FR3012686A1 - ELECTRICAL APPARATUS COMPRISING A SPRING CONNECTION TERMINAL - Google Patents

Abstract

Electrical apparatus (1) comprising an insulating body (3) and at least one connecting terminal (2) housed in the insulating body (3), the connecting terminal (2) being further provided with a leaf spring (5) ) comprising a clamping leg (9) comprising a first portion extending from a first end to an intermediate point so that the angle between a tangent to the first portion and the extension direction of the channel insertion (50) increases continuously or remains constant between the first end and the intermediate point, the clamping leg (9) comprising a second portion extending from the intermediate point to the second end so that the angle between a tangent at the second portion and the direction of extension of the insertion channel increases continuously or remains constant between the intermediate point and the second end.

Description

The present invention relates to an electrical apparatus, in particular a terminal block, comprising a spring connection terminal. It is known to use leaf springs for attaching a conductor portion, such as a stripped or plugged electrical wire. The leaf spring is generally conductive and provides the electrical connection between the conductor portion and other elements of the terminal block. For the introduction of the conductor portion, the terminal block generally has an insertion channel formed in the outer wall of said block. It is also known to have an operating channel of the leaf spring for the introduction of a tool for operating the leaf spring in order to dispose the end of the conductor portion in the insertion channel and also to remove it. To do this, the leaf spring comprises a support leg, fixed with respect to the insulating body of the terminal block, and a movable clamping leg, the support branch and the clamping branch being united by a pivot connection. These provisions are satisfactory in that it is possible to insert a portion of conductor comprising a tip. The attachment of the tip and the electrical contact is made by the clamping leg. It is also possible to fix a portion of conductor whose end is a stripped electrical wire with a tool for moving the clamping branch. However, whether it is the introduction of a conductor portion provided with a tip or a stripped electrical wire, a certain effort is to be made for the displacement of the clamping branch, the latter in front of also present a certain stiffness to ensure a good maintenance of the driver portion. In practice, the movement of the clamping limb may be difficult, especially if the operator must hold the branch in position with a tool and at the same time manipulate other electrical wires. The present invention aims to solve all or some of the disadvantages mentioned above. For this purpose, the present invention relates to an electrical apparatus 35 comprising an insulating body, a conductive strip disposed in the insulating body, and at least one connection terminal housed in the insulating body, the connection terminal being provided with a connection channel. insertion of a conductor portion and an actuating channel, both formed in the insulating body, opening through a wall portion of the insulating body and extending substantially transversely to said wall portion, the terminal of connection being further provided with a leaf spring comprising a bearing leg bearing against the conductive bar and a clamping leg for maintaining in a holding position, said conductor portion inserted in the insertion channel against the conductive bar. The clamping leg comprises a first portion extending into a rest position in which said conductor portion is not inserted into the insertion channel, from a first end to an intermediate point so that the angle between a tangent to the first portion and the direction of extension of the insertion channel increases continuously or remains constant between the first end and the intermediate point. The clamping limb comprises a second portion extending, in the rest position, from the intermediate point to the second end so that the angle between a tangent to the second portion and the direction of extension of the channel. insertion increases continuously or remains constant between the intermediate point and the second end. The first portion extends transversely to the maneuvering channel and at least partially transversely to the insertion channel in the rest position. Upon insertion of the conductor portion into the insertion channel, the clamping branch cooperates by contact with the conductor portion. This contact causes a displacement of the clamping leg. This arrangement is particularly suitable for conductor portions having a tip at their end. Inserting the conductor portion is easier than if the clamping leg extended rectilinearly between the first end 30 and the second end. Indeed, the stress to be applied so that the end of the conductor portion slides along the clamping branch and at the same time moves it transversely to the direction of insertion towards the support branch, is lower. The maneuvering channel is arranged to give access to the first portion of the clamping limb. Thus the clamping leg can be moved for example using a tool arranged to enter the maneuvering channel. A constraint applied to the first portion makes it possible to move the clamping branch relative to the support branch in a direction opposite to the wall portion and aiming to bring the two branches closer together. According to one aspect of the invention, the clamping branch is rectilinear and has an angle of attachment, with respect to the direction of extension of the insertion channel, including, in the holding position, between a first angular value and a second angular value. According to one aspect of the invention, the first angular value is 30 ° and the second angular value is 70 °. Preferably, the first angular value is 40 ° and the second angular value is 60 °. The angle of attachment depends on the one hand on the geometry of the clamping blade and on the other hand on the section of the conductor portion. Indeed, the portions of conductors have a section which can vary, according to defined tolerances, about a nominal section which is related to the geometry of the insertion channel. Thus, the maintenance of any portion of conductor is correctly assured regardless of the section from the moment when the latter is within the defined tolerances. The holding in position is effective because the second portion of the clamping limb acts against any attempt to remove the driver portion in a manner similar to that of a harpoon. According to one aspect of the invention, the first portion is arranged to be displaced by a surface contact made by a flat face of a tool inserted in the operating channel, the flat face being disposed obliquely with respect to the direction extension of the maneuvering channel. Once the tool inserted into the operating channel, the clamping leg imposes a transverse stress on the direction of extension of the operating channel 30 on the flat face. The tool then comes into contact with the inner wall of the maneuvering channel and is held in position. Thus, the user can immobilize the tool in the maneuvering channel. According to one aspect of the invention, in the rest position, the first portion has a first angle and the second portion has a second angle relative to the direction of extension of the insertion channel, the first angle being less than the second angle. angle. According to one aspect of the invention, the first angle is between 30 ° and 90 °, preferably between 50 ° and 70 ° and in particular between 55 ° and 65 °.

According to one aspect of the invention, the second angle is between 30 ° and 90 °, preferably between 60 ° and 90 ° and in particular between 75 ° and 85 °. According to one aspect of the invention, the first portion and the second portion of the clamping leg are rectilinear in the rest position. Upon insertion of the conductor portion into the insertion channel, the end of the conductor portion first contacts the first portion of the clamping leg. The angle between the first portion and the conductor portion being small, the insertion of the conductor portion is easy. As and when the insertion, the end of the conductor portion slides on the first portion 15 which at the same time plays its role of spring by moving towards the support branch in the opposite direction to the portion of wall. Then, the end of the conductor portion comes into contact with the second portion. The angle between the second portion and the direction of extension of the conductor portion being higher, the insertion force to be provided increases. However, the relative increase of the force to be provided is not high: the second portion being further away from the first end of the clamping leg, the leverage facilitates the mobility of the clamping arm relative to the support branch. According to one aspect of the invention, the first portion and the second portion of the clamping leg have a third angle greater than or equal to 90 ° and less than 180 °. According to one aspect of the invention, the third angle is comprised, in the rest position, between 140 ° and 180 °, preferably between 150 ° and 170 °, and in particular between 155 ° and 165 °. The interest of the value of the third angle is to define the position of the second free end, that is to say the point of application of the holding force by contact of the conductor portion, the latter being inserted in the insertion channel. This point of application is thus closer to the wall portion 35 with respect to a clamping leg having no second portion and whose intermediate point is the point of application on the conductor portion. This arrangement therefore makes it possible to use portions of conductor having a short end, the position of the point of application defining the minimum length for the endpieces to be used. This arrangement also makes it possible to have a good holding in position of the wall portion, the orientation of the second portion with respect to the direction of extension of the insertion channel generating a good grip, at the image of a harpoon clinging to the material in which it is inserted. According to one aspect of the invention, the wall portion of the insulating body has a mouth into which the insertion channel opens, the mouth having a stop for positioning the conductor portion in inserted position in the channel. insertion. This arrangement signals to the user the proper insertion of the conductor portion into the insertion channel. According to one aspect of the invention, the maneuvering channel is substantially parallel to the insertion channel. This arrangement allows easy movement of the first portion, the angle between the direction of extension of the maneuvering channel and the first portion being small, that is to say substantially identical to that of the first portion with the direction. extension of the insertion channel. According to one aspect of the invention, the clamping leg is arranged to be moved to an open position in which the clamping leg is not transversely disposed in at least a portion of a section of the insertion channel. , the conductor portion being adapted to be inserted in said portion of the section, the clamping leg being adapted to be moved in the open position by a constraint imposed on said clamping branch through the operating channel. According to one aspect of the invention, said stress imposed on the clamping limb is substantially parallel to the direction of extension of the operating channel and is oriented in the opposite direction to the wall portion of the insulating body. Maneuvering the clamping limb, for example by inserting a tool into the actuating channel, allows opening of the insertion channel at a partial month.

This arrangement is particularly suitable for introducing a portion of conductor having at the end a stripped wire. Indeed, the insertion of this type of conductor portion by contact is its end on the clamping branch is not possible.

The present invention also relates to an electrical assembly comprising an electrical apparatus as described above and a tool for moving the clamping leg through the operating channel, the tool comprising a friction surface arranged to cooperate with the first portion of the clamping limb, said friction surface and the first portion being arranged to cooperate by surface contact. According to one aspect of the invention, the tool is arranged to make a locking in the open position, the friction surface cooperating with the first portion and a surface of the tool, opposite to the friction surface relative to the direction of extension of the maneuvering channel and being in contact with a wall portion of the maneuvering channel. The friction surface of the tool is lateral to the insertion direction of the tool in the operating channel. The insertion of the tool brings about a rapprochement of the clamping branch of the support branch. Thus, as and when the penetration of the tool in the operating channel, the angle of the first portion with the direction of extension of the operating channel decreases. At the end of insertion the first portion is almost parallel to the friction surface. Thus, the force of the leaf spring is applied over the entire friction surface, which holds the tool in position when the latter is sufficiently inserted into the operating channel. This arrangement allows in particular to keep open the electrical device using a tool such as a screwdriver. Once sufficiently inserted the screwdriver is held in position: the user is no longer obliged to maintain it manually in position in the maneuvering channel. This arrangement frees a hand from the user so that it is more comfortable for the insertion or removal of the driver portion in the insertion channel. In any case, the invention will be better understood with the aid of the description which follows with reference to the appended diagrammatic drawings showing, by way of non-limiting example, an embodiment of this junction block. Figure 1 is a perspective view of a terminal block 5 comprising a clamping leg. Figure 2 is a sectional view of a detail of the terminal block comprising the leaf spring and an insertion channel of a conductor portion. Figure 3 is a schematic view of a leaf spring in a rest position. Figure 4 is a schematic view of a leaf spring and a tool 15 for operating the leaf spring. As illustrated in FIG. 1, an electrical apparatus or terminal block 1 comprises an insulating body 3 and a connection terminal 2 housed in the insulating body 3. The connection terminal 2 comprises a leaf spring 5. The leaf spring 5 comprises a support branch 7 and a clamping branch 9, the two branches having a pivot connection at their junction 11. The terminal block comprises a conductive strip 13 disposed in the insulating body 3 of the terminal block 1 The support branch 7 is fixed on the conductive strip 13 so as to establish an electrical contact. The connection terminal 2 comprises an insertion channel 15 and an operating channel 17, both formed in the insulating body 3, the channels opening outside the insulating body 3 at a wall portion 19 of the insulating body 3. The insertion channel 15 and the operating channel 17 extend in a parallel direction, this direction also corresponding to the extension direction of the support branch 7. The clamping branch 9 extends transversely to the insertion channel 15 and to the operating channel 17 in a rest position, as illustrated in FIG. 1. The rest position is the position in which the leaf spring 5 is not biased.

The terminal block 1 has an internal recess 21 for moving the clamping leg 9 between the rest position and an end position in which the spring is bent. The displacement is represented by an arrow 23 in FIG. 1 and the position folded by the dashed lines. As illustrated in Figure 1, an electrical assembly 25 comprises the terminal block 1 and a tool 27. The operating channel 17 is intended for insertion of the tool 27, which may be a screwdriver. The operating channel 17 thus allows access to the clamping branch 9 from outside 29.

As illustrated in Figure 2, the insertion channel 15 is arranged for the insertion of a conductor portion 31. In the embodiment shown the conductor portion 31 is a portion of electrical wire comprising at its end a tip 33, the tip 33 being defined by a diameter 34 and a length 35.

The conductor portion 31 is in a holding position against the conductive strip 13 so as to make an electrical contact between the conductor bar and the conductor portion 31, the holding being performed by the leaf spring 5. As shown in FIG. 2, an attachment angle 36 is defined between the extension direction of the second portion 43 and the extension direction of the insertion channel 50. The attachment angle 36 depends not only on the geometry of the spring 5, but also of the diameter 34 of the conductor portion 31. The diameter 34 is variable around a nominal value defined as a function of the internal geometry of the insertion channel 15 according to usual tolerances. These usual tolerances imply, for a defined geometry of the leaf spring 5, an angle of attachment 36 between a first angular value and a second angular value according to the different diameters 34 of portions of conductors 31. In the embodiment shown the first angular value is 40 ° and the second angular value is 60 °. Thus, when a conductor portion 31 has a diameter 34 within the usual tolerances, the value of the hooking angle 34 allows the conductor portion 31 to be effectively held in the insertion channel 15.

The leaf spring 5 has an end section in contact with the tip 33 to ensure a good electrical connection. Thus the variations of the diameter 34 of the tip 33 have little influence on the quality of the electrical contact. This arrangement therefore makes it possible to ensure good electrical contact in the holding position, for a diameter of the tip more or less variable according to a defined tolerance around a nominal value. A mouth 37 provided with a stop 39 is formed in the wall portion 19, the stop 39 being intended for positioning the conductor portion 31.

In Figure 3, the leaf spring 5 is shown in the rest position. The clamping leg 9 comprises a first portion 41 and a second portion 43 between a first end 45 contiguous to the support branch 7 and a second end 47 free. The first portion 41 and the second portion 43 are rigid, joined at an intermediate point 48 and have an angle substantially constant relative to each other due to this rigidity. This geometry reveals a recess 49 with respect to a line 51 joining the first end 45 to the second end 47, the depression 51 being formed in the clamping branch 9 and extending 20 in a direction of approach towards the branch. 7. The orientation of the first portion 41 and the second portion 43 in the rest position can be described by three angles. Thus the first angle 53 defines the direction of extension of the first portion 41 with respect to the direction of extension of the insertion channel 50 or direction of extension of the support branch 7. The second angle 55 is defined identically with respect to the second portion 43. Finally a third angle 57, deduced from the first two, is defined between the extension direction of the first portion 41 and the extension direction of the second portion 43. shown, the first angle is 60 °, the second is 80 ° and the third is 160 °. In FIG. 4, the leaf spring 5 is presented in the folded position, the position being reached by the constraint imposed by the end of the tool 27. In the folded position, a lateral friction surface 59 of the tool 27 co-operates with part of the first portion 41. The cooperation is characterized by surface contact.

Above, have been described the various elements constituting the electrical assembly 25 and the different positions taken by the leaf spring 5. Below, we will detail, the passages from one position to another in correspondence with the insertion or removal of the conductor portion 31. In the absence of bias, the leaf spring 5 is in the rest position, as shown in Figure 1. Regarding the insertion of a conductor portion 31, two possibilities are presented: the insertion of a conductor portion 31 comprising a tip 33 at its end and the insertion of a conductor portion 31 comprising a stripped wire at its end. The insertion of a portion of conductor 31 comprising a tip 33 does not require the use of the tool 27. In a first step, the tip 33 is introduced into the insertion channel 15. Going down, the endpiece 33 firstly contacts the first portion 41. By imposing a constraint on the clamping leg 9 with the endpiece 33, the latter moves progressively towards the folded position as illustrated by the arrow 23 in FIG. 1. The angle between the extension direction of the nozzle 22 and the extension direction of the first portion 41 is small compared to a hypothetical angle if the clamping leg 9 extends rectilinearly between its first end 45 and its second end 47, as shown by the line 51 in dashed lines in FIG. 3. This arrangement facilitates the sliding of the tip 33 on the first portion 41 and thus facilitates the insertion of the portion of 25 driver 31 in the insertion channel 15. The insertion of the tip 33 continues, its end comes into contact with the second portion 43. The angle between the direction of extension of the tip 33 and the direction of extension of the second portion 43 being larger than the angle with the first portion 41, the difficulty of insertion 30 increases slightly. However, it should be noted that the second portion 43 is at the free end of the clamping leg 9 and that as such a lever effect allows the movement of the clamping leg 9 without too much trouble. Finally, the conductor portion 31 is placed in the holding position, as illustrated in FIG. 2. In this position, the clamping leg 9 imposes a lateral stress on the endpiece 33, the stress being substantially perpendicular to the direction of extension of the tip 33. The angle formed between this perpendicular direction and the extension direction of the second portion 43 contributes to maintaining the position of the endpiece 33. Indeed, this angle has the effect of allowing the branch 9 This action is similar to that of a harpoon preventing the removal of the material in which the harpoon was introduced. Another advantage of the presence of the depression 49 and therefore the angle between the extension direction of the second portion 43 and the extension direction of the tip 33 is the location of the second end 47 in position. keeping. Indeed, as illustrated in FIG. 2, this angle defines the minimum length of the endpiece 33. Thus, it is possible to use endpieces 33 whose minimum size makes it possible to have contact with the second end 47. in the holding position. In this sense, the second portion 43 can be observed as a recess for using shorter tips 33, the first portion 41 for easy insertion. The insertion of a conductor portion 31 comprising a stripped wire at its end requires for its part the use of a tool 27. In a first step, the tool 27 must be inserted into the operating channel 17. The tool 27 comes into contact with the first portion 41 of the clamping leg 9. The angle of the clamping leg 9 with respect to the direction of extension of the tip of the tool 27 allows, in the same way only for the insertion of a tip 33 described above, easy insertion. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the tool 27 can be inserted into a folded position. In this position a portion of the first portion 41 is in surface contact with the friction surface 59. This geometric arrangement 30 provides a good grip between the portion of the first portion 41 and the friction surface 59. The clamping leg 9 imposes a lateral stress on the tip of the tool 27 at the friction surface 59, the lateral stress being substantially perpendicular to the direction of extension of the tip of the tool 27.

Said stress has the effect of pressing the tip of the tool 27 on an opposite inner wall of the operating channel 17. Thus, by this surface contact and the force imposed by the leaf spring 5, it is possible to immobilize the tool 27 in the folded position.

This arrangement is particularly interesting when the tool 27 is a screwdriver. Indeed an operator can block the leaf spring 5 in the folded position and release the screwdriver since it is constrained and therefore immobile. Then simply insert the end of the stripped wire into the insertion channel 15 and remove the screwdriver from the operating channel 17 to move to the holding position. The withdrawal of the conductor portion 31 is itself identical for the portions of the conductors 31 comprising a tip 33 at their end or bare wire.

Indeed, it is sufficient to position the tip of the tool 27 in the operating channel 17 to reach the folded position and then remove the conductor portion 31 of the insertion channel 15. As during the insertion it is possible to immobilize and release the tool 27 during this operation. Thus the operator can free himself one hand to perform other operations. As goes without saying, the invention is not limited to the sole embodiment of this terminal block, described above as an example, it encompasses all the variants.

Claims (11)

REVENDICATIONS1. Electrical apparatus (1) comprising an insulating body (3), a conducting bar (13) disposed in the insulating body (3), and at least one connecting terminal (2) housed in the insulating body (3), the terminal block Connection (2) being provided with an insertion channel (15) of a conductor portion (31) and an operating channel (17), both formed in the insulating body (3), opening at through a wall portion (19) of the insulating body (3) and extending substantially transversely to said wall portion (19), the connection terminal (2) being further provided with a leaf spring (5) comprising: - a bearing leg (7) bearing against the conductive bar (13), - a clamping leg (9) intended, in a holding position, to maintain said portion of conductor (31) inserted in the channel 15 (16) against the conductive bar (13), the clamping leg (9) comprising a first portion (41) extending at a position of rest in which said conductor portion (31) is not inserted into the insertion channel (15), from a first end (45) to an intermediate point (48) so that the angle between a tangent to the first portion (41) and the direction of extension of the insertion channel (50) increases continuously or remains constant between the first end (45) and the intermediate point (48), the clamping leg (9) comprising a second portion (43) extending, in the rest position, from the intermediate point (48) to the second end (47) so that the angle between a tangent to the second portion and the direction of extension of the insertion channel (50) increases continuously or remains constant between the intermediate point (48) and the second end (47), the first portion (41) extending transversely to the maneuvering channel (17) and at least partially transversely to the insertion channel (15) in the rest position. 2. An electrical apparatus (1) according to claim 1, wherein the first portion (41) is arranged to be displaced by a surface contact 35 made by a planar face of a tool inserted in the operating channel (17), the surface plane being disposed obliquely with respect to the direction of extension of the operating channel (17). 3. Electrical device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein, in the rest position, the first portion (41) has a first angle (53) and the second portion (43) has a second angle (55). relative to the extension direction of the insertion channel (50), the first angle (53) being less than the second angle (55). 4. Electrical device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first portion (41) and the second portion (43) of the clamping leg (9) are straight in the rest position. An electrical apparatus (1) according to claim 4, wherein the first portion (41) and the second portion (43) of the clamping limb (9) have a third angle (57) greater than or equal to 90 ° and less than 180 °. 6. electrical apparatus (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the wall portion (19) of the insulating body (3) has a mouth (37) in which the insertion channel (15) opens, mouthpiece (37) having an abutment (39) for positioning the conductor portion (31) in inserted position in the insertion channel (15). 7. Electrical apparatus (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the operating channel (17) is substantially parallel to the insertion channel (15). 8. Electrical apparatus (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the clamping limb (9) is arranged to be moved to an open position in which the clamping limb (9) is not arranged. transversely in at least a portion of a section of the insertion channel (15), the conductor portion (31) being adapted to be inserted in said portion of the section, the clamping branch (9) being able to be displaced in the open position by a constraint imposed on said clamping branch (9) through the operating channel (17). Electrical apparatus (1) according to claim 8, wherein said stress imposed on the clamping leg (9) is substantially parallel to the direction of extension of the operating channel (17) and is oriented in the opposite direction to the wall portion (19) of the insulating body (3). 10. Electrical assembly (25) comprising an electrical apparatus (1) according to one of the preceding claims and a tool (27) for moving the clamping leg (9) through the operating channel (17), the tool (27) comprising a friction surface (59) arranged to cooperate with the first portion (41) of the clamping limb (9), said friction surface (59) and the first portion (41) being arranged to cooperate by surface contact. Electrical assembly (25) according to claim 10, in which the tool (27) is arranged to make a blocking in the open position, the friction surface (59) cooperating with the first portion (41) and a surface of the tool (27), opposite to the friction surface (59) with respect to the direction of extension of the operating channel (17) and being in contact with a wall portion of the operating channel (17).