EP3619773B1 - Connection terminal - Google Patents

Description

• einem Isolierstoffgehäuse, das einen Leitereinführungskanal, der sich in Richtung einer Leitereinführungsachse mit einer koaxial zu der Leitereinführungsachse angeordneten, zumindest teilweise umlaufenden Leiterkanalwand erstreckt und einen neben dem Leitereinführungskanal angeordneten Betätigungskanal hat,
• einer U-förmig gebogenen Schenkelfeder, die einen Anlageschenkel, einen Klemmschenkel und einen den Anlageschenkel mit dem Klemmschenkel verbindenden Federbogen hat,
• einer Stromschiene und
• einem längsverschiebbar in dem Betätigungskanal aufgenommenen Betätigungsdrücker,

wobei der Anlageschenkel an der Stromschiene gelagert ist und eine Klemmkante des Klemmschenkels mit einem Kontaktbereich der Stromschiene einen Federklemmanschluss zum Anklemmen eines in den Leitereinführungskanal eingesteckten elektrischen Leiters bildet.The invention relates to a connection terminal with

• an insulating material housing which has a conductor entry channel which extends in the direction of a conductor entry axis with an at least partially circumferential conductor duct wall which is arranged coaxially to the conductor entry axis and which has an actuating channel arranged next to the conductor entry channel,
• a U-shaped bent leg spring which has a contact leg, a clamping leg and a spring bow connecting the contact leg to the clamping leg,
• a busbar and
• an actuating lever accommodated in the actuating channel so as to be longitudinally displaceable,

wherein the contact leg is mounted on the busbar and a clamping edge of the clamping leg with a contact area of the busbar forms a spring clamp connection for clamping an electrical conductor inserted into the conductor entry channel.

“Coaxial” is not only understood to mean the arrangement in relation to a cylindrical conductor channel wall. If the center of gravity of a constant cross section of the conductor duct wall runs parallel to the conductor insertion axis in the direction of extent, then it is coaxial.

DE 10 2013 111 574 A1 shows a spring-loaded terminal connection for connecting electrical conductors with an actuating lever that is slidably accommodated in the insulating material housing. The actuating lever has an actuating surface for contact with the clamping leg of the clamping spring, so that the actuating lever is guided on the clamping leg. A protruding nose of the actuating lever protrudes into the opening of the conductor entry opening and forms part of the wall of the conductor entry opening.

DE 10 2015 120 063 B3 shows a conductor connection terminal according to the preamble of claim 1 with an insulating material housing and a spring-loaded terminal connection as well as a lever which is slidably received in a lever shaft. The pusher has a protruding pusher nose which, when actuated, ends above a conductor receiving opening made in a busbar. The pusher is mounted on the boundary wall of the conductor insertion opening that defines the conductor insertion direction so as to be displaceable parallel to this conductor insertion direction.

From the DE 199 82 799 T1 a screwless connection block is known. From the DE 10 2010 015 457 A1 a spring-loaded terminal connection and a clamping component are known. From the EP 3 159 971 A1 a terminal block with a mounting structure for connecting electrical conductors is known.

The insulating material housing and actuating pushbuttons of such connection terminals are made of plastic material. The forces acting on the actuating lever and also on the insulating housing can lead to a deformation of the plastic material. This is particularly true because the space available in the area of the clamping spring for accommodating the conductor entry opening and the actuating lever next to the clamping spring and thus the available material thickness is very limited.

Based on this, it is the object of the present invention to create an improved connection terminal.

The object is achieved with the connection terminal having the features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments are described in the subclaims.

By aligning the actuation axis, which is defined by the longitudinal displacement direction of the actuation lever in the actuation channel, relative to the conductor insertion axis at an angle of 5 ° to 30 ° and preferably 5 ° to 20 °, it is achieved that the Conductor insertion opening and the operating lever can be accommodated in a very small space. The inserted conductor and the push button are thereby shifted towards each other to a common (virtual) meeting point in the insulating material housing if they are at such an acute angle to each other. The angular offset makes it possible to use the space available between the actuation channel and the conductor entry channel for optimized support of the actuation lever. Due to the relative angular offset between the direction of extension of the conductor insertion channel and the direction of extension of the actuating channel, the direction of force acting on the actuating lever from the clamping leg of the clamping spring can be improved in order to counteract any deformation of the actuating lever and thus also of the insulating material housing.

The angle can, in particular, be made larger with a structurally adapted nozzle and thereby lie in the upper specified angle range of more than 20 °. Comparable structural designs are conceivable in order to obtain the desired angular alignment.

The conductor channel wall can form a partition wall to the actuating channel. The actuating lever is then guided in a section of the partition wall that tapers conically to the conductor insertion channel. This section can be aligned parallel to the actuation axis.

The actuation axis can be aligned approximately perpendicular to the plane spanned by the connection opening. “Approximately perpendicular” is understood to mean, in particular, an angle of 90 ° with a tolerance of ± 5 ° and preferably ± 2 °.

This conically tapering section is used in this way not only for the targeted guidance of a stripped end of an electrical conductor to be clamped to the clamping point, but also provides a support wall for the actuating lever in the area close to the clamping spring. Under the influence of the deflected clamping spring, the actuating lever acts on the conical tapering section of the partition wall exerted force components at a more acute angle than when the actuating lever is supported on a non-conically tapering section of the partition wall of the conductor insertion channel. In this way, the risk of plastic or elastic deformation of the partition can be reduced.

The busbar can have a connection opening, the leg spring being inserted into this connection opening. The actuating lever then protrudes into this connection opening in the actuating state in which the clamping leg is displaced by the actuating lever towards the contact leg.

With such a connection opening, which can also be designed like a channel with guide walls in the manner of a material passage, an electrical conductor can be reliably guided to the terminal point. This applies in particular to multi-wire electrical conductors, the strands of which can otherwise spread apart if the conductor is clamped using the actuating lever without previously deflecting the clamping spring. With such a connection opening, however, the space available for receiving the electrical conductor and the clamping spring is greatly reduced. Optimal use of the small space available is achieved without the risk of deformation by aligning the actuation axis and the conductor insertion axis at an angle of 5 ° to 20 ° to one another. The interaction of the actuating lever and the clamping spring is significantly improved if the stroke of the actuating lever towards the clamping end of the clamping leg is utilized as much as possible. This succeeds when the actuating lever dips into the connection opening in the actuated state. It is true that this further restricts the available space. In fact, however, this cubic capacity is available if the actuation axis and the conductor insertion axis are aligned at an angle of 5 ° to 20 ° to one another. In this way, the electrical conductor is advantageously guided along the actuating lever and does not strike the clamping leg.

The actuating pusher can have a shoulder reducing the width of the actuating end on its actuating end which acts on the clamping leg. The shoulder then forms a stop for resting on an edge region of the busbar that delimits the connection opening. Because the actuating end of the actuating lever tapers in order to be able to plunge into the connection opening, the displacement path of the actuating lever is limited with the aid of the shoulder which forms a stop between the actuating lever and the busbar. In addition, the actuation lever is made wider with the help of the shoulder above the actuation end than in the actuation end. The actuating lever is therefore more stable and can be supported at the widened end on the insulating material housing in an area which is stronger than in the central area due to the generally cylindrical design of the adjoining conductor entry channel.

The surface of the actuating lever facing the clamping leg can be formed without a projection starting from the actuating head up to the clamping leg. In other words, in cross section perpendicular to the actuation axis in the direction from the conductor entry channel to the clamping spring, the actuating lever is designed without protrusion towards the clamping leg, starting from an actuating head. If the actuating end thus has a constant cross-section in the direction of the clamping leg or in the opposite direction to the opening of the conductor entry channel, i.e. no protrusion, then a possible buckling moment is avoided or at least reduced, which can act on the actuating lever through the clamping spring. In addition, the space required by the actuating lever is kept small due to the protrusion-free design.

The end face of the actuating end of the actuating lever that acts on the clamping leg can have a rounded contour. Then, although the actuating end is tapered, the rounded contour still does not form a disadvantageous projection.

The actuating channel can be widened conically towards the outside of the insulating material housing in a head section which lies next to a cylindrical jacket receiving section of the conductor insertion channel. The operating lever has an actuating head in the conically widened head section which, in cross section from the conductor entry channel to the clamping spring, has an increasing thickness towards the outside of the insulating material housing. The installation space that is enlarged towards the outside due to the inclination of the actuation axis and the conductor insertion axis compared to the parallel alignment can be used in order to be able to implement a widened actuation head. The actuating channel then has a cross section that is adapted to the conically widening head section, through which the injection molding tool can be easily and reliably removed from the mold during the injection molding of the insulating material housing.

The head section, which widens conically towards the outside, provides a surface for acting on the actuating lever, which can be reliably acted upon using commercially available screwdrivers as an actuating tool.

The clamping leg of the clamping spring can, starting from the spring arch in the non-actuated state, in which the clamping leg is not deflected by the actuating lever towards the contact leg, be oriented in relation to the spring arch in such a way that the clamping leg extends in the direction of extension of the actuating lever next to the actuating lever and after a Bend below the actuating end of the unactuated actuating lever in its rest position is passed through the actuating channel and the conductor insertion channel or through their openings. This bend of the clamping leg, behind which, starting from the spring arch, the clamping leg is passed under the actuating end of the actuating lever, represents the area where the distance between the clamping leg and the contact leg is smallest. The actuating end of the actuating pusher is then aligned with the clamping leg so that the actuating end acts on the section of the clamping leg located behind the bend as seen from the spring arch and slides along this section when the actuating pusher is displaced in the actuating channel. In this way, the clamping spring is acted upon in the area of the clamping leg located behind the bend, starting from the spring arch, at a distance from the spring arch. This ensures that the force of the clamping spring in relation to the sliding plane of the actuating lever on the insulating material housing or in the direction of the actuating axis is at such an optimal angle that the tilting and bending moments and deformation energies acting on the actuating lever are kept low.

The bend in the clamping leg can have an interior angle in the range from 90 ° to 160 °, and preferably up to 140 °. This ensures that the clamping leg is aligned in a ratio to the actuation axis or to the sliding plane of the actuation lever that is appropriate for the reasons mentioned above.

The clamping leg can form the clamping edge with its front edge at the end of the clamping leg. A clamping section adjoining the clamping leg end to the clamping edge can then be bent to point towards the connection opening of the busbar. This additional folding of the clamping leg at the end of the clamping leg ensures that the section of the clamping leg acting on the actuating end of the actuating lever can be aligned at a greater angle to the actuation axis than would be possible without this angling at the end of the clamping leg.

The clamping leg of the clamping spring can be designed in such a way that, in each actuation state, it exerts a force on the actuation lever at an angle of less than 50 ° to a sliding plane on which the actuation lever is guided in a longitudinally displaceable manner. This ensures that a tilting moment acting on the actuating lever and the deformation energy are kept as low as possible.

The actuation axis and the conductor insertion axis can intersect the clamping leg of the clamping spring independently of one another at different intersection points and run at a distance from one another through a connection opening in the conductor rail and only intersect below the plane of the conductor rail which has the connection opening. This means that the push button and the conductor to be clamped are close to each other and are oriented at an angle to each other so that the push button and the electrical conductor are independent act from one another on the clamping leg, the actuating lever slides along the clamping leg during actuation.

In the actuated state, the actuating end of the actuating lever can be close to the end of the clamping leg or close to the clamping edge, so that the connection can be made smaller overall. In connection with the fact that the actuating end slides along the clamping leg over a very long distance, the actuating forces can also be made more uniform and thus also reduced overall. The actuation force can thus be kept approximately the same over the entire actuation path, which leads to a uniform actuation force level. This also enables the actuation lever to be returned safely and evenly.

The actuating lever can have a shoulder which, with a projection in the actuating channel, forms a return stop in the opposite direction to the actuating direction of the actuating lever. This prevents the actuation lever from falling out of the actuation channel. During assembly, the actuating lever is inserted into the actuating channel, and the side walls can widen until the return stop snaps behind the recess or the locking edge of the side wall.

There is a partition between the actuation channel and the conductor entry channel. The boundary wall of the actuation channel opposite the partition wall is inclined relative to the actuation axis. In this way, the inner wall of the actuating channel lying opposite the dividing wall is designed to be inclined towards the actuating opening of the actuating channel in the direction of the dividing wall. When the actuating pusher is returned, this leads to a tilting of the actuating pusher in the direction of the partition wall or the conductor insertion channel, so that a slot between the partition wall and the head end is reduced and preferably at least largely closed. A possible penetration of dirt and / or foreign bodies is thus avoided and the visual appearance is also improved.

The push buttons can have groove-like depressions. These groove-like depressions can be arranged, for example, on the lateral support surfaces. Different indentations can be provided for different types of actuation lever. This enables the pushbuttons to be coded for optical recognition for automated assembly.

It can furthermore advantageously be provided that the busbar and the actuating lever protrude into the connection opening in the actuating state in which the clamping leg is displaced by the actuating lever towards the contact leg. The central actuation axis of the actuation channel is offset in the width direction of the connection opening to the center axis of the connection opening. An actuation head received in the actuation channel is thicker in the width direction than the adjoining section of the actuation lever leading to the connection opening. The center of the connection opening in the plane of the busbar is therefore not aligned with the center of the actuation channel, so that when the actuation lever, which is overall symmetrical, is used, there is a gap in the actuation channel between the side wall of the insulating material housing of the connection terminal and the actuation lever. In order to reduce and / or even out such a gap and at the same time use the same symmetrical actuating lever at both ends, e.g. of a terminal block, mirror-rotated to one another, ie on envelope, the actuating head of the actuating lever is slightly thicker in the width direction than over the rest of the section. This means that the actuation opening of the actuation channel is largely filled in the width direction except for small gaps. The actuating lever is slightly tilted in the actuating channel and aligned on a mounting rail in the direction of assembly of the terminal block. This embodiment, which can be combined with the further features of the connection terminal described above, results in a uniform connection pattern on the top of the connection terminal. In the context of the present invention, the indefinite term “a” is to be understood as such and not as a numerical word and also includes a plurality in the sense of “at least one”.

Figur 1

- Schnittansicht einer Anschlussklemme im unbetätigten Zustand;

Figur 2

- Schnittansicht der Anschlussklemme aus Figur 1 im betätigten Zustand;

Figur 3

- Ausschnitt der Anschlussklemme aus Figur 1 in der Draufsicht;

Figur 4

- Querschnittsansicht eines Ausschnitts der Anschlussklemme aus Figur 1 im unbetätigten Zustand;

Figur 5

- Querschnittsansicht eines Ausschnitts der Anschlussklemme aus Figur 2 im betätigten Zustand;

Figur 6

- Schnittansicht einer weiteren Anschlussklemme im unbetätigten Zustand;

Figur 7

- Anschlussklemme aus Figur 6 im betätigten Zustand;

Figur 8

- Querschnittsansicht eines Ausschnitts einer Ausführungsform der Anschlussklemme;

Figur 9

- Querschnittsansicht des Ausschnitts aus Figur 8 im Schnitt A-A;

Figur 10

- Querschnittsansicht des Ausschnitts aus Figur 8 im Schnitt B-B;

Figur 11

- Querschnittsansicht des Ausschnitts aus Figur 8 im Schnitt C-C;

Figur 12

- perspektivische Ansicht des Betätigungsdrückers der Anschlussklemme aus Figur 7 auf die Vorderseite;

Figur 13

- perspektivische Ansicht des Betätigungsdrückers der Anschlussklemme aus Figur 7 auf die Rückseite;

Figur 14

- Perspektivische Ansicht der Anschlussklemme aus Figur 8 schräg von unten.

The invention is explained in more detail below using an exemplary embodiment with the accompanying drawings. Show it:

Figure 1

- Sectional view of a connection terminal in the unactuated state;

Figure 2

- Sectional view of the connection terminal Figure 1 in the actuated state;

Figure 3

- Cutout of the connection terminal Figure 1 in plan view;

Figure 4

- Cross-sectional view of a section of the connection terminal from Figure 1 in the non-actuated state;

Figure 5

- Cross-sectional view of a section of the connection terminal from Figure 2 in the actuated state;

Figure 6

- Sectional view of a further connection terminal in the non-actuated state;

Figure 7

- Terminal off Figure 6 in the actuated state;

Figure 8

- Cross-sectional view of a detail of an embodiment of the connection terminal;

Figure 9

- Cross-sectional view of the detail Figure 8 in section AA;

Figure 10

- Cross-sectional view of the detail Figure 8 in section BB;

Figure 11

- Cross-sectional view of the detail Figure 8 in section CC;

Figure 12

- Perspective view of the push button of the connection terminal Figure 7 on the front;

Figure 13

- Perspective view of the push button of the connection terminal Figure 7 on the back;

Figure 14

- Perspective view of the connection terminal Figure 8 diagonally from below.

Figure 1 shows a sectional view of a connection terminal 1 with an insulating material housing 2. In the illustrated embodiment, the connection terminal 1 is part of a series terminal that is only shown in detail and can have several such connection terminals.

The insulating material housing 2 has a conductor entry channel 3 which is delimited by circumferential conductor channel walls 4. In addition to the conductor insertion channel 3, an actuating channel 5 is arranged, in which an actuating lever 6 is displaceably mounted. The conductor duct wall 4 of the conductor insertion duct 3 adjoining the actuating duct 5 forms a partition 7 from the actuating duct 5.

The connection terminal 1 also has a busbar 8 with a connection opening 9, which is introduced into the plane spanned by the busbar 8. The connection opening 9 is designed as a material passage with lateral guide walls 10a and a contact wall 10b and a contact wall 10c that protrude downward from the plane of the busbar 8 in the insertion direction of an electrical conductor and are aligned in the longitudinal extension of the busbar 8. The guide walls 10a are formed in one piece from the material of the busbar 8 and provide guide walls for an electrical conductor.

A U-shaped bent leg spring 11 is inserted into this connection opening 9 of the busbar 8. The leg spring 11 has an abutment leg 12 which rests against an abutment wall 10b protruding from the busbar 8 and is supported there. A spring bow 13 adjoins the contact leg 12 of the leg spring 11. The leg spring is accommodated in a free space in the insulating housing 2. The movement space of the leg spring 11 can be limited by the wall surfaces of the insulating material housing 2 that delimit the free space and optionally by an additional retaining pin 14.

A clamping leg 15 diametrically opposite the contact leg 12 adjoins the spring bow 13. This clamping leg 15 dips into the connection opening 9 with its free clamping end. The clamping leg 15 forms a clamping edge 17 with its front edge at the clamping leg end 16. An electrical conductor inserted into the conductor insertion channel 3 can then be clamped between the clamping edge 17 and the busbar 8. The busbar 8 provides a contact wall 10c for this purpose, which is formed in one piece from the material of the busbar 8 and is aligned obliquely to the plane of the busbar 8 the connection opening 9 extends into it. This contact wall 10c is formed by a bending contour in such a way that a protruding contact edge 19 is provided and, in the idle state shown, without the inserted conductor, the clamping edge 17 rests in the connection opening 9 of the contact wall 18.

The clamping leg 15 has a bend 20 in the vicinity of the spring arch 13 and is guided in this way in such a way that the clamping leg 15 is initially in the non-actuated state shown, in which the clamping leg 15 is not deflected by the actuating lever 6, starting from the spring arch 13 extends in the direction of extension of the actuating lever 6 next to the actuating lever 6, and adjoining the bend 20 below the actuating end 21 of the actuating lever 6. In this way, the clamping leg 15 is passed transversely through the actuating channel 5 and the conductor insertion channel 3 or through their openings. “Transversely” is understood to mean that the clamping leg 15 intersects the actuating channel 5 and the conductor insertion channel 3 at an angle of more than 45 ° and is thus oriented essentially perpendicular thereto.

The clamping leg 15 is further shaped with its bend 20 in such a way that the distance between the clamping leg 15 and the contact leg 12 is the smallest at the bend.

It is also clear that the partition 7 is led down to the clamping leg 15 in the non-actuated state. The partition 7 does not have to touch the clamping leg 15, but can adjoin it at a small gap. However, this distance should be as small as possible and preferably be less than the thickness of the clamping leg 15 as a tolerance. This ensures that the actuating pusher 6 is also guided in the vicinity of the clamping spring 11 in an area in which the force effect by the clamping spring 11 on the actuating pusher 6 and thus on the partition 7 adjacent to it is greatest.

It is also clear that in the area of the conductor entry channel 3 leading to the outside, a cylindrical jacket receiving section M is created by the circumferential conductor channel walls 4. This jacket receiving section M can also be oval or polygonal. It is only essential that in the area of the jacket receiving section M the diameter or the cross-sectional area over the conductor insertion axis L is constant. The conductor insertion axis L is defined by the direction of extension of the conductor insertion channel 3 and thus by the conductor channel walls 4 extending concentrically therewith.

A section which tapers conically towards the busbar 8 adjoins the jacket receiving section M. The partition 7 serving as an intermediate wall to the actuation channel 5 extends in this conically tapering area of the conductor insertion channel 3 in the direction of the actuation axis B and is aligned parallel to this actuation axis B. The actuation axis B is determined by the direction of extent of the actuation lever 6 and by the shape of the inner walls of the actuation channel 5 which is adapted to this and which extend concentrically around the actuation axis B.

It becomes clear that the actuation axis B is oriented at an angle to the conductor insertion axis L. The angle between actuation axis B and conductor insertion axis L is in the range from 5 ° to 20 °. In the exemplary embodiment shown, it is approximately 15 ° +/- 5 °.

It is also clear that the actuation axis B is aligned approximately perpendicular to the plane of the busbar 8 and thus to the plane spanned by the connection opening 9. The conductor insertion axis L has an internal angle of approximately 75 ° to the plane of the busbar 8.

It can also be seen that the actuating channel 5 is widened conically towards the outside of the insulating material housing 2 in a head section which lies next to the cylindrical jacket section M. In this conically widening head section of the actuating channel 5, the actuating head 22 of the actuating pusher 6 has a thickness increasing towards the head end in the cross section from the conductor insertion duct 3 to the clamping spring, ie in the section shown.

At the head end of the actuating lever 6 there is an actuating slot 23 or some other recess which is provided for receiving the end of an actuating tool.

The partition 7 between the conductor insertion channel 3 and the actuating channel 5 has a tab 24 at its outer end. This is created by elastic deformation after an injection molding tool part pulled out of the conductor insertion channel 3 and actuating channel 5 has been removed from the mold.

Figure 2 shows connection terminal 1 Figure 1 in the now actuated state. It becomes clear that the actuating lever 6 is now linearly displaced in the actuating channel 5 in the direction of the actuating axis B downwards towards the busbar 8. The actuating lever 6 is guided in the direction of the actuating axis B on a sliding plane G formed by the partition 7. During the actuation of the actuating pusher 6, that is to say when it is pressed down in the direction of the busbar 8, the clamping leg 15 of the clamping spring 11 exerts a force on the actuating pusher 6. The direction of force is always less than 50 ° to the sliding plane G and thus essentially in the direction of the actuation axis B. The influence of transverse forces that act on the actuating lever 6 is thus considerably reduced. In addition, the partition 7, which is drawn very far down to the busbar 8, can absorb such transverse forces and the tilting moments resulting therefrom. The forces acting by the clamping spring 11 on the actuation lever 6 are directed in each actuation state onto the partition 7 and not on a region of the actuation lever 6 that is not supported by the insulating material housing 2.

The clamping leg 15 is shown in two states of deflection. In the upper state that overlaps the actuation lever 6, the actuation lever 6 would not dip into the connection opening 9 of the busbar 8. Then the plug dimension S ₁ for clamping an electrical conductor would be much smaller than the smallest diameter of the conically tapering conductor insertion channel 3. An electrical conductor would then abut the clamping end 16 and be guided by this into this narrow point.

The actual deflected state of the clamping leg 15 is that which is further deflected with the plug dimension S ₂ . It is clear that a plug-in dimension is achieved here that corresponds almost to the complete smallest diameter of the conically tapering conductor insertion channel 3. In this state, the actuating lever 6 dips with its actuating end 21 into the connection opening 9 of the busbar 8 with a depth T. This depth T is greater than the thickness of the busbar 8 in the area adjoining the connection opening 9. It becomes clear that an electrical conductor guided by the partition 7, which is inserted into the conductor insertion channel 3, is then first passed once through the actuating end 21 of the actuating lever 6 in order to then only reach the clamping edge 17. The actuating end 21 of the actuating pusher 6 thus lies between the free end of the partition 7 pointing into the interior of the connecting terminal and the clamping leg end 16. The clamping edge 17 of the clamping leg 15 is thus set back from the actuating end 21 of the actuating pusher 6.

It is also clear that the smallest distance between the clamping leg 15 and the contact leg 12 is also present in the actuated state, at least also in the area of the bend 20.

When the actuating button 6 is actuated, the actuating end 21 slides on the clamping leg 15 in the area adjoining the bend 20 up to the further bend towards the clamping leg end 16. A relatively long sliding path along the clamping leg 15 is thus used. This configuration, in conjunction with the partition 7, which is drawn down to the vicinity of the busbar 8, and the actuating pusher 6, which extends without a protrusion in the direction of the actuating axis B and is effective with its actuating end 21 in alignment with the actuating axis 8, ensures that the deformation forces on the actuating pusher 6 are minimal. In addition, the interaction between the actuation lever 6 and the clamping spring 11 is optimal due to the long actuation stroke. The small space available in the connection opening 9 for clamping the electrical conductor and for receiving the clamping spring 11 can continue to be used for receiving the actuating lever 6 due to the angular offset of the actuating axis B and the conductor insertion axis L. So it succeeds in completely actuated state in a point as far away as possible from the spring bow 13 to act on the clamping spring 11, whereby the force effects are optimized.

It is also clear that the actuating head 22, which widens conically towards the outside, is adapted to the head section of the actuating channel 5 which widens conically towards the outside of the insulating material housing 2 in the completely depressed, actuated state. In this case, a step 25 on the head section together with a step 26 in the actuating channel 5 can optionally form a stop with which the displacement path of the actuating lever 6 towards the busbar 8 is limited.

Figure 3 omits a plan view of a section of the connection terminal 1 Figure 1 recognize in the non-actuated state. It becomes clear that the head section 22 has an actuation slot 23. This can also have a different shape, such as cruciform, angular or round.

It is also clear that the dividing wall 7, which forms a conductor duct wall 4, is curved between the conductor insertion duct 3 and the actuating duct 5 when viewed in the cross section of the conductor insertion duct 3. The actuating head 22 has a curved contour that is adapted to this. This also applies to the section of the actuating pusher 6 which adjoins the actuating head 22 and leads to the actuating end 21, which then has a constant cross section over its length.

Figure 4 FIG. 14 shows a cross-sectional view of the connection terminal 1 from FIG Figure 1 in the inactivated state as a cutout. It can be seen that the actuating lever 6 in the section in the width direction of the busbar 8 in the area of the actuating head 22 has a smaller width than in an adjoining central section 27 leading to the busbar 8. 28b from the contour of the actuating lever 6, which are supported on guide wall surfaces of the insulating housing 2. This support takes place in an area of the insulating housing 2, which is not so strong through the adjacent conductor entry channel 3 is weakened, like the section of the intermediate partition 7 lying in the central area.

It can also be seen that the actuating pusher 6 has, on its actuating end 21 acting on the clamping leg 15, a shoulder 29a, 29b that reduces the width of the actuating end 21 compared to the central section 27 and the actuating head 22. This shoulder 29a, 29b forms a stop for resting on an edge region 30 of the busbar 8 that delimits the connection opening 9.

The width of the actuating section 21 seen in the cross section shown is adapted to the width of the connection opening 9 in the busbar 8 and at least slightly less than this width of the connection opening 9. This ensures that the actuating lever 6 can dip into the connection opening 9.

Figure 5 FIG. 14 shows a cross-sectional view of the connection terminal 1 from FIG Figure 2 in the actuated state. It becomes clear here that the actuating end 21 dips into the connection opening 9 of the busbar 8. The shoulders 29a, 29b formed in the transition from the widened lateral support surfaces 28a, 28b of the middle section 27 to the actuating end 21 abut the edge areas 30 of the busbar 8, which laterally delimit the connection opening 9. In this case, the actuation lever 6 is prevented from being pressed down further into the connection opening 9.

From the Figures 4 and 5 it is also clear that the center of the connection opening 90 is not aligned with the center of the actuation channel 5. In the case of the actuating lever 6, which is overall symmetrical in design, there is a gap in the actuating channel 5 between the side wall of the insulating material housing 2 of the connecting terminal 1 and the actuating lever 6.

Figure 6 shows a sectional view of a further embodiment of a connection terminal 1. The structure of this is comparable to the connection terminal 1 described above and has only a few modifications in this regard. Essentially, reference can therefore be made to the preceding description.

It becomes clear that here too the conductor entry channel 3 initially has a cylindrical jacket section M, which then merges into a conically tapering section. The partition 7 in this conically tapering area forms a support and sliding surface G for the actuating lever 6. The sliding surface G is aligned parallel to the actuating axis B. Here, too, the partition 7 is pulled down so far from the upper level of the busbar 8 or the plane spanned by the connection opening 9 that, in the non-actuated state, the clamping limb 15 is spaced directly adjacent to the partition 7, possibly with a small gap.

In this exemplary embodiment, the actuating head 22 has a nose 31 which protrudes in the direction of the conductor insertion channel 3 and, in the non-actuated state, protrudes freely into the conically widening head section of the actuating channel 5.

In the area adjoining the clamping spring 11, the actuating lever 6 is designed without protrusion and tapers towards the actuating end 21. An actuating force F is exerted by the clamping leg 15 on the clamping end 21 of the actuating lever 6, which, as shown, is oriented at an acute angle to the sliding plane G or to the actuating axis B. This acute angle is less than 50 °. In the non-actuated state shown, the internal angle of the direction of force F to the sliding plane G is approximately 30 °.

In this exemplary embodiment, too, the actuation axis B is arranged offset at an angle to the conductor insertion axis L. This angle is also about 15 ° +/- 5 ° here.

An angle of 16 ° is very suitable, the actuation axis B being perpendicular to the plane of the busbar 8 or the plane spanned by the connection opening 9 in the busbar 8.

Figure 7 shows the connection terminal Figure 6 in the actuated state. The actuation lever 6 is now shifted linearly in the direction of the actuation axis B or along the sliding plane G in the image plane downwards towards the busbar, so that the tapered actuating end 21 dips into the connection opening 9 of the busbar 8. In this case, the clamping leg 15 of the clamping spring 11 exerts an actuating force F on the actuating end 21, which acts at an angle of less than 50 ° to the sliding plane G. The interior angle is also considered here. The force acting on the actuating lever 6 from the clamping leg 5 is thus directed more in the direction of the actuation axis B than transversely thereto. The direction of force is aligned in such a way that it points towards the partition wall 7. The tilting moments acting on the actuating end 21 are therefore negligible. Due to the tapering actuating end 21, which follows the direction of extent of the sliding plane G and the actuating axis B and has no projections, such disadvantageous tilting moments and deformation energies that could impair the stability of the actuating lever 6 are avoided.

In both exemplary embodiments it is clear that the conductor channel wall 4 opposite the partition 7 is initially guided beyond the jacket receiving section M without an inclined surface. The inclined surface which adjoins there and leads to the conical tapering of the conductor insertion channel 3 lies below the jacket receiving section M, viewed in the conductor insertion direction towards the busbar 8.

While the partition wall 7 runs in a straight line towards the actuating channel 5 below the jacket receiving section M, the conductor channel wall 4 has a further end section on the opposite side after a first inclined surface, which essentially follows the direction of extension of the conductor channel wall 4 in the jacket section M. This end section then goes into the transition of the connection opening 9 to Connecting the busbar 8 via and thus serves as an extension of the clamping wall 10c.

In the first exemplary embodiment, on the other hand, the partition 7 to the actuation opening 5 is straight in the area of the guide section for the actuation lever 6 to the busbar 8. In this guide section, however, the partition wall 7 has a non-uniform cross-section and below the jacket section M forms a wall section that tapers conically to the conductor insertion channel 3. Subsequent to this conical tapering of the conductor insertion channel 3, the end section of the conductor insertion channel 3 merges in the opening to the connection opening 9 in the busbar 8 into a cylindrical section or a section with a constant cross section.

Figure 8 FIG. 12 shows a cross-sectional view of a detail of an embodiment of the connecting terminal 1 in the area of the actuating head 22 of the actuating lever 22. It becomes clear that the inner wall 40 of the actuation channel 5, which is opposite the partition 7, is designed to be inclined towards the actuation opening at the head end of the actuation channel 5 in the direction of the partition 7. In the illustrated return of the actuating lever 6, this leads to a tilting of the actuating lever 6 in the direction of the partition 7 and the conductor insertion channel 3 Figures 3 and 4th recognizable gap or slot between the partition 7 and the actuating head 22 is at least largely closed. Possible penetration of dirt and / or foreign bodies is thus avoided and the visual appearance is improved.

It becomes clear that the actuating head 22 is formed somewhat thicker in the width direction than over the remaining section. In this way, the actuation opening of the actuation channel 5 can be largely filled in the width direction except for small lateral gaps. The actuating lever 6 is slightly tilted in the actuating channel 5 in the direction of the series terminal on a mounting rail, that is, aligned in the direction of the side walls. In this way, the same symmetrical actuating lever 6 can be used on the envelope at both ends of a terminal block and a uniform connection pattern is achieved.

Figure 9 omits a cross-sectional view of the detail Figure 8 recognize in section AA. It becomes clear that the actuating head 22 fills the actuating channel except for small remaining gaps. It is also clear that a side wall of the conductor entry channel is open at the side. An insulating sheath of an electrical conductor to be clamped, which takes on the insulating function of the side wall, can dip into this area. The connection terminal, for example in the form of a series terminal, can thus be designed to be narrower.

Figure 10 omits a cross-sectional view of the detail Figure 8 recognize in section BB. It becomes clear that the actuating lever 6 is significantly narrower in this section than in the area of the actuating head 22. The conductor entry opening 3 is also opened laterally in this area and is closed all round only with the insulating jacket of the electrical conductor to be clamped or with the side wall of a series terminal arranged next to it.

Figure 11 omits a cross-sectional view of the detail Figure 8 recognize in the section CC. In this section area, the actuating lever 6 rests against the clamping leg 15 of the clamping spring, in order to slide off towards the clamping edge when the clamping leg 15 is pressed down. The conductor entry opening 3 is now tapered in this cut area and closed all around by the insulating material housing 2. The stripped end of an electrical conductor to be clamped is received in this cutting area.

the Figures 12 and 13th FIG. 12 shows a perspective view of the actuating lever of the connection terminal from FIG Figure 7 on the front and back. It can be seen that the actuating lever 6 is widened in the area of the lateral support surfaces 28a, 28b. This width extends beyond the width or the diameter of the conductor insertion channel 3, at least in the actuated state of the actuating lever 6, so that the acting spring forces can be absorbed by the thicker side walls. This is in Figure 11 indicated. As a result, the partition 7 can be made thinner in the central area, which overall leads to a smaller design of the connection terminal.

It can also be seen that the actuating lever 6 has groove-like depressions 32 in the area of the support surfaces 28a, 28b. These can be different from one another for different variants of the actuating lever 6. The groove-like depressions 32 are thus codes that can be detected with the aid of automated optical recognition and can be used for automated assembly.

Figure 14 FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of the connecting terminal 1 from FIG Figure 8 diagonally from below. It becomes clear that the laterally open side wall of the conductor insertion channel 3 is filled by the insulating material jacket of an electrical conductor 33 to be clamped. It can also be seen that the actuating lever rests on the clamping leg 15 of the clamping spring 11. The support surfaces protrude laterally and lie against the insulating housing 2.

Claims (21)

1. Connection terminal (1) with

   - an insulating housing (2) having a conductor insertion channel (3) extending in the direction of a conductor insertion axis (L) with an at least partially circumferential conductor channel wall (4) arranged coaxially with the conductor insertion axis (L), and an actuating channel (5) arranged adjacent to the conductor insertion channel (3),

   - a leg spring (11) bent into a U-shape and having a contact leg (12), a clamping leg (15) and a spring bend (13) connecting the contact leg (12) to the clamping leg (15),

   - a conductor rail (8), and

   - a longitudinally displaceable actuating pusher (6) accommodated in the actuating channel (5),

   wherein the contact leg (12) is mounted on the conductor rail (8) and a clamping edge (17) of the clamping leg (15) with a contact region of the conductor rail (8) forms a spring clamp connection for clamping an electrical conductor inserted into the conductor insertion channel (3),
   characterized in that
   an actuation axis (B) defined by the longitudinal displacement direction of the actuating pusher (6) in the actuating channel (5) and the conductor insertion axis (L) are aligned at an angle of 5° to 30° to each other.
2. Connection terminal (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the actuation axis (B) and the conductor insertion axis (L) are aligned at an angle of 5° to 20° to each other.
3. Connection terminal (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the conductor channel wall (4) forms a partition (7) to the actuating channel (5) and the actuating pusher (6) is guided in a section of the partition (7) conically tapering the conductor insertion channel (3).
4. Connection terminal (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the conductor rail (8) has a terminal opening (9) and the leg spring (11) is inserted into the terminal opening (9), the actuating pusher (6) projecting into the terminal opening (9) in the actuating state in which the clamping leg (15) is displaced towards the contact leg (12) by the actuating pusher (6).
5. Connection terminal (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that the actuating pusher (6) has, at its actuating end (21) acting on the clamping leg (15), a shoulder (29a, 29b) reducing the width of the actuating end (21), the shoulder (29a, 29b) forming a stop for bearing on an edge region (30) of the conductor rail (8) bounding the terminal opening (9).
6. Connection terminal (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the surface of the actuating pusher (6) facing the clamping leg (15) is formed without a projection starting from an actuating head (22) up to the clamping leg (15).
7. Connection terminal (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the end face of the actuating end (21) of the actuating pusher (6) acting on the clamping leg (15) has a rounded contour.
8. Connection terminal (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the actuating channel (5) widens conically toward the outside of the insulating material housing (2) in a head portion adjacent to a cylindrical sheath receiving portion (M) of the conductor insertion channel (3).
9. Connection terminal (1) according to claim 8, characterized in that the actuating pusher (6) has an actuating head (22) in the conically widening head portion, the actuating head (22) having a thickness increasing toward the outside of the insulating housing (2) when viewed in cross section perpendicular to the actuating axis (B).
10. Connection terminal (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the clamping leg (15), starting from the spring bend (13) in the unactuated state in which the clamping leg (15) is not deflected by the actuating pusher (6) towards the contact leg (12) extends in the direction of extension of the actuating pusher (6) next to the actuating pusher (6) and, after a bend (20) below the actuating end (21) of the unactuated actuating pusher (6) in its rest position, is guided through the actuating channel (5) and the conductor insertion channel (3) or their openings, the distance between the clamping leg (15) and the contact leg (12) being smallest at the bend (20) and the actuating end (21) acting on the section of the clamping leg (15) located behind the bend (20), as seen from the spring bend (13), and sliding along this section when the actuating pusher (6) is displaced in the actuating channel (5).
11. Connection terminal (1) according to claim 10, characterized in that the bend (20) has an internal angle in the range of 90° to 160°.
12. Connection terminal (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the clamping leg (15) forms the clamping edge (17) with its end edge at the clamping leg end (16), a clamping section having the clamping leg end (16) with the clamping edge (17) being bent towards the terminal opening (9) of the conductor rail (8).
13. Connection terminal (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in any actuation state the clamping leg (15) exerts a force on the actuating pusher (6) at an angle of less than 50° to a sliding plane (G) on which the actuating pusher (6) is longitudinally displaceably guided.
14. Connection terminal (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the actuation axis (B) and the conductor insertion axis (L) intersect the clamping leg (15) of the clamping spring (11) independently of each other at different intersection points and extend spaced apart from each other through a terminal opening (9) in the conductor rail (8) and intersect below the plane of the conductor rail (8) having the terminal opening (9).
15. Connection terminal (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the actuating pusher (6) has a shoulder which, with a projection in the actuating channel (5), forms a return stop in the direction opposite to the actuating direction of the actuating pusher (6).
16. Connection terminal (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that there is a partition (7) between the actuating channel (5) and the conductor insertion channel (3), and the boundary wall of the actuating channel (5) opposite the partition (7) is inclined relative to the actuation axis (B).
17. Connection terminal (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the actuating pusher (6) has groove-like recesses (32).
18. Connection terminal (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the conductor rail (8) has a terminal opening (9),

    wherein the leg spring (11) is inserted into the terminal opening (9), the contact leg (12) is mounted on the conductor rail (8) and a clamping edge (17) of the clamping leg (15) with a contact region of the conductor rail (8) forms a spring clamp connection for clamping an electrical conductor inserted into the conductor insertion channel (3),

    wherein the conductor rail (8) and the actuating pusher (6), which is symmetrical overall, in the actuating state, in which the clamping leg (15) is displaced by the actuating pusher (6) towards the contact leg (12) projects into the terminal opening (9), and in that the central actuating axis (B) of the actuating channel (5) is offset in the width direction of the terminal opening (9) relative to the central axis of the terminal opening (9), and an actuating head (22) accommodated in the actuating channel (5) is thicker in the width direction than the adjoining section of the actuating pusher (6) leading to the terminal opening (9).
19. Connection terminal (1) according to claim 18, characterized in that the actuating pusher (6) is oriented from the actuating head (22) to the actuating end (21) in cross-section as viewed in the width direction of the terminal opening (9) tilted with respect to the opening plane of the terminal opening (9) in the actuating channel (5).
20. Connection terminal (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the actuation axis (B) is aligned approximately perpendicular to the plane spanned by the terminal opening (9).
21. Connection terminal (1) according to claim 20, characterized in that the conductor channel wall (4) forms a partition (7) to the actuating channel (5) and the actuating pusher (6) is guided in a section of the partition (7) which tapers conically the conductor insertion channel (3) and is aligned parallel to the actuation axis (B).

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