EP2063494B1 - Shielded connection of two terminals by contact between flat interfaces - Google Patents

Abstract

The device (10) has a deformable insulating support (16) provided with a periphery and two plane end faces (18, 18') that are superimposed at linking surfaces (38, 38') of shielded terminals (30, 30') when the support is deformed by compression between the faces. A conductive electrostatic shielding coating e.g. paint, is provided on the periphery of the support. A cylindrical conductive rod (12) is integrated in the support and opened on the faces at the level of connection pads (14, 14'), where the pads are inscribed in connection surfaces (34, 34') of the terminals. The coating is constituted by over-molding of an insulating elastomer same as that of the support. The support is also made of compressible insulating foam. Independent claims are also included for the following: (1) a connector comprising two terminals (2) a method for electrically connecting two terminals.

Description

TECHNICAL AREA

The invention relates to the simplification of the connection between adjacent terminals of electrical equipment, in particular for high or medium voltage. The terminals to which the invention relates are of suitable geometry, with an insulating body having a planar connecting surface provided with a recess into which a conductive insert opens.

In one aspect, the invention relates to a method of connecting two planar terminals facing each other by interposition of a generally insulating flat connection device in which a conductive rod is overmolded; a contact between the conductive rod and the conductive inserts of the terminals is obtained by a step of crushing the insulation of the connection device by the terminals.

In another aspect, the invention relates to a device adapted to this type of connection, comprising a deformable flat insulating support which exceeds, in compression compression situation, a conductive rod; the device according to the invention can be used together with clamping means to perpetuate the connection.

STATE OF THE ART

Electrical devices include many modules that must be electrically connected to each other. Some devices also relate to high voltages, including medium voltage MV, that is to say of the order of 5 to 52 kV (sometimes also called high voltage HT), so it is advantageous to isolate the links, even to blinder them

For example, in a medium / low voltage transformer MV / LV, it is possible to produce one of the windings, for example the medium voltage coil 2, by a superposition of power wafers 3, 3 ', whose number adjusts the power. A preferred embodiment, schematically illustrated in Figures 1A and 1B , is for example presented in the document EP 1 973 126 , in which wafers 3 with several outlets provided with connection terminals 4 furthermore make it possible to adjust the input voltage.

The connection between two adjacent electrical devices 3, superimposed or placed side by side, can be achieved by means of bicone type interfaces 5, as described in the document FR 2 766 019 and illustrated in figure 1C The insertion of this type of device into the terminals 4 must, however, be sufficient to ensure the necessary contact with the electrical connection and the dielectric withstand, so that the positioning of the terminals 4 opposite must be precise. In particular, in the framework illustrated in figures 1 the management of misalignment defects between the connection points 4 of the slabs 3 can become complex.

Furthermore, the connection devices 5 of the bicone type are bulky in height, to ensure sufficient dielectric strength, especially for medium voltage applications: as recalled in the document WO 07/065912 , the leakage length, determined more or less by the interface 6 between the insulators of the terminal 4 and the connector 5, must be sufficient. To further satisfy the dielectric constraints, the interface 6 is sealed and forced insertion is achieved: the metal inserts 7 must be able to accommodate the compression due to insertion (for example, for a current intensity of 10 to 20 A and a voltage of 10 to 20 kV, a bicone 5 has a length of 80 mm for a diameter of the order of 30 mm, and is forcibly inserted over a length of at least 30 mm in each terminal 4) .

The document EP-A-0 674 375 discloses a connection device for the electrical connection of two shielded terminals facing each terminal comprising an insulating body with a planar connecting surface and an electrostatic shielding coating of the insulating body around the connection surface, said connection device comprising: a deformable support of insulating material comprising a periphery and two substantially flat end faces, which can be superimposed on the connection surfaces of the terminals when the support is deformed by compression between its two end faces.

Among other advantages, the invention aims to overcome the disadvantages of existing connection devices and in particular to reduce their size while simplifying the implementation of electrical connections.

The present invention provides for this purpose a connection device according to claim 1 and a connection method according to claim 15.

The electrical connection is made directly, without any intermediate part, between controlled field connection elements whose active surfaces are superimposable. In view of the preferred application for high voltages, and the necessary control of voltage leakage lines, the contact interface is made to avoid the presence of spaces capable of generating arcing; at the same time, the surface is large enough to overcome local overvoltage problems.

In one aspect, the invention relates to a connector comprising two terminals facing connected by a connection device; advantageously, the two terminals are identical, and the connection device is symmetrical with respect to its median plane; preferably, the terminals have circular connecting surfaces, and the connection device is symmetrical with revolution.

Each terminal comprises an insulating body with a flat connecting surface, an electrostatic shielding coating of the insulating body delimiting the connecting surface. A conductive insert is integrated with the insulating body, with the exception of a connection surface, preferably circular, which opens into a recess formed in the insulating connecting surface; preferably, the conductive insert is larger than its connecting surface and the insulating body forms a coating of the insert, with a protrusion at its end, so as to further have a deflector function. The connection surface of the insert is parallel to the connection surface of the terminal.

Between the two opposite terminals is set up a connection device which comprises a conductive rod that can penetrate into the recesses of the terminals, and can come into contact with the connecting surfaces at both ends, formed by parallel connection discs. The conductive rod is integrated in a support which comprises at least one deformable insulating material that can be crushed; the support is flat, and includes a periphery and two substantially planar, or slightly conical end faces, which may be sealingly overlapped to the connection surfaces of the terminals when the support is pressed between its end faces; preferably, the rod projects from the end faces of the support. The connection device is shielded to contain the electric field, with a conductive coating on its periphery, which may advantageously comprise a radial groove allowing inter alia a guiding of the deformation.

The integration of the rod in the support of the connection device can be achieved in particular by overmolding an elastomer, for example EPDM or silicone, on the rod; the electrostatic shielding is advantageously composed of an overmoulding of the same material in which conductive fillers have been put in place. Another option for the support is a compressible foam, coated with a conductive paint. It is also possible for the support to be composed of several materials, and in particular of a rigid core of epoxy or ceramic type covered at the end faces of a polymerized dielectric gel. A semiconductor elastomer can be put in place around the inserts.

The connection is made between the three components of the compression crimp connection of the support of the connection device so that the interfaces between its end faces and the connection surfaces of the terminals, and between its connection discs and the surfaces of connection of the terminals, be waterproof. The terminals may be associated with clamping means to maintain this state.

The invention relates in another aspect to an electrical apparatus comprising a plurality of parts, in particular a device of medium voltage cell type comprising circuit breaker, disconnector and / or switch, which are interconnected by one or more connectors defined above. The previous connection device is also an object of the invention.

According to a preferred embodiment, the connection device according to the invention is used to connect power wafers to form a transformer coil. Advantageously, the device according to the invention forms part of a set of identical connectors, furthermore also comprising connecting spacers, said spacers being of similar geometry and design to the connecting devices, with the exception of the rod which is formed in an insulating material, preferably non-deformable: according to the desired connection, either a conduction is provided, or the two terminals are isolated from one another.

In another aspect, the invention relates to a method of electrically connecting two terminals each comprising a planar connection surface forming a recess in the planar surface of an electrostatically shielded insulating body, wherein a connection device comprising a rod conductor integrated in a flat insulating support capable of being crushed in the direction of the rod and electrostatically shielded is placed on a first terminal, the connecting face of the rod being located facing the recess and the insulating support being in position. contact with the first terminal. The second terminal is put in place on the connection device, with its recess facing the other connection face of the rod and with a contact between its connecting surface and the insulating support. The assembly is then compressed or crushed, with the terminals moving towards each other so that the connection faces of the rod are placed in contact with the connecting surfaces of the terminals; the deformation can be maintained as long as the electrical connection is desired.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

• Les figures 1A à 1C, déjà décrites, illustrent un système de connexion existant utilisé pour le raccordement de galettes de transformateur modulaire.
• Les figures 2A et 2B montrent, respectivement en éclaté et en position déformée, un dispositif de connexion associé à des bornes selon un mode de réalisation préféré de l'invention.
• La figure 3 représente un autre mode de réalisation d'une connectique selon l'invention.
• La figure 4 illustre un autre mode de réalisation d'un dispositif de connexion selon l'invention.

Other advantages and features will emerge more clearly from the following description of particular embodiments of the invention, given by way of illustration and in no way limiting, represented in the appended figures.

• The Figures 1A to 1C , already described, illustrate an existing connection system used for the connection of modular transformer wafers.
• The Figures 2A and 2B show, respectively exploded and deformed position, a connection device associated with terminals according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.
• The figure 3 represents another embodiment of a connector according to the invention.
• The figure 4 illustrates another embodiment of a connection device according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Although it can be used to connect together different juxtaposed parts of any electrical equipment and in particular high voltage, the invention will be described for a preferred application to an active part 2 of a transformer 1 to pancake 3 as presented above in relation with the figure 1 and presented for example in the patent application EP 1 973 126 . In particular, the dimensions given below are suitable for a 20 A and 20-24 kV connection. It is understood, however, that the examples are only illustrative and that the dimensions and / or materials, or even shapes, can be adapted and optimized as a function of the transported current and the applied voltage.

A connector according to the invention is set up easily, by simple positioning and clamping, without insertion force; it corresponds to the flattening of the contact surfaces between terminals and connector so that the separation between two terminals can be reduced in a ratio of 5 to 10 with respect to a conical connection, being for example less than 10 or 15 mm; the interface, however, retains a sufficient size to ensure adequate dielectric strength. The various elements composing the connectors according to the invention, illustrated in Figure 2A , namely the terminals of the wafers and the connector as such, are modified, to allow a stack by plane contacts, simple to achieve.

Advantageously, the connection device 10 according to the invention is symmetrical with respect to its median plane, so that it can be used indifferently in one direction or the other ; it is however possible that the connection device 10 has a preferred orientation, especially when the two terminals to be connected are not similar.

The connection device 10 comprises a rod 12 of high electrical conductivity, in particular copper or aluminum, which extends along a longitudinal axis AA between two circular end faces, or connection discs, 14, 14 ' parallel used to ensure the electrical connection. For simplification of manufacture and / or calculation, the conductive rod 12 is preferably cylindrical of revolution; its diameter is, among others, determined by the transmitted current, and can be increased to compensate for any misalignment faults, or even arrangements arranged inside the rod.

The rod 12 is integrated in an insulating support 16, whose characteristics and in particular the dielectric strength allow the management of the voltage; moreover, in view of the dielectric stresses, the interface between the rod 12 and the support 16 is controlled and optimized, especially tight, that is to say, free of air. The integration between rod 12 and support 16 is for example carried out by overmoulding or force-feeding to ensure a lack of air between the two components.

The insulating support 16 of the connection device 10 according to the invention comprises two opposite end faces 18, 18 ', which are in contact with the terminals for their connection; it is electrostatically shielded, that is to say covered with a conductive coating 20 on the non-connecting surfaces to maintain the field lines inside the support 16. The connector 10 according to the invention being flat , the size of the support 16 is much greater than that of the rod 12 orthogonal to the axis AA, so that the electric field remains in acceptable values with respect to the characteristics of the material of the support 16; in this respect, it may depend on the operating temperature at which the connection is intended. Preferably, to avoid any peak effect, the support 16 is in the form of a washer whose end faces 18, 18 'are circular, advantageously stackable, and the rod 12 is centered thereon; however, it is possible to adopt any suitable form. In order to reduce the diameter of the support 16 while ensuring a good dielectric strength, a groove 22 (see Figure 2B ) of adapted form is preferably present on the periphery of the connecting device 10, on which the shielding coating 20 is positioned.

The connection device 10 according to the invention is used to connect two terminals 30, 30 '; although presenting in the explanatory diagram figures 2 different profiles, according to the preferred embodiment, the terminals 30, 30 'are identical, and symmetrical to each other with respect to the plane of symmetry of the connector 10.

A terminal 30 used for the connection according to the principle of the invention comprises a conductive insert 32 to be connected via a connection surface 34, and an insulating body 36. According to the invention, the insulating body 36 comprises a plane connecting surface 38 which will interface with an end face 18 of the connection device 10 according to the invention. The terminal 30 is further electrostatically shielded and the conductive coating 40 delimits the connecting surface 38 so as to ensure continuity with the shield 20 of the connector 10. In order to ensure correct positioning of the planar connector 10 on a terminal 30, the shielding may be provided with guide protrusions and / or positioning 42 '.

It thus appears that each connecting surface 38, 38 'of the terminal 30, 30' is superimposable with one of the end faces 18, 18 'of the connector 10. In particular, the terminals 30, 30' can be circular protruding on electrical equipment 3 '; as schematized in figure 3 (In which the reference signs are increased by 100), the terminals 130, 130 'can also be integrated in a flat surface of said apparatus 103, 103', the shielding 140, 140 'delimiting the connecting surfaces.

The electrical continuity between the inserts 32, 32 'of the two terminals 30, 30' is ensured, via the rod 12, by the contacts between the connection surfaces 34, 34 'of the terminals and the connection discs 14, 14' of the rod 12: the discs 14, 14 'are inscribed in the connecting surfaces 34, 34', which are flat and orthogonal to the axis AA of the rod 12.

The connection according to the invention is therefore produced by a double planar contact between insulating surfaces 18, 38 and conducting surfaces 14, 34 in order to ensure the dielectric strength and the electric contact. Given the presence of a flat, hyperstatic double contact, to guarantee the quality of the interfaces and in particular to avoid any presence of air at this level, the insulating support 16 of the connector 10 has been chosen to be deformable, or compressible, particularly in the direction defined by its axis AA. In particular, the insulating support 16 is brought into contact with the insulating connection surfaces 38, 38 'of the terminals, then, by orthogonal crushing, the conductive rod 12 comes into contact with the conductive insert 32, 32' of the terminals.

According to the invention, the distance separating the connecting surface 38 from the connection surface 34 of a terminal 30 along the axis AA is thus greater than the distance separating the connection disc 14 from the end face 18 a connector 10: the distance separating the two end faces 18, 18 'of the support 16 at rest is greater than the desired final spacing of the terminals MT 30, 30'; for example, a compression of the insulator 16 of the order of 0.3 to 0.5 mm on each side is adapted for terminals 30, 30 'separated by 10 to 15 mm. The difference in thickness is adapted to the nature of the insulating material 16, but also to the operating temperature of the connectors to compensate for any decompressions due to differential expansion, especially at a very low temperature.

In particular, the connection surface 34 of the terminal 30 is recessed, towards the inside of the terminal, so as to form a recess 44 in the connection surface 38. Moreover, since the support 16 of the connector 10 is deformed in compression orthogonal to its faces 18, 18 ', to avoid contamination of the connection disc 14 and ensure a "clean" interface, it is preferred that the rod 12 protrudes from the end face 18 of the connection device, by example of 0.5 mm; this embodiment further allows guiding and pre-positioning of the connection device 10 on the terminal 30.

Once the deformation is complete, according to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. Figure 2B Thus, the rod 12 of the connection device 10 is placed in the recesses 44, 44 'of the terminals 30, 30', and contacts are provided between the conductive surfaces 14, 34 and the insulators 18, 38. The size of the recess 44 'can be adjusted to the diameter of the rod 12; however, thanks to the solution according to the invention, it is possible and preferred that the diameter of the rod 12 is smaller than the diameter of the recess 44: indeed, although air can then be trapped in the residual space, the dielectric stresses are controlled and weak. In particular, unlike the bicone system 5, an assembly clearance between the two terminals 30, 30 'can thus be allowed, allowing an alignment tolerance of the devices 3, 3', and thus facilitating the installation of the elements. .

It is advantageous for the insert 32 of the terminals according to the invention to be greater in size than its connection surface 34: the insulator of the body 36 of the terminal 30 thus forms an outgrowth 46, that is to say an a kind of neck or neck, around the conductive insert 32, which is "embedded", embedded in the insulating material 36: the residual air in the recess 44 does not ionize, the insert 32 then ensuring a deflection function and thereby minimizing the dielectric stresses caused by the air trapped in the mounting clearance 44. The deflector 32 may be in the illustrated form of a cylinder with blunt corners, but other configurations are possible, according to the desired characteristics and control of the triple point represented by the interface at the level of the recess 44; this critical aspect of the dielectric strength of a shielded connection, previously complex because of the multiple layers present at the interface, is therefore, according to the invention, solved by a simple geometric optimization (shape of the deflector 32, relative dimensions of the recess 44 and connecting rod 12, thickness of the insulator 16 between the rod 12 and the electrostatic shield 20, thickness of the insulator 36 between the conductive insert 32 and the shield 40 of the terminal, length of the collar 46 insulation).

The conductive insert 32 of each terminal 30 is connected, as usual, to the power supply system 48 of the equipment that it serves to connect, for example with screwing, soldering, or any other appropriate solution.

To avoid ignition during the electrical connection and limit the presence of triple points to the only controlled clearance between rod 12 and insulating body 36 at the recess 44, the interfaces are controlled and optimized. In particular, the first interface between the conductive insert 32 and the insulating body 36 of each terminal 30 is sealed, that is to say air-free, "bonded", with a copper or aluminum over-molding by a thermosetting material of the epoxy type.

The compression between insulating connection surface 38 and insulating end face 18 makes it possible to evacuate any air present at the second interface; it might be considered to use a sealing grease, but a control, or even a cleaning, of the surface conditions usually makes it possible to get rid of it. It may be advantageous to have a slight thickness gradient, decreasing from the center of the connector 10 towards its periphery, i.e. a slightly conical shape, to assist this evacuation (not shown); when a clearance in the recess 44 is provided, it may be envisaged to have a gradient of increasing thickness from the center of the connector 10 towards its periphery, that is to say a concave shape, to balance the crushing pressures and discharging air to the recess 44 where the dielectric stresses are controlled.

The third interface between the conductive rod 12 and the insulating support 16 of the connector 10 is also made narrowly. According to a first embodiment illustrated in Figure 2A , the insulating material 16 of the connection device 10 is composed of an elastomer whose dielectric qualities are known and optimized, in particular as regards the compactness, in particular of the silicone or the terpolymer of ethylene-propylene-diene or EPDM ( for: " Ethylene-Propylene Diene Monomer Rubber "). This material is overmolded on the rod 12, advantageously with a bonding agent, to ensure a cohesive and flawless interface. The electrostatic shielding 20 may be made by depositing a metal layer, for example a surface metallization; the formation of the semiconductor element 20 which provides the shielding can also be carried out by overmolding with an elastomer of the same type as the support 16 but loaded with conductive particles, which makes it possible to retain the same compression properties on the all of the connection device 10, between insulating support 16 and shielding 20; deburring is preferably carried out before the shielding 20 is put in place.

According to another option illustrated in figure 3 , the support 116 is made of a bi-component silicone type insulating foam such as polydimethylsiloxane, which may for example be molded, then cut, with forced insertion of the rod 112 of copper. As illustrated in figure 3 , the shield 120 may for example be composed of a coating of the paint type.

An option represented in figure 4 comprises a support 216 made of two different materials: a dielectric gel 215, for example silicone, polymerized is applied on either side of a rigid insulating core 217 (not deformable), for example epoxy or ceramic; the thickness of the gel 215 which forms the connection surfaces 218 is sufficient to ensure a good seal, that is to say to be compressed in the desired proportions. The shape of the insulating core 217 is preferably identical to that of the support 216, which is simply smaller in the direction of the axis AA of the rod 212 of the connection device 210. The controlled field shielding 220 may for example be realized by a metallic paint type coating.

The choice of the insulating material (s) depends on the desired properties, and in particular on the size of the connection device 10, whose diameter is a function of the dielectric properties and the size of the rod 12, itself a function of the value of the current passing through it; in particular, the EPDM connection device 10 corresponding to the figure 2 can have a diameter of 50 to 100 mm, in particular 75 mm, on a height compressed from 10 mm to 15 mm. The embodiment of the figure 3 is conventionally of greater diameter (from 100 to 125 mm) because of the nature of the foam, which, usually, is deformed with a higher compression, in particular of the order of 1.5 mm on each face to achieve a separation between the two terminals 130, 130 'from 7 to 12 mm. The foam, with a density of less than 400 kg / m ³ , comprises closed cells whose size is less than 150 μm, and preferably less than 50 μm.

According to an option not shown, a semiconductor elastomer can be put in place in the insulation of a connector 10 according to the figure 1 , around the insert 12 so as to increase the protection quality of the triple points, or to adapt to dimensional constraints of the inserts 32 of the terminals 30 and / or thickness of the insulator 16 of the connector 10.

To make a connection according to the invention, a first terminal 30 'is put in place, with its connection surface 38' accessible. A connector 10 is positioned on the terminal 30 ', with pre-positioning of the rod 12 in the recess 44', and contact between the end face 18 'of the insulating support 16 and the connecting surface 38'. Then one second terminal 30 is placed opposite the first, with pre-positioning of its recess 44 around the connection disc 14 of the rod 12 and contact of its connecting surface 38 on the second end face 18. A parallel compression 50 to the axis AA is then provided until the connection discs 14, 14 'of the rod 12 are in contact with the connection surfaces 34, 34' of the terminals 30, 30 ', and the assembly is maintained in this position. Clamping and holding in position can be achieved by the inertia of one apparatus on the other: for example, in the embodiment of a superposition of slabs 3 according to the Figure 1A , the weight of the upper slabs and busbars may be sufficient to provide the connection. Other means may be envisaged, for example a screwing system, a version 150 of which is offset to the two apparatuses 103, 103 'is schematized in FIG. figure 3 ; advantageously, the tightening torque is controlled, depending on the hardness of the deformable material, so as to remain in calculated compression margins.

The flat interface connection according to the invention makes it possible to make the electrical connection between two wafers 3 of the transformer 1 illustrated in FIG. figures 1 . If the patties, as presented in the document EP 1 973 126 , have several outputs 4 so as, for example, to adjust the primary voltages, it is advantageous to further have a spacer corresponding to an insulating connection system: two terminals 4 of the slab 3 are provided with a device 10 according to the invention, and the third is provided with the same device whose rod 12 is made of insulating material, preferably of comparable stiffness. Thus, the stacking is balanced. Such a set of connectors 10 and spacers of identical dimensions can be used for any other assembly.

Thus, the connection according to the principle of the invention is carried out by a device 10, 110, 210 advantageously cylindrical and of small thickness, consisting of a conductive insert 12, 112, 212 overmolded with an insulator 16, 116, 217 ( EPDM or foam or bi-material), itself coated with a coating 20, 120, 220 (metallized or semiconductor) on the outer surface to perform the electrostatic shielding. The connector is fully shielded, therefore insensitive to the environment; the dielectric seal is made by compression of the insulating support 16, 116, 215 and the electrical contact is made by contact with the conductive rod 12, 112, 212. The compression force is achieved for example thanks to a bolted system 150, which can be deported to the apparatus 103, 103 ', such as the wafers of the transformer

The device 10 according to the invention thus allows a connection easier and faster than the traditional bicones 5, especially without force insertion to ensure seals. In addition, the simpler interface, with a bilayer system unlike the three layers of the prior art, can optimize the dielectric strength and reduce costs; in particular, even the presence of residual air at the deflector 32 can be tolerated by controls on the various elements 12, 32, 44. In addition to the reduced connection height and therefore a small footprint, increased tolerances in the dimensions of different components allow a reduction in manufacturing constraints with associated savings. The assembly itself is facilitated, thanks to easy management of the misalignment faults between the connection terminals of the equipment, a clearance on each of the three axes being acceptable, which generates a saving of time and a reduced cost.

Although the invention has been described with reference to the connection of two wafers 3, 3 'of a transformer coil 2, it is not limited thereto: other devices may be concerned by the invention. In particular, the terminals of the modular assemblies can be modified for a flat interface connection as described; the device and method according to the invention are also particularly suitable for connecting two functions of an electrical equipment, for example the connection between a disconnector, a vacuum interrupter, a circuit breaker, a busbar, ....

Claims (16)

1. Connecting device (10) for electrical connection of two facing shielded terminals (30, 30'), each terminal (30) comprising an insulating body (36) with a flat connection surface (38), an electrostatic shielding coating (40) of the insulating body around the connection surface (38), and a conducting insert (32) integrated in the insulating body (36) that opens out therefrom via a connection surface (34), said surface (34) being parallel to the connection surface (38) and offset towards the inside of the body of the terminal (30) so as to form a recess (44) in the flat connection surface (38), said connecting device (10) comprising:

   - a deformable support (16) made from insulating material comprising a periphery and two substantially flat end surfaces (18, 18') that can be superposed on the connection surfaces (38, 38') of the terminals (30, 30') when the support (16) is deformed by compression between its two end surfaces (18, 18');

   - a conducting electrostatic shielding coating (20) on the periphery of the support (16);

   - a cylindrical conducting rod (12) integrated in the support (16) and opening out onto the end surfaces (18, 18') of the support at the level of two parallel connection discs (14, 14') that can be contained in the connection surfaces (34, 34') of the terminals (30, 30').
2. Connecting device according to claim 1 wherein the conducting rod (12) is salient with respect to at least one end surface (18) of the insulating support (16).
3. Connecting device according to one of claims 1 or 2 symmetrical with respect to a mid-plane of the connection discs (14, 14') of the rod (12) and/or wherein the support (16) comprises two end surfaces (18, 18') having a circular periphery.
4. Connecting device according to one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the insulating support (16) comprises a radial groove (22) on its periphery, between the two end surfaces (18, 18').
5. Connecting device according to one of claims 1 to 4 wherein the support (16) is made from insulating elastomer moulded from casting on the rod (12).
6. Connecting device according to claim 5 wherein the conducting electrostatic shielding coating (20) is a moulding from casting of the same elastomer as the insulating support (16), which elastomer further comprising conducting charges.
7. Connecting device according to one of claims 1 to 4 wherein the support (116) is made from a compressible insulating foam and the conducting electrostatic shielding coating (120) is a paint applied on the foam.
8. Connecting device according to one of claims 1 to 4 wherein the support (216) comprises a core (217) made from insulating material with two end surfaces and a polymerised dielectric gel (215) applied on the two end surfaces of the insulating core, and the conducting electrostatic shielding coating (220) is a paint applied on the periphery of the support (216).
9. Assembly comprising at least one connecting device according to one of claims 1 to 8 and at least one connecting spacer, wherein the connecting devices (10) are identical to one another, the connecting spacers are identical to one another, and the connecting spacers having the same characteristics as the connecting devices (10), the rod of the spacers being made from insulating material.
10. Connection system comprising:

    - two terminals (30, 30') to be connected each comprising an insulating body (36, 36') with a flat connection surface (38, 38'), an electrostatic shielding coating (40, 40') of the insulating body (36, 36') around the connection surface (38, 38'), and a conducting insert (32, 32') integrated in the insulating body (36, 36') that opens out therefrom via a connection surface (34, 34'), said surface (34) being parallel to the connection surface (38, 38') and offset towards the inside of the body of the terminal (30, 30') so as to form a recess (44, 44') in the flat connection surface (38, 38'); and

    - a connecting device (10) according to one of claims 1 to 8 the connection discs (14, 14') whereof can be contained in the connection surfaces (34, 34') of the facing terminals (30, 30') and the support (16) whereof can be fitted between the two connection surfaces (38, 38') of the facing terminals (30, 30') and then be deformed perpendicularly to said connection surfaces (38, 38') to form an air-tight interface and for the rod (12) to be in contact with the connection surfaces (34, 34') of the facing terminals (30, 30').
11. Connection system according to claim 10 wherein the conducting insert (32) of at least one terminal (30) is of larger size than its connection surface (34), the insulating body (36) forming an excrescence (46) around the insert (32).
12. Connection system according to claim 10 or 11 wherein the two terminals (30, 30') have identical characteristics.
13. Connection system according to one of claims 10 to 12 further comprising means (150) for securing the two terminals (130, 130') to one another.
14. Electrical apparatus comprising at least two parts (3, 3') connected to one another by at least one connection system (30, 10, 30') according to one of claims 10 to 13.
15. Method for electrical connection of two terminals (30, 30') each comprising a flat connection surface (34, 34') forming a recess (44, 44') in the flat surface (38, 38') of an electrostatically shielded insulating body (36, 36') comprising:

    - fitting on a first terminal (30') of a connecting device (10) according to one of claims 1 to 8 so that the first connection disc (14') of its rod (12) is located facing the first flat connection surface (34'), the first end surface (18') of its support (16) being in contact with the connection surface (38') of the first terminal (30');

    - positioning of the second terminal (30) on the connecting device (10) so that its flat connection surface (34) is located facing the second connection disc (14) of the rod (12) of the connecting device (10), the connection surface (38) of the second terminal (30) being in contact with the second end surface (18) of the support (16);

    - moving the terminals (30, 30') towards one another so that the support (16) of the connecting device (10) is deformed until the connection discs (14, 14') of its rod (12) are in contact with the connection surfaces (34, 34') of the terminals (30, 30').
16. Method according to claim 15 further comprising a step of maintaining the two terminals (30, 30') in the clamped position to ensure electrical connection.

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