GB2231209A

GB2231209A - Multi-terminal electrical connection arrangement

Info

Publication number: GB2231209A
Application number: GB9005548A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Georg Armbruster; Martin Hogelucht; Juergen Tenhumberg
Original assignee: Joh Vaillant GmbH and Co
Current assignee: Vaillant GmbH
Priority date: 1989-03-11
Filing date: 1990-03-12
Publication date: 1990-11-07
Also published as: FR2644299B3; ES1013424U; FR2644299A3; ES1013424Y; GB9005548D0; NL9000525A; IT9020727V0; IT9020727U1; IT219362Z2

Abstract

A multi-terminal electrical connection arrangement comprising a terminal bar (2) and a pluglike element (5). The pluglike element (5) owing to its shape can be inserted only in a predetermined position into the bar. The bar (2) is provided with screw clamp means. A projection (6) which is fixed in relation to the bar (2) is arranged in a recess or opening of the pluglike element (5) when the connection is established. Alternatively, the pluglike element (5) may have a projection with which a recess on the printed circuit board (1) or the terminal bar (2) is associated. <IMAGE>

Description

Multi-terminal electrical connection arranaement This invention relates to a multi-terminal electrical connection arrangement comprising a terminal bar and a pluglike element, which owing to its shape can be inserted only in a predetermined position into the bar.

In a large number of previously proposed multiterminal connections, a plug can be inserted only in a predetermined position into a socket terminal bar. This is accomplished by the provision of a projection and a recess or opening in the plug or in the bar. But in some cases, in place of a plug, there may be a number of electrical leads, which are to be connected in a predetermined manner to a terminal bar, which is not necessarily in the form of a socket terminal bar. A problem arises, for example, in connection with the electric terminals of fuel-fired heating equipment, in which clamp terminal bars rather than socket terminal bars are employed.In that case a pluglike element is associated with at least two leads, which are to be connected in a predetermined manner to the associated clamp terminals of the clamp terminal bar, and it may be possible to connect the element to the bar incorrectly.

The present invention seeks to provide a remedy.

Accordingly, the present invention is directed to an arrangement having the construction set out in the opening paragraph of the present specification, in which the bar is provided with screw clamp means and a projection is provided, which is associated with the bar and is arranged in a recess or opening of the pluglike element when the connection is established.

An example of a multi-terminal electrical connection arrangement made in accordance with the present invention is shown in the accompanying drawing, in which: Figure 1 is a plan view of the arrangement; and Figure 2 is a plan view of a pluglike element of the arrangement shown in Figure 1.

In both figures, each of the reference numerals 5, 6 and 11 designates the same feature.

A terminal-carrying printed circuit board 1 of fuel-fired apparatus, for example, a heater for circulating water, comprises a clamp terminal bar 2, which is provided with a number of clamp terminals 3, at least three of which are provided with clamp screws 4. A pluglike element 5 is connected to the said clamp terminals 3 by means of the clamp screws 4 and comprises at least three leads 11. The pluglike element has a recess 6. A projection 7 is provided, which is associated with the recess and cannot be changed in position relative to the clamp terminal bar 2. As is more clearly apparent from Figure 2 the pluglike element 5 has terminals 8, 9 and 10, being provided respectively by sheathed bared ends of the three leads 11.

The pluglike element can be inserted into the clamp terminal bar 2 only in the illustrated position.

With the correct positioning the projection 7 will be accommodated by the recess 6. Otherwise, the pluglike element 5 cannot be inserted into the clamp terminal bar 2. Once the pluglike element 5 has been correctly positioned, the clamp screws 4 are tightened.

It is possible to interchange the positions of the projection and the recess on the components so that the pluglike element has a projection with which a recess on the printed circuit board 1 or the clamp terminal bar 2 is associated.

Claims

1. A multi-terminal electrical connection arrangement comprising a terminal bar and a pluglike element, which owing to its shape can be inserted only in a predetermined position into the bar, in which the bar is provided with screw clamp means and a projection is provided, which is associated with the bar and is arranged in a recess or opening of the pluglike element when the connection is established.

2. A multi-terminal electrical connection arrangement comprising a terminal bar and a pluglike element, which owing to its shape can be inserted only in a predetermined position into the bar, in which the bar is provided with screw clamp means and a recess or opening is associated with the bar and receives a projection of the pluglike element when the connection is established.

3. A multi-terminal electrical connection arrangement comprising a terminal bar and a pluglike element, substantially as described herein with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawing.