EP1213791B1 - Electrical connector with cage spring and selfsupported lever - Google Patents

Abstract

The electrical connector has a spring strip (2) formed in a rounded triangular shape and conductor (1) attached through a window section. The conductor and attachment manipulation section (L) are configured to provide stable lever maintenance between the conductor and the spring strip.

Description

The present invention relates to an electrical connector having at least one spring blade of the cage type, said blade forming in a very classic, a triangular-looking loop with rounded corners, whose two end portions are oriented substantially perpendicular to each other, the first being fixed on a terminal electrical conductor which also passes through a window made in the second.

Such connectors are well known, and generally handled at using a tool that is inserted into a hole provided for this purpose in the equipment they equip, so as to exert an action aimed at compelling the spring to open the connection.

The exercise of the action may nevertheless be carried out in two ways different: according to a first hypothesis, the blade of the tool introduced in the device exerts a direct action on the leaf spring it solicits without intermediary.

Alternatively, the connectors can be equipped with levers manipulation accessible from outside the housing of the device, and manipulable by hand or by a tick. For example, in the documents DE-C-198 34 681 and DE-U-830 19 332, the leaf springs fixed on their terminals are arranged in a housing which comprises an articulated portion for manipulating said blades.

According to yet another mode of construction, the levers can be arranged inside the enclosures and provided with a reception area of end of the blade of the tool, which can thus act on the lever, which then retransmits the action to the spring blade.

The invention lies in this last category. It also concerns more particularly modular electrical appliances which are equipped with such connectors. One of the essential problems to be solved in the design of this type of connection devices lies particularly in the ease of their assembly in the devices they equip.

In the industrialization phase, this criterion is essential because it can induce significant economic benefits.

However, in most cases, the known solutions propose the assembly of the connector in the housings in two stages: the lever is separated from the terminal equipped with the spring blade, and their assembly to the housing of the device is done sequentially because the housing participates in their relative positioning. These solutions are obviously economically penalized by the need for a double intervention.

In the design of the invention, the lever is self-supported by the formed structure by the terminal and the spring blade, and the assembly is therefore of compact way, pre-assembled.

Such an advantage is considerable in terms of mastery of the chain industrial manufacturing because it not only helps to reduce costs but to increase the reliability of the device by simplifying the operations of mounting.

• un levier de manipulation ;
• au moins une lame ressort du type à cage, ladite lame formant une boucle d'allure triangulaire aux angles arrondis dont les deux portions d'extrémité sont orientées sensiblement perpendiculairement l'une à l'autre ;
• une borne électrique conductrice sur laquelle est fixée la première portion d'extrémité de ladite lame, et traversant une fenêtre pratiquée dans la seconde ;

   et se caractérise principalement en ce que le levier de manipulation de ladite lame mécaniquement relié à la borne, qui comporte des moyens de guidage du levier de manipulation permettant de le maintenir en permanence au contact de la lame ressort quelle que soit la position de cette dernière relativement à la borne, le levier reposant en l'absence de sollicitation sur la portion culminante de la lame ressort.More specifically, the invention, which concerns as already mentioned an electrical connector, comprises:

• a manipulation lever;
• at least one spring leaf of the cage type, said blade forming a triangular-shaped loop with rounded corners, the two end portions of which are oriented substantially perpendicular to each other;
• a conductive electrical terminal on which is fixed the first end portion of said blade, and passing through a window made in the second;

and is characterized in that the manipulation lever of said blade mechanically connected to the terminal, which comprises means for guiding the handling lever to maintain it permanently in contact with the leaf spring regardless of the position of the latter relative to the terminal, the lever resting in the absence of stress on the culminating portion of the leaf spring.

It is then easy to assemble the assembly in the envelope of a electrical appliance, in a single operation on the complete subassembly.

The idea is of course to wedge the lever between a part of the terminal and the blade spring.

According to the invention, the terminal is shaped so that it extends to above of the culminating portion of the spring blade, said guide means of the movement of the lever in contact with said blade which are arranged above said culminating portion.

More specifically, these guide means consist of at least one housing guide in rotation of a shaft of the lever.

Rotary configurations are the most common for this type of connector, but the aforementioned structure of the spring blade and the terminal can also allow to consider a translative type solution.

Preferably, the guide housing consists of at least one half-bearing with a hemicylindrical recess whose opening is directed towards the blade spring, the position and the dimensioning of said recess as well as the shaft of the lever being provided so that the latter is in permanent contact with the blade spring when the shaft is fitted into the recess.

The manipulation lever is always maintained because the spring blade plate in all cases the handle lever shaft at the bottom of the hemispherical housing.

According to one possible configuration, the terminal has an L shape, including a branch substantially perpendicular to that which supports the spring blade, is developing near and parallel to the portion of the latter comprising the window.

In this case, the free end of the branch of the L overlooking the summit part of the spring blade comprises two half-bearings hemi-cylindrical opening on said summit part, separated by a median pan oriented in the extension of said branch.

This median pan serves a mechanical stop function for the lever, stable holding of the lever when the blade is not constrained understood to be obtained only if the latter is restrained by a stop while remaining contact of the blade in the rest position.

According to a particular configuration, the lever comprises, at its end cooperating with the half-bearings, a transverse shaft to which is fixed a stop central unit, which is attached to a main body transmitting the action aimed at to force the spring.

There is therefore, at the lever, a member serving as a stop, obviously intended to cooperate with the aforementioned median pan.

Preferably, the free end of the body of the lever comprises an outgrowth axial provided with a recess, preferably transverse.

This recess notably allows the insertion of the free end of the blade of a such as a screwdriver, a tool traditionally used to constrain spring blades of such connectors.

According to one possibility, the face of the body of the lever facing the spring blade has a protrusion transmitting the printed action to the lever to said blade spring.

This protuberance optimizes the transmission of the lever movement the leaf spring, which has, in its zone of cooperation with the lever, a inclined surface which progressively deviates from said face of the lever. It is by interesting to have such a protuberance, which allows to to multiply the forces applied to this part of the blade spring, or even to orient the effort transmitted to the blade.

In one possible configuration, the connector may comprise at least two adjacent leaf springs, the portion of the terminal supporting said blades being then divided axially into at least two separate sections.

As will be discussed in detail below, this division is necessary to proceed with the installation and precise positioning of each spring blade.

In the case where the connector of the invention comprises two leaf springs the lever itself can be divided into two symmetrical parts according to a median longitudinal axis, making possible the differentiated manipulation of each spring blade.

According to a variant of the invention, the terminal has a U-shape which has been made rotate 90 ° counterclockwise with spring blade fixed on the horizontal branch of the bottom, its portion comprising the window being disposed to near the opening of the U.

In this case, the free end of the upper branch of the U comprises a half-bearing with hemispherical housing open towards the center of the volume between the branches of the U.

Leverage is therefore to a large extent contained in the volume defined by the different branches of the U.

It preferably comprises, at its axial end cooperating with the half-bearing, a transverse shaft fixed to a central body whose other axial end is with a protrusion passing through the vertical wall of the inverted U using of a window made in said wall, the emerging part of said protrusion being provided with a recess, preferably transverse.

This particular configuration U inverted, inside which moves the leverage, required the search for a particular solution to allow access to the free end of the lever. It should be noted that in this solution, the high stop is made by the horizontal upper edge of the window made in the wall of the U.

As in the previous solution in L, the face of the body of the lever facing spring blade has a protrusion transmitting the printed action to the lever to said leaf spring.

The positioning of this protuberance, not far from the axis of rotation, allows as before, to leverage the efforts exerted on the lever, and in particular to transmit them in a correct orientation.

Like the previous variant, the connector following this configuration can also have two adjacent leaf springs, the lower leg of the U being then also separated in two in an axial direction, at its end free.

Similarly, the lever can always be divided into two symmetrical parts, according to a median longitudinal axis.

As mentioned before, the present invention relates to only the connector as described above, but also the devices circuit-breaker-type modular electrical appliances which are provided with at least one such connector.

Such devices are characterized in this case in that their housing comprises means for housing the inserted connector (s) as subassemblies complete.

In the case where such devices comprise two connectors, for example in a neutral phase device, there may be a problem of space, the width devices being standard and not allowing the installation of two double connectors at the same level.

In this case, the connectors may be superposed, and partially offset transversely. The inevitable transverse overlap is then without practical effect, because of the superposition.

• la figure 1 est une vue en perspective d'un connecteur selon la présente invention, dans sa configuration en L ;
• la figure 2 représente le même connecteur en vue en élévation de face ;
• la figure 3 montre, en perspective, le connecteur des figures précédentes en cours d'assemblage ;
• la figure 4 représente une variante du connecteur des figures précédentes, avec un double levier de manipulation ;
• la figure 5 représente en perspective la variante à borne en U ;
• la figure 6 montre en élévation de face le connecteur de la figure 5 ; et
• les figures 7a à 7c sont des vues partielles en perspective d'un appareil modulaire électrique dans des configurations pouvant permettre l'installation d'un ou deux connecteurs selon l'invention.

The invention will now be described in more detail, with reference to the appended figures, for which:

• Figure 1 is a perspective view of a connector according to the present invention in its L configuration;
• Figure 2 shows the same connector in front elevational view;
• Figure 3 shows, in perspective, the connector of the preceding figures during assembly;
• Figure 4 shows a variant of the connector of the previous figures, with a double lever manipulation;
• FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the U-shaped terminal variant;
• Figure 6 shows in front elevation the connector of Figure 5; and
• Figures 7a to 7c are partial perspective views of an electrical modular apparatus in configurations that allow the installation of one or two connectors according to the invention.

With reference to FIG. 1, the terminal (1) on which the blades are arranged springs (2, 2 ') is configured in L. The horizontal portion of the terminal (1) is divided into two parallel sections to allow the installation of the blades springs (2, 2 '), as will be shown in more detail with reference to FIG.

The vertical portion of said terminal (1) is surmounted by two half-bearings (3, 3 ') separated by a median pan (4). The half-bearings (3, 3 ') house a shaft (5) whose central portion is integral with a stop (6) connecting it to the main body (7) of the handling lever (L). The other axial end of said lever (L) is occupied by an outgrowth (8) provided with a transverse recess (9).

A protrusion (10) is provided on the lower surface of the main body (7) of the lever (L), said protuberance (10) being directly in contact with the portion inclined each leaf spring (2, 2 '), as is clear in Figure 2.

The operation is as follows: when the user exerts an action, by example by means of a tool whose end of the blade fits into the recess (9), the lever (L) pivots through its shaft (5) in the half-bearings (3, 3 '), and urges the leaf springs (2, 2') downwards by intermediate protrusion (10). When the action exercised by the user ceases, the lever pivots in the opposite direction due to the action of the leaf springs (2, 2 '), until its abutment (6) comes into contact with the median pan (4). The permanent action said leaf springs (2, 2 ') on the lever (L) keeps the latter in the position of rest in the half-bearings (3, 3 ').

Figure 3 shows the assembly of the various elements of the connector of the invention. The leaf springs (2, 2 ') are threaded into the horizontal portions parallel to the terminal (1), then the shaft (5) of the lever (L) is clipped into the half-bearings (3, 3 '). The direction of insertion is represented by the arrows. In position rest, the stop (6) is always in contact with the median pan (4).

The same configuration is shown in Figure 4, with only one difference, which consists of dividing the lever (L) into two symmetrical half-levers (L, L '). In in this case, the protuberances (8, 8 ') are provided with a central recess (9, 9') fulfilling exactly the same function as the transverse recess (9) of previous levers.

The operation is strictly identical to that which has been described previously, the control of each leaf spring can however be individualized.

The variant shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 comprises an inverted U-shaped terminal, that is to say having undergone a rotation of 90 ° in the trigonometrical direction. The The same references are given to the equivalent elements of both variants. In this case, the shaft (5) is housed in a single recess half-bearing hemispherical (3) equipping the end of the upper branch of the terminal (1). One of the notable differences between this structure and the structure of the variant previous example is the existence of a window (11) the vertical branch of the U, allowing the passage of the protrusion (8) provided with the transversal recess (9).

In addition, the lower branch is subdivided into two only at the level of its free end, the leaf springs (2, 2 ') being inserted into the U-shaped terminal (1) opposite direction of insertion direction used in the previous variant.

The operation is generally the same, the lever (L) being self-supporting between the top portion of the spring blades (2, 2 ') and the housing of the half-bearing hemispherical (3). A solicitation of the end of the lever (L), for example to using a tool whose end of the blade is applied in the transversal recess (9) causes rotation of the shaft (5) in its hemispherical housing, the protuberance (10) then transmitting the reduced force to said leaf spring (2, 2 '), which causes the opening of the connector.

Figures 7a to 7c are partial perspective views of apparatus modular electrical devices that can be equipped with connectors according to the invention. When these connectors are two in number, as is for example the case in neutral phase products, the standardized width of these devices not allow to have at the same level two connectors of the invention.

It is therefore necessary to make a height shift, as as shown in Figures 7a and 7b, which allows a slight transverse overlap.

Alternatively, it is of course possible to equip the electrical device modular design with a single connector according to the invention, as shown in FIG. Figure 7c.

Each leaf spring is assigned an orifice (21, 22, 23, 24), which can optionally be practiced in a guide barrel (25) equipping the face side of the modular electrical appliance, regardless of its configuration.

The facades (F) of these modular appliances are equipped with orifices (27, 27 ') allowing the insertion of a tool blade provided to cooperate with the levers (L) connectors of the invention. Likewise, said facades (F) can be equipped with test ports (26, 26 ') for access to live parts with a tester-type instrument, in particular with a view to checking the quality of the connection.

Claims (19)

1. Electrical connector comprising:

   a handling lever (L);

   at least one spring plate (2, 2') of the cage type, the said plate (2, 2') forming a loop with a triangular shape with rounded edges, the two end portions of which are oriented substantially perpendicularly relative to one another;

   a conductive electric terminal (1) to which the first end portion of the said plate is secured, and which passes through a window provided in the second portion;

   characterised in that the handling lever (L) for the said plate (2, 2') is mechanically connected to the terminal (1), which comprises means for guiding the said handling lever (L) which make it possible to maintain the latter continually in contact with the spring plate (2, 2') irrespective of the position of the latter relative to the terminal (1), the lever (L) being supported in the absence of stress on the highest portion of the spring plate (2, 2').
2. Connector according to the preceding claim,
   characterised in that the terminal (1) is shaped such that it extends as far as above the highest portion of the spring plate (2, 2'), the said means for guiding the displacement of the lever (L) in contact with the said plate (2, 2') being disposed above the said highest portion.
3. Connector according to the preceding claim,
   characterised in that the said guiding means consist of at least one receptacle for guiding a shaft (5) of the lever (L) in rotation.
4. Connector according to the preceding claim,
   characterised in that the guiding receptacle (3, 3') consists of at least one half-bearing which is provided with a semi-cylindrical recess, the opening of which is oriented towards the spring plate (2, 2'), the position and dimensions of the said recess, as well as of the shaft (5) of the lever (L), being designed such that the latter is in continual contact with the spring plate (2, 2') when the shaft (5) is fitted in the recess.
5. Connector according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the terminal (1) is in the shape of an "L", comprising a part which is substantially perpendicular to that which supports the spring plate (2, 2'), extending parallel to, and in the vicinity of, the portion of the latter which contains the window.
6. Connector according to the preceding claim,
   characterised in that the free end of the branch of the "L" which overhangs the top part of the spring plate (2, 2') comprises two semi-cylindrical half-bearings (3, 3') which open onto the said top part, and are separated by a median panel (4) which is oriented in the extension of the said branch.
7. Connector according to the preceding claim,
   characterised in that the lever (L) comprises, at its end which co-operates with the half-bearings (3, 3'), a transverse shaft (5) to which there is secured a central stop (6), which is integral with a main body (7) which transmits the action which is designed to stress the spring (2, 2').
8. Connector according to the preceding claim,
   characterised in that the free end of the body of the lever (L) comprises an axial extension (8) which is provided with a preferably transverse recess (9).
9. Connector according to one of claims 7 and 8,
   characterised in that the surface of the body (7) of the lever (L) which is opposite the spring plate (2, 2') comprises a projection (10) which transmits the action imparted to the lever (L) to the said spring plate (2, 2').
10. Connector according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that it comprises at least two adjacent spring plates, the branch of the terminal (1) which supports the said plates being divided axially into at least two separate sections.
11. Connector according to any one of claims 7 to 9,
    characterised in that it comprises two adjacent spring plates (2, 2'), the lever being divided into two symmetrical parts (L, L') according to a median longitudinal axis.
12. Connector according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
    characterised in that the terminal (1) is in the shape of a "U" which has been rotated by 90° in the trigonometric direction, the spring plate (2, 2') being secured to the horizontal branch of the base, and its portion which contains the window being disposed in the vicinity of the opening of the "U".
13. Connector according to the preceding claim,
    characterised in that the free end of the upper branch of the "U" comprises a half-bearing with a hemispherical receptacle (3) which is open towards the centre of the volume contained between the branches of the "U".
14. Connector according to the preceding claim,
    characterised in that, at its axial end which co-operates with the half-bearing (3), the lever (L) comprises a transverse shaft (5) which is secured to a central body (7), the other axial end of which is provided with an extension (8) which passes through the vertical wall of the overturned "U" by means of a window (11) which is provided in the said wall, the emerging part of the said extension (8) being provided with a preferably transverse recess (9).
15. Connector according to the preceding claim,
    characterised in that the surface of the body (7) of the lever (L) opposite the spring plate (2, 2') comprises a projection (10) which transmits the action imparted to the lever (L) to the said spring plate (2, 2').
16. Connector according to any one of claims 12 to 15,
    characterised in that it comprises two adjacent spring plates (2, 2'), the low branch of the "U" then being divided into two at its free end, according to an axial direction.
17. Connector according to the preceding claim, the lever being divided into two symmetrical parts (L, L') according to a median longitudinal axis.
18. Modular electrical device of the circuit-breaker type provided with at least one connector according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that its case comprises means for accommodating the connector(s).
19. Modular electrical device of the circuit-breaker type provided with at least one connector according to the preceding claim, characterised in that it comprises two connectors which are superimposed and partially offset transversely.

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