EP1128471B1 - Conductor guiding device to be connected to an electrical modular apparatus - Google Patents

Conductor guiding device to be connected to an electrical modular apparatus Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP1128471B1
EP1128471B1 EP00440049A EP00440049A EP1128471B1 EP 1128471 B1 EP1128471 B1 EP 1128471B1 EP 00440049 A EP00440049 A EP 00440049A EP 00440049 A EP00440049 A EP 00440049A EP 1128471 B1 EP1128471 B1 EP 1128471B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
guide
conductors
electrical apparatus
modular electrical
guide means
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
EP00440049A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP1128471A1 (en
Inventor
Claude Houde
Dominique Werner
Thomas Vogler
Christian Dietrich
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Hager Electro SAS
Original Assignee
Hager Electro SAS
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Hager Electro SAS filed Critical Hager Electro SAS
Priority to PT00440049T priority Critical patent/PT1128471E/en
Priority to EP00440049A priority patent/EP1128471B1/en
Priority to ES00440049T priority patent/ES2279750T3/en
Priority to DE60032724T priority patent/DE60032724T2/en
Priority to AT00440049T priority patent/ATE350781T1/en
Publication of EP1128471A1 publication Critical patent/EP1128471A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP1128471B1 publication Critical patent/EP1128471B1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R4/00—Electrically-conductive connections between two or more conductive members in direct contact, i.e. touching one another; Means for effecting or maintaining such contact; Electrically-conductive connections having two or more spaced connecting locations for conductors and using contact members penetrating insulation
    • H01R4/28—Clamped connections, spring connections
    • H01R4/48—Clamped connections, spring connections utilising a spring, clip, or other resilient member
    • H01R4/4809—Clamped connections, spring connections utilising a spring, clip, or other resilient member using a leaf spring to bias the conductor toward the busbar
    • H01R4/48185—Clamped connections, spring connections utilising a spring, clip, or other resilient member using a leaf spring to bias the conductor toward the busbar adapted for axial insertion of a wire end
    • H01R4/4819—Clamped connections, spring connections utilising a spring, clip, or other resilient member using a leaf spring to bias the conductor toward the busbar adapted for axial insertion of a wire end the spring shape allowing insertion of the conductor end when the spring is unbiased
    • H01R4/4821—Single-blade spring
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R4/00—Electrically-conductive connections between two or more conductive members in direct contact, i.e. touching one another; Means for effecting or maintaining such contact; Electrically-conductive connections having two or more spaced connecting locations for conductors and using contact members penetrating insulation
    • H01R4/28—Clamped connections, spring connections
    • H01R4/48—Clamped connections, spring connections utilising a spring, clip, or other resilient member
    • H01R4/4809—Clamped connections, spring connections utilising a spring, clip, or other resilient member using a leaf spring to bias the conductor toward the busbar
    • H01R4/4846—Busbar details
    • H01R4/485—Single busbar common to multiple springs
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R4/00—Electrically-conductive connections between two or more conductive members in direct contact, i.e. touching one another; Means for effecting or maintaining such contact; Electrically-conductive connections having two or more spaced connecting locations for conductors and using contact members penetrating insulation
    • H01R4/28—Clamped connections, spring connections
    • H01R4/48—Clamped connections, spring connections utilising a spring, clip, or other resilient member
    • H01R4/4809—Clamped connections, spring connections utilising a spring, clip, or other resilient member using a leaf spring to bias the conductor toward the busbar
    • H01R4/4828—Spring-activating arrangements mounted on or integrally formed with the spring housing
    • H01R4/483—Pivoting arrangements, e.g. lever pushing on the spring
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R4/00—Electrically-conductive connections between two or more conductive members in direct contact, i.e. touching one another; Means for effecting or maintaining such contact; Electrically-conductive connections having two or more spaced connecting locations for conductors and using contact members penetrating insulation
    • H01R4/28—Clamped connections, spring connections
    • H01R4/48—Clamped connections, spring connections utilising a spring, clip, or other resilient member
    • H01R4/4809—Clamped connections, spring connections utilising a spring, clip, or other resilient member using a leaf spring to bias the conductor toward the busbar
    • H01R4/4828—Spring-activating arrangements mounted on or integrally formed with the spring housing
    • H01R4/4833—Sliding arrangements, e.g. sliding button
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R4/00—Electrically-conductive connections between two or more conductive members in direct contact, i.e. touching one another; Means for effecting or maintaining such contact; Electrically-conductive connections having two or more spaced connecting locations for conductors and using contact members penetrating insulation
    • H01R4/28—Clamped connections, spring connections
    • H01R4/48—Clamped connections, spring connections utilising a spring, clip, or other resilient member
    • H01R4/4809—Clamped connections, spring connections utilising a spring, clip, or other resilient member using a leaf spring to bias the conductor toward the busbar
    • H01R4/4828—Spring-activating arrangements mounted on or integrally formed with the spring housing
    • H01R4/4837—Single arrangement activating multiple springs

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a device for guiding conductors to be connected to a modular electrical device, enabling the bare end of each conductor to be guided from the facade equipped with the control handle of the housing of said apparatus to at least one accessible connection terminal block. from one of the small lateral sides of the box of appearance perpendicular to said facade, with a view to its connection.
  • the invention has been specifically designed to cooperate with quick-connect terminal blocks by direct plugging conductors, integrated modular electrical devices to improve their comfort of use.
  • the quick-connect devices comprise a conductive guide connected to the conductive terminal of the apparatus and provided with a flat bearing surface against which the stripped end of each conductor must be applied, with a spring blade of which at least one flexible portion is biased toward said bearing surface for jamming the conductor to effect electrical contact, and a control member for moving said blade away from said surface to release said conductor, said blade spring and the control member being for example disposed on either side of the portion of the conductive guide provided with said bearing surface.
  • control member and the spring blade are disposed on the same side of the conductive guide, one of the terminal ends of said blade being provided with an orifice of reception of the driver that she comes to rest at rest against the guide conductor.
  • connection devices offering the same advantages as the latter may be used in good conditions if they are integrated into the modular electric appliance, as is disclosed in the Japanese document published under the number 10074543A, it is proposed, according to the invention, to add to said devices guiding devices that significantly improve the ergonomics of the act of connecting conductors.
  • said guiding devices comprise first guide means guiding the outside of the housing in a first direction the end of each conductor from the front to second guiding means oriented in a second direction towards the interior of said housing for inserting said end into the quick connect terminal block.
  • the user placed in front of a modular device attached to its rail, sees mainly the front, on which it must have a visual cue indicating how to select and simply make the connection.
  • the first guiding means consist of at least one chute per terminal block, oriented parallel to the longitudinal axis of the small lateral side, opening at one of its ends in the facade of the modular apparatus, and the other end is closed, partially bordering orifices marking the entrance of the second guide means.
  • each chute that opens into the facade constituting the equivalent of a notch disposed at the longitudinal end of said facade, serves as a marker in which the user, after selection, can introduce the stripped end of the driver.
  • the number of guiding chutes corresponds exactly to the number of orifices marking the entrance of the second guiding means.
  • the second guide means in fact to individualize the connection, a single conductor by way of connection being admitted. This individualization can therefore be resumed at the level of the first guide means, according to the possibility above.
  • each terminal block may be associated with first guiding means consisting of a single trough.
  • a chute therefore gives access to several orifices of the second guide means.
  • One of the problems related to the guidance in the first direction is in carrying out the transfer of the first to the second guide means: in other words, the question of the passage from one direction to the other involves common means on the one hand to stop the progression of the ends of the drivers in the first direction and to prepare on the other hand the conditions of access to the second direction.
  • the partition closing the end of the chute constituting the first guide means comprises at least one cylinder portion of axis coincident with the axis of at least one orifice marking the entrance of the second guide means to which chute leads.
  • Each portion of the cylinder seen as an element of the end wall of the first guide means, can also be viewed as part of the second guide means, and thus constitute an element common to both.
  • the depth of the troughs is maximum at the outlet on the facade of the modular device, and is gradually reduced towards the orifices marking the entrance of the second guide means.
  • the stripped end of the conductor guided blindly in the first guide means is maintained in contact with the bottom of the chute, which involves the exercise of an axial stress directed against this bottom.
  • the decrease in the depth, making "up” the bottom of the chute maintains the pressure contact to the break formed by the inlet ports, in which the driver then plunges naturally.
  • These second means consist more precisely, for each conductor, in a funnel-type conduit whose inlet orifice opens into the bottom of the first guide means, the section of said means gradually reducing to an outlet opening opening at near the place of the connection in the quick-connect terminal block.
  • each conduit of the second guide means and the chute of the first guide means in which it opens includes a peripheral chamfer.
  • the shape of the jacket of the duct or ducts is then provided to fit into the space between the bearing surface of the conductive guide and the inclined portion of the flexible blade. All these elements, arranged in a compact structure at the outlet of the ducts, actually participate in guiding, and extend at least in its final phase until the actual connection.
  • the flexible portion of the spring blade inclined towards the conductive guide is also divided into a corresponding number of parallel slats movable independently of one another.
  • the ducts of the second guide means are separated by at least one partition whose truncated form at the outlet allows the displacement of at least one arm of the control member whose end rests, at the outlet of said partition, on the slats located on either side thereof, said arm being controlled by a handling head accessible from the front of the modular electrical device.
  • control member is slidable in the housing of the modular device parallel to the first guide means, and the truncated shape allows the rectilinear movement of the arm or arms.
  • control member in the rest position, flexible spring blade in contact with the conductor guide, are other than said blade: the control member also obeys an extremely simple design, only two functional stops to be taken into account. consideration for its operation, as will be seen in more detail later.
  • a non-sliding variant in which the control member is pivotable along an axis perpendicular simultaneously to the directions of the first and second guide means, and located in the vicinity of the front of the housing of the modular electrical apparatus, can also be implemented.
  • artwork in this case, the truncated shape of the partition walls must also allow the movement of the arm or arms of the control member.
  • the guiding device of the invention is fixable to the modular electrical device by simply clipping which can no longer be unlocked by the user, once the device attached to the housing.
  • control of the product can be performed before clipping the guide, the control tips can then test the product through the terminals without hindrance.
  • this possibility makes it possible to calibrate the connection capacity of the product only as a last resort, by adapting a guiding device appropriate to the size that can be used with the apparatus that is equipped with it. Secondarily, this allows the standardization of the internal connection subassembly, since the differentiation is at the level of the guiding device.
  • This may also include means for identifying or identifying the product, for example by being coated with different colors, and / or by marking, etching, etc., depending on its function, the product range, etc. ..
  • its face intended to come into contact with the housing of the modular device comprises at least one longitudinal groove extending over at least a part of its length from its end having the outlet of the trunking or channels , intended to come into correspondence with at least one similar groove made in said casing to constitute the minus one opening giving access to the conductive guide of the quick connect terminal block.
  • the orifices thus formed allow the control of the product on site, in use by the front facade.
  • the modular electrical apparatus (A) comprises a facade (1) with several levels, the longitudinal ends of which surmount the terminal blocks, in an extremely conventional configuration.
  • the small lateral side (2) of shape perpendicular to the general orientation of the facade (1) which is in the foreground in the figure comprises a guiding device (G) according to the invention, cooperating with a quick connect terminal block which only the control member (5) is visible, since it exceeds the front (1).
  • three conductors can be connected, via the guide device (G) of the invention, to the terminal block which appears in FIG. 2.
  • the latter conventionally comprises a conductive guide (3) electrically connected to the electrical terminal. of the apparatus (A), a spring blade (4), and said control member (5).
  • the conductors, guided by the device (G), are inserted between the conductive guide (3) and the spring blade (4), and are released by action on the button of the control member (5) which is available on the facade (1) of the modular electrical appliance (A).
  • the guiding device (G) of the invention is clearly illustrated in FIG. 3: it comprises first guiding means in the form of three chutes (6a, 6b, 6c) whose upper end is free, and whose lower end is closed by three walls (7a, 7b, 7c) in cylinder portions.
  • the chutes (6a, 6b, 6c) are delimited by side walls (8a, 8b) and intermediate (9a, 9b), and have a bottom (10a, 10b, 10c) which is inclined, the depth of the troughs decreasing at the approach of the orifices (11a, 11b, 11c) marking the entrance of the second guide means.
  • These take the form of guide ducts whose at least external shape imparted by the casing (12) is designed to adapt to the space between the leaf spring (4) and the conductive guide (3).
  • the conductors are directed to the place of connection, that is to say the contact area between the leaf spring (4) and a flat portion (13) of the guide conductor (3).
  • the inclined portion of the spring blade (4) is also cut off in strips (14a, 14b, 14c).
  • the second portion (17) of parallel appearance to the portion (13) is fixed relative to the housing of the apparatus (A).
  • the control member (5) comprises two control arms (15a, 15b) acting simultaneously on the three strips (14a, 14b, 14c) via orifices (16) formed in the flat portion (13) of the conductive guide (3). ).
  • Figure 4 shows the same elements from another angle.
  • the existence of the groove (18) formed in the guide device G which is placed in correspondence with a corresponding groove of the housing of the modular electrical apparatus (A) when the first city is attached to the second, to form a control port (C) appearing in Figures 1 and 2 in front of the button of the control member (S).
  • This orifice (C) is used for on-site inspection, and makes it possible to test the operating state of the product via the conductive guide via its upper part (19).
  • FIG. 4 also shows a flexible tab (20) mounted on the button (5) of the control member, and which allows the latter to be fastened when the housing of the modular device (A) is closed at the end of the industrial chain by simple clipping.
  • the hook (21) at the end of said tab allows the maintenance of the member (5) in the housing by pressing against a first stop of the housing of the device (A).
  • a spacer (22) makes it possible to limit the travel of the control member (5) by pressing on the horizontal portion (13) of the conductive guide (3) acting as a second stop between the holes (16) for passage of the arm (15a, 15b).
  • the ends (23a, 23b) of the walls separating the ducts downstream of the orifices (11a, 11b, 11c) are truncated to allow the passage of said arms (15a, 15b).
  • the remainder of the envelope (12) is configured to adapt to the space between the strips (14a, 14b, 14c) and the portion (13) of the guide (3): this is particularly apparent from FIG. 5.
  • FIG. 6 The configuration of FIG. 6 comprises two guiding devices of the invention associated with two quick-connect terminal blocks.
  • the first guide means consist of a single chute (6) whose bottom (10) is inclined ramp up to the orifices (11a, 11b).
  • the section of said chute is not identical to that of the previous version, configured slightly curvilinear.
  • the closure wall comprising as many sections of cylindrical shape (7a, 7b) as orifices (11a, 11b) remains in turn identical to the number of possible connections.
  • This solution provides only two connection possibilities, hence a leaf spring (4) divided into two strips (14a, 14b), and a control member (5) with a single arm (15), passing through a single orifice (16) of the flat portion (13) of the conductive guide (13).
  • the casing (12) of the ducts downstream of the orifices (11a, 11b) again fits perfectly into the residual space between the flexible portions (14a, 14b) of the spring blade (4). and the flat portion (13) of the conductive guide (3) guiding the ends of the conductors to the link of the connection.
  • the button (5) of the control member is pivotally mounted about an axis (23) perpendicular to the plane of the figure, the arm (15) thus benefiting of a lever arm reducing the effort of disconnection.
  • the other elements conductive guide (3), leaf spring (4) of the quick-connect terminal block
  • conductive guide (3), leaf spring (4) of the quick-connect terminal block also remain quite similar to those described with reference to other configurations.

Landscapes

  • Details Of Connecting Devices For Male And Female Coupling (AREA)
  • Coupling Device And Connection With Printed Circuit (AREA)
  • Connections Arranged To Contact A Plurality Of Conductors (AREA)
  • Connections By Means Of Piercing Elements, Nuts, Or Screws (AREA)

Abstract

The guides comprises flexible lamellae which direct inserted conductors towards terminal connections. The structure provides guidance for conductors which are to be connected to modular electrical equipment. This allows the guidance of the stripped end of each conductor from the face which carries the operating handle, to a connection terminal which is accessible from one of the small sides of the box. The terminal has a rapid connection for direct enclosure of at least one conductor. The guide includes a first part mounted outside the box to guide the extremity of the conductor, and a second part mounted inside the box providing direction to the rapid connection. The internal guide is provided by flexible lamellae which are inclined in order to direct the inserted conductor.

Description

La présente invention concerne un dispositif de guidage de conducteurs à raccorder à un appareil électrique modulaire, permettant le guidage de l'extrémité dénudée de chaque conducteur depuis la façade équipée de la manette de commande du boîtier dudit appareil vers au moins un bornier de raccordement accessible depuis un des petits côtés latéraux du boîtier d'allure perpendiculaire à ladite façade, en vue de sa connexion.The present invention relates to a device for guiding conductors to be connected to a modular electrical device, enabling the bare end of each conductor to be guided from the facade equipped with the control handle of the housing of said apparatus to at least one accessible connection terminal block. from one of the small lateral sides of the box of appearance perpendicular to said facade, with a view to its connection.

L'invention a été spécialement conçue pour coopérer avec des borniers à raccordement rapides par enfichage direct des conducteurs, intégrés aux appareils électriques modulaires pour améliorer leur confort d'utilisation.The invention has been specifically designed to cooperate with quick-connect terminal blocks by direct plugging conductors, integrated modular electrical devices to improve their comfort of use.

Lorsque ceux-ci sont fixés sur leur rail, par exemple dans une armoire électrique traditionnelle, l'existence de borniers à raccordement rapide ne suffit pas pour assurer un confort optimal, car ces borniers sont dans la plupart des cas peu accessibles. La face de l'appareil modulaire dans laquelle ils débouchent ne se situe en effet pas en façade, et il faut encore que l'utilisateur puisse orienter correctement l'extrémité de chaque conducteur à raccorder pour que les avantages de la connexion rapide puissent être appréciés.When these are fixed on their rail, for example in a traditional electrical cabinet, the existence of quick-connect terminal blocks is not enough to ensure optimal comfort, because these terminals are in most cases not very accessible. The face of the modular device in which they open is in fact not in front, and it is still necessary that the user can correctly orient the end of each conductor to connect so that the benefits of the fast connection can be appreciated .

L'intégration d'un dispositif de connexion rapide à un appareil modulaire classique nécessite donc, pour que les caractéristiques de ces dispositifs soient utilisées à un potentiel convenable, le complément fourni par l'invention.The integration of a fast connection device with a conventional modular device therefore requires that the characteristics these devices are used at a suitable potential, the complement provided by the invention.

Les borniers eux-mêmes, par ailleurs bien connus, doivent s'adapter au contexte particulier né de cette intégration, et de la nécessaire coopération avec le dispositif de guidage.The terminals themselves, also well known, must adapt to the particular context born of this integration, and the necessary cooperation with the guide device.

Classiquement, les dispositifs de raccordement rapide comportent un guide conducteur relié à la borne conductrice de l'appareil et pourvu d'une surface d'appui plane contre laquelle doit s'appliquer l'extrémité dénudée de chaque conducteur, d'une lame ressort dont au moins une portion flexible est rappelée vers ladite surface d'appui en vue de coincer le conducteur pour réaliser le contact électrique, et d'un organe de commande visant à écarter ladite lame de ladite surface pour libérer ledit conducteur, ladite lame ressort et l'organe de commande étant par exemple disposés de part et d'autre de la portion du guide conducteur doté de ladite surface d'appui.Conventionally, the quick-connect devices comprise a conductive guide connected to the conductive terminal of the apparatus and provided with a flat bearing surface against which the stripped end of each conductor must be applied, with a spring blade of which at least one flexible portion is biased toward said bearing surface for jamming the conductor to effect electrical contact, and a control member for moving said blade away from said surface to release said conductor, said blade spring and the control member being for example disposed on either side of the portion of the conductive guide provided with said bearing surface.

C'est la configuration qui est notamment divulguée dans les brevets EP 0 327 703 et EP 0 335 093.This is the configuration which is disclosed in particular in patents EP 0 327 703 and EP 0 335 093.

Selon une autre possibilité, par exemple décrite dans le brevet allemand publié sous le numéro 3514097, l'organe de commande et la lame ressort sont disposées du même côté du guide conducteur, une des extrémités terminales de ladite lame étant pourvue d'un orifice de réception du conducteur qu'elle vient plaquer au repos contre le guide conducteur.According to another possibility, for example described in the German patent published under the number 3514097, the control member and the spring blade are disposed on the same side of the conductive guide, one of the terminal ends of said blade being provided with an orifice of reception of the driver that she comes to rest at rest against the guide conductor.

Pour que des dispositifs de raccordement offrant les mêmes avantages que ces derniers soient utilisables dans de bonnes conditions s'ils sont intégrés à l'appareil électrique modulaire, à l'instar de ce qui est divulgué dans le document japonais publié sous le numéro 10074543A, il est proposé, selon l'invention, d'ajouter aux dits appareils des dispositifs de guidage qui améliorent considérablement l'ergonomie de l'acte de raccordement des conducteurs.In order that connection devices offering the same advantages as the latter may be used in good conditions if they are integrated into the modular electric appliance, as is disclosed in the Japanese document published under the number 10074543A, it is proposed, according to the invention, to add to said devices guiding devices that significantly improve the ergonomics of the act of connecting conductors.

A cet effet, lesdits dispositifs de guidage comportent des premiers moyens de guidage guidant à l'extérieur du boîtier selon une première direction l'extrémité de chaque conducteur depuis la façade jusqu'à des seconds moyens de guidage orientés selon une seconde direction vers l'intérieur dudit boîtier pour l'insertion de ladite extrémité dans le bornier de raccordement rapide.For this purpose, said guiding devices comprise first guide means guiding the outside of the housing in a first direction the end of each conductor from the front to second guiding means oriented in a second direction towards the interior of said housing for inserting said end into the quick connect terminal block.

L'utilisateur, placé en face d'un appareil modulaire fixé à son rail, en voit principalement la façade, sur laquelle il doit pouvoir disposer d'un repère visuel lui indiquant comment sélectionner et réaliser simplement la connexion.The user, placed in front of a modular device attached to its rail, sees mainly the front, on which it must have a visual cue indicating how to select and simply make the connection.

Or, les premiers moyens de guidage consistent en au moins une goulotte par bornier, orientée parallèlement à l'axe longitudinal du petit côté latéral, débouchant à l'une de ses extrémités dans la façade de l'appareil modulaire, et dont l'autre extrémité est fermée, bordant partiellement des orifices marquant l'entrée des seconds moyens de guidage.However, the first guiding means consist of at least one chute per terminal block, oriented parallel to the longitudinal axis of the small lateral side, opening at one of its ends in the facade of the modular apparatus, and the other end is closed, partially bordering orifices marking the entrance of the second guide means.

L'extrémité de chaque goulotte qui débouche dans la façade, constituant l'équivalent d'une encoche disposée à l'extrémité longitudinale de ladite façade, fait office de repère dans lequel l'utilisateur, après sélection, peut introduire l'extrémité dénudée du conducteur.The end of each chute that opens into the facade, constituting the equivalent of a notch disposed at the longitudinal end of said facade, serves as a marker in which the user, after selection, can introduce the stripped end of the driver.

Selon une possibilité non exclusive, le nombre de goulottes de guidage correspond exactement au nombre des orifices marquant l'entrée des seconds moyens de guidage.According to a non-exclusive possibility, the number of guiding chutes corresponds exactly to the number of orifices marking the entrance of the second guiding means.

Comme cela sera expliqué plus en détail dans la suite, les seconds moyens de guidage permettent en fait d'individualiser la connexion, un seul conducteur par voie de connexion y étant admis. Cette individualisation peut donc être reprise au niveau des premiers moyens de guidage, selon la possibilité ci-dessus.As will be explained in more detail in the following, the second guide means in fact to individualize the connection, a single conductor by way of connection being admitted. This individualization can therefore be resumed at the level of the first guide means, according to the possibility above.

Selon une variante, chaque bornier peut être associé à des premiers moyens de guidage constitués d'une unique goulotte. Dans cette configuration, une goulotte donne par conséquent accès à plusieurs orifices des seconds moyens de guidage.According to one variant, each terminal block may be associated with first guiding means consisting of a single trough. In this configuration, a chute therefore gives access to several orifices of the second guide means.

L'un des problèmes lié au guidage selon la première direction se situe dans la réalisation du transfert des premiers vers les seconds moyens de guidage : en d'autres termes, la question du passage d'une direction à l'autre implique des moyens communs permettant d'une part de stopper la progression des extrémités des conducteurs selon la première direction et de préparer d'autre part les conditions d'accès à la seconde direction.One of the problems related to the guidance in the first direction is in carrying out the transfer of the first to the second guide means: in other words, the question of the passage from one direction to the other involves common means on the one hand to stop the progression of the ends of the drivers in the first direction and to prepare on the other hand the conditions of access to the second direction.

Dans cette optique, la cloison fermant l'extrémité de la goulotte constituant les premiers moyens de guidage comprend au moins une portion de cylindre d'axe confondu à l'axe d'au moins un orifice marquant l'entrée des seconds moyens de guidage vers lequel ladite goulotte mène.In this regard, the partition closing the end of the chute constituting the first guide means comprises at least one cylinder portion of axis coincident with the axis of at least one orifice marking the entrance of the second guide means to which chute leads.

Chaque portion de cylindre, vue comme un élément de la cloison terminale des premiers moyens de guidage, peut également être vue comme faisant partie des seconds moyens de guidage, et constituer ainsi un élément commun aux deux.Each portion of the cylinder, seen as an element of the end wall of the first guide means, can also be viewed as part of the second guide means, and thus constitute an element common to both.

Selon une configuration, la profondeur des goulottes est maximale au niveau du débouché sur la façade de l'appareil modulaire, et se réduit progressivement en direction des orifices marquant l'entrée des seconds moyens de guidage.In one configuration, the depth of the troughs is maximum at the outlet on the facade of the modular device, and is gradually reduced towards the orifices marking the entrance of the second guide means.

Le fait que la profondeur soit la plus marquée au niveau de la façade s'explique par les fonctions particulières de l'encoche ainsi constituée, mentionnées auparavant.The fact that the depth is the most marked at the level of the facade is explained by the particular functions of the notch thus constituted, mentioned before.

En principe, l'extrémité dénudée du conducteur guidé en aveugle dans les premiers moyens de guidage est maintenue au contact du fond de la goulotte, ce qui implique l'exercice d'une contrainte axiale dirigée contre ce fond. La diminution de la profondeur, faisant "remonter" le fond de la goulotte, maintient le contact en pression jusqu'à la rupture constituée par les orifices d'entrée, dans lesquels le conducteur plonge alors naturellement.In principle, the stripped end of the conductor guided blindly in the first guide means is maintained in contact with the bottom of the chute, which involves the exercise of an axial stress directed against this bottom. The decrease in the depth, making "up" the bottom of the chute, maintains the pressure contact to the break formed by the inlet ports, in which the driver then plunges naturally.

Lorsque les goulottes ne conduisent pas qu'à un seul orifice, si la trajectoire en aveugle ne passe pas sur un orifice, la cloison d'extrémité avec ses portions de cylindre la rectifie pour que l'insertion dans les seconds moyens de guidage se fasse également très naturellement.When the troughs do not lead to a single orifice, if the blind path does not pass over an orifice, the end wall with its cylinder portions rectifies it so that the insertion in the second guide means is made also very naturally.

Ces seconds moyens consistent plus précisément, pour chaque conducteur, en un conduit de type entonnoir dont l'orifice d'entrée débouche dans le fond des premiers moyens de guidage, la section desdits moyens se réduisant progressivement pour aboutir à une ouverture de sortie débouchant au voisinage du lieu de la connexion dans le bornier à raccordement rapide.These second means consist more precisely, for each conductor, in a funnel-type conduit whose inlet orifice opens into the bottom of the first guide means, the section of said means gradually reducing to an outlet opening opening at near the place of the connection in the quick-connect terminal block.

Le rétrécissement, dans la seconde direction de guidage, impose à l'extrémité du conducteur un trajet qui l'amène au niveau précis de la zone de contact entre le guide conducteur et la lame flexible du bornier à raccordement rapide. Il est à noter que la configuration de ces derniers éléments participe en fait au guidage en coopération avec les seconds moyens, comme on le verra plus en détail dans la suite.The narrowing, in the second guiding direction, imposes on the end of the conductor a path that brings it to the precise level of the contact area between the conductive guide and the flexible blade of the quick-connect terminal block. It should be noted that the configuration of these latter elements actually participates in guiding in cooperation with the second means, as will be seen in more detail later.

Pour faciliter encore le passage des premiers aux seconds moyens de guidage, l'intersection entre chaque conduit des seconds moyens de guidage et la goulotte des premiers moyens de guidage dans laquelle il débouche comporte un chanfrein périphérique.To further facilitate the passage of the first to the second guide means, the intersection between each conduit of the second guide means and the chute of the first guide means in which it opens includes a peripheral chamfer.

La structure du dispositif de guidage de l'invention étant ainsi posée, on rappelle que le bornier intégré au boîtier isolant de l'appareil modulaire répond précisément aux caractéristiques qui suivent. Il est constitué :

  • d'un guide conducteur relié à la borne conductrice de l'appareil et pourvu d'une surface d'appui plane contre laquelle s'applique l'extrémité dénudée du conducteur en sortie des seconds moyens de guidage ;
  • d'une lame ressort dont au moins une portion élastique flexible inclinée par rapport à ladite surface est rappelé vers cette dernière ; et
  • d'un organe de commande manipulable de la façade de l'appareil modulaire et visant à écarter ladite lame de la surface d'appui d'une distance compatible avec le calibre des conducteurs à connecter.
The structure of the guiding device of the invention being thus laid, it is recalled that the terminal block integrated in the insulating housing of the modular device responds precisely to the following characteristics. It consists :
  • a conductive guide connected to the conductive terminal of the apparatus and provided with a flat bearing surface against which the stripped end of the conductor exits the second guide means;
  • a spring blade of which at least one flexible elastic portion inclined relative to said surface is biased towards the latter; and
  • a manipulable control member of the facade of the modular apparatus and for moving said blade away from the support surface by a distance compatible with the size of the conductors to be connected.

La forme de l'enveloppe du ou des conduits est alors prévue pour s'insérer dans l'espace ménagé entre la surface d'appui du guide conducteur et la portion inclinée de la lame flexible. Tous ces éléments, disposés en une structure compacte en sortie des conduits, participent en fait au guidage, et le prolongent au moins dans sa phase finale jusqu'au raccordement effectif.The shape of the jacket of the duct or ducts is then provided to fit into the space between the bearing surface of the conductive guide and the inclined portion of the flexible blade. All these elements, arranged in a compact structure at the outlet of the ducts, actually participate in guiding, and extend at least in its final phase until the actual connection.

Pour garantir que l'individualisation de la connexion soit complète, outre le fait que le nombre de conduits des seconds moyens de guidage correspond au nombre de conducteurs à raccorder au bornier, au moins la portion flexible de la lame ressort inclinée vers le guide conducteur est également divisée en un nombre correspondant de lamelles parallèles mobiles indépendamment l'une de l'autre.To ensure that the individualization of the connection is complete, besides the fact that the number of conduits of the second guide means corresponds to the number of conductors to be connected to the terminal block, at least the flexible portion of the spring blade inclined towards the conductive guide is also divided into a corresponding number of parallel slats movable independently of one another.

Les découpes entre les lamelles sont alors placées dans le prolongement des parois séparant les conduits.The cuts between the lamellae are then placed in the extension of the walls separating the ducts.

Afin de ne pas entraver les opérations de raccordement de conducteur, les conduits des seconds moyens de guidage sont séparés par au moins une cloison dont la forme tronquée en sortie permet le déplacement d'au moins un bras de l'organe de commande dont l'extrémité repose, au niveau de la sortie de ladite cloison, sur les lamelles situées de part et d'autre de celle-ci, ledit bras étant commandé par une tête de manipulation accessible depuis la façade de l'appareil électrique modulaire.In order not to impede the conductor connection operations, the ducts of the second guide means are separated by at least one partition whose truncated form at the outlet allows the displacement of at least one arm of the control member whose end rests, at the outlet of said partition, on the slats located on either side thereof, said arm being controlled by a handling head accessible from the front of the modular electrical device.

Il n'y a alors pas d'interférence possible lors de l'insertion de l'extrémité d'un conducteur. Selon une possibilité, l'organe de commande est coulissable dans le boîtier de l'appareil modulaire parallèlement aux premiers moyens de guidage, et la forme tronquée permet le déplacement rectiligne du ou des bras.There is no interference possible when inserting the end of a conductor. According to one possibility, the control member is slidable in the housing of the modular device parallel to the first guide means, and the truncated shape allows the rectilinear movement of the arm or arms.

Les moyens de rappel de cet organe en position de repos, lame ressort flexible au contact du guide conducteur, ne sont autres que ladite lame : l'organe de commande obéit par ailleurs à une conception extrêmement simple, seules deux butées fonctionnelles devant être prises en considération pour son fonctionnement, comme on le verra plus en détail dans la suite.The return means of this member in the rest position, flexible spring blade in contact with the conductor guide, are other than said blade: the control member also obeys an extremely simple design, only two functional stops to be taken into account. consideration for its operation, as will be seen in more detail later.

Une variante non coulissante, dans laquelle l'organe de commande est pivotable selon un axe perpendiculaire simultanément aux directions des premiers et seconds moyens de guidage, et situé au voisinage de la façade du boîtier de l'appareil électrique modulaire, peut également être mise en oeuvre. Dans ce cas, la forme tronquée des cloisons de séparation doit aussi permettre le mouvement du ou des bras de l'organe de commande.A non-sliding variant, in which the control member is pivotable along an axis perpendicular simultaneously to the directions of the first and second guide means, and located in the vicinity of the front of the housing of the modular electrical apparatus, can also be implemented. artwork. In this case, the truncated shape of the partition walls must also allow the movement of the arm or arms of the control member.

Selon une caractéristique essentielle, le dispositif de guidage de l'invention est fixable à l'appareil électrique modulaire par simple clipsage qui ne peut cependant plus être déverrouillé par l'utilisateur, une fois le dispositif rapporté au boîtier.According to an essential characteristic, the guiding device of the invention is fixable to the modular electrical device by simply clipping which can no longer be unlocked by the user, once the device attached to the housing.

Cette possibilité ouvre le champ à des applications pratiques extrêmement intéressantes, notamment au stade de la fabrication, mais également à celui de la commercialisation.This possibility opens the field to very interesting practical applications, especially at the manufacturing stage, but also at the marketing stage.

Ainsi, lors de la fabrication, le contrôle du produit peut être effectué avant clipsage du guide, les pointes de contrôle pouvant alors tester le produit par les bornes sans entrave.Thus, during manufacture, the control of the product can be performed before clipping the guide, the control tips can then test the product through the terminals without hindrance.

De plus, cette possibilité permet de ne procéder au calibrage de la capacité de raccordement du produit qu'en dernier ressort, en adaptant un dispositif de guidage approprié au calibre que l'on peut utiliser avec l'appareil qui en est doté. Secondairement, ceci permet la standardisation du sous-ensemble de connexion interne, puisque la différenciation se fait au niveau du dispositif de guidage.In addition, this possibility makes it possible to calibrate the connection capacity of the product only as a last resort, by adapting a guiding device appropriate to the size that can be used with the apparatus that is equipped with it. Secondarily, this allows the standardization of the internal connection subassembly, since the differentiation is at the level of the guiding device.

Celui-ci peut également comporter des moyens de repérage ou d'identification du produit, en étant par exemple revêtu de couleurs différentes, et/ou par marquage, gravure, etc..., selon sa fonction, la gamme de produits, etc...This may also include means for identifying or identifying the product, for example by being coated with different colors, and / or by marking, etching, etc., depending on its function, the product range, etc. ..

De plus, dans ce cas, sa face destinée à venir en contact avec le boîtier de l'appareil modulaire comporte au moins une rainure longitudinale s'étendant sur au moins une partie de sa longueur depuis son extrémité comportant le débouché de la ou des goulottes, destinée à venir en correspondance avec au moins une rainure similaire pratiquée dans ledit boîtier pour constituer au moins un orifice donnant accès au guide conducteur du bornier à raccordement rapide.In addition, in this case, its face intended to come into contact with the housing of the modular device comprises at least one longitudinal groove extending over at least a part of its length from its end having the outlet of the trunking or channels , intended to come into correspondence with at least one similar groove made in said casing to constitute the minus one opening giving access to the conductive guide of the quick connect terminal block.

Le ou les orifices ainsi constitués permettent le contrôle du produit sur site, en cours d'utilisation par la façade avant.The orifices thus formed allow the control of the product on site, in use by the front facade.

L'invention va à présent être décrite plus en détail, en référence aux dessins, pour lesquels :

  • la figure 1 représente une vue en perspective d'un appareil électrique modulaire comportant un dispositif de guidage selon la présente invention ;
  • la figure 2 est similaire à la précédente, avec le dispositif de l'invention détaché du boîtier de l'appareil électrique modulaire ;
  • les figures 3 et 4 montrent en perspective éclatée les éléments principaux de l'invention ;
  • la figure 5 représente ces éléments assemblés fonctionnellement ;
  • la figure 6 illustre une variante du dispositif de guidage selon l'invention ;
  • la figure 7 montre en perspective les éléments principaux de cette variante assemblés ; et
  • la figure 8 représente une autre variante dans laquelle l'organe de commande est pivotant.
The invention will now be described in more detail, with reference to the drawings, for which:
  • Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a modular electrical apparatus comprising a guiding device according to the present invention;
  • Figure 2 is similar to the previous one, with the device of the invention detached from the housing of the modular electrical apparatus;
  • Figures 3 and 4 show in exploded perspective the main elements of the invention;
  • Figure 5 shows these elements assembled functionally;
  • FIG. 6 illustrates a variant of the guiding device according to the invention;
  • Figure 7 shows in perspective the main elements of this variant assembled; and
  • Figure 8 shows another variant in which the control member is pivotable.

En référence à la figure 1, l'appareil électrique modulaire (A) comporte une façade (1) à plusieurs niveaux dont les extrémités longitudinales surmontent les borniers de connexions, selon une configuration extrêmement classique. Le petit côté latéral (2) d'allure perpendiculaire à l'orientation générale de la façade (1) qui est au premier plan dans la figure comporte un dispositif de guidage (G) selon l'invention, coopérant avec un bornier de raccordement rapide dont seul l'organe de commande (5) est visible, puisqu'il dépasse de la façade (1).Referring to Figure 1, the modular electrical apparatus (A) comprises a facade (1) with several levels, the longitudinal ends of which surmount the terminal blocks, in an extremely conventional configuration. The small lateral side (2) of shape perpendicular to the general orientation of the facade (1) which is in the foreground in the figure comprises a guiding device (G) according to the invention, cooperating with a quick connect terminal block which only the control member (5) is visible, since it exceeds the front (1).

Dans la configuration représentée, trois conducteurs peuvent être connectés, via le dispositif de guidage (G) de l'invention, au bornier qui apparaît en figure 2. Ce dernier comporte, classiquement, un guide conducteur (3) électriquement relié à la borne électrique de l'appareil (A), une lame ressort (4), et ledit organe de commande (5).In the configuration shown, three conductors can be connected, via the guide device (G) of the invention, to the terminal block which appears in FIG. 2. The latter conventionally comprises a conductive guide (3) electrically connected to the electrical terminal. of the apparatus (A), a spring blade (4), and said control member (5).

Les conducteurs, guidés par le dispositif (G), s'insèrent entre le guide conducteur (3) et la lame ressort (4), et en sont libérés par action sur le bouton de l'organe de commande (5) qui est disponible sur la façade (1) de l'appareil électrique modulaire (A).The conductors, guided by the device (G), are inserted between the conductive guide (3) and the spring blade (4), and are released by action on the button of the control member (5) which is available on the facade (1) of the modular electrical appliance (A).

Le dispositif (G) de guidage de l'invention est clairement illustré par la figure 3 : il comporte des premiers moyens de guidage sous la forme de trois goulottes (6a, 6b, 6c) dont l'extrémité supérieure est libre, et dont l'extrémité inférieure est fermée par trois parois (7a, 7b, 7c) en portions de cylindre.The guiding device (G) of the invention is clearly illustrated in FIG. 3: it comprises first guiding means in the form of three chutes (6a, 6b, 6c) whose upper end is free, and whose lower end is closed by three walls (7a, 7b, 7c) in cylinder portions.

Les goulottes (6a, 6b, 6c) sont délimitées par des parois latérales (8a, 8b) et intermédiaires (9a, 9b), et sont dotées d'un fond (10a, 10b, 10c) qui est incliné, la profondeur des goulottes diminuant à l'approche des orifices (11 a, 11 b, 11 c) marquant l'entrée des seconds moyens de guidage.The chutes (6a, 6b, 6c) are delimited by side walls (8a, 8b) and intermediate (9a, 9b), and have a bottom (10a, 10b, 10c) which is inclined, the depth of the troughs decreasing at the approach of the orifices (11a, 11b, 11c) marking the entrance of the second guide means.

Ces derniers prennent la forme de conduits de guidage dont la forme au moins extérieure conférée par l'enveloppe (12) est dessinée pour s'adapter à l'espace subsistant entre la lame ressort (4) et la guide conducteur (3). Les conducteurs sont dirigés vers le lieu de la connexion, c'est-à-dire la zone de contact entre la lame ressort (4) et une portion plane (13) du guide conducteur (3).These take the form of guide ducts whose at least external shape imparted by the casing (12) is designed to adapt to the space between the leaf spring (4) and the conductive guide (3). The conductors are directed to the place of connection, that is to say the contact area between the leaf spring (4) and a flat portion (13) of the guide conductor (3).

Ils sont dirigés de telle sorte que l'action de leur extrémité permette de fléchir la lame ressort (4) pour insertion entre une arête d'extrémité de cette dernière et la portion plane (13) du guide conducteur (3).They are directed so that the action of their end allows to bend the leaf spring (4) for insertion between an end edge of the latter and the flat portion (13) of the guide conductor (3).

Pour assurer une cohérence avec l'individualisation des conducteurs réalisée par les seconds moyens de guidage, à savoir les conduits en aval des orifices (11 a, 11 b, 11 c), la portion inclinée de la lame ressort (4) est également découpée en lamelles (14a, 14b, 14c). La seconde partie (17) d'allure parallèle à la portion (13) est fixe par rapport au boîtier de l'appareil (A).To ensure consistency with the individualization of the conductors made by the second guide means, namely the ducts downstream of the orifices (11a, 11b, 11c), the inclined portion of the spring blade (4) is also cut off in strips (14a, 14b, 14c). The second portion (17) of parallel appearance to the portion (13) is fixed relative to the housing of the apparatus (A).

L'organe de commande (5) comporte deux bras de commande (15a, 15b) agissant simultanément sur les trois lamelles (14a, 14b, 14c) via des orifices (16) pratiqués dans la portion plane (13) du guide conducteur (3). -The control member (5) comprises two control arms (15a, 15b) acting simultaneously on the three strips (14a, 14b, 14c) via orifices (16) formed in the flat portion (13) of the conductive guide (3). ). -

La figure 4 montre les mêmes éléments sous un autre angle. A cet égard, il est à noter l'existence de la rainure (18) pratiquée dans le dispositif de guidage G, qui est placée en correspondance avec une rainure correspondante du boîtier de l'appareil électrique modulaire (A) lorsque le premier cité est fixé au second, pour former un orifice de contrôle (C) apparaissant en figures 1 et 2 devant le bouton de l'organe de commande (S). Cet orifice (C) sert au contrôle sur site, et permet de tester l'état de fonctionnement du produit par l'intermédiaire du guide conducteur via sa partie supérieure (19).Figure 4 shows the same elements from another angle. In this regard, it should be noted the existence of the groove (18) formed in the guide device G, which is placed in correspondence with a corresponding groove of the housing of the modular electrical apparatus (A) when the first city is attached to the second, to form a control port (C) appearing in Figures 1 and 2 in front of the button of the control member (S). This orifice (C) is used for on-site inspection, and makes it possible to test the operating state of the product via the conductive guide via its upper part (19).

La figure 4 montre également une patte flexible (20) montée sur le bouton (5) de l'organe de commande, et qui permet la fixation de ce dernier lorsque le boîtier de l'appareil modulaire (A) est fermé, en fin de chaîne industrielle, par simple clipsage. Le crochet (21) en bout de ladite patte permet le maintien de l'organe (5) dans le boîtier par appui contre une première butée du boîtier de l'appareil (A). Une entretoise (22) permet de limiter la course de l'organe de commande (5) par appui sur la portion horizontale (13) du guide conducteur (3), faisant office de seconde butée, entre les orifices (16) de passage des bras (15a, 15b).FIG. 4 also shows a flexible tab (20) mounted on the button (5) of the control member, and which allows the latter to be fastened when the housing of the modular device (A) is closed at the end of the industrial chain by simple clipping. The hook (21) at the end of said tab allows the maintenance of the member (5) in the housing by pressing against a first stop of the housing of the device (A). A spacer (22) makes it possible to limit the travel of the control member (5) by pressing on the horizontal portion (13) of the conductive guide (3) acting as a second stop between the holes (16) for passage of the arm (15a, 15b).

Les extrémités (23a, 23b) des parois séparant les conduits en aval des orifices (11a, 11b, 11c) sont tronquées pour permettre le passage desdits bras (15a, 15b). Le reste de l'enveloppe (12) est configuré pour s'adapter à l'espace entre les lamelles (14a, 14b, 14c) et la portion (13) du guide (3) : cela ressort particulièrement bien de la figure 5.The ends (23a, 23b) of the walls separating the ducts downstream of the orifices (11a, 11b, 11c) are truncated to allow the passage of said arms (15a, 15b). The remainder of the envelope (12) is configured to adapt to the space between the strips (14a, 14b, 14c) and the portion (13) of the guide (3): this is particularly apparent from FIG. 5.

La configuration de la figure 6 comporte deux dispositifs de guidage de l'invention associés à deux borniers à raccordement rapide. Les références utilisées, dans la mesure où elles concernent les mêmes éléments que dans les figures précédentes, ont été conservées. Dans cette solution, il n'y a pas d'individualisation des goulottes par rapport aux orifices des seconds moyens de guidage, mais une simple rampe par dispositif, donc par bornier.The configuration of FIG. 6 comprises two guiding devices of the invention associated with two quick-connect terminal blocks. The references used, insofar as they concern the same elements as in the previous figures, have been retained. In this solution, there is no individualization of the chutes with respect to the orifices of the second guide means, but a simple ramp by device, therefore by terminal block.

Les premiers moyens de guidage, en référence à la figure 7, sont constitués d'une simple goulotte (6) dont le fond (10) est incliné en rampe remontant vers les orifices (11a, 11b). La section de ladite goulotte n'est pas identique à celle de la version précédente, configurée légèrement curviligne. La paroi de fermeture, comportant autant de tronçons d'allure cylindrique (7a, 7b) que d'orifices (11a, 11b) reste quant à elle identique, au nombre de connexions possibles près. Cette solution ne prévoit en effet que deux possibilités de connexion, d'où une lame ressort (4) divisée en deux lamelles (14a, 14b), et un organe de commande (5) à un seul bras (15), traversant un unique orifice (16) de la portion plane (13) du guide conducteur (13).The first guide means, with reference to Figure 7, consist of a single chute (6) whose bottom (10) is inclined ramp up to the orifices (11a, 11b). The section of said chute is not identical to that of the previous version, configured slightly curvilinear. The closure wall, comprising as many sections of cylindrical shape (7a, 7b) as orifices (11a, 11b) remains in turn identical to the number of possible connections. This solution provides only two connection possibilities, hence a leaf spring (4) divided into two strips (14a, 14b), and a control member (5) with a single arm (15), passing through a single orifice (16) of the flat portion (13) of the conductive guide (13).

Il est à noter que l'enveloppe (12) des conduits en aval des orifices (11a, 11b) s'adapte encore une fois parfaitement à l'espace résiduel entre les portions flexibles (14a, 14b) de la lame ressort (4) et la portion plane (13) du guide conducteur (3) guidant les extrémités des conducteurs vers le lien de la connexion.It should be noted that the casing (12) of the ducts downstream of the orifices (11a, 11b) again fits perfectly into the residual space between the flexible portions (14a, 14b) of the spring blade (4). and the flat portion (13) of the conductive guide (3) guiding the ends of the conductors to the link of the connection.

En référence à la figure 8, et à titre d'exemple, le bouton (5) de l'organe de commande est monté pivotant autour d'un axe (23) perpendiculaire au plan de la figure, le bras (15) bénéficiant alors d'un bras de levier réduisant l'effort de déconnexion. Les autres éléments (guide conducteur (3), lame ressort (4) du bornier à raccordement rapide) restent par ailleurs tout à fait similaires à ceux qui ont été décrits en référence aux autres configurations.With reference to FIG. 8, and by way of example, the button (5) of the control member is pivotally mounted about an axis (23) perpendicular to the plane of the figure, the arm (15) thus benefiting of a lever arm reducing the effort of disconnection. The other elements (conductive guide (3), leaf spring (4) of the quick-connect terminal block) also remain quite similar to those described with reference to other configurations.

Dans cette figure, axée sur cette variante pivotante, le dispositif de guidage de l'invention n'est pas représenté, et remplacé par un simple conduit (24) d'introduction des conducteurs. Il est cependant bien évident que l'adjonction d'un dispositif de guidage peut se faire exactement dans les mêmes conditions qu'auparavant.In this figure, focused on this pivoting variant, the guide device of the invention is not shown, and replaced by a single conduit (24) for introducing the conductors. However, it is quite obvious that the addition of a guiding device can be done exactly under the same conditions as before.

Les configurations décrites ci-dessus ne sont d'ailleurs à considérer que comme des exemples illustratifs de l'invention, qui ne sont nullement exhaustifs de cette dernière.The configurations described above are moreover to be considered only as illustrative examples of the invention, which are by no means exhaustive of the latter.

Claims (16)

  1. Guide device (G) for conductors to be connected to a modular electrical apparatus (A) of the type fixed to a rail with small lateral sides, enabling the stripped end of each conductor to be guided from the front face (1) incorporating the control lever of the housing of said apparatus (A) towards a connection terminal from one of the small lateral sides (2) of said housing oriented perpendicular to said front face, said terminal being of the rapid connection type for directly plugging in at least one conductor, characterised in that it has first guide means (6, 6a, 6b, 6c) providing a guiding action for the end of each conductor in a first direction on the exterior of the housing, from the front face as far as second guide means oriented in a second direction, towards the interior of said housing in order to insert said end in the rapid connection terminal strip.
  2. Guide device (G) for conductors to be connected to a modular electrical apparatus (A) as claimed in the preceding claim, characterised in that the first guide means comprise at least one duct (6, 6a, 6b, 6c) per terminal, oriented parallel with the longitudinal axis of the small lateral side (2), opening at one of its ends into the front face (1) of the modular apparatus (A), and the other end of which is closed, partially bordering orifices (11a, 11b, 11c) marking the inlet of second guide means.
  3. Guide device (G) for conductors to be connected to a modular electrical apparatus (A) as claimed in the preceding claim, characterised in that the number of guide ducts (6, 6a, 6b, 6c) corresponds to the number of orifices (11a, 11b, 11c) marking the inlet of the second guide means of the guide.
  4. Guide device (G) for conductors to be connected to a modular apparatus (A) as claimed in claim 2, characterised in that each terminal co-operates with first guide means (6, 6a, 6b, 6c) comprising a single duct.
  5. Guide device (G) for conductors to be connected to a modular electrical apparatus (A) as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 4, characterised in that the partition closing the end of the duct (6, 6a, 6b, 6c) constituting the first guide means has at least one cylinder portion (7a, 7b, 7c) coaxial with the axis of at least one orifice (11a, 11b, 11c) marking the inlet of the second guide means towards which said duct (6, 6a, 6b, 6c) leads.
  6. Guide device (G) for conductors to be connected to a modular electrical apparatus (A) as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 5, characterised in that the depth of the ducts (6, 6a, 6b, 6c) is at its maximum at the level where it opens into the front face (1) of the modular apparatus (A), and progressively reduces in the direction towards the orifices (11a, 11b, 11c) marking the inlet of the second guide means.
  7. Guide device (G) for conductors to be connected to a modular electrical apparatus (A) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the second guide means comprise a funnel-shaped conduit for each conductor, the inlet orifice (11a, 11b, 11c) of which opens into the base of said first guide means (6, 6a, 6b, 6c), and the cross-section of said means progressively reduces, terminating in an outlet orifice opening in the vicinity of the connection point in the rapid connection terminal.
  8. Guide device (G) for conductors to be connected to a modular electrical apparatus (A) as claimed in the preceding claim, characterised in that the intersection between each conduit of the second guide means and the duct (6, 6a, 6b, 6c) of the first guide means into which it opens has a peripheral chamfer.
  9. Guide device (G) for conductors to be connected to a modular electrical apparatus (A) as claimed in one of claims 7 and 8, characterised in that the rapid connection terminal comprises:
    - a conductor guide (3) connected to the conductive terminal of the apparatus (A) and having a flat support surface (13) against which the stripped end of the conductor leaving the second guide means is applied;
    - a leaf spring (4), of which at least an elastically flexible portion inclined relative to said surface is biased towards the latter; and
    - a control element (5) which can be manipulated from the front face (1) of the modular apparatus (A) and is designed to space said leaf (4) from the support surface (13) by a distance compatible with the size of the conductors to be connected;
    and the shape of the envelope (12) of the conduit or conduits is designed so as to fit in the space formed between the support surface (13) of the conductor guide (3) and the inclined portion of the flexible leaf (4) so that said flat support surface (13) and the elastic portion of the leaf spring (4), disposed in a compact structure at the outlet of the conduit or conduits, extends the guiding action afforded by said conduits.
  10. Guide device (G) for conductors to be connected to a modular electrical apparatus (A) as claimed in the preceding claim, characterised in that the number of conduits of the second guide means corresponds to the number of conductors to be connected to the terminal, of which at least the flexible portion of the leaf spring (4) inclined towards the conductor guide (3) is divided into a corresponding number of parallel leaf parts (14a, 14b, 14c) which are able to move independently of one another.
  11. Guide device (G) for conductors to be connected to a modular electrical apparatus (A) as claimed in the preceding claim, characterised in that the conduits of the second guide means are separated by at least one partition, the truncated shape of which at the outlet enables the displacement of at least one arm (15, 15a, 15b) of the control element (5), the end of which, on a level with the outlet of said partition, rests on the leaf parts (14a, 14b, 14c) disposed on either side of it, said arm (15, 15a, 15b) being controlled by a manipulating head accessible from the front face (1) of the modular electrical apparatus (A).
  12. Guide device (G) for conductors to be connected to a modular electrical apparatus (A) as claimed in the preceding claim, characterised in that said truncated shape enables the arms (15, 15a, 15b) to be moved in a straight line.
  13. Guide device (G) for conductors to be connected to a modular electrical apparatus (A) as claimed in claim 11, characterised in that said truncated shape enables the displacement of an arm (15) connected to a manipulating head, pivoting about a perpendicular axis (23) and disposed in the vicinity of the front face (1) of the housing of the modular electrical apparatus (A), simultaneously in the directions of the first and second guide means.
  14. Guide device (G) for conductors to be connected to a modular electrical apparatus (A) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that it is secured to the modular electrical apparatus (A) by a clip-fit arrangement.
  15. Guide device (G) for conductors to be connected to a modular electrical apparatus (A) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that it has means for locating or identifying said modular electrical apparatus, in particular based on colour, and/or marking and/or engraving.
  16. Guide device (G) for conductors to be connected to a modular electrical apparatus (A) as claimed in one of claims 14 and 15, characterised in that its face designed to move into contact with the housing of the modular apparatus (A) has at least one longitudinal groove (18) extending across at least a part of its length, from its end incorporating the opening of the duct or ducts (6, 6a, 6b, 6c), designed to match at least one similar groove recessed into said housing to provide at least one orifice (C) affording access to the conductor guide of the rapid connection terminal.
EP00440049A 2000-02-21 2000-02-21 Conductor guiding device to be connected to an electrical modular apparatus Expired - Lifetime EP1128471B1 (en)

Priority Applications (5)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PT00440049T PT1128471E (en) 2000-02-21 2000-02-21 Conductor guiding device to be connected to an electrical modular apparatus
EP00440049A EP1128471B1 (en) 2000-02-21 2000-02-21 Conductor guiding device to be connected to an electrical modular apparatus
ES00440049T ES2279750T3 (en) 2000-02-21 2000-02-21 DRIVER GUIDE DEVICE FOR PUSHING A MODULAR ELECTRICAL DEVICE.
DE60032724T DE60032724T2 (en) 2000-02-21 2000-02-21 Conductor guide device for connection to an electrical modular device
AT00440049T ATE350781T1 (en) 2000-02-21 2000-02-21 CONDUCTOR GUIDE DEVICE FOR CONNECTING TO AN ELECTRICAL MODULAR DEVICE

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP00440049A EP1128471B1 (en) 2000-02-21 2000-02-21 Conductor guiding device to be connected to an electrical modular apparatus

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1128471A1 EP1128471A1 (en) 2001-08-29
EP1128471B1 true EP1128471B1 (en) 2007-01-03

Family

ID=8174099

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP00440049A Expired - Lifetime EP1128471B1 (en) 2000-02-21 2000-02-21 Conductor guiding device to be connected to an electrical modular apparatus

Country Status (5)

Country Link
EP (1) EP1128471B1 (en)
AT (1) ATE350781T1 (en)
DE (1) DE60032724T2 (en)
ES (1) ES2279750T3 (en)
PT (1) PT1128471E (en)

Families Citing this family (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE102006047254B3 (en) * 2006-10-06 2008-05-21 Abb Ag Installation switching device e.g. line safety switch, has opening covered by covering part pivotably mounted on housing, where part has connecting area with number of connection openings that correspond to number of conductors
DE102006047255A1 (en) * 2006-10-06 2008-04-10 Abb Patent Gmbh Clamp connection for coupling conductor to installation contactor has bus bar and clamping spring such that conductor end may be clamped between clamping side of clamping spring and clamping edge of bus bar
DE102006049772B4 (en) * 2006-10-21 2008-09-04 Abb Ag Service switching device
CA2738441A1 (en) * 2008-09-29 2010-04-01 Abb Ag Installation switching device having a screwless clamp terminal
DE102013110789B3 (en) * 2013-09-30 2014-12-04 Klaus Bruchmann Gmbh Adapter for contacting busbars
WO2016005215A1 (en) * 2014-07-05 2016-01-14 Eaton Electrical Ip Gmbh & Co. Kg Plug adapter for an electrical device for plugging in supply lines, and system formed by a plug adapter and a device

Family Cites Families (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3967873A (en) * 1975-02-27 1976-07-06 General Electric Company Wire terminal electrical contact
DE8801623U1 (en) * 1988-02-09 1988-04-07 Brökelmann, Jaeger & Busse GmbH & Co, 5760 Arnsberg Connection terminal for electrical devices
US4886472A (en) * 1988-07-08 1989-12-12 Tsai Jing Hwang Push-type wire terminating apparatus

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
ATE350781T1 (en) 2007-01-15
DE60032724T2 (en) 2007-11-08
PT1128471E (en) 2007-04-30
EP1128471A1 (en) 2001-08-29
ES2279750T3 (en) 2007-09-01
DE60032724D1 (en) 2007-02-15

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
EP1496572B1 (en) Connecting device for coaxial cable
EP0511111B1 (en) Electrical connection and a housing for electrical devices comprising such a connection
EP0749129A1 (en) Flat cable and stripping pliers
EP1128471B1 (en) Conductor guiding device to be connected to an electrical modular apparatus
EP1124286A1 (en) Disconnectable terminal block for a modular electrical apparatus
FR2568439A1 (en) CONNECTION DEVICE FOR AN ELECTRIC CARTRIDGE HEATING ELEMENT
EP1432077A1 (en) Modular electrical apparatus having inclined connection sides
EP1916742A1 (en) Electrical power socket
EP1026782B1 (en) Connection block for electrical devices
EP1655806A1 (en) Bus bar connector, casing comrising such a bus bar connector
EP1881561B1 (en) Automatic terminal including a guiding divider and electrical equipment comprising such a terminal
FR2782196A1 (en) Stripper for electrical wiring comprising slot for positive location of the wire
EP3840136B1 (en) Mechanism for electrical equipment, associated electrical assembly and electrical equipment
EP0697749B1 (en) Quick cutting terminal contact
EP0444567A1 (en) Device for connecting a coaxial cable to a printed circuit board without preparation of the cable
CA1175514A (en) Modular electrical connector pin
FR2569047A1 (en) ANTI-SHOCK FUSE HOLDER
EP4131659B1 (en) Mechanism for power socket and associated power socket
EP0020229A1 (en) Electrical connecting device of the insulation perforation type
FR2936367A1 (en) ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR
EP1751827B1 (en) Tool for stripping insulated electric conductor and a self-stripping terminal comprising said tool
FR2567689A1 (en) Stripping pliers
EP3499540B1 (en) Electrical device intended to establish or break the current in an electrical circuit
FR2553940A1 (en) Device for the electrical connection of non-stripped metal conductors
EP4376223A1 (en) Connection bar with a connection cage and associated electrical terminal block

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 20000313

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE

AX Request for extension of the european patent

Free format text: AL;LT;LV;MK;RO;SI

AKX Designation fees paid

Free format text: AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE

17Q First examination report despatched

Effective date: 20050301

GRAP Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR1

GRAS Grant fee paid

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR3

GRAA (expected) grant

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: B1

Designated state(s): AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: FI

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20070103

Ref country code: IE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20070103

Ref country code: DK

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20070103

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: GB

Ref legal event code: FG4D

Free format text: NOT ENGLISH

REF Corresponds to:

Ref document number: 60032724

Country of ref document: DE

Date of ref document: 20070215

Kind code of ref document: P

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: IE

Ref legal event code: FG4D

Free format text: LANGUAGE OF EP DOCUMENT: FRENCH

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: MC

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20070228

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: SE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20070403

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: PT

Ref legal event code: SC4A

Free format text: AVAILABILITY OF NATIONAL TRANSLATION

Effective date: 20070402

GBV Gb: ep patent (uk) treated as always having been void in accordance with gb section 77(7)/1977 [no translation filed]

Effective date: 20070103

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: IE

Ref legal event code: FD4D

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: ES

Ref legal event code: FG2A

Ref document number: 2279750

Country of ref document: ES

Kind code of ref document: T3

PLBE No opposition filed within time limit

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009261

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: NO OPPOSITION FILED WITHIN TIME LIMIT

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: GB

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20070103

26N No opposition filed

Effective date: 20071005

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: GR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20070404

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: CY

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20070103

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: LU

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20070221

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: PFA

Owner name: HAGER ELECTRO SAS, FR

Free format text: FORMER OWNER: HAGER ELECTRO S.A., FR

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: NV

Representative=s name: RENTSCH PARTNER AG, CH

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: FR

Ref legal event code: PLFP

Year of fee payment: 17

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: FR

Ref legal event code: PLFP

Year of fee payment: 18

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: FR

Payment date: 20170223

Year of fee payment: 18

Ref country code: DE

Payment date: 20170227

Year of fee payment: 18

Ref country code: CH

Payment date: 20170227

Year of fee payment: 18

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: PT

Payment date: 20170202

Year of fee payment: 18

Ref country code: AT

Payment date: 20170201

Year of fee payment: 18

Ref country code: NL

Payment date: 20170226

Year of fee payment: 18

Ref country code: BE

Payment date: 20170227

Year of fee payment: 18

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: IT

Payment date: 20170223

Year of fee payment: 18

Ref country code: ES

Payment date: 20170227

Year of fee payment: 18

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: PCAR

Free format text: NEW ADDRESS: BELLERIVESTRASSE 203 POSTFACH, 8034 ZUERICH (CH)

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R119

Ref document number: 60032724

Country of ref document: DE

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: PL

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: NL

Ref legal event code: MM

Effective date: 20180301

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: AT

Ref legal event code: MM01

Ref document number: 350781

Country of ref document: AT

Kind code of ref document: T

Effective date: 20180221

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: PT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20180821

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: BE

Ref legal event code: MM

Effective date: 20180228

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: AT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20180221

Ref country code: CH

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20180228

Ref country code: LI

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20180228

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: FR

Ref legal event code: ST

Effective date: 20181031

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: NL

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20180301

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: DE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20180901

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: BE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20180228

Ref country code: FR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20180228

Ref country code: IT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20180221

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: ES

Ref legal event code: FD2A

Effective date: 20190801

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: ES

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20180222