EP4342030A2

EP4342030A2 - Lead terminal comprising at least one spring-loaded clamping connection

Info

Publication number: EP4342030A2
Application number: EP22730109.0A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Gunter Spey; Michael Meyer
Original assignee: Wago Verwaltungs GmbH
Current assignee: Wago Verwaltungs GmbH
Priority date: 2021-05-19
Filing date: 2022-05-17
Publication date: 2024-03-27
Also published as: DE102021112961A1; WO2022243284A2; US20240088579A1; WO2022243284A3; CN117296210A

Abstract

The invention relates to a lead terminal comprising: at least one spring-loaded clamping connection for connection of an electrical conductor by spring force, the spring-loaded clamping connection comprising a clamping spring and a bus bar portion associated with the clamping spring, between which a clamping point for connecting the electrical conductor is formed; and, associated with the spring-loaded clamping connection, a swivelable actuation lever for actuating the clamping spring, the actuation lever having at least one support element, which has a support surface facing the bus bar portion, via which surface the actuation lever is supported on a support portion of the bus bar portion.

Description

Conductor connection terminal with at least one spring clamp connection

The invention relates to a conductor connection terminal with at least one spring-loaded terminal connection for connecting an electrical conductor by means of spring force, where the spring-loaded terminal connection has a clamping spring and a busbar section assigned to the clamping spring, between which a terminal point for clamping the electrical conductor is formed, and with a dem Spring force terminal connection associated pivotable actuating lever for actuating the clamping spring, wherein the actuating lever has at least one bearing element, which has a bearing surface facing the busbar section, via which the actuating lever is mounted on a storage area of the busbar section.

Such a conductor terminal is known, for example, from EP 3 111 513 B1. Such a conductor terminal can in particular be designed with a plurality of spring force terminal connections which are electrically connected to one another and in this way form a connection terminal.

The object of the invention is to further improve such a conductor connection terminal.

In the case of a conductor connection terminal of the type mentioned at the outset, this object is achieved in that the bearing area of the busbar section has a concavely curved contour. The storage area is therefore located in the same conductor rail section in which the clamping point for connecting the electrical conductor is formed. The storage area is thus an area of the conductor rail section which faces the bearing surface of the actuating lever and on which the actuating lever slides during a pivoting movement

1-OOOÜ3 : 20 0 can. The storage area is thus located on the side of the conductor rail section where the terminal point is also located, ie the side on which the electrical conductor is supported and clamped. With the invention, a white direct miniaturization of the conductor terminal is possible, especially in the case of Leiteran connection terminals for small conductor cross-sections, which already have very low measurements from. Due to the concavely curved contour of the storage area, the overall height of the conductor connection terminal can be reduced. In addition, the mounting of the actuating lever is improved and wear and tear that occurs when pivoting is minimized. It is advantageous if the bearing element has a bearing surface facing the busbar section with a convexly curved contour.

The conductor rail section or the conductor rail can be predominantly flat in areas that are immediately adjacent to the bearing area. The normal of the busbar section can run predominantly perpendicularly to the axis of rotation of the actuating lever. The busbar section can be continuous between the storage area and the clamping point or a conductor guide surrounding the clamping point, i.e. continuously, i.e. without a slot and/or punched edge.

In a further variant of the invention, the object mentioned at the outset is achieved in that the bearing area of the busbar section is designed as a depression in the busbar section, which forms a trough-like or channel-like depression in relation to adjacent flat areas of the busbar section. This also makes further miniaturization of the conductor terminal possible. As a result, the overall height of the conductor connection terminal can be further reduced. In particular, available, previously unused areas below the busbar can be used in the housing of the conductor terminal if the depression is created as an impression in the busbar, which results in a bulge in the busbar on the side facing away from the storage area. In addition, the invention offers the advantage of an at least reduced risk that individual strands of a stranded conductor can be clamped between the bearing surface on the actuating element and the bearing area of the busbar section, since the stranded wires are generally placed on a bearing surface that is higher than the bearing area. As one of the above-mentioned adjacent planar areas of the conductor rail section, for example, a conductor contact area can be present, on which an electrical conductor to be clamped at the terminal point is to be arranged and rests on the surface of the conductor rail section. Such a conductor attachment area can be formed with a flat surface. For example, a ladder system area can be arranged between two adjacent storage areas designed as a depression, each of which forms a trough-like or channel-like depression.

Both variants of the invention can also be advantageously combined with one another, in that the depression in the busbar section has a concavely curved contour. However, it is also possible for the depression in the busbar section to have a flat or convexly curved contour.

The indentation in the conductor rail section can, for example, be recessed in relation to the clamping point formed on the conductor rail section. The depression in the busbar section can have a depth that is at least 20% of the material thickness of the busbar section. Between the storage areas, the conductor rail can be higher over the entire width of the conductor, i.e. run closer to the axis of rotation of the operating lever than in the recess. The largest dimension (length) of the recess may extend parallel to the conductor insertion direction. The bearing elements of the actuating lever, e.g. in the form of bearing washers, can also be guided in the axial direction through the recesses in the conductor rail. The depression in the conductor rail section can have a depth which is at least 3% or at least 5% of the radius of curvature of the bearing element of the actuating lever in the region of its bearing surface. The Ver depression in the conductor rail section can have a depth which is at most 15% or at most 20% of the radius of curvature of the bearing element of the actuating lever in the region of its bearing surface.

Depending on the design of the actuating lever, the invention can also reduce the load on the bearing of the actuating lever, in particular when pivoting, ie when opening or closing. Thanks to the invention, the operating lever is better embedded in the busbar section and can be moved closer to the busbar section overall.

Overall, the invention enables a conductor terminal with a flat housing with increased air gaps and creepage distances. The contact surface of the operating lever in the storage area can be increased. The actuating lever can be made more robust overall. The invention allows the transmission or absorption of larger actuating forces, in particular on the power rail by the actuating lever.

In a further variant of the invention, the object mentioned at the outset is achieved in that at least one test lug is arranged on the busbar, which can be electrically contacted by means of a test probe inserted into the housing. Viewed in the direction of conductor insertion (L), the test clip can be arranged, for example, between neighboring spring-loaded terminal connections or neighboring clamping points, so that a flat design is also favored, as is the case with the recessed storage areas. The test clip can be located behind the terminal point in the conductor insertion direction, e.g. on the back of the conductor terminal. The test tab can be designed as an angled test tab. The housing may have a test port through which the test probe can be inserted. The housing can have a test channel into which the test clip protrudes, the test clip being electrically contactable by means of a test tip inserted through the test channel.

The test clip can be formed in one piece with the busbar or be designed as a separate component that is attached to the busbar. If the conductor rail has, for example, a holding frame, as will be explained below, such a test clip can be arranged, for example, between adjacent holding frames. The test lug does not have to be arranged directly between the holder frames, but can be arranged with an offset in the conductor insertion direction between them. The test clip can be predominantly perpendicular to a section that is angled in relation to the planar area of the busbar Alignment direction of the terminal points, for example, predominantly parallel to the support frame. A commercially available test tip for electrical tests can be used as the test tip. It is also possible to use a screwdriver blade as a test tool.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the concavely curved contour of the bearing area is adapted in terms of its curvature to the curvature of the convexly curved contour of the bearing surface. This allows the actuating lever to be embedded particularly well in the bearing area of the busbar section. The actuating lever can, for example, have an arcuate, convexly curved contour on the bearing surface. The storage area can have an arcuate, concavely curved contour. The radius of curvature of the concave contour can be the same or different over the entire curved course. In an advantageous embodiment, the radius of curvature of the concavely curved contour of the bearing area can be at least as large at any point as the radius of curvature of the convexly curved contour of the bearing surface. For example, the radius of curvature of the concavely curved contour at any point can be at least 10% or at least 20% greater than the radius of curvature of the convexly curved contour of the bearing surface. The radius of curvature of the concavely curved contour of the bearing area averaged over the curved course can also be, for example, at least 10% or at least 20% larger than the radius of curvature of the convexly curved contour of the bearing surface averaged over the curved course.

This allows the actuating lever a certain amount of play in the concavely curved contour during the pivoting movement. The axis of rotation of the pivoting movement of the actuating lever can be an axis of rotation that is fixed via the pivoting movement or an axis of rotation that changes at least slightly.

The conductor terminal can be designed as a single-pole or as a multi-pole conductor terminal. The conductor terminal can also be designed as a connector or part of an electrical connector. In this case the connector has one or more electrical plug contacts. The spring force clamp connection is then electrically connected to at least one plug contact.

In the case of the conductor connection terminal according to the invention, a bearing element or its bearing surface can be assigned a corresponding concavely curved and/or recessed bearing area of the busbar section, which in terms of its width essentially (apart from tolerances) corresponds to the width of the bearing element in the area of the bearing surface. Accordingly, the concavely curved contour in the bearing area and/or the bearing area designed as a depression in the busbar section can be designed as a comparatively narrow groove whose width is less than the length, viewed in the direction of insertion of the electrical conductor into the spring force clamp connection.

In the case of a multi-pole conductor connection terminal, the individual busbars can be sections of the spring-cage terminal connections of a continuous busbar. This continuous busbar can be formed in one piece from a metal part or can be assembled in several pieces from several metal parts, e.g. via a positive, non-positive and/or material connection.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the conductor connection terminal is designed as a multi-pole conductor connection terminal, in which several spring-loaded terminal connections are arranged next to one another or opposite one another, the spring-loaded terminal connections each having a clamping spring and a busbar section assigned to the clamping spring, and each spring-loaded terminal connection being assigned an actuating lever , wherein the busbar sections are parts of a continuous busbar and the concavely curved contour of the storage area and/or the storage area designed as a depression in the busbar section extends continuously from a bearing element of an actuating lever at least to a bearing element of an immediately adjacent actuating lever or continuously via the Busbar sections extends several or all spring clamp terminals. This has the advantage that the production of the busbar with the concavely curved contours and/or depressions is simplified since the total number of concavely curved contours and/or depressions to be introduced is reduced and their width is increased. For example, a concavely curved contour of the bearing area and/or a bearing area designed as a recess in the busbar section can be shaped in such a way that it only extends from a bearing element of an actuating lever to a bearing element of an immediately adjacent actuating lever and not beyond. Then there are gaps between such concavely curved contours and/or indentations, which can be adapted accordingly for other functional purposes, for example to form a terminal point for the electrical conductor's.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the continuously extending, concavely curved contour of the bearing area and/or the bearing area designed as a recess in the busbar section is at least partially interrupted at least at one clamping point by another contour, in particular a clamping contour. This has the advantage that, despite the design of the busbar sections with the concavely curved storage areas and/or the depressions, the clamping points can be shaped particularly advantageously for clamping on an electrical conductor.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the loading actuating lever in the concavely curved contour and/or the recess can be pivoted about an axis of rotation (D) which extends transversely to the conductor insertion direction of the associated spring-loaded terminal connection. The curvature of the concavely curved contour or the central axis of this curvature is then aligned transversely to the conductor insertion direction and/or parallel to the axis of rotation.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the busbar section has a clamping edge for clamping the electrical conductor. This allows the electrical conductor to be clamped particularly securely to the busbar section. The clamping edge of the busbar section can be designed as a comparatively sharp-edged point that can dig something into the material of the clamped electrical conductor.

The clamping spring of the spring-loaded terminal connection can have a clamping leg, which can also have a clamping edge at the free end. As a result, the clamping of the electrical conductor on the clamping leg is more reliable ge staltet.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the clamping edge of the busbar section is arranged next to or behind the concavely curved contour of the storage area and/or the storage area designed as a recess in the busbar section in the conductor insertion direction. In this way, the conductor connection terminal can be made particularly small in conductor insertion direction.

Also independent of the presence of such a clamping edge of the busbar section, it is advantageous if the clamping point for clamping the electrical conductor to the busbar section is arranged in the direction of conductor insertion next to or behind the concave contour of the storage area and/or the storage area designed as a depression in the busbar section. In this way, too, the conductor connection terminal can be designed to be particularly compact in the conductor insertion direction.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the clamping edge is designed as a peripheral edge of a depression stamped into the busbar section. In this way, the clamping edge in the busbar section can be produced in a simple manner in terms of manufacturing technology, without the material of the busbar section being excessively weakened or damaged. The indentation can, for example, have a bent contour in cross section, in particular no curved contour like the storage area.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is provided that, viewed in the conductor insertion direction, the length of the conductors inserted into the busbar section embossed depression is less than the length of the concavely curved contour of the bearing area and/or of the bearing area designed as a depression in the busbar section.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the actuating lever has two spaced, parallel bearing elements, each of which has a bearing surface facing the conductor rail section, e.g. with a convexly curved contour, via which the actuating lever is supported on the bearing area of the conductor rail section . As a result, the actuating lever is securely supported on the busbar section. The actuating lever can be made relatively robust even with very small conductor connection terminals and in this way can transmit high actuating forces to the terminal springs. Alternatively, there can also be more than two spaced-apart, parallel-arranged support elements, for example if two clamping springs arranged next to one another are to be actuated simultaneously with one actuating lever.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the clamping point of the electrical conductor and/or, if a clamping edge of the busbar section is present, this clamping edge is arranged in an intermediate space formed between the two spaced, parallel bearing elements. As a result, the space between the support elements can be used to place the electrical conductor. As a result, the conductor connection terminal can be designed to be particularly compact.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the concavely curved contour of the bearing area and/or the bearing area designed as a recess in the busbar section extends continuously from a bearing element of an actuating lever at least to the nearest bearing element of an immediately adjacent actuating lever. This has the advantage that, despite the design of the conductor rail sections with the concavely curved storage areas and/or depressions, the clamping points can be shaped particularly advantageously for clamping an electrical conductor. Thus, the concavely curved contour and/or the depression bearing area formed in the conductor rail section, for example extending continuously from a bearing element of an actuating element only to the nearest bearing element of an immediately adjacent actuating lever and not beyond.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is provided that between the bearing elements of an actuating lever, a receiving space is formed for receiving the electrical conductor clamped to the spring-loaded terminal connection. This is also conducive to a particularly compact and small design of the conductor terminal. In this way, the space spanned by the actuating lever can advantageously be used for accommodating the electrical conductor.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is provided that at least part of the clamping spring, in particular the predominant part of a clamping leg of the clamping spring, is arranged in a region between the bearing elements of an actuating lever. This allows a mechanically favorable Be actuation of the clamping leg of the clamping spring by the operating lever. For example, starting from a spring arc of the clamping spring, the clamping leg can initially have a larger width and then taper towards the free end to a smaller width. In the area of the clamping leg with a larger width, loading sections of the actuating lever can transfer their actuating forces to the clamping leg.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the actuating lever has two spaced-apart side wall sections which at least partially dip into a housing of the conductor terminal and are each connected via a connecting section to one of the support elements. In this way, a robust actuating lever can be created which is nested with the housing of the conductor terminal and in particular with certain Ge housing walls. In this way, large clearance and creepage distances can be achieved even with small conductor connection terminals. The arrangement of the bearing elements in the concavely curved contours and/or indentations creates additional space for a robust design of the transition created cuts on the actuating lever between the support elements and the Seitenwandab, ie the respective connecting portion can be made with more material and thus more robust. The actuating lever can, for example, each be designed with a side wall section, a connecting section connected to the side wall section and a bearing element connected to the connecting section with a resulting U-shaped contour. Due to the fact that these contours are present twice (to the left and to the right of the clamping point), the actuating lever has a double U-contour in the area of the bearing elements.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the bearing elements form an axis of rotation (D) about which the actuating lever is pivotably mounted in the housing, with the bearing elements having actuating sections which are each used to act on an associated clamping spring of a spring-loaded terminal connection when the actuating lever is pivoted from a closed position, in which the actuating lever is pivoted with its transverse web in the direction of the housing and a terminal point formed by the spring-loaded terminal connection for connecting an electrical conductor is closed, to an open position, in which the actuating lever is pivoted with its transverse web away from the housing and a through the clamping point formed by the spring-loaded terminal connection is open for connecting an electrical conductor. This allows the clamping spring to be actuated reliably while at the same time having a compact, small-sized design of the spring-loaded terminal connection with the actuating lever. According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the actuating lever remains in the open position in its open position, i.e. it does not automatically move back into the closed position. For example, the actuating lever can be latched in the open position and/or can be in an over-center position.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the loading sections on the support elements are arranged at a smaller distance from one another than the distance between the side wall sections, with the loading sections extending parallel to the side wall sections and being formed integrally with the side wall sections are that in each case a guide slot between a loading section and the associated directly adjacent sidewall section is present. In each case one guide web of the housing then enters an associated guide slot for guiding the actuating lever during pivoting movement about a pivot axis in the pivot bearing area.

With the help of the application sections spaced apart from the side wall sections of the U-shaped flebel arm by an intermediate guide slot, the flebel arm can be pivoted and tilt-proof by a guide web of the housing that enters a respective guide slot. With the help of the guide slots and the guide webs acting on them, very stable swivel bearings can be implemented in a space-saving manner, which are essentially located laterally next to the spring-loaded terminal connections.

The actuating lever is therefore approximately U-shaped in section and accommodates the spring-loaded terminal connection at least partially in the sections laterally limited by the side wall space. The pivot bearing areas are therefore not above, not below, not in front of or not behind the spring-loaded terminal connection, but to the side next to the spring-loaded terminal connection or the clamping spring of the spring-loaded terminal connection to be actuated.

This results in a very compact conductor connection terminal, in which the actuating lever is mounted in a positionally stable and robust manner in the housing, with the laterally next to the spring-loaded terminal connection in the housing on ordered pivot bearing areas.

Through the interaction of the measures described, an extremely compact conductor terminal is realized, the pivoted levers of which are stably mounted in the insulating material housing so that they can pivot without the actuating forces acting on the at least one pivoted lever exerting an excessive load on the housing.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is provided that a guide web of the housing dips into an associated guide slot for guiding the actuating lever during a pivoting movement about a rotation axis (D) in the pivot bearing area. According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the loading sections have a part-circular outer circumference with a cutout to form a shoulder protruding in the direction of the center of the loading section, the at least one spring force terminal connection having a clamping spring with an actuating tab and the actuating tab of the clamping spring Pivoting the actuating lever to open the clamping point rests on the paragraph. With the help of such a paragraph, which is followed by a space above it, a stable support for an actuating lug of the clamping spring is created, so that the spring actuating force is optimally transmitted via the paragraph to the clamping lug of the clamping spring. The shoulder projecting in the direction of the center of the loading section provides a free space above it, so that the clamping spring can otherwise be lifted freely from the shoulder without lever actuation in order to exert a spring clamping force on the electrical conductor unaffected by the lever arm. It can thus also be provided that the electrical conductor can be plugged in directly without the clamping leg having to be deflected with the actuating lever beforehand.

The described design of the conductor connection terminal allows the transition from the support element to the crossbar to the side wall section to be increased and at the same time the air gap to the busbar to be increased without the conductor connection terminal itself having to be designed to be taller. In addition, the contact area between the actuating lever and the busbar section can be formed in the manner of a concave arcuately curved pan. Compared to the prior art, this contact area can be changed from a pure line contact to a more extensive contact. This reduces the load on the contact area and wear. In addition, the actuating lever is guided better during the pivoting movement.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the indentation in the busbar section transitions stepwise on at least one side into an adjacent raised area of the busbar section and/or on at least one side steplessly into an adjacent raised area of the Busbar section passes. For example, one or both long sides of the recess, which run parallel to the conductor insertion direction, gradually transition into the adjacent raised area and the transverse to the conductor insertion direction sides continuously. A stepped transition can be, for example, a transition with a sharp cutting edge that is formed by a tool. A smooth transition can be a smooth transition over, for example, a slope or over a rounded contour, ie a transition with a continuous material that is deformed without a cut.

For the purposes of the present invention, the indefinite term “a” is not to be understood as a numeral. If, for example, a component is mentioned, this is to be interpreted in the sense of "at least one component". If angles are specified in degrees, these refer to a circular measurement of 360 degrees (360°).

The invention is explained in more detail below on the basis of exemplary embodiments with the use of drawings.

Show it

Figure 1 shows a conductor connection terminal in a perspective view, Figure 2 shows the conductor connection terminal according to Figure 1 in a longitudinal section, Figure 3 shows a conductor rail of the conductor connection terminal in a perspective view,

4 shows the busbar according to FIG. 3 with additional components, FIG. 5 shows the busbar with additional components, as shown in FIG. 4, in a side view,

FIG. 6 shows a further embodiment of a conductor rail in a perspective view,

7 shows an operating lever in a perspective view, FIG. 8 shows the operating lever according to FIG. 7 in a longitudinal section, FIG. 9 shows a further embodiment of a conductor rail in a perspective view,

FIGS. 10, 11 the conductor rail according to FIG. 9 with an actuating lever in different perspective views, FIG. 12 shows the conductor rail according to FIG. 9 with clamping springs and actuating levers arranged thereon,

FIG. 13 shows a conductor connection terminal designed with the contact insert according to FIG. 12 in a lateral sectional view,

FIG. 14 a further embodiment of a conductor rail in a perspective view,

FIGS. 15, 16 the conductor rail according to FIG. 14 with an actuating lever in different perspective views,

FIG. 17 shows the conductor rail according to FIG. 14 with clamping springs and actuating levers arranged thereon, in a perspective view

18 shows the conductor connection terminal according to FIG. 1 from the rear, FIG. 19 shows the conductor connection terminal according to FIG. 1 in a further view in longitudinal section.

FIG. 1 shows a conductor connection terminal 1, which here has three poles as an example. The conductor terminal 1 has a housing 2 in which three spring clamp terminals are arranged next to one another. A conductor insertion opening 20 in the housing 2 is assigned to each spring-loaded terminal connection. An electrical conductor can be guided to a clamping point of the spring clamp connection through the conductor insertion opening 20 . The conductor connection terminal 1 also has three operating levers 5 . Each operating lever 5 is assigned to one of the spring clamp connections. The clamping spring of the spring-loaded terminal connection can be actuated by the respective operating lever, thereby opening or closing the terminal point as required.

In the sectional view of FIG. 2 it can be seen that a respective spring force terminal connection has a clamping spring 4 and a busbar section 37 assigned to the clamping spring 4 . The clamping spring 4 has a contact leg 41 , a spring bow 42 adjoining the contact leg 41 and a clamping leg 43 adjoining the spring bow 42 . The contact leg is suspended on a holding frame 30 with a holding element 40 at the end. In this way, the clamping spring 4 is attached to the holding frame 30 via its contact leg 41 . The clamping leg 43 is in the illustrated arrangement, ie when the actuating lever 5 is closed and without a clamped electrical conductor, on a contact section 31 of the conductor rail section 37 associated with it. If an electrical shear conductor is clamped, it is clamped between the free end of the clamp's cle 43 and the contact section 31 . The holding frame 30 is connected to the contact section 31 or, in the embodiment shown, is formed in one piece therewith. In this way, a self-supporting Federkraftklemman circuit is formed, in which the clamping spring 4 is hold ge by the busbar 3 on both sides.

The actuating lever 5 has a manual actuating section 50 on which it can be actuated manually for pivoting and in this way can be pivoted. The manual operating section 50 protrudes at least partially out of the housing 2 above the conductor insertion opening 20 so that it can advantageously be gripped more easily. Side wall sections 52 extend into the housing 2 from the manual operating section 50 . As will be described in more detail below, the side wall sections 52 are connected to bearing elements 51 via which the actuating lever 5 is supported on the conductor rail 3 . The bearing elements 51 have loading sections 53 which are used for mechanical loading and accordingly for the deflection of the clamping leg 43 when the actuating lever 5 is pivoted. If the actuating lever 5 is pivoted into the open position (by a certain angle clockwise in the arrangement shown), then the loading section 53 comes into contact with the clamping leg 43 and lifts it away from the busbar section 37 . In this way, the clamping point is opened. An electrical conductor can then be inserted through the conductor insertion opening 20 in egg ner conductor insertion direction L without effort to the clamping point between the clamping leg 43 and the busbar section 37. The electrical conductor can then be clamped there by pivoting the operating lever 5 back into the closed position (as shown in Figure 2).

The actuating lever 5 is connected via its support elements 51, more precisely via their support surfaces 54 facing the busbar section 37 Busbar section 37 superimposed. As can be seen in the sectional view of FIG. 2, the bearing surface 54 extends into the illustrated sectional plane of the conductor rail section 37, which is due to the recessed bearing areas present in the conductor rail section 37, which are explained below.

FIG. 3 shows the conductor rail 3 of the conductor connection terminal 1 described above as an individual part. It can be seen that the busbar 3 has a busbar section 37 for each of the three spring force clamp connections. In this way, the contact section 31 is structured into three busbar sections 37 . The contact section 31 merges on one side of the busbar 3 into a respective holding frame 30 of the respective busbar section 37 . As mentioned, the clamping springs 4 with their holding elements 40 are attached to the holding frame 30 .

The busbar 3 has a flat area 32 in the contact section 31 . Opposite this flat area 32, storage areas 36 and clamping contours 34 are formed in a recessed manner, e.g. by stamping with an embossing tool. The terminal contours 34 serve to clamp the electrical conductor in the respective busbar section 37. At the rear end of a clamping contour 34 in the direction of conductor insertion L, a clamping edge 35 of the respective busbar section 37 is formed.

The storage areas 36 are used for receiving and supporting the bearing elements 51 of the actuating lever 5. The storage areas 36 each have a concavely curved contour, which runs, for example, in an arc. The individual location areas 36 are each interrupted by conductor system areas 33, where the electrical conductors to be clamped are to be arranged. The conductor system areas 33 can, for example, have a planar shape comparable to that of the planar area 32, ie they can be designed with a planar surface. In addition, one of the already mentioned clamping contours 34 can be arranged in each ladder system area 33 . Figure 4 shows the busbar 3 according to Figure 3 with a clamping spring 4 hooked into the right busbar section 37 and on the far left busbar section 37 with an actuating lever 5 and a clamping spring 4 hooked there. It can be seen how the actuating lever 5 is connected to the bearing surface 54 of the bearing element 51 is well inserted in the concavely curved bearing areas 36 and can slide along on the bearing areas 36 during a pivoting movement.

FIG. 5 shows this advantageous adaptation of the concavely curved contour of the bearing surface 54 and the convexly curved contour of the bearing area 36, which is adapted thereto in terms of shape, in a side view.

FIG. 6 shows an embodiment of a busbar 3 in which the storage area 36 with the convexly curved contour extends continuously over the entire width of the busbar 3 . The concavely curved contour is only partially interrupted by clamping contours 34, which are raised relative to the convexly curved contour, in the rear areas in the conductor insertion direction L. Here too, a clamping edge 35 of the respective busbar section 37 is formed on the respective rear end of a clamping contour 34 in the conductor insertion direction L.

FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of an actuating lever 5 from below. This shows the U-shaped configuration in principle in section with two spaced-apart side wall sections 52 which are connected to one another at their free end on a side edge with a transverse web 59 . It is clear that the side wall sections 52 range from the pivot bearing areas 62 to run tapered towards the free end. It can be seen that an actuating bead 60 is present at the free end of the transverse web 59 . It is also clear that the transverse web 59 with the actuating bead 60 protrudes forwards beyond the free ends of the side wall sections 52, the inner sides of the transverse web 59 being inclined at the free end edge. This counteracts slipping when a lever actuation force of the actuation lever 5 is applied. It can also be seen that part-circular sections which are spaced apart from the side wall sections 52 in the pivot bearing area 62 with a guide slot 57 and form the respective bearing elements 51 are arranged. Between the support elements 51 there is a receiving space 58 for receiving the electrical conductor clamped on the spring force terminal connection. It can also be seen that the bearing elements 51 have outer end faces curved in the shape of a part of a circle, which form bearing surfaces 54 with which the actuating lever 5 is placed on the bearing areas 36 and pivoted about a virtual axis of rotation D in the housing. The axis of rotation D extends through the center of a partial circle formed by the bearing surface 54 .

The support elements 51 each have a V-shaped incision 56. In the Be rich of the V-shaped incisions 56 in each case a loading section 53 is formed, which serves to load an associated clamping leg 43 of a clamping spring 4 with a spring actuating force. It can be seen that the loading sections 53, as well as the transverse web 59, on which a lever pivoting force is exerted, are on the same side relative to the axis of rotation D as viewed in the longitudinal direction of the side wall sections 52. The result of this is that the spring actuating forces exerted via the actuating sections 16 act on the same side relative to the axis of rotation D as the lever pivoting force applied to the transverse web 59 for pivoting.

It is also clear that a locking lug 61 protrudes from the transverse web 59 on the side opposite the actuating bead 60 in approximately the direction of the swivel bearing area 62 and the bearing element 51 . The detent 61 is used to latch the actuating lever 5 to the housing 2 in the closed position.

FIG. 8 shows a side sectional view through the actuating lever 5 from FIG. Here again it becomes clear that the side wall sections 52 are connected by a transverse web 59 connecting them on the upper side of the actuating lever 5 . The transverse web 59 only extends over a partial area of the length of the side wall sections 52 and preferably takes up more than half the length of the side wall sections 52 . While in the previously described embodiments of the conductor connection terminal, the conductor rail sections 37 were each formed with bearing areas 36 that have a concavely curved contour, the following exemplary embodiments according to Figures 9 to 17 describe an embodiment in which the bearing areas 36 each are formed as a recess in the current rail nenabschnitt 37 without having a concave curved contour ha ben.

The exemplary embodiments according to FIGS. 9 to 17 are based on a design of the conductor connection terminal 1 in which the conductor entry openings are not only arranged on one side of the housing, but on opposite (opposite to one another) housing sides. Correspondingly, the conductor rail 3 is also double-sided, i.e. with respective conductor rail sections 37 arranged on opposite sides. Between the opposite clamping contours 34, the busbar 3 has a flat area 32. There are storage areas 36 for supporting an actuating lever 5, which are designed as depressions opposite this flat area 32, with a storage area 36 being formed on the left and right of a clamping contour 34 is. The storage area 36 extends in the conductor insertion direction L from an area in front of the clamping edge 35 to an area behind the clamping edge 35.

The conductor rail 3 is designed without the holding frame 30 described above for holding the clamping springs. Instead, there is a holding recess 38 in the flat area 32, i.e. between the opposing clamping contours 34, in which the clamping springs 4 can be hung with an extended area of the contact leg 41, on which a holding element 40 is located.

Figure 10 illustrates the arrangement of an actuating lever 5 with its bearing surfaces 54 on the storage areas 36. Figure 11 shows the mounting of the actuating lever 5 similar to Figure 10, but from a different perspective, in which in particular the receiving space 58 for receiving the electrical conductor is recognizable. FIG. 12 shows an arrangement with the conductor rail 3 according to FIG. 9, two clamping springs 4 attached thereto and actuating levers 5 for actuating the respective clamping springs 4.

FIG. 13 shows a conductor connection terminal 1 in which an arrangement according to FIG. 12 is installed. In particular, the fastening of the clamping springs 4 can be seen by way of the end-side retaining elements 40 that are present on the contact legs 41 and are hooked into the retaining recess 38 in the flat area 32 of the busbar 3 . The clamping springs 4 can be deflected by acting on respective actuating surfaces of the clamping leg 43 in that, when the respective actuating lever 5 pivots, its actuating sections 53 come into contact with the actuating surfaces and thereby move the respective clamping leg 43 away from the busbar 3 .

Figures 14 to 17 show a further embodiment of a busbar 3 as well as further elements of the conductor connection terminal, in which, in contrast to the embodiment of Figures 9 to 12, several (here two) busbar sections 37 are arranged side by side on each side of the busbar 3. The busbar 3 is otherwise designed similarly to the embodiment of Figures 9 to 12, in particular with the retaining recess 38 in the flat area 32 of the busbar 3. It can also be seen that in the case of the busbar sections 37 arranged on one side of the busbar 3, the respective central storage area 36 forms a common, continuous depression, i.e. individual depressions are not formed there for each busbar section 37, but rather a common depression. As can be seen, for example, from FIGS. 15 and 16, the actuating lever 5 has a wide side wall section 52 for this central area, which extends at least approximately over the entire width of the deepened storage area 36.

Particularly in the case of the exemplary embodiments according to FIGS. 9 to 17, it is not absolutely necessary for the conductor entry openings to be arranged on opposite sides of the housing. The conductor insertion openings can also be provided on only one side of the housing 2. Also two se- Ready operating levers 5 for the various terminal points on a housin seseite are provided instead of a single operating lever 5. It is also conceivable that more than two conductor entry openings and corresponding terminal points are present on one side of the housing. In the exemplary embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 to 8, there can also be conductor entry openings on opposite sides of the housing. Accordingly, the conductor rail 3 is then to be double-sided.

Another independent variant of the invention relates to a conductor terminal 1 of the type mentioned in which at least one test clip 39 is arranged on the conductor rail 3 . This embodiment is shown in Figures 3, 4, 5,

6 and FIGS. 18 and 19. The test clip 39 is used for electrical contact and thus for carrying out electrical measurements on the busbar using a test probe. It can be seen in FIG. 3 that the test tab 39 is arranged between two holding frames 30 and is set back somewhat in the conductor insertion direction L relative to these holding frames, i.e. it is arranged behind the holding frame 30 in the conductor insertion direction L. FIG. 5 also makes this clear. It can also be seen that the test lug 39 is formed in one piece with the busbar 3 and initially extends as an extension of the flat area 32 to behind the holder frame 30 and there transitions over an arc into a section running essentially perpendicular to the flat area 32.

Figure 18 shows the conductor terminal 1 with the housing 2 in a view of the rear side 22 of the housing. Figure 19 shows the conductor terminal 1 in a sectional view comparable to that in Figure 2, but in a sectional plane through the test lug 39. On the rear side 22 of the housing a test opening, which passes over a test channel 21 . The test channel 21 leads to the test tab 39. A test tip can now be passed through the test opening and the test channel 21 to the test tab 39 and make electrical contact with them. The test channel 21 extends in its longitudinal direction essentially perpendicular to the direction in which the clamping points are arranged. Reference List

1 conductor terminal

2 housing

3 power rail

4 clamping spring

5 operating levers

7 actuating bead

20 wire entry hole

21 test channel

22 Case Back

30 holding frames

31 contact section

32 flat area

33 ladder system area

34 clamping contour

35 clamping edge

36 storage area

37 busbar section

38 retaining recess

39 test tab

40 holding element

41 investment leg

42 spring bow

43 clamping legs

50 manual operating section

51 support element

52 sidewall section

53 loading section

54 bearing surface

56 V-shaped incision

57 guide slot

58 recording room

59 crossbar 60 actuation bead

61 detent

62 pivot bearing area

D Axis of rotation L Direction of conductor insertion

Claims

Patent Claims:

1. Conductor connection terminal (1) with at least one spring-loaded terminal connection for connecting an electrical conductor by means of spring force, the spring-loaded terminal connection having a clamping spring (4) and a busbar section (37) assigned to the clamping spring (4), between which a clamping point for connecting the electrical conductor, and with a pivotable actuating lever (5) assigned to the spring force terminal connection for actuating the clamping spring (4), the actuating lever (5) having at least one bearing element (51) which has a bearing surface (54) facing the busbar section (37). with a convexly curved contour, via which the actuating lever (5) is supported on a bearing area (36) of the busbar section (37), characterized in that the bearing area (36) of the busbar section (37) has a concavely curved contour.

2. Conductor connection terminal according to claim 1, characterized in that the concavely curved contour of the bearing area (36) is adapted in terms of its curvature course to the curvature course of the convexly curved contour of the bearing surface (54).

3. Conductor connection terminal according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the conductor connection terminal (1) is designed as a multi-pole conductor connection terminal, in which several spring-loaded terminal connections are arranged next to one another, the spring-loaded terminal connections each having a clamping spring (4) and one associated with the clamping spring (4). Busbars have nenabschnitt (37) and each spring terminal connection is assigned an actuation lever (5), the busbar sections (37) parts a continuous conductor rail (3) and the concavely curved contour of the bearing area (36) extends continuously from a bearing element (51) of an actuating lever (5) at least to a bearing element (51) of an immediately adjacent actuating lever (5) or continuously over the conductor rail sections (37) extends several or all of the spring clamp connections.

4. Conductor terminal according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the continuously extending concavely curved contour of the storage area (37) is at least partially interrupted at least at one clamping point by another contour, in particular a clamping contour (34).

5. Conductor connection terminal according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the concavely curved contour of the storage area (36) is designed as a depression in the busbar section (37), which has a trough-like or channel-like depression forms.

6. Conductor connection terminal according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the actuating lever (5) in the concave contour about an axis of rotation (D) is pivotable, which extends transversely to the conductor insertion direction (L) of the associated spring terminal connection.

7. Conductor connection terminal according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the busbar section (37) has a clamping edge (35) for clamping the electrical conductor.

8. Conductor connection terminal according to claim 7, characterized in that the clamping edge (35) is arranged in the conductor insertion direction (L) behind the concave contour of the storage area (36).

9. Conductor connection terminal according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the clamping edge (35) is formed as a peripheral edge of a recess (34) stamped into the busbar section (37).

10. Conductor connection terminal according to claim 9, characterized in that viewed in conductor insertion direction (L), the length of the depression (34) stamped into the busbar section (37) is less than the length of the concave contour of the storage area (36).

11. Conductor connection terminal according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the actuating lever (5) has two spaced-apart, parallel-arranged bearing elements (51), each of which has a bearing surface (54) facing the busbar section (37) and having a convex contour have, via which the actuating lever (5) on the storage area (36) of the busbar section (37) is superimposed.

12. Conductor connection terminal according to claim 11, characterized in that the concavely curved contour of the bearing area (37) extends continuously from a bearing element (51) of an actuating lever (5) at least to the nearest bearing element (51) of an immediately adjacent actuating lever (5). extends.

13. Conductor connection terminal according to one of claims 11 to 12, characterized in that between the bearing elements (51) of an actuating lever (5) there is formed a receiving space (58) for receiving the electrical conductor connected to the spring-loaded terminal.

14. Conductor connection terminal according to one of claims 11 to 13, characterized in that at least part of the clamping spring (4), in particular the over swaying part of a clamping leg (43) of the clamping spring (4) is arranged in a region between the bearing elements (51) of an actuating lever (5).

15. Conductor connection terminal according to one of Claims 11 to 14, characterized in that the actuating lever (5) has two side wall sections (52) spaced apart from one another, which at least partially dip into a housing (2) of the conductor connection terminal (1) and each have a Crossbar (55) are connected to one of the support elements (51).

16. Conductor connection terminal according to Claim 15, characterized in that the bearing elements (51) form an axis of rotation (D) about which the actuating lever (5) is pivotably mounted in the housing (2), the bearing elements (51) having actuating sections (53 ), each of which is used to apply pressure to an associated clamping spring (4) of a spring-loaded terminal connection when the actuating lever (5) is pivoted from a closed position in which the actuating lever (5) pivots with its transverse web (55) in the direction of the housing (2) and a through the clamping point formed by the spring-loaded terminal connection for connecting an electrical conductor is closed, into an open position in which the actuating lever (5) is pivoted with its transverse web (55) away from the housing (2) and a clamping point formed by the spring-loaded terminal connection for connecting a electrical conductor is open, are formed.

17. Conductor connection terminal according to Claim 16, characterized in that the actuating sections (53) on the bearing elements (51) are arranged at a smaller distance from one another than the distance between the side wall sections (52), the actuating sections (53) being parallel to extend the side wall sections (52) and are formed integrally with the side wall sections (52) so that each have a guide slot (57) is present between an actuating section (53) and the associated directly adjacent side wall section (52).

18. Conductor connection terminal according to claim 17, characterized in that each case a guide web of the housing (2) in an associated guide slot (57) for guiding the actuating lever (5) during pivoting movement about an axis of rotation (D) in the pivot bearing area dips.

19. Conductor connection terminal according to one of Claims 16 to 18, characterized in that the actuating sections (53) have a part-circular outer circumference with a cutout (56) to form a shoulder protruding in the direction of the center of the actuating section (53), the min at least one spring clamp connection has a clamping spring (4) with an actuating lug and the actuating lug of the clamping spring (4) rests on the shoulder when the actuating lever (5) is pivoted to open the clamping point.

20. Conductor connection terminal according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one test lug is arranged on the conductor rail (3), which can be electrically contacted by means of a test probe inserted into the housing (2).

21. Conductor connection terminal (1) with at least one spring-loaded terminal connection for connecting an electrical conductor by means of spring force, the spring-loaded terminal connection having a clamping spring (4) and a busbar section (37) assigned to the clamping spring (4), between which there is a clamping point for connecting the electrical conductor, and with a pivotable actuating lever (5) assigned to the spring force terminal connection for actuating the clamping spring (4), the actuating lever (5) having at least one bearing element (51) which has a bearing surface (54) facing the busbar section (37). with convex curved contour, over which the actuating lever (5) is mounted on a bearing area (36) of the busbar section (37), characterized in that at least one test lug is arranged on the busbar (3), which can be electrically contacted by means of a test probe inserted into the housing (2). is.