Electrical connection system with two connection branches

Abstract

The invention relates to an electrical connection system for an electrical appliance, such as a terminal block (7), the electrical connection system (7) comprising a conductive strip (21) comprising two connecting branches (63a, 63b) arranged so as to cooperate with a conductive portion (13) of an electrical conductor (13) in a connecting position and having a cooperating area (35) arranged so as to cooperate with a portion (15) of a support rail (15) in a cooperating position, a leaf spring (23), and a holding device (49) arranged so as to hold the portion (15) of the support rail (15) in contact between the two cooperating branches (63a, 63b) in the cooperating position, at least one connecting branch (63a, 63b) having a cross-opening (69a, 96b) designed so that a portion of the holding device (49) passes therethrough in the cooperating position.

Claims

1. An electrical connection system for a junction block, the electrical connection system comprising: a conductive strip comprising two connection branches arranged to cooperate with a conductive portion of an electrical conductor in a connection position and having a cooperation area arranged to cooperate with a portion of a support rail in a cooperation position, a clamping device arranged to hold the conductive portion in the connection position, the clamping device being a leaf spring comprising a bearing branch arranged to be mounted to the conductive strip and a clamping branch arranged to hold the conductive portion in the connection position, a holding device arranged to hold the portion of the support rail in contact between the two connection branches in the cooperation position, and at least one connection branch of the two connection branches has a through opening configured for the passage of a portion of the holding device in the cooperation position.

2. The electrical connection system according to claim 1, wherein said through opening corresponds to a reduction comprised between 10% and 50% of a nominal section over a defined length of said at least one corresponding connection branch.

3. The electrical connection system according to claim 1, wherein each connection branch has a through opening configured for the passage of a portion of the holding device in the cooperation position.

4. The electrical connection system according to claim 3, wherein the two connection branches are a first connection branch having a first through opening and a second connection branch having a second through opening, the first through opening facing the second through opening.

5. The electrical connection system according to claim 1, wherein each connection branch has a cooperation extension arranged to cooperate with the portion of the support rail in the cooperation position.

6. The electrical connection system according to claim 5, wherein at least one connection branch further comprises a cooperation stop extending transversely to the cooperation extension.

7. The electrical connection system according to claim 5, wherein the cooperation extensions of the connection branches extend along the same axis in the cooperation position.

8. The electrical connection system according to claim 1, wherein the holding device comprises a clamping spring provided with two ends facing each other, each end being arranged to cooperate with a clamping location of a corresponding connection branch.

9. The electrical connection system according to claim 8, wherein at least one clamping location is formed in a cavity of the corresponding connection branch, said location being arranged to receive a corresponding end of the clamping spring.

10. The electrical connection system according to claim 8, wherein the clamping spring has a C-shape.

11. The electrical connection system according to claim 8, wherein the conductive strip has a passage opening for insertion of the conductive portion in the connection position.

12. The electrical connection system according to claim 1, wherein the conductive strip comprises a first portion and a second portion, the first portion facing the second portion.

13. The electrical connection system according to claim 12, wherein the conductive strip has a U-like general shape.

14. A junction block comprising an insulating body in which is formed an electrical connection system according to claim 1.

15. The junction block according to claim 14, wherein the insulating body comprises a support stud arranged to cooperate with the conductive strip so as to enable the displacement of at least one connection branch relative to a corresponding fixed base of said branch contiguous to said connection branch.

16. The electrical connection system according to claim 2, wherein each connection branch has a through opening configured for the passage of a portion of the holding device in the cooperation position.

17. The electrical connection system according to claim 16, wherein the two connection branches are a first connection branch having a first through opening and a second connection branch having a second through opening, the first through opening facing the second through opening.

18. The electrical connection system according to claim 17, wherein each connection branch has a cooperation extension arranged to cooperate with the portion of the support rail in the cooperation position.

19. The electrical connection system according to claim 18, wherein at least one connection branch further comprises a cooperation stop extending transversely to the cooperation extension.

20. The electrical connection system according to claim 19, wherein the cooperation extensions of the connection branches extend along the same axis in the cooperation position.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a junction block, an electrical conductor and a support rail.

(2) FIG. 2 is a detail view of FIG. 1.

(3) FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the junction block, the electrical conductor and the support rail.

(4) FIG. 4 is a detail view of FIG. 3.

(5) FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an electrical connection system, the electrical conductor and the support rail.

(6) FIG. 6 is a front view of the electrical connection system, the electrical conductor and the support rail.

(7) FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a variant of the electrical connection system, the electrical conductor and the support rail.

(8) FIG. 8 is a front view of the variant of the electrical connection system, the electrical conductor and the support rail.

(9) FIG. 9 is a front view of the junction block according to the variant.

(10) FIG. 10 is a detail view of FIG. 9.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(11) As illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 10, an electrical apparatus 1 such as a junction block 3 comprises an insulating body 5 and an electrical connection system 7, the electrical connection system 7 being formed in the insulating body 5.

(12) The junction block 3 comprises sockets 9 for electrical conductors. Two sockets 9 are linked by a linking bar 11 so as to establish an electrical contact between two corresponding conductors.

(13) The junction block 3 also has a socket 9 for an electrical conductor 13 intended to be electrically connected to a support rail 15 on which the junction block 3 is removably fastened.

(14) This electrical connection is established by the electrical connection system 9 as detailed hereinafter. The electrical conductor 13 has at one end a conductive portion 13 for example a metal tip.

(15) The metal tip is arranged to be inserted into an insertion channel 17 of the socket 9 where it is held in position by the electrical connection system 7.

(16) The socket 9 further comprises a maneuvering channel 19 in which a user can introduce a screwdriver-type tool for the withdrawal of the electrical conductor 13.

(17) As illustrated in FIGS. 5 to 8, the electrical connection system 7 comprises a conductive strip 21 arranged to transmit a current between the conductive portion 13 of the electrical conductor 13 and a portion 15 of the support rail 15.

(18) The support rail 15 thus has a dual function since it enables fastening of the junction block 3 and is also used to be electrically connected to the electrical conductor 16.

(19) The electrical connection system 7 also comprises a clamping device 22 such as a leaf spring 23 arranged to hold the conductive portion 13 in a connection position with the conductive strip 21 as illustrated in FIGS. 5 to 8.

(20) According to other non-detailed alternatives, any other type of clamping device 22 could be used provided that the clamping device 22 is arranged to hold the conductive portion 13 in a connection position with the conductive strip 21. A screw clamping device 22 could for example be used.

(21) The leaf spring 23 comprises a bearing branch 23 arranged to be fastened to the conductive strip 21. For this purpose, the conductive strip 21 has a depression 25 or a through opening resulting from a cutout adapted for the forced fitting of a fastening portion 27 of the bearing branch 23.

(22) The leaf spring 23 also comprises a clamping branch 23 joined by a hinge 23 to the bearing branch 23. The clamping branch 23 is arranged to hold the conductive portion 13 in the connection position.

(23) Indeed, the bearing branch 23 is fixed relative to the conductive strip 21 and the hinge 23 imposes a constraint on the conductive portion 13 via the clamping branch 23.

(24) The maneuvering channel 19 is disposed so as to enable the displacement of the clamping branch 23 for the withdrawal of the electrical conductor 13.

(25) The insulating body 5 has a support portion 29 of the bearing branch 23 whose function is to block the bearing branch 23 during the displacement of the clamping branch 23.

(26) The conductive strip 21 has a folded end portion 31 generating a first portion 33 of a cooperation area 35 or a cooperation extension 33 and a second portion 37 of the cooperation area 35 or cooperation stop 37.

(27) This first portion 33 of the conductive strip 21 is arranged to cooperate with a first complementary portion 39 of the support rail 15 extending in a first plane 39.

(28) This second portion 37 of the conductive strip 21 is arranged to cooperate with a second complementary portion 41 of the support rail 15 extending in a second plane 41 transverse to the first plane 39.

(29) The conductive strip 21 also has a longitudinal contact surface 43 on which are formed an electrical contact location 45 with the conductive portion 13 in the connection position, the cooperation extension 33 and the cooperation stop 37.

(30) The electrical contact location 45 extends rectilinearly according to a profile generating one or several slot(s) for a better holding of the conductive portion 13 in the connection position.

(31) The conductive strip 21 further has a passage opening 47 for the insertion of the conductive portion 13 in the connection position. This passage opening 47 results for example from a cutout made before folding the conductive strip 21.

(32) The electrical connection system 7 also comprises a holding device 49 arranged to hold the support rail 15 in a cooperation position with the conductive strip 21.

(33) The cooperation is achieved by contact, which enables a current transmission between the conductive strip 21 and the support rail 15.

(34) The conductive strip 21 comprises a first portion 51 and a second portion 53 at least partially facing the first portion 51.

(35) The first portion 51 comprises the longitudinal contact surface 43 and the second portion 53 cooperates with the holding device 49. Disposing these two portions 51, 53 allows obtaining a compact electrical connection system 7 and/or adapting to geometrical constraints imposed to the junction block 3.

(36) The conductive strip 21 can thus be obtained by a cutout in a base sheet metal and then by folding.

(37) As illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 6, the conductive strip may have a U-like general shape. The first portion 51 and the second portion 53 are each formed in a different U branch.

(38) The U-like general shape of the conductive strip 21 is obtained from a conductive blade cut from a base sheet metal. The blade is comprised in a rectangular contour which allows a saving of material by limiting the falls during cutting. During cutting, the through openings are also created.

(39) Alternatively, it is possible as illustrated in FIGS. 7 to 10 to provide a conductive strip 21 before folding comprising several transverse portions linked to each other so as to generate a lateral connection 55 after folding.

(40) This arrangement allows holding a large section for good current transmission once the conductive strip 21 is folded. Once folded, the conductive strip 21 also has good strength and is not likely to be deformed during mounting in the junction block 3.

(41) As illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 10, the holding device 7 comprises a C-shaped clamping spring 61 comprising a first end 61a and a second end 61b facing the first end 61a.

(42) Hence, the clamping spring 61 provides a clamping force between its two ends 61a, 61b. It is arranged to maintain the cooperation between the portion 15 of the support rail 15 and the conductive strip 21 in the cooperation position.

(43) The conductive strip 21 comprises a first connection branch 63a and a second connection branch 63b respectively movable relative to a contiguous first fixed base 65a and a contiguous second fixed base 65b of the conductive strip 21.

(44) A support stud 67 ensures the displacement of the connection branches 63a, 63b while holding the fixed bases 65a, 65b in position. Thus, the connection branches 63a, 63b operate like a jaw clasping the portion 15 of the support rail 15 in the cooperation position.

(45) The first connection branch 61a has a first through opening 69a and the second connection branch 61b has a second through opening 69b.

(46) The first through opening 69a and the second through opening 69b face each other and are symmetrical with respect to a central plane 71.

(47) Each through opening 69a, 69b generates two current passage channels 73, which enables good current transmission in the conductive strip although material has been removed to form said opening.

(48) Each connection branch 63a, 63b also has a cavity 75a, 75b in form of a furrow extending aligned with the corresponding cooperation extension 33 in a direction transverse to the central plane 71.

(49) A clamping location 77a, 77b is formed in said cavity 75a, 75b of each connection branch 63a, 63b.

(50) A first clamping location 77a is arranged to receive the first end 61a of the clamping spring 61 and a second clamping location 77b is arranged to receive the second end 61b.

(51) Each connection branch 63a, 63b comprises a cooperation extension 33.

(52) Since the clamping locations 77a, 77b and the cooperation extensions 33 are aligned transversely to the central plane 71, the clamping and the electrical contact are of good quality.

(53) For a proper positioning of the clamping spring 61 during the introduction of the portion 15 of the clamping rail 15 in the cooperation position, the insulating body 5 has a centering wall 79.

(54) During mounting the holding device 49, it is easy to introduce the clamping spring 61 by the through openings 96a, 69b then laterally pass the ends 61a, 61b of the clamping spring 61 in the cavities 75a, 75b.

(55) The achieved clamping is also optimal because the clamping spring 61 is laterally centered with respect to the direction of extension of the conductive strip.

(56) Hence, the described electrical connection system 7 features a simple constitution, an easy mounting enabling good current transmission.

(57) It goes without saying that, the invention is not limited to the sole embodiment of this electrical connection system, described above as example, it encompasses on the contrary all variants thereof.