EP0251909B2 - Connection element for a monoconductor electrical cable with an axial connection - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a connection element. for single conductor electrical cable with connection axial.

To ensure the connection of electrical cables of single-conductor type, we have until day used connection elements to connection called transverse. This type of connector or element connection type terminal has a socket connection in which the conductor to connect is introduced, the end of the latter having been stripped, and a clamping means, such as an oriented screw transversely to the axial direction of the conductor being used to ensure blocking mechanical conductor against the socket and the electrical contact with it.

This type of connector or connection element has to date given satisfaction, especially in home applications or applications for which a reduced number of conductors must be connected, the connection elements being mechanically integral to form strips or bars forming connector.

However, these connection elements are do not lend themselves well to industrial uses, in particular for the realization of electrical control circuits and power of automata or electronic circuits industrial. Indeed, the screwing of the driver to connect produces an overwriting of the latter on the contact area of the socket, which most often has the effect of provoking contacts of poor quality, especially in the case where relative movements of the conductor and the socket are produced periodically, by vibrations mechanical for example.

In addition, the mounting of the conductors to be connected cannot be done easily, the elements of connection to transverse connection of the prior art most often to be released from their housing or their additional connection element to allow blocking of the conductor considered by means of transverse life.

Improved contact qualities electrical of this type of connection element could be obtained by the use of a connection element or male or female electrical connector by the Applicant. This connector was the subject of the request French patent FR-A-2,466,883 filed on October 5, 1979 in the name of the Applicant.

However, the connecting element or connector as described in this patent application does not provide a satisfactory solution to the problem of mounting a plurality of conductors to connect since this type of connection element or connector remains a connection element or connector with transverse connection.

Document FR-A-2 574 598 discloses a connection element according to the preamble of claim 1.

The object of the present invention is to implement a connection element or connector in which the crushing of the conductor to be connected by screw is completely removed, both being of small overall height and having an axial wire entry.

Another object of the present invention is the implementation of a connector, consisting of a multiple connection elements, highly reliable of uses, in which the degradation effect electrical contacts, for example mechanical fatigue, due to vibration or movement relative of the contact between the conductor to be connected and the contact area of the connection element or connector is substantially removed.

Another object of the present invention is also the implementation of a connection element or low cost connector.

Connection element for electric cable single conductor, object of the present invention, presents the Features set out in claim 1.

The invention finds application for the connection of electronic electrical circuits industrial and in particular of automatons or automatisms industrial.

• la figure 1a représente une vue en perspective d'un élément de connexion conformément à la présente invention,
• la figure 1b représente une vue en perspective arrachée de la figure 1a, suivant une section selon un plan P de la figure 1a,
• la figure 2 représente une vue en coupe de la figure 1a selon un plan de coupe parallèle au plan P précédemment cité, contenant l'axe longitudinal de symétrie (Δ) de l'élément de connexion représenté en figure 1a,
• la figure 3a représente un connecteur formé d'un arrangement d'une pluralité d'éléments de connexion tels que représentés en figure 1a,
• la figure 3b représente une vue en coupe de la figure 3a selon un plan de coupe Q2 de symétrie de deux éléments de connexion en vis-à-vis.

It will be better understood on reading the description and on observing the drawings below in which:

• FIG. 1a represents a perspective view of a connection element in accordance with the present invention,
• FIG. 1b represents a perspective view cut away from FIG. 1a, along a section along a plane P of FIG. 1a,
• FIG. 2 represents a sectional view of FIG. 1a according to a section plane parallel to the plane P previously mentioned, containing the longitudinal axis of symmetry (Δ) of the connection element shown in FIG. 1a,
• FIG. 3a represents a connector formed by an arrangement of a plurality of connection elements as shown in FIG. 1a,
• FIG. 3b represents a sectional view of FIG. 3a according to a sectional plane Q2 of symmetry of two opposite connection elements.

Connection element for electric cable monoconductor object of the invention, will first of all described in conjunction with Figures 1a and 1b mentioned above.

By single conductor cable, we mean heard, any cable with a single conductor likely to be connected by means of the element of connection object of the invention or also a plurality single-core cables linked together so as to present only one end susceptible to be itself connected by the connection element object of the invention, all of the conductors then being at the same electrical potential defined by the connection parts of the connection element subject of the invention.

As it appears in particular, the connection element object of the invention comprises a connection element body denoted 1 made of material insulating. The connection element body may have a substantially parallelepiped shape or at least an elongated shape with a longitudinal axis noted Δ.

As it also appears in FIG. 1b, the body of connection element comprises formed in the infrastructure of it, a connection chamber noted 10. The connection chamber has a conduit connection marked 100, substantially parallel to the axis longitudinal Δ and terminating on one face of the body of connection element 1. Conductor C to be connected can thus be introduced into the connection duct 100, in order to reach the aforementioned connection chamber 10. Furthermore, as also shown in FIG. 1b, the connection chamber 10 comprises a conductive stirrup marked 101, movable in translation along the direction of the longitudinal axis Δ. Stirrup mobile 101 has at least one orifice denoted 1010, likely to be an extension of the connection 100 above. We will understand of course, depending on the position of the movable conductive stirrup 101, orifice 1010 can thus be brought into extension of the connection conduit 100.

As it also appears in FIG. 1b, the connection chamber 10 includes a flexible blade denoted 102, fixed relative to the element body of connection 1. The flexible blade 102 allows the guidance of the conductor C to be connected, as an extension of the conduit connection 100; it is engaged in the orifice 1010 of the bracket 101, the latter therefore being movable in translation in the longitudinal direction Δ by relation to the body of connection element 1 and by compared to the flexible blade 102.

As is also shown in the Figures 1a and 1b above, the element body of connection 1 also has drive means in translation of the stirrup 101, means marked 2, also ensuring the locking of the stirrup in position in the direction of longitudinal translation Δ above, relative to the connection chamber 10 and / or relative to the flexible lamp 102. Thus, the conductor C to be connected being engaged in the conduit connection 100 and in port 1010 of the stirrup, the electrical contact between the conductor C and the flexible blade 102 and / or the stirrup 101, can be ensured by jamming.

A more detailed description of the layout respective mobile caliper 101 and blade flexible 102 in connection chamber 10 will be described in more detail in conjunction with Figure 2.

The above-mentioned FIG. 2 represents a view in section of Figure 1a, for example, the section plane being a plane parallel to the plane P represented on the Figure 1a, but containing the longitudinal axis Δ of the connection element.

According to FIG. 2 above, the orifice 1010 of the stirrup 101 is advantageously inclined relative to in the direction of the longitudinal axis Δ, the inclination or angle of inclination being noted α in FIG. 2. Advantageously but not limited to, the angle the aforementioned inclination can be taken equal to 45 °.

In addition, the hole 1010 of the stirrup 101 has advantageously a substantially rectangular section, the short sides of the above section being substantially orthogonal to the axis direction longitudinal Δ. Thus, the engagement of the blade 102 in the rectangular hole 1010 allows free play, when moving the stirrup 101, from the latter, by relative to the connection chamber 10 and relative to the flexible blade 102. For this purpose, the flexible blade 102 has a dimension, in an orthogonal direction to the longitudinal axis Δ, substantially equal to the small side of the rectangular section of port 1010 of stirrup 101.

In order to make the stirrup 101, it can be obtained by machining a bar of material conductor, provided with an axial section orifice rectangular determined. This material is normally commercially available. In addition, the stirrup 101 can also advantageously be made by molding a material such as the material known as "ZAMAC" (registered trademark).

As it also appears in FIG. 2, for the purpose of guiding and electrical contact of the conductor to be connected C, the flexible blade can be shaped so as to present a first part noted 1021, of slight inclination with respect to the direction of the longitudinal axis Δ. This first part is arranged as an extension of the 100 connection, substantially, and thus ensures guiding the cable or conductor to be connected C, into hole 1010 of stirrup 101, when this is for example brought into abutment against the wall of the connection chamber 10. Advantageously nonlimiting, the first part 1021 of the flexible blade 102, can advantageously be engaged in a housing 12 formed in the element body of connection 1, so as to ensure good fixing blade 102 relative to the connection chamber 10 and relative to the body of the connection element 1.

In addition, the flexible blade 102 has a second part marked 1022, in continuation of the first part 1021, this second part 1022 presenting substantially the same inclination as the inclination orifice 1010 of stirrup 101.

In addition, the flexible blade 102 has a third part 1023, an extension of the second part 1022, this third part making it possible to ensure substantially closing the orifice 1010 of the stirrup 101, at the opposite end to that of the connection duct. The third part 1023, takes further support on a shoulder noted 11 of the body connection element, as shown in figure 2. Of course, in order to ensure electrical contact with male or female electrical contact corresponding, the third part 1023 of the blade flexible 102, can be extended by any electrical contact female or male corresponding respectively, as will be described later in the description.

As has also been shown in Figure 2, the drive means 2 may include advantageously without limitation a set constituted by a screw 20 fixed relative to the body of the connection element 1, and a threaded orifice 21, formed in the movable stirrup 101, and in which the screw is engaged. Screw 20 and the tapped hole 21 have substantially a longitudinal axis of symmetry parallel to the longitudinal axis Δ previously described.

According to the invention and so advantageous, the screw 20 ends on the same face of the body of the connection element that the conduit of connection 100, through which the conductor to be connected C is introduced. The screw head of the aforementioned screw 20 can thus appear at an opening 13 formed on the aforementioned face of the body of the element of connection.

In addition, the screw 20 has one end in contact with the flexible blade 102, end at contact opposite to the screw head previously described. Advantageously, the aforementioned end can have a conical shape with a half opening angle is substantially equal to the inclination α of the hole 1010 of the stirrup 101, and thereby the inclination of the second part 1022 of the blade flexible 102.

In order to ensure displacement in translation stirrup 101 in the longitudinal direction when screw 20 is engaged in the tapped hole 21, the aforementioned screw 20 may present in the vicinity of the screw head a groove 200, allowing the fixing of this screw in the aforementioned direction Δ, but the free rotation thereof relative to an edge 130 perpendicular to the direction Δ previously described. In FIG. 2, the longitudinal axis of the assembly constituted by the screw 20 and the threaded orifice 21 is noted D.

According to an advantageous characteristic of the element connection object of the invention, the body 1 connecting element can be formed, so nonlimiting, in a plastic material such as polycarbonate.

According to another advantageous characteristic of the connection element which is the subject of the invention, the flexible blade 102 is made of an electrical material conductive, such as copper, brass, beryllium bronze. She can present at the level of its second part 1022, intended to ensure the electrical contact with conductor C, a coating protective conductor, such as a gold coating, tinning or the like. So the conductor C to connect having been introduced at its end stripped into hole 1010 of stirrup 101, the setting in motion of the screw 20 allows the displacement of the stirrup 101, which secures the wedging of conductor C and making the contact electric desired. It will of course be understood that because of the planar character of the surface of the second part 1022 of the flexible blade 102 and of the opposite face of port 1010 of stirrup 101, the contact between the conductor C and the second part 1022 mentioned above, and / or the opposite face stirrup 101, in the absence of any harmful crushing of conductor C. In addition, the quality of the contact electric is improved due to the large size of the contact area between conductor C, the second part 1022 of the flexible blade 102 and the face opposite the hole 1010 of the stirrup 101.

To ensure good grip of the driver C on the contact faces formed by the second part 1022 of the flexible blade 102 and by the opposite edge of the orifice 1010 of the stirrup 101, these faces or contact zones can advantageously have roughness, such as grooving allowing better restraint of conductor C. Good heard, and without limitation, the roughness above may have a dimension or relief sufficient, in order to allow the realization of conductor connection by displacement of insulation, conductor C to be connected then being introduced in the connection conduit 100 and in the orifice 1010 of stirrup 101, without stripping the end of this one beforehand.

A connector comprising a plurality of elements connection as previously defined will be now described in connection with Figures 3a and 3b.

In the aforementioned figures, the elements of connection constituting the connector are noted respectively Eci, Ecj.

Advantageously, as shown in particular in FIG. 3a, the Eci connection elements, Ecj can be arranged next to each other, in at least one row so as to form a strip or connector strip. We will notice in particular in FIG. 3a, that the connector such that defined can advantageously comprise two rows connection elements, the connection element current of each row being respectively noted Eci, Ecj. As it also appears in figure 3a, the connector as defined is such that two opposite connection elements noted Eci, Ecj, of both rows are arranged symmetrically with respect to the median plane noted Q1.

In Figure 3b, there is also shown a cross-sectional view of the connector shown in FIG. 3a, the section being made according to a plane Q2, plane of transverse symmetry of two elements of connection opposite Eci, Ecj. We will note of course, that in Figure 3b, each element Eci connection, Ecj has the same elements that the elements represented in figure 2. On the Figure 3b, the elements common to each element Eci connection, Ecj and in figure 2, do not have been referenced, so as not to interfere with clarity from the drawing in Figure 3b.

Furthermore, as already mentioned previously in the description, in order to ensure contact connector or connection elements constituting it with a male electrical contact or corresponding female, the third party noted 1023i, 1023j of the flexible blade of each element Eci correspondent, Ecj can be extended by a female or male electrical contact respectively, this female or male electrical contact respectively being noted 1024i, 1025i, 1026i and 1024j, 1025j, 1026j. This electrical contact can for example be constituted by flexible blades, forming a lyre type contact or the like. The connector defined above, such as shown in Figures 3a and 3b, can then, from advantageously, constitute a type connector multi-conductor plug-in. We will understand of course that the use of such connectors is greatly improved since the introduction of cables or conductors to be connected can be performed without moving the connector in question, since made of the axial character of the connection, the screws allowing to ensure the connection abouch on the same face than the corresponding connection conduits. In Besides, due to the improved quality, both of the mechanically than electrically, the contact between the conductors to be connected and the contact areas flexible blades or stirrups of each element of connection it is possible to use without inconvenience the connector described above, in the form plug-in connector without disadvantages for the electrical connection or contact between conductors and the connector.

Claims (12)

1. Connecting element for a single conductor electric cable, comprising a connecting element body (1) made from insulating material, the said element body having a substantially parallelepipedal shape with a longitudinal axis (Δ), the said element body (1) having, provided in its structure, a connecting chamber (10), the said connecting chamber having a connecting duct (100) terminating on one face of the connecting element body (1), through which the conductor (C) to be connected is inserted, the said connecting element containing in the said connecting chamber (10):

   a conducting clamp (101), having at least one orifice (1010) capable of coming to form an extension to the said connecting duct (100), the said conducting clamp being movable in translation along the direction of the longitudinal axis (Δ), and the orifice (1010) of the clamp being inclined with respect to the said direction,

   a flexible blade (102), fixed with respect to the connecting element body (1), the said flexible blade (102), allowing the guiding of the conductor to be connected in an extension of the said connecting duct, being engaged in the orifice (1010) of the said clamp, and having a flat part (1022) with substantially the same inclination as the opposite face of the orifice (1010) of the said clamp,

   means (2) for moving and locking the clamp (101) with respect to the connecting chamber (10) and/or the flexible blade (102) so that, the said conductor (C) to be connected being engaged in the connecting duct (100) and in the orifice (1010) of the said clamp, electrical contact between the conductor (C) and the flexible blade (102) and/or the clamp (101) is provided by pinching, said pinching being provided by translational motion of the clamp (101) and taking effect between the surface of the said flat part (1022) of the flexible blade (102) and the opposite face of the orifice (1010) in order to obtain a contact area of a flat nature, the means of moving comprising a screw (20) cooperating with a tapped orifice (21) of the clamp and terminating on a face of the connecting element body, characterised in that the connecting duct (100) substantially extends parallel to the longitudinal axis (Δ) of the connecting element body (1), with the said connecting duct (100) and the orifice (1010) of the clamp forming an angle between them, and in that the said screw (20) terminates on the same face of the connecting element body as the connecting duct (100).
2. Connecting element according to claim 1, characterised in that the orifice (1010) in the said clamp has a substantially rectangular cross section, the small sides of the said cross section being substantially orthogonal to the direction of the longitudinal axis (Δ).
3. Connecting element according to one of claims 1 and 2, characterised in that the said flexible blade (102) has a dimension, in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal axis (Δ), substantially equal to the small side of the rectangular cross section of the orifice (1010) in the said clamp.
4. Connecting element according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that, for the purpose of providing the guiding and electrical contact of the conductor to be connected, the said flexible blade (102) has:

   a first part (1021) with a small inclination with respect to the direction of the longitudinal axis (Δ), the said first part being arranged in line with the connecting duct (100),

   the said flat part (1022) or second part, extending the first part, with substantially the same inclination as the inclination of the orifice (1010) in the said clamp,

   a third part (1023), extending the second part, making it possible substantially to close off the said orifice (1010) in the clamp at its end opposite to the end of the connecting duct, the said third part bearing against a shoulder (11) on the connecting element body.
5. Connecting element according to claim 4, characterised in that, for the purpose of providing electrical contact with a corresponding male or female electrical contact, the said third part (1023) of the flexible blade is extended respectively by a female or male electrical contact.
6. Connecting element according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterised in that the screw (20) and the tapped orifice (21) have substantially a symmetry axis parallel to the longitudinal axis (Δ).
7. Connecting element according to claim 8 (sic), characterised in that the screw (20) has one end in contact with the said flexible blade (102), conical in shape, the half-angle of the cone being substantially equal to the inclination (α) of the said orifice in the clamp and of the second part of the flexible blade, with respect to the direction of the longitudinal axis (Δ).
8. Connecting element according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterised in that the said flexible blade (102) is made from an electrically conducting material such as copper, brass or beryllium bronze and has, at its second part (1022) designed to provide the electrical contact with the conductor, a conducting coating.
9. Connecting element according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterised in that the said conducting clamp (101) is made in one piece.
10. Connecting element according to claim 9, characterised in that the single-piece conducting clamp (101) is formed by a machined bar of conducting material.
11. Connecting element according to claim 9, characterised in that the single-piece conducting clamp (101) is made from a cast material.
12. Connector, characterised in that it comprises a plurality of connecting elements (Eci) according to one of claims 1 to 11.

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