CN110088982B

CN110088982B - Electrical connection element provided with a contact element

Info

Publication number: CN110088982B
Application number: CN201780077749.8A
Authority: CN
Inventors: M·奥迈特
Original assignee: Legrand SNC; Legrand France SA
Current assignee: Legrand SNC; Legrand France SA
Priority date: 2016-12-15
Filing date: 2017-12-14
Publication date: 2021-06-01
Anticipated expiration: 2037-12-14
Also published as: CN110088982A; WO2018109402A1; FR3060873A1; EP3555963A1; RU2019116288A3; RU2019116288A; EP3555963B1; FR3060873B1; BR112019010810A2; ES2902205T3; RU2747849C2

Abstract

The invention provides an electrical connection element (1) comprising an electrically conductive metal body (100) made of a first material and housing a spring leaf (200) adapted to press a stripped core (4) of a wire (2) inserted into the connection element against an inner surface of a wall (103) of the body. According to the invention, this inner surface of the wall (103) of the body is provided with a contact element (115) made of a second material different from the first material and against which the spring leaf (200) is able to press the stripped core of the wire when inserted into the connecting element, the second material having a lower contact resistance with the stripped core of the wire than the first material.

Description

Electrical connection element provided with a contact element

Technical Field

The invention relates to an electrical connection element comprising a metallic, electrically conductive body made of a first material and housing a spring plate adapted to press a stripped core of a wire inserted into the connection element against an inside surface of a wall of the electrical conductor.

The invention also relates to a method for producing such an electrical connection element.

Background

Such a connecting element as described in the introduction is known, for example, for use in an electrical outlet.

The function of such a connecting element is to carry current between the wires of the electrical network and an electrical plug forming part of the electrical fitting which is inserted into the connecting element. To this end, the connecting element comprises a portion adapted to receive the electric wires from the wall, and a receiving socket adapted to receive the pins of the electric plug in order to make them electrically contact.

Such electrical connection elements must comply with certain standards.

For example, international standards require that the temperature rise of the power outlet due to its heat generation during operation be kept below a threshold value set according to the current rating of the power outlet.

One solution for reducing the heating of the connecting element is to make the body of the connecting element of a material with as low electrical resistance as possible, the body being completely covered in a coating limiting the contact resistance with the stripped core of the wire. Specifically, the heating of the connecting element increases as the resistance introduced into the circuit by the connecting element increases.

The resistance of the connecting element is related to various parameters, in particular to the bulk resistance of the material (related to its conductivity), and to the contact resistance between the stripped core of the wire and the connecting element. The body is typically made of unplated brass. It is also known to make the body entirely of brass plated in a material such as tin, silver or gold. This makes it possible to make the contact resistance with the stripped core of the electric wire lower than the contact resistance between the unplated brass and the stripped core of the electric wire. However, such plated brass is costly.

Examples of connecting elements are described, for example, in document EP 1353407.

Disclosure of Invention

In this case, the present invention proposes a connecting element in which heat generation of an electrical connection wire is reduced while limiting the cost.

More specifically, the invention proposes an electrical connection element as described in the introduction, wherein the inner surface of the wall of the body is provided with a contact element made of a second material different from the first material, and the spring leaf is adapted to press the stripped core of the wire against the contact element when the stripped core (core stripped of the outer skin, bare core) is inserted into the connection element, the contact resistance of the second material with the stripped core of the wire being lower than the contact resistance between the first material and the stripped core of the wire.

By means of the connecting element of the invention, it is possible to limit the heating of the body of the connecting element during the passage of an electric current by reducing the contact resistance between the stripped core of the electric wire and the body, while also limiting the costs of manufacturing the connecting element. This is achieved by means of a contact element made of a material having a lower contact resistance with the stripped core of the wire than the material of which the rest of the connection element is made, which contact element is also arranged in the connection element.

The connecting element of the invention has the following further advantageous and non-limiting features:

the second material contains tin, silver or gold;

the first material contains copper;

-providing at least two contact elements made of a second material, said spring leaf being adapted to press the skinning core of the electric wire against at least one of said two contact elements;

-at least two contact elements made of a second material are provided, said spring leaf being adapted to press the stripped core of the electric wire against both contact elements simultaneously;

each contact element protrudes (projects) into the body with respect to the inner surface of said wall;

each contact element constitutes a part of a rivet fixed by (through) the wall;

each contact element constitutes a part of a blade (round ingot) fitted on the inner surface of the wall; and is

The body comprises at least two insertion channels adapted to guide the insertion of the stripped core of the electric wire into the connection element, each insertion channel being at least partially defined by said inner surface of the wall of the body, in each insertion channel at least one contact element being arranged.

The invention also provides an electrical accessory comprising an electrical connection element as described above for electrically connecting an electrical line.

In particular, the electrical accessory constitutes an electrical outlet for electrically connecting said electric wires with connector pins forming part of another electrical accessory.

Finally, the invention also provides a method of manufacturing an electrical connection element as described above, comprising a metallic, electrically conductive body made of a first material and housing a spring plate adapted to press a stripped core of a wire inserted into said connection element against an inner surface of a wall of the body provided with a contact element made of a second material having a lower electrical resistance with the stripped core of the wire than between the first material and the stripped core of the wire, in which method a body made of the first material is manufactured and then a contact element made of the second material is fastened on the inner surface of the wall of the body.

In the method, an aperture is pierced in the wall of the body and a rivet made of a second material is fastened in the aperture.

In one variant, an ingot made of the second material is welded to the inner surface of the wall.

Drawings

The description of the non-limiting examples given below with reference to the accompanying drawings makes it possible to understand what constitutes the invention and how it is simplified to practice it.

In the drawings:

fig. 1 is a diagrammatic rear perspective view of a first embodiment of the electrical connection element of the invention;

fig. 2 is a diagrammatic rear perspective view of the body of the electrical connection element of fig. 1;

fig. 3 is a diagrammatic rear perspective view of the leaf spring of the electrical connection element of fig. 1;

FIG. 4 is a rear view of the connecting element of FIG. 1;

fig. 5 is a diagrammatic rear perspective view of the electrical connection element of fig. 1;

fig. 6 is a diagrammatic front perspective view of the body of the electrical connection element of fig. 5;

FIG. 7 is a diagrammatic front perspective view of a leaf spring of the electrical connection element of FIG. 5;

fig. 8 is a diagrammatic plan view of the electrical connection element of fig. 1;

fig. 9 is a diagrammatic plan view of the body of the electrical connection element of fig. 8;

FIG. 10 is a diagrammatic plan view of a spring plate of the electrical connection element of FIG. 8;

fig. 11 is a diagrammatic side view of the electrical connection element of fig. 1;

FIG. 12 is a diagrammatic side view of the spring plate of the connecting element of FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a diagrammatic exploded front perspective view of the electrical connection element of FIG. 5;

FIG. 14 is a diagrammatic exploded rear perspective view of the electrical connection element of FIG. 1;

fig. 15 is a diagrammatic sectional view on the plane P1 in fig. 8;

fig. 16 is a diagrammatic sectional view similar to the view in fig. 15, in which a stripped core of the electric wire is inserted into the connecting element;

fig. 17 is a diagrammatic perspective rear view of a second embodiment of the electrical connection element of the invention; and

fig. 18 is a diagrammatic sectional view similar to the view in fig. 16 of the second embodiment.

Detailed Description

In the two embodiments shown, the same reference numerals are used to designate the same or corresponding elements.

Two embodiments of the connecting element 1 of the invention are shown firstly in fig. 1 to 16 and secondly in fig. 17 to 18.

The connection element 1 of the invention is intended to be incorporated in an electrical accessory, such as an electrical outlet.

The electrical fitting of the invention comprises at least one connecting element for electrically connecting electrical wires.

It allows current to be carried between the wires of an accessory, for example the wires of an electrical network connected to an electrical outlet, and connector pins inserted into the electrical accessory, which connector pins form part of, for example, electrical pins of another electrical accessory.

To this end, the connecting element 1 comprises a conductive body 100, the conductive body 100 comprising a housing 110 and a socket 120, the housing 110 being adapted to receive at least one skinned core 4 (fig. 16 and 18) of an electric wire 2, the socket 120 being adapted to receive connector pins of an electric plug (not shown) so as to bring the electric wire into electrical contact with the connector pins.

The connecting element 1 further comprises spring tabs 200, which spring tabs 200 are adapted to clamp the electric wire 2 against the bottom wall 103 of the housing 110 when the electric wire is inserted into the housing 110 on the one hand, and to clamp on the connector pins when the electric wire 2 is inserted into the connection sockets 120 on the other hand (fig. 1, 5, 8, 11, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17 and 18).

More precisely, the electric wire 2 comprises a stripped core 4, the rest of which is surrounded by an insulating sheath 3 (fig. 16 and 18).

More precisely, in this embodiment, the spring tabs 200 are adapted to press the skinned core 4 of the wire 2 against the bottom wall 103 of the housing 110 when the wire 2 is inserted into the housing 110 (fig. 16 and 18) and to press at least one wall of the connection socket 120 against the connector pin when said connector pin is inserted into said connection socket 120.

The connecting element 1 extends substantially along a longitudinal axis X1, which longitudinal axis X1 is perpendicular to the insertion direction I for inserting the connector pins into the sockets 120. The insertion direction I corresponds to the longitudinal axis of the receiving socket 120 (fig. 1, 5, 8, 13, 14 and 17).

The body 100 of the connecting element 1 is shown more particularly in figures 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 11, 13, 14 and 17.

The body 100 is made of a first material having a first conductivity that satisfactorily passes current between the connector pins and the wires 2.

As an example, the first material is a conductive metal, such as copper or an alloy containing copper.

In the present embodiment, the body 100 is made of a bent metal plate.

In the present embodiment, the body 100 comprises two

side flanges

101, 102 extending from the bottom wall 103 substantially along the longitudinal axis X1.

The bottom wall 103 is substantially planar and extends perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis X1 of the connecting element 1 (fig. 8, 9 and 17).

Continuing from the bottom wall 103, the

side flanges

101, 102 form respectively the

main side walls

111, 112 of the casing 110, the inwardly curved

intermediate portions

121, 122 of the connecting element 1, and the outwardly

curved walls

123, 124 of the connecting element defining in part the socket 120 (fig. 1, 2, 5, 6, 8, 9, 13, 14 and 17).

The

side walls

111, 112 of the housing 110 defined by the two

side flanges

101, 102 are planar and extend at right angles from the bottom wall 103.

Thus, the bottom wall 103 forms a third side wall of the housing 110 (fig. 1, 2, 4, 5, 8, 9 and 17).

The housing 110 of the connecting element 1 thus presents a substantially rectangular box shape, which is defined by the two

main side walls

111, 112, the bottom wall 103 and said

intermediate portions

121, 122 of the side flanges 101, 102 (fig. 1, 2, 5, 6, 8, 9, 13, 14 and 17).

The housing 110 is therefore practically closed on four sides by said

side walls

111, 112, 103 and by said

intermediate portions

121, 122 of the

side flanges

101, 102.

It is completely open on two opposite faces.

Thus, the housing 110 constitutes an insertion space for inserting the electric wire into the connecting element 100, which in the present embodiment extends in a direction E1 parallel to the insertion direction I for inserting the connector pins into the sockets (fig. 2, 6, 9 and 11).

In the present embodiment, the insertion direction E1 for inserting the wire is therefore orthogonal to the longitudinal axis X1 of the connecting element 1.

The housing 110 is open along direction E1.

Furthermore, the bottom wall 103 of the housing 110 has a cut-out (split-open portion) 105 which forms two guide rails 106 which project from the inner surface of the bottom wall 103 parallel to the

side walls

111, 112 of the housing 110 (fig. 5, 6, 8, 9 and 17) and into the housing 110.

The guide rail 106 extends longitudinally along an insertion direction E1 for inserting the electrical wires into the housing over a majority of the height of the housing 110 (fig. 1, 2, 5, 6, 8, 9, 13, 14 and 17).

Each guide rail 106 thus cooperates with an

adjacent side wall

111, 112 of the housing 110 to define an insertion channel 107, 108 (fig. 9) for inserting the stripped cores 4 of the wires 2, which channel guides the insertion of the stripped cores 4 of the wires 2 into the housing 110.

According to the invention, the inner surface of the bottom wall 103 of the body 100 is also provided with a contact element 115 (fig. 8, 9, 15, 16, 18), the contact element 115 being made of a second material having a lower contact resistance with the stripped core of the electric wire than the contact resistance between the first material and the stripped core of the electric wire, and said spring leaf 200 being adapted to press said stripped core 4 of the conductor 2 against the contact element 1 when inserted therein.

The second material is different from the first material.

The contact element has a smaller dimension than the dimension of the bottom wall.

Thus, the contact element 115 has a smaller surface area than the surface area of the bottom wall 103.

However, it may have various forms. In particular, it may be in the form of a contact stud or a flyer, but other forms are also possible, for example, it may be in the form of a strip.

In particular, the contact element 115 may have a circular shape with a diameter in the range of 1 millimeter (mm) to 2mm, for example equal to 1.5 mm. It may also take any other suitable shape and for example have an overall size in the range of 1mm to 2 mm. In the present embodiment, by way of example, the respective dimensions of the housing are 8mm wide and 11mm high along the insertion direction E1 of the bottom wall 103, and 7mm long along the longitudinal axis X1. In this embodiment, the total length of the connecting element along the longitudinal axis X1 is 18 mm.

Each contact element 115 is fastened to the inner surface of the bottom wall 103. In particular, each contact element 115 is fastened in or on the bottom wall 103.

It is also conceivable that the bottom wall 103 comprises a plurality of contact elements 115 against which the spring tabs 200 are adapted to press, possibly simultaneously, the stripped cores 4 of the wires 2.

Each contact element 115 is adapted to convey an electric current from the skinning core of the electric wire with which it is in contact to the body 100.

The body 100 is adapted to carry electrical current from each contact element 115 to a connector pin inserted into a receiving socket 120.

In the first embodiment shown in fig. 1 to 16, the connecting element 1 comprises more precisely two contact elements 115, as shown more particularly in fig. 1, 2 and 4.

The contact elements 115 are arranged on the inner surface of the bottom wall 103 such that the spring tabs 200 press the stripped core 4 of the electric wire 2 against at least one contact element 115 when the stripped core is inserted into the housing 110.

In practice, in the present embodiment, each contact element 115 is arranged in one of the

insertion channels

107, 108, near the entrance of the housing 110, said insertion channel being defined between the guide rail 106 and the adjacent side wall 111, 112 (fig. 8 and 9).

The entrance of the housing 110 corresponds to an open face of the housing 110 that is closest to the second end 220 of the spring plate 200, which will be described in more detail below.

In a variant, the contact element can be placed in the middle of the insertion channel for inserting the stripped core of the electric wire, or in any position that provides an electrical contact between the contact element and the stripped core of the electric wire.

In the present embodiment, a contact element 115 is provided in each of the

insertion channels

107, 108 of the housing 110, and therefore the peeling core 4 of the electric wire 2 can be brought into contact with one of the two contact elements 115 regardless of which

channel

107, 108 it is inserted into.

In one variant, a plurality of contact elements can be provided in each insertion channel of the housing.

Thus, in the second embodiment shown in fig. 17 and 18, two contact elements 115 are provided in each

insertion channel

107, 108 of the housing 110. In this embodiment, the contact elements are placed near the inlet and outlet of the housing. The connecting element of the second embodiment in fig. 17 and 18 is completely similar to the connecting element of the first embodiment, except for the number of contact elements arranged on the inner surface of each insertion channel.

Thus, the peeling core is pressed against at least one of the two contact elements 115 of the

insertion channels

107, 108 into which it is inserted.

Thus, contact between the contact element and the stripping core of the electric wire is ensured irrespective of the direction of insertion of the stripping core into the insertion channel. When the stripped core of the electric wire is inserted into the housing 110 parallel to the insertion direction E1, the stripped core 4 of the electric wire 2 is pressed simultaneously against the two contact elements 115, which contributes to reducing the contact resistance of the assembly.

It may happen that the wires are biased in a direction orthogonal to the insertion direction E1. Therefore, the peeling core 4 of the electric wire may be positioned in the housing in a direction inclined with respect to the insertion direction E1.

In this case, the presence of the two contact elements 115 makes it possible to ensure that the stripped core 4 of the wire 2 is in contact with at least one of the two contact elements 115. For example, when the electric wire is pulled toward the receiving socket (leftward in fig. 18), the peeling core 4 of the electric wire is held in contact with the contact element 115 disposed near the outlet of the housing 110. When the wire is pulled away from the receiving socket (to the right in fig. 18), the stripped core 4 of the wire remains in contact with the contact element 115 arranged near the entrance of the housing 110.

In the present embodiment, due to the small size of the contact element, the contact between the contact element 115 and the peeling core of the electric wire occurs over a small area of the peeling core.

The second material preferably contains tin, silver, gold or some other noble metal, such as palladium, rhodium or platinum.

In practice, as an example, the second material is: tin-plated copper or brass, i.e., electroless copper or tin-plated brass; copper/tin alloys; tin; metal alloys including gold, silver or some other noble metal, such as palladium, rhodium or platinum; or a metal such as brass plated with gold, silver, or some other precious metal such as palladium, rhodium, or platinum.

The copper or brass may be tin plated, gold or silver, for example by electroplating, compaction, co-lamination or co-lamination with brazing.

In general, the contact resistance present between the second material and the stripped core of the wire can be measured by any method known to the person skilled in the art.

In the present embodiment, it involves measuring the potential drop between the stripped core of the wire 2 and the contact element 115 made of the second material (i.e. across the contact interface) when a given reference current is applied. From this measurement the contact resistance is derived.

In particular, the contact resistance can be measured when a small current, for example in the range of approximately 10 milliamperes (mA) to 100mA, is applied and/or when a rated current of the connecting element 1, for example in the range of 16 amperes (a) to 20A, is applied.

Preferably, the contact resistance between the second material and the stripped core of the electric wire and the contact resistance between the first material and the stripped core of the electric wire measured for a given current value are compared.

The contact resistance can be measured under the operating conditions of the connection element (i.e. in chemical and mechanical working environments) and after a certain amount of ageing of the connection element. When measured under similar operating conditions, the contact resistance between the second material and the stripped core of the wire and the contact resistance between the first material and the stripped core of the wire are preferably compared.

As an example, the contact resistance between the first material and the stripped core of the electric wire is measured in a contact element similar to the contact element of the invention, but not comprising any contact element.

In particular, the contact resistance depends on the hardness properties, the sensitivity to mechanical bias and the chemical resistance of the material.

For example, for a relatively soft second material, such as tin, the oxide formed at the surface of the contact element breaks when the stripped core of the wire is pressed against the contact element, and this reduces the contact resistance between the stripped core of the wire and the contact element.

More precisely, in the present embodiment, each contact element 115 forms part of a rivet 117 (see in particular fig. 13 to 16).

The bottom wall 103 is therefore fitted with two rivets 117 made of said second conductive material. In the present embodiment, the rivet 117 is made of tin.

Each rivet 117 is riveted to the bottom wall 103 through an aperture 116 in the bottom wall 103 (fig. 14). Each rivet 117 comprises two ends 115, 118 (fig. 15, 16 and 18) projecting with respect to the bottom wall 103.

The inner end 115 of the rivet 117 thus protrudes from the wall 103 into the housing 110 (fig. 15, 16 and 18) and constitutes the contact element 115.

As an example, the contact element 115 thus protrudes from the bottom wall 103 by a thickness in the range of 0.3mm to 0.4 mm.

In a variant embodiment not shown here, the contact elements form part of a flyer mounted on said inner surface of the bottom wall of the housing.

As an example, the flyer is welded on said inner surface of the bottom wall at a position where the inner end 115 of the rivet 117 in the embodiments detailed herein protrudes.

The two

side walls

111, 112 of the housing 110 extend through two curved

intermediate portions

121, 122 curved towards each other and then through two

curved walls

123, 124 defining the socket 120 between them.

The socket 120 is generally in the shape of a cylindrical sleeve having a longitudinal axis extending in the insertion direction I (fig. 1, 2, 5, 6 and 17).

The

intermediate portions

121, 122 of the

side flanges

101, 102 connect the edges of the

major side walls

111, 112 to the

curved walls

123, 124 of the socket 120.

Starting from the respective main

lateral wall

111, 112, each

intermediate portion

121, 122 successively comprises: a bent portion 104 bent toward the inside of the connecting member 1;

curved portions

121A, 122A which are recessed toward the outside; and

planar portions

121B, 122B. The two

planar portions

121B, 122B extend parallel to each other and are close to each other (fig. 2, 5 and 8).

In the present embodiment, the radius of curvature of the bend 104 is smaller than the

curved portions

121A, 122A (fig. 5, 6, and 9).

Each

planar portion

121B, 122B extends through one of the

curved walls

123, 124 that partially form the receptacle 120. Each

curved wall

123, 124 is curved towards the inside of the connecting element 1 and presents a flared

end

123A, 124A along the insertion direction I, in order to make it easier to insert the connector pin into the socket 120 (fig. 1, 2, 6, 8, 9 and 17).

In this embodiment, it should be observed that the entrance of the housing 110 and the flared entrance of the socket 120 are arranged on both sides of the connecting element 1, thus providing opposite insertion directions for the wires and the connector pins.

The spring plate 200 is shaped as shown in figures 3, 7, 10 and 12 to 18. The spring plate 200 of the first and second embodiments is identical.

The spring leaf 200 of the connecting element 1 of the invention is formed in a single piece by a metal strip having a first end portion 210 and a second end portion 220, said first end portion 210 comprising a longitudinal slot 210A, which longitudinal slot 210A separates two

branches

211, 212 adapted to clamp the curved wall 123 of the socket 120 against the connector pins (not shown), said second end portion 220 being adapted to clamp the stripped core of the wire against the bottom wall 103 and the contact element 115 when inserted in the housing 110.

The first end portion 210 has a free end 201 and the second end portion 220 has a free end 202.

When flat, the spring plate 200 presents a substantially rectangular profile, slightly tapering at its first free end 201 and extending in a longitudinal direction.

It comprises two

bent portions

233, 234 bent around a first transverse axis T1 and around a second transverse axis T2 parallel to T1. The two transverse axes T1, T2 are perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the metal strip.

The spring plate 200 is thus substantially S-shaped when viewed from the side (fig. 12), having first and

second end portions

210, 220 extending from one of said

bent portions

234, 233 towards one of the free ends 201 of the spring plate 200, respectively, and a central portion 230 located between the two

bent portions

233, 234.

The three

portions

210, 220, 230 of the spring plate 200 are planar.

In the present embodiment, the longitudinal slot 210A extends from one of the bent portions 234 along the first end 210 in the plane of the spring plate 200 and partially along the central portion 230 of the spring plate 200 (FIGS. 3 and 10).

It divides the first end portion 210 of the spring plate 200 into two front branches 211, 212 (fig. 3 and 10).

The two

front branches

211, 212 of the first end portion 210 extend along a middle plane of the spring plate 200 and they are adapted to move elastically to each other and parallel to the middle plane when the connector pin is inserted into the connecting element 1.

In addition, in this embodiment, the second end portion 220 of the spring plate 200 is also divided into two

rear branches

221, 222 by another longitudinal slot 240 (FIG. 10).

The free end of each of the two

rear branches

221, 222 also comprises a recess adapted to match the profile of the stripped core 4 of the wire 2 when it is inserted into the housing 110 of the body 100 of the connecting element 1 (fig. 8 and 10).

In practice, the spring plate 200 is received in the body 100 in such a way that the second end portion 220 and the third central portion 230 of the spring plate 200 are received in the housing 110 of the body 100 (fig. 1, 5, 15, 16 and 18).

As shown in fig. 1, 5, 8, 15, 16 and 18, the central portion 230 of the spring plate 200 abuts against a portion of the inner surface of the respective

curved portion

121A, 122A of the respective

intermediate portion

121, 122 of the

respective side flange

101, 102 of the body 100 of the connecting element 1. It therefore extends substantially parallel to the insertion direction I for inserting the connector pins into the sockets 120.

The width of the spring plate 200, neglecting the clearance, is substantially equal to the width of the insertion space formed internally by the shell 110 of the body 100, except for the central area of the spring plate 200, which is greater due to the two

tabs

231, 232 extending locally from the edge of the spring plate 200 (fig. 3).

In particular, the spring plate 200 comprises retaining means for retaining it in the housing 110, which cooperate with complementary means of the body 100 of the connecting element 1 so as to retain the spring plate in the body.

More specifically, in the present embodiment, the central portion 230 of the spring plate 200 includes two

tabs

231, 232 that extend outwardly from the spring plate in the plane of the central portion 230 of the spring plate 200 (fig. 3, 7 and 10).

Each

tab

231, 232 is received in a slot 109 of the body 100 of the connecting element 1, in this embodiment at a fold 104, which connects the

curved portion

121A, 122A of the

intermediate portion

121, 122 of each

side flange

101, 102 to the

respective side wall

111, 112 of the housing 110 (fig. 1, 5 and 11).

Thus, the spring plate 200 is mounted by snap fastening in the body 100 of the connecting element 1.

The shape of the

tabs

231, 232 makes it possible to hold the spring piece 200 in the housing 110 while inserting the peeling core 4 of the electric wire 2.

The second end portion 220 of the spring leaf 200 extends through the housing 110 and the free end 202 of the second end portion 220 of the spring leaf 200 abuts against the inner surface of the bottom wall 103 (fig. 7) of the housing 110 when no wires are inserted into the housing 110. Further, in the present embodiment, the free end 202 of the second end portion 220 of the spring plate 200 abuts against the contact element 115 at rest.

The spring plate 200 may be slightly pre-stressed such that the second end portion 220 of the spring plate 200 continuously applies pressure against the inner surface of the bottom wall 103 of the housing 110 and/or against the contact element 115.

More precisely, and as shown in fig. 8, the free end of each of the two

rear branches

221, 222 of the second end portion 220 of the spring plate 200 is shaped so as to be receivable in one of the two

insertion channels

107, 108 for inserting the electric wire.

Thus, the free end of each

rear branch

221, 222 extends between one of the

side walls

111, 112 of the housing 110 and the adjacent guide rail 106, astride one of the

insertion channels

107, 108, and rests on the bottom wall 103 and/or on the contact element 115 when the stripped core 4 of the wire 2 is not in the housing 110 of the connecting element 1 (fig. 15).

In one variation, the spring plate may be restingly received in the housing. The free end of each rear branch does not necessarily have to be in contact with the bottom wall and/or the contact element before inserting the stripped core of the electric wire.

The first end portion 210 of the spring plate 200 is exposed from the housing 110 and extends toward the receptacle 120 (fig. 11 and 17).

In the present embodiment, the first end portion 210 of the spring strip 200 thus extends substantially perpendicular to the insertion direction I for inserting the connector pins into the sockets.

More specifically, in the present embodiment, the first end portion 210 of the spring plate 200 is exposed near the

ends

123A, 124A, and the

ends

123A, 124A are flared from the

curved portions

123, 124 of the side flanges 101, 102 (fig. 11 and 17).

Furthermore, as shown in fig. 1, 5 and 8, a portion of the body 100 of the connecting element 1 extends in the longitudinal slot 210A between the

front branches

211, 212 of the spring leaf 200. In the present embodiment, said portion is a

planar portion

121B, 122B of the

intermediate portion

121, 122 of each

side flange

101, 102 of the body 100 of the connecting element 1.

Specifically, as shown in fig. 10, the height of each of the

side flanges

101, 102 of the body 100 measured in the insertion direction I for inserting the connector pins is smaller at the

curved portions

121A, 122A of the

intermediate portions

121, 122 of the

side flanges

101, 102 than at the

planar portions

121B, 122B of the

intermediate portions

121, 122.

This allows the first end portion 210 of the spring plate 200 to be exposed above the

curved portions

121A, 122A of the

intermediate portions

121, 122 so that the ends of the

planar portions

121B, 122B of the

intermediate portions

121, 122 of the

side flanges

101, 102 are located between the free ends of the

front branches

211, 212 of the first end portion 210 of the spring plate 200 (fig. 1 and 5).

Thus, the spring tab 200 is adapted to cooperate with the flanges of the body 100 to limit the spacing between the

curved portions

123, 124 of the

side flanges

101, 102 that define the receptacle 120.

In the present embodiment, in the standby position, when no pin is inserted into the receiving socket 120, the free ends of the

front branches

211, 212 of the first end portion 210 of the spring piece 200 are in contact with the

planar portions

121B, 122B of the

intermediate portions

121, 122 of the

side flanges

101, 102 while no pressure is exerted thereon.

In a variant, in the standby position, the free end of the front branch of the first end portion of the spring plate does not need to be in contact with the end of the planar portion of the intermediate portion of the side flange.

Also, in a variant, in the standby position, the free end of the front branch of the first end portion of the spring plate may clamp the end of the planar portion of the intermediate portion of the side flange.

The spring plate is of a material having satisfactory rigidity characteristics to perform its function of clamping the wires and the connector pins. It need not be made of conductive material and thus the amount of conductive material used to make the connecting element of the present invention can be limited. As an example, the spring plate is made of steel, in particular stainless steel.

In practice, with the connecting element 1 of the invention, the heating of the connecting element 1 when current is transferred from the wire to the connecting element is limited.

When the stripped cores 4 of the electrical wires 2 are inserted into the housings 110, the second end portions 220 of the spring tabs 200 are adapted to be slightly bent about the first transverse axis T1 so that the stripped cores can be inserted into the respective housings 110.

Thus, when the stripped core 4 of the wire 2 is inserted into the housing 110 along one of the

insertion channels

107, 108, the second end portion 220 is bent towards the central portion 230 of the spring leaf 200 so as to free the passage of the stripped core 4 for the wire into the respective insertion channel (fig. 16). When the stripped core 4 of the wire 2 extends in the insertion channel, the second end portion 220 of the spring leaf 200 tends to return towards its unbent rest position, pressing the stripped core 4 of the wire 2 against the inner surface of the bottom wall 103 of the housing 110 and against the contact element 115.

In the present embodiment, two electric wires may be inserted into each connecting element 1 in the two

insertion passages

107, 108 of the housing 110 described above.

In the present embodiment, each wire is inserted in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X1 of the connecting element 1 and parallel to the insertion direction I for inserting the connector pins.

Each

rear branch

221, 222 is adapted to be bent independently of the other rear branch, so that the stripped core 4 of the wire 2 can be inserted into one of the

insertion channels

107, 108 independently of the insertion of the wire into the other insertion channel.

The bent free ends 202 of the

rear branches

221, 222 then exert pressure on the stripped core of the wire so as to press it against the contact element 115 and the bottom wall 103 of the housing 110.

Thus, the stripped core 4 of the wire 2 is pressed against the contact element 115 made of the second material having a lower contact resistance than the first material constituting the rest of the body of the electrical connection element 1.

The presence of the contact element 115 interposed between the skinned core 4 of the wire 2 and the portion made of the first material of the body 100 makes it possible to reduce the overall contact resistance present between the skinned core 4 of the wire 2 and the connection element 1, thus limiting the heating of the assembly when an electric current passes through.

The experimental results obtained by the applicant show in particular that the total resistance of the connection element of the invention provided with a rivet made of tin is similar to the total resistance of a connection element made entirely of tin-plated brass without contact elements.

Furthermore, the contact element 115 has a smaller size than the connection element 1 and requires a smaller amount of second material to manufacture. Its installation in the connecting element is simple. Therefore, the connecting member 1 of the present invention is inexpensive.

The cost of manufacturing the connecting element of the present invention is further limited because scrap from the material (e.g. copper or brass) forming the body of the connecting element can be easily recycled and therefore sold at a price close to its purchase price. In contrast, when the body is made entirely of, for example, tin-plated brass, not only is the material more expensive to purchase, but it is also more difficult to recycle, since the tin must be separated from the brass. Thus, the selling price of the waste is much lower than the purchasing price thereof. Therefore, the connecting element of the present invention is inexpensive to produce.

Additionally, in the described embodiments of the connecting element, the functions of conducting electricity and clamping the connector pins and wires together are separate (unrelated).

Electrical conduction is ensured only by the body 100, while the spring tabs 200 ensure that the connector pins are clamped in the connection sockets 120 and the wires are clamped in the housing 110.

Further, the gripping of the connector pins and the gripping of each wire are ensured in an independent manner.

Specifically, when the connector pin is inserted into the socket, the connector pin is engaged in the socket from the flared end of the socket 120 toward the inside of the socket 120 along the insertion direction I.

In this way, the connector pins tend to move the

curved portions

123, 124 of the

side flanges

101, 102 away from each other.

However, this displacement immediately displaces the

planar portions

121B, 122B of the

intermediate portions

121, 122 of the

side flanges

101, 102.

The displacement of the

planar portions

121B, 122B of the

intermediate portions

121, 122 of the

side flanges

101, 102 is itself strongly limited by the action of the spring plate 200 on the

planar portions

121B, 122B of the

intermediate portions

121, 122 of the

side flanges

101, 102.

Specifically, this displacement tends to cause the

front branches

211, 212 of the spring plate 200 to move apart in the plane of the spring plate 200. Thus, the spring piece 200 is biased in the lateral direction.

The spring plate 200 has little elasticity in the lateral direction and allows the

planar portions

121B, 122B of the

intermediate portions

121, 122 of the

side flanges

101, 102 to move apart only slightly.

Thus, when the connector pin is inserted into the socket, the

front branches

211, 212 of the spring blades resiliently move apart and then tend to return to their original positions.

Therefore, the spring plate 200 and the body 100; 300 cooperate so as to resist any removal of the

curved portions

123, 124 of the

side flanges

101, 102 defining the socket 120.

In other words, the spring plate 200; 400 thus cooperate with said flanges of the body 100 so as to move the

curved portions

123, 124 of the

side flanges

101, 102 defining the socket 120 towards each other.

The

front branches

211, 212 of the spring leaf 200 return the

planar portions

121B, 122B of the

intermediate portions

121, 122 of the

side flanges

101, 102 towards each other and return the

curved portions

123, 124 of the socket with them to move said

curved portions

123, 124 towards each other.

In this manner, the

front branches

211, 212 of the spring tabs 200 ensure that the connector pins are clamped against the

curved portions

123, 124 of the sockets.

Thus, the electrical connection of the electric wire and the connector pin is safely formed in an efficient manner.

The connecting element of the invention as described above can be made in various ways.

In practice, in this embodiment, the body 100 is made by folding a metal plate of the first conductive material, for example made of non-plated brass.

Slots 109 are provided through the

side flanges

101, 102 and a cut-out 105 is provided in the bottom wall 103 together with an aperture 116. Preferably, this is done before folding the metal sheet.

A rivet 117 may then be inserted into each aperture 116 and fastened therein, and finally the sheet may be folded. This is the case in particular during the automatic assembly of the connecting element 1.

In a variant, in particular during manual assembly, it is possible to first form as many folds of the sheet as possible, i.e. without obstructing the manually clamped folds, then to put the rivets 117 in place, and finally to complete the folding of the sheet.

The rivet 117 may be preformed or formed directly in the connecting element from a wire or a cross-sectional member of the second material. As an example, a tin-plated wire of square cross section with a side length of 1mm and a length of 1.5mm can be used, which is crimped in the connecting element.

In a variant, instead of perforating and setting rivets, two tabs made of a second material are welded on the inner surface of the bottom wall 103. Preferably, this is done before folding the metal sheet.

A connecting element is described herein that exhibits a particular, non-limiting shape. The connecting element may take any other suitable shape known to those skilled in the art.

In particular, the connecting element may have a single insertion channel defined by the housing and into which a single electric wire may be inserted. In a single pass, the invention provides one or more contact elements.

The connecting element may also assume different shapes, for example, in which an insertion space for inserting the electric wire into the housing extends in a direction perpendicular to an insertion direction for inserting the pin into the socket. Likewise, the spring plate may take on different shapes.

The connecting element may also be simpler, comprising only the housing and the spring tabs, e.g. automatic or "push-in" terminals, without receiving sockets for receiving connector pins. Finally, the number of connecting elements and their shape may vary considerably.

Claims

1. An electrical connection element (1) comprising a metallic, electrically conductive body (100), the body being made of a first material and accommodating a spring leaf (200), said spring leaf (200) being adapted to press a stripped core (4) of an electric wire (2) inserted into said electrical connection element (1) against an inner surface of a wall (103) of said body (100), the electrical connection element being characterized in that the inner surface of the wall (103) of the body (100) is provided with a contact element (115), the contact element being made of a second material different from the first material, the spring leaf (200) being adapted to press the stripped core (4) of a wire (2) against the contact element when the stripped core (4) is inserted into the electrical connection element (1), the second material has a lower contact resistance with the stripped core of the electric wire than the first material.

2. The electrical connection element (1) according to claim 1, wherein the second material contains tin, silver or gold.

3. The electrical connection element (1) according to claim 1, wherein the first material contains copper.

4. Electrical connection element (1) according to claim 1, wherein at least two contact elements made of a second material are provided, the spring leaf (200) being adapted to press the stripped core (4) of the wire (2) against at least one of the two contact elements.

5. Electrical connection element (1) according to claim 1, wherein each contact element (115) protrudes with respect to the inner surface of the wall towards the body (100).

6. The electrical connection element (1) according to claim 1, wherein each contact element (115) forms part of a rivet (117) fastened through the wall (103).

7. The electrical connection element of claim 1, wherein each contact element forms part of a flyer fitted on an inner surface of the wall.

8. The electrical connection element (1) according to claim 1, wherein the body (100) comprises at least two insertion channels (107, 108) adapted to guide the insertion of the stripped core (4) of the electrical wire (2) into the electrical connection element (1), each insertion channel (107, 108) being at least partially defined by an inner surface of a wall (103) of the body, at least one contact element (115) being arranged in each insertion channel (107, 108).

9. An electrical fitting comprising an electrical connection element (1) according to any one of claims 1-8 for electrically connecting an electrical line.

10. An electrical accessory comprising an electrical accessory according to claim 9, constituting an electrical outlet for electrically connecting said electrical cord with a connector pin forming part of another electrical accessory.

11. Method of manufacturing an electrical connection element (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, the electrical connection element comprises a metallic, electrically conductive body (100) made of a first material and accommodating a spring plate (200), the spring leaf (200) being adapted to press a peeling core (4) of an electric wire (2) inserted into the electrical connection element (1) against an inner surface of a wall (103) of the body (100), the inner surface of the wall (103) of the body (100) is provided with contact elements (115) made of a second material, the second material has a lower contact resistance with the peeling core of the electric wire than the first material, in the method, the body (100) made of a first material is cut out, and then a contact element (115) made of a second material is fastened on the inner surface of the wall (103) of the body (100).

12. Method according to claim 11, wherein an aperture (116) is pierced in the wall (103) of the body (100) and a rivet (117) made of the second material is fastened in this aperture.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein a slug made of the second material is welded to the inner surface of the wall.