EP1503455A1 - Device for electrical connection with protected contact - Google Patents

Abstract

The device has a case (5) with a maintenance unit (30) to confine a screw (20) to interior of housing (6). The unit (30) permits only a head of the screw to be accessible from exterior such that a locking unit (25) is completely isolated from exterior. The screw is rotated through an external operation tool so that the unit (25) is moved at interior of the housing between a locking and disengagement positions. The locking unit is moved parallel to a body of the screw between the locking and disengagement positions, where an extraneous conductive part and a contact stud are immobilized together in the locking position, and the extraneous conductive part is freed in the disengagement position.

Description

The present invention relates to connection devices which are in particular intended to allow the electrical connection between a contact pad belonging to the device and an electrical element outside this device.

• un boítier réalisé en matière électriquement isolante qui délimite au moins un logement et qui comporte au moins une ouverture de raccordement pour l'introduction dans le logement d'un élément électriquement conducteur depuis l'extérieur du dispositif, et au moins une ouverture de manoeuvre pour le passage d'un outil de travail,
• au moins un plot de contact électrique comportant au moins une âme située dans le logement et au moins une patte faisant saillie à l'extérieur du boítier,
• au moins une vis comprenant un corps fileté et une tête de manoeuvre et qui est montée mobile dans le logement pour être entraínée en rotation par l'outil, et
• des moyens de serrage qui sont montés dans le logement de manière à être sollicités par la vis pour sélectivement immobiliser ensemble l'élément conducteur et le plot de contact.

The devices usually encountered are of the type comprising:

• a housing made of electrically insulating material which delimits at least one housing and which comprises at least one connection opening for the introduction into the housing of an electrically conductive element from outside the device, and at least one operating opening for the passage of a working tool,
• at least one electrical contact pad comprising at least one core located in the housing and at least one lug projecting from the outside of the housing,
• at least one screw comprising a threaded body and an operating head and which is mounted to move in the housing to be rotated by the tool, and
• clamping means which are mounted in the housing so as to be biased by the screw to selectively immobilize together the conductive element and the contact pad.

Even if such devices give complete satisfaction as to the electrical connection of conductors and pedestals, the introduction of the conductive element in the housing under the screw head is often delicate and involves the intervention of the operator himself. Disassembly requires also frequently handling parts electrically conductive. It happens that, during these operations, the operator is accidentally in contact with the electric current.

It should be pointed out that the regulations require the clamping pieces of conductive material type material. Indeed, insulating materials of the plastic type fluent during the temperature increases, which causes loosening of the wire.

The present invention aims to overcome the disadvantages mentioned above by providing a connection device whose arrangement is forbidden the operator to risk being in contact with the constituent parts electrically conductive, by simple, effective and little expensive.

For this purpose, according to the present invention, the connecting device of the aforementioned type is essentially characterized in that the housing comprises means for holding the screw inside the housing so that only the head of the screw is accessible from the outside through the operating opening, the clamping means made of conductive material being completely isolated from the outside by the housing,
and in that the rotation of the screw causes the clamping means to move in translation in the housing parallel to the body of the screw between two distinct positions spaced apart from one another, a clamping position in which the conductive element and the contact pad are immobilized together and a disengagement position in which the conductive element is free.

Thus, thanks to these provisions, the housing of the device constitutes a electrically insulating envelope whose only openings are intended for allow the passage of the tools for maneuvering the screw and the passage of conductive elements. The movement of the screw controls the movement of electrically conductive parts while preventing the operator from entering in contact with the electrically conductive parts enclosed in the housing housing.

Preferably, nut means are immobilized in the housing so as to cooperate with the body of the screw.

Advantageously, the device further comprises means for elastic return which urges the screw so that the head of the screw is in abutment against the means of maintaining the screw inside the housing, resulting in the clamping means to their disengagement position.

Preferably, the nut means are located in the bottom of the housing opposite the maneuvering opening.

Still preferably, the nut means have come from way with the contact pad.

In a variant, the clamping means comprise a plate which is crossed by the body of the screw and which is retained by one more section large diameter of said body.

Still more preferably, the clamping means are constituted by the elastic return means which deform when the screw cooperates with the nut means.

In a preferred embodiment, the nut means are immobilized inside the housing being separated from the opening of maneuvering an interval corresponding to at least the length of the screw.

Advantageously, the clamping means are constituted by the free end of the screw.

Still more preferably, the clamping means comprise a stirrup-shaped latch which has a first branch located at near the head of the screw and a second branch located against the free end of the screw.

Advantageously, the nut means are maintained in position by a paw that came from matter with the soul of the contact pad and which extends transversely to the body of the screw.

Still advantageously, the nut means have come from material with said transverse tab of the contact pad.

Preferably, the second arm of the latch comprises at least two flaps turned towards the soul of the contact pad.

In a variant, the rotation of the screw causes the displacement translation of the screw through the nut means, driving the latch between the clamping and disengaging positions.

Preferably, the contact pad comprises two legs which extend transversely to the body of the screw being mutually separated so as to abut respectively under the head of the screw and under the free end of the screw, and being spaced from the core of the contact pad.

In a variant, the clamping means comprise a cage with faces lateral open, which is driven in displacement by the rotation of the screw, and which comprises a first transverse wall cooperating by screwing with the screw and a second transverse wall mounted movably between the core of the stud of contact and the leg of the contact pad on which the screw is in abutment.

In any case, the present invention will be well understood by means of the description which follows, made with reference to the attached schematic drawing representing, as non-limitative examples, eight forms of execution of the connecting device according to the present invention.

Figures 1 to 3 are respectively perspective views partially cut away, in longitudinal section and in cross section of the connecting device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

Figures 3 to 6, 7 to 9, 10 to 12, 13 to 15 are figures similar to Figures 1 to 3, respectively of the second, third, fourth and fifth embodiments of the device according to the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view of a variant of the fifth embodiment of the device of the present invention shown in Figures 13 to 15.

Figures 17 to 19, 20 to 22 and 23 to 25 are respectively views similar to Figures 1 to 3 of the sixth, seventh and eighth modes of embodiment of the device of the present invention.

The electrical connection device 1 according to a first mode embodiment of the invention shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 is intended to allow the connection of an external conductive element 2 to the device with an electrical contact pad 3 belonging to this device.

Of course, the connection device described below can be understood as a connection terminal or even a file and the conductive element can be either a conductive cable whose end is bare, a conductive lug.

The electrical contact pad 3 can for example be implanted on a electronic card or on any other electrical system.

The connecting device 1 comprises a housing 5 which is made of an electrically insulating material and which delimits at least one housing 6. This electrically insulating housing constitutes an envelope almost closed to the outside and has an opening of connection 7 intended to allow the introduction of the element electrically conductor 2 inside the housing 6, from the outside of the device, and a opening maneuver 8 to allow the passage of a work tool to inside the dwelling 6.

The housing 5 is for example constituted of two half-shells 9 and 10 which are attached to each other after assembly of the constituent parts of the device 1 described below.

The conductive element 2 has a terminal end 12 and takes for example the form of a flat lug which is intended to be introduced in dwelling 6.

The contact pad 3 comprises a core 15 which extends in the bottom 13 of the housing 6 and which is connected to two lugs 16 protruding outside the housing 5. The contact pad 3 is thus located opposite the opening of maneuver 8.

The device 1 also comprises a screw 20 formed of a head 21 extended by a threaded body 22 which has one end free 23 opposite the head 21. This screw 20 is of axis X-X and extends substantially in the direction corresponding to the height of the housing 5. It is movable in the housing 6 being driven by the rotation of the tool of maneuver (not shown).

Furthermore, the device 1 comprises clamping means 25 made of conductive material mounted inside the housing 6 so as to be solicited by the screw 20 to selectively immobilize the element together conductor 2 and the contact pad 3.

According to an essential feature of the present invention, the housing 5 has holding means 30 which can imprison the screws 20 inside the housing 6 and which are located in the vicinity of the opening 8. These holding means 30 make only the head 21 of the screw Accessible from the outside so that the clamping means 25 are completely isolated by the housing 5 vis-à-vis the outside.

According to another essential characteristic of this invention, the rotation of the screw 20 via an operating tool outside, causes the displacement of the clamping means 25 inside the housing 6 in a translation movement parallel to the body 22 of this screw, between two distinct positions separated from each other namely, a clamping position in which the conductive element 2 and the contact pad 3 are immobilized together (not shown) and a position of disengagement as shown in the figures, wherein the element driver 2 is free to be removed from the housing 5.

Nut means 35 are further immobilized in the housing 6 so as to cooperate with the body 22 of the screw 20 during the rotation of this screw.

In addition, the connecting device 1 has means for elastic return 40 which urge the screw 20 so as to bring the head 21 of this screw 20 in abutment against the holding means 30 belonging to the housing 5, to inside the housing 6, when it does not cooperate with the means forming nut. When the screw 20 is in the stop position (or high position in the housing 6, adjacent to the maneuvering opening 8), it involves the means in their disengaged position.

In the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the elastic return means 40 take the form of an interposed spring wire between the lower part of the head 21 of the screw 20 and the flats 42 making protruding inside the housing 6 from the walls of the housing 5, substantially transversely to the X-X axis of the screw 20. This spring wire 40 has a force resilient tending to push the head 21 against the holding means 30 of the housing 5, in a position in which the clamping means 25 leave the driver 2 free to be engaged or disengaged from housing 6.

The clamping means 25 take in this embodiment, the shape of a plate 26 which is traversed by the body 22 of the screw 20 and which rests on a shoulder of this body formed by a section 24 of larger diameter relative to the rest of the body 22 of the screw.

Moreover, the nut means 35 are immobilized in the bottom 13 of the housing 6. They take the form of a multi-section nut fixedly immobilized opposite the screw 20 relative to the core 15 of the stud of contact 3.

It is thus understood that, after inserting the pod 12 of the element conductor 2 in the housing 6, bearing against the core 15 of the stud 3, the head of the screw 21 can be urged by the maneuvering tool to be depressed, to against the force of the spring wire 40, in the housing 6 towards the bottom 13 to cooperate with the nut 35. The screw 20 then has a translational movement descending into the bottom of the housing 6, causing the clamping plate 26 to immobilize the lug 12 against the contact pad 3.

On the contrary, when you want to disconnect electrically the conductive element 2, simply unscrew the screw 20 by means of the tool outside. The screw then has of itself, under the effect of the spring wire 40, a translation movement upwards, resulting in the clamping plate 26. The operator does not have to lift with his fingers the screw or plate for disengage the driver 2.

It is thus understood that the device 1 according to the present invention allows to connect and disconnect the conductive element 2 without the operator can reach the conductive parts, thus minimizing risk of accident.

In the second embodiment shown in FIGS. 6, the clamping means 25 take the form of a tapping formed in the lug 12 of the conductive element 2. The same reference numerals designate constituents that are identical or similar to the previous mode of production. The elastic return means 40 take the form of a plate 44 also bearing against the flats 42 protruding from the walls 5 of the housing as in the previous embodiment.

This second embodiment differs from the first mode of embodiment inasmuch as the core 15 of the contact pad 3 bears against a flat 43 carried by one of the walls of the housing 5 in the vicinity of the opening of 7. The terminal 12 of the conductive element 2 is inserted into the opening 7 so as to bear against the core 15 of the stud 3, being located below it and bearing against the edge of the opening 7 to from which protrudes the flat 43.

Thus, after putting in position the conductive element 2 to inside the housing 6, the screw 20 is rotated against the spring plate 44, so as to first traverse the core 15 of the stud 3, then the terminal 12 to reach the nut 35 housed in the bottom of the housing 5. At this screwing, the lug 12 is pressed against the core 15 so as to establish a good electrical contact without manual intervention by the operator within the housing 5.

In the third embodiment shown in FIGS. 7 to 9, the nut means 35 come integrally with the contact pad 3 whose core 45 takes the form of a cylindrical finger of the same axis as the screw 20. The core 45 of the stud 3 has, on the side of the screw 20, a tapping 46, and is extended to the opposite, by a tab 47 which projects out of the housing 5.

Moreover, the elastic return means 40 serve as clamping means and take the form of a leaf spring 48 interposed between the lower part of the head 21 of the screw 20 and the ramps 49 projecting from from the housing 5 inside the housing 6.

Thus, after setting up the lug 12 of the conductive element 2 inside the housing 6, the screw 20 is driven towards the bottom of the housing 6 to cooperate by screwing with the core 45 of the stud 3. The head 21 of the screw 20 causes the deformation of the plate 48 which abuts against the lug 12 to apply this lug firmly against the core 45 of the dish 3.

The embodiments described hereinafter differ from the modes of previous embodiment in the sense that the nut means 35 are not more immobilized in the bottom of housing 6 but are immobilized at a level intermediate defining an interval with the maneuvering opening 8 whose length, taken along the axis X-X, is at least equal to the length of the screw 20.

In the fourth embodiment shown in FIGS. 12, the body 22 and the head 21 are of the same diameter. Clamping means 25 are constituted by the free end 23 of the screw 20. Thus, after having introduces the lug 12 of the conductive element 2 into the housing 6 to be in contact with the core 15 of the stud 3, the screw 20 is simply screwed through the nut means 35 so as to bring the free end 23 against the lug 12 and sandwich it with the core 15 of the lug 3.

As shown more particularly in Figure 10, the means forming nut 35 are carried by walls 53 which came from material with the core 15 of the stud 3 extending towards the maneuvering opening 8, in the housing 6. The nut means 35 take the form of a 54 threaded plate extending transversely to the screw 20.

Moreover, the connection opening 7 is closed by means of an articulated flap 55 which is carried by one of the walls of the housing 5 and which is represented in the open and closed positions.

The fifth embodiment shown in FIGS. 13 to 15 differs from the fourth previous embodiment by the clamping means 25 here take the form of a latch 60. This latch has a shape caliper provided with a first branch 61 located in the vicinity of the head 21 of the screw 20 and a second branch 62 bearing against the free end 23 of the screw 20.

As shown more particularly in FIG. 15, the screw 20 is mounted on the stationary nut means 35 (the threaded plate 54, as in the previous embodiment) so that the rotation of the screw drives this screw in translation along its axis X-X. The latch 60 is integral in translational movement of this screw so that it is driven also between the clamping and disengaging positions during the rotation in the clockwise or counterclockwise direction of the screw 20. In the position of tightening, the second branch 62 firmly applies the lug 12 of the element conductor 2 against the core 15 of the contact pad 3. To further improve the immobilization of the terminal 12, the second branch 62 has a tooth 63 constituted by a cut inside this branch. Similarly, disconnection of the driver 2 does not require the direct intervention of the operator since the screw rises under the effect of rotation.

In the variant shown in Figure 16, the housing 5 has a shutter 65 which is mounted articulated on one of these walls, in order to open or close the connection opening 7.

In the sixth mode represented in FIGS. 17 to 19, the means forming nut 35 came from material with the pad 3 and more precisely with the transverse leg 59 of this stud. In this embodiment, the leg 59 and the lateral lugs 53 form with the core 15 of the pad 3 a cage comprising at least one open face opening towards the connection opening 7.

The latch 60 is driven in displacement by the screw 20 as in the previous embodiment. The second branch 62 has three flaps 66 turned towards the core 15 of the contact pad 3, that is to say towards the bottom of the housing 6 so as to cooperate, in the clamping position of the conductive element 2, with notches 67 formed in the core 15 of the plot 3.

In the seventh embodiment shown in FIGS. 22, the nut means 35 are no longer arranged in the stud 3 but are constituted by a hollow finger 70 interposed between the head 21 of the screw 20 and a leg 71 projecting from the face 53 of the contact pad 3.

The finger is held firmly by the transverse legs of the contact pad so that the screw is movable in translation with respect to this finger and drives the latch 60 to tighten or not the lug 12 against the soul of the plot 3.

The eighth embodiment shown in FIGS. makes it possible to electrically connect both a lug 12 and an end stripped of a conductor in the direction of rotation of the screw 20. For this, the plot 3 comprises two transverse legs 75 and 76 between which the screw 20 is interposed, the leg 75 being located under the head 21 of the screw and the leg 76 being located in support under the free end 23 of the screw 20. Furthermore, the device comprises a cage 78 with open side faces as a means of clamping and which has a first transverse wall 79 cooperating with screwing with the body 22 of the screw 20 and a second transverse wall 80 which allows to tighten either the lug 12 on its side facing the core 15, or a bare end of a conductor on its opposite side, turned towards the screw 20, depending on the direction of rotation of the screw 20.

Of course, the invention is not limited to the examples described above. and various modifications can be made without departing from his frame.

Claims (16)

An electrical connection device for connecting an attached conductive member with an electrical contact pad, comprising: a housing (5) made of electrically insulating material which delimits at least one housing (6) and which comprises at least one connection opening for the introduction into the housing of an electrically conductive element (2) from outside the device (1), and at least one operating opening (8) for the passage of a work tool, at least one electrical contact pad (3) comprising at least one core (15) located in the housing (6) and at least one lug (16) projecting outside the housing, at least one screw (20) comprising a threaded body (23) and an actuating head (21) and which is movably mounted in the housing to be rotated by the tool, and clamping means (25) which are mounted in the housing (6) so as to be urged by the screw (20) to selectively immobilize together the conductive element (2) and the contact pad (3), characterized in that the housing comprises means for holding (30) the screw (20) inside the housing (6) so that only the head (21) of the screw (20) is accessible from the outside through the operating opening (8), the clamping means (25) made of conductive material being completely isolated from the outside by the housing (5),
and in that the rotation of the screw (20) causes the clamping means (25) to move in a translational movement in the housing (6) parallel to the body (22) of the screw (20) between two separate distinct positions. one of the other, a clamping position in which the conductive element (2) and the contact pad (3) are immobilized together and a disengagement position in which the conductive element (2) is free. Connecting device according to claim 1, characterized in that nut means (35) are immobilized in the housing (6) so as to cooperate with the body (22) of the screw (20). Connecting device according to claim 2, characterized in that the device further comprises elastic return means (40) which urge the screw (20) so that the head (21) of the screw abuts against the means of holding (30) the screw (20) inside the housing (6), causing the clamping means (25) to their disengaged position. Connecting device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the nut means (35) are located in the bottom (13) of the housing (6) opposite the actuating opening (8). Connecting device according to claim 4, characterized in that the nut means (35) are in a manner with the contact pad (3). Connecting device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the clamping means (25) comprises a plate (26) which is traversed by the body (22) of the screw (20) and which is retained by a section (24) of larger diameter of said body (22). Connecting device according to any one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that the clamping means (25) are constituted by the elastic return means (40) which deform when the screw (20) cooperates with the means forming nut (35). Connecting device according to claim 2, characterized in that the nut means (35) are immobilized inside the housing (6) being spaced apart from the operating opening (8) by an interval corresponding to at least the length of the screw (20). Connecting device according to claim 8, characterized in that the clamping means (25) consist of the free end (23) of the screw (20). Connecting device according to claim 8, characterized in that the clamping means (25) comprise a stirrup-shaped pawl (60) which comprises a first branch (61) situated in the vicinity of the head (21) of the screw (20) and a second leg (62) bearing against the free end (23) of the screw (20). Connecting device according to claim 10, characterized in that the nut means (35) are held in position by a tab (53) which is integral with the core (15) of the contact pad (3) and which extends transversely to the body (22) of the screw. Connecting device according to claim 11, characterized in that the nut means (35) are integral with said transverse lug (53) of the contact pad (3). Connecting device according to any one of claims 10 to 12, characterized in that the second leg (62) of the pawl (60) comprises at least two flaps (66) facing towards the web (15) of the contact pad ( 3). Connecting device according to any one of claims 10 to 13, characterized in that the rotation of the screw (20) causes the displacement in translation of the screw through the nut means (35), causing the latch (60) between the clamping and disengaging positions. Connecting device according to claim 10, characterized in that the contact pad (3) comprises two legs (75, 76) which extend transversely to the body (22) of the screw (20), mutually spaced apart so as to respectively abutting under the head (21) of the screw and under the free end (23) of the screw, and being spaced from the core (15) of the contact pad (3). Connecting device according to claim 15, characterized in that the clamping means comprise a cage (78) with open lateral faces, which is driven in displacement by the rotation of the screw, and which comprises a first transverse wall (79) cooperating by screwing with the screw and a second transverse wall (80) movably mounted between the web (15) of the contact pad and the leg of the contact pad on which the screw is in abutment.

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