EP0459860A2 - Modular terminal block for electric connection - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to electrical-connection terminal blocks, comprising a housing comprising at least two poles, each consisting of a connection member fitted at its two ends with a connection element. The terminal block according to the invention is characterised in that it consists of an assembly of modular terminal strips, in that in each modular terminal strip the housing (3, 5) comprises, at each of its ends, an assembly device (8, 9) having a hermaphrodite-type locking mechanism, an element (1) for fixing to a flat support being provided at one end of the said housing and an element (13) for positioning on the said support being provided on the lower face of the said housing (3). Advantageously, the number of poles of a modular terminal strip is limited to a few values less than 10. Application to electrical wiring. <IMAGE>

Description

The present invention relates to electrical connection strips which are used to make electrical connections inside electrical appliances or installations or at the output of such appliances or installations as terminal blocks.

These electrical connection strips include a box comprising several poles or terminals which each consist of a connection piece provided at its two ends with a connection element, for example of the type with screw and clamping nut or tongue.

There are currently unit terminals intended to be mounted on rails or bars intended to be mounted on flat bases such as a plate.

The unit terminals make it possible to obtain a set of connections having just the number of poles necessary; but these unitary terminals cannot be fixed on a flat base; moreover, it is not possible to provide a locating device by numbered monoblock strips, each unitary terminal having to be numbered individually.

The unit terminals do not allow a test sample to be taken without an intermediate part. In addition, the interconnection of poles of a set of unit terminals is carried out by external parts carrying out a bridging and which require connection elements with screw and clamping nut.

The bars on the other hand allow identification by numbered strip, but the number of their poles is determined in advance, which does not make it possible to produce a connection assembly having just the number of poles necessary. The maximum number of poles of a bar is in any case limited for technical reasons concerning the injection molds.

Furthermore, there is no possibility of taking a test without an intermediate part and the interconnections between several poles can only be made by external parts which also require a connection element with screw and clamping nut; the parts making the interconnection constitute unprotected conductive elements which can be accessible by touch.

The present invention proposes to provide an electrical connection strip which can have any number of poles, which can be fixed either on a rail or on a flat support, which makes it possible to carry out test taps without additional external part and which allows to make interconnections between poles which respect the standards concerning protection against contact with live parts (protection index IP 20).

The subject of the invention is an electrical connection strip of the type described above, characterized in that it consists of an assembly of modular strips and in that, in each modular strip, the housing comprises, at each of its ends a hermaphrodite-type locking assembly device, a fixing element on a support being provided at one end of said housing and a positioning element on said support being provided on the underside of the housing near the other end. Advantageously, the number of poles of a modular strip is limited to a few values less than ten.

The use of a limited number of modules makes it possible to produce terminal strips whose number of poles can take all the possible values. Thus with modules comprising 2, 3, 4 or 7 poles, one can, by combining a maximum of four modules, obtain strips whose number of poles can vary from two to twenty-eight.

The fact of providing a hermaphrodite-type assembly device makes it possible to assemble the head-to-tail modules so as to obtain a strip having a fastening element at each of its ends.

The fixing of an isolated module on a flat support is carried out by using the fixing element and by fixing the positioning element on the flat support so as to prevent any rotational movement of the module.

According to one embodiment, this positioning element is pivotally mounted in the underside of the housing so as to be able to be erased in the underside of the housing when the module which carries it is used in assembly with other modules, or to project so as to lock the module in position when it is used alone.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the strip includes a locking fixing device intended to receive a fixing foot on a rail. Thanks to this arrangement, the modules or the sets of modules can be fixed either on a flat support or on a rail.

According to yet another characteristic of the invention, the housing has in its upper face a hole intended for the passage of a test pin.

• la figure 1 est une vue de dessous d'un ensemble de deux modules assemblés tête-bêche ;
• la figure 2 est une vue en perspective montrant la face inférieure d'un module avec un élément de connexion et une pièce d'interconnexion ;
• la figure 3 est un vue en perspective du boîtier d'un module avec des pièces d'interconnexion, un dispositif de repérage et une broche de prise de test ;
• la figure 4 est une vue en coupe de la paroi inférieure d'un module à trois pôles ;
• les figures 5 et 6 sont des vues de détail de la figure 4 montrant l'élément de positionnement ;
• la figure 7 est une vue de détail illustrant le dispositif d'interconnexion et ;
• la figure 8 est une vue en coupe de détail représentant un élément de positionnement amovible.

Other features and benefits of the invention will emerge from the description which follows, given by way of illustration and in no way limiting, with reference to the appended drawings in which:

• Figure 1 is a bottom view of a set of two modules assembled head to tail;
• FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the underside of a module with a connection element and an interconnection piece;
• Figure 3 is a perspective view of the housing of a module with interconnection parts, a locating device and a test plug pin;
• Figure 4 is a sectional view of the bottom wall of a three-pole module;
• Figures 5 and 6 are detail views of Figure 4 showing the positioning element;
• Figure 7 is a detail view illustrating the interconnection device and;
• Figure 8 is a detail sectional view showing a removable positioning element.

Figures 1 to 3 show modules of connection strips according to the present invention. Each module has a number of poles determined so as to allow the production of strips of any number of poles by combining a reduced number of modules. In the example shown, the modules have two, three, four or seven poles.

In Figure 1, we see two modules of four and three poles which are assembled to form a strip of seven poles. Each module comprises at one of its ends a fixing device on a flat support constituted by a lug 1 comprising an oblong hole 2 intended for the passage of a screws engaging in a flat support. The hole 2 is oblong, its major axis being directed in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the module so as to compensate for variations in length during the assembly of several modules. When several modules are assembled, at least the end modules are arranged in opposite directions so that the strip thus obtained has a fixing device at its two ends.

The housing of each module is composed of two parts, a base plate 3 in which the connection pieces 4 are fixed and which is covered with a cover 5. The assembly of these two parts one on the other is provided by snap-fastening of projecting elements 6 which are arranged on the longitudinal sides of the base 3 and which engage in corresponding holes 7 in the lower part of the cover 5. The latter ensures the connection elements 4 are maintained when it is placed on the base 3.

Each module comprises at each of its ends a hermaphrodite type snap-on assembly device which is constituted in the example represented by a hook 8 which cooperates with a recess 9 arranged in the underside of the base 3, this recess having a notch 10 used for hooking the end of the hook 8. These two hooking elements, hook 8 and recess 9, are arranged symmetrically with respect to the longitudinal axis 11 of the module and are provided at the two ends of the latter, the hooks and the recesses being diametrically opposite so as to produce a hermaphrodite type assembly which makes it possible to assemble the modules either in the same direction or head to tail as shown in FIG. 1. In the case of an assembly of more than two modules, the fixing lug 1 of the intermediate module or modules is housed in a recess 12 arranged in the underside of the base 3.

According to the present invention, there is provided in the lower face of the base 3 a positioning element constituted by a pin 13 which projects from the lower face of the base 3 and engages in a hole in the flat support. This positioning pin is used essentially when the strip has only one module; the pin 13 then serves to block the module on the support, the fixing being obtained by means of the tab 1.

Advantageously, this positioning pin 13 is pivotally mounted in the underside of the base 3 as can be seen in Figures 4 to 6; in Figures 1 and 4, the positioning pin 13 is shown in the folded position, that is to say that it is housed in the underside of the base 3 without projecting from the latter. The pin 13 is integral with a plate 14 which is articulated on the underside of the base 3 by means of two lugs 15 which are connected to the rest of the base 3 by a portion of narrowed section forming a hinge 16; a flexible, curved central lug 17 connects the plate 14 to the rest of the base 3 and constitutes a leaf spring protruding from neutral point so as to keep the pin 13 in the position of use as shown in FIG. 6, FIG. 5 representing a intermediate tilting position.

On the face of the plate 14 opposite the pin 13, two small pins 18 are provided which are used for positioning and blocking the pin 13 in position output, these small pins 18 carrying out a locking by clamping on vertical walls 19 arranged in the lower face of the base 3.

Advantageously, in the position of use, the positioning pin 13 is disposed in the vicinity of the end of the base 3 opposite the lug 1. The assembly of the base 3 and of the positioning assembly is made in one piece by molding in a synthetic material having the necessary dielectric qualities and the flexibility necessary for the realization of the pivoting device of the positioning pin 13. In the case where the strip must withstand particular conditions, for example high temperatures, it is possible that one cannot use a synthetic material having the necessary flexibility; in this case, there is provided in the lower face of the base 3 a cylindrical housing 20 having an annular tightening projection and which serves to receive an external part 22 comprising a positioning pin 23 fixed on a plate 24 which is extended on its other face by a fixing element 25 engaging in the hole 20, as can be seen in FIG. 8.

As can be seen in Figure 4, there is provided in the underside of the base 3 another cylindrical hole 20 also comprising an annular clamping projection 26 and intended for fixing on the base 3 of a hooking foot on a rail. Advantageously, this attachment foot (not shown) is of the type which allows attachment to symmetrical rails and asymmetrical rails.

To improve the assembly of the various modules with each other, there is provided on the upper part of the cover 5 a device for hermaphrodite type positioning which is, in the example shown, as can be seen in FIG. 3, constituted by a projecting element 27 cooperating with a recess 28; these two elements 27 and 28 are arranged symmetrically with respect to the median longitudinal plane of the cover 5 and are provided at the two ends of the housing 5, the two projections 27 and the two recesses 28 being respectively opposite along a diagonal.

The connection pieces 4 are monobloc and have a central part 30 in the shape of a stirrup having at its two ends a connection element which can be of the screw and clamping nut or tongue type. In the example shown in Figures 2 and 7, the connection piece comprises two connection elements with screw and clamping nut. To this end, the end of the connection piece 4 is in the form of a stirrup, a screw 31 passes through the bottom 32 of the stirrup and engages in a tightening nut 33.

As can be seen in FIG. 7, the upper face of the stirrup-shaped end 21 has around the hole 29 for passage of the screw 31, teeth 38 which constitute a screw brake and make it possible to remove the washer normally used in this case.

According to the invention, the branches 34 of the stirrup constituting the connection element have at their free ends an internal boss 35 which makes it possible to lock the tightening nut 33 in the loosening position, as shown in the figure 2. Thanks to this arrangement, when the screw 31 is completely unscrewed, the head of which is locked in the cover 5, the tightening nut 33 descends into the stirrup and comes to lock at the end of the branches 34 in the released position. This keeps the clamping nut in the low position regardless of the position of the strip, which facilitates the introduction of the conductors between the nut 33 and the bottom 32 of the bracket for fixing by clamping.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the cover 5 has through holes in its upper face 36 which allow the passage of a test pin 37 which is blocked by tightening in the hole 36 and comes into contact with the connection part. 4. It can be seen that this arrangement makes it possible to carry out a test taking without having to loosen the connection elements or to use external connection parts; in addition, this provision makes it possible to comply with safety standards concerning the possibility of contact with Orsous live parts. To carry out the test of an electrical cabinet, for example, a "comb" of test pins can be engaged on each strip, each of the pins engaging in a hole 36. The invention therefore makes it possible to carry out a complete test very quickly.

The invention also relates to a device allowing the interconnection of several poles of a strip, these poles being able to be close to or distant from each other. This interconnection device makes it possible to achieve in a simple manner, in particular without touching the connection elements, an electrical connection between any two poles while complying with the standards concerning the impossibility of accessing live parts.

As can be seen in particular in FIGS. 2 and 7, the central part 30 of the piece of connection 4 has two longitudinal slots 41 and the cover 5 includes slots 42 arranged opposite the slots 41 of the connection piece 5.

The electrical connection between two neighboring poles is achieved by means of a jumper 43 which is placed on the upper face of the cover 5, its two wings 44 engaging in the slots 42 of the cover 5 then in the slots 41 of two parts connection 4 neighbors, as can be seen in particular in Figure 2 and in Figure 7 in position 43A.

To facilitate the insertion of the wings 44 of the rider 43 into the slots 41 and 42, the profile of these wings 44 is slightly convergent, the narrowest part of these wings being situated at their ends. Each of the wings 44 has at the widest end of its converging part a projection 45 which serves as a stop to limit the engagement of the wing 44 in the slot 41.

To make the interconnection of two non-neighboring poles, use is made of a connection bar 46 which is housed in a central groove 47 arranged in the upper face of the cover 5. The electrical connection between the pole to be connected and the connection bar 46 is made by means of the jumper 43 whose wings 44 have, for this purpose, a central slot 48. In this case, the jumper 43 takes the position 43B of FIG. 7, that is to say that it is engaged in the two slots 41 of the pole to be interconnected.

As seen in Figure 3, the jumper 43 is engaged on the connection bar 46 which is received in the slot 48. The bottom of this slot 48 has two projecting bosses 49 between which the bar 46 engages; this allows everything first of all to improve the contact between the jumper 43 and the connecting bar 46. The tightening of the connecting bar 46 between the two bosses 49 blocks these two parts one on the other. Finally, the distance between the two bosses 49 is slightly less than the thickness of the connecting bar 46 so that when the jumper is placed all the way on the connecting bar 46, the two branches of the wings 44 move apart, which increases the contact pressure in the slot 41 of the connection piece 4.

Thanks to these provisions, the interconnection device constituted by the bar 46 and the jumpers 43 allows the circulation of a high current; thus, for example, in the case of connection strips provided for cables of nominal section equal to 4 mm², the interconnection device makes it possible to ensure the passage of a current of 60 A, which corresponds to the maximum value possible current in a cable of this section. For all the poles which must be interconnected together, there is a jumper 43 in position 43B in FIG. 7.

The position of the slots 41 on the central part 30 of the connection piece 4 is such that, as can be seen in FIG. 7, the distance d separating the two slots 41 from a connection piece is equal to the distance e , separating the adjacent slots 41 from two neighboring poles.

Advantageously, the connection bar 46 is made so as to be able to be broken and for this purpose has precut primers 52 arranged regularly. In this way, one can easily obtain a connection bar having exactly the desired length.

Advantageously, provision is made at the end of the connection bar 46 a horizontal recess 53 which allows the connection bar to be easily released, for example using the blade of a screwdriver.

FIG. 3 shows a marking strip 61 which is intended to be housed in the upper face of the cover 5 so as to constitute a cover for housing the interconnection bar 46 and the jumpers 43. Advantageously, this strip marking 61 is made of insulating and translucent material, which allows to see the interconnections made when this marking strip is in position.

This labeling strip includes numbers allowing the different poles to be identified; it is fixed by snap-fastening in the upper face of the cover 5. For this purpose, the upper face of the cover 5 comprises, above the housing 42 receiving the jumpers 43, two shoulders 62 which are arranged on either side of the housing 47 of the bar 46 and which define, with lugs 63 arranged above a groove 64 in which is housed the marking strip 61. A stop is provided at the two ends of the groove 64 so as to block the marking strip in position whatever the position of the strip, in particular when the modules are mounted on vertical rails.

In the embodiment shown, two small stops 60 are provided (see FIG. 3) arranged on one side of the slot 64 and diametrically opposite.

The labeling strip 61 can be put in place by threading it into this groove 64 from one end of the connecting strip passing over the stop 60, however when it is a strip of great length, and when space problems arise, the labeling strip 61 can be put in place by snap-fitting by pushing it in the direction of the shoulders 62, the flexibility of the pins 63 allowing this installation by snap-fastening.

Advantageously, like the interconnection bar 46, the marking strip 61 is breakable, that is to say that it includes regularly spaced cutting lines.

The cover shown in the figures is intended for connection parts comprising connection elements with screw and clamping nut at their two ends. It is also possible to design covers for screw-tab or tab-tab connections, the base being always the same, all types of cover obviously comprising the positioning device and the slots and housings intended for the connection bar, the jumpers, the labeling strip and to the test pins.

The presence of this marking strip 61 makes it possible first of all to identify the different poles of a strip; it also allows you to see without any disassembly the interconnections that have been made; Finally, this strip provides protection against any contact with live parts formed by the interconnection elements.

It can be seen that the invention makes it possible to produce a modular connection strip, the number of poles of which may be any; the interconnections between different poles can be made without dismantling the connection elements and without any part external to the connection strip; finally the structure of the modular strip according to the invention allows compliance with standards concerning the impossibility of accessing by touching live parts.

In particular, the use of the connection bar with the jumpers makes it possible to easily distribute between several phases in a distribution board.

The interconnection device according to the invention makes it possible to reduce the number of poles of the connection strips as well as the wiring time.

The fact that the wings of the rider are split also has the advantage that the heating due to the passage of current tends to separate the two legs of each wing, which increases the contact pressure.

The interconnection device according to the invention can be used in the connection areas of electrical devices, in order to make interconnections and limit the wiring operations. In particular, this interconnection device can be used in relay terminal blocks.

Claims (12)

Electrical connection strip comprising a housing comprising at least two poles each consisting of a connection piece provided at its two ends with a connection element, characterized in that it consists of an assembly of modular bars, and in that in each modular bar, the housing (3,5) comprises, at each of its ends, a hermaphrodite-type locking assembly device, consisting of a male element (8) and a female element (9 ), a single fixing element (1) on a flat support being provided at one end of said housing and a single positioning element (13) on said support being provided on the underside of said housing (3). Connection strip according to claim 1, characterized in that the number of poles of a modular strip is limited to a few values less than 10. Connection strip according to claim 1, characterized in that the positioning element (13) on the support is pivotally mounted in the underside of the housing (3). Connection strip according to claim 1, characterized in that the positioning element (13) on the support is removably mounted on the underside of the housing (3). Connection strip according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a locking fixing device (20 ′) intended to receive a fixing foot on a rail. Connection strip according to claim 1, characterized in that the housing of each modular strip includes, at each of its ends, a positioning device (27, 28) of hermaphrodite type. Connection strip according to claim 1, characterized in that the locking fixing device comprises a hook (8) projecting outwards and a corresponding recess (9) arranged in said end of the housing, said hook and said recess being arranged symmetrically with respect to the longitudinal median plane (11) of the housing. Connection strip according to claim 1, characterized in that the housing of each modular strip consists of two parts, a base (3) comprising the fixing element (13) and means for positioning the connection parts and a cover (5) covering said connection parts (4,30,31,32,33,34). Connection strip according to claim 1, characterized in that the housing of each modular strip has in its upper face a hole (36) intended for the passage of a test pin (37). Connection strip according to claim 1, characterized in that, in the case where the connection piece (4) comprises a connection element with screws (31) and tightening nut (33), the end of the connection piece (4) being in the shape of a stirrup, the clamping screw (31) passing through the bottom of the stirrup and the clamping nut moving between the branches of the stirrup, the free ends of the stirrup branches have an inner boss (35) for frictionally locking the clamping nut (33) in the released position. Connection strip according to claim 6, characterized in that the positioning device disposed at each end of the housing consists of a projecting pin (27) and a corresponding hole (28) arranged symmetrically with respect to the longitudinal median plane of the housing. Connection strip according to claim 1, characterized in that the fixing element on the support is an oblong hole (2) intended for fixing by screws.

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