Electrical contactor comprising a movable element

Abstract

The invention relates to an electrical contactor including a movable element. An electrical contactor (10) comprising: a contactor housing (11) comprising at least one access portion (13), the contactor housing (11) configured to receive and guide at least one double thread screw (50), where the access portion (13) comprises a first screw receiving portion (15) configured to receive at least one first screw thread (51) of the screw (50), wherein the contactor housing (11) further comprises at least one movable element (30) arranged at the access portion (13) and comprising a second screw receiving portion (17) configured to receive at least one second screw thread (53) of the screw (50) different from the first screw thread (51), and wherein the movable element (30) is movable along the helical axis.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to an electrical contactor, a movable element and an electrical contactor assembly. Background Art

[0002] In conventional electrical contactors, cables can be connected and fixed by means of screws for establishing an electrical connection. However, in certain fields of application, the use of ordinary screws with only one thread and the corresponding reception may not be sufficient. Therefore, some contactors using double-threaded screws are used. However, due to the more complex nature of the screw and the corresponding one or more receptions, the use of such screws is often accompanied by further problems regarding alignment, in particular during screwing in and out. This can lead to undesired tilting and to the generation of undesired forces during the operation of the screw, which can result in damage to the electrical contactor and / or the screw.

[0003] Therefore, an improved electrical contactor is needed to solve the above disadvantages. Summary of the invention

[0004] This object is achieved by the invention according to the independent claim. Preferred embodiments of the invention are provided in the dependent claims, the description and the drawings.

[0005] The invention relates to an electric contactor comprising a contactor housing.

[0006] The contactor housing includes at least one access portion configured to receive and guide at least one double-threaded screw.

[0007] The access portion includes a first screw receiving portion configured to receive at least one first screw thread of a screw.

[0008] The contactor housing further includes at least one movable element disposed at the access portion.

[0009] The movable element comprises a second screw receiving portion configured to receive at least one second screw thread of the screw different from the first screw thread.

[0010] The movable element is movable along the screw axis in the contactor housing.

[0011] Thus, the electrical contactor according to the present invention can allow the first screw receiving portion and the first screw thread of the screw to be aligned along the screw axis. Likewise, the electrical contactor according to the present invention can allow the second screw receiving portion and the second screw thread of the screw to be aligned along the screw axis. Thus, potential misalignment of the corresponding components can be prevented. Thus, any resulting constraints can be absorbed by appropriate movement of the movable element.

[0012] The electrical contactor according to the present invention may be any contactor or connector that allows an electrical connection to be established between different conductive parts, and may include a high voltage electrical contactor or a low voltage electrical contactor.

[0013] The contactor housing may at least partially enclose the respective components of the electrical contactor to protect the contained components from any negative influences, such as the ingress of dust and moisture. The contactor housing may be made of any suitable material, such as any suitable insulating material, and may be formed integrally in one pricing, or may be composed of separate components, which may be connected to each other, for example via respective clips or screws, to form the contactor housing. The contactor housing may be made of a plastic raw material, which may include, for example, a flexural modulus of 11800 MPa or 10500 MPa.

[0014] The access portion may be formed as an elongated cavity with an opening at the outer surface of the contactor housing, which may allow access to the screw from outside the contactor housing, for example via a tool device to turn the screw.The screw may be provided in the contactor housing in a fixed manner.

[0015] One or more access portions may be provided at the electrical contactor, which are configured to receive and guide the corresponding one or more screws toward the inner side of the contactor housing. The access may provide a space in the contactor housing accordingly, in which the screw may be moved and guided. The access portion may be formed to guide the screw along the spiral axis toward the inside of the contactor housing. The spiral axis may be an axis into which the screw may be screwed in and / or out. Similarly, the access portion may be formed to allow the screw to be guided from the inside of the contactor housing toward the outside along the spiral axis. The access portion may be formed by a separate component, or may be formed by a plurality of components, which are arranged relative to each other in the contactor housing accordingly.

[0016] The first screw receiving portion may provide a correspondingly formed cavity or hole in the contactor housing, suitable for receiving the first screw thread of the double-threaded screw. When receiving, a tight fit of the screw may be provided in the first screw receiving portion. The first screw receiving portion may be formed as an integral part of the contactor housing, or may be formed as a separate component arranged in the contactor housing accordingly. For example, the first screw receiving portion may be formed by a nut arranged in the contactor housing. The first screw receiving portion may be arranged accordingly to allow the screw to be guided along the access portion.

[0017] One or more movable elements may be provided. The movable element may be moved or deflected by a force generated by a temporary misalignment of the first screw receiving portion and the first screw thread and / or the second screw receiving portion and the second screw thread. The movable element may be arranged at the access portion accordingly so that the second screw thread of the double-threaded screw can be received by the second screw receiving portion defined by the movable element.

[0018] The second screw receiving portion may provide a correspondingly formed cavity or hole in the contactor housing adapted to receive the second screw thread of the double threaded screw. Upon reception, a tight fit of the screw may be provided in the second screw receiving portion. The second screw receiving portion may be formed as an integral part of the movable element, or may be formed as a separate component, which may be arranged accordingly at the movable element. The second screw receiving portion may be arranged accordingly to allow guidance of the screw along the access portion.

[0019] The movable element may be allowed to move or deflect along the screw axis within a certain range so that it absorbs temporary misalignment of the first screw receiving portion and the first screw thread and the second screw receiving portion and the second screw thread. At least movement within the range of the pitch of the thread, for example, may be allowed. The movement of the movable element may be an elastic movement so that the movable element may initially be provided at different positions along the screw axis. When one or more threads are misaligned with the corresponding receiving portion, the movable element may then be deflected. Finally, when the screw thread and the corresponding receiving portion are aligned again, the movable element may return to its initial position.

[0020] In a preferred embodiment, the first screw receiving portion comprises a first receiving thread adapted to receive and adapt a first screw, and the movable element comprises a bore having a second receiving thread forming a second screw receiving portion and adapted to receive a second screw.

[0021] Thus, a particularly secure reception of the screw with the contactor housing can be ensured. Receiving the screw via the first screw thread can be an adaptive reception, so that the outer first thread of the screw fits perfectly with the first receiving thread of the first screw receiving part. Likewise, receiving the screw via the second screw thread can be an adaptive reception, so that the outer second thread of the screw fits perfectly with the second receiving thread of the second screw receiving part. The corresponding threads can be aligned accordingly in size and pitch.

[0022] In a preferred embodiment, the movable element is configured to movably align the first screw thread with the first receiving thread and / or the second screw thread with the second receiving thread along the screw axis.

[0023] Thus, it can be ensured that the movable element is properly aligned along the same axis as the extension and screw axis of the screw. Thus, undesirable forces that may occur due to misalignment of the corresponding thread with the corresponding receiving thread can be prevented. This can facilitate the engagement of the components and prevent damage to the contactor housing and the corresponding threads of the screw. The access portion can be configured to guide the screw in the contactor housing along the screw axis.

[0024] In a preferred embodiment, no further means are provided at the electrical contact for movably aligning the first screw thread with the first receiving thread and / or the second screw thread with the second receiving thread along the screw axis.

[0025] Thus, a simple and robust electrical contact can be provided, since no additional means are required to align the screw with the respective first and second receiving threads along the screw axis. This also facilitates the manufacture of the electrical contact.

[0026] In a preferred embodiment, movement of the movable element is blocked in a plane perpendicular to the screw axis.

[0027] Thus, the screw, which is guided accordingly by the movable element, can be prevented from being screwed in or out in the wrong orientation or direction. Thus, it can be ensured that the screw can properly reach its final position in the contactor housing. The blocking can be achieved by a corresponding blocking device provided at the movable element, for example by a corresponding arm or protrusion that contacts the contactor housing and interacts to keep the movable element in a defined position.

[0028] In a preferred embodiment, the movable element comprises at least one flexible member configured to be elastically deformed for allowing movement of the movable element along the screw axis.

[0029] Therefore, the limited movement of the movable element can be achieved by defining the flexible member accordingly in shape and material. One or more flexible members can be provided to allow the movable element to have the elasticity of appropriate deformation and deflection. The number, form and shape of the flexible members can depend on the required restoring force provided and the size of the flexible members provided and the screws and threads used. For example, three flexible arms can be provided, including extending about 45° from a plane perpendicular to the screw axis, wherein the arms can have sufficient elasticity to allow elastic deformation.

[0030] In a preferred embodiment, the movable element and the flexible member are integrally formed.

[0031] Therefore, a specific simple and strong movable element can be provided. Therefore, the manufacture of the movable element can also be facilitated. However, the flexible member may not be formed integrally, but provided as a separate member attached to the movable element. In addition, the flexible member may not be provided at the movable element, but may be provided at the housing.

[0032] In a preferred embodiment, the movable element is formed from an elastically deformable material.

[0033] Therefore, the stiffness and / or elasticity of the movable element can be adjusted accordingly as required. On the one hand, sufficient stability can be provided for the guide screw. On the other hand, sufficient flexibility for movement or deflection is ensured. The movable element can be made of the same material as the contactor housing, or can be made of a different material. In addition, the color of the movable element can be appropriately adjusted to allow, for example, a color different from the color of the contactor housing to be provided. The movable element can be made of, for example, a plastic raw material, which can include, for example, a flexural modulus of 11800 MPa or 10500 MPa.

[0034] In a preferred embodiment, the contactor housing further comprises at least one cable receiving portion configured to receive at least one cable in the contactor housing.

[0035] Thus, the cable can be properly received and accommodated in the cable receiving portion. One or more cable receiving portions can be provided to receive each one or more cables. The cable receiving portion can accordingly allow the end of the cable to be inserted from the outside of the contactor housing, and its size can be designed to fit tightly and hold the outer surface of the cable.

[0036] In a preferred embodiment, the cable receiving portion and the first screw receiving portion are arranged and configured to lock the cable in the cable receiving portion when the cable is inserted into the cable receiving portion and when the screw is received by the first screw receiving portion.

[0037] Thus, the electrical contactor can provide a safe and reliable seat or holder for the cable or a corresponding ferrule, terminal, etc., such as a ring terminal or a similar element that may be provided at the end of the cable, which can be inserted into the cable receiving part accordingly. This is particularly useful for applications requiring an electrical contactor that provides an improved holder for the cable in the electrical contactor. For example, the cable can include an endless belt ferrule with a bore or hole (e.g., a through hole) through which a screw can be inserted. Therefore, once the first screw receiving part receives the screw, the screw has also been inserted into the bore of the cable, and removal of the cable can be prohibited.

[0038] In a preferred embodiment, the contactor housing comprises at least one movable element housing part to allow insertion and removal of the movable element in the contactor housing, and the movable element preferably forms part of the access part when the movable element is inserted into the movable element housing part.

[0039] Thus, appropriate reception of the movable element can be provided at the contactor housing. As required, one or more movable element housing parts can be provided at the electrical contactor. The dimensions of the movable element housing part can be designed to allow the movable element to be fixed in a plane perpendicular to the spiral direction. At the same time, the dimensions of the movable element housing part can be designed to allow the movable element to have a certain clearance for movement or deflection along the spiral axis, thereby allowing the thread of the screw to be aligned with the corresponding reception of the electrical contactor. As required, the movable element can be removably or non-removably inserted into the movable element housing part.

[0040] In a preferred embodiment, the first screw receiving portion is configured to define a first screw holding position at which the screw can be engaged and held along the screw axis, and the second screw receiving portion is configured to define a second screw holding position at which the screw can be engaged and held along the screw axis.

[0041] Thus, the electrical contactor can provide a clearly discernible position for the screw during the screwing operation. This can provide a convenient operation for the user. For example, the screw can provide a second screw holding position, which can be an open position, in which the cable can still be inserted. The screw can also provide a first screw holding position, which can be a closed position, in which the screw can fix the cable in the contactor housing. Thus, an electrical connection can be established with another element.

[0042] In a preferred embodiment, the first screw receiving part and the second screw receiving part are arranged and configured so that when the screw is held in the first screw holding position, the screw only contacts the first screw receiving part or the first screw receiving part and the second screw receiving part, and / or when the screw is held in the second screw holding position, the screw only contacts the second screw receiving part or the first screw receiving part and the second screw receiving part.

[0043] Thus, depending on the configuration and arrangement of the first screw receiving portion and the second screw receiving portion and their respective contact with the screw, the engagement of the screw can be flexibly adapted to the requirements of the electrical contactor.

[0044] The present invention also relates to a movable element that can be arranged at an access part of an electrical contactor according to the present invention as described herein, wherein the movable element includes a second screw receiving part, which is configured to receive at least one second screw thread of a double screw, the at least one second screw thread being different from at least one first screw thread of the screw, and wherein the movable element can be moved along the screw axis.

[0045] The movable element according to the present invention is provided on the electrical contactor to allow the use of double-threaded screws in the electrical contactor housing without defects during tightening and loosening due to misalignment along the screw axis. In addition, by providing a movable element, the material and diameter thickness of the screw to be retained can be easily adjusted as needed.

[0046] The present invention also relates to an electrical contactor assembly, comprising an electrical contactor according to the present invention as described herein, and at least one screw with at least two threads formed to be received and guided by an access portion of a contactor housing of the electrical contactor, wherein the screw comprises at least one first screw thread and at least one second screw thread different from the first screw thread.

[0047] Thus, a simple to operate and align electrical contact assembly using one or more double threaded screws can be provided. At least the double threaded screw can include two or more threads on its outer surface. The corresponding threads can be different or equal in the extension direction along the screw, and can be spaced or not spaced from each other along the outer surface of the screw. The screw can have any suitable material, size and diameter, for example rated, such as M3.5 or M5. In addition, the screw can also have any suitable pitch, for example 0.6 or 0.8.

[0048] Further features, examples and advantages will become apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments and the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0049] In order to better understand the present invention and illustrate its practicality, the following drawings are provided and referenced. It should be understood that the drawings represent only exemplary embodiments and therefore do not limit the scope of the claimed invention in any way. Elements with the same or similar functions are always indicated by the same reference numerals. Any reference numerals in the claims should not be interpreted as limiting the scope of the claims. In the drawings, the reference numerals may be partially omitted to ensure that the depicted embodiments are appropriately representative.

[0050] In the accompanying drawings,

[0051] Figure 1 Schematically illustrates an electrical contactor according to the present invention;

[0052] Figure 2 Schematically illustrates a partial cross-sectional view of an electrical contactor assembly according to the present invention;

[0053] Figure 3 A movable element according to the invention is schematically illustrated. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0054] Figure 1 An electrical contactor 10 according to the present invention is depicted, the electrical contactor 10 comprising a contactor housing 11. The contactor housing 11 comprises four access portions 13 at the top side and four further access portions 13 at the bottom side, each access portion 13 being configured to receive and guide at least a double threaded screw 50. The contactor housing 11 comprises four movable elements 30, which are arranged at the corresponding top side access portions 13. Similarly, the bottom side access portion 13 also comprises a corresponding movable element 30 (not visible in the illustrated view). Of course, in different embodiments, the electrical contactor 10 may comprise different numbers of access portions 13 and corresponding movable elements 30, such as one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, nine or more access portions 13 and corresponding movable elements 30.

[0055] Each of the movable elements 30 comprises a second screw receiving portion 17 having a second receiving thread 21 adapted to receive a corresponding screw 50. Furthermore, each of the movable elements 30 comprises a corresponding movable element housing portion 25 to allow insertion of the movable element 30. Insertion of the movable element 30 is performed by inserting the movable element 30 through a corresponding opening (here, the top side) of the contactor housing 11.

[0056] Once the movable element 30 is inserted into the movable element housing part 25, the movable element 30 is held in the movable element housing part 25 so that it cannot move in a direction perpendicular to the screw axis 200. The screw axis 200 defines the direction in which the second screw receiving part 17 can receive the screw 50. When the screw 50 is screwed in, the screw 50 is further guided into the electrical contactor 10. Likewise, the screw axis 200 defines the direction in which the screw 50 can be removed from the second screw receiving part 17. In the illustrated embodiment, the screw axis 200 extends from the front side of the electrical contactor 10 to the back side. However, it is obvious that, depending on the configuration of the electrical contactor, the screw axis 200 can be defined in a completely different manner, such as from the top side to the bottom side of the electrical contactor 10. When the screw 50 is screwed out, the screw 50 is guided out of the electrical contactor 10. In the illustrated embodiment, the screw 50 can be received from the front side of the contactor housing 11.

[0057] When the movable element 30 is accommodated in the movable element housing portion 25, the movement of the movable element 30 perpendicular to the screw axis 200 is prevented. Therefore, the screw 50 received by the second screw receiving portion 17 is aligned in a plane perpendicular to the screw axis 200 accordingly. However, the movable element 30 is allowed to move along the screw axis 200 in the movable element housing portion 25, that is, to move in the tightening or loosening direction of the screw 50. Therefore, the screw 50 received by the second screw receiving portion 17 can be aligned along the screw axis 200 accordingly.

[0058] Figure 2 A partial cross-sectional view of an electrical contact assembly 100 according to the present invention is schematically illustrated, and the electrical contact assembly includes an electrical contactor 10 and a double-threaded screw 50. The electrical contactor 10 includes a contactor housing 11 and an access portion 13. The access portion 13 includes a first screw receiving portion 15 at a distal side of the access portion 13 and a second screw receiving portion 17 at a proximal side of the access portion 13, the distal side being a side arranged toward the inside of the electrical contactor 10, and the proximal side being a side arranged toward the outside of the electrical contactor 10.

[0059] A double-threaded screw 50 having two different threads is depicted, which can be screwed into the contactor housing 11 toward the left. The screw comprises a first screw thread 51, which is arranged at a distal screw end 55 and can also be referred to as a screw body, and a second screw thread 53, which is arranged at a proximal screw end 57 and can also be referred to as a screw head. In the illustrated embodiment, the first screw thread 51 and the second screw thread 53 are separated and spaced apart by an intermediate screw portion 59, which does not comprise a thread.

[0060] The second screw receiving portion 17 includes a second receiving thread 21, which is formed to receive the second screw thread 53. The first screw receiving portion 15 includes a first receiving thread 19, which is formed to receive the first screw thread 51. In the illustrated embodiment, the screw 50 is screwed into the first receiving thread 19. Herein, the screw 50 is in a first screw holding position, in which the screw 50 is received by the first screw receiving portion 15. In a different position (not shown, which may be referred to as a second screw holding position), the screw is not located on the left side of the access portion 13, but on the right side of the access portion 13, so that the second screw receiving portion 17, rather than the first screw receiving portion 15, engages and holds the screw 50.

[0061] The cable 40 is received in the cable receiving portion 23. In the illustrated embodiment, the cable 40 is inserted into the contactor housing 11 from the top side. The cable 40 comprises a cable drilling 41 through which the distal screw end 55 can be inserted.

[0062] Thus, in the first screw holding position, when the distal screw end 55 is inserted through the cable bore 41 and the first screw thread 51 is received by the first receiving thread 19 of the first screw receiving portion 15, the cable 40 cannot be removed from the contactor housing 11. In the illustrated embodiment, the screw 50 is in an intermediate position, wherein the first screw thread 51 has been received by the first receiving thread 19, but wherein the screw 50 is not fully screwed in toward the left. As shown, the cable 40 is not in contact with the fixed electrical contact 43 arranged in the contactor housing 11.

[0063] If the screw 50 is further screwed to the left, the screw 50 presses the washer 60 against the cable 40, thereby pressing the cable 40 against the fixed electrical contact 43 to establish an electrical connection. This may also be referred to as a "closed position". Therefore, the cable 40 cannot be removed from the cable receiving portion 23. In the case where the cable 40 is not inserted, the closed position accordingly prevents the cable 40 from being inserted. In the illustrated embodiment, the fixed electrical contact 43 includes an inclined surface at the right side that facilitates the insertion of the screw 50.

[0064] In the second screw holding position, when the distal screw end 55 is not inserted through the cable bore 41, and when the first screw thread 51 is not received by the first receiving thread 19 of the first screw receiving portion 15, the cable 40 is not fixed in the contactor housing 11. Therefore, the cable 40 can be removed from or inserted into the cable receiving portion 23. This can also be referred to as an "open position". In this position, the screw 50 is held by the engagement of the second receiving thread 21 with the second screw thread 53.

[0065] When the screw 50 is screwed in from the right side to the left side, the second screw thread 53 is initially received by the second screw receiving portion 17 and is guided along the access portion 13 of the contactor housing 11 and the screw axis 200 via the second receiving thread 21. When the screw 50 is further screwed in, the first screw thread 51 approaches and contacts the first receiving thread 19 of the first screw receiving portion 15. It should be noted that in this case, the screw 50 is still engaged with the second receiving thread 21 and is thus driven forward. However, due to the misalignment of the first screw thread 51 relative to the first receiving thread 19, the first screw thread 51 may not be immediately received by the first receiving thread 19. Therefore, the first screw thread 51 contacts the first receiving thread 19 without being properly received. Therefore, since the screw 50 moves forward along the screw axis 200 by the engagement of the second receiving thread 21 with the second screw thread 53, a urging force applied from the first screw thread 51 to the first receiving thread 19 is formed. However, this force can be absorbed by the movable element 30 accommodated in the movable element housing portion 25. The movable element 30 is accommodated in the movable element housing portion 25 with a certain space or play, which allows the movable element 30 to move or deflect toward the right along the spiral axis 200. Of course, in different embodiments, the movable element 30 may be allowed to move or deflect toward the left along the spiral axis 200.

[0066] In the illustrated embodiment, the movable element 30 comprises a flexible member 33 in the form of a flexible arm in contact with the inner surface of the movable element housing part 25. The force applied to the movable element due to the misalignment causes the movable element 30 to deflect towards the right until the first screw thread 51 and the first receiving thread 19 are aligned. Once the first screw thread 51 is aligned with the first receiving thread 19, the first receiving thread 19 can receive the first screw thread 51, and the screw 50 can be screwed in further along the screw axis 200 accordingly. Finally, when the second screw thread 53 is screwed in further, it disengages from the second screw receiving part 17, so that the screw 50 is engaged only at the first screw receiving part 15. Therefore, no more urging force is applied.

[0067] The movable element 30 then correspondingly returns to its initial position in the movable element housing part 25 . Thus, the movable element 30 allows the first screw thread 51 to be aligned with the first receiving thread 19 along the screw axis 200 .

[0068] When the screw 50 is screwed out from the left side to the right side, the second screw thread 53 approaches and contacts the second receiving thread 21 of the second screw receiving portion 17. It should be noted that in this case, the screw 50 is still engaged with the first receiving thread 19 and is therefore driven forward. However, due to the misalignment of the second screw thread 53 relative to the second receiving thread 21, the second screw thread 53 may not be immediately received by the second receiving thread 21. Therefore, the second screw thread 53 contacts the second receiving thread 21 without being properly received. Therefore, since the screw 50 moves forward along the screw axis 200 by the engagement of the first receiving thread 19 with the first screw thread 51, a urging force applied from the second screw thread 53 to the second receiving thread 21 is formed. However, this force can be absorbed by the movable element 30 accommodated in the movable element housing portion 25. The movable element 30 is accommodated in the movable element housing portion 25 with a certain space or clearance, which allows the movable element 30 to move or deflect toward the right along the screw axis 200. Of course, in different embodiments, the movable element 30 may be allowed to move or deflect toward the left along the helical axis 200 .

[0069] The force applied to the movable element due to the misalignment causes the movable element 30 to deflect toward the right until the second screw thread 53 and the second receiving thread 21 are aligned. Once the second screw thread 53 is aligned with the second receiving thread 21, the second receiving thread 21 can receive the second screw thread 53, and the screw 50 can be screwed out further along the screw axis 200 accordingly. Finally, when the first screw thread 51 is screwed out further, the first screw thread disengages from the first screw receiving portion 19, so that the screw 50 is engaged only at the second screw receiving portion 15. Therefore, no thrust is applied any more.

[0070] The movable element 30 then correspondingly returns to its initial position in the movable element housing part 25. Thus, the movable element 30 allows the second screw thread 53 to be aligned with the second receiving thread 21 along the screw axis 200.

[0071] Furthermore, a washer 60 is provided which contacts the screw 50 at a specific screw position.

[0072] Figure 3 A movable element 30 according to the invention is schematically shown. The movable element comprises a bore 31 or a hole, such as a through hole, forming a second receiving portion 17 with a second receiving thread 21. In the embodiment shown, the screw axis 200 is in a vertical direction. A flexible member 33 is included in the movable element 30, which is correspondingly shaped to allow the movable element 30 to deflect when the movable element 30 is arranged in the movable element housing part 25. In the embodiment shown, the flexible member 33 is formed as three arms extending from the movable element 30 at 45°.

[0073] However, it should be understood that completely different shapes and arrangements of the one or more flexible members 33 may also be provided to obtain a suitable deflection of the movable element 30. The movable element 30 further comprises a locking member 35 which allows the insertion of the movable element 30 and the locking of the movable element 30 in the movable element housing part 25. Thus, when housed in the movable element housing part 25, the movable element 30 is no longer able to move in a plane perpendicular to the screw axis 200.

[0074] Reference numerals list

[0075] 10Electric contactor

[0076] 11Contactor housing

[0077] 13 Access part

[0078] 15 first screw receiving portion

[0079] 17 second screw receiving portion

[0080] 19 First receiving thread

[0081] 21 Second receiving thread

[0082] 23 Cable receiving part

[0083] 25 movable element housing part

[0084] 30 movable elements

[0085] 31 Drilling holes for movable components

[0086] 33 Flexible components

[0087] 35 Locking member

[0088] 40 Cable

[0089] 41 Cable drilling

[0090] 43Fixed electrical contacts

[0091] 50 double thread screw

[0092] 51 First screw thread

[0093] 53 Second screw thread

[0094] 55 Distal screw end

[0095] 57 Proximal screw end

[0096] 59 middle screw part

[0097] 60 washers

[0098] 100 electrical contactor assemblies

[0099] 200 spiral axis

Claims

1. An electric contactor (10), comprising: A contactor housing (11) comprising at least one access portion (13) configured to receive and guide at least one double-threaded screw (50), The access portion (13) comprises a first screw receiving portion (15), the first screw receiving portion being configured to receive at least one first screw thread (51) of the screw (50), The contactor housing (11) further comprises at least one movable element (30), the at least one movable element being arranged at the access portion (13) and comprising a second screw receiving portion (17), the second screw receiving portion being configured to receive at least one second screw thread (53) of the screw (50) which is different from the first screw thread (51), and The movable element (30) is movable along the helical axis (200).

2. The electrical contactor (10) according to the preceding claim, wherein the first screw receiving portion (15) comprises a first receiving thread (19) adapted to receive and fit to the first screw thread (51), and The movable element (30) comprises a bore (31) having a second receiving thread (21), the second receiving thread forming the second screw receiving portion (17) and being adapted to receive the second screw thread (53).

3. The electrical contactor (10) according to the preceding claim, The movable element (30) is configured to movably align the first screw thread (51) with the first receiving thread (19) and / or to movably align the second screw thread (53) with the second receiving thread (21) along the screw axis (200).

4. Electrical contactor (10) according to the preceding claim, Wherein no further means are provided at the electrical contactor (10) for movably aligning the first screw thread (51) with the first receiving thread (19) and / or for movably aligning the second screw thread (53) with the second receiving thread (21) along the screw axis (200).

5. An electrical contactor (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, The movement of the movable element (30) is blocked in a plane perpendicular to the screw axis (200).

6. An electrical contactor (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, The movable element (30) comprises at least one flexible member (33) configured to be elastically deformed to allow movement of the movable element (30) along the helical axis (200).

7. Electrical contactor (10) according to the preceding claim, The movable element (30) and the flexible member (33) are integrally formed.

8. An electrical contactor (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, The movable element (30) is formed of an elastically deformable material.

9. An electrical contactor (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, The contactor housing (11) further comprises at least one cable receiving portion (23), wherein the at least one cable receiving portion is configured to receive at least one cable (40) in the contactor housing (11).

10. Electrical contactor (10) according to the preceding claim, The cable receiving portion (23) and the first screw receiving portion (15) are arranged and configured to lock the cable (40) in the cable receiving portion (23) when the cable (40) is inserted into the cable receiving portion (23) and when the screw (50) is received by the first screw receiving portion (15).

11. An electrical contactor (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, The contactor housing (11) comprises at least one movable element housing portion (25) to allow insertion and / or removal of the movable element (30) in the contactor housing (11), and wherein when the movable element is inserted into the movable element housing portion (25), the movable element (30) preferably forms part of the access portion (13).

12. An electrical contactor (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first screw receiving portion (15) is configured to define a first screw retaining position at which the screw (50) can be engaged and retained along the screw axis (200), and The second screw receiving portion (17) is configured to define a second screw retaining position, at which the screw (50) can be engaged and retained along the screw axis (200).

13. Electrical contactor (10) according to the preceding claim, wherein the first screw receiving portion (15) and the second screw receiving portion (17) are arranged and configured such that, When the screw (50) is held in the first screw holding position, the screw (50) contacts only the first screw receiving portion (15) or the first screw receiving portion (15) and the second screw receiving portion (17), and / or When the screw (50) is held at the second screw holding position, the screw (50) contacts only the second screw receiving portion (17) or the first screw receiving portion (15) and the second screw receiving portion (17).

14. A movable element (30) capable of being arranged at the access portion (13) of the electrical contactor (10) according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 13, wherein the movable element (30) comprises a second screw receiving portion (17), the second screw receiving portion being configured to receive at least one second screw thread (53) of a double-threaded screw (50), the at least one second screw thread (53) being different from the at least one first screw thread (51) of the screw (50), and The movable element (30) is movable along the helical axis (200).

15. An electrical contactor assembly (100), comprising: An electrical contactor (10) according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 13, and at least one double-threaded screw (50) formed to be received and guided by an access portion (13) of a contactor housing (11) of the electrical contactor (10), The screw (50) comprises at least one first screw thread (51) and at least one second screw thread (53) different from the first screw thread (51).

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