Electrical equipment with automatic connection terminals

Abstract

The invention relates to an electrical apparatus (100) comprising a housing (110) provided with an insertion conduit (111) for an electrical conductor (1), said housing (110) housing: - an automatic connection terminal (120) comprising a spring blade (140) made of a metal strip with a retaining arm (141) and a clamping arm (142) provided with a window (143), the clamping arm being movable between a standby position in which its window is placed at the right of the insertion conduit to open it and a clamping position in which it closes the insertion conduit, - disengageable retaining means (160) for the clamping arm in the standby position, and - actuating means (146) shaped to be operated by the electrical conductor inserted in the insertion conduit to disengage the retaining means and cause the clamping arm to move from its standby position to its clamping position.According to the invention, said actuation means belong to said spring blade and comprise an actuation arm which extends in the continuation of the conduit, its free end being folded to form a paddle (148B) which presents an interaction surface for the support of a stripped end of the electrical conductor introduced into the insertion conduit.

Description

Title of the invention: Electrical apparatus with automatic connection terminals

[0001] The present invention relates generally to the field of electrical equipment with automatic connection terminals.

[0002] The invention relates more particularly to an electrical apparatus comprising a housing provided with a conduit for inserting an electrical conductor, said housing housing - an automatic connection terminal comprising a spring blade consisting of a metal strip with a holding branch positioning the spring blade in the housing and a clamping branch provided with a window, the clamping branch of the spring blade being movable between a waiting position in which its window is placed in line with the insertion conduit to open said insertion conduit and a clamping position in which its window is offset relative to the insertion conduit to close said insertion conduit, - disengageable means of retaining the clamping branch in the waiting position, and - actuating means shaped to be operated by the electrical conductor inserted into the insertion conduit to disengage the retaining means and cause the clamping branch to move from its standby position to its clamping position.

[0003] The invention finds a particularly advantageous application in the production of a junction block comprising in the same housing a plurality of automatic connection terminals associated with a plurality of independent insertion conduits.

[0004] Document FR3135835, belonging to the applicants, already discloses various variants of an electrical apparatus such as the aforementioned, which allows a rapid, reliable and tool-free connection of the electrical conductor. Whatever the variant of the electrical apparatus described in this document, the means for retaining the clamping branch of the spring blade in the waiting position comprise a pusher which, in the depressed position, presses on said clamping branch to place its window opposite the insertion conduit of the housing. Said actuating means comprise an end which cooperates with the pusher to maintain it in this depressed state and an interaction surface intended to receive the support of the free end of the stripped core of the electrical conductor inserted in the insertion conduit.The support of said free end of the stripped core of the electrical conductor on this interaction surface causes a rotation of the end of the actuating means. cooperating with the pusher, to release said pusher which then takes a raised position to allow the spring blade to move from its waiting position to its clamping position.

[0005] This automatic connection terminal is relatively complex and expensive to implement since it requires the precise interaction of a large number of parts to trigger the clamping of the electrical conductor in the terminal (the spring blade, the specific actuating means and the pusher). The actuating means interact with parts of different natures, in particular the metal electrical conductor and the plastic pusher, which makes them difficult to calibrate.

[0006] In order to overcome the drawbacks of the aforementioned known system, the present invention proposes an electrical apparatus in which the automatic connection terminal is simplified.

[0007] More particularly, according to the invention, there is proposed an electrical apparatus as defined in the introduction in which said actuating means belong to said spring blade and comprise an actuating branch which extends from one side of the window of the clamping branch and in the extension of the insertion conduit, the free end of said actuating branch being folded to form a pallet which extends at a distance from said window and opposite it and which has an interaction surface for the support of a stripped end of the electrical conductor introduced into said insertion conduit.

[0008] Other characteristics of the electrical apparatus according to the invention are as follows: - the retaining means comprise: at least one lateral edge of the window of the clamping branch of the spring blade, each lateral edge forming a retaining surface, and a portion of the holding branch or a portion of a conductive strip housed in the housing, said portion being adapted to receive each retaining surface in support when said clamping branch is in the waiting position; - each lateral edge forms a shoulder comprising said retaining surface; - said shoulder is formed by a folding of the lateral edge itself; - said shoulder is formed by the junction of two different widths of said lateral edge; - the retaining means come from formation with the spring blade; - the spring blade is folded so that a free end of the holding branch passes through the window of the clamping branch; - a connection point for the stripped end of the electrical conductor is delimited, on one side, by a contact part of a conductive strip housed in the housing and, on the opposite side, by the actuating branch of the spring blade; - the conductive strip comprises an elongated main body and a side wall rising from the main body, said side wall extending partly in the extension of the insertion conduit, between said insertion conduit and the spring blade, to delimit a cage for guiding the electrical conductor towards the connection location; - the spring blade comprises a contact element projecting into the connection location from the actuating branch; - the conductive strip has a holding part blocking the holding branch of the spring blade against an internal wall of the housing; - the spring blade holding branch has a shaped element cooperating with a complementary shaped element of the conductive bar; - the spring blade comprises a guide branch which extends from said side of the window of the clamping branch in the continuity of said actuating branch, opposite said pallet, and said housing comprises a conduit in which said guide branch is slidably engaged; - a free end of the guide branch of the spring blade is curved to come into contact with a fixed part of the electrical equipment when the clamping branch of said spring blade is in its clamping position; - a pusher movable in translation in the housing between two stable positions, namely a raised position and a lowered position in which it forces the spring blade to place the clamping branch in the waiting position by engaging the retaining means; - the pusher, in its lowered position, is detachably snapped onto an internal fixed part of the housing, the spring blade being in contact with the pusher to exert on it, when the clamping branch is moved from its waiting position to its clamping position, sufficient stress to disengage the snapping of the pusher so as to allow said translation of the pusher to its raised position; - the pusher comprises an extension which is releasably snapped into a recessed relief provided in the housing when the pusher is in its raised position; - the pusher, in its raised position, abuts against an internal wall of the housing and extends into the housing or onto the surface of the housing.

[0009] The description which follows with reference to the appended drawings, given as non-limiting examples, will make it clear what the invention consists of and how it can be implemented.

[0010] In the attached drawings:

[0011] [Fig-1] is a schematic sectional representation of an electrical apparatus according to a first embodiment of the invention;

[0012] [Fig.2] is an exploded schematic representation in side perspective of the connection-disconnection mechanism of [Fig.l];

[0013] [Fig.3] is a partial schematic representation in side perspective of the electrical apparatus of [Fig.l], in which an electrical connector is partially inserted according to a movement represented by the arrow Fl.

[0014] [Fig.4] is a schematic representation identical to that of [Fig.3] showing the electrical connector that interacts with the spring blade actuating branch;

[0015] [Fig.5] is a schematic representation identical to that of [Fig.3] showing the electrical connector connected to the conductive strip;

[0016] [Fig.6] is a partial schematic representation in perspective centered on a connection terminal of the electrical apparatus according to a first variant of the first embodiment of the invention;

[0017] [Fig.7] is a partial schematic perspective representation of the spring blade and a part of the conductive strip of the electrical equipment according to a second variant of the first embodiment of the invention;

[0018] [Fig.8] is a schematic sectional representation of an electrical apparatus according to a second embodiment of the invention;

[0019] [Fig.9] is a schematic representation in lateral perspective of the bar conductive of the electrical equipment of [Fig.8];

[0020] [Fig. 10] is a partial schematic representation in side perspective of the electrical apparatus of [Fig.8] showing the electrical connector which interacts with the actuating branch of the spring blade.

[0021] [Fig. 11] is a schematic representation identical to that of [Fig. 10] showing the electrical connector connected to the conductive strip;

[0022] [Fig. 12] is a partial schematic representation in exploded perspective of the spring blade in the clamping position and of a part of the conductive strip of the electrical apparatus according to a variant of the second embodiment of the invention;

[0023] [Fig. 13] is a partial schematic representation in assembled perspective of the spring blade and the portion of the conductive strip of [Fig. 12] showing the connector in abutment against the guide branch; and

[0024] [Fig. 14] is a schematic representation in side perspective of an electrical apparatus according to a third embodiment of the invention with its housing open laterally and comprising three connection terminals.

[0025] In the following description, by convention, the term "front" will designate the side of the electrical apparatus facing a user when this electrical apparatus is in the use position, while the term "rear" will designate the opposite side of this apparatus. The terms "upper" and "lower" will be used with reference to the vertical direction for the user standing in front of the electrical apparatus in the use position.

[0026] In Figures 1 to 13, a first and a second embodiment are shown. of an electrical apparatus 100 according to the invention. A third embodiment of the electrical apparatus 100 is shown in [Fig. 14]. The first two embodiments differ only in the shape of the conductive strip 150; 250. The other elements are identical, except for the internal shape of the housing 100 which is adapted to the shape of the conductive strip 150; 250. It will be noted that, from one figure to another, the identical or similar elements of the different embodiments of the invention (i.e. all the elements except the conductive strip), will be referenced by the same reference signs and will not be described each time.

[0027] The electrical apparatus 100 shown and described here constitutes a junction block intended to ensure the junction, that is to say the electrical and mechanical connection, between at least two electrical conductors. The junction blocks of the first two embodiments are adapted to ensure the junction between two electrical conductors. In the third embodiment shown in [Fig. 14], the junction block is adapted to ensure the junction between three electrical conductors.

[0028] The electrical apparatus 100 shown in the figures comprises an electrically insulating housing 110 made for example of plastic.

[0029] Whatever the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 14, for the implementation of its junction function, the housing 110 of the electrical apparatus 100 comprises a plurality of independent insertion conduits 111 each allowing the insertion of an electrical conductor 1. The housing 110 houses a plurality of identical automatic connection terminals 120, each connection terminal 120 being respectively associated with one of the insertion conduits 111 (Figures 1, 8 and 14).

[0030] In the first two embodiments, the housing 110 has a symmetrical shape with respect to a median plane ML. It comprises two independent insertion conduits 111 arranged symmetrically with respect to the median plane M1 (FIGS. 1 and 8). In the third embodiment, the housing 110 is asymmetrical because it comprises three insertion conduits 111 ([Fig. 13]).

[0031] According to a variant not shown, the electrical apparatus can also be arranged so as to provide an electrical function different from that of the junction block. Of course, when the electrical apparatus is not a junction block but an electrical apparatus having another function such as a switch or an electrical outlet, the housing can be provided with a single insertion conduit and house a single associated connection system.

[0032] As shown in Figures 1 and 8, the housing 110 of the electrical apparatus 100 of each embodiment has a generally parallelepiped shape with at least one main lateral face 112, a rear face 113, a front face 114 and two opposite transverse faces 115. The housing 110 may comprise two parallel main lateral faces 112. When the housing 110 comprises a single face main side face 112, it is preferably adapted to be placed against another housing so that this other housing closes it (it then plays the role of second main side face). The main side faces of the different housings then extend parallel to each other. Here, as shown in perspective figures 3 to 6, 8 to 11 and 14, the housing 110 comprises a single main side face 112 (which in particular makes it possible to show the interior of the housing 110). Here, the main side face 112 of the housing 110 of the electrical apparatus 100 rises over the entire height of the housing 110.

[0033] The rear face 113 of the housing 110 of the electrical apparatus 100 conventionally comprises a recess 113A (FIGS. 1, 3 and 8) comprising means for mounting the housing 110 on a mounting rail (not shown), intended to press this mounting rail against the bottom of this recess 113A. This arrangement is conventional and will not be described in more detail here.

[0034] The front face 114 of the housing 110 of the electrical apparatus 100 comprises as many access openings 111A as there are insertion conduits 111, each access opening 111A giving access to an insertion conduit 111. The access openings 111A are aligned in a direction parallel to the main lateral face 112 of the housing 110.

[0035] As can be seen in Figures 1, 8 and 13, the housing 110 of the electrical apparatus 100 also has multiple internal partitions which delimit different internal housings of the housing 110. The partitions hold the elements of the connection terminals 120 inside the housing 110 and electrically isolate certain elements from each other.

[0036] In particular, internal partitions of the housing 110 have substantially planar faces which here delimit wells opening onto the access openings 11 IA so as to form the insertion conduits 111. Each electrical conductor 1 can be inserted into the insertion conduit 111 in an insertion direction DI which corresponds to a longitudinal axis of the insertion conduit 111 (FIGS. 1, 5 and 6). Each insertion conduit 111 has a generally rectangular section transversely to the insertion direction DI. Here, the surface of this section decreases regularly along the insertion direction DI from the access opening 11 IA.

[0037] Whatever the embodiment envisaged, each connection terminal 120 comprises a spring blade 140 accessible through said insertion conduit 111 and a conductive strip 150; 250; 250'.

[0038] The conductive strip 150; 250 of the first two embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 to 13 is made of conductive metallic material and it has a contact portion 151; 251 against which the stripped end 1A of the electrical connector 1 is in contact to ensure the connection of the electrical conductor 1 in the electrical apparatus 100 (figures 2, 5, 6, 9 and 11). In order for the electrical apparatus 100 to fulfill its function as a terminal block, the conductive strip 150; 250 connects the connection terminals 120 of the electrical apparatus 100 to each other. It is therefore presented as an element common to the plurality of connection terminals 120 housed in the housing 110. The conductive strip 150; 250 thus forms an electrical connection means entirely contained in the housing 110, which connects the connection terminals 120 to the same electrical potential. This conductive strip 150; 250 is the only connection means which connects the connection terminals 120 of the electrical apparatus 100. The conductive strip is blocked in the housing 110 by internal partitions of the latter.

[0039] In the third embodiment ([Fig. 14]), which is here similar to the second embodiment (references similar to those of the second embodiment are therefore used), the conductive strip 250' is extended on one side (right side in [Fig. 14]) so as to form, with a third spring blade 140, a third connection terminal 120. The third connection terminal 120 is similar to two other connection terminals 120. All the connection terminals 120 are connected to the conductive strip 250'.

[0040] As shown in the figures, the spring blades 140 of the different connection terminals 120 are identical. Only one connection terminal 120 will be described in detail below.

[0041] As shown in [Fig. 2], the spring blade 140 is made up of a folded metal strip which forms a loop. It has a holding branch 141 fixed relative to the housing 110 and a clamping branch 142 movable relative to the housing 110 and provided with a window 143. The spring blade 140 is thus of the “guillotine” type because it is provided with a movable window intended to be crossed by the electrical conductor 1.

[0042] The spring blade 140 is deformable between two positions, i.e. two configurations: - a waiting position in which it releases the insertion conduit 111 to allow the insertion of the electrical conductor 1 into the insertion conduit 111; and - a clamping position in which it closes the insertion conduit 111.

[0043] In the waiting position (figures 1, 3 and 8), the window 143 of the clamping branch 142 is placed at the right of the insertion conduit 111 to open this conduit. The spring blade 140 thus allows the passage of the electrical conductor 1 and its introduction into the connection terminal 120 through the window 143 of the clamping branch 142. In the waiting position, the spring blade 140 is strongly prestressed, the loop that it forms tending to unfold to return to its initial shape.

[0044] In the clamping position, the window 143 of the clamping branch 142 is offset by relative to the insertion conduit 111. The clamping position usually corresponds to a configuration in which the stripped end IA of the electrical conductor 1 passes through the window 143 and is forced against the contact portion 151; 251 of the conductive strip 150; 250 by the spring blade 140 (figures 6 and 11).

[0045] In the clamping position, the spring blade 140 is less constrained than in the waiting position since, as explained below, it is partially unfolded.

[0046] In the clamping position, without an electrical conductor inserted into the insertion conduit 111 (less usual configuration in which the automatic terminal is triggered but without an electrical conductor connected), the spring blade 140 extends across the insertion conduit 111. The spring blade 140 thus closes the insertion conduit 111 and blocks access to the connection terminal 120. This configuration is shown in [Fig. 14].

[0047] The holding branch 141 is folded into a U around a guide 116 of the housing 110 (figures 1, 3, 4, 8 and 10) for its positioning in the housing 110. Here, the term “positioning” means that the holding branch 141 cooperates with internal structural elements of the housing 110 to precisely place the spring blade 140 in the housing 110. The holding branch 141 is a fixed branch of the spring blade 140 which makes it possible to ensure that the latter is held relative to the housing 110. Here, the holding branch 141 is more particularly blocked against the guide 116 by a holding part 152; 252 of the conductive strip 150; 250.

[0048] The holding branch 141 is connected to the clamping branch 142 by a joining section 144 of the spring blade which is curved in an S shape and which successively forms a concave bend 144A and a convex bend 144B. Here, as clearly shown in [Fig. 12], the spring blade 140 is more particularly folded in such a way that the free end 145 of the holding branch 141 passes through the window 143 of the clamping branch 142, which improves the guidance of the clamping branch 142 when it shifts. The free end 145 of the holding branch 141 here has a reduced width in order to pass through the window 143.

[0049] Each automatic connection terminal 120 comprises means 160 for retaining the clamping branch 142 in the waiting position. These retaining means 160 are disengageable. As detailed below, this means that they can be disengaged to allow the spring blade 140, by elastic return, to move from its waiting position to its clamping position.

[0050] In the preferred embodiments of the spring blade 140, illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 5 and 8 to 14, the retaining means 160 are formed with the spring blade 140 in the sense that the retaining means 160 are integrally included in the metal strip constituting the spring blade 140.

[0051] More particularly, the retaining means 160 comprise two edges lateral 143B, 143C parallel to the window 143 of the clamping branch 142, and a portion 161 of the holding branch 141 ([Fig.2]).

[0052] Each lateral edge 143B, 143C forms a retaining surface 162 (Figures 1, 2 and 3). Each lateral edge 143B, 143C more particularly forms a shoulder 148 comprising said retaining surface 162. As shown in Figures 1 to 5 and 8 to 14, each shoulder 148 is formed by a folding of the associated lateral edge 143B, 143C. Each lateral edge 143B, 143C is folded in an S shape. As visible in [Fig.2] (right), two shoulders 148 are provided side by side on the lateral sides of the window 143. This window extends lengthwise on either side of the shoulders 148.

[0053] As clearly shown in [Fig. 2], in the waiting position, said portion 161 of the holding branch 141 is placed in abutment against the retaining surface 162 of each shoulder 148. The retaining means 160 are then in an engaged configuration in which they retain the clamping branch 142 in the waiting position.

[0054] The portion 161 of the holding branch 141 is located adjacent to the free end 145 thereof, in the direction where the free end 145 extends from said portion 161. The width of the free end 145 of the holding branch 141 is less than the width of the portion 161 of the holding branch 141, so that, regardless of the engaged or disengaged configuration of the retaining means 160, said free end 145 is engaged in the window 143 of the clamping branch 142 while the portion 161 of the holding branch 141 projecting laterally on either side of the free end 145 remains placed outside the window 143 along the lateral edges 143B, 143C thereof.

[0055] Advantageously, each automatic connection terminal 120 comprises actuating means 146 shaped to be operated by the electrical conductor 1 inserted into the insertion conduit 111 to disengage the retaining means 160 and cause the clamping branch 142 to move from its waiting position to its clamping position.

[0056] More particularly, as shown in [Fig. 2], the spring blade 140 comprises an actuating branch 146, taking root from a side 143A of the window 143 of the clamping branch 142 which is opposite the junction section 144. The actuating branch 146 extends in the extension of the insertion conduit 111 (figures 2 to 5, 10 and 11). The actuating branch 146 thus extends opposite the access opening 11 1A of said insertion conduit 111.

[0057] As shown in Figures 1, 2 and 8, the actuating branch 146 comprises: - a main portion 146A connected to the clamping branch 142 and extending substantially rectilinearly along the insertion direction DI; and - a 146B palette formed by a folded free end of the branch 146 actuation.

[0058] The main portion 146A of the actuating branch 146 extends transversely, and here more specifically in a substantially perpendicular manner, to a flat portion of the window 143 which is placed in line with the insertion conduit 111 in the waiting position, as shown in [Fig.3].

[0059] As shown in [Fig.2], the pallet 146B is more specifically folded towards the clamping branch 142. The pallet 146B is thus connected to the main portion 146A of the actuating branch 146 by an elbow.

[0060] The pallet 146B extends opposite the window 143. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 8, the pallet 146B therefore faces, through the window 143, the access opening 111A. Here, as shown in [Fig. 2], the pallet 146B extends substantially perpendicular to the main portion 146A of the actuating branch 146.

[0061] As illustrated in Figures 4, 6 and 10, the pallet 146B forms an interaction surface for supporting the stripped end IA of the electrical conductor 1 introduced into the insertion conduit 111.

[0062] The actuating branch 146 and the contact portion 151 of the conductive strip 150 delimit two transverse sides of a connection location 121 of the stripped end IA of the electrical conductor 1 (Figures 1 and 8). This connection location 121 corresponds to an internal volume of the housing 110 intended to receive the stripped end IA of the metal core of the electrical conductor 1 to connect it to the connection terminal 120. The pallet 146B delimits a bottom side of the connection location 121. On the other hand, the clamping branch 142 delimits an upper side of the connection location 121. As shown in [Fig. 3], in the waiting position, the window 143 of the clamping branch 142 forms a passage from the insertion conduit 111 to the connection location 121.Laterally, the connection location 121 is delimited by the main lateral face 112 of the housing 110, and possibly by another adjoining housing (or by the two main lateral faces 112 when the housing 110 comprises two).

[0063] As will be explained in more detail later, pressing the stripped end 1A of the electrical conductor 1 on the blade 146B of the actuating branch 146 makes it possible to pull the clamping branch 142 of the spring blade 140 towards the bottom of the housing 110 (i.e. opposite the insertion conduit). By pulling on the clamping branch 142, the disengagement of the retaining means 160 is caused in the sense that the retaining surfaces 162 of the shoulders 148 of the lateral edges 143B, 143C of the clamping branch 142 are moved away from their support against the corresponding portion 161 of the holding branch 141.

[0064] As shown in [Fig.2], the spring blade 140 advantageously comprises a contact element 149 projecting from one of the actuating branch 146 facing the pallet 146B. The contact element 149 projects into the connection location 121. As shown in the figures, the contact element 149 is here formed by cutting and folding a central U-shaped portion of the actuating branch 146. The contact element 149 thus has an edge, substantially orthogonal to the insertion direction D1, which bears against the stripped end IA of the electrical conductor 1 in the clamping position (figures 5 and 11). The contact element 149 thus improves the retention of the stripped end IA of the electrical conductor 1 in the connection location 121 in the clamping position. Alternatively, the contact element could be a part added to the actuating branch.

[0065] The spring blade 140 also comprises a guide branch 147 also taking root from said side 143A of the window 143 of the clamping branch 142 opposite the junction section 144. The guide branch 147 extends in the continuity of the actuating branch 146 opposite the pallet 146B. As shown in FIGS. 4, 5 and 8, the housing 110 comprises a guide duct 147A in which the guide branch 147 is slidably engaged. The guide duct 147A extends along the insertion duct 111 and is separated from the latter by an internal partition of the housing 110.

[0066] The engagement of the guide branch 147 in the guide duct 147A of the housing 110 makes it possible to improve the positioning of the actuating branch 146 of the spring blade 140 relative to the insertion duct 111 during the tightening and loosening of the tightening branch 142 of the spring blade 140.

[0067] In the first embodiment of the invention, shown in Figures 1 to 7, the conductive strip 150 has the shape of a flattened rod curved at its ends.

[0068] As [Fig.2] clearly shows, it has more particularly a straight central part 153, which extends between the two connection terminals 120 ([Fig.l]), and, at each end of the central part 153, a folded part 154 in the shape of a V. The central part 153 can be electrically connected to the electrical network.

[0069] As shown in Figures 2, 5 and 6, each folded part 154 comprises an end portion 155 which has: - on its side facing the actuating branch 146, the contact part 151 of the conductive strip 150 intended to be in contact with the stripped end IA of the electrical conductor 1 engaged in the corresponding insertion conduit 111 of the housing 110, and, - on its side facing the holding branch 141, the holding part 152 of the conductive strip 150 blocking against the guide 116 of the housing 110 the holding branch 141 of the spring blade 140 of the corresponding connection terminal 120 housed in the housing 110 (the holding part 152 always being at a distance from the guide 116).

[0070] The terminal portion 155 of each folded part 154 passes through the window 143 of the clamping branch 142 of the associated spring blade 140 (Figures 5 and 6). As shown in Figures 1 and 4, a free end 156 of the terminal portion 155 is itself curved so as to pass through a window 141B (visible in [Fig. 2]) of the holding branch 141 of the spring blade 140.

[0071] In the second embodiment of the invention, shown in Figures 8 to 13, the conductive strip 250 has an elongated main body 253 and side walls 254, 255 rising from the main body 253. The side walls 253, 254 are for example obtained by folding.

[0072] The main body 253 has a flattened rod shape having several successive flat sections. More specifically, it has a central section 253A which, at each of its ends, is connected to a transverse section 253B inclined relative to the central section 253A. Each transverse section 253B is itself connected to an end section 253C parallel to the central section 253A.

[0073] As shown in [Fig.9], a first side wall 254 rises from each transverse section 253B of the main body 253. The first side wall 254 comprises a base 254A, connected to the transverse section 253B, which here rises parallel to the main lateral face 112 of the housing 110, and a cross-end 254B folded at 90 degrees relative to the base 254A. The transverse end 254B of each first side wall 254 here forms the contact portion 251 of the conductive strip 250 intended to be in contact with the stripped end 1A of the electrical conductor 1 engaged in the corresponding insertion conduit 111 of the housing 110.

[0074] In the example shown in Figures 10 to 11, a termination 254C of the cross-member end 254B of the first side wall 254 is curved away from the actuating branch 146 to facilitate the insertion of the stripped end 1A of the electrical conductor 1 into the connection location 121.

[0075] In the example shown in Figures 12 and 13, the transverse end 254B of the first side wall 254 comprises a shaped element 254D cooperating with a complementary shaped element 141C of the holding branch 141 to improve the positioning and holding of the latter. In this case, as shown in [Fig. 12], the shaped element 254D of the transverse end 254B of the first side wall 254 is a stud and the shaped element 141C of the holding branch 146 is a hollow provided in the free end 145 of the holding branch 141.

[0076] As shown in [Fig.9], a second wall 255 rises from each end section 253C of the main body 253. The second wall 255 includes a base 255A, connected to the end section 253C, which here rises parallel to the main side face 212 of the housing 210, and a cross-end 255B bent at 90 degrees by relative to the base 255A. The transverse end 255B of the second wall 255 here forms the holding part 252 of the conductive strip 250 blocking against the guide 116 of the housing 110 the holding branch 141 of the spring blade 140 of the corresponding connection terminal 120 housed in the housing 110.

[0077] As shown in Figures 10 and 11, the second side wall 255, and in particular its cross-end 255B, extends partly in the extension of the insertion conduit 111, between said insertion conduit 111 and the clamping branch 142 of the spring blade 140, to delimit a guide cage for the electrical conductor 1 towards the connection location 121. The cross-end 255B of the second side wall 255 forms one side of this insertion cage while a part of the base 255A of the second side wall 255 adjacent to said cross-end 255B forms another side of this insertion cage. As shown in [Fig. 10], the guide branch 147 forms a third side of this insertion cage.

[0078] In the example shown in Figures 10 and 11, a termination 255C of the cross-member end 255B of the second side wall 255 is curved so as to pass through the window 14IB of the holding branch 141 of the spring blade 140.

[0079] In the third embodiment of the invention shown in [Fig. 14], the conductive strip 250' is similar to that of the second embodiment which has just been described. This conductive strip 250' is simply extended on its right side to form, with a third spring blade 140, a third connection terminal 120.

[0080] In this configuration, the second side wall 255 of said extended side advantageously has a T shape, one branch of which comprises the holding part 252 blocking one of the spring blades 140 and the opposite branch of which comprises the contact part 251 for the third connection terminal 120. The terminal portion 253C of the conductive strip 250 is extended on said extended side and a third side wall 256, comprising in particular the holding part 252 blocking the third spring blade 140, rises from the extension of the terminal portion 253C.

[0081] Whatever the embodiment envisaged, the electrical apparatus 100 comprises a push button 130 per connection terminal 120, that is to say here two or three push buttons 130. As shown in the figures, each of the push buttons 130 is associated with one of the connection terminals 120. The push buttons 130 are all identical, only one is described in detail below.

[0082] The pusher 130 is movable in translation in the housing 110 between two stable positions. More precisely, the pusher 130 is movable in translation along a direction of movement PI which is substantially parallel to the direction of insertion DI of the electrical conductor 1 (FIGS. 1, 3 and 8).

[0083] The pusher 130 has the function of resetting the spring blade 140 of the terminal of connection 120, that is to say to control the passage of the spring blade 140 from the clamping position to the waiting position. The pusher 130 thus makes it possible to engage the retaining means 160. It can be actuated by the operator, either manually or using a tool, as will be described in more detail later.

[0084] A first stable position of the pusher 130 is thus a raised position (figures 5 and 11) corresponding to the clamping position of the spring blade 140. A second stable position of the pusher 130 is a lowered position (figures 1, 3, 4, 8 and 10) in which it forces the spring blade 140 to place the clamping branch 142 in the waiting position to open the insertion conduit 111.

[0085] As shown in [Fig.2], the pusher 130 is in the form of a pin, provided with an actuating head 131, a body 132 and an extension 133. The pusher 130 is a single-piece part made of rigid plastic material. It is for example molded. It can also be obtained by any technique known to those skilled in the art.

[0086] The pusher 130 is delimited by two parallel lateral faces 130A extending parallel to the main lateral face 112 of the housing 110 (Figures 1, 2 and 8). These two lateral faces 130A are connected to a front end of the pin by a front face 130B and by two opposite transverse faces 130C, 130D ([Fig.2]).

[0087] A first of the transverse faces 130C is turned away from the spring blade 140 and has a flat part, while the second transverse face 130D turned towards the spring blade 140, has a more complex shape which will be described in detail later.

[0088] The pusher 130 is housed in a receiving duct 117 partially delimited by partitions of the housing 110 (FIGS. 3 to 5 and 8). This receiving duct 117 is arranged close to the insertion duct 111. Here, it extends generally parallel to the insertion duct 111 associated with the connection terminal 120.

[0089] This receiving conduit 117 opens onto an opening 117A of the front face 114 of the housing 110 (FIGS. 5 and 8). The pusher 130 extends along a longitudinal axis which corresponds to the direction of movement PI of the pusher 130.

[0090] As shown in [Fig.4], the receiving duct 117 of the pusher 130 comprises a generally planar internal face 117C which extends parallel to the direction of movement PI of the pusher 130. This internal face 117C receives at least in part the first transverse face 130C of the pusher 130 facing away from the spring blade 140. When the pusher 130 is moved in its receiving duct 117, the planar part of this first transverse face 130C slides on this internal face 117C of the receiving duct 117.

[0091] The actuating head 131 of the pusher 130 has a shape adapted to close the opening 117A of the front face 114 of the housing 110, as shown in the [Fig.5]. Here, this opening 117A is square or rectangular in shape and the actuating head 131 of the pusher 130 is substantially cubic or parallelepipedal ([Fig.2]).

[0092] The second transverse face 130D of the pusher 130 facing the spring blade 140 forms, along the body 132 of the pusher 130, a cooperation surface adapted to push the spring blade 140 to force the latter into its waiting position.

[0093] The pusher 130 further comprises stop elements 136 limiting the movement of the pusher 130 towards the outside of the receiving duct 117 when the latter is in the raised position ([Fig.5]). These stop elements 136, clearly visible in [Fig.2], are in the form of sidewalks forming faces transverse to the direction of movement PL. These sidewalks are formed by a sudden change in the width of the body 132 and the extension 133 of the pusher 130 (width measured between the lateral faces 130A). These sidewalks 136 come into abutment against a stop partition of the housing 110 when the pusher 130 is moved towards its raised position. In its raised position, the pusher 130 is retained in the housing 110 by these sidewalks 136.

[0094] In its raised position, the pusher 130 extends into the housing 110 or onto the surface of the housing 110. This means that the front face 130B of the actuating head 131 extends away from the front face 114 of the housing 110 (as shown in [Fig.5]) or is flush with the front face 114 of the housing 110.

[0095] As shown in [Fig.2], the surface of cooperation of the pusher 130 with the spring blade 140 is curved. It has a convex curvature 130E near the actuating head 131 of the pusher 130.

[0096] The second transverse face 130D of the pusher 130 facing the spring blade 140 and which forms the cooperation surface of the pusher 130 is in contact with the junction section 144 of the spring blade 140. The contact is made more particularly between the convex curvature 130E of the pusher 130 and the convex elbow 144B of the spring blade 140 (figures 1, 3 and 11).

[0097] The extension 133 of the pusher 130 extends here from the body 132, on the side of the first lateral face 130C of the pusher 130. The extension 133 forms a branch in elastic return relative to the body 132.

[0098] The extension 133 ends, opposite the actuating head 131, with a bulge 134 of semi-cylindrical shape.

[0099] This bulge 134 cooperates by snap-fastening on an internal edge 118 of the housing 110 (figures 3 and 8). This snap-fastening is disengaged by the spring blade 140 when it passes from its waiting position to its clamping position. It is provided that, when it passes from its waiting position to its clamping position, the spring blade 140 exerts sufficient stress on the pusher 130 to fold the extension 133 towards the body 132 and thus allow the translation of the pusher 130 towards its raised position. When the pusher 130, the bulge 134 slides against the internal edge 118 of the housing 110.

[0100] This bulge 134 also cooperates by snap-fastening with a hollow 119 provided in an internal partition of the housing 110 (figures 3, 5 and 8). The hollow 119 is located between the internal edge 118 and the opening 117A of the receiving conduit 117. The hollow 119, also of semi-cylindrical shape, is intended to receive the bulge 134 of the extension 133 when the pusher 130 is in its raised position. This snap-fastening is disengaged when the pusher 130 passes from its raised position to its lowered position.

[0101] Now, we will describe the operation of the electrical apparatus 100 according to the invention.

[0102] For the first use of the electrical apparatus 100, the spring blade 140 is armed. A first step may consist of arming the spring blade 140, that is to say placing it in its waiting position, as shown in FIGS. 1, 3, 4, 8 and 10.

[0103] For this, the pusher 130 must be pressed, for example manually by an operator, preferably using a tool, by pressing on the actuating head 131 of the pusher 130. To facilitate the use of a tool, the front face 130B of the actuating head 131 of the pusher 130 has slots 137 (figures 2 and 5) allowing the insertion of the end of the tool, for example a screwdriver.

[0104] By sliding along the direction of movement PI, the pusher 130 progressively pushes the convex elbow 144B of the spring blade 140, in a direction substantially orthogonal to the direction of movement PI of the pusher 130, towards the associated insertion conduit 111.

[0105] The spring blade 140 is thus in its waiting configuration when the pusher is pressed into its receiving duct 117. The clamping branch 142 is moved towards the insertion duct 111. The window 143 of the clamping branch 142 is offset and is placed in line with the insertion duct 111, at its exit (opposite its access opening), so as to free access to the connection terminal 120. The retaining means 160 are positioned in the engaged configuration.

[0106] Each connection terminal 120 of the electrical apparatus 100 is thus armed and ready to receive an electrical conductor 1 for its connection.

[0107] Preferably, each connection terminal 120 of the electrical apparatus 100 is factory-armed in order to be delivered ready for use by the operator.

[0108] The implementation of the electrical apparatus 100 then consists of introducing the electrical conductor 1 into the insertion conduit 111 of the housing 110 of the electrical apparatus 100 ([Fig.3]). This is an electrical conductor of the flexible cable type with a non-crimped stripped end (the core of the cable then being visible). Other types of electrical conductors can however be used.

[0109] The end of the electrical conductor 1 passes through the access opening 11 IA, into the insertion conduit 111 ([Fig.3]) then through the window 143 of the branch of tightening 142 of the spring blade 140.

[0110] In the first embodiment, as shown in [Fig.4], the end of the electrical conductor 1 is introduced between the side 143A of the window 143 which is opposite the junction section 144 of the spring blade 140 and the terminal portion 155 of the conductive strip 150 (which also passes through the window of the clamping branch).

[0111] In the second embodiment, as shown in [Fig.l 1], the end of the electrical conductor 1 is introduced between the side 143A of the window 143 which is opposite the junction section 144 of the spring blade 140 and the transverse end 255B of the second side wall 255.

[0112] Whatever the embodiment, by pushing the electrical conductor 1 into the insertion conduit 111 of the housing 110, the stripped end IA of the electrical conductor 1 is brought into contact with the blade 146B of the actuating branch 146 of the spring blade 140. The stripped end IA of the electrical conductor 1 presses on the blade 146B (situation shown in FIGS. 4 and 10). The blade 146B is then translated substantially along the insertion direction DI by the electrical connector 1 and drives the actuating branch 146 in translation.

[0113] This translational movement of the actuating branch 146 pulls the clamping branch 142 towards the bottom of the housing 110 and causes the disengagement of the retaining means 160, as well as, concomitantly, the passage of the clamping branch 142 from its waiting position to its clamping position. The actuating branch 146 thus forms means for actuating the spring blade 140.

[0114] When the retaining means 160 are disengaged, the retaining surfaces 162 of the shoulders 148 of the clamping branch 142 are offset towards the bottom of the connection location 121. They then slide along the surface against which they are resting, namely the portion 161 of the holding branch 141 (Figures 5 and 10) or the portion 151 of the conductive strip 150 ([Fig.6]) until they pass under said surface.

[0115] In doing so, the clamping branch 142, and therefore the actuating branch 146, of the spring blade 140 move transversely to the insertion direction DI. The actuating branch 146 clamps the stripped end IA of the electrical conductor 1 inserted into the insertion conduit 111 against the conductive strip 150; 250 (Figures 5 and 11).

[0116] This movement of the spring blade 140 results in an audible signal of the “click” type which indicates to the operator that the connection has been made.

[0117] In the electrical apparatus 100 according to the invention, the electrical connection is established only when the electrical conductor 1 is completely inserted into the insertion conduit 111 and presses on the pallet 146B of the actuating branch 146 of the spring blade 140.

[0118] As a result, the electrical connection is reliable and secure. The connection terminal 120 is therefore “automatic”, or “self-triggering”, since it is the introduction of the electrical conductor itself which establishes the electrical connection.

[0119] In parallel, the pusher 130 rises from its lowered position to its raised position under the pressure of the spring blade 140 which tends to return to its initial shape. The cooperation surface of the pusher 130 is thus adapted to cooperate with the convex elbow 144B of the spring blade 140 so as to move the pusher 130 forward.

[0120] To disconnect an electrical conductor 1 from the connection terminal 120, it is sufficient to push the pusher 130, manually or using a tool, to move the spring blade 140 into its waiting configuration, at least temporarily. It is not necessary to push the pusher 130 completely until the retaining means 160 are engaged. It is only necessary to shift the actuating branch 146 sufficiently from the contact portion 151 of the conductive strip 150 to be able to remove the electrical conductor 1.

[0121] It is also possible to fully depress the pusher 130 to move it into its lowered position. It then engages the retaining means 160 so that the clamping branch 142 of the spring blade 140 remains locked in its waiting position. The operator then has both hands free to act on the electrical conductor 1 and remove it. The connection terminal 120 is armed and ready to receive a new electrical conductor.

[0122] In the embodiment of [Fig. 13], the connection terminal 120 is adapted to allow the electrical connector 1 to be forcibly inserted even when the clamping branch 142 is already in the clamping position. For this, the guide branch 147 of the spring blade 140 is curved, opposite the holding branch 141, so as, in the clamping position, to come to bear against a fixed part of the electrical equipment 100. Here, said fixed part is formed by a fold of a support end 255D of the second wall 255. The support end 255D is folded at 90 degrees relative to the base 255A of the second side wall 255 and thus extends parallel to the crosspiece end 255B. Alternatively, said fixed part could be an internal wall or partition of the housing.

[0123] This support of the guide branch 147 prevents, during the forceful insertion of the electrical connector 1 into the insertion conduit 117 and through the window 143, the shifting towards the bottom of the housing 110 of the actuating branch 146. Thus, the end of the electrical connector 1 slides against the main portion 146A of the actuating branch 146 and shifts the latter transversely relative to the insertion direction DI opposite the conductive strip 250. The end of the electrical connector 1 is then forcefully inserted into the connection location 121. The end of the electrical connector 1 must be sufficiently rigid to carry out this operation; it can, for example, be crimped.

[0124] The invention is not limited to the embodiments described above. In particular, any variant in accordance with the appended claims could be provided.

[0125] In a first variant embodiment of the spring blade 140, illustrated in FIGS. 6 to 7, the retaining means 160 comprise the two lateral edges 143C of the window 143 as well as a portion 150A of the conductive strip 150.

[0126] The portion 150A of the conductive strip 150 plays the same role as said portion 161 of the holding branch 141 of the spring blade according to the first and second embodiments of the invention shown in FIGS. 1 to 5 and 8 to 14, which means that it is adapted to receive each retaining surface 162 in support ([Fig.7]).

[0127] In this variant also, each lateral edge 143C of the window 143 of the clamping branch 142 forms a shoulder 148 comprising the retaining surface 162 of this lateral edge 143C.

[0128] In the example of [Fig.7], each shoulder 148 is also formed by a folding of the associated lateral edge 143C. The portion 150A of the conductive strip 150 comprises two lateral wings 150B against which the retaining surfaces 162 bear when the spring blade 140 is in the waiting position.

[0129] In the example of [Fig.6], each shoulder 148 is formed by the junction of two different widths of the lateral edge 143C. Each shoulder 148 thus projects in the plane of the window 143 (which here extends in a single plane, unlike the previous examples) towards the opposite shoulder 148. Each shoulder 148 has the overall shape of a tapered right triangle whose base constitutes the retaining surface 162. This tapered shape, with the width of the lateral edge 143C decreasing linearly towards the actuating branch 146, ensures a sufficient opening for the passage of the electrical conductor 1 through the window 143.

[0130] In this example, the conductive strip 150 comprises two lateral recesses 150C located under its portion 150A adapted to receive the retaining surfaces 162 in support. Each of these lateral recesses 150C allows the passage of one of the shoulders 148 when the clamping branch 142 passes from its waiting position to its clamping position.

Claims

Claims

1. Electrical apparatus (100) comprising a housing (110) provided with an insertion conduit (111) for an electrical conductor (1), said housing (110) housing: - an automatic connection terminal (120) comprising a spring blade (140) consisting of a metal strip with a holding branch (141) positioning the spring blade (140) in the housing (110) and a clamping branch (142) provided with a window (143), the clamping branch (142) of the spring blade (140) being movable between a waiting position in which its window (143) is placed in line with the insertion duct (111) to open said insertion duct (111) and a clamping position in which its window (143) is offset relative to the insertion duct (111) to close said insertion duct (111), - disengageable means (160) for retaining the clamping branch (142) in the waiting position, and - actuating means (146) shaped to be operated by the electrical conductor (1) inserted into the insertion conduit (111) to disengage the retaining means (160) and cause the clamping branch (142) to move from its waiting position to its clamping position, characterized in that said actuating means (146) belong to said spring blade (140) and comprise an actuating branch (146) which extends from one side of the window (143) of the clamping branch (142) and in the extension of the insertion conduit (111), the free end of said actuating branch (146) being folded to form a pallet (146B) which extends at a distance from said window (143) and opposite it and which has an interaction surface for the support of a stripped end (IA) of the electrical conductor (1) introduced into said insertion conduit (111).

2. Electrical apparatus (100) according to claim 1, wherein the retaining means (160) comprises: - at least one lateral edge (143B, 143C) of the window (143) of the clamping branch (142) of the spring blade (140), each lateral edge (143B, 143C) forming a retaining surface (162), and - a portion (161) of the holding branch (141) or a portion (150A) of a conductive strip (150) housed in the housing (110), said portion (161, 150A) being adapted to receive in support each retaining surface (162) when said clamping branch (142) is in the waiting position.

3. Electrical apparatus (100) according to claim 2, wherein each side edge (143B, 143C) forms a shoulder (148) comprising said retaining surface (162).

4. Electrical apparatus (100) according to the preceding claim, wherein said shoulder (148) is formed by a folding of the lateral edge (143B, 143C) itself.

5. Electrical apparatus (100) according to claim 3, wherein said shoulder (148) is formed by the junction of two different widths of said lateral edge (143B, 143C).

6. Electrical apparatus (100) according to one of claims 1 to 5, in which the retaining means (160) are formed with the spring blade (140).

7. Electrical apparatus (100) according to one of claims 1 to 6, in which the spring blade (140) is folded so that a free end (145) of the holding branch (141) passes through the window (143) of the clamping branch (142).

8. Electrical apparatus (100) according to one of claims 1 to 7, in which a connection location (121) of the stripped end (IA) of the electrical conductor (1) is delimited, on one side, by a contact portion (151; 251) of a conductive strip (150; 250; 250') housed in the housing (110) and, on the opposite side, by the actuating branch (146) of the spring blade (140).

9. Electrical apparatus (100) according to claim 8, wherein the conductive strip (250; 250') comprises an elongate main body (253) and a side wall (255) rising from the main body (253), said side wall (255) extending partly in the extension of the insertion conduit (111), between said insertion conduit (111) and the spring blade (140), to delimit a cage for guiding the electrical conductor (1) towards the connection location (121).

10. Electrical apparatus (100) according to one of claims 8 and 9, wherein the spring blade (140) comprises a contact element (149) projecting into the connection location (121) from the actuating branch (146).

11. Electrical apparatus (100) according to one of claims 8 to 10, in which the conductive strip (150; 250; 250') has a holding portion (152; 252) blocking the holding branch (141) of the spring blade (140) against an internal wall of the housing (110).

12. Electrical apparatus (100) according to one of claims 8 to 11, in which the holding branch (141) of the spring blade (140) has a shaped element (254D) cooperating with a complementary shaped element (141C) of the conductive strip (250).

13. Electrical apparatus (100) according to one of claims 1 to 12, in which the spring blade (140) comprises a guide branch (147) which extends from said side of the window (143) of the clamping branch (142) in the continuity of said actuating branch (146), opposite said pallet (146B), and in which said housing (110) comprises a conduit (147A) in which said guide branch (147) is slidably engaged.

14. Electrical apparatus (100) according to claim 13, in which a free end of the guide branch (147) of the spring blade (140) is curved to come into contact with a fixed part of the electrical apparatus (100) when the clamping branch (142) of said spring blade (140) is in its clamping position.

15. Electrical apparatus (100) according to one of claims 1 to 14, comprising a pusher (130) movable in translation in the housing (110) between two stable positions, namely a raised position and a lowered position in which it forces the spring blade (140) to place the clamping branch (142) in the waiting position by engaging the retaining means (160).

16. Electrical apparatus (100) according to claim 15, in which the pusher (130), in its lowered position, is releasably snapped onto an internal fixed part (118) of the housing (110), the spring blade (140) being in contact with the pusher (130) to exert on it, during the movement of the clamping branch (142) from its waiting position to its clamping position, sufficient stress to disengage the snapping of the pusher (130) so as to allow said translation of the pusher (130) to its raised position.

17. Electrical apparatus (100) according to one of claims 15 and 16, in which the pusher (130) comprises an extension (133) releasably snapped into a recessed relief (119) provided in the housing (110) when the pusher (130) is in its raised position.

18. Electrical apparatus (100) according to one of claims 15 to 17, in which the pusher (130), in its raised position, abuts against an internal wall of the housing (110) and extends into the housing (110). or on the surface of the housing (110).