FR2784808A1 - CONNECTOR FOR ELECTRICAL CONDUCTORS AND CONNECTION DEVICE COMPRISING SUCH A CONNECTOR - Google Patents

Abstract

This connector comprises a body (2) which comprises at least one housing (3) for receiving the end of a conductor (5) and means (10) for immobilizing this conductor (5). The body (2) has at least one lateral opening (12) for introducing the end of the conductor (5) into the housing (3) and carries, or is associated with, an elastic means (20) able to exercise, on the conductor (5), being introduced through the lateral opening (12), or already partially introduced into this housing, a force (F) directed towards this housing (3).

Description

The present invention relates to a connector for electrical conductors

and to a connection device

having such a connector.

  Usually, a device for connecting electrical conductors comprises a framework which supports partitions defining compartments in which are

arranged connectors.

  According to a first known arrangement, these connectors comprise a substantially parallelepiped body, made of electrically conductive material and pierced with a housing opening on two opposite faces of this body. Otherwise,

  screws allow the immobilization of one or more conduc-

  teurs while means of contacting the

  conductors are provided in the housing opposite the screws.

  The contacting means are for example perforation teeth of the insulating sheath of the conductor, or consist of an electrical contact surface on which is disposed

  the driver previously stripped.

  This type of connector, which is for example marketed with the transplanting grid under the reference EDF 69 80044 by

  MECELEC INDUSTRIES, however, has a drawback

  deny, in the sense that it is necessary to roll back the end of the conductor in question before introducing the latter into the housing, by one of the faces on which the latter opens. In addition to the fact that this manipulation can affect the electrical integrity of the conductor, it proves to be very difficult or even impossible when the blooming distance of the conductor is small or when the cross section

of the latter is important.

  According to a second known arrangement, the face of the connector provided with immobilizing screws has a reduced longitudinal dimension and constitutes a pad movable relative to the whole body, so as to form a notch by

  which the driver can be introduced into his housing.

  This type of connector, which is for example marketed by the company MECELEC INDUSTRIES and is in accordance with the EDF specification HN 62522, also has certain disadvantages, since it is necessary that the connector

  has large longitudinal dimensions to allow

  to slide on the skate. Such a connector cannot therefore be placed in certain connection installations whose dimensions are limited. In addition, given the mobility existing between the pad and the body of the connector, the machining of the latter is delicate and the risks of damage in service are high. In order to overcome the drawbacks of the prior art mentioned above, the invention proposes to provide a connector for electrical conductors whose dimensions are small, whose construction is simple, which has good mechanical reliability, allows easy introduction. of the driver in his home and guarantees positioning

  correct conductor relative to connector.

  In this spirit, the invention relates to a connector for electrical conductors, this connector comprising a body comprising at least one housing for receiving the end.

  of a conductor, this connector comprising immobilizing means

  reading of the conductor with respect to this body, characterized in that the body has at least one lateral opening for introducing the end of the conductor into the housing and in that the body carries, or is associated with, an elastic member capable to be exerted on the conductor, during introduction through this lateral opening, or partially introduced

  in housing, an effort directed towards this housing.

  Thanks to the invention, the end of a connector can be put in place in a housing for receiving the connector through the lateral entry, so that it is not necessary to deform the conductor to penetrate the connector by its front face, nor to provide a connector with a sliding shoe. The elastic member guarantees that the end of the

  driver who is engaged in the housing through the opening

  side ture does not remain oblique in this opening, which could result in a bad connection resulting in a high electrical resistance of the junction

  carried out, possible oxidation of the conductor or connector

  temperature, overheating or disconnection. The elastic organ has

  the function of creating a kind of hard point during the intro-

  duction of the end of the conductor in the corresponding housing

  of the connector. In other words, the elastic organ

  is intended to be deformed during the introduction of the

  mity of the conductor to allow this end to pass through the lateral opening of the body of the connector, then close this opening again. The elastic member participates in positioning the end of the conductor inside the connector housing by exerting a positioning force on the conductor. This contributes to the certainty of the electrical connection made between the conductor and the connector. According to a first advantageous aspect of the invention, the elastic member comprises an operating lever allowing

  to command its erasure during the introduction of the

  conductor into the housing through the side opening. This operating lever allows a user to move the elastic member away from the lateral opening at the same time as it introduces the end of a conductor into the

  corresponding housing and this, in a particularly easy way.

  According to another advantageous aspect of the invention, the shutter member is formed by a filiform element comprising a first part immobilized relative to the body and a second

  part movable relative to the lateral opening, by deformation

  elastic tion of the filiform element, in particular by elastic bending and / or torsion. The use of a threadlike element

  is advantageous both with regard to the ease of manufacture

  tion as regards its cost price. Provision can be made for this threadlike element to comprise a part in the form of a loop forming an operating lever and making it possible to control its erasure. It is also possible to provide that this threadlike element comprises a junction section extending between the first part integral with the body and a section capable of being displaced by the end of the conductor being introduced into the housing, this junction section being able to deform elastically by bending. The filiform element advantageously comprises a section belonging to the part immobilized with respect to the body which is able to deform

elastically by torsion.

  According to another advantageous aspect of the invention, the body has a groove for receiving and retaining the elastic member. The mounting of the elastic member on the body can thus be achieved by snap-fastening and / or cooperation of shapes. According to another advantageous aspect of the invention, the elastic member comprises a portion forming an abutment for the introduction of the end of the conductor into the housing in an axial direction. Thus, the elastic member participates in the adequate positioning of the end of the conductor in the housing, both in a transverse direction, thanks to the force exerted, and in an axial direction, thanks to the stop. According to another advantageous aspect of the invention, the elastic member comprises a portion extending to the immobilization means and forming a captive device for these immobilization means. This additional function of the elastic closure means is particularly useful in the case of a connector installed on site which could not be

  used in case of loss of its immobilization screws.

  The invention also relates to a connection device.

  ment for electrical conductors, this device comprising a framework delimiting compartments for receiving at least one connector, characterized in that the or each connector

  is of the type previously described. Such a connecting device

  ment is very easy to use, even by unaccustomed personnel, the positioning of the ends of the electrical conductors in the corresponding housings being guaranteed by the invention. The invention will be better understood and other advantages thereof will appear more clearly in the light of the

  description which follows of an embodiment of a

  connector and a connection device in accordance with its principle, given only by way of example and made with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: - Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of a connector according to the invention;

  - Figure 2 is a perspective view of the connector

  tor of Figure 1 during the establishment of a conductor; - Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 2 when the conductor is in place in the connector; - Figure 4 is a front view of the connector in the position of Figure 2; - Figure 5 is a front view similar to the

  Figure 4 during a subsequent step of introducing the conduc-

  guardian; - Figure 6 is a front view of the connector in the position of Figure 3; - Figure 7 is a section along the line VII-VII in Figure 6; and - Figure 8 is a perspective view of a

  connection device according to the invention.

  The connector 1 comprises a body 2 made of material

  electrically conductive defining a receiving housing 3

  tion of the end 4 of a conductive cable 5. A strip 6 provided with teeth 7 capable of perforating the insulating sheath of the conductor 5 is provided to be placed in the bottom 8 of the housing 3. A screw 10 is received in a thread upper 11 of the body 2, so that its tightening allows to press

  the end 4 against the teeth 7 of the strip 6.

  2a denotes the front face of the body 2, that is to say the face through which the conductor 5 enters the housing 3 in the configuration of FIG. 3. Note 2b and 2c the lateral faces of the body 2. The side face 2c is provided with an opening 12 through which the end 4 of the conductor 5 can be introduced into the housing 3, while the strip

  6 is already in place on the bottom 8 of this housing.

  Thus, the conductor 5 does not need to be deformed or constrained to enter the housing 3 through the front face 2a

connector 2.

  An elastic member 20 is provided to selectively seal

  the opening 12. The member 20 is formed from a spring steel wire. It could also be made of other materials and formed, in particular, of a plastic blade

  based on a polymer such as polyacetal.

  At a first end, the member 20 forms a loop 21 intended to be positioned at the opening 12. The

  loop 21 is extended by a junction section 22, sensitive-

  ment rectilinear, itself connected to a second substantially rectilinear section 23, the sections 22 and 23 being generally perpendicular to each other. Section 23 is connected to another section 24 to which it is also generally perpendicular, this section 24 extending by a bent portion 25, then by another rectilinear section 26 generally parallel to section 24, then by a rectilinear section. end 27 generally parallel to the section 23. The body 2a comprises a longitudinal groove 30 in which the section 23 of the member 20 can be received, as shown in FIG. 2. The section 23 is then retained in

  the groove 30 by snap-fastening and / or cooperation of shapes.

  When the section 23 is in place in the groove 30, the end section 27 of the member 20 penetrates into a notch 31 of the body 30, so that it comes into elastic abutment against the threads of the screw 10. The lower end of this thread comprises a notch 32 capable of receiving the end 27a of the section 27. Thus, when the screw 10 is tightened in the

  tapping 11, the end 27a touches the thread of the screw 10.

  When this screw is unscrewed, the notch 32 rises relative to the body 2 and is located opposite the section 27, the end 27a of which can penetrate into the notch 32, blocking

  thus unscrewing the screw 10 as shown in FIG. 7.

  The member 20 therefore constitutes a means of captivity of the screw 10. Due to the positioning of the sections 23 and 27 in the groove 30 and the notch 31, the sections 24 to 26 of the member 20 extend at the level an axial opening 13 of the housing 3 formed on a rear face 2d of the body 2. The bent part 25 is located substantially at the end 4 of the conductor once it has been introduced into the housing 3, so that it serves as a stop for the introduction of this end into the connector 1 in an axial direction XX 'of the conductor 5

in the mounted position.

  As can be seen more clearly from FIG. 7, the bent part 25 of the member 20 is offset by a distance d of the order of 3 mm relative to the rear face 2d of the body 2, so that the end 4 protrudes slightly from the housing 3 through the axial opening 13 to abut against the part 25. This allows a visual control, from above

  body 2, from the insertion of the conductor 5 into the housing 3.

  When it is necessary to set up the end 4 in the body 2, this end is directed towards the opening 12, which leads to pressing on the loop 21, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4 with the arrow A. This support on the loop 21 results in a bending of the section 22 and / or in a twisting of the section 23, which has the effect of erasing the loop 21 from the path of the end 4 of the conductor 5 in order to

  allow the introduction of this end into its housing.

  Thus, the introduction of a cable into a housing of a connector according to the invention requires a conscious maneuver by a user to overcome the hard point formed by the member 20. An unintentional introduction of the end

  of a driver in a dwelling is therefore excluded.

  When the user has moved the loop 21 far enough, the end 4 passes between the upper edge 12a of the opening 12 and the loop 21, this loop tending to return elastically to the position of FIG. 2, which has for effect of pushing the end 4 conductor 5 towards the interior of the housing 3, as represented by the force F in FIG. 5. It is therefore not possible for this conductor to remain at an angle relative to the housing 3, or partially engaged in the opening 12, which guarantees the proper positioning of the end 4

in relation to the accommodation 3.

  Thanks to the force F exerted by the member 20 on the end 4 during introduction or once introduced into the housing 3, this end is always aligned with respect to the strip 6 and the screw 10 which can fill effectively

  their immobilizer and driver connection function 5.

  In addition, any unfortunate extraction of the end 4 relative to the housing 3 through the opening 12 is unlikely, because the resistant force exerted by the member 2 prevents such an operation. On the other hand, when it is desired to extend the end of its housing 3, it suffices to

  pull on the loop 21 to clear the passage of this extremi-

  you. When the cable 5 has a larger section than that shown in the figures, the member 20 can be in elastic abutment against this conductor also in the position of Figures 3 and 6. A positioning force F is then

  also exercised in this position.

  FIG. 8 represents a device for connecting conductors according to the invention, generally designated by the reference 202 and which is a transplanting grid. This grid comprises, in known manner, a frame 204 supporting a floor 206 from which rise several lateral partitions 208 parallel to each other. The latter delimit compartments 210 within each of which is disposed a connector 301 comprising a body 302 defining between two and four housings 303 for receiving the end of the conductive cable. These housings are each provided with a lateral opening 312, each opening 312 being able to be selectively

  closed by an elastic member 320.

  As shown, the framework may include elements 212 for protection against possible electric shocks due to

  passage of a user's fingers.

  The connector according to the invention, taken individually-

  ment or within a transplanting grid 202, guarantees an easy introduction of a conductor into the housing intended to receive it, since this introduction can be effected by a lateral face of the conductor, with one hand, in slightly pushing the loop 21 of the elastic member 20 or 320 that it carries. It is not necessary to move the conductor back before introducing it into the corresponding housing and the elastic member guarantees an adequate positioning in

housing.

  The connector according to the invention also has significantly reduced longitudinal dimensions compared to the connectors of the prior art provided with a movable pad, so that it can easily be integrated into a connection device. In addition, since it does not have such a movable pad, its longevity is increased compared to this second known arrangement. It is more economical to make and more robust.

  The inventive connector and connection device

  tion can be used with conductors of variable sections and, in particular with conductors of included section

between 16 and 35 mm2.

  The invention has been shown with a threadlike elastic member. It is however applicable regardless of the shape of this member which can be part of an insulating housing associated with the connector. In the case of the grid 202, the elastic member could in particular be carried by one of the partitions 208, while being associated with each body 302 of connector 301.

Claims (10)

  1. Connector (1; 301) for electrical conductors, said connector comprising a body comprising at least one housing for receiving the end of a conductor, said connector comprising means (10) for immobilizing said conductor with respect to said body , characterized in that said body (2; 302) has at least one lateral opening (12; 312) for introducing said end (4) of the conductor (5) into said housing (3; 303) and in that said body carries, or is associated with, an elastic member (30; 320) capable of exerting on the conductor (5), during introduction into said   housing (3) through said lateral opening, or partial-   ment introduced into said housing, a force (F) directed towards said housing.   2. Connector according to claim 1, characterized in that said elastic closure member (20; 320) comprises an operating lever (21) for controlling its erasure   (A) during the introduction of said end (4) of the conduc-   tor (5) in said housing (3) through said opening side (12).   3. Connector according to one of claims 1 or 2,   characterized in that said elastic member (20; 320) is formed by a threadlike element comprising a first part (23-27) immobilized relative to said body and a second part (21, 22), movable relative to said lateral opening ( 12), by elastic deformation of said filiform element,   in particular by elastic bending and / or torsion.   4. Connector according to claim 3, characterized in that said filiform element (20) comprises a part in the form of a loop (21) forming an operating lever making it possible to control its erasure (A) during the introduction of said end ( 4) of the conductor (5) in said housing (3) to   through said side opening (12).   5. Connector according to one of claims 3 or 4,   characterized in that said filiform element (20) comprises a joining section (22) extending between said first part (23-27) integral with said body and a section (21) suitable   to be moved by said end (4) being introduced   tion in said housing (3), said junction section being   able to deform elastically by bending.   6. Connector according to one of claims 3 to 5,   characterized in that said filiform element comprises a section (23), belonging to said part (23-27) immobilized with respect to said body (2), able to deform elastically by twisting.   7. Connector according to one of the preceding claims,   characterized in that said body (2) has a groove (30)   for receiving and retaining said elastic member (20).   8. Connector according to one of the preceding claims,   characterized in that said elastic member (20) comprises a portion (25) forming a stop for the introduction of said end (4) of the conductor into said housing in a direction axial (XX ').   9. Connector according to one of the preceding claims,   characterized in that said elastic member (20) comprises a portion (27) extending to said immobilization means (10) and forming a waterproofing device (27a) for said means of immobilization.   10. Connection device for electric conductors   ques, said device comprising a frame (204) delimiting compartments (210) for receiving at least one connector, characterized in that the or each connector (301) is   according to any one of the preceding claims.