SPRING BLADE OF A SELF-CLOSING CONNECTION TERMINAL

Description

DOMAINE TECHNIQUE DE L'INVENTION

[0001] The technical field of the invention relates to a spring blade of a self-tightening terminal for at least two conductors. Self-tightening terminals generally refer to terminals of the type used in electrical appliances for connecting them to the electrical conductors of the power cable supplying them. More specifically, the invention relates to the spring blade of these terminals, which are commonly called self-tightening terminals, meaning those whose connection to an electrical conductor is made by simply inserting the end of a conductor core, which has been previously stripped, without the need for any tool. ARRIERE-PLAN TECHNOLOGIQUE DE L'INVENTION

[0002] In the field of electrical work, whether in residential or industrial settings, it is sometimes necessary to connect two conductors to install devices in parallel, particularly two conductors at the same potential, such as a live wire, a neutral wire, or ground. A conductor consists of a conductive core and an insulator. It is common to use self-locking terminals, also called automatic connectors, which consist of a spring-loaded element and a conductive body. Together, these elements clamp the cores of two conductors to create an electrical connection. Clamping the conductor cores secures them and establishes the electrical connection between the two conductors through the connecting wall of the conductive body.

[0003] More specifically, the present invention relates to self-tightening terminal blocks whose spring blade has at least one fixing arm and two connecting tabs attached to the fixing arm, separated from each other by a main slot open on a free edge of the blade and closed at the fixing arm. The main slot includes at least one restricted portion, for example, formed by a shear in the blade. The fixing arm is duly secured to a fixing wall of the body, and the two connecting tabs move freely in an elastically deformable manner, each comprising a connecting edge to press the conductor core against a connecting wall of the body under elastic force, each extending generally at an angle to a corresponding conductor entry point in the body, towards the connecting wall.

[0004] In connection terminals of this type, the spring blade is therefore attached to the fixing wall of the hollow body by its fixing arm, and, by its two connecting arms, each ensures the clamping of the electrical conductor against the connection wall of this body.

[0005] For example, document FR2769411 describes a self-locking terminal block comprising a hollow body made of conductive material with two engagement slots for inserting conductors and a spring blade with a retaining arm fixed to the hollow body and two connecting tabs, also called connecting tabs, each connected to the retaining tab by an elbow. The two connecting tabs are separated from each other at their free ends by a reduced portion of the slot, the width of which is less than a separating portion of the slot. Furthermore, each of the two connecting tabs, by splitting its free end to form a second secondary slot, includes laterally, along this reduced portion and this secondary slot, a disconnecting tab, which, bent substantially parallel to the retaining tab, projects on its running part on the same side as this retaining tab.Each disconnect tab is designed to bear against a free edge of the corresponding upper wall return of the hollow body. The hollow body has an opening, hereafter referred to as a withdrawal opening, on its upper wall to allow the user, for example with a tool, to press on the disconnect tab to bend the corresponding connection tab so as to move the connection edge away from the conductor core and thus release the conductor.

[0006] In addition, the spring blade includes a recess at the root of the slot through the fixing arm to receive a lug of the hollow body allowing the spring blade to be held relative to the hollow body when one of the two connecting tabs is stressed.

[0007] The two disconnect tabs of two connecting legs are therefore separated from each other by a restricted portion of the slot comprising an open end forming a gap between the two retraction portions.

[0008] The restricted portion is generally made by shearing, as is the secondary slot to increase the width of the disconnecting tab.

[0009] There are also flat spring blades, that is to say without a bend between the fixing arm and the connecting tabs.

[0010] The problem with such a spring-loaded blade is that the two connecting tabs can sometimes catch on each other, either when inserting a conductor with a larger cross-section than the conductor on the other connecting tab, or when pressure is applied to one of the connecting tabs via the withdrawal opening, for example, by the disconnect tabs. Indeed, the limited portion of the main slot may have such a small gap between the two disconnect tabs that the two connecting tabs can catch on each other, particularly via the disconnect tabs.

[0011] This is particularly the case, for example, when the restricted section is formed by shearing, creating shear marks on the edges of the connecting tabs that define this restricted section. These marks can then come into contact with each other. Indeed, during the production of the restricted section, especially by shearing, in some cases during manufacturing, the edges of the disconnecting tabs, particularly those forming the disconnecting tabs, may either have one end in contact with the other due to elastic effect, or have an irregular, i.e., non-planar, cut in their thickness. In both cases, it is possible that if pressure is applied to a fixing tab, particularly a disconnecting tab, the other connecting tab, particularly via its disconnecting tab, may also unexpectedly deform elastically, moving its connecting edge away from the conductor core.

[0012] This can be problematic for the user when plugging in or unplugging, who may accidentally pull out a wire.

[0013] One solution is to sufficiently widen the restricted portion of the slot, for example by contouring the shearing operation or by stamping with a press instead of shearing, to ensure a sufficient width for the restricted portion of the slot so that the edges of the connection tabs do not touch. This therefore requires reducing the width of the connection tabs, specifically either the width of the disconnect tabs or the width of the connection portions. Reducing the width of the connection tabs necessitates creating a larger recess in the hollow body to access the connection tab, including the disconnect tab, as well as reducing the connection edge. This leads to an increase in the electrical resistance of the self-tightening connection terminal and therefore overheating, which can cause operational problems.Furthermore, in the case of a reduction in the size of the disconnect tab, this leads to a weakening of the disconnect tab and, in particular in the case of a lever incorporated into the electrical device, a weakening of the lever.

[0014] Furthermore, a shearing operation is simpler and less expensive than a stamping or contouring operation, each of which results in a loss of material.

[0015] It is therefore necessary to find a simple solution without reducing the size of the disconnect tabs or disconnection portions. RESUME DE L'INVENTION

[0016] The invention aims to remedy all or part of the prior art problems identified above, and in particular to provide a spring blade comprising a slot having a restricted portion, notably a sheared portion, sufficiently widened without material removal. To this end, the invention relates to a spring blade for a self-tightening connection terminal, the spring blade comprising: an inner surface and an outer surface, a fastening arm, a main slot, passing through from the inner surface to the outer surface, the main slot extending from one end of the fastening arm forming a bottom of the slot and opening onto a free edge of the spring blade, the main slot comprising at least one restricted portion opening onto the free edge, at least one first and one second elastically deformable connecting lugs, connected to each other by the fastening arm and separated from each other by the main slot, the two connecting lugs each having an edge along the slot comprising at least one restricted border along the at least one restricted portion, each restricted border comprising an outer end and an inner end, the free edge being closer to the outer end than the inner end, characterized in that the spring blade has a punch forming, between the inner surface and the outer surface, a bottom, the bottom of the punch having at least one edge forming part of the edges delimiting the main slot and in that a clearance between the outer ends of the two restricted edges is greater than a clearance between the inner ends of the two restricted edges.

[0017] Thus, the punch allows the restricted portion of the slot to be separated, thereby reducing the risk of the two connecting tabs touching within this restricted area. Indeed, during the punching process, which creates an impression called a punch, the material flows apart, separating the connecting tabs. This ensures that the minimum width at one end of the restricted portion of the slot is sufficient to prevent malfunction when pressure is applied to one of the two connecting tabs. The invention therefore prevents the connecting tabs from coming into contact with each other during the insertion or removal of a conductor, which could unexpectedly lead to the release of the other conductor by displacing the other connecting tab and thus freeing the other conductor.

[0018] In this regard, one aspect of the invention also relates to a method for manufacturing the spring blade according to the invention. Thus, a method for manufacturing a spring blade is proposed, comprising a step of cutting a sheet of metal, the cut forming a main slot extending from an internal surface to an external surface of the sheet, having a bottom and an open end, the cut sheet comprising: a fixing arm between an edge of the sheet metal and the bottom of the main slot, a first and a second connecting tab separated by the main slot, in which the cutting step includes a cutting, notably by shearing, of the sheet metal forming at least a restricted portion of the main slot, and a punching step of the cut sheet metal having an edge in the main slot separating the open end of the main slot, forming a punch having a bottom between the internal and external surfaces.

[0019] In addition to the main characteristics mentioned in the preceding paragraph, the spring blade or the method according to the invention may have one or more additional characteristics from among the following, considered individually or according to technically possible combinations.

[0020] According to one embodiment of the spring blade, the restricted portion includes traces of shearing.

[0021] According to one embodiment of the blade, the spring blade has a constant thickness between the inner and outer surfaces. The bottom of the punch is not part of either the inner or outer surface.

[0022] In one embodiment of the spring blade, the spring blade includes a flat surface opposite the punch. In other words, if the punch is formed from the inner surface, the outer surface is flat opposite it, and if the punch is formed from the outer surface, the inner surface is flat opposite it. This results in a better effect of material flowing to separate the connecting tabs rather than flowing to form a protrusion or deformation of the spring blade.

[0023] According to one embodiment of the spring blade, the edge of the punch comprises a portion on one edge of the first connecting leg and a portion on one edge of the second connecting leg. This allows the connecting legs to be properly separated from each other in order to spread the restricted portion apart.

[0024] According to an example of this embodiment, the edge of the bottom of the punch forms the bottom of the main slot joining the edges of the two connecting tabs delimiting the main slot.

[0025] According to an example of this embodiment of the spring blade which is a variant of the previous example, the bottom of the punch comprises two edges, each of the edges forming a part of the edge of the connecting lugs and in which the punch is situated between the restricted portion and the bottom of the slot and is away from them.

[0026] In this example, the spring blade may further include a recess at the root of the bottom of the slot.

[0027] This allows the spring blade to be held in place to prevent it from being misaligned with the body of the self-tightening terminal when only one of its connection tabs is under stress.

[0028] According to one embodiment of the spring blade, the connecting tabs each include a secondary slot opening onto the free edge and a disconnecting tab formed between the restricted portion of the main slot and the secondary slot.

[0029] According to an example of this embodiment, the secondary slot comprises a length less than the length of the restricted portion of the main slot.

[0030] According to one example of this embodiment, at least one disconnect tab is curved, forming a concave surface on a portion of the outer surface. For example, both disconnect tabs are curved in a substantially identical manner. For example, both disconnect tabs are curved towards the outer surface.

[0031] According to one embodiment of the spring blade, each connecting tab further includes a bend closer to the bottom of the main slot than to the free edge, forming a convex portion on the inner surface. This provides elastic flexibility and controls the elastic deformation of the spring blade's connecting tabs.

[0032] According to one example of this embodiment, the elbows connect the connecting lugs to the fixing branch.

[0033] According to one embodiment of the spring blade, which is a variant of the previous embodiment, the connecting lugs each include a connecting edge intended to press against a conductor core and in that the connecting lugs are flat between the fixing arm and the connecting edges.

[0034] According to one embodiment of the spring blade, the main slot includes a separation portion delimited between the bottom of the slot and the restricted portion and in that the restricted portion is less wide than the separation portion.

[0035] According to one embodiment, the spring blade comprises a first thickness between the inner surface and the outer surface which is greater than a second thickness between the bottom of the punch and the outer or inner surface and in that the second thickness has a value of 0.02mm to 0.08mm less than the first thickness and preferably between 0.05 and 0.08mm.

[0036] According to one embodiment, the minimum width of the restricted portion is between 0.025mm and 0.45mm.

[0037] According to an example of the two preceding embodiments, and the embodiment comprising in which the spring blade includes, between the fixing arm and each of the connecting tabs, an elbow connecting the fixing arm to the corresponding connecting tab, the second thickness is between 0.03mm and 0.08mm less than the first thickness and the minimum width of the restricted portion is between 0.15mm and 0.45mm.

[0038] This allows sufficient spacing to prevent the connection tabs from touching when handling one of them, while avoiding modifying a withdrawal slot in the hollow body of the self-tightening connection terminal to access the disconnect tab.

[0039] According to an example of the two preceding embodiments and the embodiment in which the spring blade includes a flat portion comprising a part of the connecting lugs and a part of the fixing arm, the second thickness is between 0.45mm and 0.08mm less than the first thickness and the minimum width of the restricted portion is between 0.15mm and 0.35mm.

[0040] According to one embodiment of the spring blade, the bottom of the punch has a disc shape and includes a diameter between 0.5mm and 2mm, for example a diameter of 1mm.

[0041] According to one embodiment of the spring blade, the bottom of the punch has a disc shape.

[0042] According to one embodiment of the spring blade, the bottom of the punch has a notch comprising the bottom of the main slot.

[0043] In one example, the center of the disk is two-thirds the radius of the slit. In other words, the bottom of the slit is two-thirds the radius of the center of the disk.

[0044] According to one embodiment of the spring blade, the spring blade is made of stainless steel.

[0045] According to one embodiment of the spring blade, the spring blade has a thickness between the inner surface and the outer surface of between 0.4mm and 0.3mm.

[0046] According to one embodiment of the spring blade, the spring blade includes at least one opening through the fixing arm, for fixing the fixing arm to a body of the self-tightening connection terminal.

[0047] According to one example, the spring blade includes two openings through the fixing arm and each of the two openings includes a part located in one of the two corresponding connecting tabs.

[0048] This reduces the force required for the elastic deformation of the connecting tabs by decreasing their cross-section at their base.

[0049] The invention also relates to a self-tightening connection terminal comprising a spring blade according to the invention described above, with or without the different features of the embodiments described above, and a body comprising a connection wall and a fixing wall, the fixing arm being subjected to the fixing wall, in which the connection tabs each comprise a connection edge and are arranged relative to the connection wall so as to each be elastically deformable relative to the connection wall when a conductor is inserted between the connection wall and the connection edge of the elastically deformed connection tab.

[0050] In one embodiment, the body is made of brass. This allows for good conductivity while also providing good corrosion resistance.

[0051] According to one embodiment, the body includes a removal opening opposite the connection lugs to allow the removal of a conductor.

[0052] In one example, the withdrawal opening passes through the connecting wall.

[0053] According to one embodiment of the self-tightening connection terminal, the body includes an elbow comprising an opening forming an engagement entry, and the connection lugs are inclined relative to the opening in the elbow.

[0054] According to one embodiment of the self-tightening connection terminal, the body is a hollow body comprising two connection walls separated from each other by a withdrawal opening and in that the fixing wall is opposite the two connection walls, in which each connection wall is concave inside the hollow body and forms an engagement entry, and the connection lugs are inclined relative to the engagement entry.

[0055] According to one embodiment of the self-tightening connection terminal, the spring blade comprises two openings through the fixing arm and in which the fastening is achieved by means of riveting or welding the fixing wall to the fixing arm.

[0056] The invention further relates to an electrical equipment mechanism comprising a base including at least one housing, a cover closing the housing and in the housing at least one self-tightening connection terminal described above with or without characteristics of the different embodiments and at least one connector including a contact pin located in the housing, electrically connected to the self-tightening connection terminal.

[0057] According to one embodiment, the base includes an opening opposite each opening of each self-tightening connection terminal forming a conductor engagement entry.

[0058] According to one embodiment, the electrical equipment mechanism includes at least one electrically insulating pusher, pivotally mounted on the base and in that the pusher is mounted opposite at least one disconnecting tab of a connecting leg of a previously described embodiment, to elastically deform the connecting leg by pressing on the disconnecting tab.

[0059] According to one embodiment, the number of self-tightening connection terminals is two per connector, and in that the two self-tightening connection terminals connected to a connector are arranged opposite each other so that their opening forms an entry for engaging a conductor on two opposite sides of the base.

[0060] According to one embodiment, the contact pin includes a receiving recess for receiving terminals of a male electrical plug.

[0061] For example, the electrical switchgear mechanism is a switchgear mechanism for a power outlet.

[0062] According to one example, the electrical switchgear mechanism has two connectors, each comprising a receiving socket connected to two self-tightening connection terminals.

[0063] According to an example of this embodiment, the electrical switchgear mechanism further includes a connector having a connecting pin protruding from the hood by passing through an opening in the hood and at least one self-tightening connecting terminal described previously with or without features of the different embodiments for connecting the connecting pin to earth.

[0064] According to a variant of the preceding embodiment, the electrical switchgear mechanism includes a contact comprising the contact pin having a contact terminal for closing a contact.

[0065] For example, the electrical switchgear mechanism is a switchgear mechanism for a switch or disconnector or circuit breaker.

[0066] The invention further relates to an electrical device comprising an electrical switchgear mechanism described above, with or without the characteristics of the different embodiments.

[0067] According to one embodiment, the electrical device is a power outlet.

[0068] According to an example of this embodiment, the electrical device further includes a cover plate comprising at least two openings opposite the sockets of the connector when two terminals of a plug are received in the sockets.

[0069] According to a variant of the preceding embodiment, the electrical device is a switch or a disconnector or a circuit breaker.

[0070] According to an example of this variant, the electrical device further includes a control cover comprising at least one button fixed to the switchgear mechanism to open or close a contact.

[0071] According to one embodiment of the electrical device, the electrical device further comprises a flush-mounting box, a device support fixing the electrical device mechanism to the flush-mounting box.

[0072] According to one example, the device support is fixed to the flush-mounting box by means of screws, in particular by being pinched by screw heads fixing the flush-mounting box.

[0073] As an example, the equipment support and the base of the electrical equipment mechanism are made of a single material and produced from a mold.

[0074] According to a variation of this example, the base is clipped onto the equipment support.

[0075] According to one embodiment, the electrical device further includes a cover plate.

[0076] According to one embodiment of the spring blade manufacturing process, the cutting step includes a shearing step carried out from a free edge of the sheet metal towards the bottom of the slot forming the restricted portion.

[0077] According to one embodiment of the spring blade manufacturing process, the main slot cutting is carried out by removing material from a separating portion and by shearing the restricted portion between the free edge of the sheet and the separating portion.

[0078] According to one example of this embodiment of the spring blade manufacturing process, the cutting step includes a stamping cut removing a portion of the sheet metal forming the separation portion of the main slot located between the bottom of the slot and the restricted portion of the slot, the stamping cut being carried out before the shearing cut.

[0079] According to one embodiment of the blade manufacturing process which is a variant of the previous embodiment, the cutting step includes shear cutting along the entire length of the main slot.

[0080] According to one embodiment of the spring blade manufacturing process, the punching is carried out at a closed end of the main slot forming the bottom of the main slot.

[0081] According to one embodiment of the spring blade manufacturing process, punching is carried out by inserting a punch into the sheet metal in a stroke between 0.02mm and 0.09mm.

[0082] According to one embodiment of the spring blade manufacturing process, the punch used has a cylindrical shape and includes a diameter of approximately 1mm.

[0083] According to one embodiment of the spring blade manufacturing process, the punch used has a cylindrical shape and is made with its center located at a distance from the slot of two-thirds of its radius.

[0084] The invention and its various applications will be better understood by reading the following description and examining the accompanying figures. BREVE DESCRIPTION DES FIGURES

[0085] The figures are presented for illustrative purposes only and are in no way limiting to the invention. Figure 1 : a front view of a blade springing from a self-tightening connection terminal according to an example of a first embodiment; Figure 2 : a perspective view of the spring blade shown on the figure 1 ; Figure 3 : represents an enlargement of a portion of the spring blade of the figure 1 ; Figure 4 : a DD cut of the spring blade figure 1 ; Figure 5a : a side view of a self-tightening connection terminal including the spring blade of the figure 1 Figure 5b: an exploded view of the self-tightening connection terminal of the figure 5a ; Figure 6 represents a schematic view of an example of an electrical switchgear mechanism of an electrical socket having clamp connection terminals according to the first embodiment; Figure 7 schematically represents an enlargement of part of the connection mechanism of a section II of the of the figure 6 ; Figure 8 represents an exploded view of a second example of an electrical switchgear mechanism; Figure 9 : a front view of a blade springing from a self-tightening connection terminal according to an example of a second embodiment; Figure 10 : a perspective view of the spring blade shown on the figure 9 ; Figure 11 : an enlargement of a part of the blade springs from the figure 9 ; Figure 12 : a side view of a self-tightening connection terminal including the spring blade of the figure 9 Or 10 Or 11 ; DESCRIPTION DETAILLEE D'AU MOINS UN MODE DE REALISATION DE L'INVENTION

[0086] For clarity, identical or similar elements are identified by identical reference symbols across all figures.

[0087] [ Fig.1 ] represents a spring blade 1 according to an example of a first embodiment, of a self-tightening connection terminal A shown on the figure 5a and figure 5b.

[0088] [ Fig.2 ] represents the spring blade 1 according to a perspective view.

[0089] [ Fig.4 ] represents a cross-section DD of the spring blade 1 shown on the figure 1 .

[0090] The spring blade 1 comprises an internal surface 10 and an external surface 11 referenced on the figure 4 The internal surface 10 of the spring blade 1 is shown on the figures 1 And 2 In this example of this embodiment, the spring blade 1 is made of stainless steel. In this example, the spring blade 1 is formed from a sheet of metal and therefore has a constant thickness between the inner surface 10 and the outer surface 11.

[0091] The spring blade 1 has a fixing arm 12 and two connecting tabs 13a and 13b connected to each other by the fixing arm 12. The two connecting tabs 13a and 13b extend from the fixing arm 12. The spring blade 1 has a main slot 14, passing through the inner surface 10 to the outer surface 11, separating the two connecting tabs 13a and 13b.

[0092] The main slot 14 opens onto a free edge 15 of the spring blade 1. Each of the connecting lugs 13a and 13b includes two connecting edges 135a, 135b on the free edge 15. The main slot 14 extends from the fixing arm 12 to this free edge 15.

[0093] The main slot 14 is delimited by a base 140 and two edges 14a and 14b of the two connecting tabs 13a and 13b. The base 140 is therefore the end furthest from the free edge 15 of the spring blade 1 and allows the fixing arm 12 of the connecting tabs 13a and 13b to be delimited. More precisely, the delimitation is formed by a plane perpendicular to the slot passing through the base 140, and is represented by dashed lines on the figure 1 .

[0094] The main slot 14 includes at least one restricted portion 141. The edges 14a and 14b each include in this example a restricted border 141a and 141b comprising traces of shear delimiting the restricted portion 141. In other words, the restricted portion was made by shearing a sheet forming the spring blade 1.

[0095] [ Fig.3 ] represents an enlargement of the restricted portion 141.

[0096] Each restricted border 141a and 141b includes an external end 1410a, 1410b and an internal end 1411a, 1411b. The free edge 15 is closer to the external ends 1410a, 1410b than to the internal ends 1411a, 1411b.

[0097] The spring blade 1 of the invention further comprises a punch 16 forming, between the internal surface 10 and the external surface 11, a base 161 notably referenced on the figure 4 . In this example of this embodiment, the punch is formed on the side of the internal surface 10 but could also be formed on the side of the external surface 11. In other words, the punch 16 is formed from the internal surface 10 but is not part of the internal surface.

[0098] The spring blade 1 therefore comprises a first thickness between the inner surface 10 and the outer surface 11, which is greater than a second thickness between the bottom 161 and the outer surface 11. In this example, the punch 16 has a depth of 0.05 mm. In other words, the second thickness is 0.05 mm less than the first thickness.

[0099] The base 161 of the punch 16 includes an edge forming part of the edges defining the main slot 16. The punch 16 is positioned on the edge defining the slot to allow the material to flow into the spring blade such that a clearance d1 between the outer ends 1410a, 1410b of the two restricted edges 141a, 141b is greater than a clearance d2 between the inner ends 1411a, 1411b of the two restricted edges 141a, 141b. This ensures sufficient spacing between the restricted edges 141a, 141b of the mounting tabs 13a, 13b to prevent them from catching. In this example, the clearance d2 has a value of 0.3 mm, thus preventing catching.

[0100] More specifically, in this embodiment, the punch 16 is located on the mounting arm 12 at the base of the slot 16 such that a portion of the edge of the punch 16 extends onto an edge of the first connecting tab 13a and a portion onto an edge of the second connecting tab 13b. In particular, in this example, the bottom edge of the punch forms the base of the slot joining the edges of the two connecting tabs. In other words, in this example, the punch 16 is located at the base of the main slot 14, extending over each of the two edges of the connecting tabs 13a and 13b. However, it could also be located between the base 140 of the main slot and the outer ends 1410a, 1410b of the two restricted edges 141a, 141b.

[0101] In this case, the base 161 of the punch 16 has a disc shape, which in this example is 1mm in diameter, therefore including a notch forming in particular the base 140 of the main slot 14.

[0102] In this example, the center of the punch 16's disk is two-thirds of its radius from the main slot 16. In other words, the bottom 140 of the main slot 14 is 2 / 3 of the radius from the center of the disk, which in this case is 0.33 mm.

[0103] In this embodiment, the connecting tabs 13a, 13b each include a secondary slot 134a, 134b opening onto the free edge 15. In this example of this embodiment, each of the secondary slots 134a, 134b includes a length less than the length of the restricted portion 141 of the main slot 14. Each of the connecting tabs 13a and 13b includes a disconnecting tab 138a, 138b formed between the restricted portion 141 and the secondary slot 134a, 134b.

[0104] In this embodiment, the disconnect tabs 138a and 138b each have a curved shape such that portions of the external surface at the disconnect tabs 138a and 138b are concave. The free edge 15 of the spring blade 1 therefore includes the connecting edges 135a and 135b and two edges, in another plane, of the curved disconnect tabs 138a and 138b.

[0105] In this example of this embodiment, each of the connecting legs 13a, 13b further includes a first and second bend 131a, 131b closer to the bottom 140 of the main slot 14 than to the free edge 15. The first and second bend 131a, 131b each form a convex portion on the inner surface.

[0106] In this embodiment, the main slot 14 includes a separating portion 142 delimited between the bottom 140 of the main slot 14 and the restricted portion 141. The restricted portion 141 is less wide than the separating portion 142, i.e. the restricted edges 141a, 141b are closer to each other than the edges of the separating portion 142.

[0107] In this embodiment, the spring blade 1 includes two openings 121 through the fixing arm 12, for attaching the fixing arm 12 to a body 2 of the self-tightening connection terminal A.

[0108] Furthermore, in this example, the fixing arm 12 has in this embodiment two mounting lugs 122 for fitting into a housing of an electrical device.

[0109] [ Fig.5a ] represents a side view of the self-tightening connection terminal A.

[0110] [Fig.5b] shows an exploded view of the self-tightening connection terminal A.

[0111] The body 2 comprises a mounting wall 22 and a connecting wall 23. The mounting arm 12 is attached to the mounting wall 22. In this example, the mounting wall 22 includes projections 221 inserted into openings 121 to guide the leaf spring 1 onto the body 2 during its attachment. The leaf spring 1 is welded to the projections 221 of the mounting arm 12 but could also be riveted. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the body 2 includes a support wall 21 between the mounting wall 22 and the connecting wall 23 and includes an elbow similar to the elbows 131a, 131b, to support the leaf spring 1, including its mounting arm 12, the elbows 131a, 131b, and a portion of the mounting tabs 13a, 13b.

[0112] The body 2 includes an elbow 24 between the connecting wall and the fixing wall, and the elbow 24 in this instance includes two openings 241a, 241b forming an entry point for a conductor. The connecting lugs 13a, 13b are inclined relative to these openings 241. The connecting wall 23 includes, in this example of this embodiment, bosses 235a, 235b opposite the connecting edges 135a, 135b to clamp and retain the conductor core sandwiched between the connecting edges 135a, 135b and the bosses 235a, 235b. The body 2 is made of an electrically conductive material, for example, brass.

[0113] The body 2 includes a withdrawal opening 238 opposite the two disconnect tabs 138a, 138b to allow the withdrawal of a conductor by pressing on these disconnect tabs. In this case, the withdrawal opening 238 passes through the connecting wall 23.

[0114] The connecting tabs 13a, 13b are arranged relative to the connecting wall 23 to be elastically deformable relative to the connecting wall 23. In other words, the conductor core sandwiched between the connecting edges 135a, 135b and the bosses 235a, 235b, elastically deforms the connecting tabs 13a, 13b relative to the connecting wall 23 by bending them such that the connecting edges 135a, 135b move away from the bosses 235a, 235b.

[0115] Thus, when a conductor is inserted through an opening, for example the first opening 241a, the core of the stripped conductor bends the first connecting tab 13a which pinches the core of the conductor to connect it to the connecting wall 23 and when the first disconnecting tab 138a is pressed by means of a removal member passing through the removal opening 238, the connecting tab 13a deforms by moving its connecting edge 135a away from the core of the conductor for the removal of the conductor.

[0116] The removal device may be an insulating lever, pivoting from an electrical device comprising the self-tightening connection terminal A.

[0117] In this example of this embodiment, body 2 includes mounting stops 26a, 26b extending from the conduction wall 23 to bear against the walls of a stop housing of a support for the equipment of an electrical device.

[0118] [ Fig.6 ] represents a top view of an electrical switchgear mechanism B of an electrical device, in this case an electrical socket, comprising six self-tightening connection terminals A.

[0119] [ Fig.7 [ ] schematically represents part of a section II of the electrical switchgear mechanism of the figure 6 .

[0120] The electrical switchgear mechanism B includes, as known, a base 3 comprising at least one housing 30 and, as known, a cover 4. The electrical switchgear mechanism B further includes self-locking connection terminals A held between the cover 4 and the base 3. Each self-locking connection terminal A is housed in the housing 30 and is, in this case, secured by the cover 4. In this example, the electrical switchgear mechanism B includes six self-locking connection terminals A.

[0121] The electrical switchgear mechanism B includes one push-button 8 per self-locking terminal A. Only one push-button 8 is visible on the figure 7 Each pusher 8 is made of electrically insulating material forming the withdrawal mechanism. Each pusher 8 is pivotally mounted in the base 3 opposite at least one disconnecting tab 138b to elastically deform the connecting tab 13b by pressing on the disconnecting tab 138b.

[0122] The electrical switchgear mechanism B includes, as is known, connectors 5, each electrically connected in this example to two self-locking terminals A. Of course, it could have only one self-locking terminal A per connector 5.

[0123] The connector 5 may include, for example, electrical contact pins explained in more detail in a second example of an electrical switchgear mechanism B'.

[0124] [ Fig.8 [ ] represents this second example in an exploded view. The contact pins may include receiving recesses to receive the terminals of a male electrical plug.

[0125] The hood 4 includes openings 45 to be passed through by terminals of an electrical plug entering the electrical contact pins.

[0126] The second example of the electrical switchgear mechanism B' shown on the figure 8 is different from the electrical switchgear mechanism B of the figure 6 And 7 in that one of the connectors 5' includes a connecting pin 51' intended to be connected to earth via two self-locking connection terminals A and in that the shape of the hood 4' includes a chimney 45' through which the connecting pin 51' passes.

[0127] The electrical switchgear mechanism B' is shown in exploded view and also includes a base 3, a cover 4', six self-locking connection terminals A, three connectors 5, 5' and six pushers 8.

[0128] The two other connectors 5 each include an electrical contact pin 51, each with a receiving recess for the terminals of a male electrical plug. A plug head (not shown) centers the terminals of a male plug within the receiving recesses of the electrical pins. Furthermore, if the male plug has a female earthing protection receiving pin, the connecting pin 51' fits into the female earthing protection receiving pin to connect the electrical device containing the female plug to earth.

[0129] The electrical contact pins 51 of these two examples, as well as the connecting pin 51' of the second example, are each connected to two self-locking terminals A by a conductive trace 50 fixed, for example, by welding. The two self-locking terminals A connected to each of the connectors are arranged oppositely so that their openings form an entry point for a conductor on two opposite sides of the base.

[0130] The base therefore includes openings opposite the openings of the self-tightening terminals, forming an entry point for a conductor. Base 3 thus has openings on two opposite sides. This allows for two connections on each side of base 3, facilitating the connection of electrical conductors for users. Indeed, the user can therefore connect both conductors on the same side of base 3.

[0131] The electrical switchgear mechanisms B and B' in both examples are each designed to be mounted in a flush-mounting box by attaching the base 3, for example, by clipping it onto a switchgear support fixed to the flush-mounting box, for example, with a screw. In another example, the switchgear support and the base can be molded from the same material and thus be a single piece. The electrical switchgear mechanisms B and B' are also designed to receive a cover plate, in this case, a socket cover plate. The cover plate can be clipped onto the base 3 or onto the cover 4 of the connection mechanism B.

[0132] [ Fig.9 ] represents a front view of an external surface 11' of a spring blade 1' of an automatic connection terminal A' according to an example of a second embodiment.

[0133] [ Fig.10 ] represents this spring blade 1' according to a perspective view.

[0134] The spring blade 1' is identical to the spring blade 1 of the example of the first embodiment except with regard to the elements described below.

[0135] In this embodiment, the spring blade 1' is without an elbow at the base of the connecting tabs 13a, 13b, unlike the spring blade 1 of the first embodiment which includes two elbows 131a, 131b. In other words, the connecting tabs 13a', 13b' are flat between the fixing arm 12' and the connecting edges 135a, 135b.

[0136] The various characteristics mentioned below are examples, and the spring blade 1' of the second embodiment may also have the same characteristics as the example in the first embodiment. Conversely, the spring blade 1 of the first embodiment may have the following characteristics.

[0137] Furthermore, in this example of the second embodiment, each of the two openings 121' passing through the mounting arm 12' also passes through one of the two connecting tabs 13a', 13b'. Indeed, the dashed lines showing the boundary between the mounting arm 12' and the mounting tabs 13a', 13b' pass through the openings 121'. This compensates, in particular, for the absence of elbows 131a, 131b, which would reduce the rigidity of the connecting tabs 13a' and 13b'.

[0138] In this example of this second embodiment, the fixing arm 12' has a single central mounting lug 122' opposite the main slot 16.

[0139] Furthermore, in this example of this second embodiment, the punch 16' is located on the side of the external surface 11.

[0140] [ Fig.11 ] represents an enlargement of the restricted portion 141 of the spring blade 1 of the figure 8 .

[0141] Thus, in this example, as in the example of the first embodiment, the main slot 14 comprises the restricted portion 141, the separating portion 142, and similarly, the restricted portion 141 has a distance d1 greater than the distance d2 due to the punch, as can be seen on the figure 11 .

[0142] In addition, each of the two connecting legs 13a', 13b' has a second slot 134a, 134b respectively and two disconnecting tabs 138a, 138b respectively curved as in the example of the first embodiment.

[0143] [ Fig.12 ] represents a side view of a self-tightening connection terminal C including the spring blade 1' of the example of the second embodiment.

[0144] In this example, body 2' is different from body 2 of the self-locking terminal block A shown on the figure 4 in that it does not have a support wall 21 because the spring blade 1' does not have an elbow 131a, 131b.

[0145] In addition, in this example, the body 2' has tabs 29 bent over the fixing arm 12' to hold the spring blade 1' to the body 2'.

[0146] The body 2' also has a V-shaped elbow 24' and two openings, of which the dotted line represents the first opening 241a' on the figure 12 passing through the bend to form a conductor entry point. The connection lugs 13a', 13b' are therefore also inclined relative to these openings.

[0147] The body 2' also has a withdrawal opening 238' opposite the disconnection tabs 138a, 138b. In this case, in this example, the elbow 24' has the withdrawal opening 238' at its end close to the connecting wall 23'.

[0148] The spring blade 1, 1' of the example in the first or second embodiment is therefore easy to manufacture, simple and inexpensive, while avoiding snagging between the restricted edges 141a, 141b of the connecting tabs forming the restricted portion 141. Indeed, the manufacturing process for a spring blade as described includes a step of cutting a sheet of metal to form the spring blade, the cut forming the main slot 14, 14' extending from the inner surface 10 to an outer surface 11, 11' of the sheet, having a bottom 140 and an open end. The cut sheet delimits the fastening arm 12, 12' between an edge of the sheet and the bottom 140 of the main slot 14, 14', and the cut sheet includes two connecting tabs separated by the main slot 14, 14'.

[0149] The cutting step includes a cut, in this case by shearing, of the sheet metal forming at least the restricted portion 141 of the main slot 14, 14'. The manufacturing process for the spring blade further includes a punching step of the cut sheet metal, having an edge in the main slot 14, 14', extending the open end of the main slot 14, 14', forming a punch 16, 16' having a bottom 161 between the inner surface 10 and the outer surface 11, 11'. The punch of the spring blade 1 in the example of the first embodiment is formed by punching the sheet metal from the inner surface 10, and the punch of the spring blade in the example of the second embodiment is formed by punching the sheet metal from the outer surface 11.During the punching step, the external surface 11 of the spring blade 1 of the example in the first embodiment is positioned on a flat surface, and the internal surface 10 of the spring blade 1 of the example in the second embodiment is positioned on a flat surface. This avoids reducing the opening of the restricted portion by deforming the blade, which would create a protrusion on the external or internal surface.

[0150] The connection terminals of the different examples of the different embodiments can be intended to be mounted in home or industrial electrical equipment such as a circuit breaker, a switch, a dimmer, a contactor, an actuator, a disconnector or any home electrical equipment.

[0151] Naturally, the invention is not limited to the embodiments described with reference to the figures and variants could be envisaged without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. Leaf spring (1, 1') for an automatic clamping connection terminal (A, C), the leaf spring (1, 1') comprising: a. an inner surface (10) and an outer surface (11, 11'), b. an attachment arm (12, 12'), c. a main slot (14, 14'), traversing from the inner surface (10) to the outer surface (11, 11'), the main slot (16, 16') extending from an end of the attachment arm (12, 12') forming a bottom (140) of the main slot (14, 14') and emerging on a free edge (15) of the leaf spring (1, 1'), the main slot (14, 14') comprising at least one restricted portion (141) emerging on the free edge (15), d. at least one first and one second connection lugs (13a, 13b, 13a', 13b') elastically deformable, connected to one another by the attachment arm (12, 12') and separated from one another by the main slot (14, 14'), the two connection lugs (13a, 13b, 13a', 13b') each having an edge along the main slot (14, 14') comprising at least one restricted border (141a, 141b) along the at least one restricted portion (141), each restricted border (141a, 141b) comprising an outer end (1410a, 1410b) and an inner end (1411a, 1411b), the free edge (15) being closer to the outer end (1410a, 1410b) than the inner end (1411a, 1411b), characterised in that the leaf spring (1, 1') comprises a punch mark (16, 16'), forming, between the inner surface (10) and the outer surface (11, 11'), a bottom (161), the bottom (161) of the punch mark (16, 16') having at least one edge forming a portion of the edges delimiting the main slot (14, 14') and in that a clearance (d1) between the outer ends (1410a, 1410b) of the restricted borders (141a, 141b), is greater than a clearance (d2) between the inner ends (1411a, 1411b) of the restricted borders (141a, 141b).

2. Leaf spring (1, 1') for an automatic clamping connection terminal (A, C) according to claim 1, characterised in that the connection lugs (13a, 13b, 13a', 13b') each comprise a secondary slot (134a, 134b) emerging on the free edge (15) and a disconnection tab (134a, 134b) formed between the main slot (14, 14') and the secondary slot (134a, 134b).

3. Leaf spring (1, 1') for an automatic clamping connection terminal (A, C) according to claim 2, wherein at least one disconnection tab (134a, 134b) is curved forming a concave surface on a portion of the outer surface (10).

4. Leaf spring (1) for an automatic clamping connection terminal (A) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein , each connection lug (13a, 13b) further comprises an elbow (131a, 131b) closer to the bottom of the main slot (14) than the free edge (15) forming a convex portion on the inner surface (10).

5. Leaf spring (1') for an automatic clamping connection terminal (C) according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the connection lugs (13a', 13b') each comprises a connection edge (135a, 135b) for pressing on a core of a conductor and in that the connection lugs (13a', 13b') are flat between the attachment arm (12') and the connection edges (135a, 135b).

6. Leaf spring (1, 1') for an automatic clamping connection terminal (A, C) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein, the edge of the bottom (161) of the punch mark (16, 16') forms the bottom (140) of the main slot (14, 14') joining the edges of the two connection lugs delimiting the main slot.

7. Leaf spring (1, 1') for an automatic clamping connection terminal (A, C) according to the preceding claim, wherein the bottom (161) of the punch mark (16, 16') has a notch comprising the bottom (140) of the main slot (14).

8. Leaf spring (1, 1') for an automatic clamping connection terminal (A, C) according to one of the preceding claims wherein the main slot (14, 14') comprises a separation portion (142) delimited between the bottom (140) of the main slot (14, 14') and the restricted portion (141) and in that the restricted portion (141) is less wide than the separation portion (142).

9. Automatic clamping connection terminal (A, C) comprising a leaf spring (1, 1') according to one of the preceding claims and a body (2, 2') comprising a connection wall (23, 23') and an attaching wall (22, 22'), the attachment arm (12,12') being secured to the attaching wall (22, 22'), wherein the connection lugs (13a, 13b, 13a', 13b') each comprise a connection edge and are arranged with respect to the connection wall (23, 23') to each be elastically deformable with respect to the connection wall (23, 23') when a conductor is inserted between the connection wall (23, 23') and the connection edge (135a, 135b) of the elastically deformed connection lug (23, 23').

10. Electrical equipment mechanism comprising: a. a base comprising at least one housing, b. a cover closing the housing and c. in the housing at least one automatic clamping connection terminal according to the preceding claim, and d. at least one electrical connector comprising a contact pin located in the housing, electrically connected to the automatic clamping connection terminal.

11. Electrical device comprising an electrical equipment mechanism according to claim 10.

12. Electrical device according to claim 11, further comprising a flush-mounted box, an equipment support attaching the electrical equipment mechanism to the flush-mounted box.

13. Method for manufacturing a leaf spring comprising a step of cutting a steel sheet, the cut-out forming a main slot (14, 14') traversing from an inner surface (10) to an outer surface (11, 11') of the steel sheet, having a bottom (140) and an open end, the cut steel sheet comprising: - an attachment arm (12, 12') between an edge of the steel sheet and the bottom (140) of the main slot (14, 14'), - a first and a second connection lugs separated by the main slot (14, 14'), wherein the step of cutting comprises a cutting in particular by shearing of the steel sheet forming at least one restricted portion (141) of the main slot (14, 14'), and a step of punching the cut steel sheet by having an edge in the main slot (14, 14') separating the open end from the main slot (14, 14'), forming a punch mark (16, 16') having a bottom (161) between the inner surface (10) and the outer surface (11, 11').