FR2795241A1 - Electrical conductive device for joining main electric conductor to one or more secondary conductors, has triple U-shaped plate of electrically conductive material, ensuring connection between conductors - Google Patents

Abstract

The device has a housing (1) with two lateral walls (1a,1b), two end walls (1c,1d), and bottom (1e). The end wall (1c) has two apertures (26, 27) where two secondary conductors are inserted. A triple U-shaped plate is used to create an electrical link between different conductors (5, 6, 7, 8), and is made from a good electrically conductive material. The positioning of the conductors can be checked through apertures (55, 56, 57, 61) in the cover (2).

Description

The present invention relates to a device intended to produce an electrical connection between a main electrical conductor and at least one secondary electrical conductor. Various techniques are known for electrically connecting together several electrical conductors, for example for, from a main conductor intended to be connected to a suitable source of electric current, supplying different circuits with bypass. These techniques generally consist of stripping the ends of all the conductors and assembling them, by strapping, welding or the like. Such techniques are relatively costly and complex and when carrying out wiring on the boards to be wired, the risk of errors is relatively high, which creates verification obligations. One of the aims of the present invention is to provide a device which remedies these various drawbacks. The device according to the invention is intended to produce an electrical connection between a main electrical conductor housed in an insulating sheath and, at least, a secondary electrical conductor also housed in an insulator, said device being characterized in that it comprises a housing intended to receive the main electrical conductor and the secondary conductor, said housing being open at its upper part, the latter being closable by a cover whose face facing the interior of the housing, is integral with a connecting member electric produced from a plate good conductor of electricity, suitably cut and folded to present, on the one hand, means for electrically connecting it to the main conductor and, on the other hand, slots to constitute devices for insulation displacement link and intended to cut the insulation of the secondary conductor to cooperate with the conductive core thereof by closing the cover. Thanks to this arrangement, it is easy to make an electrical connection between a main electrical conductor and a series of secondary conductors, such a device being simple to implement and compact. According to another characteristic, the means for electrically connecting the electrical connection member of the cover to the main conductor consist of slots constituting a connection device with displacement of insulation.

According to an alternative embodiment, the means for electrically connecting the electrical connection member of the cover to the main conductor are constituted by crimping lugs shaped in the plate. Such an embodiment finds its application when the section of the main electrical conductor exceeds a determined threshold. According to a particular characteristic, the electrical connection member is folded to present a first U with a core and two wings, one of the wings constituting a wing of a second U, the core of which is turned in the opposite direction to the first, the other wing of the second U constituting a wing of a third U whose soul is turned in the same direction as the first U, the wings and the soul of the first and third U having slots forming the connecting devices insulation displacement. Thus, the insulation displacement connecting devices comprise, for each conductor, two slots which constitutes security. According to another constructive detail, the core of the second U comprises, at least, a perforation extended by cutouts so as to form elastic tabs, while the internal face of the cover comprises, at least, a stud intended for force to engage in the perforation. This produces a simple and rapid assembly of the electrical connection member on the corresponding face of the cover. The cover may have holes to allow the probes of an electrical tester to pass. Preferably, the cover and the housing comprise combined means for fixing the key cover in two positions, a pre-locking position in which the cover is kept separated from the housing and a locking position in which the cover is applied against the opening. of the housing. Thus, before locking the cover, it is possible to check the correct position of all the conductors, using the electric tester. According to a constructive detail, the cover comprises, on two opposite sides, two hooks, the spouts of which are intended to cooperate selectively with openings of the internal side walls of the housing, these openings being placed at different levels from said walls. Thus, after locking the cover, it is possible to check with the tester the good electrical continuity of connections. According to another constructive detail, the housing comprises a series of transverse partitions cut out to present cradles for receiving the main electrical conductor. According to yet another characteristic, the housing comprises transverse partitions cut out to present receiving cradles said main electrical conductor and terminated by a narrowed passage so as to constitute a retaining member of said main electrical conductor; thus the conductor is easily fixed in the housing by means of a slight elastic deformation of its insulation, this fixing facilitating mounting and also the uncoupling of the insulation by the connecting devices with displacement of insulation. So that when mounting the main electrical conductor in the housing; only a pre-selected conductor can be used, the main electrical conductor includes indexing means. According to a constructive characteristic, the indexing means of the main conductor comprise two crimping lugs intended to be inserted into the thickness of the insulation of the main conductor and extended by a body of rectangular section of which two opposite sides have a slot , while the housing has corresponding ribs. According to yet another constructive characteristic, the housing comprises, on a side wall, at least one opening for the passage of a secondary electrical conductor and has at least two partitions, one having an opening with a narrowed passage to constitute a retaining member of said secondary electrical conductor, the other forming a stop limiting the engagement of the secondary conductor in the housing. So that, when mounting the secondary electrical conductor in the housing, only a preselected secondary conductor can be used, the secondary conductor includes indexing means. According to a constructive characteristic, the means of indexing the secondary conductor comprise a cut bar to present two wise crimp tabs and a plate folded at right angles to extend perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the conductor, said plate comprising, at least , two protruding ears, while the opening of the side wall of the housing has at least two corresponding notches. Thus, only the secondary conductors whose angular position of the ears corresponds to that of the notches can be mounted in the housing.

In order to facilitate the engagement of the secondary conductor in the opening with a narrowed passage, the bottom of the housing includes a guide ramp for bringing the secondary conductor to the opening with a narrowed passage of the corresponding partition. Preferably, the housing includes keying means for mounting on a wiring board.

Preferably, the housing is filled with a product ensuring sealing. Finally, according to a last characteristic, the holes in the cover are located in line with the crimping lugs of the indexing means. The invention will now be described in more detail with reference to particular embodiments given by way of example only and shown in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a perspective view of a device, according to the invention.

Figure 2 shows in perspective the device of Figure 1, the cover being assumed removed.

Figure 3 shows the device of Figure 2, the various conductors being in place.

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the cover.

Figure S is a perspective view of the cover. Figure 6 shows in perspective electrical connection means intended to be fixed to the cover.

Figure 7 is a perspective view of a variant of the electrical connection means of the cover. Figure 8 is a plan view showing a keying member mounted at one end of a secondary conductor.

FIG. 9 is a plan view showing one end of a secondary conductor on which the member of FIG. 8 is mounted.

Figure 10 is a perspective view showing a keying member for the main conductor. Figure 11 shows the main conductor provided with the member of Figure 10.

Figure 12 is a sectional view along line 12-12 of Figure 1.

Figure 13 is a section along line 13-13 of Figure 12, the cover being assumed to be removed.

Figure 14 is a section along line 14-14 of Figure 12, the cover being assumed to be removed.

Figure 15 is a section along line 15-15 of Figure 12, the cover being assumed to be removed.

Figure 16 is a section along line 16-16 of Figure 12, the cover being assumed to be removed.

Figure 17 is a section along line 17-17 of Figure 12, the cover being assumed to be removed.

Figure 18 is a section along line 18-18 of Figure 12, the cover being assumed to be removed. The device shown in the figures comprises a box element 1 and a cover 2. In the embodiment shown, the device is intended to connect electrically, to a main conductor 5, three secondary conductors 6, 7 and 8. The box 1 comprises two longitudinal side walls 1a and 1b and two end walls 1c and 1d and a bottom 1c. The interior of the housing 1 is provided with a series of transverse partitions 10 to 15, the partitions 10, 11, 13 and 14 each having a cradle 18 for receiving the main conductor, while the partitions 12 and 15 have cradles 16 opening on the side opposite the bottom by a narrowed passage 17. The end walls 1c and 1d have notches 20 aligned with the cradles 16 and 18. In the housing element 1 extends from the partition 12 to the partition 15, a longitudinal partition wall 22, a partition 23 being provided between the partition wall 22 and the side wall 1a. On the partition wall 22 is formed a rib 24, the internal face of the wall 1b having a corresponding rib 24. The end wall 1c has two openings 26 and 27 intended to receive the secondary conductors 6 and 7 respectively. The partition 10 comprises openings 29 and 30 (see FIG. 13) intended to be crossed respectively by the conductors 7 and 6, while the partition 11 has, on the one hand, in the vicinity of its upper end, an opening 32 with a narrowed passage 33 in order to wedge the conductor 7 by means of an elastic deformation of its insulator, and, on the other hand, a opening 31 for the passage of the conductor 6. The partition 12, on the one hand, constitutes a stop limiting the engagement of the conductor 7 in the housing and is provided, on the other hand, with an opening 34 through which the conductor 6 which abuts against the partition 23 (see FIG. 12). The partition 13 has an opening 35 with a narrowed passage 38 for blocking the conductor 6. The secondary conductor 8 passes through an opening 36 in the wall 1d, is engaged in a slot 37 in the partition 15 (see FIG. 18), then wedged in an opening 39 with a narrowed passage of the partition 14 (see FIG. 17) and finally abuts against the partition 23 (see FIG. 12) which limits its engagement.

In order to facilitate the passage of the secondary conductor 8 into the slot 37, the bottom comprises a guide ramp 44. In order, that only a preselected main conductor can be mounted and that secondary conductors also preselected, all have members indexing. On the main conductor 5 is crimped an indexing member 40 formed by two crimping lugs 41 extended by a body 42 of rectangular section with a core 42b, two wings 42a and two returns 42d, the wings each having a slot 43 As can be seen in FIG. 3, the member 40 and the ribs 24 form a coding system so that only the conductors 5 previously indexed can be placed in the housing. The sage crimp tabs 41 are crimped onto the conductor 5 so that they fit into the conductive core. FIGS. 8 and 9 show the indexing system of the secondary conductors 6, 7 or 8. This system comprises a strip 45 cut out to present two crimping lugs 46 and a plate 47. The lugs 46 are crimped on a stripped end of the secondary conductors 6, 7 and 8, and the plate 47 is folded at a right angle so as to extend perpendicular to the axis of the conductor; The plate has several ears 48.

The openings 27 and 29 include a cutout with two notches 49, the angular positions of which correspond to those of the ears 48 so that only the conductor 7 previously provided with the indexing system with the ears 48 angularly wedged like the notches 49 can be placed in the housing 1.

The openings 26, 30, 31 and 34 also include notches 49 whose angular positions correspond to those of the ears 48 so that only the conductor 6 suitably indexed, can be mounted in the housing 1. The same arrangement is provided for the opening 36.

Figures 4, 5 and 6 show the cover 2 and the electrical connection means between the different conductors. The cover 2 comprises, on its two longitudinal sides 2a and 2b, hooks 50 whose spouts 51 are intended to cooperate selectively with slots 52 and 53 of the walls 1a and 1b so that the cover can occupy a waiting position when the spouts 51 cooperate with the lights 52 and a locking position when said spouts 51 are inserted in the lights 53. On its upper surface, the cover 2 has holes 55 to 57, these holes being, on the internal surface of said cover , bordered by beads 59a to 59c. I1 is also provided, in the cover, a hole 61 which is located in line with the crimping lugs 41. The internal surface of the cover 2 is provided with two pins 60.

The internal surface of the cover 2 is intended to receive a member 62 intended to make the electrical connection between the various conductors 5, 6, 7 and 8. This member 62 (see FIG. 6) is produced in a plate which is a good conductor of electricity which is cut to present a first U-section part with a core 69 and two wings 69a and 69b, the wing 69b constitutes one of the wings of a second U-section part with a core 70 and a wing 70a which constitutes one of the wings of a third U-shaped part with a core 71 and a wing 71a, the latter forming a wing of a fourth U-shaped part with a core 72 and a wing 72a which itself constitutes one of the wings of 'a fifth U-shaped part with a core 73 and a wing 73a. The cores 69, 71 and 73 of the U-shaped parts are all turned in the same direction, while the cores 70 and 72 are turned on the opposite side. The wings 69a and 69b are provided with slots 64 and 65 which pass through the core 69, the wings 70a and 71a have a slot 66 passing through the core 71 and the wings 72a and 73a and the core 73 are crossed by a slot 67 The part of the slots 64, 65, 66 and 67 extending in the corresponding cores 69, 71 and 73 is wider than the parts made in the corresponding wings. The parts of the slots 64, 65, 66 and 67 extending in the corresponding wings constitute connecting members with insulation displacement. The core 70 has a circular hole 75 whose dimension corresponds to that of the bead 59c, while the core 72 has two circular holes 76 and 77 intended, the first to cooperate with the bead 59a and the second with the bead 59b. The cores 70 and 72 also have perforations 78 of generally rectangular shape with cutouts 79 extending the long sides in order to form elastic tongues. The member 62 is fixed to the internal surface of the cover 2 by inserting the studs 60 into the perforations 78, the studs 60 having a width slightly greater than that of the perforations so that the tongues formed by the slots 79 constitute harpoons ensuring the anchoring of the member 62. The main conductor 5 is placed in the housing (see FIG. 3) then the various secondary conductors 6, 7 and 8 intended to be electrically connected to the main conductor 5 are also housed in the housing 1. Taking account of the indexing systems, the operator cannot be mistaken in the choice of the main conductor as well as in the choice of the secondary conductors. The cover 2 is then placed in the pre-locking position, that is to say in a position in which the spouts 51 are engaged in the slots 52. In this position, the presence of all the conductors can be checked through the holes 55, 56, 57 and 61 which open to the right of the crimping lugs 46 and 51 and check the electrical continuity of the connection. The lid is then locked so as to bring the spouts 51 into the slots 53. This operation can be carried out with a press, pliers or the like. In this locked position of the cover, the lips of the slot 64 cut the insulation of the main conductor 5 and cooperate with the conductive core of the latter. The lips of the slot 65 cut the insulator of the conductor 7 and bear against the conductive core thereof so that the conductor 5 and the conductor 7 are electrically connected. The slots 66 and 67 respectively cut the insulators of the conductors 6 and 8 and thus make it possible to electrically connect the conductor 5 to the conductors 6 and 8.

In the case where the electrical connection must be sealed, a sealant can be injected into the housing 1.

The device according to the invention is more particularly intended for use on wiring boards and the housing 1 may for example have, on its walls la and 1b, grooves 81 so that these cooperate with pins the wiring board. The position of these grooves and the pins being selected so that no box, other than that provided, can be mounted on the wiring board. In the various figures, an embodiment is shown in which it is intended to connect the main conductor three secondary conductors, but it is perfectly obvious that such an electrical connection could be made with a much larger number of secondary conductors. In the various figures, an embodiment is shown in which the main conductor is electrically connected to the member 62 by a system with displacement of insulation since the lips of the slot 64 cut the insulation of said conductor. In Figure 7, there is shown an alternative embodiment in which the member 62a is arranged so that the main electrical conductor 5a is crimped.

For this purpose, the wing 69a does not have the slot 64, this is replaced by the crimp tabs 90 and 91 which are formed from an extension of the free edge of said wing, the conductor 5a being previously cleanly stripped at its free end.

 Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiments which have just been described and shown. Many detailed modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims (19)

1. Device for electrical connection between a main electrical conductor housed in an insulating sheath and at least one secondary electrical conductor housed in an insulator, characterized in that it comprises a housing (1) intended to receive the main electrical conductor (5) and the secondary conductor (7), said housing being open at its upper part, the latter being closed off by a cover (2) whose face facing the interior of the housing (1) is integral with a electrical connection (62) made from a plate that is good conductor of electricity, suitably cut and folded to present, on the one hand, means (64, 90, 91) for electrically connecting it to the main conductor and, on the other hand, slots (65, 66, 67) for constituting connecting devices with displacement of insulator and intended to cut the insulator of the secondary conductor to cooperate with the conductive core of the latter p ar closing the cover. 2. An electrical connection device, according to claim 1, characterized in that the means for electrically connecting the electrical connection member (62) of the cover to the main conductor (5) consist of slots (64) constituting a device for insulation displacement connection. 3. An electrical connection device according to claim 1, characterized in that the means for electrically connecting the electrical connection member (62) of the cover to the main conductor (5) consist of crimping lugs (90, 91) conformed in the plate. 4. An electrical connection device, according to claim 1, characterized in that the electrical connection member (62) is folded to present a first U with a core (69) and two wings (69a, 69b), one wings (69b) constituting a wing of a second U whose core (70) is turned in the opposite direction from the first, the other wing of the second U constituting a wing (70a) of a third U whose core (71) is turned in the same direction as the first U, the wings and the core of the first and third U having slots (64, 65, 66) forming the insulation displacement connecting devices. 5. An electrical connection device, according to claim 4, characterized in that the core (70) of the second U comprises, at least, a perforation (78) extended by cutouts (79) so as to form elastic tongues, while the inner face of the cover comprises at least one stud (60) intended to forcefully engage in the perforation. 6. An electrical connection device according to claim 1, characterized in that the cover has holes (55, 56, 57, 61). 7. Electrical connection device, according to claim 1, characterized in that the cover (2) and the housing (1) comprise combined means for fixing the cover in two positions, a pre-locking position in which the cover is held away from the housing and a locking position in which the cover is applied against the opening of the housing (1). 8. An electrical connection device, according to claim 7, characterized in that the cover (2) comprises, on two opposite sides, two hooks (50) whose spouts (51) are intended to cooperate selectively with openings (52 and 53) of the internal side walls (la, lb) of the housing, these openings being placed at different levels from said walls (la, lb). 9. An electrical connection device, according to claim 1, characterized in that the housing (1) comprises a series of transverse partitions (10, 11, 13, 14) cut out to present cradles (18) for receiving the main electrical conductor (5). 10. An electrical connection device according to claim 1, characterized in that the housing (1) comprises transverse partitions (12, 15) cut out to present cradles (16) for receiving the main electrical conductor (5) and terminated by a passage retracted ci (17) in order to constitute a retaining member of said main electrical conductor (5). 11. An electrical connection device according to claim 1, characterized in that the main electrical conductor (5) includes indexing means (40). 12. Electrical connection device, according to claims 1 and 11, characterized in that the indexing means (40) of the main conductor comprise two crimping lugs (41) intended to be inserted into the thickness of the insulator of the main conductor and extended by a body (42) of rectangular section whose two opposite sides (42a) have a slot, while the housing (1) has corresponding ribs (24). 13. An electrical connection device, according to claim 1, characterized in that the housing (1) comprises, on a side wall (1c), at least, an opening (27) for the passage of a secon electrical conductor daire (7) and, at least, two partitions (11, 12), one having an opening (32) with a narrowed passage (33) to constitute a member for retaining said secondary electrical conductor (7) and the other forming a stop limiting the engagement of the secondary conductor in the housing. 14. An electrical connection device, according to claim 1, characterized in that the secondary conductor (7) comprises indexing means (45). 15. An electrical connection device, according to claims 13 and 14, characterized in that the means of indexing the secondary conductor comprise a strip (45) cut to present two crimping lugs (46) and a plate (47) folded to right angle to extend perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the conductor (7), said plate comprising, at least, two protruding ears (48), while the opening (27) of the side wall of the housing ( 1) has at least two corresponding notches (49). 16. Electrical connection device, according to claim 13, characterized in that the bottom (the) of the housing (1) comprises a guide ramp (44) for bringing the secondary conductor (8) towards the opening with a narrowed passage (39) of the corresponding partition (14). 17. An electrical connection device, according to claim 1, characterized in that the housing (1) comprises coding means (81) for its mounting on a wiring board. 18. An electrical connection device according to claim 1, characterized in that the housing (1) is filled with a product ensuring sealing. 19. An electrical connection device, according to claims 1, 6, 11, 12, 14 and 15, characterized in that the holes (55, 56, 57 and 61) are located in line with the crimping lugs (41, 46) indexing means (40, 45).