EP0269491B1 - Multiple terminal block - Google Patents

Abstract

This concerns a multi-terminal block each of whose sockets comprises at least two cavities, for example (11A), the said cavities each being formed by at least one elastically deformable tab (17) which, made all in one piece from a metal strip (18A) common with the cavities of the same polarity, forms, locally, for cooperation with a pin, a funnel (22) with, opposite the latter, a bearing part suitable for supporting such a pin. According to the invention, the bearing part thus associated with such an elastically deformable tab (17) is formed by a flange (23) which, whilst being separate from this elastically deformable tab (17), is itself all of one piece with the metal strip (18A) from which it is itself made. Application to multi-terminal blocks. <IMAGE>

Description

The present invention relates generally to multi-socket blocks, that is to say the blocks comprising, side by side, in practice at the bottom each of a housing, at least two socket outlets, each of which comprises itself, for the engagement of the pins of a plug socket, at least two cells.

It relates more particularly, but not necessarily exclusively, to the case where, a number of socket outlets greater than two being provided, these socket outlets are aligned, and / or the case where, in addition to at least two cells, these socket outlets each have a grounding element, either that it is a pin, or that it is lateral contacts.

One of the problems to be solved in the production of multi-socket blocks of this type is to ensure, at the lowest cost, the service of the various cells, and, possibly, of the various grounding elements, which they comprise.

As regards the cells, it is necessary, moreover, that such a cell has radially a certain capacity for elastic deformation, so that a good electrical contact is certainly established between it and the pin which is engaged therein.

To do this, it has already been proposed that such a cell is formed of at least one elastically deformable tongue having, at least locally, for cooperation with a spindle, a trough conformation.

In practice, such an elastically deformable tongue can advantageously and economically come in one piece from a metal strip suitably cut and folded, and this metal strip can itself be advantageously and economically common to all the cells of the same phase. .

However, on the side of a cell opposite the chute formed by the elastically deformable tongue for a spindle which such a cell thus comprises, it remains to ensure a suitable support for such a spindle.

In practice, it is, most often, to date, either a floating support, or a rigid support.

In the case of a floating support, each cell is formed of two elastically deformable tongues, which, for example arranged symmetrically with respect to each other, each have, locally, opposite one another , a trunking configuration.

One of the advantages of such an arrangement is to improve the conditions for current flow between a cell and the spindle which is engaged therein, by increasing the contact surfaces between these two elements, this contact then being made on two sides. opposite of the spindle.

However, it has the drawback of leading to a large overhang for the cell, so that, when the two elastically deformable tongues which such a cell then comprises, come from the same metal strip, this metal strip must have a width relatively large and is subject to significant falls during its cutting, to the detriment of the cost price of the assembly.

In practice, given the width then necessary for such a metal strip, it is most often implemented a separate strip for the constitution of the cells of the same phase.

When the support of a spindle in a cell is rigid, this support is to date most often provided directly by the body of insulating material in which intervenes such a cell.

This arrangement has the advantage of leading to a relatively moderate development for the alveolus, since it is then reduced to a single elastically deformable tongue, but, if it is accepted in certain countries, it is not the same in others, the contact between such a cell and a spindle then being made only on one side thereof.

In U.S. Patent No. US-A-4,386,813, which moreover, does not relate to a multi-socket block, it is the elastically deformable tongue used for the formation of a cell which, duly folded in square for this purpose, constitutes by itself, at its end, a flange suitable for providing support to a spindle.

But, in such a case, all the passage of the current is done by this single elastically deformable tongue, and, from this point of view, everything therefore happens as if the cell was reduced to this.

The present invention generally relates to a provision for maintaining a relatively moderate development for a cell while ensuring its contact with a pin on two opposite sides thereof.

More specifically, it relates to a multi-socket block of the type comprising, side by side, at least two socket outlets each of which has itself, for the engagement of the pins of a socket outlet plug, at least two cells of distinct polarities, the said cells each being formed of at least one elastically deformable tongue, which, coming in one piece from a metal strip common to the cells of the same phase, is, at least locally, for cooperation with a spindle shaped as a spout, with, facing the spout that it forms, a support capable of buttressing such a spindle, this multi-socket block being generally characterized in that the support thus associated with the elastically deformable tongue of a cell is formed by a flange which, while being distinct from said elastically deformable tongue, is also in one piece with the metal strip from which it is itself derived, cett he elastically deformable tongue coming from a portion of this metal strip of which this flange is parallel when it is developed flat.

In other words, instead of a second elastically deformable tongue, it is provided, according to the invention, opposite the elastically deformable tongue which comprises a socket, but independently of this, for a separate passage of the current, a simple flange, this flange can itself, if desired, be buttressed by the insulating body within which the assembly is arranged.

Thus, an advantageous compromise is achieved between the requirement of a double contact of such a cell with the spindle which is engaged thereon, on two opposite sides of this spindle, and that of a minimal developed for the cell.

Thanks to this minimal development, the two metal strips each corresponding respectively to the two cells of the various socket outlets can advantageously, according to the invention, come from the same strip.

In addition, when between these two metal strips extends a third metal strip to which a grounding element is connected for each of these socket outlets, this third metal strip can itself, according to the invention, be advantageously from the same strip as the previous two.

In addition to the advantageous minimization of falls resulting from such an arrangement, it is advantageously and economically possible, starting from the same strip for the whole, to simultaneously cut this strip necessary for the formation of two or three strips of metal concerned, using for example a step-by-step tool, and this strip itself advantageously and economically has a minimum width, for the benefit of the cost price of the assembly.

According to a development of the invention, when, each of the socket-outlets comprising an earthing element, a third metal strip is used, this third metal strip is suitable for receiving indifferently, as element earthing, either a pin or side contacts.

From this point of view, it is therefore advantageously versatile, with the benefit of standardization which is also favorable to the cost price of the assembly.

• la figure 1 est une vue en perspective d'un bloc multiprises suivant l'invention ;
• la figure 2 en est, à échelle supérieure, une vue partielle en plan, suivant la flèche II de la figure 1 ;
• la figure 3 est, en correspondance avec la figure 2, une vue en plan des alvéoles que comporte ce bloc multiprises et des bandes de métal dont sont issus ces alvéoles, avec, entre ces bandes de métal, une bande de métal correspondant aux éléments de mise à la terre qui leur sont associés ;
• la figure 4, qui reprend, à échelle supérieure, le détail de la figure 3 repéré par un encart IV sur cette figure 3, est une vue en plan d'un seul des alvéoles du bloc multiprises suivant l'invention, représenté isolément ;
• la figure 5 est une vue en coupe transversale de cet alvéole, suivant la ligne V-V de la figure 4 ;
• la figure 6 en est une vue en perspective ;
• les figures 7, 8 sont, à échelle supérieure, des vues transversales en coupe, suivant respectivement les lignes VII-VII et VIII-VIII de la figure 3, de la bande de métal correspondant aux éléments de mise à la terre, la figure 8 illustrant une forme particulière de réalisation d'un tel élément de mise à la terre ;
• la figure 9 est, en correspondance avec la figure 3, une vue en plan illustrant le développé des divers alvéoles concernés ;
• la figure 10 est une vue en coupe transversale analogue à celle de la figure 8 et illustrant une autre forme de réalisation pour l'élément de mise à la terre correspondant.

The characteristics and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the description which follows, as an example, with reference to the appended schematic drawings in which:

• Figure 1 is a perspective view of a power strip according to the invention;
• Figure 2 is, on a larger scale, a partial plan view, along arrow II of Figure 1;
• FIG. 3 is, in correspondence with FIG. 2, a plan view of the cells that this multi-socket block comprises and of the metal strips from which these cells come, with, between these metal strips, a metal strip corresponding to the elements of grounding associated with them;
• Figure 4, which shows, on a larger scale, the detail of Figure 3 identified by an insert IV in this Figure 3, is a plan view of only one of the cells of the power strip according to the invention, shown in isolation;
• Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of this cell, along the line VV of Figure 4;
• Figure 6 is a perspective view;
• Figures 7, 8 are, on a larger scale, cross-sectional views, respectively along lines VII-VII and VIII-VIII of Figure 3, of the metal strip corresponding to the earthing elements, Figure 8 illustrating a particular embodiment of such a grounding element;
• Figure 9 is, in correspondence with Figure 3, a plan view illustrating the development of the various cells concerned;
• Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view similar to that of Figure 8 and illustrating another embodiment for the corresponding grounding element.

In general, and as illustrated by FIGS. 1 and 2, the multi-socket block according to the invention comprises, side by side, at least two socket outlets 10 each of which comprises itself, for the commitment pins of an outlet plug not shown at least two cells 11A, 11B of distinct phases.

In practice, in the embodiment shown, three socket outlets 10 are thus provided, these socket outlets 10 are aligned with each other, and each of them forms the bottom of a housing 12 that for this purpose has recessed a housing 13 common to the assembly.

The proper constitution of such a housing 13 does not fall under the present invention, it will not be described here.

It will simply be indicated that, to allow access to each of the cells 11A, 11B, this housing 13 has, at the bottom of the corresponding housing 12, a well 14A, 14B.

In the embodiment shown, only two cells 11A, 11B are provided for each of the socket outlets 10, being arranged diagonally with each other relative to the general direction of alignment of the assembly , and there is associated therewith, for each of these socket outlets 10, a grounding element.

In the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 8, it is a pin 16 which protrudes from the bottom of the corresponding housing 12, in an arrangement in a right triangle relative to the associated cells 11A, 11B.

In a manner known per se, the two cells 11A, 11B of each of the socket outlets 10 are each formed of at least one elastically deformable tongue 17, and this comes from a single piece of a strip of metal 18A, 18B common to cells 11A, 11B of the same phase for all of the socket outlets 10, the band 18A for cells 11A and the band 18B for cells 11B.

The cells 11B and the metal strip 18B from which they are derived from cutting and folding techniques relatively similar to those to which the cells relate. 11A and the corresponding metal strip 18A, only one of these cells 11A and this metal strip 18A will be described in detail below.

In a manner known per se, and as is better visible in FIGS. 4 to 6, the elastically deformable tongue 17 belonging to such a cell 11A, is, at least locally, for cooperation with a spindle not shown, shaped as a chute. .

In practice, in the embodiment shown, this elastically deformable tongue 17 comprises, connected to one another in a U-shape, two strands, namely a strand 20, which is substantially rectilinear, and by which, according to repeated arrangements in more detail below, it is connected to the metal strip 18A, by being cantilevered by the latter, and a strand 21, which has an S configuration, and whose free end forms , specifically, under reference 22, the previously mentioned chute.

Overall, the elastically deformable tongue 17 belongs to a cylindrical surface of generatrices perpendicular to the metal strip 18A from which it comes, and, to facilitate the introduction of a pin into the cell 11A to which it belongs, the chute 22 qu 'it forms is flared at its end opposite to said metal strip 18A.

In a manner known per se, opposite the chute 22 which thus forms the elastically deformable tongue 17 of a cell 11A, there is provided a clean support to butt against a spindle when such a spindle is engaged in such a cell.

According to the invention, this support is formed by a flange 23 which, while being distinct from the elastically deformable tongue 17, is also in one piece with the metal strip 18A of which this elastically deformable tongue 17 is itself issue.

In the definition of cell 11A, and, therefore, in the corresponding passage of the current, this flange 23 intervenes independently of the elastically deformable tongue 17, in parallel relative to the latter.

In the embodiment shown, it is flat.

Anyway, this flange 23 is in practice generally square with the metal strip 18A from which it comes, and it therefore extends substantially parallel to the generatrices of the cylindrical surface to which the elastically deformable tongue 17 belongs. with which it is associated.

In practice, also, this flange 23 is connected to the metal strip 18A by that of the edges of the latter which is closest to the elastically deformable tongue 17 with which it is associated.

Relative to the whole, this edge is the outermost edge.

In other words, while the concavity of the trough 22 formed by the elastically deformable tongue 17 of a cell 11A is turned towards the side of the median longitudinal plane of the assembly, materialized for example by the median longitudinal plane of the housing 13, the edge of the metal strip 18A from which the flange 23 associated with this elastically deformable tongue 17 is derived, the edge thereof is turned on the side opposite to this median longitudinal plane.

In practice, the elastically deformable tongue 17 comes from a portion 25 of the metal strip 18A of which is parallel, when it is developed flat, FIG. 9, the corresponding flange 23.

In line with this flange 23, the elastically deformable tongue 17 has, on the side of its point of attachment to the metal strip 18A, at the root of the strand 20 by which it is connected to the latter, a recess 26 specific to a relative nesting of said flange 23 and said elastically deformable tongue 17 when, as illustrated in FIG. 9, the assembly is developed flat.

This recess 26, which results in a reduction in the height of the elastically deformable tongue 17 at its root, it results, as a corollary, an increase in the elastic deformation capacity thereof.

In the embodiment shown, and for the same purpose of facilitating the introduction of a spindle as the flaring that has at its corresponding end the trough 22 formed by the elastically deformable tongue 17 of a cell 11A, the free edge of the flange 23 associated with this elastically deformable tongue 17 has, at least locally, for example by stamping, a chamfer 27.

In practice, in the embodiment shown, the metal strip 18A from which such an elastically deformable tongue 17 and such a flange 23 come, locally, at the root of this flange 23, a trapezoid outline 28, said flange 23 connecting to said band 18A by the small base of this trapezium while the portion 25 of said metal strip 18A to which said elastically deformable tongue 17 is connected is itself from one side of said trapezium.

In practice, also, for the external flange 23, the trapezoid contour 28 is truncated.

In practice, finally, at the root of the elastically deformable tongue 17, the metal strip 18A forms, laterally, on the side of said elastically deformable tongue 17 opposite the flange 23 which is associated with it, and alternately, longitudinally, with the contour in trapezoid 28 corresponding, one ear 30.

When, in FIG. 9, the assembly is developed flat, the free edge of this ear 30 is in alignment with that of the elastically deformable tongue 17.

The preceding arrangements are repeated successively along the metal strip 18A, following the pitch of the socket outlets 10.

Thus, this metal strip 18A has, in the embodiment shown, three ears 30.

However, only one of them is active, the one located at its end, and it is implemented to ensure its connection, as shown diagrammatically in broken lines in FIG. 3, to one, 31A, of the conductors of the cable 32 providing service to the assembly.

As indicated above, and apart from minor local differences in cutting, which it is unnecessary to detail here, the cells 11B and the metal strip 18B to which they correspond have a constitution of the same type as that of the cells 11A and the preceding metal strip 18A.

According to, therefore, arrangements generally similar to the preceding ones, each of these cells 11B is formed of an elastically deformable tongue 17 and of a flange 23, both being produced in one piece from the strip of metal 18B, this has, locally, at the root of such a flange 23, a trapezoid outline 28, alternating with an ear 30, and these arrangements are repeated successively according to the pitch of the socket outlets.

As before, also, only one of the ears 30 that this metal strip 18B thus comprises is active, for its connection to another, 31B, of the conductors of the cable 32.

In practice, from one metal strip 18A, 18B to the other, the flanges 23 are back to back, while the concavities of the troughs 22 formed by the elastically deformable tongues 17 with which they are associated are themselves turned. one towards the other.

But, jointly, and for reasons which will appear below, the trapezoid contours 28 which these metal strips 18A, 18B have are offset longitudinally relative to one another of one of these metal strips 18A, 18B to 1 'other.

In practice, between the two metal strips 18A, 18B each corresponding respectively to the cells 11A, 11B of the various socket outlets 10 extends a third metal strip 18C to which is connected, in a step similar to the previous one, the earthing element, in this case the pin 16, associated with the cells 11A, 11B of these socket outlets 10.

This metal strip 18C, which in practice extends in a broken line, being nested in one and the other of the metal strips 18A, 18B, therefore comprises, from place to place, following the pitch of the socket-outlets current 10, for the support of the pins 16, of the soles 34, at the rate of one per pin 16, and therefore one per socket outlet 10.

In the embodiment shown, each of these flanges has a generally triangular outline, it is connected by two opposite angles to the current part of the corresponding metal strip 18C, of which it forms a local widening, and its angle opposite to the previous one is cut down by a chamfer.

In practice, all the soles 34 thus presented by the metal strip 18C are laterally directed on the same side thereof, and, in this case, on the side of the metal strip 18B corresponding to the cells 11B.

Each of these soles 34 comprises, systematically, substantially at the top of a triangle homothetic to that of its outline, a hexagonal hole 35, a circular hole 36, of smaller amplitude than the previous one, and, at an oblique angle, substantially at 45 ° relative to the general median plane of the assembly, a boss 37 come, in practice, from a simple puncture of the metal strip 18C concerned.

As illustrated in Figure 8, the hexagonal hole 35 is suitable for the introduction of a pin 16, by simple riveting of the base thereof.

As a variant, in FIG. 10, it can be substituted for such a pin 16 of the side contacts 16ʹ suitable for coming in projection in the corresponding housing 12 of the housing 13, along two opposite generatrices of such a housing 12.

In such a case, these lateral contacts 16ʹ form the wings of the same U-shaped part 39, and, for fixing it, which is done for example by a rivet 40, it is the circular hole 36 of the sole 34 concerned which is then used.

Together, and as it is easy to understand, the boss 37 of such a sole 34 advantageously ensures a rotation blocking of such a part 39 around its rivet 40.

Thus, by systematically presenting, on standby, for each socket outlet 10, two separate holes 35, 36, which are in practice of different outline and grip, the metal strip 18C is advantageously versatile.

Whatever it is, the metal strip 18C also includes, from place to place, at the same pace as previously, ears 42, which each form a local enlargement, and only one of which, the one located at its end, is active , for its connection to a third conductor, 31C, of cable 32.

In practice, the metal strips 18A, 18B corresponding to the cells 11A, 11B each being arranged respectively on either side of the metal strip 18C corresponding to the pins 16 or to the lateral contacts 16ʹ they are each nested by their trapezoidal contours 28 respective with this metal strip 18C.

In other words, they are each nested with a neighboring metal strip, which is here the 18C metal strip.

As it is easy to understand, this nesting is facilitated by the offset which their trapezoid contours 28 present longitudinally from one to the other.

Anyway, it follows from this nesting that, as shown schematically in broken lines in the figure 9, the two metal strips 18A, 18B, with their tongues 17, their puddles 23 and their lateral ears 30, can advantageously come from, according to the invention, from the same strip 43, with, between them, also from this strip 43, the metal strip 18C, and that this strip 43 has only a relatively small width transversely.

FIG. 9, which corresponds to a flat development of the elastically deformable tongues 17 and the flanges 23, illustrates the cut to be applied to such a strip 43.

Of course, the relative nesting between the various metal strips 18A, 18B, 18C thus implemented allows the space necessary for their isolation to exist between them, and, according to arrangements, which, usual, in the matter, and do not not pertaining to the present invention, will not be described here, these metal strips 18A, 18B, 18C are each suitably secured to the housing 13, for example being taken between two shells constituting the latter.

Of course, also, the present invention is not limited to the embodiment described and shown, but encompasses any variant.

In particular, the number of socket outlets used, which is at least equal to two, is in practice indifferent.

Likewise, each of these bases could include a number of cells greater than two and / or not comprise an earth element.

In this case, the relative nesting of the metal strips corresponding to these cells is done directly from one to the other of these.

In addition, if, in the embodiment shown, the flange ensuring according to the invention a rigid support for a spindle is generally flat, it goes without saying that it would not go beyond the scope of the present invention by giving it a another configuration, and, for example, by also conforming it more or less into a chute.

Claims (15)

1. A multi-connection block of the type comprising, in side-by-side relationship, at least two current connection sockets (10), each of which itself arises at least two openings (11A, 11B) of different phases, for engagement of the pins of a current connection plug, said openings (11A, 11B) each being formed by at least one resiliently deformable tongue portion (17) which, produced in one piece from a metal strip (18A, 18B) which is common to the openings of the same phase is at least locally shaped as a channel, for cooperating with a pin, with, facing the channel (22) that it forms, a support means for bearing against such a pin, characterised in that the support means which is thus associated with the resiliently deformable tongue portion (17) of an opening (11A, 11B) is formed by a plate portion (23) which, while being separate from said resiliently deformable tongue portion (17), is also in one piece with the metal strip (18A, 18B) from which it is itself produced, said resiliently deformable tongue portion (17) being produced from a portion (25) of said metal strip (18A, 18B) with which said plate portion (23) is parallel when it is developed in the flat condition.
2. A multi-connection block according to claim 1 characterised in that said plate portion (23) is at right angles to the metal strip (18A, 18B) from which it is produced.
3. A multi-connection block according to either one of claims 1 and 2 characterised in that said plate portion (23) is connected to the metal strip (18A, 18B) from which it is produced by that one of the edges of said metal strip (18A, 18B) which is closest to the resiliently deformable tongue portion (17) with which the plate portion is associated.
4. A multi-connection block according to claim 3 characterised in that, in line with the plate portion (23) which is associated therewith, the resiliently deformable tongue portion (17), at the side of its point of attachment to the metal strip (18A, 18B) from which it is produced, has an aperture (26) suitable for relative interengagement of said plate portion (23) and said resiliently deformable tongue portion (17) when the assembly is developed in the flat condition.
5. A multi-connection block according to any one of claims 1 to 4 characterised in that the metal strip (18A, 18B) from which the resiliently deformable tongue portion (17) and the plate portion (23) associated with the tongue portion are produced locally has a contour (28) in the form of a possibly truncated trapesium, to the small base of which said plate portion (23) is connected while said resiliently deformable tongue portion (17) is connected to a portion (25) of said metal strip (18A, 18B) which is produced from one side of said trapezium and, by way of said trapezium, said metal strip (1A, 18B) is in mutually overlapping relationship with an adjacent metal strip (18C).
6. A multi-connection block according to any one of claims 1 to 5 characterised in that, at the root of the resiliently deformable tongue portion (17) of an opening (11A, 11B), the metal strip (18A, 18B) from which the tongue portion is produced laterally forms a lug (30) on the side of said resiliently deformable tongue portion (17), which is opposite to the plate portion (23) which is associated therewith.
7. A multi-connection block according to any one of claims 1 to 6 characterised in that the free edge of the plate portion (23) which is associated with the resiliently deformable tongue portion (17) of an opening (11A, 11B) has at least locally a chamfer (27).
8. A multi-connection block according to any one of claims 1 to 7 characterised in that the two metal strips (1A, 18B) each respectively corresponding to the two openings (11A, 11B) are produced from the same piece (43) of strip material.
9. A multi-connection block according to any one of claims 1 to 8 characterised in that extending between the two metal strips (1A, 18B) which each respectively correspond to the two openings (11A, 11B) is a third metal strip (18C) to which there is connected an earthing element (16, 16') which is associated with said openings (11A, 11B0.
10. A multi-connection block according to claim 9 characterised in that said third metal strip (18C) extends in a jagged-line configuration, being engaged into each of the other two.
11. A multi-connection block according to either one of claims 9 and 10 characterised in that said third metal strip (18C) locally forms a lug (42) for each current connection socket (10).
12. A multi-connection block according to any one of claims 9 to 11 characterised in that said third metal strip (18C) is capable of receiving either a pin (16) or lateral contacts (16') as an earthing element.
13. A multi-connection block according to claim 12 characterised in that said third metal strip (18C) comprises two separate holes (35, 36) for each current connection socket (10).
14. A multi-connection socket according to either one of claims 12 and 13 characterised in that said third metal strip (18C) comprises a boss (37) for each current connection socket (10).
15. A multi-connection block according to any one of claims 9 to 14 characterised in that said third metal strip (18C) is produced from the same piece (43) of strip material as the other two.

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