Push-in clamp retainer, push-in clamp assembly and electric connector element

Abstract

The invention relates to a push-in clamp retainer for an electric connector element with a lead wire receptacle which is at least partly encircled by a surrounding wall. In a lateral direction, a push-in clamp assembly includes such a push-in clamp retainer and a separate spring member having a first end and second end, The invention also relates to an electric connector element having a spring release member and a push-in clamp assembly. The invention involves the implementation of at least one receiving member into at least one contraction of the push-in clamp retainer, combining such a push-in clamp retainer with a spring member to form the push-in clamp assembly, and adding a spring release member to the push-in clamp assembly to obtain the electric connector element.

Claims

1. A push-in clamp retainer comprising: a surrounding wall in a lateral direction that forms at least one lateral contraction of the push-in clamp retainer at which opposite sides of the surrounding wall are positioned closer to one another, the at least one lateral contraction having a receiving member formed as a slit extending through the surrounding wall, at least one recess in the surrounding wall extending from the least one lateral contraction to an upper edge of the surrounding wall and communicating with the slit; and a spring member fixed to the receiving member of the surrounding wall and secured in the slit.

2. A push-in clamp retainer according to claim 1, wherein the surrounding wall has two lateral contractions and each lateral contraction has the receiving member.

3. A push-in clamp retainer according to claim 1, wherein the push-in clamp retainer is a monolithically stamped and bent sheet metal part having two opposing edges engaged to one another by a positive lock.

4. A push-in clamp retainer according to claim 3, wherein the surrounding wall at least partially encircles a lead wire receptacle.

5. A push-in clamp assembly comprising: a push-in clamp retainer comprising a surrounding wall in a lateral direction at least partially encircling a lead wire receptacle, forming at least one lateral contraction of the push-in clamp retainer at which opposite sides of the surrounding wall are positioned closer to one another, the at least one lateral contraction having a receiving member and separating the lead wire receptacle from a rear hollow space also partly encircled by the surrounding wall in the lateral direction, at least one recess in the surrounding wall extending from the at least one lateral contraction to an upper edge of the surrounding wall and communicating with the receiving member; and a spring member fixed to the receiving member of the surrounding wall, the spring member having a first end attached to the push-in clamp retainer at the at least one lateral contraction and a second free end extending elastically displaceable into the lead wire receptacle, the at least one lateral contraction receiving the spring member is a stopper for delimiting a deflection of the second free end of the spring member away from the lead wire receptacle, the spring member extending at least partly into the rear hollow space.

6. A push-in clamp assembly according to claim 5, wherein the spring member has a bent section which extends over more than 270?.

7. A push-in clamp assembly according to claim 6, wherein the spring member extends at least partly into the recess.

8. A push-in clamp assembly according to claim 7, wherein the spring member has at least one bend region such that the first end of the spring member and the second end of the spring member span an angle smaller than 90?.

9. A push-in clamp assembly according to claim 8, wherein the spring member has a loop and the push-in clamp retainer further includes a tongue that extends into the loop of the spring member.

10. An electric connector element comprising: a push-in clamp retainer comprising a surrounding wall in a lateral direction that forms at least one lateral contraction of the push-in clamp retainer at which opposite sides of the surrounding wall are positioned closer to one another, the at least one lateral contraction having a receiving member, at least one recess in the surrounding wall extending from the at least one lateral contraction to an upper edge of the surrounding wall and communicating with the receiving member; a spring member fixed to the receiving member of the surrounding wall, the spring member having a first end attached to the push-in clamp retainer in the at least one lateral contraction and a second free end extending elastically displaceable into a lead wire receptacle; and a spring release member movable from an assembly position at which the spring member is elastically deflected by the spring release member away from the lead wire receptacle, the at least one lateral contraction delimiting the deflection of the second free end of the spring member away from the lead wire receptacle, to an operating position at which the spring release member is moved away from the spring member.

11. An electric connector element according to claim 10: (a) further including a locking sub-assembly, and (b) the spring release member is locked in the assembly position by the locking subassembly.

12. An electric connector element according to claim 11, wherein the locking sub-assembly has an unlatching member with a trigger surface manually operable from outside the electric connector element for unlocking the locking sub-assembly.

13. A push-in clamp retainer according to claim 4, wherein the lead wire receptacle has a further receptacle for retaining and fixing an electrically conducting element in the lead wire receptacle.

14. A push-in clamp retainer according to claim 1, wherein the spring member extends at least partly into the at least one recess.

15. A push-in clamp assembly according to claim 5, wherein the receiving member is formed as a slit extending through the surrounding wall.

16. An electric connector element according to claim 10, wherein the receiving member is formed as a slit extending through the surrounding wall.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) For a more complete understanding of the present invention and the advantages thereof, preference is now made to the following detailed description. The description is taken in conjunction with the following figures in which some parts and/or functionalities are labeled with the same reference signs and each figure lists the differences to the preceding figures, not repeating already described features.

(2) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a push-in clamp retainer;

(3) FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the insertion of a first embodiment of a spring member into the FIG. 1 push-in clamp retainer;

(4) FIG. 3 is a bottom view of a first embodiment of a push-in clamp assembly;

(5) FIG. 4 is a side view of the FIG. 3 push-in clamp assembly;

(6) FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the FIGS. 3 and 4 push-in clamp assembly;

(7) FIG. 6 is a second embodiment of a spring member being installed into a second embodiment of a push-in clamp retainer;

(8) FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a push-in clamp assembly;

(9) FIG. 8 is a different perspective view of the push-in clamp assembly of FIG. 7;

(10) FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the FIGS. 3, 4, and 5 push-in clamp assembly with the lead wire receptacle partially cutaway;

(11) FIG. 10 is a side view of a first embodiment of a spring release member;

(12) FIG. 11 is a front view of the FIG. 10 spring release member;

(13) FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the FIGS. 10 and 11 spring release member;

(14) FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the FIGS. 3, 4, and 5 push-in clamp assembly and the FIGS. 10, 11, and 12 spring release member;

(15) FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the FIGS. 3, 4, and 5 push-in clamp assembly with an inserted lead wire and an inserted second clamp connector;

(16) FIG. 15 is a sectional side view of a first embodiment of an electric connector element in an idle state;

(17) FIG. 16 is a sectional view of the FIG. 15 electric connector element in an assembly state;

(18) FIG. 17 is a sectional view of the FIGS. 15 and 16 electric connector element in an operating state;

(19) FIG. 18 is perspective view of a the FIGS. 7, 8, and 9 push-in clamp assembly and a first embodiment of an electrically conductive element;

(20) FIG. 19 is a perspective view of the FIGS. 7, 8, and 9 push-in clamp assembly and the FIG. 18 electrically conductive element installed;

(21) FIG. 20 is sectional perspective view of the FIG. 19 push-in clamp assembly:

(22) FIG. 21 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of a push-in clamp assembly with a second embodiment of an electrically conductive element;

(23) FIG. 22 is a perspective view of the FIG. 21 push-in clamp assembly with the FIG. 21 electrically conductive element installed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENT(S)

(24) FIG. 1 illustrates the first embodiment of the push-in clamp retainer 1. The push-in clamp retainer 1 is a bent and stamped sheet part comprising one sheet of metal 3 bent to form the surrounding wall 4 of the push-in clamp retainer 1. The push-in clamp retainer 1 is cuboid having a length 1, a width w, and a height h. The sheet metal 3, and hence the surrounding wall 4 as well, has a thickness t.

(25) Due to the production process, the push-in clamp retainer 1 comprises rounded edges 5 and a first edge of the sheet metal 7 and a second edge of the sheet metal 9. The surrounding wall 4 is bent such that the first edge of the sheet metal 7 and the second edge of the sheet metal 9 are brought into proximity to each other. In this first embodiment of the push-in clamp retainer 1, the length 1 is larger than the width w, whereas the length 1 and the height h are similar.

(26) The thickness of the sheet metal t is substantially constant over the entire surface of the push-in clamp retainer 1. Small deviations from the mean value of the thickness t of the sheet metal may occur in the bent regions of the push-in clamp retainer 1, as for instance in the rounded edges 5.

(27) FIG. 1 further shows two opposing contractions 11 comprising two opposing receiving members 13 embodied as two opposing slits 15. Two opposing mirrored recesses 17 are shown in FIG. 1 as well. Those recesses 17 extend from the center of each of the contractions to the upper edge 19 of the push-in clamp retainer 1. The two opposing contractions 11 are parallel to the two opposing slits 15 as well as parallel to the four corner edges 21. One corner edge 21 comprises the first edge of the sheet metal 7 and the second edge of the sheet metal 9.

(28) The length of the slit ls is approximately ? of the push-in clamp retainer height h, (i.e., half the height of the contractions hc). The opposing contractions 11 divide the inner part 23 of the push-in clamp retainer 1 into a lead wire receptacle 25 and a rear hollow space 27. The lead wire receptacle 25 defines an insertion direction 29 which is parallel to the corner edges 21, to the contractions 11, and to the slits 15.

(29) FIG. 1 also shows a tongue 31, which is a monolithic part of the sheet metal 3 extending from the upper edge 19 away from the push-in clamp retainer 1 and which is bent by approximately 90? towards the inner part of the push-in clamp retainer 1. The tongue 31 is located at the rear wall 33 in proximity of the first edge of the sheet metal 7. The length of the tongue lt is smaller than half the width w of the push-in clamp retainer 1.

(30) FIG. 2 illustrates the assembly of a first embodiment of a spring member 35 to the first embodiment of the push-in clamp retainer 1. The spring member 35 comprises a first end 37 and a second end 39, as well as a first bend region 41, and a second bend region 43. The second bend region 43 is embodied as a loop 45. The first end of the spring member 37 and the second end of the spring member 39 span an angle 47 smaller than 90? in this embodiment.

(31) The spring member 35 has a width ws and a thickness ts. These two spring member parameters and the shape of the spring member 35 determine the spring constant. The width of the spring member ws is constant along the second end of the spring member 39, the loop 45, and the first bend region 41 and partly constant along the first end of the spring member 37.

(32) The distal end 49 of the first end of the spring member 37 comprises a step 51 in the spring width ws, as well as a first spring tongue region 53, and a second spring tongue region 55. The first spring tongue region 53 features parallel edges, whereas the second spring tongue region is chamfered. During assembly of the spring member 35 to the push-in clamp retainer 1, the first end of the spring member 37 is oriented along the insertion direction 29. The width of the spring member ws extends perpendicular to the slits 15 located in the contractions 11.

(33) The edges of the slits 15 each have two beveled corners 57 at the slit ends pointing towards the two recesses 17. These beveled corners 57 facilitate insertion of the spring member 35 into the receiving members 13 embodied as slits 15.

(34) The edges of the slits 15 each have two beveled corners 57 at the slit ends pointing towards the two recesses 17. These beveled corners 57 facilitate insertion of the spring member 35 into the receiving members 13 embodied as slits 15.

(35) The edges of the slits 15 each have two beveled corners 57 at the slit ends pointing towards the two recesses 17. These beveled corners 57 facilitate insertion of the spring member 35 into the receiving members 13 embodied as slits 15. The figures show that the second end of the spring member 39 reaches into the lead-in receptacle 25 without touching the inner wall 61. The width of the spring member ws is therefore smaller than the inner width of the push-in clamp retainer wi which is in turn smaller than the width w of the push-in clamp retainer 1.

(36) FIG. 3 shows that the width wt of the distal end 49 of the spring member 35 is essentially equal or slightly larger than the width we between the contractions 11. Therefore, the outer edges of the first spring tongue region 53 are closely fitted to the inner wall 61 of the contractions 11.

(37) Furthermore, FIG. 3 shows that the first bend region 41 and the loop 45 of the spring member 35 partly cover the upper region of the rear hollow space 27 and that the loop 45 of the spring member 35 touches the upper edge 19 of the side wall 63 which is located in the proximity of the first edge of the sheet metal 7 and the second edge of the sheet metal 9. FIGS. 3 to 5 furthermore illustrate that the first end 37 of the spring member 35 as well as the first bend region 41 are partly located inside the two recesses 17, whereas the width ws of the spring member 35 is larger than the outer width wo of the two contractions 11.

(38) The tongue 31, extending from the push-in clamp retainer 1 and bent towards the rear hollow space 27, extends into the loop 45 of the spring member 35 without extending through the loop 45 along the entire width ws of the spring member 35. Especially FIG. 5 illustrates that the spring member 35 is partly located in the contractions 11, the recesses 17, and the rear hollow space 27 and finally extends into the lead wire receptacle 25. The spring member 35 furthermore protrudes out of the push-in clamp retainer 1 above the tongue 31, and is consequently not completely encircled by the push-in clamp retainer 1. The extension of the spring member 35 away from the push-in clamp retainer 1 occurs only above the push-in clamp retainer 1, whereas the loop 45 of the spring member 35 falls in line with the side wall 63 as apparent from FIGS. 3 and 4.

(39) FIG. 6 illustrates the assembly of a second embodiment of the spring member 35 to a second embodiment of the push-in clamp retainer 1, both comprising basically the same parts as their first embodiments. Additional parts and/or functionalities are described in the following.

(40) The second embodiment of the spring member 35 comprises two spring recesses 65 located at the first end of the spring member 37. The spring member 35 also comprises the step 51 and the first spring tongue region 53, but is designed without the chamfered second spring tongue region 55. The arrangement of the two spring recesses 65, the step 51, as well as the first spring tongue region 53, thus form two protrusions 67 having a basically rectangular shape. The spring recesses 65 have a length lr and the protrusions 67 each have the length lp.

(41) The contractions 11 still comprise two receiving members 13 embodied as slits 15, whereas the length of the slits ls is smaller than half the height of the contraction hc. Aside from the slits 15, the contractions 11 of the second embodiment of the push-in clamp retainer 1 comprise a first partition wall 69, a second partition wall 71, and an opening 73 which is basically rectangular-shaped and located between the first partition wall 69 and the second partition wall 71. The first partition wall 69 has the length lw and the opening 73 has the length 11.

(42) The second embodiments of the spring member 35 and the push-in clamp retainer 1 are designed such that the lengths of the spring recesses lr are equal to or slightly larger than the length of the first partition wall lw and such that the lengths of the protrusions 1p are equal to or slightly smaller than the length of the openings 11. During assembly and in the assembled state, the protrusions 67 are counter-locking members 75 that may be locked to the openings 73 being locking members 77.

(43) FIGS. 7 and 8 are different perspective views of a second embodiment of the push-in clamp assembly 59 comprised of the second embodiment of the spring member 35 and the second embodiment of the push-in clamp retainer 1. These figures show that the two protrusions 67 of the spring member 35 are located and/or snapped into the two openings 73 of the two contractions 11. Assembled in such a way, the spring member 35 may not fall out of the push-in clamp retainer 1 when held with the loop 45 of the spring member 35 directing downwards. The spring member 35, however, is additionally secured against falling out of the push-in clamp retainer 1 by the tongue 31 extending into the loop 45. Furthermore, FIG. 7 and FIG. 8 show that the first edge of the sheet metal 7 is engaged to the second edge of the sheet metal 9 by means of a bent tongue 31 extending away from the first edge of the sheet metal 7, bent towards the rear hollow space 27, and inserted into a recess 17 located in the side wall 63. This positive locking of the tongue 31 and the recess 17 in the side wall 63 prevents a shearing motion of the first edge of the sheet metal 7 against the second edge of the sheet metal 9 with the shearing motion being indicated by the arrows 83.

(44) FIG. 9 is a perspective and partially cut-away view of the push-in clamp assembly 59 in the first embodiment while the spring member 35 is in a compressed state. The element responsible for the compression of the spring member 35, for instance a lead wire 119, is not shown for clarity. The cutaway in the push-in clamp retainer wall allows insight into the lead wire receptacle 25 and shows the second end of the spring member 39 which is deflected such that it contacts the inner wall 61 of the contraction 11 in a contact point 85. The opposite lying second contraction 11 is embodied symmetrically and therefore the second end of the spring member 39 also touches the opposing lying contraction 11 in a second contact point 85 (not shown in the figure).

(45) As the second end of the spring member 39 touches the inner wall 61 at two contact points 85 located at the two contractions 11, further deflection of the second end of the spring member 39 is prevented as the two contractions 11 act as stoppers 87. As the second end of the spring member 39 touches the push-in clamp retainer 1 at the two points, the deflective movement of the second end of the spring member 39 is stopped at the two stoppers 87.

(46) However, with sufficient force exerted on the end face of the spring member 89, a minor deflection of the second end of the spring member 39 may still be possible. However, before the second end of the spring member 39 touches the two stoppers 87, the entire length of the second end of the spring member 39, that is from the end face of the spring member 89 to the beginning of the loop 45, acts as an arm of a lever for compression of the loop 45. Once the second end of the spring member 39 touches the stoppers 87, the stoppers are the fulcrum of a lever. The second end of the spring member 39 hence comprises a short lever arm from the contact points 85 to the end face of the spring member 89 and a longer lever arm from the contact points 85 to the beginning of the loop 45. Deflection of the small lever arm initiates a movement of the long lever arm around the line between the contact points 85, whereas the exerted force initiates a decreasing bend of the first bend region 41. Due to the relationship of the levers, the force needed to further deflect the second end of the spring member 39 away from the lead wire receptacle 25 after touching the stoppers 87 is higher than the force needed to deflect the second end of the spring member 39 until it contacts the stoppers 87.

(47) FIGS. 10 to 12 illustrate different views of a spring release member 91 comprising two arms 93 that are partly parallel to each other. The spring release arm 95 comprises a hollow body 97 that merges at different bend points 99 into a tip 101. The bend points 99 of the hollow body 97 are arranged such that a rear surface 103 of the spring release arm 95 is bent away from the other arm 93 of the spring release member 91 spanning an angle 105. A tip region 107 of the spring release arm 95 further comprises a second rear surface 104 which spans a second angle 106 with the hollow body 97. The spring release arm 95 has the width w1, except in the tip region 107 where the width is decreased to w2.

(48) The second arm 93 of the spring release member 91 is a locking sub-assembly 109 with the same width w2 as the tip region 107 but a smaller length as compared to the spring release arm 95. In the tip region 107 of the locking sub-assembly, a detent hook 111 is formed which points away from the spring release arm 95. In contrast to the spring release arm 95, the locking sub-assembly is not constructed hollow but is compact and is consequently flexible with respect to the spring release arm 95.

(49) FIG. 13 illustrates an electric connector element 113 comprising the spring release member 91 and the push-in clamp assembly 59. The electric connector element 113 is shown in an idle state 115 with the second rear surface 104 touching the second end of the spring member 39 over a large area that is the second angle 106 of the second rear surface 104 is equal to the inclination of the second end of the spring member 39.

(50) FIG. 14 illustrates the electric connector element 113 comprising another clamp connector 117, a lead wire 119, and the push-in clamp assembly 59. The electric connector element 113 is in an operating state 121. More specifically, the second end of the spring member 39 is deflected away out of the lead wire receptacle 25 and subsequently released such that the second end of the spring member 39 presses the end of the lead wire 123 against an electrically conducting element 125 of the clamp connector 117. The clamp connector 117 is inserted into the lead wire receptacle 25 in a direction opposite to the insertion direction 29 and is secured in the lead wire receptacle 25 by means of a clamp connector bend 127. The clamp connector 117 comprises a second receptacle 129 for receiving a second lead wire (not shown) for electrically connecting the second lead wire to the first lead wire 119.

(51) In the embodiment shown in FIG. 14, the cable direction of the lead wire 119 is not altered. More specifically, the second lead wire (not shown) which is to be inserted into the second receptacle 129 is oriented parallel to the first lead wire 119. Deflection of the second lead wire (not shown) depends solely on the construction of the second clamp connector 117.

(52) Referring to FIGS. 15-17, the electric connector element 113 comprises the lead wire 119, a connector housing 130, the spring release member 91, an unlatching member 131, the push-in clamp assembly 59 as well as the second clamp connector 117. The connector housing 130 comprises different recesses 17 for insertion of the second clamp connector 117 in a lower part L, the push-in clamp assembly 59 in a center part C, and the spring release member 91 and the unlatching member 131 in an upper part U. Several parts of the electric connector element 113 may extend over two parts of the electric connector element, such as, for instance, the electrically conducting element 125 that extends into the center part C.

(53) FIG. 15 shows the electric connector element 113 in the idle state 115; FIG. 16 shows the electric connector element 113 in an assembly state 133; and FIG. 17 shows the electric connector element 113 in the operating state 121.

(54) In FIG. 15, the lead wire 119 is about to be connected to the electric connector element 113. The spring release member 91 is in an operating position 137. More specifically, the second rear surface 104 of the spring release arm 95 hinges to the second end of the spring member 39.

(55) The spring release member 91 is inserted into a housing receptacle 139 such that the housing receptacle walls prevent the spring release member 91 from being disassembled from the electric connector element 113.

(56) In the idle state 115 of the electric connector element 113, the second end of the spring member 39 extends into the lead wire receptacle 25 with the end face of the spring member 89 being located in proximity of the electrically conducting element 125. The unlatching member 131 is a movable cuboid part located in a second housing receptacle 139. The movement of the unlatching member 131 is guided by this second housing receptacle 139.

(57) In FIG. 16, the electric connector element 113 is shown in the assembly state 133. More specifically, the spring release member 91 is in an assembly position 141. To reach this assembly position 141, the spring release member 91 is moved along the insertion direction 29, whereas during this linear movement of the spring release member 91, the second end of the spring member 39 is deflected away from the lead wire receptacle 25 and approaches the contractions 11 as well as the stoppers 87.

(58) During the increasing inclination of the second end of the spring member 39, the contact point 85 between the spring release member 91 and the second end of the spring member 39 changes from the second rear surface 104 to the first rear surface 103 of the spring release member 91. Due to the changed position of the contact point 85 between the spring release member 91 and the second end of the spring member 39, the length of the lever deflecting the second end of the spring member 39 decreases leading to an increased force necessary for deflection. This fact results in a haptic feedback indicating that the assembly position is approached by a stronger force to be applied to the spring release member 91. During the movement of the spring release member 91 in the insertion direction 29, the detent hook 111 of the locking sub-assembly 109 touches the counter-locking member 75 deflecting the locking sub-assembly 109 towards the hollow body 97 of the spring release member 91 such that the detent hook 111 of the locking sub-assembly 109 is moved sideways along the counter-locking member 75 until the assembly position 141 of the spring release member 91 is reached.

(59) In the assembly position 141, the detent hook 111 reaches the housing receptacle 139 in which the unlatching member 131 is located as well and the detent hook 111 consequently engages in a positive lock with the counter-locking member 75, preventing the spring release member 91 from being moved opposite to the insertion direction 29. Consequently, in the assembly state 133 of the electric connector element 113, the spring release member 91 is locked in an assembly position 141 by positive locking of the detent hook 111 with the counter-locking member 75 and the second end of the spring member 39 is deflected away and out of the lead wire receptacle 25 and held in a pre-tension position 142.

(60) In the assembly state 133, a lead wire (not shown in FIG. 16) may be inserted into the lead wire receptacle 25 without any additional force necessary. In the assembly position of the spring release member 91, the unlatching member 131 and especially the trigger surface 143 do not extend over the edges of the connector housing 130. By this means, the connector housing prevents an accidental unlocking of the detent hook 111 and the counter-locking member 75 as well as an accidental release of the second end of the spring member 39 into the lead wire receptacle 25. After a lead wire (not shown) is inserted into the lead wire receptacle 25, a trigger surface 143 is operated to move the unlatching member 131 into a direction towards the lead wire receptacle 25. The unlatching member 131 touches the detent hook 111 and deflects the locking sub-assembly 109 such that the positive lock between the detent hook 111 and the counter-locking member 75 is released. Releasing this positive lock results in a movement of the spring release member 91 in a direction opposite to the insertion direction 29. The movement is initiated by the spring member 35. The spring release member 91 thus moves back into the operating position 137 which is shown in FIG. 17.

(61) In the operating state 121 of the electric connector element 113, the spring member 35 exerts a spring force to the lead wire 119 which is inserted into the lead wire receptacle 25 and pressed against an electrically conducting element 125 of the second clamp connector 117. The lead wire 119 is secured against accidental removal out of the lead wire receptacle 25 by means of the inclination of the second end of the spring member 39 as the lead wire 119 gets stuck at the contact point 85 when moved opposite to the insertion direction 29, that is out of the lead wire receptacle 25.

(62) FIG. 18 shows the FIGS. 7-9 push-in clamp assembly 59 and a first embodiment of an electrically conducting element 125. The push-in clamp assembly 59 comprises two slits 15 and a latch 149 embodied in the surrounding wall 4 of the push-in clamp retainer 1. The latch 149 comprises a recess 17 and a chamfer 151. The recess 17 represents the counter latching element 158. The chamfer 151 is tilted towards a further receptacle 145 comprising the slits 15, the latch 149 as well as parts of the inner surrounding wall 4. In order to increase the flexibility of the latch 149, the monolithic contact to the surrounding wall 4 shows a flexibility increasing area 153. The electrically conducting element 125 comprises a chamfer 151, two shoulders 155, a locking element 157 and a contact area 159. The locking element 157 comprises a tilted surface 159 and a steep surface 161.

(63) In FIG. 19, the electrically conducting element 125 is inserted into the further receptacle 145 of the push-in clamp assembly 59. The locking element 157 is engaged with the counter locking element 158 and the shoulders 155 of the electrically conducting element 125 abut at the end of the slits 163, thus blocking a further insertion of the electrically conducting element 125 into the further receptacle 145. The electrical contact member 165 is the only part of the electrically conducting element 125 which extends out of the push-in clamp assembly 59. The chamfer 151 of the electrically conducting element 125 is flush with the upper edge 19 of the push-in clamp retainer 1.

(64) In FIG. 20, the push-in clamp with inserted electrically conducting element 125 is shown in a cutaway perspective view and illustrates the chamfer 151 embodied at the electrically conducting element 125 and at the latch 149 of the further receptacle 145. FIG. 20 furthermore shows how the locking element 157 is retained and fixed inside the counter locking element 158 by means of the steep surface 161 of the locking element 157 abutting the inside of the counter locking element 158 embodied as a recess 17.

(65) FIG. 21 shows a third embodiment of the push-in clamp assembly 59 with a second embodiment of the electrically conducting element 125. This embodiment of the push-in clamp assembly 59 also comprises a latch 149, with the latch 149 comprising two recesses 17 acting as counter locking elements 158. The counter locking elements 158 are positioned at the edges of the latch 149 and are only partially surrounded by the material of the latch 149.

(66) The electrically conducting element 125 comprises two locking elements 157 embodied as two extrusions with a base area formed as a semicircle. The embodiments of the push-in clamp assembly 59 and the electrically conducting element 125 shown in FIG. 21 comprise a chamfer 151. The chamfer 151 located at the latch 149 facilitates insertion of the electrically conducting element 125 into the further receptacle 145, while the chamfer 151 located at the electrically conducting element 125 facilitates insertion of a lead wire 119 (not shown) into the lead wire receptacle 25. The latching elements 157, as well as the counter latching elements 158, are each positioned at the edges of the electrically conducting element 125 or the latch 149, respectively. Upon insertion of the electrically conducting element 125 into the further receptacle 145, the locking elements 157 interact with the chamfer 151 of the latch 149, deflecting the latch 149 away from the push-in clamp retainer 1, finally snapping into the counter locking elements 158. The locking elements 157 and the counter locking elements 158 show steep surfaces 161 that engage the positive lock between the electrically conducting element 125 and the push-in clamp assembly 59.

(67) FIG. 22 shows the engaged state between the push-in clamp assembly 59 and the electrically conducting element 125. The electrically conducting element 125 is inserted into the further receptacle 145 and by means of the positive engagement between the locking elements 157 and the counter locking elements 158, a movement of the electrically conducting element 125 in or against the insertion direction 29 is blocked. Furthermore, the shoulders 155 of the electrically conducting element 125 touch the end of the slit 163 also blocking further movement of the electrically conducting element 125 against the insertion direction 29. The chamfer 151 of the electrically conducting element 125 is flush with the upper edge 19 of the push-in clamp retainer 1 and the electrical contact member 165 extends in the insertion direction 29 out of the push-in clamp retainer 1. The electrically conducting element 125 is tightly retained in the further receptacle 145 and partially lines the lead wire receptacle 25. By retaining the electrically conducting element 125 in such a way, translation and rotation of the electrically conducting element 125 with respect to the push-in clamp assembly 59 is minimized for all 6 degrees of freedom.

(68) The foregoing illustrates some of the possibilities for practicing the invention. Other embodiments are possible within the scope and spirit of the invention. It is, therefore, intended that the foregoing description be regarded as illustrative rather than limiting, and that the scope of the invention is given by the appended claims together with their full range of equivalents.