FR2901418A1 - Terminal block for electrical conductor, has short right branch whose end`s portion is disposed relative to stop section of strip from side opposite to large right branch, where blade is deformed to pass through point with respect to strip - Google Patents

Abstract

The block has a connecting strip (3) presenting a lateral step (51) provided with a cell (54) pertaining to an L shaped portion of the strip. The L shaped portion presents a riser (52) whose end is transversely connected to an end of the step provided with the cell. A portion of an end of a short right branch (59) presented by a spring blade (4) is disposed relative to the stop section of the strip from a side opposite to a large right branch (58) presented by the blade. The blade is deformed to pass through a stopping point with respect to the strip.

Description

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION The invention aims to provide a secure terminal block,

  reliable and both simple and convenient to assemble. It proposes for this purpose a junction block comprising: a conductive strip having a section provided with a cell for receiving an end portion of an electric cable, said cell being partially delimited by a seat; a spring blade having a first and a second branch and a curved section connecting said first and second branches to each other, said spring blade being adapted to deform to leave said end portion of the cable when is engaged in said cell, inserted between said seat and the end edge of said first leg and, if said cable is then urged to be removed from said block, to wedge said end portion of the cable between said seat and said end edge; and an insulating casing having a housing for accommodating said bar and said leaf spring and a conduit for introducing said end portion of the cable, said introduction duct opening into said cell; characterized in that said section provided with a cell belongs to an L-shaped portion of said bar, said L-shaped portion also having an abutment section, one end of which connects transversely to one end of said section provided with a cell and in that that the end portion of said second leg looks, on the opposite side to said first leg, said stop portion of said bar. Thus when the spring blade is biased to bend during the introduction of the end portion of a cable, the force exerted on the first branch causes the second branch abuts against the stop section of the bar. Holding the second limb in position causes the spring blade to deflect so that the first leg moves away from the seat to allow insertion of the conductor.

  The presence of the L-shaped portion on the bar thus makes it possible not to have to engage in the cell the spring blade by its two branches, the end portion of one of these branches being disposed facing the abutment section of the L-shaped portion of the bar, outside this cell.

  The offset of the abutment section outside and away from the cell makes it possible to co-operate the leaf spring with the bar under more favorable mechanical conditions than in the case where the end portions of the two branches of the leaf spring are inserted. in the cell.

  In particular, the insertion force of an electric cable is reduced here, thus improving the comfort of use, while being sufficient to ensure good electrical contact. In addition, with the spring blade and the strip of the terminal block according to the invention it is even possible for example, when implementing the preferred features described below, to separately mount in the insulating housing the leaf spring and the bar. Thus, according to preferred features, for reasons of simplicity, convenience and economy of implementation during assembly: said leaf spring is adapted to deform to cross a hard point relative to said bar to have said end edge of the first branch of said blade facing said seat in said cell. The passage of the hard point to dispose the end edge of the blade spring facing the seat makes it no longer necessary to predispose any of the two branches of the spring blade in the cell.

  The pre-assembly between the bar and the spring blade to form the subassembly is no longer required, it is possible to achieve a successive assembly within the housing of the spring blade and the bar. The successive installation in the housing of the blade then spring of the bar ensures a simple and easy assembly.

  According to other preferred features, for reasons of simplicity, convenience and economy of implementation at assembly as in use: said housing comprises two main faces connected by side faces, said introduction conduit presenting with said housing a common area at least partially closed at the two main faces, the portion of the receiving housing separate from said common area being at least partially open at one of said main faces to accommodate said bar and said leaf springs; said common zone opens into said cell and the end portion of said first leg of the spring blade is disposed in said common zone; said housing comprises a ramp for guiding said end portion of said first branch of the leaf spring toward said common area; and / or - said ramp belongs to a corner. The partial closure of the area common to the introduction duct and the receiving housing is made possible by the fact that the spring blade is assembled independently of the bar. It is thus made possible, initially, to introduce the spring blade into the housing through the open portion of the housing and then, in a second step, to move the spring blade to be housed a portion of this blade in the common area partially closed and finally, in a third time, to assemble the bar to maintain in position the spring blade 15 thus disposed. The partially closed zone common to the introduction duct and the receiving housing thus makes it possible to ensure optimal guiding of the end portion of the cable towards the cell during its insertion thus preventing the end portion of the cable, particularly in the vicinity of the cell, to escape from the terminal block transversely to the main faces of this block. According to other preferred features, for the same reasons as those indicated above: - said housing comprises in said receiving housing a pin, around which is disposed said spring blade; and / or said pin is situated between said first and second branches of said spring blade, in the vicinity of said curved section. The presence of the pin facilitates the installation of the spring blade in the partially closed zone by acting as a support around which the spring blade pivots to be placed in position in the introduction conduit. According to other preferred features, for the same reasons as those indicated above: said housing comprises in said receiving housing another pin located between said first and second branches of said spring blade and opposite said section; curved relative to said pawn. The additional pin acts as an abutment pin to limit the deflection of the first branch of the spring blade. According to other preferred features, for the same reasons as those indicated above: said bar has latching means adapted to cooperate with complementary latching means that said housing comprises; - Said latching means of said bar comprise at least one boss and said complementary latching means of said housing comprise a wall having a recess adapted to receive said boss; Said wall is flexible; and / or said block comprises two said spring blades and said bar comprises two said L-shaped portions and a central section, each end of which is connected transversely to a respective one of said L-shaped portions by the end of the corresponding abutment section opposite to that connected to the section with a cell. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The description of the invention will now be continued by the detailed description of an exemplary embodiment, given below by way of illustration and not limitation, with reference to the accompanying drawings. On these: FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a terminal block into which cable ends of different diameters have been inserted; - Figure 2 is an elevational view of the junction block taken from the front in Figure 1 but without the wiring ends were introduced into this block; FIGS. 3 to 5 are three elevational views similar to FIG. 2, showing the various assembly operations of spring blades and of a conductive bar included in this junction block; FIGS. 6 and 7 are two views in section elevation along a plane parallel and centered with respect to the main faces of the terminal block taken respectively before and after one of the branches of each of the assembled spring blades has been engaged. in a corresponding cell formed in the bar; FIG 8 is a view similar to Figure 1 but taken at a different angle and illustrating the operation of removing a wiring cap using the flat end of a screwdriver; FIG. 9 is an enlarged view of the detail indicated by IX in FIG. 8; - Figure 10 is a sectional elevation of a terminal block similar to that shown in Figures 1 to 9 to which was added a contact foot to be electrically connected with a conductor rail in -; Figure 11 is an elevational sectional view of this block taken along a plane perpendicular and centered with respect to the main faces of the terminal block; FIG. 12 is a perspective view illustrating the assembly operation of this contact foot at the terminal block; - Figures 13 and 14 are respectively an elevational view and a perspective view in isolation showing the contact foot; - Figures 15 and 16 are two perspective views of the terminal block provided with the contact foot illustrated in Figures 10 to 14, respectively taken before and after the engagement operation of this block Q rail; - Figures 17 and 18 are two views similar to Figures 15 and 16 but without being shown the insulating housing that includes the junction block; - Figures 19 and 20 are two views similar to Figure 17, but without being shown the bar and spring blades, for two variants of the rail at 4 shown in Figures 17 and 18; - Figure 21 is a perspective view showing an assembly consisting of a terminal block shown in Figures 1 to 9, in which were inserted different diameter wiring ends, and a removable partition nested in this block; FIG. 22 is a view showing this partition and this junction block detached from one another; FIG. 23 is a perspective view of a series of assemblies each formed of a junction block and a partition arranged against each other on a rail at 0; FIGS. 24 to 26 are three perspective views illustrating the various assembly operations of a second embodiment of the terminal block; and FIGS. 27 and 28 are two elevation-section views taken along a plane parallel and centered with respect to the main faces of the terminal block respectively illustrating this junction block without and with the contact foot 10 represented in FIGS. 13 and 14. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF AN EMBODIMENT The terminal block 1 shown in FIGS. 1 to 12 comprises an insulating housing 2, a conductive bar 3 and two leaf springs 4. The insulating housing 2 is made of molded plastic and has two main faces. 5 and 6 connected to each other by a front side face 7, a rear side face 8, a top face 9 and a bottom face 10. The face 6 is completely concealed by a partition 22 while the face 5 is partially open. This housing comprises a latching lug 15, a latching tab 16 to a 0-rail, two cable introduction ducts 32, two operating ducts 33 and a receiving housing 39 (FIG. 3) of FIG. The tabs 15 and 16 are located on the side of the face 8. Between these tabs extends a slot 17 formed inside the housing 2 and opening at the face 8. hooking lug 15 has two identical portions 19 on either side of the slot 17, each portion having opposite the locking tab a recess 20 adapted to receive as will be seen hereinafter a wing of a rail 0. 30 The latching lug 16 has three partitions 25, 26 and 27 extending substantially transversely to the face 8. The partition 25 closest to the latching lug is separated by the slot 17 in two portions 18. Each portion 18 has a tooth 24 projecting towards the hooking tab age 15.

  The housing also comprises between the legs 15 and 16 two partitions 21 on either side of the slot 17 extending parallel to the faces 5 and 6 of the partition portions 19. The conduits 32 (Figures 7 and 8) are delimited by two surfaces concaves 47 and the surface of a partition 48 located on the side of the face 6 and having a shoulder 48 '. The conduits 32 open on the face 7 through an opening 45 and on the face 5 by an opening 43. The opening 43 has two parallel edges 43 'in the direction of insertion of the cable and a curved edge 43 ".

  Each duct 32 is closed at the main faces by two triangular partitions 34 projecting parallel to the faces 5 and 6 towards the inside of the housing. One of these partitions 34 is located at the partially open face 5 and the other against the wall 22 closing the face 6 of the terminal block (Figure 9) 15 forming locally an extra thickness. The partition 34 located on the side of the face 6 is extended by a corner 42 (Figure 9). The ducts 33 have a rectangular section and open only on the face 7 through an opening 46. The receiving housing 39 of the bar 3 and the leaf springs 4 is partially delimited by a pair of closed-contour ribs 30 and a pair ribs with a closed contour 31 (FIG. 3). The zone of the housing 39 adapted to receive the bar is partially delimited by the rib sections 30 ", 31" 'and the lower edge in FIG. 3 of the partitions 34 while each zone of the housing 39 adapted to receive a leaf spring 4 is partially delimited by the rib sections 30 ', 31', 31 "(FIG. 4) and comprises the space 44 (FIG. 7) located between the two corresponding partitions 34. In each zone of the accommodating housing 39 adapted to to receive a spring blade 4 is a cylindrical pin 40 and an oblong pin 41. At each end, the space 44 between two partitions 34 is common to the corresponding conduit 32 and the housing 39. The receiving housing 39 is thus , at each end, partially obscured on the face 5 by a partition 34.

  The casing is molded using three drawers, one for each pair of ducts 32, 33 and a third to form the slot 17. The bar 3 and the leaf springs 4 will now be described with the help of the figures 1 to 10.

  The bar 3 comprises a central step 50 (FIG. 7) and, on each side of the central step, a lateral step 51, each lateral step being connected to the central step by a riser 52 at right angles to the central step 50 and lateral steps 51 so that each step 51 forms with its riser 52 an L-shaped portion.

  The side steps 51 are located at the same level relative to each other so that the bar has a podium profile. The central step 50 has at its center a single orifice 63 while each side step 51 is provided with a cell 54 delimited by the surfaces of a stamped cage 55 projecting from the opposite side to the central step 50.

  The spring blades 4 shown in FIGS. 1 to 10 have an asymmetrical V-shaped profile, each leaf spring being formed by a large straight branch 58 and a small straight branch 59 connected to one another at one end by a Curved section 60. Each of the branches 58 and 59 has, at about mid-length, a width change, with their width being smaller between their free end and the width changing zone. The assembly operation of the terminal block will now be described with the aid of FIGS. 3 to 7. This assembly consists first of all in arranging each spring blade 4 in the reception housing 39. The curved section 60 of FIG. each leaf spring 4 is disposed around the pin 40 in the space in the vicinity of this pin on the side opposite the pin 41 (Figure 3). For each leaf spring, the large branch 58 then takes place between the pins 40, 41 corresponding and the corresponding partitions 34 while the small branch 59 takes place between the pins 40, 41 corresponding and the corresponding rib 30 '(Figure 3). The next step is to rotate each leaf spring 4 around the corresponding pin 40, parallel to the faces 5 and 6, so that the end portion of the long section 58 of the spring blade is placed in the space 44 between the partitions 34 (Figure 4), this section being guided towards this space by the ramp formed by one of the surfaces of the wedge 42 (Figure 9), to abut against the housing (Figure 4). The end portion of the branch 58 is thus housed in the corresponding introduction conduit 32. The blade thus disposed releases the area of the housing 39 adapted to accommodate the bar 3 so that it is now possible to introduce this bar in the housing. During this introduction, the central step 50 is arranged between the sections of ribs 30 "and 31" 'of the insulating casing while the end portions of the side steps 51 are housed under the partitions 34 (FIG. 5). For each cage 55, the conduit 32 thus opens into the cell 54. A wall 56 of the cage 55 is then disposed under the end edge 61 of the branch 58 of the corresponding spring blade while the end portion the branch 59 looks, on the side opposite the branch 58, riser 52 (Figures 5 and 6). The last operation consists, using a tool or a rigid core cable through the conduit 32 or 33, to come to exert pressure against the branch 58 to abut the branch 59 against the riser 52 and thus flexing the branch 58 to cross a hard point relative to the bar 3 so as to dispose the end edge 61 of this branch in the cell 54, against the surface 57 of the wall 56 of the cage 55 (FIG. 7). In this position, the bar is retained in the direction of the face 5 by the end portion of the limb 58 spring blade engaged in the cage 55, the same branch being retained by the partition 34 located at this face 5 , the leaf spring 4 being held in position by the riser 52 against which abuts the end portion of the leg 59. We will now describe the operation of introduction of a cable end in the terminal block 1 with the help of Figure 1. Such tips are for example used in conjunction with cables whose conductive core is formed of flexible strands to facilitate the introduction of conductors into the terminal block without the risk of bending the flexible strands.

  These tips (70) comprise a hollow cylindrical conductor and rigid member 71 crimped around the stripped end of a conductor (not shown) and an insulating plastic casing 72. The first operation is to penetrate the tip 70 to through the duct 32 in which it must be inserted in order to constrain the leaf spring by pressing the leg 58 to move the end edge 61 (FIGS. 6 and 7) away from the surface 57 in order to allow this element to pass between this edge 61 and the wall 56. No rotational movement of the leaf spring 4 is possible since the leg 59 of this blade is held during this force in abutment against the riser 52. The wiring cap 70 is thus introduced into the duct 32, the driving movement of the cable continuing for example until the end of the element 71 abuts against the rib portion 31 'or until the casing 72 comes into abutment has a iveau of the face 5 against the curved edge 43 'of the partition 34 or, at the face 6, against the shoulder 48' of the partition 48. The inner surface 57 of this wall forms for the element 71 a seat against which it is held by the leaf spring 4 which plate against this surface. If this element once installed in the terminal block 1 tends to be removed from the block, that is to say if it is subjected to a force directed in a direction contrary to the direction of insertion, this element will tend to bring with it the branch 58, which will bend and thus wedge against the wall 56, which will prohibit the removal of this element. For the withdrawal of the tip 70, the operator makes it through the conduit 33 corresponding to the duct 32 into which is inserted the nozzle 70, a tool (for example the flat end 73 of the screwdriver shown in FIG. to constrain the blade spring, until the branch 58 eventually abuts against the oblong pin 41, to release the element 71 and allow to extract the tip 70.

  The contact foot 80 to be assembled at the terminal block 1 will now be described with reference to FIGS. 10 to 14 if it is desired to form a terminal block electrically connecting one or two cables not only to each other but also to the conducting rail. in 0 (block for protective conductors).

  Such terminal blocks are generally identified by their color, the insulating housing of these blocks being tinted in two colors, one yellow and the other green (green / yellow block). The contact foot 80 illustrated in FIGS. 13 and 14 is made of conductive metal 5 and is formed in one piece. It comprises a central body 81, a latching tab 82, and a latching tab 83. The central body 81 has two generally rectangular portions 84 and 85, the portion 84 being wider than the portion 85. The portion 84 piec tabs 82 and 83 at rectangular portion 85. This portion 85 has at its top two protruding teeth 86 on the side opposite to portion 84 while in portion 84 is formed a rectangular window 87. The engagement tab 83 comprises at its distal end a rigid notch 88 and an elongated and flexible narrow arm 91 attaching the notch 88 to the body 81. This notch 88 has a tooth 90 and a finger 77 having a ramp surface 89 and a boss 78. The arm 91 is of constant width except for its end portions which are slightly curved, each respectively reaching, by flaring, the notch 88 and the body 81. The hooking tab 82 has a hook 92 adapted to rece ir as will be seen hereinafter one of the wings of a rail Q and an elongate and flexible narrow arm 76 joining the hook 92 to the body 81 by attaching to the hook 92 on the side of the hook opposite the body 81 relative to the Notch 93. The arm 76 comprises a C-section 94, here more precisely in a half-circle, in the hollow of which is accommodated the hook 92 and an inclined straight section 95. The C-section 94 is connected at one end to the hook. 92 and at the other end to the right inclined section 95 itself connected by its opposite end to the body 81 so that the arm 76 has a profile J. The hook 92 comprises a rigid block 79 in which is formed a notch V 93. The branch of the block 79 delimiting the notch V located on the side of the hook opposite the body 81 relative to the notch 93 is attached to the arm 94 of the tab 82.

  The assembly operation of this contact foot at the terminal block will now be described with the help of FIGS. 10 to 12. The contact foot is inserted within the terminal block on the side of the face 8 by the slot 17 extending from the latching lug 15 to the latching lug 16 of the insulating housing 2. During this introduction, the body 81 enters the insulating housing between the rib portions 31 ", the portion 85 first. until a tooth 35 (FIG. 11) of the insulating housing, projecting from the partition 21 located on the side of the face 5 towards the inside of the housing, is snapped into the square-shaped orifice 87 of the body 81, the slots 23 formed in this partition 21 ensuring an elastic deformation of the tooth 35. In the engaged position, the hook 92 of the hooking tab 82 of the contact foot is housed between the two partition portions 19 of the leg 15, so that the notch 93 is between the two renfon 20 while the notch 88 of the engagement tab 83 is housed between the two partition portions 18, between the teeth 24 (Figure 11). In this latched position, the teeth 86 of the foot 80 are arranged in the opening 63 of the step 50 and protrude with respect to the bar towards the face 7 (Figure 11).

  To complete this assembly operation a crimping operation is performed using a tool (not shown) adapted to be introduced into the housing on the side of the face 7 by two chimneys 37 (Figure 10) formed in the insulating housing on each side of a central wall 38 and opening on the face 7 to exert pressure against the surfaces 96 of the teeth 86 to separate them from one another as shown in Figure 10. This crimping ensures that the permanent mechanical maintenance of the contact foot 80 with the bar 3 and improves, by increasing the clamping pressure with this bar, the quality of the electrical contact between the foot and the bar.

  The operation of switching on a junction block 1 to a conducting rail at 12 will now be described with reference to FIGS. 15 to 18. The engagement of the terminal block is here described in the case where it has a foot of contact. The interlocking characteristics of the insulating housing alone remain the same when the terminal block does not have such a contact foot (no electrical connection to the rail). The conductive support rail 65 shown in Figures 15 to 18 is a profile rail commonly used to install terminal blocks. It has a central section 66 and two branches 67 folded at right angles, the ends of the branches 67 being bent at right angles outwardly to form two lateral wings 68, the section of the profiled rail thus having a shape 0 (reversed on the figures). This rail can be fixed (for example by screwing the section 66) to the uprights of an electrical cabinet or against a wall support, the central section 66 and the wings 68 then being in a vertical plane (turned 90 with respect to FIGS. and 18). In a first step, the interlocking operation consists in hooking the terminal block against one of the wings 68 of the rail at 0 as illustrated in FIG. 15 by introducing this wing into the notch 93 of the hook tab 82. the contact foot (shown without the insulating housing in Figure 17 for the sake of clarity) as well as in the recess 20 of the attachment lug 15 of the insulating housing (Figure 15). The next step is to simultaneously engage the engagement tab 83 (Figure 18) of the contact foot and the latching tab 16 (Figure 16) of the insulating housing on the other flange 68 of the rail S2. For this, the operator presses the terminal block against the face 7 in the direction of the rail at 4 and preferably, to benefit from the lever effect, the farthest side of the lug 15. This action causes a deformation of the arm 82 until the engagement tab 83 is supported by the ramp 89 of the finger 77 against the upper edge of the wing 68 corresponding. The ramp 89 thus guides the foot 80 which deforms until the ramp passes under the wing 68, the tooth 90 abuts against this wing (Figure 18). The boss 78 located at the end of the ramp 89, under the tooth 90 ensures the stable maintenance of the contact foot rail, preventing any risk of inadvertent disengagement. The long length of the sections 94 and 95 ensures optimum flexibility for the arm 76 which deforms throughout this operation.

  Simultaneously with the engagement of the contact foot 80 on the rail 65, the engagement lug 16 of the insulating housing engages in a similar manner on the same flange, each tooth 24 being supported by its curved surface 28 (FIG. 15) against the upper edge of the corresponding flange 68 to guide the tab 16. In response to this effort, the partitions 25 to 27 of this tab deform slightly transversely to the rail so that each tooth 24 engages and closes under this wing by elastic return (Figure 16). Once this terminal block is engaged with the rail, the connection operations of the cables can be carried out safely as explained above. For a terminal block that does not have such a contact foot, a connection to the rail in i2 is performed in the same way except that such a terminal block is engaged to the rail by the legs of d hooking and engagement of the insulating housing. Such an operation then makes it possible in this case not to provide an electrical connection but only to guarantee a mechanical support of the terminal block to the rail. Other types of rail exist such as those shown in FIGS. 19 and 20. In general, the same references have been used for similar elements, but added for each embodiment of the number 100. The rail 165 shown in Figure 19 and the rail 265 shown in Figure 20 differ from the rail 65 shown in Figure 17 in particular by the height and thickness of their branches and their wings. 25 Remain constant because of the standards in force, regardless of the type of rail, the distance separating the ends of the two wings and the thickness of each wing at its end (1 mm). The V-shaped notch 93 and in particular the distance to the bottom of the notch separating the two branches of the V is adapted to cooperate with the three types of rail illustrated, that the wings of these rails is of constant thickness. (rail 65) or that this thickness decreases toward the edge of the wings (rails 165 and 265).

  We will now describe a removable extension wall to be fitted if necessary to the terminal block for housing as will be seen below wiring ends that can project from the terminal block. This partition 97 (Figures 21 to 23) has two notches 99, two pins 98 and two ribs 96 projecting from the same side of the partition 97. Each notch 99 has a contour similar to that of the opening 43 of the conduit 32 corresponding. Each notch is thus delimited by two straight edges 99 'parallel to the direction of insertion of the cable and an edge 99 "transverse to this direction joining the straight edges 99'.

  This partition is nested at the junction block 1 by disposing the partition 97 facing the face 5 of the junction block 1 so that the lugs 98 of this partition are engaged in mortises 29 that presents the insulating housing 1 of the block of junction (Figure 22), the rib 96 then being housed within the rib 31 to increase the length of the vanishing lines of the terminal block.

  As explained above, each duct 32 of the terminal block has an opening 43 through which a wiring end can project laterally, in particular if the largest diameter of this endpiece is greater than the distance separating the main faces 5 and 6 ( also called not the junction block), neglecting the thickness of the partition 48 closing the conduit 32 at the face 6. Indeed the thickness of the partition 48 is relatively small so that it is considered that it is a negligible size in front of the pitch of the terminal block. By larger diameter is meant here that of the diameters of the element of the tip which has the largest dimension, for example in the case of the tip 70, the diameter of the envelope 72. It is thus interesting to to fit a partition 97 to the junction block 1 so that the part of the endpiece projecting from the block through the opening 43 is housed in the opening 99 of this partition, in particular in order to be able to place side by side, the counterbolts the others several sets thus formed (Figure 23) without these sets are mutually impeded by the neighboring wiring ends, each terminal block then come to bear, by its face 6 not against the protruding portion of the cable end hosted in the neighboring junction block but against the 97 partition of this neighboring block.

  In addition, the convex faces 47, the partition 48 and the shoulder 48 'and the edges 43' and 43 "are dimensioned together with the partition 97 to ensure that, even for a wiring end having a larger diameter equal to the diameter. maximum that can be received in the duct, the portion of this nozzle projecting from the block through the opening 43 of the duct can be fully housed in the opening 99 of the partition 97 without projecting from this partition.So, in the example illustrated the terminal block has a pitch of 5 mm and the ducts 32 are adapted to receive wiring ends of larger diameter maximum equal to 6 mm, while the partition 97 has a thickness of 1 mm so as to fit in each opening 99 the portions of the end pieces projecting from the block and up to the maximum diameter of 6 mm (ie a maximum lateral projection of about 1 mm with respect to the terminal block). less than 6 mm can not be introduced into the ducts 32, these ducts being shaped so that such an endpiece abuts against the edges of the opening 45 and thus prevent its insertion. It has been described above wiring tips provided to form an end portion of a cable. Of course, such an end portion may be perfectly constituted by the cable itself having a rigid or flexible conductive core corresponding to the element 71 of the nozzle 70 and an insulating sheath corresponding to the casing 72 of this nozzle. When the cable is flexible and without a tip, it is necessary, before inserting it into the terminal block, to use a tool such as that illustrated in FIG. 8 in order to press on the branch 58 to remove the cable. edge 61 of the wall 56 and allow the cable to enter the cell 54. Another embodiment of the terminal block is shown in Figures 24 to 28. In general, the same elements have been used for the same elements. references, but added for each embodiment of the number 100. In this embodiment the pins 140 and 141 are joined, the end of the pin 140 forming a finer finger than the pin 40 to reduce the bending force and provide a better fit of the curved section 160 within the housing 102.

  The rib portion 131 "'has a recess 136 facing the corresponding rib section 130" and is thus adapted to cooperate snap as will be seen below with the bar 103. The partition 122 is not located here at the level of the face 106 but halfway between the faces 105 and 106 (if not under the section of rib 131 "') in order to lengthen as far as possible the creepage distances between conducting elements. bosses 149. The assembly of the spring blades and the bar is made in a manner similar to that described for the terminal block 1. Each leaf spring is arranged in the housing (Figure 24) and then turned (Figure 25) to leave room at the bar 103 (FIG. 26) In this embodiment, during the assembly of the bar, the bosses 149 of this bar (FIG. 27) cooperate to snap together with the recesses 136 to reinforce the mechanical retention of the bar 103 to the case 1 02 (FIG. 26) During snapping, the offset located under the rib portion 131 "'of the wall 122 at the face 106 allows this section to be sufficiently deformable and elastic to snap into place. the bar. The branch 158 is then flexed to pass a hard point relative to the bar so that it comes opposite the wall 156 of the cage 155 (Figure 27). As for the terminal block 1, the bar 103 of the block 101 has a window 163 so that this block can receive the contact foot 80 (Figure 28). In other variants not shown, the terminal block is designed to receive not two but at least three conductors arranged on one or more stages of the terminal block. Many other variants are possible depending on the circumstances, and it is recalled in this regard that the invention is not limited to the examples described and shown.

Claims (13)

  1. Terminal block comprising: a conductive strip (3; 103) having a section (51; 151) provided with a cavity (54; 154) for receiving an end portion (70) of an electric cable; the cell (54; 154) being partially delimited by a seat (56; 156); - a leaf spring (4; 104) having a first (58; 158) and a second (59; 159) branch and a curved section (60; 160) connecting said first and second branches to each other; leaf spring (4; 104) being adapted to deform to allow said end portion (70) of the cable, when engaged in said cell (54; 154), to fit between said seat (56: 156) and the end edge (61; 161) of said first leg (58; 158) and, if said cable is then urged to be removed from said block, to wedge said cable end portion (70) between said seat (56; 156) and said end edge (61; 161); and - an insulating casing (2; 102) having a receiving housing (39; 139) of said bar (3; 103) and said leaf spring (4; 104) and an insertion duct (32; 132) said end portion (70) of the cable, said introduction conduit (32; 132) opening into said cell (54; 154); characterized in that said section (51; 151) provided with a cell (54; 154) belongs to an L-shaped portion of said bar (3; 103), said L-shaped portion also having an abutment section (52; ), one end of which is connected transversely to one end of said section (51; 151) provided with a cell, and in that the end portion of said second leg (59; 159) faces, on the opposite side to said first leg ( 58; 158), said abutment section (52; 152) of said bar (3; 103).   2. Block according to claim 1, characterized in that said leaf spring (4; 104) is adapted to deform to cross a hard point relative to said bar (3; 103) to dispose said end edge (61; 161) of the first limb (58; 158) of said blade (4; 104) facing said seat (56; 156) in said recess (54; 154).   3. Block according to any one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that said housing (2; 102) comprises two main faces (5, 6; 105, 106) connected by lateral faces (7, 8, 9, 10; 107, 108, 109, 110), said introduction duct (32; 132) having with said receiving seat (39; 139) a common area (44; 144) at least partially closed at both sides; main portions (5, 6; 105, 106), the portion of the receiving housing (39; 139) separate from said common area (44; 144) being at least partially open at one of said major faces (5, 6); 105, 106) for receiving said bar (3; 103) and said leaf spring (4; 104).   4. Block according to claim 3, characterized in that said common area (44; 144) opens into said cavity (54; 154) and in that the end portion of said first branch (58; 158) of the blade spring is disposed in said common area (44; 144).   5. Block according to claim 4, characterized in that said housing (2; 102) comprises a ramp for guiding said end portion of said first branch (58; 158) of the leaf spring (4; said common area (44; 144).   6. Block according to claim 5, characterized in that said ramp belongs to a corner (42; 142). 20   7. Block according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that said housing (2; 102) comprises in said receiving housing (39; 139) a pin (40; 140), around which is disposed said leaf spring (4; 104).   8. Block according to claim 7, characterized in that said pin (40; 140) is located between said first and second branches (58, 59; 158, 159) of said leaf spring (4; 104), in the vicinity of said curved section (60; 160).   9. Block according to claim 8, characterized in that said housing (2; 102) comprises in said receiving housing (39; 139) another pin (41; 141) located between said first and second branches (58, 59). 158, 159) of said leaf spring (4; 104) and opposite said curved section (60; 160) relative to said pin (40; 140).   10. Block according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that said bar (103) has latching means (149) adapted to cooperate with complementary latching means (136, 131 "that includes said housing (102).   11. Block according to claim 10, characterized in that said latching means of said bar (103) comprise at least one boss (149) and said complementary latching means of said housing (102) comprise a wall (131 "' ) having a recess (136) adapted to receive said boss (149).   12. Block according to claim 11, characterized in that said wall (131 "') is flexible.   13. Block according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that said block comprises two said leaf spring (4; 104) and in that said bar (3; 103) comprises two said portions L (51, 52; 151, 152) and a central section (50; 150) each end of which is connected transversely to a respective one of said L-shaped portions by the end of the corresponding abutment section (52; 152) opposite to that connected to the section (51). 151) provided with a cell.