (additional) tool 3 by (manually) adjusting the adjusting element 12 possible, wherein after actuation the actuating element 13 by latching with the adjusting element 12 remains in its release position and not readily, at least not reset without loosening the latch. This simplifies the attachment of a conductor 2 or the removal of one to the connection device 1 infected conductor 2 from the plug-in opening 102 , In that when plugging in an electrical conductor 2 In addition, the locking of the adjustment 12 is automatically canceled, is also no additional operation for locking the electrical conductor 2 within the contact element 10 required, what the handling of the connection device 1 further simplified.

At another, in 5 illustrated embodiment is the adjusting element 12 in its second position not directly with the contact element 10 but indirectly via the actuator 13 to the contact element 10 locked. How out 5 can be seen, the adjusting element 12 on each leg 122 at a transition to the handle portion 121 an engagement opening 124 in the form of a notch, in which the guide element 132 on the associated leg 131 of the actuating element 13 engages when the adjusting element 12 is pivoted to the second position and the spring leg 111 of the spring element 12 thus has been transferred to its deflected release position. About the engagement of the guide elements 132 of the actuating element 13 in the intervention openings 124 on the thighs 122 of the adjusting element 12 is the adjusting element 12 in its second position relative to the actuating element 13 and also over the contact element 10 locked so that the adjusting element 12 and also the actuator over it 13 held in the position just taken.

The adjusting element 12 has a trigger section 125 on, passing through a side opening 105 in a side wall of the contact element 10 through to the actuator 13 past the plug-in opening 102 of the contact element 10 intervenes. On the trigger section 125 acts as a leader 20 one in the plug-in opening 102 plugged in conductor 2 when the electrical conductor 2 in the insertion direction e in the plug-in opening 102 plugged in, like this 5 is apparent. By acting on the trigger section 125 becomes the adjusting element 12 against the pivoting direction V pivoted out of the second position in the direction of the first position, canceling the catch, so that the spring leg 111 of the spring element 11 thus automatically in arresting system with the conductor end 20 arrives.

At the trigger section 125 is a ramp in this embodiment 127 formed obliquely to the insertion direction e is inclined and on the the ladder end 20 when plugged into the plug-in opening 102 runs. This allows reliable operation of the adjustment 12 when plugging in the electrical conductor 2 ,

The engagement of the guide elements 132 of the actuating element 13 in the intervention openings 124 on the thighs 123 of the adjusting element 12 is at pressure effect on the release section 125 detachable in that each guide element 132 at the engagement opening 124 facing side is convexly curved and the associated engagement opening 124 has a complementary, concave curvature. When pressure is applied to the release section 125 in the insertion direction e can the guide elements 132 thus from the intervention openings 124 Slip out so that the latch between the actuator 13 and the adjusting element 12 will be annulled.

Otherwise, the embodiment is according to 5 functionally identical to the previous one with reference to 1 to 4 described embodiment, in particular with regard to the operation of the actuating element 13 by adjusting the adjusting element 12 , so in this regard to the preceding to the embodiment according to 1 to 4 Executed should be referenced.

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

A connection device of the type described here can be used to connect an electrical conductor to any electrical assembly, which may be part of an electrical installation, for example an industrial installation, for example.

The connection device can also form a plurality of plug openings into which a plurality of electrical conductors can be inserted. The insertion openings may be associated with separate spring elements which can be actuated via separate actuators and adjusting elements. It is also conceivable, however, to assign a common spring element to a plurality of plug-in openings, which can be actuated via an actuating element and an adjusting element.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

connecting device

10

contact element

100

guideway

101

contacting section

102

plug-in opening

103

opening

104

end

105

side opening

11

spring element

110, 111

spring leg

112

opening

12

adjustment

120

swivel axis

121

handle portion

122

leg

123

Guide section (leading edge)

124

engagement opening

125

trigger portion

126

locking lug

127

ramp

13

actuator

131

leg

132

Guide element (projection element)

133

effective section

14

casing

140

wall section

141

opening

142

plug-in opening

2

ladder

20

conductor end

D

movement direction

e

insertion

V

pan direction

Claims (16)

Connecting device (1) for connecting an electrical conductor (2), with a contact element (10) which forms a plug-in opening (102) for insertion of an electrical conductor (2), a spring element (11) arranged on the contact element (10) a spring leg (111) for locking a plug (102) inserted conductor (2), and an actuating element (13) which is movable to the contact element (10) and an operative portion (133) for acting on the spring leg (111 ), wherein by moving the actuating element (13) of the spring leg (111) from a starting position into a release position relative to the contact element (10) is movable to at least partially release a portion of the insertion opening (102), characterized by an adjusting element (12) which is adjustable from a first position to a second position to the actuating element (13) for moving the spring leg (111) from the initial position in the Release position to be transferred, wherein the adjusting element (12) in the second position relative to the contact element (10) is latched and a trigger portion (125) which is formed when inserting a conductor (2) in the insertion opening (102) for releasing the Locking the adjusting element (12) interact with the conductor (2). Connection device (1) according to Claim 1 , characterized in that the trigger section (125) in the second position of the adjusting element (12) projects into the region of the plug-in opening (102). Connection device (1) according to Claim 1 or 2 , characterized in that the trigger section (125) has a latching nose (126) for latching with the contact element (10) in the second position of the adjusting element (12). Connection device (1) according to Claim 3 , characterized in that the latching lug (126) in the second position of the adjusting element (12) in an opening (103) on a Kontaktierabschnitt (101) of the contact element (10), the spring leg (111) of the spring element (11) in the Starting position is approximated, engages. Connecting device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the adjusting element (12) is latched in the second position with the actuating element (13). Connecting device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the adjusting element (12) at least one guide portion (123) and the actuating element (13) at least one guide element (132), wherein the guide portion (123) during adjustment of the adjusting element ( 12) from the first position to the second position in operative connection with the at least one guide element (132). Connection device (1) according to Claim 6 , characterized in that the adjusting element (12) has at least one engagement opening (124), with which the at least one guide element (132) in the second position of the adjusting element (12) is latchingly engaged. Connection device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the spring element (11) has a to the spring leg (111) bent support leg (110) via which the spring element (11) on the contact element (10) is supported. Connection device (1) according to Claim 8 , characterized in that the triggering portion (125) in the second position of the adjusting element (12) through an opening (112) of the support leg (110) extends into the region of the insertion opening (102). Connection device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the trigger section (125) has a ramp (127) which is oblique to a plug-in direction (E), into which a conductor (2) in the plug-in opening (102) can be inserted , is inclined and on which the conductor (2) when plugged into the insertion opening (102) runs when the adjusting element (12) is in the second position. Connecting device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the actuating element (13) to the contact element (10) is displaceable. Connection device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the actuating element (13) has at least one leg (131) which is guided on a guide track (100) of the contact element (10) or a housing enclosing the contact element (10) , Connection device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the adjusting element (12) about a pivot axis (120) to the contact element (10) is pivotable. Connecting device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the adjusting element (12) has at least one leg (122), via which the adjusting element (12) pivotally on the contact element (10) or on a contact element (10) bordering Housing is stored. Connecting device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the adjusting element (12) has two legs (122) which receive the actuating element (13) between them. Connection device (1) according to Claim 15 characterized in that the triggering portion (125) is extended between the legs (122) starting from a grip portion (121) interconnecting the legs (122).

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