DE202017106966U1 - Spring terminal with actuator - Google Patents

Abstract

Spring terminal (1) for connecting at least one electrical conductor (2), with a housing (10) having a plug opening (100) for insertion of an electrical conductor (2), a to the housing (10) arranged spring element (12) Locking a conductor (2) inserted into the plug-in opening (100) on the housing (10) and an actuating element (15) for adjusting the spring element (12) relative to the housing (10) in an actuating direction (B) of a non-actuated one Position in the direction of an actuated position to the housing (10) is movable and in the actuated position with the housing (10) can be latched, characterized in that the actuating element (15) has a latching surface (163), one in the actuation direction (B) to the latching surface (163) axially offset stop surface (164) and in the operating direction (B) to the stop surface (164) axially offset tilting portion (183), wherein the actuating element (15) via the latching surface (163) in the actuated position with the housing (10) can be latched such that the actuating element (15) against the actuating direction (B) to the housing (10) is locked, wherein the stop surface (164), the movement of the actuating element (15) in the actuating direction (B) to the housing (10) limited and wherein the actuating element (15) in the actuated position about the tilting portion (183) to the housing (10) is tiltable to the actuating element (15) via the Locking surface (163) with the housing (10) to lock.

Description

The invention relates to a spring-loaded terminal for connecting at least one electrical conductor according to the preamble of claim 1.

Such a spring terminal comprises a housing having a plug-in opening for insertion of an electrical conductor. On the housing, a spring element is arranged, which serves for locking an inserted into the plug opening electrical conductor to the housing and can be adjusted via an actuating element relative to the housing. For this purpose, the actuating element can be moved in an actuating direction from a non-actuated position in the direction of an actuated position to the housing, in this way acting on the spring element and in particular deflecting a clamping leg of the spring element such that an electrical conductor is inserted into the plug-in opening of the housing and can be locked in the housing or can be released from a lock on the housing.

In order to simplify the operation of such a spring clamp, the actuator is locked in its actuated position with the housing. The actuator is held in this way in its actuated position when it has been transferred from the non-actuated position to the actuated position, so that also the spring element is held in a laid position and thus an electrical conductor readily in the insertion opening on the Housing can be inserted or an inserted into the plug opening electrical conductor can be released from the plug opening.

In such a spring clamp is desirable to allow easy handling by a user, in particular for actuating the actuating element. It is also desirable here that a user can recognize in which position the actuating element is currently located, so that it can act on the actuating element in order to move the actuating element, for example, from the non-actuated position to the actuated position or vice versa from the actuated position to transfer the non-actuated position.

At one of the DE 10 2008 039 232 A1 known spring terminal, an actuating element is pressed in an actuating direction in a housing and locked in an actuated position in which the actuating element is pressed into the housing with the housing.

At one of the DE 20 2014 102 521 U1 known spring terminal, an actuating element between a non-actuated position and an actuated position can be moved to act on a spring element in a housing of the spring-loaded terminal and thereby adjust a clamping leg of the spring element. For locking the actuating element in the actuated position, the actuating element can be tilted in the actuated position relative to the housing.

Object of the present invention is to provide a spring clamp available that allows easy operation of an actuator with a light but reliable locking in an actuated position and possibly a simple recognizability of the currently occupied position of the actuator by a user.

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

Accordingly, the actuating element comprises a latching surface, an in the actuating direction to the latching surface axially offset stop surface and an axially offset in the direction of actuation to the stop surface tilting portion. The actuating element can be latched to the housing via the latching surface in the actuated position in such a manner that the actuating element is locked against the actuating direction toward the housing. The stop surface limits the movement of the actuating element in the direction of actuation to the housing. The actuating element is tiltable in the actuated position about the tilting portion to the housing to lock the actuating element via the latching surface with the housing.

The actuating element accordingly comprises a latching surface, a stop surface and a tilting portion, which are axially spaced along the actuating direction. Thus, the stop surface, viewed in the actuating direction, axially spaced from the latching surface. In contrast, the tilting section, viewed in turn in the actuating direction, is axially spaced from the stop surface. The result is an actuating element in which, viewed in the operating direction, the latching surface, the stop surface and the tilting portion are formed in axially different positions on the actuating element and arranged in this order to each other.

The locking surface serves to lock the actuating element in the actuated position with the housing. For this purpose, the actuating element, when it is in the actuated position, can be tilted about the tilting section to the housing, in order in this way to bring the latching surface with an associated latching portion of the housing and thus to lock the actuating element in the actuated position. The tilting section forms for this purpose, a tilting bearing, via which the actuating element is supported on the housing in the actuated position and about which the actuating element can be tilted in the actuated position in order to bring the latching surface into latching engagement with the housing.

In contrast, the abutment surface serves to limit the movement of the actuator in the direction of actuation to the housing, so that the actuator can be moved from the non-actuated position to the actuated position to the housing, but not beyond the actuated position. The path of the actuator to the housing is thus limited in the direction of actuation, and the actuated position is defined axially.

Because the locking surface, the abutment surface and the tilting portion are formed at axially spaced-apart positions of the actuating element, a simple handling of the actuating element for actuation is made possible. Thus, the locking surface on a comparatively large lever to the tilting portion, which can facilitate tilting to the housing. Due to the fact that the abutment surface is offset axially relative to the latching surface and the latching surface can be formed, for example, on an end of the actuating element remote from the spring element, an outwardly directed color marking can be attached to the latching surface, for example, depending on whether the actuating element is connected to the Housing is locked or not, is visible or not, so that a user immediately receives information about whether the actuator is locked in its actuated position to the housing or not.

The latching surface and the stop surface may be formed, for example, in each case by a shoulder on the actuating element. The latching surface and the stop surface can cooperate on the one hand for latching with the housing in the actuated position and on the other hand for limiting the adjustment of the actuating element in the actuation direction with associated counter paragraphs on the housing, so locked in a locked actuator moving the actuator against the direction of actuation to the housing is and upon movement of the actuating element in the actuating direction toward the actuated position by interaction of the stop surface with an associated counter paragraph, the movement of the actuating element is limited.

While the stop surface may be formed by a paragraph formed transversely to the direction of movement on the actuating element, in an advantageous embodiment, the latching surface also formed by a shoulder, for example, have a surface normal inclined to the actuating direction. The locking surface is thus not perpendicular to the operating direction, but inclined to the direction of actuation by an angle not equal to 90 °. This can make it possible, when the operating element is tilted for latching, that the latching surface is in planar contact with an associated counter-offset on the housing, in that a tilt angle of the actuating element is compensated by the inclination of the latching surface.

The latching surface is, in one embodiment, formed on a first side of the actuating element, while the stop surface is formed on one of the first side facing away, the second side of the actuating element. The locking surface and the stop surface are thus located on different, opposite sides of the actuating element. The tilting section can hereby be formed on the same side as the latching surface, that is to say on the first side of the actuating element, so that the latching surface can be brought into blocking engagement with an associated counter-offset on the housing by tilting the actuating element about the tilting section.

In one embodiment, the locking surface is adjoined by a first guide surface extending parallel to the actuation direction, and a second guide surface extending parallel to the actuation direction and directed parallel to the first guide surface adjoins the stop surface. Thus, in each case a guide surface is formed on both sides of the actuating element, the guide surfaces extending parallel to one another and connecting a first guide surface to the latching surface on the first side of the actuating element and a second guide surface to the stop surface on the second side of the actuating element. About the guide surfaces, the actuating element is slidably guided on the housing, so that the actuating element is displaced in an adjustment between the non-actuated position and the actuated position in a defined manner, for example in a guide opening of the housing.

Considered against the actuation direction, a contact surface which is offset transversely to the first guide surface and adjoins the abutment surface transversely to the second guide surface, extending parallel to the actuation direction, can also connect to the detent surface. The contact surface on the first side of the actuating element and the third guide surface on the second side of the actuating element have a transverse offset with respect to the first guide surface and the second guide surface, the depth of the shoulder of the latching surface on the first side and the depth of the paragraph Stop surface corresponds to the second side of the actuating element.

While the third guide surface, together with the first guide surface and the second guide surface, serves for slidably guiding the actuating element upon displacement between the non-actuated position and the actuated position relative to the housing, the abutment surface provides abutment of the actuation element with the housing. when the actuator is locked in the actuated position with the housing. On the contact surface thus a defined position of the actuating element is predetermined to the housing, which occupies the actuating element when the actuating element is locked in the actuated position with the housing.

Because the actuator, when locked in the actuated position, is tilted with respect to the housing, in one configuration the abutment surface is inclined at an angle to the direction of actuation so as to provide a planar abutment between the actuator and the housing when the actuator is in position actuated position is locked to the housing.

The tilting portion, about which the actuating element for latching the actuating element is tiltable with the housing, is preferably formed on a projection portion which projects transversely to the actuating direction relative to the first guide surface. The projection portion may be formed, for example, at an end remote from the latching surface of the actuating element and, for example, to form the Kippabschnitts a curvature having a tilting pivotal movement of the actuating element relative to the housing and thus a latching of the actuating element to the housing when the actuating element is in the actuated position is enabled.

The projection portion may also serve to guide the actuator when the actuator is moved between the non-actuated position and the actuated position. For this purpose, a fourth guide surface which is offset transversely to the actuating direction relative to the first guide surface on the first side of the actuating element and which extends longitudinally along the actuating direction and over which the actuating element is slidably guided on the housing can be formed on the projection section.

The actuating element is used to act on the spring element in order to adjust the spring element relative to the housing and, for example, to allow insertion of an electrical conductor into the plug opening of the housing or a conductor already inserted into the plug hole and locked in the housing via the spring element To solve housing. The actuating element acts on a transfer from the non-actuated position to the actuated position on the spring element and deflects the spring element, for which purpose the actuating element presses, for example via a subsequent to the second guide surface spring pressure on the spring element. The spring pressure section is formed on an end remote from the latching surface of the actuating element and can for example be curved in a plane in which the actuating element is tiltable about the tilting portion, which is advantageous for a contact of the actuating element on the spring element, for example on a clamping leg of the spring element , can be. The spring pressure section is thus formed in the region of the second side of the actuating element and lies opposite the projection section on the first side of the actuating element. The tilting portion and the spring pressure portion 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 with the foot section. While the locking surface and the abutment surface are formed on the head portion, the tilting portion is formed in the region of the foot portion. In particular, the first guide surface and the second guide surface are formed on the shaft section, so that the actuating element is slidably guided over the shaft section in an adjustment between the non-actuated position and the actuated position to the housing.

In one embodiment, the actuating element is pressed into the housing for transferring from the non-actuated position to the actuated position. The actuator may, for example, einliegen in an associated guide opening of the housing and be linearly adjustable in the guide opening between the non-actuated position and the actuated position. If the actuated position has been reached and for this purpose the actuating element has been pressed sufficiently far into the housing, the actuating element can be tilted (slightly) relative to the housing, in order thereby to lock the actuating element to the housing.

It can be provided that the actuating element projecting outwardly in the non-actuated position as well as in the actuated position relative to the housing, so that the head portion of the actuating element protrudes from the guide opening in which the actuating element is guided and visible from the outside is. This can make it easier for a user to recognize in which position the actuating element is currently located, in particular whether that Actuator in the non-actuated position or in the actuated position.

In addition, for example, a color marking can be arranged on the latching surface, for example, by attaching a different from the other color scheme of the actuating element color coding on the latching surface. Characterized in that the locking surface is visible from the outside, when the actuating element is not latched to the housing, but is not visible from the outside, when the actuating element is locked to the housing, thus giving a clear indication to a user in which position itself the actuator is currently located, in particular whether the actuator is locked to the housing. A user can thus easily recognize whether the actuator is locked in the actuated position or not.

Such a color marking can be kept, for example, in red or another clearly visible color, which differs from the rest of the color of the actuating element and thus is directly perceptible by a user.

In order to enable a latching of the actuating element with the housing, the housing in one embodiment has a latching portion with a locking shoulder formed thereon, with which the latching surface of the actuating element can be brought into latching engagement. The latching portion is transverse to the direction of movement relative to a guide surface of the housing, on which the actuating element is guided when moving between the non-actuated position and the actuated position, and serves on the one hand for latching locking of the actuating element in the actuated position, but can also be used for sliding Guiding the actuating element when moving between the non-actuated position and the actuated position on the housing serve, for example by the first guide surface of the actuating element is slidably guided on the latching portion of the housing when the actuating element between the non-actuated position and the actuated position is moved ,

In one embodiment, the housing has an end position shoulder for interacting with the stop surface, which in cooperation with the stop surface serves to limit the movement of the actuating element in the actuating direction relative to the housing. The Endpositionsabsatz can be arranged, for example, within a guide opening in which the actuating element is guided on a side opposite the latching portion, so that the latching via the latching portion and the movement limitation on the Endpositionsabsatz on different sides within the guide opening.

In one embodiment, the actuating element has a recess into which a stop element of the housing engages and over which the movement of the actuating element is limited on both sides along the actuating direction. The recess may for example be formed on a first side and the second side of the actuating element interconnecting, third side of the actuating element. In the recess engages the stop element of the housing (which is formed, for example, as extending transversely to the direction of actuation of the housing ribs), so that limits the movement of the actuating element to the housing in the operating direction and also against the actuating direction via the engagement of the stop element in the recess is. In this way, it can be ensured in particular that the actuating element can not fall out of the guide opening, in which the actuating element is guided on the housing, contrary to the actuating direction.

The recess may, for example, be formed on the shaft section of the actuating element connecting the head section to the foot section and may extend transversely to the first guide surface and to the second guide surface.

The spring element is, in one embodiment, designed as a leg spring with a support leg, via which the spring element is supported on the housing, and a clamping leg, via which the spring element acts clampingly on the conductor when the electrical conductor is inserted into the housing. The clamping leg can be adjusted via the actuating element elastically to the housing, wherein the clamping leg protrudes in an undeflected position in the region of the insertion opening and can be moved by actuation of the actuating element from the region of the insertion opening to in this way a simple insertion of a allow electrical conductor in the plug-in opening or to release a plugged into the plug opening conductor from the plug opening.

• 1 eine Ansicht eines Ausführungsbeispiels einer Federkraftklemme;
• 2 eine Ansicht einer Gehäusehälfte eines Gehäuses der Federkraftklemme, mit einem an dem Gehäuse der Federkraftklemme gehaltenen Federelement und einem Betätigungselement zum Einwirken auf das Federelement, bei nicht betätigtem Betätigungselement;
• 3 eine Ansicht der Gehäusehälfte der Federkraftklemme, bei betätigtem Betätigungselement;
• 4 eine gesonderte, ausschnittsweise Ansicht einer Gehäusehälfte des Gehäuses der Federkraftklemme;
• 5A eine gesonderte Ansicht des Betätigungselements; und
• 5B eine andere gesonderte Ansicht des Betätigungselements.

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 spring clamp;
• 2 a view of a housing half of a housing of the spring-loaded terminal, with a held on the housing of the spring-loaded terminal spring element and a Actuating element for acting on the spring element, when the actuating element is not actuated;
• 3 a view of the housing half of the spring terminal, with actuated actuator;
• 4 a separate, partial view of a housing half of the housing of the spring-loaded terminal;
• 5A a separate view of the actuating element; and
• 5B another separate view of the actuator.

1 to 5A . 5B show an embodiment of a spring-loaded terminal 1 that a housing 10 with a plug-in opening 100 in which an electrical conductor 2 with a (stripped) conductor end 20 in a plug-in direction e can be plugged in to the electrical conductor 2 with a contact element 11 inside the case 10 to contact electrically.

Such a spring clamp 1 serves for easy connection of an electrical conductor 2 , About connecting legs 111 can the contact element 11 the spring-loaded terminal 1 For example, be electrically contacted with an associated assembly, such as a printed circuit board, so over the spring terminal 1 an electrical conductor 2 to the associated module, for example, the circuit board, can be connected.

In the case 10 is a spring element 12 edged with a support leg 120 on a wall section 102 of the housing 10 supported and a housing section 101 put around and over in the housing 10 is held. With a clamping leg 122 the spring element extends 12 in a terminal room 13 in the area of the plug-in opening 100 (if no electrical conductor 2 in the plug-in opening 100 of the housing 10 is plugged in, see 2 ), wherein the clamping leg 122 elastic to the support leg 120 can be deflected to one in the plug-in opening 100 plugged in electrical conductor 2 act and this in electrically contacting system with a Kontaktierabschnitt 110 of the contact element 11 to push and also the electrical conductor 2 mechanically in the terminal compartment 13 to lock.

The spring clamp 1 has an actuator 15 on that in a guide hole 14 of the housing 1 along an actuating direction B slidably guided and serves for elastic deflection on the spring leg 122 to act like this in the transition out 2 to 3 is apparent. About the actuator 15 can the spring leg 122 in the in 3 shown position to be deflected, for example, an electrical conductor 2 in the plug-in opening 100 or insert one already into the plug-in opening 100 plugged in conductor 2 again from the spring clamp 1 to solve.

Is the actuator 15 like this in 3 is shown, actuated and takes the actuator in 3 shown actuated position, so is the clamping leg 122 such opposite the support leg 120 deflected that the clamping leg 122 not (anymore) in the area of the plug-in opening 100 protrudes and thus an electrical conductor 2 easily with a conductor end 20 in the plug-in opening 100 can be inserted or one in the plug opening 100 located electrical conductor 2 from the plug-in opening 100 can be removed.

Independently of an actuation of the actuating element 15 can the spring clamp 1 also a so-called direct plugging of an electrical conductor 2 allow, where the electrical conductor 2 without actuation of the actuator 15 in the plug-in opening 100 is plugged in and thereby with his leader 20 on the clamping leg 122 and acts in the direction of in 3 deflected position shown.

In the inserted position, the electrical conductor 2 (when the actuator is not actuated 15 ) over the clamping leg 122 clamped inside the housing 10 arrested and also in electrically contacting system with the Kontaktierabschnitt 110 of the contact element 11 pressed so that the electrical conductor 2 mechanically in the housing 10 held and also electrically connected to the contact element 11 is contacted.

The actuator 15 is how particular out 2 and 3 seen in a guide opening 14 of the housing 10 along the actuation direction B slidably guided. The actuator 15 has a head section 16 , one at the other end of the actuator 15 trained foot section 18 and one the head section 16 with the foot section 18 connecting, middle shaft section 17 on and is along the direction of actuation B extends. For deflecting the spring element 12 can the actuator 15 from the in 2 shown not actuated position in the in 3 illustrated actuated position are transferred, thereby to the foot section 18 on the clamping leg 122 of the spring element 12 act and this deflect such that the clamping leg 122 no longer in the area of the plug-in opening 100 protrudes and thus an electrical conductor 2 without further ado in the plug-in opening 100 plugged in or one in the plug-in opening 100 located electrical conductor 2 from the plug-in opening 100 can be removed.

At the head section 16 is at a first, in 2 bottom side shown a locking surface 163 formed in the form of a first paragraph, which serves to the actuating element 15 in the actuated position with the housing 10 to latch like this in 3 is shown. On an opposite, second side, the actuating element 15 a stop surface 164 in the form of a second paragraph, the Wegbegrenzung of the actuating element 15 serves and with an end position paragraph 140 inside the guide hole 14 cooperates such that the actuating element 15 not beyond the actuated position into the guide opening 14 can be moved into it.

At the first side of the actuator 15 closes at the locking surface 163 - Seen in the direction of actuation B - a first guide surface 171 on, one to the stop surface 164 on the second side subsequent, second guide surface 170 opposite. The first guide surface 171 and the second guide surface 170 define that, the head section 16 with the foot section 18 connecting, shaft section 17 and serve for sliding guidance of the actuating element 15 inside the guide hole 14 ,

Looks against the direction of actuation B closes at the locking surface 163 a contact surface 161 on, oblique to the direction of actuation B is inclined. To the stop surface 164 in contrast closes against the direction of actuation B a third guide surface 160 on, over which the actuator 15 additionally within the guide opening 14 is guided.

On the first side forms the foot section 18 a projection portion 181 out, which is transverse to the direction of actuation B opposite the first guide surface 171 protrudes and a curved cross-section tipping portion 183 and a parallel to the second guide surface 170 extended, transverse to the first guide surface 171 staggered, fourth guide surface 182 formed.

About the guide surfaces 160 . 170 . 171 . 182 is the actuator 15 sliding within the guide opening 14 of the housing 10 guided. So lies the first guide surface 171 sliding on a contact surface 143 one in the guide hole 14 protruding latching section 147 on, the second guide surface 170 is on a guide surface 144 of the housing 10 , the third guide surface 160 on a guide surface 142 and the fourth guide surface 182 at the protrusion portion 181 on a guide surface 145 the guide opening 14 guided smoothly.

The thickness of the foot section 18 corresponds viewed along a transverse to the actuation direction B extended spatial direction X (please refer 5A . 5B) , this approximately the distance between the guide surfaces 144 . 145 inside the guide hole 14 so the foot section 18 between the guide surfaces 144 . 145 inside the guide hole 14 is guided. The actuator 15 is thus linear between the non-actuated position ( 2 ) and the actuated position ( 3 ) within the guide opening 14 displaceable and thereby by the guide surfaces 160 . 170 . 171 . 182 slidably guided in a defined manner.

Is the actuated position ( 3 ), so is the first guide surface 171 not (anymore) in contact with the contact surface 143 of the rest section 147 so that the actuator 15 around the protrusion portion 181 shaped tilting section 183 in a tilt direction V can be tilted so that the locking surface 163 in engagement with a locking shoulder 141 at the resting section 147 like this 3 is apparent. In this way is a movement of the actuating element 15 against the direction of actuation B (from the guide opening 14 out), so that the actuator 15 with the housing 10 is latched and held in the actuated position.

While the third guide surface 160 parallel, but transversely offset to the second guide surface 170 is aligned, is the contact surface 161 obliquely to the direction of actuation B inclined in order in this way a defined, flat contact in the latched, tilted position of the actuating element 15 with the contact surface 143 of the rest section 147 to provide, like this 3 is apparent.

When transferring the actuating element 15 from the non-actuated position ( 2 ) in the actuated position ( 3 ) Acts the actuator 15 with one, on the foot section 18 formed, curved spring pressure section 180 on the clamping leg 122 of the spring elements 12 and distracts this from the in 2 represented starting position in, in 3 shown deflected position, in which the clamping leg 122 not (anymore) in the terminal room 13 , in the area of the plug-in opening 100 , protrudes. An electrical conductor 2 can thus in the plug opening 100 for contacting with the contact element 11 be plugged (where after plugging the actuator 15 released from its locking and thus back to its non-actuated position ( 2 ), so that the clamping leg 122 jamming into contact with the electrical conductor 2 arrives and the conductor end 20 in electrically contacting manner in contact with the contacting section 110 of the contact element 11 presses), or one in the plug-in opening 100 located electrical conductor 2 can after Suspension of the locking by the clamping leg 122 from the plug-in opening 100 be removed.

At its shaft section 17 has the actuating element 17 like this particular 5B it can be seen, a recess 172 up with one of a floor 103 of the housing 10 projecting stop element 146 in the form of a rib (see 4 ) is engaged. About the engagement of the stop element 146 into the recess 172 is the path of movement of the actuator 15 both in the direction of actuation B as well as against the direction of actuation B opposite the housing 10 limited so that the actuator B (Also due to the interaction of the stop surface 164 with the end position paragraph 140 ) not beyond the actuated position in the housing 10 pressed in and also not contrary to the direction of actuation B from the guide hole 14 can fall out.

The recess 172 is on a front side of the actuating element 15 which are transverse to the sides where the locking surface 163 and the stop surface 164 are formed, is extended, in the region of the shaft portion 17 formed like this 5B is apparent.

At his head section 16 has the actuating element 15 a tool intervention 162 on, about a user, for example, with a screwdriver on the actuator 15 act and this in the direction of actuation B in the case 10 push in and in the actuated position in the tilt direction V (for the production of the catch) or against the tilting direction V (to release the latching) relative to the housing 10 can tilt.

The actuator 15 is, for example, as well as the case 10 made of an electrically non-conductive material, for example a plastic material.

The spring element 12 In contrast, for example, consists of a spring steel and is resilient in itself. About the spring element 12 one in the plug-in openings 100 plugged in electrical conductor 2 on the one hand mechanically in the housing 10 set and second electrically contacting in contact with the Kontaktierabschnitt 110 of the contact element 11 pressed.

The actuator 15 can at its catch surface 163 advantageously have a color coding, which differs from the rest of the color of the actuator 15 distinguishes and thus directly indicates to a user whether the actuating element 15 with the housing 10 locked or not. So is the catch surface 163 visible from the outside when the actuator 15 is not locked. Is the actuator 15 with the housing 10 latched (see 3 ), is the catch surface 163 In contrast, hidden and not visible from the outside, so that a user can immediately see that the locking is made.

Because the locking surface 163 , the stop surface 164 and the tilting section 183 along the actuation direction B axially spaced from each other on the actuating element 15 are formed, the actuating element 15 in a favorable manner to the housing 10 be tilted to make the latching. In particular, there is between the locking surface 163 and the tilting section 183 a comparatively large lever arm, which favors tilting.

The idea underlying the invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, but can in principle be realized in entirely different embodiments.

A spring-loaded terminal of the type described here may have one or more insertion openings with one or more associated spring elements. The spring elements may in this case also have a different shape than described here.

In the illustrated embodiment, the actuating element presses on the spring element. However, this is not mandatory. For example, the actuating element and the spring element can also be operatively connected such that upon actuation of the actuating element tensile forces for adjusting the spring element are transmitted to the spring element.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

Spring terminal

10

casing

100

plug-in opening

101

housing section

102

wall section

103

ground

11

contact element

110

contacting section

111

connecting leg

12

spring element

120

support legs

121

flexure

122

clamping leg

13

terminal space

14

guide opening

140

Endpositionsabsatz

141

locking projection

142

guide surface

143

contact surface

144

guide surface

145

guide surface

146

Stop element (rib)

147

detent portion

15

Actuator (pusher)

16

header

160

guide surface

161

contact surface

162

tool engagement

163

Rest area

164

stop surface

17

shank portion

170

guide surface

171

guide surface

172

recess

18

foot section

180

Spring push portion

181

projecting portion

182

guide surface

183

tilting section

2

ladder

20

conductor end

B

operating direction

e

plug-in direction

V

tilt direction

X, Y

spatial direction

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

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

Cited patent literature

• DE 102008039232 A1 [0005]
• DE 202014102521 U1 [0006]

Claims (21)

Spring terminal (1) for connecting at least one electrical conductor (2), with a housing (10) having a plug opening (100) for insertion of an electrical conductor (2), a to the housing (10) arranged spring element (12) Locking a conductor (2) inserted into the plug-in opening (100) on the housing (10) and an actuating element (15) for adjusting the spring element (12) relative to the housing (10) in an actuating direction (B) of a non-actuated one Position in the direction of an actuated position to the housing (10) is movable and in the actuated position with the housing (10) can be latched, characterized in that the actuating element (15) has a latching surface (163), one in the actuation direction (B) to the latching surface (163) axially offset stop surface (164) and in the operating direction (B) to the stop surface (164) axially offset tilting portion (183), wherein the actuating element (15) practice the latching surface (163) can be latched to the housing (10) in the actuated position such that the actuating element (15) is locked against the actuation direction (B) relative to the housing (10), wherein the stop surface (164) controls the movement of the housing Operating member (15) in the actuating direction (B) to the housing (10) limited and wherein the actuating element (15) in the actuated position about the tilting portion (183) to the housing (10) is tiltable to the actuating element (15) via the locking surface (163) with the housing (10) to lock. Spring-loaded terminal (1) after Claim 1 , characterized in that the latching surface (163) and the stop surface (164) are each formed by a shoulder on the actuating element (15). Spring-loaded terminal (1) after Claim 1 or 2 , characterized in that the latching surface (163) has an obliquely to the actuating direction (B) directed surface normal. Spring terminal (1) after one of Claims 1 to 3 , characterized in that the latching surface (163) on a first side of the actuating element (15) and the stop surface (164) on a side facing away from the first side, second side of the actuating element (15) is arranged. Spring-loaded terminal (1) after Claim 4 , characterized in that the tilting portion (183) on the same side of the actuating element (15) as the latching surface (163) is arranged. Spring-loaded terminal (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, viewed in the actuating direction (B), on the latching surface (163) a first guide surface (171) extending parallel to the actuating direction (B) and against the stop surface (164) a second guide surface (170) extending parallel to the actuation direction (B) and directed parallel to the first guide surface (171), wherein the actuation element (15) moves between the non-actuated position and the actuated position via the first guide surface (171). and the second guide surface (170) is guided on the housing (10). Spring-loaded terminal (1) after Claim 6 characterized in that, viewed opposite to the actuating direction (B), on the latching surface (163) has a transverse to the first guide surface (171) offset contact surface (161) and the stop surface (164) offset transversely to the second guide surface (170), third actuating surface (160) extending parallel to the actuating direction (B), wherein the actuating element (15) is guided on the housing (10) and moved over the third guide surface (160) on movement of the housing between the non-actuated position and the actuated position the abutment surface (161) is in abutment with the housing (10) when the actuating element (15) is locked to the housing (10) in the actuated position. Spring-loaded terminal (1) after Claim 7 , characterized in that the abutment surface (161) is inclined obliquely to the actuating direction (B). Spring terminal (1) after one of Claims 6 to 8th , characterized in that the tilting portion (183) is formed on a projection portion (181) projecting transversely to the actuating direction (B) with respect to the first guide surface (171). Spring-loaded terminal (1) after Claim 9 characterized in that the projection portion (181) has a fourth guide surface (182) offset from the first guide surface (171) transversely to the actuation direction (B), via which the actuator (15) moves between the non - actuated position and the actuator actuated position on the housing (10) is guided. Spring terminal (1) after one of Claims 6 to 10 , characterized in that adjoining the second guide surface (170) is a spring pressure section (180) for acting on the spring element (12). Spring-loaded terminal (1) after Claim 11 characterized in that the spring pressure portion (180) is curved in a plane in which the operating member (15) is tiltable about the tilting portion (183). Spring terminal (1) according to one of the preceding claims, 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) to the foot section (18), wherein the latching surface (163) and the abutment surface (164) in the region of the head portion (16) and the tilting portion (183) in the region of the foot portion (18) are formed. Spring terminal (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the actuating element (15) in the non-actuated position and in the actuated position protrudes outwards relative to the housing (10). Spring terminal (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the latching surface (163) carries a colored marking. Spring terminal (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the housing (10) has a latching portion (147) which has a latching shoulder (141) for latching with the latching surface (163) of the actuating element (15). Spring-loaded terminal (1) after Claim 16 characterized in that the latching portion (147) is guided transversely to the direction of actuation (B) relative to a guide surface (145) of the housing (10) on which the actuator (15) is moved between the non-actuated position and the actuated position upon movement, projects. Spring-loaded terminal (1) after Claim 16 or 17 characterized in that the actuator (15) is slidably guided on the latching portion (147) when moved between the non-actuated position and the actuated position. Spring clamp (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the housing (10) has a Endpositionsabsatz (140) for interacting with the stop surface (164) for limiting the movement of the actuating element (15) in the actuating direction (B). Spring terminal (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the actuating element (15) has a recess (172), in which a stop element (146) of the housing (10) engages and on the movement of the actuating element (15) on both sides along the actuating direction (B) is limited. Spring terminal (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the spring element (12) has a support leg (120), via which the spring element (12) on the housing (10) is supported, and a clamping leg (122), the relative is elastically adjustable to the support leg (120) and adapted to lock a plugged into the plug opening (100) conductor (2) to the housing (10), wherein the actuating element (15) is formed, for adjusting to the clamping leg (122 ).

Images