FR2735289A1 - CONNECTION METHOD AND DEVICE FOR SET OF OVER-MOLDED BARS - Google Patents

Abstract

The method according to the invention relates to the production of a connection device comprising several parallel conductive bars (B1 to B3) coated in an overmolded insulating material and provided with connection elements. It consists in making separately the bars (B1 to B3) and the connection elements (C1 to C3) of the device, using different tools, in fixing the elements from (C1 to C3) on the bars (B1 to B3) at the desired locations, then to perform an overmolding (BL) of the busbar (B1 to B3) provided with the connection elements (C1 to C3). The invention allows an overlap of several connection elements, located on the same bar.

Description

CONNECTION METHOD AND DEVICE FOR BAR SET

OVERMOLDED.

  The subject of the present invention is a method and a connection device for a busbar set

  overmolded in an electrically insulating material.

  It relates more particularly, but not exclusively-

  ment, a device of this kind designed so as to be able to provide connections capable of supporting

  currents at high intensity, between the different components

  sants (transformers, fuses, relays, contactors, circuit breakers, ...) of a circuit housed for example in a

electrical box or cabinet.

  To eliminate the drawbacks resulting from the use of flexible conductors, it has already been proposed, in particular in the

  international patent application WO 89/02177, a device

  connection cable comprising a set of rigid conductive bars arranged parallel to each other at a distance

  other. These bars are coated with an iso-

  molded batten which provides both electrical insulation

  sticks bars against each other and

  to the outside. Each bar includes connection elements which protrude outside the insulating material so that it can be coupled to the connectors

components of the circuit.

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  Of course, this device is designed so that

  its connection elements can be brought into coincidence

  dence and engage simultaneously with the corresponding connectors of the circuit to be wired, without having to perform any deformation (the conformation of the

  in principle final).

  It turns out that despite its multiple advantages (ease of wiring, reduction of the risk of wiring errors, better insulation, greater security, space saving, ...), this solution has a number of disadvantages. A first drawback, which is raised in the utility certificate n 2 190 319, results from the fact that the production of the conductive bars provided with their connection members is carried out by cutting a strip.

of sheet metal.

  Due to the particular shape of the bars and the presence of the connection elements, this technique gives rise to relatively large material falls,

  which significantly increase the cost price of the available

sitive.

  A second drawback is due to the fact that the operations

  The stamping, bending, or bending of the connecting elements are made difficult due to the length of the bars and therefore require a

  relatively complex and expensive tooling.

  To these two drawbacks is added that resulting from the fact that this solution does not allow the realization of all the usual types of connection members and that, in addition, it excludes any possibility of overlapping of several connection elements, located on the same bar.

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  The object of the invention is therefore to eliminate these drawbacks

  nients. To this end, it proposes a method consisting in making the bars and the connection elements of the device separately, using different tools, in fixing the connection elements on the bars in the desired locations, then in making a busbar overmolding

  equipped with connection elements.

  Advantageously, the bars will be produced from a strip of sheet metal of the same section, cut to length. The connection elements may in turn be made from a strip of sheet metal separate from that used to make the bars, or by any other means, including by molding or forging. In practice, such an implementation turns out to be simpler than if it were to

  be executed on blanks integral with the bar.

  The fixing of the connection elements on the bars

  may preferably be carried out by welding. Any-

  times, any other means of attachment ensuring good

  electrical conduction may be used.

  Furthermore, the method according to the invention may further comprise a phase of centering the connection elements at the desired locations of the bars, by means of centering means provided on said elements and on said bars. This centering phase may in particular

  understand the commitment of a repoussé trained on the elements

  connection elements, in a cavity formed on the

bars.

  Of course, the invention also relates to the arrangements

  connection elements obtained using said method.

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  Modes of execution of these devices will be described

  below, by way of nonlimiting examples, with reference to

  Reference to the accompanying drawings in which: FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of the constituent elements of a bus bar usable in the device according to the invention; Figure 2 shows a bus bar on which the connection elements are fixed by welding; Figure 3 shows an embodiment of the connection elements which can be used on the bus bars; Figure 4 is a schematic perspective view illustrating various methods of fixing connection elements on a bus bar; Figure 5 is a schematic perspective view of a section of connection device comprising three bus bars and

three connecting members.

  As previously mentioned, the method according to the invention applies to the production of a device

  for connecting several bus bars arranged parallel

  in relation to each other and coated in a block of overmolded insulating material. The embodiment of this device, illustrated in FIG. 5, comprises three bus bars B1, B2, B3 overmolded in a block

  BL, of insulating plastic of variable length.

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  On each of the bus bars B1, B2, B3 are fixed connection elements C1, C2, C3, which emerge from the block BL and are shaped so as to be able to engage on or in the connectors of the components of the circuit which are want to wire. The bus bars B1 to B3 are produced using a metal strip of rectangular section which can, for example, come from a coil and the only treatment of which is limited to cutting to length and optionally to the production of cavities , for example holes P at the locations provided for fixing the connection elements. Such a sectioned bar B and provided with holes P is

shown in Figure 1.

  The connection elements which can be fixed on this bar can be produced according to various methods, it being understood that they must necessarily include three functionally distinct zones, namely: - a fixing zone Zi, designed to be fixed on the bar B , - a connection zone Z2, specifically designed according to the type of connector on which it must be fixed, and, - a connection zone Z3, ensuring the mechanical and electrical connection between the fixing zone Zl and the connection zone Z2, this connection zone Z3 extending to the

  less in part in the insulating material of the BL block.

  In the example shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, four connection elements C4 to C7 have been shown, of different types achievable by stamping and optionally by bending a blank FL cut from a strip of sheet metal BT substantially of the same width, as shown on the

  figure 3. In this example, the elements C4 to C7 consist

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  tent in open pods (C4 fork - half fork

  C5), closed C6 and full C7 (male type plug).

  The attachment area Z1 of the elements C4 to C7 is fixed to the bar B, by welding. The centering of this zone Z1 on the bar B is obtained by means of an embossed R formed on the zone Zl, which engages in a bore P formed in the bar B at the desired location or pitch. Zone Z1 has a square shape, the side of which is

equal to the width of the bar.

  A special feature of the invention resides in the fact that the welded zones are then protected by the overmolding material and are therefore less subject to

alterations.

  In the example shown in Figure 2, the lugs

  have a flat shape, are oriented perpendicular-

  ment to the longitudinal axis X, X 'of the bar B, and

  extend parallel to the two main faces opposite

bar B entries.

  However, the invention is not limited to these characteristics.

  ticks. Indeed, the connection zone Z2 can be arched (thimble C8), or folded (thimble C9), or even twisted (thimble C1o) as shown in FIG. 4. Similarly, the terminals could be oriented parallel to the bar, for example, like the Cll terminal. They can be double and have a U-shaped section, the core

  then constituting the fixing zone (terminal C12).

  Of course, the bar B (as well as its overmolding), can be bent so as to adapt to

  the environment in which it is integrated.

  This adaptation is considerably facilitated thanks to the multiplicity of usable connection elements and

  omnidirectional nature of these elements.

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Claims (10)

Claims   1. Method for producing a connection device comprising several conductive bars arranged in parallel and at a distance from one another and coated in an overmolded insulating material, each bar comprising connection elements which protrude outside the matter   insulating so that it can be coupled to connectors   teurs, characterized in that it consists in separately producing the bars (B1 to B3) and the connection elements (Cl to C12) of the device, using different tools, to fix the connection elements (Cl to C12) on the bars (B1 to B3) at the desired locations, then make a   overmolding of the busbar (B1 to B3) fitted with the connection elements (C1 to C12).   2. Method according to claim 1,   characterized in that the bars (B1 to B3) will be made   sées from a strip of sheet metal of the same section, cut to length.   3. Method according to one of claims   previous, characterized in that the connection elements (Cl to C12) are made from a sheet metal strip (BT)   separate from that used to make the bars.   4. Method according to one of claims   previous, characterized in that the fixing of the elements of   connection (C1 to C12) on the bars (B1 to B3) is executed welded. - 8 - 2735289   5. Method according to one of claims   above, characterized in that it comprises a phase of centering the connection elements (Cl to C12) at the desired locations of the bars (B1 to B3), by means of centering means (P, R) provided on said elements (Cl to C12) and on said bars (B1 to B3).   6. Method according to claim 5, characterized in that said centering phase comprises the engagement of a repoussé (R) formed in the elements (Cl to C12) in a cavity (P) formed in the bars (B1 to B3).   7. Connection device achievable by the   method according to one of the preceding claims, this   device comprising a set of busbars (B1 to B3), arranged parallel to each other and encased in a block of insulating material (BL), characterized in that it comprises a plurality of attached connection elements (Cl to C12 ) each comprising a fixing zone (Zl) designed to be fixed on a bar (B1 to B3), a connection zone (Z2) designed according to the type of connector on which it must be fixed and a connecting zone (Z3) ensuring a mechanical and electrical connection between the fixing zone (Z1) and the connection zone (Z2), this connection zone extending at least partly in the insulating material of the block (BL).   8. Device according to claim 7, characterized in that the aforesaid connection elements (C4 to C7) consist of lugs open in fork (C4), or half-fork (C5), or in closed lugs (C7), or full (C6). - 9 - 2735289   9. Device according to one of claims 7   and 8, characterized in that the connecting zone (Z3) is arched, folded or even twisted.   10. Device according to one of claims 7 at 9,   characterized in that the terminals are oriented perpendicular to   straight or parallel to the bar (B1 to B3) which support.