EP3224906B1

EP3224906B1 - Device for the electrical interconnection of electric cables

Info

Publication number: EP3224906B1
Application number: EP15812885.0A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Sandro Galli
Original assignee: Techno Group SRL
Current assignee: Techno Group SRL
Priority date: 2014-11-25
Filing date: 2015-11-20
Publication date: 2021-03-17
Anticipated expiration: 2035-11-20
Also published as: ITMO20140344A1; WO2016083966A1; ES2880319T3; EP3224906A1

Description

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a group for the electrical interconnection of electrical cables.

Background Art

It is known that to connect two electrical cables, two terminals are generally used, one male and one female which can be mutually coupled together.
The end of each electrical cable, stripped of its insulating sheath, is inserted in an appropriate housing of the corresponding terminal where, by means of a mechanical screw or spring system, the mechanical retention is made of the electrical cable whilst ensuring at the same time the closing of the relevant power circuit.
The terminals equipped with a spring mechanism typically consist of a first portion with a spring for the connection to the electrical cable, and of a second portion provided with a pin (in case of male terminals) or a bush (in the case of female terminals), for the connection to the other terminal.
In the event of having to electrically interconnect several electrical cables at the same time, the use is known of multi-pole connectors wherein, for example, a first multi-pole connector contains internally a plurality of male terminals and a second multi-pole connector contains internally a plurality of female terminals. The moment the two connectors are coupled, the male terminals come into contact with the female terminals closing the various electrical circuits corresponding to the respective electrical cables.
To wire the electrical cables and connect them to the terminals contained inside the connectors, traditional multi-pole connectors are provided with suitable openings in which electrical cables are inserted until their free extremity is blocked underneath the spring.
Such connectors have various drawbacks tied to the great practical difficulties found during the carrying out of the wiring operations, both to block the electrical cables by means of the springs of the terminals when these are introduced inside the multi-pole connectors, and to release the electrical cables already held by the springs.
In particular, the fact is underlined that above all the spring release operation is very difficult and requires the use of considerable skill by the operator who has to introduce one or more tools inside the connector to be able to release the electrical cables from the springs.
To obviate at least in part to these drawbacks special connectors are known with a plurality of lateral holes in which are mounted an equal number of side buttons intended to compress the springs when these need to be released.
These special connectors are not without drawbacks either.
First, it is underlined that the presence of the keys complicates the manufacturing process of the multi-pole connectors inasmuch as not only is it necessary to produce all the keys separately, but above all, inconveniently, an additional assembly step is required which provides for the mounting of the keys on the multi-pole connectors, entailing a consequent increase in production costs inevitably affecting the retail price, with the risk of making such products less attractive to customers.
In this regard it is noticed that such multi-pole connectors may have a fairly high number of terminals and corresponding keys and it is therefore easy to appreciate how said problems can weigh a lot on the entire process of production of traditional multi-pole connectors.
To this must be added that if on the one hand the multi-pole connectors with keys facilitate the operator during the release of the springs, on the other hand they do not provide any additional aid during the electrical cable insertion phase.
Special types of group for the electrical interconnection of electrical cables are disclosed in patent documents DE 20 2007 009193 , DE 202 05 805 , DE 102 55 190 , DE 16 90436 .

Description of the Invention

The main aim of the present invention is to provide a group for the electrical interconnection of electrical cables which is more practical and easier to use than connectors of known type.
In particular, one object of the present invention is to provide a group for the electrical interconnection of electrical cables which allows both to block and release the electrical cables with ease.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a group for the electrical interconnection of electrical cables which can be manufactured in a simple and practical manner and with lower production costs than traditional systems.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a group for the electrical interconnection of electrical cables which allows to overcome the mentioned drawbacks of the prior art within the ambit of a simple, rational as well as easy and effective to use solution.
The above mentioned objects are achieved by the present group for the electrical interconnection of electrical cables having the features of claim 1.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become better evident from the description of a preferred but not exclusive embodiment of a group for the electrical interconnection of electrical cables, illustrated by way of an indicative, but non-limiting, example in the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is an exploded view of a first embodiment of the group according to the invention;
Figure 2 is an axonometric, partially broken-out view of the group of Figure 1;
Figures 3 and 4 are sectional views illustrating the operation of a detail of the group of Figure 1;
Figure 5 is an exploded view of a second embodiment of the group according to the invention;
Figure 6 is an axonometric, partially broken-out view of the group of Figure 5;
Figures 7 and 8 are sectional views illustrating the operation of a detail of the group of Figure 5.

Embodiments of the Invention

With particular reference to such Figures, globally indicated with reference number 50 is a group for the electrical interconnection of electrical cables.
The group 50 comprises:

a first multi-pole connector 51 of electrically insulating material able to accommodate at least two first terminals 2, 3 of electrically conductive material and having at least a first bending spring 4 for the locking of respective first electrical cables 5 (i.e. for the locking of a first electrical cable 5 for each first terminal 2, 3); and
a second multi-pole connector 52 of electrically insulating material able to accommodate at least two second terminals 6, 7 of electrically conductive material and having at least a second bending spring 8 for the locking of respective second electrical cables 9 (i.e. for the locking of a second electrical cable 9 for each second terminal 6, 7).

The first multi-pole connector 51 is couplable to the second multi-pole connector 52 in a coupling configuration in which the first terminals 2, 3 and the second terminals 6, 7 are in mutual contact for the electrical connection of the electrical cables 5, 9.
In the particular embodiments shown in the Figures, the first multi-pole connector 51 and the second multi-pole connector 52 are intended to accommodate five first terminals 2, 3 and five second terminals 6, 7 but it is easy to understand that alternative embodiments are possible wherein the multi-pole connectors 51, 52 are intended to accommodate a different number of first terminals 2, 3 and of second terminals 6, 7.
Each first terminal 2, 3 has a first distal portion 2 shaped like a pin and a first proximal portion 3 shaped to define at least the first bending spring 4; similarly, each second terminal 6, 7 has a second distal portion 6 shaped like a bush and a second proximal portion 7 shaped to define at least the second bending spring 8. In this regard, the fact is underlined that, in the context of this treatise, the adjectives "distal" and "proximal" are used with reference to the relative position which the first terminals 2, 3 and the second terminals 6, 7 take on with respect to the corresponding electrical cables 5, 9, wherein the distal portions 2, 6 are located further away from the electrical cables 5, 9 while the proximal portions 3, 7 are placed closer to the electrical cables 5, 9.
The first distal portions 2 and the second distal portions 6 are sized so that, in the coupling configuration of the multi-pole connectors 51, 52, the first distal portions 2 can be inserted in the second distal portions 6 to make a coupling of the pin/bush type for the electrical connection of electrical cables 5, 9.
The first proximal portions 3 and the second proximal portions 7, on the other hand, are shaped so as to present:

a central body 11, 26;
at least one primary flap 14, 29 that extends orthogonally from the central body 11, 26; and
at least one secondary flap 16, 31 that extends orthogonally from the central body 11, 26 and is folded on itself around a direction substantially orthogonal to the central body 11, 26 to define the bending springs 4, 8, the electrical cables 5, 9 being lockable between the primary flaps 14, 29 and secondary flaps 16, 31.

In the proximal portions 3, 7, the bending springs 4, 8 comprise at least one projecting portion 21, 36 that protrudes with respect to the primary flap 14, 29.
The projecting portions 21, 36, in practice, are able to come in contact with an externally-operated pressing element 59, 68, as it will be better described below. The first terminal 2, 3 and the second terminal 6, 7 are obtainable, e.g., by shearing and bending a sheet metal.
The electrically conductive material used to make the first terminal 2, 3 and the second terminal 6, 7 is, e.g., phosphorous bronze or brass.
The electrically insulating material from which the first terminal 2, 3 and the second terminal 6, 7 are made, on the other hand, is plastic, e.g. of the polyamide type or the like, which can be usefully employed to form the first terminal 2, 3 and the second terminal 6, 7 by means of an injection molding process.
The first multi-pole connector 51 has a first central axis A1 and comprises:

at least a first housing body 53 in which the first terminals 2, 3 are insertable; and
at least a first cover 54 suitable for the closure of the first housing body 53 after the first terminals 2, 3 have been inserted.

In particular, the first housing body 53 is internally hollow to define a plurality of first cavities 55 wherein the first terminals 2, 3 can be inserted.
The first cavities 55 extend parallel to the first central axis A1 and the first terminals 2, 3 are insertable inside them making them slide along an insertion direction which is also parallel to the first central axis A1.
Even more in detail, the first housing body 53 comprises a plurality of first protrusions 56 which extend parallel to the first central axis A1, and inside which is obtained a part of the first cavities 55 intended to accommodate the first distal portions 2 of the first terminals 2, 3.
At the center of the first housing body 53 is also obtained a first seat 57 for the insertion by interlocking of a first pin 58 equipping the first cover 54, which allows the mutual coupling of the first housing body 53 and of the first cover 54.
The first seat 57 and the first pin 58 extend parallel to the first central axis A1 and the mutual coupling of the first housing body 53 and of the first cover 54 takes place by sliding them along a coupling direction which is also parallel to the first central axis A1.
The first multi-pole connector 51 also comprises at least two first pressing elements 59 forming a single monolithic body with at least one of the first housing body 53 and the first cover 54, to which the first pressing elements 59 are joined by means of respective first folding segments 60 able to make the first pressing elements 59 movable to apply a pressure on the first bending springs 4.
In the particular embodiments shown in the Figures wherein the first terminals 2, 3 are five, the first multi-pole connector 51 comprises five first pressing elements 59, one for each first terminal 2, 3; it is easy to understand however that alternative embodiments are possible with a different number of first pressing elements 59.
Preferably, the first pressing elements 59 form a single monolithic body with the first cover 54, even if alternative embodiments cannot be ruled out wherein, on the other hand, they are joined to the first housing body 53.
Conveniently, the first folding segments 60 define first axes of rotation R of the first pressing elements 59 which are substantially orthogonal to the first central axis A1.
The first pressing elements 59 comprise respective first push-button surfaces 61 manually pressable for moving the first pressing elements 59 around the first folding segments 60.
The second multi-pole connector 52 has a second central axis A2 and comprises:

at least a second housing body 62 in which the second terminals 6, 7 are insertable; and
at least a second cover 63 suitable for the closure of the second housing body 62 after the second terminals 6, 7 have been inserted.

In particular, the second housing body 62 is internally hollow to define a plurality of second cavities 64 wherein the second terminals 6, 7 can be inserted. The second cavities 64 extend parallel to the second central axis A2 and the second terminals 6, 7 can be inserted inside them making them slide along a direction of insertion which is also parallel to the second central axis A2.
Even more in detail, the second housing body 62 comprises a plurality of second protrusions 65 which extend parallel to the second central axis A2 and inside which is obtained a part of the second cavities 64 intended to house the second distal portions 6 of the second terminals 6, 7.
The second protrusions 65 are sized so they can be inserted longitudinally inside the first protrusions 56, while the first distal portions 2 housed in the first cavities 55 insert themselves inside the second distal portions 6 housed in the second cavities 64.
It is easy to understand therefore that the first multi-pole connector 51 and the second multi-pole connector 52 are shaped to allow their mutual coupling along a coupling direction B substantially parallel to the central axes A1, A2.
At the center of the second housing body 62 is also obtained a second seat 66 for the insertion by interlocking of a second pin 67 equipping the second cover 63, which allows the mutual coupling of the second housing body 62 and of the second cover 63.
The second seat 66 and the second pin 67 extend parallel to the second central axis A2 and the mutual coupling of the second housing body 62 and the second cover 63 takes place by sliding them along a coupling direction which is also parallel to the second central axis A2.
The second multi-pole connector 52 also comprises at least two second pressing elements 68 forming a single monolithic body with at least one of the second housing body 62 and the second cover 63, to which the second pressing elements 68 are joined by means of respective second folding segments 69 able to make the second pressing elements 68 movable to apply a pressure on the second bending springs 8.
In the particular embodiments shown in the Figures wherein the second terminals 6, 7 are five, the second multi-pole connector 52 comprises five second pressing elements 68, one for each second terminal 6, 7; it is easy to understand however that alternative embodiments are possible with a different number of second pressing elements 68.
Preferably, the second pressing elements 68 form a single monolithic body with the second cover 63, even if alternative embodiments cannot be ruled out wherein, on the other hand, they are joined to the second housing body 62. Conveniently, the second folding segments 69 define second axes of rotation of the second pressing elements 68 which are substantially orthogonal to the second central axis A2.
The second pressing elements 68 comprise respective second push-button surfaces 70 manually pressable for moving the second pressing elements 68 around the second folding segments 69.
In the Figures 1 to 4 and in the Figures 5 to 8 two embodiments of the invention are shown which differ from one another substantially by a different conformation of the first pressing elements 59 and of the second pressing elements 68.
In the first embodiment shown in the Figures 1 to 4, the first push-button surfaces 61 extend longitudinally to the first central axis A1 and are manually pressable by means of a pressure P directed along a direction substantially orthogonal to the first central axis A1.
In this embodiment, the first cover 54 comprises a first bottom wall 71 substantially transverse to the first central axis A1 and associated with the first pin 58.
The first bottom wall 71 has first through-openings 72 through which the first electrical cables 5 can pass which are intended to be blocked by the first bending springs 4.
The first pressing elements 59 extend overhanging from the peripheral edge of the first bottom wall 71 along a direction parallel to the first central axis A1 and, when the first cover 54 is fitted over the first housing body 53, these are positioned inside the first recesses 73 obtained on the outer lateral surface of the first housing body 53, leaving the first push-button surfaces 61 facing outwards and accessible by the user to be pressed.
On the side of the first pressing elements 59 opposite to the first push-button surfaces 61 and facing the first pin 58 there are first thrust profile sections 74 intended to come into contact with the first bending springs 4.
In particular, the first thrust profile sections 74 are able to contact the projecting portions 21 of the first bending springs 4 to compress the springs themselves, as shown in figures 3 and 4, and to allow the insertion and the removal of the first electrical cables 5 in the space between the first bending springs 4 and the primary flaps 14 of the first terminals 2, 3.
Similarly to the first push-button surfaces 61 on the first cover 54, also on the second cover 63 the second push-button surfaces 70 extend longitudinally to the second central axis A2 and are manually pressable by means of a pressure directed along a direction substantially orthogonal to the second central axis A2. The second cover 63 comprises a second bottom wall 84 substantially transverse to the second central axis A2 and associated with the second pin 67.
The second bottom wall 84 has second through-openings 75 through which the second electrical cables 9 can pass intended to be blocked by the second bending springs 8.
The second pressing elements 68 extend overhanging from the peripheral edge of the second bottom wall 84 along a direction parallel to the second central axis A2, and when the second cover 63 is fitted over the second housing body 62, these are positioned inside second recesses 76 obtained on the outer lateral surface of the second housing body 62, leaving the second push-button surfaces 70 facing outwards and accessible by the user to be pressed.
On the side of the second pressing elements 68 opposite to the second push-button surfaces 70 and facing the second pin 67 there are second thrust profile sections 77 meant to come into contact with the second bending springs 8.
In particular, the second thrust profile sections 77 are able to contact the projecting portions 36 of the second bending springs 8 to compress the springs themselves, in a way entirely similar to what occurs with the first thrust profile sections 74 shown in figures 3 and 4, and allow the insertion and the removal of the second electrical cables 9 in the space between the second bending springs 8 and the primary flaps 29 of the second terminals 6, 7.
In the second embodiment shown in the Figures 5 to 8, the first push-button surfaces 61 extend orthogonally to the first central axis A1 and are manually pressable by means of a pressure P directed along a direction substantially parallel to the first central axis A1.
In this embodiment, the first pressing elements 59 comprise a first actuating segment 78 that extends overhanging from the first pin 58 along a radial direction, i.e., orthogonal to the first central axis A1, and a first thrust segment 79 which extends overhanging from the first actuating segment 78 along a direction parallel to the first central axis A1.
When the first cover 54 is fitted over the first housing body 53, the first thrust segments 79 remain turned outwards and accessible by the user to be pressed while the first thrust segments 79 insert themselves in the first housing body 53. The first actuating segments 78, in practice, define the first push-button surfaces 61 and have first through holes 80 through which can pass the first electrical cables 5 intended to be blocked by the first bending springs 4.
The first thrust segments 79, on the contrary, are intended to come into contact with the first bending springs 4.
In particular, the first thrust segments 79 are able to contact the projecting portions 21 of the first bending springs 4 to compress the springs themselves, as shown in figures 7 and 8, and allow the insertion and the removal of the first electrical cables 5 in the space between the first bending springs 4 and the primary flaps 14 of the first terminals 2, 3.
Similarly to the first push-button surfaces 61 on the first cover 54, also on the second cover 63 the second push-button surfaces 70 extend orthogonally to the second central axis A2 and are manually pressable by means of a pressure directed along a direction substantially orthogonal to the second central axis A2. The second pressing elements 68 comprise a second actuating segment 81 that extends overhanging from the second pin 67 along a radial direction, i.e., orthogonal to the second central axis A2, and a second thrust segment 82 which extends overhanging from the second actuating segment 81 along a direction parallel to the second central axis A2.
When the second cover 63 is fitted over the second housing body 62, the second thrust segments 82 remain turned outwards and accessible by the user to be pressed while the second thrust segments 82 insert themselves in the second housing body 62.
The second actuating segments 81, in practice, define the second push-button surfaces 70 and have second through holes 83 through which the second electrical cables 9 can pass intended to be blocked by the second bending springs 8.
The second thrust segments 82, on the contrary, are intended to come into contact with the second bending springs 8.
In particular, the second thrust segments 82 are able to contact the projecting portions 36 of the second bending springs 8 to compress the springs themselves, in a way entirely similar to what occurs with the first thrust segments 79 shown in the Figures 7 and 8, and allow the insertion and the removal of the second electrical cables 9 in the space between the second bending springs 8 and the primary flaps 29 of the second terminals 6, 7.

Claims

Group (50) for the electrical interconnection of electrical cables (5, 9), comprising:
- a first multi-pole connector (51) of electrically insulating material able to accommodate at least two first terminals (2, 3), of electrically conductive material, each first terminal (2, 3) having a first proximal portion (3) shaped to define at least one primary flap (14) and at least one secondary flap (16), which is folded on itself, to define at least a first bending spring (4) for locking of respective first electrical cables (5), said first multi-pole connector (51) comprising:
- the at least two first terminals (2, 3);
- at least a first housing body (53) in which said first terminals (2, 3) are insertable; and

- at least a first cover (54) suitable for the closure of said first housing body (53) after said first terminals (2, 3) have been inserted;

- a second multi-pole connector (52) of electrically insulating material able to accommodate at least two second terminals (6, 7), of electrically conductive material, each second terminal (6, 7) having a second proximal portion (7) shaped to define at least one primary flap (29) and at least one secondary flap (31), which is folded on itself, to define at least a second bending spring (8) for locking of respective second electrical cables (9), said second multi-pole connector (52) comprising

- the at least two second terminals (6, 7);
- at least a second housing body (62) in which said second terminals (6, 7) are insertable; and

- at least a second cover (63) suitable for the closure of said second housing body (62) after said second terminals (6, 7) have been inserted;

in which:
- said first multi-pole connector (51) has a first central axis (A1);

- said second multi-pole connector (52) has a second central axis (A2); and

- said first multi-pole connector (51) and said second multi-pole connector (52) are shaped to allow their mutual coupling along a coupling direction (B) substantially parallel to said central axes (A1, A2), in a coupling configuration in which said first terminals (2, 3) and said second terminals (6, 7) are in mutual contact for the electrical connection of said electrical cables (5, 9);

- said first multi-pole connector (51) comprises at least two first pressing elements (59) forming a single monolithic body with at least one of said first housing body (53) and said first cover (54), to which said first pressing elements (59) are joined by means of respective first folding segments (60) able to make said first pressing elements (59) movable to apply a pressure on said first bending springs (4), in order to compress and deform said bending springs (4) to allow the insertion and the removal of said first electrical cables (5) in the space between said first bending springs (4) and said primary flaps (14) defined by said first terminals (2, 3) of said first multi-pole connector (51);

- said second multi-pole connector (52) comprises at least two second pressing elements (68) forming a single monolithic body with at least one of said second housing body (62) and said second cover (63), to which said second pressing elements (68) are joined by means of respective second folding segments (69) able to make said second pressing elements (68) movable to apply a pressure on said second bending springs (8), in order to compress and deform said bending springs (8) to allow the insertion and the removal of said first electrical cables (9) in the space between said first bending springs (8) and said primary flaps (29) defined by said second terminals (6, 7) of said second multi-pole connector (52);
each of said first folding segments (60) defines a corresponding first axis of rotation (R) of said first pressing elements (59) which is substantially orthogonal to said first central axis (A1), and in which said first pressing elements (59) comprise respective first push-button surfaces (61) manually pressable for moving said first pressing elements (59) around said first folding segments (60);
wherein said first push-button surfaces (61) extend longitudinally to said first central axis (A1) and are manually pressable by means of a pressure (P) directed along a direction substantially orthogonal to said first central axis (A1).
Group (50) according to claim 1, wherein said first pressing elements (59) form a single monolithic body with said first cover (54).
Group (50) according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein each of said second folding segments (69) defines a corresponding second axis of rotation of said second pressing elements (68) which is substantially orthogonal to said second central axis (A2).
Group (50) according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said second pressing elements (68) comprise respective second push-button surfaces (70) manually pressable for moving said second pressing elements (68) around said second folding segments (69).
Group (50) according to claim 4, wherein said second push-button surfaces (70) extend longitudinally to said second central axis (A2) and are manually pressable by means of a pressure directed along a direction substantially orthogonal to said second central axis (A2).
Group (50) according to claim 4, wherein said second push-button surfaces (70) extend orthogonally to said second central axis (A2) and are manually pressable by means of a pressure directed along a direction substantially parallel to said second central axis (A2).
Group (50) according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said second pressing elements (68) form a single monolithic body with said second cover (63).