Wiring compartment with multiple terminals

Abstract

A terminal for a power cable is provided that includes a conductive clamp, a terminal block, and a set screw. The clamp is located in the terminal block and includes a plurality of openings sized to receive low voltage connectors such as shovel connectors. The openings in the clamp are arranged to orderly arrange the shovel connectors and respective tail connections of the shovel connectors. The clamp and the shovel connectors have a position and orientation such that when the set screw is installed in the terminal block, a force is applied to the clamp by the set screw. The clamp presses and secures the shovel connectors to the terminal block.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to electrical terminal connectors. In particular, this disclosure describes a terminal connector suitable for securely connecting cables to a plurality of low-voltage connectors, arranging the connectors to facilitate connection to low-voltage equipment, and securing the connectors using set screws. Background Technology

[0002] Industrial cables are used to transmit power to equipment. Terminal connectors provide a secure connection between the cable and the equipment. Such terminal connectors include mechanisms for electrically connecting the cable conductors to a terminal block, and mechanisms for mechanically securing the terminal block to the cable, ensuring a reliable connection.

[0003] Cables designed to deliver power to industrial equipment have relatively large electrical conductors, enabling them to carry high currents with minimal losses due to resistance. The terminal blocks of such cables are typically sized to accommodate the conductors and are mechanically connected to the insulator surrounding the cable.

[0004] In some instances, the same type of cable used for transmitting electricity is also used to transmit low-voltage signals. In some cases, communication, control, and / or monitoring signals need to enter and exit equipment to perform communication, for example, to monitor and control the speed of an electric motor or to indicate alarm conditions. To establish connections between the conductors in the power cable and equipment designed to monitor these low-voltage signals, auxiliary contact groups (contact sets) are provided. These auxiliary contact groups provide a path for low-voltage signals (e.g., computer data packets) to enter and exit the equipment.

[0005] There is a need for a terminal connector that connects to relatively large-size cables designed to deliver power to industrial equipment and has one or more low-voltage lines to perform communication, control, and monitoring signals to and from the industrial equipment. Summary of the Invention

[0006] This disclosure relates to apparatus and methods for solving these difficulties.

[0007] According to one embodiment, a terminal for a power cable is provided, the terminal including a conductive clamp, a terminal block housing, and a retaining screw. The clamp is located within the terminal block and includes multiple openings sized to accommodate low-voltage electrodes such as spade connectors. The openings in the clamp are arranged to orderly arrange the spade connectors and their respective tail-end connections. The clamp and spade connectors are positioned and oriented such that when the retaining screw is installed in the terminal block, force is applied to the clamp via the retaining screw. The clamp presses and secures the spade connectors to the terminal block.

[0008] According to one embodiment, a terminal connector is disclosed. The connector includes a terminal block. A drilled hole and a connector hole are provided in the terminal block. The connector hole intersects the drilled hole. The connector hole includes an opening in the terminal block adapted to receive the insertion of one or more electrodes. A clamp is disposed within the drilled hole. The clamp includes an upper flat contactor, a lower flat contactor, and a tongue having an upper tongue surface and a lower tongue surface. The tongue is disposed between the upper and lower contactors. The space between the tongue and the upper contactor and the space between the tongue and the lower contactor are both adapted to accommodate an electrode passing through the connector hole. The drilled hole includes a threaded inner surface, and the terminal connector further includes a retaining screw engaging with the threaded surface of the drilled hole. The retaining screw applies force on the clamp to press the upper flat contactor toward the upper tongue surface and press the lower tongue surface toward the lower flat contactor. According to one aspect, the electrode is a spade-shaped connector.

[0009] According to another embodiment, the clamp may be formed from a continuous sheet of material. The upper and lower planar contacts are connected by a first C-shaped bend about a first axis, and the tongue is connected to one of the upper and lower planar contacts by a second C-shaped bend about a second axis. The first and second axes are orthogonal to each other. The clamp may also include a base plate disposed below the lower planar contact. The base plate may be shaped to conform to and engage at least a portion of the inner diameter of a drilled hole and is positioned on the bottom surface of the drilled hole, wherein the first axis is horizontally arranged and perpendicular to the connector hole, and the second axis is parallel to the connector hole. The tongue may include a beveled portion on one or more of the upper and lower tongue surfaces, wherein the beveled portion is arranged along the edge of the tongue facing the connector hole. One or more of the upper and lower tongue surfaces may have embossing. The embossing may be a smooth surface, a textured surface, or a partially cylindrical slot. The clamp may include a capture fork located above the upper plane contactor, wherein the capture fork is shaped to engage with the inner diameter of the borehole, such that the engagement between the capture fork and the borehole retains the clamp within the borehole.

[0010] According to another embodiment of this disclosure, a method for forming a fixture for a terminal connector is disclosed. The method includes the steps of providing a sheet of conductive material and providing a stamping die. The stamping die includes a cutting edge defining an upper planar contactor forming region, a lower planar contactor forming region, a contactor connector region, and a tongue forming region. The tongue forming region is continuous with one of the upper and lower contactor forming regions. The contactor connector region is continuous with both the upper and lower planar contactor forming regions. The step further includes applying the stamping die to the sheet such that a fixture blank is cut from the sheet by the stamping die. The upper planar forming region, the lower planar forming region, and the tongue forming region of the stamping die form an upper contactor and a lower contactor connected by the contact connector, and a tongue connected to one of the upper and lower contactors. The method may further include first bending the tongue about a first axis perpendicular to the face of the fixture blank, and then bending the contact connector about a second axis perpendicular to the first axis such that the upper and lower connectors are substantially parallel to the tongue. After the stamping step, the method may further include embossing one or more surface features on the tongue. Surface features may include at least one beveled portion along the edge of the tongue on the upper and lower tongue surfaces, a slot adapted to mate with a portion of the cylindrical electrode, or a textured surface adapted to provide a surface mechanical connection with the shovel-shaped connector. The material forming the clamp may be a metal or a metal alloy. The metal alloy may be an alloy of copper, iron, or lead, and may be selected from spring steel, phosphor bronze, beryllium copper, and lead alloys. Attached Figure Description

[0011] A more complete understanding of this disclosure and its many accompanying advantages will be readily obtained when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and by referring to the following detailed description, in which:

[0012] Figure 1 This is an exploded perspective view of a terminal block according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0013] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A perspective view of the terminal block of an embodiment, with a portion cut off to show the internal structure;

[0014] Figure 3a and Figure 3b It is formed Figure 1 A perspective view of a fixture as part of an embodiment;

[0015] Figure 4 It is assembled and connected with low-voltage conductors. Figure 1 A perspective view of a terminal block in an embodiment, wherein a portion of the terminal block is cut off to show the internal structure;

[0016] Figure 5 It is connected to low-voltage conductors. Figure 1The cross-section of the terminal block in the embodiment;

[0017] Figure 6 This is a perspective view of a fixture forming a portion of a terminal block according to another embodiment of the present disclosure; and

[0018] Figure 7a , Figure 7b , Figure 7c and Figure 7d This is a perspective view illustrating the steps of forming a fixture according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Detailed Implementation

[0019] Figure 1 This is an exploded perspective view showing a terminal 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Terminal block 101 is attached to cable 112. The cable includes conductor 110. Conductor 110 is electrically connected to block 101 such that power and electrical signals on conductor 110 are transmitted to block 101 via cable 112.

[0020] Terminal block 101 includes a drilled hole 104 passing through the top surface of the block. The drilled hole 104 includes internal threads. When assembling terminal 100, a retaining screw 102 engages in the drilled hole 104 and interacts with the internal threads. The drilled hole 104 may be a blind hole terminating near the bottom surface of the terminal block. Block 101 also includes a connector hole 106. According to one embodiment, the connector hole 106 extends through a face of the terminal block perpendicular to the top surface. The connector hole 106 intersects with the drilled hole 102.

[0021] The fixture 1 is arranged inside the borehole 104. Figure 2 This is a perspective view showing the assembled terminal 100. The clamp 1 is placed on the bottom surface of the drilled hole 104. A retaining screw 102 is screwed into the drilled hole 104 and contacts the top surface of the clamp 1. When the retaining screw 102 is rotated to screw into the block 101, the retaining screw 102 applies a downward force to the clamp 1, thereby pressing the clamp 1.

[0022] Figure 3a and Figure 3b These are left and right perspective views of clamp 1. Clamp 1 includes an upper contactor 2, a tongue 4, and a lower contactor 6. The space between the upper contactor 2 and the tongue 4 is designed to allow insertion of a first electrode. Similarly, the space between the tongue 4 and the lower contactor 6 is designed to allow insertion of a second electrode. Clamp 1 also includes a base 8 at the bottom and a fork 16 at the top. Figure 2 As shown, when the clamp 1 is installed in the block 101, the base 8 rests on the bottom surface of the bore 104. The fork 16 engages within the bore 104. The base 8 and the fork 16 may have one or more rounded surfaces shaped to engage with the inner diameter of the bore 104. The engagement of the clamp 1 with the bore 104 securely holds the clamp in place within the bore 104.

[0023] exist Figure 3a and Figure 3b In the illustrated embodiment, the upper contactor 2 and the lower contactor 6 are connected by a bend 10, and the tongue 4 is connected to the upper contactor 5 by a bend 12. According to another embodiment, the tongue 4 is connected to the lower contactor 6 by a bend, but not to the upper contactor 2.

[0024] When clamp 1 is installed in block 101, as Figure 2 As shown, the opening between the tongue 4 and the upper contactor 2 and lower contactor 6 is positioned to face the connector hole 106. This arrangement allows the connector to be inserted between the contactors 2 and 6 and the tongue 4 via the connector hole 106. According to one embodiment, the space between the contactor and the tongue is designed to form a mating shovel-shaped connector. According to an exemplary embodiment, the opening is sized to fit a connector such as Master Electric. TM 1 / 4” Male Tab connector with 1 / 4” wide male shovel shape.

[0025] According to one embodiment, the tongue 4 includes a beveled portion 5. The beveled portion 5 is shaped to provide a wider opening for inserting the shovel-shaped connector into the clamp and to guide the shovel-shaped connector to align with the opening of the clamp.

[0026] Figure 4 A perspective view of the shovel-shaped connectors 116 and 118 inserted into the clamp 1 within the terminal block 101 is shown. Figure 5 The cross-sections of the shovel-shaped connector blades 116a and 118a, which are inserted into the clamp 1, are shown.

[0027] According to one embodiment, the retaining screw 102 is initially loosely screwed into the drill hole 104, such that the retaining screw 102 applies little or no pressure on the clamp 1. In this configuration, the opening between the contactors 2, 6 and the tongue 4 is wide enough to facilitate the insertion of the cutting edges 116a, 118a. Once the cutting edges are inserted into the clamp 1, the retaining screw 102 is rotated to screw into the block 101 and apply a force pressing the clamp 1 against the bottom surface of the drill hole 104. This causes the contactors 2 and 6 to press the cutting edges 116a, 118a onto the tongue 4 and secure the connectors 116, 118 to the terminal 100. This also ensures a good electrical connection between the connector and the terminal. Additionally, as... Figure 4 As shown, because the shovel-shaped connectors 116 and 118 are fixed parallel to each other, the wires attached to the connectors 116 and 118 can be organized relative to each other, which helps to establish connections for signal and control systems and other low-voltage circuits entering and exiting the conductor 112.

[0028] According to another embodiment of this disclosure, the surfaces of contactors 2, 6 and tongue 4 are textured to provide greater friction with the surfaces of blades 116a, 118a. For example, ridges, peaks or grooves may be embossed on the surfaces of one or more contactors and tongues to form a stronger mechanical connection with blades 116a, 118a when clamp 1 is pressed.

[0029] According to another embodiment, the clamp is shaped to accept conductors other than spade-shaped connectors. According to one embodiment, such as... Figure 6 As shown, the upper and lower surfaces of the tongue 4 are provided with semi-cylindrical slots 4' and 4" which are oriented parallel to the direction in which the conductor is inserted through the connector hole 106 when the clamp is installed in the terminal block 101. Using this arrangement, wires such as solid single conductors, the tinned end of stranded wires, or other cylindrical conductors can be inserted into the clamp 1 and partially placed within the slots 4' or 4" . The radius of the cylindrical conductor is chosen to be equal to or slightly larger than the slot. When the clamp 1 is not pressed (i.e., before the retaining screw 102 is fully screwed into the block 101), the cylindrical conductor engages between one of the slots 4', 4" and the surface of the corresponding contactor in the upper contactor 2 and the lower contactor 6. When the positioning screw 102 is driven into the block 101, the contactor presses the cylindrical conductor against the surface of the slots 4', 4" . By providing slots to accept the insertion of cylindrical conductors such as wires, the conductors are kept aligned with the terminals 100, thereby ensuring an orderly arrangement of the conductors relative to the terminals. According to this embodiment, the cylindrical conductor can be inserted into, for example, an opening between the upper contactor 2 and the tongue 4, and the spade-shaped connector can be inserted into another opening between the lower contactor 6 and the tongue 4, or vice versa.

[0030] Figures 7a to 7d The steps for forming fixture 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure are shown. Figure 7a As shown, the blank 1a is formed from a conductive sheet of a malleable material suitable for forming the fixture 1. A base region 8a is provided at one end of the blank and will form the base 8 of the finished fixture. A fork portion 16a is provided at the other end of the blank and will form the fork 16 of the finished fixture. A tongue portion 4a is provided to form the tongue 4 of the finished fixture.

[0031] The blank 1a is bent around axis "a" with the minimum radius of curvature, such that... Figure 7b As shown, the base region 8a abuts against the adjacent portion of the blank to form as shown. Figure 3a and Figure 3b The base 8 is shown. The lower contactor 6 is formed from the surface of the blank opposite to the base 8. (See figure) Figure 7cAs shown, the tongue region 4a is bent around axis "b" to form tongue 4. The radius of curvature around axis "b" is chosen such that tongue 4 is spaced from adjacent surfaces sufficiently to accommodate the insertion of conductors into the finished product fixture. Figure 7c and Figure 7d As shown, the blank is bent around axis "c" such that the lower side of tongue 4 is parallel to lower contactor 6 and spaced apart enough to allow for the insertion of a conductor into the finished product fixture. The blank is bent around axes "d" and "e" to form fork 16.

[0032] The blank 1a used to form the clamp 1 can be formed from various conductive materials. Where the terminal 1 is intended to allow repeated connection and disconnection of the conductor, a material is chosen that provides sufficient elastic deformation so that when the force applied to the clamp 1 by the fixing screw 102 is removed, the clamp 1 returns to the same or substantially the same configuration as before the force was applied. Such a clamp can be formed from elastic alloys such as spring steel, phosphor bronze, or beryllium copper. On the other hand, where the conductor will be connected to the terminal 100 and will remain permanently connected, the clamp 1 can be formed from a malleable material (e.g., lead or a lead alloy).

[0033] A blank 1a can be cut from a sheet of material, for example, using a stamping die. Features of the jig 1 can be formed on the blank 1a before folding. For example, a textured surface can be formed in these areas by embossing on one or both sides of the tongue region 4a and / or in the areas where the upper contactor 2 and lower contactor 6 are formed on the blank before folding. Similarly, such as regarding Figure 6 Other features, such as the grooves 4' and 4”, can be embossed into the surface of the tongue region 4a. According to one embodiment, embossing and / or stamping operations are applied only to the tongue region 4a to prevent the work-hardened portion of the blank 1a from undergoing bending operations around axis a to axis e.

[0034] Although illustrative embodiments of the present disclosure have been described and illustrated above, it should be understood that these illustrative embodiments are exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure and should not be considered limiting. Additions, deletions, substitutions, and other modifications may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the present disclosure. Therefore, the present disclosure should not be considered limited to the foregoing description.

Claims

1. A terminal connector, comprising: Terminal block; Drill a hole in the terminal block; A connector hole in the terminal block, the connector hole intersecting the drill hole, the connector hole including an opening in the terminal block adapted to receive the insertion of one or more electrodes; as well as A clamp disposed within the borehole, wherein the clamp comprises: Upper contactor; Lower contactor; and The tongue, which has an upper lingual surface and a lower lingual surface, The tongue is disposed between the upper contactor and the lower contactor, wherein the space between the tongue and the upper contactor and the space between the tongue and the lower contactor are both adapted to accommodate the electrode passing through the connector hole.

2. The terminal connector according to claim 1, wherein, The drilled hole includes a threaded inner surface, and the terminal connector further includes a retaining screw that engages with the threaded surface of the drilled hole, wherein the retaining screw applies force on the clamp to press the upper contactor toward the upper tongue surface and the lower tongue surface toward the lower contactor.

3. The terminal connector according to claim 1, wherein, The one or more electrodes include a shovel-shaped connector.

4. The terminal connector according to claim 1, wherein, The clamp is formed from a continuous sheet of material.

5. The terminal connector according to claim 4, wherein, The upper contactor and the lower contactor are connected by a first C-shaped bend around a first axis, and wherein the tongue is connected to one of the upper and lower contactors by a second C-shaped bend around a second axis, and wherein the first axis and the second axis are orthogonal to each other.

6. The terminal connector according to claim 5, wherein, The fixture further includes a base plate disposed between the lower contactor and the bottom surface of the drilled hole, wherein the base plate is shaped to conform to and engage at least a portion of the inner diameter of the drilled hole and is placed on the bottom surface of the drilled hole, wherein the first axis is arranged perpendicular to the connector hole, and wherein the second axis is arranged parallel to the connector hole.

7. The terminal connector according to claim 1, wherein, The tongue also includes a beveled portion on one or more of the upper and lower tongue surfaces, wherein the beveled portion is arranged along the edge of the tongue facing the connector hole.

8. The terminal connector according to claim 5, wherein, One or more of the upper and lower tongue surfaces include a concave-convex structure.

9. The terminal connector according to claim 8, wherein, The uneven structure includes one or more of a smooth surface, a textured surface, and a partially cylindrical slot.

10. The terminal connector according to claim 1, wherein, The clamp also includes a capture fork above the upper contactor, wherein the capture fork is shaped to engage with the inner diameter of the borehole, wherein the engagement between the capture fork and the borehole retains the clamp within the borehole.

11. A method for forming a clamp for a terminal connector, the method comprising the following steps: Sheets of conductive materials are provided; A stamping die is provided, the stamping die including a cutting edge, the cutting edge defining: Upper contactor forming area; Lower contactor forming area; A contactor connector area, which is continuous with the upper contactor forming area and the lower contactor forming area; as well as A tongue-shaped region, which is continuous with one of the upper contactor-shaped region and the lower contactor-shaped region; as well as The stamping die is applied to the sheet, wherein a fixture blank is cut from the sheet by the stamping die, and wherein the upper contactor forming area, the lower contactor forming area and the tongue forming area of ​​the stamping die form an upper contactor and a lower contactor connected by a contactor connector on the fixture blank, and a tongue connected to one of the upper contactor or the lower contactor.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising the step of: First, the tongue is bent around the first axis to be perpendicular to the surface of the fixture blank; as well as Then, the contactor connector region is bent about a second axis perpendicular to the first axis to form the contactor connector, such that the upper contactor and the lower contactor are substantially parallel to the tongue.

13. The method according to claim 11, further comprising, after the stamping step: One or more surface features are embossed on the tongue.

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein, The surface feature includes at least one bevel along the edge of the tongue on the upper tongue surface and the lower tongue surface.

15. The method according to claim 13, wherein, The surface features include slots adapted to mate with a portion of a cylindrical electrode.

16. The method according to claim 13, wherein, The surface features include a textured surface adapted to provide a surface mechanical connection with the shovel-shaped connector.

17. The terminal connector according to claim 4, wherein, The conductive material of the clamp is a metal or a metal alloy.

18. The terminal connector according to claim 17, wherein, The metal alloy is an alloy of copper, iron, or lead.

19. The terminal connector according to claim 18, wherein, The metal alloy is selected from spring steel, phosphor bronze, beryllium copper, and lead alloy.

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