LU502919B1 - Connection terminal for connecting an electrical cable - Google Patents

Abstract

A connection terminal (1) for connecting an electrical line (2) comprises a housing (10), a contact element (11) arranged on the housing (10) for making electrical contact with the electrical line (2), a spring element (12) arranged on the housing (10) which has a clamping leg (120) for acting on the electrical line (2), and an actuating element (14) arranged on the housing (10) so as to be pivotable about a pivot axis (D). The actuating element (14) comprises an axle element (140) which pivotably supports the actuating element (14) on the housing (10), an actuating section (141) which can be actuated by a user, a lever section (142) which connects the axle element (140) to the actuating section (141), and an actuating section (144) arranged on the lever section (142). The clamping leg (120) has a clamping section (122) for acting on the electrical line (2) and an adjusting tab (123). The adjusting tab (123) is arranged on a first side of the clamping leg (120) axially next to the clamping section (122), as viewed along the pivot axis (D).

Description

Connection terminal for connecting an electrical cable LU502919

The invention relates to a connection terminal for connecting an electrical line according to the preamble of claim 1.

Such a terminal comprises a housing which has a plug-in opening into which the electrical line can be inserted for connection to the terminal. A contact element for making electrical contact with the electrical line is arranged on the housing. A spring element is also arranged on the housing, which has a clamping leg which is designed to be applied to the electrical

line to bring the electrical line into contact with the contact element when the electrical line is inserted into the plug opening. A

The actuating element is arranged on the housing so that it can pivot about a pivot axis and is adjustable to adjust the clamping leg. The actuating element can be adjusted from a non-actuated position to an actuated position using a tool, for example, in order to

Clamping legs, for example, to facilitate the insertion of the electrical cable into the

To adjust the plug opening or to remove the electrical cable from the plug opening.

Such a terminal realizes a

Spring-loaded connection, in which the electrical cable in the connected position is connected to the

Contact element is clamped under the elastic spring action of the spring element and is thus electrically connected to the contact element.

In a connection terminal known from DE 10 2019 127 464 B3, a

Spring element in the form of a tension spring is provided, which has a connected electrical

Cable is pulled into contact with an associated contact element by elastic spring action and thus a clamping connection between the electrical cable and the

The electrical cable is connected to a contact element by means of a

Opening in the clamping leg and clamped in the connected position between the clamping leg and the contact element.

The connection terminal of DE 10 2019 127 464 B3 is provided with a locking device, via which the clamping leg can be locked in a release position relative to the

Housing is locked. When the electrical cable is plugged in, the locking device is triggered and the locking mechanism is released, so that the clamping leg can be removed from the

release position and thereby clamps the electrical cable to the contact element LU502919. In order to move the clamping leg into the release position, in particular to enable the electrical cable to be attached or to release a connected electrical cable from the connection terminal, a tool, for example a screwdriver, can be placed on the connection terminal and thereby a force can be applied to the

clamping legs.

While in DE 10 2019 127 464 B3 the clamping leg is adjusted directly using a tool, in the connection terminals known from DE 10 2019 135 203 A1 and DE 10 2020 104 140 A1 an actuating element in the form of a so-called pusher is provided, which can be pressed into the housing of the connection terminal in order to act on the clamping leg and to transfer the clamping leg into its release position. The actuating element is in each case connected to the housing of the

Connection terminal spring-loaded. In the known from DE 10 2019 135 203 A1

An actuating lug is arranged on the actuating element in the connection terminal, which in the actuated position of the actuating element is attached to a

Fastening section of a holding element is hooked.

The object of the present invention is to provide a connection terminal which makes it possible to easily adjust the clamping leg of the spring element into a release position, with a space-saving arrangement and comfortable

Service.

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

Accordingly, the clamping leg is moved into a

Release position elastically adjustable relative to the housing and held in the release position relative to the housing, wherein the connection terminal is integrally formed with the

Spring element formed release element, which forms a release leg, wherein the clamping leg is designed to lock in the release position with the release element, so that the clamping leg is held in the release position, wherein the

Release arm is designed to release the clamping arm from the

Release position to interact with the electrical cable when inserted into the plug opening.

In the connection terminal, the electrical cable is electrically connected to the electrical LU502919

Contact element contacts by inserting the electrical cable into the plug-in opening.

The clamping leg acts on the electrical cable and springs it into

Direction of contact with the contact element. To facilitate the connection of the electrical cable, the clamping leg of the spring element can be elastically deflected by actuating the actuating element in order to

Clamping leg to be moved into a release position in which a space in the area of the

The plug opening is released and thus the electrical cable can be inserted into the plug opening in an essentially forceless manner or (alternatively) a connected electrical cable can be easily removed from the connection terminal.

It is intended that the clamping leg in the release position relative to the

The clamping leg is held in the release position in the housing.

Position relative to the housing, it is easy to handle, where the clamping leg for connecting an electrical cable into the

release position to enable the electrical cable to be connected to the connection terminal with essentially no force.

To hold the clamping leg in the release position, a

Trigger element formed, which forms a trigger leg. The clamping leg is designed to lock with the trigger element in the release position, so that the

Clamping leg is held in the release position. The release leg is designed to interact with the electrical cable when inserted into the plug opening to release the clamping leg from the release position.

The release element is thus used to lock the clamping leg in the

Release position. By operating the actuating element, the clamping leg can be adjusted relative to the housing and moved into the release position, so that in particular a simple insertion of an electrical cable into the plug opening of the

housing for connecting the cable to the terminal. In the

In the release position, the clamping leg is then held in position relative to the housing via the release element.

The release element also serves to release the clamping leg from the

Release position to automatically release the clamping leg when plugging in the electrical

cable into the plug opening from the release position and thus the

Clamping leg to be transferred into a clamping position in which the electrical cable inserted into the plug opening LU502919 is electrically contacted with the contact element of the connection terminal. For this purpose, the release element has a release leg which

Interaction with the electrical cable when plugged into the plug opening. Through interaction with the electrical cable, the

Release arm is released so that the locking of the clamping arm with the

The release element is released and the clamping leg is thus released from the release position.

Because the trigger arm of the trigger element is pushed in when the electrical

cable is deflected, the connection terminal closes automatically when the electrical cable is plugged in. This results in a simple connection process, with reliable

Contacting the electrical cable with the contact element by clamping effect of the

clamping leg.

The trigger element is formed in one piece with the spring element. The trigger element is therefore a component of the spring element. For example, the spring element can be an integral sheet metal element, for example as a stamped and bent part made of an elastically springy

metal material, such as spring steel.

In one embodiment, the actuating element has an axle element pivotally supporting the actuating element on the housing, an actuating section that can be actuated by a user, a lever section connecting the axle element to the actuating section, and a

MActive section for acting on the clamping leg. During the

If the actuating section is accessible from outside the housing, for example by a user using a tool, such as a screwdriver, or alternatively manually, the operating section is connected to the

Clamping leg of the spring element in \active connection. By adjusting the

The actuating element thus exerts an adjusting force on the

clamping leg, so that, particularly when the actuating element is adjusted from a non-actuated position to an actuated position, the clamping leg is taken along and thus moved in the direction of the release position.

The actuating element is pivotably mounted on the housing via an axis element and can thus pivot about the pivot axis relative to the housing. The

The axle element is connected to the actuating section via a lever section. The effective section for acting on the clamping leg is attached to the lever section LU502919

Adjustment of the clamping leg relative to the housing.

In one embodiment, the clamping leg has a clamping section for acting on the electrical line and an adjusting tab. The adjusting tab is, viewed along the

Pivot axis, on a first side of the clamping leg axially next to the

clamping section. The actuating element is designed to adjust the

clamping leg over the effective section exclusively on the adjusting tab on the first

side of the clamping leg. The actuating element is thus designed to act on the clamping leg on one side. The

Clamping leg shaped adjusting tab in this design axially next to a

Clamping section is arranged on a first side of the clamping leg. The actuating element acts exclusively on this adjusting tab via the effective section when the

The actuating element is moved to adjust the clamping leg. While the adjusting tab is formed on the first side of the clamping leg, the second side of the clamping leg, facing away from the first side (along the pivot axis), has a

clamping leg, so that the actuating element acts exclusively on the first side of the clamping leg in order to apply adjusting forces for adjusting the

clamping leg into the spring element.

Because the active section in this design only acts on one side of the clamping leg, the connection terminal can be designed to save space.

Lever section, for example, the axle element only on one side with the

Connect the actuating element, whereby the lever section is, for example, axially arranged next to the clamping leg, viewed along the pivot axis, and faces the first side of the clamping leg. On the other hand, on the second side of the clamping leg facing away from the first side, there is no (further)

Lever section, so that the actuating element only grips the spring element on one side to support the axle element within the housing and the

To make the actuating element accessible from outside the housing.

Preferably, the actuating element is attached to the

Housing mounted. For example, the axle element can be axially (viewed along the

pivot axis) next to the contact element on the housing so that the

Axle element for pivotably mounting the actuating element on the housing is arranged outside an area on the housing which is aligned with the plug opening and into which the electrical cable is inserted when connected to the connection terminal LU502919.

The adjusting tab is formed on the clamping leg to distribute actuation forces over the

The actuating section of the actuating element is to be introduced into the clamping leg. The adjusting tab is structurally and functionally separated from the clamping section of the clamping leg and is arranged axially next to the clamping section. The adjusting tab can be cut free from the clamping section, for example by a slot, whereby the adjusting tab can protrude relative to the clamping section, for example with a free end, viewed in a projection plane perpendicular to the pivot axis. This means that the adjusting tab, when the clamping section and the adjusting tab are aligned along a projection direction pointing along the pivot axis, on the (imaginary)

Projection plane, protrudes relative to the clamping section in the projection plane, so that the adjusting tab with its free end, for example, points in a different direction than a free edge of the clamping section.

In one embodiment, the active section is designed to slide against the adjusting tab. When the actuating element is adjusted to adjust the

The active section of the clamping leg slides on the adjusting tab so that adjusting forces are introduced into the clamping leg and the clamping leg is adjusted relative to the housing.

In one embodiment, the housing defines a receiving space into which the electrical cable can be inserted by inserting it into the plug opening. The

The trigger arm extends into the receiving space for interaction with the electrical line. In particular, the electrical line can be arranged along a

plug-in direction into the plug-in opening, with the release arm extending approximately transversely to the plug-in direction in the receiving space. The

The release arm can be elastically deflected so that when it interacts with the electrical cable, the release arm can be adjusted elastically.

In one embodiment, the trigger element has a first latching device and the

The clamping leg has a second locking device. The second locking device is in a

Locking position with the first locking device to lock the clamping leg in the

to hold the release position.

The first locking device (of the trigger element) can, for example, be formed by an opening LU502919 in the trigger arm.

The second locking device can, for example, be a locking device which is connected to the clamping section of the

The second locking device is thus formed on the clamping section, so that in the locking position the clamping leg is locked to the release leg via the locking tab on the clamping section. For this purpose, the locking tab forming the second locking device can, for example, engage in an opening on the release leg forming the second locking device, so that the clamping leg is held in position relative to the release element, the release leg being deflected when an electrical cable is inserted and the locking can thus be released automatically.

The locking tab can be cut free from the clamping section in such a way that the

The locking tab is connected to the clamping section at one end, but the locking tab is separated from the connected end via a slot-shaped separating opening

clamping section is separated. A free end of the locking tab is thus separated from the

Clamping section free. The locking tab is preferably positioned opposite the

Clamping section is bent so that the locking tab with its free end is

clamping section and thus when approaching the release arm of the

The trigger element can be locked into the trigger arm in such a way that the

Clamping leg is held in position relative to the release leg in the release position.

Because the clamping leg has a (cut free from the clamping section)

If the locking tab is locked in the release position, a clamping edge of the clamping section is free in the release position. The locking tab can be adapted in its shape so that a simple, reliable locking can be produced. The clamping section, on the other hand, can be shaped on its clamping edge so that an advantageous clamping effect can be provided on a connected line without the requirements for a reliable locking influencing the shape of the clamping edge.

In one embodiment, the actuating element is, when the clamping leg is in the

release position, can be moved independently of the clamping leg relative to the housing. In particular, the actuating element for transferring the

clamping leg into the release position from a non-actuated position into an actuated position relative to the housing. Once the clamping leg has been transferred to the release position, the actuating element can be moved from the actuated

Position back towards the non-actuated position, whereby the

The clamping leg remains in the release position by holding the clamping leg in position relative to the housing, for example by locking it with the release element, and thus is not moved.

In one embodiment, the actuating element has a first locking element and the

Housing has a second locking element. The first locking element and the second locking element are in engagement with each other in the non-actuated position of the actuating element, so that the actuating element in the non-actuated position is in position relative to the

The actuating element can thus be moved after the

clamping leg in the release position back to an initial position (corresponding to the non-actuated position) and is in the initial position with the

Housing locked. In the non-actuated position, the actuating element thus assumes a defined position relative to the housing, from which the actuating element can (only) be moved by releasing the locking mechanism.

In one embodiment, the first locking element is on the actuating section of the

In the non-actuated position, the

The actuating element with the actuating section, for example, fits flatly into an associated receiving opening in the housing, so that the actuating section does not protrude from the housing or at least only protrudes slightly.

In one embodiment, the spring element is designed as a tension spring. In this case, the clamping leg of the spring element is designed to clamp the electrical line through

In this case, an opening can be formed on the clamping leg, for example, through which the electrical line can pass when

Inserting it into the plug opening of the housing can be passed through to

Releasing the clamping leg from the release position pulls the electrical cable into clamping contact with the contact element.

Alternatively, the spring element can be designed as a compression spring. In this case, the

Clamping leg designed to press the electrical cable into contact with the contact element by spring force. When inserted into the plug opening, the electrical cable enters a space between the clamping leg and the

Contact element, whereby after releasing the clamping leg from the release position the

Clamping leg acts on the electrical cable and connects it to the LU502919

Contact element presses.

The spring element can, for example, have a support leg over which the

Spring element is supported on the housing and held in position on the housing.

The clamping leg can be elastically deflected relative to the support leg, whereby in the

In the release position, the clamping leg is deflected in such a way that the spring element is elastically tensioned and the clamping leg is moved out of the release position in an elastically pre-tensioned manner after being released from the release position.

The idea underlying the invention will be explained in more detail below using the embodiments shown in the figures. They show:

Fig. 1 is a view of an embodiment of a connection terminal, in a non-actuated position of an actuating element;

Fig. 2 is a view of the terminal with the actuating element in an actuated position;

Fig. 3A is a sectional view through the connection terminal along the line |-I according to Fig. 1, before actuation of the actuating element;

Fig. 3B the sectional view according to Fig. 3A, after moving the

Actuating element into an actuated position for transferring a clamping leg of a spring element into a

release position;

Fig. 3C the sectional view according to Fig. 3B, after resetting the

actuating element into the non-actuated position;

Fig. 4A is a sectional view of the terminal along the line II-II according to Fig. 1, in the non-actuated position of the

actuating element;

Fig. 4B the sectional view according to Fig. 4A, in the actuated position of the

Actuator:

Fig. 5A to 5C separate views of the actuating element; LU502919

Fig. 6A to 6C separate views of the spring element, in a clamping position of the clamping leg; and

Fig. 7A to 7C separate views of the spring element, in a release position of the clamping leg.

Fig. 1 to 4A, 4B show an embodiment of a connection terminal 1, which has a

Housing 10 with a plug opening 100 formed therein for inserting an electrical

Cable 2 is formed along a plugging direction E.

The housing 10 defines a receiving space 101 into which the electrical cable 2 with a stripped conductor end 20 is inserted when it is inserted into the plug opening 100 along the plug direction E. In a connected position, the

Cable 2 with the stripped conductor end 20 within the receiving space 101 and is electrically connected via a clamping leg 120 of a spring element 12 to a

Contact element 11 in the form of a current bar so that the electrical line 2 is electrically connected to the connection terminal 1.

The spring element 12 has a support leg 121 which is supported within the housing 10, so that the spring element 12 is attached to the housing 10 via it and is fixed to the housing 10. The support leg 121 has, as can be seen from the separate

Views of the spring element 12 according to Fig. 6A to 6C and 7A to 7C, a

U-shaped and rests against the walls of the housing 10 so that the

Support leg 121 is fixed in place in the housing 10.

The clamping leg 120 is elastically deflectable to the support leg 121, in particular such that the clamping leg 120 in a release position (Fig. 3B, 3C) of the

Contact element 11 is removed and can be moved from the release position into a clamping position in which the clamping leg 120 acts in a clamping manner on an electrical line 2 connected to the connection terminal 1 and presses this under elastic prestress into contact with the contact element 11 and thus electrically contacts the line 2 with the contact element 11 via its conductor end 20.

In the embodiment shown, an actuating element 14 is pivotably mounted on the housing 10 via an axle element 140 about a pivot axis D. The

Actuating element 14 can be pivoted about the pivot axis D relative to the housing 10 LU502919, wherein an actuating portion 141 is accessible from outside the housing 10 and thus by a user, for example manually or under

can be operated using a tool.

The actuating element 14 shown in separate views in Fig. 5A to 5C is designed as

Lever formed, which is pivotable at one end via the axle element 140 on the

Housing 10 is mounted so that the actuating element 14 can be moved about the pivot axis D to the housing. The axle element 140 is formed on a lever section 142 which connects the axle element 140 to the actuating section 141 and passes through an opening 102 in the housing 10 so that the actuating section 141 comes to lie outside the housing 10 and the axle element 140 inside the

Housing 10 is mounted.

The lever section 142 is formed on one side of the actuating element 14. The

Actuating portion 141 protrudes from the lever portion 142 along the pivot axis D. The axle element 140 is formed on the lever portion 142 such that the

Axle element 140 on a side facing away from the actuating section 141 of the

Lever portion 142 protrudes, as can be seen from the separate views according to Figs. 5A to 5C.

The pivotable mounting of the actuating element 14 via the axle element 140 on the housing 10 is axially offset (with respect to the pivot axis D) to the

Contact element 11. In particular, as can be seen from the sectional views according to Fig. 4A and 4B, the axle element 140 is arranged axially next to the contact element 11 and thus outside a region of the receiving space 101 aligned with the plug opening 100, into which an electrical line 2 for connection to the connection terminal 1 is inserted along the plug direction E.

A guide portion 143 is formed on the lever portion 142, which has a curved

Guide track with which the lever section 142 is slidably guided on an associated, curved guide edge 104 on the housing 10, as can be seen, for example, from Fig. 3A-3C in conjunction with Fig. 5A-5C.

On the lever section 142, an active section 144 is provided in the form of an axially along the

Pivot axis D is formed by the lever portion 142 protruding projection, which

Cooperation with the clamping leg 120 of the spring element 12 serves, in particular, to actuate the actuating element 14 in an actuating direction B the LU502919

Clamping leg 120 to move towards a release position, as can be seen in the transition from Fig. 3A to Fig. 3B.

The connection terminal 1 has a trigger element 13 which forms a trigger leg 130 which extends into the area of the receiving space 101, as can be seen from

Fig. 3A to 3C can be seen.

In the embodiment shown, the trigger element 13 is formed integrally and in one piece with the spring element 12, in that the trigger element 13 is formed from an elastic leg cut free to the support leg 121, which is attached to a

End is integrally connected to the support leg 121 of the spring element 12 and projects with a remote, free end into the area of the receiving space 101, as can be seen from the separate views according to Fig. 6A to 6C and 7A to 7C.

The release arm 130 forms an opening 131 which is designed to

Release position of the clamping leg 120 with a clamping section 122 of the

clamping leg 120 formed locking tab 124. When transferring the

clamping leg 120 into the release position by actuating the actuating element 14 from the non-actuated position (Fig. 3A) into the actuated position (Fig. 3B), the

Clamping leg 120 with the locking tab 124 formed on the clamping section 122 onto the release leg 130 and thus pushes it aside by a certain adjustment path until the locking tab 124 snaps into engagement with the opening 131 of the release leg 130 and is thus locked in the release position according to Fig. 3B with the release leg 130. In the release position, the clamping leg 120 is thus locked via the locking

Connection of the locking lug 124 with the release arm 130 in position relative to the

Housing 10 is held.

In the release position, the clamping leg 120 releases an area within the receiving space 101 that is aligned with the plug-in opening 100 along the plug-in direction E, so that an electrical line 2 can pass unhindered from the clamping leg 120 into the

Plug-in opening 100 and thus in an essentially forceless manner to the

Terminal 1 can be connected.

The release leg 130 serves to interact with an electrical cable 2 inserted into the plug-in opening 100, in particular to automatically connect the electrical cable 2 to the connection chamber 1 by releasing the clamping leg 120. If an electrical cable is inserted into the plug-in opening 100 along the plug-in direction E, LU502919 the electrical cable 2 acts with an inserted conductor end 20 (Fig. 3C) on the

Release arm 130 within the receiving space 101 of the housing 10 and adjusts the release arm 130 elastically. As a result, the release arm 130 is moved relative to the locking tab 124 of the clamping arm 120, so that the locking tab 124 is disengaged from the opening 131 and the clamping arm 120 is thus removed from the

Due to the elastic spring preload on the

The clamping leg 120 thus snaps into contact with the plugged-in electrical cable 2 and clamps it with the contact element 11, so that the electrical cable 2 with the (stripped) conductor end 20 is pressed against the

Contact element 11 is pressed and thus electrically contacted with the contact element 11.

As can be seen from the separate views of the spring element 12 according to Fig. 6A to 6C and 7A to 7C, the clamping leg 120 forms an adjusting tab 123 axially next to the clamping section 122, which is cut free from the clamping section 122 via a slot-shaped opening and bent over to form the clamping section 122, so that the

Adjusting tab 123 in a projection plane perpendicular to the pivot axis D (with imaginary projection of the adjusting tab 123 and the clamping section 122 onto the

projection plane) relative to the clamping portion 122.

The adjusting tab 123 serves to interact with the active section 144 of the

Actuating element 14. When the actuating element 14 is adjusted from the non-actuated position (Fig. 3A) to the actuated position (Fig. 3B), the active section 144 acts on the adjusting tab 123 and slides along the adjusting tab 123 so that the

Clamping leg 120 is moved into the release position, as can be seen in the transition from Fig. 3A to Fig. 3B.

The actuating element 14 acts exclusively on the adjusting tab 123 and thus on one side on the clamping leg 120, in that the active section 144 with the adjusting tab 123 in

Due to the one-sided arrangement and design of the

The actuating element 14 with the lever section 142 is arranged outside an area of the receiving space 101 into which the electrical line 2 is introduced for connection to the connection terminal 1. This results in an arrangement that is advantageous in terms of installation space.

The clamping section 122 forms a clamping edge at its free end with which the LU502919

Clamping section 120 with connected electrical cable 2 clamped onto the

conductor end 20. Because the locking of the clamping leg 120 in the

Release position via the locking tab 124 and thus spatially separated from the

clamping edge of the clamping section 122, the shape of the

Clamping section 122 must be optimized for the clamping connection with the connected electrical line 2.

The locking tab 124 is cut free from the clamping section 122 by connecting the locking tab 124 at one end to the clamping leg 120 and by a U-shaped

Slot opening is separated from the clamping section 122, wherein the locking tab 124 is bent towards the clamping section 122 such that the locking tab 124 protrudes with a free end from the locking section 122 and engages with the opening 131 on the

Release arm 130 can be engaged.

The actuating element 14 is used to transfer the clamping leg 120 into the

Release position is transferred from the non-actuated position (Fig. 3A) to the actuated position (Fig. 3B) and thereby moves the clamping leg 120 into the release position in which the clamping leg 120 is locked to the release leg 130 via the locking tab 124.

After moving the clamping leg 120 into the release position, the

Actuating element 14 can be moved back to the non-actuated position, shown in

Fig. 3C, in which the actuating portion 141 is brought closer to the housing and, for example, lies flat in an associated receiving opening on the housing 10.

A locking element 145 is formed on the actuating section 141, which in the non-actuated position is in engagement with an associated locking element 103 on the housing 10, as can be seen from Fig. 1 and 2. The actuating element 14 is thus held in position on the housing 10 in the non-actuated position and thus assumes a defined, rattle-free position on the housing 10 in the non-actuated position.

If a connected electrical cable 2 is to be released from the connection terminal 2, the actuating element 14 can be pivoted in the actuating direction B, so that the clamping leg 120 is again transferred to the release position according to Fig. 3B. The electrical cable 2 can thus be released from the

Connection terminal 1 can be removed. In the release position, the clamping leg

120 is again locked with the release arm 130, so that when an LU502919 electrical cable 2 is inserted, this in turn acts on the release arm 130 and the locking of the clamping arm 120 is thereby canceled. The electrical cable 2 is thus again automatically connected to the connection terminal 1 with the clamping arm 120 being automatically released.

The idea underlying the invention is not limited to the previously described

embodiment, but can also be implemented in other ways.

In the embodiment shown, the trigger element is integrally formed with the spring element. However, this is not mandatory. A trigger element can also be formed separately from the spring element, for example by another

spring element or by a separate lever.

List of reference symbols LU502919 1 Connection terminal 10 Housing 100 Plug-in opening 101 Receptacle 102 Access opening 103 Latching element 104 Guide edge 11 Contact element (current bar) 12 Clamping spring 120 Clamping leg 121 Support leg 122 Clamping section 123 Adjusting tab 124 Latching tab 13 Release element 130 Release leg 131 Latching device (latching opening) 14 Actuating element 140 Axle element 141 Actuating section 142 Lever section 143 Guide section 144 Active section 145 Latching element 2 Cable 20 Conductor end

B Actuation direction

D Swivel axis

E Plug direction

Claims (15)

Patent claims LU502919 1. Connection terminal (1) for connecting an electrical line (2), with a housing (10) which has a plug-in opening (101) into which the electrical line (2) can be inserted for connection to the connection terminal (1), a contact element (11) arranged on the housing (10) for electrical contact with the electrical line (2), a spring element (12) arranged on the housing (10) which has a clamping leg (120) for acting on the electrical line (2) in order to bring the electrical line (2) into contact with the contact element (11), and an actuating element (14) arranged on the housing (10) so as to be pivotable about a pivot axis (D) and which is adjustable for adjusting the clamping leg (120), characterized in that the clamping leg (120) can be elastically adjusted relative to the housing (10) into a release position by actuating the actuating element (14) and is held in the release position relative to the housing (10), wherein the connection terminal (1) has a release element (13) formed in one piece with the spring element (12), which forms a release leg (130), wherein the clamping leg (120) is designed to latch with the release element (13) in the release position, so that the clamping leg (120) is held in the release position, wherein the release leg (130) is designed to cooperate with the electrical line (2) when inserted into the plug opening (100) to release the clamping leg (120) from the release position. 2. Connection terminal (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the actuating element (14) has an axle element (140) pivotably supporting the actuating element (14) on the housing (10), an actuating section (141) that can be actuated by a user, a lever section (142) connecting the axle element (140) to the actuating section (141), and an active section (144) arranged on the lever section (142) for acting on the clamping leg (120). 3. Connection terminal (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that the lever portion (142), viewed along the pivot axis (D), is arranged axially next to the clamping leg (120). 4. Connection terminal (1) according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the clamping leg (120) has a clamping section (122) for acting on the electrical line (2) and an adjusting tab (123), wherein the adjusting tab (123), viewed along the pivot axis (D), is arranged on a first side of the clamping leg (120) axially next to the clamping section (122) and the actuating element (14) LU502919 is designed to act exclusively on the adjusting tab (123) on the first side of the clamping leg (120) via the active section (144) for adjusting the clamping leg (120). 5. Connection terminal (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that the adjusting tab (123) protrudes with a free end, viewed in a projection plane perpendicular to the pivot axis (D), relative to the clamping section (122). 6. Connection terminal (1) according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the active portion (144) rests slidingly on the adjusting tab (123). 7. Connection terminal (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the housing (10) defines a receiving space (101) into which the electrical line (2) can be introduced by being inserted into a plug-in opening (100), wherein the release leg (130) extends in the receiving space (101) for cooperation with the electrical line (2). 8. Connection terminal (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the trigger element (13) has a first latching device (131) and the clamping leg (120) has a second latching device (124), wherein the second latching device (124) is latched in a latching position with the first latching device (131) in order to hold the clamping leg (120) in the release position. 9. Connection terminal (1) according to claim 8, characterized in that the first locking device (131) is formed by an opening in the release leg (130). 10. Connection terminal (1) according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the second locking device (124) is formed by a locking tab cut free from the clamping section (122). 11. Connection terminal (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the actuating element (14), when the clamping leg (120) is in the release position, is movable relative to the housing (10) independently of the clamping leg (120). 12. Connection terminal (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized LU502919 in that the actuating element (14) for transferring the clamping leg (120) into the release position from a non-actuated position into an actuated position is pivotable relative to the housing (10), wherein the actuating element (14) has a first locking element (145) and the housing (10) has a second locking element (103), wherein the first locking element (145) and the second locking element (103) engage with one another in a locking manner in the non-actuated position of the actuating element (14). 13. Connection terminal (1) according to claim 12, characterized in that the first locking element (145) is arranged on the actuating section (141). 14. Connection terminal (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the clamping leg (120) is designed to press or pull the electrical line (2) into contact with the contact element (11) by spring force. 15. Connection terminal (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the spring element (12) has a support leg (121) which is supported on the housing (10) and to which the clamping leg (120) can be elastically deflected.