Lug-cover assembly and associated drive system
Patent Information
- Application Number
- EP2023739302
- Authority / Receiving Office
- EP · EP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2022-07-13
- Filing Date
- 2023-07-12
- Publication Date
- 2025-05-21
AI Technical Summary
Existing lug-cap assemblies for electrical components, such as capacitors in motorization systems for closing, concealment, or solar protection devices, face issues with incorrect assembly leading to electrical safety risks due to inadequate insulation and potential exposure of conductive terminals, which can cause accidental contact and electrical problems.
A lug-cap assembly design featuring a cap with distinct front and rear locking stops to prevent incorrect orientation of the terminal, ensuring secure insertion and retention only when properly aligned, thus preventing accidental exposure and ensuring electrical insulation.
The design significantly reduces the risk of incorrect assembly, maintains electrical insulation, and prevents terminal exposure, enhancing safety and reliability by clearly indicating incorrect orientation to the technician.
Smart Images

Figure 1.1
Abstract
Description
[0001] TITLE: Terminal-cap assembly and associated motorization system
[0002] The present invention relates to a terminal-cap assembly and a motorization system for actuating a closing, concealment or solar protection device comprising such a terminal-cap assembly.
[0003] It is known to use a terminal to connect a conductive cable to a rigid leg of an electrical component. A first end of the terminal is crimped with the conductive cable and the terminal forms, at its second end, a connector to which the leg of the component can be reversibly plugged. EP765003A1 discloses an example of a known terminal, obtained by folding a cut metal sheet.
[0004] This type of known terminal can in particular be used in the context of a closing, occultation or solar protection device, as described in EP1487076A1. In this example, a single-phase asynchronous motor drives a load, such as a mobile and / or rolling screen such as a blind, roller shutter or sliding door. The motor is connected to a single-phase power supply with the interposition of a phase-shift capacitor. To ensure this connection, it can be provided that each leg of the capacitor is plugged into a respective terminal, each terminal being furthermore crimped with two conductive cables, one connecting the terminal to one of the two windings of the motor, the other connecting the terminal to the phase of the single-phase power supply.
[0005] For this particular application, or others, where the electrical quantities involved may be relatively high, for example because of the electrical energy likely to be stored in the capacitor, it is desirable that the terminal be electrically insulated from the outside in order to avoid any accidental electrical contact with another component of the device or with a person. For this purpose, it is known to provide the terminal with an insulating cap, which surrounds the terminal to electrically insulate it.
[0006] Inside, the insulating cap includes a flexible blade so that, when the terminal is correctly inserted into the cap, the flexible blade snaps into place with at least one raised tooth on the terminal, to prevent the terminal from being removed from the cap. Once the terminal is snapped into place, the cap is permanently attached to the terminal because the flexible blade, inside the terminal, cannot be reached from the outside. In some cases, the definitive nature of this attachment can be considered a first disadvantage. Another disadvantage is that the cap allows for incorrect mounting of the terminal, where the terminal is received in the cap upside down. If the cap is accidentally mounted in this way, the tooth(s) of the terminal are directed away from the flexible blade, so that the flexible blade does not engage with the tooth(s) of the terminal and the attachment of the cap to the terminal is not ensured.If the terminal is pushed far enough into the cap in this incorrect orientation, the terminal may become pinched between the flexible blade and the opposite wall of the cap, causing the technician performing the terminal-cap assembly to believe that they have correctly assembled the terminal, when in fact the cap is not being held on the terminal. Furthermore, the incorrect positioning of the terminal may cause the cap to partially obstruct the terminal's mating with the component's leg. The terminal may then unexpectedly detach from the component's leg, leaving the component's leg exposed. Since the cap is not held on the terminal, it may then detach from the terminal, leaving the terminal exposed, even though it is electrically conductive and connected to the power supply via the conductive cable.If the component is a capacitor, the fact that the leg is exposed can cause electrical problems, linked to a residual charge stored in the capacitor.
[0007] The invention aims to remedy the drawbacks of the prior art by proposing a new terminal-cap assembly reducing the risk of incorrect assembly.
[0008] The invention relates to a terminal-cap assembly comprising a terminal, which is electrically conductive and which comprises: a base, configured to be permanently attached to at least one conductive cable, and a connection termination, integral with the base and configured to be coupled with a leg of an electrical component to electrically connect the leg to said at least one conductive cable via the terminal. The terminal-cap assembly comprises a cap, which is electrically insulating and which comprises: an insertion opening, the terminal being configured to be inserted into the cap, in an insertion direction, by first passing through the insertion opening via the connection termination, a front locking stop, which bears against a rear locking stop belonging to the terminal, in the insertion direction, when the terminal is positioned in the cap in a nominal orientation,to prevent removal of the terminal from the cap via the insertion opening, and a connection end, which is arranged in the insertion direction relative to the insertion opening, which receives the connection termination when the terminal is positioned in the cap in the nominal orientation and which has a connection opening, intended to be crossed by the leg of the electrical component when the connection termination is connected to said leg, while the terminal is positioned in the cap in the nominal orientation. According to the invention, the cap comprises a rear retaining stop distinct from the front locking stop, the rear retaining stop being arranged between the insertion opening and the connection opening so that, when the connection termination of the terminal is inserted into the insertion opening of the cap while the terminal is oriented in an incorrect orientation,the terminal abuts in the direction of the insertion direction against the rear retaining stop and is thus held back from the connection end, the rear retaining stop being arranged to allow the passage of the rear locking stop when the terminal is inserted into the cap in the nominal orientation.,
[0009] An idea underlying the invention is that, while the insertion opening is advantageously large enough to be able to be crossed by the base when the terminal is in the nominal orientation and incidentally, therefore, allows insertion of the terminal in the incorrect orientation, the terminal inserted in the incorrect orientation is retained by the rear retaining stop, preventing further insertion of the terminal. In other words, the terminal, when it is in abutment against the rear retaining stop, is held back from the connection end, that is to say that the insertion of the terminal into the cap is made manifestly incomplete in the eyes of the technician. In particular, it can be provided that the terminal, for at least part of the base, protrudes from the cap through the insertion opening, which is easily visible to the technician.For the purposes of the invention, the incorrect orientation is preferably an upside-down orientation.
[0010] Furthermore, incomplete insertion of the terminal into the cap while the terminal is in the incorrect orientation causes the cap to fail to retain the terminal therein. Preferably, if the front locking stop is formed by a deformable retaining blade, the rear retaining stop prevents insertion of the terminal in the incorrect orientation until the terminal is strongly pinched within the cap by the retaining blade. Since the terminal is not retained or is too weakly pinched, the technician is led to understand that the terminal is mounted in the incorrect orientation.
[0011] On the other hand, when the terminal is inserted into the cap in the nominal orientation, the terminal advantageously does not abut against the rear retaining stop. At the very least, the rear retaining stop allows the terminal to be inserted, while the terminal is in the nominal orientation, until the rear locking stop abuts against the front locking stop to prevent the terminal from being removed.
[0012] Preferably, when removal of the terminal is prevented by abutting the front locking stop against the rear locking stop, the terminal is fully received in the cap. Preferably, when the terminal is abutted in the direction of the insertion direction against the rear retaining stop, the base protrudes out of the cap through the insertion opening.
[0013] Preferably, the rear retaining stop is formed on a tubular wall of the cap.
[0014] Preferably, the cap comprises two retaining ribs, which form the rear retaining stop, the two retaining ribs being arranged longitudinally between the connection end and the insertion opening and transversely on either side of the insertion opening.
[0015] Preferably, the cap comprises a bottom wall, connecting the insertion opening to the connection opening. Preferably, the terminal comprises at least one tooth, which projects transversely from the connection end and which forms the rear locking stop. Preferably, when the terminal is positioned in the cap in the incorrect orientation, the terminal bears against the bottom wall by means of said at least one tooth, the terminal thus being maintained in an oblique orientation relative to the insertion direction, around a lateral axis perpendicular to the insertion direction.
[0016] Preferably, the terminal comprises a back, which connects the connection termination to the base and which is transversely opposite the locking rear stop. Preferably, the terminal is slidably guided in the direction of insertion by sliding the back along the bottom wall, when the terminal is inserted into the cap in the nominal orientation. Preferably, the terminal bears against the retaining rear stop via the back when the terminal is positioned in the cap in the incorrect orientation.
[0017] Preferably, the cap comprises an intermediate opening, arranged between the insertion opening and the connection opening and opening inside the cap. Preferably, the cap comprises a retaining blade, which is arranged in the intermediate opening, a free end of which forms the front locking stop, the retaining blade being elastically deformable, between: a locking configuration, where the front locking stop is positioned to bear against the rear locking stop to prevent the terminal from being removed, and an unlocking configuration, where the front locking stop does not prevent the terminal from being removed from the cap, even when the terminal is positioned in the cap in the nominal orientation.Preferably, the retaining blade is configured to: be able to be brought into the unlocking configuration from outside the cap via the intermediate opening, when the retaining blade is in the locking configuration, and return to the elastic locking configuration when the retaining blade is in the unlocking configuration.
[0018] Preferably, the cap is configured such that the locking front stop can be moved into the unlock configuration from the locking configuration by moving the locking front stop away from the terminal using a tool.
[0019] Preferably, the intermediate opening is delimited by at least one edge belonging to the cap, said at least one edge forming a rib which is in relief towards the outside of the cap.
[0020] The invention also relates to a motorization system for actuating a closing, concealment or solar protection device, comprising: the terminal-cap assembly as defined above, the terminal being positioned in the cap in the nominal orientation; an electric motor; a conductive cable, electrically connecting the electric motor and the terminal, being permanently attached to the base of the terminal; and an electrical component, consisting of a capacitor and having a tab coupled with the connection termination of the terminal, through the connection opening of the cap.
[0021] [Fig 1] Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of a terminal-cap assembly, with a terminal and cap shown separate.
[0022] [Fig 2] Figure 2 is a longitudinal section of Figure 1, along plane 11-11.
[0023] [Fig 3] Figure 3 is a section similar to that of Figure 2, where the terminal is received in the cap in a nominal orientation.
[0024] [Fig 4] Figure 4 is a cross-section similar to that of Figures 2 and 3, where the terminal is received in the cap in an incorrect orientation.
[0025] [Fig 5] Figure 5 is a perspective view of the cap of the previous figures, from another angle.
[0026] [Fig 6] Figure 6 is an electrical diagram of a motorization system, actuating a closing, concealment or solar protection device and comprising two terminal-cap assemblies conforming to those of figures 1 to 5.
[0027] Figure 6 schematically shows a motorization system, including an electric motor M, a capacitor C, two switches rm and rd, a phase pole and a neutral pole of a single-phase power supply. The single-phase power supply is advantageously low voltage, for example between 100V and 400V. The motor M is for example a single-phase asynchronous motor, which includes two windings W1 and W2. When the motor M rotates, it mechanically actuates a device D for closing, concealing or sun protection, comprising a rolling or movable screen, such as a roller blind, a roller shutter, a sliding shutter, a curtain, a sliding door, etc. The capacitor C is advantageously a phase-shift capacitor.
[0028] A respective first pole of the switches rm and rd is connected to the phase pole L. A second pole of the switch rm is connected to a first terminal 2 via an electrically conductive cable 13. The first terminal 2 is connected to a leg 11 of the capacitor C. The first terminal 2 is connected to a first terminal of the winding W1, via a conductive cable 14. A second pole of the winding W1 is connected to the neutral pole N. A second pole of the switch rd is connected to a second terminal 2 via an electrically conductive cable 15. The second terminal 2 is connected to a leg 12 of the capacitor C. The second terminal 2 is connected to a first terminal of the winding W2, via a conductive cable 16. A second pole of the winding W2 is connected to the neutral pole N.In other words, winding W1 and leg 11 of capacitor C are connected to pole L via switch rm while winding W2 and leg 12 of capacitor C are connected to pole L via switch rd.
[0029] To rotate the motor M in a first direction, for example an upward direction of the device D, the switch rm is closed and the switch rd is opened. The windings W1 and W2 are then supplied with electrical energy by the phase pole L, through the switch rm and the conductor 13. The winding W2 receives current out of phase with respect to the winding W1 because the current flowing through the winding W2 flows through the phase-shifting capacitor C. To rotate the motor M in the opposite direction, for example a downward direction of the device D, the switch rd is closed and the switch rm is opened. The windings W1 and W2 are then supplied with electrical energy by the phase pole L, through the switch rd and the conductor 15. The winding W1 receives current out of phase with respect to the winding W2 because the current flowing through the winding W1 flows through the phase-shifting capacitor C.
[0030] EP1487076A1 describes another motorization system which is suitable for the invention, including in particular a drive motor corresponding to the motor M described here and a permanent capacitor corresponding to the capacitor C described here.
[0031] Each conductive cable 13, 14, 15 and 16 comprises an electrically conductive core, for example single strand or braided multi-strand, as well as a tubular electrically insulating sheath, enveloping the core to electrically insulate it from the outside.
[0032] Each terminal 2 shown in Figure 6 is connected to one of the legs of the capacitor C, to electrically connect this leg to two electrically conductive cables, one connected to the phase pole L, the other connected to the motor M. Each terminal 2 belongs to a terminal-cap assembly illustrated in detail in Figures 1 to 5, which comprises, in addition to the terminal 2, a cap 5 shown alone in Figure 5. Here, the terminal-cap assembly
[0033] The terminal 2 is electrically conductive, for example by being made entirely of electrically conductive material, for example a conductive metal such as a copper-based alloy. The terminal 2 defines a longitudinal direction X2 and two transverse directions, namely a lateral direction Y2 and a height direction Z2. The directions X2, Y2 and Z2 are perpendicular to each other and fixed relative to the terminal 2.
[0034] As shown in Figures 1 to 4, the terminal 2 comprises a base 21 and a connection termination 22. The termination 22 is arranged in the direction X2 relative to the base 21. Preferably, the terminal 2 is entirely made using a single metal sheet, which is cut and permanently deformed by bending to form both the base 21 and the connection termination 22. An example of a terminal obtained according to this method is described in EP765003A1.
[0035] The base 21 is configured to be permanently attached, that is to say in a non-removable manner, to two conductive cables, here for example the cables 13 and 14, symbolized by broken lines. For this purpose, for each cable 13 and 14 to be attached, the base 21 preferably comprises a fastener 23, forming a tunnel or clamp parallel to the direction X2, and a fastener 24, forming another tunnel or clamp, coaxial with that of the fastener 23. The ends of the received cables are oriented parallel to the direction X2, and directed in the direction of the direction X2. The fastener 23 is arranged in the direction X2 relative to the fastener 24, that is to say between the termination 22 and the fastener 24. The two fasteners 23 are advantageously distributed laterally side by side in the direction Y2. The two fasteners 24 are advantageously distributed laterally side by side along the direction Y2.
[0036] The end of each conductive cable comprises a stripped end belonging to the core, received in the clip 23. This is then folded over the stripped core end, so as to crimp the stripped core with the clip 23, to ensure both the electrical connection and the permanent retention of the cable concerned with respect to the terminal 2. The end of each cable also comprises a sheath end belonging to the sheath, set back relative to the stripped end of the core. This sheath end is received in the clip 24, which is folded around the sheath end, thus crimping the sheath end with the clip 24.
[0037] The termination 22 is integral with the base 21. For this, the terminal 2 preferably comprises a back 25, which connects the connection termination 22 to the base 21. The back 25 advantageously constitutes an elongated wall orthogonal to the direction Z2. In other words, the back is parallel to the direction X2. Preferably, a front end of the back 25 belongs to the connection termination 22. Preferably, the folded fasteners 23 and 24 project from the back 25 in the direction Z2. A rear end of the back 25 and the fasteners
[0038] 23 and 24 here constitute the base 21 of terminal 2.
[0039] Termination 22 is configured to be mated with one of the legs of capacitor C, for example leg 11, to electrically connect leg 11 to cables 13 and 14 via terminal 2. Leg 11 is shown very schematically in Figure 1 in broken lines. In the illustrated example, leg 11 is generally flat and rectangular in shape with beveled corners. However, in practice, leg 11 may have a different shape.
[0040] In the present example, the leg 11 connected to the terminal 2 belongs to the capacitor C, but the terminal 2 is capable of being connected to the leg of another electrical component than a capacitor, to connect this electrical component to one or more conductive cables, each conductive cable being connected to any desired electrical device, which may be different from the motor and the switch of the present example. The expression "electrical component" includes electronic components.
[0041] The coupling of termination 22 with leg 11 is preferably reversible, in that termination 22 is configured to allow a technician to remove leg 11 from terminal 2, to disconnect terminal 2 from capacitor C if necessary.
[0042] The termination 22 advantageously forms a female end piece, receiving the tab 11 therein for coupling, that is to say allowing the tab 11 to be plugged into the termination 22, preferably in the opposite direction to the direction X2. The tab 11 preferably has a plate shape, which, when received in the termination 22, extends along a plane orthogonal to the direction Z2. Thus received, the tab 11 is directed parallel to the direction X2, but in the opposite direction to the direction X2.
[0043] In order for the tab 11 to be able to be plugged into the termination 22, the termination 22 advantageously comprises, in addition to the front end of the back 25, two longitudinal edges 26 and two wings 27. The longitudinal edges 26 are distributed along the direction Y2, on either side of the back 25 and the wings 27. Each longitudinal edge 26 projects from the back 25 along the direction Z22. Each wing 27 projects from one of the longitudinal edges 26 towards the other wing 27. Each wing 27 is thus connected to the back 25 via one of the edges 26. The pair of wings 27 is distant from the back 25, along the direction Z2. When the tab 11 is coupled with the termination 22, the tab is received between the edges 26 in the direction Y2, and between the back 25 and the wings 27 in the direction Z2. Preferably, the tab 11 is slightly pinched, elastically, between the back 25 and the wings 27, to be kept plugged into the termination 22.For this purpose, as visible in FIG. 1, each wing 27 behaves respectively, for example, like a respective flexible blade.
[0044] The leg 11 being received in the termination 22, it is electrically connected to the conductors 13 and 14 attached to the base 21, by means of the terminal 2.
[0045] The terminal 2 advantageously comprises two teeth 31 and 32. Preferably, the tooth 31 is formed at the rear of one of the wings 27 and the tooth 32 is formed at the rear of the other of the wings 27. More generally, it is advantageously provided that the teeth 31 and 32 are formed at the rear of the connection termination 22. It is advantageously provided that the teeth 31 and 32 are arranged transversely opposite the back 25, namely in the direction Z2 relative to the back 25. Each tooth 31 and 32 projects transversely from the connection termination 22, opposite the back 25. In other words, in the present example, the teeth 31 and 32 project in the direction Z2. Thus, each tooth 31 and 32 protrudes from the connection termination 22 in the direction Z2.Preferably, in the direction Z2, the teeth 31 and 32 do not protrude from the base 21, preferably ending either substantially at the same height as the fasteners 23, or slightly below the fasteners 23. The teeth 31 and 32 respectively form, on their face facing in the opposite direction to the direction X2, a rear locking stop 33 and a rear locking stop 34. In other words, the stops 33 and 34 are constituted by the free ends of the teeth 31 and 32 respectively.
[0046] The cap 5 is electrically insulating, for example by being made entirely of electrically insulating material such as a polymer plastic. Preferably, the cap 5 is made by an injection molding operation of polymer plastic. The cap 5 is preferably made of a single piece, formed in one piece.
[0047] The cap 5 defines a longitudinal direction X5, called the “introduction direction” and two transverse directions, namely a lateral direction Y5 and a height direction Z5. The directions X5, Y5 and Z5 are perpendicular to each other and fixed relative to the cap 5. Unless otherwise stated, terms such as “longitudinal”, “front” and “rear” refer to the X5 direction, terms such as “transverse” refer to the Y5 and Z5 directions, the term “lateral” refers to the Y5 direction and the term “height” refers to the Z5 direction.
[0048] The cap 5 has a tubular wall 51, which has a generally tubular shape along the direction X5 and defines an interior volume of the cap 5. The tubular wall 51 forms a connection end 52, which is a front longitudinal end, and a rear end 53, the connection end 52 being arranged along the direction X5 relative to the rear end 53. The cap 5 is configured to receive the terminal 2 inside the tubular wall 51, i.e. in the interior volume, with the terminal 2 positioned in the cap 5 in a nominal orientation shown in FIG. 3. Alternatively, the terminal 2 positioned in an incorrect orientation in the cap is shown in FIG. 4. For normal use of the cap 5, it is intended that the terminal 2 is received in the cap 5 in the nominal orientation.
[0049] The tubular wall 51 advantageously comprises a bottom wall 56, which connects the ends 52 and 53 to each other. The front of the wall 56 constitutes a part of the end 52 and the rear of the wall 56 constitutes a part of the end 53. The bottom wall 56 is substantially planar and extends perpendicular to the direction Z5.
[0050] The tubular wall 51 advantageously comprises a side wall 57 and a side wall 58, which connect the ends 52 and 53 together. The front of the walls 57 and 58 constitute a part of the end 52 and the rear of the walls 57 and 58 constitute a part of the end 53. The walls 57 and 58 are arranged on either side of the wall 56 in the direction Y5, and project from the wall 56 in the direction Z5. In other words, the walls 57 and 58 are distributed opposite each other in the direction Y5. The walls 57 and 58 are substantially planar and extend perpendicular to the direction Y5.
[0051] The tubular wall 51 advantageously comprises a front upper wall 59 and a rear upper wall 60. The upper wall 59 connects the walls 57 and 58 to each other at the connection end 52, and thus forms a part of the connection end 52. The upper wall 59 extends at a distance from the wall 56 in the direction Z5. Preferably, the wall 59 extends along a plane perpendicular to the direction Z5. The upper wall 60 connects the walls 57 and 58 to each other at the rear end 53 and thus constitutes a part of the rear end 53. The upper wall 60 extends at a distance from the wall 56 in the direction Z5. Preferably, the wall 60 extends along a plane perpendicular to the direction Z5. Preferably, the wall 60 is further from the wall 56 than is the wall 59, in the direction Z5.Thus, the connection termination 22 can be received within the end 52, between the walls 56 and 59, but the end 52 is too narrow to receive the base 21. The distance between the wall 60 and the wall 56 is, on the other hand, sufficient to be able to be crossed by the termination 22 when the terminal 2 is inserted into the cap, but also to receive the base 21 when the terminal 2 is positioned in the nominal orientation.
[0052] At the connection end 52, the cap 5 delimits an opening 54, called the “connection opening”, which opens onto the interior volume of the cap 5 and opens to the outside in the direction X5. More precisely, the outline of the connection opening 54 is formed by the front of the walls 56, 57, 58 and 59. The opening 54 preferably has a notch shape, flattened in the direction Z5, corresponding to the shape of the tab 11, to allow the tab 11 to pass through the opening 54 in order to be received in the interior volume of the cap 5.
[0053] At the rear end 53, the cap 5 delimits an opening 55, called the “introduction opening”, which opens onto the internal volume of the cap 5 and opens to the outside in the opposite direction to the direction X5. More precisely, the outline of the opening is formed by the rear of the walls 56, 57, 58 and 60. Each wall 56, 57 and 58 thus connects the openings 54 and 55 together. The opening 55 is preferably more open in the direction Z5 than the opening 54, so that the terminal 2 can be introduced into the internal volume of the cap 5 via the opening 55, in particular entirely, when the terminal 2 is in the nominal orientation.
[0054] Preferably, the cap 5 delimits an opening 61, called the “intermediate opening”. Preferably, the cap 5 does not have any opening other than the openings 54, 55 and 61. At the front, the opening 61 is delimited by a rear transverse edge
[0055] 62 belonging to the wall 59. Laterally, the opening 61 is delimited by a longitudinal edge 63 belonging to the wall 57 and a longitudinal edge 64 belonging to the wall 58. In other words, the opening 61 is arranged between the openings 54 and 55, in the direction X5, and opposite the wall 56, in the direction Z5. At the rear, the opening 61 is delimited by the wall 60. The edges 62, 63 and 64 advantageously project in the direction Z5, in order to protrude, in the direction Z5, relative to the wall 59. In other words, each edge 62, 63 and 64 respectively forms a raised or projecting rib in the direction Z5, that is to say towards the outside of the cap 5. The fact that these edges 62,
[0056] 63 and 64 are thus in relief, making it possible to reduce the risk of accidental introduction of an object or a technician's finger into the interior volume of the cap 5, thus ensuring electrical insulation when the terminal 2 is received within the cap 5.
[0057] The cap 5 preferably comprises a retaining blade 65. The retaining blade 65 is arranged in the opening 61, that is to say is framed by the opening 61. Preferably, the blade 65 is attached to the tubular wall 51 via the wall 60, at a rear edge of the opening 61. As best seen in FIG. 2, the retaining blade preferably extends, from the wall 60, in the direction of the direction X5, being oblique so that a free end of the blade 65 is arranged in the opposite direction of the direction Z5 relative to a base of the blade 65, by means of which the blade 65 is attached to the wall 60. The free end of the blade forms a front locking stop 66, which is turned in the direction of the direction X5. Preferably, the stop 66 of the blade 65 is arranged inside the opening 61, close to the edge 62. The stop 66 is distant from the bottom wall 56.The stop 66 is arranged between the walls 57 and 58, preferably halfway.
[0058] The retaining blade 65 is elastically deformable from a rest configuration, shown in FIG. 2, to a locking configuration, shown in long-dashed lines in FIG. 3, or from the rest configuration to an unlocking configuration, shown partially in dotted lines in FIG. 3. In FIG. 3, the reference 66 indicates the front locking stop when the blade 65 is in the rest configuration, the reference 66' indicates the front locking stop when the blade 65 is in the locking configuration, and the reference 66" indicates the front locking stop when the blade 65 is in the unlocking configuration. When moving from the rest configuration to the unlocking configuration, the front locking stop 66 is moved in particular along the direction Z5, that is to say, is lifted towards the outside of the cap 5 through the opening 61.This prevents the blade 65 from being accidentally put into the unlocking configuration, in that pressing the blade 65 from the outside, in the opposite direction to the direction Z5, does not put the blade 65 into the unlocking configuration. In other words, the stop 66 is moved into its unlocking configuration away from the wall 56, in particular by means of an external tool, such as a screwdriver or another thin tool. When the terminal 2 is received in the cap 5, the stop is held in the locking configuration by the terminal 2. In the present example where the rest configuration is distinct from the locking configuration, by elasticity, the blade 65 tends to return to the rest configuration when it is in the locking configuration. By elasticity, the blade 65 tends to return to the rest configuration when it is in the unlocking configuration.Preferably, in all configurations, the blade 65 remains arranged inside the opening 61 without protruding from the edges 62, 63 and 64.
[0059] Preferably, at least for the locking configuration, the distance between the retaining blade 65 and the edge 63, measured parallel to the direction Y5, is less than 1.2 mm. Preferably, the distance between the retaining blade 65 and the edge 64, measured parallel to the direction Y5, is less than 1.2 mm. Preferably, the distance between the retaining blade 65 and the edge 62, measured parallel to the direction X5, is less than 1.2 mm. This reduces the risk of accidental introduction of an object or a technician's finger into the interior volume of the cap 5, thus preventing the electrical risk when the terminal 2 is received within the cap 5.
[0060] The cap 5 preferably comprises two ribs 67 and 68, called "retaining ribs", visible in particular in Figure 5. The ribs 67 and 68 are arranged inside the cap 5, between the openings 54 and 55. The ribs 67 and 68 are here arranged on either side of the blade 65. In other words, the stop 66 is preferably arranged between the ribs 67 and 68, in the direction Y5. The rib 67 here connects the base of the blade 65 or the wall 60 to the wall 57. The rib 68 here connects the base of the blade 65 or the wall 60 to the wall 58. The ribs 67 and 68 thus delimit the opening 61, on the side of the base of the blade 65.
[0061] Preferably, on the inside of the cap 5, parallel to the direction Y5, the rib 67 projects from the wall 57 towards the rib 68 and the rib 68 projects from the wall 58 towards the rib 67. The ribs 67 and 68 are therefore arranged in a horseshoe shape. Preferably, the ribs 67 and 68 are formed from the wall 60, and extend towards the volume inside the cap 5, in the direction of the wall 56. The ribs 67 and 68 start at the edge of the wall 60 and end at a respective internal end, preferably arranged at the height of the wall 59. In other words, each rib 67 and 68 is interrupted so as not to reach the wall 56. Each rib 67 and 68 forms respectively, at its internal end, a rear retaining stop 71 and 72. These stops 71 and 72 are turned in the opposite direction to the direction X5 and are preferably arranged at the height of the wall 59.The stops 71 and 72 are fixed, unlike the stop 66, which is movable. The stops 71 and 72 are arranged between the insertion opening 55 and the connection opening 54, so that they do not prevent partial insertion of the terminal 2 when the terminal 2 is in the incorrect orientation. It is also noted that the stops 71 and 72 are distinct from the stop 66, that is to say that they are formed by a structure, here the ribs 67 and 68, which is separate from that forming the stop 66, here the blade 65.
[0062] To insert the terminal 2 into the cap 5, whether in the nominal orientation or the incorrect orientation, the connection termination 22 is inserted first, via the insertion opening 55, by moving the terminal 2 along the direction X5 and orienting the terminal 2 so that the direction X2 is in the same direction as the direction X5. Once the connection termination 22 is received, the insertion of the terminal 2 is continued until at least a portion of the base 21 also passes through the opening 55, at least when the terminal 2 is in the nominal orientation, and preferably also when the terminal is in the incorrect orientation. In any case, the terminal 2 is advantageously introduced while it is already permanently attached to the cables 13 and 14 via the base 21.To be inserted into the cap 5, the terminal 2 is moved in the direction X5 until it comes to a stop in the direction X5 against the stops 71 and 72, if the terminal 2 is in the incorrect orientation, or until it is captured in the cap 5, by cooperation of the blade 65 with the stops 33 and 34, if the terminal 2 is in the nominal orientation. In both cases, the terminal 2 is then partially or totally positioned in the cap 5.
[0063] Preferably, once the terminal 2 is received in the cap 5, whether in the nominal or incorrect orientation, the terminal 2 is arranged between, on the one hand, the bottom wall 56 and the stop 66, in the direction Z5 and, on the other hand, the bottom wall 56 and the stops 71 and 72. Preferably, the stops 71 and 72 are arranged laterally on either side of the teeth 31, 32 of the terminal 2, in particular for the nominal orientation.
[0064] As shown in Figure 3, when the terminal 2 is received in the nominal orientation, the directions X2 and X5 have the same orientation and direction, the directions Y2 and Y5 have the same orientation and direction, the directions Z2 and Z5 have the same orientation and direction. The connection termination 22 is received inside the connection end 52 and the base 21 is received inside the rear end 53. The terminal 2 is advantageously entirely received inside the cap 5 and is thus electrically insulated from the outside.
[0065] In more detail, in this configuration, the back 25 is advantageously received in flat support against the bottom wall 56. The edges 26 are advantageously received in lateral support between the walls 57 and 58, against said walls 57 and 58. The terminal 2 is thus positioned in the cap 5 in the directions X2 and Y2. The wings 27 extend along and close to the wall 59. When the terminal 2 is introduced in the nominal orientation, the back 25 slides along the wall 56 and the edges 26 slide along the walls 57 and 58, which guides the terminal 2 in sliding in the direction X5. Received in the nominal orientation, the connection termination 22 opens into the connection opening 54. From then on, the leg 11 of the electrical component can be coupled with the connection termination 22 through the connection opening 54.In this configuration, preferably, the connection termination 22 comes into abutment against the periphery of the connection opening 54, in the direction X5.
[0066] While the terminal 2 is received in the nominal orientation, the base 21 is entirely received in the rear end 53, that is to say that the base 21 has also passed through the opening 55 during insertion. The distance between the walls 56 and 60 is sufficient to accommodate the base 21, which may be thicker than the connection termination 22. The end of the cables 13 and 14 is also accommodated within the end 53, while the cables 13 and 14 are attached to the terminal 2. The space available in the rear end 53 may allow the base of a terminal to be accommodated which would be larger, either to be attached to more conductive cables, or for conductive cables of larger cross-section. Preferably, as shown in Figure 3, the base 21 is pushed beyond the insertion opening 55, so as to be positioned in the direction X5 relative to the insertion opening 55.This reduces the electrical risk by preventing accidental contact, via the opening 55, of a foreign body or a person with the terminal 2 thus received.
[0067] When the terminal 2 is introduced in the nominal orientation, the terminal 2 elastically deforms the blade 65 from its rest configuration to a passage configuration, which is beyond the locking configuration, in particular by means of the teeth 31 and 32. The teeth 31 and 32 are in fact located in the direction Y5, at the level of the blade 65. The teeth 31 and 32 act on the blade 65 when they are located at the free end of the blade 65 in the direction X5. Once, parallel to the direction X5, the stops 33 and 34 have passed the front locking stop of the cap 5, the blade 65 returns to the locking configuration by elasticity. The front locking stop is then placed in the direction X2 to the rear of the two rear locking stops 33 and 34 formed by the teeth 31 and 32.The terminal 2 is then captured within the cap by mechanical cooperation of the stops 33 and 34 with the stop 66, and prevents the withdrawal of the terminal 2 in the opposite direction to the direction X5.
[0068] In the example illustrated, the terminal 2 prevents the blade from returning to the rest configuration, when the blade 65 is in the locking configuration and the terminal 2 is positioned in the nominal orientation. Then, by elasticity of the blade 65, the free end of the blade 65 tends to press lightly on the terminal 2 in the direction Z5, so that the blade 65 tends to maintain the mechanical cooperation of the stop 66 with the stops 33 and 34.
[0069] In this example, the locking configuration is distinct from the rest configuration. However, it is possible to provide that the rest and locking configurations are the same.
[0070] While the terminal 2 is thus received in the nominal orientation, it is possible to unlock the terminal 2 by deforming the blade 65 to the unlocking configuration, from outside the cap 5, via the opening 61. For example, a tool, such as a flat screwdriver, can be used, which is inserted into the notch formed between the edge 62 and the free end of the blade 65, in order to lift the blade 65. In the unlocking configuration, the free end of the blade 65 is placed in a position where the stop 66” is positioned offset from the stops 33 and 34, advantageously in the direction Z5. The stop 66” then does not oppose the withdrawal of the terminal 2 from the cap 5, via the opening 55, in the opposite direction to the direction X5.
[0071] When the terminal 2 is introduced into the cap 5 in the nominal orientation, the terminal 2 does not come into abutment against the stops 71 and 72. In particular, the connection termination 22 passes through the stops 71 and 72, passing between the wall 56 and the stops 71 and 72, parallel to the direction Z5 and the teeth 31 and 32 pass between the stops 71 and 72 in the direction Y5. Preferably, at least a portion of the base 21 can also pass through the stops 71 and 72, in that the base 21, narrower than the termination 22 in the direction Y5, passes between the stops 71 and 72. For example, once the terminal 2 is received in the cap 5, the fasteners 23 are arranged between the stops 71 and 72, in the direction Y5. More generally, the stops 71 and 72 are advantageously arranged so as not to oppose the introduction of the terminal 2 into the cap 5, when the terminal 2 is in the nominal orientation.
[0072] As shown in Figure 4, when the lug 2 is received in the cap 5 in the incorrect orientation, the directions X2 and X5 have the same direction, the directions Y2 and Y5 are opposite in direction but with the same orientation, and the directions Z2 and Z5 are opposite in direction. As shown in Figure 4, when the lug 2 is thus positioned, the direction X2 is oriented obliquely relative to the direction X5 and the direction Z2 is oriented obliquely relative to the direction Z5. In other words, relative to the nominal orientation, the lug 2 has made a half-turn in roll about a longitudinal axis parallel to the direction X5, an oblique inclination in pitch about a lateral axis parallel to the direction Y5, and no movement in yaw about a height axis parallel to the direction Z5. Preferably, around the lateral axis parallel to the Y5 direction, the X2 axis is inclined obliquely, at an angle of between 5 and 10 degrees relative to the X5 axis.Thus positioned obliquely, the base 21 is positioned higher in the Z5 direction than the termination 22.
[0073] When the terminal 2 is received in the cap 5 in the incorrect orientation, the rear locking stops 33 and 34 of the terminal 2 are arranged opposite the blade 65 within the cap 5. In other words, the stops 33 and 34 cannot therefore cooperate with the stop 66 to retain the terminal 2 within the cap 5. Preferably, the introduction of the terminal 2 in the incorrect orientation is limited with the stops 33 and 34 positioned offset, relative to the stop 66, in the opposite direction to the direction X5. In particular, the teeth 31 and 32 are directed towards the wall 56, and are even preferentially in abutment against the wall 56 in the opposite direction to the direction Z5. More generally, in the incorrect orientation, the terminal 2 cannot be fully inserted into the cap, is not retained within the cap 5 and can be freely removed by sliding in the opposite direction of the X5 direction.
[0074] When the terminal 2 is received in the cap 5 in the incorrect orientation, it is expected that the terminal 2 bears against the wall 56, not via the back 25, but at least via the teeth 31 and 32. In addition to the teeth, the terminal 2 bears against the wall 56 either via the termination 22 as illustrated in FIG. 4, in particular via the wings 27 or the edges 26, or via the base 21, in particular via the fasteners 23 or possibly via the end of the cable(s) attached thereto. Since the teeth 31 and 32 protrude relative to the termination 22 in the direction Z2 and / or the base 21 protrudes from the teeth 31 and 32 in the direction Z2, in particular the attachments 23, the pressing of the terminal 2 against the wall 56 places the terminal 2 in the aforementioned oblique orientation relative to the cap 5 and to the insertion direction X5.It is then clearly visible to the technician that terminal 2 is in the incorrect orientation.
[0075] When inserting the terminal 2 in the incorrect orientation, it is not the back 25 which slides along the wall 56, but the wings 27, the teeth 31 and 32 and / or the fasteners 23. When inserting the terminal 2 in the incorrect orientation, the edges 26 slide along the walls 57 and 58, which guides the terminal 2 in sliding in the direction X5.
[0076] When the terminal 2 is received in the cap 5 in the incorrect orientation, the back 25 is turned towards the walls 59 and 60, that is to say is turned away from the bottom wall 56. As shown in FIG. 4, the terminal 2 thus received in the cap 5 comes into abutment against the stops 71 and 72 in the direction X5, preferably by means of the back 25. In practice, the back 25 advantageously comes into oblique abutment against the stops 71 and 72, in the direction of the direction X5, due to the inclination of the back 25 obliquely relative to the direction X5, around the lateral axis parallel to the direction Y5. More generally, the terminal 2 coming to bear against the stops 71 and 72, the terminal 2 is retained by the stops 71 and 72, so that it cannot be inserted further into the cap 5.
[0077] By this abutment of the terminal 2 in incorrect orientation, the terminal 2 is held further back from the end 52 than when the terminal 2 is received in the cap in nominal orientation.
[0078] In particular, the termination 22 does not reach the end 52, or is only partially inserted into the end 52, whereas it was fully inserted, or capable of being fully inserted, into the end 52 for the nominal orientation of the terminal 2. Thus, it is not possible to connect the tab 11 with the termination 22, because the termination 22 is arranged too far back inside the cap 5 with respect to the opening 54. Optionally, the stops 71 and 72 are arranged so that the tab 11 cannot even reach the termination 22 when the tab 11 is received in the cap 5 via the opening 54. Furthermore, it is optionally provided that the end 52, in particular the opening 54, as well as the termination 22, are shaped so that the tab 11 cannot connect with the termination 22 when the termination 22 is oriented obliquely in the cap 5, which is the case when the terminal 2 is received in the incorrect orientation.There is therefore no risk that the technician can connect terminal 2 to capacitor C or the electrical component when terminal 2 is in the incorrect orientation within cap 5.
[0079] Advantageously, by this abutment against the stops 71 and 72, the base 21 is only partially received in the cap 5 and protrudes partially or entirely from the cap 5 via the opening 55. Here, at least the fasteners 24 are held outside the cap 5, and preferably a part of the fasteners 23. It is then clearly visible to the technician that the terminal 2 is in the incorrect orientation since the base 21 protrudes, whereas, in the nominal orientation, the entire terminal 2 is advantageously received in the cap 5.
[0080] Advantageously, when the terminal 2 is received in the incorrect orientation in abutment against the stops 71 and 72, the blade 65 is in abutment against the back 25. In this position, the back 25 advantageously keeps the blade 65 away from its rest configuration, in a deformed configuration, which may correspond for example to the unlocking configuration. While the blade 65 tends to return to its rest configuration by elasticity, it exerts a force against the back 25.
[0081] Each feature described above for one of the embodiments or variants may be implemented in the other embodiments and variants described above, as far as technically possible.
Claims
CLAIMS Terminal-cap assembly comprising: a terminal (2), which is electrically conductive and which comprises: • a base (21), configured to be permanently attached to at least one conductive cable (13, 14), and • a connection termination (22), integral with the base (21) and configured to be coupled with a leg (11) of an electrical component (C) to electrically connect the leg (11) to said at least one conductive cable (13, 14) via the terminal (2); and a cap (5), which is electrically insulating and which comprises: • an insertion opening (55), the terminal (2) being configured to be inserted into the cap (5), following an insertion direction (X5), by first passing the insertion opening (55) through the connection termination (22), • a front locking stop (66), which bears against a rear locking stop (33, 34) belonging to the terminal (2), in the insertion direction (X5), when the terminal (2) is positioned in the cap (5) in a nominal orientation, to prevent withdrawal of the terminal (2) from the cap (5) via the insertion opening (55), and • a connection end (52), which is arranged in the insertion direction (X5) relative to the insertion opening (55), which receives the connection termination (22) when the terminal (2) is positioned in the cap (5) in the nominal orientation and which has a connection opening (54), intended to be crossed by the tab (11) of the electrical component (C) when the connection termination (22) is connected to said tab (11), while the terminal (2) is positioned in the cap (5) in the nominal orientation, characterized in that the cap (5) comprises a rear retaining stop (71, 72) separate from the front locking stop (66), the rear retaining stop (71, 72) being arranged between the insertion opening (55) and the connection opening (54) so that,when the connection end (22) of the terminal (2) is inserted into the insertion opening (55) of the cap (5) while the terminal (2) is oriented in an incorrect orientation, the terminal (2) abuts in the direction of the insertion direction (X5) against the rear retaining stop (71, 72) and is thus held back from the connection end (52), the rear retaining stop (71, 72) being arranged to allow the passage of the rear locking stop (33, 34) when the terminal (2) is inserted into the cap (5) in the nominal orientation. 2.- Terminal-cap assembly according to claim 1, wherein: when the withdrawal of the terminal (2) is prevented by abutting the front locking stop (66) against the rear locking stop (33, 34), the terminal (2) is entirely received in the cap (5); and when the terminal (2) is abutted in the direction of the insertion direction (X5) against the rear retaining stop (71, 72), the base (21) protrudes out of the cap (5) through the insertion opening (55). 3.- Terminal-cap assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the rear retaining stop (71, 72) is formed on a tubular wall (51) of the cap (5). 4.- Terminal-cap assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the cap (5) comprises two retaining ribs (67, 68), which form the rear retaining stop (71, 72), the two retaining ribs (67, 68) being arranged longitudinally between the connection end (52) and the insertion opening (55) and transversely on either side of the insertion opening (55). 5.- Terminal-cap assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: the cap (5) comprises a bottom wall (56), connecting the insertion opening (55) to the connection opening (54); the terminal (2) comprises at least one tooth (31, 32), which projects transversely from the connection end (52) and which forms the rear locking stop (33, 34); and when the terminal (2) is positioned in the cap (5) in the incorrect orientation, the terminal (2) bears against the bottom wall (56) by means of said at least one tooth (31, 32), the terminal (2) thus being maintained in an oblique orientation relative to the insertion direction (X5), around a lateral axis (Y5) perpendicular to the insertion direction (X5). 6.- Terminal-cap assembly according to claim 5, in which: the terminal (2) comprises a back (25), which connects the connection termination (22) to the base (21) and which is transversely opposite the rear locking stop (33, 34); the terminal (2) is guided in sliding along the insertion direction (X5) by sliding the back (25) along the bottom wall (56), when the terminal (2) is inserted into the cap (5) in the nominal orientation; and the terminal (2) bears against the rear retaining stop (71, 72) via the back (25) when the terminal (2) is positioned in the cap (5) in the incorrect orientation. Terminal-cap assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: the cap (5) comprises an intermediate opening (61), arranged between the insertion opening (55) and the connection opening (54) and opening into the interior of the cap (5); the cap (5) comprises a retaining blade (65), which is arranged in the intermediate opening (61), a free end of which forms the front locking stop (66), the retaining blade (65) being elastically deformable, between: • a locking configuration, where the front locking stop (66) is positioned to bear against the rear locking stop (33, 34) to prevent removal of the terminal (2), and • an unlocking configuration, where the front locking stop (66) does not prevent the terminal (2) from being removed from the cap (5), even when the terminal (2) is positioned in the cap (5) in the nominal orientation; and the retaining blade (65) is configured to: • be able to be put into unlocking configuration from outside the cap (5) via the intermediate opening (61), when the retaining blade (65) is in locking configuration, and • return to the elastic locking configuration when the retaining blade (65) is in the unlocking configuration. Terminal-cap assembly according to claim 7, wherein the cap (5) is configured so that the front locking stop (66) can be put into the unlocking configuration from the locking configuration, by moving the front locking stop (66) away from the terminal using a tool. Terminal-cap assembly according to any one of claims 7 or 8, wherein the intermediate opening (61) is delimited by at least one edge (62, 63, 64) belonging to the cap (5), said at least one edge (62, 63, 64) forming a rib which is raised towards the outside of the cap (5). Motorization system for actuating a device (D) for closing, concealing or protecting the sun, comprising: the terminal-cap assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, the terminal (2) being positioned in the cap (5) in the nominal orientation; an electric motor (M); a conductive cable (14), electrically connecting the electric motor (M) and the terminal (2), being permanently attached to the base (21) of the terminal (2); and an electrical component (C), consisting of a capacitor and having a tab (11) coupled with the connection termination (22) of the terminal (2), through the connection opening (54) of the cap (5).