Automatically connecting electrical terminal with improved performance

Abstract

The invention relates to an electrical terminal (1020) comprising a conductive body (100) provided with at least one cavity (1, 2) for accommodating an electrical conductor (10) inserted along an axis of insertion (X1, X2) and of which part of the inner face thereof forms a contact surface for the stripped core (12) of the electrical conductor, a connection spring capable of applying a contact pressure to the stripped core, and arrangements suitable for holding part of the stripped core in the cavity. According to the invention, the arrangements comprise two deformed parts (183, 173) of the body, placed facing one another, on either side of the axis of insertion, the two deformed parts projecting from the inner surface of the body and extending toward one another so as to locally decrease the cross section of the cavity in order to pinch the stripped core at a given location in the cavity.

Description

Description Title of the invention: Enhanced performance automatic connection electric charging station

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

[0002] It relates more particularly to an electrical terminal comprising: a body made of conductive material having at least one housing intended to receive an electrical conductor inserted along an insertion axis and a portion of whose inner face forms a contact surface for the bare conductive core of said electrical conductor; a connecting spring disposed in the body, comprising a buttress portion having at its free end a buttress edge capable of exerting on the bare core of the electrical conductor inserted in said housing, a contact force directed along a contact direction transverse to the insertion axis such that a portion of this bare core comes into contact with said contact surface; and -fittings adapted to position a part of the exposed core of the electrical conductor in said housing, which include two deformed parts of the body, placed face to face, on either side of the insertion axis, the two deformed parts protruding on the inner surface of the body.

[0003] It also concerns electrical equipment incorporating such an electrical terminal.

[0004] Document JP2015015112 describes an electrical terminal such as the one described above, comprising a U-shaped metal tube body internally defining a conduit for inserting the bare core of an electrical conductor. A connecting spring with a buttress portion is provided within the insertion conduit. A spatula is cut into the upper wall of the body and bent so that one free end of this spatula extends into the insertion conduit towards the buttress portion. When the bare core of the conductor is inserted into the insertion conduit, it is pinched between the free end of the spatula and the free end of the buttress portion of the connecting spring to establish an electrical connection between the electrical conductor and the body of the terminal.Each of the side walls of the body is provided with cut and folded portions to form two facing guides in the insertion conduit, located on either side of the axis. of the insertion conduit. These guides form a kind of nozzle that guides the exposed conductor core as it is inserted towards the center of the body's insertion conduit. These guide portions only make temporary contact with the exposed conductor core as it is inserted into the body's insertion conduit to guide it towards the center of the conduit, but they have no capacity to hold the exposed conductor core in any position within the insertion conduit. The retention of the exposed conductor core within the electrical terminal's insertion conduit is ensured exclusively by the spatula and the retaining portion of the connecting spring.

[0005] We already know of documents DD217938, EP3182519 and DE102021130873, other electric terminals.

[0006] The electrical terminal of document DD217938 is arranged to retain in said housing the bare core of the electrical conductor between three surfaces arranged at the vertices of a triangle centered on the axis of insertion of said electrical conductor.

[0007] One disadvantage of this arrangement is that it can form an obstacle to the engagement of a driver who is not perfectly straight.

[0008] In electrical terminals according to documents EP3182519 and DE102021130873, a support spatula is provided, positioned within the housing of the body along the path of the electrical conductor, at a distance from the buttress edge. This spatula is capable of exerting a force, along a specific contact direction, on a portion of the exposed conductor core of the electrical conductor inserted into the housing. Furthermore, in these electrical terminals, a portion of the surface of the inner face of the body, facing the support spatula and the buttress edge, has a surface texture that increases the contact area with the exposed conductor core inserted into the terminal housing. The surface texture consists of micro-deformations of the surface: graining, striating, grooving, and sandblasting.

[0009] However, such surface texturing does not allow the exposed core of the electrical conductor to be held in a specific position within the housing of the electrical terminal.

[0010] This is why, in the electrical terminal described in document EP3182519, the support spatula is formed at the end of an S-shaped spring that pushes the bare core of the electrical conductor against the textured surface of the terminal body. This spring holds the bare core in the terminal housing.

[0011] In the electrical terminal according to document DE102021130873, the length of the housing is such that the end of the bare conductor is inserted into the housing until it abuts against a back wall of said housing. The bare conductor is thus held between two internal surfaces at 90 degrees to the body of the terminal and the free end of the buttressing section.

[0012] Finally, documents DE102013003389 and DE102013000713 describe similar electrical terminals with a metal body forming a cradle with a generally U-shaped cross-section, defining a conduit for inserting the bare core of an electrical conductor. The metal body incorporates a connecting spring with two arms that secure the bare core of the electrical conductor inserted into the conduit. According to these documents, a series of bosses, formed by deformation (of the punching type) of the body walls, are provided at the junction of the side and bottom walls of the body. These bosses are regularly distributed along the longitudinal axis of the insertion conduit and project inwards towards the inside of the conduit.These bosses contribute to the connection of the bare core of the electrical conductor introduced into the insertion conduit but absolutely not to the retention of the bare core of the electrical conductor in a determined place in the metallic body of the electrical terminal.

[0013] Compared to the aforementioned prior art, the present invention proposes an electrical terminal which ensures improved retention of the electrical conductor in the housing of the electrical terminal body, which reduces heating of the terminal during operation, thus improving its reliability over time.

[0014] More particularly, the invention proposes an electrical terminal as defined in the introduction, characterized in that the two deformed parts of the body extend towards each other in a clamping direction transverse to the insertion axis so as to locally reduce the passage cross-section in said housing for the bare core of the electrical conductor, the two deformed parts forming two jaws of a clamp adapted to locally clamp said bare core to hold it at a determined place in said housing while ensuring good electrical contact between the bare core and the body.

[0015] Advantageously, in the electrical terminal according to the invention, the pinching effect produced by the body on the bare core of the electrical conductor inserted into the housing of said terminal makes it possible to obtain, compared to terminals of the prior art, an increase in the contact force and the friction effect between the bare conductive core of the conductor and the contact surface of the terminal body. This Increased contact force and friction cause the removal of oxides present on the contact surface of the terminal body and on the surface of the exposed conductor. This reduces contact resistance when an electrical conductor is connected to the terminal. The terminal's conductance is increased, and it operates at the lowest possible temperature, thus improving its reliability.

[0016] Other characteristics of the electrical terminal according to the invention are as follows:

[0017] - said two deformed parts belong to two parallel flat parts of the body;

[0018] - said two deformed parts have pinching surfaces of the bare core of the electrical conductor which are rounded surfaces, convex in the direction of the insertion axis;

[0019] - the bottom of said housing forms a longitudinal guide surface for the bare core of the electrical conductor and said pinching surfaces form lateral contact surfaces for the bare core of the electrical conductor;

[0020] - the body comprises, along the insertion axis, two distinct coaxial flanges separated by an open interval, namely, a first flange internally delimiting an entry part of said housing and a second flange internally delimiting a contact part of said housing, said deformed parts locally reducing the passage section in said contact part;

[0021] - each of the first and second flanges has a U-shaped profile, the inner face of the flanges forming the bottom and the lateral faces of said housing on which said deformed parts protrude;

[0022] - the body is formed from a single piece by forming, cutting and folding a metal strip, said deformed parts are tabs cut and shaped along a curved path in windows of the body, each of the tabs having at least one end connected to a flat part of the body;

[0023] - an additional element is provided, disposed in the body on the insertion axis, this additional element comprising a ramp extending into said housing obliquely relative to the insertion axis and adapted to guide and support the bare core of the electrical conductor towards said contact surface of the body;

[0024] - the additional element includes a stop surface for the free end of the stripped core of the electrical conductor, this stop surface extending perpendicularly to the insertion axis opposite an exit opening of said housing;

[0025] - the additional element belongs to said connecting spring, it forms a spatula at the end of a support part distinct from said buttress part, the support and buttress parts being arranged in such a way that the buttress edge is placed following the direction of introduction of the electrical conductor into said body between the entrance of said housing and said spatula;

[0026] - the connecting spring is a one-piece leaf spring comprising a central retaining part, the buttressing part being attached to said central retaining part by means of an elastic elbow forming a pivoting hinge and the support part being attached to said central retaining part opposite said buttressing part;

[0027] - the support part includes a foot which extends perpendicularly to the central support part and is fixedly attached to it, said spatula being attached to said foot by means of an elastic elbow forming a pivoting hinge for said spatula;

[0028] - the body comprises side-by-side two housings for two electrical conductors, said connecting spring comprising two parallel buttress parts, one for each housing and a single support part with two parallel spatulas, one for each housing, attached to the foot of said support part;

[0029] - the support part includes a connecting part attached, on the one hand, to the central support part by means of a first elastic elbow forming a pivoting hinge and, on the other hand, to the spatula by a second elbow turned opposite to the first elbow, the spatula presenting from said connecting part, a flat portion forming said ramp followed by a curved apex forming a support portion adapted to bear on the bare core of the electrical conductor;

[0030] - the body comprises side-by-side two housings for two electrical conductors, said connecting spring comprising two parallel bracing parts, one for each housing and a single support part whose free end is provided with a single spatula extending through the two housings;

[0031] - the additional element is a separate part of a connecting spring and is arranged in the body following the connecting spring in the direction of introduction of the electrical conductor into said housing;

[0032] - the body comprises two side-by-side housings for two electrical conductors, said connecting spring comprising two parallel buttressing parts, one for each housing, and a single additional piece is provided with two parallel ramps, one for each housing; and

[0033] - said additional piece has two stop surfaces for the free end of the stripped core of the electrical conductor, one for each housing, each stop surface extending perpendicularly to the insertion axis opposite the exit of the corresponding housing.

[0034] The invention also relates to an electrical apparatus which includes a base which houses at least one electrical terminal according to the invention.

[0035] The description that follows, 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.

[0036] Regarding the attached drawings:

[0037] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the electric terminal according to the invention,

[0038] Figure 2 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the electric terminal according to the invention,

[0039] Figure 3 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of the electric terminal according to the invention,

[0040] Figure 4 is a perspective view of a variant of the electrical terminal shown in Figure 3.

[0041] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view along plane AA of Figure 6.

[0042] Figure 6 is a top view of Figure 1.

[0043] Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view along plane BB of Figure 5.

[0044] Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view along plane AA of Figure 9.

[0045] Figure 9 is a top view of Figure 2.

[0046] Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view along plane BB of Figure 8,

[0047] Figure 11 is a cross-sectional view along plane AA of Figure 12.

[0048] Figure 12 is a top view of Figure 3, and

[0049] Figure 13 is a cross-sectional view along plane BB of Figure 11.

[0050] As a preliminary point, it should be noted that from one figure to another, the identical elements of the different embodiments of the invention will be referenced by the same reference signs and will not be described each time.

[0051] In the following description, the terms front and rear will be defined with respect to the user's perspective, the front of an element of the invention being oriented towards the user while the rear of that element is oriented away from the user. Similarly, the terms inside or internal and outside or external will be defined with respect to the center of the electrical terminal according to the invention, the inside or internal side of an element of the invention being oriented towards the center of the terminal while the outside or external side of that element is oriented away from that center.

[0052] Figures 1 to 3 and 5 to 13 show three embodiments of an automatic connection electrical terminal 1010; 1020; 1030.

[0053] This electrical terminal 1010; 1020; 1030 is intended to be housed in a base of electrical equipment such as a power outlet or a switch.

[0054] Regardless of the embodiment shown, the electrical terminal 1010; 1020; 1030 comprises a body 100 made of conductive material intended to house at least one bare electrical conductor 10, a connecting spring 300; 400; 500 capable of exerting pressure on the bare conductive core 12 of the electrical conductor 10 inserted in the body 100, to establish electrical contact between the core 12 and the body 100, as well as arrangements adapted to retain a part of the bare core 12 of the electrical conductor 10 in the body 100.

[0055] The body 100 of the electrical terminal 1010; 1020; 1030 is identical to all embodiments shown in figures 1 to 3 and 5 to 13. It will therefore only be described once.

[0056] The 100 body is formed from a single piece by forming, cutting and bending a metal strip. Advantageously, the body is made of brass.

[0057] The body 100 forms, at one end, a first part 101 for the connection of at least one electrical conductor 10, and, at another end, a second part 102 for the connection of a pin of an electrical plug not shown.

[0058] The body 100 has two main walls 110, 120, which are flat and parallel.

[0059] At one end, each main wall 110, 120 is extended by a curved portion 113, 123 which extends around a vertical axis Zl, Z2 inwards, between the said main walls 110, 120. At its inner end, located between the two main walls 110, 120, each curved portion 113, 123 is attached to a jaw 142, 141 of a clamp forming a socket 140 of axis Z, parallel to the said axes Zl, Z2, for the insertion of a pin of an electrical plug not shown. The socket 140 located between the two main walls 110, 120 of the body 100, opens forward by a flared opening through which the pin can be introduced along the Z axis into said socket 140 to be gripped by said jaws 141, 142 in order to establish an electrical connection between the pin and the body 100 of the electrical terminal 1010; 1020; 1030.The two curved portions 113, 123 exhibit a certain elasticity so that they form pivoting hinges around the vertical axes Z1, Z2 in order to slightly separate the jaws 141, 142 of the socket 140 when the pin passes through and to tighten the jaws 141, 142 against the pin inserted in the socket 140 to establish good electrical contact between the pin and the body 100 of the electrical terminal.

[0060] This arrangement of alveoli 140 linked to the main walls 110, 120 by the curved portions 113, 123 forms the second part 102 of the body 100 of the electrical terminal 1010; 1020; 1030.

[0061] According to the examples shown in the figures, the electrical terminal 1010; 1020; 1030 is a double terminal. Its body 100 is thus arranged to accommodate two electrical conductors 10 to be connected to the same electrical potential.

[0062] More specifically, the first part 101 of the body 100 defines two side-by-side housings 1, 2, with parallel axes XI, X2, for the insertion of two bare electrical conductors 10. The axes XI, X2 constitute the insertion axes of the conductive cores 12 of said electrical conductors 10.

[0063] As shown in Figures 1 to 3, 5, 7, 8, 10, 11 and 13, the first part 101 of the body 100 comprises, along each insertion axis XI, X2, two distinct coaxial flanges 150, 180, 160, 170 separated by an open gap. Each pair of flanges 150, 180, 160, 170 internally delimits one of said housings 1, 2 intended to receive a conductor electrical 10 inserted along the insertion axis XI, X2, a part of the inner face of said flanges forming a contact surface for the bare core 12 of said electrical conductor 10.

[0064] This contact surface constitutes a contact interface between the terminal body and the surface of the bare core of the electrical conductor.

[0065] According to each insertion axis XI, X2, a first flange 150, 160 is provided internally delimiting an entry part IA, 2A of said housing 1, 2, an interval, then a second flange 180, 170 internally delimiting a contact part IB, 2B of said housing 1, 2. One or more contact interfaces between the terminal and the conductor are established at the level of each contact part IB, 2B.

[0066] As shown in Figures 1 and 5, each of the first and second flanges 150, 180, 160, 170 of each pair of flanges has a U-shaped profile around the insertion axis XI, X2. The first and second flanges 150, 180, 160, 170 of each pair of flanges then form the housing 1, 2, essentially in two tubular parts with axis XI, X2, open at each end 151, 152, 181, 182, 161, 162, 171, 172 (see Figure 6). Each housing 1, 2 is also open longitudinally towards the rear of the body 100 of the electrical terminal. As shown more particularly in figures 6 and 7, the end 151, 161 of the first flange 150, 160, turned away from the cavity 140, delimits the insertion opening of the stripped electrical conductor 10 in the inlet part IA, 2A of said housing 1, 2 while the end 182, 172 of the second flange 180, 170 turned towards the cavity 140, delimits an exit opening of the contact part IB, 2B of said housing 1, 2.The two flanges 150, 180, 160, 170 of the same pair have two ends 152, 181, 162, 171 facing each other, spaced apart by said interval, one 152, 162 delimiting the exit opening of the inlet part IA, 2A of said housing 1, 2 formed by the first flange 150, 160 and the other 181, 171 delimiting the inlet opening of the contact part IB, 2B of said housing 1, 2 formed by the second flange 180, 170.

[0067] The flanges 150, 180, 160, 170 extend from the front longitudinal edges 111, 121 of the main walls 110, 120 into the body 100 of the electrical terminal 1010; 1020; 1030 (see figures 1, 2 and 3).

[0068] Thus, the flanges 150, 180 of the first pair forming the first housing 1 of axis XI, have a branch attached to the front longitudinal edge 111 of the first main wall 110 of the body 100 and a free branch located between the two main walls 110, 120 and the flanges 160, 170 of the second pair forming the second housing 2 of axis X2, have one arm attached to the longitudinal front edge 121 of the second main wall 120 and a free arm located between the two main walls 110, 120. All the arms of the first two pairs of loops 150, 160, on the one hand, and all the arms of the second pairs of loops 180, 170, on the other hand, are parallel (see Figure 7). The free arms of the first two pairs of loops 150, 160, on the one hand, and the free arms of the second pairs of loops 180, 170, on the other hand, are placed, inside the body 100, side-by-side and back-to-back (see Figure 1).

[0069] As shown more particularly in figures 5, 7, 8, 10, 11 and 13, the inner face of the first and second bridles 150, 180 of each pair of bridles, forms, on the one hand, the bottom IC of each housing 1, and, on the other hand, the parallel lateral faces of each housing 1.

[0070] Part of the inner face of said flanges 150, 180, 160, 170 forms a contact surface for the bare conductive core 12 of the electrical conductor 10 inserted into the corresponding housing 1, 2.

[0071] Finally, the body 100 has, at the rear, opposite said flanges 150, 180, 160, 170, more particularly opposite the longitudinal opening of said housings 1, 2, a closing wall 130 which extends from the rear longitudinal edge 112 of the main wall 110 to the rear longitudinal edge 122 of the other main wall 120 of the body 100.

[0072] This closing wall 130 closes, at the rear, the first part 101 of the body 100 for the connection of the electrical conductors 10 and serves as a support for the connection spring 300; 400; 500 of the electrical terminal 1010; 1020; 1030 as will be described below.

[0073] As shown in Figures 5, 8, and 11, regardless of the embodiment of the electrical terminal 1010, 1020, or 1030 depicted, the connecting spring 300, 400, or 500 is a single-piece leaf spring. This leaf spring has the required elasticity and is advantageously made here of a conductive material such as stainless steel. Alternatively, a connecting spring made of an insulating material could be used.

[0074] The connecting spring 300; 400; 500 includes a central retaining part 330; 430; 530 which rests on the inner face of the closing wall 130 of the body 100 of the electrical terminal 1010; 1020; 1030.

[0075] The retaining part 330; 430; 530 of the connecting spring 300; 400; 500 is locked onto this closing wall 130 by means of several arrangements provided between the body 100 of the electrical terminal and said retaining part 330; 430; 530 which cooperate.

[0076] In particular, two small protruding tabs are provided on two longitudinal sides of the retaining portion 330; 430; 530 of the connecting spring 300; 400; 500. These two small tabs are positioned in two shoulders of the body 100 formed at the junction between the rear edges 112, 122 of the main walls 110, 120 and the edge of the closing wall 130. These small tabs lock the retaining portion 330; 430; 530 of the connecting spring 300; 400; 500 along two perpendicular axes (the insertion axis XI, X2 and the Z axis). Thanks to the small tabs, the retaining portion 330; 430; 530 of the connecting spring 300; 400; 500 is blocked on the closing wall 130 of the body 100 of the electrical terminal, in the direction of the insertion of the electrical conductors 10 into said housings 1, 2 of the body 100.

[0077] There is also provided in the center of the retaining part 330; 430; 530 of the connecting spring 300; 400; 500 a central circular opening (not visible in the figures) part of whose edge is placed against a rim in an arc of a circle provided projecting on the inner face of the closing wall 130 of the body 100 of the electrical terminal 1010; 1020; 1030 in such a way that the retaining part 330; 430; 530 of the connecting spring 300; 400; 500 is blocked on the closing wall 130 of the body 100 of the electrical terminal, in the direction of the extraction of the electrical conductors out of said housings 1, 2.

[0078] The connecting spring 300; 400; 500 here comprises two parallel buttress parts 310; 410; 510, one for each housing 1, 2 of the body 100 of the electrical terminal 1010; 1020; 1030.

[0079] Each buttress part 310;410;510 extends from the retaining part 130 of the connecting spring, obliquely with respect to the insertion axis XI, X2, towards the bottom IC of the contact part IB of each housing 1 (see Figures 5, 9 and 11) so that the free end 310A;410A;510A of each buttress part 310;410;510 is inserted into said housing 1, 2, via the longitudinal opening of said housing, and that the buttress edge located at this free end 310A;410A;510A is placed on the path of the electrical conductor 10 inserted into the contact part IB of said housing 1, 2 (see Figures 5, 7, 8, 10, 11 and 13).

[0080] Each buttress part 310; 410; 510 is attached or connected to the retaining part 330; 430; 530 of the connecting spring 300; 400; 500 by an elastic elbow 311; 411; 511 which wraps around an axis Y1 parallel to the closing wall 130 of the body 100 and perpendicular to the insertion axis XI, X2. Each elbow 311; 411; 511 advantageously forms a pivoting hinge of the corresponding buttress part 310; 410; 510.

[0081] Thus, from a rest position, when the electrical terminal is empty of any electrical conductor, each buttress part 310;410;510 of the connecting spring 300;400;500 is able to pivot several degrees around the axis Y1 in the direction of the retaining part 330;430;530 of the connecting spring under the action of the electrical conductor 10 introduced into the housing 1, 2 of the body 100 of the electrical terminal.

[0082] The free end 310A; 410A; 510A of the buttressing part 310; 410; 510 can take several different bearing positions against the conductive core 12 of electrical conductors 10 of different cross-sections inserted into a housing 1, 2 of said body 100 of the electrical terminal so that the buttressing edge exerts on the bare core a contact force directed along a contact direction transverse to the insertion axis XI, X2 so that a part of this bare core comes into contact with said contact surface of the body 100. In other words, the buttressing edge pushes and holds this conductive core 12 in said housing 1, 2 of the body 100 of the electrical terminal.

[0083] At rest, i.e., without an electrical conductor inserted into the electrical terminal, each buttress portion 310; 410; 510 of the connecting spring 300; 400; 500 forms an angle of approximately 60 degrees with the insertion axis XI, X2 of the corresponding housing 1, 2. The angular deflection of each buttress portion 310; 410; 510 is between 15 and 20 degrees. When the stripped core 12 of an electrical conductor 10 with a diameter of 1.5 mm is inserted into one of the housings 1, 2 of the body 100 of the electrical terminal, the elastic elbow 311; 411; 511 bends so that the buttress portion 310; 410; 510 pivots approximately 17 degrees from its rest position. When the bare core 12 of an electrical conductor 10 of diameter 2.5 mm is inserted into said housing 1, 2 of the body 100 of the electrical terminal, the elastic elbow 311;411;511 bends so that the buttress part 310;410;510 pivots about 20 degrees from its rest position.

[0084] Furthermore, as Figures 5 to 13 particularly illustrate, each buttress portion 310, 410, and 510 of the connecting spring 300, 400, and 500 comprises, near its buttress edge 300A, 400A, and 500A, a tab 340, 440, and 540 that projects laterally from the flanges 150, 180, 160, and 170 of the body 100 into the free space provided between the two pairs of flanges. The two tabs 340, 440, and 540 have two free longitudinal edges that extend side-by-side into this free space. These tabs 340;440;540 are accessible in this free space to a double disconnection pusher (not shown) adapted to simultaneously bear on these two tabs to separate the buttress parts 310;410;510 from the bare cores of the electrical conductors and allow the removal of said electrical conductors from the body of the electrical terminal.

[0085] Advantageously, as shown in figures 5, 8 and 11, an additional element 320; 420; 600 is provided, arranged in the body 100 on each insertion axis XI, X2.

[0086] According to the two embodiments shown in figures 1, 5 to 7 and 2, 8 to 10, the additional element 320; 420 belongs to said connecting spring 300; 400.

[0087] The additional element 320;420 comprises a spatula 322;422, 423 at the end of a support portion 320;420 separate from the corresponding buttress portion 310;410. The support portion 320;420 is attached to the central retaining portion 330;430 opposite the buttress portion 310;410.

[0088] The support parts 320;420 and buttress parts 310;410 are arranged so that each buttress edge 310A;410A is placed along the direction of introduction of the electrical conductor 10 into said body 100 between the entrance 151, 161 of each housing 1, 2 and said spatula 322;422, 423.

[0089] Considering the direction of insertion of the electrical conductor 10 into each housing 1, 2, downstream of the free end 310A; 410A (forming the buttress edge) of the corresponding buttress portion 310; 410, the spatula 322; 422, 423 forms a ramp extending into the housing 1, 2 at an angle to the insertion axis XI, X2. This ramp 322; 422 is adapted to guide and support the free end 12A of the stripped core 12 of the electrical conductor 10 towards the contact surface of said housing 1.

[0090] According to the embodiment of the electrical terminal 1010 shown in Figures 1, 5 to 7, the support portion 320 comprises a single foot 321 which extends perpendicularly to the central retaining portion 330 of the connecting spring 300, being attached or connected fixedly to it. Two parallel spatulas 322 are provided, one for each housing 1, 2. Each spatula 322 is a flat part attached or connected to said foot 321 by means of an elastic elbow 323 that wraps around an axis Y2 parallel to the axis Y1. The two elbows 323 are oriented towards the elbows 311 that connect the buttress parts 310 to the central retaining part 330 of the connecting spring 300 so that each spatula 322 extends from the elbow 323 towards the corresponding buttress part 310. Each elbow 323 forms a pivot hinge for the corresponding spatula 322 about the axis Y2. The two pivot hinges are independent.

[0091] In summary, according to the embodiment of the electrical terminal 1010 shown in Figures 1, 5 to 7, said connecting spring 300 comprises, in a single piece, two parallel buttressing parts 310, one for each housing 1, 2 and a single support part 320 with two parallel 322 spatulas, one for each housing 1, 2, attached to the foot 321 of said support part 320 by two elastic elbows 323 forming two independent pivoting hinges.

[0092] According to the embodiment of the electrical terminal 1020 shown in Figures 2, 8 to 10, the support part 420 has an S-shaped profile with a connecting part attached or connected, on the one hand, to the central retaining part 430 of the connecting spring 400 by means of a first elastic elbow 421 turned towards the elbows 411 and wound around an axis Y3 parallel to the axis Y1 and, on the other hand, to the spatula 422, 423 by means of a second elastic elbow turned opposite to the first elbow 421 and wound around an axis Y4 parallel to the axis Y3. The spatula 422, 423 has, from said connecting part, a flat portion forming said ramp 422 followed by a curved apex 423 forming a support portion adapted to bear on the free end 12A of the bare core 12 of the electrical conductor 10. The first and second elastic bends form pivoting hinges around respectively the axes Y3 and Y4.

[0093] In summary, according to the embodiment of the electrical terminal 1020 shown in Figures 2, 8 to 10, said connecting spring 400 comprises, in one piece, two parallel buttress parts 410, one for each housing 1, 2 and a single S-shaped support part 420 whose free end is provided with a single spatula 422, 423 extending through the two housings 1, 2 and pivoting about the axis Y4.

[0094] It should be noted that the angular deflection of each spatula 322; 422, 423 of the support part 320; 420 of the connecting spring 300; 400 is between 3 and 6 degrees which is much less than the angular displacement of the buttress parts 310; 410 of said connecting spring.

[0095] When it is introduced into the body 100 of the electrical terminal 1010; 1020 through an inlet part IA, 2A of a housing 1, 2, the bare core 12 of the electrical conductor 10 first encounters the buttress edge 310A; 410A of the buttress part 310; 410 of the connecting spring 300; 400 which pushes the core 12 towards the bottom IC of said housing 1, 2 before it reaches the ramp 322; 422 of the support part 320; 420.

[0096] In the connected position in the corresponding housing 1, shown in Figures 5 and 8, the spatula 322; 422, 423 of the support part 320; 420 serves as a support for the free end 12A of the stripped core 12 of the electrical conductor 10 in order to prevent any unintentional tilting movement of the electrical conductor 10 towards the rear of the body 100, i.e. towards the rear closing wall 130 of the body 100 of the electrical terminal 1010; 1020. Such an unintentional tilting movement would cause a separation of the core 12 from said contact surface of the body 100, which could be detrimental to the electrical contact between the body 100 of the electrical terminal and the conductive core 12 of the electrical conductor 10 and therefore to the performance of said electrical terminal.Thanks to the support part 320; 420 equipped with the spatula 322; 422, 423, the conductive core 12 of the electrical conductor 10 is correctly positioned and held by the connecting spring 300; 400 in the corresponding housing 1, 2 of the body 100 of the electrical terminal 1010; 1020 especially as the spatula 322; 422, 423 exerts a slight pressure on the conductive core of the electrical conductor in the direction of the contact surface of said body 100.

[0097] Finally, it should be noted that in each of the electrical terminals 1010 and 1020, the locking of the electrical conductors 10 in the slots 1 and 2 of the body 100, along axes XI and X2, can be achieved by butting the cut edge of the insulating sheath of said conductors (whose stripping length is standardized) against parts of the base or cover of the electrical equipment (not shown). The locking of the electrical conductors 10 in the slots 1 and 2 of the body 100, along axes XI and X2, can also be achieved by butting said conductors against parts of the base of the electrical equipment (not shown) located downstream of the flanges 180.

[0098] According to the embodiment of the electrical terminal 1030 shown in Figures 3, 11 to 13, the additional element 600 is a separate part from said connecting spring 500 and arranged in the body 100 following said connecting spring 500 according to the direction of introduction of the electrical conductor into each housing 1, 2.

[0099] The additional element 600 is a single piece that can be made of insulating or conductive material. This single piece comprises a base 610 fixed to the body 100 of the electrical terminal 1030 by means of a shaft 6 engaged in a bearing 611 passing through the base 610 (see figure 11).

[0100] The base 610 has two parallel inclined surfaces 612 at the front, one for each housing 1, 2 of the body 100 of the electrical terminal 1030. Each inclined surface 612 is a kind of gutter forming a ramp extending into said housing 1, 2 at an angle to the insertion axis XI, X2. This ramp 612 is adapted to guide and support the end 12A of the stripped core 12 of the electrical conductor 10 inserted into said housing 1, 2 towards said contact surface of the body 100 of the electrical terminal 1030. More particularly, each inclined surface 612 has a cylindrical portion connected to a slightly conical portion going from a larger diameter to a smaller diameter in the direction of insertion of the electrical conductor.

[0101] Considering the direction of insertion of the electrical conductor 10 into the corresponding housing 1, 2 of the body 100 of the electrical terminal 1030, each ramp 612 is positioned downstream (or following) the buttress edge 510A of the buttress part 510 of the connecting spring 500.

[0102] Furthermore, according to this embodiment (see figures 11 to 13), the additional element 600 comprises, for each housing 1, 2 of the body 100 of the electrical terminal 1030, a stop surface 613 for the free end 12A of the bare core 12 of the electrical conductor 10. Each stop surface 613 extends perpendicularly to the insertion axis XI, X2 opposite an end opening of said housing 1, 2. Here, this is the exit opening of the contact part IB of the housing 1 (see figure 11).

[0103] More specifically, the base 610 of the additional element 600 supports two uprights 614. Each upright 614 is located at one end of each ramp 612, outside the corresponding housing 1, 2. It extends forward from the body 100 of the electrical terminal. Each upright 614 has a face 613 facing the exit opening of the corresponding housing 1, 2. This face 613 forms the stop surface that closes the exit passage of the housing.

[0104] In summary, in the embodiment of the electrical terminal 1030 shown in Figures 3, 11 to 13, a pin-shaped connecting spring 500 with two parallel buttressing parts 510, one for each dwelling 1, 2, and a single additional part 600 provided with two parallel ramps 612, one for each dwelling 1, 2, as well as two buttress surfaces 613, one for each dwelling 1, 2, each buttress surface 613 extending perpendicularly to the insertion axis XI, X2 opposite the exit of the corresponding dwelling 1, 2.

[0105] When it is introduced into the body 100 of the electrical terminal 1030 through an inlet part IA, 2A of a housing 1, 2, the bare core 12 of the electrical conductor 10 first encounters the buttress edge 510A of the buttress part 510 of the connecting spring 500 which pushes the core 12 towards the bottom IC of said housing 1, 2 before it reaches the ramp 612 of the additional element 600.

[0106] In the connected position in the corresponding housing 1, shown in figures 11 and 13, the ramp 612 of the base 610 serves as a support for the free end 12A of the bare core 12 of the electrical conductor 10 in order to prevent any unintentional tilting movement of the electrical conductor 10 towards the rear of the body 100, i.e. towards the rear closing wall 130 of the body 100 of the electrical terminal 1030. Such an unintentional tilting movement would cause a separation of the core 12 from said contact surface of the body 100, which could be detrimental to the electrical contact between the body 100 of the electrical terminal and the conductive core 12 of the electrical conductor 10 and therefore to the performance of said electrical terminal.Thanks to the base 610 added in the body 100 of the electrical terminal 1030, the conductive core 12 of the electrical conductor 10 is correctly positioned and held by the connecting spring 500 in the corresponding housing 1, 2 of the body 100 of the electrical terminal 1030.

[0107] According to a notable feature of the electrical terminal 1010; 1020; 1030, it includes arrangements adapted to keep part of the core 12 of the electrical conductor 10 exposed in each housing 1, 2.

[0108] As shown in figures 6, 7, 9, 10, 12 and 13, these arrangements include two deformed parts 183, 184, 173, 174 of the body 100, placed face to face, on either side of the insertion axis XI, X2. The two deformed portions 183, 184, 173, 174 protrude from the inner surface 180C, 180D, 170C, 170D of the body 100 and extend towards each other along a clamping direction Y transverse to the insertion axis XI, X2 so as to locally reduce the passage cross-section in said housing 1, 2 for the bare conductive core 12 of the electrical conductor 10. The two deformed portions 183, 184, 173, 174 form two jaws of a clamp adapted to locally clamp said core 12 bare conductor to maintain it in a determined place of said housing 1, 2 ensuring good electrical contact between the bare core 12 and the body 100.

[0109] For each housing 1, 2, the said deformed parts 183, 184, 173, 174 belong to two parallel flat parts 180A, 180B, 170A, 170B of the body 100.

[0110] Advantageously, the said deformed parts 183, 184, 173, 174 are tabs cut into the parallel branches 180A, 180B, 170A, 170B of the two second flanges 180, 170 delimiting the contact parts IB, 2B of the two housings 1, 2 (see figures 6, 7, 9, 10, 12, 13). The tabs 183, 184, 173, 174 are formed along a curved path in windows 185, 186, 175, 176 of the body 100, each of the tabs 183, 184, 173, 174 having here two ends connected to the said branches 180A, 180B, 170A, 170B of the flanges 180, 170 of the body 100 of the electrical terminal 1010, 1020, 1030.

[0111] The flanges 180, 170 exhibit a certain degree of elasticity, while the tabs 183, 184, 173, 174 are rigid relative to the flanges. Nevertheless, the tabs operate elastically when they clamp the exposed core of the electrical conductors in the housings 1, 2 of the electrical terminal 1010, 1020, 1030.

[0112] In an alternative design (not shown), only one end of each tab could be connected to the corresponding arm of the terminal body flange, leaving the other end of each tab free. Each tab would then exhibit increased inherent elasticity.

[0113] The tabs 183, 184, 173, 174 protrude on the inner lateral faces 180C, 180D, 170C, 170D of said flanges 180, 170 in the direction of the insertion axis XI, X2 of the corresponding housing 1, 2.

[0114] The tabs 183, 184, 173, 174 have pinching surfaces 183A, 184A, 173A, 174A of the bare core 12 of the electrical conductor which are rounded surfaces, convex in the direction of the insertion axis XI, X2 of the housing 1, 2 of the body 100 so that said tabs 183, 184, 173, 174 locally reduce the passage cross-section of the bare core 12 of the electrical conductor 10 in said contact part IB, 2B of the corresponding housing 1, 2 of the body 100 of the electrical terminal 1010, 1020, 1030.

[0115] Thus, advantageously, in the body 100 of the electrical terminal 1010, 1020, 1030, the base IC of each housing 1, 2 forms a longitudinal guide surface for the bare core 12 of the electrical conductor 10, and said pinching surfaces form lateral contact surfaces 183A, 184A, 173A, 174A for the bare core 12 of the electrical conductor 10. When the connection is established between the bare core 12 of each electrical conductor 10 and the body 100 of the electrical terminal, there is not necessarily contact between the base IC of each housing 1, 2 and the electrical conductor 10. The contact is made between the lateral contact surfaces (pinching surfaces) 183A, 184A, 173A, 174A of said tabs 183, 184, 173, 174 of the body 100 and the bare core 12 of said electrical conductors 10. Nevertheless, if contact is established between the base IC of the housing 1, 2 of the body 100 of the electrical terminal and the bare core 12 of the electrical conductor 10 inserted in the housing 1, 2, then this can be advantageous because the contact interface increases, which leads to a reduction in heating of the electrical terminal.

[0116] When it is introduced into the body 100 of the electrical terminal 1010; 1020; 1030 through an inlet part IA, 2A of a housing 1, 2, the bare core 12 of the electrical conductor 10 first encounters the buttress edge 310A; 410A; 510A of the buttress part 310; 410; 510 of the connecting spring 300; 400; 510 before reaching the clamp formed by the said deformed parts 183, 184, 173, 174 of the body 100. This clamp grips the bare core 12 of the electrical conductor 10 in the contact part IB, 2B of the housing 1, 2 to establish a contact between the electrical conductor 10 and the body 100 of the electrical terminal 1010;1020;1030.The ramp 322; 422; 612 of the additional element 320; 420; 600 serves as a support for the free end 12A of the bare core 12 of the electrical conductor 10 in order to prevent any unintentional tilting movement of the electrical conductor 10 towards the rear of the body 100, i.e. towards the rear closing wall 130 of the body 100 of the electrical terminal 1010; 1020; 1030.

[0117] Thanks to the clamp, the bare core 12 of the electrical conductor 10 is correctly positioned and held at a determined location in the corresponding housing 1, 2 of the body 100 of the electrical terminal 1010;1020;1030. In this way, the contact force and the friction effect between the bare core 12 of the electrical conductor 10 and the body 100 of the electrical terminal 1010;1020;1030 are improved, which allows for improved conductance of the electrical terminal and its reliability.

[0118] Finally, as Figures 1, 3, 5, 8, and 11 show in particular, a recess 153, 163 is provided in a front portion 150C, 160C (forming the base of the U-shape) of the first flange 150, 160 of each pair of flanges, which creates a boss 153A on the inner face (on the bottom IC) of the inlet portion IA, 2A of the housing 1, 2. This boss 153A forms an additional contact surface between the bare core 12 of the electrical conductor 10 and the body 100 of the electrical terminal, which is always more advantageous for improving the electrical contact between the electrical conductor 10 and the electrical terminal 1010; 1020; 1030.

[0119] Figure 4 shows a variant of the 1030 electrical terminal shown in Figure 3.

[0120] According to this variant, the 100' body of the 1040 electrical terminal is different from the 100 body of the 1030 electrical terminal.

[0121] Just as in the electrical terminal 1030, the body 100' of the electrical terminal 1040 has a first part 101' for the connection of two electrical conductors 10 and a second part 102' for the connection of a pin of an electrical plug not shown.

[0122] The body 100' also has two main walls 110', 120', two ends of which are extended by curved parts 113', 123' connected to the jaws 141', 142' of a Z-axis socket 140' for the connection of the electrical plug pin.

[0123] On the side of the first part 101', the body 100' has two housings 1', 2' which extend along two parallel insertion axes XI, X2. These two housings 1', 2' are intended to accommodate the bare core 12 of two electrical conductors 10 inserted along the insertion axes XI, X2. The two housings 1', 2' are formed inside two U-shaped flanges 150', 160' which extend from the longitudinal front edges 111', 121' of the main walls 110', 120' towards the interior of the body 100'. The housings 1, 2 defined by the flanges 150', 160' are generally tubular with axis XI, X2, open at each end and also open longitudinally towards a closing wall 130' of the body 100' which extends from one rear edge to the other of the main walls 110', 120'.

[0124] Just as in the 1030 electrical terminal, the body 100 of the 1040 electrical terminal also provides a connecting spring and an additional element 600 to hold the bare core 12 of the electrical conductor 10 inserted in each housing 1, 2 and establish electrical contact between the body of the electrical terminal and the bare core of the electrical conductor.

[0125] However, according to this variant, the body 100' of the 1040 electrical terminal does not have deformed parts, placed facing each other, on either side of the insertion axis of each housing 1, 2, which form two jaws of a clamp adapted to locally pinch the bare core of the conductor inserted into the housing.

[0126] It provides in a front part 151', 161' (forming the base of the U shape) of each flange 150', 160', two recesses 153', 163', regularly distributed along the length of each flange 150', 160', which create two bosses on the inner face (on the bottom) of each housing 1, 2. These bosses form two additional contact surfaces between the bare core 12 of the electrical conductor 10 inserted in each housing 1, 2 and the body 100' of the electrical terminal 1040 to improve the electrical contact between the electrical conductor 10 and the electrical terminal 1040.

[0127] The invention is not limited to the detailed description above and various other modifications may be made to it by a person skilled in the art in accordance with its spirit.

Claims

22 Demands 1. Electrical terminal (1010; 1020; 1030) comprising: a body (100) made of conductive material having at least one housing (1, 2) for receiving an electrical conductor (10) inserted along an insertion axis (XI, X2) and a portion of whose inner face forms a contact surface for the bare conductive core (12) of said electrical conductor (10); a connecting spring (300; 400; 500), disposed in the body, comprising a buttress portion (310; 410; 510) having at its free end a buttress edge (310A; 410A; 510A) capable of exerting on the bare conductive core (12) of the electrical conductor (10) inserted in said housing (1, 2), a contact force directed along a contact direction transverse to the insertion axis (XI, X2) of so that a part of this naked soul comes into contact with said contact surface, and arrangements (183, 184, 173,174) adapted to position a portion of the bare core (12) of the electrical conductor (10) in said housing (1, 2), comprising two deformed portions (183, 184, 173, 174) of the body (100), placed facing each other on either side of the insertion axis (XI, X2), the two deformed portions (183, 184, 173, 174) protruding from the inner surface of the body (100), characterized in that the two deformed portions (183, 184, 173, 174) extend towards each other in a wedging direction transverse to the insertion axis (XI, X2) so as to locally reduce the passage cross-section in said housing (1, 2) for the bare core (12) of the electrical conductor (10), the two deformed portions (183, 184, 173, 174) forming two jaws of a clamp adapted to locally pinch said bare core (12) to hold it in a determined place of said housing (1, 2) ensuring good electrical contact between the bare core (12) and the body (100).

2. Electrical terminal (1010; 1020; 1030) according to claim 1, wherein said two deformed parts (183, 184, 173, 174) belong to two parallel flat parts (180A, 180B, 170A, 170B) of the body (100).

3. Electrical terminal (1010; 1020; 1030) according to any one of claims 1 and 2, wherein said two deformed parts (183, 184, 173, 174) have pinching surfaces (183A, 184A, 173A, 174A) of the bare core (12) of the electrical conductor (10) which are rounded surfaces, convex in the direction of the insertion axis (XI, X2).

4. Electrical terminal (1010; 1020; 1030) according to claim 3, wherein the bottom (IC) of said housing (1) forms a longitudinal guiding surface for the stripped core (12) of the conductor electrical (10) and said pinching surfaces (183A, 184A, 173A, 174A) form lateral contact surfaces for the bare core (12) of the electrical conductor (10).

5. Electrical terminal (1010; 1020; 1030) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the body (100) comprises along the insertion axis (XI, X2) two distinct coaxial flanges (150, 180, 160, 170) separated by an open gap, namely a first flange (150, 160) internally delimiting an entry portion (IA, 2A) of said housing (1, 2) and a second flange (180, 170) internally delimiting a contact portion (IB, 2B) of said housing (1, 2), said deformed portions (183, 184, 173, 174) locally reducing the passage cross-section in said contact portion (IA, 2A).

6. Electrical terminal (1010; 1020; 1030) according to claim 5, wherein each of the first and second flanges (150, 180, 160, 170) has a U-shaped profile, the inner face of the flanges (150, 180, 160, 170) forming the bottom (IC) and the lateral faces (180C, 180D, 170C, 170D) of said housing (1, 2) on which said deformed parts (183, 184, 173, 174) protrude.

7. Electrical terminal (1010; 1020; 1030) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the body (100) is formed in one piece by forming, cutting and bending a metal strip, said deformed parts (183, 184, 173, 174) are tabs cut and shaped along a curved path in windows (185, 175) of the body (100), each of the tabs having at least one end connected to a flat part (180A, 180B, 170A, 170B) of the body (100).

8. Electrical terminal (1010; 1020; 1030) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein an additional element (320; 420; 600) is provided, disposed in the body (100) on the insertion axis (XI, X2), this additional element (300; 420; 600) comprising a ramp (322; 422, 423; 612) extending in said housing (1, 2) obliquely with respect to the insertion axis (XI, X2) and being adapted to guide and support the bare core (12) of the electrical conductor (10) towards said contact surface of the body (100).

9. Electrical terminal (1030) according to the preceding claim, wherein the additional element (600) comprises a stop surface (613) for the free end (12A) of the bare core (12) of the electrical conductor (10), this stop surface extending perpendicularly to the insertion axis (XI, X2) opposite an exit opening of said housing (1, 2).

10. Electrical terminal (1010; 1020) according to claim 8, wherein the additional element (320; 420) belongs to said connecting spring (300; 400), it forms a spatula (322; 422) at the end of a support portion (320; 420) distinct from said buttress portion (310; 410), the support portions (320; 420) and buttress portions (310; 410) being arranged such that the buttress edge (310A ;410A) is placed along the direction of introduction of the electrical conductor into said body between the entrance (151,161) of said housing (1, 2) and said spatula (322 ;422).

11. Electrical terminal (1010;1020) according to the preceding claim, wherein the connecting spring (300;400) is a one-piece leaf spring comprising a central retaining part (330;430), the buttressing part (310;410) being attached to said central retaining part (330;430) by means of an elastic elbow (311;411) forming a pivoting hinge and the support part (320;420) being attached to said central retaining part (330;430) opposite said buttressing part (310;410).

12. Electrical terminal (1010) according to the preceding claim, wherein the support part comprises a foot (321) which extends perpendicularly to the central retaining part (330) by being fixedly attached thereto, said spatula (322) being attached to said foot (321) by means of an elastic elbow (323) forming a pivoting hinge of said spatula (322).

13. Electrical terminal (1010) according to the preceding claim, in which the body (100) comprises side-by-side two housings (1, 2) for two electrical conductors, said connecting spring comprising two parallel buttress parts (310), one for each housing (1, 2) and a single support part (320) with two parallel spatulas (322), one for each housing (1, 2), attached to the foot (321) of said support part (320).

14. Electrical terminal (1020) according to claim 11, wherein the support part (420) comprises a connecting part attached, on the one hand, to the central retaining part (430) by means of a first elastic elbow (421) forming a pivoting hinge and, on the other hand, to the spatula (422,423) by a second elbow turned opposite to the first elbow (421), the spatula having from said connecting part, a flat portion (422) forming said ramp followed by a curved apex (423) forming a bearing portion adapted to bear on the bare core (12) of the electrical conductor (10).

15. Electrical terminal (1020) according to the preceding claim, in which the body (100) comprises side-by-side two housings (1, 2) for two electrical conductors, said connecting spring comprising two parallel buttress parts (410), one for each housing and a single support part (420) the free end of which is provided with a single spatula (422) extending through the two housings (1, 2).

16. Electrical terminal (1030) according to any one of claims 8 and 9, wherein the additional element (600) is a separate part from a connecting spring (500) and disposed in the body (100) following said connecting spring (500) along the direction of introduction of the electrical conductor (10) into said housing (1, 2).

17. Electrical terminal (1030) according to the preceding claim, in which the body (100) comprises side-by-side two housings (1, 2) for two electrical conductors, the connecting spring (500) comprising two parallel buttressing parts (510), one for each housing (1, 2) and a single additional room (600) is planned, equipped with two parallel ramps (612), one for each dwelling (1, 2).

18. Electrical terminal (1030) according to the preceding claim, wherein said additional part (600) comprises two stop surfaces (613) for the free end (12A) of the bare core (12) of the electrical conductor (10), one for each housing (1, 2), each stop surface (613) extending perpendicularly to the insertion axis (XI, X2) opposite the exit of the corresponding housing (1, 2).

19. Electrical equipment comprising a base housing at least one electrical terminal (1010; 1020; 1030) according to any one of the preceding claims.

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