WO2023274949A1

WO2023274949A1 - Connection terminal and associated electrical apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO2023274949A1
Application number: PCT/EP2022/067551
Authority: WO
Inventors: Egidio Brunetti
Original assignee: Hager-Electro Sas
Priority date: 2021-06-30
Filing date: 2022-06-27
Publication date: 2023-01-05
Also published as: AU2022305605A1; CN117501548A; FR3124900A1; EP4364245A1; FR3124900B1

Abstract

The invention relates to a connection terminal comprising: - an insulating casing (1); - an insertion channel (2); - a clamping spring (6) comprising a second clamping segment (8); - a conductive bar (9), in a connected state (E3) of the connection terminal, the connection terminal being configured to pinch said electrical conductor (5) between the conductive bar (9) and the second clamping segment (8)); - a push button (10), said push button (10) being mounted so as to be able to move, in an actuation channel (13), between a first position (P1) and a second position (P2), said push button (10) being moveable from the first position (P1) to the second position (P2) under the effect of an actuating force; said connection terminal being characterized in that it comprises return means (16), which are separate from the clamping spring (6) and are configured to allow automatic return/movement of the push button (10) from the second position (P2) to the first position (P1) at least in said connected state (E3) and in the absence of said actuating force.

Description

Title of the invention: Connection terminal and associated electrical device

The present invention relates to the field of connection terminals and the field of electrical appliances comprising such connection terminals.

To make an electrical connection of an electrical device to an electrical conductor, we already know from the publication EP3619773A1 connection terminals which are equipped on the one hand with a push button mounted movable in an insulating box at the inside an actuation channel and on the other hand a clamping spring to allow connection of the electrical conductor by pinching against the conductive bar. The push button must be actuated from a first position to a second position, for example using a screwdriver, to place the connection terminal in a state of connection and thus allow the insertion of the electrical conductor into a channel inserting the electrical conductor of the connection terminal. In this second push button position, the push button is pressed into the actuation channel. In a connected state of the connection terminal in which the electrical conductor is connected to the conductive bar by pinching of the electrical conductor by the clamping spring, the push button remains pressed in the actuation channel.

[0003] This configuration has the disadvantage of allowing dust and/or various pollution from the outside to enter the connection terminal in the case where the push button is in the second position. Pollutants and/or particles may, if necessary, enter the electrical device in which the connection terminal is integrated. This is particularly harmful, if the electrical device is a protective electrical device, such as a circuit breaker.

This configuration has the other disadvantage of not being able to guarantee the user the state of the connection of the electrical conductor in the connection terminal. Indeed, there is a risk of completely or partially blocking the travel of the clamping spring with the push button. This may result in the absence of establishment of electrical contact or the partial establishment of electrical contact between the clamping spring and the electrical conductor resting on the conductive bar. Then, the risk is to create a partial contact between the clamping spring and the conductive bar which could cause an increase in temperature and a thermal runaway. The user who observes that the push button is in the second position may mistakenly think that the electrical contact has been established correctly, when this is not the case.

The object of the present invention is to overcome at least one of these drawbacks and to propose a solution making it possible to avoid the entry of pollutants and/or particles into the connection terminal and to guarantee the establishment of the connection of the electrical conductor in the connection terminal.

To this end, the invention relates to a connection terminal comprising at least:

- an insulating box,

- at least one insertion channel comprising at least one insertion orifice opening onto an outer wall of the insulating casing, said insertion orifice being configured for the insertion of at least one electrical conductor into said insertion channel, the insertion channel extending along an insertion direction,

- at least one clamping spring comprising a first electrical contact portion, a second clamping portion and a third intermediate portion connecting the first electrical contact portion to the second clamping portion,

- at least one conductive bar electrically connected to said first electrical contact portion, in a connected state of the connection terminal, the connection terminal being configured to pinch said electrical conductor between the conductive bar and the second clamping portion,

- at least one push button comprising a first actuating end arranged to be actuated according to an actuating force and comprising a second end substantially opposite the second clamping portion,

- at least one actuation channel comprising at least one inlet opening onto said outer wall of the insulating casing and in which said push button is mounted movable in translation in a direction of movement, said push button being movably mounted in the actuation channel between a first position in which an actuation interface of the first actuation end is flush with said outer wall and a second position in which said actuation interface is located in the channel actuation at a distance 11 from said inlet orifice, said push button being movable from the first position to the second position under the effect of the actuation force, said connection terminal is characterized in that it comprises return means separate from the clamping spring which are configured to allow automatic movement/return of the push button from the second position to the first position at least in said connected state and in the absence of said actuating force.

The invention also relates to an electrical device comprising a connection terminal characterized in that said connection terminal is according to the invention.

The invention will be better understood, thanks to the description below, which relates to several preferred embodiments, given by way of non-limiting examples, and explained with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings, in which:

[0009] [Fig. 1] Figure 1 shows a sectional view of a connection terminal according to the invention in an initial state and which is integrated into an electrical device according to the invention,

[0010] [Fig. 2] Figure 2 shows a sectional view of the connection terminal according to the invention in a state of connection and which is integrated into said electrical device according to the invention,

[0011] [Fig. 3] Figure 3 shows a sectional view of the connection terminal according to the invention in a connected state and which is integrated into said electrical device according to the invention,

[0012] [Fig. 4] Figure 4 shows an enlarged sectional view of part of the connection terminal according to the invention of Figure 3,

[0013] [Fig. 5] FIG. 5 represents a perspective view of an electrical protective device according to a first variant of the invention of the molded case circuit breaker type which comprises a connection terminal according to the invention, [0014] [Fig. 6] Figure 6 shows an enlarged perspective view of part of the electrical apparatus of Figure 5,

[0015] [Fig. 7] Figure 7 shows a perspective view of part of the connection terminal of the electrical device of Figure 5,

[0016] [Fig. 8] Figure 8 shows a perspective view of part of the connection terminal of the electrical device of Figure 5,

[0017] [Fig. 9] Figure 9 shows a perspective view of part of the connection terminal of the electrical device of Figure 5,

[0018] [Fig. 10] FIG. 10 represents a perspective view of an electrical protective device according to a second variant of the invention of the molded case circuit breaker type which comprises a connection terminal according to the invention,

[0019] [Fig. 11] Figure 11 shows an enlarged perspective view of part of the electrical apparatus of Figure 10,

[0020] [Fig. 12] Figure 12 shows a perspective view of a connection terminal part of the electrical device of Figure 10,

[0021] [Fig. 13] Figure 13 shows a perspective view of part of the connection terminal of the electrical device of Figure 10,

[0022] [Fig. 14] Figure 14 shows a perspective view of part of the connection terminal of the electrical device of Figure 10.

[0023] A connection terminal comprises at least:

[0024] an insulating case 1,

[0025] at least one insertion channel 2 comprising at least one insertion orifice 3 opening onto an outer wall 4 of the insulating casing 1, said insertion orifice 3 being configured for the insertion of at least one electrical conductor 5 in said insertion channel 2, the insertion channel 2 extending in an insertion direction D1,

[0026] at least one clamping spring 6 comprising a first electrical contact portion 7, a second clamping portion 8 and a third intermediate portion 39 connecting the first electrical contact portion 7 to the second clamping portion 8, [0027] at least one conductive bar 9 electrically connected to said first electrical contact portion 7,

[0028] in a connected state E3 of the connection terminal, the connection terminal being configured to pinch said electrical conductor 5 between the conductive bar 9 and the second clamping portion 8,

[0029] at least one push button 10 comprising a first actuating end 11 arranged to be actuated according to an actuating force F and comprising a second end 12 substantially opposite the second clamping portion 8,

[0030] at least one actuation channel 13 comprising at least one inlet orifice 14 opening onto said outer wall 4 of insulating casing 1 and in which said push button 10 is mounted movable in translation in a direction of movement D2,

[0031] said push button 10 being movably mounted in the actuation channel 13 between a first position P1 in which an actuation interface 15 of the first actuation end 11 is flush with said outer wall 4 and a second position P2 in which said actuation interface 15 is located in actuation channel 13 at a distance 11 from said inlet orifice 14, said push button 10 being movable from first position P1 to second position P2 under the effect of the force of actuation F.

According to the invention, said connection terminal is characterized in that it comprises return means 16 separate from the clamping spring 6 which are configured to allow movement / automatic return of the push button 10 from the second position P2 to the first position P1 at least in said connected state E3 and in the absence of said actuation force F.

Advantageously, the return means 16 make it possible to guarantee an automatic return of the push button 10 from the second position P2 to the first position P1 at least in said connected state E3 of the connection terminal and in the absence of said force of actuation F. In other words, the automatic return of the push button 10 from the second position P2 to the first position P1 is ensured in the case where an electrical conductor 5 is inserted into the insertion channel 2 and is pinched by the second portion of clamping 8 against the bar conductor 9 and that the push button 10 is released. Thus, when the push button 10 is released and therefore no more actuation force F acts on the push button 10, then the push button 10 moves automatically from the second position P2 to the first position P1.

[0034] Advantageously, the return means 16 also make it possible to guarantee that the push button 10 is maintained in the first position P1 at least in said connected state E3 of the connection terminal in the absence of pressure on the push button 10 by said force of actuation F. In other words, the maintenance of the push button 10 in the first position P1 is ensured in the case where an electrical conductor 5 is inserted into the insertion channel 2 and is pinched by the second clamping portion 8 against the conductive bar 9 and push button 10 is released. Thus, when the push button 10 is released and therefore no actuating force F acts on the push button 10, then the push button 10 remains in the first position P1. This prevents the push button 10 from coming into contact with the clamping spring 6 in the connected state E3.

In the first position P1 of the push button 10 and in the connected state E3 of the connection terminal, said actuation interface 15 of the first actuation end 11 is therefore flush with said outer wall 4 of the insulating casing 1, which makes it possible to guarantee the tightness of the connection terminal even when an electrical conductor 5 is connected. This advantageously avoids the entry of pollutants and/or particles into the connection terminal in the connected state E3.

On the contrary, in the second position P2 and in the connection state E2 or in the connected state E3 of the connection terminal, said actuation interface 15 of the first actuation end 11 is at a distance 11 of said outer wall 4 of the insulating casing 1 . The distance 11 is different from zero. In this position, sealing is not guaranteed. Thanks to the invention, the time during which the connection terminal is with a push button 10 in the second position P2 is minimized.

In addition, in the connected state E3, the connection terminal is configured so that the electrical conductor 5 is advantageously connected to the conductive bar 9 by direct pinching between the second clamping portion 8 and the conductive bar 9. The establishment of the connection is guaranteed to the user because in the first position P1 the push button 10 cannot disturb the connection of the electrical conductor 5 because the latter is at a distance from the clamping spring 6. Thus, when the user finds that the connection terminal comprises an electrical conductor 5 in the insertion channel 2 and the push button 10 is in the first position P1, it is ensured that the connection terminal is in the connected state E3 with an effective and total electrical connection of the electrical conductor 5.

Figure 1 shows an initial state E1 of the connection terminal in which the push button 10 is in the first position P1. In this case, the second end 12 of the push button 10 is at a distance from the second clamping portion 8 of the clamping spring 6 and does not exert any stress on the latter and a free end 24 of the second clamping portion 8 presses against the conductive bar 9. In this initial state E1, there is therefore no contact between the clamping spring 6 and the push button 10. Furthermore, the clamping spring 6 is permanently constrained on the bar driver 9.

Figure 2 shows a connection state E2, which is optional, of the connection terminal in which the push button 10 is in the second position P2 after actuation. In this case, the second end 12 of the push button 10 bears against the second clamping portion 8 which is constrained and the free end 24 of the second clamping portion 8 is at a distance from the conductive bar 9 to form a passage 25 for one end 26 of the electrical conductor 5. In this connection state E2, the insertion of an electrical conductor 5 between the conductive bar 9 and the second clamping portion 8 can be performed regardless of the type of electrical conductor, that is to say for flexible, semi-rigid or rigid electrical conductors.

Figures 3 and 4 show said connected state E3 of the connection terminal in which the push button 10 has already returned to the first position P1 through the return means 16 object of the invention. In this case, the second end 12 of the push button 10 is at a distance from the second clamping portion 8 and does not exert any constraint on the latter and said free end 24 of the second clamping portion 8 is capable of coming or pinches electrical conductor 5 against conductive bar 9. [0041] The transition from the initial state E1 to the connection state E2 of the connection terminal takes place by actuation of the push button 10 under the effect of the actuation force F. Indeed, in this case the second end 12 of the push button 10 bears against the second clamping portion 8 which is then constrained which causes the movement of the second clamping portion 8 in the direction of the first electrical contact portion 7 and the formation of said passage 25 for the electrical conductor 5.

The transition from the E2 connection state to the E3 connected state is made by inserting the electrical conductor 5 into the insertion channel 2 then consecutively by releasing the push button 10. Once the electrical conductor 5 is introduced into the passage 25, the push button 10 can be released, which will cause the electrical conductor 5 to be pinched between the conductive bar 9 and the second clamping portion 8. Then, advantageously thanks to the invention, the push button 10 automatically returns to the first position P1 under the effect of the return means 16.

Alternatively, the transition from the initial state E1 to the connected state E3 can be done by inserting a rigid electrical conductor 5 into the insertion channel 2 without manipulation of the push button 10. In this case , there is no intermediate connection state E2 which would be caused by the actuation of the push button 10. The push button 10 remains in the first position P1.

The actuation force F can be exerted by the user using a tool, for example a screwdriver.

The electrical conductor 5 can be rigid, semi-rigid or flexible. The electrical conductor 5 may consist of an electrical cable.

A rigid or semi-rigid electrical conductor 5 is capable of exerting an insertion force on the second clamping portion 8 of the clamping spring 6 which is sufficient to allow the movement of the second clamping portion 8 in the direction of the first electrical contact portion 7.

[0047] A flexible electrical conductor 5 is not capable of exerting an insertion force on the second clamping portion 8 of the clamping spring 6 which is sufficient to allow the movement of the second clamping portion 8 in the direction of the first electrical contact portion 7. It is necessary to apply the force actuation F on the push button 10 to form the passage 25. In this case, from the first position P1 to the second position P2, the second end 12 of the push button 10 bears against the second clamping portion 8 to allow the movement of the second clamping portion 8 in the direction of the first electrical contact portion 7.

The insertion of a flexible electrical conductor 5 between the conductive bar 9 and the second clamping portion 8 is therefore only possible if the push button 10 is in the second position P2.

On the contrary, the insertion of a rigid or semi-rigid electrical conductor 5 into the connection terminal does not necessarily require the actuation of the push button 10. In this case, the push button 10 can remain continuously in the first position P1. Then, the tightness of the connection terminal according to the invention is maximum and is therefore optimal.

Preferably, in said connected state E3 and in the first position P1 of the push button 10, the second end 12 of the push button 10 is at a distance from the second clamping portion 8.

Advantageously, in the connected state E3 and in the first position P1, the second end 12 of the push button 10 does not interfere with the clamping spring 6 and in particular with its second clamping portion 8.

On the contrary, in said connected state E3 and in the second position P2 of the push button 10, the second end 12 of the push button 10 bears against the second clamping portion 8 and constrains the second clamping portion 8.

Preferably, the return means 16 are arranged to store mechanical energy when passing from the first position P1 to the second position P2 and to release said mechanical energy when passing from the second position P2 to the first position P1 .

Advantageously, the return means 16 allow the automatic return of the push button 10 from the second position P2 to the first position P1, when the actuating force F is released. Preferably, the return means 16 are constrained in the first position P1 and in the second position P2 the return means 16 are more constrained than in the first position P1.

Advantageously, the return means 16 make it possible to maintain the push button 10 in the first position P1 in the absence of stress by the actuating force F. Indeed, in this case only the return means 16 exert a pressure on the push button 10. In addition, the return means 16 allow the automatic return of the push button 10 from the second position P2 to the first position P1, when the actuating force F is released.

[0057] Preferably, the push button 10 comprises a main body 17 between said first actuating end 11 and said second end 12 and the return means 16 are firstly assembled to the insulating casing 1 or to the conductive bar 9 and are on the other hand assembled to the main body 17 or resting on the main body 17 by projecting into said actuation channel 13.

[0058] Preferably, the return means 16 comprise at least one leaf spring comprising a first end 18 assembled with the insulating casing 1 or with the conductive bar 9 and a second end 20 assembled with the main body 17 or resting on the body main 17.

For example, the main body 17 may comprise a zone 27 for receiving the second end 20 of the leaf spring on which the second end 20 of the leaf spring exerts a constraint. According to one possibility, the second end 20 of the leaf spring rests on the reception area 27.

Alternatively, the return means 16 may consist of two leaf springs.

[0061] Preferably, the connection terminal further comprises a touch tip 22 made of conductive material which is located in a control channel 23 arranged next to the actuation channel 13, the touch tip 22 being electrically connected to said conductive bar 9 by electrical conduction means 21 .

[0062] Advantageously, the test tip 22 makes it possible to check the presence of voltage at the level of the exterior of the insulating case 1 next to the push button 10. The user only has to introduce a voltage measurement on the one hand in the control channel 23 up to the test tip 22 and on the other hand at a reference point, for example between the neutral pole and the phase pole. Indeed, when the conductive bar 9 is connected to the electrical network, then the conductive bar 9, the electrical conduction means 21 and the test tip 22 are at the same electrical potential.

[0063] For example, the electrical conduction means 21 are in the form of a flat conductive part 28 which comprises at a first end 29 attachment means 30 to the conductive bar 9, for example in the form of a clamp made of conductive material. Said flat part 28 comprises a second end 31 opposite the first end 29. The flat part 28 extends longitudinally, preferably parallel to the direction of movement D2. Preferably, the electrical conduction means 21 are arranged in a compartment of the insulating casing 1 which is located next to the actuation channel 13 and which is extended by the control channel 23.

Preferably, the return means 16 made of conductive material are electrically connected to said conductive bar 9 by the electrical conduction means 21 and the return means 16 are mounted on said conductive bar 9 via the conduction means electrical 21.

Advantageously, the electrical conduction means 21 make it possible on the one hand to electrically connect the return means 16 to the conductive bar 9, but also to mechanically connect the return means 16 to the conductive bar 9, rather than mechanically connect to the insulating box 1.

In this case, the second end 31 of the flat part 28 can be electrically and mechanically connected to the first end 18 of the leaf spring.

Preferably, the return means 16, the electrical conduction means 21 and the tip tip 22 form a single piece.

Advantageously, this configuration makes it possible to optimize the size inside the insulating box 1 and to facilitate industrialization. In addition, this configuration also makes it possible to limit the number of components and to pool this part for the different types of connection terminal. In this case, in the conduction means 21 described above, the second end 31 of the flat part 28 is directly extended by the return means 16 in the form of a leaf spring which extends into the channel of actuation 13. The second end 20 of the leaf spring is assembled to the main body 17 of the push button 10. For example, at the level of the reception zone 27 on which the second end 20 of the leaf spring exerts a constraint. In addition, in this case, in the conduction means 21 described above, the second end 31 is directly extended by the tip tip 22 which extends into the control channel 23. The tip tip 22 can for example take the form of a tongue.

As shown in Figures 5 to 9, the connection terminal may include a phase conductor bar 9a and a neutral conductor bar 9b. The connection terminal may comprise a first channel 2a for inserting a phase electrical conductor 5, a first push button 10a movably mounted in a first actuation channel 13a and a first clamping spring 6a. The connection terminal may further comprise a second channel 2b for inserting a neutral electrical conductor 5, a second push button 10b mounted to move in a second actuation channel 13b and a second clamping spring 6b. In this case, each push button 10a, 10b is associated with return means 16a, 16b specific to it. In other words, the connection terminal comprises first return means 16a separate from the first clamping spring 6a which are configured to allow automatic movement/return of the first push button 10a from the second position P2 to the first position P1 at the less in said connected state E3 and in the absence of said actuating force F and second return means 16b distinct from the second clamping spring 6b which are configured to allow automatic movement/return of the second push button 10b from the second position P2 to the first position P1 at least in said connected state E3 and in the absence of said actuation force F.

This configuration is particularly suitable for connecting a phase electrical conductor 5 to the phase conductive bar 9a and a neutral electrical conductor 5 to the neutral conductive bar 9b each having a maximum section of six square millimeters. In this case, passage 25 describes above is at least six square millimeters. Preferably, the passage 25 allows the connection of an electrical conductor 5 whose section is between 0.75 square millimeters and 6 square millimeters.

In this configuration illustrated in Figures 5 to 9, the first return means 16a made of conductive material are electrically and mechanically connected by first electrical conduction means 21a to said phase conductive bar 9a and to a first test tip 22a made of conductive material which is located in a first control channel 23a next to the first actuation end 11 of the first push button 10a. In addition, the second return means 16b made of conductive material are electrically connected by second electrical conduction means 21b to said conductive neutral bar 9b and to a second touch probe 22b made of conductive material which is located in a second control channel 23b next to the first actuation end 11 of the second push button 10b.

Advantageously, in this case the control of the presence of voltage is done by measuring the voltage between the first test tip 22a and the second test tip 22b.

As illustrated in Figures 10 to 14, the connection terminal may comprise instead of a first channel 2a for inserting a phase electrical conductor 5 and a second channel for inserting 2b d a neutral electrical conductor 5 described above, a first insertion channel 2a of a phase electrical conductor 5 and a second insertion channel 2b of a phase electrical conductor 5 a third insertion channel 2c of an electrical conductor 5 of neutral and a fourth insertion channel 2d of an electrical conductor 5 of neutral. The connection terminal is then equipped with a first push button 10a associated with a first clamping spring 6a and a second push button 10b associated with a second clamping spring 6b which are movably mounted in a first actuation channel 13a . In this case, each pair of first/second push buttons 10a, 10b is associated with first return means 16a, for example a leaf spring. In addition, the connection terminal is then equipped with a third push button 10c associated with a third clamping spring 6c and a fourth push button 10d associated with a fourth clamping spring 6d which are movably mounted in a second channel d actuation 13b. In this case, each pair of third/fourth push buttons 10c, 10d is associated with second return means 16b, for example a leaf spring.

This configuration is particularly suitable for connecting two phase electrical conductors 5 to the phase conductor bar 9a and two neutral electrical conductors 5 to the neutral conductor bar 9b each having a maximum section of four square millimeters. In this case, the passage 25 described above is at least four square millimeters. Preferably, the passage 25 allows the connection of an electrical conductor 5 whose section is between 0.75 square millimeters and 4 square millimeters.

[0076] Preferably, the connection terminal comprises blocking means X which prevent the push button 10 from coming out of the actuation channel 13, that is to say beyond the external wall 4. For example, the blocking means 32 may consist of a stop which is located either at the level of the insulating casing 1 or at the level of the conductive bar 9.

The insulating case 1 and/or the push button 10 is preferably made of an insulating material, for example plastic.

The conductive bar 9 is preferably made of copper with or without surface treatment.

The invention also relates to an electrical device comprising a connection terminal characterized in that said connection terminal is according to the invention as described above.

Advantageously, the connection terminal according to the invention makes it possible to easily connect an electrical device 100, 101 to the electrical network. In addition, when the connection terminal is integrated into an electrical device 100, 101 then the entry of pollutants and/or particles into the electrical device 100, 101 is advantageously avoided. This is particularly advantageous when the electrical device 100, 101 is an electrical protective device described below, since this avoids clogging its components.

The electrical device is preferably a protection device, for example a circuit breaker, preferably modular and/or molded case (MCB) such as illustrated in Figures 5 to 14 or a differential circuit breaker preferably modular and / or molded case (RCBO) or a connection terminal block.

[0082] According to an example not shown, the electrical protection device may comprise a single electrical terminal for a single pole, and in this case the connection terminal may comprise a single insertion channel 2 of an electrical conductor 5 and a single push button 10.

[0083] Alternatively, according to another example not shown, the electrical protection device may comprise a single electrical terminal for a single pole, and in this case the connection terminal may comprise two channels for inserting an electrical conductor. 5 associated with a single push button 10.

In the two previous examples, the electrical terminal is electrically and preferably directly connected to the conductive bar 9 of the connection terminal.

According to a first variant according to the invention illustrated in Figures 5 to 9, the electrical protection device 100 may comprise a phase electrical terminal for a phase pole and a neutral electrical terminal for a neutral pole, and in this case the connection terminal comprises a first channel 2a for inserting a phase electrical conductor 5 which is associated with a first push button 10a and a second channel 2b for inserting a neutral electrical conductor 5 which is associated with a second push button 10b.

According to a second variant according to the invention illustrated in Figures 10 to 14, the electrical protection device 101 may comprise an electrical phase terminal for a phase pole and an electrical neutral terminal for a neutral pole, and in this case the connection terminal comprises a first insertion channel 2a for a first phase electrical conductor 5 and a second insertion channel 2b for a second phase electrical conductor 5 which are associated with a pair of first and second push buttons 10a, 10b and a third channel 2c for inserting a third electrical conductor 5 from neutral and a fourth channel 2d for inserting a fourth electrical conductor 5 from neutral which are associated with a pair of third and fourth push buttons 10c, 10d. In the two previous examples, the electrical phase terminal is electrically and preferably directly connected to the phase busbar 9a and the neutral electrical terminal is electrically and preferably directly connected to the neutral busbar 9b.

Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiments described and shown in the accompanying drawings. Modifications remain possible, in particular from the point of view of the constitution of the various elements or by substitution of technical equivalents, without thereby departing from the scope of protection of the invention.

Claims

[Claim 1] Connection terminal comprising at least:

- an insulating box (1),

- at least one insertion channel (2) comprising at least one insertion orifice (3) opening onto an outer wall (4) of the insulating casing (1), said insertion orifice (3) being configured for inserting at least one electrical conductor (5) into said insertion channel (2), the insertion channel (2) extending along an insertion direction (D1),

- at least one clamping spring (6) comprising a first electrical contact portion (7), a second clamping portion (8) and a third intermediate portion (39) connecting the first electrical contact portion (7) to the second clamping portion (8),

- at least one conductive bar (9) electrically connected to said first electrical contact portion (7), in a connected state (E3) of the connection terminal, the connection terminal being configured to pinch said electrical conductor (5) between the conductive bar (9) and the second clamping portion (8),

- at least one push button (10) comprising a first actuating end (11) arranged to be actuated according to an actuating force (F) and comprising a second end (12) substantially facing the second clamping portion ( 8),

- at least one actuation channel (13) comprising at least one inlet orifice (14) opening onto said external wall (4) of the insulating casing (1) and in which said push button (10) is mounted so as to be able to move in translation in a direction of movement (D2), said push button (10) being mounted to move in the actuation channel (13) between a first position (P1) in which an actuation interface (15) of the first end of actuation (11) is flush with said outer wall (4) and a second position (P2) in which said actuation interface (15) is located in the actuation channel (13) at a distance 11 from said inlet orifice (14 ), said push button (10) being movable from the first position (P1) to the second position (P2) under the effect of the actuation force (F), said connection terminal is characterized in that it comprises return means (16) separate from the clamping spring (6) which are configured to allow automatic displacement/return of the push button (10) from the second position (P2) towards the first position (P1) at least in said connected state (E3) and in the absence of said actuation force (F).

[Claim 2] Connection terminal according to claim 1, characterized in that in said connected state (E3) and in the first position (P1) of the push button (10), the second end (12) of the push button (10) is at a distance from the second clamping portion (8).

[Claim 3] Connection terminal according to any one of Claims 1 to 2, characterized in that the return means (16) are arranged to store mechanical energy during passage from the first position (P1) to the second position (P2) and to release said mechanical energy when passing from the second position (P2) to the first position (P1).

[Claim 4] Connection terminal according to any one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the return means (16) are constrained in the first position (P1) and in that in the second position (P2) the return means (16) are more constrained than in the first position (P1).

[Claim 5] Connection terminal according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the push button (10) comprises a main body (17) between said first actuating end (11) and said second end ( 12) and in that the return means (16) are on the one hand assembled to the insulating casing (1) or to the conductive bar (9) and are on the other hand assembled to the main body (17) or resting on the main body

(17) projecting into said actuation channel (13).

[Claim 6] Connection terminal according to any one of Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the return means (16) comprise at least one leaf spring comprising a first end

(18) assembled to the insulating casing (1) or to the conductive bar (9) and a second end (20) assembled to the main body (17) or resting on the main body (17). [Claim 7] Connection terminal according to any one of Claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the connection terminal further comprises a test tip (22) made of conductive material which is located in a control channel (23) arranged next to the actuating channel (13), the touch tip (22) being electrically connected to said conductive bar (9) by electrical conduction means (21).

[Claim 8] Connection terminal according to Claim 7, characterized in that the return means (16) made of conductive material are electrically connected to the said conductive bar (9) by the electrical conduction means (21) and in that the return means (16) are mounted on said conductive bar (9) via electrical conduction means (21).

[Claim 9] Connection terminal according to any one of Claims 7 to 8, characterized in that the return means (16), the electrical conduction means (21) and the test probe (22) form a piece of in one piece.

[Claim 10] Electrical apparatus comprising a connection terminal characterized in that said connection terminal is according to any one of claims 1 to 9.