Terminal with Release Lever

Abstract

The present invention relates to a terminal (1) with a spring force terminal connection (2) with at least one conductor terminal point (K), an insulating material housing (6), a conductor introduction channel (60), and a release lever (5). The release lever (5) is mounted in the insulating material housing (6) pivotably about a pivot axis (A) extending transverse to a conductor introduction direction (E) of an electric conductor between an idle position with closed conductor terminal point (K) and an actuating position with opened conductor terminal point (K). The release lever (5) has two lever arm portions (50) which are spaced apart from one another and which are immersed on both sides of the conductor introduction channel (60) at least partially into the insulating material housing (6). The lever arm portions (50) have in each case a guide portion (53) which face one another and form between them at least a part of the conductor introduction channel (60). The guide portions (53) in the idle position and/or in the actuating position, as seen in the conductor introduction direction, run toward the conductor terminal point (K) in a manner which narrows the conductor introduction channel (60).

Claims

1. Terminal (1), in particular screw or connecting terminal, having: a spring force terminal connection (2) with at least one conductor terminal point (K) for electrical connection of at least one conductor, an insulating material housing (6) which at least partially accommodates the spring force terminal connection (2), a conductor introduction channel (60) which extends in a conductor introduction direction (E) from the outside toward the conductor terminal point (K), and a release lever (5) which is mounted in the insulating material housing (6) pivotably about a pivot axis (A) extending transverse to the conductor introduction direction (E) between an idle position in which the conductor terminal point (K) for connection of an electric conductor is closed, and an actuating position in which the conductor terminal point (K) is opened by interaction of the spring force terminal connection (2) with an actuating portion (52) of the release lever (5), wherein the release lever (5) has two lever arm portions (50) which are spaced apart from one another and which are immersed on both sides of the conductor introduction channel (60) at least partially into the insulating material housing (6), wherein the lever arm portions (50) have in each case a guide portion (53) which face one another and form between them at least a part of the conductor introduction channel (60), wherein the guide portions (53) in the idle position and/or in the actuating position, as seen in the conductor introduction direction, run toward the conductor terminal point (K) in a manner which narrows the conductor introduction channel (60).

2. Terminal (1) according to claim 1, wherein the guide portions (53) run as seen in the conductor introduction direction (E) toward the conductor terminal point (K) in a manner which continuously narrows the conductor introduction channel (60) or in a flowing manner.

3. Terminal (1) according to claim 1, wherein the guide portions (53) have in each case a first and a second guide sub-portion (53a, 53b) which respectively face one another, wherein, in the idle position, the first guide sub-portions (53a), as seen in the conductor introduction direction (E), run toward the conductor terminal point (K) in a manner which narrows, preferably continuously narrows the conductor introduction channel (60) or in a flowing manner, and wherein, in the actuating position, the second guide sub-portions (53b), as seen in the conductor introduction direction (E), run toward the conductor terminal point (K) run in a manner which narrows, preferably continuously narrows the conductor introduction channel (60) or in a flowing manner.

4. Terminal (1) according to claim 3, wherein the guide portions (53), preferably the guide sub-portions (53a, 53b), are formed in each case arched away concavely from the conductor introduction channel (60) or to be bowl-shaped in the respective lever arm portion (50).

5. Terminal (1) according to claim 3, wherein the guide portions (53), preferably the guide sub-portions (53a, 53b), are formed by an axial change in material thickness, with respect to the pivot axis (A), of the respective lever arm (50).

6. Terminal (1) according to claim 1, wherein the lever arm portions (50) have in each case partially circular sliding portions (56) which extend around the pivot axis (A) and are directed radially away from the pivot axis (A), which sliding portions interact with corresponding housing sliding portions (66) for sliding guidance of the release lever (5) about the pivot axis (A).

7. Terminal (1) according to claim 6, wherein the sliding portions (56) have first sliding sub-portions (56a) which extend in relation to the pivot axis (A) along a first circle (C1) with first diameter d, preferably in the region of the respective guide portions (53), and wherein the sliding portions (56) have second sliding sub-portions (56b) which extend in relation to the pivot axis (A) along a second circle (C2) with second diameter D which is preferably larger than first diameter d, preferably in the region outside the respective guide portions (53), wherein the second sliding sub-portions (56b) preferably have or form the respective actuating portions (52).

8. Terminal (1) according to claim 1, wherein the lever arm portions (50) extend in each case substantially in a plane of extent (X) which are preferably oriented parallel to one another and further preferably orthogonally to the pivot axis (A).

9. Terminal (1) according to claim 1, wherein the release lever (5) has latching structures (55a, 55b) which interact with corresponding housing latching structures (65a, 65b) of the insulating material housing (6) in such a manner that the release lever (5) is held in a detachably latching manner in the idle position and/or in the actuating position.

10. Terminal (1) according to claim 1, wherein the release lever (5), preferably the lever arm portions (50), has/have first pivot bearing portions (54) which interact in each case with corresponding second pivot bearing portions (64) of the insulating material housing (6) for pivotable mounting of the release lever (5) about the pivot axis (A), wherein the first pivot bearing portions (54) are preferably provided on or in a side of the lever arm portions (50) facing away from the conductor introduction channel (60).

11. Terminal (1) according to claim 1, wherein the release lever (5) has a lever actuating portion (51) for movement of the release element (5) about the pivot axis (A), preferably between the idle position and the actuating position, wherein the lever actuating position (51) preferably extends substantially in a plane, wherein the lever actuating portion (51) preferably extends between the lever arm portions (50) and connects these to one another, wherein the actuating portion (52) and the lever actuating portion (51) are preferably provided at opposite ends of the release lever (5).

12. Terminal (1) according to claim 1, wherein the pivot axis (A) extends laterally outside the conductor introduction channel (60), and/or wherein the pivot axis (A) does not intersect the conductor introduction channel (60) or an elongation of the conductor introduction channel (60) as seen in the conductor introduction direction (E).

13. Terminal (1) according to claim 1, wherein the insulating material housing (6) has guide wall portions (63) which, together with the guide portions (53), at least partially form the conductor introduction channel (60).

14. Terminal (1) according to claim 13, wherein the guide wall portions (63) have lateral wall portions (630) which at least partially laterally delimit the conductor introduction channel (60) in relation to the pivot axis (A) axially on both sides, wherein the lateral wall portions (630) preferably form a transition at least on the side of the conductor introduction channel (60) and at least in the idle position and in the actuating position as seen in the conductor introduction direction (E) in a flowing manner into the respective guide portion (53), these extending preferably over the surface into one another.

15. Terminal (1) according to claim 1, wherein the insulating material housing (6) has a cover wall (62) which extends in the idle position of the release lever (5) between a supporting portion (57) of the release lever (5) and the pivot axis (A) above the conductor introduction channel (E), wherein the terminal (1) is formed in such a manner that the supporting portion (57) is supported during pivoting of the release lever (5) about the pivot axis (A) on the cover wall (62) preferably in a sliding manner.

16. Terminal (1) according to claim 1, wherein the insulating material housing (6) has separating wall portions (61) which delimit the release lever (5) in relation to the pivot axis (A) axially on both sides at least partially laterally to the outside, wherein the separating wall portions (61) preferably have the second pivot bearing portions (64).

17. Terminal (1) according to claim 1, wherein the spring force terminal connection (2) has a busbar (3) and a clamping spring (4) with a movable clamping leg (42), wherein the clamping leg (42) has a clamping portion (421), preferably in the form of a clamping edge, for the formation of the conductor terminal point (K) between the clamping portion (421) and the busbar (3).

18. Terminal (1) according to claim 17, wherein the clamping spring (4), preferably its clamping leg (42), at least in the closed position of the conductor terminal point (K), as seen in the conductor introduction direction (E), extends transversely through the conductor introduction channel (60) in order to form a lead-in chamfer toward the conductor terminal point (K).

19. Terminal (1) according to claim 1, wherein the spring force terminal connection (2), in particular its clamping spring (4), has a spring actuating portion (43) which is arranged in such a manner that it interacts with the actuating portion (52) for optional opening of the conductor terminal point (K).

20. Terminal (1) according to claim 1, wherein the spring force terminal connection (2) has several conductor terminal points (K) and conductor introduction channels (60) assigned to these which are preferably arranged at least partially in rows next to one another and/or above one another and/or directed toward one another, wherein the conductor introduction directions (E) of the conductor introduction channels (60) assigned to the conductor terminal points (K) are preferably oriented at least partially parallel to one another.

21. Terminal (1) according to claim 20, wherein in each case a release lever (5) is assigned to at least two of the several conductor terminal points (K), wherein the pivot axes (A) of the release levers (5) assigned to the several conductor terminal points (K) are arranged preferably at least partially parallel or coaxially.

Description

[0034] Further configurations and advantages of the present invention will now be described on the basis of the figures of the accompanying drawings. In the drawings:

[0035] FIG. 1 shows a side view of a terminal according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention with release levers in the idle position,

[0036] FIG. 2 shows a face-side view as seen in the conductor introduction direction of the terminal according to the invention according to FIG. 1,

[0037] FIG. 3 shows a plan view of the terminal according to the invention according to FIG. 1,

[0038] FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of the terminal according to the invention according to FIG. 1,

[0039] FIG. 5 shows a perspective partial sectional view of the terminal according to the invention according to FIG. 1 with release levers in the actuating position,

[0040] FIG. 6 shows a perspective partial sectional view of the terminal according to the invention according to FIG. 1 with release levers in the idle position,

[0041] FIG. 7 shows a lateral cross-sectional view of the terminal according to the invention according to FIG. 6,

[0042] FIG. 8 shows a lateral cross-sectional view of the terminal according to the invention according to FIG. 5,

[0043] FIG. 9 shows a face-side view as seen in the conductor introduction direction of spring force terminal connection and release levers (in actuating position) of the terminal according to the invention according to FIG. 1,

[0044] FIG. 10 shows a side view of the components represented in FIG. 11 of the terminal according to the invention according to FIG. 1,

[0045] FIG. 11 shows a plan view of the components represented in FIG. 11 of the terminal according to the invention according to FIG. 1,

[0046] FIG. 12 shows a first perspective view of the components represented in FIG. 11 of the terminal according to the invention according to FIG. 1,

[0047] FIG. 13 shows a further perspective view of the components represented in FIG. 11 of the terminal according to the invention according to FIG. 1,

[0048] FIG. 14 shows a side view of the release lever of the terminal according to the invention according to FIG. 1,

[0049] FIG. 15 shows a face-side view of the release lever according to FIG. 14 as seen in the conductor introduction direction,

[0050] FIG. 16 shows a plan view of the release lever according to FIG. 14,

[0051] FIG. 17 shows a first perspective view of the release lever according to FIG. 14,

[0052] FIG. 18 shows a further perspective view of the release lever according to FIG. 14,

[0053] FIG. 19 shows a functional side view of an insulating material housing and a release lever of the terminal according to the invention according to FIG. 1 during insertion of the release lever into the insulating material housing, and

[0054] FIG. 20 shows a functional perspective view of the components represented in FIG. 19 of the terminal according to the invention according to FIG. 1.

[0055] The figures show different views and details of a terminal 1, in particular of a screw or connecting terminal, according to the present invention.

[0056] Terminal 1 has in this case a spring force terminal connection 2 with at least one conductor terminal point K for electrical connection of at least one conductor, as can be inferred in particular from FIGS. 9 to 13 and also FIGS. 5 to 8. Spring force terminal connection 2 preferably has, as represented, a busbar 3 and a clamping spring 4 with a movable clamping leg 42. Clamping leg 42 in turn preferably has a clamping portion 421, here preferably in the form of a clamping edge, for the formation of conductor terminal point K between clamping portion 421 and busbar 3.

[0057] As shown in particular in FIGS. 5 to 8 and 10, clamping spring 4 can have two clamping legs 42, 40 which are connected to one another via a spring bow 41. Respective clamping portion 421, 401 can preferably be provided on a free end of clamping spring 4 or respective clamping leg 42, 40 facing away from spring bow 41. Clamping spring 4 can alternatively have, instead of second clamping leg 40, a stop leg which supports clamping spring 4 in the busbar or insulating material housing 6, and from which the spring bow extends, and from which in turn the clamping leg then extends in order to form, for example, a substantially U-shaped clamping spring 4.

[0058] Terminal 1 furthermore has an insulating material housing 6 (cf. for example FIGS. 1 to 8) which at least partially accommodates spring force terminal connection 2. Insulating material housing 6 is produced from an electrically non-conductive material, such as plastic. This preferably in an injection molding process. Insulating material housing 6 can preferably be formed in one piece or preferably in several pieces here. In the case of a multi-piece formation, the corresponding parts of insulating material housing 6 can be connected detachably or non-detachably to one another, for example, by means of corresponding latching elements and/or welding.

[0059] Terminal 1 furthermore has a conductor introduction channel 60 which extends in a conductor introduction direction E from the outside toward conductor terminal point K. As is also described below, conductor introduction channel 60 can be formed or delimited by different regions and portions of terminal 1.

[0060] As can be inferred from the exemplary embodiment, spring force terminal connection 2 can have several conductor terminal points K and thus also several assigned conductor introduction channels. These are preferably arranged at least partially or all in a row next to one another and/or above one another and/or directed toward one another. In the represented exemplary embodiment, as can be inferred from FIGS. 7 and 8, in each case two upper and two lower conductor terminal points K are provided. Upper and lower conductor terminal points K or conductor introduction channels 60 are in each case directed toward one another. Conductor introduction directions E of conductor introduction channels 60 assigned to conductor terminal points K are preferably oriented at least partially or, as represented here, all parallel to one another.

[0061] As can be further inferred from FIGS. 1 to 13, terminal 1 furthermore has a release lever 5 which is mounted in insulating material housing 6 pivotably about a pivot axis A extending transverse to conductor introduction direction E. Release lever 5 is in this case mounted in insulating material housing 6 pivotably about pivot axis A between an idle position (cf. FIGS. 1-4, 6 and 7), in which conductor terminal point K for connection of an electrical conductor is closed, and an actuating position (cf. FIGS. 5 and 8-13), in which conductor terminal point K is opened by interaction of spring force terminal connection 2 with an actuating portion 52 of release lever 5. If terminal 1 has several conductor terminal points K, such a release lever 5 can thus be assigned to at least one, several or all conductor terminal points K. In the represented exemplary embodiment, in each case one release lever 5 is assigned here to two of the four conductor terminal points K. Pivot axes A of release levers 5 assigned to the several conductor terminal points K are preferably arranged at least partially parallel or coaxially. In the represented exemplary embodiment, pivot axes A of all (i.e. here both) release levers 5 are arranged parallel to one another.

[0062] Release lever 5 can preferably have latching structures 55a, 55b which interact with corresponding housing latching structures 65a, 65b of insulating material housing 6 in such a manner that release lever 5 is held in a detachably latching manner in the idle position and/or in the actuating position. FIGS. 6 and 7 show this detachably latching connection of (first) latching structure 55a and (first) housing latching structure 65a in the idle position of release lever 5. Release lever 5 can thus be held securely in the idle position if terminal 1 is transported or installed for operation and is electrically connected. FIGS. 5 and 8 show the detachably latching connection of (second) latching structure 55b and (second) housing latching structure 65b in the actuating position of release lever 5. Release lever 5 can thus be held securely in the actuating position if it holds open conductor terminal point K for introduction or removal of an electrical conductor, which increases the ease of operation of terminal 1.

[0063] Release lever 5 can have a lever actuating portion 51 for movement of release lever 5 about its pivot axis A, preferably between the idle position and the actuating position. Lever actuating portion 51 can preferably extend substantially in a plane. Actuating portion 52 and lever actuating portion 51 are particularly preferably provided at opposite ends of release lever 5, as can be inferred in particular from FIGS. 14 to 17.

[0064] As can be inferred in particular from FIGS. 5 to 8, pivot axis A preferably extends laterally outside conductor introduction channel 60 and here above thereof. Pivot axis A consequently does not intersect conductor introduction channel 60 or an elongation of conductor introduction channel 60 as seen in conductor introduction direction E. However, the invention is not fundamentally restricted to this. Pivot axis A can thus also intersect conductor introduction channel 60; preferably centrally.

[0065] Release lever 5 has two lever arm portions 50 which are spaced apart from one another and which are immersed here on both sides of conductor introduction channel 60 (i.e. as seen here in conductor introduction direction E) at least partially into insulating material housing 6, as can be inferred in particular from the sectional representations of FIGS. 5 to 8.

[0066] As can be inferred in particular from FIGS. 15 to 18, lever arm portions 50 preferably extend in each case substantially in a plane of extent X. Planes of extent X are preferably oriented parallel. These planes of extent X are particularly preferably oriented orthogonally to pivot axis A.

[0067] Lever actuating portion 51 can preferably extend between lever arm portions 50 and connect these to one another, as can be inferred by way of example from FIGS. 14 to 18.

[0068] Lever arm portions 50 have in each case a guide portion 53 which face one another and form or delimit between them at least a part of conductor introduction channel 60 (cf. for example FIGS. 5 to 8). This preferably applies to each movement position of release lever 5 about pivot axis A.

[0069] Guide portions 53 at least in the idle position or at least in the actuating position or - as shown in the represented exemplary embodiment - at least in the idle position and in the actuating position, as seen in conductor introduction direction E, run in a manner toward conductor terminal point K that narrows conductor introduction channel 60. In this case, guide portions 53 run toward one another toward conductor terminal point K so that a distance between guide portions 53 is reduced and consequently in particular the width of conductor introduction channel 60 is reduced; this is thus narrowed toward conductor terminal point K. Guide portions 53 particularly preferably run as seen in conductor introduction direction E toward conductor terminal point K in a manner that continuously narrows conductor introduction channel 60 or in a flowing manner, as can be inferred by way of example from FIGS. 5, 6 and 18.

[0070] In one embodiment, it is conceivable that guide portions 53, in each pivot position of release lever 5 also between the idle position and the actuating position, as seen in conductor introduction direction E, run in a manner toward conductor terminal point K that narrows conductor introduction channel 60. This can be performed either by specific geometric configuring or contouring of guide portions 53. For example, the narrowest region can also be provided in the region of pivot axis A and widen with respect thereto with increasing distance.

[0071] It is also conceivable that guide portions 53 have in each case a first guide sub-portion 53a and a second guide sub-portion 53b which respectively face one another. In the idle position (cf. for example FIGS. 6 and 7), first guide sub-portions 53a, as seen in conductor introduction direction E, run toward conductor terminal point K in a manner that narrows, preferably continuously narrows conductor introduction channel 60 or in a flowing manner. In the actuating position (cf. for example FIGS. 5 and 8), second guide sub-portions 53b, as seen in conductor introduction direction E, run toward conductor terminal point K in a manner that narrows, preferably continuously narrows conductor introduction channel 60 or in a flowing manner. These guide sub-portions 53a, 53b are also represented in FIG. 18 in addition to FIGS. 5 to 8.

[0072] Guide portions 53 and here guide sub-portions 53a, 53b can be formed in each case arched away concavely from conductor introduction channel 60 or to be bowl-shaped in respective lever arm portion 50, as can be inferred by way of example from a combined view of FIGS. 15 and 18.

[0073] In particular with reference to FIG. 15, guide portions 53 or their guide sub-portions 53a, 53b can be formed by an axial change in material thickness - preferably axially with respect to pivot axis A - of respective lever arm 50.

[0074] Insulating material housing 6 can furthermore have guide wall portions 63 which, together with guide portions 53, at least partially form or delimit conductor introduction channel 60. Guide wall portions 63 can have lateral wall portions 630 which at least partially laterally delimit conductor introduction channel 60 with respect to pivot axis A axially on both sides, as can be inferred, for example, from the representations of FIGS. 5 and 6.

[0075] Lateral wall portions 630 can preferably at least on the side of conductor introduction channel 60 and at least in the idle position or in the actuating position as seen in conductor introduction E form a transition in a flowing manner into respective guide portion 53, wherein these particularly preferably extend into one another on the surface, as can likewise be inferred by way of example from FIGS. 5 and 6.

[0076] As can be inferred by way of example from FIGS. 5 to 8, spring force terminal connection 2 can be at least partially covered on the side of insulating material housing 6, on which release lever 5 is arranged here, by an outer (here upper) cover wall 62 of insulating material housing 6. Cover wall 62 extends here preferably in the idle position of release lever 5 between a supporting portion 57 of release lever 5 and pivot axis A above conductor introduction channel 60. Terminal 1 is then formed in such a manner that supporting portion 57 is preferably supported in a sliding manner during pivoting of release lever 5 about pivot axis A on cover wall 62, as is apparent, for example, from the combined view of FIGS. 5 and 6 or FIGS. 7 and 8.

[0077] Insulating material housing 6 can furthermore have separating wall portions 61 which delimit release lever 5 in relation to pivot axis A axially on both sides at least partially laterally to the outside. Separating wall portions 61 can at least partially form a lateral outer wall of insulating material housing 6, as can be inferred, for example, from FIG. 3. Separating wall portions 61 in a direction away from conductor introduction channel 60 (here perpendicular to a conductor introduction direction E) at least in the case of closed conductor terminal point K can terminate flush with release lever 5 or at least partially project beyond it and/or be at least partially offset with respect thereto. In the exemplary embodiments represented here, release lever 5 is arranged offset with respect to separating wall portions 61 apart from a part of second latching structure 55b in the idle position, as can be inferred, for example, from FIGS. 1 and 7. Separating wall portions 61 can extend in each case at least partially substantially in a separating wall plane T, wherein separating wall planes T preferably extend perpendicular to pivot axis A. As can be inferred in particular from FIGS. 3 to 6, plane of extent X and separating wall plane T can be oriented parallel to one another in each case on one side of conductor introduction channel 60.

[0078] Lever arm portions 50 can have in each case partially circular sliding portions 56 which extend around pivot axis A and are directed radially away from pivot axis A, which sliding portions interact with corresponding housing sliding portions 66 for sliding guidance of release lever 5 about pivot axis A, as is shown by way of example in FIGS. 7 and 8.

[0079] Likewise with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8, sliding portions 56 can have first sliding sub-portions 56a which extend in relation to pivot axis A along a first circle C1 with first diameter d, preferably in the region of respective guide portions 53. Corresponding first housing sliding sub-portions 66a of housing sliding portions 66 consequently likewise extend correspondingly along first circle C1. Sliding portions 56 can then have second sliding sub-portions 56b which extend in relation to pivot axis A along a second circle C2 with second diameter D which is preferably larger than first diameter d; this preferably in a region outside respective guide portions 53.

[0080] Corresponding second housing sliding sub-portions 66b of housing sliding portions 66 consequently likewise extend correspondingly along second circle C2.

[0081] As can be inferred in particular from FIGS. 7 and 8 as well as 14 to 18, in one preferred configuration, second sliding sub-portions 56b can preferably have or form respective actuating portions 52 so that the overall structure of release lever 5 is simplified. This is in particular preferably facilitated by a cam-like geometry of lever arm portions 50 as a result of the extension described above along circles C1, C2 with different diameters D, d, which is apparent in particular in FIGS. 5-18.

[0082] Release lever 5 and preferably its lever arm portions 50 preferably has/have in each case on a side facing away from conductor introduction channel 60 a first pivot bearing portion 54 which interact in each case with a corresponding second pivot bearing portions 64 of insulating material housing 6, preferably of respective facing separating wall portion 61, for pivotable mounting of release lever 5 about pivot axis A. First pivot bearing portions 54 are formed here as a V-shaped groove on the outer side of respective lever arm portion 50. These then receive second pivot bearing portion 64 here in the form of a pin-like projection in order to pivotably mount release lever 5. Release lever 5 can for this purpose, as can be inferred from FIGS. 19 and 20, be inserted from below with the wide opening of V-shaped groove 54 into insulating material housing 6 - here a housing main body 68. V-shaped groove 54 is then pushed via pin-like projection 64, in order to receive it in a pivotably bearing manner in the base of V-shaped groove 54. Spring force terminal connection 2 is subsequently likewise inserted from below into insulating material housing 6 or housing main body 68 and is subsequently closed from below with a housing cover 69 (cf. for example FIGS. 7 and 8).

[0083] First pivot bearing portions 54 are preferably provided on or in a side (i.e. here the outer side) of lever arm portions 50 facing away from conductor introduction channel 60, as can be inferred by way of example from FIGS. 17 and 18. In this configuration, first pivot bearing portions 54 are thus provided on a side facing away from guide portions 53 (here an inner side facing conductor introduction channel 60). An electrical conductor to be introduced into conductor introduction channel 60, if it is supported in a sliding manner on guide portions 53 for guidance to conductor terminal point K, thus forces lever arm portions 50 in any event further toward second pivot bearing portions 64 so that a bearing connection is reliably maintained via pivot bearing portions 54, 64.

[0084] As can be inferred in particular from FIGS. 6 and 7, clamping spring 4 or its clamping leg 42, at least in the closed position of conductor terminal point K, as seen in conductor introduction direction E, can extend transversely through conductor introduction channel 60 in order to form a lead-in chamfer toward conductor terminal point K.

[0085] Spring force terminal connection 2, preferably its clamping spring 4, can have a spring actuating portion 43 which is arranged in such a manner that it interacts with actuating portion 52 for optional opening of conductor terminal point K. Spring actuating portion 43 preferably protrudes laterally (i.e. transverse to conductor introduction direction E or to the direction of extent of clamping leg 42) and here in particular on both sides of clamping leg 42, as can be inferred, for example, from FIGS. 5, 6 and 9 to 13. Here, actuating portion 52 is moved along second circle C2 by a pivoting movement of release lever 5 from the idle position into the actuating position. Spring actuating portions 43 which protrude on both sides lie on the movement path of actuating portion 52 and come into operative contact with precisely this as a result of the pivoting movement. As a result of this, clamping spring 4 or its clamping leg 42 is pivoted downward and subsequently conductor terminal point K is opened.

[0086] The present invention is not restricted by the preceding exemplary embodiment insofar as it is encompassed by the subject matter of the following claims.