Device for holding and bringing into electrical contact conductors

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for holding in position and placing in electrical contact (5) for a connection terminal of an electrical apparatus (1), arranged to hold in position and place in electrical contact at least two electrical conductors (7a, 7b), the device (5) comprising: a first retaining element (9a) having a first engagement portion (19a) arranged to engage, in a retailing position, with a first electrical conductor (7a); a second retaining element (9b) having a second engagement portion (19b) arranged to engage, in a retaining position, with a second electrical conductor (7b); and a clamping point (23) defined at least partially in the retaining position by the first engagement portion (19a) and the second engagement portion (19b).

Claims

1. A device for holding in position and bringing into electrical contact for a connection terminal of an electrical apparatus arranged to hold in position and bring into electrical contact at least two electrical conductors and arranged to cooperate with an insulating body and/or a connecting bar of said electrical apparatus, the device comprising: a first retaining element presenting a first cooperating portion arranged to cooperate, in a retaining position, with a first electrical conductor extending according to a longitudinal direction by imparting a first transverse stress onto said first electrical conductor, a second retaining element presenting a second cooperating portion arranged to cooperate, in a retaining position, with a second electrical conductor extending according to the longitudinal direction by imparting a second transverse stress onto said second electrical conductor, a clamping location defined at least partially in the retaining position by the first cooperating portion and the second cooperating portion; a connecting bar; an intermediate conductive part arranged to cooperate with the first electrical conductor and the second electrical conductor in the retaining position; the intermediate conductive part providing two contact locations each being arranged to be in contact with a corresponding electrical conductor of the at least two electrical conductors, the two contact locations being formed on two opposite outer surfaces of the intermediate conductive part, wherein the two opposite outer surfaces extend according to a direction of extension of the intermediate conductive part; and wherein the intermediate conductive part of the device corresponds to a portion of the connecting bar or a part attached onto the connecting bar.

2. The device for holding in position and bringing into electrical contact according to claim 1, comprising a connecting element for connecting the first retaining element and the second retaining element, the connecting element comprising a first flexible connecting portion cooperating with the first retaining element and/or a second flexible connecting portion cooperating with the second retaining element.

3. The device for holding in position and bringing into electrical contact according to claim 2, wherein the connecting element comprises a first bearing portion and/or a second bearing portion, attached respectively to the first flexible connecting portion and/or the second flexible connecting portion, each of the bearing portions being arranged to cooperate with the insulating body and/or a connecting bar of the electrical apparatus.

4. The device for holding in position and bringing into electrical contact according to claim 3, wherein the first retaining element, the first flexible connecting portion and the first bearing portion constitute a first leaf spring, and/or wherein the second retaining element, the second flexible connecting portion and the second bearing portion constitute a second leaf spring.

5. The device for holding in position and bringing into electrical contact according to claim 3, wherein the connecting element comprises a central connecting portion adjacent to the first bearing portion and to the second bearing portion.

6. The device for holding in position and bringing into electrical contact according to claim 1, wherein the first retaining element, the second retaining element and the connecting element are integrally made in one piece.

7. The device for holding in position and bringing into electrical contact according to claim 1, wherein the first cooperating portion and/or the second cooperating portion presents a concave location for receiving a portion of the corresponding electrical conductor extending according to the longitudinal direction in the retaining position.

8. The device for holding in position and bringing into electrical contact according to claim 1, wherein the first cooperating portion and/or the second cooperating portion correspond to a projection of the corresponding retaining element, forming a transverse edge extending transversely to the longitudinal direction in the retaining position.

9. The device for holding in position and bringing into electrical contact according to claim 1, wherein at least one retaining element presents a displacement portion arranged to cooperate with a displacement element imparting a stress according to the longitudinal direction or a direction oblique with respect to the longitudinal direction, said stress imparted by the displacement tool element tending to displace said retaining element out from the clamping location.

10. The device for holding in position and bringing into electrical contact according to claim 1, wherein the device for holding in position and bringing into electrical contact presents a fastening location (29) intended to the intermediate conductive part.

11. An electrical apparatus provided with a connection terminal and comprising a device for holding in position and bringing into electrical contact according to claim 1.

12. The device for holding in position and bringing into electrical contact according to claim 4, wherein the connecting element comprises a central connecting portion adjacent to the first bearing portion and to the second bearing portion.

13. The device for holding in position and bringing into electrical contact according to claim 2, wherein the first retaining element, the second retaining element and the connecting element are integrally made in one piece.

14. The device for holding in position and bringing into electrical contact according to claim 3, wherein the first retaining element, the second retaining element and the connecting element are integrally made in one piece.

15. The device for holding in position and bringing into electrical contact according to claim 2, wherein the first cooperating portion and/or the second cooperating portion presents a concave location for receiving a portion of the corresponding electrical conductor extending according to the longitudinal direction in the retaining position.

16. The device for holding in position and bringing into electrical contact according to claim 3, wherein the first cooperating portion and/or the second cooperating portion presents a concave location for receiving a portion of the corresponding electrical conductor extending according to the longitudinal direction in the retaining position.

17. The device for holding in position and bringing into electrical contact according to claim 2, wherein the first cooperating portion and/or the second cooperating portion correspond to a projection of the corresponding retaining element, forming a transverse edge extending transversely to the longitudinal direction in the retaining position.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Anyway, the invention will be better understood using the following description with reference to the appended schematic drawings representing, as a non-limiting example, an embodiment of this device for holding in position and bringing into electrical contact.

(2) FIGS. 1 and 2 are perspective views of a device for holding in position and bringing into electrical contact two conductors.

(3) FIG. 3 is a perspective view of said device and two conductors in the retaining position.

(4) FIG. 4 is a perspective view of said device in the retaining position comprising an intermediate conductive part disposed between the two conductors.

(5) FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view of a junction block comprising a device for holding in position and bringing into electrical contact two conductors.

(6) FIGS. 6 to 8 are perspective views of a device for holding in position and bringing into electrical contact a plurality of pairs of conductors.

(7) FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a set for holding in position and bringing into electrical contact comprising a connecting bar and a device for holding in position and bringing into electrical contact.

(8) FIG. 10 is an exploded view of the elements of FIG. 9.

(9) FIGS. 11 to 13 are perspective and front views of a junction block comprising a set for holding in position and bringing into electrical contact.

(10) FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a device for holding in position and bringing into electrical contact corresponding to the junction block of FIGS. 11 to 13.

(11) FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a connecting bar corresponding to the junction block of FIGS. 11 to 13.

(12) FIGS. 16 to 21 are perspective or front views of variants of the device in the retaining position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(13) As illustrated in FIG. 5, an electrical apparatus 1, in particular a junction block 2 comprises an insulating body 3 and a device 5 for holding in position and bringing into electrical contact a first electrical conductor 7a and a second electrical conductor 7b.

(14) As also illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 4, the device 5 for holding in position and bringing into electrical contact comprises a first retaining element 9a, a second retaining element 9b and a connecting element 11.

(15) The connecting element 11 comprises a first flexible portion 13a and a second flexible portion 13b, each adjacent and secured respectively to the first retaining element 9a and to the second retaining element 9b.

(16) This flexibility enables the independent displacement of each retaining element 9a, 9b relative to the connecting element 11. In FIGS. 3 to 5, each retaining element 9a, 9b is disposed at a retaining position in which the corresponding electrical conductor 7a, 7b extending according to a longitudinal direction 15 is held in position by imparting respectively a first transverse stress 17a and a second transverse stress 17b.

(17) The transverse stress 17a, 17b is imparted by the retaining element 9a, 9b onto the corresponding electrical conductor 7a, 7b. For this purpose, the first retaining element 9a has a first portion 19a for cooperating with the first electrical conductor 7a, the first cooperating portion 19a presenting a first concave receiving location 21a extending according to the longitudinal direction 15 in the retaining position.

(18) Similarly, the second retaining element 9b comprises a second cooperating portion 19b presenting a second concave receiving location 21b.

(19) Each flexible connecting portion 13a, 13b is arranged to subject the corresponding retaining element 9a, 9b, in the absence of any external bias, to a stress tending to dispose it in the retaining position.

(20) Nonetheless, a displacement of a retaining element 9a, 9b toward a retracted position may be carried out in order to enable the insertion of the corresponding electrical conductor 7a, 7b into the junction block 2.

(21) As illustrated more particularly in FIGS. 3 to 5, when the first retaining element 9a and the second retaining element 9b are in the retaining position, the device 5 for holding in position and bringing into electrical contact presents a clamping location 23.

(22) The clamping location 23 is defined at least partially by the first cooperating portion 19a and the second cooperating portion 19b. The two electrical conductors 7a, 7b in electrical contact are comprised within the clamping location 23.

(23) The electrical contact with the first electrical conductor 7a in the retaining position is ensured either through a direct contact as illustrated in FIG. 3 or through an indirect contact as illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5.

(24) In the case of an indirect contact, the device 5 presents, in the retaining position, a location 25 intended to an intermediate conductive part 27 which is in contact with the first electrical conductor 7a and the second electrical conductor 7b.

(25) As illustrated in FIG. 3, the device 5 for holding in position and bringing into electrical contact may present a location 29 for fastening the intermediate conductive part 27 formed in the connecting element 11.

(26) Alternatively, as illustrated in FIG. 5, the intermediate conductive part 27 may be held in position by another inner element of the junction block 2.

(27) The intermediate conductive part 27 should be considered as being comprised within the device 5 for holding in position and bringing into electrical contact.

(28) As illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, the intermediate conductive part presents a first contact location 28a and a second contact location 28b arranged respectively so as to be in contact with the first electrical conductor 7a and the second electrical conductor 7b.

(29) The contact locations 28a, 28b, are formed in opposite outer surfaces 30a, 30b extending according to a direction of extension 32 of the intermediate conductive part 27.

(30) Thus, the current passage section between the first electrical conductor 7a and the second electrical conductor 7b through the intermediate conductive part 27 does not depend on its thickness.

(31) Thus, the intermediate conductive part 27 may have a small thickness in comparison with the dimension of the opposite outer surfaces 30a, 30b.

(32) As illustrated more particularly in FIGS. 1, 2 and 5, the connecting element 11 comprises a first bearing portion 31a, a second bearing portion 31b and a central connecting portion 33 which is adjacent to the first bearing portion 31a and to the second bearing portion 31b.

(33) The central connecting portion 33 is in the form of an elbow and may be flexible. As illustrated in FIG. 5, the insulating body 3 presents for each retaining element 9a, 9b, a cooperating surface 35a, 35b intended to cooperate with the corresponding bearing portion 31a, 31b. Thus, a first cooperating surface 31a and a second cooperating surface 31b can be distinguished.

(34) The first retaining element 9a, the first flexible connecting portion 13a and the first bearing portion 31a constitute a first leaf spring 37a. The same applies to the second retaining element 9b, the second flexible connecting portion 13b and the second bearing portion 31b which constitute a second leaf spring 37b.

(35) Thus, each retaining element 9a, 9b corresponds to a clamping tab 39a, 39b, each flexible connecting portion 13a, 13b to an elbow 41a, 41b and each bearing portion 31a, 31b to a bearing tab 43a, 43b.

(36) As illustrated in FIG. 5, the device 5 for holding in position and bringing into electrical contact appears to be symmetrical according to a first plane 45 which separates in halves the section of the leaf springs 37a, 37b and according to a second plane 47 which defines the symmetry between the first retaining element 9a and the second retaining element 9b.

(37) These two symmetries enable a balance of stresses between the first retaining element 9a and the second retaining element 9b. This arrangement is interesting because the contact between the first and the second electrical conductor 7a, 7b is thereby held in an optimum manner.

(38) Alternatively and as illustrated in FIGS. 16 to 21, the symmetry between the first retaining element 9a and the second retaining element 9b is defined with respect to a central point 47. This central symmetry also enables a balanced distribution of forces in the retaining position.

(39) In FIGS. 6 to 8 is shown a variant according to which the device 5 for holding in position and bringing into electrical contact comprises several pairs of first and second retaining elements 9a, 9b disposed according to a direction of alignment 49.

(40) According to this variant, the central connecting portion 33 extends according to the direction of alignment 49 and is connected to each retaining element 9a, 9b.

(41) The electrical conductors 7a, 7b may be in electrical contact together as illustrated in FIG. 8 by disposing a common intermediate conductive part 27 or still connected in pairs as in FIG. 7.

(42) A variant is presented in FIGS. 9 to 15. According to this variant, the electrical apparatus 1 is a junction block 2. Each device 5 for holding in position and bringing into electrical contact allows connecting two electrical conductors 7a, 7b to a connecting bar 51 of the junction block 2.

(43) Thus, the connecting bar 51 may be connected to a total number of four electrical conductors 7a, 7b. Each electrical conductor 7a, 7b can be independently connected because, when in the retaining position, each electrical conductor 7a, 7b is held in position against the connecting bar 51 by the corresponding retaining element 9a, 9b which can be displaced independently.

(44) The connecting bar 51 comprises a central portion 51a and two lateral portions 51b. Each lateral portion 51b consists of an intermediate conductive part 27 as previously described.

(45) Hence, each lateral portion 51b presents two locations 28a, 28b for contact with the corresponding electrical conductors 7a, 7b and the device 5 presents a fastening location 29 which is either a rib 29a as in FIGS. 9 and 10 or a notch 29b as in FIGS. 11 to 14.

(46) As shown more particularly in FIG. 10, each retaining element 9a, 9b presents a matter protrusion or projection 53a, 53b which corresponds to the cooperating portion 19a, 19b.

(47) This projection 53a, 53b is transverse to the longitudinal direction 15 in the retaining position and forms a transverse edge of the retaining portion 9a, 9b. The projection 53a, 53b corresponds to a partial cutout 55a, 55b in the retaining element 9a, 9b and a shift of said partial cutout 55a, 55b with respect to the corresponding retaining element 9a, 9b.

(48) The retaining element 9a, 9b further comprises a displacement portion 57a, 57b arranged to cooperate with a displacement element 59 such as a screwdriver inserted into a corresponding channel 61a, 61b of the junction block 2.

(49) As illustrated in FIG. 12, the displacement element 59 imparts onto the retaining element 9a, 9b a stress according to the longitudinal direction 15 or a direction oblique with respect to the longitudinal direction 15. This stress tends to displace the retaining element 9a, 9b out from the clamping location 23 for the introduction or the removal of the corresponding conductor 7a, 7b.

(50) The displacement portion 57a, 57b is adjacent to the cooperating portion 19a, 19b and extends transversely to the longitudinal direction 15.

(51) Thus, it is possible to distinguish a set 63 for holding in position and bringing into electrical contact comprising the connecting bar 51 and at least one device 5 as previously described.

(52) Of course, the invention is not limited to sole embodiment of this device for holding in position and bringing into electrical contact, described hereinabove as example, but it encompasses on the contrary all variants thereof.