Electrical equipment with automatic connection terminals

Abstract

The invention relates to an electrical apparatus (1) comprising a housing (100) provided with an insertion conduit (110) for an electrical conductor (2), said housing containing: - a spring blade (220) made of a metal strip with a retaining arm (221) positioning the spring blade in the housing and a clamping arm (222) movable between a standby position in which it leaves the insertion conduit open and a clamping position in which it closes said insertion conduit, the retaining arm having means (230) for retaining the clamping arm in the standby position, and actuating means (240) 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,and - a pusher (300) movable between a raised position in which it leaves the clamping arm free and a lowered position in which it constrains the spring blade to place the clamping arm in the standby position by engaging the retaining means. According to the invention, the pusher is rotatable about a fixed axis (A) of the housing. Figure for the abstract: Fig. 1,

Description

Title of the invention: Electrical equipment with automatic connection terminal

[0001] The present invention relates, in general, 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 the insertion of an electrical conductor, said housing containing: - a spring blade consisting of a metal strip with a retaining arm positioning the spring blade in the housing and a clamping arm movable between a standby position in which it leaves the insertion channel open and a clamping position in which it closes said insertion channel, the retaining arm comprising means for retaining the clamping arm in the standby position, and actuating means shaped to be operated by the electrical conductor inserted in the insertion channel in order to disengage the retaining means and cause the clamping arm to move from its standby position to its clamping position, and - a movable pusher between a raised position in which it leaves the clamping arm free and a lowered position in which it constrains the spring blade to place the clamping arm in the waiting position by engaging the retaining means.

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

[0004] We already know of documents DE102022103242 and DE102020117856, a Electrical equipment such as the one described above, which allows for automatic tripping by insertion of the electrical conductor. In this electrical equipment, the push button is movable in translation, along a direction parallel to the direction of insertion of the electrical conductor, between its raised position and its lowered position.

[0005] According to this arrangement, the force exerted by the pusher on the clamping arm to engage the retaining means (so that they hold the clamping arm in the standby position) corresponds, within friction, to the force exerted by a user on the pusher. In other words, the pusher simply transmits the user's force directly. Furthermore, the pusher stroke required to move the clamping arm until the retaining means are engaged is relatively long since the pusher slides extensively on the clamping arm.

[0006] Compared to the aforementioned prior art, the present invention proposes an electrical apparatus in which the movement of the pusher is improved without, however, complicating the electrical apparatus, in particular without increasing the number of its elements.

[0007] More particularly, according to the invention, an electrical apparatus as defined in the introduction is proposed in which the push button is mobile in rotation around a fixed axis of the housing.

[0008] Thanks to the rotating mounting of the pusher in the electrical equipment according to the invention, by lever effect, the force exerted by the user on the pusher is amplified and, consequently, the force required to maneuver the pusher between its raised and lowered positions is reduced.

[0009] Furthermore, this rotational movement is effective in folding down the clamping arm until the retaining means are engaged. Indeed, the force exerted by the pusher is made more perpendicular to the clamping arm, which limits its slippage on the arm and reduces the pusher stroke required to engage the retaining means. Thus, the internal space in the housing dedicated to the pusher's movement is reduced, allowing for a compact housing design.

[0010] Other characteristics of the electrical equipment according to the invention are as follows: - the retaining arm and the clamping arm of the spring blade are both positioned in a location in the housing situated between the insertion channel and the fixed axis of the housing; - the pusher comprises a first arm mounted on the fixed axis of the housing and a second arm shaped to constrain the clamping arm of the spring blade when the pusher moves from its raised position to its lowered position; - the spring blade has an elbow connecting the retaining arm and the clamping arm, said elbow being accommodated in a housing of the pusher formed between the first arm and the second arm of the pusher; - the pusher includes a side wall extending from the first arm to the second arm of the pusher and partially closing the housing that accommodates the bend of the spring blade; - the first branch of the pusher includes a face extending along a portion of cylindrical surface which is in sliding contact with an internal face of the housing of corresponding shape; - the force exerted by the clamping arm on the pusher, when said clamping arm is released from the retaining means, is sufficient on its own to move the pusher from its lowered position to its raised position; - the pusher includes an indexing boss which is locked in a disengageable manner on a fixed stop surface of the housing, the force exerted by the clamping arm on the pusher, when said clamping arm is released from the retaining means, being sufficient to disengage the locking of said indexing boss and allow the pusher to rotate towards its raised position; - the indexing boss is locked in a disengageable manner on another fixed stop surface of the housing when the pusher is in its raised position; - the push button has, opposite the fixed axis of the housing, an actuation head accessible to a user; - the housing includes stopping surfaces limiting the rotation of the pusher beyond its raised and lowered positions; - the pusher includes a bearing mounted on a fixed trunnion of the housing.

[0011] The following description with regard to the attached drawings, given by way of non-limiting examples, will make it clear what the invention consists of and how it can be carried out.

[0012] On the attached drawings:

[0013] [Fig-1] is a cross-sectional view of an electrical apparatus according to the invention forming a junction block comprising in the same housing two connection terminals, the left terminal being in standby position and the right terminal in clamping position;

[0014] [Fig.2] is a front perspective view of one of the pushbuttons of the electrical equipment of [Fig.1];

[0015] [Fig.3] is a rear perspective view of the pusher of [Fig.2];

[0016] [Fig.4] is a front perspective view of one of the spring blades of the apparatus electric of the [Fig.l] in which the spring blade is in standby position;

[0017] [Fig.5] is a front perspective view of the leaf spring of [Fig.5] in which the leaf spring is in the clamping position;

[0018] [Fig.6] is a front perspective view of the conductive strip of the electrical equipment of [Fig.1];

[0019] [Fig.7] is a side view of the electrical equipment of [Fig.1]; and

[0020] [Fig.8] is a partial side view of the electrical equipment of [Fig.1], centered on one of the connection terminals, in which the push button is in the raised position.

[0021] In the following description, by convention, the term "front" shall refer to the side of the electrical equipment facing a user when the electrical equipment is in the operating position, while the term "rear" shall refer to the opposite side of the equipment. The terms "upper" and "lower" shall be used with reference to the vertical direction for the user standing in front of the electrical equipment in the operating position.

[0022] Figure 1 shows an electrical device 1 according to the invention. The electrical device 1 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.

[0023] The electrical equipment 1 shown in the figures comprises an electrically insulating housing 100, made for example of plastic material.

[0024] For the implementation of its junction function, the housing 100 of the electrical equipment 1 includes a plurality of independent insertion conduits 110, each allowing the insertion of an electrical conductor 2. The housing 100 accommodates a plurality of identical automatic connection terminals 200, each connection terminal 200 being respectively associated with one of the insertion conduits 110 (Figures 1 and 7).

[0025] As shown in Figures 1 and 7, the housing 100 has a generally symmetrical shape with respect to a median plane M. It has two independent insertion conduits 110, arranged symmetrically with respect to the median plane M, which allows the electrical equipment 1 to ensure the connection between two electrical conductors.

[0026] According to an unrepresented variant, the electrical equipment may not be symmetrical and, for example, may have two insertion conduits on one side of the median plane and only one insertion conduit on the other side of the median plane, thus forming equipment known as "two inputs and one output".

[0027] According to an alternative embodiment not shown, the electrical equipment can also be arranged to perform a different electrical function than that of the junction block. Of course, when the electrical equipment is not a junction block but electrical equipment with another function, such as a switch or a socket outlet, the housing can be provided with a single insertion conduit and accommodate a single associated connection system.

[0028] As shown in Figures 1 and 7, the housing 100 of the electrical switchgear 1 has a generally parallelepiped shape with a main side face 101, a rear face 102, a front face 103, and two opposing transverse faces 104. Here, the main side face 101 of the housing 100 of the electrical switchgear 1 extends over the entire height of the housing 100. The housing 100 is preferably adapted to be attached to another housing of the same type (not shown) so that the main side face of this other housing closes off said housing 100 opposite the main side face 101. The main side faces of the different housings then extend parallel to each other. Alternatively, the housing may comprise two parallel main side faces.

[0029] The rear face 102 of the housing 100 of the electrical equipment 1 conventionally includes a recess 102A (Figures 1 and 7) comprising mounting means of the housing 100 on a mounting rail (not shown), intended to secure this mounting rail to the bottom of this recess 102A. This arrangement is classic and will not be described in more detail here.

[0030] The front face 103 of the housing 100 has as many access openings 111 as there are insertion conduits 110, each access opening 111 giving access to an insertion conduit 110. The access openings 111 are aligned in a direction parallel to the main side face 101 of the housing 100.

[0031] As can be seen in [Fig.1], the housing 100 also internally comprises multiple partitions or walls which delimit different internal compartments of the housing 100. These partitions and walls hold the elements of the connection terminals 200 inside the housing 100 and electrically isolate certain elements from each other.

[0032] In particular, internal partitions of the housing 100 have substantially frustoconical faces 112 opening onto the access openings 111 and delimiting the insertion conduits 110. Each electrical conductor can be inserted into the insertion conduit 110 along an insertion direction D which corresponds to a longitudinal axis of the insertion conduit 110 (Figures 1 and 7), each substantially frustoconical face 112 being here centered on the insertion direction D of its insertion conduit 110, the cross-section of the substantially frustoconical face 112 decreases regularly along the insertion direction D from the access opening 111 towards the bottom of the housing 100 (i.e. towards the rear face 102 of the housing 100).

[0033] Each connection terminal 200, accessible through its associated insertion conduit 110, comprises a portion of a conductive bar 210 and a spring blade 220. Said portion of the conductive bar 220 is provided to receive in support a stripped end 2A of the electrical conductor 2 (i.e. the end of the conductive core 2A stripped of the electrical conductor) to ensure the connection of the electrical conductor 2 in the electrical equipment 1 (right terminal on the [Fig.1]).

[0034] In order for the electrical switchgear 1 to perform its function as a terminal block, the conductive strip 210 connects the two connection terminals 200 of the electrical switchgear 1 to each other. It therefore acts as a common element for the plurality of connection terminals 200 housed in the enclosure 100. The conductive strip 210 thus forms an electrical connection means entirely contained within the enclosure 100, which connects the connection terminals 200 to the same electrical potential. This conductive strip 210 is the sole connection means that links the connection terminals 200 of the electrical switchgear 1. The conductive strip 210 is secured within the enclosure 100 by internal partitions of the latter.

[0035] As shown in [Fig. 6], the conductive bar 210 here has the shape of a flattened, elongated rod curved at its ends and in its center. The bar conductor 210 more particularly has a central part 211 which extends between the two connection terminals 200 ([Fig.l]), and, at each end of the central part 211, a terminal part 212.

[0036] The central portion 211 comprises a first wall 21 IA, substantially parallel to the main lateral face 101 of the housing 100, which extends from one end portion 212 to the other. It also comprises a second wall 21 IB, shorter than the first wall 21 IA and folded, here at approximately 90 degrees, relative to the first wall 211 A. This second wall 21 IB can be electrically connected to the power supply by means of two ports 21 IC. This second wall 21 IB also has, projecting from each of its ends, a lug 211D shaped to cooperate with one of the spring blades 220 in order to position it within the housing 100.

[0037] Each terminal part 212 is associated with one of the connection terminals 200 and forms said portion intended to receive in support the stripped end 2A of the electrical conductor 2 inserted into the corresponding insertion conduit 110 of the housing 100.

[0038] Each terminal part 212 is here formed by folding one end of the conductive strip 210, here at approximately 90 degrees with respect to the first wall 21 IA of the central part 211. Each terminal part 212 has a generally planar shape, aligned with the insertion direction D of the insertion conduit 110 associated with its connection terminal 200.

[0039] Advantageously, each end portion 212 has a transverse relief 212A projecting towards the second wall 211B of the central portion 211 of the conductive strip 210. This transverse relief 212A has an edge, substantially orthogonal to the insertion direction D of the insertion conduit 110, which bears against the bare end 2A of the electrical conductor 2 ([Fig. 1]). The transverse relief 212A thus improves the contact of the bare end 2A of the electrical conductor 2 with the conductive strip 210 and also enhances the retention of the bare end 2A of the electrical conductor 2 in the connection terminal 200.

[0040] The bar 210 is here a rigid one-piece part made of conductive metallic material, for example by cutting and stamping a brass strip.

[0041] As shown in the figures, the leaf springs 220 of the different connection terminals 200 are identical. Only one leaf spring 220 and one connection terminal 200 are described in detail below.

[0042] As shown in [Fig. 4] and [Fig. 5], the spring blade 220 consists of a folded metal strip that forms a loop. It has a retaining arm 221, which is generally fixed relative to the housing 100, and a clamping arm 222 that is movable relative to the housing 100.

[0043] The 220 spring blade is advantageously made of stainless steel.

[0044] The spring blade 220 is elastically deformable between two configurations corresponding to two positions of its clamping arm 222: - a standby position ([Fig.4]) in which the clamping arm 222 releases the insertion conduit 110; and - a clamping position ([Fig.5]) in which the clamping arm 222 closes the insertion conduit 110.

[0045] In the standby position, the clamping arm 222 is positioned away from the insertion channel 110 to open this channel and allow the insertion of the electrical conductor 2 (left terminal in Figures 1 and 7). In the standby position, the spring blade 220 is highly pre-stressed, the loop it forms tending to unfold to return to its initial shape.

[0046] In the clamping position, the clamping arm 222 is offset towards the insertion conduit 110. The clamping position typically corresponds to a configuration in which the stripped end 2A of the electrical conductor 2 is inserted into the insertion conduit 110 and is held against the end portion 212 of the conductive strip 210 by the clamping arm 222 (right terminal in Figures 1 and 7). In other words, in the clamping position, the stripped end 2A of the electrical conductor 2 is wedged between the free end 222A of the clamping arm 222 and the end portion 212 of the conductive strip 210.

[0047] In the clamping position, without an electrical conductor inserted into the insertion conduit 110 (a less common configuration in which the connection terminal is triggered but without an electrical conductor connected), the clamping arm 222 then extends to the insertion conduit 110. In this case, the clamping arm 222 closes the insertion conduit 110, i.e., it blocks the lower opening of the insertion conduit 110, and thus blocks access to the connection terminal 200. This configuration is shown in [Fig.8].

[0048] By extension, we will say that the spring blade 220 and the connection terminal 200 are also in standby position when the clamping arm 222 is in standby position (left terminal in Figures 1 and 7), and in clamping position when the clamping arm 222 is in clamping position (right terminal in Figures 1 and 7).

[0049] The retaining arm 221 and the clamping arm 222 are connected to each other by a section of the spring blade 220 forming an elbow 223. The elbow 223 here connects the upper parts of the retaining arm 221 and the clamping arm 222. As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the spring blade 220 is more particularly folded, at the elbow 223, so that the retaining arm 221 and the clamping arm 222 face each other.

[0050] The clamping arm 222 is straight here. The clamping arm 222 has, opposite the elbow 223, a free end 222A ([Fig. 5]). As shown in the [Fig.l], in clamping position, the stripped end 2A of the electrical conductor 2 inserted into the insertion conduit 110 is more specifically constrained against the terminal part 212 of the conductive bar 210 by the free end 222A of the clamping arm 222.

[0051] The retaining arm 221 more particularly comprises a main portion 221A and a lower end portion 221B. As will become apparent later, the fact that the retaining arm 211 is generally fixed relative to the housing 100 means that its main portion 221A is locked in the housing 100, but that its end portion 221B is slightly mobile due to elastic deformation, while remaining relatively immobile compared to the mobility of the clamping arm 222.

[0052] The main portion 221A of the retaining arm 221 is straight. As shown in [Fig. 1], it is held between internal partitions of the housing 100 and the conductive strip 210, which secures the spring blade 220 relative to the housing 100. The main portion 221A of the retaining arm 221 has an opening 221C (Figures 4 and 5) designed to cooperate with one of the lugs 211D of the conductive strip 210, thus improving the positioning of the spring blade 220. As shown in [Fig. 1], the opening 221C has a shape complementary to that of the lug 211D, so that the lug 211D passes through the opening 221C.

[0053] The end portion 221B of the retaining arm 221 is S-shaped here. More specifically, the end portion 221B of the retaining arm 221 forms: - retaining means 230 of the clamping arm 222 in the standby position, and - actuation means 240 capable of disengaging the retaining means 230.

[0054] The retaining means 230 and the actuation means 240 are formed with the spring blade 220 in that they are fully included in the metal strip constituting the spring blade 220. This greatly reduces the complexity of the electrical equipment 1 by limiting the number of parts required to achieve the automatic connection function.

[0055] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the retaining means 230 comprise a tab 231 projecting from the end portion 221B of the retaining arm 221 (at the midpoint of the curve of the S). The tab 231 is formed by cutting and folding a central portion of the end portion 221B of the retaining arm 221.

[0056] As clearly shown in [Fig.4], the tab 231 forms a retaining surface for the free end 222A of the clamping arm 222. In other words, in the standby position, the free end 222A of the clamping arm 222 is placed in contact with the tab 231. The retaining means 230 are then in an engaged configuration in which they hold the clamping arm 222 in the standby position.

[0057] The actuation means 240 are themselves configured to be operated by the electrical conductor 2 inserted in the insertion conduit 110 so as to disengage the retaining means 230 and cause the clamping arm 222 to move from its waiting position to its clamping position.

[0058] The actuation means 240 include a pallet 241 formed by a folded free end of the retaining arm 221.

[0059] As shown in [Fig.1], the paddle 241 is more specifically folded so as to be transverse to the insertion direction D of the insertion conduit 110. The paddle 241 forms an interaction surface for the support of the stripped end 2A of the electrical conductor 2 introduced into the insertion conduit 110 of the housing 100.

[0060] As will be explained in more detail later, the support of the stripped end 2A of the electrical conductor 2 on the paddle 241 of the spring blade 220 allows the end portion 221B of the retaining arm 221 to be pulled towards the bottom of the housing 100, i.e., towards the rear face 102 of the housing 100 (opposite the access opening 111 of the insertion conduit 110). As illustrated in [Fig. 5], pulling on the end portion 221B of the retaining arm 221 disengages, i.e., releases, the retaining means 230 in the sense that the tab 231 is moved out of its support against the free end 222A of the clamping arm 222, thus releasing the latter.

[0061] The electrical switchgear 1 comprises one push button 300 per connection terminal 200, i.e., here two push buttons 300. As shown in the figures, each of the push buttons 300 is associated with one of the connection terminals 200. As depicted in the figures, the push buttons 300 are symmetrical with respect to the median plane M. When they are arranged on the same side of the median plane (a variant not shown), the push buttons are identical. Only one push button is described in detail below (as well as only one connection terminal, namely its associated connection terminal).

[0062] The push button 300 is used to reset the spring blade 220 of the connection terminal 200, that is, to move the spring blade 220 from the clamping position to the standby position. The push button 300 thus engages the retaining means 230. It can be operated by the user, either manually or with a tool, as will be described in more detail later.

[0063] The pusher 300 is movable within the housing 100 between two stable positions. These two stable positions also correspond to limit positions of the pusher 300.

[0064] A first stable position of the pusher 300 is a raised position in which it leaves the clamping arm 222 of the spring blade 220 free. This raised position corresponds for example to the clamping position of the spring blade 220 without an electrical conductor introduced into the insertion conduit 110, as shown in [Fig.8].

[0065] A second stable position of the pusher 300 is a lowered position (left terminal in Figures 1 and 7) in which it constrains the spring blade 220 to place the clamping arm 222 in the waiting position in order to engage the retaining means 230 and open the insertion conduit 110.

[0066] The pusher 300 can also assume, between its raised and lowered positions, a plurality of intermediate positions in which the clamping arm 222 partially raises the pusher 300. These intermediate positions correspond to the clamping position of the spring blade 220 with an electrical conductor 2 inserted into the insertion conduit 110 (right-hand terminal in Figures 1 and 7). As will become apparent later, the intermediate position of the pusher 300 depends on the diameter of the stripped end 2A of the electrical conductor 2.

[0067] Remarkably, according to the invention, the pusher 300 is mobile in rotation around a fixed axis A of the housing 100. In other words, the pusher 300 is mobile only in rotation, here around the fixed axis A.

[0068] Advantageously, the fixed axis A is offset relative to the pusher 300. Here, this means that the fixed axis A of the housing 100 passes through one end of the pusher 300, as opposed to a central part of the latter, for example, near its center of gravity. Thus, as shown in [Fig. 1], the retaining arm 221 and the clamping arm 222 of the leaf spring 220 are both positioned in a location within the housing 100 situated between the insertion channel 110 and the fixed axis A of the housing 100. This makes it possible to generate a strong lever effect when the pusher 300 acts on the clamping arm 222 of the leaf spring 220.

[0069] Here, the force exerted by the clamping arm 222 on the pusher 300, when the clamping arm 222 is released from the retaining means 230, is sufficient on its own to move the pusher 300 from its lowered position to its raised position. Advantageously, as shown in [Fig. 1], the housing 100 does not contain any additional parts (such as a helical spring) for the automatic return of the pusher 300.

[0070] According to the example shown in the figures, the pusher 300 has a U-shaped structure with two arms connected by a base. As clearly shown in Figures 1 and 3, the pusher 300 more specifically comprises a first arm 310, which is mounted on the fixed axis A, and a second arm 320 designed to interact with the spring blade 220.

[0071] At the upper part of the pusher 300, the first arm 310 and the second arm 320 are connected by the base 330. From the base 330 of the pusher 300, the two arms 310 and 320 extend generally towards the bottom of the case 100, facing each other. As clearly shown in [Fig. 3], the pusher 300 thus comprises a housing 340, in a hollow, delimited by its base 330 and its two branches 310, 320. This housing 340 is therefore open towards the bottom of the case 100.

[0072] As shown in [Fig. 1], the housing 340 accommodates the elbow 223 of the spring blade 220. The retaining arm 221 and the clamping arm 222 of the spring blade 220 are both partially positioned in the housing 340, which thus corresponds to the aforementioned location of the housing 100 situated between the insertion channel 110 and the fixed axis A of the housing 100. The pusher 300 also has a lower face 301, oriented towards the bottom of the housing 100, extending from the first arm 310 to the second arm 320 opposite the spring blade 220.

[0073] The first arm 310 of the pusher 300 is placed on the fixed axis A. To allow rotation of the pusher 300, the first arm 310 of the pusher 300 is drilled with a bearing 311 which accommodates a fixed trunnion 120 of the housing 100. As shown in [Fig. 1], the bearing 311 is provided in a lower free end 312 of the first arm 310 of the pusher 300. The bearing 311 and the trunnion 120 are both centered on the fixed axis A.

[0074] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the bearing 311 comprises a shoulder 311A ​​formed between: - a first cylindrical surface of revolution 31 IB of the bearing 311 (centered on the fixed axis A) here opening out on the side of the main lateral face 101 of the housing 100, and - a second cylindrical surface of revolution 31 IC of the bearing 311 (centered on the fixed axis A) opening out on the opposite side of the main lateral face 101 of the housing 100 (that is to say on the side of the lateral wall of the pusher described below) whose diameter is less than that of the first cylindrical surface of revolution 31 IB.

[0075] The trunnion 120 of the housing 100 has a shape, and in particular a shoulder (not shown), complementary to that of the bearing 311 of the pusher 300, which makes the positioning and movement of the pusher 300 in the housing 100 precise.

[0076] According to the example shown in the figures, the bearing 311 is a through bearing. Alternatively, the bearing could be a blind hole, closed by the lateral face of the pusher described below.

[0077] The second arm 320 of the pusher 300 more specifically has a lower free end 321 designed to be in contact with the clamping arm 222 of the spring blade 220. The free end 321 of the second arm 320 of the pusher 300 is generally supported in the middle of the clamping arm 222 of the spring blade 220, that is to say between its free end 222A and the elbow 223 of the spring blade 220.

[0078] Thanks to the rotational movement of the pusher 300, the second arm 320 of the pusher 300 effectively folds down the clamping arm 222 when the pusher 300 is moved to its lowered position. Indeed, thanks to the rotation, the force exerted by the free end 321 of the second arm 320 of the pusher 300 on the arm of The clamping force 222 of the spring blade 220 is oriented towards the main portion 221A of the retaining arm 221, and not simply towards the bottom of the housing 100 (i.e., vertically in Figures 1 and 7). This allows the retaining means 230 to engage quickly, i.e., with a relatively short stroke of the pusher 300.

[0079] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the pusher 300 has, opposite the free end 311 of its first arm 310, and therefore opposite the fixed axis A, an actuating head 350. The actuating head 350 projects from the base 330 of the pusher 300 outwards from the housing 100 (i.e., towards the front of the housing 100). Thus, the actuating head 350 is accessible to a user.

[0080] The fact that the actuating head 350 of the pusher 300 is located opposite the free end 311 of its first arm 310 allows the lever effect to be maximized when the pusher 300 is actuated.

[0081] In this case, as shown in Figures 2 and 3, the actuating head 350 has a substantially parallelepiped shape. However, it has a notch 351 which allows the insertion of a tool. The actuating head 350 is located here in the access opening 111 which provides access to the connection terminal 200. It remains mainly recessed from the front of the main lateral face 101 of the housing ([Fig. 7]), except in the raised position of the push button 300, in which it protrudes slightly from the front edge of the main lateral face 101 ([Fig. 8]).

[0082] Advantageously, as shown in Figures 2 and 3, the pusher 300 has a side wall 360 extending from the first arm 310 to the second arm 320 of the pusher 300. The side wall 360 of the pusher 300 is flat here. The side wall 360 partially closes, that is, only on one side, the housing 340 of the pusher 300 ([Fig. 2]). On the other side, the housing 340 is closed by the housing 100. The side wall 360 of the pusher 300 makes it possible in particular to strengthen the latter by further securing its first branch 310 and its second branch 320. Opposite the main side face 101 of the housing 100, the side wall 360 forms in part a flat side face 300A of the pusher 300 which is parallel to the main side face 101 ([Fig.7]).

[0083] Advantageously, as shown in [Fig.3], the side wall 360 of the pusher 300 has, in its edge, an indexing boss 370. This indexing boss 370 includes here a first relief 371 and a second relief 372, of lower height than that of the first relief 371.

[0084] The indexing boss 370 cooperates with a fixed stop 130 of the housing 100 ([Fig. 7]). The stop 130 is formed by a relief whose shape is complementary to that of the recess delimited by the two reliefs 371, 372 of the indexing boss 370. As shown in [Fig. 8], the stop 130 has a bump shape with a flank internal 131 (oriented towards the median plane M) and an external flank 132 (oriented in the opposite direction to the median plane M) connected by a vertex 133.

[0085] In the lowered position, the first relief 371 of the indexing boss 370 of the pusher 300 is locked in a disengageable manner on the inner side 131 of the stop 130. This configuration is shown on the left-hand connection terminal 200 of [Fig.7], the stop 130 is then housed between the reliefs 371, 372 of the indexing boss 370, which effectively indexes the position of the pusher 300.

[0086] When the clamping arm 222 of the spring blade 220 is released from the retaining means 230 (by the action of the electrical conductor 2 on the pallet 241), the force exerted by the clamping arm 222 on the pusher 300, here on the free end 321 of the second arm 320, is sufficient to disengage the locking mechanism of the first ridge 371 of the indexing boss 370 and allow the pusher 300 to rotate to its raised position. By slight elastic deformation, as shown schematically in [Fig. 7] (right terminal), the first ridge 371 of the indexing boss 370 can then overcome the apex 133 of the stop 130.

[0087] In the raised position, the first relief 371 of the indexing boss 370 is locked in a disengageable manner against the outer flank 132 of the stop 130. This configuration is shown in [Fig. 8]. Pressing the push button 300 by a user disengages this locking mechanism on the outer flank 132 of the stop 130.

[0088] The apex 133 of the stop 130 thus forms a hard point which tends to constrain the first relief 371 of the indexing boss 370 downwards either of the external flank 132 or of the internal flank 131 of the stop 130. In other words, the cooperation of the indexing boss 370 and the stop 130 tends to create an unstable equilibrium when the pusher 300 is in an intermediate position.

[0089] Alternatively, the indexing boss can be provided directly projecting from the first arm of the pusher. The indexing boss can also comprise only the first relief.

[0090] As shown in [Fig. 1], the free end 312 of the first arm 310 of the pusher 300 comprises a lower face 312A extending along a cylindrical portion. This lower face 312A of the free end 312 of the first arm 310 is arranged to slide against an internal face 105 of the housing 100, which has a complementary cylindrical shape. This sliding interaction allows for load transfer, reducing the stress exerted on the trunnion 120 of the housing 100, particularly when the pusher 300 is in an intermediate position.

[0091] The housing 100 finally includes stop surfaces that block the rotation of the pusher 300 so that it cannot go beyond its raised position and beyond its lowered position. As shown in [Fig. 8], the housing 100 includes, in particular, a first stop surface 141 against which the base 330 of the pusher 300 is in stop in raised position. The housing 100 also includes a second stop surface 142 against which the first relief 371 of the indexing boss 370 is against the stop in the lowered position.

[0092] We will now describe the operation of the electrical equipment 1 according to the invention. The operation of a single connection terminal 200 is described.

[0093] For the first use of the electrical equipment 1, the spring blade 220 is armed.

[0094] A preliminary step can therefore consist of arming the spring blade 220, that is to say, placing the spring blade 220 in the standby position while the clamping arm 222 closes the insertion conduit 110 and the pusher 300 is in the raised position, as shown in [Fig.8].

[0095] For this, the pusher 300 is pressed, for example manually by a user by pressing on the actuating head 350 of the pusher 300, preferably using a tool such as a screwdriver whose tip is inserted into the notch 351.

[0096] The pusher 300 then rotates around the fixed axis A towards the bottom of the housing 100. The actuating head 350, meanwhile, describes an arc-shaped trajectory towards the insertion channel 110. The second arm 320 of the pusher 300 then progressively pushes the clamping arm 222 of the spring blade towards the main portion 221A of the retaining arm 221. When the pusher 300 reaches the lowered position, the clamping arm 222 is pushed back to the tab 231 of the retaining arm 221, and the retaining means 230 then engage. The clamping arm 222 is then held by the tab 231 in the standby position, leaving the insertion channel 110 of the housing 100 open.

[0097] This movement of the pusher 300 is accompanied by the indexing boss 370 passing over the apex 133 of the stop 130 of the case 100, as described previously. The apex 133 of the stop 130 is then positioned between the two raised sections 371, 372 of the indexing boss 370.

[0098] The connection terminal 200 of the electrical equipment 1 is thus equipped and ready to receive an electrical conductor 2 for its connection. Preferably, the connection terminal 200 is equipped at the factory so that it is delivered ready for use by the user.

[0099] The implementation of the electrical equipment 1 then consists of inserting the electrical conductor 2 into the insertion conduit 110 of the housing 100 of the electrical equipment 1. This is a flexible cable type electrical conductor with a conductive core, one end of which is stripped and uncrimped (the core of the cable is thus exposed). Other types of electrical conductors may, however, be used.

[0100] The end of the electrical conductor 2 passes through the access opening 111 and then into the insertion conduit 110. By pushing the electrical conductor 2 into the insertion conduit 110, the stripped end 2A of the electrical conductor is brought into contact with the opening. 2 in contact with the pallet 241 of the retaining arm 221 of the spring blade 220. The stripped end 2A of the electrical conductor 2 presses on the pallet 241 which is then pushed by the electrical conductor 2 towards the bottom of the housing 100 and drives the tab 231 towards the bottom of the housing 100.

[0101] This interaction of the electrical conductor 2 with the actuating means 240 causes the disengagement of the retaining means 230, and, concomitantly, the movement of the clamping arm 222 from its standby position to its clamping position. During the disengagement of the retaining means 230, the free end 222A of the clamping arm 222 slides against the tab 231 of the retaining arm 221 until it comes out of its support.

[0102] In doing so, the clamping arm 222 moves transversely to the insertion direction D towards the terminal part 212 of the conductive strip 210. The clamping arm 222 clamps the bare end 2A of the electrical conductor 2 inserted in the insertion conduit 110 against the terminal part 212 of the conductive strip 210 (right terminal in Figures 1 and 7).

[0103] In the electrical apparatus 1 according to the invention, the electrical connection is established only when the electrical conductor 2 is completely inserted into the insertion conduit 110 so as to press on the paddle 241 of the end portion 221B of the retaining arm 221 of the spring blade 220.

[0104] Consequently, the electrical connection is reliable and secure. The connection terminal 200 is therefore "automatic", or "self-triggering", since it is the insertion of the electrical conductor itself that establishes the electrical connection.

[0105] Simultaneously, the pusher 300 rises from its lowered position to its raised position under the pressure of the clamping arm 222 of the spring blade 220, which tends to return to its initial shape. This movement of the clamping arm 222 is accompanied by the passage of the apex 133 of the stop 130 through the indexing boss 370, as described previously, and may be indicated by an audible "click" signal that signals to the user that the connection has been made.

[0106] To disconnect the electrical conductor 2 from the connection terminal 200, simply push in the plunger 300, either manually or with a tool, to move the spring blade 220 into its standby position, at least temporarily. It is not necessary to fully depress the plunger 300 to engage the retaining means 230. It is sufficient to move the clamping arm 222 of the spring blade 220 away from the end portion 212 of the conductive bar 210 to allow the electrical conductor 2 to be removed.

[0107] It is also possible to fully depress the pusher 300 to move it into its lowered position. It then engages the retaining means 230 of the The spring blade 220 is positioned so that the clamping arm 222 of the spring blade 220 remains locked in its standby position. The user then has both hands free to operate the electrical conductor 2 and extract it from the insertion conduit 110 of the housing 100. The connection terminal 200 is armed and ready to receive a new electrical conductor.

[0108] The invention is not limited to the embodiment described and represented and any variant in accordance with the attached claims could be envisaged.

[0109] In particular, alternative shapes can be provided for the retaining and actuation means. For example, the retaining means may include a slot formed in the end portion of the retaining arm into which the free end of the clamping arm fits in the standby position. The retaining means may also include two lateral tabs instead of the central tab.

Claims

Demands

1. Electrical apparatus (1) comprising a housing (100) provided with an insertion conduit (110) for an electrical conductor (2), said housing (100) containing: - a spring blade (220) consisting of a metal strip with a retaining arm (221) positioning the spring blade (220) in the housing (100) and a clamping arm (222) movable between a standby position in which it leaves the insertion conduit (110) open and a clamping position in which it closes said insertion conduit (110), the retaining arm (221) having means (230) for retaining the clamping arm (222) in the standby position, and actuating means (240) shaped to be operated by the electrical conductor (2) inserted in the insertion conduit (110) to disengage the retaining means (230) and cause the clamping arm to move (222) from its standby position to its clamping position,and - a pusher (300) movable between a raised position in which it leaves the clamping arm (222) free and a lowered position in which it constrains the spring blade (220) to place the clamping arm (222) in the standby position by engaging the retaining means (230), characterized in that the pusher (300) is movable in rotation about a fixed axis (A) of the housing (100).

2. Electrical apparatus (1) according to claim 1, wherein the retaining arm (221) and the clamping arm (222) of the spring blade (220) are both positioned in a location in the housing (100) situated between the insertion conduit (110) and the fixed axis (A) of the housing (100).

3. Electrical apparatus (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the pusher (300) comprises a first arm (310) mounted on the fixed axis (A) of the housing (100) and a second arm (320) shaped to constrain the clamping arm (222) of the spring blade (220) when the pusher (300) moves from its raised position to its lowered position.

4. Electrical apparatus (1) according to claim 3, wherein the spring blade (220) has a bend (223) connecting the retaining arm (221) and the clamping arm (222), said bend (223) being housed in a housing (340) of the pusher (300) formed between the first branch (310) and the second branch (320) of the pusher (300).

5. Electrical apparatus (1) according to claim 4, wherein the pusher (300) comprises a side wall (360) extending from the first arm (310) to the second arm (320) of the pusher (300) and partially closing the housing (340) receiving the elbow (223) of the spring blade (220).

6. Electrical apparatus (1) according to any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein the first arm (310) of the pusher (300) comprises a face (312A) extending along a portion of cylindrical surface which is in sliding contact with an internal face (105) of the housing (100) of corresponding shape.

7. Electrical apparatus (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the force exerted by the clamping arm (222) on the pusher (300), when said clamping arm (222) is released from the retaining means (230), is sufficient by itself to move the pusher (300) from its lowered position to its raised position.

8. Electrical apparatus (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the pusher (300) comprises an indexing boss (370) which is locked in a disengageable manner on a fixed stop surface (131) of the housing (100), the force exerted by the clamping arm (222) on the pusher (300), when said clamping arm (222) is released from the retaining means (230), being sufficient to disengage the locking of said indexing boss (370) and allow the rotation of the pusher (300) to its raised position.

9. Electrical apparatus (1) according to claim 8, wherein the indexing boss (370) is locked in a disengageable manner on another fixed stop surface (132) of the housing (100) when the pusher (300) is in its raised position.

10. Electrical apparatus (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the push button (300) has, opposite the fixed axis (A) of the housing (100), an actuation head (350) accessible to a user.

11. Electrical equipment (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the housing (100) has stop surfaces (141, 142) limiting the rotation of the pusher (300) beyond its raised position and its lowered position. 19

12. Electrical apparatus (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the pusher (300) comprises a bearing (311) mounted on a fixed trunnion (120) of the housing (100).

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