Classifications

• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
  • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
  • H01R4/00—Electrically-conductive connections between two or more conductive members in direct contact, i.e. touching one another; Means for effecting or maintaining such contact; Electrically-conductive connections having two or more spaced connecting locations for conductors and using contact members penetrating insulation
  • H01R4/28—Clamped connections, spring connections
  • H01R4/48—Clamped connections, spring connections utilising a spring, clip, or other resilient member
  • H01R4/4809—Clamped connections, spring connections utilising a spring, clip, or other resilient member using a leaf spring to bias the conductor toward the busbar
  • H01R4/4811—Spring details
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
  • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
  • H01R4/00—Electrically-conductive connections between two or more conductive members in direct contact, i.e. touching one another; Means for effecting or maintaining such contact; Electrically-conductive connections having two or more spaced connecting locations for conductors and using contact members penetrating insulation
  • H01R4/28—Clamped connections, spring connections
  • H01R4/48—Clamped connections, spring connections utilising a spring, clip, or other resilient member
  • H01R4/4809—Clamped connections, spring connections utilising a spring, clip, or other resilient member using a leaf spring to bias the conductor toward the busbar
  • H01R4/4828—Spring-activating arrangements mounted on or integrally formed with the spring housing
  • H01R4/4835—Mechanically bistable arrangements, e.g. locked by the housing when the spring is biased
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
  • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
  • H01R4/00—Electrically-conductive connections between two or more conductive members in direct contact, i.e. touching one another; Means for effecting or maintaining such contact; Electrically-conductive connections having two or more spaced connecting locations for conductors and using contact members penetrating insulation
  • H01R4/28—Clamped connections, spring connections
  • H01R4/48—Clamped connections, spring connections utilising a spring, clip, or other resilient member
  • H01R4/4809—Clamped connections, spring connections utilising a spring, clip, or other resilient member using a leaf spring to bias the conductor toward the busbar
  • H01R4/48185—Clamped connections, spring connections utilising a spring, clip, or other resilient member using a leaf spring to bias the conductor toward the busbar adapted for axial insertion of a wire end
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
  • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
  • H01R4/00—Electrically-conductive connections between two or more conductive members in direct contact, i.e. touching one another; Means for effecting or maintaining such contact; Electrically-conductive connections having two or more spaced connecting locations for conductors and using contact members penetrating insulation
  • H01R4/28—Clamped connections, spring connections
  • H01R4/48—Clamped connections, spring connections utilising a spring, clip, or other resilient member
  • H01R4/4809—Clamped connections, spring connections utilising a spring, clip, or other resilient member using a leaf spring to bias the conductor toward the busbar
  • H01R4/4828—Spring-activating arrangements mounted on or integrally formed with the spring housing
  • H01R4/483—Pivoting arrangements, e.g. lever pushing on the spring
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
  • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
  • H01R4/00—Electrically-conductive connections between two or more conductive members in direct contact, i.e. touching one another; Means for effecting or maintaining such contact; Electrically-conductive connections having two or more spaced connecting locations for conductors and using contact members penetrating insulation
  • H01R4/28—Clamped connections, spring connections
  • H01R4/48—Clamped connections, spring connections utilising a spring, clip, or other resilient member
  • H01R4/4809—Clamped connections, spring connections utilising a spring, clip, or other resilient member using a leaf spring to bias the conductor toward the busbar
  • H01R4/484—Spring housing details
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
  • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
  • H01R4/00—Electrically-conductive connections between two or more conductive members in direct contact, i.e. touching one another; Means for effecting or maintaining such contact; Electrically-conductive connections having two or more spaced connecting locations for conductors and using contact members penetrating insulation
  • H01R4/28—Clamped connections, spring connections
  • H01R4/48—Clamped connections, spring connections utilising a spring, clip, or other resilient member
  • H01R4/4809—Clamped connections, spring connections utilising a spring, clip, or other resilient member using a leaf spring to bias the conductor toward the busbar
  • H01R4/48185—Clamped connections, spring connections utilising a spring, clip, or other resilient member using a leaf spring to bias the conductor toward the busbar adapted for axial insertion of a wire end
  • H01R4/4819—Clamped connections, spring connections utilising a spring, clip, or other resilient member using a leaf spring to bias the conductor toward the busbar adapted for axial insertion of a wire end the spring shape allowing insertion of the conductor end when the spring is unbiased
  • H01R4/4821—Single-blade spring

Definitions

• the invention relates to a terminal block for connecting an electrical line according to the preamble of claim 1.
• Such a terminal block comprises a housing with a plug-in opening into which the electrical conductor can be inserted for connection to the terminal block.
• a contact element for electrical contact with the conductor is arranged on the housing.
• a spring element has a clamping arm designed to act on the conductor to bring it into contact with the contact element when the conductor is inserted into the plug-in opening.
• An actuating element is movable relative to the housing for adjusting the clamping arm. For this purpose, the actuating element can be moved, for example, without tools or with the use of a tool, from an unactuated position to an actuated position to move the clamping arm relative to the housing into a release position, for example, to facilitate insertion or removal of the conductor from the plug-in opening.
• Such a terminal block achieves a spring-force connection by using the spring element, in which the electrical conductor in the connected position is clamped to the contact element under the elastic spring action of the spring element and is thus electrically connected to the contact element.
• the terminal block includes a release element that is adjustable relative to the housing and has a release section.
• the clamping arm is designed to engage with the release element in the release position, thus holding the clamping arm in this position.
• the release section assumes a detent position relative to the housing.
• the release section can be moved out of the detent position by the interaction of the electrical conductor, thereby releasing the clamping arm from the release position.
• the known terminal block incorporates a spring element in the form of a tension spring, which, through elastic spring action, pulls a connected electrical conductor into contact with an associated contact element, thus creating a clamping connection between the electrical conductor and the terminal block.
• the contact element is created.
• the electrical conductor is pushed through an opening in the clamping arm when it is attached and clamped between the clamping arm and the contact element in the connected position.
• a locking mechanism is provided, which locks the clamping arm in a release position relative to the housing.
• the locking mechanism is triggered, thus releasing the locking, and the clamping arm is moved out of the release position, thereby clamping the electrical conductor to the contact element.
• a tool such as a screwdriver, can be applied to the terminal and force exerted on the clamping arm.
• each of the known terminal blocks is provided with an actuating element in the form of a so-called pusher, which can be pressed into the terminal block housing to act on the clamping arm and move it into its release position.
• the actuating element is spring-loaded against the terminal block housing by a compression spring.
• a known terminal block has an actuating lug arranged on the actuating element, which, in the actuated position of the actuating element, is hooked onto a fastening section of a retaining element.
• the object of the present invention is to provide a terminal block that reliably enables the clamping leg of the spring element to be locked to the release element in the release position, with a space-saving arrangement and convenient operation.
• the release element has a return element.
• the actuating element is designed to act on the return element in order to move the release element in the direction of to pre-tension the detent position when the actuating element is activated to move the clamping leg into the release position.
• the electrical conductor is electrically connected to the electrical contact element.
• the clamping arm acts on the conductor, applying spring tension towards contact with the contact element.
• the clamping arm of the spring element can be deflected elastically by actuating the actuator. This moves the clamping arm into a release position, opening up space around the socket. This allows the conductor to be inserted into the socket with minimal effort, or (alternatively) a connected conductor to be easily removed from the terminal block.
• the clamping arm is designed to be held in position relative to the housing in the release position. This results in easy handling, allowing the clamping arm to be moved into the release position to connect an electrical conductor, thus enabling virtually effortless insertion of the conductor into the terminal block.
• the terminal block has a release element that forms a release section.
• the clamping arm is designed to engage with the release element in the release position, thus holding the clamping arm in this position.
• the release section is designed to interact with the electrical conductor when the clamping arm is inserted into the socket to release it from the release position.
• the release element thus serves to lock the clamping arm in the release position.
• the clamping arm can be adjusted relative to the housing and moved into the release position, so that, in particular, an electrical cable can be easily inserted into the plug opening of the housing to connect the cable to the terminal block.
• the release element also serves to release the clamping arm from the release position, so that the clamping arm is automatically released from the release position when the electrical cable is inserted into the socket, thus ensuring the The clamping arm is moved into a clamping position in which the electrical conductor inserted into the plug opening is electrically contacted with the contact element of the terminal block.
• the release section can be triggered by interaction with the electrical conductor, thus releasing the clamping arm from the release element and freeing the clamping arm from the release position.
• the release mechanism's release section is deflected when the electrical conductor is inserted, the terminal closes automatically. This results in a simple connection process with reliable contact between the electrical conductor and the contact element thanks to the clamping action of the clamping arm.
• the release element is preferably separate from the spring element and thus exists as a separate component in addition to the spring element.
• the release element is adjustable relative to the housing, for example, by tilting or sliding it, and can therefore be adjusted relative to the housing to release the clamping arm.
• the trigger element can, for example, be made of metal, such as a stamped and bent part.
• the spring element can, for example, be formed as a stamped and bent part from an elastically springy metal material, such as spring steel.
• the release element has a return element designed to interact with the actuating element when the actuating element is moved relative to the housing.
• the actuating element acts on the return element of the release element, thereby returning the release element to the detent position.
• the release element is thus moved into the detent position when the clamping arm is moved into the release position and held there, ensuring that the release element reliably engages with the clamping arm.
• the release element ensures reliable operation when moving into the release position, while allowing for convenient operation by a single user.
• the return element can be elastically deformed at the release element by the action of the actuating element.
• the return element itself can be elastically deformable, for example, by being shaped as an elastically deformable tab.
• the return element can also be (essentially) rigid and elastically adjustable, for example, at a deformation section relative to another body of the release element.
• the release element can be tilted relative to the housing about a tilting axis from its detent position.
• the release element is tilted relative to the housing, thus releasing the detent between the release element and the clamping arm.
• the reset element and the release section are positioned in different directions from the tilting axis.
• the release element can, for example, be shaped as a flat section to interact with an electrical conductor when inserted into the socket, and can, for example, protrude from the tilting axis on one side. By interacting with the electrical conductor when inserted into the socket, the release element can thus be tilted around the tilting axis along a first tilting direction.
• the return element can protrude from the tilting axis on a second side facing away from the first.
• the release element is biased in a second tilting direction opposite to the first tilting direction and thus pre-tensioned in the second tilting direction, so that the clamping leg of the spring element can reliably engage with the release element.
• the return element is elastically deformable in a plane perpendicular to the tilting axis by the action of the actuating element.
• the return element When the actuating element is applied, the return element does not remain rigidly in position on the release element, but is elastically deformed. This deformation occurs in the plane perpendicular to the tilting axis. vertical plane and thus along the second tilting direction in which the actuating element acts on the return element.
• the release element is therefore not rigidly moved by the actuating element, but rather elastically pre-tensioned in the direction of the detent position due to the elastic deformation of the return element, so that the release element can reliably engage with the clamping leg in the release position.
• the actuating element can, in principle, be movable relative to the housing in any way, for example, it can be slid or pivoted relative to the housing.
• the actuating element is movably mounted on the housing or on a component fixed to the housing, such as the contact element, and can thus be moved relative to the housing to bring the clamping arm into the release position.
• the actuating element for moving the clamping leg from an unactuated to an actuated position is pivotable relative to the housing.
• the actuating element is thus pivotably mounted and, for this purpose, pivotably supported, for example, on the housing or on a component fixed to the housing, such as the contact element.
• the actuating element can, for example, be displaceable linearly or along a curved path relative to the housing.
• the actuating element comprises an axle element pivotably mounted on the housing, an actuating section operable by a user, a lever section connecting the axle element to the actuating section, and an active section arranged on the lever section for acting on the clamping arm. While the actuating section is accessible from outside the housing, for example, by a user acting on it with a tool such as a screwdriver, or alternatively manually, the active section is operatively connected to the clamping arm of the spring element. By adjusting the actuating element, an adjusting force is exerted on the clamping arm via the active section, so that, particularly when adjusting the actuating element from an unactuated position to an actuated position, the clamping arm is moved along and thus in the direction of the release position.
• the actuating element is pivotably mounted on the housing via the axis element and is thus pivotable about the pivot axis relative to the housing.
• the axis element is connected to the actuating section via a lever section.
• the working section for acting on the clamping arm to adjust the clamping arm relative to the housing is located on the lever section.
• the clamping arm has a clamping section for acting on the electrical conductor and an actuating edge. Viewed along the pivot axis, the actuating edge is arranged axially adjacent to the clamping section on one side of the clamping arm.
• the actuating element is designed to act exclusively on the actuating edge on the side of the clamping arm via the actuating section to adjust the clamping arm.
• the actuating element is thus designed to act on the clamping arm from one side only.
• the actuating edge formed on the clamping arm is arranged axially adjacent to a clamping section on one side of the clamping arm.
• the actuating element acts exclusively on this actuating edge via the actuating section when it is moved to adjust the clamping arm.
• the actuating element therefore acts exclusively on the first side of the clamping arm to introduce adjusting forces into the spring element for adjusting the clamping arm.
• the terminal block can be shaped to minimize installation space.
• the lever section can connect the axle element to the actuating element on only one side.
• the lever section is positioned axially next to the clamping arm, viewed along the pivot axis, and faces the side of the clamping arm where the actuating edge is formed.
• the actuating element only engages the spring element on one side to support the axle element within the housing and to allow access to the actuating element from outside the housing.
• the actuating element is mounted on one side of the housing via the axle element.
• the axle element can be mounted axially (viewed along the pivot axis) next to the contact element on the housing, so that the axle element for pivoting the actuating element is arranged outside an area on the housing aligned with the plug opening. is the space into which the electrical conductor is inserted when connecting to the terminal block.
• the working section is designed to slide against the adjusting edge.
• the actuating element is moved to adjust the clamping leg, the working section slides against the adjusting edge, thereby introducing actuating forces into the clamping leg and adjusting the clamping leg relative to the housing.
• the housing defines a receiving space into which the electrical cable can be inserted by plugging it into the socket.
• the release section extends within the receiving space to interact with the electrical cable.
• the electrical cable can be inserted into the socket along a specific insertion direction, with the release section extending approximately transversely to this insertion direction within the receiving space.
• the release element has a detent section with which the clamping leg is locked in the release position in order to keep the clamping leg in the release position.
• the release element has at least one bearing leg projecting from the release section.
• the release element is adjustably mounted on the housing via this bearing leg.
• the bearing leg can be bent towards the release section, for instance, by an angle of approximately 90°, so that the release section extends transversely to the insertion direction (along which an electrical conductor can be inserted into the socket) and along the pivot axis (about which the actuating element can pivot relative to the housing) within the receiving space inside the housing, while the bearing leg extends along a plane approximately perpendicular to the pivot axis.
• the release element is mounted relative to the housing, for example, on the contact element fixed in the housing, via the bearing leg, so that the release element can be adjusted relative to the housing, for example, tilted.
• the return element is formed on at least one bearing leg.
• the return element can, for example, be integrally formed as a tab on the bearing leg and project from it.
• the bearing leg can extend towards a first side from a tilting axis about which the bearing leg is tiltable, while the return element protrudes towards a second side from the tilting axis.
• the return element is elastically deformable relative to the bearing leg by the action of the actuating element.
• the return element can itself be elastically deformable and can thus be deformed by the action of the actuating element to exert an elastic clamping force on the release element, thereby pre-tensioning the release element in the direction of the detent position.
• a detent section is formed on at least one bearing leg, which is designed to engage with the clamping leg in the release position.
• the detent section can, for example, be formed as a projection or step on the at least one bearing leg, so that the clamping leg can engage with the detent section in the release position and is thus held in position relative to the housing by the release element in the release position.
• At least one bearing leg has a bearing opening for adjustable mounting of the release element.
• a bearing element can be formed on the housing or on the contact element fixed to the housing, which engages in the bearing opening of the bearing leg and thus creates a tilting bearing for the release element relative to the housing.
• the contact element has a contact section for electrical contact with the electrical conductor and a support section forming a bearing element. At least one bearing leg is mounted on the bearing element of the support section, for example, by the bearing element engaging in a bearing opening on the bearing leg, thus creating a pivot bearing for the release element relative to the contact element and therefore relative to the housing.
• the contact element can, for example, have a U-shape, in which the contact section extends over a flat area and is connected to the support section via a connecting section that is bent towards the contact section.
• the support section can extend approximately parallel to the contact section and, like the contact section, is bent towards the connecting section, so that the The connecting section forms the base of the U-shape, and the contact section on one side and the support section on the other side form the legs of the U-shape.
• the release element has two bearing legs, each bent towards the release section and connected to each other via the release section.
• the release element can, for example, form a U-shape, with the bearing legs extending parallel to each other and providing legs of the U-shape, while the release section connects the bearing legs and thus creates a base of the U-shape.
• the return element is preferably formed on one of the bearing legs, for example as a tab that can be deflected elastically relative to the associated bearing leg.
• the trigger element can, for example, be designed as an integral sheet metal element, such as a stamped and bent part.
• the actuating element when the clamping arm is in the release position, the actuating element is movable relative to the housing independently of the clamping arm.
• the actuating element can be pivoted from an unactuated position to an actuated position relative to the housing to move the clamping arm into the release position.
• the actuating element can be pivoted back from the actuated position towards the unactuated position, with the clamping arm remaining in the release position because it is held in position relative to the housing by the release element and thus does not move along with it.
• the spring element is designed as a tension spring.
• the clamping leg of the spring element is designed to pull the electrical conductor into contact with the contact element by spring force.
• the clamping leg may, for example, have an opening through which the electrical conductor can be guided when inserted into the plug-in opening of the housing, so that after the clamping leg is released from its release position, the electrical conductor is pulled into clamping contact with the contact element.
• the spring element can be designed as a compression spring.
• the clamping arm is designed to hold the electrical conductor in contact with the surrounding material by spring force. to press the contact element.
• the electrical conductor enters a space between the clamping arm and the contact element, whereby after the clamping arm is released from the release position, the clamping arm acts on the electrical conductor and presses it into contact with the contact element.
• the spring element can, for example, have a support leg by which the spring element is supported on the housing and/or the contact element and held in position on the housing and/or the contact element.
• the clamping leg is elastically deflectable relative to the support leg, wherein in the release position the clamping leg is deflected such that the spring element is elastically tensioned and, after release from the release position, the clamping leg is moved out of the release position in an elastically pre-tensioned manner.
• Figure 1 shows an embodiment of a terminal block 1 which forms a housing 10 with a plug-in opening 100 formed therein for inserting an electrical conductor 2 along a plug-in direction E.
• the housing 10 defines a receiving space 101 into which the electrical conductor 2 with a stripped conductor end 20 is inserted when it is plugged into the plug-in opening 100 along the plug-in direction E.
• the conductor 2 with the stripped conductor end 20 is located within the receiving space 101 and is electrically contacted via a clamping leg 120 of a spring element 12 with a contact section 110 of an electrical contact element 11 in the form of a current bar, so that the electrical conductor 2 is electrically connected to the terminal 1.
• the contact element 11 has a support section 111, which is connected to the contact section 110 via a connecting section 112.
• the support section 111 and the contact section 110 extend approximately parallel to each other. while the connecting section 112 is shaped as a bridge and connects the contact section 110 with the support section 111.
• the spring element 12 has a support leg 121 which is supported on the support section 111, for example by welding the support leg 121 to the support section 111, so that the spring element 12 is fixed to the housing 10 above it.
• the support leg 121 is connected to the clamping leg 120 via a curved connecting section 122.
• the connecting section 122 extends around a pin-shaped housing section 105 on a rear housing part 103 of the housing 10, as can be seen from Fig. 5A-5C This is evident. Under bending at the connecting section 122, the clamping leg 120 can be elastically deflected relative to the support leg 121.
• the housing part 103 according to Fig. 5A-5C is with a in Figs. 1A-1C to 3A-3C
• the housing part 106 shown is to be connected to complete the housing 10.
• the plug-in opening 100 is formed on the housing part 106.
• the clamping leg 120 is elastically deflectable relative to the support leg 121, in particular such that the clamping leg 120 is in a release position ( Fig. 1B , 2B , 3B , 4B , 5B ) from the contact section 110. From the release position, the clamping leg 120 can be moved into a clamping position in which the clamping leg 120 clamps an electrical conductor 2 connected to the terminal 1 and presses it into contact with the contact section 110 of the contact element 11 under elastic preload, thus electrically contacting the conductor 2 with the contact element 11 via its conductor end 20.
• an actuating element 14 is pivotably mounted on the housing 10 via an axis element 140 about a pivot axis D.
• the actuating element 14 can be pivoted about the pivot axis D relative to the housing 10, whereby an actuating section 141 is accessible from outside the housing 10 and can thus be actuated by a user, for example manually or using a tool.
• the actuating element 14 is designed as a lever which is pivotably mounted at one end on the housing 10 via the axle element 140, so that the actuating element 14 can be moved about the pivot axis D relative to the housing 10.
• the axle element 140 is formed on a lever section 142 which connects the axle element 140 with the actuating section 141, so that the actuating section 141 lies in an actuating opening 102 and can be operated from outside the housing 10 in a tool-free manner.
• the lever section 142 is formed on one side of the actuating element 14.
• the actuating section 141 projects from the lever section 142 along the pivot axis D.
• the axle element 140 is formed on the lever section 142 such that the axle element 140 projects from the lever section 142 on a side facing away from the actuating section 141.
• the pivotable mounting of the actuating element 14 via the axis element 140 on the housing 10 is axially offset (with reference to the pivot axis D) to the contact element 11.
• the axis element 140 is arranged axially next to the contact element 11 and thus outside an area of the receiving space 101 which is aligned with the plug-in opening 100, into which an electrical conductor 2 is inserted for connection to the terminal block 1 along the plug-in direction E.
• a guide section 143 in the form of a step is formed on the lever section 142, which provides a curved guide path with which the lever section 142 is guided slidably on an associated curved guide edge 104 on the housing 10, as is the case, for example, with Fig. 2A-2C as is evident.
• an effective section 144 is formed in the form of a projection extending axially along the pivot axis D from the lever section 142, which serves to interact with the clamping arm 120 of the spring element 12, in particular to move the clamping arm 120 towards a release position by actuating the actuating element 14 in an actuating direction B, as is the case in the transition of Fig. 1A , 2A , 3A , 4A , 5A towards Fig.
• the working section 144 is arranged eccentrically to the pivot axis D and, when the actuating element 14 is actuated, slides along one side of the clamping leg 120 at an actuating edge 123 in order to introduce an actuating force into the clamping leg 120 and to move the clamping leg 120 into the release position according to Fig. 1B , 2B , 3B , 4B , 5B to transfer.
• the terminal block 1 has a release element 13 which forms a release section 130 that extends into the area of the receiving chamber 101.
• the release element 13 is formed as an integral sheet metal element, separate from the spring element 12.
• the release element 13 has two parallel bearing legs 131, which are connected to each other via the release section 130, forming a base, resulting in a U-shaped shape for the release element 13.
• the release element 13 is mounted on the support section 111 of the contact element 11 via the bearing legs 131.
• Bearing elements 113 in the form of axially projecting projections extending from the support section 111, engage in corresponding bearing openings 133 on the bearing legs 131 of the release element 13, thus creating a tilting bearing for the release element 13 relative to the contact element 11, which is stationary relative to the housing 10, and thus relative to the housing 10.
• the release element 13 can be tilted relative to the support section 111 and thus relative to the housing 10.
• the deflection path of the release element 13 is dimensioned such that the release element 13 can be deflected from a detent position, in which the clamping leg 120 is locked to the release element 13 in the release position, to such an extent that the clamping leg 12 is released from its detent on the release element 13.
• the release element 13 has a return element 134 which is formed as a spring tab on one of the bearing legs 131 and which is designed to interact with the actuating element 14 when the actuating element 14 is actuated to adjust the clamping leg 120 into the release position.
• the actuating element 14 can be pivoted in the actuation direction B relative to the housing 10, thus pivoting the clamping leg 120 relative to the support leg 121, as is the case, for example, in the transition from Fig. 1A towards Fig. 1B
• the figures marked “A” show the actuating element 14 in an unactuated position, with the clamping arm 120 in a clamping position
• the figures marked “B” show the actuating element 14 in an actuated position, after the clamping arm 120 has been moved into the release position
• the figures marked “C” show the actuating element 14 after it has been returned to the unactuated position, with the clamping arm 120 remaining in the release position; if subsequently Fig.
• the bearing legs 131 of the release element 13 have detent sections 132 formed in the form of steps, which, in the release position, engage with the clamping leg 120. In the release position, the clamping leg 120 is thus engaged with the bearing legs 131 and is therefore held in position relative to the housing 10 by the release element 13, as shown in the figure. Fig. 1B as is evident.
• the actuating element 14 acts when it moves from the unactuated position ( Fig. 1A ) into the activated position ( Fig. 1B ) is transferred, at the end of the actuation path with a clamping section 145 projecting axially along the pivot axis D from the lever section 142 and formed by a projection onto the return element 134 in the form of the tab on the release element 13, thereby pressing on the return element 134 and elastically deforming the return element 134, as can be seen from Fig. 1B This is evident.
• This provides a preload force in the direction of the detent position at the release element 13, so that the clamping leg 120 can reliably lock with the release element 13.
• the clamping arm 120 When moved into the release position, the clamping arm 120, with a clamping section 124 formed at its end, slides onto the detent sections 132 on the bearing arms 131 of the release element 13, thereby deflecting the release element 13 slightly from its detent position. Due to the preload applied by the return element 134, the release element 13, after passing the detent sections 132 through the clamping section 124, returns to its detent position, thus engaging the release element 13 with the clamping arm 120.
• the release section 130 of the release element 13 serves to interact with an electrical conductor 2 inserted into the plug-in opening 100, in particular to automatically connect the electrical conductor 2 to the terminal block 1 by releasing the clamping arm 120. If an electrical conductor 2 is inserted into the plug-in opening 100 along the insertion direction E, the electrical conductor 2, with one inserted conductor end 20, acts on the release section 130 within the The receiving chamber 101 of the housing 10 is opened, and the release element 13 is adjusted. This moves the release element 13 relative to the clamping arm 120, so that the clamping arm 120 disengages from the detent sections 132 and moves to the bearing arm 131 of the release element 13, thus releasing the clamping arm 120 from the release position.
• the clamping arm 120 Due to the elastic spring preload on the clamping arm 120, the clamping arm 120 snaps into contact with the inserted electrical conductor 2 and clamps it against the contact element 11, so that the (stripped) conductor end 20 of the electrical conductor 2 is pressed against the contact element 11 and thus electrically contacts it.
• the bearing elements 113 on the support section 111 of the contact element 11 define a tilting axis for tilting the release element 13 relative to the housing 10.
• the bearing legs 131 and the release section 130 connecting the bearing legs 131 project from the tilting axis on a first side (downwards in the illustrations).
• the return element 134 projects from the tilting axis on a second side (upwards in the illustrations), so that the release section 130 and the return element 134 extend to different sides of the tilting axis.
• the release element 13 is tilted in a first tilting direction against the support section 111 to release the latch. If, on the other hand, the actuating element 14 exerts a biasing force on the return element 134, the biasing force acts in a second tilting direction opposite to the first tilting direction and thus in the direction of the latching position to engage the release element 13 with the clamping leg 120.
• the working section 144 acts on the actuating edge 123 and slides along the actuating edge 123, so that the clamping leg 120 is moved into the release position, as is the case in the transition from Fig. 1A towards Fig. 1B
• the actuating element 14 acts exclusively on the positioning edge 123 and thus on the clamping leg 120 on one side only, by virtue of the operative section 144 being in operative contact with the positioning edge 123.
• the actuating element 14 with the lever section 142 is located outside the area of the receiving space 101 into which the electrical line 2 for connection is routed. It is inserted into terminal 1. This results in a space-saving arrangement.
• the clamping section 124 forms a clamping edge with which the clamping leg 120 clamps onto the conductor end 20 when an electrical line 2 is connected.
• the actuating element 14 is used to move the clamping leg 120 into the release position from the unactuated position ( Fig. 1A ) into the activated position ( Fig. 1B
• the clamping arm 120 is moved into the release position, in which it is locked to the release element 13.
• the actuating element 14 can be moved back into the unactuated position, in which the actuating section 141 is close to the housing and, for example, lies flat in a corresponding receiving opening on the housing 10, as shown in the figure.
• Fig. 1C as is evident.
• the actuating element 14 can be pivoted in the actuating direction B, so that the clamping leg 120 returns to the release position according to Fig. 1B
• the electrical conductor 2 can thus be removed from terminal 1 with virtually no force.
• the clamping arm 120 is again locked to the release section 130, so that when an electrical conductor 2 is inserted, it again acts on the release section 130, thereby releasing the locking mechanism of the clamping arm 120.
• the electrical conductor 2 is thus automatically connected to terminal 1 again, with the clamping arm 120 releasing automatically.
• Fig. 6A-6C to 8A-8C show a further embodiment of a terminal block 1, which is functionally largely the same as the embodiment according to Fig. 1A-1C to 5A-5C is the same.
• Fig. 6A-6C In contrast to the embodiment according to Fig. 1A-1C to 5A-5C is in the embodiment according to Fig. 6A-6C
• the release element 13 is mounted on the support section 111 of the contact element 11 in such a way that the ends 135 of the bearing legs 131 of the release element 13 engage in associated bearing openings 114 in the form of recesses on the support section 111, as is the case, for example, with Fig. 6A
• the figures marked "A" show the actuating element 14 in a non-actuated position, in a clamping position).
• the figures marked “B” show the actuating element 14 in an actuated position, after the clamping arm 120 has been moved into the release position; the figures marked “C” show the actuating element 14 after it has been returned to the unactuated position, with the clamping arm 120 remaining in the release position; if subsequently Fig. 6A, 6B, 6C Reference is made to the views expressed above. Fig. 7A-7C and 8A-8C ). Analogous to the embodiment shown in the Fig. 1A-1C Up to 5A-5C, the release element 13 can be tilted relative to the support section 111 and therefore relative to the housing 10.
• a return element 134 is formed on one of the bearing legs 131.
• the return element 134 is formed by a tab and is designed to move the actuating element 14 from the unactuated position ( Fig. 6A ) into the activated position ( Fig. 6B ) to interact with the actuating element 14 by pressing the actuating element 14 with a clamping section 145 onto the restoring element 134, thereby elastically deforming it and thus pre-tensioning the release element 13 in the direction of its detent position.
• the clamping section 145 is formed as a projection on a front edge of the lever section 142 and is formed in the pivot plane of the actuating element 14 on the lever section 142, but does not project axially along the pivot axis D of the lever section 142.
• the exemplary embodiment is according to Fig. 6A-6C to 8A-8C functionally according to the exemplary embodiment Fig. 1A-1C to 5A-5C identical, so reference should be made to the preceding explanations, which apply to the exemplary embodiment according to Fig. 6A-6C to 8A-8C the same applies.
• the actuating element is designed to act on the clamping leg of the spring element from one side. However, this is not mandatory. The actuating element can also act on the clamping leg of the spring element from both sides at opposing actuating edges.
• the actuating element can, in principle, be mounted at any location and in any way, pivotable or otherwise movable, on the housing or on a component fixed to the housing.

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• Details Of Connecting Devices For Male And Female Coupling (AREA)
• Connections Arranged To Contact A Plurality Of Conductors (AREA)

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Citations (8)

• 2024
  • 2024-05-28 DE DE102024114956.6A patent/DE102024114956A1/de active Pending
• 2025
  • 2025-05-26 EP EP25178833.7A patent/EP4657665A1/fr active Pending
  • 2025-05-27 CN CN202510692491.9A patent/CN121035639A/zh active Pending

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