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, in order to elastically adjust the clamping arm relative to the housing, 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 element When the release element is engaged with the clamping arm, it assumes a detent position relative to the housing.
• the release element can be moved out of the detent position by the interaction of the release section with 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.
• the object of the present invention is to provide a terminal block that reliably enables the clamping leg of the spring element to be released from the release position in order to connect an electrical line to the terminal block.
• the terminal block has a user-operated release actuating element which is operatively connected to the release element and is adjustable relative to the housing in order to release the release element from the detent position.
• the release element thus serves to lock the clamping arm in the release position.
• the release element also serves to release the clamping arm from the release position, so that when an electrical conductor is inserted into the socket, the clamping arm is automatically released from the release position, thus moving the clamping arm into a clamping position in which the inserted electrical conductor is electrically connected to the contact element of the terminal block.
• the release section can be triggered by the electrical conductor, so that the locking mechanism of the clamping arm with the release element is released, and the clamping arm is thus freed from the release position.
• 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 terminal block features a user-operated release element, which is operatively connected to the release element.
• the release element can be adjusted relative to the housing to release the release element from its detent position.
• This provides the option of an emergency release mechanism for the release element if needed. If the terminal block does not release automatically when an electrical cable is inserted into the socket, the user can trigger the release by manually operating the release element.
• One of the coupling elements can be, for example, a coupling pin and the other a coupling opening.
• the coupling pin and the coupling opening engage with each other, so that an actuating movement of the release actuating element is converted into a movement of the release element.
• the release actuator assumes a first position relative to the housing when the release actuator is in the latched position. Conversely, the release actuator assumes, for example, a second position relative to the housing when the release actuator is in a disengaged position.
• the coupling of the release actuator with the release element is thus such that the release actuator assumes a defined first or second position relative to the housing when the release actuator is in the latched position or in a disengaged position relative to the latched position.
• the release actuating element has a head that is received in an actuating opening of the housing.
• a shaft section operatively connected to the release element, extends from the head.
• the head of the release actuating element is moved in the actuating opening of the housing, whereby the position of the head in the actuating opening indicates the current position of the release actuating element.
• a colored marking may be provided on the head and/or in the area of the actuation opening to indicate the current position of the release element.
• a colored marking on the actuation opening is only visible when the release element is in the second position, thus indicating the current position of the release element based on the visibility of the colored marking.
• the release actuation element is adjustable relative to the housing, and the release actuation element can, in principle, be movable in any way relative to the housing, for example, sliding, tilting or pivoting.
• the release actuation element is displaceable relative to the housing along a release actuation direction.
• This release actuation direction is, for example, aligned with the insertion direction of an electrical cable into the housing's plug-in opening. This can improve user convenience because inserting an electrical cable and, if necessary, actuating the release actuation element for an emergency release can both occur simultaneously on a common side of the housing at the terminal block.
• the release element is, in principle, movable in any way relative to the housing.
• the release element can be slid, tilted, or pivoted relative to the housing.
• the release element is tiltable relative to the housing.
• the release element can be mounted on the housing or the contact element and tilted about a tilting axis relative to the housing in order to move the release element between the latched position and the unlocked position 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 release section can extend approximately transversely to the insertion direction along which an electrical cable can be inserted into the socket.
• 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 contact element has a contact section for electrical contact with the electrical conductor.
• the contact section can, for example, be beam-shaped and extend linearly along the insertion direction, along which an electrical conductor is to be inserted into the plug opening of the housing. When an electrical conductor is connected, a stripped conductor end is pressed flat against the contact section, thus electrically contacting it and also mechanically locking it in place.
• the clamping arm is arranged on a first side of the contact section, while the release actuating element is arranged on a second side of the contact section, opposite the first side.
• the clamping arm and the release actuating element are thus arranged on opposite sides of the contact section.
• the clamping arm is in The area of the first side of the contact section is adjustable and applies load to a connected electrical conductor in the direction of the first side of the contact section.
• the release actuator is adjustable in the area of the second side, which faces away from the first side, relative to the housing and relative to the contact section.
• the release section of the release element is arranged on the first side of the contact section.
• the release element engages past the contact section to couple with the release actuating element on the second side of the contact section.
• the release element can have a coupling pin that engages past the contact section to establish a coupling with the release actuating element on the second side of the contact section.
• the release element has at least one bearing leg projecting from the release section.
• the release element is adjustably mounted on the housing or the contact element via this bearing leg.
• the bearing leg can be bent towards the release section, for instance at 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) within the receiving space inside the housing.
• 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.
• 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.
• the contact element has a support section. At least one bearing leg is mounted on the support section, for example by a bearing element formed on the support section 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 support section can, for example, extend approximately parallel to the contact section.
• 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 forming the legs of the U-shape, while the release section connects the bearing legs and thus creates the base of the U-shape.
• the release element includes a return element.
• the actuating element is designed to act on the return element to bias the release element toward the detent position when the actuating element is pressed to move the clamping arm into the release position.
• the return element is 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 locking of the clamping leg with the release element can be reliably achieved when moving into the release position, with convenient operation by a 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 section can, for example, be shaped as a flat section to interact with an electrical conductor when inserted into the socket.
• the release element By interacting with the electrical conductor when inserted into the socket, the release element can be tilted along a first tilting direction about a tilting axis.
• the return element on the other hand, can protrude from the tilting axis on a side facing away from the release section.
• the release element By interacting with the actuating element when the actuating element is moved from the unactuated position to the actuated position, the release element is biased in a second tilting direction opposite to the first, 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 against the release element, but is elastically deformed. This deformation occurs in the plane perpendicular to the tilting axis and thus along the second tilting direction in which the actuating element acts on the return element. Consequently, the release element is not rigidly moved by the action of the actuating element, but rather, due to the elastic deformation of the return element, is elastically pre-tensioned in the direction of the detent position, allowing the release element to reliably engage with the clamping arm in the release position.
• the return element is formed on at least one bearing leg of the release element.
• 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 tiltably mounted, while the return element projects towards a second side from the tilting axis.
• 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 position to an actuated position is pivotable relative to the housing about a pivot axis.
• the actuating element is thus pivotally mounted and, for this purpose, pivotally 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 lever section viewed along the pivot axis, is arranged axially next to the clamping leg.
• the actuating element comprises a bearing section pivotably supported on the housing, an actuating section operable by a user, a lever section connecting the bearing section 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.
• 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 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 located on one side of the clamping arm.
• the actuating element is designed to act on the clamping arm exclusively on the actuating edge on the side of the clamping arm via its actuating section.
• 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 located on one side of the clamping arm.
• the actuating element acts exclusively on this actuating edge via its actuating section when it is moved to adjust the clamping arm.
• the actuating element therefore acts on the clamping arm only on the first side. one, to introduce adjusting forces into the spring element for adjusting the clamping leg.
• the terminal block can be shaped to minimize installation space.
• the lever section can connect the bearing section to the actuating element only on 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 bearing section within the housing and to allow access to the actuating element from outside the housing.
• 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 actuating element is supported on one side of the housing via the bearing section.
• the bearing section can be mounted axially (viewed along the pivot axis) next to the contact element on the housing, so that the bearing section for pivoting the actuating element is arranged outside an area on the housing aligned with the plug-in opening, into which the electrical conductor is inserted when connecting to the terminal block.
• 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 relative to the housing from an unactuated position to an actuated position to move the clamping arm into the release position.
• the actuating element can be pivoted from the actuated position back towards the unactuated position, with the clamping arm remaining in the release position.
• the locking mechanism with the release element is held in position relative to the housing and therefore 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 press the electrical conductor into contact with the contact element by spring force.
• the electrical conductor enters a space between the clamping arm and the contact element. After the clamping arm is released from its release position, it 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.
• the spring element has a curved connecting section that links the clamping leg to the support leg.
• This connecting section allows the spring element to extend, for example, around a housing section of the housing, thus providing support for the spring element relative to the housing.
• the clamping leg has a first contact section and the support leg has a second contact section.
• the first contact section and the second contact section are in contact with each other, at least in the release position of the clamping leg.
• the clamping leg and the support leg are therefore at least In the release position of the clamping leg, where the clamping leg is elastically deflected relative to the support leg, the two legs are in contact (blocked). It is also possible that contact between the clamping leg and the support leg exists even in the clamping position of the clamping leg, so that the clamping leg and the support leg are always in contact, and elastic deflection of the clamping leg relative to the support leg occurs, particularly about a contact point where contact exists.
• the connecting section extends between the first contact section of the clamping leg and the second contact section of the support leg. The clamping leg projects from the first contact section at one free end and is elastically deflectable relative to the support leg.
• the housing 10 defines a receiving space 101 into which an 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 illustrated 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 shown has a support leg 121 which is supported on the support section 111, for example by welding or riveting 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. 6A-6C as is evident.
• the housing part 103 according to Fig. 6A-6C is with a in Fig. 1A-1D to 3A-3D shown housing part 106 for completing the in Fig. 4A-4D
• the housing 10, fully illustrated, is connected.
• the plug 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 (compare Fig. 1B and 1C ) 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 (compare Fig. 1D ).
• an actuating element 14 is pivotably mounted on the housing 10 via a bearing section 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 supported on the housing 10 via the bearing section 140, so that the actuating element 14 can be moved about the pivot axis D relative to the housing 10.
• the bearing section 140 is formed on a lever section 142, which connects the bearing section 140 to the Actuating section 141 connects so that the actuating section 141 lies in an actuating opening 102 and can be operated from outside the housing 10 without tools.
• the lever section 142 is formed on one side of the actuating element 14.
• the actuating section 141 projects along the pivot axis D from the lever section 142.
• the pivotable mounting of the actuating element 14 via the bearing section 140 on the housing 10 is axially offset (with reference to the pivot axis D) to the contact element 11.
• the bearing section 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 line 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-2D 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 towards Fig. 1B
• 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.
• the terminal block 1 has a release element 13 that forms a release section 130 extending into a region of the receiving space 101 aligned with the plug opening 100.
• 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 The release element 13 is connected to each other via the release section 130, which forms a base, resulting in a U-shaped shape.
• 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 arrangement 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, as shown in the figure. Fig. 11 as is evident.
• the release element 13 shown 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 engaged with 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 is evident (in Fig.
• FIG. 1A-1D to 4A-4D Figures marked “A” show the actuating element 14 in an unactuated position, with the clamping arm 120 in a clamping position; figures marked “B” show the actuating element 14 in an actuated position, after the clamping arm 120 has been moved into the release position; 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; figures marked “D” show the terminal block 1 with an electrical conductor 2 connected; if subsequently Fig. 1A-1D Reference is made to the views expressed above. Fig. 2A-2D , 3A-3D and 4A-4D ). In the release position according to Fig.
• the clamping leg 120 provides a connection with the plug opening 100 along the plugging direction E
• the aligned area within the receiving space 101 is free, so that an electrical line 2 can be inserted unhindered from the clamping leg 120 into the plug-in opening 100 and thus connected to the terminal block 1 in an essentially force-free manner.
• 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 steps in the area of a clamping section 124 formed at the end of the clamping arm 120, 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 on 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 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.
• the terminal 1 has a release actuation element 15 which is linearly displaceable along a release actuation direction C, which is in the same direction as the plugging direction E, on the housing 10 of the terminal 1.
• the illustrated trigger actuation element 15 shows, as can be seen from the views according to Fig. 5A-5C and 6A-6C As can be seen, a head 150 and a shaft section 151 extending from the head 150 along the release actuation direction C are shown.
• the release actuation element 15 is coupled to the release element 13 via the shaft section 151 by means of coupling elements 135 formed on the bearing legs 131 in the form of coupling pins into coupling elements 152 in the form of from coupling openings on both sides of the shaft section 151 engage, as shown by Fig. 5A-5C until Fig. 6A-6C as is evident.
• the coupling elements 135 of the bearing legs 131 of the release element 13 engage past the contact section 110 of the contact element 11 and are located in recesses 114 on the lateral edges of the beam-shaped contact section 110.
• the coupling elements 135 are movable in the recesses 114 for adjusting the release element 13.
• the release actuation element 15 is guided linearly along the release actuation direction C on the housing 10 of the terminal block 1.
• the head 150 of the release actuation element 15 is located in an actuation opening 107 of the housing 10, as can be seen, for example, from Fig. 2A-2D as is evident.
• the release actuator 15 serves to release the release element 13 from its detent position should, in exceptional cases, the release element 13 not release automatically when the electrical cable 2 is inserted. If an electrical cable 2 is inserted into the plug opening 100 of the housing 10 and the release element 13 does not release automatically, a user can manually or with the aid of a tool press on the head 150 of the release actuator 15 in the release direction C and thus move the release actuator 15 relative to the housing 10, thereby tilting the release element 13 out of its detent position and releasing the locking mechanism between the clamping arm 120 and the release element 13.
• the coupling between the release actuating element 15 and the release element 13 is such that the release actuating element 15 assumes different, defined positions relative to the housing 10 depending on the respective position of the release element 13.
• the head 150 assumes a position in the actuating opening 107 of the housing 10 in which the head 150 is approximately flush with an outer surface of the housing 10 when the release element 13 is in the detent position. This corresponds to a first position of the release actuating element 15.
• the head 150 assumes a position shifted into the housing 10 in the actuating opening 107, corresponding to a second position of the release actuating element 15, regardless of whether the tilting of the release element 13 was caused by the action of the electrical line 2 or by actuation of the release actuating element 15.
• the release actuator 15 thus also serves as an indicator to signal to a user whether the terminal 1 has been triggered as intended.
• the head 150 With the electrical cable 2 plugged in, the head 150 is in the actuating opening 107 of the housing 10 in the position shown.
• Fig. 2D the user is shown that terminal 1 has been triggered and that the electrical conductor 2 is therefore connected to terminal 1 as intended.
• the triggering element 15 is in the position according to Fig. 2B , so the user is shown that terminal 1 has not been triggered and that the release element 13 is (still) in the latching position.
• a colored marking may be applied in the area of the actuating opening 107, for example on inner walls of the actuating opening 107, which is only visible in the position of the release actuating element 15 according to Fig. 2D are visible, so that a display dependent on the position of the trigger actuation element 15 is further improved.
• the release actuating element 15 has stop elements 153 on both sides of the shaft section 151. These stop elements are located in openings 108 on both sides of the housing 10 and limit the adjustment travel of the release actuating element 15 along the release actuation direction C relative to the housing 10.
• the openings 108 on both sides of the housing 10 are shaped as elongated slots. The stop elements 153 move within the openings 108 when the release actuating element 15 is adjusted between the first position and the second position.
• the clamping leg 120 is in contact with a support section 126 and an associated support section 125 of the support leg 121.
• the contact consists of both the clamping position (compare Fig. 1D and 12 ) as well as in the release position (compare Fig. 1B
• the spring element 12 is thus operated in a block configuration by the support leg 121 and the clamping leg 120 at the system sections 125, 126 during an elastic deflection of the clamping leg 120 relative to the support leg 121 are in contact with each other.
• the connecting section 122 is curved in such a way that a closed loop is formed.
• the clamping leg 120 therefore deflects elastically primarily around a bending line formed in the area of the installation sections 125 and 126.
• 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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• 2024
  • 2024-05-28 DE DE102024114958.2A patent/DE102024114958A1/de active Pending
• 2025
  • 2025-05-26 EP EP25178834.5A patent/EP4657666A1/fr active Pending
  • 2025-05-27 CN CN202510691214.6A patent/CN121035638A/zh active Pending

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