Classifications

• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
  • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
  • H01R4/00—Electrically-conductive connections between two or more conductive members in direct contact, i.e. touching one another; Means for effecting or maintaining such contact; Electrically-conductive connections having two or more spaced connecting locations for conductors and using contact members penetrating insulation
  • H01R4/28—Clamped connections, spring connections
  • H01R4/38—Clamped connections, spring connections utilising a clamping member acted on by screw or nut
  • H01R4/40—Pivotable clamping member
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
  • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
  • H01R11/00—Individual connecting elements providing two or more spaced connecting locations for conductive members which are, or may be, thereby interconnected, e.g. end pieces for wires or cables supported by the wire or cable and having means for facilitating electrical connection to some other wire, terminal, or conductive member, blocks of binding posts
  • H01R11/11—End pieces or tapping pieces for wires, supported by the wire and for facilitating electrical connection to some other wire, terminal or conductive member
  • H01R11/22—End pieces terminating in a spring clip
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
  • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
  • H01R24/00—Two-part coupling devices, or either of their cooperating parts, characterised by their overall structure
  • H01R24/28—Coupling parts carrying pins, blades or analogous contacts and secured only to wire or cable
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
  • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
  • H01R9/00—Structural associations of a plurality of mutually-insulated electrical connecting elements, e.g. terminal strips or terminal blocks; Terminals or binding posts mounted upon a base or in a case; Bases therefor
  • H01R9/22—Bases, e.g. strip, block, panel
  • H01R9/223—Insulating enclosures for terminals

Definitions

• the invention relates to the field of electrical power connection, and more specifically to the field of terminal blocks to allow a free power connection in motion with an electric cable.
• the invention relates to an electrical connection device comprising a terminal block for connecting to a terminal of an electric cable so as to allow relative movement in translation between said terminal block and said cable, and in particular, but not exclusively, where the terminal block is part of a set of a terminal block and a busbar.
• Electrical connection assemblies combining terminal blocks and busbars can be found in many industries, particularly those associated with the field of electricity and the power connection. Such assemblies serve to connect a busbar to an electrical structure, for example an electrical cable, and potentially to other electronic equipment at the same time.
• the devices of the above examples also suffer from a need for precision and potentially, consequently, voltage problems.
• the electrical connection (between the terminal block and the lug) can not compensate for the sub-length of the cable.
• the electrical connection can not compensate for the excess length of the cable.
• the cable must be adjusted or potentially replaced, resulting in the risk that installers will pull or push hard on the cable to achieve the proper length.
• This last example allows the relative movement in translation between a terminal block connected to a busbar and a conductive pin. However, the relative rotational movement is prevented.
• the object of the present invention is therefore to remedy the aforementioned needs and disadvantages by proposing an electrical connection device comprising a terminal block adapted to secure a lug without requiring adjustment of the length of the electric cable connected to the lug, and thus allowing to avoid any problem of tension, and as far as possible, without needing to adjust the orientation of the terminal.
• Another object is to provide an electrical connection device comprising fewer parts, which is simple to install, and having anti-FOD characteristics, i.e. having a significantly reduced likelihood of being the cause of 'a FOD or to be subjected to a FOD, the anti-FOD characteristics being, especially in the aviation sector, highly sought after.
• the present invention thus proposes an electrical connection device comprising a terminal block adapted to connect to a terminal of an electric cable, the terminal block comprising a locking sleeve adapted to secure the terminal so as to form an electrical connection allowing the relative movement between the terminal block and the secured lug, characterized in that the locking sleeve comprises a first portion and a second portion, and a pivot member configured so that the first and second portions are pivoted relative to each other to allow the insertion of the terminal and its securing, in that the pivot element of the locking sleeve comprises a pin connected to the second part of the locking sleeve and engaged in the first part of the locking sleeve on the side of the first part substantially opposite the side of the first part opposite the second part of the sleeve of locking, and in that said relative movement allowed is a translational movement.
• the electrical connection device may further comprise one or more of the following features taken separately or in any possible technical combinations.
• the sleeve of the terminal block is configured to ensure a translation movement of the lug over a limited length and to prevent its disconnection of the locking sleeve during the translation.
• said relative movement allowed further comprises rotation.
• the pin is located in a groove formed in the first part of the locking sleeve, the pin extending along an axis substantially perpendicular to an axis along which the terminal substantially extends.
• the locking sleeve has a shape complementary to that of the lug to allow its engagement.
• the locking sleeve defines a cylindrical space between the two first and second parts, the locking sleeve being adapted to allow the engagement of a lug with a cylindrical rod and an enlarged end, and in that the rod has a diameter smaller than that of the locking sleeve and a length greater than that of the locking sleeve.
• the electrical connection device further comprises a busbar connected to the terminal block to thereby form an assembly of a terminal block and a busbar, and an electric cable with a lug, the lug having a cylindrical rod and an enlarged termination, and in that the shank has a diameter smaller than that of the locking sleeve and a length greater than that of the locking sleeve.
• the sleeve comprises a fixing means for locking the sleeve.
• the subject of the invention is also an assembly of an electrical connection device and an insulator, characterized in that it comprises an electrical connection device as described above and an insulator, the device for electrical connection being disposed in the insulator, the insulator being provided with walls, the walls extending substantially parallel to the axis of the terminal block and rising to a height greater than that of the terminal block.
• the insulator comprises a cover for fitting the device.
• FIG. 1A represents a perspective view of a terminal block of an electrical connection device according to a first embodiment of the invention
• FIG. 1B represents an exploded perspective view of the same terminal block of FIG. 1A;
• FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the electrical connection device with a terminal secured by the terminal block, according to the first embodiment of the invention
• FIG. 3 represents a view of an insulator, with an exploded view of the electrical connection device according to the first embodiment, comprising a terminal block and a terminal so as to display the assembly in the insulator;
• FIG. 4 represents a view from above of several electrical connection devices according to the first embodiment arranged in an insulator, with electronic equipment in contact with the terminals of the devices;
• FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of several electrical connection devices according to the first embodiment arranged in an insulator as in Figure 4, with a cover of an insulator.
• FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate a terminal block 10 of an electrical connection device 100 for engaging and securing a lug of an electric cable, and for providing a means for electrically connecting a busbar and an electric cable.
• the terminal block 10 is essentially in the form of an elongated body extending along a first axis and comprising a locking sleeve 3 adapted to secure a lug, being further made of electrically conductive material.
• the terminal block 10 is here made of metal and provided with two through holes 5 to secure it to a structure, for example a NIDA panel (not shown).
• the locking sleeve 3 comprises a first portion (lower) 1 and a second portion (upper) 2.
• the first portion 1 is essentially part of the main body of the terminal block 10 and comprises a channel 7 of substantially semi-cylindrical shape facing upwards while the second part 2, which is mounted on the first part 1, comprises a channel 8 of substantially semi-cylindrical shape oriented downwards.
• the two parts 1, 2 form a locking sleeve 3 substantially formed of two half-shells defining, thanks to the two semi-cylindrical channels 7, 8, a cylindrical space extending substantially along said first axis when it is closed .
• the two parts 1, 2 of the locking sleeve 3 are intended to be separable, by pivoting, to allow the introduction of the lug of a cable.
• the locking sleeve 3 is provided with a fixing means for locking the sleeve and securing the terminal of the cable.
• the fixing means in this case is a screw of the "captive" type 16, passing through a hole 4 on the second part 2 of the locking sleeve 3 by being secured thereto so as to be captive in this sense.
• the screw 16 is intended to engage in a hole 6 formed in the first part 1 to lock the sleeve 3.
• FIG. 2 clearly illustrates an electrical connection device 100 formed by a terminal block 10 as described above and a lug 20 of an electric cable 25 attached to said terminal block 10.
• the lug 20 of the cable 25 is adapted to be engaged and secured by the locking sleeve 3 of the terminal block 10, and to provide a means for electrically connecting the cable 25 and the busbar 12 of the terminal block / busbar assembly of the device 100.
• the lug 20 comprises a portion 21 connected to the cable 25, a cylindrical rod 22 uniform which extends away from the connected portion 21, and an enlarged stop 23, that is to say having a larger diameter than that of the cylindrical rod 22.
• the lug 20 is electrically conductive material, for example metal.
• the two parts 1, 2 of the locking sleeve 3 meet to catch the rod 22 of the lug 20, so as to allow the relative movement in translation and rotation between the terminal block 10 and the lug 20.
• the rod 22 therefore has a diameter slightly less than that of the locking sleeve 3, but a length which is greater than that of the locking sleeve 3. Consequently, the terminal block 10 allows the lug 20 to be mobile in translation and mobile in rotation with respect to the terminal block 10. More precisely , the movement made in this case between the terminal block 10 and the lug 20 is a translation of limited length (the length of the rod 22 minus the length of the locking sleeve 3 in the zone where it surrounds the rod 22) and the rotation for an unlimited angle (and therefore 360 °).
• the outside of the rod 22 and the inside of the sleeve 3 have similar shapes, that is to say cylindrical.
• the locking sleeve 3 and the lug 20 are of cylindrical shape.
• Other complementary shapes can still be made, for example, a sleeve defining an internal shape of square section adapted for a pod with a square section rod. This then allows the relative translation, but not the relative rotation.
• a sleeve with an octagonal section and a cylindrical rod may also be suitable.
• the shapes of the sleeve and the rod allow at least the relative movement in translation, which will be apparent to those skilled in the art.
• the cylindrical shape is preferable to allow relative movement in translation and rotation at a time.
• the substantially semi-cylindrical channel 7 oriented upwardly of the first part 1 (bottom) is designed in two sections 7A and 7B.
• the terminal block 10 also has a shoulder 7C, defined by the two sections 7A, 7B of the channel 7 at the diameter change.
• This shoulder 7C serves as a stop for cooperating with the widened abutment 23 at the bottom of the rod 22, thus preventing the lug 20 from separating from the terminal block 10.
• two electrical contact plates 9 are "clipped", that is to say connected with a system of clips, to serve as interfaces between the sleeve 3 and the rod 22. These ensure a good electrical engagement between the terminal block 10 and the terminal 20, while allowing the relative movement between both.
• the pads 9, multi-contact type are metal, for example copper, beryllium copper, nickel or silver, to allow good conduction. In addition, they have the characteristics of a leaf spring to provide a good uniform contact against the rod 22, and at the same time, a slight resistance against its movement to reduce the game. These pads 9 can also be glued or crimped to sleeve 3.
• the terminal block 10, including its locking sleeve 3, is made of metal to facilitate the conduction of electricity between the busbar 12 and the cable 25.
• the terminal block 10, including the sleeve 3 can be made of a material that is not electrically conductive, but then being provided with a means of conduction of electricity, for example a cable connecting the plates 9 to the busbar 12.
• the lug 20 may be of non-conductive material, but provided with a means of conduction of the electricity from point of contact with the terminal block 10 to the cable 25.
• the second portion 2 (upper) comprises an arm 13 extending from the side of the terminal block 10 and facing downwards.
• the arm 13 supports a pin 14 which engages in the first part 1 of the sleeve 3 on the side of the first part 1 substantially opposite the side of the first part 1 opposite the second part 2.
• the second part 2 is located on the first part 1 (on the high side of the first part 1 which faces the second part 2), but its pin 14 is under the first part 1 (on the side of the first part 1 which is below , which is therefore substantially opposite to the high side of the first part 1).
• the pin 14 of the first part 1 of the sleeve 3 engages in a groove 11 provided under the first part 1 of the sleeve.
• the two parts engage and thus pivot relative to each other, the pin 14 forming a pivot member.
• the axis of the pin 14 is substantially perpendicular to that (first axis) of the terminal block 10. This arrangement thus allows the second portion 2 of the sleeve 3 to pivot in relation to the first part 1 to thereby open and close the sleeve 3.
• the pin 14 When the terminal block 10 is fixed on an insulator or a panel, the pin 14 will be wedged between the terminal block 10 and the insulator (or panel) and can not leave this groove 11.
• a returned part may also be provided at the bottom of pin 14. So even though the screw 16 to secure the sleeve 3 is not performed, the two parts 1, 2 of the sleeve 3 will remain together, in that the pin 14 is part of the second part 2 of the sleeve 3.
• Another aspect of this invention further relates to foreign object damage (or FOD for "Foreign Object Damage”).
• foreign object damage or FOD for "Foreign Object Damage”
• the invention has other anti-FOD characteristics, that is to say characteristics to avoid, as much as possible, that the device 100 becomes damaged by a foreign body or is the cause of damage by foreign body.
• FIG. 3 thus shows a perspective view of an isolator 30 having anti-FOD characteristics, and an exploded view of an electrical connection device 100 making it possible to visualize the manner in which they are mounted in the insulator 30.
• FIG. 4 illustrates, for its part, several electrical connection devices 100 arranged in an insulator 30, and also with a contactor 45 placed in contact with the terminal blocks 10.
• each electrical connection device 100 is preferably isolated in its own insulator 30, or in its own compartment in the insulator 30.
• the insulator 30 is made of insulating composite material, and looks like a housing.
• FIG. 5 shows a cover 35 of an insulator 30 for enclosing the electrical connection devices 100. In this case, only the cables and the ends of the terminal blocks 10 are exposed at the level of the electrical connection. The ends of the terminal blocks 10 are exposed to enable them to connect to the contactor 45, or other electrical equipment or other terminal blocks.
• the cover 35 is also made of insulating composite material.
• the cover 35 is clipped to the insulator 30 and is secured therein with a fastening means, such as a captive screw 36 which engages in a respective hole 37 located on the insulator 30.
• a fastening means such as a captive screw 36 which engages in a respective hole 37 located on the insulator 30.
• Co-operating flanges having recesses can be integrated with the insulator 30 and cover 35 to surround and support the cables 25 and potentially to provide resistance against their movement.
• the isolator 30 electrically isolates the electrical connection devices 100 from their environment and from each other and at the same time reduces the likelihood of causing FOD, or being subjected to FOD.
• the electrical connection device 100 comprises a few captive screws 16, 36 of known type and which are frequently used, especially where the loss of screws is highly undesirable and can have serious consequences. This type of screw remains connected with part of the parts to be connected.
• resilient pins 18 may be used to prevent the loss of these screws 15.
• Such a pin 18 is clearly visible in Figure 1A installed in its own hole through the hole 5 where it is located. a standard screw 15. In the case where such a screw 15 is unscrewed, the pin 18 prevent it out completely and separates from the device. More particularly, the screw head 15 abuts against the pin 18 during its translation, and the screw 15 will thus be contained in its hole 5.
• each terminal block 10 has two holes 5 on the first lower part 1 to receive screws 15.
• the screws 15 pass through the terminal block 10, by the busbar 12, by the insulator 30 and secure on a structure, for example a NIDA panel (not shown), to connect all parts together at a time.
• the terminal block and the terminal are not necessarily metal or conductive material. Nevertheless, it is preferable that they be made of metal, and whatever metal suitable, for example, copper, nickel or silver.
• electrical contact pads may be incorporated to improve electrical conductivity.
• such pads may be mounted at the interface between the two parts of the sleeve, and may be integrated with the electrical contact pads on the inside of the sleeve.
• the sleeve can be designed to secure and provide adequate force to the lug by fully tightening the sleeve (with the pads providing that adequate force) or by adjusting the screw to lock the sleeve. In some cases, once the lug is installed in the correct position, a high resistance against its movement can be applied by tightly tightening the screw.
• the sleeve may also be designed to open in the opposite direction of insertion of the pod. Even a terminal block with two locking sleeves can be envisaged, for example to receive two lugs of opposite directions to connect two cables together in a straight line.
• the terminal block has been mainly described as being in a set with a busbar, it can also be associated alternatively with electrical equipment or cable.

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• Connections Arranged To Contact A Plurality Of Conductors (AREA)

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• 2015
  • 2015-07-16 FR FR1556708A patent/FR3039009B1/fr not_active Expired - Fee Related
• 2016
  • 2016-07-08 WO PCT/FR2016/051746 patent/WO2017009558A1/fr active Application Filing
  • 2016-07-08 EP EP16748334.6A patent/EP3323170B1/de active Active
  • 2016-07-08 CN CN201680041703.6A patent/CN107851909A/zh active Pending
  • 2016-07-08 US US15/744,907 patent/US10084248B2/en active Active

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