CN104465238B

CN104465238B - Electrical connection device for at least one conductor in a terminal belonging to an electrical apparatus

Info

Publication number: CN104465238B
Application number: CN201410474727.3A
Authority: CN
Inventors: Y.贝林
Original assignee: Schneider Electric Industries SAS
Current assignee: Schneider Electric Industries SAS
Priority date: 2013-09-17
Filing date: 2014-09-17
Publication date: 2020-07-10
Anticipated expiration: 2034-09-17
Also published as: EP2849287A1; EP2849287B1; FR3010839B1; FR3010839A1; CN104465238A

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for electrically connecting at least one electrical lead in a terminal belonging to an electrical apparatus, said connecting device comprising: an element forming a yoke, said element comprising at least one opening intended to receive an electrical lead such that the lead is in electrical contact with one of the connection regions of the device and is associated with the or each opening; a spring, supported by one of its ends on a so-called first fixing portion of the device connection area and by its other end on a so-called second fixing portion of the connection area, at least in its rest position, and means for actuating the yoke, which enable the yoke to move between a first position in which the yoke compresses the spring, allowing the removal of the lead from the above-mentioned opening of the terminal, and a second position in which the pressure exerted by the yoke on the spring is released, the second position being approved for the introduction of the lead, the lead being elastically retained in the terminal, between the so-called second fixing portion of the device connection area and said spring.

Description

Electrical connection device for at least one conductor in a terminal belonging to an electrical apparatus

Technical Field

Background

Three main types of connection terminals are known, namely screw type terminals, so-called quick-connect type terminals, and self-stripping terminals.

Screw connection terminals allow to connect one or two wires in one and the same terminal, but do not constitute a quick connection means.

The quick connect terminal uses one or more springs to stop the wire at the point of connection. Several methods may be used to release the lead by compressing the spring. To compress the spring, these terminals use any of a screwdriver, a slide bar, a rotary cam-type bar, and the like.

These quick-connect terminals have the disadvantage of not allowing the simultaneous connection of two leads, thus making it necessary to use two separate terminals which have to be actuated separately.

In most cases, these quick-connect terminals are arranged side by side and are equipped with their own means for releasing the leads.

However, in the case where the terminals need to be aligned one behind the other, i.e. in a direction perpendicular to the fixing plane of the device, it is necessary to propose a single handling device.

Disclosure of Invention

The present invention addresses these drawbacks and proposes a quick electrical connection device, of simple design, compatible with the accessories normally connected by screws.

Another subject of the invention is to propose a connection device which can be used for quick connection or quick and simultaneous disconnection of either one, or two, or more wires.

A further subject of the invention is a connection terminal comprising such a device, and an electrical protection apparatus comprising at least one such terminal.

To this end, the subject of the invention is a device for electrically connecting at least one electrical lead in a terminal belonging to an electrical protection apparatus, the device being characterized in that the or each said spring comprises a leaf spring supported by a so-called first free end thereof on the said so-called first fixing portion of the connection area of the apparatus and by a second free end thereof on a so-called second fixing portion of the connection area when no lead is present in the terminal, the second free end being further intended, after the movement of the said actuation member in the said second position, to be elastically supported on the lead when it is introduced into the respective opening, so as to retain the lead within the terminal.

Thanks to these features, a quick coupling device of simple design is obtained.

According to a preferred particular feature, the above-mentioned yoke comprises two seats, each intended to receive one lead and each associated with a spring, the activation of the actuation member making it possible to actuate both springs simultaneously.

Due to these features, the connection of either one or both leads is made quickly and simultaneously. Thus, all the elastic systems can be kept open, so that an auxiliary device having at least two leads can be disassembled easily and quickly, due to the fact that all the leads can be removed simultaneously.

According to a preferred particular feature, the two introduction openings are aligned on the mounting bracket in a direction extending substantially perpendicular to the fixing plane of the device. This arrangement is particularly suitable for the connection of auxiliary devices such as differential protection devices.

According to a preferred particular feature, the yoke is mounted to slide between the two positions with respect to a housing of the device.

Advantageously, the aforementioned actuating means comprise a lever of the cam type.

According to another preferred characteristic feature, the aforesaid yoke comprises a portion forming a U and comprising a base and two washers, said washers extending substantially perpendicularly to the base, the base cooperating with the aforesaid actuating member, and each washer comprising at least one notch allowing folding towards the inside of the device of a portion of the washer, such that this portion constitutes a folded portion forming a bearing surface capable of cooperating with the aforesaid second end of the aforesaid spring leaf when the actuating member is activated.

According to another preferred particular feature, the aforesaid yoke comprises two notches, respectively on the edge of the free end of the washer and on one of the side edges of said washer intermediate its length, said notches being intended to form two folded portions intended to cooperate respectively with two so-called second ends of two spring leaves respectively associated with two openings for the introduction of the leads.

According to an advantageous feature, the or each spring is formed substantially in the shape of an S or U.

Another subject of the invention is an electrical connection terminal for an electrical protection device comprising a connection device comprising the features mentioned above considered individually or in combination.

Another subject of the invention is a low-voltage electric protection device comprising at least one terminal comprising the aforementioned features considered alone or in combination.

Drawings

Other advantages and features of the present invention will become more apparent, however, from the following detailed description, given by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

figure 1 is a partial plan view of an electrical protection device equipped with a connection device according to a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, said device being in a closed position allowing the insertion of two leads,

FIG. 2 is a view similar to the previous one, with the connection device in an open position allowing removal of the leads,

FIG. 3 is a view similar to the previous one, with the connection device in the open position, two leads having been introduced under the connection zone of the apparatus,

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3, the connecting device having been placed in a closed position after the lead has been installed,

fig. 5 is a perspective partial view showing the electrical connection of an auxiliary device to a circuit breaker by means of a connecting device according to the invention, an

Fig. 6 is a perspective partial view showing only a part of the terminal, including the cage, the two spring blades and the connection area.

Detailed Description

In the various figures, it can be seen that the electrical protection and/or distribution equipment, in particular the modular circuit breaker D, is intended to be fixed on a mounting bracket, such as a guide rail R. This device is housed in a case B of substantially parallelepiped shape, comprising a front face 1 containing a nozzle N, a rear face 2 by which a handle M for actuating the device emerges through the nozzle, the device being mounted on rails R, two main faces 3, 4 (fig. 5) through which the device can be connected to other devices of the same type also mounted on the same support, and two side faces 5, which are normally located above and below the device in a mounting cabinet and are equipped with means allowing the device to be connected to a distribution network or other electrical devices.

Thus, the leads 34 inside the device emerge into the sockets 16, 17 provided in the device housing and are accessible through the

openings

9, 10 into which the

external leads

11, 12 can be inserted. These sockets include connection features that allow flexible or rigid or other cables to be clamped to hold them in contact with a portion of the internal leads of the device to complete the electrical installation.

It may happen below that one and the same terminal of the electrical device needs to be electrically connected to both leads, for example in the case where the circuit breaker needs to be electrically connected upstream on one side to a differential auxiliary device and on the other side to another auxiliary device of the pre-wired contact type.

The connection device according to the preferred embodiment of the invention described herein enables such double connection (or disconnection) to be performed and comprises a portion forming a yoke 13, mounted to slide with respect to the casing of the device and capable of being given a translational movement by an actuation member comprising a rotary lever 14 of the cam 15 type. In the open position, the cam is able to hold the yoke in the open position due to the fulcrum system. Thus, it is possible to actuate the two cams of the two juxtaposed terminals and hold the two yoke portions in the open position. This yoke 13 also comprises two

seats

7, 8, respectively, intended to receive two leads, said seats being aligned in a direction extending substantially perpendicular to the fixing plane P of the device. Inside each of these

seats

7, 8 is a

spring plate

18, 19 of substantially S-shape, each supported by one of its so-called

first ends

20, 21 on a so-called

second fixing portion

24, 31 of the connection area and by its

opposite end

22, 23, known as the second end, on a so-called

first fixing portion

24, 31 of the connection area of the device.

To this end, the yoke 13 comprises a

notch

25, 26 facing each leaf spring, intended to allow the creation of a

portion

27, 28 turned back towards the inside of the device, this portion being intended to bear on the so-called

first end

20, 21 of the corresponding leaf spring, in order to enable the leaf spring to be compressed by the yoke.

This yoke 13 is formed by a base 29 cooperating with the cam 15 of the lever 14 and by two washers 30 extending from the base, each washer 30 comprising the above-mentioned first notch 25 on a free edge 32 seated on the end of the washer and a second notch 26 on one of the side edges 33 of the washer approximately in the middle of its length.

Each leaf spring is placed and dimensioned in the device with respect to the opening for the introduction of the respective lead and with respect to the yoke so that, when the lever 14 of the cam 15 type is in the open position as shown in figures 2, 3 and 5, the access to the

openings

9, 10 for the introduction of the lead and to the

openings

7, 8 in the yoke 13 is cleared, thus allowing or introducing the lead or removing the lead, while, when the lever 14 is in the closed position, as shown in figures 1 and 4, these openings are partially blocked by the

first portions

20, 21 of the leaf springs, but do allow the introduction of the lead until it comes into contact with the respective region of the device, which lead is then held firmly between the

first ends

20, 21 of the

leaf springs

18, 19 and the so-called

second fixing portions

24, 31 of the corresponding connection region.

Thus, in operation, when the lever 14 of the cam 15 type is in the closed position as shown in fig. 1 and 4, said yoke is in the top position, i.e. the yoke does not exert any action on the

leaf springs

18, 19, while when the lever 14 is in the open position as shown in fig. 2, 3 and 5, the yoke 13 is in the bottom position and compresses the

leaf springs

18, 19, so as to substantially completely free the

openings

9, 10 for the introduction of the

leads

11, 12, thereby allowing the removal and even introduction of these leads 11, 12, although such introduction could equally take place in the second position of the yoke corresponding to the closed position of the lever 14 of the cam 15 type, as already explained above.

As the lever changes from the open position to the closed position, the cam releases pressure on the spring plate, which repels the yoke portion upward, i.e., toward the lever.

The present invention therefore proposes a connection device which allows electrical connection to an electrical protection device of a standard auxiliary equipment, comprising a rigid lead intended to be connected to a terminal of the equipment in the usual way by means of a screw system.

As shown in particular in fig. 5, it can be seen that the connection device according to the invention advantageously enables the connection of a differential auxiliary to a circuit breaker.

The present invention enables quick connection of either one or both leads. The invention also makes it possible to keep all the elastic systems open so as to be able to dismantle the accessory easily and quickly, due to the fact that it makes it possible to remove all the leads simultaneously.

The invention is advantageously applicable to any device where it is necessary to connect small-section leads.

The invention is particularly applicable to circuit breakers having at least two poles, such as three-pole and four-pole circuit breakers.

Of course, the invention is in no way limited to the embodiments described and shown, which are given by way of example only.

The invention therefore also relates to a connection device comprising only an introduction opening, a spring or the like, i.e. adapted to perform an electrical connection of a single lead.

On the contrary, the invention includes all technical equivalents of the means described and their combinations, provided that the latter are carried out in the spirit thereof.

Claims

1. Device for electrically connecting at least one lead in a terminal belonging to an electrical apparatus, said connecting device comprising: an element forming a yoke, said element comprising at least one opening intended to receive a lead such that it is in electrical contact with one of the connection areas of the device and is associated with said opening; a spring, which, in its rest position, is supported by its second free end on a so-called first fixing portion of the connection area of the device and by its first free end on a so-called second fixing portion of the connection area, and means for actuating the yoke, which enable the yoke to move between a first position in which the yoke compresses the spring by means of the cam, allowing the lead to be removed from the above-mentioned at least one opening of the terminal, and a second position in which the pressure exerted on the spring by the yoke is released, the second position being authorized to introduce the lead, the latter being elastically retained in the terminal, between the so-called second fixing portion of the above-mentioned area and said spring,

characterized in that said spring comprises a leaf spring supported, in the second position of the yoke, by a first free end thereof, on said so-called second fixed part of the connection area of the appliance and, in the absence of the lead in the terminal, by a second free end thereof, which, after the movement of said actuation member in said second position, is also intended to be elastically supported on the lead when it is introduced into the respective at least one opening, so as to retain it inside the terminal, said yoke being mounted so as to slide between said two positions with respect to the casing B of the appliance, and said actuation member comprising a cam-type lever,

wherein said above-mentioned spring is substantially formed in the shape of an S or U and cooperates with the connection zones in such a way that, when the cam-type lever is in the open position, the access to the opening for the introduction of the lead and to two seats in the yoke, each seat intended to receive the lead and each associated with a spring, the yoke comprising a notch facing each leaf spring intended to allow the creation of a portion turned back towards the inside of the device supported on a first free end of each leaf spring, each leaf spring bearing, by its so-called second free end, on a so-called first fixed portion of the corresponding connection zone, while, when the lever is in the closed position, the lead is firmly held between the first free end of the leaf spring and a so-called second fixed portion of the corresponding connection zone.

2. Device for the electrical connection of at least one lead in a terminal belonging to an electrical apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the activation of the actuation member makes it possible to actuate both springs simultaneously.

3. Device for the electrical connection of at least one lead in a terminal belonging to an electrical apparatus according to claim 1, characterised in that said at least one opening for receiving a lead is aligned in a direction extending on the mounting bracket R substantially perpendicular to the fixing plane P of the apparatus.

4. Device for the electrical connection of at least one lead in a terminal belonging to an electrical apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the above-mentioned yoke comprises a portion forming a U and comprising a base and two washers, the washers extending substantially perpendicularly to the base, the base cooperating with the above-mentioned actuating member, and the notch being located on each washer.

5. Device for the electrical connection of at least one lead in a terminal belonging to an electrical apparatus, according to claim 4, characterized in that said yoke comprises two notches, respectively on the edge of the free end of the washer and on one of the side edges of said washer intermediate its length, said notches being intended to form two folded portions intended to cooperate respectively with two so-called first free ends of two leaves, respectively associated with two openings for the introduction of leads.

6. Electrical connection terminal for electrical protection equipment, characterized in that it comprises a device for electrical connection of at least one lead in a terminal belonging to an electrical equipment according to any one of the preceding claims.

7. Low-voltage electrical protection device, characterized in that it comprises at least one electrical connection terminal according to claim 6.