EP2383841B1 - Connecting system enabling the tightening torque of a screw terminal to be indicated - Google Patents

Connecting system enabling the tightening torque of a screw terminal to be indicated Download PDF

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Publication number
EP2383841B1
EP2383841B1 EP11354007A EP11354007A EP2383841B1 EP 2383841 B1 EP2383841 B1 EP 2383841B1 EP 11354007 A EP11354007 A EP 11354007A EP 11354007 A EP11354007 A EP 11354007A EP 2383841 B1 EP2383841 B1 EP 2383841B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
screw
housing
connection system
terminal
connection
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Active
Application number
EP11354007A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP2383841A3 (en
EP2383841A2 (en
Inventor
Pierre Bussieres
David Couzon
Bernard Loiacono
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Schneider Electric Industries SAS
Original Assignee
Schneider Electric Industries SAS
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Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Schneider Electric Industries SAS filed Critical Schneider Electric Industries SAS
Publication of EP2383841A2 publication Critical patent/EP2383841A2/en
Publication of EP2383841A3 publication Critical patent/EP2383841A3/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP2383841B1 publication Critical patent/EP2383841B1/en
Active legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

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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
    • H01R4/36—Conductive members located under tip of screw
    • H01R4/363—Conductive members located under tip of screw with intermediate part between tip and conductive member
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R13/00—Details of coupling devices of the kinds covered by groups H01R12/70 or H01R24/00 - H01R33/00
    • H01R13/64—Means for preventing incorrect coupling
    • H01R13/641—Means for preventing incorrect coupling by indicating incorrect coupling; by indicating correct or full engagement
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R13/00—Details of coupling devices of the kinds covered by groups H01R12/70 or H01R24/00 - H01R33/00
    • H01R13/66—Structural association with built-in electrical component
    • H01R13/665—Structural association with built-in electrical component with built-in electronic circuit
    • H01R13/6683—Structural association with built-in electrical component with built-in electronic circuit with built-in sensor
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R4/00—Electrically-conductive connections between two or more conductive members in direct contact, i.e. touching one another; Means for effecting or maintaining such contact; Electrically-conductive connections having two or more spaced connecting locations for conductors and using contact members penetrating insulation
    • H01R4/28—Clamped connections, spring connections
    • H01R4/48—Clamped connections, spring connections utilising a spring, clip, or other resilient member
    • H01R4/489—Clamped connections, spring connections utilising a spring, clip, or other resilient member spring force increased by screw, cam, wedge, or other fastening means
    • 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
    • H01R4/302—Clamped connections, spring connections utilising a screw or nut clamping member having means for preventing loosening of screw or nut, e.g. vibration-proof connection

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a screw terminal for connecting at least one electrical conductor to a conductive pad of an electrical appliance. It aims more precisely to ensure the effective tightening of a catch-up creep terminal.
  • the invention relates to a terminal comprising a device for signaling the tightening torque of the screw.
  • the cable terminals may tend to loosen after a long period of service, and this loosening causes significant heating in electrical appliances.
  • the document EP 1,531,519 proposes the addition of a system indicating the quality of the tightening, in particular a lever taking two positions.
  • the document EP 1 271 697 has a screw terminal, comprising a connection cage having a threaded orifice, a screw cooperating with the threaded orifice and a resilient pressing member which is applied to the electrical conductor.
  • the pressure part comprises a head section and a pressure range interconnected by a resilient flange adapted to store a clamping energy, the head range being able to be biased by the screw head and the pressure range being applicable against one of the conductors to be connected.
  • This pressurization allows, by the support exerted under the screw head, to avoid loosening of the terminal and / or catch the creep of the conductor tightened by the terminal.
  • the pressure piece comprises two elastic wings symmetrical with respect to an axial plane of the screw and of concave shape.
  • the installation time can be very short while ensuring the quality of cabling and ensuring continuity of service.
  • the operator has no practical indication of the actual position, at any moment, of the screw and he remains the only judge of the tightening applied to the electrical conductor and therefore of the contact pressure: this ignorance can lead him to some trial and error. at the expense of the duration of operations.
  • the operator since no indication of the effective tightening torque is available, for fear of creep, the operator may be required to regularly check the tightening of the terminals, although the creep has in fact been compensated.
  • the invention aims to overcome this drawback of the previous limit, and to provide a system for signaling the tightening torque of a catch-up creep terminal.
  • the invention relates to means for detecting a tightening torque of a screw terminal provided with a pressure device and located between walls, said means comprising an element integral with the pressure device and a element integral with a wall cooperating with each other to actuate signaling means when the tightening torque reaches a threshold.
  • the detection means are part of a connection system comprising a housing with insulating walls with which is associated a terminal which comprises a connection cage provided with a screw and a coupled annular shape pressure device , preferably captively, to the screw so as to be driven by it.
  • the pressure device comprises a headband secured to the screw and opposite to a mobile pressure range in the cage, and two symmetrical concave wings connecting them, the central portion of the wings approaching the walls of the housing of the terminal when the device is compressed between its head range and its pressure range, that is to say in particular when the screw is tightened on a conductor and / or a connection range located in the cage.
  • the pressure device is preferably conductive and provided with a insulating flap moving with it so as to obstruct a housing passage opening of the housing.
  • a first detection element is located on a wall of the housing and a second element is placed on the adjacent wing, preferably at the central part which is deformed the most and / or on the insulating flap.
  • Means make it possible to determine a minimum threshold of the distance separating the two elements, said threshold corresponding to a predetermined tightening torque of the screw, that is to say a compression force of the device, said means allowing, as a function of whether or not the threshold is reached, to actuate signaling means, for example a light-emitting diode.
  • the two elements come into abutment when the predetermined tightening torque is reached, and the contact between the two elements advantageously closes a supply circuit of the signaling means;
  • the first element may then comprise two conductive tracks, extending parallel to the axis of the screw over a length covering at least the maximum displacement of the cage, and the second element a range connecting or not the two tracks.
  • the invention thus relates to a connection system with the previous terminal, the housing and the detection means, the housing can be part of an electrical device at one of its connection areas or be included in an independent housing.
  • the invention thus relates to a terminal block which can accommodate several terminals, and in particular comprise three housings and three cage terminals, advantageously forming three integral connection systems.
  • connection system of an electrical appliance comprises a housing delimited by insulating walls, a terminal comprising a connection cage and a screw cooperating for a relative movement of the screw with respect to the cage, and a pressure device comprising two elastic wings interconnected at one end by a headband secured to the screw and at the other end by a pressure range located in the connection cage.
  • the wings are symmetrical about an axial plane of the screw and comprise a central portion, such that the spacing between the central portions of the wings increases when the pressure device is compressed between its head range and its pressure range so that said pressure device is able to store a clamping energy.
  • the system according to the invention further comprises means for detecting a predetermined tightening torque of the screw comprising a first element integral with a wall and a second element integral with a wing, said wing and said wall being adjacent to each other. one of the other when the terminal is put in place in the housing, means for determining the distance separating the first and second elements, signaling means coupled to the determining means and indicating when said distance is less than or equal to at a threshold distance.
  • the first and the second elements come into contact when the predetermined tightening torque is reached, said threshold distance being zero; the first and second elements may be conductive and part of a supply circuit of the signaling means, so that the signaling means are energized when the predetermined tightening torque is reached; for example the first element comprises two conductive tracks, and the second element comprises a conductive pad.
  • the second element is preferably located at the central part of the wing, and the first element extends parallel to the relative displacement axis of the terminal for a length sufficient to be facing the second element in all positions. relative of the terminal relative to the housing.
  • the second element can be put in place on an insulating flap attached to a wing of the pressure device.
  • a fixed connection area 1 is accessible through an opening 2 of the housing in order to be able to associate, by direct clamping, one or more conductors 4.
  • insulating walls 6 define within the housing a housing 8, typically rectangular parallelepiped, provided with various arrangements, so as to accommodate a screw terminal 10 for connection to the fixed range 1.
  • the terminal 10 comprises a cage 12 formed by a metal strip cut and folded which is looped in a rigid ring, defining a substantially rectangular passage which faces the access opening 2 of the housing and in which is positioned the connection pad 1.
  • the rigid cage 12 comprises on a small side substantially parallel to the fixed range 1 a threaded hole 14 for the passage of a screw 16 which normally moves to the range 1 and allows the clamping.
  • the screw 16 comprises an operating head 18 extending via a neck 20, a threaded rod, which terminates at its free end by a bearing surface 22 directly stressed for clamping a cable 4 on the beach 1.
  • a pressure device 24 is coupled to the screw 16, preferably captively, so as to move with it and to be urged by the clamping.
  • the device 24 is a unitary piece, elastic, usually metallic, substantially closed on itself in the form of a ring and symmetrical with respect to an axial plane of the screw 16.
  • a headband 26 encloses the neck 20 of the screw 16 under its head 18, so as to ensure a balanced hold, and a pressure range 28 may be applied to one of the conductors 1, 4 to be brought into contact, serving as an interface with the span 22 of the screw 16.
  • a flange 30 connects the surfaces 26, 28 of the device 24 via a connection zone defining a projecting angle; the wings 30 are concave, with a central portion 32 closer to the axis of the screw 16.
  • the pressure range 28 can be curved to give a generally convex shape to the end portion of the device 24 opposite to the head region 26 and / or to have reliefs 28A cooperating with a recessed portion 1A of the conductive zone 1.
  • the combination of the concavity of the wings 30 and the sloping or convex shape of the lands 26, 28 is adapted so that the pressure device 24 deforms by compression with a curvature decreasing as the pressure increases: the central portions 32 move away from each other.
  • the rotation of the screw 16 causes, by cooperation of its thread with the threaded orifice 14, the translation of the cage 12 relative to the housing 8 to its abutment against a face of the fixed connection range 1; in parallel, the screw 16 moves relative to the cage 12 and the housing 8 until the pressure range 28 abuts against the opposite face of the fixed range 1.
  • the continued rotation of the screw 16 then causes the compression stressing of the pressure device 24, which results in the reduction of the concavity of the wings 30 and the application of the bearing surface 22 of the screw 16 against the face of the pressure range 28 opposite to the fixed range 1 : Figure 1B .
  • the elastic force stored in the wings 30 helps to prevent loosening of the screw 16 by inadvertent rotation (action exerted by the headband 20 on the head 18) and to compensate for a game due to the creep of the conductor 2, by displacement of the pressure range 28 relative to the span 22 of the screw 16; it should be noted in this regard that the head 18 urges the headband 20 in compression, which makes it possible to respect the elastic limit of the device 24.
  • a small distance is provided between the bearing surface 22 of the screw 16 and the face facing the pressure range 28; the distance is determined so that its retrofit produces the desired level of stress of the pressure device 24.
  • the head of the screw 16 is applied to the headband 20 in a region situated at a short distance from the axis of the screw 16, so as to create a lever arm which accentuates the torque exerted on the device 24.
  • an insulating flap 34 is fixed on a flange 30 facing the insertion opening 2 of the cable 4: the flap 34 moves together with the pressure device 24 so as to partially mask the introduction opening 2 and therefore reduce the risk of inadvertent contact.
  • the spacing e between the inner faces of the central portions 32 of the wings 30 is minimal at rest; it is at least equal and preferably slightly greater than the width of the cage 12, so that the cage 12 can slide freely within the pressure device 24.
  • the spacing e between the inner faces of the central portions 34 increases until the wings 30 adopt a concavity shape null or reversed.
  • the distance e between the inner faces of the wings 30 is maximum: means are provided to detect and signal the predetermined minimum of the residual distance d between the central portion 32 one of the wings 30 and the adjacent wall 6 of the housing 8.
  • an indication, sound or preferably visual allows the operator to know that its clamping is sufficient: this alone criterion is sufficient to make the connection reliable and fast.
  • the operator can recognize the reality of the tightening of the screw 16 so as not to intervene to tighten a screw 16 for a terminal 10 is properly connected.
  • the detection of the minimum of the distance d is carried out by setting up a stop system cooperating between the wall 6 and the wing 30, which, in addition to the simplicity of detection, avoids excessive stress on the device pressure 24 and too much torque.
  • the detection means thus comprise a first stop element 38 on a wall 6 cooperating with a second stop element 40 on the adjacent wing 30; the detection means are of dry switch type, and the two abutment elements 38, 40 are conductive, closing a supply circuit of the signaling means 42, for example a light-emitting diode, a PLC input, a safety circuit ...
  • the second element 40 located on the wing 30 may comprise a protuberance of said metal wing; advantageously, the second element 40 is a conductor placed on an insulating support so as to avoid any accidental contact between the wing 30 itself and the first element 38.
  • the second element 40 comprises a conductive pad set to place on the bib 34; for greater accuracy, it is preferred that the second element 40 be located at the central portion 32 of the wing 30, which undergoes the greatest deformation during tightening.
  • the first element 38 located on the adjacent wall 6, advantageously comprises two conductive tracks 44 isolated from each other, each track 44 being connected to the supply circuit of the signaling means 42; the distance separating the two tracks 44 is less than or equal to the width in the same direction of the range 40.
  • the tracks 44 extend parallel to the axis of the screw 16, over a length corresponding at least to the possible displacement the second element 40, that is to say the flange 30 / 1a flap 34 relative to the wall 6.
  • Other embodiments are possible.
  • the terminal 10 is associated with an insulating housing 46 which serves as a housing 48, said housing 46 being inserted directly into a recess 8 of an electrical appliance.
  • a housing 48 which serves as a housing 48
  • several terminals 10, and in particular three are housed in a unitary housing 46 so as to facilitate the installation of the three-phase devices by inserting a single terminal block 50.
  • the terminal block 50 comprises an insulating housing 46 provided with three housings 48 of square section, isolated from one another by a partition wall 52, each housing 48 comprising two orifices 54; facing one end and on two sides orthogonal to the partition wall 52, an orifice 54 1 being intended for the passage of the fixed range 1 and the other 54 2 to face a passage opening 2 of the device.
  • the face orthogonal to the side walls 52 and including the orifices 54 i is recessed at each housing 48 to allow the passage of a terminal 10 as previously described and the opposite side is provided with a hole 56 for actuating the screw 16.
  • the face of the cage 12 of the terminal 10 accessible from the recess of the housing 46 is advantageously associated with an insulating cover 58 so as to close the housing 48 of the terminal block 50.
  • the inner face of a wall 60, preferably the wall comprising the passage opening 54 2 is provided with the first element 40 of the tightening torque detection means.
  • the invention has been described with reference to a terminal 10 in which the cage 12 and the screw 16 are movable relative to the housing 8, 48 in which the terminal 10 is placed, it is not limited thereto.
  • the system and / or the terminal block 50 according to the invention to have a cage 12 or a screw 16 fixedly mounted relative to the walls 6.
  • the terminal 10 can be used to clamp a conductor 4 between the range 22 and the fixed range 1 or the other side of the beach 1, or a driver on each side.
  • It is also possible to make the switch circuit of the signaling means 42 by using the pressure device 24 as a bridge connecting two first elements 38 located on the two opposite walls 48 of a terminal block 50, or any other alternative.
  • Other means for determining the distance between the two elements 38, 40 can be envisaged; in particular, it is possible to use means for identifying two threshold distances, so as to inform the user that a clamping is desirable or imposed.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Microelectronics & Electronic Packaging (AREA)
  • Connections Arranged To Contact A Plurality Of Conductors (AREA)
  • Clamps And Clips (AREA)
  • Details Of Spanners, Wrenches, And Screw Drivers And Accessories (AREA)

Description

DOMAINE TECHNIQUETECHNICAL AREA

L'invention concerne une borne à vis pour connecter au moins un conducteur électrique à une plage conductrice d'un appareil électrique. Elle vise plus précisément à garantir le serrage effectif d'une borne à rattrapage de fluage. En particulier, l'invention se rapporte à une borne comprenant un dispositif de signalisation du couple de serrage de la vis.The invention relates to a screw terminal for connecting at least one electrical conductor to a conductive pad of an electrical appliance. It aims more precisely to ensure the effective tightening of a catch-up creep terminal. In particular, the invention relates to a terminal comprising a device for signaling the tightening torque of the screw.

ETAT DE LA TECHNIQUESTATE OF THE ART

Les bornes de raccordement de câbles peuvent avoir tendance à se desserrer après une longue période de service, et ce desserrage engendre des échauffements importants dans les appareils électriques. Pour surveiller ce phénomène afin de procéder à des resserrages éventuels, le document EP 1 531 519 propose ainsi l'ajout d'un système indicateur de la qualité du serrage, en particulier un levier prenant deux positions.The cable terminals may tend to loosen after a long period of service, and this loosening causes significant heating in electrical appliances. To monitor this phenomenon in order to carry out any tightening, the document EP 1,531,519 proposes the addition of a system indicating the quality of the tightening, in particular a lever taking two positions.

Pour éviter le desserrage lui-même, des bornes dans lesquelles des moyens compensent le fluage ont été développées. Ainsi, le document EP 1 271 697 présente une borne à vis, comprenant une cage de connexion dotée d'un orifice taraudé, une vis coopérant avec l'orifice taraudé et une pièce de pression élastique qui s'applique sur le conducteur électrique. La pièce de pression comprend une plage de tête et une plage de pression reliées entre elles par une aile élastique propre à emmagasiner une énergie de serrage, la plage de tête pouvant être sollicitée par la tête de vis et la plage de pression étant applicable contre l'un des conducteurs à raccorder. Cette mise en pression permet, par l'appui exercé sous la tête de vis, d'éviter le desserrage de la borne et/ou de rattraper le fluage du conducteur serré par la borne. Afin d'améliorer l'équilibrage de la borne, la pièce de pression comprend deux ailes élastiques symétriques par rapport à un plan axial de la vis et de forme concave.To avoid loosening itself, terminals in which means compensate creep have been developed. Thus, the document EP 1 271 697 has a screw terminal, comprising a connection cage having a threaded orifice, a screw cooperating with the threaded orifice and a resilient pressing member which is applied to the electrical conductor. The pressure part comprises a head section and a pressure range interconnected by a resilient flange adapted to store a clamping energy, the head range being able to be biased by the screw head and the pressure range being applicable against one of the conductors to be connected. This pressurization allows, by the support exerted under the screw head, to avoid loosening of the terminal and / or catch the creep of the conductor tightened by the terminal. In order to improve the balancing of the terminal, the pressure piece comprises two elastic wings symmetrical with respect to an axial plane of the screw and of concave shape.

Grâce à ce système, la durée d'installation peut être très courte tout en assurant la qualité de câblage et en garantissant une continuité de service. Cependant, l'opérateur n'a aucune indication pratique sur la position réelle, à tout instant, de la vis et il reste seul juge du serrage appliqué au conducteur électrique et donc de la pression de contact : cette ignorance peut le conduire à certains tâtonnements, au détriment de la durée des opérations. Par ailleurs, du fait qu'aucune indication du couple de serrage effectif n'est disponible, par crainte de fluage, l'opérateur peut être amené à régulièrement vérifier le serrage des bornes, bien que le fluage ait de fait été compensé.With this system, the installation time can be very short while ensuring the quality of cabling and ensuring continuity of service. However, the operator has no practical indication of the actual position, at any moment, of the screw and he remains the only judge of the tightening applied to the electrical conductor and therefore of the contact pressure: this ignorance can lead him to some trial and error. at the expense of the duration of operations. Moreover, since no indication of the effective tightening torque is available, for fear of creep, the operator may be required to regularly check the tightening of the terminals, although the creep has in fact been compensated.

EXPOSE DE L'INVENTIONSUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Parmi autres avantages, l'invention vise à pallier cet inconvénient de la borne précédente, et à proposer un système permettant la signalisation du couple de serrage d'une borne à rattrapage de fluage.Among other advantages, the invention aims to overcome this drawback of the previous limit, and to provide a system for signaling the tightening torque of a catch-up creep terminal.

En particulier, l'invention se rapporte à des moyens de détection d'un couple de serrage d'une borne à vis munie d'un dispositif de pression et localisée entre des parois, lesdits moyens comprenant un élément solidaire du dispositif de pression et un élément solidaire d'une paroi coopérant entre eux pour actionner des moyens de signalisation lorsque le couple de serrage atteint un seuil.In particular, the invention relates to means for detecting a tightening torque of a screw terminal provided with a pressure device and located between walls, said means comprising an element integral with the pressure device and a element integral with a wall cooperating with each other to actuate signaling means when the tightening torque reaches a threshold.

Selon l'invention, les moyens de détection font partie d'un système de raccordement comprenant un logement à parois isolantes auquel est associée une borne qui comprend une cage de connexion munie d'une vis et d'un dispositif de pression de forme annulaire couplé, de préférence de façon imperdable, à la vis de sorte à être entraîné par elle. Le dispositif de pression comprend une plage de tête assujettie à la vis et opposée à une plage de pression mobile dans la cage, ainsi que deux ailes concaves symétriques les reliant, la partie centrale des ailes se rapprochant des parois du logement de la borne lorsque le dispositif est comprimé entre sa plage de tête et sa plage de pression, c'est-à-dire en particulier lorsque la vis est serrée sur un conducteur et/ou une plage de raccordement localisés dans la cage. Le dispositif de pression est de préférence conducteur et muni d'une bavette isolante se déplaçant avec lui de façon à obstruer un orifice de passage de conducteur du logement.According to the invention, the detection means are part of a connection system comprising a housing with insulating walls with which is associated a terminal which comprises a connection cage provided with a screw and a coupled annular shape pressure device , preferably captively, to the screw so as to be driven by it. The pressure device comprises a headband secured to the screw and opposite to a mobile pressure range in the cage, and two symmetrical concave wings connecting them, the central portion of the wings approaching the walls of the housing of the terminal when the device is compressed between its head range and its pressure range, that is to say in particular when the screw is tightened on a conductor and / or a connection range located in the cage. The pressure device is preferably conductive and provided with a insulating flap moving with it so as to obstruct a housing passage opening of the housing.

Un premier élément de détection est localisé sur une paroi du logement et un deuxième élément est mis en place sur l'aile adjacente, de préférence au niveau de la partie centrale qui se déforme le plus et/ou sur la bavette isolante. Des moyens permettent de déterminer un seuil minimal de la distance séparant les deux éléments, ledit seuil correspondant à un couple de serrage prédéterminé de la vis, c'est-à-dire une force de compression du dispositif, lesdits moyens permettant, en fonction de l'atteinte ou non du seuil, d'actionner des moyens de signalisation, par exemple une diode électroluminescente. De préférence, les deux éléments viennent en butée lorsque le couple de serrage prédéterminé est atteint, et le contact entre les deux éléments ferme avantageusement un circuit d'alimentation des moyens de signalisation ; le premier élément peut alors comprendre deux pistes conductrices, s'étendant parallèlement à l'axe de la vis sur une longueur couvrant au moins le déplacement maximal de la cage, et le deuxième élément une plage reliant ou non les deux pistes.A first detection element is located on a wall of the housing and a second element is placed on the adjacent wing, preferably at the central part which is deformed the most and / or on the insulating flap. Means make it possible to determine a minimum threshold of the distance separating the two elements, said threshold corresponding to a predetermined tightening torque of the screw, that is to say a compression force of the device, said means allowing, as a function of whether or not the threshold is reached, to actuate signaling means, for example a light-emitting diode. Preferably, the two elements come into abutment when the predetermined tightening torque is reached, and the contact between the two elements advantageously closes a supply circuit of the signaling means; the first element may then comprise two conductive tracks, extending parallel to the axis of the screw over a length covering at least the maximum displacement of the cage, and the second element a range connecting or not the two tracks.

L'invention concerne ainsi un système de raccordement avec la borne précédente, le logement et les moyens de détection, le logement pouvant faire partie d'un appareil électrique au niveau d'une de ses plages de raccordement ou être compris dans un boîtier indépendant. L'invention concerne alors un bornier qui peut loger plusieurs bornes, et notamment comprendre trois logements et trois bornes à cage, formant avantageusement trois systèmes de raccordement solidaires.The invention thus relates to a connection system with the previous terminal, the housing and the detection means, the housing can be part of an electrical device at one of its connection areas or be included in an independent housing. The invention thus relates to a terminal block which can accommodate several terminals, and in particular comprise three housings and three cage terminals, advantageously forming three integral connection systems.

Plus généralement, le système de raccordement d'un appareil électrique selon l'invention comprend un logement délimité par des parois isolantes, une borne comprenant une cage de connexion et une vis coopérant pour un mouvement relatif de la vis par rapport à la cage, et un dispositif de pression comprenant deux ailes élastiques reliées entre elles à une extrémité par une plage de tête assujettie à la vis et à l'autre extrémité par une plage de pression localisée dans la cage de connexion. Les ailes sont symétriques par rapport à un plan axial de la vis et comprennent une partie centrale, tel que l'écartement entre les parties centrales des ailes augmente lorsque le dispositif de pression est mis en compression entre sa plage de tête et sa plage de pression de sorte que ledit dispositif de pression est apte à emmagasiner une énergie de serrage. Le système selon l'invention comprend en outre des moyens de détection d'un couple de serrage prédéterminé de la vis comprenant un premier élément solidaire d'une paroi et un deuxième élément solidaire d'une aile, ladite aile et ladite paroi étant adjacentes l'une de l'autre lorsque la borne est mise en place dans le logement, des moyens de détermination de la distance séparant le premier et le deuxième éléments, des moyens de signalisation couplés aux moyens de détermination et indiquant lorsque ladite distance est inférieure ou égale à une distance seuil.More generally, the connection system of an electrical appliance according to the invention comprises a housing delimited by insulating walls, a terminal comprising a connection cage and a screw cooperating for a relative movement of the screw with respect to the cage, and a pressure device comprising two elastic wings interconnected at one end by a headband secured to the screw and at the other end by a pressure range located in the connection cage. The wings are symmetrical about an axial plane of the screw and comprise a central portion, such that the spacing between the central portions of the wings increases when the pressure device is compressed between its head range and its pressure range so that said pressure device is able to store a clamping energy. The system according to the invention further comprises means for detecting a predetermined tightening torque of the screw comprising a first element integral with a wall and a second element integral with a wing, said wing and said wall being adjacent to each other. one of the other when the terminal is put in place in the housing, means for determining the distance separating the first and second elements, signaling means coupled to the determining means and indicating when said distance is less than or equal to at a threshold distance.

Selon un mode de réalisation préféré, le premier et le deuxième éléments viennent en contact lorsque le couple de serrage prédéterminé est atteint, ladite distance seuil étant nulle ; le premier et le deuxième éléments peuvent être conducteurs et font partie d'un circuit d'alimentation des moyens de signalisation, de sorte que les moyens de signalisation sont alimentés lorsque le couple de serrage prédéterminé est atteint ; par exemple le premier élément comprend deux pistes conductrices, et le deuxième élément comprend une plage conductrice. Le deuxième élément est de préférence localisé au niveau de la partie centrale de l'aile, et le premier élément s'étend parallèlement à l'axe de déplacement relatif de la borne sur une longueur suffisante pour être face au deuxième élément dans toutes les positions relatives de la borne par rapport au logement. Le deuxième élément peut être mis en place sur une bavette isolante fixée à une aile du dispositif de pression.According to a preferred embodiment, the first and the second elements come into contact when the predetermined tightening torque is reached, said threshold distance being zero; the first and second elements may be conductive and part of a supply circuit of the signaling means, so that the signaling means are energized when the predetermined tightening torque is reached; for example the first element comprises two conductive tracks, and the second element comprises a conductive pad. The second element is preferably located at the central part of the wing, and the first element extends parallel to the relative displacement axis of the terminal for a length sufficient to be facing the second element in all positions. relative of the terminal relative to the housing. The second element can be put in place on an insulating flap attached to a wing of the pressure device.

BREVE DESCRIPTION DES FIGURESBRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

D'autres avantages et caractéristiques ressortiront plus clairement de la description qui suit de modes particuliers de réalisation de l'invention, donnés à titre illustratif et nullement limitatifs, représentés dans les figures annexées.

  • Les figures 1 A et 1 B illustrent un système de raccordement selon l'invention en position de repos et en position serrée.
  • La figure 2 montre un bornier selon un mode de réalisation préféré de 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 and 1B illustrate a connection system according to the invention in the rest position and in the tight position.
  • The figure 2 shows a terminal block according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.

DESCRIPTION DETAILLEE D'UN MODE DE REALISATION PREFEREDETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Pour un appareil électrique (non illustré), une plage fixe de raccordement 1 est accessible par une ouverture 2 du boîtier afin de pouvoir lui associer, par serrage direct, un ou plusieurs conducteurs 4. Tel qu'illustré en figure 1A, des parois isolantes 6 définissent au sein du boîtier un logement 8, classiquement parallélépipédique rectangle, doté d'aménagements variés, de façon à loger une borne à vis 10 permettant la connexion sur la plage fixe 1. La borne 10 comprend une cage 12 formée par une bande métallique découpée et pliée qui se boucle en anneau rigide, définissant un passage sensiblement rectangulaire qui fait face à l'ouverture d'accès 2 du boîtier et dans lequel est positionnée la plage de raccordement 1. La cage rigide 12 comporte sur un petit côté sensiblement parallèle à la plage fixe 1 un orifice taraudé 14 permettant le passage d'une vis 16 qui se déplace ainsi normalement à la plage 1 et permet le serrage. La vis 16 comprend une tête de manoeuvre 18 prolongeant, via un col 20, une tige filetée, qui se termine à son extrémité libre par une portée 22 directement sollicitée pour le serrage d'un câble 4 sur la plage 1.For an electrical appliance (not shown), a fixed connection area 1 is accessible through an opening 2 of the housing in order to be able to associate, by direct clamping, one or more conductors 4. As illustrated in FIG. Figure 1A , insulating walls 6 define within the housing a housing 8, typically rectangular parallelepiped, provided with various arrangements, so as to accommodate a screw terminal 10 for connection to the fixed range 1. The terminal 10 comprises a cage 12 formed by a metal strip cut and folded which is looped in a rigid ring, defining a substantially rectangular passage which faces the access opening 2 of the housing and in which is positioned the connection pad 1. The rigid cage 12 comprises on a small side substantially parallel to the fixed range 1 a threaded hole 14 for the passage of a screw 16 which normally moves to the range 1 and allows the clamping. The screw 16 comprises an operating head 18 extending via a neck 20, a threaded rod, which terminates at its free end by a bearing surface 22 directly stressed for clamping a cable 4 on the beach 1.

Un dispositif de pression 24 est couplé à la vis 16, de préférence de façon imperdable, de manière à se déplacer avec elle et à être sollicité par le serrage. Le dispositif 24 est une pièce unitaire, élastique, usuellement métallique, sensiblement fermée sur elle-même en forme d'anneau et symétrique par rapport à un plan axial de la vis 16. Une plage de tête 26 enserre le col 20 de la vis 16, sous sa tête 18, de façon à assurer un maintien équilibré, et une plage de pression 28 peut être appliquée sur l'un des conducteurs 1, 4 à mettre en contact, servant d'interface avec la portée 22 de la vis 16. De chaque côté de l'axe de la vis 16, une aile 30 relie les plages 26, 28 du dispositif 24 via une zone de raccordement déterminant un angle saillant ; les ailes 30 sont concaves, avec une partie centrale 32 plus proche de l'axe de la vis 16.A pressure device 24 is coupled to the screw 16, preferably captively, so as to move with it and to be urged by the clamping. The device 24 is a unitary piece, elastic, usually metallic, substantially closed on itself in the form of a ring and symmetrical with respect to an axial plane of the screw 16. A headband 26 encloses the neck 20 of the screw 16 under its head 18, so as to ensure a balanced hold, and a pressure range 28 may be applied to one of the conductors 1, 4 to be brought into contact, serving as an interface with the span 22 of the screw 16. On each side of the axis of the screw 16, a flange 30 connects the surfaces 26, 28 of the device 24 via a connection zone defining a projecting angle; the wings 30 are concave, with a central portion 32 closer to the axis of the screw 16.

La plage de pression 28 peut être incurvée pour donner une forme générale convexe à la partie d'extrémité du dispositif 24 opposé à la plage de tête 26 et/ou présenter des reliefs 28A coopérant avec une partie en retrait 1A de la plage conductrice 1. La combinaison de la concavité des ailes 30 et de la forme pentue ou convexe des plages 26, 28 est adaptée pour que le dispositif de pression 24 se déforme par compression avec une courbure décroissante lorsque la pression augmente : les parties centrales 32 s'écartent l'une de l'autre.The pressure range 28 can be curved to give a generally convex shape to the end portion of the device 24 opposite to the head region 26 and / or to have reliefs 28A cooperating with a recessed portion 1A of the conductive zone 1. The combination of the concavity of the wings 30 and the sloping or convex shape of the lands 26, 28 is adapted so that the pressure device 24 deforms by compression with a curvature decreasing as the pressure increases: the central portions 32 move away from each other.

En particulier, dans le mode de réalisation illustré, la rotation de la vis 16 entraîne, par coopération de son filetage avec l'orifice taraudé 14, la translation de la cage 12 par rapport au logement 8 jusqu'à sa butée contre une face de la plage de raccordement fixe 1 ; parallèlement, la vis 16 se déplace par rapport à la cage 12 et au logement 8 jusqu'à ce que la plage de pression 28 bute contre la face opposée de la plage fixe 1. La poursuite de la rotation de la vis 16 entraîne alors la mise en contrainte par compression du dispositif de pression 24, qui se traduit par la diminution de la concavité des ailes 30 et l'application de la portée 22 de la vis 16 contre la face de la plage de pression 28 opposée à la plage fixe 1 : figure 1B. L'effort élastique emmagasiné dans les ailes 30 contribue à empêcher un desserrage de la vis 16 par rotation intempestive (action exercée par la plage de tête 20 sur la tête 18) et à rattraper un jeu dû au fluage du conducteur 2, par déplacement de la plage de pression 28 relativement à la portée 22 de la vis 16 ; il convient à cet égard de noter que la tête 18 sollicite la plage de tête 20 en compression, ce qui permet de respecter la limite élastique du dispositif 24.In particular, in the illustrated embodiment, the rotation of the screw 16 causes, by cooperation of its thread with the threaded orifice 14, the translation of the cage 12 relative to the housing 8 to its abutment against a face of the fixed connection range 1; in parallel, the screw 16 moves relative to the cage 12 and the housing 8 until the pressure range 28 abuts against the opposite face of the fixed range 1. The continued rotation of the screw 16 then causes the compression stressing of the pressure device 24, which results in the reduction of the concavity of the wings 30 and the application of the bearing surface 22 of the screw 16 against the face of the pressure range 28 opposite to the fixed range 1 : Figure 1B . The elastic force stored in the wings 30 helps to prevent loosening of the screw 16 by inadvertent rotation (action exerted by the headband 20 on the head 18) and to compensate for a game due to the creep of the conductor 2, by displacement of the pressure range 28 relative to the span 22 of the screw 16; it should be noted in this regard that the head 18 urges the headband 20 in compression, which makes it possible to respect the elastic limit of the device 24.

De préférence, au repos, une faible distance est prévue entre la portée d'appui 22 de la vis 16 et la face en regard de la plage de pression 28 ; la distance est déterminée pour que son rattrapage produise le niveau souhaité de contrainte du dispositif de pression 24. Avantageusement, la tête de la vis 16 s'applique sur la plage de tête 20 dans une région située à une faible distance de l'axe de la vis 16, de manière à créer un bras de levier qui accentue le couple exercé sur le dispositif 24.Preferably, at rest, a small distance is provided between the bearing surface 22 of the screw 16 and the face facing the pressure range 28; the distance is determined so that its retrofit produces the desired level of stress of the pressure device 24. Advantageously, the head of the screw 16 is applied to the headband 20 in a region situated at a short distance from the axis of the screw 16, so as to create a lever arm which accentuates the torque exerted on the device 24.

Avantageusement, une bavette isolante 34 est fixée sur une aile 30 face à l'ouverture d'insertion 2 du câble 4 : la bavette 34 se déplace conjointement avec le dispositif de pression 24 de façon à masquer en partie l'ouverture d'introduction 2 et donc à réduire les risques de contact intempestif.Advantageously, an insulating flap 34 is fixed on a flange 30 facing the insertion opening 2 of the cable 4: the flap 34 moves together with the pressure device 24 so as to partially mask the introduction opening 2 and therefore reduce the risk of inadvertent contact.

L'écartement e entre les faces internes des parties centrales 32 des ailes 30 est minimal au repos ; il est au moins égal et de préférence légèrement supérieur à la largeur de la cage 12, de manière que la cage 12 puisse glisser librement au sein du dispositif de pression 24. De préférence, en position serrée, l'écartement e entre les faces internes des parties centrales 34 croît jusqu'à ce que les ailes 30 adoptent une forme de concavité nulle ou inversée.The spacing e between the inner faces of the central portions 32 of the wings 30 is minimal at rest; it is at least equal and preferably slightly greater than the width of the cage 12, so that the cage 12 can slide freely within the pressure device 24. Preferably, in a tight position, the spacing e between the inner faces of the central portions 34 increases until the wings 30 adopt a concavity shape null or reversed.

Selon l'invention, lorsque le couple de serrage préconisé est atteint, l'écartement e entre les faces internes des ailes 30 est maximal : des moyens sont prévus afin de détecter et signaler le minimum prédéterminé de la distance résiduelle d entre la partie centrale 32 d'une des ailes 30 et la paroi adjacente 6 du logement 8. Lorsque la distance d correspondant à cette position est détectée, une indication, sonore ou de préférence visuelle, permet à l'opérateur de savoir que son serrage est suffisant : ce seul critère suffit pour réaliser le branchement de façon fiable et rapide. Par ailleurs, tant que la position de serrage précédente est signalée, l'opérateur peut reconnaître la réalité du serrage de la vis 16 de sorte à ne pas intervenir pour resserrer une vis 16 pour une borne 10 de fait correctement raccordée.According to the invention, when the recommended tightening torque is reached, the distance e between the inner faces of the wings 30 is maximum: means are provided to detect and signal the predetermined minimum of the residual distance d between the central portion 32 one of the wings 30 and the adjacent wall 6 of the housing 8. When the distance d corresponding to this position is detected, an indication, sound or preferably visual, allows the operator to know that its clamping is sufficient: this alone criterion is sufficient to make the connection reliable and fast. Moreover, as long as the preceding clamping position is indicated, the operator can recognize the reality of the tightening of the screw 16 so as not to intervene to tighten a screw 16 for a terminal 10 is properly connected.

De préférence, la détection du minimum de la distance d est réalisée par mise en place d'un système de butée coopérant entre la paroi 6 et l'aile 30, ce qui, outre la simplicité de détection, évite une sollicitation trop forte du dispositif de pression 24 et un couple de serrage trop important. Les moyens de détection comprennent ainsi un premier élément de butée 38 sur une paroi 6 coopérant avec un deuxième élément de butée 40 sur l'aile adjacente 30 ; les moyens de détection sont de type interrupteur sec, et les deux éléments de butée 38, 40 sont conducteurs, fermant un circuit d'alimentation des moyens de signalisation 42, par exemple une diode électroluminescente, une entrée d'automate, un circuit de sécurité,...Preferably, the detection of the minimum of the distance d is carried out by setting up a stop system cooperating between the wall 6 and the wing 30, which, in addition to the simplicity of detection, avoids excessive stress on the device pressure 24 and too much torque. The detection means thus comprise a first stop element 38 on a wall 6 cooperating with a second stop element 40 on the adjacent wing 30; the detection means are of dry switch type, and the two abutment elements 38, 40 are conductive, closing a supply circuit of the signaling means 42, for example a light-emitting diode, a PLC input, a safety circuit ...

Le deuxième élément 40 localisé sur l'aile 30 peut comprendre une protubérance de ladite aile métallique ; avantageusement, le deuxième élément 40 est un conducteur mis en place sur un support isolant de façon à éviter tout contact accidentel entre l'aile 30 elle-même et le premier élément 38. En particulier, le deuxième élément 40 comprend une plage conductrice mise en place sur la bavette 34 ; pour plus de précision, il est préféré que le deuxième élément 40 soit localisé au niveau de la partie centrale 32 de l'aile 30, qui subit la plus forte déformation lors du serrage.The second element 40 located on the wing 30 may comprise a protuberance of said metal wing; advantageously, the second element 40 is a conductor placed on an insulating support so as to avoid any accidental contact between the wing 30 itself and the first element 38. In particular, the second element 40 comprises a conductive pad set to place on the bib 34; for greater accuracy, it is preferred that the second element 40 be located at the central portion 32 of the wing 30, which undergoes the greatest deformation during tightening.

Le premier élément 38, localisé sur la paroi adjacente 6, comprend avantageusement deux pistes conductrices 44 isolées l'une de l'autre, chaque piste 44 étant reliée au circuit d'alimentation des moyens de signalisation 42 ; la distance séparant les deux pistes 44 est inférieure ou égale à la largeur dans la même direction de la plage 40. Avantageusement, les pistes 44 s'étendent parallèlement à l'axe de la vis 16, sur une longueur correspondant au moins au déplacement possible du deuxième élément 40, c'est-à-dire de l'aile 30 / 1a bavette 34 par rapport à la paroi 6. D'autres modes de réalisation sont possibles.The first element 38, located on the adjacent wall 6, advantageously comprises two conductive tracks 44 isolated from each other, each track 44 being connected to the supply circuit of the signaling means 42; the distance separating the two tracks 44 is less than or equal to the width in the same direction of the range 40. Advantageously, the tracks 44 extend parallel to the axis of the screw 16, over a length corresponding at least to the possible displacement the second element 40, that is to say the flange 30 / 1a flap 34 relative to the wall 6. Other embodiments are possible.

Dans un mode de réalisation préféré illustré en figure 2, la borne 10 selon l'invention est associée à un boîtier isolant 46 lui servant de logement 48, ledit boîtier 46 étant inséré directement dans un évidement 8 d'un appareil électrique. De préférence, plusieurs bornes 10, et notamment trois, sont logées dans un boîtier unitaire 46 de façon à faciliter l'installation des appareils triphasés, en y insérant un seul bornier 50. Dans ce mode de réalisation, le bornier 50 comprend un boîtier isolant 46 muni de trois logements 48 de section carrée, isolés l'un de l'autre par une paroi de séparation 52, chacun des logements 48 comprenant deux orifices 54; se faisant face au niveau d'une extrémité et sur deux faces orthogonales à la paroi de séparation 52, un orifice 54l étant destiné au passage de la plage fixe 1 et l'autre 542 à faire face à un orifice de passage 2 de l'appareil. Au niveau de l'extrémité adjacente aux orifices 54i, la face orthogonale aux parois latérales 52 et comprenant les orifices 54i est évidée au niveau de chaque logement 48 pour permettre le passage d'une borne 10 tel que précédemment décrite et la face opposée est munie d'un orifice 56 permettant l'actionnement de la vis 16. La face de la cage 12 de la borne 10 accessible depuis l'évidement du boîtier 46 est avantageusement associée à un couvercle isolant 58 de façon à fermer le logement 48 du bornier 50. La face interne d'une paroi 60, de préférence la paroi comprenant l'orifice de passage 542, est munie du premier élément 40 des moyens de détection du couple de serrage.In a preferred embodiment illustrated in figure 2 , the terminal 10 according to the invention is associated with an insulating housing 46 which serves as a housing 48, said housing 46 being inserted directly into a recess 8 of an electrical appliance. Preferably, several terminals 10, and in particular three, are housed in a unitary housing 46 so as to facilitate the installation of the three-phase devices by inserting a single terminal block 50. In this embodiment, the terminal block 50 comprises an insulating housing 46 provided with three housings 48 of square section, isolated from one another by a partition wall 52, each housing 48 comprising two orifices 54; facing one end and on two sides orthogonal to the partition wall 52, an orifice 54 1 being intended for the passage of the fixed range 1 and the other 54 2 to face a passage opening 2 of the device. At the end adjacent the orifices 54 i , the face orthogonal to the side walls 52 and including the orifices 54 i is recessed at each housing 48 to allow the passage of a terminal 10 as previously described and the opposite side is provided with a hole 56 for actuating the screw 16. The face of the cage 12 of the terminal 10 accessible from the recess of the housing 46 is advantageously associated with an insulating cover 58 so as to close the housing 48 of the terminal block 50. The inner face of a wall 60, preferably the wall comprising the passage opening 54 2 , is provided with the first element 40 of the tightening torque detection means.

Bien que l'invention ait été décrite en référence à une borne 10 dans laquelle la cage 12 et la vis 16 sont mobiles par rapport au logement 8, 48 dans lequel la borne 10 est placée, elle ne s'y limite pas. En particulier, il est possible avec le système et/ou le bornier 50 selon l'invention d'avoir une cage 12 ou une vis 16 montée fixement par rapport aux parois 6. La borne 10 peut permettre de serrer un conducteur 4 entre la portée 22 et la plage fixe 1 ou de l'autre côté de la plage 1, ou un conducteur de chaque côté. Il est possible par ailleurs de réaliser le circuit interrupteur des moyens de signalisation 42 en utilisant le dispositif de pression 24 comme pont reliant deux premiers éléments 38 localisés sur les deux parois opposées 48 d'un bornier 50, ou toute autre alternative. D'autres moyens de détermination de la distance entre les deux éléments 38, 40 peuvent être envisagés ; en particulier, il est possible d'utiliser des moyens permettant d'identifier deux distances seuils, de façon à informer l'utilisateur qu'un serrage est souhaitable ou imposé.Although the invention has been described with reference to a terminal 10 in which the cage 12 and the screw 16 are movable relative to the housing 8, 48 in which the terminal 10 is placed, it is not limited thereto. In particular, it is possible with the system and / or the terminal block 50 according to the invention to have a cage 12 or a screw 16 fixedly mounted relative to the walls 6. The terminal 10 can be used to clamp a conductor 4 between the range 22 and the fixed range 1 or the other side of the beach 1, or a driver on each side. It is also possible to make the switch circuit of the signaling means 42 by using the pressure device 24 as a bridge connecting two first elements 38 located on the two opposite walls 48 of a terminal block 50, or any other alternative. Other means for determining the distance between the two elements 38, 40 can be envisaged; in particular, it is possible to use means for identifying two threshold distances, so as to inform the user that a clamping is desirable or imposed.

Claims (10)

  1. A connection system (50) of an electric equipment unit comprising:
    - a housing (8) delineated by insulating walls (6);
    - a terminal (10) comprising a connection tunnel (12) and a screw (16) collaborating for a relative movement of the screw (16) with respect to the tunnel (12);
    - a pressure device (24) comprising two flexible wings (30) joined to one another at one end by a head strip (26) secured to the screw (16) and at the other end by a pressure strip (28) located in the connection tunnel (12), said wings (30) being symmetrical with respect to an axial plane of the screw (16) and comprising a central part (32), such that the distance (e) between the central parts (32) of the wings (30) increases when the pressure device (24) is compressed between its head strip (26) and its pressure strip (28) so that said pressure device (24) is able to store a clamping energy;
    characterized by means for detecting a predefined tightening torque of the screw (16) comprising a first element (38) securedly affixed to a wall (6) and a second element (40) securedly affixed to a wing (30), said wing (30) and said wall (6) being adjacent to one another when the terminal (10) is fitted in place in the housing (8), means for determining the distance (d) separating the first and second elements (38, 40), and indicating means (42) coupled with the means for determining and providing an indication when said distance (d) is smaller than or equal to a threshold distance.
  2. The connection system according to claim 1 wherein the first and second elements (38, 40) come into contact when the predefined tightening torque is reached, said threshold distance being nil.
  3. The connection system according to claim 2 wherein the first and second elements (38, 40) are conductive and form part of a power supply circuit of the indicating means (42) so that the indicating means (42) are supplied when the predefined tightening torque is reached.
  4. The connection system according to claim 3 wherein the first element (38) comprises two conducting tracks (44) and the second element (40) comprises a conducting strip.
  5. The connection system according to one of claims 1 to 4 further comprising an insulating flap (34) fixed to a wing (32) of the pressure device (24).
  6. The connection system according to claim 5 wherein the second element (40) is fitted on the flap (34).
  7. The connection system according to one of claims 1 to 6 wherein the second element (40) is located at the level of the central part (32) and wherein the first element (38) extends parallel to the axis of relative movement of the terminal (10) over a sufficient length to be facing the second element (40) in all the relative positions of the terminal (10) with respect to the housing (8).
  8. An electric equipment unit comprising a case and at least one connection system according to one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the housing (8) of the connection system is formed by an arrangement of said case and comprising a fixed connection strip (1) in the connection tunnel (12).
  9. A connection terminal block (50) comprising an insulating case (46) and at least one connection system according to one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the housing of the connection system is a housing (48) in the case (46), said housing (48) being of parallelepipedic rectangular shape with a surface comprising a hole (56) for actuating the screw (16), the opposite surface comprising a recess for passage of the terminal (10) of the connection system, and one of the surfaces joining the latter at least provided with an access opening (542) for a conductor to be connected.
  10. The terminal block (50) according to claim 9 comprising three connection systems.
EP11354007A 2010-04-30 2011-03-22 Connecting system enabling the tightening torque of a screw terminal to be indicated Active EP2383841B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR1001843A FR2959613B1 (en) 2010-04-30 2010-04-30 CONNECTING SYSTEM FOR SIGNALING THE TIGHTENING TORQUE OF A SCREW TERMINAL.

Publications (3)

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EP2383841A2 EP2383841A2 (en) 2011-11-02
EP2383841A3 EP2383841A3 (en) 2012-03-28
EP2383841B1 true EP2383841B1 (en) 2013-01-30

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EP11354007A Active EP2383841B1 (en) 2010-04-30 2011-03-22 Connecting system enabling the tightening torque of a screw terminal to be indicated

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US (1) US8393922B2 (en)
EP (1) EP2383841B1 (en)
CN (1) CN102290642B (en)
ES (1) ES2400475T3 (en)
FR (1) FR2959613B1 (en)

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CN104037511B (en) * 2014-05-29 2016-02-10 国网浙江省电力公司绍兴供电公司 A kind of terminal board with wiring validation checking function
US9997861B2 (en) 2015-12-10 2018-06-12 International Business Machines Corporation Force limiting latch indicator
US9812829B1 (en) * 2016-11-10 2017-11-07 Schneider Electric USA, Inc. Wiring connector for two wire to two point connection
CN108400068B (en) * 2018-03-23 2023-10-03 宁波城市职业技术学院 Wiring early warning type low-voltage circuit breaker and control method thereof
WO2020157563A2 (en) * 2019-01-29 2020-08-06 Appleton Grp, Llc A heat-absorbing-and-dissipating jacket for a terminal of an electrical device
CN112530753B (en) * 2020-11-26 2023-02-03 广东电网有限责任公司清远供电局 Binding post and use its circuit breaker

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DE3417010A1 (en) * 1984-05-09 1985-11-14 Karl Lumberg GmbH & Co, 5885 Schalksmühle ELECTRICAL TERMINAL
ES2032891T3 (en) * 1988-03-26 1993-03-01 Weidmuller Interface Gmbh & Co. TERMINAL.
FR2758212A1 (en) * 1997-01-09 1998-07-10 Philippe Baron D Electrical cable connector
FR2758211A1 (en) * 1997-01-09 1998-07-10 Philippe Baron D DEVICE FOR ELECTRICAL CONNECTIONS
JP2001250599A (en) * 2000-03-06 2001-09-14 Mitsubishi Electric Corp Terminal connecting apparatus
US6339190B1 (en) * 2000-09-25 2002-01-15 Signal Catv System Inc. Signal distributor
FR2825838B1 (en) * 2001-06-06 2006-12-29 Schneider Electric Ind Sa SCREW TERMINAL
ES2357739T3 (en) * 2001-07-23 2011-04-29 Hager Electro S.A. TIGHTENING QUALITY INDICATOR SYSTEM.
TWI263384B (en) * 2002-12-19 2006-10-01 Fuji Electric Co Ltd Terminal device for electrical equipment
FR2862443B1 (en) * 2003-11-14 2006-10-27 Schneider Electric Ind Sas ELECTRICAL CONNECTION TERMINAL AND ELECTRICAL PROTECTION APPARATUS COMPRISING SUCH A TERMINAL
DE102004017101A1 (en) * 2003-12-17 2005-07-21 Volkswagen Ag Diagnosable fixture device for electronic components e.g. for antenna arrangement of motor vehicle, has fixture element electronically joined to electronic component
US7473146B2 (en) * 2006-11-27 2009-01-06 Tyco Electronics Brasil Ltda Busbar assembly
DE102007013536B3 (en) * 2007-03-18 2008-10-02 Phoenix Contact Gmbh & Co. Kg PE connection for plug connectors
US7404745B1 (en) * 2007-04-03 2008-07-29 Chih-Yuan Wu Terminal contact and clamp assembly for a cable terminal block and method for processing the same

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
US20110269333A1 (en) 2011-11-03
EP2383841A3 (en) 2012-03-28
FR2959613B1 (en) 2012-04-20
CN102290642A (en) 2011-12-21
CN102290642B (en) 2015-05-06
US8393922B2 (en) 2013-03-12
FR2959613A1 (en) 2011-11-04
ES2400475T3 (en) 2013-04-10
EP2383841A2 (en) 2011-11-02

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