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
  • H01R4/30—Clamped connections, spring connections utilising a screw or nut clamping member
  • H01R4/307—Clamped connections, spring connections utilising a screw or nut clamping member characterised by the thread of the screw or nut
• • 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
  • H01R4/30—Clamped connections, spring connections utilising a screw or nut clamping member
  • H01R4/36—Conductive members located under tip of screw
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
  • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
  • H01R9/00—Structural associations of a plurality of mutually-insulated electrical connecting elements, e.g. terminal strips or terminal blocks; Terminals or binding posts mounted upon a base or in a case; Bases therefor
  • H01R9/22—Bases, e.g. strip, block, panel
  • H01R9/24—Terminal blocks

Definitions

• the invention relates to an electric screw terminal comprising a metal cage through which an elongated passage for receiving a connection pad of an electrical apparatus.
• the cage comprises a threaded orifice passing through a wall of said cage.
• a telescopic screw passing through the threaded orifice comprises a control head intended to be actuated to control said screw and comprises a clamping head for clamping an electrical conductor and the connection pad.
• the telescopic screw comprises at least a first cylindrical section having an external thread intended to collaborate with the threaded orifice and having an internal thread designed to collaborate with an external thread of at least a second cylindrical section.
• the invention also relates to a terminal block comprising such a screw terminal and an electrical device comprising such a terminal block.
• the applicant's solution described in the document FR2777703 and represented in FIG. 1 comprises a screw terminal 1 intended to be mounted in a housing 2 provided in the rear part of an electrical appliance, in particular a cut-off device 3 for connecting an electrical conductor 6 to the connection area 4 of the device.
• This terminal is formed mainly by a cage 5 formed of a metal block of substantially parallelepipedal shape having an elongate opening 5b for receiving the aforementioned range 4.
• the cage 5 can also be formed by a portion of metal strip cut and folded to curl into a substantially rectangular ring.
• Said range is intended to be engaged transversely in the elongated opening 5b, for example substantially rectangular, of the cage 5.
• Said cage 5 comprises in its upper part, a tapped hole in which is screwed a screw 7 said terminal screw, adapted to effect the tightening of the conductor 6 on the range 4.
• the terminal screw 7 comprises an operating head, a threaded rod and a neck connecting the threaded rod to the head.
• the threaded rod, or a non-threaded extension of this rod ends at its free end by a bearing such as a shoe 8.
• the pad is located inside the terminal 5 and is intended to cooperate with the range 4
• the terminal screw 7 is preferably accessible from the upper part of the cut-off device 3.
• the length of the screw is directly proportional to the clamping capacity of the screw terminal.
• the greater the clamping capacity in other words the greater the diameter of the conductors to be clamped or the more conductors to be clamped, then the longer the elongated opening and the longer the terminal screw. This implies greater congestion of the screw terminal when said terminal is not used waiting clamping.
• each section of the screw has its own drive profile.
• Each training profile being independent, the user must operate all drive profiles to ensure effective clamping.
• the drive order of the different sections is also essential to ensure effective tightening.
• several separate tools must be used to maneuver respectively the training profiles.
• the invention therefore aims to overcome the disadvantages of the state of the art, so as to provide a screw terminal having a large clamping capacity and having reduced dimensions.
• the electrical screw terminal comprises a control head having a single drive profile intended to collaborate with an external tool for driving together in rotation said at least first and at least second sections of the telescopic screw via means of rotation. 'training.
• said drive profile is positioned at a first end of said at least one second cylindrical section and the clamping head is positioned at a second end of said at least one second cylindrical section.
• the drive means comprise at least one elastic deformable means interposed between at least first section and at least second section and being able to deform to secure said sections.
• said at least one elastic deformable means comprises a split ring interposed between the inner wall of said at least one first section and the outer wall of said at least one second segment, said ring having an outer cylindrical surface bearing against the inner wall of one of said at least one first section.
• said at least one first section comprises a conical inner wall on which the outer cylindrical surface of said ring bears
• said at least one second section comprises holding means causing said split ring in translation.
• the displacement of the second section causes the displacement of the outer cylindrical surface of the split ring on the slope of the cone to wedge said ring between the inner wall of said at least one first section and the outer wall of said at least one second section.
• the drive means comprise at least one friction surface between an inner surface of said at least one first section and an outer surface of said at least one second section, said friction surface allowing the locking in rotation of one section relative to the other.
• the drive means comprise a male / female cone system, a female part being formed by the inner surface of the first section and a maie portion being formed by the outer surface of the second section, said at least one friction surface being located at the contact area between the maize and female parts.
• the drive means are intended to drive simultaneously or successively in rotation all the threaded sections of the telescopic terminal screw.
• the telescopic screw comprises two sections, one of the sections having a thread with a pitch on the right and the other section having a thread with a pitch on the left.
• a terminal block according to the invention comprises at least one electrical screw terminal as defined above.
• the terminal block comprises at least one internal volume comprising means for positioning said at least one screw terminal in a first position.
• the positioning means are retractable to allow the displacement of said at least one electrical terminal in the internal volume of the terminal block, moving the first position to a second position.
• the terminal block has several internal volumes separated from each other by insulating separation cheeks.
• An electrical apparatus according to the invention comprises a terminal block as defined above.
• the terminal block has an internal volume comprising positioning means for holding said at least one screw terminal in a first position.
• Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a screw terminal according to a known embodiment
• Figures 2A to 2C show, in axial section, a screw terminal according to one embodiment of the invention in different clamping positions
• FIGS. 3A and 3B show, in axial section, detailed views of the driving means of the screw terminal respectively according to FIGS. 2A and 2B;
• FIG. 4 represents a perspective view of a screw terminal according to one embodiment of the invention.
• Figures 5A and 5B show, in axial section, an alternative embodiment of a screw terminal according to one embodiment of the invention in different clamping positions;
• FIG. 6 represents, in axial section, a three-phase terminal block according to one embodiment of the invention.
• FIG. 7 represents a detailed view of a terminal block according to FIG. 6;
• Figure 8 shows, in axial section, a terminal block according to another embodiment of the invention.
• the electrical screw terminal 1 comprises a metal cage 5 through an elongated passage for receiving a connection pad 4 of an electrical apparatus.
• the electrical screw terminal 1 is particularly intended to connect electrical switching devices, including circuit breakers to electrical conductors.
• the cage 5 comprises a threaded orifice passing through a wall of said cage.
• the cage 5 is made from a flat metal folded in the form of a U. The two ends of the branches of the U are connected by a metal cross in which is made the orifice tapped.
• the electrical screw terminal 1 comprises a telescopic screw 7 for clamping an electrical conductor 6 and the connection pad.
• the telescopic screw 7 comprises at least a first cylindrical section 7A having an external thread intended to collaborate with the threaded orifice. Said section also comprises an internal thread intended to collaborate with an external thread of at least a second cylindrical section 7B.
• the cylindrical sections are coaxial and concentric.
• the telescopic screw 7 comprises an operating head 9 intended to be actuated for the screwing of said screw.
• the telescopic screw 7 further comprises a clamping head 8 for applying a clamping force to the connection pad 4 and the electrical conductor.
• the clamping head 8 of the telescopic screw 7 has a clamping profile 8A intended to collaborate with the electrical conductor 6 to be clamped on the connection pad 4.
• the clamping profile 8A is preferably positioned at a second end of said at least one second section 7B cylindrical.
• the operating head 9 of the telescopic screw 7 comprises a single drive profile 9A.
• Said training profile 9A is intended to collaborate with an external tool such as a key used by an installer.
• the single drive profile 9A is preferably positioned at a first end of said at least one second cylindrical section 7B.
• the drive profile 9A is hollow and has a hexagonal shape.
• the operating head 9 comprises drive means 9B for driving together in rotation all the sections 7A, 7B of the telescopic screw 7 by the drive profile 9A.
• the tightening of the electrical conductor 6 and the connection pad 4 is always achieved by said at least second section 7B via the clamping profile 8A.
• the telescopic screw 7 comprises two cylindrical sections 7A, 7B.
• the drive means 9B of the operating head 9 comprise a deformable elastic means interposed between said at least first section 7A and said at least second section 7B.
• Said resilient means is adapted to deform to secure said sections.
• the deformation of said at least one elastic means is generated by the displacement of one of the two sections 7B.
• said deformable elastic means comprises a split ring interposed between the inner wall of said at least a first section 7A and the outer wall of said at least a second section 7B.
• Said ring has an outer cylindrical surface bearing against the inner wall of one of said at least one first section 7A.
• Said at least one first section 7A preferably comprises a conical inner wall on which the external cylindrical surface of said ring rests.
• Said at least one second section 7B comprises holding means driving said split ring in translation.
• the outer wall of said at least second section 7B comprises at least one shoulder for axially securing the split ring to said section.
• the ring split is preferably positioned in a groove placed on the outer perimeter of said at least second section 7B. Said groove allows expansion of the ring during displacement of the second section 7B relative to the first.
• the method of clamping an electrical conductor 6 with the connection pad 4 is as follows.
• the displacement of each section is between two travel stops.
• a first stop corresponds to a position of the section in the released position.
• a second stop corresponds to a position of the section when the latter has moved over the entire length of its external thread from a loosened position to a locked position.
• the displacement stops of said at least first section 7A cooperate with the cage 5 of the electrical screw terminal.
• the displacement stops of said at least second section 7B preferably collaborate with said at least first section 7A.
• the displacement of said at least second section 7B, via the drive profile 9A, causes the displacement of the outer cylindrical surface of the split ring on the slope of the cone to wedge said ring between the inner wall of said at least first section 7A and the outer wall of said at least second section 7B.
• the jamming of said ring between the two walls of the two sections 7A, 7B makes it possible to secure said two sections so that the rotation drive of the second section 7B rotates the first section 7A.
• the screwing of the first section 7A is via the actuation of the drive profile 9A placed at the end of the second section 7B cylindrical.
• the displacement of the telescopic screw 7 via the control head 9 causes the movement of all the sections thanks to the presence of the drive means 9B and the drive profile 9A.
• the telescopic screw 7 does not deploy, said at least first section 7A moves between its first and second displacement stops, said at least second section 7B does not move relative to said at least a first section 7A . If the first section 7A reaches the second displacement stop and the clamping between the range 4 and the conductor 6 is not achieved, the tightening torque applied to the control head 9 will cause the deployment of the second section 7B which will in turn move between its first and second displacement stop.
• the dimensions of the cage 5 and the length of the telescopic screw 7 are made such that the second stop of the second section 7B is not reached before the clamping is performed.
• the drive means comprise at least one friction surface between an inner surface of said at least one first section 7A and an outer surface of said at least one second section 7B. Said friction surface allows blocking in rotation of one section relative to the other.
• the drive means thus comprise a male / female cone system. A female portion is formed by an inner face of the first section 7A and a maie portion is formed by the outer face of the second section 7B. Said at least one friction surface is then located at the contact zone between the male and female parts.
• the sections can be linked together by applying a torque in the loosening direction via the drive profile 9A.
• the friction surface then plays a role similar to that of said at least one deformable elastic means described above.
• this tightening order is imposed by the use of a single drive profile 9A and the presence of the drive means 9B. This ensures effective clamping of the conductor 6 regardless of its diameter.
• the telescopic screw 7 comprises three cylindrical sections.
• the operation for a telescopic screw 7 with three sections is similar to that of a telescopic screw 7 with two sections.
• the second end of said at least second section 7B preferably comprises a clamping V.
• the clamping V positioned substantially perpendicular to the cylindrical section allows a better distribution of the clamping force on the electrical conductor.
• the clamping V can be connected to the second end of the second section 7B via a ball joint.
• the drive means 9B are intended to simultaneously drive in rotation all the threaded sections of the telescopic terminal screw.
• the drive means 9B are intended to drive successively in rotation all the sections of the telescopic terminal screw.
• said at least one first section 7A has an internal thread different from the external thread.
• the relative displacement of the first section 7A in the threaded orifice is then carried out at a speed different from the relative displacement of the at least one second section 7B relative to the first.
• said at least one first section 7A comprises an internal thread having a right pitch and an external thread having a pitch on the left.
• the invention relates to a terminal block 2 having at least one electrical screw terminal 1 as defined below.
• the terminal block of substantially parallelepiped shape is preferably made of molded plastic material.
• Said terminal block 2 comprises a wall 20 delimiting at least one internal volume 21. Inside the internal volume 21, the terminal block comprises positioning means 22 of the electrical screw terminal 1 in a first position.
• the terminal block is three-phase and comprises three internal volumes 21 respectively comprising a screw terminal 1.
• the internal volumes 21 are separated from each other by separation cheeks 23 of insulating material.
• the positioning means 22 are preferably retractable to allow the positioning of said at least one electrical screw terminal 1 in a second position.
• the positioning means 22 comprise small protuberances molded in the wall of the terminal block.
• each volume internal 21 has four protuberances in the form of half-column placed on two walls of each internal volume 21.
• each electrical screw terminal 1 is placed in the first position when the clamping has to be performed between a fixed connection area 4 of an electrical apparatus and a single electrical conductor 6.
• each electrical screw terminal 1 is placed in the second position when clamping has to be performed between a fixed connection area 4 of an electrical apparatus and two electrical conductors 6.
• the user To move from the first position to the second position the user must unscrew the telescopic screw 7 with a tool. At first, said screw moves and bears on the wall 20 of the terminal block 2. In a second step, the screw can no longer move, the metal cage 5 then moves in the opposite direction matting the positioning means 22. The positioning means 22 crash and allow the displacement of the cage 5 which reaches the second position. The clamping capacity of the terminal is then maximum.
• the invention relates to an electrical apparatus, in particular an electric switching device such as a contactor, circuit breaker or switch.
• Said apparatus comprises at least one terminal block 2 as defined below.
• Said terminal block 2 has an internal volume comprising positioning means 22 for holding said at least one screw terminal 1 in a first position.
• said apparatus comprises hooking means allowing a removable attachment of the terminal block 2 on said apparatus.

Landscapes

• Connections Arranged To Contact A Plurality Of Conductors (AREA)
• Connections By Means Of Piercing Elements, Nuts, Or Screws (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (2)

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ID=40326331

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (6)

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Family Cites Families (13)

• 2008
  • 2008-06-30 FR FR0803646A patent/FR2933242B1/fr not_active Expired - Fee Related
• 2009
  • 2009-05-18 WO PCT/FR2009/000587 patent/WO2010004100A1/fr active Application Filing
  • 2009-05-18 US US12/737,315 patent/US8157603B2/en active Active
  • 2009-05-18 CN CN2009801333714A patent/CN102138254B/zh active Active
  • 2009-05-18 EP EP09793999.5A patent/EP2304848B1/de active Active
  • 2009-05-18 ES ES09793999.5T patent/ES2569106T3/es active Active

Non-Patent Citations (1)

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