EP3391472B1 - Assembly for connecting two terminals and associated connection terminal block - Google Patents

Description

TECHNICAL AREA

The invention relates to electrical connectors or terminations for power connections. More particularly, the invention relates to a vice terminal block for tightening a terminal of a power cable to a second terminal to connect them electrically together.

PRIOR STATE OF THE ART

In aircraft construction, it is increasingly common to build planes in pre-installed sections and then quickly interconnect them on the assembly line to speed up manufacturing. These sections are already pre-equipped with cabling, piping and structural connections, which only need to be connected to those of the following sections.

Power supply cables are connected to other cables or electrical elements by means of electrical lugs supplied at the termination of each cable. Tubular lugs, that is to say of the type with a tubular barrel for connection to the cable and a flat area substantially parallel to the barrel with a central hole, are frequently used. Such a traditional terminal is connected to the other elements by means of a terminal block comprising a stud on which the terminal of the terminal is placed and a nut tightened on the stud. To connect two cables together in a straight line, the lugs of two cables are placed either on two different studs electrically connected to the same terminal block, or on the same stud, then are secured together.

This can be a problem when the cable is twisted. Twisting is very likely when routing a cable through a structure such as a section of an aircraft. Typically, the lug should be oriented around the cable so that the hole in the shelf aligns with the stud on the terminal block. For power supply cables of one significant stiffness (for example, due to a short length or a large section), the modification of orientation, which may be necessary up to 180 ° to allow its connection, is particularly difficult.

Furthermore, the connections described above present a non-negligible risk of being the cause of damage by foreign bodies (or FOD for “Foreign Object Damage” in English). In particular, a nut that unscrews, for example, can easily separate from the electrical connection and can cause FOD.

As a result, a new type of terminal has been developed to connect two cables, so as not to require a change of orientation. The terminal is of the type comprising a barrel which extends along an axis in a substantially centered manner for connection to an electric cable and a pad connected to said barrel extending radially with respect to said barrel, said pad having, on the side opposite where said barrel is located, an electrical contact surface substantially normal to said axis intended to be brought into electrical contact with an electrical element.

A cable with such a terminal can be electrically connected together to a second cable with such a terminal by placing the electrical contact surfaces of the terminals opposite. No axial orientation is necessary, since the terminals have a frontal electrical contact surface, that is to say in the direction of the axis.

However, a suitable terminal block is necessary to tighten and maintain these two lugs in this position to ensure good, reliable contact. The documents GB262216A , FR2048122A6 , FR2969367A1 and DE19910021A1 show known terminal blocks, the first in particular disclosing a terminal block corresponding to the preamble of claim 1.

STATEMENT OF THE INVENTION

The objective of the present invention is therefore to provide a terminal block which is suitable for receiving two lugs of the type described above such that their electrical contact surfaces are opposite and substantially aligned when the terminal block tightens the lugs together to connect two cables together. Another objective is to provide a terminal block that is simple to use, and has a significantly reduced probability of causing FOD or being subjected to FOD.

The present invention thus provides a vice terminal block for electrically connecting a pair of lugs by tightening one against the other, each terminal being of the type comprising a barrel which extends along an axis in a substantially centered manner and a range connected to said barrel and extending radially with respect to said barrel, said pad having, on the opposite side where said barrel is located, an electrical contact surface substantially normal to said axis, the vice terminal block comprising two opposite plates and a clamping system for moving the two plates facing each other, each plate comprising a slot for receiving one of said lugs so that the range of the terminal is substantially on one side of the plate and between the two opposite plates, while the barrel is substantially on the other side of the plate, the vice terminal block further comprising means for supporting the pair of lugs so that their electrical contact surfaces are t opposite and substantially aligned.

Preferably, said means for supporting the pods comprises the bottom of at least one slot which is adapted to support the barrel of at least one terminal.

Preferably, said means for supporting the terminals includes means adapted to support the range of at least one terminal.

Advantageously, each plate comprises three slots thus allowing three pairs of lugs to be connected.

Preferably, each slot extends from one edge of its respective plate.

More preferably, the clamping system comprises at least one projecting part normal to the surface of the first plate, and at least one through opening located on the second plate, the projecting part extending through the opening and comprising a cam mounted on the projecting part.

Advantageously, the two plates include counterbores adapted to receive the areas of the terminals.

Preferably, the vice terminal block further comprises an umbrella.

The present invention also provides a connection comprising a vice terminal block such as that defined above, the connection further comprising two lugs of the type comprising a barrel which extends along an axis in a substantially centered manner and a pad connected to said barrel and extending radially with respect to said barrel, said pad having, on the opposite side where said barrel is located, a surface of electrical contact substantially normal to said axis, the lugs being arranged with their electrical contact surfaces facing each other, the clamp terminal clamping the pads of said two lugs against each other to connect said lugs and maintain their position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

• la figure 1 présente une vue en perspective d'un bornier étau du premier mode de réalisation;
• la figure 2 présente une vue en perspective d'une connexion avec le bornier étau de la figure 1 dans laquelle trois paires de cosses sont posées en vis-à-vis, le bornier étau étant dans la position ouverte;
• la figure 3 présente une vue en perspective d'une cosse du type montré sur la figure 2 plus en détail;
• la figure 4 présente une vue en perspective de dessous et de côté de la connexion de la figure 2, le bornier étau étant muni d'un parapluie et étant dans la position serrée;
• la figure 5 présente une vue en perspective d'une connexion avec un bornier étau selon une variante, le bornier étau étant dans la position ouverte; et
• la figure 6 présente la connexion de la figure 5, le bornier étau étant muni d'un parapluie et étant dans la position serrée.

An embodiment of the invention is described below, by way of nonlimiting examples, with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

• the figure 1 presents a perspective view of a vice terminal block of the first embodiment;
• the figure 2 presents a perspective view of a connection with the vise terminal block of the figure 1 in which three pairs of lugs are placed opposite, the vice terminal block being in the open position;
• the figure 3 presents a perspective view of a terminal of the type shown on the figure 2 more in detail;
• the figure 4 presents a perspective view from below and from the side of the connection of the figure 2 , the vice terminal block being provided with an umbrella and being in the clamped position;
• the figure 5 presents a perspective view of a connection with a vice terminal block according to a variant, the vice terminal block being in the open position; and
• the figure 6 presents the connection of the figure 5 , the vice terminal block being fitted with an umbrella and being in the clamped position.

In all these figures, identical references can designate identical or similar elements. In addition, the different parts shown in the figures are not necessarily shown on a uniform scale, in order to make the figures more legible.

DETAILED PRESENTATION OF A PARTICULAR EMBODIMENT

The figure 1 presents a vice terminal block 50 according to a first embodiment of the invention for the support of two lugs 10 ( figure 3 ) one against the other. In this case, the vice terminal block 50 is suitable for receiving and connecting three pairs of lugs 10, however it can be designed to connect more or less cables.

The vice terminal block 50 comprises two substantially rectangular plates 51, 52 which can move towards one another to clamp the lugs 10. A first plate 51 is intended to be fixed, here called “fixed plate”, while the second plate 52 is intended to be moved relative to the first plate 51, and is therefore called here "movable plate". The two plates 51, 52 are of the same size, substantially flat, approximately the same thickness, and are preferably made of insulating material (non-electrically conductive).

The fixed plate 51 has three slots 61 descending vertically from the upper edge towards the inside of the plate 51 to receive lugs 10 of the cables 25. It further comprises four protrusions 54 from the surface of the fixed plate 51 which faces the movable plate 52. The protrusions 54 extend substantially normal to the surface of the fixed plate 51, and are each in the form of a U, more precisely in the form of a round bar defining a U with the two arms of the U connected. to the fixed plate 51 and the base of the U located at a distance from the fixed plate. These projecting parts 54 are intended to support cams 56 and at the same time to guide the movement of the movable plate 52.

Two mounting brackets 53 with a central hole are attached to the fixed plate (one on the left and one on the right), which mounting brackets 53 allow fixed connection to a structure, for example on a stiffener in a section of a plane.

The movable plate 52 in turn has three slots 62 descending vertically from the upper edge towards the interior of the plate to receive cable lugs 10, which three slots 62 are respectively associated with those of the fixed plate 51. In addition, the movable plate 52 is also provided with four openings 55 through which are associated with the protrusions 54 of the fixed plate 51. The two plates 51, 52 are arranged substantially parallel to each other and close to each other with the protrusions 54 of the fixed plate 51 s' extending through openings 55 passing through the movable plate 52.

In addition, the vice terminal block 50 is provided with a clamping system for clamping the two plates 51, 52 of the vice terminal block 50 one against the other. In particular, the terminations of the projecting parts 54, that is to say the bases of the U, are each provided with a cam 56. The cams 56 are mounted so as to allow their rotation around the base of the U and thus allow to tighten or release the two plates 51, 52. They include a handle which allows their manual rotation between the open position (horizontal) and the locked position (down). Cams 56 exceed their maximum point just before reaching the locked position. This helps the clamping system to stay in its position when locked.

In order to reduce the probability of being the cause of an FOD, the cams 56 are produced in one piece. Preferably, they are mounted on the base of the U using the techniques of additive manufacturing or 3D printing ("3D printing" in English). It is also possible to make the entire vice terminal block 50 using these techniques. Of course, other clamping means for the vice terminal block 50 can be envisaged instead of this cam clamping system.

When the vice terminal block 50 is clamped by its cams 56, the movable plate 52 moves in translation, pushed by the cams 56 and guided by the projecting parts 54, towards the fixed plate 51, and the two plates 51, 52 are in abutment one against the other to tighten with a homogeneous force the areas 12 of the lugs 10 received in the vice terminal block 50 one against the other.

The invention emerges even more clearly by considering the connection illustrated on the figure 2 , comprising a vice terminal block 50 with three pairs of identical lugs 10. Each of the lugs 10 is crimped to its respective cable 25, and the three pairs are intended to be connected to form three complete cables (corresponding to the three phases of electricity) . The lugs 10 are made of metal, for example aluminum or copper, but may be provided with a coating surrounding the entire exterior of the terminal except the electrical contact surface 13 which, in turn, is preferably treated (by nickel plating, or pickling) to guarantee minimum contact resistance.

The two lugs 10 of each pair are placed in the vice terminal block 50 with their electrical contact surfaces 13 facing each other to electrically connect their cable together in a straight line, for example to connect a power cable of a section d aircraft to a cable of a following section.

The vice terminal block 50 comprises three pairs of opposite slots 61, 62, or three slots per plate. Each slot 61, 62 descends vertically from the upper edge of its plate 51, 52 to the same depth, approximately towards the mid-height of the plate 51, 52, and ends with a bottom. When the lugs 10 are inserted into their respective slots 61, 62, the barrel 11 of each terminal 10 abuts against the bottom of the slot 61, 62, and the area 12 of the terminal 10 is substantially on the side of the plate 51 , 52 which faces the opposite plate 52, 51 (that is to say between the two plates), while the barrel 11 is located substantially on the other side of the plate 51, 52.

As the slots 61, 62 are directly opposite, and their bottoms are at the same level, each pair of opposite lugs 10 has its two electrical contact surfaces 13 essentially aligned one opposite the other.

Then, the vice terminal block 50 of the invention makes it possible to easily connect two lugs 10 of the type described, without requiring that the orientation of the lugs 10 be modified.

The figure 3 presents, in more detail, the same terminal 10 as those inserted in the clamp terminal block 50 of the connection shown on the figure 2 , which terminal 10 has a shape of the type described, but comprising other additional characteristics which make it in the generally preferred form for use with the terminal block vise 50. In particular, the area 12 extends radially with respect to said barrel 11 substantially centered on said axis, that is to say that the geometric center of the area 12 (seen in the direction of the axis) is on the axis. In addition, it is circular, as is its electrical contact surface 13. In addition, the barrel 11 of the terminal 10 is of substantially cylindrical shape.

When two such lugs 10 are inserted in opposite slots 61, 62 of the vice terminal block 50, the barrel 11 of each terminal 10 abuts against the bottom of the slot 61, 62 and will be supported so that the two electrical contact surfaces 13 will be aligned opposite and in total overlap. As the track 12 has a front surface, there is no precise axial orientation to respect and the lugs 10 can be connected reliably without having to modify the orientation of the terminal 10 around the axis of the barrel. or cable 25. In addition, as the pads 12 are circular, the overlap area between the pads 12 of these two lugs 10 when they are opposite will always remain the same, as will the electrical conductivity (the density current tolerable A / mm ² for a given temperature rise), regardless of the relative axial orientation of the two terminals 10.

The shape of the barrel 11 of the pod 10 plays a role in ensuring that the areas 12 are aligned. As the barrel 11 is cylindrical, the central axis of the barrel will remain in the same position regardless of the axial orientation of the barrel 11 when it is placed at the bottom of the slot 61, 62. The areas 12 of the lugs 10 opposite vis-à-vis can therefore be easily aligned coaxially and in total overlap by placing the two barrels 11 at the bottom of their slots 61, 62 where they will be coaxial.

Of course, the vice terminal block 50 can receive and connect lugs for which the shape of the pad is not circular, for example of a square shape. However, the overlap between the electrical contact surfaces of two such identical lugs presented opposite, even if the pads are centered and aligned on the same axis, will change according to the relative angular orientation of the two lugs. The change in overlap area implies a change in current carrying capacity, and the resistance of the connection. Consequently, lugs 10 with pads 12 of circular shape are generally preferred for use with this vice terminal block 50.

To support a pair of lugs 10 so that their electrical contact surfaces 13 are opposite and substantially aligned, the vice terminal block 50 can be designed to support the pads 12 of the lugs instead of the barrel 11. This can be particularly suitable when tracks 12 are round.

In a variant, the vice terminal block can be designed to receive the lugs with a range which is not of flat shape, but can comprise, for example, a rounded surface on the side opposite the electrical contact surface to reinforce it.

It can be seen that there is only a small space between the two plates 51, 52 in the open position. This not only helps to keep the lugs 10 inserted in the vice terminal block 50 in their position, and also prevents an installer from trying to connect two sub-length cables by tightening them together. Furthermore, as the plates 51, 52 move in translation when the vice terminal block 50 is tightened, the forces undergone by the cables are mainly axial and the lugs 10 are therefore less likely to come out of their slot 61, 62. Consequently, the cable lugs 10 can be inserted in their correct opposite position, then the vice terminal block 50 is tightened.

Once all the lugs 10 of the cables to be connected are inserted, the vice terminal block 50 is tightened by its cam clamping system, the electrical contact surfaces 13 of the two lugs 10 are pressed against each other to guarantee conductivity with low electrical resistance. The clamping also serves to resist against static forces and vibratory effects, by preventing the relative movement between the lugs 10, and between the lugs 10 and the clamp terminal block 50.

The figure 4 illustrates the same connection 100 as on the figure 2 , with the cams 56 in the locked position where they clamp the two plates 51, 52 towards one another and therefore the areas 12 of the pods 10 one against the other. In order to properly secure the cams 56 and prevent them from unlocking (for example due to vibrations, or shocks), a beta pin 59 is used. The beta pin 59 crosses the holes provided on the sleeves of the cams and the attachment points on the vice terminal block 50 in an interlaced manner, and is then secured, in turn, so that it does not come off.

An umbrella 70 is used to reduce the risk of being affected by a FOD. It comprises a horizontal rectangular plate 71, a central plate 72 extending in the direction of the length of the rectangular plate 71 and downwards, intended to be clamped by the clamp terminal block 50, and a few side plates 73 extending in the direction of the width of the horizontal rectangular plate 71 and downwards. The umbrella 70 serves, to a certain extent, to physically isolate the three pods 10 by forming a small partition around each terminal 10 to prevent an object, or even a liquid, falling on the connection 100 and thus not causes a short circuit. It is clipped to the vice terminal block 50. Besides protecting connection 100, it also serves to prevent that the lugs 10 do not come out of the slots 61, 62. The umbrella 70 is preferably also made of insulating material, and can be connected to the vice terminal block 50 if necessary.

The figure 5 illustrates a connection 200 comprising a variant of a vice terminal block 80 generally similar to that described above, but with several modifications. The fixed plate 81 is more substantial, having a mounting support 83 in the form of a base plate, and side plates 90.

The clamping system comprises four cams 86, but this time only two of the cams 86 are provided with handles allowing their manual rotation. However, the cams 86 are all linked in rotation by a bar 87, and therefore the actuation of the two cams 86 provided with sleeves actuate the four cams 86.

In order to prevent relative movement between the plates 81, 82 of the terminal block 80 in the clamped state, the plates 81, 82 include ribs 84 and grooves 85 cooperating on their sides which face the opposite plate. In addition, these opposite sides of the plates 81, 82 are provided with countersinks 93 adapted to receive the areas 12 of the terminals 10, the counterbores 93 being circular and provided around the bottom of each slot 91, 92. This prevents the terminals 10 from slide along their slot 91, 92. The edges of these counterbores 93 also help to support the pads 12 so that they line up. Finally, two pins 89 are used (one on the left and one on the right) to properly secure the cams 86.

The figure 6 illustrates the 200 connection of the figure 5 with an umbrella 95 placed on top of the vice terminal block 80. The umbrella 85 comprises a horizontal plate 96 and side plates 97. It also includes training for engagement with additional formations on the fixed plate 81 of the vice terminal block 80. In this case, two vertical rods 98 on the umbrella are slid into the corresponding grooves 94 on the fixed plate 81. Once installed, the umbrella 95 is secured to the vice terminal block 80 by fixing pins 99 to studs 88 provided on the plate fixed 81.

It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that other clamping systems may be suitable instead of the cam clamping systems described above for bringing the two plates of the vice terminal block together and tightening them. For example, a single cam system exerting a force over the entire length of the vice terminal block can be envisaged. Alternatively, the two terminal block plates can be linked by quick quarter-turn fasteners, or another clamping system.

Of course, the vice terminal block can receive and connect the lugs of the type described but with the range connected to the barrel in a non-centered manner, in other words, with its geometric center not being on the axis. However, lugs having their pads centrally connected are preferable for practicality and for connection reliability.

Although a terminal block with the two plates which move in translation is preferred, the two plates can be designed to pivot relative to one another, for example connected along their lower edge. The terminal block can also be designed to connect more or less cables depending on the installation, for example with only two pairs of opposite slots for the two DC cables.

The invention is not limited to the field of aircraft, but may also be suitable for other fields of sectional or modulated construction such as those of ships, of building, or generally any field where a cable must be connected to an electrical element. .

The embodiment described above is by way of example and should not be interpreted in a limiting manner. It should be noted that other embodiments or improvements to the invention will be obvious to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the general claims.

Claims (9)

1. A vice-type terminal block (50, 80) for electrically connecting a pair of lugs (10), each lug (10) being of the type comprising a barrel (11) extending along an axis in a substantially centred manner, and a flange (12) connected to said barrel (11) and extending radially relative to said barrel (11), said flange (12) having, on the opposite side to where said barrel (11) is located, an electrical contact surface (13) substantially normal to said axis, the vice-type terminal block (50, 80) comprising two opposing plates (51, 52, 81, 82), characterised in that each plate (51, 52, 81, 82) comprises a slot (61, 62, 91, 92) for receiving one of said lugs (10) such that the flange (12) of the lug (10) is substantially on one side of the plate (51, 52, 81, 82) and between the two opposing plates (51, 52, 81, 82), whereas the barrel (11) is substantially on the other side of the plate (51, 52, 81, 82), the vice-type terminal block (50, 80) being adapted for electrically connecting the pair of lugs (10) by clamping them together, the vice-type terminal block (50, 80) comprising clamping system for moving the two plates towards one another, and further, a means for supporting the pair of lugs (10) such that their electrical contact surfaces (13) face one another and are substantially aligned.
2. A vice-type terminal block according to claim 1, characterised in that said means for supporting the lugs (10) comprises the bottom of at least one slot (61, 62, 91, 92) which is adapted to support the barrel (11) of at least one lug (10).
3. A vice-type terminal block according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that said means for supporting the lugs (10) comprises a means adapted to support the flange (12) of at least one lug (10).
4. A vice-type terminal block according to any of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that each plate (51, 52, 81, 82) comprises three slots (61, 62, 91, 92) thereby allowing three pairs of lugs (10) to be connected.
5. A vice-type terminal block according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that each slot (61, 62, 91, 92) extends from an edge of the respective plate (51, 52, 81, 82).
6. A vice-type terminal block according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the clamping system comprises at least one protruding portion (54) that protrudes normally to the surface of the first plate (51), and at least one through hole (55) located on the second plate (52), the protruding portion (54) extending through the hole and comprising a cam (56, 86) mounted on the protruding portion (54).
7. A vice-type terminal block according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the plates (81, 82) comprise counterbores (93) adapted to receive the flanges (12) of the lugs (10).
8. A vice-type terminal block according to any of the previous claims, characterised in that the vice-type terminal block (50, 80) further comprises a protective cover (70, 95).
9. A connection (100, 200) comprising a vice-type terminal block (50, 80) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the connection (100, 200) further comprises two lugs (10) of the type comprising a barrel (11) extending along an axis in a substantially centred manner, and a flange (12) connected to said barrel (11) and extending radially relative to said barrel (11), said flange (12) having, on the opposite side to where said barrel (11) is located, an electrical contact surface (13) substantially normal to said axis, the lugs being positioned such that their electrical contact surfaces (13) face one another, the vice-type terminal block clamping the flanges (12) of said two lugs (10) against one another in order to connect said lugs (10) and maintain their position.

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