DEVICE FOR ELECTRICALLY CONNECTING POWER DISTRIBUTION PLATES AND ELECTRICAL POWER DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM PROVIDED WITH SUCH A CONNECTION DEVICE

Abstract

A device for electrically connecting power distribution plates, comprises a connector fastened to one end of a first plate and comprising power contacts for a second plate. The connector comprises a pair of separate electrical connection parts which together electrically connect two power busbars of the first plate to two power busbars of the second plate and each includes a base for electrically connecting and mechanically fastening the part to a power busbar of the first plate and a power contact branch extending from the base and intended to interact with a power busbar of the second plate.

Claims

1. A device for electrically connecting power distribution plates, comprising a connector fastened to one end of a first plate and comprising power contacts for a second plate, wherein the connector comprises a pair of separate electrical connection parts which together electrically connect two power busbars of the first plate to two power busbars of the second plate and each includes a base for electrically connecting and mechanically fastening the part to a power busbar of the first plate and a power contact branch extending from the base and intended to interact with a power busbar of the second plate.

2-10. (canceled)

11. An electrical power distribution system comprising a first dual-polarity power distribution plate and two second and third power distribution plates at a single potential, the first plate comprising an insulating plate and two power busbars provided on two mutually opposite faces of said plate and each of the second and third power distribution plates each comprising an insulating plate and a single power busbar, fastened to the corresponding insulating plate, wherein the electrical power distribution system comprises a connection device which electrically connects the two plates at a single potential to the plate at two potentials and comprises two separate connection parts each including a base for electrically connecting and mechanically fastening the part to a power busbar of one of the plates at a single potential and a contact branch provided with electrical contacts and extending from the base and intended to interact with a power busbar of the plate at two potentials.

Description

[0027] Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent on reading the following description, which is given solely by way of non-limiting example and with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

[0028] FIGS. 1 and 2, of which mention has already been made, illustrate the arrangement of a device for electrically connecting power distribution plates according to the prior art;

[0029] FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate the structure of an electrical connection device according to one embodiment of the invention; and

[0030] FIG. 5 illustrates another mode of implementation of an electrical connection device according to the invention.

[0031] FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate one exemplary embodiment of a device for electrically connecting power distribution plates according to one embodiment of the invention.

[0032] The electrical connection device, denoted by the general numerical reference 12, is intended to provide the electrical connection of two dual-polarity power distribution plates 13 and 14.

[0033] Specifically, as may be seen, each power distribution plate 13 and 14 includes an insulating plate, such as 15, for example made of polychlorobiphenyl (PCB) and two power busbars 16 and 17 fastened to, for example by bonding or screwing, or else mounted by force on, two mutually opposite faces of the insulating plate 15.

[0034] These two busbars are intended to be set to two different potential levels VD1 and VD2. They are, for example, made of aluminium or of copper.

[0035] Regarding the electrical connection device, the latter comprises a connector consisting of a pair of connection parts 18 and 19 each comprising, at one end, a base, such as 20, for electrically connecting and mechanically fastening the power busbars of one of the plates 14 to a contact branch 21 extending from the base 20 in the direction of the other plate.

[0036] Stated otherwise, the two connection parts 18 and 19 each provide the electrical connection of a busbar of one of the plates to a busbar of the other plate. The busbars are thus fastened, by one of their ends, on either side of the first distribution plate 14 and are electrically connected, by their other end, to the other plate 13.

[0037] The connection parts may be made of metal, for example of aluminium or of copper.

[0038] As may be seen, electrical contacts produced in the form of elastically deformable metal strips, such as 22, or in the form of electrical joints or plungers interposed between the branches 21 and the power busbars 16 and 17 are advantageously used. The strips are shaped so as to provide close contact with the power busbars that is sufficient to withstand the vibratory environment to which the connection devices are subjected, while allowing ease of connection.

[0039] These electrical contacts are for example fastened to the branches 21, for example by welding or by screwed clip-fastening.

[0040] The connection parts 18 and 19 may be fastened to the plate 14 by any suitable means.

[0041] In one embodiment, this fastening is achieved by brazing, screwing or crimping or using a pin riveted to the connection parts and to the distribution plates.

[0042] They may also be force-fitted to the first plate by providing pads on the connection parts.

[0043] Advantageously, two fastening points are used, for example two pins that are riveted in order to prevent any rotation of the connection device with respect to the distribution plate to which it is fastened.

[0044] Of course, the connection parts may be formed as a single part with the power busbars without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0045] As will be appreciated, the invention that has just been described allows the simultaneous electrical connection of two power busbars using a single electrical connection device, thereby optimizing the volume used and decreasing manufacturing costs.

[0046] An electrical connection device according to the invention does indeed allow currents to be carried between the distribution plate busbars at two different potentials V.sub.D1 and V.sub.D2 (arrows F1 and F2).

[0047] It has also been shown that the electrical connection device according to the invention allows improved insertion of the power plates insofar as only one connector is necessary to connect the power busbars.

[0048] Lastly, the superposition of the two polarities in a non-inductive network makes it possible to limit line inductances.

[0049] Lastly, the invention that has just been disclosed is not limited to the embodiment described.

[0050] Specifically, in the embodiment described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, the two connection parts are fastened to the first plate which includes two power busbars 16 and 17 fastened to two mutually opposite faces of an insulating plate 15.

[0051] In the embodiment of FIG. 5, in which elements identical to those described above bear the same numerical references, the connection device, which includes two connection parts 18 and 19 each having a base 20 and a contact branch 21 provided with its metal strip 22, provides the electrical connection of two plates 14 and 14 at a single potential to a plate 13 at two potentials.

[0052] The plate 13 at two potentials, which comprises the insulating plate and the two power busbars 16 and 17, is connected to the two contact branches 21, as described above with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4.

[0053] The plates at a single potential each have a single power busbar, such as 23, fastened to a single insulating plate, such as 24.

[0054] The base 20 is thus provided on the side of the connection part facing the power busbar to which it is fastened.