EP0248743A1 - Self-stripping connection device - Google Patents

Abstract

Self-stripping connection device according to claim 1 of patent FR-A-2,541,049. A single metal screw (10) makes it possible to operate two parallel tubular elements (18,19), or two stacks of tubular elements, simultaneously. This screw achieves grounding by the fact that it engages in a metal base (9).

Description

The present invention relates to connection devices, of the type comprising at least one tubular connection element, electrically conductive, supported by an electrically insulating support, element of which the first and second end portions, opposite one of the other, respectively comprise a first and a second transverse slot constituting insulation displacement connection means capable of each receiving at least one conductor, a passage being provided in the insulating support, opposite at least the second transverse slot, for accommodate the driver, according to patent FR-A-2,541,049.

Patent FR-A-2,541,049 relates to a device of this kind, characterized in that the tubular connection element has a first split end part whose external transverse dimensions are such that it can penetrate into the second split end part of another tubular connection element, similar to the first, guide means being provided between at least one interior part of the insulating support, and each tubular connection element that it supports, to allow relative movement, axial but not angular , between the insulating support and each tubular element, displacement means being provided, individually for each tubular connection element, to ensure by this relative axial displacement, the connection, respectively the connection and the disconnection, between at least one of the two transverse slots of the latter, slot which extends through the two opposite thereof, and at least one conductor disposed in the corresponding passage undulating which extends transversely to the insulating support in the extension of each of the two ends of the transverse slot.

The devices of this type described and represented in patent FR-A-2,541,049 are generally equipped with an operating member, such as a screw, by tubular connection element, or by stacking of tubular connection elements inserted. into each other. This results in a fairly expensive construction, when in reality we always make connections simultaneously by acting at the same time on two tubular connection elements placed side by side, or on two stacks of tubular connection elements placed side by side .

Furthermore, all of these devices do not by themselves make it possible to provide a ground connection, whereas a ground terminal between two adjacent connections is often necessary, and only in the latter case one is led, with these devices, to provide a third median connection terminal for the ground, as is in particular the case when it is desired to install a para-overvoltage between the two connection terminals forming part of parallel tubular elements, or stacks of parallel tubular elements.

The connection device according to the present invention overcomes these drawbacks. It is characterized in that it comprises two identical and parallel tubular connection elements, or two parallel and identical stacks of nesting tubular connection elements, both having a common insulating support, said common insulating support being constituted by a half lower sleeve mounted on a common electrically conductive base connected to the ground of the installation, and in that said displacement means comprise an insulating half-sleeve covering the two parallel tubular elements, or the two parallel stacks of nesting tubular elements, this upper half-bushing being traversed, parallel to the two tubular elements or tubular stacks, and between them, by an electrically conductive screw, arranged so as to be able, by being screwed into a corresponding threaded orifice of said base common conductor, ensuring the approximation of said upper and lower half-sockets.

• Figure 1 est une vue en perspective de trois dispositifs de connexion différents, conformes à la présente invention, montés sur une barrette conductrice commune,
• Figure 2 est une vue en coupe, selon la direction II-II de la figure 1, du dispositif de connexion le plus simple, tel qu'il est livré avant tout montage de fils,
• Figure 3 est une vue en coupe, selon la direction III-III de la figure 1, d'un dispositif de connexion plus sophistiqué, tel qu'il est livré avant tout montage de fils,
• Figure 4 est une vue en coupe du dispositif de la figure 3, ses deux parties constitutives séparables étant désaccouplées,
• Figure 5 est une vue en coupe du dispositif de la figure 3, ses trois parties constitutives séparables étant désaccouplées,
• Figure 6 montre le dispositif de la figure 4 en place sur deux paires de fils,
• Figure 7 montre le dispositif de la figure 5 en place sur deux paires de fils,
• Figure 8 est une vue en coupe partielle représentant une variante du dispositif de la figure 7,
• Figure 9 est une vue en coupe, selon la direction IX-IX de la figure 1, d'un dispositif de connexion comportant une protection contre les surtensions,
• Figure 10 est une vue en coupe transversale du même dispositif, selon la direction X-X de la figure 1.

In any case, the invention will be well understood, and other advantageous characteristics will appear, during the following description of some exemplary embodiments, with reference to the appended drawings in which:

• FIG. 1 is a perspective view of three different connection devices, in accordance with the present invention, mounted on a common conductor bar,
• FIG. 2 is a sectional view, in the direction II-II of FIG. 1, of the simplest connection device, as it is delivered before any assembly of wires,
• FIG. 3 is a sectional view, in the direction III-III of FIG. 1, of a more sophisticated connection device, as it is delivered before any assembly of wires,
• FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the device of FIG. 3, its two separable constituent parts being uncoupled,
• FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the device of FIG. 3, its three separable constituent parts being uncoupled,
• Figure 6 shows the device of Figure 4 in place on two pairs of wires,
• Figure 7 shows the device of Figure 5 in place on two pairs of wires,
• FIG. 8 is a partial section view showing a variant of the device in FIG. 7,
• FIG. 9 is a sectional view, in the direction IX-IX of FIG. 1, of a connection device comprising a protection against overvoltage,
• Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view of the same device, in the direction XX of Figure 1.

Referring firstly to FIG. 1, there is shown, by way of nonlimiting illustration, three connection devices 1,2,3 according to the present invention:
a simple insulation displacement connection module 1, comprising only two tubular connection elements, parallel and allowing only the disconnection of the two upper wires, and not the disengaging of the upper part 4 containing these two wires,
a more sophisticated insulation displacement connection module 2, comprising two parallel stacks of each two tubular nesting connection elements, which allows the upper part 4 containing the two upper wires to be disengaged, or "cut",
a connection module 3 with cut-off, differing from module 2 by the fact that the intermediate half-socket 5 of this module 2 is replaced there by a half-socket 6 containing a device 7 for protection against overvoltage, usually called "surge arrester""moregenerally," surge voltage ".

Each of the modules 1,2,3 shown differs from the modules described in patent FR-A-2,541,049 by the fact that it is always double, that is to say that it comprises two devices according to the patent FR-A-2.541.049 parallel and coupled, that its lower insulating support is constituted by a double piece 8, intended to receive the two lower wires, which is fixed on a common metal bar 9, or metal base, connected to earth of the installation, and that the displacement means making it possible, by respective approximation of the upper half-socket 4 and the lower half-socket 8, to tighten the module and thereby ensure the insulation displacement connection of the lower wires and / or higher, is made up by a metal screw 10 crossing from top to bottom the central part of the module, between the two parallel tubular elements and the two parallel stacks of nesting tubular elements, to be screwed into the metal base 9 and thereby ensure the tightening vertical of the different half-sockets 4,8 or 4,5,8, or 4,6,8 constituting the module 1,2 or 3 considered.

Each of the double modules 1, 2 and 3 will now be described in more detail, with its operating mode, with reference to the following figures.

FIG. 2 represents the simplest module 1, as it is delivered to the user before any wire assembly. We recognize at first glance in this figure the common insulating half-sleeve 4, which covers the entire module and receives the head of the central metal screw 10, the latter coming to be screwed into the metal bar 9 to ensure the tightening of the cover 4 against the lower insulating half-sleeve 8, the latter being mounted, by fixing members 11 which are difficult to remove, on the bar 9 as shown. The upper half-sleeve 4 obviously includes two tubular channels 12,13 intended to receive the two upper wires to be connected, and likewise the lower half-sleeve 8 comprises two tubular channels 14,15 intended to receive the two lower wires 16, 17 to connect. The module 1 is equipped with two self-stripping connection tubular elements 18,19, split at the bottom and at the top as described in patent FR-A-2,541,049 in alignment with the tubular channels 12 to 15. According to the invention, these tubular elements 18, 19 are parallel and intimately coupled by the fact that on the one hand their lower half-bush 8 is common and double, and on the other hand their upper half-bush 4 is also common, double, and provided of a single central operating member constituted by the metal screw 10 ensuring not only the tightening, but also the ground connection separating the two tubular connection elements 18 and 19.

As shown in Figure 2, the module is delivered equipped with two annular shims 20 and 21 allowing the two tubular elements 18 and 19 to be held in the high position as shown, and thereby avoiding accidental crimping of the lower split part of the elements 18 and 19 on the two axial and protruding central parts 22 of the lower half-sleeve 8. Advantageously, for obvious practical reasons, the upper non-threaded part 23 of the screw 20 is held in the half - upper sleeve 4 using a metal sleeve 24, crimped on the part 23, free to rotate in the half-sleeve 4 and forming a shoulder 25 opposing the withdrawal of the screw 10, as can be clearly seen in the drawing.

Figures 4 and 6, to which reference will now be made, make it possible to understand the operation of the simple module 1 of the invention.

Having in hand the module of FIG. 2, the clamping screw 10 is completely unscrewed, which first of all causes the spacing of the upper half-bush 4 relative to the lower half-bush 8 then, the screw 10 being completely removed from the bar 9, which allows manual separation of the half-sockets 4 and 8, in their relative position in FIG. 4.

At this stage, no wire is yet connected, which is not the case of what is shown in FIG. 4. Then, after having thrown the shims 20 and 21, the two lower wires 16, 17 are introduced. in the lower canals 14.15. The half-socket 4 is replaced on the half-socket 8, and the screw 10 is fully screwed into the metal bar 9 which causes the insulation displacement connection of the wires 14.15 on the split elements 18.19, and the crimping of the latter on the axial protrusions 22 of the half-sleeve 8, as can be seen moreover on the lower part of FIG. 4.

The screw 10 is then unscrewed again, which again makes it possible to separate the upper part 4 from the lower part 8. The two upper wires 26, 27 are then introduced into the two channels 12, 13. The respective positions and situations are then at this stage exactly those shown in FIG. 4.

The cap 4 is then again placed on the lower part 8, and the screw 10 is fully screwed into the metal bar 9 which ensures the insulation displacement connection of the upper wires 26, 27 in the upper slots of the tubular elements 18 and 19. The situation obtained is then that shown in FIG. 6.

To disconnect the two upper wires 26, 27, you must completely unscrew the operating screw 10, then pull on the wires 26 and 27 to extract them. We can then, if we want, make the connection of another pair of upper wires.

The module 1 therefore allows the disconnection of the upper wires 26, 27 but not the disengaging, or cutting, of this set of upper wires, disengaging which can only be achieved by the uncoupling of two nesting tubular elements.

We will now describe in detail, with the aid of Figures 3,5 and 7, the module 2 which makes it possible to carry out such de-plugging, or "cutting".

By comparing Figures 2 and 3 on the one hand, and 4 and 5 on the other hand, we see that the simple module 1 differs from the cut-off module 2 mainly by the fact that it is added on the module 2 a " intermediate "half-sleeve 5" comprising two additional insulating tubular elements 28,29, the upper split parts of which are intended to receive the two upper wires 26,27 and the lower split parts of which are intended to be inserted in the upper split parts tubular elements 18 and 19, thus ensuring the possibility of disengaging, or cut desired.

As can be seen in FIG. 3, the module 2 is, on delivery, equipped with the same shims 20, 21 as the module 1.

In the central axial orifice 30 of the half-sleeve is crimped a metallic tubular bolt 31 whose thread pitch and internal diameter are the same as those of the hole 92 of the bar 9, which is intended to receive the threaded end of screw 10.

Finally, the screw 10 used for the cut-off module 2 has some differences from that fitted to the simple module 1.

First of all, it is obviously longer than the previous screw. By the way, it is provided, successively from the bottom of the screw upwards, that is to say up to its head:
a threaded end 32, dimensioned so as to be screwed as far as possible into the bar 9 over a thread length L₁,
- A portion 33, preferably smooth, of smaller diameter so as to be able to slide smoothly in the nut 31; the length of the smooth part 33 is equal to the length L₂ of the nut 31, increased by a length L₃ which must be greater, preferably slightly greater, than the length L₁ defined above,
a shoulder portion 34, the upper shoulder 35 of which is distant, when the screw 10 is screwed fully into the bar 9, from a narrowing 38 of the axial bore 36 of the cap 4, by a greater distance L₄, preferably slightly greater than the distance L₃ defined above,
- a smooth part 23 and the screw head, similar to those of the screw fitted to the module 1.

The operation of the cut-off module 2 is as follows:
As seen in Figure 3, module 2 is delivered with its shims 20 and 21. We therefore begin, to remove these shims, to unscrew the screw 10 until its threaded end comes to escape from the bar 9, the screw 10 then rotating in a vacuum. We then manually pull the set of two half-sockets or rings 1.5, to separate them from the lower ring 8, fixed in position on the bar 9. We remove and discard the two shims 20 and 21. We engage as for in the case of module 1, the two lower wires 16.17 in the two parallel guns 14.15 of the lower stage 8.

Then the whole of the two upper stages 1.5 is again placed on the lower stage 8, and the screw 10 is screwed fully into the bar 9. This operation allows, as was the case for the module 1, to definitively connect the two lower wires, as they are shown in FIG. 5, while crimping the lower part of the two elements 18,19 on the protuberances 22 of the lower stage 8.

The screw 10 is then unscrewed again and the assembly 1.5 is again detached manually from the lower stage 8.

By then introducing a screwdriver into a slot located at the end of the screw 10 opposite its head, the thread of the end 32 of the screw is engaged in the thread of the tubular bolt 31 and, by screwing through this slot 37 , we just place the shoulder 35 in axial support against the narrowing 38. Continuing to screw in the same direction, we just separate the two rings, or half-sleeves, or stages, 4 and 5, which allows to introduce the two upper wires 26, 27 in the corresponding barrels 12 and 13 of the upper ring 4.

Then replace the pair of upper rings 4.5 on the lower ring 8, and screw the screw 10 by its head. Its threaded end 32 first escapes from the nut 31, then engages in the thread of the bore 92. By screwing the screw 10 fully into the bar 9, the three stages are pressed 4.5 and 8 one against the other, which causes the insulation displacement connection of the upper wires 26 and 27.

To then make a cut, that is to say a separation by disengaging the pair of upper wires 26,27 from the couple of lower wires 16,17, it is necessary to unscrew the screw 10 until it turns in a vacuum, then manually pull the assembly of the two upper stages 4,5 to disconnect it, by disengaging, from the lower stage 8.

Figure 8 shows a variant of the screw 10 of Figure 7, avoiding to provide a lower slot 37 for screwing against the direction. According to this variant, the screw 10 is continuously pushed upwards by a spring 40 pressing on the upper part of the nut 31, so that it comes, when it escapes from the bar 9, immediately engaged on the thread of the nut 31.

Referring finally to FIGS. 9 and 10, the module 3 of FIG. 1 differs from module 2 by the fact that its intermediate stage 6, if it is identical to stage 5 as regards its part located in alignment axial with stages 4 and 8, has a large lateral extension 7, of parallelepipedal shape, provided with a removable inspection cover 41, and containing a surge arrester 42.

As can be seen in FIGS. 9 and 10, the surge arrester, or surge arrester 42 has its two terminals 43, 44 plugged into the aligned slots, respectively upper and lower, of the elements 28.18 for the first terminal 43 and 29.19 for the second terminal 44, and has its earth terminal 45 coming to bear firmly against the body of the screw 10.

In the case of Figures 9 and 10, the housing 7 containing the arrester 42 is integrally molded with the body of the intermediate half-sleeve 6. According to two possible variants, or this housing 7 can be independent of the body 6, and it is detachably plugged into this body 6 for example by the terminals 43, 44, and possibly 45, or else the housing 7 does not exist at all and it is the arrester itself which is detachably plugged onto this body 6 by means of the terminals 43,44, and possibly 45.

Claims (6)

1. Connection device according to claim 1 of patent RF-A-2,541,049, characterized in that it comprises two tubular elements for parallel and identical connection (18,19), or two parallel and identical stacks of tubular elements of nesting connection (18,28 and 19,29), both having a common insulating support, this common insulating support consisting of a lower half-sleeve (8) mounted on a common electrically conductive base (9) connected to ground of the installation, and in that the displacement means comprise an insulating half-sleeve (4) covering the two parallel tubular elements, or the two parallel stacks of nesting tubular elements, this upper half-sleeve (4) being traversed , parallel to the two tubular elements or tubular stacks, and between them, by an electrically conductive screw (10), arranged so as to be able, by being screwed into a corresponding threaded orifice of the conductive base (9 ) common, ensure the approximation of the upper and lower half-sockets (4,8). 2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the conductive screw (10) is made integral with the upper half-sleeve (4). 3. Device according to claim 1 or claim 2, comprising two parallel stacks of each two nesting tubular elements (28,18 and 29,19), the two upper tubular elements (28,29) being both integral with a half -intermediate sleeve (5), characterized in that the intermediate half-sleeve comprises a nut (31) mounted fixed in rotation in its axial bore (30) intended for the passage of the conductive screw (10), and in that this screw (10) is arranged so that its threaded end (32) can, when unscrewing this screw first engaged in the base (9), first of all slide freely axially over a first distance (L₃-L₁ ), then engage in the thread of this nut (31) and then cause, when one continues to unscrew, the separation of the upper half-sleeve and the intermediate half-sleeve. 4. Device according to one of claims 1 to 3, comprising two parallel stacks of each two nesting tubular elements (28,18 and 29,19) the two upper tubular elements (28,29) both being integral with a half -intermediate sleeve (6), characterized in that the intermediate half-sleeve (6) further comprises a device (42) for protection against overvoltages, the two input terminals (43,44) of which are inserted in the tubular elements higher (28,29), and whose ground (45) is electrically connected to the conductive screw (10). 5. Device according to claim 4, characterized in that the device (42) for protection against overvoltages is connected to the intermediate half-sleeve (6) in a removable manner. 6. Device according to claim 5, characterized in that this device (42) for protection against overvoltages is placed in a removable housing (7).

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