Insulation-piercing connector

Abstract

The invention relates to a connector (100) comprising two jaws (102a-b), each comprising a channel (104a-b) receiving a main electrical cable and which are movable between a spaced position and a clamped position, clamping means (106) holding the jaws (102a-b) in the clamped position, at least one passage (108) intended for the introduction of a secondary electrical cable, for each jaw (102a-b), a sub-jaw with teeth arranged at the channel (104a-b), and for each sub-jaw, a spring element exerting a force against the sub-jaw at a bearing area, where each passage (108) opens at the bearing area and the spring element so as to allow the insertion of the secondary electrical cable (50) between the bearing area and the spring element.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to an insulation-piercing connector which provides the electrical connection between a main electrical cable whose insulation is perforated and at least one secondary electrical cable whose end is stripped. Such a connector can be used, for example, to connect photovoltaic panels to a bus cable. STATE OF THE PRIOR ART

[0002] It is often necessary to ensure electrical continuity between different electrical cables. To achieve this, many types of connectors are used, but they are not always entirely satisfactory. STATEMENT OF THE INVENTION

[0003] An object of the present invention is to provide a connector having a different architecture which ensures, among other things, simplified use and the concentration of a clamping force when piercing a main electrical cable.

[0004] For this purpose, a connector is proposed comprising: two jaws, each comprising a channel for receiving a main electrical cable, where the jaws are movable between a spaced position and a clamped position, clamping means arranged to hold the jaws in the clamped position, for at least one jaw, at least one passage for the introduction of a secondary electrical cable, for each jaw, a sub-jaw having teeth made of electrically conductive material, arranged at the channel and oriented towards the other sub-jaw, and for each sub-jaw, a spring element arranged so as to exert a force against the sub-jaw at a support zone of the sub-jaw, where for each passage, said passage opens at the support zone and the spring element so as to allow the insertion of the secondary electrical cable between the support zone and the spring element.

[0005] With such an arrangement, the force used to perform the tightening is applied entirely to the teeth to puncture the sheath of the main electrical cable and not to the secondary electrical cables.

[0006] Advantageously, each sub-jaw is movable in translation between a close position in which the teeth of the two sub-jaws are close to each other and a distant position in which the teeth of the two sub-jaws are distant from each other, and the force exerted by the spring element pushes the sub-jaw into the close position.

[0007] Advantageously, the spring element consists of at least one elastic metal strip. Advantageously, the spring element comprises at least one wall having a housing, for each housing, the sub-jaw has a protrusion housed in said housing and edges of the housing define the close and distant positions of the sub-jaw.

[0008] Advantageously, the connector comprises for each sub-jaw, a joint secured to the corresponding jaw, having for each tooth, a tunnel through which said tooth passes, the joint is made of a flexible material.

[0009] Advantageously, the clamping means take the form of a threaded rod and at least one nut, each jaw has a chimney passing through said jaw, the threaded rod is arranged in the chimneys and said at least one nut is screwed onto the threaded rod so as to sandwich the two jaws.

[0010] Advantageously, the connector comprises at least one barrel secured to at least one jaw, made of a flexible material and arranged between the two jaws around the threaded rod.

[0011] Advantageously, at each end of each channel, the jaw considered comprises two arms, where each arm has a proximal end secured to the jaw and a free distal end, and in the clamped position, the arms are intended to bear against the main electric cable. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] The above-mentioned and other features of the invention will become more clearly apparent from the following description of an exemplary embodiment, said description being made in relation to the accompanying drawings, among which: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a connector according to the invention in the spaced position, Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the connector according to the invention in the clamped position, Fig. 3 is a sectional view along plane III of the Fig. 2 of a jaw of the connector according to the invention, Fig. 4 is a sectional view along line IV-IV of the Fig. 3 , Fig. 5 is a side view of the connector according to the invention, Fig. 6 is a sectional view along plan VI of the Fig. 2 of the connector according to the invention, and Fig. 7 is an exploded view of a portion of a jaw of the connector according to the invention. DETAILED PRESENTATION OF IMPLEMENTATION METHODS

[0013] THE Figs. 1 à 3 show a connector 100 according to the invention in different positions, namely in the spaced apart position at the Fig. 1 , in a tight position at the Fig. 2 and in a tight position and with a main electrical cable 52 to the Fig. 5 .

[0014] The connector 100 thus comprises two jaws 102a-b and each comprising a channel 104a-b in which the main electrical cable 52 is received, which may for example be a bus cable.

[0015] The jaws 102a-b are movable relative to each other between a spread position and a clamped position. In the spread position, the two jaws 102a-b are spread apart to allow free access to the channels 104a-b and to allow the main electrical cable 52 to be placed in the channels 104a-b. In the clamped position, the two jaws 102a-b are brought together to grip and hold the main electrical cable 52.

[0016] In the embodiment of the invention presented here, the jaws 102a-b are mounted to be movable in rotation relative to each other around an articulation axis X which is generally parallel to an axis of the main electrical cable 52 when the latter is in place. In another embodiment not shown, the jaws 102a-b are mounted to be movable in translation relative to each other, for example by setting up a sliding connection between them whose translation direction is perpendicular to the axis of the main electrical cable 52 when the latter is in place.

[0017] The connector 100 also includes clamping means 106 which are arranged to hold the jaws 102a-b in a clamped position. In the embodiment of the invention presented here, and as shown more precisely in Fig. 6 , the clamping means 106 here take the form of a threaded rod 106a and at least one nut 106b screwed onto the threaded rod 106a.

[0018] Each jaw 102a-b is thus crossed by a chimney 120 in which the threaded rod 106a is housed. In the embodiment of the invention presented in Fig. 6 , there is a screw head 106b at one end of the threaded rod 106a and a nut 106b screwed onto the other end of the threaded rod 106a and the screw head 106b and the nut 106b bear on a rim of a jaw 102a-b and after tightening the nut 106b, the two jaws are sandwiched and clamped between the screw head 106b and the nut 106b. Of course, it is possible to provide for replacing the screw head with a nut screwed onto the threaded rod.

[0019] Tightening the nut(s) 106b ensures that the jaws 102a-b are clamped together in the clamped position, and loosening the nut(s) 106b ensures that the jaws 102a-b are released, allowing them to move into the spread position.

[0020] In the embodiment of the invention presented here, each jaw 102a-b comprises two passages 108 which are provided to allow the introduction of a secondary electrical cable 50, which, as explained below, makes it possible to ensure electrical continuity between the main electrical cable 52 and each secondary electrical cable 50. Generally speaking, at least one jaw 102a-b is equipped with at least one passage 108. Each secondary electrical cable 50 is for example a cable from a photovoltaic panel. As this is better seen on the Fig. 4 , the passage 108 ensures the passage between the exterior and a free space 142 provided inside the jaw 102a-b considered.

[0021] In the embodiment of the invention presented here, the connector 100 comprises, for each passage 108, a locking system 140 which locks the secondary electrical cable 50 in question. The locking system 140 here takes the form of a ring 140a screwed onto the jaw 102a-b and a locking wedge 140b.

[0022] The connector 100 also comprises, for each jaw 102a-b, a sub-jaw 110 which is better seen in Fig. 7 .

[0023] The sub-jaw 110 is housed in the free space 142 provided for this purpose in the jaw 102a-b and which is better seen on the Figs. 3 And 6 .

[0024] Each sub-jaw 110 has teeth 112 which are made of an electrically conductive material, typically metal, and which are arranged at the channel 104a-b corresponding to said jaw 102a-b. The teeth 112 are oriented towards the other sub-jaw 110 and are arranged so that when the jaws 102a-b are in the clamped position, they penetrate into the sheath protecting the main electrical cable 52 in order to establish contact with the conductive part of said main electrical cable 52.

[0025] The connector 100 also comprises for each sub-jaw 110, a spring element 114, preferably made of electrically conductive material. The spring element 114 is arranged in the free space 142 and it bears against a wall delimiting the free space 142 of the jaw 102a-b considered. The spring element 114 is arranged so as to exert a force against the sub-jaw 110 at a bearing zone 116 of said sub-jaw 110 and it is arranged so as to push the teeth 112 of the sub-jaw 110 towards the teeth 112 of the other sub-jaw 110 to clamp the main electrical cable 52 between them and come into contact with its conductive part.

[0026] For each passage 108, the passage 108 opens into the free space 142 at the level of the support zone 116 and the spring element 114 so as to allow the insertion of a stripped end of the secondary electrical cable 50 between the support zone 116 and the spring element 114 so that the secondary electrical cable 50 is in contact with the teeth 112 at the level of the support zone 116 and therefore with the main electrical cable 52 through the teeth 112.

[0027] The end of each secondary electrical cable 50 is thus pinched between the spring element 114 and the support zone 116. The spring element 114 thus ensures the pressure of the secondary electrical cable 50 against the support zone 116 and therefore the electrical connection with the sub-jaw 110 and therefore the main electrical cable 52.

[0028] Thus, such a connector 100 makes it possible to ensure the connection of each secondary electrical cable 50 with the main electrical cable 52. Furthermore, with such an installation, it is possible to prepare the secondary electrical cables 50 in the workshop and when tightening the tightening means 106, the force used to carry out the tightening is entirely applied to the teeth 112 to perforate the sheath of the main electrical cable 52 and not to the secondary electrical cables 50 which therefore do not risk being damaged.

[0029] The jaws 102a-b are made of an electrically insulating material such as polyamide to enclose the sub-jaws 110 and thus prevent leakage currents.

[0030] In the embodiment of the invention presented here, the teeth 112 are distributed in two groups parallel to the articulation axis X and the groups are connected by a connecting bar 144 parallel to the articulation axis X of the sub-jaw 110 also made of electrically conductive material and the support zone 116 is arranged at the level of the connecting bar 144. In each group, there are several teeth 112 distributed perpendicular to the articulation axis X.

[0031] In the embodiment of the invention presented here, the spring element 114 is made from a shaped and folded metal spring blade with two metal elastic strips 114a. Generally, there is at least one metal elastic strip 114a. Here, there are two elastic strips 114a to ensure the positioning of a secondary electric cable 50 on each side and to ensure stability of the sub-jaw 110 by pushing at the two support zones 116.

[0032] Due to the positioning of the spring element 114, the sub-jaws 110 are movable in translation, here perpendicular to the axis of the main electric cable 52 when it is in place, between a close position and a distant position.

[0033] The movement of the sub-jaws 110 is limited here, on one side, by a rim 146 produced by the jaw 102a-b where the sub-jaw 110 is housed and, on the other side, by a joint 118 secured to said jaw 102a-b and the primary function of which is explained below. The function of the joint 118 of limiting the movement of the sub-jaws 110 can be fulfilled by another rim of the jaw 102a-b arranged for this purpose.

[0034] In the close position, the teeth 112 of the two sub-jaws 110 are brought together and in the distant position the teeth 112 of the two sub-jaws 110 are moved apart, and the force exerted by the spring element 114 pushes the teeth 112 into the close position.

[0035] Thus, the teeth 112 always tend to tighten around the main electrical cable 52 and the mobility of the teeth 112 makes it possible to compensate for any dimensional variations which may appear over time.

[0036] In the embodiment of the invention presented here, the spring element 114 comprises at least one wall 114b having a housing 114c, and for each housing 114c, the sub-jaw 110 has a protrusion 110c, produced here in the connecting bar 144 and housed in said housing 114c which here takes the form of a rectangular window. Here, there are two walls 114b, four housings 114c 110c distributed in pairs on each wall 114b and four protrusions 110c distributed in pairs on either side of the connecting bar 144. The edges of the housing 114c define the close and distant positions of the sub-jaw 110 by abutting the protrusion 110c against said edges.

[0037] The spring element 114 also has here a bottom wall 114d to which the walls 114b and the elastic strips 114a are integral and where the bottom wall 114d is fixed to the jaw 102a-b here by the introduction of a stud 148 of the jaw 102a-b into a bore provided for this purpose in the bottom wall 114d. The bottom wall 114d comes to bear against the wall delimiting the free space 142 of the jaw 102a-b considered.

[0038] To ensure electrical insulation of the teeth 112 from the view of a technician handling the connector 100, the latter comprises, for each sub-jaw 110, the seal 118 which is integral with the jaw 102a-b corresponding to the sub-jaw 110.

[0039] The seal 118 is made of a flexible electrically insulating material, such as TPE, and it has, for each tooth 112, a tunnel 118a through which said tooth 112 passes. Thus, each tooth 112 passes through the seal 112. In a particular embodiment, in the spaced-apart position, each tooth 112 is generally flush with a contact surface 118b of the seal 118, where said contact surface 118b is the surface which is opposite the contact surface 118b of the other seal 118, i.e. the seal 118 which is on the other jaw 102b-a. Due to the flexibility of the seal 118, when the jaws 102a-b move into the clamped position, the seal 118 is gradually crushed by the sheath of the main electric cable 52, revealing the teeth 112 which will pierce said sheath.

[0040] Each contact surface 118b partly delimits the channel 104a-b receiving the main electrical cable 52.

[0041] In the embodiment of the invention presented here, there is a tunnel 118a for several teeth 112.

[0042] To increase the creepage distance between the teeth 112 and the threaded rod 106a when the latter is made of electrically conductive materials, the connector 100 comprises at least one barrel 122a-b secured to at least one jaw 102a-b and arranged between the two jaws 102a-b around the threaded rod 106a.

[0043] The or each barrel 122a-b is made of a flexible electrically insulating material, so that when the jaws 102a-b move apart or together, the barrel or barrels 122a-b can adapt in length to the distance between the jaws 102a-b.

[0044] In the embodiment of the invention presented here and more particularly in the Fig. 6 , there is a barrel 122a-b for each jaw 102a-b and each barrel 122a-b is in one piece with the seal 118 associated with said jaw 102a-b.

[0045] To limit the possibility of contact with the teeth 112 when the main electrical cable 52 is in place, and thus increase the creepage distance between the active parts and any other accessible part, it is provided that at each end of each channel 104a-b, the jaw 102a-b considered comprises two arms 130, where each arm 130 has a proximal end 130a secured to the jaw 102a-b and a free distal end 130b.

[0046] The arrangement of the arms 130 is such that in the clamped position, the arms 130 bear against the main electrical cable 52.

[0047] In the embodiment of the invention presented here and more particularly on the Figs. 2 And 5, the two arms 130 associated with the same jaw 102a-b form a Y, where the ends of the upper branches of the Y are the proximal ends 130a fixed to the jaw 102a-b in a diametrically opposite manner relative to the channel 104a-b, while the middle branch of the Y is constituted by the two distal ends 130b arranged parallel to each other.

[0048] The two Ys which are on the same side of the channels 104a-b are arranged head to tail. The main electric cable 52 is thus placed between the upper branches of the Ys and the middle branches of the Y move apart as the jaws 102a-b tighten.

Claims

1. Connector (100) comprising: - two jaws (102a-b), each comprising a channel (104a-b) intended to receive a main electrical cable (52), where the jaws (102a-b) are movable between a spaced position and a clamped position, - clamping means (106) arranged to hold the jaws (102a-b) in the clamped position, - for at least one jaw (102a-b), at least one passage (108) intended for the introduction of a secondary electrical cable (50), - for each jaw (102a-b), a sub-jaw (110) having teeth (112) made of electrically conductive material, arranged at the channel (104a-b) and oriented towards the other sub-jaw (110), and - for each sub-jaw (110), a spring element (114) arranged so as to exert a force against the sub-jaw (110) at a bearing area (116) of the sub-jaw (110), where for each passage (108),said passage (108) opens at the level of the support zone (116) and the spring element (114) so ​​as to allow the insertion of the secondary electric cable (50) between the support zone (116) and the spring element (114)., 2. Connector (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that each sub-jaw (110) is movable in translation between a close position in which the teeth (112) of the two sub-jaws (110) are close to each other and a distant position in which the teeth (112) of the two sub-jaws (110) are distant from each other, and in that the force exerted by the spring element (114) pushes the sub-jaw (110) into the close position.

3. Connector (100) according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the spring element (114) consists of at least one metallic elastic strip (114a).

4. Connector (100) according to claim 3, characterized in thatthe spring element (114) comprises at least one wall (114b) having a housing (114c), in that for each housing (114c), the sub-jaw (110) has a protrusion (110c) housed in said housing (114c) and in that edges of the housing (114c) define the near and far positions of the sub-jaw (110).

5. Connector (100) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that it comprises for each sub-jaw (110), a joint (118) secured to the corresponding jaw (102a-b), having for each tooth (112), a tunnel (118a) through which said tooth (112) passes, in that the seal (118) is made of a flexible material.

6. Connector (100) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the clamping means (106) take the form of a threaded rod (106a) and at least one nut (106b), in that each jaw (102a-b) has a chimney (120) passing through said jaw (102a-b), in thatthe threaded rod (106a) is arranged in the chimneys (120) and in that said at least one nut (106b) is screwed onto the threaded rod (106a) so as to sandwich the two jaws (102a-b).

7. Connector (100) according to claim 6, characterized in that it comprises at least one barrel (122a-b) secured to at least one jaw (102a-b), made of a flexible material and arranged between the two jaws (102a-b) around the threaded rod (106a).

8. Connector (100) according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that at each end of each channel (104a-b), the jaw (102a-b) considered comprises two arms (130), where each arm (130) has a proximal end (130a) secured to the jaw (102a-b) and a free distal end (130b), and in that in the clamped position, the arms (130) are intended to rest against the main electric cable (52).

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